by Rose Pressey
After driving a mile down the road, I pulled into a grocery store parking lot so that I could call Reed. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed his number. After multiple rings, Reed didn’t answer so I left a voice mail instructing him to call me as soon as he got the message.
“Reed, I discovered some interesting information about the house today. There was a murder in the house. I know it’s an old house and you can expect that people may have died there, but another murder? It’s like we’re attracted to this stuff. I think the universe is trying to tell us something.” Okay, I was rambling and the phone would cut me off soon if I didn’t wrap it up. “Anyway, call me when you get this message.” I paused. “I’m really sorry about what I said last night. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Next I placed calls to Mama and Lacey. They didn’t answer either. Was cell phone service knocked out in the area? This was weird. Since I couldn’t get in touch with them I decided to head to the library.
I zipped the car out onto the street from the parking lot. After turning down the wrong street and then doubling back, I spotted the small concrete building that housed the town’s library. I circled the parking lot until I finally found a spot and whizzed my old Volvo in, squeezing between a mini-van and a large truck. A large sign welcoming readers was right in the front of the building and it made me smile. My moment of happiness was short-lived thought when the reason I was at the library rushed back into my thoughts. As I hurried toward the entrance, I glanced over my shoulder. I was worried that Stan had possibly followed me… or maybe Evelyn or Amanda. Why did I have to worry about anyone following me? I was a magnet for crazy people. I paused with my hand on the door, checking to make sure that the car that had just pulled up wasn’t one of them. I released a sigh of relief when I realized it wasn’t.
The glass doors made a loud suction noise when I pushed one open. A middle-aged woman looked up from her book and frowned at the noise I’d made. Hey, I wasn’t the one who installed the doors—not my fault.
A blast of cold air hit me in the face as I entered. It was a refreshing relief from the warm summer sun. The space wasn’t large, but there were still plenty of shelves, stretching out across every wall.
Where would I even begin to start? There was so much information to go through. I’d have to check the newspapers for any information about the house or the former occupants. Plus I wanted to find out more about Evelyn and Stan. I’d have to be careful though. I was a stranger and people might not like talking about their fellow residents. I’d rather be in the library checking out books for pleasure.
What made me think I could find any information that would lead to the killer anyway? Just because I’d solved one murder? I was far from Jessica Fletcher and this wasn’t an episode of Murder She Wrote. Solving a murder involved an ounce of organization and well thought-out plans, I had neither of those.
I moved up and down a couple of aisles, then decided that I had to bite the bullet and ask someone for help. If I didn’t find anything at the library, I’d have to check out the courthouse for property records. That always took more time though. I peeked around the counter and saw the woman still at the front of the library. With her brown football-helmet hairstyle and round face she reminded me of my friend back home. If I’d only stayed home none of this would have ever happened. She wore a red blouse and black slacks.
I took in a deep breath, then forced my legs to move forward. There was no turning back now because I was standing in front of her when she looked up and met my stare.
“May I help you?” asked the middle-aged woman behind the reference desk.
She looked me up and down, then settled on my face again. Would she kick me out of the library as soon as I started asking questions? Heck, she might even call the police. That would be a story to tell all my friends, that I was arrested at the library.
I paused, trying to think of the right words. “I need to find information about the house that I purchased. Can you help me?”
“Oh, which house did you buy?” Her wide smile lit up her face.
“Um, I purchased the McKeeley Plantation,” I said, lowering my voice.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Yes, I heard someone had bought it.” She busied herself by shuffling papers around.
I wouldn’t even pretend that she didn’t know the story with the house. There was no way she didn’t know. “I’m sure you know what happened to the previous owner.”
“Yes, I know the history of the house. It’s really brave of you to take on such a project.”
“I enjoy a challenge,” I said.
I should have added that I was just asking for trouble by taking on projects such as that, but I kept my thoughts to myself.
“Can you tell me what you know about Amber Gaines?” I asked with hope in my voice.
She looked around the room to see if anyone was watching us. “She was a teacher at the high school and her husband was an accountant. They were a lovely couple. I just never believed that he could do such a thing.”
“So you don’t think he was guilty?” Her statement had surprised me.
She stacked papers on the counter, but wouldn’t meet my gaze. “No, I didn’t think he did it.”
“Do you have a suspicion of who did it?” I asked.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?” She continued moving papers around pretending to be busy.
Clearly she wasn’t going to answer the question. What was she so afraid of?
“What about Gordon Millerton? He owned the house and was murdered? What did you know about him?”
“I really didn’t know him well. Didn’t you and your boyfriend find him?” She looked up at me.
Now was the time for me to look down. “Yes, we did.”
“Well, he upset a lot of people in town.” She glanced around to see if anyone was listening.
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
“Do you know anything about Stan Kern? He was linked to a murder. Can you tell me about that?” I pushed.
“I can pull together a few articles from the paper for you. My name’s Milly Dunford.” She held her hand out for me to shake.
“That would be wonderful, Milly. Thank you. I’m Alabama Hargrove.” I clasped her hand in mine.
She nodded as if she already knew my name. Why was she doing this for me? Regardless, I wouldn’t question it. I’d accept her generosity and be thankful for it.
“I have just one more question and then I’ll get out of your hair. Do you know Evelyn Arlington?”
She snorted. “Yes, I know her. Her ancestors built McKeeley Planation, you know?”
“I had no idea,” I said.
“Evelyn is the most difficult woman you’ll ever meet. You should talk to Dorothy Wellman. She’s on the historical society with Evelyn. They’re best friends, although how she puts up with that woman I will never know. I can give you her number if you’d like.”
“That would be fantastic. I really appreciate all your help.”
She scribbled the name and number on a piece of paper and handed it to me. “Just don’t tell anyone I gave you this information, okay?”
Wow, what would happen if I’d told anyone? She was afraid of someone, but whom?
“I won’t tell anyone. Thank you again for everything.” I tucked the paper into my front pocket.
“You’re welcome, honey. And good luck.” Her mouth twisted into a sympathetic smile.
When I walked out to the parking lot, I thought I saw that same white car pulling away. How many white Fords were in this town? Probably a whole lot, so I pushed the worry from my mind. But when I reached my car and saw a paper stuffed in the driver’s side door, the worry rushed back. When I pulled the paper from the door and read it, my blood ran cold.
I’m watching you. Do as I say, or you’re next.
That seemed like a threat to me. But who had done such a thing? I needed to tell the police, but I hated to approach them since they suspected Reed of being in
volved with Gordon’s murder. I needed to tell Reed about what had happened. I just needed him right now. After looking around to see if I was really being watched, I dialed his number. It went straight to voice mail. What was going on?
After pulling out from the library parking lot, I still hadn’t heard from Reed, my mother, or Lacey. I had tried their numbers yet again, but they still hadn’t answered. I was beginning to become concerned. I decided to drive by the hotel and see if they were there.
Since I wasn’t sure of the name of the hotel, I stopped in a gas station around the corner and got directions. The woman behind the counter told me I was near the hotel and how to get there. When I climbed back in my car, I entered the address into my phone and pointed the car in that direction.
Within a couple minutes, I’d pulled up to the hotel. The parking lot was practically empty, not surprising for a little town. The room doors looked right out onto the parking lot, so I pulled up in front of the rooms where Lacey and my mother were staying. The rental car was parked out front. I banged on my mother’s door and when she didn’t answer, I moved over to Lacey’s door. After almost breaking my hand from pounding so hard, a maid walked up and I stopped.
“Excuse me, but do you know if the guests are still here?” I pointed at the rooms.
“Oh, the lady in the wild outfits?” She pulled a towel from her cart.
“Yeah, that’s her.” My mother never went unnoticed.
“No, she left in another car. Her and the other woman.” She pointed toward the road.
“Do you know what kind of car?” I asked.
She scowled. “It was white, I think.”
“This may sound strange, but did it look like they were being forced to go?”
She frowned again. “No, it didn’t.”
“Thanks,” I said, as I rushed back to my car.
My stomach dipped and my head spun. I had to find them. Who had they left with? Why would they leave? As I pulled out onto the street, a flash of memory came back to me. I remembered where I’d seen the boots recently.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Before pulling out of the parking lot, I punched in Carrie’s number and waited as it rang on the other end. Just when I thought she wouldn’t answer, her chipper voice sounded on the other end.
“Carrie, this is Alabama Hargrove. We met at the diner and went for a walk.”
Would she remember me? Of course she’d remember me. She wasn’t a hamster; her brain wasn’t the size of a pea. My anxiety was causing me to have irrational thoughts. I needed to calm down. Would Carrie be willing to help me was the better question. I knew she’d said she would, but people changed their minds. Maybe seeing Stan in the parking lot had made her rethink that offer.
“Hold on,” she whispered.
My stomach flipped. A loud noise sounded across the line. She must have been in the diner.
After a long pause, she finally said, “I’m glad you called.”
At least she hadn’t whispered this time.
“Oh yeah?” I asked.
“I was going to call you. Stan came in the diner again. They called me back in to work for this afternoon and he came back in. He never comes in her after breakfast. He was asking me questions about you.”
My stomach did a somersault again and my heart rate increased. “What was he asking about me?” I looked over my shoulder as if I thought someone might be watching. The fact was, someone could be watching—the note had stated as much.
Heck, everywhere I went someone was watching me. When I went to the plantation, the man in the woods was watching me and now someone was following me around town too. Stan could pull up at any moment. I definitely didn’t want to be around him now that I knew he’d been asking about me.
“He wanted to know what we were talking about.”
I scoffed. “Like it’s any of his business.”
“He seems to think everything is his business,” she said.
“What did you tell him?” I asked.
“I told him we talked about the town and what things there are to do around here. He tried to tell me not to talk to you again.”
“What?” My blood was boiling. “What is that guy’s problem?”
Carrie’s voice changed. “Alabama, I’d stay away from him if I were you. Don’t have anything to do with him.”
“I don’t intend to,” I said.
I couldn’t believe Reed had gotten me involved with this nutcase. And he was the one always telling me to be cautious about who I hired to work on the house. It seemed as if he needed to follow his own advice.
“Was there something else you wanted?” she asked.
“Yes, this may be a strange request, and I’ll tell you why I ask later, but can you find out what type of boot and size Stan is wearing? Maybe ask the police? I know it’s a long shot, but you’re the only shot I’ve got.”
“That is a weird request, but I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks. I owe you,” I said.
After hanging up, there was nothing else to do but head back to the plantation. With any luck, I wouldn’t encounter the person who was following me and leaving me a not-so-subtle note. Was it Amanda? Or was it Evelyn. It sounded exactly like something she would do. She was nothing but a pint-sized bully.
And why hadn’t anyone answered their phones? My concern mounted by the minute. Reed had said in the note that he’d call me before coming back to the house. He’d never placed that call. Was he still mad at me? Had he found out that I’d talked to his cousin? Maybe Melody had called and ratted on me. Everything in my world had turned upside down and I didn’t know how to make it right again.
Just as I’d pointed the car in the direction of McKeeley Plantation, my cell phone rang. I turned the car around and hurried back, praying there would be some information that would lead me to a clue. Any clue.
I didn’t recognize the number when my cell phone rang, but I knew it was a local number.
“This is Milly from the Cobb County Library,” the woman said when I answered.
I was surprised to hear from her so soon. “Did you find more information for me?” I asked eagerly.
“As a matter of fact, I did. I collected the news articles for you, if you’d like to stop by and pick them up.”
“I’ll be there right away.”
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the information.
When I reached the library, I circled the lot a couple times until I finally located an empty spot. I’d noticed a sign on the door earlier that mentioned today was children’s storytelling day, so the library was jam-packed. I hurried through the door and stood by the reference desk for a couple minutes before I finally spotted Milly. She smiled warmly when she saw me and motioned that she’d be with me in just a moment.
After another minute, she headed over to me. “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting.”
“That’s okay. I always love being in the library anyway.” I inhaled to catch another whiff of the books.
“I collected all the articles I found on the murder and a few about the house as well.”
She handed me a file. A look of unease settled on her face. “Is everything all right, dear?”
I looked at the file, then met her gaze. “I sure hope so.”
With that, I hurried out the door and back to my car. I couldn’t wait to find out what was in the articles. As I sat in the car, I read through as much as I could. Most of the articles just recapped what I’d already learned, so I was disappointed with that. But when I reached the last news clipping, something jumped out at me. There was a picture that I hadn’t seen before.
The man in the photo was listed as Blake Gaines. It was Amber’s husband and the man who they’d accused of killing her. Something about him looked so familiar. There was something about his eyes and his expression. I studied the picture, unable to look away. That was when it hit me. I knew who this person was and where I’d seen him before. It was the man in the woods that I’d been seeing
since the first day. Why in the world was he hiding in the woods and lurking around the house? That was bizarre.
I needed to find out what he was doing there. Maybe he could give me more information about what happened when his wife had been murdered. Sure, he had been accused of killing her, but he had an alibi and I had a gut feeling that he really had nothing to do with her murder. I dumped the papers on the passenger seat and pulled out of the parking lot. I pointed the car in the direction of McKeeley Plantation once again and drove as fast as I could without risking being pulled over by the police. They’d probably love the opportunity to arrest me.
After what seemed like forever, I pulled into the driveway hoping to see Reed’s truck or the rental car. Reed’s truck was in front of the house, but there was no sign of Mama or Lacey. I sighed and climbed out from behind the wheel. I couldn’t wait to talk with Reed and clear things up.
I was thankful I wouldn’t have to be in the house alone. I knew there would have to be a first time when I’d be in the house by myself, but I had to do it eventually. Sure there was a ghost in the house, but she didn’t seem to want to do me any harm. Was the ghost really the spirit of Amber, the woman who had been brutally murdered twenty years ago? That was the logical explanation. If only I could get the spirit to communicate with us.
I’d go inside and if anything happened I would talk to her. Talk to her as if she was a living person. She probably just wanted to communicate a message to her husband. She was a restless spirit because her murderer had never been captured. I stepped into the house and called out for Reed. Silence surrounded me. There was no footsteps, no sound of tools, or even whispers from another dimension.
Things seemed different in the room. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It was as if something had been moved in the room. Yes, that was definitely it. The single metal folding chair that I’d left in the parlor had been moved. An opened package of dried fruit had been left on the seat of the chair. Someone had been in the room and I didn’t think it was the ghost having a midnight snack. I looked over to the window. Outside I saw the woods just beyond our property. Had the man from the woods been in the house? Was he homeless and hungry? Maybe he wasn’t there to cause harm at all. After all, he had run away from me. If he’d wanted to hurt me he wouldn’t have done that. I couldn’t mention this to Reed because he wouldn’t believe it. He’d have some stupid explanation for it.