Murder Mysteries

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  The doctor and her staff were the only ones left in the room. The VIPs left before the Y cut; Rory and his shadow left not long afterwards. Stacy was impressed with Dr. Stone's professionalism and technique. She'd spent many hours watching noted forensic pathologists perform autopsies. Someday she would ask Dr. Stone how she came to this coastal city of Coos Bay, Oregon.

  As she got into her cruiser, she felt hunger pangs. She'd had no breakfast to speak of and now it was past noon. She didn't want any junk food and she needed to think. She decided to drive over to Charleston, find a nice seafood restaurant and from there, who knows where the day would lead to.

  Bits and Pieces

  Stacy found a deli instead. She was starving and loaded up. Not so far along the coast, southward, is a nice park area alongside the ocean known as Sunset Bay. She found an empty picnic table and set her deli bag next to her notebook. But first she wolfed down a couple big bites of her roast beef on French bread.

  Her notes started at the top of the head with the hair, then to the wound itself. She'd been taught that small details were very important. Her professor, Dr. A Jones used a 1000 piece puzzle as an analogy: even the smallest piece has a place in the complete picture.

  The hair was shoulder length, smooth and silky; professionally styled. Teeth capped gleaming pure white. Her eyes were large and grey with neatly trimmed eye brows. Very little make up could be seen. Her long slim neck was without a blemish on it. Arms long and thin with the underarms recently plucked. Her fingers too were long and slender. The slight callous on the thumbs and tips of the fingers was a puzzler. This must have something to do with her work was obvious.

  Next she'd made a comment in her notes that the breasts were natural and not enhanced. Both were of average size. Stacy came to the real mystery of the body and that concerned the tattoo. Why would she refer to her pelvic area as: 'dandy' with a cupid arrow pointing directly at her mound? She, as she gobbled down a dill pickle, realized the tattoo was a major clue. That along with being pregnant suggested her trip to Bandon was to notify the father? On the other hand, maybe she was visiting a friend, relative or …………..

  Stacy finished eating her lunch and packed up her trash. On the way back to the police station, she flashed on the theft of the golf club and the possible use of cart to transport the killer and victim. Because there was no sign of a break in, the golf club must have been taken Friday. She pondered that idea and remembered her interview with Gladys saying they had had a cocktail on Friday at the club. Another visit was in order with Gladys, she thought as she pulled into the police station.

  Her cell rang and she wondered who was calling as she didn't recognize the number. She answered it formally and found Rory on the other end of the line. "Hi Officer Foreham. I thought I'd update you on what we've been doing since the autopsy. We've sent out her prints and picture to all of California, Nevada and Arizona. As you know there was no record of her fingerprints in the system. Now is there anything you'd like to share with me," he said sarcastically.

  "Yes, find the father of her baby. If you find him, he's probably the killer," said a forthright Stacy.

  "I have to see Andy Southwin again. Would you like to go with me around 4 pm?"

  "Why are you being so nice detective?"

  "I guess you showed me you stuff today at the autopsy. Besides I need a witness as Ben is in court today. I could wait, but I thought of you," he said with a honey voice.

  The smooth voice just irritated Stacy, but she thought, what the heck, nothing to lose and I can see once more if he's returned to his usual calm self. On top of that, she wanted to see his reaction to learning the dead woman was pregnant. "Okay detective I'll meet you at the golf course at 4 pm?"

  "Sounds good -----but I could pick you up at the station."

  "I'd rather take my own car, thank you. Besides I need to interview one of the original finders of the body," she said with a much nicer tone that she'd used before. Stacy smiled as jumped on the baited hook. He said:

  "Oh, which one and would it be alright if I tagged along?"

  "I don't see why not. I'll see you at 4."

  Stacy arrived early as she had a few questions for Dorothy Southwin if she was around. When she walked in, she saw a few regular faces having a brew. For all intends and purposes, most things had returned to normal at the links. She saw Dorothy in the small kitchen vigorously cleaning the grille. Andy was behind the bar polishing glasses and pretending he was busy. Stacy walked over to the bar, sat on a stool waiting for him to ask what she wanted to drink.

  Andy wasn't a bad looking guy, Stacy thought. His age was around 40 plus, with a full head of sandy thin hair. A slight paunch from too much rich food, but otherwise seemed healthy. He walked up with his mouth smiling but his eyes wary darting around as if looking for someone. Finally he focused on Stacy asking her what her pleasure might be. She told him a club soda with a twist of lemon would be very nice. He scurried away and while he fixed her drink, Stacy slipped off the chair and went to see Dorothy.

  "Hello Mrs. Southwin," said Stacy. I see you're busy, but could we perhaps sit down and let me ask a few question pertaining to the homicide case."

  Dorothy stopped her scrubbing the grille, wiped her hands on her kitchen apron and said, "Sure can do Stacy. Give me a minute to clean up myself. I'll be right with you." Stacy went back to the bar. Her soda was sitting there waiting for her. Andy, meanwhile, was at the table where four guys were swilling down one beer after another. Andy came hurrying back for more beer.

  Dorothy came out very quickly, Stacy thought. They moved to a table rather than the impersonal bar. She'd brought a cup of coffee with her. Stacy said, "A homicide takes away one's privacy until the case is closed. I'm sorry to pester you, but I thought better me than that detective from the state police. Which, by the way, he'll be here shortly. He has some questions for your husband." Stacy was watching closely Dorothy's expression at hearing the detective was coming back again. Her eyes moved quickly to her husband who was delivering the beer to his customers. It seemed to Stacy she was a little too nervous for just a routine round of questions.

  "Mrs. Southwin, let's go back to last Friday the day before the murder. Were you here during the day and if so, give me your movements during the day until you went home."

  Dorothy squirmed just a slight amount and said, "I arrived her at 7 am. I had some shopping to do for some things I forgot I needed for the tournament. I made a full pot of coffee knowing a lot of people would be here practicing or just hanging around the putting green. I made a list and motored to Coos Bay shopping. I suppose it was around noon when I arrived in Coos Bay. I decided to treat myself to lunch. After lunch I did my shopping and came back here around 2 or 2:30. I served some afternoon snacks to some regular customers. Let's see, I'm not sure, but I think I was home around 6 pm."

  "Did you perhaps see anyone suspicious looking or a stranger snooping around?"

  "No I didn't, but then I wasn't here very much that day," she said gaining confidence as time went on.

  "Did you see Gladys and her husband on Friday having a cocktail?"

  "Yes, I did. I served them some snacks too. We didn't talk much as Andy seemed to hog the conversation as usual.""Thanks Mrs. Southwin. However, I'm wondering what time you left here Friday morning," asked Stacy.

  Stacy saw Rory walk in and she minutely shook him off. He turned to the bar for a drink while Mrs. Southwin said, "I'm not sure maybe around 9 am. I stopped off at my house for some headache medicine. Then I lay down for a few minutes. Like I said, I arrived in Coos Bay around noon."

  "That's all for now. Again thanks," said Stacy. Dorothy got up and shuffled off to the kitchen giving Stacy a good look at her build. She was about average in height, but fairly stocky through the shoulders with heavy hips. The question in Stacy's mind was: could this woman carry a 115 pound woman and place her on the bench perhaps 30 feet away?

  Rory came over with a golden smile and sat down with his beer. "Car
e to update me officer Foreham?"

  "Let's make a deal detective. We share what we have and if one is caught hording information, then our relationship is gloves off. Do I make myself clear? A young woman was brutally murdered and the killer is still lurking around my town of Bandon," Stacy said rather strongly.

  "Wow, you don’t beat around the bush, do you. I totally accept your offer. I did a little background check on you and find you're a graduate of the University of Chicago. I'm impressed. Now having said that, my meager college is not of note, but I do have a few years of investigative experience."

  "One more thing, let's keep the macho bullshit and sexist statements with your drinking buddies, but not with me. Let me say this. You cross the line and you'll be explaining yourself in front of some unfriendly people."

  "Jesus H. You don't fool around do you? I'll admit that sometimes I forget we're in the 21 century. Let's see what transpires down the road. Now, let's get Andy Southwin on the hot seat. After that let's kick around your questioning of the wife and put the two together. Agreed," said a friendlier Rory.

  "Agreed. Motive is what we're looking for. Obviously I doubt some out of town person came to the Bandon Links, stole a golf club, stole a golf cart, then drove it with an out of town woman to the back of the course and murdered her."

  "I'm with you," said Rory. Let's dig deeper into the background of the new owners of this here golf course. I heard they were from the Silicon Valley where money grows on trees. I've a young trainee looking into the Southwin's back ground as we sit here enjoying another beautiful day on the coast of Oregon."

  Andy came over to see if they wanted a refill. Detective Caltex said, "Yes, please and when you have some time we have a few questions we'd like to ask you concerning the homicide case." Andy's smile disappeared and with eyes darting around the room, looked unsecure at best.

  He said, "Give me a few minutes to see what the other customers need and I'll be right with you." He slowly walked off as if in deep thought, rather than to tend his customers. After filling their order, he asked his wife to watch the bar while he talked to the police.

  He meekly came to their table and Rory said, "Let's go to your office for more privacy please." The difference this time in Andy's office was he sat behind the desk while the two police investigators sat opposite the desk in metal chairs.

  Rory asked, "We need to be sure we have the facts clear in our minds Mr. Southwin about your movements, Friday, the day before the homicide."

  "I arrived here at the course a little before 6 am. I made preparations for the tournament. I was busy with the tee times and tending to the customers. My wife went to Coos Bay shopping and didn't return until around 2 pm. I'd forgotten to pick up two tables and umbrellas in Coos Bay. I left in my pickup and was back here by around 5 pm, I think."

  "After you locked up that evening, did you see any golf carts missing," asked Rory.

  "We have ten carts. They're numbered and parked by number under the car port. I remember glancing that way and saw nothing missing. I arrived home, had dinner, after that I went to the poker game at Mayor Stevens' house."

  "Where are the keys to the golf cart kept," asked Stacy.

  "In the pro shop. We don't have a pro yet so I'm the one who takes the green fees and tend the shop," said Andy with growing confidence.

  "So, if you're away from the pro shop, anyone can come in and help themselves," asked Stacy.

  "No, no," said Andy. "We have a laser light that when broken sends a buzzer sound to the bar here and kitchen. Also, we have a video camera that's on while we are open."

  "I think we need to see that video Mr. Southwin. Please make it available while we're here. Now, where were you living before you moved to Bandon, Oregon," asked Rory.

  "We lived in Silicon Valley up until two years ago. We'd come up here on vacation and discovered this old course in weeds. I researched the history and we decided to invest in restoring an old historic golf links. The rest we'll say is history."

  "The statement you made the other day as to your whereabouts Friday night are still without change," asked Rory. My notes here say you went to bed around 1:30 am. Is that right?"

  "Yes, that's about right. I remember the time as I set my alarm for early the next morning," said a now more nervous Andy.

  Stacy thought she'd take a shot in the dark and asked, "You like to gamble Mr. Southwin?"

  "Well yes, but I'm not addicted if that's what you're alluding to. I like a friendly game of poker with friends. It's a more social thing than trying to win a lot of money."

  "Living near an airport like San Jose, it's easy to hop aboard to Vegas or Reno. Which of those two places to you prefer," asked Stacy.

  Both watched Andy carefully as he played with a pencil on his desk looking anywhere but at the two police officers. He looked up and said, "We like Vegas best. However, we only went there three or four times a year."

  "When I'm there," said Rory, "I seem to win on the blackjack tables and lose my butt at the crap tables."

  Andy perked up and said, "Yeah, me too. I like the blackjack best. We also take in the shows. As regards Reno, it's just more convenient to go to Vegas than Reno."

  "Mr. Southwin, in front of a witness, I'm going to ask you to volunteer a DNA sample. It's simple as I just swab the inside of your mouth and that's it. I want to make it clear that you will do it of your own free will," said Rory.

  Andy's mind was churning circles. If he refused, it would make him look guilty. If he volunteered, what did he have to lose? He could think of no reason not to, so he said, "Sure, why not. I've nothing to hide."

  At Gladys house, she was all smiles at the handsome detective Rory Caltex. The weather was still warm so they sat on the deck. She served fresh lemonade then asked how she could help.

  Rory asked, "You and your husband had cocktails at the golf course last Friday; is that right?"

  Yes, we stopped there for a drink.

  "Was Andy there and at what time were you two at the golf course," asked Stacy.

  "He came in around 5 pm. He waved and replaced the part time bar maid. He came over and said he'd been to Coos Bay picking up some tables for tomorrow's tournament."

  "Did you see Dorothy anywhere around," asked Stacy.

  "She apparently had been in the kitchen fixing some snacks, but I never saw her until after Andy arrived," said Gladys. "Of course I wasn't paying much attention either."

  "How did Andy appear to you? In other words, was he his normal self or did you detect anything different about him," asked Stacy.

  "When he came in he looked flustered and seemed out of breath. However, he did say he'd unloaded some tables and umbrellas too."

  "We thank you Mrs. Wainleft. You've been a big help. I hope its okay to come back again sometime to ask a few more questions," said Stacy.

  "Anytime is fine with me. I'm very sad for the girl's loss of life, but it sure beats the boring routine around town that confronts us every day," she said laughing.

  Walking out to their cars, Rory said, "I had a good time this afternoon. I hope we can continue with our new relationship. I'm working hard to not be an asshole." Stacy laughed and said:

  "One afternoon doesn't make a week Rory. Let's see what happens tomorrow."

  "Wow! You called me by my first name. Now I know I'm making progress."

  Missing Persons Report

  Dr. Stone was pushing hard for a DNA drug screen on the victim. She'd received the DNA from Detective Caltex of Andy Southwin. They had a rush order attached to the results. The samples were sent by plane on Monday to Portland. Hopefully, the results would come back on Wednesday.

  In the meantime, Stacy went to the state police office in North Bend. She was anxious to see, if any, results from the western states flyer on the homicide victim. They found a small desk for her to work at with a computer, that simply put, had seen better days. Both she and Rory were searching missing person reports from major cities. Stacy had a hunch that Los Vegas mig
ht be where the murder victim was from. It would seem to tie her and Andy together.

  It would seem natural that the pregnant woman would find the father to inform him of the baby coming. If the DNA matched the fetus, bingo, they had their prime suspect. That would insure the motive part of the investigation. Next would be opportunity. It was at that point Stacy lost it. The sixty four dollar question: how did the victim arrive at the golf course? Another question would be: where did she stay on Thursday night and where were her bags?

  Rory told her they canvassed every motel in the area showing pictures of the victim. Nobody remembered a lovely lady, dressed nicely, checking in or checking out. She and Rory were having lunch when she thought of something. "Rory, we need to check Andy's credit card charges for the last couple weeks or so."

  "Okay, but I don't follow. Enlightened my thick skull," he said.

  "We can't find where she checked in, but maybe he reserved a room for her. If she came in late, after midnight, the desk person would be probably sleepy and not remember her coming in."

  "I'm on it when we get back to the office. You might have something there. By the way, I saw the smug look on your face at the autopsy when you saw the heart tattoo. Would you care to enlighten me one more time," he said with sugar coating on his words.

  "That doesn’t take a rocket scientist Rory. What was the word you saw on the heart,'' she asked.

  "It said 'dandy', is what I read."

  "Well, drop the first letter and what does it say?"

  "Lord I feel like I've rocks in my head. It's circumstantial, but adds some weight to the crime evidence. Now we need someone to confirm that's what was intended. I think we will find a friend of hers out there somewhere."

  Ace and Jack of Spades