by B. T. Lord
“Hey Cam,” he greeted cheerily when he came on the phone. “Old Harold try to poison you yet?”
“On the contrary. I think he poisoned himself.” She quickly gave him an outline of what had happened.
“Shit, you can’t escape murder no matter where you go. Even at Christmas time.”
“No kidding. This is just a hunch, but can you see if Walter Long ever lived in Twin Ponds? I still don’t know what he and Harold argued about yesterday morning in the hardware store, but maybe it’s something that goes back years.”
“Em and I will get right on it. Hopefully you can figure this out before Santa arrives. Nothing worse than finding a pair of handcuffs in your Christmas stocking.”
They caught up on the local gossip – thankfully nothing was going on back home that required her attention. Though, as Rick had proven, he was more than capable of handling anything and everything that came through HQ’s front door.
She hung up and flew up the stairs to get ready.
“I’ve never done undercover before,” Jace said as they parked their car and walked into the Beachport Savings and Loan.
“Just be yourself. We’re a newly married couple thinking of moving back to Beachport. We’re here to check out the different loans they offer. Nothing to get nervous about.”
“The only thing I’m nervous about is remembering my new last name.”
She smiled. “Jace Farnsworth has a nice ring to it.”
“Are you sure I can’t just use my real name?”
“We can’t run the risk that everyone already knows your Dad’s been questioned by the police. You know how it is in Twin Ponds. Just because Beachport is bigger doesn’t mean gossip isn’t the life blood of the town. Look how accurate the checkout woman in the supermarket was.”
The bank was larger than the one they had in Twin Ponds. To the right were the bank tellers. To the left were two glass enclosed offices where the loan offices were located. The first and larger of the two was dark, its desk empty of any personal items and its name plate missing. Considering Long had just been found that morning, it wasn’t hard to guess which had been his office. She glanced about and noticed everyone carrying on business as usual. No one looked sad or grief stricken that one of their own had been murdered. It confirmed her suspicions over how poorly even his own colleagues thought of him.
The smaller office had its lights on and as she and Jace drew closer, she noticed an attractive blonde in her mid-twenties seated at the desk, her attention on her computer. Cammie leaned in to Jace.
“I want you to turn on your charm and that megawatt smile of yours.”
He glanced at her suspiciously. “What are you up to?”
“You’re about to sweep that young woman off her feet.”
“Wha--?” he started only to be interrupted when Cammie grabbed his arm and dragged him over to the office where the name Debbi Grant was etched on the nameplate. She tapped on the door. Just as she’d hoped, as soon as Debbi looked up from her desk, her eyes were immediately riveted to Jace.
“Sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you could help us,” Cammie said. It was as if she hadn’t spoken. Debbi got up from her desk and walked over to the two of them. She immediately stuck her hand out to Jace.
“I’m Debbi. How can I help you?”
“My – er – we’d like some information on taking out a loan,” Jace stammered furiously.
James Bond you’re not.
“We’re thinking of relocating to Beachport and were wondering what kinds of loans you offer,” Cammie said in an effort to smoothen out the situation. However, it was unnecessary. Jace could have stood there and recited the alphabet and it wouldn’t have mattered to Debbi. She showed the two into her office and sat back down.
“Where are you locating from?”
“Bangor,” Cammie spoke up. “We actually lived in Beachport a few years ago before we moved to Bangor. But we missed it and decided to come back.” She looked about. “We came here once before to talk about loans. We saw Walter Long then. I’m surprised he’s not here now. He seemed the type who would be glued to his desk.”
Debbi’s face darkened slightly. “He – um –”
“He was very cantankerous, you know. Made it so difficult for us. We both have good jobs, but he was making us jump through so many hoops, it was ridiculous,” she prattled on. “We actually thought twice about coming back here.” She smiled widely at Debbi as she patted Jace’s hand. “But Jason insisted we give your bank another chance. We’re just happy to be dealing with you and not with that difficult man. Isn’t that right, hon?”
Jace nodded and Cammie prayed Debbi wouldn’t notice his deer in the headlights look.
Debbi got up and shut the door to the office. She then sat back down. “I’m afraid he is no longer with the bank.”
“Really? Where did he go? We’ll be sure to avoid whatever bank he transferred to.”
She squirmed slightly in her seat. “He – um – he was killed last night.”
Cammie dramatically sucked in her breath. “Oh my God! We heard someone had been murdered under the Christmas Tree. Was that him?” Debbi nodded. “I knew he could be a challenging person, but to be killed like that…” Cammie leaned forward in her chair. “Do they know who did it?”
“The police are working on it,” Debbi muttered.
“You worked closely with him. You must have your own ideas.”
She blushed, and Cammie knew she was on the right track. “I – er…”
“I don’t mean to put you on the spot. But you have to admit, it isn’t often a person gets that close to a murder investigation. Come on, you must have thought about it.”
Debbi smiled slightly. “Well, yeah, I have.”
“I mean, a man like Mr. Long must have made a lot of enemies if he treated people the way he treated us. Isn’t that right, hon?”
By now the stricken look on Jace’s face had relaxed. Slightly.
“Well, he wasn’t always the nicest of people,” Debbi admitted.
“Do you actually think it might have been one of the bank customers?” The young woman hesitated. “Oh don’t worry. Whatever you tell us doesn’t leave this room. As a matter of fact, after we leave here, we’re heading back to Bangor so it won’t matter anyway.”
“Well, I did hear he’d been having an affair with a married woman. The husband found out.”
“Oh my!” Cammie exclaimed. “That’s a perfect recipe for disaster.”
“Then he was having trouble with his neighbors over noise. He called the police on them several times. They couldn’t even have an afternoon barbeque without him causing a stink.” Debbi leaned over and whispered. “Their cat disappeared. Of course they thought Walter had something to do with it.”
“That’s awful!” Cammie gave Debbi her most sympathetic look. “I’m sure it must have been very stressful working with him.”
She sat back in her chair. “It has been so much nicer without him here. He could be so--” Realizing what she’d said, her hand flew to her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that,” she stammered.
“You’re being honest.” Cammie shook her head in mock sadness. “What’s it like being interviewed by the cops? I watch all those detective and criminal investigation shows on TV and I can’t imagine actually sitting down and being interviewed in a murder investigation.”
Debbi shrugged. “The police were here talking to our manager, but they didn’t talk to me. Not yet anyway.”
Cammie hid her dismay over Debbi’s response. Instead, she asked, “So they’re probably going to sell Mr. Long’s place over on Horizon Drive, huh?”
“Oh he didn’t live there. He owned a ranch over on Bowen Road. I hated when I’d have to go over there with papers after work. He always kinda gave me the creeps.” The pretty blonde then turned in her chair and smiled warmly at Jace. “Now what kind of loan are you looking for?”
When they emerged a half-hour later, Jace shot Cammie a sarca
stic look. “Just what I wanted for Christmas – to know inside out every kind of loan that exists.”
Cammie chuckled. “Yeah, she was a bit too enthusiastic. But we got what we came for.”
They started towards their truck. “For me to be stared at as if I were a sirloin steak on a plate?”
“It was all for a good cause.” They got into their vehicle and Cammie pulled up Bowen Street on their GPS. “We received yet another confirmation that Long was the poster boy for how to make enemies in one easy step. I want to see where he lived.” Jace frowned as he crossed his arms across his chest. “What?” she asked.
“You’re going to break into his house, aren’t you?”
“Now what makes you ask that?” she questioned, giving him her most innocent look.
“Save it, Cam. I know you. You’re like a great white shark stalking a seal.”
“I thought it was a dog with a bone.”
“Anybody else, maybe. But not you.”
She made a face. “Okay, okay. The thought did cross my mind. The whole point here is to help your dad, isn’t it?”
“How is it going to help him if you get arrested?”
“Don’t worry. If I were to break in, I certainly wouldn’t do it during the day. And I’m not going to do it. I just want to see where Walter lived. And if his neighbors happen to be outside, well…”
Jace sighed as he started up the engine. “I’m not made out for this stuff,” he mumbled under his breath as he followed the directions.
They drove for twenty minutes until they came to a neighborhood of small, 1950’s type ranches and two-story homes. The small front yards were all decorated for Christmas, giving Bowen Street a festive feel. That is, except for one small ranch. Situated between two homes that had obviously watched the film Christmas Vacation one too many times, its lack of decorations, coupled with a dark, somber appearance made it a shoo-in for the Long’s residence. Her suspicions were also helped by the police tape winding around the structure.
“Wow,” Cammie said as she and Jace took in the vast assortment of the neighbors’ lights, Santas, Grinches, reindeer, candy canes and oversized, brightly lit plastic presents. Their cheerful embellishments made Walter’s house look even more dour and forbidding, like a brown, rotted spot on an otherwise bright, red apple. “When night comes, I’m surprised they don’t blow out the local circuits.”
At that moment, the door to the house on the left of Long’s ranch opened, and a middle-aged man came out. In his hand he held a string of lights.
“Where in heaven’s name is he going to put that?” Jace marveled. “There’s no room left.”
Cammie didn’t answer. Instead, she quickly scrambled out of the truck and approached him.
“Oh jeez,” Jace mumbled as he watched Cammie plaster an overfriendly smile on her face as she greeted the man. “She’s circling in for the kill. Mister, run before it’s too late.”
“Hi!” she greeted effusively as the man, dressed in jeans and a tattered bathrobe looked at her suspiciously. “My boyfriend and I are from out of town visiting family, and we were just driving around checking out all the holiday trimmings. You really did an amazing job. Your house is beautiful! You should be on those shows that feature the best of Christmas decorations.”
At the sound of the compliment, the man visibly brightened. “Thanks. We love Christmas around here.”
“I can see that. I can’t wait to come back tonight to see it all lit up.”
“I doubt you’ll see anything prettier than this neighborhood. We take our holidays seriously.”
Cammie jerked her head towards Long’s house. “Not everyone apparently.” The man sniffed contemptuously. “Sounds like you’ve got a real-life Mr. Grinch living next door.”
“And then some. And now we have to look at police tape for Christmas.”
“May I ask what happened?”
“The guy who owned it died yesterday. Somebody killed him.”
“In his house?”
“Nah. He was killed downtown.” The man shook his head. “I know this is the time for goodwill towards men and all that, but if this isn’t a case of payback, I don’t know what is.”
“Payback?” Cammie asked, widening her eyes in feigned astonishment. “What do you mean?”
“We’re a pretty tight community here. One or another of the families here throw barbeques and pool parties during the summer for friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, we couldn’t have any parties here without Scrooge over there bitching and complaining and calling the cops on us. And to top it off, our cat Muffie disappeared. I wouldn’t put it past him to have done something to her. My daughter was devastated. Muffie was her baby.”
“Wow, what a jerk. He must have had a lot of enemies.”
“Enough to last a lifetime.”
“Have the police caught anyone yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard. I tried asking them this morning when they showed up with their forensic guys. But they were tight lipped about it. With the list of people who hated Walter, I don’t think it’s going to be easy.”
“I wonder if it could have been someone who visited him.”
The man guffawed. “No one came over. At least none that I ever saw. No one in their right mind would want to visit that SOB.”
“That must have been scary being interviewed by the police.”
The man shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”
“Well, I’m sorry you have to deal with that for the holidays. And I’ll be sure my boyfriend and I drive by tonight to see the lights.”
“You won’t regret it.”
Cammie walked back to the car and slid in. “Next stop, the scene of the murder.”
On the short drive back downtown, Cammie filled Jace in on her short conversation with Walter’s neighbor. When she was done, he pursed his lips. “I still don’t see where this is getting us.”
“It’s showing that your Dad wasn’t the only one who had an issue with Long. His neighbor actually believes Long killed his daughter’s cat, just like Debbi said. There was definitely no love lost between him and his community.”
“Do you think that guy did it then? I mean, if Long really did kill the family cat…?”
“Not sure. But I don’t like the fact that Chief Knowlton didn’t interview him or Debbi, who seemed to be some kind of assistant to the victim. You’d think he’d at least ask Debbi some questions about Long’s habits, or if she’d noticed any strange behavior on his part over the last few days.
“It’s not looking good for Dad, is it?”
“No,” she admitted. “But we’re not done yet.”
They found a spot off the main street and walked towards the Christmas tree. As they crossed the street, Cammie suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She slowed her step and looked around, but all she saw were people rushing about, trying to get their last-minute shopping done. She didn’t recognize any of them, but her instincts were on full alert.
Someone was watching her.
She started forward again. Just as she and Jace reached the island and saw the police tape blocking off the island to visitors, she felt someone come up behind her.
Before she could turn around, she heard a familiar voice ask, “Visiting the scene of the crime?”
Cammie whirled around and found herself staring into Chief Knowlton’s face.
“Actually Christmas is my favorite time of year and I’m admiring your beautiful tree.”
“Is that why you went to the Beachport Savings and Loan, as well as pay a visit to Walter Long’s house?”
Rather than get embarrassed, Cammie narrowed her eyes. “Am I under surveillance?”
“I don’t appreciate you second guessing my methods.”
“I’m not second guessing anything,” she replied. “I’m simply offering some assistance.”
“I don’t want or need your assistance, Sheriff. We’ve got it completely under control.”
“By not inte
rviewing Walter’s neighbors? How do you know they didn’t see something suspicious or notice someone lurking around his house? And what about ignoring Walter’s assistant Debbi Grant at the bank? You don’t think she might have noticed any changes in Walter’s behavior leading up to his death? Are you afraid you might actually have to do some legwork to solve this crime? Or is throwing a potentially innocent man in jail before Christmas going to prove what a great cop you are?”
Knowlton’s face turned red and it wasn’t from the cold. Jace put his hand protectively on Cammie’s arm.
“Keep out of this case, or I’ll arrest you for interfering in police work,” he huffed before turning on his heel and stomping off.
“Was it wise antagonizing him that way?” Jace asked warily.
She sighed angrily. “No. I should have kept my mouth shut, but I can’t stand shoddy police work. He’s so determined to wrap this up, he’s not looking at any other suspects. And as we’ve discovered in less than half a day, your dad is not the only one angry at Walter Long.”
Forcing her mind away from the disagreeable Knowlton, she kept one eye on the passing cars and the other on the scene before her. Especially the evidence flags placed on the ground behind the police tape.
“You’re going to end up as road kill if you continue to stand here,” Jace pointed out.
“Only if Knowlton is driving.” She pointed towards the tree. “You notice the large empty gap near the bottom of the tree where ornaments are missing?” He nodded. “You can also see where a large piece of the cotton batting was cut away.”
“There’s still blood stains on the snow,” Jace pointed out.
She agreed. “I think it’s safe to assume that’s where Long was standing when he was shot. Dale said he had a wound to his stomach. Unfortunately, without access to the autopsy report, there’s no way to tell whether the fatal shot was fired at close range or from a distance.” She turned and looked at Jace. “I’d like to come back here tonight at 1 am.”
Jace sighed. “I was afraid you’d say that.”