Murder in North Carolina

by Agnes Alexander

  “Do you think anything will come out about our private parties?”

  “I hope not. I have a good thing going with Robyn. I’d hate for them to mess it up.”

  “Max, if they find out about you and Mindy, please don’t say anything about me.”

  “I won’t unless I have to.”

  “Please, Max. George would kill you, and maybe me, too.”

  “I know.” He leaned back in his chair. “Hopefully, nothing will come out about either of us. I think they would’ve already come to talk with us if we’d left any signs in her condo that we’d been there.”

  “I wanted to go over there and check everything out, but didn’t get a chance before the police closed it off.” She sipped her Coke. “I usually go back after the party to help her clean up.”

  “We were careful. Everything is fine.”

  “I hope so, Max. I really hope so.” She reached over and took his hand. “George is supposed to come home tonight. Shall we get together with him and Robyn?”

  “Maybe we could go out to eat. The more we keep Robyn and George together, the less likely they’ll be to suspect us.” He kissed her ear.

  “What time will Robyn be home?”

  “Not for a while. We’ve got time.”

  “Good.” Tess stood up and tugged at his hand.

  With a big grin on his face, Max set his beer on the table and followed her out of the room.

  Nick hadn’t meant to stay and listen to everything they’d said, but when the woman weeding her garden appeared behind the other forsythia bush, he had no choice but to stand still and wait. Now he was glad he had. He had something to go on. He was going to talk to Max Garvey and the woman, too, now. From what they had said, they might have killed Mindy. At the very least, they knew something about her death.

  When the form behind the other bush moved back toward the front of the condo, Nick slipped from his hiding place, walked several doors down, and came out at the end of the next building. He then proceeded down the walk on the front side.

  The neighbor was again busy with her weeding, but Nick was sure she was the person who had tried to conceal herself behind the bush. It had probably been easy for her because she was the skinniest woman he’d ever seen. She had on a bright red, loose fitting house dress.

  He approached her.

  “Hello,” he said in his cheeriest voice when he got close.

  She looked somewhat startled to see him.

  “Don’t let me frighten you. My name is Nick Quimbley.”

  When she didn’t answer, he went on, “I’m working for the Davidson family and am looking into the death of Mindy Davidson. I thought I’d walk around the neighborhood and talk with some of the residents.”

  She nodded. “I’m Nan Shallowford.” She pulled her tiny frame up off her knees, removed one of her gloves, and extended her hand. “I don’t know if I’ll be much help. I didn’t know Mindy very well.”

  “But you met her?”

  “Yeah, a few times. I’m a nurse, and I work the night shift. I’ve met some of the neighbors at the complex pool, but I’m not really close to anyone.”

  “How about your neighbor here?” He indicated the condo where he’d eavesdropped.

  She glanced in that direction, then looked back at him. “Tess? She’s okay. I see her and her husband George once in a while. They consort with a different group than I do.”

  “Oh?” Nick raised an eyebrow.

  “She was a friend of Mindy’s and she…” Nan hesitated.

  “Yes?”

  “Well, it’s not my place to say anything, but a lot of the people around here fool around when their mates are at work. Max Garvey is always on the prowl.”

  “Do you know if he was close to Mindy Davidson?”

  She hesitated again. “I don’t know for sure about her, but he’s pretty close with Tess.”

  “I thought I saw him head this way when I was coming down the street.”

  Nancy nodded. “It’s a shame. Both of them have good, trusting mates, and they play around on them.”

  “Do you mean they’re having an affair?”

  “Something like that.” She squared her shoulders. “I ought to tell Robyn, but I don’t have the guts.”

  “Mrs. Garvey doesn’t know?”

  “Hasn’t got a clue. Neither does George Carter.” She shook her head. “Why can’t they appreciate a good thing when they’ve got it?”

  “I agree with you. If you have a good mate, you should be faithful.” Nick smiled.

  Nan nodded and looked at her watch. “It’s about time for me to get ready for work.”

  “Then I won’t keep you. If I have more questions, may I call on you again?”

  She blushed. “I’d be happy to help you anyway I can. Sometimes I think somebody should let the world know what’s been going on in this complex.”

  Nick wanted to ask her further questions, but she seemed rushed. He’d postpone it. “Maybe when I come back you can tell me some of the secrets.”

  She giggled. “I might just do that.”

  Chapter 19

  Rebecca awoke from her nap a little before dinner. Her head hurt, and she knew she wouldn’t be good company with it pounding. She got up and went into the bathroom for some aspirin. She noticed the bottle of sleeping pills and picked them up. For an instant, she thought about how easy it would be for her to swallow them and end all her hurts and sorrows. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she whisked it away.

  Looking at the bottle, she frowned. She’d thought there were more in the bottle. Even if she did want to end her life, it probably didn’t contain enough pills to do the job. This bothered her because right after the accident, she had missed a few pills. Later, she realized she had taken them more often than she should. She hoped she hadn’t fallen into that habit again, but she did remember taking them on two occasions this week. Vernon had even commented that she seemed to be taking more lately. She would be more observant. Dr. Reinholt wouldn’t be pleased if she asked for another prescription so soon. She also knew she didn’t want to get hooked on prescription drugs. That would end in an even bigger nightmare.

  She set down the pills and reached for the aspirin. She swallowed two and headed out the door. Aunt Millicent met her in the hall.

  “Do you feel better, my dear?” The elderly woman smiled fondly at her niece.

  “Somewhat. I slept a little. How are you doing, Aunt Millicent?”

  “I slept a little, too. We’ll be able to get through this as long as we stick together, Rebecca.”

  “I agree, and I’m glad you’re here.” She smiled at her aunt. “You’re a big help to me because we both loved Mindy, despite her faults.”

  Millicent squeezed Rebecca’s hand, but said nothing until they started down the stairs.

  “You were about here when you fell, weren’t you?”

  “Please don’t bring that up again.”

  “I only bring it up because I worry about your safety.”

  “You have nothing to worry about. I’m doing fine.”

  “I know you are.” Millicent took her arm and jostled it.

  Rebecca stared at her. “What are you doing?”

  “Just trying to show you how easy it is to push someone down these steps.”

  Rebecca jerked her arm away. “No. I’m not a small woman, and I’m often clumsy. My husband did not push me. I stumbled. Now, I love you. You’re welcome to visit me anytime, but I must demand you stop trying to turn me against Vernon. He loves me, and you’re just going to have to accept that.”

  “I won’t give up. You’ve got to be made to see you’re living a lie. Vernon wants your money. He’ll stop at nothing to get it.”

  “I mean it, Aunt Millicent. Though you’re a great comfort to me, if you don’t stop talking this way about Vernon, you’ll have to go.” Rebecca softened her tone. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t take it right now.”

  Millicent was silent for a moment. “All rig
ht. Have it your way. I want to tell you one more thing, though, and then I promise I’ll never mention it again.”

  They were at the bottom of the stairs now. “You promise?”

  “I do.”

  “Very well. What do you want to tell me?”

  “Did you know Vernon and Mindy were having an affair?”

  “That’s it. You’ve gone too far.”

  “It’s true. Mindy told me. She even said Vernon had taken some pictures of her and another man and woman. Said he used them to blackmail her into doing what he wanted. She said he threatened to show them to you if she didn’t.”

  “You can’t be serious.” Rebecca gasped as the pictures she’d found in the library flooded her mind.

  Millicent lifted a brow. “I’m very serious. I want you to watch every move you make around him, Rebecca. He’ll kill you as soon as you change your will.”

  “You’ve said your piece now, Aunt Millicent.” Rebecca swallowed. “I don’t want to hear anything further on the subject.”

  “I won’t say anymore. I’ve accomplished my goal. At least you’re thinking about what I’m telling you. That’s all I ask you to do.” Millicent turned and headed toward the dining room.

  For a moment, Rebecca despised her aunt. She was right about one thing, though. Regardless of how hard Rebecca tried to push away the seeds of doubt, she couldn’t. Aunt Millicent had successfully planted them deep inside her mind. She couldn’t help but think about some of the things her aunt had said. As much as she hated to admit it, some of the ideas might contain a gram of truth.

  Chapter 20

  The next day, Bernie Wheeler walked into Nick’s office. “You wanted to see me?”

  “Yes.” Nick looked up. “I had an interesting conversation with a resident at Mindy Davidson’s condo complex yesterday afternoon. Thought you might give me some insight on it.”

  After Nick relayed his conversation with Nan Shallowford, Bernie said, “Sounds like this woman is either jealous of the party girls in the neighborhood or she really wants to help us solve the Davidson killing.”

  “I have a feeling it’s the former.” Nick looked in his notebook. “I already had Max Garvey down as a suspect. Vernon Armfield went to great lengths to tell me about him the first time I went to see Rebecca, and Garvey’s wife works with Armfield. They were at the funeral, but I didn’t think it appropriate to talk to them there.” Nick stood. “Let’s go see Garvey and the Carter woman, and if we get the chance, I want you to talk with Shallowford.”

  “Now?”

  “Sure, unless you have something else you need to take care of.”

  “I can go, but will they be home?”

  “Garvey’s a house husband. We’ll just have to knock on the Carter woman’s door and see if she’s there. I don’t know if she works outside the home or not, but I don’t think so since she was at home yesterday.” As Nick stood, the telephone on his desk buzzed.

  “Quimbley,” he said into the receiver.

  “Nick, Rebecca Armfield is on line two for you,” Michelle said.

  “Thanks.” He turned to Bernie. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Bernie nodded and left.

  Nick pushed line two. “Good morning, Rebecca. How are you today?”

  “I’m going to be all right, Nick. Thanks for asking.”

  “I know all of this is hard for you.”

  “It’ll be easier when we find out who killed my sister.” She took a breath. “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Can we have lunch?”

  He glanced at his watch. It was eleven o’clock. “I was just leaving to talk to some people at your sister’s condo complex. Why don’t I meet you somewhere at one?”

  “How about Village Tavern?”

  “That’s on Hanes Boulevard, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  “Thank you, Nick.”

  He left the building and found Bernie waiting for him beside his car. “I have to meet someone at one, Bernie. Do you mind taking your car, too?”

  “Course not.”

  Within a few minutes, they rang the bell at Max Garvey’s condominium. When he opened the door, they showed their identification, and then Max said to Nick, “I know who you are. I saw you at Mindy Davidson’s funeral.”

  Nick nodded. “May we come in, Mr. Garvey?”

  He stood aside. “I don’t understand why you want to talk to me.”

  “You knew the deceased, didn’t you, Mr. Garvey?” Bernie asked.

  “She lived in the complex.”

  “Did you know her personally?”

  “I knew who she was.”

  “Mr. Garvey, may I be honest with you?” Nick looked at the handsome younger man and wondered how often he had to work out to keep himself in such perfect physical shape.

  “I wish you would.”

  “We had a tip that you and Miss Davidson were a little more than acquaintances. In fact, we were told that you were having an affair. Is this true?”

  Max looked shocked. “Who told you that?”

  “It doesn’t matter. What matters is whether it’s true or not.”

  “I didn’t kill Mindy Davidson. You can check with my wife. I’ve been home every night for the last few weeks.”

  “Can your wife vouch for your days, Mr. Garvey?” Bernie asked.

  “Of course not. She works at Davidson Industries. I thought Mindy was killed at night.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “The newspaper said someone put her on that grave at night. I just took for granted she was killed then, too.”

  “We’re getting off the subject,” Nick said. “I asked you if you were having an affair with Miss Davidson.”

  “Can you question me like this? I haven’t been advised of my rights and don’t I have the right to a lawyer?”

  “Do you need a lawyer, Mr. Garvey?”

  “Of course not.”

  “We haven’t advised you of your rights because we’re not police and we can’t charge you with anything. We’re only investigating for the family. I’m sorry if we made you think we were accusing you. We’re just trying to get to the bottom of a very baffling case.” Nick hoped his words would calm Max.

  They did. He said, “I’m sorry, too. Mindy and I were passing friends. I’m sorry she’s dead, and I guess I’m a little touchy.” He took a deep breath. “Why would I have an affair with her? I have a perfectly wonderful wife.”

  Nick looked at Bernie. “What was that other name you mentioned?”

  “Tess Carter.” Bernie looked at Max. “We were told that you’re good friends with her also. Can she verify that you were nothing more than passing friends with Mindy Davidson?”

  Max looked as if his whole world was about to collapse. “Why do you have to drag Tess into this?”

  “We’re only acting on tips we’ve been given, Mr. Garvey. We have to follow all leads.”

  “Okay. I knew Mindy pretty well. But like I said, I didn’t kill her.”

  “Do you know who might have?”

  “Of course not.”

  Nick rubbed his chin. “Would you object to giving us a sample of your hair, Mr. Garvey?”

  “My hair? What the hell for?”

  “Would you?” Bernie pushed.

  “Why should I?”

  Nick looked directly at him. “Of course you don’t have to, but we found a long black hair in Mindy’s bed. It sure looked like yours, Mr. Garvey. But if it doesn’t match the ones we found in her condominium, you’ll be completely eliminated as a suspect.”

  “What if it does match?”

  “Then you’ll remain on our list of suspects until we find the killer.”

  Max stood and walked to the window.

  “What’s on your mind, Mr. Garvey?”

  “My wife will come in for lunch soon. I need you to leave before she arrives. “

  “Then I will ask you again. Will you give us a hair sample?” Nic
k eyed him.

  “Will anything about this be in the paper?”

  “We’re trying to keep as much of the investigation out of the press as possible. We don’t plan to tell them anything. What the police do after they question you is another matter.”

  “Okay. I’ll give you a hair sample. Then you’ll leave, right?”

  “Are you in a hurry to get rid of us, Mr. Garvey?” Bernie asked.

  “Yes. As I said, my wife is coming home for lunch soon. I’d rather she not find you here.”

  Nick stood. “Well, Bernie, if we get the sample, that will take care of matters with Mr. Garvey at this time. What do you think?”

  “I agree.”

  After they got the sample and left the Garvey condo, they moved their cars to the next street, parked in front of Tess Carter’s unit, and walked up the walkway.

  Nick said, “Things weren’t as hard as I thought they would be with Max Garvey. I expected him to give us more resistance.”

  “I can’t believe he cooperated so quickly either.” Bernie chuckled.

  “He’s either innocent or scared we’ll discover something he doesn’t want us to know.”

  “My sentiments exactly. What’s your gut feeling?” Bernie asked.

  “I’ll tell you, but first I’d like to hear what you thought of his facial expressions. They seemed to run the gamut.”

  “He’s probably sleeping around with women, maybe even Mindy. He surprised me when he said he was trying to get rid of us. Not many people are open enough to say that. On the other hand, I think he really didn’t want his wife to come home and find us there.” Bernie paused, then added, “Right now, I’d put him at the bottom of our list.”

  “I agree. My gut feeling is that if Garvey turns out to be our killer, he did it without thinking. Like a crime of passion or something to that effect. About the only way I can see him doing it is if he was having an affair with Mindy and went ballistic when he found out about some other man in her life.”

  They reached the door and Bernie rang the bell. Tess Carter was not home. As they were leaving, the door to the unit next to hers opened. The two men turned.

  “Hello, Miss Shallowford,” Nick said to the woman who stuck her head out. He introduced her to Bernie Wheeler. “We’re checking the neighborhood again to see if we can find anyone who can help us.”