Horribly Haunted in Hillbilly Hollow (Ozark Ghost Hunter Mysteries Book 1) Page 3

  “Yeah, no. Let’s fix all that. Come on, I’ve got some things over here that would be super cute on you. So, what’s it like in New York? Amazing, I bet.”

  She pulled several things from the rack, and showed me to a fitting room at the back.

  “Oh, it’s great! I just…” I paused, unsure what to say. I hadn’t told my grandparents the real reason I was home, and I hadn’t been gone long enough to have forgotten how fast news traveled in a small town. “I just came back to check on Grandma and Grandpa.”

  “I feel like they haven’t changed in forever,” she said. “Speaking of, have you seen anyone else since you’ve been back?”

  “Well, I just got back late last night… Oh! But I did see Tucker at the farm this morning. Did you hear about Preacher Jacob? It’s awful,” I said.

  “It is a shame. He was such a nice guy, too. Everyone liked him. I can’t imagine anyone hurting him. Poor Prudence. She’ll be inconsolable!”

  I heard the familiar vwoop sound of a text message being sent from outside the dressing room.

  “Oh? Were they together?” I asked.

  “Oh no, honey, no they were not! Not for lack of her trying though! You know she’s been playing piano at the church forever. I mean, she’s not that much older than us, but hasn’t she just seemed old forever? Anyway, she sure had a thing for him. She was always doting on him, and making him casseroles. Preacher Jacob is always…” She broke off, sniffling a little. “I mean, he was always trying to make sure he wasn’t alone with her. Poor man.”

  I picked out three tops, a couple pairs of jeans, some t-shirts and a couple of dresses.

  “Suz, can I just leave the jeans and top on? I can pull the tags off for you,” I called to her over the door of the dressing room.

  “Sure thing, hon. I think that’s a good idea.”

  I heard the bell of the shop door ding, and Suzy told someone hello.

  I stepped out from the dressing room with my purchases and the sweats draped over my arm. The jeans and button-down shirt I had on felt much more age-appropriate.

  As I looked up, I saw a man leaning against the counter. He was about six-foot-three with ebony hair, and tanned skin. Dark eyes sat above sculpted cheekbones and a square jaw. As he stood up straight, his broad shoulders and narrow waist became even more pronounced. He turned to look at me and gave me an adorable grin that felt vaguely familiar.

  “Suzy texted me that you were here, Emma, but I had to come see it with my own eyes to believe it,” he said as he stepped forward.

  “Billy? It can’t be!” I hurried over and shoved all the items on the counter, and threw my arms up around his neck. “It is so good to see you!”

  He picked me up and twirled me around.

  “Great to see you too, Emma! I go by Will now, though.” He raised an eyebrow as he corrected me, part pleading and part warning.

  “Dr. Will Stone, in fact! Well, he tries anyway, but he’s still just Billy to us,” Suzy added with a wink. “You know I had to text him the minute I saw you! Okay, let’s do it!”

  She stuck her hand out straight between us. “All…”

  “For…” Billy added his hand.

  “One!” I threw my hand on top of theirs and we repeated the order.

  “One,” Suzy said.

  “For,” Billy added.

  “All!” I said placing my other hand on top of theirs.

  We all laughed.

  “So, you just roll into town and don’t tell us?” Billy asked, wagging a thumb back and forth between Suzy and him. “That’s not very good musketeer form, you know. What gives?”

  “I’m sorry. It’s not like that, really. I got up to the farm just after midnight. The airline lost my luggage.” As I said it, I realized what a mess I must be. No makeup, scraggly ponytail. Not exactly what I would have intended for a reunion with my bestie and the cute boy-next-door. “I just came to town to get some clothes, and everything I need until the luggage shows up. Speaking of, Tucker was at the farm this morning. He mentioned Doctor Will being down at the old fort. That wasn’t you, by any chance?”

  “One and the same, I’m afraid.” He shook his head and rubbed his hands together. “Such a shame about Preacher Jacob. Such a great guy. It was definitely no accident, though. I’m certain.”

  “Really? So the rumors are true – it was a murder?” Suzy whispered the last word.

  Small towns and gossip mills; some things never changed.

  “I’m afraid so. I gave Tucker and the deputies all the information I could. I’m not sure if it will help, but I’d sure like to see whatever lowlife did this come to justice.” Billy’s dark eyes flashed with a hint of rage as his brow furrowed.

  I could see a bit of his father in his straight nose and thick, dark brows. Billy’s father was half-Cherokee, and used to show us native hunting techniques, like how to walk so quietly in the woods that a deer wouldn’t hear us, and how to fish with a spear.

  “So, do you two musketeers want to get together for dinner tonight and catch up?” Billy asked. “Suzy, you think Brian can give you up for the evening?”

  “Brian?” I asked, cocking up my eyebrow.

  “Bailey,” she replied smugly. “I’ll be Suzy Colton-Bailey in October!” She jutted out her left hand to show a huge, sparkling diamond.

  “Suzy! That’s so great!” I said, hugging her neck. “Brian Bailey! Who’d have thought?”

  Brian had gone away to college on a football scholarship and seemed destined to leave Hillbilly Hollow and never look back.

  “I know, he was kinda smug in high school, but he really is a great guy. He came back a couple of years ago when his mom was sick. She’s better now, but we ran into each other while he was here, and well, he just kind of stuck around. He’s an engineer now, and travels a lot, but we make it work.”

  Her smile was beaming as she showed me her engagement picture.

  “Good looking couple!” I winked at her.

  “So, whadya say, Emma? Join us for dinner? How about you two meet me at the clinic about six?” Billy said.

  Suzy looked at her phone and nodded her head. “Yep, I’m in. Emma, you’re in too,” she said, smirking.

  “Still bossing me around, huh Suzy? Why start fighting it now? I’m in!”

  We all laughed, and Billy said his goodbyes, before returning to the clinic down the street.

  “I know, still so cute, right?” Suzy said, winking as she rung up my purchases.

  “More than cute!” I agreed a little too quickly. “Did you two ever…” I gave her a look that finished the question.

  “Oh gosh, no! Remember, Emma, he was your crush. To me he was more like a brother. I never went out with him. I dated in college, of course, and dated Ted Baxter – did you know him? Danny Baxter’s cousin? Anyway, we dated for a few years, but it fizzled out after a while. Then Brian came back to town, I took one look at him and said, yep, he’s the one.”

  She laughed, but I wasn’t surprised at her sureness. Suzy always was the most together girl I knew.

  I exchanged numbers with Suzy and told her I’d see her at six, then headed down to the general store.

  Luckily, the cosmetics section there had enough to get me by until I got my luggage.

  Next, I crossed the street and passed by Teller Antiques before popping into a little bakery called Sweet Adeline’s, another new addition to Main Street. I picked up a dozen whoopee pies, and headed back to the farm.

  The morning had started off grimly with the sad news of Preacher Jacob’s murder. But with my plans for the evening and my sack full of pies, things were looking up a little.

  Chapter 5

  On the way back to the farm, I slowed down as I approached the old fort.

  Missouri was a border state during the Civil War, with Confederate Arkansas and Tennessee to the south, and surrounded by Union states to the north, east, and west. Old Fort Harris was a Union stronghold, and as a result, was often the target of Confederate guerrilla
raids. The fact that Union forces managed to keep the fort protected and standing throughout the war was a significant point of local pride.

  The local historical society manned the fort, putting on Old Fort Days twice a month for tourists and locals from spring through autumn. The events drew large crowds to see the reenactors making soap, cooking over open flames, and putting on woodworking displays.

  I studied the old fort as I drove past. I wasn’t sure why, but despite the closed sign, in the absence of the patrol car, I decided to pull in. Something about the place just seemed to draw me there. I didn’t pull all the way up to the main tourist center building, but instead pulled just inside the brick perimeter wall.

  The windows of the farm truck were rolled down, and I put the truck in park. I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the driver’s side door. I couldn’t decide what I was doing there, or what I thought I was going to see, but I stepped out of the truck.

  Looking around cautiously, I didn’t see anything unusual, but as I took a few steps, a chill ran down my spine. It was almost as if I sensed an unseen presence hanging around the place.

  Feeling unsettled, I immediately returned to the truck and quickly made my way back to the farm.

  At home, I grabbed my purchases and headed up to the front door. As I crossed the porch, Snowball was still in the same spot I had left her earlier. She bleated as I walked past, and hopped up, following me to the entrance.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” I asked her.

  She bleated again, and seemed almost to nod her head toward the front door.

  I shook my head, and opened the door, and she trotted ahead of me into the house. In some homes that might have seemed strange, but Grandma had always had an odd habit of letting the farm animals wander in and out whenever they liked. She never seemed to mind cleaning up after them.

  Not seeing any sign of anyone inside, I dropped my bags on the kitchen table, and headed out the back door toward the vegetable garden.

  “Hi, Grandma,” I said.

  “Hello, Emma. How was your trip to town?” she asked, barely looking up from under her giant sun hat as she worked in the garden.

  “It was great! I ran into Suzy, and then saw Billy. They asked me to meet them for dinner in town so we could all catch up. I haven’t seen them in forever,” I said, excited to have reconnected with my friends.

  “Of course, you haven’t. You haven’t been here, dear,” Grandma replied nonchalantly.

  She was a pragmatic woman. I didn’t think she meant to hurt me, but her words made my guilt bubble up again.

  “I’m so sorry, Grandma. I shouldn’t have…well, I should’ve come home sooner,” I replied.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re here now. Have dinner with your friends tonight. Enjoy yourself, dear. Young people should be with other young people. Besides, I have the quilting circle this afternoon. I was going to leave supper in the icebox for your grandpa anyway.”

  “Oh, quilting circle? That’s nice, Grandma.”

  “Yes, I do like quilting. Though Margene Huffler does go on about her superior needlework. Fine talk for a woman whose first husband ran off with a cocktail waitress from Branson, if you ask me. Still, Maryann and Rose are good friends, and Diane and Ethel are fine, upstanding ladies,” she mused almost offhandedly.

  “Huffler…is that Prudence Huffler’s mom?” I asked, remembering that Suzy had mentioned Prudence having a thing for Preacher Jacob.

  “Oh, yes. Poor Prudence. She’s a plain girl, but very sweet. Oh, and she had such a crush on Preacher Jacob, God rest his soul.” She made a prayer sign and briefly looked upward.

  “I imagine she’ll be pretty upset about…you know, everything,” I replied.

  “Oh, yes. But Margene says that Prudence finally came right out and told Preacher Jacob how she felt and he shut that down in a hurry.” She raised her eyebrow, but a small smirk was forming on her lips.

  “So, was he seeing anyone, then?” I asked.

  “Who, Preacher Jacob? Oh, no, I don’t think so. He was a nice-looking man, mind you. Tall and slim…big smile, and a wonderful head of hair.” She chuckled. “No, he was known to go out for a friendly dinner with some of the single ladies around town, but never Prudence.”

  “Hmm. Well, maybe they’ll find out who did it soon,” I replied. “I should get some work done, Grandma. I’m gonna go inside. Unless you need me, that is?”

  “No, dear, go ahead and do what you need to do,” she said.

  I walked back into the house and pulled the box of whoopee pies from the bag and set the box on the back of the counter. I went up to the attic and put my bag of clothes on the cot. Then I retrieved my laptop and pulled my Wi-Fi hotspot out of the bag.

  One bonus to being a graphic designer was the ability to work from just about anywhere. I started to open my email and decided to instead check out the news about Preacher Jacob’s murder.

  The local paper, The Hollow Times, had an article at the top of its website.

  MURDER IN THE HOLLOW

  Local resident and popular preacher Jacob Carter was found murdered this morning at the old fort. Sherriff Larry Tucker stated, “We are still investigating this tragic murder. We do not have any information to share on suspects at this time.” The Hollow Times has learned that Carter, known to the local community as Preacher Jacob, was in the cavalry officer’s uniform he wore for reenactments during Old Fort Days. The cause of death is not yet being released by police. Youth Pastor Danny Baxter will take over duties at Mount Olivet church. Carter did not have any immediate family. The church has asked that those wishing to pay their respects send donations in his name to the Hillbilly Hollow Historical Society, to which he dedicated so much of his time and energy. Service arrangements will be held on Saturday at the Mount Olivet Church on Main Street.

  I did a quick online search and was surprised at how robust the church website was. The main page was a tribute to Preacher Jacob with photos, video clips of his sermons, and a memorial wall where all the residents of Hillbilly Hollow, at least all of those with internet access, had posted remembrances about the popular man.

  I clicked on the link to a sermon he had given the previous year. The video showed a vibrant man, charismatic and energetic, walking from one end of the pulpit stage to the other as he preached. He was quoting from Hebrews, saying, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have!” He emphasized each word in the perfect time, punctuating each phrase with a fist in the air.

  The parishioners were nodding their heads in agreement and applauding as he made sweeping hand gestures.

  I saw Prudence Huffler starry-eyed and staring at him from the piano bench. I hadn’t seen her in ages, but she had looked and dressed the same since she was a little girl. He looked in her direction at one point during the sermon and she literally clutched her pearls. It seemed to me that the word “crush” put it mildly when it came to Prudence and Preacher Jacob.

  I clicked on another video, somewhat fascinated with Preacher Jacob’s charming smile and animated persona. In this video, he was playing with children at an Easter egg hunt on the church lawn. Something caught my eye and I paused the video, going back a few frames.

  Is that…Mayor Teller?

  As I recalled, our former mayor was run out of office some time back during a corruption scandal. There wasn’t enough evidence that he was taking payoffs from a contractor to maintain city buildings to put him behind bars, but there was more than enough to have the citizens of Hillbilly Hollow vote him out of office. He now operated the antiques store in town.

  In the video clip, Preacher Jacob was giving some money to a couple of teenagers who looked vaguely familiar. He seemed to be telling them to go buy more candy for the kids, since he was pointing to the basket of eggs.

  What caught my eye, though, was Mayor Teller in the background behind him, leaning over to Don Polson, whispering something. Both men were looking in Preacher Jacob’s direction with
anger on their faces, and Mayor Teller was gesturing towards the church with his thumb. A moment later, the video panned away and I could no longer see them.

  There was a link right below the video, so I followed it to the homepage of the Hillbilly Hollow Historical Society. The banner at the top was flanked by a photo of the old fort, and right below that was a welcome message from the Society President, Betty Blackwood.

  I clicked on the link for members, and saw several photos of townsfolk in their reenactment gear. I gasped as I scanned to the bottom right of the page. There was Preacher Jacob in a dark jacket and wide-brimmed cavalry officer’s hat.

  Immediately, I shut my laptop.

  No, no, no! It cannot have been real! It was just an illusion! Misfiring synapses!

  I picked up my phone and dialed Dr. Jenson’s office in New York.

  “Hi, this is Emma Hooper,” I said to the receptionist. “I really need to speak with Dr. Jenson. It’s…well, I think it might be urgent.”

  “Just one moment, Ms. Hooper,” the empathetic receptionist said.

  I paced around the attic as I waited, and noticed a couple of cardboard boxes in the corner. I pulled a dust and cobweb-covered roll from one of them, and open it. It was a poster with an image of the Hollywood sign and the words Los Angeles emblazoned across the bottom. I opened another and found an image of the Chicago skyline. Realizing these were the posters that had hung in this space when I was in high school, I unrolled the third, knowing it would be New York.

  You did it, Emma! I reminded myself. You got out of this small town and made New York your new home.

  Now, though, I wasn’t sure where I belonged. The big city had started to feel oppressive after the accident, especially with all the visions I was having everywhere I went. So then, I had thought Hillbilly Hollow was where I should be, but after seeing the ghost the other night, I wasn’t so sure about that either.

  “Emma, are you alright?” I heard Dr. Jenson’s soothing voice on the other end of the line.

  “Oh, Dr. Jenson! Thank Heavens! Listen, I took your advice. I came home to Missouri. I just got in last night, and I saw…well, in the middle of the night I saw…I had one of the visions we talked about.” I sighed heavily. “I thought coming home was supposed to help!”