Norm dug out his ID and handed the bat to the policeman nearest him. He said, "I want these three men charged with assault with deadly intent. I will follow you to your station and sign a formal charge."
"Oh, you're the detective from New York. We have heard about you Mr. Payne. It appears these guys jumped you and why would they do that?" Norm told them the story and after the medics took away all three under guard, Norm went to the police station.
Debra met him and waited for the story. Norm briefly told her what happened and again told her he wanted formal charges filed against the three of them. Then he leaned in and told her to make sure the hospital took DNA samples of all three men.
37
"Are you sure you're alright Norm," asked a concerned Debra.
"Yes, I'm quite alright. It was kind of nice to get in some exercise for a change." They were driving back to Beth's and after a short work out, Norm was a little hungry.
"Here's the story," he began as they sat down at their usual window table. Jenny was there and so was Beth. "They were waiting for me on the fire escape. Clint came first with the baseball bat. I took him out and then knocked Clyde unconscious. After him came Dan. I broke his knee putting him out of commission. Then it was Clint's turn to pay for his aggression. I broke his elbow and then broke all of his fingers in his left hand. He'll have a hard time eating for awhile; or shoot pool for that matter. That's it."
Beth said, "Dinner is coming up. I think I'll have a drink of wine while I'm preparing dinner for you all."
"The word will get around and let me tell you that yes; martial arts played a big role in tonight's event. I'm a member of the Boys Club. I was taught by a former Japanese black belt champion. The mental side of martial arts helped me rid the alcohol off my back. It's also saved my life on more than one occasion. Now I'm famished."
When an All Points Bulletin [APB] is sent out, also with an attachment noting wanted in murder case, thousands of police are heads up and looking for the vehicle license number to catch their eye. Such was the case involving Charley Klonger and his friend Cale Jacobs. Both were traveling together and picked up in Eugene. Debra received the call from Sheriff Biggs office.
Norm was standing at the window the next morning when Debra informed him of the call she had just received. He said, "Have the two retired guys go get them Debra. They'd love the trip. Besides those young guys will chat it up with those two old timers. By the time they get back here, we'll know all there is to know about their involvement in the case."
"Good idea and I'll get right on it. By the way, we should have the DNA back from the victim sometime today. I'll call the coroner's office and see what is what. Also the funeral service is today. I've also instructed the hospital to take and label each of your three attackers DNA. It'll be sent to Portland."
'Very good and as it's not raining I think I'll go check on my house. Benny did leave a message all was going well. I'll be back in an hour or so." Norm drove the short distance to his house. At first he was a bit surprised. He saw a rather large single axle truck in his yard half full of ripped up boards and other things unidentifiable. Walking in his door less house, he found Benny leaning over the drawings on his kitchen table. Two other young men were ripping out the siding and making lots of noise. Benny rose up when he saw Norm and smiled. He said, over the din, "We're doing good Norm. It looks like we're ahead of schedule just a little."
"It looks like a hurricane hit the place Benny," he said laughing. "I know what you're doing. I just wanted to take a look and maybe snap some pictures with my new smart phone. I was thinking Benny – please follow me……." He went out the back and stood facing the west. Norm continued. "How about a wind breaker fence running along the western side boarding my property. It would run north and south and then east to the garage."
Norm saw Benny looking at his idea and giving it some serious thought. He said, "Would you like a gate with access to the beach; or just open large enough to pass through?
"I gate would be good Benny. I'm thinking about a canine companion. I'm sure dogs love to run the beach and I'd like the company. There you have it Benny. As you know everybody, a German shepherd is what I'm thinking. Let me know if you get a line on one. I think I'd prefer a female rather than a male; but really it doesn't matter."
"Pardon me Norm, but is this in answer to last night's main event?"
"Yes and no Benny. I like to sleep without one eye half open like I'm used to back in the old days. A smart dog like we're talking about will allow me nights of pure restful sleep."
"I'm sure we can have what you're looking for very quickly. Everybody in this town thinks you're a hero Norm. Those three guys were bad news around here. Hell, if you wanted to run for mayor, you're a shoe in," Benny said laughing.
Norm decided on a stroll along the beach. He went south and as soon as he reached the river, he saw the Boy Scouts under the bridge. HE went up the north side and met the Scout leader, Gary Evans. Norm waved and Gary waded across the shallow river. After the introductions, Gary said, holding out his hand with a dripping cell phone, "I think this is what we've been looking for Mr. Payne."
"This is good news Mr. Evans. Please call me Norm. I'm not sure what we can retrieve from it, but regardless, I thank you very much. If I'm not mistaken, some hi-tech guys can do wonders these days with damaged electronics. I'll set it up with Beth at her restaurant to have her provide hamburgers and the trimmings for you and your boys."
"That's very generous of you Norm. We thank you and I'll call Beth to make a date."
Norm watched him go across to his scouts and they huddled around him listening. Then they looked across the river and waved yelling thanks. Norm waved back with a small lump in his throat.
38
Norm had but one tie and one sport coat. He dug out of his bag a light blue dress shirt, his solitary pale yellow tie and his best pair of kaki Dockers. After a hot shower, a shave and dressed, he gazed into the looking glass seeing a rather nice looking face starring back at him. A crooked grin was the last thing he saw as he went to the front desk and entrance to wait for Debra to pick him up. Jack was leaning on the check in counter when Norm arrived. Jack said, "Looking good Norm. By the way, thanks for not leaving a blood soaked carpet last night. The only damage was where the bat hit the wall. I'll repair and not send a bill to the county," he said smiling.
"That's good of you Jack. Maybe if they get work release they can be caretakers of your property. Some good physical work might help their attitudes; but to tell you the truth, I doubt it. Oh, here's Debra now. I'll see you later Jack."
When Norm got in he immediately detected some very nice aroma coming his way from Debra. She was dressed nicely and later after he saw her standing, looked very lovely. Inwardly, he felt himself losing a little self control. He was distracted by Sheriff Biggs smiling face coming his way with his hand out. Apparently he had been waiting for them to show up in the parking lot of the church.
"Well Norm it looks like we're making some substantial progress on this case. I know it's still early, but those two runners will seal the deal I hope."
"Indeed Sheriff we're making headway and just this morning our CSI team of Boy Scouts retrieved a cell phone which we believe is the victims. We sent it off to the FBI lab in Portland. Let's hope there's some evidence we can use on it."
"I'm happy to hear you're not injured from last night's attack Norm. I've wanted for a long time to rid myself of those guys, but this crime came along and we needed them. I'm not sorry they'll spend some time in jail."
By now they had reached the door and the church was full of mourners. As usual, sad music was playing and on a pedestal sat a brass urn with Linda Blake's ashes. She was twenty-nine years old. It was Norms guess that anyone older would have grieved the most, knowing how young she really was to have died.
Rose and some friends of hers sat with her in the front row. Norm, Debra and the Sheriff sat in the back. Thankfully, the next forty minutes passed quickl
y and they took leave of the gathering of grievers. Those 'grievers' would be a lot happier soon at Rose's residence where food and drinks enough for all waited. Norm thought correctly that it would be an early to bed for Aunt Rose.
39
James Townsend and Eric Snowwin were thoroughly enjoying the assignment of picking up the two suspects in Eugene and delivering them to Newport. It would be at the county jail where Norm and Debra would question Charley and Cale about their relationship with the victim Linda Blake.
Just outside of Eugene, driving back west to the coast, with James driving, Eric said to the two young suspects, "You both are in a lot of trouble. Do you know that?"
"We didn't do anything and we didn't kill our friend Linda. I don't know why you are taking us back to Newport," said Charley.
"I'll tell you why boys. It's because unless you have a iron clad alibi for the night she died, you're prime suspects. You've been named as last persons seen by her. And you know that they say about suspects being the last ones to see the victim?"
James said, "I'll tell you what boys. If you confess now I'll see to it that the court goes easy on you guys."
Charley looked at Cale and Cale answered, "We didn't kill her. We want a lawyer and quit playing cop with us. You'll see you've got the wrong guys here. Besides you're just escorts and have no power to offer us a deal." Charley gave Cale a high five and the car went silent for the next almost two hours of riding to Newport.
Norm thought it prudent to let the two suspects spend the night in jail. They would interview the next morning. Meanwhile, after a short visit to Rose's house, they went back to their incident room. Norm sat by the window reading all of the reports on the case. It took a long time to read through all of the e-mail and copied Facebook conversations. Finally at around 7 pm it was time to have dinner. Jenny had gone home and it was only Debra left in the office. They went downstairs where their usual table sat waiting for them. It had the usual 'Reserved' on the table. Beth made sure they had the table waiting for them when they wanted to eat or just drink coffee.
Debra said, "Do you have a gut feel Norm for this case yet?"
"I do Debra, but it's not my style to speculate without a complete knowledge of the facts or solid circumstantial evidence to come to a conclusion."
"I think you know who committed the crime; don’t you?" She saw him almost crack a grin and he said:
"Let' stick to rules of deduction and see if it leads us to the killers. We've no real evidence Debra. However, in a few days it will become clear who murdered Linda Blake."
"Okay, let's leave it at that point. I know you don't drink, but do you mind if I have a glass of wine while we eat?"
"Not at all Debra. I enjoy watching other people drink and always give thanks the next day when I wake up fresh without a hangover."
Beth brought dinner and a bottle of red wine. Debra was still admiring his good looks and the way he was dressed. Her heart was doing its best to not burst out of her chest. Across the table, Norm felt the same way. He kept glancing up and so did she. Both felt a tidal surge was coming.
Dinner almost over, Debra looked up and said, while holding her glass of wine, "You want to see where I live?"
"I thought you'd never ask. I suspect it looks like who you are." He saw her turn a little red and he continued, "But, who you are -- is what I like Debra."
Norm drove because she had been drinking. It was only about a mile from the restaurant where she lived in an upstairs rooming house. He followed her up the stairs trying not to admire her backside, but failed.
For protection she had a deadbolt and soon they were inside. She placed her bag and took off her coat. He followed suit as they stood looking at each other. Norm made the first move and soon they were locked in an iron embrace with tongues seeking the delicious taste of each other.
At the same time, she was stepping back towards her bedroom. He quickly got the message. With a throaty voice, he whispered, "lead the way." While she held his one hand, he used his other to loosen his tie. Debra dropped his hand and turned on the light next to the bed. It cast a yellow glow across her queen size bed. Norm thought it nice the room was not pink, but a pale yellow wallpaper accented with horizontal darker yellow lines about half way up the wall.
She turned and began to unbutton his shirt and he did the same to her blouse. When his shirt was off and her blouse resting together on the floor, she ran her hands over his rather hairy chest. He was looking intensely into her eyes and made for her full lips. While slurping sounds were heard, he, with surprise, easily unhooked her bra. While going to work on her neck he moved the straps of her bra so it too could join the ever increasing pile of clothes on the carpet. While moaning in pleasure, she reached down to relieve him of his pants. Soon he stepped out and while he stepped out of his pants she quickly stepped out of her fawn colored pants. Having the pants nuisance out of the way, they both fell onto the bed.
Norm went to grazing all over her upper body. When he quit teasing her ample breasts, he gently took one nipple at a time into his warm mouth. He only barely realized he was hard and his unit was looking for relief. He moved down her body stopping only long enough to tease her belly button. Her flat stomach was heaving as well as her hips. With one hand he slid her panties down and she kicked them off.
He went lower and soon was taking in her pubic region with relish. Her hands were pulling on his hair and pleading sounds were beginning to come from her mouth. Norm never stopped. He found her button and round and round he went with his tongue. In a short time she went over the top literally thrusting up and down on the bed. Her breath was coming hard and so was his. His head lay on her stomach, but his ever aching unit was still at attention.
"Norm, enter me now. I want it all and I want it hard and fast please," she said raising her legs to give him access. Norm obliged and with a gasp from her lips he felt a hot warmth swallow his unit. He did as instructed and it wasn't long before his reservoir of sperm pass out and into her. It was so over the top he almost blacked out, he thought later.
Finished he lay beside her with is arm under her head. She lay next to him and both tried to relax. He began to wonder if what they did was okay given the circumstances of investigating a murder. He chuckled wondering why he should even care what they thought.
Debra felt his chuckle and asked, "What's so funny? I'm not laughing."
"No, no nothing is funny. I was thinking of the pending ramifications of our – relationship. Then I realized I didn't care one way or the other," he whispered in her ear.
"I forgive you and will you spend the night or go home?
"If you'll forgive me again, I need to run the case from beginning to end to see if my thinking is correct. But, I feel something rising to the occasion and if you don't stop what you're doing, well, I can't be held responsible."
She rolled him onto his back and went to work. Norm could not ever remember feeling this good. Sure he had sex before but nothing like this. He wanted her and he could tell she wanted him, but not just the physical side of a relationship, but a much warmer one that only the two can define. His thoughts faded to the back as a frontal assault sent him to a place of nirvana.
Both fell asleep and daylight was seeping through window when he was awakened by the smell of coffee brewing. But before all else, he had to use the bathroom. After that he put on his clothes and left for the kitchen. Norm found her dressed and making a light breakfast of toast and jam. He leaned on the door jamb and watched her with a slight grin on his face. He quietly said, "The coffee smells as good as you do."
Her head snapped around and a big smile crossed her face. He saw her eyes drop rather demurely and she barely above a whisper said, "Good morning and are you okay after last night?"
"He saw her with a mug of coffee in her hand that was holding it out to him. He walked over and took the mug, sat it on the small table, and took her in his arms saying, "Never better in my life Debra. I ask you the same question," he was looking i
nto her pale blue eyes. He saw them water just a fraction, but then he heard:
"I loved it and hope it can continue," she said tightening her arms around his neck. The message was clear and when they separated, sat down to coffee and toast.
40
Debra dropped Norm off at his motel. He needed a shower and a change of clothes before leaving for Newport to interview the "C" boys. "Pick me up in half an hour. Oh, ask Jenny to come with us. She did most of the work on the logistics so let's treat her to the interrogation and of course, lunch again at that swell restaurant in Depoe Bay?"
"I can do that, but if you've any idea other that her education, forget it big boy. Unless you cut the line, I'm hooked, she said with a wry grin. He watched her drive off and hurried up to his room.
Twenty minutes later he was chatting with Jack at the check in counter waiting for his ride. Jack said, "I think, but maybe I'm wrong, you're looking rather happy today Norm. I've a feeling you're about to wrap up this case?"
"I've a few loose ends Jack, but if all the pieces fit, we'll call it a job. I can't say well done, because a lovely lady died at the hands of some very wicked guys."
"The town will back to normal if what you say comes to pass. They all know more than one guy who is a local is running around free. All young and older women are scared to go out at night Norm."
"Soon they will rest easier and we can all relax. I'm thinking about getting my hands dirty working on my new remodeling job."
Jack laughed and shook his head. Then he said, "I've an old tool bag in my storage unit I'll lend you. I too did some work on this place. I'll dig it out for you. Oh, looks like your ride is here."
Norm looked around and saw Debra with Jenny outside waiting. He hurried out the door and into the back seat. He sat behind Jenny so was out of mirror range of the driver. He liked being incognito for the ride to Newport. It was rather quiet riding down the coast. Debra seemed focused on the job ahead. Jenny was very quiet as she had no idea what was coming up.
Murder Mysteries Series six Page 10
