Editor’s Note: This story is a work of fiction published in the fun spirit of Halloween. This story is on the opinion page and is a work of fiction, not a factual account of events in Cibola County.
The devastation of losing an officer is great, but losing half the force is even greater. It causes people much more fear and doubt. People from other states have come to the hotels, hoping to prove it is all just an act. Some are YouTubers hoping to get more attention, and others are reporters hoping to be on the scene. However, the note that Mortimer had left in response to an officer’s note kept several citizens, who volunteered to help, busy. Even though the note left almost no clues about Mortimer, they were glad to know that he must still be going to Morthill. So, several officers went to Morthill and stayed there until they could capture Mortimer. Fortunately, officers from other nearby towns and cities came to help as well.
During the third week of October, a bouquet of black roses and black dahlias were left in a restaurant. The owners quickly hid it, not wanting to shut down their business for even a day or two. They informed the police of this, but they still opened. Several officers were placed in the restaurant to keep a lookout. People usually go to restaurants because they feel safer during this unfortunate month. But October 25th was the wrong day to eat there.
When the police were scheduled to switch shifts, they discovered the entire staff as well as the customers were lifeless. Thirty-two people went that day and none of them were left alive. After a thorough investigation, a detective discovered the water had been poisoned.
The fear finally puts a Grants officer onto the correct path “The pastor is right. We need to listen to him.”
They meet with the pastor and talk for over an hour. During this, the pastor states “Revelation 21:9 states ‘But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars-their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.’” Towards the end, several of them repent of their sins and pray for help in putting an end to Mortimer’s terrible revenge.
A few of them do not expect it to do anything, but others want to believe. To believe that Mortimer could be stopped and that there is a higher power willing to help since they have been unsuccessful.
After that, the officers return to the office, until their shift is over. He lies down, tired and dreading the next day. He begins to fall asleep until he hears something. He gets up with a start, but all is silent. He grabs his weapon and slowly opens his bedroom door. As quietly as possible, he walks through his house, checking each room thoroughly. His heart feels as if it is beating more than humanly possible, and he tries not to hold his breath every time he enters a new room. He returns to his bedroom and tries to sleep again, but a voice startles him. There is nothing. Having repented only a few hours earlier, he remembered to pray. As he falls asleep again, he hears the same voice, but this time he listens.
Realizing it is God speaking to him, he tries to remember word for word, then he hurries to the police station to relay the message.
“I swear. He told me that vengeance is His and He will repay. We will find Mortimer in the cemetery.”
So, the officers went straight to the cemetery, some skeptical, others hopeful. They find Mortimer lifeless, surrounded by enough black dahlias for each of his victims.
“For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.” Proverbs 5:23