Death Comes in Threes

by Marja McGraw

  I glanced at Dolly.

  “Pumpkin is a chocolate Labrador Retriever,” she explained.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Lott. I’ll try to keep him in the backyard.”

  Studying the tears on my face, she visibly calmed down. “Oh, honey, Bubba comes over all the time. I just wanted an excuse to see what was going on over here. I really did have to hose him to get him to leave Pumpkin alone though. So what’s going on?”

  Officer Hernandez returned and stopped in front of Mrs. Lott. “Ma’am, have you seen any strangers in the neighborhood tonight?”

  “Why, no, Officer. But then I was in my backyard putting Bubba in his place.”

  “I see.” He glanced at Bubba, having no idea what Mrs. Lott was talking about. “Thank you, and I would suggest you head home and lock your doors.”

  Without another word, Mrs. Lott turned and sprinted toward her house, surprising all of us. The question about a stranger and the suggestion she lock her doors seemed to be all she needed to hear. I had a feeling Pumpkin would be sleeping at the foot of her bed for protection.

  “I take it you didn’t find David.” It would have made life a whole lot easier if he had.

  “No. That guy disappears like a puff of smoke. I just can’t figure it out. I left the other officers going door to door to see if anyone saw something. I’m going to do a closer search around your neighbor’s house. Maybe I can find footprints. Since he was running, his steps would have left a deeper imprint. At least it might give me an idea about which direction he took.”

  “I don’t think he’ll bother us while you guys are looking for him. I’m going to board up the front window while you’re still around.”

  “I need to take statements from all of you before I leave. You’ll all be here?” Hernandez pointed at my house.

  “Yes.”

  He walked away and I turned to Dolly. “Are you okay? We had an awful lot of excitement.” I was concerned about my eighty-something neighbor. I worried about her, and I was amazed at how she was holding up. Maybe it was the adrenalin, or maybe she was in shock. I didn’t want to be the cause of her collapsing. I loved this little woman like my own grandmother. I’d been too lax. She needed rest and quiet.

  “I’m fine. Never had so much fun in my life.” She pushed up her glasses. “Well, maybe I could use a cup of hot tea. And I wouldn’t mind putting up my feet.”

  Felicity took hold of Dolly’s shoulders and turned her toward the house. “You come with me, little lady. I’ll fix you some tea and toast while you rest on the couch. After that we’re all going to get some sleep, if that’s possible.” The two women marched up the steps, but I could see Dolly’s step was slowing and her feet were dragging a little. Felicity steadied her.

  Felicity was still in the living room with Dolly when my mother and I headed out back to the shed to find some plywood. I found a large piece resting in the back of the shed and had to move a few boxes to get to it. While I did that, my mother found my toolbox and waited for me.

  When we returned to the house we found Felicity standing at the stove, waiting for the tea kettle to whistle. She looked up and smiled when we entered the kitchen.

  “Would you pour the water while I call Stan? I want to let him know what happened and that we’re okay.”

  “Sure.” I switched places with her and she walked to the table.

  She stood there for a moment, tipping her head to the right. “I left my cell phone on the kitchen table.”

  “It’s not there?”

  “No, but something else is.” Her voice had risen a notch.

  Turning off the heat under the kettle, I walked to her side.

  The phone was gone and in its place rested a bloody switchblade knife.

  “Where’s Bubba?” I asked.

  “Out on the front porch, keeping guard. I tried to bring him in, but he wouldn’t listen.” Felicity narrowed her eyes. “Dumb dog.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Felicity stepped back. “Sandi, when we were watching the two men fight, why didn’t you pull your gun out? And why didn’t I use mine?”

  I wasn’t sure why that was on her mind now. “I don’t know. We were distracted and surprised because there were two men instead of one. Maybe we were in shock. Why?”

  “Because we blew it. I didn’t use my gun, and you didn’t pull yours out. David would probably be on his way to jail right now instead of leaving us a calling card on your kitchen table if we’d been thinking clearly.”

  “You’re right. I can’t really answer your question. Everything was happening so fast, and it certainly wasn’t what we were expecting, and… Hey! Wait a minute. David’s been here! He could still be in the house.”

  Without another word the three of us ran to the living room. Dolly was slumped over and she appeared to be limp.

  “Oh, my Lord! He’s killed her,” Mother said with tears streaming down her face.

  I heard Felicity suck in her breath.

  Bubba woofed from his post on the front porch.

  “Wait! She can’t be dead. Not Dolly!” My hands trembled.

  I ran to her side just in time to hear a loud snort.

  “She’s asleep, only dead to the world.” Mother wiped away her tears.

  “Mother, try not to wake her up and stay here with her. Felicity, you come with me and we’ll search the house.”

  I opened the front door and invited Bubba inside after checking to see if any of the cops were still nearby. I couldn’t see them. It wouldn’t hurt to have Bubba with us while we searched.

  Felicity stopped and pulled her gun out of her purse again.

  I picked mine up off the little table by the staircase.

  Bubba sniffed the air suspiciously.

  Two women and a dog with one mission in life – to make sure we were alone in the house. Guns at our sides, we searched every inch of the house, including the attic and under the beds and in the closets.

  “How do you think he got in?” Felicity flung open the door to the linen closet in the upstairs hallway, pointing her gun at nothing but sheets and towels.

  “Mother and I left the door unlocked while we went to the shed for the plywood. He must have come in while you were still in the living room with Dolly.”

  “Oh. Yeah. You wouldn’t lock it behind you since you thought you’d be coming right back. That guy’s got guts, coming in here with all the cops in the neighborhood. I think we need Stan to come back. Glenna doesn’t need him anymore.”

  “You’re probably right. And this time I want him to stay in the house with us, not down the street. You’re sure he’s pretty good with a gun?” I still worried about a gun in the hands of a klutz, but then I remembered that Felicity is as clumsy as Stanley, and if I wasn’t concerned about her carrying a gun then why should I be concerned about him.

  “When we’re through searching I’ll use your phone and call Stan since David took mine.”

  I nodded and crept into the bathroom, checking behind the shower curtain, gun at the ready and Bubba by my side. I kind of hoped we wouldn’t find David because I wasn’t sure if I could shoot him or anyone else.

  We returned to the living room after our search and found my mother on the couch, but no Dolly.

  “I put her in the bed in your office,” she said, anticipating our question. “She got up when I shook her and she let me lead her to the bed, but I don’t think she ever really woke up.”

  Returning to the kitchen and double checking the back door to be sure it was locked, I picked up the plywood and carried it to the living room. Felicity and my mother held it in place while I pounded nails into the frame.

  “I sure hate putting holes in the window frame, but I don’t want to leave the window open. I guess I can use putty or something to fill the holes.”

  I pounded another nail.

  “Pete and I have decided to live here after we’re married. He’ll sell his place and we’ll live in this house.” I pounded the last nail in place and st
epped back.

  “Are you sure you want to stay here?” My mother looked thoughtful. “You know, some of your best memories are in this house, but so are some of your worst nightmares. David isn’t the first man to try to – ”

  “I don’t want to think about that right now, Mother. I love this old house.”

  “If you’re honest with yourself I think you’ll realize that you don’t love the house that much. I think you’re more in love with the idea that it was built by your great-great-great-grandfather for his wife. Isn’t it more of a family thing than actually liking the house?”

  “Not now, Mom. I’ll think about that later. Right now I’ve got other things on my mind.”

  “Well, you’re the one who brought it up.”

  “And now I’m sorry I did.”

  “Will you two quit it?” Felicity sounded annoyed. “We all need some sleep or we’ll end up shooting each other instead of David. You two are just tired.”

  “You’re right.” I glanced at my watch. It was three fifteen in the morning. “Mother, you can go back to the guest room upstairs. Felicity, you take my bed upstairs. I want to sleep on the couch so I can hear what’s going on around here.”

  Yes, we were very tired. Both women climbed the stairs without an argument or another word.

  I sat down on the couch, vowing not to sleep, but to keep the people I cared about safe. Bubba stayed near me instead of going upstairs. I patted his head, thankful for such a loyal friend.

  ~ * ~

  I awoke at six-thirty and felt as though I’d never slept a wink. So much for staying awake and alert. Three and a half hours wasn’t enough sleep, but it was better than none at all.

  After trudging upstairs I took a shower, hoping I could wash away the grogginess. It helped only a little. I put on make-up in hopes that I might look better than I felt. Glancing in the mirror, I realized it hadn’t changed a thing.

  Breakfast might help. Coffee didn’t sound tasty so I made some tea instead. Bubba wandered out when he heard me pour a bowl of cereal. I fed him and after he ate he returned to the living room and went back to sleep.

  No one stirred in the house except me. It was nice to have some quiet time for myself.

  Glancing at the sink, I remembered I’d need to let Rick know I had Ronald’s knife, and that David had been in the house. I should have contacted Officer Hernandez while he was in the neighborhood, but I was so tired I hadn’t even thought about it.

  The doorbell rang, startling me. I practically leaped out of the chair, and headed toward the front door. I could see a man in uniform when I looked out the peephole. I opened the door to find Officer Post standing there, watching the street.

  “Good morning, ma’am,” he said. “Hernandez filled me in on what happened here last night. I need to take reports from everyone. He said he wanted to let you all get some rest before we started asking questions.”

  “I appreciate his thoughtfulness, but I didn’t rest much. Everyone else is still asleep. Can you take my statement and get theirs later? I don’t want to disturb them.”

  “I think we can do that.”

  “Let me put on some shoes and I’ll come outside. Maybe that way we won’t wake them.”

  He nodded and waited while I put on my shoes. I also picked up the switchblade which I’d left wrapped in a towel on the kitchen counter. I met him on the porch and we sat on the steps while we talked.

  “David Smith was here last night, in my house. He left something for me.” I handed him the towel.

  He opened it and looked at the knife before turning back. “What’s this?” Apparently he didn’t know the whole story.

  “That belonged to Ronald, the guy they arrested last night. David took it away from him and stabbed him with it. While the other officers were out trying to find David, he was in my house.”

  “Why didn’t you call us? Not only was the suspect in your house, but you had evidence of a crime in your possession.”

  “My friend and I searched the house thoroughly, and to be honest, I was so tired I didn’t think to call anyone. I’m sorry, but in this case I honestly didn’t think the time lapse would matter.”

  “You’re probably right. Did any of you touch the knife?”

  “No, only with that towel. I tried to handle it as carefully as possible. I don’t think you’ll find any fingerprints other than Ronald’s and David’s on it.”

  Officer Post set the knife aside and started asking questions, taking my statement. It really didn’t take long and I was thankful. I didn’t want to relive the previous night. I wanted to forget it, but I knew I wouldn’t.

  “Either myself or Hernandez will be back later to take statements from the other ladies.” He studied me briefly. “You might want to try to get more rest.”

  I laughed. “Do I look that bad?”

  He smiled. “No, not really. It sounds like Smith isn’t going to go away anytime soon. You might want to be at your best if there’s a confrontation. If we, Hernandez and me, have anything to do with it, we’ll get him soon and you can get back to a normal life.”

  “Normal? I don’t even know what that is anymore. Do you know what I do for a living, Office Post?”

  “Yes, I do. You’ve actually developed a reputation at the department – both you and Goldberg. I’ve heard about some of your cases. Please don’t take offense, but have you ever thought about going into a different line of work? Detective Mason calls you a body magnet, not the best label for a nice young woman like you.” He paused. “I probably shouldn’t have told you about the nickname.”

  “Not a problem. Rick has said that to my face. He’s a friend.”

  “He’s a worried friend, if I had to make a guess.” Post stood and looked down at me. “You might think about what I said. Life can be dangerous, which you’ve learned over the past few years, and your line of work isn’t helping keep you safe.

  “By the way, we checked out a few more houses in the neighborhood, but nothing turned up. Smith may have had a car parked nearby.” He walked down the walkway to his patrol car, glancing at me over the top of the car before climbing in.

  “Life’s tough, but I’m tougher,” I said quietly. That had become my mantra, and it was a good one.

  I watched him drive away before returning to the house.

  “Shoot!” I said to myself. “I forgot to tell him David took Felicity’s cell phone. Maybe it has GPS on it and they can track him.”

  “Who are you talking to?” Dolly walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. “Got any coffee?”

  “I’ll start a pot right now. I was talking to myself. Officer Post was just here to take my statement and I forgot to tell him about Felicity’s phone disappearing.”

  “What happened to her phone?” Dolly asked.

  I told her what happened in the wee hours of the morning.

  “And I slept through that? My goodness, I must be getting old.” She laughed at herself.

  “You would have slept through a bomb last night. Dolly, I think you should go stay with your granddaughter for a while. This is too dangerous and I don’t want to see you get hurt. I don’t want to be the one to cause health problems for you either.”

  “I’ll go on one condition. I want to work with you on some of my self-defense moves before I leave. As much as I don’t want to admit it, this really has been a little hard on me.” She looked across the room and into my eyes. “Just a little hard though, not a lot.”

  “Deal. We’ll call your granddaughter after I fix you some breakfast.”

  “No, after I work on the moves with you. And I’ll fix breakfast. Do you have any wheat bread?”

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Dolly wanted wheat bread? That didn’t sound like much of a breakfast, but who was I to complain? “I have wheat bread. Are we having toast?”

  “In a way. Toast the bread, and I need some cheddar cheese, eggs and a frying pan.”

  Dolly dropped shredded cheddar cheese on top o
f the toast and set a fried egg on top of that. It didn’t sound like a gourmet dish, but it really hit the spot. Sometimes hunger is the best sauce.

  “I’m not going to tell my granddaughter what’s been going on around here,” Dolly said. “She’d try to make me move away from you.”

  “She probably would.” I smiled at Dolly, trying to appear reassuring. “Maybe that’s not such a bad idea.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, she thinks you’re tops. She knows you’re good at what you do, but even so she doesn’t want me involved in your cases.”

  “Understandable. I don’t really want you involved either. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly when I let you become part of my personal little army. Dolly, I love you like a grandmother and I’d never got over it if something happened to you.”

  Dolly’s face lit up. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me, and you know I love you, too.” She reached across the table and caressed my cheek. “Guess I’d better put you in the will.”

  I laughed, knowing it was a joke, and put my hand on top of hers.

  “Why don’t you call your granddaughter and we’ll run next door and pack a bag before she gets here?”

  “I’m going to tell her not to come for a couple of hours. I just have to think up a good excuse about why I want to stay with her.”

  “Tell her you’ve got a bug infestation and someone is coming to set off a bug bomb.”

  “Good idea, Sandi. And I’ll say that since I’m going to be staying with her overnight, I thought it would be nice if I just stayed for a couple of days. She knows I want to spend more time with her and Tammi. I could even babysit if she has anything she wants to do. I just don’t know what to tell her about Miss Kitty. I know she’ll ask me where she is. And you know how Tammi is with animals. She’ll want to see my kitty, too.”

  Chrissy and Tammi were Dolly’s only living family. Her daughter and son-in-law had died in an accident.

  “Tell her Miss Kitty has some kind of cat flu and she’s at the vet’s. How is little Tammi?” I asked. Dolly’s great-granddaughter adored Bubba, and every time she visited Dolly, she had to come over to play with him. I was pretty sure Bubba was the main attraction between cat and dog. He’d need plenty of rest before the child arrived.