The River Waits for Murder

by C. Ruth Daly

  Inside the foyer, Evan rang the bell at the counter and someone they had never seen before came out of the office. “Hi, can I help you?” the woman asked.

  “We’re here to find out about Trevor and get a contact number for him,” Donna said, “And, if you don’t mind me asking, who are you?”

  “I’m his recreation and activities director, Debbie. Who are you?” She forced a smile. “I don’t believe I’ve met you before. I know just about all of Trevor’s friends.”

  “We’re childhood friends. Trevor called Glynda’s house,” Donna motioned with her head to her, “and we really need to contact him. It’s unusual that he’s in Illinois. We also are friends with Lori Bell, his fiancée; it’s important we get in touch with her, too.”

  Debbie’s stone-cold face left Donna feeling uneasy. “Oh. You know his fiancée? Well, I’m sorry. I can give you his number.” She reached under the counter and opened a small plastic file box. “Here it is. He’s at this hospital. That’s all I can tell you. Good luck.” Debbie turned her back and went back into Trevor’s office, shutting the door behind her.

  The three of them looked at each other. “Where’s the closest phone?” Glynda asked.

  Evan reached across the counter and pulled the slimline by its cord, “Here you go. We’ve got ta find out why the hell he’s at a hospital. Hurry up and dial, Glynda.”

  She pushed the buttons and no response. She dialed again and they waited anxiously. A voice on the other end answered, “County Hospital. Where may I direct your call?”

  “I am trying to reach a Trevor Morrelli.”

  Silence and tapping, “We don’t have a Morrelli on record.”

  Glynda’s heart jumped in her throat, “Uh, do you have a Lori Bell Jameson registered?” She swallowed hard while both Donna and Evan stared intently, waiting word.

  “Yes, we do, but she’s in ICU. No visitors are permitted.”

  “What? ICU? What happened?” Glynda’s voice screeched at the receptionist. “We’ve got to get ahold of Lori’s fiancé, Trevor Morrelli. He must be there if Lori is in ICU. Can’t…can you tell us what happened?”

  “No, I’m sorry I can’t. But I can try to transfer you to the nurses’ station and maybe they can reach Mr. Morrelli.”

  There were a series of tones and then the connection to the ICU unit. The nurse on the ward was kind, and Glynda could hear her calling Trevor to come over to the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Trevor, it’s Glynda. What’s going on? What happened?

  He started to cry. “Glynda. It’s good to hear your voice,” Trevor spoke through sniffles. “It’s not good. She’s a mess, Glynda.”

  “Trevor, Evan and Donna are with me. What happened?”

  “She—she took off from the house. I didn’t know where she went—I thought maybe with you guys. We had a fight,” he sobbed softly, “and she left. I didn’t know she was gone for an hour. The sheriffs say she was drinking, Glynda. She drove off the highway and they didn’t find her for a few hours. The road was dark and they couldn’t see her car. It was way out in a cornfield.” He started to cry again, “She was out. They thought she was dead. She looks dead, Glynda. She’s not answering or moving or nothing. There’s all these tubes and wires in her and on her. It’s really scary. I’m afraid I’m going to lose her. I—called my parents but they can’t drive out here to Illinois—my dad just had surgery. Lori’s Mom is coming up tomorrow. She driving with another resident. They don’t know what’s going to happen to her. It’s just waiting.”

  “Trevor, I’m sorry. And the wedding is next month. Can we do anything at all?”

  “No. No, but if you can keep an eye on the place, I’d appreciate it.”

  “What about Debbie?”

  “Debbie? I called one of the investors,” he sniffled, “Debbie’s not supposed to be in charge. I didn’t hire her. She has some connection to Tonya Lamar.” He shook his head. “I don’t really trust Debbie, Glynda. Can you keep an eye on the place? I’d rather have Donna do it—not Debbie. Is she there?”

  “Donna, Trevor wants to talk to you,” Glynda handed her the phone.

  “Hi, Trevor, are you okay? I’m really sorry, Trevor. How’s Lori?”

  “I told Glynda. It’s not good. We just have to wait,” he sighed, “Donna, can—can you do me a favor and I can pay you. Not much, though. But, will you sort of run the place while I’m here? I need someone I can trust.”

  “Trevor, I know nothing about running a resort. What’s wrong with Debbie, Trevor? I’m not sure I would know what to do.”

  “You’ll figure it out, Donna, you’re able to do a lot of stuff. Look at all you’ve done. Please, Donna. This is our livelihood. I just don’t trust Debbie—I know you and I really don’t know her.”

  Donna was hesitant but relented, “Uh sure, Trevor, I can call you with any questions, right? Are you going to be okay? Hey, what about Debbie?”

  “Put her on the phone, would ya?”

  Donna handed the phone to Evan and knocked on the door to the office. And opened it slightly, “Hi Debbie, um, Trevor would like to speak with you.”

  She strutted away from behind the desk, through the doorway and to the phone, “Hello Trevor.”

  The three of them could not hear what Trevor was saying, but from the expression on Debbie’s face, his grief for Lori’s state did not sway his business tactics. It appeared Trevor was in full control of his establishment.

  “Sure, Trevor, I understand. I will hand the office keys over to Donna.” Debbie grimaced and hung up the phone. “Trevor wants you to take the reins.” She turned to Donna, “If you want to follow me into the office I’ll show you where to find stuff. And of course if you need any assistance, I’m always on the property. I have a tiny cabin near the woods. It’s a simple one bedroom with a kitchenette and bath, but it works for me.” She talked over her shoulder as the three of them followed her into Trevor’s office. “Here’s where he keeps the records for all of his guests, and here’s the books. Trevor’s good at record keeping—so am I,” she smiled smugly, “I did minor in business at the community college in Hamilton City.”

  Donna nodded to acknowledge all the woman said, then held out her hand for the keys. After all, Trevor’s words circled in her mind, “I don’t trust Debbie.”

  The keys dropped in the palm of her hand. “Thanks, Debbie. I’m glad you’re always available. I will know where to turn when I have a question.”

  Evan smiled at Donna and shook his head, while Debbie went out the door and headed toward her cabin at the edge of the woods.

  “Sure you’re goin ta turn to her for help, Donna,” Evan chuckled, “Now what? What’s goin to happen with Lori Bell and how the hell are ya goin to know how ta run this place?”

  “I don’t know, Evan. I’m really worried about her, but it’s good that she is alive and made it through one night. About this place, I think I can just nurse things along and I’ll figure it out. What a day this past twenty-four hours has been you guys, huh, don’t you think?”

  The two nodded in agreement and Glynda piped up about needing to be at work in a few hours, “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m exhausted. Donna, are you goin’ to stay out here at night? I think Trevor did that sometimes—I don’t know how often.”

  “I guess I could,” Donna glanced around the office and walked over to the door to the restroom. “Hey check this out. I didn’t know Trevor had a little living space back here. It’s very little.”

  The three of them peered into the room adjacent to the tiny bath that housed a toilet, sink, and narrow shower. The living space contained a double bed that almost filled the room and a desk with a phone.

  “Nice, I think I can stay here. Why don’t we head back into town and I can collect my things, make sure Mom is okay, and you can maybe get an hour’s worth of sleep before work, Glynda.”

  “Ya want me to stay out here with you, Donna? I can crash on that couch,” Evan said pointing to the bro
wn leather in the office.

  “Why don’t I stay out here, Donna? Evan, you wouldn’t mind staying in town and watching the boys, do ya? And Donna’s mom is around the corner—you can keep an eye on her, too?”

  “Yeah, I can do that, Glynda. Donna, why don’t ya’ keep the revolver out here with ya’. Who knows who’s trapesing around these parts.”

  “I don’t think it would bode well if I shot one of the guests if they came over during the night in need of something,” Donna jibbed, “but I’ll keep it with me, tucked away safely somewhere in here.” She fingered the keys in her hand and found a small copper one, and moved over to Trevor’s desk where she placed it in the key hole of the middle drawer. “I think I found my secure spot—as long as I keep the keys with me,” she smiled.

  They exited through the foyer and Donna hung the “Be back by 4:00” sign on the door. As they pulled away, Donna glanced in the rearview mirror to take in her newfound responsibility.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Glynda’s station wagon parked nose first in front of the office where Donna had been for the past night. It was Saturday morning and she didn’t have to go back to work until Monday. After leaving her boys with Evan, she felt relaxed and ready to spend some time away from her manly domain. The day was hot with the end of July humidity already pumping into the air. Thoughts of taking a stroll to the river and wading her feet to cool off sounded good to her, and she turned around to capture a glimpse of the Tippecanoe frolicking beyond the trees. Glynda’s mind then wandered to her missing friend, Thelma, and that weird guy who followed them from Thelma’s house; it then shifted to pictures of Lori Bell, lying incapacitated in a hospital bed, and lingering between life and death. Quickly turning to the office, she went inside to find Donna on the phone talking to Trevor.

  Donna’s head nodded up and down and finally, Glynda could hear parts of the conversation, “That’s so good to hear, Trevor. Lori is tough. She has been through so much and she can get through this.” Then a pause, “Are you sure you want to come back in a day or two? Do you feel okay with leaving her?” More silence and nods of the head then, “Okay, Trevor. Don’t worry. I really think things are fine here, and I’m glad Mrs. Jameson will be there this afternoon. Take care and see you soon.”

  “Trevor, Donna? How’s Lori Bell doing? Is she going to be okay?”

  “It’s sounding better than two days ago, Glynda. She is opening her eyes some and moving a finger slightly. She’s really sedated, though, which is best. Trevor thinks she will be out of the ICU in a week or two. Lori’s mom will be there today, so Trevor is planning on driving back tomorrow or the next day to check on things; he’ll spend a day or two then drive back to the hospital. He wants to move her to Hamilton City and get her out of Illinois as soon as he can.”

  “Well, I don’t know how that works, but I sure am glad she’s doin’ better. God, Donna. What a mess things have become: Thelma’s missing, Lori Bell is in such bad shape; Trevor was questioned for murder—that weird, crazy guy on the motorcycle. I’m hoping for some peace and quiet this weekend. It would be nice to just relax out here a little—even though I’m supposed to be helping you out. Have you had any problems out here?”

  “No, not really. Just an occasional glare from that Debbie. There are few guests. When I was checking the registry today, I saw that the professor and his woman are slated to leave on Monday morning. Actually, it looks like most of the guests—what few there are, are leaving Monday morning. Trevor told me that meals are on the house, but frankly, Glynda, I’ve been paying for everything. I’m not rich but I don’t know how he’s doing financially with this place. I checked out his record book and he is barely making a profit. I’m not the one who majored in business—I know Trevor is adept at those practices, but I can do the math, and if I were Trevor and Lori, I’d be a little worried about keeping this place afloat.”

  “Well, Lori and Trevor always had things together and knew what to do. I know they both like to spend money. Hell, I don’t know where they get the money to do all the stuff they do and live like that—Lori shops and hangs by the pool in the summer. Where do you think they get the money to do all this stuff, Donna?”

  “Probably credit cards, Glynda. I don’t know. Thanks for staying out here with me. It will be kinda fun—just like old times.” Donna reached over to turn on the clock radio. “I haven’t even listened or read about what’s happening in the rest of the world or Burgenton. I called my mom to check on her. I know she listens to the news every day. What time does it come on?”

  “I think at 10:00, Donna. We probably missed it. Isn’t it almost eleven o’ clock? I don’t listen to it much either. I guess I get all my information from the newspaper.”

  The radio blared with the sound of oldies, and Donna turned it off. “Oh well, I can’t believe Trevor doesn’t get newspapers out here. You would think his guests may like to read them.”

  The phone rang in the lobby and Donna darted to the front of the office, “Hello, Morrelli River Resorts.”

  “Donna, it’s Mom. Lord child, you won’t believe what is happening in this town. Are you ready to hear it?”

  Donna could feel her heart beating in her chest, “What Mom?”

  “Donna, it’s Thelma Carson. They found her, Donna.”

  “Alive?” she asked with a hint of hope.

  “No, child. She’s not. It looks like she may have taken her life, but according to the news report, the police have not ruled out foul play.”

  “What happened, Mom?” Donna’s voice cracked, “Where did they find her? Glynda’s here, Mom. I’m going to have to break it to her.”

  “It’s such a terrible thing, Donna, and who knows how it happened. They found her hanging from the rafters in the Opera House. Can you believe it? Guess someone jimmied the lock in front then exited the same way they came out. How they weren’t noticed beats me, but no one is outside in the middle of the night and there ain’t many police cars so whoever did it, must have timed it so they wouldn’t be seen.”

  “Wow that is just horrible. Okay, Mom. Thanks for letting me know. It’s going to be tough breaking the news to Glynda.”

  “What news?” Glynda stood in the doorway of Trevor’s office, “What news, Donna?”

  Without saying goodbye, Donna put the receiver down, “Glynda, it’s not good.” She walked over to her, “Glynda, Thelma’s gone. She’s dead, Glynda.”

  Donna put her hands on Glynda’s shoulders as violent sobs sprang from her as her friend trembled with grief. Then the warrior strength of Glynda—Glynda who had survived a night in a horse trailer with the listless Thelma while a murderer was thought to return and kill her; Glynda who had survived an abusive marriage and abandonment—Glynda, the woman who could pull herself out of her sorrow so quickly, now spoke through broken sobs, “What happened, Donna? How? Who killed her?”

  Donna shook her head, “They don’t know Glynda; it kind of sounds like foul play or…suicide, but suicide doesn’t make sense. I’m so sorry, Glynda. I know how close you were to her. I’m really sorry.” She leaned down to hug her.

  “It’s okay, Donna. I wonder when the service will be.” Then suddenly she exclaimed, “The box!”

  “What box? Oh…the box from Thelma’s house. I had forgotten about it. What’s in it, Glynda?”

  “I don’t know, Donna. Thelma had told me to take care of it if something happened to her. I thought she meant when she passed or something. When we were out at her house the other night, I remembered what she said. That’s why I went out to the storm cellar tunnel to the basement and went to her secret place where she’d shown me where to go in the event something happened to her. I just stuck it in the pantry because it seemed like we needed to get out here and well, it kinda’ slipped my mind.”

  “What do you think is in it, Glynda?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I should go back and get it. What do ya think?”

  Donna agreed, “But be careful. Maybe bring Evan with y
ou. Can you leave the boys with Rodney? I’ve got a bad feeling, Glynda.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “So, what’s in the box, Glynda?” Evan asked as the two crossed the bridge, turned northwest and went up the hill towards the resorts.

  “Don’t know, Evan. We’ll find out when we get there. I haven’t even looked in it. When we got back and had to get out to the resorts, I put it away. Out of sight, out of mind.”

  They drove through the gates and Donna was outside waiting for them. Evening was approaching and the few guests were headed to the dining area, from where Donna had just returned to ensure the evening meal of fresh breaded catfish was ready.

  “Hi guys,” Donna said as Evan and Glynda got out of the station wagon and met her on the cement walkway.

  Glynda carried the box under her arm while Evan ambled behind her. The aroma of the fish on the outside grill filled the air as the smoke wafted over the office building and dissipated into a cloud of river mugginess.

  “Sure smells good out here, Donna,” Evan remarked.

  “Yeah, it does, Evan. Here, Glynda, let me help you with that and let’s get inside to the office.” The three of them went into the office and Donna locked the door behind her, putting up the out-to-dinner sign on the door.

  Inside Trevor’s office, Donna closed the window blind behind the desk, but first she watched patrons stroll up to the restaurant, and caught sight of the professor and Rhonda. She realized they would be leaving in a couple days, and wondered if they were disappointed—knowing well the pair would not find any Confederate gold because Trevor and Lori’s portion apparently was cashed in and tied up in the resort; her share along with Evan’s was in a safe deposit box at the bank, and Glynda’s gold was buried out in the pet cemetery with Buttons.