“You’re brilliant,” said Gabe. “Let’s go back to my grandma’s. She baked a cake for your visit.” He jumped in the air and headed for the truck.
#####
The young people explained to a delighted Matilda that she, in fact, had heard voices. They explained the Porter’s story and Kellie’s plans. While they enjoyed cake and coffee, Matilda felt comfortable enough to tell them about the creature.
“Grandma, not again. We solve one mystery, and you dream up another.” Gabe stared at the ceiling and shook his head.
I’m not dreaming it up, look at this.” She showed them the picture on her digital camera.
Taylor said, “They certainly look like hoof prints.”
“Show them to me, Grandma,” Gabe asked.
“I can’t. I brushed them away so if it returns there’ll be fresh prints, and not old ones mixed with new. I need to see if they are the same. I’m not sure if there are one or more creatures.”
Matilda was adamant about her story. Gabe and the girls left, but told her Kellie would call her the next day with whatever information she would receive from the mayor.
#####
Kellie arrived at the mayor’s office precisely at nine Monday morning. He greeted her and invited her to sit. She declined his offer of coffee or tea. After hearing her story, he said he understood the problem, but it would be up to the developers.
Kellie leaned back in her chair and said, “Call them now. I’ll wait. If they decline, my next stop is the paper. I might go to the local news station. They would have a field day with this story. It might go nationwide.” She crossed her legs and interlaced her fingers placing them in her lap.
The mayor raised his eyebrows and nodded. He dialed his phone.
“This is Mayor Conroy, is he in? I’ll wait. Good morning, fine, thank you and you? Great, great. There seems to be a small problem with your latest development.”
The mayor explained the situation to the developer and nodded over and over as the man on the other end of the phone spoke to him.
“Yes, I understand that, but the young woman involved in this is Kellie Malone-Conley. Yes, that Malone. The town is named after her ancestors. She has more pull in this town than I do. She’ll go to the papers and the TV people. You’ll be lucky to sell any of those lots.”
The mayor listened again and said, “Okay that sounds reasonable. We’ll speak soon.” The mayor smiled at Kellie as he hung up the phone. “They’re hiring a professional to check out where the bodies are buried; they’ll do as you suggested. There’ll be a small park, and the burial site will be encircled with a stone wall high enough for people to sit and enjoy the flowers they will plant in the center. It will be dedicated to the memory of the Porter family and all the flu victims. You can be there when they search for the remains.”
Kellie smiled. “As much as I hate what the old man did, the name Malone opens doors.”
“That it does,” said the mayor as he and Kellie shook hands. She left to call Gabe.
#####
Matilda thought perhaps the creature was somehow related to the voices since she heard neither Sunday night. She knew they were happy now, and Kellie would be sure they were gone forever. After Gabe’s call telling her about the developer’s plans, she felt safe and secure. She went to sleep in her bed. Two nights in the rocker had been hard on her back.
She heard her anniversary clock, a gift from her precious Jim, chime three o’clock. The moon was streaming in the window when she saw a shadow pass. It was the deer’s head. The creature was back. She got out of bed, grabbed the hunting rifle, and crept toward the living room. This time the creature didn’t rattle the doorknob, it kicked in the door. It walked into the living room. The room was dark. The creature didn’t see Matilda in the hall, but she saw it. She stepped into the living room and shot twice. The creature fell. The sheriff said I could shoot an intruder inside my house; this thing is inside, she thought.
She reached for a lamp, and it flooded the dark living room with light. The creature was lying in the middle of the room. Blood was seeping from under its black fur, and its deer head was askew. She picked up the phone and called Gabe.
Gabe arrived in less than ten minutes, made sure his grandma was all right, and dialed 911. The dispatcher sounded a bit suspicious but said she would send the sheriff.
The sheriff stood in the doorway staring at the scene. “Whoever this is, is wearing a fake deer head. He moved it aside, and Matilda realized she had shot the developer who had been harassing her to sell.
The sheriff said, “He must have been trying to scare you into selling your home. I’m sure he never thought you would meet him with Jim’s hunting rifle. I’ll get the coroner out here to remove the body as quickly as possible.”
#####
Matilda and the new developer came to an understanding. She sold him most of her property leaving her house to sit in the midst of an acre of grass and wildflowers. The money would make her life easier. He would buy the house and its acre of land from Gabe when she passed. Before the first home foundation was dug, the Porter Memorial Garden was built. A round brick wall, completely circling the burial area was erected. A marble monument to the Porter family and all flu victims was placed in the center of the circle. Flowers in every hue of the rainbow filled the circle.
Matilda can see the memorial from her backyard. It brings her peace knowing the Porters have a place to rest. She no longer hears the voices. Kellie visits her and the memorial every few weeks. Kellie no longer hears the voices either. They enjoy their visits, and Matilda has plans to try and get Gabe to ask Kellie out on a date.
~ The End ~
SUMMER OF EVIL Page 22