by Jaden Skye
Wayne wondered what Mort had on his mind and who, if anyone, he spoke to about it.
“What did Mort do for fun?” Wayne tried another tack now, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Either Len was hiding something, or Wayne was being overly sensitive.
“Mort didn’t come to Nashville for fun, exactly. He came to work.” Len looked ruffled.
“Wait a minute.” Wayne leaned closer to him suddenly. “Something’s off here. Mort Townsend was brutally murdered a short time ago. I need every bit of information about him I can possibly get. I want to know where he went, who he interacted with, where he went to sleep at night. Did he have his own apartment here? Did he stay in a hotel?”
Len stiffened and became silent.
“If you don’t cooperate you’re obstructing an investigation,” Wayne informed him. “And, frankly, I don’t understand it. I would think you would want to tell me whatever you know. Don’t we have the same goal here? To find the killer?”
Len balked. “Of course, I want to find the killer as much as you do,” he said.
“So, what’s the hold-back?” Wayne felt himself growing upset.
“Mort lived a good life and now he’s gone. He did good work and had a fine reputation,” Len spoke ponderously. “He deserves his privacy, doesn’t he?”
“Not anymore,” Wayne shot back at him. “Not after he was brutally murdered.”
“He did nothing to deserve it, though,” Len insisted.
“We don’t really know that, do we?” Wayne countered. “Are you worried about what’s going to come out about him?”
“I don’t like to see people’s lives trashed and slandered,” said Len. “Mort still deserves respect no matter how he died.”
“And he’ll get it,” Wayne insisted. “We’re giving him a lot more respect by finding his killer than brushing important things under the rug.”
“That’s true.” Len faltered a moment. Then he stood up swiftly and walked to a filing cabinet nearby. He reluctantly took an envelope out of the top drawer and slowly walked back to Wayne.
“What’s that?” asked Wayne, staring at the envelope that Len slowly handed him.
“There’s an address inside. Go there,” Len murmured. Then he turned his back on Wayne abruptly and walked out of the room.
Wayne opened the envelope slowly. Inside was an address scrawled on a piece of paper. What’s this? Wayne wondered. Of course the only way to know was to go there immediately, knock on the door, and find out.
*
The taxi took Wayne to a lovely, small home on a cul de sac in a residential area of Nashville. The house was surrounded by trees, and a winding cobblestone pathway led up to the front door. Wayne had no idea who lived there, or what he was looking for exactly.
Wayne walked to the front door and was about to ring the bell when suddenly the door flew open. Startled, he took a step back.
A beautiful young woman in her late teens, with long, wavy hair and soulful eyes, stood there. She looked nervous and sad.
“I’m Calia,” she said before Wayne could say anything. “Len called and told us you would be coming over. Please come in.”
Wayne was both pleased and surprised that Len had informed them. He obviously knew who lived here and wanted to prepare them for the visit.
“Thank you,” said Wayne, following the lovely young woman into a large, open room with big windows that looked out over a lush garden.
“Len said you were coming to talk to us,” Calia continued. “I’m so glad you are, we’re all worried to death.”
“About what?” Wayne was utterly fascinated.
“My father hasn’t been home for over a week and we’re worried,” she exclaimed.
“Your father?” Wayne froze on the spot.
“Yes, my father, Mort Townsend,” she said breathlessly. “Where is he? Len said you knew.”
“Mort Townsend is your father?” Wayne could barely speak.
“Yes, of course. Is something wrong? You’re frightening me. Tell me, please,” begged Calia.
Wayne’s head began spinning. “Who else lives here?” he managed to ask.
Calia didn’t take his hesitation well. “My mother and my brother, Nate,” she replied. “Tell me, where’s my father?”
“Let’s sit down a minute,” Wayne said then, as gently as he could. “Is your mother home now, or your brother?”
“Yes, they both are.” Calia’s fear began to intensify.
“Can you ask your mother and brother to join us?” Wayne said then. He didn’t want to tell Calia the news while she was alone.
“Mom,” Calia called out loudly. “Come here right now. That person has come that Len mentioned.”
“Okay, okay,” Wayne heard a woman’s voice calling back. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
“How about your brother?” Wayne asked.
“He’s in his room. We don’t like bothering him when he’s busy,” Calia replied.
Wayne nodded slowly, as a lithe, lovely, blonde woman in her late forties entered the room quickly.
“Who are you? Why are you here?” She stared at Wayne hesitantly.
“I’m Detective Wayne Darrington,” he replied.
The woman looked stunned. “Why are we being visited by a detective?”
“Sit down, please,” Wayne said gently, “and let’s talk.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I still don’t understand why we’re being visited by a detective,” the woman repeated after they all sat down on a pair of velvet settees.
“Thank you for allowing me into your home,” said Wayne, trying to create an atmosphere of at least temporary normality.
“Your daughter, Calia, just told me that Mort Townsend is her father,” Wayne started off.
The woman trembled a moment and then stared at Wayne intensely. “Yes, that’s right, and I’m Mort’s wife, Heidi Townsend. I haven’t heard from Mort for several days. Where is he?”
“Does this happen often?” Wayne asked. “Is it usual for Mort to stay away for a few more days?”
“Mort is a busy man,” Heidi snapped at him. “He travels a lot. Of course, sometimes he stays a little longer than expected.”
A long pause surrounded the three of them.
“But why has a detective come to my home now?” Heidi’s eyes flashed open. “Has he gotten in trouble?”
“What kind of trouble would he get into?” asked Wayne, nervously.
“Let’s just stop this game of ping-pong.” Heidi flung her head back. “Answer me straight. Where is Mort? What’s going on?”
Wayne couldn’t bring himself to tell them yet. It would be too sudden. “What kind of trouble could Mort possibly be in?” he repeated.
Suddenly Heidi turned pale. “Mort’s come to harm, hasn’t he?” Her voice rose.
Calia lashed out instantly. “Why do you always think the worse, Mom? I’m sure Dad’s just busier than usual this time around. Obviously, he didn’t have time to contact us. So he’s sending a message through the detective.”
“Dad didn’t have time?” Heidi’s face distorted. “That’s ridiculous. How long does it take to make a call? This is not like him. He doesn’t send messages to me through other people.”
Calia suddenly looked alarmed. “No it’s not like him,” she agreed.
Wayne knew he had to take control of what he felt was an oncoming storm. He couldn’t hold back any longer.
“You’re right,” Wayne said then slowly. “Mort did not send me with a message, exactly.”
“Well, I’m glad I’m right about something,” snapped Heidi.
“May I talk to you openly in front of your daughter?” Wayne asked then.
“Of course, I’m not a child, I’m eighteen,” Calia responded intensely.
“Say what you have to, right now!” Heidi consented.
“Actually, Mort did come to harm,” Wayne spoke as carefully as he could.
“Harm? What happened?” Calia began tre
mbling.
“Your father was found murdered on the beach in Key Biscayne a few days ago.” Wayne looked at her carefully.
“What?” Calia looked as if she would faint. “Murdered? A few days ago?” She grabbed onto the edge of the settee. “Is this is a bad joke?”
“I’m really, really sorry,” said Wayne, wishing he could do something to ease the pain.
“Murdered?” Heidi’s voice rose, and she looked at Wayne as if he’d done it himself. “How do you know that?”
“How do I know that he was murdered?” asked Wayne.
“Yes,” Heidi hissed furiously. “He could have had a terrible accident, couldn’t he? Or for all we know he could have gone off the deep end and harmed himself.”
“Dad would never harm himself,” Calia yelled shrilly.
“What happened exactly, tell me!” Heidi insisted.
Wayne was reluctant to give them all the details at the moment. It would be too much to absorb all at once. As it was, Calia seemed completely uncomprehending and frozen.
“Dad had clinics he worked at in Key Biscayne,” Calia said slowly, trying to put the pieces together. “He was there every week for half a week or so. Then he’d come home to us. He always said he was so happy to be here. We made him so happy.”
“Yes, you did. I’m sure of it,” said Wayne.
“Why didn’t you inform us immediately?” Heidi’s voice got louder. “Mort’s been gone several days by now.”
Wayne barely knew how to answer. “We didn’t know about you,” he finally said.
“Didn’t know about us? What are you talking about?” Heidi grew unnerved.
“Of course we had the information about Mort’s clinics in Nashville, but we didn’t know that he had a second family.” The words just came out on their own.
Heidi froze completely. “A second family? What are you talking about?”
Wayne closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Mort had been living a double life, each one completely separate from the other. How was it possible? Why did he do this? Wayne had no idea how to handle it. He was in way over his head.
“We’re doing our best to find out all the details of Mort’s life,” Wayne said, circumventing the question.
“Answer me!” Heidi’s voice rose sharply. “What do you mean a second family?”
“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about, Mom.” Calia walked over to her. “He told us already that the police in Key Biscayne didn’t even know about us. He doesn’t either. They’re imagining all kinds of crazy things.”
“None of this makes sense.” Heidi began wringing her hands.
Wayne saw a shadow at the side door then. He turned and saw a young man about seventeen, a little younger than Calia, standing there. He was slim and jumpy with rumpled hair.
“What’s all the commotion?” the young man asked.
“What are you doing here, Nate?” Heidi zeroed in. “You have homework to do.”
“This is my brother, Nate,” Calia said in a low tone, as if she were trying to hold things together.
“Hello, Nate.” Wayne took a step toward him.
“Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” Nate looked at Wayne suspiciously. “I’ve never seen you before.”
“Nate is naturally nervous,” said Heidi, rushing over to him. “I’ll tell Nate the news myself slowly, later.”
“Tell me what news?” Nate’s eyes began squinting. “I’m not nervous. I’m just smarter than others.”
“Dad is dead, he’s gone,” Calia burst out. “This man is a detective who came here to tell us that. Dad was found in Key Biscayne on the beach.”
“We’re not sure what happened, though,” Heidi jumped in. “No one’s positive yet.”
“There’s no reason to keep the truth from Nate, or pretend Dad’s alive!” Calia wouldn’t have it.
“Dead?” Nate came to a full stop. “I don’t believe it!”
“It’s true, it’s true.” Heidi suddenly began sobbing.
Nate ground his foot on the floor feverishly.
“Are you okay, Nate?” Wayne asked slowly.
“I’m not okay and I’m not surprised, either,” Nate answered quickly. “I always told Mom and Calia that one day we’d all be like dead fish swimming in the ocean, doomed.”
The heaviness and horror in the room intensified greatly. Wayne had to break into it; he decided to take action.
“I’m going to call the police in Key Biscayne now,” he said. “They need to know about you.”
“Then what?” Heidi spoke in a raspy tone, having trouble breathing.
“Then the police in Key Biscayne will be in immediate touch with the force here in Nashville,” said Wayne. “The story will go out all over the local news so we can get clues to help find the killer.”
“Our lives will be blasted all over the news?” Calia was beside herself. “What will they say about us?”
“We have to do it,” said Wayne, somberly. “We need help finding the killer.”
“The killer?” Nate echoed those words, as if tasting each one of them. “Why would the cops blast the news in Nashville if Dad was killed down in the Keys? That’s where the police should be looking.”
“They are,” said Wayne, fascinated by Nate. He seemed to flip into different moods each moment.
Nate stared at Wayne strangely. “Are there any suspects yet? Even one who could have done it?”
Wayne felt chilled. Now Nate was suddenly so cool and calm.
“Not yet,” said Wayne. “There are a few persons of possible interest, but nothing solid at all.”
Nate shook his head swiftly. “Dumb ass cops,” he said bitterly. “Soon it will be too late to find out who did it. Killers cover their tracks like poisonous snakes. The worst murders go cold in an instant.”
“Yes, it’s true,” Wayne murmured, wondering how Nate knew all about it.
*
Wayne walked to the corner of the room and immediately called the police in Key Biscayne.
“Let me talk to Dowl,” Wayne said the second someone picked up. “There’s an emergency here.”
Dowl got on immediately. “What’s the emergency?” he asked hoarsely.
“Okay,” Wayne breathed, “I’ve got big news for you. Sit down.”
“Tell me what it is!” Dowl sounded nervous.
“Mort has a second family in Nashville. I’m in their home right now, talking to them.”
A shocked silence greeted Wayne on the other end. “Are you crazy?”
“No, it’s true,” said Wayne.
“You’re positive?” Dowl finally asked.
“I am,” said Wayne. “We’ve got to spread the news of his death all over Nashville, and contact the cops here immediately.”
“Absolutely,” Dowl agreed. “We’ll set up a call line for leads to come in from there, ASAP.”
“I want Olivia up here working this with me now, too,” Wayne continued.
“Certainly, she should fly right up,” Dowl agreed. “What’s going to happen, though, when the family in Key Biscayne finds out there’s a second one in Nashville?”
“All hell’s gonna break loose,” Wayne responded. “And a lot more’s about to come out. Get ready!”
“I’m ready,” mumbled Dowl, half alarmed.
“The family up here’s got a hell of a lot on their plate,” Wayne continued. “They’ve got to deal with the father’s death and also just found out that he has a second family.”
“God.” Dowl could barely take it all in. “I’m sure the police in Nashville are going to want to talk to all of them. They have to. The sooner the better, actually.”
“I agree,” said Wayne.
“And we’re going to need to talk to them too,” Dowl added. “Don’t leave them alone right now. They’ve got to be reeling.”
“No, I’m staying here for now,” Wayne agreed.
“Do you want us to call Olivia for you and tell her to go up there?” Dowl as
ked.
“Absolutely not,” said Wayne, irritated. “I have plenty of time to call her and tell her about this myself.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
After Wayne helped Heidi make arrangements to have friends come over so she wouldn’t be alone, he immediately put a call in to Olivia.
“How’s it going?” Olivia asked as soon as she picked up. Olivia was pleased to finally hear from Wayne. He had been on her mind, strongly.
Wayne felt relieved to hear Olivia’s voice, as well. “We’ve got an amazing development up here,” he answered instantly.
“What? Tell me.” Olivia was all ears.
Wayne jumped right in. “I just found out that Mort has a second family. In fact, I’m calling from their home.”
“What are you talking about?” Olivia gasped.
“He has two wives and two sets of children,” Wayne answered, still in disbelief himself. “One family lives here. The head administrator at Mort’s clinic led me right to them.”
Olivia could barely wrap her head around it. “You’re positive this is true? Mort’s been living a double life?”
“Exactly,” said Wayne. “I want you to come up right away. The police will be talking to them shortly and I need you to be here when they do. Not only do I need your take on it, but it will also be good for the family to have you around. You’ll calm things down. You always do.”
“Absolutely.” Olivia sounded shaken. “I’ll take the first flight out this evening.”
“Good,” said Wayne. “I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
“Okay,” Olivia agreed. She couldn’t help thinking about Penny, Lance, and Christine, though. How in the world would they handle this insane turn of events? Their entire lives would be shaken to the core.
“This is going to be a nightmare for Mort’s other family, as well,” Olivia murmured.
“I know it is,” said Wayne. “But somebody might have known something about this. For all we know this awful news will blow the rest of the case wide open.”
“Okay, I’ll text you when I have my flight information,” said Olivia, eager to get going and make arrangements to be with Wayne.