Chapter 12
“We’ve waited around all day for that sheriff to call, and she hasn’t bothered to so I say it is time we pack up and go home,” Liddy declared, zipping up her suitcase.
“I know you are upset about Jackson, and you just want to get out of here, but we were always scheduled to stay through Tuesday, and I’ve already taken the time off from the paper, so I think we should stay put for at least one more day just in case the sheriff has any further questions, and then we can leave,” Hayley said.
She was a little nervous about ticking off the surly, rude sheriff with a presumably personal vendetta against them.
“I agree with Hayley,” Mona said, chugging down the last of her bottle of beer at the rickety old kitchen table.
“Of course you agree with Hayley. Staying in Salmon Cove means more precious lovey-dovey moments with your handsome, sweet-natured lumberjack and his adorable and equally sweet-natured dog,” Liddy said, annoyed.
“Corey is not a lumberjack. He’s a lobster man,” Mona barked.
“What is the difference? He’s gorgeous and an outdoorsman, who looks like he just stepped off the pages of an L.L.Bean catalog,” Liddy said, scowling. “Who would want to leave that behind?”
“I’m a married woman,” Mona said.
“You keep saying that, Mona, and every time you do, it is with far less conviction,” Liddy said.
Mona slammed down her empty beer bottle and stood up from the flimsy table. “I’ve heard just about enough.”
“Would you two please stop bickering? I can’t take it anymore. This was supposed to be a fun girls’ weekend, and it’s been nothing but agony ever since we got here,” Hayley moaned.
“Well, it’s not our fault a dead body turned up to put a damper on things, Hayley. You should be a bit more sympathetic to what I’m going through. Jackson and I shared a very deep, very real connection.”
“You met in the lobby of a hotel for two seconds and then had one drunken conversation at a bar!” Mona howled.
“Hayley, please help me here. Mona just doesn’t get it,” Liddy pleaded.
“I’m sorry, Liddy, but Mona has a point. You and Jackson were not exactly a longtime couple like David Beckham and Posh Spice,” Hayley said quietly. “You had just met before he—”
“Was brutally strangled to death!” Liddy screamed. “That’s the other reason we should hit the road as soon as possible. Do either of you care that there is a mad killer on the loose? Who knows where he could be lurking about? He might be right outside our door at this very moment waiting to strike!”
Mona stared at something on the wall of the cabin.
Liddy noticed and huffed, “Mona, are you even listening to a word I’m saying?”
Mona pointed at a gray lump in the upper corner of the wall near the kitchen. “What is that?”
“What is what?” Hayley asked, turning around to get a better look at what had suddenly gotten her attention.
“Is that a bat?” Mona asked, stepping closer.
“A bat? Like a real flapping, black-eyed rat with wings?” Liddy screamed. “Where? Where?”
“Up there! It looks like he is sleeping,” Mona said.
“Well, for the love of God, Mona, don’t wake it up!” Liddy shrieked.
But it was too late.
Mona had already picked up a broom, and with the handle, gently nudged the gray balled-up mass.
Suddenly without warning, the bat jolted awake and, with extended wings, flew from its spot on the wall and swooped around the room. As it fluttered around Mona, she swung at it with the broom handle, driving it over to Liddy, who screamed at the top of her lungs and frantically waved her arms around. The bat squeaked loudly as it landed in Liddy’s nest of curly hair and got caught.
“Get it off me! Get it off me!” Liddy bawled, crying and screaming.
Hayley rushed forward to physically yank the bat’s claws out of Liddy’s hair, but before she could reach her, Liddy, in a panic, bolted for the door, shaking her head violently and swatting frantically with her hands at the bat nestled in her hair.
Liddy whipped open the door, and ran out straight into the chest of a tall man hovering outside.
Liddy, assuming it was the killer she feared might be lurking about, let loose with a deafening and sustained high-pitched shriek and pounded her fists hard against the man’s chest in a lame attempt to defend herself. The startled man grabbed Liddy’s wrists, desperately trying to get her wild, hysterical onslaught under control.
It was Corey Guildford.
He instantly noticed the bat scratching and flapping on top of her head, released his grip on her, and with a meaty hand, yanked the bat out of her hair and hurled it into the night sky.
Liddy wiped tears away from her face and stared at Corey for a moment, before collapsing in his arms, simpering. “Corey, you need to take me to the hospital immediately. I need to be checked for rabies.”
“Did the bat bite you?” Hayley asked, concerned.
“No, but you never know,” Liddy said. “Better safe than sorry.”
“You don’t have rabies!” Mona bellowed, leaning the broom up against the kitchen sink.
“You must know a lot about nature, Corey, being a rugged outdoorsman and all. Do you think I’m in any danger of contracting rabies?” Liddy asked, still helpless in his arms.
“I’m pretty sure you’re okay,” he said, suppressing a smile and winking at Hayley and Mona. “But I’m guessing you could sure use a drink right about now.”
“Yes, I think that’s the smart choice,” Hayley said. “You need something to calm your nerves.”
“I need something to dull my senses so I’m not reliving this nightmare over and over again,” Liddy said, pulling away from Corey.
“Then allow me to escort you ladies into town and buy you all a drink. This may be my last chance, since Mona tells me you’re all leaving tomorrow,” he said.
“That’s very kind of you, Corey, thank you,” Hayley said, grabbing her bag.
“Yes, let’s get as far away as possible from this vermin-infested hole,” Liddy said before spinning around and glaring at Mona. “I swear, you intentionally swung that broom handle around to drive that rat with wings right in my direction.”
Hayley pushed Liddy out the door.
“Mona did no such thing,” Hayley said, pushing Liddy in the direction of Corey’s truck where Sadie waited in the flatbed, tail wagging. She turned back to Mona. “Right, Mona?”
“No, I totally did,” Mona said as a smile crept across her lips.
Corey stifled a laugh, and then put his arm around Mona as they walked toward the truck. Hayley noticed Mona shift uncomfortably as Corey gently lowered his open hand, resting the palm on the small of her back, but then Mona couldn’t help but relax into it. She obviously enjoyed his touch. And it was clear to Hayley at that moment, that despite her full-throated protestations and denials, Mona Barnes was falling for this guy.
Big-time.