The Beast of 1977 (Book 1)

THE CYPRESS GUARDIAN

Wednesday, February 23rd 1977

In what resembled a grisly scene from the latest horror flick, the owner of Larry's Garage & Auto Parts, twenty year old Larry Tate, and his twenty-six year old cousin, Marvell Tate, were found bludgeoned to death inside their place of business last night.As of now, police do not have a suspect, but nearly seven thousand dollars' worth of cocaine was discovered within the establishment, which leads authorities to believe that perhaps a drug deal had possibly gone awry.The manager of the Tri-State Savings & Loan Bank, located right next door to the garage, told police that the garage was rarely ever open, and an assortment of "shady" characters would be seen coming in and out of the business on a daily basis. The murder weapon, which was found lying next to the owner, was a blood soaked Phillips head wrench. Both victims were repeatedly beaten over the head with the tool. Forensics officers are speculating that the victims had been dead for at least over a week, judging by their extreme decomposition. Tri-State bank manager, David Khan, noticed something was wrong when he heard the owner's Doberman pincher barking non-stop over the past few days. That was when he decided to call police. Larry Tate leaves behind four toddler boys. Marvell Tate was the father of two young daughters.

With his issue of the Cypress Guardian in hand, Mr. Mercer sat in his pew and tried to regain his fleeting breath while pondering on the dreadful news he had just read. He gripped the paper in his hand as tight as he could as he kept his dreary eyes locked on the crucifix down behind the pulpit ahead of him.

As vexed as he was at the headline, Mr. Mercer was more strained on how he was going to break the news to a son that was barely hanging on to life as it was. The man stretched his arms forward until they rested on the back of the pew in front of him. There was a distressed manifestation lying heavy on his face. Every so often flashes of his late wife would appear before his eyes. Mr. Mercer required her patient, maternal wisdom when it came to such situations. For the very first time in years, the man tried and tried to communicate with God, but no matter how hard he wanted to shut his eyes, he just couldn't seem to bring himself to do so.

He wanted to see Isaac, but not in the scathing condition he could be in when he spoke with him over the phone in the morning.

Right before Mercer could even take another gulp, desperate knocks at the front door interrupted the quiet that he was lurking in. Immediately, Mr. Mercer dropped the newspaper onto the pew before getting up and racing towards the door. He flung open the door to find Isaac shivering and wild-eyed.

"Isaac, come on in, son." Right away, he pulled his boy into his arms and squeezed tight. The moment he released him, he looked into his son's eyes and asked, "Son...did you know that Larry and Marvell were murdered a few days ago?"

Completely sidestepping his father's harrowing news, Isaac barged his way into the church and gawked around the dimmed sanctuary as though he had never set foot in the place before in his life.

"Dad, I gotta talk to you." Isaac huffed and puffed.

"C'mon, we'll go in the back." Mr. Mercer shook his head before leading Isaac towards the rear of the church and to his office.

As Mr. Mercer walked on, he suddenly realized that he was void another presence beside him. The man stopped and turned to see Isaac standing and staring at the cross behind the pulpit as if the symbol had possessed him to the point of absolute, solid shock.

"Isaac...c'mon, son," he said, holding out his right hand.

Instantly, Isaac snapped back and resumed his trek behind his father until they both made it to the study.

"Go on and have a seat." Mr. Mercer said before leaning against the wall with his burly arms folded against his brown jacket.

Isaac sat himself down on the stool beside his father's desk while his hands remained securely tucked inside his coat pockets.

stared strangely upon his son's facial features before worriedly questioning, "Son, what

at his father with an odd contort on his face and replied, "Dad, this isn't about that man. I

it that bad, son?

stuttered as if

reached out with his right arm. "Just tell me what you need and I'll see to

to the other before he looked down at the floor and said in a muffled tone, "It...it happened again the other

happened again?"

same thing that happened back in November," Isaac bashfully looked

Mr. Mercer, completely spent, rolled his eyes and sighed, "Isaac,

"It is

to pace the floor. "I don't know what happened to you the other night, but whatever

"Dad, you weren't there!" Isaac desperately

"And since we're on the subject, just what were you doing all the way up in Cuyahoga Falls to begin with? I thought you were going to look for work

work, and after I got done with that...I went to go

Mercer stopped pacing and squared his eyes down at Isaac in an accusatory

"It was this

once again rolled his eyes in agony. "A woman," he questioned. "Boy,

what I am! She knows how

Mr. Mercer indignantly growled while storming out of the office and back

after his father. "Me and Lynn was having problems, and...I'm not trying to make excuses,

woman? You went to go see

Tears began to drip from Isaac's eyes as he wailed out loud, "I didn't mean it! We had sex! Next thing I know, I wake up with these eyes! I started having blackouts!

go and buy a damn dog!" Mr. Mercer roared at the top of his lungs while flailing his arms in the air. "It's not your job to keep company with another woman! You keep your

to his knees and wept incessantly into the carpet. All Mr. Mercer could do was stand above

What were you thinking? This is your life we're talking about

mean to do it!" Isaac screamed to the ceiling

what's wrong with you!" Mr. Mercer continued to yell while making his way over to his son and yanking him up from off the floor by the hood

couldn't seem to stop his rampage. He shook Isaac nearly out

"I can't imagine what's wrong with you young people today! You all get out there and fool around with any and every one that you see! And when something like this happens, you come crying to your parents for help! Well, I know exactly how to help you! C'mon, you and me are going down to the free clinic before it closes so we can