TEEN LOVERS: Murder Along the River

by Holly Fox Vellekoop

  “What’s going on here? Just what are you up to?” he said to Pat.

  The female trooper smiled with satisfaction and said “Mike” as if he already knew. Then she grinned slyly and dropped a seductive glance his way.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Mike said to his wife. He took the bewildered Lillian by her elbow and ushered her out of the room.

  “What is that woman up to?” Lillian asked him. Her arms were folded across her chest.

  “I don’t know,” Mike replied, “But Paul has had more than enough chances to deal with this.”

  They were in the alley behind the barracks, away from their car so their daughters who were in the back seat, couldn’t hear them.

  “It didn’t look good, Mike,” Lillian said, pacing back and forth.

  “It wasn’t supposed to. That’s what she was hoping for, Lillian. She knew you were coming here to pick me up. I’d announced it to everyone. And she wanted you to see that. I don’t know what she thinks her little games will accomplish, but she’s going to wish she hadn’t done it. And stand still,” he said wearily, reaching over to stop her pacing. He took her hand.

  Lillian just glanced sideways at him, not wanting to continue this in full view of Vanessa and Chloe who were looking out the car windows with wrinkled brows. She took his hand off her arm and walked briskly to the driver’s side of her car.

  Later

  Paul stepped outside the town hospital’s back exit and inhaled the cool, early evening air. He drank it in deep, attempting to displace his physician’s kind words of reality.

  Paul’s doctor was sorry he couldn’t do anything more for him except a surgical intervention. Sorry, Paul thought. I’m sorry, too. This wasn’t his first visit for the ache in his stomach. June thought it was, but he had other visits and tests behind him in the past weeks. He leaned against a brick pillar and looked up into the cloudy February sky. It stretched out over acres of parking lots. Their lights made the hospital campus look like an amusement park. In all probability, this would be his last February. They wanted to operate and he was totally against it. He threw the cigarette butt down on the pavement, stomped it out and picked it up to dispose of it. He ruminated over his inability to kick the smoking habit. I smoke. I’m overweight. I have a family history of this illness, and a job full of anxiety. It’s a lethal combination. Oh well. He lit up another cigarette and sucked in the smoke.

  7:00 PM

  Sheski entered the Thomas Beaver Free Library with a light stride. He always enjoyed coming here. It was a wonderful stone building dating back to 1886 and walking through its massive double doors was like going back in time. Sheski was looking forward to seeing Marian, his favorite librarian who always helped him find what he needed. Despite her arthritis and stooped posture, she bustled about retrieving books and keeping order. He hoped she was there today.

  The investigator stepped onto the tiled hallway and walked to the front desk. One of the workers looked up and asked if he needed help.

  “Does your library store back issues of the Danville High School yearbook?” he asked.

  She showed him the card file and told him what to look for. “If we have the year you want, I’ll get it for you.” She smiled and asked him if there was anything else he needed.

  “No, thank you. Oh wait,” he said before she turned away. “Is Marian working this evening?”

  “She retired last year,” was the reply.

  “Good for her,” he said. He was disappointed not to see her, but was happy she was able to retire.

  Sheski went to the card file and worked his way through it. He eventually came up with the one he needed. The 1955 yearbook was listed as being available so Sheski approached the librarian and asked if she could please get it for him.

  “I’ll be right back,” she said. “By the way, you can’t take it out of the library, but you’re welcome to copy any pages you need,” she said, pointing to the copier in the hallway.

  The ‘LeTresor’ was a hardcover yearbook with a dark cover. Sheski opened it and looked at the first page. On a hand-printed scroll were the words Ex Libris, Le Tresor, 1955, ‘From the book, the treasure.’ Sheski looked through the senior class pictures. He ran his finger down the pages past handsome young men and pretty young women. Eventually, he found what he was looking for. Underneath each picture in script, was a statement the yearbook staff wrote about the student. He wasn’t sure if Shirley and Joey would be in it because the yearbook wasn’t finished until January, 1955 and the Teen Lovers murders occurred in November, 1954.

  The first picture he found was of John Deadly. It was taken full-face front. He was a plain-looking guy but there was something about him that told you he was not the nicest kid in the class. The message beneath his photo said “A loner … destined for something, but what, we’re not sure.” There was a listing of the activities he participated in during high school … Class Sales. Nothing more. John P. Deadly was not the most involved student in school.

  Sheski continued looking. The championship football team picture was at the top of page 68 and some of the senior players’ individual pictures were shown beneath it. On the opposite page were the varsity statistics and more players’ photos, names and positions. Joey Beck’s photo was the first in the group. Written beneath a picture of him in a white football jersey with orange and purple stripes around the upper arms, were the words “In Memoriam.” His jersey had the number seven in black letters on the front. The only player on the team with a single-digit number on his chest. He was posed standing with his hands at his sides - a handsome young Ironman, staring at the camera.

  In the back of the yearbook, before the listing of sponsors was a collage. It displayed some student baby photos and other fun pictures. Sheski found something he’d been looking for. Tucked in a corner was a small, clear, closeup side view photograph with small lettering underneath, identifying the student as John Deadly. It was difficult to tell where the picture had been taken, but it was one Sheski had seen before. It was revealing.

  Inserted in the back was a loose-leaf supplement meant as an addition to the Le Tresor for events occurring after the book went to press. It included a two-page memorial addendum. At the top of each page were the words, “In Loving Memory.” On the first page was a picture of the beautiful, smiling Shirley Adams. Printed beneath it was her name. There was a small heart with the words “Shirley & Joey” inscribed inside as lovers would do.

  The second page was set up similarly with a picture of Joey Beck with his name and an inscribed heart like the one on Shirley’s page. Sheski recognized the photos as the same pictures pinned to the state police bulletin board all those years. He knew them well.

  The detective wondered what had actually happened to these promising students that fateful night.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Thursday

  February in Pennsylvania can bring just about any weather you can imagine. Sometimes the skies were blue and clear with refreshing, biting cold temperatures. Unfortunately for the state police who were meeting at the athletic field, today’s weather was cold and damp. The weatherman gave a forecast of a light dusting of powdered snow which had already fallen.

  Sheski and Mike were in their car parked near the dike which protected the area from the river. They were close to the entry road leading to the football field. The men were to meet Paul and Pat here in fifteen minutes. As usual, Mike faced the car upriver with the dead end of the road behind him. It was force of habit for the two of them. They wanted to be able to get out at will should they have to make a quick getaway. Not that they were expecting any trouble today. They were just being careful.

  Walking the dike next to them was a man and little boy. The man swung a dog leash back and forth and occasionally whistled and called a dog’s name. He watched the police car as he walked, occasionally taking photographs of the child and surroundings.

  Mike watched them and said to Sheski, “I can’t wait to spend time with Gregory like that
. Just being his dad and enjoying our time together will be great.”

  “I remember how nice it was for Tommy and me when he was little,” Sheski said. “I miss him since he’s living in California. I hope to see him sometime soon.”

  “Your Tommy’s grown into a fine young man. On a different topic, I can’t believe Pat would have the nerve to show up here with us after her little scene yesterday,” Mike said.

  “I shouldn’t have left you two alone. I’m sorry, Mike.” Sheski said.

  “No problem. Just don’t let it happen again. I don’t want her alone with me for one second.” Mike looked unhappy. “Lillian was really angry. I haven’t seen her that mad for a long time. It’s not that she doesn’t trust me, Sheski. She just finds Pat’s bold behaviors grating. I tried to explain to Lillian, Pat is a woman who’s used to getting everything she wants. And if it gets her in trouble, she has her daddy get her out of it. Lillian’s most angry at Paul for not taking care of this like he said he would. She’s going to blast him when she sees him. And I’m going to let her do it.”

  “What are you going to do about it?” Sheski said.

  “I called Paul last evening after we visited Gregory. He didn’t sound too good, but I told him everything that happened anyway. And I told him it was the last straw and he can expect to hear from Attorney Smithson soon. I also told him I didn’t want Pat going anywhere with us on this case. She’s more of a distraction than a help and we have a job to do. I want her off the case. Period.”

  “What did he say to that?” Sheski felt admiration for his partner’s courage.

  “He said I wasn’t to be too hasty. That he’s handling it. He called me back later and said he’d been thinking about it. He said we’d settle it real soon. I told him I waited long enough. I want her out of our way.”

  “You said all that?”

  “You bet I did. And a lot more too. I was pretty hot by the time I got home from the hospital. Lillian and I have enough to deal with without Pat Riley’s nonsense. Pat’s lucky my wife didn’t deck her. Lillian could do it, too. There are some women who wouldn’t think twice about punching her lights out. And Lillian’s one of them.”

  “If she does, I sure hope I’m there to see it,” Sheski said.

  “Where are Paul and Pat anyway? They should be here by now,” Mike said. He strained to look out the fogging car windows.

  “On a different topic,” Sheski said. “How’s the baby?”

  “Gregory continues to gain weight and improve. He’ll be coming home soon.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  They sat in the car with the engine running and the windshield wipers on. Through the inside mist on the glass, the men could see another car coming toward them along the dike.

  Mike sighed at the thought of having to face another day with Pat. I’m just not up for it.

  A sedan pulled up alongside them and Mike reluctantly rolled down his window.

  Paul was the only one in the car.

  Mike breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I’m ready to view the crime scene,” their boss said, without explanation of Pat’s absence.

  “Is she joining us?” Mike asked.

  They all knew who he meant.

  “No, she’s not.” I sent her to Rockview to meet with Doc Carter. You two failed to do it so Pat’s gonna take care of it. Afterwards, she’ll check in with Shelly Griffith who has some photos and notes to tell us about.” He looked noncommittally at the two faces in the car opposite him. Without giving either man a chance to respond, Paul rolled up the window and pulled away. He brought his car alongside theirs.

  Sheski and Mike looked at each other and wondered what their boss was up to.

  “I don’t know what you think, but it sounds to me like he gave Pat some busy work,” Sheski said.

  “Whatever he’s doing, I don’t care, as long as she’s not with us. I pity Shelly and the doc at the prison. They have to put up with her today,” Mike said.

  The football field hosted 78 football seasons before finally getting the death sentence. It had opened in 1921 as the brand new Rotary Athletic Field and later was renamed for a local entrepreneur. Over the years, most townsfolk were familiar with it. As its cornerstone attests, part of it was a result of Roosevelt’s WPA efforts in 1937. It became dated and was replaced by a new athletic field at the other end of town. The bleachers are long gone.

  The detectives, none of whom had any close ties to this stadium, were glad the grounds hadn’t been destroyed before they could get a close look at the original crime scene.

  Except for the removal of the bleachers and field house, there’d been no other changes to the athletic field in the passing years.

  The men walked down a small grassy bank to the track surrounding the playing area, being careful to tread carefully in the dusting of snow so as not to slip and fall.

  Sturdy uprights at either end of the field, sentinels of clashes in the sports arena, guarded the grassy remains.

  The men gazed about them, each lost in their own version of what happened to the Teen Lovers so long ago at this very spot.

  “I remember playing here against the Ironmen when I was in high school,” Sheski said with a half-smile. “They kicked our butts that season. They kicked butt all over the place that year.”

  Despite the memory of the loss, Sheski was enjoying seeing the field again. There’s nothing like a high school football field. He could hear the long-silent voices coming from the press box, blaring out the evening’s plays and athletes’ names. In his mind’s eye, band members and majorettes marched in unison at halftime to peppy music. Cheering crowds responded to fresh-faced cheerleaders. Situated solidly along the river, he imagined game noises from the field traveling over town and across the water. There were so many good times and nights of effort which were now fading memories in the minds of aging participants.

  Mike scanned the area around them and spotted the man and little boy on the dike again. They were walking away from the field and after looking Mike’s way, they turned down toward the river.

  “I hope they’re careful down there,” Mike said. “And I wonder who they are.” He took a photo of them before they got off the dike.

  Out of the sight of the investigators, the man and boy got into a boat and went downstream.

  Paul had pictures of the demolished locker rooms with rows of interior storage areas for orange and purple Ironman gear. He showed them to Sheski and Mike.

  As they walked outside the area where fans and players once gathered, Mike snapped pictures of places they’d deemed most important to their case.

  Sheski pulled out his notes to review the events of that fateful night. He led their single-file walk from the 50-yard line to the goalpost that once overlooked the two murdered teens.

  Sheski thought about Shirley and Joey. He imagined how the couple had been so full of young love and hope. How they probably had been looking forward to seeing each other and spending time together, planning their futures. The moments before their lives were in jeopardy they’d had no idea those precious seconds were their last. He shuddered. He always had those feelings about murder victims. Young and old alike, when others made decisions about who will live and who will die by their hands, Sheski questioned why. What could have been so important these two beautiful teenagers had to die? How dare someone place their own selfish desires ahead of the lifetimes of others.

  At the west end of the field, the men turned. Halfway across the goal line, they stopped and looked up at the goalposts and then down at the turf beneath them. So many years ago, the lives of the teen lovers drained out of them at this very spot. The state policemen imagined what it must have looked like, seeing the cold, young bodies lying there.

  Mike leaned against one of the goalposts for a rest. He looked at the upright and back down to the ground. Something caught his attention. He leaned in closer, steadied the camera and took a picture.

  “What’s there?” Sheski asked
.

  Mike pointed to some words on the post.

  Sheski peered closer and read the inscription. “Joey loves Shirley.”

  “Is that what I think it is? You think that’s our Teen Lovers?” Mike asked.

  “It looks like it’s been there a long time, so it could be. And, it looks like someone scratched a line through it,” Sheski said. “How many Joey’s and Shirley’s do you think there could’ve been over the years?”

  “I don’t know. It’s quite a coincidence, though.” Mike took another photo of the love note.

  Sheski turned his attention to the field, took out his measuring tape and made some calculations. He added them to his pocket notebook with a pencil and crossed off the list of things to do here today. He was cold, and thoughts of the dead teenagers were depressing him, especially after seeing the goalpost scratchings. He wanted to get back to his office. They had a lot of prep to do for their interview with Kenneth Adams tomorrow and he wanted to make the most of their time without Pat.

  The investigators gathered at a stone monument at the field with the original fieldhouse cornerstone cemented in it. Considering the murderous events in its history, to Sheski it looked like a tombstone. ‘F. Q. Athletic Field, Danville School Dist. W-P-A-1937’ was the inscription. Below it, another stone noted, ‘W-P-A, 1937.’

  The drive from the field was unremarkable except Sheski thought he saw the Sams in their window seat as the car cruised by their home. We’ll probably be in today’s journal anecdote.

  He told Paul about seeing the couple and they had a laugh.

  Friday morning

  “Hey, Debbie, how’s it going?” Sheski asked. She raised her hand to her forehead in a mock salute and proclaimed the day a good one.

  “You look happy,” he said smiling. “What’s up?”

  She beamed back. “Doug finally got the hint and has been leaving me alone. I told him his behavior was not welcome and so did Paul. He apologized and I said all is forgiven. And,” she said conspiratorially, “Pat Riley won’t be in today. What else could I ask for?” She came out from behind her desk and waved her fingers under Sheski’s nose.