Murder in Hillsboro

by Jane T O'Brien

This was a side of Avery that Charles had never seen. She had never shown warmth toward him or her children. He suspected Hamilton Beresford was the only person she ever truly loved. He often wondered what had happened in Avery’s life that made her so cold and distant. He knew he hadn’t been the ideal husband, they hadn’t shared a bedroom since Grayson’s birth. Avery didn’t seem to care that he found comfort in the arms of other women. He was a weak man, and he knew it, something came over him in the last year that made look at himself and his wasted life. He was a changed man, he felt better about himself and was trying to be a better father to his children. Now it was too late to win Candace’s love.

  “Let’s go home, Avery.”

  Grayson pulled into the long driveway to the home he’d lived in since the day his parents brought him home from the hospital. His hands were shaking when he walked through the back door of the house.

  “Grayson, your father wants to talk to you, he and your mother are in the living room,” said Fritz.

  “They’ll yell at me for being out so late, I’ll see them in the morning, I’m tired and I’m going to bed.”

  “No, Grayson, you will go to the living room now or I will carry you there.”

  Grayson knew Fritz would do exactly that and did as he was told.

  When he entered the living room, he was surprised to see his father sitting on the sofa with his arm around his mother. He’d never seen them together like this.

  “Sorry I’m late, I lost track of time,” he said sheepishly.

  “Grayson, sit we have something sad to tell you,” said his father.

  “Is it Grandfather, did something happen to him?”

  “No, son, it’s your sister, I’m afraid she is dead,” his father replied.

  “No! What did Candace do?”

  “Candace did nothing, son, she was murdered outside campaign headquarters. Someone shot her.”

  Grayson looked at his parents in disbelief. “That’s not possible, who shot her? Did they find out about…”?

  “About what, Son? What do you know about your sister’s murder?”

  “Nothing, Dad, I can’t believe Candace is dead.”

  Charles couldn’t remember the last time Grayson called him Dad. He wanted to know what the boy was hiding; however, he didn’t want to badger him tonight.

  “It’s late, we need to get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Grayson, your grandfather is flying home first thing in the morning, he will have questions for all of us and I know he won’t believe it was a robbery gone wrong. He will undoubtedly think it’s a conspiracy against him.”

  For the first time since she was told of Candace’s death, Avery had a smile on her face. “You are right, Charles, it’s always about Father, isn’t it? Hamilton Beresford has always dictated our lives and now, our daughter is dead and Senator Beresford will be the center of attention because of the tragic death of his beloved granddaughter.”

  “Mother, I’ve never heard you say anything like that about Grandfather.”

  “I’ve lost Candace because I was afraid to love her and have her taken away like my other daughters were. I’m sorry, Charles, I never told you about my twin daughters, I was only sixteen when they were born. I thought I was in love with a boy and gave myself to him. Father never knew about the babies and mother took them away from me. I don’t know whether they are alive or dead. I shouldn’t be telling either of you about this but now I’ve lost my third child and I will never forgive myself for my weakness.”

  “Mother, the twins aren’t dead, they are alive and living in Hillsboro. Candace found your diary years ago and discovered the secret.”

  “I haven’t thought of that diary in years, I wrote my thoughts when I was in the attic of my home. Nanny Emma was my only contact in those days. She was more of a mother to me than Grandmother ever was. How did Candace find it?”

  “She said she found it several years ago. I knew she had it and I found it under the floorboard in her room. She has been posing as a girl who lives in the same apartment building as one of my sisters. I know she was planning to kill her.”

  “Grayson, that’s not possible,” said Charles, “Candace would harm no one.”

  “Sorry, Dad, she already has hurt someone, she caused an accident that paralyzed someone who was talking to Tim at Mother’s campaign kick-off. He’s the guy Candace thought she was in love with. She ran the lady off the Maple Drive Bridge with her Porsche.”

  “It had to have been an accident. Maybe Candace wasn’t a victim of a robbery, maybe this fellow, Tim resolved to avenge the accident that paralyzed his girlfriend.”

  “Grayson, tell me about the twins, where can I find them?”

  “Avery, let’s think this through. You don’t know if these girls are your daughters, we have Candace to think about now. I’m calling Harvey to let him know about Tim. If he was at the rally, we will have his last name. I want him questioned in Candace’s murder.”

  Harvey Shantz was sleeping soundly when the ring of the telephone by his bedside woke him.

  “Harvey Shantz here,” he said trying to sound like his sleep hadn’t been disrupted.

  “Harvey, it’s Charles Conway, my son tells me Candace was involved in an accident causing an injury to another person. I believe the victim’s boyfriend could be responsible for Candace’s murder. His name is Tim; he was at the kick-off rally for Avery’s campaign. I’m going to headquarters now to find the name of every Tim on the registration list. I want you to meet me there and I want the man arrested for murder.”

  “Charles, I understand you are upset and I don’t blame you, we will need more evidence than a name on a registration, we can’t arrest a man without cause. Why don’t we wait until morning and I will meet you at headquarters? You and Avery get a good night’s sleep; I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Harvey, if it was your child who was brutally murdered, you wouldn’t let it go until morning.”

  “No, but I suggest you stay with your wife tonight, she needs you, Charles.”

  Charles liked the idea of Avery needing him. She was changing before his eyes; he hadn’t comprehended what she had said about giving birth to twin girls. How could she keep that information to herself all these years? He looked over at his wife and son talking quietly. He heard Grayson say they looked like Avery and they were beautiful and seemed happy.

  “I wonder why they never tried to find me?”

  “Maybe they wonder why you never tried to find them,” answered Grayson.

  “Oh, Gray, you are right, I should have looked for them. I’ve been so afraid of Grandfather’s wrath; I was afraid to let him know what I’d done.”

  “Mom, you’re not Grandfather’s little girl anymore, don’t hide from him any longer.

  “You called me Mom, I like that Grayson.”

  “I like it when you act like a mom. I’m sorry about Candace, she wasn’t a nice person but I will miss her.”

  Charles watched as mother and son bonded for the first time. Solving Candace’s murder was his priority; however, it could wait until morning. Grayson said goodnight and hugged both of his parents.

  “Charles, I don’t want to be alone, will you stay with me tonight?” asked Avery.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Avery, it’s your mother, your father’s plane lands at eight thirty, I want you here at the mansion at eight o’clock this morning.”

  “No, Mother, you and Father are welcome to come here but I’m not leaving my home, I have funeral arrangements to make for my daughter.”

  “Avery, you know your father will be exhausted when he arrives and will want to be in his own home.”

  “Mother, we will see you at our home when Father is rested.”

  “Avery, I’ve never heard you speak to your mother that way,” said Charles.

  “I have never spoken to her that way before, and it’s time I started. As Gray said, I’m not my father’s little girl anymore and that goes for Mother too. Are you still me
eting Harvey at the campaign office this morning?”

  “Yes, unless you need me here with you. I know you will be arranging for Candace’s funeral. I can’t believe I’m saying that.”

  “I know what you mean, I can’t believe she’s gone either. I’ll ever get over my guilt for not giving her the affection she deserved.”

  “Guilt drove you for years because of your twin daughters, don’t let guilt take hold of you again. You did the best you could with Candace. I must admit; she wasn’t the easiest child to love.”

  Charles was surprised when Avery kissed him on the lips and thanked him for his understanding. He liked this new Avery.

  Charles arrived at campaign headquarters and found Harvey and Officer Lance Cummings waiting for him.

  Harvey introduced Charles to Officer Cummings knowing he was an experienced investigator and would be more helpful in solving the crime than Harvey.

  Charles looked in the top drawer of the front desk and pulled out a folder containing the daily sign-in sheets handing it to Officer Cummings.

  Lance examined the pages until he spotted the name Timothy Hobart on the list dated the day of the rally for Avery Conway. After cross-referencing the telephone number, he discovered it was the main number to Hobart and Son Insurance Agency.

  “Shall we pay a visit to Mr. Hobart? Mr. Conway, you are welcome to join us if you care to.”

  “Thank you, Officer, if you think it’s appropriate, I’d like to see the man who had a relationship with my daughter.”

  Tim Hobart arrived in his office before the agency opened for the day. He’d picked up a copy of the Hillsboro Tribune on his way to the office.

  Tim sat at his desk and glanced at the headline:

  Granddaughter of Prominent Senator Slain

  It can’t be, thought Tim as he read the article. The thought of Candace Conway being shot dead made him feel sick to his stomach. He thought back to the time he’d rebuffed her attention at the rally for her mother. He’d been sorry he’d accepted the invitation when he realized she considered it a date. I could have been kinder and explained I am engaged to someone else.

  Tim tried catching up on the files he’d ignored yesterday after knocking off early to spend time with Shannon and the wedding planner. His mind wasn’t on his work; however, it was on Candace Conway. The article said she was walking from the campaign office to the rear parking lot and her late model Porsche. Is it possible Candace was driving the car that caused Elizabeth Carpenter’s accident?

  “Tim,” Patty said nervously over the intercom, “Commissioner Shantz is here to see you.”

  “Send him in, Patty.” Tim assumed the commissioner was here to talk about Candace’s murder. He had nothing to hide but was uncomfortable.

  “Mr. Hobart, Harvey Shantz,” the commissioner said shaking Tim’s hand. “This is Officer Cummings and Mr. Conway, Candace Conway’s father. Are you willing to speak with us about the death of Ms. Conway?”

  “Yes, sir, I don’t know how much help I will be, I barely knew Candace.”

  “You knew her, is that correct?”

  “Yes, I knew her. I met Candace the day I dropped by Avery Conway’s campaign headquarters a few months back. I am an admirer of Senator Beresford because of his efforts in the renovation of the downtown area. I was curious to meet his daughter and learn what her policies are in the upcoming election. Candace was gracious and invited me to attend a kick-off party for her mother that evening.”

  “Did you believe she had an interest in you personally when you accepted,” asked Lance.

  “No, sir, I thought her only interest was recruiting volunteers for her mother’s campaign. When I arrived at the country club that evening, I knew she had other intentions. I should have told her I was involved with someone and wasn’t on the market. I ran into an old friend from our high school days. Elizabeth and I spent the evening catching up on each other’s lives. We both had engagements later in the evening and I walked her to her car. When I returned to the party, I looked for Candace to thank her for inviting me but I didn’t see her and I left. That was the last time I saw Candace.”

  “Tim, my daughter told her brother she was in a relationship with a fellow named Tim, are you sure you didn’t give her false hope?”

  “If I did it was unintentional, sir. I was, and still am, involved with Shannon Ellis, she and I are planning our wedding in less than three weeks,” Tim answered.

  “There is something that is troubling me, gentleman and I’m reluctant to speak about it with Candace’s father in the room.”

  “Tim, don’t worry about my feelings. I am aware of my daughter’s temperament, nothing you say will offend me. I want her murder solved.”

  “As I said, I walked Elizabeth to her car. I noticed a red Porsche in the parking lot. It was exactly the car I’d dreamed of before I met Shannon and my plans changed. I stopped to admire it and continued to Elizabeth’s car.

  “It was only this week I learned Elizabeth was in a near fatal accident on her way to meet her fiancé that evening. Her car went off the Maple Drive bridge and plunged into the creek below. She was paralyzed with a severe back injury and spent the next couple months in a wheelchair. She has improved and is well on her way to regaining full use of her legs. Her memory of the accident is returning. She recalled seeing a red car she thought looked like the Porsche I admired in the parking lot. I read in the paper this morning that Candace is the owner of a Porsche.”

  “The Porsche is registered in my name but it belonged to Candace,” said Charles, “Gentlemen, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard about the accident involving the poor girl who was hurt. My son, Grayson, mentioned it last evening. I’m afraid I was preoccupied with Candace’s death and his words slipped my mind.”

  “Commissioner, this opens the possibility of a motive for the killing. It could be a case of revenge and not a robber,” said Officer Cummings. “Mr. Conway, will you give us permission to question your son about what he knows concerning the accident involving Elizabeth Carpenter?”

  “Yes.”

  “Son, Commissioner Shantz, and an officer are here to ask you questions about the accident involving Elizabeth Carpenter. I have given my permission, however, if you don’t want to talk to them, I will call our attorney.”

  “I’ll talk to them, Dad. Should I tell them Candace caused the accident? I don’t want to upset Mom.”

  “Tell them the truth, son.”

  “Grayson,” said Officer Cummings, after Grayson entered the living room. “your father tells us you might have information about your sister and an accident involving a woman named Elizabeth Welch Carpenter.”

  “Yes, sir,” Grayson replied while looking to his father for reassurance. Charles smiled and nodded his head.

  “It was the night of my mother’s campaign kick-off party. I was bored and tired of shaking hands and smiling. One old lady pinched my cheek and I had to get out of there. I pretended I was going to the bathroom and walked out to the parking lot.

  “I saw a guy and girl walking together. They stopped at Candace’s car and the guy looked it over. I heard the back door open and stepped out of sight. I watched as Candace stared at them. The guy walked the girl to her car and they hugged. The girl drove off and the guy walked back into the club.

  “I thought Candace was going inside too but she walked to her car and drove off following the girl out of the parking lot.

  “After she left, I went back to the party. I saw the guy walk in alone, he didn’t stay long after that. Grandmother’s chauffeur dropped me off at home. I wanted to see if Candace was home and walked around to the garage. She was kneeling in front of her precious car and looking at the bumper. I asked her if she hit something and she told me some jerk backed into her in the parking lot. I knew she was hiding something and told her I didn’t believe her. She wanted to brag about what she’d done and she said she ran the tramp off the road and killed her. Candace said I would be next if I told anyone and I knew s
he meant what she said. I looked through the papers and saw the report of a car going over the Maple Drive bridge and the driver was paralyzed.

  “I’m sorry Dad, I know I’m a chicken for not telling you about what Candace did. Are you arresting me, Officer?”

  “No, Grayson, we aren’t here to arrest you. Did your sister know the girl survived the accident?”

  “She knew and she was furious about it. She read in the paper that Elizabeth was getting married and went to the wedding uninvited. She acted stranger than usual when she came home. She gloated because Elizabeth was in a wheelchair but she was secretive about something else.”

  “What was she secretive about, Grayson?”

  Grayson looked at his father and said: “I don’t know; she didn’t say.”

  Lance Cummings knew the boy was not being honest but didn’t press him on his last statement. Instead, he thanked the boy for his cooperation and said he would contact him if he had any further questions.

  “Officer Cummings,” said Harvey Shantz, “you go on back to the station. I’ll wait here for the senator, if that’s all right with you, Mr. Conway.”

  Charles nodded his head in consent knowing the commissioner’s main concern was impressing his father-in-law with his presence.

  Officer Cummings returned to the station and studied the account of the accident involving Elizabeth Welch. The victim was partially paralyzed. Her prognosis at the time of the report was uncertain. The accident was blamed on poor lighting on a dark evening and a slight curve in the bridge. The investigator concluded it was a single automobile accident, and the case was closed.

  Recalling the conversation earlier with Tim Hobart, Lance knew Elizabeth Welch Carpenter recalled seeing a red car following her and resembling the one Tim admired in the parking lot.

  He called the phone number listed for Elizabeth. She answered on the first ring.

  “Mrs. Carpenter, my name is Lance Cummings, I’m with the Hillsboro Police Department. My partner, Ben Michaels, and I would like to talk to you about the accident you were involved in a few months ago.”