Helen directed Hank to site twenty-seven with the aid of the map in the campground brochure. The site was one of the few pull-thru sites available in the park.
“This sure is convenient,” Hank said as he motored into the site. “I noticed that the dump station is just down the lane. We might have to make use of it during our four day stay.”
“If you don’t spend your usual half hour in the shower we won’t need the dump station until we leave,” Helen chided.
“We are right next door to the shower house. I guess I could use the campgrounds facilities,” Hank responded.
“All right! That way I’ll get to enjoy some hot water in my shower. You always use it all up if you get in first,” Helen said.
“Well, we better get this rig set up if we want to get into town to see the sheriff this afternoon,” Hank said wanting to change the subject.
“OK, you get the outside hookups and I’ll get the slides,” Helen responded.
With the Honda unhooked and the Bounder set up, Hank entered the motorhome to clean some grease off his hands.
“We should have some lunch before we head into town,” Helen said. “Would ham and cheese sandwiches be OK?”
“If you put a few of those jalapeno slices on mine,” Hank answered. “While you make the sandwiches I’m gonna call Sheriff Pettibone.”
After explaining who he was and his purpose for calling the switchboard operator, Hank was put through to the sheriff. The operator had informed the sheriff who was calling prior to connecting the line.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Moran. How are you and your grandson doing?”
“We’re doing fine, Sheriff. Chip was OK once he got his favorite lure back.”
“Well, finding a body like that could have been a bit traumatic for him, but I guess the priorities for a young boy are different than for you and me,” Pettibone said with a chuckle.
“You’re right, Sheriff. Since you mentioned priorities, would you have some free time this afternoon to talk about the Driscoll murder investigation?”
“I guess I could spare some time. Ain’t much to talk about though. I’ll be free in about an hour.”
“Great, we’ll see you in an hour. Thanks, Sheriff.”
After having a quick lunch, Hank and Helen arrived at the sheriff’s station on North Main Street in Homer just shy of an hour later. The twelve mile drive from the State Park took less than twenty-five minutes.
After a five minute wait while the sheriff finished a phone conversation, they were escorted into the sheriff’s corner office. Hank noticed a picture on the office wall of Sheriff Pettibone shaking hands with former Governor Edwin Edwards, who had been sent to federal prison on federal racketeering charges.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Moran, and who is your lovely companion?”
“Sheriff Pettibone, this is my wife and investigative partner, Helen Moran.”
“My pleasure,” the sheriff responded as he lightly shook Helen’s hand. “Investigative partner?”
“I guess we should explain,” Hank said. “I recently opened a licensed P.I. agency and we have been hired by Peter Driscoll to find his brother’s killer.”
“I thought that case was all put to bed. Wasn’t Peter Driscoll arrested for the crime?” Pettibone asked.
“He was, but Judge Mays set him free due to lack of sufficient evidence to hold him over for trial. His decision was mainly due to our investigation, which uncovered some information and witnesses that refuted the Shreveport P.D.’s evidence.”
“I see, so the case is still open in Shreveport?”
“Well, Sheriff, I think the detective in charge in Shreveport has run out of suspects in the area and is relying mainly on your department over here in Claiborne Parish to handle it.”
“So, Mr. Moran, I assume you are here to find out what we have found so far, and to tell you the truth it ain’t much.”
“Then can I assume that you have no suspects at the time?” Hank asked.
“Your assumption is correct, Mr. Moran.”
“I was talking with Ranger Murray down at the lake this morning and he said that you interviewed him the day we found the body. Did he have anything of value to contribute?” Hank asked.
“Actually I talked with him the day after the incident. He said he had no idea how the body wound up in his lake. He further claims that he didn’t even see Mr. Driscoll arrive in the park or launch his boat.”
“I can’t quite understand his claim that he didn’t see Driscoll arrive. Activity must have been slow for a weekday in October and he usually keeps a watchful eye on things.”
“Well he could have been in the crap—er ... taking care of nature. Sorry, ma’am,” Pettibone said with a sheepish grin.
“No problem, Sheriff,” Helen replied. “Actually it’s OK to give recognition to one of history’s great innovators.”
Sheriff Pettibone looked at Helen with a confused expression.
“Thomas Crapper improved the functionality of the flush toilet that was invented by Sir John Harrington,” Helen explained.
“I see, thank you for the history lesson, Mrs. Moran. I will be sure to pay homage to Mr. Crapper from now on,” Pettibone laughingly replied. But Pettibone’s mood changed abruptly with Hank’s next query.
“Sheriff, Leonard Driscoll had been having an affair with a Ms. Lucy Chatham from over here in Homer. Along with talking with you, she is the other reason for our trip over here.”
The sheriff’s face suddenly reddened and he said, “Lucy had nothing at all to do with Driscoll’s murder!”
“It sounds like you know Ms. Chatham,” Hank replied.
“I should know her—she’s my daughter. And like I said, she had nothing to do with Driscoll’s murder!” Pettibone heatedly replied.
Hank was rendered momentarily speechless by the sudden revelation of the sheriff’s relationship with Lucy Chatham. When he re-gathered his thoughts he continued, “Sheriff Pettibone, I am not accusing your daughter of being implicated in the murder. We need to talk with her because she might be one of the last persons to have seen Leonard Driscoll alive. Leonard might have confided in her about who might have wanted to do him harm.”
Pettibone responded, “I have talked with Lucy and she has no idea who hated Driscoll enough to kill him.”
“Sheriff, we’re both experienced police officers and we both know that questioning by a family member may not be as objective as being questioned by an unrelated officer. I promise you that we will be discreet and highly professional in the matter.”
Sheriff Pettibone considered Hank’s offer before responding. “Mr. Moran, I checked into your background back in October and found you to be the best of professionals. I trust that my daughter’s name will not be dragged through the mud and that you will live up to your reputation. You may take this as only a statement of my feelings, or as a warning, whichever may apply in the future.”
“Sheriff, I assure you that a warning is not necessary,” Hank replied.
Hank and Helen discussed the session with the sheriff as they drove back to the campground.
“I wonder what the sheriff thought about his daughter dating an older married man. We should have asked him his feelings on it,” Helen said.
“I didn’t want to stir that pot any more than necessary,” Hank said. “He might have thought we were insinuating that he was a suspect in the crime. I thought it best to let him simmer down a bit.”
“Well, depending on what he thought about his daughter’s relationship with Driscoll he could be added to the list. It could be a fatherly rage sort of thing, doing what he thought best for his daughter.”
“That’s a possibility, pardner. Sheriff Pettibone should officially be on our list. I should have also asked him why he proudly displays a picture in his office of him shaking hands with former Governor Edwin Edwards, a known felon.”
“Maybe Edwards is another relative of his,” Helen replied.
“You have a devious mind, Mrs. Moran,” Hank responded.
When they returned to the Bounder, Hank tried placing a call to Lucy Chatham, but after six rings her answering machine picked up, “You have reached the number of Chatham Creations. No one is here to take your call at this time. Your business is important to us so please leave a message and we will return your call promptly.”
Hank replied, “Ms. Chatham, this is Hank Moran of Moran Investigations. It is very important that I get to meet with you at your very earliest convenience. You can reach me at this same number.”
One hour later Hank’s phone rang, “Hello, this is Hank Moran speaking.”
“Mr. Moran, this is Lucy Chatham returning your call. My father said you would be calling.”
“Ms. Chatham, it is very important that my associate and I meet with you to talk about your acquaintance with Leonard Driscoll. Are you free to meet this afternoon?”
There was a long silence then, “Yes. I really don’t want to reopen the past, but it might be for the best. Why don’t we meet at my place? How would three o-clock sound?”
“That would be 110 Edgewood Drive?” Hank asked.
“That is correct,” Lucy replied.
“We’ll see you at three then. Thank you, Ms. Chatham.”
Hank drove by the sheriff’s station on the way to Lucy Chatham’s house. He noted that the sheriff’s truck was parked in his reserved space. Hank was glad that Sheriff Pettibone would not be at Lucy’s house to influence his daughter during the interview.
Hank and Helen pulled into the driveway of a small ranch house about a mile from the sheriff’s station. The clock on the Honda’s dash read three o’clock, the agreed upon meeting time. As they were exiting the Honda they noticed a Sheriff’s Department patrol car slow down and stop directly across the street. The deputy who was driving had a cell phone to his ear and was looking toward the house.
Hank said, “It looks like the sheriff is keeping tabs on us or his daughter.”
“He’s not being shy about it either,” Helen replied.
Helen rang the doorbell and the door was immediately opened by a brown haired woman talking into a cell phone that was pressed to her ear.
“It’s all right, Richard. I’ll be fine,” she said as she ended the call and greeted her visitors. “Hello, are you Detective Moran?”
“Yes, I am, and this is my wife and associate, Helen Moran.”
“I am Lucy Chatham. Won’t you please come in?”
They entered the front room of the house, which looked more like an office than a living room. In the middle of the room was a large desk that held two computers wired to thirty-inch flat screen monitors and small inkjet printers. Along the back wall stood a large floor model printer.
Lucy beckoned the Morans to have a seat on a sofa across from the desk that was turned at a right angle to the wall while she sat on the chair facing it with a coffee table between them.
“My father said you want to ask about my relationship with Leonard Driscoll.”
“Yes, we do,” Hank replied. “We have been hired by Leonard’s brother, Peter, to find the person responsible for his death. We apologize that we have to delve into your personal relationship with Leonard, but it might prove critical in solving the case. We also want you to know that any information we receive from you will be held in the strictest of confidence.”
“You may ask any questions you wish,” Lucy replied. “It is no great secret that Leonard and I had an affair.”
“How did the two of you meet?” Hank asked.
“We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend at a furniture business seminar up in Little Rock about six months ago. I attended the seminar with the hope of making new contacts for my commercial artist business.”
“If I may ask, what is the name of the mutual friend?” Hank inquired.
Lucy explained, “We were introduced by Earl Hegemon of Hegemon’s Furniture Manufacturing. I designed some brochures and a letterhead for Mr. Hegemon. He was very pleased with my work and suggested that I attend the seminar where he could introduce me to potential new clients.”
“How did you get into the commercial art business?” Helen asked.
“I studied commercial art at LSU, where I met my late husband. We were married right out of college. He wanted a stay-at-home wife so I never put my education to use until two years ago. Michael was in ROTC at LSU and two years after we were married his unit was called up for active duty in the Iraq war. A week before he was due to come home he was killed by a roadside bomb.”
“That’s so tragic!” Helen replied. “We are so sorry for your loss.”
“After Michael’s death it took a while to decide what to do with my life. My father suggested that I start my own commercial art business. He helped me invest in the equipment two years ago and here I am. It was slow going at first but business has improved lately.”
Helen glanced at Hank who nodded for Helen to continue her line of questioning. He surmised that Lucy looked more at ease answering questions put forth by Helen rather than by him. “Did Driscoll Furniture aid in improving your business?” Helen continued.
“Yes, they did in a small way,” Lucy replied. “Leonard called a week after we met at the seminar and wanted to know if I would be interested in creating a full page ad for a forthcoming furniture sale. I told him I was and that I could meet with him the next day. When we met the next day we seemed to hit it off right away. It was kind of weird in that I had the feeling that something was going to happen between us, and two weeks later we were dating.”
“Did you know at that time that Leonard was married?” Helen asked.
“After our first meeting to discuss the spread for the newspaper ad I did some basic research and found that he was married. But for some odd reason it didn’t matter to me. I just enjoyed being in his company.”
Helen decided to get right to the point and asked, “Did you meet with Leonard the Wednesday that he disappeared?”
“Yes, I met with him that day at the lake. I actually didn’t know that he had disappeared until my father called on the Saturday afterward and told me that his body was found in the lake. We had had no plans to meet that weekend.”
“What time was it when you met him at the lake?”
“It was early afternoon, probably around two.”
“What did you and Leonard talk about that day?”
“I saw the For Sale sign on his boat and asked him about it. He said that he wanted to sell it because he was tired of it and fishing didn’t give him much pleasure anymore. He said someone was coming to see the boat. Then he told me the reason that he wanted to meet with me.”
“And what was that?” Helen asked.
“He basically informed me that he planned to start divorce proceedings from Susan.”
“How did you feel when he broke that news to you?” Helen inquired further.
“I was happy of course because I had fallen in love with the guy. My friends told me that I was wasting my time dating a married man and I should end the relationship. I was glad I didn’t listen to them.”
Helen continued the questioning, “I can imagine how you felt receiving news like that, Lucy. What happened next?”
“Nothing really, I cried a happy cry and told Leonard that I would be waiting for him and went to my car. As I was driving out of the lot I saw him backing his boat and trailer onto the launching ramp. That was the last I saw him.”
At that point Helen noticed the mist in Lucy’s eyes. “Lucy, did you notice anyone else near Leonard when he got into his boat?”
“Yes, I saw a man in a park ranger’s uniform approach the ramp and stand to watch Leonard back the boat into the water.”
Helen immediately turned her head and questioningly looked at Hank.
Hank asked, “Lucy, what did the man in the ranger uniform look like?”
“He was a tall man, taller than Leonard, with light brown hair,” Lucy answered.
“Did you happen to notice the name on the ranger’s nametag?” Hank continued.
Lucy responded, “No, I didn’t. I was too far away to read it if I would have seen it.”
“What happened after you saw the park ranger approach Leonard?”
“Like I said before, I was driving out of the lot when I saw the ranger. I just kept going and didn’t see any more.”
Hank then asked, “Did Leonard happen to mention who the prospective buyer was that was coming to see the boat?”
“No, he didn’t say who it was.”
Helen then took a chance to delve further into Lucy’s personal life, “Lucy, what did your father think of your relationship with Leonard?
“He was upset when he found out about it,” Lucy replied. “He didn’t think it was proper for a young woman my age to date an older man, especially a married man. I think he was mainly upset because that young woman happened to be his daughter. He seemed to settle down when I reminded him that he was fifteen years older than my stepmom.”
“How did he reply to that reprisal?” Helen asked with a smile.
“He just turned red in the face and said, ‘Well, I guess you are your father’s daughter.’ Then he gave me a hug and told me he just wanted me to be happy.”
“How long ago did your father find out about Leonard?” Helen continued.
“I think it was about two months ago,” Lucy replied.
“Was your father OK with the relationship after that?”
“He seemed to be. Nothing more was said about it up until the time of Leonard’s death. When he came and told me that Leonard’s body had been found in the lake he seemed genuinely concerned for my feelings.”
“Did he know at that time that the relationship between you and Leonard had turned more serious?” Helen asked.
“I don’t think he did. He seemed really surprised when I told him about Leonard starting divorce procedures. He just said, ‘Huh, how about that.’”
Hank could see out the front window behind Lucy that a sheriff’s deputy patrol car had driven slowly past the house two times as they were interviewing Lucy. “It looks like your father is keeping tabs on you,” Hank said. “I just noticed that the deputy who was out front of your house when we arrived drove slowly by your house again for the second time just now.”
“Oh, that’s just Deputy Mansfield,” Lucy replied. “He has taken on the role of my personal guardian since my husband, Michael, died.”
“The two of you must be good friends,” Helen said.
“Well, I would consider Richard as just a friend. He asked me out on a few occasions but I always turned him down. I really don’t want to go out with Richard. He’s not my type, plus I think he would be somewhat domineering in a relationship. I told him that we should just remain friends.”
“How did he feel about just being friends?” Helen asked.
“He said he really didn’t have a problem with just being friends. He said he would still look out for me though.”
“Lucy, did Leonard ever mention anyone who might want to do him harm?” Hank asked.
“No, he never talked about anything like that. He was always upbeat when we were together.”
“OK, Lucy, thank you for talking with us,” Hank said. “Here is one of my cards. If you happen to think of anything that would help us find the person responsible for Leonard’s death, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“I surely will,” Lucy replied.
As Hank and Helen were departing from Lucy’s street they noticed Deputy Mansfield pass them from the opposite direction. “He sure is diligent in his promise to look after Lucy,” Helen said.
“Does the term ‘stalker’ come to mind?” Hank asked.
“Yes, indeed it does,” Helen replied. “It looks like we have another candidate for the suspect list.”
“Yes, indeed it does,” Hank replied. “By the way, I really liked how you were able to question Lucy about her father without letting on that he is a possible suspect. Lucy seemed very at ease in talking with you.”
“Yes, it felt more like a mother-daughter chat. What about Sheriff Pettibone?” Helen asked. “I feel that he might be a little overprotective of his daughter, but I didn’t get the feeling that he would resort to murder.”
“It’s hard to guess what a person’s limit would be when confronted with a bad situation involving a loved family member,” Hank replied. “Fortunately, Ali never gave us a reason to test our limits.”
“So, do you think that in a heated argument type situation the sheriff could have struck Leonard and then tried to cover up his misdeed?”
“That is a possibility,” Hank replied. “Plus we also have the fact that Ranger Murray lied about not seeing Leonard in the park that day. He could have been threatened and warned by the sheriff not to say anything.”
“Then there is the possibility that Ranger Murray himself did the dastardly deed,” Helen speculated.
“That is a possibility also,” Hank replied. “But it would be hard to come up with a motive for him to murder Leonard. So far we haven’t uncovered a tie-in between Ranger Murray and Leonard other than the fact that Leonard went fishing in Lake Claiborne.”
Helen replied, “Maybe something will surface tomorrow when we question his lying about not seeing Leonard at the boat dock.”
“It will be interesting to hear his answer,” Hank replied. “After we get him to admit seeing Leonard launching his boat we’ll have to ask if he saw anyone that was interested in buying it.”
Helen then said, “Yes, one more suspect to add to the list, but this one is unknown. Our list sure grew in the short time since we arrived at the lake. Is this the way all murder investigations go?”
“Each one has its own momentum,” Hank replied. “Some are easy and almost solve themselves, some you really have to work at, and ever so rarely there is one that never gets solved. This Driscoll case is one we have to work at, but I have a good feeling we are going to solve it.”
“It does appear that the momentum is building,” Helen said.
“Yes, it does,” Hank replied. “When we get back to the Bounder I’m going to call Peter to ask if he knew about any interested buyers for Leonard’s boat.”
Then Helen had a revelation, “Hank, I just realized something! When we talked with Susan Driscoll she said that she and Leonard had an appointment at a counselor to try to save their marriage. Now Lucy just told us that Leonard was starting divorce procedures! Something doesn’t add up.”
“You’re right, pardner! Somebody is lying. I have a gut feeling it isn’t Lucy.”
Helen replied, “So it was either Susan or Leonard.”
“Leonard?” Hank questioned.
“Yes, maybe Leonard lied to Lucy about starting the divorce.”
As Helen prepared a Polynesian chicken frozen dinner for two, Hank called Peter Driscoll on his direct line.
“Driscoll Furniture, Peter Driscoll speaking.”
“Peter, Hank Moran. I have a question for you.”
“Yes, what is it, Hank?”
“We know that Leonard was going to show his boat to a prospective buyer on the day of his disappearance. Did he happen to mention it to you and who it might have been?”
“No, I didn’t know that he was going to show the boat to someone that day. I surely would have told the police if I did. I asked him if he was having any luck in selling the boat on the Monday evening that I changed his fuel filter and he said that he had had a few nibbles, but none serious.”
“What about during the phone call he made to you at five o’clock to inform you about the furniture delivery?”
“No, he didn’t mention anything then either. He only talked long enough to tell me about the delivery.”
“OK, Peter. I was hoping you would have something. Sorry to bother you.”
“No problem, Hank. Making any progress over near the lake?”
“We added a few names to the list of suspects including the mystery boat buyer. I expect to finish the investigation in a few days.”
“Well, that’s good news. Let me know if something breaks.”
“You’ll be the first to know, Peter. Oh, one more thing. Did Leonard mention anything to you about starting divorce procedures from Susan?”
“Divorce from Susan? No, Hank, he didn’t. How did you come up with that?”
“Lucy Chatham said that on the Wednesday that Leonard disappeared he told her that he had started divorce proceedings. Is it possible for you to verify this with his lawyer?”
“I’ll call him right away, Hank! I’ll get back with you on it.”