Winter Chill (20 page)

“Whoops! Hold on there, Jake!”

Sally laughed out loud as Sheriff Bates propped Jake up with a foot on his backside. It looked like an old Laurel and Hardy movie.

“I’ve been looking for Jake all over town. I knew he was out here someplace. There’s another storm coming, so I’ll bed him down in the jail, where it’s warm and safe.”

“Good idea, Sheriff!” Sally watched while Sheriff Bates tugged and wrestled Jake into the front seat of the car. She waved as he drove off. Jake would have frozen stiff as a board if Sheriff Bates hadn’t found him.

Sally felt better as she closed the window and went back to her stack of papers. There was a parallel between Marian and Jake. Marian needed someone to lean on, just as Jake needed Sheriff Bates. She could help Marian through this difficult time. That was what friends were for.

CHAPTER 26

Jake was finally asleep. Sheriff Bates spread an extra blanket over Jake’s cot and grinned. It had been a three-ring circus in here when he carried Jake into the cell. Jake was a noisy drunk. He had treated Tina and the sheriff to a medley of old Beatles songs until he finally curled up and went to sleep.

“I’m going to run over to the Red Owl and get us some snacks, Pete.” Tina’s voice was soft as she touched him on the arm. “I sure hope Jake doesn’t wake up. If I have to hear ‘Hey Jude’ one more time, I’ll scream!”

“Yeah!” Sheriff Bates grinned. Jake would never make it in the entertainment world. “Pick up some orange juice and doughnuts, will you, Tina? I’ll make sure he has some kind of breakfast when he wakes up in the morning.”

After Tina was gone, the sheriff transcribed his notes from his interview with Dan Larsen. They really should be typed, but he didn’t want Tina to do it. The fewer people that knew about it, the better.

As he worked, he kept remembering his conversation with Doc. It was a ridiculous idea, but Doc seemed pretty serious when he said they had to treat Dan like a suspect. Just to set his mind at rest, he’d take a run past Dan’s house when Tina came back. He wouldn’t go in; just a quick run up the street would tell him if everything looked peaceful over there.

Now Jake was snoring. He sounded like a motorboat. Sheriff Bates chuckled to himself. Jake was the only person in town who wasn’t concerned about the accidents. He was sleeping in there like a baby. Sheriff Bates wished he could sleep like that. He kept thinking about the kids who were dead, five of them. Nisswa was going to pieces around him. He was doing his job to the very best of his ability, but he wondered what terrible thing was going to happen next.

 

 

Now Sally wished that Marian had waited. The eerie feeling was with her again, and the thought of walking through the dark hallways made her shiver.

Putting it off wouldn’t make it any easier. Sally buttoned her coat and picked up her purse. She was ready. Sally held her keys in her hand and forced herself to step out into the hall. She didn’t want to turn off her room lights, but it was the responsible thing to do. Harvey was worried about the power bill again this month.

She took a deep breath and flicked off the switch. Her hand was trembling so badly, it was difficult to lock the door behind her. There. Now all she had to do was walk to the front door. Her car was parked directly outside, and she’d be at Marian’s in no time at all.

Her footsteps were loud in the deserted building. Sally found that she was almost running as she hurried down the corridor. The school was different at night. Shapes that seemed quite ordinary in the daytime turned into frightening specters in the shadows. If she let her imagination run wild, she could easily believe that someone was following her, stalking her in the darkness.

What was that! Sally almost screamed as she heard a noise from the basement. Then she grinned self-consciously. It was only the boiler kicking in. The heating system at the Nisswa School was ancient. During the day no one noticed how noisy it was. But at night, when the building was silent, the clanking of the pipes was loud and frightening.

She was almost at the door now, and the light shining in from the parking lot was a welcome sight. Sally was fumbling with the security lock when she heard a sound behind her. She turned quickly, but no one was there. The building was old, she told herself sternly. Old buildings always creaked and groaned in the wind. The sound she heard was nothing at all.

There it was again! Sally stopped and listened. It sounded like someone crying.

Sally drew in her breath sharply. She remembered a story she’d heard when she was in college. A child was locked in the kindergarten room over the weekend. The little boy had been napping behind some play equipment, and the teacher had failed to check the roll when she dismissed her class. On Monday morning they had found the child, exhausted from crying and badly frightened by his ordeal.

Sally always checked her roll carefully at the end of each day. Perhaps one of the other teachers had been negligent. It was possible one of her children was locked in. She had to investigate. It was her duty as a teacher.

“Is someone there?” Sally tried to keep her voice steady. “This is Mrs. Powell. Where are you?”

Now she heard it plainly. The noise was coming from the bank of lockers at the dark end of the corridor. The lockers were big and roomy. A child could easily hide in one. And if the door slammed shut, it would be difficult to open from the inside. The lockers should have been taken out years ago. No one used them now. She’d certainly see that it was on the agenda for the next teachers’ meeting.

Sally moved back into the dark corridor. She wished she knew where the light switch was. The child was crying now and scratching against the inside of the metal cabinet. It was coming from the locker on the end. She had to hurry.

The child was banging now, fists hammering against the metal prison. Sally started to run. The poor child was terrified.

“I’ll help you, honey. I’m coming!” Sally hurried to the spot and dropped her purse and books on the floor. She tried to open the locker, but it was stuck fast. If some bully from the older grades had locked a young child in here, she’d see he was punished.

Sally put her shoulder to the locker and pulled on the handle as hard as she could. The locker door flew open, and Sally held out her arms to the poor frightened child.

There was a moment when she froze, horror on her face. She screamed as she saw the fire ax gleam in the dim light from the street. The blade struck deeply, cutting into her neck. Another blow and her life spilled out over the polished wooden floor. Only a row of silent lockers witnessed the expression of shock in her unseeing eyes.

 

 

“Where’s Sally?” Dan sat up and yawned. “I thought she was going to come home with you.”

“She should be here soon.” Marian checked the window to make sure it was closed tightly. It was going to get much colder tonight. “Have you been sleeping long, Dan?”

“I fell asleep right after you left, and I just woke up now. You shouldn’t have left her alone, Marian. Harvey has a rule about that.”

Marian laughed. “Harvey worries too much sometimes. Besides, she’s locked in tight. No one can get in without a key. Do you want to play some cards later, dear? I stopped at the store on the way home and picked up some midnight snacks. You should have seen the lines! Betty says everyone’s stocking up, just in case we get snowed in tonight. I thought we’d light a fire in the fireplace. Ronnie’s coming over at eleven. The four of us could have an all-night card party.”

Maybe a card party would be good for him. Dan frowned. He was still upset from the dream. Another one! And his legs were trembling again.

“I ran into Jake when I was leaving the school.” Marian shook her head. “I hope he gets home all right, Dan. The radio weatherman predicts a full-scale blizzard.”

“Jake’ll be fine. He’s got enough antifreeze in him for forty below. Why don’t you put on a fresh pot of coffee, Marian? Sally’ll be cold when she comes in.”

Marian hurried to put on the coffee. She wondered what was keeping Sally so long. Maybe she should take the van and check on her. The wind was blowing harder, and Sally might be having trouble with her car.

“I think I should check on Sally.” Marian stuck her head in the den. “You know how temperamental her car is. If the wagon won’t start, she’ll try to walk over here. It’s eighteen below!”

“Relax, Marian. Give her a couple more minutes. She’s probably on her way over here right now.”

As they waited, Dan saw Marian get more and more upset. She’d sit down, but she’d be up again immediately, running to peer out the window. Her hands began trembling, and her eyes looked wild. The suspicion struck him with the force of a physical blow. Marian had been alone in the school with Sally! He had to call Sheriff Bates right away!

Marian didn’t object when he called the sheriff’s office. Dan thought she seemed almost relieved when the patrol car drove up outside. Perhaps he was jumping to conclusions this time. Sally was Marian’s best friend. Marian wouldn’t hurt Sally.

“Now, Marian . . . there’s no need to get upset.” Sheriff Bates opened the door of his car for her. “I’m sure Sally’s all right. She probably turned off the lights for a minute to rest her eyes, and she fell asleep at her desk.”

“But she could be hurt!” Marian shivered. “Maybe she fell on the stairs or . . . or maybe something awful happened!”

“We’ll check it out, Marian.” Sheriff Bates gave her his best soothing smile as she got out of the car and they walked up the snow-covered sidewalk.

The door opened without a key. Sheriff Bates turned to look at Marian. “Are you sure you locked this door when you left?”

“I’m positive. I double-checked, Sheriff. Maybe Sally opened it.”

At times like this, he wished he had a deputy. Sheriff Bates squared his shoulders. It was pitch-black inside.

“Where’s the light?”

“I’ll get it.”

Marian switched on the light by the door. Now the hallway was partially illuminated.

“There’s another switch, just beyond those lockers.”

Sheriff Bates dropped his hand to his side. His gun was solid and heavy against his fingers. He really didn’t expect to find anything wrong, but it was reassuring to know it was there.

“I’ll get the other light.” Marian stepped around the corner. There was a moment of silence, and then she gave a muffled scream.

He came around the corner at a run, gun drawn and ready. Marian was standing there swaying, one hand against the light switch. Her eyes were glazed and her expression was frozen as she stared down at the gruesome thing on the floor. They had found Sally.

For a moment neither one of them moved. It was as quiet as death in the empty school. And Sally, the hideous thing that had been Sally, was silent, too, lying in a seeping pool of dark red blood.

“Marian, come with me.” Sheriff Bates moved to take her arm. “Don’t look.... Just walk. That’s it. Walk to the door now. Don’t turn back, Marian. Just look straight ahead and walk.”

Somehow he managed to lead her out, to push her into the car and drive to Dr. Hinkley’s house. She sat so still in the seat that he thought she had fainted. He glanced at her as the streetlights flashed across her white face. Her eyes were wide open and staring.

CHAPTER 27

Who was talking? Marian heard voices. They seemed to be coming from her bedroom across the hall.

“She probably won’t wake for hours yet. Let’s go down and make breakfast for Dan.”

“Have they told Ronnie? The poor man!”

“It’s terrible, that’s what it is.”

For a moment Marian thought she was dreaming. Then she remembered, and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Edith and Midge were here, staying in her room. Dr. Hinkley had called them to take care of her. And she was in Laura’s room, where she’d asked to sleep. And Sally, dear Sally, was dead!

She was slightly groggy. Dr. Hinkley must have given her another shot, but not as much as last time, because her head cleared rapidly. Marian waited until she heard them go downstairs, and then she sat up quietly. She wanted to cry, but she couldn’t. Her best friend was dead!

Marian put her feet on the floor. Her slippers and robe were folded neatly at the foot of Laura’s bed. She put them on, each movement in slow motion. She had to wake up now. It was time to go down and see if Dan was all right. He would be terribly upset over Sally’s death.

Was Laura’s coloring book there last night? Marian tried to think. It was sitting in the very center of the table now, open to a page in the middle. It was a new coloring book, one Marian had bought only last week. She felt her knees shake as she moved closer to look.

There was a picture of a rainbow, done in lovely bright colors, though the lines were a little shaky. She’d never seen it before. On the bottom there was a note in red crayon.

Laura! A glad smile spread across Marian’s face. Laura had been here just when she needed her most. And her baby had colored her a picture, a beautiful picture, just for her.

It took her a moment to pick it up. Every movement was a conscious effort. Then she held it in her hands and looked down, smiling. Laura had learned the colors of the rainbow. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. And Connie had taught her. They had learned that lesson in art class only last week.

But where was Laura’s diary? Marian turned around slowly. There it was, on the rocking chair.

For a moment, the words were a blur. Then Marian brushed away her glad tears and smiled.

The printing was not as regular as it usually was. Laura was getting out of practice. The important thing, though, was that Jenny had stopped crying. Marian was so relieved. Sally was there with her baby, and everyone was happy again. Things would be perfect very soon now.

 

 

Dan had been awake for hours. Edith and Midge were talking upstairs. They’d be down soon. He was grateful for their help, but he was glad they were going home today. It was a strain, acting normal, when he knew the truth. Marian had murdered Sally!

“How about some cereal, Dan?” Midge poked her head in the door. “Marian’s got Wheat Chex and Cheerios in the kitchen.”

“No, thanks. I’m not very hungry, Midge. I’d like a cup of coffee, though, as soon as it’s ready.”

At least she hadn’t mentioned the murder. If he had to hear about it one more time, he’d scream. Why didn’t Sheriff Bates arrest Marian last night? There wasn’t time to wait for evidence.

He’d called the office first thing this morning. The sheriff had assured him something would be done soon. How long did it take to arrest a killer?

Dan took a deep breath and forced himself to be calm. Marian was coming down the stairs.

“Hi, honey.” She stood in the doorway, looking radiant. There were no signs of grief on her face. Her eyes were clear, with no traces of tears. And she was smiling!

“I thought you might be upset about Sally.” Marian walked over and sat in the chair by his bed. “Don’t be sad, Dan. Sally’s not sad. Now she’s happy. She’s with Jenny again.”

She reached out to take his hand, and Dan had all he could do not to pull away. He stared down at her strong, capable fingers. Marian’s hands had held the murder weapon. Her arms had brought that wicked blade down on Sally’s head.

“Here’s your coffee, Dan.” Edith breezed into the room. “Oh, Marian! I didn’t expect you up so early. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“I’ll have it in the kitchen with you and Midge.” Marian got up and walked to the door. “You two were just wonderful to come over here last night. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”

Dan tried to get interested in a rerun of
The Six Million Dollar Man.
He had to do something to take his mind off Marian. Midge and Edith would be leaving soon. Then he’d be completely alone with her.

The phone rang as the segment was ending. Marian picked it up in the kitchen. A minute later, she came into his room.

“That was Jim Sorensen. They’re holding a town meeting tonight at the Elks Lodge. Jim says they’re organizing to protect the town.”

“You’d better not go, Marian.” Dan tried to hide his alarm. “Jim’ll understand. He knows you’re still upset.”

“No, I promised him I’d be there.” Marian’s voice was firm. “I’ll go for both of us. Jim wants a big turnout tonight.”

At least nothing could happen if she was in a crowd of people. Dan sighed, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Not one of the people at the meeting would suspect Marian. She was too good at hiding her madness.

Marian looked the same as always, sitting quietly in the chair by his bed. Dan was sure she didn’t remember what she had done. She would deny everything if she were faced with the facts. She would be puzzled, then outraged, if someone accused her. She was innocent in her own mind. Her eyes were not haunted by the same hideous secret that plagued him.

Dan leaned back and closed his eyes. It was difficult to think when she was sitting across from him, reading the newspaper. He still loved her, even though he knew the horrible truth. When would Sheriff Bates come and release him from this constant torture?

 

 

“Look, Pete. We just want to help, that’s all.” Jim faltered a bit at the angry look in the sheriff’s eyes. “The meeting starts at eight. You’re going to be there, aren’t you?”

“I’ve got some business to take care of tonight.” Sheriff Bates frowned. “I can’t get there until around nine. Just don’t go stirring them up, Jim. We’ve got an explosive atmosphere here in Nisswa.”

Gus spoke up. “That’s why we called the town meeting. If the people think they’re doing something to help, they’ll feel better. We’re going to calm them down, Pete. Jim and I have it all planned out.”

“Well, you’re the mayor, Jim.” Sheriff Bates leaned back and nodded. “I guess you have a right to call a town meeting anytime you want. Just keep it orderly, and I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

Sheriff Bates motioned to Emma, and she brought the coffeepot. She gave him a smile, but it wasn’t the big grin he usually got. Emma was upset over Sally’s death. Everyone was upset. It was a bad time to hold a town meeting. Even nice people got hot heads when their community was threatened.

“Come on, Emma. Give us a smile.” Sheriff Bates reached over to pinch her behind. “The day’s never right unless I get a smile from my best girl.”

“I don’t feel much like smiling today, Sheriff.” Emma’s hand was shaking as she poured out the coffee. “Mrs. Powell’s murder makes me scared. I told Joe I won’t work the late shift anymore. I got a creepy feeling about being alone at night.”

“A big girl like you?” Sheriff Bates laughed. “Come on, Emma. I know you. If that killer comes in here, you’ll bash him over the head with Joe’s frying pan.”

“I guess I would, at that.” Emma began to grin. “Maybe I’ll bring it up at the meeting tonight. Joe could make a fortune selling those frying pans of his.”

 

 

It was a pity, that was what it was. Joyce Meiers looked down at the papers on Dr. Hinkley’s desk and sighed. Poor Mr. Larsen. She didn’t believe for a minute that he was crazy, but there it was in the doctor’s appointment book:
Sanity Hearing—Dan Larsen—8:00 p.m.
Of course, this was confidential and she wouldn’t tell a soul, but Mr. Larsen was being steamrollered right into the state hospital.

Joyce picked up two half-filled coffee cups and emptied the overflowing wastebasket. Poor Mr. Larsen! He was the best teacher she had ever had, and it just wasn’t fair. She remembered what he’d said in civics class. A person had rights. They were holding this hearing, and poor Mr. Larsen didn’t even know about it. It seemed that the law ought to protect people from things like this.

There was nothing she could do about it. Joyce closed the appointment book and tidied up the doctor’s desk. Maybe it would turn out all right. Judge Lawrence was coming in from Brainerd. Everyone said he was a fair-minded man. She sure hoped the judge would protect Mr. Larsen’s rights.

 

 

Marian sat in the backseat of the Honda, wedged in between stacks of school papers and music books. The snowplows had done a good job clearing out the Elks Lodge parking lot. There were spaces for thirty cars, and Edith found one on the end. The lot was nearly full. The people in Nisswa had turned out en masse for this meeting.

At least it would be warm inside. They were due for another storm during the night. The radio said it would get down to twenty below. Marian turned up her collar and shivered. It seemed like miles to the door.

Folding chairs were set up in rows, and a podium was in place on the stage. Marian felt a stab of remorse as she entered the room. It was no longer cozy and intimate, the way it had been the night of the teachers’ Christmas party. Fred Norby’s band was gone, the mistletoe was gone, and Drew was gone, too. No one had heard a word from him since he left three weeks ago.

“It’s a good thing we got here early.” Edith waved at a group of people she knew, and found them a place near the back. Marian made a quick head count. There were close to forty people here already, and they were fifteen minutes early. There had never been a turnout like this for a town meeting before. There was a restless murmuring from the front rows, and the mood was tense and expectant.

“All right, folks, we’re almost ready to start.” Jim Sorensen took his place behind the podium. “Most of you have probably guessed why I called this meeting. With the recent trouble in Nisswa, I think it’s time we did something to protect ourselves.”

“Where’s the sheriff?” someone called out loudly. “I want to hear what Sheriff Bates has to say!”

“Sheriff Bates is in a meeting, but he’ll be here later.” Jim held up his hand for silence. “In the meantime, Gus Olson has some ideas he’d like to pass on to you.”

Gus took over the podium. He looked nervous and small up there on the stage all alone. Marian listened as he read off a list of suggestions.

No one was to go out alone at night. Parents were cautioned to keep a sharp eye on their children. Teenagers were encouraged to travel in groups, and smaller children should always be accompanied by a parent or adult.

If any strangers were seen in town, Sheriff Bates wanted immediate notification. Gus said parents should warn their children again about never talking to strangers.

Sheds and garages must be locked securely. Heino’s Our Own Hardware had an ample stock of heavy padlocks. Frank Heino was selling them at cost as a community service.

There was a polite burst of applause, and Frank nodded to the crowd. This meeting was very well planned. Sheriff Bates should be proud of the way the community was responding. People in Nisswa stuck together in a crisis.

Some of the elderly widows in town had expressed concern. Jim was organizing a committee of men to install security locks for the elderly. All residents were urged to lock their doors, even in the daytime. Gus told them it couldn’t hurt to be overly cautious.

Jim took over again. “I have a report from the sheriff to read to you. I know there’re a lot of stories floating around about Sally Powell, and the sheriff feels you should know exactly what happened. I’ll read it verbatim.”

Marian watched Jim as he read the report. Several times he stopped to swallow hard.

“Death was caused by repeated blows to the head and neck with a sharp instrument.” Jim winced as he read the words. Marian noticed that Edith looked very white. It seemed so cold and ghastly hearing it like this. It made her feel a little queasy, too.

“County coroner, Dr. Edwin Hinkley, establishes time of death at approximately eight thirty p.m. A fire ax covered with the victim’s blood was found at the scene, along with a pair of blood-spattered coveralls. Janitor Chet Turner reports that the coveralls were taken from the janitor’s closet on the first floor of the school. The closet was not locked.

“An investigation is also being conducted into the deaths of Clifford Heller, Constance Bergstrom, Jenny Powell, and Becky Fischer.”

There was a stir in the front row as Donna Fischer got up and rushed toward the ladies’ room. Her face was pale, and she held her hand to her mouth.

There was an excited buzz of voices. Jim banged his gavel for order, and finally the room quieted. Marian shivered and sat up straighter. Sally’s death was hideous, but it was all over now. Sally was with Laura, and now Jenny was happy. She would think only of that.

Jim put down the sheriff’s report and addressed the crowd again. “Are there any suggestions from the floor at this point? I know all of you want to help Sheriff Bates catch Sally’s killer.”

Ned Addams got up with a half-baked idea of blocking off the town and conducting a house-to-house search. Another man suggested turning the school upside down for clues. Now everyone was talking at once, and she was having trouble hearing. Marian shut her eyes and tried to think. There was something bothering her, something she had to remember about last night with Sally. She had the feeling that if she could only remember, it would help.