Confused, he went back to his office and asked Maureen how she had convinced Annamarie and Daniel to part with the birds. He didn’t think they were on decent speaking terms. She smiled recounting her clandestine mission to the house, and how the stupid housekeeper didn’t even see what she was doing. George pretended to smile at her indiscretion since this wasn’t the time for an argument, but made a mental note to return the birds as soon as possible. They had been gifts for his mother and belonged in his father’s home, even if Daniel and Annamarie owned it now. He began to think if Daniel had emotional problems, he inherited them from Maureen.
***
Mrs. Hanson came out of her husband’s office with a stack of payroll envelopes and handed them to Annamarie. Annamarie took hers and placed it in her purse. She knocked on the plant door and handed the other envelopes to Tim.
“Thanks. I’ll hand them out. Have a wonderful weekend.”
Wishing Tim the same, she headed back to her office. It was only eleven-thirty, but Mr. Hanson said she could leave. She thanked him, hugged Mrs. Hanson, and wished them a pleasant weekend. She had enough time to go to the bank and cash her check before she picked up Daniel.
***
Bulk was waiting near the nurse’s desk with his bag. He saw his brother walk in and stood up. The nurse had papers for Bulk and his brother to sign. Once signed, she told them Bulk was free to go. Bulk thanked her, and they headed for the elevator. Bulk’s brother said they should celebrate, and he’d treat Bulk to lunch before he left for work. Bulk was happier than he had been in weeks.
***
Finished at the bank, Annamarie drove over to the insurance office. Daniel saw her car pull up, and with one last glance at his clean desk, walked to his dad’s office door and knocked.
“Come in.”
“Okay, if I leave for the weekend?”
“Sure. Have a good one.”
His mom added, “Don’t forget about Sunday lunch.”
“I won’t, Mom.”
He practically ran out of the building and into Annamarie’s car.
“Drive, baby. This plan’s working out perfectly as long as we get out of town.”
“Right. On our way,” said Annamarie, and in less than ten minutes, they left Timmus Woods and were on their way to Oaklin.
“We did it. This is going to be a wonderful weekend.”
Annamarie agreed.
“I took a chance and called Nancy so she wouldn’t worry. She answered only because Greta was at the sheriff’s station. I told her I’d call during Greta’s shifts at Ray’s, and if Greta answered, I’d hang up.”
“She doesn’t know where we’ll be, does she?”
“I didn’t tell her where we’re going. Only that we had something to do out of town. Nancy doesn’t mind because she said Greta’s nice, and she feels safe there. Things seem to be working out better than we thought.”
Annamarie stepped down on the gas pedal and the car roared down the highway.
***
After the architect left Maureen said, “It has been a busy morning. I’m excited to get home and change so we can drive to see the land, and envision exactly where the house will be.”
“Still have a call to make, and then I’d like to eat lunch before we drive out to see the land.”
“I’ll go home and prepare lunch while you finish your business.”
Watching her drive off, George strode into the building’s storage area and found a medium-sized box and some newspaper. Picking them up, he hurried into Maureen’s office and opened the curio cabinet. Carefully wrapping each of the twelve birds and placing them in the box, he was convinced he was doing the right thing.
Using a piece of paper from Maureen’s desk, he wrote on it, “I’m sorry about this. These belong at Logan’s Love with you. Love, Dad,” and placed it on top of the box filled with ceramic birds.
Placing the box on the passenger seat, George drove to his father’s house. He knew Daniel and Annamarie would care for the birds properly knowing they were purchased with love and weren’t trophies. Arriving at Logan’s Love, he rang the bell, but no one answered. He walked around to the back and carefully placed the box inside the enclosed porch.
He drove home with a heavy heart, knowing Monday morning his wife would notice the birds were gone, and have a tantrum. He would have to confront her with the fact he didn’t agree with what she did, and he considered her a thief. He wondered if they would ever finish the plans for their dream house now.
***
Annamarie and Daniel arrived at the hotel, and while Daniel was checking in, Annamarie disappeared into the gift shop. She returned with a thick magazine in her hands.
Daniel whispered, “A magazine to read during our mini- honeymoon?”
“No, silly, it’s a decorating magazine to plan the redecorating in grandpa’s house.”
Daniel shook his head when he picked up their suitcase.
Taking the elevator to the third floor, both of them were impressed by the beauty and architecture of the new hotel. Modern classic was the best description Annamarie could think of. Finding their room, Daniel unlocked the door, and they entered a room bigger than their living room at home.
“Look at the size of this bed,” Annamarie squealed. “Let’s get one this size when we move.” She jumped in the middle, coaxing, “It’s so comfy, come try it out.”
“I’m not sure it would fit into grandfather’s house.”
“Sure it would. The master bedroom is very large.”
“Maybe, but I’m not sure it’ll make it upstairs.”
“The house has an open staircase. We’ll measure when we get home,” Annamarie said.
“Yes, dear,” Daniel said, trying to sound as if he were giving in, which sent them both into gales of laughter.
Lying on the bed Annamarie said, “I could live here forever.”
Daniel lay down next to his wife. “It would be perfect if we could stay where no one could find us. Maybe we’d find peace.”
Annamarie rolled onto her side, pushed herself up onto her elbow, looked at her husband and said, “I know you’ve been through hell for the past two weeks, and things have happened we could only imagine in a nightmare. Once Garret’s partner leaves, our trouble will be over. We’ll have that peaceful life.”
“Are you sure?” Daniel said.
“Of course, I have plans, too. Look at the pictures in this magazine. We have a house to redecorate. We said we’d leave the house the way it is, except for the kitchen and master bedroom. We’re going to spend so much time thinking, planning and buying things; you won’t have time to worry.”
She leaned over and kissed him.
“That idea scares me even more,” said Daniel, “I know how you are when you want to decorate. You were sad my mom decorated the small house for us.”
“She chose that awful green brocade sofa and all dark furniture. It’s so heavy and hard to clean. The drapes look like they belong in a haunted house. Would you have chosen velvet draperies?”
“No. I admit it was a bit extreme. Now you have a chance to do it your way.”
“You call that a bit extreme? My mom laughed the first time she saw it.”
“I forgot you like pink ruffles,” Daniel began to laugh.
“Knock it off, or I’ll put pink ruffles in our room.”
“Oh no, you won’t. Pink isn’t allowed.”
“Oh yes, I will.”
He grabbed her and tickled her until she agreed, “Okay, no pink.”
They both dissolved into laughter, and it felt wonderful to relax.
“Save me. I’m sure you have way too many plans.”
“Don’t panic. We have time, but for now just consider gold or avocado.”
“Gold or avocado what?” asked Daniel.
“Appliances,” replied Annamarie with a smile. “The first things to go are the ancient white relics, and we need color, but I’m not sure if we should buy gold or avocado ones.”
“Lots, look at these kitchen ideas.”
She pushed the magazine closer to Daniel, and he saw what gold and avocado appliances looked like.
“Gold definitely gold, I don’t like the green.”
“Avocado,” Annamarie corrected him, “not green.”
Daniel dropped his head on the pillow and said, “Let’s go for a swim and talk color later.”
“Deal.”
***
Sheriff Richardson hung up the phone with a bang after his conversation with the district attorney in Oaklin. The new deputy jumped up and asked if anything was wrong. The sheriff answered, “No, just frustrated.”
“I’m going to have to start at the beginning,” the sheriff added.
He picked up the phone, called Daniel at work, and then at home. There wasn’t any answer at either place. The sheriff called George, who was in no mood to talk with the sheriff. He told him he would find Daniel. George asked Maureen if she knew where Daniel was and she said no. She’d phone Paula and ask her.
When Paula answered, Maureen asked if she knew where she could find Daniel.
Paula said, “Annamarie called to let me know she and Daniel needed some quiet time after learning about Garret, and were going out of town for a couple of days.”
Flying into one of her rants about Daniel not telling her, Paula barely listened. After a few minutes Maureen was done, said goodbye to Paula and hung up.
“Why am I friends with that woman?” Paula said to herself when she hung up. “Poor Annamarie has a difficult mother-in-law, to say the least.”
George called the sheriff back and told him the kids were out of town for the weekend.
“Wonderful,” mumbled the sheriff.
***
Bulk’s brother asked him if there was anything he needed before he left for work. Bulk told him he was all right and wanted to take a nap. “Okay. I’ll be home before midnight.”
Bulk heard his brother’s car leave and he sat quietly, listening to the grandfather clock tick for a full ten minutes before he moved. He knew by then his brother would be at work and he could begin his plan.
He walked into the bedroom and opened the suitcase he had brought home from the hospital. He put all of his other clothes into it. He opened the drawer where he kept his special things and pulled out a stack of papers and pictures. He placed the pictures in the suitcase. He kept the bank book, his birth certificate, and driver’s license out because he’d need them at the bank. Remembering the pill he hid, he pulled it out and flushed it down the toilet. Looking around the room, Bulk knew he had what he needed. He jotted a quick note to his brother telling him he couldn’t live around there any longer and was on his way to Canada or Miami. He quickly left the house.
It was a short walk to the bank, and the bank clerk was happy to help him.
“Going on a vacation, Mr. Sanstun?” she asked when Bulk told her he needed most of the money from the account, adding he’d like some in cash and the rest in traveler’s checks.
“Yes. I’m going to visit friends in Miami.”
“How nice,” said the clerk when she counted out the cash and left to prepare his traveler's checks. When she returned she also counted them out for him, and placed them in an envelope with instructions on how to keep them safe. Bulk thanked her and left the bank.
“Step one done, and if someone asks her, she thinks I’m going to Miami.”
Bulk walked to the bus station and asked about buses headed for Arizona or California. He was told the bus ran once each morning, but he could catch a bus headed south to Texas and change buses there and head west.
Agreeing, Bulk paid for his ticket. He bought a few snacks for the trip and headed out to wait for the bus. Thirty minutes later he was sitting on the bus watching Oaklin disappear from view.
“Step two done,” Bulk said quietly and smiled. He’d survived. He was safe now. The spirits were behind him.
***
Annamarie walked out in her red two-piece bathing suit and Daniel said, “Nice, but where’s the tiny black bikini Bonnie talked you into buying?”
“At home where it belongs, I’m not wearing that in public.”
“Then why did you buy it?”
“I’m not sure.”
Daniel seemed disappointed until Annamarie assured him she’d wear it at home for him, which brightened his mood. She slipped on a red paisley print cover-up, and Daniel put on shorts and a t-shirt over his swim trunks. Finally, ready, they headed down to the pool.
The pool was beautiful with lounge chairs and trees growing in large pots scattered around along the walls. The pool ran the length of the room, from the far wall to the glass wall at the other end and beyond. The open end was made of different colored glass cubes, and an arch in the center provided access to the outdoor section of the pool.
“This is amazing,” Daniel said, “I’ll say it again, you have the best ideas.”
Annamarie smiled at him and jumped into the pool.
***
While Annamarie and Daniel were splashing happily in the pool, George was trying to calm Maureen down while she fumed about Daniel’s disrespect.
Stomping around the room with fists clenched, “He should’ve called me. How could he leave, and not tell me he wouldn’t be here for Sunday lunch? I would’ve cooked for no reason.”
George tuned her out the best he could.
***
The sheriff was grumbling to himself that he needed Steve’s help for this and not some kid from Oaklin, who didn’t understand anything.
***
Nancy was sitting in Greta’s house wondering if Daniel’s plan would work.
***
Garret’s partner was pacing up and down becoming angrier with each step. He was going to find that money and get it back.
***
Leaving his mandated appointment with the Sheriff’s Department psychiatrist, Steve knew he wasn’t helping at all. No one was going to convince him it wasn’t his fault he killed an old friend. He didn’t care if they called it “justifiable.” He felt as guilty as if he’d shot him while committing a crime.
Deb was worried sick about her husband.
***
Daniel was calmer than he had been in a long time.
Chapter Nineteen - Escapes
After their afternoon frolicking in the water, Daniel and Annamarie decided to eat dinner in the swimsuit-friendly “Fifties Malt Shop” restaurant next to the pool area. The juke box was playing a 1950s tune when they walked in, found an empty booth and sat down.
“This place is cool,” said Daniel.
Annamarie said, “They have real cherry cola and cherry shakes. I wonder if I should have both.”
“We have all weekend, slow down.”
Annamarie settled on a cherry cola and Daniel on a chocolate cola. Annamarie loved chocolate, but she couldn’t understand how you could mix it into a cola.
“Daniel, you’re strange.”
He smiled, saying, “Yes, I am. Look who I married.”
Annamarie gave him her flirty look, and they continued to discuss the menu. They settled on burgers, Annamarie ordering fries and Daniel onion rings. That way they could share both. This escape from reality was exactly what they needed. Daniel’s fear of the spirits had faded. They enjoyed their dinner, oblivious of what was taking place in Timmus Woods.
***
Greta, thinking it had been quiet enough in town, decided to let Nancy accompany her to Ray’s during the dinner rush. Taking one of the back tables, Greta told Nancy to order whatever she wanted.
Greta laughed and said, “I’ll bill the sheriff.”
The blue plate special was roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, a homemade buttermilk biscuit and dessert of your choice. It sounded delicious, and Nancy was famished. She thought she could eat quickly because she was worried she might miss a call from Dan
iel. Greta placed the plate down in front of her when fear changed Nancy’s smile to a look of terror.
“What’s wrong, honey?”
“That’s Garret’s partner,” said Nancy motioning to the man who had just sat down at the counter.
Greta grabbed the plate and said, “Follow me.” She took Nancy and the blue plate special into Ray’s office. She told Ray it was police business, and Ray knew better than to question Greta. She told Nancy to eat her dinner, and she’d take care of things. No one would see her in the office.
Greta left closing the office door behind her. She dialed the sheriff’s office. Fortunately, he answered. Greta whispered what Nancy had told her, and the sheriff said he would be right over.
Ray walked up to the man. “Hi. Glad to see you back. Did you get your truck fixed?”
“Almost, I was told Garret could tune it up perfectly so it would run like new. Since I was here, thought I’d stop, but the shop is closed.”
“Oh, gee sorry mister, but Garret died a couple days ago.”
“How sad.”
Ray showed him the paper with Garret’s obituary, and the man seemed moved. “Sorry to hear it. I guess I’ll be going then. Nice to see you again.”
“Same here,” said Ray as he watched the man leave and head for his black pickup truck.
The truck was pulling out when the sheriff drove in. The sheriff observed the black pickup was the only strange vehicle in sight, and wrote down the license plate number. He went into Ray’s and spoke to Ray and Greta. They both gave him a description of the stranger and Ray said he was the same man who was there a few days ago looking for a mechanic. The sheriff made a few notes and then asked to see Nancy. He told her to go back to Greta’s and stay there, no matter how quiet things seem around town.
Greta said, “Not before she has her dessert.”
Nancy finished her meal while she told the sheriff she had no idea who the man was. He and Garret were partners along with her brother. Greta brought in a plate with cherry pie and a double scoop of ice cream. The sheriff glared at her.
Greta said, “The girl has to eat.”
Sheriff Richardson sighed. “Okay, but when you’re done, go back to Greta’s and stay put. You’re lucky you escaped danger this time.”
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