Murder Mysteries Series six

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "Not my idea of him joining us Mr. Payne. He felt it was too important for anyone less than him to see if you would lend a hand."

  "Look Ms. I don't want to make an enemy out of the Sherriff as he could make my life miserable. I really don't like being put in this position. Tell him for me thanks but no thanks. I'm retired and that is what I'll continue to be: retired. That's the end of the story and it was a pleasure to meet you," he said while picking up his fork to eat the pie. He saw out of the corner of his eye her walk over to her table and speak to her 'superior'. He rose quickly and walked over to speak with Norm. He said:

  "Excuse me Mr. Payne. I'm Sheriff Walter Biggs." Norm backed off the stool and turned to face his speaker.

  "Nice to make your acquaintance Sheriff. I hope we can become friends as I plan to live here in my retirement for quite a spell."

  "I was hoping we could entice you to help in a terrible crime Mr. Payne. Our department isn't really equipped to handle such a brutal case of murder," he said with emphasis on the adjective. "What can we offer to have you lend a hand?"

  Norm could see the wheels turning in the less than medium height for a male these days. With Norm's over six feet and this guy, who probably upon inspection of his driver's license, would reveal his five foot seven over stated, felt a little intimidated by his height. He said, knowing this short fellow could make life a little less enjoyable, said: "Here's what I'll do Sheriff. Or I should say, my terms. First I'm a consultant only. I don't do ground work or leg work. I'll advise and direct using Ms. Debra Carter as my go-between. Secondly, as a contract consultant, my fee is five hundred a day plus any expenses I might incur. At county expense a land line is installed into my home. It can be terminated after the case. Those are my terms Sheriff. If you disagree, I will continue my retirement."

  Norm saw the Sherriff squirm and shift from one foot to the other. Norm sat back down with his back to the counter waiting. During the interlude, Debra had walked over and stood just back and away from her boss. Norm never took his eyes off the sheriff. After licking his fat lips, Sheriff Biggs said, "I'm not sure we have a budget for that amount Mr. Payne. However, Let me discuss with some higher ups and I'll send word back with Debra."

  ''I want it in writing Sheriff. I've long since ignored any verbal agreements. Beth can be a witness to the agreement. I'm reluctant to even consult Sheriff Biggs. I left murder behind me in New York and have no plan to continue that avenue of violence in my retirement. I also want it stated that this will be a one time agreement and no such agreement to assist will happen in the future."

  "You drive a hard bargain Mr. Payne. However, I do respect your privacy. In this day and age, we should have a veteran detective on our staff. The state police have detectives, but when I called they said all were busy on other cases. Well, I'll send word with Debra Mr. Payne."

  Debra stayed where she was and Beth was still rooted to the counter not believing what she heard. In a small town such as Lincoln City, the happenings at the local restaurant would be spread like butter on toast throughout the town. Debra stepped up and said:

  "Mr. Payne, I've never heard anyone talk to Sheriff Biggs like that in my life; or for that matter, heard about anyone putting him at someone's mercy. I'll not sleep tonight rehashing every word that was uttered."

  "It was the only way for him to save face Debra. If I declined, such things as parking tickets, moving violations, being towed and other harassing things would happen. Besides," as he stood up, "working with you will not be such a bad thing. I'll remind you that a murder investigation is hard work without much sleep. Now you'd best go to the office and I'll be back here at seven pm for dinner. If I don't miss my guess, we can put dinner on the."

  10

  Norm had asked Beth to reserve the window table for seven. She said, "You're pretty sure of yourself Norm. Let's see what I can whip up for something a little special for dinner tonight. By the way, are you a drinking man? I can provide a bottle of wine if you'd like?"

  "No thanks Beth. I gave it up years ago. I limit myself to a jersey highball these days. Anyway, I'll be back at seven."

  She watched him leave and went to the kitchen shaking her head. It was the first time in her life she wished she was younger, thinner and better looking. This guy from New York made goose bumps on women. She could tell Debra was slowly being drawn to his persona.

  Norm felt rather good about how it turned out. It very well could have been a disaster. Besides, a gang rape of a wheelchair bound woman went against his grain. Whoever did the deed must pay in spades. He already had a good idea where to start the investigation. He drove home to unload his new TV and to listen to some YouTube music on his new speakers.

  He checked his mail and found a new message from his old partner Mona. She told him she'd been asked to study for the lieutenant's test and was excited about it all. He replied saying good luck and keep him posted. With that taken care of, he plugged in his new speakers and logged on to some internet music. Soon he was rocking out to Dire Straits.

  Later, after a shower and shave, he decided to spiffy up a bit for dinner with Debra. A new print shirt, with freshly pressed kaki pants, [thanks to a local cleaners] and his leather coat, he looked rather good, he thought. He locked up and went to his SUV noticing the weather had changed. An onshore breeze was felt ending the nice warm weather of late.

  At the restaurant, the place was full as usual. Also word had, most likely, been passed around that the beginning to be famous detective was having dinner with a lovely sheriff's detective that very night. It really does not take much to put a little excitement into a rather quiet community. And this bit of fodder would be passed around for all who were curious.

  Norm went to the window table and glanced at his watch seeing he was early. That was fine by him as he took out a small notebook and pen for some notes he wanted to write down. He had hardly begun when Debra came in with a flourish. She was smiling and quickly sat down handing him a file. "Good evening Debra," said Norm.

  "Same to you Norman," she replied. Both knew that using their given names would align their relationship. He flipped open the file and saw the contract between the Lincoln County and Norman Payne. He perused and it was complete.

  "Well, here we go Debra. Let's have dinner first and then I'll give you some instructions for tomorrow's work. I wonder what Beth has for dinner tonight. By the way, you look nice."

  "You too Norm. I don't mean to pry, but I'd guess that you've been single for quite awhile?"

  "My story is fairly typical Debra. I was married and quickly divorced. Policemen don't make good husbands. We've little to talk about other than our work. Lord knows talking to your wife about murder is not appropriate dinner conversation."

  "I'm not sorry to have asked. From this point on we'll be working together a lot. I hope or am hoping that you're not a moody person?" She saw him smile and shook his head a little. He said:

  "You should talk to my old partner Mona. She worked with me for three years and seemed to have survived the experience. In this case Debra," as Beth came over delivering two green salads complete with dressing and then took off to take care of the other customers. "you'll be doing most of the work. I don’t know if you ever watched any PBS and "Inspector Morse" shows. If you have or did watch any I'm, Inspector Morse. His Sergeant Lewis did all the leg and detail work while Morse did the thinking. Regardless of the method, Morse and Lewis always got their killer." He saw her cock her head and look somewhat puzzled over that last metaphor.

  Both dug into their salads and while chewing took stock of each other. Debra was a little worried about entering into this arena with a former homicide lieutenant from NYC. He might be a little overwhelming to say the least. However, his eyes betrayed his frankness with some glimmer of warmth. But one must look hard to see it. She had been watching keenly when he was dueling with her boss Biggs. His eyes were dead cold, dark brown without that golden fleck when he was happy or happier. Right now they were sparking, w
ith tiny gold flecks radiating his true self.

  He said, as the salads plates were swept away by the dishwasher, "Tomorrow we begin by discovering who sponsored the races of the boats on the lake and names and addresses of each competitor. In addition, obtain a list of all the state park customers who spent the night or nights one day before and a day after the murder. That's enough to get the ball rolling."

  She stopped chewing when she assimilated the amount of work it would take to satisfy the request just made. It was clear she needed some help with the 'leg' work he was ordering done. She saw him grin and with large bites of pork roast, she thought he gave off a slight chuckle. "I'll get on it first thing in the morning sir. If I remember correctly, Sergeant Lewis always called Morse, sir."

  11

  After reading the contract over coffee after dinner, Norm felt all was in order. He asked Beth to sign and he signed as well. A verbal addition was told by Debra that Biggs wanted a daily report and Norm replied, "Tell the Sheriff that you'll be the one to give any and all reports. I'll sum up periodically, but no media is to be given my name period end of story."

  Norm had a good night's sleep and Debra wished she enjoyed the same experience. She wrestled with the task given her by Norm making sleep a hard place to find. Her last look at the bedside clock told her that it was slightly after two am when she finally dozed off. Her alarm was set for six and she struggled awake with a splitting headache. A hot shower and a bowl of oatmeal set her morning right as rain. While driving to the Sheriff's office she swung through a coffee shack owned and tended by her friend Alicia Roads. Alicia said, while seeing her friend run down her window on a cool, cloudy and windy morning, "How was dinner you lucky girl?"

  "Dinner was fine and he gave me enough work for two people in a week that I've only a day to complete. Well, so what – I want to know if he made you feel funny inside?"

  "No comment and if the truth be known, he's damn scary. No wonder he was such a success as a detective because the perps gave up knowing who on the case. He really fits the – don't want to run into him in a dark alley – cliché."

  "Tell him coffee is half price for the first week of his first time through,"

  "One look at him dear Alicia and you'll give it to him free. Besides your chest is too small and he likes big tits."

  "How do you know that Deb," asked a startled Alicia.

  "I caught him checking out my cleavage while he munched his dinner silly girl."

  "You lie and my boyfriend thinks my boobs are just fine. I can't wait until this guy freaks out seeing thousands of freckles all over your pink nips," she said handing her a special latte with a smirk on her face.

  Debra drove off with her thoughts moving back to the job at hand. What awaited her was a big surprise. This was the first time Sheriff Biggs had arrived before her; or any other deputy other than the dispatcher. She rapped on his door jamb and he motioned her in while talking on the phone. She sat down and waited for him to finish. From the sounds of it he was talking to the mayor and then hung up. He said, "Tell me how it went last night."

  She could see he was eager to learn and then he could report the good points and dismiss the bad. She told him he agreed and signed the contract," which she laid before him. She continued, "He's given me a list of things to do and I'll need some help with the two major parts. First I have to find the sponsors of the boat races and then the addresses of each participant. After that I'm to check out any and all at the state park."

  "I've requested two retired deputies to come out and work the phones for you. Also, I've contacted our three reserve deputies to come on full time for the duration. They'll be at your disposal. I've been told by the county commissioners to solve this case pronto. Tourist season is coming and we don't need any bad publicity. Here a list of the two retired deputies and the reserve guys as well. Lastly," he said, "What's your take on this hot shot from New York?"

  "Very professional and from what I understand, it's not easy to become a lieutenant of a homicide division without a lot of experience in both administration and years of hands on detecting. I doubt any of us would understand everything that he is doing and will do during this investigation. I'm guess they'll be lots of sleep missed by a lot of us."

  "Don't forget to feed me fodder from the executives that run this county. I will need feedback Debra and mind you what I ask," he said with a voice of authority that she'd not heard many times before. It was obvious that he was under a lot of pressure to wrap this crime up in a quick and efficient manner. However, as things developed, not all rubber boots will keep the deepening water out.

  Debra had no more sat down than her cell buzzed her coat pocket. She automatically looked at the screen to see who was calling so early in the morning. She did not recognize the phone number and almost closed her phone up when she thought better and answered it. "Good morning Debra. Set up a meeting with the aunt for midmorning. I'll ride with you. When will the phone company be here to set up a land line for me?"

  "Are you in a phone booth Norm? I can hear traffic going by. Don’t you have a cell phone," asked Debra.

  "I sure do Debra, but my cell number is sacred and private. I might get one of those preloaded hand phones just for this job."

  "Let me check on the phone hook up and I'll arrange an interview for later with Aunt Rose. I'll come by later after I take care of the hydro racers and park folks." She heard a click and the phone went dead. "Nice guy," she thought.

  Debra thanked the phone people and gave a silent thanks to God as well. She had the two retired guys on the hydro assignment and one of the reserve guys, Clint Kramer, a young man full of both himself and his new assignment, on the state park assignment. After that she called the aunt and found her still hurting from the loss of her niece. Debra said, "Ms. Stipent, if you don't mind we'd like to interview you again this morning. Please say yes as we want to learn as much as we can."

  "I'm okay and I'll be ready by eleven, is that fine by you?"

  "That would be wonderful and can I bring you anything while I'm coming your way?"

  "No I'm fine and I'll make some coffee for us."

  Debra looked at her watch and saw it was just after ten and she had best be going. While she slipped on her jacket, thought about Aunt Rose. Her voice was just slightly slurring a word or two. It was evident that an interview sooner rather than later was definitely in order. She left word with the dispatcher where she was going and walked out into a soft rain.

  Norm had made a quick run to Newport where a national road service and map company had an office. He joined up and was given some great maps of the Oregon coast and both Lincoln City and Newport city maps.

  Back home just after ten he was surprised to see a phone truck waiting for him. A tall girl stepped out and said, "I took the liberty sir to go ahead and install a phone line and phone in your unlocked house. The Sheriff's department said you'd not mind me in your house without you being there. I hope you don't mind. I stayed her until you returned. I went a step further and installed a mobile phone system so you can walk around talking if you'd like. The expenses will be sent to the Sheriff's department."

  "I've no problem with what you've done. I thank you and such good work deserves a reward. How'd you like a cup of coffee for your efforts," he asked the phone tech who stood eye to eye with him.

  "I'm sorry Mr. Payne, but I've a full schedule today, but here's my phone number for a rain check?"

  "You can count on it. You might add your name as well as the number," he said while flashing her with a winning smile. He watched her leave just as Debra drove in. While waiting for her to exit her door, he wondered, happily it seemed that he'd discovered a renewed interest in women. Walking up was a fine example and what just left was another. He gave Debra a grin and walked in to check out his new phone. He still carried a large tube of maps and a sack of stick pins.

  Debra said, to his back as they entered his doorway, "Ms. Stipent will see us at eleven. I saw the phone company leavi
ng. Let's see what your number is."

  In the kitchen they both found the phone and a post-it with his new phone number. "Nice." He went on asking, "What have you put in motion so far this rainy day?" She related what she had done so far and he nodded while taking out the large map of Oregon from the cardboard tube. "Where shall we put this map Debra?"

  She quickly discounted the kitchen and went to the living room. On the opposite wall of the fireplace, next to the entry way, a wall was bereft with two second hand prints of the ocean. "Here is where you want the map Norm," she said while taking down the imitation plastic wood framed prints. She sat them near the door as a hint to return them to the local Goodwill store.

  "I like it Debra," he said while holding up the map with two hands to see where it fit best. The only downside was light. The living room was not well lit from either lights or from windows. He thought that maybe someday he would have the place remodeled. Next he took out a city map of Lincoln City and stuck it to the wall alongside the state map. "There now, how's that look Debra?"

  "Good and don't you notice it's a little chilly in here," she asked.

  "Yes, but this place has oil heat and I can't find out how to make it work. Now that I've a phone, let's call somebody to make it work. It's getting a little damp and cold in here. Soon the walls will turn green like in New York in the summer time."

  "Here let me call. The oil guy is my best friend's daughter who has a drive through coffee stand not far from here. I'll put a yellow stick pin where she's located on your new map." Norm watched her punch the buttons on the phone and meanwhile he located where the crime was thought to have been committed. He put a pin in the river and a pin in the house they were about to visit. Another pin went into the lake and another at the state park.

  He heard Debra talking on the phone and then hanging up she said, "Okay, the oil man, Dale, will be over after lunchtime. He knows the place well. He figures the oil is old and the tank will need flushing out. I told him to do what he had to do to make it work properly. Did I do good?"