Murder in the Copy Room

By Janett Norris Nelson

This is a mystery book with a but more of a light one with a little romance that is acceptable for kids and doesn't have lots of violence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 16, 2008
• ISBN: 9781467840941

Janett Norris Nelson

Janet Elizabeth Norris Nelson was born in 1937 at Rockingham, North Carolina. Her parents are the late Harvey Cecil Norris and Margaret Elizabeth Cameron. Nelson started writing in 1971. Her first novel was a children’s book, HARRIET’S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE, published in 1982. Nelson writes fiction, nonfiction, creates original greeting cards with her poetry written inside of each card, and bookmarks all in English and Español. Nelson was a charter member and past president of, Writers of the Purple Sage, a writer’s club in Woodward, Oklahoma that was created in 1979. Also she has freelanced for newspapers in Oklahoma. Among her actives in her church, is singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school to kindergarten children, and a missionary to pre-school children. In her community she volunteers to operate a used clothing store for those in need. Nelson has seven sisters, three brothers, and four children. Her children are, Michael, Sherry, Roger, and Harriet. Her grandchildren are, Larry, Elizabeth, Georgia, Tonya, Beth, Klavin, Steven, Wayne, Cody, Timothy, Levi, and Riley. Her great grandchildren are, Mitchel, Madison, Savannah, Kirsten, Alyson, Abigail, Chloe, Tre, and Maelee. Nelson lives in Robbins, North Carolina.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

There is a dead man at the Daily Eagle Newspaper Building, Captain Bruce Lewis said. Detectives, Sullivan, Baker, I’m assigning you to this case. Go and see if you can find out why this man is dead.

Let’s go partner, Detective Jade Baker said, pushing her short black hair from her brown eyes.

Detective Ruben Sullivan put his hat on his wavy brown hair. This is a switch.

What is a switch?

Us, asking newspaper people questions. I wonder if they’ll mind.

We’ll soon find out, Jade said, getting behind the wheel.

It was a short distance to the newspaper building, and was unusually quiet when Sullivan and Baker entered.

A tall slender girl with long black hair stood in the hall crying.

Pardon me miss, where is the body? Ruben asked.

She pointed, In the copy room. I think he has been hurt in the back.

Ruben looked at the man slumped over in a chair. His head lay on a desk. A large patch of blood covered his back.

I think you are right miss, he has been hurt.

A tall man with black and silver hair, stood near the body. His muscular arms were around a young girl with blond hair. The girl wept.

I’m Dan McKittrick, owner and publisher of the Eagle Newspaper.

Who is the dead man? Ruben asked.

Josh Mullins, one of my best reporters.

Jade stared into his brown eyes and asked who found the body?

My reporters, Nora Sands and Marla Grantz found Josh when they came to the copy room to work on a story for the morning edition. Nora was upset and called me.

Did either of you ladies know or see who killed Josh Mullins?

No, I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt Josh. Everybody liked him, Sally cried.

Somebody didn’t, Jade said.

Marla sobbed.

There, there, McKittrick said, comforting her.

Reporters have enemies sometimes, Jade said.

Every good reporter has some enemies, Mullins was one of the best, McKittrick said.

Do you know what story he was working on? Jade asked, staring at the handsome man.

McKittrick hesitated, no.

Hum, Jade pondered aloud.

Was anyone else in the building? Ruben asked.

No, tomorrow is a holiday; most of my employees went home early.

We need a list of all your employees, Jade said.

Surely you don’t think one of my employees killed Josh! McKittrick snapped.

I didn’t mean to imply that. One of your employees might know something about Josh that may help us find the killer.

That puts a different light on the situation, McKittrick said, trying to hide his embarrassment. I’ll get a list.

Marla, what time did you and Nora find Josh?

Marla sniffed, around seven.

Jade read the names on the list. Maria Laquita works for you?

Yes, do you know Maria?

She is my roommate.

I know she works for a newspaper; I thought it was the Globe. With our busy schedules we hardly see each other.

I understand, McKittrick said, sympathetically.

Why am I explaining my lifestyle to this man, Jade thought.

Ruben saw how uncomfortable Jade became. Inform your employees that we will need to talk to them. They can come to the police station tomorrow.

Can we go now? McKittrick asked. I want to get these ladies home.

Yes, you may go, Ruben said.

The coroner and his men lifted the body and put it on a stretcher to take to the morgue. The fingerprint crew dusted for prints.

Jade watched while the crew dusted everything for prints. Fascinated by the way they sprinkled dust on objects, and how they carefully lifted the prints. The prints that might be whorls, loops, arches or double whorls and loops. Many pictures were taken of Mullins and where he had sat in the chair. What seemed like hours later the fingerprint crew and photographers signaled to the detectives they were through.

Detective Jade Baker and Detective Ruben Sullivan began a search of their own.

You take the left side of the desk, Jade and I will take the other side, Ruben said.

Okay, I’m not finding anything over here.

There’s a name on a note pad. Does Elmer Hubert ring a bell with you?

No, I found a picture of Mullins and a beautiful woman, Ruben said, studying the features of the lady."

Let’s go to the police station and run the names, Mullins and Hubert through the computer, Jade said, putting the picture in her pocket.

That picture is police evidence, Ruben said.

I’m borrowing the picture, I will return it tomorrow.

Okay. We are going to have a busy night in the city of Roseville, North Carolina tonight, it’s snowing. Ruben said, going inside the police station. We don’t need that kind of trouble.

You’re right, Jade said, walking toward Sergeant Tolar.

Tolar looked up from his computer, What’s up, Jade?

Will you run these names through the computer?

Sure, he said, taking the paper. He adjusted his gold rim glasses over his blue eyes, and ran his fingers through his brown hair. It was a habit they had become accustomed seeing Sergeant Tolar do before he started working on something important. He punched the names into the computer.

How is the weather outside?

It’s snowing, Jade said.

"Let’s hope it is only a flurry and will stop snowing soon. I hope this Hubert guy isn’t one of your friends. He gave a paper with the results on it to Jade.

No, he isn’t, she whistled.

Is Hubert that bad? Ruben asked, anxiously waiting for an answer.

Yes, three counts of fraud. Hubert spent four years in the slammer up state. He has been out about six weeks.

Does Hubert have an address?

Yes, he is staying at the Sand Spur Motel on Cedar Lane. Let’s go pay him a visit.

Captain Bruce Lewis entered the room shaking his head. His snow white hair was in a crew cut. His blue eyes gleamed. You two can go visit in the morning. I know you have had a long day and you need sleep.

It will only take a few minutes, Captain, Jade said.

No, not tonight, in the morning, besides, I know how long your minutes are, Baker, and it’s snowing. You may have to come in early tomorrow.

Okay, good night, Captain, Jade said.

The snow was fine flakes and it had turned colder.

Jade shivered in the cold and pulled her collar up around her neck. She reached in her pocket for her black leather gloves. Thankfully they were in her pocket she put them on.

Marie wasn’t at home when Jade arrived at the white stucco house. Green hedges and tall long leaf pine trees surrounded the house. Entering the house she switches on the lights. Tired she lay on the sofa. She was dozing when she heard a key turned the lock.

Hello, Jade, I was expecting you to be in bed, Maria said, removing her coat. She got a brush and begins brushing her light brown hair. Carlos and I went to a movie.

Jade stared at the pretty young girl with beautiful big blue eyes. Josh Mullins was murdered earlier tonight.

Maria eyes grew wide in disbelief. Our Josh Mullins, she cried.

Yes, I’m sorry.

A white line formed on her full lips. Maria trembled and begins to cry. How did he die?

The coroner said Josh was shot in the back. He had been working at his desk in the copy room. How well did you know Josh, Maria?

Well enough to know he was a real friend, she said, sobbing.

Did Josh have any enemies at the newspaper?

Not that I’m aware of, everyone liked Josh. He was a darn good reporter, she sobbed, reaching for a tissue.

Do you know what story Josh was working on? Jade asked, taking a photo of a woman from her pocket.

No, not anyone knew what Josh works on until it came out in print. Mr. McKittrick trusted his judgment.

Do you know this woman? Jade asked, showing her the picture.

Yes, that’s Flora Bray, a nurse at General Hospital on the morning shift. Flora and Josh were engaged to be married. Poor Flora, she and Josh were so happy making wedding plans.

Is Josh from Roseville?

No, I remember he told me he was from California.

Josh is a long way from home. How long has he worked for the newspaper?

About five years. He started in 1978.

What about your boss, Dan McKittrick? Is he hard to work for?

Mr. McKittrick is a man of mystery. He isn’t hard to work for, and he won’t let you get too close to him either."

What about his wife?

He’s not married. He lives in a house at Windmill Drive.

For some reason hearing Dan McKittrick wasn’t married pleased Jade. Will you go with me to see Flora Bray in the morning?

Yes, no more questions tonight please, I want to go to bed.

Sure, Jade said. Good night.

CHAPTER 2

Jade awoke to the rich aroma of coffee brewing, her favorite morning beverage. She showered, dressed and went to the kitchen.

Morning Jade, do you want some breakfast? Maria asked.

No, only coffee, I want to go to the hospital before I report to work. I’ll take a cup of coffee with me. Do you think Flora will be working?

Yes, I called the hospital to see if she was working.

Are you ready to go?

Yes.

Jade got behind the wheel of her blue sedan and turned the key. There was no sound from the car. She tried starting the car again. Shucks, my battery is dead; can you drive your car?

Yes, Maria said, getting into her car." She was quiet driving along the highway.

You are dreading this, aren’t you?

"Yes, she said, pulling in the parking lot.

They walked down a long hall of the second floor where they found Flora at work.

Flora, I’m so sorry about Josh, Maria said, hugging her.

Thank you, Josh was a great man and I loved him with all my heart. I am going to miss him.

Suddenly the dead patient that was lying on the bed sat straight up.

Yikes! Maria screamed, getting behind Flora, who seemed unafraid.

Jade jumped.

Flora smiled and said, Take it easy you two, the man has a hump in his back and had to be tied down. His strap has broken.

I hope the strap doesn’t come loose during the funeral, Jade said, imaging the scene. Do you need some help to strap him down?

Yes, hold him down while I put a wider strap around him.

The girl with blond hair and blue eyes gently reset the strap.

Did Josh ever talk to you about his work? Jade asked.

Sometimes, once he told me he was working on a story that would shake the entire city after it was in print. When I ask what the story was about, Josh said it was best I didn’t know. If I didn’t know what it was about I wouldn’t be in any danger. The only clue I got, was when he said he had proof of fraud among other things that could result with a lot of people going to prison. He said he was about through collecting evidence.

When will you bury Josh? Maria asked.

In a couple of days, Josh will be laid to rest in California. That is what his family wants. I’m flying to California with the body tomorrow."

Good luck, Jade said.

You will be in my prayers, Maria said.

Thanks.

If you remember anything else please let me know, Jade said.

I will, Flora said.

Do you want to go to the police station now? Maria asked, getting in the car.

Yes, Jade said, thinking about all the pain Josh’s family was feeling while she rode to the station.

I’ll see you later, Maria said, stopping the car in front of the police station.

I have been waiting for you, Ruben said. Where have you been all morning, Jade?

At the hospital where Flora, Mullins’s girlfriend works, she is trying to be brave. Says it helps to ease the pain by working. By the way, Maria has an alibi. She was at the movies with her boyfriend Carlos Logan. Have you questioned any of the Eagle’s employees?

Yes, a few, so far they all have alibis too.

Baker, are you going to see Hubert? Captain Lewis asked.

Yes Captain.

Jade, what did you find out about Mullins? Sullivan asked.

He had something in the works about fraud. What kind of gun was he shot with?

A 38 caliber gun, he was shot in the back and died shortly after.

Let’s go talk to Hubert, Jade said, going out the door.

The Sand Spur was about three miles on the outskirts.

Not a fancy motel but clean. The cabins were white with brown trim. All the doors had been painted brown.

Sullivan found Hubert’s cabin and knocked on the door.

A tall slender man with huge grey eyes and graying hair opened the door. What do you want?

Are you Elmer Hubert?

Yes.

I’m Detective Jade Baker, this is my partner Detective Ruben Sullivan, Jade said, showing her badge. We want to ask you some questions. Josh Mullins, when was the last time you saw him?

I don’t know a Josh Mullins, He snarled.

Where were you last night between seven and nine? Jade asked.

I was in the motel’s restaurant having dinner, steak and potatoes, with green salad and cherry cheesecake for desert. The food was very tasty, he smirked.

We’ll go check it out. Don’t leave town, we may want to talk to you again.

I could use a cup of coffee, Jade said, walking toward the restaurant. Did you notice Hubert’s fingers?

No, what did you see on his fingers?

The fingers were dark green, she said, going into the restaurant.

The waitress led them to a table and gave them menus. Welcome, she smiled. What can I get for you?

Coffee, what’s your name, lady? Ruben asked.

The lady with blue eyes and brown hair tilted her head.

My name is Lacy Tillman.

Lacy, were you working last night between seven and nine?

Yes, I work a split shift most every night, why?

Do you know Elmer Hubert?

Yes.

Was Hubert here last night?

Yes, I accidentally spilled coffee on him and he asked me to keep his dinner warm while he changed his shirt?

How long was Hubert gone?

Half an hour, maybe longer, he was gone long enough for his food to get cold, Lacy said.

That would give Hubert plenty of time to shoot Mullins, Jade said.

That makes Hubert number one suspect on our list, Ruben said. May I have a sweet roll, Lacy?

Sure, I’ll be right back.

Do we go to the Daily Eagle next?

What are we going to the newspaper for? Ruben asked.

To look in the morgue and see what stories Mullins has written since he’s been in Roseville.

You are ahead of me again, Baker.

Yes, your turn will come. We can see how long it takes to drive to the newspaper building from here that will give us another clue.

We can use more that one clue, Ruben said, getting in the car. What speed are we going to drive?

Hubert would be in a hurry, so try fifteen miles over the speed limit. I’ll count the stop light and stop signs.

So far there are no men working on the roads, Ruben said, looking around.

The large brown newspaper building loomed in front of them. Ruben stopped the car besides the building. How long did the ride take?

Fifteen minutes, Hubert had plenty of time to kill Josh and drive back to the restaurant, Jade said, opening the door. Her heart skipped a beat when she met Dan McKittrick. He stared at Jade. What was it about this man that made her feel like she was glad to see him, she pondered.

Have you found the person who killed Wade? Dan asked.

No, Jade said, her heart pounding.

Why are you here? he asked, sharply.

We want to read some newspapers in your morgue to view some work written by Mullins, Ruben answered.

Follow me, he said, leading them down some stairs to a basement. He pulled a string to turn a light on that hung from the ceiling. Be sure to turn the light off when you’re finished.

Nice fellow, Ruben remarked, after Dan left.

The newspapers have a musty smell on them, and some are dusty. It’s a wonder they have any dates on them, Jade said.

You are looking at really old papers. Some papers have been laminated. How far do you want to go back?

Let’s begin with the first story Mullins wrote.

This guy has really been busy. Ruben said, after reading for hours. Some one is coming.

Hello, Jade, Ruben, I brought you some coffee. I hope you like it black.

Thanks, we do like black coffee, Jade said.

You have been down here a long time, are you making any progress?

Yes, Maria, did anyone else cover the commissioners’ meetings beside Josh?

No, that was Josh’s main assignment, and he wouldn’t let anyone take his place. He said it was just too dangerous. It made me a little curious when he said that, made me wonder who he was protecting.

Yeah, he told Flora the same thing. Josh has written some heavy stuff about the commissioners. He makes them all look bad.

"That