Roses are Dead My Love

by Penny Clover Petersen

  “Shut up and pay attention.”

  “And so does Mary. She’s biting her nails.”

  Rose kicked Daisy’s leg and hissed “Knock it off.”

  After the business was finished, Walt announced that the post office would be re-opening the next day. “I know that’s a relief for all of us. But we need to talk about this murder and what kind of precautions to take. We really don’t want people to be afraid to come to Old Towne.”

  “Does anyone know if the police have any leads?” asked Brad. They all looked toward Daisy and Rose.

  “I have no idea,” said Daisy. “If they do they haven’t shared with me. I do know that Tom Willis said the police will be stepping up patrols. But I think we need to get the neighborhood watch active again.”

  Walt said, “I think so, too. I’ll send an email out to all the shops this afternoon. I’ll let them know about the police patrols and remind them of the Watch rules - see something suspicious, call a Watch member or 911.” He looked directly at Daisy as he continued, “Never take action on your own. I guess that’s it for now. See you all in two weeks for an update on preparation progress.”

  Daisy nudged Mary Newhart and said, “Why was he looking at me?”

  Mary just laughed and said, “See ya.”

  On the way out Rose caught up with Sally and asked, “Sally, how about lunch? It’s been a while. We need to catch up.”

  “Sounds good, but I can’t today.” She looked around distractedly and said, “Maybe Friday. I think I’m free.”

  “Friday’s good. Are you all right? You look kind of, I don’t know, anxious.”

  “I’m fine. Just busy. I’ll see you Friday.” She practically ran out the door.

  As they were leaving, Jeff Moody jumped out of his car and blocked their way. “Look, please, I need some help here. The only thing going on lately is that stupid streaker. He’s interesting enough, but I need a real story.”

  Rose said, “Sorry, Jeff, we really can’t help you.”

  “Come on. You two solved that murder last year. I know you’ve got to be looking into who did this.”

  Daisy said, “Talk to Tom Willis. We don’t know anything.”

  When they got back home Daisy said, “I really do think that Brad looked worried. And Mary did, too. She was biting her fingernails.”

  “Daisy, everybody’s worried. Dead bodies at the post office don’t inspire confidence, you know.”

  “Speaking of the post office. It reopens tomorrow.”

  “Yes. I heard Walt.”

  “Well, we still need to find out who rents Box 768.”

  “Daisy, you’re insane if you think I’m going to break into the post office. I do not want to be the next one on some loony’s hit list!”

  A voice trilled, “Whose hit list?” Angela Forrest appeared in the doorway of the apartment, super-soaker in hand, Percy at her heels.

  “The murderer’s. I was just saying to Rose that since the post office reopens tomorrow, tonight might be our best chance to find out who rents that mailbox.”

  “Oh I see. Well, I think we should. We’ll be fine. There are three of us after all. And I have my gun,” she said patting the squirt gun fondly.

  Rose threw up her hands and shouted, “You’re both insane!” Daisy said, “You know, I’ve never seen anyone throw up her hands. You read about people doing it, but I’ve never seen it. Looks a little nuts.”

  “I feel a little nuts!”

  Angela said calmly, “Rose, dear, it’s important to know who has that box. How about we just try to get in and if we can’t do it easily, we come home. I’ve never picked a lock, but I’ve seen it done on TV all the time. How hard could it be?”

  “Did you not hear Tom say that the police have stepped up patrols? And I’m guessing there’s an alarm and probably cameras. So between the police and a murderer running around, you both still think this is a good idea?”

  Daisy considered a moment. “Perhaps not a good idea, but a necessary one. I don’t think there are any cameras or Bill would have been able to see the attack on Peggy. And if there’s an alarm, we’ll run.

  “We really do need to find out who’s been doing the blackmailing. And as mother said, if we can’t get in and out quickly and quietly, we’ll just come home. I won’t even bring my tool kit.” Daisy was referring to her ‘essential toolkit for the modern covert operator’ that she kept in an old Louis Vuitton knock-off for the odd break-in.

  Rose sighed, “I’m going to jail. I just know it. And I have a dinner date with Peter on Saturday. I really don’t think he’s going to find a jailbird particularly attractive.”

  Daisy said, “Rose, we are not going to jail. I think we’ll go at dawn!”

  “Not dawn. People are up and moving at dawn. If we are really going to do this, we’ll go at eleven. Everything’s shut down by then.”

  Angela chirped, “Eleven it is. Well, I’m going home to take a nap and find some suitable attire!”

  Chapter Seven

  Angela walked in and Rose said, “Mother, what in God’s name are you dressed for?”

  “This is how I roll, honey. Ready for a little night-time action.”

  She was wearing a black cat suit, black ballet shoes and a black bandana covering her hair. And she was carrying her Super-Soaker.

  Daisy said, “Mother really, a bit suspicious looking, isn’t it? We all set?”

  They put the dogs on their leashes and walked casually down the street and toward the park. As they were crossing the bridge a police cruiser pulled up next to them and Tom Willis rolled down his window.

  “Everything okay?” He looked at Angela a little doubtfully. “Just walking the dogs before bed,” answered Daisy. “Everything quiet around here?”

  “Seems to be.” He hesitated a moment and then said, “Angela, you’re not planning an attack on that streaker, are you?”

  “Oh, heaven’s no. Just letting Percy and Malcolm get a bit of air. It’s so hot during the day that these poor little guys don’t get enough exercise.”

  “Okay, ladies. Please, stay close to home and keep together. Don’t forget there’s a murderer out here somewhere.”

  Rose shivered, “How could we? We’ll be careful. Good night.”

  Tom drove off slowly turning to go past the park and post office, then continued out toward the highway.

  Daisy said, “Okay, we’ve probably got about half an hour before another patrol comes through. Let’s move it!”

  Everything seemed to be quiet. Only a couple of lights were on in some of the houses further down the street. They crossed in front of the post office and started up the alley to the back door. Malcolm and Percy stopped suddenly and started snarling and growling.

  Rose said, “Okay, let’s go home. The dogs don’t like this.”

  But Angela was moving ahead, squirt gun in hand. “Come on girls,” she whispered over her shoulder. As she got near to the corner of the building, they heard a door bang.

  “Mother, stop!” Daisy hissed. Angela had reached the corner and stuck her head around when the sisters caught up with her.

  Just as Rose whispered, “What do we do now?” a shadow ran from the back of the building toward them. Malcolm and Percy started pulling at their leashes and barking like crazy. The figure turned to his right and veered up the alley running all out toward the old neighborhood.

  “What was that?” whispered Daisy.

  “Someone else breaking into the post office?” answered Rose.

  “Seems to be a popular pastime. Well, he’s gone. We might as well take a look.”

  They sidled around the corner, the dogs trotting beside them. Malcolm was calm now, sniffing the area. Angela said, “You’re right. Whoever it was is gone.”

  Daisy was inspecting the door. “Look. We don’t even have to break in. The door’s open!”

  Rose had her phone out. “Daisy, are you nuts? We don’t know the place is empty. We have to report this. That could have been the kille
r finishing the job Peggy interrupted.”

  “Just give me one minute, Rose. I’ll just pop in and check out the book. And then we’ll call.”

  “He’ll be long gone by then.”

  “He’s probably long gone now.”

  While they were arguing, Angela had slipped into the door and was back. She was holding a red three-ring binder labeled ‘POST OFFICE BOXES’ with her bandana. “Is this what you wanted? I found it lying on the floor. The place is a mess.”

  “Mother! Put that back,” cried Rose.

  “Wait a second, Rose,” said Daisy. “Just let me take a look.”

  She carefully turned the pages of the book by the edges. When she came to Box 768 she pulled out her cell phone and snapped a picture of the page. “One more second. All right, I’ve emailed it to myself.”

  Just then they saw headlights coming up the alley. Daisy handed the book to her mother and ran toward the car with the dogs in tow, as Rose pretended to dial 911 and Angela threw the book into the open door. They turned in time to see Tom Willis getting out of his car.

  Daisy rushed up to him, “Thank God you’re back. We were just calling the police. I think someone broke into the post office. The door’s open and we saw someone running up the alley.”

  “Are you all right? What are you doing back here? You could have been killed. Go ahead and call 911. I’m going to see if I can find him.”

  Tom got back into his cruiser and drove up the alley. Rose made the emergency call.

  Daisy said, “Rose, shout when you see Tom’s car coming back.”

  Before Rose could respond Daisy, followed by Angela, had ducked into the doorway.

  Rose looked at Malcolm and muttered, “They’re both totally insane.” Daisy stuck her head out the door and said, “I heard that!” then disappeared again.

  A minute later Rose moved to the doorway and called softly, “Car lights. Get out of there now!”

  Daisy and Angela slid out of the door and the three were standing in a row when Tom pulled up again. He got out of the cruiser and said, “I didn’t see anyone. Did you get a good look? Can you describe him?”

  Rose said, “No. It’s so dark and he ran away from us. He was wearing a baggy black sweatshirt with the hood up, I think.”

  “Why were you back here, anyway?”

  Rose answered, “The dogs started acting up when we got near the post office. Then they ran up the alley and sort of dragged us after them.”

  Tom took a quick look inside the building and around the doorway. Then he said, “You might as well go on home. This is going to take a while.” He looked at Angela and frowned. “You didn’t go in there by any chance, did you?”

  Rose said, “Of course not. Do you think I’m crazy?”

  “Just asking. Gotta cover all the bases.”

  “I know you do. Well, see you tomorrow, Tom.”

  They were walking back down the alley when an old Chevy S10 pulled up and Jeff Moody, hopped out.

  “I heard the call out on the police band in my truck. So, what happened?”

  “Ask Tom Willis. He’s right back there.”

  “Oh come on, give me something. I had to write tomorrow’s column without any help from you and my boss wasn’t happy.”

  Daisy said, “There’s nothing to tell. We were walking the dogs and they started barking and ran up the alley. It looks like someone broke into the post office.”

  Jeff looked at Angela and asked, “Why are you dressed like that?”

  “Like what? You’re very rude!” Angela wrinkled her nose and sniffed and said, “Come on Percy. Let’s go home.”

  Rose threw herself onto the couch and said, “Whew! No more burgling for me. The strain is just too much.”

  “Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad,” said Daisy. She was pouring a lovely pink concoction into three tall, iced glasses. “Here, drink this. You’ll feel better. And remember, we actually got what we went there for.”

  “And we didn’t go to jail, dear, so you can have a nice date with Peter on Saturday,” Angela chimed in. “I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get that man with my squirt gun, but he surprised me. I’ll be ready for him next time.”

  Rose said emphatically, “No next time. There will be no next time.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes and said, “Oh, quit griping. We’re all fine. Mother, that place was really trashed. Where did you find the book?”

  “Just inside the door. The burglar must have dropped it when he heard the dogs.”

  Daisy patted Malcolm’s head and said, “Good going, buddy.”

  Then she went to the desk, drink in hand, and turned on the computer. She brought up her Gmail account and said, “All righty then. Let’s see who the blackmailing bully is who rents Box 768.”

  She opened her email and printed out the page from the record book. “Okay here it is - Charlie Taylor, 6201 Mill Street, Vienna, MD 21869. 555-228-2525. “Hmm. There are two IDs here, but they’re illegible. That idiot Peggy – sorry, Peggy, but dead doesn’t make you smart – must have set the copier set to darkest. This looks like a driver’s license, but you can’t see the picture or read anything. And I think the other ID is just a credit card. Not too much help. What do you think?”

  Rose glanced over Daisy’s shoulder, yawned and said, “That there’s not much more we can do tonight, so I’m going to bed. We can figure it out in the morning.”

  Angela got up, too, and said, “Yes, I need to get out of this outfit. It’s a little warmer than I thought it would be.”

  “Really? And I thought black spandex would be so comfy on a hot summer night.”

  “No need to be impertinent.” Angela went upstairs and called down, “Good night girls. Are we walking in the morning?”

  “Sure.” Daisy turned off the computer and said, “We’ll find out who this Charlie Taylor is tomorrow.”

  Daisy and Rose were climbing the stairs when Rose said, “Holy moly, I wonder if we just ran into Charlie Taylor.”

  “Ooh.” Daisy stopped in mid-step. “Well, now I do too. Are all the doors locked?”

  “Yes. And the alarm’s on,” answered Rose. She paused for a moment at the top of the stairs and said, “I think I’ll just go down and put the bolt on the dog door.”

  Chapter Eight

  It was past two in the morning. Rose had tossed and turned for over an hour listening for the sound of men in black hoodies breaking in. She had just fallen off to sleep when Roscoe jumped onto the bed and started kneading her hair like a deranged beautician.

  “Go away, you idiot.” She batted him away, but he came right back and started licking her face. “What is your problem?” She sat up and rubbed her eyes. “Oh, I locked you in, didn’t I? Come on.”

  She slipped her feet into her old running shoes and padded out of her bedroom. She bumped into Daisy in the hall and yawned, “What is going on? Why are you up?”

  Daisy said, “Malcolm needs to go out. Apparently, it’s urgent.”

  Angela came out of her room and said, “So does Percy. He jumped onto my bed, sat on my shoulder, and then started – well, you know Percy. He’s never done that before - at least, not to me.”

  “Then we’d better let them out.”

  All at once the three dumb chums started howling and hissing and generally acting as if someone had spiked their kibble. They bounded down the two flights of the rear steps, stopped short of the back door, and huddled together like refugees on a cold night.

  “What is it with you guys?” asked Daisy as she got to the door. “Are you afraid of something, you crazy critters?”

  And then Daisy and Rose looked out the window and saw the fire.

  “Holy smoke, the dog house is on fire!” shouted Rose. She yanked open the door without thinking and the burglar alarm started keening. “Oh for gods sakes!” She turned to run back upstairs to the control pad just as Daisy rushed past her and out the door.

  Rose entered the code and the noise stopped. She said, “Mother,
stay here and answer the phone when the alarm people call.”

  She ran to the side of the house and grabbed a rake as Daisy pulled the garden hose around to the dog’s igloo. Daisy sprayed water everywhere as Rose raked the embers out of the dog house and tamped down the ashes. They had it out in a couple of minutes.

  Daisy kept watering, soaking everything she could reach, worried that something was still smoldering. Rose was checking the rest of the yard when she saw Mrs. Hudson standing on her porch in her hairpins, spindly legs peeking out from under her chartreuse chenille robe, and fuzzy, turquoise rabbits on her feet. She was an odd sight on an already very odd night.

  She was hollering, “Is everything all right? I heard that awful alarm and then I saw the flames. What’s going on?”

  “Aunt Sarah, what are doing out here? What’s all the noise?” Abby Wentworth shuffled onto the porch in a long tee shirt. She sniffed the acrid smoke and said, “Oh my God! What happened?”

  Rose walked over to the fence. “Everything’s okay. There was a small fire in the dog house.”

  “A fire? In the dog house? How did that happen?”

  “I can’t imagine. I know for a fact that neither of the dogs smokes.”

  Mrs. Hudson frowned and said angrily, “I don’t see how you can laugh about a thing like this. The whole neighborhood could have gone up. You must have spilled some charcoal or something. You should be more careful. Really, you girls!”

  She stomped back into the house muttering to herself. Abby shrugged, “Sorry about that. She’s always been afraid of fire. How did it start?”

  “I have no idea. Maybe it was kids smoking or something. I really don’t know. We’re just lucky the dogs and Roscoe woke us up. It’s been so dry that if that walnut tree had caught, I hate to think what might have happened. What a night!”

  A police car pulled up to the house and Rose sighed, “Good lord above, I just want to go to bed.”

  Tom Willis walked around the house as Daisy was putting the hose away. “What’s going on? I was sitting over there at the post office waiting for someone to board up the door and I heard your alarm.”