The River Waits for Murder (The Burgenton Files Book 2)

by C. Ruth Daly

  They sidled up to the crowd and hung on the edge, sipping beer from clear plastic cups and watching the crowd and Trevor and Lori in action—the perfect host and hostess.

  “Who are these people?” Donna wanted to know. I don’t think I’ve seen most of them before.”

  Glynda was quick to point out the names of local business people and politicians. The mayor was there, of course, along with the Burgenton city council and the town treasurer. There were a few others who Glynda did not recognize.

  “Maybe we should mingle, guys, what do you think?” Donna asked, “That way we see who some of these people are.” She gulped her beer and continued, “Let’s go.” And the three of them broke into the crowd, Evan was stiff and simply moved from group to group, smiling and nodding. Glynda found Lori and joined in her conversation, listening intently and with an eye on Lori Bell, laughed when she did, following her lead. Donna moved to the cluster of a few council members and a couple of men in what appeared to be designer suits, and sipping martinis.

  She listened intently to the conversation and smiled politely, and when the opportunity arose, she asked one of the suited men about his profession and where he lived, saying she didn’t recognize him from around the Burgenton area. The man named Douglas was reluctant at first to divulge this information, and Donna explained she was a social worker, where she attended university, and that she was an old friend of Trevor’s. She smiled, nodded, and flipped her hair, appearing to be captivated by this man’s resume on finance, and politely moved on to the next person.

  Chatting to the right of Douglas was a couple, well dressed and with a distant warmth introduced themselves to Donna. “Hello, my name is Tonya Lamar and this is my husband Eric, and you are?”

  “Donna—an old friend of Lori’s and Trevor’s,” Donna smiled and asked, “Do you live around here? I’m from Arizona and this river valley is my home. I returned so as not to miss the opening of the resorts. Trevor and Lori are so proud.”

  “We are from the Chicago area—business acquaintances of Trevor’s,” Eric replied, “You must have a strong interest in this investment of Trevor’s,” Eric smiled, “I believe Trevor mentioned your name before.” He sipped his drink, his eyes peered at Donna over the glass rim. “My wife here and Lori have spent time together on our lakefront property.

  Tonya smiled at Eric and turned to Donna, “Lori has told me so much about you, Donna. My, what a rugged life you led in the desert. She thinks the world of you and your social causes.” Tonya’s eyes roamed up and down Donna. “Tell us how you three know each other. Lori just said that you two grew up together.” Tonya smiled.

  “Lori and I are childhood friends and Trevor and Lori started going out in middle school. I never thought the two would marry, but life is full of surprises, isn’t it?” Donna smiled, her eyes scanned the crowd for anyone else she may not know and then they returned to Tonya, “Where exactly do you live and do you both work in the city?”

  Tonya directed her attention to Eric who quickly responded, “We have interests in Chicago but elsewhere too, of course. We—we delve primarily in commercial real estate. That’s how we met Trevor, of course.” He smiled again at Donna and she understood she overstayed her welcome and moved on to the next group where she found Evan, talking with the mayor.

  “Hey, Donna, meet the mayor. This is Bob. Bob Copeland. His younger brother was in my sister Linda’s class. They would of graduated together but—you know.”

  Bob patted Evan on the shoulder, “I graduated in 69. I know your sister and brother-in-law, too, Donna—and Gil’s brother, our former mayor. I’m excited to be here, aren’t you? Even though we are here on a worried note with Rob missing—our assessor. I was torn about coming tonight,” he bit his lip and shook his head, “but I decided until we know for sure what has happened to Rob, well, I just have to keep doing what’s best for Burgenton. You know, we are very grateful for this tax generator for the community. Trevor was thinking of us when he could have placed the property closer to the county line and we would have missed the benefits, but no, he’s loyal to Camden County and Burgenton”

  It was time for dinner as the caterers moved from group to group, ushering people to their seats. White clothed tables were lined up outside The Oasis with the waterfalls and fountains going, one could not even hear the river flowing below. The river was also barely visible with all of the artificial light directed on the rental property, masking the subtleties of the moonlight on the river that created a heavenly view at nighttime. The three of them sat together at the table farthest from Lori, Trevor, and the rest of the crowd.

  “How long do you guys want to stay here?” Evan asked as he cut into his rib eye. “I haven’t talked one bit to Trevor or Lori Bell. I got to know Bob, though. He’s a nice guy. Maybe he’d offer me a job with the city.”

  “I think we can stick around for another hour after the meal,” Evan. “What do you think, Glynda?” Donna was straining to get a good view of the river at night but the overhead lights blinded her view.”

  “Well, I’d be fine with that.” Glynda snorted, “This isn’t my kind of gig, ya know? I feel like a turd in a punch bowl here.”

  “Glynda, that’s not true at all,” Donna reassured, “You have more class than most of these yahoos from the investment world. Have you talked to any of them? Try to check out that Tonya and Eric—they’re the ones sitting near Lori and Trevor. Apparently they have lakefront property—not here but in Chicago. They had to let me know that—the pretentious bastards.” Donna scoffed, “They were sure to remind me of their friendship with Trevor and Lori, too, and how Lori and Tonya spend time at their property.” She shook her head and resumed eating.

  They sat in silence, enjoying the meal and the distant sky above the trees. The artificial waterfalls were pleasant and Donna could not disparage Trevor for choosing the effect; although the natural sound of the river was far more comforting than the rush of a tumbling fall. Donna was the first to break the silence, “Hey guys, why don’t we take a nice walk on the edge of the river? What do you say, Evan, Glynda? It’s been a long time, Evan, since we have been able to experience water like this.” She smiled at the two of them, “What do you say?”

  Glynda wiped her mouth with her napkin, “Well, I wouldn’t mind walking off some of this dinner. Maybe I can kick off my shoes and soak my feet. What about you, Evan?”

  “I’d be good with it. I sure did miss the rivers and I like to fish too. Did you know that? Maybe I can take Rodney and your boys fishin, Glynda. Would that be okay with you?”

  “That would be fine with me, Evan. They’d like that,” Glynda said as they all stood up and began walking away from the party to the edge of the trees along the river. The other attendees did not seem to notice the departing guests—only the catering staff was quick to attend to the empty spots as the three of them headed in the direction of the river below.

  They stepped lightly toward the river and as the three of them traversed the soft earth, the buzz of the party was soon replaced by the murmuring of the river below. Once completely away from the sound and any sight of the resort, they paused to take in the view and appreciate the solitude. A few lights from houses were visible in either direction, but before them was a thicket of oaks and pines hovering over the Tippecanoe, a faint hint of moonlight glimmered on the water as the three friends stood among the beauty.

  Evan quickly broke the silence, “Hell, I have to piss. I’ll be right back.” And he headed further north, away from Donna and Glynda and away from the party maybe half a mile behind them. Donna watched as Evan slid down an embankment, out of their sight and to a bend where trees grew out of the embankment and leaned over the river. He was quick to return, comically scrambling up the side of the embankment and zipping up his jeans. Donna and Glynda, hurried over to him.

  “Evan, are you okay?” Donna chuckled, “What’s wrong?”

  “Was it a snake, Evan?” Glynda added.

  Evan stared at the tw
o of them and the words ripped from his mouth, “Oh shit, I was pissin’ off the side of that little slope and I looked down and saw I was pissin’ on what looked like a shoe then I went down there and shit—it’s a whole leg. There’s got to be a body down there! I didn’t want to look anymore under that brush. Shit! We better git back and get ahold of the police.”

  Donna and Glynda froze in their spots, their mouths dropped. “Body?” Donna was the first to ask. “I can’t believe this. Are you sure, Evan?”

  “You all go look for yourselves and see. It don’t have anything to do with me drinkin’, okay? It’s the truth. You go, Donna. I’m stayin’ here.”

  “I’m not going either, Donna. I’ll stay with Evan. Be careful!” Glynda hollered as Donna darted through the trees toward the embankment. She slid down carefully with her heels against the dirt until she was out of her friends’ field of vision.

  She landed at the edge of the river and stopped below the overhang where Evan had peed. In the darkness with the moonlight gleaming out on the open river, Donna peered down into the water where in a bend, rested a corpse. It was partially concealed with a thick covering of brush that floated on top of its lifeless shape. The body moved up and down as the river’s tide gently lapped at the bloated form. The legs and an arm were visible and Donna could see a shirttail rising with the movement of the water. It was obvious to her that the man was not dressed for fishing or any outdoor activity, and not wanting to interfere with what appeared to be a crime scene, she turned and examined the incline where she had just slid and where Evan had before her. Carefully she retraced her steps up the embankment and stumbled back to Glynda and Evan, shaking her head in disbelief.

  “You’re right, Evan. God! We have to get back to the resort and notify the authorities—let’s hope the mayor is there. He certainly can do something now.”

  They quickened their pace, reminiscent of a Halloween night when she and Glynda had trudged through that same wood. What is it about this wood or this river? Donna thought to herself, then to her companions, “Guys, what’s with this river? It’s like it waits for death. I’ve only run into two dead bodies in my lifetime—and they were both in this river.” She shook her head as she marched ahead of the other two, turning back to them on occasion. “Can you believe this?” The music from the party became louder as the lights from the resort quickly came into view. Donna left Glynda and Evan behind and plowed forward, scanning the crowd for any sign of the mayor, a city official, Trevor—anyone who would have access to a phone and emergency services.

  Trevor and Lori were dancing and Mayor Bob was heading to his car. Donna checked her watch and it was 10:40; she ran, quickly catching up with the mayor. “Mayor—Bob,” she yelled, waving her arms back and forth, “Please, wait!”

  The mayor stopped and turned for Donna. “Hi Donna, what is it? Do you need something?”

  “Mayor, is there any way you can get ahold of the police?” Donna asked, and she noticed a car phone in the console of his car. “Please—call the sheriff or police. There’s a dead body in the river.” She pointed in the direction from which she came and where Glynda and Evan were now exiting the trees, heading back to the party.

  The man froze and his eyes widened. “A dead body?” Bob grabbed ahold of Donna’s shoulders. “Where exactly? Are you sure it’s a dead body?”

  Donna described the scenario with Evan peeing. She sliding down the embankment, and the description of the corpse floating in the water.

  The mayor turned to his car, reached into his pant pockets and fumbled for his keys. Inside the car and with the door open, he quickly dialed the county sheriff. Hector, get out to the Morrelli river resorts—quick! There’s report of a dead body in the water.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The glitziness of the resort was subdued by flashing police cars and a hearse. The party goers gathered in a corner along the edge of the property closest to the road while the county sheriffs removed the corpse from the river and other sheriffs interviewed the guests. Donna, Glynda, and Evan were separated from the others as the officers questioned them about discovering the body. Trevor was also taken aside and questioned since the deceased was found at the very edge of his property and fifteen yards from the county line.

  Donna noticed Trevor’s face was ashen and he truly appeared to be ill. A dead body on the property was sure to put a damper on the opening of the resort next week. Lori was lit and giggled with the sheriffs, and Eric stood with hands in his pant pockets and Tonya with her hands behind her back as the two were questioned and then the sheriff moved on to the next guests. Douglas answered expressing his words with his open hands while the remaining guests, who were known by the sheriffs, spoke openly with the officers as they went through the crowd.

  No one was allowed to leave until long past midnight when all witnesses were questioned and the scene taped off. Trevor’s head hung low and his mouth dropped as he watched his beautiful resort turn into a crime scene. The coroner’s hearse backed up to the edge of the thicket and left a trail of tire marks across the nicely manicured lawn.

  Donna, Evan, and Glynda waited until all guests had departed before they approached Trevor. Lori was passed out on an Adirondack chair by the main office where a member of the catering staff used a table linen as a blanket to cover her. Trevor paced the road, running his fingers through his hair over and over and saying, “Oh shit, shit, shit…I’m going to lose everything without opening day. What am I going to do?” He turned to the only remaining guests: Donna, Glynda, and Evan, who tried to console the man. “The sheriffs said this will be up through tomorrow and they’ll be back tomorrow. Guests arrive tomorrow night! What am I going to do? What will people think when word gets out about a body found at the Morrelli River Resorts?” He was almost in tears as his fingers tore at his sandy hair.

  Evan was the first to speak up, “I’m sure it’ll all work out, Trevor. Don’t be frettin’ so much. These people all have reservations so I bet they’ll show up. Hey—I can help ya, okay? I can work on that lawn and get everything lookin’ good before those guest show up. You don’t even have to pay me much. I’d take fifty bucks for a day’s work.”

  “Yeah, Trevor,” Donna added, “Evan can help you. I’m sure this place will be fine and your guests aren’t even from around here, so how will they know about the body in the river? Just don’t bring any local papers out here—and don’t play the local radio stations. Maybe set the radios on a remote station and no one will know anything.”

  Glynda was tired and let loose a yawn before she spoke, “Well, I gotta go to work at ten. I’m sorry this happened, Trevor. Do they know whose body it is? Did any of the sheriffs say anything to you?”

  He shook his head in a firm, ‘no’ and continued, “No, no…I—I have to get Lori back to the house and be back here in the morning—guess it is morning.” He glanced at his watch and it was almost four. “Thanks, guys.” Trevor hung his head and with his hands in his pockets he walked over to his slumbering fiancée.

  The three of them walked to Donna’s truck and climbed in the cab with Glynda in the middle. They were quiet as they drove down the road and back to town. The sun was rising as they crossed the railroad tracks and up the hill into the slumberous town center. A few farmers in trucks, and industrial semi-trucks created the only traffic and curious eyes focused on the pickup’s Arizona plates as the weary threesome reflected on their past night and wondered about the identity of the body. As they drove past the courthouse, Donna was the first to speak, “Do you think the body could be the missing assessor, you guys?”

  Glynda yawned, “I don’t know, Donna. Could be. Let’s hope not. That means trouble.”

  “Glynda’s right, Donna.” Evan said as he gazed out the passenger window, “It’s another murder in Burgenton, Donna. At least there ain’t no women raped and murdered.” He put his hands between his legs and sighed, “Let’s hope not.”

  The truck pulled up in front of Glynda’s house and the two g
ot out and Donna turned west for the half block to her mother’s house. Carol was awake at the early morning hour. She was surprised to see Donna come through the front door. “Lord, child, I thought you were upstairs asleep. What kind of a party was that where you don’t get home till five in the morning?”

  “It really ended much earlier, Mom.” Donna grabbed a cup and poured some coffee then sat down by her mother at the table. “You won’t believe what happened. After dinner, Evan, Glynda, and I decided to take a walk down to the river and Evan had to pee, so he went down to this little bend covered by tree limbs and when he was going to the bathroom, he realized he was peeing on a leg. He was really scared and came back to tell us. I went down and saw that he was right. It was a body with the upper half obscured by three branches—almost like a beaver had tried to build a dam—but actually, it was weird, only the legs were visible and a shirttail. We hurried back to the group and luckily the mayor was there, I flagged him down; he called the sheriffs, and then the rest of the night became a crime scene. It still is. Trevor is really upset. He’s afraid his business is destroyed.” Donna took a gulp of the percolated coffee. “Can you believe this, Mom?”

  Carol shook her head, “We’ve got to listen to the news, Donna, and see what’s happened.” She reached for her transistor radio and fumbled with the dials. “It’s too early to be on now. I’m going to have to call your sister, Irish. She’s going to want to know.”

  The two sat for the next hour and conversed about the events that occurred fourteen years ago: Ned Hollis, all of his murders, and how the county had been quiet for all of these years. Carol smiled at her daughter, “Until you show up, Donna McNally.”

  At seven o’clock the local news crackled through the transistor and the mysterious body in the Tippecanoe was the top story. The report gave the account of partygoers discovering the corpse in the river bend at the end of the Morrelli River Resorts. Three attendees came upon the body on a river walk. Several guests were questioned as well as the proprietor. The coroner is conducting an autopsy and the identification of the deceased will not be released until notification of the next of kin.