Tactic

Intrigue

He stood a few meters in front of the veranda and waited. For sure the man had heard him and would speak to him if the time was right.
He gestured him to sit down and offered a lemonade without asking first if he was thirsty.
"That doll, what's it for?"
"I am not sure. I like to ask her."
"Ah, it's hers?"
"No, I don'believe it is."
"How should she know?"
"She was gone for a long time, she saw things, met people."
"Those who harmed her..."
He took a sip from his glass... lemon.
"... the danger is still there?"
"I hope not. I hope not for her but there will be for many others if I can't find the one who knows more."
"Is it the monster house?"
"You read the papers?"
"I hear news, certain news and can see. She isn't here but you can find her at the forest over those hills. We need food. You like her hat? You will find the hat."
Both men sat and drank their lemonade in silence. It was only a few days ago a dead emu brought him over here. It was a nice, quiet place. Good for a man alone, a man who loves nature, appreciates it and wasn't in a hurry. It was a good place to forget the world, all the hectic.
"Thank you."
Slowly he walked into the direction of the hills. Did he like the hat?


Approaching someone with a chainsaw in his hands isn't a wise thing to do. He decided to wait. Sooner or later the noisy engine would stop. He couldn't see her only the back of a man at work. He looked around him - no hat - and decided to walk in a wide bow to make it easier to be noticed by the man. At times, if you wanted to know something bad, it was better to show patience. If she wasn't around she would show up and most likely ask him what he was waiting for and what the doll was for. He kept the doll pressed underneath his arm. The lab didn't need it for more tests. Fingerprints, traces, interesting enough plenty of DNA was found on it only the owner of the DNA was still a miracle. He learned as years passed by patience was a good tactic. It was patience, waiting for the right person, a moment that had helped him solve many cases, patience, and luck. Somehow those two fitted together. He sank on the ground and placed the doll on his lap. The white dress spread out. A sunbeam would make it visible from a large distance.
"No sun today", he mumbled but look who arrives."
There was no need to stand up, hurry over to her. She had seen him and did exactly what he hoped for.
"Your doll?" she asked with a smile on her face. She looked relaxed and he couldn't help thinking she belonged at this place more than anyone else.
"I thought it was yours and hoped - if not - you recognized it."
"Can I hold it?"
He handed the toy over to her and she studied it.
"It's not mine. I never had a doll... It looks a bit creepy. You saw those eyes?"
"You are not the first mentioning it, I noticed. Creepy toys are real I'm afraid. You like to have a doll?"
"Not this one", she said shocked.
Both laughed.

"Can you help me get my memory back, all of it?"
"I'm not sure. Is there anything you like to remember, miss perhaps? You seem to belong here."
"I miss nothing but I wonder if someone misses me."
"They did, at least your father did... he's fine and is happy you are safe, you do well."
"Give him my regards."
She stood up while patting her clothes.
"There was someone else. I can remember that. Sometimes I still hear the child scream, scream about a doll. Perhaps it's this one. We never met. I was tired and... and had the chocolate bar. For me it was just a salty peanut butter bar."
"You like them?"
"Yes, it's the only thing I know, really like."
"Take this one."
He reached her the bar he always took for a quick lunch break. She accepted it and turned it around and around. Studied the wrap.
"It looks a bit different but it smells the same. Don't forget your doll."
She walked straight to the boy with the chainsaw who was still at work. She didn't fear him, wasn't afraid he could hurt her. Enough harm was already done to her for a long time.
"Yes, I like your hat", he said as he left with the doll who clearly seemed to have an owner. Creeps can be missed and loved too.

Chief inspector Fidelo searches for the doll's owner. A doll left behind for the police. Will it solve the new case of the monster house or is it evidence of the case of the missing girl? The girl seems to remember someone.

#kittywu #freewrite #story #chainsaw #tactic