A Tale of Two Lenores

by Terry Mattingly

  Carlos needs to keep his nose out of his brother’s business. Zach would have heard the news sooner rather than later and taken care of business without interference from the top brass. His own lively hood and life are at stake, best get this job over with. He had put off calling Larry Canner long enough.

  Chapter 15

  Lenore was certain she had no more tears to cry after yesterday. She cried off and on all day after leaving the hospital. Shane and his parents returned to Hylton and Lenore went with her aunt and uncle to Lexington. She wanted to go home to her father’s house, but Aunt Maddy would hear nothing of it.

  “Please reconsider Lenore. I will feel better having you close,” Aunt Maddy protested. “Spend the night with us and let me baby you. Tomorrow will soon enough for both of us to return to the house.”

  Shane and his parents agreed with Maddy. There is nothing for Lenore to do about funeral arrangements until the medical examiner released James’ body to the funeral home. Jim requested cremation as had Lenore’s mother years ago, Mr. Bill reminded her. They cannot schedule a burial service until the crematorium released the remains.

  She and Aunt Maddy spent their Sunday afternoon alternating between tears and laughter while reminiscing about the life of James Collins. This morning, the aunt and niece went shopping to buy enough clothes and personal items to supplement the few she had brought from to New York. Lenore had brought her laptop and notes with her when she flew home, hoping she and her father would have time to work on his book after James came home safe. She kept that goal foremost in her mind on her flight from New York, refusing to believe any other outcome. Well, another outcome did happen, and it is now up to Lenore finish her father’s work.

  She contacted her supervisor at the Columbia about her prolonged absence and called a neighbor to check on her place. Now, here she was sitting in her father’s rocking chair sobbing and sniffling, once again.

  “Lenore, it does get easier I promise,” Aunt Maddy assured her niece, patting her hand.

  “When Aunt Maddy?” she asked sniffling loudly.

  “Lord, child, it has only been a day. Working through grief takes time.” Maddy pointed out, “You will work through this, dear.”

  “I don’t think I can ever get used to Dad being out of my life forever,” Lenore vowed.

  “You will never forget your father and his love for you; you will forever miss his presence in your life, especially on special occasions and small moments that remind you of him. I find that the small moments at harder to deal with then the special occasions at times. But the heart-wrenching pain and shock you are experiencing now will relent eventually, leaving you with a dull ache, an ache that never goes away. There will be peaks and valleys in the intensity of the aching, but you become accustomed to feeling it, cherish it even, for it is a reminder of the love you shared,” Maddy explained. “You will carry your father with you always, in your heart. He will always be a part of your life.”

  Lenore smiled through her tears at her Aunt Maddy. “I am being a big baby, aren’t I?”

  “No child. You’ve lost more than a father. You have lost the man who was a stand-in mother, a friend, and a mentor. Cry all you want,” Maddy concluded. “But right now, you need to freshen up and get ready for dinner with the Travers. Your Uncle Carl is straining at the bit for some of Jenny’s coconut cream pie.”

  It was exceptionally good pie too. The evening was warm enough to sit on the terrace around the outdoor fireplace. Jenny received no argument to the suggestion of dessert and coffee outdoors.

  “Delicious coconut pie, Jenny,” Uncle Carl praised his hostess.

  “You should know, dear. It only took you one-fourth of a pie to come to that conclusion,” Maddy chided her husband, patting his abdomen. “The entire meal was delicious, Jenny. Thank you for inviting us.”

  “I am enjoying your company as much as Carl did my pie,” Jenny laughed. “I wish Shane could have been with us.”

  “I am here now, Mom,” Shane announced from the terrace door.

  “Fill your plate and join us then. I do believe there may be another coconut cream pie hidden in the fridge,” Jenny teased with a mischievous grin at Carl.

  Shane did as his mother instructed and pulled a chair up next to Lenore when he joined the group on the terrace. “How are you holding up, Collins?” he asked scrutinizing her face.

  “Hanging in, Travers.” She smiled and felt the warmth of a blush on her face as he continued to look at her. This is silly. Why am I blushing? “Do I pass inspection Detective Travers?” she asked after a moment.

  “Yeah, Collins. You pass,” he grinned. “Are you okay with talking about the case now?”

  “Shane,” he mother scolded.

  “It’s okay, Miss Jenny. I want to know what is going on.”

  “We all do,” Bill announced. “Go on Shane.”

  “To be honest, I have more questions than answers at this time,” he admitted. “To start with, someone else knew the Professor was injured at the old house. 911 dispatch said they received a call about an injured man at Twin Maples, before Tim called it in. We traced the call to a gas station about five miles from Twin Maples. The clerk on duty said some big man stormed in the store telling him to call 911, then left. We are following up on the lead.”

  “The person who hid Dad in the secret room?”

  “Could be, Leni,” Shane replied before continuing his narrative with the ME’s preliminary autopsy report. “The cause of death, as we expected, is intracranial hemorrhage. The mechanism is blunt force trauma to the head, we knew that also. The ME reports that the damage is consistent with a single high velocity blow from a cylindrical object. The report details the different fracture patterns and stuff I know nothing about,” Shane admitted. “Bottom line, the injuries reported are consistent with interpersonal violence not a fall. The absence of bruising and other injuries to Professor Collins’ back and the area of impact support the fact that he did not fall backward hitting his head. The assailant struck Professor from behind as he was walking away.”

  “So, it is now a murder investigation, Shane?” he dad asked.

  “Yes. The ME reports manner of death as homicide. It is now up to me to gather the evidence and the Commonwealth Attorney to decide what the exact charges against the perpetrator will be, when we catch him.”

  “Travers, you mentioned more questions than answers,” Lenore spoke referring to his first remark about the case. “What questions besides who made the first 911 call?”

  “First, do any of you remember Charlie B., the kid who lived with Paul Wilkes?”

  “I do. I was thinking about Charlie as we searched the old house for Dad,” Lenore confirmed. “It was Charlie B. who showed us the hidden stairs to the secret attic room, remember?”

  “Yeah, I remember. You wanted to go up on the widow walk, Charlie was afraid you would fall, and I dared you to do,” Travers laughed, looking at his old friend. This feels right, sitting here with Collins by a fire. Not for the first time, he wondered if she had someone special in New York.

  “Did you, Lenore?” Aunt Maddy probed. “Get on the roof?”

  “I am not ashamed to admit I took Shane’s dare and climbed right up, joined by the two boys when they finally got the nerve,” Lenore grinned. “It was glorious. I could see for miles over the tree tops, it was so exciting. There were gaps in the woods from felled trees; I could see the river from there.”

  “This is the first time I’ve heard the tale, Shane,” Jenny Travers remarked. “I take it you never told Jim, Lenore?”

  “Of course not. We would have been in big trouble,” she admitted. “Why do you ask about Charlie B, Travers?”

  “There was an envelope of papers in that chair next to the cot when we found your father. It was addressed to Mr. Jim from Charlie B.” Shane handed a picture of the envelope to Bill Travers, watching his father’s face as he studied the envelop in the photo. “The original envelope and enclosed document at are locke
d up in the evidence room.”

  “Shane, you seriously do not think that boy would hurt, Jim?” his father asked sharply. “That boy idolized Jim. There is no telling how long Jim had the papers in his possession. Lenore has probably seen them.”

  “Dad did not share everything about Twin Maples with me, Mr. Bill, except the secret room and its connection to the underground railroad. The last chapter of the book revealing the truth about Lenore Wilkes was to be my surprise,” Lenore pronounced. “I can’t see Charlie hurting anyone though, unless he changed significantly as he aged. Dad tried to find Miss Grace and Charlie after Mr. Paul’s death, but never did. He asked around about them for years.”

  “Five years, Lenore,” Bill Travers announce. “Jim looked for Grace Belk and her grandson for five years.”

  “You found out where they lived though, didn’t you Dad?” Shane asked, pointing at the return address on the envelope.

  “Yes, I did. It is the only secret I ever kept from my best friend Jim.” Bill paused, wiping away the tears. “I had no choice. It was client confidentiality and Grace Belk was adamant that Jim nor anyone know her and Charlie’s whereabouts.”

  “Why, Mr. Bill? Dad would never harm Miss Grace or Charlie?”

  “I know, Lenore dear. I know Charlie is still alive, but Mrs. Belk died about four years ago. I am still obligated to Charlie, but under the circumstances I think my duty to maintain client confidentiality is over.”

  Bill Travers told his story. “When Paul Wilkes passed twenty-years ago, my partner in the firm handled the estate. Unknown to anyone but his banker, Paul Wilkes was a wealthy man. According to Paul’s will, the entirety of his estate was to go to Grace Belk, his granddaughter, and Charlie Belk, his great-great grandson.”

  “You are joking, Mr. Bill. I thought Mr. Paul was the last of the Wilkes?” Lenore questioned. “That is what he always told dad.”

  “Paul never married, Lenore. Graces’ mother was the love child of Paul, stationed overseas in the army, and a woman estranged from her husband. The woman, Anna, and her husband reunited before she found out about the pregnancy. Anna never told her husband the truth, but she did tell Paul just before he returned home. Anna refused to divorce her husband and come to the United States with Paul. Paul came home, wrote to Anna many times, but she never responded. He never heard from Anna or his daughter again, until Grace shows up with a packet of letters for Paul, the ones he wrote to Anna. Among the letters was one written by Anna to Paul, a few days before she died. Grace didn’t want recognition or money, she just wanted to see her grandfather, that is all. Paul checked out her story, wanted to be sure Grace wasn’t a fraud. The story was true, but for reasons only Grace and Paul knew, they did not admit to the relationship. Fast forward two years, Grace Belk moves to Twin Maples with her young grandson Charlie needing a home. Grace becomes Paul’s housekeeper.”

  “Why did not tell anyone of their kinship?” Jenny wondered.

  “Grace wanted it that way. I never knew her reasoning. When Paul died, Grace inherited and moved away to live with a sister, living off her inheritance. Grace and Charlie returned to Hylton ten years ago when ‘concerned neighbors’ decided she was too old to be caring for a man like Charlie.”

  “What kind of man is Charlie?” Maddy asked.

  “Charlie is, in politically correct terms, intellectually disabled. He is thirty-seven years old, with the mind of a child of ten. Physically, Charlie can care for himself. He can do simple math and read simple books. Charlie is a capable and reliable worker. He can do about anything with his hands once he sees someone else do it. The problem is Charlie is too trusting which is why Grace wanted my service. I helped her buy a house. She had used her inheritance sparingly and did not touch Charlie’s trust fund at. Charlie likes to garden, so Grace wanted a large lot and some chickens. She appointed me as Charlie’s medical and legal power of attorney. I could not break client confidentially, so I never told Jim. That hurt, believe me. Before she died, Grace gave me a letter to give to Jim after her death. I don’t know what it said. But later, Jim told me and said he understood why Grace was so secretive and thanked me for honoring her trust.”

  “Did Dad ever contact Charlie? He would have wanted to.”

  “Yes, Lenore. Jim and I visit Charlie regularly, taking him treats, making sure he has plenty to eat, and does not need anything. I manage his money and a social worker checks in on him. Charlie does odd jobs for his neighbors and makes a little cash, but he seldom spends any money on his own. Charlie does not like to stray far from his home.”

  “Why was Grace so secretive?” Maddy asked. “Her grandmother’s story was not that unusual. No sensible person would not have placed blame on Grace or Charlie. Unless, there is more to the story, something else to hide.”

  “Grace had her own reasons for not wanting Paul to claim her as a granddaughter. That secret went to the grave with her. I suspect the secret was more to do with Charlie’s mother and his unnamed father. Paul never probed, never really cared. He had his own secret to hide.”

  “I swear, Mr. Bill, Dad’s ability to drag a story out forever has rubbed off on you,” Lenore laughed. “What was Paul’s secret?”

  “The answer to that question will be found in the last chapter of Jim’s book,” Bill winked. “That is probably the only secret your father kept from me. Jim never told me what he discovered in the old papers.”

  “Do you think Mis Grace revealed her secret to Dad in the letter she gave him?”

  “No, she did not. Grace explained the reason she kept the secret from Jim, and he kept secret Charlie’s relationship to Paul. That is what I am asking all of you to promise me now, keep Charlie’s secret.”

  “The secret is in the envelope, I bet.” Lenore declared. “Travers, can we read the documents?”

  “No, Collins. Until, we know if the information in that envelope led to your father’s death. I am not taking any chances.”

  “But, Shane, if your father and I can read them, maybe we can see if such a connection does exist,” Lenore cajoled.

  “No way, Collins. The prosecutor says no, that is it.” Shane’s voice warns her no arguing.

  “What if I fluttered my eyelashes like…” she teased.

  “No Collins.” Shane declared. “Dad, we need to visit Charlie tonight. He had to have been with Professor Collins and left the envelope. Charlie may know what happened.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes, Dad, tonight. Charlie must have been with Professor Collins, how else did that envelope come to be with him.” Shane rationalized. “Charlie may have seen something and be in danger himself.”

  “Okay, son. Let me change shoes and get a jacket.” Bill Travers stood up and started to the house.

  “I am going too, Travers,” Lenore proclaimed. “Wait for me while I change shoes and get a jacket, also.”

  “No, Collins, you stay here with Mom and Aunt Maddy.” Travers told her sharply.

  “Not on your life. I ride with you or I follow.” She stared at him stubbornly.

  Travers’ look did not waver from her face. It’s those damn eyes, looking in them is like drinking good whiskey. “Dammit, Collins.”

  “Thank you, Travers. I’ll be back in less than five minutes.”

  Lenore dashed toward the house next door. Travers turned to the others on the terrace, all eyes glued on he and Collins. Travers shrugged. “Collins was determined to go anyway, just as well ride with me and Dad.”

  “Shane, take care of her please,” Maddy beseeched.

  “I try, Aunt Maddy, but she is so damn stubborn at times.” Shane released an exasperated sigh.

  Chapter 16

  Charlie B lived in a subdivision developed on land once belonging to Twin Maples. Bill Travers did well in selecting the place for Grace and her grandson ten years ago. The house and property, located in the oldest part of Maple Acres subdivision, adjoin what remains of the old planation. The small brick house looked cozy enough from the outside,
but no lights filtered through the drawn curtains in front of the house. Was Charlie even home?

  Bill knocked on the door, no answer. He went around to the back door and knocked, again no answer. Charlie was either asleep or not home. Shane wanted to use his father’s key to enter the house. Bill, reluctant to invade Charlie’s privacy or startle the man, persuaded Shane to speak with the next-door neighbor who watched over Charlie.

  “Charlie was working in the yard late this afternoon, Mr. Travers,” Gerald Brown reported. “He seemed in good health and good spirits. Is something wrong?”

  “No, Mr. Brown,” Bill Travers hedged. “We wanted to check on Charlie and let him know about Dr. Collins. I should have thought about telling him yesterday. Jenny and I were distraught ourselves and worried about Lenore. I am sorry to say I forgot that Charlie needed to be told.”

  Good job, Dad. Bill Travers words were those of a man concerned about his friend. Shane did not want to arouse any suspicion that Charlie B may be in trouble, not just yet.

  “I heard about Dr. Collins on the news this morning,” the neighbor commented. “You have my condolences, Ms. Collins. You too, Mr. Travers. I know he was your good friend.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Brown,” Bill acknowledged. “Jim will be missed. Did Charlie mention Jim to you this morning?”

  “No, he did not. I believe he was not aware of the news yet. Charlie shows his emotions easily, you now. He would have been upset if he knew of Dr. Collins’ death.”

  “I am sure you are right.” Bill agreed. “I wonder why Charlie is not answering the door?”

  “Dad, I think we should let ourselves in and check on Charlie B,” Shane suggested. “What if Charlie did hear the news and is sitting in the dark, alone, and afraid?”