Deadly High School Reunion

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "Well Gus, I'm not here for a haircut, but what is that swill you been serving me up to this point?"

  "Sorry bout that Phillip, but my liquor order just came in awhile ago. I'll go get some good scotch now. Why don't you step outside and have a smoke break and I'll be back in a jiffy."

  Phillip left his empty glass and quickly made his way outside for a quick smoke. Outside Tammy White, Randy Rhine and Sam Polly were enjoying a nicotine charge while talking about old times. The chattering stopped when Phillip arrived, and a slow burn crept up Sam's neck to his face, seeing up close his hated classmate. However, Sam was not oiled enough yet to take him on verbally. Another hour or two and he would be ready.

  Tammy said, "How are you Phillip? I can't say that you've changed a hell of a lot. If anything you appear a little shorter than our old high school days."

  Phillip recoiled while attempting to light his imported Gauloises. Blowing a cloud of smoke her way he said, "Tammy, I can see why Willie divorced you with a trash mouth like yours. I'll have you know, I'm the very same size as I was forty years ago. Not many can say that."

  Randy, fortified with martinis said, "I think Tammy was referring to your thinning hair that makes you look a tad shorter." Sam burst out laughing and Tammy too. They had to hold on to each other as Phillip stomped away.

  Back at the bar, Phillip was still fuming when Gus held up a new bottle of aged scotch. Phillip was instantly happy and gave Gus a fifty telling him to keep the change.

  The dancing continued as well as the drinking and reminiscing about both good and bad times back in high school. The table next to Phillip and his group was Lynn Aspen and fellow students. Someone suggested combining the tables as by eleven pm, only the diehards were left to enjoy the party. Some had even moved a table outside so they could smoke while others seemingly enjoyed the music and reunion.

  For most, it was a blur of being back in high school and renewed associations both good and bad. According to the bar tender it was almost midnight when he heard a scream coming from the restrooms in the back. However, it was later determined that Phillip Street had left the table for the restroom around eleven thirty.

  At around eleven pm, Phillip caught the eye of Loren Ripple. She'd excused herself and went outside for some fresh air. A few minutes later, Phillip followed her out the door. Loren was waiting for him just around the corner that led to the parking lot. In the back of the building was an emergency exit that on crowded nights stood open for air to circulate. Loren took him by the hand and led him into the women's restroom.

  His Last Gasp

  Phillip whispered, "Loren we are going to enjoy this reunion to the fullest. She took him into the handicap stall, flipped down the toilet lid, turned him around and made him sit down. She fell to her knees and began to free his growing member from his pants. Phillip felt like a kid again and closed his eyes remembering how it was with her back in high school. He'd showed her how to perform a good blow job and she was a quick learner. He felt the familiar warm mouth engulf his growing hardness.

  The warmth went away and he felt small fingers stroking his now full erection. A voice he couldn't place softly whispered asking him to open his eyes. Phillip slowly opened his eyes to see what appeared double in front of him. Not blurry, but clearly two faces and two arms extended. At the end of the arm, a double hand held a small pistol. One voice said, "This is for all the good folks you shit on through your life. May you roast in hell."

  Truly for once in his life, Phillip Street had fear in his eyes. He sucked in a partial deep breath and then the lights went out for the last time.

  Phillip took the small bullet between the eyes. The force of the impact made his head go back against the pale green wall. At the table, his glass of scotch made clicking sounds as the ice melted thinning the aged whiskey. By one am the ice was all melted.

  No April Fool's Joke

  The DJ had just finished an Everly Brother 45 when one of the waitresses let out a blood curdling scream from the restroom. The scream continued as she ran into the dining room pointing behind her while continuing to scream, literally, bloody murder.

  A few couples were walking back to their tables while a group of classmates were outside smoking and drinking. Gus stared at the waitress as she ran by the front of the bar and into her sister's arms, upsetting a tray of freshly poured drinks she was delivering to a table.

  By then those who were outside clearly heard the scream and Sean was first to hurry into the dining room. He saw the waitress hugging another waitress while one was crying her eyes out and still pointing to the back of the dining room. Sean saw Gus the bartender looking at him with his mouth open. He walked up to the two young women and pried them apart.

  Sean looked at her name tag and saw Maudie stenciled across her blouse. "Maudie, be quiet girl and tell me what is the matter," he said shaking her slightly, but not roughly.

  Still blubbering, she said, "In the restroom a dead man." Sean let her go and hurried to the restroom area behind the back wall. The area was not well lighted as a bare blub sat between the men's room and women's room. Cautiously, Sean opened the swinging door and a faint smell of cordite struck his nose, along with the distinct smell of disinfectant and a mix of perfume.

  There were four stalls including the handicapped one at the end. He started to call out when the door behind opened and it was Gus. Sean told Gus to keep the people out until he investigated the restroom. Gus, a no nonsense kind of guy, acknowledged and turned to do what he was told. Sean looked into the first stall and it was empty. He then looked at the floor carefully and saw nothing of interest. The next two stalls were the same: empty. The handicapped stall door swung open and Sean saw what Maudie had been screaming about.

  Phillip Street, arms hanging down each side of him, head against the wall, eyes open staring at the ceiling, had a small hole between the eyes. His mouth was open revealing his snow white teeth. Sean's eyes traveled down to his crotch and saw Phillip's dick still in an upright position. It left no doubt in Sean's mind that sex was involved in this murder.

  After a quick scan for clues and seeing nothing, he decided to call in the crime. He told Gus to not let anyone in the restroom as it was now a crime scene. Next he went into the dining room and walked up to the DJ who sitting there with his mouth open. No music was playing. Most were standing, except a few were seated, including Veronica.

  Sean turned and made an announcement. "Ladies and Gentlemen. We have a crime that has been committed and unfortunately, you'll have to remain here for some time to come. I'm sorry but no one will be permitted to leave until interviewed."

  Sam reached into his inside suit coat and retrieved his cell phone. He called the station house. The officer noted the time and said a car would be sent immediately along with the ambulance.

  The Investigation Begins

  Riversville was a small town, but a county seat, so the population remained fairly constant over the years. The police force had only one detective. Blake Edwards, one year away from retirement had never dealt with a murder case. He was woken up by a phone call from dispatch to proceed to the Elks Club as a serious crime had been committed.

  Blake rubbed the sleep from his eyes then told his wife where he was going. Luckily for him, he dressed wisely and not slovenly. What he didn't know was that it would be many hours until he returned home exhausted.

  Sean was pacing up and down the dance floor waiting for some help to arrive. He'd relieved Gus and Gus had fetched some tape to keep people out of the restroom.

  After the shock had worn off, the victim identified, the speculation began its vicious circle. Veronica sat without expression or movement. In fact she was the only one at the table. Apparently no one thought of consoling her and if asked she would have told anyone she was just fine. She polished off her vodka rocks and with her cell, called her daughter Jill.

  Those class mates that had been outside were now gathered at the bar trying to elicit some information out of Gus. No on
e bothered to try and talk to Maudie as she was still in a blubbering state of shock.

  The Police Arrive

  A siren was faintly heard and then grew louder as someone said that blue lights were flashing coming at speed up the road to the Elks Club. Then it was noted a second siren sounded with a reported red lights flashing not far behind the police car.

  Sean moved out to the entrance door waiting for the police to arrive. A few minutes later two young cops hurried up to their chief and waited for instructions.

  Sean told them to tape off the restrooms in the back and to have one officer remain at the back door making sure no one enters or leaves.

  The ambulance driver and his EMT had a gurney ready and waiting for a customer right behind the police men. Sean led them to the back of the dining room to the crime scene in the women's restroom. The driver followed Sean into the restroom and viewed the body from a distance. He told Sean he would call the county medical examiner.

  The last to arrive was detective Blake Edwards. Blake was an unassuming man that few would even notice. He always wore browns or grays to blend in and never stand out. Tonight was no exception as he made his way to the back of the dining room after making eye contact with Gus.

  Blake found Sean still talking to the ambulance driver. Sean turned and said, "Ah, Blake, you're here. Good. The body is in the women's restroom in the handicapped stall. The victim is Phillip Street. Nothing has been touched. I'll wait here until you are finished looking at the body. After that we can go to the dining room and begin interviews."

  Blake nodded and carefully put on latex gloves, giving thanks that he remembered to put them in his pocket before opening his car door.

  Blake stood back near the door opening and stared at the body. His expression never changed. He saw the hole in the forehead and looking down saw Phillip's unit still at attention. Blake, as so many others in town, had no love for Phillip, but murder was murder. The ironic part of this crime scene was the fact Blake had no idea how to perform an investigation of murder.

  Sean waited for Blake to come out and then they would jointly go out and interview potential suspects. The DJ was sent home after he gave his name, phone number and home address. Sean set up a table for interviews borrowing a note book from Gus.

  In the meantime, Jill Street had arrived and was sitting with her mother, Sean noticed. The out of area classmates were the first to be interviewed. They gave their names and contact numbers adding that the classmates who had set up the reunion already had their addresses. All said they had had no informal or formal talk with the victim since high school. They were all back in their hotels by two am.

  Not so for the locals. The list of suspects included, Chief of Police Sean Pastor, Willie White, Tammy White, Sam Polly, Nellie Ponds, Lynn Aspen, Randy Rhine, Loren Ripple, Gus Whitman and Veronica Street.

  The first order of business was to find the murder weapon. The entire out of town classmates had been searched. Sean had ordered his station to wake up all the day shift guys and get them over to the Elks Club pronto. Blake also wanted a female to search all the females at the reunion. The medical examiner had arrived and had made the comment the murder weapon was a small caliber and probably a .22.

  If that was the case, a small derringer type pistol would be easily concealed or hidden. While the search went on the first to interview was Chief Sean Pastor. Blake said, "Give me your story Chief."

  Interviews

  "I was outside talking to a group of classmates when I heard a scream. I hurried inside and saw one of the waitresses, Maudie, screaming and pointing at the restroom in the back. She was being held by her sister and I finally got her calmed down enough to tell me that someone was in the restroom dead. I went in for a look discovering Phillip Street in the handicapped stall shot between the eyes."

  "Did you see or hear anything abnormal or was the back door open or closed Chief?"

  "It was open to let the hot air out as well as the front door was open too. I neither saw nor heard anything. I did look out the back, but saw nothing but cars in the parking lot."

  "Chief, we both are aware Phillip wasn't liked very much. Was there anything special you observed to shed some light on who might be a prime suspect?"

  "Indeed we all are Blake. All of us locals had an axe to grind with Phillip at one time or another. We all had motive and opportunity. However, most of the bitterness was forty years ago and why wait until now to seek revenge?"

  "I don't know Chief, but someone killed the guy and it would appear that killer is in this room or he or she waited in the back until Phillip went to the restroom and then killed him. I favor the first one that the killer is in this room."

  "Oh wait a minute. I did go to my car as I saw the dome light on and found the driver door partially open. I could have sworn I closed the door, but we are all getting older. I saw nothing disturbed so closed the door and joined the group outside again."

  "Okay Chief, would you ask Veronica if she is up to a few questions?" Sean nodded and went to Veronica and asked her if she would be able to answer some questions from Detective Blake. Veronica stood up a little shaky and the shakes were not from the shock of her husband being murdered, but from the countless drinks she had swilled down.

  Veronica threaded her way through the tables to where Blake was seated. She sat down fairly gracefully and looked him straight in the eye. Blake found the look a little disconcerting, but tried to smile saying how sorry he was for her loss.

  Veronica said, rather quietly, but clearly, "Never mind Blake. I'm glad the sob is dead. Whatever love there was in the past is so long forgotten I can't remember why I married him in the first place. It certainly wasn't for the money as my family is very well off. Where do you think he got his start up money detective?"

  "Mrs. Street, can you tell me where exactly you were around 11:30 or shortly before?"

  "I'm not sure of the time detective, but I do remember going to the restroom. I was totally alone as no one was using the restroom or came in while I was relieving myself."

  "Earlier this evening did your husband have an argument or some words with anyone in particular?"

  Veronica laughed, showing off a mouthful of gold fillings. "Oh my Blake, everyone Phillip talked to had an argument or something sarcastic to say. He thrived on being hated and he thought hate was jealousy. He was so naïve and vain he thought all acquaintances were either envious or jealous. At one time or another Phillip Street stepped on, over or through every one he knew to be where he was today. I know of nobody who didn't have a reason to kill the bastard," she said.

  Blake was shocked, but old enough not to show it outwardly. He said, "Please take your regular seat and a policewoman will be with you shortly. Everyone will be searched."

  Next was Bill [Willie] White. Blake and Willie knew each other very well. They would meet regularly at the Birdcage Café for coffee where Willie would get the latest crime news. Crime might not be the proper word as very little crime was ever committed in Riversville. People still didn't lock their house door or cars. Few strangers moved here and those who moved out were buried in the local cemetery.

  Blake gave Willie a half smile and said, "You probably know the drill Willie, but start at the beginning and run me through the evening up to the time of the crime around 11:30pm."

  "All went as one would expect Blake. Nobody got out of line. Phillip was his usual arrogant self. After dinner we all kind of broke up into groups. Some were dancing; some were sitting at tables moving around visiting. Others, like me, were outside smoking and drinking. People were coming and going. I did see Sean walk to his car and I saw others who said goodbye. Oh, and Sam was wandering around like he was looking for lost golf balls. I think something didn't agree with his stomach, but later he seemed fine. I didn't look at my watch, but somewhere around 11pm I went to the head to relieve myself. Lynn and Randy were also in the restroom around that time. As I came out, I passed Loren Ripple as she was going in the women's side of the r
estroom. Other than those mentioned I saw nobody else."

  "Was the back door open Willie?"

  "Yes, I did notice that as a slight breeze was blowing through the club. I made my way to the bar and Gus refilled my glass. After that I went back outside to join the group."

  "Did you have any harsh words with Phillip, Willie, and or did you see anyone that did?"

  "No I didn't Blake. Nellie Ponds made some snide remarks, but nothing to anger Phillip much."

  "Such as…………..," Blake asked raising an eyebrow.

  "She referred to his thinning hair and it appeared he was shrinking in size from old age."

  "And what did Phillip do after that?"

  "He scurried away like whipped puppy dog. He'd no friends around to protect him. I think basically he's a chicken at heart. Mostly he picked on defenseless women."

  "Let's wrap this up Willie for now. Make sure a policeman searches you and your car." Blake asked Sean to ask Tammy White to come over an interview.

  Tammy White was a quiet, unassuming woman who after divorcing her husband Willie White, found happiness in her group of ladies who raised hot house flowers. Her income from Willie was enough to live on. She had a roommate that provided a nice extra income from his rented room. Nowadays, they were more than just friends, but nobody even raised an eyebrow.

  "Nice to see you Tammy. I've a few pointed questions, so please don’t be offended. Murder is a serious crime regardless of who the victim was. Now, let's check your movements from around 11pm until just after 11:30 pm."

  Tammy sat up straight and said, "I was dancing with my friend around 11pm. Then I had to relieve myself so I went to the restroom. I saw no one or heard anything. I did my business and left. I wasn't gone for more than a few minutes. When I got back my friend George Wilson went outside for a smoke break. I sat here by myself and talked to no one. I did get up and refresh my drink. While at the bar I talked to Gus for awhile. We were discussing his lordship Phillip Street. Gus was a little upset that when Phillip was on his way outside for a smoke break, he called Gus an asshole."