Rose Pressey - Chase Charley 02 - Seems Like Old Crimes (17 page)

Dangerfield didn’t have a shirt on, just pants. His ripped abs were on full display.

Courtney and I were both staring. We remained quiet for entirely too long. One of us really needed to say something. He’d done this on purpose.

Finally Dangerfield said, “Would you all like to come in? I just need to put my shirt on.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said.

“Have mercy,” Courtney said as we stepped inside his place.

I couldn’t say much about Dangerfield’s apartment. There was a sofa and chairs in the living room. The sofa may have been brown leather. I was too focused on his bare chest to see much else in the room.

Dangerfield slipped the shirt over his head. “What are we doing?”

“Do you have the doll?” I asked.

Dangerfield stepped over to the kitchen and picked it up from the table. “Here it is.”

“We have to get rid of both of them.” Courtney grabbed the doll from Dangerfield’s hand. “These definitely came from the same person.”

“Well, I hope that there isn’t more than one person out there doing this,” I said.

“I can tell that they’re the same dolls. Plus, they’ve been done in the same fashion, that means it’s the same person,” she said.

“That’s a very good observation,” Dangerfield said.

“I know my voodoo.” Courtney winked.

“Yes, she does,” I said.

After getting into my car, we headed over to the river. This was getting totally out of control. We had to have another session of dumping these things into the water.

Dangerfield thought it was just as crazy as I did, but we did it anyway. We tossed the dolls, we hurried back to my car.

“We should go find Anthony or whatever his name is.” Courtney stomped over to the car door.

I opened my door. “I guess we really can’t just sit around here and hope to figure it out.” I grabbed Dangerfield’s hand and pulled.

He climbed into the backseat. “Okay, I’ll follow you, ladies.”

Dangerfield’s long legs were stuffed into the backseat. His head almost touched the top of the car. After starting the car, I punched the gas and headed down the street.

“So it’s decided? We’re going to Anthony’s house?” I asked, navigating to another lane.

Courtney nodded. “It’s the only thing to do. We have to ask about these dolls.”

“What can we do other than look in the windows?” I asked.

“We will have to go inside the house,” Dangerfield motioned with a tilt of his head.

“That is illegal,” I said.

“That’s why we came here,” Courtney said.

We parked just down the street from his house. I didn’t want a repeat of my encounter with the unfriendly neighbor. The three of us made our way up the sidewalk to the house. We stopped just at the edge of the property. My anxiety increased. I had no idea what we were getting into now. We inched our way over to the front of the house. Once at the front door, Dangerfield tried the knob.

“It’s locked,” he said.

We moved around to the back door. A small door appeared to lead into the kitchen. There was a small patio with a single black lawn chair and a tiny little barbeque grill.

“This one will be easy to get into,” Courtney said.

I quirked a brow.

“What?” she said. “We have to look around.”

“He’s not home. He’s potentially a killer,” I reminded her.

“It’s the chance we will have to take,” she said.

“I’m afraid she’s right,” Dangerfield said.

Now Courtney and Dangerfield were thinking alike.

Dangerfield pulled something out of his pocket.

Before he shoved it into the lock, I motioned toward the door. “Wait.” “Looks like he left the door open for us.” Dangerfield pushed the door open farther.

“I don’t even want to know how you know how to do that,” I said as I stepped inside the house.

“Good. I won’t tell you then,” he said. 

We stepped around the small house. First through the small kitchen and then to the living room. Only a sofa, chair and TV occupied the room. Any evidence of his spellcasting was hidden where we couldn’t find it.

“I don’t see anything here that would lead us to believe the dolls came from him.”

“That’s true, but maybe he has the rest of his doll supply hidden,” I said. “I don’t think we can look around anymore to find them.”

“I don’t think this guy had anything to do with it.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

Dangerfield shrugged. “I guess it’s a gut feeling.”

Courtney shook her head. “I agree with Dangerfield. I don’t think this guy is involved.”

“Well, since both of you have the same feeling I guess there’s no point in staying here.”

A noise sounded and I froze.

“We have to get out of here,” I whispered.

Courtney grabbed my hand and pulled me to the back door. I glanced over my shoulder at Dangerfield to make sure he was coming too. We reached the back door and shoved it open. We ran out and I hoped that this guy didn’t know that we’d been in his house. I can’t believe we’d almost gotten caught by a potential killer.

“Is there anyone else who could have sent the dolls?” I asked as we sat in the car, wandering what to do next.

Courtney looked over at me. “What about your stalker?”

“What about him?” I asked.

“Do you think he had anything to do with this?” Courtney asked.

“I suppose it is possible.”

“We need to find this guy and put a stop to this,” Dangerfield said.

“I wish it was that simple,” I said. “He’s good at staying one step ahead of me.”

Courtney stared at the floor as if in a trance.

I studied her face. “What are you thinking? I know you have an idea.”

“I think I know where the dolls came from,” she said.

“Really? Where?” I asked.

“There is only one place that I know of that sells this type of voodoo doll in New Orleans,” she said.

“They have different types of voodoo dolls?” Dangerfield asked.

“Of course,” Courtney said.

We parked near the shop and hurried down the sidewalk.

“Do you know this woman well?” I asked.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” she said. “Remember when I worked at that little shop a few years ago?”

I nodded.

“It’s the same woman. Christine Blackshear.”

“I remember her.”

It was even better that Courtney knew Christine. She’d be more likely to give Courtney information than a stranger would. We needed all the breaks we could get.

“Well, let’s go inside,” I said, opening the car door.

Courtney and Dangerfield followed my lead out onto the sidewalk. Dangerfield pushed open the door and motioned for Courtney and me to enter first. When I stepped inside, it was almost like stepping into Courtney’s place. They were similar, with the same kind of items for sale. I still wasn’t sure why Courtney thought the doll was purchased from this store. I peered around at the items on the shelves looking for the dolls.

Courtney walked across the room. I assumed she knew what she was doing. I followed her over to the other side of the store. Dangerfield came with me. Courtney had located the dolls and from what I could see they did look like the same ones.

Courtney picked up the doll from the shelf and showed it to us. “Look familiar? The same kind of dolls.”

“But is this the only shop selling them in New Orleans?” Dangerfield asked.

“I know all the shops here and I am almost positive,” Courtney said. “I just need to Anne Blackshear and ask her.”

Anne still hadn’t emerged from the back of the shop. Just then she popped out from a door at the back of the store. She had short dark hair and wore jeans and a black t-shirt. She recognized Courtney right away. She waved and hurried over to us.

“Courtney, what brings you here?” Anne asked with a huge smile.

“I wish I could say it was for pleasure.”

“What’s wrong?” She touched her arm.

“We’re looking for someone,” Courtney said.

She folded her arms in front of her waist. “Who are you searching for?”

“The name is Anthony Knight. I believe he bought some of your dolls. He is about five foot ten inches tall. He has dark hair and it’s a little unkempt. Kind of like a mad scientist.”

“Does he wear funny-looking shirts?” she asked with a furrowed brow.

Courtney and I exchanged a look. “Yes, that sounds just like him.”

“He has been in here a few times, and yes, I remember that he bought some dolls.”

“Just as I suspected,” Courtney said with a quirk of her brow.

“Has he been doing bad things with the voodoo dolls?” Christine asked.

Courtney laughed. “He thinks he has been and that’s enough.”

She nodded. “Yes, I see that is a problem.”

“If you remember anything else, can you give me a call?” Courtney asked.

“You know I will, darlin’. You make sure to call me if you need anything,” Christine offered.

Courtney gave the woman a hug.

“It was nice seeing you again,” Christine said to Courtney. “Nice to meet you.” She waved at Dangerfield and me.

“Thank you for the information,” I said with a smile.

She tossed her hand up again. “You’re welcome. Come back any time,” she said.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Dangerfield said.

“It was so nice of her to help us,” I said as we moved down the sidewalk.

“She’s always been wonderful,” Courtney said.

We headed away from the shop with a heavy feeling. I didn’t like not being able to find out who had done this to Courtney and Dangerfield too.

“We could set up surveillance for this place,” Courtney said.

“The guy may never come back to buy anything,” I said.

“I doubt he would give up his practice of voodoo dolls. He obviously likes doing them.”

“I agree, I doubt he will give this up. But he may have all the dolls he needs for a while or he might buy them from another store,” I said.

“I’m going to make it my mission to find this guy,” Dangerfield said with frustration in his voice.

I had a feeling that Dangerfield meant what he said. Courtney and I dropped off Dangerfield. She suggested that I join Dangerfield at his house, but I had too much to do at my place. Courtney’s matchmaking attempts would get her nowhere.

After dropping her off, I headed back to my place. I felt like locking the door, pulling down the shades, and not coming out until it was time for work.

A jazz festival was being held for the next two days. The streets were even more crowded than usual as I returned home. There would be a parade later in the day. When I looked up ahead I spotted a black car with a man behind the wheel and a woman in the passenger seat. 

As I neared the car, it sparked my memory. It was a black car just like the one the man at the bar had described. There were plenty of couples driving black cars, but ever since he’d told me about the couple I had been on the lookout for the car. None had popped up directly in front of my building though… until now.

I continued my walk slowly toward my building, ignoring the crowd around me. My attention was focused strictly on the black car. As I neared the car I had to think of what to do next.

I stopped on the sidewalk to watch the man and woman. They were having a heated discussion. At least I figured that by the way she had pointed her finger at the man. There was something familiar about her, but I couldn’t place it right away. If only I could get a closer look I might be able to figure it out.

My heart beat a little faster with anticipation. I had to know who was in the car and what they were doing there. I couldn’t just step up there and look in on them. That would be rude.

If only I could get a closer look at their faces. I was sure that it was nothing, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a better look. I inched closer, but still couldn’t see their faces. I didn’t want them to catch me. If I moved any closer I was sure they would notice.

If it was the woman who had been at the jazz club, then I wanted to get as much information about her as possible. But how would I ever find out who this woman was? It seemed lately that I was like a rat in a maze trying to find my way out. I stood there wondering what to do next. I hated that I was always so indecisive.

The only way I could look without being noticed was to cross the street. I looked both ways and waited for a chance to cross the street. When there was a lapse in traffic I rushed across to the other side. Once on the sidewalk I headed down the street so I could get a better look. I felt a little strange trying to hide behind people as they walked beside me. Whatever it took to get the job done though.

A couple of drunk people stumbled past laughing loudly. Once they’d passed I continued on my way.

I weaved through the crowd and down the sidewalk. People had booths set up to sell their items. Music played on practically every corner. A group in front of me had stopped to listen to music, so I moved around them.

A man was walking at the same pace as me and he glanced over at me. He probably wondered why I was trying to keep up with him. I offered him a smile, but he didn’t return the sentiment. Oh, well—I had tried to be friendly.

That didn’t make me stop walking beside him either. Not until I reached the spot where I wanted to be.

Why were they stopped in front of my place? Were they looking at my building? And if so, were they looking for me?

Now that I was closer I could see their faces. Even if I was across the street, I recognized her right away. It was April Benson. She had been the focus of one of my recent investigations. Because of my investigations she had been forced to right her wrongs and pay back money that she owed. I’d suspected she’d been trying to get back at me ever since. Could she be the one behind the voodoo dolls? It seemed like something she might try to get revenge. I hadn’t thought to ask Anne Blackshear at the voodoo store if April Benson had bought any dolls.

April would probably give Dangerfield and Courtney dolls too just because she knew I was around both of them. I had hoped that she’d given up on trying to get revenge against me, but apparently she was just as determined as ever. She had told me recently that I deserved everything that I got. I got a feeling she wanted to be the one to give me what she thought I deserved.

I had only been doing my job trying to help people who had been cheated out of money. Now I had become the focus of April’s hatred.

I looked at the time on my phone. I wondered how long they’d been sitting there. April looked over at the building. Was she waiting for me to come out?

At least I had the festival to help me hide from them. But how long would they sit there waiting for me? I wanted to go home and I didn’t feel like having a confrontation. She might not give me that option though.

Mrs. Perkins wouldn’t be happy if there was an argument in the building. She was probably close to trying to get me kicked out of the building.

A crowd moved in front of me and for a moment I lost sight of the car. As I watched from across the street, the car doors opened. Then they both got out of the car. I watched to see what their next move was. They stepped out of the car and looked over at my building. After a couple seconds, they started walking down the sidewalk away from my building.

Now was when I had to follow them. I just had to keep my distance so that April wouldn’t see me. I walked behind them, staying a safe distance away. I wasn’t sure how far I would follow them.

I rushed across the street so that I could follow the couple. A group of people were walking down the sidewalk behind them, so I fell in. I didn’t want to necessarily talk with April, but I was curious what she was up to.

I’d fallen in step behind them and so far they hadn’t noticed me. I had to keep it that way. I walked behind a man and peeked out every few seconds. He looked over his shoulder and frowned. He stepped to the right and took away my cover.

Soon I realized where they were going. They had stopped in front of Anne Blackshear’s store where Courtney used to work. I paused and watched them walk into the store. Now was time for me to make my move. I rushed toward the store and up to the entrance. I couldn’t believe that they’d come here. This was where the dolls had been sold. That couldn’t be a coincidence. I wondered what Courtney would say about this. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.

“I’m following that woman who is mad at me. April Benson.”

“The one from the investigative report?” Courtney asked.

“Yes, that’s the one,” I said.

“You should follow them in there. What can they do while you’re in public, right?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’ll call you back.”

I decided to take Courtney’s advice and go into the store. She was right, I doubted April would make that much of a scene in public. At least I hoped that she wouldn’t. I knew she was furious with me.

My nerves set in just thinking about it. Letting out a deep breath, I grabbed the door’s handle and pushed it open. I planned what I would say if she confronted me.

I stepped into the store. April would be surprised when she saw me.

The only problem was I didn’t see the couple. The store was empty. That was odd. Where had they gone? I knew they’d come into the store. The back area was marked for employees only, so unless they worked here then I knew they hadn’t gone back there. I looked over every inch of the store, but couldn’t find them anywhere. They couldn’t have just vanished. They had to be here somewhere. I moved further into the store, but there was nowhere to hide.

Anne Blackshear eyed me as if she thought she recognized me.

“Hello,” I said.

“Good afternoon. May I help you find anything?” she asked.

“We’ve met before. My cousin is Courtney Charley. We were in here yesterday.”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh, yes. You’re Chase, right?”

“Yes, that’s me.” I smiled.

“What brings you by on this glorious day?” she asked.

I frowned. “There was a couple who just came in here and now they’re gone. A dark-haired woman wearing a black dress and a tall man in a black shirt and pants. Did you happen to see them in here and know where they went?”

“Yes, I saw them walk in and then they asked to use my back exit. I thought it was odd, but I get a lot of odd requests, so I said yes. Were they hiding from you?” she asked.

“Well, I didn’t think they even knew I was following them, but I guess they did. Did you recognize the woman? Had she ever been in here before?” I asked.

Anne furrowed her brow. “I’m not sure. She looked familiar, but I just can’t say for sure. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay. Thank you for the help.”

“Tell Courtney I said hello.”

“I will,” I said as I turned to walk out of the store.

I stepped out of the store and into the crowded sidewalk. I looked to my left and to my right. Nope, they were nowhere in sight. At least I had tried to find out what they were up to.

Had they been the couple who had been talking with Tim Swanson? It was possible, but it would be hard for me to find out for sure. I could always get a picture of April and go back to the bar and look for Matthew Hudson. If he was a regular at the club then it shouldn’t be too hard to find him. I thought about telling Dangerfield, but then thought better of it.

When I reached my place, I realized that the black car was gone. At least I didn’t have to worry that they had waited for me at my place. I didn’t want Mrs. Perkins to think I had brought more bad vibes to the building. Maybe she was right, I did have a lot of bad vibes lately. It wasn’t like I had asked for it though. Mrs. Perkins probably thought otherwise. Yes, she would be talking to the landlord again soon. I hurried the rest of the way to my building.