Pastor Paul and the Not-So-Sweet Revenge Mystery

By Curtis P. Carter

Pastor Paul McGill, with his wife and daughter, contentedly settled down in a small, rural, Central New York community surrounded by wooded hillsides. They enjoy coming to know their friendly, sometimes quirky neighbors, until late one summer when the angry, vengeful attitudes of some residents begin to ferment to the surface.

Pastor Paul and the Not-So-Sweet Revenge Mystery invokes the feeling of the British Midsomers Murders transplanted to the rolling hills of New Yorks Finger Lakes region. It is easy to get involved as Pastor Paul tries to uncover who is bringing sickness and death to his peaceful valley. With the help of his wife, who acts as his personal Dr. Watson, and his close friend Doc Wimbley, the local medical examiner, he unsnarls the tangle of clues and suspects to find the person set on revenge.

Pastor Paul reflects the authors decades of experience ministering to rural church communities. The dynamics of building and maintaining familial relationships are felt throughout the story, even as they join together to protect their community from harm. Pastor Pauls teenage daughter, Melissa, gets involved in the drama, establishing some unexpected friendships along the way. Many of the characters in this story learn valuable lessons about the importance of supporting one another.

Rather than focusing on blood and gore, this story examines the hurts and fears that motivate someone to compromise their values and cause them to injure the lives of others. Join the narrative as Pastor Paul locates the vengeful killer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Jun 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781462409952

Curtis P. Carter

Curtis Carter ministered at a church in Waverly, New York for twenty-two years. While a volunteer at nearby Elmira Correctional Facility, he learned the mindset and motives of those who commit crimes. Now he is director of Golden Key Prison Ministry and lives with his wife, Nancy, in Candor, New York.

Book preview

Chapter One

Poor Sister Evelyn

Pastor Paul’s cell phone chirped again as he turned onto the long, winding driveway that led to Evelyn Arlington’s house. Large maple trees stood guard, overshadowing the road and hiding the house, but he could see the amber and red lights of emergency vehicles pulsing in the distance. He flicked his phone open.

Yes, this is Pastor McGill, he answered, I know, I know… I’m almost at the house right now. I’ll get back to you after I get the details.

He closed his cell phone and slipped it into his pocket as he steered around the last large tree and surveyed the scene ahead. There were a dozen or so cars parked every which way on the yard in front of the friendly, white-sided home with the large screened-in porch. There was an ambulance from Everett Memorial and he was sure that he recognized Doc Wimbley’s black sedan parked next to it. There were two sheriff’s cars with all their lights flashing, adding to the confusion. He wondered why there was so much commotion, as Evelyn had been ill for some time and had recently become quite weak. He drove slowly toward a young officer in a gray sheriff’s uniform with a Smokey the Bear type hat balanced on his head. The officer swung the beam of the flashlight he had in his hand right into Pastor Paul’s eyes as he approached the side window of the car.

Who are you? the officer asked quite briskly. He looked around as if deciding whether there was room for one more vehicle.

I’m Pastor McGill from Castle Community Church. Evelyn Arlington is a member of our church. I received a call from Betty Keelty about Evelyn’s condition and came as soon as I could.

All right, the officer said pointing his flashlight towards the other cars. Park your car over there, out of the way. We have to keep this area open for official vehicles.

Pastor Paul knew that the officer was suggesting that a hearse would probably arrive soon. That was the part that he dreaded - having the gurney come through the door guided by the men in dark suits on their way to retrieve the deceased person. He had helped a number of times to lift the cool, lifeless body of someone he had cared for onto the gurney for his or her ride to the funeral home. In the few moments it took for him to slide his car into a spot next to Carol Anne Victor’s SUV, a gallery of faces crossed his mind along with many amusing and touching stories surrounding their deaths. The thud of the car door closing brought him back to the duty at hand and he headed across the yard into the ever-dimming light of the September evening.

For some reason, in his mind he counted the three steps up to the screen door that opened onto the porch. As he stepped onto the porch, the door swung closed with a slam, which gave him a start and brought a chuckle from within the darkened recesses of the porch. He stopped, looked to his left and saw George Roth openly laughing while Bill Victor and Tim Keelty just gave him broad smiles. George looked like Santa Claus with reddish cheeks, and little beady eyes that crinkled almost shut when he laughed. He had that big, rowdy guffaw of a laugh that got everybody else going - at least when it seemed appropriate.

Sorry, pastor, he said with a chuckle, Didn’t mean to make fun at a time like this, but you just looked so surprised when that door let go, I couldn’t help….

George! Betty Keelty scolded from the open front door. This isn’t time for playing around. And just to think that poor Sister Evelyn is lying right in the next room. Then turning to the pastor, she continued, Pastor, we’re so glad that you finally got here. Marilyn has just fallen to pieces and needs your attention right away.

She yanked Pastor Paul’s arm and pulled him into the circle of light and sounds within the living room. He quickly glanced around to get a sense of how everyone was doing. Dorlene Johnston sat near the door, working on her knitting. Carol Anne Victor was trying to comfort a weeping Marilyn Roth on the couch. Dawn Keelty, Betty’s daughter, stood quietly by the kitchen door, stirring a cup of coffee or tea she held in her hands. A paramedic knelt on the floor near the door to Evelyn’s bedroom, putting a stethoscope back into his medical case. A hushed conversation came from the bedroom and through the open door, Pastor Paul caught a glimpse of the sheriff’s gun belt and handgun as the officer rounded the foot of the bed, carrying a clipboard. Betty was still trying to steer the pastor where she thought he was most needed, but stopped to ask if he wanted to go in and see Evelyn before she was taken away. As he moved toward the bedroom door, she let go of his arm and headed to the couch to help Carol Anne.

Who are you? another paramedic asked as he stepped into the bedroom.

It’s okay, Doctor Wimbley said. He’s Pastor McGill from our church… Evelyn’s pastor. Then he turned toward Pastor McGill. Well, I guess her heart finally gave out with the stress of the cancer treatments and all, although I had been holding out a little hope lately.

As the paramedic backed away and headed out the door, Pastor Paul stepped up to the right side of the bed and looked down on Evelyn lying very still in her flowered cotton nightgown. Her pillows and blankets had been pulled away to allow medical attention, but now her bare feet and arms being exposed made her look cold. A surgical scar was just visible at her neckline. Almost as a reflex, he pulled the covers up to her chest, tucking her arms underneath. He looked up at Doc and the sheriff.

I hope that it’s all right for me to do this, he said as he adjusted the blankets. It’s just that she was always so sensitive to drafts while she was going through chemotherapy and this looks much more comfortable for her. Plus the ladies may want to come in for their final farewells. He lifted her gently, slid a pillow under her head, and brushed her hair to the side like she usually wore it.

Well, said the sheriff, I guess it’s all right as long it’s okay with the coroner here. I don’t think this is a case of foul play. How about it, Doc? Doctor Wimbley had a somewhat quizzical look on his face as he looked up from the bottles he held in his hand.

Oh… yes, yes, I think everything is okay, he said, It’s just that there are a few more things that I have to do before I have all the answers. For instance, I have to add up all the remaining pills in these bottles and compare them to the prescriptions. Everything has to be done right before I can go on the record. Don’t rush me, Ellis; I’ll let you know after the autopsy.

Autopsy? asked Pastor Paul. Is that really necessary? Didn’t she just die as a result of the cancer?

Well, there are some issues surrounding the conditions of her discovery. Sheriff Richards broke in, Whenever there is an unattended death we have to investigate by law.

But the ladies were always here, taking turns caring for Evelyn, Pastor Paul replied. I don’t think she would ever have been unattended.

Well, you’re probably right, but Mrs. Roth seemed pretty confused when I showed up. I came because she dialed 911 and we were close by. My deputy and I were coming back from transferring some prisoners over to Lawtonville County Jail and happened to be coming down Castle Valley Road just about a mile away. Mrs. Roth didn’t seem to give me a very clear story about whether she was here when Mrs. Arlington died or she came in and found her dead. In fact, I think it’s time to go back out and talk to her again and see if she has her story straight now. The sheriff headed toward the door with his clipboard in hand. Pastor Paul started to follow when Doc asked him to stay for a minute. The sheriff pulled the door closed as he stepped back into the living room.

Doc Wimbley was a long-time member of Castle Community Church, served as an elder, and helped introduce Pastor McGill to the people in the surrounding community when he first came to Castle Valley about fourteen years earlier. Pastor Paul felt that over the years they had grown to be good friends, and now he could read Doc’s expressions pretty well.

Is something wrong, Doc? asked Pastor Paul as soon as the door was completely closed. Doctor Wimbley looked down at Evelyn then back at Pastor Paul.

Yes… and no. I mean that I don’t think anything is wrong, but I do have some questions. Most things seem as they should be, but here and there, they seem to be just a little out of place, Doc answered.

Well, what doesn’t seem right, Doc? said Pastor Paul as feelings of concern rose in his heart.

Sheriff Richards told me that when he got here Evelyn was lying naturally on the bed with all the pillows and covers in place, and her hands were lying one over the other across her chest just like she was asleep, Doc explained. He just felt her neck for a pulse and didn’t disturb anything in the room. By the time I arrived, the EMTs had torn all the covers off to attempt CPR and soon realized that she had been dead for quite some time. I looked her over when I got here and found something I couldn’t explain right away. Doc reached into his pocket and pulled out a little plastic evidence bag. He held it up so Pastor Paul could take a look. Inside were two small, rose-colored threads.

I found those inside her nose, Doc said in the low voice, and I also noticed this. Doc reached down and leaned over Evelyn inviting Pastor Paul to join him on the other side of the bed. He spread her eyelid open with his gloved fingers so the pastor could see the white area of her eye. There are little hemorrhages around the circumference of her eyes, but mostly on the two outside corners.

What does that mean, asked Pastor Paul, imagining that it probably wasn’t something good if Doc was so concerned.

Well, sometimes it means that someone has been suffocated, Doc answered. Pastor Paul stood straight up at hearing of that possibility as Doc continued; Now I don’t think anybody that I know in all of Castle Valley would want poor Sister Evelyn to leave her earthly home any quicker than she should! And I realize that at her age and with all the chemicals that have been in her body because of the cancer treatments, there may be other explanations for the hemorrhaging around the eyes. But those fibers also bother me because they look suspiciously like the colors on her pillow case. When you put the two things together it’s hard to explain. For a few moments Doc and Pastor Paul just looked at each other as their minds tried to come up with a reasonable explanation.

So you’re suggesting that someone may have decided to put Evelyn out of her suffering? Pastor Paul asked slowly, not even wanting to say the words.

Now that brings up something else, Doc replied. Although Evelyn had some pretty hard days recently, she may have been ready to turn the corner soon. I was her general practitioner and sent her on to the oncologist when we got the news of her breast cancer. He has been keeping me up on her condition and about three days ago he told me that the tests were showing signs of improvement.

But she had been in such pain and was so weak, Pastor Paul said incredulously.

That’s the way it is sometimes, Doc explained. The surgery and treatments can be awfully painful and make you weak as a kitten, but sometimes they do work miracles in the long haul. I was hoping to see some strength beginning to come back, but then I got this call. I was very surprised to hear that she had died. Again, I have to wait until I do an autopsy before I can say for sure what happened. Maybe her heart did give out like I mentioned earlier. It will probably be good for us to keep this between us for now. After I get some more facts together I’ll have to give a report to Sheriff Richards, but I didn’t want him grilling the ladies needlessly, if you know what I mean. You do understand that I have to turn over all the evidence that I collect regardless of the implications.

Pastor Paul looked down again at Evelyn lying peaceably on the bed. Evelyn always hated being the center of attention, so this situation would really bother her. Pastor Paul gave her shoulder a little pat. Don’t worry, Sister, we’ll get to the bottom of this, he said as he turned for the door and the drama that surely lies beyond.

Chapter Two

The Ladies

Every eye in the living room turned toward the bedroom door as it creaked open. Pastor Paul stepped into the living room and pulled the door shut behind him as the doctor continued to gather the necessary evidence. Pastor Paul’s mind was racing as he tried to decide what to say and do next. Sheriff Richards walked by him toward the front door.

If anyone thinks of anything else that is relevant… make sure you give me a call, he said over his shoulder as he put away his pen and opened the front door. The three husbands from the front porch stepped in before the door closed and edged sheepishly around the room trying to find a place a stand. Carol Anne signaled to her husband, Bill, to sit down on the couch with her which he did obediently.

Sister Evelyn was a really wonderful lady and we all are blessed to have known her, Pastor Paul said having found his voice again. We will surely miss her and especially her apple pie! That brought a rousing laugh from George Roth as he shook his head in agreement.

You sure are right, Pastor, no one could bake an apple pie like Evelyn, George said. She just had this way to make the perfect crust and the apple filling had just the right amount of cinnamon and…

George Roth! said his wife, Marilyn. This isn’t the time to compare recipes. Our dear sister has just gone home, and much too quickly if you ask me! Then Marilyn broke done in muffled sobs, burying her nose into her handkerchief. Pastor recognized it as one of the fancy ones that Evelyn embroidered and knew that it was probably giving Marilyn some small comfort as she held it close.

Look everyone, we’re all feeling a great loss right now, but we can get through it by remembering all the good things that Evelyn did… including her apple pies… and those fancy handkerchiefs she always donated to the church fund-raisers, encouraged Pastor Paul. I think that Evelyn would want us to be comforted knowing that she is out of all her pain and with the Lord in heaven right now.

Amen to that Pastor, said Dorlene looking up from the pile of knitting in her lap. The room grew silent for what seemed like five minutes and then people began to talk quietly to each other in low tones. Dawn finally spoke up from the doorway of the kitchen.

The water is hot for tea. There’s coffee and Bill brought some donuts from that great bakery in Everett, she announced. Can I get anything for anyone?

The mood shifted, as it usually does, when people beginning to enjoy their refreshments and friendly conversations. Pastor Paul found an unfilled chair next to the bedroom door, sat down with his coffee and balanced his donut on a napkin draped across his knee. For the first time as he looked around the room he began to consider whether he might be looking at potential suspects in Sister Evelyn’s death.

Dorlene Johnston, sitting by the front door with her knitting, was a transplant to Castle Valley from Brooklyn, New York. Her son had met and married a Castle Valley girl just a few years after Pastor Paul arrived. Dorlene arrived shortly after her son decided to settle down in nearby Everett where he worked at the local newspaper. Dorlene had always lived in the city and was ready to try country living for awhile. She wanted to have a big yard for her potential grandkids to enjoy. She joined Castle Community Church shortly after she moved and introduced everyone to some mighty fine soul food cuisine at the monthly fellowship dinners.

As Pastor Paul continued to look around the room, between sips of coffee, he realized that the Victors were also transplants to the community. They had moved here from California where they both worked in the technology field. Bill was a computer expert and had a home business doing everything from computer repairs, setting up websites, on-line advertising, to putting together multimedia business presentations. Carol Anne had been a very successful sales manager on the West Coast and she was using her skills to sell her husband’s business as well as helping set up promotions for local small businesses. She even sold some real estate. She wasn’t the best cook in the world, but she brought her great organization skills to the Ladies’ Group at church and inspired all sorts of new ways to raise funds for church projects which Pastor Paul really appreciated.

I’m still not entirely clear about what happened here this afternoon, Marilyn, injected Betty Keelty. We had a schedule for sitting with Evelyn and it seems like you’re not clear about what happened when you got here to take your turn, or so I heard you say to Sheriff Richards. Just as everyone started to focus their attention on Marilyn the door to the bedroom creaked open again and Doc Wimbley stepped out with a black garbage bag and his valise.

I smelled coffee and thought I’d better come out and join everyone, he said. Those donuts look pretty good, too. You know, I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast this morning. Dawn jumped to her feet almost spilling her coffee.

Let me make you a sandwich, Doctor, she said excitedly. We always kept some cold cuts on hand for whoever was watching Evelyn. Do you want coffee or tea?

I’ll take some tea and thank you very much Dawn. You always treat me so well, Doc said. But don’t let me interfere with your conversations… go on ahead where you were. He stuffed the bag and his valise under the chair as he sat down to listen.

Well, intoned Betty, We were just about to hear Marilyn’s account of what she remembered from this afternoon. now that her mind is clear. Go ahead, dear, tell us your story.

Dawn returned with Doc’s tea. Maybe I should start the story, Mama, she said to Betty. You see I called Marilyn about 1:30 PM to remind her that I needed to leave early today because I was interviewing for that bookstore job in Everett. I was so anxious and wanted to be sure I was on time. Well, maybe I shouldn’t have, but when Marilyn wasn’t here by 2 PM I asked Evelyn if it would be alright if I left her alone for just a couple of minutes. I knew that Marilyn was going be here soon and Evelyn did say that it was okay… that she’d be just fine! Dawn stopped and realized how unfortunate her words sounded in light of what had happened. Her eyes started to glisten with tears. Before anyone could say anything, she rushed off into the kitchen telling Doc that she would be right back with his sandwich.

She’ll be fine, Betty said realizing that several people were beginning to get up to see how Dawn was doing. Her father and I will talk with her after we get home tonight. Now, Marilyn, we’re all waiting to hear from you, dear.

Marilyn wiped her eyes again and, staring down at the delicate handkerchief in her hand she began, I planned to come right after Dawn called but Ralphie, our little dog, was whining to go out so I waited for him. He ended chasing some squirrels in the backyard and wouldn’t come when I called so… I never got here until 2:30 or so. She looked around at everyone’s faces and then continued. When I got here I came right into Evelyn’s room and spoke to her. She had that book from Beth Moore that our Ladies’ Group is using for Bible study lying on her chest. She smiled when she heard me and said that she had been too lazy to prop herself up with pillows to read. Holding the book up had made her arms heavy so she was taking a break. She said she was ready for a nap and I took the book and placed it on her nightstand.

Dawn came back in quietly and handed Doc Wimbley a plate with a sandwich and some macaroni salad. She picked up her coffee cup from where she had placed it and sat down to listen to Marilyn’s story.

I’m pretty sure about talking to Evelyn but after that is when things get fuzzy, Marilyn continued. I remember going to the kitchen and there was a cup with a tea bag on the counter and the water was still hot on the stove so I poured a cup. Pastor Paul took note that Dawn looked up quickly from her coffee when Marilyn mentioned having gone into the kitchen. I came back in here and from the couch I could look right into Evelyn’s room to keep an eye on her, Marilyn continued. I guess I stayed up too late last night because I must have fallen asleep… just when poor Evelyn needed me the most! Marilyn began to cry again and Carol Anne wrapped her arms around her while she wept.

Doc got up and headed for the kitchen stopping to ask Dawn for some more of that delicious macaroni salad. She followed him into the kitchen. Everyone had grown quiet once more and Pastor Paul started his inventory of suspects again.

George and Marilyn Roth were life-long residents of Castle Valley. George worked at a mid-sized furniture plant on the outskirts of the Valley, running various machines that made the components for tables, chairs and bedroom furniture. He always had a story or a joke to tell, but started laughing before he ever got to the punch line. Marilyn had always been a home-maker raising their three children who were all married now. Marilyn loved watching her grandchildren and doing many activities with the ladies at the church.

Then there were the Keeltys. Tim Keelty operated a construction-remodeling business that employed about three to six men and was fairly busy most of the time. He had a good reputation around Castle Valley for doing good quality work at a fair price. He was a rugged man, although fairly soft spoken, and was quite an outdoorsman. Betty was the unofficial head of the Ladies Group and she took some getting used to. She was very blunt at times, was known to step on toes and just kept on going. She was the shop manager of a company in Everett that made custom drapes and curtains as well as other sown items like fancy table cloths and dresser scarves all made to match. She had a reputation for being a drill sergeant on the job although she also had a thoughtful side. Pastor Paul had heard many people say how Betty had come to their rescue and helped them out in very challenging situations. Their daughter Dawn continued to live at home and take care of all the household duties. She was in her mid-thirties and never seemed quite ready to launch out on her own. Pastor Paul thought that was why she was so excited about getting a job at the bookstore in Everett.

With his list of suspects finally considered, it didn’t seem like anyone fit the usual profile of someone who could take another life. Suddenly another thought came to mind. Is there anyone else besides yourselves and maybe my wife, Terri, that spent time here with Evelyn over the past couple of weeks? he asked. Everyone shook their heads no as they looked around at each other.

Well, not other than Agnes Everton, said Dorlene as she was putting her knitting into her big carry bag.

Betty let out a little gasp. She certainly hasn’t been here too often, and we always made sure someone else was present when she was here. She shot Pastor Paul a look to see if he disapproved. It was just that with all that has happened to Agnes – Erik’s death and well… Elizabeth’s hospitalization… Evelyn had always been so kind to her. It seemed natural that she would want to be here sometimes.

When was she here last? asked Pastor Paul.

I think it was at least a week and half ago when Evelyn was really struggling, Dawn answered. "She kind of