Cause for Murder (21 page)

"Not really, Mr. Casey. He asked Sam to relay a message to you. I heard the whole thing."

"Why is he worried, if he's innocent of any wrong doing?"

"None of us like to be pushed into a corner. And that's what happens to a family when a mysterious death occurs. The closest people to the victim are the first suspects. Isn't that why you're here? I've decided we're not answering any more of your questions without an attorney present. And since we can't afford one, I'm requesting a court appointed lawyer for me and my mother."

"That can be arranged,” Detective Williams said, as he followed Hawkman to the door. “I'll have a lawyer get in touch with one of you within the next few days."

After the two men left, Maryann knelt down in front of the chair and took her mother's hands. Tears rolled down Lilly's cheeks. “Mom, we need to have a serious talk."

When the two men walked out of the Parker house, Hawkman glanced over his shoulder, but the boys were nowhere in sight. They must be at the back, he thought. He wondered if he should suggest they call it a day, but decided against interfering with their project. After all, they were young men now and should be able to handle any problems. He didn't want to interfere with their job. At the rate they were moving, they might finish painting the outside by tomorrow and wouldn't have to return.

Hawkman and Williams rode in silence for several minutes, then Williams broke the stillness. “I didn't expect that reaction. I thought the women would be a bit more cooperative."

Hawkman shifted in his seat. “Look at it this way. Maryann's no dummy. She's educated, knows where this investigation is heading, and is going to protect her parents. I can't blame her."

"You're right,” the detective said. “That gal is one hell of a spitfire. It sure makes me consider what you said about watching her. She could very well be guilty of murdering Parker."

Hawkman let out a sigh. “I wish I knew the answer. I want to take another look at at those reports and autopsy pictures."

Williams shot him a look. “What's on your mind?"

"Not sure yet. I'll let you know."

When they reached the police station, Hawkman followed Williams into his office. He scooted a chair to the front of the desk, as the detective slid the Parker folder in front of him.

"I've got a meeting down the hall. If you spot something we've missed, hang around. I won't be long."

Hawkman gave him a wave. “Will do."

After Williams left the room, Hawkman opened the file. He slowly picked through Parker's autopsy pictures, turning them over one by one. When he reached the head shots, he carefully lined them up side by side on the desk, rubbing his chin as he studied them.

Once he located the coroner's reports, he sorted through the pages until he found the one listing Parker's stomach contents at the time of death. He fumbled in his pocket for the small paper pad he carried and jotted down the items.

His attention shifted to the lab reports. He thumbed through the sheets of paper until he found the one he wanted, took some notes, then set that one aside.

He glanced at the inventory sheet of things sent to the lab. The item he wanted to see hadn't been checked off as received. Leaning back in the chair, he thumped the pencil against the desk. He'd ask Williams about it when he returned from the meeting.

Soon, the detective strolled into the room with several sheets of paper in his hand. He dropped them on his desktop, and took off his jacket, hanging it over the back of his chair. “Okay, got the daily meeting out of the way. Now, let's get down to business.” He flopped into the cushioned seat and swiveled around to face Hawkman. “So what'd you find?"

Hawkman took his pencil and pointed to a picture depicting the scoring around Parker's mouth. “I'm interested in how these got there."

"The lab reports state that's the effects of the paraquat."

"Yes, I understand, but if he'd only ingested the paraquat through booze and even if some had dribbled out the corners of his mouth, how come there'd be this much damage around his outer lips, under the nose and across his chin?” Hawkman picked up another picture. “And I noticed here on Parker's right hand, there's some odd looking markings, almost like burns."

"What are you getting at?"

He reached over and thumped the coroner's reports. “It says here, the stomach contents indicated chicken and potatoes for his last meal. Let's say it was fried chicken he'd eaten with his hands."

Williams eyes lit up. “So you think the poison was in the food, too?

"I think it's very possible. Do you remember what you took out of the trash can in that room?"

The detective closed his eyes for a moment and counted on his fingers. “Let's see, there were four items, if my memory serves me right. A big roll of wadded foil, an empty plastic container, which looked like it could have come from a home. An old newspaper and one more item. Oh yeah, a plastic fork."

"Did they have any identifying labels on them, like a sticker label or anything that might identify where they came from?"

"No."

"Did those items go to the lab?"

"Everything went."

"Hopefully, you'll get those results Monday. I have a hunch traces of paraquat will be found on all the food containers."

Williams leaned back in his chair and scratched his head. “So, if someone laced his food with the toxin, we need to find out where he got his dinner."

"It won't be easy. If he got this food from a restaurant, I'd suspect they'd give it to him as a take out in a corrugated box, or possibly in foil. But what stumps me is the plastic thing. That sounds more like it came from a private home where they might have put mashed potatoes or potato salad in a used butter bin. Now, to find out who that kind soul may have been. This is not going to be an easy case to solve."

The detective let out a sigh. “You got that right, if we ever do unravel it. I think it's time to visit Maduk's place and dig up that box you found."

Hawkman put up a hand. “Not today. If Maduk isn't working, he could be out at his new place. He'd spot us for sure. Let's wait until Monday, when we can be sure he's not there."

"Good idea."

Sam and Richard climbed down their ladders at the same time. Sam arched his back and stretched. “You want to change places when we go around the corner?"

Richard grinned. “Sure, reaching up under the eaves is getting to you isn't it?"

"Yeah, little tough on the neck and back.” He stepped back and gave Richard the thumbs up. “We work well as a team. Look at that beautiful job. And we've already got one side and the back done."

Richard pointed toward the opposite corner. “The hardest is still ahead. That wall includes the carport, then there's the front of the house with the porch."

"That's true, but we'll make a big dent in it today.” He rubbed his stomach. “Let's eat. I'm starved."

After capping the paint cans and wrapping their brushes in plastic bags, they strolled toward the pickup.

Richard pointed down the street. “Why don't we go over to that little park we passed. It's only a couple of blocks away. Maybe we can find a free table and eat in the shade."

Sam climbed into the cab. “Sounds good. Let's go."

Richard hopped into the truck and made a U-turn. When they reached the recreation area, they found a vacant table under a large oak tree. It took both of them to lug the ice chest Uncle Joe had packed that morning.

"Good grief,” Sam said. “What the heck's in here?"

Richard laughed. “Beats me. But I have a feeling more food than we'll be able to eat."

Raising the lid, Richard rubbed his hands together. “Would you look at all this.” He dug out four huge sandwiches, a big container of potato salad, a jar of canned plums, two big bottles of juice and a whole peach pie. On the top were several paper dinner plates and plastic eating utensils. Also a couple of frozen cartons to keep everything cool. “No wonder this thing was so heavy."

Sam stared at the food with wide eyes. “Oh man, what a feast. Let's dig in."

They scarfed down a sandwich, a helping of potato salad and a piece of pie before they slowed down. Then Richard placed his fork on the plate and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Hawkman and the detective didn't hang around long? Were you able to eavesdrop?"

Sam grimaced. “Yeah. There's a window in the kitchen that's stuck and won't close all the way. Their voices were loud enough to hear. Maryann sounded pretty mad and demanded a lawyer."

Richard leaned forward and stared at his friend's mouth. “Tell me what you heard."

Sam related the conversation between the four people. When he finished, he shook his head. “I'm guessing Maryann's protecting someone."

"Maybe herself.” Richard said.

"I don't know, it's possible. But the two most important people in her life are suspects. If Maduk did poison Burke Parker, and Lilly knew he did it, Maryann wouldn't want her mom to say something that might incriminate either one of them. She stated she wanted a lawyer present before they'd answer any more questions. And truly that's the only way to go."

"I agree,” Richard said, as he packed the uneaten food into the ice chest. “Guess we better get back to our job, so we can get as much done as possible before dark."

"Yeah. I'm so full right now, I'd like to take a nap. Thank Uncle Joe for me, the food was great."

"If we get hungry mid-afternoon, we have enough for a nice snack."

Sam laughed, as he threw the dirty paper plates and utensils into the trash can. “You got that right, we've got lunch for tomorrow."

When the boys returned to the Parker house, the two women were in the car. Maryann rolled down the driver's window. “I don't know when we'll be back. Just make yourself at home if you need anything."

"Thanks,” Sam said, watching as they pulled out of the driveway. He wondered where they were going.

Maryann slowed the car and glanced at Lilly sitting rigidly in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Mother, we need to talk."

"Couldn't we have discussed whatever it is at the house?"

"No, I didn't want to risk being overheard by Sam."

"I have to go to work this evening."

"I'll have you back in plenty of time."

"Well, then, get started."

"There are a couple of things I want to ask. One is, where's that weed killer that used to be out in the carport cabinet."

Her mother twisted her head around and stared at Maryann with a puzzled expression. “What are you talking about? I don't even know what's out there. Burke used it for his stuff. I never even bothered looking inside it."

Maryann slapped the steering wheel, making her mother jump. “Don't play games with me."

Lilly let out a sigh. “I've had enough questions. I want to go home."

Gritting her teeth, Maryann pulled to the side of the road and stopped. She glared at her mother. “I know there was a bottle of paraquat in that cabinet. Now, it's gone. I want to know where it went."

Lilly stared into her daughter's eyes with concern. “How did you know that?"

"It doesn't matter how I knew. But it's not there any more."

"Why were you snooping?"

"Mother, I've lived in that house all my life. That bottle had been there for years."

Lilly threw up her hands then let them fall to her thighs with a slap. “Maybe Burke destroyed it."

Maryann reached across and grasped her arm. “I saw it in that cabinet after Burke died."

Rubbing her head with her hands, Lilly looked out the window. “You're giving me a headache, Maryann."

"Are you protecting Maduk?"

Lilly narrowed her eyes. “Maybe I'm protecting you and Maduk. You seem to know an awful lot about a bottle of paraquat."

Dropping her hand from her mother's arm, she bit her lower lip and turned the key in the ignition. “I'm taking you home."

When she pulled around the corner, Sam and Richard were standing in the driveway talking and gesturing toward the house. Maryann noticed their ladders resting against the wall and wondered if they'd looked inside that cabinet. She stopped in the driveway as the boys scooted out of the way.

Jumping out of the car, she slammed the door and stormed into the house. Lilly climbed out slowly and moved toward the front of the vehicle.

Sam watched Maryann march toward the entry, then turned his attention back to Lilly, and pointed toward the carport. “Mrs. Parker, we thought we'd just paint the outside of that cupboard. Unless you want us to paint the inside, too."

She shook her head. “No, don't worry about the inside. It's an old, make-shift piece and just holds junk.” She leaned against the fender of the car and folded her arms at her waist. “Looks like you're almost through. You've really helped the looks of my place. I want to thank you two very much."

Sam and Richard smiled.

"You're more than welcome,” Sam said. “We hope to wrap it up tomorrow."

She brushed some loose strands of hair from her face, then proceeded into the house. The boys went back to their job.

Lilly hesitated at her daughter's closed door, sighed, then went immediately to her room, undressed, showered and put on her working uniform. She took a few minutes to fix her hair and put on a bit of make-up. Going into the kitchen, she quickly made herself a baloney sandwich and poured a glass of iced tea. She sat down at the table and glanced toward the hall. The low sound of music floated through the air. As she ate, she thought about the conversation with Maryann and it worried her.

Later that night, Lilly stayed after closing time to help out her fellow workers. Everyone pitched in to help each other and she enjoyed the camaraderie. Leaving the restaurant through the back door, she headed for her car thinking how Maryann had never understood why her mother did such dirty work. But it felt nice to have a few friends who appeared to care. Deep in thought, she reached for the door handle when suddenly a large hand clutched her arm. A scream almost escaped her lips before she heard his voice.