Be Mine, Dead Valentine, page 15
part #2 of Crescent Falls Series
Daniel leaned back in his chair resting his head against the rough wooden surface. Within seconds he felt his eyelids grow heavy.
* * * *
The dog bothered Adelaide. Where had the killer gotten it? Surely not the Humane Society, where you had to show ID. And would he brazenly walk into a pet store where a clerk might recall him? So where? Daniel had left the dog’s photo on her kitchen table. Picking it up, she looked at the friendly, trusting face and felt a surge of anger. What had the killer intended to do with the sweet animal after its usefulness was finished? Abandon it in the cold? Or, worse yet, kill it? Her blood boiled at the thought. She knew there were other places you could buy animals, such as online sites used by private owners, but she had no idea how to access them or even what they were.
I’ve got to learn about computers. It is definitely time that I joined the twenty-first century. In the meantime, I’ll go to one person I know who might be able to help me.
A half hour later, after changing her clothes, fixing her hair and applying some makeup, she entered the Crescent Falls United Methodist Church. She knew James was on hospital calls, so there would be no chance of running into him. She headed for the church office and was relieved to see that the door was open. Church secretary Marsha Burns was sitting at her desk talking to the new associate pastor, Andrew Wallace.
“Adelaide,” Marsha said with a smile on her face. “It’s good to see you. Andrew and I were just talking about the youth retreat coming up in March.”
Andrew settled his dark brown gaze on Adelaide. “We could use another couple of chaperones. You interested?”
She appraised the young man’s appearance. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve burgundy tee shirt. She’d heard of at least four teenage girls from the congregation who had crushes on him so far. She could understand why. He was well built and obviously worked out.
“I’d be happy to help,” Adelaide said.
“Good. I had a feeling we could count on you,” Andrew said. “Well, I need to go call on a few shut-ins, so have a good day, ladies.”
Once Andrew was gone, Adelaide shut the office door. “I need your help, Marsha.”
“Of course.”
Adelaide walked around the desk, so she was standing next to Marsha. “If I wanted to buy something but didn’t want to go to a store, where could I go online.” She’d heard of Amazon.com, of course and EBay, but knew they didn’t sell pets.
“What did you have in mind?” Marsha was typing away on her keyboard now.
“A dog.”
Marsha nodded enthusiastically. “That’s easy. Craig’s List.” She motioned for Adelaide to move over so she could see the monitor.
“Okay. I want a mixed breed puppy with some shepherd and maybe lab and beagle.”
Marsha looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Quite specific, aren’t you? Don’t you have a cat?”
Adelaide didn’t really want to go into detail about her reasons. “Can you put in that criterion?”
“I’ll try. I’m in the pets section.” She typed in what Adelaide had told her.
After a few seconds several ads came up. They hit pay dirt on the third one. There was even a photo of one of the dogs and it looked just like the one in the picture Daniel had left behind. She jotted down the phone number. “Thank you, Marsha. You don’t know how helpful you’ve been.”
As Adelaide was leaving the office Marsha said, “When are you going to get your own computer and learn how to use it?”
Adelaide smiled. “Soon. I promise.”
“A computer is no scarier than a cell phone, and you have one of those,” Marsha called after her.
As soon as Adelaide was in the car, she called the number, noting that the area code was West Virginia. There was no answer.
I need to take this information to Daniel.
It began to snow just as she pulled into the parking lot behind the municipal building. She’d bundled up of course, and worn her boots, just in case. She found Daniel in his office with the door closed.
He looked up when she entered. “Mother. Are you checking up on me? I did go home and shower and change.”
“But no rest, I see,” Adelaide retorted. She closed the door and sat down in one of the chairs opposite him. “I have some information.” She then told him about her discovery on Craig’s List. “I tried calling the woman…her name is Stella. No last name was given in the ad…but there was no answer. I didn’t leave a voice message.”
Daniel got up and went out into the squad room. Adelaide followed. He sat down at one of the computers and went on the site, finding the ad quickly. “Well I’ll be damned. It’s either the dog we have or its twin.” He turned and looked up at Adelaide. “Nice job, Mother. Maybe I should put you on the payroll.”
“No thanks. I prefer to freelance.”
Daniel printed the page. After he took the sheet from the printer, he got up and headed back toward his office. “We’ll take it from here, Mother.”
She followed him into the office and again closed the door. “There’s more. I’m not sure it has any significance but I think you should know.”
When Adelaide left the police station fifteen minutes later she felt a mixture of consternation and relief. Daniel hadn’t been pleased that she’d held back information, but on the other hand he’d said he wasn’t sure it was significant without other proof to back it up.
Feeling at loose ends once she got into her car, she decided to stop by the dry cleaners and see if her order was ready. Turning left onto Birch Avenue she drove toward Main Street and took a right. “What is going on?” she said aloud. She pulled over to the curb in front of Gayle’s Gifts and Flowers, which had been closed since the owner’s death. But now there appeared to be some activity behind the large plate glass front window. Also, there were lights on inside. She shut off the engine and got out of the car. The front door was unlocked. Feeling a moment of apprehension, she carefully went inside. “Hello? Anyone here?”
To her surprise and immense relief she recognized the woman who emerged from the back room as Rita Nelson, Gayle’s mother. “Oh, it’s you, Adelaide. I thought I’d locked the door. By the way, thank you so much for the sympathy card and the lovely note you included.”
“You know I was fond of Gayle. She was a wonderful person.” She looked around the cheerful interior for a moment. “I didn’t mean to intrude. Are you packing things up? I’d be happy to help.”
“On the contrary. I’m getting ready to reopen the store,” Rita said a little sharply.
Adelaide observed the woman silently. She was petite, as her daughter had been. Her hair was a translucent shade of silver and her eyes were a deep azure blue. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a soft looking coral sweater. “Oh. I had no idea. I just assumed…” She let her voice trail off when she saw a slight frown crease the woman’s forehead. “Who will be running the shop?”
Rita’s frown deepened. “I will be. I’m relocating to Crescent Falls. In fact I’m in the process of moving into Gayle’s apartment in order to fulfill her lease. After that, I may purchase a house. There’s nothing for me in Rosewood. At least here, I can keep Gayle’s memory alive thorough the shop and I will be close to where she spent her last days.”
Adelaide knew that grief could do strange things to people, but for a woman to give up her entire life in her hometown seemed a little extreme. “Are you sure that’s a wise move? I mean you have friends in Rosewood and your other daughter, Jenny, lives there.”
“I can see Jenny whenever I want. Rosewood isn’t that far away. I need to carry out Gayle’s wishes as a tribute to her.”
“Her wishes?”
“I intend to throw my support behind the casino project. Gayle was very much in favor of it, and I’ll continue in her stead. She really wanted to be able to open that second store in the casino mall, and I’m going to do all I can to see it happens.” She eyed Adelaide with a look bordering on hostility. “I know you’re not in favor of the casino, and that’s no surprise.”
Adelaide felt herself bristle. “I’m not the only one who feels that way, Rita.”
“And you think you’re in the majority, I’m sure. But don’t be so certain of that.”
Adelaide started to reply, then thought better of it. After all, the woman had lost a lot in the past couple of years, first her husband and now her daughter. “My offer to help still stands, Rita.”
“I already have someone who has offered to lend a hand. Thanks anyway,” Rita said rather coolly. “I hope you’ll be at Gayle’s funeral tomorrow. She liked you a lot.”
“I’ll be there. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.” Adelaide left the store feeling a little uneasy. Rita Nelson and she had never been friends, but they’d always been friendly acquaintances. Somehow she felt that wasn’t the case any longer.
Chapter Nineteen
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church was packed when Adelaide arrived at ten-forty-five on Saturday morning. The first thing she noticed was Daniel in the back corner of the foyer arguing with Lloyd Fletcher. She headed that way to eavesdrop.
“…the FBI. The third killing officially made these the work of a serial killer. If you don’t call them in, I will,” Lloyd was saying.
Daniel’s face was a deep crimson, his eyes blazing angrily. “We’ve considered it, Lloyd, but there have been some new developments that could lead us to our killer without asking for outside help.”
“You’re on an ego trip, McBride. You want to be the hero. Well, this town doesn’t need a chief of police who is a glory grabber. It needs someone who knows how to solve cases and isn’t too proud to ask for help when it is clearly needed. You’ve got forty-eight hours to bring in the killer, or I’ll be making that call to Quantico.” He poked an index finger into Daniel’s chest. “And you’d better pray another woman doesn’t die in the meantime!”
Lloyd turned and nearly ran into Adelaide. He didn’t acknowledge her presence.
Adelaide stepped up to Daniel. “What was that all about?”
“He wants to call in the FBI. Maybe he’s right. I’m not so sure we have any leads now, anyway.”
“But you said there were new developments.”
Daniel shook his head. “We found the dog lady, the one who sold that pup to our suspected killer.”
Adelaide felt a surge of relief. “But, that’s wonderful. Now we can get an identification.”
“Maybe if we hold a séance,” Daniel said gloomily. “I called her number early this morning and finally got an answer. It was the county sheriff. Our dog lady was Stella Prichard, a sixty-seven year old widow who lived in an isolated area outside of Mosely, West Virginia, a little whistle stop about thirty miles across the river. She was found early Friday morning in her farmhouse, dead. Her twenty-year-old nephew, Kyle, made the discovery when he came by her place to repair her barn door.”
Adelaide felt sick to her stomach. “How did she die?”
“Murdered. The sheriff says it looks like a home invasion robbery. There were items missing and the place was ransacked. She was bludgeoned to death, with what, they don’t know yet.”
Adelaide swallowed the bitter bile that was rising up into her throat. “This can’t be a coincidence, Daniel.”
“I’m sure it’s not. That’s why Luke is on his way right now to Mosely to meet with the authorities there and get as much information as he can. Maybe the nephew knows something about who bought that dog.”
Adelaide prayed this wasn’t another wild goose chase. At that moment, Vernon joined them.
“Good turnout,” he said.
Adelaide looked at him. He was wearing a charcoal gray suit and white shirt. She recognized the blue and gray striped tie as one she’d given him for Christmas a couple of years ago. Then she realized they were dressed in the same colors. Her pantsuit was charcoal gray, her blouse white. She’d chosen her best black boots, since there was fresh snow on the ground. She looked down at Vernon’s feet, suppressing a smile when she saw he also wore a pair of dressy black boots.
Once they entered the sanctuary, Daniel excused himself, leaving Adelaide and Vernon alone. “Your conversation with Daniel looked intense,” Vernon said. He stopped near the back pew.
She still noted coolness in his manner. “These murders have everyone on edge,” she replied. “I think we’d better find a place to sit before they are all gone.”
“Carl and Ethel are saving us two places down there,” he said, pointing straight ahead.
As they walked down the aisle, she took note of the other attendees. Harold Purcell was sitting with Brie Hunter and Dora Carmody. She also spotted the Englers. As she and Vernon slid into a pew about halfway down in the center section, she looked around and saw Julie Buckner Simpson on the other side of the sanctuary, pacing behind the back pew like a caged animal. She was fiddling with a cell phone, her fingers nervously tapping its surface. It was then she noticed Hal Buckner enter the sanctuary. Immediately, father and daughter took two of the few remaining seats in that section.
Conspicuously absent were the Jacksons and Mark Cardosa. Of course, the reason for Mark’s absence was well known around town by now. As for Zelda and her sons, Adelaide supposed they were still miffed because Bob had been number one on the suspect list for a while. However, there was one absence that surprised Adelaide. She took a second look to make sure the person in question wasn’t present then turned her attention back to her pew mates.
Vernon was talking in a low tone with Carl. Ethel was staring straight ahead. After a second or two, she reached over and poked Adelaide in the arm and pointed down front to where Rita Nelson sat in the front pew with her daughter, Jenny. Next to Jenny was at tall looking man who Adelaide assumed was Julie’s husband. But it was the person who was seated on the other side of Rita who now held Adelaide’s attention. There was no mistaking the back of his head.
“I didn’t know Reverend Preston and Rita Nelson were friends,” Ethel said in a whisper.
Adelaide’s whole body stiffened at the sight of James sitting in the same row as Gayle’s family. “Neither did I,” Adelaide snapped.
Vernon put a hand on Adelaide’s arm. “I saw him coming out of Gayle’s store yesterday evening when I was on my way to make the night deposit,” he said softly.
So, James was the helper Rita was referring to yesterday when I was in the shop. So, just when did this friendship spring up, I wonder?
Adelaide took a deep breath. “Rita has decided to make Crescent Falls her new home. She’s going to reopen Gayle’s store and is moving into her old apartment.” I guess now we know why, she wanted to say, but kept quiet.
Of course, Ethel had no such inhibitions. “Well, maybe now we know her incentive.”
Vernon gently squeezed Adelaide’s arm, then withdrew his hand as the service began.
At the gravesite James spoke to Adelaide only in passing, since his attention seemed to be centered on Rita Nelson. On the other hand, Vernon never left Adelaide’s side, often putting his arm around her shoulder or waist.
Daniel joined them as the service ended. Soon, Julie Buckner Simpson approached, looking for a quote. Daniel and Adelaide both said no comment. Vernon ignored the woman completely, instead taking that opportunity to go speak with Harold Purcell.
“I need to get back to the station,” Daniel said. “See you later, Mother.”
Adelaide was trying to think of a way to make a graceful exit herself.
But it would seem Julie wasn’t finished with Adelaide quite yet. Once they were alone she said, “I just want to tell you, Adelaide McBride, that I don’t appreciate you trying to get me fired from my job at the paper. It didn’t work. Rick knows he can’t get along without me.” She moved closer, putting her face very close to Adelaide’s. “And you’d better stop telling him vicious lies about me, or else.”
Adelaide had had enough. She stood her ground, meeting Julie’s blazing emerald gaze. “Or else what, Julie? Are you threatening me? I wouldn’t, if I were you.”
“Bitch,” Julie hissed.
“You’re high now. It’s plain to see. And it is certainly no secret around town,” Adelaide shot back.
Hal Buckner approached them, putting his arm around he daughter’s shoulder. “Everything all right here?” His tone clearly indicated he knew things were far from all right.
All at once, Julie’s entire manner changed. She smiled and turned to look up at her father. “Oh, Daddy, Adelaide was just filling me in on some town news, that’s all. Did I tell you how handsome you look today? We should go have lunch somewhere, just you and me.”
Adelaide watched as Julie played the part of daddy’s little girl to the hilt. Her stomach rolled as the display continued. Julie kissed Hal on the cheek and giggled like a teenager. The whole thing was disgusting. “I need to go. Nice to see you again, Hal. Goodbye, Julie.” She hurried away, desperately searching for Vernon, but he was nowhere to be found. Finally she went to her car, got in and drove toward home. She knew there was going to be a gathering back at St. Mark’s in the social hall, but decided to skip it. Images of James dancing attendance to Rita Nelson kept swirling around in her mind. She wasn’t sure she wanted to subject herself to any more of that display. Besides, she had to prepare for her dinner with Vernon tonight.
* * * *
It was close to five o’clock by the time Luke returned from Mosely. Daniel had spent most of the afternoon catching up on paperwork and going over the three murdered women’s case files. The more he read, the more frustrated he became. The tidbit of information his mother had provided kept swirling around in his brain.
