Death by Deception

It had been five days since the Jerrica's family had made their plea for help in finding her. They had received a massive amount of calls but most of them were asking if there would be a reward for her return. This is one of the things that Detective Walker had been worried about and wanted to avoid. However, with any case you will have every crackpot in the country calling in to either make a quick buck, confess to the crime for some sort or fame, or those that are just busy bodies that don't have a life and want to be part of someone else's.

With each dead end Geni fell deeper into her depression. The family was staying strong and together, but it to was beginning to take a toll on them. Justin seems to be holding up pretty well, he was positive in believing that Jerrica would soon be home. Stormy was the one other person Jim was very worried about. She and Jerrica were very close and Stormy was in danger of losing her control. She was trying to be strong for her mother but she was wearing down faster than Jim could build her up.

Jim was the one who appeared to be the strongest of all. He was good at hiding his feelings from public view. He was the Dad, husband and the one who should be able to fix everything. He could feel himself spiraling toward a devastating breakdown. A scene he wanted to keep from the others, especially Geni and Stormy. Jim decided to take a small break for Jim. He told everyone he was going to the grocery store and would be back soon. He declined all offers of company from those that suggested they would go along. He needed to be alone, to come to terms with the helplessness he felt inside, before it became visible to the others.

Jim kissed Geni, said his good byes to the others and left in his truck. Having no idea where he was going just began to drive. While driving he was trying to clear his mind, let his brain rest and recharge. That task was not easily accomplished. He drove through the nearby State Park, came across an area that happen to catch his eye. He spotted a trail that ran along side a small babbling brook. Jim felt this was where he might be able to find some peace, if only for a few moments. He parked the truck and started down the path in slow methodical stroll.

The sound of the birds chirping and the water rolling over the rocks were totally oblivious to the chaos in Jim's life. He spied a tree that had fallen across the water and walked out to the middle and let his feet dangle in the rolling water. Tears began to well up in his eyes, his hands began trembling, his breathe became shallow and sporadic. His heart pounding in his chest, thoughts racing out of control, and finally reaching an intense climax of uncontrollable crying: he began yelling in anger at God for letting this happen to his baby. Firing question after question not waiting for any answers knowing full well that God was not responsible for this mess he just needed someone to yell at, the one person he knew would understand.

Jim stayed out there for quite a while. Loosing track of time, he talk to God and asked for help with Geni, Stormy and his own sanity. He wanted to be strong for his family; it was his responsibility as the head of the family to make things better and he was determine to do that when he returned back home. As he left the park a feeling of peace had filled his soul. He was confident he could now be the Alpha Male God meant him to be. He would be able to conquer the fear and handle the situation what ever the outcome.

Back at the house Geni was beating herself up mentally. Ann set there trying to comfort her but her failure was evident in the ranting of a wounded mother helpless to protect her young from the big bad world. Geni was unable to comprehend why or how Jerrica was able to vanish and not one person could tell her why or where her baby was. It was a vicious circle the same questions and with the same answers. That was the problem there were no answers at least none visible to them at this time. Would there ever be any answers? Would they be destined to live the rest of there lives like so many others lacking the clues to find the answers they needed for closure.

Outside the family realm Jerrica's friends were trying to find their own answers. Tracy decided to plan a day together with Tina and Wendy. During their time alone Tracy began to voice her concerns that something about this whole situation didn't ring true. She couldn't put a finger on it yet, but she was determined to get answers. She asked the others what their feelings were concerning Jerrica's disappearance besides the obvious, needing to find her unharmed.

Tina said she had some suspicion, but had been afraid to voice her opinion for fear the others would think she was crazy. Her husband Joe was Justin's best friend. In Joe's eyes Justin was the perfect husband and Jerrica was the crazy one that needed to get over herself. Tina expressed that she wasn't blaming Justin as of yet, however, maybe if he had not been such a chauvinistic person, Jerrica would still be here.

Wendy had no idea that Tina and Tracy felt the way they did. She had spent so much crying and worrying about Jerrica she hadn't really thought about anything else. What the others were saying still made little sense, because she couldn't figure out what they were really trying to say. Did they think Justin had something to do with the disappearance? Do they think he just forced her to leave? How do you explain the video if she just left?

At the end of the conversation none of them were really sure what they were thinking. The only agreement they reached was to watch, listen and keep notes on everything from here on out. They agreed not to voice any opinions to Geni, Justin or any of Jerrica's sisters. Also Tracy told them George had suspicions, but Joe would not want to hear anything bad towards Justin, so they agreed to keep him out of the loop.

The girls all agreed that Justin was likable and other than the last few months they themselves had thought Jerrica was being a baby about some of her whininess. However, when they saw how depressed she was becoming worry has started to set in. Jerrica had become distant, spent less time with them and seemed to want to spend more and more time alone. Each of them had taken a turn in trying to cheer her up and each of them failed. She would put on a good front but they saw right through her. Now they wish they had tried harder, but what could they have done differently? None of them had any answers and their only choice now was to figure this out and bring her home. When she did come home they would never let this happen again. She was there friend and they would help her no matter what it took.

Ann and John seemed to be the perfect parents. Justin was their pride and joy and he could do no wrong in their eyes. This wasn't blind love it was just fact. He had never been in any trouble and they had always supported anything he wanted to do. Justin was raised in a household where his mother never worked. She didn't need to work nor did she really want to, at least that was what Justin grew up believing. However, beneath that quiet exterior of his mother, there was a tiger that had been put to rest years ago.

When Ann and John had gotten married, Ann had been working. She had been a waitress at a local restaurant. Things changed when she married John, he told her he didn't want her to work. At first she welcomed the change, no more aching back and feet. She no longer would have to deal with obnoxious customers and brutal bosses. After about a year, the fairy tale wore off and she wanted to go back to work. Some kind of secretarial work would be fine. She just wanted to get out away from the house a few hours a day.

This was when the Lion inside John stood up and roared. No wife of mine is going to work. This took Ann completely by surprise. What on Earth? Why was he so adamant about her not working? You would have thought she had asked him to have an affair. Many fights ensued between them and Ann was the wounded victim every time. Unable to ever make her wishes become a reality she gave in and remained the meager housewife he told her she was. However, she vowed that if she was destined to be the house slave she felt she was, she would be the best mother ever and her kids would never know the dark side of their father.

The one thing she didn't count on was when Justin and his brothers had reached a certain age; their father had taken them aside and began indoctrinating them into his way of thinking. Justin was the only son that was married and when Ann saw that Jerrica was not allowed to work, her greatest fear had come to light. She confronted John one day about Justin and Jerrica's situation. John confessed to her what had been going on between his sons and him during those father and son fishing trips. Ann became very angry with John, but found she still was no match for him. He had not moved an inch on his pig headed idea. She felt sorry for Jerrica but never told her the story about her own situation. Now she wishes she had, maybe she could have saved Jerrica some of her pain and heartache.

Joe was at Justin's side constantly, listening to Justin cry and asking what he had done that was so wrong that this should happen to him. Joe would tell him he had been a great husband, providing Jerrica with everything she could ever want. The only thing she could find to complain about was not being able to work. He told Justin that he had done nothing wrong, no matter what anybody thought, Jerrica would be fine and she would be back home before he knew it.

Justin confided in Joe that he was hard on Jerrica for her own good. She didn't need to be out working, someone might try to take advantage of her and he didn't want to loose her. Justin told Joe that during one of their fights he had told Jerrica she would never have a job while he was able to work. If she did not believe him try to get a job and I will make sure you don't keep it. He told Joe that Jerrica was throwing things and he slapped her thinking she was hysterical. Joe told him he had done nothing wrong. If Jerrica was loosing control it was his responsibility to help her see reality and a little slap on the face was nothing.

Justin and Joe were having this confidential talk at the golf course where they were unaware that someone had overheard their entire conversation. George was suppose to play golf that day but he was running late, so Joe and Justin were sitting alone when George saw them talking quiet. George was curious at to what was going on so he got as close to them as he could trying to hear what was being said. He wasn't able to hear everything but did hear the part about slapping Jerrica. He was shocked; the thought had never entered his mind that Justin had gotten physical with Jerrica. No wonder she was getting depressed and avoiding the people that loved her most. He retraced his steps and called Justin on his cell phone and told him something came up and he wouldn't be able to play. That way neither Justin or Joe would realize he had heard anything they had said.

Feeling sick to his stomach George sat in his car seeing Justin and Joe in a completely different light. How would he be able to look at either of them the same again? They had been friends for years and had no idea Justin had such a dark side. He had always knew Joe was intimidating to Tina but now was Tina suffering the same abuse that Jerrica had suffered? He couldn't come right out and ask her but he could tell Tracy then maybe her and Wendy could tell her what he heard and then she could feel free to unload any burden she may have to her friends.

Then there were Jerrica's siblings, Stormy, Sally and JJ, with Jerrica being the oldest. Jerrica was brought up in a close knit family. Their love ran deep and true. They were taught by Geni and Jim that blood is always thicker than water. However, respect for yourself and your fellowman was also important, never do anything to someone you wouldn't want done to you in return. Jim and Geni always lead by example, never letting anger rule their heart. It was ok to disagree, even have a fight, but always find a way to overcome the anger, life can be taken in a blink of an eye leaving you to live with the fact you can never make it right.

Growing up with these concepts formed a bond between the kids that would never be broken. Stormy was the closest to Jerrica. Being the baby of the bunch Stormy always looked up to Jerrica and Jerrica always looked at Stormy as her mini-me parrot. She would follow Jerrica around and wanted to be just like her. Until later years Stormy developed her own style but her bond with Jerrica was never weakened by her transition into a fine young lady.

Two different families that were joined together with the marriage of one of their own to one of another, and now thrust into a tragedy of unexplainable consequences must somehow find a way to co exist until the answers can be found. How will they survive? Will they be able to find the clues to reach Jerrica before it is too late? If they can't then will they be able to survive the many other possibilities that they all refuse to admit may happen?

Many of the players in this twisted game are clueless and to others seem to be asking the wrong questions, which may be why they and not getting the right answers. Will the suspicions being experienced by Jerrica's friends prove valid or are they just grasping for straws? As the story unfolds and more clues surface, who will ultimately figure it out?

Chapter 4

Jim was the first one up on the seventh day after Jerrica's disappearance. He went to the kitchen started the coffee and then went to get the morning paper. He grasps the door knob and discovered the door was unlocked. Puzzled as to why the door was not locked proceeded out to the porch to recover the newspaper lying on the steps. Going back inside he made sure the door was locked behind him and went to wake Geni up. When she came into the kitchen she kissed him good morning and sat down to her coffee Jim had set on the table for her.

"Honey, didn't I lock the door before we went to bed last night?" Jim asked looking for conformation from his wife.

"Yes dear. That is the one thing I can count on from you; the door is always checked and locked before you go to bed at night." Geni answered wondering why he would ask such a question. "Why?"

"When I went out to get the newspaper this morning the door was unlocked, I am not comfortable sleeping anywhere if the door is not locked. Especially now with all this madness going on with Jerrica, who knows what could happen to one of us?" Jim said with concern.

"I agree, but earlier when I got up to go to the bathroom I saw Justin leaving in his car. Maybe he forgot to lock the door. I'm sure that's it he hasn't been himself through all this and he just forgot to lock the door." Geni said giving Justin the benefit of the doubt.

"I didn't realize he was up and gone already. He sure has been avoiding us lately. Did I say something out of the way that upset him?" Jim asked. "You would think he would be spending more time helping us put up posters and stuff but instead he is spending much of his free time with Joe." Jim continued with a little sadness in his voice.

"I just don't think Justin is doing anything wrong, he just doesn't know how to show emotion or maybe he thinks we blame him for this. I don't do you?" Geni asked Jim looking for any signs of suspicion.

"Heavens no, what would give you or him that impression?" Jim was caught totally off guard. "Did anyone else think I blame him?"

"No I was just asking. We had never discussed anything like that I just wanted to make sure, just for my own thinking. Do you understand what I am saying?" Geni said trying to explain her motive for asking him.

"I understand sorry honey this mess, I.....Uh....I just miss Jerrica and want her home." Jim said softly and more timid than Geni had heard him in a long time.

"That's ok just drinking your coffee and reading the paper will make you feel better.. Lets just enjoy the morning." Geni said to him.

"Ok one more thing the girls are all going to Wellbourn to put up posters today. Did you want to tag along?" Jim asked.

"No not today. I think I will just hang around the house and relax. I need some me time and with everyone gone I might be able to get it." Geni confessed.

"OK that sounds good" he said feeling a little hopeful that Geni was coming out of her depression if only a little. At least she was sounding a little better.

All the girls were to meet at Tracy's house and they would travel from there to Wellbourn to talk to people and put up posters of Jerrica. Tracy was up early making coffee, baking sweet rolls and getting George off to work. She was just finishing up her shower when Wendy and Tina arrived. They yelled up to Tracy as they were drawn into the kitchen by the aroma or the cinnamon rolls that Tracy had baked before her shower.

"Morning ladies, are we ready to rumble today?" Tracy was upbeat as she entered the kitchen where Wendy and Tina were already grabbing for the sweet rolls.

Through their muffled munching came, "Hi" that was almost recognizable.

"Do we know for sure who is coming with us today?" Wendy asked as she wiped the icing from her lips.

"The last time I talk to Stormy she told me her sister and Justin's mom and his sister was going to be here....as I see it by the clock on the wall anytime now." Tracy said as she was grabbing herself a sweet roll and some coffee.

"Is Geni coming?" Tina asked.

"No Jim called just before my shower and told me she was staying home to rest." Tracy said to the others.

They sat at the table drinking coffee and eating away at the sweet rolls. The others eventually arrived, adding to the chaos in the kitchen. Gathering all their materials they were ready to start the day. Wellbourn was only about thirty miles away and they wanted to get an early start. It was a warm day and would provide them plenty of sunshine to enjoy being outside doing something they hope would prove productive.

Loading up the SUV they were on their way. First they would stop at the Sheriff's Department to get permission to put up the posters of Jerrica. Then they would hit the streets, putting them on poles, windows, and in stores. They would show her picture to anyone who would listen and hopefully find someone who has seen something.

Justin spent a few hours at work, trying to keep himself busy. He was going to meet Joe for lunch and later they would play racquetball with George. The morning drug by and Justin was ready for lunch when noon finally arrived. He met Joe at their usual hang out and had a beer. They chit chatted about nothing in particular and left to meet George. On the way to the ball court, Joe's phone rang and it was George saying he was unable to make it again.

George was having trouble with Justin and his way of thinking. After he had heard Justin tell Joe about slapping Jerrica, George wanted nothing to do with either of them. Joe thought it was ok to mistreat a woman and he condoned what Justin had done. That made George sick to his stomach. In the back of his mind he hoped Jerrica had just gotten smart and left, down deep he knew this wasn't so, or their wouldn't have been a video.

Justin arrived home, grabbed the mail and went inside to shower and relax. When he entered the house he was confronted by Jim about leaving the front door open when he left that morning. Justin apologized and went upstairs to shower. Jim and Geni were in the living room watching television and John and Ann were on their way to the house, they were bringing dessert for the five of them.

Once everyone had settled down with their cake and coffee, Geni asked John to find a video to watch. She just wanted something relaxing to watch and not be interrupted by news breaks and commercials. When John reached into the cabinet he saw a box, wrapped in funny paper and addressed to Geni, Jim and family. Taking it out he asked Jim to look at the box. They all were perplexed at to what the box contained and why it was in the cabinet.

Justin came walking into the room and Jim showed him the box and watched for a reaction. Justin seemed as confused as the others and opened the box. Inside the box were pictures and another video. The label on the video said "The Sounds of Jerrica". You could feel the horror and sickness begin to overwhelm everyone in the room. Their faces began to flush, you could see Geni and Ann's hands begin to tremble, sheer frantic was plastered on their faces.

Reluctantly putting in the video, John pushed the play button and the video began. Showing the title again, "The Sounds of Jerrica" then fading into a scene with Jerrica bound and gagged. She was sitting in her car and her hands were tied to the steering wheel. Her mouth was bound with tape wrapped several times around her mouth and head. Her nose was barely visible and she seemed to be having trouble breathing. She was struggling and trying to free her hands and tears were streaming down her face. You could only hear the muffled cries and moans of Jerrica trying desperately to get free.

That scene faded out and you could still hear Jerrica crying and moaning. Then they heard a change in the noise. It sounded like tape being ripped and torn. Then you hear a blood curdling scream and Jerrica begging for her life and screaming let me go home. There was no picture so the sounds you were hearing, left you only to imagine what was going on behind the darkness. All of a sudden there was silence. Not knowing what to expect next they waited in horror.

Fading into view was Jerrica bound, gagged, partially undressed and attached to the car. A rope was wrapped around her midsection several times and it appeared she was then tied to the rear tire of the car. Her back was against the tire and her head was bent forward. There was a smaller rope around her neck, the rope came to a Y-shape around her hips then it was tied to her ankles. Each of the ropes then ran in opposite directions from her feet and then the ropes were tied to what appeared to be tent stakes, driven into the ground. Sitting on both sides of her just a few feet away were two large objects, which were covered.

The fear on Jerrica's face was indescribable. Everyone had the same question on their mind: What was under those covers? The film maker had made no attempt at this point to reveal what was in the containers. You could feel Jerrica's terror jumping out of television and making you feel as if you were right there with her, totally helpless to do anything. Just when they thought it couldn't possibly get any worse, the scene began to fade again. The screen went dark and the room was filled again with the blood curdling screams, crying, and begging for someone to help her.

The only thing you could hear was as the tape was so cleverly titled, "The Sounds of Jerrica", no picture, only sounds. The sounds that no parent ever wants to hear from the lungs of their child. Helpless to do nothing, you can't see what is wrong, you don't know where she is and you can only hear those cries, screams, torturous noises and the endless yells for help.

No help can come; no help will come, filling your soul with the overwhelming fear, and terror that your child is dying. The noises continued over and over getting louder and louder. For several minutes they listened in shock and horror unable to move unable to stop, the sounds of Jerrica. Even when the tape had stopped, the images they had witnessed and especially the things they heard: will be with them all until Jerrica has been found.