“I will go straight home with Muddles. I think we still have an extra litter box somewhere in the garage.” He appeared to be pondering the thought.
“It’s right next to the fake Christmas tree in the garage, dad. I set it there when I moved out last year.” Kayla reminded him.
“That’s right. Okay, we’re off.” He was about to climb into his patrol car when he waved at Tabitha, Kayla’s boss. “Have a good day, Tabitha.”
“You too, Mouse.” Her face flushed and that was when Kayla recognized something was going on between the two of them. Nobody encourages Tabitha to blush in such a way, but her father was still handsome and had many good years left in him.
“Is everything alright, Kayla? I overheard your conversation with your father.” She eyed Kayla as her hand gripped the door handle, and pulled it to her. They entered the antique store together.
“Yeah, I had an issue with my roommate’s boyfriend this morning.” Kayla cocked her head to the side and noticed the table was still sitting in the back of the store. “Why is the table still here, Tabitha?” Kayla slowly walked into the back room without laying a finger on it. The elegant wood was absolutely immaculate.
“They will be here soon to pick it up. I’m hoping the movers have enough plastic wrap to go around the entire thing. It would be a shame if it got scratched.” Tabitha walked throughout the store tidying up the place and getting ready for more customers. When one came in with the intent to buy, Tabitha was hot on her heels.
“I hope so.” Kayla glanced at the table and went to set her house keys on the bench across the room when she noticed the back door of the antique store ajar. She went to pull it closed when a man already had hold of it and yanked it to him. He stood before Kayla wearing a moving jumpsuit. “You scared me to death.” She half yelled.
“I’m so sorry. We are only here to pick up the table.” He looked over at it and sighed. “It’s huge.”
“Yes, it is. I hope you ate your Wheaties today, and I brought extra help too.” Kayla looked at him when a smile creased his face.
“I did, actually.” His face showed how accurate Kayla was about predicting his breakfast.
“I say Wheaties all the time.” She added. “Make sure you wrap it up good. The buyer doesn’t want anything to happen to this thing of beauty.”
“I bet they don’t. It’s quite a masterpiece.” He guided his helpers to the table and informed them to wrap it up good with bubble wrap and to ensure the table was not going to arrive with faults embedded on it.
“Tabitha, the movers are here!” Kayla screamed at her boss.
“Can you please deal with them, Kayla!” Tabitha was knee deep in negotiations with a customer.
“Kayla, huh. That’s a great name.” The guy with green eyes nodded when he slowly moved around the table with plastic wrap.
“It was my mother’s fault. She didn’t want me to be named Moonbeam or anything weird like that.” Kayla was about to crack a smile when this man’s boss scolded him for not having the table wrapped already.
Tabitha came into the back with two lamps. After handing them to one of the movers she added, “This customer wanted these delivered too.” She hurried to the front as Kayla observed the most fascinating wrapping procedure possible take place right before her eyes. Kayla was so bored that when her phone chirped in her pocket, she pulled it out and had to put out another fire with Callie.
After texting her back, Kayla carried the last remaining chair to the moving truck and bid them farewell. “Thanks for everything.” She waved at the moving vehicle. Kayla’s hand went to grab the back door when she felt someone staring at her and when she turned around, not a soul was there. It was eerie, to say the least when she closed the door and locked it before thinking the Boogeyman was about to pounce on her.
“All set?” Tabitha gave Kayla the thumbs up.
“Absolutely, they’re gone.” Kayla looked around for her keys, and when she didn’t find them, she panicked. It was not one of those ‘oh crap’ moments, it was heart racing, heat producing, and overall a sensation Kayla despised having fear race through her body. After searching, she finally found them, they had fallen beneath the table through two pieces of wood that formed the workbench. Kayla then held a hand over her heart and exhaled anxiety.
“Thank goodness, Kayla. I’m glad you found them.” Tabitha had been observing her. She was about to turn from Kayla when Tabitha nodded.
“Can I have a few days off, Tabitha?” Kayla clenched her teeth together and wondered why she asked that.
“Sure, you have a lot on your plate right now. It’s okay. I can hold down the fort.” Tabitha hurried to the front of the antique store when someone else came in.
Kayla looked around the store and could tell more things had come through those doors, so she gathered as many objects as possible and brought them into the back for cleaning. She worked hard at scrubbing each item with meticulous agility, and after being on her feet all morning, Kayla heard her phone chirp. It was Callie again. This time, she was wondering why Kayla packed up and left with her cat, Muddles. After an inner eye roll, she informed Callie she needed to stay with her father for a day or two so she could clear her head after what took place that morning.
Callie didn’t seem to understand when Kayla quit explaining it to her and booked a flight for the following morning to New Orleans. She had a feeling about that dream, and this time, Kayla was listening to what it told her. Maybe, she might discover what took place with Harris and the woman. If Harris was the victim, Kayla wanted to know all the facts and nothing but the facts.
Kayla set down her phone and pretended Callie wasn’t texting at all. She worked while dining in the back after going down the road for a sandwich for her and Tabitha. It was a working lunch, and Kayla had to get everything completed for the antique shop before she headed out of town for a few days.
At closing time, Kayla wandered down a few dimly lit streets to her dad’s place. Thank goodness it was within walking distance of the shop. Along the way, Kayla pet a spotted dog over a short three-foot gate and watched a squirrel head up a tree with a mouth filled with nuts. The next nut to crack was her father, Kayla had to convince him to watch her kitty for a few days while away.
When she looked up and saw her father’s brick house with its small front porch that once held so many secret meetings with every woman who set foot in it, Kayla couldn’t resist a smile that penetrated her face. It was her childhood home and a place she would never forget in a million years. The house held life to it Kayla couldn’t escape from, nor would she want to.
Kayla walked in through the door of her dad’s home as warmth instantly filled her entire body. Muddles came up to her with a dark colored sock in her mouth, and when she spotted Kayla, that darn cat was running down the hall to another one lying in the middle of the floor. They were rolled up, so she knew they were her father’s.
“Hey, sunshine. How was work?” He looked over his shoulder at Kayla from the dining table where he was cleaning his handgun.
“It was good, and you?” Kayla headed to the fridge after taking off her coat and hat.
“Good here too. I needed to clean my gun. At the range today, it acted kind of funny, and an officer of the law cannot afford to have a dirty weapon.”
“I know that one.” She watched when he lifted her own personal gun before him.
“I just cleaned yours too.” He set it down and looked up at Kayla. “What really happened today, sweetheart?”
“It’s just Stan being Stan. He…” Kayla wasn’t able to finish the sentence when her father stopped words from exiting her mouth.
“Stan came into the station today complaining about you pulling a gun on him at the house. I informed him that you had a concealed carry due to a robbery happening when you were a child.” Her father then changed the subject. “It’s functioning now. You’re all set.” When he handed it to Kayla, she nodded and watched Muddles come in with the sock held between he
r front teeth. She dropped it and walked to Kayla for pets where she lifted Muddles up and snuggled with her until she leaped from her arms and went after the socks once again.
“Stan is not someone I trust dad and thanks for bringing my weapon home.” Kayla set it back on the table.
“That string had been messed with on your knob too. Someone was in there, Kayla.” He stopped cleaning the gun and looked up at her.
“I figured.” Kayla placed hands on the table and stared down at them. “It was Stan. He was the one in my room.”
“You should stay here for a few days until everything cools down a bit.” He suggested. “It might be good for you and Muddles too.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” Kayla hesitated before telling him about the upcoming trip to New Orleans. “Hey, I wanted to let you know that I’m taking a few personal days off work.”
“Oh, really. Why?” He lifted his weapon, wiped it down, and replaced it to the tabletop.
“I feel it would be best, and I planned on taking a short trip, dad.” Kayla couldn’t spit it out about the dream and why she really wanted to go to New Orleans.
“Kayla, something is up. What is it? You have my full attention.” He placed his hands on the table before him with eyes pierced to hers. “I’m waiting, young lady.”
“The dreams are back, dad.” Kayla felt in control of what she was saying this time.
“Okay, go on.” He encouraged.
Kayla suddenly felt like explaining everything to him. “I’m going to New Orleans in the morning. I have already booked my ticket, and it’s non-refundable, dad.”
“Okay, I know someone there who can keep an ear open for you.” He seemed interested in what his daughter was saying.
“You’re okay with this.” She leaned forward with an ear leaning toward him.
“Of course, I am, Kayla. I’ve been waiting for you to leap into a career in law enforcement for years. Your mother always said you had a nose for it.” He grinned.
Kayla dipped her head down. “Yeah, she’s right. She was always right.” Kayla shook her head and continued, “I think if I can find out what happened to this couple, I can finally put this dream to rest, and maybe even solve a murder.”
“A murder, you say. Who are the people?”
“The man is named Harris Green Blackwell and an unknown woman. That’s all I know.”
“Okay,” he was on his feet and heading to his laptop computer. “Where exactly were they in the dream?”
Kayla followed him to the living room where his laptop sat on the side table near his favorite chair. “We were on the shoreline near a bridge or something. I saw him in the shallow water. That’s all I know, dad.”
“That’s okay, Kayla. It’s a start. What did the bridge look like?” He tapped on the keyboard, and when nothing cropped up, he continued his search of New Orleans missing persons.
“It was a steel bridge crossing the Mississippi River. I saw a few buildings in the background. It’s hard to describe, dad.” She sat on the armrest of his chair and when he gave her ‘the look’ she stood and squatted down to view what he was scrolling through.
“Is this it?” He looked at her shaking head. “How about this one?”
“That’s it, dad. That’s the bridge I saw in my dream.” Kayla looked at it and read, “This bridge is better known as the Crescent City Connection or the (CCC). This cantilever bridge spans over the Mississippi River in New Orleans.”
“Great, now we know where you need to go to find these dead bodies. Are you sure you want to go alone?” His pleading eyes told Kayla he would be happy to tag along.
“I know I have a nose for police work. I can do this alone. Besides, you will have tagalongs following me.” Kayla already knew what he wanted, but she wanted to embark on this journey alone.
“Did you know your mother would always dream about other’s deaths and when I arrived at various scenes throughout the years, where the dead were. I always snapped pictures of those bodies and showed them to her. Your mother wished those dreams would disappear… they never did, Kayla. I believe they are a part of your make-up and hers. You’re either cursed or blessed. Your call.”
“I used to think all of my dreams were curses, and now, I’m beginning to believe they might be blessings, dad. I’m going to Louisiana, and whatever I find, I’ll keep you and Muddles in the loop.” Kayla crawled on her hands and knees, lifted a sock and threw it. Muddles then chased it down the hall.
“I have plenty more where that came from. Muddles is in good hands.” He closed his laptop and set it aside. “I will watch over the cat while you’re away. Be careful and keep your eyes peeled to everyone and everything. No one is truly your friend. I learned that long ago.”
“I believe you, dad.” She looked at the couch and saw more of her things sitting there. “You brought my stuff here.”
“Yeah, I thought about that when I had your gun in my pocket. Raley helped me with your clothes. I think you staying here for a while is the best thing you can do not only for yourself but for Callie. She doesn’t seem to make good decisions, Kayla.”
“No, she doesn’t, dad. I’m not sure she’s capable of making any good life decisions either. She quit her job at the attorney’s office and went to work flipping burgers. She said it was her choice, and I’m not so sure about that one. I bet Stan decided that for her too. Stan hates her doing better than him. It worries me, dad. Not only for her safety but for her future.”
“I know. Maybe, we’ll go over there tomorrow and collect a few more things from the place, and bring them home to make Muddles feel comfortable here.” He winked.
“Thanks, dad. I think that it would be a great idea. Leave the bed and side table. Those were there when I moved in. Muddles cat box is in my room too.”
“Not anymore. It’s upstairs in the bathroom across the hall from your bedroom, Kayla.” He crossed his ankles.
“Muddles needs to feel more at home here. I get it. I love you, Mouse.” Kayla was on her feet and kissing his cheek.
“I certainly missed that. Do you need a ride in the morning?” He asked. When Muddles leaped into his lap with a sock, he took it, hugged her tight, released her and tossed the sock. She galloped after it.
“I definitely will need a ride. I’m a little nervous about all this.” Kayla sat on the couch near him. She looked at her dad with dark bags beneath his eyes and tanned skin from being outside so long.
“You’ll be all right, Kayla. Think positive and use your gut instincts. They will never steer you wrong. Your dreams won’t either. Your mother’s dreams always brought me to the place where a body was found, and that was good enough for me.” He leaned over and rubbed her hand. “You’ll be fine. Keep your phone charged and know you can call me day or night, and I will send help.”
Chapter Four
The wind blew through Kayla’s hair and brought on a shiver that rapidly raced through her body. After attempting to shake it off, she turned to see the river bank and two people arguing until one was so flustered, they both stopped talking. No matter what was said, neither would relent.
Kayla slowly walked to them and listened intently to what was being said. The woman was angry about why they had no date set for their wedding, and Harris was tired of listening to her rants.
“Whatever the issue, I will always be by your side. Please understand that weddings take time to plan and initiate.” Harris stared into this woman’s blue eyes and chuckled when he brushed back a lock of her hair. “Let’s go home where it’s safe and warm.”
The woman nodded. “Harris, I’m sorry my mind is inundated with what direction to move next. It’s just… I need to know where we stand all the time.”
“I know, sweetheart, and we will find a day for us to tie the knot.” He gripped her hand in his when Kayla spotted a human form not ten feet away. Whoever it was staring at them with intensity. Kayla couldn’t make out whether it was a woman or a man, but the person wore a long, blue ove
rcoat.
Harris took his lady friend past the figure and up the incline to the road where the car was parked. When he opened up the door after unlocking it, this unknown human turned to watch them enter the car and leave.
Kayla attempted numerous times to make out who the person was, but no clear vision ever came to her. It was frustrating to her knowing this obscure figure watched Harris.
Kayla woke to Muddles stepping on her abdomen and chest then to her face where she meowed so loud, her father called the cat to come to eat. She darted out from the room and through the slice of an open door where she vanished into the hallway.
“Thanks, dad!” Kayla shouted.
“You’re welcome. I need to get used to this while you’re gone to New Orleans.” He called back.
Kayla crawled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom to get ready for her flight. While brushing her wet hair after the shower, she thought about two favorite things in the world she will be leaving behind. Muddles and her father played around inside her head.
“Are you ready to eat?” He came to the bathroom door with a piece of bacon held in one hand.
“Yes, I’m starving.” Kayla started to blow dry her hair, and when it was almost dry, she went back to her bedroom and dressed.
Muddles leaped for joy with many socks scattered throughout the hallway. Kayla looked at her trying to carry many all at once.
“You’re a crack up, Muddles.” Mr. Decker shook his head. “Are you ready to eat?”
Kayla slipped into the chair at the dining table and watched the show of Muddles and the socks. “I should record her playing with those things. People will actually sit and watch a cat slapping socks around the house.”
“They would. People do. That’s odd.” He chewed off a piece of toast and ate with mouth closed.
“Are those Tabitha’s baked goods I spy in that container on the counter?” Kayla rose to her feet and hurried to them. As she pulled the top off and inhaled the aroma of freshly baked goods, she mumbled, “Yummy. Tabitha knows how to put together the best chocolate chip cookies ever, dad. Did she drop them by last night for us?”
Kayla's Chronicles- Will Travel For Murder Page 4