by J. D. Shaw
“What school do you want to go to?” Samantha asked with interest. “Wellesley? Vassar?”
Stephanie let out a little laugh. “I was thinking more along the lines of Lakeshore Community College.”
“I’m sure they have some very nice programs.” Samantha did her best to answer.
“It’s right here in town and I just might be able to go next fall.” Stephanie’s eyes lit up with anticipation. “Well, I better get back to work or we’ll be here until midnight.”
“So, you said on the computer that you and Mona weren’t particularly close friends.” Vivienne poured a cup of coffee and filled Samantha’s mug as well.
“I knew her.” Samantha answered. “But Victoria and Fiona were really close with her.”
“So you came for moral support for Fiona and Victoria?”
Samantha let out a little laugh. “You think that Victoria Clemens needed moral support? That woman could make Queen Elizabeth feel inadequate.”
“Well, I’m afraid I don’t know any of them particularly well.” Vivienne took a sip of coffee. “Except for Suzette Powell, that is.”
“Were you two friends?”
“No.” Vivienne clarified. “It’s a small town and when you go to social events here they are usually catered by Suzette. I would talk to her from time to time.”
“That’s good.” Samantha nodded. “I was worried I’d say the wrong thing about your good friend and then you’d be mad at me.”
Vivienne waved her hand. “It takes more than that to raise my hackles.” She chuckled. “Just ask my Mother.”
Samantha smiled. “Does your Mother live in town?”
“Yes, along with my grandmother.” Vivienne leaned back against the vinyl booth. “The seeds don’t scatter too far here in Cayuga Cove.” She studied Samantha’s expression for a moment. “So why do you think Victoria is mad at you?”
“Well, it was just one of those feelings you get.” Samantha thought back to earlier in the day. “Right after you left, the guests started to arrive and they were hungry. I guided them to the buffet we set up and everyone seemed to enjoy the selections. More than a few people raved about your cake.
“That’s good to hear.” Vivienne added.
“So a short time later, Richard comes in with Victoria and Fiona at his side. He takes a plate and says how wonderful everything smells and how thoughtful we all were to provide a meal for this occasion.”
“So far, so good I’d say.”
Samantha nodded and cupped her hands around the mug. “Well, afterwards I see Victoria and Fiona whispering to each other and then point at me.” Samantha took a sip of coffee. “I make eye contact with Victoria and she gives me one of those social smiles.”
“What’s a social smile?” Vivienne asked.
“I’m sure you’ve seen it before. It’s the smile you find on the face of every politician running for office. The one so big it nearly reaches the corners of their eyes.”
“Ouch.” Vivienne shook her head. “I know that one well.”
“If I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought she knew what we did with the food.”
“I think that secret is safe.” Vivienne took another sip of coffee. “They don’t seem like the crowd to recognize Clara’s cooking.”
“It’s almost like she wanted me to screw up with the catering and have it blow up in my face.” Samantha confessed. “That sounds stupid, doesn’t it?”
“I can’t think of a good reason why she’d want something like that to happen.” Vivienne agreed. “But it doesn’t sound stupid. We all get those feelings from time to time.”
Samantha put her hands up to her mouth. “Oh God, I wonder if they found out what happened with their purses in the guest room?”
“What about the purses?” Vivienne asked with interest.
“Okay, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a klutz when I’m rushed. I was trying to help out by taking coats and purses into a spare bedroom. I put one too many purses on one of those skinny leg end tables and the darn thing flops over.” Samantha blushed.
“Those things happen.” Vivienne reassured her. “I doubt anything was broken.”
“No. Some lipsticks and compacts had spilled out of a few, but I was able to put everything back and no one was the wiser.” Samantha paused. “But maybe one of them saw what I did?”
“It could happen to anyone. Besides, if they did see that happen, wouldn’t a real friend offer to help?”
“I guess so.” Samantha reasoned. “Or maybe they just found another reason to keep me at arm’s length?”
“It’s their loss if you ask me.” Vivienne smiled. “I’d have helped you.”
Samantha took a deep breath and sighed. “Well, whatever it is I can’t point to anything tangible.”
“That’s how I feel about Suzette Powell’s arrest.” Vivienne spoke softly. “I can’t point to anything tangible, but it doesn’t feel right to me.”
“So here we are.” Samantha added.
As the evening went on, Vivienne shared stories of her little battles with Nora to lighten the mood. Much to her surprise, Samantha had similar experiences with her Mother and the two of them shared quite a few laughs as the coffee carafe was emptied and Harold informed them he was ready to turn off the lights and go home.
“It’s been so nice getting to know you, Samantha.” Vivienne spoke as she stood by her car.
“I was going to say the same thing.” Samantha opened the door to her sleek Mercedes and slid into the leather seat.
A cold wind blew some leaves across the parking lot as the lighted sign above their heads blinked off. Harold and Stephanie emerged from the darkened diner and scurried to their cars with a wave.
“I better get back to the inn before Fiona and the others send out a search party. Heaven knows I don’t need to get on their radar any more than I already am.”
“When are you leaving for home?”
“Tomorrow morning.” Samantha looked a little sad as she started her car up. “I’d stop by your bakery if you were open for business.”
“I’ll be there baking up new treats all day.” Vivienne replied as she unlocked her car. “You should stop by on your way out and I’ll give you a little tour.”
“I’d like that. If it isn’t too much trouble, that is.”
“It’s no trouble at all. It can get rather boring baking alone all day long.” Vivienne confided.
“Then I’ll swing by.” Samantha waved goodbye. “I’ll be checking out around ten.”
“I’ll be up to my elbows in flour.” Vivienne grinned. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Samantha shut her door and pulled away onto Spruce Street.
Chapter 18
Vivienne plopped into her car and slammed the door. As she turned the key, the ignition failed to turn over. She pulled it out and tried again. The engine gave a weak little warble sound and then fell silent. “Oh, don’t do this to me tonight.” Vivienne shook her fist at the sky outside her window. “Is this some kind of test or something?”
Fixing cars was not something she had ever given much thought to. She had always suspected that husbands and boyfriends made repairs sound more complicated than they really were just to have an excuse to stay out in the garage and drink beers in peace. Still, it reasoned that popping the hood and taking a look couldn’t hurt matters. Maybe a wire had come loose or a spark plug had popped out? She reached down under the steering column and pulled the hood release.
As she stepped out of the car, a strong gust of wind threatened to push the door closed on her. She forced her way out and was about to grab her purse when another very strong gust caught the door and slammed it shut with a tremendous thud. She yanked her hand back in shock, inspecting that all her fingers were still intact. Thankfully, they were.
She tried to open the door, but it had locked. “Oh, come on.” She protested. “This really isn’t fair.”
She pulled at the handle a few more times, hoping it would
just open. But it remained stubbornly closed. She cupped her hands to the window and saw her purse sitting on the passenger seat, the grimoire sticking out slightly. “Tempus Openus?” She spoke futilely. “Lockus Unlockus?” She tried again. “How about just plain old help me out here?” She asked with a sigh.
She would have to call Nora and have her bring the spare set of keys over. She tapped the pockets of the light sweatshirt she was wearing and came up empty-handed. The cell phone, she realized with growing frustration, was still in her purse.
As she looked up at the sky, the moon was full but it threatened to be consumed by angry dark clouds. A storm was brewing and if she didn’t hurry along she was going to get drenched. It was only a few blocks to Main Street and thankfully there were several businesses still open late where she could duck in and make a quick call. Wishing she had worn something warmer than the thin sweatshirt, she folded her arms together and trudged along fighting the cold wind with each step.
Spruce Street, she realized, had very few homes on it. At least, it seemed that way to her in the dark of night. The area around the diner was a cluster of light manufacturing type businesses that employed about half the population of the town. Unfortunately for Vivienne, none of them had a night shift.
The wind whipped her auburn hair around back and forth, and rattled the leaves still on the trees above her head. The sound of her footfalls echoed against the brick buildings that had only minimal lighting in their parking lots. She had hoped someone she knew would drive by and offer her a lift, but tonight the road was quite dead. Bad word choice, she thought with a grimace.
As she walked along the first block toward her destination, her eyes caught something darting across the road up ahead. It looked like a large dog. It stopped and stared at her for a moment and then dashed off into some bushes. She stopped in her tracks and considered the fact it might be a coyote that sometimes strolled into town from the fields and woods surrounding the lake. What if it tried to attack her? Did she have anything to fend it off with? She scanned the road around her and found only a small branch that the wind had knocked down from an old oak. She picked it up and decided it was better than nothing.
With the crude weapon firmly in her grip, she resumed her stride toward Main Street. The sound of her footfalls once more echoed off the buildings and she tried to think of something that made her feel safe and secure. Joshua popped into her head. She imagined him walking beside her, his strapping figure imposing fear in those who would wish to do her harm. She could almost hear his footfalls beside her own. Actually, she thought with a start, the sound wasn’t in her head. Someone or something was trailing behind her and getting closer.
She craned her head back and caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure walking along the road behind her. She couldn’t tell if it was male or female, as it appeared to be wearing a heavy coat or cloak of some kind.
She picked up her pace and so did whoever it was that was trailing her. Her mind raced with questions of what to do next. She considered veering off into one of the parking lots and waiting to see if her stalker followed or continued by. She tried to recall the night class she and Nora had taken to learn self defense against attackers using car keys and elbows as weapons. But in the end, all she could think to do was pick up the pace to a near jog and hope to keep a safe distance between them.
She glanced behind once more to see how close her pursuer was, only to find the street empty once again. She stopped in her tracks and frantically scanned the darkness for any movement. “Hello?” She called out. “Is someone there?”
She didn’t really expect an answer, but it couldn’t hurt either. With no response, she tightened her grip on the branch and turned toward Main Street. The shadow figure was now ahead of her, standing in the middle of the street. It watched her silently, without moving.
Without hesitation, she turned around and ran full speed back toward Clara’s Diner. Fueled with fear, her legs moved at a speed she was certain qualified her for Olympic trials in track and field.
The sound of her stalker’s footfalls grew nearer and her heart pounded furiously in her chest. Her mind raced with images from horror movies of women screaming bloody murder while a deranged killer chased them with a rusty chainsaw or sharp ax.
Her ankle gave out with a start as she tripped on a sewer grate along the side of the road. With a thud, she tumbled to the pavement and rolled along the cold ground. She scrambled to get up when a gloved hand wrapped around her mouth and stifled her cry for help. “You need to mind your own business, witch.” A raspy voice whispered in her ear.
She bit down on the glove as hard as she could and the hand released with a grunt. A rancid smell filled her nostrils and she gagged in response. She swept her legs around and frantically kicked back at her attacker. Her hands frantically searched the ground until she found the branch she had been carrying for protection. She swung and connected a solid thud against the head of the shadow figure.
The figure grunted once more and then lunged at her with both hands extended. The cold gloved hands wrapped around her neck and pounded her head against the pavement. “You’ll burn for that,” the figure hissed.
The branch fell from her grip and she clawed at the face with her hands. Her fingers snagged onto fabric, a ski mask or some such thing which obscured the features of her attacker. Once more, the rancid smell returned. It was unmistakably the odor of death.
Without warning, a loud howl pierced the air and the shadowy figure was knocked away from her. Free from the iron grip, she rolled onto her side and gasped for air. Tears obscured her vision as she watched a fight break out between her attacker and what appeared to be a large coyote or dog.
The figure swooped and dodged the attacks from the beast, as it lunged and swiped with huge paws. Vivienne went into a coughing fit and tried to stand up but she was too weak. She could only lie on her side and hope that the furry creature drove away the attacker and left her alone.
As she wiped her watery eyes, she could see that what she had assumed was a dog or coyote was actually appeared to be a rather large wolf. It had gray fur, large pointed ears, and eyes that were blue like an Alaskan Husky.
The fight was interrupted when a pair of headlights illuminated them both in the road. Suddenly, a siren blast pierced the air and the familiar blue and red flashing lights flashed bright in the gloom.
The shadowy attacker fled from the scene and the large wolf gave chase after it into the darkness. Alone, on the cold pavement, Vivienne sat up as the police vehicle came to a stop and an officer jumped out.
“Are you injured?” The officer asked.
Vivienne could taste the coppery flavor of blood inside her mouth. She had taken quite a tumble and her body ached in too many places to name. “I could use some help.” Her voice was hoarse and dry sounding.
As he came closer, she recognized her rescuer from the morning encounter outside Joshua’s home. It was Officer Greg. “I’m going to call for an ambulance, Miss.”
“Vivienne.” She croaked. “Vivienne Finch.”
Officer Greg knelt down in surprise. “Deputy’s Arkin’s girlfriend?”
She nodded. “I don’t need an ambulance. I just need to talk to Joshua.”
“Deputy Arkins is off duty tonight, Miss Finch.” Officer Greg informed her. “I still better call an ambulance just to be safe.”
“He said he was working the night shift.” She explained as she coughed again.
“Not that I’m aware of, Miss Finch.”
“I don’t need an ambulance. I just need a ride home.” She was banged up, but she didn’t think needed medical care. What she really needed was a good night’s sleep in her own bed and some bandages for the scrapes.
“Did someone attack you?” He asked.
She wanted to tell him about the figure but that would involve another trip to the Sheriff’s office and more questions and she just wasn’t up for it. Besides, she thought to herself, whoever attacked her had called he
r a witch and she couldn’t think of any way to explain the true meaning behind that rationally. Not without getting a free trip to Cayuga Medical’s behavioral science department for a few days. “No, I’ve locked myself out of my car at Clara’s and was walking to Main Street to call my Mother to bring the spare keys.”
She pointed to the now empty street. “I came upon someone being attacked by an animal like a coyote or a wolf.”
Officer Greg nodded as he listened to her. “So that’s what it was. It’s so hard to tell in the dark.”
“I wasn’t looking where I was stepping and I tripped on one of those sewer grates and fell.” Vivienne explained.
He appeared to by buying her story. “Did you happen to recognize the person who the wild animal was attacking?”
“No.” Vivienne felt a chill move through her body at recalling the shadow figure. “It was too dark to make anything out. Whoever it was ended up running off when you pulled up. Why do you ask?”
“Before I found you on the street, I was searching for a missing resident that was called in about an hour ago.” Officer Greg added. “I thought maybe it might be them. We get the strangest calls during a full moon.”
Vivienne, having had a moment to calm down and catch her breath, felt well enough to stand. With a little help from Officer Greg, she managed the feat and groaned. “Sorry I didn’t get a better look. Would you be able to unlock my car for me?”
“We don’t really do that much anymore, but given the night you’ve had I can give it a try.” Officer Greg led her to his cruiser and opened the front passenger door.
She sat down inside the warm vehicle and was thankful to feel the little blast of heat from the vents.
Officer Greg drove them over to Clara’s Diner where her car was parked in the empty lot. He pulled up next to her driver’s side and smiled at her. “Hoods popped? Did you have engine trouble too?”
“Yes.” She answered. “It wouldn’t start up.”
