All You Want by Rachelle Ayala

Author:Rachelle Ayala [Ayala, Rachelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lovely Hearts Press
Published: 2020-04-09T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

~ Todd ~

There’s no rest for the wicked, hence no rest for the wary. The night is still young, and I need to check in at the station and make sure all is well at the town square festival.

I drive to my cabin and change out of my costume. It’s lonely up in this neck of the woods, and there’s no traffic because everyone is in town for Spooky Fest or at Tami’s grand opening.

I’m on my way back to the police station when my phone rings. It’s Miss Laverne Pine.

“How are you this evening? Is everything okay?”

“Oh, yes, it is. Thanks for setting up the pots of candy for me,” she says.

“I’m on my way back to town if you need anything.”

“I don’t want to bother you, Todd, dear, but you know how you told me to keep an eye out for suspicious characters?”

“Yes, are you okay?” Concern immediately floods me. It’s hard for Miss Laverne to live alone, but she’s as stubborn as the hills, and she keeps a loaded shotgun.

“I think so, but would you think I’m a crazy old bat if I saw a ghost?” She giggles and adds, “It’s not a trick or treater or anyone wearing a sheet.”

“Did they bother you? Threaten you in any way?”

“Oh, nothing of the sort. It’s someone I thought was dead long ago, and I got quite a shock. I was out back getting firewood, and I saw her. She was picking up horse chestnuts.”

“Does she know they’re poisonous?”

“I was about to say something, but the wind blew my kitchen door shut, and I dropped the wood. When I looked again, she wasn’t there. It was the freakiest thing, because I thought I knew her.”

“Are you sure she was picking up horse chestnuts and not looking to break and enter?”

“She left,” Miss Laverne says. “I got a flashlight and went to look for footprints. The pile of horse chestnuts I was saving to make Christmas ornaments was gone, if you count that as stealing.”

“It is at least trespassing. If she wanted what you collected, she should have asked. What do you think she wanted them for?”

“She might be from the city, and maybe she doesn’t know they’re poisonous. Thought she’d roast them on an open fire or something. Oh my, do you think we should warn her?”

“We don’t even know if she’s a ghost. You sure you’re not pulling my leg?”

“Oh, I’m serious Tiberius,” she says. “I heard her talking to someone about making chestnut tea. Maybe you should put out a public service announcement not to eat horse chestnuts or buckeyes.”

“I’ll do that, Miss Laverne. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“I know you’re busy, Sheriff, but I could use some help opening my flue. It’s rusty and gets stuck, but it’s no hurry.”

“Actually, it might snow either tonight or tomorrow night. I’ll come by now.”

“You don’t have to, not if you’re busy,” Miss Laverne insists.

I’m always busy, but Shane can wait. The temperature could drop overnight, and I want to make sure Miss Laverne is safe.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.