by PJ Fernor
The holidays with their lights and enjoyment…
“This is about right now,” he says. “Right now.”
Stay calm. You have to stay calm. Please don’t do anything…
“I won’t,” he says.
We both know that’s not entirely true.
He nods.
Chapter Fifty-Four
I stood at the sink long enough to watch the sun completely set.
Then I did the whole family dinner thing and made sure Lo was caught up on her homework and studying. My niece was brilliant. She was smart, strong, and had a plan in mind. Stubborn like her mother, which was also stubborn like me. There was no talking her down from anything either. I told myself that was all part of this parenting gig. My job was to always stand there with her and for her. If she fell, I’d catch her. If she kept climbing, I’d cheer her on.
Even if she did fall, I’d still cheer her on. Just for taking the chance. Life was made up of chances. Even when things didn’t work out, it wasn’t over. It was just another path opening up.
When I left Lo’s room I heard Ben talking to his father.
They were having a normal conversation.
Ben’s father actually had a really great day and night.
His mind was clear and sharp.
Those were still tough days and nights to live through though. Every time it happened, I would get this little flicker of hope. As if this disease could make itself vanish. I knew that wasn’t possible.
I left Ben to enjoy his time alone with his father and went back into the kitchen.
I stood at the sink and lost track of time.
Ben came into the kitchen, walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me.
“You want me to talk about it, right?” I asked.
“Yes,” Ben said.
“I have to do this. I have to see him.”
“I know.”
“I promised myself I would find the man who killed Alex and I would do something about it.”
“He’s going to pay for what he did,” Ben said. “Even if it’s not for what he did directly to Alex.”
“Which means I have to see him more than ever,” I said. “I’ll say what I have to say.”
“I’ll be waiting for you. If you need me, I’ll be there.”
“You’re always there for me, Ben.”
“It’s who I am. I’m in love with you, Allie Down. I always have been.”
“Hearing that just makes me… I don’t even know. I feel like I’m in a dream.”
“I feel the same.”
I slowly turned and looked up at him. “Be honest, Ben. Am I crazy for this?”
“For wanting to face the man who ended your sister’s life? You’re not crazy at all.”
“Then why do I feel it? I have this feeling in my stomach over it.”
“I think it’s everything hitting you at once. We have a case to solve. A big case. You had to make a call to Lizzy. I know you didn’t want to do that. I know you’re stubborn about asking for help and taking it. And now this. You thought you were going to find the guy, track him down and arrest him. You wanted to do it. That was taken from you, so this is your only chance to do something. At the same time, Alex is gone. Lo is happy here.”
“What if this messes things up?” I asked.
“Depends on if you tell Lo. Which is up to you. I support you either way.”
“Decisions,” I said. “All the while you’ve been dealing with Johnny.”
“That’s right.”
“I can never thank you enough for that, Ben. I mean it. I know how much of a jerk he is. I know how much you don’t like him.”
“Allie Down,” he said. “I will do anything for you. Even if it means fielding phone calls from Johnny stinking Barby. I actually kind of respect the guy for calling me first. So I have a chance to hear it and then tell you.”
“I actually appreciate it too,” I said. “I’d rather hear it from you. There’s something about talking to you that makes me feel calm.”
Ben laughed. “You know that’s not the first time you’ve said that to me, right?”
“Really?”
“You came into the shop one night just as Dad was closing up,” Ben said. “I asked him if we could stay there and he said it was no problem. You were upset over Tommy. That was about one of the parties he went to. And he… you know…”
“He cheated on me,” I said. “Broke my heart.”
Ben nodded. “I was listening to you. Talking to you. You told me you liked talking to me. That it made you feel better.”
“Oh, Ben,” I said. “You were such a good person. You don’t know how bad I wanted you to just kiss me. Yet I knew you were a good guy and wouldn’t do that to me. It made me fall for you and kind of not like you all at the same time.”
“But here we are now,” Ben said. “That whole patience thing my Dad preached paid off.”
“I’m sorry about that,” I said. “All those times I talked to you.”
“I’m not. I got to know you better than anyone else ever did.”
“I look back and I feel like I was leading you on.”
“Never,” Ben said. “I never once felt that way. Did I think you liked me a little? Of course. But you never made me feel like something was going to happen. I did what I did for you then because I cared about you. The same as I do now. Except now I get to tell you I love you. I get to hug you and kiss you. I get to do more too.”
Ben wiggled his eyebrows.
“Typical man,” I said.
“I can’t help it,” he said. He kissed my forehead. “Seriously, you figure out what you want to do and I’ll be there for the ride.”
“I’m going to face him,” I said. “I have to look in Calvin’s eyes. I have to say something. I want to watch the look on his face when I leave. I’m free. I’m alive. I have a great life and family here. He’s got nothing. He’s going to rot in jail for years to come.”
“That’s right,” Ben said.
“Then I’m going to figure out who murdered Claire and Candice. Lizzy and I are going to team up and end this. And it’s going to happen before the parade. So everyone is happy. Because… maybe I’m hanging around Mayor Jim too much… but I agree with him. I would love to see the parade. A small-town Halloween parade. Make it a tradition. I think it’s smart.”
“I love seeing you like this,” Ben said. “Confident. Fierce. That’s the Allie Down I’ve always known.”
“You make me happy, Ben.”
“Did Tommy ever make you happy?” he asked with a grin.
“Oh, is someone a little jealous?” I asked. “Don’t worry. That was a long time ago.”
“Of course it was. You don’t even know about my first love.”
“Yes, I do. Abigail…”
“What?” Ben asked.
“I listened to you too,” I said. “I’ve been in love with you just as long as you’ve been in love with me.”
Ben nodded. “Okay. Let’s get to bed. We’ve got a lot of work to do, Allie Down.”
“In bed?” I asked with a smile. “Or in life?”
Ben thought about it for a second. “Both.”
Chapter Fifty-Five
Life went right back to normal the next morning.
After a quick cup of coffee, I walked into the room to find Ben’s father waving his arms above his head while the nurse was waiting for him to stop so she could check his blood pressure and other vitals.
“What are you doing?” I asked Ben’s father.
“Steph, come here,” he said to me. “Tell this woman not to touch me. She wants to handcuff me!”
“I want to check your blood pressure,” the nurse said. “It’s routine.”
“You’ll be okay,” I said to Ben’s father. “Trust me.”
“I don’t know if I can trust you, Steph,” he said. “I know it was you that took the necklace from Aunt Shirley. They blamed me for it!”
“Ben, you’re going to be just fine,” t
he nurse said with a strong, somewhat loud tone.
“How about you treat him like a human?”
We both looked up to see Lo standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
She was irritated too.
“Lo,” I said.
“I can’t watch this,” Lo said. “Where’s the compassion and care? The poor man is scared and you’re talking to him like he’s an animal.”
The nurse was shocked.
Lo then took full control of the situation.
She walked toward us and crouched down in front of Ben’s father.
“Morning, Ben,” she said.
“Not such a great one here,” he said.
“I know. I bet the weather is driving you crazy again.”
“It sure is. They said rain today. Rain! Did you see it out there? It’s like summer’s returned.”
“I know,” Lo said. “They’re never right. I want you to meet my friend. This is…”
Lo looked at the nurse.
“Angela,” the nurse said.
“Ben, this is Angela,” Lo said. “She needs to check your blood pressure.”
“Why? Is something wrong? Don’t tell my wife. She’ll make me stop eating cheeseburgers.”
“I’ll make you a deal,” Lo said. “You let Angela take your blood pressure and this will be our secret.”
“Deal,” Ben said. “Thank you, Laura. I remember when you were a little girl, skipping along the sidewalk.”
Lo smiled and nodded.
She calmed everyone down in seconds.
Ben came into the living room and looked around.
The nurse checked Ben’s father’s vitals and I took Lo into the kitchen to check on her.
“I’m fine,” she said. “I just don’t like when the nurses get impatient.”
“They’re very good, Lo,” I said. “But you’ve got a good heart.”
An hour later, Ben and I were out the door.
Lo was settled.
The normal nurse was there with Ben’s father.
My mind moved from my home life to my work life.
A few hours later, Lizzy showed up.
“Detective Cold,” I said, offering my hand.
Lizzy wore a black, puffy winter jacket, winter cap, and had thick gloves on. She looked ready to go skiing rather than solve a murder. Her hair stuck out from under her hat and her eyes were as big as ever.
She didn’t look the part but she was good at her job.
Without her, I would have never cracked open the case of The One.
“Nice to see you in person,” she said to me. “Do I call you detective or something else?”
“Allie is fine,” I said.
“As long as you call me Lizzy,” she said.
“Deal.”
I turned and Muldavey suddenly appeared.
“You’re back,” he said to Lizzy. “I mean, you’re here… again. To help?”
“I’m on vacation,” Lizzy said. “I like to take breaks from solving murders to go solve murders in other towns.”
Muldavey laughed weakly.
I thought he was going to float off the floor.
“Muldavey, are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said. He hooked his thumbs into his belt. “Do you need anything, Detective Cold? Coffee? Water? Anything. I’ll go get it. You name it. Even one of those fancy pumpkin spice drinks. I’ll get it.”
“Will you get it?” Lizzy asked.
Muldavey laughed again.
He’s flirting with her. Or at least trying to…
“We’re going to take this to my office,” I said to Muldavey.
“Sure thing,” he said. “Do you remember the way, Detective Cold? I can show you.”
“We’re fine, Muldavey,” I said. “We’re going to go talk. Alone.”
“That means just me and her,” Lizzy said.
Muldavey started to blush. “Of course. Good luck. Not that you’ll need it. You’re going to solve this. I know it.”
“Okay then,” I said.
I put my hand to Lizzy’s back and started to walk.
“He’s staring at us,” Lizzy whispered to me as we walked.
“I think he’s staring at you.”
“Let him,” Lizzy said. “I could use the attention. But I’m never getting involved with a cop ever again.”
“Ever again?” I asked.
“You don’t want to know,” Lizzy said with a wink.
“Muldavey is harmless,” I said. “He’s a good one. I wasn’t sure at first. He was always so jumpy. But when it comes down to it, he’s willing to put his life on the line for this job. He’s smart too. I give him credit for that.”
“Are you playing matchmaker here?” Lizzy asked. “Or are you trying to sell him to yourself?”
I laughed. “I’m not sure Ben would like that.”
“Ben, huh? That’s good. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy for me too,” I said. “I’m also happy you’re here.”
We were outside my office door and I smiled at Lizzy.
“I’m not happy I’m here,” she said. “The circumstances and all. Forgot how cold it can feel too. I’m not used to that autumn chill.”
“Believe it or not, today is a little bit warm.”
“Yeah, well, good for you. Good for everyone here. I should have done this over the phone like last time.”
I opened my office door. “Welcome to Sandemor, Lizzy… now let’s talk.”
Chapter Fifty-Six
“There was a foot in the pumpkin?” Lizzy asked.
“Yes. One of the victim’s.”
“That sounds terrifying.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t get any better after that. It seemed too good to be true. Such an easy case to close up.”
“They always are until they aren’t,” Lizzy said.
“I need that on a t-shirt.”
“What happened next?”
“Claire’s husband, David, had problems with Candice and her situation. She was with a guy named Greg. Her ex was Drew. It was a mess. Candice was sleeping with both. Stringing them along. David didn’t want his wife near that kind of stuff. But then David and Claire weren’t able to get pregnant. The saddest part of this story is that Claire wanted to go for the walk that night. Normally it was Candice calling Claire. That night it was the reverse.”
“And that’s the night something bad happens,” Lizzy said.
“David blames himself. He kept confessing, but he didn’t kill his wife or her best friend. Neither did Drew or Greg. We ran at them from all angles and it wasn’t there. We had to stop wasting time. That’s when the letters started…”
“The letters?”
I explained to Lizzy about the letters I had found.
Leaving a carved pumpkin on the street corner.
Of course, I had to explain about Mrs. Mickels and everything she had done so far in the case.
Lizzy nodded. “So she’s a pain in the butt.”
“Big time. But in a way, she’s all we have. She didn’t do it, of course. But she’s right in the middle.”
“Okay,” Lizzy said. “I think I’m caught up. Mrs. Mickels is a pain. There are notes. Another detective had his vehicle set on fire. Am I all caught up?”
“That’s for the current case,” I said.
“You called me about a possible cold case,” Lizzy said.
“Yes.” I sighed. “Our mayor in town is very involved in this case. That’s a whole other story that involves a parade.”
“I need to hear this.”
“He wants a Halloween parade. A big one. He wants to show the people in town he cares. In reality he wants the visibility because we’re going into an election year.”
“Politics,” Lizzy said. “I’d rather deal with murderers that politicians.”
“I need that on a shirt too,” I said. “The thing is… he’s been through this before.”
“An election? Parade?”
“The same kind of case, Lizzy,” I said. “He told me that years ago something similar happened. A woman turned up dead. She wasn’t from around here. They had no clues. Then letters showed up. Kind of the same thing. It never got violent though. No vehicles set on fire.”
“You think it’s the same person?” Lizzy asked.
“Well, the tricky part is that back then, there was one last note that said the killer would stop as long as he or she could do it again at a later date.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Lizzy said. “And that doesn’t make me feel good.”
“At that time, there wasn’t much help around here in town. The man running it all - Lenny - his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. I guess he just wanted it to go away.”
“Because it wasn’t someone from his town,” Lizzy said.
“Sadly, nobody cared about this woman either. It was all just swept away and forgotten.”
“Until now.”
“Until now,” I said. “Which is why you’re sitting across from me. We have to put our heads together and figure something out. Mayor Jim is going to have his parade whether I like it or not. He’s twisting my arm on this. If I don’t go along with him, it puts me in a bad position. If I go along and this case isn’t solved…”
“Yikes,” Lizzy said.
“Yikes isn’t close to the right word. But, yeah, yikes.”
“Okay,” Lizzy said. She stood up. “So this happened before. Years ago. We’re assuming it’s the same person.”
“As of now, yes,” I said.
“The killer is older. And he or she took down two women…”
“You think the killer had help?”
“It’s possible. Not sure. Maybe someone stumbled across… a notebook? Something the killer left behind?”
“A family thing,” I said. “That still doesn’t get us anywhere.”
“No, but we can talk it all out,” Lizzy said. “Until two pieces of this puzzle connect. The key here is… why? Why wait so long? Right? All these years of waiting. Why right now?”
“That’s the hard part,” I said. “Maybe it’s happened again and we don’t know.”
Lizzy froze. “There you go. Maybe we can look into that angle. See if there were any odd murders around the area. Someone leaving notes.”