Hidden in Shadow Pines (11 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 12:45 a.m.
(day 8 in Shadow Pines—up a tree)

Hudson and I stared at each other for a few moments that felt like an eternity.

“You’ve got yourself in quite a pickle,” Hudson said.

Only then did I notice the shotgun strapped over his shoulder. My heart palpitated. What if he was the person who’d fired the shot that killed Thomas? It wasn’t as if I could run away. I was sitting way up in a tree in the middle of a wooded area, and looking down at Hudson made me queasy. No way was I going to climb any higher.

I’d never been comfortable around Hudson, and I definitely wasn’t comfortable now. I thought of my options. If I went for the gun in my purse, I’d possibly kill him. Or I’d miss and he’d fire at me. Then there was always the possibility I might fall out of the tree and seriously injure myself. The only logical choice was to talk to him.

“You’re carrying a shotgun. How do I know you’re not going to hurt me?”

“You’ve got it all wrong. I’m the one who’s been keeping an eye on you. Trying to keep you safe. Your grandfather warned me it wouldn’t be easy. Said you had a stubborn streak.”

Hudson’s words swirled in my mind. How could he know my grandfather was still alive? “What are you talking about?”

“Come on now. I know you know.” Hudson pulled the toothpick out of his mouth. “Do you have the key?”

“You’ve been spying on me, and now I’m supposed to trust you?”

“Find the star, right four, down two, in goes the ring, and turn it twice. The bronze skeleton will open the door to freedom. Your grandfather taught you to say the phrase. Told you to remember the order.”

But even that didn’t help me make up my mind. “You’re on the town council. I’m sure you know the phrase.”

“True. True. Okay then. On the Fourth of July, you baked a peach pie just for Edison. He was sitting on his back porch swing reading the newspaper when you delivered the pie. He ate a piece as part of his breakfast.”

Leaning against the tree, I thought of that day. A sudden rush of nostalgia washed over me. I’d been sitting on the swing with Ed. Telling the story of the night my parents and I drove out in the country to watch the fireworks. My dad said you could experience the sights and sounds better without all the lights and distractions of town. We’d taken a blanket and pillows with us so we could lie on top of the car hood.

I thought I’d lost all my family. But that wasn’t the case. Ed wasn’t Ed anymore. He was Grandfather.

My voice cracked, “You do know my grandfather.”

“Yes, I do. Wanna get out of the tree now?”

Climbing into the tree had been easy. I hadn’t thought about it; I just did it. Looking down at Hudson as I descended, I could have sworn the tree had grown ten feet in the previous two minutes. I was afraid a branch would break, and I’d tumble to the ground. Taking the last step, I was never so happy to have both feet on solid ground.

Hudson stared at me, twirling the toothpick. “I’m sorry about Thomas,” he said. “What happened?”

Even though he hadn’t taken a shot at me in the last few minutes, I still didn’t trust him. I couldn’t shake that bad feeling I had about him. I wasn’t going to be truthful. “He was helping me to overcome my fear of riding in cars. There was a loud noise—sounded like a gunshot. Thomas lost control of the car. A metal stake pierced Thomas’s chest—he lost too much blood. I got out of the car as fast I could and ran.”

Hudson fiddled with his toothpick. “Why’d you run? Why not stay by the car or go for help?”

“Someone had fired a gun. I guess I thought they’d fire at me.”

Hudson chuckled. “Now why would anyone want to hurt you?”

My voice quivered. “Guess it’s a silly thought, huh.” Unfortunately, all I could think of was the conversation I’d overheard between Devlin and Lincoln.

Hudson patted me on the back. “Why don’t we get out of here and go to my house. I’ll make us some coffee.” Hudson pointed. “It’s just around the corner. Not more than a stone’s throw.”

If everything had gone according to my plan tonight, I would have been on my way to my home in Darden. Instead, I trudged through the trees to Hudson’s house. A log cabin stood near the edge of the tree line at the corner of Fifth Street.

“Home, sweet, home,” Hudson said as he opened the door.

The kitchen, dining area, and living room formed one big room. Hudson hung his gun on a hook by the front door. I followed him into the kitchen area, eyeing the deer heads displayed over the fireplace.

“I built this place after my wife died. It was out in the boonies fifteen years ago, but the town’s built several homes around here since. First door is the bedroom, second door is bathroom, and the third door is my office. The hallway leads back to a laundry room and screened-in porch. Perfect place to sit and have coffee.” Hudson grabbed two coffee mugs. “Need anything in your coffee?”

“Black is fine. Thank you.”

I watched as Hudson poured us each a cupful from the full pot of coffee. He handed one to me. “Here you go. Let’s sit on the back porch.” I picked up the mug and noticed steam coming off the coffee.

Hudson hadn’t had time to make a full pot of coffee in the short amount of time we’d been inside. He’d obviously made it prior to our walking into the house. Had he planned on my arrival, or was he expecting someone else? Hudson’s suspiciously nice nature the last two days had me confused. Was he really trying to be helpful, or was he searching for information? Of course, I was playing the same game.

We sat in wicker chairs on the porch, both staring out into the darkness, neither of us saying a word.

I finally couldn’t contain my curiosity any longer. But I had to be delicate in the questions I asked. “How do you meet with my grandfather?” I wanted to know.

“I go to Darden nearly every day to get supplies. Edison and I meet at a secret spot every Tuesday.”

I knew Ed had a standing lunch date with his friend, Gil, every Tuesday. I supposed Gil could be short for Gillen. Was what Hudson telling me actually true? I rubbed my forehead, thinking it would help me make sense of Hudson’s and Ed’s friendship. “Are you the one who brought me here?”

“I had a hand in it,” Hudson said. “This whole situation started a few months ago when I had to take Bernice to the dentist for a special extraction. You walked by the front window. You look so much like your grandmother, she made me follow you to find out your name. I knew who you were, but had to pretend I was as shocked as Bernice. I thought she’d let it go, but she mentioned the sighting at the Saturday night meeting. Edison and I had to come up with a plan to bring you here, then get you out without raising suspicions.”

I pressed my lips together in a slight frown. “Why have you been acting so mean to me?”

“I’m on the town council. No one in town could know I was on your side.”

“How do you plan on getting me out of here?” And did he, really? I still wasn’t sold on the idea he actually wanted to help me.

Hudson sat forward, elbows on his knees. “All in due time.”

I didn’t like his answer. “You’re not going to tell me? Do you even have a plan?”

“Yes. I’ll talk to Edison tomorrow while I’m in Darden getting supplies. Stop by the grocery store after your daily activity and I’ll slip you a note. We might have to move things up a bit if someone’s trying to hurt you. I’d feel horrible if anything happened to you.”

Yeah, sure,
I thought. This conversation didn’t provide me any answers, only made me feel frustrated. “I need to get back to Jaime’s. Thanks for the coffee.”

Hudson stood. “I’ll give you a ride.”

I quickly got up, stretching my palm forward. “No. I’ll walk.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 4 a.m.
(day 8 in Shadow Pines—early morning)

At four in the morning I arrived at Jaime’s house. I stood looking at the front door for ten minutes. I didn’t want to be here. I thought for sure my plan would’ve worked and I would be resting comfortably in my own bed in Darden. Instead, I was still in Shadow Pines. Still living with Jaime. Having to go inside and sleep in the Pepto-Bismol colored bedroom.

I gently opened the front door only to find Jaime lying on the couch covered with a blueish-brown throw. This wasn’t a good sign. She must have woken during the night, perhaps by the sirens, and gone upstairs to check on me. She probably checked the entire house twice looking for me. I knew she would be mad at me. But for now, she was asleep and I definitely didn’t want to wake her. I’d deal with the consequences in a few hours.

I managed to close the door without disturbing Jaime. Taking off my shoes, I tiptoed up the stairs. I had to leave the bedroom door open because I knew it would creak if I shut it. I put on my pink-striped pajamas and crawled into bed, hoping to get the sleep I needed. I’d have to come up with a story why I wasn’t in the house in the middle of the night.

Sunlight poured in through the window. I looked at my watch. Eight-thirty. I was surprised Jaime hadn’t stormed into my room and asked me twenty questions by now. I was pretty sure she had peeked into my room at some point and had been relieved to find me in bed.

I figured this was as good a time as any to go downstairs to have a chat with her. Peeking over the upstairs railing, I saw Jaime sitting at the dining table eating a muffin.

I stretched my arms over my head and pretended to yawn as I walked in the dining room. “I had a hard time sleeping last night. Decided to go for a walk, then sat on the park bench for a while.” I yawned again, this time rubbing my eyes. “Guess you had a hard time sleeping too, huh? I saw you on the couch when I got home, but didn’t want to disturb you.”

“I woke when the siren went off.” Jaime made eye contact. “Why didn’t you leave me a note? I was extremely worried.”

I gave a third yawn, but this time it was for real. “It was after eleven and you were in bed. I didn’t think leaving a note would serve any purpose. I’m really sorry.”

Jaime stood, adjusted her turquoise top over her black pants, then walked into the kitchen and grabbed her purse. “I’m gonna be late for work. We’ll talk more tonight. Please be here when I get home.”

There were no smiles this morning, no chipper Jaime. She didn’t even bother to pick up her dirty dishes, which wasn’t like her at all.

As long as I was downstairs, I decided to have breakfast. I got out a bowl and poured in corn flakes. I was looking in the refrigerator for the milk carton when Jaime walked back in.

“You forget something?” I turned to see tears running down her face. Leaving the refrigerator door open, I walked over and gave her a hug. “What is it, Jaime?”

“Thomas. Thomas is dead. I heard it on the radio. I thought you would want to know.” Jaime broke free of my hug and pulled a tissue out of her purse, drying tears from her face.

I had to act shocked. “What happened?”

“Freak car accident. That’s the reason for the sirens last night. It’s horrible. He was such a nice man.”

“Yes he was.” That was all I could say to Jaime. I couldn’t tell her the truth—that Thomas wanted me dead in order to get my inheritance.

The car crash was no freak accident. I knew that for sure. And now I’d have to watch out for Devlin and Lincoln. I still didn’t have a good feeling about Hudson, but he was my only shot at getting out of Shadow Pines.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 9 a.m.
(day 8 in Shadow Pines—still at Jaime’s)

I turned on the kitchen radio for more information. Gloria’s funeral would be delayed a day, and they would hold a combined funeral for Thomas and Gloria on Wednesday. At first, I thought this was strange. But then I realized that everyone would likely attend both funerals.

Taking Thomas’s flip phone out of my purse, I reviewed the text messages. There were no names, just numbers. Only messages for the last two days remained on his phone.

T
homas – dinner with her tonight

1 – good. does she suspect you

Thomas – no

Thomas – plan is set. see you at 11. don’t tell anyone

2 – ok

Thomas – she has ring and key

5 – has she figured it out?

Thomas – no

Thomas – plan set. leaving tonight with the money. 11 west of Stovalls

Thomas – do you understand?

5 – yes

These people weren’t aware of how texting worked in the real world. Three people—1, 2, 5—in addition to Thomas, were involved in a plan to get the Luster money. Devlin had to be one of them and Lincoln seemed like another likely candidate. But, I didn’t have a clue who the third person could be. I turned off the phone, then searched for a place to hide it.

I needed a spot within reach, but somewhere that Jaime wouldn’t find it. Not that she would know what to do with it. Unless, she was the third person. She and Lincoln had argued about me the other afternoon. What if Lincoln threatened to cut her out of the money split? Was that why she needed to keep such a close eye on me? I could spend all day speculating, but it wouldn’t do me any good. After taking a second look around the house, I decided to hide the phone in the decorative pitcher sitting on the top shelf of the bookcase.

I spent the rest of the morning typing up what had happened since I’d been in Shadow Pines. Click. Click. Click. Working on a typewriter was harder than I remembered. I really missed the backspace and delete keys on my computer keyboard. I tried using the correction fluid twice, then decided to give up and worry later about any typing mistakes. I wanted a detailed record of my experience in Shadow Pines. Ninety minutes later, I’d typed five pages. I folded the pages and put them in the concealed compartment of my purse, under my gun.

Filled with nervous energy, I had three hours before my etiquette and speech activity. I grabbed the map of town together with my purse and headed out the door. I’d try the Hi-Ho Café for lunch, then visit a few shops.

A bell jingled overhead as I entered the Hi-Ho Café. The place had a back counter with round silver bar stools, a checkered black-and-white floor, silver tables, and red chairs. A jukebox stood by the back counter. Patrons were sitting and having lunch at a few of the tables.

“Sit anywhere you like, sweetie,” said a young woman in her early twenties. She wore a red dress with white piping. Her long, brown hair, pulled into a tight ponytail, swayed with each step as she walked toward the back of the cafe.

I picked a table next to the large glass window. I could people-watch to pass the time. A minute later, the cheery server brought me a glass of water.

“Here’s the menu. Tuesday’s special is an open-face pot-roast sandwich with mashed potatoes and green beans. Fresh apple pie for dessert. My name’s Paige. I’ll be back in a few minutes for your order, Isabella.” Off she went to another table.

Paige had called me by name. I didn’t remember meeting her, but I was sure she would have been either at the town council meeting or at the faith interaction meeting. In fact, I was pretty sure that everyone in town knew who I was. I, on the other hand, knew only a handful of people, and that number had already decreased by two in the last four days.

The menu was one page. Along with a daily special, I could choose among five sandwiches, two salads, and a vegetable platter. I liked this simple menu. In fine print at the bottom of the menu were the hours.
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“You ready to order, Isabella?” Paige asked. She held an order pad in her hand, pen at the ready.

“Yes. I’ll have the special with a Coke,” I said as I handed her the menu.

“Excellent choice for your first visit.”

I watched as Paige walked to the back counter, then ripped the top copy of her order pad. She placed it in a spinning carousel and rang a bell. “Another special, Gus.”

Even though I hated it when everyone had cell phones glued to their hands, I found it odd to look around and notice people having actual face-to-face conversations. This was the first thing I could say I liked about Shadow Pines. Their lack of technology was actually a pleasant feature of the town.

Most of the patrons appeared to be in their sixties and older, though one table against the wall was occupied by a younger woman and three small children. Two boys shared a pile of crayons and were busy drawing, while the girl brushed her doll’s red hair.

“Here’s your Coke,” Paige said. The bell from the back counter rang. “Sounds like your special is ready.”

For a few brief moments I watched people as they walked by the window. Paige returned quickly, setting the special plate on the table. “Enjoy.” And off she went again. New people had entered the restaurant and all the tables were now filled with hungry diners.

As I ate, I glanced around the restaurant, trying not to stare at anyone. An elderly, grey-haired woman argued with a man, presumably her husband, about the amount of salt he was shaking on his roast beef. Another table discussed whether wearing heavy wool socks or two pair of cotton socks kept their feet warmer. The table behind me, three women—based on their voices—chatted about their latest sewing accomplishments.

I took the last bite just as one of the woman behind me started describing how she made an apron from an old pair of jeans. The open-face roast beef sandwich was probably the best I’d ever eaten. Gus sure knew how to cook.

“Would you like to order dessert?” Paige asked as she picked up my plate.

“Sure. Small piece of apple pie, please.”

“Any ice cream?”

“Not today. Just pie.”

“Coming right up.”

I really wanted to taste the pie to see if Gus was a good baker. The pie competitor in me was emerging. Part of me wanted his pie to taste awful.

Paige brought the pie right away. “Enjoy.”

At this moment, I turned from happy diner to food critic. Poking my fork into the pie, I found that the pie crust was nicely flaky, the filling wasn’t runny, and the apples had just the right amount of crispiness. So far, Gus was getting an A-plus. I took a bite, then another, and another. Before I knew it, the pie was gone. I’d devoured the entire piece in record time. Good thing I didn’t have to go up against Gus in a baking contest or my winning streak might end.

Paige delivered the check. “I guess you liked the pie.”

A little embarrassed by how fast I’d eaten it, I said, “It was fabulous. Tell Gus he’s a great baker.”

Paige laughed. “Oh, you wouldn’t want to taste any pie Gus baked. Francine Stovall brings pies in every day at eleven. She’s the fabulous pie baker.”

“Pies and cupcakes. I’ll have to tell her how much I enjoyed the pie next time I see her.”

“You can pay at the counter when you’re ready.”

I flipped the check over. Lunch was seven dollars. I could never eat like this at home for that price. I left two dollars as a tip and walked to the counter.

Handing me the change, Paige added, “Thanks for coming in. Hope to see you again soon.”

I thought Jaime was the perkiest person I’d ever met, but after my brief encounter with Paige, I’d have to change my mind.

As much as I’d have loved to eat here again because of the wonderful food, I nonetheless yearned to make my own lunch in my own kitchen in Darden. I hoped Hudson and my grandfather had worked out a safe and sensible plan to get me away from Shadow Pines.

After leaving the cafe, I continued on Fourth Street, strolling past a hardware store, beauty shop, and barber shop. A swirling red and white stand stood right outside the barber shop. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen one of these in person though I’d seen them in one or two old movies.

I crossed Second Avenue, then turned south passing a consignment shop—Darlene’s Designer Rags. The next store had no lights on. I peered in the window and saw six cherry-wood desks—three rows of two. No papers lay on top of any of the desks, just lamps and yellow writing pads. I read the sign on the door.
Attorney David Horton, Engineer Logan Mikes, Police Captain Harold Lauder, Architect Arthur Bates. By appointment only.
No phone numbers. I guess if you needed their services, you knew how to find them.

The next store window displayed a hot-pink painted cupcake outline with
Sidwell’s Bakery
painted in baby blue above it. The sign on the door read
Open 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
I couldn’t resist going in. I had plenty of time to buy a treat and make it to the meeting.

Two tables draped with red oilcloth, each with two chairs, stood by the front window. A few scattered bags of bread remained on the shelves. I imagined that first thing in the morning these shelves were full of fresh bread.

Standing in front of the glass case, I spotted doughnuts, cookies, and brownies.

A heavyset woman appeared from the back. “What
looks good to you?” She wore a white shirt and a white apron decorated with smears of chocolate and peanut butter.

“Everything looks so wonderful,” I said.

“Made fresh every day.”

Pointing to two items, I said, “I’ll take six chocolate chip cookies and five brownies.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re going to eat them all now.”

“Oh, no. One brownie now. I’m taking the rest home.”

The woman chuckled. “If you were going to eat them all, I was going to ask you what your weight loss secret was. That’ll be five dollars.”

The woman put the cookies and brownies in a bag, wrapping one brownie in a napkin. With a smile, she said, “Thank you. Have a wonderful day.”

I crossed the street, walked to the corner, and then turned right on First Street. A block later I turned left on Third Avenue. I could see the church a half-block away. Cars entered the parking lot, including a white van with blue stripe.