Ding Dong Dead

40

Gretchen stood next to the World of Dolls Museum sign. She glanced curiously at the old house’s windows while her mother called to report the captured stalker.

Was he a murderer? Had he killed Allison Thomasia?

Gretchen shuddered at the thought. He had inserted himself into their group. He could have struck at any moment. Any of them might have been his next victim.

Jerome, if that was even his real name, wasn’t going anyplace at the moment other than jail. Houdini wouldn’t be able to get out of the knots they’d tied. Their repair expertise was paying off in more ways than one.

She wondered how long the effects of the pepper spray would last. Thirty minutes to an hour at least. Gretchen was amazed at how well it had worked, dropping him almost instantly.

Early Sunday morning and they had vindicated Allison’s husband, Andy. He could come out of hiding. Gretchen was sure he’d be thrilled about that. Living with the homeless for a few days must have been quite the experience, and not one he’d be likely to want to repeat.

The early morning traffic was light since most of the downtown establishments wouldn’t open until later. Gretchen glanced at her watch. Five a.m. She wished she could greet the dawn properly. If she was at the top of Camelback Mountain, she would be able to see the reddish orange glow of the sun rising from the east. In front of the museum, surrounded by buildings, the earth remained dark, except for the artificial illumination of the city’s streetlights.

“The police are on their way,” Caroline said, slipping her phone in a pocket, where it promptly rang again. “I shouldn’t answer it,” she said, digging it out and reading the information on the screen. “It’s low on power.”

“Who’s calling?” Gretchen asked.

“I don’t recognize the number.”

“Better answer it.”

Caroline looked tired as she clicked the Talk button. “It’s Julie,” she said to Gretchen after listening for a moment. “She’s been doing research of her own and says that she has important information.”

After another few minutes, Caroline said, “Can’t you tell me on the phone?” Gretchen could hear the frustration in her voice. “We’re at the museum and a little busy at the moment. We caught someone breaking in… We have the kill… All right, yes, fine.”

Caroline disconnected. “Julie sounds excited and wants to meet right now. I tried to explain that we have the man who killed Allison, but she cut me off.”

“She wants to meet at five in the morning? She must have worked all night. She won’t come here?”

“No. She refuses to come to the Swilling house, especially with police on the way. I don’t blame her.”

“I’d like to run away myself,” Gretchen said. “This isn’t going to be pleasant.”

“She says she thinks she knows who killed Allison Thomasia. She found concrete evidence against someone and wants to compare it to what we’ve learned. If we decide that it’s important and if we agree with her, then she will come forward.” Caroline looked both ways down the street. “The police should arrive momentarily. We have to stay until our statements have been recorded. She wants to meet at the banquet hall. She’s on her way there and says she’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Gretchen heard sirens in the distance. She wasn’t ready to face Matt. “I’ll meet Julie. You take care of Jerome or Richard or whatever his name is, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“You’re just ducking out so you don’t have to explain to your boyfriend why you tied up another man in the middle of the night.” Even exhausted, her mother had enough energy to lighten the situation.

“He’d understand.” Sure, yeah, right.

“I’m sure he would.”

“Sarcasm will get you nowhere. Besides, with any luck, Matt’s off duty tonight.”

“You’re overly optimistic. Want to bet that he shows up?”

“No bet.”

“Call me when you find out what’s going on with Julie.”

“I don’t have a phone. You made me leave it in the car.”

“Take mine. I don’t need it. And be careful.”

“There isn’t anything to be afraid of anymore,” Gretchen said. “We have the killer. Hopefully Julie will have more evidence to use against him. It’s over.”

“Be careful anyway.”

Gretchen took the cell phone and hurried down the street.