Murder in Lancashire
A Samantha Degan Cozy Mystery
By: Jane T O’Brien
This book is fiction. All characters, events, and organizations portrayed in this novel are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons –living or dead—is entirely coincidental.
Copyright 2016 by Jane T O’Brien
All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
ISBN: 978-1519509413
Books by Jane T. O’Brien
Bristol Falls
Glenwood Hills
Cumberland Heights
Murder in Forest Glen
The Mystery at Shelby Lake
The Mystery of Waverly Island
Murder in Pinewood Bluff
Camden Corners Collection
Camden Corners Book One
Camden Corners Book Two
Camden Corners Book Three
Samantha Degan Series
Murder in Stonehill Manor
Murder in Lancashire
Murder in Ashville
Murder at Seabrook Shores
Molly Ryan Series
Murder in Hillsboro
Murder in Kincaid Towers
Murder in Evergreen
Murder at Coventry Hill Inn
(Introducing Cassandra Cross)
Cassandra Cross Series
Murder on The Isabella
Murder at Channel Two
Murder in Newcastle
Murder at Cranberry Creek
Rebecca Snow Series
Murder in Oakwood Park
Murder on Bradbury Hill
Murder on Applewood Circle
Finian Frog Children’s Series
Fabulous Finian Frog
Finian Frog Falls in Love
Finian Frog and Farley’s Wishes
Finian Frog and Froglet Freddy
Hennessey Hound Tales Children’s Series
Happy Hennessey Hound
Hennessey Hound and the Bully
Prologue
“Are you sure you want to go to this thing tonight?” Detective Joseph Fletcher asked Samantha Degan as he nibbled her neck.
“I want to go but if you keep doing that, I might change my mind.”
Detective Fletcher, otherwise known as Fletch, was a confirmed bachelor until he met Samantha. Their meeting was somewhat unorthodox as he was arresting her for murder at the time. Her innocence was proven, and the real culprit was brought to justice.
Samantha is a writer whose first non-fiction work, Memoirs of Professor Fenwick Stonehill, was recently published. Professor Stonehill was the victim of a brutal murder before the completion of his autobiography. Samantha received local notoriety as the author of the book and came to the attention of the mayor of Lancashire, Richard Delaney. The mayor is young, good-looking, and has a propensity for attracting beautiful women.
“I could always call Robin, she likes musicals and Frank won't mind going with her,” said Samantha.
“Do you think Frank won't complain about seeing some lame musical?” Fletch asked.
“Have you seen The Music Man? It was a movie several years ago and it's a good show with great music.”
“I've told you about Mayor Delaney's reputation with the ladies, the only reason he asked me to go to this thing is he wanted to see you again.”
“Detective Fletcher, are you jealous?”
“I would be if I thought you were attracted to him, I know you're a one-woman guy and I'm that guy,” he said smiling at her.
“Aren't we sure of ourselves?” she replied knowing it was the truth.
The Lancashire Community Theater has ample seating for large audiences. It is used for everything from political rallies to high school graduations. The Lancashire Community Players are considered one of the top amateur performers in the state. The lobby bustled with patrons when Samantha and Fletch arrived. Mayor Delaney spotted them and pushed his way through the crowd.
“I'm glad you could make it tonight,” he said when he handed each of them a ticket, “you will sit with my group in the center section.”
The doors opened, and the crowd began to filter into the auditorium.
“How much do you want to bet you are seated next to His Honor?” whispered Fletch.
“Don't be silly, he handed us these tickets randomly, did you get a look at the blonde on his arm? I don't think you have to worry he'll be lusting after me tonight.”
Fletch gave her a sly smile when they reached their row and Richard Delaney patted the space next to him indicating Samantha's seat.
The mayor was on his best behavior during the first act of the musical. Samantha noticed he began inching toward her during the second act. Moving to her right as much as possible didn't seem to discourage him.
The last scene was being played out on stage, it was difficult not to tap one's feet to the music of Seventy-Six Trombones. The cast, including Sophia Delaney as Marian, the librarian, walked off the stage and up the two center aisles of the theater playing instruments or singing while the orchestra performed the lively tune. The audience clapped and shouted their approval until the noise level was deafening. Samantha felt the mayor's head on her shoulder, her body stiffened and he slumped to her lap.
She was frozen in her seat as the audience stood to applaud the fine performance. Fletch saw the look of horror on Samantha's face, he reached over and lifted the mayor's head off her lap. Dialing 911 on his cell phone with one hand, he settled Richard Delaney's lifeless body back into the theater seat with the other hand. The blonde to the injured man's right was oblivious to what was happening next to her. Turning to say something to Richard, she let out a blood-curdling scream but was drowned out by the music and the noise of the crowded theater.
Eventually, people seated around the mayor backed away as they saw blood oozing from his head. Samantha regained her composure as best she could and stood over Richard as Fletch administered CPR.
Chapter One
The actors circled around the theater and marched to the stage when the curtains opened again. The applause was deafening, Sophia glanced toward Richard's reserved seat. It was obvious something was wrong; she ran off the stage to her husband.
“Richard!” she called out and quickly realized he was bleeding and barely breathing, “Richard, don't leave me, I need you,” she sobbed.
Samantha put her arm around the woman's shoulder and urged her to move away when the paramedics came rushing down the aisle. Richard was lifted on a stretcher and rushed out of the theater to the waiting ambulance. Sophia followed, leaving the blonde behind to fend for herself.
“He was shot in the head,” Fletch whispered in Samantha's ear, “whoever fired the weapon must have walked up the side aisle on the left. I'll check around to ask if anyone saw anything suspicious. Will you be all right staying here with the blonde?”
“I'll be fine, do what you need to do.”
Samantha turned toward the girl who was still visibly upset.
“I'm Samantha Degan, what is your name.”
“Megan, Megan Fairbanks, will the mayor be all right?”
“I don't know, Megan. Are you and Mayor Delaney close friends?” she asked, not meaning to pry.
“No, I'm a receptionist at the front desk. My boyfriend, wasn't happy when I told him I would be coming here with my boss. He's heard stories that Mayor Delaney is a lecher and I couldn't make him understand it is part of my job. You don't think Jimmy
tried to kill him, do you?”
“I don't know, Megan, do you think it's possible? Does Jimmy own a gun?”
“He has a gun he uses for hunting, I hate the thing and make him keep it locked in his truck, he was mad tonight, but I don't think he'd kill anybody.”
“I doubt the weapon that injured the mayor was a hunting rifle. Why don't you call Jimmy to tell him what happened, you don't want him to worry about your safety if he hears about this on the news.”
“Jimmy never watches the news, but I will call him.”
Samantha listened to Megan's side of the conversation.
“Hi Jimmy, what are you doing?...No, I'm fine, are you home?...can you come to the theater to pick me up?...he can't take me home because he's in the hospital...Somebody shot him, oh Jimmy it was terrible, he had blood coming out of his mouth...Okay, I'll wait for you out front...yes, you were right, I should have stayed home with you.”
“Is Jimmy home?” asked Samantha.
“Yes, and he's mad at me now.”
“Megan, I heard you say you would meet him out front, Detective Fletcher will want to question you. Perhaps you should call him back and tell him to wait until you are able to leave.”
“Jimmy won't like that.”
Samantha told herself the way this girl's boyfriend treated her was none of her concern.
Fletch joined Samantha again.
“Nobody saw anything unusual, they were watching the aisles when the shooting took place. Whoever was responsible for this, was able to get away unnoticed.”
“Fletch this is Megan Fairbanks, the mayor invited her as his guest this evening. Her boyfriend will be picking her up shortly.”
“Hello, Megan, can you tell me what you saw and heard tonight?”
“I saw nothing, I was watching the show, wasn't it wonderful? The only other time I have seen anything like it was in high school and this was so much better, when I turned to thank Mayor Delaney for inviting me, all I saw was blood, I think I screamed, but I don't remember.”
“Do you know Mayor Delaney well?”
“I don't know him at all, his executive assistant, Cindy, told me he wanted me to come with him tonight. Like I told Samantha, my boyfriend didn't like it one bit. The mayor's driver picked me up at home. It was only the second time I had seen the mayor. He was nice on the ride here and talked about the show and how his wife was starring in it.”
“I'd like to talk with your boyfriend, would you call him and ask him to come into the theater, I'll alert the police officer at the door to let him in.”
“I'll tell him; he won't like it, he doesn't like cops.”
“Not everyone does, but I would like to ask him a few questions.”
Twenty minutes later, Jimmy was led to an office next to the lobby where Fletch had interviewed several of the theatergoers. He was exactly the way Samantha had pictured him, tall and muscular with tattoos covering his arms. He had a look of defiance when he strutted into the office, he glared at Megan and she gave him a sheepish look.
“What did that guy do to you?” he demanded, “I told you I didn't want you to go out with him and now look at you.”
Fletch introduced himself and began his questions.
“You were upset because Megan came to the theater with her boss, is that correct?”
“Yeah, I was pissed, who’s heard of a boss who demands a stupid girl go out with him at night. What kind of jerk does he think I am?”
“What did you do while Megan was gone, Jimmy?”
“I didn't do nothing, I watched a flick on TV and drank a beer.” He glared at Megan, “You were supposed to buy me a six-pack on the way home from your precious job, I only had one left.” He looked at Fletch, “That pissed me off too.”
“Did it piss you off enough to come down here to see what Megan and the mayor were up to?”
“No, what are you saying? Are you asking if I came down here to shoot the jerk? I wouldn't shoot him, I'd let these do my talking.” He held up his clenched fists.
“You can go now, leave your full name and address with the officer.”
Fletch turned to Megan and quietly asked her if she would like someone to take her to a friend or relative's house for the night
“No, Jimmy won't hurt me, he likes to shoot his mouth off, but he's a good guy.”
Samantha had a sickening feeling in her stomach, Megan was a pretty girl in an abusive relationship whether or not she knew it.
Fletch's phone rang, he answered and turned to Samantha. “The mayor is dead.”
Chapter Two
Sophia Delaney still wore the early nineteen hundred's era costume from the show while nervously pacing in the waiting area of the emergency department of Lancashire Hospital.
“Try not to worry Mrs. Delaney,” said Charles, the mayor's driver. “Mayor Delaney is young and healthy; he will be fine.”
“I hope you're right Charles, you didn't see his face when they wheeled him out of the theater, somebody shot him in the head. I can't believe that detective was practically sitting next to him and he didn't stop the person who was trying to assassinate my husband.”
“The theater was filled with people and nobody knew what was happening. Is there someone I can call for you? Eloise is on her way but is there someone else you'd like to have with you?”
“No Charles, there is no one else.”
Eloise Kittredge is the mayor's campaign manager. It is known in political circles Richard Delaney's ambitions extended far beyond the office of the mayor of Lancashire. He would announce his intention to run for governor of the state within the next few months. The governorship was only another stepping stone to his real wish, the president of the United States. Eloise and Sophia knew his plan and supported him wholeheartedly.
“Here's Eloise now.”
Eloise, an attractive, slightly overweight woman in her late fifties, developed an interest in politics years ago.
She is a shrewd judge of character and saw something appealing in the twenty-nine-year-old lawyer who contacted her when someone told him he should run for mayor. What the young fellow lacked in experience and knowledge of government workings, he made up for in charisma. He had been married to a local actress and singer for five years, they had no children and neither had any desire to become parents.
Eloise took both under her wing. She was intrigued but not surprised at their personal life. Although the pair seemed to love each other, Sophia spent many nights away from home devoting herself to her craft. Richard appeared at many social and community functions, always with a woman, preferably blonde, by his side. Sophia acknowledged her husband was an incurable flirt although she never appeared bothered by it. She was happy to be excused from the public activities her husband enjoyed. Nights spent rehearsing lines or pampering herself in a bubble bath while indulging in a glass of sparkling champagne was more to her liking.
Doctor Eugene Preston, the emergency room physician, who cared for Richard, walked out of the treatment area and spotted Sophia. The doctor asked her to come into a private consultation room. Fearing what the doctor would say, she grabbed Eloise's hand and held it tightly.
“I'm sorry, Mrs. Delaney, we did everything we could, the damage was extensive; your husband did not survive.”
Sophia's knees were weak, and she held the doctor's arm, afraid of collapsing on the floor of the hospital.
“May I see him?” she asked.
“Yes, wait here, the nurse will come to get you.”
Sophia regained her composure and was determined not to fall apart. The nurse led her to a cubical where she looked in horror at the lifeless body of her husband.
“I'll leave you alone, Mrs. Delaney.”
Sophia took Richard's hand in hers and wept quietly. Eloise placed her strong hand on her friend's shoulder.
“It's time to let him go, Sophia,” she heard her say.
“I can't do this Eloise, I can't say goodbye to Richard.”
“You're a strong wo
man, Sophia, stronger than you think. Charles will drive you home and I'll follow in my car. You need to get some rest tonight, I'll stay with you. Tomorrow we will make funeral arrangements.”
They walked to the lobby together, Fletch and Samantha were waiting for them.
“Mrs. Delaney, I'm sorry for your loss, I'd like to ask you some questions if you are up to it.”
“Can it wait until tomorrow, Detective? Mrs. Delaney is understandably distraught this evening.”
“Yes, I'll call in the morning to arrange a convenient time.”
Fletch waited for the doctor to finish his report. The bullet had been recovered from the mayor's brain and was being transported to the forensic laboratory for examination, and comparison if the murder weapon was recovered.
Reporters converged in the hospital waiting room.
“Is it true Detective Fletcher, you were sitting next to the mayor when he was shot?”
“Did you see the shooter, Detective Fletcher?”
“How well did you know the mayor, Ms. Degan?”
“Were you Mayor Delaney's latest paramour, Ms. Degan?”
Samantha glared at the reporters.
“I met Mayor Delaney for the first time two nights ago, he was kind enough to offer me two tickets to the performance this evening, we were nothing more than acquaintances.”
“Fellas, the investigation of Mayor Delaney's death is in the beginning stages. Chief Williams will answer any questions.”
Fletch took Samantha's arm and disappeared into a private office where Doctor Preston was waiting to answer Fletch's medical questions.
The reporters and photographers paced the room waiting for the body to be transferred to the hospital morgue.
After giving his statement, Doctor Preston pointed to a seldom-used doorway where the couple escaped to the parking lot and away from the prying reporters.
“Do I look like a loose woman?” asked Samantha when they were safely on their way, “Those reporters thought I was Mayor Delaney's lover, you thought I was the professor's lover when he was killed. Maybe I'd better wear my hair in a bun at the back of my neck and tone down the makeup.”
Murder in Lancashire Page 1
