Halloween Hiccups: A Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery Novella (9 page)

Please, don't let them arrest me.

“We just stopped by to let you all know that Charlene and Ernie have turned themselves in. Looks like our new Chief of Police saved the day. Isn't that a nice how-do-you-do?” The officer smiled at me.

“You came to tell me?” I asked, confused by their actions.

“Well, yes. Charlie told us that you were the one who helped figure it all out. You and Charlene are friends?” The officer asked.

“You arrested her?” I asked, more confused than before.

He shook his head. “Well, technically, not yet. She turned herself in for trespassing on the Anderson property. I don't think she'll get any time in the slammer for that.” He laughed.

Charlie winked at me. “Yeah, if it wasn't for Mercy being so doggone nosy, I would have never figured out who was who or what was what. Looks like she's got the makings of a good investigator.”

I couldn't believe my ears.
Had he just complimented me?

“Well, thank you for all your help. You did good.” The officer said as he offered me his hand. I took it, but I still didn't know what he was talking about.

When they walked away, I asked, “What was that?”

Charlie smiled and winked again. “Do you want some wine?”

I shook my head. “No, I want an explanation. Why are the police thanking me? All I did was agree to meet you here and wear this ridiculous outfit.”

Charlie put his hand on my shoulder. “You led me in the right direction. Even though, you didn't know it, you helped solve this case. Sorry it had to go this way, but I couldn't let my first introduction to them be me chasing after some loony Halloween queen. I want my introduction to them to be epic, real crime.”

Nubbin scoffed. “How much deader does someone have to be to be considered real?”

“But, I don't get it. Why did Ernie kill Stanley? They were business partners?” I asked.

Hank and Ruby walked in just then.

“Who called you two?” I asked, surprised, yet relieved to see them.

Hank nodded to Charlie. “No one. Charlie told us to be here at six. We're early.”

“Sit down.” Charlie stood up, calling Luigi over to the table. “Can we get some menus for my friends, please?”

Margie greeted them with hugs.

“Well, you two got here just in time. We're about to enjoy our double date. I guess we'll make it a triple.” Margie beamed from ear to ear.

To my surprise, Nubbin didn't balk at her comment.

Interesting.

“So, how did it go?” Hank asked as he helped Ruby into a seat. “Did you get your bad guy?”

I immediately lunged forward. “Hank knew about it too? How am I the only one who had no idea what you were up to?”

Charlie shrugged.

Hank offered an apology. “Oops, sorry. I thought you explained it to her already.”

Ruby, always the voice of reason, chimed in. “Hon, they didn't tell you because they couldn't. Charlie had to make sure, so he kept Charlene here to keep her safe until the police could confirm who was on the recording. From what I understand, there was no denying that it was Ernie. He walked right up to the camera after he drowned poor Stanley in that tub.”

Charlie explained further. “He must have thought he had the footage, but everything is so digital these days, it was being run on Charlene's computer and the police were able to retrieve it. Charlene was in such a panic about leaving the camera there after Ruby opened the haunted maze up for business that she tried to go back and retrieve it, but it was too late. Stanley was dead and you two gals were standing over his body when she got there.”

Ruby put her arm around my shoulders to reassure me. “I had already called you and the police by that time. She didn't know that. She didn't know that she'd inadvertently recorded a murder either. She thought she had just recorded footage from the set up and the tour.”

“Oh, so she wasn't trying to save anyone, except herself?” I got it now.

“Pretty much.” Charlie answered.

“That still doesn't answer why Ernie killed Stanley or who moved the claw foot tub.” I said, hoping someone knew the answer.

Ruby answered, “Well, you and I both know, after having worked alongside Stanley, that he was a greedy little you know what. He was trying to undermine Ernie and was pilfering money out of his business to support himself. After his wife left him, he was basically living paycheck to paycheck. His wife, being spiteful, I suppose, contacted Ernie and told him that she suspected Stanley was up to no good.”

“Well, how would she know that, I wonder?” Margie asked.

Hank cleared his throat. “Let's just say that a certain patient of mine had been doing some spying on her own because she believed her ex-husband had been hiding assets from her.”

Ruby smirked. “And, let's pretend that we don't know that said patient also happens to be Charlene's ex-mother-in-law, who is now in possession of one very old and tainted claw foot tub. The one husband number one thousand and seven was murdered in, that is.”

Whoa! I wasn't expecting that.

“So, let me get this right. Hank solved this case?” I couldn't believe it. I didn't know whether to high five him or scold him for withholding valuable information from me.
Doctor-patient privilege, my eye!

“How long have all of you known this?” I asked, feeling like I'd been left out of the loop.

Ruby patted my shoulder. “We found out about the same time that you decided to be hardheaded about Diana's marriage and bowed out of Halloween. Again!”

I immediately looked up at Hank. What had he told them about me?

Hank spoke. “Speaking of that, Mercy, I think you should address that. Let's just get it all out in the open. You're with the family. It's safe. You'll feel much better if you do.”

Everyone at the table stared at me. Why did Hank have to put me on the spot now? I still had some things to work out for myself.

I stared at my hands for a few minutes, trying to build up the courage to suck it up and come clean once and for all.

They watched me intently.

Luigi interrupted the tense moment to take our orders and to offer to reheat Charlie's dinner.

I waited until our orders were taken to explain.

“Well? What's it going to be, Monte Carlo?” Nubbin asked finally.

I sighed heavily, wishing that this moment would come to an end.

“Alright, I'll tell you, but after today, I never – never – want to hear another word about it again.” I had to make myself clear.

Everyone nodded in agreement. I figured at least half of them were lying, but it was better than nothing.

“This is so silly.” I said.

“Mercedes, we're not getting any younger.” Margie scolded. I noticed her hand was on top of Nubbins. He didn't seem to mind.

Stifling a laugh, I said, “Okay, I don't have anything against Halloween. I like candy.”

Ruby nudged my elbow to keep me focused.

I looked at Charlie, knowing he was the reason for my hesitation.

Face your fear, Mercy
, I thought to myself.

“James handed me divorce papers on Halloween night. There, I said it.” I closed my eyes, expecting laughter or taunting from the group.

When they didn't respond after a moment, I opened my eyes to see them sitting patiently.

“Okay, the very next year and every year after that, he had Diana and I was left home alone. I'd eat bags – I mean, bags of candy – to get through it. It hurt.” I said, my voice shaking.

Ruby squeezed me to her. “Honey, things worked out. James loves you. He always will. You two were talking divorce way before Halloween, remember? You're still friends. That has to count for something.”

“I know. I told you it was silly, but I can't help it. Every fall, I dread Halloween. Don't tell James, okay, everyone.” I urged them.

Charlie sat motionless, watching me with a look in his eyes I'd never seen before.

I swallowed hard, willing myself to go on to the next item on my 'Mercy is disturbed' list.

“So, the thing with Diana and the daughter thief, well, that's important to me. If someone wants to spend his life with my child, he should be man enough to introduce himself to me. I don't want to say I met the man who would father, my grandchildren via a text message.” I shuddered at the thought of it.

This time, everyone erupted in laughter. The comments came from everyone.

“Get over it.”

“You're living in the Ice Ages.”

“She's a grown woman.”

I drowned out their words with my thoughts.
She was my child. No one could tell me to think any differently.

“Mercy!” Ruby raised her voice to pull me back to reality. “What about the other thing?”

I furrowed my brow at her. “What other thing?”

She nodded to Charlie. “Him!”

Charlie finally spoke up. “Yeah, what about the other thing?” He smiled that bright smile that could make women faint.

“I don't know what you mean.” I looked at Hank to ensure he'd keep his trap shut.

Thankfully, he obliged.

“Oh, give it a rest! She loves you. You love her. Enough said!” Nubbin groaned as the server brought our food to the table.

              I closed my eyes, glad that it was over. The house was surprisingly quiet. I didn't know whether I was all that comfortable with that or not, but I'd accept it for now. Soon, the house would be filled with commotion. Tina and Noah would be back. I couldn't wait to tell them about all that they'd missed. I'm sure Tina would get a kick out of it.

My thoughts were racing. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed to get some exercise. I sat up, looked down at Barney, laying by my feet and said, “Let's go for a run.”

He didn't acknowledge that he heard me, but it didn't matter. I needed to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Things were about to take a drastic turn in my life and I was going to need the energy to deal with everything.

When I stepped outside, Margie was standing in her yard doing her pre-run stretches.

“Good morning, sunshine. Ready for the day? I say, we should do three miles today. How do you feel about that?” Margie asked.

I sighed. I said exercise, but not that much exercise.

“Hey, stop waffling. You have a wedding to prepare for and, not to mention, a man getting ready to make it official and move to our friendly little town. Exercise will do you some good.” Margie hopped over the two foot fence that separated our yards and gave me a hug.

“Yeah, a lot of changes are happening.” I said.

Margie started to jog in place. “Can you believe he bought that house?”

I knew exactly who she was referring to. It had been the main topic of conversation since Charlie and Nubbin left town. In fact, everyone in town had something to say about the matter.

It wasn't often that the city of Lake Villa sold houses for a dollar, but it was only fitting that if they were going to do that, it would be for their new Chief of Police.

“You think Nubbin's daughter will go for it?” Margie asked.

I laughed, remembering what that woman was like. Donna Lee was a tough nut to crack, just like her father.

“Wouldn't it be funny if Nubbin moved into the old Anderson Manor with Charlie? Now, that would be a hoot!” Margie laughed.

“Yeah, that would be a real interesting turn of events.” I said.

“Hey, maybe you could convince Diana and her beau to get married there?” Margie suggested.

“I don't think getting married on the same site that a man was killed on is such a good idea. Call me crazy, but I think that's bad karma.” I said.

Margie considered for a moment. “Well, then, maybe we could have the wedding here in our little neighborhood.”

I looked around my quaint modular home neighborhood. I loved it, but something told me, Diana would never agree to that and, since old what's his name, still hadn't worked up the courage to ask for my daughter's hand, I wasn't so inclined to offer up my little neck of the woods for the occasion.

“Who knows, one day you and Charlie may just get hitched here!” Margie giggled her trademark school girl giggle.

“Who knows?” I whispered, wondering what all the changes would do to my life.

The End