Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece Read online

  I didn’t know if there was a creek close by, but I planned on checking that out this morning. Now that it was daylight, I would feel much more comfortable about walking around the fair. After all, there were police patrolling the area now. Even though it was the last day, I hoped that meant no one else would be harmed by the murderer.

  When I saw my grandmother’s phone number pop up on my phone, I knew I had to answer. If I didn’t, she’d leave me a message and wonder if something had happened to me. In light of recent events at the fairgrounds, she would think I had been murdered.

  When I answered, she said, “What are you doing? I thought you weren’t going to answer. I thought you’d been murdered.”

  “It only rang three times, Grandma,” I said.

  “Well, that’s two times too many. I was worried sick about you.”

  “Is everything all right, Grandma?” I asked.

  “Oh, everything is just peachy with me,” she said. “Speaking of peaches, I’ve been canning some today. I need you to come out to pick them up.”

  “I can swing by later.”

  “Swing by? There is no swinging by your grandmother’s house. That simply doesn’t happen.” This was an urgent matter for her, so I knew I’d better not wait too long.

  “Grandma, I would love to talk more, but I have to get back to work.” She didn’t need to know what that work involved at the moment.

  “Do you have customers already?” she asked.

  “Well, not customers per se, but I think I see some people coming.”

  “Well, if you must go.” The sound of shuffling papers sounded through the other end of the line. “But there is one other thing I called about.”

  “What’s that?” I paced across the floor while Van watched me.

  “I need you to come by to look at an old photo album.”

  “Why is that?” I asked as I checked the time. This didn’t seem like such an urgent matter. I knew she just wanted to spend time with me. I loved spending time with her too. She told the most amazing stories.

  “I have a picture I think you might be interested in seeing.”

  “Okay, well, like I said, I can come by later and you can show it to me.”

  “You really need to see this right away,” she said.

  “Okay, I can come by later this afternoon. I could ask Sammie to come by to watch the booth for me.”

  “That would be a great idea,” she said. “You know, even better yet, I’ll just come to you right now. I’ll bring the album and the peaches. Now, don’t make a habit of not coming to visit your grandma. And having me bring you things.”

  “I don’t want you to do that, Grandma. I can come by there.”

  “No, no. This is urgent, and I want to come by now.”

  “Are you sure it’s not an emergency? Should I call Mom and have her come over?”

  “No, no. This is just something I want to talk to you about,” she said.

  “If you insist,” I said.

  “I’ll be there in a jiffy.”

  Grandma hung up the phone, leaving me confused. What was so urgent that she needed to see me right away? Now I had to wait until she arrived. I stepped outside to enjoy the cooler morning air before the heat arrived. I kept looking at my watch, wondering when Grandma would arrive. The wait was making me nervous. I didn’t like for her to drive, but she’d insisted. I hoped I was as lively as her at the age of eighty-five.

  A few minutes later, when I looked to my left, I spotted Grandma headed down the path toward me. She marched in my direction as if she was on a mission. This must be serious. I smiled at the sight of her. She wore her pink Capri pants and white blouse with her pink sandals that had big flowers on the tops. She’d even added her pink lipstick and had her straw pocketbook looped on her arm. On the other arm she was caring a big photo album. I waved and motioned for her to come over.

  When she stopped in front of me, she plopped the leather album down on the table.

  I squeezed her in a hug. “I’m glad you’re here, Grandma.”

  “Not so tight,” she said.

  “It was a long walk over here for you, I suppose.” She waved her hand. “Oh, it wasn’t that far. Quit worrying about me. I’m healthy and I can walk. As long as I have legs that work, I’m using them. There are too many people who can’t get around, so I don’t want to complain when I can move just fine.”

  “Yes, Grandma,” I said.

  This wasn’t the first time I’d gotten this talk. I needed to remember not to persuade her to sit when she didn’t want to.

  She opened up the album, flipped to the middle, and pointed to a picture in the middle of the page. “Do you recognize this woman?”

  I almost fell over onto the ground. “Yes, I recognize her.”

  “That’s why I said you had to see this.”

  “Where did you get this photo?”

  It was almost identical to the painting I’d done of Elizabeth. So I’d seen this photo before, obviously. That was why I’d painted it. I’d gotten the image from the back of my mind. It was always there. But I didn’t know her.

  “Why do you have a photo of Elizabeth?”

  “This is your great-great-great-aunt,” she said.

  “You’re kidding me. All this time she was related to me and we didn’t know it? Didn’t you recognize her name?” I asked.

  “Well, no, because I think she gave you her maiden name. And I only know her as Maurice, which was her married name. But I started thinking about it more, and that’s what made me get out the album. And when I saw the picture, I thought it sounded exactly the way you described her.”

  “Yes, let me show you the painting.” I rushed over and pulled it out from the trailer.

  My grandmother stood back and studied the canvas while comparing it to the photo. “Uncanny. Are you going to tell her? Is she here now?”

  “She’s not here now. I’ll definitely tell her when I see her.”

  My grandmother closed the album. “Well, I should let you get to work. I suppose people will be here soon.”

  I crossed my fingers. “I hope so.”

  She kissed my cheek. “Good luck.”

  “What about the peaches?” I asked.

  She wiggled her finger. “I left them at home. I know how to get you to come by for a visit.”

  “I’ll be by soon to get them.” I smiled.

  As she headed off down the path, I called out, “Please drive carefully.”

  Now that Grandma had gone, I had to go for my walk. Leaving Van in the trailer, I headed down the path. I went toward the area with the most trees. Even though we were close to town, the fairgrounds were on the edge and had some natural setting all around.

  The sun had already warmed things up and I knew it would be another hot day. Even if I found a creek nearby, I figured I probably wouldn’t find any clues, but there had to be a reason why the scene was in the painting. I’d try my best to figure it out.

  The farther I walked through the wooded area, the more apprehensive I became. I just wanted to get a quick look to see for myself. I had to know if there was any truth to this painting.

  Almost as soon as I walked into the wooded area, I spotted the creek. So this really was what I’d painted. It was the fairgrounds after all. Now I had to figure out who the man was and how he’d come to the creek. What could tie this location to the murder?

  It was quiet here, except for the gentle sound of the water flowing over the rocks. The sound of traffic in the distance broke through, and I heard faint voices from the fairgrounds. Even though people were close by, I couldn’t help but realize the creepiness of the secluded setting.

  A crunching and snapping noise came from somewhere over my shoulder. It sounded as if someone had stepped on a fallen branch. I whipped around. No one was there. Thank goodness for that. It must’ve been a squirrel.

  After a few more seconds of looking around, I turned my attention back to the creek. It was just a couple of inches deep,
with clear water showing the pebbles at its bottom, just as I had painted it. At least I knew my painting was right. I headed away from the creek, happy that I had visited. Maybe something else would come to mind and I could paint that as well.

  As I walked away, a strange feeling came over me. I sensed that someone was around, as if I was about to have a visitor. I scanned the area. I just hoped that if someone popped up, it wasn’t an unwelcome visitor . . . like the murderer.

  The sun hadn’t fully appeared yet. Streaks of red and orange filled the blue eastern sky. Was someone hiding from me? I walked again, hurrying my steps so that I could get away from the treed area. Movement caught my attention. When I looked to the left, I noticed a woman looking around as if she was searching for someone. Shocked, I recognized Madame Gerard and had a feeling she was searching for me.

  I rushed over to the psychic. “Madame Gerard, what are you doing here?”

  “I’ve been looking for you,” she said. “I’m glad I found you.”

  Well, it was more like I’d found her, but I supposed we’d found each other. This must be serious if she’d tracked me down.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  “A spirit came through to me and he wants to speak with you. He said you painted him, but I don’t know what that means. He’s bad and I don’t like speaking with him. I brought him here to you,” she said with a wave of her hand.

  If he was bad, I was so grateful she’d brought him over here to me. I mean that in the most sarcastic way possible. She should’ve just told him to get lost.

  “Can’t you tell him to go away?”

  “It doesn’t work that way. I don’t want to talk to bad spirits,” she said.

  This was what I’ve been afraid of: that I would bring through something that wasn’t so nice. I looked around but didn’t see a spirit.

  “Why did you bring him with you?” I asked.

  “I’m here to deliver the message. If he came with me, there’s nothing I can do about that. I just want him away from me.”

  “I painted his image, but it wasn’t on purpose. I’m supposed to volunteer to take him? If he’s with you, there’s not much I can do to make him leave you alone,” I said. Finders keepers, right?

  “You can stop painting things and bringing them to me,” she said.

  I supposed that meant she didn’t want me to come around anymore.

  She looked around to the left and then to the right. “There’s danger all around here.”

  Well, I didn’t need a psychic to tell me that. After all, there had been a murder.

  “There’s someone else watching you.”

  “Other than the bad person? Maybe it’s a nice person, as in someone’s watching over me.” I attempted a grin.

  “Yes, you could say that,” she said.

  “Is her name Elizabeth?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not getting that information.”

  “Is there any other information you are getting?” I asked. “I need to know everything I possibly can. This is very important.”

  “I understand the importance. That’s why I came to find you,” she said.

  “I really appreciate that,” I said.

  She frowned in concentration, as if someone was talking to her. I waited anxiously for the response.

  “The person who is watching you. It’s a secret.”

  “What kind of secret?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” Madame Gerard said. “This is incredibly frustrating.”

  She was giving me hints at things, and now I had to try to figure out what they meant.

  “Don’t you have any other clues you can offer me?” I asked.

  She once again looked around. “I think the person is watching us right now.”

  That sent a shiver down my spine. I looked around the area as well, hoping to spot this mystery person. I saw no one. Whoever was hiding was really good at it.

  “Maybe I should just go back into my trailer,” I said.

  The psychic rubbed her arms, as if fighting off a chill. “I think I should get out of here too before something else happens.”

  She turned around and headed around one of the pine trees. When she was out of sight, I rushed back out to the path. I didn’t want to be alone anymore.

  I bolted back into the trailer and locked the door behind me. Van barked, letting me know he wanted breakfast. He probably also wanted to know where I’d been.

  “There’s someone bad out there, Van.”

  I went over to the window and peeked outside. How long would the person watch?

  CHAPTER 25

  Travel trailer tip 25: Secure your doors and windows, and close the shade when you’re away. Don’t forget where you put the keys.

  After a change of clothing, I left my little trailer behind at the craft fair as I pointed the truck in the direction of Madame Gerard’s house. She had left me with unanswered questions, and I intended to get those answers.

  Elizabeth sat in the passenger seat, with Van in the middle between us. At least I wasn’t alone for this trip. I needed another person with me. Although I wasn’t quite sure anyone else could see Elizabeth sitting in the truck, I knew she was there, and that was all that mattered right now.

  Now was as good a time as any to tell Elizabeth that we were related. I hoped she would be just as excited with the news as I was.

  “I discovered something this morning,” I said.

  “Oh, a clue to find the murderer?” Elizabeth asked excitedly.

  “No, this is different.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “I hope it’s not bad.”

  “Actually, I think it’s good.” I stopped at a red light.

  “Now I’m curious.”

  “You’re my great-great-great-aunt.”

  She scrunched her brow. “Your great-great-great-aunt? How do you know that?”

  “My grandmother found your picture in her photo album.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “Honest? How exciting. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. That explains why you painted me. I obviously came back here to help because there was going to be danger at the craft fair.”

  “Fate has things worked out.” The light turned green and I took off.

  “I want to see the photo,” she said.

  “As soon as the craft fair is over, I’ll take you to my grandmother’s.”

  Elizabeth grinned. “I’d like that.”

  “Should I call you Aunt Elizabeth?”

  “I’d like that even more,” she said.

  “Do you think anyone else sees you?” I asked as I steered the truck.

  “I’m not sure,” Elizabeth said. “Your friend can see me. Maybe only a select few get the lucky advantage of knowing me.”

  I chuckled. “Yes, maybe it’s just certain people.”

  “I think it’s probably certain people who have a sixth sense.” Elizabeth tapped her index finger against her temple.

  “I’m curious to know if the psychic will be able to see you.” I traveled through a green light. “She sees other spirits, so why not you too?”

  “Well, that is her job,” Elizabeth said. “I certainly won’t hide from her on purpose.”

  “I guess we’ll find out.”

  I made a left turn and after a few more blocks, we reached Madame Gerard’s house. I was kind of nervous about seeing her again. What would she have to say this time? I hoped it wasn’t more bad news.

  After parking the truck, I picked up Van. I grabbed my bag with my other hand and headed toward the psychic’s front door. Elizabeth was walking along beside us. I wondered if Madame Gerard would be surprised to see me so soon. Probably no more surprised than I’d been to see her at the craft fair. Plus, I’d brought a special spirit friend along.

  Once at the front door, I released a deep breath and pushed the button to ring her. I waited for any sign that she was home. The “Open” sign cast its eerie glow over the entire area. I hoped she was really here. Maybe she was ignori
ng me. A thickness lingered in the air, but I assumed it was the usual humidity. I hoped it was nothing more sinister. It was probably just my nerves, I reminded myself.

  A shuffling noise came from the other side of the door. Madame Gerard peeked out through the blinds, just as she had the last time. Her dazzling blue eyes practically glowed as she watched me.

  I knew she recognized me. The blinds closed and there was no other sound. Was she going to ignore me, act as if I wasn’t there? Now I felt kind of foolish for coming back. Maybe she was just strange and there had never been a spirit talking to her. She probably hadn’t meant for me to return.

  Elizabeth said, “Do you think she’s going to let you in?”

  “I hope so, but now I’m beginning to wonder. Maybe this was a bad idea,” I said.

  A familiar sound came from the other side of the door. The locks. She was going through each one. Elizabeth stepped back, as if she was unsure what the psychic would do next. Finally, Madame Gerard opened the door just a crack. She eyed me up and down.

  “Remember me?” I asked. “My name is Celeste Cabot. You came to see me this morning.”

  Instantly, her attention fixed on Elizabeth. “You brought another ghost with you?”

  Wow. It hadn’t taken her long to notice.

  “Yes. I hope you don’t mind. I don’t mean any harm,” I said.

  She opened the door wider. “Please come in.”

  Madame Gerard saw Elizabeth too. This was exciting. Now I wanted to know if she could tell me more about Aunt Elizabeth. Perhaps the psychic would have details Elizabeth didn’t remember. That might seem crazy, but anything was possible at this point. Elizabeth and I entered the house and went to the right, into the room Madame Gerard had pointed out.

  “Please have a seat at the table.” The bangle bracelets on her wrists jingled when she motioned.

  Candles flickered around the room. Madame Gerard’s crystal ball was in the middle of the table. I peered into the glass, wondering if I would actually see anything. Did I have psychic ability? I wasn’t sure. But I knew I saw Elizabeth. So had Sammie and Madame Gerard.