The Blood Spangled Banner: A First Ladies Mystery

by Barbara Schlichting

  Sitting by the computer counter, I spread the newspaper out, and then glanced at the photo on the front page. I sipped my steaming coffee and leaned in closer for a better view of the lead article, the one with a headline reading, The murderer is yet to be found.

  My mouth dropped open. Right below the headline was a picture of the two thieves. I plunked the coffee down on the counter. My mind spun as I gave the photos a closer look. “Pshaw! The police are onto them, but are they the killers? Anyway, they’ll be jailed soon.” When I finished the article, I found that Ronnie was the reporter.

  As I swallowed the last bite of my roll, the Jims entered. Both wore striped shirts under hooded sweatshirts, khaki pants and leather boots. I shook hands with the tallest Jim first. “I’m Liv.” I said, and he pumped my arm so hard that I wondered if it would fall off.

  “Just call me Slim.” His smile revealed a missing front tooth, and his huge, puppy dog eyes reminded me of a pet cocker spaniel that we used to have.

  “Call me Jim.” The second Jim smiled, his eyes twinkling. He was about my height. With his cap removed, his pointed bald head stuck up like a sharp point. I sucked the inside of my cheek to stifle a laugh.

  “Let me show you around.” I nodded toward the bathroom and touched the storage room door. “This room is off limits.” At the previous evening’s meeting, Max told me that the tables were folded and stacked against the side wall. He’d also covered the sewing table, the counters, and the workbench. All of the dollhouses were upstairs in his apartment.

  “Follow me.” I waved my hand and headed into the showroom. “This floor needs the stripping.”

  “Sounds good,” Jim said.

  “We’ll get the sanders,” Slim said.

  They turned and began marching out. Slim suddenly stopped and Jim plowed into him. “What have I always told you?” Slim said over his shoulder.

  “Yah, well, don’t stop so sudden like.” Jim flipped off his cap, then sat it back down.

  I shook my head and looked away. This day was going to prove itself to be entertaining, I reckoned, as I went back to the computer and covered it in plastic.

  The whir of two sanding machines, plus all the dust, forced me into the workroom. I was eager to research Dolley Madison and Polly. I gave Aaron a call.

  “You sleeping?” Poor guy—he’ll be a zombie because of the hours he has to work. I disconnected when he said that he’d bring his laptop down for me to use. I tucked away my phone, and got up to check on the two Jims. The sander noise had stopped, and I heard the door close.

  Stepping into the room, I found it empty.

  “Oh my goodness. Now where are they?” I walked to the front door and looked out the window, but didn’t see them. They’d vanished. I went to open the backdoor and saw them sitting in a van with two women. “What the heck?” I opened the door and was just ready to call out when they turned in my direction. Instantly, they shot across the street and started their explanations.

  “Our wives. They brought us an early lunch.”

  “Get to work, boys.” I blew the hair from my face as I went back to the workroom once I felt secure that they’d get back to work.

  I sat down before pulling the Historical Homes magazine out of my bag. It wasn’t easy to concentrate with all the noise and annoyances. It was only half past ten, and I already felt as if I’d put in a full day’s work. I locked the door.

  The back door opened a few minutes later.

  “I’m in here,” I said to Max.

  “Noisy. Yikes.” He stood by the doorway and stared inward.

  “I’ll say. That’s why I’m in here.” I frowned, wishing the day was over.

  “Did you lock the door?”

  “No, I suppose that I should’ve,” Max stated. “Just a sec.”

  “I’m getting a headache from all of this.” I knew he’d be securing the door.

  “I can see why.” He cocked his head. “I saw someone last night hovering near the entrance, and the sensor lights went on and off.” Max looked at me squarely. “I think they’re getting serious.”

  “You’re saying that someone tried to break in again? The police need to know about this. What about the new alarm system?” I stared at him. “There’s nothing here. What could they be after?”

  “These people mean business.” Max dropped into the nearest chair. “You must have something that they want, even if you don’t know what it is. Jackie was after the dolls and got them. Did you ever get them back?”

  “Yes, but don’t tell anyone. Not even Dorrie. I’m calling the police.” I called it in and told the desk sergeant about the possible break-in from last night. “The detectives will be told. Any further questioning needed they’ll contact us.”

  “Hey! Just checking in,” Aaron called as he entered. “What’s up?”

  “A possible break-in last night.”

  Max looked seriously at me. “I’ve got things to do. I plan to catch up on the doll head carvings. I’m behind with Eleanor Roosevelt.”

  “I’ll call the desk sergeant, and he’ll pass on the message.”

  “Wait a minute.” Aaron gave me a puzzled look. “Didn’t anyone get a call from security?’

  “Nothing happened. I saw two figures outside, but then they left. I never got a chance to call because they left right away. I’ve got to get busy. You two figure it out.” Max stood with his hand on the doorknob.

  “Interesting.” Aaron shook his head. “The police are still interviewing today.”

  “Oh yeah?” I perked up. “Who?”

  “Don’t know for sure what’s happening. I’m not in the loop. It’ll be over soon. Just be patient.”

  “Patient, you say? What’s that?” I was about ready to reach into Dolley’s grave and yank her out by her feathered turban.

  Chapter Nine

  Loud voices boomed from behind the closed workroom door.

  “Yes?” Aaron got up, and opened it.

  “Liv?” Slim lowered his eyes. “The floor… well….” He cleared his throat.

  “What he’s trying to say is that it’s done.” Jim stood straight. “We’ve put a layer of polyurethane on it, so don’t walk on it.”

  I got up and walked over to Aaron, who placed his arm around my waist and pulled me close.

  “Take a look.” Slim stepped aside.

  We followed them to the showroom, and stopped. The floor glistened, and looked brand new. “It’s beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous.”

  “We’ll be back in the morn to add another coat.”

  “How many coats are you doing?” Aaron asked, just as his phone rang, which he answered. I watched him frown, and slip it into his pocket.

  “Once more should do it. It’ll shine like a newborn baby’s—”

  “Hush, now!”

  I giggled. I couldn’t help it. “Okay. See you about ten. Right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  I watched them leave and locked the back door. The smell of the polyurethane started to give me a headache. I gave Max a call and told him that they were finished for the day, and warned him that it would be like this for another day.

  “Hon?” I stood with my bag in hand, eyes on Aaron.

  “I have an appointment. I’ll call you when I can.”

  “I’ll be fine.” I went out to fetch the mail after he’d left. I zipped through the few pieces and shoved them into my bag. I thought of those cufflinks and knew they’d better be put in a safer place. I walked out to my car and climbed in. My thoughts went to the gadroon and the word, Polly.

  And what was the secret that Jackie had referred to? I knew that I’d soon have to go to the University library and spend time researching through old history books. There had to be something that I’d missed when working on my doctoral.

  Puzzled, I drove home.

  As I walked up to the house, my mind went over the research I’d done about Dolley Madison. Once inside, I quickly locked the door. A note on the table read:

&nbs
p; A) Hairdresser:

  B) Grocery shopping:

  C) Home.

  I glanced at the calendar where Grandma usually made notes ,and found the answer was A—one o’clock hairdresser appointment, B and C followed right after.

  It was now after two. I had little time alone and planned to make the most of it. I took the envelope from my bag and headed into the den.

  I fetched the dolls and cufflinks from the hidden rose pocket because they needed a better hiding place. Since I didn’t have a personal safe box I couldn’t bring them to the bank. I brought the stool from my room closet over to the attic opening, and set it down. The opening roughly measured two feet by three. I stepped on the stool and pulled the cord to drop the attic stairs. I wasn’t sure what I’d find up there, and hoped the light bulb hadn’t burned out.

  I pulled the string and dim light illuminated the small room. Two small trunks sat off to one side. Large hatboxes were stacked on the other side, with smaller boxes in front of them. Plenty of cobwebs as well as dust, covered everything. I sneezed. My old rocking horse and a large box full of old dolls sat in the forefront. In a far corner sat an old, rickety birdcage surrounded by Victorian-style women’s shoes. I made my way over to the birdcage for a closer inspection. The bottom was covered with old newspaper, but the birdseed and water holders were relatively clean. For the life of me, I couldn’t imagine where this cage had come from. Underneath it was a small drawer, so I slid it open.

  “Perfect.” I set the dolls and cufflinks in the bottom of the drawer and closed it. I placed the birdcage back in the corner and carefully replaced the shoes, setting them exactly as before. If someone snooped, the displacement of dust wouldn’t be evident.

  After shutting off the light, I started back down the attic stairs and closed up the hatch door. I checked to be sure it was closed tight and the latches were in their worn grooves. I set the stool back in the closet and stacked a pile of dirty laundry over it.

  I heard Grandma and Grandpa entering the back door. I took a minute, just to let my mind rest, and then walked down the stairs to find them unloading the groceries.

  “Aaron called. Your phone must be turned off.” Grandma smiled at me. “He said for me to tell you to get dressed up. He’s taking you out to dinner.”

  “Oh. He didn’t say anything about that earlier.” I opened a can of soda and watched them sort through the grocery bags. I knew I should’ve helped, but they had some kind of system between them, whereas I always seemed to get in their way. Experience took over, I realized sitting down. “What time?”

  “Five. He was on his way to gas up, but he’s probably home by now,” Grandpa said.

  “Thanks.” I took a swallow. I was excited to be alone with Aaron.

  “You look nervous.” Grandma gave me a quick study. “A little peaked.”

  “Headache from all the noise and dust.” I took a deep breath. “I have the dolls. The cufflinks match your set from in the hidden desk pocket, which are now upstairs in the attic.”

  “They were fine right where they were,” Grandpa said.

  “No, they weren’t. They need to be in a bank deposit box. There are too many unanswerable questions and coincidences happening recently pertaining to the Madisons. If there’s anything else that you haven’t told me about the Putnams, now is the time.”

  “The cufflinks have never been a secret with us nor the Putnams,” Grandma said, with tear filled eyes. “My cousin, the one we spoke of the other day? She passed away, and the attorney has a box of letters waiting for me to pick up. We’re going to St. Paul tomorrow to get them.”

  “Another coincidence. What’s her name?”

  “Nellie. She’s from my mother’s side, which means that she’s also a Dolley relative,” Grandma said.

  “I wonder what’s in the letters? They might be interesting. I wonder what they’ll say? Now, I’m going to shower and get myself spiffed up.” I walked away.

  Up in my room, I texted Aaron to find out what I should wear

  He wanted me in that ‘sx blk drs’—which meant that he wanted me in that sexy black dress.

  I giggled as I fetched it from the closet and laid it out on the bed before jumping into the shower. We’d been a couple for so long, that he’d asked me to marry him in high school. After applying makeup and nail polish, I did my best with my unruly, curly-cue red hair, pulling it back with ringlets accentuating my face. I slipped into the dress and matching black dress shoes, and pulled my sequined black purse from a drawer.

  When I descended the stairs, I was met by the threesome.

  Aaron smiled and kissed me, and his eyes lit up like the national Christmas tree in front of the White House. He kissed Grandma, too.

  Hand in hand, we walked across the shoveled path to his car. When inside, we kissed each other deeply. “Where to?”

  “One of those fancy places on 494, or would you rather go to a neighborhood restaurant?” He kissed me again, then started the engine.

  “Neighborhood, and Italian.”

  “Bella’s, here we come!” His eyes sparkled, and his breathing seemed slightly faster than normal when my hand fell onto his leg. Within a few minutes, we were parking and he was opening my car door.

  My mind seemed to spin out of control all night. The candles and champagne bubbles glimmered like diamonds in the dimly lit room. I had trouble following Aaron’s words as he placed the engagement ring on my finger.

  “Right before Christmas. What do ya say?”

  “Perfect,” I softly breathed.

  A piano man played romantic songs all night as we stared into each other’s eyes. Glancing around the room, I was very proud of my man as I saw lovers doing the same. Tears of joy spilled down my blushing cheeks. As the restaurant’s decorative lights dimmed and candles on the tables snuffed, we strolled to the car, arm in arm.

  Aaron kept me warm all night.

  I woke beside him, smiling. I headed home to shower and get ready for work. Since I had to be at work before ten to let in the Two Jims, there wasn’t time to spare. I also wanted to get some time in before the dust and smell gave me a headache. While driving, my thoughts went to Polly. Who is Polly? I parked in my usual spot, but felt creepy, and my skin tingled.

  For some reason, I had the feeling that I was being spied upon so I locked the store door behind me. As a start, I’d find a place to hide my bag. All the shelves were too visible in the backroom. Under the counter would be too apparent. I settled on the bathroom cabinet, and stuffed my bag behind the toilet paper, hand towels, and tissue boxes. As soon as I shut the door there was rapping. I let the Jims enter.

  “We’re here,” Slim stated.

  “Mornin’.” Jim went into the workroom to carry out the polyurethane plus the needed application equipment. “Let’s get started, Slim.”

  “You betcha!” Slim headed toward the showroom. The three of us stopped just short of entering to admire the shine.

  “Sure is shiny,” I softly said.

  “Uff da! Let’s get to work now, Slim.”

  “You betcha!”

  I waited a few minutes and then went next door to visit Mikal. I was eager to show him my engagement ring.

  Mikal was just stepping inside his small office, and I followed him. “We figured out a date.”

  “Good. About time.” He smiled. “Finally. When is the big day? I want an invitation, if I may?”

  “Of course. We’re inviting only a few people. Grandma and I have to go shopping for flowers. Grandpa already has a tux. It’s just Aaron who needs one.”

  “You still didn’t say when, my dear.” He grinned, holding onto the back of his chair. “I need to write it into my calendar.”

  “Oh. Right. Week before Christmas. Three weeks away.”

  “You can get a minister that soon, plus make all of the other wedding arrangements?” Mikal’s eyes were opened wide as he chuckled. “Do you already have your dress?” He narrowed his eyes and stared at me. “Bet you do?”
>
  “Of course. Grandma has her dress too. I’m wearing my mother’s dress, in her honor.” Tears sprang into my eyes. “I only need a bouquet. I haven’t told my best friend, Maggie, yet. She probably won’t be surprised though, since Aaron and I have dated for years.”

  “I’m honored to be the first one you’ve told.” He gave me a big hug before I left.

  “Toodles,” I called over my shoulder and went out the door.

  A now familiar and strong odor greeted me as I stepped back into my shop. I peeked into the showroom and found the Two Jims working hard. Dust filtered through the air, and I went back to the workroom. Now I really had a lot to do! First, I called the minister, Pastor Dahl, and set up a meeting for later in the afternoon. He wrote the wedding date on the church calendar—December 19. I gave Maggie a call, and we arranged to meet Saturday to look at bridesmaid dresses. With Grandma, I discussed the guest list—we decided on twenty people.

  I perused the Internet on my iPad for the next few hours in search of wedding invitation styles. I also paged through a bridal magazine I had purchased, gathering catering and decorating ideas. When I heard voices approaching, I clicked out of the iPad and met the Two Jims near the door.

  “We’re finished, if you want to take a look?”

  “Will do!” Together we walked to the entrance and my mouth dropped open. “It’s beautiful. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Just what we wanted to hear,” Jim said. “We’ll carry out the rest of our equipment, then be gone.”

  “Should we send the bill or will you pay now?”

  “A bill’s better with an itemized statement for the insurance company,” I said.

  “Okay.”

  “Thanks, guys.” I watched them walk out the door with the last of their equipment. I went to look again at the floor, which still amazed me at how smooth and glossy it looked.

  I was about to get my bag and leave to fetch myself lunch, when Aaron walked inside, wearing his uniform.

  “Hey, love, brought us some wraps loaded with fresh veggies and cheese for lunch, plus bottles of water.” He held the bag. “Wonderful.”

  “It’s gorgeous.” I knew he meant the ring. Glancing around, I had that feeling again of being watched. I frowned. “I feel like I’m being watched.”