by Sharon Dunn
Once the woman was inside the house, Alice said, “That was a little too easy. She really wanted to talk. Although I don’t know if she actually told us anything worthwhile.”
“She told us plenty,” Annie adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “She told us Janet was hurting for money, and she told us she was lonely. Either of those would be a motive for doing the little acting job that she did.”
Alice’s face shone with amazement. “My friend, you are a genius.”
“She also told us that the real Joan never came around here.” Annie checked her watch. “It’s only two o’clock, but I am exhausted. I think a nice, quiet day at home would be the next thing on my agenda.”
Annie and Alice took the short drive back to Stony Point. When Alice dropped Annie off at Grey Gables, the door was locked and Wally’s truck was gone. A twinge of excitement zinged through her as she thought about the library finally being done.
Annie set her purse on the dining room table and walked to the library. Wally had done a beautiful job with the scrollwork. Like all good construction guys, the men had left a bit of a mess for Annie to clean up. Yes, it was broom clean, but bits and pieces of wood and sawdust were scattered across the floor, along with some discarded nails and screws.
She looked forward to straightening up the place. Using a little elbow grease was just what she needed to get her mind off of everything that had happened. Annie vacuumed and placed Gram’s books back on the shelves. The final step was to pull the sheets off the furniture. After running her hand along the smooth wood of Grandpa’s desk, she collapsed into Gram’s chair. She plugged in the new lamp she’d gotten and arranged it so the light fell over the chair. This would be a fine room to spend hours in. She had enough outlets now so that she could set up a full desktop computer when she replaced her laptop.
A sense of satisfaction filled her. “Spiffy. Just spiffy.”
Annie pulled from the shelf one of the classics she’d read as child and settled in. Hours later, when she finally looked up from her book, it had already begun to grow dark outside, and her stomach was growling.
A quiet day alone had been just what she needed to calm her troubled nerves. She walked down the hallway to the kitchen and checked the refrigerator for dinner possibilities. She pulled out yogurt and some lunch meat and cheese. Annie took a scoop of yogurt and licked off the spoon.
All Janet had to do was show up for that meeting at The Cup & Saucer to get the stock certificates. Janet would have had no way of knowing that Annie intended to grill her first. Annie set her spoon in the sink with a clatter as a realization hit her.
Janet had gotten cold feet, and that’s why she’d been killed. That had to be it. Janet must have been paid or manipulated into playing Joan, and she had chickened out.
Annie grabbed the phone and dialed the police station. No one picked up. No doubt the chief was busy investigating. Annie waited for the beep and left a message. “Chief, this is Annie Dawson. I think I know why Janet was killed. Please give me a call back.”
Annie drummed her fingers on the countertop. She grabbed the phone again and called Ian’s cell.
Ian picked up on the second ring. “Hello there, Annie.”
His voice always sounded so welcoming. He must have checked the number before he picked up. “Hi, Ian, I’m sorry to bother you.”
“It’s never a bother to hear from you.”
Annie turned so she had a clear view of the window. Only a few stars spattered across the dark sky. “I know you can’t tell me about the investigation, but I think I have come up with a plausible scenario.”
“I’ll pass your theory on to the chief. What is it?” Ian said.
“I think Janet was hired to impersonate Joan, and I think she—”
The phone went dead, and the lights went out. Annie stared at the ceiling for a moment. That mouse was at it again. She felt her way along the cupboards until her fingers touched the cold metal of a drawer handle. She opened the drawer and felt around for a flashlight.
With the flashlight in her hand, she made her way to the living room, sweeping her light around the room in search of her purse. She stumbled over the handbag that held the stock certificates. She propped it against the wall. After some searching, she located her purse on a side table and retrieved her cell phone.
Annie dialed Ian’s number. His message clicked on. She tried Wally’s number. Another message. But at least he hadn’t let his cell go dead again. “Hi, Wally, it’s Annie Dawson. It’s about eight o’clock, and it looks like that mouse has chewed through some wires again. I don’t have Douglas’s phone number, and I am sitting here in the dark. So sorry to bother you.”
Annie located another flashlight, set them both up in the kitchen, and put away some dishes and food. She placed her hands on her hips and studied the room shrouded in shadows. She could only do so much in the dark while she waited for Wally to return her call.
She retreated to the library with the flashlight and picked up the book she had been reading. If she angled the flashlight just right, she could see the words on the page. The windows in the library rattled, signaling an impending storm.
Annie couldn’t concentrate. She checked her phone and contemplated calling Wally again. Ian might be wondering why they got cut off. Maybe she could try Wally’s home phone. She’d have to look up the number. She was on her way to the kitchen to locate a phone book when someone knocked on the door.
Finally. Wally must have come right over without calling her back. Annie angled the flashlight down the hallway and walked toward the door. When she opened the door, Douglas stood with his arms crossed.
“Douglas. Did Wally send you?”
“Wally? Yeah, sure.”
“Come on in. The lights have been out for at least forty minutes. I could survive the night without it. I could just go to bed, but I’m afraid all the food in the refrigerator will spoil. Do you think that mouse could have chewed on something again?” She handed him one of the flashlights.
Douglas followed her down the hallway as she talked. “Could be. Is the electricity out through the whole house?”
Annie’s step faltered. “I think so. You know, last time it went out, it was only in certain rooms.”
“Then it might be something different. Why don’t I start with the breaker box?”
“You’re the expert. A storm is brewing outside. Do you think that has anything to do with it?”
Douglas shrugged and flipped open the breaker box. Annie held her flashlight so it shone on the breakers. “If you don’t mind.” Douglas turned toward her so his face was out of the light. “I like to work alone.”
Douglas’s hostility caught her off guard. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to help.” Annie took a step back. “I’ll wait in the library. You guys did a nice job on it, by the way.”
“Thanks.” Shadows covered Douglas’s face. She couldn’t read his expression.
Feeling a bit put off, Annie retreated to the library and closed the door. Once again, she picked up the book she had been reading and collapsed into Gram’s chair. After about ten minutes of sitting in the near darkness, she grabbed the flashlight and headed back toward the breaker box. There really was no reason for Douglas to be so abrupt. If he didn’t apologize, she might have to tell Wally. Maybe he was one of those workers who was only on his best behavior when the boss was around.
When Annie got to the breaker box, Douglas was gone. She tilted her head and listened. Maybe he had gone up to the attic.
Annie made her way down the hall to the stairs. Seeing movement in her peripheral vision, she glanced into the living room. Had someone just been standing by the window?
Aiming the flashlight toward the window, she stepped into the living room. Annie shone the light all around, finding nothing. When she turned around, Douglas was standing on the other side of the couch.
Her breath caught. “What are you doing in here?”
“I wanted to check some outlet
s.” His voice was low and husky.
She didn’t know that much about electricity, but that didn’t sound like the right way to get the electricity back on. “Oh, I see.” She really needed to call Wally. She’d set her cell phone down on the way to get the phone book in the kitchen when Douglas had knocked on the door.
She returned to the library to retrace her steps, but then did an about-face. Maybe she had left it on the table by the front door. When she raced by the living room, she didn’t see Douglas.
Annie scanned the flashlight across the table. Not there. She glanced out the window. Annie gripped the curtain she had been holding to one side. Douglas’s van was parked outside. Her pulse drummed in her ears. The room seemed suddenly colder.
When she opened the front door to get a closer look at the van, a gust of wind hit her. Douglas’s van was the same one that had followed her the first time she had put the stock certificates in the bank, and it was the same van that sped away the night Janet hadn’t shown up at The Cup & Saucer.
Annie shut the door and turned around.
Douglas loomed over her. “Did you find what you were looking for?” His voice had taken on a threatening tone.
20
Annie pressed her back against the door. “I, um, I seem to have misplaced my phone. I think it might be in … in the kitchen.” She moved to step past him, but he grabbed her arm at the elbow. “Excuse me,” she said, trying to pull away.
He pressed his finger into her muscles. “I’ve lost something, too, and I think you know what it is.”
Annie shook her head. “Please, let go of me.”
He leaned close to her. His breath was hot on her ear. “I want those stock certificates.”
Shock spread through her as she processed what Douglas had just said. “Are you … are you Joan’s ex-husband?”
“That stock is mine. Joan was supposed to transfer it to me. She told me she would.”
Annie stepped backward as Douglas talked. He stood between her and the door. “You’re the one who broke into my house.”
“Those are mine.” He lunged toward her, and she darted away.
Annie turned and ran. As she ran, she grabbed the handbag and headed up the stairs. Douglas’s footsteps pounded behind her. His hand gripped her leg. She fell on the stairs. His fingers pressed into her ankle. She screamed, kicked, and broke free.
Annie raced up to the landing. She pulled open the door to the attic and slipped the deadbolt in place before racing up the remaining stairs. Annie leaned over, out of breath. She gripped her knees. She could hear Douglas stomping up the stairs. He shook the attic door and groaned.
Even as she heard him stomping back down the stairs, she knew he wasn’t going to give up that easily. He was probably locating a tool to open the door or knock it down. She glanced around the attic. What could she use to stop him?
The attic had only one exit, back down those stairs. Heart pounding, Annie raced around the room. Maybe there was another way out. If she could find a ladder or a rope, she might be able to climb out a window and down an outside wall.
Annie pushed a dresser across the top of the stairs. That would at least slow him down.
She flipped open one of the trunks and pulled out a sheet, ripping it with her teeth. She had just flipped open one of the tiny windows when she heard the stomping up the stairs. Then came a horrible banging on the door. He was going to break it down. Annie’s fingers fumbled with the strips of torn sheet. She tied one strip to another like she’d seen in some movie.
“I only want what is rightfully mine. She promised me.” He shouted through a crack in the door. He kept banging until he broke the wood. She heard the dead bolt slide out of place. She dropped the sheets, grabbed the handbag, and dove behind a stack of broken chairs.
As Douglas ran up the final flight of stairs, Annie pressed herself tighter into the dark corner.
She could see his feet as he shoved the dresser aside. He must have gone back to his van to get the wrench he held in his hand. His feet turned slowly. She held her breath.
He crossed the room. She heard him throwing boxes around. It was just a matter of time before he found her. Did she have time to get to the top of the stairs before he caught her?
She had to chance it. While he continued to toss boxes and furniture around, she crept out, staying close to the wall, crawling in the dark on all fours. She dragged the bag along. Then the room fell silent. A stack of boxes still hid her from view. Annie held her breath.
Douglas took two steps that seemed to echo in the stillness.
Annie burst out from behind the boxes and raced toward the stairs.
Douglas took big strides across the room and lunged toward her. He grabbed at the bag in her hand. She jerked it toward her. The bag split open, raining down stock certificates.
He grabbed one as it floated to the floor. The smile of satisfaction disappeared from his face as he held the flashlight on the certificate. “No!” He shook his head. “These were supposed to be made out to me!” Douglas’s face turned red. And then he locked his gaze on Annie. His eyes were ice cold.
He intended to hurt her. She turned and raced down the attic stairs, falling into Ian’s arms. In a whir of motion, she saw Chief Edwards slip past Ian and rush up the stairs. “Stop where you are!” He roared as he drew his gun.
“What does it matter anyway?” Defeat colored Douglas’s words, and he held his hands up.
Annie trembled as Ian wrapped his arms around her. “How did you know to come?”
“At first when we got cut off, I thought maybe it was just the storm and that you would call back when you could, but then I got a feeling in here,” he patted his chest, “that you were in danger.”
Officer Peters thundered past them with his gun drawn.
“Why don’t we get you downstairs?” Ian guided Annie down to the living room. Outside, she saw the flashing lights of two police cars.
Annie slumped down onto the couch. “My heart is still racing. That was enough excitement to last a lifetime.” The room was still dark. She had dropped her flashlight in the attic.
Ian found a candle on a nearby table, lit it, and set it on the coffee table. “Now. Tell me what happened?”
“Douglas is Joan’s ex-husband. He thought the stock had been made out to him. I think if the stock was still listed in Joan’s name at Ocean Side, showing the actual certificates with his name written on them might have been the leverage he needed to cash them in.”
The police brought Douglas down the stairs in handcuffs. Even in the dim light, Annie could see that his expression was filled with venom. Just as the police opened the door, Wally stepped inside. He briefly stared at Douglas and shook his head as the police shoved Douglas out the front door. Wally then rushed over to Annie.
“What is going on, Annie? I came as soon as I got the message.”
“It’s a long story. Douglas came into the house to take the stock certificates.”
“What in the world?” Wally rubbed his dark curly hair as though he was trying to absorb what Annie had told him. “That’s why he asked me to hire him! He must have taken my key and made a copy of it.”
Annie wrapped her arms around herself. She still hadn’t calmed down from all of the excitement. “Douglas must have messed with something outside the house to make the electricity go out.”
“I’ll go have a look. It’s the least I can do.” Wally shuffled from one foot to the other. “I feel real bad.”
“You had no way of knowing, Wally,” Annie said.
“I’ll go see what I can do.” Wally left through the front door. “He probably cut the lock on the access panel and yanked a connector out.”
Annie leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees. “What a night.”
“It’s all over now,” Ian comforted.
Annie sat up straight. “But it isn’t over, Ian. We still don’t know what happened to Joan Whitlock.”
“Do you think we’ll ever know?
”
Annie shook her head. “Well, Douglas might talk. He must have talked Janet into doing her Joan impersonation. Maybe he promised her some shares of the stock, and he played on her loneliness. That means he was probably the one who …” Annie closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the couch. She shuddered. This was all too much.
Ian rose to his feet. “You’ve been through a lot. Are you going to be OK?”
Annie sighed. Her heartbeat had returned to normal, and her hands weren’t shaking anymore. “I’ll be fine … in time. Knowing that Douglas is in a jail cell goes a long way toward helping me find a little peace.”
Ian draped his hand over Annie’s. “You are one brave lady, Annie Dawson.”
A sense of gratitude spread through her. “I’m so glad you acted on that impulse to come over.” Her recovery would have been a lot slower if he hadn’t shown up, and she might not have survived the ordeal at all.
After Annie said goodbye to Ian, she waited for Wally to get the electricity going before trudging up the stairs. Now that the excitement had worn off, she realized how exhausted she was. She fell into bed and was already drifting off when Boots jumped up and settled at her feet.
21
The next day Annie got to work cleaning up the disarray and gathering up the certificates that had been scattered all over the attic floor. She stared at the one with the handwritten name Therese Marie Gilkerson. Her hand brushed over the piece of paper. This had to be Joan’s handwriting. Joan had intended to give a gift to her granddaughter. Not only had she never been able to give the gift, but she had also lost her granddaughter. Annie gathered the rest of the certificates into a tidy pile. She knew she had to let go of the idea of finding Joan. She had to close this chapter of her life.
Coming down from the attic, Annie removed her rubber gloves. She hoped the excitement had frightened away the mice. After a quick shower, she went downstairs to pour herself a cup of coffee. She found herself on the porch, holding the warm cup and looking out at the ocean. A sense of restlessness filled her as she studied the winding path that led through tall windblown grass to a rocky shoreline. Far in the distance, waves came to a foamy white peak.
