Good Tidings (6 page)

“
So, can this excitement be dangerous to you?”

She shrugged. “I suppose it could,” she said, “Like a spiritual stampede. But I’ve made sure I take precautions when I go home.”

“
What kind of precautions?”

“
Well, I make sure I have sage, which is an energy cleanser, in my car when I drive,” she said. “I learned to do that after I was driving down Lake Shore Drive and found John Dillinger in the passenger’s seat.”

“
But Dillinger was supposedly gunned down in 1934,” he said.

“
Yeah, he wasn’t too happy about that,” she replied, flipping the bacon over. “And he wasn’t thrilled when I nearly drove us into the lake because he surprised me. He made some derogatory comment about women drivers. Did you know that John Dillinger was sexist?”

“
No, I didn’t,” Bradley replied, fascinated with the whole conversation.

Mary nodded. “Yeah, but when I explained that I wasn’t in a position to help him because I was just learning the ropes, he took it pretty well,” she said.

She scooped the bacon out of the pan and cracked the eggs into it.

“
Then, we put holy salt around the entrances and windows at my parents’ house,” she said. “It keeps the spirits out.”

“
You had spirits visiting your parents?”

Mary nodded. “Yes, and they weren’t all nice polite spirits like Joey,” she explained, “Some actually threw things to get my attention.”

She chuckled. “Of course, that finally convinced my brothers I hadn’t lost my mind and I could actually see ghosts. So it wasn’t all bad.”

“
So, if you could take precautions and learn to deal with things, why didn’t you stay?”

Mary shook her head. “Oh, I can deal enough to go into Chicago and visit, like I did for Thanksgiving,” she said. “But once I stay someplace for a period of time, they are drawn to me. Hundreds, no thousands, of ghosts. There is no way I can protect myself from something like that. So, I live here and visit there.”

She put a plate of food down in front of Bradley. He smiled, lifted a piece of bacon and bit into it. “Well, I for one am really glad you did.”

She smiled back. “Thanks, I’m glad too.”

*****

Joey reappeared just as Bradley was finishing his second cup of hot chocolate. “They’re yelling at each other,” he said in a rush, “They’re yelling real bad.”

Mary slipped around the counter and placed her hand on Bradley’s shoulder. “Joey,” she said to Bradley and he nodded in understanding.

“
What where they yelling about?” she asked.

“
It was about a bird,” he said. “Someone must have let their bird loose because he was yelling that the pigeon was gone.”

“
What else did they say about the pigeon?” Bradley asked.

“
That the pigeon got cold feet, which makes sense ‘cause it’s snowing outside,” he reasoned. “And they were in lots of trouble because they needed to dump the merchandise fast because it was getting too hot.”

Bradley and Mary exchanged glances. “I’m calling Sean,” she said.

She put her phone on speaker and dialed the number.

“
O’Reilly,” the deep male voice answered.

“
Hi, Sean, it’s Mary,” she replied. “I have an update about the kidnapping case. Joey, the brother of the infant who was kidneapped, is my client. He is a ghost and the victim’s guardian angel.”

“
Okay,” Sean said. “I think I’ve got that, Mary. How old is Joey?”

“
He’s six,” Mary said, “And he’s been with Jeremy listening to the couple who snatched him. He just reported the couple who took Jeremy is fighting because their pigeon got cold feet.”

“
Well, that changes the dynamics,” he said.

“
Sean, this is Chief Alden, Freeport Police Department. What do you anticipate with this change?”

“
Hey, I heard about you. Nice to meet you,” Sean replied. “Good question. The perps are anxious and feel we are getting close. So, they will either look for a quick drop or… Is Joey still there?”

“
Yes,” Mary said, “he’s listening.”

“
Okay, well, they might look at other ways to quickly relieve themselves of the problem.”

“
Does he mean they’re going to kill my brother?” Joey demanded.

Mary took a deep breath. “That’s a possibility, Joey,” she said, “but in Chicago there is a law that you can drop a baby off at a hospital or fire station or police department and they won’t stop you or ask you any questions. So there is a good chance they will do that.”

“
Sorry, Joey,” Sean said. “What we have to do is give them another option.”

He paused for a moment. “Hey, Joey, Mary said you can be there with your brother. Any chance you saw the phone number the call came from?”

Joey’s eyes lightened. “They wrote it down. They didn’t answer the phone right away. They wanted to call them back with another phone. I’ll be right back.”

Joey disappeared.

“
What did he say?” Sean asked.

“
They wrote the number down, he’s going to check it out,” Mary said.

“
He’s gone then?” Sean asked.

“
Yes,” Mary replied.

“
Okay, I’ll make this quick. There is no way they are going to risk being caught by dropping the baby someplace safe,” Sean said. “They’ve done it before. We found the baby in a dumpster and in this weather…”

“
Okay, what do we do?” Bradley asked.

“
You’ve always wanted a kid, right Mary?” Sean asked with a chuckle. “I’m going to give you a chance.”

“
Okay, I’m in,” she said.

“
Once we get the number from Joey, I want you to drive in,” he said. “I can clear you easily for undercover. Then we get things going. It’s got to be quick, Mary, or the kid is dead.”

Bradley turned to her, “But what about…?”

Mary shook her head to silence him. “Okay, Sean, I’ll call you as soon as Joey gets back. I’ll meet you at the folk’s place by noon. How does that sound?”

“
Great, I’ll meet you there and find a husband for you,” he said.

“
Just as long as it’s not Coroner Wojchichowski’s nephew,” she added. “He might want to make it a permanent arrangement.”

Sean laughed. “Yeah, I’ll be sure it’s some cute young beefcake from Vice. I understand the Vice guys are the hot ones.”

Mary chuckled. “You were in Vice, weren’t you Sean?”

“
Like I said, Mary, the hot ones.”

Mary hung up the phone and Bradley’s hand caught her shoulder and turned her to face him. “How dangerous is it going to be for you? The truth?”

Mary shrugged. “It all depends on how long I’m there and where I stay,” she said.

“
I’m driving you in,” he said.

“
No, Bradley, really, I’ll be fine.”

“
I’m driving you in,” he repeated.

“
Now you’re moving from sweet to annoying,” she said, “Don’t be annoying, Bradley.”

“
Mary, look out the window at your car,” he countered. “The Roadster might be stuck in that position until the spring thaw.”

“
I got it in there, I can get it out,” she said. “Besides, other people were impressed with my driving ability.”

“
Who?”

“
Someone,” Mary evaded, “A young man I know.”

“
Who? Andy Brennan down the street?”

“
How did you…,” she began, “I mean…no.”

“
Busted. I’m driving you in,” he paused and lifted his hand to stop her from immediately commenting. “Not because I think you are incapable of driving yourself. But, because this is my case too, and I want to know what’s going on. Think of it this way, now you won’t have to worry about a ghost passenger catching a ride and distracting you. Besides you’re my friend and I want to help.”

“
Damn it, Bradley, you had to be sweet at the end, didn’t you?”

“
So, I’m driving?” he asked.

She sighed and nodded. “Yes, you’re driving.”

*****

Bradley was sorting through the paperwork on his desk, clearing things up before his trip to Chicago, when the phone rang. “Chief Alden,” he said.

“
Alden, this is Christa at the warden’s office at Dixon Correctional Facility calling with a courtesy call to inform you that Anthony Scarlett was released today,” she said.

Bradley ran his hand through his hair. “Thanks, I appreciate the call,” he said. “Can I get a copy of his exit interview?”

“
Sure, we’ll e-mail it to you as soon as it’s transcribed,” she replied. “He still talks about you. Still says you set him up.”

“
Yeah,” Bradley said. “I put the gun in his hand, put the money in his car, put the drugs in his body and shot the bank guard. I’m just sneaky that way.”

Christa chuckled. “Well, keep an eye open, just in case,” she said.

“
Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Bradley hung up the phone and shook his head
. Just what I need, an ex-con gunning for me.

Mary searched through her closet, picking out the items she wanted to bring to Chicago when Joey came back.

“
Where are you going?” he asked.

Mary turned with a start. “Joey, you scared me.”

Joey grinned. “Duh. I’m a ghost.”

Mary laughed. “Okay, you’ve got me on that one. Did you get the number?’

“
Yeah, they threw it away, so I had to search the garbage, but I have it. It’s 312-555-4809.”

Mary jotted down the number. “It’s a Chicago number, so we can presume they brought Jeremy there. This is really going to help us find your brother. As soon as I send this on to Sean, I’m going into Chicago and help find Jeremy.”

“
I know you’ll find him,” Joey said, trust shining in his eyes. “You’re lots smarter than those bad guys.”

Mary bent down next to Joey. “I’m going to do everything I can to find Jeremy,” she said. “But I’m not sure how it works with you and me communicating once I get there.”

Joey smiled. “Oh, don’t worry. Now that we’re friends, I can follow you wherever you go.”

“
Even in places that have protection, like holy salt?” she asked.

Joey nodded. “Yeah, ‘cause I’m a guardian angel, things like that don’t bother me.”

“
Great! I’ll call Sean and get him going on this phone number.”

“
Okay, I’ll go back and watch over Jeremy. And if they take him out of the house, I’ll let you know right away.”

Mary nodded. “That’s wonderful, Joey. Jeremy is lucky to have a big brother like you.”

Joey smiled. “Guess it’s a good thing I died, huh?”

Mary’s heart tightened a little. “I guess God knows what He’s doing.”

Joey nodded and faded away.

After relaying the information to Sean, Mary called Rosie and Stanley to see if they could make it to her house. Less than twenty minutes later both of her friends were seated at her table taking notes and drinking tea.

“
So, the only thing you know about Private Kenney is his name, birth date and death date?” Stanley asked.

“
Well, his home town is Freeport, so he grew up here,” Mary responded.

“
And he was looking for a letter?” Rosie asked. “Do you know what the letter is about?”

“
No, I only got a few moments with him,” she said. “But it seemed the letter was very important to him. It might be what he needs to move on.”

“
Well, we can check the old high school yearbooks and see if we know anyone who remembers him,” Stanley suggested.

Rosie nodded. “I seem to recall a Kenney who used to have her hair done when I had my shop. If I remember correctly she was a Clairol, number 10, ash blonde.”

“
That will certainly be helpful,” Stanley added. “Now if you can only remember the shade of her toenail polish, we should have this mystery solved.”

Rosie turned to Stanley. “You’re just jealous because I can remember things past what I had for breakfast this morning.”

“
Well, what I had for breakfast is probably a whole lot more important than someone’s hair color forty years ago,” he replied.

“
Not if I have her name and address on an index card that’s sorted according to hair color,” Rosie snapped back.

She paused and with a look of astonishment turned to Mary. “I have her name and address on an index card,” she said. “I could contact her.”

“
Rosie, that is wonderful,” Mary said. “But, before we start contacting people, let’s find out all we can about this ghost. We don’t want to open old wounds if we don’t have too.”

“
So, Mary, you still haven’t told us where you’re going,” Stanley said.

“
I’m going into Chicago to work on a new case.”

“
Um, dear, you’re not driving on your own, are you?” Rosie inquired hesitantly.