Richard couldn’t believe his wife was jealous of her own child. He chalked it up to raging hormones but wondered if he would ever forget her words.
When Richard saw his baby girl, Erin, for the first time, he thought she was the most beautiful baby he’d ever seen. He was thrilled to have a daughter to protect and care for.
After Erin’s birth, Denise seemed to accept the baby. She enjoyed dressing her in frilly outfits and when her hair grew long enough to curl, Denise fussed with it until the toddler squirmed.
‘Erin,’ she would say, ‘do not play in the mud… No, you may not run through the sprinklers, you will muss your hair… You must not act like a ruffian, you are a young lady.’
Erin watched as her brothers had all the fun. She looked forward to the times when she visited her grandparents, they let her run and play and get dirty. She knew when she came home with smudges on her dress, her mama would be angry, but the fun she’d had was worth the scolding she’d be given.
After sixteen years of marriage, Richard admitted to himself he no longer loved his wife. He was unhappy in the marriage but determined to keep the family together for the children’s sakes.
The day Erin called him about a man hurting her mother, he rushed home to find Denise in bed with Charlie Willard, the coach of their son’s football team. He hurried Erin out of the house and drove her to her grandparent’s home. When he returned to Denise, Coach Willard had left.
“It’s not my fault, Richard, you have ignored me for months. I’m a passionate woman, I have needs. That stupid child was supposed to be gone all afternoon. How was I to know she’d barge in on me?”
“Denise, you frightened our daughter, she thought you were being hurt. Thank God she is too young to understand what her mother was doing. What if Greg or Joey caught you with their coach? I don’t care who you sleep with, but I don’t want you having your flings in my home.”
“Your home? It’s my home too and if I feel like love in the afternoon, I’ll do it where, and with whom I want.”
Richard knew it was useless to reason with his wife. It was true, he couldn’t stop her from entertaining anyone she pleased. He moved his belongings into the guest room where he would stay until he could find the best solution for his children.
Denise’s resentment toward Erin grew. She barely spoke to the child except to tell her it was Erin’s fault her father didn’t love her mother. Erin didn’t understand but knew she made Mama and Daddy mad at each other.
Charlie Willard sat in his office the day after his tryst with Denise Rutledge. How stupid I was to get involved with that woman, he thought as he gazed at a picture of his wife smiling back at him.
“Coach,” his assistant called on the intercom, “Mrs. Rutledge is here to see you.”
Charlie knew he couldn’t refuse to see a student’s parent without raising suspicion. “Send her in.”
“Hello, Coach,” Denise said “shall I close the door?”
“No, keep the door open, Mrs. Rutledge, what can I do for you?” The look on Charlie’s face told Denise her lover was being cautious and she followed his lead. The clandestineness made their affair even more appealing.
“When can you break away from your coaching duties?” Denise whispered.
“We can’t see each other again, if the administration finds out about what happened between us, I could lose my job.”
“Who will find out? I took the kid to her grandparents’ house. The little snitch won’t disturb us again.”
“No, forget about yesterday, it was a huge mistake.”
Denise grabbed the picture of Charlie’s wife and smiled. “I wonder if Mrs. Willard would like to know where her husband had lunch yesterday?”
Denise’s eyes narrowed and Charlie’s heart sank, he knew she wouldn’t hesitate to tell Elizabeth the truth.
“I want to see you again, Denise, but we have to be more careful. Your husband knows about us. I’ll call you next week, how is that?”
“I’ll be waiting, she said as she walked out the door headed directly to the principal’s office.”
Charlie knew his career was on the line when he was summoned to the principal’s office shortly after Denise left. Little did he know her next target was his home where his wife was entertaining her book club.
Charlie’s life was in turmoil, he lost his job and his wife. His children refused to speak to him.
After doing her best to ruin Oakwood High’s favorite coach’s life, Denise was loathed by the community. She divorced Richard and moved back to Garfield to live in the home she’d hated since childhood. She blamed Erin for her unhappiness.
Greg and Joey heard rumors about a married woman and Coach Willard but didn’t know until long after they graduated the married woman was none other than their mother.
Chapter Nine
Rebecca and Andy Snow’s home
Rebecca did her best thinking while she prepared dinner for Andy and herself. As she scrubbed potatoes and whisked her chicken marinade, Kenzie’s new neighbors were fresh in her mind. Although the women live fulfilling lives, they all suffered heartbreak and grief in their past.
Rebecca is sad for Jessica Barnes whose father walked away from the family years ago. Rebecca trembles at the thought of her own father disappearing from her life. With help from Detective Daniel North and his partner, Detective Erica West, Jessica’s father might be found.
Rebecca can’t imagine Annie Palmer’s horror as she watched her little sister die before her eyes. If Annie is hypnotized, it could bring back a painful memory but also give a clue to the car involved in her sister’s death.
Rebecca feels sorry for the pain Carol Harper suffers because of shoddy workmanship by an auto mechanic and the rage that prompted her husband to destroy a man’s life. Carol seems to have accepted her limitations caused by the accident. Her concern lies with her husband and his continuing anger.
Rebecca pities Erin Rutledge who still carries the burden of triggering her parents’ divorce. Erin’s mother is a troubled woman who resented her daughter from birth. With the aid of her grandparents, she will eventually accept that the fault lies with her mother, not herself.
Rebecca is uneasy about Sally Evans; the woman appears haunted by fear. If only Sally would be open about her concern, she reminded Rebecca of a frightened rabbit. Sally showed interest in joining the Community Playhouse team. Rebecca talked to her about it that day and will call her tomorrow to arrange a meeting with Sandy Clark, the director of the playhouse. Rebecca hopes expressing herself in the art world will help her to face her demons.
***
“Hello, sweetheart,” said Andy when he walked in from the garage. The look on your face tells me you are memorizing your lines in another play, but I don’t see you studying a script.
“It’s not lines of a play that is occupying my mind, I met the women who live on Erin’s circle. They are all lovely people but troubled. I wish it was a play and they could all have a happy ending by the end of act three.”
“There are six houses on the circle. I know our daughter is happy that leaves five families for you to worry over. Rebecca, you can’t solve everyone’s problems, although I know you will try.”
Vivian and Harvey Rutledge’s home
“I smell blueberry pie,” said Harvey Rutledge when he came in from tending his vegetable garden. “You are trying to fatten Erin and me up, aren’t you Grandma?”
“Harvey, you both could stand to gain a few pounds, how is it you never have an ounce of fat on your body and I’m always battling the bulge?”
“Muscle, my dear, it’s all muscle,” Harvey laughed as he wrapped his arms around Vivian’s waist.
“Hello you two lovebirds; if you’d like privacy, I can find something to do in my room.”
“Don’t you dare, come sit with us at the table, I want to hear all about the family. We didn’t have time to talk when you first arrived.”
“Everyone is doing well. Dad and Julie are plannin
g a trip to Oakwood Park at Thanksgiving. I’m hoping Greg and Joey and their families will come too.”
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Harvey, an old-fashioned holiday with all our children and grandchildren?”
“It would,” Harvey replied wondering if he should rent the Elk’s Club for the day.
“Tell us, Erin, what did your mother say when you told her you would stop to see her?”
“She said she was out-of-town when I called. I know she wasn’t telling the truth. I could hear that old cuckoo clock Grandma Mary always had on the wall in her living room.”
“I’m sorry, Erin, it’s not you, your mother is a troubled woman.”
“That’s what Dad and Julie say. Dad laughs and says she doesn’t like him much either. Greg says she’s incapable of love. I try not to care but it hurts. I know the rest of my family loves me and I have you two who always welcome me.
“That’s enough talk about my mother; Grandpa, when may I try out for a part in the next Community Playhouse production?”
“We have our first group meeting this week. We’ve got to get the ball rolling if we are to make our opening day target.”
“Erin, are you sure you want to do this along with your teaching? It is your first official year, you don’t want to spread yourself too thin.”
“Grandma, I am eager to teach but I will need a social life too. I think the playhouse is a better choice than hanging out at the bars in town.”
“I do too, Erin,” she said giving her granddaughter a hug before taking her blueberry pie out of the oven.
Carol and Scott Harper’s Home
“Scott, I met Rebecca Snow today at Kenzie’s house. She is a delightful woman. She thinks she can track down Albert Fox. Maybe if you know what happened to the man, you won’t be so angry with him.”
“Carol, the only way my anger will end is when I stand on his grave knowing he’s burning in Hell.”
“I’m not the only victim of the accident, you will never be at peace if you don’t forgive the man. It was never proven that he was negligent fixing the brakes of the car. Maybe you ruined an innocent man’s life. It’s not like you to be vindictive, Scott.
“That reminds me, remember when you thought you saw an old man on the circle? Well, you aren’t the only one. Even Rebecca saw him the first day Kenzie and Jake moved into their home. Sally saw him today, she burst into tears and looked terrified when she arrived at Kenzie’s.”
“The old man better be careful, he might be mistaken for a burglar and get himself shot.”
Carol felt a chill go through her body. Scott was not the same person she married, and she didn’t know how to help him.
Annie and Kevin Palmer’s home
“Kevin, Rebecca Snow thinks a hypnotist can help me remember the details of the accident that killed Melissa. She will contact someone who will put me under. I might remember the make and model of the car. I’m hoping I will also remember the license plate number. Can you believe after all this time that murderer might finally pay for his crime?”
“Annie, if you are hypnotized, you will relive that horrible day. I can’t let you go through that agony again.”
“Kevin, the agony is always with me. This way I might have the closure I need. Melissa will never be out of my mind, but I might accept her death if I find out who took her from us.”
“I know it’s important to you, I want you to talk with Doctor Blair before you let some quack put you under a spell. Will you at least do that?”
“I don’t think it’s necessary, I trust Rebecca, but I will talk to the doctor first.”
Jessica and Joe Barnes home
“Joe, I had the most wonderful time with Kenzie and her mother, Rebecca Snow, today. I had to leave early to get the little ones down. I don’t know why but I talked about my father leaving us. Rebecca thinks she can help me track him down.”
“I know that’s important to you Jessica, but you might not like what you find.”
“Since he left, I’ve imagined everything from him being abducted by aliens to living a life of luxury on an exotic island. I’m not fooling myself, Joe, I know the reason will not make me happy, but maybe it will stop the recurring dreams.”
“I can’t begin to understand how you feel but I’m on your side. If Rebecca Snow can help you, I’d say you should go for it.”
Sally and Paul Evans’ Home
Paul and the children would not be home for dinner. Sally was alone with her thoughts. She poured herself a glass of wine to settle her nerves. Has he found me? Is he the man I saw today?
Chapter Ten
Rebecca woke after a fitful night. The stories she’d heard the day before were swirling in her mind. Andy teased her about being Mrs. Fix-it when she set her mind to helping people with their problems.
She’d find the name of the doctor who hypnotized the guest on her show. Dan would help her through his contacts with other departments at the police station. He could also help her with information on the whereabouts of Jessica’s father. She’d called Jessica the night before asking for any identifying clues about the man. She had a twenty-year-old photo, his name, birth date and nothing else. Jessica is reluctant to let her mother know she is trying to contact Kenneth Ford. “Mom is happy in her life, I don’t want to upset her by dredging up the past. If we find him, I’ll deal with Mom then.”
Although Rebecca had little information about Kenneth Ford, she had less on Albert Fox. Carol’s memory of that time was vague. She knew the auto repair shop was in his name and he had a wife. Scott ruined the man’s business and eventually his family.
Rebecca put the questions out of her mind to concentrate on her morning show.
Detectives North and West’s office
“Detective North, it’s Barb Tinsdale calling for Rebecca. She would like to meet with you and Detective West if you have time this morning after her show.”
“We always have time for Rebecca, does she have a mystery to solve?” Dan asked.
“That’s my guess, she had that look in her eye,” chuckled Barb. “She said she’d be there before ten thirty.”
***
“It will be good to see Rebecca,” said Erica. “Now that summer is winding down, the Community Playhouse will be active again. I can’t wait to see you in action.”
“I admit, I enjoy being a star, do you think I should quit my day job and run off to Hollywood?”
Erica’s eyes widened until she realized Dan was teasing. “No, I don’t want to share you with those starlets,” she smiled. Erica is in love with Dan. Their relationship is complicated. They try to keep their personal life private but everyone knows they are involved. Captain Douglas likes them as a team and doesn’t plan to separate them unless the mayor demands it.
“Dan, is Oakwood Park enough for you? Do you ever wish you’d stayed in the city?”
“Never, how about you, Erica? Do you miss the action?”
“Not at all, I love Oakwood Park and the people here, some more than others,” she winked at Dan.
“Do you think we should get married?”
“If that’s a proposal Daniel North, it’s a lame one. No, I don’t think we should get married if you want to keep me as your work partner. Captain Douglas overlooks our relationship, but marriage would force his hand. For now, I like things the way they are.”
Dan fought the urge to take her in his arms. They had to be careful about flaunting their relationship in the office.
***
“Thanks for seeing me this morning,” said Rebecca when she arrived at the police station. She asked about the hypnotist who worked with the department when needed. Erica had his name in her files and called him to set up an appointment with Annie Palmer.
Dan talked to Detective Quinn who was familiar with the accident involving Carol Harper’s brakes. The man was helpful and remembered details about Albert Fox. “We could never pin the accident on the guy, thanks to his shifty attorney. I heard the lawyer was disbarred a
few years ago. Honestly, we didn’t have solid proof Al Fox misdiagnosed the problem with the brakes. The victim’s husband swore revenge on Al and forced him to shut the doors to his shop. Your friend is right, Al’s wife left him after he lost his business. The last I heard, Al moved south, I don’t know what happened to him or if he is still alive. He had a drinking problem when he lived here, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the booze killed him.
“Unless he kept his name, he won’t be easy to find. Kenneth Ford is another matter. Is your friend certain he walked on his own accord, Mrs. Snow?”
“What are you saying, Detective, do you think he was kidnapped?”
Murder on Applewood Circle Page 4
