Authors: Marianne Spitzer
Annamarie walked out in her red two-piece bathing suit and Daniel said, “Nice, but where’s the tiny black bikini Bonnie talked you into buying?”
“At home where it belongs, I’m not wearing that in public.”
“Then why did you buy it?”
“I’m not sure.”
Daniel seemed disappointed until Annamarie assured him she’d wear it at home for him, which brightened his mood. She slipped on a red paisley print cover-up, and Daniel put on shorts and a t-shirt over his swim trunks. Finally, ready, they headed down to the pool.
The pool was beautiful with lounge chairs and trees growing in large pots scattered around along the walls. The pool ran the length of the room, from the far wall to the glass wall at the other end and beyond. The open end was made of different colored glass cubes, and an arch in the center provided access to the outdoor section of the pool.
“This is amazing,” Daniel said, “I’ll say it again, you have the best ideas.”
Annamarie smiled at him and jumped into the pool.
***
While Annamarie and Daniel were splashing happily in the pool, George was trying to calm Maureen down while she fumed about Daniel’s disrespect.
Stomping around the room with fists clenched, “He should’ve called me. How could he leave, and not tell me he wouldn’t be here for Sunday lunch? I would’ve cooked for no reason.”
George
tuned her out the best he could.
***
The sheriff was grumbling to himself that he needed Steve’s help for this and not some kid from Oaklin, who didn’t understand anything.
***
Nancy was sitting in Greta’s house wondering if Daniel’s plan would work.
***
Garret’s partner was pacing up and down becoming angrier with each step. He was going to find that money and get it back.
***
Leaving his mandated appointment with the Sheriff’s Department psychiatrist, Steve knew he wasn’t helping at all. No one was going to convince him it wasn’t his fault he killed an old friend. He didn’t care if they called it “justifiable.” He felt as guilty as if he’d shot him while committing a crime.
Deb was worried sick about her husband.
***
Daniel was calmer than he had been in a long time.
Chapter Nineteen - Escapes
After their afternoon frolicking in the water, Daniel and Annamarie decided to eat dinner in the swimsuit-friendly “Fifties Malt Shop” restaurant next to the pool area. The juke box was playing a 1950s tune when they walked in, found an empty booth and sat down.
“This place is cool,” said Daniel.
Annamarie said, “They have real cherry cola and cherry shakes. I wonder if I should have both.”
“We have all weekend, slow down.”
Annamarie settled on a cherry cola and Daniel on a chocolate cola. Annamarie loved chocolate, but she couldn’t understand how you could mix it into a
cola.
“Daniel, you’re strange.”
He smiled, saying, “Yes, I am. Look who I married.”
Annamarie gave him her flirty look, and they continued to discuss the menu. They settled on burgers, Annamarie ordering fries and Daniel onion rings. That way they could share both. This escape from reality was exactly what they needed. Daniel’s fear of the spirits had faded. They enjoyed their dinner, oblivious of what was taking place in Timmus Woods.
***
Greta, thinking it had been quiet enough in town, decided to let Nancy accompany her to Ray’s during the dinner rush. Taking one of the back tables, Greta told Nancy to order whatever she wanted.
Greta laughed and said, “I’ll bill the sheriff.”
The blue plate special was roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, a homemade buttermilk biscuit and dessert of your choice. It sounded delicious, and Nancy was famished. She thought she could eat quickly because she was worried she might miss a call from Daniel. Greta placed the plate down in front of her when fear changed Nancy’s smile to a look of terror.
“What’s wrong, honey?”
“That’s Garret’s partner,” said Nancy motioning to the man who had just sat down at the counter.
Greta grabbed the plate and said, “Follow me.” She took Nancy and the blue plate special into Ray’s office. She told Ray it was police business, and Ray knew better than to question Greta. She told Nancy to eat her dinner, and she’d take care of things. No one would see her in the office.
Greta left closing the office door behind her. She dialed the sheriff’s office.
Fortunately, he answered. Greta whispered what Nancy had told her, and the sheriff said he would be right over.
Ray walked up to the man. “Hi. Glad to see you back. Did you get your truck fixed?”
“Almost, I was told Garret could tune it up perfectly so it would run like new. Since I was here, thought I’d stop, but the shop is closed.”
“
Oh, gee sorry mister, but Garret died a couple days ago.”
“How sad.”
Ray showed him the paper with Garret’s obituary, and the man seemed moved. “Sorry to hear it. I guess I’ll be going then.
Nice to see you again.”
“Same here,” said Ray as he watched the man leave and head for his black pickup truck.
The truck was pulling out when the sheriff drove in. The sheriff observed the black pickup was the only strange vehicle in sight, and wrote down the license plate number. He went into Ray’s and spoke to Ray and Greta. They both gave him a description of the stranger and Ray said he was the same man who was there a few days ago looking for a mechanic. The sheriff made a few notes and then asked to see Nancy. He told her to go back to Greta’s and stay there, no matter how quiet things seem around town.
Greta said, “Not before she has her dessert.”
Nancy finished her meal while she told the sheriff she had no idea who the man was. He and Garret were partners along with her brother. Greta brought in a plate with cherry pie and a double scoop of ice cream. The sheriff glared at her.
Greta said, “The girl has to eat.”
Sheriff Richardson sighed. “Okay, but when you’re done, go back to Greta’s and stay put. You’re lucky you escaped danger this time.”
Nancy promised.
***
After their meal, Daniel and Annamarie were tired enough to spend a quiet night in their room. Daniel watched TV while Annamarie dreamed of ways to decorate their house while she paged through her new magazine.
***
Sheriff Richardson was waiting for a call from the State Police concerning the license number of the black pickup when Steve walked into the sheriff’s station, surprising him.
Taking a seat across from Sheriff Richardson, he said, “I met with the department psychiatrist. I still feel only guilt concerning Garret’s shooting.”
“The psychiatrist is there to help you, not judge you.”
“I know, but what if I feel this way forever?”
The sheriff looked at him and said, “This has been a terrible two weeks for you. First Ben died and second, in a horrible set of circumstances, you shot Garret. No matter what you think, it was justified and in self-defense. I read your report, and you said you saw a man pull a gun. That’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Steve said, shifting in his chair.
“Then you did what you were trained to do. If you had noticed it was Garret and hesitated, he would have shot you. Then we would be having a plaque made with your picture on it for the front lobby, and Deb would be a widow at nineteen. Have you thought about that?”
“Not exactly that way,” he said.
The sheriff told him he should ask the psychiatrist about it. He was sure the psychiatrist would see it the same way.
“Now go home, hug your wife and thank God you’re still here to love her and help protect our town. You keep your appointments and feel better. You’ll be back at work here where you belong before you know it.”
Steve nodded, shook the sheriff’s hand and said, “Thanks, Sheriff. I do feel better.”
Saying goodnight, the sheriff watched the best deputy he ever had walk out of the station. He knew he’d be back. It was only a matter of time.
The State Police called back. The license plates on the black truck were reported stolen off a green truck in Oaklin the week before. The sheriff thanked the
officer and thought he was right back where he started. Now that the stranger knew Garret was dead, he wouldn’t be back. It was late when the sheriff locked up, gazing around at his sleepy little town. He knew he had to solve this mystery completely, or the town would never feel entirely safe.
***
The blackout drapes kept the room nearly dark as night although the sun had been up for hours.
Daniel reached for Annamarie, and she responded to his touch. Annamarie and Daniel lay on the bed relaxed and happy after their morning love-making.
Daniel said, “This is wonderful. We have all day today and tomorrow to enjoy each other and swim and eat.”
Annamarie smiled softly. “After what we’ve been through, we deserve this. In the past two weeks, you practically had a breakdown worrying about spirits, lost two friends and grandpa, and seen the worst side of your mom. I’m not sure how you’re keeping it all together.”
“That’s easy. It’s because of you. Look what I’ve put you through. I never treated you right since we met and didn’t improve when we married. I left you alone all night with storms on the way, knowing both the dark and lightening terrify you. I was completely self-centered. I came home covered with blood, and you didn’t hesitate to help me. You sat in a jail cell for me and put up with all my spirit talk. I talked about it so much you almost believe in them, too. I’m sorry the spirits are so strong in order to get away from them we have to come here.”
“Do you think the spirits are still in Timmus Woods, and you’re only safe here?”
“I’m not sure if the spirits move. I think your spirit is stronger and she’s making sure we have some peace here.”
Annamarie rolled over facing away from Daniel, afraid he would see the disappointment on her face. She couldn’t believe after all they had been through, the hell she suffered trying to convince him there were no spirits seemed to be for nothing. She lied to the sheriff for him and ended up in jail. Some crazy man was still on the loose and Daniel thought the only thing to do was to kill him. How was she going to help him do that?
Annamarie rolled back over and asked, “What do we do if you truly think the spirits are still there? How do we live in grandpa’s house? After the way your mom treated us, I want to move out of the ranch house as soon as possible. That’s going to be impossible if you still believe spirits live in the woods.”
Daniel thought for a minute. “No, we can live in grandfather’s house and your spirit will keep us safe.”
“What if I don’t have a spirit?”
Daniel insisted, “You do. We both know that. We had the same dream with the same words and then it came true. You found what was hidden.”
“Okay,” responded Annamarie, “what if my mom was right and we all have a touch of some sort of psychic ability? Since we are close, we had the same dream.”
Frustrated, Daniel got out of bed, standing with his arms folded, back to her. “No. You have a Gypsy spirit. She has more spirits with her. They are stronger than the spirits in the woods. The spirits in the woods have been there forever. Magdalena will always protect you. You are my wife and she’ll also protect me.”
“You know Magdalena was my great-grandmother. I don’t know why you insist she’s a Gypsy spirit. I told you my mom said my relatives were farmers.”
“Yes, but our dreams show her dancing around a fire in the woods. There’s always violin music. She must be a Gypsy spirit, even if you don’t believe me.”
Annamarie hoped Daniel’s personality change didn’t mean he was beginning his walk toward madness or whatever motivates his fear of the spirits. She wasn’t sure she could take that walk with him again. The last two weeks were horrible. Would this be her entire life?
Daniel lay back down next to her and whispered, “I’m sorry I was upset. I love you. Not because you have a spirit, but because of who you are. I learned in the last two weeks how quickly we can lose those we love, and how much you’ll do for me without my asking. I underestimated what a wonderful woman you are. You’re not that sexy little high school girl who caught my eye, but an amazing woman and still sexy.”
He kissed her, and Annamarie hoped he meant what he said.
Daniel smiled at her and said, “What if I call room service and we have breakfast in bed?”