by Rose, Sharon
At this point, both of my feet were beginning to tingle so I was hoping he’d escape with those bags before I collapsed on the floor. That, however, appeared to be the least of my worries.
Someone was banging on the door. Three callers in one afternoon. Several loud raps and then, “Open up. Police!”
Scooter stood frozen in his tracks; fear, shock and panic engraved on his face.
The kitchen door suddenly burst open with such force that the house shuddered. By the sounds of the footsteps above, there must have been dozens of cops. I’m not sure if they were taking turns yelling, ‘police’ but it seemed that they were.
Scooter hadn’t moved. He looked up to the top of the stairs and as his eyes lowered, they rested right on mine. Neither one of us moved. He stared at me and I stared back. Unfortunately, his brain went into gear before mine did. In one swift move, he picked up his knife, dashed around the staircase and grabbed me by the arm. Perhaps if both my feet hadn’t been asleep, I could’ve tried to escape. As it was, I simply sank to the cement floor forcing Scooter to hold me up while pointing his hunting knife at my neck.
“Ow,” I yelled. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“What do you think I’m doing? Stand up and you won’t get hurt.”
“I can’t stand up; my feet are dead. I can’t move them.”
“You’d better move them,” he hissed in my ear, “Or your feet won’t be the only thing that’s dead.”
“Oh, you’ll use your knife this time? Can’t find a brick?”
I guess some of the cops stopped yelling upstairs long enough to hear us and yelled down from the top of the stairs, “Okay, down there, come up with your hands in front so we can see them.”
“Mabel,” Scooter said, very quietly, “I want you to walk in front of me. Put your hands up but remember I’ll be right behind you with a knife in your back. Got that?”
“I got that but I think you’re going about this whole thing in the wrong way.”
“Oh well, pardon me, how should I be going about it?”
Another voice bellowed from above, “Did you hear me down there? Get up here and hold your hands up where I can see them.”
I’d recognize that bellow anywhere. “It’s okay, Captain Maxymowich. This is Mabel Wickles down here. Scooter and I will be up in a minute.”
Scooter’s hand dropped down.
“Oh boy, now why did you have to go and do that?” he said. “Don’t you know I could kill you if I wanted to? What’s the matter with you anyway?”
“What’s the matter with me? Don’t you know you’re in big enough trouble? If those are your drugs down here, then you’ll be carted off to jail for who knows how long. But, if you’re only breaking and entering, of which I’m also guilty, then you might not even go to jail. Don’t you even think before you do things?”
“Are you all right down there, Mabel?” Maxymowich yelled.
“I’m okay. We’re on our way up now. Scooter has a knife but I’m sure he isn’t going to use it on me.”
I once again had feeling in my feet and as I started up the stairs, I could hear Scooter muttering, “Stupid old biddy. Stupid woman. Shoulda killed her when I had the chance.”
By the time I’d reached the third rung, I looked up. Five guns stared me in the face. The Captain was standing in the center of the doorway, his gun drawn as if nothing in the human realm could harm him. To his left, on his knees, was a tough looking bald cop who looked like he could pull the trigger and not even break a sweat. Above him, was the female cop, both hands holding the gun straight out in front of her and kindly pointing it right at me. On the other side of the door were two more cops in the same formation. No one was smiling so I knew this was no joke. I raised my arms and ascended the steps. This is not as easy as it sounds, especially if you’re anticipating a knife being hurled into your back at any time.
Chapter Thirty Seven
“Are you crazy, Mabel?” Reg said. “I asked you to watch the house, not break and enter it.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. He’d been pacing the floor for the past ten minutes.
“Would you please sit down? You’re driving me crazy. Every time I look up to say something, you’re at the other end of the room.”
“And, what do you have to say? You can make up every excuse in the book to me but what the heck are you going to tell Maxymowich?” He finally pulled out one of my kitchen chairs and sat down. With a big sigh, of course. He leaned over and stared at me. “So, Mabel? What are you going to tell him? I think it’s amazing that he sent you home and didn’t cuff you.”
“Oh come off it, Reg. Maxymowich knows that I’m not a drug runner or whatever they’re called. Also, since I’m the one whose back was in the most danger of being speared, I don’t think he was too concerned. Besides, there was a bag of my fresh muffins sitting on the table so I can clearly explain my reason for being there.”
“Ha! You were taking the long way home through the basement? Come on, you know very well you can’t just walk into people’s homes and snoop around. Even cops need a search warrant.”
“That’s right, Reg. Cops need a permit but since I’m not a cop, I can just walk in. Especially if I suspect something illegal is going on. It’s my duty to protect my neighbors. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t? Haven’t you heard of a citizen’s arrest?”
I was waiting for a burst of cuss words but instead Sheriff Smee started laughing so hard, I thought he was going to fall off his chair.
“Okay, Reg. What’s so darn funny? One minute you’re mad at me and the next you think I’m a big joke, is that it?”
The sheriff pulled a red cotton handkerchief out of his back pocket and wiped his eyes. Beth had obviously missed this hankie when she did her Monday wash.
“No, I don’t think you’re a joke at all. I think you could talk your way out of anything.” He stood up, with a smirk still on his face. “Well, I won’t worry about you, Mabel. Give me a call in the morning and let me know how you make out. In fact, try to get as much information out of the Captain as you can.” He started chuckling again.
Before he reached the door, he turned and said, “By the way, that pile of bricks in the yard next to Krueger’s? That pile’s been sitting there for years and there was obviously one brick missing. It’s the one that someone used to hit Biscuit and Bernie on the head. And, Murray? I tried to talk to him but he was so drugged and confused, all he could talk about was God and that if Melanie was found guilty, God would look after her.”
I imagine that Erma was rethinking how many crushed pills she should put in Murray’s tea.
I didn’t have to wait too long for Maxymowich to show up. He knocked on the door about two hours later. I held it open and he sauntered into the kitchen. He pulled out a chair and slumped into it as if he did this sort of thing on a regular basis.
After running his fingers through his white hair several times he said, “Mabel, I could sure use a cup of coffee and a nice fresh muffin. Strawberry, if you have it.”
“Captain,” I said. “This is Mabel Wickles’ restaurant. It will take only a few minutes. However, before I start brewing fresh coffee, I’d like to know if I’m being charged with any crime; after all, I was in someone’s home uninvited.”
“Really?” he said. “I didn’t realize that. I’ve always been under the impression that, as a good neighbor, you always keep your eye on Miss Krueger’s house.” He raised his eyebrows. “Or, was I mistaken?”
“Absolutely not. In fact, I just finished telling Sheriff Smee the exact same thing.” I gave him my best smile. He had no idea how much better my stomach felt. “If you’d like you could relax in the living room and I’ll bring the coffee in as soon as it’s ready.”
He looked around my kitchen as if that would help make up his mind. His eyes rested on the five cats who were sitting in a row, staring up at him. “I think I’ll stay here. Those cats might attack me without you close by.” Then, smiling, he said, “Bes
ides, you have a very comfortable kitchen, Mabel.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him that he made me uncomfortable.
“Are you curious about the drug bust we made? Or, should I say the one that you helped us make?” he asked.
“Helped you?” I sat down. “I didn’t realize anyone from the police department was aware of anything I was doing.”
“Oh, trust me, Mabel; we’re always aware of what you’re doing.” Another attractive smile.
“I guess that should be reassuring to me.” I smiled my best smile in return. “So, Scooter was stealing drugs from Jeff?”
He nodded. “How about you keep working on that coffee? Can I talk to you while you’re doing that?”
My face felt slightly warmer than normal. “Of course,” I said. “Would you like to try my new apple muffins?” Without waiting for a reply, I went into my pantry and pulled out one bag of strawberry and one bag of apple muffins. There were a dozen in each bag so I knew I’d be sharing muffins with a few people for the next day or so.
After I’d popped two muffins into the microwave and while I was spooning coffee into the filter, he said, “I’ve learned not to tell you to stop being your curious self, Mabel; however, there are a few things you don’t have to worry about anymore. For example, there’s no need for you to check out anyone’s work boots. Nor is it necessary to send your cats to smell anyone’s tires.”
“Oh, you knew about that?”
He nodded. His face was serious but his eyes weren’t. “Yes, and it was smart to check it out but you really should’ve come to me. It’s much wiser to work along with the police, Mabel. I thought maybe you would know that by now.”
The muffins were ready so I put them on a plate and set them on the table. I opened the fridge and brought out the butter.
“I’m sorry; the butter is as hard as rock but if you put it on while your muffins are hot, you’ll be okay.”
I watched as he cut both muffins in half and added a good tablespoon slab of butter to each one. The butter slowly melted on top and oozed over the sides. As soon as he was gone and I could relax, I was going to have one myself.
Meanwhile, there was something I wanted Mr. Maxymowich to understand. “Of course, Captain, you realize that I was with my local sheriff at the time. However, I do appreciate the fact that everyone needs help now and again. I always feel that there are places I can go or people that I can talk to who won’t ever talk to you. Some would even talk to Reg before they would talk to a city cop.” I poured his coffee and set it down in front of him. I knew he drank his black so I went to the fridge to get some milk for mine. I brought my cup to the table and sat across from him.
He picked up his cup, took a sip and literally smacked his lips. Without saying anything more, I watched as he carefully lifted his butter and cholesterol-laden muffin and started to eat. He obviously didn’t want to be disturbed so I drank my coffee in silence.
After several minutes, he spoke, “You’re quite right, Mabel. No one wants to share things with a stranger. I’ll share a few things with you though.” He picked up a napkin and wiped some butter off his chin. “I guess we’re not considered strangers anymore, are we?” Not waiting for an answer, he continued, “Jeff Keeler and Jennifer Wilson store most of their drugs in an old house not far from Parson's Cove. It’s by the lake and hidden back in the woods. We’ve been watching them for quite some time. From there, they distribute their drugs. They didn’t want anyone finding out where it was so they rented the house behind yours.”
“You mean they’re not husband and wife?”
He shook his head. “Not in God’s eyes, no. I think they like to think of themselves as another Bonnie and Clyde.”
“You know she’s volunteering for the seniors’ home, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. As you and your cat know, Calvin was transporting drugs from the city to here. Jennifer and Jeff were expanding their little business. Scooter was moving drugs in the soles of shoes, as you and your cat also know. They’d bring the drugs to Jeff and he’d distribute them.”
“Do you know what that awful smell was? It smelled like dead fish. It drove my cat crazy. I think it was just the paper bag that the drugs were in that smelled like that though.”
“You’re right. They found a drug called metformin. It’s a legitimate drug for diabetes but most people refuse to take it because it smells so bad. They thought that if the cops ever stopped them on the highway and there were dogs, they wouldn’t be caught. And, they always made sure one bottle of metformin was in the hubcap or a few pills in the shoes. Chances were that the cops would pick those pills to test.”
“That’s exactly what happened. Reg grabbed the one loose packet and it was the diabetes drug. What about at Scooter’s house though? You didn’t find any real drugs there?”
“We found quite a few bottles of metformin at Scooter’s place, that’s all. Jeff had cleared everything out and had taken some to the cabin and some to Krueger’s house.” He laughed. “But who knew that it would be a cat that would catch them?”
“I guess in a way it was Sammy who played a part in catching those dealers, wasn’t it? But, Captain, wouldn’t it be ironic if it was Biscuit, Murray’s dog, who also started sniffing the tires or the shoes? I’m wondering if that isn’t why someone killed him.”
The Captain’s eyes widened. “You might have something there, Mabel.”
“I mean, it would be either Scooter or Calvin, wouldn’t it?”
“It could’ve been.”
“But who were buying the drugs? That’s what I can’t figure out. I know I’m not out cruising the streets at night but I really haven’t heard of any drug problems and neither has Reg.”
“No, you wouldn’t. Most of the drugs aren’t out in the streets, Mabel. At least, not these drugs. They’re being sold within the confines of a secure place. Some drug dealers concentrate on kids because they’re vulnerable and some take advantage of another defenseless group.”
“Are you trying to tell me that Jeff and Jennifer are selling drugs to the people in the retirement home?”
“Well, they were selling them to the new manager.”
“Sam Kinney? They were selling drugs to Sam Kinney? I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it. He was giving small doses to some of the more wealthy residents until they got hooked and then he started charging.”
“What kind of drugs? I don’t know much about using drugs but if they were all high on cocaine wouldn’t some of the staff know it?”
“Not cocaine. It was methamphetamine. It makes a person feel good, gives them energy and in some cases makes them, let’s say, a bit frisky.”
“You’re kidding. Well, I’m pretty sure I know one person who’s hooked on it – Sam Dudley. I thought I was the only one that he chased but some of the women in the Home said he was getting quite aggressive with his wandering hands.”
“Another problem is that it’s highly addictive.”
“What’s going to happen to all those drugged old people?”
“It will take awhile to wean them off of it. It might take up to six months for some of them. We’ve already spoken to family members.”
“Where are all the crooks now?”
“They’re all being escorted back to the city where they’ll be held until there’s a bail hearing. Next week sometime, I expect.”
“So, what crooks are we talking about here?”
“Obviously, Jeff and Jennifer. Also, Sam Kinney. I doubt they will see the light of day for some time. Scooter and Calvin will probably return but could end up serving some time. Depends on the judge, I guess. Neither one has a criminal record so the court might go easy on them.”
“When you started, you said you would tell me all that you know. What don’t you know?”
“Who killed Bernie Bernstein.”
“Aw yes, Bernie. Somehow, in all this other mess, we’ve forgotten the real crime. Since Bernie seemed to be bringing drugs in
his car too, who do you think killed him? Calvin or Scooter? If they’re sent back to Parson's Cove that means a killer has been let on the loose.”
“Well, both men swear they didn’t have anything to do with his murder and we don’t have any proof. In fact, both men have an alibi for the time that Bernie was killed.”
“Do you really think it was Melanie then?”
Captain Maxymowich drained his cup and stood up. “She did confess to it and Prunella heard them arguing. Melanie did threaten to kill him.”
“But you don’t believe that, do you? I would believe her brother did it before I’d believe that she did. By the way, did you know that her brother spent quite a bit of time visiting Prunella in the hospital? May West said that she heard Steve threaten her. Have you checked into that?”
“We spoke with May yesterday. We need a reason and a confession from Steve. So far, he’s been very uncooperative.”
“So what does Prunella say?”
“She says Steve is a good friend and has never threatened her in any way.”
“Well, not a big surprise there. Prunella seems to say whatever anyone tells her to say. I’m shocked she even said anything when she saw Bernie and Melanie arguing. Although I bet she wouldn’t have if Esther hadn’t told her she had to. I just wish we could find whoever killed Bernie. And, I don’t mean accepting Melanie’s confession. By the way, do you know if Bernie was really into selling drugs or what was the deal with him?”
“Bernie got involved quite by accident. Calvin and Scooter aren’t giving too much information about him but that’s because both of them are high on the suspect list.”
“You mean it started when he got the wrong shoes from Scooter?”
The Captain nodded. “Yeah, he figured he was onto something - something where he could cash in and make some money. Scooter said Bernie told him that if they didn’t let him in on the operation that he’d go to the cops.”