Murder at Police Station

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "Murder at Police Station"

  Robert C. Waggoner

  Copyright 2016 by Robert C. Waggoner

  Smashwords Edition

  -1-

  US Marshall Stacy Foreham stretched her shapely legs across the couch. She was relaxing at her father's house in Bandon, Oregon. She ran her fingers through her shoulder length mink brown hair and sighed deeply. Emotionally she was drained from the last case with a serial killer poisoning innocent homeless folks. For some reason, that she could not put her finger on, she felt an enormous weight lifted off when the team called her that the perpetrator was in custody.

  Stacy and her fellow Marshall Rory Caltex, a tall good looking man and sometimes a significant other, were enjoying some early spring weather on the southwest coast of Oregon. Spring had come late this year and she forgot how cold and windy this part of Oregon can be.

  She had moved to the kitchen, made a cup of green tea, sat down reflecting on their relationship. It came down to the fact he was too serious and wanted marriage. She felt she was too young to entertain marriage and had a promising career in law enforcement to consider. The downside was when he looked at her with those puppy dog deep dark blue eyes. However, for the last year he had been patient and savored what she was able to give him. As she finished off her tea, she decided to venture out to the wood shop where he and her father were wood working in his myrtlewood shop.

  After Ray Foreham retired from being the Chief of Police of Bandon, he built a large wood working shop alongside the carport next to the house. From the kitchen door to the shop was only a few steps to the door. Stacy's father was very happy spending his time in the wood shop. In addition to the wood shop, he and Fran operated a home cooking restaurant that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. It was only open from spring to summer and dinner only. Ray would help late in the afternoon till closing time. It kept him very busy, but he would tell you it kept him young!

  She thought that on this fine day she would visit her dear friend Smiling Sam. He had his ear to the ground not only just in Bandon, but in the whole county. He was a good listener and people loved to talk to him. Besides, he was the grandfather she never had.

  Stacy had in front of her a box with a gold Deputy Marshall badge that her boss Connie Wilson had sent her to award Sam with. In more than one case, Smiling Sam had helped her solve a case. In others he kept her focused on what she needed to do to put the bad guy behind bars. In one case, as Sam was a Jetty Fisherman, he caught a human arm. At first he thought it was a piece of driftwood. When he discovered what it really was, he literally ran to the park phone. Stacy scolded him for running. Sam was no spring chicken but he was over the retirement age. On such a beautiful day she guessed he was on the jetty fishing. It was time to visit her friend.

  After she went to the woodshop, which was detached from the main house, but connected by a breeze way, where she found Rory and her father, the ex Chief of Police in Bandon, hard at work sanding a piece of almost finished coffee table. She sidled up to the wood stove and warmed her backside. Her father said, "You off to see somebody daughter?"

  "Yup, sure am. I'm off to see a fisherman and see what he's caught on a slightly cool spring morning."

  Rory stopped sanding and said, "Want me to drive you?"

  She heard the eager tone in his voice, but this was just between her and Sam. "No thanks, but be ready for lunch with Sam and the two of you for a presentation we have for him."

  Rory smiled and her father looked at her rather strangely. He did not know Sam was about to receive a gift from the head of the US Marshall's bureau. She walked up to her curious father and showed him the inside of the box. She said, "Sorry I forgot to tell you that Connie saw fit to award Sam for his hard work for us." His bushy eyebrows rose up showing off his grey eyes to the shield shining back at him. He nodded and went back to his work.

  Stacy walked out to the motor home where she and Rory stayed while visiting. The only drawback of the motor home was the lack of hot water. Rory had promised to install an outside water heater. So far nobody has broken ground for the intended project. However he did say he ordered the tank and her father contacted the carpenters.

  After dressing warmly, she drove to the South Jetty. Pulling into the parking area, she saw Sam about half way down fishing. Not another soul was anywhere around. A few cars were there and some beach combers walked south looking for any beach treasure they could take home and show off to neighbors. Walking west down the jetty she was well aware that Sam saw her coming. When she got close he rose off his cushioned rock and stood on top of the jetty with his arms crossed. Needless to say he had an ear to ear smile for her. He could say the same of her. Stacy truly had a soft place in her heart for her friend.

  "To what do I owe this pleasure Stacy," asked Sam with tongue in cheek.

  "Dad sent me to ask if you had an extra fish for dinner tonight."

  "Now there you go already lying to your old friend. Rarely does your father eat any type of fish. However, I do have a good catch today, which is unusual as the fishing has been rather poor lately. I heard the radioactivity from Japan has reached our shores. Anyway, come sit down out of the wind a little bit. I just threw out a freshly baited hook."

  She followed him down to his rock. From out of his backpack he took out a small cushion for her to sit on. She smiled thinking he knew all along she would be down to see him today. He asked, "How are you doing little girl?"

  "I'm kind of overwhelmed with too much stress and tension lately after the last case. But I'm better already. Another day or so and I'll be back to normal. So, how about you," she asked, looking him in the eyes so he could not fool her.

  "I'm just fine," he said without blinking so she knew he was feeling good. But she also knew older people do not always tell the truth about how they feel. Like her father. When he straightens up after working, bent over his work table, a grunt escapes his pursed lips. If the truth be known, it's hard to grow old knowing your body is quickly deteriorating while the brain keeps chugging right along. If you watch closely, when out and about, a senior person will shake their heads at what you think is nothing, but the truth is balance and navigating are the two biggest problems of elder folks.

  "I came to invite you to lunch," said Stacy with a look that he could not refuse.

  "Happy to oblige you my dear," he said while seeing his pole take a dive. "Hang on a moment while I catch a friend's dinner."

  After landing a nice bottom fish, Stacy helped him carry his stuff to her SUV. But first he asked her to go downtown to deliver the fish to his friend.

  Bandon's Old Town is next to the Coquille River and its only two streets a few blocks long. During the summer time, thousands of tourists flock to Bandon to see the unique gift shops, which contain local Myrtlewood items from delicately carved to table size. Also, driftwood from the beach can be made into lamps; another treasure from the beach is agates. Agates are used for various things. Jewelry is only one thing you will find in a gift shop.

  Stacy slowly drives down the waterfront. Sam spotted his friend and asked to stop for a minute. He got out and exchanged buckets with an old timer and returned to the vehicle ready to go home. "Stacy he is one of my sources in the community that whispers in my ear on occasion. I've known him for fifty years or more. He's not getting along very well these days and soon I fear he will be absent from our town. It won't be long, Stacy, and you'll find me running around Bandon in my electric wheelchair. I'm not telling you this because I want you to understand life begins and ends. I'm telling you because when we see each other I want it to be as rich and powerful as two people can experience. I hope I'm not being melancholy."

  "No Sam, not at all. I've seen my father
go through his life and when you see the years go by, well, it shows me a picture of life from beginning to end. However, Sam, you've still many years ahead of you, and so does my father. Focus on the positive and ignore the negative side of life."

  Stacy drove Sam home. He said, "I agree and let me out so I can clean up from the fish smell. I'll call you when I'm ready, and after that when you're ready, let's go."

  "Will an hour be good for you?"

  "Just perfect. Why don't you just pull up and I'll be out in a flash," he said getting out with his fishing gear.

  Back home Stacy told her father and Rory that lunch would be in about an hour. Both groaned a little as they were really into putting the final sanding to the piece. However, Rory dusting off his hands, hurried to the motor home for a brisk three minute shower.

  Father on the other hand, washed up and changed his clothes so as to be presentable in public. He never lost sight of the fact he was Bandon's Police Chief for more years than he could remember. People still called him Chief.

  Rory drove with the Chief riding shotgun. Stacy as usual sat in the back where she was the most comfortable. They did not even have to honk a horn as Sam came quickly out of his house, and down the stairs to join his friends for lunch. He seemed especially happy. Stacy wondered if he had inside information yet, but really doubted it. "Morning Chief," Sam said.

  "You too and how was the fishing today?"

  "Not bad and I caught a whopper while Stacy's presence, brought me luck," he said laughing. Even Rory burst out with a sincere chuckle.

  "If you ask Rory what kind of a catch I am – maybe, just maybe, he would not eat so much," said Stacy. "All of us know he eats all the wrong things, but never gains a pound. We also wonder what his cholesterol reading is.

  "What has that to do with catching you Super," Rory asked.

  "If you finally caught me you could not afford to pay for all the food you eat! I plan on living in a very expensive house overlooking the ocean. To decorate will break your bank, Tall Man."

  That brought on a new round of laughter from all of them as they pulled into the parking lot of their favorite restaurant in New Town just across the street from the police station. It never failed when the Chief arrived; it seemed like the old days. He had been coming to this restaurant since he was just out of high school.

  They were welcomed with open arms. The familiar waitress gave Stacy and her father both a hug. She winked at Sam as if she knew something he did not know. She led them to a table for four and left menus to be used if needed. None of the four needed a menu as all, including Rory had it memorized a long time ago.

  Rory decided to take it easy on lunch today. He remembered what Stacy had said about being a good catch. He also knew she was probably just teasing him. Regardless he settles for an eight ounce steak sandwich with a large chocolate shake. Everybody else had a normal lunch and the special was had by the other three.

  Sam said, "I'm happy to be with all of you but what's the occasion?"

  "Nothing special that I know of Sam," Ray responded without cracking a smile.

  Rory shrugged his shoulders while watching for the waitress and his food. Stacy kept her eyes down, but Sam was smarter than most folks. He knew there was a reason, but what he had not a clue. Lunch came and when it was over, coffee and tea was served. Rory had pie and ice cream which seemed to prolong the lunch.

  "Sam," Stacy said, "I've a gift for you from the head of the US Marshall's agency Connie Wilson." She fumbled in her coat pocket while Sam had a very quizzical look upon his face. "Ah, here it is. Open it up and we all hope you like it." She passed the wooden box over and even Rory quit shoveling pie into the mouth and watched.

  Sam looked at all three and then opened it up slowly. The gleam of the gold badge struck him hard in the eyes. His mouth dropped open. He slowly reached into the box with his shaky hand. He lifted it out of its nest of purple cloth. He read the inscription: Deputy US Marshall.

  Sam looked up and around the table. All saw a tear roll down his lined cheeks. Even the waitress was standing back watching. He said, "I don't know what to say. I only wish I was forty years younger, but I'll settle for this wonderful gift anytime of my life."

  "Sam this was purely Connie's idea. She has a knack for names and people who assist all of her Marshalls. She knew how many times you have helped me and our team investigate violent crimes. Congratulations deputy."

  -2-

  It was seven am straight up when a pounding on the front door occurred the next morning. Stacy had just taken a shower. She was sitting at the kitchen table in her bathrobe. Fran had left early to do some kitchen work at the restaurant. Father and Rory were in the woodshop building a wood fire for the day's work ahead.

  Stacy ran to the door to stop the incessant banging. When she opened the door there stood Officer James Fletcher with a scared look on his face. He blurted out, "Stacy, the Chief has been murdered in his office at the station."

  Stacy with one hand squeezed her robe closer at the neck and said, "Come in James. Follow me to tell Dad and Rory while I go get dressed. They're in the wood shop." She hurried out the kitchen door to the shop. They found Rory and her father drinking coffee beside the pot bellied stove. They turned to see a worried look on Stacy's face. Right on her heals was James Fletcher sporting his new sergeants stripes. Stacy said, "Rory get your murder bag ready. I'll be right back after I get dressed."

  James quickly told them what he had seen this morning after opening up the station. Bandon did not have a dispatcher these days because of budget cuts. The 911 calls went to the sheriff's office in Coquille just eighteen miles away. They did have a dayshift dispatcher in addition to swing shift person. On most days either James or Chief Eagle Feather opened up the station house. "I opened the door as usual and went in. I walked by the Chief's office and noticed the light was on. I thought that a bit strange if he was here why didn't he leave the door unlocked. I rapped on his half closed door and went in. He was sitting up in his big desk chair with his head lolled over to one side. I first noticed a bright red patch of his forehead was missing at the hairline. I secondly noticed a knife sticking out of his chest near the heart area. I could tell he was dead and I didn't want to disturb the crime scene so I rushed out closing his office door, taped a crime scene tape across it and ran out the door locking it behind me. I came here straight away," he said rather breathlessly.

  Stacy came in looking fresh and lovely. She wore jeans and sweatshirt over a lavender turtle neck. Rory's heart began to pound and he had to look away as he felt some action down lower where it could be very embarrassing to say the least. They all hurried out the door to Rory's SUV.

  At the station Flo Medders was waiting. Flo was on temporary duty as the regular dispatcher was sick with the flu. Formally she was Chief Ray Foreham's secretary and dispatcher when Stacy was a mere police officer. Nowadays she worked at Ray and Fran's restaurant during the tourist season. She said, "Bout time someone got here. Why the door is locked James? Oh, hi Chief and Stacy and Rory."

  Flo had been around too long to not realize there was a problem inside or somewhere. From the looks on their faces, she knew there was not just a problem, but a big problem. She followed all inside. She immediately saw the yellow crime scene tape across the Chief's door. However, curious as she was, instead she went to work getting her work station in order.

  James removed the tape and Stacy led them inside the office. They all stood back so as not to disturb any evidence left behind. They all looked closely at the dead body. A long thirty seconds later Rory said, "My God he's been scalped!"

  Stacy said, "Call Ben while I call the coroner. Also call the CSI team with that smart mouth macho guy who was here when we investigated the Myrtlewood murder."

  ''I’m on it. Should Ben fly down or drive," ask Rory.

  Stacy thought a minute and then said, "Not that big a hurry Tall Man. He can drive."

  Next she called the Coos Bay coroner. She tried to remember his
name and just as his secretary came on line, she said, "This is US Marshall Foreham. We've a dead body at the Bandon Police Station. Please send Dr. Spencer please."

  "He's standing right here Marshall. He heard your request and says he's on his way."

  Stacy was continuing to stare at the body trying to determine why someone would scalp him. She saw her father at the window looking for clues. It occurred to him that if the door was locked, how did the killer get in and out? We must check his pockets for his keys."

  Rory broke in and said, "Dan's driving down and I've called that CSI dude Doug Warner. He didn't sound too excited to come. I'll go talk to Flo while you wait for the coroner. She might have remembered something."

  "Hey, Tall Man, go get Smiling Sam. He might have heard some rumors of interest in this case. Here's his big chance to wear the badge," she said smiling. Meanwhile she went to her old situation room. It still had writing on the whiteboard from the last case where her father's best friend, Walt Rawlings, was murdered by a jealous twin sister.

  She took an eraser and wiped it clean. Then she went to her former desk and made it ready for the work ahead. The place needed dusting so she found some cleaning supplies in a cupboard and went to cleaning. However, her mind was not on cleaning but the homicide fronting them.

  Stacy wondered why the victim, a Native American, was scalped. It was true in history some white men would scalp an Indian, but this was the 21st century and not the 18th century. Also, he had not been here very long. Not long enough to make enemies, but he must have rubbed someone or something very wrongly to have been murdered so violently. She stopped her cleaning and went to the phone to call Connie back east. She needed to know more about Lance Eagle Feather.

  Connie as usual answered right away even though it was half past four in the morning back in Washington DC. "What up Super," she joked using Rory's nickname for Stacy. I'm just finishing my first cup of coffee."

  "Bad news I'm afraid. The new Chief of Police, Lance Eagle Feather has been murdered in his office. On top of a knife to the heart, he was scalped. It would help the investigation to know more about the victim's history."