“A trombone case, huh? Let me guess – three more candy cane walking canes…”
“And three blades identical to the ones used in the murders with the names of more intended victims already engraved on them. Plus, an electric engraving tool, with his fingerprints all over it. Ladies, the Case of the Candy Cane Killer has been solved, and the perp is in the hoosegow awaiting arraignment. Our serial killer is no longer a threat.”
“That is wonderful news!” Ruby squealed. “I feel so much better already!”
“We all do, Brody,” I said with a sincere smile as I stroked the back of his head. “Great work. I’m so proud of you.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you!”
We heard a cheer go up from the bar area, and I leaned over to see that they were just getting the news of the arrest from the TV.
Rocco came to the table himself to bring a small bottle of champagne for the Sheriff.
This was going to be a really great Christmas after all.
“Mercy,” Brody said, drawing my attention to the window.
I looked outside.
“Oh, my gosh! Are those snowflakes?”
“Well, there are definitely white things falling from the sky!”
“Oh, I hope it keeps up overnight.”
“There aren’t a lot of flakes yet,” Ruby said, “but I’ve got a feeling that we’re going to have a White Christmas – or at least a White Christmas Eve!”
Chapter Seven
The snow did keep up overnight, and by morning there was a beautiful two-inch blanket on the ground and trees. By noon, there were almost four inches. By the time the snow stopped falling at 5:00 p.m. we had six inches on the ground and a perfect temperature of 25 degrees.
It was a miracle.
With the Candy Cane Killer in custody, the sidewalks along the parade route were already filling up with spectators from every town within an hour of Paint Creek.
“One hour till the parade!” I hollered out to everyone as Ruby and I got all the participants lined up in the proper order. The bands and floats and cars filled up the entire street around the circle, and the groups that were walking were standing inside the park next to the exhibit they followed.
Ed Bear’s group of rain dancers were all attired in their ceremonial garb and headdresses, and two Chickasaw boys were holding a big base drum horizontally for the drummer to beat. Several beautifully clad young girls held the banner in front of the group.
Not far away, where the last group in the circle met the first, the Whoville choir was warming up on a flat bed float that looked like it had been worked on for weeks.
“Great job on the Whoville float, Ruby.”
She just smiled, and I could tell she was very proud of it.
A boy in uniform with a tuba under his arm was running toward the front of the park.
“Slow down, Roger! The high school marching band is right here. Don’t run; you’ve got plenty of time.”
Lucille Gildemeister walked through the array of floats and marching groups and decorated automobiles.
“Looks like everything is perfect and on schedule, Mercy. Great job! But I don’t see Santa,” she said craning her neck in every direction.
“Oh, we don’t want to bring him out until it’s time for him to join the parade at the very end. Don’t want to spoil the climax,” I said. “Junior is all set and waiting for his cue in the barn.”
“Excellent.” She gave me a smile and a nod and continued her walk through the floats.
“That was kind of a whopper, wasn’t it, Mercy?” Ruby whispered to me.
“Maybe they’re done now. Let’s go check in on Jake and Junior.”
There were loud crashes and bangs coming from inside the barn, and we could see flashing lights coming out from every crack around the door. They had put a sign on the door, Keep Out! Men at Work.
“Junior!” I hollered out, banging on the door. “Let me in!”
I heard everything stop for a moment, and he came closer to the door. “Sorry, Mercy. We don’t have a welder’s mask for you. You’ll be blinded forever if you come in here now. But don’t worry. We’ll be done in an hour or so.”
His calm voice did sound reassuring, but my stomach was tied up in knots.
“Junior, the parade begins in less than an hour now! You have to just stop working now and take the sleigh out the way it is. We need to get you lined up.”
“We’re last,” he hollered. “We’ll be fine. We’re almost finished.”
“I need Brody,” I told Ruby.
“I’m here,” he said, walking up, in uniform. “Let the guys work for a while, Mercy. It won’t help anybody for you to fret and worry and give yourself an ulcer over this.”
“But…”
“And if they are still in there when the band starts the parade, I’ll shoot my way in and pull them out of there.”
I couldn’t hold back a reluctant laugh.
“I guess you’re right. Let’s make sure everything else is ready.”
“It’s just about dark now,” Ruby said. “Let’s get everyone lighted up.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Yes, and it’s in the instructions to get all the lights on a half-hour before the parade.”
“Oh, so let’s do that then.”
We walked toward the band at the front of the circle.
“You’re looking very dapper tonight,” I said to Brody.
“Well, this is my dress uniform, since you insisted that you add me as the Grand Marshall.”
“Well, the whole town insisted on it after you arrested the serial killer and saved Christmas. You’ll be right in front of the band, in my classic Mercedes. It’s the only convertible left within 5o miles of here. Your deputy, Stan, is going to drive.”
“You should be riding with me, since, you know, you’re my queen and you figured out how to solve the case.”
“I’ll stay in the shadows, thanks. And, besides, I have a parade to run. But I’ll need your gun.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, you’re at the front of the parade, so you won’t be able to shoot your way into the barn when the band starts playing.”
“Funny. I left my squirt gun on the dresser at home. But, if I know my girl, you’ll have no trouble getting in there if you really have to.”
“I suppose so.”
Deputy Stan Doggerty jogged up to us. “Time to go, Sheriff!”
“Oh, my gosh!” I looked at my watch, and it was just five minutes before the parade would begin. “It seems like this past hour has gone in just a few minutes! Stan, you’re first, so you set the pace. Four miles per hour. Brody, you keep an eye on the marching band behind you so you can tell him if he needs to speed up or slow down. Square corners at the intersections. I hope you know the route.”
“I better,” Stan said. “I set up all the road blocks for the event this afternoon. At 15 minutes per mile, we should be back here in about 45 minutes. How’s your car in the snow? You wouldn’t let them plow the streets.”
“Not good,” I told him, “but it’s a light fluffy snow. I didn’t have any problem getting here. Go, now! Get in the car!”
I took one long, deep breath and looked around the perimeter of the circle at all the beautiful blinking, flashing, twinkling, and dazzling lights. It was a wondrous sight to behold.
The head majorette looked over at Ruby and me as the band members all held out an arm to get the right distance to the person in front of them.
“It’s time,” Ruby said.
“Give her the thumbs up, then. Let’s do this!”
“You should be the one to start the parade, Mercy.”
One more deep breath, and I gave the girl three fingers, two fingers, one finger…then I pointed at her.
She pointed her baton straight up and blew her whistle.
Tweeeeeeeeeet! Tweet! Tweet Tweet!
The drums began to beat; then the trumpets sounded, and batons began to
twirl. The majorettes all did a high kick, and then the band began to march in perfect synchronization, with Brody leading the way as Grand Marshall.
There was a huge cheer from the crowd on Main Street as the half-mile long parade began to leave the park.
“You can exhale now, Mercy,” Ruby said, holding up her hand for a high-five. “You did it!”
It felt so good. “We did it.”
Then I got a panicked look on my face.
“Mercy, you go check on Santa. I’ll get everybody marching on time.”
I started to reply, but I she stopped me.
“I know, I know. I’m the best.”
Ruby cranked out float after float, and I knew I had only minutes to get Junior out of the barn. A half-mile long parade moving at 4 miles an hour only gave me seven-and-a-half minutes, and two of those were already gone. I ran like the wind.
“Junior! Junior! I need you now! Right now!” I hollered loudly as I banged on the door.
“One second, Mercy.”
“No! Please! We’re out of time!”
Suddenly I heard bells jingling and some really good ho-ho-hos.
“Get away from the door, now, Mercy Howard! I don’t want to run over my favorite little girl!”
I backed away just as the door flew open, and eight reindeer with jingle-bell collars came whooshing out of the barn. They were pulling the most spectacular sleigh I had ever seen!
It was bright red with gold runners and trim, with a huge sack of gifts stashed in the back. Junior pulled on the reins to stop the animals. He looked like the perfect Santa, and Jake was the perfect elf on the seat next to him.
I gasped and could hardly speak. “Junior, where did you get reindeer?”
“They’re horses, Mercy. They just look like reindeer.”
“But…”
“We’ll talk later, Mercy Howard. Santa has to go! Merrrrry Christmas!”
He gently whipped the reindeer, and they trotted off, getting to the edge of the circle just as the Whoville choir started to make its way down Main Street.
Then it dawned on me: I was done. Everyone in the parade was on the route now. I could stop worrying.
I walked slowly back to Ruby at the front of the circle, and she was really pleased. She gave me a hug.
“Everything went off without a hitch, Mercy, and the crowd is loving it. You should have seen the kids when Santa came by in that beautiful sleigh.”
A few flakes of snow started gently falling again.
“I guess Ed Bear’s snow dance worked, Ruby. We’re going to have a White Christmas!”
“Everything worked, Mercy! Now all we have to do is wait for everyone to get back.”
“I guess so. We’d better make sure that Babs is ready for the big rush after the parade.”
“Are you kidding me? Babs is always ready, and Deloris is going to help her. Red is going to pass out the candy tonight. Under the circumstances, they will be giving the kiddies red and green wrapped chocolate kisses instead of candy canes tonight.”
I nodded. “Good idea, I suppose. But I’m always going to love my candy canes.”
“Me too.”
The time passed quickly, and we could hear the high school band making its way back to the circle, playing Carol of the Bells. The crowd at the park started gathering around the perimeter to watch them make their final round.
I waved to Brody as he entered the loop. He looked like he had been enjoying the experience.
“Ruby, I’m going to find a place to sit down. I’m feeling a little funny.”
“Are you sick?” She asked, escorting me to the nearest bench.
“No, nothing like that. I think it’s like I’m losing all my energy all of a sudden.”
“You poor girl. You’re probably just starving. Did you eat today?”
“I don’t know. I don’t remember.”
“Hi, ladies!” Brody found us at our bench. “Are you okay, Mercy?”
“I’m fine now, Brody. Just a little post-parade syndrome. How was it?”
“I’ve never seen the streets of Paint Creek lined with so many people! It was amazing. Lucille looked very pleased in the judges’ booth halfway through, too. Pretty sure you’re going to get a great review and probably a call-back for next year.”
“Looks like Santa’s sleigh held up through the three-mile route,” Ruby said.
Junior entered the loop, standing and waving from his sleigh. “Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas. Merrrrry Christmas!”
“Brody, are those reindeer or horses?”
He laughed and then saw my serious expression. “They’re horses, Mercy. Reindeer are smaller and have antlers.”
I was definitely seeing reindeer.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just so exhausted all of a sudden that I think I was hallucinating for a minute.”
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s head to the barn and meet Junior when he gets there. He deserves a nice warm reception.”
“He does.”
I could feel my head spin a little when I stood up, but I didn’t want to alarm anybody. I was sure it was nothing. We arrived at the barn just as Junior was pulling up in the sleigh.
“Great job, Junior!” Ruby said.
“Yes, you were terrific,” Brody added.
“Junior, you…the sleigh…everything was just wonderful. Thank you so much.”
“Ho ho. No need for thanks. That’s Santa’s job! Now, if you will excuse me, it’s Christmas Eve! Santa’s got to make his rounds around the entire world. The children are waiting! Merry Christmas to all!” Then he shook the reins. “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Comet and Cupid – and the rest of you too!”
I didn’t really know where he was going, but the sleigh took off, gliding through the snow, bells jingling and snow falling. Then everything got really strange.
When the sleigh reached the edge of the circle, I could swear I saw it leave the ground and start flying through the sky.
Okay, now I know I’m hallucinating.
Brody was talking to Ruby, paying no attention to the sleigh, but I could still see the sleigh rising higher and higher into the night sky.
I needed my anchor. “Brody,” I said shaking his arm, but he paid no attention. “Brody, look! Tell me if I’m crazy. Brody! Brody! Brody!”
Chapter Eight
“Mercy…Mercy…Mercy!”
I could feel someone shaking my shoulder, and I could hear Brody’s voice. But it seemed like he was a million miles away. I think I was kicking my feet, but I just didn’t know. I just kept calling his name.
“Mercy…shhh…shhh, now Mercy…Mercy…wake up!”
I bolted forward into an upright sitting position. I opened my eyes, but it took a minute for me to focus. Where was I?
My jaw was practically on my chest, and I looked to see all my friends. “Brody. Ruby.”
Everyone was there. Deloris and Babs, Jake and Junior, Red and Smoke. And other people in white uniforms were there too. There was an IV bag dripping into one of my arms and monitors hooked up to various parts of my body.
“I’m…in…the hospital? Why? I’m perfectly fine.”
“Yes,” Brody reassured me. “You’re perfectly fine, Mercy. It’s just a precautionary measure. You were totally exhausted and extremely dehydrated. I’m sorry I wasn’t paying enough attention to notice how worn out you were in time, Mercy,” his voice cracked and he gave me a tight smile, trying to hide a tear of guilty concern.
“Don’t be silly. I’m a grown woman, and a nurse. I don’t expect anyone else to look out for my wellbeing. But when? How long?”
“You collapsed in my arms right after we found Ed Greely.”
“Yes, I know, but that was just for a minute, and almost a week ago.”
“No!” I said when I saw a young man behind all my friends holding a camera above the people to get a shot of me.
“The station just wants one shot of the woman who passed out next to our, um, unfortunate anchorman,” I heard him
whisper to Ruby.
“It was three hours ago, Mercy; not a week,” Brody said, squeezing my hand. “Sylvia and Stan would be here, but they’re working on Ed’s murder,” he said, regarding Medical Examiner Sylvia Chambers and Deputy Stan Doggerty. “They send their regards.”
“Don’t be silly, Brody. You already solved the case and arrested the Candy Cane Killer.”
“The Candy Cane Killer?”
“Yes. It was Ed Greely’s cameraman, that intern kid from the college. You found the name of all six of his planned victims on his phone and all the physical evidence you needed at his parent’s house.”
“Excuse me,” I heard someone say trying to make their way to the door. “Excuse me.”
“That guy,” I said pointing to the young man with the camera.
He got to the door and was just about to start running down the hall, but Junior grabbed the back of his shirt. Deloris reached into my purse on the chair in the corner and pulled out my little .38 Baretta.
“He’s not going anywhere, Sheriff,” Deloris said.
Brody made his way to the killer and handcuffed him. Then he pushed him into the corner. Jake and Junior stood in front of him, arms folded.
“Mercy, I want to stay here with you, but I’ve got to bring this prisoner in – and I’m going to need a lot more information from you, like how you knew who the killer was.”
“That’s fine, Brody. And I’m feeling much, much better now. Really.”
“I can see in your face and eyes that you’re almost your old self,” he said. But I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“How about you just take care of business and be back here first thing in the morning to take me home. And make sure you get here before they force that hospital breakfast on me!”
He smiled. “Now I know you’re feeling better.”
As soon as Brody left, a man appeared at the door with a large red box.
“Is there a Jake Carter, Junior here?” He asked.
The man looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him.
“That’s me,” Junior said, stepping toward the man.
Candy Canes & Corpses Page 34