The Beginning (Whispering Pines Book 1)
Page 35
Chapter 19
Bill Jacobs was almost at the Whispering Pines mansion, but he was still undecided on whether to stop or keep on driving past. His body was exhausted but his mind was too unwilling to let it rest. The order to attack Chuck Veal came from someone inside Whispering Pines. Was Edie Pary the decoy or the attacker?
Giant columns on the front of the house extended upward the full height of the construction. A second floor balcony ran the length and gave anyone up there a panoramic view of the spacious front yards. Moss draped oak trees, and widely colorful gardens highlighted the grounds.
Jacobs stepped to the double front doors and rang the bell. “If Edie Pary knows something then I’m going to find out what and why, one way or the other.”
When the door opened and the housekeeper’s face appeared in the small opening, Jacobs removed his hat and said, “Hello, Miss Emma. How are you doing?”
Smiling when the doors first opened, her expression immediately turned to concern, maybe even fear. Jacobs did not give her time to say anything. “I’d like to speak with Miss Pary, the younger one, Miss Edie, if you don’t mind.”
The woman nodded and reluctantly stepped back to allow Jacobs inside, closed the door then led him down the long hallway past a flight of stairs. She paused at an opening to a room and motioned him inside. “Please wait in here and I’ll get her for you.”
“Thank you Miss Emma.”
Bill stepped into an expansive room, a study or parlor perhaps, that was larger than his entire apartment. One wall was covered floor to ceiling in bookshelves. “This is the room where Tom Veal was murdered.”
A huge oil painting hung above the mantle shelf of the fireplace, a portrait of a strikingly beautiful young woman. “That’s Edie Pary” Jacobs thought but then moved closer to the picture and realized it wasn’t Edie but her aunt Miss Abatha Pary.” The Family resemblance was strong.
An old, English coffee table with a silver serving cart was before the couch. “Are these the same sterling silver pieces used to poison Thomas Veal and Claudia?
A cold prickle ran up Jacobs’ neck and back forcing him to pull his eyes away. There was a second door into the room and it suddenly clicked open. Abatha Pary stepped through. Did the room just get darker or did the sun go behind a cloud?
Her face was a storm of thunderous expressions, and she glared at Deputy Jacobs then snapped, “I’m in a bit of a hurry, Mr. Jacobs. What do you want?”
“I am sorry, Miss Abatha. Perhaps your housekeeper misunderstood me. I asked to speak with the younger Miss Pary, your niece, Edie.”
“My housekeeper did not misunderstand you. Edie is not feeling well today and will not be able to speak with anyone.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I need to see her now. It’s important.”
“Indeed, you will not, Mr. Jacobs. If there is some matter with which Edie is to be questioned then I will demand that Sheriff Brooks be the one to do it.”
Jacobs stood waiting, hat in hand, but showed no indication that he was going to leave. “I will speak with her now, Miss Abatha. It’s important and a matter of law.”
The elderly woman reared her shoulders and barked, “As I understand it, you are no longer employed by the West Creek County Sheriff Department so you have no authority here.”
“So” Jacobs thought. “She already knows that Brooks fired me.”
Abatha pointed an angry finger and continued, “Therefore, you will stay away from my niece or I will have you arrested.”
Jacobs cautiously searched for the right words. “You can call the Sheriff right now if you like, Mrs. Pary, but that’s not going to stop me from talking with Edie. There was an attempted murder and Edie is a witness.”
“What?” Abatha screamed. “You’re out of your mind. Edie doesn’t know anything about either of the Veal men.”
Bravely, Jacobs cocked his head and said, “I never mentioned that it was one of the Veal men, Mrs. Pary. How did you know it involved them? Do you know anything about what’s happened to Matt and Chuck?”
“How dare you. You will leave this house...this instant. Do you understand me Mr. Jacobs?” The fury and anger of her voice was startling.
“I may not be a West Creek County deputy any longer but I can get the legal authority I need quick enough. Then I will have an arrest warrant issued for Edie and she will be taken into custody for questioning by the GBI. Now the choice is yours, Miss Pary. If not now then tomorrow or the next day, but the day is coming I promise you.”
Before the words could soak into her thoughts, he spun and started to leave the room. At that moment, he had no supporting arguments. He needed the upper hand before pushing and any further discussion would be a waste of time.
At the doorway to the study, he turned and said, “I’ll see my own way out. Thank you.”
When he closed the huge front door behind him, he heard a muffled shriek of anger. He realized she would be calling Walt Brooks. An idea formed in his mind and a small grin crept across his face. “The fat is in the fire so I might as well pour another gallon or two of gasoline in there with it.”