Mysteries from the Keys : A Collection of Short Stories (9781927899410)

by Cushnie-mansour, Mary M. ; Jamieson, Bethany (EDT); Tanguay, Danielle (EDT)

  John walked the perimeter, checking the tall wooden fence. He turned to Betty as if he knew she was going to ask why. “Just seeing how strong it is for when we start digging,” he smiled—again.

  After about 20 minutes of sketching, John put the pencil behind his ear. “I think I have enough here to get started. Let’s return to your porch; I’ll show you some pictures and ideas for your yard.”

  Betty led the way. “Watch the cat,” she reminded John as Safire made a dive for the door.

  “I’ll just grab my briefcase from the truck,” John called out.

  Betty scrutinized him carefully. There was something about him that left a creepy sensation in her bones. She observed him making a call on his cellphone, noticing his head bobbing up and down, and there was a bigger than usual smile on his face. “Maybe he’s had botox,” she whispered to Safire, “and it left him with a permanent grin.”

  John shut the phone and joined Betty in the porch. She pointed to the table, then sat down and waited. He opened his briefcase and pulled out some catalogues. For the next half hour, he filled in his backyard sketches with flowers and bushes.

  “I am aware you need something with little maintenance,” he said at one point, “our company can also offer you a regular, affordable program so that you will barely have to lift a finger.”

  Betty was wary, “You just fix my garden with the amount of the gift certificate; I don’t have money to pay your company to maintain,” she emphasized.

  John’s lips formed a stiff smile. “Whatever you like, Betty,” he said, patting her hand.

  She pulled her hand away and checked her watch. “It’s getting late; why don’t you call me later with the final details and I’ll let you know if I want to go ahead with it.” Betty stood. Safire hissed at John from her window sill.

  As John gathered his papers, Betty noticed his lips were smiling, but his eyes weren’t. In fact, their blackness was tainted with anger. Eyes were something she’d learned to read well over her many years of classroom teaching.

  “May I call you this afternoon around 2:00?” John asked.

  “Make it 3:00; I nap at 2:00.” Betty watched him get in the truck and throw his briefcase on the seat. She watched long enough to see him hit the steering wheel as he sped off down the road. “I’d give a penny or two for his thoughts right now,” she commented to Safire.

  John was angry. These old people were getting harder to manipulate, but he’d have to find a way to get through to this one—she had the perfect backyard!

  After John had left, Betty poured a cup of tea and, while it was cooling off, decided to call Gwen.

  “Hello,” Gwen sounded sleepy.

  “Gwen, I need to ask you about the certificate you and Mildred gave me. I didn’t notice a dollar value.”

  “Well, that’s because there isn’t one,” Gwen replied. “The fellow that sold it to us said we could get a complete garden makeover for a special low price, one only offered to seniors.”

  “How can they do that without seeing the yard?” Betty questioned. “There’s something fishy going on here, Gwen, and I don’t think I want this company poking their shovels into my yard!”

  “Betty, Mildred and I paid good money for that certificate, even though it wasn’t very much and I don’t think…”

  “Safire didn’t like the man either,” Betty informed.

  “Safire doesn’t like anyone,” Gwen quipped. “Why don’t you just get done what you want and leave it at that? Mildred and I just wanted to do something nice for you and you are still complaining!” Gwen added sharply.

  “I’m not complaining about you and Mildred…it’s this company…and the robberies that have been going on…we haven’t had a robbery in this town for years.”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake, Betty, get in the real world. I’ll admit the guys in the truck were shady looking, but that doesn’t mean they are bank robbers. Really now!”

  Betty heard barking in the background. “Sorry, Betty, I have to go; Buster needs letting out. I’ll call you later,” Gwen said and then hung up.

  As Betty gathered together her grocery coupons, she pondered on the situation. Safire was rubbing around her legs. “You don’t get good vibes from that fellow either, do you, my pet?”

  Safire meowed quite loudly.

  explaining the situation to his partners at Unique Gardeners. “We are going to have to be cautious with this one; she’s pretty sharp. I think she liked some of my ideas, but she was a tough old bird to read. The two who bought the certificate would have been better candidates, but they don’t have the yard we need.”

  “Well, we know that she is an early riser and that she goes to bed early. We know she shops on Thursday mornings at 10:00 so that will be a perfect time for us to bring in the special plants. Did you find out anything else, John?” A sharply dressed, middleaged man sat in the chair across from John.

  “Actually, I did, Mr. Fornam. She naps around 2:00 in the afternoon and she has a Siamese cat, which I have the feeling does not like strangers!”

  “Ah, Johnny boy, puddy tat doesn’t like you?” a scraggly character jeered from the couch.

  “Shut up, Ace,” John threw back. “I’ve heard about Siamese; people say they are like a watch dog.”

  Mr. Fornam spoke up: “Does she let the cat out?”

  “No, actually she doesn’t; she was quite adamant I not let it out!”

  “Good.” Mr. Fornam turned his attention to the couch, “Ace…Mac…get the truck loaded for the next job. John, you make your call to Betty this afternoon and see if we can get started tomorrow?”

  “I never got to finish the entire plan. I’ll…”

  “Finish it before this afternoon. Buy her a nice present, something that will reach past her crustiness—maybe something for her cat.” Mr. Fornam frowned. “We need to pick up the pace a bit. I thought coming to a hick town like this would be easier, but so far it hasn’t been. Are you losing your touch, John?”

  “No, sir.”

  Mr. Fornam turned to Ace and Mac, “I heard you guys were spreading dollar bills around last night down at a local bar; I told you never to do that in the town we are at. I don’t want to have to tell you again!”

  “Yes sir,” was the simultaneous reply.

  “Okay—good—I am happy everyone understands; you’ve all got your instructions. No more sloppiness, not at this stage of the game!” Mr. Fornam stood and walked to the front door. “I’ll be back tomorrow night and I expect to hear some better news.”

  from her shopping, she happened to notice the Unique Gardeners truck sitting in a driveway. She slowed down, just in time to see a well-dressed, middle-aged man exit the house and get into a silver Lincoln. As she continued on her way, Betty’s imagination zoomed into full gear.

  At three o’clock that afternoon Betty’s door bell rang. She was quite angry when she saw who her visitor was. “I told you to call me at 3:00,” she commented sharply. “Besides, I’ve changed my mind about the entire garden thing…”

  John’s face was not a happy one as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. “I don’t think you want to do that,” he smirked, “at least not without me showing you the plan,” he added—with a smile.

  at noon, but she’d gotten busy with some scrapbooking and lost track of time. She knew better than to disturb her friend between 2:00 and 3:00; Betty was like an old she-bear if her nap was interrupted. Gwen checked her watch: 4:00. She picked up the phone and dialled Betty’s number. After ten rings, Gwen’s brow furrowed worriedly. “That’s strange,” she mumbled, “I wonder where she is?”

  a big smile on his face. She’d signed on the dotted line and his gardening crew would begin their work first thing in the morning. Of course, she’d had no choice but to sign if she ever wanted to see that blasted cat again!

  He’d arrived at Betty’s house at 2:30 while she was still sleeping. John had picked the back door lock and stepped inside. The cat, which had been munching on kibble
s when the door opened, had arched her back and hissed at him. Then, the nervy cat had started inching toward him, but he’d been ready. He threw the bag over her head, scooped it up quickly, and headed for his truck. He could feel the cat struggling and was thankful for the thickness of the burlap material.

  John had taken Mr. Fornam’s advice and bought something for Betty’s cat, but of course, it was not exactly what his boss had in mind. John considered himself a genius at figuring out ways “to get the job done.”

  just happened! She’d known. She’d told Gwen just this morning that she didn’t trust this company, and her friend had told her how foolish she was. Now Safire was kidnapped and Betty couldn’t even call the police or that horrid man might kill her! Betty’s jaw quivered, but she clenched her teeth to head off the flow of tears. She’d figure out a way to get through this and those gardeners would answer big time—and, even bigger time if there were one hair on her precious Safire out of place.

  thinking they should go over and see what was going on with Betty. Maybe even take the dogs today; she knew Buster had missed seeing Safire yesterday. “Strange,” she mumbled, “how the animals got along, especially when Safire treats the dogs with such disdain!” She knew Betty didn’t eat until 6:00, so thought to pick up some already cooked chicken and potatoes from the grocer. Mildred answered on the third ring and when she heard the concern in Gwen’s voice, she agreed it would be a good idea to check things out, and have supper together at the same time. She also agreed it was a good idea to bring the dogs.

  As the two friends pulled into Betty’s driveway, they were startled that the curtains were already drawn across for the night. That was not like Betty; she never closed them until after supper. Gwen and Mildred snapped the leashes on Buster and Prince and then headed for the door. The dogs were barking excitedly. Gwen was holding the bag of chicken; Mildred pounded on the door. They waited for what seemed like forever before Betty answered. The sight of their friend shocked them both!

  Betty opened the door only a crack, and she kept her chain lock on. She looked as though she had been crying, and she was already in her housecoat. Betty never got ready for bed before supper unless she was feeling poorly.

  “Let us in, Betty,” Gwen demanded.

  “We brought over some supper,” Mildred added.

  “Why didn’t you answer your phone at 4:00?” Gwen questioned.

  “I was not feeling well,” Betty returned sharply. “Can’t a woman have any peace without her nosey friends bothering her?”

  Gwen noticed Safire was not at the door. That darn cat never missed an opportunity to try and escape. “Where’s Safire?” she questioned.

  “On my bed. Now, ladies, I truly appreciate your effort here, but I really am not up to company right now,” Betty conveyed. “I want to get better before tomorrow because those gardeners are coming to start the yard first thing in the morning.”

  “I thought you were going to cancel the whole thing?” Gwen quipped.

  “Don’t want to waste a well-earned dollar,” Betty muttered. “Now, I’d thank you two to leave me be. Enjoy your meal.” With that, she shut the door.

  “Something’s not right here,” Gwen stated.

  “Should we call the police?” Mildred suggested.

  Gwen snorted. “Mildred, that would be taking it too far. We’ll just come over in the morning and see if Betty is in a better mood.”

  Mr. Fornam enquired.

  “Right on schedule,” John replied.

  “No more problems with the old bird?”

  “No, she came around quicker than I thought she would—even signed a regular maintenance program. We start on her yard first thing in the morning.”

  “Perfect,” Mr. Fornam grinned. “Let’s move out; after tonight’s job we can just concentrate on our gardening for a while.”

  for John, Max, and Ace. Mr. Fornam must have forgotten to block the cameras at the bank, but Max had caught the security guard in time, just before he was about to activate the alarm. The only problem now, though, was that somehow they had to dispose of the guard’s body!

  And the cat…John cursed under his breath, just thinking about it. He’d taken Safire out of the bag to put her in a cage, and she’d clawed him a good one. Just as she dropped to the floor, Ace had come through the front door, and the cat had escaped into the night.

  “Didn’t know you had a cat,” Ace commented. “Want me to run after it?”

  “She’s not mine,” John had retorted angrily. “Maybe a car will hit her so I don’t have to put up with her anymore—the nasty beast she is!”

  “Oh, I see,” Ace nodded his head, suddenly comprehending who Safire was. “So that’s how you got the old lady to sign on the dotted line?”

  John was irritated. “She’ll never know I don’t still have the cat; besides, that cat won’t find its way home from here…”

  “I’ve heard animals can find their way home even when they are dropped thousands of miles away,” Ace butted in.

  “That darn cat isn’t that smart!” John returned. “Right now we have more pressing matters to think about. What’s happening with the body?”

  “Max is fitting it inside the burlap around the Mountain Ash tree root; we’ll plant it right in the centre of the old lady’s yard.”

  “We weren’t planting a…”

  “We are now,” Ace grinned. “Just tell her that you decided to make a few changes. We’ll make up a beautiful flower bed all around its base,” he added.

  “And the money?” John asked.

  “Just where you suggested, no change in its location,” Ace replied as Max walked in. “All done, buddy,” he put his arm around Max. John didn’t like the way Ace was taking charge.

  “Yep, that guy will neva see the light ‘o day agin!” Max laughed, showing off several black teeth. John cringed.

  “Good man,” Ace slapped him on the back. “Let’s all get some shut eye; we have an early morning,” he added. Ace and Max headed off to their rooms.

  John stayed behind, brooding. He was still ticked with the cat and the way things had gone with the job. He also pondered on why Fornam hadn’t blocked the cameras—he’d be questioning him about that in the morning! Good thing he’d had the foresight to grab the tapes.

  wouldn’t settle on her. She missed Safire. She sat up in bed and turned the television on. Maybe there would be an old movie playing that she could fall asleep watching. “I’m sure you’ll find a way home to me if you can,” Betty reached over to her nightstand and caressed the picture of Safire. “You are the smartest cat I ever owned!”

  the cracks at the edge of the bedroom curtains, tickling Betty’s eyes open. She glanced at her clock—already 8:30. The morning news was playing on the television.

  …another bank robbery last night, only this time, the night security guard, Mal Carson, is missing and the tapes from the cameras have been removed. A blood stain at the scene has led the police to believe that there is foul play here…

  Betty jumped from her bed and moved quickly to the window. She peeked, through the curtains, into her back yard. What in the world were her two friends, and their dogs, doing here so early? Gwen and Mildred never rose before 9:00 a.m. Then, she noticed the gardening crew. What were they doing digging a large hole in the centre of her yard? That hadn’t been in the plan!

  Betty didn’t even change out of her night clothes! She headed out to her back yard. “Stop!” she shouted to the gardeners. “Who said you could dig a big hole in the middle of my yard?” She turned to her friends. “And what are you two busy bodies doing here so early?”

  Before they could respond, Ace sauntered up to Betty. “John asked me to inform you that he’d made a couple of adjustments to the plan—said you wouldn’t have a problem.” He paused, then stepped closer to her, sticking his face just inches from hers. “You don’t have a problem, do you, Betty?” he whispered gruffly.

  Betty backed away. The stench of a cheap cigar and whiskey was
thick on his breath. “No,” she garbled. “I don’t have a problem.”

  Max finished digging the hole for the tree. “Ace, man, give me a hand with the tree, would ya—it’s pretty heavy.”

  Ace threw Betty another grin. “It’ll be the best garden you ever had,” he said before going to help Max.

  As the two gardeners dragged the tree over to the hole, Prince and Buster began barking ferociously at the burlap bag covering the roots.

  Ace on ahead to get started on Betty’s landscaping, and to bury the body before it began to smell!

  “Why were the cameras on?” he demanded to know from his boss.

  “Must have gotten the wires crossed,” Mr. Fornam replied.

  “We were lucky Max caught the guard just as he was about to activate the alarm. Max went a little crazy, though—hit him too hard…”

  “You didn’t clean up your mess; the police found blood at the scene. I hope none of it belongs to you guys.” Mr. Fornam pointed to the scratch on John’s arm.

  “A cat.”

  “You have a cat?”

  “No!”

  “Ah…so that is how you got the old woman to sign for the maintenance program?”

  John nodded.

  “Nice work. Well, by summer’s end the heat should be died down on the robberies. You guys can dig up the loot when putting the garden to bed for the winter. Where did you say you were burying it?”

  “I didn’t.”

  Fornam glared at John.

  “Under the gladiolas.”

  “Smart.”

  “I thought so. Glad bulbs have to be dug up in the fall.”

  Prince?” Betty demanded.

  “Something about the tree they don’t like,” Gwen speculated.

  “Oh, Gwen, it’s only a tree; the boys are just excited to be here. By the way, where is Safire?” Mildred asked.

  Betty’s stomach waved with nausea. “Sleeping,” she replied curtly.

  Gwen was annoyed. “Maybe if you invited us in for breakfast, Betty, the boys could play with that lazy cat of yours.”