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
I would like to welcome my previous as well as hopefully new readers back to enjoy this story. However, should you have not read any of the Porterville books before, you should do so
- Porterville 2. Murder in Porterville 3. Silver Candlesticks
All three stories are stand alone, however, a lot of the same characters from the first book return for more adventures.
To my old readers: Welcome back. To my new ones, welcome aboard.
Please feel free to write me with any thought you might have. Please keep comments positive. I already have an editor that keeps me walking the line. Ha ha. You can email me at:
jetdesk2@yahoo.com
Chapter Thirty
A week had passed since Nathan Brown, alias Nathan George, and LaDonna Fields, alias Celeste George, were picked up and taken to the Porterville police station. Both finally admitted they were brother and sister. Celeste had also confessed that she had killed Grace Littlefield years ago. Brian Poteet sat at his desk reading the finished report summary of the Crawley case. He had already read the report once, but the second time hadn't changed the way he felt. He was perplexed at the way some people could just turn their conscience off like it was a light bulb. He went back to reading the case file.
CG: I really didn't mean to do it. My brother, Nathan, needed a medical procedure that was going to cost $1000. He was nineteen years old, just out of high school and without a job. I was in charge of Mrs. Littlefield's household accounts. I thought I would have time to pay the money back before it was missed.
BP: How long had you worked for Mrs. Littlefield when you took the money?
CG: Almost two years.
BP: What kind of relationship did you have with your employer? Would she have loaned you the money?
CG: I had asked her several times for a raise. She was of the opinion that she paid me more than enough, considering that she gave me a home free of charge, completely supporting me.
BP: Had you ever taken anything not belonging to you before your brother's medical need?
CG: No, never. Mrs. Littlefield was right when she said I should have had enough money for my expenses. I really never wanted for anything after I began working for her. Still, when Nathan needed surgery, I didn't have an extra thousand dollars.
BP: How did your employer discover the money was missing?
CG: At first I wasn't sure. Much later, after I had time to think things through, I decided that the cook must have somehow found out what I had done and informed Mrs. Littlefield.
BP: That would be Martha Bennett?
CG: That's right.
BP: Jacob Crawley was Martha Bennett's nephew?
CG: That's right.
BP: That's how he fell victim into this murderous scheme?
CG: Celeste studied the top of the table for a minute. Then—Yes, Martha died a few months ago. Evidently just before she died, she told Jacob what she suspected that I had done. After her death, Jacob began searching for me. How he discovered that I was living in Porterville, I'm not sure. All I know is that he just appeared one day at the bakery demanding money. He said Martha had told him she was pretty certain that I had taken a pair of silver candlesticks belonging to Mrs. Littlefield when I left. Believing his aunt was right and that they were still in my possession, Jacob came into the store and demanded that I give them to him. He told if I would do that, he would leave town, and I wouldn't see him ever again.
BP: Judging by the fact that we discovered them in your home, you did have them, yet, you must have refused to give them to Crawley. Why would you want to hang on to them?
CG: Mr. Poteet, you and I both know that would not have been the end of him. Jacob was spoiled by his aunt. He lost both his parents at an early age, and when he came to live with his aunt, Martha spoiled him. She felt she had to lavish him with anything he asked for. When he turned eighteen, she begged Mrs. Littlefield to hire him to replace the old gardener that had retired.
BP: Tell me about the day Grace Littlefield terminated your employment.
CG: We were just finishing lunch when Mrs. Littlefield looked across the table and asked me why I did it. I knew right away what she was referring to. I tried to explain everything, including my promise to pay the money back. She was so angry that I don't think she heard a word I was saying. She pushed her wheelchair away from the table and told me to go upstairs and pack my bags. She told me I was to be gone by afternoon time.
BP: What did you do?
CG: I was both surprised and shocked. Mrs. Littlefield had always been fair with me. I really thought she would have been a little more understanding of my situation.
BP: Most people aren't very understanding when it comes to someone taking things, especially money, from them without asking permission.
CG: As I quickly found out.
BP: Okay, what happened next?
CG: I went upstairs to my room and pack my things. When I was done, I came back downstairs and joined Mrs. Littlefield in the library.
BP: And then what?
CG: She told me once again how very disappointed she was in me and the choice I had made. She said my actions were unworthy of being allowed to remain in her employment. I assured her I would repay her once I had secured another job.
BP: Was she okay with that?
CG: She was. She said she would be willing to do that as long as a payment came in every month. Should I miss a payment she would expect the entire balance to be paid immediately.
BP: What happened next?
CG: I was walking out of the room when Mrs. Littlefield repeated her disappointment in me. It was then that she told me that for quite some time I had been listed as the sole inheritor of her estate. All property, investments, everything, was to fall to me at her death.
BP: This was the first time you knew anything about your supposedly inheritance?
CG: It was. If only I had known what her intentions were—things could have been so different.
BP: What happened next after finding out about the inheritance you were going to miss out on?
CG: We said our goodbyes, and I began walking toward the door. Just before I stepped out into the entryway something just exploded in my mind. I was consumed with anger. It was such an intense feeling, one I had never ever experienced before. I turned around and saw that she was looking at some papers on her desk. When I saw the candlesticks sitting on the fireplace, I suddenly found myself reaching for one. Before I hardly knew what was happening, I picked one up and carried it with me back to the desk. I approached Mrs. Littlefield from the back, and raising my hand and the ornament, I—I brought it down—hard on the side of her head.
BP: Did the blow kill her immediately?
CG: Yes. When I saw she was dead, I pushed her chair over by a brick raised flower bed. Mrs. Littlefield had recently hired a brick mason to build it inside her library. She loved spending time with her flowers. Being in a wheelchair, a raised bed was ideal for her. Once I had her chair parked by the bed, I tipped it over so that the side of her head would hit exactly in the same spot where I had struck her. And that was that. I walked over, picked up the matching candlestick and left, knowing I was going to have to disappear for the rest of my life.
BP: Was anyone else in the house?
CG: No. Martha and Jacob had left to do some shopping. Just my employer and I was in the house—if only I had been aware of her intentions. Things could have been so—different. Tears began slowly crawling down the woman's cheeks.
BP: Different how? Different if you hadn't killed her?
CG: Yes.
BP: You've explained Grace Littlefield. Now, suppose you tell me about the death of Jacob Crawley.
CG: In order to get Jacob out of the store, I told him I would let him have the candlesticks. They were at my house, and he could follow me there. Once we had arrived, I got out of my car and walked over to his. I told him I had changed my mind, and that I was going to keep them. It made him so mad. He started calling me awful names. I left him sitting in his car and hurried inside my house. As I watched him from a window, it didn't appear that he was going to leave anytime soon. I finally went into the bedroom and got one of the candlesticks down from the shelf in the closet. Maybe I could let him have one. I thought perhaps that might get rid of him. When I returned to the window, he was just pulling away. Suddenly a feeling came over me. It was the same feeling I had the day I left Mrs. Littlefield's home. The same hatred that had filled me back then had returned. I jumped into my car and began following Jacob. When he hit Main Street and headed out of town, I turned and followed. I—I saw him hit Mrs. Williams. I really wanted to stop and make sure she was alright. But, I knew I had to catch Jacob.
BP: How did you stop him?
CG: Once we were out of town, I sped up until I was on his bumper. I began honking at him. When I could tell that I had his attention, I held up the candlestick. When he saw it, he pulled to the side of the highway. I pulled in behind him. I got out of my car and walked up to meet him. He rolled his window down and said something like, I'm glad you changed your mind. You won't regret it. The next thing I know, I raised the candlestick and slammed it against Jacob's head. Once I realized he was dead, I walked around the car and opened the compartment where he kept his information. I pulled everything out and took it with me. Celeste grew silent
BP: Then what:
CG: I returned to my house, washed off the candlestick and returned it to the closet. Then I burned Jacob's paperwork, cleaned myself up, and returned to work.
BP: I see. Pause. BP: What's the story behind Detective Manner's attempted murder?
CG: For that, you will have to talk with my brother.
BP: Attempting to murder him was your brother's idea?
CG: Yes. After Jacob appeared in Porterville, I was quite scared. Even more so after I had killed him. Not really knowing what I was going to do, I went to the newspaper office one day with Kathy's ad for the paper. I saw a help wanted sign in the window. I asked Mr. Taylor about it. I told him I had a brother that might be interested in working for him. He told me to have my brother come see him. I called Nathan and told him everything that was going on. He immediately offered his help and moved to Porterville within a week. After the detective arrived from Little Rock and began asking questions, Nathan convinced me that we needed to take care of the problem. When he saw my hesitation, he said not to worry, that he would take care of everything. So, you will need to ask my brother about the detective.
BP: What can you tell me about finding Detective Manners tied up in one of the bedrooms at your house? Also, what about the open gas jets? CG: Again, my brother's doing. I did not agree with his decision.
BP: Yet, you allowed it.
CG: I did. Just another of my many bad decisions. I guess whatever happens, I deserve anything that is handed to me.
As Brian finished reading the script, he could almost feel empathy for the woman. Judging by everything he had learned about her, Brian felt the woman had been a good person at one time. A time before she made one bad decision. The thousand dollars she took from her employer, besides bringing about two deaths, had almost caused the death of Cory Manners and Catherine Williams. So, with everything that had evolved because of her actions, Brian would never feel anything but disgust for Celeste George.
Brian closed the cover to the file and pulled the transcript for Nathan George to him.
Chapter Thirty-One
Brian opened the folder labeled "Nathan George". He took a deep breath and began reading the transcription.
BP: Please tell me your name.
NG: Nathan George
BP: Is that your actual name?
NG: It's the name I was born with.
BP: Is that your legal name?
NG: No. I had it legally changed a few years back to Nathan Brown.
BP: Why the change?
NG: At the time I thought it was a good thing.
BP: Why?
NG: Well, as you know, my sister committed a crime, and after all, George is not your everyday name. I wanted to make sure I couldn't be connected to her, should she ever be located.
BP: How did that work for you?
NG: Okay for years.
BP: Nathan, your sister has passed the blame of the attempted murder on Detective Manners' life to you. Enlighten me, please.
NG: Celeste called me after the detective arrived in Porterville. I guess he was putting a scare in her. Whatever the reason, she called and asked me for help. I was surprised to get a call from her. I hadn't seen or heard anything from her for at least ten years.
BP: So you hadn't heard from her in years, yet you fly into town and attempt to kill a man, not once, but twice? Sounds to me like the two of you were closer than you let on. I can't imagine having a sister I hadn't seen in years talk me into doing the things you've done for your sister since arriving in town.
NG: I guess I felt that I owed her something. My dad left us when I was five years old. Our mom wasn't the best parent to be left in our charge. Celeste had to take charge of everything. Growing up, she was more like a parent to me than my sister.
BP: Must have been a pretty close bond for you to do what you've done.
NG: I guess we were. Long pause.
BP: Cory Manners. What can you tell me about the detective from Little Rock?
NG: What can I say? There's nothing you don't already know. I tried to get rid of him and failed.
BP: How?
NG: Celeste and I saw him along the Square one evening. It was late, and not a soul was round. I slipped up behind him and gave his head a thump. Just hard enough to knock him out. I managed to get him in his car. I dug the keys from his pocket and drove him out of town. When I found an opened area along the highway, I pulled off and drove until the car couldn't be seen from the road. When I parked the vehicle, I got out and pulled Manners back into the driver's seat. Celeste had driven her car out to pick me up. She met me by the detective's car and handed me one of the candlesticks. I smashed it on the detective's head, and we left in a hurry. I hit the man pretty hard, so you can imagine my surprise when I learned he had survived and was in the hospital.
BP: I do remember that you came to the hospital the next day and insisted on seeing the detective.
NG: Yeah, I wanted to try and find out if he was awake and if he remembered anything.
BP: Guess you got a break. At least on that visit.
NG: I guess.
BP: Tell me about the second attempt on the detective's life.
NG: I saw him walking around Celeste's house. Snooping I suppose is one way of describing his actions. This time I didn't even bother trying to keep him from seeing me. I stepped out of the house with a gun and told the detective to come with me inside.
BP: What happened next?
NG: I took him to the back room and tied him to a chair. I called Celeste and told her she needed to get home right away. When she arrived, she was shocked to find the man tied up in her house.
BP: What happened after she arrived?
NG: I told her it was time for both of us to leave town.
BP: Did your sister agree with you. About leaving town? NG: Not really. However, she's a smart person. She realized we didn't have any other choice.
BP: Celeste tells me it was your idea, not hers, to turn the gas on. Is that true? Pause.
NG: It was.
BP: Like I said, there's no doubt the two of you are close. Evidently there is nothing you wouldn't do for your sister. Even as far as to try and attempt murder.
No response.
BP: Anything else you would like to share, Nathan?
NG: There's nothing more to tell. Everything the two of us have done, you know.
BP: Why did you leave town in separate directions?
NG: We thought it would attract less attention.
BP: Didn't work out so well for you, did it?
NG: Guess not.
BP: Any comments, Nathan? Any regrets?
NG: Life can be full of regrets if you allow them. I learned a long time ago not to regret any thing I might or might not do.
BP: I hate to hear that, Nathan. When I look at you, I see a highly motivated man. A man that could have gone places, been very successful. I almost feel sorry for you.
NG: Almost?
BP: Yeah, almost. If you have nothing more to say, this interview is over.
NG: I've said everything I'm going to.
BP: Very well.
Brian closed the folder and placed it with Celeste's transcript. While it was true he felt disgust for this brother and sister, it was also true that he felt just a bit sorry for them. Celeste could have had the world at her finger tips had she known she was going to inherit her employer's vast estate. And there was no doubt she would have probably shared it with her brother. In all fairness, the woman did seem to have a good heart. At least during her younger years.
Brian picked up the files from his desk and walked to the front of the building. He told his staff good night and headed for the door.
"Taking work home with you?" Alesha Gray commented as he raised the counter.
"I am, Alesha. You know our work is never done."
"That's true. Have a good evening."
Chapter Thirty-Two
A few days after the Porterville murder case had been solved, Britt and Devon hosted a dinner party. The guests included Britt's mother, Catherine, Devon's sister, Alice and her police chief husband, Brian, Brian's father, Jerry Poteet, Cory Manners and Larry and Bonnie Owens.
They were finished with dinner and in the living room enjoying drinks when Larry Owens, the Methodist minister, said, to Cory and Jerry, "Tell me, are the two of you looking for a new place to live? Porterville would be lucky to have you guys counted among its residents."
The detective from Little Rock was the first to answer. "While it's true that I've grown quite fond of the town, and especially some of the people, I doubt there would be much for me to do as far as my line of work goes."
"You never know," Britt spoke up. "Porterville may be small compared to a city like Little Rock, but need I remind you we've had our share of murders around town."
"I must admit that is true," Cory agreed.
"Cory knows that he can always return for a visit anytime he chooses," Catherine spoke up warmly from her seat on one end of the sofa.
"That is true, Catherine," Cory said smiling at Britt's mother.
"What about you?" Britt asked addressing Brian's father.
Surprised, Jerry Poteet said, "What about me?"
"Yeah, you, Dad," Brian replied. "What's keeping you in Little Rock? Wouldn't you enjoy living close by so you could get to know your new daughter in law better?"
Jerry smiled at his son. Studying Alice, the retired police officer said, "Oh, I plan on getting to know her quite well. As for moving to Porterville, well, let's just see what the future holds. Who knows? I might just show up some day."
"We would love to have you," Bonnie assured the man.
Changing the subject, Britt said, "I suppose everything's settled, Brian. Concerning the Crawley case I mean."
"It is," Brian answered with a nod. "Frankly, I'm really glad it's over."
"It's hard to believe that we've had a murderer living here in town," Catherine commented.
"Isn't that the truth," Bonnie agreed.
"At least we had a chief of police that was very sharp," Devon said. "Thanks to the man, we have a much safer place to live now."
Brian disagreed. "It wasn't just me," he told Devon. "I had a really good team helping me out. You included," Brian added giving his brother in law a grin.
"What will happen to Nathan and his sister?" Alice asked.
"That will determine what the court decides. There will be a jury trial for them here in Porterville. After that, Celeste George will most likely be taken to Little Rock and tried for the murder of Grace Littlefield," Brian answered.
"And to think that I really liked the woman," Catherine said. "She was a big help, not only to Kathy, but to myself as well, as we made plans for Brian and Alice's wedding reception."
"I think at one time Miss George had a really good heart," Brian remarked. "I honestly don't think she planned for any of the things that happened to her. One bad choice led to another, and then on it went, causing her to live a life of perhaps fear, as she attempted to live off the grid."
When talk concerning the George case stopped, Larry Owens said, "Britt, since you and Devon have helped Brian close the case, have you thought about moving the date of your wedding back? Are you sure you want to wait five months? Besides, the weather will be cold, perhaps even nasty by December."
Britt and Devon looked at each other as they shared a smile. It was Britt who answered. He said, "I think December will work for us. We kind of like the idea of a Christmas wedding."
"It will be a wonderful time for your wedding," Bonnie declared. "Don't try and rush them, Larry." She pretended to punch her husband in the ribs.
Larry raised his hands and said, "No rush," he assured her. "I just thought since everything was settling down once more that it might be a good time for them to get married."
"The church is always decorated so pretty as Christmas approaches," Catherine replied. She took a deep breath. "I can almost smell the cedar now."
"Will the two of you settle down once you're married?" Cory asked.
"Never," Britt and Devon both said at the same time. "What fun would that be?" Britt added.
"Britt not only solves murders on paper, but he loves solving them in real life as well," Devon pointed out.
A sheepish grin appeared on Britt's face. "What can I say? Devon's right, and from the looks of things, there is always going to be something going on in or around Porterville. It's much easier coming up with new plots for stories since I've moved back home."
"So I take it the last case is going to provide you with a new story," Alice said.
"You can never tell," Britt said giving his sister in law a big grin.
Britt realized that as long as there was life, there would always be something for him to write about. The thought made him happy. As long as he had Devon in his life and stories hatching from his head, Britt knew he would live the best life ever.
THE END