Be Mine, Dead Valentine, page 19
part #2 of Crescent Falls Series
“Don’t be mad at Vernon,” Daniel said, as though reading her thoughts. “He loves you too, and like me, he wasn’t about to see you risk your life again.”
“It’s pretty obvious how Mr. Dexter feels about you,” Luke told Adelaide.
Before Adelaide could respond to that comment, a tall man with a goatee and bushy eyebrows walked into the office.
Luke immediately shook his hand and introduced him as Officer Chuck Prescott from the Rosewood police department.
Adelaide got up to go. “I’ll get out of your hair, Daniel. You obviously have some police business to discuss. Why don’t you stop by later?”
“Stay put, Mother. I think you might be interested in what Chuck has to say,” Daniel told her.
Luke shut the door. Adelaide sat back down, her curiosity peaked.
Chuck Prescott was carrying a large manila envelope, which he now put on Daniel’s desk. Daniel opened it and dumped out the contents. Adelaide saw a cassette tape and several photographs.
Chuck said, “We followed her for a week. She met him twice, both times at the park on the north end of town. He’d park his car near one of the hiking trails off Park View Lane. She’d park at the cemetery and walk across Hawthorne Avenue to meet him at one of the shelter houses. I got some good audio. I hid in the woods and used a sound booster with a one-hundred yard range. They’d meet at dusk and this time of year there was never anyone else around. Some of the audio is a little raspy, but there’s enough for you to prove your case.” He headed for the door.
“Thanks to you and the others, Chuck. I owe you one,” Luke told the man in parting.
“What is going on, Daniel?” Adelaide asked.
“Let’s listen and see,” Daniel told her. He got out his small cassette recorder and inserted the tape. He pushed the button and a male voice, speaking softly, stated. “This is Chuck Prescott. The time is four-forty-five p.m. the date Friday, February seventh, twenty-fourteen, the place is the Crescent Falls municipal park. The subjects are Officer Ed Lucas of the Crescent Falls PD, and Julie Buckner Simpson a reporter for the Crescent Falls Tribune.” After a few seconds a woman’s voice could be heard.
“…besides, it’s freezing out here. Why couldn’t we do this at the motel?”
There were some scuffling noises, then a man’s voice.
“I told you, we can’t go to the motel tonight. Come on baby, don’t be like that. I’ve got some really good stuff for you. McBride and Fagan are batting around the theory that the murders could center around Mark Cardoza.”
“Like he’s involved?”
“No. Like he’s the motive. They’re thinking the first one, Patty Regan, could have been a red herring to throw us off the real motive.”
“Did they say anything about who they suspect, specifically?”
“No. Look, I’ll find out more. I haven’t let you down yet, have I? Who told you about the Valentine card being left with the first body? Me. I’ve given you lots of inside info on this case so far, and I’m not going to stop now. So, don’t get all nervous.”
There were more sounds of movement and another noise that led Adelaide to believe the two were kissing. Then the woman spoke again.
“I need something to take the edge off, Baby. Did you bring me anything?”
“Maybe we do have time for that motel, after all. I’ve got what you want right in my pocket and you’ve got what I want…so let’s go. We need to warm up, and I know just how to do it,”
Daniel shut off the machine. “I was right all along. Ed’s our mole.
Adelaide sniffed disdainfully. “Well, it’s obvious from the tone of their conversation that there is a lot more going on between those two than reporter and source.”
Daniel looked up at Luke. “Get him in here.” Then his glance shot to Adelaide. “Probably best if you go now.”
Adelaide couldn’t have agreed more. She had no desire to be there when Ed Lucas arrived.
When Luke opened the door for Adelaide, she saw a tan puppy bounding across the squad room. Close behind was Dennis Ackerman, a leash dangling from one hand.
“You look beat, Dennis. I thought you’d be home in bed by now,” Daniel said as he followed Adelaide out of the office.
“I have tonight off. I’m trying to get him leash trained,” Dennis said.
Adelaide bent down and petted the bouncy puppy. “He’s a beautiful animal. I’d say part lab, part shepherd?”
“With maybe a little beagle mixed in. The vet says he’s in good shape,” Dennis said. He clipped the leash onto the canine’s collar.
Luke was standing in the open office doorway. “So, I take it you plan to keep him?”
“What I intend to do is train him to be the Crescent Falls police department’s first canine cop,” Dennis replied.
Daniel smile. “The start of our very own K-9 unit. I like the idea.”
Adelaide saw Ed Lucas stride into the station. “Well, I think I’ll be going. Daniel, please let me know how this turns out.”
Dennis walked out with Adelaide. Ed Lucas passed them without speaking.
Once they were outside, Adelaide asked Dennis, “So, have you given this newest officer in training a name?”
Dennis stopped on the sidewalk. “Sure have. He’s going to be a great cop, so I’ve named him Sherlock.”
Adelaide couldn’t help but smile as she watched Dennis and his new charge walk away.
* * * *
Daniel was sitting behind his desk when Ed Lucas entered the office. Luke shut the door and took up a position in front of it. Daniel didn’t ask Ed to sit. He studied the officer for a moment. His brown hair was close cropped, almost military style. His youthful looking face made him appear a lot younger than his age, which was twenty-nine. He obviously worked out, as evidenced by the well-developed muscles in his upper torso.
“I’m on duty. I should be out on the street,” Ed said impatiently.
Daniel could see the hostility in his eyes. “I know your work schedule, Ed. And now, thanks to some excellent detective work by some off duty Rosewood police officers, I know what you’ve been doing to undermine my department.” He handed the photos across the desk to Ed and then turned on the tape recorder.
Daniel watched as Ed’s expression went from hostile, to angry and finally to that of a man who knew he’d been caught red-handed.
Once the tape was finished, Luke said, “You and Julie. I had no idea your taste in women ran to strung out pill poppers.”
“You had me followed?” Ed’s eyes blazed with hate as he met Daniel’s gaze.
Daniel smiled. “Actually, we had her followed. We needed to find out who her mysterious source was. Of course, we had no idea he was also her drug dealer.”
Ed’s hands were now clenched into tight fists at his sides. “There’s no mention of drugs on that tape. I want my union rep.”
Daniel stood up. “I’m sure he or she will be happy to see those photos and hear this tape. In the meantime, hand over your badge and gun. You’re suspended, effective immediately.”
Luke stepped forward. “Do as the chief says.”
Ed snatched his badge off of his uniform shirt front and tossed it on the desk. When he was a little slow removing his gun from its holster, Luke moved closer, holding out his hand for the weapon.
Ignoring Luke, Ed put the gun down on Daniels desk with a loud thud. “You’ll regret this, McBride. I guarantee it.” He turned and exited the office.
“I’ll follow him to his locker just to make sure he doesn’t leave anything behind,” Luke told Daniel.
Once he was alone in his office, Daniel sat down in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief. He was pretty sure once he filled out all the proper forms to support Ed’s suspension, even a union representative wouldn’t be able to help the man. Especially since Ed already had several complaints on file for the use of excessive force. Daniel had already made up his mind that he was going to make sure Ed was permanently dismissed, but certain protocols had to be satisfied before that could happen.
“Even his good buddy on town council, Lloyd Fletcher won’t be able to pull his fat out of the fire this time,” Daniel muttered as he opened his bottom desk drawer and withdrew the forms needed to start to ball rolling.
* * * *
Adelaide was only home a few minutes when there was a knock at her front door. She halfway expected it to be Vernon, but to her surprise she found Hal Buckner standing on her porch. She opened the door and admitted the tall, bulky man into the foyer.
She’d always liked Hal, or Buck, as he was called by almost everyone. Today he was wearing a heavy, quilted jacket and a stocking cap on his head. He removed the cap at once, revealing a head of snow-white hair that now stood up in several places from the static electricity. He removed his gloves and ran a hand over the top of his head.
Buck was known for several things in Crescent Falls. One was the efficient way he ran his market with the help of his two sons, Harry and Jimmy. The other was his good nature. He always had a smile and found a way to turn any situation in a positive direction. Today, however, Adelaide didn’t see that smile and his eyes were wary.
“Take off your coat, Buck. How about a cup of coffee?” Adelaide offered.
He removed his coat. She took it and slung it over the bannister. She led him into the kitchen, where the three cats were waiting. “I heard you inherited Mary Ellen’s two. Are you really going to keep them?” He leaned down and petted the felines gently.
“I don’t think I have a choice. Oscar has already welcomed them into the family,” Adelaide replied. “Have a seat. I’ve also got some streusel cake, if you’re interested.”
Instead of sitting, he stood beside the table, acting a little awkward. “I came to discuss something with you Adelaide. It’s about Julie.”
Adelaide put the coffee on to brew and then got the cake from the refrigerator and placed it on the counter. She turned to face him. Briefly, she considered acting like she had no idea why he’d be there to discuss his daughter, but decided against it. “All right. I’ll be happy to talk to you about Julie.”
He nodded curtly. “I’ve heard things about you two, that you’ve had harsh words in public. I heard you accused Julie of drug use.” He hesitated, staring at her.
Adelaide leaned back against the counter for support. “Look, Buck, I’ve known Julie all of her life. She went away for a while and when she returned she just wasn’t the same. Her behavior lately—”
He held up a hand to stop her words. “I know, Adelaide. I’m now aware that Julie has a problem. It was obvious to me at Gayle’s funeral.” He stopped for a moment to clear his throat. “I’ve been so busy at the market trying to keep it afloat that I didn’t notice how off the wall her actions really were.” He smiled, but there was no joy in it, only sadness. “She’s always been able to wrap me around her little finger. She smiles and I just melt. Alice, rest her soul, always said I was too easy on Julie. You remember how Alice could be, though. Tough as nails sometimes, but under it all was a heart of gold. I still miss her, but especially at times like this, when one of the kids is having a crisis. She always knew the right thing to do.”
Buck’s wife had been gone for ten years, but it was obvious he still mourned her loss. Adelaide moved closer to the man. “I’m so sorry, Buck. What can I do to help?”
He shook his head. “It isn’t up to you. It’s my job to protect Julie. Harry feels badly, too, that he didn’t pay more attention to the way she was acting. He’s a paramedic and should have spotted it. But she rarely spent time with the boys, always saying she was too busy. Harry, Jimmy and I plan to do an intervention tonight to make sure she gets the help she needs.”
Adelaide struggled for a few seconds, trying to decide the best way to phrase her next comment. “Buck, maybe you should also make sure she stays away from Ed Lucas.”
Buck gave her a perplexed look. “What does that cop have to do with this?”
It was obvious Buck knew nothing about Julie’s relationship with Ed. Knowing she couldn’t reveal what she’d heard in Daniel’s office today, Adelaide chose her next words very carefully. “They have been seen together, and Ed Lucas doesn’t have the best reputation, as I’m sure you know.” She held her breath, afraid he’d ask for more details.
“He’s a jerk. I can’t stomach that guy. He’s also buddies with Lloyd Fletcher, another jerk who I can’t stand. To be honest, Adelaide, I don’t much like Rick Blanchard, Julie’s boss, either. He pushes her too hard. That job has turned her into someone I barely recognize.”
Adelaide felt sorry for the burly man who now looked on the verge of tears. “Just be sure she gets the help she needs and stays away from the people who don’t have her best interests at heart, Buck. Promise me that.”
“You can bet on it,” he told her.
Adelaide poured him some coffee and insisted he sit down and eat some cake. When he left a half hour later he seemed more like his old self.
No sooner had Buck pulled away than Daniel arrived at Adelaide’s door. He looked tired and was sporting a day’s growth of beard on his face.
“You need to go home and sleep,” she told him. “Did you get any rest at all last night?”
“No.” He took off his coat and tossed it over the chair in the foyer. “I’m headed home now, but I wanted to stop by and give you some news.”
She insisted he come into the kitchen but didn’t offer him coffee. Instead she sliced some cake and served it to him with a tall glass of milk. “I have some news of my own, but you go first,” she said once they were seated at the kitchen table.
Daniel took a bite of cake then a swig of milk. “They found Mary Ellen’s body a little while ago about five miles downriver. They’re taking her to the ME’s office for an autopsy.”
Adelaide felt her stomach drop. Suddenly she began to shake. “I should have—”
“There’s nothing you could have done. She was obsessed. Sick.” He gave her a hard stare. “Do not blame yourself for anything. My other news is better. I canned Ed Lucas’s ass. Well, at least suspended him. The rest will come later.” He devoured more of his cake.
Adelaide felt a surge of satisfaction. Ed Lucas had been constantly trying to undermine Daniel, and now he’d gotten what he deserved. “My news is sort of connected to that. Hal Buckner came by to tell me he’s aware of Julie’s drug problem and is going to see she gets help. He and the boys are confronting her tonight. Also, I warned him to keep her away from Ed Lucas. Don’t worry, I didn’t reveal anything about what I learned earlier from those tapes and pictures. I just told him they’d been seen together and I thought he wasn’t a good influence. Turns out Hal can’t stand Ed, so he didn’t question me further.”
Daniel got up and took his plate and glass to the sink. He then kissed Adelaide on the cheek and walked into the foyer where he put on his coat and gloves. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Get some sleep, Daniel,” she said. When she opened the door, Vernon was coming up the porch steps.
Daniel shook his hand and hurried toward his truck at the curb.
Adelaide stood on the threshold staring at Vernon, who had stopped a few feet away. His gaze met hers and she could see the question in his eyes. “Come in. I was just thinking about warming up some of the cabbage rolls.” She stepped back to admit him. As he passed by she could smell his aftershave, something new with a musky undertone.
“I wasn’t sure I was still welcome in your home, Addy,” he said as he removed his coat, gloves and hat.
She put the items in the coat closet, then led him into the kitchen. “I’m not angry. You did what you thought you had to do to protect me last night on that cliff, Vernon. I just felt so helpless and guilty.” She got out the cabbage rolls and put them on to reheat.
Vernon was helping himself to some coffee, moving around her kitchen with a familiarity that made her feel comfortable and safe. “You have nothing to feel guilty about. You were a good friend to Mary Ellen. Better than she deserved, as it turns out.”
“Don’t judge her too harshly, Vernon. She was obviously very sick.”
“Two innocent women died and another was almost killed. To say nothing of what she did to Mark Cardosa.”
She sat down at the table. He joined her. “I didn’t come here to discuss the murders, Addy. I came here to clear the air about something. There have been rumors all over town lately that you’re romantically involved with James Preston. It has also been mentioned to me at the pharmacy. I want to know if it is true.”
Adelaide sucked in her breath. She knew her cheeks were red because she could feel her face flush with heat. “First I think it is only fair you tell me exactly what you’ve been told.”
Vernon nodded. “All right. I was told that you two were seen kissing on your front porch. And that he was manhandling you in front of the church one day.”
“Manhandling?” Adelaide wanted to laugh out loud, but could see by the look on Vernon’s face this was no laughing matter, although his turn of phrase was a little amusing. At this point, she decided honesty was the best policy. “This town and its gossip mill. I swear. All right. Here it is. James kissed me here in this kitchen one morning after he dropped by unannounced and I invited him to have breakfast. I didn’t appreciate him making such a bold move, and I let him know. The manhandling in front of the church happened when he followed me out and tried to apologize. He touched my cheek with a finger. That’s all. The kiss on the front porch, which was on my cheek by the way, happened as he was leaving here one day, and it also took me totally by surprise. After those incidences, I’ve made it a point not to be alone with him.”
Vernon’s face was pink, his eyes bright with what Adelaide could only classify as indignation. “I’ve respected your boundaries, and he just takes liberties whenever he wants?”
Adelaide wasn’t sure if it was a reaction to the awful events of the past few days, or just that she was tired, but all of a sudden she began to laugh. Not just chuckles, but big belly laughs. Vernon looked on as though in shock as she guffawed to the point where tears were rolling down her cheeks. When she finally got herself under control, she managed to say, “Why don’t you challenge him to a duel?” Then she began to laugh again. Soon, however, the laughter turned into sobs.
