Murder Mysteries Series six

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "I'm with Ben," Rory said, while Stacy looked at him for his input.

  "Now how about the two boys, Andy and Arty," she asked.

  "I have to put those two on our Prime list as they stand to gain from the death of their prime competition. No pun intended, by the way. If indeed there's a shortage of raw materials, which I know that to be a fact, then drastic measures are in order. I put them both on our Prime column."

  "From what little I know," said Ben. "Myrtlewood is their only source of income. If that's the case—well – the motive is there as well as the opportunity. They live and work within a few miles of Cliff's factor and shop. I'm not stereotyping women here, but it would seem that the wife, Bonnie, from what you've said, feels the need to protect her brood to the extent she kills the major obstacle from continuing prosperity. Therefore, I put her on our prime list along with her two sons. The father might not have the physical wherewithal to do the deed. And certainly not the homicide at the clinic."

  "Let's address Cliff's son Cody. His alibi sucks and we know he's a gambling problem. His mother has given him money to satisfy his debts, but the father made it known he'd not fund his gambling disease and also made it clear he'd cut him out of his will. However, his mother can't abandon her son so his motive would be to kill the father and he'd be home free to continue his addiction. What he didn't know was that if both mother and father passed on, the bulk of estate goes to Ellen Weeks. Which, by the way, we've not seen or know where she lives. Tomorrow is dedicated to finding her. My father might know and Dan does or did know where she lived. Alright I place Cody on our Subprime for now."

  Stacy looked at both Rory and Ben seeing them nod yes to the classification of Cody Keystone. She said, "Let's look at Fritz Wilson the landlord of Starfish gift shop."

  Ben jumped in as he was the one who had interviewed Fritz. "He's a hot head, but killing his landlord might be a bit drastic even for him. I'll put him on our Subprime. However, let's not discount him as being dangerous and given cause, might in an act of violence, kill someone. In any event, he's a low life predator who beats on his wife."

  "Alright guys, we've a long list of Prime and a short list of Subprime with nobody on our last column. Let's leave it here for the night and go catch some rest. The big question is do we have one killer or do we have two killers?"

  Ben went to his motel and Stacy and Rory went to the motor home for a much needed rest. She said when they pulled into the driveway, "Tallman, I'm going into the house for a much needed long shower. You can have the motor home and I'm going to crash out in my old room. I'll see you in the morning."

  "Okie dokie Super. I'm ready to take a long nap myself. I'll set my alarm for six am. My stomach is already growling so breakfast will take awhile to satisfy my desire for substance." She nodded and gave him a brief hug. Ironically, the kitchen door was open and the light on. She smiled knowing her father knew exactly what she was going to do that night. A slight shiver went down her spine thinking about how much they loved each other. Especially since her mother had passed on only a few short years ago. He was the major reason she came home after graduating the university. Now it was time to make good use of the time spent with each other.

  Stacy did not hear her father the next morning, but could smell the aroma of coffee being made. Stacy loved the smell of coffee, but could not drink the bitter tasting bean. Tea was her drink of choice and green tea was on the top of her tea list. She hurried through her toilette and by shortly after six she was at the kitchen table summarizing last night's list of suspects. "Dad I need to find Ellen Weeks. She might be the missing link to this investigation."

  "Stacy, Cliff never mentioned her very often. It was almost like he felt the walls would be listening.'' He paused while beating some eggs to death in a bowl for breakfast. At the same time Rory popped in looking refreshed and ready to go. He gave both a good morning and sat down knowing that by the look on her face they had been talking, he never said a word.

  "Last I heard or knew Ellen lived out by Bradley Lake. An old logger back in the fifties punched a road into the lake so the property could be developed. The post office and drivers license or a call to Dan might be your best bet," as he set the eggs aside and turned his attention to the ham steaks cooking.

  Stacy stood and took a coffee mug out of the cupboard and filled it up for Rory. He thanked her just as Fran came in with wet hair wrapped in a bath towel. But instead of an old bathrobe, she had on a flowery dress that was befitting the coming day full of sunshine.

  After the gesture of coffee she called Dan up in Eugene. He answered on the second ring. "Hi Stacy. How goes the investigation?"

  "I'd say we are a bit behind and I need to locate the old girlfriend of Cliff's, Ellen Weeks. Where did you take her that night and do you know if she still lives there?"

  "She used to live out on Bradley Lake. I don’t remember the address, but her house was the last one before the lake on the right side. I don't know if she still lives there or not."

  "Thanks and how's the expectant mother doing?"

  She heard Dan chuckle and he said, "Getting bigger than a house. Nothing but moaning and groaning is heard around the house for the most part. Other than that, we're told it's typical and I can't wait to have things return to some semblance of normal. I'm not stupid enough to not know the house will be taken over by a new born that cries instead of talking. I can't wait and as we know now it's a girl, so much the better. Boys are more difficult to raise than girls I'm told."

  "Let's see what happens Dan and you can agree or disagree come about fifteen years from now," she said laughing. "Anyway, call me if you needed."

  Stacy watched her father pile on a half dozen eggs onto Rory's plate alongside a thick ham steak. Rory rubbed his hands and stared at the plate of food. Fran placed a stack of toast next to his plate while Stacy tucked into a plate of eggs minus the ham.

  After breakfast, Ray went to the station and both Rory and Stacy followed. On the way Stacy called Ben to see if he was up to greet a lovely sunny day on the coast of Oregon. "I'm walking the beach Stacy," he said while the roar of the ocean came clearly through her conversation. "I'll be in the office in half hour or so."

  "Okay, we're there now and on a hunt for Ellen Weeks. We're told she lives or lived at the end of the road to Bradley Lake in the last house on the right side. Go by there on your way here Ben."

  "Can do no problem. See you later."

  20

  Ben took a quick shower to rid himself of sand, then went south on the Beach Loop Road to Highway 101. Just a short way south on 101, is the Bradley Lake Drive s that continues directly west to Bradley Lake. The Lake itself is rather small, but does contain some trout. The street itself is only about three blocks long and perhaps a dozen or so houses line both sides of the street on large lots. Dan drove slowly down the street looking at each house for signs of occupancy. All the houses had single care garages and the cars were parked in front of the garage or on the street. Ben realized these houses were built in the fifties which dated the structures to that era. The last house on the right had been freshly painted and a rather late model car sat in front of the garage.

  Ben parked on the street and looked the place over. Like most houses on the street, some spring flowers were struggling to survive and the evergreens behind the houses were all leaning east from the ocean winds. He walked to the door and gave it a rap with his knuckles. His ears heard some noise inside and the door opened revealing a late middle age woman.

  "Good morning. I'm Ben Razor of the Oregon State Police. If you've a few minutes, may I come in and ask you a few questions?"

  "Let's see some ID please and then you are welcome." Ben showed her his warrant card and she stepped aside to let him in. There was nothing special about the house. It was stocked with plain furniture dating back when he was a kid. However, it looked clean and well cared for.

  Ben asked, "Are you Ellen Weeks?"

  She laughed with a smokers rasp and said,
"No I'm Elisa Weeks. Ellen is my sister. This is her house by the way, but I'm house sitting for awhile. Why are you looking for my sister," she asked while offering him a place on the old davenport. She took wooden rocker with a bag of knitting next to it. A cat had to be shooed off and it gave her look of distaste walking slowly away.

  "She's a person of interest to us in a murder case. Ellen Weeks is known to have been a possible friend of the victim Cliff Keystone."

  "Yes, I'm aware of the crime. Such a sad thing for sure. I don't live here in Bandon. I live down in Gold Beach."

  "Where is your sister? We need to speak to her rather urgently."

  "She went to Salem to visit our mother in a nursing home. I just came back as our mother is failing fast. Anyway, Ellen is due back sometime tonight."

  "This is somewhat delicate Ms. Weeks, but are you aware of the relationship between your sister and Cliff Keystone over the years?"

  "I can't speak for her, but I can tell you that over the years the two of them were friends. How good a friend, she never said, or gave me any details. Other than that, I can't tell you much more than that detective. "

  "Here is my card and also, the phone number of Marshall Foreham who is heading this investigation. It's vital that your sister contact us at once," Ben said standing up about to leave. "Oh, by the way, what's the name of the nursing home in Salem and your mother's name as well."

  Ben saw her move to the where the phone sat on a table and next to it a pad and pen. She wrote the information he asked for and handed it to him. He said, "Many thanks Ms. Weeks."

  Bandon, Oregon does not have the pleasure of a drive through fast food place. Ben would have partaken an Egg McMuffin, but he had to settle for the local bakery for something to take the edge off.

  He loaded up on some freshly made cranberry muffins and assorted other calorie laden goodies. He smile knowing Rory would wolf a few down with eager gusto. He pulled into the station house thinking back a few years ago when he had first met up with Stacy Foreham. He shook his head warming to the notion they were good friends and associates now.

  Inside he found Stacy and Rory discussing the suspects while waiting for Ben to arrive. Ben sat the bag down and immediately Rory was on the move towards the smell emanating from his box of goodies.

  Ben said, "I met Elisa Weeks at the house at the end of the drive. She told me her sister Ellen was visiting her mother up in Salem. She's supposed to return tonight. I've name of the nursing home and her mother's name also. I'll call now and verify if she's truly there. But first I'll snatch a muffin before Dagwood here eats all my breakfast."

  Ben sat at their conference table and while he ate, prepared a note pad for writing on. Half way through his second muffin, he left for the small lunch room and a cup of coffee. Now he was set to find out about Ellen Weeks.

  He called and it was answered by a rare friendly voice instead of a automated system. Ben stated his case and was soon rewarded by being informed that yes, an Ellen Weeks had visited her mother that very day. Yes, she was gone and had told the counter lady she was going back to Bandon. Ben thanked her and with a big sigh said, "Well, Ellen Weeks was in Salem visiting her mother for the last few days. From the time she had signed in, well, I guess it would be possible for her to have killed Agnes Keystone and drove up to Salem. When she arrives back here we'll interview her."

  "Good work Ben, "said Stacy as she pondered what had transpired. Now what would be the next line of inquiry, she thought.

  Stacy saw both Rory and Ben were waiting for their next move. She said, "Let's see what we can dig out of Pam Binder and her brother. Ben you take the brother, Rory you take the junk shop guy and I'll see Pam."

  21

  For Ben, he got lucky when he knocked on the door and found Brody at home watching TV with a beer in his hand. Ben flashed his warrant card and Brody barely glanced at it. He turned and motioned for Ben to take a seat. Ben found a rather empty spot on the sofa. Cody sat at his recliner. Thankfully, Cody turned the TV off while Ben tried to ignore the fetid air inside the closed up house.

  He looked at Ben and cocked his head waiting for a question. Ben obliged, "Cody, tell me what you know of your parents last will and testament?" Ben saw his face turn lighter in color and with fear in his eyes said:

  "I'm not sure detective, but I'm guessing my sister and I will share equally in the estate."

  "Have you any idea what your share might be," asked Ben.

  "Not a clue," replied Cody returning to a false sense of bravo.

  "Okay let's leave that for a further look and now tell me who do you think murdered your father and then tell me about who might want your mother dead."

  Cody took a pull on his beer can and reached for a Marlboro. While he was lighting it he said, "Probably those Rawlings low life bastards."

  "Tell me more and if there had been at any time in the past where threats were made or overheard about doing harm to your father."

  "The last time that I remember was at the Cranberry Festival. My father and I always set up in the same place every year. To piss off my father, the Rawlings family sets up next door to us. When a customer comes, they call over to the customer telling them their prices are cheaper and a better product. Usually my father remains cool, but last year he said some angry words and the brothers, along with the mother, said if my father wasn't careful, he might not see another festival in his lifetime."

  "It's commonly known Cody that your father was very upset at your gambling habit. Tell me why we shouldn't bring you up on charges for murdering your father? You don't have an alibi and threatened to cut you out of his will. That's motive and opportunity."

  The look of fear came back on his face once again. Ben saw the son of a fine man squirming and if he remained free of murder, what would this worthless forty year old do? What Cody did not know was he was indeed cut out of his parents will.

  Cody said, while blowing smoke to the ceiling, "I didn't kill him or my mother either. It might behoove you to see my sister again. She's scary and I wouldn't put it past her to kill both of our parents."

  Ben left it at that point for now as he stood up and walked out of an atmosphere of mixed foul smells.

  While Ben was querying Cody Keystone, Rory was about to experience Fritz Wilson rendition of why he was not a suspect regardless of his violent temper. Like what Ben received upon walking into his tourist shop, Fritz put on a warm smile thinking customer. Unlike Ben, Rory flashed his ID and saw the smile disappear like a magician does to the girl in the hidden closet. "Not again, Fritz said."I told that other detective all I knew about Keystone's death."

  "Let me put it this way Mr. Fritz, you've no alibi for the time of death is one thing, another is your position on the landlord raising your rent. The last one is your violent nature as demonstrated by your relationship with your wife."

  "Listen to me detective – yes, I do lose it once in awhile, but being angry and murdering someone are two different things. I didn't kill the guy. Now think about it for a minute, if I killed him what would happen to my lease here that suits me just fine. I kill him and one of his kids takes over as my landlord. Knowing those kids scares me to think about it. The son would raise the rest to pay off his gambling debts and that Pam daughter would gloat over raising my rent."

  Rory leaned on the glass counter making Fritz back up a little as Rory towered over him by a foot or more. He said, "You're not off our list yet Fritz. I'd be really, really careful from now on about what you do and what you say. It probably wouldn't take much to persuade your wife to press charges against you. Nowadays, there're agencies that protect battered women from guys like you." Rory raised a finger and pointed it at Fritz like it was a gun and said, "Be careful Fritz – real careful. More eyes than you realize are watching you."

  Rory saw him gulp and he left wanting to find a quiet place and throw up. Guys like Fritz Wilson made him sick. Instead, after a few deep breaths, tool a walk alongside the river where some fishing boats were tied
up next to the dock. A half a block later he saw sitting on a bench that faced the Coquille River, Smiling Sam chatting with a local grey hair like he was.

  "Hi Rory," Sam said looking up straining his neck to see Rory's face. "Meet my friend Alfred from hereabouts. I told him I was a deputy detective and reported only to the US Marshalls of Oregon."

  Rory cracked up and so did the Sam and his friend Alfred. Rory said, "You know Alfred, some of what he says is very true. Sam has assisted us on more than one occasion with a murder locally." Alfred turned quickly to look at a slightly embarrassed Sam.

  "I didn't know I was sitting here with Doctor Watson. I can't wait till morning to share this fodder with my old friends over coffee. At our age it's difficult to find new subjects to talk about over coffee down at Lloyd's Café."

  "Well Rory I guess I did it to myself, opening my big mouth. Never mind as tomorrow's weather is forecast without rain. I'll be fishing while you, Alfred, are flapping your lips at the café."

  "I got to go guys," said Rory. Oh, by the way, I do have a question for you guys. I or we heard that Rawlings' wife Bonnie likes to spend time at the casino. Any rumors to that notion?"

  "I heard bingo and the slots are her favorites. The Indians smile when they see her coming. It's rumored she has nothing but bad luck and touts she will have a lucky streak coming soon," said Alfred with Sam nodding in agreement.

  It did surprise Stacy when she called Pam's office in Old Town to discover Pam was in situ. The secretary told Stacy to come in that Pam was or will be expecting her. Stacy left word with the dispatcher and her father where she would be and left in a hurry. Stacy had to borrow her father's car as she was afoot with Rory having their transportation down interrogating Felix.

  Five minutes later she was opening the door of Pam's office. Without a greeting Stacy was led to Pam's office where she found a long faced woman who looked many years older than the last time they talked. As a matter of fact, she looked slovenly and her hygiene needed attention most badly. "My husband left me Marshall. I'm on my own now. I saw the lawyer and Clyde told me that my father's new will left nothing to Cody and I."