Greg left his mother’s house thinking the woman needs a hobby, she has too much time on her hands. He couldn’t use any of her gossip, although he did wonder why Brad Pickett would pick up with Carolina again.
***
“Dad,” cried Alexander Snow over the phone. “I just read about Carolina Bloom’s death online. They say mom is a person of interest. Dad, I’m coming home.”
“Alex, they are talking to your mother, she is one of the few people who knew Carolina. I’m sure they can’t charge her with a crime she didn’t do.”
“Dad, I’m booking a flight as we speak. You stay with Mom, I’ll rent a car or catch a ride to your house. Have you spoken with Ted Blake?”
“Yes, he came over today and will be with your mom tomorrow when the police question her again.”
“Good, looks like I’ll be in around seven. I’ll see you then. Give Mom a hug.”
***
“Alex, it’s Jake. Has your mother called you?”
“No, I called Dad when I read Mom is a person of interest in a suspicious death. I’m on my way to the airport.”
“I’ll pick you up, what time does your flight get in?”
Alex knew he could count on Jake to be there for him and his family. Jake had been his best friend for as long as he could remember. No matter the distance between them, they were still best friends.
Chapter Seventeen
Despite Rebecca’s delight in seeing Alex at her door, she said he shouldn’t have traveled all this way.
“Your job is too important, you are doing good work and I don’t need you to hold my hand, although I am happy, you’re here.”
“I couldn’t let you and Dad go through this without being home. I know Ted will represent you well. He’s a good man and a good lawyer.”
“I’m not worried,” Rebecca replied. “That’s a fib, Alex, I’ve never been so frightened before. A woman was poisoned and my fingerprints are on the bottles containing the poison.”
“You have every right to be frightened, you aren’t going to like this, I called Kenzie, she’s coming home.”
“No, Andy, call her, tell her I’m fine. She’s having such a wonderful time overseas. I’ve managed to disrupt both our children’s lives.”
“Mom, we want to be with you, so stop worrying about us. You don’t mind if Jake and I grab a beer?”
“Where are my manners, let me get beers for you. How about a nice ham sandwich, you must be starving?”
“Maybe later, I want you to tell me anything you can think of. Why was Carolina Bloom in Oakwood Park? Did Brad Pickett follow her here, or did Carolina follow him?”
“Alex, that’s enough, your mother has been answering questions all day,” Andy said as he handed his wife a martini with a twist.
Rebecca smiled. “Just what the doctor ordered,” she said as she sipped the drink. “Andy, Alex has come all this way, the least I can do is tell him why the police suspect me of cold-blooded murder.”
“No, Dad’s right; you’ve been through enough for one day. Relax and drink your drink. I have some news of my own.”
“You’ve met someone!”
“No, nothing like that. I’ve been thinking of moving back to Oakwood Park. I never should have left in the first place. The law office takes up four floors in the building. I’m on the 22nd floor and I’ve never met most occupants of the 26th floor. They are all vice-presidents and officers and such.
“My good intentions of being a lawyer to help those in need quickly faded as I was caught up in my quest to reach the 26th floor. My cases involved researching legitimate allegations against corporations and finding ways to disprove the claims.
“When Dad called me today, I knew Oakwood Park is where I want to be, not only to be with you while the police investigate Carolina Bloom’s death but for the foreseeable future.”
“Alex, that would make me so happy, however, I want you to take some time to think about your decision. I’m sure this thing will be cleared up in a day or two. A number of people disliked Carolina, I just have to figure out who disliked her enough to kill her.”
“That’s enough talk about murder,” said Andy, “let’s relax with our drinks; I’ll get you boys those beers unless you want something stronger.”
“Thanks, Mr. Snow,” said Jake, “a beer sounds great. Alex, when did you say Kenzie will be arriving in town?”
“Sometime tomorrow, she figured around eleven o’clock. She’ll call when she knows the time. Why do you ask? Don’t tell me you want to see the little pest?”
“It will be good to see her, she wasn’t a pest, you were mean to her if I remember. I tried to be her friend. Anyway, I thought I could pick her up at the airport since you folks will be busy in the morning.”
“Gee, that’s nice of you, Jake. Mom, is it okay if I move that photo of Kenzie closer to Jake so he doesn’t have to strain his neck to stare at it?” Alex laughed.
“You caught me, okay, I admit, I’m anxious to see the little twerp all grown up. She really did turn into a beauty.”
Rebecca and Andy smiled, they were both thinking how nice it would be to have Jake Morgan in the family.
The foursome shared a nice evening, unfortunately, by bedtime, the effects of the martinis had worn off and Rebecca and Andy slept fitfully until morning.
***
“Hi, Alex, how’s Mom doing?” Kenzie asked when she called from the terminal at JFK.
“She’s being questioned by the detectives. Ted Blake is in with her. Dad’s nervously pacing the floor. When do you get to Oakwood Park?”
“The plane lands at eleven forty-five. They are boarding now, so I’d better go. Tell Mom and Dad I love them and don’t worry about me, I’ll take a cab to the house.”
“No, don’t do that. Jake Morgan will meet you at the airport. You remember Jake, don’t you?” Alex asked with a knowing laugh.
“Do I remember dreamy Jake? Yes, is he still as gorgeous as he was when I was a kid?”
“No, he’s pretty ugly, you’ll recognize him by the warts on his face.”
“Oh, shut up, Alexander. You’d better treat your little sister nice, I know all your secrets.”
Alex called Jake to let him know Kenzie’s arrival time. “She wanted to know if you are still gorgeous and I told her ‘no, you are still as ugly as ever.”
“Good, then she’ll be delightfully surprised when she sees I’m still gorgeous. We’ll see you at your house. Hope everything is going well with your Mom.”
“We’ll find out soon. See you later, pal. By the way, no stopping on the way at some sleazy bar with my kid sister.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll come straight from the motel,” Jake laughed.
***
“Mrs. Snow, Mr. Blake, thank you for coming in this morning,” said Detective North.
Rebecca glanced on his desk and noticed a copy of her high school yearbook. She knew he’d probably left it where she could see it to see what her reaction would be.
“Mrs. Snow, when did you rekindle your romance with Bradley Pickett?”
“Detective, you know that is not a proper question,” said Ted Blake.
“I’ll be happy to answer, Ted. I do not have a relationship with Brad Pickett. He was my boyfriend in high school and, as you know, he left me alone at our senior prom while he went off with Carolina Bloom. Our relationship ended that night. After graduation, I hadn’t laid eyes on him until a few months ago when he arrived at my doorstep uninvited. I’d have forgotten about the prom episode long ago if you and others didn’t remind me of it constantly.”
“Did you hate Carolina Bloom for helping humiliate you that night?”
“I have never hated anyone in my life. I tried to be a friend to Carolina. I’d come to learn her childhood was not a happy one and I sympathized with her. The reason my fingerprints were on those juice bottles was that she’d asked me to bring them to her. I did as she requested and placed them in the refrigerator in the kitchen of her
hotel suite.”
Dan held the yearbook in his hand. “There are a number of photographs in here of you and Bradley Pickett. A love like that doesn’t end after one little tiff.”
Rebecca felt Ted’s hand on her arm. He knew he was telling her to calm down and not take the bait.
“Detective North, it was a high school romance; I was too young to know about love. I didn’t find it until I met Andrew Snow.”
“You had to be jealous of Carolina Bloom for running off with your boyfriend on the most important night of your young life.”
“No, I wasn’t jealous, in fact, I didn’t know it was Carolina until recently. It seems the entire town knew the whole story but I was in the dark.”
“Who did you think he was with?”
“I know I was naïve, I thought he’d gone to some bar on the outskirts of town to drink beer with his buddies. I figured he’d picked up some floozy. After Carolina came to town, someone mentioned she’d been the one Brad was with that night.”
“What was your reaction to that bit of information?”
“I was surprised but it was a long time ago and it doesn’t matter who he was with that night.”
“How long did it take to get over the humiliation?” Dan asked.
“Not long at all. My older sisters took me to New York City to get my mind off the dance. We were interviewed outside the Today show where I told my story and was able to laugh about it. By the time I got back to Oakwood Park, most of my friends had seen a tape of the show and praised me for my courage. I’m not sure I was courageous, it was my sisters who made me realize my world hadn’t come to an end.”
“Your world didn’t end but Carolina Bloom’s world did. That’s it for now, Mrs. Snow. I’ll let you know if we have anything further.”
***
Rebecca and Ted walked out of the detective’s office and were greeted by Andy and Alex.
“She did beautifully, I wish all my clients were as persuasive as Rebecca, I don’t think Detective North will be bothering you again.”
“Do you really think it’s over, Ted? Someone caused Carolina’s death and I want to find out who. I owe the woman that much.”
“Rebecca, what do you owe Carolina Bloom?” Andy cried. “She went out of her way to embarrass you by flaunting your old boyfriend in your face. She wasn’t a kind person.”
“Andy, look what I have, a fabulous husband, wonderful kids, and great childhood memories. Carolina had none of that. Maybe she deserves to have someone on her side even after her death.
“Now, let’s get home and wait for our daughter’s arrival. I can’t wait to see her.”
Chapter Eighteen
Barbara Tinsdale, Mr. Carlson’s assistant, sat nervously in the waiting area of the police station. Detective North had summoned her for questioning.
Barb is a slightly built woman who has worked for the Carlsons for twenty of her fifty-three years. Although she is small in stature, she portrays herself as a no-nonsense woman who frightens the staff members into staying in line. Although only a few years her junior, Barry Kemp is like the son Barb never had.
Barb knows the station operation better than Mr. Carlson. When Carolina Bloom arrived in town several months ago, Barb advised her boss to not be persuaded by Carolina’s looks.
“That woman is trouble Angus, no good can come from hiring her.”
“Nonsense, Barb,” Angus replied, “Carolina will bring a much-needed boost to our morning ratings, just you wait and see.”
Barb wasn’t easily intimidated but waiting to be questioned by the police was a long way from her comfort zone. The scuttlebutt around the television station suggested poison killed Carolina. Did the police consider her a suspect?
Barb had her share of run-ins with Carolina often during the time she was hosting her show. The woman was impossible to work with, she was rude and demanding. That stupid pineapple juice was a prime example. It had to be a certain brand purchased from a certain store and kept at a certain temperature. She lost track of the times Queen Carolina demanded Barb deliver a bottle of her pineapple juice to her dressing room.
The first time she brought it, she’d neglected to bring a straw. “Carolina Bloom does not drink from a bottle,” she bellowed and threw the bottle against the wall. “Bring me another with a straw this time, you idiot.” Barb did as she’d asked and resisted the urge to spit in the second bottle before she delivered it.
***
“Ms. Tinsdale, thank you for coming, please follow me to my office, my partner and I have some questions to ask you.”
“I’m sorry, Detective, I’ve never been inside a police station before and never been questioned by the police. Do I need to hire a lawyer?”
“It’s your choice, Ms. Tinsdale, however, we are gathering information, this isn’t an inquisition. If at any time you feel intimidated, we will end the questions until your attorney is present.”
Barb began to feel more relaxed. The detective wasn’t as scary as she’d pictured. His partner, Detective Granger, had an angelic face and that, too, was reassuring.
“Ms. Tinsdale, being Mr. Carlson’s assistant gives you the advantage of knowing the other staff members. Midge, the lady you met earlier is the captain’s assistant. She knows most of us better than we know ourselves. It’s Midge we go to when we are having trouble with a case or in our personal lives. Midge always has sage advice for us. I’m sure the staff at the television station feels the same way about you.”
A smile spread across Barb’s face. “Yes, sometimes I feel like a mother hen. Your Midge and I have a lot in common.”
“Barb, how did your chicks feel about Carolina Bloom?”
“Oh my, Queen Carolina was disliked by everyone at the station. I didn’t care much for her myself. I shouldn’t say everyone, between you and me, I believe Angus Carlson had a crush on her. Not that I blame him, Harriet Carlson is a cold woman. She owns the station, you know. Oh goodness, how that woman carried on when Carolina’s show aired. After Rebecca Snow took over, Mrs. Carlson calmed down. Rebecca is a lovely person and the polar opposite of Carolina Bloom.”
“Ms. Tinsdale, who ordered the pineapple juice Ms. Bloom requested?”
“Oh, that pineapple juice. She was so fussy about her pineapple juice. I ordered it as she demanded. Mr. Carlson gave his approval, of course. If she’d been able to work before that supposed illness took effect, I’m certain her demands would have grown.”
“You don’t believe she was ill?”
“No, who has the flu for months at a time. She thought she could get away with faking an illness and get paid for not working. Well, Mrs. Carlson put a stop to that after the very first week. Everyone was happy when Rebecca took over the show.”
“Back to the juice, was it delivered to the station?”
“Yes, it came by the case. I ordered enough to last six months. I’d fill the refrigerator with half a case at a time. It took up most of the room in the small refrigerator and the rest of the crew had to squeeze their lunch bags in around them. I was glad when Rebecca got rid of them.”
“Did you know the juice bottles contained rat poison?”
Barb’s mouth dropped. “How can that be, the manufacturer is reputable. I’ve not heard of the juice being recalled.”
“We believe the poison was placed in the bottles after it arrived at the station.”
“Are you accusing me of murder?” Barb said fearing she had said too much already.
“I’m not accusing you of anything, Ms. Tinsdale, however, someone at your station might have tampered with those juice bottles. Do you have any idea who it could be?”
“No, the bottles were either in the refrigerator or in the closet in the staff lounge. The closet isn’t locked, everyone has access to it.” Suddenly, Barb remembered Brad Pickett waiting for Carolina to finish her show.
“You’ve thought of something or someone.”
“Yes, I didn’t much care for Carolina’s boyfriend but I don�
�t want to accuse him of murder.”
“Are you talking about Brad Pickett?”
“Yes, while Carolina was doing her show, he would wait for her in the staff lounge. It was early in the morning and breaks weren’t scheduled until later. He’d switch the television from our station to the business news channel. I asked him not to do it, but he did it anyway. He was alone in that room for over an hour almost every day for a couple of months.
Murder In Oakwood Park Page 8
