“Oh, Beth. I found you wandering around in a fog; not talking or knowing what was going on. I took you to my apartment and kept you until I decided you needed medical help that I couldn’t give.” Silence.
“Beth, you are innocent of Malcolm’s death. However, if word gets out that you saw the men, the criminals might be afraid you can identify them and will try to kill you.”
“Connie, what am I going to do? I must tell the police what I saw. Will they blame me or arrest me?”
“I don’t see how they can do either, but you need legal advice.”
“I don’t want an attorney. I can’t imagine why I would need one.”
Connie sat up straight. “I have an answer. I don’t know the woman personally, but I’ve heard great things about her. A woman, Hannah Rutherford, was a policewoman and then felt she wanted more action. She has opened her own investigative agency. We can ask her for advice at least. She can tell us in what direction to go from here.”
“That sounds good. Do you know how to contact her?”
“I can find out. Do you want me to make the first contact? If she is interested, she can see you then.” She was pleased that Beth agreed.
Chapter Five
The next day Connie walked into The Lost Cause Detective Agency. She was met by Victoria.
“Good morning! Welcome to The Lost Cause Detective Agency. My name is Victoria. How can I help you?”
“I need to see Miss Rutherford.”
“Do you have an appointment or do you want to make one?”
“Neither. This is vitally important. A young woman’s life is at stake. I need to see Miss Rutherford as soon as possible. Right now, please.”
Herb heard the excited voice and came out to see if Victoria need a backup. “Good morning. Is Victoria helping you?”
“She’s very kind, but it’s vitally important that I see Miss Rutherford now.”
“I’m sorry. She’s out on a case now, but should be back around one if you can wait that long.”
“I guess I have no choice. Please make sure that I get to see her. I shall return. I’m going down to that diner I saw to get some lunch. I’ll be back. Thank you both.”
“Miss,” Victoria called after her. “May I have your name?”
“I’m sorry. I’m so disturbed that I have been very rude. Forgive me. My name is Connie Ackerman.”
On the dot of one Connie was in the agency ready to talk to Hannah. At one twenty Hannah walked in looking weary and rumpled. She nodded politely at Connie who jumped up and said, “Miss Rutherford? I must speak to you. It’s vitally important to the life of an innocent young woman.”
“Hannah, this is Connie Ackerman. She came in earlier to see you.”
“Please come back to my office. I need to kick off these shoes and sit in a comfortable chair.” Connie eagerly trailed after her.
Hannah did kick off her shoes, got a glass of ice and a Diet Coke and offered to share something with Connie.
“No, thank you. I just need your advice. I’m willing to pay you. I’m not here expecting free service.”
Hannah chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first time I dispensed free service. Now tell me what you’re so concerned about.”
Connie carefully and concisely told Hannah the entire story.
Hannah listened politely. The more she heard the more her heart ached for Beth.
“There’s no need to tell you that it’s always best to face any situation at the first and tell the truth. Beth could have had an attorney present to advise her and protect her interests. The only trouble I see at the moment is the danger to Beth if the men who killed Malcolm hear of this and are afraid she might identify them. Of course she might be charged with obstructing justice. I’ll talk to Beth and get her statement first hand and maybe she’ll be able to tell me a bit more. In the meantime both of you keep quiet until I get a chance to talk to Beth. Bring the bloody clothes to me and remember -say nothing to anyone.”
Connie left feeling a little better that someone in authority was looking into the situation and would advise her and Beth without telling on them.
I’m not sure what we’re doing is lawful but I need to trust Miss Rutherford and allow her time to investigate and advise us as to the best possible action.
Connie breathed easier and was more at peace now that she had shared Beth’s calamity with a qualified person. She was glad she had kept the bloody clothes and had not mentioned Beth’s involvement to anyone.
“You mean she wants to talk to me?’ Beth stated with a trembling voice. “Won’t she go to the police and report me?”
“No, silly. She is working for you and we must trust her. Now when can you meet her?”
“Name the date and time and I’ll certainly be there.”
“Great! I’ll call her now and make an appointment.” Connie went in the next room of her apartment to make the call. Beth sat nervously not sure that she was doing the right thing. Connie is a dear, trusted friend. I’ll appreciate anything that she and this woman can do for me. How I wish I had never seen the beating and murder. But I did and I must face reality.
Connie came back with a big smile. “Miss Rutherford will see us at nine tomorrow morning. Now you get a good night’s sleep and I’ll fix a good breakfast for you before we leave. We’ll go together. Place yourself in God’ hands for you have done nothing wrong. Go to bed and rest.”
Beth was so nervous that she would not have gone if Connie had not insisted. She was put somewhat at ease by Victoria’s warm welcome. Meeting Hannah was not as scary as she imagined.
Connie recognized Beth’s nervousness and opened the conversation by reminding Hannah how she had found Beth wandering and took her to her own apartment. “I must tell you, we have not spoken of this to another soul. We are the only two who know absolutely what Beth experienced. A young attorney did come to her aid when she fainted, but he doesn’t know why or what had transpired.”
Hannah was very business-like and friendly so that Beth became very much at ease. She told Hannah how Malcolm was a bore and had whispered unwelcome comments to her. She then told of leaving, dropping her keys and looking up to see the beating which she learned later was a murder.
Hannah looked thoughtful. “I can understand your trepidation. It isn’t apparent whether the suspects knew they were being observed?”
“Not to my knowledge. It all happened so quickly. They were outside a building where anyone could step out at any moment and discover them.”
“Umm. I’m sure they left in a hurry. They probably did not look around and have no idea that they were seen. Could you identify them or recognize them if you saw them again?”
“I don’t think so. They were constantly moving and I was in shock.”
“I shouldn’t say this, but if you tell this to the police, someone might let it slip that you were there. The suspects don’t know that you can’t identify them and they would certainly come after you. I’m going to stick my neck out and say let’s just keep this with us three for the time being. I’ll go to the police station and ask to see