Dashing Through the Snow

by Mary Higgins Clark

  “I’ve been trying to reach him for the last couple of hours. He found the ring that Duncan bought for Flower. I wanted to ask him about it. It turns out it was stolen years ago. Leave no stone unturned,” she said.

  Regan looked at Alvirah. “I’ll go over there with you right now,” she said. She turned to Jack. “We’ll be back in a few minutes. Why don’t you and Glenda and Duncan show the pictures to the volunteers here?”

  “Good idea.”

  They all left the office together, armed with stacks of Flower’s picture. Steve beckoned to a male volunteer. “I need you to drop these people,” he pointed to Luke and Nora, “along Santa’s route.”

  “Sure, Mr. Mayor.”

  “And if you could drop this other gentleman at the halfway point to the park.”

  Regan and Alvirah hurried out of the church and across the street. The rehearsal had ended. Quickly they showed Flower’s picture to the last actors who were on their way out the door.

  “Sorry,” they all said.

  “I’d like to talk to Rufus Blackstone,” Alvirah told them. “Is he still here?”

  “He’s the tall guy with the white hair and beard helping his wife on with her coat over there. They’re talking to the director. Rufus always has a few suggestions at the end of every rehearsal.”

  “Mr. Blackstone!” Alvirah bellowed. “I need to speak to you.”

  Seeing the displeased look on his face, Alvirah and Regan hurried over to him and introduced themselves. “We’re friends of the young man who bought the flower ring you found.”

  “You mean Duncan? Everyone’s talking about him. He was missing all night and then won the lottery, right?”

  “Yes, he did,” Alvirah said quickly. “Mr. Pettie said you found the ring on the street.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Where did you find it?”

  He squinted. “Why do you want to know that?”

  “Because it may have been dropped by the person who stole it eight years ago.”

  “My word!” Rufus’s wife, Agatha, said. “It was stolen?”

  “Yes,” Alvirah answered. “And by someone who may be responsible for the death of the woman who owned it.”

  “Well, no wonder no one answered my lost-and-found ad in the paper,” Rufus said. “I had it in there for weeks. I figured some tourist must have lost it.”

  “Lost it where?” Regan asked.

  “In front of Conklin’s market.”

  “Conklin’s Market?” Alvirah repeated. “That place has seen a lot of action lately.”

  “The band on the ring was old and had broken. It may have split and fallen off someone’s finger.”

  “Someone who shouldn’t have been wearing it,” Alvirah said, thinking of Kitty’s companion.

  Agatha’s mouth was now agape. “I had joked with Rufus that Scrooge was a perfect role for him. He didn’t want to let me have the ring. He wanted to sell it for whatever he could get. I’m kinda glad now, huh? Who wants to wear a ring that was on the finger of a murderer? Not me. Right, Rufus?”

  “I suppose. Let’s get going. We want to make the opening ceremony. Although what we should be doing is having another rehearsal. This play isn’t ready for public viewing.”

  “I know you want to get going,” Regan said quickly. “But if you could just take a look at this picture for a minute. It’s Duncan’s girlfriend. She’s been missing since this morning. You didn’t happen to see her anywhere today, did you?”

  “Nope,” Rufus said brusquely after glancing at the photo.

  Agatha scrunched up her eyes and studied the picture. Her jaw dropped even further. “Ohhh. Ohhhh. Wait just a minute. Ohhh. Yes, I did see her.”

  “Where?” Regan and Alvirah cried together.

  “The poor little thing was crying. I passed her on Main Street. She was going one way, and I was going the other. I’d just come out of the beauty parlor.”

  “Did you see where she went?” Alvirah asked.

  “I turned around because I wanted to see if I could help her. She seemed so upset. But she ducked down the alley. I couldn’t have kept up with her if I tried. Besides, Rufus is always telling me to mind my own business!”

  “Where exactly is the alley?” Regan asked.

  “It’s between Conklin’s and the beauty parlor. You can’t miss it. It’s the only one there.”

  “We can’t thank you enough,” Regan said.

  Alvirah was already racing out the door.

  38

  Warmly dressed in a sweater, slacks, snow boots, and a parka, Marion opened the door of Conklin’s and looked around to see if she could spot Sam. The market was crowded with last minute shoppers. She was greeted with smiles and congratulations from all sides.

  “If you’re looking for Mr. Conklin, he’s in the kitchen,” Paige the cashier called to her. “Glenda stopped in before. Did you hear about Duncan’s girlfriend?”

  “That’s why I’m here. I want to show her picture to the customers as they come in, but first I have to let Mr. Conklin know what I’m doing.”

  Marion walked back past the bakery and was startled to see that the shelves in the glass case were nearly empty. Lisa, the kid who assisted her at the counter, looked exhausted. She was ringing up a sale of the last two corn muffins and an apple tart.

  The customer who reached out to take the package, a young woman in her twenties, was wearing a wide gold wedding ring. Marion stared at it. This is where I noticed the flower ring, she remembered excitedly. It was when I was handing someone her purchase. But who was it? Maybe it will come back to me.

  In the kitchen, Marion was surprised to see Sam’s son, Richard, slicing a ham. She’d known him since he was a little boy. “Marion,” he said happily. “You spent all your money already?” He hurried over.

  “Richard,” she said, hugging him. “You look wonderful. I really meant to come see you in your play.”

  “That’s okay. You can come to see the next one with Dad. I guess you heard he’s flying solo.”

  “Yes,” Marion said, blushing as Sam turned and spotted them. He looked tired but happy as he took her hands in his. “Marion this place isn’t the same without you,” he said heartily. “I told Glenda I have your bonus checks.”

  “Sam, please don’t worry about that now,” Marion said. “I was wondering if you’d mind if I stand at the front door and hand out Duncan’s girlfriend’s picture. She hasn’t shown up yet, and he’s terribly upset.”

  “Please,” Sam said, still holding her hands in his. “Stay as long as you want.”

  Marion quickly posted herself just inside the entrance of the store. As she handed out Flower’s picture, she kept thinking about the flower ring and how she had seen it on a customer’s hand at her bakery counter. Think, Marion, she urged herself. It could be very important. She remembered how shy she was when she was a young girl. In the seventh grade when she was called on, she’d get flustered and everything would go out of her mind. Mrs. Griner, her English teacher, had been so understanding. She’d say, “Marion, you know the answer. Give yourself a minute to think. It will come to you.”

  It always did. But it’s not coming to me now. I guess it’s my age. I’ve done so many crossword puzzles to keep my brain sharp, she thought with frustration.

  I’ve got to remember who was wearing that ring!

  39

  We’ll retrace her steps,” Jack said quickly. “I’ll pull the car around.”

  “Flower was crying. Oh God!” Duncan moaned as he labored, on crutches, up the steps from the church basement to the outside.

  “Main Street will be closed off by now,” Glenda said when they got in the car. “That alley leads out to a tiny little street. That bed and breakfast I phoned, The Hideaway, is there. But the woman who owns it said Flower wasn’t registered.”

  Regan and Alvirah looked at each other. “Let’s go directly there,” Regan said. “Maybe she registered under a different name.”

  “Yo
u think that’s a possibility?” Duncan asked hopefully. “The owners of that place, Betty and Jed Elkins, are regular customers of Conklin’s.”

  “It’s worth a try,” Regan said. “We’ll start there.”

  Jack drove carefully through the snowy streets as Glenda directed him.

  “People like to go to The Hideaway for tea,” she said. “We’re almost there. Take the next right.”

  They turned down a narrow road. On the left was a row of high hedges. “Those hedges hide the parking lot behind the stores. Up here to the left is the alley,” Glenda explained. “It’s almost directly opposite The Hideaway.”

  Jack parked the car in front of the Inn. “Glenda, this is your territory. Why don’t you and I check the alley?”

  “Alvirah and I will run inside and see what we can find out,” Regan said.

  “I’m coming with you,” Duncan insisted.

  “Duncan, we’ll move faster if you wait here. Look at all those steps to the porch. Sit in the car with your cell phone on, and see if the Winthrops’ aunt calls back,” Regan suggested.

  “All right, Regan,” Duncan agreed, as he leaned back wearily against the seat.

  40

  Flower was wedged between Edmund and Woodrow in the back of Jed’s van. Together Jed and Betty had carried each of them out of the shed and covered them with blankets. Flower’s gag was so tight that she couldn’t utter a sound, but both men were trying desperately to call for help through their taped mouths. The only sounds they managed to make were muted whimpers that no one outside the van could possibly hear.

  I’m never going to see Duncan again, Flower thought.

  “Come on, Betty,” Jed said impatiently.

  “I have to put a sign at the front desk that we’re out at the candlelight ceremony and will be back later.”

  “You didn’t do that yet?”

  “No, Jed, I was too busy having my nails done,” Betty retorted. “Get in the car. I’ll be right back.” She went in the kitchen door in time to hear the bell ring and the sound of the front door opening.

  Oh no, she thought. But at least I didn’t put the note out yet. I don’t want anyone to see us driving away.

  “This place feels deserted,” Regan said as they waited at the registration desk. Then they heard heavy footsteps coming down the hall. A large woman was coming toward them with a welcoming smile.

  “Hello, there. What I can I do for you nice ladies?”

  “Are you Betty Elkins?” Regan asked.

  “Yes, I am.”

  Regan handed her the flyer with Flower’s picture. “We called before,” she said. “This young woman, Flower Bradley, is still missing. We wondered if by any chance she registered here under a different name.”

  Betty pretended to study Flower’s picture. “I’m so terribly sorry I can’t help you, but I haven’t seen her at all. And as I explained to Glenda, when she called before, we’ve been fully booked for weeks. No one could have walked in this morning and booked a room.” With a sympathetic smile, she handed the flyer back to Regan. “What a shame. She looks like a lovely girl. I hope everything turns out all right.”

  Regan noticed that Betty Elkins was perspiring and seemed out of breath. “Would you mind keeping the picture and showing it to your other guests?”

  “I wouldn’t mind at all.”

  Neither Regan or Alvirah wanted to leave. They both sensed the acute anxiety that Betty Elkins was trying to hide. I’ve never seen a phonier smile in my life, Alvirah thought.

  “I hear that you serve wonderful teas every day,” Regan said, stalling for time.

  “You must come to one. I’m proud to say my scones are delicious, and I’m told I make a mean chocolate cake. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have something on the stove.”

  Alvirah could almost hear Bridget O’Keefe’s voice. “…she had a round face with a phony smile plastered on it. Her head was always in and out of the oven, baking cookies and cakes…. She ate most of them herself…” Alvirah looked from Betty’s round face to the mechanical Santa on the reception desk, waving and bowing. Bridget O’Keefe was always telling me I must have thrown out her mechanical Santa by mistake. I always told her she’d open a drawer some day and find it. “This Santa is so cute,” Alvirah began. “I had a friend, Kitty Whalen, who came to visit the woman I worked for…”

  Alvirah noticed the twitch in Betty’s cheek as Betty interrupted her. “I’m so sorry,” Betty said, “but I do have to get back to the kitchen. And I’d like to be at the park when the candlelight ceremony begins.”

  “Thanks for your time,” Regan said. As she and Alvirah reluctantly turned to go, the front door burst open, and Glenda rushed in, her eyes wide with excitement.

  “Marion just called! Betty, maybe you can help us. Marion remembers seeing you wearing a flower ring. Of course you wouldn’t have realized it was stolen. I mean, if it’s the same one that Duncan bought…”

  Alvirah’s head swiveled around to Betty. Their eyes met. The smiling mask had been replaced by a look of malevolent fury. In one quick move, Betty overturned the desk and pushed it at them. As they jumped back, Betty ran down the hall with astonishing speed.

  “You killed Kitty Whalen!” Alvirah shouted after her.

  Regan climbed over the desk and ran down the hall, Alvirah a few steps behind her. When they reached the kitchen, it was empty, but the back door was open. They could hear the sound of a car tearing out of the driveway.

  Alvirah’s eyes caught sight of crumpled red and green foil candy wrappers on the counter. It was the same as the wrapper on the candy Willy had bought for her at the convenience store—the convenience store where the other lottery ticket had been bought by the financial crooks. The guy at the store had told her he had hardly sold any of them. “Regan!” she cried as she scooped up the scraps of foil. “Those financial advisers who we think have Flower might have been here. Maybe they’re in cahoots with Betty!”

  They raced back down the hall and out the front door. Glenda had run across the street to the alley to get Jack.

  “In the car!” he shouted. “We can’t lose them!”

  41

  What happened, Betty?” Jed screamed as he floored the accelerator and raced out of the driveway past Jack’s car. “While I was waiting for you I heard some guy yelling Flower’s name.”

  “O’Keefe’s cleaning lady recognized me.”

  “What?” Driving at a reckless speed, he turned left at the end of their block.

  “Which way are we going?” Betty asked, her voice panicky as the wheels of the van began to slide. “They’re following us.”

  “Be quiet! I found out which streets they’re closing off and figured out the fastest way up to Devil’s Pass.”

  Half choked under the stuffy blankets, Flower felt for the first time that there might be hope. She had heard Duncan calling her name. He had to be in the car that was following them. Keep up with us, she prayed.

  Edmund wished he could comfort Flower. Who could believe this started with me and Woodrow winning the lottery? he asked himself.

  Jed made a sharp left. The rear tires skidded, but he managed to keep control. “We’ll take this road straight out,” he told Betty as he looked in the rear view mirror. “I think we lost them.”

  “Jed, be careful!” Betty screamed as the road curved to the right. Their headlights shone on an unexpected road block. Santas on horse-drawn sleighs could be seen everywhere. As a special surprise for the Festival of Joy, Santas from all over the state of New Hampshire had gathered in Branscombe and were now ready to participate in the opening ceremony.

  Jed slammed on the brakes. The van spun around three times and slid to the side of the road. The troopers at the roadblock hurried over as the Reillys’ car pulled up behind the Elkins’s van.

  “Careful, they may be armed,” Jack shouted as he jumped out of the car.

  Guns drawn, the troopers surrounded the van. The driver’s door opened, and Jed, his hands up, stepped
out onto the snowy road. At the same time, Betty opened the passenger door. “The gun is in the glove compartment, and there are folks in the back,” she said bitterly.

  Jack pulled open the back door of the van. He and Regan yanked away the blankets. Three people were struggling to free themselves. They had been blindfolded, gagged, and tied up.

  “She’s here, Duncan,” Regan cried as she jumped in, pulled off Flower’s blindfold, and untied her gag.

  “Flower!” Duncan cried as he hobbled toward them.

  Jack lifted Flower out and set her on her feet, holding her upright as a trooper cut the twine that bound her hands and feet.

  “Oh, Duncan,” Flower said weakly. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “You sure did,” Duncan cried. He dropped his crutches and threw his arms around her.

  “I thought I’d never see you again,” Flower whispered as he held her tight. Then she began to giggle as the troopers pulled the Winthrops out of the van. “Hey, Duncan, here are your financial advisers. Do you have any questions for them now that you finally won the lottery?”

  Duncan laughed. “No! And I’m never going to reuse a plastic bag again.” He brushed Flower’s hair back from her forehead. “And I don’t need any more of their advice to plan my life. The only thing I want to plan now is our wedding. Will you marry me, Flower?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  Alvirah wiped a tear from her eye. “Isn’t that beautiful?” she asked Regan and Glenda. “I hope they invite us to the wedding.”

  The roadblock was being pushed aside. “Time to get this show on the road,” one of the cops called. As horses neighed and shook snow from their manes, the Festival of Joy began.

  42

  Sunday, December 14th

  On Sunday morning, the church basement was filled with the tantalizing aroma of blueberry pancakes.

  The weekend had been a rousing success with everyone from Branscombe participating in the Festival—everyone except Betty and Jed, that is. With kidnapping and intent to murder charges pending, they would not be attending any candlelight ceremonies or pancake breakfasts for years to come.