Dogs and More Dogs, Another Murder

by Christa Nardi

  “You don’t understand. That woman. She’s the housekeeper. She was supposed to help Justine. This is all her fault. Bad egg. Probably got as much money as she could from her and then killed her.”

  Jacob managed to move away from the chief and let loose a string of profanity. Pastor Pete moved forward, his face pale. He spoke calmly though and tried to disperse the crowd.

  “We all appreciate Jacob’s distress. Everyone handles grief differently. Perhaps everyone should move along. Thank you all for coming.” His arms spread, he moved forward and tried to herd them away.

  The man who had helped Mrs. Chantilly stepped around her, his head tilted as he studied Jacob. He squinted and grimaced.

  “Wait a minute. I remember you. Mean temper and mean right hook when I caught you cheating at poker at Joe’s a week ago.” He rubbed his jaw. “Manny said it was the second time you caused trouble. You disappeared mighty quick. Can’t hold your liquor, your mouth, or your temper. One big loser.”

  Jacob paled and mumbled something I didn’t understand.

  An older woman stepped forward scowling. “Not just a problem at Joe’s. I’m surprised he showed his face here. He’s nothing but a bully and drunk and he doesn’t pay his bills either. Jerome had to deal with him – I sure wasn’t going to. He owes us for his room at the Grove Inn, though he hasn’t shown up since last Thursday. Drunk most nights before that.”

  The woman spoke clearly and directed her comments at the chief. The chief shifted his attention from Jacob to her. In that split second, the next thing we knew, Jacob grabbed Lacie again and pulled a gun.

  “Now Jacob, what are you doing? I’m sure you can resolve the issue with the inn. We all know you’re under distress right now. Don’t make things worse. Somebody could get hurt. Just put the gun down and let Lacie go. What do you say?” The chief kept his voice even and didn’t take a step. Nobody else moved either.

  Jacob swore and shifted his stance. “Don’t anyone move or I’ll shoot her. I will.”

  Helen stepped forward, tears running down her cheeks. “Jacob, think about what you’re doing. Chief Peabody is right. Don’t make things any worse. So far you haven’t done anything bad. We’ll work this all out.”

  He shifted slightly again and I gasped, afraid he was going to turn the gun on Helen. Then Lacie stepped sideways, rolled, and Jacob was on the ground. She kicked the gun away from him and moved away. With no hesitation, the chief had him flipped over and handcuffed. Brett helped to get him standing up and secured the gun.

  The chief turned to the woman from the inn. “Ma’am, are you sure this is the man who was staying at your inn until the last few days?”

  “I sure am. He initially came in the week before and said he’d be leaving the next Monday. He was staying three days, he said. Saturday to Monday. But he kept extending his checkout date. Since Thursday, he’s only been in and out. I don’t know where he’s been staying. Personally I’m glad he was somewhere else. He was rude and his room reeked.”

  The chief nodded. “I’ll need your contact information so I can get an official statement.” He turned toward the man who had spoken up. “Yours, too.” Both immediately complied.

  Jacob squirmed. And I did the math. He’d been at the Sleep Softly Inn since Thursday. And if he’d arrived the Saturday before that, he’d been in Oak Grove before Justine was killed.

  Chief Peabody spoke to the woman again. “I’ll need a copy of your records to get the dates right.”

  “No problem.” She must have picked up on the importance of when Jacob arrived and she volunteered, “He’s had the rental car the whole time too.”

  “Jacob, you won’t be needing that rental right now. You’re coming with me to Clover Hill. Lacie, Preston will escort you since you never managed to get in yesterday on your own.” He stared at her until she nodded. Preston moved to her side. Brett accompanied Jacob and the chief to the chief’s car.

  Some of us stood there and didn’t move, others drifted off, convinced the excitement was over. One man stopped by Lacie before moving on. “I have to admit, that was great. How’d you know how to do that?”

  Lacie actually smiled. “I work as a police dispatcher and part of the training was in self-defense. You know like if they brought in someone and they managed to get to me. First time I actually had to use it – if he hadn’t shifted his position, I’m not sure I’d have been able to take the step and roll.”

  The man grinned. “Guess the jerk didn’t count on that.”

  As he walked away, I heard Helen mutter, “I need to get some of that self-defense training.” I smiled.

  CHAPTER 27

  The adrenalin rush faded and Brett and I made our excuses. Neither of us said a word until we stopped at Seafood Grill & Deli for lunch. Even though it wasn’t crowded, Brett requested a booth in the back. As soon as we were seated and our orders taken, I offered my opinion.

  “He could have killed Justine. If the lady from the inn was right, he was in Oak Grove before Justine was killed.”

  “Here or not, doesn’t mean he killed her. It still could have been Lacie.”

  “Now, Detective,” I teased. “Don’t you have to identify a motive? He had motive – he wants the property so he can sell it to JJ Properties. What would Lacie’s motive be?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe Justine had something on her? Owed her money? Maybe she was upset about the dogs? No idea. It does sound like he arrived long before Wednesday. That’s the problem with cell phones. The area code doesn’t tell you where the person is or where they live even. Who’d think to do a trace if you’re calling someone to notify them of a death?”

  “Sounds like he was right there in Oak Grove when he got the call that Justine had passed away. And I wondered why his sister could get here from Seattle sooner than he could from Atlanta.”

  “Any chance Jacob and Helen worked together?”

  “I’m sticking to my initial impression. She hadn’t seen the house – outside or in – before we met her there. I may not know her whole story and how much she needs the money or if she’d want to sell. Her shock at the condition of the house was real.”

  Brett’s phone rang. “Yes?”

  “We’re at Seafood Grill & Deli, what would you expect?”

  “Got it.”

  He hung up and signaled the waitress. “Peabody’s on his way.”

  As the waitress approached, he added, “A friend is going to join us. He’d like the shrimp hoagie and chips please. Coffee when he gets here.”

  She nodded and walked away.

  “What’d he say?”

  “Jacob answered some questions and then lawyered up.”

  We’d finished eating when the chief arrived. He pulled up a chair and attacked the sandwich after a rushed “Thank you. How’s your jaw?”

  “Sore, but I’ll live.”

  A few bites and a sip of coffee later, he shook his head.

  “No breakfast and that man tried my patience. He’d spin a tale and then contradict himself. Swore the woman from the Grove Inn was confused and had her dates wrong. Insisted he made the reservation because he didn’t want to stay at the house and then forgot to cancel it when I reserved rooms for them here in Clover Hill.”

  “There must be a way to verify it, right?”

  He held his hand up. “I asked about Mr. Bixley. That was the man who implied – and since confirmed – that he caught Jacob cheating in a poker game and got clipped in the jaw as a result. Jacob doesn’t remember that at all. Given how drunk he was the other night, I’m not surprised.”

  “Where’d he get the gun?”

  “As I expected, the gun was registered to Herman Stoneham. Jacob’s prints matched those on the safe, inside and out. Ammunition was in the rental car. He admitted breaking into the house and opening the safe. He cursed a lot but the gist of it was there was no will or anything that specifically said only he should get the property.”

  “Did he say why he took the gun? Why he brought i
t to the memorial service?”

  The chief grimaced. “He repeated his belief he’d inherit the property. Said if he was going to be rich, he needed protection.”

  I shook my head. “What about the law firm?” I secretly hoped there was something in place to favor Helen.

  “Standard will. Everything to Justine and then to Jacob and Helen evenly, or to their heirs. The only hitch? It was never signed.”

  I groaned. “Did you ever find out anything about the scratches and puncture wound? Maybe he makes it a habit of irritating people when he’s drunk.”

  “He didn’t recall that either. The doctor who examined him said if he had to guess, it was a from a dog or cat. Maybe the Grove Inn has pets.”

  The chief ate a few more bites of food. Brett took advantage of the lull and asked, “When did he ask for his attorney?”

  The chief snorted. “About the time Preston interrupted and handed me a copy of the car rental agreement. He picked up the car at the airport a week ago Saturday morning. He’s been right here in Virginia for more than a week. He only acknowledges the last six days.”

  He shrugged. “We’ve asked Mrs. Carter, the woman at the Grove Inn to send us the credit card record and his signature on the registration form. She confirms he arrived that Saturday. Unfortunately, it doesn’t prove anything, except he was here and lied.”

  I groaned. “Too bad he won’t confess. He called his attorney?”

  “No. He called his sister and asked her to find one for him. He started yelling at her and told her he has no money until he sells the house and property. His phone is now in pieces on the floor. She apparently said she couldn’t or wouldn’t pay for his attorney. We had to make the calls to get him an attorney on the county. In the meantime? He’s our guest.”

  We nodded. Brett tapped his watch and stood. “Keep us posted. We have a few errands to run before Maddie gets home.”

  In the car on the way home, Brett set his jaw.

  “What’s up? Does your jaw hurt?”

  “It does. And I’m thinking. All this with Helen and Jacob and their dysfunctional family? It makes me worry about Maddie and what will happen down the road with Victoria.”

  Victoria was his ex-wife and Maddie’s mother. She and Roger were some place in Europe. In six months, the only contact with Maddie had been a quick phone call at Christmas.

  He leaned enough to squeeze my leg. “Glad to have you on this adventure with me, Sheridan.”

  CHAPTER 28

  We ran a few errands and were home before Maddie. She came home and went straight to her room. What with spending most of Sunday at the Stoneham house, I hadn’t talked to my parents. I decided to rectify that. They were both retired and home most of the time.

  “Hi, Mom. How are you and Dad doing?”

  “Hello Sheridan. We thought you’d forgotten about us. You know we wait for your call on Sundays.”

  I groaned to myself. “Yes, I know. There were some deaths, and then the dogs I told you about last week? Very long days and with the college not yet in session, I’m afraid I sometimes lose track of what day it is.”

  “You need to be careful. Memory loss is a sign of aging, you know. Your father can’t seem to remember anything, least of all the things I ask him to do. Funny, he has no trouble remembering his meals.”

  Smiling, I asked, “Are you getting out some? You need to get some exercise.”

  “Have you looked at a weather map? You may be having a January thaw down there, but we are knee-deep in snow. One day last week it got up to the 40s and we walked through the slush to see a movie. The center was showing one of those old Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies. They served hot cocoa – sugar free, of course.”

  “That sounds like fun. I do have a question, Mom. We just got back from a memorial service and one of the problems? No one knows where his will is. I realized I don’t remember where your wills are.”

  “Well, there certainly was a question in there somewhere, I think. We don’t plan on dying anytime soon, but yes, Sheridan, we have wills and they are with our attorney, along with all the rest of the paperwork so you, Kayla or Kevin can make decisions when we aren’t able. I don’t like to think about that happening.”

  “No, Mom, none of us do. I’m still glad you have it all set, and knowing you, the attorney information is on the contact sheet in the drawer, right?” I chuckled. The rest of the world may use technology, but my parents had a handwritten list of important contacts.

  “That’s right. I had to redo it when you moved to Clover Hill. It’s neat and up to date. It’s been good talking to you dear, but your dad sat down at the table and wants his dinner. We’ll talk next week – on Sunday, right?”

  “That’s right.”

  I disconnected and shook my head. Brett gave me a hug.

  “Awkward, huh? I keep avoiding asking my parents or my brothers.”

  I nodded and checked on our dinner. It was almost dinner time, the roast cooked and table set, when the doorbell sounded. It was Chief Peabody. I hoped it meant good news.

  “Come on in. Have you eaten?”

  “Thanks. No, but don’t worry.” He tapped his gut and chuckled. “I’m obviously not starving – Alice feeds me well.”

  He followed us into the kitchen and I grabbed an extra place setting in case he changed his mind. We all laughed as his stomach disagreed with his words.

  Maddie playfully punched his arm. “You’ll love Sheridan’s roast.”

  “If you’re sure it’s not a problem?”

  “Not at all. There’s plenty.”

  Food on the table, Maddie asked, “Are all the dogs taken care of now? No more found?”

  “Yes, Maddie, all the dogs from the Stoneham place have been found.”

  “And from what Mrs. C told us Sunday, most have been re-homed in foster care. We’ll need to go there on Saturday.”

  “What about the mamas and pups?”

  “We’ll see on Saturday, but I think she said even some of the puppies.”

  Maddie continued to talk about the mamas and pups while we ate. When we finished and we were all silent, she took the cue and disappeared to her room to watch a movie.

  The chief leaned back into his chair. “It’s been an interesting afternoon. Helen buckled and found him an attorney. Jacob met with the man. The attorney looked about twelve years old. I asked him how much experience he had and he hedged.” The chief shook his head. “First murder case, I’d bet.”

  “So what happened?”

  “Well, he convinced Jacob to tell his story, sure he could make a case for voluntary manslaughter.”

  “Huh?” I didn’t understand what that meant.

  “According to his statement? He had to drive in this direction for his job and decided to stop in and see his parents. He became distraught when he discovered that his father was dead and buried in the backyard. That and his shock at the condition of the house and all the dogs. He had picked up a loose piece of wood and the next thing he knew he hit his mother with it. Then one of the dogs attacked him and he hit the dog. Other dogs started after him, he freaked out, and drove back to Oak Grove. Said he didn’t know she was dead until I called him.”

  “And that qualifies as manslaughter?”

  He rolled his eyes. “The attorney believes that his actions were the result of the heat of passion as a result of reasonable provocation.”

  “He left her there to die.”

  The chief shrugged. “I don’t know that the prosecutor will buy it any more than you. Jacob says they were outside and she ended up in the bedroom upstairs.”

  “I’ve read about head injuries where the person gets up, walks away, and dies later. Is that possible with Justine?”

  He shrugged. “The coroner will have to determine that.”

  “Well, at least we know who killed her, right?”

  “Right now, we have him on assault. That’s actually all he admitted to.”

  Brett leaned forward. “What about Lac
ie?”

  “He was still ranting that she was at fault. Right now, she’s our guest as well. I was too exhausted to deal with her.” He cleared his throat. “Um. Sheridan, I was wondering if you’d be willing to sit in on that interview?”

  I could hardly refuse. It was hard enough not to show my excitement while Brett groaned.

  CHAPTER 29

  When the alarm went off and I had to get up, eat, and get dressed earlier than I wanted, I had second thoughts. Chief Peabody decided we’d start at nine o’clock. Groaning, I was dressed by the time Maddie and Brett left. Not my usual routine though that would have to change by next week and the start of classes.

  Preston nodded when I walked in.

  “Good morning, Dr. Hendley. I’ll let the chief know you’re here.”

  Seated on the bench in the reception area, I didn’t have to wait long. The chief stuck his head out and waved me in.

  “Morning. Come on back. She’s already in the interview room. Coffee?”

  “Of course.”

  We stopped at the break room and grabbed coffees for all of us. We walked into the room and Lacie glared at me.

  “Coffee. I asked Sheridan to be here given that you’ve been my employee for several years now. At every turn, more information points to you being involved. You understand that, don’t you?”

  She nodded and wrung her hands.

  “Let’s get this over with. Jacob indicated you were the housekeeper for his parents.”

  “Yes, sir. For many years, I went over there weekly and helped Justine, until Herman retired. He decided they didn’t need as much help with him at home, too. After that it was only once a month. Or if Herman went somewhere and Justine wanted help while he was gone.”

  He shuffled some papers and handed her telephone records dating back two years ago. “This here shows a call from the Stoneham’s land line to your number here at the station, not once, but several times, over two days. What was that all about?”

  “Justine wasn’t calling to report a crime. She called because Herman died. They were watching television and he slumped over, dead.”