Checked Out

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

  Luna said, “That’s the thing about a town like this. You have to move really fast before someone gets there before you do. Although, I have to say that, nothing against your friend, but she looks like the kind of person it’s really easy to get sick of. I give that relationship six months. But let’s think about what you can do in the meantime. There are plenty of fish in the sea.”

  “Are there?” I asked lightly. “I hate to tell you this because I realize you’re single, too, but I think Whitby has been fished-out. We may have to go farther afield.”

  “Nonsense,” said Luna robustly. “I categorically reject that. After all, you had a date with Roger. He was un-fished.”

  I said, “Yes, and apparently there were lots of really good reasons for that. I appreciate the sentiment, Luna, but the fact of the matter is I have really horrible luck with blind dates. With, actually, any kind of setup. Roger was only the latest in a long string of examples.”

  “So, you’re happily single for now, then?” asked Luna with a sigh. “You’re no fun at all. You should know everyone thinks it’s fun to set people up on dates.”

  “It’s just, unfortunately, not fun for the people being set up,” I said with a chuckle. “Yes, happily single.”

  Luna hurried back to the children’s area to help a patron find where the kids’ periodicals were and I glanced at the old newspaper again. Elsie’s car accident was horrible, but a better thing to focus on than the fact that the town doctor was giving me threatening letters. Besides, something just didn’t seem right about Elsie’s accident.

  Linus Truman gave a small cough and an apologetic smile, which jerked me out of my reverie. “I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head at myself, “I didn’t notice you come up.” I colored. Wasn’t it perfectly obvious I hadn’t noticed him walk up to the desk?

  He gave me a tentative smile. “I’m sorry to bother you. It looked like you were really deep in your thoughts. I usually check my books out myself, but I have a small fine and I thought I’d pay it in change instead of swiping my card to pay for it.”

  “Of course!” I said with alacrity, smiling back at him. I took care of checking out his books and handling his fine. He hesitated, and I said quickly, “Is there anything else I can help you with?” Sometimes patrons were nervous about asking for help. It was a funny thing because that’s exactly what I was there to do—provide any kind of help I could.

  He said slowly, “I saw from your paper here that you were reading up on Elsie Brennon’s accident. At least, that’s what it looked like.” He quickly added, “Sorry. I normally don’t like to invade anyone’s privacy by being nosy.”

  I smiled. “If I’d cared about privacy, then I shouldn’t have put the newspaper up here on the circulation desk.”

  He nodded and said, “I just wondered about it. I’ve seen you speaking with the police chief. Have they made any headway on her case?”

  “Not that I heard,” I said. “I’m sorry. Was Elsie a friend of yours? I remember you’d told me she’d owned Fitz and the tabby before she died.” I flushed again. “Sorry. I mean, I believe you may have left me a note to that effect.”

  “I did leave the note. And I’m afraid she really wasn’t a friend. But she was a neighbor. I wasn’t probably the friendliest neighbor, unfortunately. I didn’t go out of my way to speak with her.”

  This didn’t surprise me a bit, considering how quiet he’d been in the library. I could tell it troubled him, so I said, “I’m sure she didn’t mind. It takes all sorts in a neighborhood. Some people want to chat and others would rather keep to themselves.”

  “But Elsie, although I didn’t really know her well, was a kind woman. And the accident she had didn’t ring true to me at all.”

  “In what way?” I asked.

  Linus said, “Let’s just say I was quite familiar, as a neighbor, with her driving. I have another neighbor, on the other side, who has a teenage son. He flies down the road, making people and wildlife dodge out of the way. There’s a patron who’s frequently here who drives like that, too—terrifying. She scares me to death when she’s in the parking lot because she flies through it like it was a freeway. Elsie was the sedate driver. She’s the one who is barely moving.”

  “She was always really slow?” I asked.

  Linus nodded. “I think even if she’d hit a tree, at her usual speed, she’d have been just fine. I mean, twenty miles an hour would have felt like speeding to her. She drove as if she were in a crowded parking lot, all the time. Maybe ten miles an hour.”

  I nodded. “The fact the accident happened at a higher speed gives you concern?”

  “I’m thinking she must have felt scared or chased. I really can’t wrap my head around the fact she would have had that sort of accident,” said Linus.

  I said, “The chief did say there were signs there was another car there. Tire tracks, for one.”

  “That makes sense,” said Linus quietly. “I’m glad they’re checking into it further. I was worried no one was really paying attention. Like I said, she was a nice woman. I didn’t think what happened to her was fair.”

  “The woman . . . the patron you said was driving so crazily in the parking lot. Do you know who she is?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “I sure don’t. But I’ve seen you speaking with her before. She has a toddler girl. The mom has curly hair? Tall?”

  “Sadie Stewart,” I said slowly.

  “Not sure. But if you could maybe ask her to slow down in the parking lot, it would make things a lot safer.”

  He gave me a quick, small smile and then hurried away back to his books.

  Chapter Nineteen

  A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, it was time to set up the community room for film club. I pulled out some chairs and wheeled in the television since the Whitby library was still too old-school to have flat screens on the wall. Then I dodged into the staff room to get the popcorn machine going for the popcorn and then pour it into bags. I also got myself a large cup of coffee.

  When I made it back to the room, it looked like the whole gang was there, which made me smile. I could honestly hold film club every single week because it made me so happy. There were plenty of films out there and my group wasn’t picky. They were enthusiastic about watching A Trip to the Moon, a 1902 French silent movie. They were also enthusiastic watching 1961’s West Side Story. And they had no problem with scary films like Rosemary’s Baby. I could throw almost anything at them and they good-naturedly took it in stride.

  When I walked in the room, I saw Timothy, my nerdy teenager patron, was already settling in. Since he was home-schooled, he could make film club. Honestly, if he hadn’t been able to make it, I’d probably have changed the program time because Timothy loved it so much. “Had to come early to pick my seat for this one!” he said with a grin. He was wearing sweatpants and a top that looked far too big for his lanky frame. Topping it all off was a Jurassic Park baseball cap. He looked relaxed and happy.

  Today’s movie was actually an old Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell film, His Girl Friday. Timothy reminded me a lot of me when I was his age. I was the old soul of my high school. I thought maybe it was because I’d been raised by my great-aunt, but the truth was I liked old movies, old books, and old music. Timothy was the same way. I had no doubt he probably had a tough time trying to fit in with peers, but he’d found ‘his people’ at film club. This was one place where he felt he belonged. Besides me, he was probably the other member of the club who would be absolutely delighted to meet every single week.

  George walked in and gave Timothy a high five. “Got a good one today. Of course, they’re all good ones.” He put his hands on his hips and looked at me. “Of course, you know I’m going to ask you how your social life is going. I don’t want all of your fun tied up in hanging out with film nerds.”

  I laughed. Usually, I’d bristle if somebody brought up my dating life or lack of it. But with George and me it had been something we’d banter lightly about every month. Georg
e owned a typewriter repair shop and still somehow managed to make a living. He must have been getting business off the internet, otherwise I couldn’t see how he could survive. Still, he always seemed to be busy working on something, at least from what he told us. “My social life? It’s all a soap opera, as usual,” I said, without going into details. It was, right now of course, much more of a soap opera than it usually was.

  Timothy piped up. “Ann doesn’t need to settle for somebody who isn’t good enough for her. She just has to find the right person.”

  I grinned at Timothy. “Right as usual, Timothy.”

  The room started filling up with my regulars and I chatted with everyone as they settled in. When everyone had taken a seat, I dimmed the lights and picked up the remote.

  “I’m excited about today’s film,” I started and then stopped when the door to the community room opened again. I gave a big smile to Mrs. Macon, leaning on her walker and hovering uncertainly in the door. I’d hoped she’d come in, but I never really believed she’d make it here.

  “Thanks for joining us! Everyone, this is Mrs. Macon.”

  “Mona,” she corrected a little tersely. “You can all just call me Mona.”

  “There’s an empty seat just over there.” Fortunately, there was an accessible seat available. and Luna’s mom hesitantly walked over as the film club members greeted her on the way over. I saw a face in the window of the community room and turned to see Luna, giving me a quick wave and holding up her crossed fingers. As soon as her mother turned around, Luna quickly disappeared.

  “I think you’re all going to enjoy today’s film, His Girl Friday. At least, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see it again. I know some of you have already seen the movie.”

  Timothy, my nerdy teen piped up, “Funniest film ever!”

  I was glad to see Mona smiling at his enthusiasm. A second smile for the day! I’d have to let Luna know.

  I laughed. “Way to set up big expectations, Timothy. There’s plenty of popcorn up here, so feel free to get yourself another bag during the movie if you want it. And without further ado, here’s the movie.”

  I clicked ‘play’ on the remote and settled into a chair near the back of the room with a pad and paper so I could make some notes to help facilitate our discussion later. Not that our discussion ever really needed too much facilitation.

  I’d expected the comedic film to go over well with this group and I wasn’t let down—they were laughing all the way through. I looked over at Mona, hoping she was being drawn in and was relieved to see a smile on her face. The last thing I wanted was for the film to be a big dud and scare her off for good.

  When it wrapped up, everyone clapped.

  “Bravo!” said Mona.

  George said, “How did they talk so fast?”

  The film was about a fast-talking editor and his equally fast-talking reporter ex-wife. I said, “I’m not sure. I’m guessing they had to do a lot of takes to get it all perfect.”

  Timothy had apparently read up on the film. “The director didn’t mind if they ad-libbed, either, so that was really cool. Like when Cary Grant’s character mentions Ralph Bellamy, who was playing in the movie with him.”

  They tossed around their thoughts on the film and compared it to some other Cary Grant movies we’d seen.

  “That guy had a lot of range,” said George.

  Mona said, “I still love his romantic lead roles the best.” She put her hand over her heart. “To Catch a Thief. He was just lovely in that film.”

  George snorted. “What I remember best about that movie is the suspense. But, considering it’s a Hitchcock film, that should come as no surprise.”

  I glanced at Mona, hoping she wasn’t offended. George could be blunt. In fact, the whole film club enjoyed engaging in lively debate. I saw her blink in surprise and then mull this over.

  “I’d totally forgotten about the whole cat burglar thing,” she said thoughtfully. “I guess it’s the visual feast for the eyes that I remembered the most. But you’re right. He was a great dramatic actor. He was also wonderful in Hitchcock’s Suspicion.”

  Timothy piped up, “Okay, yeah, he was good with dramatic roles. But remember all the comedic parts he did.”

  Mona tilted her head to one side. “I’m trying. But unsuccessfully.”

  Timothy counted off a few. “Topper, Bringing up Baby, Arsenic and Old Lace.”

  “Like I said, the guy had a lot of range,” said George.

  The discussion went on for a while longer, with Mona becoming more and more engaged. After we wrapped up, I was glad to see several members lingering behind and engaging in conversation with Mona. They encouraged her to the next meeting, and I was glad to see they weren’t their usual, cheerfully pushy selves. Mona was smiling shyly, a good sign.

  A few minutes later, I was back at the circulation desk, since frequently some film club members liked to pick up a book or two before leaving. Mona slowly walked up to me, leaning heavily on her walker.

  “Thanks for inviting me to go to film club,” she said with a smile. “At least, Luna told me it was your idea.”

  “Did you enjoy it?” I asked. “I thought it was a fun film. Although not everyone is crazy about madcap comedy, of course.”

  “It wasn’t really all that madcap,” said Mona. “It was really very clever. And somehow I don’t think I’d ever seen it.”

  I was relieved. “Well, if you’d like to see what else we have up our sleeves, be sure to try to make it next time. We’ll have something completely different.” And it was. I was looking at doing The Andromeda Strain.

  “I’ll try to be here.” Mona looked pleased.

  I was walking to the breakroom for my lunch break when I hesitated. Maybe I should head over to Quittin’ Time instead and see what business Heather had had with Mary. I had a feeling I knew what Mary had been there about, but I wanted to make sure. Heather had already admitted to me that she’d been at Roger’s house last Friday. I had the feeling, though, that Mary had seen an opening for blackmailing Heather.

  I sighed at the thought of eating out again instead of eating my homemade lunch, but told myself I’d simply eat my lunch for supper . . . and choose something especially inexpensive off the menu.

  I realized suddenly as I walked in that I might be eating lunch out for nothing—Heather might not even be working today or her shift might start later in the day. I was relieved when I spotted her across the restaurant as I found myself a table

  Heather seemed a little more guarded this afternoon than she had last time. She probably thought I couldn’t mind my own business. I gave her what I hoped was a casual, reassuring smile.

  “I’m surprised to see you back already,” she said lightly. “You’re on your way to becoming a regular! What’ll it be today? Another hamburger?”

  I laughed. “No, that’s way too much food for lunch. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll just order one of your appetizers.” I hastily glanced down at the laminated menu she’d handed me.

  Heather pointed a pink nail at the menu. “If you’re like me, I’m usually looking for something cheap but filling. Our taco salad is a lot of food, but a great price.”

  Relieved, I handed her the menu. “That’s perfect, thanks.” I saw the place was filling up and hesitated, not sure how to launch right into questioning her again.

  “Is something wrong?” asked Heather, raising a questioning eyebrow.

  “No . . . well . . . actually, yes. I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. It might sound strange, but it could be helpful in finding out the kind of person Mary Hughes was,” I said quickly.

  Heather sighed and glanced behind her at a table that looked like it was ready to have its order taken. “Let me guess. Somebody in this nosy town saw me and Mary talking together. And you’re curious to know what it was about.”

  I nodded, clearing my throat. “It’s just that the person who told me said it looked as if you might be engaging in an argum
ent.”

  Heather snorted. “That’s exactly what it was. Except the argument was all on my side.”

  I said slowly, “The thing is, I believe Mary was at Roger’s house on Friday. I think she went there to confront him about her job. She’d told me a coworker had informed her of your brother’s death, but I found out later that her coworker didn’t even know who Roger was. Mary herself must have been there. And, considering the fact Mary was having financial trouble, I’m wondering if maybe she tried to blackmail you because she’d seen you at your brother’s house.”

  Heather’s eyes narrowed and then she sighed. “You want to know the kind of person Mary was? I’ll tell you. She’d also seen that I’d stopped by my brother’s house last Friday. It was a totally innocent explanation—like I told you, I was just making sure he remembered our mother’s birthday. But Mary was convinced I’d had something to do with Roger’s death just because I didn’t want her to go to the police about it.”

  I frowned. “You didn’t seem very concerned about me when you told me about your visit there.”

  “That’s because you’re a totally reasonable person. Someone a person can trust. Okay, you might be super-nosy, but I guess that might be an occupational hazard for a librarian. Anyway, Mary was wanting money so she wouldn’t go to the cops about it. Money! I told her off and then basically laughed in her face before I went back inside, slamming the door behind me. there you go. That’s Mary in a nutshell.”

  “Got it,” I said quickly. Someone who looked like he might be her manager was glancing over in our direction now and I didn’t want to get Heather into any trouble.

  Heather leaned in closely and lowered her voice. “But I didn’t kill her. She wasn’t worth it.”

  Since ordering a meal, having it prepared, and then waiting for the check took a little while, I ate really quickly and rushed back to the library as soon as I’d paid up, still thinking about what Heather had told me. Both Roger and Mary seemed to be pretty rough characters, although they didn’t deserve what had happened to them.