“Thank you for being so strong. I don’t know what I would have done if you were not here,” Elizabeth cried, as she sat at the small table in the corner of the kitchen.
Miranda knew this would be a scandal with the local media turning it into front-page news.
“Here’s a small glass of wine to help you relax, mother. Now sit here and I’ll handle everything.”
The local law enforcement and paramedics showed up at the house with the media in tow. It always amazed Miranda how the media seemed to know what was going on almost before the authorities. She met the patrol officers and paramedics at the front door and led them back to Millie’s bedroom. “As you can see, she’s been dead for several hours.”
“When was the last time you saw her alive?” the older officer asked.
“I guess around nine thirty this morning. After breakfast, Mother and I had left to go shopping for my wedding. Millie was supposed to go spend the day with her sister, so we assumed she was there when we returned home.”
Miranda felt uncomfortable standing there answering questions, as the paramedics examined Millie for any signs of life.
“She’s gone. We need to contact the coroner and let him know he needs to get out here,” the paramedic said, as he looked up at Miranda with sadness in his eyes.
“You can use the telephone on the bedside table if you would like,” Miranda pointed toward the table.
“He’s not going to be too happy getting called away from his dinner,” the other paramedic chuckled.
“How can you laugh at a time like this?” Miranda cried out, shooting them a displeased look.
“I’m sorry, we didn’t mean any disrespect,” the first paramedic said, as he looked at the other one for support.
“He’s right; this is not the time for jokes. We’re very sorry,” the second one said, hoping she would not report them.
“Come on, miss. Why don’t we go back to the kitchen and continue there,” the older officer took Miranda by the arm and guided her to the door. He looked over his shoulder at the two young men and gave them a disapproving look then he followed Miranda out of the room.
“Mother, why is there a police car and an ambulance parked out in front of the house?” Caleb feigned surprised, as he walked into the kitchen.
“Oh baby, come here!” Elizabeth cried, as she held her arms open for Caleb. “It’s Millie, she is…,” the words caught in her throat.
“Son, have you been home all day?” the older officer asked Caleb.
Caleb looked the man over. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, clean-shaven, and with a slight belly paunch. “Yes, I was in the library reading most of the day, but I guess I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I realized is all the commotion. What’s going on with Millie? Is she sick? I thought she was at her sister’s house for the day.”
The officer looked at Caleb, not sure if he was honest with him. “So, you’re saying that you didn’t know she was still at home, and that you didn’t hear anything?”
Miranda interrupted, “What are you insinuating, Officer?”
“It’s Ramsey, miss,” he responded, never taking his eyes away from Caleb.
“Officer Ramsey, I don’t understand why you’re questioning my brother when it’s obvious that she took her life. If my brother says he didn’t know she was still at home, then he didn’t know!”
Miranda did not care for the way the officer looked at Caleb. It was as though he believed Caleb had something to do with Millie’s apparent suicide.
“Sir, I have always liked Millie. She has been with this family for many years and has always treated me with respect, so if you’re accusing me of something; I wish you would simply come out with it!” Caleb held Officer Ramsey gaze, daring him to continue with his current line of questioning.
“I’m sorry; I guess there isn’t anything here other than a woman, who for some reason decided to take her life. It is a shame because she was an attractive woman,” Officer Ramsey shook his head.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“That must be Janice. I called her after I called the authorities,” Miranda rushed to the back door and opened it to see a frantic Janice, standing on the back porch.
“Miranda called and told me that Millie had killed herself. She can’t be dead because I spoke to her this morning. Where is she?” Janice cried, as she grabbed the counter top to keep from collapsing to the floor.
“Oh Janice, it’s terrible, just terrible,” Elizabeth cried out.
“After I talked to you on the telephone, I became concerned and began to look for her. Miranda went outside and found Millie’s car parked in the carport, so I decided to see if maybe she had fallen ill and decided to rest in her room. When we opened the door to her room, we found her…, oh, lord, it’s just horrible!” Elizabeth could not bring herself to say the words because they were too painful. She covered her face with her hands and dropped back into her chair crying.
“I want to see my sister!” Janice demanded.
She began to walk toward the room, but Officer Ramsey grabbed her arm, holding her in place. “You need to stay out here until the coroner arrives and releases the body for transport to the morgue.”
“Let go of my arm, now! I’m going to see my sister so you will have to shoot me to keep me out of that room,” Janice growled, in a threatening tone.
“I promise that I won’t disturb anything important,” she glared at him.
“Okay, as long as you promise to behave yourself. Follow me.” He released her arm and led Janice to Millie’s room.
“What happened to Millie?” Caleb struggled to hide the joy building inside of him at how things were coming together for this move.
“She overdosed on sleeping pills, Caleb. Millie’s dead,” Miranda whispered, hoping not to upset her mother again.
“I don’t understand. Are you saying that she killed herself, but that makes no sense? She was always so cheerful. I never remember her being upset about anything,” Caleb whispered.
Of course, he knew the truth, but he must be careful not to make anyone suspicious.
Miranda looked at her mother and wondered how this would affect her. She knew they had become close over the years, and she knew how Millie had always been there for her mother. Elizabeth had been through a difficult time a few years ago with depression, and Millie had watched over her during the day when everyone else was at school or work.
“Come on, mother, why don’t you go up to your room and rest. There’s nothing more you need to do, and I don’t think you need to be here when they take her away.”
Elizabeth looked at Miranda through tear-soaked eyes, “You’re right. Maybe it would be for the best if I retired to my room.”
Miranda took her by the arm. “I’ll walk with you, Mother.”
“I’ll be just fine. You stay here in case they need any more information. Thank you for being so strong, I don’t think I could have handled this alone.”
Elizabeth looked one last time toward Millie’s bedroom before she turned and left the kitchen.
“Is she going to be all right?” one of the paramedics asked, as he walked into the kitchen. He sensed that she was on the verge of collapse by the tragic loss.
“Yes, she only needs to rest for a while but thank you for your concern,” Miranda said as she watched the door close behind her mother.
“It looks as if the coroner is here,” the paramedic announced, as he opened the back door.
“Good afternoon, I am Dr. Franks, where is she?” He waited by the door, looking around the kitchen.
“She’s back here, doctor.” The paramedic led the way to Millie’s bedroom.
“No, no, I want to stay with her!” Janice cried out, as the younger police officer forced her back to the kitchen.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t be in there while the doctor’s examining her.” He knew this was a painful time for her, but there were procedures to follow at times such as this.
> “This is not right! Millie would never take her life. She was a happy person and looked forward to every day with a pure love of life. None of this makes sense,” Janice cried, leaning on the counter for support.
“Come sit down, Janice.” Miranda helped her to one of the chairs at the small table. “I’m sorry; I wish I had an answer for you.”
Janice dropped her head, cupping her face in her hands. “I can’t believe this. She would never take her life, I just know it.”
Caleb stood by the table, watching all the activity. This move is perfection; he thought to himself.
He anticipated the effect it would have when they found Millie’s notebook and the secrets written on its pages. Caleb thought back to the day when he had come across her little book of secret thoughts and dreams. He was also pleased with how easy it had been to alter a few things written on the pages. I look forward to the next step to this move.
The gurney appeared from the room with a sheet covering the still figure lying upon it. Miranda wrapped her arms around a weeping Janice, trying to comfort her.
“Millie, why did you do this?” Janice sobbed.
“Why don’t I drive you home, and once Father get’s here, I’ll bring your car to you. There’s nothing more you can do, and you need to be with the rest of your family at this difficult time.” Miranda knew Janice was in no condition to drive, and the last thing she wanted was to have something horrible happen to her. “Caleb, please keep an eye on Mother until I return, okay?”
“I will, don’t worry. You need to focus on Janice now,” he smiled, with a false sense of concern.
“I think we’re done here for now. It looks to be a clear case of suicide, so barring anything strange showing up in the autopsy, I don’t see any reason to do anything else at this time.”
Officer Ramsey smiled at Miranda. “I’ll try to get the media gathered outside to leave before you take her home.” He looked at Janice with sadness showing in his eyes.
“Thank you Officer, and thank you for being so respectful,” Miranda held out her hand.
“You’re very welcome, but I’m only doing my job.” He returned her handshake and then walked out the door.
“Janice, let’s wait a few minutes and see if he can clear some of those gathered outside. Neither of us is in the mood for any questions at this time,” Miranda forced a smile.
“Thank you for your kindness, Miranda. Millie had always spoken highly of you, and she was so excited about your upcoming wedding. We were supposed to go shopping for your wedding gift today,” Janice wiped a tear from her cheek.
Caleb could no longer handle all the crying. “I’m going to check on Mother.” He turned to Janice and attempted to appear understanding and concerned. “I’m very sorry for your loss. Millie was a good and kind woman, and she will be greatly missed.”
“Thank you, Caleb. I know she cared deeply for you.” Janice and Millie had shared many conversations over the years, and Millie had always said how nice the entire family had been to her.
“Come on, Janice, it looks as if Officer Ramsey was successful at clearing out the mob of reporters.” Miranda took Janice by the arm and helped her to her feet then they both walked toward the back door.
“I will be right back, Caleb. If Father should get home before I return, please tell where I am, okay?”
“I will. Now, be careful, we don’t want another tragedy today,” he waved, as he watched them walk out the back door.
Once Miranda and Janice had left, Caleb walked to the liquor cabinet and prepared a drink. He then went upstairs to his mother’s room.
“Mother, I brought you a drink; I thought it might help you relax,” he whispered at the door.
“Please come in and thank you, sweetheart. I’m a lucky woman to have such wonderful children.” Elizabeth took the glass from him and drank the majority of the drink in one swallow.
“Oh, that was good, thank you. I think I’m going to try to take a nap before your father gets home. Would you be a dear and check if the oven timer has gone off? I put some pork chops in there earlier, and I don’t want them to go to waste.”
“Don’t worry, I will. Why don’t you finish your drink and I’ll take care of everything. I love you, Mother,” Caleb smiled, as he watched her take the last swallow of the drink.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I’m feeling much better now.” Elizabeth took Caleb by the hand and gave it a firm squeeze.
“I think I will rest for a while.” Feeling the effect of the drink, she laid her head down on the silk-covered pillow and closed her eyes.
Caleb stood and watched his mother slip off into a deep slumber. “Sleep well, Mother, for tomorrow the fun begins.”
Chapter 14
The following morning, Caleb was up and dressed before the sunrise. As he walked down the long staircase, he could not help but notice the strange silence hanging over the entire house. His parents and Miranda were still asleep, so he decided to go to the kitchen and make a pot of coffee.
When he entered the kitchen, it seemed strange not to hear Millie preparing the morning coffee. He smiled at the memory of her fussing over the vegetables and fruit delivered by the farmer who sold produce from the back of his old, rusty pickup truck. He wondered what the old man thought when he showed up this morning, and Millie wasn’t waiting for him on the back porch like she had for the last few years.
After the coffee was finished brewing, Caleb poured himself a cup and sat at the little table in the corner of the kitchen. His mind wandered back to the day before, and he had to admit, how successful the move had been.
Poor Millie, everyone believes you committed suicide; he snickered silently, as he took a sip of the hot liquid.
It had been quite simple to help Millie to her death because she was a creature of habit. Each morning she would drink a glass of Cranberry juice after she finished the breakfast dishes. She would always say how it gave her the energy to perform her daily duties.
When Caleb had decided what he would do for the first move in this game, he was thrilled to see how she only had about one glass of juice left in the bottle she kept in the refrigerator. A week earlier, Caleb had overheard Millie tell his mother how she had gone ahead and gotten a prescription for some strong sleeping pills from her physician.
That morning, when she was outside with the farmer to choose the daily produce, Caleb decided to begin his move. He snuck into her room, took several of her pills, crushed them into a fine powder, and then added them to her juice.
Caleb knew his mother and sister would be gone for the day, which made it perfect for this move. He knew once she drank the juice, she would become sleepy and go lie down then he would see that she finished the rest of the sleeping pills in the bottle.
While she lay on the bed, semi-conscious and mumbling incoherently, he leaned down and whispered into her ear. “Thank you for, not using my name in your little notebook when you wrote of our affair. I want you to know that you will always hold a special place in my heart, but your services are no longer required. I do; however, have a need of your notebook. You see, the tender words of love written on those pages will convince my mother that the man she has loved, and trusted for so many years has betrayed her with the hired help. For this reason, I can’t have you messing up my plans. I must say that I’m anticipating the look on my mother’s face when she reads how the two people she has trusted above all others has betrayed her.
Caleb waited until Millie was unconscious. Then he set the empty pill bottle on the floor beneath her outstretched hand. Once assured that everything was in its proper place, he left the room, closing the door behind him. Caleb then went back to the kitchen, retrieved the empty juice bottle from the trash, and rinsed the remaining contents, careful, not to leave any trace of the sleeping pills.
“Good morning, Caleb. How long have you been up?” Miranda yawned, as she walked to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup.
“It seems so quiet in here this morning, doe
sn’t it?” Miranda had always loved to join Millie in the kitchen each morning. They would laugh and share the most personal thoughts on love and life. “I really am going to miss her.”
“I know what you mean. It was strange to come downstairs and not have her singing her silly little songs while she prepared breakfast,” Caleb smiled, as he got up to refill his cup.
“I’m sorry; I should have done that for you.” Miranda had not slept well. She kept seeing Millie’s lifeless body lying on the bed in her dreams.
“I don’t understand why she would take her life. She was always such a cheerful person, not someone who would do something so dreadful.”
Caleb fought to keep a straight face at how dramatic everyone was acting. He knew the truth, and he gleefully looked forward to seeing how things would advance in the next few days. “I know; I can’t understand it either.”
“I’m worried about Mother. She took it hard. I only hope it doesn’t affect her like when Grandfather died.” Miranda knew her mother was a gentle soul and had a difficult time handling the death of a loved one.
When Elizabeth’s father had died suddenly of a heart attack, she had sunk into a deep, dark depression. She would sleep all day, and wander the house at night in a trance, unable or unwilling to communicate with anyone. Her doctor had put her on some anti-depressant drugs, but the side effects had only made her moods more erratic and dangerous.
It was Millie, who finally pulled her out of the dark place where she hid from the outside world, and for that Elizabeth had always been grateful.
“Mother would never admit it, but Millie was her only true friend. I know she goes to all the events with the women from the Country Club, but mother always appeared the most relaxed spending time with Millie right here in this kitchen.”
Caleb sat quietly, listening to his sister ramble on. He never understood how his mother could consider Millie as an equal; she was after all, only the hired help.
While he had to admit she was an attractive woman at thirty-three years of age, she still was below them socially.
“Caleb, have you heard a word I’ve said?” Miranda knew that Caleb had liked Millie, but for some reason he seemed distant.
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