Chapter 9 - Ask Not

Jill was being very careful not to get caught, but making sure she stuck to her plan. She hurried to the top of the hill, moving as fast as she could.

Taking the wrapped sandwiches and water from the bag, she quickly dropped it all inside the well. Suddenly she heard a voice, it was Cindy, yelling for help.

"HEEELLP! HEEELLP! PLEASE HELP ME! I'M TRAPPED INSIDE THE WELL! PLEASE GET HELP! CAN YOU HEAR ME?! PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE!

Jill looked around then she slid down the hill on her butt so she wouldn’t fall. Staying in the shadows, she hid behind the big oak tree when she saw a car passing by. After it was out of view, Jill ran very fast back to her car, then slumped into the car seat as her eyes filled with tears. She sat for a minute shaking nervously and trying to catch her breath then she immediately drove off to get out of town.

When she made it back to Summerville, she was glad to finally be back at the house. She drove into the garage and sat in her car for a few more minutes, feeling relieved. Jill called her parents to let them know she had made it home safely, then she showered and lay down on her bed looking at the ceiling.

As she lay there waiting to fall asleep, thoughts of Jack and his condition were lingering in her head.

Cindy finally stopped screaming for help, wondering why the person didn’t say anything or try to get her out. Maybe it was someone just throwing trash in the well and was startled when they heard her voice. Cindy legs were in pain, but she was able to slide around on the concrete. Touching with her hands in the dark, she found the water and food that Jill dropped in the well for her. She was so hungry, but grateful for the stranger who came by. Cindy was still not sure what to think of it all, but she was definite that the person knew she was in the well. She made sure she didn’t eat all the food, taking small bites, and sipping on the water so her throat wouldn’t be so dry. Cindy knew her legs were injured, and she needed to go to the hospital, so she continued to yell for help, hoping someone would eventually hear her.

It has been an entire week and a few days have gone by since the terrible fall. Jack was in and out of consciousness, but he still couldn’t remember what happened to him that night. The detectives were going around town interviewing some of the people who were at the bar. No one had anything extra to add, except Mr. Burns, who remembered seeing a couple of cars parked nearby, on the other side of the street. But it was an empty lead because the cars belonged to the victims. Mr. Burns was the one who also spotted Jack and Jill lying unconscious at the bottom of the hill. It felt like it was a bad dream, but he knew something had gone terribly wrong. It was dark in that area and there were no lights, so he didn’t know how bad they were hurt. He called for the police and an ambulance, then Mr. Burns sat in his car patiently waiting for them to arrive.

After Mr. Burns was asked a few more questions about that night. The detectives left to go to the hill to see if there was any evidence left behind. They searched the entire area and at the bottom of the hill. They found dried blood of the victims, but nothing else that would lead them to the attacker. Cindy never knew they were near the well. And the detectives didn’t even ask questions or talk to anyone about Cindy Von. Although they heard the rumors, they considered everyone a suspect in Thornsberry. The Detectives couldn’t speak to Jack at the moment, but they wanted to ask his parents some questions. They were determined to find out what happened and who was responsible for it.

Before Detective Scott left home, he called Jill’s parents to ask if he could come by. They gave him permission, without hesitation, after he explained to them his reason for wanting to talk to them. Her parents knew that day would come, so they called Jill to return to Thornsberry. When she answered the phone, they told her the Detective wanted to speak to her about the fall. Jill was not prepared to answer any questions and she didn’t want to make herself look guilty. She told her parents to tell him that she wouldn’t be able to come into town until the next day. When Detective Scott pulled up in their driveway, Jill’s parents walked outside to his car. They didn’t want to invite him in just yet, even though they had nothing to hide.

“Howdy folks. I’m Detective Scott and I would like to talk to your daughter.... if that’s okay? I just have a few questions about the fall she had and to see if she remembers seeing anyone while she was out there.”

“Hi Detective. We’re Mr. and Mrs. Clancey.” said Jill’s dad. “We’re sorry she’s not here, because she lives in Summerville. She did tell us to inform you, that she can’t make it until tomorrow, if you would like to come back?”

Detective Scott agreed to come back the next day, when Jill would return. But before he left, he asked, “If you kind folks don’t mind me asking, I do have another concern. Do either of you know anything about a young lady named Cindy Von? Her name was given to me as a possible witness or suspect. It seems that she’s missing and no one seems to know her whereabouts.”

Jill’s parents looked perplexed and weren’t sure if they understood. They didn’t feel threatened by the detective, but they weren’t sure if they could trust him either. They looked at each other and Jill's father stepped towards the detective.

“Sir, we don’t know much about Cindy, but Jill may not remember anything since she fell and bumped her head. We only know what our daughter has told us, since Cindy started dating Jack. My daughter found out about their relationship after she came back home. I’m not sure if Cindy is responsible for when Jack and Jill had that terrible fall. But if she is missing, it doesn’t make her look innocent but it can also indicate that something else may have happened to her also.”

“Well, Mr. Clancey, I do plan on going to see her parents also. I have heard rumors and speculations, but I must find out what they know. Every little bit of information I get helps me to get closer to solving this case. And I’m sure if they have been worried about her, or hoping to find her, they will be very willing to cooperate with me during my investigation. Thank you both for your time and I will be back tomorrow per your request. Hopefully, the real perpetrators will come forward to confess or I’ll have the suspects narrowed down. I promise we will soon apprehend the one who is responsible. You Folks enjoy your evening and I appreciate your time and cooperation.”

After the detective left, Jill’s mom immediately called to update her. Jill was wondering if anyone had seen her that night of their fall. Her mom wanted to inform her that Cindy Von was missing and no one knew where she was. Jill was careful NOT to let her parents know that she saw Cindy and Jack that night kissing by the well and she was responsible for the attack. Jill played it cool as if she wasn’t aware of what her mom told her.

“Uh, I-I can’t remember too much about that day since I hit my head. How long has she been missing and do they have any clues about where she is? Is that the reason the detective wanted to talk to me? Was it about Cindy or Jack and I?”

“He had a few questions about your fall and he wanted to know if Cindy was also there with you and Jack. He heard rumors that she was last seen with Jack before she disappeared. We told him that we were not sure if you could recall if she was there or not. Her parents were on the news, they said it was like a continuous nightmare because they hadn’t heard from her. They said she had never left home and would always check-in, even if she was out with her friends. And she always let them know when she was hanging out or going on a date with Jack. Your dad and I knew they were together, but we didn’t want to get involved. They have no witnesses or evidence, so right now they are looking for leads. Honey, what do you remember about that night, and was Cindy there?”

“Mom I don’t remember and I really don’t have any concern for her or Jack after the way they treated me.”

“You were meeting your friend Chelsey at the bar, was she there with you? How did you fall down the hill? Were you pushed, was there a fight or struggle, or did someone assault you and Jack that night? I don't want to overwhelm you, but I was hoping you remembered something."