These many years later through the time-stopping photographs, Shirley was still a beautiful young woman and Joey was still a handsome football star.
“I think about that night sometimes,” Lana said. “But I haven’t spoken about it to anyone for years.” Her eyes dimmed and questions were running through her mind, but she was well aware of the line between Tommy’s work and his relationship with her.
Sheski held her close to him and told her how sorry he was they’d have to dig up those old memories he was sure she’d like to keep buried. “We can take our time,” he assured her. “There’ll be no pressure.”
“Tommy, that was such a long time ago. Some of it I remember as if it were yesterday. Some things I’ll have to think about. Let’s get started.
“Before we begin,” Tommy cautioned her. “If at any time you want to take a break or need to clarify anything, write it out for me on this paper here.” He gestured to a pencil and pad. “I can stop the recording and discuss your issues. Okay?”
She agreed.
Sheski began the recording. He gave a brief outline of who was speaking, the date and other case details.
“According to the initial Danville Police report dated November 27, 1954, Miss Stahl, you were present in the Adams’ home the night their daughter Shirley Adams was murdered. Is that correct?”
“Yes, I was. Shirley’s little sister Linda was celebrating her birthday with a slumber party. She and I were close friends so I was invited to spend the night along with a couple of other girls, Barbara and Cindy.”
“Please tell me what you remember about that night. Start at the beginning when you first arrived at their home.”
“The three of us girls were driven to Linda’s house by our parents. It was Linda’s birthday and she was celebrating with a slumber party. We were grade-schoolers and were thrilled about staying overnight at the Adams home. They were such a nice family.”
Sheski nodded his encouragement.
“Shirley was a beautiful young woman. Blonde hair, blue eyes and a fabulous figure. She looked just like her mother. Her little sister and I were young and immature then and could be pests to Shirley and Joey. She’d sometimes get angry with us when we were at her house. She’d especially be mad at her little sister Linda. We’d follow Shirley around and spy on her. We thought it was great fun. Shirley just wanted her privacy and we were too immature to understand.”
“How did she seem to you that night?” he asked. “Did you notice anything different about her?”
“Not really. She chased us out of her room as usual and yelled for her mom to make us leave her alone. She was getting ready for a date she had with Joey Beck, her steady boyfriend. He was coming to pick her up and they were going to a school dance.”
Lana paused and thought about the teenagers.
“They were the most popular couple in the school. He was a football star and she was a cheerleader. Everyone thought they’d be King and Queen of the high school prom.” We hung around and waited for him to pick her up because we liked watching them.”
“Was there anything special or unusual about that night you can remember?”
“I do remember some things which were a little different than usual. For one thing, Shirley’s father was home earlier in the evening and told his wife and Shirley he didn’t want her going out with Joey that night. I remember how surprised they were. He didn’t give any reason for it, just said he didn’t want her going out anywhere that night. ‘And no excuses,’ he told them. Shirley was crying and told her father she hated him. She said she never wanted to see him or speak to him again. He was his usual cold self to her.I don’t know why but her father was never loving towards her.
Mrs. Adams was trying to console her daughter and get her husband to tell them what was going on. He never offered a reason, just went out the door. The last thing he said was, ‘I mean it. Shirley’s to stay home tonight.’
After Mr. Adams went down to his store to work, Shirley’s mother hugged her and told her she could still go out with Joey and she’d cover for her. I could tell Mrs. Adams was shocked Shirley had spoken to her father that way. She couldn’t figure out why he’d insisted Shirley be at home that night in particular. Anyway, Shirley calmed down and went up to her bedroom to get ready. Of course, even though we were told to leave her alone we followed her around anyway. I remember she finally bought us off by allowing us to listen to her records. We played them over and over. We were having a great time.
Mrs. Adams made each of us paper hats and neat decorations shaped like roller skates which we loved at that time. She even decorated Linda’s birthday cake with a pair of icing skates. I think I still have those paper decorations somewhere. I save everything.”
Sheski thought she looked tired and wrote “R U OK?” on the pad.
Lana nodded a ‘Yes.’
“We were playing in Linda’s room, spying on Shirley and playing with our dolls and games. The last time I saw Shirley was when we heard Joey’s car pull up in front. We watched out the window when she went running out, jumped in his car and he drove off. I’ll never forget the smile on her face when she saw Joey. She was so happy to be with him. That’s all I really remember right now.”
Sheski asked Lana more questions. When he finished the interview, he turned the recorder off and pulled her close.
She leaned against him, glad it was over.
“I didn’t see any mention of you girls being questioned by the police. One of the reports just notes you were there. Did they ever ask you anything?”
“Not a thing. I guess they thought we were too young to have anything of value to add to their case.”
“That’s odd. You’d think they’d at least want to talk to you. I know I would’ve.”
“Well, they didn’t. Remember, this was a long time ago. Things were handled differently then and the town only had a few police officers.”
When she saw the questioning look on his face she added, “Life was simpler then, Tommy. Not like now. Now you have Crime Scene Investigators with more investigative tools at hand. Computers, forensics, and so on.”
He smiled. “I’d like to see your souvenirs from that birthday party. Do you think you could find them for me?”
“Sure, it might take me a little while, but I’ll look in my closet.”
They embraced for awhile and he asked her, “You know what happened to Mrs. Adams, don’t you? I read about it in the files.”
“Yes, the whole town knew,” Lana replied. “She just couldn’t accept the fact her daughter was dead. She kept denying it was true and wouldn’t let anyone help her heal. She went into a deep depression and never recovered. Mrs. Adams blamed herself for what happened. Especially since her husband had forbidden Shirley to go out that night. She kept saying over and over, ‘If only I hadn’t let her go, they would still be alive.’ It was awful.” Lana looked saddened. “It was just a few weeks later Mrs. Adams overdosed on some pills and never woke up. Thank God Linda wasn’t the one who found her. It was Mr. Adams who came across his wife’s body when he came home from work. I felt so bad for Linda. She lost her sister and her mother within a few weeks of each other. And her birthday is forever marred by it being the anniversary of the day her sister was murdered. Linda was such a nice girl. She eventually moved away. I haven’t heard from her in years. I’ve often wondered how she is.”
Sheski pulled her close to him. “I’m sorry, Lana. I have to ask these questions. It’s my job.”
“I know. I’ll be alright. It’s such a tragic story.” She touched the faded photographs. “Look at them. Their whole lives were ahead of them when these pictures were taken. Now, it’s as if they’re together forever. I hope you find out who did it, Tommy. For Shirley and Joey’s sake. And for their families and the town.”
Chapter Nine
The Teen Lovers murder investigation team worked the weekend. Paul labored alongside them, reading and writing, offering suggestions and occasionally popping antacid
s. He made sure to remind them the governor wanted to hear from them in a few days.
“We’ll give him what he wants,” Paul said. He was not unmindful of the effect a successful resolution of this case could have on his career. There may be a promotion in it for him. This would bring good press to his barracks and may give them more high-profile cases. And maybe my stomach will settle down.
Pat tried to flirt with Mike during the weekend. She’d wait until Paul was out of the room and bat her eyes at Mike or show off her legs. She didn’t seem to mind Sheski seeing her.
Mike countered it by turning his back on her or picking up the telephone and calling his wife. He documented everything about Pat and her offensive behaviors, including dates and times.
During lunch on Sunday, Sheski and Mike together told her to knock it off and act professionally.
“I told Paul what you’ve been doing,” Mike said. “If I have to, I’ll go to his boss and my lawyer if you don’t stop.”
Pat angrily protested. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She was barely civil to either of them the rest of the day.
When she got a break and was alone, Pat called someone and complained that Mike and Sheski were still on the job. “If Mike won’t give in, then he and Sheski should be gone. I’ll give him another chance but, if he still resists, I want them both off the case. Just do what you have to do.”
Not wanting to take any chances, Mike went to Paul after their talk with Pat and complained in detail about her behaviors.
“I’m documenting all this and if something isn’t done, I’m getting some legal counsel” Mike said.
He liked his boss and hated to do it, but he wasn’t about to jeopardize his own career and possibly even his marriage by not reporting Pat.
“I’m handling it Mike. I’ve already spoken to her about your complaints, but she says it’s just wishful thinking on your part. I can’t figure out what she’d want with you anyway. You’re a nice guy but what else do you have she’d want? You’re not wealthy and as far as I know, you’re not well connected. Are you?”
He waited for Mike to answer but got nothing.
“Besides,” Paul said. “She said you’ve been interested in her from the start.”
Mike was close to losing his temper. His jaw tightened. “If you don’t believe me, ask Sheski.”
“He’d lie for you anytime and you know it,” Paul replied.
“Not about something like this, he wouldn’t. I’m telling you, if she keeps it up, I’m going to Friedman.”
Paul scowled at the mention of his boss Joel Friedman. Friedman was a by-the-book stickler. He’d make a big stink out of this whole affair regardless of who looked bad. Paul didn’t want any interference at his station from anyone. Especially not now when they had the governor’s attention on them.
“I told you I’m handling it, Mike. I need you to give me some time and to trust me.”
Mike went back to the meeting room to resume his duties. He thought about Paul’s request he trust him.
Pat ignored Mike when he came in where they were working.
Sheski gave him a questioning glance.
The team reviewed all the evidence except Lana’s statement per Paul’s instructions. They cross-checked their notes and it was then they realized some critical investigative pieces were missing.
Some of the absent materials were important to the case. Despite having spent hours in their files, local police had to apologize for being unable to locate some notes written by Chief Bill. Therefore, the team had knowledge of only one of the boys who’d discovered the teens’ bodies.
A copy of the November 27, 1954 local newspaper The Morning News, was read by Sheski, Mike and Pat. The story of Shirley and Joey’s murders ran under the headline, “Teen Lovers Murdered Along the River.” The reporter wrote that the Chief would not disclose the names of the boys who found the bodies because of their young ages.
After all this time, the story was still compelling.
According to the newspaper, Chief Bill didn’t reveal many facts of his investigation. He testified he was the only one in the office when Cal Kelly rushed in with the horrible news of the find. Chief Bill said his brother Harris was busy at the lockup in the alley behind the police station. The Chief refused to give the names of the other youths, claiming he didn’t want to expose them to the pressures of public scrutiny, “You’ll get everything in due time,” he reported.
Cal Kelly’s name as one of the boys who found the bodies was revealed to the reporters by Chief Bill. He didn’t make any accusations about the boy, just reported Cal’s name and what the teenager had told him.
No one got to further interview Cal because he ran away from town.
Because Cal ran off and never returned, many of the townspeople believed he was the guilty one who’d murdered Shirley and Joey. Some defended Cal saying he had no motive. Others said if Cal was innocent, he’d not have run off. Cal’s running away was proof enough of his guilt for some, but it hadn’t settled the question for most of the residents nor the state police.
Small-town gossip and speculation circulated for many years until the case grew cold and new crimes took their places in people’s minds. Some of the old-timers occasionally reminisced about the Teen Lovers murder, but no further evidence came to light to prompt reopening the case.
Chief Bill claimed to have interviewed the two unnamed boys who remained at the football field while Cal ran for help. Those statements supposedly were in the missing notes.
As years passed, the teen lovers’ pictures silently waited for their turn in the justice system.
Paul contacted Andy Wallace while the team was finishing up their review. He asked Andy to search again for the missing records. He also inquired if there’d ever been any photographs taken at the actual scene of the crime or the inside of the Adams’ home since there were none in the files they’d received. Paul knew Andy as an honest, dedicated member of Danville’s excellent police department and trusted his handling of the files. They’d confidently relied on him many times to assist their efforts.
When the team returned from lunch, Paul informed them it was time they took a look at the Cal Kelly interview the Deputy Commissioner had provided. He had everything ready for them.
“We’re into the afternoon and we have a couple hours of work ahead of us yet so we better get moving. It’s time to see the interview,” Paul said to his team. “Charlie says listening to Cal’s testimony is laborious but worth it. So turn off the lights, Pat and we’ll get started.”
The video started with Shelly Griffith identifying herself as a social worker and Cal Kelly as the interviewee. Shelly was seated close to Cal’s hospital bed.
“My name is Shelly Griffith,” she breathed into the microphone. “And I am a social worker here at the State Correctional Institution at Rockview. Shelly gave the date and other information and took a deep breath.”
Visible behind Shelly was the oxygen tubing and intravenous apparatus giving Cal Kelly a faint measure of life to his drained body.
“I am here today with Mr. Cal Kelly, at his request.” She noted his prison number. The recording camera panned a sparsely-furnished room, finally resting its lens on the metal hospital bed dominating the scene.
As if in response to the introduction, the skeletal figure propped up with pillows, wheezed and turned his head toward his social worker. Cal looked uncomfortable. Sheets were drawn up to his sunken chest. Dried spittle was visible on his chin, and brown crusts coated his tongue and the sides of his mouth. A nasal cannula dispensed much-needed oxygen
Shelly patted Cal’s arm and spoke. “Mr. Kelly has requested an interview today to provide him with an opportunity to tell publicly something he’s been struggling with for years. Are you ready, Cal?”
Cal offered a nod. Watery, sunken eyes were riveted to hers. A half-smile formed on his lips.
“He’s asked me to call him Cal during this interview and has prepared a short st
atement he wants me to read.” Shelly began to read the words which were dictated earlier by the prisoner.
“I, Cal Kelly, recognizing my time on earth is limited and having the need to release my conscience of the weight of my actions in 1954 in my hometown, Danville, Pennsylvania, swear what you are about to hear is the truth, as God will soon be my judge. May He have mercy on my soul.”
The room was quiet and Cal’s audible respirations were heard in the background.
“Take your time, Cal, and tell us what it is you feel we need to know.”
“My name is Cal Kelly,” he began slowly and carefully. “It’s far too late for regrets in my life, but I have them. Having turned my life over to Jesus Christ, I pray for His mercy as I tell you this story.”
Nasal noises accompanied his arduously presented message. It was a Herculean effort for a man in his condition.
“I remember the night, November 26, 1954 as if it were just yesterday. I was a teenager and,” his voice hardened, “Thought I knew it all. I soon found out I knew nothing. Nothing about nothing. None of us did.”
He coughed and drops of thick, red-tinged spittle landed on his pillow.
“My friends and I were casing areas around town for something to steal. The three of us ended up hanging out at the football field, smoking and looking for money under the bleachers and in the grass. We used to do that a lot ’cuz money and stuff dropped out of people’s pockets and purses during the ball games and practices. Sometimes, we’d find a set of keys and try to figure out who they belong to so we can get into their house. Whatever we found, we’d divide it up amongst us.
We’d gone through the Home Team area and started to go around the end of the field to the Visitor’s side to see if we could find anything there. It was dark out. And cold. Typical November evening. Me and my buddy had gone ahead a little, laughing and joking around when we saw our friend wasn’t keeping up with us. We went back to where he was to see what was going on. I figured maybe he found something valuable, some money or somethin.’ There he was. Standing still as could be. Not saying nothin.’ He just stood there, shining his flashlight on the ground.”
TEEN LOVERS: Murder Along the River Page 5
