I shivered as my shaky fingers ripped open the envelope and held up the stark paper with only one word printed in capital letters.
“Beware,” I said. My voice cracked when I handed it over to Aaron. “They’ve got to see this too. I’m scared.”
“I’m sticking it in a plastic bag. Hold on, we’ll walk over together.”
I told myself to calm down as I tried to make sense of the situation, until his return. He encircled me in his arms and whispered, “It’ll be all right.”
“Maybe I should go up to the attic and get the cufflinks.”
“August and Marie should be in on this too.” He stared into my eyes. “It’s the right thing to do. They need to know.”
“I know.”
About the same time that we entered the kitchen, the detectives were pounding on the front door. Grandpa answered it as Aaron and I walked into the living room. Grandma gave us a concerned look as she stood up and came toward us. She gave me a big hug and we watched Grandpa let the detectives in.
“Detective Mergens, sir.” He showed his badge.
“Detective Erlandsen, sir.” He showed his badge. “I believe that Liv Anderson is here?” He peered around Grandpa, who’d stepped aside.
“Right over here.” Grandpa nodded toward us. “Liv?”
“Right here.”
“About the phone message?” Detective Erlandsen asked, reaching for his pad and pencil.
“Yes. It says, ‘times up’. How did they get my number? It’s private.”
“Let me see it,” Detective Mergens said, holding out his hand. He flipped it open and pressed a few buttons. “I’d like to keep this for evidence.” He slipped it into his pocket.
“I also just found this letter and opened it. It came in yesterday’s mail. It’s ominous, also.” I glanced around the room. “It says, ‘Beware’.”
“Let me take it and we’ll have it analyzed.” Erlandsen reached out for it. He placed the plastic bagged envelope into his inside pocket. “Go on.”
“This is terrible. Can’t you do something? Her life’s in danger!” Grandpa said.
“I want to hear how you got the dolls.” Erlandsen said.
“I admit it. I stole them from the bar. They were on the table. Stone had been looking at them.”
“You should be charged for theft, ma’am,” Detective Erlandsen stated. “This case hasn’t made any sense from the start, so for now, you’re off the hook. It was in a public place.” He stared at me. “Don’t ever let me hear of you doing something like this again!”
“I won’t! I promise.”
“Where are the dolls and the cufflinks?”
“Up in the attic.”
“I’ll join you.” Mergens followed me to the stairs.
Upstairs, I pointed upward to the attic hatch. “Hold on, I have to get something to step on.” I returned immediately with the stool in hand, set it underneath the hatch, and climbed up, opening the entrance and pulling down the steps. “Be right back.”
“What’s all up there?”
I turned back to glance down at him. “All kinds of old, old stuff. You wouldn’t believe it. The cufflinks are in an old birdcage.”
“My grandma never had an attic.” He began climbing up the steps, and he popped his head into the hole. “Lots of stuff.” He glanced around the room. “Bunch of antiques and boxes. Who else knows about the attic?”
“Childhood playmates, not really sure who else.” I showed him the dolls and cufflinks.
“Okay. Now get the cufflinks in a safety deposit box tomorrow, and I’m taking the dolls.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter Eleven
From the detectives, we learned there wasn’t enough substantial evidence to hold Wanda and Stone. They were free to go. The chauffeur’s name for certain was Brad Bushfield, and his alibi checked out. His address was in Minneapolis, and his spouse was Dorrie. The fact is, this made me uneasy for some reason. What had Brad heard as Jackie’s chauffeur? Had he heard talk about the secret cufflinks or the family secret? I had to keep Dorrie close.
Aaron and I hadn’t discussed Dorrie as a suspect since she was a childhood friend. I couldn’t think of Dorrie as wanting to cause me harm, but what about her husband? I didn’t know him. Were they short of cash? She had talked about the sampler, and she’d been in the attic, but it was years ago. I wasn’t sure if I’d sleep again until the murderer was caught.
“I’m scared. Now that they’re free, what’s to become of the investigation?” I sipped my soda and set the glass down on the table.
“The detectives go back to square one. That’s to find the motive.” Aaron waited before continuing, “Don’t worry. They’ll find the killer. Everything will work out in the end. Nothing more will happen to you.”
“That warms the cockles of my heart. You don’t know for certain. The killer could be watching us through binoculars right now.” I stared at him. “What about Dorrie? How is that she never told us she was married until recently plus the relationship between Brad and Jackie? She’s got to be up to something. Brad had to have heard something while chauffeuring Jackie around.”
“Livvie, calm down, honey. Dorrie’s a grown woman. She’s not a suspect. You’ve got too vivid of an imagination, or else you watch too many TV shows.” Grandma sipped her root beer. “You’re safe with us.” She reached for my leg and gave me a love pat. “You’re a sweet girl.”
“Thank you, Grandma.” I felt a little better, but not by much.
“I want the Madison dolls in my possession, and the cufflinks in the bank. I feel in my gut that the stolen museum jewelry is tied together. I’m beginning to wonder if the sampler isn’t tied in with the secret, too.”
“You could be right, Liv. It’s one coincidence after another,” Aaron said.
“How could the sampler be involved?” Grandma asked.
“We found an image of another sampler just like it in a photograph from the Hamilton House Museum,” I said. “I’ve kept it between Aaron and me because it’s so perplexing. This is all a huge puzzle.”
“Really? How interesting,” Grandma said. “Tell me about it.”
“One different corner has a rose, the other three are like yours but without the flag. Odd, right?” I said.
“I should say so,” Grandma said, slightly confused. “Let’s get the cufflinks secured in the morning. It’s best that way, August.”
“You’re right.”
“Thank you.” I noticed a car parking across the street and watched as Ronnie climbed from the car. He headed for his mother’s house. Hazel lived kitty-corner from us, and I wondered if Ronnie wasn’t picking his daughter up after her piano lesson. Hazel was a piano teacher. “Ronnie’s at his mom’s.”
“Must be picking up his daughter,” Grandpa said.
“You’re right. There he goes.” I sighed when Ronnie jumped into his car and sped away. “I worried that he’d want pictures.” I rubbed my forehead. “I’d really like to plan my wedding, and not have to deal with a murder investigation. I’m staying home tomorrow. It’s Saturday and wouldn’t be busy. I can’t help it. I’m going to plan my wedding and do some other investigations. I may just as well take off a few hours.”
“Soon, the killer will be behind bars. Then you won’t have to worry so much,” Aaron tried to reassure me.
“I think I’m just going to go to bed.” I finished my soda. “I’m giving Max a buzz to see if he can look after the store for me tomorrow. He should be able to handle the customers.”
“Honey, I’m right behind.” Aaron followed me into the kitchen. “Don’t worry.”
“Thanks.”
Max said he’d look after the store for me plus catch the phone calls. He would work on carving heads and Grandpa would also be at the store to help out. Grandma had errands to run for the wedding. I decided to wait to contact Dorrie. I wasn’t sure what to think about her, period.
I went to bed right away, burying my head under the blankets
and staying there until eleven the following morning.
The house was quiet. I checked Grandma’s phone for messages and learned Aaron had been called to work.
After getting dressed and slipping into a pair of jogging shoes, I stuck a water bottle into a belt pocket, and shrugged into an insulated jacket. A run down to Minnehaha Falls and back sounded good, even though the air was brisk and the sidewalks weren’t completely cleared. I needed the fresh air to clear my mind, while the run gave me time to think.
I locked the doors behind me and headed toward the River Road, turned onto the Parkway, and followed it up to the park. The two-mile run left me thirsty. I took a drink from my water bottle near the creek bed where a statue of Hiawatha carrying Minnehaha across the rushing waters stood. The picnic area was void of the summertime crowds, which left me longing for longer, warmer days and nights.
Back home, I poured a glass of juice and ate two pieces of toast. Then I went upstairs to change. I glanced inside my grandparents’ bedroom. Someone had turned the room completely topsy-turvy. My grandparents’ jewelry was strewn across the bed, and dresser drawers were tipped upside down, toppled on the floor. Clothes, heaped in a haphazardly fashion, were spread all over.
I backed out of the room, rushed down the stairs, and plunked into the office desk chair. I quickly called emergency services before calling Aaron. Whispering, I said, “Help.” I gave them my address and was told that the officers were on their way. Who did this? Why? Am I alone in the house? What on earth were they after? Did this have something to do with the family secret? My thoughts kept churning over and over. I eventually heard a siren. It became louder and then stopped outside our house.
“This way, officers,” I said, opening the front door.
“You called it in?”
“Yes. Olivia Anderson. It’s upstairs.”
“Yes, ma’am. Have you touched anything?”
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “I think I backed out.”
“Okay. Lead the way.”
More uniformed officers entered. “We’ll start canvassing.”
“Up here.” I had my foot on the bottom step when the two detectives arrived.
“Go ahead, officer,” Erlandsen said.
“We’re going to have a look around down here, then be up.”
I continued climbing the stairs, and stopped outside of the room. “There it is. A huge mess. How awful. Why?”
“Ma’am? Any idea who would do this?” an officer asked.
“No, this can’t be happening. It’s Grandma’s jewelry. I’ll send her text, but I’m sure they’ll return soon.”
“You do that.” He waited a beat, then said, “Downstairs.”
“Yes.” I took that as my cue to leave and headed back down the stairs only to see Aaron in the living room with the detectives conferring by themselves in another corner. “Aaron.” I went to stand over next to him.
“I called August.”
“Thanks.”
Detectives Erlandson and Mergens asked the same basic questions the officers had, only in a different way. I was asked the same two questions in five different ways—Who? Why?
“Liv.” Mergens cleared his throat. “Do you think this incident is connected to the murder? I’d like to know your thoughts.”
“It’s possible.” I stepped away from Aaron.
“Olivia. Aaron.” Grandma rushed into the living room and pulled me into her arms. “My goodness! What on earth is going on around here?” She released me, planted her hands on her hips, and pointed her finger at the detectives. “Will you please do your job and find the killer?” She jutted her chin out and glared at them.
I wanted to rein her in, but decided that the two detectives needed a tongue lashing.
“And furthermore—.”
Grandpa charged into the room and joined the party. Aaron and I stepped to the side to watch the scene unfold.
“Grandpa.” I gave him a stern look.
“Listen, detective. First my granddaughter has the store broken into, then murder. And now the killer is free to murder someone.” Grandpa glared at him. “Don’t look so shocked, Detective. Your department allowed this to happen.”
“My husband is just trying to say, that you two best get off your duff and find the killer.” Grandma pointed her finger right into Detective Mergens chest.
“Yes, ma’am.” Mergens painted on a smile.
“Grandma. Grandpa. They’re only following protocol.” I waited a beat before continuing, “It’s their job to find out what happened. Give them a break.” I went to stand between Grandma and Grandpa, and held their hands. “I love you both, but please just back down.”
“For now,” Grandpa squeezed my hand.
“Only for the moment, honey.” Grandma dried her eyes.
“Okay, then.” I looked at the detectives. “It’s like this. I went for a run, came home, ate, and then went upstairs to change. Notice something? I haven’t changed.” I motioned to my clothes. “See? I glanced into the room, and noticed the mess. That’s when I called, after running into the office to use the phone.”
“Got it all down.” Erlandsen skimmed his notes. “We’d like an inventoried list of the missing items.”
“Will do.”
“We haven’t seen the room yet, sonny. Remember?” Grandma had her hands on her hips and looked ready to start another avalanche of spitfire verbiage.
“Let’s go up and take a look right now.” I looked at Detective Erlandsen, who nodded. I wove my arm through Grandma’s, and Grandpa followed us up the stairs. We stood at the door to peer in while the uniformed officer was stationed right inside of the door.
“How awful.” Grandma gasped, clutching her chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Olivia? Who would do this? Why would they want to hurt us?” She collapsed in Grandpa’s arms.
“That’s okay, Grandma. It’s not you. They’re after the cufflinks and the dolls.”
“Aaron will find out who did this.” Grandpa held Grandma tight against his chest. “We’ll get through this.”
“Officer?” I looked at him. “How long are you staying?”
“Till I’m told I can go.”
Dumb question, I thought to myself as I ushered my grandparents down to the office where we found Aaron.
“The detectives went outside, but they’ll soon be back.”
I glanced at the corner of the desk where the rose was embedded, and Aaron nodded.
“Wait,” Aaron mouthed.
The detectives reentered the house, heading into the office.
“Call anytime if you remember anything. It doesn’t matter how minimal you think it is. Let us be the judge,” Mergens stated.
“Here, take this,” Erlandsen said as he handed me his card.
“Okay. Yours, I didn’t have.” I slipped the card into my pocket.
“Anything else?”
“What about prints from the envelope and note?”
“Part of an ongoing investigation, ma’am.” Mergens called up the stairs, “You can leave now.”
“Okay,” the officer responded. He came down the stairs and went out the door to the squad car.
“I think a shot of scotch is in order. All the way around.” Grandpa got up and went over to the large globe, then pulled back the ring. It opened to his fresh stock of liquor.
“I don’t care for one. I need some ice water.” I said.
“I’m going back to work.” Aaron kissed me, and left.
“We have to figure out a motive,” I heard myself speak. “That’s at the core of this investigation, and we don’t know of any.” I closed my eyes, opening them when Grandma returned with my water and a glass for herself.
“We believe, Aaron and I, that the cufflinks might be the core of the puzzle. We already know they were passed down through the ages and how you came to have them. I wish Aaron was here.” I wasn’t sure if I should continue or not. “Did you take the cufflinks to the bank, Grandpa?”<
br />
“No. They’re safe. I had to help in your store, remember?” Grandpa said. “I will.”
“Did you pick up the box of letters from the attorney today, Grandma?”
“No. It’s been so hectic around here between your wedding and all that at the store. Besides, how on earth can a murder, which happened almost two hundred years later, be connected to the Madisons? It isn’t possible,” Grandma said, shaking her head.
“But, you see? That’s what we don’t understand.” I sighed. “Grandma, have you ever heard of another sampler that’s similar to yours?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Well, neither had I until we found that one in the Hamilton house. Awfully coincidental, don’t you think?”
Chapter Twelve
Because my grandparents slept in my bed that evening, I spent the night at Aaron’s. We set aside Sunday to straighten up their bedroom.
Still shaken from the previous days’ events, I had Maggie pick me up for our excursion to shop for wedding accessories along with her bridesmaid dress. Maggie’s brown eyes sparkled, and rosy cheeks brightened my spirits and calmed my fears when I climbed into her small car.
A ring of suburbs surrounded Minneapolis and St. Paul. One of them, Bloomington, was the home of the Mall of America. We decided to make a quick stop there to look at wedding gowns and dresses. The two of us hadn’t been out together in eons, ever since I got the brilliant idea to open my business. The morning sunshine felt wonderful, causing me to put on my sunglasses to fend off the snow’s glare. The Mall’s parking lots were filling up with holiday shoppers, but we were lucky at finding a spot. After parking, we hustled inside.
“Let’s get a coffee first and watch all the good looking guys go by,” Maggie gushed. She’d just split with her boyfriend of two years, and I felt sorry for her.
“Double shots.” We hiked to the nearest coffee shop and ordered.
“Should we buy my dress today, or what’s your plan?” Maggie took a sip of her coffee as we located a small table nearby.
“If we find something, then we buy. No time to lose, you know.”
The Blood Spangled Banner: A First Ladies Mystery Page 11