by S. Y. Robins
“Oh wow! I’ve never seen him do that!” Milly exclaimed, in complete awe.
“Oh, Edgar here comes to visit me at night. He taps on my window until I let him in. We have a cuddle until I fall asleep. He’s always gone in the morning though so I guess he comes back to you.”
“Pardon? He what?” Milly had no idea Edgar had even been gone.
“Yeah, every night, since I’ve been here. He keeps me company.” Jake’s face was still smooshed up against Edgars and the two seemed to actually share a bond. Milly even felt a little tingle of jealousy as Edgar rolled in Jake’s arms, begging to have his tummy scratched. He’d as soon claw her eyes out as to let her scratch his tummy!
Milly growled in their direction and muttered, “Traitor!” She might have even hissed a little at Edgar.
She put the phone down and made Jake some tea and handed him a pastry. He looked hungry. He sat down at the table where she had her paperwork spread out and Edgar sat beside him happily, licking cream from the finger Jake held out to him.
I hate you both, she thought at them. Shaking herself she laughed as Edgar demanded more cream by making a grab for the last bite of pastry Jake was lifting to his mouth. “I’ll give him his own later, don’t let him fool you.”
The lad laughed and went back to scratching her cat. Watching the pair she knew Edgar was only giving the boy what he needed, some love and attention. If that meant he got attention too, so be it. She also knew now that Jake could not have been wrapped up in that murder business. Deciding to be bold for once, Milly cleared her throat and started to speak as Jake looked up.
“About this shirt business, Jake. Callum hasn’t spoken to me anymore about it but I assume he asked you about it?”
“Yes, we talked about it. And thank you for not saying anything; I know you didn’t have to. That shirt went missing after I wore it a second time. I put it out on the line to dry and it wasn’t there when I took the clothes down. It was pretty breezy that day so I assumed it just blew away. I guess someone else got it because I haven’t seen it since that day. I’ve been panicking because Callum doesn’t need his nephew getting arrested. I’m burden enough as it is.” The lad said, a sad note in his voice.
“Oh darling, you aren’t a burden to your uncle at all. He loves you and he’s loved having you with him. It’s a bit tough, getting used to having a young one with you when you aren’t used to it but he’s doing an admirable job. Everyone thinks so.”
“Really? Uncle Callum likes having me here?” The boy sounded hopeful and that broke Milly’s heart.
“Well, of course he does! He’s your uncle; he loves you, silly boy!” Milly reached across the table and took Jake’s hand, squeezing it with affection.
“I thought, after Mum just left me, that I’d done something wrong. I know I didn’t but you can’t help but feel like it’s your fault can you, sometimes? I’ve been to visit with Uncle Callum before but I’ve never had to do it; it’s always been by choice. Mum just up and leaving, that’s taken some getting used to.” Jake looked out the window as he spoke and Milly looked away so he wouldn’t know she’d already spotted the tears in his eyes. Poor child.
“Adults sometimes make crazy decisions, Jake. We always think when we’re your age that the people so much older than us are wiser and know what the right decisions are, but we have no idea that sometimes those adults are just as clueless as the kids they once were. Sometimes we hurt those around us deeply without ever meaning to. I can’t say that’s what your Mum has done but I’m certain she never meant to hurt you in anyway. Anyway! If you aren’t the culprit, who is?”
“I don’t know but I’ve been thinking. All of those things going missing, then that family was murdered. Perhaps it’s all tied together. Has anyone told the police about that?”
“I have no idea. I can ask at some point. So, a connection eh? Well, let’s think about that. The thief was growing bolder; I heard a television even went missing just before the murders. Maybe they were at the Andrews’s house, and the family surprised the thief and he killed them to keep it quiet?”
“Maybe, why do you assume it was a man?” Jake asked.
“Mainly because of the nature of the crime. From what I understand they were hit with something and then strangled. A woman wouldn’t have the power to overpower two men as big as Mrs. Andrews’s sons were. Then to strangle them and cart them around to arrange them as the killer did, that takes strength, maybe even two people. So definitely a man, perhaps two. I know women can be killers but I don’t think there’s any woman in the village that has that kind of strength.”
“Maybe a man and a woman?” Jake asked.
“Perhaps. It could be that new couple but they don’t look the type do they? And they have money, why steal?”
“For the thrill of it?” Jake pondered.
“No,” Milly dismissed Jake’s answer, “that kind of thing usually involves cars, jewellery, things like that. No, this is something else.”
“Maybe it’s someone from outside of the village? We always assume it’s the people closest to us when these kind of things happen, but maybe it’s not? Maybe it was some random attack? The world is going crazy out there.” It was a very astute observation from one so young, Milly thought.
“Colour me impressed! You’re very much right about the state of the world. But I have a feeling you’re more right about the connection there. I think you’re bang on the money for why the Andrews were killed.”
“We just disagree on who it was then. Is there anyone in the village you suspect at all?” Jake asked. “I’m new here after all, I don’t know everybody yet. I could be staring right at them and I’d never know it.”
“We had some problems with one lady not long ago. She murdered my friend next door, Davina, but I’m sure you heard about that.” Milly broke off, tears making her throat swell.
“Yes, I’m very sorry about that. I’m glad the woman is in jail. Is her husband walking yet? What a thing to do, shoot your own husband in the knee!” Jake sounded like he was astounded by the idea.
Milly smiled and told him, “Oh, Mr. Carpenter’s fine. Apparently it was all an accident, or so she’s saying now. That she and Davina argued but then Davina slipped and hit her head. I don’t know if I believe the “I destroyed the shop to throw you off the trail then hid her body because you might think I killed her” story she’s spreading but I know she meant to kill me so she’ll get time for that, at least. I hope.”
“I hope she does too. How very crazy!” Jake could still sound like the child he was even after coming out with some very adult ideas and observations Milly decided.
“I’m sure she will,” trying to change the subject, “now, what are you boys eating this eve…” Milly broke off as the new couple in the village walked into the shop. The Hendersons. Oh dear.
Edgar didn’t appear happy about the intrusion either. He arched his back from his position in Jake’s lap and hissed at the couple before he took off up the stairs.
“I’m so sorry, he doesn’t usually react to strangers that way. Can I get you anything?” Milly asked, hoping she was masking her own moment of panic at seeing the couple. She studied them as they told her what they wanted and she started to prepare their order.
Mr. Henderson was about 45, tall, once fit but now turning to fat. Mrs. Henderson was the typical rich man’s wife, blonde hair, big chest, lots of makeup and over-inflated lips. Milly couldn’t tell anything about the woman’s eyes because she had them hidden, as usual, behind a very large pair of sunglasses that she apparently never took off. None of the villagers had seen her without the glasses. She was tall and strong looking but Milly didn’t think she was strong enough to kill anyone.
The couple ignored Milly and Jake and talked quietly at their own table, over in a corner, and didn’t look around at all. They just sat quietly chatting away to each other. Milly wasn’t sure they could be killers but Edgar certainly didn’t like them, and for that alone, Milly was deter
mined to keep an eye on them.
Jake stayed with Milly, whispering to her at one point that maybe the Hendersons had killed the Andrews. His suspicions seemed to grow as he watched the couple and he told Milly after they left that there was something off about them. He asked why Mrs. Henderson didn’t take her sunglasses off but Milly couldn’t explain it either. Finally, the couple left and Jake went back to the shop, promising Milly that Callum was ordering food in for them tonight so she didn’t need to cook for them.
“Well, I’ll be glad to, so if you change your minds just let me know.” Milly called after the lad as he left. She didn’t want them over there going hungry she thought, as she began to shut down the shop for the evening.
As she cleared away the Henderson’s dishes she noted that Mr. Henderson’s napkin was covered in what looked like black grease. What was a man with all that money doing working with grease, she wondered? She’d never seen a napkin so filthy. Most people that came in either had clean hands to begin with or went to the washroom and washed their dirty mitts. This man had just ruined a perfectly good napkin with grease! If nothing else brought him down in Milly’s opinion, leaving her napkins that filthy certainly did!
4
Milly heard her phone chirping just before 9pm and picked it up to see that Callum was calling her. Knowing it was too late for Callum to be calling looking for a meal, Milly began to worry straight away. She quickly clicked the button to accept the call and answered.
“What’s wrong?” Not very sophisticated but Milly didn’t believe in wasting time.
“Have you seen Jake?” Callum’s worried voice came over the line.
“What do you mean? He was in earlier today but he went back to the shop after that.” Milly said, her worry now growing.
“Yes, well, he came home and we had some food then he said he was going to bed because he didn’t feel well. I went up to check on him just now and he’s not in his room; he’s not in the flat at all. I was hoping you’d seen him.”
“No, not since earlier. Did he tell you what we talked about? Maybe he’s done something very silly.”
“Yes, that’s what I’m worried about. I’ll call you back in an hour or so, alright? You stay put.”
“Oh sure, leave me…” Milly broke off when she heard the line go dead. She knew Callum was worried so she didn’t get angry but she did launch herself off of her couch where she’d been reading and headed to the door to grab her shoes and a torch. She had an idea she knew where Jake was.
Convincing the animals to stay in took some doing but she was finally able to get out the door on her own. She walked quietly down the stairs and to the alarm system, quickly turning it off. She wasn’t sure why she was sneaking around her own shop but she didn’t stop doing it. Milly let herself out of the shop, closing the door and locking in as she slid her coat on. The night air was certainly warning of winter’s approach.
Milly quietly walked down the sidewalk, not looking into any of the windows she passed, and hoped nobody saw her walking by either. She didn’t see Callum and she wasn’t sure where he’d gone but decided he’d likely headed to the Henderson’s house as well. She followed the sidewalk until it ended then followed the curve in the road up to the large house that sat on top of a low-grade hill. She stayed within the treeline and kept the torch off. She wasn’t actually sure why she’d brought it; she wasn’t going to use it. The weight of the torch in her pocket was reassuring, however, so she was glad she had it with her.
Milly slowed down as she approached the house, noting that the people must have a ton of money if they could afford to leave every light in the house burning like this. She walked up to the nearest window, crouching down as she got closer, and peaked over the ledge to peer inside. Nothing here. Moving down the line she didn’t find anybody, at all, in the entire house. Going around to the other side she was at the very last window when she spotted Jake, tied to a chair and looking terrified. The Hendersons had shoved a piece of cloth in his mouth and they were both standing behind him arguing. Milly couldn’t hear them but she knew she had to do something.
Walking back around the house she knew she could get into the house without being seen but she didn’t know if she could do anything to save Jake. She thought he was safe for now; she hadn’t seen any weapons and…
“Oomph!” Milly fell over as she ran into a hard chest. Looking up she saw it was Callum and cut off her scream.
“Milly! I told you to stay home so I wouldn’t have to worry about you too! Never mind, let me give you a hand.” He helped her to her feet and told her his plan; they were going to go in, bash the Hendersons over the head, and get Jake and run. They’d call the police at some point but not until Jake was safe. She wasn’t sure why he didn’t trust the police to rescue Jake, but she followed along behind him as he cracked the door enough to let himself into the house.
They slowed as they approached the room Jake was being held in and stood out in the hallway, listening to the rather fascinating argument the couple were having.
“I told you we should have left after you killed that old bag! But oh no, you knew better didn’t you Tony?”
Milly was confused; she thought Mr. Henderson’s name was Larry. Well, she knew for certain that Mrs. Henderson’s name was Marlene; she’d seen it on her debit card. “Just shut your gob Judy! Sheesh, I can’t think with you yammering away like that, woman!”
Judy? Wait a minute here! Then it sank in; Mr. Henderson had spoken with an American accent, not a British one! Who were these people?
“Don’t you tell me to shut my gob, Tony Marelli, I’ll say what I like! Besides, look what you’ve dragged me into! You told me you were through with all of this kind of stuff and had gone straight. Next thing I know, we’re setting up in some dead people’s house. How did those people die anyway, Tony? You said it was an accident and we could just take over their lives and nobody’d be any the wiser, but you can barely fake a British accent. Luckily the locals are so dense they haven’t noticed yet. And I have to keep hiding my eyes because my eyes are grey, not the brown of Mrs. Henderson’s. My God, what have I let you talk me into? Identity theft, murder, now kidnapping and another murder. This isn’t the life you promised me Tony. And are you even legal here…” The woman’s words were cut off as a loud crack sounded throughout the mostly empty house.
“That’s enough, Judy. Now go see if the car will start. I’m going to take this kid out to the stone circle, make it look like another ritual murder. It’s been hilarious listening to the panicked biddies in this place going over the reasons they think they’ll be the next victims. I just did that to throw people off, but man it’s been so funny!”
Callum and Milly hurriedly went into the next room, hiding against the wall there as Judy, whoever she was, came out of the other room with her hand over her mouth and tears falling from her eyes. Milly heard her muttering as she walked out of the room, “he ever does that again he’ll be the one staked out at the stone circle with his…” Milly lost the words as the woman disappeared down the hall. It didn’t sound like Tony was going to meet a pleasant end; however that sentence ended.
Callum lifted a finger to his lips once more and lifted a thick but compact statue of an owl resting against a table. Milly had noticed the house was mainly empty of furniture but that there was the odd bit of household items here and there. This was the only statue in the whole place. There were no pictures, no little knickknacks that you’d find in most people’s homes. Nothing that gave it life. It was as though these people had moved in with nothing but the clothes they had on their backs and that was it.
“Oh! Callum! Do you know what this means? I think they stole all of those things that have gone missing, even Jake’s shirt! They’ve stolen the Henderson’s identities! But why did they kill the Andrews?” For a moment Milly forgot where she was and focused on her questions.
“Milly!” Callum whispered loudly. “Focus, duck, focus! We have to get Jake out of here, then we can ge
t answers. Come on, follow me.”
Callum seemed to have a plan so she followed him out of the door and quietly to the wall outside of the room Jake was in. He peeked around the edge of the door, and saw Tony was looking out of the door. Quickly pulling his head back in, he waited.
“Judy! Hey Judy, what’s taking you so long woman?” As if the woman would actually hear him outside, Milly thought.
Callum peeked into the room one more time then quietly stormed in with the owl raised. He brought the statue down on the back of Tony’s head and the man quickly fell to the floor. Milly ran in and bound his hands with the cord from a set of lamps; lamps that looked suspiciously like Tiffany lamps, as Callum untied Jake.
“What do we do now?” Milly asked as Jake slumped in Callum’s arms, definitely a little boy now when he needed comforting.
“We wait for Judy to come back in, restrain her as well, and then call the cops. I’m not letting these two get away. They were going to kill Jake; I’ll never let that go.” Callum sounded fierce and his beautiful eyes were filled with the protective glare of a father.
“Rawr,” Milly thought with an inner smile, proud of Callum.
“I hear the woman coming back; let’s take care of her too.” Callum said.
Callum wasn’t necessarily a brawny man but he wasn’t weak either. He spent his days lifting and carrying stock and that strength was evident now as he took hold of the woman whose real name was Judy, and quickly got her under control. He didn’t hurt her but he subdued her by bending her down to her knees so she couldn’t fight back.
Milly dialled emergency services and held the line as they waited for the police to arrive. Once the policemen were there she hung up the phone and waited for the inevitable questions.
“So, you expect us to believe these two stole some dead people’s identities, have been robbing houses left and right, without anyone reporting it I might add, and then killed the Andrews and that’s how Jake’s shirt was found covered in blood, which you also failed to report to us?” The seething Detective Barnes asked the trio.