With His Dying Breath (22 page)

              Evelyn served cake and coffee as everyone comforted Sammi around the large dining room table typical of old Southern farmhouses As one of the oldest houses in River Town, it used to be considered out in the country. Now it sat on the edge of the city limits. Charlie’s huge workshop sat behind a privacy fence, which also hid his tractor and old farm truck from public viewing. He kept a nice garden with a few chickens. He hated how he was now ‘in the city.’

             
“Thanks, everyone. These past eight days have just been horrible,” Sammi said. “I wouldn’t be able to make it through without all of you. You’re the best friends I’ve ever had.”

             
“And we’ll see you through the rest of the time,” JJ added.

             
Sammi continued, “I just don’t know why someone would murder my aunt. I don’t know why someone would murder Blake. He was bound to have enemies from the wheeling and dealing he did, but murder is beyond me.”

             
“Me either,” said the friends in unison as they all looked at one another.

             
“My brother murdered my parents,” she said, “because he thought they never loved him. I know they did. He just didn’t perceive that they did. I just will never understand why someone would kill another human being.”

             
JJ asked, “Sammi, where’s your brother now?”

             
“Still in prison. He was tried as an adult and got a maximum sentence, he and one friend. The other one only got ten years. I haven’t talked to Kyle since the day of his sentencing, which was twenty-five years ago. He’ll never get out more than likely.”

             
“What could have caused him to act like that?” JJ asked.

             
“JJ, I’ve thought about it so much, but I don’t know. We grew up as happy, well-adjusted kids, I thought. Well, until I got out from under him. Daddy used to play ball with him but Kyle was not athletic and just couldn’t excel. He made the team but just always sat on the bench. He saw himself as not good enough. But I’m sure my dad would not have made him think that.”

             
“Did he feel inferior? I’m not sure that’s the right word. What I mean is did he feel like he didn’t measure up to your dad’s expectations in other things, grades or other activities?” Evelyn asked.

             
“He was just always different, smoking and drinking when he was just ten, eleven years old. And he was a mean little boy.”

             
“Mean, how?” JJ asked.

             
“Mean, like he killed a neighbor’s cat after he tortured it,” Sammi said with tears in her eyes. “I was six at the time and I’ll never forget that.”

             
“Sammi, I’m so sorry,” JJ said.

             
“Well, I’ve never talked about it other than to my doctor so in a way it’s therapeutic.” Sammi dried her tears.

             
“I was scared of him. I never told my parents the things he did.”

             
“Why not?” JJ asked.

             
“Well, for one thing he threatened me. He said he would kill my cats, too. I didn’t like his friends either so I always put my cats in my room when they were there.”

             
“Did your mother or dad ever say anything to him about his friends?”

             
“I know they didn’t like his friends in the house especially when they weren't home, and they argued constantly. But I was only twelve when they died so I’m sure I’ve blocked out a lot. I had therapy for three years. I realize now that none of it was my fault, but at first I blamed myself for not telling anyone.”

             
The group became very silent thinking about Sammi’s tragic childhood.

             
Chip broke the silence and asked about the woman posing as Aunt Pat’s visitor. “Any idea who the woman at the nursing home was?”

             
Cain answered, “Well, what she looked like was not who she is. She signed the log as Mrs. Jonas Attaway.” 

             
“Mrs. Jonas Attaway, the wife of the man who killed Blake,” Evelyn asked.

             
“Mrs. Young,” JJ said, “that man doesn’t exist. I believe he was wearing a make-up mask and probably padding. Detective Marabell knows that was not his dog.”

             
“What?” she asked.

             
“Can I say, daddy?”

             
“Sure, go ahead,” he said. Cain asked for another piece of cake.

             
“I’ve been studying on this deception,” JJ said. “The day I saw him on TV, I knew he showed no emotion. I thought if I’d found a bloody, dead body, Sammi, I’m sorry,” JJ looked at Sammi.

             
“That’s okay, JJ, we’re all interested in what you’re saying.”

             
JJ smiled and continued, “Well, he showed absolutely no emotion. You know how a lot of those movie stars even some of the girls at school are getting Botox and other fillers in their faces and they can’t smile like they used to. Well, I think he had on a mask.”

             
“Where would he get it?” Sammi asked as Evelyn poured more coffee and passed around a plate of sandwiches.

             
“You can get anything off the Internet. Just give a credit card number, and it will be delivered within a week or so.” JJ said.

             
“Evelyn, you are quite the Southern hostess but please don’t wait on us,” Sammi said. Evelyn smiled and took a seat with the group.

             
“JJ, about what you just said. There’s also a company in Macon that makes those masks, too,” Mrs. Young added. “Or you can buy the jar of stuff to spread over your own face. I’ve seen them do it at the Grand Opera House during their plays when I’ve fixed hair or the wigs for the actresses.”

             
“Well, now, do we know anybody in town who performs in those plays not just at the Opera house but at any of the theatres around the area?” JJ asked.

             
“No, I don’t,” Chip said.

             
“Can’t think of anyone,” Cain said.

             
“Me either,” Sammi said.

             
“Well, I probably do,” Evelyn said. “Let me call some of my clients and see what they know. Several of them act in plays all the time.”

             
“Great,” JJ said as she thought of something else.

             
“Also y’all, what about this?” she said. “Dad, you said it looked like somebody was targeting Sammi. But what does the BelRon fire have to do with her? And Madelyn Sommers? Sammi, did you know her very well?”

             
“I knew her because she had worked for Blake for so long,” Sammi answered. “She and her husband were at our house about a month ago for a little get together. Well, actually, they’ve been there several times. But no, we were friendly acquaintances but not like ‘girlfriends,’” Sammi said making the motion of quotation marks with her fingers. “I wouldn’t say I knew her well enough for someone to murder her because they hated me. That’s for sure.”

             
JJ seemed almost disappointed. Then she remembered. “But that note, remember Mr. Fritz found that note that said ‘not in the plan’ or something like that. Maybe she was mistaken for someone. Do you know anybody that looks like her that the killer might have mistaken her for?”

             
“No, she was a sweet lady, always kind, remembering special dates and all. But she did look like lots of other women. She dressed very conservatively, always had her hair groomed. Evelyn saw to that. She was the oldest lady at the real estate office at least in that office. Most of the agents are young, thirtyish or so. I guess Madelyn was in her late forties or so.”

             
“Actually, she was fifty-four,” Evelyn said.

             
“So maybe it wasn’t a mistake. Maybe she saw something or found something or knew something about Mr. Brockton or the BelRon fire or maybe the murderer. What do you think, daddy?”

             
“All good theories honey. I just don’t know. You’re the one who watches all the crime shows. What do you think?”

             
Chip waited for her answer.

             
“Well, to me. It looks like someone has framed Sammi for Mr. Brockton’s murder. BelRon, I just don’t know what that has to do with Sammi or Mr. Brockton.”

             
Sammi said, “I do, maybe, about BelRon anyway. Blake bought that land a long time ago, I think about ten years ago, and he told me he knew it would be worth a lot of money one day. That bypass to Atlanta was going on the west side of Macon and he thought it would go by or through his property which now we know it is.”,

             
“Then all of this could have something to do with my file on the bypass being stolen,” Cain said.

             
“Sure,” said Sammi. “Anyway, right before we got married, he told me several companies wanted the property. They had looked at the DOT surveys and knew which of the roads would get an exit ramp.”

             
Cain said, “I never saw that survey.”

             
Sammi continued, “Blake said it got into a bidding war and one of the companies made an offer of a million dollars more than the other company and that’s who he sold it to since it seemed to be the top bid. Then that company sold to BelRon for even more money. Blake said he didn’t care though. BelRon had not made any offers that he told me about. So not only did he make a huge gain off the land itself, he received a ten per cent commission from the company.”

             
“Who were those other companies?” Cain asked.

             
“I’m not sure he said. Anyway, I don’t remember.”

             
“Wish I could see those files,” Cain said. “I’ll talk to Hilda about it Monday.”

             
“They could be at the real estate office. You could call Bill Fritz about it.”

             
“Good idea. Does he manage the downtown office as well?”

             
“No, not really, at least I don’t think so. But he could probably tell you who to talk to downtown.”

             
“Great, Sammi. Thanks.

             
“So,” JJ theorized, “I don’t know what this means. Seems like if the fire was to get back at Mr. Brockton, it would have been bombed or whatever before he was murdered. You know to make it look like he did it.”

             
Chip said, “I think so, too. I agree with JJ. But then that comic strip mentioned Mr. Brockton to die and indicated a fire at BelRon.”

             
“What comic strip?” Sammi and Evelyn asked together.

             
Cain supplied the answer to this one and the group kept bouncing theories off one another until Charlie got home about twelve thirty.

             
“Y’all having a party?” he asked.

             
“More like a wake,” Evelyn replied.             

             
Charlie joined the group as Evelyn placed a ham and cheese sandwich and potato chips in front of him. He expressed his sympathy to Sammi. Evelyn served another round of ham and cheese sandwiches, some chips and dip, another pot of coffee and soft drinks to the hungry gumshoes.

             
“So, who’s the creep that’s wreaking havoc on our community? Have y’all figured it out?” Charlie asked in between bites of his sandwich.

             
“No, just coming up with more questions than answers,” Cain said.

Charlie asked Evelyn, “Evie, did you ever tell the police about what you told us at Anne’s the other night?”

              “No, I actually forgot, we’ve been so busy at the shop.”

The group leaned forward as Evelyn told the story about seeing Blake the afternoon before he died.

              “He was dressed in jeans?” Sammi asked.

             
“Yes and sneakers,” Evelyn added. “Way out of character for him. Don’t you think?”

             
“I didn’t know he owned any sneakers,” Sammi said.

             
“Well, I’m sure it was him. I just don’t know who the man was he was arguing with.”

             
“Describe him, again, Mrs. Young. Everybody close your eyes and see if you can picture him,” JJ said. “Mrs. Young, close your eyes, too, so you won’t be distracted.” 

             
Evelyn started her story about seeing Blake at the gas pump. “His clothes were a mess and he had on work boots, not sneakers, I remember now. He had on blue jeans and a dark blue jacket and brown work boots. He was very muddy or either something was all over his clothes. He must’ve already been there when I pulled up or I would have noticed him pulling in beside me. I remember a bright red sports car pulled up beside him. The man driving wore sunglasses and a ball cap. He had his head partially on the outside of the window. He motioned to Blake and said “leave her alone.” Blake’s face was blazing red and he said for him to stay out of his business. The man in the sports car said, ‘you’ll regret it if.’”