Secrets in the Shallows (Book 1: The Monastery Murders)

by Karen Vance Hammond

  He continued, “In the mean time, try to think about everything that happened the days and weeks before Timmy went missing. Write anything down you can remember and bring it with you, please. I’ll also need to get your fingerprints to compare with whatever we find in your son’s room. Can I count on you to be there at 2 o’clock this afternoon?”

  “We’ll be there, Sheriff,” Herbert stated.

  Sheriff Johnson rose to his feet and stretched out his hand as he replied, “Thank you. I know this is an extremely trying time for you both, but my first priority is to find your son’s killer.”

  Standing up, Herbert shook the sheriff’s hand and said, “Thank you for coming out yourself. It means a lot that you’d do that for us. We’ll be at your office at 2 o’clock today.”

  Sheriff Johnson nodded his head politely towards Margie and said, “My deepest sympathies for your loss.” Patting Herbert on the shoulder several times, he added, “I’ll keep you in my prayers.” He put his hat on and walked towards the front door. “Be careful on the roads. We still have seen some icy patches. See you soon.”

  “We will,” Herbert said as he walked over and opened the front door for the sheriff. Margie walked over and stood by her husband in the doorway as the sheriff turned back around toward them. “When my deputies are finished, they will let you know. Once again, I am so sorry for your loss.”

  Herbert nodded, blinking back his tears. In a slight whisper, he replied, “Thank you, Sheriff.”

  Closing the door, Herbert gazed at his wife and wrapped his arm around her waist. Many thoughts skipped through his mind. I need to be strong for Margie, but how do I do that? Herbert embraced his wife tightly in his arms.

  Margie held him in return, sobbing so loud that her words were hardly understandable, “Oh, Herb, what do we do?”

  Taking a couple deep breaths, Herbert lifted his head and replied, “We’re going to do our part to help find out who did this to our Timmy. That monster deserves to burn in hell.”

  * * * *

  Sheriff Johnson drove down the familiar highway towards town as his cell phone rang. “Sheriff Johnson here.”

  The dispatcher said, “I have Mother Superior from the monastery on the line. She’s frightened about some vandalism on the property. I know there is a lot happening at the monastery right now, so I wanted to give this call to you right away. Can you speak with her, sir?”

  “Sure, put her through,” the sheriff rolled his eyes as he answered. “Sheriff Johnson.”

  Mother Superior was almost in a panic as she blurted the words out. “Sheriff, someone vandalized one of the statues in our garden; the one of Mother Mary praying. It’s horrible!”

  “What type of vandalism, Mother?”

  Almost in tears, the elderly nun replied, “Someone put a decapitated deer head on the statue and poured blood all over it! I need someone here right away to check into this. Please, Sheriff, will you come?”

  “They did what?!” he shouted.

  “They put a deer head on the statue, Sheriff. I need someone out here right away.”

  Sheriff Johnson thought to himself, Just one more thing to deal with. That place is a handful. “All right, Mother. Our guys are at a site right now, and can head over there after they’re done. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff. Please, hurry!” Mother Superior Mary Ellen said as she hung up.

  Pressing his speed dial, the sheriff immediately called Deputy Williams. “Deputy, Sheriff here.”

  “Yes, sir. How can I help?”

  “How much longer will you be at the Fields’ house?”

  Deputy Williams glanced at his watch and replied, “Probably be here another hour or so, sir.”

  “When you’re done there, I need you to check out what happened at the monastery last night. Seems someone vandalized the Mother Mary statue in the garden. The nuns found a deer head in the statue’s arms, and a bunch of blood poured all over it. Just what we need, huh?”

  “When it rains, it pours, sir. I can finish this up here and head over there afterwards.”

  The sheriff smiled, “Getting a work out this week, huh, Deputy?”

  “Seems to be the case. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way,” Deputy Williams replied.

  “I’ll be interested to hear about what you find. Keep me informed, Deputy.”

  “Sure thing, sir. Talk to you soon.”

  “Thanks, Deputy,” Sheriff Johnson said as he hung up the phone. Continuing to drive towards town, he thought, What more can happen?

  * * * *

  Deputy Williams hung up the phone and sighed. Turning to Deputy Shamberg he exclaimed, “Well, isn’t that great!”

  Shamberg looked over inquisitively. “What’s up?”

  “Someone decided to make a big mess over at the monastery and the sheriff wants us to go over and check it out once we’re done here.”

  “More chaos to deal with, huh?”

  Deputy Williams took a deep breath and replied, “It would seem so. Well, let’s get this done so we can tackle that next.”

  “We’ll get on it right away,” Deputy Shamberg smiled, continuing to search for evidence.

  As he fanned a dusting brush over the back of Timmy’s chair, a rather large fingerprint emerged. Deputy Shamberg took his camera and captured a close-up picture of it. Taking a piece of tape, he carefully pressed it down on the fingerprint. Applying it to a slide, he inserted it in a plastic evidence bag.

  “I found a good print. It probably belongs to one of the family members, but we will find out soon enough after their fingerprints are collected.”

  While digging through another drawer, the other deputy replied, “Well, I’m sure their prints are here. I bet that Herbert and Margie were in Timmy’s room all the time, since they were his parents.”

  Leafing through a stack of college applications, Deputy Shamberg exclaimed, “Hey, look what I found!” Lifting up a piece of paper, he read the note from Timmy’s girlfriend, Lisa, out loud.

  Dear Timmy,

  I know I’ve been distant lately, and I’m sorry. There’s been a lot on my mind and I was worried you’d be mad at me. I didn’t want to screw up how I told this to you, so I thought I’d write you a letter instead.

  I don’t want us to study with Carter anymore. I just don’t like how he looks at me when you aren’t around or watching. When we were studying the other day, he kept glancing up at me and it made me very uncomfortable.

  I haven’t done anything to encourage him, but he keeps doing it. Can you talk to him about it? He just makes me feel really weird when he’s around. I love you, and don’t want anything to become a problem between us. Thank you for understanding.

  Love,

  Lisa

  While putting the note in the evidence bag, Deputy Shamberg added, “Well looks like we have a little love triangle thing going, eh? Wonder which Carter they’re talking about?”

  “Probably Carter Spurlock, if I had to guess. I saw them hang out together around town occasionally,” replied Deputy Williams as he continued his search.

  * * * *

  After an hour of searching, the two deputies left Timmy’s room and met the grief stricken parents in the living room. “Mr. and Mrs. Fields, thank you for your cooperation.”

  Deputy Williams turned to the couple and said, “Can you please do one thing for me?”

  “How can we help?” Herbert asked.

  “When you come down to the station to talk to the sheriff, can you stop by and submit your fingerprints? We need to be able to match them to what we found in the bedroom.”

  Herbert and Margie agreed. “Sure, we’ll be happy to, Deputy. We’re supposed to be there at 2 o’clock.”

  After quickly gathering their things, the deputies left the house and headed to their cruiser. They put their equipment in the trunk and got into their squad car. The Fields stared blankly at the deputies as they closed their car doors and pulled away. On their way in to town, D
eputy Williams did not delay in calling Sheriff Johnson about their findings.

  CHAPTER 15

  Whistling, John returned to his office from court. After checking his in-box, he rummaged through a few papers and folders. Turning towards his personal assistant, he asked her, “How is everything going, Linda?”

  Linda had worked for John since day one. She knew him so well that she could almost complete his sentences. Pushing long strands of her sandy brown hair out of her face, she stopped typing on her keyboard as she looked at John with her sparkling brown eyes. She looked at him and smiled. “I’m having a good day. Thank you. You seem to be in a happy mood.”

  “That’s because I am. Things are going to get hectic here soon. We’re going to be busier than a one-armed paper hanger, Linda.”

  “Why’s that?”

  John smiled in return and replied, “Remember that body they found in the monastery pond the other day?”

  “Yes.”

  John furrowed his brow and continued, “Well, the coroner’s preliminary assessment yesterday was that it’s a homicide, not a suicide. So, if that’s true, then we’ll be involved in this case for a while.”

  “Oh!” Linda exclaimed.

  As she handed him another piece of paper, she added, “John, before I forget, here’s another message from the sheriff.”

  “Oh, yes! I’ve been waiting to hear from him. Thank you.” John walked down the hallway toward his office. Closing the door behind him, he sat down in his leather chair and rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “Okay, here we go.”

  John got out his cell phone and speed dialed a familiar number. “Hello, Sheriff. I heard that you called.”

  “John, I need to meet with you,” the sheriff insisted.

  John glanced at his watch. “I’m expected back in court in a couple of hours. Come on over to my office right now if you like, Sheriff.”

  “I’ll see you in just a few then. I’m on my way,” the sheriff responded as he hung up his phone.

  * * * *

  Hearing a rap on his door, John raised his voice and said, “Come in.”

  “Hello, Counselor,” the sheriff said as he entered the room.

  John smiled and stood up as he greeted him. “Hello, Sheriff.”

  Inside John’s office, many diplomas adorned the walls, representing not only his accomplishments in law school, but his other achievements as well. On a large cherry wooden table, a photograph of himself and Katy in New York City was set, facing his chair. On the wall behind the table, the window drapes were closed to keep the cold draft out.

  Sheriff Johnson smiled while looking at the picture and pointed. “Boy, I remember when Betty and I were just like this. We still are, really, but love can grow deeper over the years.”

  John came over to stand beside him. “Yes, there’s probably nothing like it.”

  Sheriff Johnson removed his hat and sat down in a leather chair across from John.

  “What news do you have for me?” John smiled, leaning his elbow on the desk.

  “John, I think you heard that Timmy was murdered, right? We’re now investigating what appears to be a full-blown homicide. The coroner found rope burns around his neck. When we pulled the body out of the water, there was no rope found around his neck or nearby. There were only some fragments of it.”

  “No rope?” Clearing his throat, John replied, “Too bad.” Leaning back in his leather chair, he clasped his hands behind his head.

  The sheriff pointed to John and said, “Look, I’m heading up this case myself, for now at least. I also want to bring some divers in to dredge the pond.”

  John furrowed his forehead and asked, “Divers? Do you think that’s necessary, Sheriff?”

  “John, in all honesty, that pond should have been dredged when that other boy was found floating on the top.” With his forefinger, he pounded the table as if punctuating his statement. “Something is probably down there.” The sheriff sat back in his chair. Pursing his lips, he continued, “John, I can just feel it.”

  Setting back in his seat, John swiveled slightly in his leather chair. “But you know that pond was constructed into a memorial for Father Barnhill. I’m sure the monastery staff will get upset about people in scuba gear searching their pond.”

  Lowering his voice, Sheriff Johnson leaned over John’s desk and made direct eye contact with him. “I don’t care who the damn thing was built for. I want to get my people in there.”

  “I understand, Sheriff. I just know how they are.” John said as he adjusted his sitting position.

  “Oh, I know how they are too, John. And that’s not all of the news I have to tell you.”

  “Really? What else?”

  “Last night, someone put a deer head on the statue of Mary at the monastery. I’ve got a couple of deputies checking it out after they finish at the Fields’ house. They should be there soon. I’m definitely going to need to bring in some more help on this case.” Handing a stack of documents to John, the sheriff added, “Here’s a bunch of the initial reports that you’ll need to look over. I’ll send you more as I get them.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff. Seems I’ve got my work cut out for me. In regard to the vandalism, please let me know if it’s related to our case or not.”

  “Of course, Counselor.” Sheriff Johnson stood up and put his hat back on his head. “Well, I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.”

  “Have you spoken to the Fields family yet?” John asked.

  “Yes, I went by there earlier. They are heartbroken, as I’m sure you can understand.”

  “Are they going to be all right?”

  “Well, I think they’ll pull through, but I can’t imagine how much pain they’re dealing with emotionally. When I told them that it was a homicide, they fell apart.” His lips tightened. Shaking his head, he said, “They’re devastated, John ... Just devastated.”

  “Well, I would be, too.”

  With a deep sigh, Sheriff Johnson said, “I’m going to call the Maine’s forensics team in on this one as well. I don’t think I can solve this case on my own. We just don’t have the level of expertise on our team that we need. I don’t want anything slipping through the cracks.”

  When the sheriff paused, John asked, “Have you talked to anyone from that department yet?”

  “Yes, I went straight to the capital. His name is Dr. Peter Balkan. He is on the staff of the state’s Chief Medical Examiner. He comes highly recommended, but we may have trouble reaching him.”

  “Well, call him day and night if you have too. We want the best, and I don’t care if you have to go to his office and camp out on the sidewalks. Get him!” John said with enthusiasm.

  “I’ll do my best, Counselor.” Pausing a moment, the sheriff added, “Oh, I did find out that Deputy Shamberg found a fingerprint in Timmy’s room. They’re trying to find a match for the fingerprint now.” Shifting in his seat, he exclaimed, “Oh! Get this! Remember that magazine we found at that old fort? Well, guess whose name was written on the inside cover?”

  John joked, “Let me take a wild stab in the dark, Timmy’s friend, Carter Spurlock?”

  “Yep. And that’s not all. He had drawn a heart with an arrow through it. Inside, he had written the name Lisa; and even had little doodle marks all around it. How about that?”

  “Lisa, really? You think he had a crush on Timmy’s girlfriend?”

  “It’s possible. We even found a note that Lisa wrote to Timmy about Carter. Seems Carter had some other type of studying in mind. We’re going to talk to Lisa more about it to hear what she says about all of this.”

  “It sounds like he may be a good suspect then. Has he been interrogated yet?”

  “We asked him to cooperate with us, and he’s on his way in to headquarters now. I want to get some answers from that boy.”

  “Well, let me know what you find out. I can’t wait to hear what he had to say.” Glancing at his watch John grinned. “Well, I need to get going. I’ve got court in less
than an hour. Remember, I told you that I’ve been planning a special date with Katy?”

  “Yes, I do. Are you going to finally pop the big question?”

  “Yes, I’m going to ask her tonight. We’re having a special dinner at The Lighthouse. She doesn’t know it, but tonight I’m going to give her this.” Reaching in his pocket, John pulled out a little black velvet box and opened it.

  “Wow! Very nice.”

  “I got it out of the candy machine,” John teased as he stood up.

  Sheriff Johnson stood up and gave John a hardy pat on the back. Extending his hand out, he added, “Good luck, Counselor! I’ll let you know once I find out more info on everything.”

  Shaking the sheriff’s hand, John replied, “Thanks, Sheriff. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “See you later.” Sheriff Johnson waved as he headed out the door.

  CHAPTER 16

  As they turned into the driveway at the St. Francis Monastery, Deputies Williams and Shamberg could see the horrific sight. In the center of the snowy garden, the statue of Mother Mary was covered in what appeared to be deep red blood. In her hands, the statue held the severed head of a deer of which they had been warned.

  Shamberg was the first to notice the desecrated effigy. “Damn! Someone is pretty messed up in the head to do that.”

  Glancing at the sight briefly, Deputy Williams replied, “First, Timmy’s murder, and now this disgusting display of vandalism ... What has happened to our quiet town? And Maine is supposed to be about the safest state in America!”

  “It does seem like we’ve had our share of craziness lately. Hopefully, we’ll catch these nutjobs soon and get everything back to normal,” Shamberg commented.

  Deputy Williams parked the cruiser in a small lot near the garden and said, “Guess we should get started.”

  Shamberg nodded as they both got out and walked up the driveway and a few steps to the monastery’s front entrance. Raising the old wooden knocker against the door, Deputy Shamburg let it fall again. As the sound echoed throughout the hallways inside, they stood respectfully while the door opened slightly.