Haunted Girl Walking

by Rose Pressey

  As I walked along the sidewalk keeping an eye out for that strange car I remained on high alert. What would do if I saw him again? At least it was a beautiful sunny day. So why did I feel a sense of dread come over me? All of this negativity was seriously having an effect on me. Once I turned onto Abigail’s street I quickened my step. An elderly man walked to his mailbox and waved. I didn’t recognize him, but everyone typically waved and was friendly in Devil’s Moon.

  The rooftop of the house came into view, peeking over the other houses and treetops. It really was a grand home. When I reached the edge of the property, I stopped and peered around the edge of a shrub as if Abigail might be standing outside watching. It was still early so surely she would be home.

  My stomach twisted into a knot just thinking about walking up to the door. What would I say? How would I approach the subject? Pushing my shoulders back, I held my head up high and marched across the lawn toward the front porch. I could do this, I was strong. I was a librarian for heaven’s sake. I dealt with all kinds of crazy requests and I could deal with this too.

  After walking up the steps to the front door, I rang the bell. I almost chickened out at the last minute, but I did it anyway. Brannon would frown upon me doing this. It was too late to turn back now. Or was it? I could run away from the door and she would just think it was kids playing a prank.

  I stood there, tapping my foot against the porch while waiting for her to answer. Still waiting, I rang the bell again. There was nothing. No sound came from the other side of the door. I supposed she really wasn’t home. I looked around to see if maybe she was walking up the path toward me, but there was no one outside. At least not that I saw.

  Moving over to the window, I tried to peek inside. If she saw me doing this she would totally freak out. Little did she know that I’d already been in the house once. Everything looked exactly the same, although there might be a few more items added to the room. I just couldn’t tell for sure. I guessed now I would have to wait to ask her questions. But what would I do in the meantime?

  Now that I knew about the paranormal museum and haunted items, I had an idea of why Meredith had been at the antique store in the first place. Therefore, I decided to take a walk over to Mr. Byrd’s. Maybe I could talk with him and find out what Meredith had been looking for. Was it something specific or any potentially haunted item would do?

  I hurried away from the house in the direction of the antique shop. I kept on high alert, of course, the entire time. At least the strange car wasn’t around. When I reached the shop, I stepped inside, reminded of how all this had started with the doppelgänger.

  Mr. Byrd had just opened the shop but was nowhere in sight. Chills prickled my skin when I walked across the space thinking about what happened and seeing the doppelgänger on the video. I hoped Mr. Byrd was doing all right now.

  As I stepped up to the counter he popped up from behind it. “Oh, hello. How are you, Ripley?”

  Well at least he seemed in a bit better mood now.

  “Good morning, Mr. Byrd. I hope I’m not too early,” I said.

  “It’s never too early to see you,” he said with a slight grin. “Is something wrong?”

  Even with his pleasant demeanor and smile, he probably dreaded every time he saw me now.

  “No, nothing at all. I’ve just been thinking,” I said as I touched a glass on the counter.

  “What have you been thinking?” he asked.

  “Well, I know the victim came in here to shop, obviously, so I wondered if she had been in here before and if perhaps she had purchased anything? Was she looking for anything in particular?”

  “It’s funny that you ask,” he said. “I had the same thought this morning and that’s why I came in a bit early to check.”

  “Really?” I asked. “I suppose we had the same thought somehow.”

  “Yes, I suppose we did, and as a matter of fact, she’d bought something recently.”

  Now I really was curious. What was her purchase? And what had she done with the item? Was it at the museum?

  “I have the record of what she purchased right here,” he said. “I like to keep all my records in this book so that it makes it easier at inventory time and at the end of the year.”

  “That’s very meticulous of you,” I said.

  He pulled out the huge brown leather-bound book and plopped it down on the counter. He flipped open the cover and leafed to the correct page.

  He tapped the page with his finger. “Right, here it is. She purchased an old wooden box that dates back to 1886. And inside were photos from the turn of the twentieth century.”

  “That’s interesting,” I said. “I thought maybe it would be a piece of furniture or some other unique item. But I suppose there had been smaller things at the museum that fit in the display cases.”

  “At the museum?” he asked with a frown.

  “Oh, that’s right, you didn’t know about the museum,” I said. “Meredith ran a museum in Nashville with haunted items. I suppose she thought the box was haunted.”

  “I guess she had her reasons for thinking that.”

  “Do you know what the photos were?” I leaned closer for a look at his book, hoping that would offer more details.

  “The subject of the photos had to do with séances and spiritualism,” he said.

  My eyes widened. “Well, that would certainly cause them to be haunted, wouldn’t it?”

  “You know about that more than I do,” he said.

  “I wish I could get a look at those photos.” I tapped my fingertips against the counter. “I really need to see them, and I bet I know where to find them.”

  “Where?” he asked with a frown.

  “I think that her niece may have them.”

  “Do you know her niece?” he asked.

  “I know her name. Meredith owned a home right here in Devil’s Moon.” I pointed. “Maybe she left the photos at the house with the other antiques.”

  “I didn’t know she had a home here,” he said.

  “I didn’t either until this morning. It’s that restored Victorian over on Oak. I think I need to head back over there right now. Though I was just there, and the renter didn’t talk to me. I think she was home though. You know, perhaps she would speak with you.”

  “What makes you think she would talk with me?” he asked.

  “You just have that sweet look about your face.”

  He blushed and waved his hand. “No need for sweet talk. I’ll go with you if you’d like. Would you like to go now?”

  “If you have the time,” I said.

  He shut the record book and put it back under the counter. “I have the time. I’ll just get my keys.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Byrd.”

  I walked to the front of the store to wait for him, trying not to look over to the general area where the murder had occurred.

  After a minute, Mr. Byrd came to the front of the store. “Are you ready, dear?”

  “Yes, I’m ready,” I said with a smile. “Thanks again, Mr. Byrd.”

  Mr. Byrd and I walked out of the store together and headed down the sidewalk. It was nice taking a stroll with him, although I was still anxious and looking for that strange car. A short time later, Mr. Byrd and I arrived at the house. I stopped him at the edge of the property again.

  “Is something wrong, dear?” he asked.

  “No,” I said with hesitation. “She’s a bit… well, odd, I guess.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said.

  Mr. Byrd and I headed up the sidewalk toward the front porch. When we stepped up in front of the door, he rang the bell. I headed over to the side to stay out of view. I didn’t want her to see me. She wouldn’t open the door then for sure. Again we waited with no answer. He rang the doorbell again. This time the door opened. Now I really was nervous. I said nothing and I stayed out of view. She didn’t even know that I was there. Mr. Byrd introduced himself and explained exactly what he was looking for. I’d told him to sa
y that he had accidentally sold the box and would like to buy it back.

  “No. I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in selling any items.” She closed the door right in Mr. Byrd’s face.

  I couldn’t believe she’d done that. I’d known she was rude, but I hadn’t thought she would be that rude.

  Mr. Byrd looked at me as if he was a bit shocked too. I supposed there was no need to ask again. We would probably get the same answer. I would have to think of some other way to get that box back. But I wouldn’t drop it here. I was determined that I would see those photos. And I had to know more about that box. Did it have any meaning or significance or was it just a wooden box that had a lot of pictures inside?

  “I’m sorry,” Mr. Byrd said.

  “Don’t be sorry,” I said. “You gave it your best shot. And that’s all that you can do.”

  I joined Mr. Byrd as we headed down the path toward the sidewalk. When I glanced over my shoulder, Abigail was looking out the window. Now she knew for sure that I had been with Mr. Byrd. Oh, well, I suppose it didn’t matter now. She’d already said no. Perhaps she’d known I was standing there all along and that was why she had turned him down. I stared at her for a moment before turning and walking down the sidewalk with Mr. Byrd.

  “You were right. She wasn’t very friendly,” he said.

  “No, unfortunately she’s not. But I’ll think of some way to see those photos.” I said.

  “Just be safe and don’t do anything that’ll get you in trouble,” he said.

  “Me get into trouble?” I said with a wink.

  After dropping Mr. Byrd off back at his shop I headed toward the coffee shop. I supposed I had to tell Brannon what I discovered. I didn’t bother sending a text. This would be something I needed to do over a phone call. He picked up right away.

  “Good morning, gorgeous,” he said.

  “Are you busy?” I asked.

  “Not too busy for you,” he said.

  At least he was in a good mood. He probably wouldn’t be so happy when he discovered what I’d been up to. I explained all about the wooden box with the photos and how I just had to get my hands on them.

  “I wouldn’t try anything, Rip. Just wait and see what happens.”

  In other words, he wanted me to stay out of it. Even after we’d gone to the museum and he knew that there had to be something haunted associated with this woman.

  “If you say so,” I said.

  “Are you upset with me?” he asked.

  “Me upset? Of course not,” I said.

  “Tell the truth.”

  “I’m almost at the coffee shop so I’ll talk to you later,” I said.

  “Don’t be upset,” he said.

  “I’m not upset. I’ll talk to you soon,” I said.

  He knew I was upset but I’d get over it. I stepped into the coffee shop and unfortunately Dana wasn’t working. I placed my order and sat at a nearby table so that I could come up with a plan on how to get that box of photos. I nibbled on the croissant as I rolled around different thoughts.

  That was when I came up with something. Brannon would definitely frown upon it. I wouldn’t want to do this alone. I would need somebody to help me. And since Brannon would say no, that left one person. I was pretty sure she would say yes. After all, that was what best friends were for. To help each other out when we got into trouble. Tammy certainly did a lot of that.

  I dialed her number and hoped that she answered. After three rings she answered.

  “Sorry, I was taking out the trash. And I forgot my phone in the house.”

  “No problem,” I said. “I’m at the coffee shop.”

  “Is everything all right?” she asked.

  “I have a plan,” I said.

  “Does this plan involve me needing bail money?”

  “Possibly so.”

  “All right, I’m ready. Let me have it.”

  “Well, I have to get something from someone who doesn’t want to give it up. So I’m thinking that I just kind of have to take it,” I said.

  “Do you want to steal something?” she asked with her voice louder than I’d heard in a while.

  “Well, technically I would consider it borrowing it.”

  Tammy had no comment.

  I sighed. “Okay, yes, it would be stealing. This is a bad idea. I know I can’t do this. We’ll have to think of something else.”

  “Tell me what it is you want to get and maybe I can help you out with a plan.”

  Chapter 17

  “I’ll meet you at the coffee shop soon,” she said. “We can discuss what we do next.”

  “I’ll be waiting,” I said.

  While I waited for Tammy I continued to pick at my croissant. As delicious as it was, I didn’t have much of an appetite. It was uncharacteristic of me not to devour that chocolate now that I had it in my hands. Just then Dana walked in. She waved and headed over to me.

  “You don’t look like you’re having a good day,” she said.

  “I have a bit of a problem,” I said.

  “More of a problem than finding dead bodies and being accused of murder?”

  “No, generally that’s about it. But it’s the fact that it continues to bother me that’s the problem. It just keeps adding new layers as I try to figure out the puzzle.”

  “Maybe you should just stop trying to figure out the puzzle and wait for the police to do it. I worry about you,” she said as she took a seat across from me.

  “I suppose it’s just not in my nature to let it go until I figure it out.”

  “Is something wrong with the croissant?” she asked as she pointed at it.

  “It’s delicious as usual. I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

  She patted my hand. “Well, I hope things work out soon. I hate seeing you like this. I’m sure it will be better soon.”

  “I hope so too,” I said.

  The door opened and Tammy marched through the door as if she was on a mission.

  “Hi, Dana.” Tammy stepped up to the table. “I’m ready to go.”

  “Where are you ladies headed?” Dana asked.

  “Well, we have to go to Abigail’s house and somehow get an antique box that she has.”

  “Sounds like a difficult mission,” Dana said.

  “That’s part of my problem,” I said. “Any ideas are welcome.”

  “Well, it’s good that both of you are going. Maybe one could distract her while the other one goes inside.” She waved her hand. “Oh, that’s a crazy idea. I’m sure you two will think of something better. Just whatever you do, please be careful.”

  “We will be careful,” I said as I pushed to my feet. “I’ll see you later, Dana.”

  Tammy and I stepped out onto the sidewalk.

  “We should take my car,” Tammy said.

  “Sounds good to me. I’m really too nervous to walk.”

  After Tammy and I got into her car she pointed it in the direction of Abigail’s place. Or rather Meredith’s place. I hoped to get to the bottom of that soon.

  “I was thinking,” Tammy said as she made a left turn.

  “Yes?” I asked.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “You have to help me,” I said.

  “No, no, calm down, it’s not that,” she said. “What Dana said is probably the best idea. About one person talking while the other one goes inside.”

  “You know she won’t talk to me.”

  “That’s what I’m going to do. I’ll talk to her and get her out of the house. Then you go inside and find the box.”

  “This makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it, but I know we have no other option,” I said.

  “Look at it this way,” she said. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

  “She can kill us?” I said.

  “Oh, right,” Tammy said. “Well, we won’t even think about that. Just positive thoughts.”

  “Right, positive thoughts.” I couldn’t even hide the nerv
ousness in my voice.

  What were we getting ourselves into?

  Soon Tammy pulled up to the house two doors down. We couldn’t park right in front of Abigail’s house because she might see us.

  “So how are you going to get her out of the house?” I asked.

  “I’ll tell her that someone was trying to break into her car. She’ll go check right away.”

  “What if she doesn’t fall for that?”

  “I could always grab her and pull her out,” Tammy said.

  “I have a feeling that would be a bad idea too.”

  “We’ll just have to hope that it happens the way we want it to,” Tammy said.

  We got out of the car and headed toward the house.

  “I’ll hide over here behind the tree. When I see you walking down the path with her I’ll run for the house, but make sure she leaves the door open or else I won’t be able to get in.”

  “I have my ways,” Tammy said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

  “I know you do,” I said.

  I raced over and hid behind the tree as Tammy walked up to the front of the house. She glanced over once, and I gave her the thumbs up. I sure hoped this worked. It was the only chance we had. Tammy was in front of the door now and my nerves were at an all-time high. She reached out and rang the doorbell. I crossed my fingers.

  Thank goodness I heard everything from the spot that I had picked behind the tree. Abigail opened the door.

  “I’m sorry to bother you,” Tammy said.

  “Yes?” Abigail said.

  “Are you Stacy Tucker?”

  “No,” Abigail said.

  Her voice sounded strange, as if she wasn’t so sure about her answer.

  “I rent from Stacy,” Abigail said.

  I guessed that made sense. So now I had to find the real person who owned the house.

  “I just thought I would let you know that somebody was trying to break into your car. The neighbor told me that the person who lived here was Stacy Tucker, so I assumed that was you. You should come out here right away,” Tammy said.