Murder Mysteries Series six

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "Sorry Norm," said Sheriff Biggs. "We need your help again as a body washed up on the beach not far from your house. A beach comber that was staying at Sailor Jacks Motel called it in. Lincoln City police are on the beach as we speak. They say he died of suspicious means. Can you help us again Norm?"

  Norm looked at Debra who was wide awake listening. She could hear as the Sheriff had a booming voice. Debra rolled her eyes and gave a slight nod. Norm answered, "Same rate as before?"

  Shivering, not from the cold, she stood at the sliding glass doors watching her man with their newly acquired female shepherd; take off jogging down the beach. She smiled delighted with the name Lin for the canine.

  End.

  If you enjoyed this story, then you've made my day. If you really liked it, send a review. If you thought it was terrible, send a review. Regardless, I'll keep writing.

  Second Novel

  "Murder at the Myrtlewood Factory"

  "Good morning Fran. Where are dad and Rory," asked Stacy taking a mug out of the cupboard for her morning tea.

  "Indeed yes, a good morning Stacy," answered Fran who was stirring a bowl of eggs for breakfast. "They went down to Port Orford to see about some myrtlewood that some guy who called earlier this morning. You father said they'd probably stop by Cliff Keystone's factory on the way back. You know," she said laughing, "Rory will probably get really hungry before finding something to eat. Your father doesn’t eat much." Stacy nodding her head in agreement.

  Stacy had made some hot water for her tea from a hot pot and was stirring it while sitting down at the kitchen table. "How about some toast with your scrambled eggs Stacy," asked Fran.

  "I'll make some toast Fran and this free time will give me a chance to catch up on what's happening at the office in Eugene." Stacy sat watching her father's significant one since her mother had passed on a few years earlier. She felt very happy for her father and for Fran as well. Both had lost their respective spouses and by chance, using cooking as a medium, found mutual likes that carried forth to a senior romance. Now they had announced their marriage was forthcoming this June about a month away.

  Stacy Foreham looked around the kitchen seeing not much had changed since her mother died. What seemed a long time was actually only a few short years since she returned from Chicago where she majored in criminology. She was recruited heavily, but decided to cut her teeth back home in Bandon, Oregon to be with her father during their period of mourning. A sip of green tea brought her back from reflecting on her first job as a police officer and then, by her new found ability to solve major crimes, elevated her to a detective position. Subsequently after displaying a rather unique ability to solve homicides, she was recruited for a new location and position as a US Marshall in Eugene, Oregon.

  It was becoming traditional for her to take a few days off after solving a major crime. So far she was just shy of a one-hundred percent solve rate, with the only killer having disappeared into California. She almost had him, but like in horseshoes, close only happens in that game. Presently they, her fellow Marshall, Rory Caltex, were camping out at father's house.

  "Stacy," said Fran rather forceful, "you seemed in another world. Here are your eggs and I found some homemade strawberry jam I'd made a year ago. Enjoy a relaxing breakfast."

  "Thanks Fran and I was day dreaming a little bit. After breakfast I'll shower and do some computer work out in the motor home. If you need some help prepping for tonight's dinner at the restaurant let me know."

  "I'll do that if I need some help. Between your father and I we pretty much have it all under control. Flo is a big help as well. Now you go ahead and enjoy your time off and I'll get to work on a few things for dinner tonight.

  2

  "I should have known better Rory. That guy was trying to rip me off selling bug infected myrtlewood that would be best used for firewood," said Ray Foreham, Stacy’s father

  "I agree," said Rory as they drove back north from Port Orford to Bandon about thirty miles away. "I felt like flashing my badge and scaring the hell out of him for false representation of goods for sale." He laughed and continued saying, "But I'm not sure Ray that there is such a thing as false representation."

  "Live and learn Rory. Let's stop at Cliff's and see what he's up to this fine cloudy morning. He's always got the coffee pot on."

  Walking through the door of Cliff's factory, Rory noticed the clock on the wall was just a little past 9 am. Cliff was adding or had just started a fire in the wood stove. He glanced over his shoulder and said, "Coffee’s ready if you want some. I'm glad you stopped by Ray as I've something to kick around with you," he added standing up and nodded at Rory. Rory didn't take any affront from Cliff not including him in something that sounded important only to the two of them.

  Rory passed on coffee without food in his stomach gave the advantage to coffee. He found a stool by the stove and sat quietly while the two old friends chewed the fat. He heard Cliff say, "Ray, my damn kids are breaking me and I'll be in the poor house soon if I'm not careful. How can two grown kids, like mine, be so damn worthless. One is addicted to gambling and the other is not happy unless she’s spending money she doesn't have. The worst thing is my wife bails both of them out."

  "What do you want to do about it Cliff?"

  "Well, first I'm going to cut them out of my will. If that doesn't straighten them out, they'll be cut out of my wife's will as well. If Cody decides to get a job that pays money, I'll make some contingencies in my will. I’m though with those two dead beats."

  "That's rather harsh Cliff," said Ray. What does Agnes say about all of the happenings?"

  Rory saw Cliff sidle up to Ray and whispered into his ear something Rory couldn't hear. However, he saw a look of surprise on Ray's face when Cliff's mouth continued to indicate he was talking. The whisper only took less than a minute with Cliff breaking away and he said, "Look at this project Ray and Rory. I'm about to glue a laminated door later this morning. It'll have a stained glass window put in by that new glass shop in Old Town."

  "Nice and certainly it has a wonderful combination of grains. Well, we must head back to town Cliff. We're just back from a wild goose chase down Orford way. I'm sure my partner here is getting hungry for a couple pounds of bacon and a half dozen eggs," Ray said banging Rory on the shoulder. "We'll stop by and say hello to Agnes. Go easy on those kids Cliff. They'll flounder without your help and drop in with a bad crowd. Catch you later," as they walked out the door.

  Crossing to the tourist shop and entering by the back door, Ray looked for Agnes, but she wasn't anywhere to be found. Rory saw him shrug his shoulders and walk out the front door leaving the sounds of the door bells jangling.

  ****

  US Marshall Stacy Foreham was enjoying a few days off at her home in Bandon, Oregon with her father and his lady friend Fran Parker. It had become traditional for her to take a couple of days off after solving a case. Tagging along was Marshall Rory Caltex. Stacy's office was in Eugene and Rory's office was in Portland. The two had an on again—off again relationship for the last couple years. Presently it was on again.

  Stacy was walking to the motor home through the woodshop when her father and Rory pulled in. Stacy was looking hard at the table her father was working on when they walked up.

  "Dad, I see you're working on a giant table for the banker man. Are you going to inlay like the last table you made," she remarked rising up and then walking around the table admiring the various wood grains of the coastal myrtlewood.

  Ray Foreham, recently retired Chief of the Bandon Police said, "Yes, but it's so hard to find that much myrtlewood that matches an area of that size. I did a little research on myrtle and the color of the wood is determined by the minerals in the soil. As you know myrtle grows from Reedsport north of here to the Northern California coastal region. In-between are the various colors and grains of the famous myrtle. I went down to Cliff's factory where I usually buy most of my stock. He's searching hard for the honey myrtle that he like
s the best for my new table." Stacy was looking at her father thinking he looked younger now that he'd given the Chief's job up. She saw his penetrating light grey eyes looking back at her. The two of them were or had distinct similar appearances when a subject was of interest.

  "What about just south of Cliff's place at Walt Rawlings factory. Oh, I forgot. Are Cliff and Walt still feuding," asked Stacy, who had moved around and now stood in front of her father. "I seem to remember they almost came to blows at the last Cranberry Festival. Flo was telling me all about it. It seems to me those two old guys are like that movie with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon in 'Grumpy Old Men.' Rory began laughing and so did Ray Foreham. Rory was watching Stacy seeing how demurely she spoke in front of her father. Her father had the reputation of being both stoic and frank when involved in a conversation. He rose from his stool and as he gazed over the various grains of wood said:

  "Yes, they still hate each other and now the sons and daughters are taking up the feud. To me it reminds me of the Ozarks with the Hatfield and McCoy's going at it. Luckily in this case nobody has been hurt yet," said a more serious Ray fingering some new stock of myrtlewood that he and Rory picked up down in Port Orford, south of Bandon about forty minutes on Highway 101. All three looked up as the door opened.

  Fran came in and said, "Hey guys, either lunch or breakfast is ready. Maybe lunch is more to your liking men. I made Rory's favorite: roast beef with horseradish on homemade bread. I also whipped up a potato salad. I was going to serve it tonight for dinner at the restaurant, but with our new big eater around, so much for that idea! She turned and walked back out laughing at her own joke. Ray just smiled. Rory was blushing, but not for long. Rory brought up the rear as they slowly walked from the shop through the covered open space between shop and house to the kitchen.

  As they took their seats, Stacy saw the satisfied look in her father these days finding a woman to share his waning years with. After her mother passed on, her father began attending the local senior center where Fran was the head cook. Both had lost their spouses and discovered that they were attracted to each other.

  After moving in, Fran discovered Ray was also a very good cook. Both loved to cook. They decided to open a home-cooking restaurant during the spring and summer months of the year. Late summer or early fall they closed the place up until spring. Meanwhile, to while away the retirement, Ray made wood products in his new shop. That was just before his retirement. If anyone asked him, he'd tell you it was the right move.

  Stacy glanced at Rory seeing the happiness in his eyes as he took in the table. As always, she just shook her head with a slight smile. Fran was beaming from ear to ear and Ray was his usual quiet self. "Dig in Rory and don't wait for me. I'm watching my stock pot for soup tonight at the restaurant."

  Rory did as told as his long arms reached out and in short order had a roast beef sandwich that would serve three ordinary people. He would have made any grandmother proud to see him wolf down a Dagwood sandwich. Fran was thinking about whether or not Dagwood was still in the comic section of newspapers. She had not read a newspaper for years. She simply did not have the time. While the three ate lunch, Fran was humming some no name tune while fussing around the kitchen when the house phone rang. She picked up the portable that was sitting on top of the microwave. Stacy automatically looked at the wall clock. It was just after 11 am.

  Fran's smile was wiped off her face immediately. She told the caller to hold on for a moment. "Ray, it's for you. The woman sounds hysterical. I can't make out what she's saying other than she wants the chief." She handed the phone to Ray who sat his fork down on his plate and said:

  "Ray speaking." He listened without expression with his free hand playing with his napkin on the table. Stacy realized that there was a major issue or problem somewhere that needed her father's attention. She assumed a shoulder back position while listening. "Agnes, slow down and get a grip woman. Is Brody there or Sara?" He listened some more and said, "Okay, listen Agnes I'll be there in ten minutes or so. Don’t' touch or do anything until I get there, okay ---------- ah, good now sit-down and wait for me."

  Stacy and Rory waited and watched the former chief wrinkle his brow and then he said, looking up at Stacy, "Agnes the wife of Cliff Keystone says her husband is lying dead on the factory floor. She says somebody killed him. I need to call Chief Karen at the station while we're on our way."

  Stacy jumped up and so did Rory. All three left Fran stirring the stockpot. Murder or death was not in her recipe book, but dinner had to be prepared for the night. A tear rolled down her cheek as she thought about Agnes losing her husband. She and Agnes were friends from way back when. She wiped the tear away with the back of her hand while she reached for the cumin.

  Stacy rode in the back of Rory's SUV. Fortunately he had his murder bag with him. Ray called the police station to only find out Karen was at a police chief meeting in Roseburg. Officer James Fletcher was minding the store. Ray informed James to meet at Cliff's factory soonest he could and secure the area.

  3

  Cliff's Myrtlewood Factory was located south of Bandon about eight miles. His factory and sales showroom was the original myrtlewood shop on Highway 101. Since that time more have come and gone; including his nemesis Walt Rawlings whose shop and factory was just south of Cliff's by less than three miles. Walt always gloated the fact his shop was first on any northbound tourist traffic from California. Cliff, on the other hand, purported his shop had grey whiskers and produced a better product. This type of bitter relationship had been going on for a quarter century or more. Now it appeared a death had occurred under suspicious circumstances. Agnes wouldn't have called the chief if Cliff had had a heart attack or an accident needing medical assistance.

  Rory pulled into the gravel parking lot leaving room for other emergency vehicle to arrive. After getting out, Stacy was leading the other two men towards the front of the shop when Officer James pulled in parking next to Rory. Stacy waited until James trotted up and said, "You know the drill James," she barked. "Tape the place off and let no one in until the coroner arrives."

  Stacy stood back and waited while her father went in to see Agnes. Stacy slightly shivered, but was glad she had her windbreaker on as the afternoon wind was rather stout flowing onshore from the Pacific Ocean not a mile away as the crow flies. However, tall evergreens and shorter hardwood trees help protect the tourists who stopped by to admire or purchase the rare sparkling myrtlewood products.

  With eyes darting around, Ray found Agnes sitting at the sales counter staring to the side of the building that was full of myrtlewood items. She was oblivious to the sounds of the doorbells jangling as he walked in. He slowly made his way to the familiar counter where he and Cliff had spent many hours chatting about all things older men do. However, the main topic of myrtlewood was central to their lives these days. He gently placed a hand on her should and quietly said, "Agnes its Ray. Look at me Agnes."

  He carefully watched and saw no sign of being aware he was there. He tried one more time and gently shook her shoulder, but she remained as if in a waking coma. He went around the counter and out the back door to the factory. A covered cement walkway led from shop to factory. The door stood open. Ray slowly and carefully looked into a familiar well lighted large wood working area. Lying on the floor was Cliff with what looked like a small pool of blood next to his head. Across his chest at an angle was a metal pipe wood clamp for larger pieces being glued together? Somebody had used that bar clamp for a bludgeoning weapon to Cliffs head. Ray shook his head, turned and went back in to get Stacy on the job.

  Ray went back the way he came and tried once again to speak to Agnes. Nothing resulted from his attracting her attention. He went out to see Stacy. He said, "A body is lying on the floor of the factory. Indeed it is Cliff and you'd best call the coroner and the state police CSI team. I can't seem to get Agnes to talk to me. She's in a daze of some sort. I guess we'll probably need a medical person on the scene as well." He turned to Jam
es with eyes filled with sorrow and said, "James call the clinic and get a doctor out here for Agnes. Also I wonder where the son and daughter have gotten off to? Usually they're around here most of the time. I'll go back and see if I can find their phone numbers."

  Stacy turned to asked Rory to call his former captain in North Bend and inform him of a death and probable homicide. After that she called the coroner office and talked to the receptionist who said she'd pass on the information immediately. Stacy gave her the location and hung up.

  After James called the clinic he and Stacy taped off the factory to preserve any evidence that might be found. Next was waiting for others to arrive. Rory came around the shop and said, "My former captain says hi and he'll send the CSI team on its way. He asked about help from his only detective and I said we could handle it. He laughed and said when in the area stop by."

  "I'd better call Connie and let her know we're on a case." Rory nodded his head and walked away making his office call to Rhonda his secretary in Portland or Beaverton to be exact.

  "Hi Connie," said Stacy.

  "Hey how you enjoying back home for a few days with that gorgeous Tall Man at your beckon call," she said laughing.

  "We were having fun until an hour ago. A friend of my father's was found murdered in his myrtlewood factory not far from downtown. We're on the crime scene now waiting for the pathologist and CSI team to arrive."

  "Murder seems to follow you Stacy," she said jokingly. "You'd best stay there and solve the homicide. I'm sure your staff and Rory's staff can handle it for a few days while you're gone."

  "I'm beginning to believe it too Connie. Well, I hear in the distance the wail of a siren coming. I'll fill you in later," said Stacy looking at Rory who just finished talking to Rhonda. He joined her as both watched the approaching vehicle arrive.