The Howliday Inn

by Zoey Kane

  Clifford gave a toothy smile over the compliment. There were more photos and more laughter.

  Mr. Worsen stood off to the side, chewing his lip in anger and muttering. “The man is a loon!” he suddenly burst. “Doesn’t anyone else see that?!”

  That shocked the invited news people, who turned their cameras on his red face.

  Claire placed a gentle hand on Clifford’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. “You’re doing great,” she said. “Go ahead and howl for the media.”

  Clifford listened, and gave a throaty howl. The cameras returned to him as everyone evidently saw it as the move of a very sane and funny old fellow.

  The questions continued, and Zoey and Claire were getting tired from the constant attention. Clifford’s energy was unfailing, as he kept on teasing and answering questions. The ladies eventually stood up to go, feeling fully confident that they did a good job. At that point, everyone’s attention was turned to the Kanes.

  Zoey reiterated to them, “Remember, Clifford is never out of character around here. After all, he doesn’t want any of his paying customers to think he’s a phony.”

  The ol’ guy added, “I be no phony. Owooooo. In fact, sometimes they lock me in the utility room on a full moon night.”

  This drew more laughs.

  As the ladies were leaving, Joseph promised to take the media on a tour. They seemed to like Clifford, and in fact Zoey heard one say, “I like the ol’ guy.”

  Claire said to Clifford as she pushed her chair against the table, “Thank you so much. You did a great job here today.”

  “Both of you be beautiful company,” he said, then added with a warning tone, “It’s a complete full moon tonight. Stay in. Don’t go out.”

  “Okay. We’ll take your advice.”

  “You know what we have to do now, don’t you?” asked Zoey. She didn’t wait for an answer. “Go meet Stewart at Kilgory’s Saloon for lunch.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Stewart was already seated in a booth, sipping a soda. Upon seeing the Kanes, he stood to wait for them. A coin dropped on the floor from his jacket pocket and he reached down and picked it right back up.

  Zoey came up and gave him a quick arm around his shoulder in a hug. They then all sat down, the Kanes sliding in together.

  A waitress came right over with menus. Claire said, “Soup. I’m going to have soup—tomato, please.”

  Zoey ordered shrimp. “I don’t want the meal, just the shrimp for dipping in cocktail sauce. And also, bring a box to take home what I can’t eat. Please and thank you.” Her attention turned to Stewart. “I presume you want a big steak, potato, salad, pie and milk?”

  Claire cut in, “Maybe he just wants a hamburger.”

  “No. No.” He raised a hand. “Steak is perfect. I’ve had a lot of hamburgers recently.”

  When they were about finished eating, Zoey mentioned, “You have an interest in coins, don’t you? I saw you just dropped another. Was it like the one I saw at Smiley Jack’s the other day?”

  “I’ve got something to show you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a silver dollar.

  Both Kanes snapped to immediate attention.

  Stewart explained, “I’m a bit of a coin collector and, well, this one is a “peace dollar” minted in Philadelphia. It could be worth at least three-hundred and forty dollars.” His smile was enormous. “It’s ninety-nine percent silver, ya know.”

  “Where did you find it?” asked Zoey, being a collector of old and interesting things.

  “I went over to Jack’s burned-out house with a metal detector,” he said. “Actually, he lost half his house to fire and the rest of his house to smoke. He told me I could have anything that made it through the fire, that everything was ruined anyway.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep.” Stewart tapped a spoon on the table with a little more thought. “That’s where I found it, in the bottom drawer, in the back of a burned-up file. I told him the next time I saw him that I found a dollar, saddle cufflinks and three aggie marbles. He said, 'Keep it. Find me a hundred ninety thousand dollars more; that’s what it’s going to take to build again.'"

  Zoey had a thought. “Stewart, may I borrow that coin for a night? I’d like to look it over and call a friend of ours. He helps us with antiques and other valuables for sale or appraisals.”

  Claire knew her mother was thinking what she was thinking. About the silver that had been missing ever since the old bank robbery. Their research had shown the coins to be worth at least three-hundred and forty dollars. Another thing she was certain wasn’t a mere coincidence. She sighed in her seat, thinking about how her research over the Tilford name had been interrupted.

  “Sure,” Stewart said, finally handing the coin over to Zoey. “Just please don’t lose it.”

  Zoey was going to push it deep into a front pocket of her dress pants, but decided to zip it away in her purse’s wallet for added safety. “Claire and I were over fighting that fire this morning,” she told him. “Did you know that? No one told Jack anything about it until we showed up at his diner and told everybody ourselves. He left right away to see what damage was done to his house. Poor man.”

  “Darn!” Stewart said, shaking his head. “That’s too bad.”

  Zoey felt protective of Stewart. He was just one of those vulnerable innocents. “Stay home tonight, Stewart. I have it on good authority that there’s going to be a dangerous full moon. Maybe werewolves.”

  He nodded. “Say no more. I will be locked down for the night and not watching scary movies!”

  As they were on their way out, Zoey went up to the register to pay the bill, and in the corner was Oly at his usual spot, no daughter.

  “Hi, Oly!”

  He nodded.

  Zoey was going to leave after she paid the bill, but Oly said, “Com’ere, I got sumptin ter tell ya.”

  Zoey walked over to hear.

  He raised his head and peered into Zoey’s eyes. “I heard you say Jack didn’t know nuthin ‘bout his house bein’ on fire.”

  “Yes.”

  “Wrong! He know’d. I seed him drivin’ away from that there fire fast.”

  “Woah! That is news! Thanks, Oly,” she said.

  “Watch out! You two bein’ spinsters an’ all, he ain’t no good ter marry up with. Be glad yer got a husband onest, and watch out fer yer daughter.”

  “I will, Oly.” Suddenly, those gray eyes in deep caverns were somehow endearing. Zoey was starting to feel sympathetic for all kinds of people… and beasts… of late. She wondered if this was a hormonal symptom of menopause. Shrugging the thought away, she said, “You’re a good man.”

  “Humph!” He looked down at his drink.

  Stewart had already left, and Zoey was ready to walk over to Claire when Oly had another thought. “Ifin you just got ta have a man and none’ll have ya, bein’ marry’d up onest already, come and talk ta me. Bring a dowry and a good pair of work boots and I jist might take ya fer my bride.”

  “Thanks again, Oly,” Zoey said with surprise. “You are also a kind man. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Humph!”

  Zoey staggered a second and caught her balance on her way to join Claire. She didn’t tell her daughter about the marriage offer. She didn’t want to put up with the teasing she knew would be coming her way.

  On their way back to the inn, the Kanes' thoughts were heavy with questions. What the heck was Jack doing driving away from his house on fire, and with his poor horses trapped in the barn? And if Zoey hadn’t said something about the rare silver dollar, would dear Stewart have said anything about it? And why would Jack Tilford have it in the first place?

  It was good to get back to their suite. Before addressing their many questions, Zoey sat out on the balcony to rest with a book. The breeze was especially gentle that afternoon, and the pine scent was perfect. Still, her nose caught a hint of the old smoke in the air from that morning.

  Claire sprawled out on her bed in her cloth
es… even to her shoes. She fluffed a pillow under her cheek, her hair still in its French twist, and closed her eyes for a nap. Her shoulders ached from sliding open the barn doors, wrestling horses and lugging Jack’s box of paperwork. Sleep was the perfect medicine at times like this.

  *

  When Claire awoke, hours later, she blinked and moaned with a stretch. “What time is it?” She rolled over and looked at her gold watch. “Seven-oh-two?” Claire never did like long naps. Long naps tended to make her feel groggier than when she was first falling asleep. Besides, it took too much of a chunk out of what could be a productive day… even on vacation.

  Zoey stepped over to her, looking fresh. “Hi, sweetie,” she said. Her strawberry-blond hair was up in a ponytail, and she looked lovely with her white cashmere sweater. “Clifford called and said he’d bring up Ranger in about an hour. They’re still playing.”

  Claire smiled. “I’m supposing Clifford is going out chasing cars and howling tonight, because of the full moon,” she said. Her phone, which somehow got smothered beneath her pillow, rang. She pulled it out. “Hello? … Oh, just a minute. For you, Mom. Stewart again.”

  She answered. “Hello, Stewart.”

  “Hi, Zoey. I got a call from Jack. He found out his silver coin was missing. He says he can’t give it up. So I guess I should come up and get it.” There was deep disappointment in his voice.

  “Really? I’m sorry,” Zoey said.

  “Yeah, he told me he had found it in the woods and he thinks it has value, so he wants it back. Tonight. I’m supposed to meet him out at his property.”

  Zoey did not want Stewart out that night. She glanced out one of the many wraparound windows at the ominously full moon in the dark night. “Call and tell him you’ll give it back tomorrow.”

  “Well, he’s gone home now, and no phone service… So I intended to drive it over.”

  “Can I talk you out of it, Stewart?” Her brow furrowed.

  “I'd better just get it done. I’ll be okay.”

  Pretty soon, Stewart was up in the elevator and buzzed the intercom, saying, “I’m here.”

  Zoey handed the coin to him, and he thanked her. Down he went again.

  “Get whatever you need for the evening, Mom,” Claire said, concern filling her eyes. “We are going to follow Stewart!”

  Both of them changed into boots and shoved on jackets. When the two got out to get their car, passing up the valet, they saw that Stewart had not yet taken his ATV to drive over to Jack’s. So they urgently got into the Lexus and slammed the doors shut. Zoey, who'd already started the car before having her foot all the way in, said, “Let’s go.” Off they went, because the duo didn’t want Stewart to know they’d be watching out for him.

  As the car was crunching gravel on the way to Jack’s, Claire commented, “We have to figure out a way to be discreet while driving around in this car.”

  “Yes.” Pretty soon, Zoey drove the car over brush around a couple of trees. She backed up a little better between the shadows of the trees and tall grasses. “Okay, not seen from the road, at least. For the rest of the way, we’ll have to be on foot.”

  “Are we shape-shifting, jelly-eating bears again?” Claire said, stepping over a large root. “We always get caught.”

  EIGHTEEN

  Eventually, they reached a covert spot close enough to the fire-stricken house to see it in full view of the moon’s light. The horses stood together in the paddock, swishing flies with their tails, looking bored. The duo waited behind their piney cover. Jack’s car wasn’t there yet. The sound of an ATV’s engine rumbled in the night.

  Stewart parked out front. The ladies watched as he went up to the door and removed a posted note. He continued reading it as he returned to his ATV. “Okay, I gotta go see what he’s reading, Claire.”

  They both left their covert tree and started jogging out to Stewart, who was back to sitting in his all-terrain vehicle now. He turned the key.

  “Wait! Stewart!” The Kanes ran up. “Hi,” Zoey said. “What does your note say?"

  “What are you two doing here?”

  “Handing out religious pamphlets,” Zoey answered with a straight face.

  Stewart looked like he believed her. “Oh, it says that he had to go over to the mill to talk to a buyer, a Mr. Worsen, and that he’d return in a half hour.”

  “Do something for me, would you?” asked Zoey. “Write on the other side of that note that you were here to drop off the coin but don’t have time to wait because you have an appointment with the Kanes.”

  “Um.” He sat in thought, shifting his eyes to the house and back to the ladies. “I don’t even have a pen.”

  “We’ll find one in the smoky yet not burned down office,” Zoey said fast with an eager smile. “And also, say you’ll bring the dollar by the diner tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” said the agreeable young man. “But why?”

  “Because,” admitted Zoey, “I don’t trust Worsen or Jack. Now, let’s go and investigate what’s left of Jack’s house,” she said with a tone of cheer. “If we get caught, we’ll just say you decided to leave the coin inside.”

  “Man, you Kanes live on the edge,” he said. “Sounds kind of fun.” He turned off the engine and got up.

  The door wasn’t locked, and why should it be? What damage could vandals do that would be worse than the fire? What would even be left to steal? When they entered, everyone made faces from the strong stink of smoke damage.

  “No one is going to be able to sleep in this tremendous smell,” Zoey concluded. “I bet Jack has picked a cabin over at the mill and is bunking there.”

  Claire came back from the hallway entry. She said to her mother, “Remember that room Jack closed when giving us a tour of this place? It’s locked.”

  Zoey asked with a shrug, “Shall we break in?” She stood waiting, looking hopeful.

  “Not this time,” Claire said, dashing her hopes. “This is still private property, but we’ll see how we feel about that later.”

  Zoey headed in the opposite direction, scanning her surroundings. Blackened walls exposed the skeletal remains of the once-charming living room. She walked into what was left of the office and, compelled by her curiosity, picked up the somewhat melted telephone receiver. She put it up to her ear. “How ‘bout that?” she said to herself. “There’s still a dial tone.”

  Stewart entered and opened a desk drawer. Inside were pristine sets of black and blue pens. He picked one up and got to work on his note to Jack.

  Taking one more fast look around, Zoey said, “I really don’t think there’s any reason to stay here. But I’ll tell you one thing, I think we should go spy on Jack and Worsen to see what’s up with that!”

  “Huh?” Stewart said. “Why?”

  “Oh, I thought you were my daughter in here with me.”

  Stewart gave a small laugh. “Thanks.”

  “I mean, she’d understand my need. Well, you can come, too,” she said, batting her eyes in apology.

  “Oookay. I’ve got binoculars… and for whatever reason, I feel much safer with you ladies around.” His baby face brightened. “So let’s go!”

  Stewart didn’t waste time taping up his note and hurrying to the ATV. He started it up, and it rumbled like a beast that was ready to go hunting. He stepped around to his carry-all in the back basket and started rummaging through it.

  The Kanes approached, watching what Stewart was doing. He roped a pair of binoculars around Claire’s neck and then donned a pair himself. He wasn’t through yet. Digging deeper into his bag, he found a few walkie-talkies. He handed one to each of them, keeping one for himself. “These have new batteries and are ready to go,” he said with an excited glint in his eyes. “Push the button to talk and let go to hear. That there,” he pointed to a volume dial, “turns the sound up or down. I have us all set to channel two, so don’t change it. That simple!”

  “Woo!” responded Zoey.

  “Nice!” added Claire.

/>   Next, Stewart stuffed a camo hat down on Zoey’s strawberry-blond hair, putting the string under her chin and pulling it up tight. “That hair can be seen a mile away,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “That’s what I like about it,” Zoey said with a grin, now hardly able to move her jaw.

  “Ladies,” Stewart spoke with authority, “stand straight and close your eyes.”

  They did. Claire was expecting some sort of mosquito repellant. Instead, he opened a can of something and the Kanes could feel a greasy finger pass under their eyes and over their cheeks in fast swoops. It smelled like ink or shoe polish.

  “Is this safe?” Claire said, scrunching her nose.

  “Is it going to be bad for our complexions?” Zoey added.

  “It’s safe. Was tested on animals.” He smeared extra across Claire’s forehead.

  “I suppose that means the bunny didn’t die?” Zoey remarked. There was no response. “Stewart? The bunny—?” There was a rattling sound, as if Stewart was shaking something. Definitely shoe polish, she thought in dismay.

  “Open your eyes,” Stewart ordered. “Here is my signal mirror.” He held it in front of their black-streaked faces. “Take a look, soldiers, at your scouting and exploration gear made for sensitive undercover work.”

  Wide eyes was their response.

  “Terrific!” Zoey finally smiled.

  “You never looked so good, Mom,” Claire said, totally entertained.

  While Stewart was busy greasing black across his own cheeks, Zoey gave a bit of motherly advice to her daughter. “If somebody runs into you by surprise, make sure you grit your teeth, giving that defensive linebacker glare, and snarl. It will do one of two things—cause him to stop in his tracks, trying to figure out what he is seeing, where upon you can get away… or it will send him running the other way completely terrified.”

  “I’ve got something for you, Mom.” Claire snatched a roll of black tape out of the bag. “Smile.” She ripped off a piece and blacked out her mom’s two front teeth. “Now if you get confronted, smile and ask him for a date.”