The Butcher (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 5)

by Emilie J. Howard

  Maurice replied, “Yes, and you mustn’t look upon death as the end of a person but as the beginning of a grand new adventure for them.”

  Tears rolled down Liam’s face as he begged, “But both of you will always be watching me, right?”

  Maurice stated, “Always. Perhaps now and again, you may hear me speaking to you.”

  “I would like that, Grandpa. It makes me feel a little better. I’ll behave, get good grades, and make you the proudest Grandpa and Uncle this side of heaven. I’ll also be a great big brother like my Papa.”

  With his last statement, he yawned and closed his eyes. He fell fast asleep, and Maurice didn’t mind in the least. Adam peeked over and said, “I’ll get Delilah now.” He heard a slight rise of voices in the hallway and slipped out.

  Adam stood in the hallway as Delilah rushed a priest toward the room and spoke rapidly as Corrine tried to keep up with her while fussing with her hair. Adam smiled and asked, “What the hell is she up to?”

  Tom shook his head and snorted in amusement, “Apparently, we’re all about to witness a wedding.”

  Chief Hanover followed the group and tried to get the remainder of the statement from Corrine. It was futile with the two women chattering. He stopped, raised his arms to the ceiling, and brought them slamming down to his sides.

  Adam slipped back into the room, wearing a huge smile. He grabbed a hairbrush from Fran and began brushing out Maurice’s long hair and straightening his bedding around Liam. A sly grin playing on his lips, Maurice asked, “What is Delilah up to, Adam?”

  Adam didn’t have time to answer when Delilah burst into the room followed by everyone else. She approached Maurice and slid something into his good hand. He wrapped his fingers around it as she explained. “I understand now, Father. So I’ve found the priest and gathered the rings, and now you can marry Corrine. I didn’t get to know Mother, but Tommy says Corrine is nearly identical to her. I trust his judgment and yours. Corrine holds my hand like you used to. So you’re going to marry her—right here, right now.”

  Maurice’s eyes filled with joy when he saw Corrine approach the side of the bed holding a bouquet of red roses from the hospital gift shop. The dividing curtain in the room was drawn back, and everyone gathered inside the room to witness the nuptials.

  Delilah pushed the priest to the foot of the bed and said, “Make it quick, Padre.”

  The priest began, “Although this entire ceremony was quite unpredictable, I can’t help but feel the love in this room…” He rushed forward with the vows, there was an exchange of rings, and Corrine sobbed upon hearing her engagement ring and wedding band had belonged to Delilah’s mother.

  At the end of the ceremony, Delilah interrupted. “Father, you may kiss your bride.”

  CHAPTER 12

  After the ceremony, the newlywed couple were afforded a few private moments before Delilah was called back into the room.

  She sat by the bed and held Maurice’s injured hand. He smiled at her. “I couldn’t be prouder of my girl if I tried. You’ve made one of my dreams come true tonight.”

  She shook her head as warm, salty tears slid down her face. Her entire body was trembling as she begged, “Father, please don’t leave me. I’ll file down my teeth to daggers again and go crazy without your guidance. I won’t know what to do without you!”

  He tilted his head and chuckled. “You will do no such thing. You’ve already proven what you’re capable of, and I’m happy you found Timmy. He and Adam will help keep you grounded.” As Delilah quieted, they went on talking about the business, Corrine, and many other things. He then made an odd request. “Take off the bandage off my hand, open the wound, and lick it, darling. It will give you my strength. Be wise when plotting revenge and clearer of mind than I ever was.”

  She did as he asked; when she was done, she rewrapped the wound and secured it. Lastly, she stood, kissed his lips, and said, “I don’t believe you’re going to die. I still believe I’ll see you and talk to you again, because I love you, Daddy.” She pointed to her chest and said, “I feel it.” She sniffled and grabbed a tissue from a box on his nightstand.

  He replied, “You just might, darling.” He slipped something into her hand, and she looked at it to see a short note. She put it into the pocket of her silk blouse.

  She rubbed his arm and asked, “Did you talk to Tom yet?”

  “I did. Adam is next. Don’t forget to pay the veterinarian bill for Hercules. Tell Robert I am sorry for what happened and please reward the brave canine with a collar suitable for his bravery.” He sighed, “We should have purchased a mighty Great Dane long ago.”

  She turned and pulled back the dividing curtain. “I agree, Father. Adam, it’s your turn.”

  She watched as Adam rounded the curtain and came to Maurice’s side. She left to hear Maurice softly inform Timmy, “Young man, you better take good care of my girl.”

  Timmy replied from behind the curtain, “I will, sir.” Maurice heard him sniffling.

  Adam sat beside Maurice with tear-filled eyes. “Boss, I don’t like this. I mean, I got questions.”

  Maurice revealed a slight smile. “What else is new? Fire away.”

  Adam swallowed and began asking questions one after another, and Maurice obliged and answered. When he ran out of questions, Maurice watched as he pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head as his eyes watered again. “I’m gonna miss these talks, boss. I mean I feel like I’m losing two fathers today. You and Uncle Lou! What am I gonna do?”

  Maurice stated with confidence, “You are going to follow Myrna’s command until revenge is ours. Then you are going to live a fantastic life with your love, Frannie. You will still be employed by our family. That’s what you are going to do. Stay wise.” He watched Adam wipe his eyes and nod.

  Adam noticed Maurice’s fingers thrumming and dancing over the bed linens. His eyes went wide. “Boss, are you scheming again? Even now?”

  Maurice answered in a secretive tone, “I most assuredly am, Adam, and I must confess, my grand finale is a doozy.” Maurice grinned a mischievous grin. “I have an urge and the strength to tell one last nursery rhyme, Adam. Are you in the mood?”

  Adam smiled and said, “Sure, boss. You know I love those.” He was more interested in Maurice’s scheme, but noticed his boss struggling and nodded.

  Maurice went into the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” He spoke softly and when the rhyme was complete, Adam nearly burst with anticipation, waiting for the final line. Maurice asked as his voice was waning, “Adam, do you know why the albino creature followed Mary everywhere?”

  Adam was restraining laughter and shook his head. “No, boss, I don’t.”

  Maurice finished in a soft, weak tone: “Mary, the little delinquent, was into bestiality.”

  Adam’s hands went to his face, and his shoulders shook hard as he laughed. When he pulled his hands away, he noticed Maurice’s face had gone slack, and his beautiful emerald eyes were devoid of life. If he wasn’t mistaken, his boss had a slight smile on his lips. He shook Maurice’s arm, but there was no response. From behind the curtain he heard Timmy, Fran, and Big Lou’s men softly weeping as Big Lou took his last breath. He scooped up a sleeping Liam and rushed into the hallway. Looking at Tom, he said, “You should get in there!”

  Myrna’s expression turned to panic when she realized Maurice had not given an official statement about the attack to the chief yet.

  ***

  Wanda the Witch sat by the window of her shop in a rocking chair, watching two ravens totter about her shoveled driveway. She had fed them earlier, but they refused to leave. She’d heard the ambulance and police sirens earlier in town and knew why the birds remained by her side. Rocking back and forth, she spoke when her antique clock chimed three in the morning: “Time to take flight to the mountains, my loves, my ravens and carriers of souls. Cold Hollow will see them both again.” The ravens glanced at her in the window and flew away as she smiled a crooked smile.
r />   ***

  Before everyone left the hospital, the chief approached the group. “Get some rest while you can. We all meet at the tavern back room at noon. Cold Hollow received a heavy blow tonight. My officers are pissed, and I’m having a hell of a time holding this town together. They admired Big Lou and Maurice. I’m afraid they’ll go rogue, but I assured them there would be justice.”

  Adam looked about the group and informed him, “But we gotta make burial plans. We got a lot to do, Chief.”

  The chief added, “I know, Adam, but we can do it as a group so the responsibility does not land on one person’s shoulders. Everyone will chip in and help, even my crew and the townsfolk.”

  Myrna leaned into Tom while holding Liam in her arms. Both were relieved by the abundance of help the family would receive.

  Delilah turned to Corrine. “You can stay with Timmy and I at the tavern. We’ll take you to the bed and breakfast to gather your belongings first.”

  Corrine wiped her eyes. “All right. I just don’t know how my girlfriends will handle all this news. They thought I was being impulsive by going out with Maurice for the past month, but I couldn’t resist him. Besides, it’s my life, not theirs.” She looked at Delilah and crinkled her nose. “They were always a bunch of jealous, horny old sows.”

  Delilah’s eyes went wide, and she turned to Tom as her mouth dropped open. A snicker and then a laugh escaped her as she entwined her arm in Corrine’s. They left the floor of the hospital and headed down to the parking area with Timmy following them.

  Tom shook his head and looked down at Myrna. “Be prepared, honey. We’ve got our hands full with those two.”

  ***

  Corrine was settled into Maurice’s room at the tavern but had difficulty falling asleep. She could still smell his cologne; memories of their dates and the touch of his lips against hers lurched forward again and again. As she looked at her wedding band and diamond ring, she began to think.

  Delilah entered the room in her nightgown and slipped into bed beside her. She was wiping her eyes. Flicking on a lamp on the nightstand, she dug through the drawers of the table and pulled out photographs. She showed them to Corrine and said, “When Father couldn’t sleep, he would look at these photos. He said they made him relax and forget his worries.” Delilah stared at Corrine and said, “You were the first woman since I was a child my father didn’t drop like a hot potato. After your first date with him, you were all he could speak about. I think that’s love.”

  Corrine reached out and held Delilah’s hand. “I didn’t think I’d find love again, but here I was, dating a dashing, handsome man, and I couldn’t help it. I fell for him.” She adjusted her position so she was facing Delilah and said, “You know, I never had children. If I did, I would want my daughter to be just like you.”

  Delilah giggled. “Be careful what you wish for. I’m a handful sometimes. Seeing as you’re my stepmother, be prepared.”

  Corrine replied, “Your father told me about your issues and how to handle any possible flare-ups. He was confident you could control your dark side.”

  Corrine brought her attention back to the photos and looked at each one as Delilah explained what was going on. Delilah showed her a photo of Maurice atop a horse and Corrine swooned. “Oh, he looks like a knight, minus the armor, doesn’t he, darling?”

  Delilah’s smile nearly went from ear to ear. “We were scheming. We enjoyed our day so much at Frannie’s farm. The assistant who worked in the barn was a serial killer. He killed Fran’s daughter years before.”

  Corrine gasped, but Delilah shook her head. “Don’t worry, we took him out.”

  Corrine’s hand went to her mouth as she stated, “This Samuel Whittier needs to be handled as well.”

  Delilah’s eyes went wide. “What do you have in mind, Mother?” She cringed and asked, “It is acceptable for me to call you that, isn’t it?”

  Corrine smiled a gentle smile. “Of course. I would be honored if you did. I’m proud to have such a lovely, intelligent daughter.” She took a moment and added, “As for this Samuel person. What do you make of him?”

  “He’s not right in the head. He thought one of us killed his sister, but we didn’t. She deserved it for kidnapping and nearly killing Tom and Myrna, but none of us had the opportunity to do it. A gas leak and explosion killed her at her home.” Delilah yawned and slid down the bed and rested her head on the pillows as she extended the photos out to Corrine. “Keep looking at them, and sleep well tonight knowing revenge will be ours. The best ideas often come during sleep.” Corrine knew Delilah’s medication was kicking in, but she continued staring at all the photos while formulating a plan of her own. When she had thought of something, she felt some peace settle into her bones. She placed the photos on her nightstand, slid down into the bed, and fell fast asleep.

  ***

  Before the family meeting took place, Delilah sat alone in her office at the tavern, her father’s words ringing in her ears: Be wiser than I ever was when scheming, darling. She unfolded the note he had slipped her in the hospital and read it.

  Stay strong and smart, dear. Play the game to perfection, as only you can, and have fun. This is my parting gift to you. Look inside your bottom desk drawer. I’ll love you forever. —Father.

  She flung open the bottom desk drawer and dug through the debris to see a manila envelope stuck at the bottom with his name crossed off and hers written below it. She tore it open and removed several sheets of paper. An evil grin slid onto her face as she realized what she was looking at. Maurice had done an extra background check recently. As Delilah read through each page, she pulled a highlighter out of her pencil cup and began accentuating important lines of the documents. When she had completed the puzzle her father left her, she folded the documents and slid them back in the envelope. She started scheming, just as he would have. She sat back, rubbing her hands together, and felt her adrenaline rise. She didn’t know whether it was out of excitement, anger, or grief.

  She bolted from the room and ran toward the tavern’s kitchen. Corrine noticed her hands opening and closing and rushed to her from the table. She embraced her and heard Delilah say, “Mother, I need the blood. Please help me to the kitchen.” Corrine could feel Delilah trembling from head to toe.

  “Of course, dear. That’s what I’m here for.” She held Delilah and took her inside the kitchen, where Timmy was basting a prime rib, and Delilah stood before the oven, shuffling her feet back and forth. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Delilah’s hands clenching and unclenching. He said in a calm voice, “Five more minutes, babe.”

  She didn’t speak. She stood there waiting with Corrine and watched as he pulled the roast from the oven and let it rest. He heard Big Lou’s voice in his head: “Let it rest so it holds all the juice and blood. She likes the blood.” He held her hand as they watched the clock together. When he began slicing the meat, she nearly stuck her face in the pan when she saw the blood flow. He nudged her to hold her back. “Hold on, honey. Two seconds, just give me two seconds. You girls get the fresh bread and slice it.”

  They did as he asked, and soon she was sitting at the family table sopping up the blood and juice with the bread and listening as Myrna spoke.

  “Let him walk free the day of the wake.”

  The room erupted in protest at what Myrna had just ordered the chief to do. She raised a hand, and silence ruled again. “We can’t find the murder weapon. He ditched it, and with all the snow, it’s futile to expend the police force in such a manner. Not only that, but Maurice passed away before the chief could take his statement. Corrine didn’t get a positive ID on him. She saw nothing, and a bloodstained shirt isn’t going to get a conviction.”

  The chief stared into her eyes, which were puffy and red from crying. “I know that look, Myrna. You already have the dominos set up and ready to come tumbling down upon your command the moment he’s free.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “I just might, Chief.”

  Cor
rine cleared her throat. “As the new Gillette matriarchs, Delilah and I also have some dominos in play. We won’t be denied.”

  Tom muttered, “Father warned me that Mother had a temper that could blow the doors off hell’s gate. I guess he found her doppelganger in you.”

  Corrine turned to Delilah. “I do believe he did.”

  Delilah was beaming and added, “I know what Mother’s idea is, and I like it.” Tom scratched his head at the comment. He thought it was too soon to call Corrine “Mother,” but Delilah was fragile and still processing the loss of their father. If the presence of Corinne made her feel better, he’d let it go.

  Adam commented, “I gotta do right by my uncle Lou and boss. I’m gonna get my licks in if it kills me.”

  The chief blocked his ears. “All right. I can’t hear anymore. It’s bad enough I have whispering going on at headquarters. Here’s what we agree upon.” Everyone leaned over the poker table as the chief continued, “You keep me out of your plans of revenge, and I’ll keep you out of mine. This way, everyone’s dumb. The main thing is to get this guy out of town, dead or alive, and ultimately follow Myrna’s lead. So, you guys coordinate your plans, and I’ll add in my force’s plan so it doesn’t interfere. My only question is when and where does the action take place?”

  Myrna said, “The night of the wake, at the funeral parlor.”

  He was curious. “If I release him the day of the wake, or right before, what makes you think he’ll show up?”

  Myrna grinned. “I’ll have Ivan pick him up in the Hummer and force him to pay his respects. Samuel is pompous and will show up to gloat over his supposed victory.”

  “Does he still think your last name is Bradbury?”