by Rose Pressey
“Well, there is that problem, yes. Don’t worry, though, I’ll whip up something.” I opened the fridge and stared at the contents. Or lack of contents, should I say?
Brannon laughed as I closed the refrigerator door.
“Okay, moving right along to the pantry,” I said. “I have soup. I have peanut butter.”
“The usual stash,” he said.
“Peanut butter sandwich it is.” I pulled out the bread and checked to make sure it wasn’t stale.
Brannon took a call while I made the sandwiches. I tried to listen in, but I didn’t catch much of the conversation. I’d hoped to overhear about the incident.
“Is everything all right?” I asked as I placed the plates with sandwiches down on the table.
“Yeah, the boss was just calling for an update.”
I grabbed a couple bottles of water from the fridge. “Well, at least I wasn’t the one to find the body this time. That was all you.”
“Much better that a detective finds a body than a librarian anyway, right?” Brannon took the bottle of water.
“It’s much better for the people around town,” I said.
Brannon sat at the table and stared at me.
“What?” I asked. “You don’t like the peanut butter now?”
“No, it’s not that.” Brannon picked up the sandwich and took a bite. “I can just tell by the look in your eyes that you’re going to start searching for information about Josh Mooney.”
“Well, I am mildly curious,” I said.
“Rip,” he said as if that was a warning.
My phone rang before he could say anything else.
I grabbed the phone from the counter. “Oh, it’s Sidney. I’ve been waiting for an update.”
I hadn’t wanted to bother her if there were a lot of tour-goers.
“How did it go, Sidney?” I asked.
“It’s great. We had a good turnout. We even heard a few footsteps upstairs. The tour-goers seemed to enjoy that. The doll still seems to be staring,” Sidney said around a laugh.
I wasn’t sure if that was a nervous laugh, or if she was actually amused by the doll’s antics.
“Oh, that’s fantastic. I just feel so terrible that we couldn’t be there.” I exchanged a look with Brannon.
“Tell her thank you for everything,” Brannon said.
“Well, I know you were there in spirit.” Sidney laughed. “I heard Brannon. Tell him I was just doing my job.”
“Was there anything else unusual?” I asked.
“Just a few footsteps. Somebody caught the sound on their phone as they were recording, so that was pretty cool. It’ll probably show up online. He said he wanted to post it to his social media. You can look for it.”
“I definitely will. Anything else?” I pressed.
“No, it’s been all quiet. Oh, wait, I did get a strange call.”
“How was it strange?” I asked.
I figured I knew where this was headed. Brannon looked at me with quizzically.
“The man asked if we got the vase,” Sidney said.
“Oh, I got that same call,” I said. “What did you tell him?”
“The call ended before I had a chance to say anything.”
“That’s so weird. The same thing happened to me,” I said.
“That’s bizarre,” she said. “I guess he needs a new phone.”
“Well, let me know if you hear from him again. I want to get that number and call him back.”
“I’ll let you know. I’m just locking up now.”
“Thank you again for everything,” I said. “And we’ll talk in the morning.”
“Sure thing,” she said.
“Sounds like everything went fantastic,” I said when I ended the call.
“That’s a huge relief,” Brannon said. “She got the call too?”
“Yes, I guess that guy was in a bad phone coverage area or something. I suppose he’ll call later.”
Brannon took the last bite of his sandwich.
“Would you like another one?” I asked.
He held his hands up. “I think I’m good on peanut butter.”
“What about some cookies?” I said.
“I really should get going, but I’ll take the cookies to go.”
“Back to the scene?” I asked as I grabbed a plastic bag for the cookies.
“I have to go by the station and then I’ll probably go back to the scene one last time.”
“All right, if you have to go. I guess.”
He wrapped me in another hug. “No amateur sleuthing, okay?”
“I’ll try my best,” I said around a sigh.
Brannon released his hold on me and took the cookies. “Chocolate chip, my favorite.”
I walked Brannon to the door and gave him another kiss. The touch of his lips always made my body tingle from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. Brannon put his coat on and tucked the cookies inside his jacket pocket.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” I said.
“No playing detective tonight,” he said as he stepped outside. “Get some rest.”
I held my hand up. “I promise.”
I’d promise to get some rest, but not to stop playing detective. That was something that I just couldn’t help. It was in my blood. Something I had to do.
After waving one last time, I locked the door behind him. I walked over to the window and waved goodbye. I really wished he didn’t have to go. I had an uneasy feeling as he pulled away from the curb. I suppose it was just because he was going back to the scene of a crime, but I felt more alone now than ever. And I couldn’t quite put my finger on the strange feeling. It also seemed darker outside than usual, although nothing was different as far as I saw. I wasn’t sure why it seemed so dark.
I watched the road to see if any people or cars moved up and down, but everyone was in for the night apparently. I was glad I was in for the night, too, because it looked pretty ominous out there. I just wished that Brannon wasn’t out there. My thoughts turned to Tammy. I needed to call and find out if she was off work yet. I worried about her having to stay out so late. Maybe I should go over there and help after all. I checked the time on my phone. Ten minutes until eleven. It was probably already time for her to close up for the night. The tavern closed early on Sundays.
The uneasy feeling increased when Tammy didn’t answer my call. I sent her a text message and hoped that she responded soon. I glanced out the window again, still having that uneasy feeling. The darkness obviously remained, but now it seemed as if an eerie fog had settled over the area.
My main concern was the darkness. Usually, I saw the neighbors’ lights, but now it seemed as if they had been dimed by a black curtain. It had to be an optical illusion or something. I mean, I still saw the road and the other houses. I just had a dark feeling, I suppose. Like I said, I couldn’t quite put my finger on how I felt.
I stood there for several minutes watching out the window and waiting for Tammy to respond. So far, I hadn’t heard a peep out of her. I’d call again soon if she didn’t respond. I’d go over there if I had to.
Movement caught my attention. I looked straight ahead out to the sidewalk and I saw a man standing there. It was hard to get a lot of detail about him because it was so dark, but I noticed he wore dark clothing. He stood facing my house like some kind of creepy serial killer. Fear rushed through me. Could this be the killer? My breath caught in my throat and my heart beat a bit faster.
His arms were right by his sides as he stared toward me. I was frozen on the spot. I wanted to turn the light off and close the blinds so that he couldn’t see me, but I couldn’t stop watching him, wondering what his next move would be. How long would this creep stand there and watch me?
Now more than ever I wished Brannon was still here. If this man made a move toward my house, I wasn’t sure what I’d do. I had to turn out the light and close the blinds so he wouldn’t see me. I dashed over to the wall and flipped the switch. Now that th
e lights were off, I went back to the window to close the blinds. The man was gone.
Chapter 4
I looked to the left and the right for any sign of him, but he wasn’t there. I wondered if he was hiding somewhere. That thought sent a shiver down my spine. Was he still watching me? After closing the blinds in a hurry, I peeked out, thinking that my actions might make him step out from the shadows. Nope. Still, there was no sign of the creepy guy.
What should I do now? Should I let Brannon know? I hated to bother him with something like this when he was busy with a murder investigation. That was a lot more important than me seeing a strange man on the sidewalk. Plus, it looked as if the man was gone now. But what if this was the killer? Someone that the police were looking for right now.
There was nothing the police could do now though if the man was gone. Plus, I didn’t exactly have a description either. I stood there for several seconds trying to calm my nerves. Then I mustered up enough courage to peek out the blinds one more time. There was no sign of the man. I hoped that I wasn’t letting my guard down and then he would pop up on my front porch.
Maybe he’d been confused about what street he was on and a bit lost. I had assumed at first that he’d been looking at my house, but maybe that wasn’t the case at all. Yes, I was just overreacting as usual and I needed to calm down. Breathe in, breathe out.
What I really needed to do was just go to bed. I turned out the rest of the lights downstairs, leaving the front porch light on of course, and the foyer and upstairs lights. I made my way up the creepy old staircase to my bedroom. I just needed a break from spooky stuff tonight.
I changed into my cozy flannel pajamas and then crawled under the warm covers. Closing my eyes, I hoped that I didn’t have problems going to sleep. Unfortunately, the thoughts about everything that had happened tonight whirled in my mind. I tried to fill my head with good thoughts, like my cozy bed, going to the library tomorrow and being surrounded by the books, seeing Annie, Jane Austen and Tammy, of course. Soon Brannon and I would be able to take that special dinner he had offered.
A few seconds passed when a noise came from somewhere outside. At least I was almost certain it had come from outside. I hoped it was out there and not inside the house. As much I hated getting up, I knew I needed to check out the noise. Plus, me being a bit obsessive, I would have to check the whole house, even if I found the source of the noise outside. Likely it had just been the wind or a broken branch, etc. I wouldn’t feel comfortable or sleep without checking the entire house though.
After getting out of bed, I shoved my feet into my slippers and made my way across the floor to the back window of the house. I peered out into the backyard. The moonlight lit up the area well, allowing me to see a lot. The darkness seemed less intense now. Nothing looked out of place, thank goodness, and there was no sign of the creepy guy. Of course, he had been my first thought when I heard the noise. I’d worried that he had come back.
I went through the entire house and much to my relief found nothing. Maybe it had just been the wind after all. It had been blowing a bit. Yeah, that was probably what I’d heard. Nevertheless, I checked outside the front of the house again to make sure the creepy guy wasn’t there. No sign of him out there either, so I made my way back upstairs to bed. Luckily, I was able to fall asleep pretty quickly this time and no further noises woke me.
When the sunlight streamed through the window the next morning, I hopped out of bed with a burst of energy. I went through my normal routine of breakfast, dressing in my black slacks and cream-colored cardigan, and gathering my stuff for work. I sent Brannon a text to make sure that he was okay, but I figured he was still sleeping. He’d answer later.
Locking the door behind me, I headed out for the library. I’d barely made it to the sidewalk when my phone rang. I figured it was Brannon calling me or maybe Tammy. Though it could’ve been my mother too. She was expecting me to come over for dinner sometime later this week. Maybe she’d gotten the days mixed up. However, to my surprise, the number was listed as unknown again. It had to be that guy calling back.
Quickly, I answered, “Hello?”
The man’s voice came through, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying because the call was so garbled.
“I’m sorry but I can’t hear you,” I said.
The man spoke, but what he said was unintelligible. I moved to my left and to my right hoping that that would change the reception of the call, but it did nothing to help.
“Can you give me a call back and maybe the connection will be better?” I asked, speaking loudly as if that would make him somehow hear me.
I had no idea what his response or if he had answered my question at all.
After ending the call, I continued my walk, all the while waiting for a return call. Nothing came. I had reached town now and I hoped he called back again soon. The suspense was getting to me. Brannon’s request that I not play detective came back to me. how could I not be a bit curious about the man’s death? After all, it had happened right in front of the library. I was upset with myself that I hadn’t looked up any information about him last night. I pulled out my phone and typed the man’s name.
Immediately I learned he was a real estate agent in Nashville. According to his Facebook, he was single. I scrolled down looking for more information. A few photos showed antique-looking items that he’d purchased from estate sales. I glanced up to make sure I didn’t bump into anyone or walk into a lamppost.
I had almost reached the coffee shop. Unfortunately, I wasn’t stopping by this morning. I had to get to the library. Plus, I had eaten breakfast at home. It was hard to resist the chocolate croissants and the other goodies. Maybe I’d get a chance to stop by and see Dana tomorrow.
Up ahead, I spotted a dark-haired woman. Her stare was focused on me. It looked as if she was headed right for me. I glanced over my shoulder to see if maybe she was looking at someone else. Nope. No one else was behind me.
The woman was definitely staring at me as she marched my way. Even the click of her red high heels echoed against the sidewalk. What did she want? I was becoming a bit nervous based on her expression. I hoped she just wanted to ask about a book. But with the wild look in her eyes, I wasn’t sure.
“Excuse me, you’re Ripley Van Raden, right?” she asked.
For a moment, I contemplated saying no. That probably wouldn’t work out, though, so I gave in to the fact that I’d have to speak with her.
“Yes,” I said hesitantly, trying not to be too rude.
“My name is Kendra Sims. I’m with WTKN in Nashville and I just have some questions to ask you about the body that was found outside of the library.”
This question had certainly taken me off-guard.
“I know nothing about it,” I said as I tried to walk around her.
To my surprise, she stepped in front of me, blocking me from going anywhere.
“You’re the librarian, correct?” She shoved a microphone in front of my mouth.
Where did that come from? Now, all of a sudden from seemingly out of nowhere, a cameraman popped up. Had he been hiding around the corner? With his disheveled brown hair and wrinkled plaid shirt, I wondered if he’d just woken up.
“I have no comment,” I said.
I wasn’t exactly sure if that was the correct thing to do or not, but it was too late to take back my words now. In my defense, I’d never been faced with this situation before.
I had to get away from this woman and that huge camera that was pointed in my direction. Luckily, I was in front of the coffee shop. I opened the door and hurried inside to take refuge. Unfortunately, the woman and cameraman followed me.
Immediately Dana saw what was going on, and said, “You can’t have that camera in here.
Dana waved her hands as if shooing away a fly. I wouldn’t put it past Dana if she picked up a broom and chased them right out of her shop. I bet her perfectly styled chestnut-colored bob wouldn’t be a strand out of place either if she ra
n after this annoying duo.
The woman groaned and lowered her microphone. She motioned for the cameraman to turn around. “Come on, Brian.”
He followed her as they marched out the door. At least I had been saved momentarily. I hurried over to the counter and Dana came out from behind it.
Dana touched my arm. “Are you all right? What was that about?”
“They had questions about the murdered guy, but I know nothing about it.”
“Just because it was in front of the library doesn’t mean you had anything to do with it. Right?” Dana asked.
“No, of course not,” I said.
Did she have doubts about my innocence along with everyone else in town? Oh well, I knew I had an alibi and so did the police. That was all that mattered. Thank goodness I was safe for now but what about when I went back out there? They’d probably wait for me and bombard me with questions again.
“What should I do now? Do you think they’ll be waiting for me?” I asked.
“Possibly they’ll be waiting out there. Maybe you could get a police escort.” She winked.
“I’m going to march right out there and tell them I don’t know anything about the murder and that they need to leave me alone.” I pumped my fist for emphasis.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Positive,” I said with a nod. “I have to deal with this.”
“All right, if you’re sure. Good luck,” she said around a sigh. “Come back in here if you need to hide out.”
Dana didn’t sound confident that this would end with a good outcome.
I waved as I headed for the door. “I’ll be fine.”
Naturally, I was a bit apprehensive. That was a normal reaction. Nevertheless, I pushed my shoulders back, held my head up high, and marched right out the door out onto the sidewalk. They were nowhere in sight. Could I really get that lucky? I had been all prepared to tell them to leave me alone. Now it looked like I wouldn’t have to. Whew. I was glad that was over. Maybe I’d never see them again. I rushed down the sidewalk in a hurry to the library in case they came back for me.