Murder Mysteries # 4

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "I'll be there Monday around noon time. There'll be at least four of us. We'd like to join you for lunch. My father's lady friend from Bandon's Senior Center was the cook there for many years. Okay, thanks Maria and I must go now to view the crime scene."

  An Amazing Crime Scene

  Stacy, after she picked up her coat, hurried down the well-marked trail. She arrived at the wooden bridge about fifteen minutes later seeing all still gathered around the victim. Walking behind the tree she caught a glimpse of Ben searching for clues. Cathy, with her camera around her neck, gave a nod to Stacy as she walked up. Dr. Rudy said, "We're finished here Marshall. I put the time of death at around 1:30. It appears he died of a gunshot wound to the head. Unless some vehicle fatalities come in, I'll do the autopsy probably Tuesday morning. Any questions Marshall.

  It was no secret he wanted out of the cold air moving in as soon as possible. He was shuffling from one foot to the other. "Not at this time Dr. Slothover. You may go, but I've a few questions of Cathy. She'll follow you to your vehicle in a short while," said Stacy with Dan looking on seeing animosity between the two. To Dan, the pathologist was or needed to hang his bone saw up and retire.

  Stacy and Cathy watched him waddle across the bridge and up the hill to the Visitors Center. Cathy said, "I looked high and low for some evidence, but nothing but a few old gum wrappers behind the tree. There're a lot of footprints around the tree, but nothing we use for evidence. I didn't see any powder burns on his face so the killer must have been around ten feet away. It's my opinion that with a small caliber handgun, the accuracy greatly demises after eight feet or more. It's also my opinion, with such an accurate shot between the eyes; the shooter must have practiced some. I also thing he or she probably disposed of the handgun either up the trail or down the trail. Regardless, no way we could find it in the heavy undergrowth here on the coast."

  "I agree with you Cathy on all points. It's going to take some clever interviews to find this perpetrator," said Stacy.

  "Our autopsy van should be here anytime now," said Cathy. It's getting downright chilly here. Let's leave the body to the locals here and make tracks for Eugene."

  Walking up the trail, about half way to the highway, Stacy was shocked to see a tall fellow coming down the trail with a smile on his face. She stopped dead in her tracks as did the rest of the team. "Well fancy meeting you here today. This is quite a coincidence," said Detective Rory Caltex.

  "You know I don't believe in coincidence Tall Man. Tell us the truth now," said Stacy with a small grin.

  "My captain called me at my parent's house. Because I'm in limbo or in transit, he called to say Salem thought you guys needed a real professional detective on this homicide," said a still grinning Rory.

  Ben was smiling ear to ear looking at Rory. Dan was a feeling he was a third wheel, but then realized he was still in training. Cathy looked like she wanted to jump his bones. Stacy was still analyzing what this really meant. A quick look and she saw no reason to not accept the help. There would be a lot of seniors to interview. "Welcome detective," said Stacy. "We can always use a good man. I suggest you hustle down to see the victim and then we'll meet up at the Visitors Center."

  Game Plan

  The Visitor Center was as good a place as any to have a round table discussion about how to conduct the interviews come Monday at the Senior Center. Cathy begged off because Rudy was impatient to leave. Cathy said, "I'll come to your office on Monday morning Stacy."

  Stacy thought it ironic that here sat, Rory, Ben, Dan and herself all from Bandon just a short while ago. Somehow, the three detectives had reformed itself back into a formidable team of investigators. Not to mention a fine prospect in Dan Swollow eager to help.

  Stacy said, once they were all sitting down, "We have to hurry as they want to close the place up and go home. So, I'll make it brief. Apparently the vic was not well liked with more enemies than friends. He was a small bank owner who after he'd lost the use of his legs, turned downright mean. We've got a lot of suspects to interview. I can't help but think this case is similar to the charter boat case where the victim was hated to the bone. Ben, did you see or suspect where the perp hid behind the tree?"

  "I didn't find anything that would pertain to the homicide. I'm fairly sure the perp waited behind the tree until the victim came across the bridge, stopped and looked the tree over. From in front of the tree you have a clear view of either up the trail or down the trail to see if anyone was coming or going. I'd guess the killer walked within five or six feet of the victim and shot him between the eyes."

  "Okay, to summarize a little, the victim was disliked immensely. Somebody decided it was time for revenge. Nothing was taken from him, so robbery is out. He's killed with a small caliber handgun; which was probably tossed to the foliage. It's our job to seek out the killer from amongst a large group of senior citizens in a small town. Rumors will fly around town starting tonight. By tomorrow the whole town will be aware of what happened. When Monday comes, the Center will be packed with local citizens. That being said, let's meet at my office Monday at 7 am."

  God's Day

  It had been some time since Stacy went to church. She was really overdue. From a dismal boring Saturday night, she thought she find some solace in church. In the kitchen, sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea, she leafed through the yellow pages searching for a nearby Christian church. She felt lucky when she found a Methodist church just three blocks from her apartment. She rang the church to ask the time of service. A pleasant voice told her 11:30 and lunch is offered at 12:30.

  That gave her plenty of time. She fixed some scrambled eggs and toast. A shower was next on her list. Stacy thought it about time to wear a dress instead of jeans all the time. She rifled through her closet hopping to find something conservative, but not be overdressed.

  A half hour later she looked great, she wished. She really needed to do something with her hair. It was getting too long. I wonder, she thought, if there is any hairdresser shops open on Sunday her in Eugene. Maybe somebody at the church would know.

  With her bible in hand, Stacy walked through the doors of the church at 11:20. She expected folks to stare at her. But she was a little pleased that not too many stared at her. She took a place in the middle side and looked around. Some soft surround sounds of religious tunes were playing. It placed her in the mood. A nice looking middle-aged man with glasses took the position at the pulpit. It was an hour later when Stacy walked out feeling really good. She never did find a hair shop that day. But she'd found her place in the world.

  The Senior Center

  Monday morning found all investigators at the US Marshall's office. From the Medical Examiner's Office, Cathy Miller was on hand. A head count reveled, including Emma, six riders. Not one of their vehicles would accommodate six riders. An early morning dilemma was fronting the team. "It's only 7 am and no rental places are open this time of day," said Stacy. "Any ideas guys?"

  "Let's take two rigs," said Rory. Depending on what transpires, I might need or we might need to stay over one night."

  "I like it and let's make it so. Who knows the way to Alsayia," Stacy asked.

  "I can read a map and I've already know the back roads to take," said Dan smiling smugly.

  "What about breakfast," asked Rory looking with sparkling eyes at Stacy.

  "We'll stop at McD's just for you," said a sharp voice back to him, which everyone knew who said it. "Well," in a softer voice, "us too."

  After a breakfast stop, then a rest stop, then a coffee break, they finally arrived in or at the Alsayia Senior Center at 10 am.

  It was almost like Maria Topaz knew exactly when they would arrive. She was standing just outside the double door with her arms around her body trying to keep warm while a very slow senior with a walker was entering the building. She waved tentatively as they parked out of the way. Maria had every reason to wrap her arms around her body as a wind was blowing fairly strong out of the southwest. All realized a sto
rm was coming and coming very soon.

  Maria had a special table just for the investigators to use. The table could double for an interviews and lunch. Four card tables were offered for additional interviews. Stacy said, "This is perfect Maria. We've five for interviews and one record keeper."

  "I expect a full house today. The word is already out around town. By the way, I've a list of all the seniors who attend here and who were on last Saturday's trip. Some don't have phones, but all have addresses. The seniors on the trip all have phones and addresses. I'd imagine that our early birds will be coming by no later than 11am. Usually Ralph Bolster and Amos Brown are here anytime now to shoot pool. Next on the list of Saturday trip folks, who always shows up early, is May Rooter. She can't afford to heat her place so she comes here to stay warm. Look around and I've a few things to take care of this morning. Oh, by the way, all seniors must sign in or no lunch. Today they'll have name tags so you will know who is who," said Maria scurrying off to do whatever a director does at a senior center.

  Stacy looked around while setting her grip on the table. She always made sure her brief lay on its side so as not to place a bag that sometimes sits upright on a clean surface.

  She saw an old timer running a vacuum back and forth over the same place over and over while he stared at the new comers. Another old senior woman with purple hair sat at a counter for sign in: a poster in big letters said, 'No sign, no lunch.' Well that stands to reason, Stacy thought. The cooks need to know how many for lunch. Speaking of cooks, two middle aged white clad cooks hustled around the kitchen preparing for about seventy for lunch including the investigators.

  True to Maria's word, Ralph and Amos came in ready for a game of eight ball, however, no pool today before lunch. Rory grabbed both at the door. He walked both over to Stacy where they were kindly asked to sit down for an interview. Both Stacy and Rory would do the pair individually of course. At the far end of the table, Rory asked Amos, after the who are you and I am, said, "Tell me Amos of your relationship with Harry Langer."

  "He's a, or was a no good sumbitch. It seemed that because of his accident and had to sit in a wheelchair, he took his anger out on us customers. His bank was the only one in town. The other banks were in Philomath or Corvallis. My hate came from how he refused to give me a loan on my small farm. Without the loan, I was down the tube. I had good assets, but the market forecast was, as he said, 'Cloudy'. I took that to mean it didn't look good. Well, no loan and down the slippery tube I went. The mortgage company in Corvallis took my farm over. I went to work for the school as a janitor. My wife died not long after losing the farm. The house we rented was drafty and she caught pneumonia and died. Do I blame banker Harry, damn rights I do. I'm happy somebody shot the bastard. I'm only sorry it wasn't me," said a vociferous Amos sitting on the edge of his chair.

  "Time is a hard thing to get exactly right Amos. But we need to know where you were at about 1:30 as that's when we think he was shot," said Rory.

  "Me and Ralph were on our way to Devils Churn. But the wind was kicking up, so we turned around. We both like to walk and we have some paths around town we use regular. Also over the years paths have been made up and down the river. Neither one of likes fishing much, but we do yak with some locals who do like to fish. We stop by and shoot the breeze. Well, anyway, we left the Center after lunch right away. I'd say we were past the Amazing Tree long before 1:30, but can't say for sure. As you can see I don't have a watch. I had a watch, but years ago pawned it for to buy food."

  "Amos, regardless whether or not Harry Langer was not liked, murder is not the answer for ending a life. I'll tell you this, we will catch the perpetrator. Now, tell me who in this community hated Harry the most that would actually take a gun and shoot him," asked Rory.

  Amos looked to the ceiling for the answer. The only thing the ceiling reflected back was a brown stain of twenty year old sheet rock. "I can think of about four or five that had the balls to kill him. I'm one and my buddy Ralph is another. Crazy May Rooter is high on the list. Both the Riggins have the will power, and the manager of the bank, Stanly Northrop.

  "Tell me about what you know about Stanly Northrop," asked Rory

  "He's about late fifties. He's worked in Harry's bank his whole life. All of us customers at one time or another heard Harry scream at Stanly for some reason. Well, Stanly lived not far from our rented house. On more than one occasion, I heard him in his wood shed screaming and swearing about Harry being a dirty no good bastard. I could hear him chopping wood with a vengeance."

  "Briefly Amos, tell me about the Riggins."

  "They too were upset over some financial things with Harry. I'm not privy to the details. But I know they possess the wherewithal to end Harry's life. It's the silent ones detective that you should be aware of," said a smiling sage Amos.

  "One more question Amos. Do you own a handgun?"

  "No I don't. If I'd a gun I'd have probably used it on dip shit Harry!"

  Rory made notes and after awhile noticed Stacy was finished with Ralph. He went to compare notes. After comparing notes, they both agreed that the answers and stories were about the same. It was especially accurate about the time frame after lunch till back from the walk. They left it at that for the time being. Emma had been sitting with Stacy. Dan was, or had been sitting listening to Rory. Ben was looking through the signup sheet and Cathy was following Maria around visiting with her.

  "What is a Devil Chasm, Super," asked Rory.

  "I'm not sure, but it's at the end of the trail where you have to turn around and hike back. I think its narrow place against the sea wall where incoming waves crash sending seawater flying up in the air. Well, two down and not sure how many to go," said Stacy letting out a lung full of stale Center air. With the heater blowing and the Kitchen at full power, the building was rather warm without any fresh air flowing through except when a senior arrived.

  Rory watched Ben walk over and sit down. Rory asked, "How the new office partner?"

  ''Office is good. People are good. The area is good. Now I hope my wife and family will appreciate the new location. We're looking for housing around the Springfield area. We did get lucky and found a duplex to rent. It's a little, how should I say, cozy, but sufficient for the time being. And how about you Rory?"

  "Salem offered me two places to choose from. One is Astoria and the other in the Bend area. I was at my folks place when I received the message to come down here. I think Bend will be my choice. Astoria is rather dismal, like Coos Bay. Regardless, I'm a little upbeat about how things are going. Of course I have to give credit where credit is due. I think my growth both personal and professional is due from Stacy and you," said Rory with a strong face depicting confidence.

  "I hate to interrupt you two detectives, but I see Suzy and Shelly walking in. Oh, and right behind them is May Rooter. Ben take May, Rory Suzy and I'll take the widow woman," said Stacy standing up to greet her suspects. After handshakes, smiles and a little weather talk, each detective took their respective suspects to a table for an interview.

  Stacy said, "I'm sorry for your loss Shelly. Regardless of the present time and to see a fine man bitter from an accident still doesn't relieve the loss of a companion."

  "I thank you detective. The big house seems so empty now. I can't remember the last time I was home alone. I think it was when Harry had his accident."

  "Do you have any children Shelly?"

  "We had just the one son. But one day, he was only 11 years old at the time, was playing along the river with his friends. They told me he slipped and fell in. His body was found down river about half a mile. My Harry was devastated. Before that I miscarried two times. So you see, I'm a widow woman for the rest of my life. I'm thankful the wonderful townspeople like me. All day yesterday I received friends and tons of good things to eat."

  "Shelly, does your husband own a hand gun," asked Stacy.

  "Why yes he does. It's in the night stand next to his side of the bed. It's a little thing and d
oesn't seem at all like something that would hurt anyone," said a red eyed Shelly.

  "Would you allow one of my staff to check your husband's night stand for the hand gun," asked Stacy.

  "Of course you can. Here's the key. It's just past the post office on the right side. It's a white two story home with large trees in front. You can't miss it," said Shelly.

  Stacy gave Dan the key and he strode out the door with purpose.

  "Please tell me about the accident your husband had that made him a cripple," asked Stacy.

  "Let's see now, it was about twenty years ago or a little more. He'd been to a banker's meeting in Corvallis. It was late at night and foggy. His report to the sheriff's office was a vehicle coming towards him was speeding. It was coming head on he said. When Harry turned hard to the right, he tried to lie down on the seat knowing that so many evergreen trees line the highway he was bound to hit one. He did hit one and the motor was pushed back against his back. From the moment on he'd lost the use of his legs."

  "Has there been any threatening phone calls lately or hate mail," asked Stacy.

  "No nothing like that. Or at least he never said anything to me.

  "What do you know about the relationship between the bank manager Stanly Northrop and your husband? In other words, we've heard that some strong animosity resided between the two."

  "Yes, I'm afraid so. Stan hated my husband; like all the rest after his accident. I never understood why he didn't move to another bank. We never talked so I don't know much about the relationship."

  Dan came back in shaking his head telling Stacy there wasn't any gun. "Shelly, my deputy says there's no gun in your bedroom night stand. That's the only place he looked as we didn't have your permission to look elsewhere."