by Rose Pressey
“What I need to know is who murdered Marion so that the chief won’t be suspicious of me. I need to look into a few things myself.”
“I don’t think that is such a great idea,” Brannon said with a frown.
Okay, I just wouldn’t tell him about what I was doing and then he wouldn’t have to think about whether it was a bad idea or not.
“Thank you again for letting us investigate the library. I’m not sure why you changed your mind, but I’m glad you did.”
I wouldn’t tell him that one of the reasons was because I wanted to be nice so that the chief wouldn’t ask me any more questions.
“That EVP was amazing,” he said.
“Yes, it certainly was.” I touched the phone in my pocket. At least Annie hadn’t sent another text. “Well, I guess I’d better go.”
He stared for a long moment and then stepped off the porch. Unfortunately, I liked his personality and his looks weren’t too shabby either. A tall glass of water, as Tammy would say.
Chapter Twenty
The next morning I dressed in brown pants and a white sweater. I stopped off and grabbed a coffee and bagel on my way to work. It was early and the crisp fall air woke me up. I passed by the building where I’d seen the ghost, but he wasn’t there this morning. Maybe he was a ghost that only came out at night. Annie didn’t have that problem.
I paused for a moment when I reached the graveyard in front of the library. I’d have to ask Annie what the inscription on her tombstone meant. It was the same one that I’d read on a stone at the Devil’s Moon Cemetery. Once your eyes have been opened, you can’t un-know or un-see.
I unlocked the door and stepped into the building. It was early and the others weren’t there yet. I looked for Annie as I stepped behind the front desk. She had to be here somewhere. I fed the cat and turned on the computer, but there was still no sign of Annie. After last night and the EVP I’d figured she would be waiting for me by the door this morning. She was the most unpredictable ghost I’d ever seen. Not that I’d seen many ghosts, but I knew she had to be just the same.
Annie would be upset with me for not bringing a recorder. She’d have to settle for the voice recorder on my cell phone. I tapped my fingers against the counter and thought about what to do first. I had plenty of work I could get started on, but I figured it would be best to take advantage of the alone time in the library. There was no one around to wonder what I was doing or ask questions. And by no one I meant Leslie. She always kept a watchful eye on me. Probably just waiting for me to make a mistake.
I moved over to the aisle for the mystery books. I needed to check out Ted Alistair’s other books while Annie wasn’t around too. I knew she would pop up at any moment, so I needed to hurry. After locating the rest of the books, I paused, trying to decide which one to look at first. I decided on the one that I hadn’t seen yet.
When I pulled the book from the shelf, a letter fell from the second book of the series. I looked around to see if I was still alone. So far it was still just me.
I reached down and picked up the letter. The white sheet of paper had been folded several times. It was probably nothing. People left the strangest things in books sometimes. I wouldn’t even begin to list some of the odd things I’d found. I placed the book back on the shelf for the moment so that I could focus on the letter. I unfolded the paper, looking around again to see if anyone had slipped up behind me. I felt as if I was reading someone’s diary. It was probably just someone’s grocery list.
Words written in black ink covered the front of the paper. I glanced over my shoulder and then started to read the page. After reading just a couple words I knew that this letter had to be from the killer.
I decided the method used in this book would be the perfect way to kill Marion. I was right—it worked out perfectly. Now she is gone. Good riddance.
The letter was confessing to offing Marion. It felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It sent shivers down my spine.
I continued to read, even though it was making me sick. The killer was confident that no one would discover who did it.
It was the perfect crime. The police won’t figure it out and no one at the library is smart enough either.
I wasn’t surprised to get an insult from the killer. Someone who would commit murder wouldn’t exactly have manners. I just worried that the killer was still around, watching us when we didn’t even know it. Would the killer move on to another victim? I had to find out who this was before that happened.
Reading over the note, I realized that it was as if the killer got some kind of sick enjoyment from bragging about the murder. I’d read about things like that in the past. The killers usually did like to brag about what they’d done. If the person kept talking enough it wouldn’t be long before the police would find out who it was. Maybe even I would figure it out. I pulled the other books from the shelves, but there were no other notes. I even looked at other authors’ books that were shelved nearby.
I studied the paper again. The handwriting was elegant and not at all what I thought a deranged killer’s penmanship would look like. I would expect scribbling and messy words. This looked like a woman’s handwriting, but I couldn’t be sure. I supposed that would be something for the experts to figure out. I had to call Brannon and tell him about what I’d found. At least maybe now the chief wouldn’t look at me as a possible killer. Unless he thought I wanted to play a game with police and was turning over a letter that I’d written.
No, I wouldn’t even consider that possibility. There was a third book in the series, but so far I hadn’t found it on the shelf. I searched the entire aisle for the third book. I wanted to see if there was another note, but the book was nowhere to be found. Someone had to have checked out. Heading back to the computer, I decided to see where the book was. After typing a few keystrokes I discovered that I was correct, it had been checked out. Just when I wanted to look at it. Did the killer have the book? That was a scary thought, but a distinct possibility.
I tapped the keys again and soon located the person who had checked out the book. Dorothy Blanton was the name listed. I didn’t know her, but I jotted down the address from the library system. I wasn’t supposed to, but I was desperate. Desperate times called for desperate measures. I would have to visit Dorothy and ask about the book. Plus, I’d see if she knew Marion. I should probably tell Brannon about the note, but I wanted to see Dorothy first. I needed to get a headstart if I wanted to solve this murder myself. Everyone in town would be most impressed if I did that.
Leslie had arrived late today. She didn’t look up when I walked over to the desk area. She acted as if she didn’t see me. Since she was there I decided to head to my office. When I entered the room I discovered Annie sitting at my desk. My phone dinged as soon as I stepped into the space.
Did you bring recorder?
This would be a touchy subject.
“My phone has a recorder,” I said with a smile.
Use it! was her response.
“First I have work to do and then I have to visit the person who left the note in the book.”
Glad you are finally taking this seriously.
“Me too.”
As soon as lunch time arrived, I grabbed my purse and headed out the door. I had to go to Dorothy’s home right away.
Good luck, was the message from Annie. Leslie had nothing to say as usual.
I pulled up to Dorothy’s house. It was a brick ranch with a black fence around the outer edge of the property. I’d dated a guy back in high school who had lived on this street. Last I heard he’d moved to Alaska.
After climbing out of the car, I walked up to the door and it hit me that I had no idea what I would say to her. Would I ask for the library book back? No, I couldn’t do that. I knocked on the door and waited, but after a minute no one had answered. I rang the bell again, but I heard nothing from inside the house.
Apparently, she wasn’t home. The short,
gray-haired woman next door was looking at me. She didn’t take her eyes off me. Finally, she motioned for me to come over to where she stood. Maybe this was Dorothy.
“Hello,” I said as I approached.
“You looking for Dorothy?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yes, I guess she’s not home.”
“Who are you?” she asked, looking me up and down.
“I’m Ripley Van Raden, the new librarian.”
She stared for a moment, and then said, “Dorothy went on vacation. I’m her neighbor and she told me to keep an eye on her place.”
“Do you know when she will be back?” I asked.
“No, I don’t.”
“Thank you,” I said, waving over my shoulder.
I didn’t want her to ask any more questions as to why I was there, so I hurried to my car. I decided to stop at the café for lunch, although I didn’t have much time now. I’d probably just get it to go and eat it back at my desk.
I ordered a turkey sandwich and a fruit cup. I slipped out of there with a minimal amount of staring. As I walked back to my car I felt eyes on me. When I looked to my right for a fleeting moment I saw the ghost.
If I’d had time I would have chased after him. Oh, what the heck. I couldn’t let this opportunity go by. It looked like he went into the building that housed the antique shop. I didn’t know the owner well, but I had to take a chance and ask if they had noticed any hauntings. I just hoped that they didn’t tell me to get lost. Some people liked to talk about ghosts and others thought it was just silly nonsense.
I stepped into the tight space. The dimly lit room was filled with antiques in every available space. A bald man wearing a white shirt with suspenders and brown pants peeked out from behind a stack of boxes.
“Welcome. May I help you?” he asked.
The poor guy thought I was there to buy something. If I wasn’t so broke I certainly would just so that I could ask questions. Now I had to hope he would give me info anyway. I looked around to see if I spotted the ghost, but nothing otherworldly popped out at me.
“My name is Ripley Van Raden and I run the ghost tour here in town. I’m also the new librarian.”
He furrowed his brow. “Oh, yes, I believe I heard something about that. What can I do for you?”
No sense in beating around the bush. “Do you happen to have any paranormal activity in your shop?”
He paused and then said, “We have a ghost that hangs around here.”
My eyes widened and I stepped closer. “Really. Do you know who the man is?”
“Yes, his name is George Wise.”
My mouth dropped. “I’ve seen his ghost. Who is this man?”
The man moved a box from the shelf. “He worked at the library for years. I guess it’s no surprise that he would pay you a visit.”
“Do you know if he would have any connection to the murder of Marion?”
He paused for a moment. “You know, I may be wrong, but I think he was the grandfather of Marion. Or maybe he was her great-grandfather. I can’t remember.”
Now I really was getting somewhere.
“Thank you so much,” I said as I raced out the door.
I had no idea what I would do with this information, but it was certainly a start. It was no coincidence that I had started seeing the ghost of this man right when Marion had been murdered. But now that I thought about it, I had seen him before Marion had been murdered. Had the ghost known what was about to happen to her? Maybe it had been some kind of warning. But what did he want now? Was there another message? Why didn’t he just text me like Annie? I supposed he hadn’t figured out how to use electronics yet.
I headed back to the library with my lunch, but I was almost too anxious to eat now. After learning that the male ghost was connected to Marion, I felt an even greater desire to find out exactly what happened. Maybe I could ask Annie if it was possible if George Wise had been coming around to warn Marion what was about to happen. She was a ghost; she should know these things. I parked the car out front and hurried through the massive front doors. Rushing by, I glanced at the clock on the wall. I was five minutes late.
Of course Leslie gave me the stink eye as soon as she spotted me. I figured she would have given me that look regardless if I’d been late or not.
“You’re late,” she said in a snippy voice.
“Sorry, I got caught up with something. Is there a problem?” I asked.
She scowled, but finally had to admit that everything was fine. “I just didn’t want to get swamped and have to deal with it all by myself.”
“Well, luckily you didn’t have that problem,” I said with a fake smile.
That made her frown deepen. I was sure there was nothing I could say that would make her happy. I walked past Leslie, but didn’t look back because I figured she was giving me a death glare. I wasn’t sure why we had started out on the wrong foot, but I hoped that I could change that and we would be at least somewhat friendly with each other.
I sat at my desk and nibbled on my lunch, trying to focus on work, but my mind kept wondering back to everything that had happened. A knock sounded on the door and I looked up to see Tammy. She marched in and plopped down in the chair in front of me.
“What’s cooking?” she asked.
I finished my bite and then told her about what I’d found out about the ghost.
“Well, you know I worked at the salon last night.” She had that look on her face that let me know she had something good to dish out. “Anyway, I overheard Sue Lovelace’s phone conversation about how Marion got what she deserved.”
My eyes widened. “She actually said that?”
Tammy nodded. “Can you believe it?”
“Sue is so nice, I never thought I’d hear her say something like that.” I knew Tammy was being truthful too because she never made up stories. I took a drink of my diet soda and then said, “I should visit the salon.”
Tammy nodded. “Sue did have the motive and the means to murder Marion.”
“Yes, she did, I suppose. But was she the killer?” I tapped my fingers against my desk. I doubted my visit to the salon would get Sue to confess, but it was worth a visit. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
“You had your phone off and I was too tired to walk over after standing on my feet all day.”
Yes, I had turned off the phone so that Annie couldn’t text me.
Tammy pushed to her feet. “Well, I have to get to work.”
“What? You’re not going with me to the salon?”
“I wish I could, honey. You’ll be okay. Just don’t let Sue touch your hair.”
I nodded. “Okay. I won’t question your expertise.”
“Trust me, you do not want her signature style.”
“Is that the hairstyle I’ve been seeing around town?”
Tammy shivered. “That’s the one. She wants to create a trend or something.”
“She’s creating something, but I don’t think it’s a trend.” I laughed.
“I’ll talk to you soon,” Tammy said as she walked out the door.
Chapter Twenty-One
The day seemed to drag on forever. Annie had been mostly quiet. As long as she thought I was attempting to do something to solve the murder she was happy. I finished up a few things that I needed to get off my desk and then headed out to the front area. Leslie was just shutting off her computer.
“Where are you headed?” she asked with a frown.
That was a first. She never seemed interested in what I was doing. I wondered why she was asking now.
“I’m headed over to Sue’s Salon.”
She stared at me. “Why would you do that?”
I pointed at my head. “I figured I could use a little trim.”
Leslie studied my hair and then shrugged. “Whatever. I would be careful if I were you.” She marched toward the door, but didn’t say anything else.
Was she warning me about Sue’s hairstyling too? Something seemed off about
the warning, but then again there was something off about just about everything Leslie did or said. I finished closing the library and said goodbye to Jane Austen. I also rushed out a goodbye to Annie before she could stop me. After a short drive, I arrived at the salon.
Luckily I had called ahead and Sue had a cancellation. I would talk with her, but not let her touch my hair. I wasn’t sure how I would accomplish that just yet. I walked into the salon, which was bathed in all shades of pink. There was a small sitting area at the front of the salon. No one was there but me. I’d just taken a seat when Sue popped up from around the corner.
“Good evening, Ripley. Are you ready?”
I swallowed hard. I guessed I was as ready as I’d ever be. Sue patted the seat and gestured for me to sit down. I reluctantly moved across the floor and sat in front of the mirror.
Sue touched my hair. “So what can I do for you today?”
This was the hard part. “Actually, I just wanted to talk with you.”
She frowned and I knew I was in deep trouble. I’d offended her in the worst way possible.
“Okay, I guess you can do my hair too,” I said.
She patted my shoulder. “Well, that’s more like it.”
I thought about closing my eyes the whole time I was in her chair. She pulled out her tools and went to work on my new style. I sent Tammy a message asking for help, but she said she’d warned me. It was too late now.
“I guess the book club is still upset over what happened to Marion?” I asked. Okay, that was a stupid question. Of course they were still upset.
“Yes.” Sue pulled out her comb.
That was a vague comment as she continued to work her magic on me.
“Do you think one of the other Book Wormers would do something like that to her?” I asked.
Sue froze and just stared at me. Maybe I shouldn’t have come here asking all these questions when she had such easy access to scissors. But surely Sue wouldn’t kill me right there in the middle of the salon. One thing was for certain, she was being tightlipped about the murder.
