Autumn caught her reflection in the mirror. She wasn’t in Inez’s memories. She had channeled Uncle Duncan. His curly brown hair was slicked back and his hazel eyes shone bright. His cheeks were flushed. Duncan gathered a stack of records from the trunk at the foot of the bed, giddy still from having kissed Ralph behind the St. Veronica’s gym. The two of them left the dance early. Glenda stayed behind to help Leo and Mariana clean up. Mick stormed off in a huff. Duncan had hurried upstairs to retrieve his music collection while Ralph set up by the pool.
Thunder boomed, and Duncan wondered if he should tell Ralph to move the record player inside. They could move the parlor furniture to make room for dancing.
Duncan moved the curtain aside to steal a glance at Ralph on the patio. Ralph was crouched on the ground next to Bernadette. A body floated in the pool.
Bernadette rocked back and forth on her knees. “I didn’t mean it.”
Ralph ran his shaky hands through his hair. “They’ll take you away.”
Bernadette tugged at her brother’s sleeve. “Help me, Ralphie. Take her on the boat. Take my cane. Dump them in the ocean.”
Bernadette sobbed and Ralph hugged her, smoothing down her hair. “Go home. I’ll deal with this.” She nodded and took off just as the clouds split open with drenching rain.
Duncan hurried down the stairs and onto the patio.
Ralph’s eyes widened. “I didn’t—”
“I know,” Duncan finished. “But I’ll lose you if someone finds out.”
Ralph gagged, like he was going to vomit, and pressed his fist to his mouth. He shooed Duncan away. “Go back to the dance. I don’t want anyone to know you were here.” He waded into the pool, as rain pelted the surface, to drag out Inez’s body.
Duncan stepped forward, prepared to help his friend, but then Ralph cried, “Go!” The intensity of his outburst frightened Duncan so much that Duncan fled down the street, slipping on the wet asphalt.
Autumn woke to find Bernadette hovering above her, shaking her.
“Are you okay, Autumn, dear?”
Inez wasted no time in coming for Autumn’s body.
#
“I never did tell you how sorry I was about your grandfather,” Timothy told Liam. Timothy had a cardboard box on top of reception. After dusting one of Glenda’s trinkets, he’d wrap it up in tissue paper and place it carefully inside the box.
“Thanks, but he didn’t do anything to be sorry about.” Liam removed a photograph from the wall. It was one of the photos Autumn had found in the attic. Liam guessed Evelyn had them framed after all.
“I know.” Timothy inspected the cracks on a porcelain figurine. “But he confessed.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m going to the jail to turn myself in for the scooter theft. Pops will recant his confession, and he’ll be released. I’m waiting on Mr. Fletcher to return first. I want to ensure I do this right.” Liam examined the picture of Duncan and Ralph, their arms around each other. They stood in front of a little boat. Liam nearly dropped the framed photo. “Uh, Timothy?”
“What?”
Liam ran up to him and thrust the photo in his face. “Look!” He pointed to the boat’s name that was written in sloppy, red capital letters along its side.
Timothy peered at the picture and gasped. “Ralph Blazevig’s boat was called Priscilla Newman.”
“Which means Bernadette Canton did buy that ring. She used Ralph’s boat as the fake name.”
“Pretty clever of the Blazevigs.” Timothy glanced at Liam’s expression and explained, “Priscilla Newman was the main character in these old whodunits from the sixties. She was the gumshoe’s secretary, who always solved the cases, but her boss got credit because it was the sixties and sexism and all that. Mr. Blazevig was always reading them.”
“Okay,” Liam said. “But, why would she want a ring her husband had given a former fiancé?
“It was a Canton heirloom,” Timothy said. “She must’ve wanted it returned to the family.”
“I suppose you’re right. Except, why use a fake name?”
“Because she didn’t want anyone know she purchased it.”
“Why?” asked Liam.
Timothy exhaled. “I don’t know. Because she didn’t want—she didn’t want anyone asking questions.”
“Why?”
Timothy rubbed his eyes. “Because—because she was involved.” Then like a thermometer showing a plunge in temperature, Timothy’s cheeks drained of color. “Liam, she’s here. Mrs. Canton is here. She’s upstairs taking measurements.”
Liam’s eyes darted at the staircase. “With Autumn.”
#
Autumn felt paralyzed even though Bernadette didn’t seem to realize anything had changed. Mrs. Canton pushed the yellow tape measure out until the metal tip touched the edge of the wall. She went about her business, unassuming, and quiet. She ducked into the large closet squawking something about extra square footage.
Autumn retreated back into the desk as the dark cloud of Inez’s spirit came toward her. Inez growled before she turned around and fell back into Autumn as if Autumn was the Cayo’s swimming pool and Inez its daring swimmer. Autumn clutched her chest and gasped for breath as she glanced in the mirror.
Mrs. Canton withdrew her cell phone and typed into it, completely unaware that Autumn’s eyes darkened with amber and the edge of her mouth had curved up into a sneer.
“I see you still walk with a limp,” Autumn said in Inez’s soft, lilting accent.
Bernadette’s eyes darkened. “Is that supposed to be funny, young lady?”
“So Mick married you anyway? Must’ve been so easy without me in the way.” Inez jutted out her hip and tilted her chin at Bernadette’s slight frame. “I see you lost the cane. Of course you would. I imagine the blood stains where you bashed my brains in would be unsightly to look at all these years.”
Bernadette stepped backward into the dresser, rattling a ceramic pillbox and a statuette. Her eyes darted around the room, seeking an exit, an escape. Her voice trembled. “Autumn, dear?”
Inez pressed up against Bernadette. She lifted Bernadette’s white silky scarf and pulled. Mrs. Canton yelped.
“Autumn is not here anymore,” the ghost crooned. “Only I am. Inez Cruces. You remember me, don’t you?”
Autumn felt like she was trapped in a coffin, alive and imprisoned. She screamed like a maniac, but no one could hear her, except for Inez who hissed, “Cállate.”
Liam appeared in the doorframe and studied Autumn as she loomed over the older woman.
“What’s going on?” he asked slowly.
Bernadette’s face twisted into fear. “Get her away from me.”
Liam approached Autumn cautiously. He put his hand on Autumn’s and tried to loosen her grip on the scarf. “Autumn? You’re choking Mrs. Canton.”
“I’m not Autumn!” Inez snapped.
Liam jumped back. He raised his hands defensively. “Okay, Inez. I’m your great nephew, William.”
Inez! Don’t you touch him! Autumn cried.
“I don’t care who you are,” Inez said through gritted teeth. She turned her attention back to Bernadette.
Liam cried out for Timothy to get upstairs.
“You followed me to the Cayo Hueso that night,” Inez whispered into Bernadette’s ear. “You snuck up behind me, and you hit me over the head with your cane.”
How do you know this? Autumn asked.
“I hitched a ride when you channeled Duncan,” Inez told Autumn. “I saw everything you saw.”
Bernadette tried to squirm free of Inez’s grasp. “No, no.”
Timothy entered the room and skidded to a halt. “What’s going on?”
“Inez has totally taken over Autumn’s body,” said Liam.
“I’ll go get help!” Timothy cried as he fled down the hall.
“All these years, I should’ve known it was you,” Inez practically spit. “You loved Mick and the only person standing in your way was me. But you m
ade a big mistake when you took that swing. Mick and I had ended our engagement that same night.”
Bernadette’s eyes widened. “No.”
“Oh, yes. He was done with me. I had plans to leave the island that night. You would’ve been free of me no matter what. Instead, your whole life has been a lie. Your marriage to Mick was founded on my death.” Inez wrapped her hands around Bernadette’s throat.
Liam stepped toward Inez.
“Take one more step and Autumn disappears for good,” Inez said, her hands still wrapped tightly around Mrs. Canton’s neck. “I want to hear her say it.” She squeezed harder. “Say it!”
Bernadette coughed, sputtered, but she couldn’t get out the words.
“You have to loosen your grip or you’ll kill her,” Liam said. “She can’t tell you anything if you’re choking her.”
“Say it!” yelled Inez.
Bernadette sputtered out the words. “I killed you.”
Inez’s mouth twisted into a sick grin, but her knuckles were still white. “And now, I kill you.”
Liam slammed into Autumn’s body, and Autumn tumbled to the floor. “Autumn, I know you’re in there, you have to fight this!” Liam wrapped his arms around Autumn, holding her down. Her body thrashed as Inez struggled to maintain control. Liam’s grip tightened.
I’m trying! Autumn attempted to recall her own memories—her eighth birthday party when her father dressed as a magician, her mother’s apple pie, the family’s trip to Disney World where Autumn broke her arm—the bits and pieces of her past that made up who she was. Autumn was not going to lose herself to a vengeful ghost.
Inez pushed through Liam’s hold and leaped to her feet. Mrs. Canton grabbed a porcelain figurine and hurled it at Autumn’s body. Liam ducked as the figurine hit the floor and shattered.
Liam rushed to Autumn’s side and shielded her body. “No! You’ll hurt her.”
“She tried to kill me,” Bernadette said through gasping breaths.
“Inez tried to kill you,” Liam said. “Autumn is innocent.” He grabbed Autumn’s shoulders. “I know you’re in there. You need to fight this.”
Let me out! Autumn pounded on the door of Inez’s mind with her fists. My first kiss behind the school gymnasium. That time Natasha and I rescued a kitten on the side of the road. My first-place win at the spelling bee. Crying inconsolably the day my parents announced their plans to divorce.
Inez cupped Liam’s cheek. “Lion? Is that you? You’ve come back for me.”
Liam opened his mouth to protest, but then he stopped. He kissed the inside of Inez’s palm. “I missed you. I’m sorry for everything that had happened.”
“I thought you had done this to me,” Inez said, her voice whimpering. A tear gathered in the corner of her eye and slowly made its way down her cheek.
“I would never hurt you,” Liam said carefully. “You’re family. We’ve missed you all these years.”
Autumn felt the prison bars of Inez’s control tighten. Inez wasn’t ready to let go.
“I want to come back,” Inez said.
My move to Key West with Mom. The first night at the Cayo. Aunt Glenda’s old movies. Cora’s cookies. Meeting Timothy, Katie, and Liam.
“We’re the not the same anymore,” Liam continued. “I’m an old man now. And Mariana is gone.”
“My sister is dead?” Inez asked.
Autumn could feel Inez’s anger lift, leaving a residue of sadness. “I want to tell her I’m sorry.”
“You can,” Liam said. “Drop your hold on this world so you can move on to the other. Release Autumn, and be with your family.”
“No!” Inez bolted upright. “You just want me to go away. Like before.” Inez pushed on Liam’s chest. “I don’t have to go. I can stay in Autumn’s body and be young again.”
Liam drew Autumn toward him. “I’m not letting go. Autumn, get out of there!”
My mom. Meeting my new brother. Studying journalism. Swimming in the warm Florida water. I will not let you take me, Inez!
Inez cackled. “You can’t stop me!”
Kissing Liam. Loving Liam. Being with Liam.
Autumn banged on her coffin lid. It felt like steel. She tried again.
Liam. Liam. Liam.
“Get used to me.” Inez’s mouth turned up at the corners. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Liam leaned down and kissed Autumn on the mouth.
Liam. Liam. Liam.
Autumn punched the lid and the lock rattled. She hit it again and the lid popped. Autumn climbed out of the coffin into a cell.
Love.
Autumn wrapped her arms around Liam’s neck and kissed him back. The prison bars of Inez’s hold transformed into loose strands of silk. Autumn pushed through them and emerged.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Autumn embraced Liam. He nuzzled her neck and mumbled, “You came back to me.”
“I wasn’t going to leave you,” she said.
“Ever?” he asked.
But before Autumn could respond, Mrs. Canton broke in, her voice hoarse. “Is she gone?”
Autumn and Liam broke apart. Autumn pressed her hand against her temple, hoping to subdue the lightheadedness. She relished the coolness of her own touch and exhaled with relief. “She’s gone.”
Bernadette stood tall and limped toward the door. “Good. I’m done with this performance. Your little show is over. Forget the renovations. I’m siding with Mick. I want this place leveled.”
Timothy blocked her exit. “Where do you think you’re going? I called the police.”
Mrs. Canton pushed him aside. “No, dear, I don’t think so. You see, you have no proof. What are you going to tell the police? That a ghost identified me as her killer?”
“We’ll tell the police we heard you confess,” said Liam.
“And I’ll say you’re lying to get back at my family. Your grandfather confessed to the crime. They won’t charge me. You have no evidence. No body. No murder weapon.”
Uncle Duncan revealed he was complicit in the cover up of Inez’s murder. But he didn’t see what Ralph did with Inez’s body. As far as Bernadette and Duncan believed, Ralph dumped Inez in the ocean. But Autumn knew differently.
“Priscilla Newman,” Autumn whispered. Her thoughts churned.
“What are you talking about?” Mrs. Canton asked impatiently.
“Priscilla Newman was the secretary in your brother’s detective novels. She was the smart one. That’s why you used her name. She was the unassuming star of the books. The clever girl. The one who figured out the murders before her boss did. She always knew where the bodies were hidden.”
“So what?” Bernadette sneered.
“So,” Autumn replied. “There is a body. And I know just where she is.”
Bernadette laughed nervously. “That’s impossible.”
Autumn shook her head. “There’s a good reason why Inez haunts the Cayo. Not just because she died here, but because she’s buried here. Liam, where did you find the St. Veronica’s pin?”
“Next to the Marlberry bush by the fence,” he replied.
“That’s where she’s buried,” Autumn said triumphantly.
“There’s no way for you to know that,” said Bernadette. “Ralphie dumped her at sea.”
“Except he didn’t. A storm rolled in and your brother wouldn’t risk taking the boat out on such choppy waters. So he buried her in the only place he could—the hole dug for the Marlberry bush in the Cayo’s backyard. He just never told you.”
“How you know that?” Timothy asked.
“Easy. It was the same thing the killer did in one of Mr. Blazevig’s paperback mysteries. Priscilla figured it out. When they dig up Inez, they’ll find the murder weapon—Bernadette’s cane. I’m sure I don’t need to be Priscilla Newman to know that a body and the murder weapon are pretty damning evidence.”
Timothy, Liam, and Autumn all watched as the color drained from Bernadette’s face. She spun on her heels and fled the
room, only to smack into Mr. Fletcher.
“Well, this should make a nice conclusion to my profile on the Cantons,” Mr. Fletcher said. “Officers, you can come in now.”
Two police officers came around, one holding handcuffs that he slapped on Bernadette’s wrists.
Then they read Mrs. Canton her rights.
#
Liam rolled his scooter up Pops’s driveway before cutting the engine. He didn’t even take off his helmet before charging toward the house, bolting inside, and calling for Pops.
“In the kitchen, kiddo,” cried Pops, his voice sounding scratchy and older.
Liam’s heart swelled as he entered the kitchen to see Pops sitting at the kitchen table, wearing a set of freshly laundered shorts and a T-shirt, sipping a cup of coffee. Liam dumped his helmet on the table and wrapped his arms around his grandfather. Coffee sloshed over the edge of the mug.
“Take it easy, sport. I’m an old man.” Pops’s light voice betrayed his fake annoyance.
Liam rested his chin on his grandpa’s shoulder. “I missed you.”
Pops reached his arm up to tap Liam’s cheek. “Missed you too.”
“Liam,” someone said, and he turned to see his father. Liam stood frozen, his feet cemented to the tile floor.
Ray Breyer opened his arms wide, but Liam made no moves.
“What are you doing here?” Liam’s eyes ran up and down his father’s frame. He was wearing one of Liam’s old T-shirts, a pair of Pops’s shorts, and a belt, cinching the waist tight. His father looked gaunt and at least fifteen pounds lighter than when Liam had last seen him.
Ray dropped his arms and leaned against the sink. “I’ve come home.”
“For how long?” Liam’s voice rose. “A week? A month? How long until you take off again?” Liam knew he sounded antagonistic, but he didn’t care.
“I don’t plan on leaving again.” Ray didn’t meet Liam’s gaze, and so Liam took that for what it was—a lie.
“Right,” said Liam.
Ray didn’t respond and a tense moment hung in the air until it was cut by the sound of the telephone ringing.
At first, no one made a move to answer until Pops slowly rose from the table. “Who could be calling now?” He ambled to the wall and picked up the phone in the middle of a ring. “Hello? Who’s this?”
Dead and Breakfast Page 26