Oven Baked Secrets (Eugeena Patterson Mysteries Book 2) (4 page)

When the police finally arrived, I had to remind myself to listen to my phone messages. Sure enough Leesa had called while Amos and I were checking out the crime scene.

Leesa fussed, “You told me to call when we got home. You and Mr. Amos were that busy you couldn’t come to the phone?”

“Girl, if you don’t stop that foolishness. An emergency came up next door.”

“What kind of emergency?”

“I can’t get into it right now, Leesa. I’m glad you’re home safe. Tell the children goodnight for me.” After I hung up the phone it occurred to me that Leesa and the children had left only an hour before everything went down next door. That was too close for comfort.

It was cold, but Amos and I sat bundled up in our jackets on my porch. I didn’t want to miss a single thing. Neither one of us were surprised when Detective Sarah Wilkes walked towards us. The red-haired detective had her long hair tied in a messy bun on the top of her head. It wasn’t that late, but Detective Wilkes looked like she lacked a few days sleep. She eyed me and then Amos before speaking. “Weren’t you two the first ones on the scene of the last murder that happened in Sugar Creek?”

I was a bit offended by Detective Wilkes’ tone, but Amos chuckled and responded. “Detective, Ms. Eugeena and I can’t help that we have this much excitement around us. We’re retired folks just trying to enjoy a Sunday evening.”

Now I liked the way Amos set Missy straight. “Yes, it wasn’t like we were expecting to hear two gunshots next door.”

Detective Wilkes whipped out her notebook and pen. “You said you heard two gunshots. About what time?”

I don’t know if Amos was paying attention to the clock or not. “Well, my daughter left around seven o’clock with my grandchildren and I think we’d been talking at least an hour. I would say around eight o’clock.”

Amos nodded. “That sounds about right. The gunshots were coming from next door. I went out to check and saw the front door open.”

I waved my hands. “We saw a car take off down the street. The car came up not long after William arrived.”

Amos said, “Yes, a car sped off as I opened the door. It appeared to be a sports car. Maybe the latest Mustang. Dark in color, wouldn’t you say, Eugeena?”

Now that Amos asked me I wasn’t sure what I remembered. “It was dark outside. I would say it could have been black or dark gray. I’m not that sure.”

Detective Wilkes continued, “That’s fine. Did either of you happen to catch the license plate?”

Amos shook his head. “Nope. Whoever was in the car was moving fast.”

I added, “I wasn’t trying to be nosy, but I think it was a woman driving the car. I know I heard a female’s voice.” Now I wished I had stayed at the door being nosy. I might have been able to help William if I had seen the woman who showed up at his house.

Detective Wilkes scratched notes rapidly in her notebook.  She tapped the pen and took a breath. “Okay. So, Mr. Jones you entered the crime scene?”

Amos lifted his chin. “I went to see if I could help Mr. Hopkins.  When I saw his chest injuries, I reached over to check for a pulse.” Amos paused. “I found none. I realized at that point that the scene needed to be protected for the Charleston CSU.”

I shivered. I hadn’t seen William’s body up close, but Amos’ description was enough for me. “I didn’t enter the house, but I called 9-1-1.”

Detective Wilkes shook her head and continued to scribble in her notebook. She looked up. “Did either of you notice anything strange other than the car? Isn’t there an older woman that lives here too?”

I spoke up. “Louise is in a nursing home. William, the victim, placed her in a home in late July.” It occurred to me that there was something I knew that could be helpful. “You know I did see William earlier today when I was visiting his mother. He mentioned that he found a buyer for the house. I believe the woman that was there tonight could have been the interested buyer.”

Detective Wilkes nodded. “I will need the contact information for Mr. Hopkin’s mother. Maybe she has more information on this buyer or buyers.”

I nodded. “Sure, she’s at Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home, but would you let me talk to her about her son. She’s doesn’t have any other family.”

Now that was a fib, Eugeena.
Louise certainly does have more family.

“Certainly, Mrs. Patterson. Why don’t you get some sleep? We will touch base tomorrow morning.”

After Detective Wilkes walked away, I turned to Amos. “I wasn’t very truthful. Louise does have other family. Don’t you think it’s odd that this all happened today.”

Amos eyed me. “Don’t get any ideas, Eugeena. Like the detective said, let’s get a good night’s sleep and we’ll talk more tomorrow. Lock your doors up tight.”

“Okay.” Amos stood on my porch until I shut my front door and locked it. Despite Amos’ warning, I was full of questions.

Who was the woman that came to visit William? Was it really about a house sale or did William say that as a cover up for something else? Then there was that moment when William seemed suspicious of Jocelyn earlier. Did he know who she was?

I changed into my flannel nightgown and tried to settle my nerves, but so much had happened today I was too restless to just lie down. I knelt by my bedside and prayed for Louise and the loss of her son.
This is going to hit her hard, Lord.

It occurred to me after I climbed into bed. What if today’s visit from Jocelyn was a part of a plan that included taking out Louise’s only heir?

Dreams of Jocelyn shooting at William invaded my sleep. I don’t know why because it seemed so illogical. While I couldn’t clearly see the woman, I didn’t think the female voice I heard was Jocelyn’s voice. But then I kept replaying William’s face as he questioned Jocelyn. Had he seen Jocelyn before? It was the timing of it all. There was so much more to my neighbor’s son getting killed next door.

By the time I arose Monday morning I felt like I had run a race in my sleep. I lingered on my knees longer than usual in prayer because I didn’t know how to tell Louise her son was dead. Louise’s eyes had also haunted me as I slept. “How do I break the news to Louise gently, Lord. If it was one of my sons, I know I would need to be buckled down from the sheer pain.”

I struggled up from my knees and turned to see my housemate watching me.  I have to say Porgy impressed me more and more each day. Whenever I knelt down to pray, that little doggie of mine sat near me just as quiet as he could. I imagined when his former owner and my now deceased friend, Mary, prayed, the dog had gotten used to being quiet and almost reverent. No one could convince me animals were lacking sense.

“Alright, let’s get going for the day.” Porgy bounded down the steps before me. While he gobbled his Kibbles, I made a cup of green tea. Knowing I needed to eat, I made toast and then checked my glucose levels. I needed to remember to take care of me and my diabetes, which I must say has been quite a learning experience over the past year. Some days I still don’t quite get it right.

After giving Porgy a good run in the backyard, I dressed and headed towards my car. I briefly looked over at Louise’s house and found the yellow crime scene tape in the front of the house a bit sobering. All these years I’ve been here, I hadn’t seen as much violent crime as I had in the past few months. Here was yet another death, this time right next door to me.

I felt a bit ashamed that I didn’t even speak to William when he arrived yesterday, not that we were the kind of folks to greet each other. William had a distinct dislike for me and I never quite understood why when his mother and I were such good friends.

When Bill was alive, we all got along fine with him. Ralph and Bill would talk to each other across our yards. William and my boys grew up together. For whatever reason since he was a teenager, William had grown more distant and callous, even more so after his father died. Bill and William were always at odds. Louise would never admit it, but she and her beloved son were not that close either.

William stayed away for long periods of time telling Louise he was on some adventure somewhere. I had never really been clear on what William did for a living. I don’t think Louise knew either. He struck me as a bit of a wanderer going from one scheme to another.

If only I had lingered outside long enough to catch his visitor up close. Would it have helped or would I have put me and Amos in danger?

What I really wished was that Amos or I had caught the license plate of that sports car that sped away. Though she was in the nursing home, Louise’s mind was still active and she would ask questions about her son’s death.  I certainly had no answers. I was of no help and I didn’t like that at all.

As I climbed into my car, I thought about asking Amos to tag along with me to the nursing home, but I knew the conversation ahead would become quickly emotional. Men didn’t like to deal with a lot of emotions.

It took me all of ten minutes to arrive at the nursing home. I parked my car and sat for a moment to collect myself.  I don’t think I’ve ever done anything quite this hard. When my husband, Ralph, passed away, all the children were in town and by his side. We grieved together.

Louise would be grieving alone. It was time to face my friend.

When I stepped inside the nursing home I almost ran into a well-dressed woman. She wore a navy business suit and had a gold badge on the left side that read “director.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to run you over.”

“No problem, I shouldn’t have been in a hurry.” The woman pushed her glasses up to her face.

She had perfect flawless skin and brown eyes that blinked rapidly behind her silver wire frame glasses. I looked at her badge again. For some reason the woman reminded me more of a funeral director the way she held her hands in front of her. I’m sure that was my imagination running away with me again. The place just messed with my mind. “Are you the new director here?”

“Yes. I’m Jacqueline Saunders. Are you interested in taking a tour of our facilities?”

I shook my head. “Oh no I came to see a friend, Mrs. Hopkins; you may have heard she lost her son last night.”

The director blinked. “Oh yes, it’s very terrible news. We’ve been trying to keep that information from Mrs. Hopkins. It seems like you people are in a hurry to upset her.”

“You people?”  I asked.

Ms. Saunders turned her head. “There’s a detective here.”

I peeked around Ms. Saunders and saw Detective Wilkes standing at the desk area talking to the young woman that I had met yesterday. I hoped the detective hadn’t seen Louise. I wanted to be there for support and to be the one to break the bad news to my friend.

“Oh my, well it’s good to meet you, Ms. Saunders. I better see what’s going on.” I walked over to the desk.  “Detective, I didn’t know you would be here this soon.”

Detective Wilkes turned towards me. Her red hair looked even more disheveled and her green eyes appeared to be dull.
Did this woman sleep?

She answered, “Hello, Mrs. Patterson. I wanted to get in touch with Mrs. Louise Hopkins as soon as possible about her son’s death.”

“I’m glad I came early. She’s going to be really upset. It was pretty much just William and her.”

Detective Wilkes nodded. “I see. So, there’s no other family?”

I thought to myself should I tell the detective about the young woman who was here yesterday. I really didn’t get the impression that Jocelyn would do William any harm, but my dreams and suspicions last night weren’t helping.

I answered the detective back the best I knew how. “Louise doesn’t have other family that I know of. Her siblings were older and have passed on years ago.”

Detective Wilkes looked at me as though she thought I would say something else. I glanced at Lexi who appeared to be busy behind the counter. She looked up from the computer screen to look at me and then the detective. That’s when it occurred to me that Jocelyn may have mentioned she was Louise’s granddaughter to get access to the room.

The detective shrugged. “Shall we go ahead and talk to Mrs. Hopkins?”

“Yes. I’m ready.” No, I really wasn’t, but the inevitable had to happen.

The detective and I walked down the hall in what felt like slow motion. There was no small talk between us. I twisted my hands as we drew closer to the door. I had this insane thought that Jocelyn came back. What if the young woman changed her mind and was standing by Louise’s bed when we entered?

No one was in the room. Louise was awake and was staring at a television show. As we entered the room, I noticed the show was one of Louise’s favorites, the
I Love Lucy Show.
Louise laughed out loud and then turned to see us walk into the room. I watched her face light up.

“Eugeena, it’s so good to see you. I don’t think you’ve ever come to visit me two days in a row.”

I smiled back, my emotions rising up. “It’s always good to see you, friend.” I looked over at the detective. “Louise, do you remember Detective Wilkes?”

Louise peered at the detective. “Yes, you were the one investigating Mary’s death this past summer. My goodness, what would bring you here?”

I thought I heard Detective Wilkes gulp, but then I realized that was me. For once I decided to stay quiet and I looked at the detective.

Detective Wilkes stepped closer to Louise’s bed. “Mrs. Hopkins …”

Louise interrupted her. “Oh honey, you can call me Louise.”

The detective smiled. “Louise. When was the last time you saw your son?”

Louise’s smile faltered a bit. “Yesterday. Oh no what is William up to now? That boy told me he found someone to buy my house. I told him not to go through with it. All this is happening too fast.” Louise started waving her hands.

Detective Wilkes glanced over at me.

I shuffled closer to Louise’s bed and patted her on her hand. “Louise, you’re going to have to listen. Detective Wilkes has a bit of bad news to share.”

Louise held her hand to her chest. “What? Did something happen to William?”

Detective Wilkes cleared her throat. “Your son was fatally wounded last night at your former home.”

Fatally wounded
. 
That was a real nice way of putting it, detective
.

Louise frowned. “Is he okay?”

I sighed and shook my head. “No, Louise. William is gone.”

“Gone away.”

I closed my eyes. “Gone to be with his father.”

“But his father is …” Louise stopped as she started to realize what we were trying to tell her. “My boy is dead?”

Both Detective Wilkes and I nodded. There were no words at the moment.

I watched Louise as her eyes grew wide and she clutched her nightgown. “He can’t be gone. He was my baby. I tried to be the best mother I could be.”

“Oh, Louise, you were a really good mother to William. The best.”

Tears flowed down Louise’s face. “I’m being punished now.”

Punished.
I looked back at Detective Wilkes, who was looking at me with questions in her eyes. I shook my head. I didn’t know where this was going. “Louise, this isn’t punishment. Someone meant William harm.”

Louise wailed and held her hands to her face. “It’s my fault. I caused this to happen and now I’ve lost all of my babies.”

I looked for Louise’s buzzer on the bed. “Louise, maybe I should get you a nurse. I’m so sorry this has happened.”

Louise reached out and grabbed my arm with more strength than I knew she had. “Eugeena, I have to make it right.”

Detective Wilkes stepped closer. “Make what right? Mrs. Patterson, do you know what she’s talking about? Does this have anything to do with what happened to Mr. Hopkins last night?”

Louise seemed to slip right before my eyes as she stared off into space.  She whispered something.

I leaned closer to hear what Louise was saying.

“August, I’m so sorry. For everything?”

Who was August?
  I would have expected Louise to call out her deceased husband’s name. For some reason, her distressed mind was on someone named August.

I reached for Louise’s hand and tried to loosen her grip on my arm. “Louise, I don’t know what you think you’re being punished for, but I’m going to help you get through this.”

Louise’s shoulders shook as she cried. “It’s my fault. My fault.”

I reached over and hugged my fragile friend. I looked at Detective Wilkes. “We need a nurse in here.”

The detective stared at Louise, nodded that she understood and then left the room.

This was about more than the pain of losing her son; there was something from the past haunting Louise as the same time. I had a feeling I would need to find Jocelyn Miller.

And whoever this August person was to Louise.