Murder on Applewood Circle

by Jane T O'Brien

  ***

  “Officer Young, check with the prison, when is Todd Swayze due to be released?”

  “I’ve already done so, sir. He was released three weeks ago.”

  ***

  Oakwood Park Hotel

  Frederick Swayze rented a suite in the hotel. It was obvious the housekeeping staff had cleaned and tidied the room. Toiletries were placed neatly on the bathroom shelf. A change of clothing hung in the closet. Papers were piled neatly on the coffee table.

  Cheryl looked through the papers, most were receipts for a taxi service. “Detective North, Father hired a taxi once or twice a day to take him to Applewood Circle. He’d been there several times in the last two weeks. There is a cab number on the receipts, it must be a driver who is stationed at the hotel.”

  They walked through the lobby to the cab stand. The cab and driver in question was in line.

  Detective North showed his badge and asked the driver about his fare to Applewood Circle.

  “Yes, I remember the guy, he kept going to the same place and walking the circle. The first couple times I dropped him off and left. When he wanted to go back on the third day, I worried he wasn’t in his right mind. I waited for him and watched as he looked at the houses, walking closer, then backing away. I didn’t charge him for the ride back to the hotel. I haven’t seen him in a couple days, I hope he found the person for whom he was looking.”

  “You didn’t take him late in the evening two days ago?”

  “No, sir, six o’clock is my quitting time. I can check with dispatch to see if anyone else drove him that night. If not, he might have taken the bus. The last bus down that way is at midnight.”

  “Thanks, you have been helpful. You didn’t notice whether someone was with him, did you?”

  “Now that you mention it, a car seemed to follow me a few times when I drove him there, I didn’t think much about it, it’s a residential area and many people live in the neighborhood.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The following day

  Hoping to keep their lives normal for as long as possible, Sally Evans insisted Paul and the children leave for work as scheduled. Sitting at her kitchen table sipping a reheated cup of coffee, Sally admonished herself for not sharing her fears. I’ve made a mess of everything, if only I’d told Paul long ago about Mr. Swayze’s threats, perhaps I’d have confronted him when I first saw him lurking in the neighborhood. If I didn’t shoot him, who did?

  A quiet tap on the back door startled Sally, she was glad to see Rebecca Snows’ friendly face.

  “I’m sorry, Sally, I didn’t mean to frighten you, I stopped by to say hello to Kenzie and thought I’d check to see how you are doing. Alex tells me Dan North hasn’t pressed charges against you. Alex thinks it’s a good sign.”

  “I hope he’s right, Rebecca. I admit I don’t want to think about spending my life in prison.”

  “Frederick Swayze’s daughter is in town. Dan called asking if you will meet with her. She was unaware of her father’s threats.”

  “Does she know I’m a suspect in her father’s murder? Is she here to even the score?”

  “Dan would never have agreed to a visit if that was the case. Alex saw no harm, but he’d like to be present if you meet.”

  “I have no objection, I’m sorry her father is dead and will offer my condolences, however, I can’t forget Aunt Tilly’s accident and still wonder if Mr. Swayze was responsible.”

  Cloverdale Police Station

  District Attorney Carlton called Officer Gary Young.

  “Gary, I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about Todd Swayze being out of prison. If what that character, Becker, said is true, he could be dangerous.”

  “I’m on it, Mr. Carlton; unfortunately, not soon enough for Frederick Swayze. His body was found on a residential street in Oakwood Park, New York with a bullet in the chest.”

  “Oakwood Park? Do you know why he was there?”

  “The witness in his trial lives there with her husband and children. I’ve alerted the Oakwood Park Police that Todd Swayze is on the loose. I hope it’s not too late.”

  The Evans’ patio

  Rebecca’s instinct told her Sally needed a friend today and offered to stay with her while they waited to hear from Dan.

  “It’s a beautiful day, Rebecca, I’m glad you suggested sitting on the patio. If this murder is ever cleared up and life returns to normal, I want to talk to you about the Community Playhouse. Harvey Rutledge thinks it would be good for me to be involved.”

  “I don’t think the Playhouse would function without Harvey. He can spot talent in those of us who have had little or no acting experience. I enjoy doing the morning show but I love acting. When the kids left home, I was at loose ends. I’d worked behind the scenes when they were little. Harvey convinced me to act when they were teenagers and busy with their friends and school. It filled a void and I’ve been grateful to Harvey since.”

  The doorbell rings.

  “I’m not expecting anyone, maybe it’s Detective North.”

  Sally walked through the house to open the front door. Standing before her was the familiar face of Todd Swayze. There was no mistaking the evil look in his eyes. The same look he gave her when he ran from the jewelry store twenty years ago.

  “Surprised to see me, Sally?”

  Sally’s heart sank, she stood motionless holding the door as he pushed his way in.

  “Homey little place you have here, Sally. You’ve had a nice life since my trial. I’ve spent the last nineteen years in prison, do you know what goes on in prison, Sally. Oh, that’s right, you will find out soon. You killed dear old dad, you shot him in the chest and watched as he writhed in pain. He couldn’t believe that sweet little Sally Jones would kill him in cold blood. You hated the man, didn’t you, Sally? He said he would make you pay for sending his precious son up the river. All he had to do was pay a dude to run over your Aunt Tilly and drive away. Do you think she suffered?” His laugh sent chills through Sally’s body.

  “Thanks to the internet, I found out where you lived and where you worked. It was easy to figure out where old man Crenshaw would hide a gun. I sent the clerk in the back room to find the perfect diamond, jumped over the counter and pried open the lock on the case holding the gun. The cops found the murder weapon where you tossed it after you shot the old man. Why aren’t you in jail?”

  Rebecca heard every word of the one-sided conversation. Don’t panic, Sally, she thought as she dialed 911 on her phone

  “I want you to know what will happen to your little family when you are in prison,” Todd said while looking at the family photographs on the mantle. “The husband will be the first to go. I’ll make it quick; he’s suffered enough being married to you all these years. Maybe a fiery car accident. Next will be the boy. He’s a handsome kid, we’ll take care of that with a nice dose of acid to the face. Last but not least, this little beauty.” He held the picture of Jenna. “I have plans for this one. While you are rotting in prison, I’ll be doing all kinds of things to her. Don’t worry, I’ll send you photographs.”

  Hearing his disgusting threats, Sally forgot her fear and reached for the fireplace poker. She swung and Todd grabbed her hand forcing her to drop the poker.

  “That will cost you.” He raised his hand to strike her when he heard Rebecca shout “NO!”

  “Who have we here?” he asked as he pulled a knife out of his belt.

  From the patio door, they heard Harvey’s voice. “Get him, Buffy,” he shouted.

  Buffy dashed inside wrapping his jaw around Todd’s ankle causing him to yell in pain while dropping the knife. Harvey stood before him with a shotgun pointed at Todd’s head. In the background, they heard sirens.

  “Put that thing down, old man, you won’t shoot me.”

  “Do you want to take the chance, punk?”

  Todd was frozen as the police entered the house with their guns pulled.

  “Glad you fellas got here,” said
Harvey. “I’ve never fired a rifle in my life. Not that it mattered, I don’t have shotgun shells for this old thing.”

  Once again police cars surrounded Applewood Circle. Worried neighbors came out of their houses to see what was happening. They watched as Todd Swayze sauntered to the waiting police car, his hands cuffed behind his back.

  Sally Evans hugged Buffy and then Harvey for saving her from a maniac. Rebecca told the story of the little dog fighting off the killer who’d murdered his own father.

  Television reporters for the local stations gathered around the Evans home waiting to hear the details of the recent murder and how a small dog and an eighty-year-old man stopped a madman from pursuing his revenge.

  By late afternoon, the crowds dispersed, the reporters were in the studio preparing their featured story and Todd Swayze claimed serious injury from a vicious dog bite while he sat in a cell behind bars.

  The following day

  “Mrs. Evans, I’m sorry for everything my brother and father put you through. I spoke to my father’s doctor earlier today. Father told him he had to make amends to you for his and Todd’s threats. The anguish over Todd’s deceit worsened his dementia. I believe he intended to apologize to you and ask your forgiveness.”

  “Mrs. Harding, thank you for telling me that. I’m sure Mr. Swayze did what he thought was best for his son. I’m sorry for your loss. Not only of your father but of your brother too.”

  “Father didn’t do Todd any favors through the years. He gave him everything he asked for and Todd appreciated nothing. He was a bully as a youngster and a bully in prison because Father gave him money when he asked for it. He had no friends, only people who enjoyed Father’s money. I don’t think he’ll fare as well without unending funds when he’s locked up again.

  “If Father taught me one lesson in life, it’s insisting my children work for what they want. My son begged his father and me to let him go to a college on the east coast. We told him he could go if he earned a scholarship. He didn’t apply himself, didn’t earn the scholarship and didn’t go to the school. He wasn’t happy then, but he learned his lesson and is working and going to school in California. Sometimes it’s hard to deny your child what he thinks he wants. I wish Father had learned that lesson. Maybe things would be different for Todd.”

  Paul thought about what Cheryl Harding said and remembered why he’d taken on a heavy workload. After everyone left, Paul said, “Sally, Mrs. Harding makes sense, if our kids want to go to fancy schools, and live in dorms, they can help pay for it. From now on, I’ll be home every evening spending time with my wife.”

  “I like that plan, Paul, however, you don’t have to watch over me. If you don’t mind take-out for dinner occasionally, I’d enjoy spending time at the Community Playhouse. Harvey thinks I should try out for a small role and eventually gain the confidence to take on a bigger part. If that doesn’t work out, I can sell tickets or help with the set decoration. I think it will be fun, it’s something we could do together if you’re interested.”

  Paul smiled; he was glad to see Sally relaxed. “I like that idea; you know what else would be fun? Let’s have a party to celebrate your freedom. Buffy Rutledge will be the guest of honor.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea, we will invite Rebecca Snow and Detectives North and West. Thanks to them, we all sleep better at night.”

  Epilogue

  Harvey, Vivian and Erin Rutledge

  Vivian scolds Harvey for confronting a murderer with an antique gun passed down from his father. However, she smiles with pride when telling the story of Buffy and Harvey saving the day for Sally Evans.

  Erin is a popular teacher in Oakwood Park Elementary. She and Connor Willard have become good friends. Connor introduced Erin to his best friend, Mark. Erin and Mark are an item. Erin’s mother still blames her daughter for the divorce, but Erin knows the fault wasn’t hers and has learned to put the past behind her.

  Annie and Kevin Palmer

  Annie has made peace knowing her father was behind the wheel of the car that killed her little sister. With the help of a therapist and Kevin’s love, Annie realized having a little girl in the family wouldn’t necessarily end in tragedy. Annie and Kevin are expecting a baby girl in the spring.

  Sally and Paul Evans

  Sally and Paul spend time together working on the latest production of the Community Playhouse. Paul no longer works long hours. Ben met a new girl in town and attends the local college to be near her. Jenna thinks she’d like to try community college and live at home for the year following her graduation.

  Sally’s nightmares have disappeared along with her fear. She will never know the person who killed her Aunt Tilly; however, she knows it was Todd Swayze who paid the man to do his dirty work.

  Jessica and Joe Barnes

  Jessica has forgiven her parents for deceiving her most of her life. She understands fear led her mother to hide the truth. Jessica is happy her father was there to walk her down the aisle and hold his newborn grandchildren. She is thankful for the knowledge her daddy never abandoned her.

  Carol and Scott Harper

  Carol is happy to have the man she married back. After the accident that caused his wife severe injuries, Scott’s anger took over his life. Several sessions with an anger management specialist, made Scott realize his anger wasn’t only with the mechanic, Albert Fox, he was angry with himself for not making certain Carol was driving a safe car.

  Todd Swayze

  Todd Swayze was found guilty of premeditated murder in the death of Frederick Swayze.

  His arrogance provoked a cellmate to attack him. Todd was ill-equipped to defend himself and without money to buy protection, he was beaten beyond recognition. He lingered for three weeks before succumbing to his injuries.

  Coming Soon:

  Murder at Lake Willoughby

  A Rebecca Snow Cozy Mystery

  Andy and Rebecca Snow are taking a long overdue vacation on Lake Willoughby. It’s the beginning of summer and a sponsor of Rebecca’s morning show offers the use of the company vacation home. The area is secluded with homes scattered along the shores of the Lake.

  “Andy, Mr. Archer talked about ‘a little place on the water’, I pictured an A-frame on a small Lake. The house is lovely, do you see the pool overlooking the Lake? We both need a relaxing vacation without the drama that has taken over Oakwood Park.

  That evening, while relaxing on the deck watching the early summer stars, the spell is broken by a loud scream of terror in the dark.

  Rebecca jumped from her chair. “Did you hear that, Andy? Someone’s in trouble.

  A booming voice came from the side of the house startling Rebecca again.

  “That’s gone on every night for a week. The wife and I can’t figure out where it’s coming from. We’ve called the sheriff; he says it’s our imagination.

  “Hi neighbor, I’m Wally Wallace, my wife, Cora, and I live next door. Cora’s inside the house, the screams get on her nerves. She thinks a murder is about to take place. I tell her she reads too many mysteries.”

  A chill traveled down Rebecca’s spine. Andy knew by the look on his face her instinct for trouble brewing kicked in.

  A quiet, relaxing vacation becomes another mystery when a murder is waiting to be solved by visiting sleuth, Rebecca Snow.