“I’d be happy to talk with you, Officer. Lately, I have remembered something about that night although I’m not sure if my recollection is correct. I’m working at Buds and Blooms Flower Emporium and will be here until later this afternoon. You are welcome to stop by the shop.”
The officers arrived within an hour after Lance’s call to Elizabeth.
“Come to Molly’s office, we can speak freely there.”
“You seem to be recovering nicely from the accident, Mrs. Carpenter.”
“Yes, I’m happy to say my hard work in physical therapy is paying off. The doctors tell me I’ll be hiking and jogging again before too long.”
“You say your memory of the night of the accident is returning.”
“Yes, at least I think I remember correctly. I met an old friend at a political fundraiser. I had to leave to meet my fiancé for dinner and Tim walked me to my car. He stopped to admire a red sports car, it was a Porsche although I wouldn’t have known that if he hadn’t told me. I was driving toward the Maple Drive bridge when I noticed a car following closely behind me. I could be mistaken, but it was the same car that was in the parking lot. I wanted to pull over to let him pass but there is only one lane on the bridge. I felt a bump and the next thing I knew I was in the hospital. I don’t know if the memory is real or maybe the result of a dream.”
“How well did you know Candace Conway?”
“I read about her death in the paper. What a senseless killing that was. I didn’t know Candace well. I met her when I attended her mother’s campaign kick-off at the country club. I was curious about Avery Conway and wanted to know more about her political leanings. I ran into Tim and we talked until it was time for me to leave.
“I was surprised when Candace attended my wedding, I thought maybe she was a friend of my husband, Brad. but he didn’t know her. I know she wasn’t on my invitation list.”
“Did it seem strange to you she would show up without an invitation?”
“I’ll be honest with you, Officer. I wasn’t thinking too much about Candace Conway that day. There were other strange happenings and I was mostly happy to be alive and marrying the man I love. I know that sounds corny.”
“Not at all, Mrs. Carpenter.”
On their return to the station, Ben looked at his partner. “You are thinking the same thing I am, aren’t you Lance?”
“I’m thinking I’d like to talk with Brad Carpenter. Mrs. Carpenter told us where he works, shall we stop by for a friendly chat?”
Brad Carpenter was saying goodbye to his client when Officers Cummings and Michaels arrived at his office. Brad nodded and held the door open for them.
“Good afternoon, we are here to see Brad Carpenter, is he in?”
“I’m Brad Carpenter, Officers, how can I help you?” asked Brad.
“Is there somewhere we can talk privately, Mr. Carpenter?”
“Please come in my office, what is this all about?” They walked into Brad’s office and he closed the door.
“Mr. Carpenter, do you own a gun?”
“A gun? Yes, I do, I have a license to carry a gun although I don’t have it in my house. My wife hates guns and I keep mine at my dad’s house, why do you ask?”
“How long ago did you buy the gun?”
“I’ve had it for years, I grew up on a farm, my friends and I would have contests to see who could hit tin cans off the fence on the property.”
“When was the last time you used the gun for target practice?”
“Before I left for college at the university here. I met my wife, and she is adamantly opposed to guns of any kind. I like her more than I like to target practice. Why are you asking me these questions, do I need a lawyer?”
“That is your right, sir. My partner and I are here because your wife tells us she is remembering the night of the accident that left her temporarily paralyzed and could have resulted in her death. Are you aware that Candace Conway drove a red Porsche, the same type of automobile your wife recalls seeing in her rearview mirror that evening?”
“Candace Conway, isn’t she the girl who was found murdered?”
“Yes, sir, what do you know about her murder?”
“Only what I read in the paper.”
“Did you read she is the owner of a red Porsche?”
Brad thought for a moment before he said, “yes, I don’t think the article said anything about the car being red although I knew it was a Porsche.”
“Your wife tells us Candace Conway attended your wedding without an invitation, did you know the young lady, Mr. Carpenter?”
“No, I didn’t know her, if she was at the wedding, I didn’t see her. What are you implying, Officer?”
“We are investigating a crime, Mr. Carpenter, you seem nervous, sir.”
“Yes, I’m nervous. Two police officers are in my office questioning me about guns and cars and the murder of a girl I don’t even know who is dead from a gunshot wound to the chest.”
“How do you know the bullet entered her chest?”
“Because I read it in the paper,” he reached into his trash can and pulled out the paper and pointed to the description of where the bullet entered her body.
“Mr. Carpenter, after your wife remembered what happened the night of the accident, weren’t you looking for a red Porsche and discovered Candace Conway was the driver of that same car? Your wife went through an enormous amount of pain because of her injuries. Weren’t you furious at the driver of the car that caused her suffering?”
“I knew nothing about Candace Conway and didn’t know the car she drove. If I knew her, I would want her to face the consequences of her actions but I would never take it upon myself to murder her in cold blood. I have nothing more to say, Officers. If you suspect I am guilty of a crime, you should arrest me. I have nothing more to say about the matter.”
“Mr. Carpenter, you leave us no choice, if you won’t answer questions here, we must place you under arrest on suspicion of murder. Officer Michaels will read you your rights.”
Lance Cummings placed handcuffs around Brad’s wrists and escorted him through the office.
“Brad,” called Brooke Hartley when she watched him being led from the office.
“Call Elizabeth, Brooke, tell her not to worry.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Lance, are you sure you want to do this?”
“Ben, I don’t have a choice. I don’t think this guy killed that girl but I’ve got to show Senator Beresford we are taking his granddaughter’s murder seriously. I got a call from Shantz. He told me to find a suspect. We’ll question Mr. Carpenter for a couple hours and let him go.”
“I don’t like it; we could be accused of false arrest by this guy.”
“Ben, if it comes to that I’ll tell them you didn’t want to arrest him and I forced you into it. The girl was a victim of a robbery gone bad, however, the senator won’t be satisfied with that answer.”
“The girl and her brother should be in jail. She’s guilty of attempted murder and the kid knew what she’d done and said nothing. I wouldn’t blame Brad Carpenter if he killed Candace.”
Brooke punched in Molly’s number on her cell phone. “Molly, thank heaven you’re back from lunch. Is Elizabeth with you?”
“She’s here, Brooke. What’s wrong you sound frantic?”
“It’s Brad, the police hauled him away in handcuffs. I don’t know why. He told me to tell Elizabeth not to worry, but he looked frightened.”
“Luke is still here; he’ll know where to go and what to do. Thanks for calling, Brooke.”
Molly told Elizabeth what had happened. Luke was on his phone trying to get
answers.
“It’s my fault, the police were here while you were out and I told them I remembered a red car following me the night of the accident. Avery Conway’s daughter, Candace, has a car like that. They must think Brad killed her because of what happened to me. I know he wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“I’
m sure it’s all a big mistake. Luke will drive us to the police station or wherever they took him. It will be all right, Elizabeth,” Molly said without conviction.
Senator Beresford’s driver pulled in front of the Conway home. Reporters were swarming around the security gates at the entrance.
His assistant stepped out of the limousine, “Hey fellas, give the family privacy. The senator is mourning the loss of his grandchild. We will give you an official statement soon but let him console his daughter now.”
The reporters shouted questions but were stopped from entering the driveway thanks to two large security guards.
“Avery, darling, how are you holding up?” asked the senator sincerely. “I’m shocked that Candace died in this way, I’m sure the commissioner has his best men on the case and will bring the murderer to justice.”
“Yes, sir,” said a nervous Harvey Shantz. “My men have a fellow in custody and are interrogating him as we speak.”
“That’s good, Harvey, thanks for staying with my daughter although I’m here now so you may leave.”
Harvey knew when he was being dismissed and left.
“Hamilton, you shouldn’t have intimidated Harvey like that. He is only trying to help your daughter in this horrific situation,” said Alexis Beresford.
“Alexis, Harvey Shantz is only trying to help himself. Leave me alone with my daughter. I don’t know why you waited so long to be with her during this crisis.”
“Hamilton, I was waiting for you. I wanted to accompany you here myself.”
“Alexis, I’m a grown man. I’m sure I could have found my way to Avery’s home without your help. Now, go out and look at her garden or powder your nose or do whatever you want to do but leave us alone.”
“Father, you are so mean to Mother,” Avery chuckled. “No wonder she stays in Hillsboro when you are in Washington.”
“Your mother and I have a mutual understanding; I make the money and she spends it.”
“There is more to it than that and you know it. She loves you in her own way. She will do anything to protect you from reality.”
“My wife is afraid of me but let’s not talk about her, how are you holding up? Candace’s murder has to have been a shock to you.”
“Father, I won’t lie to you about Candace. She was always a difficult child. I blame myself; I never loved Charles and didn’t want his children. I’ve been a horrible wife and a worse mother. It’s only been a day since Candace’s death but We are finally growing closer as a family. Charles has been supportive. I’m seeing a side of him that I never noticed before. Grayson is calling us mom and dad for the first time, he seems to have survived being born into this family. He’s a good boy.”
“Yes, he is a good boy. He has a bright future ahead of him. I only hope I will live long enough to see him take the oath of office as President of the United States.”
“Father, don’t you think Grayson should be the one who decides what he wants to do for the rest of his life?”
“There is nothing wrong with guiding him on the right path. Where is that husband of yours?”
“He’s at the police station, they have a suspect in for questioning in Candace’s murder and he likes being a part of the investigation.”
“Officer Cummings, are you sure you have the right person?” asked Charles. “He doesn’t look like the type who would shoot someone in cold blood.”
“We are interrogating Mr. Carpenter. He had a motive, and he owns a gun.”
“I own a gun, sir, that doesn’t mean the man used his on my daughter.”
“If he’s innocent, he has nothing to fear.”
“You only brought him in to appease my father-in-law, isn’t that the case, Officer?”
“You’re welcome to wait in the lobby, Mr. Conway.”
Charles knew he’d hit a nerve. He wouldn’t let this farce go on much longer. He’d call Harvey if they didn’t let the poor chap go.
Charles walked to the lobby and saw a young woman in tears.
“Luke is sure they will let Brad go soon, Elizabeth, the bullet found in the body doesn’t match the gun registered to Brad.”
“Thanks, Molly, I don’t know what I’d do without you and Luke.”
Charles walked past the two women and stopped short when he glanced at the girl called Molly. He gasped, and she looked at him in surprise.
“I’m sorry, miss, I didn’t mean to stare, you look like someone I know.”
Molly laughed, “you must mean my twin sister, Stephanie, we look alike.”
“You have a twin sister?” he asked trying to keep his voice calm.
“Yes, she and I never knew the other existed until we moved to Hillsboro. It’s a long story but we’re happy we found each other.”
“It sounds like a plot to a good mystery story. I don’t want to intrude on your personal business but how did you not know about each other?”
Molly didn’t know why she was talking to this stranger about her life but she found him kind and told him about being left in a church cradle while her sister was left on the stairs of a firehouse.
“It sounds like you both had wonderful parents. Do you ever wonder about your birth mother?”
“Only after we discovered we were twins. We have wondered why she abandoned us and left us miles from each other. It’s one thing to put a baby up for adoption and another to leave infants alone in the world.”
“Don’t be too hard on your birth mother, there might have been others responsible for your fate.”
Luke walked into the lobby. “Hello, Mr. Conway,” Luke shook the man’s hand and identified himself. “I’m sorry for the loss of your daughter.”
“Thank you, son. Did you know Candace?”
“No, sir I’m afraid we never met. I recently visited your wife’s campaign headquarters and picked up one of her pamphlets. The one with the family picture on the front, your wife is a beautiful woman,” Luke said.
“Yes, she is,” he answered glancing at Molly. “If you will excuse me, I must get home to my family. It was nice meeting all of you.”
Charles walked out door. He wanted to question Molly further, and he suspected Luke was thinking the same thing he was and he wanted to talk to Avery first.
“What was that all about, Luke?” asked Molly. “You two acted like you were speaking in code.”
“Are they letting Brad go?” asked Elizabeth.
“He’ll be out shortly; we’ll wait with you until he comes.”
Molly noticed Luke was silent while they waited for Brad. She wanted to push him but knew he would tell her what was on his mind when he thought it through.
“Father,” said Avery Conway, “I’ll tell you something that will upset you. I want to tell you when Mother isn’t in the room. I have kept a secret from you for twenty-five years and it’s time you knew the truth.”
“What are you talking about, Avery? What happened twenty-five years ago? You were a baby.”
“No, Father, I wasn’t a baby, I was sixteen-years-old, and I fell in love with a boy.”
“Sweetheart, everybody falls in love at sixteen. Those romances seldom last through high school.”
“You’re right, the romance didn’t last but my pregnancy did.”
“Avery, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I gave myself to the boy and ended up pregnant. I didn’t tell Mother until it was too late to have an abortion. I was happy about that. I gave birth to twin girls. Father, I was young, but I loved those tiny creatures with all my heart. They were with me for three days while Mother was in Washington with you. When she came home, she took the babies from me and told me she found a good home for them.
“It was a lie, she arranged for one to be left at a fire station in Mills Crossing and the other in a church in Newberry. Nanny Emma confessed before she died that she left the baby she took inside the church in a cradle that was set up for a children’s nativity play. Mother left the other baby on the steps of the firehous
e in the middle of December.
“I wrote everything in a journal that I’d hidden, however, Candace found it and hid it in her room. Grayson found the journal recently and read it. He told Charles and me last night he knew about the babies and that Candace had known they were in town for several weeks. Grayson said he saw two women who looked like me in a pub yesterday.
“I want to find my children, Father. I know it will be the end of my political career but I want those girls in my life. That is if they will forgive me.”
“Let me get this straight. You let some boy have his way with you, you got pregnant, had the babies and your mother took them away. That was twenty-five years ago, and nobody bothered to tell me?”
“Mother didn’t want to upset you, Father.”
“She didn’t want to upset me? I’m upset now. I have two grown granddaughters and I’m only now finding out about them. What you did twenty-five years ago, was forgivable, what your mother did was not.”
“Father, I don’t want you to be upset with Mother. She thought she was doing the right thing for your career and my reputation.”
“I’ll deal with her later. I want to talk to Grayson; I must find my granddaughters.”
Brad walked out of the interrogation room and into the waiting arms of Elizabeth.
“Darling, Brooke said they handcuffed you, are you all right?” Elizabeth looked for marks on his wrists and was relieved when she saw they were clear.
“I’m fine, I was more worried about you than I was me. They only brought me in to impress Senator Beresford. It’s obvious Candace Conway was responsible for your injuries and it wasn’t accidental.”
“To go to such extremes, she had to be a troubled girl,” said Elizabeth. “I wonder if she showed up at our wedding to finish the job? I didn’t invite her and you didn’t know her.”
“Let’s get out of here and salvage what’s left of the day,” Brad said as he led Elizabeth out of the police station and into Luke’s car for a ride to the parking lot outside his office.
Murder in Hillsboro Page 10
