When The Wind Blows: A Spruce Run Mystery

by Mark Mueller

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  On a Saturday morning about ten months after Maddy and Charlie had moved in with me, we were sitting in the kitchen having breakfast. Over the past several months, Maddy and I had settled into an unspoken agreement that she was in charge of the kitchen during the week and I was lord of the lò trấu on weekends. I was surprised how domesticated I had become after the two of them had moved in with me. I still ate out for lunch on workdays, but had also become accustomed to Maddy’s home cooking with very little effort. Her meals were killer bee and she remembered what I liked.

  Physically, Maddy was back to normal. She had lost some weight during her rehabilitation and she still had a noticeable scar just under her right shoulder, but otherwise she appeared fine. Her doctor told us a plastic surgeon could make the scar disappear, but since her clothing covered it up she didn’t seem interested in doing it.

  The emotional scars that she and Charlie carried had faded, but had not all together disappeared. They both still had some post-traumatic stress issues to get through and I was glad that the both of them were showing good progress.

  About six months after the nightmare, Maddy went back to work part-time for WMNH radio, recording commercial announcements and voice-overs, and she filled-in now and then as a substitute program host. She was quite talented and I was gratified that her career was headed in the right direction.

  And when I heard her on the radio, I admired in secrecy her perfect alto diction, which was very sexy in a Lauren Bacall sort of way.

  “I want to see it, Mac,” Maddy said as we were eating pancakes.

  Charlie and I both looked up.

  “See what?” I asked.

  “The ring. I want to see it.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  I looked at the clock on the stove. “It’s almost ten.”

  “I know. The bank’s open ‘till twelve.”

  “We have plenty of time, then.”

  “Good. Charlie and I will go and get dressed, okay? You do the dishes.”

  “Yes ma’am,” I saluted, Benny Hill style.

  “Smartass.” Maddy grinned and shook her head.

  “You expected something else?”

  She kissed me. “You make me laugh. Don’t change that.”

  “I won’t. What you see is what you get.”

  “Good to know. We’ll be back in a few.”

  Maddy took Charlie by the hand and led her out of the kitchen. I was already showered and dressed for the day. Most days I did so as soon as I got up in the morning. I was retentive that way.

  The two olive-green telephones on the desk in the living room blasted off as I was loading up the dishwasher. I goose-stepped post-haste out to the desk and collared up the blower on the right.

  “Start talkin’.”

  “F.O.T.! F.O.T.!”

  “What’s up, Duck?”

  “Where have you been?”

  “I’m right here, same as always.”

  “I never see you at Mattoon’s anymore.”

  “I’ve been busy, Duck.” I felt guilty. Before Maddy and Charlie came to live with me, the daily routine was to have breakfast together with Ducky at Mattoon’s almost every morning.

  “She’s got a ring through your nose, you know,” Ducky said. I could see his smirk from ten miles away.

  “Funny you should say that.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “We’re going over to the bank in a few minutes.”

  “Yowzer! I thought that ring was just going to collect dust in your bank box.”

  “Maddy decided she wants to see it. This is the first time she’s brought it up.”

  “What’s it been, six months?”

  “Ten.”

  “Wow, progress. I like that.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Are you gonna make an honest woman out of her, Mac?”

  I chuckled. “You’re too much, Duck.”

  “That’s what she said.”

  I snorted. “So why did you call me, Ducky?”

  “To see if you’d answer your phone for once.”

  “Surely you can’t be serious.”

  “I am serious. But I ain’t Shirley.”

  “Aww, thanks, Ducky. I’ve missed you, too.”

  “I also wanted to tell you that people around these parts are talking.”

  “Talking? What do you mean?” I could feel my blood pressure rise.

  “You know how it is. Everyone wants to know what’s up with you and Maddy.”

  “What are you saying, Duck?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

  “They want to know if you’re going to marry her. Unless the two of you enjoy living in sin.”

  “That’s nobody’s business, Duck. Besides, we’re in separate rooms.”

  “I know you are, Mac. You’re top-shelf in my book.”

  “Thanks Duck.” I turned and watched Charlie come into the living room. “Hey listen, I’ve got to go.”

  “No problem, Mac. I’ll let you go. Just don’t be an alien.”

  “The illegal kind or the little green Martian kind?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Either way you’ll need a green card.”

  I chortled. “Have a good day, Ducky.”

  “You, too. And don’t be a stranger.”

  “I’ll work on that. Talk to you—”

  The blower went dead in my hand. Typical Ducky exit strategy.

  “Was that Uncle Ducky?” Charlie asked.

  I cradled the blower. “Yes it was, kiddo. He was just calling to say hi.”

  “He’s funny.”

  “I know he is.” I went back to the kitchen to finish putting the dishes away.

  Maddy came into the kitchen a few moments later.

  “Everyone ready?”

  “That was quick,” I observed.

  “I want that ring.”

  “Okay, then. Let’s go get it.”

  The three of went out to my Charger.

  And we left Booger in charge.

  Chapter Fifty

  Ten minutes later we walked into the Spruce Run Community Bank. Although Maddy had her own car, we always seemed to go everywhere in mine. Other than for her job, she hadn’t driven much since she’d come home. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she preferred that I drive.

  When Maddy and I were dating the first time around, she had impressed upon me that she was very independent. Though she never came out and confirmed it to me, it was something I had learned about her along the way. That’s why it seemed unusual when she asked me to drive whenever we went out together.

  I once made an amusing Driving Miss Daisy comment to her, but realized it was a mistake when I noticed I was the only one laughing. After that, I kept certain jokes to myself.

  * * * *

  David McCutchen was the Spruce Run Community Bank manager. He was also my father’s best friend. Mr. McCutchen, like everyone else in Spruce Run, it seemed, was still drawn to Maddy since the shooting. After asking about her health, he launched into a soliloquy about his own. Maddy and I listened out of respect, but neither of us could have cared less. People, it seemed, always wanted to commiserate with their own physical ills. After all, misery loves company.

  Maddy, I knew, was weary of it all. When I noticed her eyes starting to glass over, I interrupted Mr. McCutchen and asked him to lead us to my safety deposit box.

  Safety deposit box renters’ usual requirement was to show identification before being allowed into the safe. I didn’t have to because Mr. McCutchen had known me all of my life. I did, though, have to provide one of the two keys needed to open my box. Mr. McCutchen kept the second key as a security precaution. He and I inserted our keys into the box and turned them, after which he discreetly left the room.

  It took me but a few seconds to take the ring out of the safety deposit box. I put it in a small white envelope and then placed it in my jacket pocket. Then, I removed a second item: a small, recta
ngular box that I placed in my other jacket pocket. I closed the safety deposit box and left the room. It wasn’t rocket science.

  Back in the Charger, Maddy announced that she wanted to have a picnic in the park. She didn’t have to twist my arm because it was a beautiful day. We picked up some sandwiches from Mattoon’s and then went to the Spruce Run Reservoir’s recreation area.

  There was plenty to do at the reservoir, aside from dining alfresco. In addition to the picnic area, there was a playground, two campsites, several boat launches, a fishing pier and a swimming area.

  The park wasn’t crowded when we got there, which was atypical for a Saturday. Then again, it wasn’t quite Gary Cooper time. We took advantage of our good fortune and found a shaded picnic table near the water. Maddy had hooked her arm in mine as we walked from the Charger to the table.

  When we were settled, Charlie turned to me and pointed at my jacket.

  “Is that felt?” she asked.

  “No, it’s not felt.” I said. I opened up a diet Dr. Pepper and took a long pull.

  Charlie reached out and rubbed her hands up and down my sleeve.

  “Now it is.”

  I gag-sprayed a mouthful of Dr. Pepper in laughter and almost fell off my seat. When I recovered, I looked at her and then at Maddy. Both of them were giggling.

  I shook my head and grinned. “If that doesn’t prove she’s mine, nothing will.”

  “No doubt about that,” Maddy said. “She certainly doesn’t get it from me.”

  “Where did you get that one from, Charlie?” I asked.

  “I just made it up,” she replied.

  “That was a good one.” I was impressed.

  “I know, Daddy.”

  I hugged her. “Stay funny, kiddo,” I whispered.

  “Can we eat now, Daddy?”

  I snorted and looked at Maddy. “No doubt at all.”

  We unpacked the sandwiches. I had a roast beef and cheddar sub, and Maddy and Charlie both had chicken salad subs. In addition to my diet Dr. Peppers, we also packed several cans of Coke.

  While we were eating, I decided it was time to ask Maddy the question I’d been waiting for weeks to ask. And now that I had the ring in my pocket, I knew the time had come. But, I didn’t say anything right away. It would have to wait until we were finished eating. I just hoped my timing was right.

  I was having a terrific time with my two favorite girls, but the question I wanted to ask was beginning to make me a little uneasy. After everything the three of us had been through in the past several months, maybe now wasn’t the right time. Maybe I wasn’t ready. Then again, maybe I was being a wuss and should just man-up and ask. What was I to do?

  Harry Cassidy arrived at the picnic area with two of his children and several of his grandchildren. We waved to each other but didn’t talk. It was apparent that he didn’t want any interference with his family time. I understood. His family didn’t visit very often and he missed them terribly. I wasn’t about to interrupt.

  “Mac.”

  I turned and looked at Maddy. She was sitting across the picnic table from me.

  “Yeah?”

  “I want to see it.”

  “See what?”

  “The ring in your pocket. Or have you forgotten already?”

  I chuckled. “I’m surprised you didn’t want to see it sooner.”

  “I almost did, but I was hungry.”

  “I could tell. Your chicken salad disappeared fast.”

  “Burp.” She snickered.

  I reached into my jacket pocket and handed her the envelope with the ring in it.

  She took the ring out of the envelope and inspected the diamond.

  “So this is the Lachweiler Stone,” she murmured as she looked it over.

  “So I’m told,” I replied. I still couldn’t fathom what was so special about it. Was it really worth everything we had been through to get it? A diamond was a diamond as far as I was concerned. Just a rock. And way overpriced.

  Curiously, though, both Maddy and Charlie were infatuated with it. They sat together studying the rock like a couple of schoolgirls at a Friday night slumber party.

  I was accustomed to the closeness the two of them had shared, and wasn’t resentful. In fact, I encouraged it. Over the past ten months I had slowly become a part of their tight relationship, and was secure enough to let them share things without me.

  While Maddy and Charlie appraised the diamond, I stood up and sauntered to the water’s edge and watched a fishing boat float on the water, floating the way a wrecking ball wouldn’t.

  I plucked a cigar out of my inner jacket pocket and set it alight. Maddy had badgered me to quit smoking, but some bad habits I couldn’t live without. We agreed that second-hand was unhealthy for Charlie, so I stopped lighting up in the house. Of course, second-hand smoke was unhealthy for me, too, but that was a different story.

  I spied Gertie Machine out on the fishing pier. She was leaning against an old wooden railing and holding a fishing pole with its line in the water. A cooler was in reach of her left hand. She noticed me and waved. I waved back and then strolled out to greet her.

  After she had shown up at the cabin and helped me out, I found my entire perception of Gertie Machine had changed. Gone was the fear of her I had harbored for so many years. Instead, I now saw her as someone who was a little more than just an acquaintance. Something had passed between us that day, and from that point on I considered her an ally; someone I could trust, someone in Spruce Run who I could depend on, just as I depended on Ducky.

  A week after Charlie’s rescue at the cabin, while Maddy was recuperating in the hospital, I felt the impetus to visit Gertie Machine at her family farm. And I took Charlie with me. Along the way, we picked up a peach pie from Ducky’s sister’s roadside farm stand.

  When we arrived at her farmhouse, Gertie Machine was at first taken aback at seeing us. She wasn’t accustomed to having visitors. However, she accepted the peach pie and offered both Charlie and I a slice with homemade ice cream. She couldn’t have been a more gracious host.

  We made a connection with Gertie Machine that day and I made it a point to keep the connection going.

  Charlie had little memory of what had happened in the cabin, and from what I could tell she didn’t remember Gertie Machine at all. But still, she showed respect and had captivated Gertie for sure. That was one of the things I had learned about Charlie. Everyone loved her.

  She had me at hello from the moment I met her.

  “Hello Mr. McMurphy,” Gertie Machine said when I joined her out on the pier.

  “Please,” I replied. “It’s ‘Mac.’ Everyone calls me that.”

  “I know. How is the family?” She glanced at Maddy and Charlie at the picnic table.

  “They’re both doing good. We’re all doing good.”

  “That’s a pleasure to hear.” She caught a small fish and dropped it into her cooler. Then she looked at me. “You know, a peculiar thing has happened. I haven’t received your wedding invitation.”

  “Wedding invitation?” I wasn’t sure if she was being serious or facetious.

  “Yes. You are going to marry that girl, aren’t you?”

  “Um, yeah. Soon.” I felt flushed.

  Gertie Machine smiled through a mouthful of missing teeth. “I know you’ll do the right thing and send me a wedding invitation.”

  I smiled, deciding not to analyze. “You’ll get one, don’t worry.”

  “Thank you, Mr. McMurphy.”

  “Mac,” I corrected.

  “Yes, um, Mac.”

  “Fish biting today?” I said to change the subject.

  “A little. Enough for supper tonight.”

  “Cool.”

  “Mac!” Maddy shouted from the picnic table. I was surprised I could hear her from the pier.

  I inhaled a lungful of cigar smoke and turned around.

  “Maddy!” I hollered back as I exhaled the smoke.

  “Daddy!” Charlie scree
ched.

  “Charlie!” I whooped. We were all present and accounted for.

  “Come back over here, Mac!”

  I said goodbye to Gertie Machine and again promised to send her a wedding invitation. I then stubbed out my cigar and legged it back to the picnic table.

  “What’s up, ladies?” I asked.

  “I need to ask you something,” Maddy said.

  “Yes?”

  “Have a seat.” She motioned to the empty space between her and Charlie.

  This can’t be good, I thought to myself. I sat.

  “Mommy needs to talk to you, Daddy,” Charlie said, earnestly.

  “What about?” I asked.

  “Look at me,” Maddy said. She seemed somber.

  “What is it?” I felt a sudden knot in my stomach.

  “I need to know something.”

  “What?” I asked, flabbergasted.

  Maddy held out the diamond ring. “When are you going to make an honest woman out of me?”

  I chortled at the question I had been nervous about earlier. And now here she was beating me to the punch.

  “That’s what Ducky asked me on the phone this morning.”

  “I know. I heard him.”

  “You were listening?”

  “Yes I did. I hear all.”

  I took the diamond ring from her and held it in my hand.

  “Gertie Machine said something about expecting a wedding invitation just now on the pier, too.”

  “I knew I liked that woman. How is she?”

  “She’s doing good. It’s nice to see her out.”

  “Yes it is, but you’re changing the subject.”

  “I haven’t forgotten. Are you sure you want to do this? With this?” I held up the ring. “After what it’s put us through?”

  “Yes, Mac. I do.”

  “But why? This thing is cursed.”

  “No, it’s not cursed. It’s the reason we’re back together.”

  I thought for a moment. “But Charlie’s supposed to get it when she becomes an adult.”