Be Mine, Dead Valentine, page 13
part #2 of Crescent Falls Series
Well, I’ve knocked down a hornet’s nest, let’s see what flies out.
Adelaide drove south on Birch Avenue, turned right onto Main Street and parked behind Mark Cardosa’s law office. She noticed with relief that his sleek Corvette was not in the lot. After removing a round tin from the backseat, she exited the car and hurried around the building, turning the collar of her cashmere coat up against a gust of frigid wind. The sky looked leaden, the clouds hanging low as though heavy with moisture. More snow was on the way.
Inside the warmth of the small office, she was greeted by a blonde-haired, blue eyed woman wearing an expensive looking navy blue suit and white silk blouse. Noticing the woman’s resemblance to Susan Hatfield made Adelaide pause for a moment.
The woman stood up, a look of consternation on her pretty face. “May I help you?”
Adelaide smiled. “I’m Adelaide McBride. I own the pharmacy in the next block—” She got no further.
“Oh, I’ve been in the pharmacy a couple of times already. Mr. Dexter was very helpful in getting my prescriptions transferred from Marietta. You’re also the police chief’s mother. Mark told me all about how you helped catch a killer in December.” She returned Adelaide’s smile. “I’m Janet Webster, which I’m sure you already know.”
Adelaide felt a little relieved that she didn’t have to watch every word she said. She held out the red tin, which contained homemade cookies. “Just a little welcome to the neighborhood gift.”
Janet’s smile broadened. She opened the tin like an excited child opens a gift on Christmas morning. “Oh, they’re iced, too. Are they sugar cookies? My mother always made them and put lots of icing on top.”
Adelaide took off her coat and draped it over the back of one of the nearby chairs. “They are sugar cookies, and the icing is homemade also. An old family recipe.” Originally, she’d planned to pretend she wanted to see Mark Cardosa about updating her will. The plan was to then get Janet Webster talking about other things, since Mark wasn’t there. But upon meeting the young woman, she decided that subterfuge was not the way to go.
“How about I put on some fresh coffee and we have cookies?” Janet asked. She headed for the coffee station in the corner, while Adelaide sat down on the nearby loveseat. While the coffee brewed, Janet returned to her desk, eyeing the red tin with enthusiasm.
“You know, Miss Webster—”
Janet waved a hand in the air. “You have to call me Janet.”
Adelaide smiled. “And I’m Adelaide. Anyway, Janet, tell me a little about yourself. “
A frown crossed her face briefly then was gone. “You mean about Mark and me? Your son tricked me into admitting we were involved.”
Adelaide sighed. This might not be so easy after all. “I’m sorry if that hurt you. But, you must realize that he is trying to catch a killer.”
“I know that. Mark explained it all to me. We can’t help it that we fell in love, Mrs…Adelaide.” Tears sprang into her eyes. “I’m sure Gayle was a wonderful person and I know she was your friend. I’m so sorry about what happened to her. I really am.”
There was an uncomfortable silence. Finally, Adelaide said, “I hear you’re living at Creekside Village. My son lives there.”
“I know. Also another police officer, Larry Schwartz. I met him yesterday. And the man who owns the newspaper also lives there.”
“Rick Blanchard.”
Janet nodded. “Mark said not to talk to him about the case.”
Adelaide had to agree with that. “As a secretary for an attorney, I’m sure you know how to keep confidences.”
“Oh yes, but I’m afraid I’ve already run afoul of the law here.”
Adelaide leaned forward in her chair. “What do you mean?”
“I parked on the street over in front of Brie’s Boutique so I could run in to pick up a dress that was being altered. Well, the meter wouldn’t take my money and that was the only parking place left on the street. So, I just figured I’d be in there a moment, so what was the harm. When I came out there was a ticket on my windshield. I know I could have pulled into the back lot and not had to worry about a meter, but shouldn’t the town keep it equipment repaired?”
Adelaide couldn’t help but smile. “Well, I will certainly bring it to Daniel’s attention.”
Janet shook her head emphatically. “I’m sure the chief of police has enough to do what with these two murders. Besides, I plan to protest the ticket and the only way I can do that is in mayor’s court tonight.”
“The mayor, Carl Henshaw, is a good friend of mine. Would you like for me to give him a call? You might be able to avoid appearing and I’m sure he’d waive the fine under the circumstances.”
“Oh no. I fight my own battles, thank you. Besides, I want to make sure something is done about that meter, and who knows how many others around town should be checked out. I want my day—or in this case, night—in court, Adelaide, and I intend to have it.”
“You sound like a bit of a crusader, Janet,” Adelaide said.
And who does that remind you of?
The coffee pot signaled it was finished brewing. Janet got up and quickly poured two cups and brought them back to the desk. She also brought two paper plates for the cookies. Adelaide declined a cookie but sipped gratefully at the coffee. Janet ate her cookie enthusiastically, rinsing each bite down with a swig of coffee.
“I think you will really like it at Creekside Village,” Adelaide said. “Although it is rather expensive.”
Janet shook her head. “Oh, that’s no problem. Mark is helping me with the rent. He said he wants me in a safe place, and Creekside has surveillance cameras. The other place I looked at, Mulberry Manor, doesn’t. And that’s where the two women who were murdered lived.”
Adelaide felt a sense of relief. There wasn’t an ounce of deception in this woman. She was guileless, honest and aboveboard. And way too good for the likes of Mark Cardosa.
* * * *
It was shortly after three in the afternoon when Adelaide entered the police station. She gave Mindy a cursory nod as she headed for Daniel’s office. Mindy acted like she wanted to say something but Adelaide just kept walking.
Daniel looked up from behind his desk where he was filling out some paperwork and signaled for her to come in. Luke Fagan was standing beside the desk.
“Good to see you Mrs. McBride,” Luke said.
“Likewise, Luke. How is Betty doing? I tried calling her yesterday, but got no answer.” Luke’s wife suffered from Multiple Sclerosis and often had setbacks.
“She has a doctor’s appointment today. Her sister drove up from Marietta to take her.” Luke’s voice was tinged with guilt, obviously because he hadn’t been able to go with his wife for her appointment.
“It’s good she has lots of family support, Luke. You need to let them help more often,” Adelaide advised. “I understand Frank is doing well at the auto shop.” Luke and Betty’s oldest son, a high school student, was working each Saturday for Tim Hunter.
“He’s really into it. I can see quite an advantage, down the road, if this develops into a profession. I’ll never have to pay to get my car repaired again.”
“What are you doing here, Mother,” Daniel said, speaking for the first time since she arrived.
“Oh, yes. Well, I have some news.” Adelaide closed the door and sat down in one of the chairs opposite Daniel’s desk.
“So do I,” Daniel said somewhat snappishly. “I got a call a while ago from Rick Blanchard. Did you accuse Julie Simpson of being on drugs? And did you try to tell him what he could and could not print in the paper?”
Adelaide wasn’t surprised Rick had called Daniel. She put her purse on the floor and slipped her coat off, shrugging the garment over the back of her chair. “Julie Simpson is on drugs. And I simply asked Rick to behave with some discretion when printing things that are being held back by the police for good reason.”
“And you know Julie is on drugs because?” Daniel stared hard at her.
“Because she is. Really, Daniel. I suggested he drug test her. Did he?”
Daniel sat back in his desk chair and sighed. “Not that I know of.”
Adelaide met her son’s gaze. “Ask yourself why not.”
Luke spoke. “You know, Daniel, there’s been talk about Julie for some time. She’s erratic, up one minute, down the next, pupils dilated, all signs of drug use.”
“Not our concern right now,” Daniel snapped. “And we can’t tell the newspaper what not to print.”
Adelaide remained silent. Luke shrugged his broad shoulders.
“You said you had news,” Daniel finally said. He was staring at Adelaide.
“Oh, I went to see Janet Webster. Mark wasn’t in the office. She and I had a nice talk. I believe her when she says this thing with Mark just happened. She seems very genuine. Nice. Truthful. What she sees in Mark Cardosa is beyond me, though. I think if she said Mark was with her in Marietta on the night Gayle died, then it is true.”
Daniel and Luke exchanged glances. It was Daniel who spoke. “We’ve come up empty on Bob Jackson too. Nothing incriminating in his apartment or car. We just got the report about their phones and computers. The text messages and e mails between him and Patty were so sweet, I practically needed an insulin shot.” He glanced up at Luke, who was still standing by the desk.
“Officers questioned Marty again and the people Bob works with at the bar as well as the paramedics he works with. Reed Fletcher came up with one name of an ex-girlfriend, a woman who lives in Rosewood. Judy Hess talked with her. She described Bob as a nice guy who was pretty serious about being a paramedic. She said he was funny and cute and they always had a good time. She couldn’t recall any violent tendencies.”
Daniel’s expression turned a little sour. “In other words, it looks like we’re going to have to mark Bob off the suspect list unless something drastic happens.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed, Daniel. You’re following the evidence and it will, sooner or later, lead you to the right person.”
Daniel huffed. “Well, let’s hope it is sooner. The citizens want some answers and so far all we’ve come up with are more questions.”
Chapter Seventeen
Janet Webster left the municipal building with a satisfied feeling. Mayor’s court was over, and right on time, too. She really liked Mayor Henshaw, and he moved things along very efficiently in her opinion. He’d been very sympathetic to her case. In fact, he’d promised to have all the parking meters along Main Street checked to make sure they were in good working order. Most important of all, he’d dismissed her parking ticket. She stuffed the official paperwork into her purse as she rounded the back corner of the building and approached her car.
She was still wearing the outfit she’d had on earlier that day, because she felt it exuded a professional look that was befitting of her new position at Mark’s law office. She hadn’t bothered to tell him about the ticket or her intention to attend court this evening because she knew he would worry about her being out at night alone, what with a killer running around loose. Or, worse yet, he would cancel his important meeting with a corporate client in Rosewood and insisted on going with her. She couldn’t have that. She didn’t want to be one of those women who always needed a man to lean on and protect her. Plus, she’d wanted to stay for the entire court session to get a feel of how things worked in a courtroom, even though this was only mayor’s court. Anything she could learn would help her to better understand Mark’s world and be a bigger help to him professionally.
She got into her car, not feeling at all alone since several people who had also been in court were also heading for their vehicles. Once inside the snazzy red Corvette (a gift from Mark) she turned the ignition switch and listened with satisfaction as the engine purred to life.
Moments later she pulled up to the security gate at Creekside Manor. Once inside the complex she followed one of the lanes to the back building and swung into her assigned parking spot. Her mind on Mark again, she felt a tingle of excitement. He was clearly the sexiest man she’d ever been involved with. He was smart, successful and very good in bed. And, he took care of his body, which was very important.
She exited the car and pushed the lock button on the keychain. It was then she heard the noise. Like an injured animal. Turning around, she scanned the chain link fence line behind her, straining to see into the woods beyond. The security lights cast a yellow glow over the parking area, but beyond that were shadowy recesses where visibility was limited. She was just about to turn and walk toward her building, when she heard the noise again, this time louder and more urgent. Heading for the back fence, she scanned the area for the animal. At that moment there was a clanking sound and a rush of air behind her. Suddenly the lower right side of her back hurt like hell and she cried out. She heard a scuffling noise followed by the clanging noise again then the sound someone running away. The receding sound of footsteps seemed to be coming from the woods beyond the fence. The pain and dizziness over took her and she felt liquid warmth oozing down her side as she slid to the pavement.
“Help,” she called, but she knew the word was barely above a whisper even though she was trying to yell. As the veil of darkness closed in, she hit the panic button on her keychain.
* * * *
“Rick Blanchard and Reed Fletcher both came running out of their apartments at about the same time when they heard the car alarm go off. She was unconscious when they found her. Reed ran back in and got what first aid supplies he had on hand and began treatment while Rick called nine-one-one,” Officer Ken Lafferty told Daniel as they watched Bob Jackson and his brother Dick load a critically wounded Janet Webster into an ambulance.
“The wound wasn’t dead center this time,” Daniel said. He shifted back and forth from one foot to the other, trying to keep warm. The coat the victim had been wearing was now in a large evidence bag. It was full length leather with a lining. Not really that thick, so there hadn’t been a lot of padding to protect her body from the thrust of the ice pick. Luke Fagan was processing the scene. Spotlights illuminated the area.
Ken shook his head. “The wound is off center, but we’ve got the same MO. Ice pick and Valentine card. They didn’t remove the weapon yet. Leaving it in may be staunching the flow of blood for now. They’re going to wait until a surgeon examines her at the medical center.”
This attack was hitting too close to home, literally. His own apartment building was directly in front of this one. He hadn’t been at home when the attack took place, having stayed late at the station to go over the case files for Patty Regan and Gayle Nelson in hopes something they’d missed would jump out at him.
“How did the killer get in?” Daniel wondered aloud.
“I think I have the answer,” Officer Dennis Ackerman called.
Daniel joined him in the corner of the lot.
“Someone has cut the chain link,” Dennis said. He pulled the fencing apart. “Big enough for a person to step through, yet nearly invisible when pushed back together.”
“Did you hear that?” Daniel asked, squinting into the area on the other side of the fence. “Sounds like an injured animal.” He took his penlight from his pocket and shone it ahead as he stepped through the opening. Dennis followed. Several feet into the woods they found the source of the noise. Tied to a tree was a puppy.
Dennis untied the rope and scooped the shivering animal up in his arms. “He’s about frozen, poor little guy.” The dog buried his hose in the crook of his arm.
“Let’s get something to wrap him up in. Take him to your squad car and put the heater on,” Daniel directed.
“Who would do this to a defenseless pup?” Dennis asked angrily.
“Offhand I’d say our perp. I think he may have been the bait to get Janet to walk over to that fence,” Daniel said. “It got us over there when we heard him whine, didn’t it?”
As Dennis rushed the pup toward his squad car, Officer Larry Schwartz joined Daniel. “Well, there goes Bob Jackson, our number one suspect, who has an ironclad alibi for this attack.” Larry nodded toward the ambulance as it pulled out, sirens blaring, lights blazing. “Bob and Dick were on a call earlier and were just leaving the medical center when our nine-one-one call came in. What’s with the dog?”
“Not sure. Why don’t you go help the others finish interviewing the residents of this building?”
Larry nodded and hurried toward the back entrance.
Daniel was deep in thought. He imagined Janet Webster pulling into her parking place, getting out of the car and…hesitating because she heard an animal in distress. Obviously the killer had cut the fence beforehand to gain access to the complex, knowing that he’d be out of camera range, since the surveillance equipment only covered the parking places and the back entrance to the building.
Luke was now taking photos of the fence line, in particular the area that had been cut. When he was finished, Daniel signaled for him to come over. “That dog Dennis has in the patrol car needs to be processed as evidence. He may have been used as bait. He doesn’t look like a normal stray, though. He appears well fed and I don’t’ think he’s been out in those woods very long. I doubt he could have survived these temperatures for a prolonged period of time. He needs to go to the lab ASAP.”
Luke nodded. “I’ll get some snapshots of him then have Dennis take him to the lab in Rosewood tonight,” He hurried off toward Dennis’s squad car.
It was at that moment Daniel saw Mark Cardosa’s sleek black sports car come roaring into the complex. Of course he didn’t get very far, since the area around the crime scene was cordoned off. He stopped his car, got out and lifted the yellow tape so he could duck under it.
