Halloween Hiccups: A Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery Novella (5 page)

              “Are you out of your mind, Acura?” Nubbin didn't have the foggiest idea what the word 'whisper' meant.

I put my finger to my mouth, indicating for him to lower his voice.

“You're going to get us caught.” I warned him.

“And, you're going to make sure I spend the last days of my life in the pokey.” Nubbin quipped.

I put my arm out in front of him to keep him from moving forward. “Shh! Did you hear that?” I asked, listening intently for noises other than our own.

Nubbin spoke in his megaphone watt voice. “How can I hear anything if you keep yapping, Corsica?”

I held my breath, willing myself not to answer back. After all, I was the one who got Nubbin involved. The least I could do was try to remain calm.

After a moment, Nubbin resigned himself to follow the game plan. “What do you want me to do here? I can't stand around twiddling my thumbs.”

“Just keep an eye out while I get everything all set up here.” I said.

I had sunk to a new low. First, I didn't listen when Ruby asked me not to get involved. Next, I promised Hank that I'd tell everyone what my hang-up with Halloween was and then I only told people – the people I love the most in the world – half the truth, right in front of his face. Now, I have an elderly man sneaking around in a corn maze with me, in the same exact spot where a man was killed just a couple of nights ago. What was wrong with me?

“For someone trying to be discreet, you sure do make a lot of noise, Cadillac.” Nubbin groaned, moving himself in front of me as if he was in charge of this operation. “What are you mumbling about anyway? If its because your boyfriend has decided to up and leave his home and the people who raised him, then, it's too late for that. You should have thought about that before you started batting those long, dark eyelashes at him. On another note, what color is your hair? I swear every time I see you, it's a different color! Are you running from the law?”

Nubbin never ceased to amaze me. No one, other than Ruby, had noticed that I dyed my hair or if they did, no one made mention of the fact that it had gone from my signature jet black color to a much more subdued auburn color. I figured since it was fighting really hard to go gray, it was time I fought back. Maybe, if I confused it, coloring it would slow down the inevitable.

“What's wrong with my hair, Nubbin, and why are we discussing it now?” I asked, feigning insult.

He moved over to the spot where the tub of apples had been. I could still see the indentation in the ground.

With his cane, Nubbin made a circular motion, following the pattern on the ground. “Is this where they offed him?”

I stopped cold, remembering the scene. Stanley, all five foot five inches of him, was feet up in a tub. The sight was surreal. There was nothing particularly grotesque about it. He looked as if he simply slipped into the tub with his feet up.

“Yes, that's where the tub was.” I said in a low voice. I may not have liked Stanley much or at all, but he still deserved respect.

“Now what?” Nubbin asked, checking his watch as if he had somewhere more important to be, like his bed. It was well after midnight and neither one of us were much for pulling all nighters.

I cleared my throat, taking a moment to get my nerve up. “Well, let me get my camera ready.”

“Hurry it up before someone calls the police and they haul us right on out of here.” Nubbin warned me.

I fumbled around to get my camera ready. I hadn't used a camcorder in years. The only recordings that were ever done on it were for events or functions that Diana or Ruby would force me to attend. The camera actually belonged to Diana, but now with all the fancy gadgets available in the world, she had no use for this anymore.

“What are you waiting for, Subaru? We're not getting any younger here.” Nubbin groaned, making me more nervous.

Taking deep breaths, I willed my heart rate and my shaking hands to cooperate. I didn't know what the goal was here other than to get some footage of the grounds and see if maybe I could determine how someone could have gotten in here, had time to kill a man and get out without Ruby noticing. I figured it wouldn't be too hard to figure out because Ruby wasn't much taller than me, so she would have been at a great disadvantage. I could barely see through the stalks of corn now, let alone see over them.

“I got it. This shouldn't take too long.” I said.

Nubbin stood quietly... well, as quiet as was possible for a man, who breathed heavily and moaned and groaned about everything under the sun.

I filmed the spot where Stanley was found and filmed the area around it, making sure to capture the stalks and the house in the distance behind us. There had to be something that would help me figure out how whoever did this got in and out of here without being noticed. From what I could tell, there was only one entrance into the property. That was up the steep front steps and in the front door.

“There has to be a back entrance.” I whispered.

“What?” Nubbin's voice scared me.

“Nubbin, lower your voice. Are you trying to kill me?” I asked.

“Well, quit talking so low and maybe I won't have to ask you anything.” Nubbin said.

Stay calm, Mercy. It was your bright idea to bring him out here with you
, I thought.

I pointed the camera in every direction I could. I don't know what I was filming exactly because it was so dark, but I hoped that once I got home and took a look at the footage something would stand out and help me figure out what had happened here.

“Excuse me for asking, smarty pants, but don't you think the police would have done this already?” Nubbin asked.

I nodded, but he couldn't see me.

“Yes, I hope they did, but because this hits so close to home, I need to see for myself. What if it had been Ruby, who had gotten killed? I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I left her here alone because...” I stopped, not yet willing to admit my real issue.

Nubbin reached out, touching my shoulder. “It wasn't Ruby. You shouldn't even be thinking about that. Someone either wanted your little friend dead or it was a freak accident. You said his legs were up in the air?”

“Yes, he was face first in the tub of apples and his legs were pointing straight up at the sky.” I explained.

“How tall was the tub?” Nubbin asked.

I thought about it for a moment. “It was an old claw foot tub. It was probably about this tall.” I used my hand to show him that the tub reached the top of my leg.

“So, how tall was he?” Nubbin asked.

“Not that much taller than me. He was probably five feet four or five.” I said.

Nubbin looked around again, thinking. “It was a claw foot?”

“Yes.”

“Who moved it?” Nubbin asked, looking around the property, over the stalks of corn.

I shrugged. I had no idea who had moved it. I figured it had to have been the police.

“Maybe the police took it for evidence.” I said.

Nubbin sighed. “Do you know how much a claw foot weighs and how much room that would take up in an evidence room? They wouldn't take the tub. It would be too much work. The tub wasn't the weapon, was it?”

I shrugged, confused by where he was going with this. “I don't know. He died in it.”

“How did he die?” Nubbin asked, but didn't wait for an answer. “He was drowned in a tub of apples. They didn't take the apples into custody, right? They didn't take the water. Why would they take the tub? Do you get my meaning?”

I shook my head, indicating that I still didn't follow.

“Did Ruby have that tub placed there or was it already there when she rented the property?” Nubbin asked.

I shrugged again. “I really don't know. I never asked.”

“What I'm saying is, if that tub has always been there, maybe someone knew that and knew how they would kill Stanley. Or maybe, they didn't and saw it as an opportunity and used it. But, now, the question is, why was the tub moved?” Nubbin smiled from ear to ear. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I'd never seen him smile like that.

I hated to burst his bubble, but I thought I knew why the tub would have been removed. “Someone was murdered in that tub, so the owners would have had it moved.”

Nubbin nodded, a broader smile on his face. “Now, you're getting it. Who is the owner?”

As far as I knew, the Anderson family had left the house in trust to the town of Lake Villa. It had been declared a historical site and was managed by the town.

“Ruby said something about one of the family members still being around, but I think the town owns it.” I answered.

“I think you need to find out for sure because whoever it is, had the tub removed for a reason. First, you need to find out when it was placed there and for how long.” Nubbin said proudly, like he'd solved the case.

There was rustling behind us. I jumped and spun around to see.

“What's going on here?” A police officer emerged from between the stalks, his gun pointed right at Nubbin.

I screamed.

Nubbin put his hands straight up in the air, cane and all.

“I told you there was someone in here!” A woman's voice said.

I couldn't see her behind the officer.

“Put the camera down.” The officer ordered.

“We were just...”

“Put the camera down, Mercy. Didn't you hear him?” The woman stepped forward, so I could see her face.

“Charlene, what are you doing here again?” I asked.

She laughed, nodding to the police officer. “I was out for my nighttime run and heard voices coming from here, so I called the police. What are you doing here? This place is so morbid and creepy.”

“Then, why are you running past it in the middle of the night, toots?” Nubbin asked.

              “Well, what did you think was going to happen? You are snooping around all over their crime scene – in the middle of the night, no less – with a camera! Why can't you just leave well enough alone? You're lucky they didn't arrest the two of you!” Charlie scolded me in front of a room full of police officers.

“Mr. Schmeckpepper is ready to go.” The officer behind the desk said.

Charlie thanked her and shot a glare at me.

“Are you trying to get Nubbin sent to prison?” He asked sarcastically.

I looked over at Ruby. She shook her head.

Yep, she's mad at me too.

When Nubbin walked out of the interrogation room, Charlie took him by his arm and led him out, thanking the officers as he walked past me.

“What? You're not going to help me out? They took me in too.” I whined.

“They should keep you.” Charlie said through gritted teeth.

I looked at Ruby. “Sorry.”

She sighed, putting her arm around my shoulders. “If I didn't love you like a sister, I'd strangle you right now. Before I forget, that assignment you were supposed to start at the hospital tomorrow is on hold. The last thing we need is for you out in public. The whole town will hear about this by morning, I'm sure. It's bad enough that Miss Hot Pants Charlene has already put a bug in everyone's ear about Halloween night, like she knows anything about what happened. The police don't even know.”

We rode in silence to my house. I sat in back behind Nubbin, so Charlie would have to see my face every time he looked to the side or in the mirror. He didn't have to be so rude. I know he felt an allegiance with other law enforcement officers, especially now that he was going to be working side by side with them, but he also had to remember that I was his friend.

As we drove closer to my neighborhood, Charlie slowed the car down. He'd been driving at a high rate of speed to get here. I guess he was in a hurry to drop me and Nubbin off at my house.

He pulled the car into my drive, behind my Honda, and didn't say a word. I wondered how it had gotten back to my house, but I didn't dare ask. I figured they must have had Hank drive it back from the Anderson Manor.

I opened my door and said, “Good night and thank you. Sorry you had to come out.”

Nubbin tried to open his door, but I heard it automatically lock.

Charlie looked at me with his steely brown eyes and smirked as he pulled the car back out of the drive and drove off with Nubbin still in the passenger seat.

“Now, I'm too dangerous for Nubbin? Are you kidding me?” I shook my head as I watched the taillights of his car move off into the distance.

“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, just what were you trying to do?” Hank's voice scared me. He sat on my porch, waiting for me.

Now, I got it. The small town sheriff wanted me to talk to the shrink.

“What is this? An intervention?” I asked, only half-joking.

“Do you feel like you need an intervention?” Hank asked in that calming psychiatrist like voice.

I bit my lip to stop myself from saying anything that would get me put into a psychiatric facility.

Hank followed me inside.

“I brought your car back to you.” He said as he sat down on my sofa.

“Do you need me to drive you home?” I asked, knowing that wasn't the plan.

Hank smiled. “No. I've been asked to provide security tonight.”

I sat down to take my shoes off. “I don't need a security guard. I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for years.”

“What? Getting defensive?” Hank teased.
I think.

I shook my head, not appreciating the remark.

“No, taking care of myself. You know this already. Why don't you tell me what this is all about? Is Nubbin going to stay with you now?” I asked, feeling hurt by that. I liked having Nubbin around. It reminded me of living with my grandparents. They'd lived with my parents and I or vice versa for my whole life. I missed that.

“Just for tonight.” Hank asked, leaning forward to speak to me. “You placed yourself and Nubbin in a dangerous situation. With a killer running free right now, the last thing I would think you'd want to do is go to the site where they killed last.”

Here we go. This is my therapy session a la one of my best friends.

“Okay. I get it. You think I'm feeling guilty because I left Ruby there alone. Well, you're right. I do feel bad about that. I mean, what if it had been her? Is that what you want to hear?” My voice broke as I asked.

“Is that what you want to tell me?” Hank answered with a question.

“No.” I admitted. “Something doesn't add up for me and I wanted to find out what. Since Ruby's not here to hear this, I'll say exactly what I think.”

Hank nodded.

“That little ex-girlfriend of yours has it out for Ruby and I think she had something to do with all of this.” I said.

Hank laughed. “Charlene? This is about Charlene?”

Apparently, he didn't understand the connection.

“I dated her for a month. She broke up with me. That was a long time ago.” Hank laughed again. “I don't know where Ruby gets this idea that she still has feelings for me. I don't think she is capable of having true feelings for anyone beyond herself.”

I rolled my eyes at him. For such a smart man, sometimes he could be so naive.

“She still has feelings for you. What do you think all this Halloween and Christmas hoopla is all about? Open your eyes, Casanova!” I couldn't believe he hadn't noticed that over the last several years, Charlene has found every reason possible to inch her way closer to him and push Ruby out of her way. It was a good thing that Ruby wasn't afraid to push back when she had to.

Hank blushed. He knew it. He just didn't want to admit it.

“Charlene has had more husbands than I've had socks.” Hank reminded me.

“She sure has and you sure knew how to pick 'em back in your day.” I teased.

Charlene was the polar opposite of Ruby in every way. It was unbelievable to me that Hank would have even paid her any attention. Other than the blonde hair, I really didn't see the attraction. She was beautiful, always had been, but not at all in a sophisticated way, like Ruby.

My best friend had always been the kind of woman who could stop traffic. From her gorgeous red hair to her green eyes and curvy physique, Ruby was a force of nature. Smart as a button to boot. Very little ever – I mean, ever – got past her.

Now, after twenty-some years of marriage, Ruby looked more radiant than ever. I always

teased her that she was the Irish Sophia Loren. Charlene's all American girl looks, with her lean physique and light eyes were appealing, but in my humble opinion, girls like her came a dime a dozen in California.

Ruby was a gem, just like her name suggested. Men adored her. Women envied her. Hank fell for her the instant he saw her and I had every confidence the feelings he had for her would never wane. He was a man who truly loved, honored and respected his wife. As beautiful as that was to see, it was equally nauseating to witness as a single woman like myself.

I'm not opposed to love and marriage. I think the idea is great. I just wished I could have held on to my relationship long enough to enjoy the spoils of long-term commitment. Hence, my apprehension about Diana marrying a man I've never had the displeasure... I mean, pleasure... of meeting.

After a few moments of thinking about all of the seemingly innocent run ins with Charlene, Hank answered, “I didn't choose her; she chose me.”

“That's your response, Dr. Nickles?” I laughed at him. Sometimes he made it too easy for me.

He changed the subject. “Why did you go back to the Anderson house tonight?”

“I told you – something isn't right. After speaking with the police the other night and consulting with some folks I know...” I started.

“Consulting? With who?” Hank challenged me.

“Well, Margie, of course. You know she has her finger on the pulse of everything that goes on in town.” I said.

“Enlighten me, what did the lovely, yet oftentimes hysterical, Margie Cline have to say about an incident she didn't witness?” Hank asked, highlighting the fact that Margie wasn't anymore well informed than I was about Stanley's murder.

I stood up, needing to create some distance because this conversation was making me sound like a bit of a nut.

“Want some coffee?” I asked.

“It's two in the morning. Do you usually drink coffee at this hour of the night?” Hank wasn't going to take off his psychiatrist hat anytime soon, I could see.

“No.” I answered defensively. “I was just trying to be polite to someone who is supposed to be my friend.”

If he wasn't going to let me explain my theory, then I was going to win him over with a guilt trip. I hoped he packed his bags. This was going to be quite the adventure.

“Mercy, none of this is about Charlene and her issues, is it? How long are you going to keep fooling yourself into believing that?” Hank looked directly into my eyes.