Killer Instincts and Savory Pie

by Angela C. Blackmoore

  “I promise,” Abby said, equally as serious. “I’ve had quite enough of being kidnapped by killers, thank you very much.”

  With that, Abby and Becky joined Gabe as they headed back toward his truck.

  Chapter 13

  When they drove to Ruby’s home, they found it empty with no car in the driveway. Just to be sure, they walked around the house, peeking into the windows to make sure no one was home. A few minutes after they had arrived, they were back on the road and heading for the marina.

  “Do you think Ruby got her family out of town?” Abby asked, her eyes looking out of the window at the rich, green boughs from the trees they were passing. She loved the smell of the needles and undergrowth of the forest that surrounded the once-quiet community.

  “Probably,” Gabe said. “She’s got a pretty good sense of survival, and it’s not like we can hunt her down. Besides, I like talking to Earl a whole lot better than dealing with Ruby.”

  “I hope he and his wife are safe,” Becky said from the back seat. She was nervously petting Cheerio and checking behind them as if someone sinister were already following. Every time a car pulled in behind them, she gave it a suspicious look until it turned away.

  “I’m sure they are. Earl’s an old libertarian so he’ll have some guns around the house. If he received a threatening letter, I bet he’ll have a rifle out and loaded within easy reach.” Gabe said as he watched the road. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining that day which let them not worry about slipping or sliding on the roadways.

  When they turned onto the road that led to the marina, they could see that the parking lot held a few cars, but it was mostly empty. At this time of year, only the very dedicated fisherman or boaters wanted to be out on the river. Gabe pulled up into a parking spot close to the combination house and marina office, smiling when he saw Earl come out of the office and wave at them.

  “It’s good to see him,” Abby said, letting out a long breath. “I didn’t want to find another dead body, especially of someone I liked.”

  “I agree,” Gabe said as they all got out. Following Earl out of his office, they saw Al Green from the hardware store. He was wearing a workman’s belt filled with tools and looked like he had just been working on something.

  “Hey Gabe, Abby, and Becky,” Earl said, his warm-toned voice vibrating through the cool afternoon air. “What brings you by today? Want to rent a boat?”

  “Actually, Lanie asked us to come and check on you,” Gabe said as he walked up the long ramp to the office.

  Earl frowned. “Check on me, eh? Why would someone need to check on me?”

  Gabe, Abby, and Becky exchanged concerned looks before turning back to the tall, dark-skinned man. “Earl. Did you get a threatening letter recently?” Abby asked.

  Something about the tone of her voice must have tipped Earl off because he narrowed his eyes and didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was slow and suspicious. “As a matter of fact, I did. It’s one of the reason’s I asked Al to come over and replace my locks and put some bars on our windows.” Earl said. “Whoever wrote that letter has a few screws loose, and I didn’t want to take any chances. They’re probably full of hot air, but Janice will feel better. Why, did something else happen?”

  “Do you have the letter?” Abby asked. “Do you mind if we see it?”

  Earl’s frown deepened, but he nodded and went back inside. A few moments later, he returned with a piece of paper that looked remarkably familiar. Everyone, including Al Green, crowded in close to look.

  “It’s the same letter,” Gabe said. “It wasn’t sent through the post office was it?”

  Earl shook his head. “Nope. Found it this morning in my mailbox. No name or postage. I thought it might be some sort of marketing gimmick until I opened it up. Janice was right there. Otherwise, I would have hidden it from her. She’s beside herself with worry. Did someone else get a letter like this?”

  Yes and no,” Abby said. “Francine Carthridge was killed two nights ago, and John Tillsdale was killed this morning. The sheriff was there, but he was hit over the head and received a concussion for his trouble. I don’t know about Francine, but we know that John and Gini Moore both received letters just like this. We haven’t spoken to Joe Forsyth yet, but he was our next stop.”

  “My lord, Francine, and John? Both dead? Is the sheriff okay?” Earl said, his eyes widening. He turned to Al. “Your special on locks and security devices couldn’t have come at a better time.”

  For his part, Al just grunted. Abby didn’t know the man that well, but she did remember him from when he was protesting outside of Calamities Bookstore. She still wasn’t happy with him about his role in terrifying two old women half to death, but she remembered after they’d talked that he’d stopped the protest and gone back to his store. He shrugged, holding up his drill. “Speaking of, I have a few more window bars to install. Do you need me here?”

  “No, go ahead and finish,” Earl said, watching the other man shuffle toward the side of the building. “Thanks for coming out on such short notice, too.”

  Al just waved before disappearing around the corner, presumably with another grunt though Abby couldn’t hear it with him facing away. Earl gestured for the three of them to follow him into the small office, walking back toward his desk and taking a seat with an expulsion of breath. He looked like he was still absorbing the news that he’d just heard. “So, it’s not some stupid joke. Francine and John are both dead? Is Gini safe?”

  “She is, though she’s freaked out,” Gabe said. “She’s over at the police station right now. We stopped by Ruby Anderson’s on the way over here, but she wasn’t home. You and Janice should both head over to the station and show them the letter.”

  Earl snorted and wrinkled his nose. “I can handle myself,” he said gruffly.

  “I know you can, but it would help them do their job if they didn’t have to worry about posting a police officer out here,” Gabe answered. “With the sheriff out of action, I think it would go a long way. I and the other rangers are already being drafted for manpower.”

  “All right,” Earl said. “I’ll get Janice, and we’ll head right over. I think Al can finish up here by himself.”

  “Do you mind if we wait to make sure you get out safely?” Abby asked.

  Earl rolled his eyes but nodded, standing up and walking toward the door. “Okay, I get it. I’ll get Janice now, and we’ll meet you in the parking lot.”

  Chapter 14

  They followed Earl and Janice to the police station, making sure he and his wife both got safely to their destination. As they drove by, they could tell the station was busier than usual with several cars parked out front, and Ben, one of the park rangers, sitting out front too. Gabe gave a wave but didn’t stop since they all wanted to get moving to make sure Joe Forsyth was okay.

  The trip out to Joe’s property didn’t take long, being as he lived on the edge of town. There was a swath of trees that opened up onto the old road that meandered up to his house. The long driveway was covered with gravel, though well maintained.

  Abby had met Joe when she’d first come to town. He’d been up buying mushrooms from the various hunters that roamed the wood during specific times of the year and had been friendly if a bit gruff. He’d also been there for Abby after Gabe had been attacked out in the forest when his truck had been disabled. He’d been the only thing that had kept her sane while half the town was out combing the woods for Gabe. She understandably had a soft spot in her heart for the old man.

  “Breath, Abby,” Gabe whispered, reaching over and holding her hand as they rattled up toward the well-kept white farmhouse set back amongst a copse of trees.

  She blinked, then took a breath, not aware she was holding it in. “What if we find him… dead?” she asked, taking comfort in his warm, strong hand.

  “We won’t,” Gabe said, gesturing with his head as they neared the house and slowing the truck in the process as three large dogs charged them, b
arking like mad. “Those beasts wouldn’t let someone come within a hundred feet of the house without raising a ruckus. Might be best to keep Cheerio in the truck. They aren’t bad with strangers, but I’m not sure about other dogs. They’re Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and might be aggressive with a smaller dog like him.”

  Abby nodded, watching as the three big dogs roared up to the truck. Fortunately, they were keeping about five feet back and not getting under the tires, allowing Gabe to finish parking in front of the house without the worry of running them over. Still, the short golden haired dogs were very intimidating. The fact that there was a strip of hair along their back that was bristling didn’t help matters at all, making them appear ready to attack.

  “They don’t look very good with strangers, either. Maybe I’ll stay in here, as well,” Becky said. “I never did like big dogs, and those are almost as big as Great Danes.”

  “Not quite,” Gabe said. “But they are large. I think they were bred to hunt lions? Don’t worry, Joe’s got them well trained. He’ll call them off in a few minutes.”

  Just as he spoke, Joe himself came out and peered at the truck before giving out a whistle. Immediately, the three dogs stopped barking and raced back toward Joe, taking up station just behind him on the porch while Joe finished walking down the steps. He moved toward them even as Gabe got out, giving Abby and Becky a wink. “told you they wouldn’t be a problem. Would you like to be on the wrong side of Joe?”

  Abby grinned and shook her head, opening her own door and getting out. She looked back toward Becky who just shook her head. “I know who the slowest runner is between you, me and Gabe. No way am I going out there,” Becky said.

  Abby just rolled her eyes and joined Gabe who had already begun talking to the formidable old farmer. She arrived just in time to hear Joe answer the question that Gabe asked.

  “Nope, I didn’t get a letter, though I didn’t check my mailbox today. It’s Sunday, after all, and as you can guess, the mailbox isn’t just outside my house like most folks. Why? What’s this all about?” Joe said, giving a squinty eye to Gabe and then Abby in turn.

  After they’d filled Joe in on everything that had been happening in town, he looked out over one of his fields and just stared into the distance for several long moments. Finally, he sucked on his teeth and looked back at them. “I’ll be okay out here. The boys won’t let anyone near the house, and even if they do, Martha’s a good shot with the rifle. Tell Lanie we’ll check in a few times a day, so she doesn’t worry.”

  “Are you sure, Joe?” Abby asked, her voice wavering slightly as she spoke.

  His face softened before nodding. “Yep, I’m sure. Don’t worry about me, Abby. I’m a tough old bird, and I won’t go down easily. Besides, I’m an old prepper, so we live for this kind of thing.” He said, grinning out of his wrinkles and chuckling under his breath. “I’d love to see the son-of-a-gun that tried to get into my house.”

  Abby took his hand and squeezed it. “As long as you’re sure, but if you need anything, you give Gabe or me a call. We’ll come running.”

  “I appreciate that. Now, if you don’t mind, Martha and I were just in the middle of watching one of our shows. Thanks for coming by and giving me a warning, its much appreciated.”

  Gabe shook Joe’s hand, but Abby couldn’t help but give him a hug and kiss on the cheek, making him blush just a tad through his farmers tan. When they got back to the truck, Abby wasn’t happy, but she had to respect Joe’s decision.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. What say we head on over to your café, Becky, and get something to eat?” Gabe said as he started the truck. Both women nodded, not having realized it was late in the day and they’d skipped lunch. Breakfast had been good, but they’d been busy, and the stress didn’t help.

  “Afterwards, we can go get some Chinese and take it to the station. I bet everyone will appreciate that,” Abby said, looking into the rearview mirror at the white house slipping into the distance behind them.

  Chapter 15

  Abby smiled as they approached the quaint little café where she worked, and which Becky owned. It was about four in the afternoon, so Gabe didn’t need to worry about finding parking for his beast of a truck. Quickly exiting the truck, she chatted with Becky while holding Gabe’s hand, feeling his fingers comfortably intertwined with her own as they passed underneath the massive trees that lined the street. With Cheerio bouncing around their feet, Abby was just happy to be alive.

  Becky’s café had undergone an upgrade not so long ago, giving it less of a home-converted-into-a-café and more of a real restaurant. The entrance was now wide enough for a pair of double doors, and Gabe held one of them open for the women as they entered. There weren’t a lot of people inside at this time of day, but Becky smiled at the few people who were enjoying their meal even as Angie Reese, her newest employee, walked up.

  “Hello Angie, holding down the fort okay?” Becky asked, but she knew from the look on the middle-aged woman’s face she was comfortable and there weren’t any problems.

  “You bet, sugar,” Angie said, smiling back. “I thought it would be more difficult, but after chasing three teenagers around, this is a piece of cake.” She paused, holding up a finger as she thought of something. “Speaking of, a new shipment of cakes and tarts came in from Ravenwood Cove. I put them in the cooler and showed them where Hazel’s pies were waiting so they could take them. I signed off on everything, too. I hope that was okay?”

  Becky turned to look at Abby, giving her an impressed look before turning back to Angie. “Maybe I should run around town and play hooky more often,” she said. “Yes, that’s more than fine, Angie. Did the delivery person have any concerns or questions?”

  “Not a one,” Angie said. “Amanda Graham mentioned they might want more pies for next month but said she’d call and confirm that in a week or two. She said her customers just couldn’t get enough of the rhubarb and strawberry pie.”

  “That’s fantastic news!” Becky said. John Troutman from Seattle had worked out several deals where restaurants and businesses in other cities were either paying for or trading for Hazel’s pies. Amanda Graham ran a beautiful little inn on the coast of Oregon in a quaint town called Ravenwood Cove. Instead of paying outright, they traded their cakes and tarts for the pies every few weeks.

  Abby had seen Amanda’s website and had discussed going out to visit her Inn with Gabe. However, with everything that was going on, she bemoaned ever being able to get away to see the beautiful scenery on the coast.

  “We just came to eat, but if you need relief, just let me know. I can always come in and help you with the dinner rush,” Becky said, giving Angie a concerned look.

  “Nope, everything is just fine,” Angie answered. “Billy and I can handle things here. Besides, it’s a joy to be doing something other than sitting around an empty house.”

  “All right, we’ll go seat ourselves but give us a few minutes. We’ve been running around town like mad today.” Becky gave the woman a hug before walking to one of the empty tables set in the corner. Abby and Gabe plopped down across from her, and the three exchanged tired looks.

  “Does the crazy ever stop?” Abby asked softly, a note of depression in her voice.

  Gabe reached over and squeezed her hand. “I don’t know. I don’t think this happens in most towns or to most people. “But whatever happens, I’m going to stand by your side.”

  “Me too, Abby,” Becky said, fiercely. “I won’t forget that you stuck your neck out for me.”

  Abby smiled at her boyfriend and Becky. “Thank you both. I don’t know what I would do without you. I just wish these killings weren’t happening. I honestly wonder how the town will survive all of this. In the past half-year, we’ve had so many murders and trouble. These latest killings almost feel like the town is just falling apart.”

  “I know what you mean,” Gabe said. “Whenever I go to the store or walk around town, there’s just the air of depression an
d defeat. People don’t look at each other as much, and I rarely see people just standing around talking. Reggie mentioned that business at McGradys has picked up as well, but not in a good way. People are trying to drink away their troubles, which never works.”

  “I don’t want to lose our home,” Becky said, her lip trembling just a little. “This is the only place I’ve ever lived, and I’m happy here.”

  Abby watched her friend’s worried face, wondering if she could ever really understand what Becky was saying. She’d moved a bit when she was younger, and after marrying Dan who was in the military, she’d seen a new town and post almost every three years. However, Red Pine Falls had grown on her to the point she didn’t want to envision it as a faded ghost town. She couldn’t, and she realized she would do whatever she could to make sure it didn’t happen.

  “We need to find this killer,” Abby said slowly. “But after that, what else can we do to bring the town together? The whole Association thing has caused so many problems for so many people. Folks are losing their homes and lives.”

  “Well, we just tried to have a pie competition, but that didn’t work out so well,” Becky offered halfheartedly. “Maybe we can, as the church did, host another one? Is that a bad idea?”

  “I think it would just remind people of Francine,” Gabe said.

  “Yeah,” Becky answered, nodding softly. “You’re right. Not a good idea.”

  “I think you’re on the right track, though,” Abby said. “Something to bring the town together. Something to show that we’re stronger together than apart. What would something like that be?”

  “A carnival, maybe?” Gabe said.

  Abby snapped her fingers and pointed at Gabe. “A Carnival! That’s it, we should have a carnival! How do we have a carnival?”

  Gabe grinned and shrugged. “I have no clue, but I do know who might.”