by Nancy Hogue
As he sat at Yum Yum’s slurping on a root beer float, the clues of Blake Brockton’s murder and the names of the people involved in the explosion bounced around in his head. He watched the families in the diner. A table of old men gathered in the corner booth. Traffic out the window. But he could not unscramble the mess in his head.
Cain’s deep thought was interrupted when a woman approached his table.
“Mr. Matthews?”
“Yes, I’m Cain Matthews.” He stood.
“Mr. Matthews, I’m Joan Christian, Dr. Christian. I’m a guidance counselor at the high school. We met during Open House last fall. This is my husband, Everett.”
“Yes, hello. I’m sorry. I’m been buried in my work the last few days. I’m a little preoccupied. Won’t you join me?”
“Thanks. We’ve read all about it. Just can’t imagine such horrific events in this quiet town. What’s the latest on the fire?”
“Well, Dr. Christian, Joan, I just wrote the article for tomorrow’s paper, and I’m afraid there’s been more deaths and probably more to come. Some of the injured have been moved to private rooms and even a few of the injured have been sent home.”
“At least there is a little good news. And Mr. Brockton’s murder, I guess JJ has mentioned how he and I just don’t, well, didn’t, seem to connect. I somehow bring out, brought out, his temper. Never understood why he was mad at me. I forgave him years ago. I just saw him Tuesday at the school. How is the investigation coming along?
“I’ve not talked…,” Cain was going to answer Dr. Christian when Everett interrupted him with a compliment. Joan walked over to refill their sodas as Everett and Cain continued the conversation.
“You’ve been writing some most interesting articles about the recent events,” Everett said in a Southern drawl, and an even deeper Central Georgia dialect. “It’s truly horrible. All that’s happened. Joan and I are concerned about the students as well as how the community will be affected.”
“The community?”
“Yes, Mr. Matthews,” Everett said. “I have an insurance business in north Macon. And uh, I’ve been, uh, talking to some of the survivors and the families of those fatally injured souls. I’m, uh, I’m just not sure how our town’s gonna accept so many losses. My, uh, company had a lot of those policies and I’ve been scaling back in the last few years. It’s produced a massive workload!”
“Where are you from, Everett? You raised here in River Town? Have we met before?”
“No, not raised here, but I do feel it’s my home! And I, uh,” Joan returned with the refills and Everett stopped in mid-sentence.
“Well, Dr. Christian, Joan, it was a pleasure to see you again as well as to meet you, Everett. Seems we’re all very busy. I’m sorry but I do have to check on some things.” Cain walked away wondering what Joan Christian meant that she forgave Blake Brockton years ago and why in the world would she be married to such a hick.
Cain reached in his pocket for the car keys as his cell phone vibrated—restricted caller. It was ‘it.’ “Second and Cherry, noon.” Cain checked his watch. Eleven forty-five. He dialed dispatch to get some police help, dialed the chief, drove the three blocks to the corner as fast as safely possible with the festival crowds in town. He arrived at the corner of Second and Cherry and found nothing suspicious. Three police cars arrived and parked about fifty feet apart around the corner. Policemen directed walkers to the other side of the street. One minute till noon and quiet. Ring. Ring. Officer Dan Jensen was closest to the corner phone booth.
“Who’s calling?”
A dog barked into the receiver. What? Thinking some kind of crank, he hung up the phone, dismissing it to Cain as kids playing a joke on him. “It’s typical, Cain, to get these crank calls and false leads when something big has happened.” He radioed in that everything okay—just kids.
Cain knew better and returned to his car assured more than ever the barking dog was another clue. He called the office and asked for ten copies of every Skinmore comic strip be sent up to his office.
He called the Research Department and asked for Libby and Gabby to meet him at two o’clock if possible—he’d cover overtime.
He punched in JJ’s speed dial. “Hi Daddy.” He smiled just to hear her voice.
“Hi babe, are you working today?”
“No sir. Mrs. Young told me last night I could have the day off. I’m going in Monday though when the shop is closed.”
“Feel like helping me out on something?”
“Sure. Chip and I are up at the music store, just talking to his sister. What you need?”
“Bring Chip with you and come on down to my office. Don’t mention it to anyone else, okay hon?”
“Sure Daddy, see you in about twenty minutes!”
He needed fresh eyes to review the Skinmore comic strip. It’s got to be the key to solving the case but which one — the Brockton murder, the explosion or the Crawford by-pass missing folder.
At two ten, everyone had gathered in Cain’s office, Chip, JJ, Libby and Gabby. Patsy joined the group since she had the evening shift again. Cain told them about the phone call. “I don’t know what I’m looking for, but this is what I want us to do.”
Eight months of newspapers were stacked on the desk. He handed everyone a legal pad and ink pen. “What I’d like for you to do is read the whole paper. Make a note of anything, I mean anything, in it that might be a clue—might be a new city ordinance, an accident, a, uh, uh, well, maybe an obituary even an ad, letter to the editor—whatever you think — especially anything about the new bypass on the west side, good or bad comments, just anything. Make sure you write down the date. And this comic strip Skinmore. It only started about a month ago but write down everything you think is being communicated, translated, hinted at, said out right, a strange or maybe a misspelled word just anything. I mean your gut reaction! Also, don’t forget to write the date of that issue at the top of your paper. If you make a comment, put the page number and column heading so I can read it later, if necessary. Oh, and put your name at the top in case I have a question. I’d like for each one of you to do every paper, to make sure we don’t miss anything. OK?” Cain smiled at how mysterious he must have sounded, so he added, “Okay, Mr. Phelps, do you accept your mission?” The girls wondered ‘who is Mr. Phelps?’
“Okay, I’ll stack the newspapers here so you can each take one. Then when you’re done with it. Put it in this stack. It’ll get boring, I’m sure. So take breaks,” Cain added.
“And, too, daddy, we better put our names or initials on the front page to keep up with the ones we did.”
“Good idea, honey Thanks.”
“Let’s get started, everyone,” Chip said as he slid newspapers across the table.
Cain watched each one writing their name at the top and the date of their individual newspaper.
“I really appreciate this and what I would really like is for us to work without talking and verbalizing what we think. I don’t want someone to influence another person, and then we’re going to compare our notes for each issue. Okay?” Once again, thinking how dramatic he sounded, he asked, “Any questions, class?”
“Is this related to the murder, Cain?” Patsy asked, “Or the fire at the plant?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out! Okay, I’m going to start on another article. I’ll be back in about an hour. Everybody clear?”
Everyone nodded.
One by one, they read the newspaper articles and the Skinmore comic strip making notes. Cain returned about two hours later and marveled at how the group was doing, but they had barely made a dent in the stack of newspapers. Cain hoped that was a good sign that they were getting some good clues to what this comic strip was about.
“Anybody for pizza?” he asked. With a one hundred per cent yes, he left and returned in about forty-five minutes with six large boxes of loaded pizza. Passing out plates and napkins, he advised the group, “Bribery works every time! Eat up, you’ll need th
e energy!”
Cain started sorting out the notes from the newspaper articles. He cut out each comic strip and taped it to a page from the legal pad. Hours later, the last newspaper was read. Briefly looking through the key words, Cain tried to hide his disappointment. Nothing was jumping out at him. Notes such as friendly dog, doesn’t mind his owner, dog laughs when baby cries, dog barks at phone ringing, dog plays in garbage, dog’s friends are a turtle and a cat. And the oddest one so far was dog puts for sale sign on his doghouse.
News stories such as city government’s new offices, new condo units for sale, toxic waste suspected, car dealership closing and others did not connect in his mind to the comic strip.
Not one thing.
“Well, guys, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help. I’m going to lock these in the safe and look at them in a day or two with rested eyes.” With that, everyone said good night, and he walked Patsy, Libby, and Gabby out to their cars and got them on their way. Chip and JJ lingered behind.
“Daddy, are you going home now?”
“I sure am, sweetie, I’m beat! You riding with me?”
She looked at Chip with a pouty frown and said, “Yes sir, Chip’s got the mid. He’s got to get a little sleep. With that, she gave Chip a hug, he and Cain shook hands, and they left heading in opposite directions.
“Dad, I need to get my car. Would you take me to the shop’s parking lot? Chip and I were there to pick it up when you called so it’s still there!”
Cain took the next left to head up City Boulevard.
Chapter 16
At five o’clock, with list in hand, Anne left for Ingles. Her first dinner party in her remodeled home. Evelyn and Charlie were the first invited. Then Jenny and Jess. Anne and Jenny were best friends by no means but they had a decent working relationship. Anne was a part-time stylist so she saw Jenny two days a week. She thought Jenny was attractive, but her demeanor left her beauty lacking. She seemed to have a scowl on her face most of the time and very seldom laughed. But Jenny had one very important trait in her favor. She knew Blake Brockton and knew him very well!
In only thirty-five minutes, she was back home more than a hundred dollars poorer, but, of course, the beer and wine took a big chunk of the total. Alan was in Atlanta to attend a birthday party with Anne’s sister and her kids. So she would have only one glass of wine. She needed to be ready to drive to Atlanta if her child needed her.
Austin said a client was to pick up his new convertible at six and would be at least eight before he could get home. She placed a call to Evelyn.
“Evelyn, you’re coming tonight? Aren’t you?”
“Of course, wouldn’t miss it! What can I bring?”
“Not a thing. I’ve got everything ready,” she looked around the kitchen and yes, everything was ready. “Oh, Evelyn, Austin’s gonna be late. Can I count on Charlie to take care of the grilling?”
“He’d be happy to, I’m sure. Okay, we’ll be there in a little bit!”
“Be careful, there’s still lot of traffic on the street—people walking!” Anne cautioned
“Okay sweet, see you in a bit!” Calling to Charlie, “Let’s go, honey.”
“Bye bye.”
Charlie sat on the edge of the bed with no shirt and no shoes. Evelyn was anxious. Something was bothering her husband so when they got back home tonight, she would find out. Until then, she needed to get to that party and talk to Jenny and Anne away from the shop.
Evelyn pulled a golf shirt from his closet. “Here you go, darling.”
Anne said calling off her checklist. “Steaks marinating, salad made, beans and potatoes baking in the oven, and a dessert fruit platter chilling, beer on ice and wine breathing. What else?” Looking around the room, she had everything ready, plates, glasses, silverware. Looks so good, she praised herself aloud, “All that’s missing is some conversation about this murder!”
Austin called, “Just left the dealership. My buyer’s picking up the car Monday. Wants some changes.”
“Great, honey. I’ll be so happy to see you.”
“Need me to stop off and get anything?” He wanted to know she was okay. Anne and Austin had drawn closer together since their neighbor was murdered. No one knew if it was random or targeted. No one believed Sammi Brockton had murdered her husband so that meant the killer was still out there. Anne was not always the perfect wife, but she was his wife and he loved her. He loved her more than ever now.
“No, everything’s ready. Just please be careful.”
Austin had not been around the other two couples much, not as couples anyway. Anne seemed to enjoy the women so he was certainly willing to meet their husbands. Jess had once played pro baseball, so they probably knew some of the same people. Charlie was in retail management at one of the large hardware stores. He had talked to him many times about yard equipment, plants and landscaping but that was all. So, maybe he could talk to him tonight about his grass. He really wanted a pretty, green lawn.
Charlie and Evelyn pulled into the side parking space and walked in the house without ringing the bell. Evelyn held a vase of pink cherry blossoms mixed with dogwoods.
“Evie, these are beautiful. Thank you.”
They all hugged and mentioned how nice her house looks.
“Thank you.” Anne beamed so pleased with the compliment.
“Thought you said Jenny and Jess were coming.”
“Well, they are, don’t know what’s keeping them.”
“Speak of the devil,” Anne said as Jenny’s Camaro pulled into the drive. Jess attempted to get the door for her, but she was two steps ahead and at the door. The two women lifted their eyebrows. Trouble in paradise?
“Hey,” Anne said. “Y’all okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Jess said with a frown.
Jenny leaned onto a kitchen cabinet as her eyes roved around the room examining Anne’s color scheme of taupe and red accents.
The chill in the air quickly warmed when Jess left the room and walked out to the patio. The girls continued their conversation about the town and any theories circulating. The beauty shop was not mentioned.
Austin arrived at the house just as Charlie put the steaks on the grill. He heard the laughter. He walked over to his attractive wife, whispered a few words in her ear, and gently kissed her on the edge of her lips.
“Hi baby,” he said, “You look great, and the house looks great.”
“Thank you, love. Have a good day?”
“Not really,” he said after taking a beer from the cooler. “No, my mind wasn’t on cars today. I’m glad to be home.” He gave her a short, passionate kiss. “We better join the others, don’t you think?”
They walked back out to the veranda, and Anne handed Charlie a tray for the steaks.
“Hey there Austin,” Charlie yelled out, “You can certainly take this over if you want.”
“No, no, you’re doing a great job. They smell tremendous like Outback just moved into the neighborhood!” Everyone laughed. Anne’s face revealed pleasure from the compliments and the kisses from Austin.
The conversation moved to Blake and Sammi. Each one of the guests had an opinion on who murdered Blake Brockton. Jenny was the only one who believed Sammi murdered her husband, but even she was doubtful. “I heard she was in the house when Blake was gunned down. That’s no alibi in my book!” She snapped back when the group vetoed her idea.
“Steaks done, well some are rare!” Everyone laughed as Charlie passed them out on the colorful plates. Anne took the salad from the refrigerator and the baked beans and potatoes from the oven. The group of friends took their places at the table without a lull in the conversation.
Evelyn said, “I keep thinking about the last time I saw him. He had been in the day before. Jenny remember you did his nails. Anyway, that afternoon, I had an appointment with a new salesman. Anne, you know that company selling the mineral makeup.” She took a potato as the tray passed by.
“Yeah, you neve
r did tell me how that went. You going to buy some?”
“Not yet, I’m just not sure if….”
Jenny interrupted, “Well, go on Evelyn, what about the last time you saw him?”
“Oh,” Anne walked over to the bar and poured a glass of ginger ale. “Anybody, want a drink?”
“I’ll take some more tea,” Charlie said.
Jenny was anxious, “Evelyn, what about it?”
“Well, he had been in the day before. You did his manicure. Remember how he dressed so GQ even if he just had on a golf shirt?”
The women nodded, muttering in unison as to how impeccable he always looked. They encouraged her to continue.
“Well, later that afternoon, I guess it was about two or so when I was coming back from lunch. I had stopped at Sam’s to pick up some supplies JJ had written down. Laundry detergent, ink cartridges, you know the usual stuff. But, this is what I remember, I pulled in to get gas and Blake was there. His clothes were a mess, and he had on work boots, you know like construction men wear. He wasn’t getting gas at the time, just standing at the pump, and I’m almost certain he pulled in just about the time I did. Maybe he had finished, I don’t know. My mind was on the new make-up and if we could market it and make money in our little shop. So I hadn’t really paid attention to the other cars around me except to keep from running over anybody.”
Anne passed the salad bowl around for the second time as each guest, almost mesmerized by Evelyn’s story, took another helping.
“I called out to him, but about that time a man in a bright red sports car pulled up. I don’t know what make since they all look alike to me. Any way he pulled up really close to Blake’s car and motioned for him to come around. I’m not sure what he said, since I was trying to get my credit card to work. Once I figured it out and the gas was coming out, I’m just standing there, pumping my gas, you know, kind of watching them, you know. Well, Blake’s face was distorted he was so mad. I’ve just never seen him like that. I couldn’t hear what he was saying. I did hear the man in the red car, say, ‘you’ll regret it if’ and then that’s all I heard. I don’t think I actually heard it, but he was facing me so I could read his lips.”