by Rose Pressey
I stepped into the room, standing there and watching Kendra as she twisted around. She tried to get up.
“You never know how much you use your arms to stand up until you don’t have use of them, right? I guess you’re just not that flexible,” I said.
“Shut up,” Kendra yelled.
Sidney and I laughed.
“Now how does it feel not to be in control?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she gave me another evil glare.
“Oh, I just realized someone will be reporting this on the news. The reporter will be reported on, huh?” I asked with another chuckle.
“She doesn’t look happy with us,” Sidney said.
I’d use this time while we waited to ask about the book and the vase.
“Why don’t you tell me about the book and the vase? You know you want to,” I said.
Kendra narrowed her eyes, but I knew I’d struck a chord.
Kendra stopped fighting, and said, “Josh’s aunt had stolen the vase from me.”
“Why would she steal it from you?” I asked.
Kendra shrugged. “She was a kleptomaniac. She took whatever she saw. She had been at my house with Josh. He was going to list my home for sale. Why he brought her, I’m not sure. To case the place for a future robbery, I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine.”
“So the vase was haunted when you had it?” I asked.
“That’s the thing, it wasn’t haunted then,” Kendra said.
“What happened?”
I couldn’t believe she had told me this much. I hoped she didn’t stop. I prayed she told me where to find Brannon and Porter.
“I got the vase back,” she said.
“How did you do that?” I asked.
“I just went into Josh’s place and got the vase back.”
I frowned. “But he sent it to me.”
“Let me finish,” she snapped.
Okay, she was getting agitated again.
I held my hands up. “Please continue.”
“When I got the vase back, it was haunted, so I went to them and demanded to know what had happened. Josh’s aunt had conjured a demon and the demon had attached to my vase. Therefore, I wanted to get the book to get the demon away from vase.”
“It didn’t work?” I asked.
“I didn’t get a chance. Josh took the vase back. I guess his aunt told him that it was really hers, so he took it from me.”
“Why did you kill Josh?” I pressed.
I had turned on my phone to record this whole confession. The police would thank me later.
“I killed Josh because he wouldn’t give me the vase,” she said with a smirk.
“So that’s why you’re here? To get the vase and the book? So that you can get rid of the demon and have your vase back? That must be one heck of a vase. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a vase being motive enough to kill someone,” I said.
“It’s very expensive,” Kendra said.
“How expensive?” I asked.
“One hundred thousand dollars,” she said.
“Wow, that is a lot,” Sidney said.
“But was it really worth two lives? You did kill Josh’s aunt, right?”
“It was one hundred grand. That’s a lot of my money,” Kendra said.
She had just confessed to killing the aunt too.
“But two people for a hundred thousand?” I pressed.
“Well, people have killed for less than that,” she said.
“So you did kill the aunt. How did you do that?”
“It wasn’t hard. I just hit her over the head. It looked like she fell down the steps. Case closed. No one questioned it. I should have been that smart with Josh.”
She wasn’t nearly smart enough because I had her confession recorded. Even though I had the confession about the murders, I had to press forward. I feared the worst. She had just confessed to killing two people and two people were missing. I wasn’t sure how I would react if I found out this was the case with Brannon and Porter. My world would be destroyed.
“Where are my boyfriend and Porter?” I asked.
How would I get her to tell me their whereabouts? I had to wait for the police, I suppose. If she didn’t give me the information I wanted, then surely the police could get it out of her. After all, she kidnapped a police officer.
“What makes you think I should tell you where they are? What’s in it for me now?” Kendra asked.
“I suppose other than doing the right thing, nothing. Do you really want to be known as a serial killer or something?” I asked.
“I suppose that’s already going to be the case,” Kendra said.
“At least you can do the right thing now,” I said.
“I can give you a hint,” she said.
That wasn’t going to be good enough for me, but I suppose that was a start.
“I’m listening,” I said.
“They’re someplace where there’s a book.” She smiled.
“The library?” I asked.
Inside the library? I had no idea how she’d gotten inside. Maybe just breaking in.
“That’s the only clue you’re going to get,” she said with a smirk.
I was angry with her, but what could I do? Just then, sirens sounded from outside.
“Thank goodness the police are here,” Sidney said.
It had seemed to take forever. At least now this part would be over. Although I was nervous about what was in store.
“I’ll stay up here and watch her while you run down and get the police,” I said.
Sidney ran down the staircase.
“I’ll give you one more chance to tell me where to find them,” I said. “Before the police get ahold of you.”
“That’s all the information I’m giving you and I won’t have anything else to say to the police either. I’ll tell them that you tied me up and you’re the one responsible for all of this.”
I pulled out my phone and hit replay on the recording.
Her face turned pale as she heard the conversation playback. “You tricked me.”
“I wouldn’t call it tricking you, it’s more like smart thinking or planning ahead,” I said.
Seconds later, the police charged up the staircase. Boots pounded against the old hardwood floor. I moved out of the room to give them space to arrest Kendra.
A short time later, Sidney and I spoke with the police. I told them all about Brannon and Porter being missing. Of course, they said we would find them, but I still wanted to get back to Devil’s Moon right away so that I could start my own search. I just had to find them.
“I’ll drive you back to Devil’s Moon,” Sidney said.
I turned to the officer standing next to us. “Is it all right if we leave now?”
“We’re finished with you here. We know where to find you if we have any other questions,” the officer said.
Thank goodness. I had to get back and find Brannon. Devil’s Moon Police Department had been notified. They were searching for Brannon and Porter already. The police here told them to go by the library and check, but I wasn’t sure I’d feel comfortable with that until I saw with my own eyes. If they weren’t at the library then where else had she taken them that had a book? The bookstore? My house? That was the last place I’d seen Porter. Maybe they were somewhere close by. I had seen Kendra at my house.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find them.” Sidney wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
The police took Kendra out to the police car and drove her away. That was all behind me now. After locking the door to the museum, Sidney and I hurried to her car. She sped out of the drive and we headed back toward Devil’s Moon. I tried to settle down and not worry too much, but it was almost impossible. This was going to be the longest trip of my life. I used Sidney’s phone to dial Brannon, but now it just went start to voicemail. That was a bad sign. Based on the circumstances, I knew that meant his phone had died or had been destroyed. There was nothing else I could do
right now.
Chapter 29
Sidney followed my directions into town and drove straight to the library. This was her first trip to Devil’s Moon. Too bad it wasn’t under better circumstances. We parked out in front of the library. All was quiet and most of the lights were out just as I always left them. Gray clouds covered the night sky as the moon struggled to pop out from behind one. A gust of wind rattled the branches of the nearby oak tree.
“You weren’t kidding when you said there’s a graveyard on the library’s lawn,” Sidney said as she cut the engine.
“It’s spooky, right?” I asked.
“Extremely,” she said as she pulled the key from the ignition.
“We have to see if we can find them.” I opened the car door and hurried out.
I’d never felt this panicked before. Even when I’d been chased by demons. Where were the police? I figured they’d still be here. I’d text Tammy and instructed her to let the police in so that they could search for Brannon and Porter. She’d text me when the police had gotten there but said she had no idea if they’d found them. She was almost sure Brannon and Porter hadn’t been located, though.
As Sidney and I ran up to the library doors, I received a text message. I assumed it was from Tammy, but when I checked the phone’s screen, it was from Annie.
The police were here looking for Brannon and Porter. They’re not here.
“Annie says they’re not here,” I said.
“That’s the ghost who texts you, right?” Sidney asked.
“Right.”
It was a good thing that Sidney believed in the paranormal or she’d think I was bananas. Even though Annie said Brannon and Porter weren’t at the library, I had to check for myself. I unlocked the doors and stepped inside.
“This place is beautiful,” Sidney said as she took in the room.
“I guess we should split up, although maybe we’re just wasting our time since the police already supposedly checked.”
“Maybe they missed something like a clue that would tell you where to find them. Maybe Kendra meant there’s some kind of clue hidden in a specific book.”
“Well, that would be like finding a needle in the haystack, now wouldn’t it with all these books? I’ll check upstairs and you can look around down here,” I said.
“Sounds good,” Sidney said.
As she took off across the library, I headed for the staircase. I checked all around the second and third floors, but there was no sign of Brannon or Porter, not even a clue like Sidney had suggested might be the case. I hadn’t actually looked at any of the books on the shelves. That would be impossible.
Feeling a bit defeated, I headed back down the staircase. I hadn’t seen Annie yet, but Jane Austen ran along beside me, meowing. I knew Tammy had left her food and water. Jane Austen probably just wanted to trick me into giving her more.
When I made it around the corner, I checked her dish. “You didn’t eat all the food that’s there, Jane.”
She jumped on the desk and started licking her paws. As I suspected, she just wanted to let it be known that she wasn’t happy with so many people roaming around the library on her day off.
“Nothing down here,” Sidney said as she walked over.
“Unfortunately, I found nothing either,” I said, letting out a deep breath.
“Where else can we look?” Sidney asked as she blew the hair out of her eyes.
That was the question of the day.
“Well, there’s the bookstore, antique store, and then my place. I don’t think that they would be at the bookstore. I don’t know why I feel that way, but I just have a feeling that perhaps it’s the antique shop since I found a photo of Josh’s uncle there. We can check there first and if nothing, then we’ll go to my place.”
“Just point me in the right direction,” Sidney said.
“On the way, I’ll text Tammy again and ask if she’s heard anything. Plus, I’ll call the police station and ask exactly what they’re doing to try to find their fellow officer.”
“They have to tell you something,” Sidney said.
“Annie, I’ll be back later,” I called out.
Just be careful.
“Always,” I said with a wave.
Jane Austen slept on top of the desk, completely uninterested in whether I stayed. I locked the library doors behind us, and we ran to Sidney’s car, headed for the antique store.
I just checked the library again. Of course, I found nothing different. Is everything all right at the tavern? What did the police say to you?
The tavern is swamped. The police didn’t say a word to me. Where are you going now?
Headed to the antique shop. We’re looking for a book.
A book? What does that have to do with Brannon and Porter?
With any luck, the book will lead us to them.
Please be careful. Call me soon.
I’ll text you as soon as I know anything.
“Unfortunately, Tammy has no news,” I said around a sigh.
“Maybe if you can get an answer from the police,” Sidney said as she screeched to a halt at a stop sign.
With no cars at the intersection, Sidney punched the gas. I called Brannon’s boss. Anxiety danced in my stomach as it rang several times and then went to his voicemail.
“Detective Russ, this is Ripley Van Raden. We’re still looking for Brannon. We’re headed to the antique shop now. I know it’s a long shot, but maybe we can find the book that Kendra was talking about. I know she did something to Brannon and Porter. Call me.”
“No answer, huh?” Sidney said.
“I’d like to think it’s because he’s looking for Brannon and Porter,” I said.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the antique shop. As soon as we pulled up along the curb, I knew something was wrong. It was more than a feeling too.
“Look,” I said as I pointed.
“The door’s open,” Sidney said. ‘And the owner’s not there?”
“I’m pretty sure he’s not here,” I said. “Let’s check it out.”
As Sidney and I rushed out of the car and to the door, I noticed the broken glass.
Chapter 30
“That’s how they got in,” I said.
Shattered glass littered the ground in front of the front door. Someone had smashed the front door window.
“The police had to have seen this. Didn’t they come here?” Sidney asked.
“Maybe not. I guess they had no reason to check here. The only reason I’m here is because of a hunch,” I said. “I’ll call them right away.”
“While we wait, we can have a look around,” Sidney said.
I frowned. “Maybe it’s not a good idea for you to go in. I don’t want to put you in danger.”
“I can take care of myself,” she said as she inched the door open.
I thought about it for a minute, and then reluctantly said, “All right, we’ll take a look inside together. Just be careful and on the lookout for anything strange. Plus, Mr. Byrd could possibly be inside too.”
She pushed the door open farther with her foot. The eerie feeling seemed to creep out the door and encircle us. Nevertheless, we eased inside the space.
“There’s a lot of stuff in here,” Sidney said as she followed me.
I peered around the store full of furniture, vases, dishes, and other knickknacks. Silence filled the room except for the antique grandfather clock that ticked in the corner of the room. No signs of Brannon or Porter. My hope diminished quickly.
“Where are the books?” Sidney asked.
“Most of them are at the back of the store,” I said, motioning for her to follow me.
It kind of felt as if we were on a scavenger hunt. I was in no mood for playing games though. When we reached midway into the room, I spotted a book right on top of the checkout counter.
“Do you think that’s it?” Sidney asked.
“I’m not sure what to think,” I said as I headed over to the book.
I picked it up, checking out the title. Kill Her. Just a mystery novel. Though the title sent a shiver down my spine. I checked some of the pages, but nothing seemed unusual. A mystery novel, though? I wasn’t sure what the meaning of this would be, but I had a strong feeling this was the book I wanted. As I flipped through a few more pages, a piece of paper slipped out and glided to the floor. I reached down and picked it up.
“What is it?” Sidney asked.
“An address,” I said.
“Do you think that was what Kendra meant when she told you to look for the book?’
“It’s hard to say, but we have to check out this address. Just to be sure no one is here, though, we should check the rest of the shop before we leave,” I said.
Sidney nodded and followed me as I made my way to the back of the room. Mr. Byrd had left the office door slightly ajar. I opened it a bit more and peeked inside. There was nothing out of the ordinary, just a desk, file cabinets, stacks of books, papers, and antique items that he apparently was still inventorying. No sign of Brannon, Porter, or Mr. Byrd.
“Nothing here. Let’s get over to this address,” I said. “I should call Mr. Byrd and ask him about this book. Plus, I want to make sure he’s okay.”
Sidney and I rushed out of the antique shop and back to the car.
“We’re going to need help. Just in case we find them,” she said.
“I’ll call the police and let them know what we’re doing. Maybe they can meet us there,” I said.
“I can’t help but wonder what’s going on and why we haven’t seen them looking for Brannon and Porter,” Sidney said.
“I assume they have a plan. I just wish that I knew what the plan was. It seems as if they’re really not worried about whether or not they keep me in the loop.”
“That just doesn’t seem right,” Sidney said.
“Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding. Anyway, I’m not exactly sure where this address is so I’ll enter it on my phone and get us directions,” I said as I buckled my seatbelt.
“Just point me in the right direction,” she said as she started the car. “And I’ll get us there.”
I knew where the street was located on the outskirts of town among several farms, but I had no idea what would be out there or where Kendra could have possibly taken the men. Furthermore, how she had possibly pulled this off on her own was beyond me. Brannon was a trained professional. Unless she had subdued him somehow, then there was no way she could have overpowered him. Porter looked to be pretty strong, too, even with his small stature. I thought about when he’d disappeared from my house. It had all happened so quickly. How had she gotten him that fast?