“I do get up early and most of the time it’s a good thing. But this morning it was a really hard decision to make,” Dave said as he pulled her close and clasped his hands behind her back.
“And why is that?” Tory asked with a smile on her face and a glimmer in her eye.
“Because I was so comfortable with you lying beside me. Your warmth and one-of-a-kind scent made me want to stay there wrapped in your arms forever.” He kissed her on the mouth while she reached her arms up and around his neck, wanting more. He hadn’t left me because he wanted to. She ran her fingers through his thick hair while the kiss grew deeper, senses heightened.
Finally Tory remembered she needed to get to work now or she would be late. They pulled apart quickly.
“I have to get to work, Dave. What are your plans today?”
“Oh, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Nothing in particular.”
“I’m going to stop and visit with my mother after work and find out how everything is going with the B&B. Want to come along?” Tory asked without asking for a dinner date.
“No, I promised Mom I’d be home for dinner tonight. She’s making her favorite meatloaf and I don’t want to miss it. Why don’t you call me tonight when you get home from your mother’s?”
“Okay, that’s a good idea. I’ll talk to you then. Can you lock up here? I really need to get going.”
“Wait, I’ll go with you.”
Chapter 21
The Mountain View Bed & Breakfast was ready to officially open its doors. Anne had her first guests scheduled for the following week, thanks to the website Tory had created to help advertise the grand opening to Hickoryville and friends and family out of town.
In the early evening, Tory stopped by her mother’s house after work for a visit. She had just sat down with her mother and a cup of tea on the long front porch when her cell phone rang.
“Hi, Trevor!”
“Hi, Tory. I hate to ask you to do this but can you stop by the Mountainside Building and pick up the rent check from Mark Montgomery? He moved in last week and we haven’t been able to get together. I promised I would come by and pick up the check but never got around to it. I just spoke with him. He’s working late tonight and it should be on your way home from your mother’s. It’ll save me another trip into town. Would you mind?”
“Of course not. I’ll be glad to do it for you. I was planning on leaving my mother’s soon anyway.”
“Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.”
Tory finished her tea, put her cup in the sink, and decided to cut her visit short with her mother so she could run her errand for Trevor. She would still be able to get home before dark. Tory left her mother’s house and arrived at the office building in a matter of minutes.
* * * *
Tory parked in front of the tall, wooden office structure. It had been named The Mountainside Building because it was built on the side of the mountain. She parked the car, got out, and walked up the sidewalk along the nicely manicured landscape and façade of the office building.
Her hair bristled on the back of her neck, goose bumps appeared on her arms and legs as if she’d taken a chill as she walked up to the front door. She felt like someone was watching her. She stopped and looked around. Seeing no one, she knocked on the door of Mark Montgomery’s unit. The door opened on its own.
Tory just stood there, staring into the first room, a receptionist’s office, while a cold knot of fear and icy dread settled in her chest. It still smelled of fresh paint, new carpet, and another unfamiliar smell.
“Hellooo! Anybody here? Mr. Montgomery? Mr. Montgomery, are you here?” she called out. No one answered. She looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. All the usual and necessary front office equipment appeared intact. Maybe he had to run to get something to eat and left the door open and unlocked, she thought.
She was about to leave when she decided to take pictures of the office space for future reference in case there was an insurance claim. She took out her camera as she moved to the middle of the room. Then she heard water running. She looked around the corner, down the hall toward the bathroom all the while taking pictures. Was the toilet acting up? The bathroom door was open. Was someone in there?
“Helloooo? Anybody here?” she shouted louder again. She looked inside the bathroom through the lens of her camera to snap a couple pictures for insurance purposes. Her finger pushed the button before she realized what she saw. A young man in a dress suit lay slumped in the inside corner of the small bathroom, his legs doubled back under him. Blood and bits of gray matter were splattered all over two of the newly painted walls. He held a small caliber weapon in his left hand.
Her body began to tremble and her hands shook. Her camera fell to her chest, held only by the strap around her neck. Her legs became weak and she trembled all over as she stared at the floor. She heard screaming and more screaming before she recognized her own voice. She covered her mouth. The new, unfamiliar, coppery smell of blood permeated her senses. She got out her cell phone and called 911.
“Nine-one-one,” the operator said. “What is the nature of your emergency?”
“I found a body. I think he’s dead.”
“What is the address, ma’am?”
It took a moment for her to recall the address of the office. She stammered it out.
“Is there anyone there with you?” the operator asked.
“No,” she said. “Oh, I mean I don’t think there’s anyone else here.” Panic rose through her, riveting her in place.
“Stay on the line with me and go outside, okay?” the operator asked.
“Yes, yes, I’ll do that.” Glad to get away from the smell of death, she dashed back to the sidewalk.
“Emergency vehicles are on the way and should be there soon.”
“Okay.”
“They’re just around the corner. Are you there?”
“Yes. Yes. I’m outside,” Tory said. Soon sirens and flashing lights eased her terror. “I see a police car!”
“Good. You’re doing fine. Stay calm and tell the officer what you found. Can you do that?”
“Yes. Thank you. Thank you for your help.”
* * * *
Tory stood outside while officers rushed into the building. She ran to her car to enclose herself safely away from the smell of death.
Her cell phone rang and she answered it.
“Hello? Hello?” she said with trembling lips, her legs and hands still shaking. Images of the victim appeared when she closed her eyes.
“You sound funny. Are you okay?” Dave asked.
“No, I’m not okay. I just found a dead body and I’m scared out of my wits.”
“Did you call the police?”
“They’re here.”
“Where are you?”
She gave Dave the address and directions to get there.
“I’ll be right there.”
The police secured the area inside and outside with yellow crime scene tape. The outside area became active, uniformed men and women were scattered throughout the yard and the office. Chief Carr got there shortly after the first team. No one was allowed in or out until a forensics team, of sorts, arrived. Then the local mortician arrived on the scene from the only funeral home in town and pronounced the victim dead and got ready to remove the body. One of the local patrol officers located Chief Carr and revealed the identity of the victim. His name was Mark Montgomery.
* * * *
Dave arrived and found Tory in her car. She reached for him as soon as he reached her. She clung to him like he was a life raft in the ocean.
“Everything’s going to be all right. As soon as the police are through with you, I’ll take you home,” Dave said with strong reassurance as if there was no other way to do it.
And then the questioning began.
“Hi, Michael. I’m so glad to see you. This is horrible, just horrible,” Tory said as Chief Carr approached her.
“I know you’
re upset right now, Victoria, but I need to ask you some questions and then get a statement from you. Okay?”
“I’ll do the best I can.” She took a deep breath.
“Did you know the victim?”
“No, I didn’t recognize him. He was a new tenant. Trevor just asked me to stop by and pick up the rent check.”
“Why didn’t Trevor pick it up himself?”
“He called and asked me to do it on my way home from my mother’s to save him a trip into town.”
“Did you touch anything?”
“I knocked on the front door, but it opened on its own. I thought Mr. Montgomery left it open for me.”
“Were you the only one here?”
“Yes.”
“How long ago did you get here?”
“Probably close to fifteen to twenty minutes by now.”
“Did you hear or see anything out of the ordinary when you arrived?”
“No. Nothing specific but I did feel like someone was watching me as I walked toward the building, but I’ve been having that sensation ever since I arrived in town. But didn’t see anyone.”
“Have you reported this to the police?”
“I’ve never seen anyone and there’s really no reason anyone would want to follow me. It’s foolish to bother with it.”
“Do you remember anything else out of the ordinary?”
“No.”
“That’s it for now, Victoria. I only ask that you stick around town for a while in case we have any other questions.”
“I was only planning to stay a few months. Will that be long enough, Michael?”
“I honestly hope so,” Michael said as he stood. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. He had dark circles under his eyes.
* * * *
Dave walked with Michael Carr to the door of the office building surrounded by yellow tape.
“Chief Carr, do you mind if I take a look at the crime scene?” He pulled out his badge for a reminder. “I’d like to help in the investigation any way I can, if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure, we can use all the help we can get before I call in the State then the Feds. Oh, wait, you are the Feds.” Chief Carr smiled. “You know the drill then. Just don’t get in the way of the forensics team or the funeral director.”
Dave entered the office and looked around. Then he went to the bathroom door. He took some notes on a notepad he seemed to never be without and then went to find the Chief.
“Chief? I’ve got some info to share when you’re ready.” Dave put his tablet and pen in his jacket pocket.
“Why don’t you help Tory get home and meet me in my office first thing in the morning? We can compare notes and take a look at the murder book.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then,” Dave said already on his way back to Tory’s car.
“Tory, do you want to go home or stay at your mother’s tonight?” He put his arm protectively around her shoulders.
“What did he mean by murder book? Wasn’t it a suicide?”
“No more questions. Right now I want to get you home. Do you want to go home to your house or to your mother’s?”
“I need to go to my own home. I have work in the morning. And I’ll have to find a special cleaning crew for the office when it’s officially allowed,” she said through trembling lips. She wiped tears away from her cheeks.
“I’ll follow you home so I know for sure you get there okay.”
“Sure.”
Dave followed Tory back to her town house and parked his SUV beside her car. He helped her out and walked with her to the front door.
“Dave, do you want to come in for a drink? I sure could use a glass of wine to settle my nerves.”
“Sure, I could use a drink.”
Tory was, of course, still upset over the sight of someone dead. Even after two small glasses of wine, she trembled. They settled on the couch, sitting side by side, Dave’s arm around her shoulder. Eventually her head fell onto his chest and she was asleep. When Dave’s arm became numb, he eased her down on the couch, covered her with a blanket, kissed her good night, and locked up on his way out.
Chapter 22
Dave took a chance Chief Carr was at his office around five o’clock in the morning. The office was a small, red brick building tucked in between the Fire Department and the City Water Works building.
“Dave, come on in. Have a seat,” Chief Carr said as he rubbed his eyes.
“Good morning,” Dave said as he sat down in one of two chairs in front of the desk. “I’m an early riser. Had some thinking to do and wanted to share my notes with you.”
“Hickoryville is a small mountain town where people still leave their doors and cars unlocked. This is shocking news for the residents here and we need to act fast.”
“I agree with you there,” Dave said as he nodded his head.
Chief Carr opened the murder book and began reviewing it. “We’ve identified the victim as Mark Montgomery, a local man who grew up here. He went to North Carolina University and then returned to his roots. He was employed by Wilson Construction and was either fired or quit about six months ago. Rumor has it he spouted off around town that Matt Wilson owed him a good sum of money, but Matt refused to pay up. I have someone questioning Matt for an alibi right now.” He looked up at Dave who nodded at him. “Montgomery had recently started to work for Braedden Properties, Wilson’s only competition and arch enemy. It appears he died from a self-inflicted small caliber gunshot wound to the left side of his head.
“At first I thought it was a suicide, but I couldn’t get all the pieces to fit together. After questioning his girlfriend, Nancy Cordes, we found he hadn’t given any indication of being unhappy in any way. He wasn’t depressed about his recent divorce. So, the big question was why would he kill himself? He had no motive.”
“Did you bag his hands at the scene?” Dave asked.
Chief nodded as he checked the notes in the murder file or book. “No gun powder burns or even residue on his hands. So that pretty much rules out suicide. We’ve put a trace on the gun to find out who it belongs to and how he may have gotten hold of it. So, it looks like we have a murder victim and a killer in our small mountain town.”
Dave thought for a moment.
“What about the brain and blood spatter? From what I saw, it looked as if he was on his knees and shot from the left side to appear as a suicide. According to his girlfriend, he was right-handed, and after looking at his hands it appears to be true. The right hand definitely has more usage. Why would someone that’s right-handed use his left hand to shoot himself? And why would he do it when he was expecting someone to stop by?”
“I agree with you, but I don’t want to offer an opinion of conjecture. I’ll wait for the undertaker’s report.”
“You’re right, Chief. It still leaves a lot of unanswered questions though. Why leave the water running?”
“I haven’t figured that one out yet, Dave. What do you think about it?” The Chief rubbed his chin.
“It could have been to draw attention to him as soon as someone walked in the door. As it turned out, it worked.” Dave shrugged.
Chief Carr sat back in his chair listening to Dave, nodding his head.
“I just have one more question,” Dave said. “And that is why and how long ago did he get a divorce. Maybe his ex-wife has some kind of vendetta against him and finally now, since he’s successful and has a new love interest, she’s pulling in her markers or acting out her revenge.”
“That’s a possibility. I’ll put someone on her right away so we can find out, how about that?”
“It seems to be a very well-thought-out, premeditated murder, doesn’t it?” Dave asked as he put his notebook and pen in his jacket pocket.
“It sure does, Dave, and you know what that means. We need to solve this and quickly.” Chief Carr sighed deeply.
Chapter 23
Tory’s mother Anne, along with Dave, Tory, Sue, and Brandon attended the funeral of Mark M
ontgomery. It was a rainy, gloomy day for the celebration of a man’s life here on earth. Almost everyone in town made an appearance at the somber occasion. They remembered him as a child growing up. Some were able to talk about how Mark had touched their lives, others were not. Some remained stunned that a murder had taken place in their small town. And others, members of his immediate family especially, remained numb.
During the graveside services, Dave looked around at those gathered together. Any one of them could be the murderer.
When the service concluded, Dave invited Tory and her family for coffee at Lana’s and they all agreed.
After they settled into a comfortable corner booth and ordered their coffees, their conversations turned to the crime.
“I still can’t believe Mark’s gone,” Sue said. “I’ve known him forever and now there will be such an empty void. I also can’t believe that somebody in our town is responsible for his murder. It has to be an outsider. But who could it be?”
Everyone looked at Dave, innocently stirring his coffee. When he realized everyone had become quiet, he glanced up at those seated around him, staring at him, waiting for an answer. He raised his hands up in self-defense.
“Don’t look at me,” Dave said. “I’m a federal officer and I take every one of my sworn declarations seriously.”
“What can we do?” Sue asked Dave. “After all, I don’t think any of us are safe until the killer is behind bars.” Sue ran her shaky hands through her long hair.
“Other than being careful and aware constantly of your surroundings, you need to start locking your doors at night and during the day if you’re alone.” Dave rubbed his tired face with his hands.
“If you learn anything be sure to give us a call, all right? Brandon and I need to leave, so keep us posted. And, Tory, try to stay out of trouble, okay?” Sue laughed as she waved at them while ushering her mother out the door.
* * * *
Confer, Lorelei - Deadly Revenge (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 10