by Rose Pressey
She nodded. “It’s such a tragedy what happened to Marion.”
“Yes, that’s one way to put it.”
“How are you getting along with Leslie?”
There was no way to hide my disappointment with that relationship. “To be honest, things could be better. I just think we got off on the wrong foot.”
Mrs. Stanley had probably hired Leslie and therefore gotten along with her just fine. “She can be a bit of a pain, but I’m sure she will come around. She’s such a good worker.”
“Well, I haven’t seen that part yet either, but I’ll give it a little more time.”
Silence settled over us. I wasn’t sure what to say next. Mrs. Stanley stared at me as if she expected me to continue the conversation. She acted as if she wanted to ask more, but so far she hadn’t. Did she want to mention something else about the murder? Or the ghost? Had Annie made herself known to Mrs. Stanley as well?
“Was there anything else you needed to tell me about the library?” I asked. This would be a perfect opportunity for her to say something.
She shook her head. “I can’t think of anything, dear, but if I do I will make sure to stop in.”
Another long pause and then finally I said, “Well, I’d better go. It was nice seeing you.”
She stared at me. “It was nice seeing you too.”
Her voice changed. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it gave me the creeps. She walked around me, watching as she passed. She continued down the sidewalk, and I watched her for a few more seconds before heading to my car. I wanted to make sure she didn’t turn around and follow me. What had she wanted to tell me? I should have just asked about the ghosts. Everyone knew I believed in them. It wasn’t like it was a secret anymore.
Now that Mrs. Stanley had gone, I continued down the sidewalk. I still couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was walking behind me. I glanced over my shoulder expecting to see Mrs. Stanley again. She wasn’t there. But I did recognize a face back there. She had paused to look in a store window. But I wasn’t falling for that act. I knew that Leslie had been following me. What did she want? I called out to her, but she didn’t look my way.
When I turned around to walk in her direction, she darted down an alleyway. What was that all about? I knew she didn’t want to talk with me, but this was taking it a little too far. When I reached the alleyway, Leslie was nowhere in sight. I’d have to ask her why she’d followed me, although I knew she’d probably just deny it, so what as the point?
I’d almost made it to my car when my phone rang.
“What did you find out?” Tammy asked as soon as I answered.
“Not much about anything.”
Tammy sighed. “Well, that’s a bummer.”
“Oh, but I did spot a notepad at Sue’s. It was just like the paper I discovered in the book at the library,” I said.
“Hm. That is interesting. But I guess it could have been anyone’s.”
“The paper was sold at Marion’s shop. So it wasn’t like it was just a scrap piece of paper. It was from a pretty stationery set.”
“Sue always has been obsessed with stationery,” Tammy said.
“Aren’t we all?” I asked.
Tammy chuckled. “Good point. So what do you do from here?”
“I guess I just keep looking for clues.” I picked up my pace, feeling the cool wind swirl around me.
I hadn’t told Tammy about the texts from Annie yet. She really would freak out when I told her that another ghost was following me and sending texts too. There had never been the right time to share this information with her. It was hard for me to start that kind of conversation. It was one thing to believe in ghosts, but it was another entirely to get texts from them. That was daily-visits-to-the-psychiatrist kind of crazy.
With Annie constantly texting me, I might have to reveal my ghostly secret to Tammy soon. It wasn’t the kind of thing I could tell just anyone. However, I didn’t think Tammy would believe my claim of just having a hunch about Ted Alistair’s books for much longer. I had to tell her that it was all Annie’s information that had led me to the books. I knew it would be hard for anyone to believe, but surely Tammy would believe me.
I continued to share the chain of events with Tammy. “First I went to Sue’s salon, and then I went to Katherine’s cupcake shop, and then to Dana’s coffee shop. I covered everyone and I still don’t know what to think.”
“What did you find out about what Sue said?”
“She didn’t seem too broken up about what happened to Marion.”
“Well, she’s always had a tough exterior,” Tammy said.
That was true. Everyone handled things differently. “Sue sent me to Katherine’s and then Katherine sent me to Dana’s. So they must be pointing fingers at each other.”
“I hate to see their friendship fall apart. The Book Wormers have been together for a long time,” Tammy said.
“Sue told me that it was Dana’s idea to use the book for this month’s book club. What are the odds that she would pick that book and then the murder would happen just as it had in that book?”
“I think that is too much of a coincidence,” Tammy said.
“I do too. But I couldn’t accuse Dana of murder. And she seems so nice.”
“Ted Bundy seemed nice too. Have you ever read the books?” Tammy asked.
“No, I haven’t. What about you?” I asked.
“No, they’re not my usual genre. But we really should read books one and two in the series for more clues,” Tammy said.
I knew that Annie would try to tell me that she could just explain what happened in the books. Nope. I had to do this myself. I might miss something if she gave me the CliffNotes version.
“Okay, so I’ll read book one and you can read book two.”
“I hope they are standalones.”
“I don’t think it really matters at this point,” I said.
“You have a point. What about book three? Is it out yet?”
I sighed and then said, “Yes, but it’s been checked out.”
“By whom?” Tammy asked.
“A woman I went to visit today. Dorothy Blanton. Apparently she’s on vacation.”
“I guess that rules her out as the murderer.”
I finally reached my car. “I suppose it does, since she wasn’t at the library at the time.”
“Do we know for sure that the killer was at the library when this happened?” Tammy asked.
“No, I don’t know anything for sure. I’m just about as clueless as they come.”
“I think I have you beat in that department,” Tammy said.
I chuckled. “I doubt that.”
“I’ll talk to you soon and we can see what our next move is.”
“Thanks, you’re the best,” I said.
“It’s what I do. Think nothing of it.”
I hung up the phone and pulled away from the curb.
Within a few minutes, I had arrived home. I thought about the times that Brannon had walked me home and I wondered what he was doing now. Would he show up for my next ghost tour? I hoped so. Would the ghost? I was surprised that I hadn’t seen him tonight. Although I hadn’t made it to my front door yet and there was still time. I climbed out of my car and looked around as I made it to the front door. So far, I didn’t notice anything unusual. I hoped it stayed that way.
I took out my key and hurried to open the door. When I entered, I looked back over my shoulder, sure that I would see something, but luckily there was nothing. I had made it home safely this time.
I moved over to the line of mailboxes. There was a piece of paper sticking out the edge of my box. I recognized the paper right away. I’d seen it before and in fact had a piece just like it in my pocket. Someone really loved this paper. Apparently, the person liked to write all their notes on it.
I pulled the note from my box. My heart thumped quicker as I unfolded it.
You’ll never figure it out.
That was all that
was written on the note. This had to be from the killer. And the killer knew where I lived and that I had been trying to find out who had murdered Marion. It sent a shiver down my spine. How had this person gotten into the building to leave the note? I bet it was my neighbor. She was always forgetting to shut the door. It was clear that someone didn’t want me to solve the murder. This was definitely a threatening note.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The next morning, I decided to walk to work. I was still shaken up about the note I’d received the night before. I figured it was probably time that I told Brannon about what I had found. I had so hoped to solve this on my own, but I guessed it wasn’t meant to be.
As I walked along the sidewalk, I couldn’t help but notice that a few people watched me as I walked by. I was getting some strange looks. Of course, that made me uneasy. What would happen next? At least if I gave Brannon this information they would know that I had nothing to do with Marion’s death. At least I hoped that was the case.
I reached the library and hurried through the massive doors. Since the lights were on and the door was unlocked I knew that Leslie was already there. She wouldn’t be happy. If I wasn’t there first she considered me late. I was fifteen minutes early and considering all that I’d been through I figured that was pretty good.
Leslie glanced at me when I entered, but didn’t speak. I didn’t feel like dealing with her attitude, so I didn’t ask why she’d been behind me last night. The longer I worked with her the more I was convinced she wanted my ob. That was her way of getting me to quit. The nastier she was to me the more I would want to leave. There was no chance of that happening so she could give up that dream. Annie was standing by the front desk, but I couldn’t talk to her with Leslie right there. I still didn’t understand why she didn’t show herself to Leslie or Tammy.
As I went about my morning routine, a lot of people were looking at me strangely just as they had when I’d walked to work. I didn’t like the feeling. Annie was sending me text messages, but I couldn’t read them right now. I already had people looking at me and I didn’t need to add to that. As soon as it slowed down I would be able to go back to my office and find out what she wanted. I was sure she just wanted to know what I’d found out on my visits to the women’s shops.
I was behind the front desk with a woman with gray hair approached.
“May I help you?” I asked.
She scowled and shoved books toward me.
I smiled and said, “I’d be happy to help you with the books.”
She smirked but didn’t answer.
I checked out the books for her and then said, “They are due back in two weeks.”
“Thank you.” She frowned. “We didn’t have any problems until you came back to town.”
What was that supposed to mean? “I’m sorry?” I asked.
“I think you know what I mean.” She picked her books from the counter and rushed toward the exit.
I stood in silence for a moment thinking about what had just happened. Suddenly the townspeople wanted to get rid of me? Was that why I was getting so many strange looks? Well, it wasn’t going to happen. Devil’s Moon was my hometown and they wouldn’t get rid of me that easily. They would just have to get used to my presence again. And it better not take them fifty years to like me either. And how could I have stirred up the ghosts? Just by having the tour? Was that why Annie had appeared? Was it all because of me? Why hadn’t this happened sooner? Why only now that I had returned home?
As I worked that morning several people came into the library and proceeded to tell me that I needed to leave. They didn’t think I could replace their beloved Mrs. Stanley. I was tired of hearing that and the next person to say it would get a tongue-lashing from me. They had some nerve coming up and telling me this to my face. Couldn’t they just continue to talk behind my back like every other small town? That was okay. I could handle it. I was strong and could face it. Nothing they said could deter me.
“It looks as if you are very unpopular,” Leslie said in a mocking tone.
I wanted to snap at her. I wanted to lash out and tell her where to stick it, but I was the boss and that would have been unprofessional.
“Have you finished your work this morning?” I asked in my best professional tone.
Leslie frowned and then turned around and stomped off.
“I’ll take that as a no,” I said in her wake.
At least that was one way to make her shut up. She wasn’t giving me any breaks, so I wasn’t going to give her any either. From this point on it would be all business with her. I’d tried to be nice, but I realized now that it was impossible with Leslie.
When I looked up from my paperwork, I spotted Tammy walking my way. She was smiling, but when she looked at me her smile instantly turned to a frown.
“I’m so glad I bring out the best in everyone,” I said when she approached.
“Looks like you’re having a bad day,” she said.
I told her about what had happened.
“I hate to remind you about this, but tomorrow is the festival.”
I had forgotten all about it. The last thing I wanted was to be around more hostile Devil’s Moon residents. Now even more people would see me tomorrow at the annual Pumpkin Days Festival.
My phone alerted me and I looked over my shoulder. Annie was standing behind me.
Tammy said, “Is the ghost behind you now?”
I nodded. Surprisingly, Tammy didn’t run out of the building. I looked at my phone.
Don’t let these people get you down. You are a great librarian and a good ghost guide too.
Aw, that was very sweet. I smiled. “Thanks, Annie.”
“Who are you talking to?” Tammy asked.
Could I really tell her about the texts?
I placed my phone down and looked Tammy straight in the eyes. “It’s the ghost.”
Tammy stared for second, then glanced around the library. “You’re talking to ghosts now?”
“Well…yes, actually I am talking to the ghost. She is texting me.”
Tammy’s eyes widened. “A ghost is sending you text messages? What? Ghosts have iPhones?”
I chuckled. I didn’t believe it at first either. I don’t know how she dies it. Somehow she manipulates energy and can write messages via electronic devices.”
“I guess I have heard of ghosts writing messages on mirrors and paper before.”
“I’m just glad I could finally tell you.”
“What do you mean? You can always tell me anything.”
“I know, but this one was pretty far-fetched.” I picked up the phone to show Tammy the text, but it had disappeared. “We’d better go. I have the tour and you have the tavern.” I figured I’d change the subject before Tammy asked to see the text messages and then had me committed to the nearest mental facility when I couldn’t produce them.
***
After grabbing dinner at home, I rushed back to the tavern so that I wouldn’t be late for the tour. When I saw the women who had lined up for my tour tonight my mouth probably dropped open.
“Hello, ladies, what a pleasant surprise.”
Sue, Dana, Katherine were the only three people going on my tour this evening.
“We thought we’d see what kind of haunted tales were around Devil’s Moon,” Katherine said, and then took a drink from her cup of coffee.
The women had dressed for the occasion in jeans and layered sweaters. They stared at me expectantly.
“Well, you’ve come to the right place.” I tried to sound as professional as possible, even though I felt there was something odd about this whole scenario. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what exactly was bothering me. I suppose because the women had been acting strangely since Marion’s murder. And there was the little detail that one of them could be the killer. Yeah, that would cause anyone to feel a little uneasy.
I started the tour by taking them to the first building.
After I shared the first st
ory, Sue asked, “So are there any leads about Marion’s murderer?”
So that was why they were here. Did they think I had the inside scoop? Sadly, I did not.
“I really don’t know,” I said, continuing my story.
Katherine interrupted me. “Well, we’ve seen you around town getting cozy with the new cop. Surely he has told you something.
They were making me uncomfortable. I wanted to get out of this building. I was definitely cutting the tour short tonight.
“I am not cozy with Officer Landon. Shall we go to the graveyard, ladies?” I didn’t wait for an answer as I made my way to the exit.
They followed me out the door and down the sidewalk. Thank goodness that hadn’t asked any more questions.
Once inside the gates of the graveyard the women gathered behind me. The owl hooted from the treetop again and Dana jumped, letting out a scream, which caused a train reaction with the other women.
“I nearly peed my pants,” Sue said.
“Don’t worry, ladies, nothing here can hurt us,” I said, my voice not sounding overly confident.
As we weaved around the gravestones and I shared the spooky stories, a whirl of wind blasted by us. It was as if something supernatural had been inside the gust. The wind whistled through the branches and around the graves. There was a whisper of words across the night air, but I couldn’t make out what the message was. I knew that it was time for me to get away from the graveyard for the night. Something was about to happen and I didn’t want to be a part of it.
The sense of being surrounded by spirits was overwhelming. The weight of the ghosts hung over Devil’s Moon like a paranormal blanket. I had to push through that heavy fog though. I would act as if nothing was wrong or out of place so that the women wouldn’t panic.
I guided the group around town the path back toward the graveyard’s entrance, but I was preoccupied by the strange sensation. I tried not to rush the women, but they probably noticed that something was wrong. We headed toward the entrance. The iron gates stood open as usual, but this time it was as if they called out to me, telling me to stay and not leave the land of the spirits. Devil’s Moon Cemetery wanted me there.
