A Bell in the Garden

by Sheri Richey

  “That’s how Howard found out Wanda had signed over her part?” Conrad said nodding.

  “Yes, and Miriam offered to sign over the house to him if he signed over the LLC,” Mavis said clasping her hands in her lap.

  “Howard didn’t go for that?” Conrad imagined a power struggle ensued and Miriam didn’t like to lose.

  “No,” Mavis said shaking her head. “He said Miriam was trying to rip him off and he should be drawing a check every month from the rent money she collected. He said the LLC owned a lot of things that made money.”

  “So, he had never received any compensation from it? Even after his mother died?” Cora’s face twisted up as if she were tasting something bitter.

  “No, I didn’t know we should be, but Howard said he was going to make her turn over the books. He saw some lawyer over in Paxton about it.”

  “I thought Howard and Miriam weren’t even speaking,” Cora said.

  “They hadn’t in a long time,” Mavis said. “It was hard for him to go talk to her about the mortgage because they hadn’t spoken in years. After that, she was out here yelling at him, just like she did me the other day. Difference was, Howard would throw her right out.” Mavis chuckled in the pleasurable memory. “Didn’t stop her though. She just kept at him. He never went to see her again as far as I know.”

  “How far did the legal process get?” Cora asked.

  “I know they served her with papers, but Howard disappeared before it was dealt with.”

  “When was the last time Miriam visited Howard?” Conrad said as he pulled a small notebook out of his pocket.

  “Most of the time she came during the day when I was at work. He’d tell me about it that night. I think she was here the last day Howard was because when I came home that night, Miriam’s leather gloves were on my kitchen table. At least I think they were hers.”

  “Do you still have them?” Cora asked moving to the edge of her seat.

  “I do,” Mavis said jumping up from the sofa and going to the coat closet near the front door. “I wear them in the winter myself,” she said smiling. “She’s never asked for them back and if they belonged to some other woman, I figured she owed me as much if she took my Howard away. I guess I kind of wore them out of spite.” Mavis smiled and handed the black leather gloves to Conrad. “They’re real nice. They got that soft fur inside and fit real good.”

  “You know, Mavis,” Conrad said earnestly, “You really might want to contact that lawyer yourself. I think Miriam might owe you a whole lot of money and you need to know where you stand. It sounds like you are in business with Miriam now and that might be something you need to take care of.”

  “It’s not worth getting killed over, Chief. I don’t want to go to war with Miriam.”

  “Do you think she might have killed Howard?” Cora asked in disbelief.

  “No, I didn’t mean it like that. Howard never had any trouble throwing her out the door. I don’t think she meant him any harm like that. She just can’t stand it when people don’t do what she wants.”

  Conrad looked at the gloves in his hand and wished Mavis hadn’t worn them. It would be nearly impossible to link them to Miriam now after all these years.

  “Mavis, if you don’t deal with the LLC now, your kids could be stuck dealing with Miriam later,” Cora said holding her hands up in a defensive motion. “We never know what the future holds and leaving things the way they are…”

  “Yeah,” Mavis said thoughtfully. “You’re probably right. I hadn’t thought about that. It’d be easier to just take her deal and then at least the kids would have this house in peace.”

  “No, I didn’t mean that,” Cora said. “You should get what is due to you and to Howard. I know he would want you to do that. You should follow through on what Howard started. You don’t want to let Miriam win just because she behaves badly.”

  “I know you wouldn’t, Cora,” Mavis said shrugging. “You’re a fighter for things you believe in, but I just don’t have that in me. I just want a peaceful life.”

  “Look, I know she’s difficult, but she can be stopped. I’ll help you file for an order to keep her off the property. She can’t come over here and—”

  “No,” Mavis said with a dismissive wave. “Cora, I don’t want all that. I just want to keep her at arm’s length until I get through the funeral. Then I’ll settle up with her.” Mavis nodded her head decidedly. “It’ll be fine.”

  “Well, just know we are here to help you,” Conrad said. “Have you made funeral arrangements?”

  “Still working on those details with the coroner’s office, but yes, it’s coming along. He has a plot already with his family and I’m going to bury him next to his daddy.”

  “That’s nice,” Cora said. “We will certainly be at the service.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Mavis, are the kids going to stay with you until the funeral?” Conrad stood up and hiked his pants up.

  “Yes, Leanne is over at the nursery now and Jack is here, too.”

  “I’m sure that’s a comfort,” Cora said standing to walk to the door with Conrad.

  “It is,” Mavis said hugging Cora and squeezing Conrad’s hand before opening the door for them.

  “You call me if you need anything,” Cora said through the screen door and Mavis nodded.

  Daniel and the motorcycle were gone.

  CHAPTER 25

  “Do you want me to take you back and then I’ll come talk to Leanne?” Conrad said as they returned to his car.

  “Oh, no. I’ll ride along. I can look around while you talk. There’s no need for you to come back out here.” Cora waved again at Mavis who was standing at the door, but once the car doors were both shut, she pivoted in her seat toward Conrad.

  “Can you believe that woman? Howard was right. She was robbing them both blind and they are her own flesh and blood. Poor Wanda was sick, and Howard worked hard his whole life and she couldn’t give either of them even a crumb. The woman is a thief and a liar. How can she live with herself? Something has to be done. Conrad, you have to do something. What she’s done is criminal. It’s theft!”

  “Cora, I don’t disagree, but those charges have to be brought by the injured parties. You need to pull it all back in because we’re already here,” Conrad said as he pulled in the parking lot of the nursery.

  Cora huffed loudly and turned back in her seat. “Can’t very well file charges with your own cousin, can you?”

  “Hmm,” Conrad paused to consider the fact Mavis was in Bobby’s Bell’s jurisdiction. “It might be awkward.” Conrad released his seatbelt and opened the door. “Maybe you’d like to wait in the car?”

  Not waiting for a response from Cora, Conrad waved to Leanne who was out under the canopy beside the greenhouse.

  “Hey, Chief. Can I help you find something?”

  “No, I was just passing by and thought I’d stop and talk to you for a minute. I was just up at the house checking on your mom and she said you were down here.”

  “Yeah, Bryan had some errands to run so I’m keeping an eye on the place until he gets back.”

  “I saw Daniel at the house earlier and talked to him a bit, but I’d like to get your take on a few things, too.”

  “I saw Daniel ride by. He’s working on that old motorbike. He thinks he’s taking my kids out on it, but he better think again,” Leanne said laughing.

  “Well, they can be dangerous,” Conrad said nodding. “I was asking Daniel about the day Howard disappeared. Do you remember that day?”

  “Yeah, a little. It wasn’t really a special day, I mean we didn’t think it was going to be. We thought he’d be back,” Leanne said apologetically.

  “So, you came home from school that day?”

  “Yeah, Jack had a car and he always drove me home. We’d stopped at the gas station after school, so Daniel got home first. We weren’t worried though. Sometimes Howard wasn’t there.”

  “When did you realize something wasn’
t right?” Conrad asked.

  “When mom got home, I asked her because he was usually home by that time. She acted like she didn’t want to talk about it, so I thought they’d had a fight or something. I didn’t ask again. I mean, it wasn’t my business, really.”

  “Were you ever home or around when Miriam visited Howard?”

  “Yeah, I saw her a few times, but I stayed clear of that. I always found some reason to leave if she showed up. She wasn’t very nice to me or to Daniel.”

  “So, you never heard what they talked about?”

  “Oh, I heard yelling. I mean Howard would just throw her out, tell her to leave. The talks didn’t last long.”

  “Do you know what they were fighting about?”

  “Miriam had done something,” Leanne said shrugging. “He kept saying things like ‘I can’t believe you’d do that to your own family’. Things like that. I don’t know what she did.”

  “Did you get along well with Howard?”

  “Yeah, I mean we argued some, but he was okay. He didn’t like me spending so much time with Jack, so we fought about that sometimes. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Jack or anything. He just was afraid we were together too much, you know. He didn’t want me to get in trouble.”

  “I understand,” Conrad said. “Where is Jack? Mavis said he was home, too.”

  “Oh, he’s running around town somewhere. Wanted to see some people while he was here. He still keeps in touch with some friends we went to school with.” Leanne cocked her head to the side and held up her finger. “Do you hear that?”

  Conrad listened and heard the faint sound of a motor running.

  “That’s Daniel. He must be driving that bike in the fields up there,” Leanne said pointing to the Christmas tree farm. “We did that as kids all the time, but there weren’t trees up there then.”

  “Oh, you had a bike, too?”

  “No, but the old bike he used had a really neat sidecar on it. Howard got it at some flea market and fixed it up so I could ride in it. I never drove the bikes, but it was fun riding along. Daniel thinks we need another one of those so the girls can ride. I don’t know if I want that to happen though.” Leanne chuckled and sighed. “It’s different when it’s your kids.”

  “I’m sure it is,” Conrad said smiling. He thanked her and returned to his car where Cora sat still brooding.

  Cora waved at Leanne as Conrad slid into the driver’s seat. “She said Jack’s in town somewhere visiting friends.”

  “Was she helpful?”

  “Yes,” Conrad said brooding over his thoughts. “A whole lot easier to talk to than Daniel was.”

  “Leanne’s an actress,” Cora said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean she can turn it on and off,” Cora said. “One minute she can seem angry and the next, she can smile sweetly. She can turn on tears like a switch. I remember her as a child, and you could never tell what the real girl inside was feeling. Now Daniel, he can’t express himself. He can’t figure out how to convey how he feels when Leanne can fake any feeling at all. They’re an odd couple of kids.”

  “Hm, interesting,” Conrad said. “Did you know their dad?”

  “I knew of him, but Clarence died before I had either of the kids in my class. They were really young. I think Mavis and Clarence were high school sweethearts though. They married young.”

  “Mavis has had some rough luck,” Conrad said.

  “Can you do anything with those old gloves?”

  “Nah, I don’t think so,” Conrad said shaking his head. “I’ll turn them in, but I’m sure any traces of the owner are gone with Mavis wearing them over the years.

  “Yeah, I figured as much.”

  “What do you know about Jack Summers?” Conrad asked as he turned and slowed down to enter the city limits.

  “He was a good kid,” Cora said. “Studious as I recall. He has a head on his shoulders. I always thought he’d go to college and have a career. I never thought he’d get married right out of high school.”

  “Was Leanne pregnant?”

  “No, not that I ever heard. I know the two girls were born much later, but it’s always possible she was and lost the baby. I always thought Jack married her because she told him to. I’m sure you’ve noticed he’s pretty passive and Leanne is bossy.”

  “But I thought you were concerned when he showed up that first day at the nursery. I thought you were worried about Leanne.”

  “Oh, heaven’s no,” Cora said smiling. “I was afraid Leanne would make a scene. She’s famous for public displays of anger. I was under the impression they were having problems, possibly separating, so when he showed up, I thought he was going to grovel, and Leanne was going to act out.”

  “Oh, I misunderstood your concerns that day.”

  “Are you going to interview Jack?”

  “If I can find him. Leanne and Daniel both say he was there that day. He brought her home from school.”

  “I’m sure he got along with Howard well, but he was probably intimidated by him somewhat. Jack will be afraid to talk to you though. He’ll be afraid Leanne doesn’t want him to.”

  “Did you ask either of the kids about Miriam? Do they get along with her?”

  “Leanne said Miriam wasn’t very nice to either of them.”

  “Did you tell her she was a member of a very large club?” Cora said laughing.

  §

  After dropping Cora off at City Hall with plans to meet for dinner, Conrad went in the side door of the police department. Dropping the gloves Mavis had given him on his desk, he picked up his pitcher to go fill it with water and make some coffee. He needed to read through the material Amanda had copied for him and make some notes on his interviews. While filling the pitcher with water in the break room, Georgia Marks tracked him down.

  “Chief, Miriam Landry is out there. She’s in the waiting room and wants to talk to you.”

  “Okay,” Conrad groaned. “Give me a minute to get my coffee started and I’ll come get her.”

  “She’s been waiting not so patiently for about ten minutes, but she’ll tell you she’s been there an hour.”

  “I’m sure I’ll hear about it,” Conrad chuckled and carried his water back to his office.

  With the water poured in, he turned the coffee maker on and turned around as Miriam came through his office door.

  “You were just going to leave me sitting out there all day?” Miriam said with her hand on her hip.

  “I was starting some coffee. I thought you might want some,” Conrad said motioning Miriam to a chair. “Have a seat, Miriam. How can I help you?”

  “I know you are out there in town spreading rumors about me and I want it to stop. I want you to stay away from my family,” Miriam said ignoring the chair as Conrad walked around and sat at his desk.

  “I don’t know what you are referring to, Miriam. I’m certainly not spreading any rumors.”

  “Howard is dead. My brother is dead. What are you doing about that? You’re running around asking questions about me. Me!” Miriam yelled. “You haven’t even talked to Carmen Maddox.”

  Conrad couldn’t stop his eyebrows from raising. “You have reason to believe Carmen Maddox is involved in your brother’s death?”

  “Of course, I do!” Miriam screeched. “Everyone does.”

  “You’re the first person to tell me that,” Conrad said calmly. “Please, sit down. Tell me why you feel that way.”

  “What are you doing with my gloves?” Miriam began to snatch them from Conrad’s desk, but he grabbed them first. “Where did you get them?”

  “Where did you leave them?” Conrad said smiling.

  Miriam huffed with indignation. “Leave me alone, Conrad, and leave my family alone.”

  “I thought you wanted me to find out who killed your brother,” Conrad said, raising his voice as she stormed out of his office.

  Conrad leaned back in his chair and allowed himself a good laugh. Maybe he should take M
iriam up on her advice.

  CHAPTER 26

  “Mayor,” Amanda said as her head popped around the edge of the door. “Rodney is here to see you.”

  “Oh, Rodney,” Cora called out waving him in the door. “Come on in.”

  “Afternoon, Mayor,” Rodney said lowering his head. “I’m sorry to bother you. I just wanted to catch you before you left today and give you the pictures.” Rodney handed Cora a large sturdy folder and she spread it out over her desk.

  “Oh, Rodney. These are fantastic. Amanda, come see.”

  Amanda walked around the desk and peered over Cora’s shoulder. “Wow, those are great, Rodney. They’ll work really well when we reprint them, I think.”

  “Yes,” Cora agreed. “I think they’re just perfect. And this one,” Cora said pointing. “The train track and station behind him is just the best touch. I love them.”

  “Thank you,” Rodney said shyly. “I was hoping you’d like them.”

  “Rodney,” Cora said looking up. “You really have a talent. You really do.”

  Rodney shrugged it off and colored with embarrassment. “It’s just copying.”

  “It’s brilliant,” Cora said. “Amanda, can you go make Rodney a check?”

  “Sure.”

  “Have a seat, Rodney. It’ll just take a minute. I’m very pleased with the picture. Do you enjoy doing this type of thing?”

  “Oh, yeah. It’s kind of a hobby. I’ve always liked to draw and try to copy things. Carmen calls them doodles,” he said smiling.

  “How is Carmen? Are things going better now?”

  “She’s good. She was upset about Howard Bell. She said he was a very nice man. It’s a horrible thing,” Rodney said hanging his head lower.

  “Did you know him?” Cora asked.

  “No. I knew the name, but I don’t think we ever met. Carmen knew him because she worked out in the mine payroll office years ago. She wasn’t there very long, but Howard was a foreman out there and he came in the office some. She said he was always nice to her.”