Her Forever Dreams

by Agnes Alexander

  “Of course not, though I’m sure some of our readers would like one because the bizarre sells papers. I’ll get a picture after they get the woman off the horse.”

  “It sure took a sick-o to do this,” Richard Staples said as he rejoined them.

  “I think you’re right. Who’d want to mutilate the poor woman this way?” Hunter asked.

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure going to try to find out.” He nodded at Hunter. “I see you have a camera. The officer who usually takes our snapshots hasn’t shown up yet. Would you mind making some pictures of the crime scene for me? I know it’s gruesome, but we might need them.”

  “I’ll be glad to.” Hunter walked toward the stall.

  “I hope you find out what’s going on soon, Richard.” Seth shifted slightly. “This is going to hurt us, you know.”

  He nodded. “I was hoping because of the hair and body shape, someone around here would recognize the woman, but neither of your two hands knew who she is. Who found her, Seth?”

  “Theo said he and Ward came into the barn about the same time. Ward saw her first and called Theo. They didn’t touch anything, but called the police right away.”

  “I’m glad they had the presence of mind not to try to get her off the horse. We’re trying to gather as many clues as we can.”

  “Other than her face, I don’t see a lot of blood, Chief. Are the blows to the head what killed her?”

  “You know I have to let the coroner say what she died from, but I can tell you there is a bullet wound to the back of the lady’s head. It looks like she was killed then brought here. There are a few smears of blood on the horse and some has dripped down her chest area, but there’s not enough to think she could have been shot here. No spatters or pools of blood around.” He looked at Seth. “Anything strange been going on around here?”

  “Theo found a stick of dynamite in Powder’s stall yesterday and I took it to the station yesterday afternoon. You’d already left, but the guy there said they’d check it for fingerprints. He wasn’t hopeful they’d find enough to help. Theo and I both touched it.”

  “How much do you trust this Theo fellow?”

  “Completely. He’s been with me ever since he was a teenager. Came to work right out of high school.”

  “And the one you called Ward?”

  “He’s my housekeeper’s husband. She’s worked for me for years and he has been here a couple of years. Came up from Florida for the summer and decided to stay. He was pretty good with plants and landscaping so I hired him. He got to hanging around here after hours and it wasn’t long until he and Norma got married. Love at first sight, I guess.”

  “He still work in the yard?”

  “He does what little has to be done in the winter time, but he’s been helping out around the stables. He’s pretty good with the horses.”

  “How about your other hands, Seth?”

  “I’ve got a good crew. I can’t imagine any of them doing anything like this.”

  “Let me tell you about a phone call I got, Chief,” Hunter said as he walked back up and handed Richard Staples a roll of film. He related what had been said to him.

  “Do either of you know why someone would want to threaten you? Have you fired anyone recently?”

  “Theo caught a man drunk and about to abuse a horse a couple of months ago. I don’t mind the workers having a beer now and then, but I don’t allow anyone drunk to be around the horses and as for abusing the animals, they know I’d have them arrested in a heartbeat. Theo knew my rules and he fired him on the spot.”

  “Do you think the man he fired could hold a grudge?”

  “Probably does, but not one that would make him do something like this. Ward told me he thought the man moved in with an older woman in town. He hasn’t gone to work anywhere and seems she’s keeping him up now.”

  Richard wrote this information down. “Since our victim is an older woman, I’d better check this out.”

  “Looks like they’re taking the woman down. As soon as Theo gets Powder calmed down, I think I’ll get a picture of him for the paper. That’s all my readers are going to see of this mess.”

  “Good idea, son.”

  Before Hunter headed to make his picture, he turned to Chief Staples. “Thanks for coming out. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem, Hunter. Thanks for calling me personally. I needed to get in on this case from the start. We don’t have that many murders in Coverton Mills.”

  “Thank God for that.” Hunter walked away.

  “Yeah, we haven’t had this much excitement since your wife…” He paused. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Richard. I know the gossip about that incident spread over this community like gravy over mashed potatoes, as my housekeeper, Norma says.”

  “Good analogy. It sure was a sensation for a while. Folks always had things to say about Eve.”

  “I know. Most people thought she was a bitch and frankly, most of the time she was. Of course, she had her good points, too. She was just a selfish person who didn’t know how to give of herself. She expected to have all the attention. She was even jealous of the kids.”

  “I’m sorry to say this, Seth, but I’m not the only one who wondered why in the hell you took her back after she left you and went to England that time.”

  Seth shook his head. “You don’t know how many times I’ve wondered the same thing. If it hadn’t been for Hunter, I probably never would’ve let her come back.”

  “You were never really in love with her, were you?”

  Seth knew this was one person he could be honest with. “No, Richard, I wasn’t. I think you know why.”

  “I know you were very much in love with that blond you introduced me to in Asheville. I was surprised when you didn’t divorce Eve and marry her.”

  “Don’t think I didn’t want to. Eve wouldn’t give me a divorce so I could marry Julia, and if I’d done it anyway, she would’ve taken the children to England and I’d never have seen them again. That, and other circumstances, prevented my marrying the woman I really loved.”

  “It’s a damn shame it didn’t work out. She was a pretty woman.”

  “And as wonderful as she was pretty, Richard. You were one of the few people who ever knew about Julia. I appreciate you keeping mum about it all these years. It wouldn’t have done the kids any good to know I loved another woman and stayed married to their mother.”

  Richard shrugged. “A man doesn’t have to tell everything he knows.” He looked around. “Looks like the coroner has given his okay and they’re about to cart the body away. I need to check with him.” He took a breath. “We’ll probably be working around here a while so why don’t you go on back to the house. If I find out anything or need to ask you any questions, I’ll come up there.”

  Hunter walked up. “I got my pictures, Dad so I’ll take you to the house. I can use a cup of coffee before I head to the office to write up this story.”

  “I think I will go back. Jessica will get up soon, if she isn’t already. I don’t want her to come down here looking for me.”

  •♥ •

  Richard Staples watched Seth walk to Hunter’s Jeep. He was thinking, Yeah, he should’ve married Julia and let Eve go back to Europe. If ever there were two people in love, you two were it. I wonder what those circumstances were that made you come back to that bitchy wife of yours.

  CHAPTER 7

  Andrew Singleton came in the house and turned the oven to warm per his mother’s note. She’d precooked the roast, but it was up to him to heat it up so it would be hot and ready to eat when she came home. He glanced at his watch. Seven o’clock. He knew the store locked the doors at nine, but she usually left the closing to the manager. They must’ve been busy tonight and she was going to be late again. If she didn’t come soon, he’d make a sandwich for his dinner and head out.

  He planned to meet some friends at one of the country music clubs at 9:30. Tonight was one of the few nights this week his group
was off, and he wanted to take advantage of it. A pretty little redhead he’d met at an earlier gig said she was coming to the club tonight and he’d been attracted to her. Enough to pique his interest anyway, though he knew getting serious at this stage in his career was no option. Besides, what could he do? Bring her to the house.

  He smiled to himself. Most men his age were in condos or apartments of their own, but he didn’t mind living with his mom. Though they had a woman who cleaned the house, his mother did most of the cooking. She was a great cook and she never interfered in his life, though he was sure she wouldn’t approve of some strange redhead spending the night. But he knew living this way wasn’t going to last. His band was booked to play several dates during the Christmas holidays and his first CD was selling well. If the new deal came through, he’d be going on the road in the spring to open for one of the biggest country stars in the business. He couldn’t help being a little excited about the prospects.

  Sometimes, he felt a little guilty. Almost like he was walking out on her, but he knew that wasn’t true. She’d always told him to follow his dream and running the chain of four Singleton’s Department Stores had never been his dream. He didn’t think it had been hers either, but with his father dying unexpectedly after a bout with the flu followed by pneumonia, she’d fallen in and taken over the business as if she’d always been in charge. She was good at the job, and under her leadership the chain had gone from two stores to four. Now, there were plans underway for a fifth store. The board wanted to locate it in Asheville, but for some reason his mother was fighting this. She wanted to stay in the Piedmont section of North Carolina or go to the Eastern part of the state instead of the mountains. He wasn’t sure why she was so set against Asheville, but he thought the board might overrule her on this.

  He was about ready to pull out the roast and make the sandwich when the telephone rang. He recognized his mother’s cell number on caller ID. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”

  “Honey, Chet Roberts wants to go over some plans with me for the new store. I don’t want him coming to the house so I’m going to dinner with him.”

  “Oh, Mom. You know how I feel about Chet.” Though the man hadn’t been blatant about it, Andrew was sure this man wanted his mother. Andrew wouldn’t object if his mother dated more frequently than she did, but he couldn’t condone a romance with the sly store manager.

  “Don’t worry, Andrew. We’re only going to talk business.”

  “I hope so.”

  She laughed. “Trust me, that’s all there is to it. I have no interest in Chet Roberts. Never have had and never will have. Have you turned the oven on yet?”

  “Yep. The roast is hot.”

  “If you want to eat, go ahead, then be sure and turn it off. At least I’m going to get a dinner out of Chet.” She laughed. “Of course, it’ll probably show up on his expense account next month.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me if it does. He’d do anything to save a dollar of his own. Just watch him, Mom.”

  “Don’t worry, honey. I will.”

  Andrew made his sandwich, opened a beer and ate on a napkin. He saw no need to mess up a dish. He’d have to wash it. After he turned off the stove he went in his room, took a hot shower and dressed in jeans, western shirt and boots for the club. Glancing at his watch he saw he still had a good hour before anything would be happening at the club, but it didn’t matter. He’d go on. He wanted to get thoughts of his mother and Chet Roberts off his mind and maybe the redhead would come early. She might even live in a place of her own and invite him to visit.

  •♥ •

  The minute Julia walked into the restaurant and spied Chet Roberts, she knew he’d been here long enough to down several stiff drinks. There were two empty glasses on the table and she wondered how many the waitress had already picked up. She almost decided to leave without joining him, but he saw her and grinned a big toothy grin as he waved her to the table.

  She hurried to the table and sat before he could stand to greet her.

  “You didn’t even give me a chance to give you a welcome kiss.” He was still grinning.

  “I don’t want a kiss, Chet. This is supposed to be a business meeting. Not a social one.”

  “But there’s no reason a business meeting can’t be fun, too. Would you like a drink before we order dinner?” He waved for the waitress.

  “No, thank you, and I think you’ve had enough.” She looked over the menu.

  He shrugged. “Okay. If that’s the way you want it, boss lady.”

  “I most certainly do.”

  “Then, by all means, let’s order dinner.”

  When their salads arrived, along with the coffee Chet asked for, he said, “Now, Julia, you know that some of the board members sent in their votes for the location of the new store?”

  She wished he’d wipe that silly grin off his face. It had been there since she walked in, but she tried to ignore it. “Yes, I know.”

  “You also know that I think Asheville is the perfect place to locate it.”

  “Yes, Chet, I know that.” Julia Singleton looked over her Caesar salad at him. “I see where Asheville would be a good market, but so will Chapel Hill. We have a young customer base and you know UNC is there.”

  “I know that, Julia, but we’ll be competing with all the other shops which appeal to the younger generation there. Asheville has more promise for a steadier stream of shoppers in all age brackets. There’s also a branch of the University there, besides there isn’t a store like Singleton’s in the area.”

  She put her fork down and looked at him. “You’re trying to tell me the board has decided to go against me on this, aren’t you?”

  “I’m afraid so. Why do you think I had so many drinks? I dreaded telling you.” He looked a little sheepish. “We don’t think you’re seeing the whole picture, but I was the only one with guts enough to tell you. For some reason your perception is blocked about that area. We’re only trying to do what is good for the store.”

  She sighed. “I guess you think you’re doing the right thing.”

  “We know we are, pretty lady.” He reached over to take her hand, but she pulled it away. His eyes told her he noticed, but didn’t comment on it. Instead, he said, “I wanted to break the news to you because I didn’t want you to be blindsided at the meeting on Monday. You know I care about your feelings.”

  She wanted to say, ‘You care so much about them that you keep throwing out hints that you want to have more than a business relationship with me, you snake,’ but she actually said, “I appreciate that, Chet, but I’m a big girl. I can take being voted down and I’ll support the decision of the board no matter how much I wish they’d voted the other way.”

  The waiter appeared and she didn’t protest when he took her half-eaten salad away. Dinner with Chet tonight was turning out to be a chore and if she was still hungry when she got home, there was the roast. Another waiter followed the first one with the main course. She had shrimp primavera, one of her favorites, but she knew it would taste better if she were eating it with someone other than Chet Roberts. He was an excellent businessman, but as a man, he was at the bottom of her scale. It was a good thing they hadn’t worked for any length of time in the same store since Woodrow’s death.

  “I must say, my dear, you are the ultimate businesswoman.” He smiled at her. “Maybe even better than Woodrow was when he was here.”

  “Other than my son, the business is my life now.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Maybe that could be remedied.”

  Not in your lifetime, she thought, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she stabbed a shrimp.

  Her silence must have made him think he could expand the subject. He said, “Julia, everyone knows you and Woodrow had a good marriage as far as it went, but...”

  She interrupted and frowned at him. “What do you mean by that remark?”

  “Oh, come on, now, Julia. You know what I’m talking about. Everyone knows you planned to snag the boss
the first day you set foot in the store.”

  “That’s a lie. I’d never heard of Woodrow Singleton until I came to work there. I only wanted to make a living for my son and me and that was the only job I could find at the time.”

  “Well, those of us who have been there for a long time know you were a single mother who started out as a salesgirl in the junior department when you came to work at Singleton’s.”

  “So, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “Of course not, but why be so touchy now? You’re still a lovely woman and you still turn a lot of heads. Mine, especially.”

  She stared at him. She didn’t care if he was saying these things because he’d been drinking, he was pushing her too far. “I’m not interested in turning your head or anyone else’s, Chet. I miss my husband, but I’m content with my life the way it is. I don’t need anything or anyone else in it at this point.”

  “Julia, Julia. You do protest too much. Why don’t we drop the subject, enjoy our meal and then go to my place for drinks? We can relax and…”

  Julia was getting mad. “I have no intention of going to your place. My son would have a fit. He doesn’t like you, you know.”

  “I’m aware of that. He made that clear when he was at the store. But he doesn’t matter. He’ll soon be out of the picture. I hear you’re financing his venture into music.” He shook his head. “Woodrow would die if he knew his money was going for such foolishness.”

  “Woodrow wanted Andrew to do whatever he wanted to in life. Besides it’s none of your business what I do with my money.”

  “Well, to be so good in the merchandizing business, I guess you have a soft spot where your son is concerned. Looks like he’d want to follow in Woodrow’s steps. Not take the lazy man’s way out by pretending he’ll make it big in the music industry.”

  “I’ve heard all I want to hear of you tonight, Chet Roberts. You’re crossing the line when you attack my son. I’m going home before I get riled up enough to fire you.” She began gathering her briefcase and her purse.