Murder Mysteries Series six

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Rory followed Stacy out the door into a driving rain to the SUV. Inside as the rain beat against the windshield, Rory heard Stacy vociferous purport, "I've never heard such bald face lies in my life! Makes me want to puke. Let's get out of here and go find some real humans to talk with. Let's go see how Agnes is doing. Yes, I know Tall Man," as they pulled out on the highway, "Your hungry as usual."

  "I'd like to charge the whole damn family with murder. However, in my gut I feel they're not our killers, but we can't dismiss any of them at this point. I'm leaning towards a family member. I also think – well – not sure how – but the kids must have found out about the will."

  "It could be as simple as father telling his kids they better not expect much after the parents are gone. Well, let's keep digging and by the way, let's stop by the factory or crime scene once more before we go to town."

  It was just after noon when they pulled into the myrtlewood factory. A solitary sheriffs deputy sat in his car with the intermittent wipers swiping the persistent rain off the windshield. Rory pulled up, ran his window down and said to the deputy, "Go get some lunch as we'll be here until you get back."

  A broad smile made his cheeks wrinkle as he put his cruiser in gear tossing a few rocks from his front tires leaving the parking lot. Stacy said, "You're a nice guy Marshall. That guy will never forget you. Now shall we snoop around a little and maybe stubble across a clue we can use. I'm still struggling with the fact his body was turned over and the pipe was lying on a diagonal across his chest. Why would the killer do that?"

  Rory never commented as they rushed to the factory door where they shook the rain off their Gore-Tex coats. Inside was the same as when the crime was committed only now it was cold and damp. Stacy shivered and slowly examined the chalk outline of the body as it lay not far from the large work table. She once again noticed how clean the floor was and wondered if Cliff had recently swept or did the killer sweep the floor. The only blood found was under his head and just a few drops scattered not far from the body. It was plain that he died within the area he was found.

  Stacy looked up at the table seeing the current project being worked on. She either didn't remember or notice whether or not long pipe wood clamps were necessary to the project or not. She looked and saw the three pipe clamps on the work table, minus the pipe weapon and then looked over at Rory who was standing in front of a wall where the other three pipe wood clamps were hung. Did that indicate that maybe Cliff asked his visitor to bring him the remaining clamp? It was evident that whoever murdered Cliff was known to him because the killer had taken the one clamp that remained off the wall, walked over to him from behind, bludgeoned Cliff next to the work table. That distance was about twenty-five feet or so.

  Her eyes went to the wood stove that sat about ten feet from where the clamps hung and it was certainly possible the killer had been standing by the stove keeping warm while Cliff prepared or was continuing his work. She said, "Hey Tall Man, let's say the killer was a frequent visitor here. And let's say that the killer arrived around midmorning looking for a cup of coffee. How many empty cups are there at the small sink," she asked walking over to where a small sink and above it was a three shelf cabinet holding various coffee mugs and glasses. Rory had caught up with here and opened the cabinet doors. There were three glasses and next to the glasses sat a two-thirds full bottle of Tennessee whiskey. In the sink sat two coffee mugs that had been dusted for prints. Stacy remembered that both mugs held only the prints of her father and Cliff. "Did you drink coffee Tall Man while you were here yesterday morning?"

  "Nope, that coffee Cliff made looked like old cowboy camp coffee that needed a spoon rather than a cup or mug to the lips."

  "Well we can deduce that the visitor never drank any coffee or had a glass of whiskey as the only two mugs were in the sink. Unless the killer washed his mug and put it back on the shelf. Never mind. Let's check out the bed. I'd like to know if any fresh stains were seen on the sheets. Also we need to find and talk to Ellen Weeks. I'll call Dan and see if he remembers where she lived. Also it would stand to reason if she is a recipient of his will, the lawyer must know how to contact her; don’t you agree?"

  "Yes and now my poor stomach is growling and where is that deputy anyway?"

  "Okay, let's go and I'm still wondering why the killer turned the body over and placed the clamp on Cliff's chest. Is it a message or a clue of sorts? Or is it just something that was done to confuse us?"

  16

  Ben went first to Coos Bay searching for Alan Binder at his office. At his insurance office he was told by a snippy secretary that she'd not seen Alan for the last couple days. She was obviously upset as there were many calls waiting for his attention. Ben asked, "Alan is very much needed for an interview. We need to interview him and when was the last time you spoke to him?"

  "Let me see," as she stuck a mechanical pencil to her pursed lips, "It was day before yesterday when he told me he'd be down in Coquille for the day and be back the next day, yesterday, at this office. Well, that was the last time I heard from him," she said rather curtly.

  "Tell me Miss Waterhouse, as you know by now, his father-in-law was murdered yesterday around noon time. Now as murder digs into personal lives and reveals some hidden or not hidden things, well – it's rumored – that maybe Alan Binder is in some financial difficulty. My question is has any of the recent calls include creditors?"

  Ben saw her look down and contemplate how to answer, or if answer such a revealing issue, that was becoming more and more evident each day. She looked at Ben and decided to tell him what she knew as fact and what was rumored. In a slightly shaky voice she said, "Yes some of our recent calls have been from creditors and they aren't nice at all. I have to field the calls and make excuses. I'm fed up with it and do you know we here, the other two girls, haven't been paid for the last three weeks! Yes, rumor has it we are up for sale and for me I'd be glad to see a new owner take over. Mr. Binder is always complaining about his wife's spending habits."

  "If you called the Coquille office and asked them if they'd seen Mr. Binder, what do you think they would say?"

  "I already did just before you arrived. I also called his home and got his wicked tongued wife who said to get back to work that she'd pass on the message to her husband."

  Ben squirmed in the fake leather chair with chrome arm rests and legs. He was quickly beginning to think Alan Binder had taken a runner. He stood up and thanked Miss Waterhouse and left. He turned his car to Coquille and guessed he'd hear about the same story as he'd just heard.

  On the way back to Bandon, Stacy called her father. She asked him if he'd time to join them for lunch. He'd agreed and soon three sat at the restaurant across the street from the police station. Both he and Stacy ordered a light lunch, while Rory ordered a lunch that would have fed all three of them. Stacy asked her father, "Where did you put your empty mug of coffee after drinking that morning with Cliff?"

  He looked at her and after a short pause said, "I put mine in the sink and I do remember his mug was also in the sink. If I recall, the prints of both him and I were found on the two mugs."

  "I'm thinking maybe the visitor or killer didn't come to drink coffee but had his or her attention on murder with any preamble. I think the murderer came in, walked to the wood stove to warm its hands, and then Cliff asked for the remaining pipe clamp brought to him. The killer took the clamp and smashed it over Cliff's head. To or for me that means the killer either came with murder in mind or took advantage of a weapon asked for. Could it also be that the conversation was such that it made the killer angry enough to search out for a weapon? Well, you know what I'm driving at?"

  He waited while a crab salad came for Rory and she left a giant ice tea to wash it down with. Chief Ray said, "I do very well see where you're coming from. If a male friend stopped by, it's natural that coffee or a shot of whiskey is offered. I'm thinking it might have been a person who came with a serious subject in mind. Maybe a question was asked and Cliff
gave an answer not suitable to the person who asked it. I don't know Stacy, but you seem to be thinking it might be a woman who murdered Cliff because there's no evidence of a mid-morning cup of coffee being drank. It's slim and a little tenuous to consider, but it's the little things that break a case wide open."

  "I also think that turning the body over and then leaving the weapon upon his chest is a symbol benefiting a female rather than a male. The word ‘triumph’ comes to mind." That being said, silence was observed and then lunch was served.

  Mundane talk occurred while they ate lunch. Stacy was going back over what the Rawlings family had said or better yet not said. "Father, you were right that the Rawling’s family fabricated a story and will probably stick to it. What are your thoughts about them as perpetrators’ of the murder?"

  Ray leaned back, placed his napkin on the empty plate and said, "The Rawling's family have had years to do something about their main competition. However, why now and not some time before the present? Unless, and I have to agree with most folks who are in the know about the scarce resource Myrtlewood that it's hard to find. With Cliff gone, the competition is gone as well. That being said, I'd look at those two boys or maybe the wife for a killer. Old Walt is not up to the task. Besides Cliff would never have turned his back on him, or the two sons' for that matter. But maybe the wife?"

  "One more question father and what can you tell me about Cliff and his lady friend? I mean she is in the will and where does she live? I need to interview her. I think she can shed some light on this case."

  "Give me an hour or so and I'll find her. I'll tell you this much though, Cliff told me Agnes was fed up with his romance of that woman."

  "We're going up to visit her now. Ben is trying to track down Alan Binder and Pam is not around either. Thanks for coming dad and we'll catch you later," she said while standing up. Father left a tip and Rory picked up the lunch tab.

  The rain had stopped and the elusive sun was trying to break through the late spring rain showers. On the way up to the clinic, not far from Sam's place, Stacy saw the ubiquitous dandy lions stretching their necks for the life giving rays of the sun. It was also the time of year when the dreaded Irish hedge flowered. It sent allergy suffers running to the pharmacies for relief.

  At the Bandon Clinic, with only a few hospital beds available, Stacy and Rory parked off to the side to let patients have the better parking places. Inside they saw the receptionist who smiled warmly at Rory and also a smile for Stacy. Marcia was known to Stacy, but not a close friend. She said, without being asked, "Hi Stacy and the doctor wants to see you. There's been little change in Ms. Keystone. He's in his office and let me take you to him."

  Rory, unlike most people, didn’t mind the smell of a hospital. Actually he kind of liked it. He'd never heard a patient complain about the smell and most were happy to be taken care of. A rap on the door brought a pleasant voice to enter. Inside Dr. Winfried stood up and greeted both with a grim smile. He said, without any small talk, "Agnes Keystone is in a coma and I think it might be best to send her to Portland for tests. Physically she's fine, but we're unable to wake her up."

  "Do you need a family member to authorize moving her to Portland," asked Stacy.

  "Yes we do, but I've not been able to contact either of the two offspring."

  "Let me call their attorney doctor and I'll let you know later what happens. Meanwhile, we want to keep a guard on her door. I hope that's not inconvenient for you?"

  "Not at all Marshall. I think the staff likes it because it gives them something to talk about, " he said with a nice smile. "I might add," he said on a serious note, "this is the most curious case of trauma I've ever heard or witnessed. It's almost like she doesn't want to wake up."

  After stopping at the Binder Insurance Agency in Coquille, where another snippy secretary reluctantly revealed she'd not seen her boss for a few days or more. He sat in his car thinking where Alan Binder might be? A thought came to him and he called his old state police office in North Bend. He talked to a dispatcher and asked, "Have someone go to Alan and Pam Binder's home and see if either one is in the house. If someone is home, then stay with them and call me soonest. They are prime suspects in the Keystone murder in Bandon."

  "Consider it done Detective. The captain said he'd like to see you when you've time. It's nothing important, but he'd like to visit with you."

  Ben noticed the rain had ceased and he ran his window down letting in some fresh air. Even eighteen miles east of the ocean, his sensitive nose detected a faint hint of salt air. It was time to meet up with Stacy and Rory. The drive following the Coquille River would give him time to think. One thing he had not done was visit the scene of the murder.

  Ben was almost to Bandon when his cell rang. He pulled over and heard, "Detective Razor this is Sergeant Bilkes of the State Police. My partner and I found both Mr. and Mrs. Binder at home. Mr. Binder was cooperative, but Ms. Binder caused a little trouble. We are bringing both to Bandon to the station for you to interview. We did read them their rights. They waved an attorney at the present time."

  Thanks Sergeant and we'll be ready for you when you arrive. I'm almost at the station now." Ben quickly called Stacy and told her what had transpired. She and Rory were on their way back from the hospital as they spoke.

  17

  Rory received a call from Rhonda just as they parked at the station house. "Rory I've got the check on the Rawlings that you asked for. I'll fax the details to Bandon, but let me tell you this guy is rather deeply in debt. In the last six months a few liens have been put upon his properties. His wife, Bonnie has her own troubles with credit card debt over fifty thousand."

  "Thanks Rhonda and here's another check we'd like to see. Her name is Ellen Weeks and lives here in Bandon. We don't have an address, but she must bank somewhere or possesses some form of ID."

  "I got it Rory and will call when I've some information. Nothing else new here."

  Walking to the door of the station, Rory told Stacy about what Rhonda had found out about Walt Reawlings. Stacy nodded her head and went through the door getting mentally prepared for battle with the Binders. Ben was in the Chiefs office talking to Ray. Stacy and Rory came in and they had a meeting.

  Rory went first telling Ben and Chief Ray what Rhonda had reported on the financial check on the Binders. Ben gave his report on the whereabouts of the two suspects and just then they all heard Pam Binder in a loud voice protesting her rough handling from the police. Sergeant Bilkes came into the office and shook hands around the room. He said, "Ms. Binder is a handful. You'd best keep an eye on her and we did take her bag away from her. It might be prudent to frisk her as I consider her violent and dangerous."

  "Thanks Sergeant and we'll do just that. I think she'll scream bloody murder, but we won't' take any chances," said Stacy.

  From the Chief's office they went to Stacy's old office where Officer James was babysitting the Binders. Walking up to the two of them as they sat at the small conference table, Stacy said, "You've been read your right and let me again point out that you've the right to an attorney." Stacy's eyes went from one to the other and then landed on Pam Binder. "Ms. Binder, because we are holding you as a prime suspect and you've shown a violent nature, we're going to require a body search for any weapons."

  All could see her face turning color upon hearing that she'd be searched. "I want a lawyer and I demand to speak to him right now," she said just short of an ear piercing scream. Even her husband flinched hearing his wife complain. Stacy said, "Use your cell Ms. Binder and the sooner he's here the better. We need some answers to a few questions. The answers to those questions may or may not keep us from charging you with the murder of your father. Need I say more?"

  Rory and Ben both were watching Stacy and were impressed that she was showing some intenseness with a suspect or suspects. Rory smiled and winked at Ben who rolled his eyes. Ben liked what he was witnessing. It was clear Stacy was coming into her own as the cases went by. Now he heard:


  "You can come quietly Ms. Binder or we can restrain you."

  This conversation was taking place while Pam tried to call her lawyer and was told that the attorney she wanted to talk to was in court. Pam slammed her cell onto the table. Her husband Alan, said, "Let's get on with the questions and if you must search my wife, then for God's sake get on with it!"

  Officer James came over and stood behind Pam as Stacy had asked her to stand up please and come with her. Reluctantly Pam slowly stood and was followed closely by Officer James to the women's restroom.

  Inside the rest room Stacy said, "Undress down to your underwear Ms. Binder. We want to make sure that there's no weapon upon your person."

  "You win bitch Stacy. I hope someday I can embarrass you in front of some of my friends," she said as she began taking off her costly clothes. Once she was down to her undergarments Stacy looked her body over and then ran her hands through her clothes to see if any hidden weapons were stashed somewhere. After she was satisfied that there were no weapons, she told her to get dressed.

  Meanwhile back in the incident room Rory and Ben were grilling Alan about his whereabouts on the day of the murder. He said, "I was up in Reedsport with a lady who wanted some quotes on insurance."

  "What is her name and contact number," Rory asked not giving him much of chance to think about any bogus answers.

  "Her name is Betty Stanley and just a minute while I look her number up on my phone," he said while swiping his smart phone.

  "At what time did you meet her and at what time did you leave and return to Coos Bay," asked Ben.

  While writing down Betty Stanley's phone number, Alan said, "I left around 9 am and returned to Coos Bay around 11 am. I had a splitting headache so I went home for a nap. I didn't wake up until after 2 pm."