My Sister's Murder, Melissa Willingham [all ebook reader txt] 📗

had been released on bail. Mom was ready to claw his eyes out. It took Dad, Ronnie and Dean to hold her off of him. Sean looked like he was about to cry. He stared at Mom in anguish and said, “Mrs. Johnson, I didn’t do it. I swear I didn’t kill Tracey. I loved her and she loved me.”

I doubt Mom believed a word he uttered though. As for me, I’m not so sure he’s guilty. I want so much to accept what he’s claiming is the truth. But, one mystery still remains, if he didn’t murder my sister, then who on earth did? And who tried to climb into my bedroom window? Were the two incidents related or were they separate events?  

***

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Dear Diary,

An ongoing investigation into the death of my sister ensues. Police are still canvassing neighborhoods, probing into what happened. A witness came forward today and said she was driving past Old Mill Road on the night in question. She noticed a beat-up pickup truck slowly ambling down the dirt road. Sean has a pickup, but his is practically new. There was also a Toyota Corolla parked off on the side, with a flat tire. It must’ve been my sister’s.

The cops believe the eyewitness inadvertently saw the final moments of Tracey’s life. Although the body of the car was burned out, the tires were okay, for the most part. A tire expert determined that someone lightly punctured the tire, so that it would leak gradually.

The expert estimated the distance from the house party to the entrance of Old Mill Road, two and a half miles. He said the killer was anticipating Tracey being stranded, after her tire went flat. He probably drove up and offered to help, but instead he tricked her into riding to the secluded spot nearby with him.     

***

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Dear Diary,

It has been one week since Tracey’s body was discovered. Mom is able to function a bit better now. They have cut back on her sedation and she manages to get through another day. The pain is still so raw; the wound so fresh, for all of us. Dad is our foundation, our brick wall of support. Without him and our faith in Jesus Christ, I don’t know what we would do. I believe we’ll see my sister in Heaven again someday. We’ve only lost her for a little while, but not forever.

All we want now is some closure and justice for Tracey. If we could only know who murdered her and put them behind bars, we could rest. The burden that weighs heavily upon us would seem to lift some then. In her diary, she indicated that the individual who scared her ate dinner with us. If not Sean, who was he? And was the man her killer?

***

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Dear Diary,

We didn’t have to ponder over the questions long. Today, dear diary, we received the blessing we’ve longed for. For this afternoon, we learned just who it was that ended my dear sister’s life. We had company over for dinner and afterwards, I went into my bedroom to rest. I sat back on my bed meditating over the depressing situation, wondering what, if anything, I might do to catch the killer.

Suddenly, I heard Tracey’s voice again. She whispered, “Go outside, pickup truck. Pink necklace, underneath seat. Find it, don’t touch.” I raced out the front door and glanced around, spotting Dean’s truck parked in the driveway. They’d come in his vehicle because Ronnie’s car was out of commission. No, it couldn’t be Dean! Not my Uncle Ronnie’s best friend.

I carefully slipped inside and searched under the seat. There it was, Tracey’s Valentine necklace, with a broken chain. There were a few drops of blood on the carpet as well. I hurried into the house to secretly alert Mom and Dad. While I distracted our guests, they went out to Dean’s pickup to check it out. They quickly called the cops, who arrived in a flash, before Dean even knew what was going on. We identified the necklace.

The police had to restrain Mom, Dad and Ronnie from attacking Dean. He was carted away and his truck impounded for evidence. I’m pretty sure that is my sister’s blood under that seat. I’m also certain that Dean is the one who tried to come into my window. I believe his skin was on the nail we found. I’m sure his flesh and DNA will be matched to what was retrieved from Tracey’s fingernails and body. What a monster he is! He had all of us fooled. He killed my sister and he planned to kill me, too.          

***

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Dear Diary,

Sean was released from jail today. All charges against him were dropped, considering the facts that came to light. Maybe one day, we will be able to be friends with him again. It will take some time.  At least we know who was truly responsible for my sister’s death. I believe she’ll finally be able to rest in peace at last. She appeared to me earlier today, briefly. She materialized as a hologram image before me. I was awed by her radiance and beauty. Her former glory had been restored and she seemed luminous. She only spoke three words to me before she evaporated. “Thank you, Jenna.”

I believe this nightmare is over; at least, the unanswered questions have been resolved. I am sure the DNA evidence will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dean Maguire stalked, raped and murdered my sister that fateful night. I have a feeling he has done this before. His other crimes have yet to be discovered. I believe that somewhere out there, other innocent, young women have been killed. They are waiting for justice to be served, just as in this case. Dean will answer for his horrendous deeds against them.

He was a trusted friend of the family. We never once suspected him of any wrongdoing. Yet Tracey knew deep down inside that he was evil. She didn’t tell us, for whatever reason and now she’s gone. Because of him, we’ll never see her smile or hear her laugh ever again. She wanted to exonerate the innocent through DNA, as a lawyer. She would be equally glad to know that DNA will prove the guilt of the man who coldly premeditated her demise.

Today would have been her 21st birthday. How fitting that her killer would be apprehended just in time for her special day. I miss her so much. Her life on this earth may be over, yet her memory will never die for us. We will continue to keep her alive in our thoughts and our hearts. I believe in immortality of the soul; so did Tracey. And I believe somewhere up in Heaven, she will be watching over us, until we join her. Only God can determine when that reunion will take place. But, I know when it happens, it will be bittersweet.

***

Imprint

Publication Date: 04-10-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Dedicated to all the victims of sexual predators