by C. C. Harris
Rose looked surprised. ‘No one ever asked me for my version of events.’
Sarah continued sensitively. ‘Sorry to ask you these questions, Rose. I know it must be very distressing.’
Rose gave a deep sigh. ‘I only wish it felt like a long time ago. It feels like it happened yesterday. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of that dreadful time. It weighs heavily on my heart. I was told that time heals. That’s complete and utter nonsense. On that day, my world changed forever.’
‘You lived with your husband Hank, your stepson Kevin, and your son Luke, is that correct?’
‘Yes, that’s right. My first husband walked out on Luke and me but then I met Hank, my second husband. Hank came from a broken relationship, so we had that in common. He had a son Kevin who also lived with us on the farm.’
‘I’m sorry, but could you please tell me about the day of your stepson’s death?’
‘Sometimes I think I’m going crazy. It’s like a record that never stops playing.’ Rose gazed across the ocean. ‘I remember I was stewing apricots. Isn’t that a strange thing to remember? You know, I can’t even smell an apricot now without the memories flooding back. Sorry, I’m jibber-jabbering.’
‘No need to apologize. You are doing just fine. Take your time.’
‘My husband Hank had taken the two boys camping at Sunny Ridge for the weekend.’
‘How did you hear the news of the accident?’ Sarah asked.
‘There was a knock at the door, which was unusual because we rarely had visitors on the farm. I opened the door to see Sergeant Baxley looking at his feet. As he removed his hat I knew something terrible had happened. He said I needed to come down to the hospital as my stepson Kevin had suffered a terrible accident at Sunny Ridge. He said Kevin had fallen down a ravine and didn’t survive. They said he must have been too close to the edge and slipped. I felt overwhelmed with relief it wasn’t my son Luke, then a terrible feeling of dread for Hank. He adored his son.’
‘Do you remember whose idea it was to go camping?’ James asked.
‘It was Luke’s idea. I was surprised he’d asked.’
‘Why were you surprised?’
‘Luke generally hated camping and his relationship with his stepdad and Kevin was strained.’
James tilted his head to one side, a habit he had when something grabbed his attention. ‘What do you mean by strained?’
‘Luke and Kevin would occasionally have a punch-up, but I thought it was just normal fighting and it would take a while for them to adjust to living together as stepbrothers. There was one incident though. It seemed…mm…too ludicrous at the time.’
‘The smallest amount of information can be the most important,’ James said. ‘What did you think was ludicrous?’
‘Kevin found his cat stabbed to death in a back paddock. He blamed Luke for it.’
James and Sarah exchanged a knowing glance.
‘He said Luke had threatened to kill his cat. He said Luke was crazy. I didn’t believe him. I could not have imagined, in my wildest dreams, that my son could’ve been so cruel, and I certainly didn’t think of him as being crazy. Having fist fights was one thing but killing his stepbrother’s cat... That’s not how I’d raised Luke.’
‘Did you ask Luke about the incident?’ James asked.
‘I did,’ Rose answered. ‘He said he didn’t do it and that it was Kevin trying to make him look bad. It was then, Luke said he wanted them to leave the farm, but I knew that was not possible. I loved Hank and besides, I couldn’t run the property on my own. After Luke’s father left, we had no money and we needed help. I didn’t want to jeopardize my relationship, or lose the farm. I hadn’t worked for ten years, and jobs were hard to find in a small country town.’
‘Did Luke have any contact with his biological dad?’ Sarah asked.
‘He tried to call him numerous times, but his father didn’t want anything to do with him. The day he walked out on us, he didn’t even leave a note.’
Sarah continued. ‘How would you describe his relationship with his father?’
‘Luke would spend hours in his room alone hoping his father would contact him. The rejection devastated him which surprised me.’
Now James was interested. ‘Why did it surprise you?’ asked James.
‘His father was a former army soldier and was strict. If Luke didn’t do his daily chores, he’d discipline him.’
James explored further. ‘What was the discipline?’
‘He’d have to hold a bucket of fruit on his head and run from the house to the property gates and back again several times followed by fifty push-ups. His father said it was character building and taught him grit. He called it his military program of perseverance and loyalty.’
James view of character building was having a father who provided unconditional love and support. Not a father who modelled aggression and the misuse of power. James resisted voicing his thoughts.
‘When Luke’s father proposed to me, he said he loved me and couldn’t live without me. I realized his idea of marriage meant he could order us around.’
James continued. ‘How old was Luke when his father left?’
‘He was twelve. I woke up in the morning and his father was gone, along with all his belongings. I thought he would come back. Although I was relieved he’d gone, we were left to struggle on the farm. It was some months later I heard he’d met another woman. Luke and I continued to look after the farm until the day that Hank came with his son Kevin looking for a room and work. They never left. At the time, they were a Godsend.’
James continued his note taking during the questioning. ‘Was there anything unusual you noticed about Luke during the time of his stepbrother’s death?’
‘Luke’s behavior seemed odd.’
‘What did you notice was odd?’ James asked.
‘When the wake had finished, and the guests had left, I walked past the dining room and noticed something.’
James didn’t miss a beat and continued the flow of questions. ‘What did you notice?’
‘He was happily humming as if nothing had happened and eating the food the guests had left. I didn’t think it was normal behavior. That same week I took him to a grief and loss counselor.’
James guessed Rose’s concerns were valid. ‘How did that go?’ James asked.
‘I told the counselor that my son’s behavior didn’t seem normal, that he was unusually happy on his stepbrother’s funeral day. I was frank with the counselor, but it fell on deaf ears. The counselor said there was no such thing as normal and that children grieve differently from adults depending on how they make their sense of their world. What she said is still a crystal-clear memory. She sounded educated but somewhat dismissive. Then I doubted myself.’
James sensitively continued. ‘The police report stated your husband suicided a couple of weeks after his son’s funeral, is that right?’
Rose slowly shook her head from side to side. ‘I feel so guilty. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t see any signs. I go over and over that week searching for clues. Searching for something that I might have missed.’ Rose rotated her wedding ring. ‘Suicides in the country are not uncommon, especially if the husband’s life insurance can pay off the farm. But this wasn’t the case. We had just paid off the mortgage, and the profits from the apple orchard were the best we’d ever had. The death of his son must have been too much for him to bear. I just wished he had talked to me. I wished I could have helped him cope.’
James knew they had her trust and he needed to dig further. ‘Where was Luke when his stepdad took his life?’
‘He’d told the police he was working in the back-paddock stacking crates and hadn’t heard or seen anything.’
‘Was anyone else on the property?’ James asked.
‘No. There was only Luke and his stepdad. The fruit pickers had finished at midday before I’d left for the markets.’
‘Who’d discovered Hank?’
‘I did. W
hen I arrived home, I saw Hank’s pickup truck at the front gates. I remember thinking how strange that was.’
‘Why did you think that was strange,’ James asked.
‘He was always careful where he parked. The pickup was his pride and joy. Leaving the pickup at the front gates was something he wouldn’t have done. There was so much blood. It still haunts me.’
James continued. ‘Was there anything else you remember?’
‘I remember Luke running towards me. He must have heard me screaming. I’m sorry, I can’t remember any more. I couldn’t understand why he’d killed himself. It just wasn’t like him to take his own life.’
‘What did the police tell you about the incident?’ Sarah asked.
‘The police said the keys were still in the ignition. They said Hank was so distressed over the death of his son he must have decided to kill himself there and then.’
James thought it made sense what the police had said, but he wasn’t buying it. Why hadn’t Luke heard the gunshot, yet he’d heard his mum screaming? Why would Hank shoot himself in his pickup at the front gates and not elsewhere on the property? Had he been in a hurry? A desperate hurry to escape his killer?
Sarah and James had read the police report. There had been a single bullet wound to the head. James glanced at Sarah. He knew that Luke had the opportunity, the means, and the motive to kill his stepdad. With the stepbrother and his stepdad eliminated, the farm would be Luke’s and he would be the sole focus of his mom’s attention.
James had worked on cases where kids had killed a family member, or their entire family. It was nothing new to him. He had seen it all. He also knew that child killers could go under the radar if the police were inexperienced with such young killers.
Rose was surprisingly blunt. ‘Do you think Luke had anything to do with their deaths?’
Sarah and James looked at each. ‘We’re not sure what happened but we will certainly let you know if we need to talk to you again,’ Sarah replied.
‘Oh dear, what have I done,’ Rose whispered.
Sarah could see her tears building and gave her a heartfelt response. ‘We know this has been hard for you and we’re sorry for your loss. Thank you for your time, Rose.’
‘There’s something I would like to ask you before you go, Lieutenant,’ Rose said.
‘Absolutely, and what would that be?’ Sarah asked.
Rose gazed back at the ocean as she briefly reflected on the past. ‘Do you think nature soothes the soul, Lieutenant?’
‘Yes, I do. It clears the mind and warms the heart.’
‘I knew you were a wise woman, Lieutenant. Do come again if you have any further questions.’
‘I will. Here’s my card. Call me anytime if you have any further information or remember anything else.’ Sarah sensed visitors were rare for Rose, and so she found it difficult to walk away.
Sarah looked at James as they approached the chopper. ‘Great questioning James. You haven’t lost your touch.’
‘I’m a bit rusty but once I get started, it all comes back. But now it’s getting back to the paperwork. I can hardly wait.’
‘Yeah, paperwork, it’s absolutely riveting,’ Sarah grinned.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Entrapment
Rose made her way back to her room with Nurse Lauren. Lauren had looked after her for three years and she was her closest companion. She had a tall slender figure and jet-black shoulder-length hair that fell in soft curls. She was half Rose’s age, but they were more like close sisters.
‘Is everything ok, Rose?’ Lauren asked in a gentle voice.
‘I would like to see my son Luke and I need your help,’ Rose whispered.
‘Anything Rose, you know I have a soft spot for you, what is it?’
‘I’d always hoped I was wrong, but it’s time to find out the truth about my son Luke. Do you remember Luke?’
‘Of course,’ responded Lauren. ‘Dr Luke Ellison is a fine example of the nouveau riche in his expensive business suit and flash car. On his last visit, I noticed he was on his best behavior. He ate Mrs Maple’s sandwiches while she slept and tucked her tissue packet in his pocket.’
Rose laughed. ‘You don’t miss a thing. We have a game to play with my darling, compassionate Luke. I’m not the fool he thinks I am. Are you up for it?’
Lauren’s eyes sparkled. ‘Oh Rose, I’m up for anything in this cold and dreary place.’
* * *
Meanwhile, the doctor was checking his bank account. His bank balance had almost doubled since the year before. The last delivery had been a street kid. He didn’t often pick up the homeless, but she was a little stunner. There was a greater risk of being seen taking a kid off the streets, but he hadn’t been able to resist the opportunity. He’d shown her pictures of his family and bought her dinner. His plan had worked without a glitch and he was proud of how well he had executed such a profitable catch.
Then he received the call he’d been waiting for. His boys had caught up with Curtis and were on his trail. Curtis would arrive just before sundown. If he didn’t head for Brooklyn he trusted his boys to finish him off, but he’d be waiting at Curtis’s apartment hoping he’d have the pleasure. This would give him enough time to see his favorite hooker and celebrate his latest financial windfall.
Her name was Lolly. She had blonde hair that fell to her waist, and her breasts were perky and round. She was no older than fifteen. She cost him a few thousand dollars, but it satisfied his twisted appetite. To kill her would cost him a lot more. One day he hoped to choke the life out of her tiny frame and watch the blood drain from her body but for now, he was content to play cat and mouse.
The sound of his cell disturbed his thirst for sex.
‘Hello, Doctor Ellison speaking.’
‘Hello Doctor, it’s Lauren, your mom’s nurse.’
‘Why are you calling?’ The doctor was more annoyed than alarmed. He didn’t want his mom to get in the way of his sex games.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you, Doctor, but we are concerned about your mom’s dementia. We think she could have Alzheimer’s. It seems to be getting worse and we need to see you regarding her condition.’
‘I understand that, but can’t you just tell me over the phone?’ he snapped.
‘Sorry, Doctor, but we require your signature agreeing to your mom’s change of medication, so she can start taking it tonight.’
The doctor’s response was cold. ‘Why can’t this be done by your doctors. I pay big money for her to be in a retirement home and get the best care, so I don’t have to be bothered with such trivia.’
‘I’m sorry, Sir, I do understand but unfortunately I have to follow procedures.’
‘Very well then, I will see you this afternoon. The quicker I get this done the better.’
The doctor ended the call. He was furious he couldn’t have his young piece of ass to satisfy his appetite. He gritted his teeth with anger knowing he’d need to rush back to finish off Curtis.
He hoped his mom’s Alzheimer’s would provide a rapid decay of her neural connections, destroying her memory until she couldn’t breathe. She was a nuisance. The last thing he wanted to do was to drive out to Long Island every time there was a problem. He was tired of acting like a caring son, especially as she was a financial liability. His thoughts switched to childhood memories of his mom. You wasted your life on losers. Because of you I was unhappy. You didn’t give a shit about me.
Lauren finished the call and hurried back to Rose.
‘How did my darling son respond?’ Rose asked.
‘He swallowed the story like a pelican with a fish. He was so considerate and sensitive to your needs. He has such a caring and kind nature and his empathy just overflowed,’ Lauren laughed.
‘Thank you, Lauren. Without your positivity, I know I’d already be six feet under.’
‘You don’t need to thank me. You know I would do anything for you, Rose.’
‘I have something for you,’ Rose s
tated. ‘It was for Christmas, but I think this is the perfect time.’
She presented her nurse with a neat package.
Lauren unwrapped her gift. ‘Oh Rose, I just love the colors. You shouldn’t have.’ She held up a pair of silk pajamas printed with delicate red and yellow wild flowers.
‘I’m so glad you like the colors. Red means power and courage and yellow represents hope and happiness. A fitting present for you, don’t you think Lauren?’
Lauren gave Rose a big hug.
Rose had seen residents spiral downward into dementia and die because of the pain of depression and loneliness so she felt blessed she had Lauren’s friendship.
‘Now Rose, what would you like to wear for your darling son? You have to look nice for such a special occasion.’
Their laughter reverberated down the hallway.
A nurse popped her head into the room. ‘Please be quiet. There are residents sleeping.’
Rose and Lauren looked at each other and laughed even louder.
Rose raised her eyebrows. ‘Now it’s time for me to find out what really happened to my dear husband and stepson all that time ago.’
Lauren held Rose’s hand. ‘We’d better get a move on then. He’s leaving Manhattan now.’
THIRTY-EIGHT
Unconditional Love
The doctor pulled into the Kennedy Home and parked in a spot sign-posted ‘Ambulances only’.
He stepped out of the car, hoping for a quick visit. He had to get back before Curtis arrived in Brooklyn. He pressed the security intercom at the main entrance. ‘Hello, is anyone going to open these doors?’
A voice responded. ‘Right away, Sir.’ The double glass doors opened into the lobby.
He approached the desk clerk and announced himself, then admired the herringbone flooring and an antique chandelier hanging in the same place as it had a hundred years earlier. ‘She lives in the most expensive retirement home on Long Island and I still have to do their fuckin’ job,’ he swore under his breath.
‘Please take a seat, Doctor. I will call your mom’s nurse now.’