Free Gypsy Spirits by Marianne Spitzer Page A

going to push Daniel further into a world of fear, real or imagined. Hoping their conversation gave Daniel more to think about than spirits, she began to wonder which was worse--a crazed killer or a spirit in the woods.
    Not knowing what else to do, she picked up the phone and dialed Steve and Deb’s number. Annamarie knew Deb would answer since Steve was either asleep or at the station. They chatted a bit, eventually discussing recent events. 
    Deb said, “I can’t believe the body at the cabin is Ben either. That seems to be the consensus around town and no one can come up with who else it might be.” 
    “Does Steve know?”
    “Steve’s not telling me much, and I’m not sure if it’s because he doesn’t know or doesn’t want to share delicate or possibly frightening information. He did call me and said to be sure to lock all the doors and windows.” 
    “Did he say why?”
    “No. He’s never done that before, and it unnerved me.” 
    Annamarie felt the same way. “My doors and windows are already locked.” 
    Deb said if she heard anything she would call, and they said goodnight. 
    Annamarie didn’t know more than she did a few minutes ago except Steve Dunley was worried enough about his wife to have her lock the doors and windows here in Timmus Woods. She wondered what would be next.
    ***
    While she sat worrying about Daniel and what was going on in town, the phone rang in the small apartment behind the auto shop where Garret lived. After several rings, Sheriff Richardson hung up and dialed Bulk’s number. There was no answer there either. The sheriff knew with the cabin roped off there were not many places those two would be. He had a feeling they wouldn’t be dumb enough to get drunk, but he had Steve drive out to the Tangledbranch Saloon to be sure. Back in about thirty minutes he said no one there had seen them. 
    Then the sheriff called Daniel. 
    Annamarie answered on the first ring. “Hello.”
    Listening to the sheriff’s questions, she said, “Daniel is asleep, and we haven’t seen Garret or Bulk since earlier this morning at the lake.”
    She asked the sheriff, “Do you have any news about the cabin or the body?”  
    The sheriff said the coroner and Chief Cornett were at the cabin, and he would call later when they knew more.
    ***
    Bulk was pacing up and down in Garret’s living room. “We can’t hide from the sheriff forever. Between the sheriff, the fire chief and that coroner, they’re going to figure out something weird went on last night, and when they can’t find an answer they’ll blame us.”
    “Shut up and let me think,” snapped Garret.
    Bulk rambled on, “What if they say Ben was killed? We’ll be charged with murder.” 
    “Murder,” Garret yelled. “Have you lost your mind? There were three of us there who saw Ben dead, and we all know we didn’t do it. We’re each other’s alibis.” 
    “What good does that do?” moaned Bulk. He sat down with a thud. “Someone burned the body. That someone probably killed Ben and will blame us or kill us, too.” 
    Bulk was beginning to get on Garret’s nerves. “Listen, let me drive you to your brother’s house in Oaklin, and you can lay low for a while until this all blows over.” 
    “Great idea, maybe they won’t be able to find me there.” 
    “Knock it off,” Garret ordered. “Forget about them, I’ll take care of it.” 
    “Let’s go,” Bulk said. Jumping up to open the door, he looked straight into the face of Sheriff Richardson, “too late.” 
    “Too late for what?” asked the sheriff and Bulk turned pale. “Come on, you two. We’re going to my office.” 
    “I’m gonna be sick,” groaned Bulk.
    “Shut up,” yelled Garret. “You’re driving me crazy.”
    ***
    The sheriff knew he would get answers from these two one way or another, even if it took all night. They arrived at the sheriff’s station right behind the coroner and Chief Cornett. Garret was placed in a small room