by Diane Rapp
Tamara pointed toward a white fence just as the gate swung open. A gray-haired woman wearing a frilly blue blouse and white slacks stood next to the gate waving her hand. Paxton felt drawn to Jessica’s smiling round face. She directed him to a parking space behind the three-story Victorian. The home was painted in a tri-color scheme, a royal blue background with lavender doors and pink trim work.
“This looks more like a mansion than a cottage,” he mumbled, gazing up at the steep roofline.
Bentley issued excited little woofs as his tail wagged his entire body. Aunt Jessica accepted friendly licks through the open window, and after Tamara released the enthusiastic poodle from the car, he curled his body around her knees.
Jessica stroked the soft poodle and said, “I’m happy to see you, too.” She gestured toward the back door. “Come inside. I’ve got a kettle on the stove and fresh muffins waiting on the kitchen table.”
The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the friendly eat-in kitchen. Jessica tied a white apron around an ample waistline and used puffy mitts to retrieve a tray of muffins from the oven. “I started baking after I got your call, so we have plenty of cinnamon rolls and fresh bread. I couldn’t resist popping blueberry muffins into the oven since those are your favorites.”
She peered at Paxton through designer wire-rimmed glasses. “Who is this handsome young fellow, Tammy?” She patted her immaculate hairdo and added, “If you’d told me you were bringing along a beau, I’d have spruced up for company.”
Tamara chuckled and kissed her aunt’s warm cheek. “Paxton Johnson is the detective who rescued me from the kidnapper last night with Bentley’s help of course.” Wrapping her arm over Jessica’s shoulder, she turned to grin at Paxton. “I’d like you to meet my great-aunt, Jessica Miller.”
“I love to be called great!” Jessica removed her right hand from an oven mitt and shook Paxton’s hand with a firm grip. He noticed her fingertips were covered with speckles of blue and pink paint. “Don’t mind the splashes of color on my old fingers, young man. My hands are sanitary, but the paint I use on my creations tends to stick very well. I’ll give you a proper tour of the house after you sample these treats.”
Having already taken a large bite of a fresh blueberry muffin, Tamara nodded and pointed at open shelves lining the kitchen walls. Jessica blushed and stated, “As you can see, my inventory is stacked on shelves that line the walls. I create souvenirs for tourists, don’t you know, and we call the business Brinkerhoff Shadowboxes.”
While Paxton devoured a muffin, he marveled at the intricate scenes portrayed inside the three-inch deep boxes. Under the colorful eaves of each roof, hand-painted signs listed the name and address of the specific shop illustrated.
“They’re delightful!” he said. “I’m impressed with your attention to detail and know they must sell easily.”
“The boxes help pay my property taxes.” Jessica smiled at the compliment. “I got the idea one summer when antique sales were dismal. People enjoyed taking pictures of the restored houses on our street but few were willing to part with real money.” She pointed at Tamara. “With this young lady’s agile fingers, we assembled the first twelve shadowboxes, which sold straight away. Over the past few years, I’ve added detailed dollhouses of vintage houses to the inventory. Sales have kept me afloat all these years.”
Tamara wiped crumbs from her fingers with a linen napkin. “I’m good at cutting wooden pieces and pasting walls together, but Aunt Jessica’s accurate décor, vintage wallpaper, and miniature furniture makes each one look impeccable. Tourists clamor for her work.”
Jessica untied the apron and folded it neatly. “Tammy took photos of every piece and loaded them onto my website,” she said proudly. “Brinkerhoff Shadowboxes enjoys worldwide sales.” As Jessica finished the tea in a delicate china cup, she asked, “Would you like to take a tour of the store?”
“Of course.” Paxton set his cup and saucer in the porcelain farmhouse sink and followed the women into the main part of the building. The kitchen was located at the rear of the house with swinging doors leading into a wide central foyer. Drop-leaf tables lined the walls with shadowboxes and dollhouses filling every surface.
Paxton gazed up and saw a carved wooden railing forming a balcony on three sides of the two-story hall. He found it strange that no staircase stretched from the main floor to the second floor balcony. There were repaired lines across the polished wood flooring and vintage wallpaper. He guessed the staircase had been removed. How did Jessica get upstairs?
The first door off the entry hall opened into an ornate parlor. Victorian furnishings and detailed trim highlighted period wallpaper to create an ambience of old-world charm. Shadowboxes decorated the shelves hanging on each of the walls. Small dollhouses arranged artfully on tables and free-standing bookshelves were the crown jewels of the display.
“I’m impressed with your workmanship,” Paxton admitted as he bent to peer into a meticulously decorated house. Tiny people sat on replica furniture, and vintage lights flickered from hanging chandeliers and table lamps. He noticed a white poodle curled on a pillow before the fireplace and iron grate.
They left the parlor and entered the formal dining room, where a streetscape of Brinkerhoff had been arranged across the mahogany dining table. Each house was situated in its proper place with tiny cars parked diagonally on the road. Street lamps sparkled as tiny figures strolled along sidewalks lined with picket fences defining grassy lawns and flowering gardens. Tiny house numbers and signs on front porches identified each individual business.
Proudly, Tamara stated, “Aunt Jessica orders miniatures from all around the world, but she also handcrafts items she can’t buy. See those window boxes on the house exteriors filled with tiny flowers? She made each one using tweezers to insert the plants. I helped her glue individual picket fence posts one summer. See the woman walking a poodle? They look like me and Bentley, but I had longer hair then.”
Paxton walked slowly around the table with an expression of wonder on his face. “This is a true work of art, ladies.”
A grandfather clock in the hallway chimed, and Jessica checked her own watch. “Take a quick look into the living room across the hall and then we should head upstairs. Edith will arrive to open the shop in thirty minutes. We don’t want anyone to know you’re staying with me, Tammy.”
Tamara followed her aunt into the foyer. “Don’t you need to stay downstairs to greet customers?”
“No. Edith is more than capable of selling my wares. She’ll call upstairs if I’m needed to discuss special requests.” They gazed into the living room, which was filled with antique furniture and a cozy tiled fireplace. A piece of furniture resembling a bar, held an antique cash register and sales brochures.
Taking out a large keyring, Jessica guided them toward an ornate mahogany door filled with period carvings. She proudly stated, “Two years ago we removed the staircase, which took up too much room in the foyer, and installed this private elevator. My knees were suffering from arthritis so this has been a lifesaver.”
She opened an ornate oil-rubbed bronze cover plate between the kitchen door and the elevator. Pressing buttons on the keypad inside, the sound of a motor hummed and the walls vibrated.
When the motor stopped, Jessica opened the mahogany door and stepped inside the small elevator. “Come along. There’s room enough for all of us, including Bentley.”
Unconcerned, the dog trotted into the paneled box and sat next to Jessica’s leg. He gazed up lovingly as she stroked his head. Paxton and Tamara stepped into the elevator and closed the door. Jessica pressed another combination of numbers on an interior panel and the motor rumbled under their feet. The lift moved smoothly upstairs.
Jessica grinned with pride at her new gadget, while Paxton seemed apprehensive. “Don’t worry, Mr. Johnson. This contraption carried a heavy safe upstairs without a problem, so we won’t get stuck.” She pointed at a phone. “We can call for help if anything goes awry.”
“It’s good to know,” he said as Tamara squeezed his arm and grinned. “Is this the only access to upstairs? What if the electricity goes out?”
Jessica grinned, “I have an automatic generator, which fires up if the power fails, but I also have emergency ladders off the balcony of each room upstairs. This is the second floor, but the elevator also goes up to the attic if I ever want to expand the living quarters.”
Soon the motor stopped and the elevator door popped open. Tamara stepped onto the upstairs landing, which led to another locked door. Using a separate key, Jessica opened the heavy door, and they entered an apartment filled with Danish modern furniture. Paxton’s eyes widened and Jessica laughed at his expression of surprise.
“You obviously didn’t expect an old lady like me to live in such stylish surroundings.” Jessica plopped into an expensive leather lounge chair and sighed. “I enjoy the looks of Victorian décor but the stiff furniture wasn’t very comfy, even when it was new. Have a seat.” She gestured toward a nearby leather sofa.
Bentley jumped up onto a chair positioned near the window and curled into a ball with his head resting on the arm. Tamara said, “It’s his personal chair. He loves watching squirrels running around in the tree outside.”
Tamara and Paxton sat on the creamy leather sofa. Paxton noticed a complete collection of Agatha Christie novels in rich black leather with gold lettering in a bookcase next to Jessica’s chair. Aunt Jessica said, “Tell me about the man who tried to kidnap you, Tammy?”
Shrugging, Tamara’s eyes glistened with tears. Paxton placed a warm hand on hers and said, “Talk us through the incident. I realized you told me the facts, but we might learn more if you tell us the story.”
Fighting her desire to flee the room, Tamara began with the man’s first appearance at the open house. “He walked in the front door just as I was eating lunch. I felt unnerved by the way he ogled me when I offered him a flyer. He barely read the information and acted snarky about the house being unfurnished. He stalked away toward the bedroom.” She fidgeted and avoided her aunt’s gaze during the next part of the story.
Jessica’s attention remained riveted on her niece as she interrupted, “You’re not giving us the exact words he used, Tammy. Do you think my sensibilities will be distressed by the despicable creature’s words?”
Tamara frowned. “Okay. You’re right. When he looked at the vacant living room, he said, ‘I like to lounge before a fireplace with a brandy and a sexy lady at my side before committing to a purchase.’ Then, when we walked into the bedroom, I heard him taking pictures with the camera on his phone.”
Gulping down breaths, Tamara finally continued, “When I confronted him, he stepped close and said, ‘Why don’t you close up this vacant house and take me to a place filled with comfortable furniture where we can get better acquainted? I could make it worth your time.’ There was something shiny in his hand, and Bentley jumped to grab the outstretched arm.”
Jessica nodded. “I assume he used a seductive tone of voice to impart the full impact of his disgraceful suggestion.”
Nodding, Tamara added, “The idea made my skin crawl, so Bentley and I skirted past him. When we arrived at the front door, I realized he had locked it. I flashed my wedding ring and told him I was a married woman.”
Laughing, Jessica shook her head. “Sadly, it would hardly deter a man of his nature, I’m sure.”
“Yeah. He asked if I was happily married and said, ‘I’ve known plenty of married women who enjoy a fling or two without their husbands knowing.’” Tamara avoided Paxton’s gaze as she continued, “I said he didn’t know me and asked him to leave.”
“Did he say anything else?” Paxton asked.
“Yes.” Tamara stared at the ceiling as she tried to remember the wording. “He said, ‘You look so sexy in that velvet jacket, almost like a movie star. No one could blame me for being tempted by a seductress.’ But he sounded threatening, not complimentary. I couldn’t wait to lock the door when he stepped outside. I wish I’d gone home right away.”
“You behaved in a professional manner, Tammy. The comment about you looking like a movie star interests me most,” Jessica said as she glanced at Paxton. “Could you show me photos of the other three women who’ve gone missing?”
Paxton nodded and pulled out his phone, realizing Jessica was behaving like Miss Marple, but her insight might lead somewhere. A moment later he passed the phone to Jessica, who thumbed through photos of the victims. She said, “The first one is a striking blonde, no doubt a Marilyn Monroe lookalike. I’d say the second one resembles Natalie Wood, sexy but naïve. The redhead looks just like Rita Hayworth during her prime.” Jessica handed the phone back to Paxton. “I believe your people have missed important clues, Mr. Johnson. The kidnapper is collecting women who resemble movie stars.”
Tamara gasped as her eyes widened. “Yes! When he left the house, he said, ‘Good-bye Suzanne,’ and kept calling me by that name later. I thought it was odd since my name was on the open house sign and printed on the brochure. Last week my hairdresser said I look just like Suzanne Pleshette in this new haircut.”
“My dear, Suzanne Pleshette was an attractive actress who starred in a few seductive roles.” She lifted eyeglasses hanging from a chain around her neck and peered at Tamara’s face intently. “Yes, your appearance has been transformed with the new hairstyle. I noticed it earlier but couldn’t put my finger on who you resembled. Your stylist was correct, you’re a dead ringer for Suzanne Pleshette.”
Paxton searched for the actress on his phone and nodded when several photos popped up. Tamara gazed at the pictures and her cheeks turned bright red. “I thought a short haircut might give me a fresh start, but it attracted a serial kidnapper.” Bentley trotted over to lay his head in her lap.
“Don’t worry.” Jessica tried to sooth her niece. “This is actually good news, Tammy. Now we know there is a definite pattern behind the kidnappings.”
Tamara clenched her fists in anger. “You don’t understand. He talked about sending pictures of me to my husband, Jeffrey. He knew Jeff’s name but was unaware he had died. Last night, when he tried to break into the carriage house, he said he didn’t care about the buyer; he’s angry and plans to kill Bentley then kill me.”
Jessica chewed her bottom lip as she mulled over the new information. “When did the man first mention Jeffrey by name? Do you remember the details, honey?”
Tamara wiped tears from her cheek. “Yes. When the alarm company called my cellphone, he answered and claimed to be my husband, Jeffrey, and gave them my safe word. When I first arrived at the house, I set off the alarm accidently and spoke to the alarm company, telling them my safe word. Later, when he barricaded the garage, I slammed down the garage door and punched wrong numbers into the security box. He’d already stolen my bag, so he answered my phone when the alarm company called.”
“Excellent!” Jessica grinned and pushed the footrest on the recliner down to sit up straighter. “The information is quite pertinent. Your cellphone is used for business dealings but your home phone remains in Jeffrey’s name.”
“Sure, because I don’t want clients and strangers tracking me down at my private residence.”
Paxton asked, “Who in the real estate world knows your home phone number?”
Rubbing her forehead, Tamara tried to remember where she’d written the information. “My broker has the number on file, and I listed my home number when I joined the real estate board. They keep the information private.”
“I get what you’re driving at, Jessica.” Paxton stood and paced the floor with his hands behind his back. “Someone with access to those files must be feeding the kidnapper private information.”
Jessica nodded. “A real estate agent or fellow office worker is to blame. I suggest you delve into the backgrounds of anyone privy to those files.” She turned back to Tamara. “The man claimed to have a buyer when he tried to break into your carriage house. Did he mention a buyer anytime during
the abduction attempt?”
Tamara hesitated and finally admitted, “I heard a different phone ring and he talked to someone. I assume he answered his own phone. He said, ‘I know the buyer doesn’t want her all banged up. I’ll be careful.’ I assumed the call must have been from his boss by the conciliatory tone of his voice.”
Paxton’s eyes narrowed and his voice sounded resolute. “If he’s not working alone in these kidnappings, we have a gang involved. I must advise my team.”
Jessica nodded, “They must work quickly before another unfortunate woman disappears.” She smiled down at Bentley. “Your brave dog kept you safe, but those men still need to complete the buyer’s collection. I deal with collectors all the time, and they get very demanding when searching for a complete set.”
Paxton pressed an app on his phone. “Jerry, it looks like we may have several people working with our kidnapper. Go to the Board’s office and find out who has access to the personnel files of agents. There might be someone with money behind the entire scheme.”
Although Tamara’s voice shook, she demanded, “We must get to the bottom of this, Paxton. We can’t let another woman go through an experience like mine.”
“We? There is no ‘we’ involved in the investigation, Miss Owens. You’re safe and sound here, so I’ll be off to conduct my inquiries alone.” He stood with his fists resting on his hips.
Seeing Tamara was ready to explode, Jessica interrupted, “You realize Tammy is the only one who can identify your kidnapper, and Bentley will also remember his scent. I suggest you keep both of them at your side while you interview suspects.”
Two women and a poodle stared him down. Paxton finally yielded. “Okay. You make sense, but we must proceed with extreme caution. Tamara stays here at night, since I doubt anyone can reach this floor.”
“It’s a sound plan, young man. You keep her safe during daylight hours and I will keep her safe at night.” Bentley woofed and Jessica chuckled. “Sorry, I forgot to include our guard dog in the plan. He remains at Tamara’s side during all hours, day or night.”
