

Mrs. McGillocotty Finds a Body

By J.R. Bowles

Published by J.R. Bowles at Smashwords

Copyright by Lynjobow 2012

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Mrs. Elva McGillocotty with shovel in hand patted the grave she had just finished covering up. This was the third grave she had finished this year and it was only May.

"Sarah are you going to bring the flowers or not?" Elva yelled in her shaky-husky voice up the basement stairs.

"I'm coming dear. I only have to finish the pansies and the asters. I had to make sure they didn't clash." Sarah clopped down the stairs carrying a huge bouquet. "I do think the asters give it that touch of a warm autumn day."

"It's spring you old loon. Not autumn. Tsk, tsk." Elva reprimanded. "And you say I'm the one losing my mind."

"Oh, I know dear. The florist had a real special on them." Sarah consoled then asked, "How did you get him down here without my help, Elva? You really mustn't strain yourself." Sarah paused and then started to feel around her skirt. "Now where did I put my glasses?"

"Never-you mind how I got him here. The deed is done." Elva quipped. "And the glasses are on your head, you ole' screen door. If the wind were blowing you wouldn't be able to even keep the flies out."

Sarah shook her head back and forth in dismay. She looked around the dirt-floor basement remembering the days when Father used to make his elixir down here. Oh how she had loved to help. She had gathered the berries and helped with the sacks of malt and sugar. But those days had been long gone and all the money had run out from their inheritance long ago.

Elva had married when she was young but the marriage didn't last, he left after only two weeks without a word.

As for Sarah, she had never married, although she had suitors from time to time. Oh how wonderful it had been when they had come to sit in the parlor and listen to music. Those days were gone. Now it was only the occasional boarder they had taken in to supplement their income that sat in the parlor with them.

But then a girl had to do what a girl had to do. Didn't she? She sighed aloud as she stared at the grave. She couldn't believe it was the third one and the month was only half over. Poor old Mr. Berkinbuss, he had been so sick over the last several weeks. She tried to remember what day it was he came to live with them. Oh yes, she remembered it was April fool's day.

My, my how time does fly when you get old. It seemed only yesterday that she and Elva had buried their first boarder. Now what was his name? She really was getting forgetful also.

"Sarah! Sarah! Are you daydreaming again? Never-you mind. Let's say our blessings over him and get back upstairs. It's just too damp down here, makes my arthritis act up." Elva chastised.

"I'll start Sister." Sarah bowed her heads and made the sign of the cross.

"Aeternum Dominus sit vobiscum." They both spoke the blessing together.

"Did you get it right this time Elva? He was Catholic wasn't he?"

"Yes I'm sure he was and we asked the Lord to be with him in eternity. Although, he was circumcised, he could have been Jewish."

"No dear, we said all eternity, not in eternity. Elva, please tell me you weren't looking at his man thing, were you?" Sarah just shook her head and furrowed her already wrinkled forehead. Her pugged nose flared just a touch in disapproval. But down deep she was glad Elva did the unmentionable stuff.

"Sarah I told you we only had a Plutonic relationship."

"It's Platonic! Pluto was Mickey Mouse's dog." Sarah shrugged and headed for the steps. "Let's go wash up for supper before it gets too late. You know how you are when you don't get enough sleep."

"Sarah you go on ahead of me. You know how long it takes me to get up these steps anymore with this hip acting up like it is."

Sarah stopped as she stepped from the stairs into the hallway between the kitchen and sitting room. She immediately saw the rug that had been jostled out of place was pushed across the floor where Elva had dragged poor Mr. Berkinbuss. She held her back and bent over to straighten the rug.

"There that is much better." Sarah said aloud even though nobody was there to hear her.

She looked around the sitting room she liked to call the parlor and sighed. It was much the same as it had been when Papa had been alive. There was his sturdy worn high-backed chair, with the tall round table he always laid his pipe on. Although he had rarely smoked, he just enjoyed having it.

Elva finally arrived at the top of the steps as Sarah left the parlor and went towards the kitchen.

"Ding dong!" The doorbell rang.

Elva grinned and waited a moment. "Ding dong!"

"Avon calling," Sang out Elva.

"Ding dong." Again the bell rang. Elva opened her mouth to repeat when Sarah came back in the parlor wiping her hands with a dish towel.

"For goodness sakes, Elva you're as dingy as the door bell. Couldn't you have answered it?"

Sarah finished drying her hands by the time she reached the door. She gave an extra wipe with the cloth to ensure they weren't damp. The moisture made the brass knob tarnish faster.

"Hello, Agnes, do come in." Sarah said stepping aside for her neighbor from across the street. She watched as a whirlwind of energy disguised as an old lady, with auburn dyed-hair, whisked pass her.

"I'm so glad you're home. I'm so worried. I haven't seen your boarder for two days now and...."

"Agnes, if you're speaking of Mr. Berkinbuss, he got a call from his sister in Bruburn and had to leave early this morning. She is sick and he said he had to move back home and take care of her." Sarah said following behind, as Agnes walked over to the grand piano and she ran her fingers along the upper edge checking for dust.

"Oh my, you two certainly have the worst luck with boarders anymore they just don't seem to stay long." Agnes patted the bun on the top of her head, pushed the pins in to tighten it.

"Aggie? Is that you?" Elva spoke so loud the other two women winced.

"Gees, Elva do you have to call me that? I've asked you a hundred times to call me Agnes or Mrs. Jeffrey Petrie-Hilltop, if you are referring to me. But never, and I do mean never use that name."

"How is Jeffy doing Aggie?" Elva said as if she hadn't heard a word the other woman had spoken.

"Elva dear," Sarah interrupted, "Jeffrey died this past January. Remember dear. He fell off the roof of their house while taking down the Christmas lights."

"Oh, that's right. I'm sorry Aggie for your loss." Elva started forward to hug Agnes and got rebuked.

"For heaven's sake Elva, would you stop that? We go through this every time I come over." She shrugged Elva away and turned to Sarah. "Sarah you have got to get her some help. She's losing what little sense she had."

"She is in the room Aggie and she can hear you." Elva balled her fists up at her side and stared hard at Agnes, her brown eyes flaming with anger. "I might be a bit forgetful, but I can tell you one thing, you're still an ugly bi...."

"Elva!" Sarah interrupted. "Now that will be enough. Dear we know you didn't mean anything by it."

Elva stormed over and stopped in front of a white wing mahogany frame chair and sat down gracefully on its original damask upholstery. She huffed, a few loud snorts and picked up her bag of knitting, pulling out a skein of yarn she began clicking needle to needle.

Sarah turned to Agnes. "I'm sorry Agnes. She gets tired during the afternoons."

"Well, I certainly didn't mean to upset her."

"She will calm down after she has knitted for a few minutes. I promise she will be fine."

"Ding dong." The doorbell rang.

"Avon calling," Elva sang out a big smile spread across her face.

"I told you she would be alright in a while." Sarah headed to the door and opened it.

"Nickolas, did you forget your keys again?" Sarah asked.

"Yes ma'am." The fourteen year old boy answered. "And call me Nick. I'm not Nickel-ass! That's what the kids at school like to call me. And I don't like it." And under his breath he mumbled, "Someday they're going to pay."

"What have you there in the box?" Sarah asked.

He shrugged and looked at her. The sprinkle of freckles across his nose seemed to have darkened from the sun. His dark auburn hair was streaked with lighter strands. His voice thick and husky but still a boy's voice.

"It's a squirrel for my collection." He answered. "May I go to my room?"

"Certainly Nickolas, but first say hello to Mrs. Petrie-Hilltop and your Aunt Elva. You must always remember your manners." Sarah chastised.

"How, do you do?" The boy said with a mock of a bow and a misaligned grin before he took off running up the stairs towards his room. He paused at the top of the stairs and yelled back. "Hi Aunt Elva," and giggled to himself.

"Strange boy," Agnes said shaking her head.

"He's not strange." Elva laid down her knitting and stood up using the arm of the chair for leverage. "Aggie? Why did you come over here anyway?" Elva challenged.

"Berkinbuss." Agnes turned to Sarah and added. "You really must get her some medical help."

Sarah opened her mouth to speak but Elva interrupted. "Listen haggie ― Aggie, if you want to live to see tomorrow you had better start apologizing to me." Elva said and punctuated the sentence with a stab of a knitting needle.

Agnes' eyes widened and she began to stutter. "I, I, never meant to offend you Elva. You know how I worry about you." Then she added as she retreated towards the door, "I really must be going."

"Ding dong!"

"Avon calling," Elva whimsically sang out with a big smile.

"Now who could that be?" Sarah said.

"Well find out." Agnes urged and stopped where she was deciding to wait and see.

Sarah opened the door slowly to a young man in his mid-twenties. "Oh, hello, may we help you?"

"Hello, Mrs. McGillocotty?" The man paused as he eyed the three older women in the room. His eyes inspected each one slowly. Sarah was tall and lean, slightly bent, stern face and a pleasant smile. Then he saw Agnes, cold and harsh staring at him quizzically. Finally his eyes fell upon Elva; a broad smile with a soft full figure. Her short statue made her seem quite a bit on the plump side. She was several inches shorter than the other two women.

"I am Mrs. McGillocotty." Elva answered. "But most people call me Elva. Please do...." She wiped her hands on her dress and reached out to shake his. "Do come in young man." Then she turned to Agnes cocked one gray eyebrow and added, "I thought you were leaving?"

"Oh, I'm in no hurry dear." Agnes responded smiling at Elva to placate her anger. "Please ignore me."

"I'm Patrick Donovan. I am the new science teacher at the high school." He paused as they chimed in with oh, and that's so nice.

He gave them a charming toothy smile and continued. "Mr. O'Dougal in the village told me that you nice ladies rent rooms and I was wondering if you had any available."

"Of course dear boy, we have several." Elva said. "This is Sarah McCoy, my sister, and the sour old lady over there is Aggie."

"Mrs. Agnes Petrie-Hilltop." Agnes held her hand out and added, "Wife of Jeffrey Hilltop ― my dear departed husband."

"Her husband jumped out the window last January." Elva smiled wickedly.

"He most certainly did not." Agnes countered.

"Uh, about the room...?" Patrick Donovan said nervously.

"Oh yes, let me show you the room and see if you like it. Come with me," Sarah said and then patted Elva on the hand before she left. "Now please behave yourself sister."

"My word," Elva said. "I always behave myself. Just tell that old bitty over there to behave herself." She turned to Agnes and said, "I thought you were leaving? Let me get your coat." She walked over to the closet just inside the front door and opened it.

Elva stood there a few minutes staring; she scrunched her face quizzically, scratched her head then shut the door. "Agnes, I just remember you didn't bring a coat."

"It's spring, Elva, it's spring. You're getting worse and worse." Agnes declared. "Mr. Donovan? Had he called you before, or was today the first time you met him?"

"Oh, I had never met him before. He's most pleasant and so tall with all that curly blond hair. Didn't you say you were leaving Agnes? Did I get your coat? Oh that's right no coat." Elva walked over sat down in her winged chair, picked up her knitting and resumed whispering the pattern. "Knit three, purl two, knit four, purl three."

Agnes smiled to herself and decided on a different approach. She walked over and sat down in the chair opposite Elva. "Good morning Elva. How are you today?"

Elva looked up and smiled. "Oh hello Agnes, when did you arrive?"

"Just a few minutes ago, I noticed you had a new gentleman caller. You sly girl and he's so young and handsome."

"Do you think so? I really didn't think he was that young." Elva said, needles clicking away. "I really don't feel right when a gentleman caller won't come out of the closet."

Agnes furrowed her brow. "What? Whatever do you mean? Mr. Donovan is in the closet? I believe he went upstairs with Sarah."

"Oh of course that's right." Elva looked up furrowed her brows. "I thought you had gone Aggie. What are you talking about Mr. Donovan being in the closet? He's upstairs with Sarah. You must pay better attention."

"The new teacher, Mr. Donovan, he's upstairs with Sarah." Agnes said carefully. "Now what can you tell me about Mr. Donovan?"

"Oh...." Elva stood up. "Here they come now. Hello Mr. Donovan, how did you like the room? Agnes said you were in the closet. Did you come out of the closet?"

"What are you talking about dear?" Sarah asked then turned to Mr. Donovan whispered, "She gets confused sometimes."

"I most certainly am not confused." Elva protested. "And my hearing is quite excellent. Agnes said Mr. Donovan was in the closet but that's not true. I know it's not true."

Patrick smiled, "Uh, I believe I should thank you for that vote of confidence Mrs. McGillocotty."

"Of course not," Elva said. "It's Mr. Smythe, who is in the closet."

"What!" Sarah spoke with a high squeak in her voice. "Mr. Smythe? He's still at work dear. What are you talking about dear? Never mind dear, I'll find out later." She turned and said, "Mr. Donovan, we will expect you to be moving in later right?"

"I'll be here. And please call me Patrick. I'm sure I will get enough of Mr. Donovan from my students."

"Only if you will call us Sarah and Elva," Sarah retorted. "Let me get you your keys so you can come and go as you want. We do like to keep the doors locked at all times."

Sarah walked over to the phone table opened a drawer and handed him the keys.

"How long will you be here?" Agnes asked.

"Only until I can find a small house or flat. Well I must be going." He smiled adding. "Thank you, I'll see myself out."

"Agnes you will excuse us, won't you dear. Elva and I have linens to change and whatnots to dust."

Sarah walked Agnes to the door, closed and locked it behind her. She turned to Elva. "Elva dear, what were you talking about when you said Mr. Smythe was in the closet?"

Elva sat clicking her needles for a moment and then smiled. "Oh yes, Mr. Smythe is in the closet. I do believe he will have to go to the Frengland Channel."

"What are you saying Elva? Poor old Mr. Smythe is dead?"

"As a doorknob," Elva said.

"You mean door nail dear, ― dead as a door nail." Then Sarah commented to herself. "I wonder why they say that. Door nails aren't dead, they've never been alive."

Sarah walked over to the closet and slowly opened it. She sighed loudly. "My, my, now who did this to you Mr. Smythe?" She leaned in, looking to see if there were any obvious causes of injury. On first inspection she saw nothing. Elva had looked over Mr. Berkinbuss, and had seen nothing. She guessed she should look over Mr. Smythe. Even if Elva had seen something she wouldn't remember enough to say anything. What was she going to do with Elva?

After over an hour the two sisters returned to the sitting room from the basement where they had laid Mr. Smythe. Sarah had inspected Mr. Smythe's body but didn't see anything unusual. Elva certainly loved to take their clothes off. That made four since the first of January.

Thank goodness they had a new boarder with the loss of revenue they could hardly keep up the cost of the household. Sarah had to fuss at Elva for the extra close examination of Mr. Smythe. Which was disturbing but the big question is who could possibly be killing these people.

Sarah joined Elva in the kitchen as they both washed and disinfected their hands.

"Elva. Who is killing our boarders?" She knew she should wait until morning to quiz Elva. It was getting late. She was sun-downing. "Well dear it's almost bedtime don't you think? I need to check on Nickolas, get him fed and ready for bed. Can you get yourself to bed?"

"Yes Mama, I'll go to bed now." Elva said as she headed towards her bedroom.

Sarah McCoy sighed, she supposed if Elva had been hungry she would have remembered to eat... surely she would.

Chapter 2

Sarah had been up for thirty minutes, it was Monday and school started in one week, so she told herself it's time to get Nicholas in the habit of getting up early. When his mother died two years ago he had come to live with Elva and herself.

Nicholas was the son of Elva and Sarah's brother, Jason McCoy. He had died while in the military some years back and then Nicholas' mother had been in a car wreck. Nicholas hadn't had another relative from either side of the family volunteer to take him so Elva and Sara took him. The stipend provided by the government helped pay the bills but they would have taken him without any additional money. They tried to put most of the money away for Nicholas' future.

Sarah sighed as she clicked on the light in Nicholas' room. She looked around at the morbid hobby he had taken up. Taxidermy was what the boy had called it. Various chemicals, jars with animal parts, plastic and Styrofoam forms filled the tables they had provided for him and his hobby.

To her it looked like an obsessive attraction for dead things and it worried her. She shook her head and dismissed the thought. How could a fourteen year old boy be responsible for killing three, no four grow men. But then, the boy had been through more than most boys his age. She dismissed the thoughts, even if he had, how had he committed the deed? What had killed them?

"Nicholas." Sarah softly sang out. "It's time to get up dear."

"Nicholas," again she softly called out. She waited a few moments and then yelled, "Nicholas! Get up!"

He groaned, rolled over and opened one eye, used his hand to shield the overhead light and said, "What for?"

"Well, I want you to get used to getting up early. School starts in a week, and that also means you have to start going to bed before midnight. Midnight! Gracious me, I can't believe we actually let you stay up that late. Our Father would have trounced us good for staying up so late."

Sarah walked over to the curtain and opened them wide as the boy pulled the covers over his head.

Sarah smiled, how she had come to love the boy, he was the spitting image of her brother down to his auburn hair and freckles. "Come on, get up. Breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes, don't be late. I want you to meet our new boarder."

"Whoopee." The boy replied sarcastically, scrunching down further into the covers.

"Well, you may want to meet him. He's the new science teacher at the high school."

"What?" Nickolas sat up eyes wide and asked, "The new science teacher?"

"That's right so get up and get moving." Sarah scolded.

"I'll be there."

Sarah shut the door behind her, turned left and went to the next door on the left, tapping lightly. "Sister...? Are you up?"

The door snapped open quickly. "Good morning Sarah, it's such a lovely day. I'll help with breakfast this morning. After all we do have a new gentleman caller, I mean boarder. Dear me, now why would I say such a thing?" Then in a whisper she said, "What are we going to say about Mr. Smythe? You know Aggie will have her nose back over here snooping around."

Sarah smiled at her sister. This was the Elva she always loved, so together. She patted Elva's hand and said, "Don't worry sister, we will think of something while we cook breakfast. Now what are we going to make?"

"How about drop scones and sausage links." Elva answered.

"Mmm, I can taste them now, with lots of syrup." Sarah smiled.

Sarah set the tableware and breakfast china on a white laced table cloth. She set the milk and juice pitchers, along with a variety of individual cereal boxes on the solid hardwood buffet. She thought about checking on Elva but it was early morning so she would be fine.

"Good morning," Patrick Donovan said as he entered the dining room. He sniffed, "Mmm, you're making my tummy rumble this morning."

"Good morning to you too Mr. Donovan," Sarah answered with a smile.

"Patrick." He corrected.

"Of course, I'll try but I have a long history of using the sir names. So if we forget please overlook our ill-manners but do call us Sarah and Elva, and we will endeavor to call you Patrick. Elva's cooking this morning. And since I mentioned her; I do want to tell you she gets a little confused sometimes as the day goes along. Oh, and we have a thirteen year old nephew that lives with us. No other boarders at this time."

"Thirteen? That may be the age I teach. I'm not too sure yet. This town is so small the high school consists of grades 8 thru 12."

"Here's Nicolas now." Sarah turned to the doorway as he entered.

"Good morning." Nicholas said overhearing part of the conversation. "I am fourteen now. Remember? You must be the new science teacher."

"I am." He stuck out his hand and Nicholas grabbed it and shook it. "Patrick Donovan. Outside of school call me Patrick."

"Oh, no, he mustn't do that," Sarah interrupted. "He may forget and call you that at school and then he would get in trouble. And Nicholas I'm sorry I forgot you're fourteen now."

"No problem Aunt Sarah." Then turning to Mr. Donovan he added. "It's best if I call you Mr. Donovan and please, please call me Nick."

"I understand, Nick." Patrick grinned.

"Hot stuff! Comin' through." Elva yelled as she pushed the swinging door open with her hips both hands full of hot dishes of food. "Hot stuff and the food is warm too." She laughed.

"Let me help you dear." Sarah rushed to help set the food and arrange it on the buffet.

They all grabbed plates, knives, forks and food was retrieved.

"Where would you like me to sit?" Patrick asked Sarah.

"Thank you for asking. So often our boarders just pick a place, which is actually okay with us but if you would, how about there." She pointed at a place on the far side of the long table.

Patrick sat down and waited until everyone had been seated and watched Sarah. "Do you say grace?"

"We do, to ourselves. Thank you for being polite. Manners are lost now-a-days. We say blessings silently. We have had so many boarders with different faiths; we couldn't keep up with them so we decided to do them quietly. We've even had atheists." Sarah said as she sat down on the other side of the table but not directly across from him.

"Are you an atheist?" Nicholas quizzed. "I've read that most scientists are."

"Nicholas! A person's faith or lack of it is their own business." Sarah censured.

"No problem. No I'm not an atheist." Patrick watched Nickolas' face sag in frustration.

"Well I am." Nicholas said.

"Nicholas you most certainly are not." Elva piped in as she sat down directly across from Patrick and beside her sister.

"Am too," Nicholas muttered sitting down beside Patrick directly across from Sarah.

"Ding dong." The doorbell rang.

Sarah and Nicholas turned to stare at Elva's reaction. Sarah sighed with relief and started to get up.

"I'll get it." Elva said as she stood up, folded her napkin and left the room.

"Oh, Mr. Dono... I mean Patrick ― I forgot to mention it. Elva likes to call her pancakes drop scones, so we play along with her. It's a game we play. We live somewhere in the British Isles, near the bonnie glens and the foothills of the highland, where the pink heather grows wild on the moor. It makes life so much easier. Well sometimes we pretend we do. You do understand don't you? "

"I do and thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

"It's Aggie." Elva sang out from the doorway.

"Good morning Sarah, hello Nicholas. Good morning Mr. Donovan." Agnes said.

"How are you?" Patrick asked.

"Tea or coffee?" Sarah asked. "Do sit and join us."

"Don't mind if I do." Agnes busied herself at the buffet loading a plate with food.

Patrick turned to Nicholas. "Do you like science?"

"Sure do, I like biology, things that live and die."

"That's great. Maybe you will be in one of my classes." Patrick stood up took another sip of coffee and set the cup down. "I have some running to do today and papers to sign. The scones were very tasty this morning. What shall I do with my dishes?"

"Just leave them there. We will take care of them." Sarah answered.

"I like taxidermy." Nicholas spat out rapidly. "I have some that I've done. Maybe you would like to check it out later."

"I'd like that a lot. I did a bit of taxidermy myself when I was young." Patrick nodded and left the room with one last, "Good day ladies."

"Oh humph!" Agnes said aloud as she sat down with her plate and tea.

"Did you hear that Sister?" Elva asked.

"What's that dear?"

"He said, 'when I was young.' Isn't that funny, he's just a pup himself."

"It's all relative dear."

"I told you Aunt Sarah, taxidermy is normal. See Mr. Donovan did it." Nicholas chimed in.

"My apologies dear, you certainly are correct." Sarah sipped her tea.

"May I be excused? I want to straighten my room before Mr. Donovan comes back." Nicholas jumped up wiped his mouth, laid the napkin down folded and took off before he had an answer.

"That's fine..." Sarah watched as he left the room. "Wished I had that much energy...."

"Well in my day, we had more manners." Agnes manages to say between bites.

"So how are you this morning Aggie and what brings you here so early?" Elva inquired.

"I haven't seen Mr. Smythe for several days now, have you?"

Sarah forgot completely about Mr. Smythe, what was his reason for leaving. Her mind began searching.

"Do you spend your entire day and night watching our house?" Elva countered.

"Of course not," Agnes replied.

"Then why are you constantly snooping around? Mr. Smythe was only here temporarily. He went back to his corporate office." Elva shook her head stood up and began gathering the dishes.

Sarah smiled inwardly so thankful Elva was shining bright this morning.

"Did you notice I had my hair cut and styled?" Agnes patted her hair gently. "The girl there said it makes me look younger. She said I don't look like an old woman."

Elva walked over gave her a quick once over and said, "No it makes you look like an old man."

"You are incorrigible Elva. Oh, well I asked the Sherri..., Constable to come by and check on you two. I do so worry about the two of you taking in all these strange men."

"Oh my," Sarah said standing up so fast her hand hit the cup on the table spilling a bit of tea. "Excuse me ladies, I'll be back in a moment. What time is he coming?"

"He should be meeting me here soon." Agnes watched suspiciously as she left the room.

"Agnes," Elva began, "you are the nosiest busy body I've ever known."

"What was the matter with Sarah? She sure seemed nervous for some reason or the other."

"Don't you know?"

"Know what?"

"She's always been sweet on Willie McTavish. Just wait and see if what I'm telling you is correct or not. I'll bet she went to change dresses. He comes around every few days. I'm surprised I thought you with all your snooping would have known that."

"Well I have seen him quite often, now that you mention it. But I thought he was just doing his job checking on two old women taking in boarders."

Elva laughed out loud. "You're a good one to be calling the kettle old." She snorted and added with a giggle, "Oh he's checking alright."

"Whatever are you talking about?" Sarah reentered the room, smoothing her hair down.

Agnes smiled into her cup. "Elva was just saying that Willie McTavish comes around to ensure the two of you are safe, quite often. Isn't that a different dress Sarah? It's so lovely."

"Uh, thank you." She ran her hands down her sides smoothing the fabric of the pale blue classic chemise.

"Oh he checks on us often." Elva giggled, "Usually late on Wednesday nights. How had you ever missed that Aggie? "

"Elva! Now don't go starting rumors." Sarah frowned.

"Do tell." Agnes grinned. "Well, my, my. I had no idea."

"Please ladies that will be enough." Sarah demanded.

"Ding dong." The doorbell chimed.

Both Sarah and Agnes looked to Elva for her reaction.

"What?" Elva grumped, "I'm cleaning the dishes can't one of you get it."

"I'll get it." Sarah left the dining room.

"So how long has this been going on?" Agnes interrogated Elva as soon as Sarah left the room.

"Years and years.... Of course it's not every Wednesday. And truthfully anymore I'm dead to the world so I haven't kept up with it for a long time. But from what I remember around 11:15 right about the time his shift ends he would show up. And well, let your mind do the rest. He always would leave by midnight on the dot."

"Isn't he married?" Agnes knew the answer.

"No, his wife died many years ago."

"Would you like some coffee or tea, Constable?" Sarah asked loudly as she entered followed by a very distinguished gentleman, trim fit, full head of silver hair and a roguish sparkle in his gray eyes.

"Coffee, please Sarah. Hello Elva — Agnes, I see you're here early." Willie sat down at the end of the table in the captain's chair, smiled and nodded.

"Oh no, that's Papa's chair." Elva gasped.

"Papa's no longer with us Elva dear." Sarah said as she mixed cream and two sugars into the cup then placing it in front of Willie.

"Thank you Sarah." Willie smiled up at her watching her blush.

"My, my," Agnes began. "Sarah how on earth did you know how the Constable likes his coffee?"

"It's my memory. It's just one of those things I can do. I know how you take your coffee." Sarah sat down with her second cup of the day and added, "Two creams, one sugar."

"Aggie, didn't you know that about Sarah? She remembers beverages. What you drink and how you like it. No matter who they are she remembers what they like."

"You're joking." Agnes said.

"No, try her?" Elva said.

"Ladies, this is not the time or place the Constable is here for an official inquiry so we must give him our full attention." Sarah reprimanded.

"The coffee's great Sarah." He sat the cup down on the saucer and turned to Agnes. "What seems to be the concern?"

Agnes fidgeted in her chair then inhaled deeply. "Willie as you know, I live just across the street and I feel it's my civic duty to keep an eye on Sarah and Elva here alone with strange men as boarders. The way the world is now a days they could allow murders or worse in the house."

"What's worse than a murder?" Elva sneered.

"Why a rapist of course," Agnes answered.

Elva laughed. "Speak for yourself."

"Well anyway," Agnes continued, "I haven't seen Mr. Smythe in several days and...."

"Agnes, Elva told you Mr. Smythe finished his business and headed home."

"How about Mr. Berkinbuss...?"

"He went to attend his sister." Sarah answered.

"Elwood didn't have any sisters." Agnes countered.

"I don't know what to say. That's what he told Sister and me." Sarah shrugged.

"Elwood?" Elva giggled. "How well did you know Mr. Berkinbuss?"

"We had several conversations." Agnes said stiffening her back more rigid in the chair.

"Conversations...? Is that what you call it? Ha!" Now I've heard everything. My goodness Aggie, your husband just killed himself and here you are conversating all over the place." Elva smugly stated.

"Jeffrey most certainly did no such a thing!" Agnes said her voice trembling with anger.

"Well, I suppose somebody could have pushed him out of the upstairs window."

"Now ladies," Willie interrupted. "Let's get back to the question at hand and that would be a Mr. Berkinbuss. Is that correct?"

"Yes." Agnes answered.

"And you ladies say he went to his sisters. Do you know where that was?"

"Let me see." Sarah said.

"Thought you had some kind of phenomenal memory?" Agnes accused.

"Bruburn." Sarah answered ignoring Agnes' taunts.

"Agnes, are you missing your conversations?" Elva interrupted. "Got that need to conversate do you?" Maybe Willie can help you conversate. I hear he might be pretty good at...."

"Elva!" Sarah interjected loudly with scorn. "That will be enough of that."

"I understand." Willie said aloud to the group but looked directly at Sarah and smiled. "No problem. I will check with the local law there and see if they know anything. Don't worry Agnes I will find Mr. Berkinbuss. That was Elwood correct?"

"Are you knocked up?" Elva's eyes widened and stared at Agnes.

"Isn't it a little early for you to be getting so loony?" Agnes accused.

"Loony? I'll show you loony." Elva balled her fist and stood up.

"Ding dong." Both Agnes and Sarah turned to look at Elva.

"What? I'm up, okay, I'll get it. Don't put yourself out and me being the one with the trick hip. Thank god it doesn't hurt today. All this traffic ― I will be crippled by noon." She grumbled as she left the room.

"Agnes please be patient with Elva, she gets so confused sometimes."

"I know." Agnes sighed. "But she just pushes me to the limits. Just like when we were kids she knew what buttons to push to get my dander up."

"Thank you dear."

"It's the Reverend Reed." Elva announced loudly as the slightly balding portly red faced man entered.

"Good morning to you ladies." He smiled at Sarah and Agnes, then frowned at Willie and nodded. "Willie. What are you doing here on a Monday morning?"

"Randy. It's called noneya... noneya-business. Did I ask you what kind of hate and discontent are you planning to be peddling today?"

"Touché Willie. Fair enough. But I don't hide my business."

"It's been such a long time since you've had any business a closed sign has been stuck up and the roof's caving in over the front door. Can you even see the front door anymore, or do you need a mirror."

"Gentlemen!" Sarah reprimanded. "It's been ages since you two were kids fighting in the streets, let's not revisit those days, shall we please."

Elva gripped a salt shaker in her hand and pulled it close to her mouth. "And in this corner we have Randy Reed, the rockin' sockin' big belly bopper. And in this corner, ladies and gentlemen we have Willie McTavish, long lean lanky Willie boy. Let's give it up now ladies for long Willie and rocking Randy."

"Elva!" Sarah jumped up from the table. "That will be enough of that!"

"Ding dong." The doorbell chimed.

Everybody turned and looked at Elva.

"Ding dong."

"Avon calling," Elva chimed as close as she could to the same intonation.

Sarah shrugged. "I'll get it, looks like the fog has come in early over the moor today. Elva dear, please sit down and behave for goodness sakes. Reverend, help yourself I'll be back in a moment."

"Well gentlemen," Agnes began, "you certainly know how to stir up long lost memories."

"It was not my intention." The Reverend said. "We always were like oil and water."

"More like piss and vinegar." Elva said as she raised her right arm and stuck her nose to it with a loud sniff. "Holy mackerel, that three day deodorant just don't work anymore."

Willie began to chuckle.

"Elva! I do think you need a rest." Agnes suggested.

"Rest...? I just got up. What time is it? I can't sleep in the daytime anyway."

"Why is that?" Reverend Reed inquired.

"I have phobo-phobia." Elva stood up and headed to the buffet, poured herself some hot tea, added milk and began to stir.

"What?" Agnes asked. "I've never heard of that? What is it?"

"I have a fear of fear." Elva answered flatly. "I'm afraid that if you don't leave soon... Well, I'm afraid I might have to hurt you. So you see. I'm afraid that I'm afraid I'll hurt you. Understand now, phobo-phobia."

"Oh Elva, you crack me up." Agnes laughed. "That doesn't make a bit of sense."

Willie McTavish sat his cup down. "Agnes, I'll check and see what I can find out about Mr. Berkinbuss. I really have to be going. It's almost ten. I have some paperwork to do."

"Hello darlings." The voice from the door resonated a hint of a Hungarian accent, with an over exaggerated attempt at a suggestive sexuality. They all turned to stare at the big chested, salon colored platinum blond, mid-thirties, one size below Rubenesque dressed in a black Betsy Johnson form-fitted knockoff, with five inch Christian Louboutins, definitely not knock offs.

Sarah cleared her voice. "I would like to introduce you to our newest boarder. Karalina Jacobson. She plans to stay a few days. This is our Constable, Willie McTavish, Reverend Randy Reed, and Agnes Petrie-Hilltop our neighbor from across the street.

Elva cleared her voice loudly but sat quietly.

"Miss Jacobson this is my sister, Mrs. Elva McGillocotty, I believe I mentioned her to you."

"How are you!" Karalina said very loudly.

"She told you I'm addlepated not deaf." Elva glared.

"Miss Jacobson," Willie jumped to his feet extending his hand.

Not to be outdone, Randy stood up so fast his feet became tangled under the table and barely maintained not falling.

"Please call me Karalina." She extended her hand gracefully.

"Car-line-a," Willie attempted to repeat.

Karalina smiled and gently took her hand cupping Willie's face near his lips to where she could move his lips with her fingertips. "Repeat after me... Care-a-lean-na."

He grinned and repeated it.

She then turned to Randy, inspected his collar and said, "How are you father?"

"Oh, it's not father. I'm Episcopalian. Although, some people call me Father, most call me Reverend. We can marry... I'm not married." Randy stumbled through the explanation. "Call me Randy."

"He's Randy alright looks like both of them are Randy." Elva cackled.

"Sister, we must remember our manners." Sarah interjected. "Please have a seat Miss Jacobson, would you like some tea? Or would you rather inspect the room first?"

"Well gentlemen, as much as I would like to sit, I really must check the room. I have so many things to do this afternoon. Perhaps tomorrow morning we could all have a chat." Karalina smiled and offered her hands out, one to each man.

"That would be wonderful." Randy answered.

"Well, if I can get away from the police station, I'll be here. There's a lot that goes on." Willie stated.

"Hah!" Elva spit out. "There's nothing ever happens in the rinky-dink town of Hilltop."

"Why do they call it Hilltop?" Karalina asked. "I have yet to see any hills for miles and miles."

"Oh, didn't you notice my last name ― Hilltop?" Agnes interrupted. "The town is named after my late husband's family."

"That's because they don't have enough sense to recognize a hilltop from a molehill." Elva said.

"If you will show me the room now Mrs. McCoy, I need to be on my way."

"It's Miss..., she taint never been married ― now isn't that right Willie?" Elva clarified. "She lives by the motto, why buy the pig if all you want is a little sausage."

"Sister is correct. I haven't married but please call me Sarah." She turned to Elva and said, "Sister, please don't use the word taint and mind your manners."

"And everyone calls me Karalina. I've got to go, so tootles for now gentlemen ― until tomorrow."

Both men watched as she followed Sarah out of the room and heard them go up the steps.

"Well I really need to go. Agnes I'll see what I can find out." Willie McTavish placed his hat on his head and nodded then left.

"Well Reverend besides the floor show why are you here?" Elva asked.

"Oh I brought over some quilt pieces Sarah had asked about. I believe she said they were for you." He smiled. "When you want them I will bring them in."

"Oh goody," Elva said. "I've got to go wash dishes now. So if you want to bring them in you can place them over by my chair. But you both must excuse me now. I have to go. Where was I... oh, that's right... wash dishes and start lunch."

Agnes watched as Elva left the room then turned to the Reverend. "Randy, Elva's getting so much worse. I think she needs to be placed in a rest home."

"Isn't this something you should discuss with Sarah?"

"I was planning to." Agnes said. "That's one of the reasons I asked you to come over to help me reason with her. When it comes to her sister Sarah can be pretty stubborn. Good grief, she believes we're part of the British Isles."

"Thank you Karalina." Sarah said as she stood at the door behind them. "Here's your key and we will see you later tonight or whenever you decide to come back."

Sarah reentered the dining room poured some coffee and sat down. "I'm so sorry, but I had to show her the room." Sarah said and then added, "Where is Elva?"

"She said she was going to wash dishes and then start lunch." Agnes answered. "Sarah, I really want to be careful how I broach this subject and the Reverend and I know what kind of burden you have been under lately. We have discussed it and we know you have to have thought about it." She took a deep breath of air. "Elva's getting worse. Surely you see that. She really needs to be put in a home where she can be watched more carefully."

"Agnes I know you think you are trying to help me, but I can take care of Elva. If and when she gets to the point where I can no longer take care of her then I will consider it. Until then, the subject is to remain off the table. Do you understand?"

"Bam! Clank!" A loud metallic noise issued from the kitchen at that moment.

Everyone jumped from the table and rushed into the kitchen. They all stopped dead still as they saw Elva standing on a stack of pots. She had placed two pots on the floor and placed an additional one on the top of those two like a triangle. Then she had climbed up on the top pot and was reaching into the cabinet retrieving or placing plates. They didn't know which.

"Sister, what on earth are you doing?" Sarah probed as she rushed over to steady Elva and help her down from the stack of pots.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm practicing for the circus. Looks like you brought Dumbo and Goofy." She sighed loudly. "I'm trying to get the extra plates down for later today. We're going to have an extra placing this evening aren't we? We do have a new boarder don't we?"

"Yes dear we do." Sarah smiled. "But do be careful."

Agnes had gasped and her hand flew up to her mouth in reaction.

"Did you swallow a fly Aggie?" Elva taunted, "How about you, Randy? Is the sex pot gone? Are you feeling a little unholy? Like those magazines you used to snitch and take out behind the smoke house when we were kids."

"Let's go back to the table." Sarah suggested. "Now Elva, I want you to finish there and please get down. It's making Agnes nervous."

"What's the matter Aggie, weren't you saying I'm an addlepated old woman and need to be put away?" Elva accused. "Afraid I will hurt myself or someone else?"

Agnes gasped and said angrily. "Have you been listening to us?"

"Ah! Ha! So I'm right." Elva countered. "So you do think I need to be put away. Let me ask you something have you ever thought about that niece of yours. I bet she wants to put you away. She's the heir to the so called, quote Hilltop estate. She's more of a Hilltop than you are. It's in her blood."

"Sarah, I won't stand for this kind of rude talk. Something has to be done about that woman." Agnes stormed out of the kitchen.

But not before Elva shouted. "She isn't your niece. She is a warm loving person and you don't share any of those traits. I imagine she would like to have you put away, permanently. And if you're not careful something will be done about you."

"Now Sister you really should play nice with Agnes." Sarah smiled at her sister as she followed the Reverend back into the dining room.

"I told you!" Agnes accused. "She's a menace to herself and those around her."

"Sarah, won't you at least consider a little more care for Elva before she gets hurt. She could have fallen climbing like that and when you break something at her age, well it's not good." The Reverend reasoned.

"Thank you, Randy and you also, Agnes. I know you both mean well. I will keep all of that in mind but for now I really need to get in the kitchen and help her. We have lunch to prepare and things to clean. If you like you are welcome to stay and chat, and help yourself. Now if you would like to stay for lunch I'm sure we can accommodate you both. Unfortunately if you do I will have to charge you. You understand, of course. Now if you decide to stay let us know so we can prepare." Sarah nodded and left the room.

"I told you the woman has gone senile. I'm beginning to think so has Sarah."

"Now Agnes, let's not start any false rumors. Why don't you and I spend more time here? That way we can access the situation and evaluate just how dangerous it is for all involved."

"I can't stay for lunch but maybe we could come back later for dinner or later than that." Agnes suggested.

"Dinner it is. I'm tired of heated dinners in the microwave anyway. I'll tell them we will be back in time for the evening meal tonight."

Agnes watched as Reverend Reed went into the kitchen, then she hurried over to the desk in the corner and glancing over her shoulders a couple times then rifled through the stack of bills and letters. There was one on the desk for Mr. Berkinbuss, she glanced again and slipped the unopened letter into her bodice. She turned and walked back to the dining table just as the Reverend returned followed by Sarah.

"That will be wonderful Reverend, and you too Agnes. We can always use the money so anytime you want to eat here, please do. So any time you want, have a meal here and I will keep track of them and I will send you a bill at the end of the week."

Chapter 3

As the day grew long the heat set in the house and Sarah dressed to ease the stress and the humidity in the kitchen. The aromas were thick and airy, full of yeast rolls, roast beef, and a faint whiff of the cinnamon spice from a juicy apple pie.

"Sarah!" Elva sang out from the dining room. "How many places should I set tonight?"

Sarah came to the door wiping her hands on the pale green apron she wore. "Well that's a good question." Sarah backed up a step and inhaled. "What have you got on your head Elva?"

Elva reached up, patted her head. "Oh me, that's my shower cap. I took a shower. My deodorant wore off and it's only been three days?"

"Dear if you want to shower more often than every three days that is perfectly fine." Sarah visibly sighed. "So how many are we having for lunch, I mean dinner? You've got me doing it now."

"Now that's a good question. Let me see. Help me count. You and I," Elva began using her fingers to keep track, "Mr. Donovan, Nicholas and I suppose the new boarder. What was her name?"

"Karalina... Karalina, let me see what was her last name. Started with a J?"

"J?" Like a ladder." Elva said.

"Jacobson," Sarah nodded. "Yes, like the son of Jacob's ladder."

"I'm glad you remember these things." Elva said. "Now let's see, that's the two of us, two more, for Nickolas and the teacher, then the bimbo. That makes five."

"Sister please don't use that term. You might forget and use it when she's here. Oh, and then Agnes and Randy said they will be here. So that's seven, and Constable McTavish makes eight."

"Winkin' Willie's coming?" Elva said then burst into laughter as she watched her sister's face turn beet red.

"Set eight places Elva." Sarah said as she turned quietly and went back into the kitchen.

Elva had just finished with the last place setting of silverware when the doorbell rang.

"Ding Dong."

Elva raised her head, looked around and said loudly, "Avon calling!"

Several moments later it rang again. "Ding dong."

"Avon calling," Elva sang out again, shrugged laid the napkins down that she had been holding and left the room to answer the door.

"Ding dong."

Sarah came back into the room. "Elva?" Then she sighed and headed into the hall toward the front door just as Agnes stepped through.

"Oh hello, Sarah," Agnes said looking around. "Am I early?"

"Aggie, you live across the street, you know more about what goes on here than we do. Don't play stupid." Elva said then covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. "Oops, that's right. You're not playing."

"Elva! Listen, I promise I will be nice to you tonight if you will be nice to me. Can you remember that? Let's call a truce."

"I thought you were trying to put me away in some home." Elva accused.

"You were eavesdropping." Agnes accused.

"Don't be a diddle squatter. It's not eavesdropping if it's in your own house. Is it Sarah?"

Sarah shrugged as Elva continued, "I'm not promising you anything."

"Ding dong."

"Avon calling," Elva smiled as she went to the buffet and began moving things around.

"I'll get it." Sarah left the room.

"Listen Elva," Agnes walked over beside Elva. "What have you got against me?"

"Against you...? What makes you think I have something against you? Just because you like to talk behind my back to have me locked away?" Elva picked up a sharp steak knife and began wiping it with a soft napkin. "If I were you I would be careful just who you talk about behind their back. Some people don't like that and not everyone is as civilized as I am."

Agnes gasped, backed up bumping into a chair almost tilting it over.

"Hello Agnes, Elva." The Reverend Randy Reed said as he entered.

"Randy!" Agnes said. "Thank goodness you're here. Elva just threatened me."

All faces turned to Elva.

"Hello Randy." Elva pushed a loose hair behind her ear. "Agnes, I don't understand what you're talking about. I just told her that civilized people never talk behind somebody's back and certainly should never threaten to have them placed in a home. You wouldn't do that would you Randy? Don't answer yet. I heard you talking about me today with Agnes. That really isn't very polite and certainly not very Episcopalian of you."

"Please everyone," Sarah interrupted. "We're going to have others arriving soon and we must all calm down. Sister, I'm sure Agnes didn't mean anything by it. She and the Reverend are just concerned for your well-being."

"Ding dong."

"Avon calling," Elva sang out then left the room to the kitchen and Sarah headed to the front door.

"I swear she threatened me," Agnes said her voice nervous and shaking, "with a knife!"

"What?" Randy asked. "She threatened you with a knife?

"Well she was wiping the knife with a napkin, but I know what she was meaning."

"For heaven sakes, Agnes you can't go around making false accusations."

Sarah came back into the room brushing her hair down in place, followed by Willie McTavish.

"Sheriff!" Agnes said. "I have been threatened. Elva threatened me."

Willie stood there a moment, looked around the room and then at the faces of everyone there. "Agnes, Elva says a lot of things but she's not dangerous. Let me ask you — did she come to your house and threaten you?"

"No, but I...."

"Did anyone witness this threat?"

"Well, no, but she repeated if for all to hear."

"Is that right Randy?"

"Hum, let's see — she said she heard us threatening to put her in a home and that it wasn't very Episcopalian of me to suggest such a thing, especially behind her back. Sarah, wouldn't you say that's about what she said?" He took a handkerchief and wiped the moisture from his balding head.

Willie turned to Agnes. "It sounds to me you have no witnesses and the only thing anyone witnessed was her accusing you of doing the threatening."

"But Sheriff...." Agnes began but was interrupted.

Elva entered the room carrying a full tray of food. "Oh hello Constable, foods ready. Sarah, would you help me please?"

"Let's all calm down and have something to eat. We more than likely will have others joining us soon." Sarah turned to Elva. "Have you seen Nicholas? He knows he should be here to eat with us. I imagine Mr. Donovan and Miss Jacobson will be here later. They have their own keys so if we start to eat we won't be interrupted."

Nicholas rushed into the room. "I'm not late am I?" Then turned to Sarah and held up his hand. "See? Clean."

"Have you seen Miss Jacobson?" Randy asked as he unconsciously straightened his collar.

"She moved in earlier and then went back out. Everybody help yourselves." Sarah said.

All heads turned to the shrill tone of feminine laughter. Mr. Donovan with Miss Jacobson attached to his arm strolled through the arched doorway.

"We were just getting ready to eat. But I want you to know we have warming trays and keep the evening food available for an hour." Sarah explained. "Please everybody, serve yourself and choose a seat."

Sarah watched as everyone rapidly chose places by picking up plates. Sheriff Willie McTavish took one end of the table, Reverend Reed the other end. Miss Karalina Jacobson sat to Willie's left and Patrick Donovan sat beside her. Nicholas scooted his chair and sat beside Patrick.

Reverend Reed sighed stared at Willie at the other end and huffed loudly as Karalina sat next to Willie and grunted unconsciously as Agnes sat beside him on his left.

Elva hurried and sat beside Agnes on her left. Although the table had room for additional places the last space was on Willie's right side. Sarah glanced at the table and reluctantly sat beside Willie on his right side. She was directly across from Karalina.

Willie began cutting and stirring his food and looked up as everyone sat quietly looking at the Reverend Randy Reed.

"Willie McTavish, show a little respect for the Lord!" Agnes chastised.

"The Lord I respect — Randy not even." Willie bit into a juicy slice of roast beef that he had dipped into succulent gravy.

"Go ahead Reverend Reed." Agnes frowned, shook her head then bowed it followed by everyone except Willie.

"Our heavenly Father," Randy raised his head and peeped through his left eye. "Thank you for this food we are about to receive and please forgive those that are weak of the flesh. Forgive those that are insecure in their own insignificant statue no matter how physically trivial they are and impotent their persona may be. Amen."

"Amen," Several voices repeated aloud or in a whisper.

"That certainly was a strange blessing." Agnes said staring at Randy as he took a napkin and spread it in his lap.

"Strange? It was accusatory." Elva said.

"You know, Elva for once I think you're right. Reverend what did you mean? Insignificant statue...? Physically trivial ― Impotent-persona...?" Agnes questioned as she rearranged her silverware.

Suddenly Elva let out a high pitch cackle that caught everyone's attention. She continued laughing as everyone watched her in dismay.

"Elva what is it?" Agnes nudged her with a finger to get her attention and in hopes the high pitched laughter would cease.

"Why Randy, you're a bad boy." Elva said with a loud snort. "Who were you talking about? The Constable...?" She burst into laughter again. "You will have to ask Sarah about the answer to those questions Agnes."

"Elva!" Sarah snapped.

Everyone became quiet and turned to look at Sarah, and then to Willie who was busy stuffing his face while ignoring everyone. Finally he paused, looked up, sat down his fork, lifted a cup took a sip, slowly dabbed his mouth with the linen napkin.

"Randy," Willie began. "I know when we were in the 8th grade you used to peek at me in the locker room and for many years...."

"That will be enough!" Sarah scolded. "Constable McTavish, please refrain from further remarks no matter how you wish to continue. Please?"

"Certainly Sarah," He patted her hand and she jerked like she had been shocked glances around the table to see who was watching.

"Oh I get it now." Karalina spoke up with a sexy giggle. "The preacher over there said the cop had a little willie that was flaccid. Even said it to God. And I thought this was going to be a dry boring evening."

"Please can't we change the subject?" Sarah pleaded. "What do you do for a living Karalina?"

Karalina burst from a giggle to a full laugh. "I help little willies stand tall and become big willies." Then she laughed loudly at her own ambiguous remark.

"What do you mean?" Patrick grilled as his own curiosity peaked.

"Nicholas!" Sarah interjected. "Please take your food and go to the kitchen this is no place for a child."

"Ah man! It was just getting interesting. I miss out on everything." But he stood picked up his plate and went into the kitchen.

"Please forgive me Ms. Jacobson — Karalina. I understand you're probably not used to young children being around but Mr. Donovan — Patrick, you will have to get used to children." Sarah nodded as if to punctuate the end of her sentence.

"I'm sorry, I did forget about the boy." Karalina responded.

"So what did you mean?" Patrick resumed the questioning with a goofy grin on his face. "Make little willies big."

"I make my living making little willies big." Karalina paused for effect then laughed deep and loud.

Everyone stopped eating and sat quietly slack jaw watching her enjoy the moment.

"Well?" The Reverend questioned, dabbing his neck with the napkin.

"I sell drugs." She answered flatly and pursed her lips together in wait as she bit into a hot flaky biscuit, she smiled and thought to herself maybe she should call it a crumpet.

"What?" Agnes screeched.

"Whoa, I sell ED and tranquilizer drugs to pharmacies and doctors' offices. You know Viagra and Valium."

"I know Valium it's a tranquilizer. What is Viagra? What is ED? Whatever does she mean?" Elva asked.

"I haven't a clue." Agnes shook her head.

Both women turned to Sarah for information.

"I don't know." Sarah shrugged.

The three men sat silently. Willie grinned, Randy's face was beet red and Patrick sniggered.

"Well for gosh sakes, will someone tell us?" Agnes looked around at the men.

The room became silent. Karalina sat smiling daring the gentlemen to answer the ladies, raising one eyebrow as she looked from man to man.

Suddenly the door to the kitchen slung open. "It's erectile dysfunction!" Nicholas shouted as he continued back into the room. He stopped for a moment at the buffet, added a few more vegetables, then proceeded to return to his vacant seat by Patrick and sat down.

"Nicholas...." Sarah gasped.

"Aunt Sarah, obviously you need me in the room to explain these things." Nicholas scooted his plate to where he wanted and then his chair squeaked as he pulled it across the floor and sat down.

"Very well," Sarah answered in defeat.

"What is it? This ED...?" Elva asked and both Sarah and Agnes focused their attention on Nicholas.

"It is pills, that makes men's penises erect." He turned to Mr. Donovan and asked, "Is that the plural of penis? Penises?"

"That will be enough." Sarah's eyes flew wide and as she rapidly interrupted them.

"It's no big deal anymore." Karalina replied looking around the table.

"I said that will be enough. Let's talk about something else please."

Everyone was quiet for a moment and then Agnes spoke up. "Willie did you find out anything about Mr. Berkinbuss?"

"All this talk about penises, is it making you miss your conversatin?" Elva piped as she cackled with laughter.

Agnes looked at Elva and then glanced at the plea in Sarah's face, nodded to Sarah and chose to ignore Elva's comment. She looked to the Sheriff and awaited his answer.

"I did check with the Sher... uh, constable in Bruburn. He said, he didn't know anything right off but would check around and get back to me."

"Thank you." Agnes responded.

Elva stood up, picked up her tea cup and went to the buffet. "Would anyone like me to serve them some more tea or coffee?" She asked.

"I would Elva," Willie said, "Coffee please."

"I'm full," Agnes said. "Jeffrey always said I eat like a bird."

"Yeah a damn vulture," Elva snipped.

"Thank you darling tea for me, please." Karalina said suppressing a laugh.

Elva served Willie first and then brought Karalina hot unsweetened tea. She returned the tea pot to the buffet and then brought over the creamer and sugar bowl sitting them between the two of them.

"Nicholas? Anyone? Milk?" Elva paused as everyone indicated no. She then asked, "Anybody ready for pie? We have apple and pecan."

Everyone except Nicholas indicated they didn't desire pie.

"Perhaps later then," Elva said then looked at Sarah.

"Would anyone like to retire to the parlor for wine or something a little stronger than coffee or tea?" Sarah asked.

"I'll clean up in here." Elva offered.

"Are you sure Sister? I'll do it." Sarah offered.

"No, that's fine. Nicholas will give me a hand. Won't you Nicholas?"

Nicholas huffed, grunted and mumbled, "Like I have a choice."

As if on cue, when Sarah arose everyone followed suit.

"That sounds good." Willie said standing, "I'm about coffeeed-out."

Sarah led the way to the parlor, walked over to a huge vintage liquor cabinet, pulled a key from her neck, unlocked the doors and slid a front board out. She opened the doors to a cornucopia of glasses, wines, and liquors.

"Please help yourselves, there is a chalk board, so just write your name down and put a mark each time you get a drink. Remember it's an honor system." Sarah said and then walked over to an old Edison Cylinder Phonograph, they called the Edison. She pulled out a cylinder that looked larger than the toss away cardboard from a toilet roll then slide it onto a spindle. Cranked the handle several times and carefully engaged the needle.

Several pops, then thick fuzzy static with a slight roar and then the room filled with 'The Rites of Spring.'

"This was one of Papa's favorites." Sarah said to no one and everyone at the same time.

"Le sacre du printemps." Karalina smiled her eyes softened within moments.

"You really have to move into the digital age." Willie said to Sarah after pouring himself a scotch and water. "You could get a much clearer rendition of whatever that song is. Do you have any ice Sarah?"

"I forgot. I'll be back in a moment." Sarah hurried out of the room.

Patrick poured himself a bourbon and coke, looked at Karalina and said, "Can I pour anything for anyone?"

"Would you make me something sweet? I don't care what as long as it's sweet." Karalina added.

"That looks interesting." Randy picked up an old bottle of brandy; the label faded, pulled out a glass and poured some into a snifter.

"Constable McTavish...." Karalina began.

"Please call me Willie." He said. "We use the Constable for Elva. It is not for me to say why, but we play along with her perpetual delusion that we are Anglos. The area was settled way back when by the English but mostly the Scotts so we have come to humor her over the past several years."

"Why is that?"

"She gets agitated easily. If you're here any length of time you will see what I mean."

"I see. What I was going to ask is what is it between you and the Reverend and why was he insulting your manhood? And you his proclivity and curiosity?"

"Here try this." Patrick interrupted the two and handed a drink to Karalina. "It's about all they had in the sweet category."

"That's nice." She took a sip and said, "A sweet martini with Gin and vermouth."

"You got it."

"Perfect." She graced him with a smile and then turned back to Willie, but moved her body to the left opening up the conversation so Patrick could join.

"Willie, what was all that hostility between you and the Reverend?"

Agnes had just finished pouring her a glass of white wine and nosed her way into the conversation. "I can answer that." Agnes said loudly as she scurried over to the group, leaving Randy with the brandy bottle.

"Willie used to date Randy's girlfriend, back when they were still teens. Took her away from him and Randy never forgave him." Agnes explained.

Willie just dropped his head and shook it while he muttered. "Sometimes it just doesn't pay enough to live in a small town. By the way Agnes, if I remember correctly didn't your husband, Jeffrey, take her away from me and made her his first wife."

"Oh, yes." Agnes smiled. "My Jeffrey was a ladies man."

"Here's the I-C-E!" Elva sang out carrying a bucket and setting it down on the liquor cabinet. "Who wants some ice?"

"I believe I will have me one more." Willie excused himself and lumbered over to Elva and the ice.

Agnes lowered her voice to just above a whisper then continued her story to Karalina and Patrick. "Willie used to accuse Randy of peeping at him in gym class. Jeffrey told me about that. Joanna ― that was Jeffrey's first wife ― Jeffrey is my late husband. I was actually his fourth wife.... Anyway, Joanna used to tell him that Willie told her Randy was a peeper. He would peep at any and everybody. Anyway, Jeffrey said, Joanna said, Randy said Willie was... how do I say this...? Rather small in the gentlemen's department. If you know what I mean." Agnes inhaled loudly gasping for air then added, "They used to say a lot of things."

Elva piped in from across the room. "They called Willie here an, 'itty bitty, teeny weenie.' Didn't they Willie?" She added slapping Willie on the back.

"Elva how did you hear me from way over there." Agnes said.

"They say I'm addlepated, not deaf." Elva replied and added. "That over there is peeping Randy. He became a preacher so people would drop the peeping. Now they just call him the peeping preacher." She cackled at her own joke.

"Elva," Randy sighed loudly, as if he had been through this many times. "When people are young they get into lots of mischief. It is part of the growing process. If I recall you have a few skeletons per say, in your own closet."

"Reverend Reed!" Sarah barked from the doorway. "We need not go into people's lives in front of our boarders, if you please."

"But they started it." Randy half whined.

"Well you are the adult here, a man of the cloth and in full control of all your faculties, you should act as such." Sarah reminded him.

An audible grunt came from Randy and then he exhaled loudly, turned back to the liquor cabinet and poured some more brandy.

"Ding dong."

"Avon calling," Elva chimed in grinning as every eye looked at her.

"Now I wonder who that might be." Sarah said as she left the room.

"Can I get anyone another drink?" Elva asked.

"I would love another one." Karalina said. "But two is my limit. They will have to pull me off the ceiling if I have more."

"And you were having?" Elva asked.

"Sweet martini."

"Agnes, and you?"

"The white wine."

"Patrick, my boy?" Elva asked.

"Gin and tonic water for me, maybe some ice now."

Elva busied herself over at the liquor cabinet. Then she put all the drinks on a tray served them and retrieved their old ones.

They thanked her and each took a test sip.

Karalina's eyes flew open wide. "Wow, that's powerful."

Both Patrick and Agnes took a sip.

"So is mine," Patrick said.

"I'm not too sure but I think she added some gin to my wine." Agnes said snarling her nose.

"Well look who's here!" Sarah said from the doorway.

All heads turned to stare at a young woman near Patrick's age. Thick long brown hair tied up with a pale blue bandanna, large brown eyes, shapely hour glass figure dressed in tan slacks and a white smudged blouse. She looked as if she had been cleaning.

Agnes grimaced for a moment then smiled. "Hello Tamika."

"Hi Aunt Aggie," The girl said gritting her teeth as she glanced around the room. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Please come in and join us Tamika." Sarah said, then glanced at the Edison Cylinder Phonograph and sighed. "Couldn't anyone have changed that? It's not good to let a cylinder sit and spin." She walked over to administer to the phonograph.

"Sit and spin. Sit and spin." Elva mimicked the intonation of Sarah's frustration.

"Tamika please let me introduce you to Sarah's new boarders." Agnes nodded to Tamika.

"This is Karalina," she turned to the women. "I'm sorry I can't remember your last name."

"Jacobson, darling," Karalina answered offering out her hand palm down, fingers slightly bent.

"This is my step daughter, Tamika, from Jeffrey's first wife."

"Hi sugar, aren't you just the sweetest slice of pie that's come around here in a long time." Tamika took her hand and lifted it slightly in the air as if to insinuate she was going to kiss it.

"Harrumph!" Agnes cleared her voice forcefully. "And this is Patrick Donovan. He's a new science teacher at the high school."

"My, my, my, when did they start making stud-muffins out of science geeks?" She grinned and winked at Patrick.

"Glad to meet you." He grinned and glanced back to Agnes.

"Tamika's a social studies teacher at the high school." Agnes replied.

"Great. It's always good to know someone when you're new at a job." Patrick stated flatly and grinned at Tamaki.

"How do, you do?" Tamaki said stiffly with a faux snob attitude while holding out her hand for him to grasp. "I don't believe I caught the name."

"Patrick Donovan." Patrick placed both of his hands on hers and gave it a warm shake. "Is that Miss or Mrs.? I didn't catch the last name."

"Hilltop."

"Of the Hilltops?" Patrick added.

"Tamika, what music would you like?" Sarah called from across the room.

"I'll be over there in a moment." Tamika called to Sarah then turned back to Patrick and Karalina. "When I was a little girl after my mother died, Sarah took great care of me. We used to listen to music for hours on end. She still likes for me to pick the music. I think the world of her. She's like the mother I never had." She glanced at Agnes then left the three of them standing there.

"But, but, Tamika...." Agnes groaned and turned to Karalina. "She never did say why she came over or what she wanted."

"Hey everybody," Nicholas rushed into the room cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled. "It's starting to rain. If you have car windows down you might want to roll them up. Looks like a bad storm coming. Looks like cumulonimbus clouds." He spoke loudly then looked around to catch Mr. Patrick's eye and was rewarded with a nod and a smile.

"Anybody want me to roll up their windows?" Nicholas' chest puffed up just a bit as he looked around.

"Darling, dear boy, would you? That would be so nice. Let me get my keys. You will need them to put up the windows." Karalina hurried over to the table where she had left her purse and began fishing deep within.

"My windows are up but would you grab my cell phone?" The Reverend came over and handed Nicholas his keys.

"Anybody else?" Nicholas scanned the room then hurried out.

"Ding dong!"

"Avon calling," Elva sang out from where she stood watching Tamika and Sarah as they gently handled the fragile cylinders of music.

Then slowly they heard the static and pop, as the thick bass notes of piano filled the room with Rachmaninoff's piano concerto #2. It was a slow methodical evolution of masculine chords intertwined with progressive tones forcefully vibrating the room. Everyone paused and looked toward Sarah then at the door to see who Nicholas had let in the front door.

The music built hard and fast as they watched the entrance of Deputy Veronica Devilin. She was short and shapely, long blonde hair, huge blue eyes with an immaculately neat pressed uniform and an attitude to prove.

She glanced around the room then called out, "Sheriff."

"What is it VD?" Willie asked.

"Please Sheriff, don't call me that. It's Deputy Devilin. I swear I will complain to the state for harassment."

"Sheriff!" Elva shrieked. "What's that? What did she say?" Elva started to sway back and forth and huff. Her hands started to tremble as she reached up and held her chest.

Sarah rushed over and patted her sister on the back. "Dear, dear... she said sherry. She wants a glass of sherry!"

"What?" Elva stilled and looked at her sister. "Sherry? Oh I'll get it." Elva scurried over to the bar relaxed and calm as if nothing ever happened. "Would white wine do?"

"VD! What did I tell you about that word here?" Willie hissed low and threatening.

"Don't call me that!" Veronica hissed back. "So that's the old dimwit with hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia." She sucked in air at the end of the last syllable and grinned.

"It's not long words that give her anxiety attacks just that one word. Besides that's not a real phobia, VD." Willie explained. "So, what are you doing here? What do you want? And now you know why you need to call me Constable."

"The weather is supposed to get bad. It's a tropical storm almost a hurricane class. They call it tropical storm Florence. They say it's changed course and is already on us. It's going to get pretty rough."

Willie nodded. "I had been keeping an eye on the storm. I figured it would head our way. Last time I checked it had picked up speed. It was on the border of being a class 1."

"Boom!" A heavy crack of thunder and a blinding flash of lighting permeated the room then the room went black. The house and the ground itself shook. Everyone stood frozen in the blackened room for a moment.

"Nicholas!" Sarah gasped and another flash so bright it nearly blinded them.

"I'm all right!" Nicholas yelled his voice spat forth loudly from the long foyer and then he ran into the room followed by the distant slamming bang of the front door.

"Whew, thank God." Sarah whispered.

Several 'amen', punctuated the darkened room and then there was light. Cell phones started popping on throughout the room.

"VD, I'll contact Gay at the office and see what I can find out about the power. See what all is out. She probably can tell me." Willie shouted loudly as the sounds of Rachmaninoff's concerto overwhelmed the room now.

"I have some candles in the library." Sarah said. "Sister would you bring the lanterns in from the back pantry? Could somebody with a phone light help us?"

Another blinding light and roar of thunder shook the building. "I'll help." Patrick said holding his phone up.

"Nicholas, were you able to get my phone?" Randy asked.

"No sir, I did get the windows up on all the vehicles, here's all of your keys back." Nicholas said. "I'll help Aunt Elva and Mr. Donovan, carry the lamps." He then fell in behind them as they left the room.

"I'll help with the candles." Tamaki said. "I'm not sure how much charge I have. It has such a good battery I forget to plug it in."

"Sheriff, did you get in touch with Gay?" Deputy Devilin asked when she saw he had finished with the radio.

"I said call me Constable here. Is that too hard to remember?" Willie clinched his jaw, his voice harsh and commanding.

"No sir, I'll remember." She answered. "So what's with the old lady? What makes her so crazy?"

"Listen you snot nose little shit. She's ten times the woman you'll ever be and I don't want to hear any talk like that ever again. Understand?"

"She ain't around. What's the dif?"

"VD, you ought to have your brains counted." Willie shook his head in frustration. "Consider yourself off duty get yourself a drink."

"We have the lanterns." Elva sang the words melodically as they brought in five large chimney lamp oil lanterns.

The music had ended and the phonograph made a repetitive thumping hiss as the needle slowly cuts a groove in the wax cylinder.

"Oh no," Sarah said as she returned with Tamika, candles and holders in hand.

She rushed over to the phonograph. "I forgot about father's Edison. Oh my, I hope it didn't damage the record."

Tamika set the candles on the liquor bar and followed her over. "It will be okay Sarah. It hasn't been spinning that long."

"You think so? I hope so. It was fathers."

"Who's got fire?" Elva asked loudly paused and waited, "Anybody? Surely somebody has matches, a lighter. Nobody smokes anymore?" She kept looking around. "You expect to live forever, or what?"

"Uh, I do." Nicholas sheepishly volunteered. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a Zippo flip top lighter.

"What the... never mind." Elva said. "Well it's your lighter you might as well light them, Nicholas."

He grinned and lit the first one and watched as the room bloomed outward in the amber flamed light.

Outside the rain fell in torrents. The heavy lightning receded to a distance with the long rumbles of thunder as the sound continued to vibrate the house infrequently.

It wasn't long until the room was bright and the cell phones were put away.

"Well Constable," Veronica spoke loud slow and deliberate. "Did our dispatcher say anything about the power outage?"

"Gay said a way station transformer was hit on the outskirts of town. The power company said it may be morning before they get power back on." Willie explained.

"Thank you for the information Constable." Veronica again said loudly.

"Well when everyone is ready for bed, I have candles and finger ringed carry candle holders." Sarah said, demonstrating the holder as she hooked her index finger through it.

"Sarah, would you play some Chopin?" Tamika asked.

"Tamika don't you remember that cylinder was broken years ago."

"I have some on my phone, it won't be very loud but it will be soothing." Tamika clicked it on and found the tune.

"Pop! Pop!"

"What was that? What was that pop?" Elva asked.

"I thought it was your hip Sister." Sarah shook her head.

"Not this time." Elva snapped.

Sarah looked around the room and started counting heads. Patrick and Karalina were in the love seat sipping a drink with Nicholas standing close. Her hand was patting him on the leg and he was smiling. Nicholas was taking it all in. Then there was Deputy Devlin talking to Willie McTavish. Sarah wondered what had brought the Deputy over. Everything had happened shortly after she had arrived. Tamika was chatting now with Elva. That didn't surprise her. Tamika loved to come over. She always said it was better than hanging around with Agnes.

Agnes? Where did she go? And where was Reverend Reed? How odd. Maybe they went to the bathroom but that didn't seem quite right to Sarah. She wondered. She had brought eight tapered candles and carriers. She walked over to the liquor cabinet where she had sat them and counted.

Seven. One was missing but why one. She hadn't seen them light it. They could have used one of the lanterns to light it. As far as she knew Nicholas had the only fire. How had he gotten that lighter? It looked familiar. One of the men in the Frengland Channel had smoked. She tried to remember whom, didn't she get on to him for smoking in the house. It was the clicking sound she remembered; the metallic clinking sound of the opening and closing of the lighter. It had been Mr. Berkinbuss' lighter. But how did Nicholas get it? Surely he couldn't be responsible.

What if Agnes saw the lighter? She had been sweet on Mr. Berkinbuss. And her husband hadn't been dead that long. Sarah caught herself shaking her head from time to time and forced herself to stop. If Agnes saw the lighter she would demand to know how Nicholas came about having it. She wished she could talk with Sister.

Should she ask if anyone had seen either one of them? Sarah caught her hand wringing and stopped. What had that popping sound been earlier? It wasn't a normal sound. She forced herself again to quit the hand wringing. Maybe a glass of wine would help her nerves.

She walked over and retrieved a long stem wine glass. Looked for the red wine and turned several bottles. Maybe they were out. She decided she would have a little white wine and began to pour.

"Excuse me Tamika for a moment I need to say something to Sarah. Have you met the new teacher? Please introduce yourself. Hey science guy, have you met Tamika. She's a teacher too." Then Elva left rapidly and bee lined to Sarah.

"Sarah! Whatever are you doing?" Elva huffed out breathlessly.

"Hi Sister, I wanted to talk to you. Oh, I'm pouring myself a glass of wine."

"But you don't drink white wine dear."

"I didn't see any red or rosé."

Elva picked up the glass of wine her sister had just poured. "Dear, white wine makes you ill. Don't you remember?"

"It's been years since I drank it. I figured a little wouldn't hurt. I'm beside myself with dread."

"Dread? Why is that?" Elva poured the wine back into the bottle and bent down opening the doors below and dug through the cabinet. "Here I found some red."

"Oh thank goodness. I'm worried about Agnes. She and Randy have disappeared and only one candle gone. And there's more but I don't want to talk about it here, now."

"There they are." Elva pointed at Agnes and the Reverend as they returned carrying one candle."

"Hey Aggie," Elva yelled. "You, been conversatin' with peeping Randy?"

Agnes blew out the candle and set it down on the bar where Elva stood. "Elva if you must know, I had to go to the bathroom and Randy went with me. And before you say it, he stood outside the door, so just knock it off."

Elva cackled loudly. "Don't you have a home and don't forget you still owe for the buffet and the drinks."

"I've eaten here often over the years and Sarah can tell you I always pay." Agnes clicked her tongue at Elva and shook her head. "You're sick Elva you need to be locked away! I'm sick of your weird accusations, innuendoes and outright lies."

"And I'm sick of looking at your ugly mug." Elva puffed up her chest, her heavy bosoms swelled, she narrowed her eyes and in a very low cold voice she whispered, "Listen Agnes! You and I have been enemies for years. Ever since the incident! Now, for Sarah's sake I have put up with you. If you don't stay out of my business I will kill you. And that isn't a threat."

Because of the flickering flamed lights the stark fear in Agnes was visible only to Elva and Sarah. Agnes backed up and started whispering furiously to Randy who was emptying the brandy bottle. Randy pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the spritz of Agnes' spittle from his face.

"What the...!" Somebody shouted.

A commotion was taking place across the room. The Deputy had fallen.

Everyone in the room rushed towards the activity. Tamika stopped the music she was playing.

"What's going on?" Sarah asked.

"The Constable caught VD." Tamika proclaimed.

"What! What? What are you talking about?" Sarah's hand went to her chest as she inhaled heavily.

"She said Willie caught VD." Elva repeated. "You better get yourself checked Sarah."

"Not that.... Veronica passed out and the Constable caught her." Tamika clarified as she helped Willie lower Veronica to the ground.

Tamika raised her head her voice quivering. "I think she's dead. Somebody call an ambulance."

Hands started moving reaching for phones. "I'll call." Patrick said, "Dispatch? Yes we need an ambulance at 2424 Mockingbird. We have a female Deputy that has collapsed." Patrick nodded several times as he listened. "Sheri... Constable.... The dispatcher wanted to know if you were still here. I said yeah and she wants to talk to you. She said her name is Gay." He handed the phone to Willie.

"Yeah Gay, it's Veronica. She stopped breathing. We're going to start resuscitation but check her medical file and see if she's allergic to anything. I'm going to start now. I'm giving the phone back to the feller who called and you can tell him. Okay. Thanks." He handed the phone back to Patrick. "You heard that didn't you?"

Patrick nodded.

"Just stay on the line and pass any info she might find." Willie ordered. "And remind her that the power is still out over here."

Tamika and Willie administered resuscitation while everyone stood around holding lamps. After several minutes Patrick spoke up. "The dispatcher said the bridge is flooded out. The ambulance can't get through." Patrick informed them and then asked, "Is that the only way out?"

Willie stopped, raised his head. "I don't know what's wrong but this isn't working." He looked up at Patrick. "Ask Gay if she found her medical records. Was there anything in there?"

Patrick started to speak on the phone and stopped. "She heard you. She said she was allergic to shellfish but nothing else was indicated."

"Shellfish!" Willie repeated. "There hasn't been any shellfish here."

"Maybe she got a hold of some before she got here." Tamika said. "This isn't doing anything. Her lips are turning blue." She stood up and shook her head.

"Oh Sister," Sarah said. "I can't believe this."

"If they can't get through to us tonight what shall we do with her?" Elva scratched her head. "Agnes, can she spend the night at your house?"

"For God sakes Elva, she's dead! She's not here for a slumber party." Agnes fussed."

"I suppose she could spend the night in the library. The sofa pulls out into a bed. I really don't want her staying in one of our empty rooms. If future tenants find out they will never stay here again." Sarah said.

"Sarah! That sounds so callous." Elva chastised. "Gentlemen, if we could get you to carry her to the library I will get a blanket to cover her."

Willie nodded. "Elva's right. Rescue may get through later but we can't leave her here. If I can get some help here?"

"I'll help." Nicholas volunteered. "Wow, she's really dead."

"Nicholas, I believe Mr. Donovan, the Reverend and the Constable can handle it. They don't need your help."

"Ah man! I can help. I'm a lot stronger than I look. Besides she's dead."

"That's enough." Sarah said.

"I'll get a lamp and hold the doors." Nicholas volunteered, and rushed to get one of the lamps.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

The room became silent.

"Bam, Bam, Bam."

"Maybe it's the ambulance people." Sarah suggested. "Maybe they got across the bridge."

"She's right. Maybe it's the rescue department." Willie agreed.

"I'll check." Nicholas said. "I've already got the lamp. Don't move her until I get back."

"Don't run with that glass lamp." Sarah called after him as the shadows in the room deepened from one less lamplight.

"I'll get the blanket from the back downstairs linen closet." Elva said. "I'm going to take one of the lamps."

"Sister looks like we're going to have a few extra people spending the night. Help me figure it out and we better open some of the other rooms."

"Let me help you." Tamika offered and the room dimmed more as they left with two lamps.

"Wow the rain is still pouring down hard." Patrick said more to fill the silence than for any other reason. "I'm going to have me a shot. Anybody want one? Reverend? Mrs. Hilltop? How about you Constable?"

"Thanks, I better pass for now." Willie said and added with a mumble. "Got to keep my senses."

"Don't mind if I do." Randy said as he headed back to the bar. "Agnes, would you like another glass of wine?"

"White, please... just a bit." Agnes said, leaning over Veronica's body. "What's that on her arm there?"

"What is it?" Willie squatted back down. "Looks red... could be a rash. It might be where I caught her when she fell.

Randy walked over and handed Agnes the glass of wine then took a gulp of brandy. It took his breath. "Does she have anyone that needs to be contacted?"

Willie straightened up and ran his hand through his hair. "I hadn't thought about it. Thanks for reminding me. I'll call Gay and let her check the records. I don't have a clue."

"I wonder who was at the front door." Agnes mused. "Shouldn't Nicholas be back by now?"

"It does seem like he's been gone too long." Patrick noted. "Then again, he's probably experimenting with the lamp and shadows on the wall."

"I guess I better go check on him." Willie said. "I'm going to take another lamp. If you need more light than that, don't forget the candles. Tell the sisters if they get back before I do." He picked up the lamp and left.

"Wow, one lamp doesn't put out much light." Patrick said. "Maybe I should light a candle or two."

"It's not so bad and somebody will be back soon." Randy said with a crooked grin. "Makes the wrinkles not look so deep." Then he winked at Patrick.

"O... Kay...." Patrick dragged the word out slow and deliberate. "Uh, I think I'll go light a couple candles anyway."

"I meant her. You dumb ass." Randy slurred the explanation.

"Reverend," Agnes said with a smiled and a laugh. "You have always been a flirtation drunk. And Patrick, I wouldn't bet he didn't mean both of us."

"Now Aggie, you know I always had a thing for you."

"Really? Do you know Elva still carries a grudge towards me for the incident all those years ago?"

"The incident?" He giggled then caught himself and stopped. "I forgot all about the incident."

"Well Elva's getting more dingy every day. She's losing her mind and now she's returning to her childhood. She threw the incident up in my face tonight. I hadn't thought about it in years and now that her mind's failing she's revisiting it. And we don't need that now, do we? She can be violent you know."

"We were so mean. Well you and Valerie were. Wasn't that her name? Higg..., something or other."

Agnes sighed and took a sip of her wine. "Higginbottom. She really was a dear and then her death. Do you know part of me still believes Elva had something to do with it? More than just an accident that is."

"Now, now, she was cleared of all those charges." Randy said. "And we did do what we did." He laughed then shook his head as if to make himself quit.

"It was all for fun but...." Agnes stopped as Sarah, Elva and Tamika returned.

"We got everything set up and situated. We are ready for whoever wants to stay." Sarah declared. "Elva, would you cover the poor dear deceased girl?"

Elva stopped and looked around a moment. "Sarah, I wonder who was at the door. Where's Nicholas?"

"You're right, and the Constable. Where's Nicholas?" Sarah asked Agnes.

"He never came back and Willie went to look for him." Agnes answered.

"Oh my, something must be wrong." Sarah declared. "Here let me have the blanket and I'll cover her up. I need to keep busy. I can't imagine why they aren't back."

"Sarah, everything is okay. I'll go find them." Tamika picked up the lamp she had just sat down and left the room.

Almost as soon as Tamika left the room she came back in with Willie just behind her.

"Thank goodness." Sarah declared with a deep breath then she kept watching. Nicholas wasn't following them. She dropped the blanket and ran over to them. "Where's Nicholas? How did you get wet? What's going on?"

"Sarah, calm down. Panic isn't going to help anything." Willie said. "Nicholas isn't there. When I got there the front door was open. Nicholas was gone. There was mud all over both the external and internal foyer. I went outside and called him. I checked the den and the front sitting room. Nothing. I came back to get some help. We will break down and look the house over. He has to be here. Surely he didn't go out into the heavy rain. As for someone being at the door, there's just the muddy mess all over the place. But most of all I need you to stay calm. Sarah do you hear me? Are you listening?"

"Yes Willie, I'm listening."

Willie walked over and gave her a hug and a pat on the back. "It will be okay. Don't worry. We will break down in teams and search the house and the grounds. But first we need to move the Deputy's body into the library."

He let loose and walked over to the body, paused and started looking around. Then he squatted down and looked closer. "Where's the Deputy's gun? It's gone. Did anybody take it?"

Willie stood up and looked around the room, from face to face. Everyone remained quiet.

Willie stood there trying to remember before he accused everyone. Did she have her gun? He couldn't remember. He hadn't noticed. Maybe she had left it in her car but why would she have done that? He would have to go check.

"Come on guys let's get the Deputy moved then we will break up into groups and find the boy." Willie said.

Chapter 4

Elva and Sarah returned to the empty parlor after they had finished the area they were told to search. Elva set the lamp on the table.

"Elva I'm glad we took the basement. We certainly don't need anybody snooping down there. I just hope somebody finds Nicholas."

"I couldn't believe all that water. I can't ever remember it flooded, much less flooded like that. I do hope our gentlemen are all okay." Elva mentioned.

"Oh my, I forgot about all of them. The water must have come in through the open cellar door. I don't know how it got opened."

"Sarah, do you think that's what could have happened to Nicholas. He was down in the workshop earlier today, remembered he left the door open and went to close it. Maybe with all the rain and mud, he slipped and fell."

"I suppose you could be right. That would explain why he hasn't come back yet. Where can he be? Willie went outside to look around. I don't know if he will close the door or not. Do you think we should go out there and close it? We don't need any more water let in down there."

"Yes, yes, we should. I just had a worrisome thought Elva. What did you do with the personal belongs of our former gentlemen?

"Oh they're safe all put away in the attic. Even if anybody goes up there they won't think a thing about it. Sister, I'm going to have to sit for a few moments, my hip is killing me."

Elva walked slowly and painfully over to one of the brocade chairs and sat slowly, then leaned back. Just as she leaned back the Reverend ran screaming into the room. In his hand he carried an unlit candle hanging in the crook of his finger.

"Agnes has passed out. Something's wrong with her. Where's Willie? Where's anybody. She's fallen and I can't get her up."

Elva grunted and rose from the chair with a push and another groan. "Come on Sarah, let's see what Randy's ranting about."

"Where is she Reverend?" Sarah hurried to him. "Grab the lamp Sister. Randy where is she, is she alone?"

"Yeah, I left her on the front porch. We were upstairs, she said she was dizzy and needed some air. I helped her down the stairs and as soon as we went out on the porch she went down. I tried to revive her. I couldn't."

Randy used the lamp to relight his candle and then led the way back toward the porch. They left the parlor, entered a long corridor with several doors on either side. The tall ceilings loomed darkly above them muffling their footsteps. The long table on the left held a phone and a small lamp. Straight ahead the hall turned left to the library and right towards internal foyer. At the door threshold they went into what many in this area called the snow or mud room. It was an external room people used to hang their wet coats, pickup or leave umbrellas, and where people took off or put on their overshoes. The floor was slick and wet with numerous globs of mud.

There was so much mud spread out and smeared footprints it made Sarah groan while clicking her tongue. "It's going to take me forever to clean this mess."

They went out the door and Elva held up the lamp. "Where is she Randy?"

Randy held up his candle using his hand to block the air from the flame. He twisted about from side to side looking around the area. He then scurried to the far side of the porch. "She was right there!" His hand shook as he pointed at the empty forest green porch swing. He turned and pointed. "I left the lamp right there. It's gone too."

Sarah and Elva hurried behind him. They looked around the area, behind the swing, over the banisters.

"Here's the lamp," Sarah bent down to pick it up. "It was turned over and it rolled. The wind must have put out the flame."

"Maybe she went home. She drank too much and decided to go home." Elva speculated.

"Perhaps, but knowing Agnes, I can't imagine she would go out in rain like this. Even the large umbrella wouldn't protect her much. Besides the Constable took one and the other three are still in the umbrella-stand in the mudroom. I noticed it as we came out. Something is very wrong here." Sarah said wringing her hands.

"What are we going to do? Nobody can get in and nobody can get out." Elva held the lamp near her face and gave a sinister cackle. The wind whipped flames danced morbid shadows on her face.

"Elva! Stop it! This is beyond humorous. What is the Reverend going to think of you?" Sarah said.

"First of all we're talking about Randy, not a real preacher and second of all we're still talking about Randy." She cackled again. "Sarah, I don't know if you noticed but Randy's drunk."

"Elva, that's not a nice thing to say about a man of the cloth."

"Tell that to the man in the cloth." Elva laughed. "Watch this. Randy ― Look at me. What time is it?"

Randy pulled up his sleeve to look but he didn't have a watch on.

"See, Sarah, the fool's so drunk he can't remember he's not wearing a watch. He probably can't remember where he buried Agnes."

"How did you remember he didn't have a watch, Elva?"

"Who said I did." Elva said. "I just noticed he didn't have one when he lifted the candle up. Now watch this one. Randy?"

"Yes Elva." Randy leaned against the porch pillar for balance.

"Whose penis is bigger, yours or Willies?"

"His."

"Ha, are you sure?" Elva quizzed.

"Last time I looked."

Elva burst out laughing. "So whose boobies are bigger ― mine or Agnes'?"

"Yours are." He slurred.

Elva turned to Sarah and whispered. "This is better than truth serum. Now Randy, who took the pictures? The pictures of The Incident...?"

"Oh Elva, you know it wasn't me. I had my picture taken too. Why are you still harping on that?"

"Was it Agnes? Did she take the pictures? I know she passed them around. The Polaroid's were bad but the nickname I can never forgive or forget."

"It was Agnes or Valerie. I don't know. I know Valerie was upset later."

"So who spread the nickname?"

Before he could answer a flashlight appeared at the corner of the house. It was Willie, fighting the big umbrella alone.

"Constable," Sarah called. "Did you find Nicholas?"

"No." He yelled back and came around the porch and up the steps to meet them. He stomped his feet on the porch knocking mud off as Sarah gave him a disapproving eye which he ignored.

"Now we have more problems." Sarah explained. "Agnes is gone."

"What?" Willie said, scrubbing at his wet face with his equally wet hand.

"Randy lost her." Elva explained. "She just disappeared and that's a lot of ugly to just vanish. I think he killed her."

Willie walked over to Randy who was now hugging the banister with one hand and balancing the flame-less candle in the other. Willie grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up face to face. "Randy, what the hell's going on?"

"Willie?" Randy's eyes flew wide. "I swear ole buddy I wasn't peeking."

"What the hell are you talking about? Where's Agnes?"

"Oh! Yeah! She was sick. We came out on the porch. She collapsed and I put her in the swing. Now she's gone." Then he started a drunken cry. "I don't know where she went. I swear I don't."

"Suck it up fat boy." Elva ordered. "We've got too much going on for you to turn into a slobbering drunk. So shut-up and zip it!"

He sniffed several times and nodded.

"Now what...? Willie?" Elva asked. "We haven't seen Tamika, or what's her name ― Karalina or that Donovan fellow yet. Sarah and I checked the back rooms and we went down the steps to the cellar but it was flooded. We didn't walk out in the water but we didn't see anything from the steps."

Willie shook his head. "The cellar doors were open, that's how the water got in. It's rained so much there is a stream across the yard. Some of it ended up in the cellar. I shut the doors but I didn't see any sign of Nicholas or whoever pounded on the door."

"What do we do now?" Sarah asked.

"Shh! Listen?" Elva whispered.

"What was that?" Willie asked.

"It's probably Tamika and her group. Let's go check." Elva guessed.

"You ladies lead the way, I'll drag Randy."

They passed through the foyers, took a right down the short corridor. Straight ahead of them they heard a crash from the library. Like the flapping sound of a door banging in the wind.

"That didn't sound right." Sarah stopped in the hallway, and waited for Willie. "It sounds like glass breaking."

"I'll check it out." He flicked the beam from his flashlight ahead towards the closed library door. "I could swear we left the door open when we took VD in there."

"I'll help Randy." Elva volunteered as she grabbed his elbow to steady him.

Willie reached for the door handle, lifted it, and pushed on the door. The door gave a short squeak and opened wide. Willie entered the room his light methodically inspecting the area. A window pane glass laid shatter in a multitude of pieces on the floor. The force of the rain pushed the French doors open splattering buckets of water on the smoothly varnished hardwood floors.

"Oh no my floors," Sarah rushed forward to close the doors.

"Wait a minute Sarah!" Willie ordered. "VD's body is gone."

"What! The Deputy's body is gone?" Randy sobered up a bit and asked.

"This doesn't make any sense. Willie I'm scared." Sarah said as she moved as close as she could to Willie without hampering his movement.

"That's the first time you've called me Willie in a long time." He placed his arm around her for comfort.

Sarah's back stiffened and she moved away from him. "Thank you, I feel better now."

Elva brought her lamp closer to the door and kicked at the glass. "The window was broken from the outside. I don't know what's going on but we need to find the others before something happens to them also."

Willie turned to Sarah. "Elva's right. Let's go to the parlor and see if they're back yet."

"Willie," Elva observed. "The blanket is gone too. Do you think that means anything?"

"My blanket!" Sarah gasped. "My window, the mud, the basement.... What are we going to do?"

"Sarah, let's worry about those things tomorrow. Tonight we have to focus on finding Nicholas." Elva patted her sister's arm for comfort.

"Of course dear," Sarah agreed. "Let's go to the parlor. Come on Randy."

Willie led them out of the library and turned right toward the parlor when the phone on the long table rang.

"How odd, no one ever calls us." Sarah said, "At least never after dark."

"Will somebody answer it?" Elva snapped. "Do I have to do everything around here?"

"McTavish." Willie said into the receiver. "Okay. We're headed to the parlor now. Just break it off and come back. Uh huh, okay, there has been a new situation we need to tell you all about. Are you all okay?" He paused and grunted. "Okay. We'll see you in a few minutes."

He hung up and continued to the parlor. "I'm sure you guessed, it was the others. It was Tamika. She said they haven't found Nicholas. Said their phones were running out of power and they were headed back here."

"I'm going to have another drink." Randy declared.

"Like hell you are." Elva said, then glanced at Willie and added. "Randy bo-dandy, tee-tot-tandy, tee-tot, tie-tot, drunken fool Randy."

"Elva dear, please stay with us. I need you now." Sarah pleaded.

"Hey everybody; we're back." Tamika announced strolling in followed by Patrick and Karalina who was carrying the lamp.

"I need a drink darling." Karalina said placing the lamp down on the bar. "Anybody? I'm mixing."

"Brandy straight." Randy spoke up.

"None for the good Reverend please." Willie said. "So did you see anything? Anything at all that was out of place or odd?"

Patrick looked at Tamika; Tamika looked to Karalina who looked to Patrick.

"We went up the front stairs, checked all the rooms on the third floor and went up to the attic." He wiped at his cheek as if he were still removing spider webs. "We didn't see anything on either floor. The door to the attic was open." He looked to Sarah. "Was it left open or do you normally leave it open?"

Sarah looked up and to the right deep in thought. "Let's see.... Truthfully, I can't remember ― Sister?"

"If I recall correctly it was left open ― no closed. Oh I just can't remember. I don't know." Elva shook her head from side to side. "How much of the attic did you explore?" Elva directed her question back to Patrick.

"We went as far back as the partition and the planked wooden door. It has a padlock on a hasp. We figured you ladies had the key so nobody could have gone through there."

"How about disturbed dust?" Willie asked.

"Are you kidding? It's practically spotless, except for a couple spider webs. Seriously, it's as clean as this entire house." Again, Patrick ran his hand through his hair feeling for webs.

Willie turned to Sarah. "How many keys are there to that locked door?"

Sarah looked to Elva for an answer and was rewarded.

"We've never kept that door locked Constable. It has a hasp on it but there hasn't been a lock on it since we were kids."

"What's stored there?" Willie asked.

"Just the usual stuff is there. Like the rest of the attic. Old lamps, trunks, suitcases, boxes; whatever we don't use anymore." Elva answered.

"We're going to need a crowbar to pull the hasp? Or a hacksaw, do you have one?" Willie requested.

"All the tools would be in Papa's workshop in the basement and it's flooded." Sarah pointed out.

"I've got a car jack-handle in the back of the cruiser, I'll go get it. If you're not aware of the lock then there is something very wrong. I'll be right back. All of you wait here." He flicked on his flashlight and left the room.

Karalina poured her second shot of straight whiskey then sat down. She watched as Randy walked over to the bar and was watching her sipping at the shot of dark liquor. "Darling, why have they cut you off the drinks?"

"Willie's not my boss, never has been. Beside he's gone now. I will fix myself a drink. Sarah you know I'm good for it. I pay my bills. Just put it on my tab and I will pay up at the end of the month."

"So that is that how it works?" Karalina asked. "It's an honor system of a sort. Do all people play right?"

"Oh, yes." Elva said. "We trust people to tell us how much they owe us. It's always worked out well. Isn't that right sister?"

"Yes, it has, except that one time back when Father was still alive and there was a lady that drank champagne. She kept sneaking down to the wine cellar and helping herself."

"Wine cellar?" Patrick said. "You have a wine cellar? Where is it?"

"Why it's in the cellar, dear boy. Where else would it be?" Elva said with a smirk. "What college did you attend?"

"Did you check it?" Patrick asked ignoring her direct jabbed insult.

"No, we couldn't. It's just through Papa's workshop in the back of the basement. Didn't we tell you the basement is flooded?"

"Flooded? Is that right?" Patrick said as he headed to the bar. "Maybe I will fix myself a drink. So how deep is the water down there?"

"Sarah? How much water, would you say?"

"Let's see. It was up to the top edge of the workbench. That's about that high." She placed her hand flat at just above waist level.

"That's a lot of water. Do you have a sump pump?" Patrick suggested.

"We do, it comes on automatically when the water lever gets up. I guess since the power went off it is not working. Hopefully when the power comes back on it will empty it out but it's going to be an awful pile of mud. You see the floor has never been cemented over. It's just dirt." Elva explained.

"Can somebody tell me what time it is?" Sarah asked.

"My phone's dead." Tamika said.

"Mine too." Patrick added. "I used it too much as a flashlight."

"Doesn't anybody wear a watch anymore?" Elva asked.

"I guess not." Sarah said as the group shrugged and shook their heads. "I can't believe Nicholas is still gone."

"I would make a guess that's it's sometime after ten." Tamika said.

"You know Sarah, everyone is getting tired. I know I am." Elva said.

"We have to keep positive, everything is fine. There's an explanation for all of this." Tamika tried to calm Sarah. "When my phone was still working I called a little earlier and the Constable said some new situations had occurred. What was he talking about?"

"The dead have risen." Elva interjected.

"What?" Karalina shouted from the bar.

"Ask the Reverend there." Elva pointed. "The body of the dead has arisen and is walking the earth. Zombies have taken over."

"Sarah, what is she talking about?" Tamika asked.

"Well, I don't know but she's right. Deputy Devilin's body has left the library. And she broke the window pane. It's just more to clean up. Mud everywhere," Sarah added.

"You're saying VD's gone. How's that possible? She was dead." Tamika said. "I saw her. She was dead."

"Now I'm really getting scared." Karalina said. "I think I'm going to go to my room and lock the door. I'll cover my head up until morning."

"That sounds so tempting." Elva said. "I'm getting so tired, but Nicholas is still missing. I can't rest. I just thought of something Sarah, we should call Nicholas' friends. What was his name? Maybe it was his friend at the door and they took off somewhere. You know how young boys are."

"Oh, that's got to be it." Sarah agreed. "We must call his house and find out if Nicholas is there. Now what is his name?"

"Sounds like baloney maroney." Elva suggested.

"That's it Barney Mulroney." Sarah said excitedly. "His home number is written down in the front of the phone book in the hall. I don't know if I can explain it to his parents. Would one of you young people call for us?"

"I will," Patrick said. "Just show me the phone book."

"I will." Elva said picking up a lamp. "Come with me.""

As they left the room Tamika said, "Hey Karalina, come with me, this should be funny."

"What are you talking about?" Karalina set her drink on the bar and fell in behind her.

"Shh! We won't need much light. Just stand up here at the turn of the hall and watch Patrick. It should be funny."

Tamika led the way, Karalina close behind her, followed by the Reverend and not to be left alone Sarah followed."

"Everybody keep quiet and watch." Tamika turned and whispered.

They stopped as they rounded the corner. Patrick and Elva were a good distance up the hall and the lamp managed to light the narrow area fairly well.

"Here's the number." Elva said. "I'll call it out for you."

"Okay, I will explain it to them." Patrick brought the receiver to his ear.

"Let's see, now. It's 555-2121." Elva said moving the phonebook close to her face and then away.

Patrick stared down at the phone for a moment, before squinting his eyes. Pulling the receiver away from his ear he stared blankly at the inside of the receiver. "Uh, where's the buttons?"

"It's right there." Elva pointed at the phone base. "You dial it."

"That's what I was going to do dial it but there isn't any buttons."

"You stick your finger in the hole beside the number push it around with your finger until it stops. Then you do it again." She repeated the phone number slowly.

Patrick stuck his finger in the five and brought it over to the curved metal stop but failed to pull his finger out while it wound itself back causing him to miss-dial the number. Someone on the other end answered and Patrick asked, "Mr. Mulroney?" He grunted into the receiver a couple times then he hung up. "Wrong number. That's just weird. How do you dial this thing?"

Tamika was the first to laugh and then the others joined in. Then she shouted up the hall. "Stick your finger in, pull it around until it stops; then pull your finger out, let the rotary go back on it's own. If you leave your finger in, it causes the number to drag and you get a wrong number."

Patrick finally finished the dialing and waited for an answer and then explained to the person on the other end. He spoke several minutes and then hung up.

Patrick turned to Elva and spoke loud enough for the group at the end of the hall to listen. "They haven't seen Nicholas. But they did say their son Barney is staying at the Carson house but they haven't been able to get in touch with them."

Willie rounded the other end of the long corridor at that moment and asked. "What's up? Anything?"

Patrick explained the phone call and then added, "I see you've got the tire iron. Let's go crack that door."

"I'm going along too." Sarah called to them. "Let me get a lamp."

"The rest of you may want to wait together in the parlor. Don't separate." Willie suggested. "For God's sake Randy, are you drinking again? You are one piece of work!" He shook his head and watched them go back to the parlor and waited until Sarah came back carrying a lamp.

Sarah led the way carrying one lamp with Willie and Patrick behind her. Elva brought up the rear carrying another lamp to help light the darken passages. They slowly made their way up the steps to the second floor and then up through the darkness to the third level. They then moved slowly down the long corridor with rooms on each side and finally to the other end of the hall.

"Elva, we haven't rented these rooms in quiet a long time. We really should get up here and clean them." Sarah ran her finger down the wainscoting checking for dust.

"Yeah sure I'll put that on my list." Elva huffed for breath and held her hip from the ache.

At the end of the hall they went up another set of steps. Elva followed slowing down more and more. They then pushed open a door to the A-framed attic. The shadows on the walls danced back and forth among the rafters as they walked among the various boxes trunks and cast-offs. At the other end of the long attic there was a walled partition with a wooden planked door.

"See it looks like a new lock. I don't think it will be hard to pull off." Patrick said.

"Where ever did that come from?" Sarah declared.

Willie placed the tire iron behind the hasp and jerked hard and fast. They watched as it pulled loose and fell to the floor.

Patrick said to Sarah. "Let me have the lamp and you two wait here while we go in first."

Willie placed his right hand on his gun and pulled the door slowly. It squealed loud from too seldom usage. Willie pointed his flashlight inside and led the way. He brought his arm upward to block anticipate cobwebs but found none. This area of the attic was dustier and he immediately sneezed.

"Bless you dear." Sarah said in trained response.

As he moved forward the light fell on a body. He moved closer flicking his light around for any signs of potential conflict.

"It's Nicholas." Willie squatted down to examine the boy.

Both women exclaimed and scurried through the door and focused their attention where Willie was squatted.

"Is he okay?" Sarah said first followed by her moving forward and bending over the boy.

"He's not breathing and I can't feel a pulse." Willie stood up and paused knowing what the next moments would be like.

As if on cue both ladies broke down into sobs, denials and then flowing tears. Patrick watched and waited along with Willie.

"Damn it!" Willie said. "I wished the rescue service could get in here. "The boy hasn't been dead long. He's still warm."

With that statement the two ladies sobbed louder. Finally after several moments Willie spoke up. "Why don't we take his bod... the boy, downstairs? Patrick do you think you and I can carry him?"

"Sheriff I can carry him by myself." As soon as he had said the word Sheriff both he and Willie looked at Elva but they were both too lost in grief to notice. He then said loudly, "If the ladies will go back then you and I can do this."

Both ladies nodded, turned and left.

"Would you leave us one of the lamps?" Willie asked and then accepted one from Elva.

"After we have given the ladies several minutes I can do a fireman carry if you will help me get him over my shoulder." Patrick said.

"That should work. I wonder where we should take him." Willie said. "I hate to put him in the library after VD disappeared. This just isn't making any sense. Agnes is gone and now the boy. There doesn't seem to be any wounds. I still think VD had her gun and somebody stole it." Willie looked at Patrick and scratched his head. "Why don't we put him in the room with the plastic coverings on the furniture? If he has any body fluid loss everything will be protected."

"I never thought about that. That makes sense." Patrick squatted down and grabbed the boy's arms, hung his body over his right shoulder and with Willie's help he stood up. "He's heavier than he looks."

"Dead weight...." Willie said then added. "Guess that was a bad choice of words."

"You think?"

Slowly they made their way down the steps to the attic, down to the first floor. Instead of turning left toward the library and parlor they turned right through the open double door. Patrick walked over to an original Davenport and slid the boy's body down.

"Here's a sheet I found in the closet." Willie tucked the flashlight under his arm, set the lamp on a table and shook the sheet open covering Nicholas. "I wished we had better light. I didn't see any marks, or blood. It just doesn't make any sense. Let's head back to the parlor." Willie was the last to leave the room. With both hands he pulled the doors shut. Then they made their way back through the maze of passages.

As they entered the parlor those left were in tears and huddled in a group in one corner. Both Sarah and Elva were fatigued from the long day and the stress of their loss. Their tears had subsided to sniffles and nose blowing. Karalina and Tamika were dry-eyed but visibly shaken. The Reverend was sprawled out and snoring softly in Papa's favorite chair.

"We laid Nicholas in the receiving room." Willie said to Sarah.

"He would like that. I feel so bad we never let him go in there. Very few people ever go in there." Sarah said to no one and everyone.

"What we need is a strong pot of hot coffee. Can you help us ladies?" Willie asked gently.

"We can do that it will do us good to get busy. I'm tired but we can't sleep yet." Elva said, "Right sister?"

"Certainly," Sarah stood up and grabbed a lamp. "Come along dear."

As soon as the two left the room Willie turned to the others. "I imagine the ladies told you about the boy. But we don't know what caused it. There is no sign of trauma. Has anybody got any juice left on the cell phone?" He watched as they indicated no. "Then we're going to have to have someone go call the dispatcher and tell her. Gay should still be on duty. Now I can do it but I need to go back outside and continue to look around."

"While the ladies are away," Willie continued, "I want to go over with the four — three of you." He corrected himself as he glances over at the sleeping Reverend. "We were all in the room when there was a pounding at the door. The power went out shortly after the Deputy arrived. Then Nicholas disappeared. No wait a minute. Then VD collapsed. Then someone knocked at the door. Nicolas went to answer it. He didn't come back. Then everyone went looking for him. Then Agnes disappeared ― VD's body disappeared. Then we found Nicholas' body."

"I think that's about sums it up." He continued. "We don't know what happened to VD's body, and we can't find Agnes. Can any of you think of anything to add? It's almost as if one of us is causing this. But then there was that knock at the door when we were all together."

"Hot coffee, extra strong," Elva yelled as she hurried into the room carrying a thermal pot on a tray with cream and sugar, walked over and set it on the bar and added. "Cups are in the door on the left."

Sarah came in with a small tray of pastries and set them on a table. She then went over to a lone chair, sat down and started to cry again.

Elva walked over patted her on the shoulder and spoke to the solemn group. "His father was killed when he was six by one of those bombs you drive over."

"An IED improvised explosive device." Willie nodded. "That boy was heart broke. It devastated the entire town."

"Then just over two years ago his mother was killed by a drunk driver." Teardrops welled up in Elva's eyes. "Nicholas went into a deep depression and wouldn't eat or talk much for months. Then he became fascinated with dead things." Elva walked over to a tissue box pulled out several and wiped her eyes. "I can't believe this is possible. This just doesn't make any sense. You know, Mr. Donovan, after your arrival I actually saw more life in him than I have seen since his mother's passing." Then Elva broke down and sobbed and hugged her sister. They cried together.

Everyone remained quiet while the ladies cried and the Reverend snored.

Chapter 5

"Bam, Bam, Bam!"

"What's that?" Tamika broke the wordless silence of the room.

"It couldn't possibly be anyone at the front door? It's still pouring rain." Patrick said.

"I'll go check." Willie flicked his flashlight on and unsnapped his holster.

"I'm going with you." Patrick volunteered.

"Maybe it's Agnes!" Tamika said looking around at the group.

"Well we won't know unless we go check, now will we?" Elva blew her nose, stood up and pushed her shoulders back. A habit she had developed from long years of dealing with stress.

Willie and Patrick arrived at the door when another series of Bam, Bam, Bam, hit. Willie grasped the handle and jerked it open.

There standing before them was a hideous glob monster. Willie jumped back and Patrick audibly shrieked. The dimming beam of the flashlight outlined the grotesque form of mud standing before them. A streak of lightning ripped the sky and the flash outlined the blackness of the thing there before them. Both men stood frozen.

"Get that damn light out of my eyes!"

"Agnes?" Willie screeched.

"Move aside you damn fool! I'm cold and nasty."

"Patrick. Get a blanket out of that closet over there where we got the sheet from earlier."

"Agnes, where have you been?"

"Here's the blanket." Patrick helped Agnes wrap up.

"Let's get her back to the parlor."

As they passed the receiving room Willie glanced in at Nicholas's body and came to a dead stop. Nicholas's body was gone! "Take Agnes to the others and I will be there in a few minutes. I need to check something."

"Sure but what's up?" Patrick agreed.

"I'll fill you in when I get back, you two go on ahead." Willie waited until they had turned the corner and pushed the double doors open to the room and scanned the room. His light went out and he used his hand to smack the side of it until it came back on. "Damn cheap flashlights." He muttered.

Willie was careful to examine the entire room for Nicholas's body but found nothing. The doors had been shut he was sure of it. He found that was odd. For the body to have been removed from the room the doors had to be opened and then shut again. There was an unknown person prowling around.

He pulled the doors shut shaking the handles to make sure they were fastened. He then made his way back through the dim light provide by his failing flashlight.

Upon entering the parlor he looked around and noted that Elva, Sarah and Agnes were not there. He assumed the ladies were helping her clean. Hopefully they would be back soon he wanted to question Agnes more.

"Unbelievable isn't it Willie." Tamika said.

Willie watched the door and softened his voice. "Don't tell the sisters but Nicolas's body is gone."

"What?" Tamika and Patrick asked at the same time.

"Are you sure, of course you're sure." Karalina corrected herself.

"Somebody has taken the body, just like they took VD's body. There's somebody in this house and we have to find them. I'm going to go check in with the office and see what's going on. Please don't mention this to the ladies. Not yet anyway." He turned and left.

Tamika looked over at the Reverend and nodded to Patrick. "He's still passed out."

"I can't understand any of this." Patrick said. "Are you sure you...?"

"We're back," Elva said pushing the door open. "You can recognize her now."

Agnes trudged along behind them. The dress they found was a poor fit but it was sufficient to make her feel comfortable.

Sarah followed Agnes. "Agnes, I'm just glad the hot water held out."

"If it had been pure cold it would have felt warmer than the way I felt. I believe I'll have some of the coffee now if it's still hot." Agnes said.

"It's hot." Sarah said. "I'll get you some. How do you take it?"

"I thought you could remember how people took their coffee or tea." Agnes smirked. "I'll fix it myself."

"Agnes," Tamika said. "You haven't heard have you? Nicholas is dead."

"What?" Agnes cried out and dropped the cup. "I'm so sorry I didn't know."

Willie returned to the room. "I just spoke to the office. She said the bridge is still flooded and they don't know when the power will be back on. They believe a terrorist group blew up the transformer before the storm started."

"Who said that?" Agnes asked.

"What terrorist group?" Patrick asked at the same time spoke.

"Gay Wright." Willie answered.

"Gay rights terrorist blew up the transformer?" Patrick exclaimed. His eyes got huge.

"No, Gay Wright is our dispatcher. She told me that they believe a terrorist group blew up the transformer. I was answering Agnes. She asked who said that." Willie chuckled. "They don't know who the terrorist group is but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a gay rights group."

"Oh." Patrick exhaled and chuckled lamely. "I thought that was a bit extreme. I thought maybe they were getting serious about this wanting to get to married thing."

Willie laughed out loud and then glanced over at the sisters and cleared his throat.

"Pop!" The loud sound came from the direction of the dining room or the kitchen.

"What was that?" Tamika said.

Elva picked up a lamp and headed into the kitchen.

"Let me go in first." Willie said.

Elva paused and let Willie take the lead. She held the lamp up high to brighten the way. Willie placed his hand on his gun and un-snapped the catch. Sarah fell in behind him, followed by Tamika and Patrick. Agnes stayed in the parlor with the still sleeping Reverend and Karalina who had leaned back in a soft high back arm chair and closed her eyes.

"Who's in there?" Willie called out. As the group entered they looked around the area and saw nothing. "It must have been from the kitchen."

Willie pushed the swinging door open slowly between the two rooms into the darkened room and stepped in.

The group followed with lights and looked around.

"I heard a pop. Didn't you?" Tamika looked around at the group.

"Yes." Patrick said. "Do you smell lighter fluid?"

"It is a peculiar smell." Tamika sniffed. "But I can't put my finger on it."

"Sarah, come here dear." Elva pulled her sister aside and whispered very softly. "Look, look at that." She pointed at several bread crumbs on the counter and a lone case knife in the dish drainer.

"What is it?" Sarah asked.

"That knife wasn't there earlier and look it's been cleaned but what does that look like?"

Sarah picked up the knife and examined it closely then sniffed it and said, "Peanut Butter."

"Nicholas!" They both said simultaneously.

"Shh!" Elva said. "Something's wrong or he would have come back to the parlor, but he's alive. I'm sure of it. Let's not tell the others yet. I really don't think that knife was there before."

"Sister, I agree. It is him and he's alive. I'm so happy I think I might cry." Sarah closed her eyes and took another deep sniff at the knife and a tear of joy ran down her cheek. "You're right of course. We won't mention anything."

"I know I heard a loud pop sound. It came from this direction." Patrick said. "What's through that door? Or that one?" He pointed at several doors in the back of the room."

"Oh, the one on the left goes to the outside and the one on the right is a small pantry." Elva answered. "And that one goes to a series of closed in porches that lead around the edge of the house."

"And through the pantry are the steps that lead to the upstairs study and the hall." Sarah added.

Patrick shook his head. "I knew this place was big I just didn't know how complicated it is."

They stopped still as a piercing woman's scream rattled their nerve endings.

Willie took off toward the parlor followed by everyone else. He burst through the door, his gun drawn.

Upon entry he surveyed the room. Karalina was standing over Randy who had slumped over and fallen out of the chair.

"Good grief!" Agnes said. "You'll wake the dead." She glanced over as the sisters came into the room, turned pale and mumbled an apology. "I'm sorry."

Elva glanced at Sarah and cackled with heavy laughter.

"Oh! Elva! I know you've had a long day. I'm so sorry." Agnes apologized again.

"I'm so sorry too." Karalina explained. "The Preacher fell, face forward just as I dozed off and it startled me, so."

The group that reentered the room breathed a sigh of relief.

Willie walked over to one of the loveseats and picked up a pillow, lumbered over and squatted beside Randy. He lifted his head and slid the pillow behind it then lowered it slowly.

"Would somebody bring me some light?" Willie said.

"Why? What's wrong?" Tamaki picked up a lamp and edged reluctantly closer.

Willie placed two fingers on his neck and shook his head. "He's not breathing."

"You're not serious?" Patrick hurried over and squatted down. "This is crazy."

"I agree Patrick." Willie stood up fastened his holster snap and ran his hand through his hair. "I need a drink."

"I'll get it for you. What would you like?" Patrick offered as he headed towards the bar.

"Maybe something light, don't want to fuzzy my mind. How about a little white wine," Willie said. "Would somebody get a blanket? I don't know if we can move him. He's pretty fat."

"Now Willie, that's not a nice thing to say about our poor portly preacher." Elva grinned.

"Elva I want you to...." Agnes stopped when the decanter Patrick had in his hand slipped, crashed to the floor and shattered.

"Oops!" Patrick grunted. "I'll pay for it and clean it up."

"I'll get it dear boy!" Sarah said cheerfully and hurried to the broom closet on the far end of the room and dug for broom and pan.

Agnes scrunched her eyebrows up. "Elva," she hissed quietly. "Has she lost her mind? She seems happy."

"Que sera sera!" Elva sang and literally skipped across the room.

Sarah caught the tune and began humming along with Elva as she began sweeping broken glass and placing a towel down to dry the floor. She slowly picked the towel up to avoid broken shards.

"You've both gone mad." Agnes accused and everyone stared dumbfounded by the sisters' attitudes.

"Here's some red wine Constable." Patrick said. "Seems as if I spilled all the white wine, sorry to say."

Willie took the wine, sniffed it, not because he was a connoisseur but it was just a habit, then he turned it up and sucked it down. It was at that moment a suspicious theory hit him. There were some odd goings-on and he began to get some strange suspicions. Willie squinted his left eye and brought the wine glass up to his nose and sniffed the empty glass.

"More?" Patrick asked.

"I'm good." Then he mumbled. "I hope I'm good." He told himself he was getting too old for this job. He wasn't paying attention to things which were right in front of him. Then he caught himself when he almost chuckled out loud. He was giving himself more credit than he deserved. This was a small town. He had been appointed the job by the mayor, his grandfather, many years ago and he had never been much of a cop because there had never been any need for one.

"Agnes, when you feel up to it, I need to ask you a few questions." Willie walked over to her and sat down.

"Sure, there's not much I can tell you. I was with Randy... I can't believe he's dead. Nobody liked him but I didn't want him dead. Anyway, we were upstairs looking for Nicholas... I can't believe that the boy is dead. What the world is going on around here?" Agnes sipped at her third cup of black coffee. "So there I was upstairs, and I started feeling dizzy, and a little nauseated so I went out on the porch to get some air. The next thing I knew I woke up in the mud ― cold, covered with slime and somehow I managed to make it back to the porch."

"What have you had to drink tonight?" Willie said in a low voice.

"I wasn't drunk!" Agnes declared indignantly.

"I'm not saying you were but what if there was something uh, — bad about what you drank. Maybe something in the drink or even food was bad."

"Well I ate the same thing everyone else did." She paused, laid her chin in her hand; her index finger tapped a thoughtful rhythm at her temple. "Let me see. I drank wine."

"What color wine?"

"White of course."

"That's all I need for now. Agnes, just rest." Willie got up walked over to where Sarah was still cleaning the broken glass and whispered into her ear.

She nodded and pointed absent-mindedly at the kitchen.

Willie pulled out his flashlight and tapped it a couple times until the weak light popped on and left the room. He was gone for several minutes and then came back with a white trash bag. He went over to Sarah and dumped the glass and the towel she had used to clean up into the bag.

"I'll be back in shortly." Willie left the room towards the hall that led to the library and the front door.

"I have to go to the bathroom." Tamika announced. "Would somebody walk me there? I'm afraid to go alone."

"I'll go." Patrick offered he picked up a lamp. "I've got to go too. All this rain outside makes me want to go."

"I need to go too." Karalina got up. "And it's not just the rain, it's the drinks."

A bright flash of lightning and an earsplitting snap of thunder shook the room.

"I sure hope Willie's okay." Sarah worried.

"Where did he go?" Tamika asked casually.

"He took that broken glass out. I guess to the trash can. I told him it could wait until after the storm."

"Are we going to go pee? Or what?" Karalina stretched and yawned.

"Lead on Macbeth." Patrick said.

"Macbeth, McDuff, McDonalds. Who cares I've got to go pee." Karalina complained.

Quietly they made their way through the corridors to the bathroom. "I've got to go bad." Karalina declared. "Please let me go first." She took a candle and lit it with the lamp. "I'll take this candle."

Once she was gone Tamika whispered. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't understand any of this." Patrick whispered back. "What do you think the sheriff is up to taking that bag out? I bet he took it out to his car."

"What I can't understand is what's up with Agnes. And the boy, what the hell happened to him? And now the preacher's dead." Tamika said.

"I'm not so sure the preacher's dead. First the deputy went down then her body disappeared. Then the boy was dead and Agnes recovered from being passed out." Patrick shook his head back and forth. "I'm just not so sure the preacher's dead."

"But who grabbed the boy and locked him up?" Tamika said. "And Willie acted suspicious over that wine decanter taking the remains out. And you broke it."

"You're right I did. Shit, I had no idea he would do something like that." Patrick fretted.

"I know one thing Willie was right about the gun. The Deputy had her gun. I noticed it when she came in. I wonder where it went. Did you take it?" Tamika said.

"Next, darling," Karalina said opening the bathroom door. The candlelight flickered from the breeze the door made. "So who wants the candle?"

"I'll go next." Tamika said taking the candle and entering the door closing it behind her.

"What are you two whispering about?" Karalina also whispered to Patrick as the flames of the lamp light vibrated the shadows under her eyes.

"We were just talking about all the craziness going on." Patrick answered. "Everything has just been too weird."

"Did I hear Tamika asking about the missing gun?"

"Yes, she said the Deputy did have a gun and then it was gone. I didn't notice it myself." Patrick replied.

"I know who took the gun." Karalina said cryptically.

A high pitch scream echoed through the corridor where they stood waiting. The bathroom door flew open and Tamika hurried out still zipping up her slacks. "What was that?" She whispered.

"It was a woman's scream." Patrick answered. "It must be one of the old women in the parlor."

"I wonder if the sheriff's back." Karalina said. "Maybe the preacher came back alive."

"Zombies?" Tamika giggled. "Now that's beginning to make sense. They haven't started eating people yet. At least I don't think they have. That was roast beef we had for supper, wasn't it?"

"Give me that candle." Patrick grabbed the candle and went into the bathroom. "The scream can wait. I can't."

"Maybe the crazy old lady croaked." Karalina said.

"I love those two old ladies, please don't talk like that. Now Agnes, that's another story."

"I'm sorry." Karalina apologized to Tamika. "What is it with this Agnes, woman. So much mud... She looked like the Swamp Thing with all that mud on her. Is she your Aunt? I thought I heard you call her that?"

"Well not really. She is my father's fourth wife. My father died this past January." Tamika's eyes welled up. "He fell out a window. They said it was an accident."

"But you don't think so?" Karalina patted her arm lightly.

"I don't know. It's just...."

"It's just that she received all of the inheritance?" Karalina asked.

"Well something like that. She inherited everything but I can stay there as long as I like."

"I sense there is more. What is it?" Karalina said.

"If something happens to her I inherit everything."

"And there is a lot to inherit?"

"Oh yes. Dad owned most of the town." Tamika said.

"Well darling. If I were you I think I would be worried."

"What do you mean?" Tamika furrowed her brows.

"Oh, I've been watching everything that has been going on." Karalina adjusted her clothing as they waited. "The Deputy died, something happened to the boy, and Agnes was knocked out. The cop takes the broken wine decanter. If you asked me he's suspicious of something. Maybe somebody set all this up just to kill Agnes. And even then she didn't have the sense to die. Now who do you think limp Willie might suspect?"

"Gees, I never thought of it like that. Limp Willie? Now that was funny. I can't believe she said that." Tamika giggled. "She is a trip."

"That's what the old lady said. What was her name? The short one."

"Elva. She's a dear. I'm afraid she's becoming a little senile."

"A little?" Karalina laughed. "That's like calling Niagara Falls a trickle of water."

Patrick came out and closed the bathroom door.

"You take longer than a woman." Tamika complained.

"No comment." Patrick grinned. "So what are we talking about?"

"Karalina seems to think the Sheriff will think I tried to kill Agnes."

"What? I figure he thinks something is wrong with the wine and I'm the one that broke the jug." Patrick said. "Why would he think you might try to kill Agnes?"

"She's my stepmother and she inherited everything my father left. That sort of thing, get my drift?" Tamika explained.

"Yeah, but she's not dead." Patrick clarified.

"But if the others are dead, and she was poisoned." Tamika worried.

"Awhile ago you said you knew who had the gun. Who is it? Who took the gun?" Patrick insisted.

"You saw it?" Tamika added.

"Yes darling, it was the old lady that took the gun." Karalina said.

"Bang, bang." Gunshots rang out and then distant screams startled them.

Both ladies screamed and they all stopped still and held their breath.

"I want out of here." Karalina whispered. "If I make it through until morning, I'm out of this place."

"Same here," Patrick added.

"Shh! Listen?" Tamika paused and held her breath. "What the hell's going on? Karalina think now. Which old lady took the gun?"

"It was the one you call Agnes." Karalina answered.

"Agnes." Tamika repeated. "Should we go see what the shooting was about?"

"I'm afraid too but I suppose we don't have any choice." Karalina answered.

"Hand me the lamp. I'll lead the way." Patrick offered.

They slowly moved along the hallways, quietly trying to listen for anything that might indicate additional hostility. Patrick stopped at the threshold of the parlor and held the lamp high. The room was dark except for the light his lamp cast into the room.

"There are no lights in there." Patrick whispered. "Nobody is here."

"What?" Tamika moved closer to the door peering in and shaking her head. "This doesn't make any sense. Where did everybody go? And they took the other three lamps."

"I think I want to go sit in my car." Karalina whispered over their shoulders.

"Come on, let's go in." Patrick said holding the lamp high casting thick shadows through the room. An occasional flash of distant lightning created an additional disorienting mental distress. Patrick continued to the bar and counted the candles and holders left. There were five left and they had one. That made six. He paused trying to remember, he felt sure there had been eight. That meant two were gone plus three lamps.

"There are two candles and three lamps gone." Patrick mused. "Wonder where everybody went?"

"What are you getting at?" Tamika asked.

"Nothing, just thinking out loud but if you look over there you will notice the Reverend's body is missing."

Tamika ran over to the spot and whipped around, the candle she was holding almost went out from the movement. Then a puff of air blew the candle out.

"What the...?" Tamika stopped still. "There's air blowing in here. Bring that lamp over and relight me. I think the curtain's moving. There's air coming in."

Patrick walked over relit her candle and continued over to exam the floor to ceiling windows. "You're right. The curtain's wet and moving." He shoved the curtain aside and held the light near the window pane.

"Bam," lightning then thunder rumbled the room. Patrick screamed as he stood face to face with a horrible face pressed against the window pane. The eyes were wide, mouth contorted in agony, rain dripping in torrents across the face, the horrendous misshaped mouth opened to speak.

Karalina ran towards the window stopped and screamed. "Zombie!"

Tamika stared for a moment then inhaled before crying out. "Who is that?" She moved closer to the window and held up a candle. "For God sakes, it's the Reverend. He's alive. Open the doors."

"Don't open those doors." Karalina screamed out. "What if he's a zombie? He was dead ― now he is alive. Or is he just animated?"

"For goodness sakes, get some sense about you." Tamika pushed Patrick to the side and reached for the door handles.

Patrick backed up a bit and pointed at the broken glass. "It looks like that's where the air was coming in. The pane is shattered like it's been shot out."

"Argh," the agonizing muffled sound of the preacher chilled them to their bones.

Tamika's eyes widened and her hand shook as the word zombie and the image resonated through her mind. She entertained the thoughts a moment then shrugged it off and opened the French doors.

The Reverend stumbled in, soaking wet. Tamika pulled the doors shut as fast as she could, the wind and rain was so hard it was pushing at the doors.

"Reverend, how did you get out there?" Tamika grabbed a highland plaid crocheted spread Elva had made and wrapped it around the Reverend. "I can't believe you're alive."

"Is he real? Is he alive?" Karalina asked wearily.

"I most certainly am." Randy answered, "But I feel like I'm going to freeze to death."

"I doubt there is any hot water left. The power has been out way too long." Patrick observed. "Let me see if there's enough wood to start a fire."

"How did you get out there? How did you get back alive?" Tamika bombarded him with questions. "Where did everybody go? Who shot the gun?"

"Tamika, let the man collect his wits." Karalina suggested.

It wasn't long before Patrick had a small fire burning in the fireplace thanks to one of the instant light logs.

"Wow that was fast." Karalina praised.

Patrick grinned, "I wished I could take the credit." He held up the wrapper the log came in and then tossed it into the fire. "Ladies did you see any more of those spread things? I think the Reverend could use some more warmth." With a hidden grin he asked, "Reverend would you like a drink?"

The Reverend groaned loudly and just shook his head no. Tamika found another spread stuffed down in Elva's bag and draped it over the Reverend. He moved to a chair near the fireplace and stuck his hands out to warm them.

"Reverend, we know you've been through a lot, but we need you to clear up and help us. We're frightened." Tamika said.

Chapter 6

Elva held the lamp up high as Willie squatted down over the body. The rain came down sideways trying to reach them underneath the shelter of the porch. "Willie, looks like you caught VD again."

"Elva!" Agnes protested. "I swear Willie I didn't know. The shadow crossed the window just as the lightning flashed and silhouetted that horrible image. I swear I didn't mean to shoot her. I thought she was dead already. What was she doing outside the window? Is she dead? Was she dead?"

"Here I brought some towels." Sarah handed them down to him. "Is she going to be okay?"

"No Sarah, she's dead." Willie answered. "Her body is like ice. I thought tropical storms brought warm rain. This rain is cold."

"Oh no! Oh god," Agnes wailed. "I'm going to jail. I'm a murderer!"

"Do tell Agnes dear." Elva interjected. "If you were going to be so upset about being a murderess I think you should have thought about that, years ago."

"What do you mean by that remark?" Agnes responded with anger. "Elva I'm so tired of your mouth. If you don't back up I'm going to do something I will regret."

"Well Agnes, you are finally showing your true colors. You heard that Willie. She threatened me and she was the one that said I threatened her. Now who's the animal?" Elva said loudly to be heard above the noise of the wind and hail.

"Now ― now," Willie interrupted them. "Agnes you didn't kill her. She was already dead. Her body is cold."

"How did she cross in front of the window? She looked like she was spinning in midair outside the window. It was horrible."

"It looks like your shot probably didn't even hit her, Agnes." Willie added. "As for the spinning... I'm not sure. I can't figure that out. I didn't see it. Maybe your eyes and the light played tricks on your mind. The lightning keeps flashing and the rain is coming in sideways. Even here on the porch with the rain it's hard to tell much because her body is so wet and cold. I don't see any ropes or signs of ropes that might have held her up."

"Listen, I'm going to throw her body over my shoulder and put her in my squad car. That way we won't lose it again. You ladies go back to the parlor and I'll be back in the house in a few minutes."

"How will you carry her and be able to see to get to your car in this rain with no lights?" Elva asked.

"I'll just have to fumble my way there and back." He yelled loud above the now howling wind.

"Why don't we just lock her body up in the hall closet? I have a key that you can hold and nothing should be able to move her this time." Elva shouted. "The storm is getting worse."

Willie stared into the wind and rain of the storm and nodded. "Okay, thanks I just can't keep losing bodies."

Elva handed Sarah the lamp she had and bent down, grabbed the Deputy's feet and started dragging her body across the porch like it was nothing.

"Hold on Elva!" Willie hurried over and picked up the upper body as Elva stopped, bent down the best she could and picked up the feet. They headed towards the entrance.

After several awkward tries they finally got her body in the closet. Elva closed the door, turned a skeleton key in the lock and then pulled out the long heavy key and handed it to Willie.

Sarah handed Elva a lamp and said, "Let's get back to the parlor."

After several minutes they entered the parlor.

"There you are." Elva called out. "Oh my look at this Willie, the Rocking Randy is alive. He takes a licking and keeps on kicking. Whoever built the fire, thank you. It feels great right now."

"We've been wondering where you were. Where were you?" Tamika quizzed. "We heard a gunshot. Then when we got back here no one was here. The window over there was broke and Randy was outside in the rain."

"Oh, broken glass," Elva answered, "was Agnes murdering the dead Deputy, again?"

"Murdering the deputy again? Really Elva, you have lost all your senses." Agnes carped.

"It's the truth. Agnes tried to kill VD. But VD was already dead. Agnes said VD was dancing outside the window but Willie said VD was already dead. See what I mean... she tried to murder a dead deputy."

"Elva, would you quit babbling." Agnes turned to Randy. "Randy I can't believe you're okay. What happen to you? Why are you wet?"

Randy pulled the crochet spread up over his head and tucked his head down with a shrug.

"Randy's tired now. We've been grilling him. I'll give you the 411." Tamika inhaled quickly. "He woke up on the floor and nobody was here. He couldn't see but he felt the air coming through the window and he walked towards it. I guess he was still drunk and he tripped against the French doors and they pushed open, he flopped down on the deck and the wind blew the doors shut and they locked. That is where he was when we got back from the bathroom ― nose stuck against the pane looking like a drowned zombie."

"Tamika," Elva began, "sometimes I think Randy's head is made of cork."

"Why's that?" Tamika asked.

"Because it's always connected to a bottle," Everyone in the room laughed even Randy as he grabbed his head.

Willie walked over and sat down beside Randy. "Do you feel like answering a couple questions?"

"Sure." Randy nodded.

"Did you drink any white wine?"

Randy sat there a moment, thinking then finally he shrugged. "I can't remember. If it was setting out I probably did."

"Willie, we still need to find Nicholas." Elva declared. "I can't believe you didn't have enough sense to tell us about his body being missing."

"Elva's right," Sarah spoke up. "You had no right not to tell us about that. We don't think he's really dead, especially now after seeing the Reverend is alive. We found a knife in the kitchen that had peanut butter on it. I just don't understand where he is. Why doesn't he come here to us? I'm starting to worry again."

"I know Sarah, you're right. I should have told you. I just didn't want to stress you out until I found out something." Willie offered the reason in hopes it would pacify her. "Guess that's too late."

Willie stood up looked around the room at the people and cleared his throat. "Here's what I understand and I am going to be frank with you."

"Why would you be frank," Elva chimed in, "you're Willie?"

"You know Elva sometimes you push the last nerve on people." Willie grumbled. "I will be open and forthcoming...." When Willie saw her mouth open he clarified himself again. "Enough Elva, please try to stay with us. I know it's been a hell of a long day. It has for all of us." He paused as she closed her mouth and then he continued.

"Finding Nicholas is our primary. We don't know what's going on. My first suspicion is someone put something in the wine."

"Wine," Sarah interjected. "I drank some red wine. Who would put something into the wine? That just doesn't make any sense."

"Sense or not," Willie continued, "That's what I suspect. It was the white wine." He walked over to Patrick and said, "You broke the decanter the wine was in so you are my number one suspect."

Patrick opened his mouth to protest but Willie, put his hand up, palm out indicating he wanted him to say nothing and then he continued. "Now Patrick, I can't think of any reason for you to put something in the wine. That's what has me thrown." Willie then walked over and stopped in front of the chair Karalina was sitting in. Her eyes half closed from fatigue.

"Now Karalina, you also are suspicious. You stated that you worked for a drug company that would explain where the drug, if there was a drug, could have come from."

"You're one crazy old man." She said and continued even after he put his hand up indicating he wanted to finish. "If you think there's someone trying to kill somebody look around you. That one," she pointed at Tamika, "has every reason to kill that one." She then pointed to Agnes.

Willie whipped around and confronted Tamika. "What is she saying?"

Tamika stood up and walked over to Karalina. "Listen you skanky over painted whore, you mess with me and I'll whoop your ass."

"That's enough Tamika!" Willie ordered. "Sit down, now!" He paused and waited for her to comply and then said, "Be civil and continue, Tamika. What does she mean?"

Tamika exhaled angrily pressed her lips together tightly then inhaled. "It's the inheritance my father left Agnes. She got it all. We were talking earlier when we went to the bathroom and I mentioned to the bitch there, that Agnes got it all, and if something happened to Agnes then it reverted to me." Tamika turned to Karalina and flashed her teeth at her in an angry grimace.

Willie nodded and then turned to Agnes. "Now Agnes, everything has quieted down. What did you do with the gun? And why the hell did you take it in the first place?"

Agnes stiffened her back and looked hatefully at Tamika. "Well Willie, I took the gun for obvious reasons. That thing," Agnes pointed at Tamika, "is apparently out to get me. She even told the trollop over there her plan and she doesn't know her from Adam."

"Trollop?" Karalina asked, "What is this trollop?"

"It's a whore, you skank-a-zoid." Tamika spit out.

"Sheriff," Karalina cried as she pointed at Tamika, "You need to protect me from that one."

"Sheriff!" Elva jumped up and started spinning slowly around in a circle. Her breathing became harsh and rapid.

Sarah hurried over to her sister, and started humming an unidentifiable tune to her.

Karalina eyed the two and said, "If you're after somebody, try those two. They just exude criminal behavior. The fat one is loony as they come."

"Now on that comment I can agree." Agnes added.

"And the other one is an anal retentive enabler." Karalina finished.

The room got quiet as they watched the quieting of Elva.

After several eternal moments, Sarah seemed to have Elva under control. Willie then turned back to Agnes. "Where is the gun?"

Agnes walked over picked up a lamp and continued to a high back chair near the bar. She leaned over and looked under the chair. "It should be over here somewhere. After I pulled the trigger and it went off I dropped it on the floor."

"Now Aggie, if I recall, the gun went bang, bang. That's two shots. You're trying to make it sound accidental." Elva said as she snapped back to her attack mode rapidly.

"I heard two shots too." Tamika agreed.

"What the hell were you thinking anyway? Shooting a damn gun off and not knowing where everybody was." Willie walked over got down on his knees and looked up under the chair, around the table and then scanned the area.

Willie stood up and rubbed his hands together. "Well it's nowhere to be found now." He turned to look around at the group. "So who's got the gun now?"

They each began looking around at each other and wondering who had the gun.

"Constable," Sarah interrupted, "We still need to find Nicholas."

"I know, I'm just not sure how. If he's hiding from us in this house we will never find him in the dark; which takes me back to what I was saying earlier. The biggest question I can think of now is who was at the door to begin with. We all were in here when the pounding at the door happened. Nicholas took off to answer it and then ended up in the attic. Somebody took the boy and put him in the attic and it wasn't one of us."

"Well, what I want to know is he dead or not?" Sarah wrung her hands. "I'm pretty sure that knife wasn't there before he disappeared."

"Did anybody here see him drink some wine?" Willie asked point blank.

"He's a boy. He wouldn't dare." She paused and thought a moment. "I can't say that. I remember Papa and his elixir. It was so tasty when he used blackberries." She paused again and then said, "I didn't see Nicholas drink any."

Everybody there indicated they hadn't seen anything.

"Could anybody use some coffee?" Elva asked.

"Now how are you going to make coffee?" Agnes said flippantly.

"I have a percolator coffee pot and a propane camp stove. Agnes you know this isn't the first time we've lost power. You could have had coffee earlier if you hadn't been rooting around like a pig in the mud." Elva answered. "Now then, who would like coffee?" After several said they would Elva added, "Sarah would you help me dear?"

"Certainly," Sarah picked up a lamp and followed Elva out of the room, through the dining room and into the kitchen.

Elva busied herself setting the coffee up and had it ready in short order, grabbed a long stem strike anywhere match and lit the gas stove. She then turned and stared at her sister.

"Sarah, I'm starting to worry about our gentlemen in the basement and the possibility that there is something in the wine that imitates death."

"I don't understand what you're saying."

Elva centered the coffee pot on the blue flame. "What if they weren't dead? Like Randy, he seemed dead but he wasn't. Then there was Agnes, we don't know if she passed out or did she have the like death thing."

"What are you saying?

"Sister, I think maybe those guys weren't dead or at least they weren't dead until we buried them."

"Oh my word, that's a horrible thing to think much less say. That would make us murderers."

"Murderesses," Elva corrected her. "Let's see, there were the two in February, then Mr. Berkinbuss, and Mr. Smythe. Mr. Smythe was yesterday and Mr. Berkinbuss was the day before that. Remember Willie saying there was someone else here. That's why Nicholas went to the door, someone was banging. What if it was Mr. Smythe or maybe even Mr. Berkinbuss, they woke up."

"No! That's a ghastly thought." Sarah's eyes grew wide.

"Yes dear. They were each in a garment bag. Maybe they woke up. Whoever left the basement door open let the rain in. It could have washed the dirt we had. They weren't buried that deep." Elva's eyes got huge as she speculated.

Sarah noticed the change. "What is it Elva?"

"They were both naked!" Then she cackled and grinned.

"Oh my, what are we going to do?"

Elva quit laughing and then said, "Even if they aren't wandering around, their bodies might have washed up in all that water."

"Well we have to keep everybody out of the basement." Sarah agreed.

"Coffee's ready, would you grab some cups. I believe all the ones we had in the parlor have been used. I'll carry the pot and lamp, you grab the cups."

Sarah gathered the cups on a tray, adding extra packets of sugar and artificial sweetener.

"Now don't say anything about the gentlemen." Elva reminded her sister.

"As if I would," Sarah responded as they crossed through the dining room and then into the parlor.

They set the coffee pot and tray down on the bar.

"We will let you serve yourself," Elva said. "Sarah, I think we should leave them one lamp and we should take the other three and refill their oil. I do hate it when they burn low it causes the wick to crisp up."

"Of course," Sarah answered picked up two lamps while Elva picked up the other one and followed Elva.

"As soon as they left the parlor Elva walked over to the dining room table and placed her lamp down.

"What is it now?" Sarah asked as they left the room.

Elva lifted the hem of her dress and reached up under and pulled out the gun.

"Where did you get that and why did you sneak it out of there?" Sarah whispered.

"When I sat the coffee pot down I saw it. It was tucked up behind some bottles in the bar. Agnes lied to Willie."

"Why would she do that?"

"She's Agnes ― enough said. Now, I need somewhere to hide it."

"How on earth did you carry that heavy thing out of there?"

"I've got fat thighs, use your imagination!" Elva snapped. "Now I've got to find a place to hide it."

"Why don't you give it to Willie?"

"Because I like having a little protection, and Willie couldn't even protect his Deputy so help me find a place to put it."

Sarah thought for a moment, she set one of the lamps on the table, went over to the china cabinet and opened a drawer. She reached in pulled out a long elastic band and handed to Elva. "Tie one end through the trigger loop and then tie it under your dress around your waist and let it hang down."

"You're not serious?"

"Well you carried it out of there like that. At least this time you won't have to keep your thighs together."

Elva worked with it for several minutes and then lowered her dress and then she giggled. "If I don't shoot my knee caps off it might just work."

"Let's get the oil." Sarah suggested.

"In a moment but first we must check the basement to see if there are any bodies floating. Now set one of those lamps down and follow me."

They made their way down the long steps, shadows moving across the closed stair cases. The water was still almost as high as the work bench.

"What's that?" Elva pointed towards the concrete stairs leading to the outside exit.

"It's so dark, I can't tell but I think it's a garment bag." Sarah speculated.

"I agree. I think that is exactly what it is. Which means somebody is wandering around for sure."

Sarah shivered at the damp coolness. "You would think that by now whichever one it is would have presented his self to us. And where is Nicholas? He should have showed up by now."

"I guess we had better get back." Elva followed slowly behind Sarah up the steps back to the dining room.

"I just remembered where a flashlight is at in the kitchen." Elva said surprised. "I have an idea. Grab those lamps and bring them into the kitchen. I'm going to make a short trip to the front hall table through the breezeway. While I'm gone if you will fill the lamps, I'll explain when I get back."

Sarah put the flame out of two of the lamps and wiped down the sink while she waited for them to cool. After she finished the sink she opened the flatware drawer and began straightening.

"Are you two alright?" Willie said walking in holding one of the candles. "Where's Elva?

"Willie you startled me." Sarah's hand went up to her chest.

"I'm sorry. You were taking so long I thought I would check on you."

"She...."

"Hey Willie boy, I'm here." Elva called from the doorway. "Even an old woman has to pee."

"I was concerned. I see you found a flashlight. Hope it lasts longer than mine. I'm going to go call the station and see if they have any updates on the storm or the power. My phone's dead so I'm going to use the hall phone. I just thought I would check on you first. I can still go through the enclosed external porches can't I?"

"Of course Willie, we sat out on those porches many a day when we were young didn't we?" Sarah said. "But we always called it the breezeway. Elva likes to call it the Florida room."

"Here Willie, take the flashlight." Elva offered it out. "It will be easier than walking with that candle.

"Thanks, I'll meet you back in the parlor." Willie blew out the candle and left the room carrying the unlit candle and the flashlight.

Sarah finished filling the two lamps and then relit them. She then blew out the other one, picked up a rag to protect her hand, unscrewed it then filled it up.

"Where did you go?"

"Just an errand," Elva answered. "Speaking of bathrooms, let's make a stop on our way back."

Sarah nodded agreement.

* * *

Willie moved along the series of connecting breezeway porches. Each one connected with an unlocked door, all the way through to the front room where he had placed Nicholas' body earlier. Then out the door through the hall, took a left and stopped at the table with the phone. He set the cold candle down and picked up the receiver. It was dead.

"Damn!" He said and slammed the receiver back into its cradle.

Willie returned to the parlor and found both ladies had returned.

"Does anybody's cell phone work?" Willie drew their attention.

"Nope dead," Tamika said followed by agreements from the others.

"Mine is still in my car, I suppose." Randy raised his head up and said. "You can have my keys if you want but I'm not going out in that rain."

"I don't want to go either." Willie agreed.

"Willie, why don't you go get VD's phone. The Deputy's should have a full charge and she's not going to need it." Elva suggested.

"That's a very good idea, thank you Elva." Willie turned and left the room.

"Elva, I'm surprised that was an excellent idea." Agnes said snidely.

"I'm forgetful not stupid Aggie." Elva gave her a fake smile. "Which reminds me would anyone like some delicious Mud Pie?" Elva raised her left eyebrow and gave Agnes a discourteous smirk.

"Very funny," Agnes grumbled. "You got your zinger in so sit down somewhere."

"I'm serious, how about some Mud Pie?" Elva reiterated, "Tamika? I know you love it. Anybody else want any?"

"What is this mud pie?" Karalina was the first to ask.

"It's made out of bittersweet chocolate, chopped pecans, with heavy cream in a deep dish chocolate cookie wafer crust. Mmm, it's delicious."

"That's sounds good." Karalina said, "Maybe with some milk?"

"Sure." Elva agreed. "I tell you what. I'll bring it out," she turned and looked at Sarah, "with some milk and paper plates and cups."

"I'll help." Sarah stood up slowly.

"That's okay Sister. I can handle it. I'll make two trips."

"Are you sure?" Sarah asked reluctantly and smiled slightly when Elva held up her hand indicating she stay where she was at.

"I've got it. I'll be back in a jiffy."

"Do you want me to help?" Tamika offered.

"No I'm fine. It won't take me but a moment." She picked up a lantern and hummed a merry tune as she headed to the kitchen.

In the kitchen Elva placed the lamp on the sink, opened the cupboard doors above and pulled out a package of pills. She kept a close watch on the door leading out and then went to the refrigerator pulled out the still cool mud pie. She couldn't resist the temptation and with a quick whip of her index finger sampled the sweet pie.

She set the pie down and pulled out a small dish. Reaching behind the dish drainer, found a garlic press in its holder and set it down while she popped twelve pills on the plate. Then carefully she used the garlic press and crushed the blue pills to powder. When she was finished she took her finger and pressed it against the powdered pills and tasted it.

"Ugh! That's bitter." She said as she took the powder sprinkling it liberally on the pie. "Now it doesn't look like mud anymore. Let's see what I can do." She walked over to the refrigerator again and pulled out a can of maraschino cherries and a large can of whipped cream. She carefully covered the pie with the whipped cream and placed several cherries on top.

"Beautiful." She said. Then took the can of whipped cream and stuck it in her mouth pressing the valve.

She stuck the knife into the pie, set the pie on the plates and picked up the lamp.

"Ooh, that looks yummy." Tamika jumped up to help as Elva entered the room.

"If you will take this over to the bar and cut it up, I'll go back and get the milk." Elva suggested.

"No problem." Tamika headed to the bar with the pie and began to cut slices, placing them on the paper plates. She found a box of plastic forks under the counter of the bar.

As she sliced, several of the group started gathering around salivating over the tasty looking portions.

"Here's the milk." Elva called out as she came through the door.

Elva entered through one door just as Willie returned through the door on the other end of the room.

All heads turned to Willie as he stopped and cleared his throat rather loudly. "You're not going to believe this. The Deputy's body is gone."

"What! But you locked the door. You did lock the door?" Elva asked.

"Yes I locked the door!" He grouched. "And when I got there the door was closed. I unlocked it and it was empty."

"Willie," Randy said while chewing his mud pie, "my phone should still be in the car. You might as well have a slice of this pie. It's awesome."

"I am feeling a little weak. I think my blood sugar has dropped. I'll go get the phone after I have a piece." He continued walking over to the bar and picked up a nice slice. "This is so good."

"Who wants milk?" Elva asked as she began pouring cups.

"That does look good Sister. I believe I will have some too." Sarah said working her way into the crowd. "It is too bad it isn't freshly cooked, the smell would bring Nicholas running."

"Sarah, maybe you shouldn't have any pie tonight. I don't think it would be good for your sugar."

"My sugar? Why Elva, you know I don't have problems with my...." She stopped as Elva's eyes, forehead and brows squinted. She shrugged finished with, "My, my, you're absolutely right. I do need to watch that."

"Thank you dear. It is for the best." Elva said and began watching the group. Everyone had pie and milk except her and Sarah.

Sarah walked over to the other side of the room and indicated with her head she wanted Elva to come over. Elva recognized the movement and knew what Sarah wanted. She wanted an explanation.

In a very low whisper Sarah said, "What is wrong with the pie?"

"Nothing dear, I just wanted to have some fun."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember earlier when they were talking to Karalina about what she does for a living?"

Sarah nodded.

"They said she sold drugs. She sold Valium. It's a tranquilizer."

"Elva!" Sarah spoke so loud everyone turned to look at her. She was glad it was dark because she knew her face was red. "Sorry." She said and waved her hand lightly. When everybody turned away, she whispered to Elva, "Have you lost your mind?"

"Maybe," Elva grinned. "Heck if I know. But everybody is just way too agitated they need to be calmed down.

"How long does it take?" Sarah asked.

"Sarah, you're asking the wrong person. Ask Karalina, she's the expert."

"Well quit gawking." Sarah said and then found herself watching also. "Besides I can hardly ask her such a question."

Elva giggled. "Me?" I think it's you who's gawking. I don't see anything."

"Maybe it takes a while?"

"Maybe I didn't give them enough."

Both ladies continued to stand there watching and waiting for several minutes.

"Well wasn't that silly." Sarah said turning away. "I'm going to go get a trash bag and empty that one."

"It's not full." Elva pointed out.

"It's full enough." Sarah countered.

"It's just a waste to change something that can hold more."

"But it looks so much better." Sarah refuted.

"Why kill another plastic tree." Elva rebutted.

"There's no such a thing. So I'm going to change it." Sarah defied.

"If you change that I will chase you down and clomp you on the head."

"You can't catch me." Sarah defied.

"I'll get the car and run you down."

"With that hip of yours you can't use the clutch on the car." Sarah said triumphantly.

"You've got that right Sister," and groaned slightly as her hip stung with pain reminding her who was boss.

"Elva!" Willie called from across the room. "I noticed that there was some yellow rain gear in the front closet. Would you mind if I use it to go get Randy's cell phone?"

"That's fine. Use whatever you need." Elva sighed loudly. "I'm just getting too old for this."

"You're doing better than I expected." Agnes remarked snidely.

"Agnes, since I feel this bad I can only imagine how truly bad you must be feeling at your age." Elva countered with a smirk. "I'll get the trash bags for you Sarah. Is the pitcher and pie pan ready to go back?" She said picking up the empty pitcher.

"Thank you again Elva. The pie is all gone and it was delicious. I've never had it with whipped cream. That really set it off." Tamika complimented her and handed her the pie pan.

"I'll come with you Elva. I have some things I want to do." Sarah finished gathering the empty plates and cups tossing them in the trash can. She then pulled the bag out, tied it up and followed Elva out of the room.

Patrick waited until the ladies had left and then asked. "What is it with Mrs. McGillocotty? Why does she have an anxiety attack when she hears the word sheriff?" He lowered his voice to a whisper as he announced the word sheriff.

"I don't know. I've seen her do that before. I've asked Agnes but she won't tell me." Tamika turned to Randy and ran her finger up his arm. "Randy you will tell us won't you?"

Randy's eyes widened and he smiled. "I wasn't listening what were you asking?"

"About Elva... why does she hate the word Sheriff?" Tamika repeated.

"Oh that! It goes back to when we were teens. She was in a car accident. She spent time in a regular hospital and a psychiatric one. The sheriff thing happened afterwards. Seems the flashing light and her physical and mental state, plus she lost a loved one. It was all too much for her. I think they call it an anxiety fugue state."

"You said she lost a loved one. Was she married when she was a teen?" Tamika questioned.

"No, this was before she got married, long before that."

"So what's the hostility between Agnes and Elva?" Tamika probed.

"Now that's something that you need to talk to Agnes about."

They stopped talking at the sound of Willie's footsteps coming down the long corridor.

"I swear the weather just don't want to let up yet." Willie wiped water from his face and moved over to the fireplace.

"Did you find the phone?" Randy asked.

"Yeah, here it is. I haven't called yet. For a tropical rain it's a cold one." Willie handed the phone to Randy.

"I'm good. Got nobody to call, you hold on to it." Randy held up his hand in rejection.

"Okay, soon as I warm-up a moment I will call. Where are our hostesses?" Willie pocketed the phone and rubbed his hands together then held them out palms out towards the fire.

"They're busy cleaning up trash." Tamika answered after waiting for someone else to answer. She then turned back to Randy and looked at Agnes. "Agnes? Do you want to share anything? Why are you and Elva at such odds?"

"I told you I won't talk about the past." Agnes fussed.

Willie whipped around. "What are you talking about?"

"Ask Tamika. She has taken it upon herself to inquire into Elva's past history of gross moral turpitude." Agnes scoffed.

"Gross moral turpitude? Agnes you couldn't, pardon the pun, hold a candle to the beautiful soul of Elva." Willie roared in an angry loud whisper.

Everyone in the room jumped at the hostile low gravelly voice.

He balled one fist and punched his other flat hand. "I'll tell you their little secret. Take a look at two of the biggest bullies of our high school class. That's right. Look at the goddess Agnes Petrie and the studly Randy Reed."

Agnes' eyes widened and Randy hung his head down as Tamika, Patrick and Karalina turned to look at them.

"That's right. Stare at the evildoers. Let me tell you what happened. We all went to high school together back then. And someone, I won't say who... Agnes ― decided to have a buddy of hers ― Randy, spread hate filled rumors." Willie stared at Agnes. "You should be ashamed even to this day."

Willie stopped and inhaled a moment to reel in his temper. "There was a rumor started. Now it may have been based on truth but that is beside the point. Its intent was to hurt. Randy and Agnes were very popular then and decided to spread a tale that Elva was in love with another girl. That's right, a girl. Even in those days we had gay people. Oh, that wasn't bad enough but they then planned the seduction of Elva. Randy somehow convinced Elva that if she were romantic with him it would rid the school of those rumors."

"I swear we had no idea it would end up like it did." Agnes cried out the interjection.

"Somehow, Randy got Elva into the back of his car while Agnes and a few of her friends hid in the woods. Randy had a signal set up that when he got Elva out of her clothes Agnes would take a picture. So sure enough Randy managed to do it. And Agnes took a Polaroid picture. Polaroid's were popular during those days. They were self-developing. So they got the picture and showed it around school."

"Willie, please don't." Agnes pleaded.

"Shut up!" He barked. "Oh they passed it around. Only part of Randy's body was in the photo you couldn't see his face but Elva's face was shown. Elva was still a sweet teenager then and they did that appalling thing to her. It was worse than just that you see. Elva has a birthmark on her rear end. It is a fairly moderate size one that just happens to be shaped like a bright red rooster."

Randy looked up at Willie, sheepishly a flush of guilt passed across his face.

"That's right, a rooster. So Elva developed a nickname ― cock-ass!" Willie nodded to reaffirm what he was saying. "The kids back then were like those now ― vicious. Different times then, but just as bad. So the nickname stuck. The kids went around calling her cock-ass."

"Well as if that wasn't bad enough Agnes showed the picture to Valerie Higginbottom. She was the girl the original rumor was about. It was late one night during a school dance and for some reason Valerie ran crying from the gym got into her car and sped off. Of course the reason she ran was Agnes and Randy showed her the photo and made vicious statements. Anyway, Elva saw her leave and went after her in her car. Valerie eventually ran her car off the road at mills run. Elva lost control of her car and wrecked behind her. Valerie was thrown from the car and her body was crushed beneath Elva's car. You see part of Elva's car ran over Valerie and stopped on top of her. Even though Elva had numerous broken bones and was bleeding, she crawled out of the car and managed to get to Valerie before she died. When the sheriff arrived Elva was cradling as much of Valerie as she could in her lap; both of them were washed in blood. Valerie was dead and Elva was in hysterics. Rocking and crying. Elva wouldn't let the rescue department take her until they had pulled Valerie's body out. For some reason the flashing light and the word sheriff from the police vehicle's door embedded a visual scar in Elva's mind. If she reads or hears the word sheriff she goes into severe panic attacks."

"My God, Agnes, how could you two have done such a despicable thing?" Tamika accused.

"Elva's has had cognitive behavioral therapy which helped her a lot and...."

"Yoo-hoo Willie," Elva called out. "Did you find the phone? Have you found out any new news?"

"I've got the replacement trash bags." Sarah added and walked over to line the empty can.

"No, ladies I haven't made the call yet. I was just getting ready to call as soon as I warmed my hands. Actually I was admiring the bright blue flames the fire seems to be given off. So odd, I don't think I've seen a flame like that before." Willie answered. "If you will excuse me I will make that call now."

"I think I will put on some music." Sarah walked over to the Edison and cranked the handle several times and said, "How about something nice and soft for us to relax too. Patrick, would you bring a lamp over here so I can see the records?"

"Certainly," Patrick said as he sat up a moment and waited until everyone had looked at him and then turned away. He stood up slowly; turning away from everyone then reached down and adjusted himself. He then stuck his thumbs in the waistband of his pants and moved his trousers downward trying to add extra slack in the crotch area. He moved behind the coach, trying to stay in the darken shadows, twisting sideways as he walked across the room to the bar and the lamp. He picked up the lamp raising it high and holding it to his side to keep the front of his body obscured in darkness.

"Are you okay Patrick?" Karalina opened one eye and watched him crossing the room. "You are acting as if you're in pain."

"Uh, I'm fine, just stretching my legs. I think they went to sleep." Patrick answered and turned away and then set the lamp on a table near the Edison. "How is that?"

"That's good." Sarah said without looking up. She searched and found the cylinder she had been looking for placing it on the spindle. "This is the Mozart-Symphony No. 25 in G minor." The sweet cacophony of notes gently filled the room and Sarah began to sway. Rich and brilliant notes round and full, carving paths of joy and energy into the listeners. Lulling and yet lustfully powerful.

"I spoke to dispatch they said the storm is sitting over the area and they're not sure how long it will stay on top of us. There's still nothing on when they might restore the power." Willie announced as he watched Sarah's gentle rhythmic movement in sync with the melody of the music. His eyes widened and he turned back toward the fire.

"So what do we do now?" Karalina asked. "I'm really getting sleepy. I've had a long day. But I'm afraid of whatever is going on in this house. The word zombie comes to mind."

"We should stay in groups." Willie said as he hunched over a little.

"Well I think we should go to look for Nicholas again." Sarah suggested from across the room. "Constable! Did you hear me?"

"Yeah you're right." Willie said without turning around.

"I didn't hear you." Sarah said again.

Without thinking Willie turned around to answer further than he had intended to and then turned back quickly. He then yelled. "Yeah, we need to go look for him and whoever else is wandering around this house."

Randy walked over to the fire and stood. He turned his hands outward to warm them some more. Still weak and slightly drunk he swayed, stumbled a bit and reached out involuntarily grabbing Willie's shoulder to steady himself.

"What the hell are you doing?" Willie snapped. "Don't touch me!"

"Sorry I tripped." Randy responded. "What's your problem?

"Nothing! Just get the hell away from me." Willie said moving away.

"Patrick, why are you sitting way over there?" Tamika asked.

"I'm just resting over here." He yawned loudly.

"Come over here and sit beside me." Tamika ordered.

"I'm good right where I am." He answered.

"Awe, come on over." Tamika added sweetly.

"I'm okay right here!" Patrick barked.

"What got his knickers in a bunch?" Elva spoke loudly. "That's no way to speak to a lady."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so grumpy." Patrick grumbled. "Guess I'm just a bit tired."

"Don't apologize to me. I believe it is Tamika you owe the apology too." Elva corrected. "If you ever snapped at me like that you would be learning one lesson you would never forget."

"I'm sorry Tamika." He said. "I'm just not feeling well."

"I'll accept your apology if you come over here and sit beside me." Tamika patted the love seat.

"Okay." Patrick said and then pointed to the fireplace. "Is that fire about to jump out of the fireplace?"

When everyone turned to look he hurried over and sat down beside Tamika.

"It looks fine." Willie said moving over to one side of the fireplace into the shadows.

"What's the matter with you Patrick and you too Willie?" Elva asked.

"I'm fine." Patrick said with a slight sharpness to his voice.

Elva walked over to Sarah and in a very low whisper, "Do you think the tranquilizers are making them irritated like this?"

"I don't know the ladies seem fine but don't let Randy see you but look at Randy's pants and hips." Sarah said barely audibly. "Now don't say anything just watch him."

Elva watched as Randy slowly moved his hips from side to side, trying not to be obvious in his movements. It was as if he was having some discomfort. When Randy moved closer to Willie ― Willie moved further into the corner.

"I'm going to look for the boy." Willie suddenly exclaimed and stormed out of the room through the dining room door.

"What is the matter with him?" Sarah said aloud but to no one.

At that moment Willie stuck his head back into the room through the door and said, "Sarah may I speak to you in the kitchen for a moment?"

"Certainly Constable, is something amiss?" Sarah said heading towards Willie.

Willie watched as Sarah came towards him and Elva fell in behind her.

"Alone!" Willie ordered.

Elva stopped and inhaled sharply. "Well, my word. Of course you can."

"I think I will go to the library and get a book to read." Patrick said as he jumped off the love seat and headed toward the door.

"I'll go with you." Tamika said.

Patrick paused half way across the room for a moment and then grinned. "Sure, that's a great idea."

Before they left Elva called. "If you look on the round table there are several books that were left by guests who were authors. They were husband and wife ― both authors and a book by their daughter. They were very nice and big tippers too."

"Would you bring me back a book?" Karalina requested.

"What kind?" Patrick queried.

"A who done it."

"Okay, we will see what we can find." Patrick said picking up a lamp and heading out the door with Tamika close behind.

"What is all that about?" Agnes asked breaking her volunteer silence.

"Everybody's acting crazy all of a sudden." Elva said walking over to Randy then stopped beside him. He was facing the fire.

"Randy are you still drunk?" Elva asked point blank.

Randy turned and winked at her without saying a word.

"He's still snookered. Bloody hell Reverend you're a pissy sort." Elva laughed.

"Why do you insist on pretending you're British?" Agnes reproached.

"Why do you pretend you're human?" Elva snipped back.

"Please ladies. I have a headache." Randy turned around to look at them.

Both women gasped loudly and Karalina started to laugh.

"Randy!" Elva started laughing. "I would say you do have a headache. It's the head that holds your brains. You're exposing your short comings."

Randy quickly turned away, his face red from drink and embarrassment.

Elva grinned and thought about the pistol she had on her and couldn't help but say, "Hey Rocking Randy, is that a pistol you're packing or are you just glad to see us?" Then she broke into raucous laughter.

Chapter 7

"Crack! Rumble, rumble, rumble," The room shook. Everyone stood motionless as the sound of wood breaking burned into their ears.

"What was that?" Elva was the first one to manage to speak her voice weak from fright.

Willie ran into the room from the dining room door. He seemed disheveled and startled. Sarah followed shortly afterwards smoothing her hair down with her hands. Her breathing was heavy and so was Willie's.

"That sound like it was directly outside." Elva pointed toward the external wall. "It must have been lightning."

"I'll go check." Willie said, pulling Elva's flashlight out of his back pocket.

"Er, Willie?" Elva said winking at her sister.

"Yeah?"

"XYZ," She whispered.

"Huh? What? What do you mean?"

"XYZ," She said a little louder.

"I don't understand." He shrugged.

"Examine your zipper, darling." Karalina explained with a laugh.

He looked down and blushed. Then turned away from everyone and zipped.

Sarah's face turned crimson as Elva ran over and freed the back of Sarah's dress from partially being caught in her panties.

Patrick and Tamika strolled calmly into the room and looked around. Patrick set the lamp down and Tamika set several books on a coffee table.

"Are you two okay?" Elva inquired.

"Oh yes. It was lightning. We saw it hit outside the library." Patrick said.

"Scared the pants off me," Tamika euphemized.

"I'm sure it did." Agnes said distastefully.

"Mind your own business." Tamika threatened.

"Patrick dear, XYZ." Elva said smiling a twinkle in her eyes.

Patrick immediately glanced down at his zipper and yanked it up. "Don't want the junk to get out."

"I just don't understand that." Elva said. "That goes to prove everything has been devaluated."

"What do you mean?" Patrick asked.

"Well when I was a young girl a man's privates were called the family jewels and that usually just meant the scrotum. Now-a-days everything down there is junk. See what I mean? From jewels to junk, at least it's still a 'J' word." Elva laughed.

Everyone laughed.

After the laughter quieted Patrick said, "Lightning hit the tree outside the library and split a limb off onto the porch. There's no fire. I checked but there is some broken wood damage."

"Oh no," Sarah cried out.

"Don't worry Sister we have insurance." Elva reassured her.

"You're right." She agreed.

Karalina looked over at the books Tamika had set on the table and picked up one. "The Author is Dead, by Lynn Bowles. Now that sounds good.

"Oh it is," Sarah said. "And she was so sweet she and her husband stayed here. They left those books. She told me she wrote that book after she broke her leg and was laid up from a skiing accident."

"I've got dibs on The Seventh Chakra." Tamika called out fast.

"That's cool. I've read it. It's good... it's like Robert Heinlein on steroids. Who's it by? Slips my mind." Patrick probed."

Holding the book up, she said, "J.R. Bowles."

"Bowels?"

"No Bowles, like toilet bowls."

"Oh, duh, makes sense. You just said the wife's name." Patrick scolded himself.

"The other book is by their daughter." Sarah said.

"What's the name of that one?" Patrick asked.

"It's Birth of the Fire Child." Tamika answered. "I met her at a sci-fi conference. I bought the book there. It's so good. She's supposed to have another one released soon. You'll love it."

"What was she like?" He asked as he read her name aloud, "Ginny Atkinson."

"I thought she was going to be a bitch but she turned out to be quite fascinating. She talked about her new book coming out this summer and other stuff for a long time. Her new one is a continuation of the Lumenessa Saga. I've already pre-ordered it. I can hardly wait." Tamika exuberated.

"Before anyone starts to read," Willie interrupted. "I'm going to go look for Nicholas again. I could use all the help I can get."

"Sure. You're right. We need to find the boy." Patrick said, "Dead or not."

"He's not dead." Sarah butted in and Elva nodded in agreement.

"And the Deputy's body," Willie made a point to remind them all. "Alright then let's divide up again. Who's willing to look?"

The sisters were the first to agree, Patrick and Tamika said they would also. Everyone turned to look at the Reverend and Karalina for an answer.

"Well darling. Someone should stay here in case he comes back." Karalina said as she picked up the book The Author is Dead and began to read ignoring their stare.

They looked at Randy waiting for an answer. "Sure, I'll go look."

Agnes huffed and then spoke up. "Well if Randy goes, I'll go."

"Okay, I'll go alone. The rest of you pair up and grab a lamp. That should leave one lamp to leave here for Karalina. I've still got the flashlight," Willie said reaching behind him for the light.

Karalina watched them leave each one in different directions. She walked over picked up the lamp and brought it back to the table where she was sitting. She picked up the book and started to read. The force of the tropical storm seemed to be increasing as the rumble of thunder became louder.

Nervously she laid the book back down on the table and walked across the room. The one light from the lamp thickened the darkened shadows in the room. Her mind slowly wandered to the undead. She knew she was being ridiculous but her mind refused to be rational.

She pulled the curtain open to stare out at the dark night being punctuated by blazes of lightning often tinted blue and shades of eerie green. Green lightning was very disturbing. She had heard of it but had never seen it. As she stood there fascinated at nature's relentless fury her nose caught a whiff of a faint pungent putrid odor. She cocked her head slightly and slowly turned around. At the doorway to the dining room was a silhouette. A brilliant flash illuminated the room and exposed to her mind, the figure of a zombie. She stared, frozen for a moment, looking at a man dressed in loosely clad, ill-fitting unbuttoned clothing. He was wet with clods of grave-like mud clinging to his hair and pale face.

The piercing scream that escaped her lips could be compared to the high shrill of a teenager riding the downward thrust on the first hill of a roller coaster; or the fallen heroine in a 50's B movie vying for stardom.

The lightning flashed again the figure was gone but she didn't notice. Her mind was still reeling from the shock. She kept screaming loudly until her air gave out and then inhaling deeply returning to the hysterical shrieks.

After several minutes the others returned. Elva and Sarah were the first, followed by Willie, and Patrick and Tamika. Only Randy and Agnes were missing.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" Elva screamed at Karalina, then slapped her hard and turned to Sarah saying, "I always wanted to do that."

After two vigorous slaps Karalina slowed to a loud sob.

"Someone, bring her a shot of brandy." Elva ordered.

"Randy drank all of your brandy, how about scotch?" Patrick asked.

"As long as it is hard and burns on the way down." Elva directed.

Patrick brought the drink and held it out to Karalina, who stared at the shot glass blankly.

"Let me have it." Elva grabbed the glass, stuck it up to Karalina's lips, grabbed the back of her head and tilted the glass.

Karalina's eyes widened as the drink was forced into her and responded with fits of coughing and spitting.

"Here's some tissues dear." Sarah pulled several clumps from a box and handed them out.

Karalina took them wiped her eyes and blew her nose with a slight honking sound.

"Easy now Karalina," Willie spoke gently, the timber of his voice calming. "Now inhale slowly then out... easy now, that's it. Now relax and tell us what's wrong."

"I saw a zombie!" She pointed at the door to the dining room. "I swear to you. I'm not lying."

"Nobody said you were." Willie said calmly. "I want you to tell us exactly what you saw. Describe it in the most detail you can."

She paused as if she were organizing her thoughts. "I opened the curtains and the lightning was flashing ― like it is now ― I smelled a stench ― I turned around and there it was." Her hand started to shake as she pointed at the spot.

"Okay." Willie said, "Tell us what it looked like. It couldn't have been the boy... Nicholas, could it?"

"No," she said emphatically. "It was a man... a dead man. He was thin... pale, and dirty. His clothes were loose and baggy. He looked like his eyeballs were sunken in his head."

"How tall?"

"About midway to that picture beside the door... I screamed and the lightning kept flashing then he was just gone. I don't know where ― I don't know how."

"Sarah did you or Elva, see anyone? You came from that direction didn't you?" Willie said.

As they both shook their heads no, Willie walked over to the doorway and scanned the area with his flashlight.

"The floor is wet with some muddy tracks. Did anyone else go out into the rain?" He knew the answer and didn't look up.

"I'm going to follow the tracks. When Randy and Agnes return have them stay here."

Willie followed the moisture trail through the dining room, through the kitchen... along the series of closed glass porches to the front of the house and the internal mud room. He unbuckled his holster and stepped out onto the front porch. There stood Agnes and Randy.

"Willie! Thank god you're here." Agnes hurried over to him. "There's a light in my house."

Willie stood there looking across the street. The rain continued hard, distant lightning lit the ground and sky. In between the flashes a light could be seen from a downstairs window.

"Agnes, did you lock the door?" Willie asked.

"I believe I did but I can't remember. Of course that doesn't mean Tamika did... she could have left it unlocked. I just can't remember."

Willie stood staring at the rain and finally said, "I guess I'm going to have to go check it out."

"Could it be Nicholas?" Randy asked.

"Maybe," Willie answered. "No need to speculate."

"What's going on out here?" Elva said from the doorway. Sarah, Patrick, Tamika and Karalina followed her out.

"I thought I told you to stay in the parlor." Willie grouched.

"Willie, does anybody ever listen to you?" Elva snapped back. "So what's going on out here? We started talking and followed you."

Willie resigned the argument and said, "Somebody's in Agnes' house. There's a light over there. Tamika, if I recall you came here after Agnes. Did you lock the door?"

"Yes," she answered, "I always lock the door."

"I'm going to go over there." Willie said as he headed back inside.

"Where did he go?" Agnes asked. "I thought he was going...."

"Shut up Aggie. He went to get some rain gear on and I'm going with him." Elva returned into the mudroom with Sarah following."

"You can't go out in this rain?" Sarah nagged following close behind. When she saw Elva putting the rain gear on she knew it was futile to argue so she helped her.

"What are you doing?" Willie asked.

"I'm going with you." Elva answered.

"No you're not."

"Yes, I am. That might be Nicholas over there and I'm going to find out. He might be sick or god knows what."

"Alright but you stay behind me and stay close."

"Here, take this lamp." Sarah offered the lamp out.

"I don't need it. Willie's got a flashlight and I'll stay close to him."

Out on the front porch they stopped and pulled their hoods up, snugged them down with the ties and checked the metal snaps. The wind had shifted directions and the rain was coming sideways from the west. The house blocked some of the rain and wind as they made their way down the steps onto the sidewalk.

The lightning was at a distance but frequent, as they crossed the road, opened the gate and went up the steps to Agnes' porch. At the top of the steps Willie stopped, untied his hood and then flipped off the flashlight.

"We need to be quiet as we can. Let's peek in the window and see if we can find out what we are dealing with."

They moved quietly except for the faint sound of their rain gear rubbing together noisily.

"The wind and rain is so loud I doubt anybody will hear us." Willie whispered. "Look there," he pointed, "There is Nicholas, lying body on the couch. I don't know if he's sleeping or if we were right before and he's dead."

"He's alive, I know it," Elva whispered back, "but look, there's a shadow on the wall — there! Somebody is standing between the light casting a huge shadow. See it's moving. Nicholas had a lamp with him when he went to the door but when we found him in the attic it wasn't there."

"Now I'm going to go in and I want you to stay here. Elva please, I need you to not fight me on this. It is for your safety and mine. Can I depend on you to cooperate with me? Please."

"Okay Willie but I'm going to keep an eye on you through the window."

Willie nodded silently and handed Elva the flashlight. "Here in case you need it. If something goes wrong I want you to get the hell back across the road. You understand? I'm not taking no for an answer."

Elva paused as he stood there bent over nose to nose with her. "Okay, but be careful."

Willie walked over to the storm door squeezing the handle slowly and pulled it gently open. He turned the knob on the door and pushed. It made a slight sliding sound and then went quiet. He had been in Agnes' house before and knew his way to the short hall to the door to the sitting room. He traversed the hall quickly and pulling his gun out he stepped into the room.

There standing ten feet from the Nicholas' body was the zombie. Karalina's description had been almost exact. The bony man was soaking wet, thinning hair plastered to his head with dirt and mud. The clothes he wore were three sizes too large and his face was gaunt ― his skin pale.

"Hands up!" Willie ordered, his gun aimed directly at the unknown man.

The gaunt figure stood staring blankly, his arms hanging limply by his side. Thin lips parted slowly and an awkward noise issued forth.

"Stick your damn hands up now!" Willie yelled.

Slowly the man raised his left arm to shoulder level, displaying the palm of his hand. He moved his shoulder back and forth with his body his right arm swung lifelessly around. From his slightly parted lips he groaned loudly.

Willie was getting nervously scared and unsettled. He glanced over at Nicholas on the couch. "Can you talk?"

Then figure shook his head from left to right indicating no.

"Is the boy okay?"

The man shrugged his shoulder indicating he had no idea.

"Are you ill?"

The man nodded.

"Hurt?"

Again he nodded.

"The storm has closed the bridge. No ambulance can get here. How bad are you?" Willie kept his gun pointed at the man.

Again he shrugged.

"Can I look at the boy?

The man nodded.

"Move over there for me. I want to be able to keep an eye on you." Willie used the gun to point to the place he wanted the man.

As soon as the man moved Willie walked over and placed his fingers on the boy's neck feeling for a pulse. He kept his eyes on the man as he drew closer.

"I don't feel a pulse but his body is still warm. It doesn't make sense. Wait a minute ― I think I felt one."

"Bang!" The window glass shattered inward into the room and the zombie fell to the ground.

"What the hell!" Willie shouted and pointed his gun towards the window.

"Yoo-hoo! Willie, are you okay? I think I got him. I killed the zombie."

"Where did you get a gun? Never mind... I know. It's VD's gun. Get in here!" He shouted at Elva as he walked around the couch and kneeled down beside the man. As soon as Elva came in the door he shouted, "Bring me that flashlight and give me that gun."

Elva walked over, flashlight in her left handgun in her right. "Is the zombie dead? Can a zombie die twice?"

"Give me that gun, now!" He ordered as he stood up, reached over and took the gun. He tucked it into the back of his pants and returned his gun back into his holster. "Hand me the flashlight."

Elva reluctantly handed him the flashlight. She leaned over as Willie took the flashlight and examined the man's body.

"Did I get him?" Elva asked again. "I don't see any blood. Do zombies bleed?"

"He's not a zombie. He's just a man that's been hurt. I'm going to roll him over and examine him. I don't know if you want to look." He handed the flashlight back to Elva and rolled the body over with a loud thump.

Elva gasped loudly. "My goodness it's Mr. Smythe."

"Who?" Willie asked.

"Mr. Smythe. He left a few days ago. He was a boarder." Elva closed her left eye for a moment and added, "He left his suitcases too. He was paid up so we packed up his stuff. Is he the zombie?"

"He's not a zombie. He's just a man that's been hurt. He's breathing. I don't think you killed him."

At that moment Mr. Smythe opened his eyes. Fear filled his eyes and he started to squirm.

"It's okay. Are you Mr. Smythe?"

The man nodded.

"Elva do you know his first name?"

"Jonathan, I believe."

"Is your name Jonathan?"

Again the man nodded.

"Are you having trouble remembering? You look like you've been in an accident."

The man just stared and shrugged a little.

"Do you remember Mrs. McGillocotty?"

He nodded.

"She's the one that took a shot at you," when he saw more fear in the man's eyes he hurriedly added, "It was an accident. She was worried for her nephew and you're pretty rough looking right now."

The fear subsided some.

Willie stood up. "I didn't see any gunshot wounds. I think with whatever trauma you have been through you might have fainted. We need to get you back across the street and get some warm drink and food into you. Can you get up if I help you?"

Mr. Smythe nodded and with Willie's help he slowly made it back to his feet.

"Elva do you have any idea if Agnes has an umbrella here?" Willie asked.

"No, not really ― how about a couple blankets. I'll get them." Elva left the room.

"Mr. Smythe, can you walk back across the street?"

He nodded.

Shortly Elva returned with two blankets. Willie took one blanket draping it over Mr. Smythe and the other one he wrapped around Nicholas.

"Elva I'm going to have to do a fireman carry on Nicholas. Do you know what that is?"

"How many times today am I going to have to say it? I'm forgetful not stupid."

Elva walked over and picked up the oil lamp in one hand the flashlight in the other. "I do believe this is mine."

Willie grunted as he threw the adolescent boy over his shoulders. Slowly they made their way out of the house through the rain and wind, crossing the road.

Chapter 8

"Is there any change?" Sarah asked.

"No, nothing yet that I can see." Elva laid another cold wash cloth on Nicholas' forehead. She had used the camp stove to heat enough water to clean Nicholas and Mr. Smythe.

They had made warm honey tea for Mr. Smythe's throat. Tamika and Patrick were busy checking him over for cuts and bruises.

They had found a large bump on the back of Nicholas' head and applied cold compresses to that.

Willie turned to the sisters and asked, "Would you make Mr. Smythe some soup ― maybe soup broth?

"We will," Elva agreed and they both left the room.

Elva opened a can of chicken noodle soup, poured it in a pan while Sarah lit the stove again.

It was the first time since they had found Mr. Smythe that they had been alone and Sarah was the first to state her worries.

"What happened, Elva? I don't understand. I'm worried what Mr. Smythe might say when he gets his voice. We did bury him. Can you go to jail for burying dead bodies?"

"I don't know. We will just have to wait and see what he does say. We found him in the closet. We thought he was dead but he wasn't. We buried him in the basement." She sighed and stirred the soup. "Somehow he got out of the garment bag."

"But what caused him to seem like he was dead?" Sarah asked.

"Willie seems to think it was the white wine. I'm afraid it was Nicholas. I haven't wanted to talk to you about it ― I didn't want you to worry and you do worry on so."

"I know I do. I try to not worry but I just can't seem to help myself. Nicholas crossed my mind too. The way he likes to cut up dead things is scary sometimes."

"Well Sarah, I guess we will just have to see. Maybe Mr. Smythe won't recover his voice." She said hopefully.

"He can still write."

"Oops," Elva giggled. "Soup's done." They placed the soup in a bowl on a tray with some crackers and headed back into the parlor.

Mr. Smythe smiled at the ladies and both ladies smiled back at him with relief.

"Oh ― uh, ouch, my head is killing me." Nicholas groaned and his hand immediately went to his forehead.

Everyone rushed over to him with concern.

"What?" He said. "My head is killing me. Don't stare at me. What's the matter?"

"We thought you were dead." Elva answered when nobody offered him any information.

"Dead? Seriously, that's wicked." Then he groaned again when he tried to sit up.

"Take it easy. We can't get emergency rescue here." Elva recommended.

"Do you feel like talking?" Willie asked.

"Sure, can I have something to drink first?"

"I'll get it." Sarah said. "What would you like?"

"How about I go get a cola from the fridge?" He suggested.

"You need to rest." Sarah said.

"I need to stretch and go pee." He said reluctantly.

"Very well, but I'm going with you. Elva and I will wait outside the bathroom until you're finished. We're not letting you out of our sight for a while."

They stood beside him and offered out their hands. Nicholas smiled and grabbed each their hands with his and stood up.

They followed him to the bathroom and when he was finished they all went to the kitchen.

"How about a donut too," he suggested.

"That would be fine." Elva got a box of donuts sat them on the counter.

Nicholas popped the soda can and took a big gulp and asked, "Are you two okay?"

"Us? We've been worried about you." Elva answered. "Where have you been and what have you been doing?"

"Most of it I can't remember. But when I saw Mr. Smythe it scared me. He was the one banging on the door earlier when I went to answer it."

"You thought he was a zombie too?" Elva's eyes got big as she spoke.

"No, well maybe a little, but I was afraid he would get you two in trouble." He took another sip and rubbed his nose of the carbonated bubble splash tickle.

"Why would you say that?" Sarah leaned forward worriedly.

"Well I know about the men in the basement floor. I don't know why you killed them but I wanted to help protect you."

"Oh darling, that's so sweet." Elva said as she gave him a big hug which he tried to shrug away from. "But dear, we didn't kill them. We thought you did."

"Me?" His boyish voice cracked a slight octave. "I didn't do it."

"Well, you do like to kill those animals and stuff them." Sarah responded.

"I don't kill them. I just take out their insides and stuff them with Styrofoam. They are dead when I bring them in." He ran his hand from forehead backward across his hair. "Well if you didn't and I didn't then who did?"

Sarah looked and Elva and then back to him. "That's a good question. After the deputy died Willie seemed to think it was something in the wine."

"Oh my god... that explains a lot. I took a sip of the wine the Deputy left." He looked down sheepish.

"Now Nicholas...." Elva began but decided it wasn't the time or the place to talk about it and then said, "Never mind."

"I feel better now knowing you didn't do it." He said.

"We do too," Sarah answered back.

"There were four, right?" He asked.

"Yes, only four. When they died here we didn't know what to do other than bury them."

"Only?" He laughed.

"But what are we going to do? The deputy's body is still missing and that will bring in lots of police and they will tear this place apart." Sarah lamented. "They will find the other three."

"You don't have to worry about it. I got rid of the bodies."

"What? How did you do that? What did you do with them?" Elva bombarded him with the questions.

"Don't sweat it. That's probably what happened to Mr. Smythe too. Remember when the construction workers put up the tube chute to dump the junk out of the attic? Their company went bankrupt and they left the chute ― I've been using the chute to get rid of the bodies."

"The bodies were in the cellar and...." Elva began.

"I know. I dug each one up and I put them on the dumbwaiter and cranked it up to the attic. That's where I embalmed them."

"How on earth did you learn something like that?"

"The internet, everything is on the web. What I did was one by one took them up, embalmed them, slid them down the chute, and drove them to the old cemetery back in the woods. I opened a crypt and put them in. They are there now."

"How did you get them to the cemetery?" Elva asked.

"I put them in the trailer attached to the ride mower. It was easy." He explained.

"Well my, my, that is incredible. I always knew you were one very smart cookie and I'm just so glad you weren't killing them. I still wonder what happened to them. So what happened with Mr. Smythe?" Elva praised and questioned.

"I can only speculate I took him up and left him on the table in the attic. I was getting ready to embalm him. I learned how to bleed them and everything. That's when I came down earlier. He must have woken up on the table. It was dark and he probably fell and slid down the chute ― ended up in the mud and staggered around to the front door."

"We found you in the attic. How did you get there?"

"Well when he startled me at the front door I jumped back tripped and hit my head. I manage to stagger over to the dumbwaiter and hand cranked it up to the attic. That's where I passed out and then with whatever was in the wine I was out of it."

"That's how you got trapped in a locked room." Elva shook her head in amazement.

Both ladies threw their arms around him and started showering him with kisses against his protests.

"At first we thought you were dead. Then we saw the knife with peanut butter on it and we figured you were alive." Elva said somewhat perplexed. "But you were still unconscious. I don't understand. You hadn't eaten the peanut butter then."

"I sneaked some peanut butter when you ran me out during the ED talk." He said sheepishly, "I guess I didn't clean the knife very good."

"Sarah, you were wrong. That knife had been there before he died." Elva accused.

"So he was still dead when we thought he was alive." Sarah said vaguely.

"Sarah dear, don't over think it. He was alive then and he's alive now." Elva pointed out.

"I guess I'm getting as forgetful and confused as you are Elva." Sarah said and they all laughed.

"Well it's good to see you all so happy." Willie said as he entered the kitchen. "I came to get Mr. Smythe a little more tea with honey."

"Here you go Willie I'll pour it." Sarah hurried over to him and leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

Willie grinned and said, "You take your time. I'll ask questions when you make it back in." Willie left with the tea.

"Let's go back and get this over with." Nicholas said grabbing up his soda he headed to the door. Elva and Sarah fell in behind Nicholas. In the parlor Nicholas sat on a loveseat and the ladies sat next to him one on each side.

"Nicholas, do you feel up to trying to answer some questions?" Willie sat down across from them.

"Sure, I'll try."

"When you went to answer the door, what happened?"

"I opened the door and Mr. Smythe was there. I didn't recognize him. He was naked and muddy... he scared me. When I jumped back I tripped and hit my head. I almost broke the oil lamp when I fell. I left the lamp on the floor and I ran. I hid in the dumbwaiter and pulled myself up to the attic. I crawled out and that's the last I remember until I woke up on the couch there."

"What's a dumbwaiter?" Karalina asked.

"It's like a small elevator. Lots of the large older homes have them and hotels. It was used to take food up and down." Willie answered her.

"Some were electric but ours isn't." Elva added.

"That answers that," Willie said more for his own benefit. "That's how you got into the locked part of the attic. But where did the lock come from?"

"I put it on there to keep my aunts from snooping in some of my private stuff." Nicholas said. "You know boy stuff."

Willie grinned and nodded understanding. "Now it's just up to you Mr. Smythe. Do you think you can talk yet?"

Mr. Smythe set his glass of tea down and cleared his voice. "I'll try," he answered, his voice thick dry and gravely.

"Tell me what you remember?" Willie turned and everyone watched Mr. Smythe.

"Not much. I remember fainting, I must have been in the shower or sleepwalking. When I woke up it was dark. I was cold and naked. I couldn't see. I fell and passed out again. When I woke up I was in the mud outside. The lightning let me see how to get to the front door. I pounded on the door and the boy opened it. Like he said he fell then got up and ran. I grabbed the lamp and went to Agnes' house and borrowed some of her husband's clothes." Mr. Smythe took a big drink of tea and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Where were you when you fainted?" Willie asked, "And where were you the past several days."

"I honestly don't remember where I was when I fainted. This house is so big I might have been showering or something. I woke up naked so that's odd. But to tell the truth I just don't know. It's easy to get lost in this house." Mr. Smythe explained.

"How did you get in Agnes' house?" Tamika asked. "The door was locked."

"Agnes showed me where she kept an extra key." He answered.

Everyone looked at Agnes. "Well, well, the Hilltop ho strikes again." Elva interjected.

"Shut-up Elva, you said Jonathan's company called him back." Agnes said accusingly trying to refocus the attention away from her.

"I didn't know what to say." Elva said causally. "He just disappeared. I figured that must have been why he took off with some of his things still here. By the by, Mr. Smythe your suitcases are in the attic. And Agnes, he said he woke up naked. I think that must have been your department."

Willie interrupted the squabble and asked, "How did Nicholas there, the boy, how did he get over to Agnes' house?"

"After I found clothes I came back. I looked around and that's when I heard gunshots. I saw the boy sleeping on the couch; and picked him up and took him across the street."

Willie looked at him doubtfully. "I thought your other arm is hurt?"

"That's how I hurt it ― carrying the boy. He was over my shoulder on this side and I carried the lamp with the other."

"Why did you run when Karalina screamed?" Willie asked.

"She scared the hell out of me. I can't remember ever hearing a woman bellow like that before." He said as he looked at her.

Everybody laughed and she chuckled along while blushing.

"Did you see any signs of the body of a female police officer?"

"No." He answered.

"Well, that only leaves a few questions. The biggest question is ― where is the Deputy's body and what caused the coma like states."

"Elva do you have any more of that white wine?" Willie asked.

"I'm sure we do but it's in the wine cellar and the basement is still flooded." Elva answered.

"I guess it will be okay there until the power comes on. I don't feel up to wading through water tonight."

Sarah scratched her head. "Elva, remember the 'hide and go seek-me-not'?"

"Oh yes. I forgot all about that. It's a hidden passageway down to the wine cellar that was built during the prohibition days. Father said he helped his pappy build it. We were supposed to use it if he ever gave us that secret phrase."

"And it goes into the wine cellar?" Willie asked.

"Yeah, it's in the back of the front closet."

"Back of the front closet... where we put the Deputy's body? Why didn't you say something earlier?" He jumped up grabbed the flashlight and headed toward the door.

"I forgot." Elva grabbed a lamp and fell in behind him along with Sarah, Tamika and Patrick.

When they got there he was examining the closet. "How do you open the panel?"

Sarah looked at Elva. "I don't remember."

Elva eased past Willie reached up and twisted a coat hook in the back and whoosh ― the panel turned.

There on the other side stood the Deputy. Her eyes were wide with relief rapidly replacing fear.

"Are you okay?" Willie asked in disbelief.

"How long have you been awake?" Willie asked as he helped her out of the closet.

"Not too long." She said holding her head.

"Why didn't you try your cellphone?"

"I couldn't find it." She said.

"We thought you were dead." Willie said in disbelief.

She nodded, "So did I."

Chapter 9

The sun was bright, the day was calm and all was once again right with the world of Elva and Sarah. Willie parked in front of the huge house walked up and rang the doorbell.

"Ding dong." He grinned as he wondered if Elva said her usual. He tucked the brown envelope under his arm and eyed the construction workers busy fixing the corner of the porch. Someone had already cleaned up the broken limbs and debris. The mud was gone and everything sparkled. He knew Sarah had been busy.

Sarah opened the door and broke into a huge smile. She glanced around for a second to see who was within ear sound and said, "Hello Willie. Please come in."

"Hi Sarah, I can only stay a few minutes there's still a lot to be done in town."

"Have you got time for tea?" She asked.

"That would be fine."

When they arrived in the parlor Elva was the only one there and she was busy knitting.

"Hello Willie." Elva greeted him with a smile, "How's tricks?"

"Hi Elva, I just wanted to bring by the tests from the white wine." He laid the brown envelope on the table. "I don't know how many bottles you have but it's bad. It has a saxitoxin in it. That's a powerful neurotoxin found in bivalve mollusks, including mussels, clams, and scallops. Somehow it got into the wine making process. The company that made it said if you send them an invoice they will refund you along with a monetary stipend if you agree not to sue them."

"Well isn't that nice." Elva smiled.

"I believe that will be true of everyone that drank from that batch of wine. I am sure they will be contacting Mr. Smythe." Willie informed them.

"Here's your tea," Sarah said as she handed him a cup already mixed to his taste.

"Willie," Elva began, "I still don't understand how the Deputy was spinning around on the porch when Agnes took a pot shot at her. The Deputy disappeared a lot earlier in the evening. Remember Agnes had disappeared and then we discovered VD's body gone."

"VD, told me about that. She said she remembered waking up but she was groggy. She opened the French doors in the library leading to the porch. Her elbow hit the glass pane and broke it inward. She was on the porch spinning around in pain and passed out. She wasn't sure how long she was out and when she woke up again. She tried to stand up and grabbed a vine to steady herself and that is when the gun fired. She said she must have passed back out again at that point. If you remember when we found her we thought she was dead. It was the rain and the toxin. She suffered from hypothermia."

"Well I have to go." He placed the cup on the table and stood up. The town is a mess. I'm going to be busy for a long while. Oh yeah, there were no terrorist bombs it was lightning. It is weird how people's imagination runs away with them on nights like that. This is one we won't forget."

"Thank you Willie." Elva said.

"Sarah, would you walk me out?"

"I will." Sarah smiled as they left the room.

In the distance Elva heard Willie say, "Wednesday?" And then Sarah giggled.

Elva stood up from the rocking chair waited until her hip joined the rest of her body then walked over and picked up an electronic book reader on the table. She brought it up to her face and stared at it for a moment then spoke out loud.

"Well, that's my tale. I hope you enjoyed it. Now ask yourself who is the addlepated one? Me or Sarah? Or is it Sarah or me? Oh, and if you come back to visit me I'll introduce you to my six foot tall friend. His name is Harvey. He's an odd chap. You'll like Harvey. He's a Chippendale dancer. Bye for now."

