06 Hauntin' After Midnight

by Rose Pressey

  “It was good,” I said, tapping my fingers nervously against the bar.

  She gave the drink to the customer and then focused her stare on me. “You’re still thinking about that house, right?”

  How did she know me so well? Was I that obvious?

  I pinched my index finger and thumb together. “Just a little bit. I’ll get over it. Listen, I have to go.”

  “Where are you going?” Tammy asked.

  She always knew when I was lying too. I’d just selectively leave out the truth. I certainly wouldn’t mention that I was going to walk back to that house.

  I motioned over my shoulder. “I’m just going to grab something to eat.”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “You seem suspicious.”

  I laughed nervously. “You say that about everyone.”

  I would have told Tammy the truth, but I didn’t want her to think I was completely obsessed with the place. She’d think I’d lost my mind. Before she could question me further, I hurried out of the tavern and toward the house. After the tour it was a long walk, but I would do it anyway. After a busy day at work and then the extended haunted tour, I was tired, but the fresh air would help me clear my head. I needed time to sort out my thoughts.

  Brannon sent a text wondering what I was doing for dinner. I told him I had work to catch up on. He wouldn’t be off for another hour so he didn’t push the issue.

  The wind had picked up. Dark clouds filled the sky. I really should be home now. The last thing I wanted was to be caught out in the rain with the lightning. Nevertheless, I continued down the sidewalk. A few minutes later and I arrived at the house. Lights were off, of course, and no one was around. The wind whipped the branches on the trees. I’d have to hurry if I wanted to miss the storm.

  I decided to take a closer look. It was the only thing to do, right? Just a peek in the window. There was no harm in that. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see anything in the house. Of course there was nothing to see anyway. I wondered if Katrina had removed that Ouija board. Would I see a ghost? I pulled out my phone and used it as a flashlight. Maybe I should have kept one of the flashlights instead of giving them all back to Tammy. She would have wondered what I was up to though. That would have totally given me away.

  As I stood there trying to get the light on I thought I heard a sound. It wasn’t from inside the house though. It sounded as if it had come from outside.

  “Who’s there?” I called out.

  No one answered so I moved down the front steps and headed around the side of the house. The little light on my phone barely provided any illumination. I just hoped I didn’t step on something and fall. I’d only made it a few steps when I spotted the body. Yes, a body right there on the lawn. I looked around. No one else was there. I raced over and realized that it was Katrina.

  “Katrina, are you okay?” I asked.

  Of course she wasn’t okay. Why had I asked that? She didn’t respond. I bent down to check her pulse. Her heart wasn’t beating. I couldn’t believe this was happening. What had happened to her? This was terrifying. My whole body trembled as adrenaline rushed through me. I pulled out my phone and dialed Brannon. Maybe I should have dialed 911 first. I panicked though and wasn’t sure what was right.

  Luckily he answered right away. Brannon said he would be right there. For all I knew Katrina could have had a medical emergency. So why was the first thing that crossed my mind murder? I was all alone out there while I waited for Brannon to arrive. I didn’t know if I should walk away from Katrina or stay put. I chose to do both. I moved a bit away from her so that I could see the street. I left my flashlight on so that I could keep an eye on the surroundings.

  In the distance I spotted Brannon’s cruiser. Soon his car raced up to the curb. The siren and lights were flashing. Thank goodness he was here. But I was afraid to find out the truth. If she had been murdered that meant there was a murderer out there. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

  Brannon jumped out of the car and raced toward me. His expression was one of astonishment. He couldn’t be more surprised than me. I’d just found a dead body. His black shiny shoes squeaked as he raced across the grass. My flashlight was focused on him now illuminating his handsome face and dark hair. It was then I realized we matched. He also wore black pants and a white shirt. Why did I think of these things at a time like this? Sometimes I could be so weird.

  “She’s right here.” I pointed.

  Brannon ran over to the body. Just then other police cars arrived. I stared in shock as the action took over the area. Lights from neighboring houses started to pop on as people came out to check on the commotion.

  Brannon came back over to me after checking the body. “She’s gone.”

  Of course I already knew that, but he had to confirm.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  I knew he would ask that since he’d thought I was going home after the tour.

  I released a deep breath. “I decided to make a stop by here.”

  His attention was focused on me. “This isn’t on your way.”

  No, no, it was not. He studied my face. Apparently he wanted more of an answer.

  “This was the house I investigated last night and that is the owner.” I gestured toward the body.

  “The house that you want to buy?”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “So you came to talk with her more about buying it?”

  Why did he ask that? “Unfortunately, no. I just wanted to take a walk.”

  “In a storm?” he asked.

  I frowned.

  “Sorry,” he said. “It just doesn’t seem like you.”

  “What do you think happened to her?” I asked.

  Another officer walked up. “Detective, can I speak with you for a moment?”

  “Do you want to wait in my car?” Brannon asked.

  I nodded and headed over to the sidewalk. After slipping into the passenger seat I glanced around, hoping people wouldn’t think I had been arrested. Oh, no. Now everyone in town would be talking. What if this was the last straw that pushed the library board to fire me? What if I really was being arrested for Katrina’s murder? Surely Brannon wouldn’t think I was capable of something as horrendous as murder. Had she been murdered?

  I spotted Brannon as he was headed over to the car. My stomach flipped again. I was almost afraid to hear what he had to say.

  He slid into the driver’s seat. Silence filled the car for a moment. Should I speak first?

  He looked at me. “I think she was murdered.”

  I knew he wasn’t supposed to tell me this. Now my gut feeling was confirmed.

  “The coroner will confirm,” he said. “It looks as if we have a serious situation on our hands.”

  “How do you think it happened?” I asked.

  He ran his hand through his hair. “It looks like a gunshot wound. Can you tell me what happened when you arrived? Did you hear anything?”

  “I heard a thump,” I said.

  “A gunshot?” he asked.

  “No, I don’t think so. It wasn’t that loud. It was more like someone falling.”

  “That’s what I thought,” he said. “I don’t think she was shot in that spot. I think she walked from somewhere in the back yard and fell in the place where you found her.”

  “Who would have killed her?” I asked.

  “That’s anyone’s guess at this point.”

  Chapter 4

  Brannon started the car. “I’ll take you home.”

  “At least you’re not taking me to jail.” I leaned my head back on the seat.

  Police remained on the scene. At least some of the neighbors had started to retreat inside their homes.

  “Don’t even joke about that,” he said as he pulled away from the curb.

  “Well, I was the one who found her.”

  “You have a knack for it, I suppose.” Brannon glanced over at me.

  I tried to smile, but this was no joking matter.<
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  “Tell me again why you were there?” Brannon asked as we rode along.

  I sighed. “I suppose I fell in love with the place. Katrina said she was going to have the house torn down. I just wanted to take another look.”

  “You’re lucky you didn’t show up sooner. The killer could have gotten you too.” Brannon pulled up in front of my apartment.

  That thought had crossed my mind quite a few times since finding Katrina’s body. Brannon and I got out of the car and walked up the path to the front porch. A drizzle had now started to fall from the sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance. A flash of Katrina’s body went through my mind and a shiver raced down my spine. All was quiet inside the house, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Yet just a short distance away a maniac had taken Katrina away forever. Brannon walked me up the three flights of stairs to my door.

  “I wish I could stay, but I have to get back. I can check in later.” He leaned down and kissed me.

  “Be safe out there,” I said as he walked down the stairs.

  I immediately went for the shower, as if that would wash away all the bad that had happened. Unfortunately it didn’t work and Katrina was still on my mind. After toweling off I slipped into my pajamas and went straight to bed. My mind raced, but I was so exhausted that even that wouldn’t keep me awake. Within a couple minutes of being under the covers I drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  I woke up with my phone ringing. When I grabbed the phone from the nightstand I saw that I’d missed several texts from Brannon.

  “You didn’t answer my texts and I started to panic.” I’d never heard such worry in Brannon’s voice.

  “I fell asleep. Any news?” I asked, sitting up in bed.

  “Nothing yet. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “I’m fine.” My mind was still groggy.

  I glanced at the time. Two in the morning. I really had been out of it.

  “I’ll come by later. I know you’re tired,” Brannon said.

  He was right. I was tired and fell back asleep right away. I was shocked actually because after what had happened I thought I’d never get to sleep. Somehow I’d blocked the horrific scene out of my mind.

  ***

  Sun streamed through the window. I hurried out of bed to dress before Brannon arrived. I’d no sooner finished getting ready when a knock came at the door.

  I paused at the door. “Who is it?”

  “Detective Brannon Landon.” His voice always sent a tingle across my skin.

  I opened the door and Brannon embraced me in a kiss. His arms wrapped around me felt more comforting than ever.

  “Am I glad to see you,” I said.

  “We have just enough time to stop for coffee,” Brannon said, checking his watch.

  We skipped the walk to the library and instead took his car. It was just as well. I wasn’t in the mood for a walk today. We stopped at the coffee shop. Brannon got out to grab us coffee and I waited in the car. Maybe it was my imagination, but it seemed as if people were staring. Had they heard about what happened last night? Of course they’d heard. It would be splashed across the front page of the newspaper.

  Brannon slipped back into the car and handed me a cup.

  “Do you think people are staring at me?” I asked and then took a sip of the hot liquid.

  “It’s just your imagination. Don’t worry.” Brannon started the car.

  Brannon and I briefly discussed what happened last night as we drove the short distance to the library.

  “I just wish I had more information to give you.” I took another drink.

  “I don’t because that would mean you would have been close enough to see the killer. I don’t want you in that kind of danger.”

  Brannon pulled up to the curb in front of the library and cut the engine. Silence filled the car.

  “Why do I have the feeling that you’re escorting me to work?” I asked as we sat in the car in front of the library. “Is there something you’re not telling me that I should know?”

  Brannon avoided eye contact for a moment. “You know I want to see you before you go to work.”

  I kissed him on the cheek. “Of course I want to see you too. Sorry.”

  “You don’t have to say sorry,” he said.

  I nodded. “I should go.”

  Brannon opened the door and hurried around to my side of the car. Now he was walking me to the front doors? No matter what he said I was starting to worry. He couldn’t guard me forever. After walking me up the steps and to the front entrance, Brannon kissed me goodbye and watched as I went inside. Tammy had already unlocked the library doors and turned on all the lights. She wanted to give me extra time this morning after what had happened. Though I was only ten minutes late.

  People were already in the library. In fact, it was kind of crowded, which I thought was odd for this time of day. Tammy was at the reference desk helping a patron. The strange sensation of being watched fell over me. I scanned the area and noticed a few people staring me. They quickly looked away when I spotted them. The feeling stayed with me though.

  I hadn’t spotted Annie yet. Though whatever sensation I felt seemed more sinister and I knew that wouldn’t come from her. I put my bags away and got right to work. A few seconds later Annie popped up across the way and waved. Now I knew for sure it wasn’t her. The sensation stayed with me. I looked across the library again and noticed someone else staring. The woman looked away when I made eye contact.

  Tammy finished helping her customer.

  “What’s going on with all these people?” I asked.

  Tammy shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

  I thought I had a pretty good idea why they were here. They wanted to watch me and see if I was in fact a killer. This was crazy.

  “I think they’re here because they think I killed Katrina,” I said.

  Tammy frowned. “Don’t say such things.”

  Brannon acted the same way as Tammy. As if they thought if they didn’t acknowledge that people might think I was the killer it wouldn’t be so.

  “It’s true,” I said. “The board members will probably show up soon. This might be it for me, Tammy. It’s too much controversy and the board members won’t like that.”

  “Well, if you go, then I go.” She narrowed her eyes and pounded her fist on the counter.

  “Don’t let my problems become your problems.”

  “Would you do the same for me?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Okay then, I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

  I smiled. “Not another word.”

  Tammy hugged me. “This just means we have to find the killer right away so they can see they are wrong.”

  “That seems impossible,” I said.

  Tammy waved her hand. “You’re the best detective I know. Well, other than Brannon.”

  I laughed. “He’s the professional.”

  “Do you know anyone who might want Katrina dead?” Tammy asked.

  “I didn’t know her.” I checked in books while we talked. “Though she did mention a boyfriend. They’d recently had a fight.”

  Tammy raised an eyebrow. “Bingo. It’s usually someone the victim knew. If they were fighting then that means he probably did it.”

  “We don’t know anything for sure,” I said.

  “You have to find him and find out if he did this.”

  The sensation of being watched returned. This time it was even stronger. I looked over to where Annie had been standing, but she was gone now. It felt as if someone was staring from the opposite direction, but when I looked over there no one was watching me. Was there a spirit in the library playing tricks on me?

  “Is something wrong?” Tammy waved her hands to grab my attention.

  That was when I noticed the woman staring at me again. I didn’t recognize her. This time she didn’t look away when our eyes met. Instead she started walking toward me. Maybe she wanted help finding
a book. The strange vibe told me she wanted something else. Within a few seconds the woman was standing in front of me. She wore black slacks and a matching blazer. With her heels she must have been about five foot ten inches. Much taller than me. Her brown hair reached her shoulders. Her makeup was minimal except for the dark liner traced along the edge of her eyelids.

  “My name is Erin Kohl.” She stuck out her hand.

  “Nice to meet you,” I said.

  “This may seem strange,” she said.

  At this point, I doubted there would be anything I found strange.

  “My aunt is Katrina Kohl.”

  Okay, maybe I was wrong. This was strange. Erin seemed friendly enough, but had she come here because she’d thought I killed her aunt? Did I need to call the police?

  “I’m sorry about your aunt,” I said.

  This had turned awkward quickly.

  “It’s a terrible tragedy. I was her only family. I just happened to come to town yesterday and then this happened.” She briefly looked down at her feet.

  Erin had just come to town? Why did that send off alarm bells in my mind? Was I really thinking that Katrina’s own niece could have killed her? Stranger things had happened.

  “When did you see your aunt last?” I asked, sounding a bit like a detective.

  Maybe I shouldn’t have moved right into questioning her.

  Erin studied my face for a moment and then said, “We had dinner together last night. She said she was going for a walk. When she didn’t come back after a while I went to look for her.”

  Did Erin have a gun? How would I find that out?

  “That was when I discovered what happened.” She wiped at her eyes.

  I couldn’t tell if they were real tears and I didn’t want to stare too hard to find out.

  “Of course I talked to the police. Personally, I think it might have been her boyfriend.” She frowned.

  A short time ago I’d been suspicious of him too. Now I was suspicious of not only him, but Erin too.

  “What makes you say that?” I was curious.

  How well did she know her aunt and the boyfriend?

  “They had been arguing. I think he was the one who talked her into tearing down the house. He was just a creep. I hope the police arrest him soon.”