“I’m sorry, Detective, did I startle you?”
“That’s okay, I was daydreaming. Tell me, Mrs. Snow, are all the people involved with the Community Playhouse volunteers?”
“Sandy Clark receives a minimal salary but the rest do it because they love the theater. Some like acting and others like all the behind-the-scenes activities. It’s a good group of people. Harvey Rutledge is a retired drama teacher. We tell him Broadway missed out when he chose to stay in Oakwood Park.
“Why do you ask, Detective, are you interested in our playhouse?”
Dan North smiled, “Maybe,” he said.
“Good, Sandy is always looking for people who have an interest in acting or working around the stage.”
***
On the drive to the television station, Rebecca thought about her conversation with the detective. Someone like him would bring new life to the group. She thought he would be perfect for the part of Detective Turley. Barry Kemp wanted to play the detective but he had stage fright when he’d been given a chance to act. Sandy couldn’t take a chance on him.
A feeling she couldn’t describe came over her. Carolina’s death took a toll on Barry. Rebecca often wondered if Barry had a crush on Carolina. She remembered his excitement when he’d heard she was moving to Oakwood Park.
Carolina had to know Barry’s feelings for her. She treated him with such disdain, ordering him around and ridiculing him when anyone else was within hearing distance. Barry was shy and withdrawn back in high school and that hadn’t changed in all these years.
He was proud of his job at the station and happy to be involved in the playhouse. I think he truly enjoyed painting scenery and constructing sets. He seemed to have given up on the idea of acting. I can remember working alongside him, he couldn’t take his eyes off Carolina.
I can’t believe what I’m thinking, Barry Kemp is no more capable of murder than I am. Yet, I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
At the television station
“Barb, have you seen Barry Kemp today?”
“Not since he came early this morning, Rebecca. He might be in the basement with Hank. Barry often visits the maintenance man. They both are avid fisherman and talk about their latest catches. Do you need his help?”
“No, I simply wanted to talk to him. I’ll find him.”
“Oh, dear, I hope we aren’t both having the same doubts about Barry.”
“Why do you say that, Barb?” Rebecca said with uneasiness in her voice.
“What happened to Carolina has me spooked. I’m letting my imagination work overtime. It’s just that Carolina took every opportunity to belittle and shame Barry. I’ve been trying to ignore my suspicions; however, I think you are having those thoughts too.”
“I’m afraid the thought has been in the back of my mind since the coroner reported his findings. I find it hard to believe Barry could do such a thing but everyone has a breaking point. I could see the toll Carolina’s abuse was taking on the poor man. She seemed to take pleasure in watching him squirm when she called him names. If only Barry had fought back but instead, he’d go out of his way to please her. It was hard to watch. I wish I’d spoken up, not that Carolina would listen to me.
“Did you notice when Carolina began her sick leave? He was a different man, he was like the Barry I used to know, full of smiles and quietly content.”
“I did notice,” said Barb, “Although, the entire staff was in a better mood when you took over the morning show. Even I walked on eggshells around Carolina and you know what a tough old bird I can be.
“Detective North is due to arrive soon. He will be talking to everyone individually; you and I have already been interviewed so we are off the hook. What happened with the Pickett fellow? Do you know if he’s been questioned?”
“I don’t know, Detective North doesn’t offer any information. That’s a sign of a good detective but I would love to be a fly on the wall during that discussion. Brad Pickett is a jerk.”
“He is a jerk but a handsome one. With Carolina’s mean streak and Pickett’s ego, those two were made for each other. Now, one of them is dead.”
“I know, I’m hoping Brad is the culprit too, however, I think if he was going to kill someone, he’d do it quickly. Waiting patiently for Carolina to die doesn’t fit with his personality.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Detective North gave Barb a list of those he wanted to interview. Barry Kemp’s name was listed first.
“Detective, Barry Kemp is involved in a project, I’d hate to stop him in the middle, is it alright if the folks on this list are called out of order?”
“That will be fine, Ms. Tinsdale,” the detective said giving her a suspicious look.
***
Meanwhile, Rebecca searches for Barry. Hank is busy running a sweeper in the staff lounge.
“Hank, have you seen Barry this morning?”
“No, Mrs. Snow, I haven’t seen him all morning. Maybe he’s with Ms. Tinsdale, he likes her.”
“No, I just came from Ms. Tinsdale’s office, she hasn’t seen him either.”
“When he gets anxious, he sometimes goes into the supply room in the basement. He used to hide there often when Ms. Bloom was still here. I’m sorry the woman is dead, but no one around here is mourning her loss. I know that’s not nice to say, but Hank Gardener always tells it like it is.”
“I know that about you, Hank and it’s a good quality to have. We need more folks like you who tell the truth. I’m sure you never let Ms. Bloom get under your skin as Barry did.”
“No, she didn’t get under my skin but I knew better than to talk back to her. You know, Mr. Carlson really liked her…I mean…really liked her. I heard Mrs. Carlson in his office giving him what for after everyone in the administration office left one night.”
“Hank, I’ve never known Mrs. Carlson to come to the station, are you certain it was her?”
“Oh, yes, Ma’am, it was Mrs. Carlson all right. You see, I like to do most of my work at night when the place is vacant and when folks aren’t hanging around making messes and raising dust. Mrs. Carlson comes in late at night and snoops through Mr. Carlson’s files. Usually, Mr. Carlson is gone when she comes in.”
“Usually, do you mean he was still in the office the time you heard them arguing?”
“Yes, and he wasn’t alone.”
“Hank, was Carolina with Mr. Carlson that night?”
“I’ve said too much already. I don’t know if it was Ms. Bloom, but I saw a blonde lady running down the hallway from Mr. Carlson’s office. Her hair was disheveled and she was carrying her shoes. It could have been Ms. Bloom but I didn’t see her face.”
“Hank, is the supply room door normally locked?”
“No, it never is. I don’t think there is a key to the door. There is nothing of value in the room. If I’m not here, the staff is able to get in there if they need anything. I’d guess there aren’t many who know the storeroom exists.”
“Obviously, Barry Kemp knows of its existence.”
“Yes, Barry likes to help me when things are slow upstairs. He’s a nice fellow although he’s very timid.”
“Do you mind if I look for him in the basement?”
“No, not at all. Something has been bothering the lad for the last couple of days. Maybe he cared more for Ms. Bloom than I realized, although I don’t know why.”
“Hank, do you know if rat poison is kept in the storeroom?”
“Hmm, we had a problem with a rat about two years ago. I think there was only one, but Mr. Carlson was afraid there could be more moving in. He had me order a box of poison pellets. Oh my, you don’t suppose those pellets were used to kill Ms. Bloom?”
***
The basement was dark and damp. Rebecca was sorry she hadn’t brought along a sweater. She spotted a closed door and assumed it was the storeroom. She gingerly knocked on the door and called Barry’s name. There was no answer.
“Barry,” she calle
d again, “Barry, it’s Rebecca Snow, are you in there?”
The door slowly opened, Barry peeked out the crack. “Are you alone, Rebecca?”
“Yes, Barry, may I come in?”
Barry opened the door wide enough for Rebecca to enter and then closed it again.
“How did you know I was here. Did Hank tell you about this room? Nobody else knows I come here sometimes.”
“Yes, Barry, Hank said you might be here. I’m worried about you.”
Rebecca looked around the darkened room. The only light was from a small window on the left wall. She spotted a box on a shelf and recognized the skull and crossbones image. Her heart sank, Barry is one of the few people who knew about this room. He must have known the rat poison was here. If her instincts were correct, Barry did indeed commit murder.
“Barry do you want to talk?” Rebecca asked.
“It’s my fault, Rebecca, Carolina died because of me.”
Rebecca realized this wasn’t a confession of murder, is it possible Carolina’s death was an accident?
“Barry, tell me what happened. I think it will make you feel better to talk about it.”
“It was late one night after Mr. Carlson had gone home. Carolina was extra mean to me that day and I hid in here until she’d left the building. She called me a mole and said I should live underground with the worms. I asked her why she wanted to hurt my feelings and she laughed, ‘go back under the bridge, troll’ she said.
“I fell asleep down here that day and didn’t wake up until I heard footsteps. I could tell the person was wearing high heels and I thought it was Carolina and she was coming to taunt me again. I hid in the broom closet and peeked through a crack in the door. It wasn’t Carolina, it was Mrs. Carlson. I saw her reach for the rat poison. She poured some pellets into a plastic bag and left the room turning off the light and closing the door. It was so dark I couldn’t see a thing. I waited until I heard a car start in the parking lot and felt my way out of the room and to the stairs. I was afraid I’d be in trouble if Mrs. Carlson told Mr. Carlson that I was asleep in the basement.
“I didn’t understand why Mrs. Carlson wouldn’t call an exterminator if she had a rat problem. I was so happy not to be caught I put it out of my mind until I heard the reason Carolina died and it was my fault.”
“Barry, it wasn’t your fault. If the rat poison Mrs. Carlson took off the shelf that night was used to kill Carolina, it had nothing to do with you. Detective North is interviewing everyone as we speak. You must tell him what you know.”
“I can’t, Rebecca, Mr. Carlson will be mad if I tell the police.”
“Barry, my son is a lawyer. If Mr. Carlson fires you, he will represent you and you will keep your job.” Rebecca didn’t know if Alex could save Barry’s job but she had to persuade him to tell the truth.
***
“Detective North, Barry Kemp has some important information about the Bloom murder. He is reluctant to tell his story for fear of losing his job,” said Rebecca.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Snow, I’m accustomed to reluctant witnesses, I won’t bite his head off, I promise.”
Detective North was true to his word. He didn’t bite Barry’s head off, he was very compassionate in his questioning.
Barry relaxed enough to tell the same story he’d told Rebecca.
***
“I think the detective believed me, Rebecca, he said it wasn’t my fault that Carolina died. I feel so much better although I’m sorry I was happy when she was so sick, she couldn’t come to work. Carolina was a good actress, wasn’t she?”
“Yes, Barry, she was a better actress than we thought. I don’t believe she meant to be mean to you, she simply didn’t know how to be nice.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
At the Carlson Home
A haughty gentleman dressed in a perfectly fitted jacket, vest and striped trousers complete with white gloves answered the door.
The look on his face told Detective North the service entrance was on the other side of the mansion.
“Good morning, Jeeves, I’m here to speak to Mrs. Carlson,” Dan said showing his badge.
“Sir, my name is not Jeeves and Mrs. Carlson is resting.”
“I’d suggest you wake her up, Claude, unless you want to be hauled to the jailhouse for interfering with police business.”
“Who is it Charles, who is at the door?”
“Mrs. Harriet Carlson?” Dan flashed his badge again and introduced himself. “I have a few questions about the murder of Carolina Bloom.”
“Mabel, call Alfred Dunkirk. Detective, I have nothing to say without my attorney present.”
“That is your right, Ma’am. I am arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Carolina Bloom. You have the right to remain silent, you have the right…”
“I’m well aware of my rights, Detective. I refuse to budge from this house.”
“Cuff her, Detective Granger. Mabel, tell Mrs. Carlson’s lawyer to meet her at the police station.”
“You can’t put those things on me, I’ll go with you, but don’t you dare touch me or I’ll sue the police department, the mayor and the city.”
Detective Granger took great pleasure in taking Mrs. Carlson’s arm and escorting her to the detective’s car. Dan smiled as he activated the blue flashing lights of the car alerting the snooty Mrs. Carlson’s neighbors of her arrest.
***
“Barb, I have to leave, cancel my appointments for the rest of the day. My wife is under arrest for the murder of Carolina Bloom.”
Barb’s sense of relief that Barry Kemp was not a suspect in the murder was almost overwhelming. She called Rebecca’s cell phone immediately.
“I knew he didn’t do it,” she shouted into the phone when Rebecca answered.
“Barry is a relieved young man. He is giving his official statement to the police now. They just brought Mrs. Carlson in, she looks like a madwoman instead of the high-society person she pretends to be. How is Mr. Carlson taking it?”
“He’s in shock, I think he’s worried about his own skin, I doubt she’ll let him keep his cushy job after this. Is it true, Rebecca, did the old bat knock off Carolina?”
“It looks that way, the evidence is mostly circumstantial unless Mrs. Carlson confesses, she’ll probably get away with murder.”
“I suppose the motive is jealousy, Mr. Carlson has an eye for the ladies. That’s one reason Mrs. Carlson lets me keep my job, she knows I’m not a threat to her marriage.”
“That’s because you have better taste in men than Mr. Carlson,” Rebecca said with a chuckle.
Mabel took her time calling Mrs. Carlson’s attorney. She was tired of the woman’s browbeating. Mabel had worked for Harriet Carlson for twenty-five years and was treated no better than the upstairs maid.
Last week she’d withheld her pay because Mabel was fifteen minutes late getting to work because of a traffic accident on the highway that held up traffic.
***
“Where’s my attorney, Angus, he should be here by now. Call Mabel and find out what the holdup is,” Harriet demanded.
“Harriet, did you hurt Carolina? You can tell me, I’m your husband, they can’t make me testify against you.”
“Yes, I did it. She wasn’t supposed to die but good riddance to the little tramp. I saw her in your office that night, half-dressed and you with lipstick all over your face. She flew out of the room when she heard me coming. It was the night you and I were to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary and I catch you romping around with another woman. You said you forgot about our dinner plans. We had a terrible fight and that’s when I decided to teach the blonde hussy a lesson.
“If I didn’t check all your expenditures, I never would have known about the rat poison you bought two years ago.”
“Rat poison, how would you know about rat poison? I don’t remember telling you about finding a rat in the basement.”
“You didn’t, you fool, do you think I trust you with my money
. I know every penny you have spent for the last ten years.
“I figured the poison would still be in the storeroom because I know you never throw anything away. I poured a few pellets into a plastic bag and left the box there. They can’t prove I touched the box because I wore gloves.
“I didn’t intend for the trollop to die, I just wanted her to be sick enough to lose her looks. I scraped the pellets and just put a sprinkling of the poison in Carolina’s pineapple juice. I knew she made Barb order that special juice. Barb doesn’t lock her desk drawer when she leaves at night, I check up on her too.
“After Rebecca took over the morning show, I knew Carolina would be packing her bags and leaving town. Rebecca was much more popular than Carolina and the sponsors stopped complaining about the content of the show.
Murder In Oakwood Park Page 10
