by Laurel Veil
“You’ve made my place seem a little classier since you started coming here, Edmond,” said the owner who, judging by his apron, was also the chef. He grabbed a paper bag full of takeout, stepped out from behind the bar and handed it to the man in the fedora. “Here ya go, Edmond. Enjoy.”
The man seemed to want to avoid conversation, because he simply nodded and turned to go.
“Have a good evening, Mr. Thorton,” said the owner.
Thorton? He had to be the man Betty had seen. Edmond Thorton was probably related to the man she said she’d killed, so there was a good chance they looked alike. His hat made him look old fashioned. I could see why maybe she’d thought he was a ghost from the past.
I watched as a light came on at the mansion, and I couldn’t wait to fill Toni in on everything that had happened.
***
Dane’s mom had texted him during dinner and asked him to grab a few things from the grocery store on the way home. I went with him so I could get a few things I needed too.
When we entered the market, he went one way and I slipped a basket over my arm and went in the opposite direction.
I placed several items in my basket and then headed to the pharmacy section to get a bottle of vitamins.
“What’s taking so long?” said an obnoxious woman. She insulted the pharmacist, ranting nonstop to a nervous-looking employee who was standing behind the counter. She reminded me of the way Rachel had acted that night in the restaurant with me and my dad.
I tried not to be nosy, but I couldn’t help but watch. When the woman finally left, I saw the cashier make eyes at the pharmacist and exhale.
I walked up and put my basket on the counter. “Bet you’re glad she’s gone.” I smiled.
“Yeah. She comes in once a month and she’s like that every time. In fact, this was one of her better visits.”
“Yikes. I made sure I stayed out of her view. I didn’t want to get caught in her crossfire. I feel for you having to deal with her so often.”
The cahier put my items in a bag, and I went to find Dane.
***
“Thanks for dinner,” I told Dane before getting out of his truck. “That place was great. I had a really nice—”
Dane leaned in and gave me a long kiss goodbye. “So, I’ll give you a call later?” he said.
“Sounds good.”
I waved bye from the balcony, then went inside and put away the things I had bought.
I texted Toni multiple times and when she didn’t respond, I finally hopped in my Jeep and headed to her house.
For some reason, I felt nervous as I walked up to the door. I guessed I was just excited to finally meet her mom.
I could hear a vacuum cleaner running and then yelling after I knocked on the door. Whoever was screaming, it wasn’t like they were just trying to talk over the noise—they were angry. I immediately wished I could take back my knock and the bright idea of coming over.
Just as I turned to go, the door whipped open. I was stunned when I turned around and saw the crazy woman from the pharmacy. Her hair was even more disheveled, and she had a wild look in her eye.
She held a cigarette and a drink in one hand and the knob with the other. Her lips puckered as she blew out a long puff of smoke from the side of her mouth. “Whatta you want?” she demanded.
I was so shocked, I couldn’t speak at first. I couldn’t believe I was standing there, feeling frightened of Toni’s mother. “I’m a friend of Toni’s. I just—”
“Pft, friend. She’s got work to do.”
What kind of mother couldn’t comprehend that her daughter could have friends? This woman was vile, and I was speechless. This was not the person Toni had described to me. I wished she had been truthful with me, but I could understand why she hadn’t. I wouldn’t want anyone knowing this woman was my mother either.
I wondered when I would get see Toni again, as there was no telling how long she was going to have to work. Her mom was obviously mean, but I suddenly wondered if she was also violent. So I said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I think I saw your cat in the tree over there.” I pointed ambiguously, since I was lying. “It looked like it was stuck.”
“I don’t have a cat.”
That’s what I thought.
She flicked her cigarette butt out onto the yard and slammed the door.
***
It felt like I had been waiting forever when Toni finally made her way to the back deck where I was sitting.
“Hey,” I said. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to be able to make it.”
She was looking down. “I wasn’t sure if you still wanted me to come.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
She didn’t answer, but when she finally looked up at me, her eyes said it all.
“Toni, you don’t have to be embarrassed about your mom.”
“She’s not my mom.” She paused. “I don’t know what’s worse, to say my real parents are losers, or that I’m a steady paycheck from the state for foster parents who could give a rat’s ass about me.”
“I’m so sorry, Toni.”
“Please don’t pity me. I just want things to go back to the way they were between us.”
“If you don’t want to talk about it, we won’t. But just tell me one thing, and please be honest.”
“OK.”
“I know she uses you as free labor, but does she ever hurt you?”
Toni didn’t answer.
“You didn’t get scratched by a cat that night, did you?”
“Please, keep this between us. Believe it or not, I don’t want to be forced to leave. In spite of her, I like it here… I like the beach and you and Jimmy. Trust me, it’s nothing I can’t handle.” She smiled. “And even though I’m always at her beck and call, at least I get a cell phone out of the deal.”
Toni laughed. She was trying to lighten the mood, but I wanted to cry. I didn’t dare, though. Instead, I changed the subject.
“So, have I got some things to tell you,” I said with a conspiratorial tone.
Her eyes went wide and her foster mom, as I’d hoped, was already forgotten. “What?” she asked, and resumed her position in the lounge chair next to me.
I told her everything Miss Betty had said and how I thought she may have confused Edmond Thorton with the man she’d killed.
“Let’s go over there,” said Toni.
“Where?”
“Thorton Mansion.”
“What? Are you crazy? Why?”
“I just want to see him with my own eyes. We’ll work out all the details on the way.”
“It’s dark out now.”
“Perfect. Come on.”
20.
Edmond Thorton
“I don’t know how I let you talk me into this,” I said as we got out of the Jeep and walked down the sidewalk toward Thorton Mansion. All I could think about was the last time—the only time—I’d ever come here. Was the man I’d seen still haunting the hallways? I couldn’t believe I was doing this.
“I want to see what he looks like. And I’ve been curious about that mansion since I moved here. I want to see it up close.”
“What do you mean up close? There’s a tall fence running around the perimeter, and it’s there for a reason—they don’t want visitors.”
I could tell the moment we approached the beginning of the property. Large oaks now lined the sidewalk, forming a leafy canopy. Flickering gas lamps perched on top of stone columns, dividing the wrought iron fence every twenty feet or so. Thick bushes running along the fence provided privacy, but the mansion was so tall and massive, it couldn’t help but attract attention. It was majestic and beautiful. And at night, it looked haunted.
We turned the corner and eventually made it to the gate. “You know we’re not going to be able to get in there, right? This was a waste of time.”
“I don’t care if we have to climb the fence, we’re getting in.”
Toni’s determination could really be a pain in t
he ass sometimes. I reached for the gate and jiggled it, expecting it to rattle in resistance—but it moaned as it opened instead.
Toni’s eyes were huge now, and so was her mouth. She whispered excitedly, “Oh girl, it’s a sign we’re supposed to go in.”
Before I could protest, she was pulling me through and up to the enormous double doors of the mansion and then pushing the doorbell.
“What are you doing? You’re mental!”
Muffled bells rang out a Westminster chime. I seriously contemplated turning and running for the shrubs when I heard footsteps coming toward us from inside. My heart knocked against my chest when the door suddenly swung open.
“Yes,” said the man I’d seen earlier that day at the restaurant.
“Good evening, sir,” Toni said in an extremely polite voice. “We we’re hoping we made it in time for a tour of the mansion.”
Edmond’s frown seemed a tad less severe now. “You missed the last tour by at least…” He looked down at his watch. “Three years.”
“The house isn’t open for tours anymore?” Toni feigned surprise.
He shook his head. “Sorry.”
“My friend and I are visiting the island. It’s been a while since the last time we were here. I apologize for disturbing you.”
All traces of annoyance seemed to be gone now.
“It’s an understandable mistake.”
“Well,” said Toni. “We’ve taken enough of your time. We’ll let you get back to your family.”
“That’s quite all right. It’s just me here. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” said Toni.
Just as we turned to go, he added, “Oh, and could you please make sure you close the gate behind you?”
“No problem,” said Toni.
Toni and I continued walking toward the gate and just before the door closed all the way, a loud sound came from within the house.
“Did you hear that?” I asked out the side of my mouth.
“Yeah. I thought he said he was there alone.”
“He did. I guess it could have been a pet. Maybe a cat knocked something off a counter?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Toni said.
“Wait! Where are you going?”
Toni was heading toward the side of the house, ducking in and out of shrubs as she tried to peek in the windows.
“He can’t see us. Come over here.”
“Even if he doesn’t, someone on the sidewalk might. They could call the police.”
“Well, it’s a good thing your uncle is a cop. Come on, I want to show you something.”
Reluctantly, I crept next to Toni and we looked through the living room window.
“Wow, Toni. It’s a couch.”
“Ha. Ha. Smart aleck.” She pointed. “Over there, lying on the floor near the fireplace.”
“It’s a Razor scooter. So?”
“Edmond doesn’t strike me as someone who rides a Razor scooter. It’s usually a kid thing. Maybe someone was riding on it and crashed, and that’s what we heard.”
“Why would he lie about being here alone?” I said.
“I don’t know, but I’m thinking it can’t be good. I mean, who knows? Maybe he is here alone. But I think it’s worth checking into. That dude gave me the creeps.”
“Me too. Let’s get out of here,” I said. “N-o-w, now!”
A moment after Toni reached for the gate, she turned around with shock on her face. “It’s locked.”
“Whatta ya mean, it’s locked?”
“I mean it’s locked. It must have closed behind us and locked automatically.”
Barking came from the back of the mansion.
“Shit! He has a dog!” said Toni. “That’s probably what made the noise earlier.”
“What are we going to do?”
“Quick, let’s hide in the shrubs along the perimeter of the yard till we can figure out how we’re getting out of here!”
I couldn’t believe I was in this predicament as I crouched in the shrubs of Thorton Mansion. My heart raced and I could barely catch my breath.
“What if it’s a Doberman or a German Shepard? What if it’s trained to attack? What if there’s more than one? These bushes won’t save us. We’ll be killed! We need to come out with our hands up,” I said.
“Edmond may not be outside, and we’ll be attacked anyway. It’s better to at least be behind these bushes than out in the open.”
I started to get up, but Toni jerked me back down just as a small dog came around the corner.
“I don’t think it knows we’re here.”
It ran up to the window we’d been standing at and began frantically sniffing around.
“Oh crap,” said Toni.
Edmond was now outside. He didn’t seem concerned, just irritated as he snatched the dog up in his arms and carried it back inside.
“That was close,” I said.
“We still need to figure out how we’re going to get out of here. There’s no way to get up that fence, and it’s pointy at the top.”
I looked around. “I know. We can climb up the last oak tree at the end of the property, then scoot out on one of its limbs and drop down on the sidewalk.”
We rushed as quickly and as quietly as we could to the edge of the property and studied the tree for a moment.
“There’s no way I’m getting my big, fat ass up that tree,” said Toni.
“Yes, you are. You don’t have a choice.” I laced my fingers together. “Hang on to the trunk and put your foot in my hands. I’ll lift and you pull.”
Toni nodded and did what I said. “I can’t believe I’m actually up here,” she said, amazed.
“Scoot along the limb until you’re over the fence. Then jump down on the sidewalk when no one is looking. Hurry, we have to do it one at a time because the limb probably can’t hold both of us.”
Toni struggled a bit and then stopped and sat up, proudly announcing, “Look at me. I climbed a tree. I’m like a frick’n super hero or something.”
“Or something.” I couldn’t resist teasing her. “Hurry up, Wonder Woman.”
Toni jumped down onto the sidewalk when the coast was clear and then I did the same. We ran almost the entire way to my Jeep.
I nervously fumbled with my keys for a moment and then we hopped in, slammed the doors and locked them. I leaned back against the headrest and waited until my breathing returned to normal before attempting to drive. Toni was doing the same. Tonight had been terrifying. I didn’t think I would ever smile again, but then Toni and I happened to turn to face one another at the same time, and we burst out laughing.
“Oh my gosh!” she said. “What a rush.”
***
The sky was filled with dark, heavy clouds the next morning as we headed to Miss Betty’s house. We had no idea what she was about to confide in us, but I had a feeling the stormy weather would be the perfect backdrop for the rest of her story.
21.
Breakfast At Betty’s
No music was playing, and no pleasant smells drifted from the kitchen to greet us that morning. Miss Betty didn’t even get up to let us in.
“Come on in,” she called from the den. Lock the door behind ya.”
“You feeling OK, Miss Betty?” I asked.
“Not too good today, I’m afraid.”
“Are you sick?” asked Toni.
“I’ve got my share of problems. But mostly, I’m just old. Y’all take a seat. It’s easier to relax in here than in the kitchen anyway.”
“It’s nice in here,” said Toni.
Miss Betty looked around the room thoughtfully. “It is, isn’t it?”
“It is,” I agreed.
“You girls feel at home and go get you something from the kitchen if you’d like. Make yourselves comfortable.”