Biscotti and Brutality, page 7
“You're in way over your head, Bethany. Back off and go back to Snow Falls. I'll handle this case,” the man spoke and slowly stood up. “The shooter is not important, Bethany...and not who you think. But if you persist in sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, you might cause a great deal of trouble for yourself.”
Bethany squinted. The man speaking to her was wearing a gray hat and a gray trench coat. She couldn't see his face. “My friends are in trouble. I won't leave them.”
“I admire you for that, but rest assured, Jim and Jill Cunningham are in no danger.” The man raised his eyes. “Yet. You need to leave, Bethany. You have until tomorrow night. I'll guarantee your safety until then. After that, no more warnings. Take Julie Walsh and leave. If you see me again...I may not be so nice, understand?” With those words, the shadowy man walked toward Bethany, paused, and vanished down the hallway.
Bethany watched the man slowly disappear down the hall and rushed outside into a hard rain, finding Ben. She jumped into Ben's old car and informed him of her encounter. Ben grabbed his gun and burst into the hospital...but came up empty-handed. The shadowy man had simply vanished, leaving Bethany with a choice: leave or die.
Chapter Nine
Bethany rubbed a pair of exhausted eyes as a blast of chilly morning wind smelling of thick chimney smoke struck her face. Bright autumn leaves were being tossed about in the wind like crying children instead of laughing hearts. A low, gray damp from the rain stood overhead, drowning out any hope of sunshine. Cold milk cows stood off in the distance looking bored—or miserable, Bethany couldn't decide which. Boy, I'm in a depressed mood. Sure, the sky is gray, but the land is still beautiful, and eventually the sun will come out. Yes, I can almost smell the winter snow, but the lush voice of autumn is still thick in the air. I suppose I'm depressed because I'm confused. I have no idea what's going on. Last night was foolish. I should have never risked going to see Rhonda Banks. Me and my stupid ideas.
“Morning, love.” Julie stepped out onto the front porch, hugging a hot cup of coffee.
“How did you sleep?” Bethany asked, turning to face her lovely friend, who was wearing a heavy brown sweater.
“Not good, I'm afraid,” Julie confessed, quickly scanning the land. “The land is beautiful...peaceful. Reminds me of a little village in the English countryside I used to visit as a little girl. At times...” Julie paused, took a sip of coffee, and sighed.
“At times what, honey?” Bethany asked. The chilly morning winds were doing a lousy job of waking her up, but the winds felt refreshing—like a splash of cold water striking a tired face. She wrapped her arms around a heavy green sweater and waited for Julie to finish.
“Oh, at times I miss England,” Julie confessed. “I miss the countryside, the coast...and I miss London.”
“Honey, I get it. I’m sorry.” Bethany lowered her head.
Julie eyed Jim and Jill's land. “The snowman Sarah wrote about, it's following us now. I can feel it, love...deep in my heart. Some people might call me insane. So be it.”
“I feel the snowman, too. It took me a while to put my finger on it.” Bethany stood silent for a minute before continuing. “The murders in Snow Falls, on Ice Mountain, in North Carolina...the murders are all attached to the snowman.”
“But why us?” Julie begged. “Or better yet, love, why you?”
“Sarah and Amanda defeated the snowman once...now the snowman wants revenge.” Bethany felt a cold chill run down her back. “The snowman attacked silently at first, but now we're aware of it.” Bethany turned back to Julie. “I thought I felt the snowman on Ice Mountain, but I couldn't be sure. Our fight in North Carolina happened so quickly that we barely had time to breathe...and honestly, honey, it seemed like we were more or less watchers than participants in North Carolina. The nightmare in North Carolina felt like—”
“The snowman was just warming up?” Julie shivered as she asked the question.
Bethany reluctantly nodded. “The snowman is everywhere...we're not safe,” she concluded. “I remember Sarah telling me the story about how she accompanied Amanda to a remote lodge north of Snow Falls. An evil woman was waiting there.”
“That woman released a virus into the air that nearly killed Sarah and Amanda.”
“Yes,” Bethany confirmed miserably. “Sarah and Amanda had to soak their bodies in a scalding hot spring. They were nearly killed by a grizzly bear...so much happened to them. You wouldn't be able to tell it by looking at our friends, though, would you?”
“No.” Julie shook her head. “Sarah and Amanda possess a true talent. They can hide what they are feeling so deep that not even I can see it, and I'm talented at reading people's emotions, love.”
Bethany spoke but stopped when Ben stepped through the front door, bringing a cup of coffee and a donut with him. “Morning.” He yawned.
“Morning.” Julie offered a polite smile. “Did you rest well?”
“No,” Ben confessed. “I couldn't stop kicking myself for losing a deadly suspect.”
“Ben, it wasn't your fault,” Bethany said firmly. “The man waiting for me, he wasn't your average man.”
“Be that as it may, I'm still a law man and I have a duty...and last night, I failed.” Ben took a quick sip of coffee. “I want you two on the first flight out—”
“No deal,” Bethany and Julie cut Ben off at the same time. Bethany quickly took over. “Julie and I have discussed the situation. We're not leaving, Ben. Whoever the man I met last night was, he knew who I was and who Julie was. I don't enjoy being scared off, and I have a bad feeling that even if Julie and I leave, the man waiting for me at the hospital last night will show up in Alaska. It's better for everyone if we remain together as a team.”
“I agree, and I trust in Bethany's gut feeling,” Julie chimed in. “Ben, I trust Bethany with my life. Bethany and I have become closer than sisters in a short time. That may be hard for you to understand—”
“No, it isn't.” Ben offered a quick smile. “Anyone with eyes can tell you two are closer than sisters.” He took another sip of coffee and reflected on the situation. “Alright,” he caved in, “you can stay, but from this point forward we all stay together. You, Julie, me, Jim, Jill...we're one team.”
“Agreed.” Bethany nodded.
“Agreed.” Julie sealed the deal.
“Well, maybe not,” a voice spoke. Bethany spotted Jill wearing a brown shawl over her shoulders. “I've got bad news. Jim is running a high temperature. Poor man felt rough before bed. He's bed-bound for today.” Jill touched her own forehead. “Truth is, this old turkey isn't feeling so well herself. I guess the joke is on me.”
Bethany hurried over to Jill and felt the woman's forehead. “My, you are hot. Julie, get Jill to bed. I'll go make some soup—”
“I already made a pot of chicken noddle soup and a plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...gave me and Jim some aspirin...rubbed some Vicks Vapor rub on Jim's chest...got some elderberry juice and zinc down us along with some orange juice. About to go slice potatoes and put them in our socks and lie down.” Jill reached out and touched Bethany's hand. “You and Julie will have to watch over the place for us, Bethany. I trust you.”
“Of course. We'll watch over your home as if it were our home. I promise, Jill.” Bethany felt Jill's forehead again. “You're very hot. Come on, off to bed.” She took Jill's hand. “Julie, stay here with Ben. I'll be back in a few minutes.”
Julie watched Bethany help Jill back inside with a loving hand. “Your friend is special,” Ben spoke up.
“Yes, Bethany has a very special heart,” Julie agreed. “My dear friend is unique. I'm very blessed to have her in my life.”
“And Bethany is very blessed to have you in her life,” Ben pointed out. “You two are a team. One isn't complete without the other. At least that's how I see it.”
Julie walked her eyes over a handsome face that glowed with honest intentions and truthful desires. Ben was a decent chap—nothing more, nothing less. A decent chap. Julie wondered why a man like Ben hadn’t remarried? Surely there were available women in Hay Lake or Dove Falls who would be happy to marry a nice man like Ben. One thing was certain...Julie couldn't allow herself to become emotionally involved with Ben. Julie lived in Snow Falls and Ben lived in Hay Lake—two different worlds. “It's silly standing out in the open like this. A bit dangerous, to be honest.”
“I think Bethany is right, Julie. Whoever the man at the hospital was last night, he's not out to kill just yet. I think Richard Banks was the intended target for the time being. That is a mystery I can't figure out. Guess I'm Columbo, huh?”
“Oh, he's that funny chap who always has a cigar in his hand, right?” Julie asked.
“Yeah, that's the guy.” Ben managed a quick smile.
“Bethany watches him, and she watches a television show called Murder, She Wrote,” Julie added. “I know those television shows are aired as reruns now.”
“The oldies are the best shows,” Ben told Julie sincerely. “At times, my aunt and I will sit down and watch old reruns of The Andy Griffith Show. But let me warn you, she won't watch episodes without Barney in them. My aunt has a theory that Andy Griffith betrayed Don Knotts and got him off the show because Don Knotts was becoming the real star. Who else could play the character of Barney Fife the way Don Knotts did?”
“Barney Fife...the skinny, silly deputy who carries one bullet, right?” Julie asked.
“That's the guy.”
Julie wasn't too familiar with American television shows. “Have you ever watched Mr. Bean? It's a British comedy show.”
“Are you kidding? I love Mr. Bean!” Ben let out a jolly laugh that warmed Julie's heart. “Mr. Bean is one of my all-time heroes—better than Superman. I was never much for all the cape-wearing phonies. I mean, some guy running around dressed up as a bat...not exactly the guy running on a full engine of steam. Mr. Bean, on the other hand...well, he's awesome.”
“A cop who doesn't like Superman or Batman? Goodness, wouldn't that be considered anti-American?” Julie teased.
“Maybe, but I don't think I'll waste my time and money over a bunch of guys who wear capes. Also”—a curious grin appeared on Ben's face—“let's face it...if Lois Lane can't see that Clark Kent and Superman are the same guy, then she needs to hang up her typewriter. As far as Batman goes, the guy needs to get some serious help and stop living in a bat cave.”
Julie giggled. “I always kind of liked...well...the Penguin.”
“Really?” Ben pretended to act shocked. “Julie Walsh, what will Batman do? The poor guy will be devastated.”
“Maybe.” Julie giggled again. “I just can't see myself falling for a man who dresses like a bat and has a sidekick named Robin. The Penguin...well, he's cute. Not as cute as Mr. Bean.”
“Mr. Bean is a stud.” Ben laughed.
For the first time in a long time, Julie was actually enjoying a conversation with a man. She didn't feel uneasy. As a matter of fact, she realized that standing and talking with Ben made her feel calm and...soothed. Was the word “soothed” correct? Yes, Julie told herself, Ben soothed her nervous heart in a way she had not expected. “Maybe when I get back to Snow Falls, we can become pen pals and write letters complaining to each other about how much we despise Batman?”
“Yeah...Alaska...” Ben felt his smile fade away. “Alaska is far away from Vermont.”
Julie watched Ben turn and examine a low, dark, gray sky with eyes filled with sadness. “Is anything the matter?” she asked, even though the evidence for Ben's sudden mood change was obvious.
“Sometimes I wonder why I stay in Hay Lake?” Ben spoke in a low voice. “My brother is here...my parents passed away. I have my aunt...my aunt has a life of her own. I became sheriff because it felt like the right thing to do. I wonder if I'll ever leave Hay Lake or grow old in this small town?”
“What do you want to do?” Julie stepped up next to Ben.
Ben kept his eyes on the sky. “I don't know, to be honest. I will admit that I get tired of wearing a badge. Cops aren't appreciated anymore, and the truth is, there are a lot of corrupt cops out there that make it hard for the good cops. Hay Lake isn't a thriving crime city...well, at least it wasn't. Hay Lake is a sleepy lake community, Julie. I sit and watch my badge collect dust, and that's just fine with me. But...”
“But what?” Julie asked.
Ben sighed. “There's more to life than Hay Lake, Vermont,” he confessed. “Don't get me wrong, I love small towns. I could never live in a city. But sometimes, I feel drawn to leave Hay Lake and explore other places. I'm not getting any younger. I'm a man in his early forties. I guess...” Ben finally looked into Julie's beautiful face. “I'm settled down.”
Julie stared into Ben's eyes. She saw a man who was lonely. But what could she do? “Maybe you can visit Snow Falls?” she suggested. “I think you would like Snow Falls. Lots of snow...very rough winters...freezing...but it's a beautiful life up there.”
“I love the snow,” Ben confessed, offering a faint smile. “I couldn't live without the snow.” He stared into Julie's eyes, then looked away before the beautiful woman standing before him captured his heart. “But before I consider visiting Snow Falls, we have a killer to catch.”
In the far distance, a man named Steven Frosellan took a sip of coffee and checked the time. Soon he would take a ride out to Jim’s and Jill's land and see if Bethany Lights was still around.
By the time noon arrived, Ben was running a fever. Whatever virus was attacking Jim and Jill had dug its claws into him. “You have a high fever. Off to bed,” Bethany insisted.
“Bethany, I'm fine...” Ben offered a weak argument. The truth was, he felt like a ton of bricks had fallen from the sky and smashed into his head. “We're in the middle of a murder investigation.”
Julie pushed a glass of orange juice into Ben's hand. “Bed,” she said sternly. “Bethany and I aren't leaving the bed and breakfast today. The doors are all locked. The alarm system is activated. It's raining again. Everyone will remain indoors.”
“Julie is right.” Bethany fished a bottle of aspirin out of a crowded kitchen drawer. She opened the aspirin and spilled two capsules into her left hand. “It's noon, so you can have more aspirin in four hours. Julie will bring you some chicken soup and more orange juice. Now, take this aspirin and get to bed.”
Ben didn't know whether to feel loved or annoyed, but decided on the former. “Stay inside. Please,” he implored, taking his aspirin from Bethany.
“We will.” Bethany waited until Ben washed his aspirin down with some orange juice. “Bed. Go.”
Ben glanced into Julie's eyes. Julie pointed upstairs. “If you see or hear anything—”
“We'll come and get you,” Bethany promised.
“I checked the built-in generator—”
“I'm familiar with built-in generators.” Bethany thought back to the lake house her mother owned in North Carolina. Boy, am I familiar with built-in generators. “Bed.”
“Alright, alright, I'm going. But I have to call the station and let them know my situation. I'll call when I get to my room.” Ben studied the kitchen with careful eyes and walked away.
“Love, you and I are bound to get sick,” Julie worried.
“Honey, if it's any consolation, I rarely get sick. I was surprised when I got sick last winter.” Bethany ran a quick hand across her own forehead. “I feel as cool as a snowflake. Let me check you.” Julie's appearance resonated a healthy glow, but when Bethany felt the woman's forehead, a huge frown appeared. “Julie, you're burning up.”
“Am I? I feel fine.” Julie felt her forehead. “I do feel warm, but love, I feel fine. That's the truth.”
“Honey, when I was sick last winter, you took excellent care of me. Now I'm going to take care of you.” Bethany fished two more aspirin out of the aspirin bottle. “Aspirin, orange juice, bed. I'll bring everyone up a bowl of chicken soup shortly.”
“But...but...” Julie didn't want to go to bed. She felt healthy as an ox. “Love, we have a killer on the loose, and you were given until tonight—”
“Julie, we're not leaving our friends. Now, bed.” Bethany quickly poured Julie a glass of orange juice. “Take your aspirin.”
Julie sighed, accepted her glass of orange, and reluctantly swallowed two aspirin. “I'll be on my laptop. Maybe I can get my son to talk?”
“Really?” Bethany asked carefully.
“No.” Julie sighed. “My son still thinks I'm the bride of Frankenstein. My ex-husband has brain-washed him. And sadly, love, my son isn't growing into a good chap. Just the opposite, to be blunt. My heart breaks. I feel responsible.”
“Don't,” Bethany pleaded. “Julie, your son has to make his own decisions. I never had children, so I won't stand here and pretend to understand what you're feeling, but I know that you're not responsible. Julie, you're an incredible woman, and sometimes—as lame as this statement might sound—the skunk sprays where it wants.”
“I never heard that statement before, love...but the statement matches my situation.” Julie reached out and patted Bethany's arm. “I do have a slight headache. Other than that, I'm feeling well. If you feel sick, please let me know. We will work as a team to take care of each other, okay? Promise?”
“I promise.” Bethany offered her best friend a loving hug and saw her off to bed. “Whew, what a morning this is turning out to be,” she whispered, making a straight path back to the kitchen after walking Julie upstairs. “I'll be glad to—”
“Hello, Bethany.”
Bethany froze. A strange man was perched at the kitchen table, holding a deadly gun across his lap. “How did you get in? I mean...” Where did this man come from? How did he get inside? Impossible. The security alarm is set. “I thought I would never see you again. The visit you paid me last night at the hospital seemed to be—”
“You're not leaving Hay Lake, are you, Bethany?” Steven asked in a low voice while keeping his head tucked low enough for a gray fedora hat to hide a pair of mysterious eyes.
