House of the Forest

by Diana Wallis Taylor

  Something Deke said earlier popped into Laura’s mind. He said he hadn’t been to the house in a long time. From what she could determine, Deke hadn’t been to the house at all. Aunt Estelle never met him, nor had Ginny or George Morgan. Maybe she’d misunderstood him. Then again, maybe her aunt met him and just never mentioned it. No one would ever know now.

  Ginny spoke up again. “Deke, your father left Estelle after their son’s death.” She told him what she’d related to Laura. “This is the first news we’ve had of Ray in many years, other than knowing he’d been back in the house that time.”

  Laura couldn’t put her finger on it, but Deke seemed to be leaving something out, something important. She glanced at the faces around the room. John Howard was looking at Deke like a bug under a microscope. Sam’s countenance appeared grim. She looked towards her mother, expecting to see concern, but her mother didn’t seem shocked at all at the news of the robbery. She just sat there calmly watching the proceedings.

  Beth, who’d been standing in the kitchen doorway, listening, spoke up.

  “Well, now that Deke has been officially welcomed. How about filing in and having some dessert? There’s plenty of food left over from the church if anyone is still hungry.”

  Laura had been so absorbed in the conversation with Deke that she hadn’t noticed Beth was still in the kitchen.

  “Beth, I should have been helping you.”

  Beth arched her eyebrows and grinned. “Nonsense, I had lots of help.” She winked at Alice Matheson.

  As her guests made their way towards the kitchen, Laura turned and found Sam watching her. His expression was unreadable, but she once again felt the impact of those blue eyes.

  She turned away lest Sam see her flustered, and caught a fleeting look as Deke appraised Sam. The look in Deke’s eyes both startled and frightened her. He must have sensed her gaze for he turned and smiled at her, but the smile held no warmth.

  George moved next to Laura and put a fatherly arm around her shoulders. “I’m not supposed to be a nosy neighbor, but we couldn’t help but see the police cars in your driveway last night. Is everything all right?”

  “Oh, George, I’m sorry. Of course you were worried. There just hasn’t been time to talk to you and Ginny about it. Someone broke into the house.”

  At the mention of the break-in, all eyes were on Laura. George stepped back, startled. Ginny put a hand on Laura’s arm. “Did they take anything? Were you in the house?”

  “No, Beth and I were in town. Evidently the person or persons saw us leave and got in the house. The strangest thing is that nothing appeared to be taken.”

  Sam gave her a sharp look. “Did you have the alarm system on?”

  Laura avoided his eyes. “No, and I could kick myself. We weren’t going to be gone long and I didn’t think it necessary.”

  Jake Matheson scratched his head. “If the alarm wasn’t on, how did you know someone had been in the house?”

  Deke moved closer, standing just outside their circle, his eyes intent on Laura and what she would say next.

  Beth related the incident with the watch. “When we emptied the trash to find it, there were these two paper towels with the imprint of wet shoes or boots or whatever on them along with some mud. The burglar evidently put his shoes on the paper towels so there wouldn’t be any footprints in the house. Officer Petrone said we must have startled the person and they slipped out the kitchen door and jumped over the wire fence into the vacant lot next door.”

  Ginny Matheson shook her head. “It seems strange that someone would break into a house and then not take anything.”

  Laura sighed. “That’s what Officer Petrone said. He thought the intruder was searching for something and didn’t find it. When Beth and I came home we evidently interrupted his search.” She turned towards Deke,

  “After what Ginny told us of your father entering the house that time many years ago and knowing he could be out of prison, I thought it was him. Then you told us he died, and I didn’t know what to think.”

  For once Gloria appeared concerned for her daughter. “Laura, perhaps you shouldn’t stay alone. You and Beth could be in danger. I could make a reservation at the Inn for both of you.”

  Ginny broke in, “Gloria is right. Beth has to go home tomorrow and you’d be alone. Why don’t you come to our house? We have room.”

  “Mother, Ginny, I appreciate your concern. Let’s talk about it tomorrow after Beth leaves. We’re fine for tonight. With the alarm system on and the police and security alerted, I don’t think there will be another problem.”

  Deke leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees. “Look, Laura, I’m not hiding the fact that I wasn’t exactly raised on the high side of town. I knew some tough guys. When I lived in juvenile hall between foster homes, I met a lot of guys who broke into houses. They took stuff to support their drug habits. Is there anyone in the neighborhood that you’ve had any problems with?”

  George broke in, “I don’t think Laura would know anything about that, Deke, since she doesn’t live up here.” He thought a moment. “Well, there is one house where I’ve seen a police car once or twice. A lot of college kids use the house. They’ve had a few beer blasts. Problem is, too many of the houses around us have become vacation rentals. Those are just furnished with the bare necessities. Whoever the burglar, he might have heard that Esty died and hoped to find something of value in the house.”

  Ginny shook her head. “But George, the girls said he didn’t take anything.”

  Gloria huffed. “The police should find out who rented that house. Laura could be staying next to drug dealers for all we know.” At Ginny’s raised eyebrows and startled look, Gloria coughed, “I mean, in some of the rental houses. The agents who rent those houses out don’t always check out the tenants too thoroughly, I’ve heard.”

  George responded politely but his clipped words betrayed his irritation. “They were just here over a long weekend. No one is in the house right now.”

  Sam turned to Laura. “You know, Ginny’s right. Kids breaking in wouldn’t have been so careful. They would have taken things. Did the police have any suggestions?”

  Beth put an arm around Laura. “They just told us to turn the alarm system on and that they would patrol the house more closely.”

  Laura sighed. “We’ll keep the alarm on at all times, even when we’re in the house.”

  Jake scratched the back of his head, “Anyone can cut the alarm wires, Ms. Kingsley, as an electrician I can tell you it’s not hard to do.”

  Laura smiled at him, “That’s not a problem either, Mr. Matheson. At Captain Petrone’s suggestion, I called the alarm company. If the wires are cut, a silent alarm sounds in the security office anyway. It’s a new system Aunt Estelle put in a year ago.”

  Sam gave Laura another pointed look. “Well, even that won’t help if the alarm system isn’t turned on.”

  Laura swallowed a retort and answered quietly, “I know that, Mr. Matheson.”

  Ginny Matheson gently rebuked her son. “Now Sam, I’m sure Captain Petrone is doing everything in his power to make sure the girls are safe here. He’s a good officer.”

  Deke finally spoke up. “I’m sorry about the break in, Laura. That must be a little scary. Obviously it couldn’t be my father.” He turned to Ginny. “You say my father took tools from the house when he came a long time ago?”

  She nodded, “Yes, he took some tools and the clipping that Esty had been sent about the robbery. She put that and some other clippings about the robbery in a drawer in her bedroom. That’s how she thought it might be Ray, but she wasn’t sure.”

  Deke pondered that a moment. “Interesting that he took tools. I wonder what he needed them for.”

  “Well, they were his. He probably didn’t think Esty would miss them,” George groused.

  Everyone began to murmur at once, commenting and examining the issue from all sides until they’d almost worn the subject out. Laura glanced at John Howard a
nd noted his silence throughout the whole exchange. Who is this guy with mother anyway?

  Jake put his plate down and stood up. “We appreciate your hospitality Ms. Kingsley, Ma’am” he nodded to Laura’s mother. “Alice and I need to be going.”

  Alice Matheson stood up and came to give Laura a hug. “I’ve got two strong men, and if you need any help with anything, you just call Jake, okay?”

  Jake also assured Laura that he and Sam were available if she had any more trouble with the electricity. Laura realized he meant more than the electricity and gave him a hug, assuring him that she would call if she needed to. To her surprise, Sam remained, talking quietly with John Howard. Deke, was describing his job at the factory to George but she had the feeling Sam was also listening. As she observed her mother, she found Gloria studying Deke intently over the rim of her coffee cup.

  Ginny helped Laura and Beth clean up the kitchen and store the food away in containers. Conversation flowed about the various events in the Valley and the state of the weather. The rain began again and with a reminder to call them if she needed anything, George saw Ginny home.

  Sam turned to Deke. “Can I drop you off somewhere?”

  Deke’s reply was abupt. “I have a car”. At Sam’s raised eyebrows, he turned to Laura who’d come back into the living room from saying goodbye to the Morgans.

  “Is there any way I can stop by before you go back to San Diego? I’d ah, like to know more about my father.”

  “I never knew Uncle Ray, Deke. As the Morgans said, he left Aunt Estelle years ago, before I was born. She didn’t talk about him.”

  “I can tell you about Ray DuPont.” They turned to look at Gloria who sauntered over to Deke. “I knew him. After all, I was Estelle’s maid of honor at their wedding.”

  “I’d like to hear about that, Mrs. Kingsley.”

  Gloria gave him one of her charming smiles, “Actually, it’s Finch, though I may change it back one day.” She settled on the couch next to him to talk. He ran one finger around his collar.

  “I’d better get going too.” Sam started towards the door. Laura excused herself to see him out.

  “Take care of yourself, Ms Kingsley.” He glanced down at the ring. “I guess congratulations are in order. When is the wedding?”

  “In the spring, and would you call me Laura?”

  He was silent a moment. Then, “Good bye, Laura.” He started out the door and turned back, hesitating.

  “We’ll be fine, Sam. Thanks for your concern.”

  Close enough to be aware of Sam’s cologne, they stood facing each other.

  “Will you be at church tomorrow?”

  To her embarrassment, she felt the color in her face. “Yes, Sam, I’ll be there. And you?”

  He seemed to be making a decision. “Yes, I guess it’s about time.”

  She stood watching him walk towards his truck and then entered the house.

  Deke was looking comfortable, leaning back, his arm spread out along the top of the couch. A slight smile played about his lips as he listened to Gloria who was being her expansive self. Suddenly Laura felt weary. She wished Deke would leave along with her mother and her mother’s silent friend. She needed some peace after an emotional day.

  Beth stood with her back to Deke and Gloria. “You okay, Laura?”

  “Just tired. If it weren’t so early in the day I’d go to bed.”

  Beth lowered her voice. “He doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave.”

  “No, he doesn’t. If I know my mother, she’ll talk all afternoon.”

  John Howard suddenly appeared at her elbow. “May I have another cup of coffee, Ms. Kingsley?”

  “Sure. How about a mug? Those coffee cups with saucers are a little dainty for a man’s hand.”

  “That would be just fine.” He followed her into the kitchen and checked to see that the other occupants of the room were not watching. Nodding his head towards a corner of the kitchen where they would be out of sight, he moved back against the refrigerator.

  At first she felt a twinge of fear, but he appeared only to want to talk.

  “Ms. Kingsley, are you aware that the money your uncle and his accomplice stole has never been found?”

  Laura took a step backward. “How would you know that, Mr. Howard?”

  He slipped his hand into his inside coat pocket and flipped open a wallet revealing a badge. She only got a quick glance before he flipped it closed again and returned it to his pocket.

  “I’m ah, a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. He put a finger to his lips before she could respond aloud.

  “A detective?” she whispered, “What are you doing here?”

  He kept his voice low, listening with one ear to the voices in the living room.

  “We have been monitoring Ray DuPont ever since he got out of prison. When he died suddenly, we contacted his son, Deke, to see if there had been any communication between him and his father.”

  Things were getting confusing. “If you are a policeman, how did you happen to come with my mother?”

  “We contacted her. Mr. Brucker is not all he appears. As we anticipated, she was concerned for your welfare and agreed to come with me, as a cover so to speak.”

  Beth came in the kitchen and looked from one to the other. “Am I interrupting anything?”

  “Oh, we were just talking. Mr. Howard needed a mug for his coffee.”

  Beth pulled on off one of the hooks on the wall above the breakfast table. “Here you are, Mr. Howard.” She gave him a penetrating glance.

  “Thank you, ma ‘am.” He held out the mug and Laura filled it from the coffee carafe. He nodded to both of them and returned to the living room.

  “What’s going on here? Beth whispered, “Was he making a play for you?”

  Laura waved a hand and whispered back, “No, nothing like that. This is getting scary. I’ll have to tell you about it later”

  She went back into the living room and joined her mother and Deke.

  “That’s quite a description,” Deke murmured. “At least I know a little more about my old man.”

  “Oh, he could be a charmer when he wanted to.” Evidently Gloria was in her element, entertaining a man. For a moment a thought crossed Laura’s mind that her mother might have known Ray DuPont in another way, but she didn’t want to believe that Gloria would do that to her only sister.

  Deke rose. “Well, thanks for the information, Mrs. Kingsley.” He Looked directly at Laura. “I hope you’ll let me keep in touch from time to time.”

  Laura put a smile on her face to hide the feelings racing around her mind. “Of course, Deke.”

  Deke glanced around the cosy room. “Nice house, a little old, but looks comfortable. You may have a few repair bills. Your mother says your aunt left the place to you. Do you think you’ll keep it?”

  Suddenly Laura felt defensive and looked at her mother as she answered. “I’m not sure yet. I may keep it as sort of a retreat.”

  Gloria stood up. “You’re going to have a lot of upkeep, Laura. Can you afford that?”

  “Actually, Mother, the house is in good shape. The plumbing and electrical is up to date and the roof replaced five years ago. Mr. Devers told me.”

  “Matt Devers, the attorney?”

  “Yes.”

  Gloria pursed her lips and didn’t say anything, only letting her eyes rest on John Howard.

  “I’ll call you later, darling, and we’ll get together, all right?”

  Her mother smiled benignly at her and nodded vaguely at Beth.

  To Laura’s relief, Deke also started towards the door. His eyes made one last sweep around the living room and then he handed her a piece of paper. “That’s my cell phone number. If you find out anything else about my old man, give me a call.”

  Laura reluctantly took the paper. When she’d actually shut the front door behind Deke, her mother and John Howard, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  As she came back into the living room
Beth gave her a sharp look. “Are you all right, friend? You look a little upset.”

  She sank down on the couch. “Oh Beth, I’m so tired all of a sudden. There is a lot going on.”

  Beth sat down next to her. “Does this have anything to do with the guy in the kitchen?”

  “Well, yes and no. I am tired, but,” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “I learned that mother’s friend is a detective for the Los Angeles Police Department.”

  “A detective?”

  “Shhh. Yes. He showed me his badge. Evidently they persuaded my mother to come with him as a cover. They’re watching Deke. It has to do with the money from the bank robbery.”

  “Why are we whispering? Everyone has gone.”

  Laura stared at the fire and just shook her head. “I don’t know”

  Beth frowned, “Why would they be watching Deke? He said he was just a kid when your uncle robbed the bank.”

  It seemed too much to sort out. “I know. Since the money has never been found, they were watching Uncle Ray until he died and have been trying to find out if he’d had any contact with Deke.”

  Beth leaned back on the cushions. “This is weird. Your mother came to the funeral because the police wanted to send this detective? How did they know Deke would be at the funeral?”

  “They must have their ways.” Laura leaned back also and closed her eyes. “I should have known my mother didn’t come out of compassion for her late sister. It would have been out of character.”

  “Do you think Deke knows where the money is?”

  “How could he, unless he found something in that folder of Uncle Ray’s “

  “A clue?”

  Laura flung up her hands, “Who knows? This is all getting beyond me.”

  Beth gave her a look out of the corner of her eyes, “Not to change the subject, but I saw you lingering at the door with Sam.”

  Laura blushed. “He wanted to know if I’d be at church tomorrow.”

  “This brings a blush? And why was he asking?”

  “Beth, he was just being polite. I told him I’d be there and he said he’d be there, and that that’s all there was to it.”