"With Gloria gone, that leaves Nancy Brown as the head of the book club. That's presuming there will be a book club. Maybe she'll move the meetings to Coos Bay," said Stacy.
With Rory's tank topped off, slightly bulging, they went to the office to meet with Sharon, Ben and Sam. Rory and Stacy picked Sam up with a side tour of the crime scene. A deputy was on duty and they waved as they went by.
At the office Ben said, "The truck stop guy in Coburg called me back. He told me that National had been taken over by Brown Trucking Company. I've a call into them now. I don't hold much hope out for finding what happened to the daughter. I wonder what would happen if the estate of Abrams contacted the news media to see if an ad would produce the daughter?"
"We're going to see the lawyer and I'll ask him. Meanwhile, Sharon, contact Rhonda and get all the information on the suspects background checks. Additionally find out who each book club members agent. I want to know sales for each of them – including the victim."
"Rory and Sam, why don't you interview the secretary Norma Caldwell? Ben and I'll go visit Nancy Brown and see the lawyer Brad Mason in Coos Bay
By phone, Rory found Norma at home and in a rather cheerful mood. She readily agreed to an interview anytime they were ready. Rory was rather taken aback at her attitude. Sam said he was too, as she was known for being a little cranky at times.
They arrived about twenty minutes later on a rather sunny, but windy day. Norma lived in a middle class part of town that suited her pension as a retired nurse very well. Sam knew where she lived. They found the door in need of a paint job. A knock brought a plus sized woman to the door. To Rory, she was ordinary in every way possible. From her mousy brown short hair, to her chubby red cheeks, and on down to her ratty pink slippers she wore. The house dress could have been in somebody's yard sale recently.
She said, "Pardon my dress as I'm in the process of giving my house a good cleaning. Now please sit down and would either one of you enjoy some coffee?"
Both men declined and waited for her to get comfortable in her lopsided Lazy Boy recliner. Rory recognized the recliner as his mother had an one identical to this, but his mother was not plus size. Her recliner was pristine or it would have been out the door to the Salvation Army. Rory said, "Ms. Caldwell, tell us about your relationship with Gloria Abrams."
"I think it was about ten years ago that I'd gotten word that Gloria Abrams was looking for a part time nurse to keep an eye on her. She was in her seventies then. I went to see her and I agreed to attend her part time at an hourly rate. She agreed and I started my employment. I'd have to remind her to pay me, but aside from the grumbling, she wrote a check regularly. She would argue the amount of hours so I wrote them on a calendar each day. She couldn't quibble about my time. She's such a tight wad. For her prescriptions she'd want to shop for generics. The pharmacy in town billed her for her medicines. Well, as time went on she became more fussy and I'd have to sit wherever she did. I couldn’t' leave the room! As soon as I did she'd call me back over some silly thing. After a few years – I can't remember how many – I decided to end my employment. After I told her I was leaving, she had a fit and told me she'd be a nice patient from now on. I told her I didn't believe her for one minute. Then she said to me and I quote: 'Norma I've made provisions for you in my will. It's a substantial amount. Stay with me and I'll help you publish your novel you're writing.'"
"Did you believe her Norma," asked Rory.
"In my heart I knew she was a lying snag. But, I made a deal with her. She had to show me the will, or at least the part about me, or I'd leave after two weeks. Well, to my surprise she had a copy of the part of the will to show me."
"Did she give you the copy," asked Rory.
"No, but I didn't ask for it either. Now let me tell you want happened just a few weeks ago Marshall. At a meeting, she told all of us she had something important to say to everybody. She said that she'd made a new will that the old will, made two years ago, would be void. That told me she cut me out of her will. She'd let on to all of us that we would be involved in the distribution of her empire. She used the word 'empire.'"
''I see," said Rory. Would you be so angry to see a way to seek revenge Norman?"
"If you're suggesting I killed her – well – I guess it could be seen that way. Sure I was upset, but like I said before: in my heart I knew she was full of baloney. As a nurse I treat sick people, I don't kill them, Marshall."
"I thank you for your time Norma. By the way, if you didn't kill her – who did?"
"I'm not sure, but between Bee and Nancy – you might look that way – but not to forget the house keeper."
"In what way should I not forget the housekeeper, Norma," asked a puzzled looking Rory for effect. The quizzical look worked because people love to know something you do not know and want to know. It's a power thing we learn from grade school: a secret.
"The housekeeper was looking for a piece of the pie, Marshall. Then when she was informed that nothing was coming her way, she through a fit. She said, and I quote, "I'll fix your wagon – just wait and see.'"
"Again thanks, Norma. I'm sure we'll be back for some more of your excellent recollection.
Without too much trouble, Ben and Stacy found Nancy Brown's residence. Stacy had called on the way up for a time this morning for an interview. Nancy balked, but Stacy said, "Ms. Brown, this is a murder case. Either cooperate or we have to take you to the police station for questioning. You might need a lawyer at the station, but if you are honest and open, then no lawyer is needed; but as you know, it's your right to have representation. Now having said that would nine-thirty be okay with you?"Stacy turned to Ben smiling.
Nancy met Stacy and Ben just after a ring of the bell. She put forth a fake smile, but her voice was laden with a smokers grating sound. Ben recalled later, at first, it was the awful perfume. Then the coifed dyed black hair was not going to be mussed even during a gale force storm which regularly hits the Southern Coast. Like Sara Horner, she was tall and thin. Her yellow pant suit contrasted with her red rouge cheeks. Her face was lined, making her long nose feel right at home, Ben thought. She led them to the living room which, surprisingly, was furnished in the latest styles being incongruent with the house and neighborhood.
All decided to use first names. Stacy asked, "Who do you think murdered Gloria Abrams, Nancy?"
Ben loved the way Stacy interviewed. Sometimes she nailed them from the beginning, or the next time, beat around the bush with irrelevant questions.
Nancy's mouth dropped open revealing nicotine stained dentures. She looked around as if someone or something would help her answer the leading question. A lick of the lips and she said, "I don't know who killed her. I know I didn't. I've no reason or – as you say – motive for killing Gloria."
"How did you come to join the book club, Nancy – and when?"
"I can't remember when it was, but maybe five years ago. Because I write novels, that's why I joined the club. I'm not a NY Times Best Seller, but a few bucks come my way each quarter. I'll admit we squabble a lot at our meetings as to who is the best author and sells the most. I'll also admit that Gloria Abrams was a real bitch at times. She has an agent in Portland. I think she pays him off to send high sales records of her books. Anyway, I heard about the book club through a friend that does business at my husband's bank. I'm the VP now as the last VP passed on rather suddenly."
Stacy did not miss the reference to 'my husband's bank' and then Ben asked, ''Could you explain what happened suddenly to the last VP?"
''She wasn't poisoned, if that's what you're asking. She choked on a blueberry muffin while eating lunch. We tried the Heimlich but it didn't work. She turned blue and then died. She was well liked and we'll miss her for sure."
"Are you saying she died at a book club meeting," asked Ben.
"Indeed she did. The death was accidental the doctor said."
"How did you get along with Gloria Abrams," asked Stacy.
"We argued a lot
over things like how to promote our books. We wanted to visit a few shows where agents show up, but Gloria was too cheap to spend the club's money. When we voted on it she glared at each of us to dare one to say yes. I raised the issue one day saying why do we even have a book club if we don't explore ways and means to promote our work? Her reply was that we all share our writing for comments within the club. We're supposed to make suggestions and critique other works. But everybody was scared to share their manuscripts --me included. Gloria told me to shut up and enjoy our meetings. I sat there and burned. But, for some reason, I kept coming."
Ben saw her lower her eyes and play the part of a do-gooder. Indeed, she was a poor actress with the pity me attitude. Ben said, "Are you the only one of the members with a backbone?"
This took Nancy by surprise, but she sat up straight and said, "I'm not sure about that, but now I’m the new President of our book club, maybe we can spend some of the cash that has been building for many years. There's a writer’s conference later this fall in Portland. I think we'll all go see what can learn."
"I think that is all for the present time Nancy. We'll need further interviews as the case develops. We're looking at fingerprints on the Milk of Magnesium bottle that held the poison, but no results yet. A police officer will come by later and fingerprint you Nancy. It's just procedure, mind you," said Stacy watching closely her reaction.
Ben saw a flicker in her face, but nothing out of the ordinary. They left to have lunch before meeting the lawyer. On the way to the restaurant, Stacy asked, "Ben, what do you think about Nancy Brown interview?"
"She omits and stretches the truth while trying to make herself more important. It's clear she had a lot to gain by the victim's death. It elevates her social status and her ability to promote whatever writing she's doing. She’s on my prime suspect list. How about you?"
"I echo your thoughts, Ben. Yet, I'm holding back until we hear what the lawyer has to say."
With lunch over and both sipping bitter tea and coffee, it was time to go see the lawyer. Both hoped for some lead to be gained after the meeting. However, both held in reserve any startling revelations of the Abrams last will and testament.
Ellie Stamp, the attorney’s secretary, greeted the investigators pleasantly and efficiently. Ben admired her somewhat plain looks, but in spite of her keen intelligent. She said, "Mr. Mason is waiting for you. Please follow me."
Ben liked the office with its earth colors from the floor and up the walls. The ceiling was off-white to give the space some light. As they entered, Stacy stereotyped a male lawyer's office, which was massive and contained dark colored furniture. The one wall was full of books, which were, upon inspection by Ben, dust free and neatly lined up on the mahogany shelves.
An elderly silver haired man struggled to stand up to greet the two investigators. Ben felt a strong handshake and just maybe the old lawyer was looking for a bit of sympathy showing his old age. Stacy saw a thin man with an also thin mustache, but intense gray, probing eyes looked her over. He said, "Please take a seat and let's get down to business."
Stacy opened the meeting saying, "Thanks for seeing us on such short notice Mr. Mason."
"Call me Brad please. For way too many years people of all ages have been calling me Mr. I'm tired of it. Now, let me see to the details of the last will of Gloria Abrams." He opened a thick file which surprised Stacy that it was full of documents and not just a will. "I'll tell you the whole thing and you can do what you want with it. First, half of what comprises the entire holdings is given to charities both local and national. I suppose you want to know the estimated value because the other half concerns certain individuals. The best estimate is in excess of one hundred million dollars. Now as to the how the remainder is allocated. Half of the remainder is left for the daughter Erica Lee Abrams. She has five years to claim the inheritance. We'll advertise nationally for her whereabouts. Next is the Book Worm Club. She leaves fifty thousand to the club's treasury. The current members will each receive twenty thousand dollars each.
The housekeeper, Kay Strong, receives fifty thousand dollars. My firm receives one million dollars for a life time work. The local fire department receives one million for new equipment when needed. That's really all that would concern you. There's a long list of other agencies, churches and so on that comprise the estate. A large sum goes to the town itself for gentrification to draw upon tourists coming here through advertising and actual construction work. The mayor will oversee the project. That ends the details. Any questions?"
"Do you have an idea where the daughter might be and why she left town at such a young age," asked Stacy.
"The only information I have is from what Mr. Abrams told me many years ago. He said that she'd left a note that she was leaving dreary Bandon with her new boyfriend who drives truck. He went on to say that the daughter was sorry for causing trouble and would let them know where she was later. That's all I know."
"Thanks. When will you let the others know about the contents of the will?"
"I've already sent a letter to the book club and to Kay Strong to meet me at the home of the deceased tomorrow after lunch. You're welcome to attend if you would like to."
"Yes we would like to attend. Thanks again for your time. Here is my card in case you remember something from the past that lend a hand to our case." He took her card and then with some surprise in his old wrinkled face said:
"Now I know. You're the daughter of Chief Foreham in Bandon. So you're the famous homicide detective that solves murder cases. Forgive me saying so, but you're so young and pretty I'd think you'd be a teacher or lawyer or something like that."
She smiled. “Thanks for the compliment, Stacy said, as the color warmed her cheeks. My father told me you're a good people's lawyer who has remained honest to the profession. We'll say good bye now."
On the drive back to Bandon, both Stacy and Ben were quiet thinking about the generous allocations of cash to the members of the book club and the housekeeper. It was also apparent to Stacy and Ben that the victim had been playing some serious head games with her members and her housekeeper. It would be ironic for the killer to find out she had been given a lot of money to give thanks by killing the giver.
Stacy said, "You know, Ben, this sort of case has me turned inside out. It seems all of the suspects are equal in motive and of course opportunity. Anyone could have put the poison in her laxative. What we need is someone to confess under direct pressure. Kind of like how Poirot gathers all the suspects and then goes around espousing who had motive and so on. What's your take on this case so far Ben?"
"I'm like you, Stacy. How to flush out the killer will be tricky, but not impossible. Let's make sure all have their fingerprints taken. Then I think tomorrow after the reading of the will, jump on them with the idea we've fingerprints on the bottle to compare with all of the book club members plus the housekeeper. Other than that, let's hope Rhonda has some interesting news about the background checks. I think next on our list is Bee Haven, the club's treasure."
The remainder of the ride south was quiet. Pulling into the police station they saw Rory's SUV in its usual place. Stacy looked at her watch, seeing the time was after four pm. Rory would be looking for an afternoon snack, but food was not on her mind at the present time. What was on her mind was the allotment of money to each club member and the housekeeper. This game changer was way out of her stingy way of life. For Stacy, there had to be a catch somewhere.
Indeed, inside the station, Rory, with Sharon, were going over the background checks of the book club suspects when they walked in. Uncharacteristic of Rory he did not mention food but gave both Stacy and Ben his interview with Norma Caldwell. Rory said, "She didn't like her employer. First she was promised a piece of the 'empire' and then a few weeks later, after showing her the part of the will that mentioned her, rescinded all the book clubs members promise of some money. She denied killing the victim. To say she is angry is very true. It's one thing to promise and then to break
a promise is against all Christian belief"
"Well, listen to this Tall Man. All of the book club members will receive twenty-five thousand each. Kay will double that for her share. What do you say to that startling bit of news?"
"Interesting to say the least," Rory said, "When will they receive the good news?"
"Tomorrow at the victim's mansion at one pm. We'll be there to witness the action. I'm going to ask Sharon here to video the proceedings. I want to see the reactions on their faces. I think the old lady was playing a game with them and then the killer took it to heart. Now, that killer will feel very guilty when the news hits the table. In the meantime, let's have a look at the background reports."
After reading all of the reports, only one background check stood out rather blatantly. It would seem the Horner's were in debt up to their ears. Stacy wondered if being turned down for a loan drove her to murder the rich woman. She also wondered if the husband leaned on her to pay the piper for turning down such a good deal as the property development. The others, including Nancy Brown, showed reasonable debt load for the period they lived in.
"Sharon," said Stacy. "I want you to video the proceedings tomorrow when the lawyer reads the will. I know I just said that, but I'll do the recording and you can video with your smart phone. Be sure and capture their expressions. Well, what's our next move fellow detectives?"
"We need to interview Bee Haven," said Rory. "Do you want to do it tonight or first thing in the morning?"
"Call her, Rory, and see about a morning appointment. I'll call Father's restaurant and see if they have room for the five of us tonight."
Sam said, "I'm a little bushed Stacy, so I'll pass for tonight. I'll be here first thing in the morning though."
As summer was drawing to a close, with only Labor Day coming for the last push of tourist to visit the beach in Bandon, the restaurant was only two thirds full that night. Father joined them looking rather beat up from a long days work. His morning shift was the wood shop and the afternoon shift was the restaurant. Even though he was tired, he told everyone he would not have it any other way.
Murder at Police Station Page 16
