Murder Never Sleeps

by Douglas Hall

“I want to talk to this Thelma Jean, hopefully, before the day is out. I want you two attending when I do. Have Mandy ask her if she will talk to me. I’d like to do it before the day’s out.”

  THERE WAS NO SHUFFLING of feet, just stares of bewilderment by the assembled staff that were seated in the dining room when Proctor launched into what could only be classified as a tirade. He began by reading Sammy Pines’ mission statement which he said was the raison d’être for him founding his ministry and the Child Waiting. It was Brockhurst’s suggestion that he ends on a sympathetic note which would engender loyalty by saying Sammy Pines was founded to honour his father who was the architect of Child Waiting.

  West and King came in for a blistering denouncement for the questions and unrest that followed what he termed their witch-hunt and inquisition. He disparaged West and King by calling them the Canadian provocateurs and declared them persona non grata and vowing that they would never question anyone at Sammy Pines again.

  Brockhurst sat stoically beside Proctor without speaking and did not contribute with the exception of an occasional nod of the head to punctuate something she agreed with.

  Proctor ended by stating that he was in total charge and his study door was always open. In the event that he was not available, Brockhurst was his second in command and had his full approval to do what she thought was appropriate for any situation if he couldn’t be available.

  A smile spread across Brockhurst’s face.

  Looking around the assembly of nervous staff, Proctor asked if there were any who wanted to say something or had a question. Arnold Gould was the only one to speak up. He suggested that he and his son Orville be allowed to carry arms when on duty and begin by making one final sweep of the grounds with their German Shepherd between 10 and 11 every night.

  Proctor gave immediate approval.

  Gould followed with a recommendation that the security lights be left on all night instead of being turned off at midnight. “That should stop any undesirables.”

  Proctor found the suggestion to be not only workable but excellent and jokingly suggested that both would be rewarded. Gould joked back that “he had read his mind”.

  With nothing more on the agenda, Proctor thanked everyone for their loyalty and was about to end the meeting when he said, “I notice that Thelma Jean Turner didn’t join us. Anyone know where she is?”

  His question was greeted with silence. Turning to Brockhurst he asked, “Is it possible she didn’t hear your announcement over the intercom?”

  Brockhurst shrugged, “Anything is possible, Pastor Paul. I’ll go to her room as soon as we are finished and check on her.”

  “Pease do and report back to me. This meeting is over and I thank you all.”

  A RESTFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP worked wonders for Thelma Jean and she showed no apprehension when she faced Culpepper, West and King in the living room of the Bain farmhouse. After Mrs Bain brought in a tray of coffee and cookies, King set up his omnipresent recording device on the small end table.

  Culpepper smiled and asked, “May I call you Thelma Jean?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you and I want you to know that you can stop me at any time. You are meeting with me on your own volition and are not under any suspicion. Since you appear to be the last person to have seen Cindy Madison, whom I believe you initially knew as Ashley Kirk, you can appreciate why I requested a meeting. Do you understand why I asked Mr West and Inspector King to sit in on our meeting?”

  “Yes sir, they are investigating the disappearance of Cindy.”

  “One further thing. Do you have any problem having our conversation recorded?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Splendid! Shall we begin?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me how you came to know Cindy Madison or Ashley Kirk as she called herself.”

  Without any hesitation and in a firm clear voice Thelma Jean recounted, almost word-perfect, what she had told West and King the night before. “To put this in perspective, let me say that the missing person’s investigation being carried out by our friends here is not a matter that involves my jurisdiction. It is a Canadian matter, and I am only cooperating which is common practice between law enforcement agencies in North America. What I am interested in is the report that a rape has taken place within the bounds of my county, and it is my sworn duty to look into it to see if indeed such a serious crime has been committed. If so, it is my duty to find the guilty and arrest them. What happens next is up to the DA to prosecute and a judge or jury to rule on a verdict of guilty or not guilty. I listened to the recording of your meeting with Mr West and Inspector King, in the presence of Mandy Perkins whom you knew as Bethany Walker and is an employee of Mr West. I heard you say loud and clear that Cindy Madison told you she had been raped by Pastor Paul Proctor in the boathouse. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, sir. That’s what she told me.”

  “Did you believe her?”

  “Yes. A girl knows whether to believe another girl or not to, and I believed her.”

  “Do you think there were other girls who Pastor Paul abused or raped?”

  Thelma Jean bit on her lower lip, “I think it is possible. There are two who always seem uncomfortable when he is anywhere near them. They are very timid and keep to themselves, but a girl can tell.”

  “These two girls. Can you tell me their names?”

  Without hesitation she replied, “Muriel French and Esther Hucklebone.”

  King had his notebook out, “Would you please spell Esther’s last name for me.”

  “H-u-c-k-l-e-b-o-n-e.”

  “That a curious name, don’t think there are any by that name from around here.”

  “She told me that she came from a small town in Indiana. That’s all I know about her.”

  Culpepper thought for a moment before asking, “Do you think they would talk to me?”

  “I don’t know how to answer that. A man such as Pastor Paul has a reputation and who would believe them? All he has say is they came on to him and he had the strength of character to resist them. They would be branded as a predator and he the victim. He would get away with it and have an unblemished record. But everything has changed with the #METOO movement helping girls who have been abused or raped. They can now point a finger. No one is safe regardless of how powerful he might be.”

  “You have a remarkable outstanding grasp about the power abused women now have.”

  “I’m a woman,” Thelma Jean replied affirmatively, “and women’s rights have changed.”

  “Did Pastor Paul ever make what they call a move on you?” Culpepper continued.

  “No, but I think he would have if I had given him any encouragement. He was always watching me, and I always made sure my uniform was done up to my neck. Some of the girls left the top three buttons undone, and he would stare at their cleavage. He made a few comments about how nice I looked in my uniform and how pretty I was. He even once jokingly said if he wasn’t so busy doing the Lord’s work, he would like to get to know me better. I knew what he meant by better and didn’t give him any encouragement.”

  “One more question. Would you be willing to swear on a Bible that what you have told me is the truth and tell it in court to a judge and jury?”

  Thelma Jean stiffened and shot glances at West and King, “Yes, sheriff, I would.”

  “Thank you. That’s all I need to know at present. Have you any questions?”

  “What’s going to happen to me? I can’t go back to Sammy Pines and face Pastor Paul, and especially Brock. I am scared of her. I can’t go home either.”

  “You won’t have to. Would you be comfortable living here on the farm for the time being and having Mr and Mrs Bain look after you until this unsavoury episode is put to rest?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Do you know what a safe house is?”

  Thelma Jean shook her head.

  “The Bain farm is my safe house. I use it whenever I have some
one who is critical to an investigation and needs protection. I could not leave you with anyone more trusted than Elizabeth and Clinton Bain.”

  “How long will I have to stay here?”

  “Until my investigation is complete and the case is closed. I can’t put a time stamp on it, but the way things are progressing, I don’t think it will be all that long. Right deputies?”

  West and King smiled and nodded.

  “Just look upon it as a vacation on a farm where you are warmly welcomed. However, there will be restrictions. You will have to obey the Bains and do exactly what they tell you and never venture out of the house. You can walk away, but if you do, you are on your own. Once Pastor Paul and Brockhurst suspect what Cindy Madison might have told you the night before she disappeared, you will be a marked woman. I have no idea what they would do to you if they found you, but I don’t intend to find out. You will be under my protection from now on.”

  Thelma Jean looked at West and King then back at Culpepper, “I guess I have no choice.”

  “A wise decision,” Culpepper said and walked to the kitchen door where the Bains were waiting.

  “Thelma Jean has agreed to accept your hospitality. I have told her what she will have to do and that is follow your instructions to the letter. Above all, she is not to venture outside where she could be seen. Come and tell her how welcome she will be.”

  Both Bains were sincere in their welcome.

  Thelma Jean was just as sincere as she thanked them, especially Mrs Bain who was quick to say, “You can call me Elizabeth, he is Clinton and we’ll call you Thelma Jean. Do you like to bake, my dear?”

  “Yes, I used to do it with my mother when I was still at home.”

  “Would you like to help me today? I am making bread and putting down gooseberry preserves.”

  “I’d like that very much.”

  “Well now,” Culpeper said with a clap of his hands, “I do believe we have conducted all our business, and I thank you all. We should be on our way.” Nodding to the Bains he added, “You know how to contact me day or night.”

  On the way back to Moody Brook, the three discussed the investigation and the relief that Thelma Jean seemed content to remain in hiding. Culpepper ran an idea past West and King which took them by surprise.

  “Would you two be open to have a sniff around Sammy Pines?”

  “It would have to be covert,” King suggested.

  “Not if I get you a search warrant, and I think I have sufficient just cause to get one.”

  “The time has come,” West replied. “While you are doing that, I’ll get to Mandy and have her take a close look at the revenue Sammy Pines has received over the past few months from the Lichtenstein bank in monthly money transfers while she still has a chance.”

  “What are you looking for?” Culpepper asked.

  “I want Mandy to find out what happens to the unidentified money that poured in monthly.”

  “It is probably dumped into the general operating account where it can be washed through as miscellaneous expenses,” suggested King.

  “A possibility, but what if she finds out it ends up in the personal accounts of Brockhurst and Proctor?” West asked.

  Culpepper was quick to jump on the question, “If it is not reported as taxable income, then it is income tax fraud on top of everything else. Find out for me as quick as possible and meet me in my office sharp at nine tomorrow.”

  PROCTOR WASN’T HAVING one of his better days which was a paradox for a man who preached a message proclaiming the power of positive thinking. It didn’t improve when Brockhurst told him that there was no trace of Thelma Jean Turner. She had checked her room and all her clothes are still hanging in the cupboard and still in the dresser. She asked around, and no one said they had seen her since the day before.

  Proctor swung his study chair and looked out the window. He was deep in thought and Brockhurst knew better than to interrupt. Proctor, suddenly, swung the chair around and gave her a withering stare, “You realise how serious this is, don’t you?” His voice, which was celebrated for its modulated control when preaching, was teetering on panic.

  “Of course, I realise how serious it is, but there could be a very valid reason why she has dropped out of sight.” Brockhurst tone was soothing and reassuring. “We tied up all the loose strings at the time and the thing to do is just keep on with your regular schedule and display the superb control you have always exhibited. No one can point a finger in your direction or mine for that matter. You are not alone, we are in this together and don’t you forget it.”

  “What about the two Canadians who are snooping around? What do we do if they come back, and I have the chilling fear that they will be back.”

  "You told the staff that they were persona non gratae, and you would never let them conduct another inquisition. Don’t forget Arnold and Orville Gould are armed, and you are in charge. Give Bethany Walker strict orders that if they ever come to reception, she is to order them to leave. If they don’t, she is to call Arnold and Orville to escort them off the property.

  “You can then call Sheriff Culpepper and threaten to sue him and his deputies if they ever return without a search warrant. No judge would ever issue one. Sammy Pines is a jewel in Moody Brook’s crown. It brings much needed revenue and the merchants love it.”

  “I hear what you are saying but there is something that nags every time I think about it. What does Thelma Jean know and what did Ashley tell her?”

  “I don’t think she told her anything. Ashley adored you or have you forgotten. It was plain to see every time she looked at you. She would never say anything to hurt you. Believe me. I am a woman and I should know.”

  “Do you think Thelma Jean knows her real name was Cindy Madison and she was from Canada?”

  “So what?” Brockhurst replied dismissively, “Most of the girls come to Sammy Pines to get away from their past and half of them use other names, so no one can find them.”

  “Which investigator showed Thelma Jean the photograph?”

  “What does that matter?”

  “I hope it wasn’t that private investigator West.”

  “Why?”

  “Jayden Mayfield told me that when he and his partner came to the bank, they both gave him a hard time, and West was relentless.”

  “If memory serves, it was West who showed the picture to Thelma Jean and her reaction was the same as all the other girls, just a shake of the head and maybe a mumbled ‘no’. Gaylord and I watched as the staff members were being canvassed. Everyone gave the same reaction and one-word reply. Pity you weren’t there to witness it.”

  “You don’t have to remind me.”

  “Well, then let it go. As of now, nothing has changed. We must put the past behind us forever and get on with living as though that nightmare had never happened. When we are asked why Ashley Kirk is no longer here, we tell them what we agreed upon…she left abruptly without explanation, and we assume she returned home for whatever reason. We haven’t seen nor heard from her since.”

  Proctor relaxed, “You are right. Whatever would I do without you…”

  “You will never be without me because I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Something is going on and I don’t like it. Get to Arnold and tell him that he is to immediately stop what he is doing and check the security for all the buildings and property. He is to give the boathouse close attention. If he thinks security can be improved, he is to tell you and do whatever he says, so undesirables will never get on this property again without us knowing.”

  “I’ll make it a priority. Anything else?”

  Proctor thought for a moment, “Not at present except to say thanks…you are my rock.”

  WEST SET UP a Skype call with Mandy after they returned to their cabin and went over the days’ happenings. He and King were at the table with the open laptop and two bottles of beer, while Mandy was propped up in bed with the laptop on her lap and a glass of chardonnay within easy reach on
the night table. Their discussion was wide-ranging and covered the happening following the morning meeting with Thelma Jean at the Bain farm.

  The highlight was telling her that Culpepper had received the warrants needed for them to conduct a full search of Sammy Pines property and buildings and to expect them to arrive next morning with their deputy badges in full view.

  “Can you give me an approximate time when you expect to arrive, so I can make sure I am behind the reception desk when you show up.”

  “Right after the guests finish breakfast and leave,” West said. “Any problem with that?”

  “Not for me, but I have to warn you two. I received firm orders from Brock today. You two are banned from the property, and if you persist, I am to call Arnold and Orville Gould, and they are to escort you off the property.”

  “The hell you say,” exclaimed King, “that sounds like fun.”

  “Just giving you a heads up. Pastor Paul held an emergency meeting with the staff. I was told he left nothing to the imagination. He doesn’t want anyone, especially you two, snooping around. I’ll have to sound the alarm when you appear.”

  “Wouldn’t expect anything less,” West said with a grin. “When you see us follow your instructions and act as though you are outraged. It will further ingratiate yourself with Proctor and Brockhurst. Let fly at us as though you are pissed off by our impertinence and make sure you are in full view of the security camera.”

  “I shall give a performance worthy of an Oscar.”

  “What exactly did Proctor have to say at his emergency meeting?” King turned on the recorder and turned up the volume so as not to miss anything. Mandy took her time and told her what she knew.

  “How did the staff accept it?” West asked.

  “In total silence. I asked one of the kitchen staff what she thought of it and got the party line for my trouble…I would never question anything Pastor Paul said.”

  “Brainwashed,” muttered King.

  “Now if that is all, I would like to get a few hours’ sleep. Sounds like tomorrow is going to be a lively time. What about you two?”

  “We still have a couple of things to do before we hit the sack,” West said. “I want to e-mail Victor Madison and give him a full report including that we have confirmed Cindy’s presence at Sammy Pines. I’ll add that we talked to a girl who knew her and that’s all.”