Scarlet Oaks and the Serial Caller

by Michaela James

  Nothing happened. Almost owl-like, heads swiveled to take in the entire room. James was prevented from pressing it again by an ear-piercing crash.

  “Niles!” Tom gasped, running from the room.

  Seconds behind him, James and Scarlet found Tom in the kitchen standing inches from Niles. Pale and shaking, Niles appeared to be staring right through them. In his hands was a large wooden tray held at an angle unsuitable for carrying objects. On the floor lay shattered ceramic cups in a lake of dark coffee.

  Seemingly rooted to the spot, Niles nudged his head in the direction of the pantry. Careful not to slip on the spilled liquid, James, Tom, and Scarlet walked towards the pantry’s entrance.

  There, beneath shelves holding large glass containers of oatmeal, Rice Krispies, sugar, and flour, was a narrow opening revealing steep wooden stairs.

  The tray still clasped in his trembling hands, Niles stammered, “I was on my way to you guys when I heard this weird, creaking sound.”

  James gently eased the tray from Niles’ grasp. Scarlet put her arm around his shoulders and Tom warily peeked into the mysterious opening.

  “Where do you think it leads to?” he asked, still eyeing the puzzling space.

  “How about you let us find that out?” came a deep voice from behind them.

  James jumped, and Scarlet screamed. Tom almost lost his footing and fell down the stairs, while poor Niles remained incapable of movement.

  “Dear God, Detective,” Tom panted, stepping out of the pantry, “you almost gave us a heart attack.”

  “This is your home, why so jumpy?” Detective Smyth asked with a smirk. “Could it be because this is a crime scene and you shouldn’t be here?”

  Finding his voice and a little irritation to go along with it, Niles retorted, “You never said we couldn’t be here. We’re staying with Rose of our own cognition.”

  Looking directly at Niles, Smyth said, “May I make the request now then, Mr. Remmy? There is every reason to believe a serial killer is on your property. It is unsafe for you to be here until this man is caught.”

  Smyth walked up to the entrance of the pantry. “I presume this is a new discovery?”

  “We found a hollowed-out book containing a button,” James explained. “I think in pressing it, we inadvertently opened this door.”

  “How did you know we were here?” Scarlet asked, grabbing a towel to mop up the spilled coffee.

  Looking up from the mysterious wooden stairs, Smyth replied, “Surveillance called me.”

  Scarlet bit her lower lip. “Would you mind not mentioning this to my dad and Gran?”

  Smiling at Scarlet, the detective replied, “Never saw you here.”

  Pulling out his phone, he added, “On the condition, you leave us to it.”

  An hour later, watching the sunrise from an otherwise deserted China Beach, Tom asked, “Is it possible Steele had time to run from the pantry to the library while we were in the great room?”

  Both hands wrapped around her coffee filled cardboard cup, Scarlet responded, “I don’t think so. I still believe there’s a secret room or tunnel leading from the library.”

  “Honestly,” Niles said, “I don’t think I can go back there. Seeing a floor suddenly open that I’ve stood on countless times seriously freaked me out.”

  Taking his sweatshirt jacket off and placing it around Scarlet’s shivering shoulders, James said,

  “I’m sorry guys, I shouldn’t have suggested it.”

  Tom grinned. “Finding a button hidden in a book. So worth it.”

  Chuckling, Scarlet agreed.

  “I can’t feel my extremities,” Niles pronounced. “How about we head to China Town for Dim Sum?”

  Despite returning to Rose’s house with calories gained versus lost, the four friends looked disheveled enough to have been on a run.

  Later that day, still drowsy after a much-needed afternoon nap, Scarlet welcomed Detectives Smyth and Williams into her grandmother’s home.

  Tom and Joe abandoned the obstacle course they were constructing for Prudence in the sunroom. James and Rose left historical city maps on the ornate library desk. Niles, having just lost his assistant, Scarlet, washed sticky scone dough off his hands and walked into the living room.

  Clearly not a good poker player, Smyth looked at Scarlet before stating, “We got a lucky break this morning.”

  Rose and Joe looked as intrigued as Scarlet, James, Tom, and Niles looked guilty.

  Detective Williams said, “A hidden entrance in the pantry of Mr. Remmy and Mr. Blythe’s home led us down to a small room.”

  Gasping, Rose reached over and held Scarlet’s hand.

  Sighing, Scarlet whispered, “Dad, Gran. We were there. We shouldn’t have gone, but I had a hunch, and we did.”

  Smyth and Williams looked down at their notepads as Joe, wide-eyed, appeared at a loss for words.

  “It was my hunch,” James volunteered. “I was the one who suggested we go back there.”

  Preventing Joe from responding, Tom said, “I couldn’t sleep until we figured out how that creep got into the library right under our noses.”

  “It was all my idea really,” Niles declared. “I thought geez this is my house; I’m getting to the bottom of it.”

  Spotting a little grin forming on her grandmother’s face, Scarlet squeezed Rose’s hand, saying,

  “Bottom line is these three were adamant about leaving me here safe and sound.”

  Finding his voice, Joe said, “But you weren’t having any of it.”

  Scarlet gave her father a smile that had worked countless times as a child, and she sincerely hoped still did.

  “What’s that saying?” Rose asked brightly, “No harm, no foul.”

  Taking his cue, Smyth reported, “Initially, we thought we’d found a similar enclosure to the one at the base of the outdoor shaft.” Looking over to Detective Williams, Smyth added, “Thankfully my colleague had the foresight to check under the stairs.”

  Smiling at Niles, Detective Williams explained, “The lady who built your home was one creative individual. There was a button located under the third to last stair. When pressed, one of four steel walls lifted. A short tunnel led to your library.”

  Allowing for gasps and exclamations of wonder to pass, Williams continued, “The opening in the library is located under your desk.”

  Jaw dropping, Niles asked, “Was that the only tunnel? From the pantry to the library?”

  Detective Williams looked pointedly at Detective Smyth.

  “Are you ready for this?” Smyth asked his anxious audience.

  Receiving solemn nods, Smyth said, “Six.” Nodding at the looks of astonishment, Smyth explained, “Just one leads off from the exterior shaft into the pantry. From there, three tunnels lead to the great room, dining room, and library.”

  Shaking his head, Williams contributed, “We found two more tunnels leading from the enclosure beneath your desk in the library.” Grimacing at Niles’ look of horror, Williams concluded, “They lead to the cupboard under the second-floor stairs and your home office.”

  Niles, his freckles appearing to turn white asked, “How on earth did he find them? How did he know?”

  Before Smyth or Williams had the chance to respond, Scarlet in a small voice said, “He made me change into banquet clothes in that cupboard. Why didn’t he use the tunnel?”

  Raising thick brows, Smyth replied, “He wasn’t aware of its existence at that time.”

  Scooting to the edge of his chair, Joe asked, “Are you saying… how do you...?”

  Smyth laughed. “I wondered when you were going to ask.”

  A barrage of excited chatter and questions followed. Smyth chose not to wait for Prudence to stop snorting. “Mr. Stewart Steele was apprehended at fourteen hundred hours today. It appears he’d been living in the tunnel leading from the shaft since New Year’s Eve.”

  Looking directly at Scarlet, Williams reported, “In Steele’s words, he wanted somewhere
private for you to appreciate the flowers he’d given you. After locating the shaft, he stumbled across and subsequently obliterated, a small lever that opened the steel wall. He was hiding on the other side of that wall when you were rescued.”

  With an involuntary shudder, Scarlet said, “It’s over. It’s finally over.”

  Tom and Niles, a little groggy after the cocktails consumed in celebration, left early the following morning. James, with a business meeting scheduled, reluctantly, left soon after.

  Scarlet was savoring peace and tranquility found when surrounded by her grandmother’s leather bound masterpieces. This was halted, however, by the old-style ring of Rose’s front door bell.

  “Who on earth could that be?” Joe asked, looking up from his newspaper.

  To Scarlet’s surprise, Brian, the station manager followed Rose into the room.

  Accepting the offer of a seat from Joe and a cup of coffee from Rose, Brian looked over to Scarlet. “I owe you an apology. You made a success of the top forty show, and now Candy has systematically run it into the ground.”

  Backing into an antique French throne chair, Scarlet stared at Brian, mindful to keep her mouth from dropping open.

  Struggling to get his large finger out of the cup handle, Brian placed the delicate china on a side table. “I hope you can forgive my poor judgment and pick up where you left off with Scarlet’s top forty.”

  Taking in the wide-eyed looks from her father and grandmother, Scarlet focused her attention back to the station manager. “I really appreciate the offer Brian, but I’d like to stay with Mending Men.”

  To Rose and Joe’s credit, they stayed silent, although their shocked expressions replaced words quite sufficiently.

  Brian squinted already heavy-lidded eyes. “But it’s middle-aged men, talking sports.”

  Scarlet smiled. “Remember when I took over the top forty show from Crystal Clear?”

  Nodding as he looked at Joe, Brian raised bushy black eyebrows, “Got to love the names these DJs choose!”

  Joe returned Brian’s incredulous look before Scarlet continued, “She never deviated from the top forty, for five years that’s all she played. No requests, no giveaways. I wanted to take a concept and make it better, more varied, and more interesting.”

  Brian pulled a face. “Yeah, and I think I gave you a hard time about it.”

  Chuckling, Scarlet graciously said, “I don’t remember that part.”

  Allowing Brian to accept a piece of coffee cake from Rose, Scarlet continued, “I’ve been giving Mending Men’s format a lot of thought lately. I believe I can add some changes that will double our ratings.”

  Brian brushed cake crumbs from his pant leg to the rug beneath him. “I believe you’ll do it.” Looking over at Rose and Joe, he proclaimed, “This girl of yours. She’s something, hey?”

  Scarlet’s father and grandmother offered their agreement before Brian stood. “You’ll be getting a twenty percent pay raise, as of today.”

  Standing to shake his hand, Scarlet thanked him.

  “My niece thinks very highly of you,” Brian directed at Scarlet, as Joe opened the front door.

  “The feeling’s mutual,” Scarlet called out, watching her boss struggle into his large, black land rover.

  Back in the library, Rose picked up Brian’s almost untouched cup of coffee. “Isn’t he the one you call brainless Brian?”

  Scarlet picked up the tea tray. “Yes, but I think he’ll have to be renamed, bestie Brian since he’s giving me a raise.”

  “What a way to start the New Year!” Rose said.

  Scarlet suddenly felt a lump form in her throat. “What’s wrong with me?” she exclaimed, tears beginning to flow down her cheeks. “It’s over. Steele’s been caught, and I can go back to living a normal life. No more flowers, no more looking over my shoulder.”

  Rose gently took the tray from Scarlet’s shaking hands and guided her to the couch. Sitting next to her, she wrapped a slender arm around her granddaughter’s shoulders.

  Moving to sit opposite them, Joe said, “And in due time, that will sink in and truly make you happy. But right now it’s simply all too much. Remember, just two days ago you told us about your New Year’s Eve ordeal.”

  Scarlet sniffed and nodded.

  Joe continued, “Then you received the news from your Mom, about Trent and Lisa. Beautiful Brian, is he now? Shows up...”

  Laughing, Scarlet interrupted, “Bestie Brian, Dad. You saw him; he could never be beautiful Brian.”

  Encouraged by the laughter, Joe went on to suggest, with an eyelift and tummy tuck he could perhaps be known as beautiful Brian.

  Early the next day, Scarlet found Rose talking on her Downton Abbey style phone. Joe, with an occasional nod of his head, stood watching her.

  Once observed, Scarlet was met with a smile from her father and a hand gesture towards the writing desk, from her grandmother.

  Smiling her thanks for the indicated location of freshly baked banana and walnut bread, Scarlet sat in the window seat and listened.

  “He’s fine with that Marilyn, dear.”

  Watching Joe lift his shoulders, palms outstretched, Rose added, “He’s just not sure it will do any good.”

  Giving Scarlet a warm smile, Rose continued into the phone, “No, he’s absolutely willing to try, Marilyn. Joe’s simply not spent much time with Lisa and wonders if she’ll hear him out.”

  Playfully, scowling at her son, Rose agreed, “Yes, that is absolutely his fault.”

  Stifling a giggle, as Joe dramatically let his head fall forward, Scarlet called out, “Gran, I’m so sorry, Prudence just disgraced herself on your foyer floor.”

  Rose continued into the old-fashioned handset, “Yes, it was. She must have just now got up. I’ll be sure to do that. Take care dear. Chat soon.”

  Placing the ear piece back in its cradle, Rose turned to her granddaughter. “That was naughty and clever and so appreciated.” Placing her hand on her heart and breathing deeply, Rose added, “She’d love you to call her today.”

  Pulling a face, Joe said, “Mom, I’m so sorry. I should have talked to her. It’s not right you having to play go-between.”

  Rose waved her hand dismissively. “I do it more for Marilyn than for you. She seems comfortable telling me how she feels and I’m okay with that.”

  “It’s very good of you, Gran,” Scarlet said.

  Nodding, Joe said, “I’m going to grab the coffee pot. When I come back, please tell me what I’ve agreed to.”

  Chuckling as her son left the room, Rose turned to Scarlet. “I hope you don’t mind, I told your Mom the good news.”

  “About the capture or my raise?” Scarlet enquired.

  Rose placed her palms together. “I’d forgotten about the raise. This year’s starting off very nicely.”

  Joe re-entered the library, coffee carafe in hand. “Did Marilyn actually say she expects me to talk with Lisa?”

  Biting her bottom lip, Rose replied, “I’m afraid so.”

  Pacing up and down in front of the arched stone fireplace, Joe argued, “I’ve barely said two words to Lisa since Hayden was born.”

  Rose gave him a motherly smile. “I think Marilyn wants you to be more involved, shoulder some of the drama.”

  Sighing, Scarlet said, “I think Gran’s right, Dad. I know Mom misses having you around to fix this sort of thing.”

  Joe shook his head. “I’m not sure I ever fixed much. If I had, Violet would have spent Christmas with family and Trent would talk to me.”

  Scarlet helped herself to coffee. “I think you fixed, or, at least, eased, burdens in Mom’s mind. She tries so hard with Lisa and then it all crashes and burns despite her efforts.”

  Sinking into a soft, green leather chair, Joe put his head in his hands. “I did run away. For all intents and purposes, I did.” Looking around the ornate study, he added, “Here in the comfort of this incredible home, I can refer to my grandsons as Rodney the rotten and Hayden the h
orrible. I choose to dismiss my son’s attitude towards me as childish and unfounded. I justify Violet’s absence as occurring long before I left, and then I live this free, peaceful life.”

  Rose leaned forward in her chair. “Do you call a highly stressful job, you’re forced to stay in, peaceful?”

  Placing a cup on the antique trunk next to her father’s chair, Scarlet said, “Trent was in his twenties when you left, Dad. A grown man with a wife and child. We all know you did your very best and stayed as long as you could. Sometimes I wonder if Trent regrets marrying so young and secretly envies you.”

  Mouth turned down, Joe said, “With this latest development, that doesn’t seem too unlikely, does it?”

  Rubbing the fingers of her right hand across her lower lip, Rose reminisced, “Violet has always been a free spirit. I’ll never forget that summer your job took you to Switzerland. I believe you were consulting on a new airport there.”

  Joe nodded in confirmation, and Rose elaborated, “Marilyn wanted to join you, so Herb and I took care of our grandchildren for a few weeks.” Smiling at Scarlet, Rose explained, “We moved into your home in Aptos because Marilyn felt the less your routine was disrupted, the better.”

  Scarlet lifted her second piece of banana bread in the air. “Very good of you and Grandpa.”

  “It was such a pleasure,” Rose said. “One of your grandfather’s favorite duties was taking you three to and from school. It must have been around the fourth day of doing this, when he walked back into the house, red in the face from laughter. He confessed he’d laughed all the way home. Violet’s teacher had requested a brief conference with him. Miss Fine was the teacher’s name. She informed your grandfather, Violet’s behavior was becoming more and more disruptive in class. Now keep in mind, Violet was seven years old. So, picture your six-foot grandpa sitting on one of those little chairs as Miss Fine, in a solemn manner, tells him about Violet’s proclamations before each class activity. When it was time to draw and color, Violet would state, she and the other children were not in the right mood to produce good art. She suggested Miss Fine allow them to play outside first, then they would be more inspired to create. Counting, Miss Fine informed your Grandfather, followed recess. How could children count, Violet would ask out loud when their heads were full of recent play time’s imaginary castles and unicorns. Your grandfather was trying so hard not to laugh at this point and would have almost managed it, but alas the reading, threw him over the edge. Miss Fine recounted Violet saying, she and many others in class could only read a book when leaning up against a big tree with a summer breeze gently blowing by. Certainly, not sitting in a plastic chair with harsh overhead lighting.”