Freezer Burn: A Maggie Mercer Mystery

by Jill Behe

  “Bruce waylaid me Monday morning, so she’s been out of pocket since Sunday evening.”

  “But is she really? Or is this just a ruse to divert our attention?”

  “Why would she need one?”

  “Beats me.”

  We heaved a collective sigh. Can’t speak for the other two, but mine was frustration.

  “All right, then.” Wyatt slapped his hand on the legal yellow pad in front of him. “Is that it?”

  Ricky stood. “That’s all I’ve got.”

  “Maggie?”

  “That’s it for me.”

  The silence made me look up from scribbling in my steno.

  Wyatt was staring. “Any more phone calls?”

  “No, well, just that one this morning. And before you ask, I don’t think the caller is any of our visitors.”

  “Why not?”

  “You mean, other than the fact that the caller used my maiden name?”

  “Um, yeah.” He grimaced. “Other than that.”

  “From the gut.” A shrug. “It feels very personal.”

  “All right. Unless something happens before then, I’ll go talk to Annetta and Wally, and we’ll deal with her theory again on Monday.” He made a point to look at me. “We’ll table the other issue, too. For now.”

  It was a subtle warning. “Gee. Thanks.”

  “I’m outa here.”

  “Hang on. One more thing.”

  Rick paused in the doorway.

  “We’re still meeting at the office tomorrow morning, right? Eight, sharp?”

  “Yup. On the dot. If you’re late, you’ll have to drive up yourself.”

  “You’re sure we’ll all fit in your truck?”

  “It’s a crew cab, for Pete’s sake. Okay, almost a crew cab. But yeah, y’all’ll fit.”

  “Just checking.”

  “Later.” Ricky took off and we heard the back door open and shut. “We are going to talk about the calls again.”

  “I heard that in your declarative statement a minute ago. I don’t know what else I can tell you. I’ve wracked my brain to come up with a why, and a who. Nothing.”

  “What about the Beth thing.”

  “The— Okay, the name jarred some fleeting something, in my brain. But it wasn’t a memory. Just a faint strand that was there, and then it wasn’t.”

  “Nothing more broke loose?”

  I shook my head. “I would tell you if it did. I’m not stupid, Wyatt. This scares the crap out of me.”

  “I know. I’m sorry to keep bugging you about it. Just keep me in the loop.”

  “I’ve been as upfront with you about it as I can.”

  “Have you?”

  “Of course.” My head tilted. “You doubt me?”

  “No.” He shifted closer. “What?”

  I threw up my hands. “Nothing! I can’t tell you what I don’t know, Wyatt. How can I convince you of that?”

  “I said I was sorry about the nagging. I’ll try to, ease up some. Okay?”

  I let out a heavy sigh. “Now you sound condescending.”

  “Condescending? That’s like patronizing, isn’t it?”

  “Arrogant, more like. Kinda insulting, actually.”

  “You’re gonna have to learn how to deal with it, sweetheart. I’m an arrogant Neanderthal, remember?”

  “Troglodyte.” I snickered. My mood lifting. “Just don’t bonk me on the head, drag me to your den, and then expect favors.”

  He squashed me in a sideways hug. “Ha ha. Where’s my dinner, woman?”

  “In your dreams.”

  CHAPTER 41

  SUNDAY MORNING

  WYATT, Lancy, and I piled into Rick’s Ram 1500 Quad Cab. I got volunteered for the backseat. Lancy needed to be up front next to Rick, and Wyatt would never fit. Well, he would, but it’d be a tight one, and we’d probably have to use a crowbar to get him back out again. Same with Rick, but he was driving. Duh!

  I hung my arm over Lancy’s shoulder, to show her my ring. Rick had told her about it, and she just gushed and fawned, nearly pulling my arm out of its socket to get a good look.

  “I’m so happy for you, Maggie. You two make such a great couple.”

  I gingerly retrieved my appendage. “Thanks.”

  “It’s a really gorgeous ring, too.”

  “Yeah.” I grinned. “I know. I kinda like it myself.”

  * * *

  THE DAY WAS SUNNY, cloudless, clear, and cold. Excellent for playing outdoors.

  As I’d mentioned to Dandy, we’d stayed away from the opening day chaos. Way too many people, and no guarantee we’d even get on a toboggan before closing time.

  I’d heard, from a reliable source, though, that the place had been packed. A perfect opening day for The Chute.

  The first run was the most anticipated part as the first eight boy scouts from Arlington prepared for the launch. There were long, long lines at the concession shacks, too.

  Since we’d opened it up to the other communities, the Ladies Auxiliary had projected there would be massive amounts of people, and they were right. Anticipating this, they’d contacted Mr. Ingot, the high school Shop teacher, for volunteers for extra credit on a special building project. The ladies also approached Lancy, to ask her cheerleading squads if they’d like to help man the stands. Even the football teams—JV and varsity—were requested to act as ‘snuggers’ (helping snug as many people as possible onto the sleds.)

  Apparently, they’d all agreed, and it was a huge success.

  As there were three new sturdy concession shacks at the top of the hill, the boys in the Shop class who’d been skimming by with D’s had most certainly earned enough points for a much better passing grade on the carpentry portion of their class.

  Danny Harris and Bruce Prescott had been on hand, too, representing the local newspaper, capturing all the different facets of the opening day’s events. Bruce had outdone himself with great photos, while Danny interviewed the raffle winners after their first ride, and others from the surrounding towns who’d never before been to the site.

  The front page of this morning’s issue had been plastered with pictures. The boy scouts’ faces, just as the gate was released and they went flying down the hill, was priceless.

  The Chute shuts down at dusk, or 5 p.m., whichever comes first. With no money allotted for safety lights, it was too much of a liability to send the sleds down in the dark. Someone was going to have to remedy that oversight. I’m sure it must be on the council’s agenda somewhere.

  Besides that, Grand View Promenade is a twisty adventure in maneuverability, even on a good day. After sundown, and slick with ice, it was downright treacherous.

  And, yeah, even if people left before sunset, it would be pitch black by the time they got to the bottom. Still, that was better than starting out from the top in full dark.

  I was looking forward to spending a whole day with Wyatt. We’d had our evenings, sure, but with him volunteering at the lake the last few weeks, our alone time was at a premium. This day was much needed, especially with how stressed and tense we’d been recently.

  And now that the council had started the interview process for our office extension, it was anybody’s guess when we’d get another free weekend.

  Plus, my boys were meeting us at the lake!

  Woot!

  Rick made the turn off Foggy Bottom Road, crossed under Interstate 79, and veered right onto snow-covered Grand View Promenade for the meandering 28-mile uphill trek. We may not have a Pike’s Peak kind of mountain, but Pennsylvania hills get plenty steep.

  The bright sun bounced brilliant and steady off the white-blanketed landscape, and I got a better understanding of how someone could go snow-blind. Sunglasses were an absolute necessity, and it was still hard to see. The higher we climbed, the deeper the wall of plowed snow on either side of us, and the further the temperature fell.

  Forty-five minutes later we pulled into the parking lot.

  Ricky turned off the engi
ne and looked around. “You sure this is the right place? I figured there’d be more people here. It’s only the second day of the season, and the place looks almost deserted.”

  “It’s still early. Some people won’t get here ’til after church.”

  “Trying to make me feel guilty?”

  “Are you?”

  “Funny.”

  “Come on, Rick. Just think, with less people we have a better chance for more runs.”

  “But that means more walks back up the hill.”

  “Yeah. Forgot about that part.”

  Wyatt gave Rick a slap on the back. “But once you’re in the swing of it, you aren’t thinking about that part.”

  I scanned the lot as we got out. “Do you see Dawson’s car?”

  “Why would you think he’d drive his car up here? Besides, I’m sure Gage wouldn’t pass up a chance to drive his 4X4.”

  “He doesn’t need an excuse to drive his truck.”

  “They bringing girls?”

  Lancy, frowning, punched Rick’s arm.

  “Ow. What was that for?”

  “I don’t know if they are or not.” I hid a grin. “Dawson didn’t mention it when we talked.”

  Rick frowned back at Lancy. “If they do, we’ll have a full sled.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Hey, Mom! Over here!”

  Gage!

  I ran towards him and Dawson, flinging my arms wide to catch, first him then his brother, in a massively fierce hug.

  Just you hush. I’m allowed to make a fuss. Mother’s prerogative.

  We talk almost every day, it’s true. I’m always happy to see them, and this would make the third time this week! And yes, they’re probably cringing from embarrassment at their mother’s emotional greeting, but they’ll get over it.

  Gage was a spitting image of his daddy: good-looking, tall (six-foot even), and husky—but not fat—with a mass of dark blonde hair and whiskey-brown eyes. After graduating high school, my firstborn lost some of the weight he’d carried playing fullback, but maintained his muscularity.

  His brother, two years younger and just as handsome, was taller, by an inch or two, and lanky—a runner’s physique. Takes after me with his dark hair, green eyes, and similar personality.

  “Mom, it’s not like we’re in Timbuktu, ya know.”

  See? What’d I tell you?

  “Yeah. Gee-whiz, Mom, you just saw us two days ago.”

  Haha. Funny.

  Linking arms with both of them, we moved towards the gate. “Could’ve fooled me. When my groceries won’t fit in the pantry because it’s still full, I get worried. You two usually clean me out.”

  It was a subtle hint for them to tell me why they hadn’t been by for their notorious random raids. They’d been invited for dinner two nights this week—both a special occasion, to be sure—but all they took home were leftovers.

  “Very funny, Ma.”

  They laughed, but didn’t elaborate.

  I squinted. “I need an explanation, gentlemen.”

  “Hey, the store was prepping for inventory. It’s always a madhouse the first couple weeks in January. But it’s finally calming down. This is my first free weekend since Black Friday.”

  I eyed his brother. “What’s your excuse?”

  “Why do I need one?”

  “You’ll give me a complex.”

  He rolled his eyes. Told you he takes after his mother. “I thought it irritated you when we raided your pantry?”

  “Only when you don’t ask.”

  He snorted. “What’s the point of a raid if you have to ask permission?”

  Arms still linked, I bumped him with my shoulder. He managed to fake a sideways stagger, taking us with him.

  “Smart aleck.”

  He grinned. “Um. My car doesn’t do well in two feet of snow?”

  “Hah!” Gage let go and rounded on his brother, poking him in the chest. “It doesn’t do well in two inches, bud. You need new tires.”

  “I’m working on it.”

  Innocently I asked, “So you can’t borrow your brother’s truck?”

  Dawson hooted. “Are you kidding? No one drives his precious truck.”

  “Gage! For shame.”

  “Too bad, Mama dear. He’s right. Only other person, ’sides me, that touches that fine piece of machinery, is the mechanic. And that’s only into the garage for maintenance, and back out again.”

  “Oh, for Heaven’s sake. What a—”

  “Hey, you two. Glad you could make it.”

  Wyatt came up on my right side and extended his hand for the boys to shake, wrapping the other around me.

  “Yeah. Thanks. Us, too. Can’t wait to get on the hill.”

  Arm in arm, Ricky and Lancy caught up. “No girls?”

  “Nope. None to speak of.”

  “Ah, well.”

  “What is it my mom always says?” Gage, funny guy. “You’re still young. There’s no rush.”

  “Hahaha!”

  “Yeah, you’d think she’d be pushing for grandkids.”

  His brother’s a comedian, too. Did I mention that?

  I glared at them. “I’m too young to be a grandmother.”

  “Technically—”

  “Rick.”

  “I’ll shut up now.”

  Gage laughed. “Good idea, dude.”

  We were almost at the entrance when Dawson pulled on my sleeve, holding me back a bit.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just— I have some news.”

  I quirked an eyebrow. This could go either way. You never know with him. “Good or bad?”

  “Good.”

  “Spill it.”

  “I got a call from Mossy Creek High School a couple days ago. They hired me—part time—to coach the girls’ varsity track team.”

  I grabbed and squeezed his arm. “Dawson, that’s great!”

  “I almost called you, right after they offered me the position, but I wanted to wait. We made it official yesterday afternoon. All that’s left is to sign the final paperwork on Monday, and work out a few kinks in my schedule at the shop.”

  I gave him a big hug. “That’s such wonderful news. I’m so happy for you, sweetie.”

  He grimaced. Probably from the ‘sweetie’ comment. It’s a mom-habit. Hard to break no matter how old they get.

  “Yeah. It’s gonna be a challenge, but I’m up for it. You might be seeing me more often, too. Like if practice runs late, I might stop by for supper.”

  “You’d better call first, kid. I might not be home.”

  He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

  My eyes rolled. “Come on.” We linked arms, and we joined the others.

  Two hours later, tramping up the snow-covered hill, we were breathless and red-faced, but exhilarated.

  I heard Gage call me, and turned.

  He jogged forward to catch up, then stumbled, groaned, and collapsed, holding his arm.

  CHAPTER 42

  NOT SO FUN ANYMORE

  WYATT PUSHED ME DOWN, yelling in my ear to stay there while he ran, almost bent in half, to my son. At first I wasn’t sure what was going on, why I’d ended up with my face in the snow, but found out soon enough. Crawling forward on my hands and knees towards Gage, I felt … heard, something whiz by my face wicked fast, and I stopped moving. My brain told me what it was, but I was too concerned about the blood oozing from my son’s arm, and the fact he was rolling around and moaning, for it to sink in all the way.

  Then the old gray matter slugged me upside the head.

  Lord have mercy!

  Someone’s taking potshots at us!

  My heart started bouncing around inside my chest, and I couldn’t catch my breath. “Wyatt?”

  He looked up from tending Gage. “Maggie, go with Rick—NOW.”

  “What about G—”

  “MOVE … and keep low!”

  I wanted so badly to stay near my son, but Wyatt had his cop-face
on.

  And I trusted him.

  “Rick, get her to shelter, we’re too exposed. Use the emergency call box to get an ambulance out here. Lancy, go with them. Stay together, and for God’s sake stay low.” Wyatt was whipping out orders like an Army drill sergeant, but it did the trick.

  I pulled my gaze from Gage and caught Dawson’s shocked expression.

  His fear-filled eyes held mine for several seconds before Wyatt grabbed his coat sleeve. “Get down, and help me with your brother.”

  Rick strong-armed me to my feet, and half-dragged me away. After a few steps, I stopped fighting and went with him. My being stubborn would only make things worse, and maybe get someone else hurt, or make it easier for someone to hurt me.

  Dear God, let them be okay. Please, let them be okay.

  Wyatt would take care of Gage, and wouldn’t let anything happen to Dawson.

  I knew that.

  I did.

  Lancy was crooning hysterical nonsense in my ear. I wrapped my arm around her waist and kept us both moving with Rick toward the stand of trees at the top of the hill.

  People around us began to realize something bad had happened. Several were trying to help, but as always, some were screaming and leading the panicked stampede to the gate.

  By the time we got to the tree line and I turned around, Wyatt and Dawson were right behind us with Gage. He was white-faced, teeth chattering, but conscious. They sat him, gently, against a tree. Dawson wedged in right beside him.

  Before I could join them, Wyatt pulled me close and hugged, whispering in my ear. “You want truth, Maggie? I’ll tell you the truth.”

  He was trembling. Or was that me?

  I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Rick had found a blanket somewhere and was tucking it securely around Gage. Dawson was up and coming closer.

  “Tell me.”

  “He’s been shot.”

  My breath caught, and my eyes closed to hold back the tears, shock, and fury. I’d already figured out that’s what happened, but to hear him verify it, to say it out loud, was a major jolt to already overloaded nerves.

  Made it true.

  Real.

  “Don’t scream.”

  I wanted to. “I’m not going to scream, Wyatt.”

  My voice was shaking.