The Cabin by the Sea: The Audrey Murders - Book Two Page 13

  C H A P T E R 7 1

  It was just as Constable Bromley thought it would be. The funeral was a circus. It seemed as though every resident within hundred miles was in attendance. School children were gathered outside the local church placing flowers on the lawn. Bromley had never seen such a turn out for a funeral. He was required at time to redirect the traffic coming into the small town. Media trucks were parked along the small rural street.

  The service was heart felt. The school choir sang. One of Suzy’s friends played her favorite song on the piano. The Cunningham’s were surrounded by family and loved ones. It was such a sad occasion.

  At times Bromley looked around the crowd. He saw the guy, Jamieson, who was staying in Audrey’s cabin outside looking at the array of white and yellow flowers. Bromley knew red flowers were not appropriate for a funeral as they represent happiness. No more than two colors should be present either. The casket was closed and covered with a beautiful arrangement of white lilies and white roses. Suzy looked out to the large congregation through a photograph. Her beautiful long red hair reminded Bromley of her street name “Red”. He wondered how many of her clients were attending her funeral. He couldn’t tell from looking through the crowd. Johns came from all walks of life; married men who wanted the kind of sex their good wives didn’t provide, single men who wanted quick and easy sex, men who wanted to regain their lost youth and sexual prowess, socially inept men who found it impossible to get a date, commitment free sex – you name it… young girls like Suzy provided it.

  He had heard the argument many times that it was safer having sex with a pro than on a date with a stranger. But he also knew older men hated wearing condoms and they actually thought if a pro let them have sex without a condom then they were a “special” client. New Zealand brothels insist that their girls have protected sex but Bromley knew if guys refuse to wear a condom and they have a pocket full of cash - well the rules tend to be broken.

  He wondered how the Cunningham’s were coping since they found out Suzy was working the streets. He was sure they were in disbelief. They refused to talk to the media. Not a mention of Suzy’s other persona was heard at the funeral. The media kept a respectable distance from the event – he made sure of that.

  He heard his name and turned around. It was Jamieson, Audrey’s tenant.

  “Can I have a word with you?” Paul asked

  “It’s not really the time or place,” Bromley stated

  “It’s just Diane Jenkins. I cannot seem to contact her and I am worried. She and I have been communicating since her brother went missing. She is not returning my phone or email messages.”

  “How long since you last heard from her? He asked.

  “Yesterday morning,” said Paul

  “I need to talk to her myself,” said Bromley. “I will send a squad car to her address. St Heliers bay isn’t it?

  “Yes, thanks,” said Paul. “Can you let me know if you get in touch with her? I would really appreciate it.”

  “Will do,” said Bromley

  When Bromley returned to the station he made another call to Diane Jenkins. He left yet another message to contact him as soon as possible. He would wait until tomorrow to send a squad car. He was quite sure Ms. Jenkins was just avoiding answering her phone and picking up messages. After all she was in mourning.

  C H A P T E R 7 2

  While Paul was out Audrey decided to mow the lawns. It was another sunny day and the grass had dried out from the storms last week. She liked physical work. It helped lift her mood. As she followed the self propelled machine along the neatly mowed rows her mind went to yesterday and her visit to St Heliers Bay.

  Audrey liked completing a project. Tying up the loose ends was her specialty. She had stayed on for almost an hour after Diane had succumbed to the doctored tea. It was imperative that it appeared Diane had a heart attack. Only to be expected under the extreme stress she was going through and her obvious overweight condition. Audrey had become quite proficient with the plant, oleander. Oleander combined with GHB was a lethal combination especially when you are dealing with someone with an existing heart condition.

  She had brought with her that day her oleander plant and small trowel and had planted it near Diane’s kitchen window. She made sure she covered the area around the plant with existing leaves and foliage from the surrounding area.

  Oleander has been used for years to treat heart failure in China and Russia. The plant has also been used to treat diseases from cancer to skin diseases to snake bites and warts. However, an overdose can cause sudden death.

  Audrey took her time making the pot of oleander tea. She let it brew in the boiling water and then poured a cup and tipped the contents down the sink. She placed the cup on the table next to an article about oleander tea benefits she had printed out from Paul’s computer.

  Diane was still seated at the table. Audrey rested her head onto her arms. She looked very peaceful.

  After she had ensured that there was no trace of her visit, Audrey left the house, donned her disguise for the last time and walked the four blocks to her car. She never saw a neighbor open her curtains and watch as the dark haired lady walk by carrying a load of packages.

  Audrey dipped into her purse for her phone and cursed as she remembered. She had left it tucked away in the ladies toilet at the movie theaters in Whangarei and would pick it up on the way back to Hihi.

  Nothing like a shopping and movie day in Whangarei to blow away the cobwebs – if anyone asked that is. She had already downloaded the movies that were playing there. This was one occasion she actually was pleased that New Zealand was behind the US when it came to movie releases.

  C H A P T E R 7 3

  The six o’clock news shocked the small seaside Auckland suburb of St Heliers when they heard Diane Jenkins had been found dead earlier that day in her home.

  “Diane Jenkins is the sister of the Gavin Jenkins, the man suspected of murdering Suzy Cunningham of Mangonui and who was found dead in his car two days ago. The cause of Diane’s death is still being invested. Police say her death may have been caused by a heart attack. Both Gavin and Diane Jenkins have no living relatives.”

  There were photos of both Diane and Gavin Jenkins along with a photo of Suzy Cunningham. There was also a clip showing Suzy’s funeral the day before.

  A pre recorded interview with Detective Burt and Constable Bromley detailed the events and confirmed that the case of Suzy Cunningham was now closed and no further suspects are being pursued at this time.

  Constable Bromley was watching the news and knew they could not give all the details to the media. Forensics had indicated Ms. Jenkins death could possibly have been a suicide and her time of death had been estimated to be between midday and three o’clock that afternoon. They would have final results from the autopsy tomorrow morning.

  He had an Auckland team going door to door in the area asking neighbors if they had seen anyone entering or leaving Ms. Jenkins house. It was a long shot. But one he felt he must pursue.

  It had been a long and tiring day. The discovery of Diane Jenkins’ body had played hard on Bromley’s mind. He even felt slightly responsible for her death. He had been annoyed by her constant nagging about her brother’s cause of death and had even avoided returning her calls. When she didn’t respond to his recent phone messages he even felt a little relieved. He had hoped she had contacted the funeral home directly and given the instructions regarding her brother’s body so he didn’t have to be bothered with it. Now he knew she was in no state to be organizing her brother’s funeral. He had heard her place was a hoarder’s nightmare. Coping with what her brother had done must have put her over the edge.

  Bromley spent the night working at the station. He had no one to go home to. He took the time to go over every little detail of Ms. Jenkins’ death. St. Heliers Bay Police had emailed him their complete file to date. They were also waiting for the autopsy results.

  C H A P T E R 7 4

  Paul Jam
ieson’s mind was working overtime. He was distressed to hear about Diane’s death.

  Constable Bromley had called him this morning. He wanted to know if he had heard anything from Diane the morning of her death. Had she called him? Was there any indication she was planning to take her own life?

  Paul had checked his emails and phone messages and there was nothing at all from Diane.

  “She killed herself?” Paul had asked in dismay.

  “I have just received the autopsy results and it would appear to be suicide. Poison” he replied.

  “Oh my God! How awful!” Paul said shocked at the news.

  “Yes, looks as though the death of her brother was too much for her to cope with.”

  “I know Audrey wanted to keep updated, can you pass on the news to her” asked Bromley.

  “You know, Audrey was out all day and didn’t return until the wee hours that day” Paul confided “I know because I was writing until late and saw her car return. Just after midnight if I remember correctly. I thought she might have gone to visit Diane.

  “Why would she do that?” asked Bromley

  “Guess I was wrong”. Said Paul.

  The conversation with Constable Bromley unsettled Paul and he decided to take a walk down to the table rock at the bottom of the private road. It was a beautiful spot. An old wooden table sat jammed between the rocks high up over the water. Someone had sprayed the gorse recently around the table and the dry prickly branches were blowing into the lapping tide.

  The sun was warm for a winter’s day. He watched the fishing boats chugging out to the open sea. A few lone fishermen sat in their small dinghies enjoying the calm waters. The pohutikawa trees were gripping onto the banks - their roots exposed and their branches heavy with leaves. At Christmas time their red bottlebrush flowers would blossom creating a spectacle along the waterfront.

  Paul breathed in the crisp cold air and let out a long sigh. He had been excited to write his book. But the death of Diane really made the story personal. He had liked the lady and couldn’t accept someone so full of life could now be gone forever. She had been the one to doubt her brother’s death was a suicide and now it had been confirmed. Or, had it? Did Bromley suspect that it might be a homicide and why? Were her death and her brother’s death too coincidental?

  It was time to talk to Audrey. He needed to play his cards just right. She should not suspect he has any doubts as to the two deaths. Maybe he should accept the welcome drink now. He made his way up the beach road back to his cabin deep in thought.

  C H A P T E R 7 5

  Audrey hunted everywhere. “Where the hell can it be?” she repeated for the hundredth time. Her favorite necklace – a green hand painted piece of pottery attached to a string. She wore it almost everyday - even when she mowed the lawns. She knew she was wearing it the morning she left for Auckland. Now it was nowhere to be found. She hoped it had fallen off in the car but a complete search proved this unlikely. She just hoped she had not lost it at Diane’s house. Of course, finding anything in the clutter would be almost impossible and knowing it was hers would be downright impossible. She gave up when she heard a knock at the front glass door.

  “Audrey, thought I might take you up on that welcome drink if the offer still stands” said the amazingly cute Paul standing there just staring at her.

  Audrey felt speechless. She thought any chance with Paul was less than impossible. Now, there he was, looking so sexy and smelling so good that she could only say “Why Paul, of course the invitation still stands. Give me an hour and then I will meet you on the garden chairs on the front lawn. Would you prefer beer, champagne or white wine?” She hoped Paul didn’t drink red wine. It gave her a headache and she never had any on hand.

  “White Wine is great” he said “see you in an hour.”

  Paul left and Audrey went into fast mode. Bath, hair, make-up sexy gorgeous outfit that was casual and didn’t make her look too overly dressed for drinks on the lawn.

  Audrey popped some chilli chicken wings in the oven and a garlic roll. She ripped open a packet of salt and vinegar chips and decided wearing heels on the lawn in the winter wasn’t really a good decision. Her heels dug into the soft earth as she headed over to the white painted cob furniture and horrors of horrors she tripped and fell facedown on the lawn.

  A quick look in the direction of the cabin confirmed her worse fears. There he was coming towards her grinning from ear to ear.

  “Here, let me help you,” said the gallant man

  Audrey was humiliated. “Thank you. I shouldn’t have worn heals” she said much too honestly.

  “You went down like a lady,” he said graciously.

  Audrey dusted herself off and together they picked up the bottle of wine, still in one piece, and two wine glasses. Paul poured the wine while Audrey excused herself and went back to the cottage for a complete makeover in thirty two seconds leaving a shower of potato chips in her wake.

  Upon her return Paul stood politely. Such a gentleman, thought Audrey.

  “Cheers” he said raising his glass.

  “Cheers” said Audrey already beginning to giggle with anticipation and sheer delight.

  “Here’s to the memory of poor Diane,” said Paul

  “To Diane” she said as she clinked his glass.

  Paul studied Audrey’s facial expression when he mentioned Diane but there was no reaction. She looked completely nonplussed as if they were toasting a distant living acquaintance.

  He felt a little guilty when he looked at her. She had obviously mistaken his re-acceptance of her drinks invitation as some sort of attraction to her.

  “Constable Bromley called me this morning with the news that Diane had taken her own life. He said it was poison” he confided.

  “Poison?” she asked “What sort of poison?”

  “He didn’t say,” said Paul wondering why Diane didn’t looked at all perturbed that Diane’s death was suicide.

  “I presume Diane didn’t want to live with the shame of what her brother had done,” replied Audrey. “Isn’t it a beautiful evening” she added changing the subject.

  “Yes, you have a lovely view here” he agreed.

  “What is your book about?” Audrey asked interestedly.

  Paul looked a little taken back at the question and replied “Still working on the research. It’s early days yet,” he said wondering if she already knew the answer.

  As the sun set over the bay Audrey suggested they go inside the cabin where she had some nice hot chicken wings and a salad. Paul accepted graciously as he followed her across the lawn carrying the empty bottle. His sole purpose this evening was to find out where Audrey went the day of Diane’s demise.

  C H A P T E R 7 6

  Constable Bromley had been on the phone with Detective Sergeant Morrison in charge of Diane Jenkins’ case. He had confirmed it was a mixture of GHB and the plant, oleander that had caused her death. The lethal combination had caused her heart to fail. They had found an oleander plant growing in the garden outside her front window. They had also found traces of the plant in her teacup.

  “Have you found anything that might indicate the death was not a suicide?” Bromley asked

  “No. Looks like she was alone during the time of her death. We have been doing neighborhood interviews and the only person seen around the time of her death was a middle aged dark headed lady walking near Ms. Jenkins’ house carrying a load of boxes. Apart from that nobody has seen anything or anyone it appears.

  “So, she made herself tea from the oleander plant?” Bromley asked.

  “Yes, it would appear so. The plant is extremely toxic when digested and Ms. Jenkins being a diabetic and having a heart condition the result was fatal. Only three other deaths have ever been reported due to congestion of Oleander as far as we can tell.

  It was impossible to do a complete search of the house due to the excessive hoarding. The team had to climb over piles of magazines, newspapers, unopened boxes from hundreds of
stores and online shopping companies. A bloody mess it was”. Morrison complained. “The women obviously had issues”.

  Did you find any more GHB in the house or where she could have got it? Bromley asked.

  “Can’t find a bloody thing in that house. Could be anywhere mate. Sorry but I can’t help you with that. You can still get GHB easily in Auckland if you know where to look.”

  “Thanks, let me know if anything else comes up. I presume you are treating the death as a suicide then?

  “Yes, it seems a pretty open and closed case,” said Morrison.

  Bromley hung up the phone and sat deep in thought. Something was troubling hin.

  C H A P T E R 7 7

  Bruce and Mary were enjoying an evening glass of wine on their deck. It was getting cold and they decided to go inside and watch the news.

  “That poor Diane Jenkins” said Marge “They say she was a hoarder. Imagine living in those conditions and, on top of that, she finds out her brother murdered that poor girl. I wonder how Lucy is coping, now she has lost her best friend.”

  “Mary said Lucy was so upset she called her sister in Melbourne and asked her if they could stay for a few weeks until things settle down. I hear Lucy is taking it hard. What with all the talk about Suzy being a prostitute and all.” Bruce confided.

  “I can’t believe that it all happened in our back yard. Didn’t you meet that guy, Gavin? Marge asked.

  “No, just Audrey. But I have met the new guy staying there, Paul Jamieson. He is a writer. Writing a book about Suzy’s murder. We saw him at the funeral remember?”

  The news came on and their attention was directed to the large flat screen television in the middle of the room.

  “The death of Diane Jenkins of St Heliers Bay has been reported to be suicide. The plant, Oleander, was ingested along with the drug, GHB, which would indicate a deliberate act of conducing death. Oleander is poisonous to both animals and humans. Its flowers leaves, sticks and twigs are all poisonous. Even honey made by bees that use the nectar from the flowering oleander is poisonous. The poisonous ingredients are; Digitoxigenin, Nerlin, Oleandrin, and Oleondroside. Symptoms include blurred vision and vision disturbances including halos. Death usually only incurs with extremely excessive doses. Symptoms affect the gastrointestinal, heart and blood, nervous system and skin. Usually symptoms only last for one to three days and may require hospitalization. Death is unlikely. The faster you get medical help after ingesting Oleander the better.