Deadly Noel

by Margaret Daley

  He scooched forward like an earthworm. Where was he? The floor beneath him felt like a garage? Or maybe it was a basement? Or a warehouse?

  When his feet hit a solid wall, he contemplated which way to go. He went right, pressing his side against it. Unless the place was empty, he should run into something. The pain continued to drill into his head, but he couldn’t let it slow him down. He kept focused on his task to free himself. When he encountered another wall, he inched around to follow its length.

  With no idea how long he’d been here, a sense of urgency plagued him. If the murderer brought him here and left, he had something planned. Or why wouldn’t he have already killed him?

  Kira.

  The psychopath was going after her. She would be his fifth victim—unless he could escape and get to her in time. An image of her filled his mind, prodding him to move faster.

  He ran into a barrier. A cot? He maneuvered around it, stopping partway down it. Using the bed, he managed to get to his knees without falling over. He folded his body over the edge of the piece of furniture, the side of his face smashed into the smelly mattress. As he struggled to his feet, he inched further onto the bed. One odor overrode all others—blood.

  He wanted to recoil, but he couldn’t stop. If he could stand, he might be able to find a light switch and something to cut the ropes.

  Was this where he killed the women before disposing of their bodies? The thought churned his stomach, but it also urged him to move even faster.

  When he stood upright finally, he continued his exploration along the wall and prayed he’d find a light switch before he was discovered.

  Lord, I can’t do this without You. I need to get to Kira.

  * * *

  Kira looked up. “What do you mean they couldn’t tell if the bullet in Mary Lou came from the same gun as the others?”

  Bill frowned. “Exactly that. It wasn’t in her body. They had nothing to compare it to.”

  “But she was shot like the others?”

  “Yes, as well as cut up. A paper was stuffed in her mouth, too.”

  Time was running out. Kira firmed her resolve to end this now. “I found another location Marcie went to ten times in five weeks. Near Pinecrest Lake.”

  Penny added it to the list of places Marcie continuously visited. “What could that be?”

  Bill put a pin into a map of the area he’d mounted on the dining room wall. “Probably a cabin, although there is a marina not too far from there. That looks the most promising. Isolated. Surrounded by woods.”

  “Any more?” Penny asked.

  “Besides the Morgan Estate, a few stores, Abbey’s school, and Gabriel’s ranch, that’s the only other place frequented much. I’m going to go out there with two officers.” Bill grabbed his sheepskin overcoat and cowboy hat. “I’ve got to do something.”

  The police chief voiced how Kira felt. “What if you don’t find anything?”

  “Then I’ll visit the places she went to less.”

  “How about the Morgan Estate?” Kira asked, preparing for an eruption of outrage.

  “What are you implying?” Bill hovered near Kira, his large bulky body blocking her from rising.

  “Their estate is large and a lot of people work for them. What if Marcie was seeing someone employed by the Morgans?” Kira could see her friend doing that because Marcie was constantly doing things her mother would disapprove of.

  His narrowed eyes bore into her. “If I do that, then I need to check Gabriel’s ranch, too. She went there a lot.”

  “Because Abbey stays there a lot, but go ahead. We’ve ruled out Gabriel. That only leaves Hank living there.” Kira had never thought of Hank as a possibility, but he could be. He certainly was nearby when she was shot at, and he knew about their plans to go to Oklahoma City.

  “So you think it’s Hank?” Penny asked, getting to her feet with her mug.

  “No, but this guy has gone almost a year undetected, so we probably need to think outside the box.”

  Bill headed toward the foyer. “Larry, keep these two safe. Penny, see if you can locate who owns that property at the lake. I’ll call y’all with what I find.”

  Larry locked the door.

  Penny walked into the kitchen and returned with the pot of coffee. “I noticed your mug was near empty.”

  “Thanks. I need something to keep me going.” Kira rose. “I’m checking on Grams. She should have been up by now.”

  * * *

  When Gabriel’s left shoulder encountered a bump that felt like a light switch, he used his arm to flip it on. A faint glow illuminated the center of what must be a large basement room. Along the walls, dim shadows lurked. His gaze swept over the mattress. The sight of the blood stains nauseated him. He quickly looked away.

  The only other furniture in the cavernous space was a worktable with tools on it across from him. He shoved aside his thoughts about what those tools could have been used for and started across.

  Inch by inch, he made his way to the other side of the room. The only thing he thought could work would be the big saw. Minutes ticked away, his progress slow. He kept his mind focused on the tool and on saving Kira.

  Once she’d realized her mistake in prosecuting him last spring, she’d thrown herself totally into finding the actual murderer. And if he was honest, that would be the only way all the townspeople would believe he was innocent. He’d never cared what others thought of him, but he had a daughter to consider. This was her home.

  When he reached the table, he slowly rotated until his back was against the wooden ledge. He leaned backwards with his elbows cocked, his fingers creeping closer and closer.

  His thumb and forefinger grabbed a corner of the saw, and then he slowly drew it toward him. Finally he could grasp the sharp teeth of the tool. The blade sliced into his hand as he maneuvered it around. At the edge of the table, he tried to clasp the saw more securely.

  The blade’s teeth dug into his palm. He dropped his grip, and the saw crashed to the floor. A loud noise echoed through the room.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kira paced the dining room, going over and over the other places Marcie had gone to during that five-week window. Nothing jumped out at her—except the elementary school.

  “I know who the lake property belongs to.” Penny pumped her arm into the air. “Evan Jones. He inherited it from his aunt and uncle a couple of years ago.”

  Kira halted behind Penny and looked over her shoulder at the computer screen. “That explains why she went to the school so much. I never had the sense Abbey was having difficulties in her class, and Marcie didn’t volunteer. She’d always preferred to throw money at a problem rather than do something personally. Maybe she was paying Evan a visit.”

  “But too many stops would have raised gossip, and I would have heard about that. I know the principal’s secretary. I’ll give her a call.”

  “Wait until we hear from Bill. We don’t want to tip Evan that we’re on to him if he’s the killer.”

  “I don’t know about being the murderer, but he’s good looking and has always captured women’s interest. I feel sorry for his wife. Liz almost left him once right before you returned to town.”

  “Is there anything you don’t know?” Kira checked her watch. Bill should be at the cabin by now. The waiting was driving her crazy.

  “Who the killer is. I wish I did. It would have saved a lot of heartache.”

  When Kira’s cell phone rang, she rushed to the other end of the table to grab it. “What did you find?” she asked when she noted it was Bill.

  “A cabin that looks deserted. I have an officer trying to get a warrant although our evidence is flimsy. Who owns it?”

  “The elementary school principal, Evan Jones.” The doorbell sounded, and Larry immediately went into the foyer.

  “Really? If I can’t get a warrant, I’ll go pick the man up and question him.”

  “That’ll get tongues wagging in Pinecrest.” Kira shifted until she had a
view of the entry hall and who was at the door.

  “I’ll give him an opportunity to tell me why Marcie visited him and see if he’ll give me permission to search his cabin. Hang tight. I’ve got a feeling we’re close.”

  When Larry opened the door, he blocked Craig from coming inside. “Just a second, Bill.” Kira cupped her hand over the microphone and said to the officer guarding her, “I asked him to come check on Grams.” She smiled at the doctor as he entered then said into the phone, “Evan’s car was one of the vehicles on the traffic cam.”

  “Yes, but his wife vouched for him. He was at home. If she was lying to me, she might change her mind.”

  “Keep me posted. I’ll let Larry know.”

  “He needs to stay there until we have the killer in custody.”

  “He will. I’ll have Penny go get us something to eat.” Kira tapped the off button, pocketed her phone, and strolled toward Craig. “I’m glad you could come. Grams has been sleeping all afternoon. Her pulse rate is normal, and she doesn’t have a fever, but I thought she would be up by now. I just want to make sure she’s all right.”

  “Of course, I’ll check her. Her body went through a trauma. Rest is a normal reaction to that.”

  “Not usually for Grams.” Kira showed him the way to the spare bedroom her grandmother was staying in. She pushed the door open and turned on the overhead light. “See…that usually would wake her. Earlier I talked to her for a few minutes, went to get her a cup of hot tea, and when I came back, she was asleep again.”

  “Exhaustion will do that to you.” He removed his stethoscope from his black bag.

  “Penny is going to get some food for us. Would you like to join us?” She’d rather have people around her until Bill let her know about the cabin. She needed to keep her mind off what could have happened to Gabriel. She had to leave it in the Lord’s hands.

  “I wish I could, but I have another place I need to be.”

  Kira left Craig alone with Grams to talk to Penny about getting hamburgers and fries while they waited for Bill to call or come by. She wanted to go to the police station and be there when they brought Evan in for questioning, but she didn’t want to leave Grams alone any more than she already had.

  Please let this be over soon, God. Gabriel doesn’t deserve this.

  * * *

  Sitting on the floor with the saw propped against the leg of the worktable, Gabriel sliced the rope until he could wiggle and twist out of his bonds. His arms, especially his injured one, protested. When he brought them around and looked at his hands, blood coated them from the cuts of the blade’s teeth.

  After freeing his bound ankles, he mounted the steps to the door. He tried the handle. Locked. As he descended the stairs, he paused and clutched the railing. His vision swirled in the dim light. He sat and closed his eyes. His head throbbed. The seconds became a minute then another.

  God was with him. He could do this. Using the railing, he pulled himself up and continued down the stairs. At the worktable, he snatched the sledgehammer, climbed the steps again, and smashed the lock and door with the tool.

  The damaged piece of wood flew open after five swings of the tool. He moved out into the hallway and tried to get his bearings. Where was he? He went to the left and found the kitchen. While he looked for any indication of whose home he was in, he wrapped a dishtowel around the hand bleeding the worst.

  He searched for a phone as he moved through the first floor. Like so many people in today’s times, he couldn’t find a landline. Before he left the living room, a photo on an end table caught his attention. Craig Addison in a cap and gown holding a diploma.

  Stunned, he stared at his family doctor.

  Bile rose in his throat. He gritted his teeth and charged for the front door.

  He was also Kira’s family doctor. He needed to warn Kira. With Grams accident, the doctor could use a visit to Kira’s house to do the unthinkable. Exhausted, he forced every ounce of strength into his legs. The doctor lived on several acres right outside Pinecrest. Gabriel began loping toward town, looking for the nearest phone. Each breath he dragged into his lungs burned, but he wouldn’t stop until he reached Kira.

  * * *

  After Penny left Kira’s house to pick up some dinner, Larry locked the door. Kira eased into a lounge chair, tempted to raise the footrest and recline back. But if she did, she would fall asleep. She laid her cell phone on a nearby table. She didn’t want to rest until Bill called to tell her Evan was the killer, Gabriel was found safe, and Grams was all right.

  “So Chief Shaffer might have a lead on the murderer?” Larry asked as he fitted his tall, lanky body onto the couch across from Kira.

  “Hopefully, and we’ll find out where Gabriel is. I’m sure the killer took him. Bill is going to keep me informed.”

  She couldn’t sit any longer no matter how much she wanted to. Craig hadn’t left yet. She needed to see what he said about her grandmother. She shoved to her feet. “I’ll be with Grams.”

  “How is she doing?” the police officer asked.

  “Resting more than she usually does, but then she has been through a trauma. I’m just used to her being so active she could put me to shame.”

  A few seconds later, Kira appeared in the entrance to the spare bedroom. Her grandmother sat in bed with several pillows propping her up.

  Grams glanced at her and smiled. “Can’t a gal get some sleep without everyone worrying?”

  “Sure, just as soon as you let me know that’s what you’re doing. You hardly ever rest.” Kira sat on the bed and took Grams’ hand that wasn’t bandaged. “How’s your ankle doing?”

  “It hurts like the dickens, but I can bare this. I’ll let you sign my cast when I get it.” Her grandmother winked at Kira then shifted her attention to Craig. “And Craig, you can sign my cast, too.” Grams looked back at Kira. “I should be able to get one in the next day or so according to my doctor. Then I’ll be following you around, Kira.”

  She laughed. “I’d like that, Grams, but only if the doctor says you can.”

  “I’d like her to rest until then. The swelling in her ankle is starting to go down. She lost some blood which makes her feel weak, but she’ll be as good as new in no time.”

  “Thanks for coming.” Kira rose to walk with Craig into the hallway to make sure there wasn’t anything else he needed to tell her that he didn’t want her grandmother to hear. “I’ll be back in a minute, Grams.”

  “Take your time. If my eyes are closed, I’m just resting them.”

  “Okay,” Kira said with a chuckle, but all humor fled her the second she was alone with Craig. “Will she really be all right?”

  “Yes. I did get the results back on a couple of the blood tests I ran in the hospital. Her iron level is down which is adding to her tiredness, but rest and some medication I’m going to prescribe will help with that. I’ll call it in to the pharmacy. I gave her something for the pain even though she said she could bare it. And thankfully her hip isn’t fractured. This time next week she’ll be back to her old self.”

  Kira took Craig’s hand. “Thank you. I’m so glad you took over for your dad. Grams has been going to an Addison most of her life. She hates changes.”

  “How about you?”

  “I’m an assistant DA. I’ve learned to go with the changes. I’ve had my share of surprises, especially lately. Larry will let you out.” She squeezed his hand gently then released it and walked back into her grandmother’s room.

  She needed to spend some time with Grams while she was awake. Until she heard from Bill, there was little she could do other than pray. She hoped Evan would tell them where Gabriel was. She didn’t want to think about what would happen if he were dead.

  * * *

  Gabriel left the Henderson’s porch. Even though their lights blazed in the darkness creeping over the land, no one answered his knocks. He headed down the long driveway back to the road. Pinecrest was probably no more than a mile, but at the moment that seemed
like a hundred while he put one foot in front of the other.

  As he left the Henderson’s place, headlights came toward him from town. Gabriel started to flag the car down, but something stopped him. Craig could be returning to his house. He couldn’t risk it. He had a better chance getting to town on his own or finding someone home to help him.

  Gabriel ducked behind a bush near the side of the road. As the car sped past him, he noted the luxury car, the same one parked at the side of Jeremy’s garage. It was too dark to get a good look at the driver, but it was probably Craig. He would have to assume that and travel toward town away from the road. When Craig discovered he was gone, the doctor would come after him. He knew his secret.

  Too exhausted to jog anymore, Gabriel trudged through the thick dense vegetation about a hundred feet from the road. In the dark, he stumbled a couple of times, but he caught himself and kept going. All he had to do was get to town, find a phone, call the police to let them know about Craig, then make sure Kira was all right. He needed to see her with his own eyes. The thought of something happening to her kept him trudging through the underbrush.

  He glimpsed some lights in the woods. The sight of them spurred him faster. Until his foot came down in a hole, and he tumbled forward.

  * * *

  “Grams, are you sure you don’t want any of this soup from Al’s Diner?” Kira asked as she sat next to her grandmother’s bed.

  “Hon, I’m tired. That roll from Al’s is all I want. He should open a bakery. Delicious.” Grams yawned. “I don’t need you to sit in here and watch me sleep.” Her grandmother snuggled under the covers. “Turn the light off on your way out and shut the door.”

  Kira kissed her on the cheek then left the bedroom. When she entered the living room, she found Wally there. He had replaced Larry half an hour ago. “Where’s Penny?”