He parked in the same place as the night before. Out of his vehicle he locked it and took several minutes to look around. Satisfied he was alone he shuffled off to his hiding place. Once there he stood quietly watching the house. One light was visible on the second floor. He waited for over an hour after the light went out. At the door he waited again, his ears straining to detct any sound. From his backpack he produced the necessary tools and within seconds he was standing inside the the house. What happened after would sent Detective Aaron Tidwell of the Jackson County Sheriff's office on the longest manhunt of his career. It would also send him into a seedy world unknown by average citizens.

The Absence of Purity

By T. O. Stallings

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 T. O. Stallings
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4567-6422-7

Chapter One

Silhouetted by the rays of a dying moon the house stood cold, silent, and uninviting. Standing in the thin layer of snow which blanketed the ground, his rigid posture mimicked the coldness of the structure. As time slipped past, his lack of motion sent the beginnings of numbness into the bottom of his feet. Still he remained immobile. His mind played out different scenarios, all of which he finally concluded, would leave signs of his presence. After all the planning, the hours of waiting, and the mental exhaustion, tell-tale signs were not acceptable.

Someone on the second floor flicked a light switch. Through the blindless window he saw the movement and it mesmerized him. Tall and graceful, like a ballerina the naked figure made its way across the room, through the door and, turning on the necessary switches to light the way, into the hall. He knew the route. He had walked it hundreds of times in his mind. He knew the location of every switch, every discarded piece of clothing that would be navigated around, and every squeak of the flooring. Soon downstairs lights would be illuminating the interior, the power of their brightness casting shadows on the immediate outside vicinity.

A less organized individual would have retreated in fear of detection. His courage was in the knowledge that from his vantage point he was invisible. Daylight was more than two hours away and his confidence kept him glued to his position. Two hours could be a lifetime. Two hours could be the beginning of something truly wonderful. It could also be an end.

Watching the activity inside the house birthed images in his brain and the familiarity of past actions shrouded him in an unrepentant arousal. All the memories of the past were unleashed and for a moment he shuddered with his thoughts. Another time, he told himself. Another night when circumstances were perfect, he would return and then the pictures he envisioned could, and would become reality.

Slowly, forcing his stiff limbs to move, he stepped backwards, not wanting to lose sight of the house. Finally he turned. Breathing heavily he walked with his head down, his eyes focused on the ground. He had parked two miles from his hiding point and when he arrived he started the engine and turned the heat to full. Lighting a cigarette he noticed his hands shaking. After the times before they had shaken violently and he took it as a positive omen.

Finished with the cigarette he held it between his thumb and forefinger out the window, rolling it back and forth knocking the ash to the ground. What was left of the butt he placed in his jacket pocket. Placing the car in drive he eased his way onto the road, slowly increasing his speed. Ten minutes later he turned on the headlights and maneuvered the vehicle onto the highway. At that time of the morning traffic was sparse and it afforded him time to replay the past hours in his mind.

Parking in his driveway while the sky was still awakening to a new dawn he exited the vehicle and moved quietly up the steps of the porch and into the foyer. The house was silent. Stripping off his footwear and jacket, he walked in stocking feet to the mudroom where he stripped his clothing and tossed them into the washing machine. From the mud room he made his way through the house, up the stairs and into the bedroom. In the dimness of the predawn light he could make out the form sleeping under the blankets. Gently he pulled back the bed linens and stretched out beside her. Within minutes he was asleep.

Within the house the day's activities had been limited. A product of habit, the early wake up in the darkness meant nothing more sinister than having extra time to prepare the standard weekend fare of pancakes and waffles for breakfast. Showers came afterwards as did the accomplishment of tasks delegated for weekends. As was their sacrament, weekend afternoons were reserved for bedroom intimacy. Before five they had again dressed. Venturing out doors they had driven to a nearby store, made a few select purchases, then returned to the house. To those they encountered during the trip they greeted with smiles and cordial civility. Not habitually inclined towards idle chatter and adhering to their self-imposed cloistered lifestyle, the few words they spoke were gracious and friendly. Favoring the accomplishment of their tasks as swiftly as possible they did not linger.

Stopping at the end of their driveway they retrieved the mail from the metal box prior to continuing to the house. Noting they had received a movie and letter from Germany they continued to the house. Finding homes for their newest acquisitions they moved about the house without distractions. Saturday evening dinner was a simple casual affair. A cold meal served with copious quantities of wine. The trio conversed with the ease of humor and familiarity of intimacy. The male was of average height with brownish hair and a lean but physical frame. The woman was taller than the male. She too was of average height. Neither thin nor fat her body showed the toning of the regiment of exercise in which they all participated. Despite her obvious good looks she was often teased, in good nature, by the other two for her smaller than average breasts and her slightly enlarged buttocks. The girl was always referred to as beautiful. Blemish free skin enhanced a sumptuous figure which was further embellished with the tightness of her clothing. Collectively they enjoyed her ability to catch the attention of all who met her.

The note which accompanied the movie was brief, stating only wishes for their enjoyment. Seated together on the large sofa they watched the home made video without comment. Filmed in black and white the movie lasted a few minutes short of two hours. As it rewound the suggestion was made to again view the film the following afternoon. Nodding heads agreed. Making the nightly rounds of securing doors and turning off lights the trio made their way up the stairs into the bedroom. Not bothering with the lights they assisted each other with undressing. Soon they were sprawled across the bed indulging in the passions the movie had inflamed. When all three were gratified they extinguished the light and drifted into the sleep of contentment

The day had dragged by. He had busied himself with mundane chores in the barn and the yard. The day's sun had melted the remains of the snow but its temporary warmth had been replaced by a cold wind. The forecast for the night called for a freeze. In the afternoon he checked his backpack. Satisfied it contained everything he would need he spent the rest of the day pretending to read and watch the news.

"I have to go to Asheville tonight," he announced at the dinner table.

"What time?" His wife looked up from her plate.

"About ten or so," he responded.

"It's going to be cold. You'd better wear your heavy parka."

"I'll be okay," he said, a slight sneer touching his lips.

"When will you be back?" Her eyes rested on his face.

"In the morning if everything goes alright." He pushed his plate away from him. "If you could make me a thermos of coffee." He said it more as a statement than a request. Standing up he left her sitting at the table. Alone, she finished her meal then cleaned the kitchen. After preparing the thermos she turned off all the lights and went to the bedroom.

He was there laying on the bed, half dressed, eyes closed with his forearm over his face....