Which One 46y5h

WHICH ONE

Anne Tribbett

Copyright © 2012 by Anne Tribbett.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012920408 ISBN: Hardcover Softcover Ebook

978-1-4797-4205-9 978-1-4797-4204-2 978-1-4797-4206-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, :

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[email protected]

122908

CONTENTS

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

THIRTY

THIRTY-ONE

THIRTY-TWO

THIRTY-THREE

THIRTY-FOUR

THIRTY-FIVE

THIRTY-SIX

THIRTY-SEVEN

THIRTY-EIGHT

THIRTY-NINE

FORTY

FORTY-ONE

FORTY-TWO

FORTY-THREE

FORTY-FOUR

FORTY-FIVE

FORTY-SIX

FORTY-SEVEN

FORTY-EIGHT

FORTY-NINE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost I give thanks to God

To the following people who without their , their patience, time, love, and yes encouragement. This Book would never have gotten to this point. /To my husband William who never complained of the many late, and hastily prepared dinners he endured many evenings thank you honey. To my cousin Blanche who believed that I could do it! /To her daughter Gail who sent me an email with directions and encouragement. Thank you Gail I followed your suggestions. / To the Mainor family./Thank you Dr. Mainor for allowing me to take up so much of your lovely wife Debra’s time,/ To your three beautiful children for unselfishly sharing your mother’s time with me. To Sandra who spent two evenings away from her ailing husband, while she acquainted me with my new computer, appreciate you Sandra.

Anne. T

WHICH ONE

A MYSTERY NOVEL BY

Anne Tribbett.

Identical silhouettes of two very handsome men, both with captivating amber eyes, deep dimples, a smile that showed a set of even white teeth that will melt any girl’s heart. That’s where the resemblance ended. Randy’s smile was gentle and kind. Fredrick’s smile had a hint of disdain.

Anne. T first got the writing bug at an early age, she entered a contest and wrote a children’s short story. She didn’t enter it in the contest. Many years later, after marriage and three grandchildren later, while visiting her cousin in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The subject of Anne’s writing dream came up. She said, “I am too old now, so I will have to let go of that dream.” Her cousin said, “Why? Why don’t you write? You’re still alive,” you can do it.” When Anne returned to her home in Dublin, Georgia, she couldn’t get those four words her cousin said to her out of her mind. She said, “Yes I can do it!” Anne enrolled in a Creative Writing class. Two years later this is the results of a dream deferred.

WHICH ONE

The wealthy land developer Johnsom Jacob Morris, his wife Marie FranklinMorris, my wife Anne Louise and I Dr. William Herbert Tillas have been best friends and neighbors for more than fifty years.

We are godparents to their identical twin boys, Fredrick Franklin, and Randall Franklin born August 3, 1960.

After Johnsom’s heart attack on February 18, 2000, I became his personal physician.

Johnsom explained his unusual first name, when he was four years old his mother changed his name from Johnson Calvin, to Johnsom Jacob, “So people will your name.”

As the twins grew people would ask, “Which one are you?

Forty four years and eleven months later the people got their answer.

On July 1, 2005 he was the victim of the most gruesome, and hideous murder in the history of Pleasantville, South Carolina.

People are still telling their versions of why his parents had an empty thirty five

thousand dollar solid bronze coffin with six twenty four caret gold handles. Placed in a Marble Crypt. To this day people the name, Fredrick Franklin Morris.

ONE

On Saturday morning July 1, 2005 at nine a.m. Randall, (who preferred being called Randy) received a phone call from his brother.

“Randall (Fredrick abhorred nick names) Fredrick said, “When I came into my office a few minutes ago this message was on my answering machine. It was recorded at five forty five a.m. ‘This day you die.’

“Fredrick I’m on my way.” Randy hung up and frantically dialed Dr. Tillas’ home number. Dr. Tillas answered the phone, “Dr. Tillas Fredrick received this disturbing message on his office answering machine. He played the tape, ‘This day you die,’ “I am on my way there now.”

Dr. Tillas said, “I’ll meet you there.” Dr. Tillas repeated Randy’s conversation to his wife asking her not to share any of it with Johnsom or Marie; Randy will them when he has more information.

Randy picked me up in front of the impressive twelve story Morris Professional Building at nine fifty-five a.m. “Dr. Tillas I’m worried.” he said as I got in his Silver Lamborghini and he drove into the private underground parking garage. We took the private elevator to Morris and Sons Land Development Suite on the twelfth floor.

Randy called out his brother’s name as we entered the posh office waiting room, There was no answer. Upon entering the private office we saw Fredrick lying on

his left side facing the back of his massive mahogany desk topped with its one inch thick blue tinge glass. Without touching him, Randy knew his brother, and best friend was dead. He looked around the immaculate, extravagantly furnished office as if taking inventory. He said shaking his head, “My brother will never sit behind his beautiful desk again.”

Fredrick was lying on his left side with his head resting on his out stretched left arm, His body was posed as if he was a mannequin, It was perfectly straight, His right leg was lying on top of his left leg, and his right hand was in the coat pocket of his tailor made navy blue Italian silk suit.

Randy called the police. Officers Glen Allen and William Pane were the first to arrive. Randy said, “You officers got here quick.” He introduced himself and me.

“We were leaving a homicide in the Tower Building two blocks away when your call came through,” Officer Allen answered as he looked around the room. Officer Pane stood by the door.

“Really, who was it?”

“An Asian man, Thaun Wu.”

“Wu, what happen? How was he killed?”

“Decapitation, you knew him?”

“Yes,” Randy answered as he jumped from the chair he had just sat in. “Someone cut his head off?”

“And apparently took it.” Officer Allen stated as he walked toward the door.

“Good morning gentlemen.” Officer Allen introduced Detectives Roger Lacey, Omar Beets, Coroner Jim Slate, and police photographer Paul Sikes as they entered the office.

“Dr. Tillas and I are old golf buddies,” Coroner Slate said as he shook hands with the two men, and offered condolences to Randy.

After the Detectives drew an outline of the body in bright yellow chalk which showed vividly on the light beige carpet, Paul Sikes began taking pictures of the body.

After the pictures were taken, Coroner Slate knelt down and began to examine the body being careful not to disturb the position of the right hand.

As he slowly rolled the body on its back, he saw that Fredrick’s coat was held together with one of his four ten carat gold letter openers. Coroner Slate slowly removed the letter opener from the coat, the coat popped open. Coroner Slate jumped backwards landing on his back side. The men gasped, and Randy ran into the bathroom.

Fredrick was sliced open from his throat down through his genitals, but there

was no blood. Inside the body’s cavity was a clear plastic bag the length of the body.

Inside the bag were the contents of the body, and taped to the bag was a note it read, “You always liked things neat and clean, how’s this?”

Randy could be heard in the bathroom retching.

Coroner Slate said to the two ambulance attendants who had just arrived wearing protective gloves. “Remove the bag.” Paul Sikes took pictures of the gutted body’s cavity.

Coroner Slate shaking his head said, “After being in this business for more than thirty years, I thought I had seen everything, but this, this is absolutely the most repulsive. It leaves an old scab like me at a lost for words.”

He instructed the ambulance attendants to be very careful as they lifted the body.

“I’ll meet you at the hospital morgue.” He turned and addressed Randy as he emerged from the bathroom apologizing.

“I’m very sorry Mr. Morris, but under these extraordinary circumstances, the cause of death maybe difficult to determine, and with the absence of blood it will make any type of poisoning difficult to trace, especially if it’s the type that dissipates after a few hours. The only sure thing at this time is the murder did not occur in this office.” He said to the detectives as he was leaving the room, “I’ll

be in touch.”

“When I hear from the coroner I will you.” Detective Lacey said to Randy.

“Thank you Detective Lacey.” Randy said extending his right hand, the two men shook hands. The Detectives left the office.

“I am so tired Dr. Tillas,” Randy said sitting in a chair, he placed his elbows on his knees, his face in his hands and began sobbing and moaning, his one hundred sixty five pounds, six foot two inches body folded over like a rag doll shaking uncontrollably. After about ten minutes he sat up and staring at the yellow chalk out line, he began talking, “Fredrick how, what words can I say to our parents to prepare them for what has happen to you? I must tell the two people who loved you more than life itself that you are dead! Murdered in the most horrific and gruesome manner possible. How could they understand that someone hated you with such acrimony as to split you open like a pig, take the time to remove all of your bodily contents, and pose you on the floor of your office? How do I tell them that Fredrick how? How dare you die?”

Randy was filled with grief and anger towards his brother for the pain, sadness, and loneliness he was feeling.

“Oh, and what’s this note about?” ‘You always liked things neat and clean, how’s this?’ “Did a woman do this to you? I can vividly a few that would have liked to.” He paused rubbing his forehead, “But first things first. Now I’ve got to tell our parents you won’t be ing the family for this year’s Fourth of July picnic”.

Randy spreading his hands open said, “Dr. Tillas this is so, so very hard.” He got up from the chair, and stood looking at the outline of his brother’s body. I placed my hand on his right shoulder, “Randy, you are not alone, you and your family have many friends who loves you.”

“Thank you. Let’s go Dr.” He walked to the door; stopped, turned and looked down at the bright yellow outline as if trying to infuse the image into his brain. He opened the door, and closed it gently, trying not to disturb the out line of his brother’s body. We took the private elevator down to the parking garage. When the elevator doors open, Randy noticed something he wasn’t aware of when we entered the garage. Fredrick’s car wasn’t in its parking space next to his. He yelled, “Fredrick where is your car? It is always parked next to mine.”

Randy, he was in such an agitated state he hadn’t noticed his brother’s car wasn’t in its usual space. He called Detective Lacey, on his speaker phone, “This is Randy Morris my brother’s car is missing.”

“Was your brother’s car there when you arrived?” Detective Lacey asked

“I don’t .”

Detective Lacey asked for a description of the car, and the license plate number.

“It’s a metallic blue Rolls Royce with white leather interior, the license plate FF-M in gold lettering, have you heard from Coroner Slate?

“Not yet.”

Detective Lacey hung up the phone and asked Detective Beets, “Do you believe he was so upset that he actually did not notice a big shiny metallic blue Rolls Royce, that is usually parked next to his car five days a week, and has for years?”

“There’s something about Mr. Morris that makes me feel he knows something that we should know, or maybe I’m in awe of the first forty year old billionaire I’ve ever met.”

“Beets, he’s the only billionaire you’ve ever met, and he’s forty four, Lacey said laughing as he took his suit coat from the back of his desk chair, “Let’s go take a hard look at the Morris’ underground garage.”

TWO

Driving the thirty miles to his parents’ home in exclusive West Pleasantville, Randy began to reminisce about the mean things Fredrick did when they were children. He cringed when he thought of Mrs. Shirley Rice, and her poor cat Lucie.

When they were six years old, Mrs. Rice lived directly across the street from the Morris’ in a gated community in upper East Pleasantville.

One Sunday afternoon she came running to the Morris’ home screaming, she banged on the front door holding her cat Lucie, under her left arm. Edward the house man open the door, Johnsom came to the open the door.

Mrs. Rice shoved the cat in his face screaming “Look, look what he did to my Lucie, that evil little monster did to my poor Lucie!”

Johnsom looked at the cat in horror. There wasn’t any hair on the left side of the cat. From her head to the tail her skin was covered with various size blisters. Johnsom asked, “What happen, what evil little monster?”

Mrs. Rice looked at him as if he was joking, “Your evil little son, Fredrick!”

Johnsom, stunned at her words said, “Mrs. Rice, that’s a horrible accusation to place on a six year old child, why do you accuse Fredrick?”

Mrs. Rice leaned closer towards Johnsom and screamed directly in his face, “Because I saw the little monster pouring hot water on my Lucie!”

Upon hearing the loud voices, Marie and the twins came down stairs, and ed Johnsom in the doorway, Marie covered her mouth to stifle a scream when she saw the cat’s left side.

The twins starred at the cat, Randy spoke softly, “Poor Lucie.”

“Yes, poor Lucie!” Mrs. Rice shouted pointing to Fredrick, while addressing his parents, “That boy is going to kill somebody someday, and it just might be one of you!” She turned and ran across the street and entered her home slamming the door behind her.

Johnsom asked the boys did either of them hurt Mrs. Rice’s cat, both boys shook their heads no. As they turned to leave, Johnsom held Fredrick’s hand, after Randy left, Johnsom asked Fredrick, “Did you have anything to do with hurting Lucie?”

Fredrick looking up at his daddy, his amber eyes filling with tears, and bottom lip quivering shook his head slowly and answered very softly, “No daddy.”

“Frankie, she pointed to you as if she knew that you are the boy who hurt Lucie” Johnsom said to his son.

Fredrick shouted, “Daddy, you know I don’t like to be called Frankie!” He jerked his hand from his father’s hand. Turned and skipped away.

Marie looked at her husband with total contempt in her eyes, “How could you ask him a question like that? Your own son, Johnsom, how could you ever believe Fredrick would, or could do such a horrible thing like that even to a stupid uh cat?”

She turned and briskly walked down the hall calling to Fredrick, “Wait for mommy sweetheart.”

Johnsom watching his son and wife walking away, He wondered how can Mrs. Rice distinguish the twins from each other, or can she? Marie can, she doesn’t know that I know the one she calls Fredrick is her favorite. I call a name, and the one that answers, or come I accept him as the owner. although I know they sometimes play the switch game on me. Maybe the boys should be psychologically tested to see if there is a need that may warrant some attention.

Johnsom chuckled; Marie would have a stink hemorrhage if she had a nightmare that anything could be wrong with one of her perfect off springs.

Lucie died at three p.m. that afternoon, two hours after she arrived at the animal hospital.

The veterinarian, Dr. Albert Willis, stated, “The cause of death was ruptured intestines due to a ballpoint pen inserted in her rectum.”

Mrs. Rice said, “Dr. Willis, Fredrick Morris killed my Lucie.

“Mrs. Rice, why do you accuse the Morris boy?”

“I had just let my Lucie out for her daily run through the flower beds, she just loved the flowers.” Mrs. Rice paused, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Mrs. Rice”, Dr. Willis gently touched her arm. She wiped her eyes and continued.

“Fredrick came into my yard carrying a child’s plastic pail, you know, the kind they use for playing in the sand?”

Dr. Willis nodded his head.

“Fredrick waved he said, “Hi Mrs. Rice, may I play with Lucie?”

“How sweet of course you may, that will make Lucie very happy she loves people. I went back inside, a few minutes later I heard my Lucie give out the most sorrowful, and agonizing cry I had ever heard. I ran out looking for her; but I couldn’t find her. I saw Fredrick pouring water from the pail, my mind stopped functioning for a second.” Mrs. Rice began rubbing her hands so furiously. Dr. Willis had to stop working with Lucie, and hold her hands until she calmed down.

“I thought he was watering flowers but, there weren’t any flowers where he was standing. He was standing in the center of a round rock garden, I saw smoke coming from the pail, and I started towards him to put out the fire when my Lucie screamed again. I yelled, and Fredrick looked at me with such a sneer on his face, he scared me, but I kept running towards him with my fist balled up yelling, “You little monster what are you doing to my Lucie? He threw the pail at me and ran across the street and went into his house through the front door”

“I’m very sorry Dr. Willis, I do get very sad knowing my Lucie is gone, and I get even sadder, knowing that nothing will be done because no one will believe me.”

“Mrs. Rice, how do you know the boy was Fredrick, and not his twin brother?” He asked as he prepared Lucie for cremation.

“I saw his aura.”

Dr. Willis rubbed his nose, “You saw his aura?”

“Now don’t scoff Dr. Willis. There are people who can detect demonic spirits. And there is a demonic demon living inside Fredrick Morris! Fredrick will never look you directly in the eyes when he is angry. He is afraid of what you will not see.” Mrs. Rice stated matter of factitively.

Dr. Willis nodded, “Ok Mrs. Rice, I’ll call you when Lucie is ready. Mrs. Rice, I’m so very, very sorry about what happen to your Lucie.” He said softly.

“Thank you Dr. Willis I know you loved my Lucie.” Mrs. Rice walked slowly out of the office with her head down.

Dr. Willis chose a very colorful floral print urn for Lucie’ ashes, he believed Mrs. Rice would be pleased. Instead of calling, he delivered her beloved Lucie to her.

When he rang the front door bell, Mrs. Rice answered the door while talking on the phone; she ended the conversation with, “Yes that will be fine, the earlier the better I want this to be over tomorrow, thank you, good bye.”

“Hello Dr.Willis, Ooh thank you I love the urn!”

“What do you want to be over tomorrow?”

“I’m moving Dr. Willis.”

“Mrs. Rice, why?”

Mrs. Rice walked over to her large bay window, pointing towards the Morris’ house she said, “Fredrick Franklin Morris is a sadistic little boy who enjoys inflicting pain. Dr.Willis, please don’t try to change my mind. I know what I’m saying about a little six year boy is frighteningly disturbing. It’s sad, but true some day someone will feel Fredrick’s atrociousness.”

She placed the urn on the mantle beside an eleven by twelve color photo of Lucie, her beloved companion, of four years. She bought her two months after the death of her husband Herbert. Lucie was a beautiful color point pattern Birman cat. She had long hair, brilliant blue eyes, and pure white feet.

Mrs. Rice would dress her in the cutest cat clothes, Lucie was her baby. She expressed her fear of continuing to remain in her home, to Dr. Willis.

“I feel that Fredrick will try and harm me now that he knows I know what he is and what he did to my Lucie. Or he may try when I am older, and he thinks I have forgotten what he did.”

“Mrs. Rice!” Dr. Willis interrupted, “You’re talking about a six year old boy as if he’s a harden criminal please, listen to yourself, I know losing Lucie is very devastating, but . . .”

“But, I’ve become a ranting old woman who treats her cat like a human baby!” Mrs. Rice interjected loudly, she calmed down and spoke very slowly and precise. “Dr. Willis, I may not live to see it, but Fredrick Franklin-Morris is going to hurt, and or kill a lot of people before he die, and you have my permission to carve those words in stone, marble or granite. And I do know him from his brother, and he knows that I know.”

Dr. Willis decided not to pursue that line of conversation any longer.

“I’m very sorry you’re moving. I will certainly miss you. Where are you going?”

“I will keep touch with you, Dr.Willis.”

At six fifteen a.m. the next morning, Johnsom heard the motor of a large truck. He got out of bed and looked out the window facing the street. He saw a moving van in Mrs. Rice’s driveway loading her furniture. He hurriedly put on his robe and went downstairs and opened the front door. Edward, the house man, had gone to visit his older sister Edna in the hospital. She had a stroke the night before. She lived four hours away.

Johnsom saw Mrs. Rice standing on her front porch. When she saw him, she went inside and closed her door.

“She’s really mad at me.” He said closing the door.

“Who’s really mad at you?” Marie asked as she came down the winding staircase, and what’s that awful racket?”

Johnsom answered, “Apparently, Mrs. Rice is. I hope I haven’t done or said anything to upset her, and that awful racket is the engine of the moving van she’s moving.”

“Oh, my! A day well worth the wait, now maybe someone will buy that house that fits the lifestyle of this community.”

The twins came running down stairs rubbing their eyes asking, “What’s going on?”

Marie gleefully stated, “Mrs. Shirley Rice is moving today. Now maybe a nice couple will move in with children your ages and you two boys will see children coming out the front door instead of, of Lucie.” Johnsom shaking his head gave his wife a stern look. Mrs. Rice came out of her house caring the urn.

Randy said, “There are no flowers in the vase daddy.”

“It’s an urn son. Mrs. Rice had Lucie cremated like your granny Carrie, ?”

Randy nodded his head yes, and went back upstairs.

Fredrick mused, “So what’s she going to do glue the ashes together and make another stupid cat?” He skipped away laughing.

Johnsom watching his son skip away, He shook his head slowly thinking, there’s something really wrong with that boy. He said, “I hope Mrs. Rice’s new neighbors are kind people.”

“And we weren’t?” Marie asked, she turned and sashayed down the hall.

Johnsom started to follow her when the door bell rang. It was Mrs. Rice, “Johnsom you and little Randy were always very kind to me, it’s you two that I will miss, I pray that we will see each other again.” She gave him a picture of Lucie.

“ me in your prayers, please say good bye to Randy he is a very special boy, I hope you know that.”

“Thank you Mrs. Rice, I will truly miss you, will you let us hear from you?”

Mrs. Rice patted his hand, and walked back across the street, she stood in front of her home, tears staining her cheeks ing the happiest forty eight years of her life were spent in that house. She and her husband reared two wonderful children. Herbert, Jr., age thirty five, an architect, who resides in Bristol, Connecticut with his wife Blanche and thirteen year old son Terance.

Her daughter Denise two years younger is an unmarried highly successful pediatrician residing in Dallas, Texas.

What very good reason could she give her children for leaving a home she love, and the town she, and their dad grew up in. she wept bitterly. Then looking upwards she spoke softly.

“When the questions come, Lord, you provide the answers.”

Two months after Mrs. Rice moved. Two men bought her house.

THREE

Randy arrived at his parent’s majestic estate at twelve forty-five. Forty four years ago, the newly found Morris and Sons Land Development Company purchased fifty thousand acres of prime un-developed real estate in West Pleasantville, on the day their twin boys were born. Fourteen years and eleven months later the town of South Pleasantville, South Caroling 01937 was completed. It was fantastic! It was the most beautiful town in all of South Carolina.

On August third, they moved into their new home on. It was the twins’ fifteenth birthday. The celebration was two-fold. The new house and the twins’ graduating from high school.

It was a totally self sufficient town, a state of the art ‘shopping experience’ so named by Mrs. Morris, a fire station, local police department, no jail. But, all of the other amenities any mid sized town has to offer. There are both large and small businesses. Two high schools, one is smaller and private, three elementary schools, one of course is private. The private schools, bears the name of Marie Franklin-Morris. There is a business college on the campus of the public high school.

Johnsom believes that all children should have the best education money and their potential can afford them. (Those are not Marie’s sentiments). A huge public Park with an Olympic size swimming pool.

The entrance to the Morris’ estate began with a double gated fifteen foot white iron fence. Each gate was ornamented with an M in the center surrounded by

genuine one hundred dollar bills, encased in bullet proof tempered glass.

“That was ostentations Fredrick’s rich idea.” Randy spoke softly of his brother’s love for money. The security house was just outside the massive gates with around the clock specially trained private personnel.

Randy pressed his remote control, the huge gates open to the most spectacular view in all of Pleasantville. The main house, an exact replica of the house in the movie ‘Gone With The Wind’ sat on a hill as if it was a sentinel keeping watch over its royal subjects, it has eighteen rooms. Built on ten acres of the one hundred total acreage of manicured prime property. It houses an M shaped Olympic size swimming pool, eighteen holes golf course, tennis court, five acres for playing the sport of croquet, and a stable of twenty thoroughbred horses.

Randy thought, maybe all this was too much for Fredrick after all our home actually resembles a piece of priceless cinema history, maybe he saw himself as king or emperor, and became a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Randy parked his car in the circled driveway near the front door, and walked to one of two extra large gazeboes on the south side of the house. He sat in a glider chair. He placed his head between his hands and pressed so hard his ears began to hurt. What am I going to say, how can I tell them Fredrick is dead? He checked his watch eleven 0' five.”

He stood up feeling more like sixty years than forty four, he became very sad. In one month he will celebrate his forty fifth birthday alone. He lay on his stomach on the thick beige indoor-out door carpeted floor of the gazebo, his head resting in the cradle of his folded arms, silently he cried.

“Mr. Morris, Mr. Morris,” Charles Moore, the grounds keeper Manager was gently patting Randy’s back.

Randy awoke trying to focus on where he was, he saw Charles standing a few feet from where he was laying, “Charles?”

“Yes Mr. Morris, you fell asleep, you must be very tired sir?”

“I am Charles, what time is it?”

“It’s one forty, sir.”

Randy slowly sat up, his long legs dangling from the floor of the gazebo; he spoke softly, “Charles, Mr. Fredrick is dead.”

Charles placed his right hand over his mouth, vigorously shaking his left arm as it hung loosely by his side. With a wide eyed look he turned and quickly ran away.

I wish it was that easy to tell my parents of Fredrick’s ing. Randy thought as he slowly slid from the floor of the gazebo onto the ground. He walked to the front of the house and opened the massive oak front door with his key. Although neither son has lived at home since their eighteenth birthday Marie insisted they each keep their house keys.

Randy entered the formal foyer with foam green silk wall coverings, and more than two million dollars worth of paintings, the floor was a darker green imported Marble. The foyer always had the pleasant aroma of gardenias but Randy could never find the source of the fragrance.

Marie hearing the door close called out, “Which one, or is it both?”

“Randy, Mom.” Marie came into the foyer with out stretched arms, they hugged.

“My Randy, you are so tense what is the matter son?”

“Just a little tired mom, is dad home?”

“Yes he’s in the theater.” They went upstairs to the theater which occupied the entire space over the six cars garage.

Johnsom was sitting on a Louis the eighteenth pale green sofa watching Wide World of Sports on the movie screen. “Hello son what a do we owe this very pleasant surprise to?

Randy said, “Hi dad.” He turned to Marie, “Mother please sit down.”

Marie said, “Randy you’re beginning to scare me, what is wrong?”

Johnsom got up from the sofa and put his arms around Marie, “Randy, answer your mother.”

Randy began to cry, long hard body shaking sobs. His parents put their arms around him.

Johnsom said, “Please tell your mother and me what is the matter?”

The only words Randy could say was, Fredrick is, is . . .”

Marie screamed, “Fredrick is what? Is he hurt?

Randy shook his head and in a whisper said, “Dead. Fredrick is dead.” His body went limp, and he fell onto the sofa his father had been sitting on.

Marie was still standing in the same spot looking at him as if waiting for him to say “gotcha” as he did when he wanted to shock them, by using words she labeled, ‘Other peoples English.’ But Randy didn’t move he remained on the sofa sobbing.

Johnsom and Marie were looking at Randy’s body jerk with each sob.

Then as if something had punctured small holes in their bodies; letting all the air out Marie and Johnsom began to slowly sink to the floor with their arms tightly around each other. It was like watching a movie in slow motion as they slowly

sank to the floor sobbing softly, for the son whose voice they will never hear, nor whose face they will ever see again. Their first born son gone, the void in their hearts felt as big as the ocean, and it could never be refilled.

Johnsom spoke in a whispered tone, “What happen?”

Randy spoke matching his father’s tone, “He was stabbed.”

Randy couldn’t bring himself to describe to his parents how his brother, their son was killed.

Marie screamed, “Where is he, where’s my son?”

To Randy’s relief the phone rang Johnsom answered it. It was coroner Slate, Johnsom said to Marie, “Coroner Slate want to meet with us in his office as soon as possible, do you feel up to it today?”

Marie stammered, “I’ll go.”

“Five p.m.?” Johnsom asked. Marie nodded her head yes. Johnsom repeated the time to coroner Slate.

A few minutes after his parents left, Randy called coroner Slate asking him not to show his parents the extent of Fredrick’s wounds.

Coroner Slate said, “I’m a step ahead of you son, I had no intentions of showing your parents any part of the body except the face.”

At three-thirty Detective Lacey called Randy, “Can you be at my office today before five-thirty?”

“Yes I can, you’ve heard from Coroner Slate?”

“A few minutes ago.”

“Did he say how my brother was murdered, or what time?”

“We will discuss that when you arrive.” Detective Lacey hung up the phone, and called out to Detective Beets, “Guess who’s coming to dinner?”

FOUR

Randy was driving out of his parent’s gate when he almost collided with a black BMW driven by a young woman from his past, she was thirteen years old when they first met. The incident although it was never proven, changed the Morris twins’ lives tremendously.

The Quentin’s lived in the bordering town called Shady Grove, they had one child, a daughter thirteen year old Alice Jane.

Fredrick spent a lot of time with Alice Jane, for reasons only he understood; He taught her to ride a bike, helped her with special school projects, in a sense he became the brother she never had.

August tenth, nine days after the twins fourteenth birthdays, the Stevenson family moved into the community. They had one child a son, thirteen year old Gary Edward. He and Fredrick became fast friends.

Fredrick spent less time with Alice Jane and that didn’t set well with her. She saw Gary as a threat; he was taking away her only friend.

Alice Jane told her dad Big Jim, so called because he was the biggest man in the community he was no less than seven feet tall.

“Fredrick Morris inappropriately squeezed my left breast with his right hand.”

“Yes, her words exactly.”

It would have made a great squeeze my left boob joke, had no one taken her seriously, but with the Morris boys, good, bad or indifferent it became headline news not surprisingly there were Morris haters in the area, and this became down right ugly. Fredrick was placed under house arrest.

There is an old saying ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,’ and when that woman is a thirteen year old girl, we later learned, was suffering from dementia praecox, (A deteriorating psychotic disorder). That is some fury.

Gary was celebrating his fourteenth birthday on August, 30th with a pool party at his home; Judge Dickerson, a Morris’ family friend granted Fredrick permission to attend the party.

Alice Jane wasn’t invited, but when she showed up with a present she was allowed to stay. She had a large bandage on her right leg just above her ankle.

Troy Taylor said he heard Alice Jane ask Gary “Do you have any bandages? I need to change the bandage on my leg.”

She followed Gary into the pool house; the crowd was stunned when they saw Gary stagger out of the pool house with a three inch knife protruding from his chest.

His parents rushed him to the hospital luckily no permanent damage was done.

Alice Jane was placed in an institution for ‘her kind,’ so named by the good people of the community. The Quentin’s moved shortly afterwards, to be near the facility Alice Jane would be in for at least two years. According to the knowit alls.

Gary began to pull away from Fredrick after about two months into their close friendship. His explanation of Gary’s absence was, “He’s on punishment for something I don’t know what.”

Two weeks later the Stevenson’s house was up for sale, they moved before it was sold, a newly wed couple bought it several weeks later.

The Morris haters, who accused Fredrick of inappropriate behavior towards Alice Jane, were falling all over each other to be the first to apologize to his parents for ever believing that sick girl over such a nice boy as your Fredrick.

Marie informed all who apologized that Fredrick is a minor also.

FIVE

I hope Detective Lacey have some concrete news for me, Randy thought as he parked his car in the ‘Visitors Only’ parking space in the ultra modern police department’s parking lot. Thanks to the ‘Morris’ Foundation for Criminal Justice’, every modern piece of equipment necessary to investigate and solve crimes of any nature is housed within that building. With every thing the Morris’ does for this town the people of Pleasantville should get down on their knees and kiss our boots.

Randy took the elevator to the fourth floor, the elevator open into the Detectives’ unit.

“Good afternoon Mr. Morris,” Detective Beets greeted Randy as he got off the elevator.

Randy stood just inside the room looking around, “Hello Detective Beets, is this entire floor the detectives’ unit?”

“All nine hundred square feet Mr. Morris thanks to your family.”

“Please, call me Randy.”

“Thanks Mr. Morris, but we must maintain a level of professionalism.”

Randy thought, I don’t think I’m going to like this guy.

“You’ve heard from Coroner Slate?” Randy asked looking at Detective Lacey.

“Yes, late afternoon, after he saw your parents.” Pointing Randy to a very expensive looking black leather chair. Detective Lacey sat in a high back black swivel chair behind one of six fancy oak desks, professionally placed in a semi circle facing the elevator, with a desk high filing cabinet at the end of each desk. The walls were a light color walnut, and the floor was black and tan tiles.

“Interesting room” Randy commented as he sat in the chair offered by detective Lacey. “You have news pertaining to my brother’s death?”

Detective Lacey picked up the folder marked F. Morris Homicide, his phone rang he ed the folder to detective Beets.

Detective Beets opened the folder, and began reading silently.

“Is there something in there I should know?” Randy asked.

“When I find something you should know in here I will share it with you.”

Randy thought, I don’t like this guy.

“Coroner Slate’s statement reads,” Detective Beets began, ‘The cause of death could not be determined. There were two small puncture marks on both inner thighs, if poison were injected it was the type that dissipates within a few hours. The time of death, however, can be determined due to the state of rigormortis at approximately, five to six hours before the body was discovered at nine a.m. Saturday morning.’ Detective Beets asked as he laid the folder on the desk, “Did your brother work every Saturday?”

“My brother work uh worked any day he chose to.” Randy placed his hands over his face, he was perfectly still for about ten seconds, he uncovered his face and said with a trembling voice, and tears in his eyes asked, “My brother was dead when I got the phone call; he was lying there while I was listening to his voice on that tape?”

“The killer, or killers had forced him to make the recording before the crime was committed, when the body was placed in his office, they dialed your number and played the tape.” Detective Beets stated in a much more subdued voice. “That is the only conclusion we have after reading Coroner’s Slate’s report. I am very sorry Mr. Morris

“Thank you Detective Beets.”

Detective Lacey having finished his telephone conversation was both surprise and pleased with the way detective Beets who is usually brusque with Randy offered such comionate comfort to him.

Randy stood up and headed for the elevator.

“Just a minute Mr. Morris,” Detective Beets said.

Randy stopped, and without turning around answered, “Yes detective?”

“Earlier when you reported your brother’s car was missing you stated, “I don’t ,” “To Detective Lacey’s question on was your brother’s car in the garage when you arrived?”

Randy turned slowly until he was facing detective Beets, “And your point being detective?” He asked with un-masked sarcasms.

“My point being Mr. Morris is the three of us are going today to revisit the Morris’ underground parking garage.”

Randy thought, for one moment I almost liked the guy he angrily asked, “Now? My parents need me to help them make funeral arrangements for their son, and my twin brother!”

“We’re not insensitive to your situation Mr. Morris, but this matter needs clearing up as soon as possible so we can resume the urgency of solving your,

Brother’s homicide.” Detective Lacey said speaking very calmly.

Randy’s hostility towards detective Beets subsided for the moment with detective Lacey’s soothing words.

“What matter are you clearing up in our parking garage?”

“The matter of a missing big shiny metallic blue Rolls Royce.” Detective Beets answered.

Randy thought I hate that guy I really do!, He said, “Very well. Let’s just get this over, so I can meet with my parents, I’ll meet you there.” He headed for the elevator.

“We’re all going in our car.”

Randy turned menacingly towards detective Beets angrily and loudly asking, “WHY?”

Detective Lacy stepping in front of detective Beets answered, “We need to discuss a few things on our way so we won’t need to detain you any longer than absolutely necessary.”

Without saying anything Randy turned and strode towards the elevator.

Detective Lacey whispered to detective Beets, “I don’t feel that you’re his favorite detective.”

“No hurt feelings here.”

“Randy turned and, looking at detective Beets asked sternly, “What did you say?”

“Just thinking out loud sir.” The three men took the elevator down to the lobby in silence. Detective Beets got in the driver’s seat, Randy sat in the back seat behind him glaring at the back of detective Beets’ head.

“Detective Lacey, what things are we going to discuss?”

Detective Beets answered, “We’ve decided to wait until we get there.”

Randy punched the back of detective beets’ seat with his fist, it startled both detectives.

Detective Beets almost lost control of the wheel. He pulled over to the curb and stopped the car he started to get out, but detective Lacey stopped him by grabbing his right arm.

Detective Lacey turned to Randy, and speaking as if to a child, “Mr. Morris if you pull another childish tantrum in our presence you will be arrested.”

Randy, totally infuriated by the way detective Lacey spoke to him lashed out, “I’m not one of the imbeciles you are accustomed to dealing with detective, I graduated high school at age fifteen, four years later I graduated number one in the top five of my class from Harvard Law School, don’t you dare threaten me!”

Looking Randy directly in his eyes detective Lacey stated calmly, “It’s not a threat sir.”

Detective Beets drove away from the curb thinking, that guy has an extremely violent temper when he’s not controlling things.

Randy’s cell phone rang, “Yes mother.”

“Randy your dad and I are on our way to Fredrick’s office will you meet us there?”

“Yes mother I’ll be there shortly, I’m riding with two of Pleasantville’s finest Detectives we should be there in about ten minutes.” His words dripping with acrimony.

Detective Beets parked in the space marked Randy Morris. On the left of his car was an empty space marked Mr. Fredrick F. Morris, and on the left of that space was the elder Morris’ champagne colored Bentley sedan, parked in the parking space marked, J. Morris President. Johnsom and Marie was standing near the elevator. The detectives expressed their condolences; it was accepted with a nod.

Marie asked, “Randy where’s Fredrick’s car?”

“I don’t know mom.”

Randy turning to the detectives, “Exactly what are you looking for?”

“Answers.” Both detectives spoke at the same time.

“What’s the question?” Randy asked.

“Where is your brother’s parking space?” Detective Beets asked.

“There, in front of the sign with his name on it.” Randy said pointing to the sign.

Detective Beets started to speak, but detective Lacey interrupted,” Mr. Morris, he said slowly as if measuring his words, a form of speech that had always infuriated Randy. “We are trying to understand how could you not if your brother’s extremely big metallic blue Rolls Royce wasn’t here when you arrived? We really need you to help us do that, so we are going to recreate the scene please, walk us through everything you can , starting with when you got out of your car.

Randy inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, “I parked my car in the parking space where you are parked; Dr. Tillas and I got out of my car and walked to the private elevator over there.” He pointed to where his parents were standing.

Detective Beets said, “Please retrace your steps from our car to the elevator following the exact path you took on Saturday morning.

Randy walked to the detective’s car turned, and walked to the elevator.

“Were your questions answered detectives?”

Detective Lacey said, “We’re heading back to head quarters we’re take you back to your car.”

“My parents will drive me to my car, are we done here?”

“Yes Mr. Morris we’re done here for today.” Detective Beets answered.

Randy gave him a cold stare as he and his parents entered the elevator. When the doors closed Marie asked, “Randy what do you think happened to Fredrick’s car?”

“Mom I have no idea, but those detectives think I know.”

“I believe you got Mr. Morris’ respect today, you better watch your self he could possible become your new best friend.” They both laughed, got in the Chevy and headed downtown.

During the drive to headquarters Beets began to draw in his note pad he said, “We have our work cut out for us, we should bring a forensic photographer on our next visit to that garage.”

“Clyde Smyth is the best.” Detective Lacey suggested.

“Should we ask Dr. Tillas if he seeing Fredrick’s car in the garage when they arrived Saturday morning?”

“Good idea Beets, give him a call when we get to the office.”

‘What if anything do we expect to find in the garage Lacey?”

“We can say we left no stone unturned.” Lacey said.

Detective Beets called Dr. Tillas’ office his receptionist transferred the call to Dr. Tillas’ private line. Detective Beets introduced himself. Dr. Tillas ed him.

Dr. Tillas, do you seeing Fredrick’s car in the garage when you and Mr. Randy arrived on Saturday morning?”

“No Detective Beets, Fredrick’s car was not in the garage.”

“Thank you very much Dr. Tillas, good bye. Lacey, Fredrick’s car was not in the garage Saturday morning.”

“Randy was probably so upset he actually did not notice, it could happen.” Detective Lacey stated.

SIX

Randy and his parents entered Fredrick’s office. When Marie saw the outline of the body, she screamed, “No, no, noooo, Fredrick, Fredrick my son nooo!”

Randy and his dad took her through a door behind Fredrick’s desk marked private, the door open into a one bedroom apartment. Although Fredrick owned a three bedroom condo he preferred spending most of his time here.

Marie laid on a royal blue silk covered sofa in the large living room, while Johnsom made her a cup of tea in the small immaculate kitchen.

“Randy, did you see how badly your brother was beaten?” Marie asked her voice filled with pain.

“No mom I didn’t.”

“You didn’t see? What kind of brother are you not to even look at how badly your brother was beaten? Coroner Slate’s report stated, every bone in his face was broken, five teeth was knocked out, I hardly recognize my own son, how could you not look at your twin brother Randy, have you no heart?”

“I knew he was really messed up mom.”

“Messed up is not the word, beaten to death is much more appropriate!” Marie screamed. “Take me home Johnsom I fear the worst headache of my life coming on, I don’t know if I will ever get over this, He didn’t see.”

Johnsom asked, “Do you want me to take you to your car son?”

“No dad I’ll go with you and mom, I’ll pick my car up later.”

Susie Stephenson, their house keeper for three years greeted them at the door, “Does anyone want something to eat?”

“No.” Marie answered as she rushed upstairs to take something for one of her many frequently worse headaches. Johnsom and Randy asked for coffee.

The two men sat at the table in the breakfast room drinking their coffee, Johnsom asked, “Randy, do you the Stone girl, the one who accused Fredrick of attaching her when you boys were sixteen years old?”

Randy thought, raping her dad why can’t he and mom say that word?”

“Dad I try not to those days anymore, so much has happen since then, but of course I the day you are talking about.”

“Johnsom leaned towards Randy, what do you mean so much has happen since then, has something else happen? I haven’t heard of anything happing since that

incident.”

Randy’s brain screamed incident, he raped her, why won’t they believe that Fredrick enjoyed inflicting pain on others, both verbally and physically? Or maybe they can’t bring themselves to accept that Fredrick was, was not a very nice person.”

“I was wondering if Fredrick’s death, his murder had anything to do with something horrible he may have done to someone; I am trying to understand why anyone was so angry with him to murder him with such extreme paroxysm of un controlled rage.”

Johnsom was staring at his son with his mouth wide open, he pushed his half empty coffee of cup to the middle of the table. He slowly rose from the chair, “I don’t want to hear anymore. I’m going to check on your mother.”

Randy placed his hand on Johnsom’s left arm, “Dad please, sit down. Mom thinks I didn’t look at Fredrick. I looked, and what I saw made me sick. I had to spend a few moments in the bathroom. I called Coroner Slate and asked him not to show you and mom the extent of Fredrick’s wounds. I’m telling you this because you will hear it from someone else sooner or later and I need you to prepare mom.”

“Prepare mom for what?” Johnsom’s eyes wide with fear as he slowly sat down.

“Dad, Fredrick was sliced open from his throat through his genitals.”

Johnsom stared at his son as if he had suddenly sprouted a new head; he placed his hands over his mouth to stifle his screams. After a few seconds he asked with a trembling voice and tears spilling from his eyes, “Randy who could have done such a horrible thing to your brother, who hated him that much, and why? I thought after what had happen to the Stone girl that was it, I never heard of anything else happening, did something else happened? Randy tell me everything I need to know; I must know!”

“I know you do dad, and I will tell you but not just now please dad, give me time to absorb all that has happened, and try to figure out how will I live my life without my other half. Dad I don’t know how I can or if I can. I know the hardest part for me being in this house; knowing I will never hear him coming through that door yelling, ‘Hey I don’t smell anything cooking, and I am as hungry as a bear just waking up from his long winter hibernating nap!’ The two men manage a laugh in spite of their sad situation. Fredrick did have a sense of humor.

“Dad, we have to make the funeral arrangements you, me, or the three of us.”

“The three of us we need to draw strength from each, but your mother is very fragile, she may not be able to involve herself with the arrangements.”

Randy nodded in agreement.

The next morning on their way down stairs Johnsom asked Marie, “Honey, do you want to go to the mortuary with Randy and me to choose the coffin?”

“No, I can’t do that; but I want my son to be placed in a solid bronze you know

what, eight twenty four carat gold lifting handles.”

Randy said in a whisper to himself, “Wow I am glad she stopped short of everything being twenty four carat gold.”

Marie had started walking back up the winding stairs she stopped, slowly turned around her teeth tightly clenched, she spoke in a slow low chillingly icy voice, “You, who didn’t care enough to look at your dead brother have the audacity to make sarcastic, insensitive, and uncaring remarks such as that!”

“Randy stammered, “Mom I, I’m sorry I didn’t mean anything please forgive me.” Marie slowly continued up the stairs. Johnsom called out to her, “Honey don’t you want Susie to make you something to eat?”

Marie stopped and without looking back answered, “No, I may never eat again.”

Johnsom looking up at his wife as she slowly climbed the stairs her usually perfectly straight posture now resembled that of his mother Carrie, she died at the age of ninety six, why couldn’t Fredrick have lived longer?”

Randy heading for the front door put his foot in his mouth again. Pertaining to his mother’s statement, ‘I may never eat again,’ “Even she doesn’t believe that.”

Johnsom quickly rushed toward Randy as he was about to open the door, “Don’t be such an insensitive jerk Randy Can’t you respect how your mother is suffering, or was she correct with her question, ‘Have you no heart?’

Randy’s eye filled with tears, “I do know because I’m feeling the same pain, I say stupid things to stop myself from falling to pieces I do have a heart dad, and now it’s beating for two.”

Johnsom reached out and put his arms around him, “I know son we are all just barely holding on to our sanity, this will take everyone that knew and loved your brother a very long time to recover from the pain, and the void in their lives from his untimely death.”

Randy hugging his dad thought, “I don’t know if Fredrick really had any genuine friends.” He said, “I’m going back to the office dad.”

“Do you want me to drive you?” His arms still around Randy as if he let go something will happen to him.

“No dad, I’ll walk for a while then I’ll call a taxi, I might stay the night at Fredrick’s apartment, tell mom I love her.”

“She knows that Randy we’re all on edge for now, but when we began to mend our lives will take on a resemblance of normalcy again,”

“I’m sure you’re right dad see you tomorrow.”

SEVEN

When Randy arrived at the office by taxi, Detectives Beets, Lacey and two men from the crime lab was there.

Randy glared at Detective Beets, “Don’t you people need permission from either me or my dad before you enter my brother’s office?”

“This entire floor is considered a crime scene under the jurisdiction of the crime lab, and you should not interfere with these men sir.” Detective Betts’ answered. He turned and continued speaking with one of the men from the crime lab.

Randy open his mouth to speak, Detective Lacey interjected. “Mr. Morris lets you and I go into your office.”

“Why?” Randy asked starring at Detective Beets’ back.

“I have a few more questions if you don’t mind.”

“Sure this way,” Randy open the door to a very large solid wood ed room. He turned on the lights. Painted on the wall facing the door was the most beautiful landscape mural Detective Lacey had ever seen.

The room consisted of a large dark mahogany desk with a matching computer desk and a brown leather swivel chair, in back of the desk was a large framed window overlooking downtown Pleasantville.

Opposite the pictured wall were eight natural mahogany Chippendale arm chairs with thick padding, upholstered in champagne color damask fabric. Attached to the outer right side of the arm rest of each chair was a folding tray.

“What is this room?”

“It’s a showing room.”

“What do you show, and what are the chairs with the arms used for?”

“Sit down detective this won’t take long.” Randy sat at the huge desk and began looking through his rolodex.

“Can we stay in here instead of your office?”

“Sure what’s your question,” Randy leaned back in his chair.

Detective Lacey sat in one of the two Chippendale chairs in front of the desk they did not have a tray attached to the sides. “Nice chair,” He pulled it closer to the desk.

“Thank you, now about your questions detective?”

“Your business, does it come with its own enemies?”

“Many, as with any highly competitive business such as ours yes, we have enemies both near and far; we have secured almost done deals from very large established companies, and that detective breeds lasting animosity.”

“Is it because you are better at what you do than your competitors are, or are you more ruthless?”

Randy leaned forward, “Both, Detective Lacey I’m going to give you a crash course in big business. First, and foremost every person who owns a very successful business has a streak in them they have to both live with and deal with, you call it ruthless, its proper name is competitiveness, if you can’t compete you will delete, second, you must be better prepared. Now that Detective Lacey, is why Morris and Sons stand on the shoulders of our competitors.” Randy handed Detective Lacey a remote control device, “Point it towards any property on the painting and press the green button.”

Detective Lacey pointed to Montana it popped up in three D. The other properties remained flat.

“Wow!” Detective Lacey exclaimed loudly.

“What do you want built on your property detective?”

“A house.”

“How big,”

“White house big.”

Randy swung around to his computer and began building, a few seconds later a house resembling the White House appeared on the wall screen then a swimming pool, tennis court, a beautiful landscape, flowers, trees a manicured lawn, and a tree lined driveway, all in a few seconds.

He leaned back in his chair showing a perfect set of very white teeth, “Being prepared detective to take care of your clients’ needs in the most efficient, cost effective, stress free environment possible is our pledge. Morris and Sons Real Estate Developers have no competition. We have cornered this market, yes detective we have many enemies; but showing your clients the finished product before they purchase their property is not ruthless detective; it is genius! We have fully equipped offices in most American cities, and abroad.” He smiled with pride.

“How did you come up with all that?” Detective Lacey asked gesturing towards the wall map.

Randy leaned back in his chair tapping his fingers together, “Detective Lacey,

you don’t really expect an answer to that question, do you?”

Detective Lacey shook his head got up and walked to the wall picture, “Mr. Morris why was your brother murdered?”

“Instead of me?”

“No, no Mr. Morris,” he asked walking towards Randy, “Do you have any thoughts on who would, or could commit such a hideous and vicious attack on your brother?”

Randy was silent for about five seconds, “No detective I can’t think of any one.”

Detective Lacey extending his right hand asked, “How are your parents holding up?”

“Not well, my mother is a total basket case, Dad is trying to be strong for her; but there are times I see him wiping tears from his eyes, thanks for asking.”

“And you, you must be living through the worst time of your life, yet you haven’t exhibited a moment of grief in my presence, how do you hold it all together so well?”

“I must be strong for my parents detective, but I do have my moments, when I’m alone I, I’m sorry detective are we done here?”

“Yes, thank you for your time, and for showing how the Morris’ empire works, are you riding back to the station with us to pick up your car?”

“No I’ll pick it up tomorrow I’m staying here tonight.”

“You didn’t answer my question about the trays on the arms of those chairs.”

“They are for our clients, for whatever purpose they want to use them for. Some like to have a meal, others for note taking, and some may like drinks.”

“Thank you Mr. Morris, good day.”

When Detective Lacey returned to Fredrick’s office Detective Beets was alone.

“How did it go in there?”

“Those Morris’ are the smartest people I’ve ever met, I understand now how they became so rich, and keep getting richer every day.”

“I surmise by your evasion of my question there was no confession.”

“How would you have gotten a confession Beets, pulling out his finger nails, or water torture?”

“Both,” Detective Beets answered quickly.

“You really don’t like him do you?”

“Nope, I really don’t like the guy, I feel he know more than he’s telling us, and he’s going to tell what he knows or else.”

“Beets don’t you go off half cocked and do something that will put this investigation in jeopardy, your dislike for the guy doesn’t make him guilty of murdering his brother.”

“Ok, alright, but I will keep my eyes on him, Let’s go I’m hungry.”

“So am I.” Detective Lacey turned off the lights and closed the door.

EIGHT

Randy pushed his chair back and rose slowly to his feet. He turned off the lights, and went to Fredrick’s office. He open the door. The lights were out, he stepped inside the office he abruptly turned to exit the room. He almost tripped over his left foot, the wall stopped his fall. His right hand touched the light switch and he quickly flicked the lights on. The room became ablaze with light. Randy stared at the bright yellow outline of his brother’s body. He switched the lights off and saw what had almost caused him heart failure. With the lights off the room is illuminated from the neon lighted sign on top of the twelve story Pleasantville Hotel across the street, another Morris owned business.

Randy chucked to himself, he sat in the same chair he had sat in almost twenty four hours ago. In the neon light from the hotel, the bright yellow chalk outline gave off an eerie shimmering iridescent glow. He leaned against the back of the chair interlocking his fingers. He placed his hands behind his head, and began talking to the outline of his brother’s body.

“Dad wanted to know if you had done anything bad to anyone since the Stone girl’s ‘incident’ his word. You and I know the true word. Beginning with the first day of school. Our lives changed directions. Mr. Overby, the principle of Veracity High School expelled you on the spot ? Of course you do, according to mom, at birth you held up two fingers signifying the time of your birth, two p.m. Each time I heard that story I believe it less, and less. I made up my own version of that story. Your two fingers signified my arrival two minutes later.”

Fredrick had stopped hanging out with Randy and their friends, the reason being they were too childish. He began hanging out with older students who had questionable behavior, and weird dress codes. Marie was very upset at the

change in her first born so she decided to do something about that. But the events that pursued was perfect.

Mr. Overby called Marie stating, “You need to come and pick up your son Fredrick immediately.” He didn’t give an explanation over the phone. When she arrived she was very agitated.

Mr. Overby was waiting for her on the front steps with Fredrick. He stated, ‘A fourteen year old female student had accused Fredrick of fondling her entire body while in the cafeteria.’ There were students lined up to back her story.

Mr. Overby said, “This school will no longer tolerate the potentially harmful behavior of your son towards our female students, as of this moment Fredrick is permanently expelled from Veracity High School.”

“Marie said, “You expel one you expel both, my sons will not be separated because of some precocious air head girl who wants a rich boy, and cry rape when he rebuffs her.”

“Fredrick is not accused of rape Mrs. Morris, and Randy is not expelled, however, If you choose to withdraw him from this school, that is your prerogative.” Mr. Overby spoke with a tone of exasperation.

Randy pleaded with his mother not to with draw him from Veracity High, but her mind was made up. She saw the chance to remove Fredrick from the environment of the seedy crowd he had attached him self to. And she did not want her sons to be separated. Hence Home School, taught by, ‘Mr. No— nonsense Kevin Stubbs.’ A retired college professor. The boys were put through

a battery of test. They ed them to the approval of Mr. Stubbs, the board of education, and especially Marie. The twins were promoted to the eleventh grade at age fourteen.

That was perfect timing for Marie. Johnsom left for Italy on March twelve nineteen seventy four to set up the first Morris and Sons Land Development Company in a foreign Country. He would be gone approximately twelve to fourteen months. Marie took full advantage of the opportunity to teach her sons the business.

“Just in case something happens to daddy.”

Randy gently touched the outline of his brother’s body. Fredrick, being the first born would naturally be in charge. That was find with Randy he wasn’t ready to give up his childhood at the age of fourteen to become a business man.

Fredrick took to the challenge like a duck takes to water. In one year Marie had transformed a fourteen year old boy into an almost fifteen year old business man.

When Johnsom returned on July twenty fifth nineteen seventy five. Randy looked like a typical fourteen year old. But Fredrick was a hard core almost fifteen year old business man. Johnsom was pleased that one of his sons would follow in his footsteps.

In college Fredrick changed his major from Business Law to Real Estate and Land Development, which made Johnsom very happy. Randy pursued his dream in Corporate Law.

Johnsom was never told why they were home schooled. He probably thought they were just too smart for regular school.

NINE

The ringing phone snapped Randy awoke. He had fallen asleep in the chair, a woman’s sexy voice on the answering machine said, “Hi you handsome devil. I’m en-route to the Rendezvous restaurant I should arrive at one-fifty. Don’t you be late, kiss, kiss. Randy smiled, Now for the old switch game before Miss. Kiss, Kiss realizes that you will be forever late.” The phone rang before he left.

“Randy, can you meet me at the mortuary in one hour?” Johnsom asked.

“Is mom coming with you?

“No your mother isn’t feeling well today.”

Randy thought another one of her ‘worst headaches of my life.’ That should be encased on her grave stone. Randy looked at the gold framed wall clock, one thirteen. No time to meet Miss. Kiss, kiss, “I’ll be there dad,” He slowly placed the phone in its cradle, suddenly feeling very sad; “I’m so not looking forward to this task. I wish mom had other children then I would have someone else with me instead of my grieving dad.” He removed the tape from the machine and put the tape in his pocket.

Randy didn’t know his mother didn’t want any more children, she told Anne and me. ‘I don’t ever want to look like a potbelly pig again.’

Johnsom wanted more children, he thought Marie couldn’t get pregnant again, or maybe that’s what she told him.

Randy arrived at Campbell’s Mortuary at two fifteen. Johnsom was waiting for him under the awning leading to the entrance.

Jason Campbell was a formidable man, six feet four inches tall, two hundred and sixty five pounds of pure gentleness. He extended his right hand offering condolences for himself and the entire Campbell family. Johnsom explained to Jason what they were looking for.

Jason said, “Mrs. Morris called and said the body was to be cremated.”

Johnsom and Randy stared at each in total disbelief.

Randy spoke in almost a whisper, “She wants to burn Fredrick?”

Johnsom stood as if he was rooted to the floor, “I’m calling your mother right now I need to hear this from her.” He dialed the number on his cell phone.

Susie answered the phone, “Mrs. Morris is sleeping sir.”

Johnsom spoke firmly into the phone, “Unless she is dead put her on the phone now!”

Marie answered the phone in a raspy sleepy voice, “Yes.”

Johnsom spoke in a quite controlled tone, “Marie, why did you, and you alone; decided to have our son cremated?”

“I thought it would be easier.”

“Marie you can’t decide what is easier on anyone except yourself, do you believe it will be easier on you to have Fredrick cremated?” He turned to Randy, “Do you want your brother cremated?” Randy shook his head.

“Marie cremation will not be easier on either of us, Fredrick will have a funeral.”

He turned to Jason, “Please continue with the original plans.”

Jason with a bow of his head said, “I will call you two days before the final arrangements are completed for a private viewing.”

“Are you going to lunch?” Johnsom asked Randy.

“No I’m going back to Fredrick’s office.” When he arrived at the office, Detective Beets, and police officer William Pane was there.

“What, what are you two during here now? Randy looking directly in detective Beets’ face yelled, “I thought when you left last night you were finished with this office!”

“We’re not finish until all the yellow crime tape has been removed, do you still see yellow crime tape in this office?” Detective Beets asked with a sneer-like smile.

Officer Pane said, “Hello Mr. Morris we are here to collect the tapes of the incoming calls that may have come in on the new tapes.”

Randy’s heart skipped a beat, “New tapes?”

“Yes, we removed the original tapes and replaced them with ours. Where is the tape from this machine?” Detective Beets asked. Pointing to the machine Randy had removed the tape from earlier.

“You were here when I arrived, why are you asking me that question?” Randy answered with un-masked disapproval.

After the two men left Randy checked the phones all the tapes were gone, except the one from Fredrick’s apartment. Randy said, “Smart ass Detective Beets, you missed this one.” He removed the tape from the recorder.

“Mr. Morris,” Detective Beets called out” where are you?”

Randy hurriedly put the tape in his pocket, “In here detective. He opened the door to Fredrick’s apartment “We just ed this apartment we need to check the recording on this machine.” There was no tape in the machine.

“You removed the tape from this machine?”

“Are you asking, or accusing me, Detective Beets?”

“Did you remove the tape from this machine Mr. Morris?”

“Did this machine have a tape in it Detective Beets? You stated you and Officer Pane removed all the recordings.”

“If you removed the tape from this machine Mr. Morris, I can arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

“That is your prerogative Detective Beets, but you better make damn sure that I have obstructed justice.”

The two men stood glaring at each other, “Detective Beets turned and walked away, saying as if to himself, but loud enough for Randy to hear. “Some people isn’t worth the time.”

Randy sat down on the sofa letting out a long sigh. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the tape. I will listen to this in my condo.”

TEN

July fourth-ten a.m. The guest began arriving at the country club’s condos for the days festivities beginning at eleven a.m. The usual gaiety this day held was replaced by a somber ambiance over the crowd of three hundred including children.

Johnsom emerged from the shower, Marie wasn’t in the bedroom he called her name, not hearing her answer he began looking through the house, the door to Fredrick’s room was slightly ajar, although neither twin has used their rooms on a regular basis since they were eighteen years old Marie insisted they be cleaned twice per month.

Johnsom pushed the door open, standing just inside the room memories of his son flooded his mind. Some happy some not, but the worst the one that happened when they were fifteen years old the year they received their high school diplomas.

Fredrick wanted to attend the last football game of the season at Veracity he pleaded with Randy to come with him. Randy caring nothing for football, his sport was soccer, and more soccer he refused.

Fredrick was so persistent that Randy relented and left with his brother for the game, it was quite cold that night. That was the first time they had been back to Veracity since Fredrick was expelled. Mr. Overby ordered Fredrick off the premises, “Fredrick you are breaking the law by being here you are permanently expelled from this school. You are tresing please leave or I will call the police.”

Randy started walking away. Fredrick caught up to him, “Wait I want to see the game, no one knows that old goat ordered me off the grounds; let’s hide up in the stands.” He dashed off before Randy could reply, so he follow his brother.

A decision he would regret for the rest of his life. Everyone was so into the game no one noticed the two boys whose faces was obscured by the hood from their parkas slipping past the stadium attendants.

The home team won sixty to forty. Everyone was dancing, hugging and preparing to go home. At nine p.m. A blood curling scream pierced the joyous jubilation.

Randy looked around where Fredrick should have been; he wasn’t there. A second scream and everyone started running in the direction of the screams, everyone except Randy. Every fiber within his body knew that his brother was responsible for those screams.

Mr. Overby was the first to reach the gymnasium, he stood in the doorway, “Is anyone here?” he called out.

A soft whimper came from the supply closet ten feet from the door Mr. Overby was standing in. He turned on the overhead lights from the wall switch. He saw a sneaker clad foot protruding out of the utility closet. His heart sank. He asked himself, “Did Fredrick Morris leave the grounds?”

The entire crowd including the Morris twins was now at the door. Fourteen year

Phasia Stone was curled up her knees touching her chin she was sobbing softly.

Mr. Overby called her name softly and identified himself before gently touching her shoulder. “Phasia,” his voice was hardly audible, “Phasia, what happen?”

Crying hysterically she said, ‘Fredrick, Fredrick Morris raped me!”

Phasia was an only child of Jonathan, an electrical engineer employed by Morris and Sons. Her mother Jessica was a chemistry teacher at Veracity High School.

Luckily for the twins, Mr. Overby was standing near the closet the bullhorns were stored in. He took one from the shelf just as the angry crowd began moving towards the Morris twins, speaking into the bullhorn, “No, this is not the way; they are identical twins, and right now we don’t know which one is responsible for this hideous crime.” He called the police on his cell phone, “This is Principle Overby at Veracity’s gymnasium, come quick with the EMS team a student has been hurt, and then he called both set of parents.

The police and the EMS arrived together; Mr. Overby was with the police when both set of parents arrived. Marie brought extra company, chaos. She was yelling, and screaming long before she had any inclination of what her son was accused of.

Phasia was taken to the hospital, her parents followed the emergency vehicle, the Morris’ followed the police vehicle.

When the hospital called and confirmed to the police Phasia had indeed been raped, they brought both boys to the hospital for proper identification. Two police officers, the twins and their parents entered the private hospital room,” Phasia, is the boy here that attacked you?” Officer Dan Hicks asked.

Without hesitating she pointed to Fredrick.

Marie became extremely belligerent, officer Hicks showed her a pair of handcuffs, “Mrs. Morris, you must calm down, or leave this room. Or you will be arrested for interfering with an officer in the line of duty.”

That did not sit well with Marie, after all the Morris family built the police head quarters. She was about to voice that when Johnsom took her by her arm and led led her out of the room. A few minutes later they returned.

“The one who is not the accused may leave the room.” Officer Hicks said.

Randy started walking towards the door, Fredrick grabbed his arm.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going? You are not going to pin this crap on me.”

Johnsom started to speak but Marie interrupted, “Don’t worry son everything is going to be alright trust your mother.”

The twin Phasia identified as Fredrick was taken to jail.

ELEVEN

The trial began with a supercilious attitude from the defense attorney toward small statue Phasia. He stood both boys in front of her and said, “Now Miss. Stone point to the fine young gentleman that you have accused of attacking you on February nineteenth at nine p.m. In the Veracity High school gymnasium.”

Everyone in the court room knew poor Phasia didn’t have the slightest chance of winning her case against the son of the wealthiest family in Pleasantville, South Carolina.

Without hesitation Phasia raised her small right hand, pointed to the twin facing her on her right side and said loudly, “Fredrick Franklin Morris is the nasty boy that raped me in the utility closet at Veracity High school gymnasium on February nineteenth at nine p.m.”

The defense attorney asked angrily, “Are you sure you pointed to Fredrick Morris?

“Yes sir, I’m sure.” Phasia answered firmly

“How can you be so sure, they’re identical twins?” He demanded.

“Because Fredrick is evil!”

“Your Honor, the witness has failed to a positive identification of her acc, I declare this a mistrial.”

Prosecutor Harvey Jester said, “Miss. Stone, can you positively identify Fredrick Morris?”

“Yes I can sir, and it is because he is evil I can separate him from Randy.”

“Miss. Stone, we need something tangible, like a mark, a scar, or a limp, something that is different from his brother that we can see.” Prosecutor Jester said, “His eyes are different.” Phasia said quietly.

Both boys were paraded in front of the Jury. Each juror looked into their eyes; no one saw any deviation in either of their eyes.

“Judge Knacer stated, “Without a positive identification there is no alternative but to dismiss this case for lack of evidence.” He turned to Phasia, “I’m very sorry miss. This case is dismissed due to lack of a positive identification.”

The on-lookers in the court room erupted with total exasperation. Mrs. Stone stood up shouting, “My daughter told you who raped her. You won’t believe her because he is a Morris; there will come a day when the Morris name won’t be enough to save that evil rapist!”

Judge Knacer ordered Mrs. Stone to, “Sit down and please be quite. This court is

adjourned.” He rapped the gavel and headed for his chambers with the prosecutor and long time friend Harvey Jester in tow.

After the door closed behind the two friends, Judge Knacer removed his robe and hung it on a clothes tree in the corner near the window. He sat in the worn brown leather chair behind his large oak desk.

“Clarence?”

“Yes,” Judge Knacer answered

“What are your feelings on this case?”

Judge Knacer locked his fingers at the back of his head, “Guilty as charged.

Fredrick Franklin Morris is the most pestiferous young man I’ve ever met, and the saddest of all is no one or no thing can deter him from that depravity path he has chosen for himself.”

“I didn’t think Judges and especially you Clarence would make such villainous predictions on such a young person.”

Judge Knacer swiveled around to his desk and started rifling through some papers on his desk, and without looking up stated, “I have a feeling Mrs. Stone has predicted young Fredrick Morris’ destiny.” He heard Harvey turn in his

chair, but he didn’t look up from his papers.

TWELVE

After returning home from the mockery of a trial, Marie went straight up stairs to bed with one of her frequent debilitative headaches. Fredrick went out to celebrate both his conquest and his victory.

Randy went to visit his Aunt Pat, No relations. Every one called her Aunt Pat.

Johnsom went into the den to retrace the morning’s events.

He knew one of his sons raped Phasia Stone, and she was very positive it was Fredrick. He thought, I must find a way to know my sons true identity. He heard someone in the foyer, “Randy.” He called out, “is that you son?”

“Yes dad it’s me I went to visit Aunt Pat, but she wasn’t home.”

“Come in here son I need to talk with you, are you Randy?” Johnsom asked when his son entered the den.

“Yes dad I am,” Randy laughed, “You really can’t tell me from Fredrick, can you? After all these years I thought you could.”

“No I can’t.”

“Dad I’m going to solve the mystery look into my eyes, look very closely and you will see something in my eyes you won’t see in Fredrick’s.

Johnsom looked into Randy’s eyes, “I don’t see anything unusual,” he said sounding disappointed.

Randy said, “Tell me what you see.”

“Your pupils.”

“Right, but you can’t see Fredrick’s. when he gets angry.”

“I have seen him angry, and I never noticed that. Does your mother know?”

“Yes, but don’t feel bad dad very few people if any noticed.”

“Why am I the last to know I suppose your mother thought this was very funny huh?”

“In the beginning we all thought we would play a little trick on you for a while, but when I wanted to show you mom said she will tell you until now, I thought she had.”

“Randy, I want you to always be as honest with me as you are at this moment please tell me, do you believe your brother attacked Phasia Stone?”

Randy looked at Johnsom for a brief moment his answer was a question, “Do you dad?”

Johnsom didn’t answer he asked, “How does other people know you two apart?”

“Phasia Stone answered that dad.” Randy said solemnly.

“You will have to give me more than that son.”

“Okay dad. When we were ten years old, Fredrick and I got in a fight over a Batman toy in the playroom. The fight got so loud, Mom came into the playroom. I was on top of Fredrick he got mad because I was beating him. He said, “get off me you stinking bastard. I froze, not because he cursed, Fredrick always cursed.

It was his eyes. Dad Fredrick’s eyes changed. They became as black as coal, his pupils completely disappeared. That is what Phasia Stone saw. I know mom saw it, because she jerked me off Fredrick as if she feared for my life.”

Johnsom sat back on the sofa after Randy left the room. He thought “What can I do for that poor girl. I need to talk with her dad, and hopefully the two of us can work some thing out. I will talk with Marie, maybe she will have some ideas of

what to do. Oh no, Marie won’t even entertain the thought that Fredrick is guilty. I will call Jonathan, and request a meeting at his earliest convenience.

The ringing phone startled Johnsom. He turned to leave the room when he heard a sound coming from Fredrick’s closet. He opened the door. Marie was wrapped in one of Fredrick’s high school blazers whimpering like a cat.

“Marie,” He called her name softly, she peeked a tear stained face from the blazer.

“What are you doing in this closet? you need to get a grip on what’s going on honey. You need to get dressed. Our guests are already arriving at the condos.”

He offered his hand; reaching up with trembling fingers she grasped his out stretched hand.

“Mr. Morris, Susie called frown downstairs, phone call from Detective Lacey.”

“Detective Lacey, what does he want?” Johnsom said out loud as he headed for the phone. “Yes detective, what can I do for you?” He asked irritably.

“Mr. Morris sorry for the interruptions on the Holiday sir, but I need to get into your underground parking garage; I called your son but he did not answer his phone.”

“Why do you need to get into the garage again my understanding was that you were through with your investigations?”

“This will be ending after today sir.” Detective Lacey stated. “We will be waiting at the garage, thank you sir.”

“Very well I’ll send my chauffeur with the key follow his instructions on what to do with the key when you’re finished, happy fourth of July detective.”

Detectives Lacey, Beets, and Clyde Smyth entered the garage with the key delivered by Melvin, the chauffeur.

Clyde began to take pictures of the private area of the garage used by the Morris’. After he finished the key was put in the outside lockbox as instructed by Melvin the chauffeur.

The beep on the remote control at the Morris’ estate confirmed the key was in the lockbox, Johnsom locked the garage from the estate.

“Why didn’t he unlock the garage from his house?” Clyde asked

“He wanted to know who was going into his garage.” Beets answered.

“Did we get anything worthy of the trip Clyde?” Detective Lacey asked.

“Clyde pointed to a small round spot on one of the pictures. It was taken near the corner of the elevator door. The spot wasn’t noticeable when the doors were open.

“We’ll be back here tomorrow morning with a forensic pathologist from the lab to see if any thing can be lifted from that spot, thanks Clyde.” Detective Lacey said.

“Do you think the Morris’ will have their usual Fourth of July show off under these circumstances?” Clyde asked.

“Clyde, I don’t think anything will stop the Morris’ from flaunting their wealth, not even the death of one of their sons. Detective Beets answered with a hint of disdain.

The Morris’ arrived at the country club at twelve-fifteen p.m. All the guest was gathered in the main ballroom, when the family entered the guest stood and greeted them warmly in unison, “We love you.”

“And we love you” Johnsom answered, “Now under these trying circumstances dear friends, I am sure you will understand, and accept a slight change in some of the day’s events will be necessary. May I introduce to some, and present to others our long time friends and neighbors. Dr. William, and his wife Anne Tillas, they will be our host and hostess for today’s festivities; please welcome them in that capacity, and let us all enjoy this day in memory of Fredrick, not by being sad but enjoying as he always enjoyed the fourth of July.”

THIRTEEN

Mrs. Rice received a special delivery letter from Dr. Willis; inside was a clipping from the Pleasantville News dated July 1, 2005. It read. “The body of Mr. Fredrick Franklin Morris was discovered in his office located on the twelfth floor of the Morris’ Professional Building, at nine-fifteen this morning, by his twin brother Mr. Randall Franklin Morris. No further information is available at this time.

Tears filled Mrs. Rice’s eyes as she looked at the picture of `her cat Lucie on the side table, and ed what Fredrick did to her. Lucie, you have your revenge that evil monster is dead.” She called Dr. Willis, “Tell me everything Dr. Willis. just how did that evil monster die?”

“According to Jim, the late Mr. Fredrick Franklin Morris was gutted like a pig.” He continued describing in detail what his old friend coroner Jim Slate shared with him pertaining to the body he finished with, “It was extremely gruesome Mrs. Rice. but we don’t know if he was an evil monster. I will send you a copy of the obituary when it’s published.”

“Thank you for sharing that with me Dr. Willis you have no idea how you have truly made my day, good bye.” Smiling she gently placed the phone in its cradle. She took the picture of Lucie from the table, and sat in her rocker recliner. Dr. Willis always tries to see the good in every body. One day he will know that I was right about Fredrick being an evil monster. She began rocking and humming the song Sweet Revenge. Holding the picture of Lucie in her arms. Her phone rang, “Hello.”

“Mrs. Rice?”

“Yes.”

“This is Jessica Stone have you heard of Fredrick’s murder?”

“Yes Jessica, Dr. Willis sent me a clipping from the Pleasantville News.

How are you and your family holding up?”

“Just fine, I wanted you to know the evil one has finally received his just reward.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Rice answered, “He has indeed, good bye my dear.”

FOURTEEN

On July fifth, Detectives Lacey and beets, along with Shawn Trout a forensic pathologist returned to the Morris ‘underground garage. Using the key delivered by Melvin they entered the garage. They examine the red spot found on the concrete near the elevator door.

Shawn poured a liquid solution onto the red spot and drew a sample of the liquid into a syringe and emptied the contents into a small vial.

“Do you think its blood?” Detective Beets asked, “And can you do anything with such a small amount?”

“We’ll find out when it’s analyzed.” Shawn answered.

At headquarters Shawn got out of the car from the right rear enger door, he closed the door and was standing on the sidewalk near the front enger door holding the vial up to look at it in the bright sunlight.

Detective Beets was getting out of the front enger door when he lost his footing and fell against Shawn knocking the vial out of his hand, the vial struck the concrete and smashed into little glass fragments.

The three men stared at each other in horror. Detective Beets was trying to pick up the glass from the concrete.

“It’s no use nothing there is useable now.” Shawn said shaking his head.

Detective Beets wiping his hands on his coat, began feverishly apologizing, “We can go back and get another sample, can’t we?” Shawn shook his head.

The three men walked into headquarters with their heads down in defeat.

“Detective Beets said, “Should I call and ask Mr. Morris if we could get back in the garage?” Detective Lacey shook his head.

FIFTEEN

At nine a.m., Wednesday morning Randy went into the kitchen. Susie was busy making breakfast. “Good morning Susie. Did you and your family have a wonderful Fourth of July?”

“Good morning Mr. Randy. Yes sir, we did. I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I stayed the night, Susie how many times must I ask you not to call me Mr. Randy?”

“I know Mr. . . . uh, Randy but.”

“Susie Fredrick insisted on formality, but I don’t,” Randy interrupted her. “Uhn what’s smelling so delicious?”

“Canadian bacon and eggs Benedict.”

Johnsom came into the kitchen, “Good morning you two, Susie, Mrs. Morris isn’t coming down for breakfast she wants you to bring her a cup of green tea with lemon and honey, and two slices of dry rye toast.

He went into the den and began looking through the pile of un-opened mail.

Randy came in behind him, “Dad are you going to have breakfast?”

“I’ll have something later; I want to go through some of this mail that’s been piling up for the past six days.” Johnsom open an envelope with a Pleasantville, S.C. postmark, with no return address.

It was from the Stones’ without reading the card he turned it over and checked the price on the back of the card. $1.99. With the fifty million dollars settlement he got from the Morris and Sons Land Development business he most certainly could have afforded a nicer card than this! It was either the money or Fredrick’s future.

Jonathan Stone is a man of his word. He has worked for the Morris and Sons before his daughter was born. I have never known him to be dishonest in any way. So what he said to me after the trail I knew he meant every word.

“Unless my daughter is well compensated for the trauma, humiliation, and shame your nasty error of a son caused her, His life, and a lot of other things are in my hands.”

“I knew he could have made our lives a little uncomfortable; because of what he knew about some of our business practices, fifty million dollars is nothing compared to what he could have cost the company, and my family.”

Randy walked over to the window and stood with his hands in his pants pockets looking at the peaceful surroundings that will never be the same. It is forever changed from the beautiful happy home he had known and loved since he was fifteen years old. Why did I go with Fredrick to Pleasantville that night? I don’t

even like football. That was the biggest mistake I have ever made. Pleasantville will never feel the same for me. One person’s sin changed an entire town. Pleasantville will always the shame Fredrick left on that town.

Susie poked her head in the den saying, “Mr . . . . unh, Randy breakfast in on the table, I’m going to take Mrs. Morris her tea and toast now.”

“Thank you Susie. Dad, come and eat breakfast is on the table and it smells great.”

“I’ll eat something later; I’m going to take a little walk I need some fresh air to clear my head.”

“Want some company?”

“No son eat your breakfast while it’s hot, I’ll be back shortly. Please don’t leave before I return.” He walked slowly out the den onto the patio.

“I won’t dad; I will be here when you return.”

SIXTEEN

The phone rang, “Homicide Detective Lacey.”

“Lacey, I found it, I found it,” The excited voice of Detective Beets yelled into the receiver.

“You found what Beets?”

“Fredrick Morris’ Rolls Royce, , I said Randy Morris knew something we should know ?”

“Yes I , but what does Randy Morris have to do with you finding Fredrick’s car. How and where did you find it?”

“In the garage; at the Morris’ Log cabin on Lakeview Drive.”

“But how did you . . . ?”

“Never mind you just get some of the boys from the crime lab, and meet me at cottage number 1192 it’s at the end of the street at the cul-de-sac.”

“Everything’s in order. You have a signed warrant?”

“Lacey, you’re wasting time yes, everything is in order!”

“We’ll be there as soon as possible.” Detective Lacey placed the phone in its cradle; he remained seated for a few minutes thinking if he should act on what he was told. How did Beets know the Morris’s had a summer cottage? O well he is a Detective, and a darn good one, and he said everything was fine. He made the call.

The Parks brothers Steve, and Earl from the crime lab met him in the parking lot. They got into the detective’s tan Chevy and headed east towards the lake.

Detective Beets waved as Detective Lacey droved the Chevy into the driveway.

Detective Lacey gave a loud whistle, this is no cottage by any stretch of the imagination.” It reminded him of the virtual house Randy built on the computer, only this one was built from beautiful logs. Earl who was sitting in the front seat, turned around and said to his brother, “Steve, Detective Beets doesn’t know the difference from a log cabin and a mansion built with polished logs.”

“Come on let me show you what’s in the garage!” Detective Beets said excitedly.

“Hold on Beets. Show me the warrant first. You know how these things are done.”

Detective Beets’ demeanor quickly changed from exuberant to downcast.

“Beets!” Detective Lacey shouted, “You don’t have the warrant? You told me everything was fine. I believed you meant that you had a signed warrant with a judge’s signature! Men get back in the car. Beets get in your car and let’s get off this property before we’re charged with tresing.”

“Are we coming back today detective, my wife wanted to visit her parents this afternoon?” Earl asked, As Lacey headed back toward headquarters driving a bit fast.

“No Earl. We will try again tomorrow everything should be in order then. Will you two be available?”

“Yes, we both will request for reassignment to the on-going case.”

When the two detectives got into their office Detective Lacey turned to Detective Beets, “Are you out of your mind? What the heck were you thinking? Not only did you place me in jeopardy, but two other men jobs also, I asked you earlier not to go off half cocked and do anything that will put this case in jeopardy do you ?”

“I , but Lacey but.”

“How did you know the car was in the garage? And that the Morris’ had a cabin on Lakeview Drive?”

“I received a phone call from a woman who would not give her name. She had an accent. I’m not very good on foreign languages, but it sounded German, and I wanted to check it out first hand before I called you.”

“German?, there’s a German family that lives on Merchant Road.”

“Lacey, they never had children, and how old are they now, ninety? I’ll get the warrant this afternoon.”

“Have the warrant dated for tomorrow morning; the Parks brother’s aren’t available this afternoon, and I need to get home. Peter and Alan are waiting for me to play a game of catch with them. What are you going to do Beets? Want to come home with me?”

“No thanks, I’m going to line up a Judge for the warrant; afterwards Joyce and I may take in that new movie at the cinema.”

“Beets when are you and Joyce getting married?”

“I guess we are comfortable the way things are right now Lacey, see you tomorrow.

SEVENTEEN

When Susie returned to the kitchen she looked at Randy, and at his dad’s untouched plate of food.

“He needed a moment.” Randy answered her puzzled look.

Johnsom walking along the beautiful grounds of his estate; memories from the past came flooding into his mind and also questions. Why the boys’ were home schooled their last two years of high school, and why was Frederick always in trouble?

I can almost feel Jonathan’s pain, and I can accept the way his family feels towards my family, but ‘error of a son,’ those words makes my heart ache every day. And why was Fredrick so viciously murdered? Randy believed it was extremely personal, a revenge murder. Johnsom stopped. He looked up and made a pleading request, “Please God before I die, reveal to me who murdered my son, and why.”

After Randy finished his breakfast he went upstairs to check on his mother. She was sitting on the balcony off the bedroom reading Fredrick’s obituary, her tea and toast was on the table beside her untouched.

OBITUARY

For

MR. FREDRICK FRANKLIN MORRIS

Will be Held At

Two p.m. Thursday July Six Two Thousand and Five

At Pleasantville’s First Presbyterian Church

Eulogy by Pastor Samuel Wright

Entombment will be in the family’s private mausoleum

To be attended by family and very close personal friends

Repast will be held in the main dining room at the country club

By invitation only

Professional Services by Campbell’s Mortuary

Not wanting to disturb her, Randy quietly slipped out of the room, and went back downstairs to wait for Johnsom to return from his walk. “I hope mom will find a way to accept Fredrick’s death, and not grieve her self into poor health.

He saw Johnsom heading back to the house, coming from the opposite direction from the way he left. He heard Susie coming down the stairs. He thought, maybe Susie got mom to eat something.

Johnsom was heading back towards the house when he saw a shiny object lying on the grass near a drainage cover. He picked it up, it was a broken key the top half was missing, Johnsom put the broken key in his pants pocket without knowing why.

“Hi dad how was your walk?” Randy asked when Johnsom entered the den.

“Fine son thanks for waiting, Fredrick’s funeral is tomorrow and, I’m not ready, I’m just not ready to say a final good bye, has your mother come down?”

“No dad she hasn’t.”

“I’m going up to check on her.” The bed was to the left of the French doors

leading into the master suite. There was a four foot wide curved wall partition. It was covered with a removable peach colored silk fabric. The special made king size bed was around the partition in the center of the huge master suite. The dining area was directly opposite the French doors, and to the right of the bedroom. Its two glass doors opened onto a large triangle shaped screened, and safety glass ed room. The s opened vertically. They were covered with floor to ceiling silk peach colored drapes. It had a spectacular view from the west side of the house overlooking the pool.

The dining table was visible from the French doors. Marie’s tea and toast was untouched.

When Johnsom entered the bed room suite, he went around the curved partition, and stopped in his tracks, “Randy!” He yelled.

Randy leapt up the stairs three at a time, when he heard his dad call his name.

When he reached his parent’s bedroom he heard Johnsom giving the 911 operator his address.

Randy went around the partition and stopped. His mouth flew open. Marie laid in the exact position Fredrick was found, on her left side; head resting on her out stretched left arm, and her right hand in the pocket of her silk dressing gown.

“Randy go get Susie!” Johnsom yelled.

Randy did not move, Johnsom yelled, “Randy!” Randy’s head jerked towards his father, “Go get Susie Randy, go now!” Randy ran down the stairs calling Susie. He ran in the kitchen calling her name Susie did not answer. He pressed the intercom; its range is seven hundred yards from the house. He called her name. He went outside looking for her. She was no where in sight.

He started back into the house when he noticed her Green Chevy Saturn was gone.

He stood trying to comprehend all that had taken place in the last ten minutes. He heard sirens in the distance. That brought back a flood of memories from the past five days. Is that all it has been? It feels more like three months. I’ll just wait here in the heat of the sun until whom-ever is coming arrives. Maybe by that time I will be functioning again. The estate police led the city police and the emergency vehicle, along with Marie’s private physician Dr. Benjamin James Price, who preferred to be called ‘Dr. B.J.’ to the house. Randy lead them up stairs.

The estate police returned to their post.

Dr. B.J. checked Marie’s vital sign, her breathing was shallow, and her pulse was slow. Dr. Price ordered an I.V. which the EMS team started, and afterwards she was transported to Pleasantville Hospital for ission.

Randy and Johnsom followed in Johnsom’s car, Johnsom once said, “Randy’s car wasn’t big enough for Marie’s two Pomeranians to fit comfortably in.”

Randy was speeding behind the EMS vehicle. They discussed what had happen

to Susie. Maybe she went shopping. Randy suggested his dad call her cell phone, the only number they had.

“Good morning, Jason Campbell, Campbell’s Crematorium.”

“Jason? I’m very sorry I dialed the wrong number I was dialing our house keeper’s number.” Johnsom repeated the numbers he dialed.

Jason said, “That’s this number Mr. Morris.”

“I must have pressed a wrong number, I’ll redial.”

He redialed making sure he dialed the numbers correctly.

“Good morning . . . .”

“Jason?”

“Yes Mr. Campbell.”

“Something is wrong Jason. I’ve dialed this number before and my housekeeper answered, is this a new number for your business?”

“It was our Crematorium number until we had new lines installed three years ago, and we just never had this line disconnected, I think we should now.”

“Thanks Jason I’m sorry to have bothered you twice.”

Oh no bother at all Mr. Morris, Goodbye sir.”

“Susie gave us a bogus number?” Randy asked sounding astonished. They had arrived at the Hospital.

Marie was itted and taken to her room. Dr. B.J ordered blood work for every thing he could think of.

After the blood was drawn, Dr. B. J said, “Johnsom you and Randy should go home it won’t be until tomorrow or Friday before the results of the blood work will be in, and for precautionary purposes Marie should remain hospitalized until that time.”

Johnsom looked horror stricken. “Dr. B.J, our son’s funeral is tomorrow!”

Dr. B.J. pointed them to a room, The three of them went in. They sat on a mauve colored sofa, one of three in the family waiting room. Dr. B. J. stated, “We are not sure, but it appears that Marie was injected with strong muscle relaxant. She should remain here until we’re sure the drug or drugs are completely out of her system to prevent a relapse. You may want to call Campbell and explain this to

him. I am sorry Johnsom I cannot tell you more at this time.”

“I understand Marie’s health comes first, I’ll call Jason thank you Dr.”

Marie was still sleeping when Johnsom and Randy left the hospital, they drove to the mortuary, Jason was just returning from lunch, “Hello did you get that phone number straighten out?”

“It belongs to you but how did she get her cell phone connected to it?” Johnsom asked as he and Jason walked into the building. Randy remained in the car.

“I am not in to electronics.” Jason answered with no apology, “Why would Susie do that?”

“You knew Susie?” Johnsom asked.

“I met her when she brought Fredrick’s clothes.” Jason answered.

“Marie didn’t bring Fredrick’s clothes?”

“No sir, Susie brought them she said, “Mrs. Morris had a headache and asked me to bring these clothes for you to dress Fredrick in.”

“Those were her words?”

“Her words exactly, Mr. Morris.” Jason assured him.

“Thank you Jason, good bye.”

Johnsom repeated to Randy what Jason told him.

‘Clothes for you to dress Fredrick in.’ Dad, those aren’t Mom’s words. Mom would have said, Clothes to dress my son in.

“Yes, you are right, I’m getting Phillip White on Susie’s case or who ever she is; I forgot why we came here. I’ll call Jason and inform him of Marie’s hospitalization, and ask him to inform the news paper to print a retraction for the funeral until a new date is determined by the family. Let’s go home I want to call Phillip and get him on this case right away.”

EIGHTEEN

“Hi Adele Sweetie, how was your day did every thing go okay?” The man with a German accent asked his wife as she removed her brown curly wig, and make-up that made her thirty-seven years of age resemble that of a fifty year old woman.

“Every thing went very well dear. Why are you speaking in your native tongue? Don’t you think that could be dangerous?”

“No, sometimes I just want to be myself. I won’t make a mistake, it’s only when we are alone.”

“Okay, as long as you are careful. Fredrick’s funeral is tomorrow did you the helpers?”

“Yes every one will meet us at the appointed place, and time.”

“Honey what’s the matter?” Adele asked her husband when she saw him with his face in his hands.

“I feel very sorry about that little Asian guy, what happen to his head?”

“I don’t know dear. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. During

war time these incidents are called collateral damage. Stay focus honey, never forget the reason Mr. Fredrick Franklin Morris’ demise was not only necessary, but inevitable. We just got to him first. We need to pack and get out of here by three p.m. we have to meet our doubles, and our neighbors know our plane leaves for Richmond, Virginia at six-fifteen this evening, and we want them to see us leaving in plenty of time.”

“Did you tell them why we are leaving?”

“Your mother needs you to help with the family’s clothing business since your dad’s stroke.”

“I never thought we would, or could kill Fredrick. He was always so nice to us, and especially to Henri.”

“Darling, in all probability we would not have done anything had he not harmed one of our own, I had forgiven him for what he did to me.”

They started out the door, Her husband jerked her back into the house, “Adele you forgot your disguise!”

“Oh my, this could have turned into a real disaster if I were seen looking like my self.” She came out later resembling Susie. She and her husband waved to their neighbors, some were standing on their porches, others in their yards waving to that nice couple from Richmond, Virginia. That have to move back home something about having to take care of a sick relative, and at their age.

Six blocks away they turned into a long tree lined driveway at 310 Pike Road. They open the roll up garage door with the remote control from the car, and drove the Green Chevy Saturn into the garage closing the door behind them.

At three-ten their doubles, driving the Green Chevy Saturn left the house and made a left turn towards the Pleasantville Shuttle plane station less than twenty minutes away to take the four p.m. Shuttle to the Pleasantville Air Stripe, for the twenty minutes flight to the airport in Florence, S.C.

At three twenty-five Derik Hiemer and his wife Ada parked the green Chevy Saturn in the long term parking at the shuttle station. At four thirty they boarded the four forty-five flight to Florence, S.C.

NINETEEN

“Hello Phillip, Johnsom Morris, are you available to take an urgent case for me?”

“Sure Mr. Morris, when and where shall we meet?”

“My home tomorrow morning six a.m. Can you make it that early?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Dad did mom get Susie through an agency?”

“I suppose so I never asked, I will call the agency and check. Johnsom called, and spoke with Mrs. Martha glass the Director. He inquired about Susie Stephenson’s references.

Mrs. Glass said, “Mr. Morris we do a very in depth inquiry into the background of all of our employees. Susie Stephenson came highly recommended with impeccable references from the very prominent Weller family. The owners of Weller’s Builder’s and Land Development, in Florence, South Carolina.

She was in their employment from June twenty eighth, 2000. Until June twenty

seventh, 2002. After the death of Mrs. Weller. She is from Richmond, V.A. via West where she Studied language for six years, until her mother became ill in 1986. She spoke fluent German. Her mother ed on March eighteenth, 1999. She moved here July fifteenth, 2002, and was hired by your wife July twenty eighth 2002. Apparently she is a very smart girl; she enrolled in nursing school so she could properly care for her mother. She received her master’s degree in Nursing. She was the private Nurse for Mrs. Weller’s ailing mother until she ed. How is your mother Mr. Morris?’

“My mother died in nineteen sixty-five. Mrs. Glass.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Mr. Morris. I believe there’s been a mistake. Susie was sent to you to be a nurse for your mother.”

“Mrs. Glass, did my wife come in to meet with you?”

“No, we mailed a thirty-day evaluation report to Mrs. Morris. The report was mailed back to this agency stating how pleased she was with Susie. Mrs. Morris’ signature. was on the report.”

“Thank you Mrs. Glass.”

“Randy we have a problem, apparently we don’t know who Susie was.” He repeated Mrs. Glass’ conversation.

Randy sat with his mouth open finally he said, “Dad Susie wasn’t very educated,

was she?”

Johnsom shook his head, I have never engaged in any conversation with her, I ask a question and she answered. Your mother is the one that conversed with her.”

“You know mom wouldn’t hold an intelligent conversation with the hired help. Her philosophy is, if you were intelligent you wouldn’t be doing such menial work.”

“I have a sinking feeling we have all been out smarted by a menial worker if Susie doesn’t return, but why the act?” Johnsom realized he had asked an empty question.

Neither man had an appetite so they ate a bowl of frosted flakes, and went to bed.

The next morning at five a.m. Randy smelled coffee. Susie! He jumped out of bed and ran downstairs in his bathrobe. When he entered the kitchen. He stopped short, “Dad What are you doing? I thought Susie was back.”

“How do you like your eggs? Do you want coffee now?”

“Yes please, I didn’t know you knew your way around the kitchen,”

“My mother taught me.” She said,” ‘Johnsom, you never know what you may have to do. My duties as your mother is to prepare you for life,’ “And that she did, I cooked, washed and iron clothes, did grocery shopping, and cleaned the house.”

“But dad your family had servants.”

“Mom’s out look was anything could happen, so prepare for war in the time of peace.”

“I wish I was born earlier so I could have known her longer.”

“Your grandmother loved you boys very much; you brought joy into her twilight years. Eat up. Phillip should be here soon.”

At five fifty the back door bell rang, Johnsom was in the den he called Randy to answer the door; “ Edward won’t return until tomorrow.”

Randy brought Phillip White, Pleasantville’s most sought after private investigator out of the five in the city. His wife Katrina was the Liberian, and the sister of Dr. Albert Willis, the Veterinarian. She was Marie’s bridge partner.

Randy led Phillip into the den, he turned to leave, Johnsom said, “Stay son.

Sit down Phillip,” Johnson began to tell the story of their missing housekeeper

Susie Stephenson, including the information from Mrs. Martha Glass. “Dr. B.J. believes Susie or whatever her name is injected Marie with something rendering her unconscious, and posed her in the exact poise as Fredrick was found in”.

“Meaning she was present when my brother was murdered, and his body mutilated and posed like a mannequin.”

“We really need to find Susie Stephenson,” Johnsom spoke slowly with his head down.

“I’m on it Mr. Morris, do you have a photograph of Susie?”

“No, we don’t have photographs of any of our workers, but beginning today we will change all that.” Johnsom said with determination.

TWENTY

At twelve a.m. Thursday morning, Derik, and Ada Hiemer boarded a flight from Florence, South Carolina to Newark, New Jersey’s International Air Port to board their flight to Hamburg, .

At twelve-O’ five a.m. A Black Cadillac Escalade Stolen from the only Cadillac dealer in Pleasantville, backed out of the garage of 310 Pike Road, heading for Campbell’s Funeral home. At twelve-fifteen a.m. the house on 310 Pike Road was completely destroyed by a fiery explosion.

At Twelve forty-five a.m. Four men and a woman took the body of Fredrick Franklin Morris from Campbell’s funeral home, wrapped it in industrial plastic wrap and placed it in the back of the stolen Black Cadillac Escalade.

Two men left in the Escalade. The other two followed in a black GMC Sierra quad cab pick up truck. The woman droved a Black Chevy Sedan also stolen.

The Escalade and the truck went towards the marina. The woman went towards town to return the stolen car and pick up her personal car.

The four men removed Fredrick’s body from the Escalade, loaded it onto his yacht aptly named ‘NARCISSUS’ Two men headed for the open Atlantic Ocean, one manning the NARCISSUS, the other following in a Yacht named AVENGER that did not belong to the marina.

The woman parked her Silver Cadillac Deville, in the shadow of a very big oak tree and walked to where the two men were standing with the Escalade. The man in the truck had two gallons of gasoline and a block of C4 explosives.

The Escalade was doused with the gasoline, the C4 was placed inside and a long gas soaked fuse extended from the Escalade to a safe distance away where it was lit, and from there they stood and watched the Escalade burn.

It was four-thirty a.m. During the entire operation there was no dialog between them.

The man in the pick-up truck left.

The woman and the man began tossing their disguises into the fire. The woman tossed her buck teeth, wig and brown oxford shoes in the fire. She removed her make-up with baby wipes. The man threw his shoulder length black wig, the shoes with the three inch lifts, and his black horn rimmed glasses into the fire. He and the woman got into the Silver Cadillac Deville and headed for their home in suburbia Pleasantville.

The man in the pick arrived at his home in time to shower before his wife Yvonne, a fifth grade teacher at Pleasantville Elementary school got up. They had their usual morning cup of coffee together and he left in time to open the office of his Mid-Way Construction and demolition business in Pleasantville at six a.m.

At seven-fifteen a.m. the man and woman pulled into the driveway of their newly built two story brick home with its beautifully manicured yard in Lakeside Heights for the first time since its completion three months ago. A news flash interrupted the regular scheduled program.

The Coast Guard reported an explosion of an unknown origin at approximately Four fifty a.m. In the Atlantic Ocean, about two hundred miles off shore.

A fire at the excavation site was reported to the Sherriff’s department by an employee on his way to work the six a.m. to two p.m. shift at the Mid-Way Construction and Demolition Company.

The couple electronically open the garage door, and droved the Deville inside.

They looked at each other, the woman began crying, her husband put his arms “I know sweetie. I miss him too our son would have loved this house.”

He got out and removed the temporary tags from the car, and Daniel ‘Dan’ Beetsmier, and his wife Adele entered their new home.

At eleven-thirty a.m. the next morning, Debra James, Iris Mala, and Helen Eddy, rang the front doorbell of their new neighbor’s front door. Dan opened the door.

“Good morning, the three women introduced them selves as the neighborhood welcome committee “We brought you lunch.”

“My wife and I was just talking about lunch we have to go grocery shopping. The only thing we have in the house is coffee and its fixings. Adele, we have company.” Dan called out as he led the women into the kitchen.

Adele gracefully accepted the dishes, She asked the women if they would stay a while, but they declined saying, “You just got here last night and you may want to get used to your home before long visits are proper.”

“Thank you, give us a few days and we will gladly accept all the company we can get.”

“Do you have children?” Deborah asked.

“No.” Dan answered as he gentle closed the door behind them; he looked at his beautiful wife of nineteen years. “Sweetie this is the first time in three years we’ve shown our true faces to others.”

“And it feels great!” Adele spoke through tears of joy.”

TWENTY-ONE

Thursday morning eight forty-five a.m., Detective Beets returned to headquarters with the search warrant signed by Judge Clarence Knacer, he presented it to Detective Lacey with a low bow.

Detective Lacy looked up, “So are we ready?”

Beets vigorously nodded his head yes. Detective Lacy dialed the Morris’s home phone number.

Melvin answered the phone, “Just one moment Detective Lacey I will check to see if Mr. Morris is available to take your call.”

“Yes Detective Lacey this is Mr. Morris.” Johnsom’s voice was almost inaudible.

“We have a search warrant for your property located at 1192 Lakeview Drive; will you be meeting us there or someone else?”

“And exactly what are you searching for in my garage?”

“The metallic blue Rolls-Royce belonging to your late son Frederick FranklinMorris sir.”

“And what are your intentions when you find it, to rip it apart?”

“Our intentions Sir is to search the vehicle for all and any clues that may help us solve your son’s homicide, that will include removing any removable parts necessary to reach that goal, are you or your son meeting us there?”

“Neither, this is the day my son Fredrick was to be buried detective, I have no intentions of conducting any type of business before one p.m. Wednesday, my chauffer Melvin will meet you there at two p.m. tomorrow” good day detective.” He hung up the phone.

“I forgot Fredrick was to be buried today.”

“Was to be buried.” Beets asked a surprised look on his face.

“Yes the old man said, ‘This is the day my son Fredrick was to be buried.’ Get a news paper and let’s see what’s going on.”

On the front page, The Funeral Services for Mr. Frederick Franklin Morris has been postponed until further notice.

“Wow I sure would like to know why.”

“We probably will know sooner or later Detective Beets this isn’t something that remains a secret.” Steve Parks said.

“Coffee anyone?” Lacey asked.

“No thank you. Steve and I have some work we need to finish.”

“Beets are you coming or did you and Joyce have breakfast already?”

“No Joyce and I didn’t have breakfast we said goodbye.”

“Don’t you say that every day you leave for work?”

“No, we say I love you see you later, this time we said goodbye. Joyce broke up with me last night. She told me she no longer loved me. She is going to Panama City, Florida to take a job she obtained on-line as a high school Guidance Counselor. She left at seven this morning. She wouldn’t let me drive her. She didn’t want me to know what mode of transportation she was taking.”

“Darn Beets that’s cold man I’m sorry. Do you want to talk and skip breakfast?”

“Heck no, I’m hungry let’s go eat!”

Two p.m. Friday afternoon Detective Beets drove the Chevy sedan with Detective Lacey and the Parks brothers onto the Morris’s Lakeview Drive address.

At exactly two 0'five p.m. Melvin arrived driving one of the Morris’ company cars. He stopped beside the detectives Chevy sedan on the enger’s side. He ed a set of keys to Detective Lacey with the following instructions.

“The remote with the flag on it will unlock and lock the garage door, and this will open the doors to Mr. Fredrick’s car. He handed Lacey what appeared to be a life like thumb. Press once for the driver’s door, and twice for the other doors. When you are finished place everything inside the locked mailbox slot.” He backed out of the driveway and left.

The four men sat staring at the car until it rounded a curve and was out of sight.

“I guess his instructions included not to hold any conversation with us underlings.” Beets mumbled.

Lacey used the remote to unlock the garage it was nice and cool inside.

“Wow, an air condition garage now that’s rich.” Earl said nodding his head.

The Metallic blue Rolls Royce was a sight to behold. The men just stood staring in silent adoration, the car was magnificent.

Lacey pressed the thumb; The driver’s door opened. He pressed twice the other three doors opened. The doors had inside door handles, but none on the outside. He assigned each man an area to search.

Beets opened the enger’s door. In the seat was a white card board box with a lid. He gingerly lifted the lid, He almost fell backwards he was looking into the face of Thaun Wu.

Lacey saw Beets’ reaction he leaned over from the enger’s seat and looked in the box, “We’ve found Mr. Wu’s head.” Detective Lacey spoke with visible signs of emotion. “Call the coroner.”

“Coroner Slate? Detective Omar Beets, a severed head has been discovered in a vehicle.” He gave coroner Slate the address. “Yes we will be waiting.”

After Coroner Slate and Paul the Police photographer left the men continued to search the car. They removed every removable part inside the car, not even a stray hair or a grain of sand was found. They checked underneath the car, and looked under the hood; they removed the spare tire cover from the floor of the trunk, they came up empty. He closed the garage, and followed Edward’s instructions.

“No unsolved murder is ever closed, it may go into the cold case file, but it’s never a closed case until it’s solved. I have a strong feeling Detective Beets and I will solve this case very soon.”

TWENTY-TWO

Eleven-fifteen Friday morning, Johnsom received a phone call from Dr. B.J. “Mrs. Morris is threatening to walk out unless she is discharged today. She will be waiting at the first floor nurse’s station, however, she has explicit instructions that she must rest for the next twenty four hours, or she will be back in the hospital for an undetermined length of time.”

“Thank you Dr. B.J. I am on my way. Randy!, Let’s go get your mother. She is driving the hospital staff insane, including Dr, B.J.”

When they arrived. Marie was sitting in a wheel chair at the front desk with her arms folded across her chest. “Get me out of here immediately!” She demanded.

Randy took her out to the car while Johnsom talked with Dr. B.J.

Dr. B.J. said, “Marie was injected with a very high potency paralytic drug. It was not enough to prove fatal, just enough to incapacitate her for at least twenty four hours. She will be in a weaken condition until it completely dissipates. That is the first part; the second is we haven’t as yet found what type of drug it is, or its origin. We will continue to search for both. Meanwhile it is imperative that she rest and drink plenty of fluids for the next twelve hours. Any thing unusual in her behavior no matter how minute or insignificant you may think it is, please, do not hesitate to call. She should be back to normal tomorrow afternoon if she follow my instructions.”

On the drive home Johnsom sat in the back with Marie. He repeated the conversation he had with Dr. B.J.

“Where is Edward? Why isn’t he driving?” Marie asked.

“I felt the three of us should be alone to hear what happened to you honey.” He didn’t tell her that Edward’s sister had ed away.

“I don’t know what happen to me. I’m tired.” Marie laid her head on Johnsom’s chest they were silent the duration of the drive.

Johnsom was helping Marie into bed he said, “The funeral was postponed until your release from the hospital we can reschedule it for Monday. You will probably be feeling well enough then.”

“It? You have reduced Fredrick from our son’s funeral, to an it funeral? I want to talk with Randy.”

Johnsom repeated his conversation with Marie to Randy, “See if you can get her to agree to Monday morning at eleven for the funeral, I spoke with Jason earlier that’s convenient for him, and whatever you say please don’t use the word it in reference to your brother’s funeral.”

“Dad eleven Monday morning is fine, she’s falling asleep we will need to keep a watchful vigil through out the night.”

“I agree are you hungry I can order out, we’ve got to find a new housekeeper very soon, and this time we will personally interview prospective house keepers, and check references.”

Johnsom called Campbell’s funeral home, “Jason we will like to visit our son tomorrow before he is placed in the visitation room on Sunday let me know when he’s ready.”

“Yes sir Mr. Morris.”

Twenty minutes later the phone rang, Johnsom answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Mr. Morris I . . . We must see you right away Sir my dad and I will be at your home shortly.” Jason hung up the phone before Johnson had a chance to respond, he was staring at the phone his hand shaking slightly.

“What is the matter dad?”

“Jason and his dad are on their way here.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know I called and informed him that we wanted to see Frederick tomorrow before he’s placed in the visitation room on Sunday, He didn’t tell me the nature of their visit.”

When the Campbell’s arrived at the Morris’s Estate, Johnsom was anxiously waiting in the den.

“Nothing like this has ever happened we are all in shock and disbelief Mr. Morris, your son’s body is missing.” Fred Campbell said with out stretched arms and open hands.

A span of fifteen seconds elapsed before anyone said anything; Randy spoke one word, “Missing?”

Johnsom after regaining control of his voice asked, “Explain to me how could my son’s lifeless body leave your establishment?”

“After the services was postponed. The body was placed in the temperature controlled area. When I went to prepare him for your Saturday visit, that’s when I discovered he was missing.” Jason answered nervously.

“We are so very sorry we have searched our facilities and your son’s body is not there. The police are there now with our staff. When my son and I left to come here they had not found any evidence of forced entry.” Mr. Campbell stated in a strained voice. “We will not stop looking until we fine where your son is or what happened to him.”

“I’m sure you will do everything you can, we’re not holding you responsible.”

“Who rang the door bell?” Marie called out as she came down the stairs.

Johnsom placed a finger to his lips, and motion Randy to take the Campbell’s out through the door from the den that leads onto the patio as he rushed to stop Marie from entering the den.

“How are you feeling dear?” He asked as he turned her towards the kitchen.

“I heard the door bell ring, when will Edward return?”

“Late tonight do you want something to eat?”

“I’ll have something to drink, where is Randy?”

“Right behind you mom, you feeling better?”

“Yes dear thank you for asking, Johnsom are we going to see Fredrick before Sunday’s visitation?”

“I’ll check on it honey.” Marie turned and went into the den.

“Dad, how are we going to tell mom about Fredrick?” Randy whispered.

“We are not, she must never know Fredrick is not in his coffin. I will have to be very creative, and invent an incredibly believable story for her to accept a closed coffin service.”

“You’re right dad mom must never know. Have you any idea what you are going to say?” Johnsom shook his head.

TWENTY-THREE

“I don’t see anything in the paper about Fredrick’s disappearance.” Adele said when Dan came home from work.

“I would think they are trying to figure a way of explaining it with as little embarrassment as possible, imagine explaining a dead body disappearing from Campbell’s funeral home without a trace.” The two of them had a moment of shrill laughter.

‘DEAD BODY DISSAPEAR WITHOUT A TRACE’ from prominent local mortuary; I will love to read those headlines.” Adele spoke through tears of joyful laughter. Then sadness took over.

“What’s the matter sweetie?”

“Fredrick’s death occurred on the date exactly three years after our son took his life, and fifteen days before his thirteenth birthday, and my thirty sixth. He would be preparing for his high school prom, and graduation next year; Fredrick robbed us of our reason for living a happy life, I can never give you another child I . . .

“Adele, sweetie you are my reason to continue living as full a life as possible, and I want us to be our reason to strive for a full and happy life; Children shouldn’t become the soul purpose for our happiness, love should.”

“When ever I become depressed Dan I will this day, and feel your love for me, thank you for being the man you are.”

“Do you feel up to the welcome committee today?”

“Not just yet dear, I want to wait until the Fredrick’s saga is revealed.

TWENTY-FOUR

“Good afternoon Morris residence yes sir Mr. Campbell, Mr. Morris is in just one moment sir, Mr. Morris, Mr. Fred Campbell.”

“Thank you Edward, Yes Fred, no, no don’t bring them here we will meet them there, my son and I are leaving now good bye.”

“Randy is your mother asleep?”

“Yes dad she took a pill and went to bed with a migraine headache.”

“Fred Campbell called, the police are waiting for us at the mortuary, they have some news on what happened to Fredrick’s body.”

Upon their arrival Johnsom said to Fred Campbell, “You have some good news for us we are assuming; we certainly don’t want to return home and tell my wife that our son will not be at his own funeral, Hello Detectives I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“It is still our case Mr. Morris.” Detective Lacey said.

“Please tell me that I don’t have to return home and try explaining to my wife

that our son will not be in his coffin at his funeral.”

“Mr. Morris,” Detective Lacy began slowly, “It has become apparent and I say this with a heaviness in my heart Sir, that your son’s body could have been on his yacht when it exploded in the ocean early Thursday morning, it’s the only conclusion we can reach. We are all so very, very sorry for the pain this is causing you and your family.” There were six men in the spacious office, all six men exhaled at the same time. Detective beets said, “I need some air,” and rushed out of the office.

Detective Lacey, still trying very hard to bring some semblance of a solution to this perplexed situation said, “Although this is believed to be what happened, we will continue to search.”

“Thank you Detective.”

“I had to get out of there I felt as if I was going to burst,” Detective beets said as he and Detective Lacy got into the tan Chevy sedan and headed for their office.

“Sorry I interrupted your evening beets,” Detective Lacy said apologetically.

“Oh that’s okay I wasn’t doing anything I’m glad you called I was beginning to feel lonely.”

“Missing Joyce have you heard from her?”

“I’m not expecting to she was very adamant when she said we were over.” Beets said throwing up both hands.

“I’m sorry I wish there was something I could do, but you know I’m here for you?”

“I know thanks Lacey.” Beets got out of the car, “See you Monday.”

Detective Lacy went upstairs to his office to write the report. He included finding the top half a key with the initial M in the center and surrounded with dollar signs, it was found in the area where Fredrick’s body was removed by person, or persons unknown.

He didn’t tell any one he was in possession of the object. He wanted to inform the Captain first. He completed his report faxed it to Captain Peters and left for the week-end.

TWENTY-FIVE

Randy went home with his dad, he wanted to be with him when he told his mom what the detectives told them.

They arrived home at eleven thirty that evening. Marie was awake and waiting downstairs in the den when they came in. “Where have you two been?” She demanded.

Johnsom and Randy looked at each other. Johnsom took Marie by both her hands and said, “Honey please sit down we have something very unpleasant to tell you.

For the first time since he has known Marie she quietly followed his request and sat down on the sofa. Johnsom sat down beside her still holding both her hands in his.

Before he began speaking he gave Randy a long pleading look, Randy sat beside his mother and took her left hand in both his hands.

“Honey we will be unable to view Fredrick’s body.

“Marie tried to pull her hands away both men held them a little tighter.

“The Campbell’s found out too late that the air-conditioning system had burned out, and due to the heat build-up the body began to deteriorate very rapidly, They could use lots of makeup on Fredrick’s face, but he really would not resemble himself. If the family agrees, Jason suggested a closed coffin, with a large picture of Frederick, and a collage of chosen pictures shown on a color television screen.”

They both gently released Marie’s hands.

Marie turned and buried her face in Johnsom’s chest sobbing loudly. “I don’t want my son made up like some clown. He was a very handsome young man and I want everyone to him that way. So whatever is necessary let it be done.” She rose and went upstairs.

“Dad you should be a writer. How did you come up with such a fantastically, believable fabrication? Had I not known what happen, I would have believed you myself.”

“Call Jason, tell him to do whatever he needs to do the funeral will be at eleven Monday morning, with a closed coffin, and also inform the News paper giving them the new information for tomorrow’s obituary, and for all who are attending please follow the previous instructions from the announcement printed on July third, 2005.”

“Yes dad.”

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR

MR. FREDRICK FRANKLIN MORRIS,

Will be held on Monday, July 10, at 11:a.m.

At the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasantville, S.C.

The family wishes all who will be attending to please

Follow the previous instructions from the announcement printed on July 3, 2005

There will not be a viewing.

Johnsom showed Marie the news paper, she began to cry, “I can’t kiss my son goodbye for the last time, how will I ever get over that?”

“Honey I also feel the pain, I can’t look upon his face for the last time, but we have fond memories from his birth to his demise. We will always celebrate his life.”

“You are right; we will always celebrate Fredrick’s life, our first born.”

TWENTY-SIX

“Daniel, Daniel wake up honey, Fredrick’s obituary is in the paper!”

“Sweetie, it’s seven-thirty on Saturday morning,” Dan said as he sleepily rubbed his eyes. “Look!” Adele squealed as she shoved the paper in front of his sleepy eyes, “Fredrick’s obituary!”

Dan rubbed his eyes a few more times, he took the newspaper and began to read out loud. “There will not be a viewing; I wonder why.” He said through a spasm of laughter.

“Shall we go to the funeral?” Adele asked.

“No, I don’t think that will be a good thing. And do we want to attend an empty coffin funeral” I’m sure it will be televised for us peasants that are not good enough to attend.”

“Now I will invite the welcome committee over for a Monday brunch at eleven a.m. You and I will celebrate Fredrick’s bodiless funeral.”

“Hello Deborah, Adele Beetsmier, if you and the committee are not busy Monday morning at eleven. We would love to have you over for brunch, oh great that would be fine they are more than welcome see you at eleven bye now. They will all be here Monday at eleven including their husbands, now what am I going

to serve them?”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head sweetie. Leave that up to me.” Dan grinned as he reached for the telephone.

“Who are you calling?”

I’m ordering Monday’s brunch from that new French restaurant that opened up in Crawfordville.”

“Are you sure they deliver, they are more than a mile away.”

“Yes sweetie they deliver.”

“Dan what would you order we don’t know what they like or if they are vegetarians or what.”

“I said leave it to me sweetie. I will speak with the chef, and let him know what we want to do and for whom, and being a professional chef he will know. We will have a smorgasbord of eats. We will impress our welcome committee, and their spouses, after all we can afford it.”

“You are such a show off Daniel Beetsmier.” Adele said as she patted her husband on the back and re-read Fredrick’s obituary while smiling from ear to ear.

“I’m calling mom She and dad was expected to arrive home late last night from their three weeks vacation.”

“Ask them what did they bring me?”

“Dan you are always expecting something. If they are home and not too tired we will run over there for a few minutes and bring them up to date on our plans for tomorrow morning, and what you’ve been up to.”

“Swell put it all on me I can carry it, I have very broad shoulders.”

“They will be here on Monday for the brunch. No matter how much we celebrate Fredrick’s death it does not ease the pain of the death our son.”

“I know sweetie.” Dan said holding her in his arms.

TWENTY-SEVEN

At the funeral aside from the usual curiosity seekers, was Mrs. Shirley Rice, along with Dr. Willis, and Pleasantville’s self proclaim dignitaries’ and another silently un-welcome couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Stone.

There were many wonderful speeches made about the great character, and the wonderful personality of the late Mr. Frederick Franklin-Morris. However, except for his parents about ninety-nine percent of the people attending did not believe one word that was spoken pertaining to his great personality, and character, his twin being one of them.

My brother was not a very nice person Randy thought to himself.

Some where in the crowd someone yelled. An empty coffin for an empty soul!”

“Hello Johnsom it’s good to see you again.” Mrs. Rice said shaking his hand as the family filed out of the church, Johnsom smiled as he squeezed her hand. Before she left she got a chance to speak with Randy, but she never said, “Sorry for your loss.”

As the crowd of on lookers disbursed the selected few went to the mausoleum.

Dr. and Mrs. Willis took Mrs. Rice to lunch before she left for her trip back home.

Adele’s parents, and the brunch guests enjoyed a wonderful feast, as they watched the elaborate funeral of the late and wonderful Mr. Fredrick FranklinMorris. There was no sympathy for the deceased among the Beetsmier’s or their guest. It was discovered during the brunch; that Fredrick had negatively impacted the life of at least one member of each family present. The beast has been conquered! They all cheerfully raised their coffee cups.

“Dad did you hear someone yell, an empty coffin for an empty soul at the services?”

“Yes, I did.’

“Do you think mom heard it?”

“I don’t think she did. I barley heard them, and your mother was crying. I don’t think she heard it.”

“How could anyone know Fredrick was not in his coffin? The only people that knew were the ones at the mortuary.”

“We may never know son, but if we do, heads will surely roll!”

TWENTY-EIGHT

At one p.m. Wednesday afternoon the Morris’ phone rang, it was answered by Edward, a few seconds later Johnsom’s strong voice was in Detective Lacey’s left ear. “Yes Detective?”

“Mr. Morris I have an object that was found in the area where your son’s body was placed at the mortuary, if you can spare us a few minutes my partner and I would appreciate it very much, we can be there within an hour. Short pause, “Very well detective, but it has to be brief I have a very important engagement to prepare for this afternoon.”

“Beets he has agreed to spare us a few minutes, but we have to make haste because he has a very important engagement to prepare for this afternoon.”

“Right, a round of golf with the good ole boys.” Beets said his voice tight with disapproval. “Why are we going to see him today anyway?”

“I found this in the area where Frederick’s body was in the mortuary.” Detective Lacey held up the top portion of the key with the ‘M’ in the center.

When they arrived at the Morris’ estate, Randy and Johnsom were waiting for them in the gazebo, he stood as the two detectives approached he did not extend his hand.

“Good afternoon Mr. Morris thanks for seeing us on such short notice.” Detective Lacey spoke without extending his hand, “We won’t take up much of your time sir.”

Detective Lacey showed Johnsom the top portion of the key.

“What is that detective?”

“That’s what I was hoping you could tell me sir.” Detective Lacey explained to Johnsom where he found the object.

“Do you think there is any significance to this pertaining to my son’s death?”

“Isn’t this the Morris’s trademark an ‘M’ surrounded by dollar signs?”

“Yes but it could also be a forgery.” Johnsom answered indignantly.

“Oh I’m not accusing you of any improprieties; I’m only trying to solve your son’s homicide.”

“Let me see that,” Upon a closer examination he said, “I do believe this is one of ours.”

“Is there any way you can tell by the top of this key what the bottom half unlocks?”

“Sorry detective I have no idea.”

“That’s all Mr. Morris thank you for your time, good day sir.”

“Randy, I have something to show you”

“What is it dad?

Johnson showed Randy the bottom half of the key he found several days ago.

“Do you have any idea what it unlocks?”

“Yes Son, I believe it unlocks your brother’s safety deposit box.”

“Where is the top?”

“Detective Lacey has it.”

“Why not give this to the detective?”

“Randy, we don’t know what’s in that safety deposit box. We should look first. Detective Lacey may already know too much. I don’t think he believed me when I told him I had no idea what the key may unlock”

“Why did you tell him that, you may have gotten yourself under suspicion?

“Johnsom, Randy,” Marie called out as she came down the stairs, “Am I here alone?

“No honey we are both here.” Johnsom answered.

“Johnsom we should soon begin searching for a housekeeper, I’m getting tired of eating takeout, and your cooking.” She said laughingly.

“We will both go to Pleasantville’s employment of domestic engineering whenever you’re ready.”

“I do not know when I will be ready, You two go. I am sure I will be pleased with whom ever you choose.”

They returned with Eloise, A perky forty five year old widow who came with impeccable references that had been confirmed during the interview. To both their delight, Marie immediately liked Eloise.

“Marie, Randy and I have to go to the bank. We have some business to take care of.” Smiling at Eloise he said, “We are looking forward to a scrumptious dinner.”

Eloise said, “Yes sir.”

“Are we going to check Fredrick’s safety deposit box now dad?”

“No, we don’t want to do anything to arouse Detective Lacey’s already suspicious nature toward us. We will find a way to that deposit box during normal business hours.”

TWENTY-NINE

“Lacey that old man recognized that item; did you see the look on his face when you showed it to him?”

“I did and I know someone we can plant inside the bank; Her name is Gail Randolph. She is in special training now with the FBI; she can apply for the position as a loan officer at the Morris Bank on Popular Street. I saw in the paper they are interviewing. She completed banking school three months ago.”

“Let’s her superiors and let them know what we need before someone else grabs her.” Detective Beets suggested.

“Make the call, I’m going to visit my locksmith buddy Benny Allen in Sandersburg. I’ll use Uncle Bud’s old pick-up, and park it in Benny’s garage I don’t want to draw any attention to myself.”

“Okay I’ll see you later.”

When Detective Lacey returned from Sandersburg, He and Detective Beets went to Pinkney’s Diner for coffee. They did not want to discuss the key in the presence of the other detectives.

“Beets,” we’ve really struck pay dirt on this key, Benny made the key.”

“For whom?”

“A woman named Terri Smith came in she needed a key made for her husband who lost his playing croquet at the Morris’ estate.”

“How could he identify the key by just the top?”

“The uniqueness of the top.”

“Could he duplicate it?”

With a Cheshire cat’s grin Detective Lacey reached into his coat pocket, and with great dramatic flair produced the key.

“Who is this genius locksmith friend of yours?”

“Only the greatest locksmith alive he can look at a key, go to his machine and duplicate that key.” Detective Lacey’s cell phone rang.

“Hello Detective Lacey this is Gail Randolph, I’ve just left my interview for the junior loan officer’s position at the Popular Street Bank. They have a few more interviews before a confirmation is declared.”

“What is your gut feeling on this Gail?”

“Queasy, where are you?”

“At Pinkney’s diner come Detective Beets and me.”

“Thanks, but I need to get back home there’s one more exam I have to take before graduation from the FBI training. I will keep in touch bye.”

“That was Gail she says her gut feeling is a little queasy pertaining to the interview for the job but, there’s still hope we’re take one day at a time something will open up sooner or later.”

“Lacey you know I told you if the case is solved or placed in the cold case file whichever comes first I will be leaving Pleasantville in October.”

“I understand, but I believe we have a good chance of closing this case, the key is going to play a big part in it.”

“You have something concrete?”

“Here’s what I have, Benny was employed with the largest locksmith company back when the banking business started booming here in Pleasantville, and the

surrounding cities. After six months with the company he opened his own business five miles away in Sandersburg, people traveled from as far as twenty miles away to do business with Mr. Key as someone aptly named him.”

“Okay exactly how is Mr. Key going to help us?”

“Benny knows which bank the key belongs to, and he know it belongs to a safety deposit box, how does he know? Glad you asked. because he was the lock smith that was commissioned to make the keys for the safety deposits for the Morris’ banks.”

“I am happy to know you are a mind reader, what is my next question?”

Don’t be funny Beets. I told you Benny is a genius. When it comes to keys there is none that can touch him. Banking keys doesn’t go to just any locksmith; the locksmith who makes or duplicate banking keys are bonded, the banks has a personal relationship with who ever make or duplicated their keys.”

“So if the bank or banks found out that Mr. genius Danny Allen made that key for you his ass is grass right? Then how did Danny duplicate the key the woman gave him? Wouldn’t he be afraid she would tell who made it for her?

“Benny, his name is Benny, and he knows how to take care of himself. I told you he is very smart, and oh, did I mention cunning?”

“No, and you didn’t mention shady either.” Beets said sarcastically.

“Okay, Beets you will become a believer. Only the three of us knows about this key, and that’s the way it should remain.”

“My lips are sealed. I won’t squeal on your shady key man.”

THIRTY

When Randy droved into his parking space in the underground garage the next morning, the full impact that the parking space on the left of his would never again be occupied by his brother’s vehicle.

He knew he was crying when he tasted his salty tears, he quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand. He buried his face in his hands and had himself a really body jerking cry.

Afterwards he dried his tears with his silk handkerchief. He took the private elevator to the twelfth floor. He walked down the hall and saw the crime tape around Frederick’s office. He ed what Detective Beets said to him earlier, “As long as this tape is here this is still a crime scene.”

Randy began pulling the tape off with angry fury saying, “This is no longer a crime scene Detective Beets this is my brother’s office!” Randy entered the office. The outline of Frederick body caught him by surprise. “I thought this would have been cleaned up by now.” He picked up the phone and called maintenance, “get someone up to Mr. Frederick’s office now to clean this office from the floor up!”

He slammed the phone down. That is how Frederick would have reacted. I have to be careful. I really don’t want to emulate him.

He went to his office sat at his desk, and stared out the window. His cell phone

rang, “Randy I know what the key unlocks,” Johnsom spoke in a strained voice, “It unlocks a safety deposit box; where are you?”

“In my office.”

“I will be right there.”

When Johnsom got off the elevator on the 12th floor Randy was waiting for him.

“Hi dad where is the safety deposit box?”

“In Fredrick’s office.”

“Really, How did you find that out?”

“Paper trail, whenever anything leaves the bank there has to be a record, it was very ingeniously maneuvered if this key had not been lost, and then found, the safety deposit box in Frederick’s office would have forever remained his secret.”

“Let’s begin the search.” Randy suggested.

The two men began to meticulously search Frederick’s office they began on opposite sides coming together at the center of the fourth wall, they searched

furniture and all pictures on the wall including sliding their hands over the walls to feel for any disturbances.

After they had searched the entire office they were tired. They decided to quit for the day it was three thirty.

“We will begin searching the apartment early tomorrow morning, are you coming home with me?”

“No I’m going home take a shower, and just relax I didn’t realize searching was such strenuous work, and even more so when you have no idea exactly where to search.”

“Okay son I’ll see you in the morning is eight good for you?”

“Fine dad say hello to mom for me.”

“Will do son.”

THIRTY-ONE

“Dan, do you think the police are still searching for Frederick’s body?”

“Adele sweetie the police has more pressing cases demanding their attention than a seemingly impossible week old case of the disappearing body, what are you getting all dressed up for, where are you going?”

“To the mall with mama she needs a new coffee pot I’m going to buy her a Keurig’s like ours she’ll love that no filters to bother with.”

The phone rang, “Hello yes she’s here, sweetie Mrs. Rice.”

“Hello Mrs. Rice so good to hear from you how are you?”

“I’m very well dear girl. I called to thank you for the invitation to your birthday party Saturday night. I would love to attend, but I don’t drive that far at night.”

“I know Mrs. Rice, we are sending a limousine for you.”

“Oh no you sweet, sweet people. Pleasantville is blessed to have people like you and Dan living there.”

“Thank you Mrs. Rice, the limousine will pick you up at six o’clock sharp we want to spend some time with you before the guests arrives.”

“Wonderful my dear good bye.”

“Dan everyone we invited to the party has replied, we are going to have one unforgettable party Saturday night. all in attendance will be celebrating the demise of that demon, quoting Mrs. Rice’s terminology.”

“Everyone will really enjoy the full moon and the clear sky. The gathering of relatives and friends under a beautiful sky decorated with the stars is a precious gift from God.” Dan spoke solemnly thinking about their son Henri.

“Did we forget anything?” Adele asked.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, do we have enough food or dessert or enough plates and spoons and forks, or outside seating?”

“Sweetie please calm down, we have more than enough of everything. Even the weather is in our favor. There will be a clear starry sky, and a full moon. That’s a perfect evening for a perfect birthday girl.”

“Yes I agree and I am going to enjoy it this is the first birthday I’ve celebrated in three years, I’m really looking forward to it, I want it to be a festive evening for all who attend.”

“It will be Sweetie, it will be.”

THIRTY-TWO

The telephone rang, Good morning, Mr. Johnsom Morris’s office; please hold Detective Lacey I’ll see if he’s available to receive your call.”

“Yes Detective Lacey how may I help you?”

“Mr. Morris what time this afternoon will you be available to meet with my partner and me?”

“One forty-five sharp in my office.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Beets we have a one forty-five sharp meeting in the king’s office this afternoon”

“Are we going to have lunch first? I need to meet that king on a very full stomach.”

“Of course we will.”

“Randy those two annoying detectives will meet in my office at one forty-five this afternoon. I would like very much for you to be here when they arrive.”

“Sure dad no problem.”

“Please sit.” Johnsom said as he waved his hands toward two very expensive leather chairs.

“Thank you,” The detectives sat down.

“Now detectives please explain your visit.” Johnsom said with a touch of annoyance in his voice.

Holding up the top of the key Detective Lacey stated. It’s pertaining to the, Unlocking portion of this key.”

“Oh, I thought we were done with that.”

“No sir not yet.”

“How do you think my son and I can help you detective?”

“By giving us the part that unlocks the safety deposit box.”

“What makes you think we can help you detective?”

“Because Sir we believe you have the other half of this key.”

Randy stood up, “Are you accusing my dad of with holding evidence that could be crucial to solving the case of his son’s killers?

“We are not accusing your dad of anything. we do believe, however, that you, and or your dad knows that this key unlocks a safety deposit box in one of your banks, and that you also know the owner of that safety deposit box.”

“That is ridiculous,” Johnsom said rising angrily from his chair, “This meeting is over Detective’s.”

“We are very sorry Mr. Morris, we did not come to upset you in any way sir, please accept our apologies if we did. Good day sir.” The detectives left.

Randy asked, “Dad do you think they know something?”

Johnsom got up and started pacing the floor, “what do you think we should do Randy?”

“What ever we are we going to do we must do it quickly. Do you think they

know that the key belongs to Fredrick’s safety deposit box or are they just fishing?”

“I think they are fishing just to find out if we know anything. I am not underestimating Detective Lacey on this. We will search his Condo Saturday morning; I will be in various meetings all day tomorrow.”

“I do believe you ruffled the king’s feathers. You bluffed him very well saying ‘we believe you have the bottom portion of the key’. Beets said when they returned to the Chevy Sedan, and headed for the office.

“That was no bluff. We believe he has it.”

“We do?”

“Yes, we do. Did you notice how his face became distorted and flushed?”

“Can’t say that I did Lacey, is there any significance in his face being distorted and flushed?”

“Oh yes it does partner it means the man is lying, we won’t be getting any cooperation from him, because he know what that key unlocks and he doesn’t think it’s something we should see, but I’ve got news for Papa money bags. We are going to find what that key unlocks before he does.”

“Does this mean we are going to visit your friend the shady key man?”

“Yes we are, first thing Monday morning, and he’s not shady just brilliant. I am in court all day tomorrow on the break-in of Casey’ Jewelry store. I’ll see you Monday enjoy your week-end.”

“Thanks Lacey you too.”

THIRTY-THREE

Saturday morning at ten-thirty Johnsom and Randy arrived at Fredrick’s Condo. They brought a metal detector with them. They stopped for an hour for lunch, and had frequent breaks. At five-fifteen they had searched every inch of the condo, and again no safety deposit box was found. Randy stated, “Maybe it’s not a metal box, maybe it’s some other material lets go back to his office, and search for anything unusual.” “

“Unusual like what?”

“Like Fredrick!” Randy answered sounding flabbergasted.

“We’ll go there tomorrow.” Johnsom said sounding defeated. The two men parted, Randy went to his condo, and ordered his dinner from a French restaurant.

Johnsom went to his estate to a scrumptious dinner prepared by Eloise.

Marie said, “The food looks, and smells good, but I don’t have much of an appetite tonight.” She had a cup of green tea and went up stairs to bed.

After finishing his dinner Randy went into the living room sat on the sofa staring at his television. He did not turn the set on just stared at the blank screen trying to get inside his brother’s head. He fell asleep on the sofa. He had a very strange

dream but could not it. The ringing phone woke him at nine-thirty, “Hi dad you are up early are you going to church with mom?”

“No I thought while she’s at church you and I could check Fredrick’s office again.” pause. “Randy?”

“I’ll meet you there in an hour I’m still in bed.”

Randy tried as hard as he could to his dream, but it would not surface.

“Good morning dad, mom got off to church okay?”

“Yes, You look terrible. You partied all night?”

“No I just had a very, very restless night. I slept on the sofa. I also had a strange dream, but this morning I can’t it.”

“I have had a few of those myself son.”

“Are we going to search this entire office again, and exactly what do you think we are looking for?” Randy asked wearily.

“I wish with all my being I could give you an answer to that question, but I

really don’t have a clue. Maybe we should inquire into professional locaters of lost items.”

“How the heck do you come up with things like that dad?”

“I believe it is called desperation.”

“Since we don’t have a clue to what we are searching for what do we tell the locators?”

“You think we should really seek them out?”

“This is your idea call me when they find something.”

“Where are you going?”

“To my condo, and get in my bed, see you tomorrow.”

Johnsom sat in one of the expensive leather chairs facing the massive mahogany desk, visualizing his troubled son sitting behind it. I knew Fredrick had problems. I just didn’t know how to help him. He got up locked the office, and went home.

“How was service honey?” Johnsom greeted Marie coming into the foyer.

“Had you been with me on Sunday morning instead of at the office you would have known first hand how service was.” She answered with great flair.

“Urgent business honey, where would you like to go for dinner, since you gave Eloise the day off.?”

“I don’t want to go out let’s order pizza the boys love that.”

Johnsom spoke quickly, “Randy is very tired he went home to get some rest.”

“Marie looked horrified, “But they always come home for Sunday dinner!”

Then she ed.

Johnsom caught her before she crumbled to the floor.

THIRTY-FOUR

Detective Lacey received a phone call from Gail Randolph at nine-thirty Monday morning, “I received an early morning call from the First Bank of Pleasantville inviting me to come in for a second interview at one p.m. this afternoon.”

“Great, maybe this is the break we’ve been waiting for, let me know the outcome.”

“Good afternoon Detective Beets, you’re not late you’re early only four hours before your shift ends.”

“Didn’t you check your messages? I called at eleven-fifteen last night.” Detective Lacey turned on his cell phone.

“Hello Lacey, my mother was taken to the Hospital in Florence I’m on my way there now, if she’s alright I’ll see you some time tomorrow, I don know what time.”

“Beets I’m sorry, how is your mother?”

“She’s fine they thought she had a heart attack but it was only an anxiety attack. I know where I will be going when I leave here. My mother is alone in that big house since my dad died, I will live there until we fine a live-in housekeeper she

likes.”

“I understand Beets you have to do what is in the best interest of your mother.”

“Oh Gail called, she has a one p.m. appointment at the bank this afternoon.”

“Now that sounds promising, but I really must start making plans on exactly when I need to hand in my resignation. I don’t want mother living alone much longer.”

“How about the end of September? What ever state the case is in you hand in your resignation.”

“I accept, but I hope it will be solved. I don’t want to leave an unsolved case.”

“I have a strong feeling you will see this case solved before you leave.”

Detective Lacey answered his ringing cell phone, “Great! Gail is hired as a junior Loan Officer at the Morris bank on Popular Street.”

“Now that brightens my day, but just what do we expect of her Lacey? She’s a loan officer. She will be tied down to a desk.”

“Gail is an FBI undercover agent; the Banks’ customer’s deposits are covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, meaning if there is anything amiss within that bank the FBI has the right to investigate, now since we have no proof, only suspicion that’s where an undercover agent becomes necessary.”

“This is beginning to feel very intriguing, like one of those James Bond movies.”

“Well Detective Beets lets you and I head for Sandersburg to meet with James Bond aka Benny the shady key man.”

“Lacey sometimes I don’t know if you’re forty-six or six.”

THIRTY-FIVE

Gail’s desk was located in a small office diagonally across the room facing the vault. Each loan officer is presented with a gold framed battery operated wall clock. They are responsible for their batteries, along with the batteries Gail added something extra to her clock, a miniature video camera located in the twelve p.m. clock position of her clock, which she hung behind her desk facing the vault. The daily vault activity transmitted to Detective Lacey’s camera located on his desk top computer was picture perfect.

On the way from their meeting with Benny, Detective Beets got a call on his cell phone. “I’ll be there as soon as I can, goodbye, “Lacey mother is back in the Hospital.”

“I’m sorry Beets, I know you need to go is there anything I can do?”

“No thanks Lacey, just please keep her in your prayers.”

When they returned to Pleasantville, Beets got into his car and left for Florence, S.C. Lacey went into his office, checked his messages, put in the code for the video camera connected to Gail Randolph’s bank camera, nothing out of the ordinary except for one rather tall woman wearing a bright orange colored headband looked directly into Gail’s camera, and slightly nodded. Lacey began to panic he called Gail on her cell phone from his cell phone, Gail answered.

“Hello Gail have you heard from Ned today?” Ned is Gail’s brother, and the

code for, ‘Have you been made?’

“No but he’s fine I will call him later.” Lacey breath a sigh of relief.

Four p.m. Gail called Lacey, “Detective Lacey the woman in question is okay. She has been working here for six years. What you thought was a nod at my camera was a nod at Ralph. He was standing to the left of my camera. The two of them are a couple. Ralph is in security. How is detective Beets?”

“He went to Florence his mother is in the Hospital there.”

“Oh I’m sorry, is he married?”

“No he and his girlfriend broke up and she left town, are you interested?”

“Just asking, bye detective.”

“She is interested”. Detective Lacey said smiling to himself.

THIRTY-SIX

“Honey you’re home early every thing okay?”

“Just missing my lovely wife,” Dan answered taking Adele in his arms.

“Really Dan why are you home at three-thirty in the afternoon?”

“I just had the need to come home, I’m going to begin working shorter hours I need to use my accumulated sick time, vacation, and personal leave time, I don’t want to give that job one nano second of my time.”

“How does the gang feel about your leaving?”

“Only the few I work very closely with know, even the boss doesn’t know yet.”

“Dan I’ve been thinking, this is a very big house plus ten acres of land, will you consider adoption when you resign?”

Dan took Adele in his arms saying, “Sweetie I’ve prayed to hear you say those words. Yes, yes, we should adopt how many would you love to hear call you mommy?”

“We will discuss numbers and ages when you are free to be a full time daddy. Should I call mom and tell her we are thinking of adopting, she’s mention it from time to time?”

“Let’s wait until we have discussed it thoroughly and have done some investigation of the system, and educated ourselves as to what we should know, and do before we inform our parents they are about to become instant grandparents.”

“Let’s begin to secretly celebrate our new parenthood by going to an expensive restaurant for dinner tonight.”

“Great!”

“Dan?”

“Yes sweetie.”

“When are we going to tell our parents what really happened to their grandson, and who was responsible?”

“Adele, when do you think they will ever be ready to hear the whole truth of how their only grandchild died?”

“I am going to visit the Orphanage tomorrow. I want to become a volunteer, that way people will get to know me, and I them. What do you think?”

“It is a grand idea sweetie, do you think you will be recognized?”

“No, I am just plain old Adele Beetsmeir. People quickly forget, or dismiss bad things that happened to others.”

“I am sure you are right.”

“Why don’t you come with me?”

“No sweetie, when I meet my new children I want to be a full time daddy. I have something for you, just so you will know how much I love you.”

He gave her a small black box she open it and pulled out a beautiful specially made platinum 18 inch chain with a circled pendant, it had a heart shaped ruby in the center encircling the ruby the words, ‘with every beat of my heart I luv u’.

Adele began to cry softly, as he hung the pendant around her neck he began kissing her eyes, neck and lips, then ion engulfed them, he took her upstairs.

When Dan came out of the shower he asked, “Sweetie, have you decided where you want to go for dinner?”

“Yes let’s stay home and raid the refrigerator we’re eat what we find.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“If you’re going to begin volunteering at the orphanage I think we should become a two car family again, what should we choose compact, midsize or luxury?”

“I would like a small SUV.”

“Really? I didn’t know you were into those.”

“Our son started me to notice them, he really liked that small size Escalade, and you will never guess the color.”

“Black of course.”

“Noo, silver of course.”

“Adele did you brain wash our son to think silver?” Dan placed his hands over his face, “Brain washed, that’s what Fredrick did to our son.”

Adele put her arms around him she hugged him as tight as she could, “We will have many moments such as these for many years to come my darling they will lessen eventually, in the meantime we must hold each other up; through our faith in god he will ease the physical pain, and replace it with memories of the happy years we spent with our son.”

“I know honey, but there are times I hear his voice as clearly as If we were in the same room, there have been times I actually looked around for him.”

“I know dear I’ve been there.”

“Let’s go over to the recreation center and meet some of our friendly neighbors. I don’t think we should spend so much time alone” Dan suggested.

“Give me a moment to change my top and I’m ready.”

Adele and Dan chose the perfect evening it was ‘Welcome new neighbor’s night.’

They received an invitation in the mail earlier in the week, but had decided not to attend they were glad they did. They were the only new neighbors, and were voted the couple of the month. This included for Adele a day at the Spa, lunch, and a day at the ‘Fabulous Beautiful You Salon, where you are pampered from your head to your toes.’

For Dan a day at the Men’s club, ‘King For a day.’ It included a massage, steam

room, swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and lunch. Both prizes to be used within a year from the date of the voucher.

Dan and Adele met couples their ages, and some extremely interesting elderly couples. It was just what Dan, and Adele needed a night out. This was the first time in three years they had felt so alive and happy.

It was two a.m. when they arrived home, thoroughly exhausted and deliriously happy. They got into bed. Dan said, “Sweetie I love you”. And immediately went to sleep.

“Adele kissed him softly on his forehead, “I love you too honey.” She turned off the bedside lamp, snuggled close to him, and fell asleep.

THIRTY-SEVEN

“Good morning Detective Lacey beautiful day isn’t it?”

“Good morning Detective Beets yes it is, how’s your mother?”

Detective Beets looked puzzled. “Your mother, you left work on your way to the hospital . . .

“Oh I was about half way there when my Aunt Nora called. She said mom was alright, no hospitalization necessary. She took mom home with her so I turned around and came home.”

“I’m glad to hear she’s alright.”

“Thanks Lacey, Aunt Nora thinks mom is just lonely in that big house all alone, and gets anxiety attacks.”

“How old is your mom?” “Sixty two, going on ninety. We, the family can see her failing not because of any illness just grieving. Since dad ed three years ago she’s been steadily going down hill. It may not be in her best interest for me to continue working another month Lacey. I hope you understand.”

“I do Beets, you do what you believe is best for your mother.”

“Thanks Lacey, what’s on the agenda for today?”

“We have a search warrant for Fredrick Morris’ office.”

“How the heck did you get a warrant for Fredrick’s office?”

“A lot of prayers, sweat, and anxiety attacks. Not to mention going to about every Judge in Pleasantville. Do you know Johnsom Morris believe his arms are longer than God’s?

And also smarter. Who was the brave Judge, Who dare go against the king?”

“Judge Clarence Knacer.”

“Knacer, why does that name have such a familiar ring?”

“About twenty four or twenty five years ago he was the Judge in a rape case of a young girl whose acc was Fredrick.”

“I read about that, being an identical twin a positive identification was impossible.”

“Right, but everyone believed the girl identified her rapist.”

“How, no what did you do to convince Judge Knacer to sign the search warrant for Fredrick’s office?”

“Well I did get a bit ahead of myself.”

“How much ahead?”

“The key has been identified as belonging to a safety deposit box in the First Bank of Pleasantville. The warrant gives us the right to serve the bank, if the key belongs to Fredrick’s box we then have the right to search his office, because the safety deposit box becomes a part of our homicide case.”

“Lacey you just have the top part of the key how do you know the key belong to a bank in Pleasantville bank?”

“Glad you asked.”

“My friend the shady key man, your words, explained this to me.

“There are no visible numbers on any of the Morris own bank keys, the numbers are within the dollar signs surrounding the letter in the middle of the top portion

of the key. Under a special light the numbers are visible, they begin with a letter. It’s the initial of the street the bank is located on. This was the Morris’ way to distinguish their banks, after they took over the two independently own banks that was forced to closed sixteen years ago because of money laundering scandals. For instants, if the key belongs to the bank located on Popular Street. The top of the key will be stamped with a P in the center surrounded by dollar signs, and the numbers of the deposit box with-in the dollar signs. Now the key I have has an F in the center. Franklin Street. If this key belongs to Fredrick, we have an air tight reason to search any and every thing that belongs to him. And my gut tells me this key belongs to Fredrick’s deposit box.””

“Too bad your gut can’t talk.” Detective Beets said dryly, “What ever happen to that girl?”

“What girl?”

“The one Fredrick raped.”

“I don’t know her family just sought of disappeared. I’ve never heard there names mention since that mock of a trial, we were all school mates she was pretty enough to be very popular, but she didn’t go for that sought of recognition, you said you read about it where were you living?”

“Florence, the Morris name gets nation wide attention, where do you want to eat?”

“If you’re not starving, we could check out one of those famous restaurants I’ve been hearing about over in Crawfordsville.”

“I’m not starving, hey what about the warrant?”

“Johnsom is among the missing right now, he will be served the minute he Surfaces. The FBI is in charge. They are looking into some improprieties within one or more of the banks. We will continue our investigation into the homicide. But we will not investigate anything pertaining to the safety deposit box until they have completed their business with the bank or banks.”

“How do we get that special light?”

“What special light?”

“The one that magnifies the numbers on the key to the safety deposit box.”

“Beets, you are so damn frustrating. Why do you jump from one subject to another in the same sentence?”

“It’s called confusing the suspect.”

“I can name something else it is called. Right now let’s get lunch.” They headed for Crawfordville.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Marie gave the house hold staff off from July sixteenth until the fifteenth of August. On Monday. July seventeenth, one week after Fredrick’s funeral, Johnsom wanted Randy to fly to Italy with him and attend the annual share holders meeting, but Randy had a pressing engagement with the Morris’ international Foundation for the development of Technical and Mechanical Land Surveyors in third world countries. Johnsom took Marie with him, along with their personal companions.

“Marie asked, “Randy, what will you do on your birthday?”

“I will be fine mom. I will be forty five years old. Don’t worry about me.”

“We will call you, and wish you a happy birthday son.” Johnsom said. He gently guided Marie onto their private Jet.

“Thanks dad. Mom, don’t worry about me. You just enjoy Italy okay?”

Marie turned. And blew him a kiss.

The Pleasantville News in Tuesday’s society column read, “Mr. and Mrs. Johnsom Calvin Morris left yesterday. They are traveling abroad on their private Jet for an over-due need for some rest and relaxing time together. We as a town

who really love, and care for the Morris’ should each wish them well, and keep them in our prayers. They are a strong family, Having just recently buried one of only two sons.”

THIRTY-NINE

Detective Lacey reading the paper thought, I will call on the lone wolf and see if I can rattle him a bit. He dialed Randy’s office number the secretary informed him that, “Mr. Randall Morris will be out of the office until next Monday afternoon.”

Detective Lacey asked for an appointment for Wednesday afternoon.

“The earliest available appointment is eleven forty-five Friday morning Detective Lacey.”

“Thank you I’ll take it,” He dialed Gail’s number at the bank, he was informed Ms. Randolph is unavailable at this time may I transfer you to another Loan Officer?

“No thank you I’ll try again.” He dialed Beets’ cell phone his call went to the voice mail; he did not leave a message. I guess I’ll hide myself at Pinkney’s restaurant and become unavailable, he mumbled as he walked towards the elevator.

Detective Beets blew his horn when he saw Detective Lacey coming out of the front door. Detective Lacey walked to the car.

“Good morning you didn’t answer your cell phone. I called a few minutes ago.”

“I don’t talk on my cell phone while I’m driving, where are you heading?”

“To Pinkney’s I am in need of an extremely hot and strong cup of coffee, want to come, why don’t you get a Bluetooth for your phone?”

“I don’t care for unnecessary gadgets. I will gladly you for coffee. You buying?”

“Sure.” Lacey’s cell phone rang.

“Detective Lacey, three FBI agents just walked in one of them is holding what appears to be a search warrant, were you informed of their coming here?”

“Yes Gail.” Detective Lacey had given the FBI a copy of the key head he found.

The FBI had the key matched to Fredrick’s safety deposit box; however, the box was not in either of the bank’s vault.

Gail informed Detective Lacey after the FBI left the bank, “The physical search was futile there was no unable space for a missing safety deposit box in the vault, therefore, Fredrick never stored a safety deposit box in any of the Morris’ banks.”

“Thanks again Gail, are you going to continue working at the bank?”

“Yes until I receive a permanent assignment with the FBI.”

“Gail said Fredrick’s deposit box was not stored in either bank. She asked about you. I think she likes you Beets.”

Beets gave a bashful smile, “Do you think there really is a safety deposit box or should we be looking for something else that key unlocks? What about our warrant, is it still valid?”

“Yes it’s valid for thirty day.”

“Well let’s use it to search Fredrick’s office.”

“We can’t it’s an FBI case now, we have to wait until they solve it or close their investigation.”

“They won’t solve it. They don’t know the Morris’ as we do. They will be leaving very soon then we will show them how real lawmen solve cases in this town.”

“Beets do you believe there is a safety deposit box belonging to Fredrick Morris?”

“I do believe there is.”

“Good, let’s find it.”

FORTY

On Monday morning Randy went to Fredrick’s office. He began removing pictures from the wall. I don’t want any strangers touching my brother things I will clear his office if it takes me six months. He went to see Fredrick’s secretary who had been transferred to another department.

“Good morning Karen, do you have the key to Fredrick’s wine cabinet?”

“Good morning Mr. Randy, no sir I never had the key to his wine cabinet.”

“Thank you Karen.” Randy didn’t realize how late it was until he heard Fredrick’s telephone in his apartment ring. Randy allowed the machine to answer, a woman’s voice speaking very softly said, “I know you will never answer this phone again, but I need to hear your voice. As long as this phone remains on I will call you the same time everyday as I always did. I need to hear your voice even if it is through a machine. You are still alive to me.

Randy looked at the clock it was two thirteen p.m. Was she truly in love with my brother, or is she a full blown nut?

Randy started to erase the tape but stopped, maybe somehow this voice can be traced to its owner, I’ll have Cleveland ‘Cle’ Waters check it out he’s an expert voice analyzer.

“Hello Cleveland Waters please, this is Randy Morris.”

“Hello Randy you old son of a gun how are you?”

“I’m well and you?”

“Great what can I do for you?”

“I have a little situation here, I’m in Fredrick’s office there’s a voice on his answering machine that needs to be indentified, are you the same genius, or has age taken away your edge?” Randy asked laughing.

“You dare laugh is there a phone number with the voice?”

“No but there is a personal phone book filled with numbers.”

“Good I’m in the middle of a project right now how late will you be there; I need at least two more hours to complete this project?”

“I’ll be here thanks Cle.”

Randy resumed clearing things from Fredrick’s office. He open the top drawer of the desk and knocked over the pen holder. It fell to the floor. Several pens rolled

under the desk. He rolled the huge leather chair away from the desk. He lay on his stomach reaching under the desk to retrieve the pens.

Something under the bottom of the desk caught his eye. It was a small brown envelope taped to the bottom of the desk. “Wow I’ve found the mother lode!” he exclaimed loudly. He hastily removed the envelope. Inside was a small key, “Damn, another key.”

Johnsom had the keys to the desk drawers and the file cabinets.

Randy did an eye search of the walls. He ed while he was under the desk he thought he felt a movement of the floor. On his hands and knees he began feeling the floor under the desk. There it was a slight depression of the floor. He felt a seam. He estimated it to be a 9x9 inch square. He ran his fingers along the seam gently pulling, the square separated exposing a square section of the hard wood floor. His heart began pounding so loudly he could hear it, he lay stretched out fully on the floor. For my brother’s sake I must find out now what’s under this floor.

“Hello Randy,” Cle called out, “where are you?”

Randy banged his head on the under side of the desk as he scurried to get up before Cle saw him under the desk, and began asking very pertinent questions as only he can.

“I’m in Fredrick’s office Cle.” Randy called out as he hurriedly stood to his feet.

Cle entered the office, “Wow, this is some office it’s bigger than my whole apartment,” Randy checked himself and decided not to reply.

“This is the tape with the woman’s voice and here is Fredrick’s personal phonebook. How are you going to go about this?”

“By calling every females name in this book until I hear the voice that is on the tape.”

“And if you don’t hear her?”

“Then I’ll begin with the list of males.”

Randy’s eyes narrowed.

Cle hurriedly said, “Some men can sound very feminine and it could be a joker fooling with Fredrick, Randy I’m not suggesting anything negative towards your brother.”

Randy’s eyes soften, “My brother and I are twins, I would have known if he was not one hundred percent male.”

“No doubt,” Cle said as he began setting up his equipment on top of Fredrick’s massive desk top.

Before placing the headphones over his ears he said, “If there’s something you need to do I will be fine here. This may take quite a while.”

“I do have some phone calls I need to make, I will be in the outer office, He pointed to the secretary’s office, “Call me if you need anything.”

Cle gave the thumbs up sign, and sighed heavily as he placed the headphones over his ears.

Randy thought I’m not going to leave him in this area alone, he just might become a little curious and begin plundering through Fredrick’s things.

The first thing Randy did was to place a call to Johnsom on his cell phone in Rome Italy. Marie answered the phone.

“Hi Mom are you enjoying Italy?

“Very much, your dad’s in a meeting, you have a message for him?”

“Nothing important mom just tell dad I called. Love you have fun good bye.”

Liar, Marie thought. Randy has never made a frivolous phone call in his life. There is something he wants Johnsom to know that he does not want to tell me

first.

Cle started the tape from the beginning. After the fifteenth call his heart almost stopped. Although the voice sounded female, Cle being a voice expert, knew that voice was that of a male. He listened for ten minutes while the voice talked to Fredrick, “You told me that I was the only one you ever loved, and ever will. The past nine years with you, and especially those last three days we spent together will last me for the rest of my life. You said I was the best thing since your birth that has ever happen to you, and only death will keep us apart. Even if you had to marry someone for appearances I will always be number one in your life.

Well my darling death took you from me much too early, but as long as this number is connected I will call you every day at this same time, two thirteen p.m. That was the exact hour your car disappeared from my view for the last time.”

Cle slowly removed the head set from his ears thinking, what am I going to tell Randy” how can I tell him the truth that his twin brother for nine years enjoyed a loving relationship with a person of the same gender?”

Randy peeked in the office, “Any thing yet?”

Cle shook his head, What do I tell Randy? How do I tell him the brother he believed to be all male, was all male. But enjoyed a different life style when it came to choosing romantic partners?”

Cle rose slowly from the chair he called Randy, “Can I have something to

drink?”

“Sure what will you like coffee, tea, or something stronger?”

“Coffee, strong black and very sweet.”

While Randy went for the coffee Cle was thinking of a way to expose Randy to this uncomfortable situation.

When Randy returned with the coffee Cle said, “I haven’t found a match to that voice among the list of female names in his phonebook. when I said some men can disguise their voices to sound female?” Randy nodded his head. His eyes narrowed.

Randy listened as the voice repeated what Cle heard. His eyes widened. His lips tightened into a thin line. He clichéd his teeth.

Cle said, “Some nut playing a joke.”

Randy bowed his head up and down, “You are right, Fredrick did have strange friends. You won’t mention this to any one will you?”

“Never.”

“What do I owe you?”

“No charge Randy, good day.” Cle thought to himself, “that was no joke.”

Randy played the tape again. He slapped the top of the desk. “Cle is right that is exactly what happened. Someone in Fredrick’s sick circle of misfit friends, playing a sick joke. Knowing a family member would hear it, I am glad it wasn’t my dad.”

He put the tape in his pocket. “If that narrow minded Detective Beets had gotten this tape he would have smeared my brother’s good name all over Pleasantville.”

He resumed his search of the loose square under Fredrick’s desk. He gently pressed the center of the square. It slowly opened. He cautiously felt inside the square opening it was empty. Randy breath a sigh of relief, “What would I have done if the safety deposit box were inside?”

He slid from under the desk. Got up. Locked Fredrick’s office, and left the building.

FORTY-ONE

“There’s something nagging in the back of my mind and I have no idea what it can be.”

“Did you forget to kiss the little woman good bye this morning?”

“Laughter, seriously Beets. I have this feeling that there is something I should know, but I don’t know what, and it’s driving me crazy because the felling is so strong.”

“Is it like the feeling you had when the blood was discovered in the Morris’ underground parking garage?”

“No that was more a rechecking than feeling.”

“Okay I’ll see you later.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to visit Mrs. Bernice Halloway at the hospital. She’s out of intensive care. Maybe she can more about the house invasion, and who almost beat her to death.”

“I didn’t know we had that case.”

“Just landed on my desk this morning.”

“I’m going to pour over the Morris case to see if I can find anything that will help me solve this feeling. See you later.”

Detective Lacey answered his ringing phone.

“We have an eleven forty-five appointment this morning, Detective Lacey?”

“Mr. Morris is it Friday already?”

“No Detective it is Wednesday. I am just fooling with you. If you are available, now is a great time. I am free until one this afternoon.”

“Sure I can be there in ten minutes.”

Driving to the Morris building, Detective Beets’ mentioning the blood found in the Morris’ underground parking garage. Brought back another feeling, or questions, Lacey had been wrestling with. He thought, “How a careful person like Beets, be so clumsy with such a crucial piece of evidence? He didn’t see the technician standing by the enger’s front door holding up the vial of blood?

Now what the heck did I want to see Randy Morris about? Maybe it will come to me when I see him.”

Randy’s secretary escorted Lacey into his office. The smell of food reminded him that he was hungry.

“Good morning Detective Lacey, have you had lunch”

“No I haven’t.” Lacey noticed a table near the window was set for two.

“Please me. You can see there’s more than enough food for one person.”

“From where I’m standing Mr. Morris, there’s more than enough food on that table for many people. Do you order this much food every day?”

“Randy laughed. Lacey noticed how handsome he was with a boyish charm.

“I have a confession to make. When I realized today would be perfect for our meeting I took the liberty of ordering for the both of us. I hope you are not offended by my assumption that you would not mind sharing lunch with me?”

“Not offended at all Mr. Morris thank you.” Detective Lacey’s cell phone rang. excuse me Mr. Morris, hello.”

“Lacey where are you? I’m at Pinkney’s I thought you would be here by now.”

“I’m having a luncheon meeting with Mr. Randy Morris in his office, “I’ll see you later.”

“What did you want to see me about Detective?”

“Mr. Morris I apologize. At this time it has escaped me why I scheduled this appointment.

“Detective Lacey we had a wonderful lunch didn’t we? So there was nothing wasted, and by you forgetting the subject of your visit makes me see you as a complete person. That’s why I have a secretary or I would forget why I come into work some days, and I’m not saying that to make you feel better about today, so don’t beat yourself up over this. When it surfaces give me a call. Have a great day Detective.”

When Detective Lacey reached his car he ed the reason for the meeting. I don’t dare go back up there now, I will schedule again next week I am noting it in my appointment book, question to ask Randy Morris.

Detective Beets was waiting for the elevator when detective Lacey got off, “Hello Beets how are you?”

“Obviously not as exceptional as you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Let’s begin with your luncheon meeting with Mr. Randall Franklin Morris, that you conviently forgot to mention to your partner of five years.”

“Beets I made that appointment Monday. I called your cell the call went to your voice mail. This meeting was scheduled for Friday. Randy had some free time today so we met today. He had ordered lunch and invited me to him.”

“Randy, are we on first name basis now?”

“Remove the attitude from your anus Beets. You could care less about Randy Morris or any Morris. Tell me what is bothering you?

“You’re right I don’t care about any of the Morris.’ It’s my mother she’s back in the hospital. I don’t want to do this to you in the middle of the week, but I really need to go and check on her. I will like to use vacation time for the remainder of the week.”

“Of course. Go check on your mother let me hear from you. If all goes well I will see you Monday?”

“Yes thanks Lacey.”

There’s that feeling again. Lacey began rubbing the back of his neck. It’s stronger than before, what is it I am supposed to know or look for? All I can visualize is a movie, what movie have I seen that is haunting me? I’ll call Dora, maybe she can help me with that. She can the first movie she’s ever seen.

“Hi honey, no nothing is wrong I’m having an occurring feeling that I need or should something. He described the feeling. It’s like a movie image, what movie have we seen lately that would have that effect on me?”

“The Ring, ? In the movie people were watching Television. The image of a person came alive, and crawled out of a round hole and entered the room. You had a dream you were inside our TV set.”

“Yes, I feel that’s what’s happening. Something is about to pop out and solve this case, Thanks honey see you later.” I knew Dora could help she’s always been my five feet two inch lucky charm.

One half hour later. Detective Lacy had not moved since he talked with his wife.

His cell phone rang.

“Honey, have you solved the foreboding sensation?” Dora asked.

“Not yet dear, I am still working on it.”

“You will reach the core of it soon. Will you be home before the boy’s bedtime?”

“Yes I will be home for dinner. If not earlier.”

“Great I’ll tell the boys. That will make them very happy. Bye dear.”

Detective Lacey couldn’t think of anything he had seen that reminded him, of the movie Dora mentioned. He placed it on the back burner for future references, and began thumbing through present cases on his desk. He couldn’t concentrate and so he dialed his supervisor, “Captain Peters, This is Detective Lacey, requesting the remainder of the day off sir.”

“Of course Detective. Everything alright at home?”

“Yes sir. I just need a little thinking time. Thank you sir. See you tomorrow.”

FORTY-TWO

When Dan arrived home from work early. Adele became upset. She asked honey, are you sick?”

“No sweetie, I left early. I’m not sick, I just wasn’t feeling like spending eight hours at work today.”

“Oh that’s fine dear. The group will be arriving on October twenty eighth for the annual inspirit and, encouragement assemblage on October thirtieth for the ‘Parents of Abused, Missing and Exploited children.’ All victims of Fredrick Morris.”

Do you think his parents noticed, or believed Fredrick had a serious problem?”

“Dan you must first have a heart to feel or believe. Neither of his parents ever accepted that Fredrick was guilty of any of the attacks he was accused of. And they never apologized to any of the parents of the victims he was found guilty of hurting. Not even to the Stevenson’s, and he itted he forced their son Gary to fondle him.”

“You’re right. According to Marie there was nothing harmful, or immoral in two impressionable young boys exercising their curiosity.”

“That was Fredrick exercising his Morris standards. ‘You do what I say do.’

Adele retorted angrily.”

“Don’t get yourself all worked up sweetie, we have a long week ahead of us. Where are the group staying?

“At the Hotel Fairmont in Crawfordville, they will not put one foot in Pleasantville.”

Sadie Moore asked me, ‘How can we still live here after what happen to me, and later to our son?”

“I told her, I’ve been face to face with the parents and Randy they looked right through me. Just as they do with anyone who doesn’t posses great wealth.”

“They don’t know what we know.” Dan said as he and Adele high fived.

“Will you be getting that week off?” she asked, holding his face between her hands.

“Yes. I’ll be off that week. I have already requested vacation time.”

“Do you have that much vacation time?”

“I do. But I will check my vacation schedule to make sure.”

FORTY-THREE

When Detective Beets arrived at the office Thursday morning, Detective Lacey was surprised, “You’re back, how is your mother?”

“She’s fine thanks for asking. She did not have to be hospitalized. I got back early this morning. Did you and your new best friend Randy have another luncheon date, or did you have the thrill of another visit to the great wall of wealth?”

“The great wall of wealth, what are you talking about?”

“The one with pictures of the Unite States where the Morris’ scam their clients out of millions of dollars.”

“Beets that’s so unfair and it’s not in his office it is in the Showing Room. You should see it Beets, you will be as fascinated with it as I was.”

“I don’t think so. We are not fascinated by the same things. Watching grass grow breaks you out in goose bumps.” They both laughed.

“How long before you depart?”

“Tired of me?”

“No I want us to solve this case together, but I’m stuck with a picture in my head I can’t unscramble or see clearly.”

“Let’s divide the evidence we have between the two of us and see if there is anything we overlooked, or need to revisit.” Beets suggested.

“Great let’s do it.”

They began searching the evidence for new clues, after about five minutes Detective Lacey stopped, and stood up rubbing his head, “I can’t concentrate the image in my head is interfering with everything I look at on paper.”

“What have you been watching on TV? Night of the Living Dead?” Beets asked with a chuckle.

“Dora said it was a movie called the Ring, where a person came up out of a circle in the ground, and crawled out of the picture into the room.”

Detective Beets got up and walked over, facing Lacey, he put a hand on each of Lacey’s shoulders, “Had I seen a movie like that I too would be trying to figure out, why would an intelligent man as my self would ever sit through a shitty movie like that.” Shaking his head he turned and walked back to his desk.

Detective Lacey said, “My feelings exactly, but I could never tell Dora she was so caught up in the darn thing.”

The phone rang, “Detective Roger Lacey.”

“Detective Lacey, this is Special Agent Marcus Pearl, as of ten fifty-six this morning, the FBI has officially closed its case involving the Morris Banks of Pleasantville. We found insufficient evidence. However, if the local Law enforcement agency so deem necessary to pursue the matter further that is entirely your prerogative. Good day Detective.”

Hanging up the phone, Detective Lacey said, “We have been officially informed by The FBI that they have officially closed their investigation into the Morris Banks of Pleasantville for lack of evidence, however we have their permission to continue our investigation if we ‘so deem necessary.’ Do we deem necessary?”

“Yes we do. Because I’ve been thinking a lot about this case Lacey, and it’s really bothering me. My gut tells me Fredrick Morris knew his killer or killers very well, because that was not just a murder. That was the most viciously intense, demoralized with un-filtered hate from hell slaughter that I’ve seen committed on a person, why are you staring at me?”

“Beets where did all that come from? This case really have you all worked up.”

“Yes it has Lacey, I want this case solved before I leave!” He banged his desk top with his fist.

“When are you planning to leave? I know you want to finish what we started together. Now don’t laugh, but I keep having this recurring feeling that I’ve seen something that’s tied to this case.”

“Like what?”

“A movie, or television show, I know that sounds weird Beets. But that’s the only way I can describe what’s going on in my head. That I have actually seen the evidence. It is not crystal clear. I’ve got it! Hidden in plain sight.”

“Wow, now that’s an old blast from the Sherlock Holmes past. Watson, it’s hidden in plain sight. Or somebody in that era. Lacey, I’m not second guessing you on this one, maybe it was something you watched with the boys.”

“We went over all the movies from two weeks ago nothing.”

“Lacey, I know your bull dog tenacity will prevail. And we will solve this case before I depart from this force, and, you and your new best friend Randy can resume your lunches, and watch the great wall of wealth in his office.”

“I want you to see the great wall of wealth before you leave.”

“No thanks I feel I’ve seen it already.”

Lacey thought, I would love for him to see it before he leaves but it would have

to be a very convincing reason, when he says no it’ll take a block of C-4 explosives to change his mind.”

FORTY-FOUR

On a beautiful morning at eleven-thirty-five. August fifteenth. The Morris’ Jet landed. Randy was waiting for them in the company’s limousine.

“Hello son.”

Marie gave him a big hug, and kisses on both cheeks. “Why are you picking us up, did you dismiss our driver?”

“No mother, I wanted to be the first to see you, and I wanted to drive you home.”

“Good thinking son we can discuss my meeting, and you can bring me up to speed on what’s been happing here.”

“Marie chimed in, No, we will not discuss any such thing. We will tell Randy about the young lady we invited for a visit in the spring.”

“Mom you’re not playing cupid again are you? I’ve asked you too many times not to choose anyone for me. I am perfectly capable of doing that myself. Thank you very much for respecting my wishes.”

“Randy, Randy we respected your wishes when you refused to allow us to give

you a birthday party. You spent your forty fifth birthday without your parents, and friends, we want you to be happy son.”

“Mom I needed to be alone I couldn’t face a crowd of people shouting happy birthday with out Fredrick. I need time to adjust to the realization that I will never share another birthday with my twin brother. Mom that’s not an easy thing for me right now, and understand, when I am ready for female companionship I will choose her. Please do not invite any one for me to meet because I will not show up.”

There was silence the remaining of the drive to the Morris’ Estate. They went in side Eloise had the table set for two on the patio.

Marie informed her they ate on the plane. Marie went upstairs, her personal companion was unpacking her luggage in the sitting room ading the master bedroom suite, that leads into their wall to wall closet it runs the entire length of the master bedroom suite.

Johnsom and Randy retired to the den to discuss Johnsom’s business trip.

Randy informed him of the FBI closing their involvement due to lack of evidence, “Our local law enforcement case however, is still open why I don’t know.”

He told about the key and where it was found. He did not tell him about the phone messages.

Randy got up to leave Johnsom asked, “Don’t forget to say good bye to your mother, of she will never forgive you.”

Randy went upstairs he kissed Marie, “Love you mom see you later.”

“Where are you going now?”

“I’m going to the office I have to get some information on a piece of property from the wall map to send to a client.”

“Are you coming to Sunday dinner?”

“Yes. Mom I will be here.”

“Dad I’m leaving.” Randy called out as he ed the den.

“Will we see you Sunday?”

“Yes.”

Randy went to the showing room turned on the overhead lights. He turned on the lights over the wall map. He hurriedly retrieved the information from the wall map.

He sent the information to the client via email. He got up went to the door turned off the overhead lights. Locked the door, and left for the week-end.

FORTY-FIVE

Very early Monday morning the decorating crew arrived at the Beetsmeirs home for the seasonal window dressing. The removal of one seasons colors and fabrics and replaced with the new seasons fabrics and colors.

This was done at the end of each season. It began with Adele’s maternal great grandmother, and continued through the years with each generation of daughters. Four times a year they were changing the window dressings.

Adele didn’t like hanging the heavy winter drapes. She decided at an early age this is one tradition that will end with her.

The first year of their marriage she told Dan about the traditional seasonal window dressings. He thought it was great, “Are we going to continue the tradition?”

“Do you want to?”

“Yes, we should. That will be something to on to our children.” Surprisingly she began looking forward to it. They hired a local interior decorator to work with them and the tradition continued. They are using the same company they started with before their son was born.

When our son was six years old he loved seeing the different colors and fabrics

hanging at the windows he said, ‘Mommy this is like living in a new house every year!’

“I had never looked at it from that perspective but it’s true. Not only does it have a different look, but also a different feel. It took our six year old son to open my eyes to both see and feel the beauty in the change of the seasons.

Tears started falling on her cheeks. She went into her son’s bedroom suite. Before he died he chose the dressings for his windows. He will never see them hanging.

The decorators were leaving when Dan got home at five-thirty. Adele had started dinner. She was standing at the sink washing a tomato. Dan came into the kitchen.

“Sweetie, your man is home.”

Adele did not answer. He walked over to where she was standing and put his hand on each or her shoulders. He slowly turned her around, facing him. She fell into his arms sobbing. Through her tears she said, “Dan, I don’t think I can live here. I am sorry, but I don’t think we should stay here.”

“Sweetie please don’t cry. We will begin looking for a new house. If you want to live in a hotel until then that’s fine.” Dan turned the stove off and took her upstairs.

“Sweetie you lie down. I’m not hungry. I had a large late lunch. The windows look beautiful. I love the colors you chose.” He walked over to the large window over looking the crescent shaped swimming pool. He thought, how our son would have loved swimming in that pool. He heard Adele snoring softly he covered her with a light weight pale blue blanket. He went downstairs into the den and called his mother. He told her how Adele was beginning to feel their son’s presence in the house, and they maybe moving after the encouragement assemblage at the end of October, “Mother will you call her later? I am sure she would love to hear from you.”

“Why don’t I come for a visit this week-end?”

“Mother that would be great. Thanks mom I love you.”

“I love you both, until the week-end bye.”

Dan went into the kitchen and sat at the table thinking. Our son will be with us where ever we live. I hope Adele can adapt to that concept.”

FORTY-SIX

Detective Lacey arrived in his office at seven-thirty Monday morning. One hour and half before his shift begun, he wanted to get an early start reexamining the evidence they had gathered over the past two months on the Morris homicide. At eight a.m. Detective Beets arrived, one hour early for the same purpose.

“What are you doing here so early?” Each gave the same answer; they began exchanging ideas of what ifs.

Detective Lacey stopped talking about the case, and began pacing the floor while rubbing the back of his neck.

“What’s wrong do you have a headache?”

“No it’s that nagging feeling I’ve been having all week, Beets do you mind if I take a break and go for a walk?”

“Heck you have an hour before the start of your shift so walk.”

Detective Lacey found himself standing in front of the Morris Professional Building ten blocks from number 1901 Pleasantville Police Plaza. He scratched his head, “What am I doing here? He spoke out loud.

“I’m sure I don’t know.” He turned quickly. Randy was standing behind him smiling.

“Good morning Mr. Morris, I didn’t realize I had walked so far.”

“Will you me for breakfast? You may need the energy for the walk back?”

“Well I, sure thank you.”

They went up to the tenth floor and entered a very fancy restaurant completed with white linen table cloths. Detective Lacey’s eyes popped wide open.

Randy said, “A little place for the employees of the building to eat.”

“Oh.” Was all Detective Lacey could mutter at the time.

Sitting at the table waiting for their order Detective Lacey thought, oh no how will I ever make Beets believe this was just a chance meeting? He already thinks I am a turn coat. I must never tell him about this meal.”

When Randy dropped him off at the Police Plaza one hour and five minutes later, he went to his office. There was a cup of coffee and a sticky bun on his desk, Beets said, “I thought you might need some energy after that long walk.”

Detective Lacey’s stomach churned at the sight of the food, but he had to keep a straight face, Beets was looking directly in his eyes.

“Thanks partner you know me too well, but really, you shouldn’t have.”

“Detective Beets patted him on the shoulder, “I’m going down to get a news paper, enjoy your breakfast.”

Detective Lacey hurriedly gave the food to Pam the radio dispatcher making her promise not to mention who gave it to her. He went back to his desk that troubled feeling returned. Pam wasn’t busy so he went over and started telling her about the feeling. Her advice was very simple something he could apply, “Write down ever thing you can seeing or doing, places you visited for the first time since you’ve been on this case.”

Detective Lacey returned to his desk. He was so busy writing Beets had to shake him to get his attention. “What’s occupying your mind to such an intense degree?”

“Detective Lacey told him what he was doing adding, “This was Pam’s idea.”

“Oh, another psychic.” Beets mumbled.

When Detective Lacey finished compiling his list he took it and laid it on Beets’ desk.

“What’s this?” He asked.

“These are the places I’ve never seen before we started working on this case.”

“Lacey we saw all these places together. Why aren’t I having these feelings?”

“We did not see this place together.” Lacey pointed to the wall map.

“Oh the great wall of wealth, well I’m still not interested in seeing it.”

“Detective Beets please, let’s go together and see this wall it may or may not trigger any answers, but we would have covered everything together in this case.” Lacey thought everything except the Morris building employee’s fancy restaurant, but for the sake of peace I will keep that to myself. “Come on Beets just for the sake of saying we have examine every piece of everything we believe had a connection with this case together.”

“Okay, make the appointment.”

Detective Lacey called Randy requesting a showing of the wall map to his partner detective Beets.

“Meet me at my office at two-fifteen this afternoon.”

“Thank you. We will be there.”

Randy and the two detectives arrived at his office at the same time. Randy greeted Detective Lacey by name. He nodded to Detective Beets. They went into the showing room the wall map was lit up. Randy stopped short. “Oh no I left the map on all week-end. Well here it is Detective Beets. Do you have any questions?”

Detective Beets shook his head and started for the door.

Randy switched off the power to the wall and headed for the door. Detective Lacey was mesmerized still looking at the wall. As the lights faded he started to turn away when something in the State of Montana caught his eye He stepped closer; the image began to slowly fade out.

“Coming Detective?” Randy asked smiling at the child like excitement Detective Lacey displayed at seeing the wall again.

“Just a minute Mr. Morris, turn on the map again please.”

“Oh come on Lacey haven’t you seen enough?” Detective Beets groaned.

“Why?” Randy asked.

“Because I saw something in the State of Montana that I didn’t notice the first

time I was here.”

“What did you see grass growing?” Detective Beets asked impatiently.

Randy turned the wall map on. The three men gathered at the wall staring at the State of Montana. “Now Mr. Morris turn it off and keep your eyes on Montana.”

“There!” Detective Lacey shouted, “Did you see that?”

“I saw some sought of a shadow, but what’s the excitement about?” Randy asked.

“Detective Beets did you see anything?”

“Yes I saw a shadow of something.” Detective Beets answered withholding a sudden urge to rip open the State of Montana.

“Mr. Morris we need to have a closer look at that image how can we do that?”

“Detective Lacey, there is nothing there to see. It is a shadow.”

“We all agree there is a shadow of something, so lets be sure what made that.”

I can call and get someone here within the hour with a camera with a special lens that will show us what made that shadow. May I make the call Mr. Morris?”

“Later Detective I have a four p.m. meeting.”

“Since this bears some relationship to our investigation we will have to place an officer in this room until we have permission to examine the image of the State of Montana.”

“What do you mean? There will be no policeman inside this room!” Randy shouted.

“I will have to inform my Captain of the discovery, and let him decide what avenue we shall pursue.”

Detective Marvin Peters six feet one hundred sixty pounds, fifty two years old had been the Captain of Detectives for the past sixteen years. He was considered by all who work under his span of leadership to be a man of integrity, fair and understanding. He is both loved and respected by all.

After listening to what Detective William Lacey the lead Detective on the Morris case explained to him. Captain Peters had his secretary Donna Josephs type the following request.

To: Messrs. Johnsom Jacob Morris

Randall Franklin Morris

From: Marvin Peters

It has been brought to my attention by Detective William Lacey that there is a is probable cause for an investigation into one of your properties located on the twelfth floor in the Morris Professional Building known as the ‘Showing Room.’ The property to be inspected is labeled the State of Montana located on the Wall Map. Upon receipt of this hand delivered request please return your immediate reply with the courier. Accompanying the courier is a plain clothes police officer. His instructions, not to allow anyone the use of the map until the area in question has been thoroughly inspected to the satisfaction of this department.

This request is necessary in the continuance investigation of solving the homicide of Mr. Fredrick Franklin Morris. If this request in not honored a court order will be issued expeditiously.

Sincerely

Marvin Peters, Captain of Detectives

MP: dj

The message was delivered to Johnsom in his office; he read it then called Randy.

“In my office now.” He asked the policeman and the courier, “Please wait in the waiting office until my son and I decide what we should do.”

Randy entered the office. Johnsom handed him the letter. “What is this about? how do they know about the wall map?”

“It was on when they came to the showing room to see me this afternoon. I turned off the lights. Detective Lacey said he saw something in the State of Montana that looked suspicious and they should see what it is.”

Johnsom jumped up from his chair and facing Randy yelled, ‘What the hell are you talking about? What is suspicious in the map of Montana” Did you see it?”

“Yes”

“What did you see?”

“The shape of a box.”

Johnsom’s face contorted he looked as if he was going to out. “You saw the shape of a box?”

“Yes.” Randy answered softly

“What do you think it is?”

“Fredrick’s safety deposit box.”

“We can’t get to the map. That captain Peters has tied our hands, we have to comply. He is waiting for our answer immediately to be with the courier upon his return. And the policeman stays to secure the wall. Call Kevin we need our attorney’s advice on this.”

Johnsom read the letter to his attorney Kevin Reynolds. He asked, “Kevin, can they do this?”

“They are investigating a homicide Johnsom. If they believe that shadow could possible be Fredrick’s safety deposit box, or relates to the case in any way yes they can do that. Do you or Randy know what is causing that shadow?”

“No, we don’t know what it is.”

“You should answer the request according to the instructions outlined in the letter. I will be there in twenty minutes. Let Captain Peters know you are waiting for your attorney to arrive.”

“Have either of you seen the shadow.” Kevin asked upon his arrival.

“Randy has, I haven’t seen it.”

“What did you see Randy?”

“Some thing shaped like a box.”

Do you have any idea what it is, or what it could be?”

“No idea.”

“Send your reply to Captain Peters. Accepting his request as written. If you delay until a warrant is issued it could create a problem you don’t need.”

The plain clothes policeman was already in position inside the showing room.

Detective Lacey called Clyde Smyth, The forensics photographer. He asked him to bring Tamar Basketfield, a skilled microscopic technician, with him.

Clyde photographed the area, The State of Montana occupied. It clearly showed what appeared to be a square box imbedded into the wall.

Tamar began to excise the area, without causing any damages. He carefully lifted the State of Montana from the map exposing the object in question. It was

indeed a safety deposit box.

“Does either of you know anything about how this item became embedded in this wall?” Detective Lacey asked the two men.

Both Johnsom and Randy shook their heads.

“We can open it here in the presence of your attorney, or we can all go to headquarters and open it there”

“Open it here Johnsom answered.”

Detective Lacey gave Tamar the nod to open the box. Within a few seconds the lid popped open exposing graphic photographs of Fredrick with young boys.

Randy covered his mouth and ran from the room. Johnsom stood as if he was frozen to the floor.

FORTY-SEVEN

On September thirtieth 2005. Detective Beets submitted his letter of resignation effective October fifteenth to captain Peters. Captain Peters accepted with a speech of how Beets will be missed, and the usual congratulatory speech.

Detective Lacey was elated with the fact that they discovered the safety deposit box before Beets resigned.

Detective Lacey said Beets, “Aren’t you glad you went to the wall of wealth? In all practically your going to the wall solved this case. I will inform the Captain of that.”

“No, please don’t Lacey. We solved that part of the case. What will happen to the box?”

“The boys in the crime lab are dusting for fingerprints and what ever else they can find that will end this case. If there are any arrest to be made the uniform police will handle that.”

“You think we will get a look at the contents of the box?” Detective Beets asked.

“Sure we will that’s our evidence.”

“Randy really got spooked when he saw that picture of his brother, it was quite shocking.”

“How long do you think the lab technicians will take to process the entire contents of the box? I would like to see everything that’s in it.”

“So do I Beets, it shouldn’t take them very long, although that is quite a large box. There must be hundreds of photographs, and there is a large ledger also.”

“I better get started on clearing my desk before the middle of the month roll around.”

“You know just hearing you say those words make me begin missing you already. I really enjoyed working with you these past five years Beets. I don’t believe I will ever find another partner quite like you.”

“No you will not. I am quite unique you know?”

“Yes I found you to be a very interesting fellow, a little quirky but interesting.”

They laughed.

On Friday Captain Peters called Detective Lacey, “Yes Captain he’s here we will right there.”

“Captain Peters want to see us in the break-room.”

“The break-room why?”

“I don’t know maybe he want to discuss something over coffee, you know how the Captain is.”

When they entered the break-room it was decorated, the tables set with loads of food, Captain Peters and the men were yelling hip, hip hurrah! Detectives Lacey and Beets just stood in the door taking it all in until someone yelled come on in sit down, and put on the feed bag!

They all sat except Captain Peters. He stood behind his chair facing the two detectives.

“Detectives Lacey and Beets, you men truly deserve this gathering. You bull dogged the Morris case until you were satisfied. You men worked tireless night and day until you found the smoking gun, in this case safety deposit box. This is our way of saying thank you. You two did a great job. We salute you.” The men raised their Pepsi bottles and drank a toast to the two still in shock detectives.

“Okay let’s enjoy this wonderful meal prepared for this occasion by none other than Pinkney’s fine dining.” Captain Peters said pulling his chair to the table.

After the meal Captain Peters stood and gave Detective Beets a small gift

wrapped box. A little we appreciate you gift. And hope where ever you go from here you will continue to excel in both your personal life and employment, this is from me and your fellow co-workers.”

Detective Beets took the box and vigorously ripped off the wrapping he laughed when he saw the name on the box, “Very good guys now let’s see what’s really inside because I’m sure it does not match the name on the outside. He open the box and his jaw dropped, inside was a beautiful Rolex Watch.

Detective Beets eyes filled with tears he was speechless he just starred at the watch. Captain Peters spoke first. “Detective Beets, you deserve that, from the very beginning. You have proven over, and over what a fine and dedicated hard working person you are, and not to mention a great partner. You and detective Lacey are like an old married couple. You can finish each others sentences.”

Detective Beets stood wiping tears from his eyes he began, “Five years ago I was thirty four years old fresh out of the Navy. I thought I didn’t have a chance. I felt I was too old to become a junior Detective in training. I wanted to be a Detective so badly I could taste it. When I saw this closely knit law enforcement group called the ‘Detective Squad.’ My heart sank. I knew I would be very old before I would ever be considered for that position. All of you saw how excited, and yes scared when Captain Peters offered me the junior Detective in training position with-in my first month!

“Again my heart sank I thought. These guys are playing a cruel joke on this wide eyed wanna be. I didn’t take it seriously, until Captain Peters called me into his office and introduced me to Detective Roger Lacey, Wow! I had ired him from afar, when he asked if I would consider working with him I couldn’t answer.”

“Well he said forgive me for asking,” And turned to leave.

“I yelled, Yes, Yes sir I will be honored to work with you sir.”

“Alright kid here’s your first assignment. Never call me sir, and this is the second.”

“You handed me a piece of paper with an address on it and walked out the office. There was an address, stating break-in reported. Officer Ralphs will accompany you. He is waiting in the parking lot. Captain Peters handed me a set of car keys with the license plate number on a metal tab.”

“The Tan Chevy sedan. Welcome to the Detectives division of the Police Department of Pleasantville, Detective Beets.”

“Wow I had to get use to hearing that, Detective Beets. I had no idea where, or what to do, but I had good instincts, the detectives vehicles should be parked in their designated space, I had no idea where that space was so I walked until I saw ‘Parking Detectives Division,’ so far so good, then I saw the Tan Chevy my heart almost stopped what a piece of junk! I’ll probably have to push it and jump in to get it started, I got in with a feeling that I’ve been made the butt of another cruel joke. I turned the key in the ignition and wow it purred like a kitten now to find

1246 North Trenton Ave. Check the glove compartment, a map. Officer Ralphs apparently waited until I started the car, and found the map before he ed me. The rest is history.”

I wish you could see my heart. It is so full of pride in my self for not letting anyone down, and love for each of you for accepting me into your world without reservations. Thank you, and thank you for this down payment on my house.”

He said holding up the watch. They all laughed.

Walking towards the exit door from the break-room. Detective Lacey asked, “Captain Peters, do you have any idea when we can see the entire contents of the safety deposit box?”

“The Lab reported it may well be into the middle of October. There is so much to examine. I was told there are many different sets of fingerprints some appeared to be of small children.”

“Do you think I could see the ones they have processed, I really would like to see what we’ve uncovered before my separation date.” Beets inquired.

“Let me get back to you on that Detective.”

FORTY-EIGHT

At Four-thirty Dan shouted as he entered the house, “Sweetie your man is home. there was no answer he called out, “Adele, sweetie where are you?” No answer his heart began to pound he started going from room to room calling her name his cell phone rang, “Hello, Adele where are you?”

“Dan I told you I was going to the Orphanage.”

“I didn’t know you were going today, I thought it was just that one day.”

“I have a housekeeper I’m bringing home for you to meet are you ready?”

“Sure bring her on.” Adele arrived fifteen minutes later with a bag of groceries and a woman that appeared to be in her middle forties.

“Honey meet Shelby Greene. Her sister is in the employment of Deborah James.”

Shelby was an attractive woman with dark brown curly hair and matching brown eyes. Dan greeted her with a firm handshake, and appreciated her firm handshake. “Welcome is it Mrs. Miss or Ms?”

“Thank you its Mrs. but please call me Shelby, Mr. Beetsmier.”

Adele piped in, “Shelby will prepare one of your favorite dishes today.”

“Thank you both, I love surprises especially the ones I can eat.”

The first dinner Shelby made for the Beetsmier’s was Dan’s favorite from his childhood, his mother used to make it for dinner every Saturday. When Dan and Adele sat down for dinner, Shelby brought out the covered dish she sat it in the middle of the table and stood back.

Dan lifted the cover and gave a, “Wow!”

It was his favorite food of all times one he hasn’t eaten in three years. It even smelled like his mother’s. It was a large full of mushrooms, artichokes, hot sausage, pepperoni, and loaded with three cheeses, home made pizza!

Dan jumped up from the table and gave Adele the tightest hug ever, He gave Shelby a waist bow, sat down and began to devour the pizza. Adele sat looking at how happy he was. She thought later tonight I am going to make him even happier.

They went upstairs shortly after dinner.

The phone rang Dan answered, “We’ll be right there. Sweetie your dad’s in the

hospital.” They left right away; Dan repeated to Adele what her mother said, “Dad was having chest pains, and the EMS was called he was transported to the Medical Center in Crawfordville.”

Adele’s mother was in the family waiting room, she explained, “It wasn’t a heart attach, it’s an arrhythmia he will remain here for a few days while they run tests, we can see him now.” They stayed until he fell asleep; Adele insisted her mother come home with her and Dan. She complied.

After she and Dan went to bed Adele asked, “How surprised were you when you saw the pizza?”

“Very, and even more when I tasted it. I will never, ever tell mother, but Shelby’s was far tastier than hers.”

Adele snuggled closer to Dan, “I may also have a rather small surprise for you myself.”

“Umm.” He said as he held her tightly.

“Down big boy my surprise is, she whispered in his ear. Dan jumped out of bed yelling so loud Adele’s mother burst into their bedroom, “What’s the matter? What is all the screaming about?” She took in the scene, Dan was standing looking down at Adele smiling, and Adele was looking up smiling at Dan.

They both looked at her and said, “You’re going to be a grandmother!”

Then she screamed.

FORTY-NINE

At eight-thirty in the morning October fifteenth. Detective Beets walked into his office for the last time.

All the staff was there, even the ones that was off that day. When Beets saw them he actually cried, un a shame of the big tears rolling down his cheeks. His wasn’t the only tears that were shed among the people gathered in the Detectives Headquarters that brisk October morning.

Captain Peters was the first to offer his hand, afterwards the line formed; Beets believed he shook more hands that morning than he did in his five years of service. but it really felt great!

Captain Peters informed him; “Since this is your last day with these clowns you can just hang around g autographs.” Laughter filled the room. Captain Peters left the break room.

Detective Lacey patting Beets on his back, “Beets old friend lets keep in touch let me hear from you every once in a while.”

“I will.” Detective Lacey’s phone rang, “We’ll be right there Captain, he wants to see us right away.”

“What do you think he want now?”

“Don’t know.”

When they entered the captain’s office they saw the safety deposit box on his desk. “Detective Beets, this was delivered a few minutes ago, just in time for you to examine the contents before your departure, and you and Detective Lacey can close one half of the Fredrick Franklin Morris saga. I am sure it would have made both of you happy if you could have brought his killers to justice also.”

He opened the box. There was a ledger filled with hand written notes of Fredrick’s adventures. There were many photographs of him with his victims. Some with young boys, some with young men. There was also Fredrick’s confession to the rape of Phasia Stone. With his explanation of why he had to rape her.

“My mission in life,” he began, “Is to destroy anyone or anything that makes my brother happy. I knew he was falling in love with Phasia, and I wasn’t about to allow them to walk off into a happy blissful life leaving me to fight my demons all alone. Heck we are identical TWINS, and we should share the same fate, I tried to do every thing I could to make his life a living hell as mine was! I never did like that little prick. Every one thought he was such a little prince, especially Mrs. Rice. I fixed her damn cat Lucie. Wow, did that give me a thrill to hear that cat meowing in pain as that hot water hit her body.”

In one photo Fredrick was kissing a slight built man. The man could not be identified his back was to the camera.

“Did the Morris’ see this?” Beets asked.

“They both saw it late yesterday, Randy believes the killers coerced his brother to write those words and super imposed his picture onto the film, “He is in denial.” Beets said, “But he will come to believe every word his brother wrote.”

In the stack of photographs were Gary Stevenson, and another young boy Detective Beets knew very well. No one saw him slip the photograph of that young boy in his jacket pocket.

Detective Beets said good-by to Captain Peters, and hurriedly left the office. He went into the Detective’s division and sat at his desk. Detective Lacey came in a few minutes later. The two men shook hands. Detective Lacey said, “Detective Beets working with you these past five years was my pleasure. You made work a daily experience. Thank you. And good luck in what ever endeavor you undertake in life. And invite me to your wedding. Goodbye, and good luck old friend.”

Detective Beets nodded his head. He laid his gun and ID on Detective Lacey’s desk. The two shook hands, and Detective Beets left the building for the last time.

Dan arrived home at the usual time five-thirty in the afternoon, “Sweetie your man is home!”

Adele came down stairs, Dan was waving an object in his hand, “What shall I do with these?” he asked waving an object over his head with his right hand, and pointing to his shoes with his left finger.

Adele took the face mask from his right hand. She said, “Kick off those horrible shoes, and I will show you what to do with them.” She put them in the trash compacter.

Dan pulled the picture from his jacket pocket and showed it to Adele. She took the picture of a young boy dressed in the clothes he was wearing on his twelfth birthday. She began to cry. Dan held her in his arms until she stopped crying. He said, I will always love you, and our son will never be forgotten. How do you feel sweetie?”

Both happy and sad. Sad because of what Fredrick took from us three years ago. Happy because I am emerging from a cloudy foggy nightmare. We will always miss our son Henri Omar. And the Morris’ will always miss their son Fredrick. Both families will live with the emptiness, and pain of losing a child. That is where the resemblance ends. We know Fredrick was responsible for our son’s death. But the Morris’ will never know by whose hands their son’s life was ended. And we can be happy again; we are looking forward to another precious life to love. Their memory of their son will always be filled with pain. The memory of our son will always be with love and the happy times we shared together.”

“Well spoken Mrs. Phasia Adele Stone-Beetsmier,” Hugging her tightly he whispered, “Poetic Justice.”

FINISHED