New Town, New Thief

by Melinda Craig

  Lindsey got the sudden feeling that Felmira knew more than should be possible…but, that truly would be unlikely. Unless, of course, she was like Lindsey. “Doubtful,” Lindsey thought to herself. Knowing that the fortune would unlikely give any kind of result that Lindsey wasn’t already aware of, she thought letting the woman read her future would ease her mind…or at the least, give her a laugh. As long as the lady didn’t touch her skin, why not?

  “I find that sometimes, the people who walk into my shop are wandering…lost and searching. Even if they don’t want to know their fortune, their future wants them to find it and understand what adventure lies in wait if they choose to accept it.”

  Wow, Felmira was good. Lindsey gave her a half smile, easing back into a more relaxed state. She had seen many eccentric or fakes, how could she not with the type of work she did? But this woman had convincing down to a T. Still, Lindsey didn’t feel like she was the harmful kind, more of like the crazy eccentric kind of people you meet. The ones that make the world more interesting.

  As Lindsey was silent in thought, Felmira took that as a nod of approval and grabbed Lindsey’s almost empty cup. “Trade secret you know, reading the leaves and palm. Passed down from my grandmother, to my mother, and then to me.”

  Lindsey smiled, even if it was a touch cynic. After all, she did give her a free cup of tea, if the woman wanted to spout off nonsense on the leaves, why not? Saved Felmira from badgering Lindsey on reading her bare palm.

  As Felmira looked at the leaves, Lindsey felt the same warmth and ease that she had experienced when she took her first drink from the cup. For a moment, and only a moment, she sat in that calm wishing to know where her life was going. It was in that very instant, Felmira snapped her gaze up from the cup and locked eyes with Lindsey…another knowing smile on her lips.

  “So many paths my dear. Loss, pain, and a desire to succeed.” Lindsey raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. Most of what Felmira said was vague enough to fit anyone who walked through her shop.

  “You’re unsure of life, a bit skeptical of me I see,” Felmira gave a small chuckle and lifted her chin in authority as she continued, “but your future has so many paths…there is one that lingers, that stays stronger than the rest.”

  Lindsey waited to hear what else Felmira would say, thinking if anything…at least she had made a unique memory to stow away and review for later. Being the master of memory reading herself, Lindsey took pride in finding moments…moments of contentment and uniqueness. This qualified under the latter for sure.

  “Loss of your mother has wounded your soul deeply,” Lindsey bounced to full attention. Could Felmira have been guessing? If so, Lindsey gave away that a nerve had been hit.

  “Plagued to live through the powerful moments in everyone else’s life. Alone, unusual, and afraid…but not for long. I see several paths ahead of you, but loneliness is not one of them.” Felmira shook her head, shrugged her shoulders, and got up. Fortune, apparently being over, she grabbed the tray with the pot and cups and walked away. Lindsey sat still, unsure of what to say.

  With a bounce in her step, the older woman placed the tray by a porcelain sink and grabbed a small cloth bag and walked to the glass jars. She watched as Felmira scooped up herbs and leaves into the bag’s tiny pouch.

  Lindsey sat glued to her seat, too shocked to move and mind on overdrive. Could Felmira know what she claimed? Perhaps she was extremely intuitive. She risked another peek at the woman and felt no malice coming from her. Felmira, turned, as if on que and walked over. She handed the bag to Lindsey along with a medium sized wrapped package.

  “On the house dear. More of a welcome to town gift.”

  “Oh, um, please let me pay you. You don’t need to do that.” Lindsey grabbed her wallet and began to dig through for some cash. Her hand stilled when Felmira leaned over and placed her palm overtop Lindsey’s gloved one.

  “My dear, I may be old, but I am not about to charge a new customer on her first visit. Besides, it’s part of the trade you know. First one’s always free. The box is my gift to you, open it tonight.” Felmira gave her a wide grin and squeezed Lindsey’s gloved hand before turning, walking off, and humming another unfamiliar tune.

  Lindsey tucked her wallet away and grasped her small tea bag and pretty wrapped box and ambled out of the shop. The rest of the walk home seemed not long at all…Lindsey was so deep in thought, she could have ran and wouldn’t have noticed.

  A Piece of the Puzzle

  Lindsey unlocked the door to her little rented home and placed the package and tea on the kitchen counter. Still feeling unnerved from meeting Felmira and getting her fortune read, she decided to leave the wrapped package to be inspected until later. What she needed, desperately right now, was coffee. Screw the calming effect of tea, she was tired to the bone and cold.

  With her coffee made and well on its way to being drank, Lindsey grabbed a favorite worn, and well-read cozy mystery. She plopped herself, very unladylike, down on the couch. Whenever her days were stressful, she tried clearing her mind by engaging her thoughts in an imaginary world where things got solved neat and tidy, without the horrible stress of doing the unravelling or getting an upfront row in the gory and gritty details. If only real life were so easy.

  The sound of the doorbell snapped Lindsey’s attention away from her favorite book and she was surprised to find that several hours had gone by. Stretching and regretfully putting her book down, Lindsey opened the door to allow Officer Ryan Vance inside. He had changed out of his uniform into a pair of dark denim jeans and a blue t-shirt. His black hair hung a little long and somehow always managed to appear slightly disheveled. Lindsey smiled and felt her heartbeat pick up its pace.

  “I brought dinner, just like I promised.” Ryan pulled out a mouthwatering pasta from the takeout bag he had been carrying and sat it on Lindsey’s small table. Then, he took out another box, popped its lid to show Lindsey a delicious smelling garlic bread.

  “Yum, that looks great…but I’m more interested in the information you promised.” Lindsey retorted. Unfortunately her stomach growled right at that moment, making Ryan laugh.

  “Your stomach says otherwise. Come on, let’s sit down and eat, we can discuss the case while we enjoy the food.”

  Sighing, but not being able to hide her smile, Lindsey grabbed a couple plates and forks and brought them to the table. She scooped out a large sized portion of the pasta, enjoying the smell of the Alfredo sauce. If Ryan expected her to eat less, he didn’t show it and grabbed a nice size helping for himself also. Lindsey wanted to be content to just enjoy the moment, but knowing the case weighed on her shoulders, and how much she needed the names of the owners, she plunged right in.

  “Listen, I’m not sure what your typical protocol is for letting a consultant talk to a witness, but I really need to speak to the owners of the house that got robbed last night. This could be case breaking, I feel it-and trust me, I’m not usually off. I’m pretty sure the thief knew who he was robbing, which means the owners know who he is…well sort of, once I get the list of all their friends and acquaintances and cross reference that with any recent and strange instances, I’m positive I can get us some solid leads.” Lindsey blurted out in a rush, hoping she could make Ryan understand the importance of her speaking with the owners.

  “I know.” Ryan said.

  “You know?” Lindsey repeated.

  “Yes, I know.” He gave her a lopsided grin and placed his hands behind his head, reclining his chair.

  “Ok…so give me the names and address.” Lindsey intended to speak calm but the words had left her mouth in an angry demand.

  Ryan threw up his hands in playful mock defense, but as he attempted to right his chair, he lost balance and tumbled right out onto the floor. Lindsey roared with laughter until she felt tears run down her face.

  “Serves you right.” She said.

  Ryan bounced up, righting his chair and sat in it once more, cheeks a
little redder than before.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He said, smile returning.

  “Well, I hope you remember the promise you gave me and keep your word Officer Vance.”

  “Hey, I always keep my word, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun in delivering the information.” He looked so smug.

  “Yeah, you certainly looked like you were having fun, all sprawled out on the floor.” Lindsey began to laugh again.

  “Alright, alright,” Ryan held up his hands in surrender, “Just remember I saw you fall not that long ago…and I was gentleman enough not to rub it in your face.”

  “Oh Please…” Lindsey rolled her eyes, knowing he meant the incident at the grocery store, “If I remember correctly, it was the contents of my basket that fell, not me.”

  Ryan chuckled and changed subject, “I meant I know, because we’ve already connected the thief to the owners.”

  If he wanted to shut Lindsey up, he was doing a good job. Ryan took one look at Lindsey’s face and broke out into another wide grin and continued talking.

  “The home belongs to a Greg and Evelin Lucas.” Ryan said, raising his eyebrows.

  “Ok…” she said.

  “Listen, you know that kid you wanted me to check into?”

  “Of course, I’m not about to forget a horrible memory like that.” Lindsey furrowed her brows and waited for Ryan to continue.

  “His mom’s not missing and she didn’t run off either, she’s dead.”

  “That’s awful.” Lindsey felt her eyes water, knowing the boy’s pain would be horrible when he realized the only person who loved him, was gone. She hoped she would never encounter another memory from the teen…his grief, would no doubt, be a long road to recovery.

  “Her maiden name was Evangeline Lucas, the parents said she was supposed to come stay with them. Both her and the son. When she didn’t arrive, they assumed she had changed her mind. The relationship was strained…turned out the parents didn’t get along with her choice of a husband.” Ryan said.

  “Gee, I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t like him.” Lindsey replied dryly.

  “Bingo. So, if you can imagine…that makes the husband my number one suspect. Looks like he’s not just a terrible father but possibly a murderer and a thief all in one.”

  Lindsey shook her head, “I don’t get it. Why kill his wife and then rob the parents? Did he hate them that much?”

  “I don’t know,” Ryan said, “but we’re going to find out. I went to stop by the boy’s house this afternoon, but no one was around. I needed to tell him the news of his mother, but I really wanted to get a feel on the dad…which works out better, because now you can come with me.”

  Lindsey wanted to decline, seeing the boy and the pain that would be on his face, didn’t feel like a great way to start her morning…but the case needed to be solved and the boy needed to know. She nodded her head in agreement.

  “Great! Pick you up at 8.” Ryan said, a little too enthusiastic for Lindsey’s taste.

  Looked like tomorrow would be a busy day.

  Caught

  The morning came with a heavy dread in Lindsey’s chest. She had slept horribly, with the boy’s face in her dreams and the idea of seeing his expression fall when he found out the news of his mother. It was almost too much for Lindsey to bear. Still, it had to be done.

  Ryan was true to his word and picked Lindsey up exactly at 8. He thrust a hot and yummy smelling espresso in her hand. The gesture was sweet, and made the dreaded morning seem a little better.

  “Thought you might need this,” he said, running his fingers through his hair.

  “Thanks,” Lindsey said, trying to stifle a yawn.

  The ride over was mostly silent, both Ryan and Lindsey not looking forward to delivering the bad news. At least Ryan would be the one talking, Lindsey had no idea what she would say if it had been her.

  They pulled a ways out of town and drove down a long driveway. At the end of the drive stood a colonial home that once must have been lovely. That day was far from today as Lindsey took in the dirty siding and a broken shutter or two on the windows. Plants and vines had taken over, and sprouted up through the cracks of the brick sidewalk and up the siding of the house. Lindsey wondered what the home would have looked like in its prime.

  “Watch your step,” Ryan said, pointing out a broken and jagged brick on the walkway, “I stumbled on that one yesterday.”

  Lindsey muttered a small thanks and stepped over the broken spot in the path towards the house. When they reached the front door, Ryan lifted his hand to knock but the door swung wide before he could make contact.

  There stood the teen’s father, he appeared to be late fifties or early sixties…and he hadn’t showered in what seemed (or smelled) like weeks. Lindsey turned her head and covered her nose with her gloved hand. Trying not to be obvious of the offending smell, she dug in her purse for a peppermint and popped it in to distract her from the stench.

  “What er you want?” the old man grumbled.

  His appearance was so haggard and filthy, Lindsey almost felt a wave of pity for the man…almost, but then she would remember the awful memory of how he treated his son and that pity would vanish.

  “Mr. Peckley? Aaron Peckley?” Ryan inquired, showing his badge.

  “Yeh, that’s me, what er you want?” Mr. Peckley raised his chin in a challenge, still holding the front door only a crack open.

  “I’m afraid I have some bad news to report to you and your son? Is he around?” Ryan questioned, taking a step forward. Mr. Peckley didn’t take kindly to Ryan approaching closer, and he slid out blocking the house from view, leaving the door cracked.

  “He’s at a friend’s house, yer gonna have to tell me and let me relay information to my son.” The foul smell of old booze, cigarettes, and body odor hit Lindsey in full force now that the man was standing closer. She turned her head to keep from gagging.

  “You got a problem lady?” Mr. Peckley asked.

  Lindsey cleared her throat and met his eyes, “None at all, I was just overwhelmed by the sudden stench outside. Pardon me.”

  Ryan shot her a look, one she could only describe as “behave yourself” and Lindsey sighed and took a step back to distance herself from the unpleasant man.

  “I’m sorry to tell you this, but we found your wife dead yesterday. We tried to stop by and report it to you, but no one was home.” Ryan softened his voice at just the right note. Lindsey was thankful she wouldn’t be around to see the boy’s face as the news was relayed to him.

  “Yeh, I ain’t none to surprised. She run off not long ago, strung out on all kinds of things. Was nothin but trouble to me and my son.” Although Mr. Peckley’s voice was harsh, Lindsey saw a flash of sadness…and perhaps regret?

  “Dad?” said a voice from behind the door.

  Ryan raised his eyebrows in question, “I thought you said your son wasn’t at home?”

  Mr. Peckley gulped, “So what? I’m the man of this house and I make the decision on what information is told around here. I’m plenty capable of letting my son know something.”

  “Dad? Did they say mom was dead?” The teen, Averick, spoke again. His voice cracked and Lindsey could hear soft sobs coming from the other side of the door. Lindsey’s heart ached.

  “SHUT UP and stay INSIDE!” Mr. Peckley shouted. He looked in full temper and Lindsey wouldn’t have been surprised if this was his natural state when no one was looking. The man was vile.

  “Calm yourself,” Ryan warned. It only seemed to enrage Peckley more.

  “Calm myself? Calm MYSELF? You tell me my wife is dead, and I’m supposed to be CALM?” Mr. Peckley took a step forward and Ryan maneuvered his hand to hover over the gun in his holster, immediately Mr. Peckley stepped back.

  “Mr. Peckley, there are no words to describe the loss of someone close to you…even if you had your differences. Perhaps I could help you ta
lk to your son?” The words left Lindsey’s mouth before she could even stop them. As if out of her mind, she approached the foul smelling man.

  “You stay back! You here? This is my property!” Peckley reached up and grabbed Lindsey’s shoulder, roughly pushing her back, but not before grazing her neck with his thumb. As Lindsey fell, the world around her went dark and she knew she was about to see exactly what kind of man Mr. Peckley was.

  “You can’t leave me Evangeline.”

  Lindsey watched the man in front of her. The scenery still coming into focus. She tried to take in this new memory. The man had to be Mr. Peckley, at least he certainly resembled him…but cleaner, assumingly less smelly, and somehow he appeared younger.

  “I don’t want to, but I don’t think I have a choice.” The woman pulled a star shaped necklace off and handed it to Aaron Peckley. He choked back a sob as it was thrust in his hand.

  “I can change, Evan honey, please-“

  “You’ve said that a thousand times before,” Evangeline stared at her husband, remorse in her eyes, “I have to leave you. It’s only getting worse and our son Averick needs to have a parent around who can make sure he doesn’t fall down the same path you are on.”

  “You gonna take my boy away from me too?” Aaron Peckley choked out another sob, clenching his fists, the necklace dangling from in-between his fingers.

  “You have only yourself to blame,” Evangeline reached out and laid her hand against her husband’s cheek, “drugs, alcohol….it’s not a life I want for him. Your temper is getting worse too. Get help, maybe then we can talk.”

  Switching from sobs to temper, Aaron Peckley shoved his wife’s hand away and grabbed onto her shoulders. He shook her and yelled, “You think you can just walk away?! That’s not how we do Evan. That’s not how this relationship has ever worked. YOU were plenty fine enjoying the drugs and alcohol when we dated. YOU knew what I was when you said yes.”