Murder By Duplicity

by B. T. Lord

  Mark Nelsson lived at the top of a large hill that gave a spectacular view of the surrounding forest. It was the perfect place for him since the property was large enough to install a helipad that allowed him to land and take off whenever he needed.

  His house was of a modern design, with large windows that allowed a 360 degree view of the woods. There were rock faced terraces which held a variety of flowering shrubs which added to the beauty of the flawless landscaping, courtesy of his wife Marianna who owned the town’s agricultural nursery.

  On a large stone patio beneath the house, he had the barbeque going. Off to the side, on another circular stone patio, with chairs surrounding it, the fire pit was already roaring. Classic rock was playing through the loudspeakers he’d set up that piped the music into the backyard. By the time Cammie, Jace and Doc arrived, there were already about twenty-five people milling about, eating and drinking to the strains of Led Zeppelin.

  “I thought he said this was going to be a small party,” she said as Jace hoisted the huge bowl of potato salad Doc had made onto the long table where the food was laid out.

  “You know Mark,” Jace responded. “This is a small party in his book.”

  “The last time he had a party, his cousin Tim was visiting from Skowhegan,” Doc replied as he scanned the crowds. “I certainly hope he’s here tonight.”

  “Did you two hit it off?” Cammie grinned.

  “We share an interest in Ancient Greek and Roman sculpture.”

  “You mean all those naked statues of men?” she teased.

  “Cretin,” he muttered as he took off to greet some of the guests.

  “Ah, there you are!” Mark exclaimed as he gave Cammie a peck on the cheek and shook Jace’s hand. “I see Doc flitting about. I hope he brought some of his fabulous potato salad. People have been clamoring for it.”

  If Cammie thought Mark was exaggerating, she was wrong. Jace had no sooner put the bowl down on the table than it was attacked by the party goers. By the time she and Jace went to get some, it was gone.

  “Damn, I love Doc’s potato salad,” she said, making a face when she saw the empty bowl.

  “I know. That’s why I convinced him to make extra and put it in the fridge back at his cabin.”

  She smiled. “You’re definitely a keeper.”

  “You better believe it.”

  They sat down in the circle of chairs surrounding the fire pit and ate marinated sirloin tips barbequed perfectly by Mark, along with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables.

  “Another beer?” Jace asked when they done.

  “Yes, please.” He took their empty plates and bottles and headed off to get refills.

  The heat of the day had cooled off, and the sunset promised to be spectacular. Thankfully, Mark had used a fogger earlier in the day and there were no mosquitoes to ruin the moment. Cammie rested her head against the back of the chair, closed her eyes and took a deep, satisfied breath.

  “Hey Sheriff, how are you?”

  She opened her eyes and saw Rowena Reynolds sitting next to her.

  Rowena had once been a history teacher at the high school. She’d retired a few years ago, but she kept busy by running a literary club out of her home, tending to her gorgeous roses and, during Halloween, giving talks at the library about the witches who supposedly founded the town of Twin Ponds after escaping Salem, Massachusetts during the infamous witch trials of 1692.

  A large, stout woman who always wore flowing caftans, she daintily picked at a bowl of fruit.

  “I don’t know how you do it,” she said as she popped a piece of cantaloupe into her mouth. “I prefer to deal with death through the pages of a history book or murder mystery. I can’t imagine dealing with it in real life.”

  “You learn how to cope,” Cammie replied.

  “Thank God, we don’t get a lot of violent crime up here. That is, of course, discounting what happened to George Peabody.”

  “Did you know George?”

  “Of course. Everyone in town at the time knew George. He wasn’t hard to miss.”

  “Well, he was running for mayor.”

  “Even before that. He had what I would call a larger than life personality. He could literally suck the air from the room.” She laughed as she said this.

  “In what way?”

  “He was one of those men who had an opinion on everything. And if you weren’t careful, he’d take over any conversation.”

  “Sort of sounds like Bill,” Cammie admitted.

  “They certainly were more alike than they ever cared to admit.”

  “Were you surprised when he decided to run for Mayor?”

  “I knew someone someday would challenge Bill, if only for the reason that he was becoming rather like an oligarchy.”

  Cammie frowned. “Isn’t an oligarchy a power structure in which power rests with a small group of people?” Rowena nodded. “Bill is only one person.”

  “Ah, you forget Margo.”

  “Margo?”

  “The power behind the throne, my dear.” When she saw Cammie’s incredulous look, she laughed merrily. “Oh yes. You wouldn’t know it to look at her and her façade of the perfect assistant. But who do you think came up with the idea of encouraging the Native American pow-wows we have every year? Or the Halloween festivities? Even the talks I do about the founding of Twin Ponds? And what about the awards for Best Civic-Minded Business?”

  “That’s all Margo?”

  She nodded as she popped another piece of fruit – this time a grape – into her mouth. “I’ve often wondered if all these events were her way of making up for George’s shortcomings.”

  “You mean his racism?”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “I see you’ve heard.”

  “There are no secrets in Twin Ponds. Not for long anyway.”

  “Well, he was amazingly successful in keeping that part of himself hidden for a very long time. It wasn’t until after he left Twin Ponds that word began to leak out about his unsavory opinions about anyone who wasn’t Anglo Saxon.”

  “Do you remember what the scuttlebutt was when he left Twin Ponds?”

  “Well, if I remember correctly, I think I heard that he was taking off for Bangor, which didn’t surprise the town since by that time, everyone knew Bill and Margo were involved.”

  “So they were together when he ran for mayor?”

  Rowena gave her a mischievous look. “What do you think made him decide to run for mayor in the first place? Power is an amazing aphrodisiac. For both parties.”

  “So people thought it was the affair with Bill that made George leave?”

  “That and the fact that he lost. I don’t believe George ever lost at anything he put his mind to. Yet in the space of a year, he lost both his wife and the mayoral race.”

  Cammie shook her head. “I just can’t imagine George, or any man, putting up with his wife sleeping with someone else, especially in this case your political opponent.”

  Rowena shrugged. “When your wife holds the purse strings to a very comfortable life, you tend to look the other way. At least for a little while anyway.” She popped the last piece of fruit into her mouth. “However, you’re right. There comes a time when you just can’t ignore it any more. I know I couldn’t have. If I were in his shoes, I probably would have left too.”

  “And there was never any contact with anyone after he left?”

  “Not that I know of. He and his bruised ego walked off into the sunset. Or so we all thought. Who would have imagined he was actually lying in the forest all this time.” She glanced at Cammie. “I won’t ask you for any information because I’m sure you’ll just tell me it’s still an ongoing investigation.”

  Cammie smiled. “Did you like George Peabody?”

  “In a way I felt sorry for him.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Because he was basically an insecure little boy masquerading as a man.” She grinned. “Rather like Bill, now that I think about it.” She hoi
sted herself to her feet. “I see Rick just arrived, and I bet he’s brought his Granny’s apple pie. I don’t know what she puts in it, but it’s amazing. I’d better get over there before it completely disappears.”

  A few moments later, Rick, Emmy and Jace came up to the fire pit. She immediately noticed how lovely Emmy looked, wearing a patterned summer dress over which she wore a white sweater. There was a sense of happiness that surrounded the young woman and Cammie instantly guessed it was because she was there with Rick.

  She’d known about Emmy’s crush on Rick ever since she started working at the Sheriff’s Department. Unable to say anything, she worried Emmy’s infatuation would end up breaking her heart, especially since she was nowhere near Rick’s type, which seemed to lean towards anorexic blondes. Since solving the most recent murders in Twin Ponds however, she’d noticed a developing closeness between the two. Not sure how to feel about it, she had no choice but to stay out of it. Emmy was an adult and hurt was, unfortunately, part of life. All she could do was hope that the heartache, if and when it came, wouldn’t emotionally damage the deeply sensitive young woman.

  She hid all of this as the three sat down on either side of her. Jace handed her a beer and she took a sip.

  “I know we’re off duty,” she said, “but I just had an interesting conversation with Rowena regarding George Peabody. I can wait until tomorrow when we’re in the office to share it.”

  “Hell no,” Rick replied. “Share it now.”

  She related the conversation. When she was done, Jace took a swig from his beer bottle. “She’s right. I remember my Mom and Dad hating it when it was tax time. Dad could never get out of George’s office under an hour. While they went over his receipts, he’d be stuck listening to George give his opinions on everything from how lousy the President was doing to how kids today had no discipline.”

  “It sure seems like all fingers keep pointing to Bill and/or Margo being responsible for offing George,” Rick said. “I guess this means you’ll be paying another visit to our grand old mayor.”

  “Not quite yet. There’s someone else I need to see first.”

  The next morning, Cammie waited until the breakfast crowd was gone before she ventured into Zee’s. She found him wiping down tables.

  “Too much to drink last night at Mark’s?” He asked. “I might have some pickle juice in the back to help ease the hangover.”

  Cammie made a face. “Pickle juice?”

  “Works like a charm. The liquid contains vinegar, salt and water which replenish your electrolytes and sodium levels.”

  “Well, I don’t have a hangover, and after what you’ve just told me, I don’t think I’ll have one ever again. By the way, your moose mousse and the duck foie gras were to die for.”

  “I figured why sweat the decision. I’d just bring both. Now what can I do for you?”

  “I actually need to pick your brain.” He looked at her for a moment, then putting the rag down, slid into the booth. She slid in opposite him. “You know everything that happens in and around town.”

  “A fact I take great pride in.”

  She shared some of what she’d learned about George Peabody with him, making sure to omit the financial details. “I read the old newspaper reports about the election. Pretty, pretty nasty.”

  “Nasty doesn’t even begin to describe it. Those two men didn’t just go at each other; they went for the jugular.”

  “Do you think they really hated each other, or was it just the election?”

  Zee gave Cammie a patient look. “How would you feel about the man who was sleeping with your wife?”

  She smiled. “I thought as much. Do you have any idea when Margo’s relationship with Bill started?”

  “Despite my extensive knowledge of the goings on in this town, I don’t actually hide under people’s beds to gather information. So I can’t say exactly when they started sleeping together. But I believe it was certainly before George ran for mayor. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what prompted him to run. Bill likes to think he’s in charge. Probably even believes he’s in charge. But Margo is the real power in that office. And once you’ve tasted power, you’re not about to give it up, no matter who the public face of power belongs to.”

  “You’re not the first person who’s told me that. Do you think it was an opportunity to wield power that made Margo fall into Bill’s arms?”

  “That and I’m sure George’s profligate spending habits, as well as his dubious business dealings didn’t help either. Then of course, I’m sure Bill was lonely. He’d lost his wife to a stroke a few years before. They’d been inseparable and--”

  Cammie held her hand up. “Back up a minute. What do you mean George’s dubious business dealings? I thought he was an accountant.”

  “He was. He prepared taxes for many people in this town, as well as kept the books for several businesses.”

  “So what’s this dubious business dealings you’re talking about?”

  Zee looked around to make sure they were alone. He then leaned over and whispered, “He made some errors on the tax return of two of his clients which resulted in them getting in the cross hairs of the IRS.”

  “The IRS?”

  He nodded. “He took some very questionable deductions. Now I can’t vouch for the veracity of what I’m about to tell you, but it may be that one of those clients lost her business because she couldn’t pay the IRS all she owed.”

  “Oh my God. Who were these two clients?”

  “One was Lars Landry. Thank God the mistake only cost him a few grand. However, poor Lucy Perez was facing bankruptcy.”

  “Lucy Perez. The name sounds familiar.”

  “It should. She ran the bakery. Her shop was two doors down from the Grocery Emporium. It’s where the used bookstore is now.”

  “That’s right, I remember her now. Young, brunette. Cute. She made the best blueberry scones.”

  “That’s her. She sunk her life savings into that place. Then one day, she closed shop and left town.”

  “And it was George’s fault this happened?”

  “I’ll just say that before the mistake on her tax return, she was happy in Twin Ponds. After the mistake on her tax return, she closed up the bakery. You can surmise from that whatever you need to.”

  “When did the trouble with the IRS begin?”

  “During the election race, which is why not many people know about it, even after all this time. George begged Lars and Lucy to keep it quiet while he was campaigning.”

  Cammie frowned. “And they agreed? Why would they do that? If it was me, I’d be announcing all over town what he did.”

  Zee shrugged. “From what I understand, he promised to pay the IRS all that was owed. He just needed to get through the election first.”

  “And did he?”

  “Do you see Lucy’s bakery on Main Street?”

  “Point taken. Do you know where Lucy is? I’d like to talk to her.”

  “She left town about two months after George did. I think she moved down to Florida.”

  “Wow. I can’t imagine losing your business because of a mistake someone else made.”

  Zee nodded. “It was sad her losing that place. Not even her boyfriend threatening to beat up George could make up for the loss of the bakery.”

  “Her boyfriend beat up George?”

  “Well, maybe beating up isn’t the best description. I think he took a swing at George.”

  “Who was this boyfriend?”

  Zee glanced at Cammie from beneath his brow. “You don’t know?”

  “How should I know? I wasn’t living here then, remember?”

  “Humph.”

  “Zee, this could impact my investigation. I need you to tell me who assaulted George Peabody.”

  He sighed. “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, especially if they haven’t spoken to you about it yet.”

  “Please stop stalling and answer my question.”

  He too
k another deep sigh. “Alright. But don’t tell him it came from me.” He met Cammie’s gaze. “It was Rick Belleveau, your deputy.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  “You. In my office. Right now.”

  Cammie pointed at Rick as she swept past his desk on the way towards her office. He gave Emmy a questioning look which was answered with a shrug. He stood up, walked down the corridor and entered her office.

  “Close the door,” she snapped.

  “What’s up, Cam? Something wrong?” he asked, perplexed by her behavior.

  “You bet your ass something is wrong.” She leaned both hands on her desk and glared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you threw a punch at George Peabody?”

  He opened his mouth, closed it, then let out his breath. “Oh, that.”

  “Oh, that? Is that all you have to say? Were you ever going to tell me you had a go at our victim?”

  “Well, I did sort of try to tell you.”

  “When was that?”

  “When you were on your way to interview Margo and Barnes. I was about to tell you, but my cell rang and it was Janey Ferguson complaining about Dottie Hanson’s dog, and…” He stopped when he realized she wasn’t buying his excuse. “Okay, I’m sorry. I should have said something.”

  “Damn right you should have. I could suspend you for this.”

  He looked ashamed. “I wasn’t deliberately hiding it from you. I just didn’t think it was all that important.”

  “Wasn’t important?” She exploded. “You tried to beat him up and you think that’s not important?”

  “I didn’t kill him, if that’s what you’re trying to say,” he answered defensively. “Shit, I didn’t even hit him.”

  “But you threatened him!” She took a deep breath to settle her escalating emotions. “You’re a police officer, Rick. You should have told me from the get go that you had a run in with George.”