“Well, she doesn’t know much,” Netter said. “The doorbell rang around twelve thirty. The guy said he had a delivery for Benjamin Tucker.” Netter sat in the armchair across from me. “She says you were expecting a package.”
“Yeah,” I nodded, “reference books I ordered on the internet. This has got to be some kind of sick coincidence. No one knew about the books coming except me, Roberta, and CRC Press.”
Netter looked around. “Where’s that package?”
“It’s not here yet.”
“Did she get a good look at him?” Lainie asked.
“A look, but not a good look,” Netter said. “She said he was tall … over six feet … and a white guy. He was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie. He had on sunglasses and a baseball cap under the hood. He carried the box on his shoulder between his face and her, so she didn’t get a good look. She also said there was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.”
A uniformed officer entered and stood waiting for Netter.
“Did she say anything else?” I asked.
He grinned. “Yeah, she tipped him ten bucks.”
Netter turned to the officer. “What’s up?”
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant. The media’s here … lookin’ for somebody to say something.”
“Tell the vultures I’ll give them a statement at …” He looked at his watch. “Three thirty.”
“Also, we’ve spoken with the neighbors,” the officer added. “A couple of them remember a light-colored sedan parked in front of the Tucker residence. They noticed only that it was light in color—no specifics. No make, model, or year, and no tag numbers. There’s also a UPS delivery man here that says he has a package for Mr. Tucker.” Netter and I looked at each other.
“Bring it in here,” he said, “and put it in the hall.” Then he jumped up. “No, wait! I wanna check this son of a bitch out personally.” He walked out with the officer.
A few minutes later, he returned and set the box on the entryway console table. “It’s legit,” he said. “Coincidence! I hate fucking coincidence!”
“Do you think it might be something else?”
Netter thought for a moment. “No. I don’t think so. My gut tells me this is one of those times when coincidence pops up and bites you in the balls.”
Cox walked in. “Just finished with the housekeeper,” he said. He turned to me. “I also got word from Skelnik. Your computer shows hours of continuous use the afternoon of the ninth. It also shows continuous use from 3:45 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. on April 3, the date of the Knudsen murder. So unless somebody else hacked in, you’re in the clear on both. Sorry, Tucker … about before.”
“Don’t worry about it, Sir. No hard feelings, Detective Buttface.” The three of them laughed. “Does this mean I’m back on the task force?”
“No,” Netter said sternly. “You’re still too close.”
I was disappointed but totally expected it.
I said to Cox, “So have you seen Skelnik?”
He grinned, “Yeah, he’s somethin’ else, isn’t he?”
“What about him?” Netter asked.
Cox replied. “This guy is about the biggest nerd you can imagine. I especially like the black basketball shoes. I think they’re Converse All Stars.”
I laughed. “And he wears one of those plastic pocket protectors. Can you believe it?” Cox and Lainie stopped laughing as Netter slid open the left side of his jacket exposing his plastic pocket protector with three pens in it.
I leaned over and examined it. “Wow, that thing’s pretty grungy lookin’. Next time I’m out I’ll stop at an antique shop and get you a new one.”
The front door opened, and a gurney was rolled in by two men wearing navy blue jackets. On their backs it read ‘Wake County Medical Examiner’ in white block letters. They began to unfold a black body bag. Dr. Huffman was ready to remove the remains.
I looked the other way as Huffman’s team gently removed the head from the box and placed it in the body bag. The box was then placed in a large evidence bag, sealed, and labeled. Fifteen minutes later, Huffman released the scene to Netter and left with his team.
“Like I said before, this guy Plum works with his hands,” Lainie said. “I’m betting he has an eight-to-five job just like most people. He came here at twelve thirty. That would be his lunch hour. Which means he probably works within a thirty-minute radius of here.”
“Makes sense,” Netter nodded, “but there are a hell of a lot of places to work within a half-hour of here.”
He left, and Lainie stayed with me while Detective Cox took my statement. There was not much I could say. I didn’t see anyone or anything—other than opening that god-awful box.
When we finished, I took my shopping list from the drawer of my desk and stuck it in my pocket. It was getting late, and I needed to get Amanda Jane to her therapy session with the grief counselor. It was even more important now.
I offered Lainie a ride back to her car at the Cary Police Department, and she accepted. We went to the main house and entered the kitchen area, where Marcus and Roberta were still sitting at the table. Roberta was pale and visibly shaken, her head lowered, staring at the table and not saying a word. I squeezed her shoulder gently and handed my list to Marcus.
“I think it’s time to go shopping,” I said.
He scanned the list. “A few of these items will need purchase permits,” he said.
“I’ve got the permits. I just need the goods.”
Marcus nodded. “You got it. I’ll let you know when you can pick it up. We’ll handle this through Harry’s. Bring the permits with you. Also, Charles Brackus from Brackus Security Systems will be stopping by tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. I told him to give you whatever you want and send the bill to me.”
“Thanks.”
I went upstairs and gave Maggie the sketchy description of Plum, and asked her to tell Julie and Nora to be on the lookout for anyone even remotely matching that description. Everyone was to carry their cell phones at all times and call me or 911 if they saw or sensed anything wrong at all. We would ask questions later. I came back down with a very somber Amanda Jane. Minutes later, we were on our way, with Agent MacKenzie in the back seat.
Lainie had generously offered to stay with us until after my daughter’s appointment. She also felt it was important for Amanda Jane to talk with the therapist as soon as possible.
We arrived at Dr. Whitley’s office in Raleigh shortly before five thirty. After introducing Lainie to the doctor, Amanda Jane and I entered Dr. Whitley’s office and sat next to one another on a sofa across from the doctor’s armchair. Lainie stayed in the waiting room.
I spent the next half hour discreetly describing the events of the previous week. Amanda Jane broke into tears several times as we discussed the edited details pertaining to her mother’s death.
Dr. Whitley finally asked to speak privately with Amanda Jane, and I joined Lainie in the waiting room.
“How’s she doing?” Lainie asked.
I shook my head. “She’s pretty messed up. Me too.”
An uneasy forty minutes later, the door opened, and Dr. Whitley asked both me and Agent MacKenzie to join her. We sat on each side of Amanda Jane.
Dr. Whitley sat down and sighed. “Mr. Tucker, your daughter has experienced a series of psychologically traumatizing events. She didn’t even have a chance to begin to deal with the loss of her mother before being thrust into another staggering and untenable shocking situation.”
“I know,” I said softly. I gently put my arm around my daughter.
Dr. Whitley continued. “It appears to me that this situation is extremely dangerous and, frankly, still deteriorating. I believe it is in the best interest of your daughter that she be removed from your home immediately and temporarily placed with her Aunt Patty. I have taken the liberty of calling her, and she will be here momentarily.”
I was stunned. “No way! You’re not taking my daughter!”
“M
r. Tucker … Ben, you’re taking this personally.”
I looked from Amanda Jane to Dr. Whitley and raised my voice. “You better believe I’m taking it personally. This is my daughter. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone take her away from me!”
Dr. Whitley leaned forward. “Ben, it’s best if you agree to this. I don’t want to bring Child Protective Services into this, but I will if I have to. I truly believe her present situation is unacceptable.”
I jumped up, enraged, and pointed my finger at Whitley, “You can’t do this! You can’t take my daughter! I’m a good father!” Amanda Jane began to cry.
Lainie stood and pulled me away. She made me look at her. “Ben, she can do what she says. Her obligation is the well-being of Amanda Jane. It will be bad for you if you fight this.”
“I don’t care,” I said. “I need to protect her.” I looked over at my daughter with tears in my eyes.
“It’s okay, Daddy. I’ll be all right at Aunt Patty’s. I don’t want you to get in trouble.” She stood, and I held her tightly.
I looked painfully at Dr. Whitley for what seemed like an eternity. I couldn’t say anything. I just shook my head in disbelief.
After Patty arrived, Lainie and I left Dr. Whitley’s office and sat alone in the waiting room in silence. My heart was aching, and I was confused. How could this be happening? Fifteen minutes later, the door opened and Dr. Whitley came out followed by Patty and Amanda Jane.
“They’re ready to leave now, Ben. But would you and Agent MacKenzie stay for a few minutes.”
Lainie interrupted. “Dr. Whitley, the perpetrator of this crime believes Amanda Jane is staying with her father. I would like him to continue believing that for the safety of the child. He may be watching Jennifer’s memorial taking place on Thursday. I recommend that Ben pick his daughter up at Ms. Reardon’s home that morning and take her back there afterward. This will give the appearance to anyone observing the memorial that Amanda Jane is still living with him.”
Dr. Whitley thought for a second. “I agree,” she said.
“Don’t worry, Ben. I’ll take care of her.” Patty had sincere kindness in her voice.
“I know.”
I leaned down and hugged my daughter so tightly it must have hurt her, but she didn’t complain. When they left, I stared out the window as the two of them walked across the parking lot, got into Patty’s SUV, and drove off.
“My daughter’s gone,” I said softly. I lowered my face into my hands and wept.
“Take as long as you need, Ben,” Dr. Whitley said. “You’ve also been through a lot over the last several days. If not dealt with, the emotional upheaval you’ve experienced could build. It could eventually release in the form of uncharacteristic behavior, including dangerous, self-destructive behavior, or even violence. I recommend that you also seek therapy. I specialize in children and adolescents, but I’ll give you a few names. She left momentarily and returned with three names scratched on a sheet torn from her desk calendar.”
I looked at her with disgust and hatred. “With all due respect, doctor. You just took my baby girl away from me. So you can keep your list.” I walked out and Lainie followed.
Lainie offered to call Maggie and tell her what had happened. Drained, I gratefully accepted.
It was only a ten minute drive from Dr. Whitley’s to the Cary Police Department to pick up Lainie’s car. I assured her I was okay and left.
It was seven thirty when I returned to the estate. The Channel Fourteen News van was still parked in front of the main house. Netter was just finishing his investigation and greeted me.
“MacKenzie called and told me about Amanda Jane,” he said. “I’m real sorry it worked out that way. It’s the damn double standard. There’s no way they’d do this if you were a woman.” He patted me on the back. “Don’t worry, Ben, as soon as we nail this son of a bitch, she’ll be back here with you where she belongs.”
“Thanks, John.”
“I have to tell ya, this Plum is one brazen motherfucker to walk in here like this. He’s just shoven’ it in our faces. But that’s the bad news and the good news. Because if he keeps this shit up, we’re gonna nail him! I sure hope he gives me a reason to drop him.”
He pointed back to the main house. “If Roberta remembers anything at all about where she might have seen this son of a bitch, you call me—even at home. I don’t give a shit if it’s two in the morning!”
Netter left, and I walked in the back door of the main house. Everyone had already eaten. The kitchen was clean with a covered plate left on the center island. I assumed it was for me. Marcus had left, and Nora was now home. She, Maggie, and Julie were sitting in the great room watching TV, trying to get their minds off what happened earlier. Maggie looked at me and nodded silently toward Roberta who was once again sitting at the breakfast table, staring down and saying nothing. I walked over to her and hugged her.
She slowly looked up at me. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Ben. I’m so sorry.”
I gave her another hug. “You had no way of knowing.”
I left and returned in a minute with Johnny Walker Blue and two glasses filled with ice. I placed one of the glasses in front of her, poured it half full, and then did the same for myself.
I pointed to her glass. “Now that is a drink for a man,” I said sternly.
She looked at me, fighting back tears, and I gave her the biggest smile humanly possible.
“Someday, Mr. Ben, you and I will talk to Jesus—together.”
I laughed and lifted my glass. “That’ll be the day, Roberta. That’ll be the day.”
CHAPTER 25
The next morning Roberta served omelets with sausages and fresh fruit. Not much was said at the breakfast table and Amanda Jane’s empty chair was a stark reminder of the preceding day’s events. In an effort to calm frazzled nerves, I described the new security system that was going to be installed. It didn’t help much. I tried recommending that they all pack some things and head to Larkspur until Plum was captured or killed. But Maggie insisted on staying at least until Friday— that damn fundraiser at the Museum.
Maggie’s meeting with Marcus, Murdock, and LeGrenierre would resume in the drawing room at nine o’clock. Charles Brackus was expected an hour later to make plans for the new security system.
By eight thirty, everyone was showered and dressed. I took Oscar outside to investigate new smells around the grounds from recent police activity. Maggie had barricaded herself in the drawing room with her laptop to begin finalizing plans for the new ‘Maggie’ fashion line to be introduced next January.
Nora came out and joined me while I guarded the pool. She was carrying a small paper bag. She came up to me, and I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, but when I let go, she had a troubled look.
“Don’t worry, Nora,” I said. “The police will find this nut case and things will get back to normal. And Amanda Jane will be back here with us.”
She nodded. “I know,” she said softly. She was holding something back.
“What? There’s something you’re not telling me.”
“I’m in trouble, Benji. I need your help.” The concern on her face said she wasn’t kidding.
I led her to a teak bench in the rose garden. “Sit here and tell me about it.”
She began explaining. “Yesterday, I was at the club. And you probably don’t know this but there’s an off-track betting facility there.” She continued uncomfortably. “There have been occasions when I have placed bets on the horses.” I acted like I knew nothing about her gambling. “Anyway, yesterday there was a horse running named Henry’s Lady. I took it as a sign from my beloved Henry, and I bet fifteen thousand dollars to win.”
I whistled. “That’s a chunk of change.” I looked to make sure no one was around. “How much do you need?”
She shook her head. “Oh no, I don’t need any money. Henry’s Lady won by three lengths. But now I have this.” She handed me the bag.
It was filled with cash.
“Jesus, Nora, how much is in here?”
“A little over eighty-seven thousand dollars. Henry’s Lady paid eight to one! I won well over a hundred thousand dollars, but they took a lot out for taxes. It never occurred to me that I might really win. I don’t need the money, and I don’t want Margaret to find out. Can you get rid of this for me?”
“Did you have to give them a social security number?”
She nodded.
“Well, I think, you’re toast. Maggie will certainly find out next year when your taxes get done. She’s too sharp to miss an additional hundred grand in income.”
I could see Nora deflate and I hugged her again. “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’ll explain it to Maggie on a really good day after a couple of glasses of wine. Trust me, I know how to butter her up. And as angry as she gets, she still hasn’t killed me … yet. So I’ll take the bag, and mum’s the word. Okay?”
“Thanks, Benji.” She kissed me, stood and started to leave, then stopped. “You know, you’re the son I always wanted. You accept me just the way I am. Don’t get me wrong. I love Robert. But sometimes he can be such an arrogant … turd.” Robert was Maggie’s younger brother.
I laughed as she smiled and left.
Oscar and I returned to the main house and hid the money bag in my bedroom closet. I poured cups of coffee for Roberta and me, and we sat at the breakfast table.
Although the last week and a half had been a disaster, I was enjoying my newfound camaraderie with Roberta. I tested the waters.
“Roberta, sometimes I feel a little insecure about being the second man in Maggie’s life. What did you think of her first husband, David?”
She slammed her fist on the table and spewed out a tongue-lashing in Spanish that scorched the kitchen walls. She ended it with a gesture that obviously meant castration.
“Well, I didn’t understand a word of that,” I said, “but I got the idea.”
I leaned back in my chair. “Yesterday you told Netter there was something familiar about Plum. Do you remember how?”
She just looked at me. “What?” I asked.
“I don’t want you to get upset,” she said.
Vengeance is Mine - A Benjamin Tucker Mystery Page 13
