The Ghost Dances the Nutcracker

by Kristine Frost

  London reached down a hand to help Georgette to her feet.

  Farmer smiled. “Give me your phone number. I’ll email these pictures to you. It will save you time.”

  Thomas recited his number. Farmer quickly forwarded the photos to him. Thomas took a quick look through them. “These look good. Thanks.”

  London looked up as Deacon walked up. “I got our witness to work. She wanted to stay. I guess she gets paid by the hour and can’t miss the work. She has a sick kid and an aged mother to support.”

  Thomas looked from London to Deacon. “You have a witness. Did she give you the time of death?”

  Tolliver nodded. “It was 8:05. She was late to work which was why she saw the whole thing.” London quickly gave him the rundown of her statement.

  Deacon looked at the three men. “She was concerned about her statement. She doesn’t have the money to come downtown so I told her we’d get it typed up and I’d bring it to her for her signature. I hope that’s okay.”

  “I’d like you to get it typed up so she can sign it before she goes home. I don’t want her telling her story before we get the statement.” Tolliver nodded. “I’ll call the office, get it dictated. We could have it back in fifteen or twenty minutes.”

  Georgette looked at Thomas. “I didn’t do anything with the body other than look for identification and put his finger on my phone’s scanner.”

  She pulled the painter’s knife it its evidence bag from her kit. “This was right here.” She pointed to where the knife had been found.

  Farmer added, “There are several shots of it in situ in the pics I sent you.”

  London sent Farmer and Deacon to interview anyone working in the buildings around the crime scene.

  There was a ding on Georgette’s phone. She pulled it out. “We got hit, not from Interpol but from the Surete.

  Tolliver looked shocked. “Who’s messed up in this case that could have anything to do with the Surete?”

  “The man’s name is Oliver Pearce.” Her phone rang. Glancing at the name attached to the call, she handed the phone to London. “I think you’ll want to take this. It’s l’agent Marciano.”

  London began to smile as he reached for the phone. “I’ve worked with him before.” He pushed the on button. “Marciano, long time no hear from you.”

  “London, is that you? How in the world did you get mixed up in with Oliver Pearce?”

  “I was called in on a hit and run murder.”

  “You, Scotland Yard’s finest called in on a murder. What’s the punch line?”

  “Hinckley thought it might be tied in with the murder of a quasi-French ballerina that was strangled a few days ago.”

  “Pearce has never been known to be violent. In fact, he’s always handled anyone he runs into during the course of a crime with extreme politeness. They are so taken with him, that half the time they don’t want to believe he was the one who stole their jewels.”

  “We don’t know, yet, if he’s the one who might be tied in this the murder. We’re going to have to check the fingerprints found at another crime scene.” London quickly filled him in on the case.

  “This sounds interesting. I think I’ll fly over and take a quick look at this man. I’m sure I can identify him if it’s Pearce.”

  “Don’t be too sure. The man who hit him hard enough to fling him 18 meters also purposely ran over his face.”

  “Purposely, you say?”

  “Our witness says so. She saw the whole thing.”

  London could imagine Marciano shaking his head. “It’s a little ironic that the man who was anti-violence died by violence.”

  “If it was Pearce. I’d really like to know if Pearce and Pasqual are the same man.”

  “I just checked the computer. I can catch the next plane out, in thirty minutes. Pick me up at Heathrow in an hour.” The line went dead.

  London handed Georgette her phone. “Marciano is catching the next plane. I’m to pick him up at Heathrow in an hour.”

  Tolliver grinned. “I think he’s pushing it and so will you if you think you can get to Heathrow in an hour.”

  London laughed. “I’m not even going to try. He can’t even clear customs in an hour. I want to finish up here first.

  The M.E. said, “I’ve done all I can do until I get the body back to autopsy.” He motioned by his assistants to bring a stretcher and a body bag. “My men will finish up here. Any requests?”

  “We need to know why he was staggering. Was he drunk or drugged? If he was drugged that argues premeditation.” London said.

  “I’d say running over his head argues premeditation. Someone didn’t want him identified.”

  “Or he pissed someone off real bad.” Farmer said. “There weren’t many windows facing this side of the road. Deacon’s gone across the street to see what he can find there. I’ll start there.” He pointed to a long row of windows at the paper company.

  Georgette said, “I’ll head back with Thomas. I may be able to find our man using the traffic cams.

  London nodded. “Okay. I’ll check with the Metro squad. They may have found something, then I’ll grab a cab to the airport.”

  London walked over to where a Metro police lieutenant was standing. “Have your men found anything?”

  The lieutenant looked over to where one of his men was waving at him. “Maybe so. Let’s check.”

  The constable held up a white metal square in his gloved hand. “Sir, I don’t know if this came off the car that hit the victim, but if you look at the back side--” he turned it over, “It looks like blood and brain splatter.”

  London turned and motioned for the M.E. who came running followed by Georgette pulling a large evidence bag out of her kit.

  The M. E. took the plate carefully. He looked at the back with a magnifying glass. “I think this came off our car.”

  He looked at the constable. “Good job. Where did you find it?”

  The constable walked over to the curb where the road went around a corner. “From the tire tracks, it looks like the front tire hit the curb. I suspect it jarred the license plate loose.”

  Georgette grabbed her camera. She began taking pictures of the skid marks, the back of the license plate and where the license plate lay in the snow.

  She pulled out an evidence bag and carefully scooped the snow from underneath where the plate had lain into the bag. She marked everything carefully with the location, time and date.

  “It might be best if I put this in the cooler.” She looked at London who nodded.

  London looked at his watch. Turning to the lieutenant, “I need to go pick up a colleague at the airport. Will you please make sure everything gets to the Yard?”

  The lieutenant nodded.

  As London called for a cab, there was a prickle, a tiny tickle at the back of his mind. He couldn’t isolate it, but he knew it was there and that it was important.

  Chapter 28—The Morgue

  That night, London looked at Marciano. “You’re sure you can’t tell who the man is.”

  Mournfully, Marciano shook his head. “Even his own mother couldn’t tell who he is. He had no head, no face, nothing but fingerprints to identify him.”

  London looked from Marciano to Georgette who had watched the autopsy as part of her forensics duties.

  Georgette pushed up the plastic shield she wore over her face. “No luck?” She asked.

  “None. We know that this man was Oliver Pearce but we don’t know if Oliver Pearce is Adolphe Pasqual. The only connection is the jewelry you found in Duval’s apartment. Marciano brought pictures of the pieces Pearce is reported to have stolen.” London motioned for them to step away from the autopsy table.

  “We sent the pictures to our forensic jewel specialist to see if she can match the pieces found with the pieces stolen. That could take several days and you know the rule--”

  Georgette laughed. “I do. Every hour after the first 48 hours and the chance of solving the crime goes down.”
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  She pulled out her phone, thumbing through her texts. She looked at Marciano. “Do you have a picture of Oliver Pearce?”

  “I do. But it is of no use because no one has a picture of Adolphe Pasqual.” His eyes were melancholy. His whole demeanor was of a man buckling under the weight of exquisite sorrow.”

  Georgette shook her head at his melodramatic play acting. “Tabitha Black texted me that she had met with Pasqual. She would know if Pearce and Pasqual are the same person.”

  London snapped his fingers. “Blast. Why didn’t I remember that?”

  Marciano grabbed London’s arm. “Let’s go. I want to know if I can mark this huge file closed. We may never get all the jewels back that he stole but at least I won’t be looking for him anymore.”

  London let Marciano push him down the hall. He turned back to Georgette. “We’ll get some dinner after we talk to Tabitha. You can head home once the autopsy is finished.”

  She nodded absently looking at a funny mark on Pearce’s thumb. It reminded her of something, something she had seen recently, but she couldn’t remember what it was.

  Chapter 29—Tabitha’s flat

  Tabitha pulled her coat from the closet before she turned to Courtney. “I can’t wait to see Rupert. I miss him so much when he’s at the farm, but he’d hate staying in the apartment all the time, if I kept him here. Are you sure you don’t want to go with me to Little Ditton Farm to get Rupert. He’d love to see you.”

  Courtney looked up from the list she had been making. “I’m sure. I still need to finish by Christmas shopping. Debbie texted me a list of things I need to get for Ghost Haven, too. I’d better get that done so I can head home pretty soon. I hate to leave everything to Debbie and Hargraves when we’re as busy as we are.”

  Tabitha drove down the long driveway to Little Ditton farm. She slowed to watch a small herd of horses running through the field toward the barn. Must be dinner time. She thought, her stomach growling.

  She pulled into the parking area close to the house. She heard a tremendous bark. Rupert her Irish wolf hound came running from the barn, followed by Jeremy and Jinny Ditton.

  As Rupert came running toward her, she braced herself against the side of her car, knowing that he’d be exuberant in his greeting. He skidded to a stop in the mud, put his front paws on her shoulders and licked her face twice with his big tongue.

  She put her arms around him, hugging him. She scratched his ears and under his collar before she said, “Down. Good dog.”

  Jeremy and Jinny ran to hug her. “Tabitha. We didn’t know you were coming.” Jeremy said.

  “No we didn’t, but Rupert did. He’s been dancing around all day waiting for you.” Jinny added.

  Even though they were twins, Jinny was blond and short. She looked her age which was six. Jeremy had red hair, was much taller and looked and acted a couple of years older than Jinny.

  “Are you staying for Christmas?” Jinny demanded. “You promised you’d stay for Christmas.” Her mouth turned down in a pout.

  “Jinny. Mom said you weren’t supposed to bug her about that. If she wants to come then she will. If not, she won’t.”

  Tabitha laughed. “Jinny, I told you that I would come if I could. Right now, I’m painting great big pictures of ballerinas. I have to get them done. If I don’t get them done by Christmas I’ll be in big trouble.”

  She dropped to her knees so she was on the same level as Jinny. “You don’t want me to be in big trouble to you?”

  A tear rolled down her cheek. “No. I don’t want you to get in trouble like me. I’m always in trouble.” Her voice was a thin, sad wisp.

  Tabitha put her arms around the little girl, pulling her close. Rupert gave Jinny a big kiss.

  Jeremy opened his mouth, but Tabitha shook her head at him. “Let it go.” She mouthed.

  When he seemed like he would still speak, she put her hand over his mouth, then pulled him in for a hug.

  “Would you like to see the pictures I’m painting?”

  Jinny smiled and nodded.

  Tabitha let her scroll through the pictures. “Who’s this?” She demanded. “You aren’t painting him are you? He looks mean.”

  Tabitha took the phone. “Oh no. That’s a man I met at a restaurant. I don’t know where that came from. I should delete it, but something whispered: ‘Don’t Do It’.

  Before she could think anymore Jinny and Jeremy’s mother came hurrying down the steps from the farmhouse.

  “Tabitha, darling, it’s so good to see you. I hope you can stay for dinner.”

  “It’s fried chicken.” Jinny whispered loudly. “My favorite.”

  “And whipped potatoes and gravy. My favorite.” Jeremy tapped his chest.

  “Um-m. They sound like my favorites too.” Tabitha got to her feet giving Annette a hug. “Are you sure it’s okay if I stay?”

  She looked at the sun in the west. “If it won’t be too late. I really don’t want to drive home in the dark. The roads have been so slick.”

  Annette looked closely at her face, then at her watch. “No. It will be ready in ten minutes.”

  She looked at her children. “Jinny, Jeremy run and tell your dad and Steve that dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes, then come straight back and get your hands washed.”

  The twins ran off, racing for the barn.

  “Come on in and tell me what’s going on. I know that driving in the dark doesn’t bother you.”

  Tabitha and Rupert followed her into the house. Tabitha carefully wiped her shoes on the mat. Annette reached over, grabbing a damp towel to wash off Rupert’ paws.

  Annette, like her children had dark hair and eyes. She motioned Tabitha to a chair at the bar while she pulled plates from the cupboard. “Now tell me what’s really going on. I didn’t think you were going to pick up Rupert for another couple of weeks when you went down to Ghost Haven.”

  Tabitha’s sigh could be heard through the whole house. “It’s like this.” She told Annette what had been going on. “I’m surprised you didn’t see me being arrested on the news.”

  “I don’t think they aired that. We normally watch both the five and ten o’clock news. I’m sure we didn’t see you.”

  “I wonder if Scotland Yard stopped its playing. I was unarrested almost as quickly as I was arrested.”

  Annette smiled. “You certainly lead an interesting life. I’m assuming you want Rupert as a bodyguard.”

  “I don’t think I’d need to worry about someone breaking in with him barking at the door. His bark can be very intimidating.”

  “So can his bite.” Annette looked grim.

  “What happened? Who did he bite?”

  Annette smiled at Tabitha’s panicked face. “Relax. It wasn’t a person. I would have called you if he’d bit someone.”

  Her lip trembled. “The twins were out in the woods next to the north pasture. Jinny wanted to look for a Christmas tree. I sent Jeremy with her because they were both being completely annoying last Saturday.”

  She smiled. “Rupert went along. I never worry when he’s with them. He’s better than most babysitters.”

  About an hour later, Jeremy came running for his dad.A large badger had her cornered. Rupert was standing between Jinny and the badger.

  Tabitha looked worried. “I’ve never known badgers to go after people before.”

  “Jed thought maybe she’d irritated the badger in some way and it tried to attack her because of it.” Annette explained.

  She wiped her eyes. “Oh Tabitha. She’s only six. I was terrified when I got her back. You know how mean, how vicious badgers can be when they get angry.”

  Tabitha nodded although she had understood that they tended to run away from humans, but maybe a small, provoking six-year-old might cause the badger to attack.

  “Jed ran for the child, but you know you can’t kill a badger unless you want a huge fine—not that we wanted to, they keep down the mice, rats and rabbits so they are very helpful on the farm.


  “I called the wildlife people. They came immediately. It’s a good thing they were close.”

  Tabitha could feel her fists clinch along with her teeth. Get on with it, Annette. Is Rupert in trouble?

  When they all got there, Rupert was standing between Jinny and the badger. Every time the badger tried to attack her Rupert got in his way. Jed was afraid for Rupert but even though the badger tried to bite him Rupert kept out of his way.”

  Annette bent to run her hand over Rupert’ fur. “You are such a wonderful dog. You saved Jinny’s life.”

  His tail thumped on the floor.

  “Anyway, there didn’t seem to be anyway to catch the badger as worked up as he was. Finally, something distracted it. Rupert grabbed it by the neck, holding it so it couldn’t get to him or anyone else. He took the badger to the cage, dropped the badger in, and shut the door with his nose.”

  She looked at Tabitha. “I don’t think I’ve ever hear the phrase, ‘I don’t believe it’ uttered more often or more fervently that I heard that day.”

  “Since badgers are protected by law, what can be done about the one that attacked her. Does that mean it will attack someone else?” Tabitha began scratching behind Rupert’ ears.

  “They think it was a mother badger that Jinny was keeping from her cubs. We’re keeping Jenny away from that portion of our property. I know volunteers have been keeping an eye on her. Hopefully, since she didn’t bite anyone, she will be okay.”

  “Did Rupert hurt her when he grabbed her neck?”

  “No. Surprisingly, he picked her up the way you’d pick up a cat, by the scruff of its neck. It seems that’s the safest way.”

  A few minutes later, everyone was sitting around the table. After a short blessing, everyone began to dig into Annette’s fabulous fried chicken, smooth potatoes and gravy, homegrown corn and a crispy green salad.

  Talk was general until Jeremy said, “Mom, if Tabitha takes Rupert, how will you protect Jinny? She’s tried to go into the north forest twice today. If Rupert hadn’t stopped her, she’d have gone back to where that badger was.”