The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  “Look, Betty, I’ve already told you. Two of my men are scanning the area. I’m sure we’ll find Flint soon.”

  “No, you won’t. Something horrible has happened, I just know it.” Betty began sobbing. “My poor Flint. I looked all over the house for him and he wasn’t there. Where could he be? Oh, my darling husband…”

  Another door opened and an utterly exhausted Michelle came out into the hallway, a deputy walking closely behind her. Betty’s eyes widened and then burned a little as she caught sight of Michelle. “You…” she gasped.

  “Betty—“ Sheriff Ellerton put a restraining hand on Betty’s shoulder but she shook it off easily and stormed past him. Wagging a finger in front of Michelle’s face, she said, “Where’s Flint? You’ve hidden him somewhere, haven’t you? This is all your fault! Nothing like this ever happened to us before you moved into town! Why couldn’t you just stay out of our lives? You were always jealous of our happiness! Flint’s mine and, if you’ve harmed a hair on his head, I’ll…I’ll—“

  Michelle shoved Betty away rather violently. “I’ve had a long, exhausting night and I really don’t need you wagging your finger in my face right now. I have no idea where Flint is.”

  “You’ve murdered one man already. You better not have hurt my husband!” Betty exclaimed.

  “Okay, that’s it.” Sheriff Ellerton grabbed Betty by the waist and dragged her, kicking and screaming, into his office. He turned his head and shouted, “I want everyone without a badge out of here in five minutes, got that? This is a police department, not a circus! No outsiders! Michelle, we’ll need you for further questioning. You stay put.”

  “She’s kidnapped him! My poor, poor Flint!” Betty screamed.

  Shoving her into the room, the sheriff slammed the door shut. Deputy Jamie stared after him for a second then shrugged and turned to Nora. “Ok, you heard the sheriff. I’m going to have to ask you and Tina to leave,” he said.

  “Sure, we will,” Nora agreed. “It just seems a pity to leave when there’s still a muffin left…” She held out a still-warm muffin, waving it gently in front of Deputy Jamie. His nostrils widened as he inhaled deeply. Greed warred with discipline.

  “I’m still going to have to ask you to leave,” the deputy said.

  “Sure, but in five minutes. Everyone deserves a five minute break after that long night, right deputy? I just want to make sure Michelle is okay. Please?” Nora asked.

  Sighing, Deputy Jamie gave in and grabbed the muffin. “Ok. Five minutes. But you better go into a corner where the sheriff can’t see you. And only for five minutes.”

  “Nora…is Bubbles alright?” Michelle asked urgently as the Deputy escorted the three women into a quiet corner. He looked left and right before he began to devour the muffin in large bites.

  “Yes, and I promise I’ll take care of him as long as you’re tied up in here,” Nora said. “Michelle, why haven’t you hired a lawyer? What’s going on? Any idea?”

  “You look exhausted,” Tina said, patting her shoulder. “Did they grill you for hours?”

  “Yeah.” Michelle sighed. “My brain is fried, to be honest. I didn’t hire a lawyer because I haven’t done anything, so I thought I’d best cooperate, you know?”

  Nora and Tina looked at each other, then at Michelle. “That’s a terrible idea,” Nora said. “It’s not about being innocent, it’s about doing what’s best for you. And, right now, a lawyer is what’s best for you.”

  Michelle shrugged. “My mom always told me I’ve nothing to fear from the police as long as I haven’t broken the law. I still believe it.”

  “There’s such a thing as being too trusting, Michelle,” Nora said. “The police don’t always get things right. Trust me, I know. I’ve been arrested and put in jail once for a murder I didn’t commit. If Tina and Harvey hadn’t figured it out, I’d still be behind bars. And all of this despite the fact that the sheriff at the time was one of my closest friends.”

  “I can’t afford a lawyer,” Michelle said bluntly. “Larry left me the bookstore, but renovating it cost money. I’m scraping by and not exactly in the position to waste money.”

  Nora gave up arguing. “Fine. Have the police given you any details about what happened?”

  Michelle shook her head. “They said that it was definitely arson. Someone tried to set my bookstore on fire deliberately. As for the man, he was already dead when the fire started. Oh, if Bubbles hadn’t alerted me so quickly I’d be dead right now.” She shivered.

  “The man in the basement, he was already dead when the fire started?” Nora asked. “Did they figure out who he is?”

  Michelle shook her head. “They haven’t identified the body yet.”

  “Do you have any clue who it could be?” Nora asked.

  Michelle shook her head. “Not a single clue. I think maybe it’s a homeless man who was squatting in the basement or something? I can’t think who else it might be. But what a horrible way to die! The deputy said he’d had his head bashed in before the fire ever started.”

  Nora bit her lip, considering this. “This is all very mysterious.”

  “It’s horrifying,” Michelle said. “I was alone and fast asleep in my own bed while, in my own basement, a man was being murdered. How do you think I feel? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sleep again.”

  “How did he even get into the basement?” Tina asked.

  “There’s a way in from the backyard,” Michelle said. “The lock on it was forced open.”

  “Well, why your basement?” Nora said. “What could he have wanted there?”

  “I haven’t the slightest idea!” Michelle said. “Nora, just please take care of Bubbles until this all gets cleared up. I’m sure there’s some simple explanation. I’m sure Sheriff Ellerton will solve it soon.”

  “Alright ladies, time’s up,” Deputy Jamie said, walking back to them. “Please leave. The sheriff will be out any second and he’ll be really mad at me if he sees you’re still here.”

  “Alright, we’re going,” Nora said. “Thanks, Jamie.”

  “Anytime. By the way, has anyone ever told you your muffins taste like chocolate heaven?” Deputy Jamie sighed and put a hand to his heart. “I can taste them in my dreams sometimes.”

  Nora gave him a friendly whack on the shoulder and stepped out of the station along with Tina. Wrapping their scarves back on as they stood in the foyer, Nora and Tina began discussing what they’d just heard.”

  “Betty’s right, you know,” Nora said almost immediately. “If the body wasn’t Flint’s, then it’s a real mystery where he’s gone. The sheriff shouldn’t be wasting any time, he needs to track Flint down.”

  “You think he’s on the run?” Tina asked.

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” Nora bit her lip unhappily. “Him being on the run is one option. But there are several other options that I can think of, each far worse.”

  Tina’s face paled suddenly and she raised a shaking hand as a car pulled up into the parking lot. “I know one option you haven’t thought of yet.”

  “What?” Nora turned around and gasped as the door opened and a familiar face got out.

  “Flint!!??” They both exclaimed at once.

  *****

  Chapter 6

  Explanations

  Flint stood by the car, scowling heavily, and very much alive.

  “Flint? What are you doing here? Where were you?? Betty’s been going mad with worry!” Nora exclaimed.

  “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Tina asked.

  Ignoring their questions, his face blank, Flint brushed past Nora and Tina and headed into the station. The two glanced at each other, bewildered, and then wasted no time in following him inside. Flint’s shoulders were stiff and his head held high. Despite being very aware that people were gawking at him, he ignored everybody and headed straight for the sheriff’s office. He yanked open the door and Nora heard Betty’s scream of surprise and joy.

  Betty nearly knocked Flint over as
she flung herself on him, sobbing. They stood in the doorway with Betty clinging onto Flint, and Flint patting her back awkwardly. Every eye was fixed on the two of them. Flint, still stiff and blank-faced, turned to the sheriff and said, “Can I have a word with my wife, Sheriff? Alone?”

  “Er…sure.” Sheriff Ellerton, as bewildered as anyone else, walked out of his own office, shutting the door in order to give the couple some privacy.

  “What was all that about?” Nora asked.

  “What are you doing here?” Sheriff Ellerton growled. “Deputy! I told you I want these two out!”

  “Hey, we’re the ones who bought you Flint. Give us a little credit, won’t you?” Tina said.

  “You found him?” Sheriff Ellerton stared at them. “How? Where?”

  “Er…we found him in the parking lot, actually,” Tina admitted. “Hardly genius-level detecting on our part.”

  The door to the sheriff’s office opened again and Flint and Betty stepped out. Betty held a large, men’s handkerchief in her hand and was dabbing her eyes with it. Flint had his arm around her waist and a scowl on his face.

  “Look, Sheriff, there’s been a big misunderstanding. My wife will tell you all about it,” Flint said.

  “I—I—I made a big mistake,” Betty said. “I guess I lost my head because of the fire and the sirens. Turns out, Flint was in the basement of our house all along. He goes there to work on his carpentry projects sometimes, when he can’t sleep. I completely forgot to look there.” She looked at her shoes, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.

  “Yeah, I was totally absorbed in making a chair,” Flint said. “I had my noise cancelling headphones on, too. So I didn’t hear Betty calling my name.”

  “I’m just so sorry I made all that fuss,” Betty said. “Sorry if I wasted your time, too, Sheriff.” Hesitantly, she looked at Flint, then at the sheriff. “Can we leave, then?”

  “Are you kidding me?” Sheriff Ellerton looked furious. “All this while you’ve been crying for Flint and he’s been in your house all along?”

  “Yes, I have,” Flint said. “Like I said, I get really focused on my projects when I’m doing them. I never noticed Betty calling my name and I didn’t notice the commotion across the street either. So it was a real surprise to me when I came up at 6am and Betty was nowhere to be found. It took me a while to figure out what was happening.”

  “And I was so scared when you told me about the body in the bookstore basement that I totally lost my head,” Betty added. “I was convinced it was Flint till I saw the body, and then I was convinced that there was some horrible plot and that Flint had been kidnapped. I’m truly sorry, Sheriff.”

  “Well,“ Sheriff Ellerton relented, “I suppose these things happen. Just an unfortunate coincidence. Still, you did send us on a wild goose chase in the crucial early hours of an investigation. My men have been driving all around town looking for Flint.”

  “You better call them off,” Flint said, trying and failing to smile. “I guess I owe you one, Sheriff.”

  “Alright. I’ll call you later. We may need more answers from you. Stay in town,” Sheriff Ellerton said. “For now, you’re free to go.”

  “Excuse me,” Nora said quietly.

  “You’re still here?” Sheriff Ellerton looked like he was ready to tear out his hair. “Look, Nora, I’ve said it twice and I’ll be mighty upset if I have to say it a third time. Get out. We’re doing serious business here.”

  “Sure. Sure. I don’t want to waste your time, Sheriff,” Nora said. “I was just wondering—”

  “Out!” Sheriff Ellerton commanded. “One more word and I’ll arrest you. You’re a nuisance, Nora, even if you do make amazing muffins. Leave.” He gave her a gentle push and cocked his thumb at the door. Irritated, Nora stalked outside, her eyes bright. The sheriff watched her with hawk eyes, only relaxing when the door closed behind her.

  Nora and Tina paused on the porch again and glanced through the glass doors at Flint shaking hands with the sheriff. Tina shook her head. “I don’t believe it. Much ado about nothing, indeed! Poor Betty had a terrible time. Imagine thinking your husband was dead. I’m amazed she didn’t break down into hysterics when she saw Flint alive and well.”

  “Yes,” Nora considered. “But she didn’t. Whatever Flint said to her behind closed doors must have snapped her out of her hysteria.”

  Tina frowned. “You don’t believe a word they said, do you?”

  Nora smiled. “Not a single one.”

  The doors opened and Flint and Betty stepped out, their hands tightly clenched together.

  “Hey, glad you’re okay, Flint,” Nora said. “We all feared the worst for a little while.”

  “Yeah, just an awful mistake all around,” Flint said. “Betty thought I was missing, they found a body, somehow everyone assumed the body was me. Thankfully, we cleared the air. Now the sheriff can work on the real mystery.” Flint gave Nora a curt nod and began walking briskly towards his car, nearly pulling Betty along.

  “Quick question,” Nora said “If you were still in the house, Flint, why take your coat down with you? Betty told me earlier that she noticed it wasn’t hung up next to hers.”

  Flint flinched, as though Nora had thrown a punch at him. “I…well—”

  “The heater in the basement doesn’t work very well,” Betty answered hurriedly. “I’ve been telling him to fix it for ages and ages. Haven’t I, Flint?”

  “Uh…yes, dear. Of course. I’ll fix it immediately today.”

  “Oh,” Nora said. “Maybe you could show the sheriff. He’s pretty good at fixing stuff.”

  “The sheriff’s too busy to come looking at heaters.” Flint’s breathing was heavy. “I don’t want to waste more of his time.”

  “No. I don’t think he’d consider it a waste of time,” Nora said. “I think he’d love to see this broken heater of yours. In fact, I’m going to insist he go check it right now.”

  Flint stopped and turned around, his face red, his eyes sparking with anger. “You aren’t going to leave us alone, are you?”

  “Not unless you invite me home right this second and show me that broken heater of yours,” Nora said. “Or maybe, instead of lying, you could tell everyone where you really were, Flint.”

  Flint was clenching Betty’s hand so tight that it had turned white. His own face had drained of its color. “Don’t go accusing me of things you know nothing about,” he said.

  “You vanished from your house in the middle of the night on the same day your ex’s house mysteriously caught fire,” Nora said. “What jury’s going to believe you once they see your excuse is as thin as your motive is strong?”

  Sweating, Flint turned to Betty and then back to Nora. “Why don’t we talk about this at home? Alone?”

  “I’m coming too,” Tina said.

  “You’re staying here,” Nora said. “So, if I’m not back soon, you can tell the sheriff exactly who I went with and what was said before I went.”

  “Smart,” Tina said. “I’m insurance, basically.”

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” Flint said. “I just can’t explain here. OK? Trust me. Come to our place.”

  *****

  Chapter 7

  Where He Went

  Flint looked over his shoulder as he led Nora into the house, guilt plastered all over his face. The entrance to the house was at the back, up a flight of spiral staircases that bypassed Flint’s art gallery and went directly to the living space above. Nora noticed Flint and Betty take off their coats near the entryway and hang them up on ornate, brass hooks near the door. She did the same. Inside, their apartment was quite large and airy, with floor to ceiling windows and sleek, modern furniture in white. An elevator stood at one end of the hall, and Flint pointed to it.

  “That’s the way down to the basement, but I guess you know the heater isn’t broken by now.”

  “I guessed as much,” Nora said.

  “Coffee?” Betty asked.

  “Answers,” Nora
said.

  “I’ll make some anyway.” Betty headed to the kitchen. Flint sank down on a sofa and made a gesture inviting Nora to sit opposite him. Nora, impatient for answers, remained standing.

  Flint bit his lip. “First off, I want to say that I don’t know who that dead man is and I had nothing to do with the fire. I admit I was upset when Michelle inherited Larry’s bookshop and I admit I had big plans for the place. But arson? That’s crazy. I have a comfortable, happy life and I’m not idiotic enough to give it up and go to jail over an inheritance I don’t even really need.”

  Nora shrugged.

  Flint looked frustrated. “You don’t believe me, do you? You think I had something to do with the fire.”

  “You were missing in the middle of the night,” Nora said. “Michelle is your ex. You admit you wanted to inherit the bookstore. Would you believe your own story?”

  Flint slammed a hand down on the sofa. “I’m telling the truth!”

  “You haven’t even started. You lied to the sheriff about where you were. Why? Where were you?”

  “I was…I was…“ Flint clenched his fists, struggling to say the next words. “I was breaking and entering. Happy?”

  “You were…what?”

  “I was at Jake Tipper’s house. I broke into it,” Flint said. “Now you see why I couldn’t tell the sheriff, right?”

  “But why would you—”

  “Jake is a…bad guy,” Flint said, trying to hide his true feelings. His breathing was heavy and his eyes red. “Jake was blackmailing Betty. Don’t ask why—”

  “You have to tell her, dear,” Betty said, coming out with a tray laden with coffee and cookies. “I trust Nora. She won’t tell.”

  “But Betty, you—“

  “I’m not ashamed to admit it,” Betty said, thrusting her nose into the air. “It was a long time ago and everyone makes mistakes. I was only eighteen.”