I nodded as I grabbed soft drinks from the refrigerator and handed them out. “Eleanor is right. We have to find out who killed Wilber in his own bed.”
“Don’t forget about the other victim.”
Andrew’s brows furrowed. “Other victim?”
“Yes. There was a bloodstain in the living room, and it wasn’t Wilber’s.”
“I can’t imagine Wilber would kill anyone,” Bernice said.
“I agree,” I said. “And he never mentioned that he was seeing anyone.”
“Maybe he didn’t want to tell Bernice. It makes sense,” Eleanor said. “But what did you talk about when you saw him?”
“We talked about our children. I was happy to see them after all these years, but they’d become distant. Wilber didn’t understand it, but he didn’t want to get involved because they’re adults.”
“That’s hardly fair. He’s the reason you never saw them all those years,” I said. “They certainly seemed to harbor bad feelings about you. I can’t help but wonder why when they initially received you back into their lives.”
“What did Wilber do in his spare time?” Eleanor asked.
“He didn’t really say.”
“Are you hiding something from us?”
“Eleanor, stop harassing Bernice,” I chided.
“I’m not. It’s just that Wilber must have talked about more than just their children.”
“He cut my grass and we chatted idly about what’s happening in town.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“That they’re having a book sale at the library. Oh, and Elsie is planning a rummage sale.”
“Are you sure about that? That doesn’t seem like something Elsie would do,” I said.
“What was the last thing you talked about?” Andrew asked.
“I already told you,” Bernice said.
“It’s about time we have something more to go on for tomorrow,” I said.
“But I thought we could do it today,” Eleanor said.
“It’s getting too late for that, and I must admit I’m tired.”
Bernice’s bottom lip protruded slightly. “But I thought we were going to question that floozy.”
“Now let’s be fair. We don’t know if the woman is a floozy yet,” I said.
“You heard what Jimmy said. That woman was seen at his house a few times a week.”
“Were you in a relationship with Wilber?” Andrew asked.
“No, but that doesn’t mean that woman didn’t have anything to do with Wilber’s death.”
“I’m sorry. I know this is hard for you, but Agnes and Eleanor will find out who murdered Wilber. You can sleep in the spare bedroom tonight.”
“Spare bedroom,” Eleanor gasped. “Whenever I’ve stayed over I slept on the couch.”
“That could be because that’s where you passed out,” I joked.
Eleanor’s hands slipped to her hips. “I’ll have you know that I don’t drink! Except when we’re at one of Elsie’s card parties. And I always go home, unlike someone I know who falls asleep in the parking lot of the One Stop.”
“That’s enough,” Andrew cautioned. “Bernice didn’t come here to listen to you two argue.”
“I only passed out in my car once at One Stop, but that was before I was involved with Andrew,” I told Eleanor.
“You’re right. I don’t know why I brought that up,” Eleanor sighed.
“Are you done arguing already?” Bernice asked. “It was taking my mind off my troubles.”
“I’ll get the guest room ready,” Andrew said.
“Don’t bother, Agnes will run me home.”
“Are you sure you want to be alone tonight?”
“I’ve been alone a good spell of my life. And I have my cats to keep me company. I really need to get home to feed them.”
I drove Bernice home in silence. My right eye twitched as I focused on the road. I hated to drive at dark and wished I hadn’t dropped Eleanor off so I’d have someone to talk to. Bernice said nothing. I felt bad that she was alone, although she did have her cats for company. I thought she and Wilber were a couple and it bothered me more than I could say. Wilber hadn’t treated Bernice as she deserved. And her children were just as bad. I would certainly have trouble keeping my anger at bay when Angelo and Callie rolled into town.
Chapter 5
“Why do you have Martha’s station wagon?” Andrew asked as he walked me outside the next morning.
“Eleanor and I don’t exactly fit in my Mustang.” I frowned. “We felt like sardines.”
Andrew laughed. “Thanks for the visual.”
“Martha agreed to exchange vehicles with me.”
“Hmm. I can see Martha zooming up and down U.S. 23 as we speak.”
“I was thinking that I really should let the car go and sell it.”
“Sell your Mustang?” Andrew asked in shock. “You love that car.”
“I did, but I need a car that’s comfortable for Eleanor and me. It was an impulse buy, to be honest.”
“That’s what I like about you; you’re spontaneous.”
“I have to be when it comes to investigating.”
“Why would you take your Mustang yesterday?”
“Because you had your SUV.”
“I meant, is there someone wrong with Eleanor’s Cadillac.”
“She got it stuck in in her garage; something to do with the garage door.”
“I’d better go over there and fix it.”
“I had no idea you were so handy.” I grinned.
“If I can’t figure it out I’ll give Jimmy a call.”
“You should call him before you get there.”
“Don’t worry, I have it handled. Do you want to take my LX today?”
“No. I don’t really mind Martha’s car, even though it only takes eight tracks and the radio only brings in static.”
“At least now you look your age. I mean when you get out of the car.”
“Stop while you’re behind. I know what you meant. Sort of.”
“It’s just that you’re as vintage as the car.”
I pointed to my mouth and Andrew gave me a quick peck before I drove off. I smiled whenever I thought about my husband. I was fortunate to have him in my life, and Eleanor had her Mr. Wilson. It’s one of the reasons Eleanor and I relate so well. Both of us married quite late in life. I laughed to myself.
I headed to the campground where Martha lives in my Winnebago. Martha, in short shorts and a crop top, was waxing my Mustang.
“I see you’re taking care of my Mustang,” I said.
Martha smiled. “It’s the least I can do, but my station wagon looks the same way it did yesterday.”
“That might be because it’s so bleached out nothing can improve it. I’d also call it a heap of junk, but it handles wonderfully for a being a seventies model.”
“Does that mean I can drive your Mustang for a while?”
Martha’s toothy grin didn’t sway me a bit. “That’s why I came here. I’d be happy to keep driving your car while I handle the case I’m on, but don’t get too comfortable driving my car. I think I might sell it soon.”
“Why would you get rid of a car like this?” Martha asked.
“I hate to say it, but I think I’m too old for the Mustang. It doesn’t fit me anymore or my aching hip and knees.”
“I’d love to buy your Mustang.”
“I’ll give it some thought and tell you when I make my decision, but for now drive carefully.”
“As you can see, I’m already taking good care of it.”
“Which is the only reason you can still use my car.”
“So what was happening at Bernice’s house?”
I filled Martha in about the recent developments. “I have a mind to tell Bernice’s children off. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like that,” Martha said.
I sat on the picnic table. “When you came to town I wasn’t sure I wanted to have anything to d
o with you either.”
“I remember you didn’t even want me to stay with you.”
“We hadn’t spoken in years. I didn’t even know you had gotten a divorce, or that you were globetrotting.”
“I’m sorry about that. But we did reconnect in a good way. You even offered me a place to stay in your camper.”
“It’s not like I let you move into my house.”
“And I wouldn’t want to live there. I love the beach. It’s so inspiring that I began my jewelry business here.”
“How is that going?”
“Great. And I have so much less stress now that I don’t have to ask the Girl Scouts or senior citizens to help me keep afloat.”
“It turned into a community effort. I applaud your tenacity, Martha.”
Martha hugged me and gushed, “Thank you, Mother!”
“I don’t suppose you can check on Bernice for me? I have a few things I need to do before I pick her up. I don’t want her thinking I’ve forgotten all about her, especially after what happened yesterday.”
“You can count on me.”
I picked up Eleanor and we drove to the sheriff’s department. I greeted the woman in the dispatch manager’s office. “Hello. I was wondering who we could talk to about the 911 call history of a specific address.”
The woman shook her head. “We can’t help you.”
“But it’s important,” Eleanor said. “We’re investigating an important case.”
“You’ll have to speak to the sheriff, but I don’t think he’ll tell you anything.”
“Surely you must have heard about us. I’m Agnes Barton and this is my partner Eleanor Mason. We’re investigators in town.”
“Never heard of you.”
A thin, dark-haired woman walked in and the receptionist waved her over. “Have you ever heard of a Agnes and Eleanor? They claim to be investigators.”
“Hello ladies. How can I be of help?”
“They want a 911 call history. I told them we don’t give out that information and to speak to the sheriff.”
“Come into my office,” the woman said.
Eleanor and I walked into the small office that had only a small desk for her computer and two chairs.
“I know it’s a stretch, but we wanted to know if a 911 call has ever come from Wilber Riley’s address.”
“What’s the number?”
I gave Bernice a quick call and she rattled off Wilber’s number for me, which I then told the manager helping us.
She tapped the keys of her computer for a time before saying, “No calls from that number.”
“So you can’t tell us if the police were called to his address?”
“Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. Sheriff Peterson says so many wonderful things about you both. That’s the only reason I checked the logs for you.”
“We appreciate it. I don’t want to bother the sheriff with this.”
“I hope this helps you with your case.”
“We were just wondering if our victim ever reached out to 911.”
“You’ve been most helpful,” Eleanor added.
Sheriff Peterson stopped us as we were ready to open the door leading outside. “What are you two doing here?”
Eleanor and I stared at one another. “We were just wondering if Angelo and Callie Riley arrived in town yet.”
“They’ll be here shortly. Angelo told me they were stopping at their mother’s house first,” Peterson said.
“Thanks, Peterson,” I called out, and Eleanor and I hurried out the door.
“They better not have hurt Bernice,” Eleanor said. “I have a mind to pop them in the mouth.”
“At least Angelo, the jury is still out about Callie.”
I floored it through town, which was free of tourists for the moment, and pulled up Bernice’s driveway.
I raced to her door and shouldered my way inside to the sound of raised voices. And when we spotted Bernice on the floor, Eleanor’s fists flew into action. She popped Angelo in the mouth and he dropped to the floor.
“What did you do to Bernice?” I demanded as I checked her pulse while Eleanor called 911. “I’m glad the sheriff told us you were coming over here.”
Angelo rubbed his jaw and choked out, “I didn’t do anything to Bernice. She was like that when we arrived.”
Callie, pale, backed up with her arms in front of her, potentially to ward off Eleanor. “I didn’t do anything, I swear.”
Eleanor rubbed her fist and Angelo stepped quickly toward the door. “I think we should leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Callie said as she knelt next to Bernice. “Mother, are you okay?”
“She isn’t our mother,” Angelo spat as he hurried out the door before any of us could stop him.
The sound of sirens had me scrambling toward the door. I watched in satisfaction as Trooper Sales walked Angelo back inside.
“So much for your great escape,” I said, then nodded at Bill. “I didn’t expect you to answer the call.”
Two paramedics hurried in the door and began to assess Bernice.
“What really happened here, Callie?” I demanded. “Bernice wasn’t on the floor when you arrived. I spoke to her not even ten minutes ago on the phone.”
“Don’t tell her anything, Callie,” Angelo hissed.
“What’s happening here?” Bill asked.
“When Sheriff Peterson told me Bernice’s children were here I knew we had better get here fast,” I gasped. “Angelo and Callie were standing over her. Bernice was sprawled out on the floor!”
Angelo waved his arms around as he said, “I have no reason to hurt Bernice.”
“You should call her ‘mom.’ She gave birth to you,” Eleanor ordered.
“She struck me,” Angelo complained as he pointed a finger in Eleanor’s face.
I shrugged. “I don’t remember seeing anyone hit you. I was too concerned about Bernice on the floor.”
“Two more first-responders came into the door with a stretcher and attended to Bernice. Her gray skin had dread creeping up my back. “Is she going to be okay,” I asked.
“We need to get her to the hospital,” one of the emergency workers said.
Eleanor and I hugged each other and looked on helplessly as our friend was hauled onto an gurney and carried to the ambulance.
“Why would you do this to your mother?” I demanded.
“What condition was Bernice in when you arrived?” Bill asked.
“She was on the floor when we arrived,” Angelo said.
“Then how did you get in the house?” Eleanor asked. “Or get past her cats?”
“I kicked them out of my way.”
“I oughta give you a kick,” Eleanor hissed. “Animal cruelty isn’t tolerated around here.”
“What do you have to say?” Bill asked Callie. “Is he right? Was Bernice on the floor when you arrived?”
She looked at the floor and shrugged. “Angelo was the first in the door. I waited outside.”
“See? She wasn’t even in here!” Angelo yelled.
“If you don’t shut up and let her talk … ,” I threatened.
“I heard Angelo yelling,” Callie admitted.
“We heard arguing when we arrived,” I said. “Admit it, you attacked your own mother.”
“She killed my father,” Angelo insisted. “Our father!”
“Bernice would never hurt Wilber. She was still in love with him,” Eleanor said. “And she doesn’t even own a car.”
“She had a truck.”
“A non-running truck,” I said as I turned to Bill. “Wilber sold Bernice’s truck for her. You can verify that with Jimmy.”
“I think we all need to go the sheriff’s department where we can sort this out,” Bill said. “I’ll need to cuff the two of you because you’re riding with me.”
All the color left Callie’s face. “Handcuff us?”
“I can’t very well have you in the back of my car without cuffing
you. It’s a short drive to the sheriff’s department.”
“I heard my brother yelling at our mother,” Callie gasped.
“Shut up, Callie! Don’t act so innocent. We both wanted to confront her about dad.”
“Not like that I didn’t!”
“I have no idea who’s lying,” I said. “I’ll meet you at the sheriff’s department, Bill.”
I took a peek under the porch, where Bernice’s cats were huddled together. It was almost as if they understood their mistress and protector had left the house in serious condition.
“We need to check on Bernice,” Eleanor exclaimed as I drove to the sheriff’s department.
“It will take them time to assess her. Don’t you want to be there to explain to the sheriff what happened here?”
“I don’t know what happened. Trooper Sales will be able to tell the sheriff what happened. Bernice needs us at the hospital, she doesn’t have anyone else.”
“You’re right. We can talk the sheriff later.”
I pulled up to the hospital just as the EMS crew unloaded our friend and rushed her inside. We felt helpless. All we could do was tell the receptionist we were here for Bernice.
Eleanor and I plopped down in chairs and I grabbed a tissue for each of us. I couldn’t control the tears. If only I had picked Eleanor up earlier and arrived at Bernice’s house before her awful children arrived. I didn’t need to be told that Angelo was the cause of Bernice’s condition. I knew he was. We had to speak to Callie alone more now than ever. They hopefully said enough in front of Trooper Sales that Peterson would hold Angelo and Callie.
I picked up a magazine and flopped it back down after indiscriminately flipping through the pages.
“We should make some calls,” Eleanor suggested. “Our friends will be so upset if we don’t let them know what’s happened.”
“I think we should wait until we know her condition.”
“We’re not waiting. Bernice might be critical and she might die.” Eleanor cried, and I wrapped my arm around her.
“We can’t think like that. We have to be strong for Bernice.” I pulled my phone from my pocket. “I’ll call Rosa Lee and Martha. You should call Elsie and Marjory.”
I called Andrew first to give him a heads up on what was happening and let him know that we planned to stay at the hospital.
Hidden Secrets Page 4