by V. M. Burns
“I’ll tell you about it over dinner.” He moved to the stove. I directed him to the cabinets with the serving dishes for the spaghetti and sauce. He brought the food to the table and served each of us before sitting and preparing his own plate. I put Aggie down and pointed her toward her bowl of dog food, which someone had generously filled earlier, and then turned to my plate.
“I could get used to this kind of service,” Dixie said when Red prepared her plate.
Red sat anxiously and watched our faces as we took our first bites.
The spaghetti was delicious. There were several moans, which brought a smile to his face. Only when we were slurping up spaghetti as though we were starving and hadn’t eaten in days did he pick up his fork and eat.
“So, what happened?” I mumbled around a large wedge of bread I’d stuffed in my mouth.
“Officer Lewis—”
“No, start from the beginning. Remember, I was in the bathroom when the chaos started.”
He nodded. “I was cooking when someone must have walked into the backyard. The motion detector lights came on.”
He looked at the golden, who was eating. Stephanie had bought a large dog bowl, which she’d filled with dog food and set next to Aggie’s small purple bowl. However, the two dogs preferred sharing a bowl and took turns eating out of the larger bowl.
He nodded to the golden. “He growled and his hackles rose. He gave one bark and headed for the door.” He took a bite, then pointed toward Aggie. “That poodle may be small, but she’s got a heart the size of a rottweiler.” He laughed. “When I opened the door, she darted out before I could stop her and was down the stairs so fast, I had to run to try and stop her.”
Stephanie smiled. “You would have been very proud of her, Mom.”
Dixie smiled. “People always underestimate poodles. They think just because they have a foo-foo hair cut that they can’t be good protection.”
I smiled. “You don’t have to tell me. I’ve seen Aggie in action.”
“I can’t wait to hear that story,” Red said.
“I’ll fill you in later. Now, back to this story.”
He nodded. “So I asked Stephanie to call the police.”
Dixie halted with her fork midway to her mouth, and Stephanie burst out laughing.
Red looked puzzled. “What?”
“Asked?” Dixie said.
“You ordered me to call nine-one-one and then told us to get down and stay down,” Stephanie said.
He grinned. “Sorry.” He looked sheepish. “By the time I got down the stairs, whoever was there had gone. I saw a shadow and went in pursuit, but he was too far ahead.” He looked at the dogs. “Plus, I didn’t know how many there were. The last thing I wanted to do was take off chasing one person, only to have someone else circle back and...well, I decided it would be best if I stayed and waited for backup.”
I shivered. “This is insane. I can’t understand what’s going on.”
Red shook his head.
Dixie used her bread to wipe up the last bit of sauce from her plate and then leaned back. “That was delicious, but you haven’t explained why Officer Lewis was so upset.”
Red grinned. “Under normal circumstances, the police have jurisdiction in the state of Tennessee when investigating crime. However, under Tennessee law, the TBI has the authority to investigate any criminal violation if the district attorney general requests it.”
Stephanie smiled. “Let me guess. You just happen to know the district attorney general.”
He nodded.
“So you’ve just taken over Officer Lewis’s case?” I asked.
He nodded.
“That explains why he looked like he could spit nails.” Dixie raised her glass. “Well done.”
Stephanie smiled. “I can’t wait to tell Joe. I think he’ll rest easier knowing you’re running things.”
“What does that mean?” I looked at him. “Is Officer Lewis off the case?”
“He doesn’t have to be. It means the TBI will be leading the investigation.” He took a sip of wine. “To be clear, I will be leading the investigation. Officer Lewis and the local police will move to a secondary role rather than the lead.”
I mulled that around in my mind. When I looked up, he was staring at me. I took a napkin and wiped my mouth, thinking I must have something on my face. “What?”
“Nothing. I just really like your hair.”
My heart rate increased, and my voice sounded breathy, even to my ears. “Thank you.” I shook my head to get thoughts out of my mind that had nothing to do with solving this murder. “So what do we do now?”
He raised an eyebrow. “We?”
Okay, he was going to be difficult. “Yes. We.” I made a circular motion that included not only him but Dixie, Stephanie, and myself. “It’s my future on the line here, and if you think I’m just going to sit back and let Officer Let Me Make My Life Easy by Locking Up the First Person I See and a TBI officer who is nice and a great cook but doesn’t know me and may be more interested in his own espionage/smuggling agenda determine my future while I sit back and file my nails, you’re sadly mistaken.” My speech had me breathing hard, and it had nothing to do with impure thoughts of a carnal nature.
Stephanie sat up straight. “Mom’s exactly right. Don’t tell me you’re one of those Neanderthals who think women are damsels in need of some alpha male to rescue them? Because if that’s what you think, you’re sadly mistaken.”
Dixie smacked her hand on the table. “That’s right. Lilly figured out who murdered her two-timing, low-life, snake-in-the-grass husband, Albert, and by golly, I know she can figure out who committed these murders too.” She fumed. “And I guarantee you I can outshoot any police or TBI officer if it comes down to it.” She was standing with both hands on the table, glaring across at Red. “I’ll have you know I was the five-time shooting champion for Bledsoe County.”
Red held up both hands in surrender. “Alright. Calm down. I didn’t mean to insult anyone.”
Dixie sat but turned away so she wasn’t looking at him. Stephanie still glared, but she leaned back in her seat. I folded my arms across my chest and waited.
Red released a deep breath and used his napkin to wipe his neck. “Look, I know you want to help, but this could be dangerous.”
I started to speak, but he held up a hand. “Please, let me finish.”
I sat back and waited.
“This person has already killed twice. As a trained investigator, I’ve seen a lot of horrible things.”
Something in his voice made me look at him closer. I’d always heard the eyes were the windows to the soul. If that was true, then Red’s eyes showed his soul was tortured. The pain I saw nearly made me gasp. However, the instant passed quickly, and the window closed. Something in his brief glance pulled my gaze to the scar that traversed one entire side of his face.
“Even professionals can be hurt, and I don’t want anything to happen to any of you.” He looked at each of us.
I might have imagined that his gaze lingered longer on me than the others, but I didn’t think it was my imagination.
He looked down. “Not because you are women and I’m a male chauvinist.” He grinned. “Years of dealing with the worst scum of the earth, who would cut their grandmother’s throats for five dollars, has me concerned.”
“I appreciate your concern, but as long as there is a possibility, no matter how slim, that I could be under suspicion for these murders, then I have to do what I can to figure this out.” I looked at him with what I hoped was compassion rather than disdain. “I spent a long time listening to my husband and doing what he wanted. I believed he’d always be there for me, but I learned that I had to look out for myself.” I sighed. “Short of arresting me and locking me up, you’re not going to be able to stop me from trying to figure out who killed t
hose men.”
Red held my gaze for several seconds. Eventually, he sighed. “Okay, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
I started to talk, but he wasn’t finished. “I’ve got one stipulation. You keep me informed on everything you’re doing.” He looked around the table.
Stephanie, Dixie, and I looked at each other. Stephanie nodded. Dixie shrugged.
“Deal, but we’ve got a condition of our own,” I said.
He shook his head slightly but waited to hear our demand.
“The information freeway works in both directions. We’ll share with you, but you’ve also got to share with us.”
He took a moment but nodded.
I reached across and held out my hand.
We shook. “Now that’s settled. What’s your plan?”
Chapter 16
It didn’t take long to share our plan. In fact, spoken out loud, away from Chinese food, our plan seemed very tame. Attending a funeral and asking Joe to look into the backgrounds of some of my neighbors was beyond tame. I skipped the note to use “womanly ways” to get Red to tell us how Robert Hansen was murdered.
Red must have agreed that our plan was weak because after he heard it, he visibly relaxed. “I have access to a few more resources than Joe. Why don’t I take that one?”
I hesitated, and he added, “Especially since I need to do this anyway.”
Glances at Stephanie and Dixie led me to agree. “Okay, but we want to know how Theodore Livingston was killed.”
“He was strangled.”
“I know that. I saw him.” I shivered.
“How was he strangled?” Dixie asked.
“The murderer used a cord, but we won’t know more until the coroner files a report. It was pretty well embedded into his flesh, so...”
“Ewww.” Stephanie shivered.
“Sorry.”
Stephanie took a sip of her wine. “No. I want to know.” She gulped. “Could a woman have done it?”
He was silent for a few seconds. “Probably. Livingston was older, and from the look of his hands, I’d say he probably suffered from arthritis. So he probably wouldn’t have been able to defend himself.”
“Oh God.” I put my head in my hands. “I beat up an old man with arthritis.”
Red shook his head. “I’m not saying he was weak.” He looked at me. “Stand up.”
I lifted my head from my hands and looked at him.
He stood and walked around the table and stood behind my chair.
I rose and turned to face him.
He removed his belt and handed it to me. Then he turned so his back was to me. “Put that around my neck.”
I reached around him as instructed and placed the belt around his neck.
“When I give you the word, tighten the belt and try to strangle me.” He paused until the belt was tighter, but not restrictive. “Now, a man of average strength would probably be able to get away. Go for it.”
I tightened the belt, and within a second, he had his fingers between the belt and his throat. He lowered his shoulders and easily flipped me around so I was standing in front of him. He had his arms tight around both of mine, and I was pressed against his rock-solid chest. We stared at each other for a few tense moments. Then he dropped his arms and backed up.
“You made that look easy, but Theodore Livingston wasn’t a trained TBI agent,” Stephanie said.
“True, but when the ligature tightens and the adrenaline hits, most people fight back. In my opinion, a woman could have killed him.”
We stayed up late into the night and talked until Dixie said she needed to go home. I tried to talk her into staying. The thought of her driving up that mountain in broad daylight made me break out into a sweat. I couldn’t imagine her doing it at night. However, she merely laughed and said she was used to it.
Stephanie got a call from Joe, and she and the golden went into her bedroom to take the call in private.
That left Red and me alone. I stood and stacked dishes. He tried to help, but I put a stop to it. “You cooked. The least I can do is clean up.”
He stepped back and leaned against the counter, watching me.
Knowing someone was watching made me extra fidgety, and I dropped forks and pans multiple times before finally getting the dishwasher loaded and turned on. I wiped my brow, exhausted by the effort to maintain my balance and equilibrium while under scrutiny.
We stood awkwardly for several seconds, but then Aggie came to my rescue by yawning loudly and breaking the silence. We both laughed.
“I better get my little protector into bed.” I picked her up and headed for the back door to let her out to potty before bed.
“Maybe I should do that.” Red held out his arms. “Though I’m sure whoever was there is gone now, and the local police will patrol this subdivision hourly until we catch the killer.”
I nodded, gave Aggie a squeeze, and passed her over. He took her outside, and I noticed he held Aggie’s leash with one hand while the other was firmly on his service weapon. The motion lights came on as soon as they approached the stairs. They both went downstairs. I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until they both came up and I released it.
Inside, he adjusted all of the blinds.
“Thank you.” I picked up Aggie and hugged her.
“You’re welcome.”
I took Aggie into my bedroom and closed the door. After a few moments, I heard Red climbing the hardwood stairs. Aggie was asleep and snoring before I finished my nightly routine. I lay in bed until I got a text message from Dixie letting me know she’d made it home without incident and then rolled over and went to sleep with a smile on my face.
The next day was Sunday. I had yet to find a good parish. Chattanooga was the heart of the Bible belt, but it wasn’t a Catholic hub. When it came to Catholic parishes, my options were somewhat limited. However, I’d passed a small Catholic church every day on my way downtown to work. Stephanie and I were going to check it out. I wasn’t surprised when I opened my bedroom door to find her up, dressed, and sipping coffee on the sofa with the golden retriever asleep on the rug.
“Good morning.”
She looked up. “Good morning.”
I walked to the coffee maker and looked around. I couldn’t help but notice there were no delicious smells or activity coming from the kitchen. When I turned around, I noticed Stephanie looking at me with a grin.
“Disappointing when there’s no yummy breakfast, isn’t it?” She grinned.
“Maybe he slept in.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I heard the shower upstairs earlier, and I think he’s gone.”
I shrugged. “I suppose he didn’t promise to make breakfast every day, and he does have a life of his own and a murder investigation to resolve.” I went to the back door and let Aggie in.
We drank our coffee and then put treats out for the dogs. Just as we were leaving, Stephanie got a text message. From the look on her face, I could tell it wasn’t good news.
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone’s claiming the golden is their lost dog.” The chill in her voice didn’t match the spark that I saw cross her eyes.
“Are you going to answer them?”
She grabbed her purse. “I’ll do it after church.”
I made sure Aggie and the golden were comfortably set in my bedroom with dog biscuits and television, and then headed out to the car.
The small parish was just what I needed. The people were friendly. The priest, Father Singleton, was a portly older man with a kind face. He reminded me of the priest from the Father Brown mysteries, and I liked him at once. After the service, we decided to go to a nearby chain restaurant for breakfast and then headed back.
Stephanie was uncharacteristically quiet during breakfast and the drive home. How
ever, I knew she had gotten very attached to the golden. I had only had Aggie for a few months, but I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to try to take her from me.
Red’s SUV was parked out front as we pulled into the garage, and she turned to me. “Look, I know you want to ask, but I appreciate the fact that you haven’t pushed.” She took a deep breath. “I sent the guy a response to come by at three.” She turned to me. “Please don’t be sympathetic or try to comfort me because if you do, I’ll burst into tears.”
I nodded. “I promise to be as mean as possible.”
She chuckled. “I just mean it’s taking everything I have to hold it together and not burst into tears.”
“I understand.”
We went into the house. This time our noses were met with more wonderful smells. We followed our noses to the kitchen.
“I hope you don’t mind if I make dinner?” Red had several pots going but seemed in total control.
Stephanie mumbled something, opened my bedroom door, called the golden, and then disappeared into the guest bedroom.
“Certainly not. Knock yourself out. What’s on the menu?” I sniffed.
“We’re having Southern comfort food. Smothered chicken, mashed potatoes, and collard greens.”
“We thought you were taking a day off.”
“No rest for the wicked. I’ve been up since five.” He paused. “I had to take care of some personal business.”
For some reason, the fact that he didn’t share what his personal business was bothered me. “Great. I’m going to change clothes.” I turned and walked out.
In my head, I knew Red was entitled to personal time, and he certainly didn’t owe me any explanations. As I changed clothes, I caught myself thinking out loud. “Whatever he does in his free time is certainly none of my business.” I tossed my pants into the clothes hamper. “I mean, it’s not like we’re dating or anything.” I pulled a sweat shirt over my head and put on blue jeans. “I mean, wanting to keep his personal life personal is his choice, right?” I stared at Aggie, who was lying on the bed staring at me.
“We are perfectly content to spend time alone.” I leaned toward Aggie. Her tail got faster as she looked lovingly at me. I glanced at my watch. We had plenty of time before the golden’s supposed owner arrived. “How about a walk?”
