Empty Promises and Crowded Caskets

by Ana Bisset

  “Hello Libby,” he said trying to avoid me walking into him.

  I stopped immediately, a little embarrassed, and said, “Hi, Mr. Mancini. I’m sorry, there are just so many interesting things to see. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking.”

  “No problem, at all. And it’s Sal from now on, please. This is Mario, my brother-in-law,” he said.

  He was very charming and married, I reminded myself, “Sal. Okay, I will remember. It’s nice to meet you Mario. Have a good day.”

  I’m not sure why, but there are times when my memory is flawed, and I am unable to remember simple things, like keeping an eye out for where I am going. As I walked out of Old Treasures, I looked towards the park and thought about taking a stroll even though the air was brisk. As I made my next step, I was entangled in a dog’s leash and came face to face with a black lab and my ex-everything Kyle. Not looking where I was going, twice in two minutes.

  “Sorry, hold on,” he said. “I’ll get you out of that.” While he was saying it seemed the dog took it as a direction to dance around me, tying me up further.

  “King, sit!” Kyle said. The lab sat, right next to me and we both looked to Kyle to free us. I placed my right hand on King’s head, which was just above my waist, petted him and said, “Good boy.”

  Kyle worked at untangling us, getting closer to me than I would like. I took a deep breath and held it, hoping the fluttering in my heart would go away. I may really need a stroll in the park, or maybe I should sprint home to get rid of this extra energy.

  As usual, Kyle seemed to read my mind, and within an inch of my face he smiled and said, “You look very nice today, Libby.”

  “Thank you. Now that we aren’t tangled up anymore, do you mind taking a step back?”

  “No problem,” he said, and he did. “Hey glad I caught you. Got a minute to walk with us, I have information you may be interested in.”

  “Sure,” I thought it was odd that Kyle seemed so forthcoming with any information. Our relationship ended so abruptly for me, I had a hard time trusting anyone again. But he seemed to trust me, even after I told him about the ghosts. Here I go again, looking at a gift horse in the mouth, but there had to be a reason.

  We started walking towards the park, the clouds were fluffy in the blue sky, and you could see both lighthouses, one on each side of the cove, in the distance. King took the lead, looking back at us every so often to be sure we were keeping up the pace.

  “I sent the book to be fingerprinted, and they are checking out the prints now.”

  “Great! I just talked to Rosie about it and found out it is worth quite a bit of money. I still do not know why my grandfather would have had it. I was thinking as maybe a gift for Grammie, but it doesn’t make sense. Of the two of them, she was against collecting books because of the molds and such,” I said.

  “Forensics identified the type of gun, so we are on the lookout for people who own them. According to the registrations we have, your Grammie has one. I’ll be by to pick it up,” he said.

  “Do you really have to? You know Grammie didn’t kill him.”

  “If we don’t, we can’t rule out her gun. You have to admit with the murder taking place in the carriage house on her property, there is a need to exonerate her,” he said.

  I agreed, but it was the principle of the thing. “I will have her find it for you and bring it down to the station. Then, you can explain that to her.” He slowed down his pace for a few seconds, proving what I had said had the desired effect. My grandmother isn’t someone to be trifled with, and one should take care when dealing with her. It may be a modern police practice to prove all the negatives in a case while seeking your answers, but when you know someone did not do something, it is rude to ask them to prove they didn’t do it.

  We got around the bend and turned back to where his apartment and my car was located.

  “King is a beautiful dog. How long have you had him?” I asked.

  “Two years. I got him as a puppy,” he laughed. “He still acts like a puppy. But, he is pretty well trained. Although, I think he would do anything for a treat no matter who was handing them out.”

  “What do you do with him when you are working? Isn’t living in a small apartment hard on him?”

  “I take him to a puppy daycare, we did obedience classes, and walk him all the time when I am home. He is used to the space he has and does well. He hasn’t eaten the couch or anything like those pictures you see on Facebook,” he laughed.

  We stopped in front of the cupcake shop, I petted King’s head and said my goodbyes to both dog and owner.

  Walking to my car, I got the idea to go and see how Leah was doing. I thought it was the perfect excuse to see if I could find out any more about how Diego’s body could have gotten into that casket.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  I pulled into the funeral home parking lot and noted there weren’t any lights on in the foyer. I wondered if that meant both father and daughter were not working at the current moment. I took a right towards the Miller’s home. Everything was immaculately kept. The porches were cleaned off, the driveways were plowed, and salt had been meticulously placed where needed. I knocked on the door, and Mrs. Miller answered.

  “Hi, Mrs. Miller. I was wondering if Leah was in?” I asked. Unlike many in the town of Black Ridge Cove, when you know someone by their family or other acquaintance, you allow them to step into your home when you answer the door. This is not something you do with strangers. But, if you’ve seen someone grow up, been to church picnics with their family, and know the first name of their grandmother, you generally do not leave them out in the cold to talk. But Mrs. Miller was from Connecticut, where they lock every door and window, and all visitors are suspect. It explains why she was always wide-eyed and nervous, like a Chihuahua.

  “She is over in her office right now. You can go in the front doors, they are open. She never bothers to lock them. Her office is in the hall to the right,” she said. Closing the door, she added, “I’ll call and let her know you are coming.”

  I got back in my car to drive over and decided to go around the back of the funeral home. I wanted to see where the body was brought before it had been taken in for the service. There was a stark contrast from the traditional Miller home and the much more modern styled business. Remembering Mr. Miller was behind the newest renovations, I took this to mean Mrs. Miller had sway when it came to where she lived.

  I saw the garage doors were closed, and no one was around the back of the mortuary. I pulled all the way around to the front of the building, parked, and went inside. As I saw when I first drove by, all the lights were off. I could see the hallway and those in it. While the living avoided being in funeral homes as much as possible, this was party central for the dead. I was surprised to see as many ghosts as I did, considering I saw none the night of the service. Maybe they didn’t like being crowded out by breathing humans.

  “Leah?” I called out. I could see the light under a door and figured it must be her office. There was a ghost of an older man hanging his head, shaking it back and forth, standing by the door. Ignoring him, I walked up to the door and tapped on it, repeating her name.

  I opened the door, stepped into the office and understood immediately why she hadn’t answered. Leah Miller was dead.

  I must have screamed because her father came running, wearing a rubber apron and gloves. “Leah!” he yelled when he came into the office.

  I stepped back into the hall and tapping 911 on my phone, giving them all the information they needed to get the police there quickly. When I got off the phone, the ghost of the old man was still shaking his head. I now understood the sentiment. Such a young life with a promising future snuffed out by the selfishness of another.

  _____________

  I looked up at Kyle knowing he had just asked me something, but I had been in my own little world ignoring the bustle of the cops running around, and I hadn’t heard him.

  “Can you
repeat that?” I said.

  “You okay? Should we have someone check you for shock?” he looked apprehensive as he took my hand, checking my temperature.

  I pulled my hand away, “Yeah, I’m okay. Just lost in thought. What did you want to know?”

  “Well, if you could start at the beginning,” he said.

  “I was worried about Leah since I saw her in town, fighting with her boyfriend. I wanted to make sure she was okay, so I thought I would pop by and ask,” I said.

  “When did you see her in town? Who is her boyfriend?”

  “I saw her when I first got into town as I was walking to Rosie’s shop. She was getting out of a car saying something about him breaking a promise and how would the other woman like to know about her. She got out and ran away, he took off in the car. I don’t know who he was, but the car looked like one that belonged to the Romanos. It was a black Mercedes,” I said.

  “Okay, now between you and me, was there another reason you came here?” he looked me in the eye.

  “I was also wondering about Diego and how he could get in the casket with both Leah and her father not knowing. I saw Leah in the hearse pulling into the service after we did. She had the hearse, not Richard. But, I wasn’t sure how I was going to bring it up. Guess we will never know,” I said.

  “Maybe not, but the murder weapon was left here at the scene. Looks like it could be the same gun that was used on Diego. Need to get it tested, should only take a day or so,” he said.

  “Well, that should make your day,” I said. “Now you don’t have to ask Grammie for hers.” I smiled, even though there wasn’t really anything to smile about.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  I went to bed early that night and was up early as well. I needed to do something and I needed work. So, I got right down to business. The cleaning crew and the security team were over at the carriage house. And I was whipping my home office into shape.

  “Libby, who is that young man in the living room and why is he behind the couch?” Grammie asked. She was in her long housecoat and slippers, as it was seven-thirty in the morning.

  “He is here to install an upgrade to the WIFI in the house and deliver new laptops for my crew and me. I know I should have warned you he was coming, Grammie, but this is the time he had for me as he has a big job in Bangor and will not be available for the rest of the week. You were still in bed when I found out, so I thought I would just tell you when you got up,” I said.

  “You are installing an upgrade to the WIFI?” she asked. “So, you are going to be staying longer than you first thought.”

  “I’m staying. I’m not making any plans on leaving, maybe even ever. I’ll be here in the house with you until you tire of me. If that is okay?” I said.

  “Oh, Libby!” She hugged me tightly, “This makes me so happy, I mean I knew it was what you were thinking, but to see you get started just fills me with joy.”

  “Right, so happy you are crying,” I said, trying to not let the tears well up myself. “There is something else.”

  I am convinced there is a whole slew of abilities women are given during childbirth that no one talks about. Facial expressions are one of them as it really was impressive how fast Grammie can make her face look concerned. “What?” she asked.

  “I am going to start up the presses as well!” I exclaimed. She continued to stare. “I’m reviving The Cove Post. I thought that would make you happy, you did say it was something you wanted, right?” I asked. “There is quite a bit I will have to figure out. People I will need to see and talk to so I can get it started as soon as possible. I am sure you will be able to give me the names of the professional services Gramps used…”

  “Libby!” Grammie said. I stopped talking and looked into her face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her more proud. “Of course I love the idea of you starting the paper back up. I just wish your grandfather was here to see it and to help.” The look of concern was back. “There are things he should be here to help you with when it comes to all the responsibilities you will have running that paper.”

  “For now I just wish he was here to give me a list of what to do next. I called the furnace people, and they are checking the heat in the carriage house. I have to get a hold of the water people yet. I am going to do that and go over and start the cleaning. It will help get my head on straight, so I can write up a business plan. I want to go full media with it, print, social networking, and website,” I said. Sitting on the chair looking dreamy eyed.

  “Those are big plans, you just remember there are people here who can help you. So, when you start looking for employees, know there are those who have a lot of experiences that will be more than willing to volunteer too,” she said, sitting across from me. “You’ll need to think about putting together a team you can trust, Libby. That is very important.”

  “Right, I just hope we can find everyone we need local,” I said. “But for now, I have to rely on myself. I want to get a few excellent interviews with people who are connected to these murders. So, I have a call into Mr. Romano about getting an interview and seeing if he’ll invest. I know he wanted to buy everything outright, but if I can get him talking about investing, I might find out a few more clues about Diego.”

  “Are you sure that is safe? I mean, what if he is the killer?” asked Grammie. “The ladies were talking at the guild the other day. Mae said she heard the evidence was stacking up against the young man’s former employer. That it is only a matter of days until he gets arrested.”

  “That just means I better hurry and get the interview. He can’t hurt me in public, Grammie. I’ll make sure there are other people there with me at all times. I promise,” I said.

  “I remember those types of promises coming from your Grandfather, I didn’t believe him either.”

  I paid the tech guy and walked over to the carriage house to see what the damage to my pocketbook the furnace was going to be. As I got there my phone signaled a call from someone I did not know. I answered hesitantly, “Hello?”

  “Ms. Foster. This is Lorenzo Romano, Sr. I am interested in your proposition about the paper, and I am wondering if you are free to join my family for dinner tonight?” he said.

  For a moment, I was taken aback at the generous invitation. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Romano.”

  “Excellent! We will see you at six o’clock for drinks in our library. Bianca will be excited to see you again. Have a good day, Ms. Foster,” he ended the conversation.

  I thought about what he had said for a moment. Obviously, Bianca had talked to her father about our talk at Sassy’s Style Studio.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  I pulled up to the gate just a little bit before I was expected and waited for it to open. Although not many homes in black ridge Cove are gated, there are some. The practice started when presidents started to come to southern Maine and build vacation homes on the coast. I drove down the winding road toward what would be considered a mansion. It sat on top of Black Ridge looking down on the Cove.

  I parked in front walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. A tall older gentleman answered.

  “Ms. Foster I presume?” He said, “Mr. Romano is expecting you. Please come in.”

  Stepping into the foyer, I followed him into the hall. The decor was heavy on dark wood and Renaissance art. I'm tall, but I found myself having a hard time keeping up with who I expect is the butler. He stopped abruptly opened a door and gestured I should go in. The room was a study or library with more dark wood, antique furniture, Renaissance style painting, and books or knickknacks on every shelf.

  “Mr. Romano is busy with another matter at the moment, but he shouldn’t be long. May I get you a cup of tea while you wait or would you prefer wine?” he asked.

  “Tea would be nice,” I said

  He left the room and closed the door. I immediately walked over to what had to be a Chippendale desk and ran my hands along the wood. At the end of the desk, a Terrestrial Globe by G.
Woodward circa 1840 caught my eye. Beautiful craftsmanship and very valuable, I thought as I realized I must have picked up more antiquing information trailing after my grandparents as a kid then I realized.

  While most of the bookshelves were open, there were a few had glass doors to keep out the dust. I walked over and pulled on the handle in the first book I saw was the cat in the hat. I picked it up opened it and noted it was the first edition, signed. I looked on the shelf again and saw many of the books on it had some value.

  The shelving doors were able to keep out the dust, but they didn’t provide a neutral temperature or other amenities collectors of beautiful objects would invest in when they had such a collection. I took one last look at the fun kids' toys and books as I closed the door. I am amazed at the dollar value people place on something as simple as a stuffed toy, book, or doll is if it equates to value in one’s life. It’s not like they can keep them forever. These things cannot go with you when life is over. I should know. As I have seen ghosts do pretty strange things, I’ve yet to see any carting around their earthly possessions.