by Rose Pressey
“I’m just being honest,” I said as I stopped at a red light.
I had to figure out where we would go from here. I had to tell Jake about this new development though. Maybe he could advise me what to do. I supposed Reynold could do that too, but I trusted Jake. Not that I didn’t trust Reynold.
I pulled over to the side of the road and got out my phone. I immediately dialed Jake.
“You have to call me back right away. This is huge news. Morty had met with the realtor before. He gave her his driver’s license that day.” I tried to catch my breath and continued. “He just simply forgot to get it back when he was meeting her again. She was going to give it to him. But she was killed before that happened. Morty is innocent and the killer’s out there somewhere. And I have a feeling I know who it is. Call me back.”
“I sure hope this works,” Dorothy said.
I left the same message for Reynold. Surely out of the two someone would help soon.
I put the car in drive and took off down the road.
“Where are we going now?” Dorothy asked as she held on to the side of the door.
Maybe I should have dropped them off first. Definitely I should drop them off.
“Oh, I’m just taking Morty home,” I said.
Dorothy raised an eyebrow. “I’m sensing something about this. Are you telling me the truth? Are you trying to get rid of us?”
“Of course, I’m telling you the truth. Why would I lie?” I asked.
I already knew how she would answer that question.
“Actually, you would lie if you wanted to keep us from knowing what you were up to. You would completely lie. I don’t put it past you at all.”
“Ladies, ladies, let’s not bicker,” Morty said. “I have a headache from being in prison.”
I supposed that would be stressful and cause a headache. “I’m not bickering. I’m just simply telling Dorothy that we’re taking you home.”
“Can we stop for ice cream?” Morty asked.
Oh, dear. The man had just gotten out of jail. Of course, he wanted ice cream, but I didn’t have the extra time right now. I wanted to hurry up and drop them off so that I could continue my mission. I was looking for a killer and I was pretty sure I was going to find the person tonight.
Up ahead I spotted a Dairy Queen, so I whipped into the parking lot and through the drive-through.
“Okay, what’s everyone want?” I asked.
I hoped I didn’t seem like I was in too much of a hurry. But I was in a hurry.
“I don’t know,” Morty said, tapping his index finger against his bottom lip.
Oh, for heaven’s sake.
“How about a Blizzard?” I asked. “You know you love the Reese’s Pieces one.”
“No, I’m not in the mood for that one.”
I sighed.
“How about a chocolate-dipped cone?” I asked, trying to sound enticing.
“Not in the mood for that either.”
I rested my head against the steering wheel. This wasn’t going to go fast.
“I’m hungry,” Dorothy said. “How about a cheeseburger?”
“Sounds good,” Morty said.
After several minutes, they had finally decided on burgers and vanilla cones. After paying for the food, I grabbed the bags and took off in a hurry from the drive-through window.
“Seems like you’re an awful hurry and you didn’t get food,” Dorothy said. “Aren’t you hungry?”
“Not right now,” I said. “Maybe later.”
“All right,” she said as she licked her ice cream.
Maybe I would, but right now I was too upset to eat. Finally, we arrived at Morty’s place. I pulled into the driveway.
“Okay, here we are.”
Morty and Dorothy got out of the car with the Dairy Queen in hand. Dorothy paused by the car while Morty walked toward his house.
“What are you up to, Maggie?” Dorothy asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Absolutely nothing. Why are you so suspicious?” I asked.
“Because I know you,” she said.
“I’ll probably meet with Jake,” I said with a smile.
Would she fall for it? I hoped so.
“All right. If I find out differently…” She shook her index finger at me.
If she found out differently, I would be in big trouble. I waved and pulled away from the house. She watched me drive away. She was suspicious. I just knew it.
All that hurrying of Dorothy and Morty had been pointless though. I’d tried to research the suspects list but came up pretty much empty handed. I figured I’d just call it a day and do my grocery shopping instead. Not my favorite thing to do, but completely necessary.
Chapter 28
It was late at night, probably about eleven forty-five, and I was in the middle of the grocery store. I supposed it was a good time to shop. There was hardly anyone in the store. Music played in from the speakers overhead. It was about twenty degrees in there—too cold. I just wanted to get my few things and then get out of there. I was picking up some ice cream and more peppermint candy for Dorothy. I thought that might cheer her up. Perhaps some fresh flowers too. Anything I could do to make her feel better.
I pushed the cart to the end of the aisle and then made a left turn, headed toward the frozen section. But just as I took a few steps, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted him. I was almost certain it was the man who had been at my apartment looking for me. Had he followed me here? I whipped around to confront him, right then and there. I wouldn’t give in to fear, although I was practically shaking in my flip-flops.
He wasn’t there now. I knew I’d seen him out of corner of my eye. How had he disappeared so quickly? I pushed the cart as fast as I could, trying to keep my flip-flops from flying off. I peered down to the next aisle to see if he had tried to run away from me. I was not going to tolerate a stalker, killer or not. I would get to the bottom of this.
When I reached the next aisle, he was nowhere in sight. He really moved fast. Maybe he’d left and would leave me alone for good. Or perhaps it had just looked like him. I guessed I was getting a bit paranoid. I would just go back to my shopping, get my ice cream and leave.
After standing there for a few more seconds I pushed my cart down the aisle headed for the freezer section. I kept glancing over my shoulder every few moments to see if he was back there. So far there was no sign of him. I stopped in front of the refrigerated glass display and studied the ice cream. Candy bar ice cream? That sounded fantastic. Three hundred sixty calories for the entire pint? Sign me up. I reached in and grabbed the container.
As I started to close the glass door, I caught sight of the man again. He darted behind the display of potato chips. I tossed the ice cream into the cart and went after him again. As I rushed across the back of the store, I checked every aisle as I moved along. Not there. Not in that aisle either.
I reached the display of chips and zipped around them. Gone again. I’d expected him to be right there. How did he keep getting away like that? I wished I could check the store’s surveillance video. I doubt they’d let some random private investigator have a look. Would they let a police detective take a gander though? I’d have to tell Jake about this. Right now, I was just getting out of here.
When I reached the front of the store, I scanned the area. No man in sight. Lucky for him. After paying for my items, I grabbed my bags and headed outside. The heat smacked me in the face. It didn’t feel all that bad though after being inside the frozen store. I scanned the area for any sign of him. Thank goodness there were lights in the parking lot.
I hurried over to my car, on full alert the entire time. I opened the car door and placed the bags inside. Just as I was ready to get behind the steering wheel, I noticed the paper on my windshield. I glanced around to see if any other cars had this paper. I was the only lucky recipient. I hoped that it was just someone trying to sell something. But by the looks of the scrap of paper, I was having more and more doubts about
that. I reached around the front and took the paper from underneath the windshield wiper.
You better be on full alert because I will get you soon. I’m having fun now. Soon I’ll get tired of playing.
What in the world? I was pretty sure this was a threat. The person was just toying with me now. It had to be from the man. He’d followed me inside the store and then left a hurried message. Why hadn’t he just told me this to my face? The coward. I wasn’t going down without a fight, I could tell him that much. I looked around to see if he was still watching. No sign of the nutcase.
After rushing inside the car, I locked the door, cranked the engine, and took off out of the parking lot. Of course, it wasn’t a peaceful drive. I kept looking in the rearview mirror to see if any cars were following me. And it didn’t take long until I spotted it. It wasn’t right behind me—it was kind of hanging back a bit—but it was close enough to let me know the car was following me. The driver made every turn I made, even going as far as to pull over when I stopped at a red light so that they wouldn’t be right behind me. This person didn’t want me to see their face.
I sure didn’t want this person following me home either. I did some fancy maneuvering around other vehicles, speeding somewhat when I probably shouldn’t, but I had to get away from the person. When I glanced back the next time, the car wasn’t there. I released a deep breath. It looked as if I had outrun them this time. But they would probably find me again soon. After all, I had to go into the office in the morning. It was pretty evident that was where I worked.
Thank goodness I made it home. After grabbing the bags, I hurried out of the car and down the path toward my apartment. I hated having to glance over my shoulder all the time. If somebody made a move, shooting again at me, I’d drop my bags and pull out my weapon immediately. But I had been training for this, so I had to be prepared.
I placed my bags down and fished out my keys. This was taking way too long because my hands were shaking a little. Yes, I had a tough job and I was trying to be strong, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t a bit scared. Anyone would be afraid.
Once inside, I put the groceries away. Now I needed to call Jake and tell him. I should have called from the car, but I hadn’t wanted my ice cream to melt either. At least I was safe inside the apartment now. I hoped no one could get me here. Glancing at the lock to make sure it was closed, I picked up my phone and stared at the screen. I knew Jake hated getting these kind of calls—the calls when I told him something had gone wrong. He was always worried about me and I completely understood that because I worried about him too. It just went along with the job.
“I was just thinking about you,” he said when he answered.
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
He chuckled. “Definitely a good thing, always.”
When I told him what I was about to tell him he might think differently.
“I was wondering what you were doing. Maybe I could come over for a dip in the pool?” Jake asked.
Actually, that sounded fantastic. Could I really relax though when something like this had just happened? After I told him about this, he wouldn’t want to take a dip, so I might as well get this over with and lay it all out.
“Here’s the thing,” I said.
“Uh-oh, what happened? Are you all right? What about Dorothy? Is she okay?”
“Yes, we’re both fine, I said. “But…”
“I’m waiting for the bad news,” he said.
“I had a visitor at the grocery store. After leaving the store the man left me a pleasant little note on my car windshield.”
“What did this note say?” Jake asked.
“Basically, the person doesn’t like me much,” I said.
“I’m on my way now,” Jake said.
Would he bring his swim trunks?
I’d barely hung up the phone and headed for the freezer to grab the ice cream when a knock sounded at my door. Immediately the adrenaline started to pump. Jake couldn’t have arrived that quickly. Unless he’d been right outside and hadn’t told me. Instinctively I moved over to the window to check out and see who was at my door. It was the woman who lived in the apartment above me. I was glad to see that it was only her and safe to answer the door. I hoped that everything was okay with her.
I opened the door. “Anika, how are you?”
What a relief that I remembered her name. I hated when I forgot people’s names.
“I’m fine, but I just came by to see if everything is all right with you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why would you ask if everything is all right with me?”
There was always some kind of craziness going on with me. It should be no surprise that she asked this question.
“Well, I just saw someone pacing out in front of your apartment earlier. He moved back and forth. I asked him if I could help him with anything because he was acting kind of strange and he just gave me a rude gesture before walking away. I think it was the man who was here looking for you earlier.”
Oh, dear. The man had found me. I’d had a feeling that would be the case. But to be rude to my neighbors? Seriously, what was this guy’s problem? I was going to have to give him an attitude adjustment. I hated that I had to put my neighbors in jeopardy in the process.
“Oh, I’m sorry about that,” I said. “There’s this rude man who has been harassing me. If you see him again, I would advise calling the police.”
Her eyes widened. “Should I be concerned?”
I couldn’t lie to her and say no. I had to tell her the truth so she would be on alert.
“Actually, I wouldn’t trust him. That’s why I advise you call the police.”
“Have you told the police?” she asked.
“Yes, they are aware,” I said. “Though thank you for letting me know.”
She stared at me for a moment as if she wanted to say more. She probably wanted to tell me to move out of the apartment building since I was always doing something dangerous.
“I’ll call the police if I see him again,” she said.
Actually, I hadn’t gotten his description from her. Maybe this wasn’t the same guy at all.
“Before you leave, just to make sure, what did he look like?” I asked.
“He was tall and thin with graying hair. He was kind of hunched over.”
“Interesting.”
That didn’t sound like the man at all. Now I was scared even more, and I hadn’t thought that was possible. Who could this stranger be and why was he being so rude? Maybe he just had the wrong address. I’d told this woman about my dangerous situation when I hadn’t really had to at all. Oh, well, I supposed it was for the best anyway.
“You definitely need to call if he comes back again,” she said.
I took that as more of a warning to me to make sure to get rid of this guy.
“Yes, I will,” I said.
I watched as my neighbor turned and walked away. I stood there for a moment, checking out the surroundings to see if the tall guy she described was anywhere near. Maybe he was at a neighbor’s place now. He had finally gotten a clue that he was at the wrong door. All was quiet in the little courtyard. For now.
I headed back inside, locking the apartment door behind me just in case the guy returned. I’d given Jake a key so he could get in if the door was locked, although he never came in without knocking first. He felt better having that key though considering the situations I got myself into. I picked up my ice cream and grabbed a spoon from the drawer. I leaned against the counter and took a bite. This stuff was seriously good. It tasted like a frozen candy bar. I’d have to stop myself after a few more bites. No need to eat the whole pint in one sitting. I’d save some for another day. Like tomorrow.
When a knock sounded at the door, I jumped and tossed the spoon from my hand. I clutched my chest. Oh, that must just be Jake. No need to freak out. I put the lid on the ice cream and placed it back in the freezer.
“I’m coming,” I calle
d out.
I retrieved the spoon from the floor and placed it in the sink. Before answering the door, I picked up the little compact mirror on my desk and checked my reflection. I wanted to make sure I didn’t have ice cream on my face. Sure enough, there was a drop on my chin. It wouldn’t be the first time Jake had seen food on my face though. Especially when ice cream was involved. I wiped it off with a napkin.
When I opened the door, I released a sigh of relief to see Jake’s face.
“Thank goodness it’s you,” I said.
“Who did you think it would be? The guy who left the note? See how dangerous this is, Maggie?”
I frowned.
“Okay, I shouldn’t have said it the way I did, but you know what I mean.”
“Well, it’s just been a crazy day, that’s all.” I opened the door wider so that he could come in.
“I just hope it doesn’t get any crazier,” he said.
“It couldn’t get any crazier, right?”
I wished I hadn’t told him about the note now. Maybe I should have just handled it myself.
I picked up the paper from my desk and handed it to him. “Here’s the note.”
He studied my face for a moment. Then finally he opened up the paper and read the message. Why was he being so quiet? When he was quiet like this it made me even more nervous. I’d rather he say something. Like how dangerous this was, and that I should stay out of this case and not be involved with a killer. All the usual stuff. But now he was remaining quiet.
“Well, what do you think?” I asked.
Still he hadn’t said a word. He reached over and grabbed my tote bag.
“What are you looking for?” I asked.
He put the bag on his shoulder, which kind of looked funny. “Come on, you’re coming with me.”
“I am?” I placed my hands on my hips.
“Yes, I insist.”
“Are you arresting me?” I asked.
He chuckled. “No, I’m not arresting you. You’re coming back to my place tonight. I would rather you come with me. I’m going to have this note checked out for fingerprints. But in the meantime, I want you to stay with me.”
