Chapter 30

Mort was at a loss. He didn't know what he needed to do in order to bring Shooter forth and confront him. He played with the hat, cursed Shooter's name, even claimed he'd kill himself if Shooter didn't appear. None of it worked.

He was on the verge of just calling Deja and asking her to come back home. He went into the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee, when he heard a knock at the door. He opened it to see a police woman standing there.

"Hi, is Deja Brown available?" she asked.

"No, she's actually gone on vacation for a while. Something I can help you with?" Mort asked.

"Maybe. Mind if I come in?"

"No, not at all." He widened the door and moved to the side allowing the woman to enter.

"How rude of me," she began, "I'm Officer Johnson." She stuck out her hand and Mort shook it.

"Mort Rainey. But I'm sure you already know that."

She gave a small smile and nodded. She was a petite woman, like Deja, but a little heavier. He was surprised that Sheriff Newsome had finally decided on getting some extra help. Even though Tashmore Lake was a small town, an arthritic sheriff wouldn't be able to handle things all alone.

"So what can I help you with, Officer Johnson?"

"We're still investigating the Todd Baker disappearance. On our last visit here we didn't get a chance to speak with you. Mind if I ask you some questions now?"

"Go right ahead," Mort said.

"Well, were you aware that Todd Baker took Deja home the night of the disappearance?" she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yeah. Deja's car wouldn't work, so he was being a good friend and dropping her off."

Officer Johnson wasn't picking up on anything with Mort. He was telling the same story as Deja had, but for some reason when Deja had told it it didn't fit. She had run out of things to ask and didn't want to intrude on Mr. Rainey anymore so she thanked him and left. She would have to come back when Deja returned.

Making her way to her police car, she spotted something on the ground. It was a small rock, but it looked different than the others. She picked it up and examined it. It was colored with a dark reddish-brown material. Could it be blood? she asked herself. She put it in her car and drove off.

Mort had watched Officer Johnson pick up something from the ground and take it with her. He wasn't sure what it was, but anything she picked up couldn't have been good. Was she on to them? he asked himself. He hoped not.

Deja had packed all of her things and was in the midst of saying good-bye to the kids. She promised them she'd be back to visit as often as possible and they were more than welcome to visit her, although she knew that would probably not happen since she lived with Mort.

Lilly agreed to drive her home, with some hesitation. She liked Deja a lot, but Mort Rainey still scared her, like most everyone in town. They pulled up to the cabin and Mort's car was gone. Deja got out of the car and Lilly followed carrying her bags.

"Thanks for everything Lilly," Deja beamed.

"Thank you, for helping with the kids."

The two women hugged and Deja promised to stop by and visit. She walked into the house and it looked the same as she had left it.

"Mort? Mort?" she called out. No answer.

She lugged her suitcases upstairs and set them to the side. She wasn't in the mood to unpack. She came back down and fixed herself a sandwich. She sat at the kitchen table and thought about how surprised Mort would be to see her. She hoped he wouldn't be too upset with her for coming back unannounced.

She happened to glance out the window when she saw a familiar face. It was Officer Johnson. She had parked her car and was snooping around. Deja let out a sigh. She couldn't believe this woman was back bothering her. One thing that struck Deja as odd, was that Officer Johnson wasn't in uniform and seemed to be driving her personal vehicle. Deja didn't know if she was here on official business or not.

She decided to not come outside quite yet, she'd observe Officer Johnson and see exactly what she was doing. She was inspecting the ground, picking up rocks. Deja couldn't make out why. She'd let her mill around the yard a little longer before she would head out. Unless she had a warrant or something she had no right to be on their property. Deja wasn't really up on the law, but she did know she needed warrant to search the property.

After watching Officer Johnson for another minute or so, Deja slipped on her house shoes and walked out. "Can I help you?" Deja asked.

She must have startled the officer, because she dropped the rocks in her hands and her face was contorted. She let out an uneasy giggle. "Sorry, I wasn't sure if anyone was home."

"Why?" Deja asked.

"Um...well, I...I had stopped by yesterday, looking for you and Mr. Rainey informed me you were on vacation. And his car isn't here now, so I thought maybe no one was home," she stammered.

"Well, I'm back," Deja said bluntly. "What can I help you with?"

"I just wanted to talk a little. About Todd's disappearance."

"I thought we discussed all of that already?" Deja was becoming aggravated.

"Well, we did, but I just wanted some...clarification on some things."

"Like what?"

"Like your relationship with Todd Baker?"

"Hewas my boss, what else would you need to know?" Deja made her way down the porch steps and was now only a couple of feet from Officer Johnson.

"Well, some of your coworkers and customers seem to think their may have been more to it. He flirted with you a lot, isn't that correct?"

"He flirted with everyone. What's your point?"

"Did he ever outwardly hit on you?"

Deja let out a laugh and shook her head.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Look, there was nothing 'sexual' going on with me and Todd. He was my boss and that was it. I don't know where you're trying to go with this, but our relationship was totally innocent. And furthermore, I don't appreciate you coming here to accuse me of...cheating." Deja had become heated and Officer Johnson picked up on that immediately.

"There's no need to be defensive, Deja," Officer Johnson said calmly. She was hoping to provoke her, get her to admit something, let it slip out.

"How can I not be defensive when you're here accusing me of cheating and murder!" Deja was letting her emotions get the best of her.

"Murder, who said anything about that?"

Deja instantly regretted her last statement. Todd wasn't officially declared dead, he was just missing. She had to think of a quick recovery.

"I'm sure that's where you were headed with this," Deja said.

"No, actually I wasn't."

Mort's car had pulled up next to the women and he had a confused look about him. He wasn't sure what to make of the two of them. Officer Johnson had come in her civilian attire and Deja was back. He definitely needed some answers.

"What's going on?" he asked, no one in particular.

Deja pointed at Officer Johnson. "She came here, snooping around!"

"I just came to talk some more. Deja's a little defensive on the topic of her and Todd's...relationship." She had to word this just right so she could get the reaction she wanted from both of them.

"Their relationship?" Mort asked.

"According to some of her customers...and coworkers, Deja and Todd were more than friendly."

"That's bullshit!" Deja yelled.

"I was just coming here to get answers on that."

"That's not true, Mort. She didn't even think anyone was here. She was snooping around the yard, picking up rocks or something."

"Is that true Officer Johnson?" Mort asked. "Because without a warrant you have no right to do that."

"I was just piddling around. Nothing serious," she said, matter-of-factly.

"It's still not legal. Are you even here on official business?" He looked at her clothing.

"Well...not really...I mean, I...I just wanted to ask you about her and Todd's relationship, that's all. I had forgotten yesterday."

"Well, then I think you need to leave my property before I call YOUR coworkers and ask them to remove you for trespassing."

Officer Johnson took a step closer to the couple. "I have something on both of you. It could possibly end this case and put both of you behind bars for a very long time. Why don't you just turn yourselves in right now," she sneered.

"What could you possibly have on us?" Deja scoffed.

It hit Mort. The rock she'd picked up yesterday. Something must've been on it. Some sort of DNA or something. He wasn't about to admit to anything based on that piece of evidence. For all he knew whatever she'd found could've been linked to another person. Maybe Amy or Ted.

"We're done here," he said turning around and walking towards the house. "Come on Deja."

She gave him a strange look and then followed him in the house. Officer Johnson just stood there. Mort turned around and told her to leave his property at once. She got into her car and drove away.

Once inside, Deja asked, "What was that all about?"

"She picked up something, a rock I think. From the yard yesterday and took it with her."

"A rock?" Deja asked confused.

"That must've been why she came back today. To see if she could find something more. I don't know what was on that rock, but it had to be something important enough if she took it with her."

"Blood maybe?" Deja asked.

"Could be."

Mort sat on the couch and began massaging his temples.This situation was overwhelming him. He didn't have the slightest clue as to how to solve it. Officer Johnson talked a good game, but Mort wasn't sure if she was telling the truth. Either way he couldn't take that chance. He had to get rid of her.

"Don't stress about this," Deja said, breaking into his thoughts.

He looked up at her standing over him. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Are you mad?" she asked.

"No, I just wasn't expecting you to be here."

"I really missed you Mort. I can't stand to be apart from you for so long," she said, sitting next to him.

Deja put her arm around his shoulder and looked him deep in the eyes. "Have you figured out what you're gonna do about Shooter?" she asked.

"I've come to some sort of decision, but I don't think you're going to like it," he said solemnly.

"Well, what is it?" she asked anxiously.

"This is the only solution I've been able to come up with. And I've thought about it long and hard. The only way to kill Shooter, is to...kill me."

Deja broke out into laughter. "Good one, Mort. Very funny," she rolled her eyes.

He took her hands in his. "I'm serious, Deja."

Her laughing ceased. Her heart began racing. "Mort, you don't mean that."

"Yes, I do."

"Not more than a day ago, we were telling each other how much in love we were. We're getting ready to have a family. You can't really be thinking of..." she couldn't even manage to finish her sentence.

"I've thought about it and it seems like the only solution. If I'm here, then so is he. I can't take the chance of him hurting you again, or even worse hurting the kids."

Deja began to crying. Mort wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. "What about some type of psychiatric help?" she asked.

"I thought about that too. But they'd keep me in there forever and it still wouldn't guarantee that Shooter would leave. I can't spend the rest of my life in a mental institution. Can you imagine you and the kids coming to see me there?"

"Suicide is not the answer Mort. You can't leave me," she cried.

"I haven't made a final decision, but it seems like the only solution. Why don't we just think about it and discuss it again later."

That was fine with Deja. The longer they waited to have that conversation, the more time Mort would have to realize it was a stupid decision. She was not giving up on him that quickly. If Mort wouldn't find another solution, then she would.

She'd spent every day of the next week at the library. She was researching Mort's condition and trying to find some sort of answer to help cure him. She'd recalled a few movies she'd seen with people struggling with inner voices like 'Fight Club' and 'Identity' but the outcome in those weren't that great. She couldn't imagine having to 'shoot' Shooter out of Mort.

All the books she'd researched led to the same conclusion. Commitment to a mental facility. There was no way Mort would go willingly, and she didn't know if he could ever forgive her if she had him admitted.

The library was closing and Deja felt defeated. All her trips there were for nothing. She was no better off than when she started. A small draft had picked up and Deja caught a chill. She wrapped her arms around herself and walked to her car.

Fishing her keys out of her purse, she heard a noise behind her. She turned to see Officer Johnson staring back at her. "Are you following me now?" Deja asked.

"No, small town. Just happen to be in the same place at the same time. I was leaving the diner," Officer Johnson said pointing towards the small restaurant across the street. She knew she was lying, but hoped Deja wouldn't pick up on it.

Truth was, she had seen Deja at the library twice earlier that week and decided to see if she'd return. She did. Officer Johnson never went into the library, but decided to confront Deja today.

"So what do you do in there till closing?"

"None of your business," Deja replied, pulling her keys from her purse and unlocking her car door.

"Fine, you don't have to tell me. Have a good night." Officer Johnson walked to her car and just before Deja closed her car door she expertly turned around and left Deja with a few lasting words. "Oh yeah, before I forget, I found a rock on your property the other day. I had it examined. There was blood on it. Matches the DNA of Todd Baker. Same blood type. We'll be taking you and Mort in for questioning tomorrow. Don't skip town or anything," she winked.

Deja sat frozen in her car. Was Officer Johnson serious, or was she just trying to rattle her. If she was telling the truth why would she tell her now. Why not just surprise her and Mort tomorrow?

Officer Johnson did have the rock taken in as evidence. But the blood didn't match Todd's. She was bluffing. She hoped her lie would give her a confession from Deja. She had nothing, but her own suspicions, connecting Deja to Todd's disappearance.

Just then Deja stepped out of her car, and walked toward Officer Johnson. "Wait," she said. "Can we talk?"