Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-9584883-20150128161333

So, I've decided to write about a real case. Let me know if this is something you'd like to read more of.

 “South of Heaven”

When I first thought about telling this story, I considered stretching it out into another novella like the one I just finished. However, I would be embellishing and I don’t want to do that with this one. So, I’ll keep to the truth and tell it the way I remember it. It won’t be very long, maybe a few thousand words but It’s that one case that still bothers me to this day.

3.5 years ago, I served as a homicide investigator for the San Antonio Police Department. When our youngest Daughter passed away, I decided that I had seen enough death and ugliness for one lifetime. I quit the force and decided to get a job where I can spend more time at home with my family. However during my time as a cop, I witnessed some pretty terrible things. There was one case in particular that always haunted me. I tell you, the horrors human beings are capable of is just… beyond comprehension. This world is truly sick. Which is why it’s so important to keep that light inside, that spark.

It was around 5 years ago. I was 34 at the time and had been an investigator for about 2 years. Before transferring to homicide, I worked in the Sex Crimes unit for a while. I handled cases involving victims of all ages: Women, men, children…   I’ve seen and heard things that I can never forget, no matter how hard I try to. The sad thing is, these crimes have always happened and always will, even long after we’re all dead and buried.

One night I responded to a call involving the sexual assault of a woman in her late 20’s. She had been shopping alone at a local grocery store late that night. She was just a normal woman trying to survive in this world, like everyone else. She was en-route to her car, pushing her basket of groceries she needed for the week. A dark blue van pulls up, 3 men get out, grab her and throw her in. They drive to a remote area about 4 miles away where they proceed to assault her. After the assault, they drive her back to the grocery store parking lot and push her out of the van and flee the scene. A customer walking out witnessed this and reported it to the store manager. Then we were called in.

While at the hospital, I conducted the routine questioning of the victim. This young woman (We’ll call her Jane Doe) began to answer my questions like she had done this before. She wasn’t upset like most other assault victims are when they go through such a terrible ordeal. In fact, she was calm. Almost as if this were a regular occurrence for her. There was something strange and very unnerving about this. Not once had I ever encountered an individual who was so calm and accepting of their ordeal. One of my questions was “Do you know the individuals who assaulted you?”

She looked up at me momentarily and said “Not exactly. But they work for people I do know. Or knew a long time ago.”

I knew Jane had quite the story to tell, if I could get her to open up about it.

She said “Not here, they might be around listening. You probably think I’m crazy but trust me. I’ll tell you somewhere in private.”

This was an odd request especially in the manor and tone she used. However, my job entailed solving these difficult cases and sometimes it meant dealing with a few eccentricities. She had just been through something very traumatic and I wanted to get these scumbags off the streets. After the doctor and nurse finished up the rape kit and I got their statements regarding their immediate findings, I drove her back to the station. She was prepared to give her statement.

Everything nowadays is recorded so, I sat her in front of a camera (she did of her own free will) and asked her to state her name, age and place of residency. Again, I will not divulge any true personal information about her. (For her and my protection)   We proceeded with the questioning.

Me: My name is ……    I’m the investigator in charge of this case. The date and time is ……. Ok M’am,   if you would look into the camera and state your name, age and place of residence for the record.

Jane: My name is Jane Doe, I’m 28 years old. I live at ………

Me: Ok Ms. Doe, anytime you’re ready to begin.

Jane: Ok. I grew up in the town of Lufkin,Texas. My parents were wealthy ministers of their church. I…I just don’t know exactly where to begin. There’s just so much to tell.

Me: Earlier you mentioned that the individuals who assaulted you worked for someone you knew. Let’s start there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jane: Yeah. It sorta starts there. See, my parents were leaders of a Satanic Cult. The Order of the Southern Star. My life with them wasn’t all shopping with mom and quality time with daddy. I was kept isolated from the world, Protected.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> <ac_metadata title="Starting a new pasta. Still in the early stages.  Personal.  Should I continue with it?"> </ac_metadata>