“Vivian Rivers has one set, and I have another.” He cocked his head, smiled at Teddy, and then gave him a pat. “Why do you ask?”
“The police haven’t found the murder weapon yet. It may still be there. I’ll not keep you any longer.”
“Anything I can do to help.”
The fact that David Thorndike had treated Kim badly didn’t set well with me. Maybe with Walter not present, Karla’s former boyfriend would tell me why. I decided to take a chance and set up a time when we could talk. He agreed to meet me at his house tonight at seven o’clock, which would give me enough time to check on my emails and give Teddy some much needed attention.
Right after I arrived home, my phone buzzed. “Hey Walter, what’s going on?” I plopped into my recliner and watched Teddy go to the kitchen for a drink of water.
“Found the information you asked for on Susan Porter’s DUI victim. A woman named Deborah Dunlap.”
I sat up straight. “Is she local?”
“Yep. She’s been in a facility since the accident. I’ll text you the address.”
“Thanks. I want to visit her. And Walter, you may as well know that I have an appointment with David Thorndike tonight. There’s something I want to find out in regards to a comment from Kim.”
“Karla’s sister?”
“Yes. He may open up to me without the presence of a law enforcement officer.”
“Jillian, what if he’s the killer?”
“I know, I know. Tell you what. I’ll put the bug in Teddy’s collar if it will make you feel better. Do you still have the connection?”
“I do. Okay, lady, you’re on your own, but be careful.”
“I will. Don’t forget to text me Deborah’s address.”
“Okay, and don’t you forget to check in with me after you talk to David.”
“Deal.” We ended our call. Seconds later I had the address of the nursing home. I scooped up Teddy. “Time to go to work, sweet doggie. Let’s get this bug inside your collar so we’ll be ready for any emergencies, and then we’ll go see Deborah.”
He wagged his tail, panted, and stood still like a good dog while I fastened the bug to the inside his collar. Since it was lunchtime, I found a package of peanuts in the pantry, cut off the top, and ate them from the bag. At least I’d have protein, and the calorie count wasn’t too bad.
“Ready?” I attached Teddy’s red rhinestone leash, took his cheetah tote and my purse from the closet, and walked to the garage I shared with Walter and Cecilia. Her car was gone, indicating she was probably picking up kids from a playdate. Hopefully, Vivian had called her about doing the story. It looked like I hadn’t needed Karla’s help after all in finding Cecilia a job.
Instead, I was trying to seek justice for Karla by helping in the investigation of her murder.
Chapter 10
Sunrise at Clover Hills was the finest assisted living facility our town had to offer, or so I’d heard from a neighbor whose mom lived there. After signing the register and noting the elegant furnishings, I popped into the main office, introduced myself, and asked to see Deborah Dunlap.
A cheerful receptionist smiled. “What a cute dog. The residents will love him.” She checked her computer. “Deborah is in 172, but I believe she’s in the activity room right now. Let me show you where it is.”
“Thank you for your help,” I said.
Residents were parked in wheelchairs along the walls in the main room. Their heads were drooping, most likely from pain medications. A few sat in the living room staring at the loud TVs. I followed the woman down a hall and around a corner until I was led into the activity room, where a number of ladies circled a table.
“This is Jillian Bradley and her dog, Teddy. They’ve come to visit Deborah. Loraine is our activity director.”
Hellos were said, and one lady, who didn’t look that old, held up her hand. “I’m Deborah.”
Loraine stood to welcome me and my dog. “We were just having our reminiscing time, would you like to join us?”
I shook my head. “Thank you. I would love to if I had more time.” Teddy wiggled in his tote, wanting to get out.
“Can we pet him?” one of the ladies asked.
“Of course.” I held him while they all took turns. “He loves attention.”
“That’s enough,” Deborah said. “We could keep him for hours, but you said your time is limited. If you’ll push me, we can sit in the living room and visit.”
I did as she said. “Let’s find a quiet spot.” I searched until I found a settee by the courtyard window. “This should do nicely.”
Teddy snuggled in my lap as Deborah set her brake, folded her hands, and looked me in the eyes. “Now, what’s this all about?”
“I’m here on behalf of Susan Porter, but she doesn’t know I’ve come.”
At first, Deborah closed her eyes, and then bowed her head. “How is she?”
Her question surprised me. There was no bitterness in her voice, only concern.
“Susan still lives in the shadow of her DUI and hurting you. She’s under a doctor’s care. Currently, our paths have crossed in a murder investigation. When she told me about the accident and how horrible she still feels—still unable to forgive herself—I felt I had to talk to you.”
A smile crept across Deborah’s lips. Another surprise. Was it a smile of vindication? I wondered.
“The accident was the best thing that ever happened to me. I know that must sound shocking, but it’s true. Let me explain. Before she hit my car, I was divorced, borderline alcoholic, and about to be evicted from my apartment. I had no job and no hope whatsoever of survival.”
“And when the insurance company settled, you wound up here.”
She nodded. “That’s right. Here I have food, shelter, and medical care. I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, and that freed my soul.”
“Amazing. I wish Susan could free hers.”
“Ask her to come see me. Just one time. I want to thank her.”
I patted her hands. “I will. God bless you.”
“He has.” I left Deborah with a smile on her face.
There was one on mine, too. Thank you, Lord, for opening the door for Deborah. Please guide the rest of my day, especially my appointment with David. Amen.
When I pulled my car into the garage, Cecilia’s car was back. After I knocked softly on the door leading into her kitchen, she invited me in for a nice cup of tea and gave Teddy a treat. Not seeing D.J. or Katie Rose, I asked where they were.
“Playdates, both of them. Jillian, you’ll never guess who called me.”
I held back. “Who?”
“Vivian Rivers! She asked me to help with the story for last Saturday’s ball. I’m so excited. First thing I did was negotiate playdate swaps for the kids. My first draft is already finished. You know what this means?”
She was so excited, but I still held my peace.
“It means, if my story is good enough, the Clover Hills Daily may offer me a job. I shouldn’t be so happy about it, since it probably would have never happened if Karla hadn’t been killed.”
“I wouldn’t say that. You’re a top-notch journalist, my dear girl. This just brings it forward a little. Besides, you still have to get your story in. Would you like me to peruse it?”
“Would you? That would be great.” She handed me a printout of the file.
“Sure. I’ll read it right after I finish my tea when I kick my shoes off and rest awhile.”
Cecilia circled around. “You know, I prayed God would give me an answer about working part-time. This could be it.”
“The Lord moves in mysterious ways. I’m praying we soon find out who killed Karla.”
“That reminds me. Have you checked your messages? Walter needs to talk to you.”
Sure enough, I had a text from Walter to contact him. “I’ll call him when I get home. Thanks for the tea. I’ll bring the file back as soon as I’ve finished.”
She was still
beaming when I left.
Once I’d kicked off my shoes and settled Teddy on the sofa for a nap, I set the file on a table next to my recliner and checked Walter’s message.
Meet me at Raven House—eight o’clock. Vivian will bring keys. Take care, lady.
A cryptic message, but it sounded as if Walter wanted to take a second look at the crime scene. “Teddy, get ready to put your clue-sniffing to work.”
He raised his head, then lowered it, closing his eyes. “Rest while you can, sweet dog,” I whispered.
It didn’t take long to go through Cecilia’s draft. Vivian had supplied most of the details, and where there were a few holes, I filled them in.
Editing the article gave me an idea about the murder. If one of the board members had killed Karla, they must have cornered her in the kitchen, stabbed her, and then thrown her body down in the cistern.
The kitchen would be the first place I’d suggest we look.
After dinner and a brief time outdoors for Teddy, I touched up my hair and makeup, threw on a sweater because of the cool Bay Area evenings, and headed to David Thorndike’s.
I only had to knock once before he let me in. “Ah, yes, a second visit,” he said.
Shakespeare didn’t budge from his cat bed. At least the kitty had a new home.
David motioned for me to take a seat. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I have decaf.”
“That sounds good. I usually have a cup in the evenings.”
“It will only take a second.”
Had I made a mistake? What if he planned to poison me? Stop it Jillian. Trust the Lord in this. Maybe David will open up better if you’re friendly.
He offered me a choice between two earthenware mugs of steaming coffee. I took the one farthest away.
“Why are you involving yourself in this case, Jillian? Were you a friend of Karla’s?” He sat and took a sip from the remaining mug.
I briefly explained my background as an amateur sleuth. “I can’t help being curious. That’s the reason I came to talk to you. There seems to be something that’s really bothering you according to the conversation I had with Karla’s sister recently. If you want to help find Karla’s killer, won’t you please share it with me?”
David studied his mug. “Her death has affected me more than I realized. I’ve been a cripple all my life. Not that I feel sorry for myself, I’ve done quite well, actually. But I’ve never had someone care for me before Karla. When her mother died several months ago, she discovered a document among the things left to her.”
“The document she was going to show you after the ball.”
He nodded. “It was in a manila folder tucked under some magazines on her mother’s coffee table. I read it and brought it home. Would you like to see it?”
“Yes.” He handed me the folder, and I opened it. The document was a home birth certificate for Alex Raven. Along with it was a copy of some notes. “What was Karla’s mother doing with this?”
“Look closely at the doctor’s notes.” He pointed to a single handwritten sentence next to a boxed checked for deformities. “Left leg dwarfed from causes unknown.”
“I’m confused. Alex Raven doesn’t have a deformity, does he?” I studied David’s face, and then it hit me.
“This is your birth certificate, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “Alex and I were born on the same day. The only conclusion I’ve come to is that we were traded because I was deformed. My real parents, being who they were, couldn’t bear to have a son like me. Karla’s mother was the nurse who attended both births. The Ravens must have paid the doctor handsomely to forge the birth certificate information and keep silent.”
“But Karla’s mother kept the original. What about the parents who raised you?”
“They were caretakers living on the Raven Estate at the time. The Ravens paid for my education, not out of the goodness of their hearts as I originally thought, but for the guilt they had in rejecting me.”
“I’m very sorry.” A scary question entered my mind. “Did you kill Karla?”
He shook his head. “When I realized she only pretended to love me because of who she knew I was, I wanted to. She hurt me. But I didn’t kill her. The night she died, I noticed her talking to Ron Porter and Alex. It’s possible one of them did it.”
I believed him. This man had everything to gain with a rightful inheritance. Then it dawned on me who had the most to lose.
“What are you going to do, now that you know who you are?”
He shrugged. “All I want is for my mother to know how I turned out. I want to hear her say she should have never rejected me. I don’t care about money or prestige, I have those already. It’s about closure.”
“I think I understand. You should tell her.” I extended my hand. “I’ll be praying for a good outcome.”
“Thank you. And I’m glad you came tonight. There is one thing you can do for me.”
I paused. “If I can.”
“I don’t want to keep the cat. Whenever I look at him, I’m reminded of Karla. Is there someone who can take him?”
“Her sister has offered to take him home with her. If you’ll gather his things, I’ll take him right now.”
A look of relief washed over David’s face. After packing up Shakespeare and loading him into my car, it was time to meet Walter and Vivian at Raven House.
“I better give Kim a call,” I said to Teddy. He didn’t take his eyes off the cat. “Kim? It’s Jillian Bradley. Is your offer to take Shakespeare home with you still good? I have him and all his things in my car.”
“You bet. Didn’t lover boy want him?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’d be happy to meet you somewhere if it would be easier.”
“That would be great. I’m due at Raven House at eight.”
“I’ll be there. See you in a few minutes.”
I started the car and made my way to meet Walter and Vivian. And Kim, who would be a lifesaver taking Shakespeare home with her. Cats were wonderful and I loved them, but Teddy just wouldn’t understand.
Chapter 11
Walter and Vivian were waiting for me in the parking lot. After I parked, a taxi brought Kim. I motioned for her to come alongside my car so we could unload Shakespeare and his belongings.
“Need a hand?” Walter opened the door for her. “No need to explain. I heard everything.” I’d almost forgotten about the bug in Teddy’s collar.
Kim cocked her head. “Is this a secret meeting or something?”
“In a way.” I hugged Vivian. “This is Karla’s sister, Kim Wilson.”
“Howdy, ma’am.” When no one invited her to join us, Kim took the hint. “Well, thanks again for the cat. He’ll make a good mouser in the barn. Y’all keep on doing your job, now. It was a pleasure.”
Walter said nothing as he loaded in the cat’s things into the cab and handed Shakespeare to Kim. “We’ll keep you informed about the case. Safe trip home.”
As the cab pulled away, we watched her hug her new mouser.
“Are we ready, now?” Walter led Vivian and me up the steps of Raven House and into the foyer. “We’ll start with the kitchen first, since the murder weapon was some sort of knife.”
We walked into the dark kitchen, and Vivian turned on the lights. “I’ll unlock the cupboards and drawers. We tend to keep our equipment longer if our guests know they’re responsible for anything missing.”
I set Teddy on the floor, detached his leash, and closed the kitchen door. Walter opened all the cupboards and drawers. “Let’s start at one end and work our way over. We’re looking for anything out of place, especially a knife of some kind.”
Carefully moving dishes aside, we searched the cupboards first. Nothing. Then we moved to the drawers. Teddy was sniffing the floor, when suddenly, he perked up his ears, rushed to an open drawer and started barking.
Walter stopped looking inside a cupboard and immediately went to where Teddy was. “What is it, boy?” The
drawer was filled with spatulas, large metal spoons, and a ladle, among other cooking utensils. Walter searched carefully but shook his head. “I don’t see anything here.”
Teddy whined. “He’s convinced there’s something there,” I said. “May I take a look?”
Walter stepped back. “Be my guest.”
I studied the drawer and its contents. There was something odd about it. The drawer next to it was full of silverware, knives, forks, and spoons, along with a few serving pieces. But that drawer seemed to hold more than the one Teddy was interested in.
“Interesting. I wonder.” When I ran my fingers along the sides of the drawer, I came to identical pieces of metal on each side. Pressing them released a latch in back of the drawer, and a false front appeared.
We were all riveted, including Teddy.
“Well, would you look at that?” Walter stepped forward and lowered the panel. A bloody table knife rested in the secret compartment.
We had been so focused on our find, that we didn’t notice Alex come in. He held a gun.
“Step away from that drawer!” We obeyed. Alex moved toward us, still holding the gun as he reached for the knife. But he hadn’t counted on Teddy’s fierce protective instinct toward his mistress.
My brave little dog growled and leaped up on Alex, biting his wrist and making him let go of the gun. When it fell on the floor, Walter kicked it across the kitchen.
“That’s enough, Teddy. Walter can finish the job,” I said.
“Good job, Teddy.” Walter called for backup. “They’ll be here in five minutes.” Alex sat on the floor with his head hanging down.
“Are you remembering how you killed Karla that night, here in the kitchen?” I asked.
He said nothing.
“Let me see if I can figure out what happened. Correct me if I’m wrong.”
With eyes full of hatred, he glared at me. Vivian found a chair and sat there shaking.
“We know about the real Alex Raven. Karla told you about finding the birth certificate in her mom’s belongings after she died.”
“Karla was going to ruin me if I didn’t give her the backing for the magazine she wanted to start. Do you realize I would have lost everything? Everything! I couldn’t let that happen.”
Happy Homicides 4: Fall Into Crime: Includes Happy Homicides 3: Summertime Crimes Page 18