MYSTERY: BRITISH MYSTERY: Missing Hearts (Amateur Sleuth Suspense Thriller) (Cozy Crime Detective Short Stories) (8 page)

“But…wait! What do you mean I have thirty days to get out?” Lacy called out as the shock of the stunning words left her but the couple had disappeared into the apartment already. What was she going to do now?

L
acy stared
after the couple for a moment, wondering just who they were, her mouth hanging open in shock still, before she went over to the apartment door and started banging on it. She didn’t know who they were but she was going to give them a piece of her mind and straighten this out, one way or another.

The dogs whined as Lacy banged on the door, this stop not a part of their normal routine. Disappointment at the delay was obvious and Lacy felt bad for them but she had to sort this out. She didn’t want to find another apartment on such short notice, and she surely wasn’t going to be kicked out over a misunderstanding!

The door was answered by the woman, her vapid smile turning to distaste and annoyance when she saw Lacy standing there. All of the dogs also sat nicely with their faces turned up expectantly, perhaps hoping for another doggy companion. Lacy taught all of the dog’s obedience and manners and they were making her proud at the moment. She reminded herself to give them all an extra treat when this was over.

“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.” Lacy began but the woman quickly cut her off.

“No, I don’t believe there has been Ms. Mitchell. It clearly states that tenants are limited to one pet. You can have a bird, a hamster, a dog, a cat, almost anything you like, but you can’t have more than one. I see you have five. That is a clear violation of the terms and you will simply have to go. I can only imagine the damage they’ve caused and the smell that must be coming from your apartment. You have a lot of gall, Ms. Mitchell.” The woman concluded her lecture with a sniff and a swipe at her nose, as if to imply Lacy herself smelled.

Lacy glared at the woman, wanting to yell at the woman like a harpy but she controlled herself.

“As I said there’s been a mistake…” once again Lacy was cut off but this time it was by the man.

He’d been staring out of one of the windows up until Lacy’s last protest but now he walked over to the squabbling pair in the doorway.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Mitchell is it? Thank you.” The man went on after Lacy shook her head yes. “I am Bill Shaffer, the owner of this building and this is Liz Turner, my assistant. The terms are clear and we expect our tenants to abide by them. I’m sorry but you’ll have to go.”

Bill Shaffer walked away, obviously dismissing Lacy from his mind instantly, as he told Ms. Turner to have the cleaners in immediately and to start damage control for the building. He didn’t want it known the apartment was home to a murder. He also wanted decorators in; he wanted to attract a new clientele, a younger wealthier set than the current tenants.

“Oh, and have some movers come in and place all of the former tenants belongings in storage please.” Bill said as he finally turned back to the doorway. “You’re still here Ms. Mitchell?”

The tone wasn’t rude but it was dismissive. Lacy’s self-control dissolved at this point.

“What a pair of absolute vultures! Her name was Mrs. Hartman. Lita Hartman, and she’s barely even been dead a day and you’re already plotting out new tenants? Don’t you have to wait for the police to finish their investigation? Can’t you even wait that long?” Lacy blurted out.

“I really don’t see how this is any of your concern.” Ms. Turner scoffed out turning away to dismiss Lacy again.

“Oh you can just shove your hoity-toity attitude, lady! And you!” Lacy said, pointing a leash filled hand at Mr. Shaffer. She could feel her nerves taking over and her hand shook as the confrontation continued but she wasn’t backing down. “The callous treatment of your tenants shows what kind of person you are. You don’t even have the time to find out that all of these dogs aren’t mine, that four of them belong to other tenants? That I’m a dog walker for the elderly and others in your building? You just assume I broke the rules and kick me out without even giving me a chance to explain? Well, you can shove it too buddy!”

Lacy’s words finally ended and she was breathing as though she’d just run about ten flights of stairs, but she was proud of herself for standing up to the couple in front of her. Their mouths were now hanging open in shock but the man seemed to be recovering first, his face shifting from something close to anger, to embarrassment, and then curiosity as Lacy’s words flowed out. Now there was a twinkle in his eye that she couldn’t define and she felt her face flaming as he continued to stare at her.

“I’m very sorry, Ms. Mitchell. I seem to have made two very terrible mistakes in the span of only a few minutes. I do apologize for my errors.”

“Yes. Well. Thank you. Maybe you’ll both think before making such mistakes again. Is that all settled now?” Lacy’s bravado was quickly fading and her legs were starting to shake. She wanted to run for the hall exit but made herself wait for confirmation.

“Yes, I think it’s fair to say our earlier eviction notice was based on faulty logic. And you’re right about the apartment. We should at least wait until the family has been here. I told you that was the sensible action, Ms. Turner, but you weren’t having it.” The man said as he turned to the now chastened looking woman.

“I’m sorry, Bill. I should have thought.” The woman said, her voice trailing off as she waved a hand around airily. The woman acted as though her total lack of civility was something to just brush off.

“You know, people like you are part of the problem, Ms. Turner. No manners, no consideration, and full of their own self-importance. The world would be a much more pleasant place if you’d learn some simple manners and graciousness.” Lacy said before tutting to the dogs once more and turning to leave without another word for the pair.

“Ms. Mitchell!” Lacy heard Bill Shaffer call out as she stuck her nose in the air and walked away. “Please, Ms. Mitchell, I’d like to speak with you for just a moment more.”

Lacy stopped and turned back to the well-groomed man, trying not to let tears form in her eyes from the stress of the day. She just couldn’t take anymore nastiness today!

“If you want a moment of my time you’ll have to walk with me, Mr. Shaffer. The dogs have waited for their walk long enough and if we don’t get Mr. Piddles outside soon you’ll find out why he was given that name and have another cleaning bill to contend with.”

“I’ll be back soon, Liz. Close the place up for now and have the car warmed up please.” He said as he followed Lacy out into the hall.

“What did you want to speak to me about, Mr. Shaffer?” Lacy asked, letting the dogs lead the way out of the building.

“First, I really would like to apologize for being such a jerk to you. It was uncalled for and my behavior was deplorable. Second, would you like to have dinner tonight?”

“Oh, uh, Mr. Shaffer…” Lacy began.

“Please, call me Bill.” He quickly broke in.

“Alright, Bill. Why would I go out to dinner with you?” She asked, making sure the dogs didn’t become tangled in their leads. Little Freddy, as usual, was in the lead, nudging any companion that stayed too long in one spot.

“I thought I’d make up for my previous behavior by showing you I’m not always such a jerk. I’ve only just taken over my family’s holdings and I’m not used to it all yet. And I’d also like to get to know the girl that shows so much spunk.” Bill said, giving Lacy something close to a bashful smile.

He couldn’t really be bashful, could he, Lacy wondered. That smile showed it though. Lacy’s heart melted slightly and she considered the offer. She did have a dress in the closet she’d bought on impulse when it was on clearance that she’d never had an occasion to wear. It would be an opportunity.

“Alright. Where would we go?” She asked just to make sure her dress was appropriate.

He mentioned a restaurant the dress would be perfect for and agreed to meet him at seven. As Lacy picked up after the dogs, her cheeks burning at the task, he handed her a card and walked back to the building with her. He went to shake her hand but then realized her hands were full and gave her another bashful smile.

“I’ll see you then, Lacy. I hope the rest of your day is more pleasant.” Bill said before getting into the car with a wave.

Lacy felt awkward as she flapped a hand back at him but smiled before the driver carried him away. She went back into the building passing dogs back to their owners and went back to her own apartment. It was as she opened the door to her own apartment, Freddy doing his dog at the racetrack circuit that she remembered she already had plans for the evening. She was supposed to have sushi with Alex!

She quickly texted him, letting him know there’d been a change of plans and told him to drop by before she left, if he wanted to. Alex quickly responded and let her know it was fine and wanted to know who this hot date was with. Lacy could just imagine her best friend at work conjuring up an image of her date.

Alex was tall, slim, with black hair that Lacy termed floppy. He was beautiful in a rakish kind of way but girls simply weren’t his area of expertise. They’d been best friends since Lacy had moved into the apartment three years ago and she’d spilled a box she was carrying into her new home all over him. Luckily it had been filled with bed linen and towels. A flamboyant man that loved colors and laughter filling his life, Alex was Lacy’s confidant and her rock.

Alex arrived at 5:30 pm and helped Lacy with her makeup as she did her hair. Alex was an expert at the “smoky eye” technique that Lacy couldn’t get down, no matter how much she practiced.

“I swear it’s because you’re standing over me and it’s easier to do it that way!” Lacy said, looking at how the effect made her brown eyes far more interesting.

“You’re beautiful, Lacy; no matter how you’re made up. This just enhances that. Now let’s see this dress of 'shock and awe'!” Alex requested, sitting down on Lacy’s bed as she went in to the bathroom to change into the dress.

Lacy did up the side zip and smoothed the dress down over her frame as she walked out into the room. Made up of layers of black lace the dress could have been termed a bandage dress and enhanced Lacy’s shape beautifully.

Alex held his hands clasped under his chin and grinned in admiration. “Somebody’s going to be naughty tonight!”

“Oh stop teasing!” Lacy said, blushing deeply at Alex’s compliment.

“You’re perfect little Miss Lacy from South Carolina.” Alex said as he pulled Lacy’s hair to frame her face, the long curls adding to Lacy’s allure.

“You know I haven’t been there in 15 years, Alex. I’ve lived more of my life in New York since Mom and Daddy sent me up here to live with Aunt Gertrude. I’m glad they did and I miss home sometimes but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. This is home.” She said as she heard the buzzer going on her door.

“Oh, he’s a little early. So you’ll be here when I get home then?” She asked as she slipped on patent leather heels and grabbed her purse.

“I will, madam. Freddy and I shall share sushi and talk about you all night. At least until he starts snoring, that is.” Alex said as he brushed a kiss against her face.

“I’ll text you later. Wish me luck!” Lacy said as she slipped on her wool coat and walked out of the door.

She wasn’t certain what she was heading into but she hoped it was a fun evening at least.

“Ah, you made it. I was just going to walk up to get you.” Bill said as the driver opened the door to let Lacy in.

“There’s no need for that! I’m a big girl.” Lacy said as she slid in.

“A very beautiful one as well. You look absolutely marvelous, Lacy!” Bill said as the driver pulled into traffic.

“I hope your day improved?” Bill asked as he slid in his seat to face her.

“It was calm. Calm is good. After this morning.” Lacy stopped to let a shudder pass. “Well, let’s just say this morning put me off checking on people. That poor woman!”

“Yes, it’s horrid what’s happened to Mrs. Hartman. Have you been informed about the latest news on that?” Bill sat on his side of the car, not being pushy or leering, and totally engaged with their conversation.

Normally men either stared out of their windows with a glazed look in their eyes or were trying to get her panties off of her. Lacy was pleased that Bill was different. At least so far.

“No, I haven’t heard anything more, have you?” Lacy said softly, not wanting to hear more bad news.

“Ah, well. We dug through our records and it seems there were quite a few complaints about Mrs. Hartman’s dog. They date back several years. There were also threats made that she reported to the police but nothing ever came from it. You, uh, you didn’t happen to take her dog in by any chance did you? I’m quite surprised the police haven’t called to ask you about the dog yet.” Bill said a look of consternation on his face.

“No, I didn’t see the dog at all this morning. You’re right to ask, though, I would have taken the poor thing in. I wonder where it is. Odd there were so many complaints, I never heard the dog. She wasn’t a very pleasant woman but I never heard the dog. I guess maybe the walls are thinner on that side of the hall.” Lacy said, wondering about the dog.

“We could speculate about where the dog is but that’s all it would be. You’ve had multiple shocks today. Let’s make up for that shall we? Or would you like to talk about it?” Bill asked with concern.

“I believe you have the best idea, Bill. No point dwelling on it at the moment is there?” Lacy said, hoping she sounded brave but inside her brain was working overtime. Who had killed Mrs. Hartman?

Had one of the complaining neighbors done it? If so, which one and would they do it again or was this a onetime thing? And where was the dog? She was worried about that dog but knew there was little she could do for it right now so she took Bill’s hand after the driver stopped and followed him into the restaurant. She couldn’t shake the feeling the dog was an important clue, however.

L
acy let
herself into her apartment around 11 later that evening. She tried to tiptoe in just in case Alex was asleep but he was on her couch watching a movie and Freddy was in his lap, adoring having his tummy rubbed absently as Alex seemed to be engrossed in the film. She giggled as he looked up, a surprised look on his face.

“Oh! How did it go then? Well I have to assume!” Alex said, putting on a horribly fake English accent.

“It went very well, my good man. Been binge watching the British films again have you?” Lacy asked, putting her coat away, throwing off her shoes, and coming to slump against Alex’s side.

“Indeed I have my good woman. Freddy loves them. He told me so himself. A delightful young chap, our Freddy.” He said, tousling Lacy’s hair. “Now stop dodging and spill!”

“It was a beautiful evening! I don’t think I’ve ever been on a date like that in my life. We ate, we laughed, and he took me ice-skating! Nobody has ever taken me ice-skating before! And he kissed me goodnight, but only once.” Lacy said, pressing her fingers to her lips.

Bill had gently brushed his lips to her as he left her at the building door. The slight pressure, more a brush of skin against skin, had taken Lacy’s breath away. Bill seemed to experience the same because he’d brushed Lacy’s hair away from her face as he gulped in a breath, his eyes wide, before telling her good night.

Lacy had insisted he not waste time coming up and had then run for the elevator, afraid if she didn’t she might make the mistake of rushing things. She didn’t want to do that. She wanted to see where this would go.

“Ah, the romantic type! What did you eat? Tell me everything!” Alex insisted and Lacy did, only faltering when Lacy told him about Bill’s revelations about Mrs. Hartman.

“So he thinks it’s someone in the building?” Alex wondered aloud.

“It would seem the police do as well, Alex. Don’t you have to be up early?” Lacy asked.

“No, I’m off tomorrow. I can stay up all night if I’d like. But who could it be? Both of the people to each side of Mrs. Hartman’s apartment have been there less than six months, then there’s you and I across from her. It wasn’t either of us. So it must have been one of them. And that elderly lady is on one side. Could it have been the man?”

“Mr. Johnson? Oh no, he’s far too timid. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. And I think he suffers from a bit of agoraphobia. I walk his dog for him and he’s always been kind, never complained about anything.”

“But who else could it be?” Alex pondered.

“Maybe it was Bill.” Lacy said jokingly. “He was talking about getting a new type of tenant in the building. Perhaps he wanted her out so he had her offed.”

Lacy had started out with a joking tone but as her words trailed off she had to consider the possibility.

“Surely not!” Alex rejected the idea. “He wouldn’t have the killer leave such a mess, would he? Not when he has to pay to clean it up. And why would they take the dog? The dog would have been left I would have thought if it had been about getting the woman out. Besides, there are far less criminal ways to remove a tenant.”

“No, you’re right. But we have to consider it. You’re right though; Bill had better options than killing the woman.” Lacy dismissed the moment of fear that had produced cold chills over her entire body and scratched Freddy’s chin absently.

“So the neighbor then? The man whose dog I walk? It just can’t be him. He’s just, well, timid, is the only word that comes to mind when I think of him. A timid little mousy kind of person. I doubt if he really would harm a fly.”

Alex tapped at his chin; his dark eyes squinted in a way that made him even more beautiful. Lacy felt a moment of love for her best friend and watched him, just enjoying his presence.

“Yes, but it’s always the quiet ones isn’t it? That settles it, I’m taking a few days off of work and going everywhere with you until this is sorted. We can’t have you on your own over here. Let’s get out the bed of death!” Alex said, standing up quickly and shooing Lacy out of the way. “Go on, get my blankets."

Alex often spent the night with Lacy, always on the couch of course, and her purchase of a sofa bed hadn’t turned out to be a bad idea after all. They were both on the bed a short while later, watching a mystery film before Lacy went to her room, Alex softly snoring on his side of the bed.

Lacy went to bed, Freddy not at her feet because he always slept with Alex when he was over, and wondered what to do tomorrow when she picked up Mr. Johnson’s dog Pickles. She’d have to act normal because if he was innocent then she’d be wigging out over nothing and could hurt the man’s feelings. But if he was guilty would she tip him off and cause herself some grief.

What to do, what to do. Lacy’s thoughts tormented her for what felt like hours but she was soon asleep, grateful that the worry over the killer was causing her to not dwell on what she’d seen that morning. She’d worried most of the day that that image would come back to her either when she closed her eyes or in her dreams. She’d take a nightmare of running away from a madman over that image haunting her dreams.

Lacy quickly finished the breakfast Alex set in front of her and paced around the apartment as Alex prepared for a venture out into the snow covered city.

“I know you love it here Lace, but I do hate this snow and the cold. I swear if it wasn’t for you I’d move to Mexico or somewhere. A warm place where I can wear flip-flops and shorts all year long.” Alex sighed as he put on his scarf, wrapping it over his mouth.

“Don’t tempt me. The thought of facing all of that snow with five dogs is daunting. But you can take two of them.” She replied with a laugh, knowing he’d gladly do it.

“I’m going to have to start charging you for my services. You’re taking me for granted.” He said with a toss of his scarf end as he walked out of the doorway heading to Mrs. Jenkins.

They collected all of the dogs, Lacy managing to avoid questions once again, before they went to collect Pickles. Lacy could feel fear making her insides quiver but forced herself to calm down. The man wasn’t going to hurt her he was so small and fragile. He looked like a strong breeze would blow him over.

Lacy stared at the top of Mr. Johnson’s bald head, a few strands strategically placed in a misguided attempt to hide the pink flesh, as he brought Pickles to her. Something was different about the man but Lacy wasn’t sure what it was. Lacy’s hand loosened on Freddy’s lead as she reached for Pickle’s lead and before she knew it he was running into the apartment.

“Freddy!” Lacy called as she watched him diving under Mr. Johnson’s tree. “Come on boy, time to go walkies!”

“There he is, well then, don’t be long please. Pickles decided my glasses were his new chew toy yesterday and I have to go get new ones now. My appointment is in an hour so I need to get there soon.” Mr. Johnson told Lacy and Alex as he closed the door, almost catching Freddy’s tale. “Oh, sorry Freddy, I didn’t see you boy. See you all soon.”

Lacy just stared as the door closed then looked down at Freddy. He was sitting on the floor, something sticking out of his mouth.

“What have you got there, Freddy?” Lacy asked, taking the glove from him. It felt odd in places, as though something had dried on the black knit material.

Looking closely at the glove Lacy could see short white hairs and odd spots on the glove, as though something very dark had dried on it. Lacy looked at Alex, dawning realization in her eyes as they both quickly rushed out of the hallway.

“He needs new glasses?” Alex asked.

“Whose hairs are these?” Lacy said, handing him the glove. “And I don’t believe Pickles ate his glasses, he’d be showing signs of digestive problems and he hasn’t. Even if the lenses were plastic, he’d be having problems. Let’s have a look at you.”

Lacy picked the small dog up and looked at his mouth as Alex took the other dogs, letting them walk where they wanted to. Lacy looked at the dogs gums and his tongue but saw no signs of trauma at all.

“Nope. Let’s finish this walk and then we’ll be on our way shall we? A trip to the police department is in order, I do believe.” Lacy said grimly, knowing her day had just gone down the toilet.

An hour later they sat in a detective’s office, waiting to talk to them. Lacy had placed the glove inside one of the plastic bags she used for the dogs and now placed it on the desk, touching it creeping her out too much to hang onto it. She looked around the office, far too nervous to sit still for long and was on the verge of walking out of the station when the detective showed up.

As far from looking like a television detective as Bill was close to looking like one the man in a dirty grey button up shirt sat down across from Lacy and Alex, sweat stains under his arms letting her know where the smell was coming from. She’d noticed it only after he walked in. Ugh, why couldn’t the man put some deodorant on?

“What can I do for you Ms. Mitchell?” The man asked, not bothering to introduce himself again after their first meeting at the apartment but Lacy couldn’t remember his name and had lost his card.

Distracted Lacy looked at the man with a blink but then remembered. “This. My dog found this in Mr. Johnson’s apartment this morning. And he also said he needed to have his glasses replaced, that they’d been broken yesterday. It seems suspicious.”

“Why do you think it seems suspicious? People break their glasses all the time. People leave gloves sitting around. What’s the problem here?”

Lacy was taken aback by the disinterest. She picked the glove up once more and pointed at the white hairs. “Those look like Mrs. Hartman’s hairs to me. And that crispy stuff looks like blood.”

“I’ll send it to the lab. The dog’s saliva may have contaminated all of it, however.” The detective said with a tone that implied Lacy had tampered with evidence.

“Look, buddy, my dog ran into the man’s house, pulled this out from under the Christmas tree and brought it to me. Weird it may be but the least you could do is at least acknowledging that there could be something there and not treat me with such attitude. Sheesh, you’d think an elderly woman hadn’t just been murdered with the way you’re acting!”

The detective didn’t respond, simply pointed at the door and Lacy and Alex left without another word.

“That was pointless. But at least you did your civic duty. Let’s go find a dress at the thrift shop up the street. Don’t you have another date tonight?” Alex asked.

Three hours later Lacy was sipping a glass of wine with Bill when she got two very long texts from Alex. Bill was a suspect, the police had come to question Alex and apparently Bill had a past the police wouldn’t elaborate on. Alex thought Lacy should come home immediately but she had no idea how to cut the date short. She looked down at her phone once more and inspiration hit.

“I’m sorry Bill; I have to cut this short. Alex has just texted me something’s wrong with Freddy and he needs me to come home. I’ll catch a taxi, you stay and have dinner. No, really, it’s alright. I’ll call you later.” She stalled his getting up and walked quickly to the exit, getting the maître‘d to procure a cab for her and jumping in before Bill could question what had happened.

The last couple of days had been hectic, shocking, and Lacy wanted nothing more than to hide under her covers with Freddy, safe and locked away from the dangers of the world outside of her apartment. It looked like she wasn’t going to be able to do that for a while longer. And now she was involved with a man who the police suspected had killed Mrs. Hartman. She and Alex had dismissed him as a suspect but the police knew more about him than she did. What had she gotten herself into?