Murder Mysteries Series six

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Inside the county jail, Charley and Cale were waiting for what came next. Neither had been in a situation like this before and they whispered back and forth about what a terrible night they had experienced. Now that sat in a sterile interrogation room waiting for what came next? Cale said, "I think we're in deep shit Charley. We never should have given or shared dope with her."

  "We didn't do any harm Cale. Let's tell the truth and see what happens. I'll ask for a lawyer for us. We should only be charged for dope smoking and that's not a felony anymore. In fact it's legal nowadays."

  The door opened and a deputy led a rather tall hard looking man into the cell. [Debra and Jenny were at the wall behind a mirror.]

  The deputy stood off to the side. Norm looked first at one then the other with his eyes looking into their brains they were so intense. Both gave off a slight shudder and looked down at the stainless steel table that was bolted to the floor. Norm said, "I want you two dickheads to tell me about your relationship to Linda Blake. But first let me read you your rights." That gave them enough time to think about two things and not just one.

  "We want a lawyer," said Charley.

  "Okay, I'll send word for you. Now, you haven't been charged, and if you've nothing to hide, answer my first question."

  They looked at each other and Charley said, "We knew Linda from school. We hit it off and she indicated she'd like to smoke some weed. Because she lived with her aunt, we had to visit late at night while the old bag was passed out from drink."

  "When was the first time you went to her house and got high?"

  "Maybe six months ago."

  "And the last time?"

  "A couple days before she died," said Charley with rather thick words.

  "Did either of the two of you have sex with her," asked a raised voice.

  "Well, no, not really. I was at her house alone one time, about three weeks ago. We got high and she asked me to show her my unit. I looked around and was a little shy, but it looked like it would be okay. It wasn't very light out as only the kitchen light was on and we were not far away from it. I stood up from the lawn chair and dropped my pants. I thought it rather strange at the time that my dick became fully hard. She was looking with a curious face that reminded me of science class.

  She reached out tentatively and touched the head. By now I'd become rather turned on. She asked me to come closer and I did. She said:

  "I know what you want Charley and let me stroke it for you. I've never seen or done this with a boy before. I want to experience the feeling it provides you."

  She wasn't very good at it, but it didn’t take long before I pulled back and came onto the patio. She saw it getting smaller and told me thanks. That was the end of that until just a few days before she was killed. We made a day and time by text and e-mail. I showed up and we again got high. This time she asked me to play and suck on her—er—breasts. Hey, I saw nothing wrong with this scene. She was braless and when she raised her sweat shirt the cold air made her nipples hard as marbles. I did as asked and then we practiced kissing too. She was getting hot and so was I. Once again she asked to show her my unit. I did as instructed and soon she took it in her mouth. I blew off man in no time. She told me she loved it and maybe we could go all the way next time."

  There wasn't any next time. The next thing I heard she was killed. I didn't kill her man and neither did Cale here." Charley sat back and let out a lung full of air. Cale was sitting back quietly with his hands together in his lap.

  "You know what boys – I believe you. I want or need a DNA sample to prove your innocence. Do you agree to a DNA test?"

  "Fine with me, said Charley and then Cale.

  Debra came in with swabs and sealed plastic bag to send to Portland of the two men who readily agreed. Debra asked, "Why did you two guys run. That only makes you look guilty."

  "We were afraid and scared the law would blame us. I know it was stupid and shouldn't have done it, but with our relationship with Linda, I thought we might be framed."

  Norm said, "You're free to go and you might visit her and tell her good bye. For the next three days, call this number each morning and night. Don't leave town. The ankle bracelet is for us to keep track of you until the crime is settled."

  41

  After a short meeting with Sheriff Biggs, where Norm said they had a tape of the conversation with the two suspects, but in any case, Norm felt they were not the guilty party of this crime. Sheriff Biggs asked, "Norm I've a feeling you are close to solving this case; am I right?"

  "A few things need to happen Sheriff. If they fall into place, we can wrap it up fairly soon. If not, well – let's not go there right now."

  "I'll pass the word Norm and wish you well. I'm getting numerous calls from Lincoln and folks are getting scared especially since you were attacked. Okay, keep in touch," he said shaking Norms hand and nodding at Debra and Jenny.

  Back in the SUV as the rain began to fall in earnest, Norm said, "My stomach is rumbling for crab Debra. Let's go open that Crab Restaurant a little early today."

  So it became known the Tidal Raves became The Crab Restaurant in Norm's vocabulary. Strangely enough, it caught on and locally in Lincoln City it became, euphemistically, The Crab Restaurant.

  Margie Throckster smiled when they walked in just a shade before 11: 30. She said, "Welcome back and I see you've brought along a friend. Follow me and I'll seat you."

  Norm thought that she could not remember their names, but faces she remembered. Besides, what is in a name anyway? It's what's behind the name that matters.

  The sat at the same table as only a few customers were here at this rather early hour for lunch. Jenny had kept quiet up to this point and then asked, "I'm wondering about what Linda mentioned about the boys becoming too aggressive with their innuendoes." She looked at Norm who was seemingly day dreaming out the window watch the rain splatter against the glass.

  "Good point Jenny," he said turning to face her. If Charley was telling the truth, and I think he was, then the comment Linda made doesn't apply to those two "C'' boys. Clearly our victim is telling us that she has or was entertaining other men in her life."

  "Does that mean we have to keep looking for "C" guys in this case," asked Jenny.

  "Let's take another look and see if we missed anybody with a first or last name beginning with "C"."

  Norm did not miss the look Debra was giving him. She knew there was more to this story that he was not telling. That curiosity ended with the first course of clam chowder being served. Norm said, "I can only think of one thing that tastes better than this chowder."

  Debra dropped her spoon making a loud noise banging against the table falling to the floor. She scooted back and the waitress came running. She was lucky that only just a tiny bit of chowder hit her leg. The waitress brought her a new spoon and Debra said, "Sorry I feel like a little kid spilling its glass of milk. Anyway," as she looked at Norm, "What were you saying?"

  "I said that this chowder tastes second next to the crab sandwich that is coming. That's all. Just idle chatter. Debra saw the devil in his eye and wondered if Jenny caught the drift; she hoped not.

  The tasty lunch came and weather talk prevailed for the duration. Jenny, towards the end of the meal asked, "Norm, I was wondering why you asked me come along?"

  "Humm, well, I'll tell you want I had in mind Jenny. My mother, thanks to her, made me keep a rough diary of my cases over the twenty plus years of my career as a homicide detective. I thought maybe, if you've the time, could take from my dictation and write my experiences into book form. I'm thinking fiction based upon fact. I thought today's experience might give you some empirical knowledge of what a detective goes through."

  "I'll give that some thought Norm. I'm a little busy with my master's thesis, but maybe I could squeeze some time to help you out," she said with a big smile.

  Back in their office/situation room, Norm read again all the reports and electronic conversations of their victim. By 5 pm he'd had
enough and so had Jenny and Debra. Jenny went home and that left two people looking at each other wondering what to do next. Norm said, "My place sucks. How about your place; providing you want my company. I can totally understand if you need to ponder or ruminate about what happened last night."

  He saw her face turn a shade of red and glanced down at her hands. Norm did not have much experience in this arena of relationships with the opposite sex. He wondered if he should say more. He started to speak when she said, "Norm, I don’t need any time to think about what came to pass between us, but I'll admit I'm completely taken by you and want nothing else but to continue what we started." She saw him about to speak and continued, "Wait, there's more. I don’t want to get hurt Norm. I'm really not a one-night-stand girl."

  "I think the Dungeness crab is like a truth serum Debra. I've very little experience with women. I've had a few overnighters, but they left me wanting. Last night, after I woke up, left we completely satisfied and very happy. Let's give it another go and if either one of us needs to speak about anything, let's agree to hash it out."

  "Let's go to the market for some dinner," she said standing up ready to go.

  The next two days passed slowly and Norm spent time at his new remodeling project. Benny did not mind at all. In fact he enjoyed having Norm around. Benny realized that the cash register would ca-ching every time he visited with new ideas to incorporate into the project. Work went on regardless of the incessant rain that continued most days that spring.

  It was on the second day Norm was out of the office when Debra called. She told him the DNA results were in and hurry to the office.

  Norm drove to the office in a pounding vertical rain. It was chilly and he wore a new Gore-Tex coat that Debra bought for him. He parked and glanced at his watch seeing it was just before noon. Upstairs he took off his wet coat and hung it up to drip dry. His hair was sort of plastered to his head. Debra sat the small conference table reading the reports. She said "You knew all along didn't you?"

  "I'll answer that when you confirm what you are reading about the matching of DNA from our victim and the perpetrators."

  "It says here that the semen from Linda Blake matches the DNA of Clint Kramer, Clyde Horner and Dan Daniels. It confirms that they are the killers of Linda Blake. May they rot in hell."

  "Call the Sheriff and inform him of our findings. Have him send deputies to stand guard at the hospital and to round up any that have been released."

  "I'm a neophyte at this detective work Norm. But was there one thing or many things that led you to the three reserve deputies."

  "Many things lead one to the killer or killers Deb. In this case, it was the statement she made about being frightened about the 'fresh' guys who made her scared enough to say something about them. The "C" for Clint and "C" for Clyde with Dan being the quiet one screamed volumes to me. Like it was told to me, this is a small town and everybody knows everyone. I'm guessing when Linda would not 'put out' they or Clint decided to take what he couldn't get for free. I think when we interview Dan Daniels he'll spill his guts to us. Clint and Clyde will get life and Dan will cut a deal giving him some reduced prison time."

  "It all seems so easy when it's over. However, when on the ground sifting through the detritus of lives, it appears hopeless. Our best clues came from electronics and the science of DNA." He saw her shake her head in slight bewilderment. If Jenny wasn't there he would have gave her a hug, but above all they both had to remain professional.

  "The loss of life, whether by natural causes or violence, destroys many lives. When a life is removed from what that person was, it can't ever be replaced. Rose is one victim that will increase her consumption of alcohol just to survive the loneliness if her life without her niece. Well ladies, how about we have a small celebration to our successful endeavor to find the perpetrators of Linda Blake?

  "It does seem a little strange that we celebrate when the victim is gone forever. But I guess we have to think that we possibly have prevented any further crimes from those three violent men. I for one feel safer now and so does the town," said Jenny gathering up her stuff.

  "I think Beth would like for us to celebrate here and I'll all for it," said Norm looking at all the paper work they had acquired since the case began. Linda's computer, cell phone, stacks of paper lay on the tables. They saw him looking at it and he continued, "Leave this stuff until tomorrow. We'll tidy up then."

  Debra's phone rang and she listened and said, "I'll check with him, but I'm sure he'll agree."

  "I'll agree to what," asked Norm with a grin on his face.

  "Sheriff Biggs wants to visit here and have dinner with him and with the mayor of town," she said with a slightly frightened look on her face thinking maybe she should have kept her mouth shut.

  "That's part of the politics Debra and Jenny. We must put on a happy face and endure the platitudes that come our way. We rejoice knowing we put away the killers. Our thanks go to the Boy Scouts, our retired deputies, -- who by the way should be invited – and all the other citizens that helped us along the way. In a couple days life here will return to normal."

  42

  Norm met Mayor Robbie Roget for the first time. He seemed like a personable, down to earth sort of man in his late forties. To Norm he seemed antithetical to what he knew as a politician: one who knew what to say and when to say it. Regardless, Norm actually enjoyed his company. He told Norm and his associates a short thank you and left it at that.

  Sheriff Biggs on the other hand, acted like he was running for reelection. The word had gone out to the townspeople and soon the place was packed with curious and the regulars. Jenny was a little embarrassed as the Sheriff was her uncle. Shortly after dinner she made an exit with Norms' smile as a blessing to go.

  A surprise occurred when the Sheriff stood up and said, after a spoon against the glass, "We want to take this time to thank our new resident of Lincoln County, Norm Payne. Because of his past success as a homicide detective, we asked and he agreed to investigate the murder of one of our citizens. I have here in my hand, [he waved an envelope] his reward for the apprehension of the perpetrators. Most all of you know Norm is having his beach house remodeled. I polled our counties administrators and they all agreed we should foot the bill for his remodeling project; within limits of course." That brought a round of laughter and some serious clapping from the crowd.

  Norm was slightly embarrassed and stood up to shake the Sheriffs hand and to receive the envelop he had in his hand. No speech was asked for and after ice cream and cake, they went home.

  Both Norm and Debra had decided that it was not necessary to hide their relationship. He followed her to where the relationship was cemented: her place. They sat in the small living room and she had a glass of wine and he had, what was coming to be his drink of choice, soda water with a twist of lemon.

  While she fixed their drinks, he opened the envelope. Inside was a letter outlining the payment of his remodeling project and a check for the days of investigation. He smiled thinking all would help in the future.

  43

  True to his word, Sailor Jack presented Norm with his tool bag. Also true to his word, Norm helped Benny with the construction. Norm moved out of the motel and moved in with Debra. Norm decided to keep the upstairs quarters of Beth's restaurant until his place was finished. On the days Norm did not work at his house, he spent the time with Jenny laying the ground work for a novel.

  Norm had no idea what or how to get this project off the ground so he called his former Captain back east. He had remembered that some time ago, an agent had visited the station house looking for someone to produce a crime novel. Norm placed the call to his Captain. "Norm, you're the last person I expected to talk to today. What a surprise. I suppose you want your old job back," he joked.

  "No Captain, I need a small favor though." He went on to tell him what he was looking for and the waited for an answer.

  "I've his card right here Norm in my desk. I thought maybe someday I'd d
o what you're intending. Here's the name and phone number. It's a major publishing house in New York. I'll say good bye and good luck."

  With his heart in his throat, Norm made the call. Three days later that very same agent or representative arrived in Lincoln City. Two days after that, the agent left town with a signed contract. Norm, that night when Debra came home, he showed her the contract.

  "Norm, this is unbelievable. Now everyone will think I only like you for your money."

  "Well it's probably true," he said waiting for her to pounce on him knowing full well they'd end up making powerful love on the carpeted floor of her house.

  Debra moved out three months after she had met Norm Payne into his newly constructed beach house. Norm did not have a clue how to decorate so he left that up to Debra.

  Benny was pleased with knowing Norm and Debra were happy with the final product. He went away smiling leaving two smiling customers happy as well. Debra said, "We need to go grocery shopping. I for one would like to stop off at the Crab Restaurant for dinner. I'm sure what we buy will be alright while we eat."

  "Let's go and maybe tomorrow, because the summer is nice, but a little chilly, we can BBQ."

  After shopping, they went to the restaurant where Margie sat them at their favorite table. Debra had called for a reservation. Margie was happy to see them again. Norm and Debra enjoyed dinner and afterwards she looked up and said, "Norm I've something important to tell you."

  His head snapped up and looked her in the eye and waited with bated breath. She smiled and said, "We're going to have a baby detective."

  His mouth fell open and after a long ten seconds, she saw a tear roll down his cheek. He said, "You know my daughter is soon to get married? Who will be my best man?"

  Debra answered, "Would you like a double wedding? Does it really matter who the best man is?"

  44

  The land line phone rang waking Norm up. He saw it was just after 6 am. He said, "Hello and this best be important to disturb a future father."