Blinded by the Trees Read online

  He tilted his head. “But you never do,” he replied with a wide grin of his own. “But it all seems to work out in the end.”

  Frankie glanced at her mother. “Can we think about it?”

  George followed her gaze. “I’m sorry, ladies. I have no right to impose. Especially during the holiday season. I know you two were planning a long vacation.”

  Selma suddenly rose and rushed over to where they were seated. “It’s no imposition. I’m sure the girls would love to do it. Besides it’ll give me a chance to see them in action,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “I’ve often wondered what they do.”

  “Mom, we didn’t say we were going to take it and we don’t know what the case even entails. Besides you won’t be seeing anything. You definitely will not be tagging along. It’s too risky and any number of things can go wrong.”

  Selma opened her mouth to speak and then hesitated briefly. “You’re right, Frankie,” she agreed, picking up a plate of decorated cookies and passing it to George.

  George immediately took one. “Thank you, Selma.” He bit off the head of a cheerfully decorated gingerbread man. “This is delicious.” He wiped the crumbs from his mouth with the napkin Selma placed before him. “If you two don’t want to do it, I’ll understand. I thought with the holidays, if Clyde Burrows is involved with the break-ins it would be the perfect opportunity for him with people having more valuables around their Christmas trees.”

  “It’s not that we don’t want to, but we have to discuss it first before we commit to it,” Johanna said, toying with a napkin. She noticed Selma trying to suppress her excitement at actually seeing them in action. As much as she loved Frankie’s mother she worried about the older woman. She had an adventurous devil-may-care attitude and Frankie had confided many times her own fears to Johanna. She was afraid that someday Selma would get in too far over her head because she was so trusting of everyone she met. She always saw the good in everyone and ignored the bad. She had no clue what their work really entailed and would quickly loose her enthusiasm with some of their mundane cases. She sighed. In many ways Frankie took after her mother and that worried her even more. It also made her nervous when Frankie got one of her gut feelings as she so often did. She had an uncanny sense when danger was near. Nothing usually frightened her, but when it did, Johanna knew that something major was about to break.

  “Of course,” George replied. “I understand completely. You can let me know in a couple of days. If you can’t, I’ll see if I can juggle a few schedules around.”

  “I’d like some more details.” Frankie narrowed her eyes. “What about his wife? What came up on her?”

  “Nothing of much use to us. One of the girls in the office ran an in-depth check on her.”

  Frankie screwed up her face. “Why’d she run an in-depth on her and not Clyde? It doesn’t make sense.”

  He shook his shaggy head. “She’s new…a temp. If you don’t spell everything out for her she doesn’t know what the hell she’s doing.”

  The investigators laughed.

  “Anyway,” George continued, “Brenda Winston Burrows comes from a good middle class family. They follow strict religious beliefs. She led a very quiet life in a small Wyoming town named Booton until she became pregnant in her senior year of college. Her parents disowned her. The last anyone heard, she’d moved in with a man a decade or so older than her and then just vanished.” He rubbed his hand over his stubbly chin. “I’m assuming that’s Clyde Burrows.”

  Frankie frowned. “Her family never tried to contact her or she them in all these years? That’s hard to believe.”

  He shrugged. “They are a very strict Baptist family. It happens.”

  Selma looked disgusted. “What’s wrong with people? She made a mistake. You’d think they’d want to know their grandchild. It certainly wasn’t that innocent child’s fault that his mother made a mistake.”

  Johanna looked at Selma. “I know you and my mother would never do what Brenda’s family did, Selma, but some people will sacrifice their children to stay true to their beliefs.” She sighed. “It makes me feel sorry for Brenda. Her life only got worse and worse.”

  Frankie frowned. “I feel sorry for her too, but no one forced her to stay with him for all these years. She could have gotten out, but she didn’t.”

  “Maybe she was afraid,” Johanna noted. “Come on, Frankie, you know how many cases we worked on in Philly. What about the women who did get out? Not all of them went on to live fulfilling lives. How many were tracked down and then murdered by their spouses?”

  “Okay, I’m being too judgmental.”

  “Brenda and Clyde certainly must be devastated with the death of their child. Especially so close to Christmas.” Selma twisted her hands together as tears brimmed in her eyes.

  George shook his gray head. “That would be the normal reaction, but Burrows seemed devoid of any emotion one way or the other. Cody’s mother acted almost relieved…like now that it happened she could relax.” He frowned. “It was the oddest reaction I’ve ever seen. Sometimes you just can’t figure people out.”

  “Maybe they’re in shock,” Johanna offered. “After all it was a gruesome murder.”

  George let out a heavy sigh. “No, I don’t think so. I’ve seen parents in shock when I’ve had to deliver bad news, but this was different. Clyde acted like he just didn’t care.” He hesitated. “The look in Burrows’ eyes sent a chill down my spine. There’s something off about him. I wish I could put my finger on it.”

  “That poor boy. You certainly don’t think the parents had something to do with his death, do you?” Selma inquired.

  George cleared his throat as he turned the coffee cup back and forth in his large hands. “My instincts tell me that even if Burrows didn’t murder his own son he probably knows who did. As far as Brenda Burrows is concerned, I believe she knows more than she will ever admit. Her husband has her under his thumb. She wouldn’t answer any questions without his approval.”

  “Why didn’t you bring them in for questioning?” Frankie asked.

  “I need something solid to go on…I can’t bring them in on a gut feeling.”

  Frankie peered at him. “Do you think Clyde is involved in more than petty shoplifting and break-ins? Something much bigger, George?”

  George finished the cookie and wiped his mouth on the napkin. “Yes, I do. I think that’s why he moves his family around so much. Right now I’m waiting to hear back from the authorities in all the states he’s lived in. We’re compiling a list of his friends, acquaintances, and family if we can find any.”

  “Where are the Burrows living now?” Johanna asked.

  George’s eyes narrowed. “Over on Anston…the lower end near the tracks.”

  Frankie lifted an eyebrow. “Not a good area for a teenage boy.”

  “Not a good area for anyone…even in broad daylight,” Johanna added. The majority of crime in Charlestown centered on a six-block radius with Anston smack dab in the middle. It was a gang and drug-infested area, which unfortunately was growing worse with each passing day. It was a hotbed for the drug dealers, transients and prostitutes. She didn’t relish venturing into the area especially at night, but she remembered some of the areas in Philadelphia she’d had to patrol. She’d gotten spoiled since Frankie and she had been able to pick and choose their own cases after they’d gone out on their own.

  She looked over at Frankie and hoped her partner picked up her apprehension about getting involved in this case. She hated to say no to George, but she had to put Frankie’s and her safety first. And there was Selma to consider. After all they had invited her here for a leisurely holiday visit. George said he’d understand and she knew that he would. At the same time she was torn with an intense desire to do her part in helping in any way she could to rid Charlestown of the scum infiltrating it. She was shocked with how it had changed in the twelve years she and Frankie had been here. The crime-infested area grew larger every day.

&nb
sp; She felt sorry for those who were forced to live in the slums through no choice of their own. As their small children grew into teenagers it was difficult to keep them on the straight and narrow when the gang bangers and drug dealers lured them into their unsavory lifestyle with the promise of money and material goods.

  Selma had been busily wrapping a package of cookies, which she placed into a brown paper sack. She suddenly stopped what she was doing. “And you want the girls to stake out that neighborhood?” she asked tensely. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea after all to get involved with this case.” She shot Frankie an uneasy look.

  “We’ve been in worse areas when we lived in Philadelphia, Mom. Besides, we have our guns. We’ll be okay.” Frankie walked over to her mother and gave her a quick hug. “It’s part of the job. Don’t worry. Like I said, Johanna and I patrolled worse areas in Philadelphia.”

  “Isn’t that the reason you two moved here…to get away from all that?”

  Frankie cleared her throat. “Yes, but we’d like to do our part to keep that out of Charlestown.”

  Selma’s face grew rigid. “I suppose I never thought about it when I was in Bradford, not that I didn’t worry, mind you, but being here and seeing firsthand what your work entails is quite a different story,” she said, nervously gripping the sack.

  “What we saw tonight isn’t an everyday occurrence, Selma,” Johanna answered gently. “It’s tragic and I wish you hadn’t seen what you did, but Frankie and I don’t do that type of work anymore. I’m not saying that we haven’t taken a case that entails more than we bargained for, but that’s rare nowadays. We won’t take a case that puts us at risk.”

  George sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, just walking out the door every morning is a risk in today’s world, Selma.” He shook his head. “I’m sure even Bradford isn’t immune from crime.”

  “No, it’s not.” Selma wrung her hands. “I just don’t know what this world is coming to. And I don’t understand how any of you can keep your sanity seeing such tragedy. I’d lose my mind if I had to witness that everyday.”

  “Mom, Johanna just told you that she and I don’t usually handle these types of cases anymore. That’s why we left the Philadelphia Police Force. But sometimes we’re asked to take a case that we normally wouldn’t do.” Her jaw tightened. “I’ll do anything in my power to help rid this world of crime one piece at a time whenever we’re asked to help.” She tapped her fingers on the island top. “This type of murder is unusual for Charlestown, too. This is a relatively safe small community. Every city big and small nowadays has to deal with the drug crimes and domestic violence, but let me ease your mind, what we saw tonight is definitely not the norm.”

  Selma shook her head. “It still doesn’t ease my mind.” She turned her attention to George. “What about you, Sheriff…George. How do you cope with the morbid scene you saw tonight?”

  He shifted his body. “I have to emotionally detach myself from the situation. We all do. Every time we put one of these monsters away we’re saving a life that might have been the next victim. If I didn’t look at it that way then I probably would crumble under the stress. It’s not easy, but someone has to do it. And believe me, Selma, as Johanna and your daughter have told you, we’ve never had anything even remotely as gruesome as this happen in Charlestown before.” He stared evenly at her. “But if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make sure the murderer is caught and do everything in my power to have him put away for the rest of his natural life.”

  Selma frowned. “Oh, I know someone has to do it, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Things are changing too rapidly for me I suppose. I’d like to go back to a time before crime was so rampant. A time when people knew their neighbors and you could go for a stroll after dark without worrying about being mugged or worse.” She shuddered. “But I fear those days are long gone.”

  “That time and place never really did exist, Mom. There was always crime. We just never heard about everything going on in the rest of the world, until the advent of the Internet. And don’t forget that the population has exploded since those good old days.” Frankie squeezed her mother’s hand. “Mom, we all wish we lived in a perfect world, but we don’t and we never will.” She glanced at Johanna. “What do you think? Should we do it?”

  “Of course we’ll help in any way we can,” Johanna said firmly. “We’ll do our part, George.”

  “Good. Well, I’d better get back to Sam’s.” George lifted his heavy body off the stool. “I’ll be in touch with all the details. Someone will fax everything over, if not tonight, then tomorrow morning,” he said to Frankie and Johanna. He nodded to Selma. “It was nice to see you again, Selma.”

  Selma thrust a bag of cookies into his hands.

  “Thank you,” he said, taking the sack from her. “I don’t have to share these with my deputies, do I?” he teased with a quick wink.

  Selma laughed as they escorted him to the door.

  He placed his hand on the doorknob and then turned to face them. “I’ll call if there are any further developments. I sure hope we can solve this murder and the rash of break-ins before Christmas.” He put his hat on and opened the door.

  Chapter 5

  “The tree looks great!” Johanna said as she placed the last bulb on a branch in the front of the tree. “Thanks for the special bulb, Selma.” She smiled at the bulb, which had both their names and the date of their marriage engraved on it.

  “I couldn’t resist,” Selma replied as she sipped at a steaming mug of homemade cocoa. “This is the season for good will. A time to reflect on what’s important.” She let her breath out slowly. “Without family or friends, you have nothing.”

  “I know, Mom,” Frankie said, slipping an arm around her waist. “We’re going to have a beautiful Christmas despite everything that’s happened.”

  “Christmas is the season for miracles. My mother used to say that every year when I was growing up. Anything is possible at Christmas.” Johanna picked up her mug of cocoa.

  “Not for that poor boy,” Selma said quietly, meeting Johanna’s eyes. “Where was his miracle?”

  Johanna caught Frankie’s eye. She wished there was some way she could take Selma’s mind off what she had witnessed, but knew that Selma would have to work through her emotions on her own. Eventually she would, but it would take time. Johanna would be there along with Frankie, whenever Selma needed to talk.

  “Mom, you’re the one who has always taught me that there is a reason for everything. There’s nothing anyone can do for him now. Please don’t let this spoil your vacation.”

  Selma toyed with the necklace, which hung around her neck. Her fingers found the cross and she clutched it tightly. “It won’t spoil my visit or our Christmas, but still, it would be nice if his killer could be caught before Christmas.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Another innocent victim could be at the hands of that maniac as we speak.”

  “That’s why George is working nonstop to catch him.” Frankie patted the elder woman’s hand. “I’m still going to believe in miracles. Nothing’s going to shake my faith. I still believe that in the scheme of things good, will in the end, win out over evil.”

  Johanna lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe we’ll catch a break and the perp will slip up. That would certainly be a wonderful Christmas gift.”

  “He’ll slip up eventually…they always do,” Frankie said firmly. “And when he does he’ll wish he’d never been born.”

  “When are you girls planning to check out Brenda and Clyde Burrows’ apartment?” Selma frowned. “I’d like to see where they live.”

  “Why?” Frankie asked, turning slightly to peer into her mother’s eyes. “It’s the worst area in Charlestown.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d just like to see where that poor boy spent the last days of his life. Besides, that’s where you and Johanna have to go for your stakeout.”

  Frankie scratched her head. “I don’t know, Mom. It’s not an area one
just goes for a stroll in. When Johanna and I do go there, I want you to stay here and relax.”

  “It would mean a lot to me to go with you, Frankie,” she pleaded. “I just want to see it with my own eyes.”

  She frowned. “I’m not saying we’ll take you with us, but when did you propose we go?”

  “Now’s as good a time as any.”

  “Now?” Frankie sighed deeply. “Johanna and I haven’t even worked out our strategy yet and I never said you were coming with us.”

  Johanna looked at Selma’s pleading eyes and then at Frankie’s crumbling resolve. “Let me get my camera,” she said. She touched Frankie’s arm. “It won’t hurt to get a head start. I’ll admit I’m not looking forward to driving in that part of the city, but it’ll give us a first look at the building.” She then turned her attention to Selma. “You have to promise us that you won’t say or do anything.”

  Selma, with eyes gleaming nodded. “I promise.”

  * * * *

  Selma shook her head as they drove slowly down Anston Street. The buildings were old and well-worn made even worse by the graffiti spray painted on them. Garbage littered the streets and every few buildings teens were huddled together in groups casting a wary eye as the car made its way down Anston Street. “It’s a shame these people have to live this way.”

  “A lot of them choose to, Mom,” Frankie said. “It’s sad, but it’s the cold hard truth.”

  “Who would choose to live in these slums?” Selma demanded.

  Johanna kept her eyes on the road as Frankie peered out of the window looking for the address. “Drug dealers, prostitutes. They’d rather live a life of crime instead of working for an honest wage.”

  “But the children.”

  “I feel sorry for the kids, too, Mom, but unfortunately for them a lot of their parents are too strung out on drugs to care about what happens to them. The kids learn at an early age that the only person who will take care of them is themselves.”

  “Maybe some families are decent people, but are just too poor to find more suitable housing. I’m sure there are many who lived better than this before the economy took a nosedive.”