Murder at Police Station

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Stacy told him about the reading of the will. He was totally shocked over the news that Gloria was so generous. He said, "It goes to show you what you think, is often not, what it really is, but beware of the gift, some Greek scholar said. Someone that frugal rarely shows any benevolence to others. I'd look for a motive if I were you guys."

  "Rory was all ears and so was Ben. Stacy was hearing an echo from her thoughts. But then of course, father/daughter often think alike. She said, "Any of our suspects have equal opportunity. I think we need to look again and focus on the quiet one or one that has the most to gain by her death. But even that idea is tenuous. Maybe tomorrow we can catch a break. Now I'm hungry for a change."

  Dinner went on without a lot of talk. When it was over, Rory helped wash dishes while Ben bussed some tables. Most of the customers had left and it was not long before closing time. Stacy decided she needed her own bed in the house for the night. This was not unusual while on a case that she needed time alone. Rory accepted it and he reluctantly enjoyed the bed to himself that night.

  -6-

  The next day brought on a weather anomaly. The wind came out of the NE or an off shore breeze occurred. Ben saw it was a great time to walk the beach while it was warm out. Sharon went with him as they first walked south and then after a half hour turned and walked back enjoying the retreating tide. After a warm shower both went to the restaurant for breakfast. They found Sam already chatting at the counter with some old timers. He joined them after a few minutes.

  Sam asked, "Do we have an appointment to interview Bee Haven this morning?"

  "We sure do Sam," said Ben. "Refresh my memory about her please."

  "She was married to a banker here in town. They come from some of the original Bandonites. However, when the new highway was built between Coos Bay and Bandon, eliminating the need to pass through Coquille, a lot of people moved their banking to Coos Bay. Ben Haven shut the bank down and retired, but, and here was the rub, he sold the building and they thought the funds would last forever. He died of a heart attack leaving Bee in rather dire straits for money. She thought that socially she was one of the elite of the area. More than equal to Gloria Abrams. But then word came around she needed cash to keep up appearances. She went to Gloria for a loan. Rumor has it she was turned down flat. Lucky for her the house she lived in was paid for, but she owes back taxes I'm told."

  Just then Stacy and Rory came in. Rory had the look of a starving boy about him. Rory pulled another table up to theirs and waited for the waitress to come take his order.

  After ordering they made a plan to interview Bee Haven. It was decided to let Ben lead the way. Stacy wanted to observe her reactions to the questions. The rest of the breakfast was spent in small talk about a cat for Stacy when they returned to Eugene. "I found a lady with a pregnant Blue Point without papers. I told her to save me two either male or female I said it's okay with me. One for Stacy and one for me. I always thought Siamese cats were notorious for attacking humans, but she told me they are loving cats and not dangerous to be around."

  "I'm happy to hear that, Sharon. Now when Rory gets a little too frisky, I can have my cat take a long claw mark down his arm," she said laughing. However, Rory did not find it too humorous at all. That was twice now she nailed him in two days. I had better watch myself, he thought while stuffing his mouth with pancakes dripping with syrup.

  "Before we go, is there anything any of you want to say about the case so far?" asked Stacy.

  Ben said, "If the victim is hiding something, then maybe we should look for a written note in her bedroom or elsewhere. She's lived in that house for countless years. She must have a hiding place where she stashes secret stuff."

  "Let's go there as soon as we finish the interview with Bee. Speaking of the interview, let's go a bit early to give us a little more time to search the old mansion. Sharon you come with us." said Stacy as they all stood up to leave. As usual Rory picked up the tab, he often wondered if his boss Connie, back east, ever realized his was the one with the largest expense account. What he did not know was that his expenses were low compared to back east where prices were double of Oregon.

  Bee Haven was a little taken aback by having five people invade her small house that morning. Stacy said, "Sorry that we're so many, but most are here just to observe. Detective Ben Razor will ask most of the questions. Just look at him and ignore the rest of us please. Never mind adding any chairs as we can stand out of the way very easily."

  "That's fine with me Marshall. I'm here to help, not hinder the investigation. You may ask any questions you like. I'm well aware that in a murder inquiry that personal questions have to be brought up. Now sit where you can and if you would like, fetch some chairs from the kitchen."

  Rory brought two chairs in for Sharon and Stacy. Sam got one for himself and Rory stood out of the vision of the suspect. Ben sat opposite Bee in an old sofa, its springs made a noise that it was not comfortable with the invaders. Bee sat in an arm chair that she had moved special for the occasion. It sat in front of a small fireplace that had been closed up for many years.

  Ben asked, "Ms. Haven, who do you think murdered Gloria Abrams?"

  The question was just pointed enough to get her attention and make her think about the answer. She said, while holding one hand to her neck, "I've really no idea who killed her. I certainly didn't that's for sure. I might have had reason enough, but that wa so long ago that if I had intentions of killing her, well, I'd of done it years ago."

  "So you can't think of anyone in the book club, or the house keeper that might have killed her?"

  "Well, maybe the house keeper. Kay has always held a grudge. I've known her for years. I know she was shown a document that would give her some of the monies from the will. That was true of all of us at one time. Then she came out with the news a few weeks ago that none of us, including Kay, would receive a dime of her money. I for one was devastated. I'm on a very tight budget as you can see. That gift would have made my life much easier."

  "Ms. Haven, you've just given us a motive that you might have murdered Gloria Abrams," said Ben looking into her blood shot eyes. It definitely, the red eyes, showed all of them that she was not objecting to a morning bracer.

  "Perhaps so, Mr. Detective, but try and prove it," she said bowing her back just a little.

  "Let's hope your fingerprints don't match those on the bottle that contained the poison," said Ben. That comment brought her back to the forefront of the interview.

  "I'd say you'd find the housekeeper’s prints on it most likely," said Bee tamping her hair to make sure it was all in place. Stacy noticed that she had sprayed her hair extra long to keep it in place this morning. Most ladies over or past Social Security, have hair loss, but also have nice silver hair. Bee was one of those elderly ladies with nice hair.

  "We need to know, as you're the treasurer of the book club, the current state of affairs of the books. In other words, how much is in the bank," asked Ben.

  Eyes to the ceiling, sagging neck skin stretched, she said, "As of last meeting we have a little over thirteen thousand in the bank. The only time we spend money is on a member's birthday. The largest expenditure was the smoke eater. Every time a member brought up a trip to a book or writers conference, Gloria would not agree even if we took a vote! Now we can go to a writer's conference without that old bag's interference."

  "How did you view adding the new member Sara Horner," asked Ben.

  "She's a money grabber. I saw right away – as she buddy upped to Gloria – she wanted some investment funds for her husband's business. Other than that she seemed well spoken and polite."

  "I think that will suffice for the time being Ms. Haven. There's a reading of the will later after lunch. We'll be there to observe and to listen to what the will contains," said Ben rising up to leave. “Do you by chance need a ride?

  After lunch, the entire investigative team went to the Abrams mansion. James was on hand as well. Sharon enjoyed being around him and
the looks between them did not go unnoticed by Stacy. She smiled thinking that a worse match could be had. The camera position was secure. Chairs were set up for the team from the kitchen area. It appeared that Sam was the most excited about being there knowing what a giant surprise awaited the book club members.

  The first to arrive was Nancy Brown, the new president due to the death of the former president. She never looked at anyone as she strode in, acting like she owned the place. Sam's nose took a whiff of her cheap perfume. He took out a clean handkerchief and blew his nose. Nancy took the seat to the right of the head of the table where the attorney would conduct the business. As soon as he finished she would move chairs to conduct the meeting she had called for.

  In a short time all the members had arrived and taken their places at the dining room table. The last to arrive was Attorney Brad Mason. He said, "Sorry I'm late as I had a hard time finding a parking place along the road. I asked a distant neighbor if I could park in her drive way for a while and she graciously granted me permission. Now, I see we're all here?"

  Kay had been in the kitchen brewing some coffee when she heard the attorney come in. She came to the dining room and sat down in a chair by the kitchen doorway. Brad noticed and nodded at Kay. He wondered why she did not take a seat at the table when there was room for her at the far end. He quickly dismissed the thought and said, "We're all here I presume?"

  "Yes, all are here." said Nancy Brown almost before he finished speaking.

  "I'll begin with the stipulations that pertain to each of the members of the book club," he said looking up at and gazing around the table as if to see if there was any drool about to drip on somebody's chin.

  "Each book club member," he read off all the names of the members, "will receive twenty five thousand dollars each," he let it sink in by looking up at the table. Sharon was filming and the others of the team were watching the expressions of each member. All but one sat with open mouths with hands flying to their mouths to cover the open hole. The exception was Sara Horner who was, most likely, used to having big dollar numbers floating around.

  Meanwhile, after the loud whispers became silent, Brad Mason continued, "To the house keeper and nurse Kay Strong, receives fifty thousand dollars."

  A gasp was heard and then a sound of a body falling to the floor made every one look at where the sound came from. The lawyer saw her first lying on the floor apparently she had fainted from hearing she would soon be fifty thousand dollars richer. Kay was helped by Rory and James back into her chair. Someone took an old magazine to fan her with. She came around and apologized to everyone for her lack of control. She said, "She told me just the other day that she'd broken her promise to me about receiving a settlement after she passed on. I can't believe it at all. She, even in her grave, is still playing games with our heads. I'm sorry but I really do hate that woman."

  "Please let me continue," said Brad Mason. "I've a clause to read that I missed when I first read the will. It says, 'If anyone of the members passes on, that an extra fifty thousand dollars goes to each of the surviving members until there is nobody left. I found a letter in my safe that was to be read after she died. In the letter she thought that someone might kill her so she put in the will a motive for the killer to repeat by killing another member for the fifty thousand extra dollars. I know what some of you are thinking, but even though this is highly irregular, nevertheless, it's legal and binding."

  Dead silence was heard except for the clocks that were still ticking away. Meanwhile the camera was still recording the scene. Sharon thought she had some priceless expressions that would be vital to the recording Stacy was doing.

  Stacy was fuming, she was so mad. How could this rich old lady invite a killer to kill again? A better question might when would the killer strike again? This whole thing was absurd. Only the killer knew who she was. Maybe she would lie low or would she strike while the iron was hot and maybe blame it on another member. No matter what, this was over the top. It was time for her to call her boss back in D.C. If for no other reason, Connie would have some thoughts to give her.

  Brad broke her thoughts and said, "I think I'm finished here for now. If all of you will be so kind as to supply my office with your bank information, the monies will be transferred in about ten days. I bid you all good luck and good bye."

  It was a stream of book club members filed out leaving only Kay the housekeeper to clean up. While Stacy and her team gathered around the table to discuss the next move, Sharon packed up her equipment with James help. Stacy said:

  "This added addendum has truly thrown a new wrinkle in the case. It just invites the next murder to happen. The initial twenty five thousand will not last long. As we all know, the first murder is the hardest. After that they get easier for the killer. We don't need another homicide as concerns the book club. Only two of them have husbands and the rest are single women living alone. Has any of you any ideas?"

  Only Ben had his head up looking around at the Rory and Sam fussing with something on the table. Ben said, "Let's go look for a hiding place upstairs. With our minds being occupied with something other than the possible upcoming murder, this will distract us for awhile. Maybe later we can arrive at something to go on."

  "Good idea. Let’s first ask Kay what she might know about a hiding place. Sharon went to the kitchen to ask Kay to join the group at the table. Kay came in drying her hands on a kitchen towel. Stacy asked, "Kay would you know of a place that Gloria might have stashed some papers or correspondence so nobody could find them?"

  "You mean like a secret hiding place?" asked Kay.

  "Exactly," said Stacy. "Maybe in her bedroom or at a writing table or library?"

  "Let me think for a minute." With her hand to her chin, eyes cast down, she mulled the thought around. Her head came up and said, "A number of times I'd bring the mail in and leave it on the dining room table. She'd look it over and then ride her chair up the stairs. If she hid anything it would be upstairs."

  Stacy said, after they arrived at the master bedroom, "Let's wait for a few minutes while Sherlock Razor snoops out the hiding place. I'm told," she went on, "that he's never lost a golf ball."

  Rory was cracking up because he knew Ben never played the game. Sharon did not know whether to laugh of not. However, when she saw Stacy smiling and even Ben had cracked a grin, she went for it and so did James. During the course of her working with the team she had come to know that Ben was very good at finding clues.

  Ben went to work systematically from the entrance door around the entire perimeter. Rory and James moved the bed away from the wall so a closer examination would be available. All stood watching him move foot by foot down one wall and on around the room. Kay stood with her mouth open wondering if there was a secret door or place that was built way back before the second big war.

  Of course, the first place one looked was behind the hanging pictures of various scenes. There was nothing of interest behind the pictures. That was just too obvious. However, when Ben arrived at the wall opposite the master bed, there stood a wall to wall bookcase full of old books. Kay said, "About once a month I'd dust those book shelves. Gloria told me one time that there're some first editions that are worth some money shelved there. I wonder what will happen to them."

  Ben noticed that one section of books was history. Another held an old set of encyclopedias, while the third from last and the last one held novels of various genres. He retraced his steps back to the history section. There he discovered one shelf of history books covering the Pacific North West. He looked further and saw a geography book of the history of Oregon. Next to it was a thick book on tales of the Oregon Southwest Coast. Ben pulled it out and with all eyes on him, opened it up to reveal a collection of letters inside where someone had cut out a place for postcards and small envelopes. He turned around to show his newly found treasure without cracking a smile.

  Stacy immediately walked over and peered inside. She took one envelope out and looked at the addresses. T
he return address is what she was looking for. It read: Erica Abrams Kant. It was postmarked from Kansas. Stacy said, "Well, we have our first lead in this case. Everybody take a shelf and open each and every book. If there're more, we want them all. Sharon, take all of the correspondence by date from oldest to newest. Let's see if we can find the elusive missing daughter.

  -7-

  After combing the house, Stacy and team went back to the station to sort through the correspondence. After Ben's find, there was only one more book with postcards and envelopes. Sharon had found it and was so proud. Ben gave her a high five to show his happiness for her. James wanted to give her a hug, but maybe later he could heap a bunch of praise on her.

  "Let's start at the beginning and work back," said Stacy. "I want find out where she is presently. Sharon, what's the latest written correspondence so far?"

  "The most recent is dated just before Christmas last year. It's a Christmas card and it reads: 'Dear Mother, Me and the kids are fine. We'd hoped to come see you over the holidays, but my work prevented the time off. I work, these days, for an assisted living complex. The kids and I are looking forward to your annual Christmas presents. Your loving daughter Erica.' The return address is Omaha, Nebraska. It shouldn't be hard to track her down."

  "Go for it," said Stacy. "Let's see if we can make contact before it gets later back in the Midwest."

  Rory said, "I know contacting her is important, but we've a killer to find. So far all we have is five suspects and haven't narrowed it down to a prime suspect. What's our next move?"

  "That's a good question, Tall Man. What do you suggest we do?" asked Stacy with a big smile. Everyone could see she was in a good mood. What that meant was she was getting closer to finding the killer, but not a soul knew how or why she had a real suspect in mind. Rory, when he thought about it, just shrugged his shoulders, as if he really did not care how she determined who killed the victim. Ben, on the other hand, struggled with looking for hints or small pieces of the puzzle to home in on the killer. He realized she was better with female killer rather than men, but that did not slow her down much.