The Redemption of the Dead

By Kathleen Pennell

Cynthia Treadwell is not just hunting a killer, she's the prey they never saw coming.

Cynthia Treadwell is drawn into another murder investigation but this time, she becomes the target. Miss Treadwell meets a man who is shrouded, not only in clothing,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathleen Pennell
• Release date: Mar 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798218407797

Kathleen Pennell

Kathleen Pennell is a retired reading specialist. Since 2001, she has written fifteen books. Twelve books for children 9-14 as well as three books in an adult murder/mystery series. She has written extensively on Quora, an international question-answer platform. Her answers have been viewed by over 265,000,000 people from all over the world. She has created a space on Quora called Kathleen Pennell's Posts with 46,000 followers.

Book preview

Books by Kathleen Pennell

Pony Investigator Series

The Case of the Missing Money

The Case of the Phantom Stallion

The Case of the Midnight Stranger

The Case of the Mysterious Circus

The Case of the Secret Passage

The Case of the Mirror Image

The Adventures In Time Series

The Door into Time

Rescued in Time

Lancelot Maddox Series

The Boy on the Bench

Ragtag Rescue

The Missing Agent

Plane Down

A Treadwell Mystery Series

The Face in the Water

The Man at the Ruins

The Redemption of the Dead

www.kathleenpennell.com

Shape Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Copyright © 2022 Kathleen Pennell

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

April 1996

Charlie gazed unseeing through the train window as his hand slipped inside his jacket pocket. He’d stuffed enough cash in a duffel bag to last a year then hid it in a locker at a train station. Reassured that the small keys to the locker and bag were still in place, he withdrew his hand. His jacket pocket wasn’t the safest place to hide the keys but, if it became necessary to flee at a moment’s notice, his jacket was the one article of clothing he always wore hence the concern for the keys which he frequently and neurotically checked.

A charming psychopath, Charlie befriended and beguiled then deserted at critical moments, which is why David and Eli Deckert served twenty-five years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. Two witnesses had been paid well to commit perjury under oath. There was a third conspirator who kept his mouth shut when he could have spared the two teenagers from imprisonment. But the third conspirator had grown soft with time and now presented a threat to Charlie’s freedom. It was because of this that he was on the train to Bedford. Once the threat was eliminated, he’d use this same train to escape.

Chapter 1

May 1971

Charlie had not been invited to Jane Carter’s ninety-second birthday party but it was critical that he meet her nephew, Benjamin Carter, in a safe territory. It was a large party, so Charlie waited until several cars arrived at the same time then drifted inside with everyone thinking he was part of the other group.

He came to the birthday celebration armed with knowledge that could secure his future. He would plant a seed at that party then wait for the seed to germinate.

A large gathering of people had been invited to join in the festivities. Cook, noted for her outstanding cuisine, did not disappoint that night. For that reason, rarely did anyone turn down an invitation to Jane Carter’s parties.

Benjamin was rather fond of his aunt but she appeared discouragingly healthy for someone of ninety-two. Aunt Jane had become forgetful so appropriate papers were drawn up naming her nephew, Benjamin Carter, as her power of attorney. He paid all her bills and transferred money from her assets into her checking account as needed. Aunt Jane could rest easy knowing her funds were in thoroughly reliable hands.

But he needed a loan of sorts and borrowed money from his aunt’s account. He’d pay it back the following month. The following month found him, once again, short of funds. After two years, the size of the loans he’d borrowed amounted to seventy thousand dollars. His aunt never asked about his duties as power of attorney and neither did the bank manager or his aunt’s attorney. Unconsciously, he considered these monthly withdrawals as payments for the time he invested in juggling her assets. The time he poured into his duties never exceeded thirty minutes each week.

Benjamin sat at a table somewhat removed from the other guests while he stared unseeing at the gold signet ring on his little finger. With a certain amount of anxiety, he reviewed a call from Aunt Jane’s attorney that morning and was completely unaware that a young man was observing him from across the room.

Eventually, the young man joined him. Nice party, Charlie said by way of opening the conversation.

Yes, nice party, Benjamin said, not bothering to look up and wishing to be left in peace.

Your aunt, right?

Aunt Jane? Yes, she was my father’s sister.

So your father passed away?

He did. Aunt Jane is the last of a long line of Carters.

I see, Charlie said, for he saw everything. You’re her sole heir then.

In fact, Benjamin was her main heir but not her sole heir. She had allocated a portion of her wealth to Cook in the form of a generous annuity. Cook had served her for thirty-five years and they had developed, if not a friendship, a companionable relationship.

Benjamin turned and studied the young man. Is there a point to this conversation?

Not really. It’s just that some people—outlive their lives. That’s all, Charlie said then added in a low voice. Audits can be a sticky affair if everything doesn’t add up.

With those words, Benjamin also saw everything. If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to speak to. He rose and left but not before Charlie skillfully slipped something into Benjamin’s pocket. He was equally adept at extracting things from a person’s pocket. At twenty-three, his baby face gave him the convenient illusion of extreme youth and innocence. But on that night, he countered his youthful looks with one of an infinite number of disguises. He wore oversized glasses, attached a pencil thin mustache under his nose, and dyed his hair a darker color then slicked it straight back from his forehead. His entire appearance gave the impression of a more mature, successful man of thirty-five.

As Benjamin stood, temptation took hold and held him captive. With a great deal of self-control, he left the table, walked across the room, and kissed Aunt Jane’s cheek. An hour later, feeling every inch the Judas he pretended not to be, he left the party. As he reached inside his pocket for his car keys, his fingertips touched something the size of a business card. Whoever placed it there had a level of expertise that surprised yet intrigued him at the same time. When he arrived home, his first instinct was to dispose of the business card.

Instead, he studied the card for a few seconds. The name on the card was Charlie. No last name, just Charlie and a phone number. He decided to keep it for the time being and propped it on his desk then pretended to forget it. That self-control lasted until Aunt Jane’s attorney called him again two days later.

I do feel rather bad about this audit business, Benjamin, the attorney began. But you know how bankers are. I received a call from your aunt’s bank manager and he insists it’s standard procedure when someone has power of attorney.

I had no idea it was standard procedure, Benjamin said lamely.

Well, it can’t be helped. The audit, and I don’t mind telling you it’s supposed to be quite thorough in scope, is to begin next month. It’s not a pronouncement against you. I hope you realize that. Just something we have to put up with. Sighing, the attorney hung up but not before apologizing for the third time.

Always gracious, Benjamin said he understood. After all, needs must and being gracious to the one who held a certain part of his future in his hands was a must. He sat at his desk knowing the auditor would find large, unexplained withdrawals. Sighing, he reviewed the conversation he’d had with the young man at the party. Charlie? Was that his name? Charlie knew about the audit of his aunt’s financial holdings. But how?

The following morning found Benjamin sitting at his desk in his home office pondering three issues: the upcoming audit, the discouragingly robust health his aunt appeared to be enjoying, and the business card slipped into his pocket at the birthday party.

Knowing he was the main beneficiary of her estate, Benjamin had lived a lifestyle beyond his means. It had become a habit to borrow money from Aunt Jane’s account. After all, most of it would be his someday anyway. Why not take a little of it now when he needed it? Surely Aunt Jane wouldn’t press charges. Or would she? A bit old fashioned and hidebound to conventions, it was impossible to determine what she’d do when the auditors presented the discrepancies to her.

His thoughts ran the gamut as the unthinkable became more palatable. Perhaps she needed a little push in the right direction but someone else would have to do the pushing.

He twirled the pencil between his four fingers which was his singular gift in life save spending money. As he twirled, Benjamin sifted through the possibilities until his mind stopped as did his twirling. The business card was propped up against the picture of Aunt Jane. How ironic. The man at the party looked fairly mature but didn’t seem the type to do the pushing that needed to be done if he were to slip out from underneath the charges that were sure to be leveled against him.

Benjamin made the call. They bantered back and forth about the strategy until Charlie said to leave everything to him. Having settled that, his initial fee was declined then declined again until Benjamin realized a chunk of his inheritance would be in the hands of the only one who could expedite it. Most of the inheritance was better than none so an amount was agreed upon. The most critical part of the plan was how Charlie would escape and how the blame would be transferred to someone else leaving Benjamin completely in the clear. Not to worry, the young man assured him. He had extensive experienced with both.

After Benjamin ended the call, he resumed twirling the pencil while he considered Charlie’s last sentence. The fact that he had extensive experience with escaping capture by the police and transferring blame to someone else suggested a seasoned criminal. If that was the case, who invited him to Aunt Jane’s birthday party or did he just crash it?

Charlie smiled as the call ended. He knew Benjamin Carter would cave but he hadn’t anticipated the speed of it. Knowing the desperation of Carter’s situation, Charlie had mentally mapped out a tentative strategy. After his fifth date with Trudy, he knew the date and place Jane Carter’s life would come to an end.

The large fee was meaningless if he was caught. Once the date and place were determined, he searched for an event that took place on the same evening. A high school graduation party naturally followed the graduation itself. Thus, he befriended two young fellows from the Group Home for Boys who attended the school and would, undoubtedly, be at the party. David and Eli Deckert were a perfect choice. No irritating parents to foil his plans or raise a fuss. Within a short period of time, they became a threesome. When they related the date of their high school graduation and subsequent party, he allowed himself to be invited. Now, all that was needed was a full-proof plan of escape.

Chapter 2

March 1971

Charlie needed the daily and weekly schedule of Benjamin’s aunt so the night of Jane Carter’s party, he befriended someone on her staff. The girl’s mousy hair, stooped shoulders, and youth made her a vulnerable target. He approached her at a quiet moment, ascertained her free moments then monopolize them. He asked casual questions that completed a picture. After their fifth date, Trudy agreed to everything as he knew she would.

Her name was Trudy Evans. With seven children in her family, there was little money for anything let alone education. After graduating from high school, she borrowed money to complete a nurses aide course. Now, she was in debt with no income.

With no friends to consult, she sought the help of an employment agency. The woman at the agency eyed her doubtfully over half-moon glasses while Trudy sat on the edge of her seat with her hands clutched together in her lap and her eyes fastened on the top of the desk.

The woman glanced at Trudy’s nonexistent resume. I see you’ve just turned nineteen and have no work experience, uh—Trudy, the woman said glancing at the top of the page.

Well, yes. I just graduated from nurses aide training and I’m having a little trouble finding a job.

I see, the woman said again. There was only one position that may work for the likes of Trudy. It was classified as Live-in Help but perhaps she could spin it a bit to make it sound more appealing.

An elderly woman lives in a lovely house in a nearby town. There’s a live-in cook and people who come in twice each week to do the heavy cleaning. What she neglected to mention was the cook was virtually irreplaceable and treated with great respect, which was a far cry from every other member of the household staff. Would you be willing to accept a live-in situation if the position required it?

Uh, do you mean live in someone’s house?

Yes, that’s what live-in means, Trudy, the woman said.

Well, yes, if that’s what I have to do to get a job, Trudy said trying to subdue the angst she felt at living in a stranger’s house.

Good, the woman said. She’s nearly ninety-two. Still mobile. No wheelchair but does need a bit of understanding and patience. Understanding and patience were euphemisms for cranky and demanding. She’s looking for someone who can take care of the little things.

Little things? Trudy said softly. I can do little things.

Good. Miss Carter agreed to interview the girl so the woman wrote the name and address and pressed the card across the desk. She’ll expect you within the hour.

Within the hour? Trudy murmured.

Yes, Trudy. Within the hour.

Miss Carter approved of Trudy if for no other reason than she was rather desperate. Unlike Cook who had pleasant quarters, Trudy was assigned a small, dark, chilly room on the third floor. Even when she retired for the night, a buzzer summoned her to Miss Carter’s bedroom where a glass of water was requested. Trudy dutifully poured the water from the carafe into a glass then handed it to her employer. Having completed that singular task, Trudy stumbled, blurry eyed, back to the attic.

The repetition throughout the day and interrupted sleep at night became tedious. Life seemed unbearably dull until she met a charming young man quite by accident at Miss Carter’s birthday party.

Chapter 3

May 1971

The Monday following Jane Carter’s birthday party, Charlie met Trudy at the corner where he waited in a car rented under an assumed name using a fake driver’s license. He chose a truck stop along the interstate for lunch then settled into a booth in the back. Charlie observed Trudy whose head was bent staring at her hands. How’s the job going? he asked casually.

That’s all the encouragement Trudy needed. She poured out her unhappiness and frustration with her job of ten weeks standing. Her bedroom was cold, she didn’t get enough sleep, Miss Carter didn’t appreciate her.

Why don’t you find a job somewhere else? Charlie said, knowing that was impossible.

Well, Trudy hesitated. It’s hard to find a job. It took me quite a while to find this one. She dropped her head. I have a school debt to pay and I need a place to live, she ended lamely.

Charlie knew that, too. The crop was ripe for harvesting and he took full advantage of it. Maybe I can help you.

Trudy looked up. How?

I have a few contacts. Let me touch base with them and see what I can do. Okay?

Trudy smiled for the first time and trust in this stranger took a step forward.

They met on several occasions before Charlie provided a solution to Trudy’s predicament. He only presented part of it, otherwise Trudy would never have agreed to it.

All I have to do is make sure Miss Carter’s prescription is ready on a certain night then be at the drug store at a certain time? Trudy said.

That’s all—just a little prank. Charlie smiled. There may be one or two tiny loose ends that have to be dealt with. If we’re successful then he knows you are resourceful and will follow through with other plans as well. He’ll offer other jobs for a higher fee.

You mean I’m being paid just to have Miss Carter at a drug store at a certain time?

Of course, Charlie smiled. I told him I knew we could count on you. 

Her eyes softened. Um, well, just how much will your friend pay me to do this?

Charlie observed the trusting eyes and very nearly felt a twinge of unfamiliar guilt but tamped it down securely where it belonged. Eight hundred dollars.

Trudy’s head shot up. Eight hundred dollars just to make sure Miss Carter’s at a drug store on time?

It’s a test. Many fail the first test. There are more jobs if you are successful with this one.

The following day, Trudy called the phone number Charlie had given her. Miss Carter goes to the drug store every month, she whispered. She has enough medication to last twelve more days. Then I’ll drive her to the drug store.

Do you give her the medication?

Yes.

Take out three pills so she runs out faster. Say they must have shortchanged her. You’re a clever young woman. You’ll think of something. His voice smiled. Then find a reason to put it off until later in the evening. I know I can count on you.

The timing is important?

Timing is everything, Trudy, Charlie said smoothly.

Okay, I’ll take out three pills then find a reason to delay going to the pharmacy.

I knew I could count on you. See you Thursday. He hung up and scratched that off his list.

Chapter 4

May 1971

Next on the list was transferring blame to the scapegoat or, in this case, two scapegoats.

The graduation party began a little late and ended a little early for Charlie and the two boys. Charlie claimed to be nineteen rather than twenty-three. The other two would turn eighteen that fall. He manipulated the conversation so David and Eli invited him to the party even though he had never attended their school. Charlie picked up the boys at the end of their narrow lane leading back to one of the cottages at the Group Home for Boys.

Where’d you get the fancy car? David said.

Somewhere, Charlie said vaguely.

You stole it, right? Eli said nervously.

Borrowed. Borrowed this, too, Charlie chuckled, holding up a bottle of whiskey.

At this point, the two younger boys understood laughter was mandatory, so they squeaked out something as close to it as possible.

During their drive into the country, they passed the bottle around several times. But the boys in the back were the only ones taking sips. When the bottle rotated to Charlie, he merely tilted the bottle to his lips. Having never touched the stuff, David and Eli found the taste disgusting and fought the urge to roll down the window and spit it out.

Eli found a gun when his foot nudged something solid on the floor behind the driver. Charlie made a joke about picking up extra cash somewhere which drew another round of shaky laughter. He asked to see it so Eli picked it up and held it over the front seat. Charlie merely glanced at it.

The graduation party was off a side road and back a lane. David and Eli did their best to walk a straight line into the backyard where their classmates were gathered around a bonfire toasting