Murder Mysteries #3

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "I totally agree Ben," said Rory who fidgeted around waiting for his food to arrive. "Okay, if the daughters didn't do it and for a moment say Sharon didn't do it, then who did?"

  "Now you're thinking Tall Man," said Stacy. "The obvious is a distracter and the truth hides behind the façade. Who besides our four main suspects stands to gain by Mrs. Franks' demise," asked Stacy as their food arrived ending the conversation.

  The question Stacy raised was never addressed. After lunch they drove over to their office to see about the financial reports of the three suspects. When they arrived, Stacy made sure she thanked the captain for his help on the Dr. Death event. The captain just smiled and said, "I must keep you guys happy so I look good on the percentage of homicides solved." Stacy saw the big grin as he walked away.

  In the detective's room or office, each took a daughter and read the report. Stacy had Debbie. There didn't seem anything out of the ordinary as their income was as Debbie had stated. Their home was mortgaged but the payments weren’t out of line. The debt load was about normal. Unless there was something unknown or private, such as a personal loan from a friend or from some private lender, then all was as it should be.

  She passed Debbie to Ben who gave her Sally. Stacy's eyebrows raised a fraction seeing how deeply in debt Sally and her husband were. They'd refinanced their house many times taking out the equity. Their credit cards were maxed out; also there were notes at the bank that were co-signed by Mrs. Franks; and a personal note at the bottom of the page in long hand was written by Rhonda saying the banker said he thought Larry Reynolds had borrowed from private high interest lenders around town.

  Stacy passed it over to Rory who gave her Beverly Franks one page report. There was nothing there of interest. She'd a bank account with only a few hundred dollars and nothing to raise a red flag over.

  Sharon Lipsky was an anomaly of sorts. Her financial report was a bit sketchy with direct deposits into her bank in Coos Bay, but that was almost entirely withdrawn in cash within a few days time. What she did with the cash was a small mystery for the moment. The address she listed as home and a contact number was in Eugene. The name was a Mrs. Riley.

  Stacy called the number and received a voice mail telling her that 'leave a number and the get right back' message. Stacy asked, "By the way, where is she at the present time?"

  "I thought she's still at the house where she stayed," said Rory. Ben was already dialing up the number to Mrs. Franks' house. After a few rings it was answered by a cheerful Sharon. Ben said, "Hello Sharon, we'd like a word with you late this afternoon please."

  "I'll be here detective. I've been instructed to stay here until the end of the month or when the case is over."

  Ben hung up and said, "She'll be there when we arrive later today."

  The Baby of the Family

  Beverly Franks was a real cutie, according to Rory. She met the detectives at her door and ushered them in to a smallish living room apartment. There were just enough chairs for all to sit down. Stacy noticed she resembled her mother and remarked later that the deceased Mrs. Franks must have a real looker in her day.

  Beverly was drooling over Rory so he took the initiative to ask, "You do know your mother was poisoned, don't you?"

  "Yes I do. I don't know why someone would do that. She never hurt anyone," she said as the tears started tumbling down her rosy cheeks. Rory handed her his clean handkerchief. She thanked him wiping her nose and eyes.

  "Beverly have you ever given your mother her meds that were prescribed to her," asked Stacy.

  "Not that I can remember. I think Sharon or my oldest sister Sally took care of that end of things. I tried to visit at least once a week. I saw my mother going downhill quickly. I asked my sister one day why and she said the doctor told her she's lost the will to live. I didn't see that in my mom. She seemed like she wanted to get better, but just couldn't. I see now why." Stacy noticed the tears had ceased. Like a faucet, either on or off, she thought.

  "Do you know what meds your mother was taking and why," asked Ben.

  "I've no idea what she was taking or why. She did have a lot of stomach problems and diarrhea. But why I've not a clue. What does her doctor say," asked Beverly.

  Ignoring the question, Stacy asked, "Did you see the caregiver Sharon give your mother her meds?"

  "Oh lots of times. Also my sister took special care of mom. She's the oldest and like my father in many ways." Stacy saw her eyes fall to the floor thinking about her father being gone and now mother too. It was a hardship on a young twenty-two year old off spring. She also saw Beverly's hands clasped tightly together. It would seem she was a little high strung.

  "Beverly, do you have a steady crush these days," asked Stacy. Beverly's head snapped up and a smile crossed her sad face saying:

  "Oh yes I do. He's just a spitting image of Brad Pitt. You know Brad Pitt that old actor who has such a dreamy face and eyes to die for."

  "What's his name and do you think we could talk to him," asked Stacy.

  "His name is Rick Townsend. He's in some of my classes. He was laid off and decided to get a college education to find a good paying job. I'm sure he would talk to you, but why would you want to," asked Beverly with a cocked up eyebrow.

  "He might have overheard or seen something you didn't. Has he ever been to your mother's house," asked Stacy.

  "Why yes he has. I've a car so he likes to drive me around. His car got repossessed. He doesn't have a cell phone, but as he lives with his parents in Bunker Hill, you can leave a message for him."

  "Is he in school today," asked Rory.

  "We've finished for the day. He's coming over very soon though. After that I'm going out to mom's house to pick up a few things before someone throws them out."

  "Okay Beverly that's good news as we too are going to your mom's house to visit with Sharon. We'll see you later. Thanks for the visit," said Stacy rising to leave the cramped apartment that reeked of incense. She also detected a faint hint of pot; but that was so common nowadays nobody paid any attention to it anymore.

  Caregiver on the Hotseat

  After ringing the door bell, Sharon answered the door breathing a little hard from the exertion. However, she'd a smile for the detectives and come in and sit down speech. Sharon offered some refreshments, but all declined. Stacy asked, "Sharon, we're looking at anything that is a possible connection to the homicide. We're not accusing anyone at this time, but there're a few loose ends to your background we'd like to know about. Who is Mrs. Riley in Eugene?"

  Sharon looked a little taken aback, but soon recovered and said, "She's my mother. I was married many years ago and kept the stupid last name. When I get some money…………….."

  "Okay Sharon, let's get back to the idea of who gave Betty Franks her medicines and how often did the doctor visit here. We've been led to believe that you and Sally were mostly responsible for giving the victim her prescribed medicine. Is that true," asked Stacy.

  "Well it's true I did on accession give her medicine, but most of the time it was either Sally or the doctor. He would come about once a week. I realize I was a little vague last time, but the shock of her dying troubled my poor brain."

  "Did you ever see any medicine not in a container from a drug store," asked Ben.

  "I don't think so. All of the containers I had were from the pharmacy at Walmart. Sometimes Beverly would bring the meds as she lived close to Walmart. Sally too and even the doctor would bring some. But his were sometimes samples from drug companies he told me."

  "Tell us about your work history Sharon. We've your resume, but there're gaps in it. Perhaps you could clear up some of those times that are blank," said Stacy.

  "I'll start at the beginning. I got pregnant in high school. I had to drop out and have the baby. I gave it up for adoption. I realized to get a job I'd need at least a high school degree. I went to night school and got my GED. I went to work at a pizza place where I met Zeke Lipsky. We fell in love and got married. My mother wa
sn't happy, but such is life. We rented a little house in Eugene. A year later he leaves me for a young pretty thing with nothing between her ears. I moved up to Portland work at different jobs for awhile. Long story short, a girlfriend said she was thinking about solving house and food problems by being a live-in caregiver. I like that idea and worked in Eugene; I was staying with my mom, and the boss lady and I didn't see eye to eye. I was reading an ad for caregivers in the Coos Bay area and here I am."

  "Sharon, at any time did Mrs. Franks mention the contents of her last will and testament to you," asked Stacy.

  "I don't think it was directly, but when Sally or one of the daughters visited, I overheard talk of the will. No, I don't think directly. Wait, she did tell me she would leave me a little gift in the event that she died. I thanked her and went about my business. We were good buds; if you know what I mean." All saw tears forming in her eyes. Unfortunately Rory was fresh out of handkerchiefs.

  The door opened and in walked Beverly and her boyfriend who indeed resembled Brad Pitt. Rory felt the cockiness right away. Rick Townsend was polite, but distant. Ben said later he felt it too. Stacy told them maybe he was having a rough time in his life just now.

  After introductions were out of the way, Stacy asked Rick if he'd ever delivered medicine from Walmart to here for Mrs. Franks. He said, "Sometimes we'd stop there and pick it up. I can't tell you how many times, but a few."

  "Who did you give the meds to Rick," asked Stacy.

  "I gave them to Bev and I guess she gave them to Sharon here; I really don't know."

  "Rick, do you have any knowledge of the contents of the last will and testament of Beverly's mother," asked an intense looking Stacy.

  Rick did one of those look to the ceiling for answer traits a lot of people do. "I----I'm trying to remember. Let's see ---- yes, one time Sally and Bev were arguing over something left to some do gooders outfit. Sally wanted it changed."

  "Beverly, tell us about the time Rick is talking about," said Stacy.

  "It really wasn't much. Sally told me that mom had left a small fortune to the Salvation Army. I asked what a small fortune was and she told me over $200,000 dollars. I thought that was a small fortune, but then I'd no idea what my mother was worth. Sally enlightened me that mom was worth more than a few million dollars. I almost fell down. Rick helped me to a chair and gave me some water. I remember Sharon helping me too."

  Stacy was watching Sharon out of the corner of her eye. Ben too was keeping an eye on her for body language. What Stacy saw was Sharon riveted listening to the conversation. It was almost like this was the first time she heard the story. Ben later said the same thing.

  "Rick, you're going to college now, I understand from Beverly that you've had a rough go the past few years. What are your desires and goals after college," asked Stacy.

  "After SWOCC I plan on SOC to get a BA in Business Administration. My grandfather has a few bucks to get me started in some small business in a bigger city like Medford, Eugene or someplace like that. Bev and I plan on getting married when I graduate SWOCC. She'll go with me to Ashland. That's the plan detective," said a cocky Rick who kept scratching his head like it was some sort of affliction or nervous habit; or maybe it was head lice as he didn't appear any too clean.

  The banker was next on their list after the interviews at the victim's house. On the way Stacy was thinking that this case was become a little more complicated. Instead of eliminating suspects, the list was getting longer. Here I'm in an investigation of murder when I should be giving my total concentration to the new job with the US Marshall Agency of the Justice Department. Her last thoughts before walking into the bank, was that Connie would realize that she was needed for this homicide.

  President Douglass Fleesty was nothing in appearance to his son the lawyer Lance. Doug, as he liked to be called, was short, chubby and completely bald without even few strands to decorate his gleaming head. Be that as it may, he was a jovial man with intense dark brown eyes that missed nothing. When he stood up from his desk to welcome the detectives, it didn't seem to Stacy he gained much height. All of that put aside, he was friendly like a good home town bank president should be. "Welcome to our little bank detectives," he said in a pleasant voice.

  "Thanks for seeing us on such short notice," said Rory taking the lead in the questioning. "We're here to learn what we can about Mrs. Betty Franks' banking activities."

  "I've here her file and am happy to offer you our assistance in finding the person who murdered a lovely person. I've had copies made, but would prefer all but one stay here at the bank. I'm allowing this without a court order. Okay, that being said, let's get to the crux of the matter.

  As you can see her finances are a bit complicated, or I should say, complex. Ever since her husband died, we've tried to follow his requests. Betty told me to keep the same kind of program going. We move funds into time deposits, bonds, and a percentage into bank stock. We work closely with her stock broker. The income is mostly interest and dividends. As you can see from the report her average income each month is almost $10,000. It's also set up that only she, or I can withdraw any monies from the account. We monitor that particular part of her account closely. Hank, in confidence, told me he didn't trust any of his daughters to participate in any part of the banking of his account. My son, Lance, is totally aware of the situation. Let's rest here for a moment and see if you have any questions so far."

  "So it would be difficult for someone to withdraw any large or even small amounts from Betty Franks' account without raising a red flag," asked Rory.

  "Indeed it would detective. For example, the youngest daughter's tuition is auto deducted as well as the caregiver account. All of the taxes, utilities and so on are taken care of by my son and his law firm. If she needs spending money, she calls me and I send by messenger to her home. We really think her account is rather bullet proof."

  "Would it be possible for, say, the caregiver to request cash delivered to the house," asked Ben.

  "Not unless Betty had informed me that particular case might happen. And if it did come up, I'd double check with her for that kind of transaction."

  "Well, thanks Doug, we are satisfied that her account is well protected. Here are our copies back to you," said Rory as they all handed him copies, but Stacy kept the only one authorized to have.

  By the time they'd arrived at the North Bend office, all were tired out. It was decided Ben would take Rory's SUV and Rory would ride to Bandon with Stacy. Father had a dinner planned so that made Rory happy.

  Pork Roast Dinner by Fran

  Fran had made dinner. When Stacy and Rory arrived, she was still in the throngs of dashing about the kitchen. Father was in the shop rubbing a stain on a piece of furniture. He looked up and nodded at both. Stacy said, "We need to bounce this case off you father. The more we stir the waters, the muddier it gets."

  "Start at the beginning and then just the main points please. From what I know of some family member being poisoned, it's usually a blood relative that did the deed. Of course exceptions are seen, such as a doctor, or caregiver, or a husband/wife of an offspring."

  Stacy, with Rory filling in a few gaps related the case up to this point in time. Still left to interview were the husbands of the middle daughter and the oldest daughter Sally. When they were finished, Fran came out and said dinner was ready. It was silently noted the discussion would resume after dinner.

  Rory was in heaven as he savored each bite of the fall-off-the-bone pork roast. He exclaimed he'd never tasted such fine pork in his life. Fran was beaming ear to ear. Stacy was smiling down at her plate as her Tall Man went on and on what fine cooking he'd experienced at this very house.

  After dinner, because Ray needed to finish the piece he was working on for a customer, they went back to the shop. He said, "I'd dig into the doctor and the administrator of the medicine. Somebody had to give her the poison. Also, if she was violently ill and had cramps, then some form of major pain killer was also given. Loo
k into that end of things. At the autopsy, I'm sure Dr. Stone will check for needle injection marks or signs. Be careful of the dark horse in the background. Someone blatant enough to use poison is somebody who thinks they can get away with it. I guess all three daughters knew well enough that in time they'd be rich. However, it would appear that somebody either couldn't wait, or an outsider entered the game, with a purpose of pointing blame in another direction."

  Stacy tucked all what her father said into her brain for contemplation later on. At the moment Rory came out rolling down his long sleeves from dishwashing with Fran. Even with a dishwasher, one usually had to hand wash to some degree. Rory said, "You've got a treasure in your house Ray. I'd wash dishes anytime with her at the stove; or for that matter, you too. I like the idea of you guys opening a restaurant. Your idea of keep it simple is, like tonight: good home cooking."

  "Maybe so Rory. We're thinking summer here in Bandon and winters in the Southwest. In the winter time we'll close it down and Fran's brother will be the caretaker. I think we've got it figured out. I'm not sure yet when I'll give the mayor my resignation, but this fall probably."

  "The will miss you Ray," said Rory. From what I've gathered you’re the anchor of the town. I sure hope they can find a good replacement."

  "Maybe this time they can find somebody who just doesn't sit at the desk all day playing with a pencil and legal pad," he said smiling.

  Rory spent the night with the first part of the night on the sofa and then when the witching hour came, he snuck into Stacy room for a cuddling nice sleep.