Walk in My Haunted Shoes Page 18

  I’d never been so happy to leave a place as I was to leave the old abandoned school. I glanced in the side mirror as we pulled down the drive toward the road.

  “How are you doing?” I asked.

  Brannon stared straight ahead at the road as it stretched out in front of us. He wasn’t acting like himself again. Maybe he was just freaked out about what had happened back there. But I worried that it could be more than that. It wasn’t uncommon for a spirit to attach to someone. I hoped that wasn’t the case right now.

  I watched out for any sign of a car parked along the road near the old school. They couldn’t have parked too far away, or they wouldn’t have had time to reach the school on foot or make their quick getaway. There was nothing unusual as we left the school. We rode in silence for a bit. Usually Brannon was a lot more talkative, especially after we’d been in a place as spooky as the old school.

  A short time later, I noticed headlights from another car behind us. The car was in the distance, so I didn’t think much of it at first. But after just a few seconds it was much closer. Still, I supposed that meant nothing and Brannon didn’t seem concerned. The white lines of the road had seemingly lulled him into a trance, or was that the evil spirits from the school?

  “Do you see the car behind us?” I asked, unable to keep quiet any longer.

  Brannon glanced in the rearview mirror. “Yep.”

  That was all he had to say? That was certainly out of character for him.

  “Don’t you think they’re following a bit too close? They have to notice that this is a police car.”

  “It’s a dark road. They probably don’t notice,” Brannon said in a casual tone.

  I wasn’t buying that explanation. The more we drove the more my apprehension grew.

  “I think you should pull over and then get in behind them,” I said.

  Brannon laughed. “You worry too much, Rip.”

  Why was he being so blasé about this? I stared in the side mirror, trying to get a good look at the car. This could be the couple that I’d seen at the school. Though as best as I could tell the car only had one person inside. This was a dark car. A sedan. Could this be the killer’s car? The more I stared the more I thought that was the case.

  “I think that’s the killer behind us,” I said in a panicked voice. “You have to pull him over.”

  “Really, Rip, you need to calm down. You’re just all worked up after being at the school. Everything is fine.”

  “Okay, I wasn’t going to say anything just yet, but you are acting weird. I think something happened to you at the school.”

  “No, you’re just being too paranoid,” he snapped.

  My eyed widened. Had he just snapped at me? “I’m too paranoid? Well, excuse me for being a teensy bit worried about a killer on the loose.”

  “It seems like you attract trouble. Now I wonder if you’re not creating the trouble sometimes,” Brannon said.

  Okay, if it hadn’t been for the potential killer behind us and the fact that it was a dark isolated stretch of road I would have asked Brannon to let me out of the car. I didn’t get angry often but when I did my temper usually spiked quickly. Since I couldn’t get out of the car I had to calm down and try to talk some sense into Brannon.

  “Okay, clearly, we have a difference of opinion right now. That’s okay, I forgive you,” I said.

  He scoffed. That wasn’t the response I’d hoped for. Nevertheless, it was what I had to work with. I just had to hope that we made it back to town safely. Maybe once the lights of town allowed us to see the car more clearly, I’d be able to convince Brannon that this was something to take seriously. I kept my stare on the car. It wasn’t tailgating us any worse, but the car wasn’t easing up any either.

  I prayed that this was just a really bad driver and not the killer trying to run us off the road. Thank goodness the lights from town came into view in the distance. I’d finally be able to prove to Brannon that this driver meant us harm. When I looked in the mirror again, I noticed the car had slowed down.

  A couple seconds later the car made a right turn. Hmm. Maybe I had been wrong. Brannon had said I was being paranoid, but I hadn’t wanted to listen to his reasoning. Now I was a bit embarrassed that perhaps I’d been wrong, and he was right. I’d let it go and act as if nothing happened. Maybe he’d forget all about my panicked pleas for him to pull over.

  Brannon pulled the car up to the curb in front of the tavern. I hadn’t texted Tammy to let her know we were on the way. I knew if I did, she would ask how it went. This was something I needed to tell her in person. Plus, I wanted to talk to her in private.

  I still couldn’t figure out what had happened to Brannon. All I knew was that it had been completely strange. I suspected it had something to do with the strange vibe the place put off. Something evil was there. I didn’t care if I never went back to that place.

  I checked the side mirror. No sign of the car. After being panicked the whole ride back to town, this was now a huge relief. Brannon had yet to mention the car and I hoped it stayed that way. It had just been a bad driver. Nothing more.

  Brannon shut off the car. “Shall we go inside the tavern?”

  I raised an eyebrow. “I had hoped we were headed home. It’s been a long night.”

  “I just thought you might want to talk to Tammy,” Brannon said.

  “Oh, I do, but it’s so crowded. I guess we can go in for just a minute.” I unbuckled my seatbelt.

  Brannon hurried out of the car and over to my door as I opened it. Brannon and I walked up the sidewalk to the tavern. Even though I’d seen the car turn off I was still anxious. So much had happened tonight that I knew there was no way I should let my guard down.

  “You know, you’re right. It’s getting late and we probably should just go home and get to bed. I’ll tell Tammy we’re going home. It will be easier for me to fight that crowd,” Brannon said when we reached the tavern door.

  Brannon started to step into the tavern, and I said, “I’m not sure it’s a good idea to leave you alone out here. Maybe you should come with me.”

  “It’s safe here. The light from the tavern is right there.” He pointed up. “It illuminates everything. Plus, I’ll only be a second.”

  “Okay, I guess you’re right,” I said.

  “Just to be safe though you should stay put. Don’t move from this spot,” Brannon said.

  “I won’t move an inch.” I held my hand up in a pledge.

  Brannon disappeared into the tavern. Yes, I’d told him I wouldn’t move, but just a quick peek into the tavern’s window to watch him wouldn’t hurt. It was only a step away from where I currently stood. Nothing could go wrong with doing that, right? When I saw him coming back, I’d return to my original spot.

  I stepped over to the window and pressed my face close to the glass. Unfortunately, the place was so crowded that I couldn’t even spot him. Several people stood in front of the window on the other side, blocking my view.

  “Scram. Step out of the way.” I gestured.

  They couldn’t hear me of course. Even if they had they probably wouldn’t have moved.

  “Looking for someone?” a male voice asked from behind me.

  I spun around and saw the killer behind me. Fear raced through me. What would I do now? I knocked on the window, but no one heard me. The sound inside was too loud. Panic took over. I darted to the left. I had no idea where I would go or how I would get away from him. Would he kill me right there on the sidewalk? And I’d told Brannon it was safe out here.

  I ran as fast as I could and turned the corner into the alleyway. This probably wasn’t a good idea either. Why hadn’t I run into the tavern? I wasn’t thinking clearly. I wished I could reach for the phone in my pocket. There was no time though. That would only slow me down.

  The killer ran right behind me and was gaining on me quickly. He was fast. A lot faster than me. I supposed those boots he wore helped him run faster. There was no way I’d even reach the end
of the alleyway before he caught me. Within seconds, I felt his hand grab my shoulder. He yanked me back toward him. Now he had his arms wrapped around me and was pulling me back with him.

  Would Brannon come outside soon and realize that I was gone? Where was this guy taking me? He held me with one arm and dragged me backward. He certainly was strong as I was unable to get away from him. He pulled me through the open gate of the cemetery. It was as if he’d had all this planned.

  “Why are you doing this?” I asked.

  “Don’t be stupid. You know why. You know who I am and what I did. I have to kill you too now,” he said as he pulled farther into the graveyard.

  “You aren’t with Paranormal Monthly, are you?”

  He chuckled. “Not at all. I read the magazine once though. We like to summon the devil. That’s why we go to the abandoned school so much.”

  I guessed Mrs. Clatterbuck would get her wish. I wouldn’t be giving tours in her cemetery anymore. I hoped Tammy wasn’t the one to find me back here. Nor did I want Brannon to find my lifeless body either.

  “Why did you ask me to be on the cover of the magazine? What was the purpose of that?” I asked.

  “I wanted to get you to the school. We could summon the demons with you there before killing you.”

  His words sent a shiver down my spine.

  “Was that you who broke the library window?”

  “Guilty,” he said. “I thought about hiding in there and waiting for you, but figured I’d be caught. I thought I saw a woman in there.”

  Must have been Annie.

  “You followed us to Nashville that day, didn’t you?” I asked.

  I’d seen Haley’s ghost in his car. Didn’t she remember that?

  “I was trying to find a way to get rid of you then,” he said.

  “You didn’t even have the smarts to change your name enough. Darren Damon? You just swapped your real name.”

  “Not with Haley. I used a completely different name with her. Harrison was my mother’s maiden name.”

  “Clever,” I said breathlessly as he pulled on me harder.

  The back of my arms burned from being scraped against the ground. He stopped in front of one of the tall headstones. I glanced over and saw the name Clatterbuck. Oh, the irony. He was going to kill me at Mrs. Clatterbuck’s grave. It looked as if there was no way for me to get out of this predicament. I kicked my legs and pulled my arms trying to break free, but nothing worked. He had me pinned to the grave now. Next he wrapped his arms around my neck as he straddled me. I struggled to breathe as I grasped his arms and tried with all my strength to break free. My breathing was harder now. Things grew fuzzier by the second.

  Something seemed different suddenly. A thick feeling in the air. When I glanced to the right, I spotted Mrs. Clatterbuck. She grabbed the vase of flowers that had been on the grave next to hers. She tossed the vase and it landed close to us. It was just enough to distract him. I managed to break free and scrambled to my feet. He lunged at me, but I’d had time to grab the vase from the ground. I pulled it back over my head and smashed it over his. He tumbled backward to the ground.

  “Rip, are you there?” Brannon’s voice echoed across the graveyard.

  “Back here,” I yelled.

  I ran toward the front of the cemetery, weaving around the headstones. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed David had managed to climb to his feet. Brannon reached me as I made it halfway to the gate.

  “Are you okay, Rip?” Brannon held me in his arms.

  “He grabbed me and dragged me back there. He said he was going to kill me, but I smashed him over the head with a vase.” My words were coming out like a gushing river. If I wasn’t careful, I might hyperventilate.

  ”Stand back, Rip,” Brannon said as he pulled out his gun.

  The killer advanced toward us. David stopped when he spotted Brannon had a gun. When a sound came from behind me, I glanced over my shoulder. I had expected to see Mrs. Clatterbuck. Unfortunately, it wasn’t her. That was something I never thought I’d say. Roxanne advanced toward us too.

  “Brannon, we have another problem.” I pointed.

  He glanced back while keeping the gun aimed at the killer.

  “Don’t come any closer,” Brannon demanded.

  Roxanne or David didn’t listen though. Fortunately for us, Tammy appeared out of the darkness and tackled Roxanne. They tumbled to the ground and I raced toward them.

  “Don’t move,” a man called out.

  When I looked up, I spotted Officer Matthews headed down the alleyway toward us. Other uniformed officers ran behind him. Thank goodness this was all over. I held my hands up. Tammy ignored the officer’s command and still battled with Roxanne.

  “No way am I letting her go until you have her in handcuffs,” Tammy said breathlessly.

  Luckily it only took the officer a couple seconds to have Roxanne in handcuffs. I turned my attention to the graveyard. Brannon was marching David toward us. David was in handcuffs now too.

  I stood next to Roxanne as the officer pulled her to her feet. “Why did you ask for my help with finding Haley’s killer if you knew who it was all along?”

  “That’s the reason. Why would I try to find the killer if I was involved?” she asked. “I thought it was a genius idea.”

  “You thought it would throw the police off your tracks?” I asked.

  “That was the plan, yes,” she said.

  “Well, guess what? That didn’t work,” I said.

  “It would have worked if you hadn’t kept poking around. The police asked questions, but they would have dropped it if you hadn’t been messing around.” Roxanne glared at me.

  “You’re nuts,” I said. “Haley is the reason you were discovered. She came to me for help.”

  Roxanne’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think you could really talk to ghosts.”

  I scoffed. “You thought wrong. By the way, why did your friend the psychic Tina Colette want me to go to the school?”

  “To lure you there so we could get rid of you.” Roxanne laughed.

  The officer nudged Roxanne and then guided her down the alleyway.

  I helped Tammy to her feet. “Impressive moves.”

  “Whew. I’m glad that’s over with.” Tammy blew the hair out of her eyes. “That woman is bonkers.”

  “How did you know I was here?” I asked.

  “Brannon came out to find you. When he couldn’t find you, he came back here. I saw him come back in and look around. That made me nervous. Then you didn’t answer your text and I went into full panic mode. Good thing I did too. I spotted this one getting ready to attack you all.” Tammy glared at Roxanne as they guided her toward the alleyway.

  “You really let her have it,” I said.

  “No one messes with my best friend,” Tammy said.

  I reached out and hugged her. She still had a wild look in her eyes. Obviously, the adrenaline hadn’t yet subsided.

  “Why did they do it?” Tammy asked.

  “Money,” I said matter-of-factly.

  “What?” Tammy asked in shock.

  “Her so-called best friend had somehow talked Haley into taking out a life insurance policy. After that they devised a plan to get rid of her.”

  Tammy and I watched as Brannon escorted the killer from the cemetery toward the alleyway. Brannon mouthed “I love you” as he walked by. At least he seemed to have snapped out of that weird trance. I wasn’t sure what that had been all about, but we’d have to be careful if we ever went back to that school again.

  “The psychic was in on it too, of course. They had all been friends before they met Haley.”

  “Where did they meet Haley?” Tammy asked.

  “Ironically, at the insurance office where I worked,” Haley answered.

  I spun around. I’d almost forgotten that she’d been around. “Haley worked as an insurance agent. Apparently, they thought of this plan a year ago and tried to get a policy on another woman. That woman changed h
er mind. When they found out Haley had no family, they decided she would be the perfect victim for their evil plan.”

  Mrs. Clatterbuck appeared next to the gate. She raised an eyebrow. “Well, you got yourself into a real pickle this time. It’s a good thing I was around to help you. See, you always want me to go away. I bet you’re glad I didn’t go away this time.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Clatterbuck, I’m sure glad you didn’t stay away this time,” I said with a hint of sarcasm.

  “What just happened is even more reason you should stay out of here,” Mrs. Clatterbuck said.

  Mrs. Clatterbuck could have easily not helped me, and I would have been a goner. The tour at the cemetery would be over. She hadn’t allowed that to happen though. Somewhere deep down she liked me. I’d known it all along.

  ***

  Another beautiful, sunny morning at Bilson Library. Patrons moved about the library. Jane Austen sat atop one of the shelves at the front of the library licking her paws. Annie roamed down one of the stacks. Tammy was placing books on a nearby shelf. It was business as usual. Well, maybe not usual because at the moment there was no paranormal activity. The air seemed lighter now. Haley had moved on from this dimension and we’d asked the demonologist to step in and rid the coffee shop and library of any evil spirits. Dana had been scared at first, thinking that it hadn’t worked, but I was happy to report that there had been no strange events since the cleansing had taken place.

  I had no idea why the bad spirit had been masquerading as a woman from the turn of the last century. My theory was the demon had taken on the appearance of Ms. Moore, the ghost from Walton Academy. I’d have to research that idea more. I still wanted to investigate the school more too, but if I went back for another visit, I’d have to take extra precautions not to bring anything back with me next time.

  The psychic medium had been arrested for her part in the planning of Haley’s death too. That meant she wouldn’t be sending anyone else to Walton Academy. Brannon and I had plans for ridding that place of the evil spirits too. However, that would take more time. We had a lot to take care of with planning for the haunted museum’s grand reopening in a few weeks. I just hoped that everything ran smoothly from this point. What were the odds of that?