A.L. Jambor - Where's Audrey?

by A. L. Jambor

  “He killed the dog. The dog had been barking since the old woman disappeared. Something’s just not right. I don’t have anything to go on but my gut. I need some hard evidence.”

  “Like?”

  “Like her bank statements.”

  “I assume you’ve been to the house.”

  “I spoke to the guy. I asked where she was and he claims she went on a cruise to Europe.”

  “What makes you think she didn’t?”

  “She’s ninety and she doesn’t have a passport.”

  “Do you know that for sure?”

  “As sure as I’m gonna be for now.”

  “This isn’t enough to support a subpoena. You said you were working a missing persons case. Who filed it?”

  “Her niece.”

  “Does the niece have a power of attorney?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “If she does, she can go to the bank and ask them directly. It would be faster.”

  “So you won’t do it?”

  “Try getting them with the niece first.”

  “Okay. But if we can’t, I’ll be back.”

  “Come back with more.”

  Chapter 15

  It was getting dark when the girls got back to the condo. Lisa was in a New York frame of mind. Dark equaled cold. Being in Florida in December took some getting used to. She handed Mel her towel and phone while she fiddled with the lock on the condo door.

  “I keep forgetting to leave this light on,” she said about the porch light. “And that it gets dark by five o’clock.”

  “Vera will be eating her dinner now,” Mel said.

  “Is that the old lady you’re staying with?”

  “Yeah. She’s nice. She stays out of my business.”

  “That’s good. Shit. I can’t get this key to go in.”

  “I forgot my phone. Does your phone have a flashlight?”

  “Yeah.” Lisa took the phone from her bag and scrolled through her apps. She found the flashlight and turned it on. “There you are.”

  She put the key into the lock, opened the door, and turned on the kitchen light.

  “I should just leave that outside light on all the time,” Lisa said.

  “Would they get pissed if you did?”

  “No. This is a private place. No one is watching.”

  “Is there any food here?” Mel asked.

  “No. Sandy and I ate out all the time. You hungry already?”

  Mel’s stomach was on Vera time. “Yeah, kind of.”

  “I guess we could go eat. We have to change. By then it will be six. But the clubs don’t get going until nine or ten. What will we do for four hours?”

  “We’re going to clubs?” Mel asked. She had to call Vera and tell her she wouldn’t be coming there.

  “What did you think? Come on, Mel. This is why we’re here.”

  “Um, okay. I’ve gotta make a phone call.”

  Mel went to Sandy’s vacated bedroom and closed the door. She really didn’t feel like going to clubs. She usually got up at five for work. Her body had grown so used to getting up early and going to bed early that the thought of going out after eight made her anxious.

  Mel was tired. Her neck hurt. She was still worried about Audrey and wondered if Conner had learned anything new. She also wanted to see him. She missed him, but she didn’t want to talk to Lisa about him. She wanted to keep it to herself for a while longer until she was sure there was something to talk about.

  She tried to think of some excuse to get out of staying in the condo for the night. Lisa would never believe Mel was worried about Vera. Maybe she could say her grandmother called and wanted her to come home. Lisa might buy that. Then she felt bad about wanting to ditch her friend. What was wrong with her? She and Lisa had always gone out together, and Lisa would always drink too much. It didn’t bother Mel when they were eighteen, but at twenty-six, she didn’t feel like holding her friend’s hair out of the toilet while she puked.

  She noticed a message from Conner. As she listened to the message, she thought about what a nice voice he had. He said he had talked to animal control and their vet confirmed that Maurice had died from blunt force trauma to his head. That meant someone bashed the poor dog over the head and killed him. Since the dog was buried behind Audrey’s house, that made Jason Jr. the likely suspect.

  He’d been picked up and taken to the county jail. Conner also asked if Audrey had given anyone her power of attorney. That was at three. She called him back and got his voicemail.

  “Hey, sorry I missed your call. I was at the beach with a friend and forgot my phone.” She looked at the time. It was twenty after five. “Listen, if you get this message before six, call me.”

  She hung up. She hoped he would call. She could then tell Lisa she had to leave. But that wouldn’t stop Lisa from going out alone. She was fearless. Shit. Mel would have to stay. Before she went back to Lisa, she called Laura.

  “Hey, Grandma,” she said.

  “Hi, dear. How are things going?”

  “I still haven’t any news for you. I called to ask if you have a power of attorney for Audrey.”

  “I don’t think so. She did send me a copy of her will a while back. Maybe there was one with that. I have to look for it. Why do you need to know that?”

  “Just something the deputy asked for. I’m not sure why.”

  “Well, I’ll look for it and let you know.”

  “How’s Nana Grace doing?” Mel asked.

  “She’s worried. I’m trying to keep her occupied, but she keeps asking if you saw Audrey.”

  “Tell her I miss her. Tell her I got stuck at Lisa’s and haven’t had a chance to go back to the mobile home park but I promise I will before I come home.”

  “Do you think you’ll be back by Christmas?”

  “I don’t know. I miss you. I want to be there for Christmas.”

  “Call me when you know. I miss you, too, Mel.”

  When Mel hung up, she felt sad. Nana Grace was worried. Mel was trying to spare her, but her imagination was probably worse than what Mel knew. She thought about what Conner had said, that Jason was in the county jail. That meant he wasn’t home. The home was empty.

  “Do you need something to wear?” Lisa asked when Mel emerged from the bedroom.

  “Yeah. I have dresses, but I feel cold. I want something that will cover my legs.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with your legs,” Lisa said.

  “No, it’s not that. I’m just cold.”

  “Cold! You should be in New York right now. Come on, Mel! Once you start dancing, you’ll warm up.”

  “Yeah, but before that, I’ll freeze. Do you have something else?”

  “I may have a pair of leggings, or you could wear tights.”

  “Let me see the leggings.”

  “They’re in the second drawer.”

  Mel went to the dresser and looked in the middle drawer. She found a pair of black leggings. She went through the closet again and found a black, silk shell. The leggings were spandex and when she put them on, they hugged her butt.

  Why didn’t I think of these before? she thought.

  When she emerged from the bedroom, Lisa made a face.

  “You look like you’re going to a funeral.”

  “I do not.”

  “We’re supposed to be having fun, remember?”

  “I’m not really in the mood for fun.”

  Lisa looked at Mel’s face. “You don’t want to go out tonight, do you?”

  “Not really.”

  Mel’s phone rang. She looked at the caller. “I’ve gotta take this.” She went back into the bedroom and closed the door before answering. “Hello, Conner.”

  “How was the beach today?”

  “We had a good time talking. I haven’t seen her in a while.”

  “Did you get my message?”

  “Yes. My grandmother is looking for a power of attorney.”

  “They picked up Jason. He’s
spending the night in jail.”

  “That means my aunt’s house is empty.”

  “Mel, don’t go getting any ideas. Legally, it’s his house.”

  “We could look in the windows.”

  “Don’t go near the home. Someone will see you, then I’ll have to put you in a cell next to him.”

  “I wasn’t planning on going alone.”

  “Did you think I would go with you?” Conner asked.

  “He’s under arrest. Can’t you get a search warrant or something?”

  “Not for animal abuse. The dog was found outside the home.”

  “Oh. So we can’t get inside.”

  “No, and I better not catch you trying to.”

  “Okay.” She paused. “What will happen to him?”

  “He’ll be arraigned and bail will be set.”

  “Will he go to jail?”

  “I doubt it. He’ll probably get probation and fines. Whatever the statutes allow. Or he could plead to a lesser charge.”

  “That sucks.”

  “Big ones.” Conner paused. “Like I said, don’t let me catch you near his home.”

  I wouldn’t dream of it, she thought. “I’m going to a club with Lisa. I won’t have time to snoop.”

  “A club? Which one?” he asked.

  “I have no idea. Lisa’s in charge of that.”

  “Be careful. The beach is full of idiots this time of year.”

  “We can take care of ourselves.”

  “Yeah, but still, be careful. Don’t drink and drive. The patrols are out in force right now and you will get picked up.”

  “I promise. Cross my heart.”

  “Will you be in Largo tomorrow?” he asked.

  “Why?”

  “I’m off. I thought we could have lunch.”

  She felt a tingle rise up in her stomach. “I can be there. What time?”

  “Well, if you’re going out tonight, why don’t we make it for two.”

  “Where should I meet you?”

  “In the sheriff’s parking lot. Like before.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  She hung up and held the phone to her chest. She had to admit she liked him. She also had to admit that her aunt’s home was calling her name.

  Mel called Vera and told her she wouldn’t be staying with her that night, and Vera sounded disappointed. Mel told her she would stop by for a visit before she left Florida and that seemed to appease Vera.

  She left the bedroom and found Lisa sitting at the kitchen table fixing her makeup. She sat across from her and smiled.

  “The guy who’s in my aunt’s home is in jail. The house is empty.”

  Lisa looked over her handheld mirror. “You have that look on your face.”

  “What look?”

  “That ‘Let’s go see what’s in my aunt’s house,’ look.”

  “It’s dark. We could look around without anybody bothering us.”

  “And if the guy next door sees us and calls the cops?”

  “The people around there go to bed early. We could park a block away and walk over. Come on, Lisa. Please go with me.”

  “Do you still want to get something to eat?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “So we’ll go to your aunt’s after we eat?”

  “Yeah.”

  Lisa put the mirror down. “Can we go to a club when we’re done snooping around?”

  Mel smiled. “Absolutely.”

  Chapter 16

  Conner clocked out of work and headed home. He kept thinking about Mel. He was glad she’d agreed to have lunch with him. When he drove home, he passed Holiday Oaks and thought of driving in. He wanted to check out the house, too, but knew the consequences if he were caught. He didn’t want to screw up this investigation. If Jason Jr. had done something to Audrey Glenn, Conner wanted him to pay.

  Conner lived in an apartment building a few miles from the sheriff’s office. His one-bedroom unit was on the second floor. He liked the quiet. No one walking over his head.

  He changed out of his uniform and into a T-shirt and jeans. He opened his refrigerator door and looked inside. Nothing appealed to him. He thought about calling Mel to see if she and her friend were eating out. He could join them. But she had already agreed to see him the next day. Would she feel like he was stalking her if he called again?

  He sat on his sofa and turned on the TV. He scrolled through the channels and found nothing of interest.

  This is stupid, he thought. He pulled out his phone and called Mel. It went to voicemail. Maybe she was in the shower, or maybe she just didn’t feel like talking to him again and ignored the call.

  He looked at the time. It was six-thirty. Jason Jr. came into his mind. That home was just sitting there – empty. He could open the lock as he had with Jason Sr.’s place. The people there had seen him before. They knew he was a deputy. Technically, though, it would be breaking and entering.

  Shit, he thought, and grabbed his jacket off the kitchen chair. He made sure his apartment was locked before heading to his car.

  They used Lisa’s car to drive to Largo. Mel didn’t want to use hers in case Conner drove through the park. Just thinking that made her feel guilty, but the need to know what was inside that house trumped her conscience.

  “Where should I park?” Lisa asked.

  They were two blocks from the home. “We can park in the parking lot by the pool. It’s just up ahead.”

  Lisa pulled into a spot and they got out. She followed Mel to the pool area and past the clubhouse.

  “It’s really dark here,” Lisa said.

  “Just stay with me.”

  They came up behind one row of houses and walked between two to the street. A dog barked. They crossed the street and went between two more homes before getting to the back of Audrey’s home. The Mercury was parked in the driveway.

  “I think this is it,” Mel said. “We have to go to the front to be sure.”

  Lisa was growing excited. “This is kind of fun.”

  “As long as we don’t get caught.”

  “So old people live here?”

  “Some are old, some are just like your father.”

  They walked past Audrey’s. The streetlight in front of the home shone on metal numbers 298.

  “This is it,” Mel said.

  “So how do we get in?”

  Mel turned and went back up the driveway and stopped in a dark spot under the carport. “I’m not sure.”

  “I thought you had a key.” Lisa said.

  “Why would I have a key?”

  “It’s your aunt’s house, right?”

  “I don’t have a key.”

  “So, what, you want to break in?”

  “I was kind of hoping you’d know how.”

  “Why would you think that?” Lisa said.

  “Because you break into your father’s house all the time.”

  “That’s different.”

  “How is it different?”

  “I’ve got a pick for that lock. That doesn’t mean it will work for just any door.”

  “Can you try?”

  “It’s too dark. If we shine a flashlight on it, we’ll be seen.”

  “You’re gonna be seen anyway, ladies.” A light flashed onto their faces. Mel recognized Conner’s voice. “You just had to come here.”

  He turned off the light and came over to them. Mel could see he was not in uniform.

  “So did you,” she said.

  “That’s different,” he said.

  “How is that different? You’re not in uniform.”

  “Yeah, but, well, it’s just different.”

  “Who is this guy?” Lisa asked.

  “He’s a cop investigating my aunt’s disappearance.”

  “Unofficially,” Conner said.

  “Yeah, unofficially,” Mel said.

  “So, are you gonna arrest us?” Lisa asked.

  “He’s not gonna arrest us,” Mel said. “Are you?”

/>   “I could take you in for trespassing. But since I’m here unofficially, no, I’m not gonna arrest you.”

  “Can you get inside?” Mel asked.

  “I think so. Keep an eye out for me.”

  He went to the side door and shined his light on it. He turned off the light and took his picks out of his pocket. He managed to get them inside the keyhole and felt for the tumbler. When he got the door opened, he smiled.

  “If we go in, nobody touches anything or moves anything.”

  Mel and Lisa nodded, but it was too dark to see.

  “Did you hear me?” he asked.

  “Yes, we won’t touch anything,” Mel said.

  “Why don’t I stay out here?” Lisa said.

  “You’ll be our lookout,” Mel said as she followed Conner inside.

  Once inside, Conner turned on the flashlight. They walked across the kitchen floor to the living room.

  “This is where I was the other day,” Mel said.

  “Did you notice anything about the kitchen when we walked through it?” he asked.

  “No,” she said.

  He turned around and went back into the kitchen. The floor creaked and the wood gave a little as he walked over it.

  “That doesn’t feel right,” he said.

  He ran the flashlight around the floor. There was an area rug under his feet. He handed the flashlight to Mel, moved off the rug, and rolled it up. Someone had cut a piece of the vinyl flooring out, exposing a plywood floor underneath. The rectangular piece looked newer. It had an edge, indicating it was not part of the original floor.

  “This part has been replaced,” Conner said. “It looks pretty new, too.”

  “Why would he cut a hole in the kitchen floor?” Mel asked.

  “Why would a dog try to dig around the edge of the home?”

  “Oh, God,” Mel said. “He couldn’t have.”

  Conner rolled the rug back in place. “Let’s go.”

  She wanted to look in her aunt’s bedroom, but Conner was leaving. As he walked to the door, he brushed against the wall and Mel heard something fall to the floor. She picked it up. It was a key ring full of keys. She kept it and when she got outside, put it in her purse.

  “What happened?” Lisa asked.

  “That Jason guy cut a hole in the kitchen floor,” Mel said.

  “Why would he do that?” Lisa asked.