by J A Whiting
Justice had lifted her head and seemed to be listening to the humans’ speculations.
“And what about Adam Wall, Abby’s boyfriend?” Juliet asked. “He is definitely one to name as a suspect.”
Shelly said, “That’s for sure. Right now, I’d put my money on Adam being the killer. I bet he left his parents’ house after Abby dropped him off, went to find her, confronted her, ended up fighting, and now she’s dead.”
“After hearing how he pushed Abby on the trail and she fell down the hill, I thought he was the murderer. It seems he has a lot of bottled up rage inside of him. You said he seemed almost arrogant when you sat in with Jay when she interviewed him.”
“He had an attitude,” Shelly said. “He showed no visible emotion over losing Abby. Adam definitely had an edge to him. There were moments when I was unsure if I believed what he was saying.”
“It sounds like he had a difficult home life. Everything had to be perfect. He was pressured by his parents to be the best and if he wasn’t, they berated him mercilessly. Poor kid. What kind of life is that? Unending striving for perfection.” Juliet groaned.
“Adam must have seen it as a failure when Abby wanted to break off their relationship,” Shelly pointed out. “Maybe failing at something was the biggest issue.”
“And don’t forget, Abby was the senior class valedictorian,” Juliet said. “Abby beat Adam academically and then didn’t want to be with him anymore. Those were two blows to Adam’s ego.”
“I could see him wanting to strike out at Abby,” Shelly said. “The police will never be able to prove Adam left his house that night and met up with Abby again. I wonder if he texted her to come back.”
“The police would have the records of any texts and calls Adam sent or made, so he couldn’t have contacted Abby with his phone,” Juliet said.
“That’s true.” Shelly’s eyes brightened. “They don’t live far apart … one or two blocks from each other. Adam could have jogged over to Abby’s house, cutting through the neighbors’ yards. He might have arrived just before she got home or right as she was pulling into the driveway. Maybe he asked her to drive around, then they got into a fight, and he killed her.”
“But don’t cell phones give off signals?” Juliet asked. “Cell towers know which phones are nearby. There are records of that. If Abby and Adam were driving around together after he said she’d dropped him at home, there would be records of where they went by searching the tower’s phone records.”
“Are the records that detailed?” Shelly asked. “Do they pinpoint the exact time and place a phone has been or is it more broad than that?”
Juliet shrugged. “I don’t know, but the police must have looked into all of this.”
“Is Abby’s phone missing?” Shelly asked.
“I don’t know that either.”
“Adam could have left his phone at home before he went to Abby’s house,” Shelly suggested.
“How likely is that? A young man leaving his phone at home?” Juliet’s eyebrow raised. “Unless the murder was premeditated. If Adam planned to do Abby harm, he might have left his phone in his bedroom.”
“If only someone saw Adam out after he claimed he was at home,” Shelly said.
“I’m sure the police would like that kind of information, too.” Juliet smiled and Shelly reached over and gave her friend’s arm a bop.
“The police have obviously looked into all of these things.” Shelly shook her head. “And here, I thought I was a criminal investigating genius because I came up with all of these ideas.”
“I guess you should stick to baking.” Juliet kidded as she took a swallow of her lemonade.
“You’re right, I should,” Shelly said. “Is there anyone else who is on the suspect radar?”
Juliet looked over at her friend. “I thought you were going to stick to baking and leave this to the police.”
“Jay asked me to help,” Shelly defended herself.
“Yes, with dreams.” A serious expression pulled at Juliet’s facial muscles and she asked with a suspicious tone, “Any new dreams lately?”
“I’ve had dreams, but none relating to what’s going on.”
“Has Lauren been in the dreams?” Juliet pushed herself up straighter on the lounge chair.
“No, she hasn’t.” Sadness permeated Shelly’s voice.
“Are you pushing too hard?” Juliet asked softly.
“What do you mean?”
Juliet asked, “Are you wound up about dreaming when you go to bed? Are you anxious that you won’t have a useful dream? Are you worried you’ll have a disturbing dream?”
“Yes, to all of those things.” Shelly rubbed at the tension in her shoulders.
“Maybe you need to take the pressure off,” Juliet said. “Have some warm milk before bed, take a nice bath, play some soothing music, let your mind relax. Don’t keep going over and over things. Your brain needs quiet time to put things together, to make connections.”
Justice sat up and trilled her approval.
“The cat agrees with me,” Juliet smiled.
“Two teaming up together to set me straight?” Shelly chuckled. “Okay, then. Your suggestions sound really good. I have to admit I’m feeling mentally weary. I’ll take your advice, starting tonight.”
21
The farm bustled with activity as the tourists and locals made purchases in the gift shop, took their children into the petting zoo, walked around the lake, visited the brewery, picked out fruits and vegetables from the veggie stand and bought jars of honey made by the farm’s bees. The cooler weather made people think of fall and drew them out to the farm.
Looking at everyone enjoying the place, Shelly thought if the farm was any indication, it sure didn’t look like the town was headed for any economic trouble.
Arriving early for her baking job, she hoped to run into Dwayne so she could have a talk with him, but as Shelly walked around, she didn’t spot him anywhere causing a wave of unease to run through her, worrying that the man might have taken a turn for the worse.
A woman trying to get around a family of five who were strolling on the walkway, bumped into Shelly and when she turned to apologize, she recognized the farm’s new baker. “Oh, hi,” the woman gave a warm smile. “I met you on the first day. I’m Angela. I do the payroll.”
The women chatted for a few minutes and then Shelly asked, “Have you seen Dwayne? I was looking for him.”
“I haven’t seen him today.” Angela pointed to the lake. “He’s been walking a lot lately. He’s been going around the lake and on the trails that lead out past the orchard.”
Shelly checked her watch for the time. “I have an hour before I start baking. Maybe I’ll see if I can run into him.” She thanked the woman and headed for the trails knowing that a lot of people would be out walking on them.
Almost ready to give up and head back to the farm’s kitchen, Shelly noticed a lone figure standing on a bluff near the orchard and she hiked up the trail to find Dwayne looking out over the farmland. When he saw her, a smile spread over his face. “It’s my talented baker.”
“How are you feeling?” Shelly asked the man.
“I have some energy today. I must have had a bad cold or a flu … it seems to have knocked me out.”
“I’m glad you’re better.”
“See the view from here? Over that way is the food barn and the petting zoo and the gift shop. See how pretty the lake looks? This way is the orchard and over there is the spot for the fall corn maze.” Dwayne pointed.
Shelly realized Dwayne must have forgotten he had already shown her the farm from this vantage point. She asked, “How many acres do you own?”
“Over five-hundred. There used to be more, but we sold some acreage to the resort.”
“You’ve done a remarkable job running the place. It’s a very popular destination.”
“It had to be done,” Dwayne said. “It’s difficult these days making a family farm profitable. That
’s why we added all of these attractions.”
“People love it,” Shelly told him.
“I had an idea to start a winery, grow the grapes, make the wines, have a tasting room for people to come and enjoy the wines.” Dwayne’s eyes darkened.
“I bet that would be really popular. There isn’t a winery for miles around here. The resort visitors would love that.” When she noticed Dwayne’s expression she asked him what was wrong.
“Paul put a stop to the winery plans.” The older man shoved his hands into his back pockets. “Don’t ever get old, young lady. It gives people a reason to dismiss your ideas and plans. They don’t take you serious, your ideas are old-fashioned, you’re not able to think things through, you don’t understand modern demands. That’s what I hear all the time.”
“Paul says those things to you?”
“Paul thinks he’s a hot shot marketer. He wants to branch out into project development. The man does a good job, but his ideas are the only ones that matter.”
“What does Paul think you should do with the land the winery would go on?” Shelly asked.
“Paul wants the Christmas tree farm. He’s started the work on it.” Dwayne made a harrumphing sound. “He says it will draw people to the farm in the winter when things are slow. I like the idea, but not at the expense of the winery.”
“Can you two work it out?” Shelly asked.
“Paul forgets that I’m the owner here. He thinks he can toss out my plans, but he’s wrong.” Dwayne’s face was turning red with anger. “Paul tells people I’m losing my mind. I heard him. The man is overstepping his bounds.”
Shelly worried that Dwayne was getting too wound up.
He ranted against Paul for a few more minutes, and then said, “I’m very tired.” Dwayne’s eyes took on a faraway look and he reached for Shelly’s arm. “Would you walk me back down to the farm?” His voice was feeble and his shoulders drooped. His face took on that spaced-out look that Shelly had seen the other day. Whatever boost in energy and mental clarity the man had experienced, it had now disappeared.
Shelly held to Dwayne’s arm and they descended the bluff, walked back along the trails, and at last, returned to the main part of the farm where the visitors were moving from attraction to attraction.
“I’d like to sit by the lake,” Dwayne told Shelly.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go back to your house?” she asked
“I want to sit.”
Shelly deposited the older man at an empty bench facing the water.
“You’re very kind,” Dwayne patted her hand.
Explaining she had to go make the pies, she started away.
“Don’t be alone, Shelly,” Dwayne told her. “And don’t grow old either. I don’t recommend it.”
Smiling at the man, Shelly told him, “I’ll do my best.”
Returning home from the farm, Shelly rode her bicycle down her street and spotted Jay’s police cruiser parked in Juliet’s driveway. Jay and Juliet looked up when they saw Shelly approaching, and waved her over. From the looks on their faces, they were discussing something serious.
Shelly stopped her bike and still straddling it, looked from Jay to Juliet. “What’s going on? Has there been a break in the case?”
“Not really a break,” Jay said. “I’d call it more of an interesting development.”
“What happened?” Shelly couldn’t wait to hear the news.
“It turns out Adam Wall was not inside his parents’ house from 11pm on.” Jay slipped her thumb into her belt.
“Where was he? Did someone report seeing him?” Shelly asked with excitement tinging her words.
“Mr. Wall came to the station yesterday. He said he woke up around 1am to use the bathroom and he noticed light under his son’s bedroom door. He opened it a crack to see if Adam was still up or had fallen asleep. Adam wasn’t there.”
“Does the father know where Adam went?” Shelly asked.
Jay said, “He reported that Adam told him he had gone out with his friend, William. William denies this.”
“William?” Shelly’s eyes were wide. “He was the one who told me he heard Adam say a lot of bad things to Abby.”
“Right. He came to talk to us at the station,” Jay said. “He told us he didn’t go anywhere with Adam that night.”
“So Adam’s lying,” Juliet said.
“So it seems.” Jay’s lips were thin and tight and her eyelids drooped from the effects of fatigue. “It is also concerning that the father has gone all this time without telling us he knew Adam was not at home during the night.”
“Where does Adam say he went?” Shelly asked.
Jay said, “He says he went to the mountain with William, had a couple of beers he took from his family’s refrigerator, and then went home.”
“But William says he wasn’t with Adam.” Juliet leaned against the police cruiser.
“It may have been the story Adam made up to tell his mother and father,” Jay said. “He’s coming into the station with his parents in an hour for another discussion with us. We’ll see what he says this time. And we have to be very attentive to what the parents say since they’ve shown us they aren’t bothered by lying to us.”
“It’s the case of presenting perfection to the world,” Shelly said. “Everything is wonderful in their house, nothing ever goes wrong. They’ll even lie to the police to preserve their façade.”
“The important question is,” Juliet said, “where was Adam that night?”
“Has anyone reported seeing Adam during the night?” Shelly asked.
“We’re talking to some people,” Jay said.
Juliet caught Shelly’s eye and winked. “That’s Jay-lingo for I can’t tell you anything.”
“This might be important information that will crack the case,” Shelly said.
“Don’t get too hopeful yet,” Jay said. “We’ve a long way to go. Just because this guy lied to his parents, and to us, about sneaking out of the house at night, it doesn’t make him a killer. It’s a huge jump to go from sneaking out at night to committing murder.” Jay checked the time. “I’d better get back to the station.”
Juliet said, “Shelly has heard some interesting things regarding Dwayne Thomas over at Glad Hill Farm.”
Jay looked at Shelly. “Can it wait until we talk again?”
“Oh, sure.” Shelly gave a nod. “Good luck with the Wall family today.”
Jay got into the cruiser and drove away down the street.
“So that little good-for-nothing bully might actually be Abby’s killer.” Juliet’s tone was full of anger and disgust. “They should arrest him and end this mess.”
“What about due process?” Shelly asked her friend. “What if he’s innocent? He might be an unlikable, arrogant, egotistical jerk, but that isn’t reason to slap him with a murder charge.”
“Oh, I know,” Juliet groaned. “I’m just tired of people like the ones in this family. Their actions and inactions cause a lot of hurt and trouble and misery. Why can’t people be good to each other?”
Shelly put her arm around her friend’s shoulders.
Yes. Why can’t they?
22
While Shelly picked a few weeds from the front bed and filled the watering can to give the flowers a drink, Justice sat on the bottom step of the cottage’s porch watching the young woman work. It was early evening and as the sun headed for the horizon, streaks of rose and lavender painted the sky.
When she finished with the flower bed, Shelly looked at the cat. “Want to stroll around the neighborhood?”
Justice rose from her seat on the steps, arched her back in a huge stretch, and then padded down to the sidewalk and led the way along the lane with Shelly walking a couple of steps behind the furry, Calico feline.
Shelly had only met and talked with several people who lived on the street, but she recognized many others from her evening walks around the neighborhood who were out working in their yards and giving her a
wave as she and the cat passed by.
As they approached Nora Blake’s home, the older woman drove up and pulled into her driveway. When she stepped out, she noticed Shelly and called a greeting to her.
“Out with that cat-dog of yours?” Nora stood staring at Justice. “I have never seen a cat go for a walk with someone before.”
Shelly smiled down at the sweet animal. “Justice is one-of-a-kind.”
Nora removed a suitcase from the backseat.
“Where you away?” Shelly asked.
“Just for a few days.” Nora set down the suitcase and walked over to chat with Shelly. “Sometimes I think I should sell my house. I’m away from home more than I’m here. A friend called and invited me to New York City for a visit. I’ve been thinking of selling and just renting a small apartment for when I’m actually around here.”
“That might be a good idea if you aren’t at home very often,” Shelly agreed.
“I could put the money into investments and make a nice return on it.” Nora looked at her house. “I’ve been here a long time and it would be hard to leave, but I can take my memories with me.”
“Have you seen your brother recently?” Shelly asked.
“I haven’t. I left for New York shortly after I got back from Europe. I barely had time to do some laundry before I was off again.”
“Have you talked to him?”
Nora turned to look closely at Shelly. “I haven’t. Are you working at the farm? Did Dwayne hire you for the baking?”
“He did, yes. He’s….”
Nora narrowed her eyes. “He’s what?”
“Have you talked to Paul?” Shelly asked.
Nora placed a hand on her hip and creases formed between her eye brows. “I’ve been traveling. I haven’t talked to anyone. Why do you keep asking? Is something wrong?”
“Dwayne seems … different.”
“Different, how? Stop beating around the bush and tell me what’s going on.”