by Cindy Bell
“I'm sorry, I got tied up with some wedding business,” Vicky attempted to explain.
“Maybe we could do lunch then?” Mae-Ellen suggested.
“Absolutely,” Vicky agreed. Once Mae-Ellen and Maisy had headed off to their room, Vicky pulled Ida aside and spoke softly to her.
“Aunt Ida, I'm going to go to the party store to talk to Miriam,” Vicky said. “Maybe she heard or saw something around the tent before it was delivered today.”
“Okay,” Ida nodded. “But be careful,” she requested.
“I will, I promise,” Vicky assured her. She grabbed her purse and headed back towards the crime scene. She wanted to see if Bobby had received the information from Norman about the arrest. As she walked towards him he pulled out his phone.
“I just got the details,” he said to Vicky as he looked at his phone.
“So young,” she frowned as she looked over his shoulder at the names and photographs of the two young men who had been arrested. The charges were for drug possession and distribution. She wanted to ask Bobby if he could forward it onto her but she didn’t want to press her luck.
“I’m going out now, but call me if you need anything,” she called out to Bobby as she headed towards the parking lot.
As Vicky pulled out of the driveway she noticed that a dusty red car pulled into the road right behind her. The car drove casually behind Vicky, but Vicky felt compelled to repeatedly glance in the rearview mirror. She turned onto the main road that led into town. The car behind her turned onto the main road as well. Vicky sped up. She normally obeyed the speed limit fairly strictly, but she wanted to see if the car behind her would continue to keep pace. As she expected the car sped up as well. Vicky glared into the rearview mirror. She struggled to see if she could get a glimpse of who was driving. The sun was shining too brightly onto the windshield for her to be able to see. The party store was coming up on the right.
Vicky considered going around the block to see if the vehicle would continue to follow her, but she was more interested in talking to the shop owner. She assumed she was just being paranoid. But in case she wasn't, by parking she could get a look at the car's license plate when it drove past. She pulled into a parallel spot and turned in her seat to watch for the license plate. To her surprise the car suddenly turned off the main road and onto a residential road. It moved too quickly for Vicky to see the plate clearly. She could tell the make though.
Still a little uncertain of whether she was actually being followed or not, Vicky stepped out of her car and walked up the sidewalk to the party store. As she looked up at the shop she noticed that it was closed. She knocked lightly on the door and peered in through the window.
“Hello?” she called out. Through the window she saw a flicker of movement inside the shop. She knew that someone inside was checking to see who was standing outside. Vicky frowned as she wondered if they would open the door for her. Just when she was about to give up and walk away, the door unlocked and swung open. A tiny woman stood beyond it, her eyes puffy and red.
“Hi Vicky,” she said nervously.
“Miriam,” Vicky nodded softly. “May I come in?”
“Of course,” she cleared her throat and stepped back so that Vicky could enter. The shop was dark with only one light on over the register. Vicky glanced around the space, which in the shadows became downright eerie with all of the decorations and masks hanging from the shelves.
“I can't say how sorry I am, Vicky,” Miriam gushed. “My lawyer says I shouldn't speak to you, but I just want you to know how sorry I am. I hope this isn't going to darken your wedding.”
“Miriam, it's okay,” Vicky said quickly and took Miriam’s hands in her own. Vicky's hands engulfed the woman's delicate fingers. She could feel them trembling. “None of this was your fault,” Vicky said softly. “I know it had to be as much of a shock to you as it was to us.”
“I just can't understand it,” Miriam shook her head and sniffled. “I don't know how this happened.”
“Listen Miriam, does anyone have access to the party tents before they are delivered?” Vicky asked.
Miriam stared at her for a long moment. She seemed to be considering how to answer the question. She lowered her eyes.
“I'm not really supposed to talk about the case.”
“Oh, Miriam, don't be silly I'm not going to sue you,” Vicky said with a shake of her head. “You don't need to worry about it.”
“It's not about that,” Miriam said, her eyes widening slightly. “You don't know, do you?”
“Know what?” Vicky asked with confusion.
“I think that you should go, Vicky,” Miriam said and gestured to the door. “It's not a good idea for you to be here.”
“I don't understand, Miriam, what don't I know?” Vicky asked.
Just then the door swung open and Vicky turned to face one of the prime suspects in Arthur's murder. Only then did she make the connection between the last names. Smith was such a common surname that she hadn't realized Josh Smith and Miriam Smith were related. Not only that, Josh had been the sullen delivery driver that had dropped off the extra heavy tent at the inn.
“You,” Vicky gasped out, too surprised to say something more intelligent.
“Mom?” Josh asked. “Why is she here?”
“I'm sorry, Josh, I just wanted to apologize to her…” Miriam attempted to explain through tears.
“For what?” Josh demanded as he stepped further inside. He pushed the door closed behind him and turned the lock on the door. Vicky felt her heart begin to race. She stepped a little closer to Miriam, whether to protect her, or protect herself, she wasn't sure. Josh's expression grew even angrier as he glared at Vicky.
“You might as well just sign my confession for me, Mom,” he said snidely. He looked to be in his late teens. “I told you I didn't do it,” he growled at his mother. “Why don't you believe me? You're my mother, you should believe me!”
“What am I supposed to think?” Miriam cried out. “First you're arrested for drugs, drugs!” she shook her head and sobbed. “Now this?”
“You're supposed to know that I'm not a killer!” Josh cried out with frustration. Vicky moved between Miriam and Josh. She could tell that things might get out of hand, and quickly.
“Josh, just calm down,” Vicky insisted as she tried to meet his eyes.
“How am I supposed to calm down when the fiancée of a Highland PD detective is questioning my mother against my wishes?” Josh demanded, his voice growing louder with every word he spoke.
“Hey Josh, I'm just here to talk with your mother. It's all right,” Vicky insisted. “If you say you didn't do it, then tell me where you were last night after you got released on bail?”
He frowned and stared hard at the floor. “I can't,” he said quietly.
“Josh, tell her the truth,” Miriam pleaded. “You say you didn't do this, but you won't tell me where you were last night and I know you weren’t home.”
Josh squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head slowly back and forth.
“Josh, what is it?” Vicky pressed. She felt like he wasn't trying to hide something out of fear, he was hiding it out of shame.
“I don't want to say,” he frowned and shoved his hands into his pockets. “If I tell the truth I'm going to be in even more trouble.”
“More than murder?” Vicky asked.
“I didn't kill that cop,” Josh nearly shouted. “I had nothing to do with it. There's no proof that I did, because I wasn't there, I didn't kill him. If I did, why would I wrap him up in one of the shop's tents?” he demanded. “What would be the point of that?”
Vicky frowned. He made a good point. Why would he murder someone and then not even bother to try to conceal his involvement. He would have to expect to be one of the first people that the police would investigate.
“Then where were you, Josh?” Vicky asked again. “If you tell the truth, Josh, you're not going to have anything to worry about.”
&n
bsp; “Fine,” he finally sighed. “The truth is, Pat and I went to get high. Okay? We were at a drug den in North Jessup. We were there all night.”
“Josh,” Miriam gasped out with disgust and disappointment. “You just got out on bail!”
“I know, Ma,” Josh rolled his eyes. “You see?” Josh demanded and shook his head. “That's why I didn't want to tell you. I knew you would look at me like that. Besides, who is going to believe a druggie?”
“Oh, Josh,” Miriam wiped at her eyes. “I just don't know where I went wrong.”
Vicky frowned. She had no doubt that Josh was telling the truth.
“Whatever, Mom,” Josh said with a sharp shake of his head and unlocked the door. He slammed his way through it, causing the door to bang closed behind him.
“I'm sorry, Vicky,” Miriam said with a sigh. “I just don't know what to do.”
“It's all right,” Vicky replied calmly as she stared out through the door after Josh. Maybe Josh wasn't a killer, but he sure was traveling down a hard road.
“I remember when he thought the sun rose and set with me,” Miriam said sadly and wiped at her eyes.
“It looks like he still thinks that, Miriam,” Vicky touched the woman's shoulder gently. “He was so afraid to disappoint you that he was willing to be accused of murder, Miriam. I think maybe he still needs you much more than you think.”
“Maybe so,” Miriam agreed with a soft smile. “Well, with the shop closing I'll have more time to focus on his recovery.”
“You're closing?” Vicky asked with surprise.
“I think it's for the best,” Miriam said quietly. “I should get back to packing.”
Vicky frowned as she watched Miriam walk towards the back of the shop. She was sure that there was more to this than met the eye. Why had the killer gone to so much trouble to make sure that Arthur's body ended up right in the party tent? She left the party shop and decided to head into the police station to discuss what she had learned about Josh with the officers. She didn't want them wasting time chasing down a lead that would lead nowhere.
Chapter Five
When Vicky arrived at the station there was a bit of a commotion near the front desk. A woman in a sleek, red dress with her thick, black hair pulled up into a messy bun at the back of her neck, was slamming her hand hard on the desk as she glared at Bobby.
“Where is the sheriff?” the woman demanded. “My husband has been murdered. Who is in charge here?”
“Uh well,” Bobby stared at her with wide eyes. “He's…”
“Away at the moment,” Vicky supplied as she stepped up beside the woman. “I'm so sorry for your loss,” she added with genuine sympathy.
“Thank you,” the woman stuttered as she looked from Bobby to Vicky. “But I really need to speak with the detective investigating this matter.”
“Of course you do,” Vicky nodded. “I’m Vicky by the way.”
“Poppy,” she said.
“I’ll be back in a minute to help you,” Bobby said. “I’ve just got an important call to take.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?” Vicky offered as Bobby walked away. “I’m engaged to Detective Mitchell Slate and I know everyone here, so if you have questions I might be able to get them answered for you.”
“Oh,” Poppy frowned. “Well, I just want to know what’s happening with the investigation.”
“I'm sure Bobby will fill you in when he comes back,” Vicky said. “Why don’t we take a seat while you wait for him,” she added. “Do you have any idea who would have wanted to kill Arthur,” Vicky asked gently as they walked over to the wooden bench.
“No,” she said as she shook her head.
“Did Arthur have any arguments with anyone since you moved to Highland?”
“No, not really,” Poppy shook her head again and then gazed steadily at the floor. “I mean, other than me. It was like we couldn't stop fighting after we came here. Arthur kept complaining about how boring the town was,” her voice caught as she took a sharp breath. “He kept saying how there was no danger here, no reason for him to even put on his uniform. But if I even brought up the idea of moving, he became furious.”
Poppy and Vicky fell into an awkward silence at that statement. It was clear that Highland had not been a safe place for Arthur.
“Was there anything in particular that he didn't like?” Vicky asked. “Maybe someone giving him a hard time?”
“No, he didn't have a problem with anyone that I knew of,” Poppy shrugged. “But I'm sure there was something bothering him.”
“What do you mean?” Vicky asked.
“He was just very aggravated. He kept looking out the windows, kept insisting that I not give out our new address, all of this weird stuff,” she shook her head. “He could be such a weirdo.”
Vicky frowned but kept her thoughts to herself. It seemed odd to her that Poppy was not more upset about the untimely demise of her husband. Perhaps she was in a state of shock.
“What about back home?” Vicky suggested casually. “Did he have any enemies that might have followed him here?”
“I don't think so,” Poppy shook her head. “Arthur wasn't the type to make enemies. He was always more bark than bite,” she explained.
“I see,” Vicky nodded as she sat back against the bench. She noticed that Poppy seemed remarkably comfortable talking about Arthur. She didn't compliment him, or seem to be grieving the loss of him. Nothing she mentioned was followed by any emotional response other than disdain.
“Was he a good husband?” Vicky asked softly. “You can tell me, I know what it's like to be in a relationship with a police officer,” she explained, hoping that Poppy would feel comfortable enough to confide in her.
“He was a husband,” Poppy shrugged mildly. “He did what he was supposed to do, no more no less. The trash was taken out, the bills were paid, and he ate the dinners I cooked.”
“Well, that sounds nice,” Vicky offered hesitantly. It was as if Poppy had just rattled off a shopping list rather than a description.
“Nice is one way to put it,” Poppy agreed and then cast a dismissive gaze in Vicky's direction. “I know that you’re engaged, but have you ever been married before?”
“No,” Vicky said softly.
“Well, I wish I could say that I recommend it,” Poppy said with a slight laugh. Vicky frowned as Poppy stood up from the bench.
“If you need anything please don’t hesitate to let me know, okay?” Vicky honestly wanted to support the woman but she was also hoping she might reveal some information to her that might help solve the murder.
“Okay,” Poppy nodded and clutched at her purse. “But I doubt I will.”
“I just need to ask you a few questions,” Bobby said as he walked over to Poppy.
“About what,” she asked.
“Where you were last night.”
“Why?” Poppy asked defensively.
“Just so we can get a picture of what Arthur was doing before the murder,” Bobby explained as casually as he could. “Was he home with you? Were you out? Were you home alone?”
Poppy shook her head and muttered under her breath. “I knew it. It's always the spouse right?” she asked as she looked from Bobby to Vicky. Vicky shook her head slowly.
“I wouldn't say that,” Bobby said. “But every detail is important and can help solve the murder.”
“Well, there's nothing to tell,” Poppy said in a harsh tone. “I was home alone for most of the night. Arthur left and then didn't come home again, I thought he didn’t come back because he was upset, but obviously there was a different reason.”
“I’ll need your official statement,” Bobby said. “It won't take long,” he assured her.
“Okay,” she finally relented and followed Bobby over to his desk. Vicky walked over to Norman who was flipping through a filing cabinet.
“Have you heard from the medical examiner about the official time of death?” she asked.
Norman n
odded. “He places it at about midnight last night. He also said that Arthur was likely suffocated by a plastic bag of some kind. There's no bruising on his face, so he doesn't think someone pressed on his nose or mouth.”
“So, it had to be someone strong enough to subdue him,” Vicky said with a frown.
“Or someone he felt no danger with,” Norman pointed out.
Vicky thought about the reminder on his cell phone that was scheduled for eleven thirty in the evening. That was around his estimated time of death. Could PD mean police department? It was possible but that didn't quite fit for her, as it wasn't worded as she would expect it to be. However, Arthur wouldn't have feared a police officer. He might have thought he was safe with the person.
“Were there any calls for police around the time of Arthur's death?” Vicky asked.
Norman shook his head. “It was a very quiet day, as usual.”
“PD,” Vicky repeated to herself. “It must mean something.” Just then Poppy and Bobby returned.
“Thank you, Poppy,” Bobby said as he nodded to the woman. Poppy turned and quickly walked out of the building.
“Poppy,” Vicky said softly to herself and then turned to Norman. “Norman, can you find out what Poppy's maiden name is?” Vicky asked. “Perhaps she's the PD on the phone.”
“She doesn't look strong enough to take down a man like Arthur,” Norman said with disbelief. “And why would he have a reminder to meet with his wife.”
“I know but let's not get caught up with that right now. I think it’s important to consider she might be a suspect. Poppy isn't exactly a devastated widow.”
“I know, but people react in different ways,” he said thoughtfully. “It can’t hurt to look into their finances and see if there might be some kind of motive for her to kill her husband.”
“Great idea,” Vicky agreed. Norman was turning out to be more competent than she originally thought.
“On it,” Norman nodded sternly.
He headed off to check on the details of Poppy's past and their financial records.