The Yard Sale

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It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and just warm enough to have the top down on her new BMW Z-3 convertible. Lisa thought this was going to be the start of a new life and there was no better way to begin than with her friends, who were waiting for her at the "Sea Colony" resort in Bethany Beach. Her next 45 minutes was pure pleasure in her new Bemmer convertible. She had time to think about life and what she really wanted to do, without the distractions of work and other people being around. Lisa loved her new car and was enjoying the cool fall breeze flowing through her hair.

As Lisa turned left and pulled away from the light at the crossroads of Routes 50 and 404, her life was about to change forever.

Lisa continued on Route 404, toward the beaches, and was enjoying the music from her CD of "Les Miserables." Not long after she turned East on Route 16, and crossed the Delaware State Line, Lisa spotted a Yard Sale sign in front of a large farm house that set back about 200-yards from the highway. There were many large trees and bushes obscuring the house from the road and not the smartest place for a lone woman to visit strangers. However, the cutest little brunette girl, about 8-year’s old, was next to the sign and waved and smiled to Lisa. Lisa could never resist yard sales and especially cute little children. While this girl was a little on the dirty side, she had an angelic face, beautiful brown eyes, and an enticing smile. Lisa would never feel the same about that smile again.

* * *

Ashley Sterret had been the first to disappear at the Sparks’ Yard Sale. She had left home the weekend after Labor Day and headed to Rehoboth, Delaware, to visit her friend Sheila and Sheila’s brother, Paul, on whom Ashley had a crush. After the busy Holiday weekend, Ashley had earned a well-deserved vacation and wanted to relax with friends and do a little searching for art bargains. She had always been interested in art and had spent time in college visiting the fine art gallery’s in and around Washington, D.C.

After stopping at several galleries before she turned off Route 404 on to Route 16, Ashley was breezing along in her deep green, Porche Boxter, when she saw a sign up ahead that made her begin to slow. She traveled this route enough to know the sign could mean bargains were near. The cute little brunette by the sign signaled her in with a smile and wave of her hand. Ashley was mesmerized by the little angel by the side of the driveway and turned into the dirt road toward the rustic old homestead.

Elizabeth McKinley was the second victim to succumb to the pretty little brunette’s smile that weekend. Elizabeth had to finish up her work as the new manager of the First Savings Bank of Annapolis on Saturday before heading to the beach for a rendezvous with her lover, Senator William Franklin. The beautiful redhead did not like having to work on Saturday’s, but she was off on Sunday and Monday. She was looking forward to spending some time with her lover and lounging on the beach while he was at the conference during the day. She also hoped to stop at a few antique stores or yard sales before they closed.

Zoe left her home in Silver Spring, Maryland, Saturday morning at 8:00 AM. Her mother was still asleep, so she left her a note saying she loved her and would be home Monday evening. She liked living with her mother, but she enjoyed getting away for awhile, also. Zoe was looking forward to the three-hour drive to Dewey Beach, Delaware. She found it relaxing driving her Mazda Miata on these long trips. It was a beautiful September day and, with the top down, the wind in her hair felt wonderful. Her feeling didn’t last long.

After having some breakfast at the "Silver Diner" in Laurel, Maryland--one of her favorite places, she headed out on Route 32 toward Annapolis. Her travels were uneventful until she succumbed to the same enticements that Ashley and Elizabeth couldn’t resist--a Yard Sale and a beautiful child. Morgan beckoned her in and Randy, Vera and Robby did the rest.

Randy felt that three beautiful women at a time were enough and no more yard sales were held until they were through with the women and disposed of their bodies. Unfortunately for Lisa, they had finished too early.