Ghostly Graveyard (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 17) (7 page)

I wasn’t sure why we were even having an events committee meeting this morning because we were between events, but Willa liked us to meet every week, so most times we did just that. I was a few minutes early because I’d needed to drop Scooter at school on my way, so I ordered a muffin to go with the coffee Rosie provided for the weekly event.

Rosie was famous for her muffins, featuring a selection that changed with the seasons. Today I was able to choose between cranberry nut, cinnamon apple, and pumpkin spice. I chose the pumpkin spice. It was, after all, just four days before Halloween.

“I heard about Duncan,” Jennifer, the cashier, said as she rang up my purchase. “I have to say I’m not surprised in the least.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked as I added an apple strudel to my order.

“There was something unnatural about the guy. He gave me the creeps. I could almost have predicted that he’d die in a cemetery.”

“Unnatural?” I wondered.

Jennifer leaned in so she could speak without being overheard and lowered her voice to the point that I could barely make out what she was saying. “The guy had a weird aura. It seemed cloudy and unsettled. Like he wasn’t really who he was, if that makes any sense.”

It didn’t.

“And his friend was just as unsettled,” Jennifer continued. “I’d almost be willing to bet neither man was entirely human.”

“What friend?” I asked, deciding not to get into a discussion as to why the men might not be human. Jennifer had a very open mind and was more willing to believe in aliens, zombies, and ghosts than the average citizen of Ashton Falls.

Jennifer shrugged. “I don’t know his name; he was just a guy Duncan met for lunch a few times. Actually, I guess it was just twice. Once about three weeks ago, right after Duncan started coming in here, and the other time was last week. I think it might have been Wednesday. Or possibly Thursday. The guy was an odd egg.”

“Can you describe him?” I asked.

“Tall, thin, freakishly pale. If you ask me, the guy looked like he lived in a cave, or maybe a mine. It looked as if his skin had never even seen the sun. And his eyes were very odd. I would totally believe he was a vampire, but they met during the day, and you know vampires are creatures of the night.”

“You said his eyes were odd. Odd how?”

“They were dark. Almost black, and they had this hollow look. It almost seemed like they didn’t have irises.”

The man Jennifer was describing could be the one I saw in the cemetery. I hadn’t seen his face, but he was tall and thin. Of course I suppose a lot of men were tall and thin.

“Did you ever overhear their conversations?” I asked. “Even small parts of one? Maybe while you were refilling beverages?”

Jennifer appeared to be considering my question as she stared into space. “I know the tall man wanted something from Duncan. I’m not sure what. I overheard him say there would be consequences if he didn’t deliver
it
on time. I also know Duncan and the man fought when they were in here last week. I couldn’t hear what was being said because they had already gone out to the parking lot, but I could tell by their body language that they were arguing.”

“And you have no idea who this man was?”

“No. Like I said, I don’t think he’s from the area.”

“Did the men pay with cash or credit card?” I waved to Willa and Hazel, who had just walked in and were heading toward the back room where the meetings were held.

“Cash. Duncan paid and he always paid in cash.”

“Okay, thanks. Let me know if you think of anything else.”

I took my coffee and snacks into the back room. I wanted to have a chance to share what I’d found in the lockbox with the women before everyone else arrived. I had a feeling neither of them was going to be happy that Duncan had repaid their generosity and willingness to let him access the records he was after by stealing from them.

I sat down at the conference table and shared what I had found in the box. While both were irritated with Duncan, Hazel was also clearly intrigued.

“What sort of clues were in the letter?”

“Alex didn’t read them all, but the ones she did seemed random,” I answered. “My guess is that the letter was written to a family member who would understand the significance of the clues. It’s actually a smart strategy because it provides the information the relatives would need to find whatever was left for them while affording a level of protection should the letter fall into the wrong hands.”

“Can you remember an example of a clue?” Hazel asked.

“There was something about finding a clue where Aunt Matilda had tea. A person would obviously have to know this Aunt Matilda to even make a guess.”

“Not necessarily,” Hazel responded. “I’ve studied the photos in the albums quite extensively and I seem to remember there was a teahouse in Devil’s Den.”

I frowned. “A teahouse? Really? I sort of pictured Devil’s Den as being more a saloon town than a tea town.”

“Devil’s Den had plenty of saloons,” Hazel assured me. “But after some of the miners married and moved their families to the area other types of enterprises sprang up. I’ll need to look at the photos again to be sure, but I think the teahouse was in the approximate location where Trish’s Treasures sits now.”

“This is beginning to sound like the Dollinger treasure all over again,” I pointed out. “You don’t think Duncan was after the same thing that got Pack Rat killed, do you?”

“I’m not sure,” Hazel admitted. “It does seem as if there are similarities between the two series of events.”

“The letter is pretty much the only clue I have at this point. I’ll take another look at it to see if the clues do line up with places that are findable in modern-day Ashton Falls.”

“I’d be happy to help if you’d like,” Hazel offered.

“Maybe Alex and I will come by the library later. I can pick her up from the Academy early. I’ll bring the old photos I found so you can see if they were taken from your albums.”

“I intend to inspect the books as soon as this meeting is over,” Hazel assured me.

“I’d be interested in knowing which documents Duncan photographed from my office as well,” Willa informed me.

“I’ll bring the photos by,” I promised.

Willa looked at her watch. “It looks like we might be the only ones to show today.”

“I guess people are busy this week,” I offered. “And we don’t have any events until the community dinner at the end of November.”

“I suppose it wasn’t imperative that we meet today,” Willa admitted. “I planned to go over the profit and loss statement for Haunted Hamlet, which is depressing to say the least. What I don’t understand is why Duncan bothered to trash the haunted house. He already had the documents he needed from Hazel and me. Why did he even show up at the event at all? It makes no sense.”

Willa was right; it didn’t make sense. You would think if the man was treasure hunting he’d keep a low profile rather than calling attention to himself by showing up at the Haunted Hamlet and tossing a monkey wrench in the whole thing. Something definitely wasn’t adding up.

After the meeting I decided to stop by Ellie’s Beach Hut to ask Kelly about the food for the spooktacular. I supposed I could do it myself, but I wasn’t much of a cook and I really didn’t have any extra time to devote to the party. When I arrived I found Ellie behind the counter and Mariah asleep in the portable crib my mom had lent her.

“I didn’t think you’d be in this week,” I said.

“I still have a restaurant to run.”

“I just figured you’d let Kelly handle things while Mariah was with you,” I explained.

“I fully intended to, but Kelly had another run-in with her boyfriend and had to have stitches put in her eyebrow.”

I grimaced. “Ouch. I thought he was doing better controlling his aggressive tendencies.”

Ellie sighed. “He was. He was going to counseling, and Kelly said he was a lot less volatile, but he hit her when she came home the other night. She told me she has no idea what brought on the attack and she swears she’s done with him for good.”

“Hasn’t she said that before?”

“Yeah, I know. I don’t understand the psychology that allows her to forgive him time and time again, but it’s been her pattern and I’m not sure this time will be any different. I encouraged her to press charges, but she refused. I really like Kelly and I feel bad about her situation, but I may have to replace her if she continues to take the guy back. I need someone I can depend on to be here when she’s scheduled to work.”

I sat down at the counter. The restaurant was deserted, but it was a little early for the lunch crowd, and Ellie wasn’t open for breakfast during the off season.

“Maybe she really will leave him this time,” I offered.

“Maybe.” Ellie looked doubtful. “But even if she does, she’s going to be out for the rest of the week. I’ll just have to see how things go.”

“Have you heard anything more about Skye’s condition?”

“Her body is healing and she seems to be doing better than expected in some ways, but she still hasn’t woken up. Her roommate seemed a lot more concerned that she might not wake up than she was the last time I spoke to her. I called to try to talk to the doctor myself, but he was in surgery, so I left a message. I feel so bad for Mariah. She really misses her mama.”

I glanced across the room to the crib. The baby looked like she was sleeping peacefully, but I knew she was having a hard time with the situation.

“Is she sleeping better?” I asked.

“Yeah, she seems to be. It seems like we’re starting to settle into a routine. Did you stop by for something to eat? I just realized you didn’t know I was here, so you didn’t stop by to talk to me, and you don’t usually come in just to chat with Kelly.”

“Actually, I did come by to talk to Kelly. I wanted to ask her if she would be willing to do the food for the party on Saturday.”

“I thought I was doing the food.”

“You were, but I figured that now that you have Mariah to take care of you wouldn’t have the time or energy.”

Ellie pulled a sheet of paper out of the drawer under the cash register. “I’ve already made a list of the food to serve and the ingredients I’ll need. And I spoke to Zak, who’ll be doing the grocery shopping, and Alex and your mom have agreed to help put everything together. Hazel called to offer her services as well, and Phyllis said I should just give her holler if I needed someone to watch Mariah while I cooked. I think we have it handled.”

I smiled. “Great. I can help if you need me.”

“No offense, but we don’t.”

“My cooking isn’t that bad,” I covered.

“I didn’t say it was. I just figured you had a full plate with the whole murder investigation. Did you ever talk to Salinger?”

“No. I left a message on his cell, so I guess he’ll call me when he gets into an area with service. I did find a map buried in a box.”

I spent the next fifteen minutes catching Ellie up on the murder case, the list of suspects, which was depressingly sparse, and the possibility of buried treasure.

I looked at the crib, where Mariah was starting to stir.

“Let me take Mariah for a few hours,” I offered. “Ninety percent of your customers come in over a three-hour period, and I’m sure Mariah and I will be fine for three hours.”

Ellie looked hesitant.

“I used to babysit Harper when she was this age,” I reminded her.

“Yeah, with Zak’s help.”

“I’m perfectly capable of handling one baby on my own for a few hours. I have some errands to run and I planned to pick up Charlie anyway. Mariah loves Charlie. We’ll be fine.”

Ellie glanced at the clock and then at the crib. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Positive. I’m picking Alex up early from school and meeting with Hazel later today, so I’ll bring Mariah back at around three.”

“That really would help. Thank you.”

“That’s what best friends are for.”

Ellie fed and changed Mariah before we left. After her nap Mariah was cheerful and alert, and I felt confident we could make it for a few hours on our own. I picked up Charlie as planned and then headed into town to do a few errands. Twenty minutes into the venture Mariah and I were both in tears. Not wanting to bother Ellie, I did the only thing I could: I headed to the Zoo and Jeremy.

“Why all the tears?” Jeremy asked as Charlie, Mariah, and I came into the shelter through the front door.

“She won’t stop crying. I don’t know what to do.”

Jeremy reached for the baby, who stopped crying the minute I passed her to him.

“How’d you do that?” I asked in amazement.

“I didn’t do anything. You, my friend, are a bundle of nerves and uncertainty. Babies pick up on that. You need to relax and she will too,” Jeremy counseled.

“I thought I
was
relaxed.”

Jeremy took my clenched hand in his.

I looked down at the tension in my entire arm. “I only got tense after she started to fuss.”