Murder at the River Street Mansion

By Norm Meech

This book is a sequel to The Trash Man: Justice for All.

After being in policing for over 30 years, Alex McNeil retires and, to help supplement his pension, he starts driving a garbage truck in one of the roughest areas of Bisson City. He was reluctantly dragged into a murder investigation involving two serial killers murdering prostitutes.

Murder at the River Street Mansion

Alex survives a heart attack and, while looking for part-time employment, he meets Gordon McPherson, an unassuming billionaire, at a friend's party. Alex is later hired as the McPherson mansion's security manager and bodyguard for Gordon's wife, Mia.

He now thought he had finally experienced enough in his life and he had gotten the perfect job, working day shift managing the security of an old mansion and occasionally driving Mia around. What Alex did not know was that the mansion had many secrets, including secret passageways, tunnels, and hidden rooms.

The McPherson family had been involved with helping American slaves through the Underground Railroad into Canada in the mid 1860s. The mansion has more secrets than Alex could have ever imagined. Alex doesn't believe in the afterlife and ghosts until he meets Daisy Day, a twelve-year-old American slave girl. Is Alex suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder? Are his visions of Daisy Day real?

Add a murder and kidnapping at the McPherson mansion and Alex's quiet, well-paid job turns into a fight for his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Mar 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9780228874614

Norm Meech

Norm is a first time author. During the day he stills works as a police officer and on his time off he is a part time author. He has spent nearly eight years on and off working on his novel.He has spent over forty years as a police officer with three different police services in the Province of Ontario.During his career he has spent more than fourteen years working in criminal investigations. He was a supervisor and a case manager in the Major Crime Unit and later the Homicide unit.Although this is a fictional murder mystery novel, Norm wanted to expose what it is like being involved with conducting homicide investigations and how it sometimes it affects the involved police officers.Norm believes that the greatest asset in a police organization is its people and that at times the public forget that police officers and civilians may be affected by these tragedies as well. Through the novel he wanted to highlight how these events could lead to substance issues and potentially Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Norm wanted to expose in his book the drive and determination that police officers have in solving crimes especially homicide investigations.Norm believes that one of the greatest honours a police officer could have is to be responsible for investigating the death of another human being.

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Copyright © 2022 by Norm Meech

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-7460-7 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-7459-1 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-7461-4 (eBook)

Dedication

On December 31, 2021, I retired from the Barrie Police Service, and I believe besides my family, one of my greatest accomplishments I have achieved in my lifetime was to be employed as a police officer for over 44 years.

During my career I have met so many wonderful people working in Emergency Services, and I appreciate all the sacrifices they make everyday to assist members of the public.

In April 2021 I attended Southlake Regional Hospital and later the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Newmarket Ontario. I was diagnosed with cancer and received Radiation and Chemotherapy treatment until the fall of 2021. I’m still recovering from some side affects but I’m now cancer free. I want to thank all the Doctors, nurses, technicians, and other wonderful people that assisted me in my treatment. Everyone was very professional, helpful, and informative.

I would like to also thank members of the Barrie Police Service. During a tough time, besides my family and friends my second family came to my aid. Texts, emails, phone calls, visits, and offers of support brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Summary

Chapter 1 - Is This Heaven

Chapter 2 - The Police Interview

Chapter 3 - The Job Offer

Chapter 4 - Mansion Security Manager and Bodyguard

Chapter 5 - Suspicious Activity at the Mansion

Chapter 6 - Easter Weekend

Chapter 7 - More Security Concerns.

Chapter 8 - Cuba and the Phone Call

Chapter 9 - The Investigation

Chapter 10 - Mia’s Life and Thoughts

Chapter 11 - Gordon’s Perspective, I Have Been Kidnapped.

Chapter 12 - The Garcia’s and the Investigation Continues.

Chapter 13 - Agnes Brooks and the Investigation

Chapter 14 - The Hospital and the Unknown Third Kidnapper

Chapter 15 - The American Slaves and the Underground Railroad

Chapter 16 - Jose’s Funeral and the Mysterious Rooms

Chapter 17 - Finally Justice for All

About the Author

Summary

Alex survives a heart attack and while looking for part-time employment he meets Gordon McPherson who is an unassuming billionaire at a friend’s party. Alex is later hired as the McPherson’s Mansion’s Security Manager and bodyguard for Gordon’s wife Mia.

He now finally thought he had experienced enough in his life and that he had gotten the perfect job, working day shift managing the security of an old Mansion and occasionally driving Mia around. What Alex did not know was the Mansion had many secrets, including secret passageways, tunnels, and hidden rooms.

The McPherson family had been involved with helping American slaves through the Underground Railroad into Canada in the mid 1860’s. The Mansion had more secrets than Alex could ever imagine. Alex never believed in the afterlife and ghosts until he meets Daisy Day, a 12-year-old American slave girl. Is Alex suffering from Post Trauma Stress Disorder? Are his visions of Daisy Day real?

Add a murder and kidnapping at the McPherson Mansion and Alex’s quiet well-paid job turns into a fight for his life.

CHAPTER 1

Is This Heaven

I could see a bright light and I was wondering if it was a light from heaven and the angels were directing me to heaven. I was thinking, where am I? Did I die from my heart attack and is this what happens to you when you die? I had to squint to look at the bright light. It was a big, beautiful light surrounded by white coloured fluffy clouds. I could feel my body and I felt sore all over. I did not think you could feel pain when you died, at least not in heaven. Maybe I was in hell, and I had to feel the pain to remind me that I had to repent for all the mistakes I made when I was still alive. I was not sure if I was dreaming or not. I then heard a man’s voice say Alex, Alex. I was wondering if this was God’s voice telling me to follow his voice.

I then heard, the same voice, Alex this is Dr. Burns can you open your eyes. I opened my eyes and tried to focus my vision. It was difficult but after a few seconds my vision had returned. The bright light was a window next to me in a hospital room. I looked around and saw Dr. Burns and a nurse standing next to me.

I tried to talk but I could not. I could not feel anything. I started to panic and then I heard Dr. Burns say, stay still until I remove the tube from your throat. I felt something unusually as Dr. Burns pulled the tube out of my throat. He also removed the oxygen tubes from my nose. Dr. Burns told me again not to move. He slowly spoke to me as he was methodically working on me. He said Alex you had had a massive heart attack and you had been rushed to the hospital. He said that I had heart surgery again and had another artery repaired. He said that he had concerns about my recovery so he had put me into an induced coma for a week, so that my heart and body could repair itself.

The nurse gave me a cup of water with a straw in it for me to sip. My throat and mouth felt dry, and I could not believe how thirsty I was. Dr. Burns said that while I had been in a coma, everyday Karen, and the kids had taken turns visiting me. He said that my friends had also come by.

Dr. Burns said that he wanted to do some quick tests on me. He asked me to try speaking and I said yes in a hoarse voice. He said that he was going to touch my body in different places, and he wanted to know if I could feel his touch or not. He started on my right side, at my neck and started asking, can you feel me touch you? He went along touching me and squeezing me down my right side, my arm and all the way down to my toes. I told him that I could feel him touching me. He then touched my chest and I winced in pain. Dr. Burns said that was normal because of my surgery. He probed my stomach and sides and there was no pain. He went down my left side asking me if I could feel his touch. I told him to go ahead, and he responded that he had already been squeezing my left hand.

Dr. Burns said that he was going to squeeze my left hand hard. I could just barely feel him squeezing my hand. Dr. Burns was then poking and touching my left shoulder and bicep area. I could barely feel his touch. I started to worry that I was partially paralyzed on my left side and Dr. Burns told me not to worry. He said that with physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment the feeling in my left hand and forearm should return. Although I was feeling overwhelmed and concerned, I told him I hope so.

Dr. Burns said that it would take a little while to get my body use to moving and working again but he expected a full recovery. He said that I should not have any more problems with my heart and that I should live for a long time. He told me that I was a very lucky man to survive, and it was fortunate that I had been rushed to the hospital and I had received emergency surgery. Dr. Burns said that he had told Karen he was going to bring me out of my coma today. He then said that Karen, my kids, and a few friends were in the waiting room wanting to see me. I asked if he could bring Karen in first to see me in a few minutes.

While I was waiting, the nurse washed my face and combed my hair. I was still a little groggy and I was still trying to remember what had happened to me.

Karen came into my room a few minutes later. As she was approaching my bed she was smiling and crying at the same time. She walked over and kissed me on the cheek. She reached out and held my hand. Karen said that she was so happy to see me awake. I told her it was nice to see her, but I did not remember what had happened to me. Do you remember anything she said? I said that I only remembered going to work downtown and driving the garbage truck. Karen looked at Dr. Burns who was standing off to the side.

Dr. Burns said that it was normal for me not to remember everything from what had happened to me right away. He said that my memory should come back in a while. Karen asked Dr. Burns if it was ok for her to tell me about what had happened to me. He said that it was okay.

Karen said that Stephanie and Corrie had told her what they believed had happened to me just prior to me passing out.

Karen told me that I had gone looking for my friend Joe in the warehouse area near the harbor front. She said that I had come across Sophie beating Joe with a shovel and to stop her from killing Joe, I had struck Sophie with the garbage truck. Karen then said that I had a heart attack while calling the police for help and for whatever unknown reason, I had driven home.

I then slowly started remembering what had happened and then I started thinking about poor Joe. I then realized that I had struck Sophie with the truck and that I had killed her. The tears started running down my face and Karen asked me what was wrong. I said that I was thinking about poor Joe being dead and that I had killed Sophie. Karen interrupted me and said Joe is not dead. I asked her what she was talking about. She said that Joe had been rushed to the hospital and that the Doctors were able to save him. Karen said that he was partially paralyzed on his right side of his body, but he had survived.

While in the hospital Joe had apparently given a statement to Stephanie and Corrie telling them what had happened. Karen said that Joe had told them that Sophie had been waiting for him near the steam pipe where he lived. Sophie attacked him screaming that it was his fault that she had been arrested. Sophie was screaming at Joe that she was going to kill him like all the others.

Karen then said that apparently Stephanie and Corrie had tried to find me at the house, and they had come across me walking on the street. They had told Karen that they had realized that I was having some type of medical episode when I was rambling about spreading Kobe’s ashes in the ravine. So, they had prearranged for an ambulance to standby when I had walked into the ravine.

Then surprisingly in a firm voice, Karen then said that I was a stubborn old bastard that could have died. Alex why didn’t you called an ambulance or drive to the hospital right away? Holding her hand, I told her that for some unknown reason, I was so confused and disoriented I did not know what to do. I looked at her and told her that I was sorry.

Karen asked Dr. Burns if the kids could come in and see me. Dr. Burns nodded, saying sure. Karen said that they had come to the hospital every day and they had sat next to me all day long. She said that they had taken turns reading a book to me and they had talked to me hoping that I could still hear their voices.

Karen left my room and a few minutes later she returned with the kids. They both ran towards me and took turns hugging me. They were happy but they had tears in their eyes. It was a very emotional time and I told them that I was sorry that I had upset them so much. Chloe said that they were all happy that I was awake, and nothing mattered anymore if I was okay. I thanked them for coming and sitting with me while I was in the coma. James who sometimes had trouble expressing his feelings was standing off to the side. I asked him what was wrong. He did not say anything, he just walked over to my bed and hugged me. Dad I did not think that you were ever going to wake up. I know that the Doctor had told us he had put you into an induced coma so your body could repair itself, but I was so scared. I told him that I was sorry that I had scared him, but I thanked him for helping mom and Chloe and for standing by me. We talked for a while, and I started to feel tired. Dr. Burns then said that I should get some rest and they should leave soon.

Karen asked Dr. Burns if two more people could come in and see me for a couple of minutes. Dr. Burns asked if I felt up to having a couple of more visitors and I said sure. I thanked the kids for everything, hugged and kissed them both and told them that I would see them tomorrow. Karen reached down and kissed me on the lips and told me that she was going home with the kids. Karen then whispered in my ear that I was still going to get punched when I got home. She winked at me and told me that she loved me. I told her and kids again that I loved them all very much and then they left my room.

Dr. Burns was still there in my room checking on my monitors and making notes on his clipboard. Stephanie and Corrie then walked into my room, and I was happy to see them. Stephanie was carrying flowers and she walked over and kissed me on my cheek. Corrie reached over and shook my hand. I said wow the flowers are beautiful but, where is the bottle of rye? Stephanie just shook her head and said you must be feeling better. I told them that I was feeling okay under the circumstances and that it was nice to see them. Stephanie said that I looked a lot better today than the last time when they had seen me. I told them I guess I owe you both a big thank you for calling an ambulance in advance for me.

Stephanie said that when they saw me walking on the street, they knew that something was wrong, but they were not sure what was going on. She said that they knew that I had heart attack from listening to the phone call that I had made to the police, but they were confused by my actions, why I had gone home. I looked at them and said that I guess that I had panicked, I was disoriented, and I was pretty confused at the time.

Dr. Burns said that disorientation and confusion was normal for someone having a heart attack. He then said that my friends had to leave now, as I needed to get my rest. Stephanie told me not to worry as a lot of good things had happened in the last week. Stephanie said that they would tell me everything when they came by the next time. I shook Corrie’s hand and hugged Stephanie goodbye. When they left Dr., Burns walked over to my bed and told me that I had a nice family and friends.

Dr. Burns said that I would have to stay in the hospital for another 3-4 days and then if everything went well, I should be able to go home. He said that I would be starting rehabilitation treatment tomorrow for my left hand. He said that the rest of the tubes and monitors would be removed from me within the next 8-12 hours. I told Dr. Burns that I wanted to thank him and his team for everything that they have done for me.

Dr. Burns took his glasses off and looked down at me while I lied in bed. He then said Alex I must agree with your wife that you are one stubborn guy when it comes to you getting immediate medical assistance. I said yes, Doctor I think you are right, and I think this time I have learned my lesson. I truly believe that I have been given a second chance at life and I will not mess it up. Dr. Burns said get some rest and, I do believe someone is watching over you. Dr. Burns then said that he had to continue with his rounds and that he would see me later.

I was looking out the window and I started thinking about a lot of different things. I was glad to hear that Joe had made it. Joe had been a witness against Sophie, and I guess she had decided to kill him. I was also sure that at some point I would be interviewed by the police for hitting Sophie with the truck. I was thinking that perhaps under the circumstances they would understand I was just trying to save Joe and that maybe I would not be criminally charged with killing Sophie. Anyway, whatever happens, will happen, I will deal with it whatever the consequences are. The rest of the day and night I drifted in and out of sleep. The nurses kept coming into my room through the night checking on me and they started to disconnect some of the monitors. Of course, it would be the pretty nurse that had the job of removing my catheter. I was going to make a joke about how cold it was in the room, but I was too tired. Anyway, she had probably heard the joke a thousand times before. She told me to stay in my bed and if I needed to go the washroom or anything to just buzz them. She put the buzzer near my right hand and put a foam cup of crushed ice water on the tray next to me.

The night went by quickly and a woman brought me some mush in the morning that they called breakfast. I did not eat very much of it, but I was able to sip some tea. I looked down at my left arm and hand. I tried and tried to move it, but I still could not lift my arm or make a fist. I tried hard and I was just able to move my fingers a little bit. I could not believe that I use to be able to curl fifty-pound weights in each hand and now I could not make a fist.

Around nine in the morning a nurse came by to see me. She said that she and another nurse were going to use a lift that was attached to the bed to assist in lifting me out of bed and into a wheelchair. They wheeled me into the washroom and helped me onto the toilet. She said sit there for a while and then they would come and get me and take me to a physiotherapy appointment. A little while later two nurses returned and said it was time to go to physiotherapy. They helped me into a wheelchair. I only had a hospital gown on, and it was drafty. The nurse then covered me up good with a blanket.

As I was about to be pushed out of the room Karen and the kids arrived. The nurse told them that I would be back in about thirty minutes and Karen said that they would go and get something to eat and that they would return to my room in a while.

The nurse pushed me in the wheelchair down the hallway corridors and onto an elevator. We went down to the ground floor and into an area called, the Rehabilitation Center. The nurse pushed me over to a table where I met another nurse. The nurse reached out and shook my hand. She said that her name was Janet and she sat down. She told me that she had reviewed Dr. Burns file on me. Janet then said that the first thing that I should do, is to stop worrying. She said that there is no medical evidence to suggest that I would not have a full recovery, in the use of my left hand. Janet said that I would be standing soon and that I should be able to take a few steps today. She also said that she expected that most of my strength and mobility should be returning in the next couple of days. I told Janet that it was great news as I was pretty concerned about my left arm and hand.

Janet said sometimes nerves get pinched and when you are in a coma the body naturally reduces the blood flow to your limbs. She said that, somehow your body knows when your body is dealing with trauma, there is a need to keep your main core organs going and your brain will focus the blood flow to your body’s core.

Janet spent a few minutes completing some paperwork and she said for the next couple of days I will be seeing her two times a day. Janet stood up and wheeled me over to some parallel bars that were about four feet off the ground. She put the parking brake on the wheelchair and said that she was going to help me stand. She said that my legs would feel weak and that I may feel a little dizzy, but I should be able to stand and walk a bit.

I was able to stand with Janet’s assistance and I was able to grab the right-side bar with my right hand. Janet said that she knew I had no gripping power in my left hand so she said she would support my left side. Janet then told me to hold onto the bar and to support myself and try to take a few steps. I started moving my feet and I took one step at a time. I could walk but it felt like I was walking through water. I did not understand why there was an unknown resistance. I asked Janet about the resistance, and she said it was normal. She continued to help me walk to the end of the bars and return. It was only about ten feet each way, but it felt great. Janet helped me back into my wheelchair. She then said that later in the afternoon, I would be brought back to rehab and that she would start working on my left hand.

As Janet was pushing me back to my room, I was thinking about all the people that I had seen in the rehabilitation center. They were all like me, all struggling to get back something physically they had lost. I felt lucky, as I believed that I would eventually have a complete recovery and I knew sadly some of the other patients would never fully recover.

Janet pushed me into my room, and I saw Karen, and the kids sitting there waiting for me. Janet introduced herself to them. Janet parked the wheelchair about eight feet away from the bed. Janet then said, Alex I am going to help you, I want you to stand up and walk back to your bed and get into your bed. I stood up and with Janet’s assistance I was able to walk back to my bed and I was able to climb back into bed. Janet then said that I could try walking short distances with some assistance and that the wheelchair would only be used to go down to the rehabilitation center. Janet then asked Karen if she could bring me in some casual clothing to wear for a couple of days while doing physiotherapy. Janet explained that the hospital gowns were not appropriate for walking around the hospital. Karen said that she had already put some clothing in the dresser next to my bed. Janet said that was great and that she would see me later in the afternoon.

I sat and talked to Karen and the kids. Lunch came and it appeared to be regular hospital food. Karen helped me to the washroom and later she helped me to put some track pants and a t-shirt on. My balance and ability to move was already getting better. I was able to play cards with the kids for a while, but it was difficult only playing with one hand.

Janet came back to my room around two o’clock and said that it was time for another round of physiotherapy. I told the kids it was nice that they had been here to support me, but I wanted them to get back into there regular routine. I told them, they could text me or they could get updates from mom. I told Karen that it was nice seeing her, but I also thought that she should get back into her regular routine, that included going back to work. I said that I would be okay and that probably I would be sent home within the next few days. Karen then said okay, and they hugged and kissed me goodbye.

Janet pushed me in my wheelchair back down to the rehabilitation center. She made me walk from the door entrance to a desk. I then sat down, and Janet pushed some plastic containers in front of me. She gave me some instructions on what to do. The first container was full of marbles. She said to try to move my left hand through the marbles in the container and to try to touch or squeeze the marbles with my fingers. The next container was full of Popsicle sticks. Janet said try to pick up or squeeze a Popsicle stick with my fingers. The third container was full of uncooked rice. Janet said to move my fingers through the rice grains in circular motion. I then spent forty minutes playing in the three containers. With a little assistance I was able to walk around a little bit and then it was time to go back to my room.

Janet asked me if I felt like walking all the way back to my room and I said sure, I will try. She then helped me walk all the way back to my room. I felt tired at the end, but I had made it. I was impressed with myself, thinking I went from bed to wheelchair to walking all in one day. Janet then said to me, no more wheelchairs and that it was ok to go for short walks around the room or in the hallways. Janet said to try to constantly move my fingers and to make a fist. She said that with a little bit of time and some physiotherapy she was expecting a full recovery in the usage of my left hand. Janet then said that for the next two days she expected me to make my own way to the rehabilitation center, sharply at 10.00 in the morning and 2.00 in the afternoon.

I was tired and had a nap. I woke up just before dinner time. The food was good, and I spent a while trying to hold the utensils with my left fingers. I could not, although my fingers seemed to move a bit more. I was tired, and I slept through most of the night. I got up once in the night to go for a pee and I was able to walk to the washroom without any trouble.

I spent the day walking slowly through the hallways of the hospital. My walking abilities had just about returned to one hundred percent. My left hand was starting to have some feeling in it. During my two physiotherapy sessions Janet put cream on my hand and used some type of portable vibrating machine on my arm, hand, and fingers. I was able to feel the machines circulating motions and it appeared to be helping.

Karen came by after work, and she had dinner with me. She ate a submarine sandwich while I had the hospital food. After dinner we went for a walk down to the cafeteria and we had a coffee. She told me that nothing was new with her or the kids and asked how I was doing. I said that my walking was getting better and that I was getting some feelings and movement back into my hand. She asked how my heart felt and I said pretty good except my chest was still sore. I said that it felt like the area around the stitches and the old scar tissue felt numb. I told her that I was hoping to go home in the next couple of days. I noticed Karen was looking around the cafeteria and then suddenly she punched me hard on my upper right arm. Wow I said trying to deal with the pain. I could not even raise my left hand to rub my arm and like a little kid, I said that was not fair. Karen looked at me and said what was not fair, was it fair if I had died, I would have left her and the kids alone. Wincing in a bit of pain I sheepishly said that she was right.

Changing the subject Karen then said that it was getting colder outside and that she would bring a coat down for me. We then walked back to my room and Karen helped me into bed. While helping me into bed she reached down and gave my penis a little squeeze. Karen winked and said now with your heart being fully repaired I hope the lion comes home soon. Karen kissed me and left for the night. I was thinking wow even after 30 years I never know what to expect from that woman.

Karen had brought my cell phone down to the hospital for me to use. I checked my missed messages and there were a couple of messages from Stephanie. Stephanie was a good cop and a good friend. We had known each other for years and had at one time we had been police partners. She and Corrie work together in the Homicide Unit and they had eventually started dating and had become a secret couple. You can’t date or be related to anyone in the same unit or police division. I text her back and said that she and Corrie could visit any time tomorrow except for at ten and two when I had physiotherapy. Stephanie said that they would stop by tomorrow afternoon.

I then went for another walk and later practiced squeezing my left hand. I slept through the night as I was tired. I had my breakfast and a sponge bath.

Dr. Burns came by and spoke to me. He said that I was making great progress and that I would be released from the hospital around 9.00 tomorrow morning. He said that he would arrange for a physiotherapist to come to my house and give me therapy three times a week for a month. Dr. Burns also told me that I should not have any more heart problems and that I should continue to look after myself. He told me to eat healthy and to keep exercising and to look after myself. He also said that unless I had any heart problems, he would see me in a couple of months for a checkup. I shook his hand and said thank you.

I went to my physiotherapy appointments and got back to my room just as Stephanie and Corrie were arriving. I shook