Murder Mysteries

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Stacy said, "Then he should have drag marks on his shoes or did the pastor use a wheel barrow?" Stacy walked out the door where an overhang off the shed roof housed the wheel barrow and ladders. One short ladder and an extension ladder. Rory and Ben examined the wheel barrow.

  Ben said, "This would do the trick. This is a nice barrow. It has a large front wheel and deep to carry cement in. I think we need the crime scene boys to give it a going over for fibers."

  "Let's say it came down another way," said Rory. Jonas is not passed out and pastor brings the bottle. He has a knock out drug that he drops into a glass when Jonas is not looking. Bingo, he's gone and then wheel barrow or has Jonas meet him inside the church calling him by phone from Coos Bay."

  "We could go on and on all day guys," said Stacy. First let's get the tool examined. Then the barrow. Then we hit the people for interviews after the autopsy tomorrow."

  Rory said, "Let's call it a day and Ben can send his buddy an e-mail checking the background of Pastor Arnold. I'll go to the office and make my report. I'll see you at the autopsy tomorrow Stacy."

  Rory left Stacy at the church as her car was still sitting there. Dan had come back and Stacy promised she would have another officer replace him later that night.

  She drove home while the storm raged on. Her father was a good cook and he loved to fix a nice Sunday dinner just for the two of them. It was family time and this was one reason she didn't want to work back east or in a big city for that matter.

  So many of her high school friends had left Bandon for greener pastures, especially moving to a big city where jobs were had. For Stacy, the four years gone from home was enough for the time being. She totally enjoyed being home with her father. Sadly her mother left the living world early, but she was in God's pasture now.

  "Hi dad, you home," she yelled out walking through the door. Of course it was a stupid question as the house smelled like some Italian restaurant. She took off her rain coat and hat in the small entryway. What she needed was a shower; and a hot one at that.

  "I'm in the kitchen, where else would I be daughter," said Ray.

  "I'll be right back after a change of clothes. That smells really good dad."

  After a hot shower, sweats on upper and lower, wool socks, she sat down at the table watching her father make a green salad. She guesses lasagna in the oven and she was right. Her mouth was watering.

  "Open the wine please and let it breathe. Any new ideas on the death at the church," he asked.

  "I think we have a good idea that Jonas was raised up by a cum-a-long and then tied to the bell rope. I'm guessing his weight at around 170 lbs. Do you think I could run the tool and lift that much weight dad?"

  "Yes, but for a first timer, it's not so easy to operate a cum-a-long. It's a good idea and do you have any evidence to support your theory?"

  "We found a scratch mark where something like the large hook on the cum-a-long made on the support shaft for the bell. After raising Jonas up it would be simple to tie a rope around his neck to finish the job. After that let the tension off the tool, take it back to the tool shed, close the door and leave."

  "Here take this bowl and dig out some dressing please. I'm going to take out the lasagna and let it stand for a few minutes. Meanwhile we can enjoy a fresh salad."

  "Stacy, this is your third homicide in a year. I can't recall having three homicides in ten years. All three, if the pastor is charged, are from out of town. I don't know where I'm going with this conversation, but it would seem we are having a small explosion of deaths around here. I fear what's on the horizon or what's down the road for our little town. People are beginning to talk and their talk is not good. Soon they will demand more law enforcement. However, they won't want an additional tax to pay for it. I need to talk to the mayor soon. How's the salad daughter?"

  "Good as ever. I want the lasagna very soon. Do we have any bread to go with it or are we on a diet tonight," she said laughing.

  "I warmed some up in the microwave. I'll get the main course and you fetch the bread."

  After dinner they went to the living room. Stacy had rented a movie the night before and neither one watched it last night. Stacy said, "You want to watch a movie dad?"

  "Sure why not. I'm not sure I'll make it all the way through, but who cares. I'm kind of tired of listening to the rain and wind."

  Stacy put the movie in and set the volume that was tolerable for both of them. After that she took out a legal pad and made some notes and questions to ask the selected folks beginning tomorrow afternoon late.

  -Five-

  Twenty seven miles south of Bandon is a small town named Port Orford. This is where Albert and Clair Wise and their two kids lived. They were owners of the local True Value Hardware store and Clair taught at the elementary school. The population is less than 1500 and of course, everyone knows everyone else in town.

  The Wise family were notably well off. On the contrary, they didn't have money to burn, but for their simply tastes, never wanted for anything either. They were extremely religious and were strong supporters of the First Christ Church in Bandon. Many residents wondered why they didn't attend church in their town. The main reason was Albert's father had a run in with the local Lutheran church and swore he would take his business out of town. Few knew he owned a large part of the downtown area. In addition, old man Wise was frugal as all get out. Be that as it may, the investigators were to spend many hours either in Port Orford or driving back and forth.

  Stacy with her mechanical pencil stuck in her mouth thinking about what all the potential people they had interviewed had in common with what they said. Perusing her notes, she saw one thing that stood out over anything else. Pastor Arnold seemed to like females maybe too much. There are two places in a church where you can always find kids: Sunday school and the choir. The Wise family had two kids in the choir. One a sixteen year old girl and the other an eighteen year old boy.

  Hazel Albert's, Stacy noted had said her girl Patsy had complained that the pastor was overly friendly. Hazel too said he came on to her rather brazen and forward; not that she minded so much. He boasted her ego a little. However, it was a different story if he started or continued groping young children.

  This case was taking on the appearance of an event that could blow the lid off this small community. If the pastor was a child molester, god helps him she thought. But, what did or how did this involve the murder of the gardener Jonas, was the underlying question.

  Okay, she thought, what else is there noteworthy to follow. She saw the name of Emily Dewart the writer. It appeared she knew that underneath the cover of the church, dirty linen was evident. Also the flower lady duster person, Robin Welch, was an eavesdropper personified. It would be stories with a thick coat of frosting; with falsehoods, but never the less, parts would be facts.

  Felix Weber, remembering what he father said about him made her sit back and watch to see what developed. He appeared like a guy who played games to make himself look good. Be that as it may, he had a good grasp on the doings of the church.

  The bookkeeper Zack Brown made mention some church funds were missing, but failed to report how much. A small church like this one couldn't have much in the bank, but then again, who really knows but the accountant.

  Stacy quit chewing on her pencil and laid her head back on the sofa closing her eyes. Over the din of the TV she could still hear the storm lashing the side of the house. Peeking out of one eye she saw her father with his head to one side catching a few winks before bedtime.

  Stacy stood up, turned the TV off and woke her father up. They turned out the lights, checked the doors and went to bed. Stacy wondered what the autopsy would reveal on the morrow.

  //**

  Later in Marsha's office all four sat around her small conference table talking about the results of Jonas Fielder's autopsy. Marsha said, "He died of affixation. The time of death is about the same: 11 to 1 pm Saturday night or Sunday morning, take your pick. Of course we'll do a blood alcohol level and a drug screen. The cancer was a surprise as he looked fit up until the time of his death. The cancer would have killed him very soon. I'd say within six months at the outside. There was nothing in his stomach either. From all outside appearances, I found no marks indicating any blunt force was used. Well there you have it guys. Good luck. You've got your work cut out for you on this one."