by CeeCee James
Just me awake, I guess. The cheese stands alone. Elise scooted to the edge of the bed and tucked the pillow under her head. It was kind of cramped, with Max weighing down the blankets. She wasn’t used to sharing her bed. Still, there was something peaceful about having those two sleep so sweetly that lent itself to peace for her too.
In her old life, a million years ago, she never would have thought that happiness could look like scattered shoes and clothing in place of bubble baths with glasses of wine, homework questions in place of socializing with the other attorney wives, or a cramped double bed filled with content sleepers in place of a king size and 1000 count sheets. Where I’d always slept alone…
Home. Family. It definitely wasn’t what she’d expected all those years ago, but now she wouldn’t trade it for anything. She smiled as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Chapter 21
The next day at work, Elise tried to work out the best way to confront Linda. It was hard to think straight through the fury that kept flaring up. How dare she. Standing in front of Lucy’s school? Taking pictures of her at home? Really? What was she doing there?
Maybe she suspects her husband is at my house.
But why would Linda care about that when she so obviously had someone at her house every day?
“You okay?” Dave asked after she knocked over a stack of books she’d been unboxing.
“I’m fine.” Her words came out terser than she meant.
“You seem a little distracted. What’s going on?” He poured fresh coffee beans into the grinder, filling the store with their oily scent. “Boyfriend?” He looked at her sympathetically, but Elise saw a flicker of hopefulness in his eyes.
“No, Brad and I are fine. It’s neighbor problems.”
“Ahh. Fighting over property lines? Where to put the fence?”
Elise unpacked a few more books from the box and shook her head.
“Let me guess. Your dog is using their yard when he goes outside.”
“Nope. You’re horrible at this game. And I don’t have a dog.”
“Your cat, then.”
Elise paused to consider this. Was it possible all this weirdness was over Max digging in their garden? “Maybe….” she conceded. “I need to talk to her.”
“Talk to the neighbor—that doesn’t sound like it’s going to end well. I’m pretty sure I’ve read at least one murder mystery that started that way.” He shook his head. “You know what they say?”
“What?”
“Tall fences make for good neighbors.”
Elise laughed. “Well, in this case, she lives across the street, so a fence wouldn’t help. And what would you know, anyway? Mr. Town home living?”
“As soon as I pull into my parking spot, I put on a stone-cold face that says I’m a jerk. No one talks to me.” He demonstrated an emotionally-devoid face and lowered his eyebrows in a scowl.
“Ah!” Elise said, pretending to shrink back.
“See!” His grin popped back and he replaced the lid on the grinder. “Works every time.”
A chime indicated Elise had a text. “Do you mind?” she asked Dave.
“Go for it.” He waved his hand. “I’ve got some writing to do, anyway.” He headed into his office.
She pulled her phone from under the counter. It was from Lavina.
Darlin, send that girl right over!
It was an answer to one of Elise’s earlier texts about Lucy.
Elise wrote back—Thanks so much. Life is kind of crazy here
When is it not?
Elise sent back a frowny face.
Can I take her shopping? —was Lavina’s response.
If you want. I’m sure she’ll love that.
Can I get her hair done? Lavina, again.
If she’ll let you. Elise remembered the wistful look on Lucy’s face and thought there’s no way she’d turn a trip to the salon down. Poor girl.
Lavina sent back an emoji shower of lipstick, hearts and high heels. Elise grinned as she sent Lucy a text confirming that she needed to go to Lavina’s deli after school. Then, she sent one to Brad letting him know that she had something important to talk to him about at dinner.
His response came back right away—Okay….now I’m worried. And I still have your birthday gift to give you
Elise couldn’t blame him. But maybe he’d have some ideas on how to approach the neighbors. She smiled at the thought of the gift.
“Hey, I almost forgot. This came for you earlier,” Dave said, sliding over an envelope on the counter.
The envelope was soft yellow and the size of a birthday card. Elise picked it up and examined the address. Elise Pepper c/o Capture the Magic Bookstore.
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled.
The P’s all had decidedly curly tails.
There was a return address in the corner. Charles L. Dodgson, Cheshire, England. The stamp was a postage-paid red-inked seal.
England? What in the world? She slid her finger under the flap and carefully opened it.
Happy Birthday! Were the first words she read. Inside, in scrawling print, it asked, “Did you like your new hat pin? The pearl was inspired by a poem about the Walrus and the Carpenter. I hope you’ve read it and love it as much as I do.”
I’m going to throw up.
“Did you say something?” asked Dave.
Elise grabbed the counter, suddenly feeling dizzy. She hadn’t realized she’d said those words out loud. “Dave, I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well.”
He came hurrying from his office, his eyebrows raised with concerned. “You okay?”
“Dave, have you ever heard of a poem about a Walrus and a Carpenter?”
“Oh small one, you are speaking of Alice in Wonderland lore.” He grinned, pleased to share his knowledge. “It’s about a walk that a Walrus and a Carpenter took on the beach, along with a bunch of trusting oysters.”
“Why were the oysters trusting?” Elise was afraid to hear the answer.
“They thought the Walrus and Carpenter were friends. But instead, the two of them ate the oysters all up.”
Bile rose up Elise’s throat and she shook her head. “I think I’m going to throw up. I might need to go home.”
“Oh, geez. You don’t look so hot.” He walked over and felt her forehead. “No fever. Are you okay to drive?”
“Yeah. I just—I just need to get home.” Elise looked at him desperately. “I’m sorry.”
“Of course! No problem. Just call tomorrow and let me know how you’re doing.”
Elise nodded gratefully and grabbed her purse and the card. “Thank you, Dave. I really appreciate it.”
“Sure thing. Go take care of yourself.”
Out in the car, Elise tried to call Brad. No answer. She texted him— Brad, Everything’s fine but call me asap.
She didn’t say any more, needing to talk to him in person. He was working his beat and she’d never forgive herself if something happened to him because he was distracted by her.
Nausea continued to roil in her stomach. Elise swallowed repeatedly. She glanced at the card sitting next to her on the passenger seat. It looked so innocent, the front decorated with a deck of cards and the words, “I’m all in.”
How had he found out it was her birthday? Just how close was this guy?
An idea came to her. I’m so blind. All this time I figured it was a man. But what if… it’s a woman?
Elise drove home, churning that idea over in her head. She’d just about talked herself out of it when she turned down the road to see Linda, the neighbor, standing in the center of her driveway.
Chapter 22
Linda stared her down as Elise pulled into the driveway. The young neighbor’s hands were on her hips.
“What are you doing here?” Elise demanded as she got out. She slammed the door to emphasize how angry she was.
“I’ve been needing to talk with you.” Linda tipped her chin, appearing as if she was challenging her.
> “You’re here because you need to talk with me? There’s no way you could have known I was coming home. What are you doing?”
“I was going to stick a note on your door.” Linda’s voice held a defensive tone.
Elise quickly examined the woman’s hands. There was no note.
“Just give me a minute of your time. It’s important,” Linda began again.
“I don’t know who you are,” Elise said, backing up to the front door. “Or what you and your kooky husband want, but you leave me alone. I’m contacting the police about you harassing my niece.”
“She’s not your niece.” Linda’s comment was snide. She smiled, obviously pleased she caught Elise off-guard.
Elise was so shocked she didn’t notice the edge of the walkway. Her heel caught in the flower bed and she fell backward.
“Here, let me help you,” Linda said. She eased forward.
“No! Get away from me!” Elise jumped up. “You just stay there. I know all about the help you want to give.”
“I do want to help you.”
“Right. By helping to install more bugs in my house? Maybe send a few more letters and pictures?”
“What do you mean?” Linda edged a little bit closer, cutting between Elise and her car.
“Or maybe you want to stand at the end of my driveway and stare at us some more.” Elise held her arms out defensively.
Linda glanced at the house next door. “Can you please just calm down. Let’s go inside and talk.” She slipped her hand into her pocket. There was something bulky in there and her slim form seemed to grow with the threat.
Dear Lord, she has a gun.
“Stop!” Elise yelled, pointing to Linda’s hand. “I’ve installed cameras out here! They’re recording all of this!”
Linda sharply looked at the roof’s eaves for them.
In that instant, Elise took off.
Elise ran down the sidewalk, heart pumping. She dove across the street and into another neighbor’s yard. The center of her back twinged from an imagined impact of a bullet. She bobbed and weaved around trees and bushes, so Linda couldn’t line her gun sites up, never checking to see if the woman was following.
Up ahead was the stop sign, and then the McGregor’s house. She knew the woman was home. If she could just get there, she’d be safe. She’d call 911, Brad, and the entire calvary.
She jumped over a flower bed and squeezed between two rose bushes, ignoring the thorns as they tore her shirt. Out of breath, she ran up the porch and pounded on the front door.
Seconds passed. Elise dared a glance over her shoulder. No one was coming. She pounded again. Please, please hurry!
“Coming! Coming, my dear,” a thin voice warbled through the door. Mrs. McGregor came into view, shuffling along in a bathrobe. She stared through the glass at Elise, her eyes squinting to focus. After a moment, a smile broke out across her face. “Oh. It’s you!”
The old woman fiddled with the locks with agonizing slowness. Elise felt out of breath for a different reason now, more from anxiety than from running. Come on. Come on. She smiled encouragingly as she bounced on her toes.
Finally, the last lock clicked open and Mrs. McGregor opened the door. “I’m sorry it took so long. I’m a bit hard of hearing. How can I help you, dear?”
“Can I come in? Just for a moment?”
“Oh. Of course, dear. Come in.” The little woman took a few steps back, barely raising her feet from the floor. Eventually, there was enough room for Elise to squeeze by.
Once inside, Elise shut the door and locked it, then peered out the window. Mrs. McGregor looked surprised but didn’t say anything.
“Do you have a phone I could borrow? I need to make a quick phone call.”
“Of course, dear. Right this way.” Mrs. McGregor turned and led Elise into the living room. As if she’d been sleeping, her hair was flattened in the back in the shape of flower petals, the center held a patch of pink scalp. Elise followed behind her trying to calm down. It’s okay. I’m safe. I’ve got this.
Mrs. McGregor pointed to an age-stained oak end table—the color of watery coffee. “Phone’s right there, dear,” she said.
“Thank you, Mrs. McGregor.” Relief quickly dissipated as she realized she’d left everything back at the house—purse, keys.
“Now, can I get you a cup of tea?”
Elise carefully worked her way around the older woman and over to the table. “Yes, that would be lovely.”
“Oh, good. I finally get a chance to use my special china. Be right back, dear.”
Sitting on a crocheted doily was an ancient phone. Elise picked up the receiver and stared down at the rotary dial. Hesitantly, she stuck her finger in the nine and rotated it through. She did the same two more times with the one and held the receiver to her ear.
Something was wrong. Where was the ringtone? She flicked the button up and down trying to get a connection. Nothing.
She bent down and located the phone wire, slowly tracing it down behind the couch. With a grunt, she scooted the couch out to see if the wire was plugged in.
Her mouth dropped open. The wire lay there, unplugged. It looked like the end was missing the connector, as if it had been sheared off.
What in the world? Had the wire been jerked too hard and the end come off? Who would leave an old woman in a house without a working phone?
Elise stood and rubbed her temples. What to do now? She pushed the couch back and started to pace the small room. Back and forth, back and forth. From the kitchen, she could hear Mrs. McGregor puttering around. She must have another one. Maybe a cell? Or a phone in another room?
Her eye caught an interesting sight. Someone had stenciled calligraphy gracefully on the far wall. She walked over to read it, curious.
Though taken down the hole by gravity…
The rest of the words were hidden behind a large painting that rested on the top of a bookshelf. She cast a careful eye in the direction of the kitchen, where the spoon could still be heard hitting china—presumably stirring in a cup—and then tipped the painting forward just a bit, not daring to breath in case she would make noise.
The rest of the phrase came into sight, curling across the back wall and down the corner. …the Hare shall welcome her into a dance. And there for a fortnight, a daydream and nightmare, they shall finally give their love a chance.
She sucked in her breath. It wasn’t the reference to falling down a hole that caught her breath; it was the stolen volume of Alice in Wonderland hidden behind the painting and staring straight in her face.
Shaking, she rested the painting back against the wall, her pulse thundering in her ears. Dear Lord, how do I get out of this? Her hands trembled as she glanced at the room’s entrance.
Standing in it was Mrs. McGregor.
How long had she been standing there? Had she seen?
The old woman held two cups of tea in each hand. “Well, my dear. I’m awfully glad you decided to stop for a chat.” She walked forward, her steps silent as the thick rubber of her slippers buffeted the sound. “Sit, sit!” the old lady insisted.
Elise turned and retreated to the rose-patterned arm chair. The upholstery was frayed and faded in the center. She clenched her hands to control her nerves, her mind spinning. Who was Mrs. McGregor? She played cribbage with Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Campbell every Thursday. Elise had seen for herself when Mrs. McGregor would totter down toward Mrs. Perkins’ house carrying some treat or another.
She accepted the cup from Mrs. McGregor and smiled, her smile feeling fragile and weak. Can she tell? Does she know that I saw the book? Her eyes were tempted to look at the painting again, where the book was hidden. Don’t do it. She took a small sip of her tea and peeped at Mrs. McGregor over the rim of the cup.
“Lovely day, isn’t it?” the old woman began. “I’d love for you to see my garden. I’ve been puttering about in it all week.” She noticed the cup in Elise’s hand. “Drink up, dear. This is my special Earl Grey.”
“It really is,” Elise answered, taking another big sip. She glanced at Mrs. McGregor to see if that satisfied her and placed the cup back in the saucer. The cup rattled so she rested it on her knee. “I’ve just heard from Brad, so I’m really going to have to cut our visit short.” She gave what she’d hoped was a regretful grin. “But I’ll be back next week to see your garden, if you have time.”
“Oh, poo.” The old woman’s face fell. “And my grandson is on his way to meet you.”
“Grandson?”
“Simon.” The women cocked her head. “He said he’s met you before.”
“Really?” Elise thought hard about the name Simon. “I don’t remember him. Was it at the bookstore?”
“I believe it….”
Just then heavy steps sounded against the house’s old wooden steps leading to the porch. The front door jangled from being unlocked and then someone entered.
“Hello, Hello!” A deep male voice called as the door squeaked open. A dog shot through into the living room and stopped in front of Elise. “Bandersnatch, Dinah.” Immediately, the friendly look dropped from the animal’s face and her eyes became more alert. The hair between the German Shepherd’s shoulders slowly rose.
The man walked over and scratched the dog’s back. He gave Elise a big, open smile. “Fancy seeing you here, lovely.”
Elise bit back a whimper as she looked up into his face. The face of someone she’d seen quite frequently as of late.
The face of a killer.
Chapter 23
“Simon!” Mrs. McGregor said with excitement. “Sweetheart. So glad you made it. We have a guest.”
The bald carpenter who’d built the escape room swung in the living room with easy steps. “Now Grandma, you know how I go by Harry now. Harry March,” he winked at Elise.
Elise swallowed hard. How could she forget him? Forget how he’d nearly knocked his work buddy down the stairs for winking at her? How he was in the bookstore time and time again? How he’d smiled like he’d always known her.
Turning back to his grandma, Harry continued, “Did you give her the special drops?” Harry scratched the dog behind her ears.