Dead in the Shed: Chapter 3

Around 10:00 the next morning, a young man in a blue suit, Brumbaugh all grown up, knocked on Edna and Paul’s door. A tall, slim brunette woman in a police uniform stood at his side with a notebook in her hand.
“I’m Detective Brandon Brumbaugh. This is Sergeant Ronda Miori. We need to ask you some questions about Russ McGovern’s death.”

Edna studied Brumbaugh for a moment. His red hair surrounded a familiar face that looked fuller than she remembered.
“I think we met many years ago through my son, Joe, Joe Grimaldi,” Edna said to Brumbaugh.
“Oh, you’re Joe’s mom. I had heard you moved here full time.”
“I’m sorry about your brother Tom. I hope this war will end--now,” Edna said.
“Thanks.”
The detectives started their questions once they sat in the living room. Miori took abundant notes stopping occasionally to look at either Edna or Paul. Miori showed no expression.
“Another witness says that you passed her in the cart a few minutes before the body was found,” Brumbaugh said to Paul. “Explain that.”
Paul swallowed hard and didn’t answer. Edna twisted in her chair.
“Mr. Cameron, your answer?”
“Well, yes, I went by. Let me think. Oh, yes, I needed a shovel from the tool shed,” Paul said.
“Did you see Russ in the potting shed?” Brumbaugh asked.
“Honestly, I didn’t look. He’s usually there,” Paul replied.
“Edna, in your statement, you said that you ran to the potting shed after seeing Missy. Did you see anything unusual around there?” Brumbaugh asked.
“I’ll tell you what’s unusual. The money under Russ’s head--that’s what,” Edna said. “It looked to me like someone stuck it there.”
“Mrs. Cameron, we investigate all parts of a crime,” Miori said.
Brumbaugh said goodbye, promising more questions. Miori cast an icy look as they left.
“It’s going to be OK,” said Paul.
“I hope so,” said Edna releasing him from a hug. “That chick is pretty intense. I wonder what it must be like for her to get ready in the morning. Let’s see--makeup, lipstick, handcuffs, so yes, gun.”

“Let’s talk about something else,” Paul said.
That was his standard remark when he didn’t want to talk at all. He went to do some work in the back yard. Weed pulling gave him a place to focus his tension. Edna was glad the weeds were meeting their demise
“Weed killer! Oh, no,” thought Edna.
Paul and Russ had gotten in an argument over weed killer about ten days earlier. Russ thought Paul had made the mistake of putting weed killer in a spray bottle marked “plant food.” Since Paul was the only volunteer who mixed chemicals, Russ thought Paul should have all the blame for ruining some of the plant sale items. Edna and almost everyone else heard their argument with the final remark of Russ calling Paul “a lying son of a bitch.” Edna was sure they both apologized when their tempers cooled.
“Missy will certainly remember it,” thought Edna. “And when she does, she’ll let the detectives know, and Brumbaugh and Sergeant Eyeliner will be back.”