Jeremy and Candy: Sleepless in Seattle
"JASON! Have you heard what happened last night?" Ben Perkins called out as Jason walked by the store.
Jason stopped. "No, Ben, I haven't heard. What happened?"
"Johnny Harris was murdered last night. It was pretty gruesome too, Jason. He was killed with an axe." Ben told him.
"That's awful alright." Jason said grimacing. "I will have to tell Jeremy. He and Johnny went to school together."
"Were they friends?" asked Ben.
"Not really, Ben. Johnny was one of the boys who bullied Jeremy about his stuttering." Jason said quietly.
"Oh, well, I'm sure sorry about that, Jason." Ben said.
"Thanks, Ben. Do they have any idea who committed the murder?" Jason inquired.
"Not so far, Jason." Ben replied.
"Well, I hope they catch the scoundrel soon. I have got to get up to the logging camp. See you later, Ben." Jason said. He headed toward the camp.
"See you, Jason." Ben said.
When Jason got to the logging camp, he looked around for Jeremy. He didn't see him.
Jason saw his brother Joshua coming toward him. "Have you seen Jeremy?" They asked each other at almost the same time.
"He wasn't at his cabin. I stopped by before I headed up here." Joshua said. 'Candy said he left for work before she got up this morning."
"Then he must be here somewhere." Jason replied.
"Good morning, brothers!" Jeremy came up behind them.
"Hey, Jeremy! You got started early today, didn't you? I went by your Cabin and you weren't there." Josh said.
"Well, I went by our old family cabin. Please don't mention it to Candy." Jeremy said nervously.
"Keeping secrets from your wife, Jeremy?" Jason teased.
"Uh. No, uh, not keeping secrets. Why would I keep something secret from C-C-C-Candy?" Jeremy said.
"It must be a big secret." Josh laughed looking at Jason.
Jeremy smirked at Josh. "What does that mean?"
"It means you're a terrible liar. Don't worry. I won't say anything to Candy, brother." Josh smiled.
"Thanks, Josh." Jeremy replied.
"Oh, Jeremy, I heard some bad news about an old classmate of yours, Johnny Harris. He was murdered last night….with an axe," Jason told him.
"Murdered? That's terrible, Jason. Do they know who, uh, who did it?" Jeremy asked.
"No, they don't. Jeremy, are you alright? You seem very nervous this morning. Is something bothering you? You can always talk to us, you know." Jason was concerned.
"I'm okay, Jason. Thanks." Jeremy answered avoiding his brother's eyes.
Jason didn't say anything. He kept his eyes on Jeremy waiting for him to open up about what was on his mind,
Jeremy looked at the ground. "I gotta get my crew started. See ya later." Jeremy walked away.
Jason and Joshua looked at each other. "Maybe he will tell us later, Jason." Joshua said.
"Yeah." Jason said. "I wish Jeremy didn't think he has to carry the weight of the world by himself."
"Me too, Jason." Josh said.
The two brothers went to get their own crews started for the day.
When the work day was over, Jeremy went home. Candy had supper waiting for him.
"Supper sure smells good, Candy. I'm hungry too. Just let me wash up and peek in at the baby." Jeremy said.
"Okay, sweetheart." Candy called from the kitchen.
Jeremy washed his hands and his arms up to his elbows. He washed his face. Then he walked into the nursery. Jeremy peeked in the crib at six month old Maggie. She was awake. She cooed at Jeremy.
"Hi, baby girl. Hi there. Did you miss Daddy today? Daddy missed you, Precious." Jeremy leaned down and kissed Maggie on the cheek. "I love you, Maggie." Jeremy whispered.
"Jeremy! I don't want your supper to get cold." Candy called out.
"I'm coming, sweetheart." Jeremy answered
Jeremy and Candy ate in silence for several minutes.
"Did you hear the terrible news about Johnny Harris, Jeremy?" Candy asked.
"Yes, Jason told me. That was awful." Jeremy replied.
"It's so frightening to think that someone actually killed him. I hope they catch the killer soon" Candy said.
"Yeah, it's scary." Jeremy said as he sliced another piece of turkey. "Would you like some more, Candy?" He asked offering the slice to her.
"No thank you, darling." She told him.
Candy watched Jeremy for a few minutes as he finished his second plate of food. She sighed.
"Is something wrong, Sweetheart ?" Jeremy asked.
"Jeremy, last night, I woke up and you weren't here. Where did you go?" Candy asked.
"I just went outside for some fresh air. I wasn't gone long." Jeremy told her.
"No, Jeremy. I looked outside for you. You weren't there. Where did you go ?"
"I'm sorry I lied to you, Candy. But, I really did go outside last night to get some fresh air. And…..somehow, I ended up at my parents' old cabin. I promise that's the truth, Candy. You believe me, don't you, sweetheart ?" Jeremy pleaded.
"Yes, I believe you, Jeremy. But, how could you wind up way on the east side of the mountain without knowing that you went there?" Candy asked.
"I don't know." Jeremy said. His voice was trembling. "Candy, what if I am losing my mind?" He looked at his wife with tears in his eyes.
Candy walked over behind Jeremy's chair. She put her arms around his neck. She whispered in his ear, "sweetheart, you are not losing your mind. You are one of the most sensible level headed people I know."
Jeremy reached behind him for Candy's arm. He pulled her gently around the chair. Candy sat in his lap.
Jeremy looked deeply into her eyes. "It scared me, Candy. When I woke up this morning, I thought I was here at home. When I looked around and saw where I was, I remembered getting up and gong out for fresh air. But, I can't remember anything about walking up to the old cabin."
"Jeremy, you haven't hit your head recently and not told me, have you?" asked Candy.
"No, Candy. You know me. If I hit my head, I knock myself unconscious." Jeremy answered.
"That's true." Candy replied.
"Let me get the kitchen cleaned up and we will go to bed. And you can get a good night's sleep." Candy said getting up from his lap.
"Well, we can do something else before we get the good night's sleep, can't we?" Jeremy grinned mischievously.
"Why, Mr. Bolt! I believe you are flirting with me." Candy smiled at her handsome husband.
Candy cleaned up the kitchen. She checked on the baby. After that, she and Jeremy went to bed.
Later, when Jeremy was asleep in her arms, Candy listened to his breathing as she stroked his hair. "Oh, Jeremy, I pray with all my heart that you are alright." She whispered softly.
Several hours later, Candy woke up. She looked at the other side of the bed. Jeremy was there sleeping peacefully.
She sighed. Hopefully that incident last night was a one time thing. She thought.
Two weeks went by. Jeremy did not leave the cabin during the night again. Leonard Trueaxe, the Territorial Marshall, spent several days in Seattle. He did not find any suspects in the murder of Johnny Harris.
Marshall Trueaxe interviewed all of Harris's former classmates including Jeremy. The Marshall asked Jeremy where he was around 3am the night the murder occurred. Jeremy said he went for a walk up to his parents' old cabin on their mountain.
The Marshall said 3am was an unusual time to take a walk. Jeremy said he had been restless and needed some fresh air so he took a walk up the mountain. The Marshall said okay.
The next day, the loggers finished a big contract. As a reward, Jason gave everyone the afternoon off. A lot of the men, including the Bolt brothers, ate lunch at Lottie's.
After lunch, Jason and Joshua went home to their cabin. On his way home, Jeremy stopped by the cemetery.
Jeremy stood in front of Candace Elizabeth's grave. Candace Elizabeth was Maggie's twin sister. She was stillborn.
"Hello, Sweetie. Daddy and Mommy haven't forgotten you. We love you and we miss you everyday. When I look at Maggie, I think about you too. Daddy is so sorry, Baby Girl. I'm so sorry that I didn't save you. I tried. I really did. Please don't hate Daddy." Jeremy broke down crying. He dropped to his knees by the grave.
"Oh, sweetheart. I knew you weren't yourself at lunch." Lottie was on her knees next to Jeremy. She reached to put her arms around him.
"Lottie, I'm dirty and sweaty from work." Jeremy protested through his tears.
"I don't care about dirt and sweat. I care that you are in terrible pain, Jeremy." Lottie wrapped her arms around him.
Jeremy laid his head on Lottie's shoulder and cried his heart out.
After a few minutes, Jeremy was having difficulty breathing.
Lottie knew the signs. "Jeremy, I know you are so hurt, but please try to calm down. I'm afraid you're going to have one of those anxiety episodes."
"C-C-Can't b-b-breathe. J-J-Jason!" Jeremy gasped.
"I will get him, Jeremy!" Lottie exclaimed.
Lottie propped Jeremy up against a nearby tree. Then she ran to the Bolt brothers cabin.
"Jason! Jason! Jeremy needs you quick! Jason! Joshua! Hurry!" Lottie screamed as she ran to their cabin.
Jason and Joshua rushed out of the cabin. They met Lottie in front of their home.
"Lottie, where's Jeremy?" Jason asked.
"The cemetery. Close to the baby's grave. By a tree. Hurry, Jason!" She answered.
Jason and Joshua ran to the cemetery. They found their brother. He was still struggling to breathe. Jason picked up Jeremy. He and Joshua ran with him to Dr. Wright's office.
Dr. Wright told Jason to lay Jeremy in the oxygen tent. He did as she advised. In a very short time, Jeremy was breathing easily. Dr. Wright gave him a small dose of Laudanum to help him relax. Jeremy went to sleep.
Joshua left to go get Candy.
Lottie had followed the Bolts to the clinic. She told Jason and Dr. Wright how upset Jeremy was at the cemetery.
Jason dropped his head and sighed. Then he looked at Jeremy.
"He blames himself for the loss of the baby. Josh and I have told him numerous times that it is not his fault." Jason said sadly.
"Jason, you don't suppose that in her grief, Candy is blaming Jeremy, do you?" Lottie asked.
"Oh, Lottie! You don't really believe that I would hurt Jeremy like that, do you? If you do, well, you just don't know me at all, Miss Hatfield." Candy said. Candy and Josh walked in just in time to hear what Lottie said.
"Candy, sweetheart, I know you would never hurt Jeremy. I didn't mean anything by what I said. Sometimes, when people are grieving, they say hurtful things that they don't mean. That's what I was thinking." Lottie said kindly.
"Lottie, I'm so sorry. I should have known that you didn't mean anything bad. You have loved Jeremy, Josh, and Jason since they were children. You treat me, Biddie, and the other brides like your daughters.I love you, Lottie. Please forgive me." Candy said tearfully.
"Oh, sweetie, I'm not angry. You don't need forgiveness from me. I know you and Jeremy are still recovering from the loss of your precious baby girl." Lottie said. She and Candy hugged briefly.
Candy sat down in the chair next to Jeremy's bed. She held his hand and looked at his face. She bent down and kissed his cheek. Jeremy sighed.
"How is he, Dr. Wright?" Candy asked.
"Jeremy is doing fine, Candy. He can go home this evening." answered.
"I'm so glad." Candy replied.
"Candy, may I talk to you, Jason, and Joshua in my office, please? Lottie, would you stay with Jeremy for a few minutes, please?" Dr. Wright asked.
All of them agreed.
When Candy and her brothers-in-law sat down in the doctor's office, she began talking to them.
"Candy, I am very concerned about Jeremy. His breathing is fine now as I said earlier. My concern is about how he is dealing with losing Candace Elizabeth. Jason and Joshua told me that Jeremy continues to blame himself for the baby's death." Dr. Wright said.
"Yes, I am afraid he does, Dr. Wright. I have tried to reassure him many times that it is not his fault and that I don't blame him for it." Candy replied.
"May I tell you something, doctor?" Candy asked.
"Of course." Dr. Wright answered.
"Jeremy is so tender hearted and loving. He feels things so deeply. And he takes all of his responsibilities very seriously. When something tragic happens like us losing the baby, Jeremy feels as if he missed a step somewhere. That there was something he should have done that would have prevented the loss of the baby, but he failed to do it, so in his mind, the loss of the baby is his fault. Jeremy has told me that maybe if he had killed the first two Renegade Apaches he saw that night, the others wouldn't have come to our house and we wouldn't have lost the baby." Candy explained.
"I see. Have you told Jeremy that there could have been other factors that caused the baby's death? None of which had anything to do with the Renegade Apache attack or with you being stabbed in the stomach with an arrow." Dr. Wright responded.
"Yes, I have. I told Jeremy that there are hundreds of things that can go wrong in a pregnancy that no one has any control over." Candy replied.
"Excuse me, ladies. Now, we men know nothing about having babies.
And we realize that everything you have said is true. But, we do know our brother. Jeremy is a young father who feels that his baby daughter died because he failed somehow to protect her. How can he deal with that?" Jason asked.
"That's precisely what I want to talk to all of you about, Jason. I think it would be helpful for Jeremy to talk to a psychiatrist." Dr. Wright said.
"What is a psychiatrist?" asked Joshua.
"A psychiatrist is a doctor who treats people with problems which effect them emotionally. I think it would help Jeremy tremendously since he has a history of problems which are rooted in emotion." Dr. Wright answered.
"You are referring to Jeremy's stuttering, correct, doctor?" Jason asked
"Yes, I am. I know that Jeremy has his stuttering pretty much under control. It only flares if he is especially angry or upset. I think the psychiatrist can help him understand that all the tragic things that happen are not his fault. And in turn, that will help him have less of these attacks of anxiety. Do you think Jeremy would be willing to go?" Dr. Wright inquired.
Candy and the brothers looked at each other. Candy nodded at Jason indicating that he could speak for her as well as himself and Joshua.
"Well, doctor. It is difficult at times for Jeremy to open up to family. We are not sure that he would want to talk to a stranger about his feelings." Jason replied.
"We will talk to him to see what he thinks. It would be great if he could do it and it helped him. If Jeremy had less pain in his life, it would make us all so happy. It is excruciating watching him struggle and suffer, doctor." Joshua said.
"After the three of you talk to Jeremy, please let me know what he said." Dr. Wright told them.
Candy and the brothers agreed.
The three of them stayed with Jeremy until Dr. Wright said he could go home. While Jeremy was still asleep, his brothers and his wife agreed they would wait until tomorrow to talk to him about the psychiatrist.
That night, Jeremy was quiet. He didn't eat much at supper. Candy asked him if he felt alright. He said he was okay, but he was tired.
Candy and Jeremy went to bed early. Candy woke up about 10:30. Jeremy was asleep beside her. Candy went back to sleep.
Candy woke up again at midnight. Jeremy was not in the bed. Candy immediately got up. She looked all through the house. Jeremy was not there. She looked all around the house outside. There was no sign of Jeremy.
Candy got Maggie dressed and got her baby bag ready. Candy hitched Brownie and Bufford to the buckboard. She put the pistol in her purse. Candy got Jeremy's rifle. She put some fresh hay in a box and laid Maggie in the box. She strapped the box down with strips of leather right behind the passenger side of the buckboard seat. Candy tied the leather tightly through the slats in the seat. She got several canteens of water and some food. Candy put two lanterns in the buckboard.
Candy climbed in the driver's side of the wagon. "Giddy up, Brownie. Giddy up, Bufford."
It took about a half hour for Candy and Maggie to get to the old family cabin. There was no light shining in the cabin. Candy lit one of her lanterns. She picked up Maggie. They went into the cabin.
Candy moved the lantern around so she could see. There was someone lying in the bed. Candy prayed that it was Jeremy. She slowly moved closer to the bed. When she got about three feet from the bed, Candy held the lantern up at the head of the bed. The light shined on Jeremy's face.
"That's Daddy. Yes it is. We are so glad that it's Daddy, aren't we?" Candy whispered to the baby.
Candy went back to the buckboard. She laid Maggie in the box and took the box inside the cabin. Candy put the box in the middle of the large table. She kissed the baby goodnight.
Candy walked back to the bed. She was holding the lantern. She held up the lantern so it was shining on Jeremy.
"Oh, dear God!" Candy screamed. The baby cried. Jeremy jolted awake.
Jeremy looked around in confusion. "Candy! Where are we?! How did we get here?!"
Candy didn't answer his questions. She pointed at his shirt and his hands. "Jeremy! How did you get blood all over you?!"
Jeremy looked at his hands and his shirt. "I d-d-don't k-k-know!"
"Are you injured, Jeremy?" asked Candy.
"I don't think so. I don't feel any pain." Jeremy got out of the bed.
."Unbutton your shirt all the way down, Jeremy." Candy told him.
Jeremy unbuttoned the rest of the shirt buttons. He held his shirt open so Candy could see if he had any injuries. She did not see any type of injury. Jeremy took his shirt off and turned around so Candy could see his back. There were no injuries to his back either.
"Jeremy, where did all that blood come from?" asked Candy.
"I wish I knew, Candy. I'm scared, Sweetheart." Jeremy told her.
"Scared? Why?" She asked.
"What if I hurt someone?" Jeremy asked.
"You wouldn't do that, Jeremy. Maybe a fist fight, but nothing to make someone lose blood like that." She pointed at his bloody shirt.
"Well, the blood came from somewhere, uh, someone, Candy." Jeremy said frightened.
"I know, Jeremy." Candy whispered. She was frightened too.
Maggie began crying. Candy went to check on her. Jeremy put on a clean shirt. He walked outside to tend to the horses.
A few minutes later, Jeremy screamed, "CANDY! CANDY!"
Candy put Maggie in her box on the table. She ran outside. Candy saw Jeremy outside the stable. He was retching. Candy hurried to her husband's side.
"Jeremy, what is it?!" She asked.
Jeremy couldn't speak. He pointed toward the stable.
Candy picked up the lantern that Jeremy had set on the ground. She went inside the stable. Holding the lantern up high, Candy looked around the stable.
"Oh, dear God!" She cried out. In the corner of the stable was a bloody axe.
Jeremy came inside the stable. "C-C-C-Candy, what if I k-k-k-killed somebody?"
Jeremy dropped to his knees sobbing. Candy ran to him. She knelt beside him. Candy put her arms around Jeremy.
"You didn't kill anyone, sweetheart, not like this. You have never killed anyone except in self defense or in my defense." Candy said gently.
Jeremy continued to sob. After a few minutes, he got control of his emotions. He finished tending to the horses.
Candy and Jeremy went into the cabin.
"Candy, I want to talk to you, sweetheart." Jeremy sounded very serious.
They sat down on the sofa. Jeremy was quiet for a minute.
"What is it,Jeremy?" Candy asked softly.
"If I ever try to hurt you or the baby, I want you to stop me. Even if you have to kill me. If I ever come at you or Maggie with any type of weapon, a gun, an axe, a piece of firewood, whatever, you stop me. Don't let me hurt or God forbid, kill you or the baby." Jeremy told her.
"Oh, Jeremy! You would never hurt us! Why are you talking like this?" asked Candy.
"I just remembered that the first night that I came up here without realizing it, was the night Johnny Harris was murdered. Now, I've come here again without knowing it and I have blood all over me and a bloody axe in the stable. Johnny Harris was killed with an axe, Candy. Something is seriously wrong." Jeremy said.
"Jeremy, all of this doesn't mean you killed someone. And I could never hurt you or kill you, Jeremy. I just couldn't!" Candy said. She was scared.
"CANDY! You have to listen to me! You can't let me hurt you or the baby! How could I ever live with knowing that I had k-k-killed you or the b-b-baby!" Jeremy shouted.
Candy began crying. "Jeremy, please don't shout at me. I know you are upset. So am I. You just can't expect me to be okay about the idea of killing you." She sobbed.
Jeremy walked over to his wife. He drew her close to him. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Please don't cry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just want to make sure you and Maggie are safe. I'm so worried about not knowing what is going on."
"I understand, Jeremy. I'm not angry at you. Let's go to bed. I'm tired. Aren't you tired, darling?" Candy asked.
"Yes, I'm exhausted. Maybe things will make more sense in the morning, somehow." Jeremy replied.
The young couple went to bed. But, they didn't sleep. They laid there quietly looking at the beams in the ceiling of the cabin.
"Jeremy, are you awake?" asked Candy.
"Yes." He replied.
"You are worrying, aren't you?" Candy inquired.
"Yes, aren't you?" Jeremy responded.
"Yes, but I'm not worried that you did something. I'm worried that someone else did something and they are trying to put the blame on you." Candy told him.
"Why would someone do that, blame me, I mean?" He asked.
"Well, I suppose to avoid the punishment for the bad thing that this person did." Candy responded.
"I guess so. But, I can't think of anyone who hates me. Can you?" Jeremy asked.
"No, I can't." Candy told him.
They finally fell asleep for a few hours.
The next morning when Jeremy, Candy, and the baby got home, Jason and Joshua were there.
"Hello! We came by to check on you. We figured with the buckboard gone, all of you were together." Jason said.
"Is something wrong, Jason?" Jeremy asked.
"There was another murder last night, Jeremy. Ralph Barker was killed with an axe like Johnny Harris." Jason said somberly.
Jeremy looked at Candy. He gulped. Ralph Barker made fun of him stuttering in school.
"Do they know who did it?" Jeremy asked his brother.
"No, not yet. Marshall Trueaxe couldn't find the axe that was used." Jason replied.
Jeremy turned pale. His hands were trembling. "Jason, I need to talk to you and Joshua. Will you come inside with us, please?"
"Certainly, Jeremy." Jason said.
"Sure, Jeremy." Joshua answered.
All of them went into the cabin. Candy put Maggie to bed in the nursery.
When Candy returned to the parlor, she sat on the sofa next to her husband.
Jeremy put his face in his hands for a minute.
"What's wrong, Jeremy?" Jason was worried.
"You're scaring us, brother" Joshua told him.
"I don't mean to scare you, but this is serious." Jeremy replied.
Jeremy looked at Candy. She nodded.
Jeremy told his brothers about him going to the old family cabin during the night and not remembering walking up there. He also told them about the blood on his hands and his shirt. He told them about the bloody axe in the stable. Jeremy told Jason and Joshua that the two nights he went to the old cabin were the nights the axe murders occurred.
"And you're thinking that you committed those murders, aren't you, Jeremy?" asked Jason.
"What else can I think, Jason?" Jeremy questioned.
"JEREMY!" Josh exclaimed.
"Well, Josh, what explanation do you have for all of this?" asked Jeremy.
"I'm not sure. But, I know that you being a murderer is not the answer. I don't care what the circumstances are." answered Josh.
"Josh is right, Jeremy. You didn't murder anyone." Said Jason.
"It looks like there's evidence against me. How can I defend myself when I can't remember what happened on those two nights?" Jeremy inquired.
Jason sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure, brother. Try not to worry, Jeremy. The truth will come out. Somehow."
"Yeah, Jeremy. The truth will come out. Wait! I have an idea! Candy, if Jeremy leaves the cabin during the night, on your way to the old family cabin, stop by the logging camp and get me and Jason." Josh told them.
Josh continued, "Jason, you and I can start sleeping up at the camp. It's closer to Jeremy and Candy's cabin than our cabin is."
"I appreciate the family support, Josh. But, how is that going to help? Jeremy asked.
"I'm not sure. I just think that us being with you during these episodes or whatever they are will help in some way." Josh replied.
Jeremy smiled slightly. "You're worried about me, aren't you, Josh?"
"Yes, and not because I think you murdered people. I'm worried because you're my brother and something is not right. Besides, I love you." Answered Joshua.
"I love you, Josh and you, Jason." Jeremy responded.
"Thank you both for always being so supportive and loving to Jeremy and to us." Candy said. "I think it will be a big help to have both of you with us if something else happens."
"Both of you are very welcome. Jeremy, what did you do with your shirt that had blood on it and the axe?" Jason questioned.
"I burned the shirt in the fireplace. The axe is still in the stable." responded Jeremy.
"Okay, I was wondering what you did with them" Jason said.
Candy and his brothers told Jeremy about their conversation with Dr. Wright when he was in the clinic.
"I wonder if the psychiatrist would have any ideas about these episodes that I have had." Jeremy remarked. "But, what if I talked to this doctor and he turned me in to Marshall Trueaxe?"
"You don't have to make a decision right now, brother. Think about it for a few days." Jason suggested.
Candy and Joshua agreed that Jeremy should take some time to decide about the psychiatrist. Jeremy said he would think about it for awhile.
A few days passed by. Jeremy didn't leave his cabin at night. Joshua and Jason slept up at the camp every night. Josh was seeing a new young woman in town. Barbara 'Barbie' Wilkerson had recently moved to Seattle with her brother, Bradford 'Beanie' Wilkerson. Barbie and Beanie moved from Oregon after the deaths of their parents. Beanie was working for the Bolts at the logging camp.
No additional murders occurred during this time. Joshua went to the old family home place one day. He got the bloody axe from the stable. He took it up to Maggie's Peak, the highest point on Bridal Veil Mountain. Joshua burned the axe and buried the ashes. Jason and Joshua agreed that Jeremy did not murder anyone. However, they did not want anything around that could be mistaken for evidence.
It was Thursday night. It had been a week since the last murder. At about 2am, Jason and Joshua were awakened by a loud: "TIMBER!"and the unmistakable sound of a huge tree crashing to the ground.
The brothers were sleeping in their clothes. Both of them jumped out of their beds, grabbed lanterns, and ran toward the sound of the crashing tree.
When Jason and Joshua got within a few feet of the felled tree, they saw Jeremy holding an axe. They also saw Beanie Wilkerson talking to Jeremy. Neither Jason or Josh heard what Beanie said to Jeremy. But, they heard Jeremy say, "Sure, Beanie. That sounds fine."
"Beanie, what are you doing out here? We didn't know there was anyone but us sleeping at the camp tonight." Jason asked him.
"Uh, yeah, Jason, I decided to come back up here after Lottie's closed so I'd be here bright and early in the morning." Beanie said. "And when I heard the tree crash, I came out of my tent to see what happened. Boy! I never saw anyone cut down a tree at night before."
"I don't recommend cutting timber at night, Beanie. You can go on back to bed now." Jason told him.
"Sure, Jason." Beanie walked back to his tent.
Jason and Joshua turned to their brother.
"Jeremy, what in blazes are you doing cutting timber in middle of the night!? It's dangerous enough during the day. But at night!? You could have been killed!" Jason was flabbergasted.
"Sure, Jason. That sounds fine." Jeremy replied.
"WHAT?!" Jason exclaimed.
"Jeremy, why did you cut this tree in the middle of the night?" Joshua asked.
"Sure, Josh. That sounds fine." Jeremy answered.
Jason and Josh looked at each other. Josh held his lantern up close to Jeremy's face. Jeremy's eyes were open, but they looked very hazy.
"Jason, I think Jeremy is asleep." Josh told him.
"What?! How can that be? Surely, Josh, he didn't chop down this tree while being asleep!" Jason was astounded.
"I really think so, Jason." Josh replied.
"Jason! Joshua! Jeremy left the cabin again!" Candy called to them from outside their tent.
"Come on, Jeremy. Candy is here. Let's go let her know that you're here." Jason said.
"Sure, Jason. That sounds fine." Jeremy said.
Jason and Joshua took Jeremy back to their tent.
Candy was relieved to see that Jeremy was with them.
"Candy, I know this sounds strange, but I think Jeremy is asleep." Josh told her.
"Joshua! What are you talking about?" Candy was shocked.
"Look at his eyes, Candy." Josh held the lantern close to Jeremy's face.
"Oh, my goodness. You're right, Josh. Jeremy is asleep. How in the world did he walk from our cabin all the way here asleep." Candy remarked.
"Jeremy did a lot more than just walk up here, Candy." Jason told her.
"Jason, what are you talking about? How could he do more than walk up here. That in itself is amazing." Candy replied.
"Let's go in the tent where we can sit down before I tell you." Jason responded.
All of them went in the tent. Maggie was in her box on Jeremy's bed. Candy helped Jeremy lie down on Jason's bed. He went fully asleep.
"Well, Jason?" Candy inquired.
'Candy, Jeremy cut down a tree a short time ago." Jason said.
"Oh! You're talking about a sapling, aren't you? Don't tease, Jason." Candy laughed.
"No, Candy. I'm talking about a full grown pine tree that reaches way up into the sky. Jeremy chopped down that tree while asleep." Jason replied seriously.
The color drained from Candy's face. Her bottom lip trembled. Tears ran down her face. "Jason! He could have been killed! What if he hadn't been able to realize that he had to move out of the way? He would have been crushed! Oh, my word! Jeremy has got to have some help. This can't keep happening!"
"I know it's terrifying to think of all the things that could have happened. But, let's try to focus on the facts that Jeremy didn't get injured or worse and now we know what's going on with him." Josh told her.
Jason, Joshua, and Candy looked at each other.
"I suppose you're right, Joshua. But, it just scares me so much to think of Jeremy being in danger like that and he wasn't even aware of it." Candy said.
"Candy, Josh and I will sleep in the tent next door. You and Jeremy and the baby stay here for the rest of the night." Jason told her. "We understand that you are frightened about Jeremy cutting that tree at night. It scared us too. Right, Josh?" Jason commented.
"Right, Jason." Josh replied.
Jason and Joshua went to the tent next door. Candy looked at Maggie. She was asleep.
Candy sat in a chair next to Jeremy's cot. She gently pushed Jeremy's hair out of his eyes. She looked at his sweet face and traced his cheek with her fingertip. Candy sighed. She said a silent prayer thanking God that Jeremy did not get hurt or killed tonight.
Candy pulled the other cot next to the cot Jeremy was on. Candy laid down and went to sleep.
The next morning, Jeremy was shocked when Jason told him he had cut down a tree during the night when he was asleep.
Jeremy went to see Dr. Wright. Candy went with him. Dr. Wright told them that Jeremy was sleepwalking. She said this can be caused by depression. They discussed how Jeremy and Candy had been depressed by the death of their baby daughter.
Dr. Wright prescribed a low dosage of Laudanum for Jeremy. She was not certain it would end the sleepwalking. Dr. Wright recommended that they see if the Laudanum would help before making an appointment with the psychiatrist. Jeremy and Candy agreed.
Jason and Joshua visited their brother and sister-in-law later in the day. Jeremy told them about his doctor's visit. Jason told him that no murders had occurred the night before.
"I wonder what was different about last night from the other two nights that you were sleepwalking, Jeremy." Josh said.
"I didn't go up to the old cabin. Maybe the killer didn't know I was out last night because of that." Jeremy responded.
"That's a good point, Jeremy. You might have something there. The killer sees you on the way to our old home place and commits a murder that he tries to pin on you. He doesn't see you out, there's no murder." Jason said.
"I guess we will have to wait and see what the killer does next." Josh said.
Jeremy, Jason, and Candy nod in agreement.
That night, Jeremy and Candy left Maggie with Biddie. Candy and Jeremy went to Lottie's for supper. They sat at a table with Josh and Barbie. Jeremy was in good spirits. The four of them laughed and talked. They enjoyed a delicious steak meal.
After supper, Josh and Barbie walked up to Lover's Lagoon. Jeremy winkedw at his brother when Josh said they were going that way to enjoy the scenery. Candy and Barbie giggled briefly. Candy whispered, "Tell me all about it later." Barbie whispered back, "I will."
Jeremy and Candy took a walk to their favorite spot. They sat on the boulder. Jeremy put his arm around his wife.
"We haven't done this in a long time." Candy said tenderly.
"I know. I'm sorry about that. And I'm sorry that the last several months have been so difficult, Sweetheart." Jeremy replied quietly.
"Jeremy, darling, please don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. It's natural that life is going to be hard after the loss of our baby girl." Candy replied as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"I know, but I keep wondering if I could have prevented the baby's death, somehow." Jeremy said choking back tears.
"Candy, I have been thinking. I believe it would be a good idea for me to talk to the psychiatrist at least once, maybe more. Feeling responsible for Candace Elizabeth's death is weighing on my mind so much."
Jeremy continued.
"It might help you, Jeremy. Emotional injuries can be just as bad, maybe worse than physical injuries. I will go with you, if you want." Candy replied.
"Thank you, Sweetheart. It would help me a lot if you were with me. Candy, you don't think I'm crazy, do you?" Jeremy questioned.
"Now, Jeremy! What did I just tell you about emotional injuries? Of course you are not crazy." She answered.
"Thank you, darling. Let's go home. It's getting late." Replied Jeremy.
They walked back to town arm in arm enjoying the moonlight. They stopped by the dormitory to get Maggie. They thanked Biddie for babysitting.
Two days later on Sunday night about 11 pm., Candy woke up. Jeremy was gone. Candy got Maggie. They headed for the logging camp.
Candy looked for Jeremy all along the road on the way to the camp. She did not see him.
When Candy and the baby arrived at the camp, they went right to Jason and Josh's tent.
"We haven't seen Jeremy tonight, Candy. We haven't heard any sounds of anyone working around here either." Jason told her.
"I haven't heard anything Candy." Josh said.
"I suppose I should go on to the family home place. Jeremy is probably there." Candy commented.
Just then, the three of them heard shouting. It was Barbie Wilkerson.
"JOSHUA ! JOSHUA! You have to hurry! Beanie is going to kill Jeremy!"
Barbie rode her horse up to the tent. She got off the horse quickly.
"Oh, Josh! I had no idea! I promise!" She said frantically.
"Barbie! What's going on?" Josh asked.
"I was getting our clothes together for the laundry tomorrow. I found this suicide note in Beanie's jacket pocket. It is in Beanie's handwriting but it reads like Jeremy wrote it. In it, Jeremy is telling Candy to forgive him for taking his life. Jeremy says he did it because he committed the axe murders and because he killed his brothers." Barbie said. "I think Beanie committed the axe murders and wants to frame Jeremy because he wants Candy. Beanie has made some comments about Candy. But, I thought he was just talking. When I found the suicide letter, I also found a mushy combination love letter sympathy note from Beanie to Candy." Barbie went on to say.
"Oh, dear God!" Candy cried out.
"Beanie must have Jeremy up at the old cabin. Josh, get the rifles! Let's go!" Jason said.
Josh got the rifles. All of them got in Jeremy's buckboard. Jason drove the wagon. He made Brownie and Bufford run as hard as they could go.
When they arrived at the old home place, Jason and Joshua told the ladies to stay in the buckboard. Jason said if there was gunfire from inside the cabin, the ladies and the baby were to leave immediately.
Jason and Joshua crept onto the porch. Then they moved slowly to the window. Through the window, they saw Jeremy sitting at a table. He had a quill pen in his hand. Beanie was standing next to Jeremy.
Beanie was telling Jeremy what to write: Dear Candy, I am so sorry, sweetheart, I just couldn't live with myself anymore. I killed Johnny Harris and Ralph Barker. They tormented me terribly in school by laughing at me almost every time I tried to talk. They thought my stuttering was a big joke. They were cruel. They didn't care that it was caused by the pain of losing my mother at five years old. I know I was wrong to kill them, but I had to have some relief. The pain of the baby's death brought back the pain of my stuttering and the ridicule I suffered at school. I'm so sorry, Candy. I never meant to hurt you. Just like I never meant to hurt Jason and Josh. They loved me so much. And I love them, I really do. That sounds strange to say now that I have killed them, but I couldn't let them turn me in. They found the axe I used to kill Johnny. I love you, Candy. Please forgive me. Goodbye. Jeremy.
Jeremy put down his pen. He stood up from the chair. Beanie was still right next to Jeremy.
Beanie handed Jeremy a pistol. Jeremy put the pistol to his head.
Jason inhaled sharply. He and Joshua looked at each other frightened.
Jason pulled the window up a tiny bit. Somehow, the window didn't creak. Jason and Joshua could hear Beanie talking to Jeremy.
"Jeremy, pull the trigger. End your misery. You can't live with what you've done. You killed Johnny and Ralph. Now, you have killed your own brothers. Jeremy, you killed your brothers. Jason and Josh loved you and you killed them. Candy won't love you anymore. First, you let your baby die, then, you killed Johnny and Ralph, and then your brothers. You've got quite a list there, Jeremy." Beanie droned into Jeremy's ear.
Jeremy stood there with the pistol to his head.
"Pull the trigger. It's the answer you've been looking for, Jeremy. Not Laudanum. Not the psychiatrist. Not even love." Beanie said.
Jeremy didn't speak. He stood holding the gun to his head.
"Come on, Jeremy. What else can you do? You killed your brothers. You killed your brothers. You killed your brothers." Beanie told Jeremy.
"Josh, can you get a clear shot at Beanie?" Jason whispered.
"Yes, but, Jason, what if the gunshot startles Jeremy awake? We don't want him to be surprised awake while he has a gun to his head." Josh replied.
"That's right, Josh." Jason said.
Candy and Barbie crept up to the window. Candy was holding the baby.
Candy gasped when she saw Jeremy with the pistol to his head. Candy knew she had to stay quiet for Jeremy's sake.
Barbie had tears in her eyes as she looked at the horrific scene.
Suddenly, Maggie made a loud cooing laughing sound.
Candy shushed her gently and quickly.
Beanie kept trying to get Jeremy to shoot himself. "Pull that trigger, Bolt. Just one time, that's all it will take. Heck, one time is all you will get. Just pull the trigger. Then your wife can find out what it's like to have a real man for a husband. I've gone to a lot of trouble murdering people and all. But that fine looking woman of yours is worth it."
"Sure, Beanie. That sounds fine." Jeremy said.
Candy, Barbie, Jason, and Joshua gasped. They were terrified.
Beanie smiled. "Good, Jeremy, good."
"Well, how's this Beanie?!" Jeremy dropped his hand to point the pistol at Wilkerson.
Jason and Joshua rushed inside the cabin. Joshua pointed his rifle at Beanie.
"It's over, Wilkerson! And I believe it's understood that you are fired." Jason told him.
"Jeremy! Are you alright? How did you get the drop on him?" Jason asked.
"I'm okay, Jason." Jeremy smiled. "Maggie woke me up with her loud cooing and laughing. I realized I had a gun to my head and I pretended to still be asleep until I could catch Beanie off guard. Thanks, Josh for telling me about my little mantra sure, whoever, that sounds fine."
"You're welcome, Jeremy. I'm glad I told you." Josh replied.
Candy handed the baby to Jason. She rushed over to Jeremy. "I am so happy that you are alright, Jeremy! I was so scared!" Candy hugged Jeremy as tightly as she could.
Jeremy hugged Candy. "I'm sorry you were frightened, sweetheart. I love you."
"I love you, Jeremy." Candy replied. They shared a sweet tender kiss.
"Joshua, I want to apologize to you and your family." Barbie said a little while later. Jason and Joshua had tied up Beanie.
"I had no idea that my brother was capable of anything like this. He had commented about how pretty Candy is and how nice she is. But, I had no inkling that Beanie would kill people and frame Jeremy for it. And then try to get Jeremy to shoot himself so he could have Candy." Barbie said.
"Jeremy, Candy, Jason, Joshua, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for my brother's atrocious behavior. I know that apologizing doesn't undo the suffering you all have gone through and especially you, Jeremy. But, I'm afraid it's all I have to offer. I am so very sorry." Barbie said earnestly.
"It's not your fault, Barbie. But, thank you for apologizing. It's a nice gesture." Joshua told her.
Jason and Joshua stayed at the home place with Wilkerson. Jeremy took the ladies and the baby home. Then he contacted Marshall Trueaxe in Olympia by telegram.
Marshall Trueaxe wired back that he would arrive this afternoon to arrest Bradford Wilkerson. Jeremy went back to the old cabin to pick up his brothers and Beanie.
Jason locked up Beanie in jail when they returned to Seattle.
That afternoon, Federal Marshall Leonard Trueaxe arrested Bradford Wilkerson on two charges of murder, one charge of attempted murder, and one charge of kidnapping.
Later that night, Jeremy moved Maggie's crib into his and Candy's bedroom.
'Why are you doing that, Jeremy?" Candy asked.
"I want both of my sweet girls in here with me tonight" He said.
Jeremy took Maggie from the crib. He sat down in the rocking chair with her.
Jeremy rocked the chair slowly as he looked at his beautiful baby daughter.
Jeremy began to sing softly:
Rock a bye baby, gently you swing,
Over the cradle, Daddy will sing,
Sweet is the lullaby over your nest
That tenderly sings my baby to rest.*
Jeremy's beautiful voice brought tears to Candy's eyes. She smiled as she watched him rock their baby to sleep.
After a few minutes, Jeremy stood up from the rocking chair. Maggie was asleep. Jeremy hummed the lullaby as he carried the baby to her crib,
Jeremy gently placed Maggie in her crib. Candy stood beside him.
Jeremy put his arm around Candy. They gazed down at their sweet baby girl.
Jeremy turned to Candy. "I love you, Candy." His voice was husky with emotion.
"I love you, Jeremy." Candy said. Her heart was full.
Jeremy put his arms around Candy. They shared a deep passionate kiss.
Suddenly, the baby snored.
"She sounds just like her mother." Jeremy laughed.
"Jeremy Bolt! She sounds like you and you know it!" Candy laughed.
"Okay, you win. She snores like me. But, I win on this, she's beautiful like her mother." Jeremy said softly.
"Why, thank you, Mr. Bolt." Candy replied tenderly.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Bolt." Jeremy told her sweetly.
They went to bed. They fell asleep in each other's arms.
The End
*The second verse of Rock a by Baby. The word Daddy was used instead of Mother. Permission is not required for songs published before 1924.
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