Neighborhood Watch Read online

  Toni finally conceded to Derek’s view of the neighbors. While she wasn’t ready to brand them a sociopathic threat, she agreed they were rude.

  Her mantra remained, “Just ignore them. Don’t stoop to their level.”

  But they bothered Derek. Beyond an irritation, they were a persistent itch that couldn’t be scratched. Derek began to feel like a prisoner in his own home, a home he’d lived in for twenty-six years. Before he’d leave the house, he would check to make sure they weren’t in Carl’s driveway, a common meeting place for the three couples.

  He kept a watchful eye on them, familiarizing himself with their various schedules. Something about them didn’t ring right. He felt this strongly, absolutely knew it. Toni accused Derek of obsession. And honestly, it was hard to disagree. But Derek stayed out of their path nonetheless.

  Last Fourth of July changed everything when the street erupted into a battlefield.

  “What the hell?” At midnight, Toni sat up in bed and flipped on her lamp.

  Derek already had his jeans pulled up. “It’s the damn neighbors.” A string of firecrackers detonated, followed by shrieking whistles.

  “Be careful, Derek. Call the police. Let them handle it.”

  With the lights off, Derek looked out the window, Patch growling behind him. The sky flashed, a strobe light effect illuminating the action. The three men lit more fireworks in the street, dashing back to their spouses lounging in lawn chairs in Carl’s driveway. Once again, Derek’s car sat in the middle of the chaos. A loud blast rattled the window panes beneath Derek’s fingertips.

  Car keys in hand, Derek tore outside, waving his arms. “Stop. Damn it, stop!” The men looked his way, the red embers of their punks flitting about like angry fireflies.

  Derek heard a familiar jangle behind him. Teeth bared, Patch rocketed past Derek. “Patch, stop!”

  Patch halted in front of Carl, rearing back on his haunches.

  Carl stared down at the dog, seemingly amused. “If I were you, I’d call your dog off.”

  Derek caught up, winded. “Patch, come here, boy.” The dog ignored him, poised in attack position. Derek managed to squeeze his hand under Patch’s collar.

  “Dog doesn’t mind so well.” The neighbors let loose a rat-tat-tat round of laughter.

  “Could you please stop the fireworks? It’s midnight.” Patch yanked and barked, tugging Derek forward, making it impossible for him to maintain dignity while struggling to keep his dog at bay. “And my car’s right there! Besides, fireworks are illegal in Barton.”

  “What’re you talking about? It’s just a few harmless sparklers and some fountains.”

  Scott snorted at his leader’s perceived wit.

  “Well, excuse me for saying so, but bullshit.” Derek looked to the men’s spouses for support, since experience had taught him women were the voice of reason. They remained immobile in their lawn chairs, clutching margarita glasses. One of the women spoke quietly into her cell phone, nodding. Kendra smiled, a smile Derek would come to despise.

  “Dunno’ if we can excuse such language. Not very neighborly.”

  Outnumbered, Derek couldn’t argue with a mob mentality. Especially a drunk mob. “Come on, boy.” He pulled Patch behind him, hunkering to his front door.

  “You kids stay outta’ my yard,” yelled one of the men, in a stereotypical old man’s voice.

  Once inside, Patch shot ahead of Derek up the bedroom stairs.

  Toni was dressed, slipping into her shoes, ready to come to the rescue. “What happened?”

  “Toni, this time, I am calling the cops.”

  Toni nodded, silently agreeing, never one to play the “I told you so” game.

  Several minutes after Derek’s phone call, a police car pulled up, the rotating cherries lighting up the sky with artificial reds and blues.

  Two young policemen took their time sauntering to the front door. “Toni!” She appeared at the top of the stairs. “Get Patch upstairs.” Two dominant words later, Toni safely ensconced Patch inside the bedroom.

  Derek met the policemen at the door. “I’m glad you’re here, officers. I’m the one who—”

  “Are you…” one of the policemen consulted a notebook, “Derek Winton?”

  “Yes. The reason I called—”

  “We understand your dog attacked the neighbors this evening. You have a pit bull terrier on the premises, sir?”

  “Well, yes…I mean, that’s not the point! I phoned in a complaint because the neighbors across the street were shooting off fireworks and—”

  “Sir. Do you or do you not have a pit bull terrier on your premises?” The young cop who had been leaning against the railing snapped to attention, eager and full of testosterone.

  “He’s half pit, half something else.” A rescue dog, Patch had been discovered rummaging through one of Toni’s student’s apartment trash. Toni claimed him shortly after. “But he’s licensed with the city.”

  “Sir, did your dog attack your neighbors?”

  “No! I mean…I went outside to protect my home. And my car. My dog followed me out. He might’ve growled a little, but he didn’t attack anyone.”

  “Sir, to own a pit bull in Barton, you must keep the dog restrained at all times.”

  Derek threw his hands into the air, unable to fathom how quickly the tide had turned. “I can’t believe this. I’m the one who called you guys.”

  The officer glanced at his partner. “Did we get another call, Bill?”

  Bill consulted his own pad. “Looks that way.” They glared expectantly at Derek, apparently waiting for an admission of guilt.

  “Okay, Bill, go check it out.” The lead cop jerked his chin toward the street. Bill took off, casually strolling down the driveway. The male neighbors were leaning up against Carl’s van, the women enjoying the show from their lawn chairs.

  “Officer, they were blasting fireworks through the street. It was crazy and damned dangerous. My car was right in the middle of it.” A still visible cloud of smoke rolled down the street, a foul-smelling fog. “You can see the smoke.”

  The lawman patted the air in a patronizing manner. “Now, take it easy, sir. No reason to get riled.”

  Derek looked over the officer’s shoulder. Across the street, the policeman shook his head in seeming disbelief, laughing with the neighbors. “I don’t believe this.”

  Bill returned bringing a cocked and loaded grin with him. “Nothing, Hank. They lit a few sparklers, light stuff.”

  “God damn it! They’re lying. They were—”

  Taking charge, Bill stepped forward, prodding his rookie finger at Derek. “Sir, you’d best settle down. Damn lucky is what you are. Your neighbors decided to cut you a break and not press charges over your dog.”

  “What? My dog didn’t attack anyone!” He breathed in deeply, trying to calm himself. “They’re lying to you,” he added quietly.

  The lead cop smacked his lips, probably the way they’re taught at the police academy, Derek supposed. “Tell you what I’m gonna do, sir. I’ll let you off with a warning this time. But if it happens again…if your dog’s unrestrained and attacks someone, we may be forced to put it down.”

  Derek nearly asked if they would consider putting his neighbors down, but held his tongue. “I understand, officer.”

  “And I understand you need your sleep, sir.” A derisive smile broke across his face. “But, please try and not call the police again unless it’s warranted.”

  What the hell was that supposed to mean? An ageist crack? Derek glowered at them, a passive defense at best, but it gave him a little satisfaction.

  The policemen trotted down the driveway, making a beeline back to the neighborhood alliance. Derek stepped outside and looked over at Katherine’s house. Her lights off, she had unbelievably slept through the commotion. Crossing his driveway, he saw Sunny and Barbeque Bob’s stoop light lit up. Bob stood at the storm door, frowning. Derek waved, but Bob didn’t spot him. Before Derek could call out, Sunny
grabbed Bob’s arm and pulled him back. The light snapped off as their door closed.

  Across the street, the party grew. The cops joined in the merriment as they admired Scott’s monstrous pickup truck.

  “Sonovabitch,” spat Derek.

  “What happened, honey?” Toni stood at the top of the stairs.

  Derek groused his way through the story. “They’re making me feel old.”

  “Is that what this is all about?”

  Derek sat next to Toni on the bed. “I don’t know. Yeah, maybe. But I’m only forty-nine. It’s not even the new middle age. They act like I’m an old man.”

  “Well, you’re my hero, honey.” Toni kissed his bald spot. “It sucks, but deal with it.”

  Amazed at her ability to weather any injustice, Derek said, “You’re my hero, too.”

  Patch wagged his tail, apparently agreeing with the positive energy.

  * * * *

  That last Fourth of July had been their final encounter. Now, even waves and shouts of half-hearted greetings were out of the question. Derek avoided the neighbors entirely, while Toni boldly carried herself with dignity, simply ignoring them. An invisible barrier had been raised in the middle of Pawnee Lane, a mental warning not to cross into enemy territory.

  Nothing more was said. Nothing else happened.

  Until this morning’s incident with Katherine. When all hell started to break loose.

  Literally.

  Chapter Three

  Kevin Wilshire stepped off the Barton Medical Center elevator, his gaze locked on his feet, nearly bumping into Derek.

  “Kevin, how’s your mother doing?”

  “Better. Better. She’s stabilized.” He looked tired, yet less tense than last night. “She’s still saying strange things, but she seems coherent for the most part. Or, at least, pretending to be.”

  “She’s gonna be okay. I just know it.”

  “I’m sure she’ll love to see you. Room 422.” As Derek entered the elevator, Kevin darted his hand inside to halt the sliding doors. “Do me a favor? Call me and let me know what she says. I mean if it’s anything…unusual?”

  “Will do.”

  When Derek peeked into the room, he saw Katherine sitting in bed applying makeup. A heartening sight. “Derek, you didn’t need to come all this way.” She studied herself in a handheld mirror. “I must look a mess.”

  “Never.”

  The color had returned to her cheeks. Yesterday she had been pale as death. “Why thank you for saying that.” She patted her face, solidifying her cosmetic enhancements, before laying the mirror down. “And thank you for calling the ambulance for me. You must think I’m a silly old woman.”

  “Brought you some flowers.”

  Katherine inhaled the bouquet deeply. “How sweet.”

  “So, how’re you doing?”

  She snorted, a return to form for the Katherine Derek loved. “Right as rain. Nothing wrong with me no matter what the doctors and my son says.”

  “Hm. Well…to tell you the truth, you had me kinda worried.”

  She swatted the air. “Feh. I’m tellin’ you I’m healthy as a horse.”

  “What you said the other day, Katherine? It didn’t make any sense.”

  Her smile slipped away; then she lowered her voice. “Close the door, Derek.”

  Derek did as instructed and returned to the bedside chair.

  “First of all, contrary to what Kevin thinks, I got all my faculties.” She tapped her temple several times. “He’s damn near ready to ship me away.” She leaned forward, a school girl with a secret to tell. “But I’m telling you, Derek. You mark my words. There’s something not right with alla’ those new neighbors across the street.”

  “Well, I know they’re not the friendliest folk on the block, but—”

  “But, nothin’!” She wagged her finger at Derek. “You listen to me. They’re up to no good. I know this for a fact.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Why, because my Herbert told me so!”

  Derek withheld a chuckle. Herbert had been Katherine’s husband, a heart attack victim nearly twenty years ago. “Um, Katherine? You do know Herbert passed away. Right?”

  “Well, of course I do. I swan.” She shook her head, laughing. “Everyone’s so ready to commit ol’ Katherine to the looney bin. If I tell you I talk to Herbert, then it’s true.”

  “Okay.”

  “I can tell you don’t believe me. But believe this. There’s something about our neighborhood. It’s a spiritual…whaddaya call it? Nexus! Yes sir. I do believe that’s what it is.”

  “A spiritual nexus?”

  “That’s what my books tell me.”

  “You’ve been researching the supernatural?”

  “You make it sound like I’m crazy. What else is a lonely old woman supposed to do with her time? Now before you go calling for the nurse with one of her needles again, I need to tell you what I know.”

  From the look in her eyes, Derek knew she believed what she was saying. As far-fetched as it sounded.

  “Some time back, Herbert started visiting me at night. I’d be sleeping and wake to the sound of the rocking chair going back and forth with nobody in it. First couple times scared the bejeezus outta’ me. I pulled up the blankets over my head and waited for it to stop. It would after a while. The next morning, I’d think nothing of it. Then Herbert showed up, rocking away in his chair like he used to do. He’d sit in the moonlight, just smiling that sweet smile I cherished all those years. But he didn’t say a word, not for several months, at least. Then he started talking. You know, Derek, I always thought seeing a ghost would be terrifying. But I felt his warmth fill the room. In a way it was like he never left me.” Derek patted her hand as a nostalgic glow blossomed over her face. “I welcomed his visits. Soon he was purty near visiting every night. I’d have tea cups setting ready. Of course Herbert never partook, but it was a ritual we both loved. He told me the grounds we live on are blessed, making his appearance possible. He said it was a special place and his soul was still tied to it. I asked him about Heaven and the Afterlife. He’d just smile and say he couldn’t tell me about it.” She pursed her lips. “Can’t believe he wouldn’t tell me about it.” She paused, squinted, as if waiting for Derek’s disbelieving reaction.

  “Katherine, that’s, um, some story.”

  “Well, of course it is. You believe me, don’t you?”

  “I believe you believe it, Katharine.”

  “Humph.” She folded her arms over her frail frame. “Don’t you get all condescending with me, young man. I’ve lived a lot longer than you and been around the block a few more times. When you were in diapers, I was making my mark on the world.”

  “Okay, Katherine. I believe you.” It was a lie of the whitest sort, but sometimes they’re the easiest solution.

  “Soon, though, Herbert’s visits became less frequent. He kept mum at first, wouldn’t tell me why, but I could tell something was troubling him. Finally, he told me something bad was coming. He said to look for the omens. Pretty soon, the youngsters started moving in. What’s the name of that young couple who moved in first across the street from me?”

  “Sorry, I can never remember their names.”

  “No matter. They were the first. When they moved in, Herbert’s visits slowed to nothing more than once a week. I asked him if they were the ‘bad thing’ I should be looking for. He just told me to be careful. I kept after him, and he wouldn’t tell me much more. He said they were the first, and they wouldn’t be the last. Then all them others moved in.” She wrinkled her face like she had bitten into a lemon.

  “Katherine, they’re not my favorite neighbors either, but I don’t know if I’d call them evil. Or some portent of doom.”

  “Derek!” Her hand darted out, snatching onto his wrist. “You listen to me. They are that. And much more!”

  “Katherine…”

  Releasing his wrist, she fell back into the pillow. “They killed George and
Dot.” She stared at the ceiling as if warding off bad memories before closing her eyes.

  “What?”

  “You heard me.” The woman who had danced at Derek’s wedding years ago vanished, replaced by a frightened bird in a nest of bedding.

  “They’re not murderers, Katherine. George and Dot died of natural causes. They—”

  “You’re not listening to me!” She shot bolt upright. Her eyes gray as metal, she glared at Derek. “For your benefit, for everyone’s benefit, you’d best listen to your elders. My Herbert quit comin’ ‘round, but before he did, he told me they wanted our house. They were working their magic on makin’ it happen.”

  Derek didn’t know whether to laugh or toss his arms up. “What kind of ‘magic’?”

  “I’m not sure. But Herbert’s last words were they were bad folks. They’re attracted to the neighborhood because of the mystical qualities. They want to take over the neighborhood. And to do that, they need to get rid of us. They want your house, too, Derek.”

  This time he had to laugh, the only sane response to an insane situation. “Okay, Katherine.” He weighed his words carefully. “Is that who you were talking about yesterday? When you said they’re coming for you?”

  “Yes. They’re coming for me next, Derek. First they took George and Dot, and now they’re after me.”

  “Katherine, you’d better get some rest. Maybe—”

  “Don’t you dare talk to me that way. You think I’m a lunatic, don’t you? I’m trying to warn you. They’re coming after me, and it’s just a matter of time before they come for you and Toni!”

  When the machine next to Katherine started beeping, a nurse rushed in. “Sir, I believe you’d better leave now.” She brushed by Derek. In baby talk, she cooed, “What’s the matter, sweetie? Are you upset?”

  “Sorry, sorry,” muttered Derek, inching toward the door. “Katherine, I’m sorry if I disturbed you.” The nurse shot him a sour look.

  Derek leaned against the hallway wall and took a deep breath. Another nurse ran by him, pre-drawn syringe held ready to plunge. His diplomatic mission of neighborliness had turned disastrous. He could’ve kicked himself for upsetting her. The last thing he wanted was for Katherine to be declared mentally incompetent.