Murder on Bradbury Hill

by Jane T O'Brien

  Alex heard the doorbell, “Everyone is out back, I’d better see who it is.”

  Almost afraid to open the door for fear Detectives North and West be there, Alex was surprised when he saw a beautiful young woman looking back at him.

  “Hello, I don’t want to bother you, I stopped at Jake’s apartment and his neighbor said if he wasn’t home, he’d be with Kenzie Snow. Does Ms. Snow live here?”

  Jake heard his name and came out to investigate.

  “Lindsey, what are you doing here? I told you I didn’t need you to help me.”

  “It’s too late, I had a long talk with Detective North. I told him about Ace and the money. I think he believed me but I can’t be sure.”

  Lindsey turned to Alex. “Hello, I’m Lindsey Sutton. I’m an old friend of Jake’s. He helped me out of a jam and now he is in trouble because of it.”

  “Come in, Lindsey, I’m Alex Snow, I represent Jake in the latest scrape he’s gotten himself into. Are you willing to tell me what you told Detective North?”

  “Yes, if it will help Jake.”

  Alex led the way to the den. Lindsey told Alex the same thing she’d told Detective North. When she finished, there was a knock on the door.

  “Hey guys, dinner is waiting for you on the patio, come get it before it gets cold.” She glanced in Lindsey’s direction. “Hello,” she said.

  “Kenzie, this is Ace Sutton’s wife, Lindsey. Lindsey, my fiancé, Mackenzie Snow.”

  “Lindsey, I’m happy to meet you, I was sorry to hear about Ace, how are you and your son managing?”

  “We’re fine, thanks to my folks. I won’t take more of your time; your dinner is waiting.”

  Kenzie saw the look on her brother’s face, if she didn’t know better, she’d say the confirmed bachelor was charmed by their visitor. “Lindsey, please stay, there is plenty of food and we’d love to have you join us.”

  “Yes, Lindsey,” said Alex, “Stay, my dad does a fantastic job grilling steaks.”

  “That’s kind of you,” Lindsey said looking at Jake who nodded his head in approval. “I’d love to stay.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Dan and Erica sat at a quiet table in Devonshire’s, the popular steak house in downtown Oakwood Park. They talked about their families and the reasons they chose police work. It surprised them both that they had many common interests. They’d both started their careers in a large metropolitan area and settled in Oakwood Park.

  “Do you miss the chaos of the big city, Dan?”

  “No, I like it here. I look forward to fall when the Community Players begins their new season. Have you thought about joining the group?”

  “I signed up to help backstage. Kenzie Snow has offered to work with me, she’s an artist and I love to sketch and draw. I think it will be fun helping create the scenery.

  “Dan, I know your thoughts are on the Bradbury sisters. It’s difficult to forget a murder investigation that hasn’t been solved. Shall we talk about the case, I think we both want to.”

  “I thought it would be good to have a nice, normal evening together as friends, but you are right, the murder is on my mind. Tell me, Erica, what are your thoughts on our prime suspect?”

  “Honestly, I think our case against him is falling apart. Katherine Bradbury heard the sisters say they would ask Jake about the furnace which explains his fingerprints. Lindsey Sutton explained the loan repayment and I believe her. There isn’t a person in this town who doesn’t think Jake Morgan is an upstanding guy and doesn’t have it in him to murder anyone. He seemed genuinely surprised when he learned he was the main beneficiary in the Bradbury will. It makes sense they would leave their fortune to someone who cared about them. If they’d left it to a save the cats society, or the like, we wouldn’t be questioning it.”

  “I have my doubts too. Rebecca Snow is convinced the guy is innocent. He’s an old friend, engaged to her daughter, but I trust her instincts. If she doubted Morgan’s innocence, she’d set out to prove his guilt.”

  “I wish we had more information on where to find Jess King,” said Erica. “I wonder if he made one last trip to Bradbury Hill before skipping town.”

  “I agree, the guy is clean, at least he’s never been in trouble with the law. If Jess King is his real name.”

  “He was a ranch hand at the Bradbury Cattle Ranch, they must have a copy of his photo ID on file. That is if they follow protocol in the wild west.”

  “Clem Parks strikes me as a stickler for the rules. He would do nothing to jeopardize Katherine Bradbury’s ranch or wellbeing. I’ll call him tomorrow to see if he can get me a picture of Jess. For now, I’d like to forget business and concentrate on you.”

  “Detective North, in what direction are you going?”

  “Due west, of course,” Dan said as he took his partner’s hand in his.

  On the Snow patio

  Lindsey Sutton smiled as she glanced around the patio table seeing nothing but friendly faces. The fear she’d been living with was fading. Her life with Ace had been a sham even before they married. She wasn’t sorry he’d been in her life because without Ace she wouldn’t have her precious Jamie.

  “Lindsey, Jake said you have a little boy,” said Kenzie.

  “Yes, Jamie is two-years-old. I know every mother says this but he’s a wonderful little guy. My mom and dad are watching him today.

  “Jake has been a good friend, he helped me when I thought my family was in danger. I never dreamed he’d be in trouble with the law because of me.”

  “That wasn’t your fault, Lindsey, it was only a red flag to Detective North. My fingerprints on the furnace and vent were the deciding factor in my arrest. I appreciate your telling your story and Katie remembering that the sisters planned to ask me to look at the furnace. I’m still somewhat at fault because I should have called someone to fix the furnace that day. What if I unknowingly repositioned the vent causing the gas to leak?”

  “Guilt is a waste of good energy, my boy,” said Clem Park. “The more I think about Jess King, the more I think he’s the thief. I’ve sent a message to my right-hand man to find King’s application, there will be a copy of his driver’s license there. Jess came from out-of-state, it will show where the license was issued and with the photo it will help Detective North find him.”

  Rebecca liked Clem’s idea. She hoped it would be enough to find Jess King. The dwindling staff at the Bradbury mansion had worked for the sisters for years. She knew they were paid well for their services and found it hard to believe any of them would steal from their employers. Jess King could easily have driven up the hill, parked out of sight and entered the basement through the window. The robbery was one thing, but killing the sisters by poisoning them through the furnace was another. She knew Jess’s type, and she doubted he’d have the wherewithal to stage an accidental death. His greed would compel him to return to the house to search for more hidden money. He would know the mansion would be well-guarded and he wouldn’t get near it without being caught. No, Jess King did not kill the sisters. But who did?

  ***

  Lindsey thanked her host and hostess for including her in their get together.

  “I’ve had a lovely time with everyone. I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in a long time.”

  “Do you have to leave so soon?” Alex asked.

  “Yes, I want to get home in time to tuck Jamie in for the night, I know my folks and they have let him stay up past his bedtime.”

  Rebecca saw the looks her son gave to Lindsey, and she approved.

  “Lindsey, we would love to meet little Jamie. Why don’t you come by tomorrow afternoon? We’ll have a light lunch and a peanut butter sandwich for Jamie.”

  “Peanut butter is Jamie’s favorite. Your family has been so kind, I don’t want to impose.”

  “You won’t be imposing,” said Alex a too eagerly, “I’ll pick you up at the farm.”

  “It’s settled then,” said Rebecca, “we will see you tomorrow afternoon.”


  After Lindsey drove away, Andy shook his head. “As if one wedding in the family isn’t enough, your mother is making sure another takes place. This one with a built-in grandchild.”

  Alex smiled, he’d never believed in love at first sight until today.

  ***

  Alex offered to give Katie and Clem a ride to the hotel. As they were about to leave, Clem received a text from the ranch with the copy of Jess King’s driver’s license. It was issued in Illinois to Richard Jesse King. He pulled out the business card Detective North gave him and called the number.

  Mr. Parks, that is great, will you send the photo to my phone. The information will help track this guy down.

  With Alex’s help, Clem sent the photo complaining about this newfangled equipment. “In my day, I’d have used the United States Postal Service for this.”

  “Yes, Clem, and Jess would be even more miles away by the time it arrived in Oakwood Park,” said Katie smiling at her old friend.

  At Devonshire’s Steakhouse

  “I hate to cut our evening short, Erica, but do you mind going back to the station. I’d like to put out an APB on this guy as soon as possible,” said Dan.

  “Let’s go,” said Erica as she drained her glass of Pinot Noir.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rebecca awoke with the sound of birds chirping in the maple tree next to the bedroom window. She remembered the day she and Andy planted it when it was no bigger than a twig. Money was tight and the sad little tree was all they could afford. Rebecca worried it would never make it through the harsh winter but it grew stronger every year. It survived ice storms a few winters and torrential rains in the spring and continued to grow. Rebecca loved when autumn arrived and its leaves turned a beautiful red and the signs of spring when buds became leaves. In the summer’s heat, it shaded that side of the house and in the winter; it allowed the sun to shine in through the windows.

  She heard Andy downstairs puttering in the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee enticed her to get out of her comfortable bed. She’d spent a restless night dreaming about the Bradbury Hill murders.

  Rebecca splashed water on her face, brushed her teeth and walked downstairs to grab a cup of coffee before getting ready for the day.

  “Hi, sweetheart, I thought you’d snooze a little longer. You didn’t sleep well last night.”

  “I’m sorry if I disturbed you, Andy, I can’t seem to put what happened to the Bradbury sisters out of my mind.”

  “You know me, I can sleep through anything. Alex called already this morning. He’s picking Lindsey Sutton up at twelve-thirty, they should arrive here close to one o’clock. He sounded like a teenager, I haven’t known him to be this excited about a female since third grade,” Andy laughed.

  “I think it’s wonderful,” came Kenzie’s voice. “I hope Lindsey feels the same way. Jake says Ace was known for his luck playing poker but he didn’t know his gambling was out of control. I can’t wait to meet her little boy. Won’t it be fun to have a toddler around the house?”

  “It will be good practice for our future grandchildren,” said Rebecca.

  “Mom, I’d love to go with you to the Bradbury mansion. Just to see the place would be a hoot. I know Detective North won’t let anyone in there with you. I hope you can help him clear Jake’s name. I get furious when I think how badly he treated Jake for no reason.”

  “I know, Kenzie, but he was doing his job. He doesn’t know Jake as we do, otherwise, he’d never have suspected him of committing a crime.”

  “Look at the time, I’ll be late for the show if I don’t hurry.”

  ***

  Oakwood Park Police Department

  “Good morning, Detective North, have you been here all night?”

  “Good morning, Detective West, I was too tired to drive home, I slept on the sofa. I’m sorry about our date, I’d planned a different ending.”

  “Don’t apologize, I’m sorry I left when I did, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Have you had any luck finding our guy?”

  “There’s a used car lot on Highway Twenty-Five heading toward Kensington. It’s close to where the rental car was dumped. I’m on my way to check it out.”

  “Let’s go,” Erica replied.

  Herbie’s Fine Autos

  “Yeah, I remember the guy, he’s a punk. I don’t pick my customers. He needed a car and had cash so I sold him what he wanted. My cars are sold as is; once the customer drives it off the lot it’s their problem.”

  Dan tried to hide his disgust. “Look, buddy, we’re not here to investigate your business practices, we want to find this guy. If you know where he went when he left here, you will tell us.”

  “Do I look like a baby sitter, I don’t know where he went, he asked where he could get something to eat. I told him about the diner down the road. The food’s terrible but I didn’t tell him that. As I said, the guy was a punk.”

  The detectives left the lot and drove until they reached Schmidt’s Auto Repair. Dan had a hunch he’d find Jess’s new car in the shop.

  They walked into the shop and sitting in the waiting area was none other than Jess King. The detectives smiled at each other and approached him.

  “Richard Jesse King?” asked Dan.

  Jess started to bolt but thought better of it when he realized there was no escape.

  Charlie Schmidt walked into the waiting area. “Hey, Kid, you bought a piece of junk. I don’t know what you paid for it but you were duped. You might get some of your money back if you take it to a scrap yard.”

  “You keep the piece of garbage, old man. This guy’s giving me a ride.”

  Jess walked to Dan’s car pleading his case. “Look, man, I didn’t kill those dames, you will not pin a murder on me.”

  When they returned to the station, Jess told every detail of the theft. He’d been nosing around the mansion, looking in the basement windows to see if one was unlocked when he saw the two old ladies pulling bricks out of the wall until they found a large envelope. Jess noticed money flying from behind the loose bricks. He watched as the women walked up the stairs and closed the basement door behind them. That was when he forced the window open and climbed in. He pulled out every loose brick in the wall and stuffed his pockets with the money behind them. He’d planned to go back the next day to see what he could find upstairs in the mansion.

  “When I drove to the hill the next morning, I saw all the flashing lights and figured I’d better get out of there before they asked questions.”

  “Are you telling us you didn’t plan this robbery?”

  “No, Detective, I didn’t know the old girls would make it so easy to help myself,” Jess laughed.

  “Do you always carry gloves with you in the springtime, Jess?”

  “Yeah, I kept gloves in my pocket on the ranch. I hate touching those filthy animals with my bare hands. I wouldn’t want to ruin my manicure,” he laughed again.

  “Two elderly women are dead, Jess, why do you think your part in their murder is funny?”

  “Hey, I didn’t kill the old bats. They were about a hundred, maybe they died of old age.”

  “They died of carbon monoxide poisoning because someone accidentally or deliberately tampered with the furnace vent.”

  Jess’s smirk disappeared, his face turned white and tears welled in his eyes when he realized he could be accused of murder. Nothing had gone right since he arrived in Oakwood Park. His dreams of being the husband of a billionaire were dashed and now he faced prison for the rest of his life.

  “I want a lawyer, get me a lawyer. I didn’t kill anybody.”

  Erica called a transporter to take Richard Jesse King to the same cell Jake Morgan occupied the day before.

  After Jess leaves the office, Dan acknowledges he believes the little vermin had nothing to do with the sisters’ deaths.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Detective North waited for Rebecca to finish her broadcast. He chatted with Barb Tinsdale, Angus Carlson’s assistant, abo
ut his first experience as an actor.

  “I hope we see you next season, for a rookie, you are a good actor,” said Barb.

  “I had a good time, Rebecca is the true professional; I’ve often wondered why she didn’t pursue a career in the theater.”

  “I don’t think Rebecca ever had aspirations to be a star. Unlike the late Carolina Bloom, Rebecca is happy with her life here in Oakwood Park. She and Andy are good together. The man is crazy about her and she’s crazy about him. What about you, Detective, is there a Mrs. Detective North at home?”

  “No, I’m not that fortunate,” answered Dan as a mental picture of Erica West developed in his mind.