Chapter 47
Wednesday, September 30, 1986
When Julio’s phone rang just after midnight, he was still sitting at his desk and still considering Connie’s big news. He picked up on the third ring.
“Hello Julio. This is Max Ferguson.”
“Hey Max. What’s up?”
“Well, I was doing some investigating and checking records through my buddy on the force. It appears Beth Vreeland has had a lot of credit card activity in and around Coral Gables. So now the question is whether it’s Beth herself or her son impersonating her. There weren’t any charges at The Lower Level bar where you found her son hanging out. I can’t find anything on Samuel Vreeland. It’s as if he doesn’t exist. I’ll keep researching the Vreelands.
“The next piece of info is that Martin Perkins never attended Brown. Martin Sr. did. Martin Junior was in a mental hospital and then his credit card bills show he turned up in Cincinnati. There hasn’t been any credit card activity since the night of the incident. I wouldn’t be surprised if his mother is giving him cash.”
“I appreciate this information, Max. Thanks and keep in touch,” Julio said.
After they hung up, Julio sat back in his chair, his hands steepled in front of him as he wondered where in the hell Martin had gotten to. It was conceivable he still meant Connie harm. And that worried him greatly.
Chapter 48
Friday—October 31, 1986
Halloween was Earl Lookey’s least favorite holiday, not that it was really a holiday. It was nothing more than an excuse for troublemakers to do what they do best. The idea of wrapping toilet paper on houses and trees or writing nasty messages on cars was just plain destructive. Earl didn’t open his door to trick-or-treaters, but he did put Sniff in a pumpkin costume and took him up to the mall to pass out candy to the kids there. Sniff liked the attention the kids gave him when Earl supposedly had him perform a trick. Earl would put a dog biscuit in one hand and have Sniff guess which hand it was in. Sniff, appropriately named, always picked the right one.
The mall event ended at six, after which Earl wanted nothing more to do with Halloween. Returning home, he would turn off all the lights, put a note on the doorbell that it was out of order, pull the curtains and retire with Sniff to the back bedroom to watch television in the dark. He didn’t want any teenage hooligans bugging him with Halloween pranks and even worse, begging for free candy.
Earl slept peacefully through All Hallows Eve. The following morning at six, he was dressed and putting on Sniff’s leash. The two of them walked out the back door for their morning constitution. Coming around the front of the house, Earl stopped short. The old Harriman yard across the street was decorated for Halloween.
“What the hell?” he wondered out loud. He crossed the street to get a better look. It looked like a blood bath. He couldn’t believe what he saw. “What kind of a sick joke is this?” he said. It looked like a reenactment of the murder scene. There were two gravestones with R.I.P. written on them and two cadaverous dummies lying on the ground. The male dummy was lying on his back with a gunshot wound in the chest. The female had a gun shot through the forehead. Both were covered in blood. Written in white paint on the lawn were the words “The doctor is out!” Pumpkins carved into frightening jack-o-lanterns were scattered across the lawn and big bats were hanging from the tree limbs above the gravestones. There were big black plastic rats on the mock gravestones. Earl had to admit all this freaked him out. Sniff didn’t like it either as he began barking at the scene.
Earl quickly coerced Sniff into doing his business and returned home to phone Sgt. Reynolds. Within minutes, Reynolds arrived followed by multiple police cars. He searched the yard himself while the rest of the officers marked the yard with yellow police tape. The tape and police cars around the house completed the authenticity of the grisly scene of twenty-two years ago. Word of the gruesome decorating got out quickly and it wasn’t long before a caravan of cars was driving by to see the haunted house. The speculation around town was that it was some teenager’s sick joke, but Reynolds didn’t quite feel that way.
Later that day, he called Julio to inform him of the incident. The mockery of the Harrimans’ death would definitely be disturbing to their son, so Reynolds described the scene as delicately as he could, but had to admit it made his blood run cold.
The dummies had been shot in the same manner as John and Claire Harriman. The blood turned out to be from a pig, but the wounds in the dummies had been made by the same type of pistol that had killed them. There was no doubt in Reynolds’s mind that whoever did this was mimicking the actual murders. He was grateful Connie and Julio weren’t here to see this.
The Tilden Park Police did a title search on the Harriman house, as they needed to get the owner’s permission to remove the offensive decorations. They found the house was owned by a corporation. A more thorough search revealed an interesting fact.
"Julio, are you sitting down? The holders of the corporation are Martin and Nola Perkins. How’s that for weird?”
“That makes sense and I’m not sure why we didn’t think of this before. When Martin kidnapped Connie, he took her to our old house. He had her prom dress and some of Connie’s old toys, including a particularly ugly doll that Connie used to love.”
Reynolds asked Julio not to share this information to anyone but Connie. “At this point, everyone is a suspect. I don’t even want Connie sharing this with Andrew, at least not yet. We’re checking everyone out, including Earl Lookey, who called in the report this morning.”
Before hanging up, Reynolds asked Julio if he had found out anything else about Beth Vreeland and her son Samuel. When Julio’s reply was negative, Reynolds said to call right away with any new information as this cold case was now officially reopened. “We got your beer bottle analyzed for fingerprints. We did find some prints, but we were unable to match them to anyone in the system.”
“All that means,” Julio said, “is he’s never been caught.”
Chapter 49
Tuesday—November 25, 1986
Connie and Julio arrived at the Tilden Park Inn on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. They checked into the same suite they’d had for the reunion. Before comparing their notes on the case, they decided to grab a pizza across the street on the square.
After dinner, Connie insisted they drive through their neighborhood to see if there was any sign of Martin. As they drove down their former street, Julio turned off the lights and parked the car along the curb where they could view both their house and Nola’s. The street was dark since Tilden Park was an unincorporated village with very few streetlights. They saw lights on in Nola’s house, but their old house was dark. They both sat there staring for a while until there was a light tap on the window. Both Connie and Julio jumped.
Tap, tap again, and then they saw a figure that looked very strange. They were both frozen. The figure looked like a man with a dome-shaped head. He motioned for them to lower the window, but neither made a move.
“Hey, Miss Marple, put down your damn window.” Connie and Julio looked at each other and began laughing because at the same time they realized it was Earl. Julio rolled down the window. “Cripes, Earl, you scared the shit out of us. What’s up?”
“What’s up is that you told me to keep my eyes open for any suspicious behavior and low and behold I’ve been watching this car for five minutes and it turns out to be you two. Listen, you’re pretty obvious where you are. Why don’t you pull into my garage and sit on my screened porch. From there you can get a good view of your old house and the Perkins house as well.”
“Sounds good, Earl. We’ll be right over.”
“Oh, my gosh, take a look at that.” Connie said as the garage door opened for them. There was Earl in a camouflage suit with binoculars around his neck and a chrome dome helmet on his head.
“That’s some get-up.” Julio said, smiling.
“Let me close the garage door so I don’t blow my cover,” Earl said.
“Just you amateur dumb-asses sitting in your cars,” he replied. “Come on out to the screened-in porch. I’ve got my reconnaissance set-up out there.”
As they walked into the screened-in porch, there was a down sleeping bag, a telescope, a camera and a bottle of scotch. Next to the sleeping bag was Sniff’s doggie bed. Sniff began barking so Earl kneeled down to calm him.
“Earl, you’re doing a great job!” Connie said encouragingly. “But aren’t you cold out here?”
“That sleeping bag is for arctic camping. I guaran-damn-tee that if anything goes on in that house, Sniff and I will be the first to know. When that Martin kid comes back looking for trouble, I’ll be ready to give it to him,” Earl said proudly.
“Promise me one thing,” Connie said. If you see anything—and I mean anything at all—please call the police. Don’t try to take the law into your own hands. The last thing we want is for anyone else to get hurt.”
“What’s the latest on the case?” Earl asked.
“We’ll let you know after we meet with Sgt. Reynolds tomorrow,” Connie said.
“Well, do me a favor and let those guys know that they’re pretty obvious sitting out there in their unmarked car. It’s either the van or one of the Crown Victoria cars. I’ve spotted them every night and I know if I noticed them, you know old biddy Perkins has spotted them.”
“Good point. We’ll do that,” Julio said.
“Earl, I really appreciate what you’re doing here for us,” Connie said as she hugged him. “We’re checked into the Inn now so you can call us there if you see or hear anything. Don’t forget you’re coming at four for Thanksgiving dinner. It will be you, Julio and our friend Lily for dinner,” Connie said.
“Is that the skinny girl with the big hooters that Constance was with at the hospital?” Earl asked.
“That would be her,” Julio said.
“Well, I liked her. I got good vibes from her,” he said.
“Come on, Earl. She’s a little young for you, don’t you think?” Connie asked with a grin.
“Hell, yes! My wife Sue may be dead, but she would come back in a bolt of lightning if I ever looked at another woman.”
“You’re a good man Earl, and Lily liked you a lot, too,” Connie said. “Well, Julio, I believe Earl has things well under control here and I think it’s time to try and get some sleep.
“Call us if you see or hear anything and thank you so much for being our devoted sentinel. You’re wonderful.” She kissed his cheek, and with that, Earl turned bright red.
Chapter 50
Thanksgiving Day—November 27, 1986
After an emotionally grueling two days working on the case with Sgt. Reynolds, Julio and Connie looked forward to a fun dinner with Lily and Earl. Their Thanksgiving meal at the inn was the traditional turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and peas. The turkey was moist and the side dishes all delicious. The wait staff had recommended a house red from Meier’s Wine Cellar that topped off the meal until they were all tempted by the chef’s house made pumpkin pie and real whipped cream. Earl and Lily hit it off and had a great time teasing each other. Lily loved Earl’s sarcastic, witty manner and they all enjoyed his neighborhood espionage stories.
Licking the last traces of pie and whipped cream from her fork, Lily asked Connie how things were going with Andrew. Connie, ebullient as a schoolgirl, decided this would be the perfect opportunity to announce her engagement to Andrew. She went on and on in great detail about their future and the wedding planned for Christmas, oblivious to the bored looks on the faces of Julio and Earl. Lily said she hoped to meet someone as special as Andrew as she glanced over at Julio. He just smiled and in the belittling manner of an older brother speaking to his younger sister said, “Don’t worry, you will someday.” That wasn’t exactly the answer Lily wanted, but she knew she was dreaming to ever consider Julio more than a friend.
Connie got the attention of Earl when she announced that both he and Lily would be included in the celebration. Connie gave them all a rundown of the wedding weekend and what part she hoped each would be willing to play. Lily would be the bridesmaid, and Connie suggested she wear whatever she wanted but that her dress should be compatible with the Christmas flowers in the church. Since both her parents were gone, Connie asked Earl to give a toast that would include the memory of her parents, yet be both heartwarming and upbeat.
"It’s going to be a small wedding party and we are all going to be staying at the Tilden Park Inn for two nights at our expense.”
“I always wanted to be a real guest at the inn, but it’s just too expensive for me. I hope when we’re staying there the staff won’t expect me to do any work,” Lily said.
“If so, you’ll just have to tell them to go to hell,” Earl said. “It’s your holiday. If you’re too nice, some people just don’t get the message. Sometimes Lily, you just have to be firm and nasty.”
“Well, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen, Lily,” Connie said. “But I do have another favor to ask of you. Would you make the arrangements for transportation to and from the rehearsal dinner, Christmas Eve service and of course the wedding ceremony? What do you think—one stretch limo or two regular limos?”
“Hell, we don’t need to be driven around like a bunch of old farts. I have a perfectly good car and we can fit at least six people in it, seven if you don’t mind a tight squeeze.”
Connie looked at Julio. “Julio is inviting a special friend from Miami.” She switched her attention to Lily and said, “She’s a much older lady. She has been so helpful in our attempt to locate Beth Vreeland. Her name is Sylvia, and I hear she enjoys a good party, but sometimes can get a bit out of control. So I think it would be best if I hired a professional driver.”
“Amen to that,” Julio said. “She’s a firecracker.”
“Bring her on! I like my women wild and woolly!” Earl grinned.
Lily said she hadn’t had many happy Christmases since her mother died and this definitely gave her something she could look forward to enjoying. Earl had felt the same way ever since he had lost his cherished wife, Sue. They all agreed this was going to be a very merry Christmas for them all.
As Connie and Julio were leaving the next day, all four retired to the lobby for a final after-dinner drink. There the staff was preparing the inn for the upcoming Christmas holiday. They sat around a tall, willowy blue spruce Christmas tree that was being decorated with white lights and silver ornaments. Everyone agreed the holiday atmosphere at the inn was a positive omen of things to come in December. The last good-byes were a bit teary, but the group would all be together again quite soon.
In the parking lot, Earl whispered to Lily that he had a plan to sneak into the Harriman house. He suspected Martin might be hiding out there. As soon as it came out of his mouth, he regretted the confidence, wondering if the illegality of the activity would alarm her. Perhaps she would even tell Connie and they would attempt to convince him not to do it. But Lily surprised him with her enthusiasm for the scheme, convinced that if she was in the house she could pick up some paranormal visions.
Chapter 51
Saturday—November 29, 1986
A few nights after Thanksgiving, Earl called Lily. “I’m ready to execute combat mission Sierra Foxtrot Mike. Are you still in? My reconnaissance expedition uncovered a basement window slightly ajar. I think you’re skinny enough to get through and unlock the back door so I can get into the house. Are you up for our mission—searching for Martin?”
“On it, Earl, and you can count on me. When and where?”
“Tonight, my house, any time after twenty hundred hours. That’s eight o’clock military time. We’re operating incognito, so wear dark clothes and a hat. Remember, I have nosey neighbors.”
“Aye, aye, sir,” Lily said giggling with excitement.
* * * *
Lily arrived at Earl’s house at eight-fifteen. She wore black sweat pants a black
sweatshirt and a knit cap that totally covered up her long reddish-blonde hair. In her hand dangled the watch that had belonged to Mr. Harriman.
“Are you planning some kind of hocus pocus?” Earl asked.
“It certainly can’t hurt,” she replied.
“What do you think you’re gonna find—some kind of ghost or something? You know the house has been renovated and cleaned up.”
“It doesn’t matter if the house has been remodeled. It won’t affect any existing energy or dormant energies. Even if a house is torn down, the aura still remains, especially if the death was of a violent nature.”
“Aura, my ass; just get us in there. You can do your voodoo while I do some serious snooping.”
Earl cautioned Lily to be careful getting into the house. They didn’t want to attract Nola’s attention or that of the Tilden Park cops who regularly cruised the neighborhood. He hadn’t seen any signs of Martin coming or going the last few days, but he could show up at any time. “We want to enter while Nola is on the other side of her house in the family room watching TV. That woman always has her antenna up,” Earl said.
Fifteen minutes later, the two of them snuck off across the yard as if they were in a war zone.
Earl managed to crack open the basement window. With a lot of struggling and pushing, Lily wiggled her way into the basement. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. The basement was filled with boxes so she had to creep carefully and avoid knocking any of them over. Fortunately, there was some moonlight and she had a small flashlight with her.
Once Lily got the back door open for Earl, he took the lead and brought them to the study, where both Dr. and Mrs. Harriman died.
“Lily, I’m going to plant some little listening devices—bugs—around the house so I can monitor any comings or goings around here. It’s illegal, but then, so is breaking and entering.”
“I love it. We’re co-conspirators, so your secret is safe with me,” she said, smiling.
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