Rose Pressey - Chase Charley 02 - Seems Like Old Crimes (11 page)

I walked toward his car. “That would be great. I can fix you a sandwich if you like peanut butter.”

He opened the door for me. “I love peanut butter.”

Too bad I hadn’t gotten a chance to speak with Anthony Knight again. I wondered if he had seen the man who’d tried to run over me. Was Anthony even at work tonight?

The next day, I set up a meeting with Haley at the coffee shop down the street. After dressing in my black skirt and gray blouse with black heels, I hurried out the door. I left a batch of cookies at Mrs. Perkins’ door. There was no need to wake her so early. Okay, to be honest I didn’t want to answer her questions.

As I rushed toward the café, I hoped that Haley had new information for me. I was kind of at a stalling point. I needed something to push me in the right direction.

When I reached the café, I stepped through the door and looked around. For a moment, I worried that Haley wasn’t going to show up, but then I spotted her sitting in the corner of the room. Our eyes met. She waved me over. I stopped at the counter and placed an order for a double latte and then walked over to the table where Haley sat.

I pulled out the chair and sat down. “Thanks for meeting me.”

Haley finished taking a sip from her cup. “No, thank you. I can’t tell you how much you’ve helped me over the past few days.”

The barista called my name and I hopped up to grab my coffee. Once back at the table, I said, “I hope you have new information for me.”

Haley traced the rim of her cup with her index finger and shrugged. “Not much. I just keep playing over the details in my mind. Who would do this? Why? Am I next?”

“Please don’t think negative thoughts.” It was easy for me to say. I wasn’t the one who had lost her husband and potentially had someone trying to kill her.

She met my gaze. “There was one thing that I forgot to tell you about. Anthony Knight was into voodoo.”

“Do you believe in that?” I asked.

“I didn’t before, but now I guess I could believe anything.”

I took a sip of coffee. “I guess that’s understandable.”

“I just think Anthony got really mad at Tim.”

“So much so that he wanted to hurt him?” I asked.

“I didn’t think so at first, but now I wonder.”

“I’ll have to find out more about Anthony,” I said.

She waved her hand. “Good luck with that. He’s so aloof. I don’t know why Tim hired him in the first place.”

“So do you really think that he would do anything to Tim?”

Haley watched a man walk past. She seemed even antsier than before. “I think so, yes. I just don’t know what he did.”

“I have a cousin who deals with this stuff. I can ask her opinion.”

When Haley looked at me, I noticed the dark circles under her eyes. “That would be nice.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Is there anything else I can do for you?” I asked.

She took another drink. “No, just keep doing what you’ve been doing for me.”

“I’ll try my best,” I said.

She finished off the last of her coffee. “There was one other thing that I didn’t mention to you.”

I set my cup down. “What’s that?”

She picked at the rim of her cup. “I didn’t tell you about the money.”

“What money?” I asked.

She looked around the café again. “Tim and his sister have a trust fund. Their parents had a large sum of money when they died. They left it in a trust fund for their children.”

I wasn’t sure if I should ask what this sum was, so I decided against it. Knowing that they had a trust fund was all I needed for now.

“As a matter of fact, his sister thought that someone was trying to kill her.”

My eyes widened. “What? When was this? What happened?”

“About a year ago. We all thought she was crazy. She went to the police and everything, but then she dropped it so we did too. We figured she just wanted attention. But now I wonder…” Haley rubbed her temples.

I frowned. “Do you think that is connected to your husband’s murder?”

She shook her head. “Not that I know of. It’s just a coincidence, I guess.”

“That is a strange coincidence.” I tapped my fingers against the table. “Maybe I should talk with Tim’s sister.”

“I guess you could do that. She never seemed all that easy to talk to if you ask me.” Haley shrugged. “I tried to be friends with her, but she was always quiet around family. She is with her husband all the time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the two of them not together.”

“Where is she now?” I asked.

“She lives in Gulf Shores, Alabama with her husband. Kristine and Dean Michaels,” she said.

I typed the information on my phone’s notepad. “Do you have her address?”

“Sure, let me get it.” Haley pulled out her big brown leather purse and placed it on the table.  

After getting the address, I asked, “Is there anything else that you’ve forgotten?”

She could have given me this information sooner. Not that it would turn up anything, but something was better than nothing. I was just glad that she’d provided it now.

Haley brushed the hair out of her eyes. “No, I think that is it. I’m sorry if I didn’t give you much information at first, but my mind has been in a fog lately.”

I nodded. “I’ll look into this and let you know if I come up with anything. I’ll check out his voodoo and see if it has anything to do with the murder.”

I pushed to my feet and Haley stood. She grabbed her purse and walked with me to the door. Haley and I said goodbye on the sidewalk. She walked one way and I went the other. I turned around and looked back at her. I worried about her, but I didn’t know what else to do.

Now I needed to plot my next move. Haley had given me a couple of things to look into. Since the sister was in Gulf Shores, I decided to check out the ex-employee again. He was here in town and would be much easier to find. Maybe not the best sleuthing strategy, but it was my plan nonetheless.

I decided to go to the restaurant where I’d found Anthony Knight. If he was there then this time I would ask him about the voodoo. Sure, he probably wouldn’t be truthful with me, but maybe I would be able to read his expressions. Plus, I had to find out if he knew about the man in the silver car.

An eerie feeling fell over me as I pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot again. Being there again after what had happened sent a chill down my spine. However, I had to push it to the back of my mind and find Anthony.

I jumped out of the car and hurried over to the entrance. I should have thought to ask Courtney to come with me. Maybe she could have asked questions about his voodoo. Why would his voodoo have anything to do with Tim’s murder though? Maybe he had placed a hex on Tim. But even if he had placed a hex didn’t mean he’d killed him.

When I stepped into the restaurant, I didn’t see anyone. No customers and no employees. It was still early and the lunch crowd hadn’t arrived yet. Finally, a young woman approached.

“May I help you?” she asked.

“Yes, I am looking for Anthony Knight.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah, I think he’s here. Hold on.”

She walked away and I studied the landscape paintings on the walls.

After a few minutes, she returned. “I’m sorry, he is not here.”

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “Do you know when he will be here?”

She shrugged. “I’m not really sure.”

I sighed. “Thanks again.” I walked toward the door.

Just as I was ready to step outside, she said. “He’s probably at his house if you want to go there.”

I turned around and looked at her. She couldn’t really be volunteering his address.

“Sure, okay,” I said.

“He lives on Green Street. It’s 2345,” she said.

I eyed her for a moment. “Thanks for the info.”

She smiled. “No problem.”

That almost seemed too easy.

After getting back in the car, I headed to the address she’d given me. I still couldn’t get over how easy it had been to get the address. Of course, when I pulled up to the small brick house, I couldn’t help but think I shouldn’t have come here alone. Maybe I should have invited Dangerfield.

I looked down at my phone. No, it was too late to call him now. I was already here, so I had to just go up to the door and find out what I could. I’d tell Dangerfield about it later.

I walked up to the door and knocked. I ran over what I would say in my mind. After a few seconds with no answer, I realized that my idea might not go as planned.

I was almost sure I had heard someone inside the house. Maybe he’d seen me and decided not to answer the door. That wouldn’t surprise me. Since he wouldn’t answer the door, I decided to take a little peek into the window. Sure, it was rude, but I was desperate. I leaned in close to the window and pressed my face against the glass.

I wasn’t sure what I had expected to see. But Anthony was actually in the living room. He must not have heard me knock on the door. Candles flickered around the room. He looked as if he was meditating as he sat on the floor surrounded by the candles. Now I felt as if I was intruding. I shouldn’t have come here after all. Was I witnessing him doing voodoo? I would have to consult with Courtney for her expertise. I backed away from the window, hoping that he hadn’t seen me. If I hurried I could get away and he wouldn’t even know I had ever been here.

I would have to think of a different way to find out information. Right now, I just wanted to get away.

I backed away from the house and across the yard. I glanced back a couple times to see if he’d discovered me watching him. So far, it looked like I was in the clear.

I’d almost reached my car when I heard a noise. I ducked behind the car parked in the driveway. After a couple seconds, I peeked out from over the top of the car. I released a deep breath. I didn’t see anyone. I was just being paranoid.

As I stood to go to my car, a hand reached out and grabbed my arm. I spun around and tried to yank my arm away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked.

A tall dark-haired man scowled at me. He was thin and wore a button-down plaid shirt and tan pants. “What are you doing? Are you trying to steal something?” His voice rumbled like thunder.

“No, now let me go before I call the police and have you arrested.”

“Who are you?” he asked.

As if I was really going to share that information with this stranger. “Who are
you?”
I asked.

“I’m Anthony’s neighbor. Why are you sneaking around his house?”

I managed to yank my arm away and then raced toward my car. Just as I climbed behind the wheel and locked the door, I spotted Anthony standing on his front porch. He was looking right at me and the neighbor was walking over to him. No doubt he would tell Anthony I had been prowling around his house. So much for Anthony not finding out that I was even there. At least I was pulling away now. That was the most important thing right now.

I was headed to Courtney’s shop to tell her about what I’d seen at Anthony’s place. I wasn’t sure if she would be able to provide any further details, but it was worth a shot.

I weaved around the people on the street so I could hurry to her place. Her shop came into view. I spotted the sign that dangled above the door. A couple people walked out as I walked in. It was good to see that she had customers. Courtney liked to stay busy.

I pushed through the door and looked around for Courtney. She waved when she spotted me. The smell of incense circled the air.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you now.” She looked at the time on her computer screen. “You look like you have something to tell me.” She quirked an eyebrow.

“You could say that, yes. I went by Anthony Knight’s house.”

Her eyes widened. “Isn’t that dangerous? What did you see? Did you talk with him?”

“He didn’t see me and I didn’t talk with him. But a neighbor saw me and I think he told Anthony I was there.”

“How did the neighbor see you?” she asked.

“I was hiding at the time and I guess he just spotted me. He grabbed me and I ran off. But he was talking to Anthony when I drove away.”

“Now Anthony will be trying to cast a spell against you,” she said.

“Don’t remind me,” I said. “He looked as if he was doing magic in his house.”

“That sounds like he was doing a ritual. I’d bet my last gris-gris bag that he doesn’t know what he is doing.”

“Do you think he has a long enemy list?” I asked.

“Sounds like he doesn’t like a lot of people.”

“Would he be angry enough with someone to kill them though? Just because he probably had a voodoo doll of his boss doesn’t mean he killed him.”

Courtney shook her head. “No, it doesn’t mean that at all. But if Anthony was mad at Tim then it certainly means he could have done something. You’re right too. Anthony probably made a doll of Tim.”

“Who do you think the ritual was for this time?”

“I hope it wasn’t for Haley Swanson.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it, but yes, that is possible. She does say someone is still trying to kill her,” I said.

“Has she told you why she thinks this? What has this person done to make her think this?” Courtney asked.

“You know, I’m not really sure, but I need to find out.”

“Yes, you do. If she can’t tell you then I would be suspicious.”

A loud clang sounded at the back of her store. We exchanged a look.

“There are weird noises out there in the alley all the time,” Courtney said with a wave of her hand.

The same noise rang out again.

“I think someone might be trying to get in your back door,” I said.

She placed the papers she’d been sorting down on the counter. “Watch the shop for me, okay?” she said as she stood.

“I don’t know if I am the best-qualified person to watch the store for you.”

She laughed. “You’ll be fine. I’ll only be a couple seconds. Probably a delivery. I’ll be right back.”

Courtney headed in the direction of the back door, leaving me at the front. I hoped a customer didn’t come in and ask questions. I would have no idea what to tell them. I tapped my fingers again the counter and wondered what was taking Courtney so long. The front door opened and a man and woman walked into the shop. They looked over in my direction.

“Welcome to the Voodoo House,” I said with a nervous grin.

They smiled back, but thank goodness didn’t ask any questions yet. If they did, I would just stall them until Courtney returned. If she didn’t hurry, I would have to go back there and find her.

I was trying to act as if I was actually behind the counter. Another noise sounded from the back. I couldn’t ignore this one. My anxiety increased and I began to wonder if Courtney was in trouble. Maybe someone had come to burglarize her shop. When I heard the noise again, I knew that I had to get back there. And in a hurry too.

I jumped up from the stool. The couple looked over at me. They probably thought there was a fire with the way I acted. Why hadn’t Courtney called out if something was wrong? Was someone stopping her from asking for help? The longer she was back there the more I worried.

I crossed the store floor, leaving the customers at the front. I was probably letting my imagination get the better of me. I had a tendency to do that. But better safe than sorry. I glanced back to make sure the customers were okay. They were still looking at merchandise at the front of the store. I hoped they didn’t want to buy something while I was gone. Or even worse steal something. I would have to deal with that later though, after I made sure everything was okay in the back.

I weaved around the aisles and made it to the curtain that led into the back room. I pushed through and on to the back door. The door was closed, so that meant that she had to be out in the alley. Had someone dragged her out there?

“Courtney?” I called out.

Of course she didn’t answer me. I was in full freak-out mode. I had to stay calm. I wouldn’t be able to help her if I didn’t stay calm. She needed me.

When I stepped out into the back, I spotted Courtney chasing after a man. It was the guy who had been following me around.

“Hey, you,” I yelled out.

The guy turned the corner. Courtney stopped. I guessed she had decided not to chase him after all. What had he done to make her run after him like that? Courtney had little patience though so it wouldn’t take much to make her mad. Courtney turned around and spotted me standing at the back of her shop.

“What happened?” I asked.

Courtney shook her head as she walked back over to where I stood. She paused for a moment to catch her breath.

“That guy was trying to break into the shop. When I caught him, he shoved the trash can at me.”

I narrowed my eyes. “He did what? He could have really hurt you. Did he hurt you? Are you okay?”

Now I was really mad. It was one thing to mess with me, but no one messed with family.

“I am fine. He didn’t actually hit me. He’s a terrible thrower,” she said with a chuckle.

I was glad she could still laugh after what had happened. After all, it was my fault this guy had almost hurt her. Now I felt even worse than before and I hadn’t thought that was possible.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” I said.

“Don’t worry about me.” She shoved the paper toward me. “Here, I found this.”

I took the paper from her hand and peered at her again and she motioned for me to read it. I was almost afraid to find out what it said. I unfolded the small piece of paper. When I read the note I was even more freaked out.

Why didn’t you answer my calls? Why won’t you talk to me? You are making me very angry.

“Can you believe this guy?” I said when I looked up from the note.

“He actually wanted me to give you the note. Like I said before, he needs serious help,” she said. “I don’t think you are safe. This guy is unhinged. There’s no telling what he is capable of.”

I brushed the hair out of my eyes. “I think you’re right. I tried to ignore this, but I don’t think that’s such a good idea now. Especially since it seems like he is getting more violent by the minute.”

“He’s a scary guy, I will admit that,” she said.

“That didn’t stop you from running after him,” I said.

She laughed. “No one messes with my shop. I thought the scumbag was trying to break in and rob me.”

“I’m just glad that he left without doing anything,” I said. “It could have been much worse. Maybe next time it will be.”

“There probably will be a next time with the way this guy has been relentlessly chasing you.”

The thought sent a chill down my spine. Courtney was absolutely right. I had to stop him before something bad happened.

When we returned inside, the customers had gone.