Sugar And Spice And Not So Nice

by Janet McNulty

  Chapter 11

  After getting my car from the impound, which cost me about a hundred bucks, I went straight home. I stayed there with no intention of going out. In fact, I wanted nothing further to do with murder, creepy college professors, cops, bars, loud music, or spying on people. As far as I was concerned, my days as a sleuth were done. Only one problem remained: Rachel.

  She spent the weekend badgering me about how I had promised to help her catch her murderer. I understood her frustration. But, she didn’t seem to understand that I could be seriously injured. I had already been attacked by a college professor, a man whom most people would trust. Now I was probably on the hit list of a detective who only wore the badge so he could hide his illicit activities behind it.

  Greg was a darling. He cooked me dinner twice and even served it to me in bed. I had certainly picked a good one for a change. Jackie’s eyes burned with jealously at first. She still had trouble finding a reliable boyfriend. Greg smoothed things over when he cooked a meal for all three of us. I relished every minute of it.

  Monday came like it always does and with it I had to go to work. Luckily, the Candle Shoppe didn’t get any odd customers. Only the regulars came. I was glad for a quiet day. It allowed me a chance to do the Halloween display. I spent the day rearranging shelves in the window. We had a huge assortment of candles for the holiday. I picked through candles shaped like skulls, candy corn, pumpkins, black cats, and ghosts. I laughed at the ghosts. If only people knew that ghosts didn’t look like that.

  After arranging the candles, scented warmers, and candle stands, I sprinkled Halloween confetti around it. Then, I added some cotton to make it look like everything was wrapped in a spider web. After I had finished I stepped back to admire my work. Perfect, I thought. Hopefully, people would buy the stuff. Mr. Stilton ordered a bunch of it which now overflowed in the back storage room.

  I glanced out the window like I normally do from time to time. Detective Reiss stood on the other side of the street watching me. An ominous feeling welled in my stomach. He knew that I was aware of his crimes thanks to my stupidly letting him know that.

  I backed out of the window watching him as he casually strolled down the walk. A sudden awareness that I had painted a target on my back engulfed me. A part of me wished that I had never met Rachel.

  The next morning I got up early to be on time to my film editing class. I found a seat in the back and hoped that Professor Vincent had forgotten about the incident in the computer lab. I shrunk down in my seat when he walked in with other students. Gradually, people filed in and took their seats.

  “Welcome class,” said Professor Vincent.

  I had to hand it to this guy. He was very good at pretending to be normal. I just took notes and pretended to not remember anything from a few days ago.

  Professor Vincent droned on and on. I had managed to block out everything as I automatically took notes. Then, it went silent. I looked up. Tiny and his friends stood in the doorway. Oh no, I thought, this could not be good.

  Everyone stared as the bikers strolled into the classroom. They each sat in an empty seat. I started packing my stuff.

  “Excuse me,” said Professor Vincent, “But this is a class and you don’t belong here.”

  “We’re your new students,” said Tiny.

  “Registration ended a month ago,” said Vincent.

  “Not for us,” said Tiny. He glanced around the room. All eyes were on him. “Class is dismissed for the day.”

  I didn’t need telling twice. I grabbed my stuff and headed out the door. Everyone else followed. They read the signs. They knew that a bunch of bikers showing up in class like that was not a good thing. I hung just outside the door to listen.

  “What do you want,” demanded Vincent.

  Tiny moved dangerously close to the professor. He leaned in letting his bulk intimidate the man. “I know about you and your lust for young women,” said Tiny. “Unfortunately for you, you molested one of my friends.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Vincent. He nervously shoved his papers into his briefcase.

  “I think you do.” Tiny wrapped his giant hand around Vincent’s wrist. “And if I ever hear of you coming near any of the girls here on this college, you just might find yourself on the front of my bike on a long ride outside of town. Got it?”

  “You can’t threaten me. I’ll report you to the police.”

  “And who do you have as a witness?”

  Fear crossed Vincent’s brow. He squirmed uncomfortably.

  I had seen enough and darted out the door before Tiny and his friends exited the room. There was no point in letting them know that I had overheard the entire proceeding. Tiny meant it when he said he would deal with the creepy professor.

  “Mel, did you hear?” Greg ran up to me.

  “Hear what?”

  “The police got a warrant to search Professor Vincent’s office. They’re there right now. And they found the packages of drugs that you took pictures of.”

  “That’s great,” I said. “So he’s going to be arrested?”

  “Looks that way,” replied Greg. “Detective Shorts is on his way here right now.”

  Sure enough, Detective Shorts walked down the footpath toward the building I had just exited. He didn’t acknowledge me as he passed through the entrance. That was fine by me. The less attention I attracted the better.

  Within minutes he came out dragging a handcuffed Professor Vincent. “I’m innocent. I didn’t do it. I’ll sue all of you,” yelled Vincent loud enough for the residents of a cemetery to hear him.

  “Really,” growled Detective Shorts. “Tell that to the D.A. when we show him the amount of drugs we found in your office. And don’t worry. I have the warrant right here.”

  “You can’t do this,” screamed Professor Vincent. “What about those bikers that came here and threatened me?”

  “Bikers? I didn’t notice any bikers. You got witnesses?” Detective Shorts dragged Professor Vincent down the walk and to the waiting patrol car.

  “I guess I don’t need to worry about my eight thirty class anymore,” I said.

  “Hey,” said Greg, “You have to come to the party tomorrow night.”

  “Party?”

  “Yeah. Every year they have a Halloween Parade and some of the stores open up for party goers.”

  “Halloween isn’t for another couple of weeks.”

  “It’s the city’s way of ensuring that the adults get to have their fun without interfering with trick or treaters.”

  “I’ve never heard of this before,” I said.

  “Well the city council voted for it and no one’s disputed it. Most figure it gives them a chance to party twice.”

  “I don’t have a costume,” I said.

  “I’m sure Jackie can help you with that. She’s already agreed to come,” replied Greg

  Figures. Jackie always loved a party. I bet she had already bought a costume for her and for me.

  I breezed through the rest of my classes that day. Hardly anything got done. The campus was abuzz with the news of Vincent’s arrest. Many of the young women on campus seemed relieved. My guess was that he had cornered them too, but they were afraid of pressing charges.

  Many of the other professors on campus seemed surprised. The guy hid his obsession well. Some of the female professors, however, were not astonished at all. Either way, my classes were more of a study hall as everyone talked about the arrest of a college professor.

  I used the time to get ahead on some of my school work. This way I could go to the party with Greg and not have to worry about school or work. After my time playing detective, I needed a break. I wanted a break.

  The only person who could ruin a good time would be—

  “Rachel,” I said, “You can’t expect me to stop living just to satisfy your need for peace.” />
  “But you promised. And think of all the times I got you out of trouble,” she pleaded.

  “After you got me into trouble,” I reminded her.

  “Look, I haven’t had a chance to go out with Greg in a while. For once I have a day off from both school and work. I plan on having a little fun.”

  “So catching my murderer means nothing to you anymore?”

  “Rachel,” I said, “It’s not like that. We know who did it. Professor Vincent was arrested today. Detective Shorts knows that Reiss killed you and covered up the crime. He also knows that Reiss has been stealing from the evidence locker and giving drugs to Vincent. It’s only a matter of time until the guy is arrested. After that he might confess.”

  “But what if he doesn’t?”

  “He’ll still go to prison,” I reminded her. “Look, I know you want him tried for your murder. But without that video evidence it might not happen. At least he’ll still go to prison and be off the streets.”

  “I just wanted him tried for what happened to me,” said Rachel, “I want people to know that Tom didn’t do it.”

  “The only way that might happen is if we get a confession. Detective Reiss isn’t that stupid.”

  “You’re right,” said Rachel. “I guess we did what we could.”

  “Right,” I said, “It’s time to let the cops handle it. I am going to have some fun tomorrow and try to be a normal college kid.”

  I was glad that Rachel relented. What did she expect me to do? I had already solved the case and gave what I had to Detective Shorts. Hopefully, the system would take care of it. All I needed to do was stay away from Detective Reiss.

  Jackie waltzed through the door with a couple of bags. Just as I thought; she had gone shopping and bought costumes for the both of us.

  “We are all set for tomorrow night,” she said. She put the bags down and dumped the contents. “I bought you an Egyptian costume. And for me, I’m going to be a Chinese Empress.”

  “Considering you’re part Chinese, don’t you think it’s a bit cliché?”

  “Not at all. And I’m part Korean, remember. Besides, it was either this or the clown.”

  “I see your point,” I said picking up my costume. Sometimes I wondered if Jackie was made of money. She worked, but always had a lot of cash. “Where did you get the money for this?”

  “I have a rich uncle,” replied Jackie.

  I didn’t know if she was pulling my leg or telling the truth. I figured she had someone who gave her money. “As long as it isn’t illegal,” I joked.

  “Well you know,” smiled Jackie.

  The next evening arrived and not soon enough for me. I wasn’t the only one stoked for this parade. The entire complex was abuzz with excitement, the same with downtown. Apparently, the parade and after party was a big deal.

  I twirled in front of a floor length mirror admiring myself in my costume. Jackie had helped me with my makeup. “Are we meeting Greg there?” I asked her.

  They had planned this entire affair as a surprise for me. “Yeah, he’ll meet us there,” she replied.

  “You look good,” said Rachel.

  “You think so? Thanks.” I twirled again.

  “You know, in the time I lived here, I never did go to the parade,” said Rachel.

  “You should come,” I invited. “Besides, you could probably get on one of the floats.”

  Rachel beamed at my suggestion. “I just might do that.” She disappeared.

  Same old Rachel, I thought. Despite the trouble she caused, I had grown fond of her. She was a good friend despite the fact that she was dead.

  Jackie and I left the apartment and went to the parade. We took her car since mine still smelled of onions. She managed to find a parking space right next to the beginning of the parade. I don’t know how she did it. Leave it to Jackie to find something. Even if it was the best parking space in town.

  Greg met us and led us to where he had already set up camp. “I have food and drinks,” he said.

  “You guys outdid yourself,” I said.

  “We figured you needed some time out,” said Jackie, “And not at a bar where you try to corner a killer.”

  I grinned sheepishly. I appreciated what they did. And they were right, I had been a bit reckless lately. And stressed.

  The paraded started and all those gathered screamed with excitement. Each float was filled with ghouls, ghosts, and skeletons. Jack o’ lanterns littered the sidewalk. I oohed and aahed with the rest of the crowd. People pushed against us as they passed by. With the streets so crowded, it was a wonder anyone could around.

  The next float that rolled by had a giant blown up ghost on it. Black cats surrounded it along with a mesh of pumpkin lights. I nearly choked when I noticed who was on it. Rachel. She sat atop the blown up ghost. She waved at me with a huge grin. I waved back pleased that she was having some fun.

  Rachel jumped off the ghost causing it to lean back and forth. People marveled at it thinking that it was part of the show. I laughed out loud.

  “What?” asked Greg.

  “Just Rachel,” I said, “She caused the ghost to move.”

  “She’s here?”

  “Of course she’s here,” I said. “I invited her.” My tone ended the conversation.

  Just as the parade got to the halfway point nature called. I frowned. Why is it you always need a bathroom just when there isn’t one around? I excused myself. They offered to come with me, but I turned them down. No point in making a big family trip to the bathroom.

  The crowd had worsened as I navigated my way to a bathroom. I weaved as best I could. Mostly I just shoved people out of my way. Some complained, but I ignored them. Did they honestly expect not to get pushed around a bit in this mess?

  Naturally when I reached the bathroom a lined snaked around to the outside and around the corner of the building. I glanced over at the men’s room. No one. And guys wonder why women get crazy when it comes to going to the restroom.

  I ran over to the men’s room. Cautiously, I opened the door. “Hello,” I called.

  No answer.

  Thinking it was safe I went in and locked the door. I did my business really quick. Believe it or not, there was actually soap in the dispenser. I don’t think most men bother to wash their hands.

  I slowly opened the door and peeked outside. Thinking the coast was clear I slipped out quickly and ran into a guy trying to get in the bathroom. He glared at me cocking his head so that his pirate hat almost fell off.

  “What,” I said, “Have you seen the line at the women’s room?”

  I ran off leaving him to ponder my statement. Now that my bladder felt relieved, I wormed my way back to Jackie and Greg. The place was more packed than it was a minute ago. Talk about a popular event.

  Calloused fingers wrapped themselves around my arm. A sudden jerk yanked me off my feet. I struggled to get away. My masked assailant dragged my down an alley and away from the parade.

  A hand clamped over my mouth preventing me from screaming. I bit it. In response I received a blow to my face. A gag was shoved in my mouth and my arms were pinned behind my back. I squirmed as best I could, but it was useless. The man had a firm hold on me.

  He dragged me further down the dark alley until the screams of the crowd faded. I lost my breath as the man forced me against a hard brick wall. The foul gag was ripped from my mouth.

  “Go ahead and scream,” said the man. “No one will hear you.” He removed his mask.

  Words can’t describe what I thought. Detective Reiss stood before me bearing down on me. Even the wrath of God could not compare to this man’s features. He wrapped his fingers around my throat.

  “Let me go,” I wailed.

  Reiss laughed maniacally.

  I thought I saw movement behind him. He noticed my eyes flicker and whipped around. Not
hing.

  “Hoping someone will save you? No one knows where you are. By the time your friends find you, you will be as talkative as that Rachel.”

  His foul breath curled my toes. “Why did you do it?” I asked, “Why’d you kill her?”

  “You’re about to die and all you care about is why I killed some stupid college kid?”

  I kept my mouth shut.

  “You saw that video. You know what would have happened if she had sent it to the station. I couldn’t let it happen. Though maybe I should have killed that Vincent then too. But at the time I needed him. I got him the drugs and he sold them on campus.

  “Don’t look surprised. Every town and college has a dark side. It was a sweet deal. We both made a lot of money. Vincent’s problem is he can’t keep his pants zipped. If he had, I wouldn’t have had to kill that other girl to keep her silent.

  “But then that Rachel had to stumble upon us and tape the whole thing on her phone. I chased after her at first, but she got away. Imagine my surprise when I saw her running across the campus acting all frightened. I followed her. I managed to catch her before she could send that video, but not before she managed to hide it.

  “When the captain put me in charge of the case, I could not have planned it more perfectly. Certain pieces of evidence disappeared. I was disappointed when I couldn’t pin it on her boyfriend. Doesn’t matter. I got away. Her death remains unsolved. Just like yours.”

  I kneed him in the groin. He loosened his grip just enough for me to push him away. Unfortunately, my costume was not built for running. Reiss grabbed me and threw me to the ground. Bits of broken glass burned as they dug into my skin. He kicked me in the stomach.

  “You are proving to be more trouble than you are worth,” said Reiss a he circled me. “I don’t know how you found out about Rachel or that phone. But you know way too much.” He rammed his foot into my stomach again. “You are a pain. At least you’ll bother me no more.”

  I heard the crackling of plastic. Reiss unrolled a bunch of plastic as he loomed over me. Before I knew it, he wrapped the plastic tightly around my head covering my mouth and nose.

  I flailed my arms frantically to get him off of me. My lung burned for air.

  “With the madness of the parade, no one will notice you for a long time. They may even think it was a mugging gone bad,” bragged Reiss, “Either way, I’ll be long gone by the time anyone finds your body.”

  My world began to go black. My mind refused to focus as lack of oxygen got to me. A loud clang echoed in the alley. Reiss dropped me.

  “What the,” he began.

  I heard him gasp as something hard rammed into him causing him to double over. He moved around as some invisible force chased him.

  Despite being released, I was unable to free myself from the suffocating plastic. I lay sprawled on the ground waiting the inevitable. Hands grasped me. They tore at the plastic ripping it from my mouth.

  I sucked in air.

  “Mel! Mel!” Both Greg and Jackie bent over me helping me up. I answered them by breathing deeply.

  “How’d you find me?” I asked them.

  “That’s a long story,” said Jackie. “Rachel whispered something about you being in trouble. When you didn’t return I called Detective Shorts.”

  I glanced over and saw Detective Shorts cuffing Reiss. I felt a phone being shoved into my hand. Looking up, I saw Rachel.

  “It’s all on here,” she said. “Make sure that Shorts guy gets it.”

  “Miss Summers,” said Detective Shorts as he walked up to me, “Are you all right? Do you need an ambulance?”

  “I’ll be fine,” I said.

  Detective Shorts must have seen the pain in my face and waved a paramedic over. “Mr. Reiss has refused to say anything. Can you tell me what happened?”

  I handed Detective Shorts the phone. He took it. “Just press play,” I said.

  Detective Shorts brought up the video that Rachel had recorded. It had everything: Reiss’ confession to stalking me, his intention to kill me, and his confession to murdering Rachel. “This should put him away for a long time. Good thinking; recording everything.”

  “Mel, you play dangerously.”

  I turned and saw Tiny.

  “We ran into him in our effort to find you,” said Greg.

  After the paramedic examined me and said I would be fine, my friends led me away. We walked past the parked patrol cars. Everyone stared at the commotion. I guess a bunch of cop cars with flashing lights is more interesting than any parade.

  “You bitch,” Reiss spat at me. “This isn’t over. I’ll come for you. You can be sure of that.”

  Usually, I am an easy going person. But that guy really got under my skin. I had had enough of his garbage. I marched up to him when no one was looking. Using the combined energy of my anger and strength, I seized Reiss by the back of the neck and bashed his face three times into the hood of the car.

  “This is for Rachel,” I said with each bang, “This is for trying to kill me. And this is for being a complete scumbag.”

  I stalked off pleased with my work.

  “I think I’m a bad influence on you,” said Rachel. She smacked Reiss in the back of the head.

  “Well, you know what they say,” I began, “Sugar and spice—”

  “And not so nice,” finished Rachel.

  We high fived each other. At that point I didn’t care if people thought I was crazy as I slapped thin air.

  “Did you see that,” yelled Reiss, “That bitch broke—”

  “Did what,” demanded Detective Shorts. “This?” He bashed Reiss’ face into the hood of the car. “You know,” he said getting close to Reiss’ face, “You’re going away for a long time with this confession. You know what they do to cops in prison? Especially dirty cops?” Shorts shoved Reiss toward a uniformed officer. “Get this trash out of here.”

  After I finished giving my statement to the cops, Detective Shorts released my friends and me. In the car I got the entire story of how they found me.

  “Like I said,” said Jackie, “Rachel whispered to me that you were in trouble. Greg and I followed her. That’s when we met Tiny.”

  “They told me you were in trouble,” he said, “So of course I came along.”

  “That noise in the alley told us where you were,” added Greg. “Tiny ripped Reiss right off of you after he seemed to take a hit from some unseen force.”

  “Thanks guys. Especially you Rachel,” I said.

  “I have my moments,” said Rachel.

  “And we found that guy that broke into your apartment,” said Tiny, “Reiss paid him to rough you up a bit and paid someone else to take Greg’s car.”

  “Did you take them to the police?” I asked.

  “I’m sure the cops will find them at some point,” replied Tiny, “Right now Sombrero and the boys took them on a nice long ride on a very lonely highway.”

  When I got home that night, I fell straight into bed and was out cold.

  Chapter 12

  Several days passed after my near death incident. Something I’d rather not repeat. I hadn’t seen Rachel in all that time. I hoped she had finally moved on.

  “You got something from the college,” said Jackie handing me a letter.

  I ripped it opened hoping it wasn’t a bill, or equally bad news. Instead, it was a check and a letter. The letter was short and to the point. It stated that since Professor Vincent was involved in illicit activities and was arrested, all classes that he taught were cancelled for the Semester. The check was a refund for taking his course. Add to that the fact that everyone who had registered for his class would receive full credit for it anyway.

  I guess the university wished to avoid a lawsuit. Especially since a flourish of girls came forward and filed harassment charges.

  “Wow, a refund from the university. That rarely happens
.”

  I turned around and there stood Rachel. “Rachel,” I said, “I thought you’d have moved on by now.”

  “Close,” said Rachel, “I wanted to give you this.” She placed a necklace in my palm. It was a silver dolphin. “I want you to have it,” she continued, “I don’t need it anymore. It’s a thank you present.”

  “Rachel, I can’t.”

  “Take it. You were the first to listen to me. The first to truly care about catching the guy that killed me.”

  “It’s beautiful,” I said.

  “Dolphins always were my favorite animal.”

  “So I guess this is good-bye.”

  “Yeah, it’s time I moved on. Call it Heaven or crossing over if you like. But I know where I belong now and it’s time I go where we all do when we die. My grandmother is waiting for me.”

  “See you around,” I said.

  “Oh, I’m sure we’ll meet again,” said Rachel, “Just don’t follow me anytime soon.”

  I chuckled. “You can count on that. Good-bye, Rachel.”

  She vanished.

  “Hey, Mel, what’s up?” asked Jackie reentering the room.

  “Nothing,” I said.

  “Where’s Rachel?”

  “She left,” I replied.

  What else could I say? The time had come for her to move forward. The same for me. Life goes on.

 

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  Frogs, Snails, And A Lot of Wails