by Ron Finch
Chief Petrovic and Det. O’Neill were tired. But they were pleased that they now had a suspect in custody that had a motive for the murder of Louise Carter. The final decision would be up to a jury.
“See you 9 o’clock Monday morning, Chief,” said Det. O’Neill, as he pulled out of his parking space for his return trip to London.
“Do your best to convince Alma Iversen to come to Chaseford as soon as possible,” Chief Petrovic hollered. “It would be wonderful if she could ID Bella Frankel.”
“Will do,” Det. O’Neill shouted back, waving.
Monday, July 23
CHASEFORD WAS REALLY buzzing on Monday morning. There were rumours everywhere. The chief tried to have his breakfast at Mabel’s Diner, but he gave up and left after about 10 minutes. Mabel packed the rest of his breakfast in a bag and added a piece of apple pie for him to have later. Chief Petrovic couldn’t even walk down the street to his office without being pestered by questions he wouldn’t answer. He wasn’t happy about having his breakfast interrupted, or his walk to the office, but he wasn’t going to let that interfere with the good mood that having Bella Frankel in custody had put him in.
He arrived at the office early, even before his secretary Sherry Simpson. That gave him time to finish his breakfast in peace and plan for the day ahead. Det. O’Neill arrived at about 8:45 and was soon followed by Cst. Smith and Cst. Herman.
“It’s no fun being a policeman today,” said Cst. Smith. “You can’t walk anywhere without somebody asking you six questions you aren’t supposed to answer.”
“They can read about it in the newspaper,” said Chief Petrovic. “We’re having this meeting today to make sure we all have the same information and haven’t accidentally been infected by any outside rumours. There will be a press release late this afternoon.
“Det. O’Neill tells me that Alva and Enoch Iversen will be here by 2:00. Apparently, Enoch Iversen has a new Model A Ford Town Car he likes to show off. It’s a beautiful car and he drives it whenever he can, so he’s looking forward to his trip to Chaseford. Remember, his wife Alma is the woman who can identify Bella Frankel and confirm that she was in her brother’s home in London earlier this year. We suspect that that’s when Bella took the medallion to frame her brother, Benjamin Frankel. Cst. Smith has assured me that Proofie Duncan will be here as well to identify Bella. Bella Frankel maintains that she is innocent and has hired a top-flight criminal lawyer from Ottawa to handle her case. Her lawyer has already requested a bail hearing. I doubt very much that the judge will allow her bail because of the risk to Ruth Carter.”
THE IVERSEN’S ARRIVED at the police station shortly before 2 o’clock. Enoch, excited to be part of the investigation, couldn’t stop talking about his new Model A Ford.
Alma, however, was nervous and just wanted to get it over with. She wasn’t afraid of seeing Bella; she was angry for having been tricked by her back in the spring. She complained to the chief that she didn’t like it when people lied to her. Chief Petrovic wondered if he would have to protect Bella from Alma.
Cst. Smith brought Proofie into the station shortly after the Iversen’s arrived. Proofie was wearing a new shirt, but he still had on the same shoes and socks. Chief Petrovic was certain the new pad he had given him was in the bottom of his left shoe. Proofie was excited about being in the police station when he had done nothing wrong. It was a new experience for him.
The chief of police was proud of the one-way mirror that had been installed in the station a year ago. This wouldn’t be the first time it had been used for identification purposes, but it would be the first time it had been used in a prominent murder investigation in Chaseford. Both Alma Iversen and Proofie Duncan identified Bella Frankel without hesitation.
Chief Petrovic and Det. O’Neill could now give a genuine sigh of relief. The local prosecutor was ecstatic. This case was now in the hands of the law.
The Rest of the Story - Thursday, October 25, 1928
THE TRIAL ENDED YESTERDAY and now Jay and I are local heroes. We didn’t intend to be; but as the trial wore on, and our exploits were mentioned, we became locally famous, and even somewhat known in the province of Ontario.
The trial was intriguing to the newspaper people because it involved the daughter of a beloved politician and a mysterious woman from Ottawa. From the first day of the trial to the final day and the jury’s verdict the town of Chaseford was packed with visitors. All the prominent Canadian papers had representation at the trial as well as the New York Times and the London Observer. The town was so busy that Mabel had to hire extra staff for the diner. During the course of the trial, Jay and I were mentioned several times: first, in regard to stumbling across the body, and then again when we stumbled across the wine bottle and the medallion. This led to several interviews, which we also stumbled our way through.
I attended as much of the trial as I could. My parents have been kind enough to give me time off work at the store. The store’s business has improved as well. It seems everyone wants to come in and talk about the trial of Bella Frankel.
School’s back in, of course, and Jay and I are in Grade 13. It’s our final year of high school so there are some big decisions ahead of us. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. My parents have told me that they will do their best to make certain I get the best education I can. I know my mom really wants me to go to the University of Western Ontario. After this summer, I have become very interested in pursuing a career in the law. I’m not certain yet whether there are any universities that offer programs in criminology. I know there are courses at the University of Chicago. I guess mom and I will just have to wait and see what happens. I still have to finish my grade 13 year successfully.
With notes from our parents, the high school principal reluctantly allowed Jay and I to miss school yesterday so that we could attend the final day of the trial. The closing arguments had been presented the previous day. By midafternoon, the jury had been instructed. Most reporters didn’t expect the jury to be out long. Although Bella Frankel was an attractive woman, her aloof manner didn’t sit well with the jurors. The evidence, although circumstantial, along with the testimony of the other parties, painted a picture of a cruel and manipulative woman who would do anything to achieve her goals. Not only was it implied that she had murdered a woman who was well-liked, but she showed no interest or concern for the deceased.
At 10:30 in the morning on Wednesday, October 24, the jury returned to the courtroom. Judge Marshall asked the jury foreman if they had reached a verdict.
The foreman responded: “Yes, Your Honour. We are of one mind. The vote is 12 to 0 in favour of the charge of first-degree murder.”
The courtroom erupted with a surge of positive comments. The lone exception was the loud, strident voice of Bella Frankel.
“This is outrageous!” she shouted. “This is a travesty of justice!”
Judge Marshall pounded his gavel and demanded order in the court. The courtroom fell deathly silent. Everyone knew Judge Marshall was quick to remove anyone who didn’t comply with his wishes immediately.
“Bella Frankel,” said Judge Marshall. “I have thought at length during this trial about the sentence you should receive and I see no point in delaying your sentencing. You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Louise Carter.”
Bella rose to object but her lawyer told her to be quiet. He turned to the judge and said: “Your Honour, with all due respect to your determination, we shall proceed with an appeal at the earliest possible date.”
“Court dismissed,” said Judge Marshall.
“WHAT DO YOU THINK, Joel?” Jay said when we got out of the courtroom.
“I have no doubt that she’s guilty,” I said, “and she deserves full punishment for the murder, but I'm not sure I agree with the death penalty.”
“I think she deserves the death penalty,” said Jay, unmoved.
This was a debate that had been going on in the community since the start of the trial, lo
ng before the verdict was reached.
JAY AND I RECEIVED special medallions for our contributions to the successful conclusion of this high-profile murder investigation. These medallions were presented by the mayor at a New Year's Day community celebration.
My mom and I agreed that I would attend the University of Western Ontario and I enrolled in the fall of 1929. Even though Jay was the top academic student in his class, he had decided not to continue with schooling at this time. His father had suffered a significant leg injury late in the fall of 1928. Once Jay completed his grade 13 year, he took over as the on-site manager for his dad's small construction company.
Chief Petrovic and Det. O’Neill received commendations for their excellent police work from the mayor of Chaseford at the New Year’s Gala, and Cst. Jake Smith and Cst. Peter Herman received special commendations from Chief Petrovic. They both received an increase in salary, and they both want to become detectives.
Bella Frankel is currently incarcerated and is still facing the death penalty. She still maintains that she is innocent. Her appeal is ongoing.
Ruth Carter has survived the death of her only daughter and the betrayal of her former nurse and supposed friend Bella Frankel. Mrs. Carter has a new live-in nurse. Her son Proctor now lives with her as well and is a recovering alcoholic. With the aid of his mother’s financing, and a good lawyer, he has recovered the ownership of his lumber companies. They are doing well. After an extended Ottawa police station interview with Det. Jean LeBlanc and Assistant Chief Rutherford, Pierre Montage has generously decided to forgive Proctor Carter his debt.
Amos Carter will still have nothing to do with this mother Ruth or his brother Proctor.
Walter Yost and I still have lengthy conversations in my attic and we are continuing to work on our focusing abilities. Walter and I can now communicate with each other up to distances of one mile. That’s probably the limit, and I don’t think we could do that in a city. By the time I finished grade 13, we had made contact with two other essences in the region.
The end ... for now
About the Author
Many years ago, when I was three, my mother took me to the library. She was delighted that I loved to read. My father was not so happy. He knew books would cut into chore time.
He was right.
I read and I read and I read and I read. Even today I’m reading. And recently I decided to write.
Lightning at 200 Durham Street, and Where's the Rest of the Body? are the first two books in the Joel Franklin Mystery series, but there are many more on the way.
Stay tuned.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Books by Ron Finch
Important Quotes
Friday, June 1, 1928 - The Storm
Friday, May 11
Saturday, May 12
Sunday, May 13
Monday, May 14 to Saturday, May 19
Monday, May 21
Tuesday, May 22
Wednesday, May 23
Friday, May 25
Saturday, May 26 - Ottawa
Sunday, May 27 and Monday, May 28
Tuesday, May 29 to Thursday, May 31
Friday, June 1 - Ottawa
Friday, June 1 - After the Storm
Friday, June 1 - First Contact
Saturday, June 2
Monday, June 4
Tuesday, June 5 to Thursday, June 7
Friday, June 8
Wednesday, June 13 and Thursday, June 14 - Ottawa
Friday, June 15
Monday, June 18
Friday, June 22
Tuesday, June 26 and Wednesday, June 27
Sunday, July 1
Monday, July 2 to Thursday, July 5
Friday, July 6 to Sunday, July 8
Monday, July 9
Thursday, July 12
Friday the 13th
Monday, July 16
Wednesday, July 18
Wednesday, July 18 and Thursday, July 19
Thursday, July 19 to Saturday, July 21
Monday, July 23
The Rest of the Story - Thursday, October 25, 1928
About the Author
