“I think all of us got caught riding through that field,” said Samantha, “Allison, you weren't with us the day we all rode our bikes to the cliffs. I fell and when I got up, those little burs were covering me. The girls tried picking them off, but there were so many, they didn't get them all. They hurt when they stuck to your skin. When I got home, my mom knew exactly where I'd been.”
“I see that look in your eyes, Bella,” said Allison. “Don't even think of riding your bike to the cliffs.”
George glanced at his granddaughter. “Please don't go near the cliffs, Bella.”
Bella could see the sadness in his eyes. “Don't worry Grandpa, I won't,” she smiled.
Chapter Fourteen
Samantha watched as the Sinclair’s and the Jennings walked to their cars. They planned to meet for dinner that evening. Samantha invited the Sinclair’s to come to the wedding on Saturday and they accepted.
“Bella is nothing like I imagined,” said Colleen. “She is a sweet little girl.”
“Finding out C J was her father made her day. Allison said her attitude changed the minute she told her. I'm happy Allison came clean with her. The poor girl thought nobody wanted her, no wonder she acted out.”
“George is beaming, isn't he?” Colleen said, “I'm sorry Frances didn't know about Bella before she died. She would have loved that girl. Sharon will be a wonderful step-grandmother. She and George make a good pair. It's sad that they both lost their spouses but how nice they found each other.”
“You are such a romantic, Mom, that's why I love you so much. Speaking of romantic, I hear Fletch's car pulling into the driveway.”
Samantha didn't wait for him to come in the house, she met him outside and threw her arms around him.
“I'm glad you came early, I've missed you more than you know.”
“I missed you too, Samantha, that's why I'm here. The captain tells me I was worthless and booted me out of the office. Where can we go to be alone?”
“I'm afraid it must wait; Mom and Dad are watching from the window and your parents are on their way. How about a rain check?”
“I don't see a cloud in the sky, but I’ll take that rain check.”
“I booked us in a motel outside of town, that way we can have our privacy,” Samantha winked.
“Did your parents object?”
“No, Mom reminded me that she and Dad have five kids, so she understands.”
Samantha and Fletch walked arm in arm to her waiting parents. Colleen welcomed Fletch with a hug and Archie shook his hand. Sandy and Jack arrived within minutes, anxious to greet their son.
“Don't they make a wonderful couple?” asked Colleen, it was more of a statement than a question. The proud mothers couldn't stop smiling. Archie and Jack talked about their golf game and tried to persuade Fletch to join them for eighteen holes on Saturday.
The men chuckled as their wives shook their heads.
“You two run along. I know you have people you want Fletch to meet,” said Colleen. “Sandy and I have plenty to do before the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night.”
“I feel guilty leaving you two with all the work, Mom.”
“Don't be silly, we make a good team and we're having fun, your fathers will help too.”
“Our folks are getting along well, I'm glad they chose to have a picnic in your backyard instead of a fancy dinner in a restaurant.”
“They knew we wanted a casual affair. The reception will be low-key even though it's in the hotel. Tomorrow will be fun with all our brothers and sisters and their families. Mom invited all my old friends from school. They can't wait to meet you.”
“They want to meet me to compare me to your old boyfriend, Robby or Snobby, whatever his name was.”
Samantha laughed, “His name is Bobby although Snobby fits him better. He goes by Bob now and he wanted me to dump you and marry him.”
“What?” cried Fletch. “When did you see this guy?”
“I saw him the other day, he's in town to visit his folks and to look for a wife. He will be running for Congress and needs a doting woman by his side.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Hardly, the guy is a pretentious jerk. He might be at the wedding because Mom invited the town, including his parents but I doubt it. A casual wedding doesn't sound like his style.”
“Maybe he's the one who threatened your lovelorn friend. We can uncover a sinister plot and sabotage his political career before it starts.”
“Why, Detective Fletcher, do I detect a hint of jealousy?”
“Was it only a hint? I thought I was being obvious.”
“Let's change the subject; just the thought of Bobby Rooney is making my skin crawl.
“My lovelorn friend is Patsy Burke. I can't believe her transformation since our high school days, she is an attractive, self-assured woman now. I know you will like her. She met the school's assistant coach, Ryan Hartman when we were together the other day. I wish you had seen the sparks fly between them, I do believe it was love at first sight.”
Samantha told him over the phone about Patsy and the incidents of threats made against her.
“I'd like to see the letters she received, although that's not possible.”
“They weren't really letters, just a few words typed on paper. Patsy wrote the words in her notebook.”
“I would like to see what she wrote; do you think she'd meet with us?”
“I'll give her a call.”
Samantha called her friend's cell phone, she was working from home that morning and waiting for Ryan to stop by on his lunch break.
“Of course, you can come over, Samantha; I'm dying to meet your detective.”
The couple arrived at Patsy's house in less than a half hour. Ryan's car was in the driveway.
Fletch and Ryan hit it off immediately. They had a love of football in common.
“Samantha, he's dreamy, aren't we lucky to have such great guys and good-looking ones too?”
“Sounds like it's going well with you and Ryan.”
“It's going better than well if it weren't such a small town, he'd be living here. We must be careful because of his teaching position. He's talking marriage. I know it's too soon for that but it's not too soon to know I love him and want to spend my life with him.”
“Patsy, I'm so happy for you. I'm glad we stopped by the school that day. We went to check out C J's shrine and you fell in love.”
“Tell me about the meeting between Allison and Mr. Sinclair. Was it awkward for her and Bella?”
“Not at all, Mr. Sinclair fell in love with Bella the minute he saw her. Her resemblance to C J is remarkable. There isn't a doubt in anyone's mind that she is his daughter. Allison offered to have a DNA test done and Mr. Sinclair told her it wasn't necessary. Bella has changed overnight; she is a happy little girl. Mom says she's back to her own, sweet self again. Mr. Sinclair had tears in his eyes when he looked at his granddaughter. They will be staying for the wedding and have invited Allison and Bella to visit them in North Carolina before the summer ends. Sharon Sinclair has grandchildren Bella's age. I'm happy for all of them.”
“Fletch, here's my notebook with the words in the letters. I wish I'd made copies of them, but I didn't think of it at the time.”
“Thanks, Patsy, do you mind if I make a copy of this?”
Samantha knew the words on the paper meant something and he would mull them over in his mind until he figured out their meaning.
Allison called from the police station wondering if Fletch arrived in town yet.
“I thought he'd like to come down to the station and check out how we do things in the big city,” Allison laughed.
“I'm sure he would love it, how are things going with Bella and Mr. Sinclair?”
“George, he asked me to call him George, has been wonderful. Bella has transformed back to be my sweet girl. George and Sharon picked her up from her summer class and are going to the high school to see C J's display. Bella is proud
of her father, I just hope she still feels that way if she finds out what a cad he really was.”
“We are with Coach Ryan now, is someone there to let them into the school?”
“Yes, Coach Beardsley is there waiting for them, Coach and George are old friends.”
On the drive to the police station, Samantha asked Fletch if the words on the paper meant something to him.
“I will give it some thought, there's something familiar about the words, but I can't put my finger on it.”
Allison showed Fletch around the station. The other officers knew of Fletch's reputation as a crime solver. They were impressed when Allison strolled through the offices with him. Their condescending attitude changed when they took turns sitting with her during Bella's hospital stay. She was one of them now even though she was a female.
“It's a small system but seems to run well. What made you go into law enforcement, Allison?”
“I worked in dispatch while I went to classes at the community college. To be honest, I didn't want to be like my mother. I love her dearly, but she was a doormat. She had no skills other than cooking and cleaning. That wouldn't have been a bad thing, except my father was a tyrant and Mom couldn't escape him. I didn't want to be dependent on a man; I took some courses in law enforcement. I found I liked it and applied at the police academy.”
“Allison, do you mind if I ask you some questions about your father?”
“No, in fact, I've thought of him and his penchant for violence since C J's accident has been in question.”
“I'm sure Mom never had an outgoing personality. She was still in high school when she met my father. He was an imposing man, large in stature and towering over my mother. For some reason, she fell for him and married him the day after she graduated. To my knowledge, he never struck her or harmed her physically. He didn't have to, I can still remember the look he'd give me when I did something he didn't approve of. He rarely yelled at me, but he would take it out on my mother.
“I wasn't allowed to date, so when C J looked my way, I was captivated. He was gentle and kind, the exact opposite of my father. He changed when I told him I was pregnant. I can remember his words what you want me to do about it. It's not my kid. I was crushed. My mother was beside herself. If my father found out, she knew he would blame my mother.
“There was never a question in my mind that I wanted to have the baby and keep it. I told Mom I would quit school and we could move out of our house. I'd get a job and she could take care of the baby during the day. Of course, that was a dream. I was only a kid, we'd be living in a tent somewhere. Back then I didn't know about women's shelters. If I did, I might have gone to one, with or without my mother. That didn't happen, and I was forced to give Bella up for adoption.
“I don't think my father knew about the baby but I'm beginning to wonder if he found out somehow and fought with C J on that cliff. Father was bigger than C J and could have easily pushed him to his death.”
“How did your father die, Allison?” asked Fletch.
“He had a massive heart attack. I didn't think he had a heart at all, but it turns out he did. He collapsed out by the shed at the back of our property. Mom won't go near that shed since it happened.
“You know something, now that I think about it, she didn't have any qualms about the shed until the agoraphobia hit.”
“When did that happen?”
“It was about five years ago. Bella had been with us for about a year. Mom walked her to school every morning and met her in the afternoon. One day her teacher called me at the station. She told me Bella was waiting for her grandmother to walk her home. We only lived two blocks from school and Bella knew the way, but she was worried about Mom. She was afraid if she left the school grounds, her grandma wouldn't be able to find her.
“I left the station to pick her up. When we arrived home, there was Mom, sitting on the sofa watching television. She didn't have an excuse for not walking Bella home but to my knowledge, she didn't leave the house again until Bella was in the hospital the other day. I thought she might have had a stroke. I couldn't convince her to see a doctor and, finally, gave up trying.
“It surprised me to learn Mr. Krause had gotten her out of the house. It was only walking around the backyard, but it was a step. He did tell me she wouldn't go near the shed and panicked if he walked her toward it. I have never been inside. I always associate it with my father. He spent a lot of time in there alone. Maybe it's time I faced the situation, will you go with me, Samantha?”
“Of course, Fletch will be with us too. Do you think your mother will object?”
“She's in no position to object, the house is in my name. Dad signed it over to me two days before he died. It was the last mean trick he played on my mother. The man was despicable.”
On their way to Allison's house, Samantha called her parent's.
“Hi Mom, I hope you aren't holding dinner for us. Fletch and I are tied up.”
“Oh, my darling, we understand the lovebirds want to be alone. Don't worry about us. You two enjoy yourselves, there is plenty of food in the refrigerator when you can untangle yourselves.”
“Mom, did you start happy hour early today?”
“Just a tad early. The boys are firing up the grill...”
Samantha could hear gales of laughter in the background.
“Don't let them burn the house down, Mom. I'll talk to you later. Don't have too much fun without us.”
“They're burning the house down? It sounds like they're all drunk. That's a fine example to set for their children,” Fletch laughed.
“They're having fun, Mom could never hold her liquor, she'll be sorry in the morning.”
“What do you think is in the shed? A dead body? A Playboy magazine? Maybe the old boy lined the walls with centerfold pictures,” suggested Fletch.
“Yuk, I remember Mr. Jennings, he scared me to death. Thank heaven Allison didn't take after him. I think he hated kids. What a difference between him and George Sinclair.”
“Allison seems all right considering her parents.”
“When I first came to town a few days ago, she was resentful and unpleasant. She was furious when Patsy started asking questions about Bella. She hadn't told her the story of her birth and Allison was afraid Bella would find out from someone else. Once she told her, everything changed. Bella was thrilled C J was her father. Allison has carried that burden around with her for years. Her parents didn't make her life easy, that's for sure.
“Turn right on the next street. Allison's house is the third one on the left.”
Allison pulled into the driveway a few minutes later.
“Sorry,” she said. “I had a phone call just as I was leaving. I called Mom on the way here and she's expecting us.”
Mrs. Jennings opened the front door with tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I've kept quiet all these years because I didn't want you to know what your father was capable of, Allison.”
Allison put her arm around her mother's tiny, quivering shoulders.
“Mom, please don't upset yourself. Fletch and Samantha are here to see the inside of the shed. Is that what you're worried about?”
They all walked into the modest but attractive living room where they saw Mr. Krause sitting on the sofa.
“Hello, girls,” he said offering his hand to Fletch. “Frederick Krause, Detective.”
“Joseph Fletcher, everyone calls me Fletch. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Krause.”
“Mrs. Jennings asked me to be here. I'm afraid I don't know what it's all about, she told me it is time to reveal the secret. Martha, everything will be all right, please tell us what is upsetting you.”
“Please, everyone sit down. I won't be able to talk with all of you standing over me.”
Martha Jennings began to pace, the words forming in her mind.
Samantha patted her friend's shoulder, she could tell she was anxious about what her mother was about to say. Finally, she blurted
out.
“Allison, your father killed C J Sinclair. The proof is in the shed out back.”
Allison closed her eyes, she'd thought that might be the case but hearing her mother confess her father killed the father of her child made her sick to her stomach.
“May we see the proof, Mrs. Jennings?” asked Fletch.
Martha Jennings led the way to the shed. Her step was lighter, and she held her head high as she walked to the shed near the back of the property. She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a key, opening the rusty lock without a problem. The shed smelled musty but was neat and orderly. Samantha noted there were no centerfold photos adorning the walls. Fletch noticed it too and gave her a slight smile.
“Back there in the corner is a box with Herbert's overalls and boots. They are covered with clinging burdock and blood. The fields by the cliffs are filled with burdock plants. They are almost impossible to get off clothing; they are also on the inside of Herbert's boots. If you look behind the box, you'll see a shovel, it has blood on it too.”
“Mom, do you think Father found out about Bella? Who would tell him and how would he know C J was her father. Nobody knew that, not even you.”
“I don't know how he found out but it's obvious he knew, and he killed that young man.”
“Allison,” said Fletch, “is it possible to run tests on these items to check the blood type.”
“Yes, I'll get them to the lab right away. Do you want to come with me?”
Mrs. Jennings brought a sheet from the house to wrap the shovel in and a large plastic bag for the overalls and boots.
“I'd like to wait for the results with you Martha,” said Mr. Krause.
Allison was grateful; she didn't want to leave her mother alone, although she was calmer than she'd been in years.
Chapter Fifteen
Murder in Ashville Page 8
