The Butcher (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 5)

by Emilie J. Howard

  She smiled at him and waved. “Hello, Samuel. Would you care to join us for supper?” She gestured in the direction of her table. He saw Big Lou, Timmy, Maurice’s bodyguard, and a red-headed woman in deep discussion. He graciously declined, apologized to the owner and the waitress, and left the facility.

  He made his way back to his Hummer and started the engine. He sat thinking for the longest time. He would not take orders from the mayor, or any female on the planet. The pompous southern gent, Maurice Gillette, needed to be dealt with as well. He’d known this town was cagey before he came here and was now convinced his sister Patricia was being held captive. The ashes in the urn on the passenger’s seat beside him were not hers.

  With the state of mind he was in, he was in no hurry to return to the bed and breakfast annex. He would not be able to tolerate another boring discussion with Ivan. He was sure the man was hungry, but he’d just have to wait. Ivan had refused to go out with Samuel that evening, and when Samuel thought about it, he realized Ivan hadn’t been acting right since they’d arrived in Cold Hollow. He hesitated in taking orders and acting appropriately as he always had at the butcher shop. Perhaps a cut in pay would teach him a lesson.

  ***

  Ivan glanced at the wall clock and noticed Boss Sam was taking longer than expected. He groaned in despair. Boss Sam had been stupid lately and not making good decisions. He had wanted Ivan to go with him tonight, but he’d said no. He was proud of himself because he knew Boss Sam wanted him to do bad things for him. He was done with living like that and knew Sam had been bothering some good people in town. He dug through his duffle bag. He pulled out a box of baked goods Red Lady had given him when she found out Boss Sam didn’t always think of meal times. When he opened the box, he smiled. She had hidden a small book inside of it so he could practice when alone. As he ate, he turned the pages and read all about Dick and Jane, word for word.

  CHAPTER 10

  Wanda the Witch sat by the window of her shop and rocked back and forth. She wrung her hands and shook her head. “Big moon, bad things comin’, and that’s no lie. No sleep for this tired soul tonight.” She got up and placed a teakettle on the burner. She could feel the cold burrowing deep into her bones.

  ***

  After an extremely enjoyable date with Corrine, Maurice approached Robert and paid the bill. He spied Hercules the Great Dane in the back of the kitchen and snickered. “Let me guess, Becky and Sarah both have dates this evening after work and have left you in charge?”

  Robert wiped down his forehead. “Yes, and it couldn’t have happened on a worse evening.” He waved his chef’s knife out toward the dining room. “I’m getting slammed, and I’m not supposed to have dogs in the restaurant.”

  Robert had done so much for Maurice in the past and present that he asked, “Would you like me to dog-sit for you? After I drop off my date, I will return here for Big Lou and take the dog with us. We have plans to pick up Liam for a private late-night movie premiere and sleepover. He would love it if Hercules were with us. We could return him to you in the morning.”

  Robert’s smile was radiant. “You got it! It’s a deal! Thank you, Maurice.”

  When they were ready to leave, Maurice briefly stopped at Delilah’s table and informed Big Lou he’d be right back. He turned to Corrine with stars in his eyes and escorted her out the door.

  Delilah sat at her table with the rest of the group and shook her head. “He’s euphoric again.”

  Adam agreed and added, “He don’t pay attention when he’s in this kind of state. I looked at Samuel’s eyes when he left here a mess tonight. That guy is one fuzzy bunny hair away from exploding.”

  Fran asked, “Big Lou, are you on alert tonight?”

  Big Lou laughed. “Honey, when you got a job like mine, you’re always on alert.”

  They ordered dessert and coffee as they waited for Maurice to return.

  ***

  Maurice returned sooner than expected and rushed to the table. “I have great news! Corrine has decided to stay a few extra days! She’s enjoying our relationship so much she can’t stand the thought of leaving so soon!”

  Delilah tilted her head and groaned, “You’re killing me, Father.”

  Big Lou stood up to put his coat on. “You kids stay and finish your dessert and coffee. We have a movie date with little Liam tonight, and I can’t disappoint the boy.”

  Delilah glared at him. “Fix the wiring on the marquee or suffer my verbal attack in the morning.”

  Big Lou laughed as he buttoned his jacket. “Each time you threaten me, it means you love me, honey.”

  Maurice held up a finger and rushed to the kitchen to retrieve Hercules. He strode through the dining room with the Great Dane by his side. Everyone at each table wanted to fawn over the intimidating beast, and Hercules took it in stride and allowed each guest to pour love on him. Maurice stood beside him, filled with joy. Big Lou held the restaurant door open for them, and they exited outside, boarded Maurice’s vehicle, and got comfortable for the ride to pick up Liam. Big Lou talked to the dog during the trip.

  After they had Liam situated in the back seat with the mammoth canine, they made their way to Big Lou’s. “What movie are we watching tonight, Grandpa? I can’t wait to see it on the big screen!”

  Maurice smiled as he drove slowly over the sanded roads. “Big Lou managed to secure Finding Dory just for you.”

  “Aw, that’s terrific! I saw Finding Nemo, and it was sad but then happy. I hope this one is happy at the end too!”

  Big Lou commented, “You’ll have to wait and see, big guy. Wait till you get a load of the new snack bar your aunt Delilah set up for guests. You’re gonna explode.”

  Liam giggled. “Uncle Lou, I don’t think I can explode from happiness. I think I’ll just be overjoyed, like Grandpa.”

  The men laughed as they pulled into the driveway and into the expanded parking area behind Big Lou’s theater. They unloaded from the vehicle and made their way through the back door. Once inside, Big Lou secured the new locking mechanism. He showed Maurice how to disengage it and turn it back on again. When he was sure Maurice understood how it functioned, the tour began. Maurice was enthralled with the renovations Big Lou had done and swooned at the smell of fresh popcorn and other delights. To the left of the rear hallway was a small kitchen set up with a glass-front refrigerator stocked with a variety of canned soft drinks. On the counter was an old-fashioned popcorn kettle, and there were glass counters and display cases whose shelves were filled with such a variety of candy it was enough to make anyone’s head spin. Liam was beside himself and going from delight to delight, trying to decide what he would munch on during the film. Hercules followed him around the cases.

  Big Lou then gave them the tour of the entire home. On the first level, the front parlors had been expanded and screens set up at the forefront with plush recliners for seating. On the other side of the first floor was an identical viewing area. This was Big Lou’s private cinema, where he was prone to watching violent gangster movies. There were two small restrooms to accommodate customers on the first floor.

  Liam asked, “What’s upstairs, Uncle Lou?”

  Big Lou was beaming as he leaned down and said, “Bedrooms, and a special one Delilah wanted just for children in the family who sleep over. I think you’re gonna love it. Go check it out and find which one is yours.” He reached out and flipped a few light switches, and Liam and Hercules raced up the stairs to explore each room.

  Big Lou turned to Maurice. “Wait for it.” Their gazes went to the ceiling, and it didn’t take long before they heard Liam’s squeals of delight. The men laughed, and Big Lou shouted up the stairs, “There’s pajamas and a robe up there for you if you can find them. You have to get comfy when you watch a movie at my house.”

  Liam shouted back from the top of the stairs, “Then you guys better get moving!”

  They shook their heads and made their way up the stairs. Maurice had no doubt Delilah had left pajamas
, robe, and slippers there for him as well.

  After snacks and drinks were chosen, an epic animated film began.

  ***

  Corrine Butler was getting ready to settle in for the night. As she took her coat off, she felt something in one of her pockets. She reminisced about her dates with Maurice Gillette. If she wasn’t mistaken, she was falling for him. This was something she’d never thought possible after the passing of her husband of twenty-five years, but it was true. She smiled when she pulled a pair of men’s leather gloves from her pocket. Her hands had been cold the night of their date, and she had forgotten her gloves. He had graciously handed his over to her.

  It was a bitter cold night, and she knew Maurice was still out. He had spoken of a large Victorian home-turned-cinema to her during their meal at Carla’s, and he would be staying there. Feeling gutsy at her age was ridiculous, but she was game. She put her boots back on, fussed with her hair, freshened her lipstick, and decided to use the excuse of returning his gloves just to see him again. After locking the door to her room, she made her way down the stairs and outside to her BMW.

  ***

  Maurice noticed halfway through the film that Liam had fallen asleep on Big Lou’s lap. He motioned to him, but Big Lou was too focused on the remainder of the movie to notice. Maurice saw that Hercules was whining at the cinema door and tightened the sash of his robe. He stood and motioned to Big Lou that he was taking Hercules out to relieve himself—if he didn’t, they would be faced with a mess to clean up and a screaming fit from Delilah.

  Big Lou watched him leave the room with the dog and continued to view the film with a sleeping boy in his arms. A smile played on his lips when he remembered Adam used to do this all the time as a child. As the film continued, he hoped they found the dopey fish Dory before he lost his mind. He couldn’t tear himself away from a kiddie film!

  Maurice took Hercules out the back door and wrapped his thick robe tighter around himself as the chill hit him. After disengaging the security system, he watched the dog meander and scurry about the parking area, picking the perfect spot. When the dog headed down the driveway, he followed until they hit the street.

  Maurice had made a mistake. Thinking the dog wouldn’t be so picky about his choice of bathroom accommodations, he hadn’t shut the back door securely. Samuel Whittier slithered inside the back door and noticed a door on the right, He opened it and crept down to the basement. There was a full kitchen set up down there that would be the envy of any great chef. He saw the carving knives, chose one, and returned to the first floor of the home. It was obvious a film was playing, and he slipped inside the room to see a person in the front row of loungers. He recognized the person’s head. It was the Mafia king who had threatened him. He crept silently behind the chair and ran the sharpened carving knife across the man’s neck. He watched as Big Lou’s left hand went to his neck and then went slack, just as a fish named Dory was found. He noticed too late there was a cherubic-looking child slumbering on the man’s lap. He was grateful the child didn’t see what he had just done. He slipped through the theater and exited through the back door with the bloody sharp blade still in his gloved hand.

  He heard Maurice before he saw him. Maurice was calling out to a dog. He followed the noise while sticking to the shadows. When Maurice returned up the driveway with the dog, Samuel stepped out of the shadows and challenged him. Maurice realized he had left the home weaponless. Myrna had his gun, and all he had to rely on were his hands. Samuel’s eyes were wild, and there was a sheen of sweat on his face. His expression was crazed as he growled, “Where are you hiding my sister! She’s not dead! I saw you with her tonight! She’s not inside the house; I know because I just checked it.”

  Maurice extended his hands out before him and pleaded, “Believe me, Samuel. It’s sad you still think Patricia walks this earth. I believe some grief counseling is the best course of action for you. She is dead and gone. An explosion took her away too soon.”

  Samuel advanced in a fury and swiped the blade at Maurice’s extended hands, slicing into his left one with depth and precision. Maurice recoiled and cradled his injured hand to his chest as Hercules clamped his jaw around Samuel’s ankle and bit down. Samuel cried out in pain and kicked the dog away from him. He swung the blade in panic, slicing the tip of the dog’s right ear off. The dog whined and howled in pain as it ran from the maniac.

  Moving forward again, Samuel swung the deadly blade as Maurice tried to talk him down from the insanity that had hold of him. He stuck his forearm out to block the knife’s thrust as his robe loosened, exposing the thin pajamas he wore beneath, but Samuel was quick; he spun his body with the blade in hand, and in a second, it was too late. The bastard had opened his abdomen. Maurice fell to his knees and slumped in the middle of the driveway.

  Samuel couldn’t believe his luck. The blow to Maurice’s abdomen had not been planned but landed perfectly, thereby forcing the southern gent to crumple and shut his mouth. He stooped down before Maurice as the man wrapped his arms around his bloody abdomen. Samuel whispered, “It seems the mighty Maestro can be brought to his knees. Tell me, Maurice, have you ever contemplated the notion of hell because of your evil deeds?” He waved his free hand through the air and added, “I mean, really, spending an eternity in a fiery pit instead of eternal springtime? Was it worth it?”

  Maurice didn’t know how Samuel knew his nickname, nor did he care. He glanced up while wearing a wry grin and whispered back, “Not for a moment. Why would I waste precious moments on ridiculous pondering?” His words were low-pitched gasps.

  Samuel leaned closer and sneered, “Because that’s where you’re going, Maurice. You’re about to take an express ride to hell.”

  Maurice took as deep a breath as he dared and answered back, “I don’t believe I’ll be a passenger on that particular journey, but you, Samuel, your seat is most assuredly reserved. It also seems you remain clueless as to your current predicament…more’s the pity.”

  At the sound of an approaching vehicle, Samuel stood, cursed Maurice and his loquacious mouth, and limped to his Hummer, parked down a side street. The dog had regained some bravado and was growling and following him, eyeing his every move. When Samuel got his Hummer door open, he grabbed his cane and walloped the dog over the head, knocking him out.

  ***

  Samuel rushed through the plowed streets to the annex. He lowered his window and tossed the knife he had used onto someone’s front lawn and slowed down to see it plunge deep into a snow mound. He glanced in the passenger’s seat to see his sister’s remains in the urn and frowned. After what he’d seen this evening, he still didn’t know if those were her remains or not. He pulled into his parking spot at the annex and rushed from the vehicle to his room inside.

  As Samuel burst into the room, Ivan startled and pushed his book back inside his duffle bag. Samuel tossed a wrapped grinder at him and said, “Eat fast. We’re leaving tonight.”

  Ivan held the grinder in his massive hands; it looked pathetic in comparison. He shook his head and murmured, “Ivan not want to go.”

  Samuel snapped, “I don’t care what Ivan wants! I said we’re leaving this godforsaken town!” He pulled his soiled shirt off and put on a fresh one. Ivan watched as he stuffed the bloodstained shirt into the trash can beneath the refuse already inside. He then saw Samuel wrap a handkerchief around his ankle and tie it off. The wound looked like a nasty bite. Ivan was glad he had been injured.

  Ivan began packing his belongings and argued, “Ivan will stay. You will leave.”

  Samuel spun on his heel and faced him. “Are you defying me?”

  Ivan had his back to him and zipped his duffle bag. He turned around and stood tall. “Da. Ivan know you do bad things this night. You deserve what you get!”

  Samuel closed his small suitcase, put his coat and hat back on, and left the room. As he shut the door behind him, he smirked and said, “Have fun trying to survive in this town on your own, you pathetic, ignorant fool.”
Getting a thought, he turned and spat, “You’re fired.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Corrine Butler had found the large Victorian home recently converted to Big Lou’s Cinema, and pulled halfway into the driveway when she noticed a person on their knees, slumped over. She put her car in park and leapt from the driver’s seat. She ran to the bottom of the driveway and looked both ways. There was no one walking about. She returned up the driveway and knelt beside the body, only to discover it was Maurice, his abdomen covered in something wet. She allowed him to lean into her and laid him across her lap, keeping him partly upright. His eyes fluttered open, and he gasped, “Am I dreaming? Who is this beauty who holds me in her arms?” His voice was soft and weak.

  Her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Corrine Butler, and I brazenly came to return your gloves to you. I wanted to see you again.”

  He stared at her as she unwound the wool scarf she wore around her neck and applied pressure to his abdominal wound, forcing him to wince and moan in discomfort. She said to him, “Don’t you dare leave this world. I’ve been alone far too long since my husband’s death, and I finally think I found love again. This world is far better with you in it, Maurice!” She rocked him back and forth as she kept the pressure on the wound.