Keeping Promises Can Be Murder: A Lexi Taylor and Ray Jansen Mystery

by Susan Goslak

  Ray stood up to leave. “I’m going to interview Father O’Shea’s assistant and the visiting priest from Saint Norbert’s parish. If I get anything we can use I’ll call you.”

  Father O’Shea’s assistant couldn’t add any new information, He hadn’t seen the man they were looking for. He did suggest that Ray visit St. Norbert’s to talk to the priests there who help out at St. Simon’s from time to time. The drive to St. Norbert’s was short. The difference between the two churches was shocking. St. Norbert’s was a large stone structure with turrets and beautiful stained glass windows. Inside the floor was old wood polished to a sheen. The steps leading to the altar were marble. The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling beams were copper. This parish obviously had money and plenty of it.

  The rectory, next to the church was just as good looking. It was a two story house of red brick. Ray walked up onto the wide front porch and rang the bell. The door was answered by an older woman wearing an apron. “Yes, may I help you?” she asked politely.

  Ray said, “I’m Mr. Jansen. Father Meyers is expecting me.”

  “Oh, yes, please come in.” She ushered Ray into the living room. There was a fireplace with a mahogany mantle above it. The fireplace was flanked by wall to wall bookshelves. In front of the fireplace there were two overstuffed chairs with a low table between them. The housekeeper motioned for Ray to have a seat. “Father will be right here,” she told Ray.

  Ray only waited a few minutes before Father Ed Meyers entered the room. He extended his hand for Ray to shake. “Mr. Jansen, Liam didn’t say much over the phone. He told me that you’d tell me everything I needed to know.”

  Father Meyers settled himself in the other chair just as the housekeeper came in with a tray of small sandwiches and coffee. Father thanked his housekeeper and poured coffee into two china cups.

  Ray sipped his coffee and began to tell Father everything he needed to know about the case. He showed the sketch of the suspect to father and asked him if he recognized the man.

  “I’ve never seen him. I’ll ask my two assistants to come in and look at this photo,” he said as he rose and moved toward the door. The two assistant priests also denied ever seeing the man.

  When Ray explained to them that the man might be a murderer, Father Reston, made a shocked exclamation. Father Timmons turned pale and started to shake.

  “Father Timmons, you seem upset. Are you sure that you don’t know this man?” asked Ray.

  “I . . I . . .I . . .stammered Father Timmons. I saw him come out of the confessional. I heard his confession, but I can’t tell you

  any more.” He turned and fled the room.

  “Father Meyers, your assistant knows something about this killer. I’m familiar with the sanctity of the confessional, but you need to know that we think that this is the man who has killed three homeless men. That’s three men that we know of. There may be more. And if we don’t stop him, there will be more starting this Wednesday. That means that we have only two days to stop the next murder. Please speak to him. Ray left his card and told Father to call him at any time of the day.

  That evening we went to the opening of Cathy Logan’s show at the Stanton Art Gallery. Ray and Cliff went right up to the food table and helped themselves. I took a glass of champagne to carry around with me so I’d look sophisticated. I looked around to see if I knew anyone and I spotted Linda. She greeted me with a hug and introduced her date.

  “What do you think of Cathy’s photos?” I asked.

  “They’re impressive,” Linda replied. “Her technical skills are excellent.” She sipped her champagne. “There are lots of technically skilled photographers, but Cathy goes beyond that. She handles her subject matter with sensitivity. And she displays a lot of creativity. Look at that one of the two children. It’s whimsical. And the photo of the old house standing all by itself in the fog gives the viewer a sense of eeriness.” she added as she pointed to it.

  “This is a wonderful show isn’t it?” I asked, and, before

  Linda could answer me, I told her that Cathy had taken photos of the residents at the sunshine homes. “We can use them at our party.

  She’s going to give us some photos to sell, too. Isn’t that great?”

  “Yes, Lexi, that’s great. I think our party is going to be a big success. Speaking of success, let’s go see how much success Cathy is having with sales. I’m sure Ann Delano will share that information with us.”

  “You go speak to Ann. I have to go to the restroom.” I said. On my way to the restroom I passed Cathy. I wanted to give her my compliments, but she was surrounded by people who had the same idea as I did. Her face was flushed and she was smiling. I felt happy for her.

  Deciding to talk to Cathy later, I set my empty champagne glass down and left the showroom to find the ladies restroom. I knew right away that the first hall I turned into was the wrong one because it was too dark. The second hallway was even darker. As I turned to backtrack someone grabbed my arm from behind. “Hey!”

  My heart started to pound as my adrenaline increased and fear took over. The last man who grabbed me from behind turned out to be a murderer. Ray had to shoot him and I wound up in the hospital. I was very scared. I couldn’t depend on Ray coming to my rescue this time so I was furiously trying to decide what I should be doing to save myself as I gasped and took a step backward. Unfortunately, there were some boxes of glassware on the floor behind me. I tripped and fell knocking over some of the boxes. Glasses rolled all over the place. The man who had grabbed me almost fell on top of me when he tried to step over the mess. He righted himself, bent down and took my arm to help me up.

  “Oh my God, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Are you hurt?’

  With the man’s help I got to my feet. He gently guided me into one of the rooms off the hallway and turned on the lights. I turned so that we were face to face. “Why did you grab me?”

  “Are you okay?” he repeated. “I’m sorry I startled you. I just wanted to warn you about the boxes. I didn’t want you to trip over them in the dark.” He got a sheepish look on his face. “I guess I made you fall. Sorry.”

  I just stood there gaping at him. I’m sure that only a few seconds went by, but it seemed a lot longer.

  “Mr. Logan?! You’re William Logan!” I stammered.

  “Call me Bill,” he calmly said. “And you are?”

  “Lexi Taylor. What are you doing here? Do you know that everyone is looking for you?

  “Yes, I know that.

  “Why haven’t you contacted us then?” I asked.

  “I . . . I . . . I . . .,” he stammered.

  “Your wife is out there,” I said pointing to the door.

  “I know,” he said softly.

  “You mean that you came here to see her?” I asked.

  “No, I work here.”

  “You work here and Cathy is exhibiting here and the two of you will meet here, after four years of separation. That’s ironic. Let’s go tell her you’re here,” I said excitedly.

  “No!” he shouted.

  Angrily I asked, “Why on earth not?” I think I may have even stomped my foot on the floor.

  “I can’t face her after what I’ve done.” Bill replied. “She

  must hate me.”

  “I know for a fact that she still loves you,” I told him. “Look,

  Mr. Logan . . . Bill, everyone makes mistakes. Everyone! Some mistakes are little and some are big, but they can all be forgiven, all of them. And things can be made right again. Your brother, Carl contacted my boss, Ray Jansen who, in turn, contacted Cathy and your friend Cliff Simmons.”

  “Cliff? Is Cliff here, too?”

  “Yes.”

  Bill just stood there looking at me.

  “Mr. Logan, do you realize that fate has brought the two of you together here tonight? You must feel uncomfortable about meeting her in the showroom with all those people around. Would you feel more comfortable if I brought your wife in here to see you
?” I asked.

  Bill was sweating, his hands were shaking and he couldn’t seem to draw a full breath. “That might be a good idea.”

  “Okay, you stay here and try to calm down. She still loves you. She told my boss Mr. Jansen that she still loves you.”

  Bill took a shaky breath. “I’m scared,” he said.

  “You’re not going to disappear again are you?”

  “No, I’ll man up and be here to take any grief that comes my way.”

  “Promise?” I pleaded.

  “I promise,” he said.

  “Good, I’ll be right back,” I said as I dashed out into the hall and ran to the showroom. Cathy Logan was still surrounded by

  admiring patrons. I walked up to her. “Please excuse me, Mrs. Logan, may I see you for a moment?”

  She excused herself from the group and walked toward me. I motioned for her to follow me. When we got into the darkened hallway I stopped and turned to face her.

  “Cathy, I have some good news for you. We’ve located your husband.”

  “Oh,” was all she said in a flat voice.

  “How do you feel about meeting with him?” I asked.

  “I actually don’t know how I feel. Part of me is excited to see him again; part of me is angry that he’s put me through so much turmoil; and there’s a part of me that wants to tell him to go to hell. Is he here in L.A.?”

  “Oh, yes,” he’s here. “In fact, he’s here in this building. He’s waiting for you now.”

  Cathy’s hands flew up to her cheeks. “Oh, my God! Here! Now! I can’t! I can’t see him now. I’m not ready.”

  In a soft calm voice I said, ”He’s waiting for you and he’s scared. He’s afraid that you hate him.”

  “You know, Lexi, there’s a part of me that does hate him.”

  “Can you face him now?” I asked.

  Cathy took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”

  I led her to the storeroom where I hoped Bill was waiting. If he bugged out on me I’d strangle him. I knocked on the door and opened it before he could answer.

  Cathy stood in the doorway looking at her long errant husband.

  Bill reached his hand out toward her and said, ”Cathy.”

  “Hello, Bill.”

  “Cathy, I’m so sorry, so sorry. I’ve put you through hell.

  “Why, Bill, why? Why have you been gone all this time? You broke my heart.”

  Bill started to cry then. “Oh, God, I know. That’s why I stayed away. I didn’t think you’d forgive me.”

  Cathy took a step closer to Bill. How could you think that I wouldn’t forgive anything you did? I loved you.”

  Bill wiped his eyes. I’m sorry. I have no right to cry. I have no right to expect you to forgive me. He took a step toward Cathy. They were only inches apart now. “Please, Cathy, is there any hope for us getting back together?”

  “Bill, I’ve thought and thought about what I was going to say when I saw you. To be honest, I don’t know if I want to get back together. I really don’t. I need time.”

  “Of course,” replied Bill. “Tell me this, are you willing to talk with me? I need to explain things to you.”

  “I am willing to talk, and we can meet for coffee and things like that, but this process will have to go slow. Maybe in time I’ll be able to decide what I . .. , we should do.”

  I was standing near the door all this time. I stepped closer to them and said, “Excuse me, I’d like to suggest that we get Bill a room in the hotel that you are staying in, Cathy. That way you two can see each other anytime you desire. I’d also like to suggest that we get a counselor for you. Right now I’d like to bring my boss and your brother in here.

  Neither of them moved or said anything.

  “Don’t go away!” I warned as I turned and dashed toward the showroom.

  I found Ray and Carl together and breathlessly asked them to follow me. They looked questioningly at me and Ray asked, ”What’s wrong?”

  I walked quickly ahead of them and stopped and turned when I got to the hallway. “William is here!” I said excitedly. “Come.”

  Ray stepped aside so that Carl could enter before him. Carl entered the room cautiously as if he feared what his brother was going to say to him. He approached William with his hand out so that they could shake hands.

  William accepted his brother’s hand. Carl pulled him close for a hug. There were tears in Carl’s eyes. “It’s been too long, William, way too long, and I feel that I’m to blame.”

  “What happened was never your fault. Father was closed minded and controlling. It was either his way or the highway, as they say. He never even gave me a chance. For years I hated him. I thought that he hated me, too. That hatred ate at me. It was what pushed me to want to be the best at everything and made me work to exhaustion to be the best. When I became successful I put that hatred aside. I guess my success was a kind of revenge for the hurt Father caused.”

  “Thomas and I should have stood up to Father and taken your side. I’ve always felt guilty about that,” said Carl.

  “How could you? He was your Father. You didn’t want to argue with him. He had you under his thumb,” William said. “Oh,

  there were times when I was angry with both of you and I missed you very much, but I’m not angry anymore. I just want to put the past behind me and get on with my life.”

  “Let’s do that,” agreed Carl.

  “One thing, Carl, I hope you can understand that It won’t be easy for me to return to Pittsburgh and the family business. I need time to work thing out before I’ll even consider it.”

  Ray stepped in, “Before you can put the past behind you, William, your family needs some answers. I don’t want the media to know that we’ve found you until you’ve had a chance to reconnect. I suggest that You, Carl and I go out the back door and go to the hotel. Cathy needs to go back to the reception now before she’s missed. Lexi can bring her to the hotel when it’s over.

  Everyone agreed to the plan. Cathy and I returned to the reception. I got both of us a glass of champagne and we found a place to sit.

  “Thanks,” said Cathy. “I needed this drink and I needed to sit down before my weak knees gave way.” Her face was pale and her hand was shaking.

  “That must have been shocking for you. Try to put William out of your mind for a little while,” I suggested. This is your night to shine. You should be proud of your work. It is beautiful.”

  « Chapter Twenty »

  It was late when I took Cathy to the hotel. We went directly to the room where William, Carl, and Ray were waiting for us. Ray answered the door. “Come in, ladies. We’ve been waiting for you.

  Cathy and I had been standing for hours at the reception, so we took seats on the couch. Cathy removed her shoes and said, “These things may look nice, but they aren’t very comfortable.” She wiggled her toes. “Ahh, that’s better.”

  “Can I get you anything?” asked Ray.

  “No, thanks,” we both said at the same time.

  “Well, I’m sure that you and William have a lot to talk about, so Lexi and I will be going,” said Ray.

  Cathy looked at William. “Bill, we do have a lot to talk about. I’m sure that we both have questions, but I’m exhausted. I’m not sure I’d even make sense tonight. Do you mind if we put off our conversation till breakfast?”

  William walked to Cathy and took both of her hands in his

  “Cathy, dear, you must be full of all kinds of emotions. Get some rest and you’ll be more clear-headed in the morning. I’m just grateful that you are willing to let me try to explain. Cathy stood up

  with her shoes in her hand. “Thanks for everything, everybody, I’m going to my room to get some sleep.”

  William gave her a peck on the cheek and walked her to the door. He thanked Ray and I, and promised to call Ray when he woke up.

  Before he left, Ray warned William that the media would soon be aware that we’d found him. “I’m going to give you and Cathy to
morrow morning to reconnect. I’ll set up an afternoon press conference in our offices for a few select media people. They’ll be able to get the news out on their 5p.m. programs.”

  William frowned, but before he could speak Ray said, “I know that you don’t want any publicity, but you’ll have it anyway so I’m going to set it up. It will be small, and respectful to you and Cathy. I can’t guarantee any respect when the rest of the media locusts swarm all over you though.

  “He’s right,” Carl said. “Set it up, Ray.”

  The next morning Ray told Paul that William had been located and that he was going to set up a press conference in our conference room. He then called his friends, Gil Carson and Meg Anderson and invited them to his office to hear the scoop on William Logan.

  Not much work was getting done in our office. The secretaries were excited about seeing the handsome Gil Carson in person and all the men were eager to see Meg Anderson with her long, shapely legs, long red hair and flirty green eyes. People were standing or sitting in small groups discussing William Logan in hushed voices.

  Ray looked at me. “What a great way to wrap up a missing person case. They usually aren’t this pleasant. The media will be here soon. Will you please make a fresh pot of coffee and put out these cookies that I bought on my way in”

  At 1:00 o’clock the media arrived. Gil Carson was dressed in his on-air clothes and Meg Anderson, was dressed in jeans and a blazer. There were camera men, and men with lights, men with sound equipment, make up and hair people, and photographers. I was amazed at how many people were needed to put a two-minute news item on T.V. or to write a front page story for a newspaper.

  Ray set the media up in the conference room to wait for William, Carl, and Cathy to arrive. When they did, he met them at the door and made sure that they were as comfortable as possible before he led them into the conference room and introduced them. Our boss, Paul Woods was there, I was there, and many of our staff members were also crowded into the room. Gil explained how they were going to proceed. When everyone was seated where Gil wanted them he signaled the camera man to roll film. He spoke to his audience giving them a brief explanation of whom William and Carl were. He then introduced Carl and began to question him eliciting background information and the emotions that he went through as he searched for his brother.