Hamelyn's Curse
Prologue
It's appetite was insatiable. Only during winter did it become quiet.
But as spring came - it would awaken Hungry! Ever hungry!
Chapter Seven
Colby glanced at his clock. It was almost six am. He collected his notes together and slid them in a large brown envelope. After which he shaved then had a nice hot shower.
Once dressed he hopped down from his van and walked around to its rear. Here securely locked to some struts. That were part of his RV, was the motor bike. He had bought with the van. Colby had paid an extra $130 dollars. For it to be included in the original purchase deal. But had considered it worth - the slight increase in price. Especially now. He pulled on his helmet then mounting his bike. Roared the mile into town. He arrived at the designated hotel. Just as the rest of the VCU squad were coming down to breakfast. Colby figuring the FBI was paying joined them. In the hotel's private restaurant. David grinned as Colby entered beside him. "Sleep well?" Colby was too embarrassed. To admit he feared anything. So gave a small nod then helped himself to a generous full English breakfast. From the buffet that was set up for guests.
As soon as they had all eaten their fill. Don led them to a room upstairs from the main reception area. The FBI had paid for it. Knowing the squad needed a private investigations area.
Don got straight down to business.
"Since we have no real idea what exactly we are dealing with? I have decided we are going. To treat this as a straight-forward case of kidnapping and follow standard procedures. For investigating it." He looked at his Colby. Having already made an inward note of the envelope he held. Don pointed to it laying now on a small coffe table in front of Colby. Am I correct in assuming you have been researching the previous cases?"
"Yes!" Before Colby could launch into a lecture about his discoveries. Don said. "You will pass everything you've learned across to Charlie."
"But." Don cut off his protest by turning to his brother and instructed. "You will read everything Colby has discovered. Then use the information and working with Ian. Begin formulating a defence against the Piper's Music. We know he is employing the Flute or the sound it makes as a weapon. I want a way to prevent it affecting any of us." Charlie gave a quick nod A lot at the FBI were aware that Charlie was super smart and Ian Edgerton. Knew a great deal about Native American Shamanism. He had some other unique skills too. Don looked at David next.
"You and Colby will begin by interviewing the relatives of the stolen children. I want complete biographies of all the kids, as soon as possible. Look for anomalies in the relative's stories and pay close attention. To all members of their families and friends. Before we can even start looking for a suspect. We have to eliminate them." David like Charlie nodded his understanding of the assignment. Colby decided to keep quiet and just follow orders. Some times it was easier than trying to argue. Besides Charlie was one seriously smart geezer He'd know what to do with the downloaded reports. Don had looked to across at.
"Liz! You and I will drive out to the Crime Scene. To begin preliminary investigations there. I've already got a group of CSUs from the main Crime Lab at Quantico on standby to assist us and a team. From the local Dallas Field office want to run a joint investigation with us. So all gathered information will be shared."
Colby sat quiet. Content to let David take the lead. As they began the first interview. But all the time his ever observant eyes scanned the room. Looking, noticing every little thing. The parents of the missing girl sat holding hands the father was pale and his face was haggard. The mother had clearly been crying. But then a strange clumping sound made Colby look round. A third person had entered another child. But this one made him gasp. She was leaning heavily on a pair of crutches. Her left leg was plastered. Colby began to shake as snatch of the poem Don had handed out, filtered through his mind.
"All but three were gone forever. One a cripple, one unsighted and one so deaf the music he never heard."
Colby struggled not to speak or let his excitement manifest itself. He concentrated on making notes of all that was said. A task David had delegated to him. Before they'd arrived at the house - twenty minutes earlier. "We need a record of everything they remember," his partner had said.
"I have a Dictaphone!" Colby had offered David put his head on one side.
"You know better than that Col! Hard Copy is more reliable and preferred by the courts." So Colby was writing everything down by hand. The mother began to talk. Colby could tell she was suffering, as every few seconds. A sob would catch in her throat increasing the difficulty. She had in telling her story.
"It was such a fine morning. The sunniest day we've had all year. The drive up to the Plateau was fun. Even Jenny," she indicated her crippled child "was excited about the picnic."
"When did the Piper first appear?" David asked.
"I think he was there right from the start." It was the father who answered. "There was a whole group of entertainers hired for the day." Colby duly noted this down.
"Had you ever seen him before?" David continued the questioning.
"Not me personally no! But there was a rumour going round That he'd been in town a few months ago. Something to do with a rat problem at the school I believe? I think he had some radical method of irradication." Colby couldn't hold it in any longer. Without even looking at David he asked. "Was he paid for the job?" The older blond man frowned.
"I'm not sure, as I understand it. The PTA at first agreed with his price. But later- after the job was done. Decided it was too high and only offered. A quarter of the pre-agreed sum." Colby heard his partner inhale and sensed. He was having similar thoughts to him. The coincidence was too great to ignore. David wound up the interview A few moments later, and as politely as he could steered Colby. Towards the front door - without seeming to hurry.
Meanwhile
Don and Liz followed the greying older Sheriff up to the very summit of Edward's Plateau. The remains of the festival were still visible.
"Apart from the birds eating the remains of the food. Nothing has been touched." The sixty year old Law Officer told Don. "I was waiting for you Feds." Don gave him a tight smile. Then signaled to the three CSUs, he'd borrowed from Quantico. They instantly began to walk around the Plateau in a grid fashion.
Photographing evidence and laying down small yellow tiles. A strange shape in a far corner. Caught the eye of Liz. There was something horribly familiar about it. Trying to act nonchalant. She touched Don's arm and pointed it out to him. He squinted against the bright sun. Then following the line of her pointing finger - spotted it. His heart thundered in his chest as he approached the small mound. But as he drew closer. His worse fears were realized. Don knew he was looking at a body. He swallowed his gorge because as he reached the corpse. He could see it was the remains of a scantily clad female of perhaps thirteen or fourteen years of age. Liz crouched to make a preliminary assessment. Something about it was off - she frowned.
"I don't think this can be one of the missing children. This body must have been out here for years."
"Why do you think that?"
"It's completely dry desiccated most likely from exposure to the wind over several years." Before she could say anything more. The Sheriff came up behind Don. He looked over his shoulder then gave a horrified gasp
"Oh God No!"
"Do you recognize her?" Don turned to look at him. The Sheriff nodded.
Tears were starting to course down his face. "It's Amy!"
"Amy?"
"My Granddaughter!"
TBC