Porterville

This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental.

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Mark Stevens

CHAPTER 27

When Britt and Alice arrived at the McKenzie home they were surprised to see a police car parked in the driveway. Britt parked his vehicle behind it, and he and Alice hurried up to the door. He paused with his hand reaching out to the door bell for a second and decided to simply walk inside the house.

He was greeted by a policeman who wanted to know what business they had with the McKenzie family. Britt explained that he had received a telephone call from Devon McKenzie asking him to come to the house.

Devon was suddenly standing in the doorway of the room Britt remembered as the drawing room. He had been ushered into the room when he had arrived to pick Devon up on their first date. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

Devon was as pale as a ghost, and Britt hurried across the floor to him. Alice followed right behind.

"What's going on, Devon?" Britt asked.

Devon tried to speak but nothing came out of his mouth. His knees buckled, and Britt reached out to catch him.

A second police officer came from behind Devon. Britt recognized him immediately. It was Brian Poteet, the same officer who had assisted them when Alice's home had been broken into.

"What's going on here, Brian?" Britt asked.

Brian helped Britt to seat Devon in a nearby chair. He asked Alice to stay with the man while he visited with Britt.

"I don't understand," Devon whispered. "Nothing makes any sense at all."

Britt went with the officer, but his heart was with Devon. Whatever Devon was going through, Britt wished like hell he could be there for his lover.

Poteet stopped at the door and in a low voice said, "You need to be prepared, Britt. This is not good."

Britt took a deep breath and stepped inside the room. What he saw made the room spin.

"My God, what is this? What has happened?"

Elaine McKenzie was sitting in one of the wingback chairs Britt remembered seeing on his first visit. Her head was thrown back, and there was blood covering the top half of the blouse she was wearing. There was a second body on the floor a few feet away from Elaine. Britt recognized George Carson, the owner of the local jewelry store, immediately.

"Can you explain this, Brian? What the hell went down here?"

"It's a bit early to say for certain, but it looks to me like a murder/suicide. Even as small as Porterville is, we have a forensic person on staff. Diane is on her way. Looks to me like Carson shot Mrs. McKenzie and then took his own life," Poteet explained.

Britt asked, "But why in the world would he do this? I can't imagine these two people having anything in common, other than living in the same town their entire lives."

"Damned if I know," Poteet replied. "Like I said, I hope to know more after Diane gets here."

Britt remembered that Devon was in the outer room with Alice. "How did Devon find out about this?"

"He told me one of the maids discovered the bodies when she came in to make the room ready this morning."

"Make it ready?"

"I assume she had to make it presentable for Mrs. McKenzie, whatever that might be," the officer said.

"Is it okay for me to go to Devon?"

"Of course, by all means," Brian said. "Things are kind of at a standstill until Diane arrives.

"I'm here, Brian."

Britt turned and saw a young woman walking into the room. She introduced herself to him as Diane Baxter.

"Oh, Britt, you and Alice need to hang around a bit. I have a few questions for you," Poteet said.

Britt gave the officer a tight smile and said, "I understand. We're not going anywhere."

Britt joined Devon and Alice. Alice had placed her hand on top of Devon's.

"I can't understand any of this," Devon said. "Poteet thinks Carson killed my mother and then took his own life. Is that possible, Britt?"

Britt sat on the arm of Devon's chair and hugged the man's shoulders. "Anything is possible," he answered. "However, I have to agree with you. I cannot in my mind's eye connect the jeweler with Elaine McKenzie."

Half an hour later they were joined by Brian and Diane.

"Officer Poteet will talk some things over with you," Diane said. "I'm heading back to the lab, and as soon as I know something I'll pass it along to him." She gave Devon a smile and added, "I am sorry for your loss, Mr. McKenzie."

Devon nodded to the woman, and turned his eyes on Brian Poteet.

"Once Diane gets results, I'll get back with you. In the meantime, if there is anything I can do, please, let me know. Okay?"

Devon thanked the officer, just as two men from the funeral home came to pick up the bodies.

Britt thought it best that Devon not be in the room when his mother was taken out. He asked if there was some place they could go for the time being.

Devon stood to his feet and told them to follow him. As they were leaving the room, Poteet said, "The way I understand it, all three of you were together until very late last night. Is that correct?"

"It is," Britt answered for them all. "Alice spent the night at my mother's house. The four of us sat around her table talking until well past midnight." He added, "Are we suspects?"

"Of course not, Britt," Poteet assured him. "I'm trying to piece things together, that's all."

Britt and Alice followed Devon down a long hallway, and they were suddenly in the McKenzies' formal dining room. A small group of people Britt assumed made up the house hold staff was sitting on both sides of a long table.

A woman Britt didn't recognize came to meet them. She took Devon's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I am so sorry, Mr. McKenzie. Please, tell me what I can do for you. For all of you," she added taking in Britt and Alice with a glance.

Devon introduced the woman to Britt and Alice. "This is Carol Taylor. She is my mother's personal assistant."

"Carol, I understand you discovered...the scene in the drawing room" Britt said. Can you enlighten us?"

"There's not much to tell," Carol said. "I came downstairs this morning just like any other morning. First thing every day I always go in and make sure things are ready for Mrs. McKenzie. We meet each day, and she goes over her calendar with me while she has her coffee. When I came into the room I...well, you saw for yourself."

Britt stepped forward and gave the woman a smile. "Were you aware that Mrs. McKenzie had a visitor?"

"I went to my apartment around five- thirty last evening, and I never came back down. I didn't see your mother after that," she said giving Devon a look.

"Carol has an apartment in one of the wings," Devon explained. Then addressing the woman, he asked, "Had you ever known George Carson to visit my mother before?"

The woman seemed hesitant to speak, and Devon assured her it was okay for her to talk.

"Mr. Carson was a frequent caller of Mrs. McKenzie," she said.

Britt asked, "How frequent?"

"Three or four times a week, I would say."

"That really surprises me," Devon said shaking his head.

Britt spoke up and asked the next question. "Carol, did you work for Mrs. McKenzie while Devon's father was living?"

She nodded. "I did. I've been Mrs. McKenzie's assistant for the past five years."

One by one, the rest of the staff walked past Devon and shared their sympathy with him. As Britt watched, he was amazed at how much they seemed to think of the McKenzie family.

Brian Poteet joined them shortly and explained that the funeral home people had left. He said that for now he wanted no one inside the room where the two bodies had been found.

"I want to make sure we've not overlooked anything important, he told them. "Otherwise, feel free to go anywhere you like in the house."

Devon seemed undecided what to do next. Britt suggested they return to his mother's house.

"If there's nothing I can do for the moment, I think I should return to work," Alice decided.

Britt dropped her off at the newspaper office and then took Devon to his mother's home. Once there he made two telephone calls. The first was to his mother down at the Center. He asked her to come home when she had time. When she asked him why, he just said, "I think you should come home, Mom. I'll explain when you get here."

Next he called Glenn Redding and informed the lawyer of the two deaths. When the man heard the news, he told Britt he would be over immediately and asked for directions to Catherine's home.

A short time later Catherine walked inside her home followed by her son's lawyer. A puzzled look appeared on her face.

"Britt, what is going on here?"

Britt had her take a seat in the living room, and he proceeded to explain what had taken place. His words brought the look of disbelief to his mother's face. She stood to her feet and went to Devon.

"I am so sorry, Devon," she said as the man stood to his feet. She gave him a hug and then said, "Please, know that I am here for you."

"I appreciate that, Catherine." He returned to his seat.

Britt introduced his mother to his lawyer, adding, "I'm sure you've heard me talk about Glenn."

Catherine smiled at Glenn and said, "I've heard my son mention you many times, Mr. Redding."

"Please, call me Glenn."

The lawyer turned to Britt and asked for details.

Britt told him everything he knew about the situation, and when he finished, Glenn made a comment.

"Well, this puts an entirely different slant on things, guys." The lawyer turned and spoke directly to Devon. "I know this is a bad time, Devon, and I don't want you to think I am being cold and unfeeling; however, I'm sure the police will be opening up a full investigation. My advice is that we do the same thing. We have to," he added glancing at Britt, "because I'm sure we don't want any surprises showing up for Devon."

Devon sat forward in his chair. "Glenn, you do whatever you need to," he said. "If as you say, you need to start an investigation, you have my permission and I will back you one hundred percent."

"Do you have a twenty dollar bill on you, Devon?" Glenn asked.

Devon reached for his wallet and pulled a bill out. He handed it to the lawyer.

As Glenn took the money, he said, "Good, you have now retained me. As your attorney, I can assure you, I will look after your best interests. I'll go now and get started. I'll leave you alone to take care of your business."

Britt followed the man to the door. "If you need anything, Glenn, call my cell number. I plan on keeping close to Devon for the next several days."

When he returned to the living room, Britt saw that Devon was on the telephone with someone. He looked at his mother.

"He's talking to someone at work," Catherine mouthed.

Devon ended his conversation and stood to his feet. "I need to make a trip out to the plant," he said. "The employees deserve to hear what happened from me and not from the town's people."

"I'll drive you," Britt said.

By the time Britt and Devon reached the textile plant, word had already begun to circulate. Devon quickly called an employee meeting and tried to answer questions. However, it soon proved to be more than he could handle, and Britt stepped in.

As Britt talked to the people, he did his best to answer all of their questions. When he had finished, a man approached him and Devon.

Devon recognized the man and introduced him to Britt as Robert Hollis. "He is head of the legal team," he said for Britt's benefit.

"We're going to need to talk, Devon," the man said. "However, I realize you have a lot on your mind at the moment. Our business can wait," he added.

Employees continued flooding the space around Devon, and Britt announced they were leaving. He gave Robert Hollis his cell number and told him Devon would be staying with him and his mother for now.

"You can reach him on my phone," he said and led Devon to the elevator.

On the way back to his mother's, Britt made a phone call to Glenn. When he had the lawyer on the line, he gave him Robert Hollis' name and telephone number.

"I thought you should have it, Glenn. It might be good for you guys to talk; to compare notes, perhaps?"

Glenn agreed, and the two ended their conversation.

Britt laid his phone on the console of his car and allowed himself a quick glance at Devon.

"Are you okay, Babe?" he asked.

Devon nodded. "I think so. Britt, would you do me a favor?"

"Anything, Dev."

"Would you take me to my apartment?"

Britt was concerned. "Is that really what you want to do?"

"It is. I need some time to think."

"Then that's where I'll take you."

Britt made a quick turn and headed for Devon's apartment. He continued past the gate until he reached his destination. He pulled into a designated parking space.

"Would you like me to walk you to the door?" he asked.

"I would prefer that you stay with me," Devon said quietly. "Would you mind?"

"You're not going to get rid of me just yet," he assured the man.

Once they were inside his apartment, Devon said, "I realize it's early, but I could use a drink. Do you think that would be okay?"

"I don't think it's good to start drinking early, but there are always exceptions, and today, Babe, is a damned good exception. Have a seat, and I'll make you one."

Britt made himself at home behind Devon's bar, and soon he returned with two glasses. He handed one to his lover and sat a glass on the table beside him. He gave his mother a call and explained where they were. She wanted to know if Devon was okay.

"He will be," he answered. "If you need me, Mom, call my cell. I'm going to stay here as long as he needs me."

"Which may be from now on," Devon said as Britt threw his phone on the table beside the sofa.

For a few moments the two didn't talk. Nothing but silence was in the room, and it was quite heavy. Devon was the first to speak.

"You want to hear something funny?"

"Funny is always good," Britt assured him.

"Perhaps it's more sad than funny," Devon decided. "What if the only person who could have straightened this shit out was my mother?" he asked. "Or at least the person who claimed to be her?" he added.

"That would be sad, I must admit. However, I feel when all is said and done, you're going to know something. Perhaps not the entire story, but you will know enough to be satisfied."

"When I was a child growing up, I always felt isolated. My parents didn't think anyone was good enough to associate with me. I wasn't supposed to make friends at school. I was never allowed to bring anyone home with me. Yet my mother insisted I go to the public school. She said it was our duty to attend it; to show everyone that it was good enough for a McKenzie."

"I'm sure she meant well," Britt replied.

"Yeah, right," Devon said. There was no mistaking the bitter sound in the words he spoke. "And don't get me started on birthdays."

"You weren't allowed those either?" Britt couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice.

"Hell, no," Devon answered. "Don't get me wrong. They always gave me a gift. I would have much rather had their time-- their attention. They seemed to think a nice expensive gift was all the attention I needed. Another thing that was expected of me," Devon added. "My birthday was never put out in public. They told me they didn't want other children who weren't as lucky as me to know it was my birthday. They never allowed me to speak of the day to another person."

"That is a bit unusual," Britt agreed. "I'll make you a promise. The next birthday you have we'll announce it to the world, and I'll throw you the biggest party ever."

"As long as we're together, I could care less about my birthday."

"I'm not planning on going anywhere. Unless you run me off," Britt added.

"Not going to happen."

Britt sat on the sofa next to Devon and listened to the man ramble on about his childhood and growing up years. A few instances contained a bit of humor, but most of them were pretty sad. As he listened to Devon, he couldn't help but wonder what made him turn out to be such a warm and caring human being. As strong as his feelings were toward Elaine McKenzie, the woman must have done something right. The evidence was sitting beside him this very moment.

Devon finished his drink, and soon the man relaxed and closed his eyes. It didn't take Britt long to realize his lover was taking a much needed nap, however short it might prove to be.

Before falling asleep, Devon had told Britt that everything should be in order as far as the funeral home was concerned. His parents had made arrangements years ago, and there shouldn't be anything now for him to do. While Devon was napping, Britt reached for his phone and walked down the hall to make a call.

When he had a man on the line from the local funeral parlor, he gave his name and explained the nature of his call; that he was calling on behalf of Devon McKenzie. He went on to say that Devon was not able to talk at the moment, and that he, Britt, was wanting to make sure everything was in order for Elaine McKenzie's service.

The man did some checking and told Britt there was nothing for Devon to do, other than come in and set a day, place and time for the service. Britt assured the man Devon would be in later that afternoon and ended his phone conversation.

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Britt turned over in bed and discovered Devon was awake. He had been staying with the man ever since Elaine McKenzie's death. He gave Devon a smile.

"Have you been awake long?"

Devon nodded. "I have," he said. "My mind has so many things running through it. I can't seem to make it slow down."

Elaine McKenzie's service was scheduled to take place in a few hours, and honestly, Britt would be glad when it was finished.

"Other than a busy mind, how are you doing otherwise?"

Devon sat up and leaned against the headboard. "I'm okay...I guess."

"This isn't easy, and I know it," Britt said. "When my father died a few years back I thought I might lose my mind. For me, it was guilt that ate at me. I tried to tell myself that when things slowed down I would go home for a visit. I talked with Dad several times over the last months of his life, and each time he asked when I was coming home. You have nothing to regret," he added. "You were always there for your parents. They wanted you in the company, and you did as they asked. You were always there when they needed you."

"I still think I was responsible for my dad's death. I had just moved out, and that, along with them finally having to admit that I was gay... Well, I think it was more than my father could handle."

Britt jumped out of bed. "We could lie in bed all day and toss thoughts around such as these, and we still couldn't prove a thing. Let's hit the shower and get this day started. The sooner we face it, the better off we will be."