The Final Flashpoint

by Iona Morrison

  With her morning routine finished, Jessie decided to stop in the coffee shop for a breakfast sandwich and coffee before she opened the bookstore. She didn’t want to cook or wash a single dish this morning. The guys had treated her to a great meal last night, something she could learn to live with on any occasion. Only once in a great while did get the urge to create a culinary experience. She wondered if marriage would change her.

  When she was in the middle of a case, it consumed her thinking and her writing. Matt was rubbing off on her. She honked and waved as she drove by the Inn. Katie expected it every morning now and often commented if she forgot. Tradition was important to Katie,

  Katie is getting married. She shook her head and smiled. Her crazy friend was going to be Dylan’s wife. Wedding plans were moving ahead, sort of, but it would help if the two of them would settle on a date. Katie was waiting to hear from Sally, their good friend from high school. Sally had to be in the wedding; Katie was adamant about it.

  Jessie parked at the back of the store. She went through the interior doors into the coffee shop as soon as she was inside. “Hi, Molly, your place is hopping this morning.” She pulled the door to the bookstore closed.

  “Hey, Jessie, how did they like the dessert last night?” Molly handed a bag to the customer ahead of Jessie.

  “They ate them all. Matt was a big fan of the brownies. The empty plate says it all.”

  “What do you want this morning? A scone perhaps?” Molly smiled at her.

  “I want a coffee and the breakfast croissant.” Jessie reached into her purse for her wallet.

  “Have you ever had one before?” Molly asked. “I can’t remember you ever ordering one.”

  “No, but everyone says how good they are, so I wanted to give it a try. If it’s like everything else you make, it’ll be great.” Jessie put cream in the coffee Molly handed her.

  “I think you have steered more customers my way by your comments about my food than anyone else. I should give you free food for a year.” Molly took her money and gave her back her change.

  “No, you shouldn’t. You’re building a business and a mighty good one. You get rave reviews from all the people I’ve talked to who have come in here. It’s convenient for me to have you so close to where I work. You have great items on the menu.” Jessie took the bag from Molly. “Besides, I didn’t want to cook this morning, and this seems like the perfect alternative.” Jessie put money in the tip jar. “I’m glad we share these open doors. It is good for both our businesses.”

  “I agree.” Molly leaned close and lowered her voice. “You haven’t seen Larissa’s ghost again have you? I thought she left after the last case.”

  “No. Why?” Jessie studied Molly’s face.

  “Strange things have been happening around here again. I haven’t seen anything, but it’s either some kind of phenomenon or I’m flat out absentminded. I think I’m too young to be going there yet.”

  “You’re not forgetful, Molly. You’re the most organized person I know.” Jessie paused at the door and added. “If you get a break later on, come over, and we’ll talk. You have too many customers right now.”

  “I will because you know something about all this; it’s written on your face.” Molly moved on to help the next customer.

  Yes, Jessie had an idea who might be in the coffee shop after hours. She often saw Amir’s ghost sitting on the stool at the front window. Rarely did she see anyone else sit there. Who he was looking for? Maybe she should have Kaufman bring Darsha to the store. Amir might be keeping an eye out for her. It was possible he needed to know she was okay.

  The few ghosts she had dealt with seemed to hang around until whatever they needed to finish in their lives was complete. She took a bite of her breakfast sandwich. Molly had another winner. Everything Molly made was good.

  Patience wasn’t one of her strongest attributes. It would be great if answers were immediate, but that never seemed to be the way of it. Why Amir and the others were still in Blue Cove was a mystery for her to discover. Walking to the front of the store to unlock the door she spied Melinda crossing the street and waving at her.

  “Pastor John said you were here today. We have to talk.” Melinda brushed past Jessie in the open door.

  “Look around while I finish opening up, and I’d be happy to talk to you.” Jessie finished her tasks and went to stand by Melinda. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “What’s going on in town? There’s something strange happening around the church and the cemetery.” Melinda scrunched her face. “I figure you’d have to know because you usually do.”

  “You’ve figured wrong. I have no idea. I was wondering the same thing myself this morning. I know there are spirits around, the atmosphere in town is charged, but I have no idea why they are still here. Unlike Larissa, I’ve had minimal interaction with them, but I feel a strong emotional tie.”

  “Believe me when I say that peculiar things are happening at the church. I don’t want to be there alone at night. I’ve heard slamming doors, crying, and all sorts of strange sounds. I’ve noticed a car with a strange man in it in the parking lot a few times when I’ve arrived early. I move on and come back when I’m sure one of the pastors has arrived. I’m telling you, it’s weird over there.” Melinda pushed her glasses up to their rightful position on her nose only to have them slip down again.

  “Have you talked to Reba?”

  “That’s the weirdest part of all, Reba has been quiet. She hasn’t said one word. Not one.”

  Jessie shook her head, her mouth tight at the corners. “You’re right. That is strange.”

  “I believe she knows something, but she’s holding back for some reason.” Melinda cradled her chin in her hand. “I only wished I knew why.”

  The light turned on in Jessie’s head. “You know she was here the other day and didn’t say a word. She didn’t give me a warning or one of her cryptic messages. I thought it was unusual at the time, but kind of refreshing, too. I wonder if Reba is all right.” She had to be. Jessie couldn’t imagine doing any of this without Reba.

  “No, she can’t be. It’s not like her to be quiet on a subject this important, ever.” Melinda’s eyes got misty. “We’d better check on her.”

  Jessie started to call Reba when she noticed her crossing the street. “You’ll be able to check on her in a minute. She’s crossing the street from the church.”

  Melinda jumped up and ran to hold the door open. “Are you all right? I’m worried about you.” The words spilled out of Melinda’s mouth in record time.

  “Let’s sit down girls, shall we?” Reba sounded breathless. “I’m fine, Melinda, dear.”

  “If you are, why have you’ve been so quiet?” Melinda grabbed her hand. “It’s not like you, and you’ve had me quite worried.” Her springy curls bounced with every word.

  “It has been the strangest thing. I know something is going on, but I have no idea what is happening. Other than that, I know Matt must be careful. It has been the same for you, hasn’t it, Jessie?” Reba reached in her purse for a tissue.

  “Yes, I’ve been in a fog of sorts.” Jessie touched Reba’s hand.

  “I now know why. This morning I understood why it has happened this way. This is Matt’s time. He’s about to come into his own. Matt has listened to us and trusted what we’ve said against his own better judgment. He will solve this case, and you, my darling girl, will be there to back him up but not in a conventional way.”

  “It’s true Matt is a trouper when it comes to the strange things I’ve put him through. It would be only right for him to solve the case and do it the way he knows how.” Jessie was relieved. She sat back her chair and took a deep breath.

  “Don’t get too comfortable. Matt will still need your help. I’m not sure how you’ll help, but you’ll be pulling for him, and he’ll make it because of your love.” Reba patted Jessie’s hand. “Most important of all is your belief in him.”

  “Dang, I don’t under
stand any of this, Reba. Should I be worried about the strange noises at the church or not?” Melinda pursed her lips, and frown lines appeared on her forehead.

  “We do have active spirits about town. Maybe you shouldn’t work there alone until after this storm blows over. I don’t know whether they are friendly or not.”

  “My observation is that they are troubled and shocked. How long they’ll remain that way, I have no idea.” Jessie waved at Molly who came through the door.

  “You ladies are deep in conversation.” Molly sat across from Reba. “What’s going on, Jessie? I know you know.”

  “I said the same thing, but I’m not sure you’ll get much out of them.” Melinda frowned again.

  “I’ve seen Amir’s spirit in your store. He sits at the front corner on a stool some days, looking out the window. I have no idea why he’s there or what he’s waiting for. The stool is usually empty when he’s there. No one else sits on it.” Jessie leaned forward in her chair and rested her elbows on the table.

  “I don’t know what answer I was expecting, but it wasn’t that one. Will my shop always be plagued by ghosts?”

  “You do own a shop across from the cemetery. What were you expecting?” Melinda slapped her leg and laughed.

  “Molly, you wouldn’t have known a ghost was there if Jessie hadn’t told you. I don’t think he means to harm anyone. He’s stuck, dear. Until whatever needs to be completed is done, he’s between worlds. I don’t see him here for long. Other than a few odd things happening, I think you’ll be fine. Leave him alone. He’ll go soon enough.”

  “Believe me, I’ll leave him alone. I don’t want to make trouble, but I wanted to understand why strange things were happening again.”

  “I daresay he probably spent a lot of time in a coffee shop while he was alive. That’s why he migrated to your business to wait.” Reba smiled at Molly. “You could become a busy waiting spot being as more people drink coffee then read.” Reba chuckled.

  “Reba, you’re brilliant. Molly, many folks spend their time in coffee shops reading. I think our businesses might invite wayfaring spirits who are passing through.” Jessie laughed with Reba. Soon Melinda’s cackle joined, and Molly gave in to the humor of their situation before long.

  “I have no idea why I’m laughing.” Melinda stood. “I need to get back to work. I’m happy you’re okay, Reba.” Jessie walked with her to the door.

  “Please stop in anytime, Red. I love it when you do.” Jessie held the door open.

  “I’ll be back, Blondie.” Melinda waved and started across the street.

  “I need to be on my way, too, dear.” Reba stood at the door watching Melinda. “Laughter is the best medicine, as they say. I don’t have any more answers than when I came, but I’m happy.” Jessie watched until Reba was safe across the street near the church.

  “I’m with Reba.” Molly laughed. “I have few answers, but I’m feeling better than when I walked in here, too. See you later, Jessie. A tour bus pulled in across the street. I think our day is about to get busy.”

  Chapter 22

  Matt received an envelope with no return address in a stack of mail. He took the letter opener and slit it open. The paper was dirty and the penmanship messy.

  Parker, I’ve waited to give you what you deserve. You messed in my business, and you’ll pay for it. I’m your worst nightmare, and I’m waiting around the next corner.

  Matt found Tom and tossed the letter onto his pile of papers. “You might want to check this for fingerprints. It looks like whoever wrote it might have spilled his dinner on it. I guess if there was any doubt about how I’m connected, this proves someone is after me.”

  “We already knew as much. I’ll run this by our tech.” Tom put on a rubber glove to handle the note. “You’ll have to accept my tagging along for now.”

  “I’ll accept it, but I don’t have to like it.”

  “I never thought for a moment you would.”

  “Chief, the hospital is on line one.” Gary stood beside Matt in the officer’s lounge where Tom was working.

  “I’ll answer it here.” Matt picked up the phone. “This is Parker. Great, we’ll be right there.”

  “Tell me.” Tom stood. “Carlos is awake.” He began stuffing his files into his briefcase.

  Matt nodded. “Carlos is ready to talk.” Matt walked with Tom out of the station. “The nurse said he was groggy but lucid.”

  “Perfect. Let’s hope we’ll make some progress in the case. I’ll drive.” Tom got into his car, and Matt slid in the passenger’s side. “We have press following us.”

  “The hospital is out of bounds for reporters except in the main waiting room. I know they’re doing their job, but sometimes they get on my nerves. I’m wound tight when I wait for a break in a case, and it worries me that I might deck one of them. Jessie calls me a tyrant, and she’s close to the truth.”

  “Only sometimes? Hell, they get on my nerves all the time.” Tom chuckled. “None of us are good at the waiting game. I have my superiors breathing down my neck for results. I know Kaufman is up to his eyeballs in questions from the head of the FBI. When you’re talking about a diplomat’s son, people want answers yesterday. The problem is the breaks come when they come. Everyone knows it, but the heat comes from the highest in command because that’s what they do.”

  Matt and Tom stopped to talk to the officer standing guard at the door before they walked into Carlos’s hospital room. There had been no trouble so far. Always good news to hear.

  “Mrs. Huerta, I’m Chief Parker, and this is FBI Agent Tom Maxwell.”

  “The nurse told me about you both.” Her smile lit her coffee brown eyes as she stood to greet them. “It’s nice to meet the men who saved my son’s life. He’s doing much better, and the doctor said he’s out of the woods.” She grabbed Matt’s hand and held it tightly in her tiny one. “Please, sit.” She motioned toward the chairs.

  “It’s good to hear Carlos is doing better, Mrs. Huerta.” Matt sat in a chair by his bed.

  “Please call me Bernice.” She kissed her son’s cheek. “You’re safe, mijo. You must talk to these good men. They are the ones who saved your life.” Carlos opened his eyes, and his mother raised the head of the bed. “I will leave you to talk. I know he’s in good hands, and my heart can’t bear to hear of his suffering yet.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” Tom sat in the chair she’d vacated.

  “Bernice,” she said over her shoulder as she left the room.

  “Carlos, do you need anything?” Matt heard his soft no. “We would appreciate whatever help you can give us in catching the people who did this to you. You can start when you’re ready.”

  Carlos reached for his glass of water, which was too far away. Matt handed it to him, and he took a drink. “There were five of them. Four who tortured us and killed my friends. We saw their faces daily. I keep thinking that one of the men seemed familiar to me, but I can’t place where I saw him before. One of the men never showed his face. We feared his voice, though.” Tears spilled from Carlos’s eyes. “You could hear him in the background saying ‘turn up the current.’ My body would tense knowing what would happen next. The most excruciating pain I’ve ever experienced. If you weren’t the one on the receiving end, you got to hear the awful screams of the others.” Carlos wept. “It was the hardest for me to hear Shara’s cries. It made me think of my sister and my mother. I thought I would never see them again.”

  “Do you remember the day you were abducted?” Tom handed him a tissue.

  “We were on our way to the coffee shop for a meeting. Amir wanted us to read the letter he had received a few days before.” Carlos sniffed. “The day was a warm one and we decided to sit in the park after we got our coffee. We had just crossed the street in front of the park when a van pulled up beside us. Several men jumped out with guns and ordered us into the van. They tied our hands behind our backs and put bags over our heads.”

  “Did you hear anything while you were
in the van?” Matt pulled out his small tape recorder and placed it on the stand beside the bed. “Is it okay with you if I record your testimony?”

  Carlos nodded. “They spoke a different language. I didn’t understand their words nor did the others. I speak Spanish, and it wasn’t what I know.” He paused, wiping the sweat forming on his brows. When he shifted to his side he grimaced in pain. “We were on the road for a while. When the van finally stopped, they led us inside and removed the bags from our heads. None of us had any idea where we were or why we were there. The men yelled at each other constantly, and I was afraid they would turn that anger on us. The first day and night they left us alone. I was relieved, but I knew it probably wouldn’t last long. We could talk to each other, and we tried to figure out why this was happening. Amir was quiet at first.” Carlos sobbed.

  “Take your time, son. We know this has to be hard for you.” Matt patted his shoulder.

  “Amir told us he had received a letter. Our names were all in it and the names of our families. The next day a man called him threatening to kill his father and each of us if he didn’t do exactly what the man told him. When Amir questioned the caller about what he wanted him to do, the man said he would know soon enough. Amir believed it was probably pushing drugs, but he didn’t know.”

  Matt remembered the conversation Darsha had overheard. “Did he share why he thought it might be to push drugs?”

  “No, Amir said he was only speculating. He wasn’t sure if they were even the same people. One thing Amir did say was the note had made it clear they were angry that the five of us were friends. It was an insult to their religion.” Carlos closed his eyes. “We couldn’t talk anymore. The next morning, they came for Amir. They taped the rest of our mouths. Then the nightmare began.” His body shuddered. “Amir’s screams still haunt my dreams. They never brought Amir back. Ryan was next and then Shara. The men left me alone for two days with the screams ringing in my ears. I hoped they would forget me, but I was to have my turn.” Carlos took a sip of his water. “What I saw in the room where they took me, I’ll never forget. My friends were tied to chairs, and their bodies had burn marks all over them. The man’s voice ordered them to open their eyes and watch what would happen to me. After they had begun to torture me, the man told Amir he knew how to stop it. Before he answered, I passed out. When I awakened next, I was here.”