“Scott, if the man has returned to Oakwood Park, you are in danger. That’s why I told Rebecca you would talk to them. They are coming after dinner. I hope you aren’t angry with me.”
“I’d never be angry with you. Perhaps the police have information on Fox’s whereabouts. I’d still like to make him suffer as you have.”
Carol trembled at the hatred Scott still carried with him. She’d tried to reason with her husband there was never any proof Fox’s workmanship caused her accident. She would never be pain-free, but she’d learned to cope and lived a satisfying life. She only wished Scott could do the same.
Later that evening
Rebecca arrived at the Harper home, Andy insisted on coming with her. He didn’t want her being alone if the stranger is a danger to her. If he had his way, Kenzie and Jake would move back to his house until the police learned the man’s identity.
“Scott, I’m Rebecca Snow, I’m sorry about the intrusion, the detectives will be here shortly. I hope you don’t mind if they ask you and Carol questions about Albert Fox.”
“I’d like to know what happened to the snake after he left Oakwood Park. After the pain he caused my wife, I hope he had a long, lingering death. Carol is too forgiving, she went through torture because of his carelessness. If I sound bitter, it’s because I am.”
Detectives North and West sat at the kitchen table. Dan told the group a preliminary search for Albert Fox showed he lived in Miami, Florida for five years after leaving Oakwood Park.
Anger shows in Scott’s eyes. “That’s great, my wife suffers the pain he caused while he lies by the water working on his tan.”
“No, Mr. Harper, he wasn’t living in luxury. I checked with the local police department. Mr. Fox’s address was the county jail until his release. He served time for auto theft and released on good behavior. According to our source, he did what he was told and stayed clean. In that county, it’s not unusual for an inmate to be released early because of overcrowding. Our department is keeping an eye on the circle and will question any stranger who is seen in the area.
“Mr. Harper, I can’t stress enough not to take matters into your own hands. Should you see Mr. Fox, call the police immediately.”
“I can’t guarantee what I’ll do Detective. My wife puts on a brave front but you haven’t seen her get out of bed in the mornings,” the emotional pain showed on Scott Harper’s face. Detective North hoped Harper wouldn’t be the one behind bars if something happened to Albert Fox.
Before they left, Dan turned to Scott. “Mr. Harper, do you own a gun?”
“Yes, Detective, and I have a license to own it.”
Dan knew the answer to his question before he asked it, he was curious to know if Scott Harper would admit he had a weapon at his disposal.
At the Barnes Home
Jessica tucked last of her children in bed for the night. She asked Detective North to wait until the children were asleep before coming to talk to her. The children didn’t ask about their grandfather, her mother remarried and they called her husband Grandpa. Jessica hoped she’d have an answer for them when they questioned why she called their grandfather George.
Joe arrived home from the fire station in time to greet their visitors. He’d met the detectives before and was happy to meet Rebecca Snow. He admitted he and the other firefighters watched her show when they were on duty waiting for an emergency call.
“I can’t wait to tell the fellas I met you. We enjoy your program, Mrs. Snow.”
“I’m happy to hear that, Joe. Please call me Rebecca. That gives me an idea, we should do a segment on the day in the life of a firefighter.”
“That would be swell, we’ll pick a day when Hank Arnold makes his famous chili. It’s worth the heartburn, you and your crew will get.”
“Don’t let those guys talk you into eating that horrible stuff, Rebecca,” said Jessica. “Hank has a love affair with jalapenos.”
“Jessica, Rebecca gave me your dad’s name, birthdate and an old photograph. Is there anything else you can tell me about him?”
“I wish I could, Detective. I remember small things about him when he was still living with Mom and me. I remember sitting on his lap, he read me stories. He and my mother used to dance in the living room, I always joined in. I was young, but I know my mother and father loved each other. I don’t know what happened, he kissed me goodbye when I left for school one day and I never saw him again.
“When I came home that day, Mom held me in her arms and said Daddy had to go away. I knew something was wrong and was afraid of the answer so I didn’t ask questions. The weeks went by and Mom renewed her teaching certificate. She enrolled in the university and received her master’s degree in education. When I mentioned my father, it upset her, and I learned not to ask questions.
“Two years after my dad left, my mother met George Miller. She filed for divorce from my father and they married a year later.
“George is like a father to me; he and my mother are happy together. I’m glad she found someone to love, but I need to know what happened to my dad. Is he alive? Does he have another family? Does he remember me? I have a wonderful life with Joe and the kids, but I will always wonder what happened to my father.”
“Jessica,” asked Dan, “what did your father do for a living?”
“I don’t know. He’d go to work during the week and was home on the weekends. At ten, I wasn’t concerned with his occupation. It wasn’t until I became interested in mathematics in school I wondered if he might have been an accountant or bookkeeper. My mother will tell you she has no head for figures and that’s why she teaches social studies and history.”
Andy glanced at his wife, they were on the same wavelength. They remembered a scandal involving a local bank twenty or more years ago. The president of the bank died from a gunshot wound. The death was ruled a suicide. Several bank officers were arrested for bank fraud and released for lack of evidence. There was speculation a whistleblower was paid off or murdered to prevent him from testifying.
Dan and Erica caught the expressions on the Snows’ faces. Dan wanted to talk to them before he furthered his investigation of Kenneth Ford.
“This isn’t much to go on, Jessica, but cases have been solved with less information. I will keep you posted on any developments.”
“Thank you, Detectives, I appreciate your interest. I hope you won’t hurt the man who has strolled through our neighborhood. He could be someone’s long-lost relative,” Jessica said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
As Rebecca and Andy walked to their car, Rebecca turned to Dan. “Follow us to our place, it’s a longshot but there could be a connection between Jessica’s father and a scandal that took place around twenty years ago.”
Chapter Fourteen
In the Snow living room
“I’ll fix us some drinks while Rebecca tells you about the notorious Oakdale Park bank scandal,” said Andy.
Rebecca told the story of the bank scandal twenty years ago.
“It was the talk of the town; the local newspapers were filled with speculation about money laundering and tax evasion. The bank president, Roland Hinckley, had been a pillar of society. There wasn’t a social function deemed important that Roland and Annabelle Hinckley weren’t honored guests. Their wealth didn’t compare to the Bradbury sisters, but they were at the top of the social ladder.
“The story went on for weeks, they talked about a whistleblower who would reveal illegal transactions.
“Several weeks after the story broke, Roland Hinckley sat at his mahogany desk in his tower office and shot himself in the head. Executive officers were arrested, and the bank closed its doors.
“Before a trial date could be set, all charges were dropped against the officers. It’s been rumored the bulk of the money was returned. The bank was never reopened and the so-called whistleblower never materialized.”
“Are you saying Kenneth Ford was the whistleblower?” Dan asked.
“It’s a
guess, but it makes sense. If Ford was the bank’s accountant, it’s possible he discovered illegal activity and reported it to the authorities. Mr. Hinckley and his friends might have taken offense and silenced him permanently.”
“You’re right, Rebecca, it’s a longshot but a possibility. From what Jessica says, Kenneth Ford was an attentive father who loved his family. It doesn’t fit the pattern of a man who walks out never to return,” said Dan.
“It surprised me when Jessica said her mother didn’t talk about her father after he left. Jessica is her child why would she ignore the subject when she knew her daughter was in pain? The mother knows more than she’s telling,” said Erica.
“If Ford is in a witness protection program, would they separate him from his family? It makes little sense,” said Andy.
“That’s unlikely. I have my doubts the man is still alive. I want to question Jessica’s mother but I need more information about Mr. Ford. Erica, we’ll see what the archives tell us about the big bank scandal.”
Early the following morning
Buffy Rutledge, Vivian’s little dog, nibbles on his mistress’s fingertips to arouse her from a sound sleep.
Vivian quietly rolls out of bed, visits the bathroom, brushing her teeth and running a comb through her disheveled hair while Buffy waits patiently. The ritual takes place every morning while Harvey sleeps.
Having made the coffee the night before, Vivian pushes the button on the coffee maker, dons her sweater and opens the back door. After taking care of business, Buffy runs to the front of the house where he likes to romp through the island in the middle of the circle.
This morning, he stops short of the island. Vivian is afraid his loud barking will wake the neighbors as she tries to quiet him.
“What is it Buffy, did you find a possum? You and I will both be sorry if it’s a skunk.”
Buffy’s barking continues as Vivian walks closer to the island, she stumbles on a person’s feet. It’s not a possum or a skunk, but a man lying on his back in the beautifully landscaped Applewood Circle island. Should she try to wake him? Is he ill? Is he the man who strolls through the circle startling the other residents? Vivian steps closer and sees the man’s face, his eyes are open and he is staring unseeing to the sky. She lets out a blood-curdling scream, collects Buffy in her arms holding him tight. She tries to run but her feet won’t move, she tries to scream again, but nothing comes out. She is mesmerized by the body below.
Harvey hears Buffy’s relentless barking, he jumps from his bed fearing Vivian is in trouble. He finds his robe and slippers and dashes to the front door. Erin hears him and follows.
Kenzie Morgan is finishing a bowl of cereal before she leaves for her early shift at the hospital. Jake joins her in the kitchen for a cup of coffee when they hear Vivian’s scream and Buffy’s bark.
The adults on the circle are startled by the sounds coming from the island and rush to see the cause.
Harvey holds Vivian in his arms while Erin comforts her, unable to look at the face of the dead man for fear it’s Coach Willard.
Kenzie kneels to find a pulse and knows it’s too late by the feel of his cold hand. Josh calls 911 on his phone.
Joe Barnes wraps his arms around his sobbing wife, “Could it be my father, Joe? Did he come back to say goodbye?”
Annie stares at the man’s eyes wondering if those are the eyes she thought she’d never forget, the eyes of the man who murdered her baby sister. She wanted to get closer to the body and look into his eyes, death came to easy for him, she wanted him to suffer. Reading his wife’s mind, Kevin pulled her back. “If it’s him, you will know soon enough.”
Carol Harper saw the disappointment on Scott’s face when he looked at the well-dressed man and knew it wasn’t Albert Fox.
Sally Evans screamed when she saw the face of Mr. Swayze, the man who’d haunted her dreams for so many years.
“Sally, calm down, I’ve never known you to react this way,” cried Paul.
Sally turned and ran into her house, she wanted to crawl back under the covers and pretend this was a dream. She’d planned to tell Paul the truth about the threats made against her. Would he believe her? Or would he think she was being overly dramatic? She wanted to talk to Rebecca Snow. Rebecca knew how frightened she was.
***
The patrol car, making a routine swing around the neighborhood, stopped when the driver spotted people gathered.
“Is there a problem here folks?” Officer Spencer asked.
They stepped back, showing the officer the body. His radio blasted for Officer Spencer to investigate a suspected homicide on Applewood Circle.
“Officer, my name is Mackenzie Morgan, Detectives North and West know of a stranger lingering on the circle. This man could be the stranger, would you call them, please?”
“Yes, Detective North requested I patrol the area when I’m on duty. My shift started ten minutes ago. Detective North will want to ask questions of everyone. I’d suggest you call your employers and tell them you’ll be late this morning.”
***
“Harvey, I’m worried about Sally, she hasn’t been herself lately.” Although still shaken, Vivian could speak again. She held the shivering Buffy in her arms. His barking stopped but she could feel the rapid beating of his little heart.
“I’ve meant to talk to Scott about his work schedule. Sally is left alone too often; joining the Community Playhouse will help with the loneliness, but it’s not the answer.”
“Be careful, Harvey, you don’t want to stick your nose where it isn’t wanted.”
“I’d never tell the man what to do. I make suggestions and let people make up their own minds,” he chuckled.
Chapter Fourteen
Sally Evans pulled the covers over her head when she heard Paul entering the bedroom. She couldn’t face him knowing she hadn’t been honest with him. How did she know the dead man was Mr. Swayze before she saw his grotesque face? How did she know when she heard Vivian’s screams that Mr. Swayze was the reason? What had she done? Was it a dream coming true or did she murder the man?
“Sally, I know you are shocked by what happened out there, but you are overreacting. Do you know the man? Is he a customer of the jewelry store? Say something to let me know you are all right.”
Sally buried her head deeper into her pillow shouting for Paul to leave her alone.
“What’s wrong with Mom?” Jenna asked as she and her brother, Ben stood in the doorway.
“Mom’s upset because a man died on the island last night. Mrs. Rutledge found the body earlier. I think your mom knows the victim, otherwise, she wouldn’t be this upset. She’s not talking, maybe we should give it time to sink in. You kids get ready for work while I fix us some breakfast.”
Paul knew Sally hadn’t been herself lately. His work scheduled drained him physically, and he hadn’t been attentive to her when he finally made it home in the evening. He and Sally saved for the children’s college, but their savings wouldn’t cover the costs. Ben had his heart set on attending a school out-of-state. Jenna would graduate the year after and she already talked about living in the dorm at the local university. Ben was good at basketball, but not good enough to earn him a scholarship. Jenna was more interested in her friends than her studies. It occurred to Paul that she wanted to go to college only for the social life, however, he found it hard to deny his baby girl anything.
Vivian Rutledge knocked on the back door interrupting his thoughts.
“Paul, I can’t stay long, Detective North is on his way and he’ll want to ask me questions. I’m worried about Sally, she ran off so quickly.”
“Sally’s in bed with the covers over her head, she won’t talk to me. I’m glad you’re here, I don’t understand her devastation. I know it was a shock to see a man lying dead in our neighborhood but you are the one who found the body and you aren’t acting that way.”
“Maybe she knows the man from somewhere, perhaps the jewelry store. The other women and I have
noticed a change in Sally, she is nervous and afraid of something or someone. I know your work keeps you away from home leaving her alone most evenings. I wonder if something has happened at the store to make her skittish.”
“She loves her job, Mr. Crenshaw treats her like a daughter. I know she enjoys the customers and the other workers. She mentioned getting involved in the Community Playhouse with Harvey. It would fill her evenings and she wouldn’t be alone. I don’t like my schedule, but I have to think of my children’s future and I need the money this job pays.”
“Do you mind if I check on her? If she’s sleeping or doesn’t want to talk, I will leave her alone.”
“If anyone can reason with her, it’s you, Vivian.”
Vivian had known and loved Jenna and Ben since they were little. They were nice kids but could be selfish as are many people their ages. They both had jobs after school, and Vivian suspected any money they made went directly to Ben’s truck and Jenna’s love of clothes. She and Harvey encouraged their children to spend a little and save a lot. She had to remind herself that this is a different generation and times have changed.
Murder on Applewood Circle Page 6
