“Thanks, Mabel. I appreciate your kindness. Nathan said I should come and talk to you. I wasn’t sure why you wanted to see me. When he said it was about my brother, I expected the worst. It’s been very hard to fit in here in Parson’s Cove. Because of my family, I think I will always be an outcast.”
“No, don’t you ever think that, Carly. People can’t judge you by your family. You make your own name for yourself. Folks are more open-minded than what we give them credit for sometimes. The ones who aren’t, aren’t worth knowing anyway.”
Her eyes filled again. She took out a tissue and wiped them.
“There are so many lies being told about me, Mabel. I don’t know if I can live them down. At the hospital, I see some of the women walk on the other side of the corridor so they don’t have to be close to me. Some even leave the room when I come in. I’m forever grateful to Bobby Joe for giving me this job, but I don’t know if I can handle the stress.”
“Carly, don’t pay any attention to those stupid old women. They’re all a bunch of gossipers. But I do want to ask you a question: do they have any reason for saying these things? Be honest with me. I don’t care about your past one bit. It’s the now that counts.”
She sighed and wiped a few remaining tears away.
“It’s true I was pretty wild when I was young. My brothers brought their friends to the farm and they used to party. It was bad, Mabel, but I never gave in to any of those boys. I would party with the best of them, but I was never having fun. Do you know what I mean? It seemed like I didn’t have a choice. Now I know that I did have choices but I guess what I really needed was someone to talk to and tell me how to act and what to do. I was very angry at my mother back then.”
“So what did you do, Carly?”
“I left the farm. I was only sixteen but I hitchhiked to the city and got a job working in a restaurant. I slept in shelters until I made enough to rent a room. When I was seventeen, I got married.”
“I never knew you were married. What happened?”
“He left me. It wasn’t all his fault either, Mabel. I had no idea how to be a wife or a mother.”
“You have a child?”
The tears ran down again. I handed her a tissue from the box I keep on the counter for Flori. It’s a good thing Flori wasn’t here because she would be in a crying heap listening to Carly’s story.
“I’m sorry, Mabel. This is the first time I’ve cried in months. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She tried to smile.
“I guess it’s time you had one then. We all need a good cry now and again, Carly, so just let it out.” I didn’t want to tell her I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d cried. Not counting the time I peeled onions, of course.
“My son is with his dad and his stepmom.” She blew her nose and gathered her composure. “I guess I’m like my mother, aren’t I?”
“Don’t compare yourself to anyone. You were young and you had no experience. Does your son have a good home? Do you ever get to see him?”
“He has a stable home. I did try to see him but we found that it was too confusing for him so I gave him up. His dad sends me pictures. That’s all I have of him.”
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea. Does anyone else know all the things you’ve been through? Does Robert Campbell?”
“No. My father and brothers don’t even know. There’s no need to tell them.”
“What about Robert Campbell, Carly? Where does he fit into this picture?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. He doesn’t fit into any picture with me but he seems to fit into my father’s world. He has some kind of hold over my father.”
“He has a hold over him? What do you mean?”
“Ever since he was a teenager, Bobby Joe would come over and he and my dad would have all these private conversations. At first, I thought it was about me because I had this huge crush on him.” She laughed. “I actually thought he loved me too but I finally realized he wasn’t coming over to visit me, he was coming to pester Pa. They had some terrible arguments. One time Pa saw him coming and took out his shotgun. The boys and I had to wrestle him to the ground to stop him from shooting Bobby Joe. Of course, I thought it was because Pa thought Bobby Joe was taking advantage of me and he wanted to protect me.” She shook her head. “To this day, I have no idea what goes on between those two.”
“Well, I’m glad that he offered you the job at the hospital. He must have some sort of feeling for you still.”
“I think too much has happened over the years but we can still be friends. I appreciate all that he’s doing to help me.” She stood up and handed me her cup. “Thank you so much, Mabel. I’m sorry to dump all this on you.” She smiled. “I’ll be all right.”
I’m not a hugging type of person but I couldn’t help putting my arms around her. If anyone needed hugs, it was Carly.
At the door, she paused. “I know what people say about me, Mabel. I’ve had men come to my house, prominent men who have wives and families, and they assume I would be grateful for their visits and money. Well, they left disappointed so I know by the way people treat me that these men have made up lies about me.”
“Never mind those jerks. You keep on getting your life back in order. My door is always open. You come in here or to my house any time, Carly. Don’t forget I’m on my own too and it’s good to have someone to talk with sometimes.” I grinned. “Although I do have four cats. You’re welcome to come and visit with them too. My cat, Sammy, took to Brady right off.”
She laughed her beautiful laugh.
“Maybe things will work out for Brady and me yet,” she said.
I hoped they would.
Chapter Eighteen
Flori phoned that night and we talked for almost two hours. My hand finally went numb so I had to tell her I’d have to go.
“Can’t you hold the phone with your other hand, Mabel?”
“No,” I said. “The other hand is asleep too because it’s tired. My body is also tired, Flori, and it wants to go to bed.”
“Oh, Mabel,” she screeched, “You’re hilarious. Well, don’t worry, I’ll only be at Junior’s for another few days. They’re doing well on their own. What a lovely home they have. I wish you could see it.”
“You’ve already described it to me in minute detail. If there’s any more, you’ll have to save it up for another day.”
“But what have you been up to, Mabel? I’ve been so busy telling you about my new grandson and Jakie’s new house I haven’t heard anything about your week.”
“Nothing to say, Flori. You’re the one who has the exciting life. When I have an extra five minutes, I’ll fill you in.”
“Oh, Mabel, you crack me up. I’m sorry you aren’t having any excitement in your life right now but isn’t it better than trying to solve a murder? A boring life has its advantages, you know.”
“Yes, I do know. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Flori. Goodnight.”
I had a hard time getting to sleep that night. Carly’s life was such a tragic one and the people of Parson’s Cove were not helping matters at all. Somehow, I was going to clear her name. It wasn’t fair that one person should have to suffer through so much. It was bad enough that her mother abandoned her at such an early age. I couldn’t help but wonder if Carly had tried to contact her. She was an adult now. She didn’t have to answer to her father. Would she like me to help her find her mother?
That, my conscience said, was taking on too much. Sometimes, Mabel Wickles, you have to mind your own business.
I knew there was something wrong with the picture though. I could talk to Reg in the morning but since he’d probably be busy with his important work of taking care of the town, I’d give Sheriff Jim a call. Besides, I could get Jim to do things that Reg would never do.
My sleep was troubled that night. It might have been the gin and tonic I had before turning in. Whatever the cause, I kept dreaming about Carly crying for her son. Then, her father showed up in my dream, spitting to
bacco juice and sticking his shotgun in my face. By morning, I was happy to get out of bed.
I did miss having Flori coming in for coffee but it was better talking to Jim without her around. She wouldn’t be too happy if I got entangled in a mystery again.
The coffee was percolating and Jim's favorite muffin was all ready for him when he walked in the door at the shop.
I wished Jim could find a wife and settle down. It isn’t easy being a sheriff in a small town. There aren’t many choices. It’s true Jim wasn’t the most handsome man but he had many redeeming qualities. I mean good ones besides being able to open locked doors with a credit card.
“Thanks for coming, Jim.” I poured his coffee and put a muffin on a plate for him. I waited until he was comfortable before bringing up my worries.
“I’m very concerned about something, Jim.”
“Oh? What’s that?” Jim said with his mouth full. It was almost like talking to Reg but Jim was a much younger thinner version. However, they both had the same table manners.
“Carly Patterson and Robert Campbell.”
His eyes bulged. “Why?”
“She’s being treated like something that she’s not and Robert is being treated like something that he probably isn’t either.”
He swallowed slowly. “Okay. Not sure where you’re going with this but I’ll listen as I eat my other muffin.”
So without going into all the details, I told Jim how Carly would like to live a normal life. I didn’t mention her marriage or son. When it came to Robert Campbell, I told him about his friendship with Mr. Patterson and that something was not right. Why would Pa Patterson put up with Robert if he hated him enough to want to kill him? Why would Carly say that Robert had a ‘hold’ on her father?
Jim nodded and said, “I’ll check into it, Mabel.” He stood up.
“And while you’re at it, Jim, see if you can find any information on Carly’s mother. She disappeared when Carly was a child but she’s never resurfaced. Now that her children are grown why wouldn’t she try to contact them?”
“I think Reg was looking into some files on that one day. I’ll do a check too, Mabel.” He put his cap on. “Good thing everything is quiet in Parson’s Cove. This will give me something to do.” He grinned. “Besides going fishing, that is.”
“Thanks, Jim,” I called to him before he jumped into his truck.
Life would be so much simpler if we could just sit in a boat and fish.
Chapter Nineteen
On Monday morning, there was a knock on the door. My first thought was it might be Ettie dropping in for a cup of coffee. Ever since we’d seen Robert driving into Patterson’s farm, she’d kept to herself most of the time. It worried me but I didn’t want to intrude too much in her life. Although as Reg would probably say, ‘since when?’
When I opened the door, it was Jim and Scully standing there.
“Mabel, do you have a few minutes? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
“And,” Scully said, “maybe you have a few muffins left.”
“Haven’t you had breakfast, Scully?”
He grinned. “No, ma’am. When Jim said we’d be dropping by here, I threw out my bacon and eggs just so I could have one of your muffins.”
I laughed. “Yes, I’m sure you did, Scully. Well, don’t stand there, come on in.”
They settled themselves at the table and after I’d poured the coffee and they’d each eaten about half their muffin, I said, “So what’s this about, Jim?”
“I did some digging, Mabel. Scully and I talked with the cop who checked out Mrs. Patterson’s disappearance. Of course, he’s retired now and he lives up on the east side of the lake. Got a cute cabin up there. He was quite interested when we said we were looking into the case again. In fact, he suggested that we have a talk with Robert Campbell.”
“Really? Why?”
“Because he said Mrs. Campbell went to him once, very concerned about her son. She told him that Robert used to sneak up onto the roof at night just to get away from his brothers and sisters. It was sort of his secret hiding place. Well, it turns out that one night they heard a shotgun go off but no one paid attention because the Pattersons were always hunting or target shooting. That night, however, she thought that maybe Robert ran across the road to check it out. She couldn’t find him when he was supposed to be in bed and he wasn’t up on the roof. When she questioned him, he denied going across the road and said he’d been out in the barn looking at the new colt. At the time, she believed him but she also noticed that he became very quiet after that and spent more time by himself.”
He paused to take a drink of coffee.
“So?” I said. “What did the sheriff do about it?”
“He had a little talk with Robert but there wasn’t anything he could do. The boy wouldn’t say a word to him. He said it has always bothered him because when he asked the boy if he’d seen Mr. Patterson shoot at something, he didn’t answer but he got an odd expression on his face.”
“So he thinks Robert Campbell may have seen Paul Patterson shoot someone?”
“He said that thought has always bothered him. Did they let someone get away with murder? After Mrs. Patterson disappeared, they searched the lake and the property. There was an old abandoned well not far from the road and they lowered someone down into it but didn’t find anything. If Mr. Patterson murdered his wife, he did a good job of hiding the body.”
“Did they search the old house?”
He nodded. “Yep, he said they went through everything. If there was a body, it had disappeared.”
“What about the woods? There must be a hundred places to bury a body out there.”
“That’s the only conclusion he could come to. They did comb the whole area but couldn’t find a grave.”
“What about the lake?”
“Don’t forget, by the time they were contacted, she’d been gone several weeks. Carly was the one who told her teacher that her mother had left. I think if it hadn’t been for her, everyone would still think she was living out there.”
“And the lake?”
“By that time, if there was a body, it would’ve probably washed up along the shore.”
“Or be resting on the bottom of the lake.”
“And that’s a deep lake, Mabel.”
“So, Jim, what are we going to do?”
His eyebrows went up. “We?”
“Well, I don’t see anyone else doing anything.”
“The thing is, Mabel, we don’t have a body.”
“I guess that does complicate matters. It only complicates it for you though. A cop can only do so much. I can ask questions and nobody pays attention. I’m not breaking any of the rules. Right?”
Scully, who for the first time in his life had kept quiet for ten minutes said, “Hey, you’re right, Mabel. You don’t even need a search warrant. Only thing is, you could get shot for trespassing and if we went in with a search warrant, we couldn’t.”
“You mean you’re bullet proof, Scully?”
He laughed. “I mean he might think twice about shooting a cop, right?”
“Don’t count on it, Scully,” Jim said. “I’ve heard that even drug dealers are sometimes afraid to go there. In fact, if Barkley was the one minding the gate, we might be looking for a few more bodies out in the woods.”
“I agree, Jim. I wonder what would’ve happened if he’d been there when I went? You might be out hunting for me, Scully. Mabel Wickles disappeared off the face of the earth and her body was never found.”
“Don’t joke, Mabel,” Jim said. “That's something I’ve always worried about. You’re too reckless sometimes.”
“No, she isn't,” Scully said. “She’s too brave, that’s her problem.” He turned and gave me a wink.
“Well,” I said. “Dead is dead whether you’re stupid or brave and I don’t want to be that.”
“Could we get a search warrant and go hunting for their still?”
�
�I suppose we could, Scully,” Jim said. “However, others have tried it and came out with nothing. They say that still is hidden so well and there are so many booby traps that it’s nearly impossible.”
“What if you have a talk with Dr. Campbell?” I suggested.
“About what, Mabel? I’m sure he has a very good explanation for everything. And what do I ask? What happened when you were a young lad that made you become so quiet? That’s a dumb question. Every boy comes to the age when he’s quiet and doesn’t want to tell his parents anything. Besides, now he’s looking after his mother. I bet he worked his way through college with the sole purpose of taking his mother away from the drudgery of farm life.”
“So there’s nothing we can do? Couldn’t you ask him why he goes out to visit the Pattersons?”
Jim shrugged. “Sure, I could ask and look like a fool. You said yourself that Brady is a nice guy. Maybe he goes to visit him.”
“No, he definitely doesn’t go out to see Brady. But Carly said Robert and her father fought even to the point where Mr. Patterson wanted to shoot him. Isn’t that enough evidence to ask questions?”
“And when was that, Mabel? When Carly was just a kid? I think the statute of limitations has run out on that one. All he has to say is that he doesn’t remember.”
“What if you ask Patterson why he wanted to kill Robert?”
Scully started laughing. “Yeah, why don’t you ask him, Mabel?”
Jim drained his coffee and said, “Don’t put ideas into her head, Scully.”
“Oh,” I said. “What about Carly’s mother? Were you able to find out anything about her? Has she resurfaced somewhere?”
“I almost forgot about that. I did learn a few more things about Doris Patterson. However, there’s no record of her at all anywhere.”
“That’s news. Wouldn’t she have a social security number or something?”
“She should but she must have changed her name if she was afraid that her husband might find her.”
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