Ghost of Halloween Past

by McIntyre, Anna J

  “Will you help me now?” Harvey asked brightly.

  “I think it might be a good idea to take care of the body first. He doesn’t look like he’s in such good shape.” Danielle walked closer to the corpse and knelt down. According to the boys, the man looked like one of the missing fugitives. From the angle of the body and its condition, Danielle didn’t feel capable of making an identification one way or the other.

  “I’m surprised his spirit isn’t lingering near by.” Danielle looked up at Harvey. “Or is he?”

  “I told him he couldn’t stay.”

  “So he was here?”

  “Of course. But I told him he had to go.”

  Danielle stood up and walked around the dead man. Kneeling down again she got a clearer view of his bloated face.

  “So it’s you,” Danielle murmured. She silently studied the body for a few moments. “I guess this is Karma. A little harsh but—”

  “Danielle Boatman, why am I not surprised?” Brian Henderson said from the doorway.

  Startled, Danielle looked up into Officer Henderson’s face. He shook his head as he walked into the room. She quickly stood up.

  “I was just getting ready to call the chief,” Danielle explained.

  “Yeah, I bet you were.” Henderson stood over the body, hands on hips, looking down. “Who is it?”

  “Looks like Bart Haston to me. But I’m not sure. He’s not in the best condition.” Cocking her head slightly she looked at Brian and asked, “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  “I was patrolling the neighborhood, saw your car. Wanted to see what you were up to.”

  Danielle glanced around. She could no longer see Harvey.

  “So how did he get in the kitchen? We searched this place yesterday.” Brian asked.

  “I have no idea,” Danielle lied. “I walked into the kitchen and found him on the floor.”

  “Old habits are kind of hard to break, huh?” Brian asked.

  “Old habits?” Danielle frowned.

  “Breaking and entering. This is private property.”

  “I was just curious.”

  “Someone dragged him into the kitchen.” Brian removed his gun from his holster. “Whoever it is might still be here.”

  “I don’t think so. This place seems pretty empty to me.”

  Brian grabbed Danielle by the forearm as he led her outside, while keeping his gun at ready for a potential attack from some unknown stranger.

  Danielle leaned against the hood of her car waiting for Brian. Once he had taken her outside, he told her to wait by her car and not to go anywhere. He had called for backup and then returned to the house, without waiting for reinforcements.

  The responders arrived at the same time Brian came back outside. Danielle watched as he told the responders what was going on, after which he turned his attention back to her.

  “I’m flattered,” Danielle said with a grin when Brian approached her.

  “Flattered?” Brian frowned

  “That was all very knight-in-shining-armor back there. Getting me out of the house in case the killer was still lurking around, and then going back in. You’re kind of my hero right now.”

  “Boatman, I’m still arresting you,” Brian told her as he pulled out his handcuffs.

  “Of course you are.” She obediently extended her wrists, waiting for him to slap on the handcuffs. “But you can skip the Miranda rights; I think I know that by heart.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Danielle sat alone in the interrogation room, thinking about lunch. She was ravenous. The donut she had eaten at the diner had just whetted her appetite. Leaning back in the chair she looked over to the two-way mirror and gave it a little wave. She had no idea if anyone was in the other room, watching her, but she figured she might as well be friendly.

  Brian had confiscated her iPhone—he told her it was protocol. Which of course, she already knew. After all, this wasn’t her first arrest. Instead of making a phone call, she told Brian she just wanted to see the police chief. When she compared this arrest with her priors, she found this one less stressful, in spite of the fact Brian found her hovering over a dead body.

  When thinking of the dead body—which she now knew, belonged to Bart Haston—Danielle was fairly certain who had killed him: Chuck Christiansen. Chuck had been furious with Bart for spilling everything to the cops after their arrest. The two had disappeared on the same day, and Bart’s car had been found in Frederickport, where Chuck lived.

  Danielle wondered if Chuck had made it to Canada. The cops—except for the chief—assumed Chuck—if he was the killer—was hanging around Presley House, shuffling Bart’s smelly corpse from room to room.

  When the door to the interrogation room opened, Danielle expected to see Chief MacDonald. Instead, Joe Morelli walked in.

  “Hey Joe. Where’s the chief?” Danielle greeted.

  Joe tossed the legal pad he was carrying, along with an ink pen, onto the table and sat down across from Danielle. “You look pretty laid back, considering you were just found with the dead body of Bart Haston.”

  “It’s not like I killed him or anything. Where is the chief?”

  “He’s not here.”

  “What do you mean he isn't here?” Danielle sat up in the chair, no longer feeling as smug as she had been a moment ago.

  “He’s on vacation.”

  “What do you mean he’s on vacation? He’s not supposed to leave until Wednesday.”

  Joe cocked his brow. “I didn’t realize you were so familiar with his schedule.”

  “I’m not.” Danielle shrugged. “He just mentioned he was going on vacation starting Wednesday.” Actually, Danielle thought, he just said he was leaving for Hawaii on Wednesday—he didn’t say when his vacation leave started.

  “I’m in charge while he’s gone.” Joe explained.

  Danielle almost asked why Brian wasn’t in charge, yet then remembered Joe outranked his partner. She always wondered why, considering Brian was much older than Joe and had more years on the force.

  “So what am I being charged with, breaking and entering?” Danielle asked.

  “Who says I’m charging you with anything?”

  “I don’t know. Just seems that’s what typically happens around here.”

  “How did you get into Presley House? I know the door was locked. Did you climb in through the kitchen window? And why were you there?” Joe leaned back in his chair and studied Danielle.

  Silently, Danielle met Joe’s intent gaze. He is soooo good looking, she thought. It was too bad it hadn’t worked out between them. For a brief moment she wondered if she might be willing to overlook some of his flaws—after all he had those sexy brown eyes, great abs, smoking hot Italian good looks—after an extended moment she let out a sigh and thought—nah, not happening.

  “I really hadn't planned to go into the house.” Which was true, Danielle thought. “I was on my way home, was curious, decided to stop by Presley House and have a look. I didn’t figure it would hurt—or that I would be breaking any laws—if I just had a look around. After all, that house is pretty infamous around here.”

  “Brian found you in the house.”

  “When I got there—well I confess I did try the doorknob. I figured it would be locked.”

  “So why did you try it?”

  “I don’t know.” Danielle shrugged. “Haven’t you ever tried a doorknob that you assume is locked and you really don’t plan to go inside?”

  “Not really.”

  “Well, it was locked.”

  “But you were inside.”

  “Obviously,” Danielle said impatiently. “But then the door… well it just opened.”

  “Just opened? Uh-huh.” Joe shook his head.

  “Well it did!” Danielle insisted. “And then I saw the lights.”

  “The lights?” Joe frowned.

  Danielle smiled to herself. She remembered what the chief had told her about Joe and Brian finding the lamp—the magic
lamp, she liked to call it. “Oh yes, the lights from the chandelier, they kept flickering on and off.”

  “But that house isn’t hooked up to electricity,” Joe said dully, his expression unreadable.

  “Exactly,” Danielle said with a grin, leaning over the table toward Joe. “Isn’t that just creepy?”

  “Your eyes must have been playing tricks on you.”

  “Think so?” Danielle asked sweetly. Abruptly she let out as sigh, sat back in the chair, and said, “And then I smelled it—poor Bart. I followed that nasty stench, went into the kitchen, and well, Brian showed up about then.”

  “You don’t seem very upset about finding a dead body.”

  “Would you prefer I cry hysterically?” she asked.

  “It might be more normal.”

  “Come on Joe, you figured out a long time ago, I’m not exactly normal.”

  The door to the interrogation room opened and Brian entered, carrying a cellphone.

  “The chief wants to talk to Danielle. Alone,” Brian announced. He handed the cellphone to Danielle.

  She stood up and smiled at the two officers. “I will take this in the hallway. Don’t worry; I won’t make a run for it. Brian still has my car keys, purse, and cellphone.”

  “She’s damn cocky,” Joe muttered after Danielle stepped out of the room.

  “I think there is something going on between her and the chief,” Brian said.

  Joe scowled. “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. They just seem real chummy these days. Did you know he went to that party she had Friday night, over at Marlow House?”

  Joe stared at the closed door. “I didn’t even know there was a party.”

  “Hi Chief, I didn’t think you were leaving until Wednesday.” Danielle wandered into the break room and sat down. She was the only one in the room.

  “Our flight’s not until Wednesday, but technically my vacation started today. I’m in Portland picking up some things for the trip. So you found the body?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t tell you before, but I saw our ghost standing in the upstairs window when we left the house yesterday.” Danielle stared at the open door leading to the hallway. She didn't want anyone walking in on her phone conversation.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I had this gut feeling if I went back inside with you, he wouldn't show himself. When I saw him in the window and then looked over at you, he put his finger to his lips.”

  “Finger to his lips?”

  “Yeah, you know, like when you’re telling someone to be quiet or keep a secret.”

  “So why did you happen to go over there today?”

  “I went over to the museum earlier, trying to find out more about Presley House and its resident ghost. Oh, by the way, Max was hanging out there.”

  “Max?”

  “Yeah, the cat that adopted me.”

  “The ferocious one who wanted to chomp my finger off?”

  “Be gentle with Max, he has issues. But yeah, that one. He told Walt a little about the ghost and Walt told me.”

  “I don’t really understand.”

  “Spirits can communicate with animals. And I can communicate with spirits. You figure it out.”

  “Okay, so what did Max tell Walt?”

  “Only that the ghost’s name is Harvey. He’s just a kid. Or he was, when he died. A teenager. I talked to Ben Smith from the museum, didn’t find out too much. On my way home, I decided to stop by the house. When I got there, the door flew open.”

  “I locked it.”

  “I remember. I jiggled the doorknob when I got there; it was still locked. Then suddenly it seemed to turn on its own and the door flew open. I walked inside.”

  “And you found the body?”

  Danielle told the chief about her faceless conversation with Harvey, the lights flickering, and then the strange sounds coming from the kitchen.

  “So you think he took the body to the kitchen when you were there?”

  “I think so. I know I didn’t start smelling it until I heard all that noise”

  “But where was he keeping it?”

  “I have no idea. Maybe there is some secret room in that house.”

  “Secret room? Hmmm….I hadn't considered that.”

  “Do I have to spend the night here?” Danielle asked.

  The chief laughed. Then in a serious tone he said, “My bet is on Chuck as being the killer.”

  “Me too. I wonder if he’s in Canada.”

  “I suspect he is, but there is no way to explain how that body got moved around. The only plausible explanation is that the killer came back and moved it.”

  “And you believe that?” Danielle asked.

  “Of course not.” The chief sighed. “Let me talk to Joe.”

  “I will say one thing,” Danielle said as she stood up with the phone.

  “What’s that?”

  “When Brian arrested me this time, well he didn’t seem to have that same old gung-ho spirit. It was almost like he regretted arresting me.”

  “Brian believes he owes you for what you did for him. If it wasn’t for you, he might be in prison for Darlene’s murder.”

  “Yeah, I suppose. But for some reason, it makes that little thing we had—well less fun.”

  “Fun?”

  “Maybe fun is the wrong word. But I was rather getting into loathing Brian, and he makes it difficult these days for me to stay mad at him.”

  “I’m sure one of you will do something to piss the other one off and whatever truce was on the table will be out the window.”

  “One can hope,” Danielle sighed. “Although, if I’m honest and not being a smart ass, I rather like this new Brian. Getting arrested can be exhausting. And expensive.”

  “You’re rich. It’s not like you can’t afford an attorney,” the chief snickered.

  “True. You have a point. I’m going to give the phone back to Joe, and you can tell him to let me go.”

  Danielle walked back into the interrogation room and handed the phone to Joe. She and Brian silently listened to his side of the conversation.

  When Joe got off the phone he said, “The chief told me to cut you loose.”

  Danielle smiled. “Can I have my things now?”

  “Joe, it might be a good idea to assign someone to Marlow House,” Brian suggested.

  “What do you mean?” Danielle frowned.

  “For your own protection,” Brian explained.

  “You have a point,” Joe agreed.

  “My own protection? From what?”

  “If our hunch is correct, Chuck Christiansen killed Bart, and since someone moved that body—twice—the killer is probably still in the area. If it is Christiansen, he also had an issue with you. You could be a target.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m sure Christiansen is in Canada by now.”

  “Really?” Brian snapped. “And who moved that body?”

  “I don’t know.” Danielle shrugged. “Teenage pranksters?”

  “Brian is right,” Joe agreed. “I’ll get someone to keep an eye on Marlow House.”

  Danielle groaned inwardly. “Okay, but can I please have my stuff back.”

  “Yes, then I’ll drive you back to Presley House to pick up your car,” Brian said.

  Danielle shook her head, “You don’t have to do that. I can get someone to pick me up.”

  “Don’t argue with me Boatman,” Brian snapped. “Come with me, you'll need to sign for your things.”

  Danielle looked from Brian to Joe.

  “He’s just trying to help you Danielle,” Joe said.

  “Yeah, I know,” Danielle groaned. Reluctantly, she followed Brian. “This time, can I sit in the front of the squad car?”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Where’ve you been?” Lily asked when Danielle finally returned to Marlow House late Monday afternoon.

  “Long story. But first, where is everyone?” Danielle tossed her purse on the de
sk in the parlor.

  “I’m here,” Walt said as he appeared in the room.

  “Ian and Sadie are across the street. Ian’s doing some laundry for his trip. Then he has a few errands to run before he picks me up for dinner. You’re welcome to join us.”

  “No, thanks for asking, I’m pretty exhausted.”

  “I don’t know where Walt is, but your cat is sleeping on your bed, last I looked.”

  “Walt’s here.” Danielle pointed to what appeared to be an empty chair.

  “Hi Walt,” Lily greeted. She then turned her attention back to Danielle. “Where have you been? I knew you took Max to the vet this morning, but when I saw him napping on your bed and your car wasn’t here…”

  “For starters, I found Bart Haston,” Danielle announced.

  “Where? Was Christiansen with him?” Walt asked.

  “What do you mean you found him?” Lily said at the same time as Walt posed his question.

  “He’s dead. Looks like Chuck killed him.”

  Lily gasped. “Does this mean you talked to his spirit?”

  “Never saw his spirit, just his dead body at Presley House.”

  “So there was a dead body?” Lily asked.

  “Apparently. Looks like Chuck—assuming he is the killer—shot Haston at Presley House. Not sure what they were doing there, but I assume they broke in. Maybe they were hiding out there, I don’t know. After Chuck shot, him he left the body and the resident ghost of Presley House decided to put the body in the trunk. He moved it when the cops when looking for it, and today when I went over there and made contact with him, he put the body in the kitchen.”

  “Did you go over there alone?” Walt asked.

  “Did you go alone?” Lily asked.

  Exasperated, Danielle said, “It sure would be a lot easier if you two could hear each other.”

  “Walt can’t hear me?”

  “I can hear Lily.”

  Danielle groaned. “I mean I wish Lily could hear Walt so you weren’t always asking the same questions.”

  “I don’t know why that is a problem,” Lily said. “I think you’re avoiding my question. Did you go over there alone? If so, do you really think that was such a good idea?”