The Butcher (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 5)

by Emilie J. Howard

  Ivan laughed and pointed to his duffle bag. “Look.”

  The chief shook his head and said, “Don’t worry, Myrna. Ivan’s all set. Trust me.”

  Myrna sat back and released a long breath when something dawned on her. She asked Ivan, “Then who was Baby Whittier?”

  Ivan frowned. “Another whisper secret. Old Man say Boss Sam’s mama was a cheat. He say to customers baby dead.”

  “So why are you the Butcher?”

  Ivan grinned. “Old man make mistake. He teach Ivan too good. Ivan best butcher.” He then frowned as a memory lurched forward. “Boss Sam and Crazy Pat make Ivan do bad things to drug man who steal from them because Ivan is best butcher.”

  He glanced at Myrna, looking ashamed of himself, and she urged him for more information. “I punish the man bad.” He hunched his shoulders and continued, “From then on, Crazy Pat and Boss Sam call me the Butcher. They use the name as threat sometime to other people like they use me. Boss Sam was sick. He hate I better than him and pretend he the best.” He shook his head. “I don’t like the name. I like Ivan.”

  His eyes brightened a bit as he remembered something else. “Ivan want Boss Sam and Pat gone forever. Ivan know what she do here. She made big mess, but Ivan know she would die, so it was good.” He took a breath and continued, “Then Boss Sam say we come here to get Crazy Pat back, and Ivan happy again because Ivan know Boss Sam not live either. He just as crazy.”

  “How did you know you would live if you came here, Ivan?”

  Ivan smiled. “Because Ivan make friends, no enemies. All people at butcher shop love Ivan. They ask for Ivan.”

  Myrna squeezed his hand in happiness. “You will not have enemies here either. Only friends.”

  Ivan nodded. “Da. Is good.”

  Myrna’s biggest dilemma now was where to put Ivan. She motioned to the chief and had him call the annex, so he could have his room back for a few more days until she found permanent arrangements for him.

  Myrna glanced over at Delilah to see her busy consoling Corrine, who had begun crying again beside Maurice’s casket.

  ***

  The following day, after the funeral, the grand reception was held at Carla’s Fine Cuisine. Robert had closed the restaurant to the public, and only townsfolk and mourners were allowed inside: no tourists. Myrna and Tom had picked up Ivan for the funeral, and they drove to the reception with him and Liam in the back seat. Liam kept Ivan entertained with books and read aloud to him at every opportunity. The moment they entered the building, they witnessed Robert in a frenzy in the kitchen. Ivan took off his coat and assured Myrna, “Ivan make it right.”

  They watched him enter the kitchen and calm Robert down as he donned a chef jacket and began to butcher prime rib cuts for him from a side of beef on the stainless steel counter. Robert stood in shock and turned to Myrna with a crazed look. Myrna just giggled and brought Liam into the banquet hall with Tom. Sarah Macy was busy loading down one table with desserts as Becky Macy prepared the long buffet table with dishes and utensils, awaiting Robert’s main dishes for the guests.

  The mobsters were busy reminiscing about Big Lou and were filled with laughter over long-ago tales. Adam, Fran, and Timmy brought them bottles of wine, filled glasses, and joined the group, occasionally adding their own stories of Big Lou.

  Delilah and Corrine were busy talking up the truckers and making sure their overnight accommodations had been acceptable and comfortable. They too were reminiscing over Maurice and some of the stunts he pulled to get contracts for the company.

  Myrna and Tom were beyond content. The room was filled with laughter and fond memories instead of tears, and it looked beautiful with the string lights lit up and the flowers and pictures that had been transferred from the funeral parlor to Robert’s. It screamed of elegance.

  Chief Hanover and Hugo Morrissey made their way to their table and sat down. The chief informed them, “I have some good news. Hugo and I went to the hiking trail near your home with a few of the boys this morning.” He hooked his thumb over to the mobsters. “We can make the trek up the mountains sooner than we thought.”

  Myrna looked incredulous. “How? With all the snow and soon the melting?”

  The chief and Hugo sat back, filled with confidence. Hugo imitated Big Lou and said, “Hey, we know people.”

  Myrna laughed aloud with Tom and said, “It’s good to know people, right?”

  The chief grumbled, “You should know, you grave robber.”

  The table erupted in laughter. Once it died down, the chief explained further. The gangs wanted the remains of Ronnie the Rooster and Psycho Steve, Big Lou’s henchmen, back for a proper burial in New York. They couldn’t stand the thought of them frozen atop the ledge in the mountain range. One of the bosses owned a construction company and could have all the equipment in town within two weeks, provided no snowstorms hit in the interim. Delilah and Adam were on board with the idea and insisted upon it.

  Liam’s biggest concern was if he could go. Myrna glanced at Tom, and they both decided they would all make the journey.

  The chief elbowed Hugo and said, “Tell them the rest.”

  Hugo’s chest puffed with pride as he announced, “The firing range is being expanded enough to accommodate a helicopter landing pad. The chief will handle the flight schedule so that no one is there shooting off weapons when the helicopter is coming in or taking off.”

  Liam nearly fainted dead away from excitement as Tom and Myrna hugged each other. She looked at them. “This is terrific news. It means everyone can continue to live here but fly out to New York or Durham, where the distribution warehouse is whenever it’s necessary.”

  As Robert and Ivan wheeled in the chafing dishes loaded down with food, the chief licked his lips and bolted for the table. Hugo was quick to follow him. Myrna sat back and relaxed as Tom asked her, “What should we do with the mansion in Durham?”

  Myrna hunched her shoulders. “It’s up to you and Delilah. You should both decide. I imagine Corrine will also have a say in it.”

  Tom shook his head. “She’s happy in his room at the tavern. She also has her own mansion-esque home in Connecticut. Her first husband left her well off. I guess we just have to decide on the furniture and personal items.”

  Myrna said, “We could use some new furniture at the cabin.”

  “I know. I wish I could go and see it one last time and help Delilah make the decisions.”

  “You don’t have much longer on parole, Tom. Time will fly by.” She got an idea and said, “What if she flies down, videotapes the entire mansion, and expresses you the disc? Then you could call the mansion and tell her what items you would like.”

  He agreed. “I like the idea. I would also have the disc to keep and watch whenever I wanted. I’ll run it by her.”

  They got up and filled their plates. Liam needed help deciding, so they put a bit of each item on his plate. As they returned, Adam, Fran, Timmy, Delilah, and Corrine joined them with their meals, and they ate together. Liam stopped eating and looked around the table. His face beamed. “I like this. I hope our loving family eats together like this for many years to come.”

  Adam stared at him, and his eyes filled. His Uncle Lou was infamous for those exact words before every meal. “Aw shit, kid.” He slammed his napkin down and tore off for the men’s room.

  Myrna watched him go when she noticed Robert and Ivan standing in the doorway, each with a glass of wine in his hand, smiling while watching everyone eat and comment on the food.

  The reception lasted longer than expected as deals were struck, arrangements were made, and friendships were forged. The family left Carla’s Fine Cuisine exhausted.

  Myrna and Tom drove Ivan home. He sat beside Liam, singing the alphabet song the entire way.

  When they pulled up to the annex, they said goodnight; Myrna assured Ivan they would have arrangements made for him soon. He was filled with joy as he lumbered up the steps and inside the annex to his room.


  ***

  The family met at the tavern the following morning and discussed their future. Delilah informed them, “The staff was devastated, Tom. However, they promised to pack up all the belongings in the mansion and express a video of the entire home here to us. The truckers from the company are bringing the loaded eighteen-wheelers up here for us to go through. I promised the staff a generous pension and the truckers a bonus for loading and making the trip for us.”

  Tom sat back, content with her arrangements. “That will be easier on all of us. However, I don’t know anything about the company, so you and Adam will have to keep it running.”

  Delilah glanced at Corrine. “Mother is helping too. She knows a great deal about contracts and can approve them in Father’s stead.”

  Tom didn’t balk but demanded the family keep the beach house for vacations. Everyone agreed and decided to shift some of the mansion staff there instead of letting them all go.

  Myrna looked at Adam, Fran, and Timmy. “Have you decided on your living arrangements and Big Lou’s business?”

  Adam answered, “We’re gonna move to the cinema and keep the business going. Timmy and I can run the New York business together. Frannie decided to give Ivan and his father the farm. It would provide them with jobs and a home to live in. I spoke to Ivan this morning at the annex, and he’s out of his mind.” Adam smiled. “I like the guy.”

  Myrna was overjoyed. “I do too, and I’m sure he and his father will keep the farm running smoothly.”

  Adam nodded. “He had a hard time deciding because he loves the farm and the house, but Robert offered him a job at the restaurant.” He shrugged, “I talked him into the farm; that way he’d get a job and a house.”

  Myrna asked, “Timmy, where will you be living?”

  He looked at Delilah with sparkling eyes. “Right here with my girl.”

  Myrna nudged Corrine, and they giggled at the obvious romance.

  They all dove into the condolence card baskets and began opening them. They were stunned by the amount of cash and checks inside all of them. Delilah began making piles to pay bills they owed. They had enough to pay Steve at the funeral parlor, Becky the florist, and Robert for the entire reception. There was still a substantial amount remaining. Tom said, “Adam, you keep the remainder for your wedding. Big Lou would have wanted you to have it, and so would our father.”

  Delilah glanced at Adam and added, “Not only that, but Father set aside an account for you. He demanded you get it after your nuptials.”

  Adam was speechless, but Fran graciously thanked them all.

  Myrna later pulled Delilah into the poker room and shut the door. She handed her a shoulder holster and Maurice’s gun with the silencer attachment. “Tom doesn’t want it in the house anymore. I want you to keep it. After all, it was your father’s.” Delilah thanked her and promised to keep it in a locked drawer in her office desk.

  ***

  Two weeks later, the construction crews arrived, and large equipment rolled down Main Street and toward Myrna and Tom’s home. One of the vehicles had the coffins of Big Lou and Maurice atop it. Another truck carried supplies Delilah had insisted upon. The noise and rumbling of their heavy engines were deafening. There was a massive hoist on one of the trucks, the likes of which Myrna had never seen in her life.

  The family arrived dressed for the arduous hike. They carried backpacks and weapons. Adam was moaning and groaning because Frannie couldn’t make it on the hike: one of her cows was about to give birth. He carried on until some of the henchmen started making fun of him.

  Hugo and Liam led the way as everyone moved forward ahead of all the heavy machinery and trucks carrying the coffins. Delilah had her camera, and some of the workers were already pestering her to take their pictures atop the infamous shoot-out ledge. She obliged them but warned she would force them to perform any pose she demanded when they arrived there. They falsely shivered. Timmy just shook his head at them. They had no idea how persuasive Delilah could be.

  Tom knew she was going to taunt them all and that she would enjoy every moment. Corrine smiled and moved up to Myrna and Tom, to give Delilah and Timmy some private time. She turned to Myrna as they hiked. “Are you sure this is good for the baby?”

  Myrna smiled. “I checked with the obstetrician before we left. She said the fresh air and exercise would be great for us, but I need to hydrate and eat at regular mealtimes.” She reached out and held Corrine’s gloved hand as they hiked. “I’m glad you’re staying with Delilah and Timmy. I can see she enjoys your company and is becoming attached. You’re good for her.”

  Corrine replied, “I enjoy her so very much. She tells me tales of Maurice. In fact, so many that I feel I’ve known him my entire life. She’s keeping him alive.”

  “Did she tell you he insisted there be no secrets among family members, because it only caused undue stress?” Corrine tittered and shook her head, so Myrna explained, “I had to divulge my entire past to him when Tom and I were engaged. He didn’t pass judgment; he was accepting of the facts. He was always eager to help with any issues that arose within the family as well.” She turned to face Corrine. “Do you have any secrets?”

  Corrine giggled. “Oh my, no. Unless you count the time I tried on a gorgeous blouse at an opulent department store and ended up leaving with it on.”

  Myrna laughed. “You forgot to pay for it?”

  Corrine joined in the laughter. “I did! I was in the parking lot when I realized what I had done. I sped out of there like a race car driver.” She giggled. “I suppose I could have just gone back and confessed what happened and pay for it, but it felt sooo good to do something wicked for once in my life.”

  Tom mumbled, “You’re just a novice. Stick around; this town gets interesting.”

  Corrine replied, “I’ve noticed.” She then asked Myrna, “How did Samuel die?”

  “Painfully.”

  Corrine tittered and playfully slapped Myrna’s upper arm. “Oh goodness, that’s nasty.”

  The hike upward was much easier than it had been earlier in the winter. Myrna’s memories wound back to that terrible day when she and Tom were abducted and forced up the trails without boots or coats. They were both lucky they’d survived. The men escorting them had not one ounce of pity on them. Myrna remembered the feeling of her toes and fingers going numb and thanked God they were still intact. She was glad they were making the trek again as a family. Getting over their abduction and the haunting fear it had instilled in her was slowly fading. She imagined it would be of great benefit to Tom as well.

  Myrna breathed the air deep into her lungs and spoke to Tom, “I smell spring in the air. It won’t be long now.” There were mingling scents of the soft earth beneath her hiking boots and pine wafting through the air. There were also songbirds chirping as they walked.

  He smiled and put his arm around her as they continued the climb. Hugo halted the crew at noon, and they sat around and ate lunch. When the truckers caught up, they put their vehicles in park and disembarked to join the group.

  Corrine rejoined Delilah for lunch and asked, “Darling, how on earth did you get the wildlife preserve to agree to a burial site? Isn’t this land protected?”

  Delilah chewed on a bite of sandwich and swallowed. “Ranger Hugo contacted them after they received a large donation from the two families. He also made a deal with them in which we maintain the plot and plant fruit trees to help the wildlife.”

  Corrine glanced around at their surroundings. “How wonderful. I heard little Liam is attached to the wildlife here.”

  Delilah nodded. “He’s a fanatic, particularly about the deer. He picked out the apple trees we’ll plant.”

  Hugo and Liam sat on a rock together enjoying lunch as Hugo said, “Two more hours and we’ll be there. The hike home will be a breeze for us, but the machines better take it slow.”

  After a quick meal and hydration, the group continued and made it to their destination on schedule. There was an expansive s
tretch of flatland in front of the two caves, and they watched the excavator get to work, cutting through the frost line and deep into the soil, as Delilah and Timmy guided four of the henchmen up to the ledge to find their fallen comrades. They carried two body bags with them and made the climb beside the first cave and upward to the ledge. Once the bodies were located, they were bagged and lowered with rope to the men standing in front of the caves and transferred to one of the dump trucks. They kept Liam busy exploring the surrounding forest with Hugo to spare him from seeing anything.

  When the hole was deep and wide enough, a cement tomb was hoisted into the air by huge straps and lowered into the massive grave. Following this, the caskets were hoisted and lowered one by one. A cement lid was then lifted and lowered to seal the tomb.

  Delilah stood at the foot of the deep grave and peered down. After waiting five minutes, she called Corrine over to her, turned her around so her back was to the massive grave, and began frisking her. Corrine wiggled and giggled while asking, “What on earth are you doing, Delilah?”

  “Be patient, Mother. I’m looking for something and…” She gleefully displayed a small voice-activated recorder to Myrna and Tom. “I found it!” She tossed it to Myrna and continued frisking until she found Corrine’s cell phone and pocketed it. She drew Maurice’s gun from its shoulder holster in a flash and pressed the barrel against Corrine’s forehead.

  Corrine’s voice trembled as she begged, “Darling, please don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

  Delilah’s eyes went wild, and she tilted her head as she pushed the barrel of the gun harder to Corrine’s forehead. “Don’t worry, Mother. I won’t.” She pulled the trigger and blew the back of Corrine’s head clean off.

  Myrna jumped and screamed the moment Delilah pulled the trigger, and Tom wrapped a protective arm around her. She stood in shock and watched as Corrine’s eyes crossed and she reached out, her arms extended toward something she could no longer see as she teetered on the edge of the precipice. Delilah reached forward with her free hand, yanked Corrine’s glove off, and removed her mother’s rings from Corrine’s dead finger. Delilah sighed, raised a leg and kicked her in the gut, which sent her sailing into the grave; she landed squarely on the tomb between Big Lou and Maurice’s caskets.