by Rose Pressey
“I will right away,” I said.
“Try not to worry too much,” he said.
I forced a smile, trying to prove that I was tough and that I could handle it.
“I’ll be just fine,” I said.
I glanced over at Tammy. She had this scrunched-up look on her face as if to say she wasn’t sure if she would be fine. I knew I needed to be there for her as well because this definitely affected her. She had to work here and be involved in all this craziness.
Chapter 16
I stopped in the coffee shop for my caffeine fix. The small space was standing room only and employees moved around like busy bees. The grinding sound of the coffee machine filled the air. Sure, it was busy, but I was fine with that because so far everyone was so wrapped up in getting their orders and all the chaos that they hadn’t noticed me.
I wanted to be unnoticed right now. No more whispering and talking about how I attracted trouble. I took my place in line, looking up at the menu, wondering if I should get something different this time. Maybe it was time for a change.
I wondered if that would cause a turn in my luck and all the other bad stuff would stop. Yeah, that wasn’t possible, but it was fun to think about nevertheless. A couple people in line received their orders and I was able to step up a little bit closer to the display case to see what kind of pastries Dana had to offer this morning.
Dana hadn’t spotted me yet. As I watched her I noticed what she was doing. She had a huge knife and was slicing a cherry pie. My eyes widened at the sight. I’d known her for quite some time now and she was a good friend. Regardless, I had to be a little bit nervous when I saw her doing that. A knife and a cherry pie? She looked up and saw me watching her. For a brief moment we stared at each other without a word being spoken. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. Was she upset with me or something?
After a few more seconds of silence a smile spread across her face. That was the Dana that I’d always known. She placed the huge knife down and wiped her hands on a towel. Did she really need that big knife to cut that pie? Dana stepped out from behind the counter and headed over toward me. I resisted the urge to run.
“Good morning, Ripley,” she said in her usual cheery voice. “It’s good to see you this morning. I hope things are better.”
“Everything is just fine,” I said with a nervous smile.
She touched my hand and my eyes widened. “Are you sure you’re all right? You’re acting nervous.”
“No, no, I’m not nervous,” I said with obvious anxiety in my voice.
“I know just what you need,” Dana said.
“What’s that?” I asked, almost afraid to find out the answer.
“What you need is a good slice of cherry pie.”
“Oh, no, thanks,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll just have coffee this morning.”
“Not even a croissant?” she asked.
“No, no, I have to be good.”
“With as much walking as you do, I’m sure you burn a whole bunch of calories.”
“Well, even so, I guess I’ll pass,” I said.
“If you’re sure,” she said with a frown. “I’ll get the coffee for you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
I paid for my coffee and hurried to get out of there. I was sure that Dana was fine, but the sight of the cherry pie had unnerved me. I’d have to tell her why I was so nervous some other time. Surely she would understand it was nothing against her. My phone rang as I headed down the sidewalk. I hoped this wasn’t another silent call. When I saw Tammy’s number I released a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness it’s you,” I said when I answered.
“Is everything all right?”
“Well, I was just in the coffee shop and I saw Dana cutting a huge cherry pie.”
Silence filled the other end of the line. “Do you think it was her who sent you the notes?”
“No, I don’t think she would do that. Besides, she has no reason for any of this. But it scared me.”
“Well, she is part of the book club,” Tammy said.
“Yes, I suppose I hadn’t thought of that. I told her I didn’t want pie, obviously. I think she realized I was quite nervous.”
“Maybe you should tell Brannon about that,” Tammy said.
“Yes, maybe,” I said. “Anyway, I’m almost at the library. I’ll see you soon.”
There was one thing I wanted to do right now though before finishing up for the day. I wanted to check some of the old papers for any mention of people with Jonathan’s last name. I knew it was probably a long shot but at least I would give it a try. This would require some old-fashioned detective work.
I moved over to the computer and sat down. I picked the years that I thought fit with the picture based on the ghosts’ clothing. I decided to check Devil’s Moon and Rough Creek, since the towns were close together and that was where Jonathan lived. Although the ghosts had been spotted here, so it could be either town. I searched through pages and pages, but I saw nothing that was relevant. My time to look was running out. The library closed soon. I would probably have to give up my mission for the day. I wished there was an easier way to find an answer to this mystery but unfortunately, I was all out of ideas.
I was just about to give up when I saw the last name. It popped right out at me. There was no picture with the article, but it mentioned an accident in Devil’s Moon. And the description of the people involved was uncanny. Two men and a woman. It would’ve been the exact timeframe that I was looking for too. They had died in a carriage accident. Their names were Neil, Ralph and Agatha. Could this really be them? Did I have names to go with the faces now?
Perhaps if I saw them again I could shock them and let them know that I knew who they were. Not much was mentioned in the article, although it did say the accident had happened ironically not far from the library. This wasn’t much to go on, but it was definitely something. I jotted down the names and the approximate location where it had occurred.
I clicked out of what I was doing and shut off the screen. When I looked up, I saw a man behind me. His face was mere inches away from the back of my head. I couldn’t help it, I screamed and spun around. I moved so quickly that I fell out of the chair. Now flat on the floor, I looked around for the man who had been behind me. There was no one in sight. It was as if he had disappeared. But I recognized him. It was one of the men from the photo. One of the ghosts. That had been who I’d seen earlier running around the library. Usually I saw them all together but this time they had split up. That made it even worse. They were probably trying to get me from all angles.
“What do you want?” I asked, hoping that he’d hear me.
“Oh, my gosh, Rip, are you all right?” Tammy rushed over to me and helped me to my feet.
I was still in shock and momentarily unable to talk. And I didn’t want to scare Tammy by telling her a ghost had just been here. It would be best if I didn’t utter a word about the spirit’s visit.
“I’m all right. I just moved too fast.”
“Did you get dizzy? Maybe you’re sick. Do you need to go to the hospital?” Tammy clutched my arm.
“Calm down, Tammy, I’m fine,” I said, patting her hand. “Like I said, I just moved too fast. I’m clumsy, what can I say?”
“You are clumsy,” she said with a nod.
“I think I found a clue on those ghosts. I have names. And I think they died in a carriage accident. Maybe I’ll see the town historian before I do the tour.”
“That sounds like a good idea. It couldn’t hurt,” she said.
“I guess we should get everything closed up so we can get out of here.”
“Yeah, I’ve gotta be at work in like thirty minutes. That doesn’t leave me much time.”
Closing the library would have to wait because a visitor had arrived.
Chapter 17
Mrs. Mae stepped into the library. She homed in on me from the very second that she entered the room. She held something in h
er hands. As she came closer I saw that it was a covered dish. I assumed it to be some sort of baked goods. Possibly another pie? I sensed this wasn’t going in a direction that I would be pleased with. Maybe she was bringing me another pie to force me into making a decision on the contest.
Like I told her before, I’d been kind of busy with a murder, kidnapping, and three bizarre-looking ghosts chasing me around town. How would she like to judge a pie contest with all that distraction? Nevertheless, she continued her track across the library as I stood mesmerized by her stare. I supposed I was curious to hear what she had to say this time. I should’ve just avoided her and hidden behind one of the nearby stacks.
Mrs. Mae stepped up to me with her head held high and her shoulders pushed back. She placed the dish on the counter. It had a blue and white checked napkin covering the top.
She motioned with a tilt of her head. “Well?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Well what?”
“Apparently you missed how delicious my pie was the other day at the contest, so I thought that I would bring you another one so that you can give it another taste.” Mrs. Mae raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sorry, but this is not a do-over. We’re not having the contest again. As you know there have been a lot of things going on around town.”
“I’m sorry, but a little thing like murder is no excuse.” She placed her hands on her hips.
Had I heard her correctly? Was something wrong with my hearing? Had she said that murder was not an excuse not to release the name of a pie contest winner? I mean, I knew things had to move on, but I’d been fighting for my life. I supposed I should just decide and get it over with.
“I appreciate the pie, Mrs. Mae,” I said. “I will announce the winner today. I don’t need to taste your pie again. I know it was delicious.”
“Well, of course it was delicious, but I insist that you eat some of this pie.” She gestured with a wave of her hand.
“But I don’t want some of this pie.”
She pushed the pie toward me. “I insist that you eat some of it.”
“I don’t want the pie,” I said in an even more stern voice.
Was she going to shove it in my face?
She narrowed her eyes. “Why did I bake this if you’re not going to eat it?”
“Maybe someone else would like it,” I said.
“You really didn’t like my pie after all,” she said. “If you did you would eat it right now. It’s important that you eat it.”
Why was it so important that I eat this pie? She was starting to creep me out now.
“Why don’t you save it for yourself?” I asked.
“I don’t want to eat it,” she said through gritted teeth.
I couldn’t believe she was refusing to eat the pie. She’d baked it. We were in a standoff staring at each other. Finally, she took the napkin and placed it back over the pie. Thank goodness. Maybe now she would leave. Instead of picking up the pie and taking it with her, she turned on her heel and headed toward the library doors, leaving the pie right there on top of the desk.
There was no way I was eating that pie now. I was definitely suspicious of her actions. Was she the one who’d murdered Lucy Marcus? I had to think back. Where had Mrs. Mae been when the murder occurred? She’d been standing near the judging table. But now that I reflected on the situation, perhaps she had walked away right near the time of the murder. What would I do with the pie now?
“What’s going on with Mrs. Mae?” Tammy asked as she stepped up to the reference desk.
Tammy had missed all the action since she’d been in the romance section putting books away.
“Everyone is acting so bizarre lately. She brought that pie.” I pointed at the napkin-covered baked dish.
Tammy lifted the napkin up and then leaned down and sniffed. “Smells delicious. Should we eat it?”
“No way,” I said, taking the napkin and placing it back over the pie.
“Why not?” Tammy asked.
“I don’t know. It’s just the way she acted. She kept pushing for me to eat it and then she refused to eat it.”
“Do you think it’s poisoned?” Tammy asked with wide eyes.
“Maybe,” I said. “After all, someone was murdered at the pie contest.”
“Maybe Mrs. Mae murdered Lucy Marcus,” Tammy said.
“Anything is possible,” I said. “Nevertheless, we need to dispose of the pie.”
I picked up the dish from the counter before anyone else attempted to take a bite.
Tammy stopped me by touching my hand. “I wouldn’t throw it away if I were you. I would save it for Brannon.”
My eyes widened.
Tammy waved her hands. “Oh, I don’t mean for him to eat it. I mean for him to send it for testing for poison.”
Her words rolled around in my head as I contemplated what she’d said.
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to give it to him.”
“Exactly. Maybe we will crack the case after all,” Tammy said.
I smiled. “Maybe we will. Okay, so I’ll save it, but I have to put it somewhere where no one will get it.”
“It does smell delicious. They might be tempted. You should probably lock it in your office.”
“Good thinking,” I said as I grabbed the keys for my office.
“Too bad we can’t eat it,” Tammy said as I turned to walk away.
Until I got Brannon over here I would lock it away.
“Yeah, too bad. I’m taking this back to my office. Let me know if you need anything,” I said.
I headed back toward my office, walking down the long hallway. I’d put the pie in there for safekeeping. It felt as if someone was following me down that hallway, but it could be the pictures of the library board members that lined the walls. Every time I walked down the hallway their eyes followed me. Probably I was being a little bit creeped out because of the other paranormal activity. Since the new head of the library board arrived things had been better.
I continued down the hallway to my office door. When I opened the door and stepped inside I looked around. Something seemed different, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Where would I put the pie? How about my desk drawer? Yes, that would be the perfect spot. No one would look in there and I’d lock the office door behind me. I opened up the drawer and carefully placed the pie on top of a stack of files. I closed the drawer and locked it so that no one would have access.
I sat down at my desk to work on some paperwork. A couple seconds later my phone alerted me to a text message. I checked it but again didn’t recognize the number. Had Alexandria Emerson sent another text?
We are watching you.
That was all the text said. What was that supposed to mean? Chill bumps raised on my arms.
Who is this?
I sent the text back. Of course, I didn’t receive a response. This was just way too creepy.
Please don’t text me again.
After sending the message, I placed the phone back on my desk and stared at it. There was still no response. I tapped my pencil against the desktop, staring at the phone. I picked the phone up and dialed the number. It rang and rang but never went to voicemail. Whoever was playing tricks on me, I didn’t find it funny whatsoever. I decided to block the number. I wouldn’t even give them the opportunity to send another text.
A shuffling noise sounded somewhere in the office. My breath caught in my throat. What was that? Was there a mouse in the room? Oh, my gosh. I should jump on top of the desk. I didn’t want that thing running across my foot. I stood from my chair and peeked around the edge of the desk. I looked all around the floor but saw no sign of a mouse. More shuffling noises. I spun around. It definitely sounded as if it had come from behind me.
Papers flew from the top of the credenza and scattered across the floor. I gasped at the sight. Okay, that definitely wasn’t a mouse. Now scary things were happening in my office. Perhaps it was time for me to go back into the main part of the library. I wasn
’t sure I was in the emotional state to deal with a haunting in this tiny room right now.
I hurried out of the office and locked the door behind me so that no one would eat that pie. Again it felt as if someone watched me. Then it clicked. The text message. It had said that they were watching me. I had a feeling the way I felt now and the text message were connected.
I made my way back into the main part of the library. Tammy was busy with patrons. I didn’t want to tell her about this anyway. After taking books from the book return, I peeked out the window, looking out over the front of the library. I spotted Jessie and Mrs. Mae talking outside on the sidewalk. What were they talking about? I hadn’t known that they were friends. Were they discussing books or me? I watched them suspiciously. They looked back at the library a couple of times. Were they discussing me and my unwillingness to announce the pie contest winner?
It was time for the library to close now. I’d have the rest of the day to think about the pie contest. Not just the murder part, but the actual contest. I knew I needed to make a decision on the winner. My decision wasn’t based on the fact that Mrs. Mae had come in repeatedly and that I was a little scared of her. But I thought she actually was the best. I wanted to be fair no matter how weird she was acting. I decided that I would go by her home and tell her personally that she had won the contest. That would keep her from storming into the library with another pie.
Even though I was still spooked by the pie that she’d brought by, Brannon didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong. Though he had reluctantly taken the pie. I’d like to see his commander’s face when Brannon told him that I gave him a pie and I thought it needed to be tested for poison. His coworkers must have a lot to say about his wacky girlfriend. Although they always gave him a hard time about the paranormal inventions he made.
Anyway, back to the point. Mrs. Mae should win the contest. We’d locked the library doors and now I was headed to Mrs. Mae’s house.
Chapter 18