by Nancy CoCo
“Make sure you have enough food,” she said. “The last thing we need is a riot on our hands.”
“Good thinking.” I told her goodbye and hit END. Then I dialed the caterer.
“This is Reeves Catering, Terra speaking.”
“Hi, Terra,” I said. “We have a last-minute change of plans for tonight’s dinner. Shane and Jenn are moving their rehearsal to tomorrow morning.”
“Oh dear,” she said. “What can I do to help?”
“We have a hotel full of friends and family. I was wondering if you could bring some dishes to augment what the Oak’s is serving. There are about eighty people here and we only planned on the wedding party eating at the Oak’s tonight. I thought we could eat buffet style.”
“Well, I usually make up a lot of the food in advance, so I don’t know about feeding all the guests . . .”
“Oh okay,” I said with a sigh.
“Most caterers do,” she said. “But you know what? I had a cancelation yesterday, so I have some extra food I can bring and we can do a mixed menu buffet.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said with some relief. “Can you be here at eight?”
“Sure thing,” she said.
“Thanks. You can coordinate with the Oak’s on what they are bringing, and let me know if you need anything else,” I said and hit END on my phone. I looked out across the island. “Where are you, Jenn? What clue did you leave me?”
People were coming back to the roof with plates in hand and pops. I went back downstairs and found my parents talking to Jenn’s folks. Shane’s parents were there, too. I hoped Frances had found a room for them. They were from St. Ignace, so they hadn’t reserved a room.
“Allie, what’s happening?” Mom asked me.
“Well, as I said, it appears Jenn and Shane are missing. It looks like they are most likely still alive. I saw several sets of footprints walking away from the house.”
“Oh dear,” Shane’s mother said and covered her mouth with her hand. “Are the police working on it?”
“Yes,” I said and gave her a big hug. “We think we know who did it and that man is in police custody.”
“So this should all be resolved in the next few hours,” Jenn’s dad said as he rubbed his wife’s back.
“I certainly think so,” I said, putting up a brave front. “In the meantime, I’m going to call the pastor to let him know the rehearsal has been moved to tomorrow morning. The caterer to coming here to set up a mixed menu buffet so everyone can eat.”
“Okay,” Jenn’s dad said.
“But a lot of people have come to see the island,” Mom said. “You’re spoiling their vacation.”
I looked around as family members played board games and talked. “They don’t look like we’ve ruined anything,” I said. “Besides, finding Jenn and Shane is the police department’s top priority. Heaven help us if more relatives went missing.”
Jenn’s mom started crying and I handed her a tissue. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I tried to put on a brave face.”
“She’s been crying in her room,” Shane’s mom told me.
“Well, I would be, too,” I said. “But you have to know the police are doing their best.”
“Do you think the kidnapper is going to ask for a ransom?” Shane’s dad asked. “We’ll pay whatever.”
“Yes,” Jenn’s dad said. “We will pay.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that just yet,” I said.
“Don’t they usually set up a phone recorder or something?” Jenn’s mom asked.
“Rex has the suspect in custody,” I said. “It’s just a matter of time before he gives them up.”
“All I can do is pace,” Jenn’s mom said. “I don’t know what to do with the family.”
“Don’t you worry about anything,” I said. “Frances and I will take care of the guests.” I handed my dad the key to my apartment. “Dad, can you take the Chris-tensens and the Carpenters up to the apartment? You all should stay there. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Come on,” Dad said and guided them up the stairs. “Let’s make you comfortable.”
Frances came over. “Where are they going?”
“I sent them up to the apartment. They don’t need to be down here worrying everyone.”
“The rest don’t seem that worried,” Frances said and frowned.
“I think they think this is all a setup,” I said. “A prank Jenn pulled.”
“Hmmm, that makes sense,” Frances said. “She does like her jokes.”
“I don’t want them to think anything else right now,” I said. “We don’t want the whole place pacing and crying.”
My phone rang. “Excuse me,” I said and went to the back room. “Rex?”
“Allie,” he said. “How’s everyone holding up?”
“Jenn and Shane’s parents are a mess, of course,” I said. “I sent them to my apartment with my folks. The rest seem to think it’s part of a mystery dinner or something.”
“Let’s keep it that way,” Rex said.
“Did Peter tell you where they are? Or why he took them?” I asked.
“Peter isn’t telling us much beyond what he told you,” Rex said and I could hear what sounded like him wiping a hand over his face. “I’m thinking this is a dead end.”
“Did the other cops find anything else at the scene?” I asked. “Any clues? Any reasons why?”
“I’ve got guys sifting through stuff now,” he said.
“What can I do? I canceled the rehearsal, of course, told everyone it will be tomorrow morning.”
“Just hang out there and make sure no one leaves.”
“Jenn’s mom wanted to know if there was going to be a ransom demand and if you’d be tracing her cell phone.” I rolled my shoulders to help ease the tension that was building.
“She’s not wrong,” he said. “Has anyone gotten a call?”
“Not that I’ve heard,” I said. “My mom and dad have been with Jenn and Shane’s folks ever since I announced it.”
“Good,” he said. “I’ll send over Officers Brown and Lasko to relay the cell phones in case the kidnappers call.”
“What if they’re in the woods somewhere?” I asked.
“We’ve got people scouring the island,” he said. “I called in some help from Mackinaw City. They’re working their way from Main Street across the island. If they are out there, we’ll find them.”
“Whoever took them must know the island well,” I said. “It has to be a local or you would have found them by now.”
“Just do me a favor,” he said, “and stay at the McMurphy. I promise we’ll get this figured out.”
“I’ll do my best,” I said. “Stay safe.”
“Stay safe,” he replied.
* * *
No ransom calls came in. Jenn and Shane’s parents were beside themselves. My mom did a great job of ensuring that Mrs. Christensen and Mrs. Carpenter had warm tea and blankets. Mr. Christensen paced back and forth. I excused myself when the door buzzer rang.
Terra was there with the food. “I stopped at the Oak’s and picked up the meal you all had planned for tonight. It’s quite a bit.”
I helped her unload it from her cart and set up the buffet in the lobby. Most of the guests had gone to their rooms or up on the roof. A few seniors had stayed and continued playing board games.
“How are Jenn and Shane’s parents holding up?” Terra asked.
“Not well,” I said. “It’s been hours and no ransom call. That could be a good sign or a bad one.” We set up aluminum pans filled with potatoes, roasted veggies, and salad. Terra set the warm foods on top of kerosene burners. There were rolls and then a pan filled with beef and another one with chicken. She had brought cold cuts and cheese also in case anyone wanted a sandwich.
“This looks terrific,” Frances said. “Thank you for feeding so many so quickly.”
“Anything for Jenn’s family,” Terra said. She looked around.
“Is this all?”
“No,” I said. “Most are either in their rooms resting or on the rooftop.”
“It’s amazing you’ve been able to keep them all inside,” Terra said.
“It’s for their own safety,” I said. “Rex doesn’t want them to be kidnapped as well.”
“Any idea who would kidnap the bride and groom?” Terra asked. “Is this some kind of bad prank? I can’t imagine anyone who would want bad things to happen to Jenn and Shane. They are the nicest people.”
“Rex is working on figuring it out,” I said. “Do I need to get any of this back to you?”
“No, it’s all disposable, even the plates and utensils. I know it’s bad for the environment, but sometimes you have to go that way. You have better things to do than wash dishes.”
“Thanks, Terra,” I said and patted her shoulder. “Frances, can you let all the guests know there is food?”
“Will do,” Frances said and started toward the seniors first.
“I’ll walk you out,” I said to Terra and we went out the back. “Be safe on your way home. Things are crazy right now.”
“I will,” she said and grabbed her cart and walked down the alley.
“Hey, Allie!”
I turned to see Liz walking quickly toward me. “Liz, what’s going on?”
“I’ve got some news,” she said. “It seems Becky remembered something.”
“What? Really? Do you think that’s why Shane and Jenn are gone?”
“It could be,” Liz said. “The killer has to be getting nervous.”
“Do you think they’re on the island or are they going after Becky?”
“Who?”
“The killer,” I said.
“I think he went after Shane first,” she said. “My guess is Jenn just got caught up in it.”
“Which means they are probably all on the island,” I said. “Rex has Peter in custody, but he swears he didn’t do it.”
“Becky remembered that she has a stalker,” Liz said. “She wasn’t sure if it was related to Christopher’s murder, but I think it is.”
“Who’s the stalker? Do they live on the island?”
“Becky said it was one of the painters on the island,” Liz said. “He has brown hair that is receding fast. He always stayed just outside of her line of sight, but she noticed he wore painter’s pants and a shirt and cap splattered with color.”
“Sounds like Peter,” I said.
“Becky remembers telling Christopher and Shane about it,” Liz said. “Shane said he might know who the stalker was and would talk to him.”
“So maybe Shane was roofied before he could talk to the stalker,” I said. “Maybe the stalker had plans to tell Becky how he feels. Wait, did she say how he stalked her? Was there anything unusual or did she just notice him following her?”
“She said he would leave flowers on the front porch of her subleased rental. She just assumed they were sent to someone else who lived there before her. Then one time she came home to find someone had gone through her dresser and laid on her bed. It was creepy.”
“Sounds creepy,” I said and made a face.
“Not only that but they left flowers inside the house with a love note,” Liz said.
“Okay, now I have goose bumps,” I said.
“She told Shane to look over the apartment like a crime scene. He did and picked up fingerprints.”
“So Shane knew who it was?”
“The fingerprints weren’t in any database,” Liz said. “Well, that’s when Becky moved in with Christopher.”
“Smart girl,” I said.
“But the stalking didn’t stop. She spotted the cap and the outfit on the man following her.” Liz rubbed her arms. “I’m sure whoever did this was the one who killed Christopher and has now taken Jenn and Shane.”
“I know a painter, Mike Hangleford. He painted the McMurphy. We can go talk to him. He’s a nice guy and has lived here all his life. Maybe he knows who the stalker is and can point us to Jenn and Shane.”
“Let’s go now,” Liz said.
“I’ll leave a text for Frances so she won’t worry.” I pulled out my phone and texted where we were going.
Frances replied with OK, stay safe, call Rex if you find anything out.
“It’s always best to have someone know where you’re going,” I said. We hurried off in the direction of Mike Hangleford’s house.
Super Easy Fudge
Ingredients:
1 16-ounce can vanilla frosting
12 ounces chocolate chips
Directions:
Combine frosting and chocolate in a glass bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir and microwave 30 seconds more, stir, and repeat as needed until melted and combined. Grease an 8 x 8-inch pan. Pour fudge into pan and let cool. Cut into one-inch pieces. Makes 32. Enjoy!
Note: You can have fun with this by selecting any frosting and substituting white chocolate chips for birthday cake fudge, pink strawberry fudge, etc. This is a great activity for older kids. Might be too hot for kids under eight.
Chapter 17
Mike lived on top of the hill in a neighborhood that looked out toward St. Ignace. His home was a beautiful bungalow that looked as if it was built in the 1930s. The house was painted white with blue trim on the shutters. Liz opened the gate to the picket fence and we walked up onto the front porch. The roof of the porch was the same sky blue as the trim.
Liz rang the doorbell, waited five seconds, and knocked on the door with the side of her fist.
“Mike, it’s Allie McMurphy and Liz McElroy,” I said.
The door opened suddenly. “Allie, Liz,” Mike greeted us. “What brings you here?”
“Can we come in?” I asked.
“Sure,” he said, and we stepped into hardwood floors, lots of wood trim, and a long open living and dining area with a kitchen at the back. Mike glanced both ways before he closed the door. “Sit, ladies, sit,” he said. “Can I get you two a beverage? Tea maybe?”
“Tea would be great,” I said and we both sat on the couch. The room was painted a pale blue. The area rug in the living room was a deeper blue and white with a Persian motif. The couch was comfortable, but you could tell Mike was a bachelor. The room was missing the touches that a woman usually added, like pillows and curtains.
He came out with two mugs with tea bags and hot water in them. Steam rose from the top. “Sorry. I don’t have a tray, so I’ll have to hand these to you. Do either of you want milk or sugar?”
“I’m good,” I said.
“Sugar please,” Liz said.
“Be right back,” he said and hurried off. Mike was not wearing his painter’s clothes and instead wore jeans, heavy boots, and a gray T-shirt.
“Sugar,” he said and handed Liz two tiny paper sugars he must have picked up from a diner.
“Thanks,” she said and tore them both open and put them in her tea. She swirled her mug, then took a sip. “This tastes great. Thanks.”
I wrapped my hands around mine to keep them warm. “Listen, Mike, you know all the painters on the island, right?”
“Sure,” he said. “If they haven’t worked for me, they’ve worked with me. Why?”
“Apparently, Becky Langford had a stalker. She saw him once or twice watching her. He wore a painter’s outfit.”
“Really?” he said and sipped his tea.
I mirrored him, lifting my cup, but then putting it down. “We want to know if maybe you heard anything. Or if you know who was crushing on Becky. I’m sure guys talk. Did you hear any gossip?”
He just looked at me for a moment. Liz took another sip of her tea.
“Did you hear anything at all?” I asked.
“Well, most guys had a crush on Becky at one time or the other. She is a beautiful woman. Sad to hear what happened to her. Are you sure she said it was a painter?” He sipped his tea and I did, too.
“I’m sure,” Liz said.
“We need to know now,” I said. �
�Because someone took Jenn and Shane. We figure it might be whoever is stalking Becky.”
“Well, now, Peter liked her,” he said.
“Peter is in police custody and doesn’t have any idea who took them,” Liz said. Her words were starting to slur.
“Liz?” I asked and tried to stand up but felt dizzy. “Wow, that’s weird,” I said.
Mike put his cup on the end table and stood. “Are you two all right?”
“I feel tipsy,” Liz said and wiped her mouth with her hand. “Can’t feel my face.”
“Liz,” I said. “Are you okay?”
“Just want to close my eyes a minute,” she said.
Mike caught her cup as she closed her eyes and went limp.
It dawned on me that we’d been drugged. I still had most of my faculties because I’d only taken one sip. But I didn’t want him to know that. “Mike?” I slurred and closed my eyes, pretending to go limp. He gently took my cup from me.
“Well, ladies,” I heard him say. “Sorry to have to do this to you, but you were getting too close to the truth.”
It was hard not to try to run. Relaxing and pretending to be out of it was the best thing to do at this point. Mike must be the killer. Most likely he had my friends somewhere. With any luck, he would take us there and we could all get out of this.
I felt him reach into my pocket and retrieve my phone. I wished he’d left it, but even without a phone, there had to be a way for me to figure things out.
“All right, you first,” I heard him say to Liz. Through the slits of my eyes I saw him pick her up and toss her over his shoulder. He then strode with purpose to the second door from the back porch. It must be his basement. When he disappeared down the stairs I knew I didn’t have a lot of time. I opened my eyes and looked for something, anything, that might help us.
My phone was on the end table. If I took it back, would he miss it? I grabbed it quickly and placed it in the pocket he’d taken it from. That way if he did notice, he might just think he hadn’t removed it in the first place. Next, I grabbed the spoon from Liz’s cup and stuffed it in my shoe. Finally, I poured some of my tea into Liz’s cup so it looked like we drank the same amount. I didn’t want him to get suspicious. His footsteps were loud coming up the stairs and I quickly went back to my limp pose.