Anonymously Yours

by Shirley McCann

  “But if he wanted you to find the body, why was she found in the river instead of in the house?”

  I closed my eyes and sighed. “I don’t know the answer to that question, Justin. I guess it’s one of those puzzle pieces that doesn’t quite fit yet.” I smiled and sipped my drink. “I guess if all crimes made sense, they’d be easier to solve.”

  My attempt at humor appeared lost on Justin. He pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. “I think it’s time to let your uncle know about your new discovery,” he said. “Believe me, he’s going to be plenty mad when he finds out you snuck off to see Michael Black on your own. And I really can’t blame him,” he added. “I think in light of what we’ve both learned today, we have no idea who we can trust.”

  That’s for sure, I thought. I suddenly felt like a rubber ball being bounced back and forth to send suspicion from one partner to the other.

  Scooping up our soda cans from the table, I tossed them into the trash, then followed Justin to the front door. I flipped off the ceiling fan, and was just stepping onto the front porch, when he spiraled backward. “Get back,” he shouted, pushing me back inside.

  “What’s the matter with you?” I shouted.

  Justin pushed the door shut and flattened his back against the closed door. His chest heaving, he paused to catch his breath. He glanced at me, his eyes wide and scared.

  “What is it?” I asked again, afraid of the answer.

  “There’s a red Toyota parked along the side of the road about two houses down.”

  My own eyes widened. “Are you sure?” I put my hand to my chest to steady my irregular heartbeat. Of course he was sure, I realized. Justin wasn’t one to jump to conclusions. Besides the fear in his face spoke for itself.

  “We have to get out of here!” I said, softly. I picked up my purse from the sofa and placed the strap around my shoulder.

  For a brief second I considered suggesting that we race to the car and make a run for it. But where would we go? I realized. If whoever was in that Toyota knew we were in the house, they undoubtedly knew Justin’s car by now. And racing to Uncle Bob’s home or office would only place him in danger as well.

  I reached up and secured the locks, then grabbed Justin’s arm. “Come on,” I said. “We can sneak out the back way.”

  We raced for the rear door, when Justin suddenly stopped. “Maybe we should phone your uncle first,” he suggested. “We need to let him know what’s going on. Besides,” he added,” we need to keep the lines of communication open. He’ll have some ideas on how to proceed.”

  I had to think fast. Uncle Bob’s incompetence was not something I wanted to share with Justin right now—especially not when our lives might be in danger.

  “I don’t think we should take the time,” I responded. “If someone in that Toyota is after us, I doubt they’ll wait too long before making a move. We need to go now and call later.”

  “I guess you’re right.” He slid open the sliding glass door and shoved me out.

  I hated leaving the house with a door unlocked. But I didn’t have a key for the back door. While it was usually such a nice, quiet neighborhood, my training had warned me against leaving with unsecured doors or windows. But it couldn’t be helped this time, I told myself. The back door was our only hope for escape.

  A slight breeze flirted against my legs, reminding me I hadn’t changed out of my work uniform. For a brief second I considered going back inside to change, but quickly banished that thought from my mind. Like it or not, we were on the run. Time was of the essence.

  Thankfully, my parents had installed a privacy fence around the back yard. That would shield our escape from our stalkers for a while, but I was sure they would soon figure out that we had escaped from the back.

  Keeping low, we raced across the small yard. With Justin’s help, I scaled the wooden fence and jumped into the neighbor’s backyard. Justin was just seconds behind me.

  I stood up, smoothing my dress into a more respectable position. “Are you okay?” Justin asked.

  I blew out a small breath and started to answer yes, when the unexpected growl of a large Doberman pinscher stopped me cold. Poised for attack, his menacing white teeth sent a new kind of fear racing up my spine.

  “Go!” Justin shoved me back around.

  He didn’t have to explain. With record speed, we both landed back into my parents’ yard just as we heard the ferocious dog’s large paws claw at the other side.

  “Now what?” I asked. My rapid breathing was making me light-headed.

  Justin inhaled a deep breath, then let it out. “Same thing,” he answered. He nodded toward the corner of the fence. “We’ll try for the next yard.” He glanced at me and smiled. “How many ferocious dogs can there be in one quiet neighborhood, anyway,” he joked.

  The next yard was uneventful, but we still had to climb over several more fences to reach what we considered a safe destination. I followed Justin through numerous backyards and side streets, until we finally emerged into a section of town I didn’t recognize.

  I had no idea where we were or how far away from home we’d travelled. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was tired of running.

  Out of breath, I tugged Justin’s arm, making him stop. “Where are we going?”

  He tossed me a wink. “I have an idea,” he said. “I know a place where we can hide while we figure out what to do next. It’s someplace no one will think to look for us.”

  I bent over and balanced my hands on my knees, catching my breath. “Do you think Mr. Winslow saw you when you walked outside?” I asked between breaths.

  Justin leaned against a lamppost inhaling long breaths of air. Once his breathing calmed, he glanced my way, his eyes narrowed. “Denise,” he said. “How can you be so sure it was Winslow in that car?” he asked.

  “I thought we’d already established that fact,” I responded. I straightened up. “I told you earlier that I don’t think Michael Black killed Angelica. I saw his face, Justin. I saw the pain in his eyes. Believe me, he couldn’t have done it.”

  “Maybe not. But remember, he also told you that the red Toyota is his! How could Mr. Winslow still be driving it without Michael Black knowing about it?”

  My head was spinning too fast. I steadied myself by leaning on the same lamppost as Justin. Was I a pawn in someone’s dangerous game of murder, I wondered. And if so, whose?

  “Why is this happening?” I said. “How did I get involved in this nightmare?” I glanced at Justin and forced a smile. “Mom and Dad were so anxious for me to work at the diner,” I told him. “I’ll bet they never dreamed that being a waitress could be so dangerous.”

  Justin reached for my hand. “Denise,” he said, a look of concern in his eyes.

  I nodded. There was no need for him to say anything else. I knew what he was thinking. And as much as I hated to admit it, I knew it was time to call my uncle.

  “Okay,” I said, softly. “You’re right. It’s time to call Uncle Bob.”

  Justin reached into his pocket for his cell phone, then squeezed my hand suddenly. “There isn’t time for that now,” he said, fear etched around his eyes. He nodded over his shoulder.

  I followed his gaze to the intersection a few yards from where we were standing. A red Toyota was just getting ready to make the turn in our direction.

  “Let’s get out of here,” I whispered. “That dog’s barking must have alerted him that we slipped out the back way. He’s probably been circling neighborhoods looking for us.”

  Justin took my hand. “Let’s go,” he said.

  I followed his lead. “Please tell me you still have a plan,” I begged.

  “I do,” he answered. “I’ve had a plan since we left your house.”

  I had no idea what he was talking about, but I was tired enough to follow him anywhere.

  “Actually, we’ve been headed in the right direction all along,” he said with a wink. “Just a few more tricks and turns and we’ll be safe
.”

  I prayed he was right. It seemed like forever since I’d felt safe. All I wanted for the moment was a nice cool place to rest my tired feet. Thankfully Mr. Winslow forced his waitresses to wear sensible, comfortable shoes for work. While the thick-cushioned soles made running easier, my throat remained parched from lack of liquid. If I’d known when we’d left the house that we’d be running for so long, I’d have grabbed a couple bottles of water from the refrigerator.

  About ten minutes later, Justin slowed his pace. “Recognize this area?” he asked me.

  I didn’t. It looked like all the other neighborhoods we’d been through this morning. We walked a few more steps, then stopped in front of a brick house with sagging window boxes.

  Justin’s smile widened. “Now do you recognize it?” he asked again.

  I returned his smile. “Your new house,” I said.

  He reached into his pocket and dangled keys. “I managed to get the utilities turned on before the meeting this morning,” he told me. “No furniture yet, but at least we’ll be safe here.”

  He led the way up the cracked driveway and unlocked the front door. The room still had the same musty smell as before. Justin led me inside, then locked the door behind him and flipped on the overhead light. “Looks like the utility company did as promised,” he said. “I’ll go turn on the air conditioner and cool this place down.”

  While Justin fiddled with the thermostat, I walked into the kitchen and turned on the faucet. Cupping my hands, I let the cold water collect, then scooped it into my mouth.

  “Save some of that for me,” Justin said, entering the kitchen.

  I splashed a few drops onto my face, then moved aside. “Help yourself,” I said. I leaned my arms behind me on the counter. “I don’t suppose you have any food in this house yet, do you?”

  Justin shut off the faucet. “Afraid not,” he answered. “There is a convenience store about a half mile from here. I’ll run down and get us something to eat and drink in a bit. But first I just want to sit for a while to catch my breath.”

  I couldn’t argue with that. In the living room, I sat on the floor and crossed my legs beneath me. Stretching my arms overhead, I worked my aching muscles. “Justin,” I finally said combing a hand through my tangled hair. “Do you think it’s possible that Mr. Winslow and Michael Black are in on this together?”

  Justin sat down next to me. “I’ve been wondering the same thing,” he admitted. “For one thing, that day at the diner when your boss told you to return the wallet on your way to work? How could he have known the owner lived conveniently close enough for you to do that and still make it to work on time?”

  “Exactly,” I said with a nod. “And like I told you earlier, Mr. Winslow actually used Michael Black’s name when he asked if I had returned the wallet later that afternoon.” I turned to face him. “I swear to you, Justin. I never told Winslow who the wallet belonged to. That can’t just be a coincidence.”

  Justin closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. He shook his head as if finding it all too hard to believe. I was just thankful that it seemed he was finally coming around to my way of thinking. There was no doubt in my mind now that I’d been set up. I just didn’t know why.

  Justin opened his eyes and placed his hand over mine. “It’s that red Toyota that’s still bothering me,” he admitted. “I mean, even if it was Mr. Winslow driving it before, there’s no way he could still be driving it without Michael Black knowing about it.” He squeezed my hand and pulled his eyebrows together. “Which means that Michael Black is definitely involved,” Justin said. “We just don’t know how.”

  I shook my head. “I just still can’t believe that he had anything to do with Angelica’s death. If you had seen his expression today, you’d be thinking the same thing. He was tortured over her death. I think he really loved her.”

  He nodded and pursed his lips. “And there’s the fact that if he did kill her, why would he do it with cyanide, which would automatically make him appear guilty?” He turned his head toward mine. “It almost seems like the two of them are bouncing you back and forth like a yo-yo.”

  “Which is exactly how I feel right now,” I admitted. “It’s like the two of them are playing some deadly game, and I’m caught in the middle.”

  Justin leaned back and placed his hands under his head. “But if we are right about this, and the two of them are in on this together, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. For example, why didn’t Michael Black try something when you were at his house this afternoon? Let’s face it. You were a sitting duck while you were there all alone.”

  I swallowed hard. I’d been wondering the same thing. “Maybe he was afraid I had told someone where I was going. Maybe he thought it was a setup.”

  Justin turned his head toward me, his eyes blazing. “Luckily for you!” he said.

  I knew I deserved that. “Okay,” I said, “point taken. So it wasn’t the smartest move I’ve made.” I considered reminding him that I carried a weapon with me at all times, but I was pretty sure he wouldn’t appreciate the flip remark.

  He turned his head around to stare at the ceiling again. “Another thing that we’re both having trouble with right now is probably the most obvious question of all.”

  I spoke the words for him. “Why would Michael Black want to kill his fiancée?”

  “Exactly.” I heard Justin’s heavy sigh.

  That was definitely the major question, I thought. And right now Justin and I were in hiding, possibly fighting for our lives. I wasn’t sure how much we could do to help ourselves at the moment. Someone in a red Toyota was stalking us.

  There was only one person who could help us now, I realized.

  “Justin,” I said. “Maybe it’s time to bring Uncle Bob up to date.” I bit my lower lip, realizing that my uncle’s help might not be the best thing right now. But what choice did we have?

  Justin rose into a seated position. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “Be my guest,” he said. He stretched out his legs. “While you’re doing that, I’ll sneak out and find us something to eat and drink.” He tossed me a wink. “All this investigating is making me hungry.”

  I smiled back and took his phone. “That’s the best idea you’ve had all day,” I joked.

  While Justin went off in search of nourishment, I punched in the number for Uncle Bob. I just hoped he’d be able to help. From what I’d seen of his investigative skills so far, I had serious doubts. But we knew for sure now that someone was watching us. We just weren’t sure who it was. Hopefully, Uncle Bob could handle things from his end, while Justin and I concentrated on solving the mystery of why Michael Black would want to cover up his fiancée’s murder. There had to be a reason we were missing.

  And this time, neither Michael Black nor Harry Winslow would be considered innocent until proven guilty.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Denise, I insist you tell me where you are right this minute!”

  I sat cross-legged against the bare wall with Justin’s cell phone to my ear. I knew Uncle Bob would be furious when I called him, but recent circumstances had left me no other choice.

  I swallowed hard, sucking in the stale musty air. Although Justin had turned on the air conditioner, the house still reeked from being closed up for so long.

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I told him. I sneezed from the dust particles that swirled around the empty room. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Harry Winslow and Michael Black are watching you right now. If you come here, you might inadvertently lead them to me.”

  I knew that statement would create a reaction. As mad as I knew he was right now, I was still convinced that my uncle wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize my safety.

  There was a long pause before he said anything. “You do realize that your parents will kill both of us when they find out what’s been going on while they’ve been away, don’t you?”

  He was probably right, but how was I to know I ha
d landed a job with a killer?

  “Uncle Bob,” I said through a long breath. “We know that there’s a connection between Michael Black and Harry Winslow now. It’s no coincidence that his first wife, as well as his fiancée, both died from cyanide poisoning. Can you check and see if there was ever an investigation into the death of his wife?” I could only hope and pray he had the resources to do what I asked of him.

  I heard his heavy sigh at the other end of the line. “But what possible reason could he have for wanting his fiancée dead?” he asked.

  I sneezed again. “I don’t know the answer to that yet,” I admitted. But I knew there had to be a logical one. “Can you please just check and see what you can come up with?”

  Another long pause ensued. I could tell from the silence that he was contemplating what his next move should be. I could only pray he wouldn’t do anything as foolish as alert the police.

  “Please, Uncle Bob,” I said again. “I really need your help on this.”

  That seemed to do the trick. “All right,” he finally agreed. “I’ll see what I can find out. But,” he added, his tone more forceful. “I want you to keep me updated on what’s going on. I won’t allow you to put yourself in any more danger.”

  “I promise,” I said.

  “I’m not kidding, Denise. If I don’t hear from you first thing in the morning, I’m calling the police.”

  “I’ll call,” I promised, “as soon as we figure out our next move.”

  I disconnected before he could say anything else. My head was beginning to hurt from all the questions crowding my mind. I placed the phone on the floor beside me, then leaned my head into my hands, massaging my scalp.

  My eyes opened suddenly at the sound of footsteps on the front porch. Instinctively, I lunged for my purse and wrapped my hands around my gun. My finger on the trigger, I was almost to my feet when Justin entered the door.

  His body stiffened. “Whoa,” he said, holding the bags of food in the air. “Put that thing down.”