Good Tidings - A Mary O'Reilly Paranormal Mystery (Book 2) Read online

  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.”

  *****

  Chapter Eight

  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.”

  *****

  Chapter Nine

  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 do
wn 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.

  “Why is everyone criticizing my driving?” she asked.

  “Have you looked in your driveway lately?” Stanley asked.

  Mary rolled her eyes. “It was snowing; it was icy,” she said. “The Roadster isn’t built for those kinds of conditions.”

  Stanley nodded. “I can see that.”

  “Funny, Stanley, you sound like Bradley.”

  Both of their ears perked.

  “Bradley, as in Police Chief Alden?” Rosie asked.

  Mary, not aware of the undercurrent at the table, responded blithely, “Yes, he insisted on driving.”

  Stanley and Rosie exchanged delighted glances.

  “He’s going into Chicago with you?” Stanley asked. “For several nights?”

  Mary, reviewing her checklist, nodded absently. Rosie stood, walked around the table and hugged Mary. “Oh, I knew it would finally happen,” she gushed. “I am so happy for you!”

  Mary shook her head. “What happened?”

  “You both finally wised up and took advantage of the situation,” Stanley said.

  “What are you two talking about?”

  “You and Bradley...together...in Chicago...for a couple of days,” Rosie said, raising her eyebrows with emphasis after each comment.

  “Bradley and I...solving a kidnapping...with my brother...and another police officer pretending to be my husband,” Mary responded with mock emphasis.

  Stanley snorted. “Nothing but fools,” he muttered. “Plain as the nose on my face. Don’t see an opportunity when it presents itself.”

  Mary laughed and gave each of them a hug. “Will you stop matchmaking,” she said. “Really, it’s not going to work.”

  A quick knock sounded on the door.

  “That’s Bradley,” Mary said. “Are you both certain you want to help.”

  “Well, it’s obvious you need help,” Stanley grumbled, picking up his coat and notebook. “No problem, missy, no problem at all. Just watch yourself in that big city.”

  Rosie slipped on her parka and picked up her purse. “I have this lovely perfume...”

  Mary shook her head. “No thank you,” she said politely, but firmly. “This is a case. Nothing else.”

  They walked over to the door and Mary opened it, letting Bradley step in.

  “Good morning Rosie, Stanley. Good to see you.”

  “Disappointing,” Stanley muttered, as he walked past Bradley. “Quite disappointing.”

  Rosie stopped and took a good look at Bradley. Her face lit up with sudden understanding. She patted Bradley on the shoulder. “It’s okay, dear,” she said. “You just be happy with who you are.”

  She turned to Mary, shook her head sadly and whispered loudly, “It’s always the good-looking ones.”

  Bradley watched them both walk down the steps before closing the door and turning to Mary. “Why do I feel like I’ve just walked into the middle of something I know nothing about?”

  Mary laughed out loud. “Believe me, you don’t want to know.”

  He shrugged, “Okay, I’ll trust you on that. You ready to go?”

  Mary nodded. “Yes, all packed and ready. Any problems with arranging time off?”

  “No, I let them know I was following up on the Marcum case and they were more than willing to cover for me.”

  “They really are the good guys,” Mary said.

  Bradley smiled. “Yeah, and I’m beginning to think that my administrative assistant, Dorothy, doesn’t think I’m nuts anymore.”

  “Well, we’ll have to do something to change that,” she said with a grin.

  He shrugged. “Unfortunately, I don’t think it will take much.”

  Laughing, they picked up Mary’s gear and carried it to Bradley’s 4-wheel drive SUV. “Do you need to stop at your office before we leave town?” he asked.

  Mary shook her head. “No, Rosie and Stanley are going to check calls for me. Andy is going to shovel for me. And Joey is going to find me in Chicago. I think things are set.”

  “Good, let’s get going.”

  *****

  Chapter Ten

  As they drove down South Street to Highway 20, Mary's cell phone rang. “It’s Sean,” she said to Bradley before answering the call.

  “Hi what’s up?” she asked, “We are just getting on the road.”

  “We’ve made contact with the couple who was interested in the baby,” he said. “They had a feeling that things weren’t on the up and up. But they were more concerned about young mothers changing their minds, rather than any kind of criminal activity. When we told them the safety of the baby was concerned, they were willing to meet with us.”

  “That’s great,” Mary replied. “When are we meeting them? Should we go directly there?”

  “No. Let’s meet at the folks first,” Sean said. “Then we’ll talk with them later this afternoon. We’re putting a tap on their phone and we’ve got someone from our unit with them. We’re going to have them call the perps back and tell t
hem they’ve changed their minds and they want the baby.”

  “You don’t think the perps will be concerned they’re being set up?” she asked.