With His Dying Breath (11 page)

             
Cain knew better and returned to his car assured more than ever the barking dog was another clue. He called the office and asked for ten copies of every Skinmore comic strip be sent up to his office.

He called the Research Department and asked for
Libby and Gabby to meet him at two o’clock if possible—he’d cover overtime.

He punched
in JJ’s speed dial. “Hi Daddy.” He smiled just to hear her voice.

             
“Hi babe, are you working today?”

             
“No sir. Mrs. Young told me last night I could have the day off. I’m going in Monday though when the shop is closed.”

             
“Feel like helping me out on something?”

             
“Sure. Chip and I are up at the music store, just talking to his sister. What you need?”

             
“Bring Chip with you and come on down to my office. Don’t mention it to anyone else, okay hon?”

             
“Sure Daddy, see you in about twenty minutes!”

             
He needed fresh eyes to review the Skinmore comic strip. It’s got to be the key to solving the case but which one — the Brockton murder, the explosion or the Crawford by-pass missing folder.

             
At two ten, everyone had gathered in Cain’s office, Chip, JJ, Libby and Gabby. Patsy joined the group since she had the evening shift again. Cain told them about the phone call. “I don’t know what I’m looking for, but this is what I want us to do.”

E
ight months of newspapers were stacked on the desk. He handed everyone a legal pad and ink pen. “What I’d like for you to do is read the whole paper. Make a note of anything, I mean anything, in it that might be a clue—might be a new city ordinance, an accident, a, uh, uh, well, maybe an obituary even an ad, letter to the editor—whatever you think — especially anything about the new bypass on the west side, good or bad comments, just anything. Make sure you write down the date. And this comic strip Skinmore. It only started about a month ago but write down everything you think is being communicated, translated, hinted at, said out right, a strange or maybe a misspelled word just anything. I mean your gut reaction! Also, don’t forget to write the date of that issue at the top of your paper. If you make a comment, put the page number and column heading so I can read it later, if necessary. Oh, and put your name at the top in case I have a question. I’d like for each one of you to do every paper, to make sure we don’t miss anything. OK?” Cain smiled at how mysterious he must have sounded, so he added, “Okay, Mr. Phelps, do you accept your mission?” The girls wondered ‘who is Mr. Phelps?’

“Okay, I’ll stack the newspapers here so you can each take one. Then when you’re done with it. Put it in this stack. It’ll get boring, I’m sure. So take breaks,” Cain added.

“And, too, daddy, we better put our names or initials on the front page to keep up with the ones we did.”

“Good idea, honey Thanks.”

“Let’s get started, everyone,” Chip said as he slid newspapers across the table.

             
Cain watched each one writing their name at the top and the date of their individual newspaper.

“I really appreciate this and what I would really like is for us to work without talking and verbalizing what we think. I don’t want someone to influence another person
, and then we’re going to compare our notes for each issue. Okay?” Once again, thinking how dramatic he sounded, he asked, “Any questions, class?”

             
“Is this related to the murder, Cain?” Patsy asked, “Or the fire at the plant?”

             
“That’s what we’re going to find out! Okay, I’m going to start on another article. I’ll be back in about an hour. Everybody clear?”

             
Everyone nodded.

             
One by one, they read the newspaper articles and the Skinmore comic strip making notes. Cain returned about two hours later and marveled at how the group was doing, but they had barely made a dent in the stack of newspapers. Cain hoped that was a good sign that they were getting some good clues to what this comic strip was about.

             
“Anybody for pizza?” he asked. With a one hundred per cent yes, he left and returned in about forty-five minutes with six large boxes of loaded pizza. Passing out plates and napkins, he advised the group, “Bribery works every time! Eat up, you’ll need the energy!”

             
Cain started sorting out the notes from the newspaper articles. He cut out each comic strip and taped it to a page from the legal pad. Hours later, the last newspaper was read.               Briefly looking through the key words, Cain tried to hide his disappointment. Nothing was jumping out at him. Notes such as friendly dog, doesn’t mind his owner, dog laughs when baby cries, dog barks at phone ringing, dog plays in garbage, dog’s friends are a turtle and a cat. And the oddest one so far was dog puts for sale sign on his doghouse.

News stories such as city government’s new offices, new condo units for sale, toxic waste suspected, car dealership closing and others did not connect in his mind to the comic strip.

Not one thing.

             
“Well, guys, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help. I’m going to lock these in the safe and look at them in a day or two with rested eyes.” With that, everyone said good night, and he walked Patsy, Libby, and Gabby out to their cars and got them on their way. Chip and JJ lingered behind.

             
“Daddy, are you going home now?”

             
“I sure am, sweetie, I’m beat! You riding with me?”

             
She looked at Chip with a pouty frown and said, “Yes sir, Chip’s got the mid. He’s got to get a little sleep. With that, she gave Chip a hug, he and Cain shook hands, and they left heading in opposite directions.

             
“Dad, I need to get my car. Would you take me to the shop’s parking lot? Chip and I were there to pick it up when you called so it’s still there!”

             
Cain took the next left to head up City Boulevard.

              At five o’clock, with list in hand, Anne left for Ingles.               Her first dinner party in her remodeled home. Evelyn and Charlie were the first invited. Then Jenny and Jess.              Anne and Jenny were best friends by no means but they had a decent working relationship. Anne was a part-time stylist so she saw Jenny two days a week. She thought Jenny was attractive, but her demeanor left her beauty lacking. She seemed to have a scowl on her face most of the time and very seldom laughed. But Jenny had one very important trait in her favor. She knew Blake Brockton and knew him very well!

             
In only thirty-five minutes, she was back home more than a hundred dollars poorer, but, of course, the beer and wine took a big chunk of the total.               Alan was in Atlanta to attend a birthday party with Anne’s sister and her kids. So she would have only one glass of wine. She needed to be ready to drive to Atlanta if her child needed her.

             
Austin said a client was to pick up his new convertible at six and would be at least eight before he could get home. She placed a call to Evelyn.

             
“Evelyn, you’re coming tonight? Aren’t you?”

             
“Of course, wouldn’t miss it! What can I bring?”

             
“Not a thing. I’ve got everything ready,” she looked around the kitchen and yes, everything was ready. “Oh, Evelyn, Austin’s gonna be late. Can I count on Charlie to take care of the grilling?”

             
“He’d be happy to, I’m sure. Okay, we’ll be there in a little bit!”

             
“Be careful, there’s still lot of traffic on the street—people walking!” Anne cautioned

             
“Okay sweet, see you in a bit!” Calling to Charlie, “Let’s go, honey.”

             
“Bye bye.”

             
Charlie sat on the edge of the bed with no shirt and no shoes. Evelyn was anxious. Something was bothering her husband so when they got back home tonight, she would find out. Until then, she needed to get to that party and talk to Jenny and Anne away from the shop.

Evelyn pulled a golf shirt from his closet. “Here you go, darling.”

              Anne said calling off her checklist. “Steaks marinating, salad made, beans and potatoes baking in the oven, and a dessert fruit platter chilling, beer on ice and wine breathing. What else?” Looking around the room, she had everything ready, plates, glasses, silverware. Looks so good, she praised herself aloud, “All that’s missing is some conversation about this murder!”

             
Austin called, “Just left the dealership. My buyer’s picking up the car Monday. Wants some changes.”

“Great, honey. I’ll be so happy to see you.”

“Need me to stop off and get anything?” He wanted to know she was okay. Anne and Austin had drawn closer together since their neighbor was murdered. No one knew if it was random or targeted. No one believed Sammi Brockton had murdered her husband so that meant the killer was still out there. Anne was not always the perfect wife, but she was his wife and he loved her. He loved her more than ever now.

“No, everything’s ready. Just please be careful.”

              Austin had not been around the other two couples much, not as couples anyway. Anne seemed to enjoy the women so he was certainly willing to meet their husbands. Jess had once played pro baseball, so they probably knew some of the same people. Charlie was in retail management at one of the large hardware stores. He had talked to him many times about yard equipment, plants and landscaping but that was all. So, maybe he could talk to him tonight about his grass. He really wanted a pretty, green lawn.

Charlie and Evelyn pulled into the side parking
space and walked in the house without ringing the bell. Evelyn held a vase of pink cherry blossoms mixed with dogwoods.

             
“Evie, these are beautiful. Thank you.”

             
They all hugged and mentioned how nice her house looks.

             
“Thank you.” Anne beamed so pleased with the compliment.

             
“Thought you said Jenny and Jess were coming.”

             
“Well, they are, don’t know what’s keeping them.”

             
“Speak of the devil,” Anne said as Jenny’s Camaro pulled into the drive. Jess attempted to get the door for her, but she was two steps ahead and at the door. The two women lifted their eyebrows. Trouble in paradise?

             
“Hey,” Anne said. “Y’all okay?”

             
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Jess said with a frown.

             
Jenny leaned onto a kitchen cabinet as her eyes roved around the room examining Anne’s color scheme of taupe and red accents.

The chill in the air quickly warmed when Jess
left the room and walked out to the patio. The girls continued their conversation about the town and any theories circulating. The beauty shop was not mentioned.

Austin arrived at the house just as Charlie
put the steaks on the grill. He heard the laughter. He walked over to his attractive wife, whispered a few words in her ear, and gently kissed her on the edge of her lips.

             
“Hi baby,” he said, “You look great, and the house looks great.”

             
“Thank you, love. Have a good day?”

             
“Not really,” he said after taking a beer from the cooler. “No, my mind wasn’t on cars today. I’m glad to be home.” He gave her a short, passionate kiss. “We better join the others, don’t you think?”

They walked back out to the veranda
, and Anne handed Charlie a tray for the steaks.

             
“Hey there Austin,” Charlie yelled out, “You can certainly take this over if you want.”

             
“No, no, you’re doing a great job. They smell tremendous like Outback just moved into the neighborhood!” Everyone laughed. Anne’s face revealed pleasure from the compliments and the kisses from Austin.

             
The conversation moved to Blake and Sammi. Each one of the guests had an opinion on who murdered Blake Brockton. Jenny was the only one who believed Sammi murdered her husband, but even she was doubtful. “I heard she was in the house when Blake was gunned down. That’s no alibi in my book!” She snapped back when the group vetoed her idea.

             
“Steaks done, well some are rare!” Everyone laughed as Charlie passed them out on the colorful plates. Anne took the salad from the refrigerator and the baked beans and potatoes from the oven. The group of friends took their places at the table without a lull in the conversation.

             
Evelyn said, “I keep thinking about the last time I saw him. He had been in the day before. Jenny remember you did his nails. Anyway, that afternoon, I had an appointment with a new salesman. Anne, you know that company selling the mineral makeup.” She took a potato as the tray passed by.

             
“Yeah, you never did tell me how that went. You going to buy some?”

             
“Not yet, I’m just not sure if….”

             
Jenny interrupted, “Well, go on Evelyn, what about the last time you saw him?”

             
“Oh,” Anne walked over to the bar and poured a glass of ginger ale. “Anybody, want a drink?”

             
“I’ll take some more tea,” Charlie said.

             
Jenny was anxious, “Evelyn, what about it?”

             
“Well, he had been in the day before. You did his manicure. Remember how he dressed so GQ even if he just had on a golf shirt?”

             
The women nodded, muttering in unison as to how impeccable he always looked. They encouraged her to continue.

             
“Well, later that afternoon, I guess it was about two or so when I was coming back from lunch. I had stopped at Sam’s to pick up some supplies JJ had written down. Laundry detergent, ink cartridges, you know the usual stuff. But, this is what I remember, I pulled in to get gas and Blake was there. His clothes were a mess, and he had on work boots, you know like construction men wear. He wasn’t getting gas at the time, just standing at the pump, and I’m almost certain he pulled in just about the time I did. Maybe he had finished, I don’t know. My mind was on the new make-up and if we could market it and make money in our little shop. So I hadn’t really paid attention to the other cars around me except to keep from running over anybody.”

             
Anne passed the salad bowl around for the second time as each guest, almost mesmerized by Evelyn’s story, took another helping.

             
“I called out to him, but about that time a man in a bright red sports car pulled up. I don’t know what make since they all look alike to me. Any way he pulled up really close to Blake’s car and motioned for him to come around. I’m not sure what he said, since I was trying to get my credit card to work. Once I figured it out and the gas was coming out, I’m just standing there, pumping my gas, you know, kind of watching them, you know. Well, Blake’s face was distorted he was so mad. I’ve just never seen him like that. I couldn’t hear what he was saying. I did hear the man in the red car, say, ‘you’ll regret it if’ and then that’s all I heard. I don’t think I actually heard it, but he was facing me so I could read his lips.”

             
“Evelyn,” her husband asked, “what did the police say about that? You did call them, didn’t you?”

             
“Well, no, I really just now realized it as I told all of you. You know, I just heard it for the first time, too”

             
“Well, honey, you need to tell those detectives.” Charlie understood perfectly what she was saying. He had been living with her sanguine personality for thirty-five years now. “Who was the man in the sports car?”

             
“I don’t know. There was something very familiar about him, but I can’t place him. I know he’s not a customer. But I’ve seen him somewhere. I just can’t remember where.”

             
“What else, Evelyn?” Anne asked, “What else you remember?”

             
“Well, nothing else, really. The man drove off and Blake drove off, then I got my receipt and I drove off! I really forgot about it until now. I’ve been more concerned with Sammi and the increase in business. We have been covered up! Poor JJ’s been loaded down with laundry, keeping up with supplies. Don’t know what I’d done without her.”

             
“Charlie, my steak was delicious,” Austin said. “Cooked to perfection.”

             
Again unison voices were saying, “Mine, too…delicious… so tender…just right!”

             
The men began a discussion on spring training, the injured players and what players were holding out for more money. Jess had played ball with a few of the them so he still followed their stats. Charlie answered a few questions for Austin about his lawn. Jenny excused herself to the bathroom. Anne asked Evelyn to help her with dessert in the kitchen.

             
“Evelyn, you do remember something else?” Anne asked, “I can tell when you’re stalling. That’s why you changed the subject to JJ and her workload!”

             
“Anne, yes, but I don’t want to say anything here.” She started rinsing off dishes to go in the dishwasher. “Well, remind me about this topic tomorrow.” Then she looked at Anne and mouthed. “I saw Jenny and Blake together that afternoon, too. I don’t want her to know it, though.”

             
Anne was so shocked at Evelyn’s expression and mystique that she almost dropped the fruit dessert on the floor. It was a much-needed distraction, and they burst into laughter. When Jenny returned, she joined the laughter, not knowing exactly why, which tickled them even more.

             
While Anne was dipping up the desserts, Jenny very casually said, “Jess, why don’t you tell everyone about what Sammi said to you the day she was arrested?”

             
Anne drew her chin in, looked at Evelyn, back at Jenny who had taken on a very innocent stance, and then walked over to a very tense Jess sitting on the sofa. “Jess, what did Sammi say? Something that might help her, I hope!”

             
Jenny practically shouted, “Help! Why does everybody want to help her? I just don’t get it!”

             
“She’s a client, a very good client. I don’t have anything to say about her. But, if I knew anything to help her, you bet I would,” Jess said as he sneered at Jenny, her face even blotchier from sheer disgust.

             
Anne and Evelyn found this conversation almost as interesting as Blake’s murder. Their hostility not only brewing, it was about to boil over! The other two men, however, did not agree and were very uncomfortable. They both found the scene very embarrassing.