Chapter86 Grotto's Confession

Sheriff Faulkner received a phone call from Corporal Nyce informing him that Charles Grotto had turned himself in that morning at the State Police's Sub-Station just outside of Pawtucket; asking to be placed into protective custody. The former deputy's fearful for his life; convinced Senator Jack Steinman's placed a ‘hit' out on him. Although it's only been a couple of weeks since last seeing the former deputy, the sheriff notices a very drastic change in his appearance. He's lost a noticeable amount of weight, and is extremely piqued looking; with the dark rings under his eyes being the only coloring his gaunt face seems to have. It also appears as if he's been smoking extremely heavily these past weeks. The Sheriff makes this assumption after noticing the yellowish tint to the ex-deputy's teeth and fingertips; and, chapped lips. Even now, in the ash tray sitting in front of him, there are several recently extinguished cigarettes…a couple still smoldering…while he frantically puffs on a cigarette in his right hand…holding a cup of coffee in his left…both vibrating in his trembling hands. The sheriff's standing by the door. "Charles." The ex-deputy hangs his head down so not to look at the sheriff. "Lloyd." The sheriff walks over to the table and sits in the chair across from him. "You don't look so hot there, Charles." The ex-deputy lets out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, I know. I don't feel so hot, Lloyd." Sheriff Faulkner leans back, folding his arms across his chest, and asks, "So; what's going on, Charles?" As the ex-deputy takes a sip of coffee, some of it oozes out the side of his mouth and runs down his chin. He puts the cup down and wipes his face with the back of his hand; and, softly replies, "I fucked up, Lloyd." "No shit." There's silence between the two for a minute or so; then, the sheriff asks, "What are you going to do now, Charles?" "I don't know, Lloyd; I'm just going to see what the feds have to say. Hopefully the ones I get assigned to protect me aren't in that bastard's pockets…or, else I'm a goner." The ex-deputy grabs his hair with both hands and shakes his head furiously from side to side. He releases the grip with his right hand, making a fist, and repeatedly pounds down on the table. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" When he stops hitting the table, Sheriff Faulkner asks him, "Why don't you tell me what happened, Charles? What did Senator Steinman have yawl do…to Ms. Delilah …her sister? Why? What is that yellow-bellied pole cat trying to hide?" "Anything that may jeopardize his Presidential nomination chances. Lloyd; the man intends on running for President of the United States in the upcoming election. He already has his party's support; they just haven't announced it yet. If word of either his father's, or his, dirty deeds get out there; the Steinman name will be ruined, and Jack can kiss his political career goodbye." "Well; then, I reckon he's going to try to get rid of anyone who might be able to let the ol' bobcat out of the bag…even you; huh, Charles?" The ex-deputy lowers his head and somberly replies, "Yeah." "So; you're turning yourself in to save your hide…and, not because it's the right thing to do." "No." The ex-deputy shamefully answers, as he keeps his head lowered; not looking the sheriff in the eyes. "Well, I reckon as long as that rattlesnake Steinman faces the consequences for his actions; it really doesn't matter none why you decided to come clean. So, tell me, Charles; what's it that good ol' Phil did that had his son resort to murder to keep things quiet?" "For one; Chelsea Steinman was the Woodland Falls serial killer. When Sheriff Coles and Jameson realized it was her; they called Phillip Steinman over to the barn that night. He told them to just report the murders of the Howells; and, not to mention anything about Chelsea." "Mary Howell killed Chelsea that night, Charles; she wasn't murdered…at least not by Chelsea. You were aware of that; weren't you?" The ex-deputy's silent as he shamefully nods. The sheriff continues, "And, little Davey Howell…who was kept locked up in the attic…he wasn't killed by Chelsea either now; was he, Charles?" Again, the ex-deputy nods in shame. The sheriff goes on, "And yet, they both wound up being killed that night…even after they caught their serial killer. Now, how do you reckon that happened; Charles?" Still not looking the sheriff in the eyes, "You know how, Lloyd." The sheriff jumps up, causing the chair to fall over backwards, and rushes around to the other side of the table; leaning over the cowering ex-deputy, he whispers angrily in his ear… "Sure; I already kinda know what happened, Charles. But now, I want you to tell me what happened…I want to hear you tell me what I already know. Tell me, Charles; what happened?" The sheriff hits the back of the chair…causing the already frazzled ex-deputy's body to tensely jerk up…then, grabs the back of Grotto's neck; applying just enough pressure to cause a slight amount of pain and discomfort to the already worn out man. Again, he whispers in his ear, "Talk to me, Charles." The former deputy whimpers, "Okay, okay! Just let go, please! I'll tell you whatever you want!" The sheriff releases his hold. "Talk." "Phillip Steinman had those kids killed." "Why?" "Because…they knew too much." "They knew too much? They knew too much?! They were kids, damn it!!" "I know! I didn't do it; why are you yelling at me?" "Quit your belly aching, Charles. So; what happened that night?" "Coles and Jameson killed them; while Steinman watched. Then; Davey's body was thrown into Miller's Lake." The ex-deputy becomes silent. "And, Mary…what happened to Mary's body?!" The sheriff demands to know. "They buried her body with Chelsea's…under the barn."