OLD MAN MALONE RETURNS Read online

  “Who says I’m going to be walking around naked?” Taylor scowled at him.

  Drew poked Hunter in the ribs with his elbow. “This is going to be fun.”

  Hunter’s laughter caused Taylor to glare at him. “Calm down, honey, I’m joking. You can wear that cute black teddy. It looks great on you, Taylor.”

  Drew dropped into the chair trying to stifle his laughter.

  The front doorbell chimed through the house. Austern, the family butler, hurried to the door. Detective Stellion stood on the porch shifting his weight from one foot to the other. His usual smile was replaced by a frown. “Please come in, detective.”

  ########

  Austern and Detective Stellion chatted briefly about how life was going. The two men walked into the parlor to find Kellie and Taylor deep in conversation. Kellie looked up, a wide smile crossing her face. She stood and hurried toward him.

  “Uncle Mike.” Her voice was cheerful and she hugged the detective. He was also her godfather and she loved him deeply.

  “Uncle Mike,” Taylor said jumping up, her long red hair bouncing as she hurried over to hug him. She had grown up next door to Kellie. Both young women called Mike “uncle” since they were three. Mike and his wife loved the girls calling them uncle and aunt.

  “Please sit down, Mike,” Drew waved his hand toward the chair next to the fireplace.

  Kellie said, “It’s nice to see you, but why didn’t Aunt Rita come with you? Please tell me this isn’t another official visit.” She bit her lip and dropped her head studying the carpet.

  Drew looked directly at Mike. “We need peace in this house. Is this necessary?”

  “I’m afraid it is. There was an incident at the cemetery this morning.” Mike shifted in the chair across from Kellie.

  “Incident?” Kellie rubbed her hands together anticipating what could possibly be happening now after the horror of last year. She had been kidnapped, her friends terrorized by an insane cook, and her home ransacked.

  “Unfortunately, Ken Spencer was murdered, and his body was found behind your grandfather’s grave at your family monument.”

  Kellie’s mouth fell open and she threw her hand over her mouth. Her blue eyes closed and she slowly shook her head.

  “Murdered! Oh my, poor Mr. Spencer. He was a nice man.” Kellie’s look of horror turned to frustration. “Please refer to it as the Malone family monument. After what he did to my mother, I’ll never consider him my grandfather again. I’m a Malone only by accident of birth.” Kellie leaned back crossing her arms in front of her.

  Mike nodded and gently waved his hand to calm Kellie. “Okay, he was found behind the Malone monument” He took a deep breath. “However that’s not all.”

  Drew mumbled, “Now what? Of course, there’d be more drama. It’s been quiet for almost a year. I knew it was too good to be true.”

  “I hate to bring more drama, but Ken’s death is not the only incident that took place at Springs Cemetery this morning.”

  “What, Uncle Mike?” Kellie’s face twisted in anticipation of what she might hear.

  He furrowed his brow, frowned, and looked at Kellie. “Frederick Malone’s grave has been vandalized. It was opened, and his body is gone.”

  “Gone? Who would take the body? How did they open the grave to get it out?”

  “I don’t know. I think Ken might have seen the body snatchers. He may have tried to stop them instead of calling for help, and they killed him. I don’t think he was involved.”

  “What do you know?” Kellie stood and began to pace. She thought the horror of Frederick Malone was behind her, and she could forget about him. “He was an evil man who committed evil deeds. He should have stayed dead and buried. Do you have any idea how this happened?”

  “At least two strong men must have been involved. The soil was dug up. The concrete liner was broken into large chunks and tossed around on the grass. It was made to look as if they were thrown out of the grave. The lid of the coffin was open, and we assume the body was taken. I think they hoped people would assume Frederick rose from the dead and pushed his way out.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “I agree. People might have believed it, if it wasn’t for Ken’s murder. He was shot in the back. That tells me, and should tell everyone else, that at least one human was involved. I doubt ghosts use guns.”

  Drew, leaning against the doorframe, smirked. “I wouldn’t put anything past Old Man Malone.”

  “I’m sorry I had to tell you all of this, but unfortunately you are his closest relative, Kellie. You’re older than Kyle, and the responsibility falls on you. Plus you’re my niece; I didn’t want you to read it in the papers. I’d watch out for reporters. They’ll love this story.”

  “I will.” She and Taylor hugged him and he shook hands with Drew and Hunter.

  “I want all of you to watch your backs. Someone took that body for a reason. Don’t forget to tell Cole. I’m not sure if this has anything to do with any of you, but he should also be aware.”

  “We will, Uncle Mike, I promise. Oh, could it have been those two hulking nephews of Mrs. Casey’s that kidnapped me last year?”

  “No, it was the first thing I checked on. They’re in jail awaiting sentencing, and Mrs. Casey and Emma are awaiting trial. They are both fighting the charges all the way. I also checked and couldn’t find any other Casey family members.”

  “That’s a relief. I’m glad they’re all locked up, and I hope they stay that way.”

  Detective Stellion left promising he’d be in touch. The four friends sat in the parlor pondering what all of this meant. Kellie, feeling overwhelmed, could hear her heart pounding in her ears. The thought of the old man or anyone associated with him running loose terrified her. Her friends were speaking, but Kellie’s mind wasn’t paying attention. Fighting the terror she had felt before, she sat on her hands hoping to keep them from shaking. She needed to be rid of the old man’s memory. He had her birth mother murdered and her birth father run out of town. Could his evil transcend the grave? She shuddered.

  ########

  A noisy commotion drew Kellie to the front window. A news van and several people were on the front sidewalk. They were milling around with microphones in their hands. One woman kept pointing at the mansion.

  “Uncle Mike was right. Come here and check this out. It’s the woman from the six o’clock news.” She threw her hands up to the sides of her head. “I’m not sure I can deal with those people.”

  Drew said, “I’ll go out and handle it.”

  She held up her hand, “Wait, Austern is already out there.”

  Drew moved closer to Kellie to watch as Austern argued with the reporters. Hunter and Taylor walked into the foyer to get a better look from the narrow windows along the sides of the front door. Austern shook his fist and pointed to the property line. Slowly the reporters backed onto the sidewalk.

  Austern returned to the house. “They say they’ll stay on the sidewalk. Be careful when you leave. They’ll rush your car.”

  “This is so wrong,” said Kellie. “Why do they have to hassle us? I don’t care what happened to his body and certainly won’t answer questions.”

  Drew was already on the phone with the security company. Less than ten minutes later two security men were walking up and down the front yard near the sidewalk holding the reporters at bay. After about an hour, all but one die hard reporter had left. She stood toe to toe with the security guard, and Kellie could see them arguing. The reporter was waving her arms and pointing at the house. The guard, arms crossed, shook his head. He turned and walked several feet down the sidewalk. The reporter followed him waving her microphone in the air.

  Austern took each of the security guards an insulated cup of coffee. He couldn’t help but smile at the reporter as she stomped her feet to stay warm. The reporter watched the guards finish their hot coffee. Frustrated, she climbed into the TV van and told her driver to leave.

  Kellie laughed. “Tha
t did it. They’re gone. I hope they don’t come back when they warm up.”

  Drew assured her the security guards would return, if needed. “They’ll be sure those reporters stay clear of the house. Also, if there’s any funny business going on with this cemetery mess, they’ll help keep us safe.”

  ########

  Hunter knitted his eyebrows and looked at Taylor. “That settles it; we’re going to rent that little apartment above the flower shop. The price is right. I don’t want you here if something odd is going on.”

  “Hunter, if you expect me to marry you, then you better get used to the idea of living in the south wing for two reasons. First, it’s cheaper than that teeny apartment and second, if something odd is going on, there’s no way I’m leaving Kellie to deal with it alone.” She scowled at him with her hands on her hips.

  Drew agreed with Hunter. “I think Kellie and I should also leave town for a while.”

  “Have you lost your mind? I have class and nothing is going to stop me from finishing my education this time. You graduated in June, and now you want me to give up. I never gave up on you. This is my home. I’m staying, you can leave.”

  Drew backed up a step when he saw Kellie’s tears flow. He leaned forward a bit frowning, and moving his head back and forth to catch her eye.

  “Umm, I didn’t mean drop out of school. If you don’t feel safe here with all our security, we could move. We can afford another place.”

  “Drew, if someone is after me or any of us, they’ll find us wherever we are. When we were trying to find answers about the old man last year, my mother helped me. Although I don’t remember it, you saw me talking to the air in the attic. We both know it was her, and she told me about his leather case that he used to hide important things. We found it under the floor boards, and it held answers. If we need her again, she’ll be here. I know she will.”

  The soft scent of roses filled the room. Kellie said, “Told ya. She’s here.”

  Drew nodded. He couldn’t argue the fact that they all noticed the rose scent. It had to be her mother.

  “Who’s after whom, and who’s here?” Cole’s voice could be heard coming from the foyer.

  Drew quickly filled him in on the day’s events as he entered the parlor.

  “I heard rumors at work today about someone stealing his body. Then the cops showed up to ask if I thought any of the kids I deal with might be involved. Why do people assume a kid from a broken home who needs a little help is automatically bad? I was angry.”

  “Good for you, Cole,” said Kellie. “You’re the best thing the kids at your social service agency have going for them. If I had to pick one word to describe you, it would be ‘empathy.’”

  “Andrea says I have a big heart, and she loves me. It doesn’t get any better than that. Love is strong. I think it’s what’s keeping your mother close. If anyone would know you might be in trouble, it would be her. She has an excellent view.” Cole looked up at the ceiling and Kellie smiled.

  Cole sank in a chair with a big smile on his face. The five years of Emma’s yanking his chain behind him. Emma broke his heart when she was arrested as part of the gang trying to force Kellie into giving up her inheritance last year. Finding Andrea was a blessing.

  “Look,” said Kellie. “It’s September. Taylor’s wedding is in two weeks. I’m busy with new classes. Drew you’re looking for that perfect job. Cole is lost in love. We’re all busy, too busy not to be alone a lot. However, anytime we can do something together we need to do it. We have to stick together. It’s what got us through last year, and it’ll get us through now. Besides, I don’t believe my dead grandfather is wandering around Malone Springs. If a body was going to be stolen to scare the town, the body of the town’s most evil man would make sense.”

  “Hey, you don’t think Kyle has anything to do with this?”

  “No way. He and I came to a fair agreement. He’s thrilled with his share of the inheritance. He was able to have his mom moved to that first class rehab hospital for two months, and she can open her eyes now and blink answers. She could hear all along, but no one knew since she couldn’t communicate in any way. Having to have her at home didn’t give her any chance. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Besides, Becky’s pregnant. Do you think he would jeopardize his life to try and scare or hurt me?”

  “I guess not,” Drew mumbled.

  “We don’t know if this has anything to do with me. Maybe someone thinks they can hold his body for ransom. I hope they have a cold fridge because I wouldn’t pay a dime to get him back.”

  Her cell phone rang.

  “Hello.”

  “Help me,” said the deep, scratchy aged voice. “Don’t let them put me back under there. It’s cold down there.”

  The caller clicked off, and she stood staring at the phone. She gripped the phone tighter as her hand began to shake. Fear tightened her throat. Had she heard the voice of a dead man?

  “Who was that?” Drew asked.

  “I don’t know. I think I’m supposed to believe it was the old man. I think it was, but he’s dead.” She relayed what she heard.

  “That answers one thing,” said Hunter. “You’re involved somehow or someone wants to involve you.”

  “I’m calling Uncle Mike.” She strode out of the room.

  Chapter Three

  “Uncle Mike wrote down a report,” Kellie said as she dropped onto the sofa. “He says it could be kids fooling around since the news is all over town, including the paper and TV, that his body was taken.” She shook her head. “He also said it could be whoever took the body although he doesn’t have any idea why the body would be stolen.”

  Cole walked to the foyer to get the paper. “He’s right. It says here Mrs. Owens found Ken’s body and the open grave. That sweet woman must be close to ninety. I’m surprised she didn’t have a heart attack.”

  “Poor old soul,” said Kellie. “I don’t like this even if it’s a joke.”

  “Well, it says Ken was shot in the back and hit in the forehead with some type of blunt object. Whoever was out there didn’t want any witnesses. This is more than kids. Even the few troublemakers we have in town wouldn’t do this.”

  “So why take his body and call me? It sounds like kids.”

  “Kids knock over tombstones on Halloween. That’s not until next month. Do you have any idea how difficult it must have been to dig up that grave without heavy equipment? I think someone wants the town to think he’s a ghost. Don’t be surprised if people begin to ask you if you’ve seen him.”

  “Are you serious?”

  Cole nodded.

  The doorbell chimed. Austern answered, and a distraught Andrea, Cole’s girlfriend, hurried into the parlor.

  “I read the paper. Are you alright, Kellie? What an awful thing to happen to your grandfather’s body and that grounds keeper, Ken.”

  “I’m sorry about Ken, but not Frederick. I’m sure Cole filled you in on everything he did and all the trouble we had last year.”

  “Yes, he did. I think a man capable of having his own daughter and nephew murdered may not be above having a hand in this plot. If it took place after his death, it could continue his reign of terror. Even though he died before all the craziness that took place here last fall began, he denied you of having a relationship with your biological mother. He seemed to delight in the anguish his brother’s family was suffering. Cole also thought he might have been responsible for Kyle’s mom’s accident. How evil can a person be?” Andrea placed her hand on Kellie’s arm. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to speak about your relative that way.”

  “Please, don’t let it bother you. I don’t think of him as my grandfather. I have two sets of grandparents. I don’t need more. My adoptive parents, God rest their souls, were the greatest. That is the family who’s important. I’m also thrilled the judge agreed with me that I didn’t have to carry the Malone name to inherit the fortune. I always liked Conley. Now that I’m married to Drew, Conley-Adamson suit
s me fine.” She snuggled up next to Drew.

  “Me, too,” Drew smiled.

  Taylor shooed the guys out of the room, saying she and the girls had wedding plans to discuss. The guys were all too happy to retreat to Drew’s office.

  Hunter said, “Wedding plans are going to drive me crazy.”

  Drew nodded remembering his wedding to Kellie. He rushed past the other two to get into the south wing where he had set up his office. Cole closed the doors to the south wing behind him. He leaned against them and heaved a sigh. “I think we’re safe.” Hunter dropped into a chair and leaned back. “Safe!”

  As Taylor began organizing the papers on the dining room table, she said, “I’m worried about you, Kellie. What if this does have something to do with your grandfather and his evil dealings? Uncle Mike looked a little worried.”

  “I need coffee,” Kellie said. They continued their conversation while they got their coffee and brought it back to the dining room table.

  She took a sip of coffee and said, “I know, but Uncle Mike always worries. Aren’t enemies supposed to be happy when you’re dead and buried? They don’t dig them back up. A friend wouldn’t want his dead body unless they were insane.”

  Andrea took a deep breath and said, “Umm, they might if they weren’t sure he was buried. Did he have a big funeral where anyone could be sure it was him?”

  “Interesting question, I have no idea. I know how to find out. This is one time the Malone name will come in handy.”

  She pulled out her cell, and asked information for the number of Walker’s Funeral Home. She drummed her fingers on the table and took another sip of coffee while she waited to be connected.

  “Yes, good afternoon. This is Kellie Malone. I have a question about my grandfather, Frederick’s, funeral. He passed a little over a year ago.”

  She listened intently, her eyes growing big as she heard the information.

  “Yes, I understand. Thank you.”

  “Well?” Taylor asked looking up at Kellie.