“Would anyone else know about the secret rumor besides the suspects? I know about August’s cufflinks because I went to the anniversary. I remember seeing them and thought they must be expensive as hell. Selling them—you’d be set for life. I also know that the dolls tie in somehow.”
“Oh. You do know. I should’ve realized that since we’ve been friends for so long.” I took a deep breath. “It’s unclear how many people know about the cufflinks. We’ve since found out that Dolley Madison had bequeathed them to an Elijah Putnam, who’d been a distant relative of Grandpa’s. They also have a gadroon around them as do the cufflinks on Mr. Madison’s doll. Grandpa’s always kept them hidden and has only worn them a couple times.” My heart pounded. “Did you mention the secret to Dorrie?”
“She was here when Jackie was, right?”
“No, but I’m sure she’s heard us speak of it. She came in right after.”
“Remember that old adage? Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?”
“Sure. I think it was Honest Abe who said that. Why?”
“Find out what she knows.” He studied me. “Those three wall sconces? Tell me again.” Max shook his head and looked lost.
“Three cracked and patched-over places the size of narrow doors are right beside them.”
“What next? This reminds me of one of those old detective movies from the thirties.” He sighed. “What am I saying? Shit!”
“Exactly!” Sometimes he could be fun to be around. I stood up, and slipped into my jacket. “Let’s see what else they’ve dug up.”
We stood looking out the windows to watch as police came and went. Max opened the back door to have a smoke, and I decided to stand with him. Then I saw her.
“Max,” I whispered. “Don’t look, but I think I see Jackie’s secretary, Wanda Brown.” I stayed focused on her. “You have a better view than me. She’s right under the street lamp, standing beside the man wearing that goofy, blue fishing cap. In fact, that man might be the bodyguard, Stone. It’s hard to tell because of the brim shadowing his face. Take a picture.”
“I’m on it.” Slowly he removed his phone to snap a photo.
“What do you think? Is it or isn’t it?”
“They’re lookin’ at us.” Max slipped the phone inside his pocket. “Stay here.” He moved away and mingled into the crowd.
I stayed next to the store while staying focused on the questionable couple, and noticed that the woman’s height was about the same as I remembered Wanda’s to be. The man’s back and shoulders were gorilla-sized just like a weight-lifter’s. I knew I was on the right track which propelled me to inch just a tiny bit closer.
“Honey, where are you?” Aaron called. I wanted to scream bloody murder, because the two people I’d been observing quickly disappeared.
“Shoot.” I sucked in my breath only to blow it out long and hard. I wondered what happened to Max? He seemed to have disappeared, but then I heard his truck engine start. Just then, I heard Detective Mergens call my name. The detectives and I entered the store.
“Are you done?” I wanted them to go away.
“We found a few interesting things, but nothing substantial. Yes and no for the killer to use this as a hideaway. We’re packing up now and leaving.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything else? Anything new to tell us?”
“Not that I can think of at the moment.”
“For now, then. We’ll be in touch.”
“Yes.” He walked out and I went into the workroom and removed my coat. Just then the backdoor opened once again and Aaron entered.
“The police will soon be out of here.”
“I know. Thank you. I had to send away spectators.” He left as my phone chirped. Instinctively, I knew it was Max. “I’ll see you at home.” Aaron left, and I immediately read the text message. ‘im follow w n s’
Oh wow! I thought. They’re back. They’re after the cufflinks!
It was too late in the day. I sank into the chair, and stared straight ahead.
After a few minutes, I knew what I needed to do. I got up and went out to the computer, logging in. I punched in the county name. Links led me directly to the website for the original planning map of this area. After that, I searched for the records of the first builder plus the construction, the layout of the property, as well as adjoining buildings. It was as I expected. The underground unit ran from one end of the buildings to the other. Mine lay in the middle. Inga’s antique store was beside the restaurant and Mikal. On my other side was another, smaller coffee shop. The diagram showed the trapdoors. Did they enter that way? I looked for hidden doorways, too, but didn’t find any. I spent several more minutes searching the site, hoping for some kind of answers but that didn’t happen. I got out of the site, and then clicked into Google. I started a search on samplers or embroidery. I wanted to learn as much as possible about the handwork, with hopes that I’d learn about the designs around the time of Dolley Madison.
The back door opened and I heard Max call, “They’re staying at some sleazebag motel near campus.”
“Did you get photos? Let me see them.” Max retrieved the photos and displayed them on his screen.
“You don’t look so good, Livvie. You’re kind of green looking.”
“Thanks.” I peered closer at the images. It was a perfect shot of the two. “It’s them. That’s for sure. They’re back because they want the cufflinks. They must need them in order to figure out the secret.”
“I’m not sure what this is about, but your guess is as good as mine.”
“Why a sleazebag motel?” I wondered out loud. “To stay incognito?”
“Sure. I wouldn’t suspect that they’d hide there, would you?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m calling the detectives.”
“Good call.”
I dialed the number, leaving a voice message on Detective Mergens’s phone. Within minutes he returned my call.
“Liv? They can come and go as they please. We have no evidence to hold them.”
“It’s not right. It makes no sense for them to return nor does it to stay in a sleaze motel,” I said.
“I agree with you, but they’re off our radar for now.”
“Thanks.” I disconnected, fuming. “They’re off the radar.”
“Bloody hell,” Max said.
“Exactly.”
Chapter Fifteen
Aaron and I sat together the following morning in Pastor Dahl’s study. Pastor Dahl kept clicking his pen, an indication that he was very nervous. I couldn’t concentrate because I wondered why the two killers were in town. I stared at the Bible verses in front of me.
“Which passage do you like best?” I asked Aaron, who seemed deep in thought.
“Let’s go with Genesis 24:48–51.”
“I want to walk down the aisle to the usual wedding march.”
“Then it’s settled.” Pastor Dahl’s brows arched. It made me think of a child’s reaction to first reading out loud.
“My house is fine for the wedding?”
“Yes. I’d love it” Pastor Dahl said. He stood to shake our hand, and slightly smiled.
We bid each other good day. Aaron placed his arm over my shoulder when we set off.
“Why was he so nervous, I wonder?” We held hands until climbing into the car.
“There’s been so much stuff happening lately, and hears all kinds of off-putting things. I’m sure he’s on our side but quite worried about us,” Aaron said.
“That’s what it was.” It finally dawned on me. “He’s worried about the outcome of the investigation.” I waited a beat. “He’s known our family for a very long time.”
“Yes, but he has to stay neutral. Parishioners probably call to ask a bunch of questions.” Aaron drove away from the church.
“Any new leads?” I asked as we drove toward the store. He was going to help me get set up to reopen. “I’d like to know why those two are in town.”
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sp; “It’s not our business. They can come and go as they please.” He frowned. “What’s the plan for the store opening?”
“It’s Christmas. Let’s decorate for the holidays. I’d like to have hot cider, order White House Christmas cookies, plus have chocolate kisses.” I looked at all the outside decorations as we drove toward downtown and turned up Washington Avenue. “Let’s celebrate all the former First Ladies’ December birthdays. I know Lady Bird Johnson was born in December, there must be other first ladies. Maybe Mary Lincoln. I’ll have to check.
“First off, let’s get the tables and houses set up. You two, meaning Max, can get started with that project. I’ll call right away to place an ad in the paper. Afterwards, I’ll begin gathering the furnishings for each house to take care of that end of the project,” I said.
“We have our work cut out for us,” Aaron said.
“Yes, through no fault of our own.” I stared outside. “I don’t understand what Jackie was doing in my store.”
“She came to purchase houses, that’s what we know for a fact or were made to believe.” Aaron glanced at me. “Through speculation, it could be that she wanted a closer look at the remaining dolls. It could be that simple.”
“This is true.” I considered it a minute, then asked, “Why not just ask to see the other dolls? Why break in?”
“It’s the secret.”
“That’s right. She wanted to know the secret and about the cufflinks.” I pondered that a moment. “It stems from the samplers, but there has to be more to it than the samplers or the cufflinks.”
“Whatever—maybe we’ll never know.” Aaron frowned.
“No. That’s not an option.” I shook my head. “I’m going to discover the family secret before the wrong person finds it. If Dolley did hide something, by golly, then it’s worth the research and the discovery by someone who is honest. Not someone who has to lie, steal, and possibly murder to get it.”
“I wonder what it is? What will you do with it, providing that you figure it out?”
“Hand it over to the proper authorities. Right where it belongs is where it’ll go.” I crossed my arms and enjoyed all the scenery as we drove. The light snowfall made the atmosphere romantic.
Traffic flowed easily. We turned across the Hennepin Avenue Bridge and headed for the store to park. “Let’s get you set up.”
“For sure. I hope Max has started already.”
We walked to the door. Opening it, I heard Max in the showroom adjusting furniture.
“We’re here,” I called out.
“Good. I hope you brought Aaron.”
I dumped my bag and coat in the workroom. I felt confident that whatever the killer was looking for, he didn’t find it. The building was also secure. Nothing could possibly happen.
I walked with Aaron out to the showroom where we found several tables already standing. Max was adjusting another.
“Almost done.” Max looked up at me, grinning. “Got up early. I’ll carry down the two 1812 houses next.”
“I can manage the ones from the workroom.” Aaron gazed at the floor.
“Looks awesome. I don’t see any blood stains.” I smiled. “It looks brand new. I’m impressed, considering how dense the Two Jims acted.”
“It’s perfect.”
I went back to the workroom to get started while they got busy arranging the display tables and houses. I called the newspaper to place an ad for the following Friday and Saturday. I also ordered several dozen cookies from a nearby bakery. I had purchased White House cookies from them before when I first opened the store so they had the appropriate cutters on hand.
Afterward, I began assembling the two dolls.
“Dolley, do you mind if I fit you in the empire waist dress? You’re so beautiful in it, and I know that you make Mr. Madison jumpy when you wear it.” I changed my mind about the Dolley gown, and decided to go with her red-velveteen empire waist dress with a royal ruby necklace. “What did you say?” I held her up to my ear to listen. “Oh! He chased you around the house the first time you wore it? How fun!” She was beautiful; James, very handsome. What a little man, I thought. He was the smallest president on record, five-feet, four-inches tall; weighing only 100 pounds. He also was the first president to wear trousers on a daily basis. I finished by pulling them up before slipping on his shoes. “Mr. President, give Dolley a running start, if you chase her. Okay?” I could swear that he nodded and winked his eye.
The morning chased by quickly. Aaron left shortly after moving the houses and setting them up. I gave Grandma a call to arrange for Grandpa to drop my car off at the store before they went to meet friends for dinner. Since Aaron needed to get some sleep, I would be on my own for the evening. His schedule dictated the graveyard shift; I always worried about him when he worked nights.
It took nearly all day to refurnish the two 1812 houses and have them ready for viewing the next day. Aaron placed the Andrew Jackson White House dollhouses on the table next to the 1812 pieces. I followed a timeline, when possible, because it helped prospective customers see how the White House evolved to its present day look. During Jackson’s administration, the funds were appropriated to build the north portico. It covered the driveway to serve as a porte cochere, and put the finishing touch on the White House as we think of it today. Later, I planned to add the ground pieces, to make it seem a more time-honored display.
“There you are Mrs. Jackson,” I said. I set her down in the bedroom. She died before his inauguration. A divorcée, she’d never been accepted into the social circles. I felt sorry for her because she lived her life as an invalid, it helped that Andrew Jackson was devoted to her.
It was almost five. I was about to give Grandma a buzz when Grandpa walked in to tell me that my car was here and that they were on their way to meet their friends. I grabbed my coat, bag, checked the front door, and the trapdoor twice to make sure they were locked. I decided to ask Grandpa to hire a carpenter to remove the trapdoor in order to put a new floor down in that section.
The nearest drive-through takeout joint was located on Lake Street, where I ordered a chicken sandwich, fries, and a soda before heading home. As I parked the car, I thought of beginning my research about samplers and embroidery. I also wondered if Montpelier had a similar sampler to Grandma’s? It was worth looking into since the Hamilton House displayed one. I grabbed my bag, the food, locked the car doors, and headed up to the back door.
Once I entered the kitchen, I set the food down before removing my coat. I wondered if I shouldn’t shovel the walkway, since a layer of snow covered it, but decided to sit and eat first.
The bird feeder outside the window was almost empty. I watched as a squirrel tried to get the last few seeds, and the spectacle made me grin. Watching squirrels was just as much fun as enjoying the beauty of the birds. I loved it.
After finishing my meal, I donned my jacket, boots, and headed out the door to scrape off the snow. It didn’t take me long to clear the walkway. The footprints by the lower basement window did not catch my eye, at first. It was the messed up hydrangea bush in front of the window well. It was broken to pieces.
I put the shovel back in its storage place near the garage door before going over to take a closer look. I figured that damage had been done by a neighbor’s cat or dog. Glass shards lay on the mulch surrounding the bush, but when I saw the entire window was busted out, my eyes opened wide. I called Aaron, who answered immediately.
“Just ready to fall asleep.”
“The house was broken into.”
“Be right there. Don’t go in.”
“I’m calling it in as soon as we disconnect,” I said to Aaron. We immediately disconnected. Staring at the window well, I called Detective Erlandsen’s number. “Someone broke into the house. Aaron’s here. I haven’t gone inside since I noticed the broken window.”
“Liv,” Aaron called, briskly walking in slippers and wearing a T-shirt in below zero weather conditions.
“You didn�
��t call 911?” Aaron yawned.
“I called you,” I mouthed to him. I thought he looked ready to fall over in a heap.
“We’ll be right there.” Detective Erlandsen disconnected.
“That’s why I called you first. This has got to be the work of Stone and Wanda.”
“You can’t jump to conclusions like that, Liv. It’s dangerous especially without facts.”
“Yes, dear,” I groaned. I felt like biting him. I shrugged his arm off my shoulder. “This has got to end. I aim to get to the bottom of it. That’s final.”
“What about Marie and August? Called them, yet?” Aaron asked.
“Nope. I hate to do it. I feel so bad for them.”
“That’s okay. I’ll do it. I hear the squad car coming, and they’ll want to speak to you. Go ahead around front and bring them back here. I’ll stay right here.”
“Thanks.” I hurried to the front, then motioned for the two officers to follow me to the backyard. Aaron stood in the same spot; when I appeared, he moved further away. “I was over there,” I nodded toward the garage, “when I happened to glance this way. I thought it odd…” I waited while the officer wrote down what I’d said. “…for the bush to be stomped down.”
“What time was that?”
“Just a few minutes ago. You see? Grandma’s hydrangeas were trampled. That’s when I went for a closer look. I stood right here. You can tell by the prints in the snow. I hadn’t paid attention because of shoveling the deck when I first came home; I never looked over in that direction. I went right inside and ate.”
By now, the snow near the window was a trampled mess.
“Thanks, ma’am.” The two turned and stared at the broken window. “It sure looks like someone made their way inside. You didn’t see anything different when you were inside, did you?”
The Blood Spangled Banner: A First Ladies Mystery Page 14