by Rose Pressey
The group smiled back at me. They had no idea what I’d seen.
Regardless of what had happened, I started the tour and we went through town without any issues. No mysterious man and no shadow returning. And no one stopped the tour before it was over. I considered that a success. I thanked everyone for coming and I collected the flashlights. I wanted to hurry up and get out of there before the shadow came back or Mrs. Clatterbuck popped up. The owl hooted at me as if he didn’t want me to leave.
“Sorry, Mr. Owl, but I have to go,” I said.
I started down the alleyway when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that it was Tammy.
“Hey, I’m headed there now,” I said. “I just finished the tour.”
“You have to get here right away,” Tammy whispered.
Oh, no. I didn’t like the sound of this. It probably meant that the shadow was in the bar right now. It wouldn’t surprise me at all.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I picked up my pace and headed down the alleyway toward the tavern.
“The mystery man is here. You have to get over here before he gets away,” Tammy said.
She was still talking low, as if he was listening to her conversation. I hoped that wasn’t the case. I couldn’t believe that he was in the bar again.
“I’ll be there in two seconds,” I said.
Shoving the phone into my pocket, I ran down the alleyway. Too bad I wasn’t faster. It seemed as if I was going in slow motion. Finally I made it the rest of the way down the alley and to the tavern. When I burst through the door a few people looked over at me as if I was crazy. I scanned the room, looking for Tammy or the man. Neither of them were in sight. Now I was really panicking. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. She picked up right away.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“I’m at the back of the bar, but I can’t find him now.”
What was with this guy and his disappearing act all the time?
I scanned the crowd as I moved toward the back of the bar. That was when I saw Tammy. She was standing in the back hallway.
“Why are you back here?” I asked.
“I was trying to hear you on the phone. I can’t hear anything up there so I came back here. Don’t worry from this spot I have a good vantage point over the whole bar.”
“So you don’t know what happened to the guy?” I asked as I continued to search the room.
“No, I have no idea,” Tammy said.
Just as she said the words I spotted him. He was by the front door.
“Stop now,” I said probably louder than I should have.
A few people looked over at me. I ran toward the front of the tavern, nearly bumping into a table with people sitting at it. Their beers wobbled and almost tumbled over.
“Sorry about that,” I yelled as I dashed by.
When I finally reached the door I spilled out onto the sidewalk. I looked to my left and then to the right. Even though it was dark the streetlight helped me spot him. He was just casually walking down the sidewalk, as if he had no concern in the world. What would I do now? Should I confront him? The more I considered it the more I wasn’t sure that was such a good idea. I didn’t know what to do other than to call Brannon and let him know what was happening.
Unfortunately, he didn’t pick up. So I did the only thing I could and left a message for him. “Brannon, I just spotted the guy. Call me back as soon as possible. I don’t know what to do. Should I stop him?”
I stuffed my phone back in my pocket and continued down the sidewalk, following the man. Where was he headed? If he knew I was back there he didn’t seem to care because he never even looked back. I followed him another block when he crossed the street. He seemed to know exactly where he was headed. I thought I knew too. He was going to my old apartment. Which was where Joanna now lived.
If he thought he was going to do something to her then I would show him differently. Sure enough, the man stopped right in front of the old house. An old iron gate and fence surrounded the front yard. He paused right in front of it, but luckily didn’t enter.
From across the street I watched him. I supposed he had no idea I was spying on him. I hoped it stayed that way. After a few moments, he started walking down the sidewalk again. I was happy that he wasn’t trying to get into the apartment, but now I had to see where he was headed this time. I waited until the traffic cleared and then crossed the street so that I would be on the same side of the road.
Following him gave me the creeps, but I did it anyway. He turned down an alleyway. I paused at the end because I didn’t want to turn down there right away. I peeked around the side of the building to make sure he wasn’t waiting for me. He was almost to the end now, and definitely not waiting for me. Maybe he really didn’t know I was following him. I tried to call Brannon again, but my phone had no service.
The man turned to the left and I hurried down the alleyway after him. I didn’t want to lose track of him. He made another left turn and I followed him again, but only halfway down. He stopped at an old abandoned building. What was he doing here? Was he going inside?
He started walking up, moving up the steps and then through the door. Yes, he was going inside. I didn’t know what to do so I pulled out my phone again and tried to call Brannon. Still there was no cell coverage. Didn’t that just figure? I was at an old abandoned house following a strange man and my phone didn’t work. I could just sneak in. He wouldn’t even know I was there. I had to know what it was up to. Was he living inside this old place? I scanned the area to see if anyone else was watching. As I walked up to the door I just hoped I was making the right decision.
He had left the door open. That was almost like an invitation for me to come in. I sensed that he didn’t own the place. I had no idea about the building. When I stepped inside I was glad that he wasn’t right there waiting for me ready to attack.
It was a wide open space, but dark since there were no lights. The sun had set, but luckily the moon was out. That cast a glow through the windows—or where the windows had once been. The building had boarded-up windows, and the ones that weren’t should have been because they were broken. I knew that there would be scattered glass on the floor, which would be dangerous, and considering that I couldn’t see much made it even scarier. Since it was a wide open space I figured it was some sort of warehouse.
I’d have to do some research and find out what this building was. I’d see if there was any significance. Had he just picked the building because it was empty? Or was he there for a specific reason? My footsteps echoed across the room. Would that give me away? Maybe he already knew I was here. Water dripped from somewhere in the distance and a musty smell filled the air. I hoped that I didn’t see a rat and specifically that it didn’t run across my foot.
I paused, listening to hear any sound. So far there was nothing. No footsteps. Nothing. Where had he gone? I should take a look around for him. I stayed close to the wall. I didn’t want to be out in the middle for him to possibly see me. There was a door on the far side of the building and I figured maybe he had gone in there.
I finally reached the door, but it was closed. Now I had to decide if I really wanted to open it. My heart pounded harder as I reached out to grab the knob. Slowly I twisted it. After hearing the click I eased the door open. It was even darker in that room. There was no way I was stepping inside. Since I couldn’t find him I would just have to go outside and try Brannon again.
Peeling paint with flaking chips along with colorful graffiti covered the walls. Empty beer cans and glass liquor bottles littered the floor. It looked as if someone had been using this as their party spot. I eased over the broken glass as if I was walking over ice. The glass crunched under my feet.
There was another open door. I figured I should take a peek inside that room too. I made my way over to the door and paused. I didn’t want to just step into the room in case there was something dangerous waiting for me on the others side of the doorway. Easing up to the entrance
I slowly peeked inside. It was simply an empty room. At least since the room was empty there were no places someone could hide from me.
Just as I was ready to walk away I noticed something on the floor. It was a pentagram painted on the floor. The little voice inside my head said not to go inside the room for a closer look. However, I didn’t listen to the voice and eased into the room. I kept a good distance from the symbol on the floor. I definitely wasn’t going to step inside. When I peered down I noticed someone white on the floor—like dust or some other powder. I wasn’t going any closer to find out for sure. I’d seen enough. Now maybe I knew what the connection was to this place. They’d been using this place for the occult. I hurried out of the room. Just being in there gave me chills.
I stepped out of the room, and then headed back over to the exit. As I walked across the space, it sounded like footsteps were behind me. I stopped and listened. No one was there. I looked behind me. No one was there. I’d just reached the door when the dark shadow came out of nowhere. It swooped in front of my face. I jumped backwards, but it disappeared through the wall.
I rushed out of the building. Sadly I knew my phone still wouldn’t work. I would have to walk away from the building in order to get it to work. I started checking the phone as soon as I got outside onto the steps. I looked over my shoulder to see if the man or the ghost was following me. No one was there. Eerie silence surrounded me. I rushed away from the building.
Luckily, as soon as I reached the gate, my phone picked up a signal. My finger was touching the screen to dial Brannon’s number when my phone rang. He was calling me. Whew.
I answered the phone. “Thank goodness I reached you.”
“Where are you? I got your message.”
“I’m at this building. The mystery man was here… and the shadow.” I gave him the address.
“Get away from there, Rip. Don’t look for him.”
“I’ll just go back down to the end of the alleyway and wait for you.”
“That’s not safe either,” he said.
It didn’t sound as if he liked that idea, but nonetheless, we hung up so that he could get over here.
Once at the end of the alleyway again, I stepped out onto the sidewalk and waited for Brannon. I glanced around to see if I spotted the mystery man. He was nowhere in sight A few moments later Brannon pulled up. I rushed around to the other side of his car and jumped in the front seat.
“Let’s go,” I said.
He took off down the street, making a left so that we could double back and head over to that building. “What were you thinking going in there? It’s dangerous.”
“Yes, it was, but I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t get you on the phone and I wasn’t going to let him get away this time.”
“He got away anyway. Thank goodness you’re all right.”
We pulled up in front of the building, but there was still no sign of the man.
“Wait here. I’m going to check for him.” Brannon hopped out of the car.
He took his gun out of his holster and headed into the building. I’d forgotten to warn him about the ghost. I hoped it had disappeared as well. I tapped my fingers against the leather seat. Chatter on the radio kept me company, breaking through the silence every so often. If Brannon didn’t come out soon then I would be forced to go back in there after him. Though that wasn’t the wisest choice, so I didn’t want to do it unless absolutely necessary. Maybe I could call for backup? I glanced over at the radio. I’d have to figure out how to use it.
My thoughts raced and were beginning to get the better of me. Thank goodness after a couple more seconds Brannon appeared. He headed back to the car and slipped behind the wheel.
“There was no sign of him, Rip. I don’t know where he went.”
“I guess he got out a back door, but what I don’t understand is why he went in there in the first place.”
“My guess is he knew you followed him.” Brannon glanced over at me.
“This is so strange,” I said. “I forgot to remind you about the ghost too.”
Brannon looked at me. “So this ghost is following the man?”
“I think the ghost is following me,” I said around a sigh. “What I have to find out is why. Where did the ghost come from?”
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out,” Brannon said.
Chapter 9
Something had been on my mind that I just couldn’t shake. Who was the murdered man? Why had he been in the coffee shop? In order to find out who killed him, first I had to know who he was and more about him. Where would I even start? I’d asked Brannon to give me as much information as possible, but he’d tried to remain tightlipped. I’d explained to him that I would just learn this info by any means possible so he might as well tell me. That way I could get a head start on locating any information about him.
At least that was my plan anyway. Brannon was due to call me soon so I had a list of questions prepared. I looked at my phone to check the time, hoping that it would ring soon. I was getting anxious waiting. When my phone rang I jumped, even though I’d been waiting for the call. I was just stressed over everything that had happened.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked when I picked up the phone. Yeah, I was trying to sound casual. He probably knew I was just trying for info. “You found something, I guess?” I asked.
“Well, I can’t really tell you anything,” he said.
“Yes, you can. I mean, you might as well let me know and get it over with. What’s his name?”
Brannon sighed. “Okay, but I didn’t give you this info.”
“Right. I didn’t get it from you,” I said.
“His name was Ross Chadwick. I’m working on getting other info,” Brannon said.
Maybe I would help him along with that.
After ending the call I continued toward the tavern. I really had no idea where to start to find more information about this man. Why had he been in town? Was he new to town and where had he been living? For all those questions I needed answers.
I stepped into the bar and waved to Tammy. After making my way through the crowd I sat down on one of the stools at the bar. Tammy poured me a glass of water.
“So any news?” she asked.
I looked around to see who was listening. There was a man sitting next to us, but he was paying way more attention to the bourbon in his glass than us.
“Not much really,” I said around a sigh. “I do have a name though.”
Tammy’s eyes widened. “Oh, yeah? What’s the name?”
“His name is Ross Chadwick,” I said.
I sensed someone watching me. When I looked over the man on the stool next to me was staring.
“I know that guy,” the man said as he took a drink from the glass.
I looked over at him, wondering if he was crazy or if he really had information. “You know which guy?” I asked.
“Ross Chadwick,” he answered.
That was the answer I was hoping for.
“How do you know him?” I asked.
“I don’t know him, but I’ve seen him around. He’s staying at the rooms over on Maple Street.”
“Anything else you can tell me?” I asked.
“Nope, that’s all I know.” He put down money for a drink and then walked away.
I jumped up from the stool.
“Where are you headed?” Tammy asked.
“I have to go there and ask about Ross Chadwick.”
“It’s kind of getting dark, don’t you think?” Tammy looked out the window.
“Yeah, I walk after dark all the time.”
“I know, but with things going on in town it seems kind of spooky.”
“Devil’s Moon is always spooky,” I said. “Day or night.”
“That’s true,” Tammy said. “Just be careful, okay?”
I nodded. “I promise I will.”
“And call me if you find out anything,” Tammy called after me.
“I will,” I
said with a wave of my hand.
I headed out the door and down the street. Tammy was right. It was rather spooky now that the sun had gone down. Well, not that it wasn’t spooky before that, but like I told Tammy it was always that way around here.
After a short time I made it to the house that rented out rooms. It wasn’t exactly a bed-and-breakfast. There was no breakfast. There was probably barely a bed, but the rate was cheap. I walked inside the house and toward the mailboxes, hoping it would have a name or something that I could identify the room number from. A woman stepped out from one of the rooms and glared at me.
“What do you want?” she asked.
Well, wasn’t she a delight.
“I was looking for someone by the name of Ross Chadwick.”
Did she even know that he had been murdered? Maybe not. Surely the police had found this address by now. She pointed out a room across the hall and then promptly walked away. Okay, either she didn’t know about the murder already or she didn’t care. I guessed it didn’t matter either way because at least I had located his room.
What was I going to do? Knock on the door? He wasn’t going to answer. What I really needed was to talk to the landlady and ask her some questions about Ross. I was a little hesitant about knocking on her door though. Nevertheless, I walked across the hall to Ross’s apartment. I wasn’t sure why. I reached up and knocked on the door, thinking maybe someone else would staying there now. No one answered, of course.
I tried the door knob. The door was unlocked so I figured that was my invitation to go on in and have a look around the room. Of course, I was nervous about going in, but I had to do it. What if Brannon showed up while I was looking around? Yeah, he probably wouldn’t be happy about that.
I stepped into the small room. It had just a bed and a couple chairs in the corner. There was a dresser on the far wall with a nightstand next to it. I immediately headed over there to see if there was anything that would give me information about this man. There were a few pieces of papers lying on top, so I decided to look at those first. I picked them up and sorted through them. The one on top was just a receipt for some items from the grocery store. The next one caught my attention right away.
