Chapter 1 in Wesley

It was an unseasonably warm night sitting on the dock. I could see the stars so clearly. Twinkle… Twinkle.... Something I missed while living in the city for so long. Everything seemed different but so much the same since I’ve returned to my hometown.
I’d worked nights at the morgue for nine out of the ten years I’ve been gone. In Vegas, I was always busy working on someone. There seemed to always be someone dying. When I recieved the call to come home, I was reluctant in some ways.. Happy in others.
Finally I would get to see my family. Oh shit, I haven’t seen my family for ten years, I started working as a full time coroner. In ten years every vacation I had planned to take was delayed, due to insufficient staff. It didn’t help that I couldn’t keep an assistant.
I would get to see my old friends… What friends? I abandoned them… I abandoned everything for my new life. Away.. That was focus back then. And I succeeded.

When I got the call to return, I was in the middle of my normal routine.. Gathering evidence.... Labeling everything I could find. Determining Mr. Eldridge had a heart-attack and apparently laid face down for a long peroid of time before his body was found. Amazing enough he had no toxins in his system which ruled out foul-play according to the forensic scientist on call.
There was an opening in Buckhannon, WV. They thought perhaps I would be the one to stick it out. Considering it would be a heavy work load covering so many counties in WV. Crime rate was high but death was a low. It would be a pay loss but the cost of living was also lower. At first I was going to say no. A big fucking No....
I ran away last time. It just wasn’t the place for me back then. I agreed to give it some thought before I made my decision. The caller, Jefferson was his name, mentioned we had went to school together and he would like to have someone around he could trust. That struck me as odd. He made a little small talk and then got down to business. “Ms. Wolfe, we have had a string of homicides.”
Well that threw me off.... “Mr. Jefferson, do you know where you live? West Virginia rarely has a string of murders. Especially in the back woods counties your calling me to possibly oversee.” I said as politely as possible. “You can call me, Brad… Ms. Wolfe, I realize where I am. The coroner you will be replacing is good man, but he is not equipt to deal with these tragidies. Ms. Wolfe this is something unheard of around these parts.” Brad exclaimed.

“Mr. Jeffereson, Brad.... Murder happens everywhere. One dead body is the same as another after so many.” I realized what I said to late. “I’m sorry Brad. I’m not great with the living. How are these “murders” so tragic? What makes them so different that your corner was unable to handle them?” “Ms. Wolfe, I would prefer to speak with you face-to-face about this.”
This guy was blowing my mind. What could be so fucked up that he can’t tell me over the phone? “I’m not sure I’m going to take this position, I understand your delay about giving me details about an open case. I just don’t want to walk into something blind-sided is all, Brad. I left on bad terms there with my family and friends. I just don’t know if it worth the ignorance that will surely rise again upon my return.” I said softly, feeling my pain as if it were yesterday. “Yes, Ms. Wolfe I read your file. It is part of the reason I called you personally. I’m sorry to bring up the past but it seems we have a copy cat on our hands. In the file, it states you were “seeing” the deceased.”
“‘Seeing’ really? I was his fiance, Brad. I am at work, I would rather not bring up the past. I have work to do.” I blankly stated trying not to show my emotion… It hurt, him being gone… even now. We were so young, so in love. He was my world… Then he was gone… No body… No goodbye. Part of the reason I worked so had as a corner. Everyone deserves to say good-bye.

After Wesley disappeared, we always talked about going to Vegas. So that’s where I went. And I was kinda happy. But not one day went by that I didn’t think of him. Of how he loved me so tenderly. Of how he made me feel so alive. I moved on in time. But it still hurt.
When he went missing, I was broken and lost. I couldn’t figure out why or how he left. I couldn’t think of him as being dead, he was just gone. I read in the papers that his body was found 3 weeks after I left. A year since he went missing. It was to late to go back by then his funeral and viewing had already passed. I’m positive it was a closed casket. I sent my condolences to his family and friends. I left it at that, no phone number, no facebook link, no email. I disconnected from my past and I worked hard at the my future. I didn’t let men or love get in my way, I made a career instead. I had my one-night stands, my boy-toys, my fun-times. I did not settle down however. I could not allow myself to love, not after Wesley. “A copy-cat? What does that have to do with me, with Wesley? His death was ruled as an accident....” I sounded somewhat irritated. “Ms. Wolfe, as I said I would rather not discuss this over the phone. I would like for you to come into my office. If you want the job, it is yours. If you accept the position I will fill you in, if you do not… I apologize it could jeporidize the case. I do apologize miss.”
That’s when I decided… “I’ll take the job. Will you be paying for me to move, or will I?” “Ms. Wolfe all of your accomodations will be furnished for three months, that should give you time to find a place to live and settle in.” Mr Jefferson replied. “I have a dog.” that was really all I could manage. “Yes, your superiors told me. Your dog goes everywhere with you. On scene in the morgue. The dog is there… its been arranged.” “Wow, Mr. Jefferson you sure do move fast!” I laughed. “You will have two weeks and the movers will be there. I have already submitted your resignation to Vegas and ultimately your transfer to West Virginia! I am so glad you are taking this opportunity Ms. Wolfe. I believe this could be a life-altering case for you.” “Life altering case?” I asked. “I’m sorry Ms. Wolfe I have to go. Never a dull moment around here.”
With that he hung up the phone. I sighed… “Shit!!! What the fuck did I just agree to?!?”
So here I am, my day off already back in West Virginia. At some point I know I have to go visit my family, which is not an easy task. We lost touch when Wesley went missing.

The stars… It was the last time I sat under the stars. On this dock. With Wesley. Smiling and laughing and loving every moment we had together. Then he was gone. No trace. No good-bye. No anything.... He just wasn’t anymore. At eighteen I thought he had left town. He was always talking about leaving together.. I thought maybe I was to much for him and he had to go. Just didn’t love me anymore or found someone new. I visualized it even.
When I seen the report online, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It said Wesley had been missing for almost a year. his body was found in the woods near the dock we spent so much time together at. (Here, where I am.)
The report read it was one mile from here. All the searching all the hours put in somehow, no one found him… His body was ultimately found by an out-of-state hunter. The details were not in the report of what could have happened.. However the body would have been so decayed it wouldn’t have been easy to tell what could have happened. It was ruled as an accident, with his history before me… They said he relapsed and went on a binge, he must have fallen in the hole he was found in.... Really? Hypothermia....
Wesley was a recovering drug addict. However he was doing amazing. He worked so hard and helped anyone he could. I didn’t/don’t think he relapsed and fell in a fucking hole. But ten years later, its hard to dispute.
I always had such a hard time sleeping at night. Somehow being here, I suddenly felt so tired. Getting up from my sitting position. I noticed someone standing in the shadows at the tree line. I only watched, as they seemed to watch. I slowed walked toward my Pathfinder keeping a close eye on the odd-ball who seemed to be waiting on something or someone. Reaching my car I noticed he disappeared, maybe back further into the tree-line.
Sighing to myself I opened the car door and began heading back to my hotel that would be my home until I found a proper home. I stopped at the gas station and picked up a paper to look for rentals. I noticed again the feeling of someone watching me…

I hung out in the gas station looking at the drinks and snacks. Mostly waiting for this feeling to go away. I couldn’t shake it… What would anyone be watching me for?
After fifteen minutes of indecision I walked out with a Dr.Pepper and pepperoni roll… Some things are only good when your home! Pausing at my car I took one last look around. The feeling was starting to subside. I got into my car and drove to the hotel.
It was already 4:00 a.m. I had a 9am meeting with Mr. Brad Jefferson. Oh now I was going to be tired, I already knew it. My dog “Rue”looked at me pitifully. “Lets go Rue! Time to go pottie!” I exclaimed.
She pranced in place then met me with her leash at the door. “Such a good dog!”
I walked Rue down the hall towards the exit outside. She sniffed here and there, slowing beside a room that smelled like some good skunk.. I grinned, “Soon my precious” I chuckled to myself. Finally we reached the end of the hall, opened the door and walked straight into a man that looks so familiar… I just couldn’t place his face with a name. “Sorry,” I said making sure Rue was on her best behavior. She stared off into the distance. “I wasn’t paying attention, Sorry. Takin’ my dog to pee.” I stammered finally after starring for what seemed forever. “Sorry I can’t place your name, but you look so familiar!” “My name is Jackie Underling, miss.” He replied.
I bit my lip still trying to place him, “Sorry I thought I knew you… But I can’t place your name either… May I ask what year you graduated?” “2000. Could I ask the same?” The familiar man said smiling. “2004. Underling… Underling… I know that name…” I bit my lip concentrating… “You may know my brother, Kyle Underling he graduated in 2003.” Jackie stated becoming curious himself. “Kyle’s older brother! Oh wow… I’m Kayton Wolfe. We um… dated briefly but we were always really good friends. It nice to see you, How is Kyle?”
Jackie smiled, “I remember hearing something about you. I think you slapped him across the face for getting fresh on your second date.” He tried not to laugh.
I smiled proudly, “I sure did.”
We both laughed and just enjoyed the moment. Reminising about the good times even though they weren’t the same good times. “Well, I bet my dog really has to pee.” I said starting to walk away. “You can’t be out here by yourself Kayton. Have you been living under a rock? Haven’t you heard about the murders? They have been trying to cover them up. Ever since Wesley Boggs went missing.”
I paused and turned to him, “I’ll be okay, thank you. Rue here has my back.” I tried to smile but I’m sure he could see the pain in my eyes. Wesley brought up so soon. I just got into town. What did he mean since Wesley? That’s a long time to “copy-cat.” Or wait to “copy-cat.”
Rue and I walked around back, I took her off her leash. I tossed the toy I had been carrying and let her chase after it. Trying to wear her out some before I fall sleep is always a good idea. She ran the length of the hotel’s backyard. Making large ovals as if in a Nascar Race. She played hard and finally brought me her toy back. Something shuffled in the leaves to my right and Rue noticed. I grabbed her collar before she could bolt after it. I could feel her start to growl as whatever was in the bushes went the opposite direction. Probably a raccon or squirell or possume. This is West Virginia afterall.
I took Rue back into the hotel. She kept looking behind us, back to the door. I couldn’t see anything beyond the glare of the glass. We made it to our room and before I could get her leash off she began nesting in the bed. My good little girl, making the bed for mom. Haha! Yeah right!! She’ll take the bed, I’ll get the floor more like. I looked at the clock again it was 4:45 a.m. Time for bed! I’m going to be dragging so bad in the morning....