by CeeCee James
“What do you mean? I’m telling you.”
“Well done, little Padawan, well done.” Lavina smiled. “So, is this what the self-defense is all about? To impress Brad?”
“Uh, definitely not.” Elise shook her head. She bit her cheek to hide her irritation.
“I’m just checking. You’ve come so far. I don’t want you to fall back into your old ways like you did with Mark.”
“Nope. Never again. I’m staying faithful to me first. I’m doing this because I really do want to grow. And I think it actually might be a good thing to know.”
“I can’t argue with that. Especially with your knack for discovering dead bodies.”
Elise turned the corner and pulled into the lot of the strip mall and parked. Listed on one of the building fronts was the name, Safety First. Nerves crawled over her and she blew out a deep breath to steady herself. She looked over at Lavina. “You ready?”
Lavina plucked out her lipstick from her purse and pulled down the sun visor for the mirror. Quickly, she reapplied a thin coat before turning to Elise. “I was born ready. Let’s go.”
They walked inside the building. Elise’s legs felt like they were made of water and she willed herself not to shake. The bright overhead lights blared from the ceiling, competing with the red and blue rubber mats for the senses.
Elise swallowed hard and Lavina gave her a soft nudge. “I think the rest of our class is over there.” She indicated with a nod of her red head.
The two women joined a group of six others that stood against the wall. There was an older woman with a younger one—Elise overheard the younger one say, “mom”—three college-aged looking women, and another older woman who appeared to be in her late sixties. Standing in front of them was a man dressed in black sweats. His sweatshirt was emblazoned in white with the words Safety First. He turned and gave them an easy smile as they approached. “Newcomers! Glad you made it.” He walked over with his hand out. “Hi. I’m Dave.”
Just having him approach, knowing what the class was about, knowing this was the man she’d eventually have to yell at and practice defense moves against, made Elise’s heart pound. The palms of her hands felt sweaty as she reached for his. She managed a weak grin. “Hi, I’m Elise.”
He tipped his head. “Elise….”
“Pepper.”
His eyebrows flickered. “Are you….” He smiled and shook his head. “You aren’t that companion that Myrtle Kennington has now, are you?”
Elise felt a poke of shock. “Yeah, I am. How did you know?”
He grinned sheepishly. “I live there. That is, I throw down a bed roll at my dad’s, when I’m not sleeping here.” He pointed above him. “There’s a little studio upstairs.”
Lavina butted in. “And you sleep at Aunt Myrtle’s where?”
His mouth opened. “Oh, hey. Aunt Myrtle huh? Wow, this is a small world. My granddad is her chauffeur.” He grinned again, the grin of someone who knew he was good looking.
Lavina gave him a cold measuring glance. “Ernest is your grandpa?”
When he smiled back his eyes crinkled. “It seems like everybody’s related up on that hill. Hey, I remember you. Tiny little thing with red pigtails. We played out in the woods once. Maybe doctor or something.” He winked.
“I assure you, it wasn’t doctor. I only play that with actual doctors.” Lavina raised an eyebrow before walking away.
“Geez, was it something I said?” he muttered, watching her talk with the group of young women.
“She’s going to let you have it,” Elise warned. “Maybe next time, don’t bring up playing doctor before teaching a person how to whale on you.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down chuckling. “Me and my big mouth. Well, come on. Join the rest of the class.”
18
Elise woke the next morning at seven. She covered her face and groaned. I’m so not a morning person. My brain feels like oatmeal. She toyed with the idea of going back to sleep.
The class had ended the night before with Lavina never once addressing the instructor again. She did, however, give him a sharp kick to the groin that he seemed to feel, from the purple look on his face, despite all of his protective clothing.
Elise smiled at the memory. It had actually been a lot easier than she expected, especially with all the other women, who seemed just as nervous as she was. Together, they supported each other, all of them cheering the person on who had to yell and defend against the attacker. They’d even had to defend against a knife attack— albeit a rubber one—blocking a left thrust.
The only real scary moment was when Dave acted out a scene as a sleazy-talking stalker trying to overpower her outside a pretend parking lot. Elise had wanted to freeze up but her support team rallied her through. The instructor had looked slightly discomforted when the women began chanting, “Kill! Kill! Kill!” Elise practiced all the moves against him that she’d just been taught and ran away.
The cheers of “Yeah, Elise! Let him have it! You go girl!” still rang in her ears.
Turns out, she could do a lot more things than she ever thought.
When they’d left the class, Dave handed out business cards, which Lavina deemed to ignore. Awkwardly, he passed them to Elise. “Tell your friends to join. Heck, tell strangers. Everyone should take a safety course, and I’m a little desperate for customers. I also do personal training.” He lowered his chin and winked at Elise with those last words, taking her off guard. At that angle, Elise thought he looked familiar. She took the business cards gingerly as if they were covered in slug slime.
They were now sitting on the dresser. And I’m throwing them out just as soon as I get out of this bed. She rolled over and looked out the window. The trees weren’t blowing, a good sign that it might be sunny today. Hey. It’s been a while since I’ve checked the dollhouse. What if something new is missing? How would I ever know?
Get up, get up, get up. Grumbling to herself, she climbed out of the warm covers. I’ve got a job to do. I have to find out what’s going on here. I owe it to Aunt Myrtle and Lavina both to figure it out.
Elise got herself ready for the day, then steeled herself to go check on the dollhouse.
She darted across the hall to Anna’s old room.
The dollhouse stood shielded in shadows. Even though it was morning, the room was still dark on this side of the house. She flipped on the lamp and walked over to the dollhouse. First, she checked the replica of Myrtle’s childhood bedroom, half afraid that there would be a miniature doll of herself on the bed. The bed was clear, and she breathed a sigh of relief, feeling free to relax and study the house more.
Myrtle’s tiny room was cute. There were a few things that were changed. Of course, there was the dollhouse sitting in the corner, on the bureau. A different quilt was on the bed. And, she realized for the first time, there was a desk in the corner.
On the far wall, the room had a little white door. Heaviness grew in her belly. She knew where the door led, to the room’s attached bathroom. At that moment, Elise realized that every time she’d examined the house, she’d never looked in that bathroom. But she knew why she’d been so reluctant. She didn’t want to see the mini replica of the room the gardener had died in. Come on, now. Just take a quick peek. With a deep breath, she studied the bathroom.
It was a cute little bathroom, but her senses gave a twinge right away. Something seemed off, missing maybe? She looked again, trying to figure out what it was. Toilet. Sink with a vanity. A tub. The vanity held a tiny cup with a toothbrush and a comb.
Still, something was definitely absent.
It bothered her but she couldn’t find it. Frustrated, she moved on to the next room, another bedroom. This one seemed sterile of any personal touch, and Elise assumed it was a guest bedroom. There were four more in a row before the hall ended.
The opposite side of the house held the rooms on the other side of the hall. More guest bedrooms with Anna’s room and the enormous master bedroom a
s bookends.
She looked into Anna’s bathroom for a clue as to what might be different in the other.
It was identical to the first. Even the window had the same tiny curtains.
Elise looked at the counter with its cup and toothbrush and finally realized what was missing.
She pushed away as reluctance grew in a ball in her stomach. There was nothing for it. The only way to find out was to go check and see if it was true.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Elise slid her phone from her pocket. I just want to call Brad and have him keep me company. She wrinkled her nose. How is this going to sound? “Hello, Brad. I’m too scared to go to the bathroom. Can you drop what you’re doing in training and stay with me on the phone?”
She dialed him anyway. He’s always up for a good laugh.
“So, what are you up to?” she asked when Brad answered.
“Flipping through the channels. You?” His sarcastic tone made her laugh, knowing how her response was going to shake him up.
“What are you really doing?”
“You caught me on my fifteen minute break. I’ve just finished a six mile run.” He didn’t even sound out of breath.
“Six miles? It’s only seven in the morning.”
“They get us up at five around here. And the day is just beginning.” Brad sounded slightly glum.
“I’m never complaining again.”
He snorted. “Alright. What’s going on? I know it has to be important.”
“Mmm, I think I found another clue.” Wait for it. Wait for it.
“Dear Lord. What now?”
“It’s probably nothing,” Elise assured him. “I’m sure it’s nothing. But I did find something new missing in the dollhouse and I’m just going to take a sec and check it out.”
“Check where?”
“The bathroom.” Elise waited a beat before dropping, “where the gardener was murdered.”
A sharp exhale came from the receiver. “Don’t do anything yet. Let me call my buddy to swing by.”
“What? Don’t be silly. It’s just across the hall.”
“Elise….”
“I just want you to keep me company, is all. Because it’s kind of spooky. Can you stay on the line?”
She left Anna’s bedroom and walked over to the one she’d originally been given. It’s probably nothing. How on earth could they take it anyway? And why?
“You in there yet?” he growled. “You’re killing me here, Elise.”
“Almost,” she whispered and opened the door.
The interior gloom was cut by a crack of light seeping from the edge of the curtain. The room itself smelled stale and unused, with a faint metallic scent that hung in the air.
That can’t be blood. It has to be my imagination.
Swallowing hard, she used her cell to light the way to the bathroom.
“There yet?” Brad’s voice made her jump.
“I’ll tell you when I’m there!” she answered irritably.
“Don’t be grumpy with me. Hanging here waiting for you is way worse than the six mile run.”
Elise flung the door open and flashed the beam over to the sink. Disappointment flooded her, and she muttered, “Shoot.”
“What’s the matter?”
“The mirror had been missing in the dollhouse. But, it’s here in the bathroom.”
Brad was quiet. Elise began again, half embarrassed. “You don’t suppose….”
“What?”
“I mean, it’s crazy, but I’ve seen it done in murder movies.”
“You’re driving me crazy. What?”
Elise bit her bottom lip, hesitating just for a moment. Her gaze darted over to the shower. In a second she was over there turning the hot water on full blast. She flipped the shower lever.
“Lawd, woman. You going to tell me, or continue to make me crazy?”
“Just give me a second.” The room slowly filled with steam. She crossed back across the room and shut the door.
When she turned to look at the mirror, chills of excitement ran up her back. Holy cow. There it was. “You’re not going to believe it….”
“I believe it,” Brad said dryly. “Just tell me.”
She didn’t need to turn on the bathroom’s overhead. She could see by the light of the little window.
Showing up on the mirror from the steam were the words, “Pay or You’re next.” She read them out loud to Brad and gave a tiny giggle. “I can’t believe that worked!”
“You’re reading a death threat and laughing.”
The giggle froze in her throat. “Oh, my gosh. You’re right.”
“Yeah, this puts the murder in a whole new light. I don’t know who that threat is for. It could even be for you. I don’t like you there at all.”
“This means it might not have been that derelict.” Elise turned off the water.
“Kind of makes that motive go down the toilet. What kind of derelict would leave a threat for someone else?”
“And go through the trouble of removing the mirror in the dollhouse?”
“Exactly. It has to be someone in the house. Someone you know.”
Elise rubbed her temple and spun back for her bedroom. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do.” She shut the door and wandered over to the window. The sun was just peeking over the hill and lighting the remaining red and gold leaves on the trees like embers.
“How about get out.” Brad was blunt and to the point as usual.
“No, Aunt Myrtle needs me. I’ll be okay. I’m taking that safety class, you know.”
Brad groaned. “That safety class isn’t something that can keep you safe in the middle of a viper’s nest. Don’t let it give you a false sense of security. It’s an emergency tactic to get out. And right now, you can just get out.”
“I can’t, Brad. I have a job to do. I can’t leave Aunt Myrtle right now. But I promise I won’t do anything stupid.”
The bell rang, signaling breakfast. “Brad, I have to go. It’s time for breakfast.”
There was a sarcastic cough. “Seriously? How can you eat at a time like this?”
“Oh, you don’t know Aunt Myrtle. I don’t dare go against her, again. Meals are prompt, and so far I’ve avoided any consequences for being late.”
“Yeah, well, that’s fine. Leave me here to worry about you.”
“Awww, you’re worried about me?” Elise teased.
“It’s not funny.”
“Don’t worry. Seriously. You have to take care of yourself, too. Maybe I’ll talk Lavina into spending the night.”
“That would help me feel better. At least, until I can get forensics in there to look at the mirror. They should be there later today, so stick around. And, whatever you do, don’t tell anyone about it.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Call me tonight?”
“Call? Not text? You really must be worried.”
“I miss you. Can’t wait to get back.”
“Me either.” She felt a little prickle of anxiety as she glanced at her watch again. “But I have to go.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Old lady with a cane. You’re scared of her but not a murderer. I got it.”
She laughed and hung up.
Wow, I’m laughing. Brad can cheer me up no matter what’s going on in my life. Man, that’s saying something.
The ancient phone on her nightstand rang, sounding like the rusty cry of a cat in heat. Elise glanced at it, half in disbelief and half in humor. Okay, then. I guess the housekeepers are getting used to me living here. No more five-star treatment of knocking at my door with a polite “mum”. They’re using the ‘new technology.’ She laughed at the second ring, picturing an anxious Cookie on the other end, and picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Miss Pepper?” the male voice was muffled.
“Yes?”
“You like your new toy?”
“My new…”
“Her hair made me smile every time I brushed it.”
/> Elise’s mouth went dry as her gaze darted to the dresser. The doll was gone.
“See how easy it is to reach you?” the voice continued. “You’re always so alone. So nosy, but so alone.”
“Who are you?” Elise inserted anger into her voice. Never let them see you afraid.
“Oh, you’re tough.” A low laugh. “I know you’re afraid. And, I haven’t even touched you yet.”
“Listen you sicko—” The sharp click of him hanging up interrupted her.
She squeezed the receiver in frustration. Someone was watching her. Someone knew when she was in her room, and when she left. She had to be more careful.
But in a way, she was relieved. Because the voice sure didn’t sound ghostly.
Do I call Brad back? Elise shook her head. He’ll leave his training and swoop in like a knight in shining armor. Maybe I’ll tell Lavina at class today. She wrinkled her nose. You know how she gets when she worries. And then I get blamed for her eating a quart of ice cream.
A wave of heaviness drooped over her. I know what I need, my cat. That’s settled, I’m going home for a bit.
She took the stairs two at a time and heard voices down the hall. Who was that? It couldn’t be. Aunt Myrtle laughing? She sidled down the hall toward the dining room. On her way, she heard raspy male laughter. She snuck a peek around the corner.
Apparently, she wasn’t the only one to miss breakfast. Stephen was notably missing, too. But who was there was Uncle Shorty, who sat grinning delightfully at Aunt Myrtle as she talked.
“And, if you can believe, that rooster was back at it the very next day!” Aunt Myrtle finished her story, before giving Uncle Shorty a sly grin.
He threw his head up and laughed. “Myrtle, you’ve always known how to tell a story.”
Aunt Myrtle smiled back. “And you’ve always known how to be the best audience.”
He winked at her. “Come on, Myrtle, you know you’ve always wanted to marry me. Let’s go do it. Think of the statement we’d make by finally combining our estates.”
“Oh, you old coot. You never change.”
Smiling, Elise tiptoed away, hoping they hadn’t seen her. I guess I won’t have to excuse myself from breakfast after all. I bet she won’t even notice I’m gone.