Murder Mysteries Series six

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "I wish I'd been there. This guy sounds like just the person to make me do whatever he asked. I'd do it willingly just to have his hands roaming over my body," she said handing over Debra's coffee.

  "I'll tell you he does funny things to my entire being. This morning we're going down to Newport and just riding in the same car turns me on. Well, got to go."

  27

  Norm was quiet and circumspect as they drove down to Newport. He said nothing about last night's fiasco and they went directly to the coroner's office for the report. What he did not know what after last night's incident the three deputies went to their drink shop to steady their nerves. Clint was fuming and he let it be known that night he was not going to take any shit from a New York has been cop.

  At Dr. Almwist's office they were given copies of the autopsy report. He said, "Nothing much unusual other than the fact there were traces of cannabis in her system. We should be getting the DNA report back soon. I'll call and fax them to you when they arrive."

  "Thanks Doctor and now we could use a break or two in this case. Well, we must go and see if the college can shed some light on our case," said Norm standing and shaking hands.

  Oregon Coast Community College sits south of the bridge on the east side of Highway 101. It pretty much sits by itself among the coastal evergreens. Few would disagree that it was a pleasant and nice place to attend school. They were lucky as spring break was just around the corner, but for now all the staff was in attendance.

  A trip to the admissions office put them in touch with a dean. The dean, a Mr. Owens, informed the two detectives that, upon inspection, Linda Blake had attended school here for two years. "Linda Blake was an excellent student that was on the Dean's list or Honor Role both years. She's listed as a psychology major. I don't know much more, but her instructor, Ms. Lewis probably can assist you. Let me check her schedule……"

  Norm sat quietly while Mr. Owens worked the computer like an expert. In this day of casual dress, Owens fit the bill to a T: faded blue jeans and a checkered long sleeve flannel shirt. In Norms opinion he would be better placed at a logging show that the coast was famous for years ago. It was at the Sailor Jack's check in that he remembered seeing a pamphlet about old time logging with some crazy dude climbing a very tall fir tree against a stop watch. However, Owens would have been unable to climb any tree with such a portly body that reeked of soft flesh.

  "Here we go – she's office time at—let's see—" as he checked the wall clock. "In twenty minutes. Here is her office number and a map to where all the instructors' offices are located."

  They thanked him and hurried out to locate the said office. After finding her office and with a notice telling her office times, they walked around checking out the school. What seemed ordinary was the fact every student, well, most every student they ran across was fairly young. In the glass fronted student union where one could buy something to eat or snack on, a few older people sat studying and drinking coffee. I could do this, Norm thought. Debra broke in saying, "Time we go Norm."

  Ms. Lewis, or as the quickly discovered Dr. Lewis, was less than cordial in their greeting. After she was informed of their mission, she warmed to the occasion. She said, "Linda was an excellent student. I encouraged her to continue at a major university, but never heard back from her after she graduated. Her friend – Carol—oh my – forgot her name. Ah Carol Daily was her best friend. Let me make a call to admissions and see if she has an address or phone number still on file."

  They waited while Dr. Lewis made a call. She hung and said, "They'll call me back in a minute. Are there any specific questions I can answer?"

  "Were there any male friends of Linda or Carol that you are aware of," asked Debra. Norm was content to sit back and let Debra do the questioning.

  "One male guy seemed to hang around them and let me dig through my old files for a student list. A long three minutes later, the phone rang. After listening and writing down on Post-it, she said, "The male friend is Charley Klonger. Carol Daily last known address is Otis Junction. I've written on both their addresses and phone numbers."

  Norm watched her finish up her writing and then when she turned to look at him, he said, "Thanks Dr. Lewis. We appreciate it and hope this leads to where we desire. That desire is to apprehend the killers of Linda Blake." He stood up and so did Debra. As they walked out of her tiny office, Norm thought she was probably a good teacher; but he could not have told you why he thought that. His educational stint lacked any empirical knowledge of a good or bad teacher. They motored back north with neither one mentioning that it might have been prudent to see Sherriff Biggs.

  28

  "Norm let me treat you to a wonderful seafood restaurant that is to die for," said Debra as they approached Depoe Bay.

  "I'm in your hands," said Norm as they crossed a short bridge that on the east side of the bridge advertising the smallest navigable harbor in the world; it being less than six acres. Be that as it may, a five star restaurant named Tidal Raves sat next to the Pacific Ocean on a cliff taking the breath away of any stranger to this part of the coast.

  As it was just a few minutes before lunch time, they had a table that offered a wonderful view of the coast. Even though it was neither raining nor windy, the overcast did cast a gloom over the region. The couple was not cognizant of the weather, but seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and each other. Debra could have sworn she caught a glance her way. "What's good Debra," asked Norm looking back at the menu.

  "I'm told most anything on the menu is good Norm. I'm not much of a fish eater, but shell fish is to my liking. Especially crab. One of the local favorites here is the crab melt on homemade sourdough bread. It's served with either fries or coleslaw. I have the slaw as it tempers the richness of the crab."

  "I'm with you and let's have a pair of the crab. Someday I want to go crabbing with a local crabber. One time on vacation I went up north and went lobster fishing with a friend. I almost got sick as the lobster is really rich like crab. Now from coast to coast I will have eaten both local delicacies."

  Debra ordered while Norm gazed out the window. She wondered what was going through his head. They should be trying to locate this Charley Klonger guy while they were in his town. But, as she took a sip of tasty coffee, she could not keep her eyes off the strong jawed guy from New York. She flashed back on the scene with the three goof offs in the office laughing and joking. What Norm did not know was she warned them to tend to business or leave. Clint ignored her and now they were out there jobless making excuses why they were not in uniform anymore.

  Norm said, while still looking out the window, I hear there're agates on the beach. I've never seen an agate. Have you found any agates walking the beach?"

  She saw him turn to look at her with eyes that she had never witnessed before. They were kind eyes and not his usual homicide detective piercing glare, she was mostly familiar with. "I'm embarrassed to say I've never been agate hunting as the locals call it. I've seen many agates in the gift shops and they're quite nice. Some local artists have designed unique works using agates and a Southern Oregon wood specie called Myrtlewood. Someday I'll take you around and show you some local products and you might like to decorate your new house with some of them."

  Their lunch arrived and after the first bite, Norm was not disappointed one little bit about the crab being simply wonderful. They ate in silence and afterwards, drank some special local made tea that was a recipe from the Native Americans.

  Debra said, "Should we try and locate Charley Klonger while we're here?"

  "Good idea and do you suppose in this day and age of cell phones, we can find a telephone book? I wonder if a young person today would even have a land line when all you need is a cell phone."

  "Let me call Jenny and have her find out if there is somebody in this small town with his name. She's a smart girl and it won't take her long to have or find an answer."

  Norm nodded and excused himself and went to the restroom. He'd noticed on the way in
a handsome woman of late middle age tending the register and the restaurants greeter. She looked to Norm like she would or might know a Charley Klonger. After a wash up he went to see if she was still there. Of course she was, he chided himself. It's lunch time. She was busy as the place was filling up quickly. He took out his pocket notebook and wrote Charley Klonger name on it. In between customers, he handed her the note with a winning smile and walked back to his table.

  "Jenny found Charley's cell phone number. I thought you might want to wait until we are back outside before we call him," she said seeing a pleased look on his face.

  "Well I'm ready if you are. I wonder what dinner would be like on a nice summer evening," he said with a twinkle in his eye. Debra felt her cheeks fill with unwanted blood and hurried to the cash register.

  Margie Throckster held the written note in her knurled arthritic hands. Looking directly into Norms eyes she said, "Yes, I know this person. Why, I assume you want to know about him, are you interested?"

  "We're investigating a murder up in Lincoln City Margie. He was a student friend of the victim at the local community college in Newport. We want to learn more about his friend Linda Blake. Do you know if he's in the area?"

  "I'm his aunt. Charley isn't in any trouble is he," she asked with a hand draw up to her neck as if a noose was going to be tightened if she found out something she dreaded knowing.

  "No not at all. We just want to talk to him is all," said Norm in a soothing voice. They had to stand back as some customers wanted to leave and some wanted to enter. Margie seeing the difficulty talking wrote quickly an address on the paper and handed it to Norm. He thanked her and they left.

  Norm was driving so Debra first called the number. There was no answer but a voice mail did come on. She left her name and phone number, along with an urgent message to call soonest he could. After that they used there navigation to locate the address Margie had written down. A knock on the door revealed nobody was home. They left and hoped Charley would call when he could. Norm drove back to Lincoln City.

  29

  Back in the upstairs office, Jenny and Debra went to work on the victim's e-mails and Facebook. Norm sat by the window gazing out thinking. He went to the table where they kept some evidence, mainly not much, but her diary was of interest to him. He took it the window and began reading where the last place he remembered. It said: 'Those guys are getting a little fresh these days. I must put a stop to their innuendoes.' I wonder who 'those guys' are and what did she mean about 'innuendoes'? The 'fresh' word meant rude and disrespectful. To Norm that meant more than one person was becoming aggressive and probably making lewd remarks.

  It was becoming evident that she was becoming a little nervous or scared of what was happening to her. He read on. There was only one more entry that seemed important and that was just a couple weeks ago and it said, "I'm fed up. He put his hands where they don't belong. I'll tell him not to bother me anymore. It's always when he has been drinking."

  Norm put the small book down and resumed his thinking looking out the window. His suspicion that is was locals were growing. But who, and with the who, went the other accomplices in this crime. He decided to take a long shot and after he talked to Charley and to her friend Carol Daily up in someplace called Otis Junction, he would implement his growing suspicions.

  Norm returned the diary and Debra looked up and said, "We've got a good grip on her chatting friends Norm. Have a seat and let's discuss what we've got so far. As you remember the first mail was from a person with letter 'C' as a signature. It's possible that C might mean Charley or stepmother given name. It also could mean the beginning letter of a family name. But I don't think so. Both Jenny and I have written down all the people we know with the given name C. Here is our list."

  The list contained six name beginning with C. First was Charley, then as follows, Cale Jacobs, Carlos Mendez , Casey Ridder and Clint Kramer and his friend Clyde Horner. "Okay I know about Charley, Clyde and Clint are well known to us – how about the other three?"

  "Carlos is a Spanish man retired living in a rest home that Jenny knows from her mother. He's not a suspect. However, Cale is a an employee of Ace Hardware in Newport. He's late twenties and we only know him by a friend of Jenny's. Casey we know hangs out at the tavern with Clint and his crew of pool shooters. I've just heard Clint mentioning his name a few times. That's it for now.

  Now on Facebook, Carol plays a major role and we need to talk to her soonest we can. I'll call now and set up an appointment; is that okay with you?"

  Norm nodded thinking he might have to play a game of pool sooner rather than later. The problem or the 'Why are you here' thing would come up right away because he did not drink. What he really wanted was the three reserve deputies DNA.

  30

  Similar to Depoe Bay, Otis Junction was noted for its popular restaurant. Carol Daily was the daughter of the owner so she was not hard to find. Norm sat by the window while the girls kept busy. He put a rough question plan together for tomorrow's interview.

  He wanted some exercise and told Debra he would go to his motel room and after that go for a walk on the beach looking for agates. He told her he would be back around dark for dinner.

  He found the beach deserted and a brisk wind blowing, but no rain falling at the present time under cloudy skies. He relished some exercise and had his head bent down looking for the elusive agate Debra said that was found on the beach. About all Norm found was sand and driftwood; along with a stiff neck. He gave it up and returned to his room and a hot shower.

  After the shower he went down to the check in desk to hand over his key. There he ran into Sailor Jack. Jack asked, "Room okay Norm?"

  "Yes fine and it will suffice until my place is ready. By the way, do you have a few minutes to chat," asked Norm.

  "Yes, follow me to my corner booth office in the coffee shop." Norm followed and soon they were drinking coffee. "What's on your mind Norm?"

  "First let me say that the questions I'm asking isn't designed for you to think anyone is a prime suspect. I'm just putting the victim's life in perspective. Okay, now having said that, what can you tell me of about this list of six names?"

  Jack looked the list over frowning and said, "I know Clint and Clyde as reserve deputies. Carlos I recall as a gardener and he retired, I think. I don't know the others on the list."

  "What can you tell me about Clint and his friend Clyde?"

  ''If you include the third one, Daniels, you've got three who toss their weight around town under the guise of being law. I know the owner of the Blue Seagull Tavern. He tells me those three guys are bent upon causing trouble. I'll not repeat the details, but be careful of those three; especially the leader Clint."

  "Thanks Jack. If I were a drinking man I'd buy you a drink. However, I'd buy you dinner at Beth's if you like whenever you have the time."

  "I love her cooking and in a couple days I'll take you up on it Norm."

  Norm went back to Beth's with a troubled mind. They need to try and connect the 'C' list to the victim. He would give his orders tonight at dinner.

  Norm laid out his plan to have the C list checked by Jenny to see if there was any relationship to her either through school or any other means of knowing each other. Norm asked, "Any luck contacting Charley from Depoe Bay?"

  "Nothing so far. I think we need a deputy to sit at his house and wait for him to show up. I think he's scared of us knowing his relationship with the victim. I'll make the call after dinner."

  While waiting for their dinner, Jenny was observing both Debra and Norm interact. This was what she truly enjoyed: watching people and the results were stored in her 'cloud' between her ears. She decided this guy was an enigma with the unseen compassion of a person much older than his years. But there was one thing yet to emerge and she could not estimate his intelligence at this point in time. That was her last thought as dinner arrived with a talkative Beth serving a rich tuna noodle casserole. She stepped back smiling and said, "I hop
e you like this casserole as it's a recipe an old German woman gave me years ago. I've tweaked it a little, but it still has the tang of German in it."

  "I'm sure our plates will be clean Beth. I think I'd have to wait in vain before I found something not delicious from your kitchen," said Norm with a poised fork above his plate.

  Debra saw Beth's face redden just a tad and then smiled while walking away. By then all were digging in and after dinner they sat discussing the case. Norm said, This Cale Jacobs who works in Newport, what do we know about him, if anything?"

  Jenny said, "I've a friend who knows the bookkeeper at the hardware store. Cale Jacobs is twenty-seven and he did attend college at the same time as Linda. He lives with a roommate in Newport at this address." She passed a note to Norm.

  "Good work Jenny. After our Otis trip we'll go see Cale. Meanwhile, as I almost forgot, did the Scouts find anything Debra?"

  ''Ah, the Scout Leader called and said they found nothing that resembled a cell phone. But he did say they weren't finished just yet. They have the south side next to the park to do tomorrow."

  "Well, if there's no more to do for the night, let's call it a job. Debra let's meet here at 7 am and go see Carol. Let's save our appetite for her restaurant. Let's just have a road coffee if you don't mind," he said holding eye contact with her. He saw her nod and went their separate ways.

  31

  Clint Kramer was leaning over his cue about to shoot the nine ball into a corner pocket. He was smiling as he and all knew the nine was history and the fifty bucks was about to warm his pocket for sinking the nine ball. He heard Dan Daniels say, "Fuck me there goes that game. Let's quit for awhile and drink some suds."

  "I agree," said Clyde Horner while hanging up his cue stick on the wall rack. Clint picked up his winnings and followed his friends to a table where a fresh pitcher sat cold and fresh.