Mystery of the Smoldering Mattress (eBook)

Chapter 4

The following day, Harry found himself wondering, while waiting for his Captain to end the phone call from their Division Commander, what new problem had made him anxious this time. It seemed it was always something. Most often, the problem landed in his department’s jurisdiction. As the senior officer, it usually became his problem.

He’d been a detective for almost ten years, having started as a beat cop ten years before that, and twenty years on the force hadn’t produced much wear and tear on his lean frame. A little greyer around the hairline close to his temples and maybe the beginning of some flab around the belt line might be evident. At forty-five, Harry kept active with the precinct’s baseball team and golfing. If you asked him, he’d tell you he was in great shape for the shape he was in.

He would stop for an occasional beer with his unit but was more of a loner. If it wasn’t so early, a beer, or perhaps a glass of merlot, sounded like a good idea about now. Since his recent divorce, wine sipping has decreased. He wasn’t drinking much wine without his wife around to make the selection. He felt his mind wandering when he thought of Ann.

“Never a good time to start thinking of beer, wine, or an ex-wife while waiting to respond to a summons from the captain,” He mumbled to himself, rubbing the back of his neck.

Shaking off that memory, Harry’s thoughts turned to the reason for his summons to the captain’s office. He wasn’t patient and didn’t suffer multiple petty annoyances well. Like being called to the captain’s office, he detested those requests. It usually meant extra work, and he and the other detectives had already put in more overtime hours than they liked.

Harry moved forward as the captain replaced the phone receiver,” Trouble?” He asked. “Seems that a group of residents at a retirement village think that one of their cohorts has been murdered or maybe it was suicide, but they don’t believe that her death was an accident.” the captain said.

“This wouldn’t happen to be the call I covered yesterday, would it?” Harry asked, scowling.

“It is. According to the Commander, the caller was adamant that we investigate further. The caller stated that Nancy Drouillard, a respectable retired judge and resident of the village, has some suspicions that need to be dealt with.” Looking at Harry with a speculative expression, “Seems as if the residents are anxious that there might be a murderer living among them.”

Harry shook his head, rubbed the back of his neck, and looked amazed, “Unbelievable, Nancy has agitated the residents, involving you and even the division Commander.” Exasperated, he added, “I am aware that the deceased was a close friend to her and a favorite of many of the residents, but suggesting that something nefarious is going on within the 55+ village is uncalled for.” Motioning with his upturned hands, he shrugged, “Everything in the apartment pointed clearly to smoke inhalation being the cause of death,” Harry’s frustration was evident.

The captain, used to Harry’s outbursts, hid a smile, “I thought her name sounded familiar, then I remembered she was a defense lawyer during my early days on the force and a fair and effective judge before she retired. I recalled that she also happens to be your mother-in-law.”

“A more than likely bored ex-mother-in-law,” Harry corrected. He could see where this conversation was headed. Hands in his pockets, “I guess you’re going to want me to take care of this, clear up any misconceptions, and calm everyone down?”

“The sooner, the better, Harry. Just don’t upset anyone further. I don’t want another call from the Commander unless it congratulates us on a timely resolution to this issue.”

Harry didn’t like it. He didn’t care that the captain could see it in his stance, but he knew resisting was useless.

“Yes, sir, I’ll see how fast we can resolve this issue.” Walking out the door, Harry added, “I will keep you informed.”

Harry returned to the 55+ village later that morning., Pulling up to the Cup and Vine Cafe, he planned to visit with the barista. From years of experience, he knew the service providers always have their finger on the pulse of the customers, and in this case, that would be the residents.

In line to order, he noted the unique combination of a coffee-wine bar. The ambiance was one of comfort and community. Groupings of tables and chairs filled the cozy space. Earth tones accented the appearance of outdoor space while still indoors. Screens covered the wide doors, which opened to several decks. The tables and chairs were empty except for a group of men comparing golfing scorecards and a four-top of ladies eating pastries. Harry appreciated the aroma of fresh ground coffee as he watched the barista finish a latte with a rose flourish in the foam.

While ordering a decaf coffee, he was approached by an older gentleman. “Say, aren’t you the guy that found poor old Hilda the day she died?” Harry agreed that he was the detective on site that day.

“Whatcha doing back here, now?”

Harry took a second to consider his answer, “We investigate all deaths at home.” he responded, “I’m just following up. Some residents seem to feel that Hilda never smoked in her condo.”

“Yeah, that’s what has all of us scratching our heads.” shrugging his shoulders, “Most of her friends knew she couldn’t stand the smell of smoke and wouldn’t tolerate it in her appointment.”

Harry looked at him, “Did you know her well?” he asked.

“No, we weren’t close. A few women in the village were, and a few guys who hung out at the wine bar a couple of evenings a week knew her well.”

Harry nodded as he sipped his coffee, “Anyone in particular that you think I should talk to,” he asked.

“I’d speak with Nancy Drouillard and her friend Bess since they were close. Also, the neighbor, Sally, spent a lot of time with her. Occasionally, some office administration staff would be on her deck with the residents, smoking and sharing cocktails.”

Harry had pulled out a small notepad and scribbled, “You say, administration staff?”

“Just the director of the complex and his assistant director, Marcy. Hilda’s deck can be seen if you are sitting out front on the wine bar deck. I always look to see if Marcy is present. She’s a standout, being the youngest and most attractive.” He winked, “If you know what I mean.”

Nodding again, Harry seemed to agree, saying, “I think I’ll see if I can track down a few of those folks and put this investigation to rest.”

“That would be a good thing, detective. We would all be much more comfortable around here without wondering how Hilda passed.”

“We at the police department want to ease any fears or suspicions within the village. The sooner we can do that, the better.” He thanked the gentleman over his shoulder as he walked away.

Planning to question the barista later, Harry searched for Hilda’s neighbor, Sally. Crossing the street, he rang the bell at the condo beside Hilda’s. He knocked on the door when no one answered the bell, and still, there was no response.

He remembered seeing some women at a table in the coffee shop, and he thought they might be willing to share their thoughts about Hilda’s death. Walking back into the Cup and Vine, he approached the barista bartender and asked if he had seen Sally that day. He pointed to one of the women at the table he had observed earlier. Harry noticed the women all sat up straighter as they watched him approach.

“Good morning, ladies. How are you this morning.” His smile included all of them.

“Well, how do you expect us to be after all the distressing happenings,” a tiny elderly woman in purple leggings responded. “Such goings on!” she puffed.

“You were here yesterday when Hilda was found, weren’t you?” Another somewhat larger woman with caramel skin and bouncing Grey dreadlocks asked. Smiling at Harry, she added, “Don’t mind her rude response,” pointing at the purple leggings woman, “She’s our official drama queen!”

Harry expected the accusation to be refuted. Instead, he was surprised that the first woman seemed to enjoy her title and preened a little at her friend’s comment. Tossing her hair back off her shoulder, she sighed.

“Such a tragedy. We all loved her, “ she shared, looking at the table for confirmation. Harry noted that all the women nodded in agreement.

He introduced himself,...