7026d51896537f7070e55fc097206916

“Did the Careens formulate any threats to Joel?” asked Chase as he took a seat at the same table, followed by Odelia. Dooley and I, meanwhile, took up position one table over. With people in distress, you never know when they’ll suddenly lash out or kick out, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

“Not recently, but there was a time some years back when they used to come to the house, hurling all kinds of wild accusations at Joel.”

“Who? Dominic? Or his son Rick?”

“Dominic Careen. Dreadful man. With a terrible temper. He once threw a brick through a window. We had to get a restraining order against him. He stayed away after that.”

“What did Joel have to say about it?” asked Odelia.

“Nothing much. Just that he had nothing to do with the death of the Careen girl,” said Abraham. “And neither had any of his friends.”

“Did you know that two of your son’s friends have died?” asked Chase.

“Yes, Joel told us about it. Jona and Dunc. Horrible news. Joel was sick over it.”

“Did he have any idea who might be behind their murders?”

“Dominic Careen, of course!” Abraham said. “Who else?”

“Apart from Dominic, did your son have any enemies that you know of?” asked Odelia. “Anyone who would wish him harm?”

“We have business competitors, but no one in their right mind would resort to violence to resolve a business conflict.”

“Anyone in particular come to mind?” asked Chase, his pencil poised over his notebook.

Abraham thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head.“No one in particular, no,” he said finally. “There were some issues with the New Jersey mall. Some of the neighbors lodged a complaint with the council against the plans, and one person refused to sell a piece of land. But we were going to build around it, no problem. Joel had the whole thing well in hand. In fact he was out there just last week, making some final arrangements, and the whole thing looks good to go.”

“Did Joel ever mention a bachelor pact he made with Omar Wissinski, Sergio Sorbet, Dunc Hanover and Jona Morro?”

Miriam Timperley was pressing a piece of tissue to her nose, but shook her head.“That was all youthful nonsense as far as I’m concerned. Boy talk.”

“Joel wasn’t a teenager anymore, Mrs. Timperley,” said Odelia softly.

“He was simply enjoying life as a single man,” said Joel’s dad.

“He was going to find the right girl soon enough,” said his mom. “He was simply biding his time and taking advantage of his bachelor years.”

“So you weren’t worried that he’d never settle down and start a family?”

“Not in the least,” said his father adamantly. “Joel was still young. He had plenty of time to settle down. He was sowing his wild oats.”

“Did he have a girlfriend?”

“Nothing serious, no,” his mom admitted.

“Joel was a handsome young man,” said Abraham. “Successful and wealthy, too. He was very attractive to the ladies, and he took full advantage.”

“But he didn’t let it go to his head either,” Miriam said, giving her husband a cautionary look. “He had a good head for business and his first focus were the Timpermart and Timpermall brands. He really wanted to expand the business and become the number one supermarket chain in the country.”

“We’re also making successful inroads into other markets,” said Abraham. “Even overseas. As far as Joel was concerned, the sky was the limit.” He heaved a deep sigh. “And now he’s gone.”

“Joel has a brother?”

“Yes, but he’s not as interested in the business as Joel was. Johnny is a teacher, not a businessman.”

“Though we’ve always been proud of both our boys,” Miriam stressed.

“What’s going to happen to the company now?” asked Chase.

Abraham shrugged.“Looks like I’ll have to step in for now. And I guess we’ll see how it goes. But I won’t conceal the fact that Joel’s death is a huge loss. A personal one but also for the company. He will be sorely missed.” His face took on a note of hardness. “Please arrest Careen and that son of his, detective. Make sure they won’t make any more victims.”

“Sergio Sorbet?”

Abraham nodded.“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that our boy was left on that display. The killer was obviously trying to send a message. So at the very least you’ll have to tell Sergio to get some security and make sure the Careens can’t come anywhere near him.”

Chapter 22

I’d told Odelia about what Kingman had said in regards to Wilbur Vickery, and she and Chase felt that it behooved them to pay a visit to the shop owner and find out about his whereabouts for the time of Joel Timperley’s murder.

Wilbur seemed surprised that the police would think that he might have something to do with the death of the supermarket tycoon.

“Me!” he cried, tapping his puny chest with a bony fist. “A murderer! You must be out of your mind, Kingsley!”

“But it is true that Joel Timperley wanted to buy the store?”

“Yes, but that’s no reason for me to kill him,” said Wilbur.