Free Secrets Can Be Deadly by Nancy Roe Page B

bedroom. He noticed the sink in the bathroom was wet, fresh toothpaste splatters on the faucet. No toothpaste or toothbrush in sight. Someone had been in the house. The person was careful. Very careful. But not perfect.
    Mason took the bells off both doors before locking the house. He stood at the squad car and looked up and down the street to see if anything caught his eye. His hand was on the door handle when he heard a voice.
    “Yoo-hoo.” An elderly woman walked across the street. “Did she die?”
    “No one has died,” Mason said. “What’s your name? You live nearby?”
    “ I’m Patricia Oakley. Live over there.” She pointed to her house. “Is Elizabeth okay?”
    “It looks as though someone may have been in the house. Have you seen anyone unusual recently?”
    “Oh my!” Patricia said. “No, no one out of the ordinary. Do I need to be worried?”
    “It looks like an isolated incident. Here’s my card. Call me if you see anything strange.”
    “I will.” She looked at the card . “Thank you, Officer Pierce.”
    “Have a good day,” Mason said. He watched the woman walk to her house. He sat in the car and jotted a few notes on the report.
     
    It was ten o’clock when Mason returned to the station. Billy Arnold was in the chief’s office. He thought the chief must be telling Billy about the promotion.
    George walked up to Mason and whispered, “Can I ask you a personal question?”
    Mason nodded. “Make it fast. I’ve got paperwork to file.”
    “The Chief made an announcement this morning that it was mandatory for everyone to attend the staff meeting this afternoon. What do you think that means?”
    Mason rolled his eyes. “I think he means he wants everyone at the meeting. There’s probably a big case going on and he doesn’t want to have to repeat all the details.”
    “But why wait until this afternoon ?”
    “George, relax. What did I tell you on your first day? Just do your job. You’re acting like a schoolgirl. Stop it.”
    “Right. Sorry.”
    “Get back to work.”
    George sat at his desk and made a phone call. Mason thought he was probably calling his girlfriend to ask her what she thought.
    Mason finished writing his report and put it in the Chief’s box for review. He walked past George’s desk. “I’m taking an early lunch today. See you at the meeting.”
    Mason drove home. He wanted privacy when he made the phone call to Jean.
    “Clerk’s office. Rene speaking.”
    “Jean Reynolds, please.” Mason’s voice felt shaky.
    “Hang on.” She didn’t bother to ask who was on the line or even put the call on hold. Mason could hear chatter in the background. He hoped Jean would have some useful information.
    “Jean Reynolds. How may I help you?” She sounded like she ’d just ran a marathon.
    “Jean , it’s Mason Pierce. You were going to do research on my mother, Evelyn Pierce.”
    “Oh , yes. I did find some information. I’d like to make a copy and send it to you.”
    “That would be great.”
    “I found a birth record and marriage license for your mother, along with some information on other family members. One thing I didn’t find was a death certificate. I looked two weeks before and after the date you gave me.”
    “I appreciate your help. I’d be grateful if you could mail the information today.”
    “No problem. Sorry I couldn’t find everything. You should have the packet in a couple days.”
    Mason ran his fingers through his hair. Why couldn’t she find a death certificate? He knew the exact date. He would have to ask his father, though he wasn’t sure how he’d bring up the subject again.
     
    The conference room was full at one. George sat in the front row. Even the night shift officers had been ordered in for the meeting. Chief Franklin entered the room, followed by Mayor Cramer.
    “Thank you for attending this meeting,” Chief Franklin said. “Before the rumor mill starts, I wanted to tell you in person what’s happening. I’ll be