“Sally dear, it’s Vivian, may I come in?”
“Oh, Vivian, I’m sorry you were the one to find the body, it must have been a terrible shock.”
“Yes, it was, but it’s you I’m worried about. Do you know the victim?” Vivian knew from the look of horror on Sally’s face she’d guessed correctly.
“Yes, I know him and I’m not sorry he’s dead.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I can’t, Vivian. Would you do me a favor, ask Rebecca Snow to visit me?”
The request surprised Vivian, but she said nothing and agreed to call Rebecca.
“In the meantime, why don’t you take a shower and get dressed, do you have work today? Mr. Crenshaw would understand if you took the day off after what has happened.”
“I don’t work today, I’ll get dressed after Paul leaves for work. I don’t want to talk to him. Will you tell him I’ve fallen asleep?” Sally turned and buried herself under the covers again.
***
In a rooming house in downtown Miami
Albert Fox sat in his wheelchair while the heat of the hot summer day enveloped him. He closed his eyes and remembered her coming to his shop saying her brakes were ‘acting funny’.
She was a pretty thing; he knew she had kids because there were booster seats in the back of the vehicle. He was distracted while inspecting the brake line. His bookie called telling him he’d lost ten thousand bucks on a sure thing. Did I miss something? Did I add brake fluid? Was there a crack in the line? I don’t remember. They couldn’t prove it was my fault. What difference does it make? My life was ruined thanks to Scott Harper. He made me lose my business and then Adele showed me the door. He’d be happy to see me now.
Al called for the aid who assisted him two days a week. “Mindy, get that computer contraption and find me an address in Oakwood Park, New York.”
“Do you have a friend there, Al?” Mindy asked.
“No, he’d never call me a friend.”
Mindy found the address of Scott Harper and wrote it on a note pad. She found writing paper and an envelope with the return address of the rooming house. “I have a stamp in my purse, you can have it, I never write letters these days.”
Dear Mr. Harper,
Albert Fox here. I want to apologize for your wife’s accident. If something I did or didn’t do caused her brakes to fail, I am sorry.
I deserved to lose my business and my family. I want you to know what happened one year ago. I think it will give you some peace of mind.
I was walking home one evening when the driver of a car lost control and landed on the sidewalk with me under the wheels. The doctors saved my life but couldn’t save my legs. I thought you’d appreciate the humor in my story, the driver lost control because his brakes failed.
I’m not asking for pity, I deserve my fate because of my carelessness. I hope your wife has recovered from her injuries. If it’s any consolation to her, I am in constant pain.
Signed, Albert Fox
Al sealed the envelope carefully writing the address on the front and placing the stamp in the corner. He wheeled himself to the hallway, dropped the letter in the mail slot, wheeled back to his room and swallowed the pain pills he kept in his nightstand, they washed down easily with a fifth of scotch. Albert Fox hoped he’d find the peace he hadn’t known for over ten years.
Chapter Fifteen
Detective North sits at his desk studying his computer screen. “I don’t get it, Erica, it’s as though Kenneth Ford never existed. A runaway husband usually leaves a trail, this man vanished.”
“If he is the whistleblower, he could be wearing cement shoes in the bottom of Oakwood Park Lake.”
“You watched too many gangster movies when you were a kid,” Dan replied.
“You forget, I grew up in a house filled with boys; Mom and I couldn’t beat them so we joined them.”
“Those cement shoes might be a possibility. I’m not ruling out the witness protection idea either. I know Jessica Barnes wants information on her father, but it might be best to let sleeping dogs lie.”
Midge poked her head in the door. “Detectives, Officer Spencer is on the horn. A John Doe was found dead on Applewood Circle. Kenzie Morgan asked him to call you.”
“Spence, what have you got?”
“John Doe on the island in the middle of Applewood Circle. A resident walking her dog discovered the body early this morning. Paramedics are on their way but the guy’s a goner.”
“Any identification on the victim?”
“No, sir, no identification, it could be a robbery, he’s got a hole in the gut.”
***
Vivian left Sally’s bedroom more worried than before she’d gone in. “Paul, Sally is in shock; she knows the victim, is it possible she witnessed the shooting? She asked me to call Rebecca Snow; it’s an unusual request, they are practically strangers.”
“She might have gotten up during the night, I didn’t hear her, but I can sleep through most anything. If she saw what happened, why wouldn’t she wake me? I realized this morning I haven’t been there for her in the last few years. I’ve concentrated on making money for the children’s future and forgetting about Sally’s needs. She refuses to tell me what’s wrong; if Rebecca Snow can help, I’ll be grateful.”
“I’ll talk to Kenzie; I’m sure Rebecca will be here as soon as her show ends for the day. Maybe Sally will sleep until then. Sometimes that’s the best medicine.”
***
Harvey Rutledge greeted the detectives when they arrived. The paramedics loaded the body into the emergency vehicle.
Dan stopped to look at the dead man, he and Erica examined the area where the body was found.
“Spencer, have you found the gun?” asked Erica.
“No, I searched the island and there is no sign of a weapon. The perp might have taken it, but I’ll look in the shrubbery around the houses.”
“Vivian, I understand you found the man, did you touch anything around him.”
“Heavens, no, Daniel. I remember hearing myself scream and grabbed hold of Buffy. My instinct was to run home to get Harvey, but my feet wouldn’t move. Luckily, everyone came running or I might still be frozen on that spot.”
“Who was the first to arrive after Vivian screamed?”
“I believe I was, Dan, followed by Erin.
I saw Vivian clutching Buffy, my first thought was she’d had a stroke; her body was rigid. As I came closer, I saw the man on the ground.”
The neighbors gathered around the island, with the body gone, they walked closer to the detectives.
“If anyone witnessed the murder or saw the man prior to his being shot, please step forward,” said Dan.
Paul looked at Vivian wondering if he should say he suspected Sally might have seen something that upset her. As though reading Paul’s mind, Vivian subtly shook her head no. The silent communication did not go unnoticed by the detectives.
After looking through the shrubbery around the houses, Officer Spencer spotted a pistol in the evergreen bushes in front of the Evans home. With gloved hands, he placed it in an evidence bag noting the house number where he’d found it.
The look of shock on Paul Evans’ face told Dan the man was unaware the gun was on his property. “Sir, what is your name? Does the pistol belong to you?”
“I’m Paul Evans, Detective. I don’t own a gun and I’ve never seen that one before.”
“Mr. Evans, do you live in the home alone?”
“No, my wife and two children live here as well. Detective, my wife had an unfortunate experience as a young woman involving a revolver. She vehemently opposes guns of any kind.”
“Where is Mrs. Evans now?”
“She’s upstairs resting. This incident has upset her.”
“Murder has a way of upsetting people, sir. If she cannot leave her bed, Detective West will question her at her bedside.”
“Detective,” said Vivian, “I don’t mean to intrude; h
owever, I have spoken with Sally Evans. She is distraught and has asked that we contact Rebecca Snow. Is it possible the questioning can wait until she is feeling better after she meets with Rebecca?”
Dan pulled Erica aside, he suggested they wait until Rebecca talked with the woman. “Rebecca has a way with people and will get to the truth. Either the woman is fragile, or she has something to hide. Let’s give her the time she needs.”
After checking the gun’s serial number with the police records, Officer Spencer reported the gun belongs to Crenshaw Jewelers on Locust Street. “I called Mr. Simon Crenshaw. He admits to having a pistol at his store saying it’s under lock and key. He is cooperative and is on his way to the store to look for his gun. The man is wasting his time.”
“Mr. Evans, does Crenshaw Jewelers mean anything to you?”
“Yes, my wife works at the store part-time. Why do you ask, Detective?”
Chapter Sixteen
Kenzie called her mother before her show went on the air. She told her about the stranger’s murder and that Sally Evans asked for her.
“We are all upset over the shooting, Mom, but Sally has buried herself under the covers in her bedroom. She won’t let Paul near her although she agreed to see Vivian. Paul is worried and Vivian talked Dan into waiting until you can meet with her before they ask questions.”
“Sally and I had a long talk yesterday. She was at the breaking point then. I’m afraid this trauma will put her over the edge. Have they identified the victim?”
“No, he carried no identification. I’m guessing he’s the same man who has strolled around the circle frightening everyone.”
“I’ll leave here as soon as the show ends. Tell Dan not to question her yet, it won’t help his case and it could worsen Sally’s emotional state.”
***
“Mr. Harper,” said Detective North, “you admitted you own a handgun. Has it been fired recently?”
“No, sir, I had nothing to do with the man’s murder. He wasn’t Albert Fox, I can tell you that. If it had been, I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t put a bullet through him, although I’d make him suffer first.”
“Scott, please,” begged Carol as she took hold of his arm trying to stop him from using a threatening tone.
“Mr. Harper, your anger is understandable, but it does no good to dwell on your wife’s injuries and the man who might have caused them.”
“Detective, I won’t rest until Albert Fox is in his grave. Is there a law against wanting revenge?”
“There is no law against it unless you are the one to make it happen.”
“Detective, Scott doesn’t mean what he’s saying. He is riled up because of the stranger who strolled around the circle. I never saw him but Scott and some others did. He reminded folks of unpleasant events in their lives.”
***
Although Detectives North and West were not ready to make a determination. They’d eliminated Erin Rutledge as a suspect. She took the blame for exposing her mother’s affair with Coach Willard. Her mother convinced her the coach held a seven-year-old girl responsible for losing his job and his family. It makes no sense he would come after her because of her part in his misfortune.
Jessica Barnes is eager to learn what became of her father. Yes, she’d have questions for him, but it’s unlikely she’d murder a man she thought could be Kenneth Ford.
Scott Harper is on the brink of a mental breakdown. It’s doubtful he committed the murder of a stranger. He would recognize Albert Fox if he saw him and doesn’t hide his contempt for the man.
Annie Palmer will undergo hypnosis to discover the make and color of the vehicle driven by the person who caused her sister’s death. Unless she is a skillful liar, she is not a suspect.
That leaves Sally Evans. A gun was found in the shrubbery in front of her house. She is distraught and has taken to her bed. Mrs. Evans has requested a meeting with Rebecca Snow, a woman she met a few days ago. Paul Evans is perplexed by his wife’s odd behavior. The woman has a secret she will share only with Rebecca.
“Everyone, go back to your houses. Detective West and I will interview you individually. If you are expected at your job this morning, we will question you first,” said Dan asking for a show of hands for anyone who needed to leave.
***
Erin Rutledge sat on the sofa in the Rutledge family room. Erica thought she looked like a lost little girl, not the grown woman she is.
“Erin suppose you tell us when you first knew there was trouble on the island this morning?”
“I heard Grandma scream and Buffy barking. At first, I thought I was dreaming and then Grandpa came running by my room and called my name. I followed him to the island and saw my grandmother holding Buffy and not moving. A second later, I noticed the man lying on the grass, his eyes open and staring at the sky. I don’t remember what I did after that, I believe I comforted Grandma as best I could. Kenzie appeared, checked the body and said the man was dead.”
“Did you know the man, or think you did?”
“If you’re asking if I thought it was Coach Willard, the thought crossed my mind.” She repeated her part in her parents’ and the Willard’s divorces. “For years after my mom and dad divorced, Mom told me I was the cause and Coach Willard blamed me too. I remember her saying he would come back and teach me a lesson. Upon returning to Oakwood Park and my grandparents’ home, I realized I still feared my mother’s words. When I saw the stranger walking the other day, I imagined it was Coach Willard returning to teach me the lesson Mom talked about. Saying it aloud makes me realize how absurd it sounds.”
“Erin was a child when this happened. She called her father to protect her mother from perceived danger. Denise instilled guilt in her daughter to cover her own. The woman should be horsewhipped,” said Harvey.
***
The detectives talked to the neighbors with except for Sally Evans. “I wonder if we are making a mistake letting the woman have time to concoct a story. If Rebecca doesn’t show up by ten thirty, we have no choice but to insist she talk to us. Here or at the station.”
***
Vivian Rutledge returned to the Evans home. “Sally, it’s time to get out of bed, take a shower and get dressed. Paul is worried sick about you and Detective North is losing his patience. Rebecca will be here soon, she would tell you to make yourself presentable.”
Vivian sat with Paul at the kitchen table. “I don’t understand Sally,” said Paul. “I’m glad the kids are working this morning. They shouldn’t see their mother like this.”
“Paul, it’s serious, I can’t believe Sally would deliberately shoot someone. The gun is registered to Mr. Crenshaw at the jewelry store. He called Officer Spencer to say it is missing from its hiding place. Sally could have taken it for protection. She was afraid of someone.”
“I thought I knew my wife, Vivian, it seems there are parts of her life I know nothing about.”
“Tell me about the jewelry store robbery in California.”
“She witnessed a robbery at the store. She identified the thief and testified against him. She doesn’t talk about the incident. She moved east after her aunt was killed in a hit-and-run accident. I wish I’d pressed her into talking about her life in California. The children and I are her only family and we have all let her down, I’m afraid.”
***
Rebecca arrived at the Evans home. Vivian greeted her at the door. “Hi Vivian, can you fill me in on what’s happening? Kenzie said there was a shooting and Sally asked for me.”
“I can’t tell you much more than that, we think Sally is the prime suspect in the murder. She has been waiting for you. I’ll tell her you’re here and then leave. She won’t talk to anyone but you. I scooted Paul out, he’s visiting with Harvey for a while. The man is clueless about what is going on with Sally.”
Vivian knocked on Sally’s bedroom door. “Sally, Rebecca is here. I’m leaving and Paul is at my house. You and Rebecca may speak freely.”
“Thanks, Vivi
an,” said a refreshed Sally after a shower and a clean change of clothing. Vivian could see the improvement already, she only hoped the truth wasn’t as grim as Vivian expected.
When they were alone, Sally began by saying, “I killed Mr. Swayze.”
“Start at the beginning, Sally, tell me exactly what happened.”
“Mr. Swayze appeared at my door, he had a knife and said he would do to my children what I’d done to his son. The next thing I knew, he was standing on the island out front and I pulled out a gun and shot him. I thought it was a dream, but now I know it happened.”
Murder on Applewood Circle Page 7
