by Tonya Kappes
My thoughts circle back to Michael. He has a white pair of shoes, Kent had a white pair of shoes, and both mystery men had a white pair of shoes—unless he’s Michael. I know Kent didn’t work for Macro Hard and Michael doesn’t and they both own a pair. If I can only pin point the mystery man.
“Harold, thank you for all of your information and making me realize cleaning isn’t my thing.”
The yellow aura completely surrounds him. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t last. It’s a shame, I really like you, Olivia.”
“I really like you too, Harold.” I want to say something about his untapped psychic ability, but it gives me an excuse to come back and visit one late night.
I take my phone out of my pocket and dial Bradley.
“Did you scrub the floors?” Bradley is amused by his question.
“Funny.” I drive out of Macro Hard’s parking lot for the last time. “Can your brother-in-law run a license plate number for me?” I don’t want to give any leads to Carl or Ian. Like I said before, they spent years in college to learn how to investigate. While I spent years in front of the TV watching Angela Lansbury.
“Sure. I may take a while to get the results.”
That’s good enough for me. I read the number off twice so he can write it down and check it.
Once I get home, I have no problem falling asleep on the couch. I’m confident that Brittany doesn’t know I’m Jenn. I have a sneaky suspicion she’s desperately trying to find out who Jenn is. She’s seen me with Erin though and that gives her reason to not like me.
The sound of bells wakes me from my deep sleep. I shield my eyes from the light creeping through the once pulled curtains that are now hanging wide open. Aunt Matilda is standing over me with her trusty old notebook and Herbie is beside me licking my face.
“I thought you might be dead.” Matilda continues to scribble. “Until you started talking about white shoes in Brittany’s closet.” She points to the page in her notebook where she’s been taking notes on my dream. “Something about Carl and jolly ranchers.”
My mind is full of cobwebs as I look at my watch and realize it’s almost night again and I’ve slept the day away.
“Really? Did I say something about Carl?” It’s inevitable that I talk to the police, but I have to figure out if a few of my hunches are right. I need time to put my clues in order, and in doing that I have one last thing to do—break into Brittany’s apartment.
“It wasn’t anything enlightening, but it’s time to get up. We are having dinner company.”
That explains the banging of the pots and pans in the kitchen. My house is so tidy I barely recognize it. And fresh-cut flowers in a vase on the table are a telltale sign this isn’t just any dinner.
Herbie rushes to the door, barking like a mad dog at the sound of knocking. There’s no time for Aunt Matilda to tell me that Carl and Ian are the guests when I open up to find them standing there in plain clothes.
“Good evening, Ms. Davis.” Carl smiles with Ian standing behind him. If they spent as much time on the case as they had getting all cleaned up for a dinner, they might have the case solved by now.
“Hello, Carl.” I do my best Jerry Seinfeld impression when he says hello to his neighbor Newman. Sort of my smart-alec way of being annoyed because they’re here.
Aunt Matilda glides her way in between me and the screen door allowing them into the house. I look at Aunt Matilda whose gaze is fixed on Carl.
I step back.
“Don’t you think this is sort of weird having dinner with me when you have me as a suspect on a murder case?” I’m appalled to even think about sitting across from them let alone being able to break bread with them.
“We are off duty.” Ian slides his way past me following Aunt Matilda and Carl into my kitchen.
Erin rounds the corner. She seems more annoyed than I am. “I told her this wasn’t a good idea, but she insisted it was.” Erin and I both know not to question Aunt Matilda, well…at least not to her face.
I schlep back to my room and take a quick shower before returning just in time to sit and eat. I can kiss spying on Brittany tonight goodbye.
Herbie is an all together different story. His gentle spirit is turning slightly yellow. I watch as he goes from one door to the other in an uneasy trot. His black eyes fix on mine and he begins to let out a low growl.
Ian looks over at Herbie. “What does he want?” Herbie doesn’t break his stare. He wants me to let him out.
I hesitate as his aura turns yellow. I jump up from my chair as Aunt Matilda gets up from the table and picks him up.
“Maybe he needs to go in your room until our guests leave.” She hands him to me and follows me back down the hall. “What’s going on?” She says in a low tone.
“I don’t know.” I use my fingers and make a circle around his body without telling her his aura is yellow. You can never trust a yellow aura animal. That means they are up to something and can go off any minute. I’m afraid to let him out. Animal’s senses are greater than ours and maybe the killer is outside. Or maybe he doesn’t like the vibe I get having cops in the house. Cops that think I killed not only one person, but two.
Aunt Matilda goes back to the table.
I put Herbie in the spot on my bed where he likes to lie. “Hey, buddy. It’s okay.” I assure him before I go back to dinner. I walk back down the hall into a room full of laughter and clinking glasses.
Carl is telling stories about Aunt Matilda and the crimes they use to solve. I watch as her eyes light up with excitement. I can see her hay days running in her head by the smile on her face.
“How did you do it?” Ian isn’t following along with Aunt Matilda’s gift.
“Oh, I guess I’m just intuitive.” Aunt Matilda has always been cautious of telling new people about her stint with Park City Police Department.
Carl laughs. “Yea, I’d say.” He fills everyone’s glasses.
Of course Erin is rolling her eyes because she never truly believed in Aunt Matilda’s ability to help with the police, but she never questioned how the crimes got solved. She most certainly never wanted to hear what I had to say about people’s auras. “Not natural, Olivia. Don’t you want to let life unfold?”
Yes, I want to let life unfold, but when it unfolds in front of your eyes without your permission, it’s a little hard to control. As I’ve gotten older it’s been easier and the dreams seem to be less. But these two murders have turned into a nightmare.
“I’ll tell you what. . .” Erin’s sways her glass in the air, almost tipping out what Carl just put in. “I’ve never seen any. . .” Erin hiccups. “Anything.” She brings the glass to her mouth.
“I think Erin’s had enough.” I signal Carl to put the wine bottle away before he begins to top Erin’s glass off.
“I’ve not.” She points her finger towards me. “I deserve to have a drink, seeing that my boyfriend who’s been married, who used your service to break up with his ex, who by the way…” she turns to Ian, “is sending threatening emails to. . .”
No. No. Erin, don’t tell Ian. I know Carl knows, but Ian will not let this die. I open my mouth to stop her just before she plants her face down on the table.
My heart is pounding, fearing she is going to jump up any minute and tell everything she knows. I know I should tell them, I know I should give them the evidence I’ve collected, but I’m not ready to give all the pieces of the puzzle. Not yet.
Everyone laughs but Ian. He’s stone faced. Nervously I chuckle to break any tension Ian may feel. I can tell he is very intent on solving his first murder case in Park City, let alone two.
“I guess she’s had too much wine.” Carl blurts out and Erin wiggles her little finger in the air keeping the rest of her upper body flat on the table.
I get up and help her out of her seat. Ian comes over and does much more of the lifting.
“She can go back here.” I nod towards the guest bedroom.
He picks her up and carries h
er down the hall behind me. Once he has her on the bed, I turn to go back out.
“Wait.” His voice is demanding. “Ex what?”
I bite my lip and roll my eyes. My back is to him. “What?” I know I have to turn around and face him. Alone. The worst place to be when you read auras. I prepare myself and turn on my heels.
His Jolly Rancher sour apple aura is starting to yellow a little like mustard. My legs shake and I grab the door knob for support. I don’t want him to question why I do this when we are alone.
“You know what?” he whispers and comes a little closer. I close my eyes. “Whose ex is who? Are you withholding evidence from the police, Olivia?”
“I have no clue what she’s talking about.” Another white lie to the police. If they don’t get me for murder, I’m sure they can get me for tampering with evidence.
“You know I’ll throw the book at you if you aren’t telling the truth.” He jabs a finger in my chest bone. “I’m not saying you did it, but I think you know more than you’re letting on.”
I’m not about to give in to Ian and his bullying. It only makes me want to figure this thing out on my own and let them figure it out on their own. “Am I under arrest?”
I push my way around Ian and walk back to find Aunt Matilda and Carl still reminiscing about old times.
I walk over to the front door. I open it and stare at Aunt Matilda. “I think it’s time for them to leave.”
I swear lightening shoots out of her eyes. She’s always telling me to mind my manners, but I don’t have to do it in my own house.
“Okay.” Carl looks at Aunt Matilda, then Ian, then me. “Well, Matilda thank you for a lovely evening. It’s been fun talking about old times.” He taps Ian on the fore arm and points for him to walk to the door. “Olivia.”
I fake a smile. “Carl.” I nod. “Ian.” I slam the door behind them.
The nerve of him coming into my house and accusing me of…well, the truth. If I want him to know the truth, I’ll tell him.
“What is it?” Aunt Matilda stands up and walks over, taking both my hands in hers. This is exactly what she used to do when I was a child and upset about a fight with Erin. “What’s wrong? Did you see something?” Aunt Matilda has a funny way of asking questions indirectly to what she is thinking.
“I don’t know.” I’m so mad at Erin that I can’t focus on anything Ian said. “I can’t believe Erin was going to tell Ian about all the evidence I’ve collected. I can’t go around accusing Brittany of emails she might not have sent, even though everything points to her.” I’d hate to accuse someone falsely.
“Baby steps.” Aunt Matilda saunters down the hall and let’s Herbie out of my room. “Being a detective takes baby steps.” She smiles at Herbie running around and sniffing every inch of where our guests had been.
Baby steps. The last time I heard her say that was when she described our getting to know each other when my momma left.
I’m happy to see Herbie’s aura is back to normal and we can get on with our night. I check on Erin a couple more times before it’s time for me to get back on my normal sleep schedule. It’s been a long couple of days and I’m looking forward to snuggling with Herbie.
Twenty-Five
“Okay, wake up.” Aunt Matilda is standing over me with her notebook and writing away. “I’ve let you sleep long enough.” She jingles out of the room and Herbie jumps down to follow her.
I turn over. It can’t be. Is it? The blue dots on the clock read 12:30 PM. I get out of bed and pull the blinds. It’s definitely day-time. I guess working the night shift at Macro Hard did a number on me or maybe it was the cleaning. Either way I must’ve slept pretty good.
I check on Erin before I go see what Aunt Matilda is up to. She’s sound asleep. Her arm is lying over her eyes. For years I’ve been telling her to get a night mask, but she claims this is the only way she falls asleep.
Quietly I shut the door and walk down the hall. I can see my blinking Blackberry on the counter.
“I can’t believe I slept that long.” I pick it up and check the new dumps deposited into my email. For a business that’s under scrutiny, I’ve had a lot more clients. “I have to get some of these done, today,” I tell myself.
I admit, I’d rather be spying on Brittany, but life does go on. Death threats or not.
“You continue to talk about lipstick and Bree in your sleep.” Aunt Matilda follows me into the office. “I really think you need to check this out. This could be the clues you need.”
Really, it’s not a bad idea. It’ll have to be a time when Bree’s not home. Maybe I’ll see if she’s at the SPCA working. That way, I know she won’t be home. I didn’t get a great look at her place in the rain the other day, so another quick drive by, in the sunlight won’t hurt.
I put the dumps in the back of my head. I won’t be long. I’ll drive by, see what I can and then come home to work.
I decide to make sure and call Bradley.
“Where have you been?” he asks. “Or do I want to know?” He talks a little louder over the dogs barking.
“How about dinner tonight?” I want to go over everything with him and see what he thinks I should do. Whether I should go to the police or wait and see if they come to me. The one thing I don’t want to do is implicate myself anymore than I already have.
“Sounds great. Bree…er…Brittany,” he whispers, “is closing so I can leave on time.”
“What time is she supposed to leave there?” I really do need to do some work today. It will be great if I can squeeze in a dump before doing my drive by.
“Not for a couple hours.” Bradley just made my day.
“I hope she doesn’t know it’s me you’re talking too.” I confess to Bradley. “I’m going to drive by her house again.” If she is emailing me because of Splitsville.com, that is one thing, but threatening to kill me is another. This is what I need to find out before I go to the police.
“Why? What are you going to find out from driving by?” I can hear the disapproval in his voice.
“I don’t know. Anything.” I can tell Bradley isn’t happy with this.
“Listen Olivia, why don’t you go to the police? There’s no reason for you to keep this a secret. Let them do their job.”
“Hey, did you give your brother-in-law the license plate number?” I look up all my new clients on the computer. I don’t have any time to spare. I tap my finger on one that looks pretty cute and dry. Zach is dumping a girl who he’s been on one date with, but she refuses to leave him alone.
“Don’t change the subject. See, the police have more resources than you and I. If you give them the number, they’ll be able to trace it faster.”
“Brittany might not know it’s me behind Splitsville.com, but mystery man from her house does. Call me if she happens to leave work early.”
“She won’t. She’s the one closing at 5 P.M.”
Before I hang up, Aunt Matilda is standing in the door frame with her notebook under her arm. “I’m going to do a drive by her house today.” I point to the notebook because she knows I’m talking about Brittany. “She’s working today so there’s no reason to worry about me.”
“I’m not worried. I want you to keep your eyes open, especially for the person who broke into your car at Macro Hard.” Her words may say she’s not worried, but her aura tells me she is.
God! Why can’t Carl keep his mouth shut?
I stand up and walk over to her. I’d never do anything to put my family in danger. I wrap my arms around her and the space between our hearts becomes warm. I’ll always be grateful for Aunt Matilda. Although I don’t have a living mother, she’s the closest to one.
“I will.” Love radiates out of her eyes and I smile. “I promise.”
She turns to walk out and I go sit back in front of the computer to break up with Betty.
***
I use the mouse and scroll down the computer screen to read Zach’s reasons for dumping her when she answers the p
hone. “Is Betty there?” I pray she’s a quick dump. If I need to post bond, I need to do some dumps.
“Who’s this?”
Zach has paid me extra money because he doesn’t have a photo of her. He went on one date and she’s stalking him. He says he felt if she was dumped from someone else, she might leave him alone.
“This is Jenn from Splitsville.com.” I stop to wait for a reply. “How are you today?” I don’t know where that came from. How do you think she’s doing today, when she’s about to get dumped.
“Who?” Betty begins at number one in “process.”
“Jenn from Splitsville.com.” Oh how I wish I had a picture of her. “Zach is not interested in you. He’s done with you.” How painful can this be? They went on one date, one date.
“This is none of your business.” Oh Betty it is my business when someone is paying me and money is involved.
Betty is starting to get defensive. I don’t get it. How could she really care after one date? I mean, if Bradley didn’t want to see me after our first date, I’d be sad, but I’d move on. I think.
“It is my business. Zach made it my business because he hired Splitsville.com to let you know he’s not interested. Hey, didn’t you meet on a dating website?”
I smile knowing I have a good detail about how they met. Of course it’s not going to work out sweetie, I want to say but don’t.
“Yes, but…” Betty, you better watch it, you’re getting a little testy. I know I’m starting to really get to her.
I have to interrupt her before she makes a mockery of herself, “Listen, Betty. I hate to tell you this, but Brian and his friends made a bet to see how many dates they could get off the dating website. Of course he asked you out and you accepted. Now part of the bet is he has to go out on a date. And a date means one, not two or three, but one.” I hold my finger up in the air as if she can see it. “He’s been on one date with you, and several other girls since you.” Wow! He’s a jerk. “Stop stalking him. You’re creeping him out.”
