The Butcher (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 5)

by Emilie J. Howard

  After securing his home, he rushed to his car and started the engine. The black Hummer was still parked in front, and Bertrand eyed the two men inside from his rearview mirror. He sneered. If they tried to break into his home without knowing the code, they’d be blown to bits. Television remotes could come in so handy at times.

  He pulled out of his driveway and drove to the town hall. Rushing up to the second floor of the building, he knocked on the parole officer’s door and entered. The meeting took perhaps an hour, and he was asked about the demise of his prior employer and what his plans were. The questions were endless, but Bertrand believed he’d aced his first meeting. As he left, he noticed the mayor was in; she looked up from her desk and smiled at him as he passed. He paused, and she waved him to a seat in her office and asked him to shut the door.

  He sat where he had when they’d first met, when he’d first arrived in Cold Hollow. “It’s good to see you, Mayor. You look fit and fine. I’m hoping all is well with the little one coming?”

  Myrna ran her hand over her abdomen. “Everything is perfect with the baby. No problems.” She was curious and asked, “Have you met anyone new in town recently?”

  He leaned over her desk and lowered his voice. “Yes, Madam’s brother visited my home about one hour ago. I must confess, Mayor. He frightens me. There is an air of malevolence about him. When leaving my home, he said, ‘Until we meet again, I wish you a fine day, Bertrand.’ In all honesty, Mayor, I don’t want to meet him again.”

  Myrna sat back. “I haven’t met him yet, but his companion is a bit startling.” She tilted her head and eyed Bertrand. “I want to see you here Wednesday at one o’clock. I need to have a private meeting with you.”

  “Regarding?”

  She grinned. “You’ll see. If I’m correct, I think you’ll be able to help me a great deal with a potential problem.”

  Bertrand stood and smiled. “It would be my honor to assist you with any problem you may be having, if you consider me suitably qualified.”

  Myrna snickered. “Oh, I think you’re qualified, but we’ll see.” She added, “Also, when you are ready to return to work, my husband said there is a job opening at the hospital for you whenever you need it.”

  Bertrand slapped his hands together, and a wide smile spread across his face. “This is turning out to be a finer day than predicted! It started off shaky, but it’s getting better.”

  Myrna leaned forward and commented, “Isn’t it funny how life plays its little games with us, Bertrand?”

  He extended his hand out to her, and she shook it as he replied, “Life certainly is a quirky woman, Mayor.”

  She laughed as she watched him leave her office.

  ***

  Big Lou, Timmy, Delilah, the chief, and Myrna sat around the poker table at the back room of the tavern and spoke in privacy. The chief looked at everyone and said, “As most of you know, Samuel Whittier is in town. He’s gathering information and putting everyone on edge. I met him, and I can tell you right now, I don’t like him.”

  Delilah placed a platter of appetizers on the table, along with a bottle of wine. She poured glasses and passed them around, skipping over Myrna, who had a bottle of water before her. “Father did an extensive background check on him. It came up blank, other than the family’s butcher shop in New York. No police record, no drug-related incidents, nothing. However, there is something he found he would like to discuss with all of us when he returns from his meal with Samuel.”

  The chief replied, “I got the same results with my search. What’s so unsettling about the bastard is we all know he’s the real Butcher, a killer and the kingpin of the drug trade, but there’s no proof.”

  Myrna said, “For now.”

  The chief turned to her, curious. “What do you mean ‘for now’?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve made friends with his sidekick, Ivan. I’ll be talking to him again tomorrow morning.”

  Big Lou asked, “What do you want me and the boys to do, Chief? You name it, and it’s done.”

  The chief pointed at him. “I don’t want you to do a damn thing, Big Lou. The only thing you’ll be responsible for is protecting the family.” He glanced at Delilah and ordered, “Stop trying to turn his cinema into a pretty palace and turn it into a fortress instead.”

  Delilah pouted and slammed herself down in her seat. “How gauche.”

  The chief answered, “Gauche or not, it’s what you do. It’s for your own good.” He glared at Big Lou and stressed, “This town is pleasantly corrupt. I can deal with pleasantly corrupt, but if you and Maurice start going around like a mob ‘taking care of business,’ then it becomes downright nasty, and I’m not about to deal with the shit storm you two are capable of creating.”

  Big Lou turned to Delilah and moaned, “He’s no fun.”

  The chief looked at Delilah. “Go and get me a big mug of suds, and then I’ll tell you how we’re all going to handle this man. I say ‘handle,’ and I do mean ‘handle,’ not mutilate.” He watched Timmy slouch in his chair and shake his head as Delilah raced from the room for the chief’s mug of beer.

  When she was gone, the chief slid a folder to Myrna and said, “I’ll meet with you at the town hall tomorrow about what’s in the folder.”

  She leaned to the side and slid the folder into her bag. “Big Lou, you have an important job in all of this. If Samuel starts causing trouble, your home will be a safe house for all of us, so don’t disappoint me or the chief.”

  Big Lou replied, “I’ll inform my boys and get a good security system installed. I just don’t get why we’re pussyfooting around this guy. I like to handle things quick and easy.”

  She stated, “We’re doing it this way because we don’t know how many people are involved. Just like with Patricia, there could be more people in town working for Samuel.” She watched him frown and asked, “How is your new home coming along?”

  His frown turned into a smile. “It’s just about done—just a few final changes Delilah and I are arguing about. Otherwise, all the rooms have been drywalled, painted, and furnished. I got a big basement kitchen, so I’m happy as a clam. My boys did a great job.”

  “When will the cinema be open for business?”

  The chief answered in his stead. “I don’t want it open until Whittier and his goon leave town.”

  Big Lou saluted him as Delilah breezed in with the chief’s mug of beer. After placing it before him, she shut the door and took her seat again. She stared at the chief expectantly.

  He took a long pull and looked at Myrna. She began, “The chief and I will handle the matter of Mr. Whittier and his companion, Ivan. The rest of you are to stand down unless the chief instructs you otherwise. Samuel hasn’t done anything wrong yet except pester those who associated with Patricia in the past.”

  Delilah’s mouth opened in dismay. “That’s not fair!”

  Myrna stood her ground. “The chief is right. Maurice and Big Lou stay out of it. They are not in charge this time. That goes for you too!” She narrowed her eyes at Delilah. “I mean it. I can’t have anything happen to any of you. Liam would never understand, and neither would Tom.” She glanced down at her hands and added, “They’ve been through enough. The chief and I will handle things just fine.”

  Big Lou spoke up. “You’re pregnant! You can’t be put in harm’s way!”

  The chief sat and continued sipping his beer. “Myrna’s a healthy woman, and Tom and I will be sure she stays that way. What you don’t know, Big Lou, is that Myrna is the one who built this town up, and she’ll be the only one capable of tearing it down. She has more connections to the residents of the town than you do. She knows how to handle them, and they listen to her. So sit tight. Consider this an official notice. Also, from now on, we buddy up. No one goes anywhere alone.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but arm yourselves.”

  Big Lou shook his head. “I don’t like it, but we’ll listen, Chief.” He turned to Delilah. �
��That goes for you too, honey.”

  Delilah leaned into Timmy. “This sucks.”

  CHAPTER 4

  Maurice and Samuel sat across from each other at Carla’s Fine Cuisine. Adam and Ivan sat on the other side of the room at another table, sizing each other up.

  Samuel commented to Maurice, “Your companion is a formidable man. He appears Italian. Am I correct about his heritage?” He also knew Adam wasn’t the man he was in search of; Adam looked nothing like Robert DeNiro.

  Maurice glanced over at the two guards and replied, “Yes, he’s Italian. He is very dear to me. I’ve noticed your companion doesn’t seem to be able to speak English well.”

  “He’s an uneducated sap but loyal to the family. My father took him in as a favor to an immigrant man who couldn’t afford to care for him. Later, he hired a Russian tutor as a family joke.”

  Maurice frowned. “He wasn’t afforded a proper education?”

  Samuel leered. “We like to keep Ivan dumb.”

  Maurice immediately felt sorrow for the bald, massive man dining with Adam. He watched Adam point out items on the menu to Ivan and explain what each meal consisted of. Maurice was proud of Adam for not being intimidated by his dining partner but instead helping him. He also thought Ivan wasn’t as dumb as Samuel believed him to be.

  When they decided upon their meal, they placed their order. The appetizers and drinks arrived, and the two men spoke between bites. Samuel began the conversation. “How did you meet my sister?”

  Maurice displayed a genuine smile. “I first met Patricia during our initial visit to Cold Hollow in the fall for my son’s nuptials. We went to her shop, and I became smitten. I was so overwhelmed by her talent that I purchased two of her paintings for my home.”

  Samuel asked, “So you sought her out when you returned for the winter holidays?”

  Maurice snickered. “I didn’t seek her out. She more or less sought us out.”

  “Us?”

  Maurice leaned forward and pleasantly informed Samuel, “You may drop the charade. You know what your sister did, and if I am correct, you had a direct hand in it. Your sister was involved in the drug trade, and I firmly believe you are as well.”

  Samuel shook his head. “Not anymore. I dissolved it after hearing of her passing. Yes, I knew my sister was having difficulty up here with the ‘trade.’ She informed me as such. I did instruct her on how to recoup her losses, but as for the rest, I have no idea what she did. Her brain was a fragile thing, and she must have formulated her own plan.”

  Maurice nodded. “She did. She caused the death of many and put my family and his”—he gestured to Adam—“in a perilous situation.”

  Samuel sat back and wiped his mouth with a napkin after finishing his appetizer. “She didn’t listen to me.”

  Maurice raised both his hands. “I don’t know what you instructed your sister to do, but I can assure you, she followed her own plan.”

  He stated, “So you killed her for revenge.”

  Maurice shook his head and lied a bit. “I did no such thing. To be honest, Samuel, I never had the opportunity to exact revenge, nor did I care to. I found your sister captivating. She was a singular star in my night sky.”

  Samuel’s eyes widened. “You loved her despite her oddness?”

  Maurice sighed. “It was too soon to tell if I loved her, although I longed for the opportunity.” He showed no physical distress but nearly gagged after finishing the sentence. The woman had been a psychopath.

  Their meals arrived, and they began eating and commenting on the complexity of their individual dishes. The flavors were sublime. Maurice glanced at Adam to see him in deep conversation with Ivan as they ate. He noticed Adam was laughing and so was Ivan. This made Maurice a little more comfortable with the situation, but just a little.

  As they ordered their dessert and coffee, Samuel inquired, “Have you ever met the man who took care of my sister?”

  Maurice shook his head. “I saw him but never conversed with him. I do know he doted on her.” Maurice stared at the ceiling for a moment and then brought his gaze back to Samuel. “It’s an oddity. I don’t believe I even caught the man’s name.”

  “It’s Bertrand Sweeney.”

  “Did you speak to Chief Hanover about him?”

  Samuel bobbed his head. “I did. He assured me Bertrand took my sister’s demise hard.”

  “I imagine he did.” Something was scratching at the back of Maurice’s mind, and he snagged it. He had never investigated Bertrand, and he probably should have. He should have run an extensive background check on him but failed to do so. He asked, “Did you happen to secure lodging for the evening?”

  Samuel reached for his overcoat. “Yes, I was fortunate enough to procure a single room at the bed and breakfast annex. The main bed and breakfast was packed with tourists. The room at the annex is not as large as what I’m accustomed to, but it will do.” From what Samuel learned, the annex had once belonged to a deviant town inhabitant by the name of Warren Measly. When he passed away, they used the home for overflow from their main venue.

  Maurice paid the check as Samuel tipped the waitress. They stood and donned their overcoats, and noticed Adam and Ivan doing the same. Maurice extended his hand out to Samuel and said, “I’m assuming we have a gentleman’s agreement?”

  Samuel smirked as he shook Maurice’s hand. “Never assume anything, Maurice. You should know better.”

  As he turned to leave the establishment, Maurice grabbed his shoulder and spun him back to face him. “Tread lightly in this town, Samuel. You never know what demons will rise if you poke the wrong one.”

  He watched Samuel don his top hat, tip it to him, and smile. “Note taken.” Ivan followed diligently behind Samuel while stopping a moment to wave good-bye to Maurice and Adam.

  Adam pointed at Ivan as he climbed into the black Hummer outside. “That guy is nice. I can already tell you his boss is a son of a bitch.”

  Maurice agreed. “Yes, he most certainly is.” The two men bid Robert Collins, the owner and chef, a good night, thanked him for yet another fine meal, and left the restaurant.

  As they drove to the tavern, Maurice asked, “Adam, what did you learn about Ivan?”

  Adam paid attention to the road while replying, “I don’t think he likes some of the things Samuel makes him do. I also think he’s angry about not being able to be smart. Don’t get me wrong, boss. He’s smart, but he’s just…”

  Maurice finished his sentence. “Uneducated. Yes, Samuel seemed to take great pleasure in this, as he informed me they like to ‘keep Ivan dumb.’ I can also tell he cares little about Ivan’s comfort.”

  “Whaddya mean?”

  “He only secured a single room at the bed and breakfast annex. I’m assuming Ivan’s going to sleep on the floor.”

  Adam shook his head. “Either way, boss, I like the big lug. I hope we don’t have to kill him.”

  Maurice sighed. “We’ll try not to, Adam.”

  They pulled into their parking spot at the tavern and joined the meeting in progress in the back room.

  As they entered, Delilah began babbling and complaining about Myrna and the chief. Maurice took his seat beside Adam. He held up his hand to stop her speech and said, “Delilah, please allow the chief to catch me up on everything we’ve missed. Then I will inform all of you of what Adam and I have learned this evening.”

  She slammed back in her chair and crossed her arms before her. Her lower lip curled into a pout. She watched her father reach into his suit coat and pull out multiple folded sheets of paper. He slid them to the chief. “I did an extensive search not only on Samuel, but his entire family. It seems the mother died while giving birth to a third child. The father passed away a few years ago.”

  Myrna gasped. “Tell me there is not another Whittier child floating around out there!”

  Maurice shook his head. “I found nothing indicating a living third child. However, there is a birth certificate bearing the name B
aby Whittier. What’s puzzling is there are no records of immunizations, education, or a death certificate.”

  The chief read through the information and pondered, “What if the newborn wasn’t normal and is in an institution? If it died after birth, then there should be a death certificate, or a list at least at a potter’s field. I can check into it, but I have a feeling they hid this one out of embarrassment.”

  Maurice agreed. “I also considered the family business in New York, and the butcher shop they own is well run and highly popular.”

  The chief moaned, “Yep, as a drug depot.”

  Maurice shook his head. “Samuel informed me this evening that he’s dissolved the drug trade. Per the tax records I procured, the butcher shop is a thriving business on its own, and I can’t fathom why he or his sister ever got into the drug trade to begin with.”

  The chief rumbled, “Patricia wasn’t happy with what she earned at the artisan shop here. She was greedy and liked high-priced items, so Samuel helped her earn more. She was originally busted for drug dealing in New York, so she just picked up where she left off.”

  Everyone agreed. They then informed Maurice and Adam of the chief and Myrna’s plans. Maurice did not like it, but gave in to their wishes with a promise to assist them in any capacity deemed necessary.

  Adam had found out from Ivan at supper that no one else from the big city had come up to Cold Hollow with them, so it was just Samuel and Ivan they were up against. Even so, he warned Myrna to up her game. “In Ivan’s own words, ‘Boss Sam is sneaky.’”

  Myrna replied, “He hasn’t met me yet.”

  ***

  Samuel and Ivan checked into the bed and breakfast annex, received the keys to their room, and situated their luggage. Ivan looked around to see there was only one bed. He rolled his eyes, pulled a blanket out of his duffle bag, grabbed a throw pillow, and lay down on the floor. He watched his boss pace the floor and then turn to him. “I’m going to take Lucy for a night ride,” Samuel said. “I’ll be gone perhaps an hour or so.”