Murder in Hillsboro

by Jane T O'Brien

  Candace thought no one would notice her if she sat far away from the crowd and observed everyone. Molly Ryan ruined her plan and now she would be forced to leave.

  Brooke spotted Elizabeth and called her name.

  “Elizabeth, you’re walking.”

  Everyone in the room turned to look at the newcomers. Candace was seething with resentment as she brushed by the couple.

  “She looks familiar, Brad, I think that girl was at our wedding, do you know her?”

  “If she was at our wedding, I never saw her; let’s find a table, you can sit while I get us wine.”

  Brooke, who was over her jealousy of Elizabeth after seeing her in a wheelchair, approached her. “Elizabeth, I’m so happy you and Brad came tonight, and walked through the door on your own.”

  “Thanks for inviting us, Brooke. As you know, this was Brad’s first day back at work since our honeymoon. It’s nice being out with people after a day by myself. I hope to go back to work soon.”

  “Brad said you were in retail before the accident.”

  “Yes, I was a buyer for Weatherly’s department store, they couldn’t leave the job open for me.”

  “You met Molly Ryan at your reception, she is the one who discovered she had a twin sister at the party.”

  “Yes, I remember her and her sister Stephanie, what a wonderful coincidence they were both at our wedding.”

  “Molly took over management of Buds and Blooms, the flower shop in Kincaid Towers. She told me this morning that her priority is hiring new customer service people. If you’re interested, let me find her and you two can talk.”

  “Thanks, Brooke, that is sweet of you. Do you know, before I met you I was jealous of you, Brad talked about Brooke from work so often, I thought he had a crush on you.”

  Brooke blushed, “You have that backward, every girl in the office had a crush on Brad Carpenter, he’s terrific but he only has eyes for you, Elizabeth.”

  Brooke found Molly in the crowd and told her about Elizabeth needing a job.

  “Elizabeth, Brooke tells me you might be interested in working at Buds and Blooms,” said Molly. “I need to fill openings at the shop, are you interested?”

  “I would like to work again; my physical therapist thinks I’m ready to work part-time, however, I’m not sure how much of an asset I could be in a floral shop other than my love of flowers.”

  “It’s not that much different from any other retail shop except it always smells pretty,” laughed Molly. “I’m sure we could work out a schedule for you. We need someone to answer phones and take orders.”

  “Molly, that would be terrific. I’ll come to the store on Monday and apply for the job.”

  “Why not stop by on Monday and fill out the paperwork to make it official, Buds and Blooms is happy to have you.”

  Candace watched from the hallway. Look at them, all happy and laughing. I wish I’d killed that witch, Elizabeth. I can’t think about that now; I must figure out a way to get rid of Molly and Stephanie. I think they should die together, she grinned when she thought of the two of them dead like they should have been years ago.

  “Are you sure, Molly?” questioned Elizabeth, “you know nothing about me.”

  “I know you are a nice person. If you were the buyer for Waverly’s, I know I like your style. I’m sure answering the telephone won’t be much of a challenge for you, but I think you’d make a terrific candidate for floral design. Only if you’re interested.”

  “I’m interested, I’ll be there early on Monday morning. Who’s that guy over there talking to Brad, he has glanced your way for the last ten minutes?”

  Molly turned and saw Luke smiling at her. She smiled back. “That’s Luke Sullivan, he’s a reporter for the Telegram. He’s helping Stephanie and me discover who abandoned us as babies. He’s not interested in me, he’s only after a scoop for his paper.”

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that; he’s more interested in you than a story. He and Brad are walking this way.”

  “Elizabeth, you remember Luke Sullivan, he’s the reporter who talked to you after your accident,” said Brad.

  “Yes,” Elizabeth replied, “I was a mess when you came to the hospital, Luke. I still remember nothing about that night, it’s as if it never happened although my legs tell me different.”

  “You are looking better than you did, Elizabeth. I see you are using crutches instead of the wheelchair; that’s a good sign. My gut still tells me it wasn’t an accident that caused your plunge off that bridge. Are the police still investigating?”

  “No, they say it was an accident, even if someone caused me to veer off the road, it would be almost impossible to find the person who was driving the Porsche.”

  “What did you say, Elizabeth?” asked Luke.

  Elizabeth looked at him quizzically.

  “Sweetheart,” said Brad, “you said something about a Porsche, did you see a Porsche that night?”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath, “I remember Tim Hobart walking me to the parking lot after the campaign kick-off at the country club,” she explained to Molly and Luke. “I was meeting Brad later that evening for dinner and only planned to stay for a short time. I ran into Tim, a boy I’d gone throughout school with, we caught up with each other’s news and I had to leave. We continued our conversation when he walked me to the car. I was parked next to a red Porsche, and he stopped to admire it. I don’t know makes of cars. Tim mentioned Porsche when he was gushing over it. On my way to meet you, Brad, I looked in the rear-view mirror and recognized that car or another like it. I was on the narrow bridge and the car was so close I stepped on the gas because there wasn’t anywhere to move to let him pass. I felt a bump. I knew he’d hit me and I knew I was going off the bridge. The next thing I remember, I was in the hospital with tubes coming out of my mouth and lying in a bed not able to move.” Elizabeth trembled as she recalled the accident for the first time since the night it happened.

  Brad put his arm around her, “It’s over darling, you’re safe now. Luke, you were right, it wasn’t an accident after all.”

  “Elizabeth, do you know how to get in touch with your friend Tim? Does he live in Hillsboro?”

  “Yes, he has an insurance office with his father, the name is Hobart & Son. I’m sure he wasn’t driving the car; he was admiring it and I can’t be sure it was the same car.”

  “He might know something or might have seen someone that night. I’m not accusing him; however, he is the last person to see you before the accident. Did he visit you in the hospital?”

  “No, he knew nothing about it, there was a small write-up in the newspaper the next day. It was considered an accident, and I didn’t die so it wasn’t a big news story.”

  “Did the police investigate?”

  “They asked questions, but I couldn’t remember anything to tell them. That bridge isn’t lit well, and it was dusk, they figured I’d misjudged and missed a slight bend in the road causing the car to crash through the rails. I couldn’t help them and agreed with their conclusion. I never dreamed someone was out to harm me and I can’t imagine who would do such a thing.”

  Chapter Seven

  Avery Conway reflected while sitting in the oversized desk chair in the study of the home she shared with her husband Charles and their two children.

  Avery rarely thought of the babies she’d given birth to well over twenty years before. Today marked the anniversary of the day she gave herself to Jonathan Malloy. To this day, she felt shame and euphoria thinking about Jonathan and the night she conceived the twins. In all the years she had lived with Charles, she had never felt that way again.

  My little babies would be twenty-five years old now. I knew from the moment they were born I could never keep them. I begged Nanny Emma to put them in my arms. I wish I’d given them names before Mother took them away. I never said goodbye, I woke up, and they were gone.

  In my heart, I know they are lost to me. Nanny said she put one baby inside the church be
cause it was so cold on the December day. Maybe she is still alive. Mother wouldn’t worry about the other’s comfort, she wanted to get rid of them both before Father found out what I’d done.

  The intercom on Avery’s desk buzzed, bringing her out of her daydream.

  “Mrs. Conway, the reporters are in the parlor waiting for you.”

  Avery took a deep breath and regained her composure and walked confidently to the parlor greeting the reporters with her head held high.

  “Mrs. Conway, what does Senator Beresford say about your campaign for congresswoman, do you have his blessing?”

  “My father encouraged me to run for office. Public service has been his calling since he was a young man and I am proud to follow him.”

  “Mrs. Conway, is your congressional race the first step in filling your father’s seat in the Senate when he runs for president?”

  “My priority today is to have a successful campaign and, if I’m fortunate enough to be elected, I will proudly serve the residents of our state.”

  The reporters continued asking Avery questions more about her father and not herself. Avery didn’t mind, she adored her father and was proud to talk about him.

  “Avery, where is your family? Candace is your most active campaign worker why isn’t she here with you today?”

  “Candace has a busy life; she has spent countless hours working on my campaign. I think she deserves a day off occasionally.”

  Where is Candace? I have seen little of her in the last few weeks. She’s such an odd child I never know what she’s thinking. I’m glad they didn’t ask about Charles, he’s undoubtedly at the race track or with some bimbo. I’m sure Grayson is in his room with his nose buried in a book. Father, why did you marry me off to that loser and insist I have loser children with him?

  Avery didn’t allow herself many weak moments and forced herself to smile despite her feelings. She thanked the reporters for coming and excused herself.

  As she walked out of the room, she heard one reporter say to another. “She’s a cold fish if you ask me.”

  Avery Beresford wasn’t always a cold fish, there was a time when her days were filled with friends and laughter. She remembered the first time she saw Jonathan Malloy. He was unlike any of the boys she’d grown up with. He didn’t drive an expensive car and didn’t live in an exclusive neighborhood and he didn’t seem to miss all the privileges Avery was accustomed to.

  “So, your dad is Senator Beresford. He’s famous, I see him on the national news. How come you don’t live in Washington?”

  “Mother likes it here better. I never thought much about it, but I like it here too.”

  “I’m glad you live in Hillsboro,” he said with a smile.

  Avery’s heart beat faster and she knew she was in love. She also knew her mother would never let her be with a boy who wasn’t part of their circle as her mother called it.

  Avery had to be content to see Jonathan after school at the hamburger joint. When Jenny Norton invited her to her slumber party, Avery concocted her plan to be alone with Jonathan.

  The shame she felt after their night together was compounded when she suspected she was pregnant. Her mother never forgave her for her wanton behavior with a boy far from her social equal.

  “Why didn’t you tell me long ago?” Alexis demanded, “it’s too late to get rid of it now. You deserve to go through the agony of birth, maybe it will teach you a lesson.”

  Avery thought of killing herself and if it weren’t for the love Nanny Emma showed her, she might have gone through with it.

  Alexis concocted a story of Avery studying abroad for a semester that would explain why she wasn’t in Hillsboro. Instead, she was kept in the attic until her babies were born.

  The happy young girl became more despondent with each passing day until her babies were born. Her mother said she deserved the agony of childbirth and she agreed. She was a despicable person and wasn’t worthy of the happiness she once took for granted. Worse than the physical pain was the pain of losing her babies. After that, she didn’t care what happened to her and agreed to marry a man she didn’t love.

  “Hello, Avery, why were those reporters here?” asked Charles.

  “Nice of you to show up, Charles. For your information, I gave a press conference. Those nosy reporters asked where all of you were. I couldn’t tell them you were with some bimbo; your backward son is upstairs hiding in his room and your daughter is…who knows where. I can’t depend on any of you to do the right thing, can I?”

  “Avery, for your information, I was not with a bimbo, I was working. Not that you care but I am now working at Edwin Sawyer’s accounting firm.”

  “What, pray tell, are you doing there? Sweeping the floors? You aren’t qualified for anything else.”

  “It’s nice to have a wife who is so encouraging,” Charles replied sarcastically. “If you remember, I told you I was taking classes at the university to get my degree in accounting. I am a junior accountant presently although I am determined to make something of myself and progress with the firm.”

  “Charles, you aren’t serious, you’ve never worked a day in your life, why would you start now at your age?”

  “Maybe I’m tired of being Senator Beresford’s errant son-in-law or maybe I’m hoping if I change my ways, you will finally learn to love me as much as I love you.”

  “Charles, you’re being ridiculous, go pour yourself a scotch, I know you are craving your afternoon cocktail.”

  Charles lowered his head and walked out of the room knowing Avery would never love him no matter what he did or how hard he tried to win her over. I should have given up before the children were born. Grayson isn’t a bad kid, he is like me, easily intimidated. He fears his grandfather and I can’t blame him for that. Even as a little kid he shied away from the man. Candace never did, she isn’t afraid of anyone or anything. I worry about her; she is an angry young woman. It’s too bad she didn’t inherit her mother’s beauty. Instead, she looks like my Aunt Judy who has the features of my grandfather. Aunt Judy never seemed to mind that she wasn’t pretty, she is a kind person with a heart of gold. I can’t say as much for Candace. It doesn’t help that Avery never bonded with either of her children.

  Avery put her head in her hands. Why do I speak to Charles that way? Every time he tries to improve himself, I shoot him down. I know I’ve become a shrew and I hate myself for it. If only Nanny Emma was alive, she is the only other person in the world who knows about my babies. Mother knows but we haven’t spoken of them since the day she took them away. Avery knew she’d been a terrible mother to Candace and Grayson. She didn’t want more children after the twins and only gave in because her father wanted his legacy to carry on after he was gone.

  “Betty,” she called to her assistant, “has Candace called? I expected her at the news conference; lately, she has disappeared at the most inappropriate times. You don’t think she’s found herself a boyfriend, do you?”

  “I wouldn’t know Mrs. Conway; Candace doesn’t confide in me.”

  “She talks about a fellow named Tim; I hope he’s not married. I don’t need a scandal before the election.”

  Betty shook her head. I don’t know why I stay in this job, the woman is a cold-hearted witch. She thinks there’s a possibility her eighteen-year-old daughter is involved with a married man and it only concerns her because of a possible scandal.

  Candace met Tim Hobart when, out of curiosity, he stopped at her mother’s campaign office. He showed real interest when he discovered Avery Conway was Senator Beresford’s daughter. Senator Beresford helped redevelop the downtown area of Hillsboro where his family business was located. It had done wonders for the city and for the Hobart agency.

  Candace mistook Tim’s interest in the campaign for an interest in her and asked him to attend a campaign kick-off party for her mother.

  Although they arrived separately, Candace considered their meeting a date and was shattered when she saw him talking to another gir
l. She followed them when he walked the girl to her car. Because she was trying to stay out of sight, she didn’t see if they kissed before the girl drove away. Tim walked back to the party and Candace followed the girl’s car as she drove away. She smiled when the car entered the narrow bridge. Candace stepped on the gas until she bumped the tailgate of the other car. It was enough of a jolt to send the car careening off the bridge. Candace drove away satisfied that the little tramp would not interfere in her relationship with Tim ever again.

  Candace returned to the party only to find Tim had already left.

  “You followed that car, didn’t you Candace?” Grayson asked.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grayson,” replied Candace.

  Grayson scoured the newspapers for the next few days until he found the small article telling of an accident on the Maple Drive Bridge involving Elizabeth Welch who suffered a severe back injury. He’d always suspected his sister was evil but never imagined she would deliberately cause someone’s injury.

  It was dark that night, but a passer-by noticed the large gap in the fence along the bridge. Looking closer he spotted Elizabeth’s car and called 9-1-1 on his cell phone. Elizabeth would be forever grateful to the stranger who held her hand until the ambulance arrived.

  Chapter Eight

  “Tim, Luke Sullivan is here to see you, he’s from the Hillsboro Telegram and doesn’t have an appointment,” said the Hobart Agency receptionist.

  “I don’t know what he’d want with me unless he’s here to sell advertising space. Send him in Mindy.”

  Tim opened his door and greeted Luke with a handshake. “I’m Tim Hobart, what can I do for you, Mr. Sullivan?”

  “I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Hobart, I’m unofficially investigating an accident that happened several months ago involving Elizabeth Carpenter, I believe you know her by her maiden name, Elizabeth Welch.”