Secrets Can Be Deadly (15 page)

44
Saturday, March 8, 1980 (Mason)

M
ason and Sophia’s first stop in Dysart was the library. They would search genealogy records for any additional information on Kenneth and Mae Ponder.

“Hi. I’m Bridget Tinker
. Can I help you?”

“Do you have a genealogy room
?” Mason asked. “And a microfilm reader?”

“Kay just went downstairs. She can help you.
Second door on the right.”

“One more thing. Do you have a map of the area? I’m trying to locate where Kenneth and Mae Ponder lived.”

Bridget’s smile disappeared. ”Why do you want to know?”

“Mae was my aunt. Never met her. Actually didn’t know she existed until a month ago. Is there a problem?”

“A girl came in and said the Ponders were her aunt and uncle. Asked for directions. Right before they died. I stopped giving directions after that. Mae and I played cards together. She was in perfect health, yet she died in her sleep. Something never sounded right to me.”

“Did you ever see the girl again?”

“No. Never. And I don’t ever want to either.”

“I love small town newspapers,” Sophia said. “Listen to this. Katie Mitchell enjoyed an afternoon at her grandmother’s house baking peanut butter cookies.”

“Are you
shirking your duties?” Mason chuckled.

“It caught my eye. I thought it was funny. Oh. Oh. I think I found something. Let me print this.”

Mason impatiently waited for the printout.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Riley from Elkader, Iowa were guests of Mae and Kenneth Ponder. Mae Ponder is Connie Riley’s niece.

“Does that mean you have another relative?” Sophia asked.

“Well, the way the article is worded, Connie would be Mae’s aunt on her side. And since Mae was my mother’s sister, that would make Connie my great aunt.”

“Your family tree just got some new leaves.”

“Guess we need to add name
s to our list of people to contact.” Mason wrote Harold and Connie Riley of Elkader on the notepad. He circled Connie’s name and wrote
Aunt
.

“Thank you, Bridget.” Mason waved, headed toward the front door. He stopped, turned. “One more question. Did you ever hear Mae mention a Connie Riley?”

“Oh
, sure. Connie came to town every few months. She and her niece liked to have lunch at the tearoom. I ate with them a couple times. Do you know her?”

“She
’d be my great aunt.”

“I knew Mae
almost twelve years. Didn’t know she had a sibling.”

“My mom died a long time ago.”

“I’m so sorry. Tell Connie I said hello.”

“I will. Thanks again.”

“Good thinking, Mason. I’d have never thought to ask her about Connie. Maybe that’s why you’re a police officer and I work in a bank,” Sophia chuckled. “I hope the Chief realizes what a good cop you are.”

“You’re prejudi
ced.” Mason cracked a smile. “Let’s grab some lunch then see what other family secrets we can dig up.”

Mason and Sophia arrived at the library in Alta Vista at two-thirty. The library closed at four on Saturdays. They needed to work fast.

“We
’re working on my family history. Do you have a genealogy room or microfilm reader?” Mason asked.

“I’m sorry.” A woman in her mid-forties stood behind the counter.
“The microfilm reader broke yesterday and we won’t get the part for two weeks. I’ll show you where we keep records. Follow me.”

The librarian
took us down an aisle of books to a small room containing three metal file cabinets, bookshelves lined with binders and genealogy books.

“People that come in often leave their
research with us so others can use it. The information in the file cabinets is sorted by last name. The binders contain newspaper articles by date. The books are on the history of Chickasaw County. Any questions?”

“No.
We’ll be sure to see you on the way out.”

Mason
looked at Sophia. “I’ll take the file cabinet. You take the binders.”

Mason heard footsteps and looked down the aisle.

“We’re closing in five minutes,” the librarian said. “
Did you have any luck?”

“A little. Did you know Mark or Lisa Amstead?”

“Never heard of them. Was he young or old?”

“He was an older
guy. Why do you ask?”

“
You might want to stop at Red’s Barber Shop. Most men in town go there to get a haircut. He’s been cutting hair twenty years or more. Red knows all the gossip.”

“Great. Thanks for the tip.”

Sophia smiled at Mason. “Red. Interesting name.”

Mason and Sophia walked into Red’s Barber Shop. A man sitting in the barber chair was getting a haircut.

“Don’t get many young ones walking in, and definitely don’t get many women in here.” Both men laughed. “What
do you need son?”

“Is your name Red?”
Mason asked.

“That
’d be me. Used to have red hair. Been bald a long time. Not like Ralph. Comes in every four weeks.”

“Did you know Mark Amstead?”

“Why you wanna know?”

“He was a relative. On my
mom’s side.”

“Was your lady friend the one who called Mark a few weeks before his death
about the land dispute?”

“No. No. What land dispute? What lady?”

“Mark came in the day after the lady called. Said she was writing a college paper. Wanted info on him. Had a half-brother sue for part of the land. Didn’t get anything. Always said he’d get Mark back. Next thing I know he died in his sleep. Seemed odd to me.”

“Why did it seem odd?”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“I’m a police officer. It’s in my blood.”

“Yeah, okay. Mark’s wife was recovering from knee surgery. If she was unhealthy, don’t you think the doctor would have seen it before surgery? Then one day she and Mark don’t wake up. Just seemed odd.”

“Thanks. Have a good night.”

“Sure you don’t need a haircut?”

“I’m good.”

Mason and Sophia walked out and got in the car. Mason lowered his head and thought about the conversation with the barber. “I’m not sure I like being a part of my family.”

“I’m not sure I want to be a part of your family
,” Sophia said.

“What?”

“I’ve been talking to you for a couple of minutes and you’ve been completely ignoring me.”

“Sorry. Just a lot to take in.”

“Well, put on your happy face because you’re going to meet my aunt and uncle. I don’t want them thinking I’m in love with a zombie,” Sophia chuckled.

“Hi, sweetie.” Georgia gave her niece a big hug. “You must be Mason.” Mason also got a hug.

“Uncle John
’s in the living room watching the news. Why don’t you put your things in the guest room. There are sheets and a pillow on the bed to put on the sofa for Mason. It’s pretty comfortable.”

“Thanks for letting us spend the night,” Mason said.

“Hope you don’t mind I changed plans a little. My friend, Joyce, broke her arm few weeks ago and her niece, Jill, is in town visiting. I’ve invited them to have dinner with us.”

“Sounds great
, Aunt Georgia. How can I help?” Sophia asked.

“Put your things away
, then introduce Mason to your uncle. You can help cut the veggies. Mason, why don’t you sit and watch TV with John.”

“Who’s ready for dessert?” Georgia said. “I’ve got apple pie and vanilla ice cream.”

“You’re going to make me gain five pounds
, Aunt Georgia.” Sophia patted her stomach.

“You need a few pounds on you anyway.”

“When you get to our age, young lady, you stop counting calories,” Joyce said.

“A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips,” Jill said. All the
women laughed.

Mason
quickly changed the subject. “Jill, where do you live?”

“I live in Elkader with my husband and three dogs. Lived there almost thirty years.”

Mason couldn’t resist. “Do you know Harold or Connie Riley? I believe they live in Elkader.”

Jill’s face turned pale. “They did
,” she said. “They had the farm next to ours.”

Mason
focused on her words and face.
Did. Had.
That meant they didn’t live there anymore, but there was more to the story. “Did they move?”

“No. They died. It was big news.”

“What happened?”

“They drowned in their own pond. Drove right into it.
Still don’t believe it. They were packed and ready to move to Florida. They bought a house down there. Sold their farm to my son. If kids hadn’t been trespassing, they’d still be missing.”

“That’s awful,”
Sophia sighed.

“The police wanted to question the niece but couldn’t find her.
She left the grocery store one day for a family emergency and never went back. I remember Connie telling me a week before she died that her niece had finally found an apartment. She’d lived with them a couple of years.”

Sophia
reached over and touched Mason’s arm. “Are you okay?” she whispered.

Mason answered, “My sister.”

45
Saturday, January 12, 1980
(Sam)

I
looked out the frosty living room window. It was a chilly twenty degrees and overcast. Bertha was sitting in front of the TV watching
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
. Now was a good time to move on to the next phase of my plan. I walked in the kitchen, picked up the phone and pretended to make a call. I had to make sure Bertha heard my side of the fake conversation.

“Caroline? What are you doing there?
...Oh, no. Is he okay?...That’s good…Yes, yes. I can come right away. See you later.”

“What the devil was that all about?” Bertha
shouted.

“My grandfather had an accident. He’s okay, but will need a caregiver for quite some time. I’m going to have to leave today
and go take care of him.”

I called
the supermarket and told them the news. The manager said I could stop by in an hour to get my last paycheck. I went downstairs and packed my few belongings. Sad to think my whole life could fit in a backpack and two boxes.

I walked to the supermarket,
then to the bank to cash the check and close my account. I walked back to Bertha’s house, drove the car out of the garage, and left it running by the back step while I loaded my things.

“Goodbye
, Bertha. Thanks for your hospitality.”

“Leaving already?” Bertha said. “Guess I’ll have to call my nephews and see if they can bring me lunch. Well, have a safe trip. Take your time.
”

I got behind the wheel and headed to my next destination.

46
Sunday, March 9, 1980 (Mason)

M
ason
was quiet on the drive back to Sheldon.
Sophia read a magazine that her aunt had given her. Every so often Sophia would make a comment on an article.

At three-thirty, Mason dropped Sophia off at her apartment
. “I’ll call you tomorrow. I’m going to go visit my dad. Can’t wait to hear how he explains everything.”

“
Mason, are you sure you want to see him today? You’re not in a very good state of mind. Maybe you should cool off a few days.”

“I need to get it over with.”

“I love you.” Sophia gave him a kiss. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Love you, too.” Mason watched Sophia walk in the apartment. He could see through the side window that one of her roommates was home, giving Sophia a hug.

Mason
parked his car on the street in front of his dad’s house. Mason walked to the back door, knocked.

Walter opened the door. “What are you doing here? I thought you went away for the weekend.”

“Just got back. You have time to talk?”

“Sure.
Just watching the basketball game. Did you and Sophia have a fight?”

“No. Why would you think that?”

“You’re home early from a trip with your girlfriend and you look upset.”

“
Sophia and I are…fine. Actually, better than fine. She’s the greatest person in my life.”

“Your father’s been replaced, huh,” Walter chuckled.

Mason dropped his head, didn’t say a word.

“Sit down.” Walter pulled out a ch
air at the kitchen table. Mason stood a moment, hands on the back of the chair, then sat.

Walter finally broke the silence.
“You want to tell me what’s on your mind?”

“Sophia and I went to Clinton, Delmar, Dysart, Alta Vista. Sophia was helping me research our family tree.”

“Oh, yeah? Find anything?”

“Lots. Visited the old house. Grandpa’s place too. Found a few relatives I didn’t know existed.”

Walter slammed his hand on the table. “Why would you do such a thing? Our lives were fine. Now you’ve messed it all up.”

Mason
raised his voice. “I’ve messed it up? Me? Really!”

“Your mother and her side of the family were mean, manipulative, hurtful. I took you away from all that. I wanted you to have a happy childhood.”

“Let me get this straight. You faked our deaths, you lied to me about my mother and sister, all because you wanted me to grow up happy.”

“Yes. I never wanted you to find out the truth.” Walter
bit his bottom lip. “What made you decide to dig all this up?”

“I
got a few interesting notes and phone calls. All dealing with a family secret, people dying. I did my own investigation.”

Walter look
ed at the floor. “So. Did you find your sister?”

“No. Not yet.”
Mason paused. “Why didn’t you ask about Mom or Grandpa? Did you already know they were dead?”

Walter raised his head and looked straight at
Mason. “Had a friend in Delmar that kept watch. He lost track of your sister after Ernest’s fire.”

“What about Mom? What happened to my mother?”
Mason raised his voice.

“She…she died shortly after we moved to Sheldon.”

“I couldn’t find any death certificate on her.”

“Well, there isn’t one.”

“What do mean? What did you do?”

“Somehow she found this house. She wanted us to go back to Delmar. I refused.” Walter took a deep breath. “I called my friend to take care of
things. I never heard from her again.”

“You arranged to have my mother killed? Who are you?”
Mason got up and knocked the chair over. He paced the kitchen.

“I never told anyone to kill her.”

“I’ve never wanted to arrest anyone more than I want to arrest you right now.”

“You
could never take it to court. I’d say we never had this conversation and you made it up because you’re a bad cop. Plus, there’s no one alive you could bring in for questioning.”

Mason
was hearing a different side of his dad. “I think I’ve heard enough. Have a nice life, Dad.” He stormed out the back door.

Mason
was halfway down the driveway when Walter yelled, “Your life is whole lot better than it would have been had I not done the things I did.”