Murder on the Ghost Walk

by Constance Barker

  Andrew chuckled as he closed the door, “You’re too smart, Daisy. You saw me coming out that window. You didn’t even let me say hello to everyone.”

  Daisy examined his pockets, looking for which one held her goody. Andrew reached into the chest pouch of his white overalls and took out a granola bar. He unwrapped the snack and handed it to Daisy. She signed, “Thank you,” then shot to her stool to eat the morsel in private.

  Andrew laughed as he watched her plop on her perch and eat her treat. “I can’t believe she’s so polite. She says thank you every time. I have friends back home in Indy that don’t show the good manners she does.”

  I eyed my rugged handyman friend. “So, I didn’t expect to see you so early. Aren’t you painting Mrs. Lewis’s bathroom today? Or are you here because of the incident on the ghost walk last night?”

  His face went long. “Yeah, how did you know?”

  “I just heard about what happened from a customer. And you seem to have a sense of urgency.”

  Andrew’s eyes fell to the floor. “Well, I wanted to talk to you. See if you can help me.”

  I pinched my eyebrows. “What? Sure! I’m not sure how I can help? What’s going on?”

  “Well, its complicated. But here goes.” He took a deep breath. “My old girl friend is in town.”

  Grandma was only ten feet away and overheard. She giggled in a curious way, then she remarked, “Oh boy, here we go. This should be good.”

  Andrew and I both stared at Grandma Rose, making sure aliens had not replaced her with an imposter. I finally turned back to Andrew and managed to say, “Well, that sounds like a problem you’ll have to handle on your own.”

  He sighed, “Like I said, its complicated. She came into town to try and get back together with me. I told her I have no interest in that, emphatically. But she stayed, determined to keep trying. To keep herself amused, she went on Twain’s ghost tour last night and somehow she discovered a dead body. With two knives stuck in his back.”

  My eyes squinted at him and I murmured, “This is going to be a long day, isn’t it.”

  Andrew nodded in agreement and added, “I think we should call Jaxon. Ask for his help. Is he around?”

  “As it happens, he was supposed to be here next week for lunch, to catch up on things. But I can call him, and see if he can come now.”

  Andrew pinched his lips. “Please, if you could. I heard the police found potential evidence in Nikki’s bag.”

  My jaw dropped. After regaining my composure, I asked, “Why did she have evidence in her bag?”

  Grandma chimed in once more. “I told you, Raine, here we go! Any conversation that starts with an old flame being back in town is another way of saying fasten your seat belt, this ride is going to be bumpy. And this one sounds like a doozy!”

  I took out my phone, ready to hit Jaxon’s speed dial number, but I paused. “So her name is Nikki. I bet she dot the i’s with little hearts, doesn’t she?”

  Grandma laughed, but Andrew frowned and answered me. “I told you, I had nothing to do with her coming to town. And I’m not interested in ever getting back with her. But I can’t let her be framed for something I know she'd never do.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “I’m sorry, the cutesy heart dotting remark was uncalled for. But aren’t you being a little over protective of ‘Nikki?’”

  “No. And you don’t need to say her name like that.” Andrew paused. “You don’t understand. The police arrested her last night.”

  I was glad we weren’t playing poker because I knew the surprise flashed on my face like the words free buffet blinking across a Las Vegas marquis. “Well that’s a ghost of a different color, now isn’t it. You should have mentioned that a little earlier.” I stared at him for a moment in case he had something else to add. But he just pleaded to me with his eyes. “I can’t believe this. okay, let’s get this over with.” I raised up my phone again, and this time punched Jaxon’s speed dial number.

  Chapter Three

  Jaxon answered on the first ring. “Raine! You calling to cancel our get together next week?”

  I countered. “Hello, Jaxon. Don’t be so pessimistic. I’m calling to ask if you can come to Sinking Springs, now.”

  He huffed. “Now? That can’t be good.”

  “It’s not. I don’t know a lot of the details. But someone took two knives to the back during the town’s ghost walk last night. And for some nefarious reasons, Andrew’s old girlfriend is in town. She went on the ghost tour, only to discover the body. To make things more fun, the police have since arrested her. Andrew is sure she couldn’t have done it, and has asked that you come and help us prove she's innocent. Oh, and the police may have found evidence in her bag, too.”

  Jaxon chuckled. “That was a mouthful. It might take a minute or two for all that to sink in. But, did Andrew really ask you to call me, for help?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jaxon broke into a full belly laugh, then noted, “It will take a lot of painting and replacing washers to pay back a favor this big.”

  I paused a moment to make eye contact with Andrew. “I know. But, Andrew is not the kind to take. So if he asks for help, he really does need it.”

  Jaxon let out a long sigh. “I hate to admit it, but I understand. I know Andrew well enough to get it. It killed him to ask you to call me. And as it happens I’m in Ice Meadow, about an hour away. My court appearance was canceled after the parties settled. So, I can head out now, should be there in about an hour and a half with a pit stop to eat.”

  “That’s twice you responded on short notice. Thank you. See you in a few.” I clicked off.

  Andrew, Jaxon and I formed a good working team, along with my best friend Jessica. But keeping the four of us friends took some work on my part. And I was obliged to put in the effort. After all, I did date both men while avoiding a serious commitment. And that situation forced the two gentlemen to compete for my affection, maybe unfairly. However, despite the awkward arrangement, the relationship between Jaxon and Andrew had managed to warm from combative to tenuous. I knew asking Jaxon to help one of Andrew’s old girlfriends was not going to improve that status, and it made me feel guilty. My instincts told me that in another world, another situation, Jaxon and Andrew may have been good friends.

  Andrew possessed a kind, gentle soul and I understood why he felt helping Nikki was the right thing to do. So, I fetched us some tea and picked a quiet table out of the way, as best as possible in a crowded tea room. My plan was to talk and learn what I could while we waited for Jaxon to arrive. “Alright, Andrew, tell me what happened. It might help to get your thoughts organized before Jaxon gets here.”

  Grandma Rose hollered over at me. “So I guess I am on my own here for the rest of the day?”

  George at table six heard Rose yell, and offered, “I have nothing to do the rest of the day. The tour group I came with is going to the river for the day, but I would be happy to pass on that and instead help a pretty woman in need.”

  Grandma blushed. “I can’t ask a stranger to help in my tea room. That wouldn’t be right.”

  “Well, my name is George and now we’re no longer strangers. What do you want me to do?”

  Karen snorted at the sight of the two well seasoned adults acting like teenagers. She blurted out, “I’m going to the tourist center, before I get diabetes with all the sugar floating in the air.”

  George chuckled, “I’ll catch up with you all later tonight, for dinner. Have a good day at the river.”

  Karen rose, dropped some money on the table, and left. George then stood, walked over to the counter and leaned on it to watch Grandma work.

  Andrew made eye contact with me, then flicked his head at the stranger leaning on the counter. “I think Rose has an admirer. All kinds of things going on here today.”

  I smacked the table and made our tea cups jump. “Sorry. But you need to focus and tell me what happened to this girlfriend of yours.”

  Andrew sat straight, wit
h a hint of surprise in his eyes. “Well, like I said, Nikki was on the ghost tour with Twain. She went to see the spot where the Montague murders happened and stumbled on a dead body. But it gets weird with the evidence they found in her bag.”

  “What? What did they find? And how on earth did she have evidence on her?” My surprise was turning to confusion, I could hear it in my own voice.

  “Yeah. The police detained and searched everybody at the museum last night. When they searched Nikki, they found bloody rubber gloves in her bag. So they arrested her. At least that is what Twain told me this morning. It’s all I know.”

  My mind raced with this new information. “Are you kidding me? She had bloody gloves in her bag? That’s a little more than just finding evidence in her bag, it’s incriminating. I think I need an aspirin...or a shot from Twain's hidden whiskey flask!”

  Andrew sighed. “It’s why I’m here asking for help. It’s overwhelming.”

  “Overwhelming isn’t a strong enough word. Okay, let’s keep calm. We’ll need to find out what she told the police, to explain the gloves. And more detail about how she happened on the body. And how she thinks the gloves got in her bag. Did you try to talk to her?”

  Andrew shook his head. “I’m not sure we can. So no.”

  “Jaxon can help us with that. At a minimum, she will have a right to speak with a lawyer, and we can use that. Was there anything else that Twain told you?”

  “Yeah, there was a man who found the body at about the same time as Nikki. But the police questioned him and let him go.”

  I was agitated that this day was taking such an unusual turn and my voice seemed to be a tad louder than usual when I noted, “Well, we need to find that man. Talk to him.”

  George stopped flirting with Grandma Rose and pushed off the counter top, standing straight. “That man was me. I found the body first.”

  Andrew and I both locked eyes with the gray haired man, and froze for a moment. Andrew then said, “Well, first item checked off. We found the mystery man.” He stared at the man. “That was easy.”

  I struggled to contain my jumbled thoughts. “Can we talk to you for a moment?”

  George smiled at me and said, “I have nothing to hide, but no offense, I have a better idea. I would prefer to talk with her.” He turned to stare at Grandma as he finished his sentence.

  I persisted, “Well, would you mind telling my grandmother what happened last night then? What you saw?”

  The man smiled at me and nodded yes. “With pleasure.”

  “Raine, we are pretty busy here. I can’t be dragged into this.” Grandma glared at me, with a cross of horror and anger.

  George chuckled. “I’m not ususally this forward, sorry. I don’t know what happened to my manners. It’s just...”

  Andrew rose and went over to put his hand on George’s shoulder. “It’s alright. We understand.” He turned to Grandma. “Raine and I can take care of things while you talk. If I’m to help Nikki, it’s important that we hear what this man has to say.”

  Grandma stared back at Andrew, her eyes revealing the many thoughts flashing through her mind. It took a minute, but she finally replied, “Raine knows how to do all of this better than me. You just listen to her and do what she tells you. Can you do that?”

  Andrew bobbed his head yes. “Sure.”

  I rose and went over to Grandma, helping her clean up, then settling her where Andrew and I were seated just a few minutes earlier. “Now, you remember the things Jaxon taught us? Motivation, opportunity, and means. You remember that?”

  Grandma waved me off. “Honey, I’ve seen enough episodes of Matlock. I know the basics of investigating a murder better than you. But I know what your trying to say, listen carefully and ask the right questions.”

  George took a seat at the table with Grandma. “I will answer any question you have. Or anyone else who wants to ask.”

  I kissed my Grandma on the cheek. “Thank you. Andrew and I know this is difficult for you. We will be right here if you need us.”

  “You need to go finish those croissants, or we will run out.” Grandma pointed at the display case, where we were dangerously low on the fancy french rolls.

  I was almost in tears, Grandma had done so much for me over the years. Helped raise me. But this somehow felt like we were crossing a line. She sensed my concern, and smiled. “Raine, if this is what we need to do to get through this, I am glad to help Andrew. And you don’t have to protect me, I’m a big girl. And you’ll only be twenty feet away.”

  George’s face went white. “I’m sorry. I was not thinking clearly and my eagerness to make an excuse to talk to you has created a difficult situation. This pulls you into a murder investigation.” He gazed at Grandma. “I’m so stupid. You people don’t know me and have no idea if I’m respectable or dangerous. I was so set on finding a way to talk to you, I forgot my manners.” His eyes drooped and he pleaded for forgiveness. George continued, “I can only offer my sincere assurances that I am a gentleman. And I am as upset as everyone else after discovering the dead man. I understand your concerns. But please understand, I liked Nikki, we talked a little on the tour and she was a sweet, pleasant young lady. So I want to help her, too, if I can. Yes, I was looking for an excuse to talk to you Rose, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

  Daisy had been surprisingly quiet. But she has an uncanny ability to sense emotion, and went over to study George and Grandma. Then she hopped up on a chair and signed, “I want to help.”

  Grandma smiled and said, “That is so sweet of you, Daisy.” Then Rose looked to George. “I hope you don’t mind having Daisy at the table. But she seems to think that she can help.”

  “I don’t care who sits at the table, as long as you are one of them. I wanted to spend some time with you, get to know you. But I am not concerned if anyone else joins us or hears.” George’s voice was firm, but gentle somehow.

  The burst of fresh air told me that the front door opened once more, this time to allow hurricane Jessica to blow in. She announced, “If you want to stay sane, don’t have kids. Dennis just burned his sister’s favorite doll in the glass blowing furnace. So Susan is a sad, blubbering wreck and wants a new Barbie doll. And Mike is trying to fix the furnace so that when it runs it doesn’t smell like a tire fire in the shop. It is truly a wonder we are still in business. Or to be honest, it is a marvel that my son is still in one piece. I have never been so mad.” Jessica scanned the faces in the room. “Did I miss something. Somehow, I sense my problems are not that big compared to the faces in this crowd.”

  I chuckled. Jessica and Mike ran a small shop and made all kinds of impressive trinkets. It kept them busy and they functioned in their own little world, just like most of the small business owners in town. I replied, “You haven’t heard. There was a murder last night. And now Andrew needs us to help his old girlfriend, Nikki.”

  Jessica snorted. “Wow, what a name. I bet she dots the i’s with tiny little hearts.”

  Andrew broke his brief silence. “What the hey? Raine said the same thing. How can you two think so much alike?”

  Jessica shook her head like she was shaking off bees. “I’m sorry. I did hear that something happened last night on the ghost walk. But I had no idea! And what the heck does Andrew’s girlfriend have to do with any of this?”

  “Come on, we’ll explain as we finish making some croissants. But in summary, George, over there talking to Grandma, is relaying everything he saw and heard. Oh, that’s right, you don’t know. He found the dead body. And Andrew and I are going to keep the tea room running while Grandma Rose talks with him. George insists on talking, or more accurately, flirting with her. So we could use your help with keeping the customers happy in the mean time. And you won’t be focused on burnt plastic toys or smelly furnaces.”

  Jessica sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve had a bad day. And you still didn’t tell me what Andrew’s old girlfriend has to to do with any of this.”

  Andrew answe
red, “The police found some evidence in her bag and arrested Nikki. We need to help prove she didn’t do it.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. “You’re pulling my leg. Please tell me this is a joke.”

  Andrew’s face grew stern. “I’m dead serious. I owe Nikki nothing, but I know she couldn't have done something so cruel to another person. She doesn’t deserve to be framed for it.”

  Jessica folded her arms across her chest. “How are you so sure she didn’t do it?”

  George’s voice boomed back. “Because I was with her the whole time in the museum. There was no way she could have done it.”

  Jessica locked eyes with me, then Andrew, and let out a deep sigh. “What the heck. I’m in. What do you need me to do?”

  Chapter Four

  We managed to get the croissants formed and in the oven. Then I set up Andrew and Jessica to keep an eye on things. It freed me up for a few minutes to go over and join Grandma Rose and George. Taking a seat next to Daisy, I watched her chew on a flower from the centerpiece. “Daisy, those are not for you to eat!”

  Daisy signed, “But it’s good.”

  I laughed and asked Grandma, “So how is the interview, or should I say speed date, going?”

  George stared at me with wide eyes and his mouth hanging ever so slightly. “What makes you think we are speeding through this. Rose was graciously telling me the interesting history of the tea room. And how she came to find Daisy.”

  Daisy snorted on hearing her name. I was not as amused as our primate hostess, and asked, “I thought you were going to tell us what happened last night. What you saw and heard.”

  George smiled. “We’re getting to that, in our own time. But now that you are here, this may be as good a time as any. So, what do you want to know?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Okay, Let’s start with how you found the body.”