Edge of Survival

Rebecca scurries around the store, placing newly purchased merchandise on the shelves. She and her husband, Dan, owns a small antique shop on the outskirts of town. The shop had once belonged to Rebecca's mother. Rebecca ran it when her mother became ill, eventually becoming the sole proprietor when she passed.

Dan suggested selling the business, claiming it would take more money to run than it would bring in. However, Rebecca couldn't bear the thought of selling the family heirloom. The shop held many precious memories for her; it was where she had spent most of her free time as a child, learned some of life's most valuable lessons, and, more importantly, where she met and fell in love with Dan.

Seeing how much the shop means to her, Dan didn't push the issue. Instead, he works long hours to cover expenses and helps with the shop when he can

Dan is pricing the last pieces of merchandise when the phone rings. "I'll get it," he said, accidentally knocking the edge of his coffee cup. Cold, sticky liquid spilled across his desk, dripping onto the white tile floor.

Rebecca rolls her eyes as she shakes her head. "You're messier than our child, and he's only two." Grabbing a roll of paper towels, she begins sopping up the mess, mumbling under her breath, "I swear, I'm going to start putting your stuff in sippy cups if this keeps up."

"Sorry, honey," Dan said, smiling sheepishly as he picked up the phone. "Hello?" He glances at his wife and asks, "So, what great bargain are you offering us today, Wilbur?"

Wilbur and his wife, Millie, own a small storage facility on the east side of town. The place didn't have fancy gates or climate-controlled units, but the storage spaces are larger and cheaper than those at other facilities.

"You have four units you're willing to sell? Rebecca and I spent a fortune at the auction last night, so we don't have much cash left. You'll let me have them for a hundred and fifty a piece?" Dan looks over to see his wife nodding vigorously. He chuckles and says, "Beck and I will come by to see what you've got. Talk to you soon."

Rebecca's eyes lit up, imagining all the treasures they might find. Rubbing her hands together, she excitedly says "I can hardly wait."

"You're acting like a kid waiting to open presents on Christmas Day."

"You know how much I love searching for hidden treasures," she replies.

Rolling his eyes, Dan snorts and says, "Our cluttered house proves that."

She playfully slaps his arm. "You love those things as much as I do."

Dan always seemed to find something to lug home every time he stops by the store. "I don't like that darn clock in the hallway, cuckooing all the time. It drives me nuts." Seeing his wife opening her mouth, he quickly adds "It's a short drive, I know."

Rebecca chuckles. "You said it, not me."

"You would have if I hadn't beaten you to it."

"I'd never be that mean."

"Since when?"

"I'll have you know that the clock you despise so much is worth a small fortune."

"So sell it already."

"I was going to, until an antique dealer told me its value could double, possibly triple, within the next ten years."

"So, I'm stuck with that annoying thing for another decade?"

"Think of it as our retirement fund."

"It'll send me to the funny farm way before then."

"Quit being such a drama queen, Dan," Rebecca says, shaking her head.

***

"Wait up, Duke!" Jake yelled, grabbing his gun from the boulder as he raced through the woods after his dog. I hope you found something good, he thinks, picturing a nice juicy deer steak in his mind. Duke, an old basset hound, loved to hunt as much as Jake loved to eat, making them the perfect pair.

When Jake reached Duke, the dog was barking by the remains of a junked-out car. "What did you find, boy?" he asked, breathlessly reaching his pal. Jake looks down and sees a bloody, blonde-headed woman lying on the cold, hard ground with a single bullet wound to her chest. Her head is tilted sideways, her arms outstretched on either side and her legs are angled to the left. Screaming, he dashes to the opposite side. Bile burns in his throat as he darts around the car. The sight of blood has had this effect on him since he was a young boy. The putrid liquid reaches his mouth. This is no time to be sick, he thinks, forcing it back down. He starts to take another step when his breakfast spews across the forest floor. "Damn it." He yells, throwing up again. After what seems like a lifetime of retching, he wipes his mouth on his sleeve. " We need to help her, " he says, reaching for his phone.

***

Joe, Jerry, and Kirk arrived to find the EMTs unloading their gear.

Jerry Bower, a seasoned detective, had been working for the police force for well over twenty years. He had been promoted to sergeant briefly until his health became an issue, forcing him to step down.

Kirk Corbin, also known as "Boy Wonder" because of his broad range of knowledge, started with the police force fifteen years ago. He first worked in forensics, then as a beat cop, and shortly after as a detective. He claimed to love forensics but needed a change of pace.

"This way," an older man says motioning the men along.

They follow him through a rough patch of woods to the skeleton of a car, now home to several rodents. "Duke found her," he explains, patting his dog's head he adds, "She's over there." He points to the opposite side of the car.

Dropping down beside the victim, the EMTs quickly checks her condition. "Her blood pressure and pulse are so weak they're barely palpable," one EMT reports, pulling equipment from his bag.

Nodding, Joe turned and asks, "You said your dog found her?"

"That's right. We were hunting for squirrels when he darted off this way. I thought he might have seen a deer," With disappointment on his face. he adds, "At least, I was hoping he had."

"When was this?"

The man glances towards the sun. "I'd say about twenty minutes ago."

"Did you see anyone else?"

"No, sir. It's just me and Duke out here all day," he said, glancing around. "As far as I know, anyway. I know for sure that she wasn't there yesterday."

"Do you come out here often?"

The man shrugs as he answers. "It depends on what we find."

"Have you ever seen anyone wandering around out here?"

"Just a kid now and then, cutting through on their way into town. But I haven't seen anyone out here recently, not in the last few months or so. Guess it's because of tick season and all."

"Where do you live?"

"In the log cabin down around the bend," the man replies patting Duke's head again. "It's just old Duke and me living there."

Jerry handed the man a card and says, "If you think of anything or see anyone snooping around, give us a call, alright?"

"Will do, officer."

Kirk walks over and says, "Her name is Grace Morgan. According to the police report, her husband reported her missing last night. He said she went out for a jog and never came back. He became very concerned when she didn't return, tried calling her, and found her phone on the counter—something she never does when she jogs at night. He said he started driving down the paths she usually takes but didn't see her anywhere. He decided to stop by their friends' houses, but none of them had seen her either."

"We need to notify him."

"I'm on my way, sir," Kirk said.