Murder in North Carolina

by Agnes Alexander

  “Did he kill Mindy?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “When you say you don’t know, that means you don’t think so, doesn’t it?”

  “That’s a confusing sentence, Rebecca.”

  She laughed. “I know. You understand it, though.”

  “You’re right. My gut feeling tells me that Max Garvey didn’t kill anybody.”

  “Then we’re back to square one.”

  “Not necessarily. I’ve sent the things we found in the graveyard to the police. They should have some results soon.”

  “Did anything look promising?”

  “Yes.”

  “What?”

  Nick decided it was time to tell Rebecca about Mindy’s sex games. “Remember when we went to the house in South Port and I had you stay in the car?”

  “Yes. You came out with something. You said it might be a lead.”

  “Well, it was a porn DVD made at your sister’s condo. Everyone in it is disguised, but I recognized a couple of people. The DVD is in a catalogue and can be ordered for twenty-nine ninety-five. From what I can gather, it’s selling well.”

  “Who’s selling it?”

  “Why do you always ask questions I can’t answer?” He chuckled.

  She shrugged, and he went on, saying, “We don’t know yet. We’ll find out though. The orders are mailed to a post office box in Kernersville.”

  “That’s only a few miles from here.”

  “I know. I’ve got someone watching it.”

  Their order arrived, and Nick worked sour cream and butter into his potato.

  “Will we ever find out who killed Mindy, Nick?”

  He nodded.

  “And Aunt Millicent?”

  “I think it’s the same person.”

  “Wilma is moving into the house. She doesn’t want me to be there alone.”

  “Where’s Vernon?”

  “I meant into the house with Vernon and me. Wilma thought a third person should be there.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “That’s not what you meant, Rebecca. You mean she didn’t want you to be alone with Vernon. What’s going on?”

  She put down her fork. “Vernon is very upset. Aunt Millicent rewrote her will so he doesn’t have—and can’t get—control of the company. He’s angry about it. Wilma just thought I needed someone there.”

  “Have I given you my cell number?”

  “Yes.”

  “Keep it with you all the time. You call me if you need me. I don’t care what time of day or night it is.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  “A friend of mine at the police station called to let me know the autopsy report on your sister came back.”

  “What did it say?”

  “You should get a copy, but it basically says she died from suffocation. We think she was smothered with her pillow. It had a lipstick smudge on it.” Her face turned a little pale, and he wondered if he should continue. He decided to go on. “It seems she didn’t die the night her body was placed in the graveyard in South Port. She died sometime earlier. Her body had been frozen for a few days before it was put on the grave.”

  “That’s terrible.” She put down her fork and closed her eyes.

  “I know it is, but I had to tell you. I knew you’d want to know. Besides, I think you’re stronger than anyone gives you credit for. I think you have a right to know what’s going on.”

  Rebecca opened her eyes. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. You’re right. I can handle it, and I want to know everything.”

  “Though it’s hard to determine since the body was frozen, we’re pretty sure she died three or four days before the body was discovered in South Port.”

  “That means she probably died just after the last time I saw her.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I saw her a few days before I called you about her disappearance.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’m going to play detective now.” He took his notebook from his pocket.

  “If it will help, I don’t mind at all.”

  “When did you last see Mindy?

  “On a Monday. I know because Vernon and I had been to the house in Blowing Rock on Sunday. Mindy and I had lunch the next day. That was the last time I saw her.”

  “Was anyone else with you?”

  “No. We met at the Piedmont Club. We saw several people we knew, but no one ate with us.”

  “Did you go anywhere afterward?”

  “She followed me back to the house, and we swam for a little while. When Vernon came home, she left.”

  “Did Vernon go out that night?”

  “No. Wait. Maybe he did. I think that might have been the night he had to meet Robyn back at the office. They had some kind of tax problem.”

  “Do you know what time he came home?”

  “No. I wasn’t feeling well, so I took a pill and went to sleep. He was there the next morning.”

  “I’m sorry I have to ask you all these questions.”

  “Don’t be silly. You should know I want to tell you anything that will help.”

  The waiter came and refilled their glasses. “Do either of you care for dessert?”

  “I don’t. How about you, Rebecca?”

  She shook her head.

  As they left, Nick promised to let her know how the questioning went with Max Garvey.

  Chapter 38

  He got the call at three o’clock in the afternoon.

  “What do you want?” he answered, irritation in his voice.

  “I’ve got to have some money,” Gordon Jones said. “Nick Quimbley is pushing me. He got hold of the DVD and recognized me. I need to get out of town until things cool down.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll let Tammy decide.”

  He had no choice. He couldn’t take a chance on Gordon Jones letting something slip to Quimbley. “I’ll meet you tonight.”

  “Where and what time?”

  “Can you do the pick-up in Kernersville?”

  “Sure.” Gordon sighed with relief. “Nick has us watching the box. I’ll volunteer to do it tonight.”

  “After you make the pick-up, meet me at nine-thirty in the Hanes Mall parking lot behind the back entrance to Sears. Park in the area where there are other cars, but as far away from the store entrance as you can. Pull into a space where I can back in behind you. I want our trunks together so nobody will see me put the mail from your car into mine.”

  “Nine-thirty, Hanes Mall?”

  “That’s right.” He added, “You haven’t mentioned my name to Quimbley or the police, have you?”

  “Of course not. You know I won’t. Nick was going to talk with me this afternoon, but too much is going on. We now plan to meet after work tomorrow. He wants to talk away from the office ‘cause he’s trying to keep me out of it as much as he can, but I know Nick Quimbley. He’ll tell the police if he has to. He has a good relationship with the department and always cooperates with them.”

  “Just be careful what you say. I hear he’s a pretty shrewd detective.”

  “Don’t worry. I can handle him. I’ll see you at nine-thirty tonight.”

  * * * *

  Rebecca spent the afternoon moving Vernon’s clothes into the blue guest room at the far end of the hall. She thought it fitting to make him sleep in the room her aunt had used. She’d probably have a fight on her hands when he got home, but she didn’t care. She had no intention of welcoming him back into her room nor her bed after learning he’d slept with Mindy.

  Though Rebecca knew her sister would take most any man into her bed, she found it hard to believe she’d had sex with Vernon. And to do it when she had just lost the baby? “What kind of woman were you, Mindy?” she asked aloud. “Why would you do this to me? I was a good sister. I didn’t deserve this kind of treatment.”

  Rebecca slammed the drawer shut and hit the dresser with her fist. “And you, Vernon Armfield. You could have said
no.” The fact that he hadn’t made her very angry. And to let it happen when she was suffering the loss of a child and her ability to have other children made it unforgivable. She didn’t know if she could ever forgive either of them.

  The fact that Vernon had slapped her was also hard to take. She almost wished she’d told Nick about it, but she knew it was probably better she hadn’t. Nick would’ve been angry and would have wanted to confront Vernon. Better to let it drop for now. If he did it again, she wouldn’t hesitate to tell Nick.

  She placed Vernon’s shirts in a neat row in the guest room closet, stopping to examine his blue sports shirt when she noticed it was missing a button. She took it out and looked at the remaining buttons. They were a common type made of pearl. She tossed the shirt onto the floor. After looking closely, she found two other shirts missing buttons and took them back to her room. She probably wouldn’t mend them, but she’d keep them there anyway.

  As she moved the clothing from his dresser to the other room, she found a pair of handcuffs. She looked at them for a minute, but couldn’t understand why Vernon would have such an item. She decided she’d keep them with the shirts.

  When she finished the move, she went downstairs into the kitchen.

  Wilma looked up. “Hello, Ms. Rebecca.”

  “Hello.” She smiled. “How’s it going with redecorating the servants’ apartment?”

  “The quarters are fine. We don’t have to redecorate them.”

  “But I want to, Wilma.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Wilma said again.

  “Did you look over the wallpaper books I brought back from town?”

  “A little. I still say the rooms look great to me. I cleaned up some yesterday and made up the bed.”

  “Did you find enough linens?”

  “I found some sheets wadded up and thrown in there. They were a little dirty and worn, but I washed them and put them on the bed. I also took a blanket from the linen closet. Is that okay?”

  “That’s fine for now. We’ll get you some new linens soon.” She took the glass of iced tea Wilma offered. “I moved Vernon’s clothes into the guest room at the end of the hall. I know it will make more work for you, but I couldn’t face him in my room tonight.”

  “It won’t be much work. I just want you to be safe.”

  “I am safe, but I do feel better now that you’re going to be here.”

  “I’m going home when I get off work to get some things. I’ll be back to spend the night.”

  “You don’t have to stay tonight if you’re not prepared.”

  “I want to. This actually came at a great time. My lease is up on my apartment at the end of this month, and I’m glad to be moving out.”

  “If there are things you want to bring here, feel free. We’ll get rid of what is in your rooms so you can put your own things there if you like.”

  “I do have some furniture I’d like to keep.”

  “Why don’t you make a list of what you want to bring, and I’ll have one of the charities come here and collect what you don’t need?”

  “You don’t have to get rid of your stuff.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’d much rather have you here than any old furniture I’ve had for ages.” Rebecca took a sip of her tea. “As a matter of fact, when you’re ready to move your things, I want you to call a moving company and let them come, pack you up, and move you here.”

  “But, Ms.—”

  “No buts, Wilma. You don’t need to be doing all that hard work. I insist you let me get you some help.”

  Wilma shook her head. “You’re so nice.”

  “You deserve it.” Rebecca waved her hand. “Now, if you need to go home to get some things, I insist you leave now.”

  “Are you sure? I can wait until I’ve worked my full day.”

  “I’m positive. I want you to go now so you’ll be back when Vernon gets home.”

  Before she left, Wilma turned around. “Oh, Ms. Rebecca. I found a stack of papers in the maid’s quarters when I was cleaning. They were stuck behind the dresser. I didn’t know what to do with them, so I put them in the pantry until I could tell you about them. They look like business papers to me.”

  “I’ll see what they are. Thank you.”

  Wilma went out and closed the back door, and Rebecca got up and moved to the refrigerator. She poured herself another glass of iced tea and went into the pantry with the glass in her hand.

  She picked up the papers Wilma had put there and knew instantly what they were.

  “Damn you, Vernon Armfield. How could you do this? I never knew you at all, did I?” she said aloud.

  She took the papers into the library and sat at the desk. After about twenty minutes, she picked up the phone and dialed Justine Crouse. While waiting for Justine to answer, Rebecca whispered, “I’m sorry, Aunt Millicent. I should’ve paid more attention to what you tried to tell me. She wouldn’t let herself think Vernon had harmed Mindy, but she was now sure he was taking money from the company.

  Justine came on the line, and Rebecca explained what Wilma had found.

  “Are you sure they’re a set of books, Rebecca?”

  “Absolutely. I’ve worked in the financial part of the company. I know books when I see them.”

  “Don’t you think you should call Willard Brookmeyer?”

  “No. He’s signed some of these things. I think he’s helping Vernon rip off my company.”

  “Put them where nobody will find them, and I’ll pick them up when I come for the funeral tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Justine.”

  As soon as Rebecca hung up, she called Erica. “What are your plans for tonight?”

  “Not a thing. What do you have in mind?”

  “I want you to come spend the night with me.”

  “Why in heaven’s name?”

  “Never mind. Will you do it?”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Chapter 39

  Rebecca sat on the edge of the bed while Erica busied herself putting her nightgown and other items in the dresser drawers in the guest room closest to Rebecca’s room. The phone rang.

  Rebecca picked it up. “Hello?”

  “Rebecca, it’s Vernon.”

  “Yes, Vernon. What do you want?”

  “Please, Rebecca. I love you.”

  “Don’t start that.” She couldn’t believe how her feelings for him had changed so quickly. “What do you want?” she asked again.

  His voice became cold and business like. “I thought you might like to know the police have the man who killed your sister and probably your aunt, too, in custody.”

  “Oh, Vernon. Are you sure?” For the moment she forgot about their strained situation. How wonderful that they had caught the killer.

  His voice softened because hers had. “Yes. They arrested a man by the last name of Carter who lives in Mindy’s condominium complex.”

  “Do we know him?”

  “No, but she did.”

  “How do you know?”

  “He attacked Max Garvey.”

  “Oh, no. I’m so sorry for Robyn. Is Max all right?”

  “I think he’s near death. They’ve taken him to the hospital. He’s probably not going to make it. Robyn found him when she went home for lunch.”

  “I’m so sorry. I wonder if there’s anything I can do?”

  “Of course not. She’ll be better off without him.”

  A chill went through Rebecca. That’s what Wilma told her Mindy had said about Vernon.

  When she said nothing else, he finally said, “I’ll be home soon.”

  “Fine. Goodbye.”

  She put down the phone and told Erica what Vernon had said.

  “Then Vernon didn’t kill Mindy.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Erica. I told you all along that Vernon didn’t kill anyone.”

  “Then why am I sleeping over?”

  “He may not have killed my sister, but he is stealing from my company. He’s going to be very ang
ry when he learns I have the books to prove it.”

  “Let’s not tell him.”

  “I don’t plan to right away, but he’ll find out.”

  “So he’ll be mad, but he’ll get over it. He’s not going to hit you or anything.” She stopped cold when she saw the look on Rebecca’s face. “That bastard. He hit you?”

  “Last night. When I told him about Aunt Millicent’s will. I’ve never seen anyone so angry. I thought for a minute he was going to kill me.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “No. That’s why I want you here.”

  “Don’t worry. Nothing can get me out now.”

  “I think I’ll call Nick.” Rebecca looked around. “Come into my room. I have his number there.”

  Not long after she gave her name, Nick came on the line. “I’m sorry to bother you, but Vernon told me the police have arrested somebody for Mindy’s murder.”

  “Yes. His name is George Carter. He just beat the hell out of Max Garvey. He’s being questioned now.”

  “Vernon told me Carter killed Mindy.”

  “Like I said, they’re questioning him now. He hasn’t been charged with anything except assault so far. Someone sent him one of the sex DVDs. He watched it and recognized Max Garvey with his wife. Then he attacked Max and put him in the hospital.”

  “Oh, that’s horrible. How’s Max?”

  “He’s in bad shape, but he’s still alive.” Nick seemed rushed. “Look, sweetheart, I’ve got to go. I’m on the way to the police station. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”

  “Okay. I’ll tell you about Vernon when you call.”

  “Wait, Rebecca. What about Vernon?”

  “Nothing serious. I did find proof that he’s ripping off the company. I also found some shirts with missing buttons, but that’s really not important now.” She took a deep breath. “Go do what you have to do. I’ll wait for your call.”

  “I promise it won’t be long.”

  Rebecca hung up the phone and stared into space for a moment.

  “Hello.” Erica waved a hand in front of Rebecca’s face. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m not sure. It just registered with me. I think sometime during that conversation Nick called me sweetheart.”

  “Well, bully for Nick.” A big smile crossed Erica’s face. “I knew he was my kind of man.”