Murder in Ashville

by Jane T O'Brien

  Patsy told Officer Jennings about the letters she'd received and suspected someone was looking for the truth about what happened to C J years ago. She also told the police officer that the letters were stolen from her purse. The purse was found and turned into the newspaper office with everything intact except the letters.

  “Why are you bringing up C J's death now? It was a horrible time for everyone. It's finished and that's the way it should be.”

  “Allison,” said Samantha, “Patsy didn't start the conversation about C J, someone else did. It's obvious someone has information about his death, or for some bizarre reason, they are fabricating a mystery.”

  “You said an old man with a cane brought your purse to the newspaper office.”

  “Yes, that's correct according to Maggie at the front desk.”

  “It sounds like old Gus. He's lives downtown in the boarding house on Seventh and Vine. He walks around town when the weather is nice. Would you object if I brought him to your hospital room?”

  “I don't object but I never saw the man.”

  “It will make him feel important if I ask him to be involved in the case.”

  Allison left with the promise of returning before Patsy was discharged.

  “What is that all about? Allison acted like she didn't believe me, why would I lie about something like that?”

  “Maybe she just wants to be sure to touch all bases. It can't be easy for her being the only female officer in the Ashville Police Department. It's that good old boy attitude, I'm afraid.”

  Samantha didn't intend to spend as much time as she did in Patsy's hospital room. She sensed her friend was more concerned about someone trying to kill her than she let on.

  Twenty minutes later, Allison returned with old Gus. She introduced him to Patsy and Samantha.

  Looking directly at Patsy, he said: “That's her, that's the one who gave me twenty dollars to take the purse to the newspaper office.”

  “Gus, we've never met before today. You are mistaking me for someone else.”

  “I might be old, but I remember pretty faces and I remember your shiny brown hair too.”

  “Thanks, Gus, you have been a big help,” said Allison. “Officer Decker will take you back home now.”

  “What's your game, Patsy? You talk about letters some unknown person sent to you that suddenly disappear. You fake a mugging; maybe you faked the accident too. Your injuries are minor compared to what should have happened when you jumped out of your car. Did you come back to Ashville to cause trouble? Are you seeking revenge on us because you were a mousy little nobody in high school? Why are you lying about C J Sinclair?”

  “Allison, that's enough,” cried Samantha. “I believe Patsy is telling the truth. You can't take the word of that old man. You brought him here to identify the person who gave him money for doing a job. He walked in here expecting to see that person and he assumed it was Patsy. You know he wouldn't be a reliable witness.”

  “Samantha I know you think you're an ace detective, but this is my territory, so please keep out of it.”

  “Allison, please calm down, what has gotten you so riled up?”

  “Because C J Sinclair is gone and won't be coming back. We don't need some busybody coming to Ashville and rekindling old wounds and destroying our lives.”

  “I'm not trying to destroy anything, Allison. I did receive those letters and someone, obviously, doesn't want me to pursue the matter. No matter what you think, I did not rig the car to cause an accident. I'm not that stupid or brave and I don't like pain. I'm sorry if investigating what happened that day brings back distressful memories, but don't you want to know the truth?”

  “Yes, of course, I do. It's just such a shock to be questioning C J's death after so many years. I'm sorry; I'm not acting very professional. The boys at the station would give me a hard time if they knew how I'd lost it.”

  “We'll never tell, will we, Samantha?”

  Officer Jennings left Patsy's room after she had taken the accident report. She apologized for her earlier comments. Patsy said she understood and they parted as friends.

  “You are a forgiving person, Patsy. Some of the things Allison said to you were very unkind.”

  “She is in pain, I understand that. One thing about being an observer all those years, I knew more about what was going on with the gang than most of you did.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Did you know that Allison thought she was in love with C J?”

  Chapter Three

  Samantha had known C J Sinclair since the two of them were toddlers. The Sinclair's lived next door to the Degans and the couples spent many hours together.

  C J was closer to Samantha's age than any of her siblings and he was like a brother to her. She knew he was handsome as a teenager but there was never anything but friendship between them.

  He excelled in athletics and school work as well. He was popular with both the guys and the girls. He had everything going for him and then it all ended abruptly when he slipped off the cliff and fell to his death.

  Samantha knew he often walked alone and loved climbing on the cliffs over Lake Ashville. She'd admonish him for being a show-off at his nervous mother's expense. He had climbed on those cliffs since he was old enough to ride his bike to the lake. That was why it was so shocking when he was found dead in the shallow waters. It was early spring; the weather was warm, and the cliffs were clear of any frost or moisture to make them slick.

  The more Samantha thought about it, the more she wondered if someone did, indeed, push C J to his death.

  Who would do such a thing? Samantha wondered, C J was loved by everyone, wasn't he?

  She left the hospital so that Patsy could get some much-needed rest. The doctor thought it best that she stay in the hospital one more night. Samantha told her she would pick her up in the morning and drive her home.

  Samantha's mother and Sandy Fletcher had everything under control for the wedding on Saturday. She was grateful to them because the distraction of a possible nine-year-old murder was taking much of her time.

  Samantha drove to Hill Point. In the old days, it was the site of an exclusive restaurant. Her parents took her there on her sixteenth birthday. The food was excellent, but she knew it cost her father close to a week's salary. Unfortunately for the owners, the restaurant was too expensive for most of the folks in Ashville and it closed shortly after her birthday celebration. The building was later destroyed, and it became a favorite spot for teenage parties. Samantha had been to a few of those parties herself. She remembered the ride down the hill with a date who'd had too much beer and decided she'd stick to parties in town after that.

  Riding back down the hill, she could only imagine the fear Patsy must have experienced with no brakes to slow her down. She stopped at the spot where Patsy jumped from her car. She got out of the car and her stomach turned as she looked at the bottom of the ravine where Patsy's car landed. Walking toward the mossy area where Patsy made her escape, Samantha could still see the imprint of her body on the damp moss. There was no doubt in her mind that Patsy was telling the truth. She would have risked her life if she'd faked the accident.

  Samantha pulled into the driveway of her parent's house. She glanced at the house where the Sinclair's lived. After C J's death, his parents sold the home and moved to South Carolina. Mrs. Sinclair never got over the loss of her son, she passed away five years ago at the age of fifty-seven. Mr. Sinclair married a widow with five grown children and fifteen grandchildren. He is happiest when the large family all gets together and the ache in his heart disappears, if only for a little while.

  “Samantha dear, you're home. Jody called, she and Erin are going to stop by to see you shortly. Have you had lunch? I've made egg salad sandwiches with green olives, just how you like it.”

  “That sounds wonderful, Mom, I'm famished.”

  Colleen asked about Dear Patsy while Samantha ate her sandwich and drank her chocolate milk. She hadn't had tha
t combination since she was in grade school but had to admit, it tasted good.

  “Patsy is doing well, they are keeping her overnight but it's only precautionary. As she said, she has a hard head.”

  “I don't remember her from your school, she isn't one of the girls from your circle of friends.”

  “No, Patsy was a loner, she has come out of her shell, she's beautiful and very self-assured. I'm sorry I didn't try harder to know her back in school. Allison Jennings came by to question Patsy about the accident. Did you know she's a police officer?”

  “Oh yes, there was a terrible stink when she signed on to the police department. She is the first female officer the force has ever had. Can you believe that currently? I don't know how they got away with hiring only men all these years. It's a good thing, there are times when a woman is better for the job than a man.”

  “She seems quite bitter. Do you think it's because people give her a hard time?”

  “She was always so cheerful despite her father. He was a miserable old coot. She lost some of that bounce when C J died, his death touched all you girls. It was such a tragedy and so senseless.”

  “I know what you mean; I loved C J like a brother. It seems he and Allison were together, but I never knew that.”

  “According to Frances Sinclair, girls called C J all the time. She once said it was so bad, they considered getting an unlisted phone number. She wasn't the type to brag about her boy, so I'm sure it was true.”

  “I know he was popular, but I didn't know my friends were swooning over him,” Samantha laughed.

  “Here are the girls now. Finish your sandwich and I'll let them in.”

  Colleen smiled watching the old friends hugging and squealing like in the old days. She was sorry those times were over but happy to have her daughter home, if only for a few days.

  Jody showed pictures of her two little boys. Her husband, Will, was home with them, giving her some time to be with her friend.

  “Will sounds like a nice guy, I'm anxious to meet him.”

  “He is a nice guy; he was there to pick up the pieces after Ted Blanchard broke my heart.”

  “Ted Blanchard, I haven't thought about him in years. I didn't realize you two were together.”

  “It was after you left for college. He's the biological father of my children. I fell in love with him but he, obviously, didn't feel the same way. I got pregnant the first time and he said we'd get married. He had no intention of doing so. I still lived at home when Mason was born. Ted stopped by to see his son. I was a complete fool and believed it meant he wanted to be a family. Nine months later, I gave birth to Alexander. My parents would have disowned me, but they fell in love with my boys. I met Will, and everything changed. He treated me like I'd never been treated before. He loves the boys like they are his own. You'd have thought after C J, I'd have learned to be a better judge of character.”

  “You and C J? I didn't know you two were together. How did I not know that?” asked Samantha.

  “I thought you were secretly in love with him and didn't want to hurt you.”

  “For heaven sake, C J was a friend from childhood. We didn't have romantic feelings for each other. I can't believe you dated him in secret. Allison said the same thing.”

  Samantha looked at Erin who gave her a sheepish grin.

  “You too, Erin?”

  “I'm afraid so, C J was irresistible. I thought I was too smart to fall for his charms, but I was wrong. I think that's why I'm still single. I've never found anyone to measure up to C J Sinclair.”

  “All this time, I thought C J was such a great guy. He seems to have strung you two along with, who knows how many, other girls in our class. How could I have not known what a sleaze he was?”

  “We all kept it from you and from each other. Erin and I accidentally discovered we were both dating him at the same time. We didn't speak for the second half of our junior year. After C J died, we found comfort in each other and have remained friends since.”

  “We didn't mean to upset you,” said Erin. “Why don't we talk about your wedding instead?”

  “You didn't upset me; I'm just wondering why I never knew what C J was really like.”

  “Samantha, you always saw the good in everyone.”

  Chapter Four

  “Anybody home?” called out Kate Turner, another high school friend. She was standing at the back door. Samantha embraced her old friend.

  “I can't believe I'm here with you guys again. It's like the last nine years never happened.”

  “And we haven't changed a bit,” laughed Jody.

  “Jody and I were confessing our sinful ways with C J Sinclair. Samantha just told us she wasn't in love with him after all.”

  “I could have told you that,” said Kate. “Not everyone in Ashville High had the hots for that guy.”

  “Of course, you didn't, you only had eyes for Nick Turner.”

  “Samantha, every time we get together, the conversation always comes around to C J. I hate to sound cold, but he's been gone for almost ten years now, can't we let him rest in peace?”

  “Let's talk about Dear Patsy,” Jody suggested, “can you believe that mousy little flower finally bloomed. I never guessed Patsy Burke became our favorite advice to the lovelorn columnist. Samantha, have you read any of her answers?”

  “I haven't gone through Mom's recycle bin for old papers, but I've heard so much about Dear Patsy, I'll be sure to do it before they get picked up tomorrow. I've never heard of an advice column getting so much attention before.”

  “She could be a stand-up comic. She's hilarious and has excellent advice to boot. I feel bad that we never reached out to her in high school. I thought we were better than that,” said Jody.

  “I saw Patsy today; she seems to understand it was her timidity that put people off. She is really a very nice person. I can't give you the specifics, but she could be in serious trouble. The accident might not have been an accident at all.”

  “Is that the sleuthhound in you talking, or do you have reason to believe Patsy is in trouble? You've got to stop hanging out with people who end up dead,” Kate laughed nervously.

  “Speaking of sleuths, when are we going to meet your detective? I'm sure he is gorgeous, you never settled for anyone who wasn't. Remember Bobby Rooney? He's a big shot lawyer in New York City now. Will heard he's considering a run for Congress. Just think, you could have been a congressman's wife.”

  “No thank you, I had my fill of politics when the illustrious mayor of Lancashire's bloodied head fell into my lap.”

  The mention of Bobby Rooney's name brought back memories for Samantha. Back then she was sure they would be married someday. Her heart was broken the day he left for college the summer before her senior year. He promised to text and call her every day. At first, she heard from him often, Gradually, his texts and calls came less and less. He told her he was busy with his studies, that college was much more intense than high school. By the end of October of that year, she wasn't surprised to learn that Bobby was involved with someone else. Although she suspected the worst, she was devastated knowing she'd lost the love of her life. Never one to wallow in self-pity, Samantha put all her energy into her studies. She dated during the year, but life was never the same without Bobby Rooney.

  Samantha was grateful to whoever the girl was who stole Bobby's heart. If he hadn't dumped her, she might never have met Fletch. She finally knew what real love was and she couldn't wait to be his wife.

  “Samantha, Erin asked if Fletch is bringing any of his single friends.”

  “I'm afraid not, his partner Robin will be here with her husband. She's on maternity leave now and, with Fletch gone too, they can't spare any of the other officers.”

  “Do you trust him working with a woman?”

  “Robin is a good friend to both of us. She has three children and a terrific husband. If I had any doubts about Fletch, I certainly wouldn't be marrying him.”

  “Jody has a trust i
ssue with men ever since C J cheated on her,” said Erin.

  “Every conversation we ever have circles back to C J Sinclair. I don't want his name mentioned in my presence again, do you understand?” said Kate.

  As much as Samantha liked being with her childhood friends, she could only take so much of them at one sitting. These three, and Allison too, never got over being teenagers. Maybe it was because they'd stayed in the same small town all their lives. She loved visiting Ashville, all her family had been here their entire lives too. Maybe it was her imagination, but she felt their conversation sounded the same as it had ten years ago.

  She wasn't sorry when Jody said she had to get home to the children. Erin drove her, so they left together. Kate stayed a while longer and talked about her family. There was no mention of C J Sinclair or the accident that took his life.

  Samantha was happy when her cell phone rang, and it was Fletch.

  “It's so good to hear your voice, I miss you so much. That old saying is true, you can't go home again.”

  “Are the moms giving you a hard time?” he asked.

  “The moms have been wonderful. It's my old girlfriends. It makes me very happy I met you and made Lancashire my home. After a few hours with those girls, I feel like I'm back in high school.”

  They talked until Fletch had to hang up to answer another call. Samantha heard her mother's landline ring while she was talking with Fletch. She didn't think anything about it until her mother popped her head into the kitchen.

  “Samantha dear, you'll never guess who's in town visiting his mother, Bobby Rooney, although he's calling himself Bob now. He said he heard you were in town too and wants to stop by to see you. I told him it would be all right, I hope you don't mind.”

  “Oh Mom, I wish you hadn't done that, I was hoping to relax in my bedroom and read one of my old Nancy Drew mysteries. I can't believe you kept them all these years.”

  “I'm sorry, dear, I'm afraid he's on his way over. You were such good friend’s years ago, I thought you'd want to see him.”