Murder and More: Carson Reno Mystery Series, #14

By Gerald Darnell

Carson’s feud with a local crime reporter continues, and then suddenly the husband of his client is brutally murdered - a husband he’s been hired to investigate. Mysterious characters weave a web of blackmail and suspense, while leaving Carson with more clients than he can handle.

The Memphis police have warned Carson to back off, but an employee of a friend is missing from a murder scene and he’s determined to find her and the killer.

Follow Carson to New Orleans, Humboldt, Memphis and Florida where he chases numerous suspects trying to track down a missing person and the killer he’s been hired to find.

Enjoy this unusual adventure for Carson Reno, as he struggles to solve the case of ‘Murder and More’.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gerald Darnell
• Release date: Apr 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536516098

Book preview

Murder

and

More

––––––––

a novel by

Gerald W. Darnell

http://www.geraldwdarnell.com

http://www.carsonrenomysteryseries.com

http://carsonreno.wix.com/murderandmore

Murder

and

More

a

Carson Reno Mystery

by

Gerald W. Darnell

Murder

and

More

Copyright © 2016 by Gerald W. Darnell

Published by cr press

ISBN: 978-1-329-60035-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews, without written permission from the publisher.

Gerald W. Darnell

[e-mail]

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to a real person, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Be sure to check out Carson Reno’s other Mystery Adventures

Murder in Humboldt

The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land

Killer Among Us

Horse Tales

SUnset  4

the Crossing

the Illegals

the Everglades

Dead Men Don’t Remember

The Fingerprint Murders

Reelfoot

Justifiable Homicide

Dead End

––––––––

Cast of Characters

Carson Reno - Private Detective

Joe Richardson – Associate Drake Detective Agency

‘Carson’ – The English Bulldog

Rita - Hostess Starlight Lounge

Marcie – Peabody Hotel Operator

Andy – Bartender ‘the Down Under’

Mason ‘Booker-T’ Brown – Head porter Peabody Hotel

Nickie/Ronnie Woodson – Owners Chiefs Motel and Restaurant

Tommy Trubush – carhop Chiefs

Florence (Flo) – waitress at Chiefs

Honey Bunch – waitress at Chiefs

Steve Carrollton – Head of Memphis Mafia

Jack Logan – Attorney /Partner

Leroy Epsee – Sheriff Gibson County

Jeff Cole – Deputy Gibson County

Scotty Perry – Deputy Gibson County

Nancy Oakland – Deputy Gibson County

Chip Falstaff – Captain Tennessee Highway Patrol

Elizabeth Teague – Airline Stewardess and friend of Carson’s

Mary Ellen Maxwell – Humboldt Socialite and owner of Maxwell Trucking

Judy Strong – Vice President of Maxwell Trucking

Gerald Wayne – Owner Wayne Knitting Mill

Nuddy – Bartender Humboldt Country Club

Doctor Henry Beaumont – Memphis Physician

Ava Beaumont – Wife of Henry Beaumont

Olivia Hartley – VP Sales for Wayne Knitting

Irwin Clark – Reporter for Memphis Commercial Appeal

Byron Wolfe – Memphis Businessman

Sylvia Haskell - Nurse

Milo Fish - Bookie

Keith Gamble – Memphis Police Detective

Lydia Longstreet – Memphis Private Detective

Donovan Tanner – New Orleans Private Detective

Rick Valponi – Memphis Mobster

Johnny Fewhairs – Bodyguard and Driver

Remy Boudreaux – New Orleans Private Detective

Santino ‘Sonny’ Agostino – Mafia Hit Man

Gates Malloy – Memphis Mobster

Dedication

William ‘Bill’ Goodrich (1944 – 2015)

My friend and a dedicated fan of Carson Reno

Contribution Credits

Judy Steele Minnehan

Mary Ann Sizer Fisher

Elizabeth Tillman White

Material Credits

Humboldt Public Library

Gibson County Historical

Courier Chronicle

Strawberry Museum

Libby Lynch

Hank Salyer

Prologue

‘Murder and More’

Carson’s feud with a local crime reporter continues, and then suddenly the husband of his client is brutally murdered - a husband he’s been hired to investigate. Mysterious characters weave a web of blackmail and suspense, while leaving Carson with more clients than he can handle.

The Memphis police have warned Carson to back off, but an employee of a friend is missing from a murder scene and he’s determined to find her and the killer.

Follow Carson to New Orleans, Humboldt, Memphis and Florida where he chases numerous suspects trying to track down a missing person and the killer he’s been hired to find.

Enjoy this unusual adventure for Carson Reno, as he struggles to solve the case of ‘Murder and More’.

Chapters

––––––––

Beginning – page 11

Old Friend – page 41

Unusual Events – page 49

Bad News – page 77

Humboldt – page 103

A New Friend – page 123

Muscle and Misery – page 131

Information – page 169

Daytona – page 183

Finish – page 205

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man_holding_gun_and_rose_silhouette_crf01312

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Life is cheap – make sure you buy enough  ®

Carson Reno

Beginning

It was a wonderful evening.  The weather, the magnificent dinner, the conversation and the companionship could not have been better for Doctor Henry Beaumont and his date, Miss Olivia Hartley.  The occasion was an observance of their anniversary, of sorts, and Doctor Beaumont had spared no expense in making the celebration one they would always remember.

A limousine ride to the Four Flames offered champagne, flowers and romantic music for their journey. Cocktails on the veranda, lobster and steak at a premier table preceded a special dessert from the chef and then after dinner drinks.  It was indeed, a wonderful evening.

fourflames-columns

Henry and Olivia had been dating for two months; tonight marked sixty days of happiness and joy for them both. Henry’s marriage of ten years was on the rocks, and his affair with Olivia was helping him through some very difficult times. Olivia traveled with her work as Vice President of Sales for a large manufacturer of women’s hosiery. She was married to her work, and until meeting Henry, never considered that to be a problem. Men were just not an important part of her life.

They first became acquainted at a New Year’s eve party, and then a week later at a fund raising event hosted by a local charity.  Henry was there because his wife, Ava, insisted; the reason for Olivia being at the fund raiser was never discussed.  Ava Beaumont left early with a headache, Henry and Olivia met at a local bar for drinks and the rest is history – history being celebrated tonight.

Doctor Henry Beaumont is a surgeon, and a quite successful one. He specializes in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and his charity work for soldiers returning from Korea and the escalating conflict in Southeast Asia have been highly praised and recognized across the Southeastern United States.  In addition to a performing surgery at the Memphis Baptist Hospital, he also has a private practice located in an office on Jackson Avenue in Mid-Town.

Henry and Ava own a large home on East Walnut Grove Road.  Henry also shares a small apartment on Jefferson Avenue with other doctors at Baptist Hospital – offering a place near the hospital to stay when on call.  However, it seems that lately he’s been spending most of his time at the apartment – and with Olivia.

Olivia’s travel required her to be gone often – usually for multiple days and occasionally for weeks. For residence when in town, she rented a small bungalow at the Belvedere Apartments on Union.  It was nice, quiet and offered a comfortable

refuge from the labors of travel.

Henry had never seen Olivia’s residence; the nights they had stolen away were always spent at Henry’s apartment, and then only when roommates were staying somewhere else.

Tonight’s celebration was an opportunity for Henry and Olivia to move their relationship to another level, and perhaps find a way to spend more time together.  It would be their first night in her apartment, and the excitement surrounding this new adventure had been a huge topic for most of the evening’s conversation.

~

The gray limousine parked in the alley at the side entrance of the Belvedere; Henry asked the driver if he could please wait for a moment while they got settled into Olivia’s downstairs bungalow.

Pay the driver, Olivia argued, snuggling up to Henry. He’s been such a nice man, don’t make him wait unnecessarily. I’ll take the champagne inside and find some glasses. You bring the flowers.

Are you sure? Henry suggested with a huge smile.

Yes, I’ll get a vase for the roses, just don’t take too long! she said, giving him a kiss and getting out of the limo.

Olivia disappeared into the shadows and Henry removed his wallet before opening the passenger door to speak with the driver.  Henry never said a word.

Tap...tap, tap.  Three silenced bullets came from somewhere near the rear of the limo. The first smashed into the back of Henry’s head, spilling his blood and brains all over the driver and front seat.  The second two slammed into the chest of the shocked and surprised driver – neither he nor Henry ever realizing what was happening.

~

Milo Fish, a local bookie and a second floor resident of the Belvedere Apartments was out of cigarettes. It was late, but his phone was still busy and would remain that way until daylight when bets were cutoff for the weekend ballgames.  The phone and his clients would have to wait for a few minutes while he ran across the street to the local convenience store.

Rushing out his door, and almost reaching the bottom of the steps, he caught a glimpse of something moving in the shadows and paused for a moment. A limo was parked in the driveway with the passenger door open and appeared to be delivering a late night customer.  He didn’t see anyone else.

Tap.

A silenced bullet entered his right ear, traveled through his brain and stopped just behind the left eye – death was instant. The impact of the shot threw Milo’s body sideways, before tumbling down the remaining steps to the sidewalk.

Then there was quiet.

Fifty-nine hours earlier

I picked up my phone and dialed Marcie’s extension, she answered on the first ring.

What time is it? I barked before she had a chance to speak.

You lose your watch? she barked back.

No, and that’s not why I’m asking. I have a one o’clock appointment that’s not here yet, and I’ve got other things planned for this afternoon.  So, when and if they do show up, tell them to reschedule for early next week.

Carson, she countered in a serious tone. "Your friends at the Starlight Lounge will still be there when you get there, and your one o’clock appointment is standing in front of me now.  Are you ready to see them?"

Oh, I grunted quietly. Yes...yes send them back along with some coffee...and ask Joe to join us.

"Carson, you sent Joe to Little Rock to work on a case for Black Diamond Insurance.  Don’t you remember?"

Oh...yeah, I grunted again. I forgot. Well, please bring my client...my client... I couldn’t recall their name.

Mrs. Ava Beaumont, Marcie corrected.

Yes, Mrs. Beaumont, I said hurriedly. Please bring Mrs. Beaumont back to my office and have some coffee sent over.

Marcie hung up without responding, and in less than a minute entered my office through the rear door.  She was followed by an extremely attractive woman dressed in a blue tight skirt, beige blouse, dark stockings and medium height heels that matched her skirt.  This was Mrs. Ava Beaumont, I presumed.

Ava Beaumont, the lady said, extending her hand and before Marcie could make introductions. Nice to meet you and please call me Ava – I hate the Mrs. Beaumont.  It makes me feel old.

I casually shook her well-manicured hand and pointed to one of my padded chairs. Please make yourself comfortable, I’m having some coffee sent over – hope that’s okay.

I’d love some coffee, she offered, finally showing a small smile and using her hand to straighten the tight skirt before slowly sitting down.

I looked at Marcie, who gave me a secret ‘I don’t know’ with her hands and shoulders while walking away. Coffee coming up, she said like a waitress, before closing the door hard behind her.

As I mentioned, Mrs. Ava Beaumont was an extremely attractive young woman – thirty or thirty five tops, although I’m not a good judge of age.  Her long dark hair was pulled back behind the ears, but somehow I got the impression that allowing it to flow freely down across her shoulders was a preferred style. That would certainly attract more attention, and for some reason I imagined Mrs. Ava Beaumont liked attention.

I suspect a tight skirt is uncomfortable for most women; but her waist size was less than twenty-four inches and the skirt’s hugging shape gave her the chance to show off a very slim and very well figured body. Small, but ample, breasts were inconspicuous behind the conservative beige blouse, and I got the feeling I was seeing the ‘business’ side of Mrs. Ava Beaumont rather than the ‘real’ side.

Her eyes were hidden by dark glasses and weren’t telling me anything about what was happening in the mind behind them. However, one thing stood out about Mrs. Ava Beaumont and couldn’t be disguised by conservative clothing, dark glasses or hair style. She had small round lips, which remained tightly pressed together except for when she spoke, giving the impression of words left inside her lovely mouth that she didn’t want to accidently escape. Today her lipstick was red, not bright, just red – and without seeing her eyes, the lips became the focal point on a face with a flawless complexion and a mild tan that didn’t show signs of abuse from the sun.  I hate dark glasses, and prefer to see eyes when talking to a client. But, without the eyes, I found myself talking to those lips rather than her.

May I smoke? she asked, after retrieving a pack of Winston from her purse, lighting one and laying the pack on the edge of my desk.

If you must, I mumbled, just before Carson grunted and stirred from his resting place on my couch.

Oh, my! She turned to look at the noise, and then leaned away from him.

I hope you don’t mind dogs, I apologized. "That’s Carson – he belongs to my associate Joe Richardson and it’s time for his afternoon nap.  He’s harmless; please don’t let his size disturb you."

Carson? she said with a questioned look on her pretty face. He’s named after you? I mean...is he named after you? she repeated.

"Mrs. Beaumont, he’s Joe’s English bulldog and it’s a long story and not particularly interesting.  But, please tell me how the Drake Detective Agency can be of assistance?"

Ava, she said sharply, and before taking a healthy drag off her freshly lit cigarette. I told you to call me Ava.

"Yes...yes, I forgot.  And please call me Carson, that keeps things informal – I like that.  Now, how can the Drake Detective Agency help you?"

My attorney said I should hire a Private Detective, or rather I should hire ANOTHER Private Detective - that’s why I’m here. I don’t like attorneys and I don’t like Private Detectives, but I do know how to follow instructions.

I see, I said, not knowing anything else to say. And who is your attorney?  I picked up a pencil and pulled a legal pad from the edge of my desk.

Truman Banks, he’s with the firm Banks, Banks and...and something else.  I’m not sure. She blew a mouthful of blue smoke out into the room. "His office is here...here in downtown Memphis – the 100 North Main Building, I think. You can find it, if you need to," she snapped.

I scribbled the name Truman Banks on my pad before looking back at her small lips. Did I hear you correctly?  You already have a Private Detective working for you and you need another one?  I’m sorry Mrs. Beaumont...Ava, I just don’t understand.

I’m suing my husband for divorce and I intend to take him for everything he/we own.  He hasn’t been a ‘real’ husband for several years, and now he’s spending our money on some whore he met in a bar.  I intend to make him pay and pay big!

I see, I said, pretending to write something on my pad.

"My husband is a doctor - Doctor Henry Beaumont, a surgeon. He has a residency at the Baptist Memphis Hospital and also a private practice. His office is on Jackson Avenue."

I see, I said, still pretending to write on my pad.

My lawyer said I need proof – proof to send that bastard to the poor house. He said that I need names, photos, dates, times and activities.  He said I needed a Private Detective and recommended a Mr. Donovan Tanner, someone his firm had worked with before.

Donovan Tanner? I wrote his name on my pad. I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with the gentleman.  Is he local?

No, he works out of New Orleans and that’s why I’m here. She crushed out her cigarette and leaned back in the chair – staring at me and waiting on a response.

The outside door opened slowly and a room service waiter entered with a tray of coffee.  He left it near the middle of the room, smiled at us both, then closed the door behind him as he left.

I stood up, walked to the tray, poured us both a cup, and handed one to her.  She looked at it, sniffed the warm coffee, then sat the full cup on the edge of my desk.

Mrs. Beaumont, my apology but I still don’t understand. Are you not satisfied with Mr. Tanner’s work or has he not performed to your expectations?

Mr. Reno...Carson, it’s complicated. You see Truman, Truman Banks my attorney, thought it best to use an out-of-town investigator to avoid...well...to avoid rumors or a scandal before it was time to file for divorce.

I stared at her without speaking. She lit another cigarette, picked up her coffee and continued.

Yesterday Mr. Donovan Tanner called me and said his investigation was complete and he had more than enough proof of adultery to support a divorce. But, then he added that his investigations had discovered some troubling information about my husband. He claimed to have facts about illegal activities - activities that could cause legal problems for us both. He also alleged his discovery meant real trouble for him as the investigator who uncovered the information.

Huh? I frowned.

He wants $15,000 cash for his work – including the documentation regarding illegal activities. We pay him and he’ll give us everything; then Truman and I can decide what to do with the information.

Huh? I said again.

"Yes, Mr. Reno, it’s just what it sounds like – blackmail. But, according to Truman it’ll be worth it.  All we need are the details surrounding his adultery, and then we can destroy the rest.  If we say no to his demands, then he might go looking for another buyer.  That could mean more blackmail from the new owner, or a scandal that would ruin