Chapter 5
The next day at work, Sadie was shaking. That man, who murdered somebody in this very office, in cold blood, was still alive and free in New York. And nobody suspected him. Hell, he probably doesn’t even remember murdering him! Though, if he murdered one person, he probably murdered more! She shivered, hunching down in her chair. Maybe I’m thinking too much about this. Or maybe he knows I know he killed someone and I’m next! Maybe-
“Hey, Sadie, lunch?” She jumped, turning around quickly in her chair to see a grinning Samuel looking in, holding a small coffee.
“I know it’s early, but I’m absolutely starving. Chipotle?” He asked, walking into her cubicle casually.
“Sure, Samuel. Just let me wrap this up.” She brushed herself off. He nodded and leaned on a wall, sipping his coffee. She stood up and grabbed her jacket, smiling at Samuel.
“Let’s go. I’m starving.”
--
The two walked down the busy sidewalk, pushing against the sea of people. Cool wind blew in their faces. Cars sped through puddles, people yelling and cursing after them every time water spit up onto the sidewalk.Samuel grabbed her shoulder suddenly, dragging her out of the busy crowd.
“Sorry. Can barely breathe in that crowd. Plus, we’re here.” He looked up at the Chipotle sign.
“I’ve actually never been.” Sadie confessed. He looked at her with over-exaggerated shock.
“You’ve never been?” He put his hand over his heart in fake offense. She laughed, walking up the concrete steps towards the restaurant.
--
They sat down at a small circular table with their food.
“So, what’s up with you? You look… frazzled.” He laughed, picking up his burrito.
“When am I not?” She asked, looking down and picking at her burrito with a plastic fork.
“True, true. But you’ve never brought out the top messy bun.” He noted casually.
“Okay, rude, but the truth is, I think I’m about to go on a wild goosechase.” She confessed, shifting in her seat.
“Alright, you’re crazier than I thought.”
“Touche, good sir.”
“I can’t believe I’m asking this, but after who, exactly?”
She took a deep breath and explained everything. The flashbacks, the research, the human trials and the scientists who almost seemed to disappear. By the time she finished, his bowl was empty.
“Theory concluded. You’re insane,” he paused, pressing his hands together.
“But also, innocent. Nobody has died like that before we were both even born.” He said reassuringly.
“But that’s the thing. The guy who did the trial with me, he must’ve been the guy who murdered him. He would probably be about 40 right now, and my roommate found him. His name is-” She was interrupted by Samuel.
“Woah there, don’t go around giving out information about a murderer who’s on the loose! We need to get the police, or your roommate. We need to find this guy, and turn him in immediately. This is serious, Sadie.” He leaned forward slightly, hands gripping the table.
--
“So… you two aren’t dating?” Alex came to stand next to her and whispered without turning her head.
“Al, this is serious. Stay focused! Also, no. We’re not.” She snapped quietly, keeping her eyes on Samuel, who was jotting down something on a sheet of paper quickly. She glanced over at Alex, who was fake pouting.
“Aww, but we could’ve gone on double dates to fancy restaurants with my new girlfriend, Rachel.” Sadie’s eyes widened, following Alex as she walked over towards Samuel.
“What? Girlfriend- Alex!” She smiled, walking towards her. Alex smirked.
“What happened to staying focused?” She teased. Sadie glared at her, then broke out into a grin.
“Okay, chill. We just started a few weeks ago, okay?” Sadie grabbed her arm.
“I’m so glad you’re done with Alice! She was terrible.” Alex looked at her, smiling.
“The worst.”
“Okay, so whenever you two are done, though, very happy for you Alex, I did write down all of the information I could find about this guy from the trial.” Samuel held up the paper. Alex grabbed the paper excitedly, eyes scanning the sheet.
“This is great.” She grinned. Sadie read it over her shoulder.
Brian Pierce.
Mid to late 40’s
New York
Working as a Tiffany & Co. manager now
Was in late 20’s during trial
Unknown Past
“So, what now? We don’t exactly have solid evidence, the guy seemed to only commit one murder, though I’m sure there were more, and we have no idea what he looks like, where he lives, or what he’s capable of by now. He may not even remember murdering anybody!” Sadie rambled on.
“Well, we do know where he works.” Alex offered.
“And how do we get to him?” Sadie asked. Alex smirked.
“I know a way.”
Chapter 6
It was a snowy New York morning. Men were out shoveling snow off of the sidewalks and huge clumps were stained brown with gas from taxis that sped by. Somewhere inside the busy, crowded store of Tiffany & Co. was an angry customer named Alex Baker with a too small t-shirt shaking in her hand from the same store, bought two years ago.
“You’re telling me I can’t return this?” Alex waved the shirt in front of the teenage cashier angrily. Sadie almost felt bad for the scrawny young boy.
“Y-yes ma’am. We have a one year policy.” He stammered, shrinking away from the shirt.
“Mm, sure. May I speak to your manager?” She snapped. The boy nodded slowly.
“I’ll get him. Wait here, ma’am.” He said, about to leave.
“Um, no. We’ll go see him, if you don’t mind.” She retorted. The boy seemed scared enough to wet himself. Not ready to argue, he lead them to the manager’s office. Alex winked at Sadie and Samuel before entering. Sadie smiled nervously, her heart beating so fast she was afraid it might just stop. Samuel put his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. This was it. She was about to confront a murderer.
When they entered he was sitting behind his desk, lounging in his chair. He stared off into space silently, a voice blaring through the phone. When the voice stopped he said goodbye and placed the phone back on the hook. He looked up expectantly at the three young adults.
“Yes?” He said impatiently, hunching forward with his arms crossed over his large stomach, squeezing the light blue polo shirt. Sadie opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
He had dark brown eyes, thin greying hair and a scruffy beard. His eyes seemed to almost challenge them, as if he was so tired of angry customers he had no care left in the world. She broke eye contact with him, looking down at her jacket sleeve.
They probably looked ridiculous to him. A short dark skinned girl with a stink eye, a blank faced boy with curly dark brown hair, and a tall pale girl with bushy red hair and a beet-red face to match. Alex’s harsh voice broke the silence.
“Hello H. H. Holmes.”
They didn’t last five more minutes. Immediately security came and ordered them to leave. Sadie and Samuel scurried away, heads down until they were outside of the store and cool air blew against their flushed faces. Two minutes later an angry Alex came out, being followed by a security guard. Her arms were crossed and it looked like steam might blow out of her ears. The guard stopped.
“Don’t come back.” He said in a stone cold voice that made Sadie shiver. He turned back and walked through the door.
“Well, that was pretty stupid of you.” Samuel announced, looking down at Alex. She huffed, stomping off into the busy crowd. Samuel looked up at Sadie, smiling gently. She returned the smile, though her eyes were cloudy. They started walking, hands in pockets.
“It wasn’t him.” She said softly, glancing down at Samuel. He looked up at her with an eyebrow raised.
“How? He was the manager, the guy who did the trial-” he counted on his fingers.
“Well, I wasn’t done,” she interrupted.
“First of all, we barely had a conversation with him, thanks to Al, and second of all, he could’ve been a filler. Maybe the real guy was sick today.” she listed. Samuel rolled his eyes, sighing.
“That would be convenient.” He huffed.
“Third of all, his voice didn’t match the voice I heard in my flashback. And though, I suppose, his voice would have changed as he grew, but he would still have a bit of the same voice.” she sighed, looking ahead into the crowd.
--
“Well, maybe it wasn’t him.” Alex watched Sadie pace back and forth across the room.
“How could it not be him?” Alex pointed out.
“I just know!” Sadie snapped, throwing her arms in the air as she stopped in front of her bed where Alex was sitting with her legs crossed.
“Well, let's say it wasn’t him. Do you have any clue who it could’ve been?” Alex sighed, twisting her hair.
“Well, my mom said that two years after the trial, all of the scientists and doctors disappeared. Maybe they have something to do with it? Or at least know something?” Sadie plopped down on the bed next to Alex, resting her head on her shoulder.
“I sometimes think I’m still in love with you.” Alex said softly, letting her head rest lightly on Sadie’s hair.
“You know what my parents did last time.” Sadie sighed.
“Who cares? That was high school. You don’t even live with them now.”
“I care!” Sadie stood up, looking down at the confused Alex.
“We’re always going to be best friends, and then I’m going to marry some rich guy, have 3 children and move to North Carolina!” She finalized, trying not to tremble. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Her head echoed. She swallowed her guilt, putting on a stubborn face.
“Just, stick to the plan.” She muttered, looking down. Alex got up.
“Some plan. Listen to your parents for your entire life until you realize you don’t even like your husband.” She said, brushing herself off. She shouldered past her, exiting the room without a word. Sadie trembled, tears rolling down her cheeks. She knew it wouldn’t work anyways. Her mother would never allow it. I’ll be happy someday.
The next day at work, Sadie was shaking. That man, who murdered somebody in this very office, in cold blood, was still alive and free in New York. And nobody suspected him. Hell, he probably doesn’t even remember murdering him! Though, if he murdered one person, he probably murdered more! She shivered, hunching down in her chair. Maybe I’m thinking too much about this. Or maybe he knows I know he killed someone and I’m next! Maybe-
“Hey, Sadie, lunch?” She jumped, turning around quickly in her chair to see a grinning Samuel looking in, holding a small coffee.
“I know it’s early, but I’m absolutely starving. Chipotle?” He asked, walking into her cubicle casually.
“Sure, Samuel. Just let me wrap this up.” She brushed herself off. He nodded and leaned on a wall, sipping his coffee. She stood up and grabbed her jacket, smiling at Samuel.
“Let’s go. I’m starving.”
--
The two walked down the busy sidewalk, pushing against the sea of people. Cool wind blew in their faces. Cars sped through puddles, people yelling and cursing after them every time water spit up onto the sidewalk.Samuel grabbed her shoulder suddenly, dragging her out of the busy crowd.
“Sorry. Can barely breathe in that crowd. Plus, we’re here.” He looked up at the Chipotle sign.
“I’ve actually never been.” Sadie confessed. He looked at her with over-exaggerated shock.
“You’ve never been?” He put his hand over his heart in fake offense. She laughed, walking up the concrete steps towards the restaurant.
--
They sat down at a small circular table with their food.
“So, what’s up with you? You look… frazzled.” He laughed, picking up his burrito.
“When am I not?” She asked, looking down and picking at her burrito with a plastic fork.
“True, true. But you’ve never brought out the top messy bun.” He noted casually.
“Okay, rude, but the truth is, I think I’m about to go on a wild goosechase.” She confessed, shifting in her seat.
“Alright, you’re crazier than I thought.”
“Touche, good sir.”
“I can’t believe I’m asking this, but after who, exactly?”
She took a deep breath and explained everything. The flashbacks, the research, the human trials and the scientists who almost seemed to disappear. By the time she finished, his bowl was empty.
“Theory concluded. You’re insane,” he paused, pressing his hands together.
“But also, innocent. Nobody has died like that before we were both even born.” He said reassuringly.
“But that’s the thing. The guy who did the trial with me, he must’ve been the guy who murdered him. He would probably be about 40 right now, and my roommate found him. His name is-” She was interrupted by Samuel.
“Woah there, don’t go around giving out information about a murderer who’s on the loose! We need to get the police, or your roommate. We need to find this guy, and turn him in immediately. This is serious, Sadie.” He leaned forward slightly, hands gripping the table.
--
“So… you two aren’t dating?” Alex came to stand next to her and whispered without turning her head.
“Al, this is serious. Stay focused! Also, no. We’re not.” She snapped quietly, keeping her eyes on Samuel, who was jotting down something on a sheet of paper quickly. She glanced over at Alex, who was fake pouting.
“Aww, but we could’ve gone on double dates to fancy restaurants with my new girlfriend, Rachel.” Sadie’s eyes widened, following Alex as she walked over towards Samuel.
“What? Girlfriend- Alex!” She smiled, walking towards her. Alex smirked.
“What happened to staying focused?” She teased. Sadie glared at her, then broke out into a grin.
“Okay, chill. We just started a few weeks ago, okay?” Sadie grabbed her arm.
“I’m so glad you’re done with Alice! She was terrible.” Alex looked at her, smiling.
“The worst.”
“Okay, so whenever you two are done, though, very happy for you Alex, I did write down all of the information I could find about this guy from the trial.” Samuel held up the paper. Alex grabbed the paper excitedly, eyes scanning the sheet.
“This is great.” She grinned. Sadie read it over her shoulder.
Brian Pierce.
Mid to late 40’s
New York
Working as a Tiffany & Co. manager now
Was in late 20’s during trial
Unknown Past
“So, what now? We don’t exactly have solid evidence, the guy seemed to only commit one murder, though I’m sure there were more, and we have no idea what he looks like, where he lives, or what he’s capable of by now. He may not even remember murdering anybody!” Sadie rambled on.
“Well, we do know where he works.” Alex offered.
“And how do we get to him?” Sadie asked. Alex smirked.
“I know a way.”
Chapter 6
It was a snowy New York morning. Men were out shoveling snow off of the sidewalks and huge clumps were stained brown with gas from taxis that sped by. Somewhere inside the busy, crowded store of Tiffany & Co. was an angry customer named Alex Baker with a too small t-shirt shaking in her hand from the same store, bought two years ago.
“You’re telling me I can’t return this?” Alex waved the shirt in front of the teenage cashier angrily. Sadie almost felt bad for the scrawny young boy.
“Y-yes ma’am. We have a one year policy.” He stammered, shrinking away from the shirt.
“Mm, sure. May I speak to your manager?” She snapped. The boy nodded slowly.
“I’ll get him. Wait here, ma’am.” He said, about to leave.
“Um, no. We’ll go see him, if you don’t mind.” She retorted. The boy seemed scared enough to wet himself. Not ready to argue, he lead them to the manager’s office. Alex winked at Sadie and Samuel before entering. Sadie smiled nervously, her heart beating so fast she was afraid it might just stop. Samuel put his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. This was it. She was about to confront a murderer.
When they entered he was sitting behind his desk, lounging in his chair. He stared off into space silently, a voice blaring through the phone. When the voice stopped he said goodbye and placed the phone back on the hook. He looked up expectantly at the three young adults.
“Yes?” He said impatiently, hunching forward with his arms crossed over his large stomach, squeezing the light blue polo shirt. Sadie opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
He had dark brown eyes, thin greying hair and a scruffy beard. His eyes seemed to almost challenge them, as if he was so tired of angry customers he had no care left in the world. She broke eye contact with him, looking down at her jacket sleeve.
They probably looked ridiculous to him. A short dark skinned girl with a stink eye, a blank faced boy with curly dark brown hair, and a tall pale girl with bushy red hair and a beet-red face to match. Alex’s harsh voice broke the silence.
“Hello H. H. Holmes.”
They didn’t last five more minutes. Immediately security came and ordered them to leave. Sadie and Samuel scurried away, heads down until they were outside of the store and cool air blew against their flushed faces. Two minutes later an angry Alex came out, being followed by a security guard. Her arms were crossed and it looked like steam might blow out of her ears. The guard stopped.
“Don’t come back.” He said in a stone cold voice that made Sadie shiver. He turned back and walked through the door.
“Well, that was pretty stupid of you.” Samuel announced, looking down at Alex. She huffed, stomping off into the busy crowd. Samuel looked up at Sadie, smiling gently. She returned the smile, though her eyes were cloudy. They started walking, hands in pockets.
“It wasn’t him.” She said softly, glancing down at Samuel. He looked up at her with an eyebrow raised.
“How? He was the manager, the guy who did the trial-” he counted on his fingers.
“Well, I wasn’t done,” she interrupted.
“First of all, we barely had a conversation with him, thanks to Al, and second of all, he could’ve been a filler. Maybe the real guy was sick today.” she listed. Samuel rolled his eyes, sighing.
“That would be convenient.” He huffed.
“Third of all, his voice didn’t match the voice I heard in my flashback. And though, I suppose, his voice would have changed as he grew, but he would still have a bit of the same voice.” she sighed, looking ahead into the crowd.
--
“Well, maybe it wasn’t him.” Alex watched Sadie pace back and forth across the room.
“How could it not be him?” Alex pointed out.
“I just know!” Sadie snapped, throwing her arms in the air as she stopped in front of her bed where Alex was sitting with her legs crossed.
“Well, let's say it wasn’t him. Do you have any clue who it could’ve been?” Alex sighed, twisting her hair.
“Well, my mom said that two years after the trial, all of the scientists and doctors disappeared. Maybe they have something to do with it? Or at least know something?” Sadie plopped down on the bed next to Alex, resting her head on her shoulder.
“I sometimes think I’m still in love with you.” Alex said softly, letting her head rest lightly on Sadie’s hair.
“You know what my parents did last time.” Sadie sighed.
“Who cares? That was high school. You don’t even live with them now.”
“I care!” Sadie stood up, looking down at the confused Alex.
“We’re always going to be best friends, and then I’m going to marry some rich guy, have 3 children and move to North Carolina!” She finalized, trying not to tremble. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Her head echoed. She swallowed her guilt, putting on a stubborn face.
“Just, stick to the plan.” She muttered, looking down. Alex got up.
“Some plan. Listen to your parents for your entire life until you realize you don’t even like your husband.” She said, brushing herself off. She shouldered past her, exiting the room without a word. Sadie trembled, tears rolling down her cheeks. She knew it wouldn’t work anyways. Her mother would never allow it. I’ll be happy someday.