Haunted Tales

by Terri Reid

  Bradley stepped away from the bag and looked at Mike. “I’ve screwed everything up,” he said. “I have totally, completely screwed everything up.”

  “Wow,” Mike replied. “I hadn’t realized that. But just to be sure I understand, what exactly are we talking about here?”

  Bradley punched against the bag. “First of all,” he said, his jaw tight, “I have totally ruined Mary’s life.”

  Mike nodded. “Yeah, I can see that,” he said.

  “You can?” Bradley asked, turning suddenly towards Mike so the swinging bag hit him and made him stumble.

  “Oh, yeah,” Mike agreed, standing up, walking closer and meeting Bradley’s eyes. “First of all, you force her to fall in love with you. She could have had her choice of guys, but no, you had to ruin things and be the only man she could spend her life with.”

  “Well,” Bradley began, but Mike held his hand up, stopping him.

  “Then, you give her a daughter, who she totally adores, especially when she thought she would never have the chance to have a baby,” he said. “A daughter whose birth she experienced. A daughter she cared for so much, even before she met her, that she would not let Ian wipe out through hypnosis the traumatic things she experienced, because she always wanted to remember giving birth to Clarissa.”

  Bradley’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know—” he began, but Mike cut him off again.

  “And then, you had the audacity to get her pregnant,” Mike continued. “A dream she’d always had, but had almost given up on. And along with the morning sickness, the fatigue and the change in her size, she gets to participate in a miracle. She gets to feel a tiny person inside of her. She gets to know that she is a partner with God in the giving of life.”

  Mike shook his head. “Yeah, you suck, man,” he said. “Big time.”

  Bradley pulled the gloves off his hands and then bent over and laid them down on the floor under the bag. He stood up and looked at Mike. “Once again,” he said, his voice filled with emotion, “I owe you. Thank you.”

  Mike nodded and smiled. “Go upstairs to your wife,” he said. “Stop worrying, and start enjoying the time you have together. You never know how much time you have on this earth with the people you love.”

  Bradley’s eyes widened in concern. “Is that a warning?” he asked.

  Shaking his head sadly, Mike started to fade away. “No, it’s the voice of experience.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  “Hi, Mom,” Mary said into the phone the next morning. She leaned back in her chair and propped her feet up on the desk. “Do you have a few minutes?”

  Margaret O’Reilly strolled into her living room and sat on the couch, propping her feet up on the coffee table and unknowingly mimicking her daughter’s position. “Of course,” she replied. “I was looked for an excuse to not clean the refrigerator, and you’ve presented me with a fine one. How are you, darling?”

  Suddenly all of the pent up emotions from the past few days escaped, and Mary’s voice trembled. “Mom, I’ve had a really bad week so far,” she cried.

  “Oh, darling,” Margaret said, sitting up in the couch. “What happened?”

  Mary thought about telling her mother about the close call she’d experienced the night before and decided against it. There were some things Mary just didn’t tell her mom, because she knew her mother would worry about her even more than she already did. Mary took a deep breath and went to the heart of what was really bothering her. “I don’t think Kate and Rosie are my friends anymore,” she said.

  Margaret smiled to herself and shook her head. She had been in contact with both Rosie and Kate for the past few weeks, helping to plan the shower. She should have known her intuitive daughter would feel that they were keeping something from her. “Why do you think that?” she asked.

  “They went shopping together, and they didn’t even ask me?” she replied. “And then, when I found them there together, they lied to me.”

  “That must have made you feel sad,” her mother sympathized.

  “Yes. And a little angry,” Mary admitted.

  “Well, of course,” Margaret empathized. “Who wouldn’t be angry to discover her two best friends out shopping together? Unless…” She paused for a moment, letting the word hang. “No, never mind.”

  “Never mind what?” Mary asked, wiping a tear from her cheek.

  “Well, the only time I didn’t invite you to come shopping with me was when I was going Christmas shopping or birthday shopping for you,” Margaret suggested. “But, really, Christmas is about two months away. That doesn’t make sense.”

  “Oh, what if they were getting something for the baby?” Mary asked, a hint of relief in her voice. “What if there were buying a gift together, and they didn’t want me to see it?”

  Margaret grinned and sat back on the couch again. “Would they do something like that?” she asked.

  Mary exhaled and smiled. “Of course, that makes perfect sense now,” she said. “How silly of me to be worried.”

  “Well, it’s only natural for you to respond that way,” her mother replied.

  “Only natural if you’re not thinking straight, and your hormones are crazy,” Mary chuckled.

  Her mother laughed softly. “Well, that’s just another one of those maternity bonuses,” she said. “So, how is everything else going?”

  “Everyone is so excited about Friday night,” Mary said. “It’s so wonderful of all of you to drive up here to celebrate Halloween with us.”

  “Oh, now, we wouldn’t miss it,” Margaret said. “Your father and I plan on coming up early to help you take Clarissa trick-or-treating. We haven’t done that in too many years.”

  “Clarissa will love that,” Mary said. “She’s been busy trying to find a ghost story to tell. She’s even asked Maggie to help her find a real ghost.”

  “Ah, she’s a bright girl,” Margaret said. “And a determined one, too. I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t have the best story of the night. And how is Bradley coming along with his story?”

  Mary chuckled. “Well, he’s certainly practicing,” she said. “And I’m sure by Friday night he’ll be just fine.”

  “He’s a good man,” Margaret said. “Playing along with our family’s strange traditions.”

  “I actually think he’s looking forward to it,” Mary said. “And he even volunteered to take care of the refreshments, knowing how tired I’ve been lately. That is so unlike Bradley. He usually hates doing things like this.”

  Margaret grinned, knowing that she, Rosie and Kate had told Bradley several weeks ago that they were going to take care of all the food for the shower. “Well, good for him,” Margaret agreed. “And I’m sure it will be delicious.”

  “It might be pizza,” Mary warned.

  “If I don’t have to cook or clean up, it’s a treat no matter what it is,” her mother replied. “And how are you feeling?”

  “Good,” she said. “Actually, much better now that I’ve spoken with you. You seem to know how to say all the right things. Thanks, Mom.”

  “Well, thank you for taking the time to call,” her mother replied. “I always love hearing from you.”

  Mary sighed. “Well, I should get back to work,” she said. “I love you, Mom. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “I love you too, Mary-Mary,” her mother replied. “You make sure you don’t work too hard. And be sure to drink plenty of water and eat sensibly.”

  “I was actually thinking about walking across to the bakery and buying a brownie for a snack,” Mary confessed.

  “And would it have nuts in it?” Margaret asked.

  “Yes,” Mary replied.

  “Then that’s a protein,” Margaret answered. “That sounds very sensible if you ask me. And, if they happen to have freshly baked ones on Friday, I wouldn’t mind being sensible with you.”

  Laughing, Mary nodded. “That’s a deal, Mom,” she said.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  “Okay, I’m
going to pull the cruiser back behind the school in the alley,” Bradley said when they were about a block away from the school, “so we’re not too noticeable. I called a friend from the local police force, and he’s going to meet us here in a few minutes.”

  “I’d like to get out first,” Mary said. “We might attract the killer if I’m out there alone.”

  Bradley pulled over to the curb and turned to his wife. “You do realize that every single molecule in my body is screaming to keep you in the car where you will be safe?” he asked.

  She leaned across the seat and kissed him. “Yes, I know,” she said, taking his hands in hers. “The door I will be standing in front of is shielded on both sides by an overhang, so a sniper would not be able to get to me from there. And there is half a city block worth of parking lot between the entrance and the street. So, it would be nearly impossible for someone to shoot at me from there. And, I will only be alone for less than three minutes.” She met his eyes. “But, if you ask me not to go out there and do my job, I’ll stay.”

  He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. “Three minutes,” he said, looking at her and then putting the car back in gear. “And then I’m at your side.”

  “Perfect,” she said with a smile.

  The sun was shining down on the cracked, concrete parking lot, and the temperature was in the mid-60s. Mary wrapped her wool cardigan around herself and hurriedly walked to the front entrance. She peered through the door to try and catch a glimpse of Andrew as he came upstairs, hoping to get a better idea of where he came from.

  “Is there something I can help you with?”

  Mary nearly squealed when the deep voice rang out from behind her. She turned to see an older man standing at the edge of the portico, his hands shoved inside the bomber jacket he was wearing. He could be carrying a gun, she thought. Dammit!

  “Oh, I’m just waiting for someone,” she replied with a friendly shrug. “But thanks for asking.”

  He shifted his hands in his pocket and stepped forward. “Who are you waiting for?”

  “Me,” Bradley said, stepping up behind the man and towering over him, the badge on his chest glinting in the morning sun. “Does that answer your question, Mister…”

  “Howse. Mitchell Howse,” the man replied, pulling his hand slowly from his jacket.

  Mary jumped forward, positioning herself between Bradley and Mitchell. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said sweetly. “Leg cramp. They happen all the time.”

  Mitchell stuck his hand back in his pocket. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing here?”

  “Well, actually, I do mind,” Bradley said, taking Mary’s arm and gently guiding her behind him. “But, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a couple of questions.”

  Rolling back on his heels, Mitchell shook his head. “I’m guessing you don’t have any jurisdiction here in Polo,” he replied.

  Bradley shook his head. “No, you’re right, I don’t,” he said. “But I figured you wouldn’t mind answering some questions, just between friends.”

  Mitchell took a step back, away from them, and shook his head. “I guess I just don’t feel all that friendly towards you.”

  He turned around and slowly walked away from them. When he got about halfway across the parking lot, a Polo Police Department cruiser pulled in and came alongside him. The driver rolled his window down and chatted with Mitchell for a few minutes, and then Mitchell stepped away from the car, waved at the officer and continued on his way.

  The car pulled up next to the portico, and a police officer about Bradley’s age stepped out. “Hey, Alden, good to see you,” the officer said.

  Bradley stepped forward and shook the officer’s hand. “Hey, Kris, thanks for meeting us here,” he said. “Let me introduce my wife, Mary.”

  Kris walked over to Mary and took her hand. “Hi, it’s good to meet you,” he said.

  “Thanks,” Mary said. “I appreciate you coming out and meeting us. Can I just ask, before we go any further,do you know the man you just spoke with?”

  Kris automatically looked over his shoulder and then back at Mary. “Oh, Mitch? Yeah, I know him,” he said. “This is a pretty small town, so we all know each other. Why?”

  “Oh, I just wondered about him,” she replied.

  “Well, Mitch has his own construction business,” Kris said. “He never married once he got back from Vietnam. I heard he’d been sweet on someone here in town, but nothing ever came of it. He’s got a small circle of friends, mostly the folks he went to school with.”

  “Thanks,” Mary said. “Do you think he could ever be violent?”

  Kris looked back over his shoulder again and studied the man who was now about a block away from them. He shrugged. “Well, I guess just about anyone could be violent given the right motivation.”

  He turned back and looked at Bradley. “So, what is this all about?” he asked.

  “My wife has a client who has recently turned up missing,” Bradley explained.

  “He was investigating the death of his fourth grade teacher,” Mary explained.

  Kris nodded. “Oh, yeah, I met that guy at the station,” he said. “Andrew, right?”

  Mary nodded. “Yes, Andrew Tyler,” Mary said. “He was supposed to meet with me several days ago, and he never showed up. I’ve been trying to get hold of him, but nothing’s working. He was checking out the school for clues, and I’m worried that something might have happened to him.”

  “So, you think he might be here?” Kris asked.

  Mary shrugged. “Well, it’s the first place I considered,” she said. “And I was hoping we could check it out.”

  Kris walked over to the door and tugged. “Sorry, it’s locked,” he said. “And we don’t have a key. And I really can’t justify breaking down the door unless there’s a missing person’s report.”

  Mary slipped between Kris and the door. Andrew was on the other side and he unlocked the door for her. She pulled it open and turned to Kris. “Well, look at that,” she said. “It just opened for me.”

  Kris looked at Mary and then looked at the door. “Well, that was spooky.”

  Bradley shook his head. “You have no idea.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  “Can we go to the library again today?” Clarissa asked Maggie at lunch. “I’d like to see your friend again. He was real nice.”

  With a mouthful of her sandwich, Maggie nodded. “Sure,” she murmured, chewing a couple more times and then swallowing. “But is he gonna be scary enough for the ghost story time?”

  Clarissa took a bite of her own sandwich, chewing slowly while she pondered Maggie’s words. Finally she looked up and shrugged. “I guess just talking to a ghost and seeing books float is pretty scary,” she reasoned. “And I really don’t know if I want to see a gross ghost.”

  Maggie nodded. “Gross ghosts are pretty creepy,” she agreed. “And they make you have nightmares.”

  Clarissa picked up a mini carrot and stuck it into her ranch dip, but just before eating it, she turned to her friend. “Do you see many gross ghosts?” she asked.

  “Not lately,” she said, helping herself to one of Clarissa’s carrots and some dip. “But before Mary moved in, I had lots of them.”

  “Why? What happened when my mom moved in?” Clarissa asked.

  Maggie reached in her lunchbox and pulled out a bag of chips. She ripped the bag open and placed it directly between them. “It was like she had a stronger pull,” Maggie said. “So instead of coming to my house when they had a problem, they went to your house.”

  “Do you think lots of gross ghosts come to my house every day?” Clarissa asked as she helped herself to the chips.

  “I don’t know,” Maggie said. “Do you think Mary would tell you?”

  Clarissa shook her head. “Probably not,” she said. “She wouldn’t want me to worry.”

  “Would you? Worry?”

  “Can you worry about something you don’t see?” Clarissa asked her
friend.

  Maggie shrugged as she dunked a chip into the ranch dip. “I don’t know. A lot of people do it,” she said. “My mom says those people are borrowing trouble.”

  “That’s a weird thing to say,” Clarissa said. “Why are grownups so weird?”

  Sighing, Maggie took a final bite of her sandwich. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe that’s one of the things that happen when you get puberty.”

  “Oh, that makes sense,” Clarissa agreed. She put the lid on the ranch dip and placed the plastic container back in her lunchbox. “Do you think we’re still going to be friends when we’re grown up?”

  “Of course,” Maggie said, packing up her own things. “We’re the ‘doption girls. We have to stay together.”

  “That’s right,” Clarissa agreed with a wide smile. “We’ll be friends forever.”

  The climbed down from the lunch table and walked to the door to go outside for recess. “Just two more days until Halloween,” Clarissa said as they passed the poster for the Halloween parade that was posted on the door. “I can’t wait.”

  “Me, too,” Maggie agreed. “Is your mom going to tell ghost stories to our class?”

  Clarissa shook her head. “No, she doesn’t want everyone to think our family is weird. So, she’s just gonna act like a normal mom and pass out candy and treats and stuff.”

  “Yeah, my mom said I shouldn’t tell ghost stories either,” Maggie added. “She said people don’t always understand stuff like that.”

  “I don’t get why people don’t believe in ghosts,” Clarissa said with a sigh. “I mean, they are all around us.”

  “People are just weird,” Maggie said.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “Okay, we’re not going to do any weird stuff here,” Kris Dore stated as they walked into the school. “I read that article about you. You’re like some psychic investigator, right?”

  “Well, not quite,” Mary replied.