by Dani Corlee
"Will he be in the house?" Mabel whispered while she stroked a temple.
Let's see." Randy knocked on the door.
They heard a muffled sound of footsteps and a man’s voice asking who it was.
Randy introduced himself, and the man had no choice but to open the door.
The man who received them was rather small of build, with just a few wisps of hair combed in a funny way. He was wearing a pair of glasses with thin frames over which he looked at them.
He gestured for them to sit down and he moved to let them in. Mabel noticed the blue plaid slippers, as well as the tartan house jacket and trousers of a matching solid color. It was rather curious that such a person would use such a well-made suit. But she was even more surprised to see that the man was also wearing light gloves that looked like cotton.
"I have an allergy to ma-my-hands, and I try to av-avo-avoid contact with wha-wha-whatever I can." he said seeing her questioning eye.
The sitting area where he invited them was modestly furnished but clean and tidy. Through an open door, Mabel saw the hall, where some large binders and various sheets of paper were scattered on the table.
Intercepting her look, Mr. Whitmore closed the door and sat down on a chair facing them.
"Ho-ho-how-can I help you?" He said with a weak smile.
Mabel involuntarily shivered. She didn’t like this man. His mild and offish manner perplexed her.
Randy took out his notebook and started asking questions. Mr. Whitmore had not yet been questioned, but in the light of the fact that he was a potential suspect, Randy’s intention was to understand fully his relationship with Mrs. Stone, with Mr. Hopkins and Mr. White.
After a few questions, Randy had made an opinion even if only very general, of the man. A tireless worker, without too many obligations or ambition, who for about 15 years had managed the company in an excellent way, coping with all administrative problems while Mrs. Stone could dedicate herself to more practical matters and, of late, taking more and more time to herself.
Randy asked him about his relationship with Mr. Hopkins, and he began to speak slowly, with a timid smile and occasionally stammering.
"Absolutely none. I've never seen him and I never even understood who he was. I knew his name only because Mrs. Stone had told me to make a payment every three months and said that it was for consulting. I suspect that they were instead dividends, because the amount varied from time to time and after a while I realized that the amount increased or decreased in accordance with the quarter's revenue. But I never knew for sure what that money was for, nor did I ever permit myself to ask.” He took off his glasses and cleaned them on the hem of his jacket. "Obviously." He emphasized.
Mabel continued to watch the man with intensity. Something was wrong, and she could not understand what.
"Do you have the list of these payments? I know that the station has already informed you of the fact that someone broke into your office and ransacked it. In that mess, we didn’t actually succeed in checking much. Among other things, do you have any idea what they were after?"
Percy smiled. "I guess someone tried to take advantage of the temporary closing. Anyway, yes, I have a copy of the documents here at home. I often bring work home at night." He paused a moment. "I can assure you that Mrs. Stone was aware of the fact!" He continued with a worried look.
Mabel nodded urging him to go on.
"I can have them for you tomorrow morning? I have to look for them among the many files I have here."
"Of course, you can leave them at the station tomorrow."
"I have errands near the shop of Miss Norwood; it would be easier for me to take them there if you don't mind."
"Sounds good to me," they both answered.
"We know that you were heard on the phone with Mr. George White, the former husband of Mrs. Stone. What was that about?"
If Mr. Whitmore was annoyed by the question, he didn’t show it.
"Not much really. He called me to ask if Mrs. Stone kept documents in the office of the factory, without telling me what kind of documents he was asking about. I explained to him that the lady only came to the factory for periodic controls and that all documents were delivered to the house, and so she didn’t keep anything at Magical Sweets.
"I understand. But we were told that during the phone call you have discussed a brother..."
There was a brief hesitation before the answer? Mabel couldn't tell.
"Ah, yes. Before we said goodbye, he asked me if I had a brother. He must have said something like he knew a fellow student with my name, but I explained to him that I'm an only child."
"Mm..." Randy weighed the answer, not too convinced.
"To listen to you one would think it was a friendly conversation, and yet we were told that it was a rather agitated discussion.”
"Agitated? I wouldn't say that. I don't know who might have said that. Mr. White kept insisting about the documents, but I explained to him that the lady kept everything at home. That's about it."
Randy closed his notebook and turned to Mabel. "I guess we can be satisfied, right?"
Mabel nodded without saying anything.
They got up, and Mr. Whitmore followed them to the door. "When will the factory reopen?" He asked before saying goodbye to them. "Miss, I am obviously available to continue my usual work, and you can eliminate any concern regarding the management, which by now I have done for years."
"Yes," replied Mabel in a low voice.
"We have to wait to reopen until the investigation is finished so that Ms. Norwood can take possession.” Randy added, looking questioningly at her.
"Until soon," she said to cut short the conversation and finally get out of that house.
"Fine," he said when they got into the car. "It seems to me that at least the accountant is without suspicion and that the phone call with Mr. White doesn’t hide anything. Evidently your uncle has called for a simple piece of information."
"I don't know; this guy doesn't convince me. When we arrived, he was working on some documents. What was he doing?"
Randy laughed. "Don't you think you're overreacting? He could have other clients."
"He's an employee of the firm, not a freelancer. He should not have other clients."
"And then he could have been organizing his bills!"
Mabel didn’t answer. Randy was right, the man had given an explanation for everything and had been cooperative. And yet, she really didn’t like him.
CHAPTER 10
Mabel looked up and saw Randy coming into her studio. A cup of latte still in hand, she greeted him pointing with a nod to an envelope lying on the entrance table.
"What is it? May I?" He asked picking it up.
"The lawyer called me early this morning. He told me that Mr. Hopkins, on the day the will was opened, in the midst of all the confusion, had left him a sealed envelope with a note. He had thought it contained documents to pursue his request to appeal the will, and when Mr. Hopkins was killed, he thought no more about it because he had to go out of town. But yesterday he picked up the envelope and read the note. The only thing written was that it should be delivered to me in case anything happened to him. He said that the message alarmed him and that he was sending a messenger to bring it to me, knowing that I'm helping with the investigation and asking me to advise you."
"Maybe that’s what Mr. White was looking for that night?"
Mabel nodded. "That’s what he said. He also said that he is available if you need him."
Randy pulled out the contents of the envelope and looked at Mabel questioningly. "But what does it mean?"
Mabel shrugged. "I have no idea."
"Who are they?"
"Well, obviously it’s my great-aunt and White on their wedding day. The one next to White could be his witness. But I don't know who it is. It seems I have seen him, but I'm not sure. Maybe he only looks like someone I know."
"It is strange. I also have the impression that I've seen him. But
I can't think where or when."
They looked at each other confused. "What do we do now?" She asked.
"And if it’s the elusive brother?" Randy's voice got louder, and a broad smile came over his face. He stabbed at the picture. Yes, yes, I think we're getting close. This could be the key to everything. Mr. Hopkins knew he was in danger, and he sent you a clue."
Mabel looked at the picture still in Randy’s hand. Then she turned to him and noticed that his eyes were now brimming with excitement. "This man should be a clue?"
"There's only one thing to do, discover something more about White and his family. Do you know where he was born?"
"He was born and always lived in Springsville, before divorcing. I don't know where he lives now."
"That doesn't matter. Let's go check the records of the city. The offices are close to the station. We can even walk."
"I can't come now. I'm waiting for Mr. Whitmore to bring me those documents. Indeed, he should have been here by now." Mabel looked out the display window. "Wait, maybe he's coming."
"Meanwhile, I’ll call the station." Randy stepped away to make the call.
Mr. Whitmore entered the shop with a slight bow and a shy smile.
"Here are the documents, you requested Ms. Norwood. This is the list of payments to suppliers for the past 5 years. For the previous years, I should probably have to look in the office but I doubt that the documentation will cover much more than what I have here in my hands. I fear that many things were kept and then, after a number of years, destroyed. Among these that I brought there are the payments to Mr. Hopkins. I marked them with a highlighter. Shall I put them here?" He asked pointing to the table with a nod and in so doing his gaze fell on the photograph that was on the table. For a brief moment, he appeared startled, but if he was, he managed to bounce back immediately.
"Well, if you still need me, just call," He said and turned to Randy, who was watching him while he finished his phone call and, after a brief goodbye nod, he quickly left.
"Did you see?" Randy asked her.
"That guy gives me the creeps, and I don't know why."
"He jumped when he saw the picture, did you notice?"
"Frankly I don't know. Maybe it's just because he saw my aunt when she was young. She was so radiant here in this picture!"
"Maybe, or maybe it's because he knows this man. Let's go right away to check the records at the registry."
CHAPTER 11
"There you are!" The sheriff yelled behind Randy’s shoulder, as he calmly leaned against a wall beside Mabel, in line at the town’s registry office.
"Sheriff, you here too?" He asked amazed, straightening up and assuming a bit more composure.
"I would prefer not to be, but it seems that I have to keep after you." The other answered scowling. "What the hell are you doing?"
Randy looked around. At that time, these offices were always quite busy, and many heads had turned to see what was going on. He breathed deeply as his anger increased. The fact that the sheriff rebuked him in front of everyone was really humiliating.
He answered with the calmest tone he could muster. "I'm conducting the investigation. I need to consult the registry."
"You're not conducting the investigation. You're just wasting time. In fact, you're also wasting taxpayers’ money. You can't consult the records. I want you to go back right away and do some real investigation." The sheriff's voice was getting louder.
"What do you mean I can't see the records? They are public. Anyone can see them."
"This whole thing is ridiculous. I order you to go back to the station. I will assign you another case. This one is simple and has practically already been solved."
"Oh really?" And let’s hear, who's the killer?" Randy’s aggressive manner did not go unnoticed, and the sheriff got even angrier.
"You go back to the station. As for you, young lady," the Sheriff turned to Mabel trying to intimidate her with a threatening scowl, "I'm on to you. Don’t think you can fool everyone with your blue eyes. We're not all idiots, here. Have a good time while you can and enjoy your freedom while you have it." He stopped when his phone began to ring.
"Where?" He said. I’ll be right there." Then, he turned to Randy and Mabel again and went on "Don't think you'll get away with this, you two. Go back to the station, and then we’ll see." And, with a satisfied look, he strode towards the exit.
There was a moment of frozen silence, and then everyone resumed what they were doing before, and all the employees forced themselves once again to appear diligent and busy.
Mabel turned to Randy with a sad look. "But how can you work with that guy?" She asked.
Randy shook his head. "It won't be much longer. In a few years, he will retire, and I'm sure the town will be much better off. He’s an obtuse and evil person. I only stay because, in spite of my inexperience, I can do the job much better than he."
"Agreed, but for now he is the one with the upper hand."
"I know." I don't plan on losing my job. But if we get into a real battle I will have to assert my position, and I am sure he will find a way to get rid of me. But first we have to solve this case. I could never leave you alone in this mess."
Their number lit up on the board, and they went to the designated desk. It didn't take long to get the desired information. George White, in fact, had a brother a few years older than he, called Paul White, who had left the town several years earlier and his current address was unknown. Could he be the guy in the picture?
As they left the registry offices, Randy squeezed his eyes thoughtfully. "Then Darren White lied about not having uncles."
"No, actually I don't think so. In fact, I'm sure he didn’t lie. And this leads me to another question. How is it possible that Darren is not aware of the existence of this man?"
"It's really weird. Why would a family get to the point of never mentioning so close a relative? There is definitely something going on. It’s better to talk to George again and see what he has to say about it. He was released on bail. I will look for him this afternoon. Now I'd better go to the station. If the sheriff is there, I expect another argument."
"I can imagine. I'm sorry about all this."
"Well, it's not your fault. It's my job, and then I am also happy to help you. Wait, let me walk with you a bit while I refresh my mind about that picture."
They both turned suddenly at the sound of a car’s screeching tires behind them. They froze in surprise, as the car approached faster and faster. Randy took control of the situation and immediately caught Mabel’s arm and managed to pull her into a pedestrian only side street where they got past the two stakes blocking the entrance. The car couldn't reach them on the other side. They stopped out of breath. Mabel's eyes were bulging in terror.
"Did they really want to kill us?" She asked incredulously in a tiny voice and heard the car still screeching nearby.
"So it seems," He replied.
"Did you see who it was?"
"No, unfortunately not. The windows were tinted."
"I don't suppose you've seen the plate either." Mabel was still breathing hard.
"There wasn’t enough time. Not even for a trained eye like mine. You know, actually things on the ground are very different from when you study them and surprise can play dirty tricks. I thought only to save us. Also, because to see the plates, I would have had to turn around completely, losing precious seconds. For sure he would have taken us out."
"But who can it be?"
"Someone who’s beginning to feel threatened by the investigation?"
CHAPTER 12
"I want to go back to your aunt’s house and look for other photographs. Will you come too?"
"What about the sheriff? Don't you have to go to the police station, first?"
Randy gave a shrug and continued. "Probably whoever stole the photos that were missing had his reasons for not wanting them to be seen. Why? What did those pictures show? Maybe the mysterious brother again? It seems to me that B
anks had said something like that."
"He had said that the maid remembered that it showed the bride and groom with the witnesses, while the one that is missing from the bedroom depicted your aunt with some others at a picnic. Why your aunt kept a photo of the wedding puzzles me."
They got into the car and headed toward Villa Enchantment.
Mabel sighed. "Fortunately, at this time I don't have a lot of work because otherwise it would have been a problem."