by Rose Pressey
The alternate me wasn’t in a hurry, as if she was just taking a leisurely stroll on a sunny afternoon, so I kept the same pace behind her. I would follow her for just a bit to see where she went. Obviously, I was extremely curious.
Who wouldn’t be curious if they saw a person who looked just like them? I glanced around to see if anyone noticed that I was following someone who looked just like me. But shockingly, no one paid attention. It wasn’t that they were shocked at who I was following, it was that they just didn’t even look up.
Where was she going? We continued down the sidewalk, past the bookstore and past the restaurant. Was she going back to the antique shop? I certainly wanted to see if she might be headed that way. Why would she go there? Furthermore, if she actually went all the way there, would she go inside? I wasn’t sure that Mr. Byrd had even opened today. I was really becoming concerned about him.
We were almost at the antique shop now and I was anxious to find out what would happen next. She walked just a bit more before stopping right in front of the antique shop. I stayed back just a bit to see what happened next. She turned to the right toward the door. It looked as if she was going inside, like a repeat of the other day.
Was the scene on loop? I watched as she didn’t open the door—she walked right through it. Well, now I had my answer. This was definitely a ghost. My ghost? I was so confused. I needed to read more about doppelgängers. Yes, I’d heard about them, and I hadn’t liked what I heard. Admittedly I didn’t know much, and I’d never had a reason to research more. But now was the reason that I needed.
I stepped up to the antique shop and opened the door. The bell above the door chimed, announcing my arrival, which actually made me quite nervous. Who else was in the shop? Just Mr. Byrd and the doppelgänger? If the police saw me they’d think I was coming back to the scene of the crime. Would Mr. Byrd tell me to get out? Well, I supposed I had to talk to him at some point. I needed to ask him if I was still allowed to use the bookstore as part of my tour.
Mr. Byrd was nowhere in sight. Plus, I didn’t see my doppelgänger. I was kind of happy about that. Easing over to the aisle where the ghost had gone before, I saw no sign of her there. I moved around to the other aisles, but I didn’t see her there either.
“Hello?” I called out.
There was no answer. This was giving me the creeps. Cold chills had prickled along my arms. I moved further into the store, closer to the counter where I usually found Mr. Byrd. This time when I reached the counter, he wasn’t there either. What was going on in here? Noise caught my attention and I whipped around.
“Oh, Mr. Byrd,” I said, clutching my chest. “I was worried about you.”
“Good afternoon, Ripley,” he said. “I’m so sorry I didn’t return your call, but things have been hectic ever since yesterday.”
“I understand totally. I wanted to stop in and see if everything was all right.” I looked around for the ghost. Still no sign of her.
I wasn’t sure if I should mention this to Mr. Byrd. Obviously, the police had told him about seeing me on the video.
“I guess you know that the police have a video of me coming in here.”
“Yes, I’m aware,” he said.
“I would never do something like that,” I said.
“And I told them that I never saw you in the shop. I think they suspect I did something to that woman,” he said as he moved around me and toward the counter.
“Oh, Mr. Byrd, I was about to say the same thing. Since they caught me on video going to that aisle they have to think I did it. But I can tell you it wasn’t really me. Like you said, I wasn’t in your shop that day. I was at the library at the time and I have witnesses to vouch for that. I’m even on video at the library at the exact time of the murder.”
He frowned in confusion. I knew this was a lot to understand.
“I believe you, but I don’t know how to explain it,” he said as he adjusted his eyeglasses.
“Have you ever heard of a doppelgänger?” I asked.
“Yes, I’ve heard of it,” he said.
“I think that’s what happened with me. That’s who the police captured on the video. As a matter of fact, I just saw her come into the shop again. That’s why I came in. Well, that, and I wanted to see if you’re all right.”
“I’m okay,” he said. “But I don’t understand why this is happening?”
“I don’t either, Mr. Byrd. That’s what I’m trying to find out. Did you talk to the murdered woman before it happened?”
“Well, yes, I greeted her. She said she was here looking for antiques, but nothing in particular. I’ve seen her in here before,” he said.
“How long ago was the first time she’d come into your shop?” I asked.
“About a month ago was the first time I’d ever seen her. I don’t usually have regulars. Although some people who collect antiques and come into the shop. The others just like to browse. Maybe they find an occasional item that they like.”
“And she was a collector?” I asked.
“Yes, from what she said she had a good collection.”
“Did you see anyone else in here at the time?”
“No. I went to the back of the shop in my office. But now that I think about it, I thought I heard the bell above the door.”
“Well, just now the doppelgänger went right through the door without opening it. But the police would have seen someone else on the video, wouldn’t they?” I asked.
“I would imagine they would,” he said.
“Do you still have that video?” I asked.
“It’s saved onto my computer.”
“Would you be able to give me a copy?” I asked. “Make it video from all day, okay?”
“I can email you a file,” he said. “I’m not sure I still have your email address though.”
I picked up a pen and a paper from his counter. “I’ll write it down for you. Thank you so much, Mr. Byrd. We’ll get to the bottom of this. I won’t let them accuse you of doing anything.”
“Mr. Byrd, do you have a video camera on the back door?” I asked.
“No, but I definitely should. The police asked me that as well.”
“So the person could’ve come in the back door, murdered the woman, and then left the same way.”
“Well, I was here, I think I would’ve heard someone come in the back,” he said.
“But it’s definitely possible?”
“Yes, it is possible,” he said.
As far as I could tell it was the only option. There wasn’t a fireplace chimney for the person to slide down like Santa Claus. There was a front door and the back door. That was it. Unless the person had come in earlier in the day and hid somewhere in the shop. But then the killer would still have to get out without the camera catching them.
“I suppose the police have checked all of the video,” I said.
“I gave them video for possibly an hour or two before and after the murder.”
In my opinion that wasn’t nearly enough. I thought they would surely check the entire day. I would like to see if any people were seen walking up and down in front of the shop. Perhaps the killer had been staking out the place long before the hit on Meredith.
Checking the video was a longshot but at least it was something. And I was willing to try anything to solve this case. Well almost anything as long as it wasn’t too scary or put me directly in the path of the killer. Even the best detective probably wouldn’t do something like that.
“I knew you had nothing to do with any of this, Ripley,” he said. “I don’t understand how you ended up on that video, but I do trust you.”
“Thank you again, Mr. Byrd, I trust you too.”
“I’ll get you that file right away,” he said.
“I guess I better get back to the library. I’ll let you know if I find anything on the video,” I said.
He tossed his hand up as I headed toward the door. I scanned the area one last time as I was leaving, but still no si
gn of a doppelgänger. Just as any other spirit, I supposed she’d disappeared. I had just a few minutes to get back to the library, but I wondered if I had time to make at least one more stop.
Next door to the antique shop was a women’s clothing boutique. My mother had visited the shop once, but I hadn’t been able to really splurge on any new clothing lately. Though I had bought that t-shirt recently with the words “Got Ghosts?” written on the front. Oh, and a pretty yellow blouse. I suppose I had splurged after all.
As I stepped into the shop, I immediately spotted a cute pale yellow floral sundress. No way told myself. No time for browsing right now. I focused my attention on the brunette working behind the counter. At least I hadn’t seen my ghost in this place. The woman smiled and waved when she looked up. Keeping my focus on the cute things, I headed her way. She must have recognized I wasn’t here to shop because she didn’t ask if I needed help.
When I approached the counter, I introduced myself. “I’m Ripley, librarian at Bilson Library.”
“Right, you do the ghost tours also?” She set the shirt she been holding down on the counter.
At least she hadn’t recognized me from being on the police wanted poster.
“That’s right,” I said with a smile.
“How can I help you today?” she asked.
“Well, it’s about the incident that happened at the antique shop yesterday.”
“Oh, I heard about that. It’s really tragic. How is Mr. Byrd? I wanted to go over to ask how he’s doing but I just got wrapped up in work this morning.”
“He’s all right. A bit shaken still, but that’s to be expected.”
She lowered her voice and looked around as if someone in the shop might overhear. But as far as I could tell we were the only ones in her shop. “I heard that someone was murdered. Of course, there’s nothing official from the police. I looked in the paper this morning, but I saw nothing other than what was initially reported.”
“Well, I’m not sure what’s happening, but yes, someone was murdered.”
Maybe she didn’t know about the doppelgänger caught on video. She probably wouldn’t be as friendly to me if she thought I was the killer.
“I thought maybe you knew more since you’re dating the detective. He is your boyfriend, right? she asked.
“Yes, that’s right, but he’s not working on the case.”
“I heard that you were there when it happened.” She folded the shirt while waiting for my response.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of false rumors around town. I wasn’t there.” My voice probably sounded nervous.
“Oh,” she said again. “Anyway, what can I do for you?”
“I just wondered if you saw anything at the time of the murder. Anything unusual, maybe someone outside the shop?”
“I was helping a customer most of that time, I think. There was a woman who was trying on a lot of different stuff. I suppose I looked out the window a couple of times. Now that I think about it, I saw a guy walk past a couple of times. I kind of thought maybe he was lost.”
“Really?” I said. “What did he look like?”
“He was tall and kind of muscular with short reddish-colored hair.”
That was kind of a vague description. I needed something that would help me identify him in a crowd. I supposed any police officer investigating a crime wanted that too. Sadly, solving a crime wasn’t that easy.
“Did you notice anything else about him? Something that might stand out?” I asked. `
“He was wearing a black jacket. It had something written on the back.” She tapped her pink manicured finger against her lip gloss covered bottom lip.
I stared at her, waiting with anticipation. It looked like she was trying hard to envision that moment all over again in her mind. I hoped she came up with something. I could use a break in the case right now.
“It was a name of a gym, that’s right. Fitness Form… Fitness Fanatic… I can’t remember.”
There was only one gym in town. And considering the murdered woman wasn’t from around here, I doubted a killer from the gym here had followed her. Maybe he wasn’t from around here either. Why would he wear a jacket from the gym if he wasn’t from here?
Just as I was ready to give the name, she enthusiastically called out, “Fitness Factory,” she said.
“Yes, I’ve heard of it. That must mean that the guy was from around here.”
“I assume,” she said. “I’m sorry I can’t remember more.”
“You helped a lot,” I said. “I appreciate the information.”
“Are you investigating the case?” she said with a slight frown.
“Not exactly, but I am helping Mr. Byrd, I guess you could say.”
“That’s nice,” she said.
She didn’t ask any other questions. That was probably for the best because I was pretty sure I was all out of answers.
“If you think of anything else can you give me a call? I’m always at the library when it’s open. I can also give you my number.” After pulling paper and a pen from my bag, I wrote down the number and handed it to me.
She took the paper. “I’ll call you if I think of anything else.”
“Thanks again,” I said with a wave.
Once again, I walked across the shop toward the door, avoiding looking over at any of the clothing. When out on the sidewalk, I paused and checked my phone. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t have time to stop at any other places right now. Maybe I could do it before the tour tonight. To my relief, there was no sign of the doppelgänger. However, I knew that it was too much to ask for it to just be over. She would probably make another appearance before long.
Ironically, I was used to having ghosts following me. But I didn’t often follow ghosts. At least not on purpose. Not until the doppelgänger. My phone rang and startled me since I was already holding it in my hand. Tammy’s number popped up. With everything going on, seeing her call made me a bit nervous.
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“I got a call back about the tour,” she said with a click of her tongue.
“Really?” I said. “What happened?”
“You’re never gonna believe who it was.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Abigail,” Tammy said breathlessly.
I almost dropped the phone. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m definitely serious. Can you believe her?”
“This is crazy. I knew she was interested in the tour since she practically took mine over last night. I never thought she’d try something like this.”
To think Abigail never mentioned this while in the library. How sneaky.
Chapter 10
“What is she thinking?” I asked.
“I didn’t even want to say anything. But I really didn’t trust her from the beginning. There’s just something about her.”
Tammy never said that about people unless she truly felt that way. Abigail had to be up to something. And I intended on finding out what. I’d been nice because she was new in town, but now this was personal.
“Did she know who you were?” I asked.
“No, I didn’t tell her. I gave her a fake name.”
I chuckled. “Good thinking.”
“I figure I should go on a tour and see what happens.”
“Did she say where it starts?” I asked.
Tammy didn’t answer. That meant I wouldn’t like the answer.
“Don’t tell me,” I said. “At Devil’s Moon Cemetery.”
“I didn’t wanna say anything. I didn’t want to freak you out any more than you have already.”
“I can’t believe she’s starting the tour at the graveyard,” I said. “That’s my turf… and Mrs. Clatterbuck’s of course.”
“Sorry, Rip,” Tammy said.
“Don’t say you’re sorry. I would’ve found out eventually anyway.”
“You know I hate when my best friend is upset.”
“That’s why yo
u’re the best.” I walked by the bookstore now. “I wonder which buildings she’ll try to take people in?”
“Will she even ask the shop owners?”
“Good question. Does she plan to stand there beside me while I’m telling people my ghost stories? The tour-goers will be so confused. They won’t know which tour to do.”
“She calls her tour new and exciting.” Tammy mimicked Abigail’s whiny voice. “The other one is dull and boring.”
“If I get a hold of her,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Maybe she’ll come back to the library right now,” Tammy said in a hopeful voice.
“I’m headed that way.”
“Don’t do anything crazy, Rip. Just get here and calm down a little bit.”
“Oh, I’m calm,” I said louder than I’d intended. “I’m perfectly calm.”
“Yeah… you sound as about as calm as a tornado.”
My feet pounded against the pavement as I walked.
“You’re gritting your teeth, aren’t you? Tammy asked.
“Maybe a little,” I said. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Just be careful,” Tammy said as she ended the call.
I wasn’t sure what I would say when I saw Abigail again. I’d definitely give her a piece of my mind.
***
At least the rest of the afternoon at the library was uneventful. But I wasn’t sure what would happen tonight when I showed up at the tour and Abigail was there trying to give her tour. With any luck no one would sign up for her tour.
Tammy had left an hour early to get to the tavern for work. I was curious to find out when I got there how many tickets I had sold. In a hurry, I left the library and raced toward town. I stepped into the tavern and waved at Tammy. Only a couple of people were there since it was still early. They sat at a table toward the back of the tavern. With slumped shoulders, I sat down at the bar.
“What can I get you?” Tammy asked with a laugh.
“I’ll take a Diet Coke, make it a double and not too much ice. Do you know how many tickets are sold yet?” I asked.