With His Dying Breath

by Nancy Hogue

  “Yes, well, actually no. I’ve been caught up in the middle of Mr. Brockton’s murder investigation. Me! A seventeen year-old girl! And it has really baffled me,” JJ exaggerated her concern. “I’ve been getting calls on my cell phone, warning type calls. So I started to record them. Would you mind listening to them to see if you can identify the voice? We caught a woman who gave one warning. Did you hear about that? She was caught snooping around the real estate office.”

  “Yes, I heard about her. Shouldn’t you leave the detective work up to the real detectives?”

  “The woman had said she worked there but she didn’t. She had jimmied the locks to get in evidently to look for something, money, keys to houses. We don’t know because her lawyer won’t let her talk.

  “Again, don’t you think you’re out of your league a little bit? Shouldn’t the cops be doing this?”

  “I don’t think they’re doing much. Well, from outward signs. Dad has been writing the news articles but they’re getting shorter and the police aren’t giving him much to go on. I’m not sure exactly but I think they’ve hit a dead end.” JJ was grasping at straws to enlist Jenny’s help

  “Why do you think I’d know who was calling you?”

  “Well, they started coming in while I’m at the beauty shop so I thought it might be one of your clients somebody that might not get their hair done there but maybe their nails?”

  “Well, I haven’t even been down there in almost a week,” so it wouldn’t be my customer. Besides, they know that trashy wife or mistress or whatever she is since she wasn’t legally married to him did it. They just don’t want it to be,” she said as JJ quickly interrupted.

  “Well, I don’t want to get into that because I, as well as lots of other people in this town, know that she didn’t do it.”

  “Maybe not,” she said, thinking back to the conversation about Blake’s anonymous call. “I’ll listen to it if he doesn’t take too long.”

  Jenny pushed play on her phone. ‘I’ve told you to be careful. Now this is my final warning, be very careful.’

  “Does it sound familiar to you?”

  “Well, kinda, it sounds like a man’s voice, kinda, you know raised several octaves to sound like a woman. Which is it?”

  “That’s just it, I don’t know.”

  “Play it again,” Jenny asked. “I have heard that voice before. I just don’t know where.”

  “I saw Blake the day before his murder and he had gotten a call or two, as well. Some kind of warning.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, I had stopped for a salad and he came in Johnny’s Burgers while I was there. I swear it was not planned. We were not having an affair as everybody in town thinks.”

  “Jenny, I don’t believe the gossip. I know you are a good person.” Jenny desperately needed a friend and a shoulder so JJ was there to supply hers. “I think somebody is out there trying to destroy our little town and the people in it. I just don’t know who or why. Not yet, anyway?”

  “I’m sorry, JJ. Maybe I’ve underestimated you. I thought you and Sammi were real tight.”

  “Mrs. Brockton, well Sammi, lost her mom and dad at a young age, and she knows what it’s like not to have a mom. I guess we just kind of bonded, you know.”

  “I don’t see my mom either, and she lives about thirty miles away,” Jenny had tears in her eyes. She paused. “JJ, if I tell you something,” Jenny began talking very slowly. “If I tell you, will you use it to help find his killer? That is if Sammi is innocent.”

  “Of course, I will, we both know the real murderer needs to be caught.”

  “Well, okay,” Jenny whispered to keep from being overheard. “Blake told me he was more or less being blackmailed. He didn’t use those words. But somebody was threatening to go to the police about some things.”

  “What things?” JJ wanted Jenny to say specifically what the blackmail was about. Jenny moved JJ to the far end of her porch.

  “I can’t go into it right now. It’s just too depressing but it involved the wreck that he was in several years ago and my dad. That’s about all I want to talk about right now.”

  “Your dad?”

  “Yes,” she said, “My dad died of a heart attack but after years of grief and that’s what I don’t want to get into. The sadness and the stress finally got to him.”

  “I’m so sorry, Jenny, for your loss.” JJ did not press the issue since she knew most of the story.

  “Well, yeah, thank you.” Jenny stood up as she saw her curtains move and knew she needed to go back inside.

  “Maybe we can get together again, Jenny,” she said. “We miss you at the salon.” For the first time in several weeks, Jenny smiled.

  “Well, one other thing. Blake said it had something to do with some magazine story, he was reading.”

  “Oh, okay. Jenny, did you tell the police what you just told me. No, I’ve been too upset, really. Things aren’t good between me and Jess either.”

  “I’m sorry, Jenny. I’m hoping everything will work out good for you.”

  “Like I said, use it to help find the killer.”

  “I will.”

  “JJ, I really need to lie down now. Stirring all this up has given me a headache. Why don’t you come back another time? I’ll call you when it’s convenient,” she said. JJ left her house knowing she would never get that call.

  “Bye, Jenny, take care of yourself.”

  Disappointed that Jenny did not completely recognize the voice, she backed out of the driveway as Jenny’s male visitor stepped out from behind the front door.

  “That was close,” he said.

  “Were you listening to us?” Jenny asked.

  “I heard a little bit. She’s that kid who works at the beauty shop, huh? What’s her connection to Samantha?”

  “Well, she’s trying to get that tramp off. They have some kind of special connection.”

  “Why did you tell her all of that about Blake?” He was rather upset. She walked in the house and closed the door.

  “I don’t know actually. She and I have never really talked. That last conversation of me and Blake has been running through my head since his funeral.”

  “Well, you said you two were close, I mean, you and Blake.”

  “We were but mostly a long time ago. Did you hear what she said about me being a good person?”

  “I did.

  “Do you think I’m a good person?”

  “You gotta be kidding. You’ve slept with half the men in this town, married or not, and you run around on your own man. You’re a slut, a pill-taking slut.”

  “Well, not anymore. I want you to leave now. I really want to make up with Jess and he doesn’t need to find you here. He’s been good to me, and he deserves better.”

  “You’re pushing me away? Cutting me off. You think you can do me like you did Blake? Don’t think so, slut!” His voice was loud and his eyes pierced like a demon. Jenny was frightened.

  “You saw what happened to him. You want him back? Well you can join him in the ground.”

  He had not acted like this before, and she did not know what to do. She eyed the door and knew she had to get out of her house. She did not have strength to fight him. Her back was still to the door. She kept backing up. She only had on her bathrobe, but the look in his eyes was terrifying. The grasp on her arm was painful. She kept backing up.

  The outer storm door squeaked as it opened, and she turned toward it to escape. It was Jess.

  “What’s he doing here?” he asked Jenny. She couldn’t speak. The man gathered up some papers on the coffee table.

  “Hey, Jess. Don’t get so uptight. Jenny’s been doing my nails for three years now. I’m just concerned about her. Thought she might have a kit here.”

  “Jess, it’s nothing.” She had been lying for so long, now it came easy to her.

  “Well, I don’t think it’s good for anybody to be here when I’m not home. You understand. You stay away from my wife.”<
br />
  Jenny loved the way Jess came to her defense at just the right moment. She doesn’t know what might have happened if he hadn’t come home when he did. Jenny broke down in Jess’ arms and he was so glad, he didn’t ask the first question.

  The visitor left knowing it would have to come back and finish her off. Jenny knew he would be back too because now she knew who the voice belonged to.

  JJ pushed her dad’s speed dial number. “Dad, I’m at the beauty shop. Jenny couldn’t ID the voice either. She said it sounded like a man’s voice that she knows, but it was a woman calling. Strange, huh? Everybody in the shop said it sounds familiar but nobody, not one soul can identify the voice….yes sir…..okay… no… till seven…then I’m going back to school to pick up a book I need… okay, love you, too!

  The Exquisite You Salon was practically empty of patrons when JJ arrived a few minutes after four o’clock. She knew most of the ladies and eyed the unknown clients very shrewdly. If she got another call today, she’d be ready. And how do these people get my cell number anyway? She wondered glancing around the room.

  She noticed Patsy under the dryer and waved as she gathered up dirty towels and smocks for the washing machine.

  Mrs. Young was out running errands. Stylists without clients answered the phone and greeted the few clients who arrived about every fifteen minutes or so. For a Wednesday, this is very slow, she thought.

  With all of her normal duties completed except for the towels, JJ retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge and sat in a chair next to Patsy as the stylist combed out her hair. JJ mentioned she was glad they caught the rose tattoo lady.

  “Who?” she asked.

  “You know the lady who took my dad’s file the other night. We caught her down at the real estate office.”

  “We?”

  “Yeah, well, I was down there looking for Mrs. Young when I saw the rose tattoo on her thumb. I called my dad and the police came on down and nabbed her.”

  “Why do you call her the rose tattoo lady?” Patsy asked.

  “She had a rose tattoo on her thumb. Didn’t you ever see the photos the security cam took? There was a really good one as she was leaving the building when she opened the door.”

  “So are you still helping your dad on the case?”

  “Well, I’m trying. I know Sammi’s innocent.” JJ heard a loud buzz signaling the towels were ready for folding. “Well, back to work.”

  Mrs. Young and Anne walked in just in time to close the shop. Evelyn went into the office, and Anne walked over to JJ and asked about the woman in the third chair pointing to Patsy. “Oh, her name is Patsy but I don’t know her last name. She works with my dad.”

  “She looks very familiar. I know her from somewhere.” Anne walked over to say hello.

  “Hi,” she said to Patsy. “I’m Anne Jones. I think I met you and your husband’ about two-three months ago. I’m not sure where.” She waited for the woman to speak then said. “Oh, it was at the Brockton’s party a few weeks ago.”

  “Yes, we’ve been there several times. My husband and Blake knew each other.”

  “What does your husband do?”

  “He’s the principal at the high school, well the assistant principal.”

  “Dr. Early?” JJ asked. “Dr. Early is your husband?

  “Yes, why so surprised?” she asked JJ.

  “Well, you’re Patsy and he’s Dr. Early, just never put you two together.” They all laughed except JJ.

  At seven sharp, Evelyn said, “Let’s go everyone. Let’s get out of here.”

  “Bye, Mrs. Young. See y’all tomorrow.” JJ ran to her car as it started to rain with dark clouds to the northwest of town.

  She pulled onto City Boulevard not aware of the red sports car two cars behind. Right smack in the middle Mr. Grumman had said about her dad’s story. Wonder what he would think about me? Why am I worried what he thinks about me anyway? The detectives have not cleared Sammi, Dad’s running out of news, about the case, no new evidence—I have to do something.

  Normally it would still be daylight since the time changed a few weeks ago, but it was dark and raining and thunderclouds rolled overhead. JJ pulled up in the school parking lot barely able to see except for where her headlights were pointing and when the lightning flashed. “Hmm, not sure about this.” She scanned the parking lot looking for any sign of the security guard.

  “Where is he?” She pulled around to a side door where he always parked his car. Nobody. She waited a few minutes in case he ran a quick errand. It was pouring rain and she did not want to get wet. Deciding she’d just go to school a little earlier in the morning and study for her English test during her third period break, she left. She slowly backed out still scanning the building. Her headlights glared inside the windows. She could see no movement. In fact, she could not see anything. Driving slowly around to the front of the school, she saw taillights pulling out of the school parking lot onto the highway. Who is that? She wondered as she pulled in behind to follow.

  JJ got in close enough to see the Georgia wildlife tag 61BA8 and she could not make out the last two numbers or letters. She retrieved her cell phone to call it in, then thought I’m not Nancy Drew—that is fiction, this is real life. She decided to head on home and look for the car tomorrow in the school parking lot.

  To her surprise, Chip was waiting in her living room talking to her dad.

  “Hi. I thought you were working tonight.” She said to Chip.

  “I am, can’t you tell,” he laughed and rose to greet her.

  “I hope you’re not arresting my dad for anything?” They all laughed and flinched at thunder and lightning outside, and the lights flickering inside.

  “No, but I had to serve papers at a house over a block or two. Divorce case. Pretty bad. I saw several small kids.”

  “Pretty bad? The divorce or the weather?” JJ hung her raincoat on a hat rack.

  “Both,” Chip said, “The weather’s bad and the divorce makes me sad.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you need cheering up?” JJ asked.

  He nodded and she gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  “Much better,” he said. “Much, much better.”

  He returned her hug, and both kids were laughing and talking about their day.

  Her dad loved seeing JJ so happy. She had finally met a nice young man.

  Chip and JJ made a date for the next night, and he returned to the Sheriff’s department. Cain and JJ left to run down a tip that Everett Christian had told him about. He had been at the BelRon plant three days before the fire and learned that every employee and visitor had to sign it. He proposed that the person who planted the bomb possibly signed the log. Detective Marabell thought it worthy of checking so she retrieved the logs from the plant that morning without needing a warrant. The plant manager was more than cooperative to find the perpetrator who destroyed so many of his employees and their families’ lives as well as a major part of the new building.

  Cain suggested a review of the names of employees and visitors might lead to a news article. Secretly, he hoped he would find the person responsible for leaving the bomb. However, he did not want to leave JJ alone in the house. A tornado watch box covered all of Bibb County and most of central Georgia, but he was more concerned about the dangerous storm looming overhead the citizens of River Town.

  * * *

  “Jaz, let’s go. Jonas Attaway has a locker down in Perry. We’ve got the warrant to open it and take the contents.”

  “Hilda, you know how bad it’s storming out. Let’s wait till the morning? Let’s call the Houston Sheriff and ask them to secure it for us.”

  “Can they legally do that if it’s our warrant?”

  “I don’t know about that. They could put another lock on it.”

  “They’d get the attention if there’s something in there.”

  “Well, come on, let’s just go and get it over with. What time does the place close?”

  “They closed a
t eight. The assistant manager will meet us there. I told her we’d call when we exit the Interstate. They’ve got a combination lock,” Hilda explained as they walked to the parking garage. “I’m trying not to get my hopes up but Jaz, this is the biggest lead we’ve had yet. Let’s just pray it comes through for us.”

  “Let’s make sure we look for security cameras. See if we can catch him on tape.” Jasper eased the unmarked sedan onto I-75 south.

  Hilda asked, “Do we know what he looks like? I doubt he’ll be dressed like he was at the murder scene.”

  “Like you said, Hil, let’s just pray it’s a good lead.” They rode in silence until the Highway 341 exit sign, and Hilda placed the call to the storage facility manager.

  “Oh, shoot, Jaz, Cain Matthews was coming down to look over those logs from the BelRon plant.”

  “Well, call the station. Somebody else can show them to him.”

  “Yeah.” Officer Dan Jensen just happened to be on desk duty when JJ and Cain arrived. He had the logs ready, and JJ and Cain got to work.

  * * *

  “What are we looking for Daddy?” JJ asked.

  “Well, hon, I’m not rightly sure. Everett said everybody who enters the plant has to sign in, even the employees. They don’t have the badging system in place yet. You read all the papers for the last few weeks. Check for names that might jump out. Let’s just each take a page until we go through all of them.”

  “Okay.”

  JJ and Cain wrote down about twenty-five names between the two of them. Among them was Sara’s dad, several county commissioners, Mrs. Hawkins from the Monitor, a few real estate agents Cain knew including the Brockton Real Estate company. Even Blake Brockton had signed in the day of his murder at 9:58 a.m. Cain recognized eight additional names as employees on the list and that was it. Officer Jensen made a copy and before braving the storm back home, they made a trip to Wink’s for a milkshake and some father-daughter conversation about school, work, and Chip. The murder investigation was not mentioned.