Marja McGraw - Bogey Man 03 - They Call Me Ace

by Marja McGraw

  “We did,” Judith replied. “We found another space, and it’s bigger – more like a closet.”

  Her answer surprised me. “Where was it?”

  “There was a panel behind the piano. We found it by

  accident, actually. I was joking with Chris Sr. about the piano hiding a wall, and when I slapped my hand on the wall a door popped open. I think my hubby was disappointed that he didn’t find it.”

  “Was there anything in it?” I asked.

  “Where’s Mikey?” she asked, looking around.

  Like mother, like son. I was going to have to pry the answer out of her.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “Mikey’s in the kitchen. After you tell me what you found in the closet, I’ll go get him.” Sometimes threats were the only thing I could use to get Chris to explain himself. Apparently the same applied to his mother.

  “It’s late. I’m sure he must be awfully hungry. I know your father-in-law and I are.”

  What a frustrating woman. “Judith, what did you find? I’ll trade you food for an answer.”

  She started to laugh. “I’m just messin’ with ya, Pamela. All we found were some handwritten notes for one of Marguerite’s books.”

  “That’s all you found? If they’re her handwritten notes, they could be quite valuable. You should show them to a rare book dealer and see what they think.”

  “Really? I almost threw them away, but then I changed my mind. I thought it would be interesting to have some of her work to show off.”

  “You’ve got to be joking,” I said. “You almost threw them away?” I felt my heart palpitating. “After my grandmother passed away my mother cleaned out her house

  and threw out a whole slew of old dime novels. She should have had someone look at them. By the time I found out about it, they’d already been picked up by the trash collector. Such a loss.”

  “You really love books, don’t you?” Judith watched me, studying my face.

  “Yes. Books open up whole new worlds.”

  She folded her arms and watched me closely. “Then I can’t believe you never read any of Marguerite’s books. But at least now I know we have books in common.”

  “Well, I’m about to take care of that little problem. I brought Summer’s Ghost with me and I’m going to try to start reading it tonight. And if I like it, I may try some of her other books.”

  “When we go back to the house, I’ll grab a copy out of the basement and read it, too. Maybe that’s the book with a clue to the treasure in it. Now, I’m going to go find Mikey so we can eat.”

  While my mother-in-law disappeared in the direction of the kitchen, I waved at Chris Sr. and pointed to the table where they’d be seated. He said his good-byes to Ben and Cloene and followed me to the table, where I set out menus.

  “Cloene is quite a nice young woman,” he said, pulling out a chair and seating himself. “She really misses her friend, and she’ll do anything she can to help find the killer.”

  “I hope she doesn’t have to do anything. She’s been through enough already.”

  Judith and Mikey joined Chris Sr. and I. After I took their drink orders, they looked at the menus. Gloria arrived to take their orders just as I set the drinks in front of everyone.

  “My, you sure look like Myrna Loy,” Judith said, staring openly at her.

  Gloria smiled. “So I’ve been told. I had no idea who she was until I started working here. Pamela told me to go home and watch some old movies. I did, and now I can talk like her

  and move the way she did.”

  Judith laughed. “And you do a mahvelous job, dahling.”

  While my family ate dinner, Lila James climbed up the stairs to the stage with the help of one of the band members and began to sing. The band always helped Lila, both in deference to her age and because of their respect for her talent. She started with I’ll Walk Alone, and some of the customers moved out to the dance floor to sway to the music.

  I heard a young woman say, “You know, this old music isn’t half bad.”

  Her boyfriend nodded and hugged her closer.

  Chris Sr. held out his hand to Judith. She touched his hand and they took a break from dinner to dance. The Bogey Man and I stood together and watched them.

  “There’s still a little romance left in those two,” he said.

  “There’s still a little romance left in us, too.” I took his hand and led him out to the dance floor. It was the first time we’d ever danced together at the restaurant, and I saw Mikey giggle. I smiled at him waved him over. He shook his head and stayed in his seat, taking a bite of dinner.

  The song ended and Chris and I went back to work. I saw Phyllis and Gloria exchange a few words and they quietly clapped for us. The employees at Bogey Nights rarely left to take other jobs – we were like a small extended family.

  While Chris seated some new arrivals, I heard Lila change the pace and sing Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar. Her range fascinated me. It seemed like there was nothing she couldn’t sing. Occasionally she’d sing a more current song, if you consider the sixties and seventies current, but she favored forties music.

  Chef Luis stuck his head out the door and motioned to me to come into the kitchen. I told Phyllis where I was going and headed that way.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  Chef Luis pointed to our sous chef. “Phillip heard the dogs barking so he went out to see what was going on. Someone slashed one of your tires. The dogs were going crazy. It looks like whoever was out there threw rocks at the dogs.”

  My mind immediately zeroed in on the man who said he lived next door to Kimberly. He’d sneaked out, and now we had a slashed tire. Were the dogs okay or had he hurt them?

  “Phillip, please go get Chris. I’m going to check on the dogs.” I left the two men standing in the kitchen.

  I turned on the outside light and ran out the back door of my office. The dogs were excited to see me and did a nervous little dance. I spoke softly and tried to calm them but it wasn’t working. Dropping to my knees, I immediately realized I’d made a mistake. They knocked me over in their exuberance at my visit. Examining them, I didn’t see any blood. I felt their heads and bodies and thought I found a small lump on Sherlock’s head.

  Gritting my teeth, I surveyed the little yard and found four large rocks just inside the fence.

  Chris had left by the front door and came around the restaurant. “What’s going on? Phillip said someone slashed one of the tires on the Chevy.”

  “That’s not all they did,” I replied angrily. “Someone threw some big rocks at the dogs, and it looks like one of them hit Sherlock on the head.”

  “What? Are you sure?” Chris opened the gate and joined me.

  I led Sherlock up to the porch where I had better light and looked at his head again, pushing his fur aside. While he wasn’t actually bleeding, there was a raw spot where the rock had broken the skin.

  “I’m sure. Look at this.”

  Watson tried to approach Sherlock and he growled at

  her, something he rarely did. Tail between her legs, she returned to the yard. I wasn’t sure if he’d growled at her because his head hurt or if he liked the attention he was getting and didn’t want to share the limelight.

  Opening the office door, I shooed Sherlock inside and closed the door. Chris opened it and followed Sherlock inside to take a closer look at his head.

  Tapping my chest with my hand, I looked at Watson and said, “Come.” She was hesitant and glanced toward the closed door before she slowly walked over and sat for me.

  “Good girl,” I said. “Nobody messes with my dogs and gets away with it.” I patted her head.

  Chris opened the door. “It’s a good thing these dogs have hard noggins. He’s going to be fine.” He held the door open for Watson and me.

  Walking inside, I got down on my knees and gave both of the dogs a hug. “Somebody’s going to pay for this, I promise you.”

  I left the dogs inside and wa
lked out to the car with Chris. Someone had really slashed one of the tires. I wondered if that someone might have done more damage if the dogs hadn’t been there.

  “You go ahead and go inside,” he said. “I’ll change the tire before I go back to work.”

  “Don’t you want me to stay here and watch out for trouble?” I asked.

  “No, I’ll be fine. Between the dogs barking and Phillip coming out here, whoever did this is long gone.”

  “Mom?” Mikey called from the office door. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m coming, Ace. Everything is fine. Don’t let the dogs out.”

  I could see him pushing them away from the door with his foot. He was no match for the two big lugs, but he managed to keep them in check.

  We returned to the restaurant, leaving the dogs in the office.

  “What’s going on, Mom? I was just coming to get you because of what Grandma Judy’s about to do and I heard Luis and Phillip talking about trouble in the parking lot.”

  “Everything is fine, Son. Your dad is changing a flat tire. That’s all.”

  It took a moment before what he’d said sunk in.

  “What Grandma Judy’s going to do? What are you talking about?” And why did that strike me as ominous?

  Mikey smiled. “You’ll like this. Come on.” He took hold of my hand and pulled me behind him. “It’s a surprise.”

  We returned to the table where Judith was finishing her dinner. I couldn’t help but notice she’d separated each item on her plate, apparently not wanting things to touch.

  “She’s not doing anything, Mikey.”

  “Just wait. She will.”

  Judith turned and smiled at me before turning back to her food. I turned to Chris Sr. and he shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t seem to know what was going on either.

  “Sit down, Mom. You can have my chair.”

  “Thanks. Mind telling me what this is all about?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Again, I turned to Chris Sr. “All I know is that she and Mikey went up to the stage and talked to your singer. By the way, that little lady can really belt out a tune.”

  “Yes, she’s very talented. Do you know what Judith and Lila talked about?”

  “Not a clue. But I never question the things Judith does anymore.” Chris Sr. was so easygoing. He and Judith made a good team.

  “Mikey?”

  “I know what’s going on, but like I said, it’s a surprise.” He made a zipping motion across his mouth, then made an unzipping motion. “You’ll find out as soon as Dad gets here.”

  Then he zipped back up.

  While we waited for Chris, I saw Lila and Judith watching each other. Lila had taken a break and sat with Nate. Lila was no spring chicken, and she usually sang two or three songs and then took a break while the band played a few tunes on their own. She filled in on the nights our regular songbird was off, and once in a while they both sang.

  Chris turned up about fifteen minutes later, and after seeing where I was, he joined us.

  “It seems your mother has a surprise for us,” I said.

  “Oh? Swell. Just what we need, another surprise.”

  From the time I’d joined the family at the table, Judith had never said a word. Now her eyes traveled around the table, and she smiled. She nodded at Mikey, and he took hold of her hand and let her toward Lila’s table.

  Lila stood up and Mikey led the two women toward the stage. Chris, Chris Sr. and I looked at each other in surprise.

  “Can your mother sing?” I asked.

  “I’ve never heard her sing before. Dad?”

  “Ya got me, Junior.”

  Travis, one of the band members, helped the two women up the steps and onto the stage. He handed each woman a microphone, and the band began to play.

  Lila and Judith stepped up the pace and sang Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. My mouth dropped open. They sounded like The Andrews Sisters. Mikey stood in front of them and watched in fascination. Judith bent slightly, put her hands out with her palms facing the audience, and wiggled her shoulders, forties style.

  I looked at Chris and his father, and we all sat and smiled like fools. We were astonished. The customers were on their feet and truly enjoying themselves.

  The women finished the song and the applause was thunderous.

  And then the dogs raced through the restaurant, long thick tails flying and chairs being knocked over.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  “Grab the dogs,” I said, jumping out of my chair.

  Chris took out after Sherlock and I turned to Watson, who was headed in my general direction. I saw Mikey looking from dog to dog, trying to decide which one he should help chase.

  I patted my chest. “Come, Watson.” She looked from me to a plate of food on one of the tables and hesitated. Thankfully, she sat down while trying to make up her mind. I could almost read her mind. Mom or food, food or Mom. I picked up a piece of cod from Mikey’s plate and slowly headed for the dog.

  Tapping the space between my eyes, I said, “Watch.” Watson knew this command well, but her gaze wavered before she finally concentrated on me. “Good girl.”

  Holding the fish out for her to see, I patted my chest again and repeated the Come command.

  “Look out!” Chris yelled.

  Unfortunately for me, I was so focused on Watson that I didn’t see Sherlock headed my way. Zooming past Watson, he dove for the cod I held in my hand and knocked me over.

  The fish went flying. While I lay flat on my back, Sherlock licked my hand hoping there was more cod, and Watson licked my face. I rolled my eyes, knowing any sense of propriety was long gone.

  “That’s twice in one night, you big lugs. Knock me over again and you’ll be staying home tomorrow night.” I tried to sit up but the Labs weren’t finished checking me over for food.

  Chris grabbed the two dogs’ collars and pulled them off me, leading them back to the office. Chris Sr. and another male customer helped me up and tried to make sure I was okay. I thanked them and assured them that the only thing hurt was my pride. I headed for the Ladies Room so I could wash my fishy hands.

  Returning to the table, I found that Lila and Nate had joined Chris Sr. and Judith. Mikey had pulled over a fifth chair.

  “Well,” I said, feeling defeated, “I wonder how long it’ll take for someone to call this little fiasco in to the Health Department. How the heck did the dogs get out, anyway?”

  Judith laughed. “Are you kidding? Between me and Lila singing, and you and the dogs, people are buzzing about wanting to come back soon. One guy told me you and the dogs gave him the best laugh he’s had in a long time, and his wife wanted to know if we sing here on a regular basis. You can’t top that kind of publicity. Word-of-mouth is going to bring more people in.”

  “Unless someone blabs and the Health Department closes us down.”

  Ben and Cloene stopped to compliment Lila and Judith on their singing.

  Cloene patted my back. “I hope you won’t be too sore in the morning. That was quite a workout.” She started to laugh, and I couldn’t blame her.

  I smiled. “Thank you. Uh, dinner is on the house,” I

  whispered. I couldn’t foot the bill for all the guests, but Cloene had been through a lot in the last few days.

  Cloene and Ben left, arm in arm.

  Chris returned shortly. “I’ll have to change the type of door handles we’ve got on the office first thing tomorrow morning. They’ve figured out how to open the door. I locked it, so we’re good for the rest of the evening.”

  We’d had interior door handles installed instead of door knobs so if our hands were full we could open the door without having to set something down to turn the knob. Changing those would make things less convenient, but it would solve the dog problem.

  “I can’t believe those silly mutts are smart enough to figure that out,” Chris Sr. said.

  “You’d be amazed at the things they’ve learned to do.”
I shook my head, thinking of some of their antics.

  “Well, we’d better get going,” Nate said, placing his hand on Lila’s shoulder.

  She picked up her purse and turned to me. “It’s been fun, but you probably wouldn’t want to repeat tonight’s performance.” She smiled at her own joke. “I do hope Judith will sing with me again. It was nice singing with someone instead of doing a solo.”

  Lila stood and turned, and waving at the band she led the way to the door with Nate following.

  “So why were the dogs inside?” Judith asked.

  “Mikey, would you go check with Chef Luis and make sure everything is okay in the kitchen?” I didn’t want Mikey to know what had happened.

  He nodded and walked toward the kitchen, looking every bit the part of the restaurateur with his back straight and purpose in his steps.

  Smiling, I thought about how grown up Mikey could be sometimes for a seven-year-old, and yet how childish he could be at other times. He was truly a blessing in my life.

  Chris turned to his mother. “Someone slashed one of the tires on the Chevy. Pamela figures it might have been the sap who took a powder earlier. I think when we check the house next door to Kimberly’s, we’re going to find he wasn’t on the level.” He glanced up and saw Mikey returning. “Zip it. Ace is coming back.”

  It was late and things were winding down. Chris Sr. and Judith took Mikey and the dogs with them and headed for home. Judith had said she’d get Mikey settled in bed and she and my father-in-law would watch television until we arrived.

  Chris and I locked the door after the last customer left and heaved a sigh of relief.

  “It’s been a long and weird day,” I said.

  “You ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie,” Chris replied. “We might have to change the name of this restaurant to The Cackle Factory.”

  “Oh, come on, Chris. One night of weirdness doesn’t mean this is a nut house. Besides, everyone seemed to have a good time. I just hope no one turns us in to the Health Department.”

  “You’re obsessing about it. All we can do is wait and see. It didn’t look like the dogs upset anyone. Just forget about it unless someone from the Health Department makes a special trip over here to close us down.”