The Walk That Haunts Me

by Rose Pressey

  “Absolutely,” she said. “We’ve been through a lot together. I don’t think I can give up a friendship that easily after what we’ve been through.”

  “I think this starts a whole new chapter for us,” I said.

  Jessie laughed. “Yes, it was a real page-turner for a while, and I wasn’t convinced that there would be a happy ending. So tell me who else was on the suspect list?” She lowered her voice as if maybe someone would hear.

  “Oh, I’m not sure if I can say anything.”

  “Mrs. Mae had to be on your list, right?” she asked with a giggle.

  “After the whole pie thing, yes, I was a bit suspicious and she was on my list. And of course, Jenny. And I thought maybe Jonathan since he disappeared. Then of course Alexandria Emerson because she was on the run. I suppose that’s it. I hope I wasn’t on anyone else’s list of suspects.”

  “I don’t think you were this time,” she said.

  I laughed. “This time.”

  “Well, I’m glad it’s all behind us now,” she said.

  “Me too,” I said.

  “Not only are you a great tour guide and librarian, you are a crime-solver too.”

  The officers had checked with the farm owner and the horse had been returned to its stall. Thank goodness. No one had been injured by the flying bullet and Jenny was going to jail. The only unanswered question that remained was where was Jonathan?

  ***

  The next morning was full of bright sunshine and blue clouds. I felt much better and the heaviness I’d felt in the air had disappeared. I planned on taking the necklace over to the museum after work tonight, before I had my tour. We’d heard nothing about Jonathan yet, but I hoped to find out soon. Jenny had said she hadn’t killed him and that he had taken off but I wasn’t sure I believed what she said. I just hoped that he was found safe soon.

  I got ready for work and still had to go by the coffee shop because I didn’t have coffee. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I checked and saw the text message. It wasn’t from the ghosts. This time Brannon had texted me.

  I have news. Call me when you get a chance.

  I hoped it was good news. I wanted to start this day off on a better note. As I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, I dialed Brannon’s number. I checked over my shoulder just to be sure, but there were no signs of the ghosts. I supposed I could relax now.

  “What’s the good news?” I asked when Brannon answered the phone.

  “Jonathan has returned.”

  “And he’s all right?”

  “Yes, he’s absolutely fine. He took off because he wanted to get away from Jenny. She threatened to kill him and he felt the only way to get away from her was to leave town.”

  “Why didn’t he tell the police?” I asked.

  “He felt that there was nothing we could do to stop her. He was definitely suspicious that she had murdered Lucy Marcus. He thought Jenny would come for him.”

  “He should’ve told the police,” I said.

  “He didn’t know anything was wrong that night on the tour. I suppose he just wanted to trick her into thinking things were fine so he could get away.”

  “I’m headed to the library now,” I said. “Well, after I make a stop at the coffee shop.”

  “Tell Dana I said hello.”

  “I’ll tell her,” I said.

  “Can you meet me for lunch?” Brannon asked.

  “I’d love to.”

  “All right, I’ll talk to you later, babe.”

  I walked on the sidewalk with a spring in my step. I hadn’t felt this good in quite some time. I was curious to find out if anyone had captured Annie on film again. I walked across the street and made my way to the coffee shop. I didn’t even bat an eyelash when people watched me when I went in the shop this time. Everyone had to have heard the story of how I had saved the day by wrestling with Jenny. Now Alexandria Emerson would be off the hook.

  Before going to the coffee shop, I decided to make a stop at the restaurant. I wanted to check out that window again and see if I had another possession experience with Agatha like I had earlier. I hoped it never happened again. I walked up the narrow and steep staircase to the tiny area that had the window overlooking the streets of Devil’s Moon.

  Standing in the exact same spot, I wondered if that had anything to do with how I’d felt. So far, I felt absolutely nothing. I stared out the window. The modern scene was exactly as it always was—the same cars going up and down the streets and the same businesses. No carriages, no lanterns, and no people dressed in old-fashioned attire. I supposed it had been a one-time occurrence. That was fine by me since I’d been so unnerved by the earlier incident. I wondered if I should keep the restaurant on the tour. Maybe it was best if I dropped it, but it was such a great location. So much history and paranormal activity. I had to give it another shot.

  Once out on the sidewalk again I continued toward the coffee shop. When I heard the clip-clop on the cobblestone street I immediately got nervous. I looked back and saw the carriage coming toward me. I thought about turning into a building to hide but I was a bit mesmerized. The carriage came closer. I was waiting to see that ghost again. I’d thought this was all behind me now. I saw his face as he looked right at me. Then in a blink of an eye it wasn’t him. Mr. Bumgardner was guiding the horses. He was the new driver for the carriage.

  He waved and smiled. “Hello, Ripley. How are you?”

  I was still a bit shocked and it took me a couple of seconds before I tossed my hand up in a wave. “Nice to see you, Mr. Bumgardner.”

  It had all just been my imagination. I was still paranoid after everything that had happened. No need to freak out, I reminded myself.

  When I turned around, I bumped into someone’s hard chest. I was so shocked that it knocked the wind out of me and I was momentarily speechless. The person grabbed my arms.

  “Whoa, don’t fall. Everything all right, Rip?” Brannon asked.

  After catching my breath, I was able to speak. “Thank goodness it’s you.”

  “Who did you think it was?” He flashed his gorgeous smile.

  Brannon probably knew the answer to that already.

  “I thought maybe it was a ghost or a killer.” I tossed my hands up. “Who knows around here.”

  “Well, they’re all gone now. The ghosts haven’t shown up since and Jenny, Patrick and Elizabeth are in jail.”

  “I hope so the ghosts are gone. When I saw Mr. Bumgarner on the carriage just now, for a moment I thought the ghost of Neil Pennington was driving. I suppose it was just my imagination.”

  “You’re still too stressed. Hey, maybe it was just the ghosts’ way of saying goodbye.”

  “A farewell isn’t necessary,” I said. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was driving down the street when I spotted you. I just couldn’t resist stopping for a kiss.” He leaned down and pressed his full lips firmly on mine.

  This left me dizzier than when I’d been possessed by a ghost. After a bit, Brannon moved his head back just a bit and gazed into my eyes.

  “How about I buy that coffee and croissant for you?” he asked.

  “Actually, there’s somewhere I need to go first,” I said.

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “I need to take the necklace to the museum. It’s just my opinion, but the ghosts won’t truly have closure unto I do that,” I said.

  Brannon squeezed my hand to reassure me that everything was fine. “I think that’s a great idea.”

  I embraced Brannon in a big hug.

  He chuckled. “You’re amazing, Ripley Van Raden.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself,” I said with a wink. “I’ll see you later.”

  I tossed my hand up in a wave as I hurried toward the museum. Too bad I couldn’t take Brannon up on the offer for coffee, but I needed to do this as soon as possible. The thought had been nagging at me since last night. After last night and the stress, I thought I deserved a chocolate croissant this
morning. And maybe a large coffee. Alas, it would have to wait.

  Taking the gold locket necklace to Mr. Abernathy was of the upmost importance at the moment. I was afraid I would lose it and I’d rather not have that responsibility.

  “Oh, Ripley, nice to see you,” Mr. Abernathy said when I entered the museum.

  “I brought you something,” I said.

  He flashed a curious smile. “A gift for me?”

  “A gift for the museum,” I said, pulling out the necklace.

  The overhead light glinted off the gold locket.

  His eyes lit up. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”

  “I think Agatha would have wanted everyone to see the necklace. It’s a symbol of love between Neil and Agatha.”

  “I have just the section for it,” he said, taking the necklace from my hand. “How did you know?”

  I shrugged. “I suppose it was just a voice in my head.”

  “I did some research on the picture,” he said.

  “What did you find out?” I asked excitedly.

  “Neil was actually in the Civil War. He was missing for quite some time and Agatha thought that he was gone for good…”

  “But he came back,” I said, finishing his sentence.

  When he nodded his eyeglasses almost slipped off. “Yes, he did.”

  “And Agatha watched for him in the restaurant window,” I said.

  “So the story goes,” he said.

  “Well, that was the reason why I experienced that sensation at the restaurant window.”

  I explained to Mr. Abernathy exactly what happened.

  “That’s amazing,” he said.

  “Neil, his brother Ralph, and Agatha did a great deal to help the people of Devil’s Moon and surrounding towns. They delivered food to people in need and other supplies. That was what they were doing the night of the accident.”

  “They’re still helping people from the spirit world. They helped me locate the killer. I received a warning to beware of the trio. I thought the warning was about the three ghosts. Now I know it was really a warning about the arrested three Jenny, Elizabeth, and Patrick.”

  “Hopefully having the necklace here will allow them to move on. I’ll have a whole display on Agatha, Neil, and Ralph.”

  “I think this was what they wanted all along was for you to have the necklace. That was the reason I found it. I thought they were mad each time I saw them. Now that I think back I realize their expressions were ones of pain and not anger.”

  It was nice to finally piece together the whole story of Neil, Ralph, and Agatha. I hoped I helped them as much as they’d helped me.

  “Thanks for the info, Mr. Abernathy. I’d better get to the library.”

  “Thank you again, Ripley. Stop by soon and see the display,” he said.

  “I certainly will,” I said with a wave.

  After leaving the museum, I made it to the coffee shop. I spotted Dana behind the counter and she rushed out to greet me. Apparently, word had made it to the coffee shop.

  “I just heard the news,” Dana said.

  “Well, word certainly travels fast around here.”

  “You’re a hero around town. I think we should have a parade for you.”

  “I wouldn’t get that carried away but you’re sweet, Dana. Thank you.”

  “What can I get you? Anything you want. It’s on the house this morning.” She waved her arm.

  “I could really use a croissant and a coffee.”

  “Coming right up,” she said as she hurried around the counter. “So, any word on the missing man?”

  “Oh, yes, he’s back. He just wanted to get away from the killer.”

  “Well, I can’t blame him for that, bless his heart. I’m just glad that this is all over. Now maybe this town can get back to normal.”

  Something told me that Devil’s Moon would never be normal. There were too many ghosts for that. We just had to learn to share this town with the spirit world. And I would keep communicating with them one text at a time.

  The end.

  About the Author

  Rose Pressey is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.

  When she’s not writing about werewolves, vampires and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties.

  Rose suffers from Psoriatic Arthritis and has knee replacements. She’s soon having her hips replaced, elbows, and at least one shoulder.

  Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son, and two sassy Chihuahuas.

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