by Sheri Richey
“Well, you know, Rodney, there were all those rumors…”
“Yeah, I know about all that, but it’s not true. Carmen said someone spread all those rumors because they were mad at Andrew. They were trying to shame Andrew, but it was really Carmen that was hurt by it.”
“Has Carmen ever tried to talk to the person about this?”
“Oh, yeah, back when it was all going on. I don’t guess she got anywhere with it though. That all happened before we started seeing each other but, I admit, I heard those rumors too.”
“Yes, it was prevalent,” Cora agreed. “It’s very unfair when someone slanders you and you can’t stop them.”
“She was already going through so much back then with her marriage having trouble and being pregnant. I don’t know how she got through it all.”
“I hate it that this has dredged all this up for her, but soon maybe it will all be over for good.”
“I don’t know,” Rodney said shaking his head. “People do love to gossip.”
“Human nature,” Cora said as Amanda returned with Rodney’s check. “Well, thank you for this and I’ll contact you again if we need your services.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m happy to help anytime. Thank you.”
§
“Mrs. Maddox? This is Chief Harris of the Spicetown Police Department. Do you have a minute to speak with me?”
“Sure, Chief,” Carmen said, sighing. “I expected to hear from you, eventually.”
“Well, I’m told you knew Howard Bell, so I’m just reaching out to everybody I can. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting the man.”
“Howard was a very nice guy. We worked together a short time and he was always pleasant.”
“Did you have a personal relationship with Howard Bell?”
“No,” Carmen said adamantly. “Those are all empty rumors that his sister, Miriam, spread around town.”
“Why would his sister do that?”
“She was mad at my husband, my first husband, Andrew Gentry. Andrew had a business here in town, but he wouldn’t join the Chamber of Commerce. He and Miriam didn’t get along. I don’t know all the details, but she started bad-mouthing him and making up stories trying to hurt his business. It wasn’t just these things about Howard. She told other stories about Andrew to try to discourage people from doing business with him. They were just feuding, and I got caught in the middle.”
“What kind of business did your husband have?” Conrad asked.
“He had a tire store and they did oil and belt changes. Not a full mechanic shop, but more like an auto maintenance type of place over on Sumac Street, just off Paprika Parkway.”
“When was the last time you recall seeing Howard Bell?”
“I saw him in the Sweet & Sour Spice Shop about two months or so before I heard he was missing. It was in the fall that year and we were both shopping. He said hello and asked about my son. We chatted for a few minutes while he was paying for something he bought for his wife. It was a perfectly normal thing. There was nothing more between us than being acquaintances. He’s probably twenty years older than me. The rumors are crazy.”
“Well, I appreciate your time,” Conrad said. “I’m sorry I had to bother you with this.”
“It’s fine, Chief. I understand. You’re welcome to talk to my ex-husband if you like. He doesn’t live here anymore but I can give you his number. He might be able to explain more about why the rumors started.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Conrad said. “I’ve already spoken to him today and he said much the same. I’m just covering all of my bases.”
“Okay,” Carmen said. “I understand.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Maddox. You have a good day now.”
“Thank you, Chief. You, too.”
§
Conrad waved at Joanne Biglioni as he slid in the booth across from Cora at the Ole Thyme Italian Restaurant.
“Connie, I’m about to admit something here, so brace yourself.”
Conrad smiled, never knowing what to expect next from Cora. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“I may have been wrong about Carmen Maddox.” Cora slid her eyes sideways to glance sheepishly at Conrad.
“Hmm.”
“Not about everything, mind you, but maybe about this Howard Bell connection. Maybe she was the victim in all that gossip and I actually, just for a minute today, I actually felt sorry for her.”
“I agree with you,” Conrad said. “Miriam paid me a visit today and pretty much confirmed that.”
“Really?” Cora said sitting back in shock. “Miriam told you Carmen wasn’t involved with Howard?”
“No, she actually told me I should be investigating Carmen,” Conrad said cocking his head to the side. “So, I called Carmen.”
“Really? Wow, you have had a busy afternoon. What did Carmen say?”
“Well, brace yourself. I’m about to admit something here,” Conrad said as Cora giggled. “She was actually quite nice and seemed perfectly normal when I had painted her a lunatic years ago. She told me Miriam was mad at Andrew because he wouldn’t join the Chamber and she spread all kinds of hateful things about him around town. She used his wife in part of those stories, and it was just juicy enough to catch on, I guess.”
“Good grief,” Cora said taking a deep breath. “What a mess. I guess what Rodney told me was true. Carmen got caught in the middle and was a victim.”
“I think so, yeah,” Conrad said.
“Such a shame,” Cora said as Jo approached the table to take their order.
Once their drinks arrived and their orders were placed, Conrad turned back to Cora. “It was actually a good thing Miriam came in today.”
“Oh, she was pleasant this time?”
“No, but she was helpful while in a fit of rage. I don’t think she likes me much,” Conrad said as Cora laughed.
“Like I said earlier today, it’s a big club. How was her rage helpful?”
“She identified her gloves for me,” Conrad winked and smiled. “That’s what happens when your anger gets the best of you. You speak without thinking first.”
“Oh, I can personally vouch for that,” Cora admitted.
§
“Listen,” Amanda whispered. “It sounds like somebody is out there.”
Bryan frowned but heard nothing. “Maybe it’s the wind. Do you want some more tea?”
“No, thank you,” Amanda said smiling as Bryan started clearing the table. “Dinner was very good.”
“I’m glad you liked it,” Bryan said freezing in his stance between the chair and the kitchen sink with plates in both hands. “I think I heard something.”
“I didn’t hear a car drive in,” Amanda said as she went to the front window and peered out. “No, there’s nobody here.”
“I’m going to go out there and look around,” Bryan said placing the dirty dishes beside the sink.
“No, don’t do that,” Amanda said. “What if it’s a wild animal? Just wait.”
“If it’s an animal, it’ll take off when I go out there. I don’t want anything getting into the greenhouse.”
“I’ll go with you,” Amanda said protectively, reaching to slide her phone in her back pocket.
“No, you stay here. I’ll just be a minute.”
Amanda followed him to the kitchen door with every intention of ignoring his instruction, just as they both gasped at the sound of the bell ringing in the garden.
CHAPTER 27
“That’s not an animal,” Amanda whispered. “You need to call the sheriff’s office.”
“If someone’s trying to steal something, they don’t ring a bell to say they’re out there,” Bryan said reaching for the doorknob.
“Wait. We need a weapon,” Amanda said looking around the room. She grabbed a garden trowel and Bryan reached on the shelf for a flashlight before opening the door.
“Stay here,” Bryan whispered again but didn’t protest when he felt Amanda closely following. Flipping on the
outside lights they walked across the front of the house and looked towards the greenhouse. Bryan pointed his flashlight at the bell in the garden and saw a figure stumbling to stand.
“Oh, guys, sorry, oh.” The man pulled himself up leaning on the bell stand and turned around squinting from the flashlight beam trained on him.
“Jack?” Bryan said in surprise. “What are you doing out here?”
“Oh my,” Amanda said with her hand on her chest. “You scared me to death, Jack.”
“So sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was walking around, walking over in the dark. I forgot about the bell and…”
“Come inside,” Bryan said reaching out to pat Jack on the back. “We’re just finishing dinner. Come in and have a drink with us.”
Jack nodded as he shuffled along beside Bryan and Amanda followed with a scrutinizing frown.
“How about some coffee?” Amanda suggested and darted her eyes at Bryan trying to convey her concerns Jack might be intoxicated.
“So, what brings you out on a walk tonight?” Bryan picked up the remaining dishes from the table and moved them to the counter as Jack sat down.
“It’s pretty heavy over there,” Jack said motioning to Mavis’ house next door. “I needed to take a walk and clear my head for a few minutes. I thought you might be out in the greenhouse. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s no interruption,” Amanda said as she rinsed the dinner dishes at the sink. “We were just finishing up.”
“Has Mavis made all the arrangements now?” Bryan asked.
“I guess. It’s just with everybody there, you know. I couldn’t think. This whole thing is really messed up and I’ve tried to talk to them, but they won’t listen to me.”
“It’s really tragic,” Bryan said taking the mug Amanda handed him and sitting it in front of Jack.
“I told them they need to tell the truth and just get it out straight so maybe there’s a chance to make it all right.”
Amanda frowned at Bryan with concern. “You mean Mavis?” Amanda said cautiously.
“No, Daniel and Leanne,” Jack said blowing on his coffee. “I mean, they don’t know who killed Howard or anything, but they know how he got out there,” Jack said waving his hand towards the Christmas tree farm. “Maybe it would help the police find out what really happened to Howard.”
“Maybe you need to tell the Chief yourself,” Amanda said sitting down at the table. “I could call him and I’m sure he’d come out here.”
“Leanne would kill me,” Jack said and then sputtered with laughter. “I don’t mean that literally, of course, but I’d be in some big trouble with her.”
“Are you and Leanne having problems?” Bryan asked cautiously. “I mean it looked like you were arguing when you talked to her here at the nursery.”
“Oh, that’s just normal stuff,” Jack said with a sneer.
“Is she wanting to move back home?” Amanda asked. “You’re still working in St. Louis, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, she wants to move back. I don’t think I can find work here though. We’ve argued about that a thousand times.”
“So, why is it that Daniel and Leanne are keeping secrets from the police? Do they think they know who killed Howard?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Jack said slurping his hot coffee. “They’re just afraid they’ll get in trouble or that Mavis would get upset. I think it’s time they do the right thing.”
“But maybe you need to do the right thing. I mean, you’ve got to live with this knowledge too, and you have to do what you think is best. If they aren’t going to do it, maybe you need to talk to the Chief.” Amanda pulled her phone out of her pocket and put it on the table. “We can do that right now.”
“Yeah, Jack,” Bryan nodded. “I’m sure it would be a big relief to get that off your chest and see if it makes a difference. You could be what solves this whole case.”
“You’re probably right,” Jack said sitting his coffee cup down firmly. “I might lose my wife and kids over it though. I don’t know if I’m willing to do that.”
“If they didn’t kill him, I don’t see how they would get in trouble,” Bryan said shrugging. “It might just give them clues they need to find who did.”
“My argument exactly,” Jack said tapping his fist on the table. “They aren’t convinced though.”
“I understand if you do this, you might not be able to mend that fence with Leanne, but you won’t lose your kids,” Amanda said. “I mean, you’ll always be their father and you’ll always be able to see them. The way it looks right now, Leanne isn’t going back to St. Louis anyway and she put the kids in school here.”
“Did she say anything to you?” Jack asked with alarm.
“Only that she wanted to stay, and she thought the kids were doing well here in the school and seeing Mavis regularly. She sounded like she was happy to stay here. Unless you plan to move, it sounds like you may be living apart, anyway. I mean I thought you two were separating.”
“We’ve talked about it,” Jack said sadly. “Mostly over the move. The problem is that if I don’t just do whatever she wants, my life is miserable. I love her, but what she wants isn’t always the right thing to do.”
“I understand,” Bryan said nodding. “But sometimes you have to do the right thing so you can live with yourself. It sounds like this secret might be something that has haunted you a long time and that can wear on a relationship too.”
“Let me see if the Chief is free and let’s just take care of this now. You can’t go on like this forever,” Amanda implored.
“You’re right,” Jack said nodding. “I’ve gone back and forth a million times and it’s never going to be over. I’m ready for it to be over.”
Amanda got up from the table and slipped her phone in her hand. “I’ll just give him a call.”
§
“Mayor,” Amanda said in a low voice from the living room. “I need you to call the Chief and see if he can come out to Bryan’s right now please. I don’t have his number.”
“The Chief is right here, honey,” Cora said giving Conrad a concerned glance. “What’s wrong?”
“Jack Summers is out here, and he knows something about Howard Bell. He’s ready to talk right now and I don’t want him to change his mind.”
“We’re on our way,” Cora said grabbing at her purse handles and motioning frantically to Conrad to get to the car. “Does he know who killed him?” Cora whispered as they walked out the door of the Ole Thyme Italian Restaurant. Conrad pulled the door open for Cora and ran around the car to jump in.
“No, but he knows something about how he got in Bryan’s garden. I think he’s been drinking, but he doesn’t seem drunk.”
“We’re pulling out now,” Cora said as she struggled with the seatbelt clip while holding the phone. “Jack Summers is at Bryan’s house. He wants to talk,” Cora said to Conrad.
“Is he alone?” Conrad asked.
“Is he there alone?” Cora asked Amanda.
“Yes, he walked over here,” Amanda said as Cora nodded to Conrad. “He’s pretty troubled by the knowledge he has and is afraid of angering Leanne, so he keeps waffling. I hope he is still willing to talk to you when you get here.”
“We’re moving as fast as we can. Keep him talking and give him coffee.”
“Okay, I’ll see you soon. Thanks,” Amanda said going back in the kitchen.
“He’ll be here shortly,” Amanda said nonchalantly as she walked to the sink. “Maybe I should make some more coffee?”
“I sure hope I don’t regret this,” Jack said rubbing his hand over his face.
“I think you’ll be relieved,” Amanda said. “All of this anxiety and worry will be over, and it might even really help Mavis out if she doesn’t know the truth.”
“No, she doesn’t know. They didn’t want her involved.”
“People need closure,” Bryan said. “I think it will really help resolve part of the mystery for Mavis and help her ou
t. She’s been through a lot. This was a big shock for her.”
“Yeah, Mavis is good people,” Jack nodded in agreement as he took a drink of his coffee.
“I know death is hard to deal with when it is someone close. Even when you are prepared or you think you are prepared, it still shakes your world.”
“Your folks were really great people, too,” Jack said smiling. “Your dad was always trying to teach me something and your mom would try to feed me. I loved coming over here and seeing them.”
“Yeah, I miss them, and I still think about them. Even though I knew I was going to lose them, I still had a hard time accepting it when it happened,” Bryan said regretfully.
“Poor Mavis has had to go through that loss twice now. She thought she lost Howard back when he disappeared and now, she learns he’s really gone. I can’t imagine how she must feel,” Amanda said as she refilled Jack’s coffee cup.
“That bell,” Jack said chuckling. “I can’t believe I forgot it was there and walked right into it. Howard used to send me over here sometimes to ring it for Daniel. I guess he had some arrangement with your dad.”
“Yeah, Dad used to get after me when I was a kid because I’d ring it and he’d come back to the house. He thought mom wanted him and it was just me playing around. He’d tell me I shouldn’t ring the bell unless I meant it.”
“I’m sure he was afraid to ignore it in case your mom really needed something,” Amanda said as she heard gravel crunching in the lot from a car pulling up.
“Yeah, I was just fooling around, and he was right. Kids are just drawn to it though.” Bryan got up from the table as he saw the Chief and the mayor walking toward the door.
“I heard it ring several times on opening day,” Amanda said smiling at Jack. “There were a lot of kids out here and they just can’t resist it.”
CHAPTER 28
“Hi, Jack,” Conrad said extending his hand to shake. “I guess you know the mayor.”
“Oh, yes,” Cora said smiling. “We go way back.”
“Hi, Chief,” Jack said standing and accepting Conrad’s hand. “Mayor.”
