Betty had no clue how to have a close relationship. What she knew was intensity...from all the years of anxiety and depression. But the fulcrom was balancing itself. Finally. She began having epiphanies, one after another. And then it occurred to her.
It was the veterinarian. Betty was a gentle soul - unable to hurt anyone. An empath. She always felt things deeper than most.
"It makes a whole lot of sense to me now, Doctor. I don't know how to give a shot plus I wouldn't do it anyway."
The psychologist continued to probe.
"Tell me how it feels when you know a relationship, when you want out."
That is easy. Instant terror. I want to run. But you know, I think most people do, too. I mean, no one has healthy relationships. Am I really much different? The deal is I am seeing it all. My part in the lousy marriage, my inability to work within, my inability to leave earlier. You marry when you are, you partner where you are."
The report continued.
This is a bright, insightful woman, a victim of lousy parenting, two good parents who haven't a clue how to reach children. It is evident she was loved and I think she always knew that. I don't see a criminal here. I see a hero. But a woman very hard on herself. She wouldn't hurt anyone. What she really needs is lots of love. Under those circumstances, she will flourish.
Two weeks later the court called a meeting.
Monday, July 30, 2012
The Report
Betty's beloved dog had heart failure. It was legitimately euthanized. I do believe Betty had no expectation of doing this - that is, meeting a veterinarian, forcing a relationship to gain access to drugs. I think it just happened. Betty had been sad for so very long.
The psychological report told the story. While her father was loving to the children as toddlers, the mother was distant. She didn't want children; she wanted a career. They had two sons, one childwas planned and then another that was a surprise. One of those stormy night events.
Much of the report spoke to her relationship with her mother. Essentially Betty was like the Rhesus monkey, who without nurturing had difficulty trusting, difficulty keeping any relationship. Always in fear of being left alone, the nightmares tormented her. Like most people, Betty married what she knew. Since her own parents had a distant relationship, she had never experienced real nurturing or seeing a loving relationship develop.
Though Betty did marry for love, she had neither the tools nor knew what a healthy relationship looked like. She adored her husband during their courtship, though she didn't understand his distance. Of course, at the time, she didn't see her own part in this diad - her own distance from herself and hence, from anyone with whom she would allow closeness.
Even their intimacy in marriage was difficult. For the husband, it was mechanical. For Betty she never felt the longing for physical closeness. She couldn't stop the chatter inside long enough. Or the yearning. Some may have thought her frigid, though she did have friends. She was not able to bond. In time, her husband sought physical intimacy.
Betty didn't know what to do about any of this. Her husband would spend hours working around the house on his projects, hours at the office, hours at the gym. She wondered why he bothered to get married. Maybe it was the sex on demand that kept him in the relationship. Though he must have known Betty wasn't interested in him. She actually resented their relationship. She felt like a whore when they were intimate. She felt like she had to.
Further into the psychological report, it revealed a healthy closeness between Betty and her two sons. Maybe that is where she found her balance. But when Betty discovered her husband, erstwhile as he was, seeing other women, she shut down. Much like she had all those years as a child. Abandoned and alone. It was what she knew. Some of her close family members saw it. They were amazed how well she functioned inspite of the lack of parental bonding.
Page Two of the report
After her sons left home to follow their careers, Betty went into a deep depression. As predictable as it is, she met a man who paid attention to her. In time, he helped her heal emotionally. She began to trust again. Until she found a woman's wallet under the front seat of his sports car. The sinking feelings of abandonment returned.
But Betty wasn't one to give up. She met another man who she absolutely adored. He wasn't the type of man she ordinarily would have dated. But pickings were slim. She wanted desperately to connect with someone.
It was a cool fall day when her husband started questioning her evening activity. Betty was annoyed. How dare he she thought. He was never available to her - physically or emotionally unless there was a project he enjoyed. Betty was desperate. The veterinarian was well schooled, but she found him an emotional mess. Still she stayed. Had her self esteem been healthier, the relationship would never have happened. And then her dog got sick. The dog was Betty's best friend. Without Buster, she was lost.
Betty and the vet cried together as Buster was euthanized. But it didn't end there. Returning home that night her husband went berserk.
"Why didn't you tell me Buster was sick?"
"Maybe it is because you never pay any attention to Buster in the first place. You never pay any attention to me. Your life is about your own desperate needs. Frankly, I am sick of it!"
Betty's husband was the quiet type. No words were said after that point. Betty was going to get out of the marriage. One way or another.
The psychological report told the story. While her father was loving to the children as toddlers, the mother was distant. She didn't want children; she wanted a career. They had two sons, one childwas planned and then another that was a surprise. One of those stormy night events.
Much of the report spoke to her relationship with her mother. Essentially Betty was like the Rhesus monkey, who without nurturing had difficulty trusting, difficulty keeping any relationship. Always in fear of being left alone, the nightmares tormented her. Like most people, Betty married what she knew. Since her own parents had a distant relationship, she had never experienced real nurturing or seeing a loving relationship develop.
Though Betty did marry for love, she had neither the tools nor knew what a healthy relationship looked like. She adored her husband during their courtship, though she didn't understand his distance. Of course, at the time, she didn't see her own part in this diad - her own distance from herself and hence, from anyone with whom she would allow closeness.
Even their intimacy in marriage was difficult. For the husband, it was mechanical. For Betty she never felt the longing for physical closeness. She couldn't stop the chatter inside long enough. Or the yearning. Some may have thought her frigid, though she did have friends. She was not able to bond. In time, her husband sought physical intimacy.
Betty didn't know what to do about any of this. Her husband would spend hours working around the house on his projects, hours at the office, hours at the gym. She wondered why he bothered to get married. Maybe it was the sex on demand that kept him in the relationship. Though he must have known Betty wasn't interested in him. She actually resented their relationship. She felt like a whore when they were intimate. She felt like she had to.
Further into the psychological report, it revealed a healthy closeness between Betty and her two sons. Maybe that is where she found her balance. But when Betty discovered her husband, erstwhile as he was, seeing other women, she shut down. Much like she had all those years as a child. Abandoned and alone. It was what she knew. Some of her close family members saw it. They were amazed how well she functioned inspite of the lack of parental bonding.
Page Two of the report
After her sons left home to follow their careers, Betty went into a deep depression. As predictable as it is, she met a man who paid attention to her. In time, he helped her heal emotionally. She began to trust again. Until she found a woman's wallet under the front seat of his sports car. The sinking feelings of abandonment returned.
But Betty wasn't one to give up. She met another man who she absolutely adored. He wasn't the type of man she ordinarily would have dated. But pickings were slim. She wanted desperately to connect with someone.
It was a cool fall day when her husband started questioning her evening activity. Betty was annoyed. How dare he she thought. He was never available to her - physically or emotionally unless there was a project he enjoyed. Betty was desperate. The veterinarian was well schooled, but she found him an emotional mess. Still she stayed. Had her self esteem been healthier, the relationship would never have happened. And then her dog got sick. The dog was Betty's best friend. Without Buster, she was lost.
Betty and the vet cried together as Buster was euthanized. But it didn't end there. Returning home that night her husband went berserk.
"Why didn't you tell me Buster was sick?"
"Maybe it is because you never pay any attention to Buster in the first place. You never pay any attention to me. Your life is about your own desperate needs. Frankly, I am sick of it!"
Betty's husband was the quiet type. No words were said after that point. Betty was going to get out of the marriage. One way or another.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Appletree Betty
The toxicologist took a deep breathe.
"Well, it is a medication that stops the heart. Immediately. Very hard to detect. It is only used by people who know meds. Heart care folks. Veterinarians use it to euthanize animals. I am curious, did the person of interest have any contact with a vet?"
"Dr., we are investigating all leads at this point. We have our suspicions, but...well, let's just say we are looking into a few things. Thank you so much for getting back to me so soon."
"Lieutenant, things are coming together on this case. Betty, though seeming quiet in nature has an, well, let's just say an interesting motus operandi. She likes money, bright men, and learning.
We have motive. Betty was seeing another man. She spent a lot of her time working in his clinic. I think they met on an online dating site from what we are piecing together. At this juncture, I can't seem to find out what the doc's specialty is. I'll ask the team to look into it."
As I was finalizing my day, the phone records came in. Betty had made numerous phone calls to the Appletree Veterinary Clinic over the course of a few months. She had an equal number of calls made to her personal phone number from the clinic and another number.
"Officer, can you check into the Appletree Veterinary Clinic and see if Betty had a pet that was taken there? I also would like to know where the pet is now."
"Well, it is a medication that stops the heart. Immediately. Very hard to detect. It is only used by people who know meds. Heart care folks. Veterinarians use it to euthanize animals. I am curious, did the person of interest have any contact with a vet?"
"Dr., we are investigating all leads at this point. We have our suspicions, but...well, let's just say we are looking into a few things. Thank you so much for getting back to me so soon."
"Lieutenant, things are coming together on this case. Betty, though seeming quiet in nature has an, well, let's just say an interesting motus operandi. She likes money, bright men, and learning.
We have motive. Betty was seeing another man. She spent a lot of her time working in his clinic. I think they met on an online dating site from what we are piecing together. At this juncture, I can't seem to find out what the doc's specialty is. I'll ask the team to look into it."
As I was finalizing my day, the phone records came in. Betty had made numerous phone calls to the Appletree Veterinary Clinic over the course of a few months. She had an equal number of calls made to her personal phone number from the clinic and another number.
"Officer, can you check into the Appletree Veterinary Clinic and see if Betty had a pet that was taken there? I also would like to know where the pet is now."
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Money, money, money
And...digging for gold. A Dutch uncle. Moolah. Coin. That was all she wanted when things were said and done. Until...
Sam Candy liked Betty instantly. He said she was his 'trophy.' She said she was more than that. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. And a nurse with a pharmaceutical background. That is why investigators paid her a call. Immediately.
Sam was cold there lying face down in his Morgan sailboat. Beth was a champion swimmer and no where to be found. At least for the short time. When the authorities finally caught up with her they asked her about Sam's will. Yes, she was listed as the beneficiary, but that doesn't prove guilt.
A court order to evaluate her finances revealed she was living fall above what her financial advisor was doling out to her account monthly. But she had always lived over her head.
The forensic team swabbed the sailboat and Betty's fingerprints were everywhere. Even on Mr. Candy's wallet which was intact except for his Master Card. A few days later, after Sam's body was found, woman's lingerie and Spode china were purchased on it. Investigators even found the dishes prominately displayed in her home. There was nothing modest about Betty.
The team also sent toxicology samples to the district crime lab. A few more weeks were needed to get the results. They suspected a heart stopping drug as the murder weapon. Sam had a history of heart problems and was already on meds for it.
The phone call came in five minutes before five o'clock in the evening. It was a call from the leader toxicologist, Dr. Whodunit.
Sam Candy liked Betty instantly. He said she was his 'trophy.' She said she was more than that. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. And a nurse with a pharmaceutical background. That is why investigators paid her a call. Immediately.
Sam was cold there lying face down in his Morgan sailboat. Beth was a champion swimmer and no where to be found. At least for the short time. When the authorities finally caught up with her they asked her about Sam's will. Yes, she was listed as the beneficiary, but that doesn't prove guilt.
A court order to evaluate her finances revealed she was living fall above what her financial advisor was doling out to her account monthly. But she had always lived over her head.
The forensic team swabbed the sailboat and Betty's fingerprints were everywhere. Even on Mr. Candy's wallet which was intact except for his Master Card. A few days later, after Sam's body was found, woman's lingerie and Spode china were purchased on it. Investigators even found the dishes prominately displayed in her home. There was nothing modest about Betty.
The team also sent toxicology samples to the district crime lab. A few more weeks were needed to get the results. They suspected a heart stopping drug as the murder weapon. Sam had a history of heart problems and was already on meds for it.
The phone call came in five minutes before five o'clock in the evening. It was a call from the leader toxicologist, Dr. Whodunit.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Betty's Gold
She wasn't your ordinary passenger, sitting in economy class on the trip. We were travelling from Asheville to Washington, D.C., the first leg of my journey to my new home. In New England.
It was her cream colored brown vertical striped shirt with coordinating black slacks and Monroe brown shoes that gave her away. That $1,000 plus ensemble spoke of a life at least well dressed. Betty was beautiful. Blond hair, dressed by Boca's top stylist, Betty had money. Lots of it. And a face full of sorrow.
"He just told me he was done. Fell in love with someone else. I mean, after twenty-five years of marriage, this SOB would only associate with people making two million a year and up. Then he met HER! Of course, this wasn't his first. It would be his last. He dumped me."
Nearly every word out of Betty's mouth referred to money. The top dog trainer, trained Israel security dogs she said. And the fabulous house in Boca Raton. A snobby community. She had no friends there. Hated it. Her rotund sister was back in the U.S. after decades moving about Europe and the Middle East. Her husband had been an Ambassador. Betty was excited at the thought of living near her. They hadn't been close in years.
"I mean, with all his work, his contacts, his power, he even thought to bring ME a gift. ME. I didn't realize he was such a dear man. Boy, could MY sister pick 'em."
I just listened while Betty spilled her life about. She wasn't interested in hearing anything from me. Still reliving the drama.
"But I got him. Got his money. I don't care. I got more than half. I don't want to go back to Boca. I am a people person. It is lonely there. I am tired of being lonely. Two years now."
Betty and I had much in common. Though ever so different about how we...what we choose to do with the cards we are dealt. I kept reminding her, "she is the one she has been waiting for." I wonder if she will get it. Maybe after she receives her dividend check from her financial advisor. After another trip to Bloomies. And Neiman Marcus. And...
It was her cream colored brown vertical striped shirt with coordinating black slacks and Monroe brown shoes that gave her away. That $1,000 plus ensemble spoke of a life at least well dressed. Betty was beautiful. Blond hair, dressed by Boca's top stylist, Betty had money. Lots of it. And a face full of sorrow.
"He just told me he was done. Fell in love with someone else. I mean, after twenty-five years of marriage, this SOB would only associate with people making two million a year and up. Then he met HER! Of course, this wasn't his first. It would be his last. He dumped me."
Nearly every word out of Betty's mouth referred to money. The top dog trainer, trained Israel security dogs she said. And the fabulous house in Boca Raton. A snobby community. She had no friends there. Hated it. Her rotund sister was back in the U.S. after decades moving about Europe and the Middle East. Her husband had been an Ambassador. Betty was excited at the thought of living near her. They hadn't been close in years.
"I mean, with all his work, his contacts, his power, he even thought to bring ME a gift. ME. I didn't realize he was such a dear man. Boy, could MY sister pick 'em."
I just listened while Betty spilled her life about. She wasn't interested in hearing anything from me. Still reliving the drama.
"But I got him. Got his money. I don't care. I got more than half. I don't want to go back to Boca. I am a people person. It is lonely there. I am tired of being lonely. Two years now."
Betty and I had much in common. Though ever so different about how we...what we choose to do with the cards we are dealt. I kept reminding her, "she is the one she has been waiting for." I wonder if she will get it. Maybe after she receives her dividend check from her financial advisor. After another trip to Bloomies. And Neiman Marcus. And...
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The Wentworths
It was just about 1:30 p.m. and my friend, Larissa, was running late. I popped down to the lobby to see if she was there. The dogs needed toileting as well. The rescue squad pulled in swiftly, the technicians got out immediately, donned blue plastic gloves and removed the bed. Something was up.
As I was nearly the door, punching in my security code, my cell phone rang. It was Larissa.
"I'm just leaving, should be there in twenty minutes."
Behind me two rescue squad techs needed entrance. Opening the door, these two hotties made their way up the elevator. Clearly, they had been here before.
I took the elevator to my floor returning the dogs to their space in the kitchen. The phone rang again. Larissa was in the parking lot.
"Are you in building A or B?"
"A, hold up, I will be down to collect you."
It was quiet in the complex. I gave Larissa the cook's tour. She loved the place. And the wide open look.
"It's perfect for you, just what you always said you wanted."
"It is. I just have to get used to having to be dressed taking the dogs out. And all the people around. Everyone is friendly. I will get used to it. Soon enough."
She liked the lobby, the living room, community room, the library. We walked toward the lobby again when the stout man appeared.
He was carrying a Walmart bag. I wondered if this was his wife who was going to the hospital. My third floor neighbor, the nurse whats-her-name appeared. She looked at the man.
"Ok, so the Portsmouth Hospital is just to the left outside the condo. Take 95 North, follow the signs."
He nodded his head.
Larissa and I got into her Camry. We watched the man pull out in front of us. He didn't go north toward the hospital. He went south.
I looked at Larissa.
"He's going the wrong way."
Lunch at the Anchor Inn was delicious. We wondered about the man. It didn't add up.
As Larissa stopped me back to my place the nurse appeared.
"So tragic. Do you know who she is?"
"Not at all."
"She is part of the Wentworth family, that huge trust. She and Dick were only married a few months ago. She was so healthy. Until..."
'Until?"
"I don't know, it is like she was so out of it. She talked to me about her impending marriage. The money and everything. She didn't want a prenup. Said Dick wouldn't like it."
Her cell phone rang.
"OMG?"
"Beth, she didn't make it to the hospital. She is gone. By the way, my name is Nancy."
"Hi, Nancy. I am lousy with names. This is odd. Dick didn't go toward the hospital. Larissa, my friend, and I saw him head down Route 1 going toward Seabrook. I wonder..."
As I was nearly the door, punching in my security code, my cell phone rang. It was Larissa.
"I'm just leaving, should be there in twenty minutes."
Behind me two rescue squad techs needed entrance. Opening the door, these two hotties made their way up the elevator. Clearly, they had been here before.
I took the elevator to my floor returning the dogs to their space in the kitchen. The phone rang again. Larissa was in the parking lot.
"Are you in building A or B?"
"A, hold up, I will be down to collect you."
It was quiet in the complex. I gave Larissa the cook's tour. She loved the place. And the wide open look.
"It's perfect for you, just what you always said you wanted."
"It is. I just have to get used to having to be dressed taking the dogs out. And all the people around. Everyone is friendly. I will get used to it. Soon enough."
She liked the lobby, the living room, community room, the library. We walked toward the lobby again when the stout man appeared.
He was carrying a Walmart bag. I wondered if this was his wife who was going to the hospital. My third floor neighbor, the nurse whats-her-name appeared. She looked at the man.
"Ok, so the Portsmouth Hospital is just to the left outside the condo. Take 95 North, follow the signs."
He nodded his head.
Larissa and I got into her Camry. We watched the man pull out in front of us. He didn't go north toward the hospital. He went south.
I looked at Larissa.
"He's going the wrong way."
Lunch at the Anchor Inn was delicious. We wondered about the man. It didn't add up.
As Larissa stopped me back to my place the nurse appeared.
"So tragic. Do you know who she is?"
"Not at all."
"She is part of the Wentworth family, that huge trust. She and Dick were only married a few months ago. She was so healthy. Until..."
'Until?"
"I don't know, it is like she was so out of it. She talked to me about her impending marriage. The money and everything. She didn't want a prenup. Said Dick wouldn't like it."
Her cell phone rang.
"OMG?"
"Beth, she didn't make it to the hospital. She is gone. By the way, my name is Nancy."
"Hi, Nancy. I am lousy with names. This is odd. Dick didn't go toward the hospital. Larissa, my friend, and I saw him head down Route 1 going toward Seabrook. I wonder..."
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