Murder in North Carolina

by Agnes Alexander

  “Well, it won’t take me long to find out. He could be a new love interest.”

  Rebecca chuckled. “You always make me feel better by making me laugh, Erica. No matter the situation.”

  “That’s what friends are for, my dear.” She took Rebecca’s arm. “That’s what friends are for.”

  “I’ve been so neglectful. I haven’t even asked about your boys. How are they?”

  “Good, as far as I know. They’re in California with their father for the summer.”

  “I thought so.”

  Erica giggled. “I think they’re driving his young wife nuts. I hope so, anyway. Makes it easier for me to let them visit their dad when I know it inconveniences her.”

  Rebecca chuckled again. “I’m sure you miss them.”

  “I do, but enough about me and mine. Let’s get you inside, talk about Nick, and get ready to meet with the attorney.”

  “Thanks, Erica.”

  Chapter 34

  “Damn, Nick. You did good.” Bernie sat back in his chair and looked across the desk at his friend. “How did you get these DVDs?”

  “I ran into the jogger who found Mindy Davidson. While I was talking with him, he happened to mention he knew a guy who’d recorded a video of the body before the police got there.” Nick put his hands behind his head and flexed his back. “I tracked him down and just lucked out getting the porno flick.”

  “Why’d he give it to you?”

  “While he shuffled through a stack of DVDs looking for the one he made after videoing the body at the graveyard, I happened to see two with the same cover.” Nick held it up. “See the people in brightly colored wigs? They caught my eye, and I asked him about them. He said he’d inadvertently ordered two copies, and if I’d give him twenty bucks, I could have one of them.”

  “You shelled out the twenty because you thought it might be the one the Carter woman told us about?”

  “I hoped it would be. And of course it is, although it’s almost impossible to identify anyone in the film.”

  “I think the woman in the bright red wig is Mindy Davidson.” Bernie picked up a slice of pizza from the open box on the desk.

  “So do I. And of course, the man in the dark green mask is Max Garvey.”

  “I couldn’t pick out Mrs. Carter, though. Could you?”

  “She’s the one in the orange get up.” Nick reached for another slice of pizza.

  “How can you tell?”

  “I noticed the scar on her elbow when we talked to her. It showed up in the film.”

  “Damn, I must be slipping. I missed that.” Bernie laughed.

  “I didn’t mention it when we questioned her because it looked like something she probably picked up years ago.”

  “The DVD got a little shaky when the guy in purple appeared on camera. When he was off camera, the film seemed more focused and the shots more professional.”

  Nick drank from his canned soda. “I think he was doing most of the filming when he wasn’t on camera, don’t you?”

  “Probably. It’d be my guess he’s the one the Carter woman called ‘the count’. She did say he wore purple and did most of the camera work.”

  Nick frowned. “I sure wish we knew who he is.”

  “How’d the guy in South Port get this flick?”

  “Said he got it from a mail order catalogue. Somebody’s making money from those little sex games at the condo complex.”

  “Think it’s Garvey?”

  “Could be, but it also might be somebody who found out what was going on and cashed in on it. I’m betting on the count. On the other hand, it might’ve been Mindy herself. Or the two of them could be in it together, as Mrs. Carter suggested.” Nick wiped his mouth with a paper napkin and tossed it into the trashcan.

  “I couldn’t catch up with Garvey yesterday while you were gone. Seems he’s out of town for a couple of days. His wife said he was going to some kind of seminar.”

  “Did you question her? She works with Vernon Armfield. You knew that, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. She has a pretty good job there, according to her.” Bernie took another piece of pizza.

  “Comptroller, she said.” He looked at Bernie. “Do you think she knows about the sex games?”

  “I don’t think she has a clue. She’s in love with her husband and makes no bones about it. She didn’t have many kind things to say about Mindy or her way of life, either. She even said Max told her that if he wanted to play around, he wouldn’t do it with Mindy Davidson. He’d be afraid of her because of the number of men she’s slept with.”

  “You’re right. It doesn’t sound like she knew about the games.” Nick drank the last of his soda.

  Gordon Jones walked into the office. “Talked to a buddy of mine on the force. They have the fingerprint report back from the Armfield burglary.”

  They both looked at him. “Let me guess,” Bernie said. “The jewelry was clean.”

  “In a way, it was. They didn’t find any prints except those made by Rebecca and Vernon Armfield. They voluntarily gave their prints to the police earlier so they could be ruled out in Mindy’s condo. We know Rebecca didn’t do it.” Gordon half smiled at Nick. “She was out of town with you at the time of the murder.”

  “That means Vernon could have,” Nick said.

  “Not likely,” Gordon said. “His office staff swears he was at work most of the day. He had a luncheon meeting with some lawyer friend and was back in the office by the time the call came about the aunt.”

  “Did you get the lawyer’s name?” Bernie asked.

  Gordon looked at his notes. “Willard Brookmeyer.”

  Nick jotted it down. “Do you guys think the two murders are connected?”

  “Without a doubt,” Bernie said.

  “Probably,” Gordon mumbled.

  “I think so, too. Millicent Davidson made waves. She spouted a lot of hot air, but she may have hit on something the killer didn’t like.”

  “What did she say, Nick?” Gordon asked.

  “She told me she thought Vernon killed Mindy. We know that can’t be true because he didn’t have time to get rid of the body. She also told me he was having an affair with Mindy. I think that might be true.”

  He chose not to share information about the DVD he and Rebecca had found just yet.

  “What makes you think so?”

  “The way he answers questions. The bastard is hiding something. I just wish I could figure it out.”

  “Your gut feelings have been right before,” Gordon said.

  “What about Max Garvey? Do you think he could have done it?” Bernie asked.

  “He could’ve killed Mindy, but I don’t think he’d have the balls to kill Millicent. Not in the Davidson family home in broad daylight,” Nick said.

  “But you’ve got to admit it takes balls to run the sex games. And most of that was done in the daytime.” Bernie looked at both of them.

  “That’s true,” Nick and Gordon said almost in unison.

  “What about the other things you brought back from South Port?” Bernie asked.

  “Since we’ve been working closely with the police on this, I sent a couple of things to them for prints. I know it’s a long shot, but I hated not to check them out. The glasses were an expensive brand. If someone knew they’d lost them, they’d look around for them. They were pretty much covered with leaves when I spied them, meaning they’d probably been there for a while. I’m sure most of the visitors to the graveyard were there to see the grave where they found Mindy. I picked up the glasses in the back of the cemetery, and that probably explains why someone else hadn’t found them.”

  “Did you bring back any pictures?” Gordon asked.

  “They’re here on my desk somewhere. I’ll find them in a minute.” He looked at his two friends. “I think the scrap of cloth came from a sheet. Maybe one used to cover the body. As for the other items we found, most were routine things anyone could lose. Of course, I want to get it all checked o
ut.”

  Bernie got up. “I’ll be right back. I think I have some notes in my office we need to talk about.”

  “Did they do an autopsy on Millicent Davidson?” Nick looked at Gordon.

  “Yes. Her neck was broken. The ME says the fall caused her death.”

  “I see.” Nick looked directly into Gordon’s eyes. “You know I have to ask you something.”

  “I know. I saw you and Bernie watching the film.”

  “Well?” Nick’s eyes bored into Gordon’s.

  “Yes, damn it. It’s me. How did you know?”

  “Didn’t you take a bullet in your side while you were still on the force? Just before you resigned and came to work for me?”

  “I did, and I’ve got the scar to prove it.” He laughed a nervous laugh. “And you saw the one on the man in the black mask.”

  “I saw it.”

  “I thought maybe the wig would disguise me enough so nobody would ever recognize me.” He looked away from his friend. “Who else knows?”

  “Nobody. Not yet, anyway.”

  “You’ll keep it quiet as long as you can, won’t you?”

  Nick nodded, and Gordon went on. “What do you want me to do, Nick?”

  “I want you to level with me. I want to know everything you know about this sex ring. I want to know how deep your involvement is. And if you had nothing to do with Mindy Davidson’s death, I want you to distance yourself from this case as far as you can before somebody else catches on.”

  “All right. We can go out for a beer after work tomorrow, and I’ll tell you everything. I’d go tonight, but Tammy has plans.” He walked away, then came back. “I still have some vacation time coming. Maybe I should take it.”

  “That might be a very wise idea.”

  Chapter 35

  Justine Crouse didn’t fit the picture of a tough female attorney. She was petite, barely standing five feet tall. She had red hair and wore a navy Anne Klein dress. She looked more like a lawyer’s girlfriend than a lawyer herself. But when she spoke, the illusion burst. She was all business and had enough authority in her voice to make everyone listen.

  Rebecca had liked Justine when they’d first met, and she liked her even better today.

  Erica seemed to be in awe of her. In fact, she had made Justine smile for the first time when she said, “When I grow up, I want to be just like you.”

  “That’s a wonderful compliment. Thank you, Mrs. Redmond.”

  “Oh, call me Erica. I haven’t been a Mrs. for a couple of years now. I don’t even like the title.”

  “All right. Call me Justine. Rebecca and I decided on first names the other day.” She sipped her lemonade. “Is your husband going to be here, Rebecca?”

  “No. I couldn’t face his anger. I wanted Erica here instead.”

  “That’s fine.” She pulled some papers from her briefcase. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes. Go ahead.”

  “Basically, Mindy left her company stock to your Aunt Millicent. In the event that Millicent preceded her in death, the stock goes to charity.”

  “So that’s what happens?” Rebecca asked.

  “No. Since Millicent was alive when Mindy died, her stock passes into her aunt’s estate. As I told you, Millicent came to me to make her a new will as well.”

  “Yes, and she asked you to be her executrix.”

  “That’s right. I don’t know if you knew this or not, but Millicent didn’t have long to live.”

  Rebecca gasped. “No. What was wrong with her?”

  “She never said. Just that the doctors had given her a year at most. She wanted to be sure her will was unbreakable.”

  “I hope you did that for her.”

  “Nothing is that sure, Rebecca, but I did it the proper way. Your Aunt Millicent left the bulk of her worldly goods to you, with the exception of the company stock. She made some charitable bequests, and in the event you proceeded her in death, everything was to go to charity.”

  Rebecca smiled. “Of course. She left the stock to charity, didn’t she?”

  “You amaze me, Rebecca.” Justine smiled. “You’re the first person I’ve ever spoken with about a will who wasn’t interested in what they were getting. You really don’t care, do you?”

  “Not at all. I have enough even if Aunt Millicent left me nothing.”

  “Rebecca’s always been that way,” Erica said. “She’ll give you everything she’s got if it makes you happy.”

  “I appreciate the kind words, but I’m not perfect. I’d like to have the company, but I’d rather know my sister and my aunt get their wishes. After all, it was their stock to do with as they pleased.”

  “Well, in a way you do get it, Rebecca,” Justine said.

  Puzzled, Rebecca stared at her. “What do you mean?”

  “Your aunt left the stock in trust for you.” Justine swallowed. “This is the part you’re probably not going to like.” When Rebecca said nothing, Justine went on, saying, “Millicent didn’t like your husband. She wanted to make it clear that you can’t vote, sell, or pass on the stock in your will as long as you’re married to Vernon.”

  “Oh, my. Oh, my.” Erica let out a whoop. “The old girl really hated him, didn’t she?”

  Rebecca chuckled. “No, Justine. It doesn’t make me mad. It sounds like something Aunt Millicent would do. She did hate Vernon. She thought he killed Mindy.”

  “Maybe he did.”

  “No, he didn’t. He may wish he’d killed Aunt Millicent when he hears this news, but he didn’t kill Mindy.”

  “How can you be so sure?” Justine looked at her.

  “Vernon was at home with me when the killer took Mindy’s body to South Port.”

  “Oh, I see.” She didn’t question Rebecca’s defense of her husband. Along with everyone else, she didn’t think Rebecca would lie about his whereabouts, even to keep him out of trouble.

  “Who’s going to handle the stock?” Erica couldn’t help asking.

  “I was appointed to do that.” Justine looked at them both for a reaction. “I’ve already started setting up the trust. I’ll have to get with your company attorney and inform him of this.”

  “That’s Willard Brookmeyer. Do you know him?”

  “I know Mr. Brookmeyer by reputation.”

  Rebecca thought she caught a snide tone in Justine’s voice, but she said nothing about it. Instead, she asked, “Are you sure my aunt didn’t tell you what was wrong with her?”

  “I’m sure.” Justine sipped her lemonade. “There’s one more thing.”

  “I hope it’s good, too,” Erica said.

  “I think it is. You know that Millicent was a little eccentric.”

  “She was that,” Rebecca agreed.

  “Well, she left instructions for her funeral. She had it all planned. She wanted it to be very private. She even made a list of the people who could attend. Are you willing to do it her way?”

  “Of course. I want everything to be just like my aunt requested it.”

  “Well, she wanted to be cremated.”

  “I have no problem with that.”

  “She asked that her ashes be buried in the rose garden at the family home. I’m assuming that is here?” Rebecca nodded, and Justine went on. “She wanted a small plaque put on the stone wall behind the garden that reads, ‘Millicent Davidson played here’, followed by the years of her birth and her death.”

  “I have no problem with that, either.”

  “She called me a few days ago to make a couple of changes in the guest list.”

  “Who did she want to be present?”

  “Four protestant ministers— one to say a prayer, one to read a psalm, one to give the benediction, and one to say a few words about the Davidson family. She requested that at least one of them be African-American. She also wanted a priest and a Rabbi to attend.” Justine smiled. “She said she wanted to include all branches of clergy because she wants to cover all the bases. Each of these men of God is to get a thou
sand dollars for his own use, but they’re not to be told about the money before the funeral because the ones who don’t show up don’t get anything.”

  “That sounds just like your aunt, Rebecca.” Erica laughed.

  “It does, doesn’t it?” She looked at Justine. “Anyone else?”

  “Oh, yes. Wilma Hess is to get ten thousand dollars because she has been so nice to your aunt over the years. Joe Stupack, the gardener, is to dig the hole for the ashes. He gets three thousand dollars for keeping the rose garden looking so nice.”

  Justine took a deep breath. “Rebecca, you’re to carry the ashes and place them in the ground. She also asked that you contact her friends in Florida and see if any of them want to make the trip. She said her address book contains all the names. I’m to be there to see that everything is carried out as she wanted it. When she called me, she added two more names to the list.” She turned to Erica. “You, Erica Redmond, because she said you made her laugh, and a detective by the name of Nick Quimbley because he will be the one…” Her voice trailed off.

  “Because he’ll be the one to what?” Rebecca demanded.

  “Your aunt said he’ll be the one to prove Vernon killed Mindy, and also that she thought he was the kind of man you should’ve married.”

  Rebecca shook her head. “Of course she didn’t invite Vernon.”

  “No.”

  “He probably wouldn’t want to come anyway.”

  Justine went on. “She wanted a catered luncheon at one o’clock following her ceremony, and for everyone to drink a toast to her memory.”

  “I want everything carried out the way Aunt Millicent instructed. Will the two of you help me?”

  “I’ll be happy to,” Justine said.

  “You know I will.” Erica chuckled. “I liked your aunt. She and I had the same opinion of Vernon.”

  Rebecca ignored her remark and said, “Then Aunt Millicent will have the funeral she wanted. Do you think we can get it all together by day after tomorrow?”

  “I don’t see why not.” Justine shut her briefcase.

  “Well, ladies,” Erica held up her glass. “I propose a toast to Aunt Millicent right now. May she rest knowing she got what she wanted. She took control of Davidson Industries from Vernon forever, and she’ll have one hell of a funeral.”