Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 06 - Magnolia Mansion Mysteries

by Hope Callaghan

  After she poured the drinks, they stepped outside and settled into the rockers. Mally followed them out. She raced off across the yard when she spied a red squirrel trying to find its way into the bird feeder.

  Gloria was beginning to wonder if his kids had any intention of ever moving out. They had settled in quite nicely. Gloria had finally met them a few weeks earlier when Paul invited her over for a cookout. They were nice enough. Very friendly. Very polite. “So what made them change their mind?”

  Paul grinned mischievously. “I got a cat.”

  Gloria was confused. “What does that have to do with motivating them to move?”

  Paul sipped his drink. “Tina’s allergic to cats.” Tina was Paul’s daughter-in-law.

  Gloria shook her head, but she was smiling. “Paul. That’s terrible!” It reminded her of something her mother used to say: “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

  He rubbed his finger along the rim of the glass. “I admit it was a little underhanded but I was nearing the point of desperation.”

  He looked up. “Dorito is fitting right in at the farm.”

  “So how’s Tina holding up with the allergies?”

  He shook his head. “Not good at all. She’s pretty much confined to the bedroom – the only place where the cat is not allowed.”

  He sighed. “I hated to do it, but I was running out of ideas.”

  “I told her Dorito was a stray I found down by the station and I didn’t have the heart to leave him behind, which was true.”

  “It was like a gift from heaven. An answer to prayer,” he added.

  Gloria nodded. Things like that happened to her every once in a while. Where she was in a predicament and it seemed like there was no solution. Suddenly, something would happen and it was like God answering prayer in his own way. Not necessarily a way she would’ve thought. She firmly believed the saying, “God works in mysterious ways.”

  Paul took the words right out of her head. “God works in mysterious ways.”

  The timer echoed through the screen door, letting them know the rolls were ready.

  Paul held the door as Gloria stepped back inside. He helped set the table while she moved back and forth, arranging the dishes.

  She slid into a side chair and he slid into the one next to her. The two of them held hands while Gloria prayed. “Dear Lord, please bless this food. Thank you for letting Paul and I have this evening together. You know how much I’ve missed him.” Paul squeezed her hand.

  “Thank you for finding the perfect solution to his problem with his children. Once again, You have taken care of the situation in a way that neither of us would’ve thought of. We pray for all of our children, for blessings in their lives and for our own. Thank you for Your son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.”

  “Amen!” Paul lifted his head. He grabbed Gloria’s plate, placed a piece of the baked chicken on one side, and then scooped a large spoonful of potatoes on the other side.

  At the last minute, Gloria had thrown together a side dish of fresh green beans with bacon bits. He scooped some onto her plate before sliding a piping hot roll in the last remaining spot. He handed the plate to Gloria.

  He loaded his plate and set it in front of him. He leaned in. The aroma of baked chicken and cheese filled the air. “This smells heavenly. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal since. Well, since you surprised me with that pork chop dinner last month.”

  After dinner, they wandered out to the porch with a piece of homemade apple pie and cup of coffee. Gloria set her coffee on the stand between the chairs before turning to Paul. “Did you hear about the skeleton we found in Andrea’s dumpster?”

  Paul nodded. He picked up his fork. “I’m not sure who attracts more bodies – you or Andrea.” He lifted a piece of pie to his mouth and took a bite, savoring the tart apple and cinnamon sugar. “This is delicious.”

  “I threw in a cup of wild blackberries,” she told him.

  Paul lifted his dessert plate to eye-level and inspected the pie filling. “Yeah, you sure did. The flavor is delicious.”

  “How’s the investigation going?” Gloria wondered.

  “The remains are old. Older than Andrea so she’s off the hook,” he said. “How the remains got in the dumpster is the big mystery. Somebody put that body in there.”

  Gloria picked up his train of thought. “Hoping that it would just be taken to the landfill and disposed of, never to be seen again.”

  He nodded. “It would seem that way.” He glanced at Gloria. “Do you think there’s a connection between the house and the body? Or do you think someone saw the perfect opportunity to get rid of it and they brought it over?”

  Gloria remembered Andrea mentioning a while back someone had been inside the house while she was upstairs working in one of the bedrooms. Then there was the locked room in the basement. She absentmindedly reached for the key that Brian had given her, still tucked away in her front pants pocket.

  “I have a few people on my list to talk to. People that have lived in Belhaven long enough to remember the Johnsons. They might be able to shed a little light on them. All I remember is that they kept to themselves.”

  Paul nodded. “I’ll let you know what they find out on the remains.” The sun had set. All that remained was a bright orange glow.

  The two of them wandered back in the house. Gloria rinsed the dishes while Paul loaded them in the dishwasher. He glanced up at the clock. “I should get going. I have to work early tomorrow.”

  Gloria was a bit disappointed he had to leave so soon. She followed him to his car and watched as he unlocked the doors. Instead of opening the door, he swung around, grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood up on her tiptoes as he lowered his head to kiss her. After a long, lingering kiss, he reluctantly released his hold.

  She stuck the palms of her hands on his chest. The garage light picked up the colors in the ring and it sparkled brightly. “Thanks again for the beautiful ring. I just love it,” she gushed.

  “It was a toss-up. Either the ring or flowers,” he teased.

  He climbed into his car and rolled down the window before starting the engine. “I’m off next weekend and the kids should be out by then. It’s my turn to make dinner.”

  “Is that an invitation?” she flirted.

  “Don’t expect too much,” he warned. “You know the only thing I’m capable of is grilling.”

  “Sounds perfect.” She leaned her head in the window and kissed him on the lips before easing back out. “It’s a date.”

  Gloria watched as Paul backed out of the driveway and pulled out onto the road. A small smile played across her lips. She nearly floated down the sidewalk and into the house. Once again, all was right in Gloria’s world!

  Chapter 7

  Gloria’s eyes flew open and immediately zeroed in on the nightstand next to her bed and the jewelry box where she had carefully placed her new ring the night before. She leaned over and grabbed the box. She lifted the ring from the inside and slipped it on her finger. She admired it for several long moments before sliding into her slippers and shuffling out to the kitchen.

  It had been a restless night, full of tossing and turning. Her mind had darted back and forth between her evening with Paul the night before and wondering how on earth the skeleton got inside the dumpster. During the long hours she was awake, she managed to make a long mental to-do list. The first thing on her list was a visit to Doc Decker.

  Mally was waiting for Gloria on the other side of the bedroom door and the two of them wandered out into the kitchen. Gloria scrambled two eggs and made some toast with an extra slice for Mally. She lathered the top with thick layer of peanut butter and cut it into bite size pieces before putting it on a paper plate and setting it on the floor.

  Puddles was next. Gloria scooped a small pile of scrambled eggs onto a second paper plate and set it on the floor. Puddles nibbled the edge of Gloria’s hand to show his app
reciation before he started to eat his treat.

  The three of them enjoyed their morning breakfast in silence. Gloria’s head was spinning with scenarios on how the body made it into the dumpster.

  She loaded the last bit of egg onto her toast and folded it in half. In two bites, the food was gone and Gloria was ready to start her day.

  She took a quick shower then pulled on a pair of pink capris and white cotton blouse. She slid her feet into a pair of her favorite sandals, grabbed her keys and hopped in the car. She rolled down main street and passed by Dot’s on her way through town. The breakfast crowd was in full swing and the place packed.

  Doc Decker and his wife, Martha, lived in a rambling, two-story Victorian only a block from the old elementary school. They had lived in the house for as long as Gloria could remember. It was here the couple had raised their five children and then stayed on in Belhaven, even after they closed the old drug store and retired.

  Gloria would drive down their street every so often, just to scope out Martha’s landscaping. The woman had a green thumb and Gloria was always a bit envious of the lush lawn and beautiful flowers and plants.

  She thought about calling ahead but knew that they, like many of the other retired residents of Belhaven, were most likely at home puttering around the house.

  Gloria pulled Anabelle in past the white picket fence and parked behind a tan minivan. She pulled her purse off the seat and slid out of the car.

  She glanced up at the beautiful leaded glass window on the second floor before turning her attention to the blooming Dahlias planted on both sides of the front walk as she made her way to the front porch.

  She pressed the doorbell and waited. Gloria could hear a faint shuffling from within. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the lace curtains as they moved, right before the door opened.

  Martha Decker’s tiny frame appeared on the other side of the screen. “Hello Gloria. What a pleasant surprise!” She pushed the wooden frame door wide and shuffled to the side. “C’mon in.” Gloria crossed over the threshold and into the crowded living room.

  Several large pieces of furniture surrounded the brick fireplace on the far wall. A row of tall curio cabinets lined the wall opposite the fireplace. On the other side were two recliners, separated by a small farmhouse table.

  Martha talked as she walked. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” She didn’t wait for a reply. Instead, she continued down the wide hall towards the back of the house.

  Gloria followed behind. When she reached the kitchen, she found Doc Decker sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee and reading the morning paper. He snapped the paper in his hands. His eyes shot up as he peered at her over the top of his reading glasses. “If it isn’t Gloria Rutherford.” He set the paper down and maneuvered around in his chair. “Heard they found a body in the dumpster out at the old Johnson mansion.”

  His head, bald except for a wisp or two of hair, tipped to the side as he talked.

  Gloria nodded. “That’s why I’m here. I was hoping you’d be able to tell me what you can remember about the last family of Johnsons that lived in the old place.

  Doc Decker nodded. He lifted his coffee cup and shoved the paper underneath before setting the cup back down. He stuck his elbow on the table and rubbed his hand across his brow. “Been a long time. I’m not sure how much I remember about them.”

  Martha pulled out the chair opposite Doc and set a cup of coffee on the table in front of it. “Here. Have a seat.”

  “Thank you.” Gloria slid into the chair and reached for the coffee. “Just tell me whatever comes to mind.”

  Doc pulled his glasses off and set them on the newspaper. “Well, Abe and Barbara moved into that old place after Abe’s parents died. They took over the mill and ran it for many years until Abe’s accident.”

  Gloria wrapped her hands around the porcelain mug. “Are you saying that Abe Johnson owned the mill?” That was the first she’d ever heard of the Johnsons owning the mill. Eleanor Whittaker had said that he worked there. Not owned it.

  Doc nodded. “Yep. Had a successful business there until he sold it.” He leaned forward. “Your mother. She worked there for a short time in the office.”

  Gloria’s forehead crinkled. Her mother never mentioned that she’d worked at the mill…

  “Course, it wasn’t very long at all.” He paused. “It’s probably not my place to say, but there was some sort of fracas that happened over there and your father made her quit.”

  Gloria raised her eyebrows. Never in her life had she heard this story. “What about some of the other locals? Did anyone else work there?”

  “Well, there was Matt Whittaker.”

  Gloria nodded. Eleanor had already told her that.

  He went on. “George Ford worked there for a while, too. Before he bought the hardware store.”

  Doc Decker scratched his head. “That’s about it. Other than Abe’s brother, Hank.”

  Gloria arched her brow. “Abe had a brother?”

  Martha reached under the table and squeezed her husband’s leg. He gave her a quick look and continued. “Stepbrother. He was a troublemaker. Always getting into fights with town folk, right up until the day he disappeared.”

  Gloria’s eyes widened. “He disappeared?”

  Doc nodded. “Abe told everyone he went back home to Pennsylvania. Not that anyone minded. Good riddance to the rascal. That’s what we all thought.” Doc picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. “Ain’t much else to remember.”

  “You’ve been very helpful.” Gloria downed the last bit of coffee and got to her feet. She turned to Martha and smiled. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  Martha and Doc walked Gloria to the front door. “If I think of anything else, I’ll give you a call,” Doc promised.

  Gloria pulled her keys from her purse and stepped onto the porch. “I’d appreciate that, Doc.”

  The two of them stood at the door and watched as Gloria climbed into her car and backed out of the drive.

  Gloria took the back way home, passing by the old elementary school. Her mind was spinning. Her mother had worked at the old mill? Abe had a stepbrother who “disappeared?” Was Abe’s brother the body they found in the dumpster? If it was, how did it get there?

  Gloria’s next stop was Andrea’s place. She was anxious to see if the key she’d borrowed from Brian would fit in that lock!

  Gloria let out a sigh of relief as she pulled in the drive. The limo was gone, which meant Andrea’s parents weren’t around. Her parents made her a bit uncomfortable, especially her father. She got the distinct impression that he did not like Gloria very much.

  Gloria trotted to the front door and smiled as she reached for the lion’s head. She gave the iron ring two sharp raps and waited.

  Seconds later, Andrea swung the door open and stepped aside. Brutus wiggled past Andrea. Gloria leaned down and patted his head. “Good morning, Brutus.” He wagged his tail then licked her hand before sticking his nose on her pant leg. “You smell Mally, don’t you?”

  Andrea wrinkled her nose. “I guess this means you’re serious about checking out the locked room in the basement.”

  Gloria pulled the key from her front pocket and held it up for Andrea to see. “Aren’t you the least bit curious to find out what might be inside?”

  Andrea shuddered. “What if there are more bodies?”

  Gloria shifted her weight. She hadn’t considered that. It would present a bit of a problem but Gloria didn’t think that was what was inside. Of course, she could be wrong…

  Gloria followed Andrea down the basement steps and over to the small locked door. Her heart pounded as she stuck the key in the lock. It fit perfectly! The only problem was, it wouldn’t turn. Her heart sank. “It fits but it won’t unlock it.” She pulled the useless key from the lock and turned it over in her hand.

  Andrea almost seemed relieved. She stood up and brushed the dirt from her pants. “Well, I guess it’ll just have
to stay a mystery,” she concluded.

  The girls headed up the stairs and into the hall.

  Gloria looked towards the stairs leading up to the second floor. “What about the attic?”

  Andrea rubbed the sides of her arms and studied her friend’s expression. “I was hoping you’d forget,” she admitted.

  It was wishful thinking on Andrea’s part. She could tell from the look on Gloria’s face that she had every intention of finding out what was in that attic!

  Andrea’s shoulder drooped. “Okay. Let’s go.” She looked down at Brutus. “You’re going with us for protection.”

  Gloria chuckled. “Protect us from what? Ghosts?” The smile left her face when she saw the look Andrea gave her. It was exactly what Andrea feared. That some sort of spirit dwelt in her attic.

  Andrea reluctantly started up the steps with Gloria close behind.

  At the center landing, she turned right and headed toward the guest wing. “The only way into the attic is through the room my parents are staying in,” Andrea explained.

  She opened the door at the end of the long hall and stepped inside. Gloria followed her to the closet. Andrea opened the closet door and flipped on the light. The closet was long and narrow.

  Andrea made her way to the back and pushed a row of clothing to the side to reveal another door. “This is it,” she announced. She squeezed past Gloria until she was standing behind her. “You go first.”

  Gloria stared at the door. Now that she was here, she wasn’t 100% convinced she wanted to find out what was in the attic. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard before grabbing the knob. It was now or never.

  Gloria started to twist the knob and then stopped. “Do you think we’ll need a flashlight?”

  “Maybe.” Andrea didn’t wait for a reply as she turned on her heel and headed out of the closet. She ran down to the kitchen and grabbed a couple flashlights from under the kitchen sink.

  She headed back up the steps and into the closet where Gloria was still waiting, her hand still gripping the knob.