The Chupacabra Catastrophe Read online

  “You didn’t go out with Millie again last night, did you?” Jack scorched Millie with an accusing look.

  “Hey, Bucko,” Millie fired back. “I was good, and went to bed early last night.”

  “So did I,” I offered. “I didn’t go out.”

  “Then why do you look like roadkill on a barbecue spit?”

  That was a lovely visual. “Thanks so much for that compliment,” I muttered, annoyed.

  “Sorry.” Jack held up his hands in a placating manner. “You look as rough this morning as you did yesterday. I thought you’d get some sleep.”

  “I had weird dreams.” I rubbed my cheek as I grabbed a doughnut from the plate at the center of the table. “Have you guys already ordered?”

  “We were waiting for you.” Jack’s expression was contemplative. “Did you have nightmares?”

  “I don’t think ‘nightmares’ is the correct word,” I replied. “They were weird dreams, interactive or something. I don’t know how to explain it.”

  “Well … .” Jack took me by surprise when he pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. “You don’t feel warm. Are you certain you’re not sick?”

  “I’m not sick, Mom.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be fine once I get some fuel into me.”

  Jack didn’t look convinced. “Then eat two breakfasts, because you look like something the Chupacabra dragged in.”

  “You’ve got a weird thing for checking people’s temperatures, don’t you?” I challenged. “I think you missed your calling. You should’ve been a nurse.”

  “I’m going to be the guy who locks you in your hotel room all day if you’re not careful.”

  Millie snorted. “You two are a trip. Leave her alone, Jack. She’s still waking up.”

  “You shouldn’t really talk to women that way,” Zach chided. “They don’t like being told they’re ugly.”

  “Ain’t that the truth,” Laura muttered.

  “You’re not ugly, Charlie.” Zach gripped my hand tightly and stared with a look I’m sure he thought was soulful into my eyes. “You’re a beautiful woman.”

  “I think I changed my mind about being sick,” I said.

  “Knock that off.” Jack slapped Zach’s hand away. “You’re bugging her.”

  “I think you’re both bugging her,” Millie suggested. “Let the girl eat her breakfast in peace.”

  I was grateful for the assistance, but I felt Millie’s probing gaze, so I avoided eye contact. “Was there any action on the camera last night?”

  “Not that we’ve seen so far, but there are a few shadows that bear further examination. And we haven’t checked the night-vision equipment yet,” Chris supplied. “I know you want to go back to Hooper’s Mill, Charlie, but before that happens I was hoping you and Millie could go to the zoo. There’s an expert there we want to look at the footprint casts we took.”

  “Sure.” I wasn’t especially bothered about being sent out of town. In fact, it sounded like a pleasant afternoon. “We can get lunch wherever the zoo is, Millie. It will be a nice to have a little variety.”

  “Just no barbecue.” Millie rubbed her stomach. “I had heartburn hotter than a Chupacabra’s tongue on a skillet last night. I don’t want to go through that again. In fact, we need to stop at a pharmacy so I can get some antacid.”

  “No problem.”

  “What about you, Jack?” Chris asked. “Have you heard from Dominic Sully yet?”

  “I don’t expect to hear from him. Millie said she was handling it.” Jack’s opinion on putting Millie in charge of tracking down Dominic Sully was obvious when he crossed his arms over his chest and kicked back in his chair.

  The look Millie shot him was pure haughtiness. “And I handled it, Mr. Attitude.”

  “Really?” Jack cocked a dubious eyebrow. “How?”

  Millie gestured toward the door. “That’s him right now.”

  I followed Jack’s disbelieving gaze and focused on the man striding into the room. He looked to be in his early fifties, strong and well built. The suit he wore looked to cost more than the entire hotel. I recognized him from the photos we saw during the flight to Texas.

  “Are you the members of the Legacy Foundation?” Sully asked.

  “We are,” Chris confirmed, hopping to his feet and extending a hand. “You’re Dominic Sully, right?”

  “I am.” Sully offered a curt nod. “My mother called and insisted I was needed here … so here I am.” Sully didn’t look thrilled with the turn of events. “Which one of you is Jack?”

  Jack tentatively raised his hand as he snagged Millie’s gaze. “How did you manage this?”

  “I happen to be on a charity board with his mother,” Millie replied dryly. “I didn’t realize it until after we’d already ascertained the body in Hooper’s Mill didn’t belong to this guy.” She jerked her thumb in Sully’s direction for emphasis. “I called in a favor last night. It wasn’t easy, but I’m nothing if not determined … er, or annoying, if that’s the word you prefer.”

  Despite his rather obvious agitation, Sully barked out a laugh. “You are exactly how my mother described you.”

  “I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment, but have a seat anyway.” Millie pointed to the chair on her left. “We’re ordering breakfast.”

  “I don’t believe I want to eat anything this place has to serve.” Sully’s lip curved. “Couldn’t you have picked a nicer hotel?”

  “Not in close proximity to Hooper’s Mill,” Jack replied, recovering from his earlier shock. “Mr. Sully, do you understand why we’re here?”

  “If I’m to believe my mother, it’s because you’re looking for the Chupacabra,” Sully replied. “I’m hoping she was merely morning drinking when she let that little tidbit slip.”

  “No, we’re definitely looking for the Chupacabra.” Chris’ face was serious. “Do you know why you were initially thought to be the victim?”

  “Because I took a three-day respite and apparently that was cause to call out the National Guard,” Sully replied.

  “Respite?” I was curious. “What does that mean? Is that code for rehab or something?”

  “Charlie.” Chris shot me a warning look, but Jack merely shook his head and chuckled.

  “That’s code for a spa,” Sully corrected. “I was getting some Botox.”

  He didn’t seem embarrassed, so I saw no reason to press him on the issue. “Oh, fun.”

  “So, when you returned from your respite you realized that a lot had happened,” Jack noted. “Are you surprised that Wendell Morrison is dead?”

  “Not in the least,” Sully replied, not missing a beat. “The man had the personality of a rabid possum. He was a complete and total pain in the – pardon my French, ma’am – ass.”

  It took me a moment to realize I was the “ma’am” in question. “Do I look old enough to be a ma’am?” I turned to Jack for confirmation, but he merely held up his hand to silence me.

  “I understand you had some issues with Morrison,” Jack pressed. “Has the sheriff questioned you in regard to his death?”

  “Yes.”

  “And?”

  “And my alibi is airtight and they’ve moved on to other suspects,” Sully replied, his temper flashing. “I didn’t come here to be insulted.”

  “I’m not trying to insult you,” Jack said. “We’re struggling for answers.”

  “I thought the Chupacabra did it,” Sully deadpanned. “I’m seriously hoping that becomes the official cause of death. That will only increase visitor traffic when I finally open the town to tourists.”

  “And that’s still your plan?” I asked.

  Sully nodded. “I’ve had my eye on that parcel for years. Morrison’s death – however tragic – doesn’t change that. Why should it?”

  “I don’t really care about that portion of it,” Jack replied. “I care about finding out exactly who killed Morrison. It’s a priority for us. The only thing we have to go on is the fact that Morrison w
anted Hooper’s Mill because he was determined to maintain the integrity of the town.”

  Sully let loose with a laugh so ragged and raucous it almost knocked me out of my chair. “Is that why you think Morrison wanted the property?”

  Jack blinked several times in rapid succession. “Why else would he want it?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Sully drawled. “Perhaps it has something to do with the legend.”

  Legend? Now we were getting somewhere. “There’s a legend? Is it about the Chupacabra?”

  “Shh.” Jack squeezed the back of my neck to quiet me. It didn’t hurt, but I found it annoying. “We’re not from around these parts. We need more information on the legend.”

  “I don’t know how it will help you, but it’s not exactly a secret,” Sully said. “For more than a century people have been buzzing about the former owners of the town and how they sold their interests for some silver.”

  “That would explain how they lost ownership of the town,” I mused.

  “Shh,” Jack hissed. “I will gag you if it becomes necessary.”

  He looked serious, so I shut my mouth.

  “The town had one owner after the first couple of years. The town went belly up because the silver rush was fast and furious,” Sully explained. “It was over quickly. There was a rumor that the owner had his own stash of silver, and he packed it up in the middle of the night and abandoned Hooper’s Mill, stealing away like a ghost. They say he had so much silver he had to leave some behind because he couldn’t carry it all.”

  “And rendering it a ghost town within twenty-four hours,” Jack said. “That explains why all the furniture was left behind. Do you believe the legend?”

  “No,” Sully waved the question away with his hand. “I’m not interested in the silver. I’m interested in an entertainment venue. I do believe Morrison thought the legend was true.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I found him nosing around the property numerous times. He was keeping track of his progress on a map,” Sully replied. “I don’t own the property yet – although it’s only a matter of time – so I couldn’t bar him. He knew it was coming, though, which probably explains why he was there after dark.”

  “Did anyone else believe the legend?” Jack asked. “Could other people have been spending time at Hooper’s Mill looking for the silver?”

  “I guess it’s a possibility, but I don’t see the point of it,” Sully replied. “Even if there is silver, I doubt it’s enough to make anyone rich. Plus, that place has been party central on the weekends for teenagers for years. If there was anything hidden out there I think they would’ve found it long ago.”

  “Morrison obviously believed it was out there,” I pressed. “Maybe he was right.”

  “And even though the silver isn’t enough for you to care about, that doesn’t mean that the poorer people of this area feel the same way,” Jack added. “The legendary silver could be a motive.”

  “If the killer is human,” Chris argued. “We don’t yet know who or what killed Wendell Morrison.”

  “We don’t,” Jack agreed, maintaining his calm. “This is a good lead. It could explain a few things.”

  Chris wasn’t happy with the observation. “Or it could be the Chupacabra.”

  “I didn’t say otherwise.” Jack kept his voice flat, but irritation practically rolled off him in waves. “We need to investigate more.”

  Chris’ eyes were flat. “We definitely do.”

  16

  Sixteen

  Jack met Millie and me outside, keys in hand. I was certain he was about to invite himself along for the ride. I was torn on the issue – he was smart and always asked the right questions when it came to an investigation – but ultimately I wanted a break from him and his overbearing attitude.

  “You’re coming with us?” I did my best to cover my disappointment, but it wasn’t a stellar effort.

  Jack stared at me for a beat. “Maybe. How would you feel about that?”

  “Like you’re suddenly asking questions a television therapist would,” I muttered.

  Jack’s lips curved as he shook his head. “You need to develop a poker face, Charlie. Other people might not take the fact that you don’t want them tagging along so well.”

  “That’s not the issue,” I lied.

  “Whatever.” Jack shook his head. “The zoo is about an hour away. I programmed the directions into the GPS.”

  I blinked slowly, absorbing the news. I didn’t know whether to be happy he wasn’t coming or annoyed that he thought I couldn’t find my way. “So … you’re not coming?”

  “I have other things to check on, including Sully’s supposed alibi. I also want to do some research on that silver legend. I’m suspicious that we haven’t heard mention of it until now.”

  “Oh, well … .” I held out my hand to take the keys. “I guess I’m the captain for a change. That’s exciting.”

  Jack pressed his lips together and moved the keys toward my hand, veering at the last second and handing them to Millie. “You’re not the captain.”

  “Oh, come on,” I complained. “I want to be the captain.”

  “You can be the co-pilot,” Jack countered. “Think of yourself as Spock … or Chewbacca.”

  “Ugh. You’re a geek. I didn’t see that coming.”

  Jack’s eyes went dark. “I’m fine with being a geek.”

  “I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it,” I argued. “I’m a geek, too. I like it.”

  “You’re … something,” Jack muttered, making a tsking sound with his tongue before focusing on Millie. “The footprint casts are in the hatchback area. You’re looking for Desmond Sharper. He’s a zoologist who has agreed to look at the casts to see if he can identify what made them. He’s expecting you. Just tell the woman at the ticket window why you’re there and she’ll call him to collect you.”

  “No problem.” Millie’s reaction was flat. She clearly didn’t care either way about our excursion. “I’ll have my phone if you want to check in.”

  Jack tilted his head to the side, confused. “Why would I want to check in?”

  Millie slid me a sidelong look, amused. “I thought you might want to make sure Charlie wasn’t finding trouble at the zoo. You know, climbing into the lion habitat or swimming with the otters.”

  Well, that was insulting. “I wouldn’t do that,” I argued. “I might hang out with a kangaroo or something, but that’s only after I finished my work for the day.” I offered up a smirk to let them both know I wouldn’t forget this slight.

  “I like you more and more each day,” Millie cackled. “You have an absolutely fabulous personality.”

  “I think the idea of you two wandering off on your own adventure is going to give me an ulcer,” Jack said. “I don’t have options, though. Chris needs Hannah and Bernard at Hooper’s Mill, and I don’t think we’d ever see Charlie again if we sent her off with Laura.”

  “Because she thinks we’re in competition?” I asked, fixing my hair in the window reflection.

  “Did she say that to you?” Jack’s tone was sharp.

  “She said it yesterday. She said we were in competition and then proceeded to essentially call me an idiot. Oh, she also warned me away from Zach, even though I’d rather bathe in piranha-infested waters than touch him.”

  “Just … steer clear of Laura and I’ll have a talk with her,” Jack said, pointing me toward the passenger side of the vehicle. “Now … get going. I expect you two will have lunch over there so you can have something other than sandwiches or barbecue – and that’s fine – but take pity on me and get back here in plenty of time for dinner. I don’t want to have to come looking for you.”

  “I think we can manage a trip to the zoo,” I argued.

  “I hope you’re right.” Jack took me by surprise when he rested his hands on my shoulders and stared into my eyes. For a second I thought he was going to kiss me goodbye – which was ridiculous because he thought
of me as the younger sister he never wanted. “Do what Millie says. She’s in charge. Try to think before you speak. And, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t wander off and get lost.”

  Oh, well, geez. That was pretty far from romance. “I’ve got it under control.”

  “No, I’ve got it under control,” Millie corrected. “Don’t worry about us, Jack. Everything will be fine.”

  “See, I have trouble believing that, but I have no choice but to let you go.” Jack took a step back. “If you run into trouble, call me.”

  “We won’t run into trouble,” Millie said. “We’re going to the zoo and having lunch. What could possibly go wrong?”

  “I THINK WE’RE LOST.”

  I held back as long as I could before expressing my obvious frustration. We were lost in a catacomb in the center of the wolf display, and I was fairly certain the zoo workers would have to send a search party to find us.

  “We’re not lost,” Millie argued. “There’s no need to panic.”

  “I’m not panicking.”

  “You’re kind of a dramatic soul. I don’t think you can help yourself. It’s fine. Trust me.”

  We found the zoo and even lucked out on a parking spot. Once we told the woman at the ticket booth who we were she waved us back and told us to follow the signs to the wolf exhibit. Once there, we were to go through the employee door carved into the habitat wall and walk until we found the end of the hallway. Unfortunately, the hallway had five or six branches. It was also dark, chilly and kind of dank.

  “I’m not that dramatic,” I argued, keeping my stride short so I wouldn’t accidentally trip and smack my face into one of the fake cave walls. “What do you think this material is?” I ran my hand over the cool wall.

  “What are you, a builder now?” Millie asked. “It’s some sort of brick masonry or something. It’s meant to look like a cave. This is all manmade. You’re not really in a cave.”