by Rose Pressey
Sandra clutched her stomach where I’d punched her. I felt bad, but it had had to be done. I’d thought someone was attacking me. What was I supposed to do?
“Oh, are you okay? I didn’t know you were back there,” I said. “Why did you sneak up on me like that?” She could have called out and given me some kind of warning. Especially since there was a killer on the loose. Wasn’t she afraid of that? Or was she the killer?
“I can’t believe you did that.” She continued to hold her stomach. I reached out to touch her arm, but she yanked it away. “Don’t touch me,” she warned with a wave of her index finger.
Okay, clearly she was upset with me. That was understandable, but I hoped she saw my point of view. She would have done the same thing in my shoes.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” I said.
Sandra straightened and pushed back her shoulders. “I am fine.”
I was pretty sure she was still mad though. She was probably planning ways to get back at me.
“Why are you following me?” I asked, staring her right in the eyes.
She narrowed her eyes. “I wasn’t following you. I was just walking.”
Yeah, I didn’t believe that for a second. I shrugged and turned back around. If she wasn’t going to be truthful, then I wasn’t even going to talk to her. I couldn’t stand around and wait for her to leave, so I continued toward the library. Unfortunately, Sandra continued walking with me.
“Are you on the way to the library?” she asked as she walked along beside me.
“Yes, I have to go to work,” I said without looking over at her.
Maybe she would take the hint.
“I will just walk with you,” she said.
That was what I’d been afraid she would say. “Okay,” I mumbled.
Had she been waiting for me to come out of my apartment? That was a scary thought. Next thing I knew she’d be breaking into my place and tying me up. Was she stalking me like she had Hank? But if so, why? I didn’t even know her.
“I didn’t get a chance to finish talking to you last night,” she said.
I hadn’t thought there was anything left to talk about. What could she ask? All she talked about was Hank’s books. I was a librarian, so I supposed that was why she was asking. There was more that she wanted to say though. I felt it. Would she admit to the murder? Would she tell me how she got that ticket? The thought freaked me out.
“Did you say anything to Officer Landon about me?” Sandra asked.
That was an odd question and not what I’d expected. Maybe this was why she was following me around. I clutched my purse and continued down the sidewalk. “No, I didn’t say anything about you. There are a few questions I’d like to ask you.”
She scowled as if she was shocked I would say such a thing. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, “Okay, what is your question?”
“Did you see Hank two nights ago? You know… before it happened?” My stomach turned just thinking about her answer.
“No,” she answered sharply. “I was not around.”
Now she thought I was accusing her of the murder. Well, I supposed I kind of was.
“I don’t appreciate your questions,” she snapped.
Now this was even more awkward than before.
She fidgeted as she walked. Apparently she didn’t like my questions. That wasn’t going to stop me from asking though. I slowed my pace so it would give her a chance to answer.
“Are you sure that you didn’t see Hank or Cady before the tour?” I asked.
“I already said no, I didn’t see him. You sound like the police asking me questions like that.”
She was being defensive. I couldn’t tell if she was being truthful or not. How would I ask her about the ticket? I would just have to get up my nerve and ask the question.
“Did you happen to hear Hank mention taking my tour?”
Sandra eyed me suspiciously. “No, I didn’t.”
We’d almost made it to the library. Sandra and I walked in silence for a moment.
Suddenly, she said, “I just don’t know why the police keep asking me questions. Just because I am a fan of Hank’s doesn’t mean that’s any reason to ask me all these questions. I just wish they would leave me alone.”
“They’re just trying to get answers to his death, I suppose,” I said, feeling even more uncomfortable talking to her.
I wondered if she was going to follow me into work. The building came into view and I was grateful. Now I could escape into my work. She couldn’t think she could follow me around work all day. I hated this and just wanted to get away.
“I think the police should leave me alone,” she said again.
Yeah, she had already said that once. She had a tendency to talk about the same things.
“Sandra, did you know you dropped a ticket for my tour? I found it at the library. I believe it was Hank’s.” I watched her for a reaction.
She narrowed her yes. “I found it. I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Now I was more suspicious than ever. She wasn’t being truthful.
“I don’t have to answer your questions,” she said.
When I reached the stairs leading to the front entrance to the library, I said, “It was nice talking to you, but I have to work now.”
She looked at the building and then back at me. “Yeah. I guess I should let you go. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”
I wasn’t going to argue with that.
“Okay, nice chatting with you.” I waved.
She studied my face for a second longer, and then said, “Yeah, thanks for talking with me.”
I still hadn’t gotten the answers I had hoped for. That was something I would have to deal with. I didn’t want to keep talking to her.
Finally Sandra turned around and moved down the sidewalk. I released a sigh of relief. I still didn’t know what she wanted from me. At least this time she didn’t say she’d be back.
She glanced back at me and waved. I hurried up the steps so she wouldn’t come back. Once at the top, I had to glance back to see if she was there. She was still walking, and didn’t turn around to look at me this time. A wind whipped over my skin, which reminded me of the ghost I’d seen. I’d forgotten all about her with dealing with Sandra.
“What was that all about?” Tammy asked from over my shoulder.
I jumped and spun around.
“Wow, you are jumpy,” she said.
I released a deep breath and then said, “I feel like I have a stalker.”
“What makes you say that?” she asked.
I gestured with a tilt of my head. “Not only did Sandra follow me at the tour last night, this morning she was practically waiting for me outside my apartment.”
Tammy’s eyes widened. “That is scary. What does she want?”
“I don’t know exactly.” My phone dinged and I glanced down at the screen.
I am concerned for you.
I looked over Tammy’s shoulder and spotted Annie. “What are you concerned about?” I asked.
Tammy searched for Annie as if she’d see her.
You are involved with this murder investigation. It is dangerous.
That sent a chill down my spine. Did she know something that I didn’t know? “What do you mean?” I asked as I stepped inside the library’s door.
The killer is out there somewhere. Now you have to find the killer before the killer finds you.
Annie was right. As much as I didn’t want to be involved, I had to help find the killer before something else happened.
Chapter 11
I grabbed an armful of books and headed over to the stacks to put them away. I always enjoyed this part of the job. It was therapeutic. Sometimes Annie followed along behind me, even though she couldn’t send texts when I left my phone at the reference desk. She wanted me to keep it on me at all times, but it wasn’t possible to check the texts with my arms full anyway, so what was the point?
I’d reached the end of the aisle when I heard footsteps. I paused and listened again to see where the sound was coming from. I wasn’t sure if they were behind me or if someone was getting ready to step around the corner from the other aisle. The footsteps had stopped, so I took a couple more steps. As soon as I did, I heard the sound again. I would have thought that it was just my own footsteps if not for the fact that the sound continued now that I had stopped. I peeked over my shoulder, but I didn’t see anyone. The sound had stopped again. I knew the library was empty expect for the ghost and the cat. The cat had never made noise that loud so I knew that it wasn’t Jane Austen.
Maybe it was Annie? Where was she? I knew I’d left her at the front of the library. If it had been her she probably would have already appeared by now.
“Annie, is that you?” I called out.
Not that she would answer me. She had been right. I should have my phone with me at all times. I wouldn’t tell her though because she would only say she told me so.
Since I didn’t hear the footsteps again, I figured it must just be my imagination. I had a lot going on lately so it wouldn’t be a surprise if any little sound kicked in my imagination.
I moved down the aisle again. I stopped in front of the shelf and placed another couple of books in their correct spots. Oddly enough, I was in the mystery section, not too far from where Hank’s books were filed. I thought about what had just happened again. I needed to get this off my mind. It was nothing, I reminded myself. After all, the library was big, old and scary. As much time as I spent in the graveyard and other spooky locations, I couldn’t understand why this bothered me. Then again, sometimes I had no idea why my thoughts worked the way they did.
I only had a couple books left, then I could finish up my work and head home. I was looking forward to cooking a nice dinner. Maybe I could relax and take my mind off things. I just hoped the weird presence that had been hanging around my place wasn’t there tonight. It was as if someone was always watching me and I hated that feeling.
Speaking of that feeling, I was kind of having it currently. Maybe not quite as heavy, but that little feeling was there, just around the corner, waiting to appear.
The thought had barely left my mind when the footsteps sounded again. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I needed to hurry and get out of there.
I turned around in the aisle and then walked halfway back down. If I leaned over to the left, I could see part of the reference desk. I wanted to see if Annie was still there. When I leaned over to look, I spotted her at the desk. Jane Austen was batting at Annie’s hand. Seeing her there sent a shiver down my spine. Now I knew for sure that it wasn’t her. Was it the other ghost that had been following me around? It had to be. It wasn’t surprising that the ghost had followed me to work. If it followed me at home then it was no wonder that it would come to the library too.
Maybe it would leave me alone if I found out who the ghost was and what it wanted.
I turned back around and headed the other way down the aisle to file the books. I couldn’t let this spirit get the better of me. As long as it wasn’t an evil spirit, then I would be fine. Of course, I didn’t know it wasn’t evil.
I reached the end of the aisle and turned to my left to go down the next aisle. As soon as I did, I ran right into someone with a smack.
The books fell from my hand and landed on the floor. I let out a gasp and jumped back.
“Are you following me?” Cady asked with a frown.
For a second, I was speechless. Why would I be following her? If anyone was doing the following, it was her. Why was she here now? Obviously she had been the source of the footsteps.
“I’m not following you. Why do you ask?” I said, picking up the books.
I stared at her and wondered if I needed to run. The look on her face was less than pleasant. She looked as if she wanted to smack me. I couldn’t believe she had been sneaking around the library following me like that. How long had she been waiting for me?
“I know you have been following me around,” she said.
She had her fists clenched by her sides as if she was ready to hit me at any moment. Maybe I could use the books as shields against her punches. Or I could smack her on the head with them if she attacked me. I had no idea why she was so angry.
“Like I said, I haven’t been following you. What makes you think that I have been following you?” I asked. I couldn’t wait to hear her explanation for this. “I think it’s the other way around. I think you were following me.” I crossed my arms in front of my waist.
Her eyes seemed to catch fire with that comment. “I told you to stop following me.”
Maybe I should just walk to the front and leave her fuming back there. “Don’t come in here accusing me of something like that.” I waved my index finger at her.
Now she was making me angry.
She glared at me for a second and then said, “Look, I have been walking around and I hear footsteps and noises.”
“That doesn’t prove anything. Why would you think just because you are hearing things that it was me?” This wasn’t making any sense.
She shook her head in frustration. “Earlier today I heard the footsteps. At first I didn’t see anything, but when I looked back again I saw you on the sidewalk behind me, so I know for a fact you were following me. I saw you with my own eyes.”
“That isn’t true,” I said. “I didn’t even see you today. I think I would remember if I saw you. It must have been a coincidence if I was back there.”
She snorted. “That is highly unlikely.” She stepped close to me so that her face was mere inches from mine. “Now you listen to me. Stay away from me or you will regret it.” She didn’t blink.
I swallowed hard. I had to be tough. I reached out and poked her in the chest. “Don’t threaten me.”
Her eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe I’d had the nerve to do that.
“Believe it,” I said, answering the question that she hadn’t asked.
She stepped back, but didn’t take her eyes off me. My stomach felt sick. I could be dealing with the killer. What was I thinking? I was only making things worse. If she really was the killer, then she could snap at any moment.
She stared at me and opened her mouth.
“Did you ever stop to think that it could be Sandra following you?” I asked.
“Nice try. Sure, blame her. I didn’t see her behind me.”
“I told you that it was a coincidence. I have to walk on the sidewalk too. They’re there for everyone to use, you know.”
“You think you’re so smart.”
Now I didn’t even know what she was talking about. She was coming unhinged.
I started to walk around her. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”
She leaned closer as I moved past. “Just remember that I won’t put up with this.”
Talk about a bad day at work. Now more than ever I needed to go home and relax.
As I headed toward the front of the library, Cady followed behind me. I really didn’t want to continue this conversation. When I looked toward the reference desk, Annie spotted us. At that moment, my phone went crazy. I knew she had a million questions. How had Annie not seen Cady walk in?
Annie floated over and walked beside Cady. She waved her finger in front of Cady’s face as a warning, but of course Cady had no idea. When I reached the desk, I stopped, but Cady continued toward the exit. Thank goodness. Maybe now she was finally leaving.
She opened the door, but turned slightly to look at me. “Don’t forget what I told you.”
She stepped out of the door.
A strong wind slammed the door shut behind her. I knew that Annie had been responsible for that. I moved over behind the desk and
retrieved my phone. Twelve messages. I knew that Annie wanted to know what was going on with Cady.
What was that all about? the last message said. The last message always appeared first on my phone.
I really didn’t want to worry Annie. But how could I lie to her? Maybe I would just leave out the worst parts.
She would like the part where I’d poked Cady in the chest though. Annie liked it when I stuck up for myself. I was learning more and more how important that was.
Chapter 12
I’d just turned off my computer and was ready to leave when Tammy walked in my office. “I’m headed to pick up my little sister. Want to ride along?”
“Sure, I guess so.” I grabbed my purse.
Tammy and I stepped out into the hallway. “Do you think the story about the hex that’s placed on anyone who visits Helmwood House is true?” Tammy asked.
I chuckled. “Where did that question come from? It’s kind of out of the blue, don’t you think? And to answer your question, no, I don’t think the story is true. Do you?”
She stared at me for a second and then laughed. “No, no, of course not.”
Was she being serious? I couldn’t tell.
I peered around for Annie as we walked. “Of course you know I believe in ghosts, but placing hexes on people just isn’t possible.”
“I guess it’s just a coincidence then,” Tammy said.
“What’s a coincidence?”
Tammy sighed and then said, “That Hank was murdered after visiting the house.”
“Yep, I guess so,” I said. “I went to the house. And nothing bad has happened to me.”
Her faced turned serious. “No, not yet.”
“Don’t say not yet.”
She quirked a sculpted eyebrow. “Then you are worried something could happen?”
“Well, no, I’m not worried… never mind.”
Tammy’s story sounded spooky for around a campfire while toasting marshmallows, but that was as far as it went. There was one thing on my mind though. The ghostly presence had appeared right after I’d visited the house. It couldn’t be a hex, but what was the reason? Maybe I could find out why she had followed me now that I knew what she looked like. But that didn’t explain the male presence that I’d felt.