Dead and Breakfast

by Lisa Rene' Smith

  “Oh, you don’t have to worry about him, he’s all ‘tied up’ at the moment. I caught him loading the manor’s paintings into his car—I discovered he’d already made one trip into town and had come back for seconds.” The staid chauffer surprised them all with an animated expression and huge grin.

  A woman’s weak moans emanated from somewhere on the other side of the large bed and Fran let go of Luke, taking hesitant steps across the room to investigate.

  Blinking a few times she shook her head, staring in utter disbelief at Justine—glowing and filmy like she’d appeared on the staircase—straddling a prone Mary Davis! “Dear God. What am I seeing?”

  Luke stood next to her and they looked at Mary lying there limp and disheveled, but he didn’t quite understand Fran’s extreme reaction since he couldn’t see Justine. “Yes, it’s Mary Davis, the woman who just tried to smother you. I knocked her out but it looks like she’s coming around.”

  “No. Don’t you see her? Justine!” Fran’s knees trembled and buckled then she collapsed into the chair next to her dresser.

  “Franny, darling, I’m so sorry, it’s not Justine—she’s dead. I saw them dump her body in the woods...” He realized the gravity of the news and leaned down to wrap his arms around her.

  “But...” Fran stared at the unmistakable likeness of her best friend.

  “Don’t worry about me Franny, I’ll be all right, now that you’re safe.” The entity’s voice grew faint and Justine faded away.

  “Oh my God, she’s—gone.” Fran sobbed, exhausted from the melee then news of a dear friend’s death. “Why? I want to know why...”

  * * * *

  “The police are on their way.” Luke’s amateur phone line splice worked. “Nathan, are they bound up good and tight?” Scanning all the sullen faces, Luke rubbed his weak right arm and rotated his shoulder. He wasn’t in the mood for another fistfight.

  “They won’t give us any more trouble.” The hulking man towered high above the row of felons he’d lashed to Ledgemont’s expensive wooden dining chairs. The two women hung their heads, the men glared back at him.

  “Please tell me everything, Luke.” Fran clutched his hand as they settled down together on the couch.

  “I’ll tell you what I know, and then maybe these goons can fill in the blanks.” He shot a ‘don’t give me any trouble’ glance at the criminals.

  “When Mr. Sutton took over, everything went downhill. He closed the Inn to guests. Your grandmother had insisted he keep Nathan and me on and he did, but Arthur ordered me to let the gardens go—said he didn’t like flowers. I’ve been more of a part time amateur plumber and handyman than groundskeeper.” Ashamed, Luke hoped Fran now understood why the flowers disappeared.

  “Nothing much went on until the past few months. Jean Davis came to work here, and then Earle and Mary Davis moved in for an extended stay. Mr. Sutton would only tell me he was getting ready to start a new chapter in his life. I hoped he was finally coming to his senses and we’d fix the place up and have a grand re-opening.” Duped by them all, Luke shot an angry glance at Arthur.

  “Later, I got suspicious when they’d all stop talking if I came into the room. I noticed they had a lot of late night meetings, so I hid in the secret passage and listened in. Mr. Sutton found out you were inheriting Ledgemont—they were determined to stop that from happening.” The young man pulled a tattered photograph out of his jacket pocket.

  “I found this in a box of odds and ends in the attic. He thought he’d destroyed all the incriminating photos.” Luke’s hand trembled as he handed the picture to Francis.

  Squinting at the snapshot, the girl recognized her mother, and the man next to the woman must be her father. She hadn’t seen any photos of her father since she was little. The couple was somewhere in Hawaii by the looks of it, and going by the date on the back, this one was taken not long before her mother died. Fran shook her head and got up, taking slow, deliberate steps toward the man who claimed to be Arthur Sutton.

  “This isn’t you at all! You’ve got a similar build and the same color hair. Close enough to fool just about everyone.” Fran’s choked on the next question. “What happened to my father?” She already suspected, but wanted a full confession.

  “He’s dead.” No emotion, just a matter-of-fact statement. “He was another one of my business associates. Earle, my main partner, liked to gamble, and he managed to put us deep in the hole. So when I found out Arthur was inheriting Ledgemont I killed him and assumed his identity.” Now he smirked at the girl, like killing another human being was no different than swatting a fly.

  Fran slapped his face—hard. Her red handprint matched the bloody mess in his hair.

  “You little bitch.” Arthur spat on the floor.

  “And then when you found out I was to inherit the Inn you decided to kill me too. Only you killed Justine instead...” Tears welled up in her eyes and she bit her lower lip. “If it wasn’t for Luke I’d be dead.”

  Luke stood up and helped Fran back to the couch. “That one is also a killer.” He pointed to Mary. The last piece of the puzzle. “She may be married to Earle, but she’s been carrying on with Arthur—or whatever his real name is. I heard him promise to make her lady of the manor—if she was willing to help him dispose of you. You’re the one who killed Justine, am I right?” Dark cold eyes stared back at him. She didn’t deny it.

  “And Earle here—still a gambling man—was stealing books and paintings to keep up his habit.” Luke shook his head at his own stupidity, wishing he’d realized sooner what was going on right under his nose. “At least he didn’t get them all. I’m sorry, Franny.”

  He looked over at the final member of the gang. “Old Jean, the loyal one, taking care of everyone, and always looking after her crook of a brother. She helped him make off with the artwork and...” Pounding at the front door interrupted Luke.

  Nathan answered, letting in a group of police officers. Without saying a word he pointed to the Inn’s private line-up of murderers and thieves.

  * * * *

  “I don’t know how I can ever thank you, Luke.” Fran yawned as she stared out across the property.

  Their long night of horror came to an end after the coroner took care of Justine’s body and the police hauled off the frightening foursome. Nathan returned to his apartment over the garage, and the young couple stood together on the stone porch, watching the indigo predawn sky transform into pale orange.

  “You really did save my life. I’m still in shock. It’s going to take time for me to adjust—losing my best friend, and also finding out my real father is dead. I’m really alone now, and a little lost.” Fran managed a weak smile as they headed back inside the Inn.

  Luke closed the heavy door then clasped Fran’s hands. “Don’t go back to that stuffy old school. I want you to stay here, with me. I’ll help you get the place going again. Nathan will help too.” Now free of Arthur and Jean he took on a new energy and a new purpose—his eyes sparkled and he kissed her cheek.

  “Oh Luke, of course I’ll stay.” Blushing, she kissed him then collapsed into his arms, resting her tired head on his shoulder.

  The sunrise bathed everything in the living room with a glorious golden glow. No longer oppressive and dreary, the manor’s atmosphere transformed into an aura of hope and possibility as it welcomed Francis Grace Sutton home.

  Fran took a deep breath then let it out in a long sigh. “Ledgemont Inn—it’s my legacy...”

  THE OLD PINE LODGE by Lisa Rene’ Smith

  “Alex, what have you done?” Maddie gasped, her lush brown eyes so wide they just might fall right out of her head. She glanced around at the ruins again before looking back at her friend.

  “Well are you…OW!” Maddie bent to slap her calf and kill yet another mosquito. “Damn it girl, are you just gonna stand there and let these blood suckers drain us dry?”

  “Oh, sorry. Come on in.” Alex pushed against the thick wooden door, gritting her teeth as the rusted
hinges screamed in protest. “Excuse the mess. I’ll get to cleaning it soon.” She smiled and spun around the room, going from post to gigantic post, touching the ancient wood with reverence. Despite Maddie’s scowl, Alex saw great potential in this run down lodge. Built long ago out of logs so massive it seemed they had grown here, this building withstood the test of time and came out a winner.

  “I still can’t believe you spent your divorce settlement on this dump—oh I’m sorry, Alex, I didn’t mean that.” She wanted to bite her tongue when she saw the smile lighting Alex’s face droop and disappear. “I’ll help you fix it up, hon. I just worry about you wanting to hide in these woods.” Maddie crossed the room, careful to watch for the debris scattered on the wood floor. As she drew near, Alex grabbed Maddie’s arm and squeezed.

  “I love this place. I’ve loved this place since I first laid eyes on the internet pictures of it. And I love it even more now that I’m here in person.” Alex pulled Maddie’s hand to the column beside her and placed her palm against the aged wood. “Can’t you just feel the soul of the forest here?”

  Maddie laughed, a short brittle sound. “I feel splinters.”

  “Oh Maddie!” Alex giggled and dropped her best friend’s hand. At that moment a chill passed through her body and she shivered, looking around with rounded eyes for the source of the cold breeze.

  “Did you feel that?” Maddie stared back at her, nodding her head to indicate that she felt it too. A moment later Alex wondered if she hallucinated the entire frigid episode, as the heat of the autumn afternoon once again seeped into her pores. What could cause such a draft? The walls of the lodge seemed quite solid. They stared at each other, the walls, the floors, even the ceiling—nothing.

  Alex shrugged and smiled at her nervous friend. “I’ll have to get that draft problem fixed.” Maddie didn’t return her weak smile and said her hasty good-byes, eager to leave the lodge. Since Alex didn’t plan to return to Houston, Maddie had driven up in her own car.

  Alex waved then closed the door. She couldn’t blame Mad-die for feeling nervous. Many people felt that way about the wilderness. Not Alex. This place came as close to paradise as she could afford.

  * * * *

  After spending the afternoon cleaning, Alex decided she could stay the night in her new lodge. Upstairs, several rooms still held furnishings, a few with beds and dressers made of rough oak. She couldn’t remember from the photos she’d seen if any of the outdoor, smaller cabins still contained furnishings but she’d make do here the first night. The power company came out and installed the meter right before dark and the place didn’t seem nearly as frightening with lighting. A huge filthy chandelier hung from the center beam, made of—what the heck—antlers? Oh my word… That thing had to go and soon. For now, it still worked so she’d just avoid looking up at it.

  Her back ached from her cleaning spree and still so much left to do! Alex decided to eat her last tuna sandwich and try to get some sleep. She’d head back to town in the morning for more supplies.

  Rolling her sleeping bag out on the least lumpy bed, she snuggled down, listening to crickets chirping outside the window. Amazing that none of the windowpanes had been broken. Almost like vandals were afraid to venture here. Whatever the reason, Alex didn’t mind having glass between her and the woods where the mosquitoes could carry off anyone not packing a substantial spare tire. She ran her hands down her soft stomach— darn little bloodsuckers would have a tough time carrying her off. Maybe all this cleaning would help in that department and she’d slim down some. Maybe she could even mold her body into the skin and bones shape ‘the ex’ chose over her more voluptuous figure. Damn him.

  Alex drifted off to sleep, envisioning his face from that day in the courtroom, when he learned that he had to give up half of his savings account, half of his assets, half of everything he meant to share with Miss Skeleton.

  She felt someone stroke her hair, long even caresses running down the middle of her back then up to the top of her head. Her mom used to brush the tangles out of her long wavy blonde tresses. So hard to reach them by herself.

  Alex’s eyes flew open. Mom died years ago! Silence greeted her, not even a cricket to break the still of the night. Icy air circled, reaching into the sleeping bag, sweeping through her hair. Nothing menacing about the cold yet she shivered in terror then shot up, trying to leave the bed, only to stagger in the sleeping bag and fall flat on her face. The hard wood floor knocked the air from her lungs and she gasped like a fish tossed onto a sandy bank.

  The air grew warm and Alex broke out into a sweat as she struggled to escape the twisted sleeping bag. Her gaze flew about the room looking for an intruder that she knew wouldn’t be there. Nobody there, that much she could tell with the glow from the moon shining in the window.

  “What the…” A shadow crept past the window. Alex ducked behind the bed, peeking over the edge of the mattress. Her legs cramped and she felt silly when she saw no more sinister shadows, just swaying trees. Imagination can play tricks, and she chalked the entire episode up to her wild imagination.

  Sleeping now would be difficult at best, but dawn couldn’t be far off. Alex went into the bathroom, delighted that the water still worked. She hadn’t thought to try the water in the lodge and went out to the bathhouse all day yesterday. She had checked that as soon as she arrived. Her idea of turning the lodge into a bed and breakfast blossomed when she saw the opulence of the bathhouse. Nothing like the quaint campground she imagined it to be. Murphy’s Bed & Breakfast would soon be open for business.

  Alex’s stomach grumbled. Time to go check out the town and get something to eat, maybe some groceries. Still dark when she got into her car, she headed toward Evergreen, the nearest town. A ghost town loomed before her headlights. Not a soul in sight—anywhere. The small café she knew must serve breakfast still sat dark. She drove down the main street and the terrifying thought that she survived alone on the planet tickled her psyche—too much sci-fi as a teen! Alex parked in front of Mammy’s Café and waited.

  When the sun breached the horizon she got her first real glimpse of the street. In an instant, people streamed out of front doors and down their driveways. Many on foot, some on bicycles, and a few in cars—like ants, they scurried about with purpose. An elderly man and woman jogged past her car to the café and opened the glass door, flipping the sign to “Come on in” as they entered the building. Stunned, Alex sat in her seat and stared. How bizarre, almost like the sun flipped the ON switch for this town and without it the occupants lay dormant. She debated just turning her car around to head back home, but she did want to work some more at the lodge and if she left now, it would be like running with her tail between her legs. No, she wouldn’t do that.

  Murphy’s Bed and Breakfast needed her. The old lodge had already wormed its way into her bloodstream.

  Alex drew in a deep breath, held it and opened her car door. Nobody paid any attention to her as she approached the tiny eatery. As she entered the café, the woman behind the counter smiled at her like she had grown up in this community. Alex breathed a sigh of relief. Again, too much television had her imagining that the residents of the town might string her up from the nearest tree as they did all outsiders.

  “Come on in, sweetheart. Sit here at the bar and I’ll get ya a fresh cup of coffee.” She pulled the glass decanter out and poured a huge cupful as Alex settled on one of the orange vinyl barstools.

  “Thanks.” Alex hesitated, not knowing if she should broach the subject of the night phobia that the entire town seemed to suffer from. If she didn’t, curiosity might drive her crazy. Taking a sip from the hot cup, she watched the woman through the tendrils of steam.

  “So, does everybody here wait until the sun comes up to go to work?” There, she said it. To her surprise, the lady laughed.

  “Let me ask ya something, Miss. Are you just passing through?” She picked up a striped dishtowel from the counter and started wiping down the already spotless bar top.


  Uh oh. Here comes the small town clannish behavior Alex expected. “Well no, I bought the old Pine Lodge. I plan to fix it up and turn it into a bed and breakfast.” Alex watched all the blood drain from the woman’s face.

  “Oh my God, are you all right?” Afraid the woman might faint, Alex jumped off the stool and reached for her but the old woman pulled away, staring at her would-be savior as if she wanted to bury an axe in her chest.

  “What’s going on here, Effie?” An older gentleman barreled through the swinging saloon doors and looked from one woman to the other—his gaze centered on Alex, his gruff voice sounded like it belonged in an army barracks instead of a café.

  Effie dropped the towel and lifted her hand to the man’s big arm. “She…” Effie pointed at Alex “…bought the Pine Lodge.”

  “I got a great deal.” Alex grinned, trying to break through the black cloud that seemed to have descended around everyone.

  The man shook his head. “Yeah, I’ll bet you got a deal all right.”

  “Harold!” Alex saw Effie squeeze his arm.

  “Well hell, shouldn’t we tell her why she got that place so cheap?” Harold bent over to look Alex straight in the eye. “Listen girl, you need to just leave that place, go back to your hometown. Evil lurks in those woods.”

  Alex almost laughed out loud, but she bit her lip and smirked back at him. Small town silliness! She cleared her throat, trying to make sure that when she opened her mouth to talk she didn’t laugh at them.

  “What kind of evil would that be?” Her cheek twitched when she spoke, but she managed to control her mirth.

  The couple exchanged odd looks, then turned back to her. Alex saw that they wanted to tell her something, but neither one wanted to be the one to say it. Harold sighed, his big shoulders rising then falling back into their stooped position.

  “The last owner disappeared a few years back.” He waited for a reaction, and when Alex didn’t respond, he went on. “Sheriff says it was a vampire, what took her off.”