Part I
There isn’t enough time to airlift AJ to Olympia. Sera manages to wrap his chest wounds with some t-shirts and duct tape, but it won’t hold long.
“We have to go.” I tell Sera.
“What–”
“We have to drive him. Where is the closest hospital ?”
“I…Abderdeen.”
“I’ll call them. Grab him. We have to go.”
Sera carries him outside while I pull around her RV. I take out half of her fence and flower beds in the process. She loads AJ onto the small couch in the back. He’s cold to the touch but I can still feel a faint pulse. We switch places and she speeds through town and onto the dark main road. I do my best to keep AJ awake and steady at every turn.
“You’re fine”, I lie to AJ, “Tell me what happened. I need to know what happened.”
All he can do is repeat the name of the killer.
When we pull into Aberdeen General I take off the stolen Order cross still hanging around his wrist. There is an entire team waiting outside to take him. They swarm the RV, get him on a gurney and shove him through the front doors. In a matter of seconds it’s over. Sera and I are left standing outside the emergency room covered in his blood.
There is just enough water in the RV for two very quick showers. Sera has a change of clothes and lets me borrow a hoodie and sweatpants. I am almost tempted to take a hit after she lights up.
“Did you hear what he said ?” I finally ask.
Sera nods.
“Do you believe him ?”
“He wouldn’t lie.”
A caravan of cars pull up behind the RV. Cami and Madison step out of Scott Dodson’s pick up. Granger’s Camry pulls up right beside them. Larry is sitting stonefaced in the back seat.
“How is he ?”, Madison asks. Scott looks just as expectant as everyone else. His clothes are slightly damp and his cheeks are flushed. Sera just stares at him. She was usually decisive when it came to her anger. She must have felt something else in this moment…betrayl maybe.
I keep my hand on Sera’s arm. We don’t want to spook Scott.
“Let’s get inside”, Scott says while herding everyone towards the door. I give Sera a knowing look as she heads inside.
I hold Cami back, “Cami, The police are probably going to be here soon. Can you wait out here for them.”
“Why”, Cami says.
“When they get here, tell them it was Scott. He’s the copycat killer. He tried to kill AJ.”
“What ? But he drove us here. He was so upset–”
“Upset or scared ? He’s hoping AJ doesn’t make it.”
“Fuck.”
Inside the emergency room a grave faced doctor is sitting with Larry and Granger.
“ He’s stable for now.”,The doctor says, “ We are doing our best to get him through the night. It’s still touch and go. You may want to prepare.”
“I… need to talk to him”, Larry says, “I”m still…I can’t wrap my head around this.”
“He saved us Dad”, Granger says through tears, “We would have been next.”
The doctor nods emphatically, probably not fully aware he’s treating a victim of a serial killer, “AJ asked for someone. His…lawyer ?”
“I guess that’s me.” I turn to Larry and Granger, “ I’ll let him know you all are here.”
I follow the doctor and Sera stays in step with me.
AJ is swallowed up in a huge bed. He’s hooked up to several machines and his shoulder is neatly bandaged, The stab wounds to his chest had been roughly stitched back together. I’m all too aware of how this view looks from his side.
He tries to sit up when he sees us, but the pain forces him back down.
“You must be on some good drugs." I say.
“Yeah. Something like that.” He moves his eyes to me. Then briefly to Sera.
“It was Scott Dodson ?” I clarify. “You sure.”
“Yeah." He swallows. His heart monitor ramps up. Sera takes a step closer but doesn’t say anything. I continue in lawyer mode.
“AJ I need you to make a sworn statement. I’m going to record it… just in case.”
He nods, “Fuck. Am I about to testify in my own murder trial.”
My phone is at 20% but I still set it up to record. I get close to AJ’s mouth so the microphone picks it up.
“I was at Larry’s getting the last of my stuff. I went on the roof. I wanted to take in that crummy view one last time. I climbed back through and I got fucking…stabbed. I decided to play dead. I had this mirror in the closet and I saw his face. I wanted to call him out but I kept pretending to be dead. Idiot fell for it. Then….then he started heading towards Granger and Larry’s rooms. That’s how it goes right ?
I somehow got myself up and headed towards the stairs. He heard me and started chasing me. I just…ran. Good thing the fucker is out of shape.”
“You did good." I turn off the camera, “You’re going to be okay."
“I’ve seen you naked so I’m actually kind of hoping I die.”
Sera makes eye contact with the knife the doctors had pulled out of him. She grips the handle through the plastic. It was from the same set of knives she used daily at the bar. She moves me aside and looks down at AJ.
“You should--” She starts, “You should know that... I mean if you’re going to fucking die you should know that–”
“You’re my mom.” AJ finishes. He manages a slight exasperated smile.
“Did Mia tell you ? ”
“What ? No. Mia knew ?”AJ sinks into his bed, “Gross.”
“How long have you known ?” Sera asks.
It takes AJ a second to be able to answer, “Okay. Do you remember that day you came into town and introduced yourself ? That day.”
“But...how ?”
He lets out a breath, “Have you looked in the mirror ? We look exactly the same. Then this dude showing up in town with major stepdad energy pretty much confirmed it.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Sera seems more annoyed than angry.
He tries to shrug, “Why didn’t you ?”
Sera doesn't have an answer for that one.
“Should I even ask about my real dad ?” he says.
“He’s a rapist”.”
AJ tries to nod,"Sounds about right. No amount of free online therapy is going to fix this shitty night.”
A light knock on the door breaks the ensuing awkward silence. Granger wheels Larry in with Madison and Scott trailing behind him. AJ’s heart monitor goes haywire for a little bit but he seems to know to keep his cool. Granger guides Larry’s wheel chair to AJ’s bedside.
“You did good”’, Larry says, “You ran that fucker off.”
Scott looks a little jumpy as AJ’s heart monitor starts going again. They are looking right at each other and everyone is starting to notice. Scott heads for the door but two state troopers sidle in and block his path.
Sheriff Nate and Deputy Daniel come in right behind them. Nate pushes past the troopers and punches Scott in this face.
“Fuck”, Scott recovers quickly.
“Fucker”, Nate punches his (former) best friend again, sending a spray of blood over the pristine hospital walls.
“Fucking watch yourself”, Scott says as Nate prepares for another hit.
“Enough”, One of the troopers finally interjects. A small army of nurses starts guiding everyone out of the room.
“What are you doing ?”, Madison asks the troopers as they walk her father out in cuffs.
Scott bows his head.
“Mr. Dodson", The troopers say, “You’re under arrest for the attempted murder of AJ Henderson."
“AJ”, Madison barrels back into the room but the nurses hold her back, “No. What’s going on. AJ. Tell me it’s not true.”
“Sorry.”, he says, “Sorry.”
+++
The High Noon is deserted.
It's in stark contrast to the Days Inn which had been flooded all weekend with cops and troopers. Scott Dodson hadn’t officially been named the Severance Stalker, but it was just a matter of time.
On Saturday morning the police took a quick statement from Sera and I about the night of the stabbing. I'd turned over the sworn statement AJ had recorded. I’d seen Sera walking out of the station when I was walking in. I’d wanted to talk but she’d walked past me.
I'd had a rough night. Seeing AJ like that had reminded me of the attack all those years ago.
After my police interview I went back to the Days Inn. I’d expected Cami to be on her way back to New York but she was waiting in the lobby with her equipment.
“I scheduled some interviews with some of Scott’s regulars”, Cami explains “I want to do as much as I can before the big networks pick up on this.”
“You’ve really gotten into this.”
“There is so much potential here. When you zoom in…crime has so many small pieces. Last night Larry was talking to the troopers about how he couldn’t afford a cleaning crew for his house and AJs medical bills. A local bar that served as a gathering place for so many is going to feel haunted. The betrayal runs so deep. I need to tell this story, Paris.”
My phone vibrates. It’s a number I don’t recognize but it’s an Olympia area code.
“Hello ?"
“Paris. It’s me”, Sera says, “I’m at the bar. Can you come down.”
“What’s going on ?
"The cops found some papers when they were searching the bar. Apparently Scott was planning on giving me the bar a few months ago. They found transfer of ownership papers and a one-way ticket to San Diego.”
San Diego ? That’s where Mickie and Paige were going to school.
“Was he planning on running ?”
“Kind of. I think I know why he killed those people.”
There are two drinks waiting for Cami and I when we get to the bar. A cosmo and a club soda sans lime. Scott’s office is barricaded with police tape. The bar is a complete mess. Glasses and bottles are strewn about everywhere. A few tables and chairs are also overturned.
“How’s AJ doing?” Cami asks.
She shrugs, “Larry is at the hospital. He said he’s pulling through.”
“Um..,how is Madison”, Cami asks cautiously.
“Not good. Lucky for Scott another defense lawyer happens to still be in town.”
“Lydia Dupont ?”, I have a feeling that’s personal.
“You said you knew why Scott did this ?” Cami turns her attention back to Sera.
“ You remember how I told you Mickie and Paige were the ones who started that stupid internet campaign against the bar because I kicked that homeless guy out and they almost got me fired.”
“Actually Madison told us that. You left out the part about that being Mickie and Paige.”
Cami shoots me a look to shut up. I guess I was still a little sore about that.
“Anyway”, Sera continues, “ The bar was getting review bombed and we got a few harassing phone calls. It was stupid. I mean that guy was the real Severance Stalker but whatever. Scott was the one that smoothed it over. He talked to them. I think he started seeing one of them. The one with the car.”
“Mickie ”, I realize, “Why didn’t you say anything.”
“It didn’t seem important and I only suspected itj”, She says, “He just used to say a lot of nice things about her after the situation. I thought that was just because she was pretty. Now that I think about it he also started going out to his cabin on the lake lot more this summer. I thought he was just getting it ready to be sold.”
“Shit”, I think back, “Mia’s phone has a picture of her and AJ at a cabin on the lock screen. Did they spend a lot of time by the lake ?.”
“Wouldn’t put it past those two to break into empty cabins to find shit to steal.” Sera says.
“That’s why he killed Mia”, Cami says, “Mia probably saw what he did and blackmailed him. Remember AJ said he thought someone was Paige and Mickie's cabin when he went to confront them."
Sera considers this, “Mickie and Paige were only here for the summer. They were going back to San Diego State after Labor Day. Neither of them seemed like they wanted an immature middle-aged townie following them home. Scott hasn’t dated anyone since high school. Maybe he got too attached. I saw it all the time when I was working.
I remember what Mickie mother had told me when I told her to look for Nate at The High Noon.
“I don’t trust the fucking bartender in there for a second.
I thought she had been talking about Sera. She'd been talking about Scott.
“Fuck that. ”Cami sits back,“This started because some red pilled egomaniac got his feelings hurt, killed two women and is trying to cover his tracks.”
“But what about Kim Harbinger?” We kept going back to her, “Why did he kill her in between ?”
For the first time Sera seems to really be thinking about this, “I have no idea.”
I glance at the transfer documents for the bar. Sera was one signature a way from owning this place. The papers were dated back to September. Just before Labor Day.
“Are you going to keep the bar?”
“That depends. I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
She looks between Cami and I.
“Madison told me Scott is pleading not guilty at the court thing on Tuesday.”
“The arraignment ?”
She nods, “ According to Madison, Ms. Dupont thinks she can make a good case for Scott. They only arrested him because of AJs’ statement. He’s not the most trustworthy victim.”
“What do you want me to do ?”
“Talk to Scott..”
“The murderer ?”
“You’re good at talking to people. Make Scott plead guilty and serve his time. No one in this town will be safe if they let him go. I don't want to be behind this bar if he gets out.”
+++
Cami and I drive down to the Aberdeen county jail on Monday. I reviewed the arrest paperwork. Scott has only been officially charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder of AJ.Henderson.
I’d asked Sera if she wanted to ride along but she was still figuring shit out at the bar and holding things down for Madison.
I lie about being Scott’s defense lawyer to get a visit with him. The officers at the jail were a little too nonchalant. A pair of young guards were chatting to Scott about some game they had streaming on their phones. He sounded as companionable as ever. They didn’t seem to know who they had on their hands. That would change in a few days.
“You can’t record”, The officer tells Cami and she puts her equipment away.
Aberdeen is a little bit bigger than Severance but not by much. The jail doesn’t have a visiting room, so they just pull up chairs next to a semi-private cell at the end of a long hallway.
“First time ?”, I ask Cami. She is trying hard not to look at the gross and decaying state of the cages we liked to lock people in.
“Yeah. What a terrible place.”
“Don’t get too close to him.”
Scott comes forward when he hears our voices.
There is a joke in here about him being behind bars but I can’t get to it.
"You’re not my lawyer.” He says casually.
“I’m here as a favor. “
He bows his head and shakes it.
“I’ve been asked to advise you to plead guilty.” I want to get this part over with.
He flashes that frat boy smile but it’s a little devious, “Nate put you up to this ? He want you to deck me again too ?”
That was a curious reply.
“You really want to put Larry, AJ and Madison through a trial ?”
“I’m not worried about a trial. I have leverage. You can tell Nate that.”
“How ?” Cami pipes up.
Scott turns his head to her, “Excuse me.”
“How did you know that you could take on the mantle of The Severance Stalker. How did you know the real killer was out of commission. “
He smiles again and shakes his head, “I’ve lived in this town my entire life. No. I’ve been stuck in this town my entire life. Nothing gets past me.”
“Except for Mickie”, Cami pushes him, “That’s why you killed her and Paige right ? Before that viral incident you probably flirted with her. Made all those city drinks for her. Having to apologize for Sera’s behavior probably got you the one-on-one time you wanted. Maybe she was into older guys. I get it. But this was a summer fling to her. Not to you.”
He grabs the bars a little tighter, “ The town is shrinking everyday and the bar is a fucking money pit. We had a good time together. She acted like me going back to San Diego with her was crazy. Like I was crazy. I wasn’t crazy. I would have been good for her. I bet all you stuck up college girls are the same way.”
“Watch it.” I stand to block his view of her, “Cami. Why don’t you wait outside.”
She doesn’t push back and heads outside.
“Good call”, Scott says once Cami is out of earshot, “We can talk more about leverage. Have AJ recant everything or I tell one of those fat cops in there about the dead body I dug up in Sera’s flowerbed.”
Shit. It really was him.
“You’re not going to get a deal for that.”
“I’ll get something. Bet your wife murdering a homeless guy will do wonders for your career and social media following. Have AJ recant and I’ll keep quiet. If he talks Sera will be in a cell right here with me.”
I will myself to stay calm. I couldn’t lose it just yet. I still have questions for him.
“Why did you kill Kim Harbinger? What did she have to do with any of this.”
“I said what I said. You know what you have to do.”
I get closer to the bars.
“The others we can figure out. Mickie led you on and Paige was a witness. Let me guess, Mia found out that you killed them and was blackmailing you. I bet Paula was collateral damage. Why Kim ?” I repeat, “Why Kim.”
He closes his eyes, "Wouldn't you like to know. I’m done talking.”
Part II
I take Cami back to Severance and then I spend the night in Olympia.
I still have my room in Severance, but I tell Cami I want to be closer to the courthouse for the arraignment. Truthfully, spending another night in that town unnerves me for some reason. I also had other plans.
Cami was to deep into her reporting to question it. She was getting good interviews and had even started working on a script.
On Tuesday morning I get up early and walk along The Olympia West Bay after grabbing some damn good coffee from some hole-in-the hall walk-up cafe. Even in the city the sky seems bigger out here. I was going to miss these sunrises.
My phone has been blowing up all morning. I’d agreed to take the Minnesota offer. I was supposed to be in Minneapolis this week to meet the regional DCEC heavy-hitters and strategic committee. Mark was covering for me, I had him tell them I was in the middle of a court case ---which wasn't a total lie. I promised Mark I’d head out at the end of the week.
I drive to the Olympia county courthouse and find Ms. Dupont having breakfast on the steps.
“Face-to-face again", she says while finishing off her bagel.
“Did you decide to defend AJ’s attacker out of spite ?” I ask.
“Alleged attacker. Besides, a job is a job.” She says.
Ms. Dupont stands as police vans from across the tri-county area pull in for today’s arraignments.
“I see your client is here”, I remark, “After this you should cut Scott as a client. He’s dangerous.”
She seems unamused by my warning and heads into the courthouse without another word.
I wait anxiously on the steps until a quarter to nine. Granger’s Camry angles into one of the handicap spaces out front. Madison gets out the driver’s seat first. Cami gets out after her. Madison opens the back door and helps AJ out. His neck is still heavily bandaged and he can barley turn his head. He's a little unsteady on his feet. AJ reaches for Madison’s hand and she cautiously takes it. Larry and Granger had taken my advice and stayed home. It was probably better that way.
“Are you good ?”, I ask Madison.
“I don’t know.” She says, "I just want the truth."
AJ doesn’t look me in the eye when I approach. His doctors had warned him not to leave the hopital but he needed to be here. He was on a shit ton of drugs which might be a good thing. Madison and Cami help him climb the stairs and into the courthouse.
I wait outside until Sera comes around the block holding her motorcycle helmet. Her button up and grey pants are wrinkled. A knotted silver tie is stuffed in her pocket. I don’t know what to say to her so we walk up together in silence.
We join everyone in the back of the court room. From across the room I can see all the inmates lined up. It’s close to torture listening to each person come up and figure out how much their life is going to change in a manner of seconds. I’d done some research on this judge. They were a hardass and a stickler for procedure. They were choosy when it came to bail.
“Scott Dodoson”, The bailiff finally calls.
Scott doesn’t take his eyes off of me as he approaches the bench.
“Dodson. You have been charged with attempted murder and breaking and entering. How do you plea ?” The judge says without even looking up.
“Your Honor”, Ms. Dupont stands, “I’m here on behalf of Mr. Dodson. We would like to submit a motion to have the charges dismissed.”
“Not likely based on what I have here”, The judge says.
The prosecutors are flipping madly through their paperwork. They circle up with Ms. Dupont. There is a tense conversation. Then they all walk to the bench and discuss quietly with the judge.
“Huh ? Prosecution’s witness recanted ?” The judge says a little too loudly.
“Last night.” Ms. Dupont explains, “The witness’ original confession was taken less than an hour after he got out of Trauma. He was on a combination of heavy hallucinatory drugs and dealing with fatigue. He cannot attest to the validity of that statement."
“This is a mess.” The judge says looking at the prosecutor, “What do we have if the witness recanted ? I’ve got nothing else here. Charges are dismissed for now.”
The bailiff calls the next person.
“Outside.” Sera whispers to Madison and AJ. There is a bit of a rumble as we ease out of the courtroom.
“What happened", Madison asks once we are in the hallway, “AJ ? It wasn’t Dad ? What’s going on ? Did you make a mistake ?”
“I don’t really remember,” He says, "I don't know why I said it was him--"
“The fuck you don't." Sera says, “What the hell was that ?”
“He said he doesn't remember”, Madison counters.
“He’s lying.” Sera snaps at Madison. She then turns back to AJ, “Why the fuck are you suddenly covering for Scott.”
We slow down as Ms. Dupont’s loud heels follow us to the front door and through security.
“What did you do?” Sera says to her.
“Nothing. I just presented what was given to me. Easiest $700 I ever made.” , She turns to Madison, “Come on Madison I’ll give you a ride to get your dad out of holding..”
“He’s…coming home ?” Madison says.
“For now.” Ms. Dupon offers.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“Wait”, Sera steps in Ms. Dupount’s way.
“ I didn’t do anything” , Ms.Dupont gives me a pointed look before leaving, “We’re even now.”
“Paris…” Sera turns her attention to me.
“Cami, can you give the three of us a second.” Cami heads down to my car but gives me a look that lets me know I’m going to hear about this later.
“Family meeting”, AJ says sarcastically.
“You did this”, Sera realizes, “You told AJ to lie.”
“He came to see me last night”, AJ speaks first.
“And you just listened to him ? What the hell is wrong with you.”
“Paris said if I didn’t recant Scott was going to turn you in for killing the real Severance Stalker. Which...badass by the way."
"You told him about that", Sera says.
"I was doing you a fucking favor. " AJ continues, "We were doing you a favor.”
I avert my eyes from Sera. When I drove up to Olympia last night I’d made a quick stop at the hospital to talk to AJ. We'd devised a plan for him to recant. He'd understood why I was asking this.
“I didn’t ask for a favor.” Sera says to him.
AJ stands up a little straighter “I know. And it’s not because I like you or anything, okay. As an orphan you spend your whole life imagining what your real Mom is going to be like and this has been a real disappointment. You could have baked some cookies every now and then or give really good hugs or some shit–”
“I gave you plenty of free cookies with weed in them--”
“You also fucked my ex-girlfrie--.”
“I did not technically fuck her and you literally stole shit from murder victims. Worst of all you colluded with my ex-husband to get that psycho out of jail.”
“What I was trying to say”, AJ continues, “Is that you don’t really talk about your past. But Not-My-Real-Dad shared some stories. It sounds like you had it rough. When I was like a little kid I used to really hate you for leaving me. I didn’t get what could be so bad about having a kid around.
I get it now. Me being here is the worst thing that ever happened to you. You had me and gave me up because you wanted to do something good. You wanted to give me and some barren couple a chance at happiness . It didn’t work out… that was probably my bad. But you tried. I just wanted to return the favor.”
Sera looks between me and AJ. I’d only told him about Sera’s life from my perspective and experience. There was probably more I didn’t know.
“You shouldn’t have recanted.” She repeats a little quieter, “Severance isn’t safe with Scott free.”
AJ holds his head down, “I’m not going back to Severance. There is a train going to redacted in 3 hours. AJ Henderson is getting on to it and disappearing forever.”
Sera slaps him. He almost falls down the stairs but I catch him, “You are so foolish. What about everyone else in town. They are in danger with Scott there.”
He touches his cheek and smiles to himself. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his keys.
“The big one is a key to Scott’s house. He gave me a spare key in high school when things were bad at home. I don't think he remembers. They don’t have cameras. The back door is always open. Madison sleeps in the basement apartment. Maybe someone should do to that fucker what he did to me. He’d be the first victim of a copycat copycat serial killer. Then it would all be over."
He presses the key into hand and she takes it with no hesitation. This was the part of the plan I was most uneasy about. Either way it was a death sentence for Scott Dodson.
I go to my rental car and grab the duffel he’d asked me to pack and bring. I wished I could give him cash but my bank accounts were all officially overdrafted.
"I'm sorry you had to do that”, I tell him, “ Call me anytime. Whatever you need.”
“Yeah. I probably won’t do that.” he adjust the duffel.
I pull the Order cross out of my pocket.
“There is a Aquarian Moon festival in Salem you may want to check out this in December. Find Hippolyta. As her about getting a cursed lifted.”
“Are you…high?” He asks.
“Just be safe.” I tell him. He reaches a hand out and I shake it.
He makes his way down the steps one at a time.
“Wait.” Sera catches up to him and hands him the carabiner that had been clipped to her side. “Take my Harley. It’s parked down the block.”
He gestures to the bandage on his neck, “I’m not exactly in the best shape.”
She takes a few crisp 100s out of her wallet.
“You’ll manage to the train station. Catch an auto-train. Don’t let yourself get stuck anywhere.”
“You too.” He readjust the duffel (which is mostly pain meds and antibiotics).
“You didn’t have to protect me.” Sera says.
He stops halfway down the block
“You didn't either.” he says without turning around.
AJ makes it down the block on his own. When he turns the corner he’s gone. Probably forever. Sera sits on the steps.
“Sera–”
“No. I can’t have any more conversation today”, she looks at the keys in her hands, “I need to figure out how to kill my boss.”
A/N
Yeah… so AJ does not die in this serial.
AJ was supposed to die in the New Aeterna spin-off series. I have a WHOLE post about my failed New Aeterna-Verse spin-off coming soon. IDK if I will ever be able to write it so I decided to let him live here.