by J. M. Madden
Calling it a park was a bit of an overstatement, but the town referred to the small patch of grass that ran down the center of town, with a gazebo and smattering of benches, as Whisper Park since before Abbie was born.
They prepared to close shop, Becka split the remaining six scones. Three she'd take home and the other three she gave to Abbie, who would drop them off either at the sheriff's office or the fire station. Since there were only three, she'd drop them off at the sheriff's since they only had one deputy on duty and another on call.
Mrs. Grundy finally stood and dropped a five-dollar bill on the table. "You should put more butter in the batter," she said and left.
"WHAT ARE you doing with the dog?" Becka asked looking into the box at the slumbering terrier. "He sure is happy in that box. Kinda strange."
"Taking him to Cissie's. It's on my way."
Becka frowned. "You don't live that way."
"I know. I want to drive past Clark's and see what he's up to."
"I should go with you," Becka said grabbing her purse and keys. "We should find his car and check it out. Maybe the dog can help. Do you think he'll know what a dead body smells like?"
Abbie lifted the box and the little dog looked at her from between the long hair strips that fell over its ugly face. "Maybe. Let's go. I'll bring you back by to get your car."
"Nah, I'll leave it. I'll get my honey bunch to drop me off in the morning."
ABBIE MOTORED past city hall and the library, the mayor wasn't at either place. She slowed down when passing his house and once again no sign of the mayor. Giving up on the obvious places, they drove down Lexington Avenue, which lead out of the center of town. From there it was three miles down to Tall Pines Lane where Cissie Bloom, a real estate agent, lived.
When they passed the Dooly house, a historical home of an old president or some other office once lived they spotted the mayor's car parked in front of it. Abbie pulled over just past it and looked to Becka. "Let's take the dog over and walk past his car. Like we're out for a walk."
They climbed out of the car. When Abbie reached for the dog it growled. "Shit I think it's going to bite me."
"Bring it in the box then."
They strolled slowly, pretending to hold a conversation while eyeing the car. The closer they got to the car the more nervous Becka got. Her eyes widened and she wrung her hands. "Oh God what if we see blood drippin'" Her southern accent became more pronounced. "I swear, I'll pass clean out."
"Hush, Becka. Let's just get close enough so the dog can sniff." Once they were even with the trunk of the car she lowered the box moving it closer to the vehicle. The dog stared at her and growled. "Do you smell something boy?" The dog gave her a bored look and settled back into the box.
"I don't think he smells anything," Becka her face shiny with sweat. "Let's go. I don't see any blood dripping either."
Abbie leaned over and sniffed. Beep! A car horn sounded and both she and Becka let out a scream. The ugly dog yelped and tried to bury itself under the towel.
Cory waved happily. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare y'all. " She laughed and kept going.
"Let's go," Abbie grumbled. "Once we get Fugly here home. I am going to Clucky's and stuffing my face.
"I'll call Gary and tell him I'll bring dinner home. I can't pass up Clucky's fried chicken after a fright like that. They continued down Lexington Avenue and hooked a left onto Tall Pines.
Cissie's house was an oversized two-story house with four columns on the front. Abbie pulled over in front of the house and put it in park. "I'll be right back. I sure hope this is her dog."
She made her way up the walkway. The little dog now with it's a paw over the side of the box looking expectantly to the front door. Before she could knock, Cissie Bloom rushed out and slammed the door behind her. "Beauregard!" She reached for the ugly dog that growled and snarled. "Where did you find him?"
"He walked into my shop. I think he followed Mrs. Grundy in."
Cissie held the dog up ignoring its growls. "He hates going to the groomers. Ran off when I got out of the car in front of Roz's shop. Thank you Abbie." She turned on her heel and hurried back inside once again slamming the door shut.
"That was strange," Abbie told Becka once she got back behind the wheel. "She's usually anxious to show off her house."
Becka stretched her neck and looked at the house. "Maybe she's got something in there she doesn't want anyone to see."
"What are you saying?" Abbie asked narrowing her eyes toward Cissie's home.
"What if she's the random thief?"
Abbie put the car in gear and made a U-turn. "She doesn't need anything. Got plenty of money when her eighty-year old husband died."
"I think he was only seventy," Becka said with a pensive expression. "Think about it. She won't arouse suspicions going to houses any time of day. People know she's a realtor. If caught, she can say she's scouting the property out for a client."
"You've got a point," Abbie agreed, her mouth watering at the sight of the red and yellow Big Chick sign. "Let's call it a day. Tomorrow we can regroup and maybe come up with an excuse to go back to Cissie's."
Becka looked down the street to where the mayor's car was parked. "I sure hope there's not a dead body in the mayor's car. Sure would be a shame for the man to end up in jail."
Abbie nodded. "I don't think there is, it would be horrible. Let's not think about it. I'm ready to eat and a romance novel is calling my name. Bed and book for me tonight."
THREE
"Pull over!" Abbie hollered at Becka the next day. It was late morning. They'd come up with an idea to go back to Cissie's house, after convincing Coy to mind the Teashop for half an hour.
No time to waste they'd jumped into Becka's GMC truck and headed to the real estate agent's car. "Look!" She pointed at a driveway across the street.
Logan Porter dragged a huge box from his car to the front door. He straightened, wiped his brow and looked to both side before bending to pull the box again. They slouched down in their seats and waited until he finally managed to get the box inside.
"He's all sweaty now," Becka said with a wide grin. "Maybe you should go over there, knock and accidentally fall on top of him."
"He does look good glistening like that," Abbie said and then shook her head. "That's not why we're watching. We didn't sit here to see his muscles flex or his face glisten with sweat."
Becka scowled. "Really? Cause that's what I was doing."
"Think about it." Abbie motioned to her temple. "What's in the box? Why is he dragging a box into his house this time of day when he should be at his clinic?"
"Oh yeah," Becka said and slid another look to the vet's house. "No one would suspect a hunky new veterinarian of being the random thief. People would assume he creeps around yards because he's looking for strays."
"Exactly!" Abbie exclaimed and yanked the door open. "Come on, let's get a look. Maybe we can find out what's in the box."
Becka got out of the truck, rounded it and stopped. "I'm dressed too brightly. He'll spot me a mile away." Today she wore a fuchsia dress, lime green scarf and striped tights. "I'll hide and you peek in."
"Okay," Abbie agreed silently praying Logan felt a sudden desire to take off his shirt.
They skulked across the street and flattened against the side of the house. The porch was high, which meant so were the windows. They slid closer only to see the window bottom was too high for them to peer in.
"Dang nab it," Becka said and jumped in an effort to look inside. "It's too darn high."
Spotting a cinder block, Abbie grabbed it and dragged it closer. "I'm going to balance on this and peek in. If I whistle, it means we're running and making a clean getaway cause we've been made."
"Maybe we should just make up something. Like that we're judging for the yard of the month.
Abbie let out a huff. "Okay that works. But I don't plan on getting caught." She set the cinder block up on its short side and stepped up on it. She wobbled until
she held her arms out to get balance.
"Be still, I'll hold your legs," Becka whispered and put her hands on both sides of Abbie's thighs. "Move slowly so he won't see you."
Abbie moved sideways and peered through the blinds. Logan sat on the floor cross-legged. Unfortunately, he still wore a shirt. He'd made short stacks of plates and cups on the floor and pulled another plate out. After inspecting it, he put it on top of a pile. Once again he returned to the box and this time he pulled out a wad of yellowed newspapers. Something must have crawled over his hand because he threw the paper down and scooted away from the box, his eyes darting all over the floor. Abbie couldn't help giggling at the hot guy being scared of a little bug.
She covered her mouth to muffle her laughter.
"What's so funny?" Becka asked.
"A bug scared him," Abbie told her. "He's digging out dishes...and...oh - oh."
Abbie tried to whistle, but all that came out was air. Logan came toward the window and she tried to scramble off the brick, but Becka held her legs tight.
When Logan lifted the window Abbie went into a full panic mode and pushed at Becka. "Let me go. We've been caught." Her elbow hit Becka on the side of the head.
"Ouch!" Becka cried and hit Abbie's leg, then realizing her mistake, she tried to catch her as she tumbled to the ground. Both fell in a heap under Logan's window.
The man watched, his eyes wide. "Don't move, I'll be right out. I have a first aid kit."
"Get off me," Abbie hissed pushing Becka off. She jumped to her feet and began hurriedly dusting her clothes off and ran her fingers through her hair.
Becka was slower, she took a moment to glare at the ground. "What the hell? I think I sprained my ass."
"I don't think you can sprain your butt. Get up, here he comes. You do the talking."
They stood next to each other. Becka pulled a small notebook and pen from somewhere in her multicolored outfit and looked to Logan with expectation.
He looked at them, then at the cinder block which lay on its side now.
"Sorry about that," Abbie said. "We're on the judging committee for yard of the month."
There was silence as they waited for him to say something. When he remained quiet Becka held up her notepad. "We didn't know you were home and heard noise, so thought we'd check and make sure someone didn't break in."
"My car is in the driveway," he pointed to his blue Dodge Charger.
"Oh is that what you drive?" Abbie attempted to flutter her lashes. "I thought you drove a white van."
Logan frowned. "Why would this yard be a contender. It's barely got any grass."
"A contender for what?" Becka asked and Abbie elbowed her. "Oh right. There's a competition for most improved. So next year, you might win that."
They moved backwards toward the street. Abbie gave him a bright smile. "See you soon. Stop by for a cup of coffee, it'll be free since we startled you."
He remained in the driveway scratching his head as they drove off. Abbie let out a breath. "I don't think he believed us."
"Oh he didn't, but he likes you so it's okay."
"You think so?" Abbie's chest felt lighter. "He is cute isn't he?"
Becka nodded and looked at the clock. "We better head back. You can drive by Cissie's on your way home. After the town hall meeting."
That evening by five, people were squeezed in the small auditorium at Whisper Library. The random thefts made for a full house. Abbie sat next to Coy who'd saved a seat for her.
Coy craned her neck to see who else walked in. "Haven't seen this many people since someone painted a pecker on the water tower."
"It was supposed to be a canon," Abbie said motioning for Becka and Gary to join them.
Becka leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Just had a quickie. I'm ready to go criminal hunting. All rev'ed up."
"Eew. Do you have to share every time?" Abbie snuck a look to Gary who had a goofy grin on his face. "Why do you two always have sex now?"
"Doctor said I have to exercise and lose weight. Sex burns more calories in five minutes than running will do in half an hour."
Abbie shrugged. "Oh yeah, that makes sense."
The mayor tapped on the microphone, leaned forward and the PA system screeched. Everyone began to talk at once about the sound. The mayor tapped again, everyone quieted and the PA system screeched again. After repeating it twice more, someone finally did something and the screeching stopped.
Clark Carter cleared his throat and the room quieted. Except for two women who knitted in the back and continued talking oblivious to being overheard. "Honey I would just use vinegar and rinse it out. Let him complain about the smell all his wants. I bet he'd rather not have clogged pipes."
Someone laughed and Clark gave a droll look. "Good evening. By the large number of citizens here, it's obvious the recent rash of thefts alarms everyone. I wish to assure you that the Whisper County deputies are working diligently to find whoever is responsible for this. Once we do, I will personally push for swift and harsh punishment."
The room went silent.
The cicadas outside seemed to get louder and Becka snorted when she tried not to laugh.
Clark continued. "With that said. Deputy Kiser would like to give you some pointers to avoid being targets." He looked to Jimmy Kiser who straightened and moved to stand in front of the microphone.
While Jimmy Kiser talked about locking windows and bringing expensive items like lawn chairs inside, Abbie searched to room for Cissie. She stood to the side, near a doorway, her arms crossed, on her face a look like that of a cat that just finished off a full bowl of cream. She nudged Becka. "Take a look at Cissie, tell me she doesn't look guilty."
"Uh-huh," Becka agreed watching the woman.
Just then old lady Mrs. Grundy whacked her cane on the mayor's podium. "You can't catch this thief. Too crafty. Too smart for the one and a half deputies we got in this sorry town." She got to her feet, wobbled a bit until someone reached steadied her. She glared at the good Samaritan and whirled to face the mayor and deputy. "I tell you what is needed. A new city council." For effect she lifted her right hand like a magician. "Since I was voted from head chairman of the festival committee, not only will the Whisper Festival Day go to hell in a hand basket, but a crafty thief is stealing us blind!"
Once again the sound of the cicadas seemed to crescendo as everyone looked around in obvious discomfort. The mayor tapped the microphone again.
"Thank you Mrs. Grundy. Anyone else?" He looked visibly relieved when Coy raised her hand.
"I think we should do a neighborhood watch, except on a larger scale. Set up patrols. We can split it up, and walk around with tazers. You know like those people on the Walking Dead. We take turns sleeping and patrolling. Close all the businesses and we all move into City Hall. We can board up the windows and grow our own food."
Even the cicadas went silent.
The meeting finally ended after the mayor reassured everyone again and everyone pushed their way out into the cool evening. "I think that went well don't y'all?" Coy said as they walked to their respective cars.
FOUR
"Are you coming with me?" Abbie asked Becka the next afternoon. "We can run over to Cissie's before the afternoon crowd gets here. I'll just buzz Coy to watch the place for us." She scooped up jasmine tea and poured it into a canister that already held Earl Grey and hibiscus. She sniffed the mixture and scooped some into a mess bag then dropped it into a cup of steaming water. "I'm going to call this Floral Grey."
Just then the bell over the door rang and Deputy Jimmy Kiser walked in. "Good morning ladies." The handsome guy puffed his chest like a rooster and hooked both thumbs into his belt. "Looks like a slow morning."
"Hey Jimmy," Becka said already pouring a cup of coffee in a to-go cup for him. "Any news on the random theft case?"
The deputy accepted the coffee and eyed the scones. Today Becka had made chocolate chip and orange ginger flavors. "I'd like one of the chocolate chip ones pl
ease." He slid a glance at Abbie. "When you gonna go out with me?"
"When you get a divorce," Abbie replied and blew at the hot tea. "For all I know you and Amy Lynn are getting back together."
He let out a breath and gave her a saucy grin. "I am divorced. She moved to Kentucky. You scared or something? 'Sides we were good together."
"That was high school Jimmy," Abbie retorted. "We're both almost forty now. Many things have changed." She eyed his flat stomach and wide chest and cursed inwardly. Both she and Jimmy had gotten bigger. He was muscular, a hunky buff type now and she'd gone from a size four to a fourteen. Although she considered herself attractive, her curves felt a bit too curvy at times.
Oblivious to her ogling, Jimmy bit into the scone and slurped coffee. "The thief struck again."
"No!" Becka and Abbie chorused. "What was taken this time?" Becka asked.
"The Harper's hummingbird feeders. When I went over, the darn birds were flapping and flying in circles all over the place. Mrs. Harper put out some bowls with sugar water or whatever she feeds them, but they were some mad little critters."
"That's wrong," Becka said and looked at Abbie. "I'll go on the errand with you. We need to find out..."
Abbie nudged her and attempted a subtle eye slide toward the deputy. "Yes we need to go see about getting some spearmint from the Piggly Wiggly. I can't believe we're out of spearmint."
Fortunately Jimmy was settling into a table by the window where he could look outside, so he missed Becka's near slip-up.
"Jimmy?" Abbie said sweetly as she walked towards the door with her purse and keys. "Can you hang out here for a bit? If someone comes in and wants something call Coy, she can help them."
"Or tell them we'll be back in thirty minutes. This won't take but a second."
"We're going to Piggly Wiggly." Becka added.
He shrugged and leaned back. "Sure, but if I get a call, I've gotta go."
They didn't wait for him to change his mind and scuttled out. "Hey!" Jimmy called before the door closed. "Why do both of you have to go?"
They pretended not to hear him and rushed to Abbie's '84 pale blue VW Rabbit.