Reaching Laura Keaton’s home, the first thing he noticed was the caution tape still around her neighbor’s half of the building. He also noticed it was dark. There was a feeling inside him that no one was home.
The other policemen hadn’t showed up yet, so he decided to wait in the car until they did. To pass the time, he kept his eyes open, observing everything about the area. It was a nice place on the beach, there was no doubt about that. What wasn’t so nice was that this property would now be a hard sell with all the superstitious people out there finding out part of the building had a murder case and the other part held the murderer.
An engine’s humming slowly grew louder. Detective Kojak’s backup had arrived. He exited the vehicle to greet them. Together, they walked to the front door. The detective lifted his fist and pounded. No answer. He tried again. Nothing.
After the same result a third time, he turned to his men and said, “Looks like we wait.”
“Sir, you have the warrant. Let’s just go in,” one of the officers suggested.
As a rule, Detective Kojak tried to play nice. With the warrant, he could go in. But he decided not to. He knew that if Laura was innocent like she claimed to be and had nothing to hide, she would let them in. He also knew that if she was guilty like he believed her to be, he’d find out eventually anyway. The difference was only a matter of time. But not enough time to really do any harm.
“No, that’s all right. We’ll get in soon. Let’s just be patient.”
* * *
Laura made it safely home. Her shaking never subsided, but she remained in enough control to drive. Her heart fell to the gas pedal the moment she drove up the driveway, though. She hoped she’d get home, relax, and wait for her friend. It appeared, however, she’d have to deal with life on her own. The cops were already there. She knew exactly what they wanted.
She turned off the ignition and took in a deep breath. Her hands were still holding tightly to the wheel. She could do this. Everything would be okay. Slowly and carefully she exited and walked up to the cops. Looking directly at the detective, she greeted him.
“Ms. Keaton.”
There was a moment of each one staring at the other. Perhaps he was giving her one last chance to admit something. But she had nothing to confess so she stayed quiet.
Finally, he continued. “We’ve got the warrant I told you about.” He looked at the other officers. “We’d like to come in now.”
She nodded.
Laura unlocked the doors, hung her purse up on the hook by the door, and opened the doors wide enough for the rest of the crowd to enter. She stood back, crossing her arms over her chest, letting them do their thing.
One of the officers went straight toward the back of the house. Another went into the bedroom. Two others stayed more toward the living room where the detective stood by her. He had his pen and notebook ready. More questions were coming her way.
“Where were you last night, Ms. Keaton?”
She eyeballed the others moving her stuff around, only half paying attention. “Like when?”
“Any time after I had left.”
Laura shook her head, shrugging her shoulders. “Here, I guess.”
“You guess?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
She continued to watch the others, hoping this invasion would be over soon. “Sorry. Yes, I was here.”
“Can anyone attest to that?”
“No.” She sighed.
The detective wrote some things down. He took a look at what the others were doing, probably thinking something should have turned up by now.
His attention back on her, he asked, “Do you know what happened last night? Why I’m asking?”
“Is it about the dean?”
He nodded. “It is. Did you have any hard feelings toward him?”
Laura’s face scrunched together. “No! He was a great person, and I wouldn’t wish him any ill will.”
A knock on the door made both of their heads turn. It was Marissa. Laura felt relief wash over her.
“Hey, Laura.” She smiled at her, and then slightly smiled at the detective.
“Hi.”
Marissa stood beside Laura, wrapping an arm around her in a side hug for support. Laura leaned into her.
“So, what’s going on?” she whispered.
“The cops are searching my place,” Laura answered, one hand out in front, pointing out the proof.
“Well, I see that, but I was –”
The detective cleared his throat. “Excuse me, ladies, but I have some more questions I would like answered. Starting with, do you know of anyone who might want to hurt Mr. Hilton and his wife?”
“No.” Laura’s head shook.
Marissa rubbed her hand up and down the side of Laura’s arms. She didn’t know it, but that small gesture helped Laura a lot. Her anxiety level had already decreased tremendously, the shaking just a small tremble.
One of the officers who had entered the bedroom came out, standing directly by the detective, handing him something. “Xanax.”
“Thanks.” Detective Kojak took it, reading the label for a moment. Looking at Laura, he asked, “You take Xanax?”
“Yes, it’s for my anxiety.”
Marissa spoke up. “She experienced a traumatic event years ago. The Xanax helps with the anxiety attacks.”
“Are you her psychiatrist?”
“No, but I am one. I’m a good friend of hers and know what she’s been through,” Marissa answered.
The detective wrote some things down.
“Why do you care about the Xanax?” Laura asked. Her trembling started to increase again. But she took a deep breath, trying to pretend this wasn’t a big deal.
“Just making notes,” he answered, skirting around her question. He then handed the pills back to her.
Laura didn’t like this invasion of home and privacy.
Another cop came up, holding her lipstick.
Now why would they care about the color of my lips?
“Is this the shade?” the officer asked.
Detective Kojak looked it over. His eyebrows arched. Looking at the officer, he said, “It is.” He held onto it, putting it in an evidence bag. “Please keep looking. Especially for the injection materials we’re looking for.”
Everyone was, once again, searching her duplex.
“Excuse me,” Laura started, “But why are you taking my lipstick? And what injection materials are you talking about?” She was so confused.
“Ma’am, this is police business. I suggest –”
“We’ve got potassium chloride!” shouted an officer from the back of the house.
“I use that for water softener. Why is that important?” Laura begged to know.
“Evidence bag, please!” Detective Kojak hollered back.” Facing Laura, he said, “Ms. Keaton, I need you to relax and let us –”
His phone rang. He reached for it in his pocket. Pulling it out, he checked who it was. “Excuse me, ladies, but I need to get this.”
Laura waved him off. Marissa nodded his need to leave.
He walked out the door, closing it behind him. The two girls stood still, watching the other officers move around Laura’s place.
“This isn’t good, is it?” Laura asked.
Marissa didn’t respond right away as she had hoped. She probably thought the worst as well. When she did say something, it was belted out almost a little too excitedly. “Look, everything will be okay. I have a good lawyer. Let me get you his information!”
Laura watched as her friend dug through the purse that hung to her side. “What are you looking for?” she asked.
Marissa got a little exasperated. “My pen. I can’t find it.” She continued to rummage through the contents of her bag.
“Oh, I’ve got one.” Laura brushed passed her, leaning over the coffee table to grab a pen. She handed it to her friend.
“Thanks.” She sighed.
Laura watched as Marissa scribbled some informati
on on a piece of paper. It looked like a small business card.
Again, she wondered what she would do without her best friend.
* * *
“Detective Kojak here,” he answered, keeping the phone tight to his ear. His other hand landed in his pocket with the lipstick that had been found.
“Great news, sir.” It was someone from the forensics team.
“What is it?” He held his gaze high, aware of his surroundings.
“The hair you got from Laura Keaton was a match with what we found in Sammy’s place.”
The detective’s eyebrows raised. “You’re sure.”
“Positive. It was a hundred percent match!” The man seemed excited.
“That is good news. Not enough to arrest her, though. Being neighbors, it’s possible she was in his duplex with his consent.”
“True.” The man’s excitement dialed down a bit.
“Well, thank you. I’m at her place now. We might actually have a solid case. The hair match helps.”
“Good luck, sir.”
The detective hung up. His hand started to fidget with the lipstick that was in the evidence bag. He pursed his lips, wondering if even more proof of Laura’s guilt had been found. Things were coming together nicely, but he still wanted something more rock solid to be discovered.
He stopped, realizing he had been walking laps in the front yard. Looking at the duplex, it was time to head back inside.
After taking one step, his phone rang again. What now?
His phone displayed someone from the police station once again.
He answered.
“Sir, I’ve got news you’ll want to hear.”
The man’s urgent tone piqued his interest. “What is it?”
“You told us to look more into Laura Keaton, right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Well, you’re not going to believe this.”
“Okay. What?”
“Her past for the most part is squeaky clean. It looks like she pressed rape charges against a Charlie Richards. But no other trouble with the law.”
“Okay.” Detective Kojak dragged the word out, getting a little annoyed. He could get the whole back story later. Right now, he wanted to know what was so urgent.
“And she’s not from here. Just moved here some odd years ago.”
“Can you just spit it out? What is so important?” he asked, voice raised.
The man coughed. “Yes. Sorry, sir.”
“It’s okay. It’s just that I’m at her place now doing a search so I want to make this quick.” He was again doing laps.
“Understandable. Well, here it is. Laura’s name is not Laura.”
Detective Kojak halted. He held his breath, looking toward the front door of the duplex. His whole face twisted. “It’s not?”
“No.”
“Then what is it?” he asked, his hand once again feeling the evidence in his pocket.
“Are you ready?”
“YES!” Get on with it already!
“It’s actually Louisa Margaret Keaton.”
Bingo!
Dear Reader,
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Frances Hoelsema
OTHER TITLES BY FRANCES
Young Adult
Growing Up Neighbors
Contemporary Romance
Next Door Neighbors
Long Lost Neighbors
Non-Fiction
What to Expect When You’re NOT Expecting: Navigating Infertility
Short Stories
Unfortunate Events: 31 Short Stories
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Frances Hoelsema is a wife and mother residing in Michigan where she gets to enjoy all four seasons, autumn being her favorite. After earning a degree in business and transcription, she now gets the best of both worlds by working from home as a real-time writing manager for an international transcription firm.
In her spare time, Frances thoroughly enjoys traveling, kayaking, hiking, shopping, and loving on her cats. She is also an avid reader and writer who loves to engage with others through social media.
Some concepts Frances stands for are positive parenting, homeschooling, clean eating, and pursuing a relationship with Christ instead of pursuing religion. She also believes in never giving up; that everyone should keep pursuing their dreams.
Frances loves to imagine a good story and write it to life so she’s always busy working on her next novel. If you would like to find out the latest news from her or to contact her, please visit her website: www.franceshoelsema.com
You may also connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/frances.hoelsema.author or on Twitter: @FrancesHoelsema
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