Mysteries from the Keys : A Collection of Short Stories (9781927899410) Read online

  Night’s Vampire Series

  Night’s Gift

  Night’s Children

  Night’s Return

  Night’s Temptress

  Night’s Betrayals (Coming in 2017)

  Children’s Novels

  A Story of Day & Night

  Children’s English/French Story Books

  The Just Imagine Children’s Series

  The Day Bo Found His Bark

  Jesse’s Secret

  Freddy Frog’s Frolic (Coming in Summer 2016)

  The Tempter Tantrum (Coming in Summer 2016)

  Short Stories

  From the Heart

  Biographies

  A 20th Century Portia

  Poetry

  Life’s Roller Coaster

  Devastations of Mankind

  Shattered

  Memories

  Mysteries From the Keys

  Copyright © 2016 by Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the author through her website: www.writerontherun.ca

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  Ordering Information:

  Books may be ordered directly through the Publisher’s website: www.cavernofdreams.com

  Cavern of Dreams Publishing

  43 Kerr-Shaver Terrace

  Brantford, ON N3T 6H8

  1-519-770-7515

  Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

  Cushnie-Mansour, Mary M., 1953-, author

  Mysteries from the keys: a collection of short stories / Mary M. Cushnie Mansour.

  Short stories.

  Issued in print and electronic formats.

  ISBN 978-1-927899-39-7 (paperback).--ISBN 978-1-927899-41-0 (html)

  I. Title.

  PS8605.U83M97 2016 C813'.6 C2016-901351-0

  C2016-901352-9

  When a writer writes, there are so many people they are obliged to. First, are the individuals who listen to the various drafts of genius scribbled upon the pages, and who offer honest critiques despite the author’s pout and stamping of feet. Secondly, and some of these individuals overlap with the first group, are family members who have tolerated lapses in domestic duties while the writer created their masterpieces. I know, my husband has suffered the lack of proper meals at times, and periodically, the absence of clean laundry—yet he still supports my dreams.

  To speak to those individually, though, to this particular book, I would like to thank the readers of my short story column that I used to write for the Brantford Expositor. Most of the mystery stories in this book appeared in my column, and the feedback from my fans was heart-warming and most encouraging.

  A special thank you goes out to Heather and Angie of Lock & Key Treasures in Brantford for allowing me to come into their store to do a photo shoot for my cover art.

  And, not to be forgotten, where would I be if I did not have Terry Davis from Ball Media in Brantford to put the finishing touches on my cover. Once again, another job well done!

  A writer must never forget to thank their editors: Danielle Tanguay and Bethany Jamieson of Cavern of Dreams Publishing, who did an excellent job of pointing out some issues in the stories that needed fine-tuning.

  There are a number more people I could personally thank here, but I will finish up with Randy Nickmann of Brant Service Press for his support and printing of my books.

  To anyone I have not thanked by name—friends and fans of my work—you know who you are, and I want you to know your support is appreciated from the bottom of my heart.

  Minnie’s Way

  The Storm

  We Can Smile Again

  Closing the Cottage

  Return to the Cottage

  Flowers for the Attic

  The Witness

  The Coffin

  Angelique

  Master Arpeggio

  Boarded Up

  The Gardeners

  Rodney

  Rodney’s Return

  house where she was born, and it was showing its age the same as she—especially in the frosty winter months. Skeletal trees tapped nervously on the wooden shingles. Flecks of paint would occasionally dance with the snowflakes when the wind pressured the timber walls. The lofty, wooden pillars, placed to support an overhang that covered a wrap-around veranda, were faltering. The front door was encircled by six diamond eyes that pierced the perimeters of their view. Satin curtains clouded the picture of what might be beyond the glass.

  Inside, Minnie sat in her oak rocker, rocking and humming long-ago tunes. Her eyes were closed; however, it would not matter if she opened them for they had not seen the light for many years.

  Dover, an old yellow lab, lay at her feet. A black cat, a stray Minnie had never called anything other than “Cat,” lounged on the grubby couch. Walking paths, resembling a fox-and-rabbit game in the snow, meandered through the thick dust on the sitting room floor. Candle wax created various figurines on the end tables, coffee table, and dining table. A phonograph sat silently in the far corner, an old 45 on the turntable—void of dust.

  Footsteps approached the door. Dover wagged his tail, a sign he sensed a friend. Minnie heard the tail thump on the floor and smelled the particles of dust as they were disturbed. A familiar voice called out: “Minnie, I’m coming in now.”

  Dover’s tail beat harder. Cat opened her eyes halfway. Minnie kept rocking. The door creaked open. “I must remember to bring some oil with me tomorrow,” the voice mentioned as its owner entered the room. “Are you hungry, Minnie? What a silly question. Of course, you must be; probably haven’t eaten yet, eh?” The voice disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.

  Minnie smiled. It had been a good breakfast, but she wouldn’t tell—some things were best left unsaid.

  “How about a nice poached egg?” The sound of the fridge door opening reached Minnie’s ears. “Hmmmmm—guess I should have stopped for groceries—I thought there were plenty of eggs here yesterday. Are you holding out on me, Minnie? Have you been entertaining? No, of course not; how silly of me.” The fridge door closed.

  Minnie smiled.

  The voice entered the parlour. “I need to run to the grocer; I’ll be right back…you want anything special…of course not…you never do…”

  Minnie smiled.

  The front door opened and closed.

  Minnie stood, retrieved her cane, and tapped her way along the trail to peek through the diamond eyes—an old habit. She was comforted by the sound of her old friends tapping on the roof. Dover walked close to her. Cat didn’t move from the couch.

  Minnie smiled and secured the lock in place. Ginny never asked how the door was locked and unlocked between errands, showing how much she paid attention to little details. It was just a job for her—she wasn’t like Nigel. Nigel had been Minnie's butler for years, taking good care of her after her mother and father were killed in a horrible a
utomobile accident. But he had passed away a couple of years ago, leaving her at the mercy of the system.

  Minnie turned and took the path over to the phonograph. Dover followed. She reached for the needle, placed it on the record, and then turned the handle. Music filtered up and out of the horn, and Minnie began to sway to the old jazz tune. Cat decided to join them. She meandered over and jumped up on the yellow keys of the upright piano that sat beside the phonograph. A medley of off notes soured the song that was playing. Minnie’s brow furrowed.

  “Scat, Cat,” she ordered.

  Cat ignored her. As the echo died away, Minnie forgot about Cat and continued with her dance, taking tiny steps, with her arms in waltz position, and her head turned up and to the side. Dover moved out of the way and sat beside the piano bench. He and Cat had spent many hours watching this ritual.

  Time was forgotten. “Yes, Nigel…not so tight, Nigel…what would Father say…he would not be pleased with your intimacy with me…oh, yes, you are right, Mother always loved you…” Minnie laughed. “Oh, how I love it when you twirl me so…your arms are so strong…no, I cannot marry you; Father wouldn’t approve…we shall just have to continue like this…promise you’ll never leave me…promise me, Nigel…”

  The music stopped.

  Cat jumped down and returned to the couch; Dover led the way back to the rocking chair. The key turned in the door, and Ginny entered with a bag of groceries. She looked around the room; all was as it should be.

  Minnie smiled. Dover thumped his tail. Cat closed her eyes.

  rain hasn’t stopped, and the temperature is dropping rapidly. This means everything will freeze and the roads will be exceptionally hazardous.

  My cat is acting downright weird today, too. Not that she isn’t naturally weird, but today, she just keeps running from one window to the next. She even knocked over the one houseplant I have managed to keep alive. Oh well, the poor plant was on its way out anyway.

  Lightning flashed across the sky, and thunder boomed on its heel. The phone rang. Who the heck would be calling at this ungodly hour of ten o’clock at night, I wondered as I checked my watch. All my friends know better than to call my house past nine fifty-nine.

  “Hello,” I said, picking up the receiver.

  A raspy voice was on the other end of the line. “Have you checked your barn in the last couple of hours?”

  “Who is this?” I demanded to know.

  “Just answer the question, lady.”

  “Not until you answer mine,” I insisted.

  “What a pretty horse you have, lady,” the voice rasped on. “Is he still in the barn?”

  I plopped down in the chair beside the phone. I started to shake. “What do you mean…is my horse still in the barn?” I shouted, fear welling up in my chest.

  “Look, lady, get the picture: I have your horse, and I want you to put one hundred thousand dollars in a sealed envelope and drop it off by the old mission cross out on West 99th Street. Do you know the place I’m talking about?”

  “Yes.” I was too dumbstruck to say anything further.

  “Good, have the money there by six p.m. tomorrow, or you will never see your horse again!” The receiver clicked shut before I could declare poverty.

  I stood and began to pace. Where the hell am I going to get one hundred thousand dollars by tomorrow? Who's playing this sick joke on me? I'd sunk every penny I had into buying the beautiful Arab stallion, Alejandro, and I was hoping to earn back some of my investment by studding him out. He had a pedigree longer than my arm.

  I wondered if it was Mr. Gunner. He had wanted Alejandro for himself, but I had outbid him at the auction. I remembered the ugly look on his face as I led Alejandro up to my trailer.

  “Too much horse for you, missy,” he’d shouted at me.

  “We’ll see,” I’d retorted back. I had never liked Mr. Gunner. Actually, no one liked him. He had a bad reputation in the horse world. He was mean to his horses, so the stories told.

  I picked up the phone to call the police, but I hung up before dialling. I needed to check the barn first. I grabbed my coat and headed out the door.

  The wind hit me hard. The rain, which had turned to sleet, burned my exposed skin. I was running in the direction of the barn, but it wasn’t there. I became hysterical, running in circles. It started to snow. Drifts were appearing everywhere, encircling me. I tried to make my way back to the house. I couldn’t find it.

  Then, I heard a loud crash. I slid on some ice, and I was falling…falling…bang…bump…Meeeeoooww!

  My eyes opened. I was on the floor beside my bed. The cat was charging out of the room. I picked myself up off the floor and headed to the bathroom. I was sopping wet. I took a towel and wiped the sweat from my face.

  “Thank God, it was just a dream,” I mumbled to the empty room.

  I went to the window and gazed out at the weather. Looked like the rain was turning into sleet—we were most likely in for an ice storm. I turned to go back to bed.

  The phone rang. I let it ring seven or eight times before picking up the receiver. After all, it was after ten o’clock.

  “Hello,” I said, slowly.

  A raspy voice was on the other end of the line. “Have you checked your barn in the last couple of hours?”

  The receiver crashed to the floor.

  There is a part of me that wishes it never happened; yet, the satisfied part of me cannot help but to smile. Sylvia smiles, as well. And she dances, too—like a mad fairy.

  small town of Waterford. Sylvia moved next door when we were the tender age of thirteen. She was from Hamilton, and I was enthralled the “big city girl” paid attention to me. We became best friends, and our friendship has survived for we share secrets that are buried in our hearts’ darkest corners.

  There was madness in Sylvia’s eyes—her mother’s, too. In fact, when Sylvia had shown me some old family pictures, everyone had the same look. One thing I had noticed was there were no males in the photos. I never thought to ask Sylvia about that, though.

  Sylvia and I did not play the silly games girls of thirteen participated in. We had a secret place. It was secluded in a grove of trees on top of a hill. It had been the servants’ quarters of the old Cooper house Sylvia and her mother now lived in. I spent hours, with pen and paper, creating imaginary worlds. Sylvia shaped her clay and danced. We were content. Life was good.

  Sometimes, we would sit by one of the windows and peek at the outside world. We’d smile at each other as we observed the other teens playing at being adults, and then we’d return to our work—I, to my pages; Sylvia, to her clay.

  Then came the summer of Samwell. He arrived from Mexico to work in the tobacco fields, and we were caught unprepared for his devastating charms—especially did he catch Sylvia. I would go to our secret place and find the door bolted. I would knock, but there was never an answer. Baffled, I’d walk back down the path, sit by the oak tree, and wait. She would tire of him soon—she’d never favour him above our friendship—I was sure of that.

  When we did have time together, I noticed Sylvia seemed absorbed with other things, none of which she confided in me. She’d just walk dazedly around the room, trailing her fingers over the dusty pottery.

  Samwell always seemed to lurk nearby whenever I was with Sylvia, which irked me. I would observe him leaning against the old oak tree, a cigarette dangling from his mouth and a smirk on his face as he stared up at the shack. It was as though he was just waiting for me to leave so he could move in.

  When we came down the hill, Sylvia would walk past him, but I observed the obscene body language between them. Once in my house, I took to going directly to my bedroom, where I would watch from my window. Sylvia always raced back to the oak tree—to him.

  I cried a lot that summer, waiting for the tobacco harvest to be over. Samwell would go home then and my friend would return to me. I would exonerate her of the transgression against our friendship, just as I was sure Sylvia would have exonerated me had
I made a mistake.

  Summer took her leave; fall strutted in with glorious, rustic colours. The tobacco workers began to disappear from our streets. But, Samwell did not leave. Then, one day, Sylvia brought me the boxes that contained my writings. Her eyes were crazy as she handed them to me.

  “Samwell missed his plane home and won’t be able to get another flight for a month or two. The airline won’t refund his money, so he has to get a job to buy another ticket. He will be able to save quicker if he doesn’t have to pay rent, so I said he could stay up on the hill. I don’t want him to poke through your stories. You can return when he’s gone.”

  That was it. Sylvia just left and headed back up the hill to “our secret place.” I carried the boxes to my room, walked to my window, watched my friend disappear up the hill, and cried—again.

  Sylvia began missing school. When she did show up, there was an awkward silence between us. The magic of the past three years was gone.

  “When is he leaving?” I asked on one of those days.

  “Why?”

  “Well, it has been a month; November is almost here and the weather is going to get worse. Not paying rent, I just thought he might have saved enough for his plane ticket by now.”

  “He did, but he sent his mother the money to buy medicine for his little brother.”

  “Doesn’t she want him to come home?”

  “Not really. Besides, there is nothing there for him. He might stay here…what are you looking so glum about…at least, he has a job.”

  “But he can’t stay up there!” I spoke sharply.

  She grabbed my arm and swung me around to face her. “Give me one good reason why not!” Her eyes were gleaming madly.

  “Ouch!” I pulled away. “What’s going on, Sylvia? I thought we were friends—that is supposed to be our place. I thought Samwell was temporary! What is happening to you?” I burst into tears.

  “Sorry if I’ve hurt you, Carey, but as great grandmama used to say, life moves on, and so do people.”

  Her answer cut my heart. “So…this means you are moving on?”