The Leafing: the 2nd book in The Green Man series

by Sharon Brubaker

  “Please,” popped up on the screen.

  “I’ll let you know,” she replied. She could play cool and distant as well as he could.

  “Okay,” the contrite reply popped up on the screen.

  Now angry, Sylvia stomped from the office to the vending machines where she purchased a chocolate bar. Her emotions were a mass of confusion –hurt, anger and longing as well.

  She returned to the office where Carol was nearly jumping out of her skin.

  “Syl!” she cried, “Shannon’s water broke! The baby’s coming! Look, I need to go. I can’t concentrate. I’m going to pick up my Mom and we’re going to head to the hospital.”

  “Okay,” Sylvia told her. “Calm down. Doesn’t it usually take a while for babies to come?”

  “Depends,” Carol said distractedly. “Our family has a penchant for coming early, and this is case in point,” Carol told her.

  “Be careful and let me know, all right?” Sylvia asked. “I’ll let Mr. Carter know and cover the phones. Give Shannon my best wishes.”

  “Thanks,” Carol told her and flew out the door.

  Sylvia went into her office and logged off of her computer and sat down at Carol’s desk and logged on. It was nice she could work from any company location and they were talking about a cloud network where she could access her documents from home. Mr. Carter came out of his office with a gentleman. He looked surprised when he saw Sylvia at Carol’s desk. She explained what had happened. He nodded and led his guest out the door before any introductions. Sylvia returned to her work. At 4p.m. she logged off and went home after leaving a note for Mr. Carter.

  It was nice to open the door to Percy’s excited, happy bark. She got his leash and some poop bags and herded him out the door. Today she enjoyed the wintry air and walked so briskly that Percy began to trot beside her. As she walked she tried to sort out her confused feelings regarding her encounter with and messages from Owen. She walked down past Tony’s house and toward the marinas. Percy didn’t even pause at Tony’s house and she thought that was odd. It didn’t look like anyone was home as the house was dark in the growing dusk. She began to slow down on her return, but was still in a quandary with regards to her emotions about Owen.

  On the way back from the marina a slow moving car meandered down Bayside Drive. She didn’t pay any attention to it as lots of tourists came looking for properties for sale or at the beauty of the neighborhood. Sylvia was lost in thought about what to do about Owen and jumped in surprise when the car stopped beside her and a window rolled down. It was Detective Collins. He was in a plain, unmarked, police car. It was a navy blue Crown Victoria.

  “You scared me!” Sylvia said putting her hand to her chest.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I’m just checking up on things. I’ll meet you back at your house,” Detective Collins said.

  He pulled the car into her driveway and waited patiently until she and Percy returned to the house. He patted Percy on his pouf and Percy gave his hand a lick. Detective Collins gave him a smile. Sylvia opened the door and invited him in.

  “Would you like a drink, Detective Collins?” she asked. “Coffee, tea, wine, or beer?”

  Detective Collins looked at his watch and said slowly, “I…am…now…officially…off…the…clock,” he said as he waited for the second hand to reach five o’clock. “I would love a beer and please call me Joe.”

  “Okay, Joe,” Sylvia replied. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Sylvia went out to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine and to get a beer for Joe. When she returned to the living room, Percy was on the floor at his feet while Joe petted him.

  “Do you want to go out to dinner?” he asked.

  “I…I,” she stuttered taken totally by surprise by his question.

  “The word is ‘yes,’” he told her with a smile.

  He was so nice.

  “Okay,” Sylvia said, “Yes.”

  “Do you like Chinese?” he asked her.

  “Absolutely,” Sylvia said, thinking about the number of leftovers from her dinner with Tony the night before.

  “Have you been to the local Chinese restaurant?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Yes,” she answered. “I love it.”

  “Good,” he said. “Let’s go there. Their sushi is terrific and I love their Szchezuan dishes.”

  When they left, Sylvia had never been in a police car and told Joe so. She looked at all of the bells and whistles.

  “It’s pretty crowded up front here,” he said. “Please don’t touch anything,” he said.

  “I wouldn’t think of it,” she told him, “and I definitely don’t want to be a passenger in the back seat!” she told him.

  “Good,” he agreed enthusiastically and he grinned a boyish grin at her.

  The woman at the Chinese restaurant raised one eyebrow when she walked them to their seats. Sylvia blushed and was glad of the dim lighting, wondering what this woman thought of her. Joe didn’t seem to take any notice. She sat them near the front of the restaurant by the koi pond. It was not crowded.

  They ordered drinks and looked at the menu. Joe and Sylvia had a discussion about sushi. Then decided on miso soup with a sushi and sashimi variety platter for dinner. Joe also ordered Szechuan Green Beans as well.

  When their waitress brought their soup Sylvia heard a voice say, “Picking up an order for Anderson.”

  Sylvia turned to see Owen at the register. He turned and saw her as well.

  “Sylvia?” he asked as he came over to the table.

  “Hi Owen,” she said, feeling awkward, “I’d like you to meet Detective Joe Collins. You may remember him from last year.”

  “I certainly do,” Owen said.

  Both men shook hands and sized up one another. Joe had stood up. If Sylvia had been with a girlfriend, they would have rolled their eyes at one another at the two men briefly posturing like two bulls. Fortunately, the seating hostess brought Owen’s order over to him.

  “Your ‘to go’ order is ready, sir,” she told him.

  “Um, thanks,” Owen answered and took the large brown paper bag from the woman. He turned back to Sylvia and Joe. “Nice seeing you,” he said and he nodded at each of them.

  Sylvia did not know what to say. She nodded in return and Joe shook Owen’s hand once more. She sighed when he left. Joe looked at her quizzically.

  “So sorry,” she said.

  “No apologies necessary,” he told her with a shock of blond hair dipping from his forehead and into his eyes. He swooped it back with a hand and said, “A little awkward, but not too bad.”

  After Owen left, their conversation came easily. Joe told her he was a hometown boy that grew up in North Bay. He said he had hunted, fished, camped and sailed off Bayside’s shores. Sylvia told him how she had summered at Bayside with Gran. They laughed and talked through the miso soup, sushi and sashimi and the fortune cookies. Sylvia did not feel comfortable enough with Joe to tell him to add the ‘in bed’ comment after reading the fortune. Joe returned her home and walked her to the door.

  “Thank you for the lovely dinner,” she told him. “Do you want to come in for a minute?” she asked.

  “No,” he said. “No,” he said again. “Not this time. Thank you for going out with me this evening. I’ll give you a call soon.”

  Sylvia nodded, “Okay,” she said. “I’ll look forward to it.” She meant it.

  Joe kissed her cheek lightly and turned to go. Sylvia watched him leave and waiting for Joe to drive down Bayside drive before she hooked the leash on an anxious Percy and headed out into the night. With Percy and a flashlight, Sylvia strolled away from Tony’s house and the marinas. At night, the marinas gave her the creeps. Even when Owen was with her, she did not feel comfortable walking through the tall, silent boats and the inky, black water.

  Sylvia and Percy strolled through the community’s open space with a flashlight. Their feet crunched the grass and patches of snow. Sylvia found herself talking to Per
cy, telling him about the frustrating encounter with Owen at lunch and the embarrassing encounter at dinner. She told Percy about Joe, praising him for being so nice to Joe.

  As they headed home, cold began to seep in through her sleeves and her feet. Suddenly Sylvia stopped. She thought she saw a shadow slip into the woods next to her house. Her heart started beating wildly. She remembered her cell phone was in her purse just inside the house.

  “Damn it!” Sylvia whispered quietly to the night. “Of all the times to forget my cell phone.”

  She clutched Percy’s leash in one hand and the flashlight in the other. As they approached the house she tensed more and more. Percy did not. He trotted without a care up to the kitchen door. Once inside and after locking the doors, Sylvia relaxed only slightly. Percy’s non chalant behavior helped, but she was still too keyed up to sleep. She took her phone, laptop and a generous glass of wine to bed. First, she texted Carol asking about Shannon and the baby. She received an immediate reply from Carol.

  “No baby yet. Hopefully soon. Taking tomorrow off. Contact you later,” was Carol’s reply.

  Sylvia texted Mr. Carter to let him know what was happening with Carol. She also emailed her mother as cheery as note as possible, telling her about work and about Percy. She knew she would get a reply about Percy and likely not a positive one. She considered texting Tony, but in the end she did not. Finally settled, she turned off the light. Sylvia listened to the night sounds of Bayside. The water lapped quietly. There was an owl hooting plaintively in the distance. All was peaceful. Sylvia gave a contented sigh and slept.

  Chapter 19

  Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.

  Plato

  Sylvia juggled her purse, keys and coffee as she tried to enter the office where the phone was ringing wildly. She dropped her things on Carol’s desk and then picked up the receiver.

  “Public relations office. This is Sylvia. How may I help you?” she asked.

  In reply a squeal came through the phone, “Oooh, Sylvia! She is so adorable!” Carol’s near shout echoed into the phone.

  Sylvia laughed, “I take it you were correct on your prediction and it was a girl?” she returned.

  “Brigid Colleen Haggerty, daughter of Shannon and Sean Haggerty. Her name is a testament to the family’s Irish heritage,” Carol told her proudly. “Seven and a half pounds and healthy. I can’t remember her length. Everyone is doing great,” she rattled on.

  “Good,” Sylvia told her.

  Before Sylvia could take another breath to continue the conversation Carol said, “I’m definitely not coming in today. Sean needs help putting the crib together. A bunch of us from the family are going to put finishing touches on the nursery. Shannon will probably be home tonight or tomorrow.”

  “Okay, okay, no worries,” Sylvia laughed at her friend’s excitement. “I’ll let Mr. Carter know and see you tomorrow.”

  “Okay, bye,” Carol rang off quickly.

  Sylvia got settled into Carol’s desk and told Mr. Carter the details when he arrived. Sylvia was swamped, with work, trying to plan for marketing good news about Thurmont during the summer months at festivals and fairs. Their presence at Bay Days the previous summer was so successful the board and community action board were anxious for repeat performances. Her spring and summer calendar was filling up and she was careful to book shows and festivals around her friend Gwen’s upcoming wedding in May.

  Sylvia glanced at her email and gave a loud “Aargh!” in frustration. Mr. Carter came running out of his office.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she answered, “Just frustrated.”

  She told him about the plethora of emails she had received from the community members regarding the body on the beach. The president of the homeowners association had just emailed her asking that there be a community meeting on the subject and would she be able to fill in details.

  “They’re frightened,” Mr. Carter said.

  “I know, I know,” Sylvia said with a sigh. “I think I’ll call Detective Collins and see what I should do.

  Mr. Carter nodded his head and agreed. She dialed the police station and asked for Detective Collins. While she was on hold, her emotions nearly took hold of her and tears of frustration threatened to spill out. Pulling her emotions together she explained the situation to Joe. He was very agreeable to the idea of a community meeting. He suggested that she make it for Friday evening. He also suggested that she host the meeting. That way the curiosity seekers could see the beach where Joyce’s body had washed ashore, even though it was gone.

  Sylvia agreed, hung up and contacted the president of the community association. Within minutes an email was sent to the community. She sighed. The president asked people to bring libations and something to eat. She had told Sylvia she should provide paper goods and cups. It was all set. Sylvia decided she would head out after work to shop for the paper goods and plastic ware.

  Sylvia browsed the party store for pretty paper products. The holiday things were on sale and Valentine’s Day paraphernalia was everywhere. She had forgotten about Valentine’s Day. She realized with a start that Percy was waiting at home, likely with his little doggy legs crossed in anticipation, to go outside. Sylvia stopped her lollygagging and purchased some winter napkins and plates that were on sale. They were not Christmas-y, but wintry, with silver and white snowflakes on a blue background. She also mixed in some plain blue napkins. She knew if Carol had been there she would have urged Sylvia to create some sort of pretty candleholder. Maybe that would come later, but she needed to get home.

  When she saw Carol the next day, it was exactly as she predicted. Carol suggested lots of decorating tips. She babbled on and on until Sylvia held up her hands.

  “Carol,” she said, thinking she sounded like her mother, “This is not a happy time. These people are gathering because they have had a murder in their neighborhood. I know they will also be curious and have a million questions for me.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Carol insisted. “Make it look nice and they will calm down.”

  Sylvia considered this. Carol suggested putting small votive candle holders on top of metallic snowflakes. She could find the votives in blue and silver and white. It would be a winter wonderland. She also urged Sylvia to pick up some of the clear glass baubles for flowers and fill a bowl with them and the snowflakes and glitter as a centerpiece.

  “You should come and do this,” Sylvia told her. “You missed your calling. You need to go into design”

  Carol blushed a little at this. “I wish I could do it for you,” she said, “but I need to see that baby again!”

  Instead, Carol gave her a list of supplies and places to go to find them. Sylvia went home and picked up Percy. She went through a drive through and bought him a cheeseburger while she ordered a cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake for herself. She also shared her fries with Percy. They drove to the craft store to pick up the list of items as well as Target and Wal-Mart. Percy was patient as she drove to and from and went in and out of stores. He was happy when she parked at home again and was eager to get out of the car.

  Sylvia took off Friday afternoon to vacuum, dust and polish everything she could think of in the house. In a panic, she called Marian and asked if she could borrow some folding chairs. Jon came to the rescue and dropped off about a dozen as well as a sturdy, folding plastic table. Sylvia set up the living room and dining room with the blue and white snowflake theme she had planned with Carol. Instead of small votive candle holders, Sylvia had picked up long, cylindrical vases that she filled iridescent blue and clear glass pebbles in at varying heights. She put the votive candles on top of these. Carol loaned her a large, cylindrical trifle bowl that Sylvia filled with the remaining glass pebbles. She put several votive candles in this and used it as a centerpiece. It did look lovely. She took a picture with her cell phone and sent it to Carol telling her she was right.

  “Told yo
u so,” Carol smugly texted back. “Good luck.”

  Sylvia fiddled with things and couldn’t eat dinner. She had a few bits of the cheeses she placed out for guests and some crackers. She also had picked up bottles of red, white and rose wine. Fortunately Gran had ice buckets and a large rectangular pan that was supposed to poach fish in. It was a beautiful stainless steel and worked perfectly to chill a few bottles of wine and beer.

  About 6:45 she began to light the candles. Her hands shook a little. The doorbell rang. It was Joe.

  “Hi,” he said, and he gave her a swift kiss on the cheek.

  Joe introduced her to another detective – Detective Rick Christian. She showed them where to put their coats in the library and led them to the living room.

  “Looks pretty,” Joe said. “Good idea. This will help people to relax.”

  Sylvia said a silent thank you to Carol for the good idea. People began to arrive in small groups after that. Soon her living room, dining room and kitchen were filled with neighbors. This was not the usual jovial social crowd the neighborhood was used to. They often had impromptu cocktail parties on their decks while watching the sunset, and got together for the annual neighborhood cocktail, harvest and Christmas parties. The majority of the neighborhood was retired and they were an active group—physically, politically and artistically. The chatter this evening was hushed. Ice clinked in the glasses and sounded loud to Sylvia. An older woman who was purported to have dementia came up to Sylvia.

  “You girl,” she demanded, “Where’s Holly?”

  It was obvious she did not remember that Gran had passed away. Sylvia started to answer when the woman went on again.

  She looked at Sylvia curiously. “You are the girl that found that body last year. I remember,” she said. “And where’s your young man? Shouldn’t he be here?”

  “He’s not here any longer,” Sylvia told her, hoping she was loud enough for the older woman.

  “Humpf,” she commented, “you probably scared him off,” she told Sylvia loudly. “I wouldn’t want to be around a girl that’s constantly finding dead bodies.”