Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series Box Set
Page 11
“Okay…what is it, Lucille?” Claire asked.
“Remember the party at my house?”
“Uh huh.” She nodded. Freddie only stared.
“The one that was meant to celebrate my husband’s and my fiftieth wedding anniversary?”
“Yes…”
I could tell her curiosity was piqued.
“Well, which one of you tossed poor little Sabrina off my balcony?”
They glanced at each other again.
“What are you talking about?” Claire exclaimed.
I sighed deeply. “Let’s be grown adults, shall we? We all know what it is I’m talking about.” I leaned in. “Let me level with you. Hard evidence has been uncovered pertaining to what happened to Sabrina. I’m lucky to have come across it myself and haven’t yet turned it over to the police. Let me add that it’s in safekeeping, so if something, by chance, happens to me, it will automatically be found by the police and the guilty party promptly arrested.” I paused just to take in the worried look on both of their faces. “That young lady didn’t accidentally fall to her death; someone deliberately pushed her.”
“You say you got evidence?” Freddie asked. Suddenly, he could speak!
“Yes… hard evidence—the kind that sticks to the bones,” I said. “I’m prepared to keep whatever you say hush hush. I personally didn’t like the girl; didn’t think she was right for David and furthermore, I’m now a member of this honorable Society. If this is anything like the Templars, members here should never squeal on each other. It should be a real brother-sisterhood, you know? All for one—one for all.”
Claire nodded. “I agree.”
Freddie seemed a bit confused and distrusting.
“So, which one of you killed her?”
Claire turned to Freddie. “I guess you might as well tell her.”
“Tell her what? I didn’t kill that girl!” he replied.
“So, you only slept with her? That’s all?” she returned.
He was suddenly quiet again.
“We’ve had this discussion time and time again, Freddie. You never stopped seeing her despite the times I told you to end it. That’s why you were so nervous when she showed up that night at the party. You didn’t expect her to be there, did you? And from the way she carried herself, she obviously didn’t wanna be there either. Both of you looked so very uncomfortable, like you wanted to get the hell out of there. Did she finally walk away from you since you couldn’t bring yourself to walk away from her? Is that what prompted you to sneak up to the room where she was at and get rid of her? Was it a case where if you couldn’t have her, no one could?”
I was blown away by Claire’s dramatic assertion and I could tell Freddie was just as shocked that she’d thrown him under the bus in front of a mere stranger.
“That’s hogwash!” he replied. “I would’ve never killed her. I…”
“Loved her?” Claire proposed.
She sighed heavily, then turned to me. “There’s no need not to involve the police in this matter, Lucille. The entire scenario has been laid out on the table for you. I’m not going down for a man who couldn’t keep his weenie in his pants.”
“Look, Lucille… I didn’t do anything. She’s talking out of her head,” he asserted.
“I’m willing to testify against him,” Claire continued. “I’ve got a lot of juicy news to tell the court.”
I raised my chin slightly. “Why don’t we start with the truth, Claire?”
She looked at me as if I had horns. “What are you talking about? I told you the truth!”
“If that’s the truth, then I don’t know what a lie is,” I replied. Freddie looked at me curiously. “Let’s stop the charade. Someone saw what you did to that girl.”
“Nonsense!” Her eyes widened in defense.
“From the angle you were sitting at when you all were playing board games, you saw David and Sabrina mount the stairs and noticed they both were angry or at least not on good terms. I excused myself and went upstairs to use the bathroom and when I returned to the living room, you were not there.”
“So what? I went outside to take a breather. Is that against the law?”
“No. But murdering someone is.”
“How dare you accuse me of murder, Lucille Pfiffer?”
Freddie was clearly surprised by the abrupt turn of events.
You saw David descend the staircase in a hurry and while I was up there, you snuck up yourself and stayed out of sight until you saw me leave. You then entered David’s bedroom where Sabrina was and probably saw that she was still upset. To avoid a heated argument, you went there with one intention, and that was to settle the score. You perhaps pretended like you wanted to speak with her outside on the balcony where you’d have more privacy and she agreed, against her best judgment. You walked behind, allowing her to go out first. When she leaned against the rail, that’s when you pushed her over. I presume you didn’t even say another word to her before you did it.”
Claire clapped her hands with a gleeful grin. “For a blind woman, you’re pretty sharp.”
“I’d take that as a compliment,” I replied.
Freddie looked at his wife. “You mean… you did it? You killed her?”
“The word kill is such a strong word, dear. I kind of like took revenge. Yes, revenge is more appropriate.”
He was glaring at her. “I can’t believe it! And to think you were trying to blame me for her death just a few minutes ago.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re going to take the rap for it,” she said. “Lucille here clearly has nothing in terms of evidence. She was just fishing for information and now she’s got it. I, on the other hand, intend to turn you in and testify that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you killed poor Sabrina Abrams and asked me to cover it up, but I refused.”
“Are you insane?” he said.
“Perhaps. I only could’ve been when I married you.” She looked my way again. “Thanks again, Lucille, for your most generous donation and for protecting the interest of those in charge of running this most valuable operation. This twenty-five grand will go a long way.”
That’s when Sheriff Cooke, Detectives Lance Matthews and Tyrone Stewart entered the room. Several uniformed police officers and Merlene walked in behind them.
“What is this?” Claire rose to her feet and so did Freddie.
Cooke approached her. “You don’t ask the questions here, lady. We do. Arrest her!”
The uniformed officers placed her under arrest.
Merlene hurried over and hugged me tightly.
“Good job, Lucille,” Cooke said as I got up from the desk. “We managed to get everything on tape. For a moment there, I thought she’d never confess.”
“I knew she would, eventually,” I replied. “Narcissistic persons like herself revel in self-praise for a job well done—whether it was good or evil.”
He nodded in agreement.
“I had nothing to do with any of it!” Freddie said in his defense.
“I know, buddy. You’re free to go,” Lance told him.
Freddie looked at his wife standing there in handcuffs, looking defeated. He sighed. “I’m not gonna turn my back on you like how you intended to do to me, Claire. Despite everything, I still love you.”
“Even after how she tried to pin a murder on you?” Stewart asked, in disbelief.
“Even so.” Freddie nodded.
“You’ve gotta be kidding!” Stewart shook his head.
There he was again, shooting that mouth off. I swear if I was a guy, I’d clobber him just to shut him up once and for all.
* * *
“You saved the day!” Merlene exclaimed as we were walking towards Theodore’s car. “You saved David’s life!”
Clutching the envelope with the check I’d given to Claire, I replied, “It was the least I could do for the boy. Hopefully, it’ll make up for the last couple of birthday gifts I missed.”
Merlene laughed. “By
the way, they’ve released him.”
“They have?” I replied, excitedly.
“Yes. He’s right here.”
“Where?”
He climbed out of Theodore’s back seat, walked over and embraced me. “Thanks, Miss Lucille. I can’t express how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me. Without you, I probably would’ve rotted in jail.”
My eyes welled with tears. “Like I told your mother, I hope it makes up for the last few birthday gifts I owe you.”
He laughed as well. I guess they thought I was joking.
“Let’s go home, everyone. Time to celebrate!” Theodore said.
David turned to his mother. “After we spend some time at Miss Lucille’s place today, I was wondering if I can come back home.”
Merlene’s face lit up. “Sure, you can! It’s your house too.”
He grabbed his mother and squeezed her tightly. “I love you, Mom. Thanks for sticking by me.”
Merlene was in tears now. “That’s what moms are for.”
I rode with Theodore while Merlene and David travelled together. When we pulled up to the front gate, I heard music coming from the house. Inside, a crowd of people, mostly friends and acquaintances of Merlene, Theodore and myself wearing party hats and blowing whistles, greeted us. Anthony, in his glory, had quickly arranged the whole thing. Debbie, Gary and Judy Anderson were there and I later learned that blabbermouth Carla and a few other neighbors were not invited. That was fine by me. Mickey Carey and several of his associates were there too. Anthony expressed that it was a coming home celebration for David, but also a make-up anniversary party for Donnie and me. I couldn’t believe he’d done that for us. Like I said, my boys are the best! I could’ve only hoped and prayed that day there was not about to be another murder on my property.
Sir Clement visited me that night and gave his nod of approval. I knew I never could’ve solved the mystery without him and did not forget to thank him. I also came to terms that he served a special purpose in my life, though I wasn’t yet sure what that was. Maybe his own tragic ending truly had something to do with it. But the question remained: What was his connection to my inner vision and why did it now seem more stabilized since the murder? Did my willingness to help a friend and her son earn me brownie points? Perhaps, I’d learn more in the near future and maybe all my questions will be answered.
Nilla received an extra special doggie treat for the awesome part she played in unraveling the mystery surrounding Sabrina’s death. I wondered if the little dog-shaped treat tasted like chocolate cake or butterscotch ice cream because the second she got it, she ran off to a corner of the room to privately savor it.
19
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Merlene insisted on that meeting in the Sheriff’s office the following day. Mickey and I were there for moral support. David wanted no part of the Sheriff’s office ever again in life, so he declined his mother’s invitation to join us.
Lance and Stewart sat on the same side of the desk as Cooke, while Mickey, Merlene and I faced them.
“Why did you use my son as a scapegoat,” Merlene started, “when you already had documentation that clearly indicated Sabrina could’ve been seeing someone else? Why didn’t you pursue the other person whose phone number was prevalent in her records apart from David’s?
Cooke glanced at Lance, before addressing Merlene. “We didn’t use David as a scapegoat, Merlene. We found the evidence against him stronger than any other party we came across.”
“Sheriff, may I interject here?” Lance asked.
Cooke eagerly gave him the nod.
“I think I should put it out there that Frederick Fairweather’s relationship or should I say, connection to Sabrina was being investigated…”
“While you were already holding David?” Mickey asked.
“Yes,” Lance replied.
Mickey scoffed. “I find it odd that you’re going to investigate the man after you’ve already arrested who you thought to be your prime suspect.”
“We wanted to cover all our bases, Counselor.”
“Come on! Let’s be real here,” Mickey retorted. “You refused to touch the Fairweathers because they were politically connected, particularly, Mrs. Fairweather.”
“Then you should know we had to have all our bases covered and evidence in place before making any type of move,” Lance said. “We were getting there.”
“I don’t think you were,” Merlene countered. “Prosecuting David would’ve been much easier for you—even with the doubt, I’m sure you all had in your minds, of his guilt. You were just being lazy and wanted to take the easy route to close the case.”
“That’s not true, Merlene,” Cooke said. “We were all working diligently to get to the bottom of this matter. Let me remind you that no charges were filed against David.”
Merlene stood up. “No. Not yet. If Lucille hadn’t come forward with something you couldn’t shove underneath the rug—the housekeeper’s testimony and the phone records that you guys were no longer the only ones privy to—you would’ve railroaded my David. Well, shame on you—all three of you knuckleheads!”
“No need for insults,” Steward said, abruptly.
“Don’t you tell me what’s necessary! You didn’t do what was necessary to arrest and convict the right person. I’m gonna tell you something and y’all had better listen well: You better hope history doesn’t repeat itself, this time involving your own children, if you have any. I know you do, Sheriff. When you’re out there handling other people’s children, remember Sherry and Hank.”
“There she goes threatening again!” Lance shook his head.
“I didn’t perceive a threat,” Mickey immediately replied.
“There’s something called Karma,” she continued. “In other words: What goes around comes around. You messed with my son; you put him through hell, but you’ll face what you’ve done one way or the other. And I’ll make it clear for the record. I’m not threatening to do anything to anyone. Whatever happens to any of you idiots in the future, you’ve done it to yourself.”
Merlene helped me up, then said to Mickey, “That’s all I wanted to say. Let’s go.”
* * *
That day, I officially resigned as member of the Pichton Pet Society. After what transpired concerning the Fairweathers, I figured I would’ve been kicked out if I hadn’t resigned anyway. Thought I’d better protect my dignity. I decided to look into another reputable animal charity, even if it wasn’t locally based or I’d start my own someday. I never tore up that check I wrote to the Society. Instead, I kept it as a reminder of how associating with snobbish people can ultimately bring murder to your doorstep. Hopefully, I would’ve learned my lesson.
I’m glad to say with Angela’s testimony and Claire’s secretly recorded confession, the Pichton Pet Society Chairperson and Lecturer at our local college was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in twenty-five years. By then, she’d be around eighty years old. I doubt she’d be a threat to anyone. But you never know…
The Pichton Pet Society
As you can see, when I joined the local pet society, I never dreamed that shortly thereafter, I’d be involved in a murder investigation. I’ll never forget that first meeting, those well-to-do people, and the questions they asked. To me, my being there was just something to do for the welfare of animals, but it turned out to be so much more—so much worse than I could’ve imagined.
~ The End ~
~ Keep reading to see what’s coming next in this exciting, new series! ~
*** Will Lucille learn the real reason for Sir Clement’s visits and that of the others?
*** Will her disclosure of the half a million insurance dollar payout be kept confidential by her best friend, Merlene?
BLIND ESCAPE
Book Two
Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series
Tanya R. Taylor
1
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(The Excursion)
Well, he didn’t have to worry about that. After that one lesson, I refused anymore and would’ve preferred to drown if fate had it that way, rather than allow rough, boorish Uncle Stan to cause me to swallow anymore gallons of sea water during swimming lessons. So, since I never really learned how to swim, except for doing the dog paddle, I avoided the sea like a plague for the better part of six decades.
They must’ve blind-folded, gagged and forced me by gunpoint to get me out there on a yacht smack dab in the middle of the ocean! It’s the only way, since I wasn’t sure if my life depended on it, the dog paddle would’ve worked in that depth of water we were sailing on. “Death by drowning” was sure to be the words they’d record on my death certificate.
“Would you like a cocktail, Lucille?” Merlene asked, holding a tall glass of rum punch in one hand and her floppy hat in the other. She and Theodore had been dancing on the top deck, along with a dozen happy partiers. It was sunny out that morning as we cruised along the harbor in an area of Chadsworth comprised mostly of tourist and entertainment hangouts. I’d taken a comfy spot in a lounge chair on the left side of the yacht, next to the rail. All I wanted to do was inhale the subtle scent of the sea breeze and watch the water glistening in the sun. I couldn’t thank my actual eyes for any of that, but since the day Sir Clement had made his grand entrance into my bedroom and that mysterious light consumed the space, my inner vision never faded.