by Ann Mullen
“Don’t you want to see what kind of damage was done?”
“No thanks,” Daisy replied. “I’ll pass. If I have to look at my foot, I’ll puke. I’m telling you the truth when I say that I can’t stand the sight of blood. Please, leave my foot alone. Let the doctors take care of it.”
That statement did it for me. If Daisy couldn’t stand the sight of blood, then she surely couldn’t pull off a murder… at least, I didn’t think so.
Sirens blared in the background as flashing lights lit up the front yard.
I never did get a chance to question Daisy further. The paramedics stabilized her foot for transport and she was out the door within minutes.
“Shouldn’t one of us go with her?” Mom asked before the ambulance pulled away.
“No,” I said. “She has her husband to take care of her. He’ll be there soon. Don’t worry about Daisy. She can take care of herself.”
Our living room had now become a crime scene.
Two police officers were walking around, asking questions and taking pictures. Once they were satisfied with the answers, they politely left with the promise that they would return if necessary.
They bagged the .38 as evidence.
“I think we have everything we need,” one of the officers said just before he turned and walked out the door.
“I’m beginning to doubt her involvement in those Middle River murders,” Mom said. “I think Daisy might be innocent.”
“That’s strange,” Billy said as he closed the door behind himself. “Some of her statements make me think the same thing.”
“Like what statement?” I asked.
“Take that gun for instance. She swears that Gabe doesn’t own a .22 handgun. She swore the .38 was the only gun they have.”
“That did bother me a bit.”
“Now if that’s the truth, then we might be on the wrong path. We might need to back up and reevaluate the situation.”
“Middle River murders, huh? Now that’s an interesting thought,” I said. “All the women who died lived on Middle River Road, with the exception of Alice Aikens. She lived on Teel Mountain Road.”
“I don’t think where they lived had anything to do with why they were killed... or does it? Maybe the location is the key. Perhaps it has a lot to do with why they were killed.”
“I don’t know, but if Daisy isn’t the killer, I’d bet that whoever killed those women lives nearby. Maybe we should be looking for someone in the neighborhood with a grudge.”
“Yeah,” Mom agreed. “Perhaps there was someone who wanted to join the club, but wasn’t accepted and now she wants revenge.”
“You could have a point,” Billy said.
“I guess it’s time for me to put on a pot of coffee,” Mom said. “I don’t think we’re going back to bed. We need to come up with some answers and we need to do it quickly before someone else gets hurt.”
“You’re right about that. I couldn’t sleep now if I had to,” I said. “I have too much on my mind… too many questions.”
“I have a few of my own,” Billy said.
“I think we should go to the hospital this afternoon and talk to Daisy. I’m sure they won’t release her today, not after she just shot herself in the foot. I’m sure she did a lot of damage that will require surgery.”
“That’s a good idea,” Billy said. “She’s going to be at her weakest point now and there’s no telling what she might say.”
‘That’s right,” I added. “When someone is in pain, they’re likely to say anything. She might even confess if we push her hard enough.”
“If she has anything to confess to,” Billy said. “I’m not so sure anymore. I don’t know what to think.”
“I’m just amazed she didn’t scream the whole time,” Mom said. “Shooting yourself in the foot with a .38 must be painful. I’d be in a tizzy.”
“You can bet she’ll have trouble with that foot the rest of her life,” Billy said. “A .38 is a powerful gun. I’m surprised we didn’t have to pick up pieces of her foot, or a few toes.”
“Yuck,” I said, gagging. I looked at Billy. “I guess I should clean up this bloody mess. Oh, Lord. What a gross sight.”
“What an awful thought!” Mom said. “The idea of picking up someone’s toes off our floor makes me nauseated.”
“Don’t worry, Mom,” I said. “There aren’t any toes on the floor... just blood. I’ll clean it up. You go sit down.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Billy said.
“No, I will,” I said. “You have to take care of the holes in the floor.”
Billy looked down and then back up at me.
“I’ll have to patch them with duct tape and throw a scatter rug over them for now. As soon as I can get the material, I’ll cut out the hardwood planks and replace them with new wood. That’s going to be a job.”
“I’ll help clean up the blood,” Mom said as she grabbed a roll of paper towels and went to work.
I walked into the kitchen, opened a cabinet, took out a roll of paper towels and then went to work helping Mom.
We stuffed the bloody paper towels in a plastic bag and once the job was finished, I handed the bag to Billy.
“Will you burn this in the pit out back? I don’t want the smell of blood in my trash can. It’s too gross to even think about.”
Billy took the bag and went out back. A few minutes later he returned and confirmed that the job had been done.
“What do we do now?” Mom asked. “I know Jesse won’t let it rest until she’s had a chance to interrogate Daisy.”
“How about some breakfast?” Billy asked. “I’ll cook.”
Mom and I walked over to the table and sat down. We both let out a little chuckle when I said, “We’ll wait right here.”
Billy mumbled something when his back was turned to us, then turned around to face us.
“You two are so much alike.”
Mom and I looked at each other and smiled.
“I guess we are,” she said. “I bet you didn’t expect to get me in this marriage deal, did you?”
Billy smiled and said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Chapter 19
Not too long after breakfast, Billy and I worked on a few chores around the house that had been long overdue, and when finished, we joined Mom in the family room to plan our next move. He bounced Maisy on his lap and I rocked Ethan as we listened to Mom’s take on the situation.
“We need to go see Daisy,” Mom said. “I saw the look on her face when we accused her of murder. It was the look of astonishment, not guilt.”
“All the evidence leads right to her doorstep, right at her feet,” I said.
“Is that supposed to be a pun?” Billy joked.
“The truth speaks for itself.”
“I know all the evidence points to her,” Mom said. “Evidence can be misleading. How many times has a person been convicted who was actually innocent? Plenty of times, I can tell you! I just read in the paper the other day about a man who spent six years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and that’s not the first time I’ve read something like that.”
“I see a tale heading our way.”
“I say we dig under every rock before we lay the blame at her feet,” Mom suggested. “I have no doubts that she knew nothing about her brother’s attempt on our lives. And you know the cops are going to charge her with attempted murder because she came over here with a gun looking for her brother’s killer. That’s probably the only crime she ever committed. She was upset. She wasn’t going to harm us.”
“I can see you’ve given this much thought,” Billy said.
“Yes, I have.”
Mom looked pale and my fears concerning her health were resurfacing. In the past few weeks, she had suffered a heart attack, endured surgery and last, but not least, stabbed a man in the neck with a butcher knife. I think I can safely say that the man died from that wound. It didn’t matter that I hit him on the head with a
bowling trophy… the knife to the neck did the trick. And Mom has to live with this trauma. That’s enough to bring even the strongest person down.
“I think you should take the day off and go horseback riding with Sarah. I talked to her earlier and she said she hadn’t ridden her horse in days. I suggested that the two of you go for a ride. She concurred. She suggested that she ride her horse over here, and I’m sure Billy won’t mind throwing a saddle on Dusty or Rusty for you. Which horse would you prefer?”
“I see what you’re trying to do,” Mom hissed. “You’re trying to get me out of the way. You don’t think I can carry my weight.”
“That’s not the case at all. I just think you need a break. You’ve been going nonstop for weeks. Please, do this for me. My nerves are frayed from worrying about you. Billy and I can handle everything from now on, and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.”
“I guess I could spare an hour or so to go riding. When we come back, Sarah and I can watch the kids while you and Billy go rough up poor Daisy.”
“Now why didn’t I think of that?”
Billy didn’t make a comment. He turned and headed out to the stables to saddle up a horse for Mom.
Mom called Sarah. When she returned, we sat on the floor and played with Maisy. Ethan had fallen asleep and was now in his bassinet over in the corner.
“You’re so lucky, Jesse,” Mom said. “Billy’s the best thing that has ever happened to you. I was worried for a time. I was so afraid you’d wind up alone. You have a big house out in the country, two kids and a husband who loves you. This makes me so happy.”
“All good things come to those who wait. Isn’t that what you’ve always said?”
“Yes, and I was right, wasn’t I?”
“Yes, you were, Mom. You’re always right.”
“I’m not right all the time, but this time I’m pretty sure I’m right about Daisy. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Perhaps you just want to believe she’s innocent.”
“I see your point.”
Billy walked in and announced that the horse was ready and waiting.
“Come on,” he said. “I saddled Rusty for you and I just saw Mom coming across the field.”
“Is Rusty the red one?” she asked as she stood up. “The red horse is the one I rode before. I like him, but I don’t like to look at his you-know-what.”
I had to laugh out loud. “Then don’t look, Mom!”
“I bet you think I’m being silly.”
“No, I don’t,” I replied. “I know how you are, but Mom, we can’t put underwear on the horse.”
“Now you are making fun of me!”
“Go riding and have fun. We’ll be ready to leave when you get back.”
Two hours later, Mom and Sarah walked in the back door. They both looked tired from the ride, but at least Mom had her color back.
“That was refreshing! I’m so glad you suggested we go for a ride, Jesse. We had the best time. And that horse is so gentle. I think he could sense that I was nervous. Animals are so amazing. The horses are bedded down and are in their stalls. Sarah showed me what to do.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves,” I said as I grabbed Billy by the arm and headed to the front door. “We’ll be back soon. Both the kids are taking a nap. When they wake up, be sure to give Maisy an extra hug. She fell and conked her head.”
“Is she okay?”
“It wasn’t serious, but you know how she likes attention.”
“She sounds just like someone I know,” Mom said, looking over at me and smiling.
“I know you’re not talking about me.”
Mom made some kind of puffing noise, propped her hand on her hip and said, “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that you gave birth to this child. She’s just like you!”
“Pooh on you,” I said as I picked up my handbag and walked out the front door.
“We’ll be back soon,” Billy said as he followed me.
Once in the car, I looked around and said, “I really like this Toyota. Thanks so much, Billy. You made a good choice.”
“That’s my job. You tell me what to do and I do it.”
We continued our chatter until we reached the parking garage at the University of Virginia Hospital. Billy wasn’t convinced of Daisy’s guilt anymore, and after listening to him, neither was I. Something she had said had changed our minds. We both agreed that if Gabe didn’t own a .22 caliber handgun then it was possible that she might be telling the truth about other things after all. We were determined to get to the bottom of the story.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t a police officer posted outside Daisy’s hospital room door.
“I thought she was under arrest. Don’t they usually post a cop by the door for anyone who’s under arrest?”
“I guess they figured she wasn’t going to run.”
I had to snicker. “Oh, Billy, you’re terrible. That was a horrible joke.”
“It made you laugh.”
“Yeah, but…”
We stopped when we got close to her room. The door was ajar and we could hear someone talking. Being the snoopy detectives that we are, we stood outside and listened.
“I never should’ve let him live by himself,” we heard Daisy say. “The doctor said he would need constant supervision. It’s my fault he tried to kill himself. If I hadn’t tried to keep them apart…”
“You’re not to blame,” a man responded.
“Yes, I am. I’m the one who made up all those lies about her. I didn’t think she was good enough for him. I wanted my brother to have a home and a family, and I knew she’d never give that to him. She was a tramp! My brother tried to kill himself over her… and he failed. He tried to hang himself and we came to his rescue. That was probably the worst thing we could’ve done. He suffered brain damage and then lived his life in purgatory. Half the time he didn’t know who he was. It’s my fault! I ruined his life. If he’d just died that day, he never would’ve had to suffer like he did.”
“You can’t blame yourself,” the man said.
I peeked into the room and saw Gabe holding Daisy’s hand. He looked up and saw me standing by the door.
“You might as well come in,” Daisy said. “I assume you’ve been standing outside the room listening to our conversation. I know you have questions, so ask them. I have nothing to hide… anymore. My brother is dead and I’ll probably go to jail. I’ve lost everything except Gabe. I know he’ll stand by me.”
Billy and I walked into the room and stood by her bed.
“How’s your foot?” I asked.
Her foot was wrapped in white bandages and suspended in the air from a metal contraption like you’d see on television.
After hearing her confession, I felt sorry for the woman. The picture was becoming clear. Daisy had broken up the relationship between Kansas and his girlfriend, and in return, Kansas had tried to commit suicide, but failed. He was to live the rest of his life out in a world unfamiliar to most of us. Brain damage not only destroys the brain, but turns the lives of everyone involved upside down. Maybe that was our answer as to why he killed all those animals. Was it possible that he thought he was giving them a home and love, but in the process, he actually did love them to death? I’ve heard of children who hugged a pet so tightly that they choked the life out of the animal. Was this what happened with Kansas? Did he try to give love to strays and didn’t realize that he was killing them? The thought of this almost made me cry. It was so sad to think about what his life must have been like.
“I’ll recover,” Daisy hissed. “I was lucky. It could’ve been worse, I guess. Unfortunately, they couldn’t save my little toe, but other than that, I’m going to be all right. I’m sure you’re not concerned about my foot, so just say what you have to say and then leave. I’m sure I’ll see you again when you testify against me in court. I hope you’re happy.”
“Don’t blame me for…”
Billy gave me one of his looks and r
aised his hand to silence me.
I shut up.
“We’re not here to harass you,” he said. “We just want some answers. If you help us out, maybe we can help you.”
“How are you going to help me?”
“We can keep you from going to jail if they decide to charge you.”
“Oh, yeah, and how are you going to do that?”
“The way I see it, you came to our house to ask questions. You had a gun on you for your own protection.”
“That’s right,” I said. “A lot of women carry guns these days. It’s not safe out there. The gun accidentally discharged.”
“But didn’t you already give a statement to the police?”
“We told the cops that you paid us a surprise visit, but we never said that you threatened us.”
“That’s right,” I added. “We told the police that the gun went off accidentally, because it did. We never said you tried to kill either of us. And I’m sure you didn’t admit that you had any intentions of shooting any of us, did you?”
“No, I didn’t,” Daisy whispered as she hung her head. When she looked back up, she asked, “Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to help me?”
“Too many people have been hurt for no reason.”
Billy and I stood, waiting for a reaction.
Daisy stared at us and then burst into tears. “I didn’t kill anyone. I know that’s what you’re here for. You want to know about my friends who died. I swear that I didn’t do it. I couldn’t hurt anyone.” She looked away.
I knew she was hiding something. She had a deep, dark secret. I was certain of this and I wanted to know what it was.
“I think there’s more here than meets the eye. What are you not telling us, Daisy?”
Daisy didn’t say anything; instead, she looked up at Gabe and cried harder. Her hands trembled and there was a noticeable twitch in her left eye. Her lip quivered.
“Let’s tell them, Daisy,” he said. “The truth is bound to come out eventually.”
It took a bit, but Daisy finally regained her composure and said, “I did a terrible thing. I wasn’t trying to kill her; I just wanted everyone to see her as unfit to be our club president. That position should’ve been mine. I was the one who always…”