by Judy Kentrus
“Where’s Lieutenant McCarthy?” Jessie asked. He should be here for this briefing.”
The chief headed directly for the refreshment table and grabbed a much needed cup of black coffee before answering his sergeant’s question. “Based on your report from Saturday night, I felt we had enough information to bring in Harvey Thornton for a friendly chat. I gave Lorenzo and Bowll a private request to go over to his house because I didn’t want it broadcast over the radio. His wife answered the door and said he was in his study. He’d left orders not to be disturbed for any reason. They ignored her protest and found Thornton slumped in his chair with half of his head missing. He used a twelve gauge shot-gun. I personally questioned Mrs. Thornton. She left the house at seven for her daily run around the park with a few ladies from the church auxiliary and didn’t bother to check on him when she returned. Lieutenant McCarthy is there now, waiting for the coroner.”
“Are you sure it was self-inflicted? Did he leave any kind of note?” Lincoln asked.
“I saw two other suicides using that method and they were damn messy. We searched briefly, but didn’t find any notes. The coroner will confirm suicide and time of death when they do the autopsy.”
“I met with Paul yesterday afternoon. He found four hollow points in my tires. I over-nighted them to a private lab my company uses, just in case there are prints. I’m still waiting for the info we spoke about yesterday.” Linc didn’t bother to go into detail. The chief had been far from happy when he learned there was a possibility of a dirty cop on his force. They all turned when Sallie Mae opened the etched glass doors that separated the café from the dining room.
“The meeting is in here. Please help yourself to coffee and pastries.”
The ABC board had sent two representatives. One was Bill Latham, Treig Taylor’s direct supervisor. He appeared to be in his late fifties and was neatly dressed in a navy sports jacket and lighter blue shirt. His partner’s dark blond hair was neatly caught at the base of her neck, and she wore a plain black suit and white blouse. Detective Catcher was familiar with one of the two representatives from the state police. After introductions, the chief took the lead.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, but time is of the essence. You are all aware of the problems we’ve been having in Laurel Heights.” He turned to Margaret Taylor. “I’ll let our acting mayor outline what is going to happen so you will all know what we are facing.”
Margaret stood up. “Thank you, Chief. This is a big week for our town, and we will be attracting thousands of visitors. Our children have a half a day of school on Friday so they can attend our annual fishing derby by the town lake. This year the event is much bigger because it’s in conjunction with their anti-bullying campaign. We’ve been notified there will be national media coverage.”
The judge looked at her future son-in-law. “Because we have a new, rebuilt bandstand, there will be music and dancing from five till nine. Mr. Adams, owner of Adams Security and Investigations, has agreed to provide, at his own expense, twenty-five plain clothes agents to help oversee the crowds who will be attending the derby on Friday, and the annual bed race and fair around town square on Saturday. The vendors have been with us before, and their permits will be on display the day of the event.”
“When is the train excursion?” the detective from the state police asked.
Northrup stood up and addressed the group. “It’s listed as a moonlight ride for adult couples only. We’ll depart at nine o’clock and return to Laurel Heights around midnight.”
“How many passengers can you accommodate?” Samantha Kingsley asked.
North thought a moment. “We’re only using one passenger car this time so it will be forty guests. “Its fifty dollars a couple. This includes finger appetizers and desserts. Wine and beer is also served.”
Samantha looked at her boss and got a nod of approval. “If anyone asks, you’re sold out. Adams Security is buying up all the seats. I’ll be manning the galley. It will be a dry run.”
“My agents are not rent-a-cops, but are extremely well trained and licensed to carry in PA.” Linc added. “They can assist in the takedown. Just coordinate your moves with Samantha.”
“We stop at the train depot in Stevensville to let the passengers off for a sixty minute lay-over,” North continued. “The shops stay open till eleven on Saturday nights. That should give them plenty of time to unload.”
“Is the contraband still on the train?” Bill Latham, Treig’s ABC supervisor asked.
“Mr. Adams, Sergeant Taylor, and I checked the cargo last evening after it got dark,” Sam Morlock stated. “We also checked Buford Adams cellar to confirm they’d removed everything. All that was left were a few cardboard bread boxes.”
“Since we have no jurisdiction in Stevensville, the state police and ABC agents can apprehend the men who show up to remove the booze,” the chief reminded everyone. “We’ve a BOLO out for Andrew Sayers for two murders. If he is apprehended, we’ll personally pick him up.”
Sallie Mae chose that moment to open one of the doors and wave to Samantha. “Be right there,” she said, and stood up. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to my other job.” She passed the troopers and the ABC representatives one of her cards with her direct cell number. “Let’s take these suckers down.”
After the state police and ABC agents left, Margaret excused herself to head back to her office. She’d be in court all afternoon.
“I’ll head over to Harvey Thornton’s residence,” the chief said, finishing his coffee.
“I’ll be right behind you,” Jessie said.
The moment they were alone, she slipped her arms about Linc’s neck, stood on tippy toes, and kissed him long and deep.
“What was that for?” he asked, gathering her close, “not that I’m complaining.”
”Because I love you. These are the biggest town-wide events we’ve ever had. I don’t know what we would have done if you didn’t have your people here, especially Saturday night. How many favors did you call in to get us national media coverage?”
“Only one and they loved the idea. I want these guys as much as you do. Along with being killers, they defamed my grandfather’s home and the cause our ancestors risked their lives to support, the Underground Railway.” He went to kiss her again, but his cell phone beeped with an incoming email. “It’s from Reggie. Our forensic accountant reports nothing in suspect’s financial background to indicate unexplained income. In debt to his eyeballs, credit cards reaching max. Who’s next?”
“Well, who are we eliminating? Jess asked.
“Officer Donatiello.”
“We’re right back to square one!”
Chapter 25
Over the next four days, budding excitement, combined with unseen tension, filled the town of Laurel Heights, as it was transformed into Road Side America. Tuesday morning, a truck showed up at the rear of Town Hall with a delivery for Mayor Margaret Taylor. The donor had sent American Flag swags to be hung on all of the commercial buildings around town square. Wine red and navy vertical banners, pre-printed with the words, Town of Laurel Heights, were to be hung on all the light poles, accompanied by hanging baskets of seasonal blooms. Clyde’s Gardening Service had been contracted to landscape the area around the newly built gazebo and plant flowers and greenery in the ceramic urns that flanked the new forest green benches bordering the park’s walking paths. The gift included the manpower to meet the decorating deadline. Lincoln had noted Adams Security agents were multi-skilled and called upon to work at unusual jobs. They’d been fully briefed and were armed. Spotting Andrew Sayers was their top priority. They’d also set up discrete surveillance on the old Baldwin to make sure the contraband remained untouched.
When school let out at noon on Friday, everything was in readiness.
“Mommy, doesn’t my second place ribbon look great on my shirt?” Edie yelled, running into the big white tent that had been erected for the pizza party after the fishing derby. “Peter i
s so happy he came in third. It’s the first time he ever fished in the derby. We’re going to be on television. The guy interviewed Grandma and she said this was the biggest turnout they ever had. Principal Wayne told him it was my idea, but I said Peter helped the most. The man said schools all over the country should have anti-bullying campaigns.”
“We were standing right there.” Jessie had never been prouder of her daughter.
“Uncle Daddy, you didn’t tell me Susan and Vicky was coming! Even though they didn’t fish, they wore a bully shirt! Billy gave me a high five. And guess what? Cindi brought Cupcake and Muffin and they are on the farm already. We’re going to see them tomorrow! This is the bestest day ever!” Edie gulped a drink of soda from the paper cup in front of her mother before running off with pigtails flying.
“Where are you going?” Jessie hollered.
“To the bandstand. They’re going to start playing music. Grandma is sitting in the front row with her bridge ladies.”
“She really has to decide what she’s going to call you,” Jessie said, finishing off the last of her pizza. “Uncle Daddy is a bit much.”
“I like it.” Lincoln slid closer to Jessie on the long wooden bench and leaned close to breathe in her sweet scent. “I’d love to give you a hot kiss right now. Those hip hugging pink pants and lacy white top are turning me on. I think you purposely wear those little toe rings to rile me up. Any more sexy surprises I should know about?”
“I do wear them to tease you, and if I told you about my hot pink thong, it wouldn’t be a surprise,” she winked, and nudged his shoulder to put a respectable distance between them. “Rein in your studly thrusters. All the tables are full, and everyone should be paying attention to their food, but no, you and I are still the main event because we got engaged. I still can’t get over Edie’s reaction when we told her we were getting married.”
“She jumped up and down so much I thought she had jumping beans in her belly. It took everything I had to keep a straight face when she said we would no longer have to wish upon a star for a husband for you and a daddy for her. Then the little minx confessed she’d been secretly wishing it would be me all along, and insisted we visit Buford’s grave after church on Sunday to tell him the news. It’s ironic they laid the marble headstone the day before.”
“You read the email I got from Mrs. Berweiler, Edie’s Sunday school teacher. Edie told all of her friends that her black pearl pendant was a special gift from her guardian angel who was up in heaven with Buford. I guess your niece didn’t con you into her new wish upon a star project.”
Lincoln picked up his cup and grimaced at the warm, flat drink. “No, I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“She is wishing for a sister or a brother, or maybe two, because Susan and Vicky’s mommy had two babies at a time.”
He cringed inwardly as thoughts of multiple poopy diapers and blow outs flashed through his mind. “No comment,” he said, and picked up the un-eaten slice of pizza on his paper plate and held it to Jessie’s mouth. “Eat.”
Jessie took a bite and chewed slowly, contemplating his “no comment” statement. “Am I to understand you don’t want to make your niece’s wish come true?”
“No, I think we should have them one at a time.”
“Good enough. This pizza party was a total surprise.”
“I had nothing to do with it. Cindi spoke to the owner of Star Design and suggested it would be a great idea to donate pizza and drinks to celebrate a successful campaign. We paid them enough money for all the T-shirts, flags and banners. The town owns the tent, tables and benches. The school’s parents’ association supplied the paper goods. You can thank the ladies auxiliary from the church for the cupcakes and cookies. When you think about it, everyone in town contributed in some way.”
“I’ll suggest to Principal Wayne that all the children sign a giant thank you scroll for the company. They can make a smaller one for Cindi.”
“And you wonder where Edie gets her kindness.”
“Where did you two go?” asked a familiar voice from behind them.
“We could ask the same of you,” Lincoln said, when Scott and Russell approached the table. Both carried sixteen-ounce red plastic cups in each hand.
“We thought you could use something cold, with a little kick.” Scott set a frothy cup of beer in front Lincoln. Russell set one in front of Jessie.
“Where did you get this? All they’re dispensing from the refreshment truck is soda, water, and juice.” Lincoln took a long, appreciative drink.
“We’re using the motor coach for the weekend and we made sure the necessary staples included a small keg,” Scott said. “It’s parked in back of the Spoonful. We would have been here sooner, but Connor and Brandon wanted to use the boat to go fishing and volunteered to set up five cribs and two changing tables. We now have two nurseries, one in each wing. The little ones are in the capable hands of Mrs. Clooney, Florence and Henry, and Marie and Patrick.”
“Where are the girls and your ladies?” Lincoln asked.
“Trouble and Double Trouble went with Edie to the bandstand. Julie and Alexis are getting pizza.” Russell took off his sunglasses and hooked them in the pocket of his dark green golf shirt before sitting down next to Lincoln. “Earlier, it was crazy, all those wild casting fishing lines. It was a good thing they had the first aid squad on scene.”
“Russell, you haven’t seen anything yet,” Jessie said, just before she spotted Julie and Alexis. Both wore form-fitting white shorts, colorful tank tops and cork wedged espadrilles. Their toenails sported French manicures. You would never take them for two mothers who had eight children between them.
“We got an entire pie.” Julie set the box on the table and gave Jessie a friendly hug. “We didn’t want to interrupt you earlier because you were working, plus we couldn’t leave the girls alone. Knowing them, they might have fallen in. This event is fantastic! I can’t wait until tomorrow.” Julie slipped her hand into the back pocket of her husband’s jeans. “Shove your cute butt over a little so I can sit next to,” her voice trailed off when she got a look at the sparkling ring on Jessie’s hand.
Alexis saw it at the same time. “Oh, my God! You’re engaged!” they squealed and hugged Jessie at the same time and then Lincoln.
“You did it, old man,” Scott said and shook Lincoln’s hand.
Russell did the same. “What did it, the candy bars?”
“That and a whole lot of other things.”
“When is the wedding?” Julie asked, squeezing in next to her husband.
Jessie joined hands with Lincoln. “We haven’t set a date. We’re still getting used to the idea of being engaged.”
“Scott and I planned our wedding in three weeks, and Russell and Alexis got married in four,” Julie said.
“And they both had kids nine months later,” Lincoln tossed in, and decided to change the subject. “Are you guys all set for tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Scott said, reaching for his second slice of pizza. “This is great pie. As soon as you sent the dimensions and rules for the bed race, we made up our entry. Julie and I tried ours out. It’s got great springs. I had to oil it a bit before we tested it a second time.” Scott moved his leg away from his wife’s foot, already anticipating a kick.
“Oh, my God, you are so going to pay for that, Scott Landis!” Julie said, putting her hands to her hot cheeks.
He slipped an arm about her slender waist and pulled her closer. “Any time, Lola baby. I packed an extra can of oil with the bed.” A bit of tomato sauce was on her mouth. Before she could lick it off, his tongue was quicker, and he added a soft, lingering kiss. In a natural move, Julie melted in his arms.
“Do they always act like that?” Jessie had never witnessed such easy, loving affection between married couples.
“All the time.” Alexis leaned into Russell when he draped his arm about her shoulders and she traced his chin with the tip of her finger. “Mr. Clean is no different.”
&nb
sp; When the music started, they walked to the bandstand where rows of folding chairs had been set up. Most were taken, so they elected to sit on the grass.
All three girls came running over as soon as they saw their parents. “I talked to Robby, the band leader. He’s real cool and said when they take a break, I could play Piano Man and Uncle Daddy can play the harmonica.”
“Edie, you should have spoken to your Uncle Lincoln first. He only plays in private for special people.”
At his niece’s announcement, Linc tightened his hold on Jessie’s hand. It wasn’t the pizza he’d eaten that gave him a queasy stomach. He made the mistake of looking into the innocent faces of the little girls that had filled his life with happiness, stark terror and unbridled love. He was torn.
Susan knelt down next to him and took his hand. “Uncle Pirate, remember when that fresh lady was after Aunt Alexis, and the bad man had a sick gun on Uncle Russell, you talked to me and Vicky on our walkie talkie. We weren’t scared because we knew you would save us. If you’re afraid, me and Vicky will go on the stage and stand by you. We have spereaance.”
Once again, Lincoln was overwhelmed by the heartfelt kindness of this beautiful child. He looked to Jessie and his best friends for direction. No one spoke. This was a decision he had to resolve, alone. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint his niece. “Guess I’m about to make my musical debut.” He stood up and gathered all of the girls in his arms. At that moment, he decided he couldn’t wait to give Edie a brother or a sister.
“I’m not that brave,” he said and tugged on Jessie’s hand to make her stand up. They made their way to the gazebo and waited at the bottom of the newly constructed steps for the band to finish their song.
“Uncle Daddy, remember, “Just put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walking cross the floor.”
When the five musicians exited the stage, Edie walked over to the upright piano and sat down on the bench. Lincoln told himself he could do this and reached into the back pocket of his jeans for his harmonica. Susan and Vicky took their protection detail seriously and flanked him on either side. He was horrified when Jessie picked up the portable microphone from the top of the piano and addressed the citizens of Laurel Heights.