The Ghostly Hideaway (15 page)

“I don’t think so; not until I have to. When I think
about that he fully intended to kill me and my whole family, I
still nearly go crazy. Are there any papers you need us to sign or
whatever?”

“Yes, I need you, Ed, and Johnny, too, to write up a
statement of the events as you remember them beginning on
Thanksgiving night and carrying through until Friday morning.
There’re a couple of desks in here where you can write out all the
information, please. When you’ve finished, I need you to date and
sign them in front of our notary public. Judith is our notary; let
her know when you’re ready. That’s all I’ll need until he comes
back from North Carolina.”

“Okay, Sheriff, we’ll do our best." It took Ed and
Johnny almost an hour to write down their statements and get them
signed and dated as requested. When they were finished at the
sheriff's office, they went by the school to see if everything was
okay there. The work was coming along exceptionally well. Ed was
nearly sure they would be able to finish it all in a couple of
weeks. That would let them complete the work by the middle of
December as he had originally thought. As they were about to leave,
they were confronted by a strange man.

“Excuse me; I’m looking for Ed Wroe.”

“You’ve found me. Is there something I can do for
you?”

“My name is Bill Weedman and I own Weedman and Jones
Contracting. I found the guy who was my partner at the jail this
morning when I went in to the sheriff’s office to file a missing
person’s report. Victor Jones came here in February and offered to
buy into my cabinetry business. I was in dire need of some capital
and he assured me that carpentry was his trade and that he had
several years’ of experience. Vic—I understand now his full name is
Victor Norman Jones—had references from two other places where he
said he had worked. I’m guessing now they were forged since his
partnership with you appears to be the only job he ever had.
Anyway, we drew up the papers and became partners. He was a good,
knowledgeable worker and I thought we had a good thing going.

“I couldn’t believe it when Sheriff Lampton told me
what he had done and tried to do. I had no idea he was that kind of
person or that he was capable of doing the things of which the
sheriff said he was accused. I just wanted you to know that I
certainly do not condone his actions and I want no more dealings
with him at all. I’m hopeful that you won’t hold his actions
against me. Do you think we could be friends or at least not be
enemies?" Bill held out his hand and Ed immediately shook with
him.

“I, too, resent his actions but you must remember he
was my partner before he was yours and I have known him most of my
life; so I could hardly blame you for being fooled by him. He
fooled me first and worst. So, certainly, no hard feelings between
us. Incidentally, this is my new partner and future son-in-law,
Johnny O’Reilly." Bill and Johnny shook hands, too, and they all
went their own ways.

They had received their payment as contractors from
the school for the last month they worked. They went by the bank
and got the check cashed. Since they had no outstanding invoices to
pay, Ed deposited his part into his checking account and Johnny
took his pay by the jewelry store and paid off the balance on the
rings he got for Chrissy. He had planned to wait until Christmas to
give her the engagement ring; but he wasn’t sure now if he'd be
able to wait that long to give it to her. He could get her
something else for Christmas. He didn’t know what but he could
surely think of something. Anyway, a plan was forming in his head
and he thought he could put it into action. Yeah, he thought he
could.

When they got back to Ed’s house, they all talked
for a while. Ed told the others that Norman Jones would be
extradited back to North Carolina to face charges of rape, grand
theft and all the other.

“Man, I’d love to see him get what’s coming to him
for framing you for stealing that stuff." Penny declared.

“Yes, so would I,” Ed agreed. “But by the time they
get around to his trial, it could be about the time for Chrissy’s
wedding and I sure wouldn’t want to get that all messed up. We can
go watch the trial when they bring him back here to be tried for
attempted arson and attempted homicide.”

Ed also told them about Bill Weedman, the guy who
had been working with Jones before he was arrested. Ed told them
how nice he had acted and that they parted friends with
Weedman.

The twins weren’t too interested. They wanted to go
out and play in the snow again. Of course, they wanted Chrissy and
Johnny to go, too.

“You two go ahead and we’ll be out in a few
minutes." Chrissy and Johnny had something they wanted to discuss
with Ed and Penny.

“Mom, the twins’ birthday is coming up in short
time,” Chrissy said after Andy and Candy had gone out, “and Johnny
and I were trying to think of something special to do for them.

“Yeah, we thought it might be fun for them if we
took them to the McDonald’s that’s on the corner just before the
by-pass in Owensboro and let them eat whatever they wanted and then
play in the play room until they were tired." Johnny was excited
for them. “There’s the newest Disney cartoon movie, too. “ Herbie:
Fully Loaded,” is on at Malco Cinema Twelve, the theater way out
near the Mall on Frederica and the afternoon matinee starts at
three o’clock. We could take them on to see that. When that’s over,
we could take them on over to Towne Square Mall and let them see
Santa Claus and maybe get some ideas on what to get them for
Christmas. Don’t you think that would be a nice birthday treat for
Chrissy and me to give them?”

“Oh, I think they would be in Heaven, Johnny. And
you would both enjoy it, too.”

“No, no, we meant the whole family, too. We were
even planning on having Andy and Candy insist to Grandmother that
she come, too. She has been down here once and she went with me to
Fordsville to get groceries one time. However, this would be a
truly unique experience for her. I’m not sure she’s ever been to
the movies and she has probably eaten out but I know it’s been
years and years. If you approve of the plans, the next question is:
Do we tell them and let them look forward to it or do we surprise
them on their birthdays?”

“Oh, my. That is a question. It would be fun to
surprise them but the anticipation might be almost as much fun as
the actual trip." Ed wasn’t sure.

“Which would be better for Grandmother Lydia? Would
she be more likely to consent to go on the spur of the moment or
would she maybe be more inclined to agree if she had time to plan
for it?”

“Actually, I think the twins can talk her into it,
regardless of when she’s asked. Thinking about it, though, it might
be simpler for me to just bring her from home instead of having to
go back for her." Johnny had about decided his vote would be to
tell them now. It was terribly difficult to keep secrets
anyway!

“I vote we tell them,” Chrissy agreed.

Ed and Penny looked at each other and nodded. “We
agree. How about we tell them about McDonald’s and let them look
forward to that and then surprise them with the rest of it?”

“Oh, that would be perfect!”

“Let’s tell them right now!”

They had been talking earnestly and no one had
thought to keep an eye on the kids. Unexpectedly, from behind them,
Candy piped up; “Tell who, what?”

“Yeah. We wondered what was taking you so long. Now
what did you decide you were going to tell somebody about?”

Ed, Penny, and Chrissy looked at Johnny and motioned
for him to tell them since it was basically his idea and he planned
to foot the bill for all of it.

“Well, we had been thinking that it wasn’t long
until there would be a birthday in the family.”

“Ours!" It was amazing how often they spoke in
unison.

“What would you think about it if the whole family
went to McDonald’s in Owensboro and let you two play in the play
room and eat whatever you wanted?”

“Great!" Andy was unbelievably excited.

“Wonderful." Candy was ecstatic. “You said ‘the
whole family.’ Does that include Grandmother, too?”

“It sure does, if you can talk her into going. It
may take some talking, though. It’s been years and years since
she’s been that far from home.”

“Can we call and tell her now?” Andy wanted to know.
They were excited enough that Penny didn't even bother to correct
his grammar that time.

“Absolutely. Here let me dial the number for you.
And remember to let your sister talk some, too. Okay?”

“Sure. Okay. Oh, hi, Grandmother. This is your
favorite grandson named Andy. How are you feeling?”

“Just fine, Andy. You sound excited. What’s going
on?”

“I am. Johnny has just told us that he plans to take
the whole family to Owensboro to McDonald’s for our birthdays.”

“Well, that does sound exciting for you. I know
you’ll have a great time!”

“But, Grandmother, we want you to come with us and
have a great time, too!"

Lydia hesitated. “I don’t know Andy. That’s a kinda
long trip for an old woman like me. I’d probably be slow enough
that you’d have a better time without me.”

Candy grabbed the phone. They could all hear her
through the phone. “Grandmother, we won’t have a good time at all
unless you come, too. We’d probably be crying instead of having a
good time.” She only exaggerated slightly.

Chrissy took the phone. “We all want you to come,
too, Grandmother. We won’t be in any hurry at all, so you can’t
slow us down.”

It was Johnny’s turn. “We promise we won’t make you
go down the slide in the play room more than once, Grandmother. We
truly do want this to be a family outing." Lydia chuckled. It was a
sound that Johnny was still getting used to hearing and he was
loving every minute of it.

“We really will enjoy it more if you’re with us."
Penny added her bit.

“That’s absolutely right." Ed shouted from the
couch.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to give in. I can’t argue
with all of you. Besides this will be the first birthday my
grandkids will be celebrating since I’ve been ‘in the family.’”

Lydia heard a chorus of approval but she had one
more question. "Okay when is this momentous milestone to be
celebrated?"

Andy took the phone again. “Our birthday is December
13. I guess that’s when we’ll go, right, Johnny? But it’s not our
‘first’ birthday. It’s our fifth birthday?”

“Correct, Andy." He took the phone again. “We’ll
talk more about it when I get home, Grandmother. Bye, bye for now
and we’re all tickled you’re coming with us." Johnny hung up the
phone and turned to Ed and Penny. “Chrissy and I had planned to go
to the movies the night it snowed and we couldn’t. I thought if
Chrissy still wanted to go out and you all don’t mind, we might go
ahead and go tonight. Is it okay?”

“I don’t have any problems with that. But don’t be
late getting home. It’s still nasty enough out that we’d be
especially worried if you were late." Penny had waited for the nod
of approval from Ed and voiced her concurrence.

Johnny looked at Chrissy and the stars in her eyes
spoke for her. It would be the first time they were going to be
alone since Thanksgiving night when all hell had broken loose with
Norman Jones and the almost fire and everything.

“The movie starts at seven and it should be over by
nine so we should be home no later than ten. And we sure wouldn’t
want to worry you. Chrissy, let’s go out and play for about an hour
with the kids. After planning their birthday party, they’d probably
forgive us if we didn’t but we told them we would. Then you can get
ready and we’ll go. Okay? There’s one other stop I want to make,
too. I think we’ll have time.”

It was fine with Chrissy and that’s what they
did.

When they got to Owensboro, Johnny pulled into a
place that sold mobile homes. He told the man in the little office
they were interested in a three-bedroom trailer. They looked at
several but they found one they both just adored. It had two and a
half baths with a sunken tub with a whirlpool in the master bath. A
gas fireplace was located in the living room with a built-in
entertainment center with a plasma television screen and a complete
sound system. It was fabulous and Johnny made arrangements to buy
it on the spot. He contracted to have it set up, a well dug, a
septic system put in, electric pole set and everything. He insisted
in the contract that it be set and livable no later than February
10 of the up-coming year. He explained that they would be married
on February 14 and it had to be ready for them before that
time.

“Are you sure you want to spend that much money
without thinking about it for a while? Buying a home is a big
step.”

“Oh, are you thinking about backing out of marrying
me? If you are, we do maybe need to reconsider. If not, what’s to
think about?”

“Hey, Baby, you’re stuck with me. I’ll sue you for
breach of promise if you try to back out. It is a beautiful home,
Honey. If you’re sure we can afford it, I’d truly love it. Where
are we going to have it set?”

“There’s a level five acre field about half-way
between Grandmother’s place and your dad’s. I thought that would be
a good location. Will that be alright?”

“I think I know where you mean. It’s about where you
gave me the Sweetheart ring, right?”

“Precisely.”

“Oh, Johnny, that’s so romantic. I love you very
much.”

Instead of taking the by-pass, Johnny continued on
Second Street and pulled into the parking lot at the Executive
Inn.

“Where are we going, Johnny? I thought you said the
theater was way out the by-pass.”

“Now, think about it. Did I say we were going to the
movies, Chrissy?”

“Well, you said we had planned to go to the movies
earlier and we’d go tonight. And you said what time the movie
started and ended. Right?”