A Detective's Heart
Page 10
“I hope none of you are allergic to chicken.” They laughed. “I have chicken salad sandwiches on rye or whole wheat bread, or if you don’t want a sandwich just eat it as a salad. There are deviled eggs, pickled beats, raw celery, carrots and cauliflower. Help yourselves. You have a choice between coffee, milk, lemonade or water.” Two chose coffee, all the rest wanted lemonade.
After a delicious, filling lunch, they all thanked her and Hannah offered to help her clean up.
“No, but thank you. I’ll put the food that’s left in the refrigerator and join you in the living room. Hannah, if you don’t mind, show Arnold your credentials and explain to him what all of this is about.”
“If that’s what you want I shall be delighted to start.”
As they were seated in the living room, Arnold turned to Jim. “You’re an attorney. Why did she call me, or is it something that you’re bringing against her.?”
“No. I’m certainly not against Anna Marie. My heart goes out to her. Hannah will explain who she is and she needed my expertise in property law in the state of Florida. I’m along to help her and because I want to see justice done.”
Arnold looked hard at all of them, grunted and turned to Hannah. “All right, young lady, what do you have to tell me?”
“Nothing good, sir. First here are my credentials and the letter from the attorney for whom I’m working.” He took them, carefully read all of them, nodded and handed it back to Hannah. She carefully told him the entire story.
Hannah finished with, “This is one of the difficult jobs because I get so caught up in other peoples troubles that it actually hurts. I do think that Anna Marie needs to discuss this with you and allow you to advise her as to steps she needs to take. I do strongly feel that she does not need to let him know that she knows all of this until she is ready to do whatever the two of you have decided.”
“I sure agree with you on that.” He turned to Anna Marie who had slipped in and was sitting on a piano bench near him. “Honey, we’ll go over this with a fine tooth comb, so to speak, and then decide how we’ll handle it. Are you aware that you’re not legally married in the state of Florida?”
“Yes, that occurred to me. Something else. I wanted a baby so badly and he would never agree saying wait until he retired. Now I’m so thankful that an innocent little baby is not mixed up in this calamity.”
Hannah stood. “Anna Marie, I’m sincerely glad to meet you, and truthfully so sorry that you’ve had this fall on you. With your attorney’s help you can come out of this wonderfully well. I don’t know what you can do, but I’d sure hold out for ownership of this house and all the furniture.”
“I’m thinking ahead of you, young lady,” Arnold laughed. “We’ll get through this and remember I said we’ll. I’ll be with you all the way. Now do you want to tell your parents alone or do you want the two of us to talk to them?”
“Please go with me to tell them. My dad has such a temper he might decide to take a shotgun and go after Mike. Arnold, should I talk to his parents? They’ve been wonderful to me and I feel sad for them.”
Hannah was shaking her head quickly. Arnold put his arm around Anna Marie’s shoulder. “At this moment I don’t want you saying a word to them. Wait until we decide how we’ll handle it. I know you’ll see them at church. When they find out later, tell them I wouldn’t allow you to talk about it.”
Hannah shook hands with Arnold and thanked him for taking over. She then thanked Barry for his help and hugged Anna Marie and Martha. They left with Jim driving Hannah to her motel.
Jim parked and walked Hannah to the lobby of the motel. “I wish you’d have dinner with me.”
“It sounds delightful and I do hope we’ll meet again. I can’t thank you enough, Jim, for all your help. If you have a charge for your services, or if Barry does, Mr. Perkins will be glad to pay.”
“No. I don’t want payment, but I am curious as to how Anna Marie and her attorney will handle this. Barry’s mother, as you know, feels very close to Anna Marie, so, Barry won’t want pay. Please say you’ll keep in touch. I’d love to see you again.”
“I’d like to see you, too. Thank you for the dinner invitation, but I’m going to try to get as far as Augusta tonight and then go on home tomorrow.”
Jim leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “Get home safely and call me so that I’ll know you’re safe. I know you have cases waiting for you.”
“Thank you, again,” she turned to leave and wheeled around. “Jim, I could sure use a good attorney on my team if you decide to come up my way.”
“One never knows, does one, he answered with a chuckle.”
Chapter Sixteen
Taking one last stroll around town, Hannah enjoyed the cool evening breeze. Wearing slacks, a long-sleeved blouse and a sweater was all she needed.
At the end of a block she turned to go back to the motel sure that she could sleep now. A man passed so close that he almost brushed her shoulder.
“Sorry,” he muttered as he walked on.
Hannah took a quick look and whirled around. “Sir. Sir. Wait, please.”
He stopped and turned.
“It is you!” she gasped. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. What are you doing down here? How are you?”
He looked confused. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I am just so surprised and thrilled to see you that I forgot. I’m Hannah Rutherford. I’m the one who found you and paid your hospital bills after you were attacked near the courthouse.”
“Sure. Now I remember. I wanted to talk to you but Chief Wingate took me out in an ambulance one night and brought me here. I was working for him and the sheriff and had to follow their wishes.”
“You were working for both of them. I don’t understand.”
“Didn’t I hear you’re a private investigator?”
“Yes, I am. I have an agency on Oak Street not far from the courthouse.”
“We need to talk. Do you have time to get a cup of coffee and chat?”
“I’m at the La Quinta and they have coffee in the lobby all of the time. Why don’t we go back there and sit in comfort in the lobby. It’s big enough until we won’t be overheard.”
He hesitated. “Okay, although I feel awkward taking coffee from your place and not paying for it.”
“You can offer to pay, but they’ll tell you it’s all right.”
“Let’s go then.”
They walked quickly back to the motel. The manager graciously told him he could have the coffee as he was with a paying guest.
“To begin, my name is Richard Longbow, and yes, I’m part Native American. That’s Lieutenant Longbow. I was first on the city force and then as a deputy sheriff. I finally made detective and was so proud of myself. I was drafted (he laughed) to go undercover and try to determine who, in the courthouse, could be connected with drug running. I guess I wasn’t as undercover as I thought.”
He paused to take a sip of coffee. Hannah could see from the expression in his eyes that this was hard on him.
“I’m only telling you this, Hannah, because both the Chief and the Sheriff highly recommended you. I had intended to ask for your help, but I was found out and beat up before I could ask you. Much to my surprise, you were the one who found me.”
“Were you successful in discovering the criminals?”
“Yes and no. Let me explain.”
“Please continue.”
“I did find the ones that were evidently involved, but I had no definite proof to take to court.”
“Can you tell me who they are?”
“Sorry. It’s an ongoing investigation and I’m not at liberty to divulge that information. The Chief might share with you, but I doubt it at this time.”
“All right. I certainly understand. Are you returning to Myrtle Beach soon?”
“I can’t, but as soon as I can, I’ll look you up. It’s been a year now and I hope they’ve forgotten what I look like.”
�
�If you hesitate to go back to work for the city or county, I sure can use you.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. I might even surprise you.”
“This is lovely, but if you’ll please forgive me, I have to get up early and drive back home. I meant to leave tonight and go part of the way, but I was fortunate to find you. I’ve thought of you and worried about you all this time.”
“I’ll see that you’re reimbursed for the money you spent on me.”
“Forget it. It was a pleasure and a blessing to me to be able to help.”
“Righto. Good night, dear lady. Safe trip home. Give me your address and phone so that I can keep in touch.”
* * * * *
Hannah thankfully pulled in to her own garage a little after ten on Saturday night. She felt as if she had been gone forever. She brought everything out of the car and into the house. Placing dirty clothes in the washer, she started it and placed her notes for the case on the desk so she could type them for Mr. Perkins and keep a copy for herself.
Taking a long, wonderful shower and then dressing for bed she called Herb to tell him she was home and that they’d have a long talk after church tomorrow.
“I’m so beat, and have so many thoughts running through my poor brain, that I’m not sure who I am. There is a lot of great and interesting news to share. How is Brian and what is going on?”
“Brian is still a nervous wreck. I’ve had to almost hog tie him to keep him from running up to see his babies. Even though Chandler is in jail, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t hired someone to cause trouble. We’ve learned that it will take at least sixty days for the psychiatrists to do a good job, so we’re still in limbo. I have other cases that I’ve tried to work, but I really need to come to the office on a regular basis.”
“Mark Phluger is on sick leave after being shot on duty. He isn’t allowed to work, but I know it’s driving him crazy. Maybe he’d be willing to stay with Brian some. Think about it and talk to Brian,” Hannah offered.
“Okay. See you tomorrow. Good night. Rest well.”
“Thank you. You, too.”
She then called Victoria and had to forcefully end the call because Victoria was so thrilled she was home.
Even though it was late, she thought carefully and called Jim Bridges. He, too, would have talked too long if she had not pleaded tiredness and sleepiness. He was ecstatic to hear from her.
Her last call was to Richard Longbow which was short.
Literally falling in bed, she quickly went to sleep and didn’t stir until the alarm rang at six thirty. Dressing, she went for her much needed run which she had missed. She returned, showered, dressed, ate a quick breakfast, picked up her Bible and hurried to church.
After church, she drug home and collapsed on a lounge chair to read the morning paper and drink a Diet Coke.
As she started to fix something for lunch, her doorbell rang. Herb stood there with a grin as wide as his shoulders. He grabbed her up and hugged her, carrying her into the living room and depositing her in her chair.
Laughing, she swatted a him. “You nuthead. What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m hoping to kidnap you and take you out to lunch. How about going down near the landing for a good seafood meal?”
“Sounds great. I’m hungry and I won’t have to dress up. Let me get some shoes on and I’ll race you to the car.”
She laughed when she came out to see Herb already in the car ready to drive. They went to the Surf and Turf on the waterfront and had a luscious meal and a delightful conversation. Hannah brought Herb up-to-date about the case she fell into in Tallahassee about the bigamist husband. She then told him of finding the mysterious man with amnesia.
Herb was very interested in both news and hoped she’d be able to hear the results of the case that Mr. Perkins had asked her to cover.
“I’m anxious to hear, also. I’d like to know how it is settled. Have you had any more incidences of stolen body parts?”
Herb looked angry. “Yes, they’re getting bolder since they’ve never been caught. I feel so sorry for the families that have to take a loved one and have a funeral, or a memorial and there’s still no closure.”
“I know what you mean. I do, too. Herb, this was delicious, but I need to walk a little and maybe get more comfortable. As usual I made a pig of myself and I feel stuffed.”
“Good. I love to walk along the waterfront. Let me pay and we’ll leave.”
They started walking south from the restaurant. After about ten minutes they saw a crowd in front of them and police cars. Coming closer they were able to hear the comments from the people gathered around.
“Pardon me,” Hannah said to a woman, “what’s going on? Is someone hurt?”
“Hurt! For the love of God, woman, an innocent young girl has been killed and her body parts are cut out of her.”
Hannah grabbed Herb’s hand and pushed through the crowd to where two policemen stood. She recognized Sgt. Alex Burke with whom she had worked. She didn’t know the rookie that was training with him.
“Alex. What in the world?”
“Hannah, how glad I am to see you. This crowd is getting unruly. They seem to think I should conjure up the murderer out of thin air, and they’re scared spitless. I can’t blame them, but we can’t seem to break them up. Backup is slow responding because of a tragic accident on the highway and an arson fire with two bodies in the house.”
Hannah introduced Herb to them. “Alex, I’m not on the force any more, but we can help. Why don’t we interview witnesses until you get some help. You need to get statements while it’s clear in their minds.”
“I’ll probably get called down for it, but go ahead.”
Herb insisted on staying with Hannah. They listened to a few people, some all trying to talk at once in the excitement. Finally one woman, with a yapping little poodle, grabbed Hannah’s arm. Hannah could tell she was frightened by her wide eyes and wavering voice.
“I saw something that didn’t seem right to me.”
Hannah held the woman’s hand while Herb took notes.
“Mrs.?--”
“Fletcher. Mrs. Harrison Fletcher. But call me Irene.”
“Fine, Irene. What did you see? Take a deep breath, calm down and tell me.”
“I heard a scream and Sweetie Pie started barking. When I ran to my window, I didn’t see that poor, unfortunate girl laying there, but I did see two young people hurry off carrying those Styrofoam Igloo containers. I know what they are because we have one. They seemed to be heavy as if they were full of ice and something heavy.”
“Can you describe the people that were leaving with the containers?”
“The boy was just average. He was blonde, medium and dressed all in white-- white slacks, white top, white tennis shoes, and ----- the girl was in a white dress with a white sweater and white tennis shoes. They didn’t look back, so I didn’t see their faces. She was slender and a little bit shorter than the boy. I would say maybe late twenties.”
“What color was her hair?” Herb asked.
“Dark, I think. She had something like a white net over her head. I was too far away to see much, but after the police came, I thought it was strange that they hurried away from where the girl was laying.”
Herb and Hannah looked at each other and both said, “Medical. Or maybe they’re trying to throw the police off by making them think it’s medical students.”
Hannah walked to Alex. He had to stay near the body because the curious crowd was getting too close and the rookie had his hands full keeping order.
“Hannah, we’re both in for a tongue lashing. Chief Wingate himself is on his way.” Alex worried.
“Well, we have something that will delight him. I bet it’s the first break in the case.” She told him what the woman had said. By then the Chief joined them.
“Hannah, and Herb, what in the blue blazes are you doing here? You shouldn’t even have your nose in this. What did I tell you?”
“Who is this?”, the Chief roared. “I want to talk to her?”
Hannah took him over to the woman’s house nearby while Herb stayed to help Alex with crowd control. Herb looked around disgusted. “Where are all these people when we really need them, and where did they come from? There must be a hundred in this crowd. Vultures.”
Rookie James McDonald explained. “A few live here the year around, but most of these cottages along the waterfront are rented to snowbirds.”
Herb continued to ask people milling around if they had seen or heard anything. None had only heard the scream that the girl had given who discovered the body.
“Where is she? Is she still in the crowd?”
“No,” one man told Herb. “Her boyfriend hurried her away. They went toward the shops down on the waterfront.”
“Would you recognize her if you saw her again?” Herb asked.
“I think so. She was wearing a pink swim suit with a white lace cover-up and flip-flops.”
“Please stay here with me. I need to wait until someone comes to help this officer and then we’ll walk down there and see if you can find her.”
In less than five minutes a patrol car pulled up and two officers got out.
“Hey, Jimmy,” one called. “What’s going on?”
“Boy, am I glad to see you. I’m left here in charge of crowd control and this nice detective is the only one that has helped me. We have our hands full. The crowd gets bigger by the minute.”