Chest of Secrets

by Wendy Meadows

  “I’m a writer,” she said. “I’m here to finish a novel that my agent is waiting for. I’m afraid I’m woefully slow with it.”

  Holly was a casual reader. She felt successful at having drawn this much from the woman.

  “What is the novel about?” Lauren asked. When Annette told her it was a mystery novel, Lauren became enthused. “I love to read mysteries. I will have to look for it when you are finished.”

  Annette seemed drawn out of her usual reserve. “I’ve written two before this one and both are available online. I write fiction but can’t help but insert things I believe may be true.”

  Logan Clark sat on the other side of Annette. “What is your last name?”

  “It is Pickard.” Annette pulled back, conscious of how much she had said. She felt Logan staring at her before he turned back to the last bite of salmon on his plate.

  After everyone finished the main meal, Brenda invited them to the gathering room to have desserts. A variety of cakes and pies were on small dessert plates. Each guest chose one and took them to the designated room. Annette declined dessert but joined them with an after-dinner drink. Brenda and Mac socialized with them all and conversations flowed well. Several times, Annette felt Logan Clark’s eyes on her. His eyes would shift away when she turned to him. Annette was happy to get back to her room. Something about the man caused uneasiness in her.

  Brenda and Mac left their guests and took a walk around the perimeter of their new home. The full moon shined light through the open wall that would soon enclose the kitchen. The backhoe Rich promised would arrive early the next morning. Mac picked up a stick beneath the nearby tree and began prodding in the spot where Rich told Brenda he’d felt something hard.

  “Are you hoping to find that buried treasure, Mac?” Her teasing eyes caused something to stir within him. Brenda knelt down and brushed dirt away with her hands.

  “Look at that,” Mac said. “Something is sticking out of the ground.” He moved the stick back and forth. Brenda peered closer and then brushed more dirt away with her hands.

  “I think it is just a metal sheet,” she said. “Let me have the stick.”

  Mac handed it to her and Brenda started digging around the sheet of metal. Mac took it from her and dug as much as he could with the stick, which in turn snapped in two. Both knelt down and gingerly began pushing loose dirt from around the object. It was soon discovered that whatever it was went deeper than a piece of flat tin.

  “Be careful, Brenda, there may be sharp edges. I’ll get a shovel.” Mac went to the tool shed and came back with a hoe and a shovel. Together they continued to dig around the mystery item. “I think it’s a box of some kind,” Mac said.

  Excitement surged through both of them. With Mac prodding it with the shovel and Brenda on the other side of it with the hoe, they lifted it from the earth. The metal chest was small but very heavy. Rust covered the bottom of it. Brenda was dismayed when she saw the padlock on the box.

  “Can we clean the keyhole in the padlock?” she asked Mac.

  He rubbed his fingers over the hole. Some of the dirt loosened. “How do you expect to unlock it?”

  Brenda snapped her fingers. “Just maybe…just maybe I have the answer. Wait right here and don’t get it open before I get back, Mac Rivers.” She jumped up and hurried to the apartment she and Mac shared. On her way back downstairs, Brenda stopped in the kitchen and opened the catch-all drawer. She took the WD-40 formula from it and hurried back outside. Mac continued to try to remove as much dirt as possible. “I have a possible answer,” Brenda said. She waved the key in one hand and the WD-40 in the other. A rag hung over her left wrist.

  Mac sprayed the formula and wiped it clean. Brenda handed him the silver skeleton key. “You do the honors, Brenda.”

  Her hands trembled slightly as she tried the key, which went right in. “Put your hand over mine, Mac. We’ll turn it together.” He happily obliged her.

  Mac then lifted the lid. The two back hinges scraped and slowly the contents became visible. Inside was a large parchment envelope. The envelope bulged in places.

  “Let’s take it all upstairs to the apartment,” Brenda said. “We’ll go up the back stairs and avoid meeting up with anyone.” Mac agreed, and she placed the parchment back where it had been. Her heart beat rapidly. “What do you think is in there?”

  Mac laughed. “I have no idea, but I can tell you this is not a light box. Let’s go.”

  In the shadows, a figure lurked, watching the entire scene from beginning to end. There was nothing that could be done at this point. In time, things would return to the way they were before arriving at Sheffield Bed and Breakfast…

  They managed to sneak up to their apartment without being seen. Brenda spread out a newspaper on the dinette table and Mac placed the chest there. Under the ceiling light, the chest looked old but not ancient. Mac determined it probably had been in the ground for perhaps thirty years at most, though neither could be sure. Brenda picked up the envelope again. Mac sat down next to her. She set a worn leather bag on the table first. The strap around it was secured with a tiny silver buckle. Brenda then retrieved another envelope and placed it next to the bag. Mac watched as she looked intently for more items.

  “It looks like this is it,” he said. “Which do you want to open first?”

  “Let’s go for the bag first. The letter in the second envelope may tell us the meaning of its contents.”

  Brenda reached in and pulled out a small locket. She turned the heart-shaped locket over. Carefully, she opened it to see the picture of a man on one side and a woman on the other side. She studied the clothing they wore and their facial expressions before handing it to Mac.

  “It looks like the photos were taken sometime in the 1970’s,” he said. “I wonder who they are.” Brenda shook her head and then reached inside the leather pouch again. She quickly withdrew her hand. “What’s wrong?” Mac asked. She handed the bag to him. He reached in and immediately knew the next find was a pistol.

  Brenda peered over his shoulder as he read the words “Lettie Mackey c. 1890” on the handle. The pistol was a small one that easily fit a woman’s hand. “This mystery deepens,” Brenda said. “We find 1970’s photos and a pistol dated 1890. I don’t get it. Let’s see what else is in there.” She reached in for the last item and pulled out a muslin bag, somewhat yellowed. Inside was a handful of gold coins. “None of this makes sense,” she said.

  Mac fingered them. “They are old, too. I would say they are quite valuable but I’m no expert. Maybe you should read the letter next. I have a feeling we’ll learn much more after that.”

  Brenda had almost forgotten the other envelope and carefully unsealed it. The handwriting varied in that the written letters were irregular. Brenda began to read it aloud to Mac.

  The contents of this box are evidence of a crime committed in Sweetfern Harbor in 1982. The Mackeys inherited a family home and the killer wanted what they had. He broke in not realizing the couple was home. He overpowered them and killed them. He managed to take these valuables with him. I know who did it because he showed them to me. I stole them from him to protect the evidence against him. He got away with murder.

  Brenda’s eyes grew wide, and she and Mac sat silent at first.

  “If this note states the truth, Brenda, then we have found evidence of a crime.”

  Brenda snapped open the locket again. “Do you think these two are the victims? If so, why would the killer take a locket with their photos in it?”

  “I’ll have it checked out. Perhaps the locket itself is a valuable heirloom.”

  The detective knew he would open a cold case. The crime was unfamiliar to him, but the year provided would afford a head start on details. Brenda wanted to talk about the possibilities flooding her mind. Brenda was a member of the police force, courtesy of Mac’s boss, Chief Bob Ingram. She identified herself as a member on call at the station.

  “I agree,” Brenda said, “that the locket holds
the value and not necessarily the photos in it. It also sounds as if whoever wrote this note played a part in this whole thing, aside from just hiding evidence.” She noticed the leather bag. “This looks very old. Maybe the pistol belongs inside it.”

  Brenda told Mac she wanted to discover more about a woman in the 1890’s who owned it.

  “Many women during those times owned guns. The country was wild and they were taught how to use them for protection.” Mac often thought Brenda could benefit from having one of her own, but she was against the idea. She had explained how rattled she would be if she ever confronted a burglar, stating she would probably end up shooting herself instead. Mac could see that Brenda expected him to bring up the idea again to her. “I’m not going to suggest again that you should have one, Brenda. It was different in those times. Often women were in their homes alone with their children while the men worked the land or herded cattle to markets. It was common for them to learn protection.”

  “When you get any information at all, call me right away, Mac. I find this case intriguing.”

  They carefully put things back into the box. Mac took the skeleton key and locked it. They talked a while longer until they noticed the hour. Mac suggested they get a good night’s sleep and talk again in the morning.

  Brenda’s last thoughts before falling asleep were of the mysterious box buried in the grounds of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast. Mac was just as interested in delving into it all as she was.

  After breakfast the next morning, Phyllis and Brenda sipped coffee alone before beginning their day.

  “Is William busy today?” she asked Phyllis.

  “I think he plans to work on the venue for the upcoming business convention with a guest of ours. Logan Clark is here to set up initial layouts. William and the City Council will do the rest. Do you want to see him?”

  “I have a question for him. I can make a quick call and not take up a lot of his time.”

  Phyllis didn’t question her. She knew William and the archaeologist were meeting with the contractor regarding historic information and presumed Brenda’s inquiry had to do with this. They finished the morning get-together and Brenda went outside to talk with Rich Turner.

  “Mac and I were curious last night and we poked around the area where you said you felt something hard. It wasn’t a rock. We found an old metal chest and got it out.”

  Rich stared at her. “How did you manage without heavy machinery?”

  “It wasn’t buried as deeply as we first thought. It took some work, but we managed. It was a small one, and we brought it inside.” She hoped her smile told him it had been no big deal.

  “I hope it brought you riches, Brenda.”

  She laughed. “There were a few things in it, but I don’t know about riches. My uncle was an avid collector of artifacts. The three or four items looked like some in the attic in his old trunks.”

  Her casual attitude told Rich there must not have been anything of significance.

  “I think I should go ahead with the excavator to make sure nothing else is down there.”

  Brenda agreed. She thought there was a possibility of something else in the ground but didn’t want to voice her thoughts. “If you do find the buried treasure, let me know,” she said. Rich agreed and motioned for the operator to begin with the backhoe. Brenda returned to the bed and breakfast.

  Phyllis met her near the kitchen. “William called me. He said to tell you he’s coming over here anyway and will see you then. Is this about more history?”

  There was no way Brenda could keep her news from her best friend and employee. “Mac and I found a buried chest out there last night. It was buried down but not so deep a little muscle couldn’t dig it up.”

  A man stopped in his tracks and eavesdropped on the conversation. His heart quickened and he regretted ever thinking the object would remain buried forever. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought more construction would ensue on the premises. He wiped his hands on his pants and hurried down the hall when the conversation came to a close.

  He hadn’t counted on the owner of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast being married to a lead detective, either.

  A few minutes later, Brenda observed Rich Turner berating his assistant, Andy Shelton. The opened window allowed words to come through. Andy Shelton had just arrived for work and he was threatened with losing his job if it happened again.

  Brenda hoped their way of handling differences wouldn’t interfere with the progress of the new home.

  Chapter 3

  The Clarks

  An hour before dinner that evening, Annette Pickard asked Allie if Brenda was in her office.

  “She is,” Allie said. “Do you want to talk to her?” Annette nodded.

  Allie called Brenda to tell her Annette wanted to speak with her. Brenda told her to send Annette in. When Brenda stood to greet her guest she noted an ashen face before her. She asked her if she felt all right.

  “I’m fine, but I felt I must discuss something that is disturbing to me.” Brenda encouraged her to continue. “Logan Clark unnerves me, and I wondered if it is all right if I change places in the dining room for meals.”

  “If any guest is bothering you, I will handle it immediately. As for changing places, no one has assigned seating at the table or anywhere in the bed and breakfast. You are free to sit wherever you wish. What is Mr. Clark doing that is upsetting to you?”

  The writer shook her head. “It’s just that he looks at me in a way that makes me uncomfortable. He seems to be scrutinizing me for some reason.”

  “I’ll be glad to talk with him.”

  “I mainly want you to be aware of how I feel. There is nothing concrete that I can say against him and I don’t want to disturb the tranquility here.”

  “If that is the way you want it, I’ll respect your wishes. Please let me know right away if the matter escalates. I have no intention of allowing one guest to unsettle another.” Brenda watched her as she first began to stand up and then sat back down.

  “I appreciate your understanding,” Annette said. Brenda felt she had more to say but instead, her guest again stood up and thanked her.

  “Would you like to get away a little and take a walk downtown with Phyllis and me?”

  Annette declined and stated she had to get back to her novel.

  Once Annette returned to her room, Brenda gathered Allie and Phyllis. She told them of the conversation and advised them to be aware of anything that appeared suspicious about Logan Clark’s manner toward Annette Pickard.

  “I haven’t noticed anything unusual about him,” Allie said, “but I do think Annette is a little strange. Maybe it’s all in her head.”

  “Either way, we have to take notice.” Brenda told them to keep it under wraps. “Try not to be obvious.”

  The two young couples who came downstairs were heard before seen. Josh Meyers told Brenda she had given them a good lead when she suggested Jonathan Wright. It seemed Jon had taken the guests under his wing. They enjoyed one of the pontoon boats he rented.

  “These two like to dive, and we do, too,” Lauren said, “but the skies were so beautiful that Holly and I took advantage and soaked up the sun.”

  “Are you going out for more?” Allie asked.

  “Lauren and I are going shopping. We haven’t had time to look at all the cute little shops downtown.” Holly swung her bag over her shoulder. “I’m sure Josh and Clint will go back and harass Jonathan again.” She turned to the two men. “Don’t forget to meet us at four at the Morning Sun Coffee Shop. I hear it’s been around here for a long time and serves delicious drinks and food.” Josh and Clint assured them they would catch up.

  “Phyllis and I are getting ready to walk downtown,” Brenda said. “Her daughter is the owner of Morning Sun Coffee Shop. We’ll introduce you to Molly. She and Jon are dating.”

  The women were delighted and agreed to join them.

  “Everyone calls him Jon,” Phyllis said. “I’m sure he would be h
appy for you to shorten his name. He told us Jonathan is too formal.” Her eyes held good humor. The women agreed to call him by his preference.

  They chatted about places of interest as they walked along the street. When they came to Jenny’s Blossoms, Brenda suggested she introduce them to her step-daughter. “Jenny came with the package when I married Mac. She is a wonderful daughter and owns this flower shop. She is also married to a detective.”

  Jenny finished a transaction and smiled when she saw Brenda and Phyllis walk in. The two women with them were approximately her age. They were introduced and the newcomers admired her window display. “The flowers in here are beautiful,” Holly said. Jenny thanked her and told them she hoped they were enjoying their stay at the bed and breakfast and in the village.

  “We’re going to hit every shop on the street and then our husbands will join us at the coffee shop. At least, they promised they’d be on time,” Lauren said.

  “We’re hoping they’ll be ready for a cool drink by then,” Holly said. Lauren agreed that food and drink were the common drawing cards they shared.

  “Bryce and I plan to eat at the Italian restaurant down the street tonight,” Jenny said. “If the four of you want to join us, you are welcome.”

  Brenda noted the enthusiasm in their faces. “I’ll take your names off for dinner at the bed and breakfast tonight if you want to go with them.” They thanked her and then told Jenny they’d meet at the restaurant at seven. Jenny told them where to locate it.

  Entering Morning Sun Coffee Shop, Brenda noticed Jane and Logan Clark sitting at a table near the window. Everyone greeted one another as if they were old friends. Molly approached the tables and was introduced. Jane commented on the delicious latté she had indulged in and Logan told her he had never enjoyed a chicken wrap like she made. Molly told him all ingredients were locally grown. Jane was even more interested.