The Librarian's Last Chapter (A River Valley Mystery, Book 3)

by Cynthia Hickey

  “I’ll be sleeping on a cot in the front room,” Bruce said. “Normally, Officer Bradford gets the pleasure, but he has plans tonight. Marsha, I can’t post bail until you’ve seen a judge. You should know that from all the television shows you watch.”

  Oh, goodie. I didn’t know who was worse since they both believed me guilty of something. I turned my back on him and went back to my bench. I lay down and pulled a thin, scratchy blanket over me. I shoved the hard pillow on the floor. If I used that, I’d wake up with lice.

  Why was I the only one who knew Norma Rae was the killer? Why hadn’t anyone else put the pieces together? Yes, more than one woman wore smooth-soled ballet flats, but the woman attacked me with a knife. That should turn on some light bulbs over people’s heads. Except for the important fact that the authorities didn’t believe me and I didn’t have any witnesses. Since no one was around during our scuffle, where did Norma Rae find someone to vouch for her?

  There had to be something I could do to convince them. I mulled over the clues. Motive: Norma Rae needed money in the worst way. Second, I’d witnessed first- hand that she was strong enough to choke or stab someone. Third, she was just plain mean. What woman could treat her daughter the way she treated Ingrid? It was almost as if the woman hated her own daughter. Fourth, the shoes fit. Fifth, the woman knew an awful lot about the crimes. As much or more than Mrs. Willis, in fact.

  Mrs. Willis I understood, with her need for research. She’d probably bribed someone into giving her information. But my final answer as to Norma Rae being the killer was the look on Ingrid’s face when I mentioned the shoes. That girl knew for a fact who the murderer was and thought to protect her in some misguided attempt at loyalty.

  Oh, no! I bolted to a sitting position. What if I wasn’t released in the morning? That would set the wedding back even further. I’d be too old to carry another child and I suddenly realized I really did want to have a child with Duane. The tears started fresh.

  I plopped back onto the bench, banging my head on the metal surface. Duane might be the most patient person I knew, but even he could give up on me and find someone else. He wouldn’t have to try very hard, not with his looks.

  I slapped the brick wall. There was no sense in having a pity party. I had to hold onto the fact that Bruce had said I’d be released in the morning. Why then, deny me bail? Was he trying to teach me a lesson about staying out of his investigation? I hadn’t been looking for clues when he’d cuffed me. Nothing made sense anymore.

  A scuffle sounded from the front room. I sat up and held my breath. When no one came to talk to me or release me, I laid back down. What time was it? Since I didn’t have my cell phone or a watch, I could have been locked up for an hour or several. It could be morning for all I knew. I smiled, hoping it was. Then, I’d go before the judge and hopefully be released into Duane’s care until they figured out I really wasn’t a violent person or a menace to society.

  Something rattled from the direction of Bruce’s desk. I moved to the bars. “Hello? Who’s there?”

  When Bruce didn’t answer, I scurried back to a corner of the cell. Had Norma Rae come after me even in jail? I sat on the floor, knees bent and arms wrapped around them. Unless she had a gun, I was safe, right? What if she killed Bruce and took his keys. I thought about waking my cell mate and hiding behind her, but thought better of it. I didn’t want to be responsible for her getting injured.

  “Bruce?” I whispered. My cell mate snuffled in her sleep. A shuffling noise drew closer. I rolled under the bench and hugged the wall. Unless someone turned on the light, they wouldn’t be able to see me. Maybe they’d think the snorer was the only occupant.

  I held my breath as footsteps paused at the cell then passed. My plan had worked! I grinned and remained as still as possible. The footsteps returned. My heart stopped when they paused in front of the cell for a longer period of time.

  A curse word drifted through the darkness. I cringed. I knew that voice. God, help me.

  “Marsha,” the hoarse whispered words sent shiver down my back. “You have to be here. This is the only cell.”

  Key’s jangled and the cell door squeaked open.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “Get out from under there. We don’t have much time.”

  I rolled over and peered into Ingrid’s face. “I didn’t expect you.”

  “Mother won’t either. Let’s go.” She reached in and grabbed my arm. “She’s only a few minutes behind me.”

  I crawled from under the bench, and Ingrid handed me my purse. “I grabbed this the moment I spotted Officer Barnett taking you in the squad car. I’m afraid my mother set this up to get you in one easy place.”

  “Why are you helping me?” I dug in my purse, pleased to see the Taser still there. I shoved it in my bra within easy reach and prayed I wouldn’t accidentally zap myself. I’d done that moments after purchasing the thing and had no desire to repeat the experience.

  “There’s no time. Come on.” She rushed out the door.

  Bruce’s desk was empty, the usually meticulous surface in disarray. Banging came from a door across from us. “Where’s Bruce? Shouldn’t we stay with him?”

  “I locked him in the bathroom. Do you want that fine man to die? Mother will shoot him as easily as you. She’s crazy.” She whirled to face me, her face as white as chalk. “I’ve texted Oscar to release him and follow us to the tea room.” She sprinted to the parking lot.

  I hurried after her. “Why are you doing this?” I asked sliding into the passenger seat of her Sentra.

  “I can’t let that evil woman kill another person.” Ingrid, having been smart enough to leave the car running, pealed rubber onto the highway.

  “Is that any way to talk about the woman who raised you?”

  We both screamed as Norma Rae’s face appeared in the rearview mirror. “You, my dear, are a traitor.”

  Why hadn’t we thought to check the back seat? I reached for the door handle.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” She clipped me on the back of the head with the pistol she held in her hand. “The next whack will be a bit harder. Now drive, Ingrid.”

  “Was this a trap to lure me out of the cell?” I put a hand to my head and glared at Ingrid.

  “Absolutely not. We’re friends. This woman means nothing to me.” Ingrid turned the car right.

  Norma Rae tsked tsked. “I’m in a difficult position now. Since you’re helped my enemy, you’ll have to suffer the same fate.”

  “You’d kill your own daughter?” Nausea burned up my esophagus. I turned to look at her.

  “She really isn’t my daughter.”

  I glanced at Ingrid, who shrugged. “It’s true. I’m the product of my father’s infidelity. Mother either had to raise me or suffer the embarrassment of divorce. It’s been a joyless life, you can be sure of that.”

  “Oh, you poor thing,” Norma Rae spat. “How do you think I felt having to raise his bastard child? Do you know the mortification? I would have dropped you at the first hospital if your dear old dad hadn’t stipulated in his will that you stay with me. Now, the small amount of money he left me is gone, and I’m still stuck with you.”

  I was in the middle of a family feud. Ingrid had increased the speed of the car to such a degree that I hooked my seatbelt and held on to the hand strap beside my head. The belt pressed against the Taser, reminding me to look for the first opportunity to use it. I never should have tried to save money by not purchasing the kind that shot out little darts. I so wanted to zap Norma Rae right in her swollen lip. Instead, I relished the knowledge that I was the one who had given her that lip. I’d give her a whole lot more given the chance.

  The drive to the tea shop went insanely quick. Ingrid pulled to the front of the shop. I pushed my door open, knocking my purse to the ground.

  “I don’t think so. Drive around to the back,” Norma Rae said. “No funny business.”

  I slammed my door before she noticed the purse. Of course, anyone
in their right mind would look here first. Why weren’t we hearing sirens yet? What if Officer Wilson didn’t have his phone handy? My spirits sank.

  Ingrid followed orders and drove down the alley, slamming the car into park by the shop’s back door. “There. Happy.” She peered into the rearview mirror.

  “Very,” Norma Rae said. “Now get out.”

  She marched us into the store at gunpoint and had us sit at a table. “This is the tricky part.” She paced five paces in one direction, then five in the other. “What to do, what to do.”

  “Why don’t you start with telling me why you killed Mrs. Grimes?” Keeping the killer talking worked in the movies, sometimes.

  “It’s simple, really. I want that infernal map.” She dug into her pocket and pulled out the map I’d given Bruce. “Now I have it, and it’s time to stop your snooping.”

  “I seriously doubt there’s a treasure.” I shook my head. “How did you get that?”

  “I had a copy made of Ingrid’s key.” She grinned, splitting her lip back open. I stared transfixed at a drop of blood beading there. “And if there isn’t money to be found where the X marks the spot, then why did dear old Harriet guard it so closely?”

  “It’s a historical treasure, you old witch.” Ingrid crossed her arms. “I’ve told you a hundred times everyone and their relatives have searched.”

  “They didn’t search hard enough!” Norma Rae turned the gun on her. “I’ll do anything not to have to live with you for one more day.”

  “But Ingrid is getting married,” I said. “She’ll be living with her new husband, so the two people you murdered were for nothing. Why Stacy?”

  “I didn’t want a newspaper reporter digging in where she didn’t belong. If you could figure out it was me, she definitely would. Stupid girl. When I phoned her and told her to meet me because I had a clue, she couldn’t wait to find out what I knew.” Norma Rae laughed. “But don’t worry. I told her who the murderer was before I killed her.”

  “You’re insane.” I’d met crazy people in the last few months, but she was queen of them all.

  “Crazy makes me interesting. Now, who should I shoot first?” She moved the gun from Ingrid to me, and then back again. Her hand shook like a person with palsy.

  “Do you take meds?” I leaned my elbow on the table. “Did you miss your dosage? Maybe we should take a trip to the pharmacy.”

  “She hasn’t taken them in weeks. Mother suffers from schizophrenia, if you couldn’t tell.” Ingrid’s glare didn’t soften despite the promise of death. Good for her. She’d go down fighting.

  “Stop telling everyone our business.” Norma Rae shifted the gun back to her.

  I slipped my hand into my bra and pulled out the Taser. While she was distracted, I slid it under my leg. “I need to use the restroom. Very much.” In fact, the need had become painful since I wouldn’t use the exposed toilet in the cell.

  “You won’t need to much longer.”

  Maybe she cared more for her stepdaughter than she thought. She’d killed Mrs. Grimes and Stacy without a second thought, but now she seemed almost hesitant to shoot either one of us. What was the hold up? Not that I was complaining.

  Norma Rae sighed. “This is harder than I thought. After all, I raised one of you and the other has a child. But…there’s no help for it.” She pulled the trigger, knocking Ingrid out of her chair.

  I leaped to my feet, Taser in hand, and rushed her before she could turn the gun in my direction. I pushed the button and watched as she twitched. Another shot went wild before the gun skittered under the counter. Knowing I only had thirty seconds before the effects wore off, I didn’t waste time searching for the weapon. Instead, I raced for a door across the room.

  It turned out to be a bathroom. I flipped the lock and squeezed between the toilet and the wall, looking at the toilet like it was an unwrapped Christmas present. If I succumbed to my need, I’d be a sitting duck, literally.

  “That was not nice!” Norma Rae pounded on the door.

  “You shot Ingrid.”

  “I’m going to shoot you, too.” A bullet blasted through the thin door.

  Where in the heck was the police? I put my hands over my head and my head between my knees, praying like there wouldn’t be another breath. Which, considering the psycho’s rage, there might not be. Another bullet blasted the door. One more would make the lock fall to the floor. I needed a plan.

  The charge on my Taser showed green. I pushed to my feet and positioned myself against the wall beside the door. Hopefully, she’d continue to shoot the lock and not spray the wall with bullets. The moment she showed her ugly face, I’d zap her again. This time, I would take the gun.

  As I’d figured, she shot out the lock. The door slammed open. I grabbed her arm, pulled her into the room, and pressed the Taser against her neck. She dropped like a sack of flour. I grabbed the gun, dropped my pants, and took care of business, all before she could get shakily to her feet. Once I’d finished, I jabbed the gun into her back and shoved the Taser into my pocket. “Your turn.” I forced her back to the tables. “Now, you sit.”

  Ingrid moaned and sat up. “Good thing I thought to borrow a bulletproof vest before freeing you.”

  I grinned. “Yeah, good thing.” I might have gone to lunch with the woman out of a need to dig up information, but at that moment I knew I’d made a true friend. I loved people with guts. “Want me to shoot her?”

  “You don’t have what it takes,” Norma Rae spat.

  “Maybe not, but I bet Ingrid does.”

  Sirens wailed outside. Finally. “Now, you’ll be locked up for a very long time and forced to take your meds.”

  She spit at me. As she sat there, dejected, her hair falling from the bun she always wore, I felt a moment of compassion. She was a sick woman chasing a foolish dream.

  Within seconds, Officer Wilson, Bruce, and Duane burst through the front door, shattering the glass. Their eyes widened at the sight of me holding Norma Rae at gunpoint. Bruce took the gun from me. While Norma Rae moved into her lovers arms, I rushed into Duane’s.

  He covered my face with kisses before claiming my lips. When we were breathless, he pulled back. “Bruce told me to wait outside, but when I saw your purse on the ground, I needed to see for myself that you were all right. Someone called in that they heard gunshots.”

  “She shot Ingrid, but Ingrid was wearing a vest, then when I locked myself in the bathroom, she shot the door open. I zapped her with my trusty Taser. Best fifty bucks I ever spent.”

  “Woman, you make me crazy.” He kissed me again, then with his arm around my shoulder, led me to the others.

  Bruce cuffed Norma Rae. “Ingrid, it was wrong of you to lock me in the bathroom.”

  “Are you going to arrest me?”

  He shook his head. “You had good intentions, and I’m exhausted from dealing with this case. Duane, I hope your honeymoon is far away from River Valley. I need a break from your bride-to-be.”

  “Oh, it is.” He grinned. “You’ll have a ten day break from her.”

  “I still say your nuts to marry this woman.” The soft look in Bruce’s eyes belied his words. The man did care about me, and I owed him my life a few times over. “I’m sorry I arrested you, Marsha, but we had our concerns about Norma Rae, and I thought jail was the safest place for you. I was wrong.”

  I slid from under Duane’s arm and planted a kiss on Bruce’s lips. “You’ll be next, Officer Barnett. I’m taking it upon myself to find you a wife.”

  “Heaven help us all.” He grabbed Norma Rae’s arm and escorted her to his squad car.

  I took a deep breath and moved back to the best spot in the world—Duane’s embrace.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Mom pounded on my bedroom door. “Get up. You’ll be late for your own wedding.”

  I’d been up for hours, unable to sleep, every nerve twanging. The moment I’d waited for my whole life was four hours away. I sat on the edge of the bed and stare
d at the rag rug at my feet. I’d cared for my first husband, Robert, very much. Still did, even years after he’d died in a car accident.

  But my heart had always belonged to his brother Duane. I glanced at the picture of Lindsey on my nightstand. She carried so many traits of the Steele brothers. Duane would be a good father to her.

  My wedding dress hung from a hook on the back of the bedroom door. So different from the frilly, lacy gown I’d worn to my first wedding. This one fell to the floor in a cascade of ivory silk. Simple and classy. I moved over to run my hands down the buttery softness. On the dresser sat my veil, long and flowing. The wedding outfit of my dreams.

  Since Duane still hadn’t told me where our honeymoon was going to be, I’d left my packing to Mom and followed her strict orders not to peek in the suitcases lined against the wall. I put a hand to my nervous stomach. How long until a baby nestled there? I’d be thirty-six in a few months. It was ridiculous to have a baby at my age. Lindsey was two years from leaving for college, and I’d be starting all over again. The idea frightened and excited me.

  “Mom?” Lindsey knocked, then pushed my door open. “Are you ready to head to the lake?”

  “More than ready.” I draped the wedding gown over my arm and left the veil and beaded heels to Lindsey. “Where’s your dress?”

  “In the car. We want to get there before Uncle Duane so he doesn’t see you. Grandma and I know you’re going to want to check out the tables and stuff.”

  “I sure am.” After my fiasco with Norma Rae, no one wanted me to have to lift a finger. I’d already made them all frazzled by adding Ingrid as a last minute bridesmaid, sending Duane rushing to ask Bruce to be a groomsmen.

  Yet, it turned out fine and the day was upon us. We stepped outside into a brisk, December day. I’d be married, on my honeymoon, and returned by Christmas. It felt strange not to be involved in the holiday preparations, but I hadn’t wanted to move the wedding back any farther.

  Leroy grinned and opened the door of a black stretch limousine. “A gift for my ladies.”

  “You’re the sweetest thing.” Mom couldn’t be luckier to have him as a husband or I to have him as a stepfather. God was good to the Callahan women.