Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series (Books 4 - 6)

by Tanya R. Taylor

  “Sure thing, ma’am.”

  He glanced at Theodore with what I call ‘a rolling of the eyes look’, then went on his merry way—passing Cooke’s office. That’s the kind of thing people did when they thought you couldn’t see them. I could’ve told him I knew better, but doing so would’ve meant I’d be exposing myself. And I was at the right place to have gotten myself arrested.

  Theodore even sat there with his mouth pinned; not breathing a word about the fact that the officer blatantly disrespected me. And as much as my mouth was itching to tell him I knew that he knew, again... I would’ve risked exposing myself unless I was very tactful about getting Theodore to admit to the truth. I understood his reasoning behind keeping quiet about it because I sensed I sometimes embarrassed him simply due to the fact that I spoke my mind. If I didn’t know any better, my feelings would’ve been hurt.

  “Lucille, what brings you here?” Cooke emerged from his office.

  “What do you think brings me here, Sheriff?” was my reply. “Why are so many police officers in here? Why aren’t they out there looking for Merlene?”

  He cleared his throat. “Theodore, would you please accompany Lucille in my office?”

  Cooke shut the door behind us. It reminded me of the time Merlene and I went there for Merlene to confront him and his detectives after they’d tried their hardest to rail-road her son. Well, maybe that’s not completely fair to say, but it sort of went that way.

  Cooke sat behind his desk after Theodore and I were seated. He leaned forward slightly. “I’m afraid you made the trip down here in vain, Lucille. I have nothing to report to you other than what I’ve already told you before…”

  “Which is nothing,” I stressed.

  “Look. We’re doing the best we can. Just because you see… well…were probably told that there are a lot of officers in here, they’re in here doing their jobs which also consist of research and paperwork—not just being out there on the field. For your information, every day a team of officers are out there working Merlene’s case. Detectives Matthews and Stewart, and their team are out there right now doing just that. We’ve contacted other jurisdictions and sent out flyers to be distributed so they’ll be on the lookout for anyone that matches her description. There’s a whole lot of ground to cover even outside of Chadsworth because we can’t guarantee that she’s still here in the city.”

  I shifted to a more comfortable position in the chair and crossed my legs. “With all that said, Sheriff, it’s still been more than a week, almost two in fact, and we’ve gotten nothing from you. By the way, I bumped into those two detectives you mentioned are out working Merlene’s case, but they seemed just as lost as anybody. To be at David’s house for a recap of the information he’d gone over before more than once and in great detail—after all this time has passed—demonstrates one of two things.”

  “And what’s that?” he asked.

  “Confusion or incompetence.”

  “How so, Lucille?” He leaned forward a bit more.

  “They’re either confused about how to conduct this case or they’re just straight-up incompetent.”

  “Now, I won’t have you insulting my officers. Lance Matthews and Tyrone Stewart are two of the best detectives on this force.”

  “Wow. If they are, we’re in deep trouble.”

  Theodore quietly chuckled, then abruptly stopped.

  “I don’t think this is a laughing matter, Theodore,” Cooke remarked.

  “I don’t think so either, Sheriff,” Theodore replied. “But I happen to agree with Miss Pfiffer here. This department is working slower than a turtle trying to win a race across town.”

  “Precisely my point.” I nodded.

  “Well, I’m sorry you two feel that way, but I’ve laid out the facts for you, just as I’ve done with David and I hope you’ll see that we’re doing everything we can to find your friend.”

  “I don’t believe you, Sheriff. It’s no secret that you didn’t like Merlene and she didn’t like you after what you did to David. That’s why all of you are dragging your feet, isn’t it?”

  “Absolutely not!” he replied, slamming a hand on his desk. “Merlene Bostwick is a resident of Chadsworth and we’re treating her case just as we would any other resident’s. How dare you accuse me of not doing what’s within my power to do in order to locate a missing person, regardless of whatever differences we might’ve had?”

  “What about Judge Simon?” I asked.

  “What about him?”

  “Have you sifted through his contacts to find out who made the death threats? It has to be somebody connected to him.”

  “We’re in the process of doing that.”

  Theodore sucked his teeth. “Man, you guys are just…”

  “What, Theodore? We’re just what?” Cooke appeared somewhat confrontational.

  I quickly raised my hand. “Hey, wait a minute! Don’t you get an attitude with Theodore. You have the nerve to get angry because we’re highlighting the error of your ways? This isn’t about us, Sheriff. It’s about Merlene. Don’t make me take this to another level.”

  “Well, you just go ahead, Lucille,” he dared.

  “You mean, you’d be just fine with me going to Mayor Bradley’s office and letting him know that I think you and your so-called detectives Lance and Stewart have possibly conspired to kill Merlene?”

  “What?” He immediately stood to his feet. “You know that’s a bunch of hogwash!”

  “I don’t. What I do know is there’s been some bad blood between the four of you and perhaps you used the situation concerning Sir Clement Tucker and the judge as a means to cover up your getting revenge on Merlene.”

  “That’s absurd! No one would believe you.”

  “Really? You still want me to try my hand?”

  He was suddenly quiet.

  “I think you’d better sit back down now,” Theodore told him.

  Cooke shook his head as he slowly took his seat again. “Why do I let you to do this to me every single time, Lucille?”

  “Maybe because you know I’m just a sweet, old lady who believes in police officers doing their jobs and the fact that when I fight for someone I fight hard. Merlene is our friend. We love her. Doesn’t matter if you don’t. I suggest you and your office full of policemen go out there and find out where she is. And do so quick, fast and in a hurry.”

  I nudged Theodore. “Time to get going.”

  As we proceeded to the door, Cooke still seated, stopped me. “Lucille…”

  “Yes, Sheriff?” I replied.

  “Don’t ever come back in here harassing my officers, ya hear?”

  I shifted more in his direction. “Did your little sergeant call you up and tell you I did that?”

  His stare was intense and might I add it wasn’t a nice one.

  “I’ll make an effort, Sheriff. The same kind of effort you’ve been making all along to find Merlene.”

  Theodore nodded at him with a smile and we quietly left the station.

  “Do you really believe Cooke and the others had something to do with Merlene’s disappearance?” Theodore asked me while we were in the car.

  “Nope, but I didn’t think it would hurt to say that. After all, anything’s possible. Contrary to what I might think, they could be as guilty as sin.”

  * * *

  I never needed the help of sleeping pills to get a good night’s sleep, but my lawyer Mickey Carey, legal extraordinaire, got a doctor friend of his to prescribe something mild for me. Mickey had been using whatever contacts he had in the government to try and put some heat up under Sheriff Cooke’s behind concerning Merlene’s case.

  I swallowed one of the tiny, yellow pills around nine-thirty that night and was sure before I could count to a thousand, I’d be out like a light. It must’ve been the second I started to doze off that I saw someone. The pill had me quite discombobulated, so for a minute I wasn’t really sure if I was asleep or awake. Then at least a dozen more figures app
eared—maybe even twenty—and they took their usual positions along the perimeter of the wall straight ahead of me, spilling over to the northern side of the room. They always seemed to show up whenever there was trouble, but this time they were late—at least by ten days, and Sir Clement was nowhere in sight. I must admit I kind of missed the guy. He was a regular part of my life for several years since Donnie died and undeniably a handsome sight to see, even in death.

  I noticed the tallest one with the longest straight black hair I’d ever seen. I doubt he’d ever had a haircut and wondered who’s possibly taking care of it on the other side. Were there any available barbers on hand to even add a good shape-up? If there weren’t any, there needed to be if only for mister stoic’s sake. Yes indeed—stoic he was. I never paid much attention to him whenever he appeared with Sir Clement and the others. Seemed to always have a chip on his shoulder or something. When he walked over to my bed, stopping just a couple of feet away from me, I felt he had something important to say. Could only hope it had to do with Merlene. In actuality, I didn’t expect him to say anything because he never did before—none of them did. Not even Sir Clement until we’d gotten close enough to solving the mystery behind his death.

  “What is it?” I struggled to form the words intelligently. If they hadn’t seen me pop my pill, they might’ve thought I went to bed intoxicated.

  He folded his long, lanky hands in front, then uttered, “Give it back, so we can rest.”

  “Huh? What’re you talking about?” I could barely manage to sit up. For a moment there, I was wondering if the whole thing was a dream or maybe an hallucination. My sweet Donnie never believed in taking prescription pills. He always felt they screwed you up in one way or another. I was obviously under the sleeping pills’ spell and wondered if I should’ve even replied because maybe I was just talking to myself since none of those special, dead people were actually there.

  “We want what is ours. No more waiting,” he added.

  I shook my head slowly, now thinking there’s a good chance that guy was actually standing there and this was no dream or hallucination.

  “Is ten o’clock in the morning good for you?”

  I believe there was a confused expression on his face. Either that or he shuddered to see the look on mine. In any event, he was wasting his time with me because all I wanted to do right then was sleep.

  3

  _________________

  Nilla and I had just returned home from our morning stroll and were about to enter the house when I heard Debbie Anderson calling from the end of my walkway.

  “Is that you, Deb?” I turned, facing her. For that early in the morning, just after eight o’clock, my next door neighbor looked absolutely beautiful. Not a strand of her medium-length ponytail was out of place and the peach and white short set she wore accentuated her tanned legs so perfectly that she looked like she belonged on the front cover of a sports magazine. I was certain her daughter Judy was going to be a close replica of her mother when she grew up. Even then, the signs were obvious.

  “Yes, it’s me!” Debbie responded happily as she proceeded up the walkway. “I was about to head out to the food store when I saw you and Nilla walking by. I thought I’d come over and find out if you heard anymore news concerning Merlene.”

  Nilla had run off the moment I opened the door. She usually had no interest in human affairs unless it involved her getting a treat.

  “Would you like to come in for a quick cup of coffee, dear?” I asked.

  “I’d love to.”

  “Debbie!” Anthony hailed from the top of the staircase. “How are ya?”

  “Hey, Anthony! Doing just fine.” She waved.

  “And the family?”

  “Gary and Judy are well. Thank you. Gary’s on another business trip, so Judy and I have pretty much had the house to ourselves. We’re travelling to Florida tomorrow though to visit my folks.”

  “Good for you two! Well, if you need any manly work done at the house, don’t hesitate to call on Theodore,” he said.

  Debbie laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, Anthony.”

  “Gotta get ready for work. Catch you later.” He disappeared around the bend toward his room.

  “Well, I guess he was only being honest,” I said, walking over to the kitchen. “Theodore’s sort of a ‘fix-it’ type of guy whereas the only thing Anthony knows how to fix is a computer.”

  “I totally get it.” Debbie followed me. “Anthony’s certainly come out of his shell, huh?”

  “Don’t you think it’s about time?” I set two green mugs on the counter and pretended to be feeling around for the coffee pot.

  “Let me help you,” she offered.

  “No. No. I’ve done this a thousand times. I’ve got this.”

  She backed off and gave me my space again.

  “It’s so nice to see you…well...hear you again,” I said.

  Merlene would’ve been so angry at me for messing up twice in two days! That’s another thing I desperately needed her for—to keep me on track. She used to say my “trap” was my own worst enemy.

  “It’s always nice seeing you, Lucille. I see you almost daily from my balcony, remember? We hail all the time.”

  “Yes, I remember. I’m not senile, you know.”

  “Oh! I know you’re not!” She smiled.

  I heard a sigh moments later as I poured the coffee.

  “You’re really a strong, lady,” she said.

  I handed her the mugs and led the way into the dining room.

  “What makes you say that?” I asked as we sat at the table.

  “The way you’re able to take care of yourself in spite of not having your eyesight.”

  “It’s really because of Donnie and Merlene that I’m able to do anything for myself. Not because I’m a strong person.” I took a sip of my coffee. “Donnie encouraged me and Merlene refused to baby me. It was a combination of gentleness and tough love. I was lucky to have both.” I felt myself choking up as I thought about the two people I loved so much in this world and how both of them were now gone.

  Debbie stretched out her hand and placed it on mine. “I’m really sorry, Lucille. I know this is hard on you.”

  I forced the tears back. I wasn’t going to look like a crybaby to anyone other than the boys, which now included David. I had a tough exterior to uphold. “I’m all right.” I slid my hand out and patted hers.

  “Has anything new come up?”

  “I’m afraid not.” I sighed. “I keep on the Sheriff, but it doesn’t appear that they’ve made any headway. Neither has the PI David hired.”

  “It’s been how long now? Two weeks?”

  “Almost.” I nodded. “I’m afraid the longer we take to find her, there’s a likelihood that we may not find her alive or at all.”

  “It’s the same thing I was thinking on my way over here,” she said. “I can only imagine what David’s going through.”

  “He’s trying to be strong, but it can’t be easy for him every morning he wakes up and Merlene’s not there.”

  A few moments of silence ensued, then Debbie said, “Lucille, I’ve heard about this medical doctor who lives in Mizpah. Apparently, she’s helped the police solve a number of cases that were some of their toughest. Her name’s Mira Cullen; they say she’s a psychic.”

  “A psychic?” I frowned.

  “Yeah. I heard she’s really good and doesn’t even make a living from her gift.”

  “Guess she doesn’t have to since she’s a doctor.” I felt compelled to throw that in. Then it dawned on me what Debbie was getting at. “Debbie, are you suggesting I consult with a psychic?”

  “I don’t believe it would hurt to have her as an option since the case doesn’t seem to be going anywhere...and time is of the essence.”

  I thought Debbie had fallen on her head. “I don’t know. I can put it to David and see how he feels about it.”

  “I think that’s a good idea.” She managed a half-smile. “If
you and David decide you’d like to contact Doctor Cullen, I’ll get a phone number where you should be able to reach her.”

  “Thank you, Deb.”

  She was really such a nice, considerate lady. Always so concerned about others. A pity Carla, the neighborhood flibbertigibbet, couldn’t be more like Debbie. For as much of a work-out her mouth got from prying into everybody’s affairs, she should’ve easily lost about two hundred pounds by now. But that weight was stubborn as hell.

  Carla had popped in twice since learning of Merlene’s disappearance. She came up with so many scenarios as to what might’ve happened before David got home that day to discover his mother was missing. None of those scenarios made much sense to me, but I allowed her to go on and on until I’d yawned enough and told her it was time that I went to bed. Although the thought of contacting a psychic seemed a bit absurd, Debbie Anderson caught my attention. After all, it was weird enough that my being physically blind hadn’t prevented me, as of late, from being able to “see”, so maybe I should’ve been the last one to judge this psychic stuff.

  The truth is that I was willing to try just about anything to get Merlene back. Anyone who truly loved her would. That’s why I was sure David wouldn’t have a second thought about it.

  4

  _________________

  “You can’t be serious, Miss Lucille!” David blurted on the other end of the line. Truthfully, his response almost knocked me off the counter stool.

  “I am. Anything’s worth a try, right?” I replied calmly. “We only want Merlene to come home.”

  “We do,” he said, “but I don’t think it’s a good idea to get someone involved in the matter who might potentially send us off on a wild goose chase when time is so important right now.”

  I saw his point. I’d heard so many crazy stories over the years about how psychics caused grieving families even more pain by giving them false hope and sending them in all kinds of different directions. That’s why I was hesitant too.