Ghost Who Came for Christmas

by McIntyre, Anna J

  “Not sure. Maybe she did just leave, and for some reason didn’t take her suitcase with her. I’m assuming the blood on the rug is hers, so she must have left sometime this morning, since it’s still wet. Probably when we were all in the dining room eating breakfast.”

  “I still don’t see how she could’ve gone by the dining room without being seen.”

  “Did you hear anything interesting?”

  “I saw something interesting.” Walt waved his hand and a lit cigar appeared. He took a puff, exhaled, and then proceeded to tell Danielle about Joe’s unusual treatment of his stainless steel drinking cup.

  Brian walked into Joe’s office late that afternoon and found Joe sitting at his desk, staring at his computer monitor.

  “Anything interesting?” Brian asked, taking a seat at one of the two chairs in front of Joe’s desk.

  “Did you just get back?” Joe asked.

  “Yeah. I dropped by Marlow House again. Curious to see if the missing guest showed up.”

  Joe looked up from his computer and stared across the desk at Brian. “Did she?”

  Brian leaned back in the chair, stretching, he crossed his ankles. “No. When I got to Marlow House the only one there was Joanne and Jessica. Joanne told me that when it stopped raining they all took off to go look for Anna. They hadn’t gotten back yet.”

  Joe leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “In answer to your question, did I find anything interesting. Yes. It seems Chris Johnson is not Chris Johnson.”

  Brian sat up straight and leaned forward. “Really? Who is he? Does he have a record? Outstanding warrants?”

  “His real name is Chris Glandon. No outstanding warrants. The only prior was disorderly conduct when he was in college. Charges were dropped. Aside from that, nothing. Not even a single traffic violation.”

  “So, why is he going by a fake name?”

  “I tried to find something on Anna Williams, see if there was some connection between her and Glandon. I couldn’t find anything on her, so I decided to look at the other guests. Started with Winston, because he was also seen coming down from the attic last night. That’s when I found a connection.”

  “Between Winston and Williams?”

  Joe shook his head. “No, between Winston and Glandon.” He then went on to explain the connection between the two men.

  “Do you think this has anything to do with William’s disappearance?” Brian asked after he heard all that Joe had learned.

  Joe shrugged. “I don’t know. But both men were seen coming down from her room late last night, after everyone went to bed. Danielle told us about Morris’ concerns regarding Williams and Winston. Maybe he was on to something, and those two were getting closer than casual friends. And you overheard the conversation between Glandon and Williams. Were they ex-lovers? Is this some love triangle gone bad?”

  “Even with this connection, we don’t really have anything. Hell, we don’t even know if Anna Williams is Anna Williams. Maybe she’s like Glandon and using an alias.”

  Joe stood up. “Let’s grab something to eat and then head back over to Marlow House. Hopefully they’ll be back from their walk. Who knows, maybe Anna will be with them.”

  “What do you want to do?” Brian stood up.

  “I’m going to let them know what I found out.”

  “Them?”

  “Yes. I want to see what sort of excuse Glandon comes up with for using an alias. I’m curious to see how Winston will react. And if nothing else, I want Danielle to know who’s staying under her roof.”

  By the time Brian and Joe returned to Marlow House, it was already dark outside, and it had started to rain again. They found everyone in the living room, except for Jessica, who was in the parlor with Sadie and Max, watching a Disney movie.

  Danielle answered the door and led Brian and Joe into the living room. A fire blazed in the massive stone hearth. The room’s only other illumination came from the Christmas tree’s flickering lights and several flameless candles, strategically placed around the room.

  The moment the officers entered the living room, Lily stood up and asked, “Did you find out anything?”

  “No, not about Anna,” Joe said as he fiddled with the baseball cap in his hand. “But after I returned to the station, looked into a few things, I discovered one of you was not exactly truthful, and I was hoping that person could offer some explanation.”

  “What are you talking about?” Danielle asked.

  Joe looked at Chris. “Chris, I think you have a few things to explain.”

  “This has to be about the fingerprints Joe lifted from Chris,” Walt spoke up from the corner. Both Danielle and Chris briefly glanced Walt’s way.

  Chris took a deep breath and smiled at Joe. Leaning back in the chair he studied the sergeant. “I can’t imagine what you’re talking about, unless it’s the fact I prefer to be called by my mother’s maiden name than my father’s surname. But, that’s not a crime, so I’m not sure what the problem is.”

  “Your name is not Chris Johnson?” Lily asked.

  “Technically speaking, my first name is Christopher. But I go by the nickname, Chris. So, I suppose you could say, I also use a nickname for my surname.”

  “Why?” Lily asked. “I know why Ian uses two names, but why do you?”

  “I’d like to hear the answer to that question,” Joe said.

  Chris glared at Joe. “Frankly, it really is none of your business.”

  “Mr. Winston, do you know what Chris Johnson’s real name is?” Brian asked.

  Richard shook his head. “No, why should I?”

  “It’s Glandon.”

  “Glandon?” Richard repeated.

  “His parents were Heath and Margaret Glandon,” Joe explained.

  It took a moment for the names to register with Richard. When it finally did, his eyes widened and he turned and stared at Chris.

  “Your parents…they were killed on the same boating accident as my parents.”

  Chris nodded the affirmative.

  “Oh my god, that’s horrible,” Patricia cried out. “Does this mean your parents were friends?”

  “The boat they were on belonged to their attorney—who was also the Winstons’ attorney. They knew each other socially, but I wouldn’t call them friends exactly,” Chris explained.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” Richard asked.

  “I didn’t see the point.” Chris shrugged. “It’s Christmas, sharing stories and comparing notes on our parents’ tragic death isn’t really the best way to instill the holiday spirit.”

  “So you two have never met before?” Patricia asked.

  “On a few occasions,” Chris explained. “Nothing more than a casual introduction. Until this week, we’d never had a real conversation.”

  Richard frowned. “If we met before, I can’t believe I wouldn’t have recognized you.”

  Chris smiled. “Back then, I was sporting a beard and I wore my hair longer. And, you would have known me as Chris Glandon.”

  “Is that why you used Johnson instead of Glandon, so Richard wouldn’t recognize you?” Danielle asked.

  Chris looked at Danielle. “That would mean I knew Richard was also staying at Marlow House. I made my reservation before I ever saw Richard here. And like I said, I typically use my mother’s maiden name when I meet new people.”

  “Why is that?” Joe asked. “Do you have something to hide?”

  “You tell me, Sargent Morelli. You’re the one who seems to know all my deep dark secrets.”

  “Joe, how did you figure out Chris’ real name?” Ian asked.

  “I suspect it was that stainless steel cup he asked me to hand him,” Chris told Ian.

  “You took his fingerprints, why?” Ian asked.

  “Danielle did call us here this morning, regarding her missing guest. Who, by the way still has not shown up. Yet she left her suitcase and other belongings behind,” Joe reminded. “We’re just trying to determine if there
was possibly foul play. Mr. Glandon happens to be not only the last person who saw Anna before she disappeared, he threatened her life just days before the disappearance.”

  “Threatened her life?” Patricia looked anxiously from Joe to Chris.

  “I didn’t threaten her life, Patricia.” Chris sighed. “Officer Henderson overheard a private conversation between Anna and myself and misunderstood. This was right before we left the diner in town. You were with us that day—when we went out to lunch and shopping. Did you notice any animosity between Anna and myself?”

  Patricia shook her head. “No, not at all.”

  “And, from what I understand, the suitcase was empty.” Chris continued. “Maybe there was something wrong with it? Did you check it? Maybe it has a broken latch, the handle was loose. Maybe it had a funny smell. If she decided she was ready to leave and felt something was wrong with the suitcase, maybe she used a sack. I’m sure she could’ve found one in the kitchen, easy enough. As for the gifts she left behind, perhaps she simply forgot them.”

  “So you’re saying you believe Ms. Williams decided to leave early, and not tell anyone?” Brian asked.

  “It’s entirely within the realm of possibility.” Chris leaned back in the chair.

  “You still didn’t explain why you’re using a fake name,” Joe said.

  “And I told you it really is none of your business,” Chris countered.

  Ian began to chuckle. All heads turned in his direction.

  Kelly frowned. “What’s so funny?”

  “I just figured out who Chris is.” Ian looked at Joe again and shook his head. “Think Joe, if you were him, would you go around introducing yourself as Chris Glandon?” Ian laughed again.

  Unsmiling, Joe stared at Chris. “I don’t know where you’re going with this.”

  “Exactly where did you get your information on Chris?” Ian asked. “If it was on the Internet, you obviously didn’t read much. What happened, did you just pull up the story on his parents’ death, figured out the connection between him and Richard and stopped there?”

  Chris let out a weary sigh and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, he found the entire room staring in his direction.

  “I’ve always wanted to do a story on you,” Ian said. “I’ve sent inquiries to your attorney. You’re a difficult man to track down.”

  Chris smiled at Ian. “Yeah, I got your inquiries. Not big on interviews. No hard feelings?”

  Ian chuckled. “And to think I spent Christmas with you and didn’t even know.” Ian laughed again.

  Kelly’s eyes widened. She looked from her brother to Chris, and back to her brother. “Oh my god…Chris Glandon. Glandon.”

  Ian chuckled and looked at Kelly. “A little slow on the uptake, sis. But yeah. Chris Glandon.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “They call Chris one of the most illusive—yet generous—philanthropists,” Ian explained. He flashed Chris an apologetic smile and said, “Sorry. But they already know your real name now. All they need to do is go online and do a thorough Google search.”

  Kelly looked at Chris. “In all the online photographs I’ve seen of you, you always had the beard.”

  “These days I tend to avoid getting a current photograph taken. Makes life easier.”

  “I imagine. People always wanting something from you. While you’re trying to figure out where you want to give your money,” Ian said.

  “I remember now...” Richard looked at Chris. “You’re the one who’s been giving massive amounts of money away to charities ever since your parents were killed.”

  “Well, hell,” Walt grumbled, slumping down in a chair. He tossed his lit cigar into the air. It vanished. “I was rather hoping to find out he was a mass murderer. At the very least, a conman who took advantage of sweet little old ladies.”

  “Wait a minute…are you saying Chris is rich or something?” Lily asked.

  “Put it this way, Danielle is considered below poverty level compared to Chris.” Ian chuckled.

  “I don’t consider using my mother’s maiden name a lie. But, I did lie about one thing, and I’d like to come clean now.”

  Walt sat up in the chair and grinned. “I hope it’s good. Something unforgivable.”

  “I don’t have a sister. In fact, I don’t have any siblings,” Chris explained.

  “Why would you lie about that?” Danielle asked.

  “Chris Glandon is an only child. By taking an imaginary sibling, I put more distance between him and me.”

  “We’ll be going now,” Brian said abruptly. “If Anna shows up, let us know.”

  “I have a question for you,” Brian asked when he and Joe got into the squad car.

  “What’s that?”

  “I don’t believe you missed the online articles about how Glandon likes to give away his money.” Brian buckled his seat belt.

  “I read a few. But as far as I’m concerned, that really doesn’t explain why he likes to go around using an alias. He has a direct connection to Richard and chose to keep that a secret. Why didn’t he just tell us when we were interviewing him?”

  “Sounds like this guy is loaded.”

  Joe buckled his seat belt. “So? We both know rich people are capable of doing evil things You more than anyone should realize that.”

  Brian let out a sigh. “Yeah, well, I have a feeling the chief isn’t going to be thrilled with us when he gets back in town. He’s gotten pretty tight with Boatman.”

  “This time, Danielle called us. There is no way she can say we harassed her.” Joe put the key into the ignition and turned on the engine.

  “I know. But if Chris Glandon feels we’ve harassed him, he has enough money to make the chief’s life miserable. And if the chief is miserable…”

  “Won’t happen,” Joe said as he pulled away from the curb. “You forget, Glandon doesn’t like attention. Of course if he does make a fuss, we’ll know he was lying.”

  “Lying, how?”

  “If Ian’s right, then Glandon won’t want to do anything to draw public attention to himself. But if he was using Johnson because he didn’t want Richard to recognize him, well, that cat’s now out of the bag. So, no reason not to retaliate against us, if that’s what he wants to do.”

  “Hell, I hope Ian was right.”

  “But if Ian is wrong—I don’t care how much money the guy supposedly has. As long as he’s in town, I’m keeping an eye on him.”

  Danielle sat across the kitchen table from Chris. She had cut them each a slice of pumpkin pie. Chris had almost finished his, while she toyed with her piece, breaking off tiny bites with her fork. They weren’t alone. Walt sat at the chair between them. It was late and everyone else in the house had gone to bed.

  “Chris, I would like you to tell me the truth about Anna.”

  Chris looked across the table into Danielle’s dark eyes.

  “Did you have anything to do with her disappearance?”

  In a clear, unwavering voice he said, “No.”

  “Do you know where she went?”

  He took a deep breath. “No.”

  “Do you think she’s coming back?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “What about what Brian claimed, that you threatened her.”

  “I admit Officer Henderson heard something. And I suppose it sounded bad. But he misunderstood. It was a private conversation between Anna and me, and honestly, I was not threatening her. Not really.”

  “Not really?”

  “I made a joke. I suppose you might call it a private joke, between me and Anna. But Henderson took it completely wrong. And even he’ll admit Anna told him he misunderstood.”

  “Did you and Anna…I mean…were you…”

  “Are you trying to ask me if Anna and I were in some sort of intimate relationship?”

  “It’s really none of my business,” Danielle backpedaled.

  “I agree; it’s none of your business. I’ll answer your
question anyway. No. Anna and I have never been—will never be—in that type of personal relationship. Never. Ever.”

  Danielle couldn’t help but smile. “You seem pretty adamant about that.”

  “Put it this way, even without the age difference, there’s a massive personality difference.”

  “Did you know Anna before you came to Marlow House?”

  Chris stood up and grabbed his empty plate. “Enough with the questions.” He walked to the counter and rinsed his plate in the sink.

  “How about if the question isn’t about Anna?”

  “Maybe. Try me.” Chris left his plate in the sink and sat back down at the table.

  “Is it true, do you like to give away your money?”

  Chris shrugged. “My parents were billionaires back when rich people were still millionaires. When they died, they left everything to their only child, me. My needs are pretty simple and no one person needs that much money.”

  “How long have you been going by Johnson?”

  “Since about a year after my parents died. While I try to keep my donations anonymous, that doesn’t always work out. People were appearing out of thin air—literally—needing me to help them.”

  “Out of thin air…literally?” Danielle chuckled.

  “You would be surprised,” Chris said with a snort. “Anyway, I decided if I wanted to maintain some sense of normalcy I needed to go back to flying under the radar. Using Mom’s maiden name was a start. Even if the press figured out my alias, tracking down Chris Johnson was going to be a hell of a lot more difficult than Chris Glandon.”

  “What do you mean going back to flying under the radar? I always thought children from families like that were always in the spotlight.”

  Chris shook his head. “My parents were private people. They did a good job sheltering me. I suspect one reason the spotlight started shining in my direction was my parent’s death. The boating accident received a fair amount of press at the time. And then there was the issue with the will.”

  “The will? Your parents’?”

  Chris nodded. “My father’s two brothers. Mom and Dad left everything to me, my uncles were not happy. I was more than willing to give them something; after all, I had far more than I needed, and I felt bad they hadn’t been mentioned in the will. Of course, when the lawsuit started, I realized why Dad didn’t leave his brothers anything. They wanted it all—every last billion.”