Murder in the Pines, Chapter 7 and the End!

 Chapter7

  The residents are beyond scared and crazy, they aren't controllable moving around the room looking for a phone to call taxies, families, whoever to get them out of there, others are running hollering I gotta pack my bags and more than a few are at the bar drinking in big gulps. It is chaos on steroids. 

   Deputy, please call the station I need more men here NOW. No one leaves and no phone calls either. PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE, please you have got to calm down, we will never get this solved if you keep carrying on like this.

  "Yes , yes, we will need as many officers as can be spared. Send them over as soon as possible, we are also going to need the homicide kit and the corner. Yes yes right away, thank you."

  The deputy noticed while he was on the phone the trio moves off away from the body and talk quietly with their heads tightly together. So distracted by all the chaos going on he barely gave it a thought.

    Lillian looking down sees something on the floor, and she starts walking as if following it.

   George hollers out over the din, "Lillian where are you going?"

   "shh shhh I'l be right back. Confused George watches her as she goes out the door.

  Still standing in the sitting area of the fire place room, The Captain turns curtly to George, "Mr Smith would like to join me please in my office."

   Startled and somewhat nervous, George hesitates a minute before answering. " yes sure no problem."

 Both men head for the make shift office. Once in the office, captain motions for George to take a seat and seats himself behind the desk.

 Wasting no time the Captain pounces on George, like a cat that has caught a mouse."would you like to tell me about the argument you and Mr Rider had?"

  "Just like I told you before, I was angry with Lazlo for getting me in trouble with Miriam. But that ended when he told Miriam that it was him that had let the secret out."

 "No I am talking about the argument you and he had this morning before you pushed him down the STAIRS!"

 "What, wait, what the hell are you trying to say. I did not push anyone down any stairs and I wasn't arguing with anyone this morning, not here or while I was out smoking." 

   "Did anyone see you out and about smoking? No, I didn't think so. Tell me were you as friendly with Ms Bentley as you were with this Debi person? Was Miriam threatening to tell your secrets is that why you stabbed her? Come on Mr Smith answer my questions. You might as well get use to them ,you're going to be answering a lot of questions where you're going.

 Outside the office door a worried Carlos approaches the deputy. 

 "Deputy, Lillian, I mean Mrs Cunningham saw something on the floor and she seemed to be following it, but that was a while ago and I haven't seen her come back. I hope she didn't get into any trouble. Also I took a phone message the other day for Miriam, it was a debt collector trying to locate her nephew Andrew. 

 The deputy not overly interested, and not a bit concerned in Carlos and what he has to say answers him and pretty much dismisses him at the same time. "I will have some officers look around for Mrs Cunningham and as for the phone message I am sure it isn't any big deal."

  Not to be ignored, Carlos continues somewhat insistently, "I would normally agree, except Andrew, was here asking Miriam for money and saying he was making a movie with it. Said he was going to use some of us in too. So this morning Lillian said I should call the studio he said was doing the movie and see what they had to say. So I did........"

  After a slight pause and Carlos didn't continue, the impatient deputy snapped at him " Well what did the studio tell you?"

 "Oh, that there is no Andrew Horiwertz at that studio, and no project that matches the movie I described to them."

  "Thank you Mr Maltaban, I will let the captain know, and I will get right on looking for Mrs Cunningham."

In the make shift office an indignant and completely upset George is beginning to think he might be getting arrested "You have got to be kidding me, you actually think I killed 3 people all to keep people from finding out that as a senior citizen living in a retirement home I have girlfriends." 

 The next words coming from the Captain, prove George's fear was well founded. "I think we are just going to go ahead and sort this out down town. I am placing you under arrest Mr Smith. Would you please stand up and place your hands behind you back."

  George does as he is asked shaking his head in disbelief. As the Captain is putting the handcuffs on and starting to read George his rights  he is interrupted by a large and extremely loud commotion in the other room.

   "Oh what now? Don't tell me there has been another killing, I sure as hell wouldn't want to retire here, the death rate is a bit to high for my liking. Come on you let's go see what trouble there is now, but I am not letting you out of my sight."

  In the common area is a sight that the captain wasn't sure was real, or believable, let alone understandable. In the very middle of the room is a messed, bruised and somewhat bloody Lillian sitting on an angry even more bruised Andrew kicking and screaming demanding they get this crazy ole bag off him.

   " What on earth?" The Captain is just too stunned to think of anything else to say. Lillian however has no such shortage of words. " Well Captain, I caught this guy running away. He was standing next to his Aunt when we heard her scream, and then he ran away so fast I wasn't sure if I had seen him or not. Then I saw this trail of blood going out the door so I followed it, it led me right to this young man, trying to bury something in the park. Oh yes Captain it, what ever it is, is still in the park, your men should have no problem finding the spot, they will I hope find my purse there too." 

  A confused Captain still holding tight to his man but looking less convinced then he was just a short minute ago can't help but ask "But why?" 

  Lillian always ready to show off and prove she is smarter than everyone, was pleased as punch to have the Captain ask her that. " Oh that is easy Captain, Money. Andrew here thought he would end Miriam's golden years early and collect what ever money was left in her estate.

  "Why Jessica and Lazlo?" 

" Oh Jessica was a happy accident, the poison in the ice cubes was intended for his Aunt, but he really didn't care who got them because a distraction like that could only help him go undetected. Lazlo is, was a snoop and he found something he shouldn't have, or heard something, either way Mr Andrew here couldn't let poor Lazlo talk. No Miriam was his intended victim all along, just to get her last few pennies."

  Sputtering, spitting mad that he had been caught, by an old women no less, Andrew almost screamed as Lillian said her last few words." A few pennies? You stupid ole hag, she was worth Millions. Doesn't matter what she told you, my Aunt was one of the richest Women in the United States, and I was her last living relative!" 

     

   

Murder in the pines Chapter 5&6

 chapter5

  The morning finds the residence enjoying coffee and donuts in jammies, holding their mugs talking with each other. Still excited and curious about the events of the night before. 

 The Loud voices coming from the other room, with shouts, curses, the sound of scuffling and fighting, startle the residence drawing their attention towards the stairs, just as a loud male scream of pain and terror, happens.

  People come running from all around

 A body on the floor and people circling it talking excitedly all at once

Miriam, her nephew Andrew, and Lillian come  running into the room. Lillian yelling " What on earth has happened now?"

 " It's Lazlo, he fell dow the stair " "Or he was pushed." "It looks like he broke his neck, he certainly looks dead."

Miriam pushes through the crowd "Move aside, didn't any of you ninnies think to check his pulse",  kneeling down, "has anyone called for help?" Lillian just can't herself she has to give a warning, even if it wasn't needed "Careful dear don't disturb anything." Throwing an angry glance at Lillian "Once again like last night don't touch or move anything, let the police get here first." Standing up Miriam sadly proclaims " Yes there is no pulse and from the angle he is laying a broken neck is a good guess."

   Stepping away from Lazlo, Lillian looks around the room and notices Andrew for the first time. "Andrew, I didn't see you there. How nice of you to come have breakfast with your Aunt, such a shame a tragedy happened to interrupt it." "Yes I was just taking a quick minute to check on dear ole aunt Miriam, before getting on to work. I was so worried that she would be beside herself with anxiety, but really she has taken last nights tragedy in her stride. And now this. It is just amazing how well adjusted seniors can be. 

As the police entered the front door,  Andrew said his goodbyes to his Aunt and leave out the back door. 

The Captain coming in all business and full of confidence, greets everyone a Good morning as he takes in the scene around him and the body on the floor. "It seems we are going to have a lot to talk about today, so if you would all just make yourselves comfortable  we will get to you as quickly as possible." Looking at his deputy "Let's get the room set up and, looking down at the body and recognizing who it is, "I want to speak with George first."  looking around the room "Where is George this morning?"

 "He hasn't come down yet, George is not an early riser, by any means, we normally don't see him until after lunch." "Thank you. Deputy, please go knock on Mr Smiths door, and see if you can't wake him up. Would you please ask him to come and see me." Looking around the room the Captain raises his voice slightly to be heard over the excited chatter "I still have questions for a few of you about last night, but for right now would you please take a seat over there if you saw or heard anything this morning that you think I might need to know. No matter how small or unimportant you may think it is, you never know how much it might help."

   " We all know he needs all the help he can get." Not realizing she had spoken out loud Lillian had the good grace to look embarrassed when the Captain says "Excuse me, did you say something Mrs Cunningham?"

  "No captain I was just clearing my throat.

 Coming back into room the deputy informs the Captain, "Mr Smith isn't in his room, the door was open and the room is in total chaos, completely in shambles ."

    "Has anyone seen Mr Smith this morning?"

  The entire room answered as one "WHO?"

   "George, has anyone seen George?"  "Deputy lets get an all......."  looking up as he hears a door open to see  George entering "Mr Smith, I was just about to put a missing persons bulletin out on you. I do recall asking you and everyone else to not leave this place, did I not?"

   "Yes you did, but I don't see what the big deal is , I couldn't sleep, I was tossing and turning and dying for a smoke, so I walked down the block got me a pack and went over to the park to smoke and to think. You can't do that here you know, smoking isn't allowed and people here don't give you a minutes peace. So what's the big rush anyway, Jessica will still be dead no matter how soon we get back to the interview, there will still a killer on the loose and it still won't be me."

  An angry Captain points to Lazlo still laying on the floor "Well the big deal is that",  George is shocked surprised even saddened by what he sees. " Exactly what do you have to say about that?"

  George Stumbling back into a chair " you don't really think I had, could, would, did this, do you?" The entire room is finally quiet as they stare at George like they think he could would and did.

   3 people are seated in chairs in front of the desk and the captain is behind the desk."so you all saw and heard the same thing. Voices, banging the scream and something falling?" Besides Mr Rider did you see any one else come down the stairs?" 

 In unison, No Sir, we didn't even see Lazlo come down the stairs.

 "We heard all the noice and ran towards it. When we got to the stairs Lazlo was laying at the bottom of it."

  "When I came in there were a lot of people gathered around the body, where did they all come from did you see?"

  "From all over, down the stairs, out of the TV room and the dinning room. We got there first because the breakfast nook is closer to the stairs."

 After a minutes thought one of the three added "Miriam and her nephew must have been in the bar or over by the fire place and I guess Lillian was with them because they all came in  together. Carlos and a few others came running down the stairs, and I saw a few ladies coming from the TV room, but most were in the dinning room enjoying breakfast." Looking at the other two residents sitting at the desk, they all nodded in agreement with each other.

 "How do you know Miriam and her nephew were in the bar?"

   "Because they came from around the other corner, not from the dinning room and they weren't in the nook with us. Come to think of it, they weren't all actually together were they? they seemed to straggle in one by one."

    "Thank you you have been very helpful, you may go now. I shan't be calling you again I don't think, but please stay handy, and make sure my deputy has your name and phone number."  

   " What did your Nephew actually want? He wasn't here for breakfast and he certainly didn't appear overly concerned for your welfare the way he slipped out of here in such a hurry." "Oh nothing too important Lillian. He was just asking me once again to loan him money. He doesn't understand, I no longer have any. Everything I had has been spent, I had enough income to cover this slice of heaven and to insure I would always have a roof atop my head, and for a generous monthly allowance but other than that it is all gone. I told him that but he doesn't really believe me. I think he thought holding those auditions and using some of my friends in his movie would have gotten me to part with the millions he thinks I have.  It's sad but he even thinks there is money to inherit ." 

  "I am sorry to hear that Miriam.Why do kids think we have it all? Well at least when they ask where you were when Lazlo fell or was pushed, you have an alibi."

  "Thats just it I don't. Andrew was angry when I told him I didn't have money to give or loan and he stomped off, saying he wasn't gonna waste anymore time visiting a crazy old lady like me. He had just come back to apologize when everyone started running towards the stairs. Thats when you and I bumped into each other ."

   "Oh, I am glad he came back and apologized, those were some pretty mean things to say."

   "I am assuming that is why he came back, but he never actually said anything, he never actually got the chance. I am going to go get changed, and grab my book, I think this may be a very long day." Walking away from Miriam,Lillian is deep in thought, pulling a note pad from her pocket as she goes."

  Chapter 6

  What am I missing deputy? Where is the connection? Where is the motive? What haven't I asked. I have questioned everyone here, some more than once. What am I missing?

  "Not everyone Captain."

 "What, excuse me, what did you just say? I interviewed everyone and some more than once. I know because my butt has a permanent imprint from this chair I have been in it so long."

   "Sir you haven't questioned the nephew, Andrew I believe is his name. He was here last night and this morning and I noticed both times he slid out the door quickly and as quietly as possible, like he didn't want to talk to us."

 "What motive could this guy actually have to kill 2 old people he doesn't even know, and how much could he even know about this place, I am sure he doesn't visit that often. No deputy, I see no reason to bother the young man at this time. Our murderer is here and I will find him or her."

  "I am sure you are right sir."

  "Excuse me Mrs Cunningham I was just going to get Mr Montalban, do you happen to know where he is"

  "No deputy I don't I am sorry." Lillian continues on into the makeshift office, clearing her throat getting ready to tell the captain what she had just learned.

  "Mrs Cunningham, I am sorry but I am too busy at the moment to talk with you. I will have the deputy fetch you later.

  Bristling and standing tall, "I am not one to be fetched sir. But yes please send for me when you have the time. I have information I am sure you will find useful." Without waiting she turns and leaves the room.

 "What did Mrs Cunningham want?"

"Oh I don't know Deputy, some drivel about having information she was sure would help me. I don't really know I wasn't paying attention I was just trying to get rid of her."

 "You didn't listen to what she had to say? What if it really was helpful?"

"It wouldn't have been, besides I am perfectly capable of solving this case by myself, I don't need some Angela Lansbury wanna be interfering with it. Let's go get some lunch and look over our notes, my money is on George, I just need the connection to Ms Bentley and I have my case." 

"If you say so sir," turning away from the captain, the deputy rolls his eyes and shrugs his shoulders.

  As they walk out the door, there is the loudest most blood curdling scream ever heard by man, coming from the main room.        Running towards the scream the Deputy and Captain come face to face with a very bloody very dead Miriam staring blankly up at them from a chair near the fire place.

 

  

Murder In The Pines, continues. chapters 3 & 4

                      Chapter 3

             Here come da police!

 Everyone is talking at once, it is total mayhem and confusion, the  police officers having  just arrived on to the scene are trying desperately get everyone under control. After a few minutes of chaos one of the officers blows a loud whistle, making the already chaotic mess even louder and more confusing.

   Captain Knotts comes strutting in all cocky and sure of himself. He has no problem yelling  loudly to be heard over the din of voices and blowing whistle. Somewhat aggravated at not being noticed he throws the whistle blowing police officer a dirty looks while demanding even louder that everyone shut up and sit down. 

   Captain Knotts is rumpled and unkept looking more like an old man living on a park bench than a police officer. His appearance doesn't inspire a lot of confidence and his next questions don't either. " Whose in charge here. What on earth is going on, and why doesn't someone help that lady off the floor? Whats the matter with her anyway she looks a little blue". One of his deputies whispers in his ear. "DEAD, what do you mean dead?"

  Lillian sitting as close to the dead body as she could, clears her throat, getting the captains attention, "It would appear, that Jessica has been poisoned in some form or another. We haven't touched a thing or moved anything but just from the look of her it is clear she consumed something that didn't agree with her."

       "And what is your name Madam?"

   "Mrs Lillian Cunningham, of the  Boston Cunningham's" Standing up straight and tall looking over her short glasses and down her nose at the captain she already sees this person as a bumbling fool.

  " Well Lillian" "Excuse me! you will address me as Mrs Cunningham if you please and you will kindly remove that hat when speaking to a lady."

   With a sheepish grin the captain removes his hat and tries again, "Mrs Cunningham since you seem to be so well informed maybe you can tell me how and why this women was as you say murdered."

   " Well if she was murdered or not is for you to say now isn't it Captain, you are after all the police. But if I were made to guess I would continue to say that Jessica was murdered and if it was murder it was poison of some kind causing her skin to discolor. As for who I haven't a clue, but I would have to assume we are all suspects and that we all have some reason for wanting Jessica gone, I really can't say for sure, all I do know for sure is", always the actress, Lillian pauses and looks around, before delivering her last words as dramatically as she can, "ONE of us is a murderer".

  Already not paying attention to Lillian the captain dismisses her with a curt  "Right right", and then turns to his officers"Go ahead and get everyones names addresses and phone numbers, and go ahead and take brief statements from everyone. Oh and inform everyone they shouldn't leave town."

  George, sitting in a chair not far from where the captain stood, couldn't hold back the snort, "Right like we could go anywhere if we wanted, aint got no cars and no drivers licenses either, not even sure we still know how to drive."

 Not one to be easily dismissed, Lillian steps up to the captain asking, "I suppose you will be setting up a room somewhere here on the first floor to do the interviews right?"

  The captain Looks at Lillian kind of blankly and then stammers out "Oh yea yea right, I will speak to someone at the front desk right away. So glad I thought of that, we wouldn't want to have to taxi you all to the station just to get a few simple statements after all."

 Mariam who is standing off to the side of the room, shakes her head in disbelief, as she says to no one in particular "A possible murder and a room full of suspects and he thinks it will be a few simple statements. If it weren't so sad I would laugh."

 Lillian is standing near by and says nothing out loud, but looks over at Captain Knotts and sadly nods her head in agreement.

                          Chapter 4

                      The Interviews!

  What appears to be an old broom closet is now set up as a make shift office there is plenty of room for everyone to move around easily, but even still the captain looked extremely uncomfortable sitting at the desk phone to his ear.  "Yes Yes I understand, everything will be in order, there will be no mistakes this time." After cradling the phone he looks at the officer standing at the door and says I think we will start with that Miriam women, if you would be so kind as to fetch her. Miriam rather reluctantly comes in and slouches sexily down into the hard metal chair. She thinks it is sexy even if no one else does.

 Without a hello or how are you the captain just jumped right in with the questions "Where were you when the murder happened?"

     "Well how do I know, I have no idea when it happened?" A little put out at the cold and rude way in which the captain had greeted, or not greeted her, Miriam couldn't help adding a snarky retort  "In fact I don't think you do either. What do you know?"

The captain is somewhat taken aback not only by the straight forwardness of her answer, but that she clearly had spoken the truth, stammers out a weak and inadequate answer, that is almost not heard. " Ah yes, I see."

  "Okay what can you tell me about the victim? Was she a friend of yours?"

 "Jessica a friend...... I am not sure you would say that. We weren't enemies but we weren't close. I still get acting offers, very few and always for the old women with no friends. She didn't, so she was jealous of me.  flipping her hair and sitting slightly straighter looking at the captain, Mariam asks a question of her own. " Why are you running this investigation , don't you normally have homicide detectives just for that purpose?"

 Captain Knotts is once again left stammering for words. Having just gotten off the with the his boss reminding him that he better not mess this up, Mariam's observation only served to make him even more nervous about the longevity of his job. " I I I , well our Mr Weekly who normally conducts investigations like this one is on vacation so the job falls to me. I may not do this kind of thing often but I have it all in hand. Yes yes I do I have it all handled I read the book after all and I passed the class, even if I had to take it 3 times."

   "Oh that must be difficult to have so much pressure on you, to cover for someone that rarely makes mistakes or bumbles about like a fish, and be expected to be the same your first time out. Are you married, I bet not or your shirt would be ironed and it wouldn't be so dingy either. Well at least you won't be dealing with the added pressure of a nagging wife wanting you to be promoted or some such thing."

   "No, no you are quite right I am not married, I have managed to dodge that bullet a good many years now. Mariam snickered slightly behind her hand as the captain told her that, hearing it the captain looks straight at Miriam and ask "Did you say something?" " No no just a yawn escaped me, it is after all getting late and we are all use to an early bed time."

After a few more questions are asked and Mariam answers with a few more questions of her own, Captain Knotts gives a slight shake of his head and declares the interview over. As Mariam takes her leave, the Captain bows his head and shakes it  from side to side, as he realizes he was being interviewed more than he did any interviewing  himself.  " I am never going to survive this!"

   After seeing Mariam leave the deputy enters the make shift office. " Who would you like to talk to now sir?" 

 Replying softly almost to himself " No one"

 "Excuse me sir?" Confused he stares at the captain and asks again " Sir? Are we finished for the night?"

  Straightening up lifting his head and rounding his shoulders, "No No No, I am sorry deputy I am tired and I guess it is showing. Please show in the one that called the police, I believe his name is Carlo.

While the deputy and captain were talking in their broom closet, Mariam , Lillian and Lazlo have all gathered back at the bar  talking together about what had happened in the interview.

Lillian asks bluntly as always "Well what happened in there?"

 I know for sure he isn't married!  he is only filling in for someone named Weekly, and he doesn't have the slightest idea what he is doing. Oh and I believe he is on the hot seat with his bosses.

 "That is interesting. What did you find out about the murder?" "Lillian don't you mean what did they find out about the murder?"No Lazlo, if Mariam knows all of that information, I am sure she found out more about the murder itself." "Actually I didn't find out much more than that. The captain seems to not have any real ideas and not had the chance to really investigate things. I tell you this though, with the questions he asking he may never know. I don't think he is very adapt at uncovering clues in a murder investigation."

 The three of them break up going their separate ways. Lazlo and Mariam walk off together arm in arm and head tilted towards each other headed for the bars and a much wanted drink. Lillian heads in a different direction extremely deep in thought with a puzzled look on her face.

  Carlo is now standing  near the interview table, fidgeting looking nervous, almost sweating even though it is cool in the room.

  "My name as you know is Knotts, captain Harold Knotts, and you are." Hesitating slightly as if he doesn't know, Carlos finally answers "I am Carlos Montalban," as he reaches out his hand to shake.

  Captain Knotts returning the hand shake, Montalban really? One of my favorite TV shows. Carlos has a confused look, but laughs lightly anyway. Have a seat Carlos. Would you like anything to drink, water coffee?

" Whiskey neat would be nice."

" Yea that isn't possible, but I agree a cocktail would be nice right about now. Just a few questions and you can make your way back to the bar. Did you know the deceased well?

 " Well...... we pretty much know everyone here pretty well. It is somewhat like living together, we all eat together, watch tv more often than not together, drink together and take field trips together . The only thing we don't do together is sleep together...... well maybe we don't all sleep together, but I think a few have broken that rule a time or two. Like Jessica and Lazlo, it was rumored that they were enjoying a little more than cuddle time if you now what I mean."

  "I see, was the deceased prone to sharing others beds?"

  "Would you stop calling Jessica the deceased , her name was Jessica Ann Bentley. And no she wasn't a floozy."

  "Okay, okay, I am sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or show disrespect to Ms Bentley. You say you all knew one another well, and did you all get along? Where there those that didn't like Ms Bentley, had a problem with her?"

   "We are people and at times we argue, but I don't believe anyone has had an issue with Jessica that would make them this mad. Even when Jessica and Debbie had a tussle over Lazlo, it got tense but not so much that anyone would hurt anyone else".

   "Debbie? Who is Debbie, I don't remember that name being said while we were out front with the entire group?"

  "Oh no Debbie isn't here anymore, she was moved into a less expensive home. Something to do with her SS and pension not being enough to cover this place until she dies. Her and Jessica were fighting right up till the day Debbie moved, but they were both still alive at the end of that day."

 Looking down at his note pad and rubbing his cheek, the captain looks over what he has written, and says  slowly without looking up "That's fine, thank you, that will be all for now, you can go."

 Carlos leaves the Captain sitting at the table still rubbing his head like it hurts,  shaking his head and mumbling to himself. The Deputy coming into the room somewhat concerned asks "Sir, Captain are you okay?  without waiting for an answer he continues, "Would you like to see the next ...... witness now?

Leaning back in his chair taking a deep breath, the captain looks at the deputy and sadly asks,  "Why did I pick today to stop smoking?" Looking for a moment like he might offer the captain a cigarette the deputy seems to think better of it, shrugs and just waits for the captains next order.

  "I guess I might as well bite the damn bullet and get it over with, bring in that Lillian women, I mean Mrs Cunningham. I just know I am not going to like this."

  The deputy leaves, The captain continues writing notes, stopping every few seconds as if in deep thought. Loud voices, suddenly erupt in the back hallway. It isn't possible to make out what is being said but it is clear it is an argument and a loudly unpleasant one at that. 

  A startled captain gets up from the makeshift desk and opens the door of his broom closet/office. Looking first to the left, and then quickly to the right where he stands for just a few seconds more before turning back into the room with an extremely puzzled look on his face. 

  The Deputy comes walking into the room with Lillian following closely behind, when The captain turns and abruptly says "I have changed my mind I want to speak to Lazlo, and then I will want to speak to George." Lillian is following along in total fascination not missing a word, and trying to blend into the wall paper so she can hear even more. 

 "Okay sir, should I have the 2nd gentlemen wait here in the hall or will you have me fetch him after you finish with Lazlo?" 

 "No no you can let George know he will be next and not to go to far, but be casual about it, and don't let"..... at that moment a slight movement catches the captains eye and he looks over at Lillian "Oh Mrs Cunningham, you can go for now. It may be tomorrow before I am able to finish all the interviews, I am sorry to say. So if you like you can go ahead and go to your room. I am sure you would like to get out of your formal attire and be more relaxed."

  Slightly disappointed but only slightly, Lillian leaves the room with just a nod of her head and a thank you.

The captain and deputy now alone the captain continues speaking as if he had never stopped. 

 "And don't let George and Lazlo speak to each other. I just heard them arguing and I want to know why." 

 Without another word the deputy leaves to get Lazlo. As if deep thought the captain continues standing near the desk tapping a pencil on the note pad, waiting for whatever comes next.

  The deputy walking into the main dinning area seeing everyone gather near the bar all in a tight circle whispering head directly for them and hears Lillian say "I don't know what happened but as soon as I walked in the room that bumbling captain changed his mind and decided he wanted to talk to Lazlo and George. At first I thought they were going to be interviewed together but the deputy asked......  seeing the deputy approaching, Carlos shushes Lillian.

  Looking around the group, the deputy spots Lazlo "The captain would like to talk to you now." Then turning to George, he says "you will be after that and hopefully we can get to everyone else just as quickly as possible." George and Lazlo exchange a nervous almost guilty look and quickly let it drop, but not before Lillian sees it." It is getting late however and if some of you would like to go to your rooms and change out of you formal clothing, I am sure that would be okay." Most of the residence ignored the last part of what the deputy had to say, because it was for certain what ever was happening here was so much more exciting than any book or TV program in their room ever could be. 

  Lazlo and the deputy leave the room but not a single person moved from where they had been standing. Everyone starts talking at once, and no one is understanding a word anyone is saying.

 As loud as she can muster Lillian shouted  "Everyone just calm down, if we all talk at once we will never hear a thing. It seems the biggest question is why Lazlo and George? " Everyone turns and stares at George, stepping a little closer in case they miss what he might say. "Well George why you?"

  "I haven't a clue, really I don't. I know as much as you."

Still convinced and still angry that George spilled the beans about her nephew Andrew, Miriam almost spits out her words as she replies to George "Well we all know that's true, because if you knew you wouldn't be able to keep it to yourself. Everyone knows you can't keep a secret right George! "

    Embarrassed and angry for being falsely accused "Mariam I did NOT give your secret away. I swear I never told a single person. Ask anyone here, none of them can say I told them about your nephew coming here and why.

  "Well you are the only person I uttered one word too so how do you explain" ....... At that moment the deputy walks back in the room. Looking around taking in the tense scene "I think you all should just go ahead and go to your rooms for now. I can find you when I need you and I am sure you would rather be comfortably reading or watching TV then just stand around waiting."

 Reluctantly the residents head for the hallways leading to their rooms. It is clear they would much rather stand around waiting, then go to their rooms and tv. Nothing different or exciting ever happens here and this is both. Lillian is the last person leaving the dinning area and she is moving as slow as possible hoping to catch just a little crumb. George on the other hand was wasting no time heading for the stairs, the deputy noticing this calls across the room "Oh George you and I can wait here. I am sure it won't be that long and I know the captain wants to speak to you tonight if it is at all possible. "have a seat, I will be right back, I need to tell the Captain something."

 "Hello I am Captain Knotts, Please come in and sit down. Is Lazlo your first or your Last name?

Lazlo Taking a seat answers somewhat nervously, or maybe he was just tipsy  "It is my first name. My full name is Lazlo K Rider." 

Knock Knock,  the deputy puts his head in the door," it s important sir" The captain is annoyed and he shows it as he stands and walks to the door. In a stage whisper the Deputy says"Not sure exactly what, but there is tension between Miriam, and these 2 men. As I walked in the room she was clearly telling them off and they didn't want me hearing it." 

"Thank you deputy, you are right that is the kind of information I need to know. Good job."

Re entering the office "Sorry about that, let's continue, so tell me Mr Rider where you and the deceased friends?" "The name is Lazlo if you don't mind, and do you mean Jessica, yeah you could call us that. We talked a time or two shared a drink maybe a few of those, and a story, if you call that friends then we were friends.

 "Did you share more than a drink or two? Like maybe her bed?"

Catching him by surprise with that question, Lazlo almost fell out of his chair, but recovered quickly answering the question somewhat angrily "Now you just wait a minute, that aint no ones business and besides you can get kicked out of here for having relations like that with other residents. You don't believe me ask that broad Debbi." 

  "It is interesting that you brought up Debbi, I do want to talk to you about her, but first do you want to tell me what you and George were arguing about just now?

 Lazlo with his head down acting slightly sheepish and  squirming in his seat. Mumbles making it hard for the captain to hear him "Well... well, it is a little embarrassing to be honest, and it isn't really anything all that important",  gaining confidence as he talks Lazlo lifts head and looks the captain in the face."It is just that I over heard something that was suppose to be secret and I repeated it to a few people and George got blamed for telling. Now he is mad at me, he wants me to tell Miriam it was me that spilled the beans."

  "SECRET, what secret?

 "Oh nothing big really, but it was Miriam's secret and you never cross the Queen, she can make life so unhappy for a person here. That is why I don't want to admit I told the secret, if she figured out that I was listening to her private conversation, I will never have a day of peace again. I mean she can remove me from the dinner table, my single room, and even from activi....."

 " What is the secret?"

  "Oh yeah yeah, It was nothing really, it was just, Her nephew Andrew was coming for dinner, and that he was going to pick a few of us for a movie project he is doing. We weren't suppose to know, so he could observe us in our natural habi haba habitat , kind of like aminals in a zoo. Like I said nothing really. In fact her nephew didn't even seem annoyed, he actually seemed to be enjoying himself." 

 "Thank you Lazlo, that will be all for now. I may have more questions later on, but for now I truly can't think of anything else. Oh Oh Oh yes, Debbi?  You mentioned this women Debbi and her being kicked out. Are you saying she was removed for having sexual relations with another resident?" 

 "Yes"

 "So not because she couldn't afford this place?"

 "No No it was because she and George were sharing a bed and Mariam caught them. She turned her into the Admin, ad ,ad, administration. The only reason George is still living here is because Mariam told the administraaaa....tion she didn't see the mans face."

 The Captain couldn't stop the little chuckle as he ended the interview "Ah I see. Thank you. Now that will be all for tonight."

As the deputy enters the office to ask about George, the captain quickly tell the Deputy "After you bring George in could you please get all the info you can on an ex resident named Debbi.""No problem sir, and I will be right back with George."

 George seating at the table sweating and uncomfortable  looks up as the Captain says "Good evening George, thank you for waiting up to talk to me. Can I ask your full name please?"

"I am George T Smith.

Carlos standing in for the captain during rehearsal.

   "It is nice to meet you. So let's just get started. I'm just gonna jump right in here and start with the hard questions first. Who is Debi?"

 George, can't decide if he is embarrassed or proud, "She was a women that use to live here about a year ago, she transferred to a better facility"

 "She wasn't removed for having relationships with a man in this facility?"

  Extremely uncomfortable now, George is reluctant to answer this question "well yessss, but she did go into a better home."

  "And was the man you? Why weren't you kicked out as well?"

 George, pretty much sure by this point that at the very least he was about to lose his happy home, answered with a force even he didn't expect.  "Yes yes it was me, and I am not sure why I got to stay, I just did.A good thing to because I can't afford any where else."

  " What where you and Lazlo arguing about in the hallway a little bit ago?"

 "Startled by the question, "uh we uh we well it was silly really, I want Lazlo to tell the truth about something so Mariam will stop being mad at me. She knows it was me in the bed with Debi and she holds that over me to get what she wants, and she can be very demanding, and mean when she is mad.

   "Tell the truth about what?"

  "Nothing at all really, just that he eavesdropped on a conversation and then told everyone what he had heard. Miriam is sure I told her secret and is super mad about it, and I want her to know it wasn't me."

 Captain- "Okay I think we will call it a night. I WILL, be talking to you again."

 As George leaves the room he looks worried and even a little angry.

  Photos are not my own, they were taken by friends attending the play and rehearsals. Geri Koss and Glo Partida  

Murder in the Pines!

  

        Chapter 1

            Just Another Day!

  It would appear it is just another boring cocktail hour at the Whispering Pines Retirement home. Nothing new, nothing different, the same cast of characters having the same conversation they have every evening.

    George working on his 3rd drink can be heard holding court at the bar as usual." Well when I was playing a stock hand in Sherlock Holmes Movie, Sherlock Holmes in New York, , Roger Moore himself told me..." Oh Come on George we have heard this story a thousand times, it never changes. Jessica just can't help herself, she just has to cut George off with her scathing remarks, letting everyone know just how much she disliked him. "Can't you find another story to tell or was that your only acting job?"

Lazlo even when he is more drunk than sober  has a soft spot for Jessica and can't help trying to keep the peace, even if he is incredibly bad at it,"Now now Jessica, you,  know we have heard how you had a part in  " Gone with the Wind " so many times we can all repeat it word for word, and you didn't even have a speaking part".
 Jessica, looking directly at Lazlo with dagger for eyes, and in a voice colder then steel finds her mark with her words.
  "Well Lazlo, or should I say Ralph Parker, heir to a dirt farm? It isn't as if you don't bore us all daily about your lunch with Sylvester Stallion, or your part as a ring boy in one of his Rocky movies. If I have to hear one more time, that you're on a first name basis with that man I, I, I ,I well I don't know what,  but,I'll do something. Stomping off shaking and talking to herself , Jessica joins another group of residents,  continuing to glare as she takes a nice big swig of her drink.

  Standing  away from the others at the bar, watching all the goings on is Lillian. People watching has become her favorite past time lately, but she has her memories of the good old days too. "Well I guess its a good thing I didn't bring up the fact I danced in the movie Flash Dance, and that I was actually on stage with Jennifer Beals. Really who of  us has any new stories to tell. 
 Standing Nearest to Lillian, slightly amused that she chose to only whisper her greatest moment in show business is Carlos the worlds worst director only he doesn't know it. 

  Well Lillian you may have been on stage with her,  but you weren't anywhere near her. You were all the way in the back and the camera never once caught you on film. And Jennifer Beal never even knew your name.
 Taken by surprise at the abrupt and rude manner Carlos was talking to her, Lillian fired back and landed her razor sharp retort like a well aimed dart "Well at least the movie I was in wasn't a flop like every movie you ever directed. At least unlike you my name is on a winner."
  Carlos, completely stunned is unable to speak for a moment, but when he does he is adamant his face contorted in anger - "My movies where  some of best movies ever directed, I was brilliant and creative. It isn't my fault the critics were sightless old hacks that wouldn't know greatness if it bit them. You shriveled up old has been you never could dance, didn't know your left from your right.
 Totally at a loss for words, it looked as if Lillian was thinking about to slapping Carlos, but instead she slammed her hand down to her side and stormed over to the bar  .
 " Oh George,I have something new to talk about."  Shhhh it's a secret. Promise you won't tell any one."
   " Sure Miriam,  tell me your secret, anything has to be better than these same ole stories."   
 " Well you have to promise me first that this is just between us. Do you promise."
  "Yes Yes Miriam, I promise. Come on let's sit down and you can tell me your news."
  Sitting down at a table in the corner away from the crowd. Miriam can barely contain her excitement, while still trying to keep the conversation between the two of them.
    So intent in their conversation neither George or Miriam notice Lazlo creep closer and closer to eavesdrop .

 Miriam whispered almost un heard, "My Nephew was here a few days ago and", looking around the room, Miriam leans in and whispers in Georges ear.
   "Are you serious Miriam, your Nephew is doing a movie, and needs senior actors? And he is coming here for dinner tonight, to, to, to what look us over?"
    "Yes yes George, please please keep this to yourself. My nephew wants to observe us as we really are. He doesn't want everyone fawning over him, or auditioning while he's eating."
   Lillian ,always observant watches intently from her new position in the corner of the room, as Lazlo eavesdropped on the whispered conversation, Lillian will be first to learn the big secret, because she steps right into Lazlo path as he makes his way back into the middle the room.
   "What did you just hear while you were sneaking around those two. You better tell me or, ........ I will tell George you were sneaking around eavesdropping on him, and you know what he said he would do to you if he caught you in his business again. Lazlo thinks about that for a second shrugs his shoulders and whispers what he has just heard to Lillian anyway. Lazlo doesn't stop there, after telling Lillian what he had over heard he continued on to the bar where he got drunker still and told anyone who would listen, Miriam's secret.

                           Chapter 2

                       Dinner surprises!

   The dinner hour is upon them, the over dressed residence come strolling into the dinning room, all of them notice the beautifully set table and the apparently overly drunk Jessica sitting to the left  of the table,  She is sitting at an odd angle even for someone as drunk as she appeared. That doesn't stop a few of the residence from laughing and making a joke or two about Jessica's constant state of drunkenness, including Lillian,"Well it looks as if the poor dear just can't hold her liquor. Oh well that is one less person for the audition ."

    Just as Lillian Finishes the last words of her statement, Miriam walks into the room with her nephew,  having over heard Lillian,  she stops short and looks around the room noticing how everyone is all dressed up, over dressed actually. She gives a crushing look in Georges direction as she lets out an angry huff and stomps off to her chair the 1st one to the left of the head of the table, before introducing her nephew as he takes the chair offered at the head of the table

 Miriam- I would like to introduce all of you to my nephew Andrew Horowitz.He is my Sisters youngest son, and I am so happy he could come have dinner with me.
  The introductions go around the table with each person introducing them selves. Except Jessica, they flawlessly glide over Jessica  without disturbing her.
  Miriam is sitting across from George and she just can't stop glaring at him, she is still livid that he didn't keep her secret.
 With the introductions over and the Hors d'oeuvres served attention is turned to the food and polite conversation is happening, except for Miriam, every time George laughs or shows off his perfect smile, in the direction of Andrew she gets angrier and angrier. When the seniors begin auditioning at the table not even into the 2nd course yet, Miriam can hold it in no longer, right in the middle of Lazlo's wonderfully awful comedy routine Miriam begins yelling at George.
 Lazlo (a little more drunk then not) With a fork raised in one hand and a big napkin tucked into his neck, head lolling a bit - I'm telling you ladies and germs, it was rough getting here tonight, I mean it I had to fly all the way here,........and my arms are a hurting, no but seriously folks take my wife.......please take her.
 George, Lillian, and Carlos all together throwing napkins at him and saying-- That enough! Your jokes are the worst, stop ruining our dinner.
 Lazlo-  Awe yer jus jealous that I was in a Rocky movie and Sylvester, had lunch me and knows my name. now where was I, oh yes thats right There was an old lady that live in Nantucket .
 Miriam cutting him off- Oh shut up Lazlo you are awful. AND YOU GEORGE HOW DARE YOU TELL MY SECRET TO THIS ENTIRE ROOM. YOU PROMISED, YOU LIAR YOU. I WILL NEVER EVER TALK TO YOU AGAIN, YOU AWFUL AWFUL PERSON, AND YOU CAN BET YOU WILL NOT BE GETTING A PART IN THE MOVIE.
 George completely humiliated and caught totally off guard turning beet red explodes like a ticking time bomb-- WHY YOU OLD WORN OUT HAG. I DIDN'T TELL A SINGLE SOUL WHAT YOU TOLD ME. HOW DARE YOU EMBARRASS ME IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. IF I WERE ON THAT SIDE OF THE ROOM I DO BELIEVE I WOULD THROTTLE YOU.

   Even more angry now her Arms thrashing about about wildly, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME. WHY I" , with a wide swing of her arm Miriam accidentally bumps Jessica and Jessica hits the floor.

  Miriam, looking down in disgust, saying "Dang it Jessica you old drunk get up and" ......Looking at Jessica a little more closely Miriam gets a shocked look in her eyes, she covers her mouth but it doesn't hold in the scream or stop the repeated phrase, OH MY GOD OH MY GOD repeated over and over again.
  With the first scream everyone comes running to that side of the table, all talking excitedly.
 George, taking command of the room loudly proclaims, " Don't anyone touch anything, the police will want everything left as is."
  Staggering and drunk Lazlo sounds confused as he asked, "What do you mean the police?"
  "Well it must be murder. Look at her tongue and lips they are almost black, and is that Vomitis up, who does that in blues and greens like that!"  No one actually answered Lillian, who was already taking notes, and sniffing the upturned glass laying near the newly dead Jessica
 Miriam, sounding shaken and scared asked no one in particular, "Did anyone check to make sure she is really dead?"

 Lillian, looking up from the mess on the floor, glances over at Miriam "Yes, that is a good idea, someone check for a pulse, but be careful to not touch anything else and leave things as they are."

  From the back of the room Carlos informs everyone that he has called the police , they will be here shortly.

     Everyone stood quietly looking nervously down at the dead women, nervous scared and not really sure what they should do next.