Black Cat Weekly #64

Chapter 6

byDetective Sammye Fallan stared at the empty glass case in the corner of the Rock Creek Community Center’s main office. “When did you discover the Trophy missing?”

“When I came to work this morning,” said a lanky man with greying hair. “The trophy was here last night after the celebration.”

A lifelong resident of Rock Creek, Sammye had always thought it strange that her town celebrated when they won the annual softball game with their cross-county rival, Burlington, AND also celebrated when they lost. The winning team got the honor of draping the silver trophy with their town’s banner and displaying it all year at their community center.

“Our farewell party lasted till about 9:00. Then I locked up,” said Jed Hopewell, the Center’s director and All-Star shortstop. “Saying goodbye was especially tough since we’ve kept the trophy for three straight years. As a goodwill gesture, after everybody left, I exchanged our banner with Burlington’s for today’s ceremony.”

“Are you sure the office was locked?”

Hopewell nodded.

“Who has a key besides you?” said Sammye.

“Well, Meg Johnson, my assistant director of course,” said Hopewell. “And Mayor Culross. Being as this was his final year to coach the team, he took the loss real hard. Even left last night’s party early.”

“Anybody else?” said Sammye.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” said Hopewell. “Carrie Daniels of Express Delivery has one. She brings so many packages at odd hours, I thought it was easier if she had her own key.”

“Is that everybody?”

Again, the director nodded. “I just can’t believe one of them took the trophy.”

Sammye walked to the doorway. “I see no signs of forced entry, so someone with a key must be our thief.”

Remembering that Hopewell claimed the mayor was especially upset with Rock Creek’s loss, Sammye decided to talk with him first. A quick call to his office, however, removed him as a suspect. His Honor’s ulcer had flared up after he left the party, and Mayor Culross had spent the night at the hospital and wasn’t discharged till an hour earlier.

Sammye found Meg Johnson in a storage room at the rear of the Center. “Ms. Johnson, I’d like to talk with you if you have a minute.”

Recognizing Sammye, the diminutive redhead said, “Detective Fallan, I suppose this concerns the missing trophy.”

Sammye nodded.

“When I came in this morning, Jed was running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off. You’d think he’d lost his life’s savings.”

“That trophy means a lot to folks around here,” said Sammye, remembering that the assistant director was new to Rock Creek.

“I’m sorry,” said Meg, “but we have work to do, and fretting about losing a trophy isn’t getting it done.”

“May I ask where you’ve been since last night’s party?” said Sammye, a little ruffled by the woman’s insensitivity.

“I only attended that wake out of loyalty to Jed. After I left, my husband and I drove up to Capital City for a late dinner, then home. He can—what is it you law people say—alibi me.”

Figuring that the assistant director had no motive for or interest in taking the trophy, Sammye returned to the office. Just as she was about to ask Hopewell where she could contact Carrie Daniels, the office door opened and an athletic looking young woman entered carrying two packages.

“Detective,” said Hopewell, “may I introduce my favorite delivery person—and Rock Creek Ravens pitcher—Carrie Daniels.”

The young woman set the packages on the desk. “Detective? Is there a problem?”

“Carrie,” said Hopewell, “somebody stole the trophy.”

The Ravens pitcher glanced at the empty glass cabinet. “Sort of like that ump stole the game from us yesterday. Calling a ball when I clearly threw a strike and walking home the winning run. Seeing that Burlington banner draped over the trophy made me sick.”

Sammye stared at the young woman. “Carrie, I’m afraid this time you’re the one who struck out.”

When Carrie said she saw the Burlington banner draped over the trophy, Sammye realized the Ravens pitcher must have seen the trophy after Hopewell locked it in the office. Confronted, Carrie admitted that she was so upset over losing the game on what she thought was a bad call, she couldn’t bear to see the trophy spend the year in Burlington. Before anyone arrived at the Center that morning, she took the trophy.