“When did you find the skull?” Tabby asked, her curiosity now getting the better of her.
“I found it yesterday when I was walking the cornfield. One of the cornstalks had pushed it partially up out of the ground. I’m beginning to think that all the bones I have found belong to humans.”
“We need to tell Sheriff Puckett. Have you told anyone else but me about the skull?” Tabby inquired.
“No, I haven’t. Honestly, I’m afraid to,” Anthony replied, his shoulders sinking.
“Why?”
“I think someone is watching me. When I dug up the skull yesterday, I brought it back to the barn and hid it in back of the hay bales. I went into the house to wash up. My wife left a note on the refrigerator that said she had gone to town to do some shopping.”
“And,” Tabby added, impatiently.
“The phone rang and when I answered it whoever was on the other end didn’t say anything. I hung up thinking it was a prank phone call. Then, it rang again.”
“Did you answer it?”
“Yes, I did. This time a man spoke to me. He warned me to mind my own business and to keep my mouth shut about matters that didn’t concern me and if I didn’t he knew where to find my wife. He then told me she was shopping to prove his point.”
“He threatened your wife? We definitely need to go to the sheriff with this.”
“If I do that whoever called me might harm Isabella. I don’t know if I can take that chance.”
“Two points here. Your wife’s life might be in danger and she needs some kind of protection and you found the skull of a person who was buried in your cornfield. What if a family has been looking for that person?”
“I have to think. Please don’t tell the sheriff until I get back to you. I wanted someone to know what was going on at the farm in case there is an unexplained accident and either my wife or I disappear or show up dead.”
“I’ll wait forty-eight hours. If you don’t get back to me I will go to the sheriff myself,” Tabby confirmed.
“Thank you. I have to get back home and check on Isabella. The farm store opens for pumpkin sales tomorrow and I have a lot of work to get done tonight. I hired a friend of yours to help with sales; Finn Morten. He gave your name as a reference.”
“Finn is a good worker, but I’m warning you, he has a bad temper,” Tabby stated. “I will be talking to him to make sure he doesn’t use my name as a reference ever again.”
“I will be in touch,” Anthony said, walking off into the shadows.
Tabby hurried out of the alley and into the diner. She was almost a half an hour late. Greg was nowhere to be seen.
“Are you looking for Greg?” Judy Montgomery, one of the owners of the Whipper Will Diner asked.
“Yes, I am. I was supposed to be here at six-thirty. I’m late.”
“Greg went to your place to check on you. He said to tell you to stay here and he’d be back. He was sitting in that booth over there.”
Tabby sat in the designated booth watching the door for Greg; five minutes later he arrived. He was sweating and out of breath. He plopped in the booth.
“What happened to you?” Tabby asked.
“I was chasing a man who was peering in the back door of your apartment,” Greg answered, in between breaths.
“Did you see who it was?”
“No, it was too dark. I have a feeling if I hadn’t come along when I did your alarm would be going off right now,” Greg replied, taking a drink of water. “Do you have something you want to tell me?”
Tabby looked around the diner. The closest patrons were four booths away.
“Anthony Capri came to see me today at the shop. But, Gladys Twittle saw him come in and came in right behind him on the pretense of shopping. He mentioned finding some bones so I cautioned him to be quiet,” Tabby started.
“What kind of bones?”
“Anthony wasn’t sure until yesterday. He was walking the cornfield and he found a human skull that had been uprooted by a cornstalk.”
“How do you know all this if Gladys was there and he couldn’t say anything?”
“That’s why I am late. Anthony grabbed me and pulled me into the alley next to the diner…”
“He what?!” Greg demanded.
“Greg, he’s afraid. Someone has been watching him. He received a phone call threatening his wife’s life. The man told him to mind his own business and keep his mouth shut about things that didn’t concern him. He didn’t want anyone to see him talking to me, but he felt like he had to tell someone in case him or his wife had an unexplainable accident.”
“Great, so he tells you and drags you into it.”
“He’s new here. He didn’t know who to trust. Apparently, I have an upstanding reputation and have been known to solve a mystery or two. Besides, I told him he needed to tell Sheriff Puckett.”
“Did he agree to that?”
“He asked me not to say anything while he figures things out. I told him I would give him forty-eight hours and then I would go to the sheriff myself.”
“Are you ready to order?” Bea asked, walking up to the table with her order pad.
Bea Jones was like Tabby’s second mother. Her daughter, Jenny, was Tabby’s best friend.
“I’m going to have something different tonight. I’ll have a western on toasted wheat bread with ketchup,” Tabby said, putting down her menu. “And some home fries, please.”
“That does sound good, but I’m going to have the meatloaf and mashed potatoes,” Greg answered, licking his lips.
“Green beans, summer squash, or carrots?” Bea asked.
“Summer squash, please,” Greg replied, closing his menu.
“I know. Two mocha frappes to finish it off,” Bea laughed, picking up the menus.
“I think we eat here too much,” Tabby smiled.
Bea walked towards the kitchen to place the couple’s order.
“I’m glad you had your whole place alarmed, up and down. Whoever threatened Anthony must think he already said something to you about the bones he found.”
“They must have seen him visiting the shop and assumed he told me. I think I need to go to The Tilted Coffee Cup in the morning and make an announcement that Anthony Capri visited my shop and offered the old Pelton farmhouse to be used as our haunted house for Haunt-A-Thon Weekend. I’ll wave the keys around and make a big deal out of how our problem is solved,” Tabby stated.
“That might throw the phone caller off for a little while at least,” Greg agreed.
Bea returned to the table and set their drinks down. She stood there as if she wanted to say something, but didn’t know if she should or not.
“What’s the matter, Bea?” Tabby asked, sensing something was wrong.
“I don’t know if I should ask this or not,” she answered, wringing the cloth in her hands.
“Come on. You know you can trust me, and Greg won’t say anything, so what’s up?”
“Do you know anything about Jenny’s new boyfriend, Alex?” Bea inquired, almost in tears.
“Sit down with us,” Greg suggested, sliding over in the booth.
“Did something happen to Jenny?” Tabby asked. “I haven’t seen her in…it has to be at least a month.”
“No, nothing has happened yet. I’m really frightened that something might though,” Bea sobbed.
“What do you mean, something might?” Greg inquired.
“He’s alienating her from everyone. I call her apartment and he answers the phone. He won’t let me talk to her. I went to the bookstore the other day to see her and he stood right next to her while we talked. She couldn’t speak unless he okayed it. She didn’t even say “I love you, Mom” or give me a hug when I left.”
“That doesn’t sound like Jenny,” Tabby said, handing Bea a napkin to dry her eyes.
“I went online to see what I could find out about Alex Keyes. I couldn’t find anything. It’s like he doesn’t exist. I need answers. Please see what you can find
out about him.”
“I will be on the computer when I get home tonight. It’s also time I pay a visit to my best friend at her bookstore. I haven’t seen her in a while and under the circumstances I need to check on her,” Tabby agreed.
“Thank you,” Bea sobbed, standing up. “I’m truly afraid for her. He’s moved into her apartment which scares me even more.”
“You leave it to us. We’ll find out what’s going on,” Greg promised.
After Bea was out of earshot, Greg spoke up.
“I don’t understand it. Alex seems like such a nice person when we’re around him.”
“We haven’t “been around him” for quite a while. It seems that there have been major changes over the summer,” Tabby surmised. “It looks like I am going to have a long visit with Sheriff Puckett soon.”
They finished their meals and promised Bea they would be in touch soon. Back at Tabby’s apartment, the laptops came out and they got to work. An hour later Tabby got up to make some tea and stretch her legs. Greg was still on his laptop.
“Do you want some apple cider?” Tabby asked, heading towards the kitchen.
“No, thanks,” Greg replied, shutting down his laptop. “I’m beginning to share Bea’s suspicions. I can’t find anything on Alex; absolutely nothing,” Greg commented.
“Me neither,” Tabby confirmed. “I think the next step is Sheriff Puckett. Janice and Thelma both work tomorrow so I can leave the shop first thing in the morning and hit the coffee shop, the bookstore, and then the sheriff’s office.”
“Be careful. I don’t like the fact that someone was at your back door tonight.”
Tabby sat down on the couch next to Greg and snuggled up against him.
“Mysteries seem to fall in your lap, Miss Moon,” Greg said, kissing the top of her head.
“I know. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Not exactly my choice of words,” Greg laughed.
“If you love me you have to love my mystery solving ways,” Tabby said, smiling.
“I know. I wish you could solve mysteries without any danger being involved, that’s all,” Greg said, sighing. “I worry about you.”
“Why do you think I started dating you? I needed someone big and strong to look out for me.”
“So, that’s all I am to you? Nothing but a bodyguard; I see how it is now,” Greg said, pretending to pout.
“Yes, that’s how it is,” Tabby agreed, elbowing him in the stomach.
“On that note, I’m going home. Do you know how nice it is to live only five minutes away?”
“I am so glad Mr. Wells rented that house on Emblem Street to you. I think if I tried hard enough I could throw a rock over the town green and hit your house,” Tabby said, putting her arms around her boyfriend. “It’s comforting having you that close.”
“I didn’t tell you. I put my grandmother’s Victorian up for sale last week. Mr. Wells said I could purchase the house I am renting from him. Then, I could permanently live here in Whipper Will Junction closer to you and my business.”
“I thought you were going to rent it? Why did you decide to sell it?”
“It’s a big house. You’ve never been there. It has eight bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a huge kitchen. It’s terrible to heat during the winter. The upkeep of the house is very time consuming. I decided it would be easier to sell it and not have to worry about it constantly,” Greg answered, pulling Tabby close. “Besides, the house I am buying here is more than big enough for both of us to live in when we get married. Ghost wants to live with me, he told me so.”
“I’m sure he did. I have said all along he likes you better than me. I am glad you decided to stay in Whipper Will Junction though. I don’t think I could leave here to live in Larsen if and when we get married.”
“If and when?” Greg mumbled.
“Okay, when we get married. You moving here is better for my stress level, too. I won’t have to worry about you driving to and from Larsen this winter. You can walk to the flower shop if it snows.”
“I wasn’t looking forward to that drive. And, Miss Moon, it’s easier to keep an eye on you living here in town,” Greg admitted.
He bent down and gave her a tender kiss.
“I have to go,” Greg whispered, running his hand softly over her cheek.
“I’ll stop in and let you know what happens at the bookstore with Jenny.”
“Make sure you set the alarm when I leave. I’m still not happy that that guy was nosing around here tonight.”
“As soon as you are out that door I will set the alarm,” she promised, handing him his coat.
“Please be careful. Love you,” Greg said, giving her one more kiss.
“Love you, too. I will see you tomorrow.”
Alarm set, Tabby showered and climbed into bed with her two furry roommates. She decided she would go to the bookstore under the pretense of making sure Jenny was ready for the women’s bowling league that they participated in every September. She fell asleep rehearsing what she would say to her best friend.
CHAPTER 3
* * *
It was a cool, crisp morning when Tabby left her apartment for the coffee shop. Every morning The Tilted Coffee Cup was packed. It would be the perfect stage for Tabby to make her announcement and lessen the threat to Anthony Capri and his wife. Gladys, The Mouth, Twittle was in her place at the first stool next to the register. Speaking in a loud voice, she made sure she was the center of attention. Her husband, Donald, was seated at the other end of the counter in his normal seat as far away from his wife as possible.
Tabby ordered her coffee and looked around. The long counter’s stools were filled with locals, the perfect audience. All six four-tops scattered around the room were also full. She cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention away from Gladys. The counter area became quiet and all eyes were on the young woman.
“As co-chairman of the haunted house for the Haunt-A-Thon, I would like to announce that we no longer have to search for a place to hold the haunted house this year. Anthony Capri came into my shop yesterday and offered the use of the old Pelton farmhouse. He is also creating a corn maze that will end at the front door of said property,” Tabby announced, smiling at Gladys.
Everyone clapped.
“I wanted to tell everyone because I know people have been searching like I have. Mr. Capri has even given me the keys already so we can start the planning now,” Tabby said, waving the keys in the air. “The Capri family is fairly new to the community and I think it was really nice of them to offer the use of the farmhouse. Make sure you introduce yourself and thank them if you see them in town.”
Gladys sat on her stool frowning. She didn’t like to be upstaged at her favorite gossip spot. People were talking about the news of a found haunted house and ignoring the know-it-all woman and what she had to say. She picked up her coffee and left the shop. Her husband smiled, waved at his wife, and kept talking to the other locals.
“You succeeded in shutting up The Mouth again,” Wes said, as he handed her the coffee she ordered. “Not many people can do that. You and your mom seem to have a flair for it.”
“Speaking of my mom, has she been in this morning?” Tabby inquired, handing Wes the money for her morning java.
Tabby’s mom, Samantha Moon, was the town hippie. Mentally and physically, she never left the times of the sixties. Her shop, Mystic Happenings, was on the south edge of town. Some of the locals continued to snicker behind her back even though she had lived among them for twenty-four years. Her mother continued to ignore them and lived in her own happy little world.
Growing up, Tabby would come home crying because of people making fun of her mom. Samantha taught Tabby not to pay attention to what other people said or thought. She taught her that it was what was inside a person that counted. As a result, Tabby grew up into a strong and independent woman knowing who to trust in town and who not to trust.
“She was in earlier. There was a large order for her shop t
hat she had to pick up in Larsen,” Wes replied.
“Thanks. I’ll catch up with her later,” Tabby said, heading for the door.
She walked up the street sipping her favorite coffee. Twice a week she would treat herself to coffee with a shot of chocolate and caramel, topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel. The rest of the week she would have coffee at her shop to save money. There was always a pot of fresh coffee in the workroom at Jellies, Jams, and Weddings. Many of the customers who visited, would also head to the backroom and help themselves to a steaming cup. Sheriff Puckett stopped in daily for his coffee and to socialize with whoever happened to be shopping at the time.
Tabby slowed down in front of Jenny’s bookstore. Her best friend was inside at the register. Jenny looked up and saw Tabby. She didn’t smile, wave, or even acknowledge that Tabby was at the window. She looked down and continued what she was doing. Tabby felt like she wanted to throw up. Bea was right. Something was happening and Tabby needed to find out what. She hurried past the shop before Jenny’s boyfriend came into view and saw her standing there.
Back at the apartment she fed Ghost and Marmalade. She took the boxes of jellies she needed to restock the empty spaces on her shelves and went downstairs to open her shop. The cats followed and settled in in their usual spots. At eight o’clock the front door was unlocked.
Janice was at the shop at nine and Thelma followed close behind at ten. At five past ten Tabby was out the door. Stopping one shop away from the bookstore to take a deep breath and ready herself for what could happen, she boldly walked up to the door and let herself in the Until the Book Ends Bookstore.
Jenny looked up and there was a split second of sheer panic that crossed her face. She regained her composure before Alex came out of the stockroom to see who entered the shop.
“Tabby, nice to see you,” Alex stated, walking over to stand next to Jenny.
“Hi, Alex,” Tabby replied, trying to sound friendly. “What’s up?”
“Not much. It’s been a busy summer, but things are starting to slow down now. How about your shop? Did you have a good summer?”
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