06 Hauntin' After Midnight Read online

  Go to the house on Edman Street.

  Brannon and I exchanged a look.

  “I guess we should go to the house,” he said.

  After packing up the equipment and saying goodbye to Annie and Jane Austen Brannon and I hurried out of the library. We soon arrived at the house. It was hard to explain, but somehow I felt that we would experience something. Maybe because of the shadow that had knocked me down. I was expecting a repeat of that encounter. We got out of the car and Brannon went back to the trunk. The street was quiet, no traffic passed by. It was as if the house had been waiting for us.

  “What did you bring this time?” I asked.

  He hoisted a device from the trunk. The top was covered with tiny lightbulbs. Brannon loved to make gadgets that he hoped would help measure and prove paranormal activity.

  “I call it the light sensor ghost detector. It does exactly what the name says. When the ghosts are around the thing will light up. It’s much more powerful than the other machines though. That’s what makes it special.”

  “Do you think you’ll get in trouble for this?” I asked as we walked up the front steps.

  “Well, I am investigating the case, so I need to take a look around,” he said with a slight smile.

  “Good point,” I said.

  After setting the equipment down, he shoved the key into the lock. I was grateful he had a key. Had Erin given it to him? Regardless, at least this time I didn’t have to sneak in. As he twisted the knob a loud bang sounded from somewhere close by.

  “It sounds like the ghosts are already at it,” I said.

  We hurried over to the edge of the porch and peered around the side of the house, the side where I’d found Katrina. A shadow darted from the house. It was just a split second until it faded and disappeared before our eyes. That wasn’t the only thing we saw. A man ran from the house. Apparently he’d gone out the back door and around the edge of the house.

  “That’s the guy,” I said. “The one who pushed me down the steps at the restaurant during the tour.”

  “Wait here.” Brannon motioned.

  He jumped over the edge of the railing and dashed across the yard. He ran after the guy, telling him to stop. Unfortunately, the guy didn’t stop. My heart thumped in my chest as I waited for Brannon to return. I paced the length of the porch, wondering what was happening to Brannon. Would that shadow reappear? Had the shadow attacked the man and why was he in the house? I wanted to know the answers. I decided to walk in the house while I waited for Brannon to return. I had to do something to keep my mind off of what was happening. I was really starting to panic with all the negative thoughts going through my head.

  Immediately I went to the kitchen. I wanted to take a look out the back door. Sure enough, when I stepped into the room I spotted the open back door. The guy had been in the house. Papers on the floor caught my attention. They looked like letters. I reached down and picked them up. They were letters all right. More from Melinda. Telling Katrina the same thing. This woman had a serious problem. She really had it in for Katrina. Why was this man in the house with these letters? And why had he pushed me? A door banged and I jumped.

  Brannon stepped inside the room. “I didn’t find him.”

  “I found these. I think that guy was in here with these letters.” I showed him the letters. “I told you I’d found a letter from Melinda.”

  “Looks like I need to visit Melinda,” Brannon said.

  Chapter 21

  Once again, I’d given the cop ordered to guard me the slip. It was easy actually. I had gone out the back door. Sure, I shouldn’t have ventured out alone, but I needed to make this trip without Brannon knowing.

  Dana Newman from the coffee shop had somehow managed to locate Melinda’s address for me. Though I knew Brannon had tried to talk with Melinda, she was apparently hiding out from him. I wouldn’t let her get away with that though. I wanted to find out about the other letters and if she had any connection to the guy who pushed me. I refused to believe that he had been at the house by coincidence. Plus, the fact that the letters had been on the kitchen floor. Maybe he had dropped them on the way out when he heard us. He probably saw Brannon’s cop car and took off.

  As determined as I was, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to actually confront Melinda though. She seemed a little unhinged and I wasn’t sure if I should get her riled up. I’d see how it went when I got to her address. Maybe by then I would have gotten my nerve up. I’d borrowed my parents’ car so that I could drive the few miles to the edge of town. They were out of town this week on a cruise and would return in a few days. I’d sold my old clunker because it needed more work than it was worth. Plus, I didn’t drive much lately. Eventually I’d buy something new.

  Melinda’s address was located on the outer edge of town by the parkway. I turned onto Lakeview Drive. Several mailboxes lined the side of the road. That meant there were more than just her home on this secluded road. That made me feel somewhat better. I’d had no idea that she lived on such a tucked away area.

  A short distance down the road and I came to a driveway. A small marker indicted that this was number six zero eight. The trees were almost completely full of leaves now, making the road shadowed and even more secluded. I drove past the address, looking over as I passed.

  Going down to the next driveway I turned in and backed out. Now I had to decide if I was going up to the door or if this was a wasted trip. What would I say to her? I could demand to know if she knew that man who pushed me. Though it was doubtful she would admit it. As I made my way back toward her driveway I spotted a car pulling out. I pulled to the side of the road and stopped. The car had pulled out from her driveway. I was almost positive it was Melinda behind the wheel. I couldn’t let her to get away.

  I allowed a few seconds to pass and then I pushed the gas. It was hard because if I waited too long she would get away. If I didn’t wait long enough she would see me behind her. Luckily I was in a car she wouldn’t recognize and I was wearing sunglasses. Although maybe that made it look as if I was trying to hide my identity.

  When I reached the end of the road, her blue car was nowhere in sight. I stopped at the sign and looked to the left and to the right. Thank goodness I spotted her car to the left. Since there were no other vehicles coming either way I pulled out onto the road. Though I had hoped that other cars would be in front of me so it wouldn’t look as if I was following her. I would just have to keep my distance. Up ahead was another traffic light. I said a prayer that it would turn green by the time I reached it. Melinda was already waiting at the red light.

  Thank goodness the light turned green. I slowed my car down so that I wouldn’t be right behind her. I got lucky and another car had pulled out from a side street and was now directly behind her. Where was she headed? Maybe she was just going to the grocery store or the post office. I stayed a nice distance behind her. She wasn’t going above the speed limit so it was easy to keep up. We’d almost reached the other side of town. That didn’t take long with a place the size of Devil’s Moon. She made a left turn into the Holiday Inn Express parking lot. I eased off the gas a bit, giving her time to maybe park. Sure enough, she had backed into a parking space.

  Was she waiting on someone? Why was she had this hotel? I pulled in, but drove to the back so she wouldn’t see me. Once at the rear of the lot, I turned my car around and slowly drove back around to the front. That was when I spotted the other car turn into the lot.

  I backed into a nearby spot so that I would have a good view of Melinda and the other car. I hoped that she wouldn’t notice. I figured I was kind of concealed in this spot. The small gray car pulled into the spot next to Melinda’s car. The door opened and the guy got out. It was the one who had pushed me down the stairs. I knew they were connected. Was Melinda the reason why he’d pushed me down the stairs? It had to be related. I never believed in coincidences. Not ones that big. I should call Brannon. Maybe he could come over and ask them what was going on with their meetin
g. I knew he wanted to speak with Melinda, but so far he hadn’t been able to track her down. Every time he tried she didn’t answer the door or phone. Now I’d caught them red-handed, although I wasn’t sure what I’d caught them doing. Meeting at a hotel? They could just be having an affair for all I knew.

  I dialed Brannon’s number, but he didn’t answer. I sent a text and asked him to call me back as soon as possible. I didn’t want him to think this was life or death, but I also didn’t want to let these two get away either. As I watched the two of them sit in her car and talk that was when Melinda looked in my direction. Surely she couldn’t see me all the way over here and recognize me. Melinda said something to the guy and he looked in this direction. Uh-oh. It looked as if they had noticed me. They got out of the car and started walking across the parking lot in my direction. They were headed over to me. What would I do now? They picked up their pace. When the guy started running, I decided it was time for me to get out of there. The guy had almost reached the car when I punched the gas pedal and raced out of the spot. The engine of my dad’s Dodge roared and the tires spun.

  He jumped out of the way as if he thought I was about to run over him. I wasn’t even close though. Just the sound of the car was intimidating. Would anyone blame me if I had hit him though after what he’d done to me? Thinking back on what he did caused me to panic so I wanted to get away from them as soon as possible. I didn’t know what they would do if they got ahold of me.

  After speeding out of the parking lot and onto the main road I glanced back in the rear-view mirror. So far they weren’t behind me, but I knew they would be coming soon. It would take them a minute to get back to the car and get out of the parking lot. I had to turn so they wouldn’t know which way that I had gone. Adrenaline raced through me as I made a quick left. Luckily, I knew my way through these back roads. This way would take me back to my parents’ house.

  With any luck they wouldn’t know to turn down this street. I kept glancing in the rear mirror to make sure they weren’t behind me. Thank goodness I saw no sign of them. My phone rang. It was Brannon calling back, but I couldn’t answer right now. I would call him back as soon as I reached my parents’ place. He would probably worry now that I didn’t answer. I couldn’t believe how close I’d come to another encounter with that guy. Of course I had been following Melinda. Though I hadn’t expected to see them meeting each other. At least now I knew that he had been in that house for a reason. He’d probably gone there to find those letters. Maybe Melinda knew they were there. Though I was surprised Katrina hadn’t given them to the police and told them that Melinda had been threatening her. That was kind of a big deal since there were multiple letters. Obviously Melinda wasn’t a nice person. I looked back once more for any sign of their cars.

  I’d gotten really lucky that I had been able to avoid them. After another couple minutes of driving I pulled into my parents’ driveway. Maybe I should just drive home and bring their car back later. I didn’t like the idea of walking home alone. If I parked the car in front of my place though they might spot it. My place was right in town and that car would be noticed.

  I’d call Brannon back and ask him to come and get me. I would have to tell him what happened anyway. Before I had a chance to dial Brannon’s number, again my phone rang. It was him again.

  “What happened? You had me worried,” he said when I answered.

  “Well, you’re not going to believe this,” I said.

  “Actually, I bet I will. Try me,” he said.

  I told him everything that had happened.

  “Why did you go out without the cop?” Brannon asked.

  “He gives me the creeps, okay? I thought he was a nice guy, but something about him just rubs me the wrong way.”

  Officer Ellison had started acting differently, although I couldn’t put my finger on why I thought that way. Honestly, I hoped Tammy didn’t go out with him.

  Brannon sighed. “Rip, you can’t keep doing this.”

  “I know you’re right,” I said.

  “Did you get the license plate number?”

  “It was too far and I couldn’t make it out,” I said.

  “The make and model will help,” he said. “In the meantime, I’m sending someone over to Melinda’s house again.”

  “I doubt she’ll be home yet,” I said.

  “Where are you now?” he asked.

  “I’m at my parents’. I had to bring the car back. Do you think you could give me a ride?”

  “I’ll be there in five.”

  After hanging up with him I tried to keep my mind occupied by listening to the music. I checked a few things on my phone, but I keep looking in the mirror expecting to see Melinda or her minion. It seemed like it took forever, but it really was only about four minutes until Brannon pulled into the driveway behind me. I hurried out of the car and back to his cruiser.

  I released a deep breath when I slid into his car. “That was a close one.”

  “You’ve had quite a few close ones lately.” Brannon quirked an eyebrow. You think you’re done with the close ones for a while?”

  “I certainly hope so,” I said in a teasing tone.

  Though I was pretty sure Brannon was being completely serious.

  “I’ll try my best,” I said.

  Chapter 22

  Obviously I saw a lot of people at the library throughout the day, but when I saw one guy in particular, I recognized him right away. Immediately I knew he wasn’t there just to check out a book. Tammy was standing beside me at the reference desk.

  “See that guy over there?” I motioned with a tilt of my head.

  “Yeah, what about him?” she asked, eyeing him up and down.

  “That’s the guy from the tavern, remember? Scott Lynnwood. Katrina’s ex-boyfriend,” I said.

  Tammy studied him for a second longer. “You’re right. It is him. What is he doing here?”

  “Well, I doubt he’s here for a book. He might be pretending to peruse the books, but I caught him looking over here at me. I think he’s up to no good.”

  “If he’s a killer then this could get dangerous,” Tammy said.

  Annie sent a text message. Please be careful, Ripley.

  “I think we should go talk to him,” I said.

  “Good idea.” Tammy puffed out her chest and pushed her shoulders back.

  Then she marched around the front of the desk. I followed right behind her. Annie was sending text messages, but I didn’t have time to look. I was sure she wanted to tell me to be careful. However, in spite of the perceived danger, she came along with us.

  Scott was still perusing at the book. He hadn’t looked up and noticed that we were headed his way. I had no problem confronting him here in the library. What could he do to us here? Well, unless he had a weapon. That would be bad. He could possibly attack one of us, so that would be bad too. Yeah, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

  When Tammy and I approached he looked up. His eyes widened and he dropped the book. We stood there with our arms crossed in front of our chests, staring at him as he reached down and picked up the book.

  “May I help you find something?” I asked.

  “I was just looking at this book,” he said.

  “I don’t believe you are.” Tammy glared at him.

  He looked from me to Tammy, as if he was confused by what she’d said. “Just checking out the book.” He held it up.

  “I couldn’t help but notice you watching me, and after talking to you at the tavern, I think maybe you came here on purpose. I know you’ve been following Erin,” I said.

  “What’s the matter? Are you speechless now you know we’re on to you?” Tammy asked.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh, come on. We know that you’ve been following Erin around, and we want to find out why.”

  “I talked to the police,” he said.

  “Yes, I suppose you did, but apparently that wasn
’t enough to get you to stop. Now you decided to come to the library and harass me?”

  “If anyone is being harassed here, it’s me,” he said. “I’m just checking out this book.”

  I knew by the look in his eyes he wasn’t being truthful. I didn’t believe him for a minute. And neither did Tammy.

  “Do you want to explain why I saw you following Erin?” I asked.

  “If you saw me than it sounds as if you were stalking me. Maybe I should call the police.”

  “Oh, so you want to be a smart aleck? Is that right?” I tapped my foot against the floor.

  He replaced the book back on the shelf, which I gave him credit for that. He could’ve just tossed it down.

  “I’ve had enough of this, and I don’t have to stay around and listen to this any longer,” he said.

  That was when apparently Annie decided to take things into her own hands. She tossed a book from the shelf. It went flying across the room. Scott actually let out a gasp, which I hadn’t expected to hear that noise from him. He backed up a little bit and bumped into the shelf behind him. The shelf rattled a little, but luckily none of the books fell.

  “How did that happen?” he asked with wide eyes.

  I shrugged. The place is haunted. I guess the ghost is mad at you.”

  “You’ve got something fixed so that it does that,” he said. “I don’t think it’s funny at all.”

  “I’m not doing anything. It’s the ghost,” I said.

  Annie tossed another book in his direction. Scott jumped back again.

  “Maybe if you tell me what you know, the ghost will leave you alone,” I said.

  “I don’t know anything.” His voice wavered.

  Annie tossed another book. Scott covered his head.

  “Tell me why your mother sent a note to Katrina. She threatened her.” I glared at him.

  He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “The note your mother gave to Katrina. Did Katrina tell you about that?” I asked.

  “She didn’t tell me anything,” he said.