by R A Wallace
Barbara was busy at her large desk in the corner of the room. Her work as mayor seemed never-ending but it somehow energized her. Matthias went over to the table that held a tray of coffee things and poured himself a cup. “More coffee?” he called to his wife.
Barbara glanced up and smiled. “No, thank you. Any more and I’ll be tap dancing on the ceiling.”
Matthias smiled at the image. “I’d like to see that. When were you expecting young Megan?”
Barbara was about to answer when the doorbell rang. She looked over at Matthias, who nodded before turning to head toward the front of the house.
He opened the door and greeted Megan with a warm smile. He first met her while spending a weekend at her farm and had grown very fond of her. “Megan, there you are. Come in, come in.”
After offering her a cup of coffee, the three of them settled on the chairs in the middle of the room. Megan took her normal place on the sofa while Barbara and Matthias each took a wingback chair opposite her.
“Thank you for coming, Megan. I’ll get right to the point. As you saw from the dedication ceremony for the new community center, many in the town are convinced the old elementary school building has a permanent ethereal occupant.” Barbara paused to gather her thoughts. “The donations that we received to renovate the building for future use were very generous and will provide the means to utilize the building for several years to come. I do not want to watch the building rot back to its former condition simply because people are afraid to use it.”
Megan nodded her understanding. “The community center could be used to bring a lot of enjoyment to the town. I’m just not clear why you’re telling me.”
Barbara came to the point of the meeting. “I’m hoping you will help us.”
Megan raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Help you? How?”
“I’d like you to prove to the town that the building isn’t haunted.”
Megan sat back in her seat confused. “How?”
Barbara glanced over at her husband.
Matthias nodded confidently then turned to Megan. “That’s what we want you to figure out.”
***
Caitlyn scrolled through the orders she received the previous day and mentally scheduled the rest of her morning. She had both a wedding and a funeral to prep for in addition to some routine orders. Returning to the rear of her shop, she walked over to the cabinets lining the walls of her work room and began pulling out materials. She was halfway through her first arrangement when the bells on the front door rang. She smiled when she poked her head through the doorway to the front room.
“Hey, back here.” Caitlyn returned to her work.
Megan walked into the room a moment later. “How is it going today?”
Caitlyn held up the arrangement and examined it with a critical eye before returning it to the island she used as her workspace. “So far, so good. What’s new with you?”
Megan leaned against a counter. She hadn’t yet decided what she thought of the mayor’s request. Best to think about it a bit longer before talking about it. “I stopped by to talk about a baby shower. I was thinking we could do one for both Erica and Lauren at the same time.”
Caitlyn turned understanding eyes toward her friend. “That would make it much easier on Erica. She’s going to freak out at a girly party as it is.”
“I was thinking about that. I think we should make it a couples thing to help with that too. We can invite Jerry and everything. If we make it like a regular gathering, Erica shouldn’t mind as much.”
Caitlyn nodded in agreement as she set the finished arrangement on a counter near a wall before pulling out more supplies to begin another. “I’m with you on this one. Just let me know what I can do to help in addition to the decorating.”
“Decorating is a big part of it so I’ll just leave that to you and handle the rest,” Megan said.
“Where do you want to have it?” Caitlyn asked. “Your place or the Station Pub & Grill. They have a separate room there and I have an in with one of the co-owners.” Caitlyn grinned.
Megan chuckled. “That’s an idea too. I was originally planning my place. We can think about that a bit more.” Megan frowned.
Caitlyn looked up at her friend. “Something else on your mind?”
“It’s the new community center,” Megan said.
“The old elementary school? I still can’t believe they want to use a haunted building.” Caitlyn shook her head.
Megan looked at Caitlyn in surprise. “You believe that?”
Caitlyn snorted. “It doesn’t matter what the truth is. It only matters what the general public thinks about it and that’s all I’ve been hearing lately. I mean, we all heard the stories growing up, right? About the voices and seeing lights on inside the building when they shouldn’t be there? But now, they’re just spinning out of control. I swear a mob is going to go there with torches.”
“It’s that bad?” Megan asked. She’d been hearing some grumblings but didn’t have her ear to the ground the way Caitlyn did. It was another benefit to living on the farm outside of town.
“Oh, yeah. They’re convinced the janitor is haunting the building.”
Megan tried to remember anything she could of the old stories. The details were hazy. “What do you remember about it?”
“Well, it happened before we were born so I don’t know that we ever heard the truth. I just know that the janitor was killed there,” Caitlyn said.
“But wasn’t it supposed to be an accident?” Megan asked.
Caitlyn shrugged. “I know the building was closed pretty much right after that happened and they haven’t been able to keep it rented since. Every tenant has left saying it was haunted.”
Megan straightened when she heard the bells on the door and poked her head into the front room. “Hey, Ross. We’re back here.”
“Megan, I was hoping to find you,” Ross said as he joined them. “Good morning, Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn looked up and beamed at Ross. She had come to appreciate the man her mother had begun dating. “Good morning.”
“How are things going with your business incubator plans?” Megan asked. Ross had taken over the empty shop next door to the florist after buying the building.
“Excellent, thank you,” Ross said. “I was wondering what you know about the old school?”
Megan and Caitlyn shared glances. “The elementary school they just turned into the community center?” Megan asked.
“Yes, that one. I’ve heard it has a permanent resident?” Ross said, lifting one eyebrow.
Megan smiled. “Well, that’s the rumor anyway. Why do you ask?” She didn’t think Ross was the type to worry about ghost stories.
“It’s my new cleaning woman. Well, to me she’s a young girl. Ava Prescott. Do you know her?” Ross asked as he leaned back against a counter.
Megan and Caitlyn nodded. “She’s younger than we are. I think we were already out of high school by the time she started?” Caitlyn said, turning to Megan for confirmation.
Megan nodded. “What about Ava?” Megan asked Ross.
“One of her evening cleaning jobs is the new community center,” Ross said. He watched Caitlyn and Megan exchange glances again.
“So, she actually has been in the building by herself to clean?” Caitlyn asked. She wasn’t sure she believed in ghosts, but she also didn’t know if she’d go inside the building at night by herself. “That’s pretty brave.”
“That’s just it. She’s scared to death. She says she’s already heard voices,” Ross explained.
Megan thought about the mayor’s request. It was starting to make more sense now. “Voices? What did she do?”
“She called the police but by the time they got there everything was quiet. She’s afraid to go back, but she says she has to.” Ross looked at Megan.
Megan knew that look. It was the same one she’d just received from Barbara and Matthias Reynolds.
Caitlyn swiveled her head betwee
n Ross and Megan. Then she grinned.
***
Bev Dempsey set the plates of sandwiches and fruit in front of Mia and Noah. “Okay, you two. Eat up for Grandma. I’m going to talk to your mom for a minute.”
Bev turned to go into Lauren’s work kitchen but stopped when she heard the doorbell and reversed direction. She found Megan at the front door carrying a box.
“Megan, I was just thinking about you.” Bev led Megan back through the house.
Megan deposited kisses on Mia and Noah’s heads as she passed through into Lauren’s work kitchen.
Lauren looked up when her mother-in-law and cousin entered. “Hey, there,” she said with a smile.
“Hey,” Megan glanced around at the baked goods. “I cleaned some more Yellow Transparent apples for you. They should still be frozen.” They were Megan’s earliest variety. They usually began ripening in early August.
“Awesome, can you stick them in the freezer for me?” Lauren pointed with her chin.
“I’ll get that,” Bev volunteered. She began transferring the zippered bags of apple slices into the freezer.
“I also wanted to talk to you about the baby shower.” Megan explained her idea about combining a couples shower for Lauren and Erica.
“That’s a great idea,” Bev said as she closed the freezer door.
Lauren nodded in agreement. “I’m in but let me know what I can do to help.”
“Me too,” Bev said. “And, speaking of helping…”
Megan looked at Bev expectantly.
“I wanted to ask you about the new community center,” Bev said.
Megan shot a sideways glance at her cousin. Lauren looked back at her with pleading eyes.
“Please say yes,” Lauren said.
Megan turned back to Bev with raised eyebrows.
“A summer Kids Camp for STEM classes is a great opportunity for the children of this community. We really need to convince parents it’s safe to send their children there.” Bev looked pointedly at Lauren.
Megan’s eyes trailed from Bev to Lauren. “You’re worried about Mia and Noah?”
“I can’t help it, I’m their mother. It’s built-in.” Lauren shrugged.
“What are you hoping I can do?” Megan asked.
“I’d like you to convince everyone that what happened over forty years ago was just an accident,” Bev said.
“And, if it wasn’t?” Megan asked.
“Then you just need to find the killer,” Lauren said.
Chapter Five
Rhys Cunningham finished attaching the department issued communication device to his shoulder then reached for his hat. As the new guy on the police force, he was getting most of the afternoon and night shifts though he’d also been out on some daytime patrols to learn the ropes. Not that he minded that much either way.
He’d fallen into a comfortable routine of sorts. After getting home from work, he’d get in just enough hours of sleep to get him by. He didn’t want too many. With too many, he took the chance of not being able to fall asleep quickly the next time he needed to. Then he’d take a five mile run and also try to get in as many other exercises as he could. By that time, he’d need to get ready for work and start all over again. It was a mindless routine that allowed him to skate through each day without making many decisions. He usually ate from the same places. He liked the portions at the Jammin’T and he loved the barbeque at the Station Pub & Grill.
Unless someone in the department left, it would take quite a while to work his way up the ladder to day shift. If he stayed in Teaberry that long, Rhys thought with a grimace. If he stayed, one decision he would have to make is where to live. Currently, he was sleeping in an upstairs room above a garage that was within throwing distance of a railroad track. It was dirt cheap and with good reason. There wasn’t much more than a cot for a bed and a hot plate. Rhys had learned to get by with less in the service. If he stayed in Teaberry, he’d want to look for something more. He wasn’t ready to commit to buying a place, but he wouldn’t mind a nice rental.
That’s if he stayed in Teaberry. He’d been grateful for the position with the department when he’d gotten the call. It had come at a good time in his life. After putting in his time in the service, he’d gotten a position with a department in a much larger metropolitan area. He’d discovered the hard way that politics can play a much bigger role than what he cared for in a larger department. The offer from Teaberry had come at a critical moment and had seemed like a gift at the time.
But Rhys was still learning to adjust to his new surroundings. He’d never lived in western Pennsylvania before. It was a far cry from where he’d grown up in Pomelo, Florida and the pace in Teaberry matched that of a snail going backwards when compared to the work he’d done in the service. Still, he had to admit, he was finding things he liked.
Rhys climbed into his truck and backed out of the alley behind the garage. The place he was staying was in the industrial district of Teaberry on the outskirts of town. He imagined some of the old buildings may have once had something to do with the steel industry back in the heyday. Some of them now had signs saying they were in the lumber business. Rhys wasn’t certain yet what business the other buildings were in. He hadn’t had the chance yet to really study them. Their lots were gated and kept locked at night. He hadn’t had to answer any callouts to any of them yet.
As he drove slowly down the road, he noticed that some of the local children were taking advantage of a small neighborhood playground. A quick scan of the area didn’t show anything of concern to Rhys. Everyone he saw looked like they belonged. There appeared to be adults watching over the children. That was one thing Rhys had noticed about the town of Teaberry. There was a very strong focus on the youth.
As he left the industrial district behind, the houses became larger and there was more space between them. The yards looked manicured and many looked like they were competing for some sort of flower show. The police station was located in the downtown area near the administration buildings where the mayor’s office was located.
Although Rhys had not yet officially met her, he’d seen Barbara Reynolds in action a few times. She seemed like the type you’d want around in an emergency. He’d seen her handle the toughest questions thrown at her without batting an eye. Word around the station was that she went out of her way to support both the police and the firefighters. That went a long way in his book.
He passed the town square with the ornate water fountain driving slowly. There were a lot of people out enjoying the weather, but it was nothing like it would be during the weekend when the farmers market was running. The farmers market pulled in people from all over, and not just for the produce. It seemed like they hung around the town, did some shopping, and ate at the restaurants.
Rhys pulled into the lot near the department and parked his truck. When he entered the building, he was careful to greet the receptionist with as little emotion as possible. Martha seemed like a nice lady, but she’d already brought up two of her nieces and a nice young girl that lived next door. Rhys wanted nothing to do with getting fixed up. Martha handed him some notes. Rhys thanked her politely and continued on his way.
As he entered the main area that housed desks for the officers on duty, Rhys saw that Erica and Jerry were there. He’d come across Jerry once or twice out by the lake running. He was always with the same beautiful woman. Rhys had heard that her name was Madison and she was some sort of numbers genius. He wondered what they found to talk about. He couldn’t imagine trying to have a conversation about math though he knew Jerry was a tech genius. Maybe that gave them a common language of sorts.
Rhys could tell that Jerry and Erica had worked together for a long time. They had that work marriage relationship going. One took care of the other. They even finished each other’s sentences sometimes. He knew Erica was pregnant and had just found out it was twins. Rhys couldn’t wrap his brain around that. He liked kids. He just wasn’t sure he’d be up to handling two babies
at the same time. He was pretty sure he couldn’t handle one.
He also knew that Erica and Jerry were the ones the department had tapped in the past for murder investigations. That was something he had some experience with himself. He hoped he might be given the opportunity to work with them in the future if the situation ever arose.
“Hey, Rhys,” Erica called when she saw him enter the room. “What was up with the callout at the old elementary school?”
Rhys shrugged. “Just your typical paranormal callout.”
Erica barked out a laugh. “Seriously, who placed the call? Was it a kid?”
Rhys shook his head. “No, it was an adult. She seemed pretty scared actually.”
“What was she even doing there?” Jerry asked.
“She’s the cleaning lady,” Rhys answered as he scrolled through the current emails and messages on the computer on his desk. He liked to check on everything before heading out for patrol. “I guess she’s going to be there most nights.”
“She claims she heard voices? And she’s going back there?” Erica asked, sharing a look with Jerry.
“That must be hard on her,” Jerry said sympathetically.
“Yeah, that’s what I figure. I’m guessing she needs the money. I’ve been making it a point to be pretty visible near the building when I think she’s there. I patrol around the perimeter as much as I can.” Rhys finished digging through the messages on his computer and straightened.
He found Erica and Jerry looking at him thoughtfully. He hoped they weren’t going to give him any grief for it. The woman seemed genuinely frightened. He was pretty sure she’d felt he hadn’t taken her seriously. He didn’t mean to give that impression. It had been bothering him ever since. “What?”
