Chapter Five

Blanche watered the mums, one of her favorite flowers, then moved on to the pansies with their smiling faces. After the pansies it was the tassel like amaranths, hanging in all their purple glory. Oh, and she couldn't forget the sunflowers. The birds would never forgive her. They certainly appreciated the seeds at this time of year.

Blanche finished her watering and reeled up the hose. Twilight was coming on and the air was growing chilly. Another cup of tea – herbal – would warm her up and give her time to think, to contemplate what she'd seen.

Inside, she removed her gloves, hat, and coat. Put them on the shelf and hooks by the back door and felt her cat rub against her ankles.

She looked down. "Missy, you old thing. You made yourself scarce today when the Hardys were here, I noticed. Didn't even come out of the bedroom. Just kept napping on the bed." There was no malice in Blanche's voice. She and Missy had lived together for ten years and, God willing, they would see another ten together. Although, Blanche knew that was pushing it.

Blanche filled the cat's food dish, pulled leftovers out of the fridge for herself, and filled the kettle with water. Twenty minutes later Blanche sat at her kitchen table with a steaming cup of tea and a bowl of warm stew.

Missy sat on the cold linoleum floor in the middle of the kitchen. She had eaten, washed her face and ears, and was staring at Blanche with shiny, questioning cat eyes.

"I know, I know," Blanche said. "This isn't our normal routine." That was indeed true. Blanche usually ate her evening meal in the living room in front of the TV. While Blanche watched the five o'clock news Missy curled up on the sofa and cleaned herself. "Now don't look at me like that, Missy. You weren't out here this afternoon. You don't know what happened."

Missy meowed softly.

"Yes, I know you were napping." Blanche spooned some stew into her mouth. "That's why you don't know that I saw the ghost again."

Missy circled round on the braided rug under the table, found an agreeable spot, and laid down. If she had to listen to a story she might as well be comfortable.

"You should've seen me, Missy. I was sitting right here in this chair, staring out the window like I'm doing now and thinking about an answer to a question the young lady had asked and that's when I saw her. The ghost. She gave me quite a fright. The Hardys had their backs to the window so they didn't see her."

Blanche sipped her tea and got a dreamy look in her eye as she remembered the ghost. "She's got long chestnut hair that flies in the wind as she moves. And she has a long white dress that seems to float on the breeze." Blanche waved a hand to simulate the undulating movement of the dress. "I saw her stop and peek over the fence. You know, the fence along the backyard."

Blanche put her tea down, went to the window and stared out, peering at the old wooden fence. Missy lifted her head off her front paws and looked at Blanche, hoping for a treat. When she realized none was coming, she laid her head down and closed her eyes.

Blanche concentrated on the fence. The sky was gray and growing darker by the minute. However, the white fence stood out in the dark. It almost seemed to glow. Beyond the fence lay the woods. The fence came waist high on Blanche. It wasn't much of a barrier. Anyone could hop it. It offered no protection at all. It's only function was to mark the boundary of Blanche's property.

Suddenly, Blanche shuddered and drew the curtains shut in one violent movement. When she turned from the window, her hands were shaking. She looked down at the cat who sensed she was being stared at and opened one slanted eye.

"She looks exactly like Liz. I tell you, Missy, she's the spitting image of Liz fifteen years ago. It's like Liz has come back from the grave."

# # # #

Frank and Callie climbed out of their car. Callie laid the bouquet on the hood of the car while she and Frank zipped up their jackets. Callie picked up the bouquet, held it to her nose, and inhaled. So sweet and fragrant and so kind of Frank to buy them. She slide a hand into Frank's as they walked to the wooden bridge that arched over the creek.

It felt weird to be going back to the cross for a second time in one day, but Callie was excited for the chance to compare her bouquet with the one left at the cross. They hurried along the path, stumbling a bit and laughing at themselves.

At last, they came to the cross … and the flowers. The cross looked lonely in the gathering darkness. The surrounding woods were quiet and still. No chirping birds at this time of the evening. No small animals scurrying through the undergrowth.

Callie crouched before the cross and picked up the now wilted bouquet. She rose and held both sets of flowers out for Frank to inspect.

He examined the bindings and ran a thumb over them. "The bindings are knotted the same way. Identical. These were made by the same person."

Callie looked into her husband's eyes. "Blanche."

Frank nodded. "Yeah, Blanche. Now we need to figure out who left them here and when."

Callie laid the wilted flowers back on the ground, in front of the cross, then straightened. "Blanche could have brought them here, but somehow that doesn't feel right to me."

Frank came up behind Callie and hugged her to him. He spoke over her shoulder, into her ear. "It doesn't feel right to me either. I think the ghost left them here last night."

"That's what I think, too."

# # # #

"Why has she come here?" Blanche cried, directing her comment at Missy. "Two days in a row she's come and peeked over the fence. Is it really Liz? Can it be her?" Blanche ran a shaky hand through her graying hair. "Do you think Liz is checking to see if I still live here?"

Blanche eased onto her chair, put an elbow on the table, and placed her chin on her palm. "Oh Missy, I don't know what to think. Or believe. Am I losing my mind? Am I seeing things that aren't really there?"

Blanche put a hand to her worried brow. "I've longed to see Liz again for so many years. It's broken my heart to live in pain for this long. There's so much I've wanted to say to Liz. So much I should've said. There's a lot I shouldn't have said, too. I-I need to apologize for the hateful things I said back then. The passing years have made me realize I may have gone too far. Said too much when Liz was seventeen. But I said it out of love. I only wanted what was best for my baby. You understand that, don't you?"

Missy pushed off the rug, stretched, and wandered over to Blanche. Missy curled herself around Blanche's ankles and meowed.

Blanche reached down and petted the cat's silky fur. "Oh Missy, you always know when I need a hug and a little comfort."

# # # #

Callie and Frank went back to the Bed and Breakfast. It was dark by the time they reached the porch and pulled open the door.

Sheila Donahue was behind the counter and greeted them with a smile. "Haven't seen you two since this morning. How's your day been?"

"Good," Callie said, but her voice lacked conviction.

Sheila cocked her head. "Just good, huh? Your investigation not going so well?"

Callie sighed as she stepped up to the counter. "Honestly? I feel like I've been running around in circles."

Frank stood beside Callie at the counter. "My wife is being too hard on herself," he said.

"You talk to Rose or Blanche Lancaster yet?" Sheila asked with interest.

Callie heaved and nodded. "I did. These flowers came from Blanche's garden." Callie held up her bouquet for Sheila to see.

"They're lovely." Sheila smiled. "Let me put those in a vase for you. You can keep them in your room on the dresser."

Sheila disappeared into the kitchen for a moment and returned with the flowers nicely arranged in a glass vase which she placed on the counter. "There you go."

"Thank you," Callie said. "They're beautiful. I like the way you arranged them."

"I know a little something about flower arranging," Sheila admitted and then switched topics. "Ahem, you were telling me about Rose and Blanche."

"Oh, yes," Callie said. "Neither woman was particularly helpful. Rose was almost hostile when I interviewed her and Blanche, well, I don't know how to describe Blanche."

Frank said, "Initially, she seemed excited about us investigating her daughter's disappearance. She answered a few questions and then abruptly terminated the interview."

Callie looked at husband and then back at Sheila. "It was really weird. We got the distinct impression she wanted us to leave. Do you think talking about her daughter made her sad and she needed space or privacy?"

Sheila scratched her head and shrugged. "Hard to say. I don't know Blanche all that well. She does flowers for us, usually in the summer. I like to have fresh flowers in the window boxes and on the tables. Makes the place look alive. Blanche is very reliable and does great work. However, she can be moody at times. I figure she's entitled. Probably comes from losing a child."

"Yes, I'm sure it does." There was a sadness in Callie's voice.

Sheila shifted yet again and asked, "Have any dinner plans for tonight?"

"The Bobcat Restaurant was nice," Frank said. "We were thinking of going there again unless you have a different recommendation."

A smug smile and nod from Sheila said she did. "You two look like you could use a nice, quiet evening. Some place intimate. Am I right?"

Frank and Callie looked at each other and smiled. It was as if Sheila had read their minds.

"The Chalet is just the place. It's small and cozy and romantic." Sheila wiggled an eyebrow. "It's a little pricey, mind you, but it's worth every penny."

Frank frowned slightly. "It's Saturday night. Will we be able to get a reservation?"

Sheila wagged a finger. "Don't you worry about a thing. I'll call and make a reservation for you. They know me at the Chalet," she said with a wink. "How does seven o'clock sound?"

"Perfect," Frank said. "And thank you."

Frank linked arms with Callie as they walked up the staircase to the second floor and their room.

Callie leaned into her husband and whispered, "Flowers and a fancy dinner all in one day. You're spoiling me."

Frank breathed in the scent of the flowers and smiled. "It's been a while since I bought you flowers or took you out to a nice restaurant. I miss doing that, and besides, you deserve it."

"We deserve it," Callie corrected. "You've been a big help today. And I confess, it's nice to go out and enjoy ourselves and not worry about Eva. Although, I miss her terribly."

Frank saw the sorrow and longing in Callie's eyes. "I miss her, too, but I'm enjoying this time alone with my wife."

The couple arrived at their room.

"I'm enjoying having you all to myself," Callie admitted. "But tomorrow I'd like to do a little shopping before we leave town. I'd like to find a small gift for my parents to thank them for babysitting and maybe we could find a toy for Eva."

Frank withdrew the keycard and slid it into the room door. "I think we can squeeze in some shopping before we leave town. What's on your agenda for tomorrow?"

Frank opened the door and Callie entered, carrying her vase of flowers.

"Visiting the Walnut Creek Police Station," Callie said. "I want to hear the official version of what happened the night Elizabeth Lancaster disappeared."

Frank closed the door and turned to Callie who was setting her vase of flowers on the chest of drawers. "I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. Tomorrow's Sunday. A small police station like Walnut Creek may not have anyone on duty."

A devious smile curled the corners of Callie's mouth. "You have underestimated me, my dear husband. I called ahead, before we left home, and arranged a meeting with Deputy Paul. He told me he was on duty the night Elizabeth disappeared and he remembers that night like it was yesterday. He said he would be happy to talk to me. He's semi-retired and works Sundays at the Station so the younger men can have the weekends off to spend with their families."

Frank tugged of his jacket as he chuckled. "Seems I have underestimated you. I'll try to remember not to do that again."

Callie unzipped her jacket and pulled it off. "No, I like it when you underestimate me. It's kinda fun."

"Is it?" Frank, still smiling, tossed his jacket on the bed. When Callie was happy, he was happy. Happy wife, happy life. Truer words had never been spoken, or was it written? "What now?" he asked. He had a few ideas he wouldn't mind putting into action. "We have two hours until our dinner reservation." Had the huskiness in his voice given Callie a clue as to what he was thinking?

If it had, she chose to ignore it. "We have to call home. I'm dying to talk to Eva. I haven't heard her sweet little voice in .. in I don't know how many hours."

"Too many." Frank laughed. So much for his ideas. "I'll get my laptop and we can Skype with your parents."

"Perfect idea. Oh, I love you so much." Callie threw her arms around Frank's neck and kissed him passionately.

Frank cradled Callie's head with one hand and put the other hand low on her back. They kissed long and slow. His hand started sliding .. down .. to the swell of her hips. Those ideas might yet be put into action.

Callie broke the kiss and grinned, fully aware of Frank's ideas. "Phone call first, hon. I have to see and hear our little girl. My mother's heart can't wait another minute."

Frank laughed and loosened his grip on Callie. "Well, when you put it that way … Okay, getting the laptop now."

Callie gave Frank a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. I'll hang up our jackets while you get the laptop."

# # # #

The phone call home was a balm to Callie's troubled mind. At some unconscious level she carried secret fears about Eva's safety and happiness. Came with the territory, Callie told herself. Mothers always worried about their children's safety especially, when they were separated. Hearing and seeing Eva soon put Callie's fears to rest.

Eva sat on her Grandmother's lap and her tiny face lit up when she saw Callie and Frank's smiling faces on the computer screen.

"Dada! Dada!" she shouted, clapping her chubby little hands and kicking her legs.

Such a happy child. Callie was beyond grateful. Seeing Eva's beaming face and shining eyes was a true blessing.

As joyous as the call was, the end was rather heartbreaking. Eva stretched her hands toward the computer screen trying to touch her parents.

Callie blew her daughter kisses. "Daddy and mommy will see you soon, sweetie. We'll be home tomorrow. Be good for grandma and grandpa."

Good-byes. Oh how Callie hated them, they were so hard. Fortunately, Callie's mother called half an hour later to say that, yes, Eva had been fussy and whiny after Skyping, but Grandpa had saved the day. He'd pulled out Eva's favorite stuffed animals and had played beep-a-boo with the toddler. Soon, Eva was giggling and begging for, "Mo, mo." Her word for 'more.'

If only she could learn to say mama, Callie thought as thanked her mother for the update. Patience, she told herself. Good things came to those who waited.

# # # #

Callie and Frank had a wonderful meal at the Chalet. It was a bit expensive, but Callie and Frank reasoned it was worth the cost. When would they get another chance like this, to eat in a fancy restaurant, enjoy fine wine and a charming, Victorian atmosphere? A wondrous, romantic vibe surrounded the couple and flowed along with them back to their room.

The bed was just as comfortable as it had been the previous night and Frank was finally able to put into action some of the ideas he'd had earlier in the evening.

In the dark room, Callie lay snuggled next to Frank, his arm draped across her waist. She thought of how much she loved this bed, this room, and this man. She and Frank had made some wonderful memories here. This trip hadn't just been about an investigation. It had also, unexpectedly, been about reaffirming their love.

I am a lucky woman, Callie thought as she fell asleep.

A/N: Thank you dear readers for your reviews. Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated. :)