Weddings & Weapons

by Laina Turner

  I walked up to the building of the Sheboygan newspaper. Gorgeous red brick, huge windows with dark oak jambs and half shutters and the front doors were massive. I half expected to open the door and see a haze of smoke with all the reporters hunched over their typewriters, smoking cigars. The kind of old-style newsroom I saw in the movies.

  I was trying to think of what I was going to say as I pushed open the door and my heart starting pounding a little faster. But my nervousness turned to frustration when I asked for Sheldon at the front desk just to be told he wasn’t in. It’s not like I could just drive around town hoping to spot him and I didn’t feel like waiting around hoping he’d come back either.

  I reached the doors to leave when I heard someone behind me.

  “You’re looking for Sheldon?” I turned around to see a young kid standing there. Unruly brown hair flopped over one eye and he didn’t look to be more than sixteen.

  “Do you know where he is?” I asked, hopeful.

  “If he’s not here, he’s usually at the bar a few doors down. He said he does his best work there.”

  My eyebrows raised. “OK, thanks.”

  “Do you have a big story for him?”

  This kid was almost vibrating he seemed so excited. Like a puppy when the doorbell rings.

  “No. Just need to ask him a question.”

  “Oh.” His face fell for a moment and I almost felt bad to disappoint him, but he quickly recovered.

  “Well, my name is Will if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, Will.”

  While I thought it to be a little early for the bar, each to his own and maybe day drinking fueled his investigative nature and was the reason why he reported things that weren’t true.

  I reached the bar, which was at the end of the block and went in. Taking a second for my eyes to adjust to the dimness after being in the bright sunlight, I scanned the room, surprised at how many people were here this early. It was just after ten and there was a half dozen people already sitting with a drink in hand. On the couple occasions I had tried day drinking, all it did was put me to bed by early afternoon and then I was wide awake in the middle of the night. No thanks. I thought I spotted him in the back and headed that way.

  He looked up as I approached and smiled, which kind of annoyed me.

  “What do I owe the pleasure? Please have a seat.”

  I slid in the booth, the seat opposite of him, and just looked at him, not offering up a smile in return.

  “Did you think of something else to tell me?”

  “I’d like to know why you lied in your last article about what I said.”

  I half expected him to deny knowing what I was talking about, but the look on his face told me he knew exactly what I was referring to and wasn’t all that surprised I was asking. He also didn’t look the least bit sorry.

  “It wasn’t an actual lie.”

  “Well it wasn’t exactly the truth either,” I interrupted. “You made it sound like I told you something and I didn’t. Because I don’t know anything.”

  “It was merely suggestive. I can’t control how people might take it.”

  “Don’t downplay it like it’s no big deal. What if the police think I know more than I already told them?” I said, raising my voice.

  “Listen, I’m sorry. I know it kind of looks that way, but I have a good reason, I swear.”

  His apology didn’t lessen my anger because he didn’t seem all that sincere. It made me angrier because he was treating this like it was nothing and I was over-reacting. I couldn’t believe he treated murder so lightly.

  “And that is?” I prompted.

  He paused for a second. “Can I trust you to keep a secret?”

  Hmm, I wondered where this was going.

  “It depends on what it is.”

  “It’s a theory I have and I don’t want it getting out yet.”

  “Ok, then. What’s your theory?” I said, somewhat surprised he would confide in me. Unless this was his way of deflecting to take my focus off what he’d said.

  “I think the man you found on the beach was part of a drug smuggling ring and they’re using this town as home base to traffic drugs to Milwaukee and Chicago.”

  My eyebrows raised. “This town isn’t that close to the city and it’s so small. It seems strangers coming into town would draw suspicion. Or at least they’d be noticed. What makes you think this?”

  “That’s just it. I think someone in the community is involved. And that’s why they’re able to fly under the radar. It’s the only explanation of how they’ve been able to make it work.”

  “Ok, but I don’t see what that has to do with exaggerating what I know.”

  “I thought it might make whoever is locally involved make a move and bring attention to themselves. If they thought you saw something or someone involved.”

  “So, you put me at risk so you could chase down a story,” I said, my voice rising again. “What if the person who killed that man came after me? If there is criminal activity going on and these people think I know something I shouldn’t what would stop them from coming after me. Nothing. They already killed one person. What were you thinking?”

  “I didn’t name you,” he said weakly, but I could tell he knew that didn’t matter and I was right. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out who he was talking about in his article. “Listen, I’m sorry, I really am. I guess I didn’t think of it that way. I was trying to get a lead.”

  “So, you’re sorry, but you’re not sorry if it gets you the information you want?”

  I could tell he felt bad and he seemed like an OK guy, but obviously, he cared more about his story than what negative impact it could have on me and hadn’t even taken the time to think about the potential repercussions of his actions.

  “Since you’ve put me at risk, I think you owe me an explanation of exactly what you think is going on. Why you think this guy was murdered? Do you even know who he is? I think the least you can do is bring me in the loop. I want to know everything. Since I’ve got just as much on the line, if not more, than you do.” I fired off my many questions in such a way to clearly show I expected answers and I wasn’t leaving until I got them.

  “Now wait a minute. I know I probably overstepped a bit but there’s no way I’m involving you in my investigation.” He sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. He didn’t look sorry anymore.

  “Too late. You involved me when you wrote that article,” I said, crossing my arms. Two could play at this game. If he thought I was some stupid female who he could intimidate, he was crazy.

  “And what if I told you something I don’t think you know?”

  “What?” he said, leaning forward.

  “You first.” I wasn’t about to say anything unless he did the same.

  We stared at each other, neither wanting to be the one to look away first. Sometimes you just had to revert to childish behavior to get the job done. And I could do that as long as he could. There was no way I was going to let him get away with this.

  “Who is it you think is involved locally?” I prompted.

  Sheldon sighed. He looked like he realized I wasn’t going to give up and that’s what I was counting on.

  “Well?” I prodded.

  “Ok fine, but you can’t let this leave the table.”

  “You think it’s the militia, don’t you?” I blurted out before he could speak.

  His eyebrows shot up. “What do you know about the militia here?”

  “Nothing really. It’s just a guess.”

  “I think they’re involved, but I’m not sure how yet. Nothing I can find alludes to them selling around here, at least not that I’ve could find, so I can only assume they are taking it somewhere else for distribution. There have been suspicions in the past of them being involved in illegal activity, but nothing that could ever be pinned on them.”

  “Do you think they’re the ones who killed that guy?”

  “I honestly don’t know. Now
your turn.”

  “The man I found on the beach was shot in the temple. So, it’s definitely murder.”

  Sheldon didn’t say anything for a minute. “Yup. I’d agree that confirms it. The cops haven’t been willing to comment, so even though I suspected, I didn’t know for sure.”

  Sheldon and I talked for a while longer about some of his suspicions and eventually I decided to head home and relax.

  I was still a little angry at him, but even more curious. I don’t know which feeling I found more annoying. I wanted to put it all out of my mind and get back to vacationing.

  After a hard day of sunbathing and nap taking and trying to forget about dead bodies for a while, I got ready for Allison and Paul’s party. I walked up to the gates of the house, rather the mansion, it was much too big and luxurious to call a house, where Allison and Paul were staying, and it was awash with lights. Not yet dark outside, it was only six thirty, the house still looked spectacular with the landscape lighting showing off the beautiful features and creating a festive atmosphere. Cars were lined up and down the street and I could see catering trucks over by the garage. By the looks of it, Allison had spared no expense.

  The house was even more gorgeous close. I couldn’t imagine living in a place like this. When you factored in it was built over 100 years ago it made it even more spectacular. To be able to accomplish a building of this magnitude without the benefit of modern technology was hard to even comprehend.

  As I walked up the steps to the front door Allison spotted me from where she’d been talking to a group of people just inside the door and immediately walked over.

  “You came! I’m so thrilled and Presley your dress is gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” I had on a royal purple sundress that looked dressier than it felt which made it a perfect summer dress. Super comfortable, but not too casual and I’d added some blingy jewelry to spice it up a bit. I’d assumed this party would be more on the fancy side than not and I wasn’t wrong. Allison was dressed to the nines in a silver beaded dress that barely skimmed her thighs, which if I had her thighs I’d totally show them off, and glittery silver heels. She made me look dull by comparison.

  “C’mon in and grab a drink.”

  She ushered me into the foyer and the place was filled with people. Probably about fifty or sixty that I could tell, though in a house this size it wasn’t at all crowded. Nothing like the house parties I’d been to where people often stood shoulder to shoulder and you could barely move.

  “Presley,” Paul said reaching out to shake my hand when we approached him. “So happy you made it. Make yourself at home. Feel free to poke around the house. Nothing is off limits.”

  “I will take you up on that,” I said. “I love poking around.”

  “I have to go check on the caterers, but I’ll be back. Go mingle. Our friends won’t bite,” Allison said and walked off in the direction of what I assumed was the kitchen.

  “Can I get you a drink?” Paul asked, pointing to the bar that was set up in the corner.

  “That would be wonderful,” I said and he walked me over to the bar.

  “Whatever you have in a white please,” I said. There were three bartenders, which seemed kind of excessive for a party this size. Apparently, Allison and Paul didn’t want their guests waiting for service. Though as expensive as this place must be to rent, a few extra staff was probably a drop in the bucket.

  “Riesling or Chardonnay?”

  “Riesling, please.”

  “And another gin and tonic,” Paul said, setting his empty glass down which she quickly whisked away and replaced with a full one.

  “I was going to introduce you to a few people, but I see Allison waving at me. Must be a catering emergency. Will you be OK while I go see what she needs?”

  “Of course, go ahead. I’m fine on my own meeting new people and will eventually explore. I want to see if the second floor is as amazing as the first. The detail in that chair rail is breathtaking.”

  “All right, I’ll catch up to you later.”

  I walked over to a group of people standing next to a table of food. That was no accident on my part. I saw guacamole and where there was guacamole there were chips and well, I always gravitated toward the chips. Who didn’t?

  “Hi, I’m Presley,” I introduced myself when I reached the circle of people.

  “I’m Bill, this is Andrew, Jill and Jeff,” one of the men replied.

  I said hi to everyone but knew I’d forget their names in about five minutes. I was good at remembering faces but horrible at names.

  “Are you friends of Allison’s or Paul‘s?” Bill asked.

  “I guess you would say both. I’m on vacation, staying the week at a house a few down from here and met them walking on the beach yesterday. They invited me to the party.”

  “Isn’t that just like Allison. Picking up strays,” the woman named Jill said. She made the comment with a smile, but her tone wasn’t a joking one. Seemed negative for someone here to celebrate an engagement with people who were friends.

  “How do you all know the couple?” I asked sweetly, pretending she hadn’t been rude. The others in the group seemed oblivious to her tone, or maybe they were just ignoring her.

  “We all went to college together,” Bill responded. “Allison and Paul have been together since our freshmen year.”

  “They look like a sweet couple,” I said.

  Jill snorted and I saw one of the guys, whose name I’d already forgot, shoot her a look, as if to say shut up. I was getting the impression Jill had a strong opinion about the couple.

  “They’ve had their ups and downs like all couples, but unlike myself, they managed to work them out. I’m divorced,” Bill explained.

  As Bill started telling some story about when they were all back in college, my eyes wandered around just observing people when out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw Glen. My eyes had to be playing tricks on me. There was no way he’d know these people and be at this party. They weren’t from around here and even if they’d met him on the beach like they had me, I couldn’t see them inviting him. But then again, maybe I shouldn’t judge. Maybe that nasty woman had been right and Allison did make it a habit of picking up strays. Maybe Allison was just that nice to invite everyone she met, though Glen seemed a bit far out of the circle Allison and Paul were in. I mean, I knew I wasn’t in that circle either, but he was way out there.

  “Excuse me, please,” I said, walking away right in the middle of something Bill was saying, knowing I probably seemed rude but at the moment didn’t care. I wanted to see what Glen was up to. If he went to talk with Allison and Paul, I’d know he was a guest.

  I walked over to the other side of the room and Glen was gone. I looked around and saw a door just inside the kitchen area. Maybe that’s where he went. He couldn’t have made it all the way through the kitchen and out before I’d caught up. I looked around and no one was paying attention to me, so I opened the door. There were stairs going down but I couldn’t tell to where. A basement of some kind, I assumed. It looked dark and creepy and not at all inviting. For a second I thought maybe I shouldn’t go down there, but Paul and Allison had said to feel free to explore and that’s what I was doing. Exploring. Though if I were to get caught, it would seem very strange that I would want to explore a basement.

  I started down the stairs, hoping it wasn’t infested with spiders and other creepy crawlies down here.

  The steep stairway stopped after about twenty steps and became a very narrow hallway. Good thing I wasn’t claustrophobic. There were built in shelves in the cement walls. It must have been cold storage for the house back in the day. I continued down the hallway, my cell phone flashlight providing the light for me to see, thinking the hallway would stop at some point and I was a little afraid I’d run into Glen.

  I started to wonder how far the hallway went. My guess, with the little I knew about houses from this period, was that it probably opened up to the outside, so the
staff could stock the basement with supplies without going through the house.

  I stopped walking and listened. I heard something, just not sure what.

  Then I heard it again. Voices. I assumed one was Glen but there seemed to be at least two other male voices convincing me that there must be more than one way in down here.

  “We’re taking a big risk here, Glen,” one of the men said. “This place is crawling with people.”

  “Which makes it the perfect time. No one will be paying attention. Trust me. There isn’t a threat here. I’ve got everything under control.”

  “You better know what you’re doing. If we get caught…”

  “We won’t. Now let’s go. The shipment will be here soon and we need to be ready for it.”

  I heard footsteps and a loud banging sound. I assumed it must be the door to the outside, because after the noise there was a slight breeze that came through the hallway. I froze, wanting to make sure they were gone before I moved and took the chance of making a sound.

  I decided to go back the way I came. I didn’t want to risk running into Glen and his friends if I went the other direction and who knew where it ended up. I certainly didn’t want to take the chance of getting stuck somewhere and not have anyone know where I was at.

  I turned around and quickly made my way back to the stairs. As I walked up the stairs, I could hear the noise of the party and thought it was probably going to seem strange if anyone saw me come back through the door. My hope was no one would notice.

  I turned the handle to open the door and it wouldn’t budget. It was locked. It had to be. It’d opened easily before. My heart started racing with the thought of having to go back down and take the chance of running into Glen and his merry band of men.

  I started to knock to try to get someone’s attention, thinking I had no other option. I paused when I heard Paul’s voice through the door.

  “You could at least attempt not to flirt with every man here, Allison.”

  “Shut up, Paul. I’ll do what I want. Our arrangement doesn’t stop me from flirting.”