by D P Lyle
“No friction between you two?” Nicole asked.
She shook her head. “No. Sort of amazing, isn’t it? I mean, the wife and the new girlfriend getting along?”
“Very adult,” I said.
I should have her talk to Tammy. Maybe not. Tammy and Nicole being chummy would be a disaster for me. Absolutely nothing good could come from it. I strangled the thought.
Whitney laughed. “I’ve never been much of an adult. Probably afraid I’d turn into my parents.”
“I understand,” I said. Boy, did I. My fear was becoming Ray. I didn’t see a way that could ever happen, but then again, here I sat, doing Ray’s work.
“It’s just so sad,” Whitney said.
I told her that I had known Emily in an earlier life, went to school with her.
“So this investigation, or whatever it is you’re doing, is personal?”
“It is. We were hired by her brother, Daniel, to find out who killed her and Jason.”
“Daniel? Our local hero.”
“I remember him as a bratty kid,” I said. “But he sure grew up.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Did you know Jason Collins?” Nicole asked.
“Not well. He and Emily were in here a few times. So just to say hello.”
“How did Sean feel about them dating?” I asked.
“He was okay with it.” She looked at Nicole, back to me. “You know she had just filed for divorce?”
“We do,” I said.
“We understand Sean was happy about that,” Nicole said. “Or maybe happy isn’t the right word.”
“Sean and I talked about it. A lot over the last month or so. I think he wanted it over with so he was good with the whole thing.”
“Maybe so you guys could move forward?” Nicole said.
She smiled, shrugged. “I hope so.”
“You guys are serious I take it?”
“Getting that way.” She traced a circle on the table with an index finger. “Even talked about moving in together.”
“Into the house?” I asked. “Emily’s house?”
“I don’t think so. I wouldn’t feel comfortable.”
“Did you tell Sean that?” Nicole asked.
“Sure. Before—” she hesitated a beat. “Before, it wouldn’t have been an issue anyway. Sean said that after the divorce the house would remain Emily’s. Something about inheritance laws. I don’t really understand all that.”
“That’s true. The house would have gone to her.”
“And now it’s his.” She sighed. “Regardless, he feels uncomfortable with it, too. He goes back and forth, but I think he’s decided to sell it.”
I nodded. “Makes sense.”
“He said it never was his house. It was always in her family. So he doesn’t really have a strong tie to it.”
“Probably worth a good bit,” Nicole said.
Whitney considered that. “I don’t know. He never said.” She stared at the tabletop, unfocused. “Hell of a way to inherit a property.”
We sat in silence for a full half a minute.
“Do you know Charlie Martin?” I asked.
“Sure. Not well. I know Emily was seeing him, too. Seems like a nice guy.”
“That’s our take.”
She looked at me. “You don’t think he had anything to do with this, do you?”
“Do you?”
“Not really.”
“That’s a qualified no,” I said.
“All I know is that Sean felt Charlie was jealous of Jason. He apparently loved Emily.” She looked up at me. “Love triangles can make even the most passive person do stupid stuff.”
Ain’t it so.
CHAPTER 25
RAY NIXED TALKING things over in the restaurant. Too many people around, tables tightly packed. So, after Pancake marched through half of The Rib Shack menu—scorched earth was the term that came to mind—we headed to the Grand Hotel and gathered in the bar. Ray had suggested his room, but Pancake said Ray didn’t have any food except that “whiney-ass stuff” in the mini-fridge, so the 1847 Bar it was.
Nicole and I continued with whiskey, Ray joining us, but Pancake went the beer route. The 1847 had a full-menu dinner so Pancake added a shrimp cocktail and fries. Good Lord, where did he put it? It wasn’t like I hadn’t witnessed this many times, but it still amazed. And he never gained an ounce. Of course, an ounce, even ten pounds, would be the proverbial spit in the ocean to Pancake.
The way I see it,” Ray said, “is we have three avenues to pursue. The drug world, Charlie Martin, and Sean the husband.”
“Unless it was simply random,” I said.
“Doesn’t smell that way. The house wasn’t disturbed, other than the front door being left open. Nothing stolen or vandalized. The victims were taken away and executed in a more remote location. If it were a home invasion, or something like that, why take the risk? Kill everyone right there. Take what you want. Leave.”
“Makes sense,” I said.
“I do agree that there must’ve been more than one of them,” Ray added. “Unless Emily and Jason knew their killer and willingly went out to that field with him. Not knowing what was going to happen until it was too late.”
“So we got those three paths to follow,” Pancake said. “Let’s start with Charlie Martin. What’d you guys find out?”
I told him and Ray of our visit to Copeland’s Nursery and our talk with Gene Copeland. How Copeland said that Charlie was a good and loyal worker. A bit shy. Definitely in love with Emily and not happy with her seeing Jason. But in the end, he saw no way that Charlie could be involved in a double murder. And particularly if one of the victims was Emily.
“How long has he worked for Copeland?” Pancake asked.
“Awhile now. Copeland said he was a hard worker. He did say that, since the murders, Charlie has been a bit off his game.”
“A zombie,” Nicole said. “He said Charlie was dazed like a zombie.”
I nodded. “Copeland said that he wouldn’t blame him. Something like this happens to someone you love and being off balance would be expected.”
“No problems as far as Copeland is concerned?” Ray asked.
“None. I got the impression that he was very fond of Charlie and felt for him.”
“What else?”
I told him of our talk with Charlie.
“He’s truly damaged by all this,” Nicole said. “He loved Emily. A lot. He resented Jason.”
“A motive,” Pancake said.
Nicole tapped a fingernail on the tabletop. “Maybe. But I think Mr. Copeland was right. Charlie seems like a quiet, passive guy. Hurt for sure, but I didn’t sense any anger.”
“Maybe he let it all out when he killed them,” Pancake said. “He’s now dealing with the empty aftermath.”
“What else?” Ray asked.
I recounted our drive over to Magnolia Springs to see Martin’s cousin Bobby Taylor. How Taylor corroborated Martin’s story about that day. That the logs and stumps we saw piled up on Taylor’s property indicated that they had done a full day’s work. “He said Martin left there around midnight.”
“Which gives him just enough time to do the dirty,” Pancake said.
“That’s true,” I said. “The time of death was as late as 2:00 a.m. The drive time between Magnolia Springs and Emily’s place at midnight, with everyone tucked in for the night, would have been thirty minutes, tops.”
“I still can’t get around the fact that he doesn’t seem the type,” Nicole said.
Pancake shoved a wad of fries in his mouth and spoke around them. “It’s the quiet ones that are most dangerous.” A slug of beer. “But Ira Sharp over at the used car lot where Jason worked agrees with you. He knows Martin and he says he sees no way he could do something like this.”
“See,” Nicole said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Pancake bounced an eyebrow. “I’m still going to dig into his world.”
“Of course you
are.”
“Anything new on Sean?” Ray asked.
I went through our chats with Fred Watkins and Whitney Meyer. Both saying Sean was cool with the impending divorce. I finished with Watkins’ description of the robbery.
“They were lucky,” Pancake said. “Eighteen grand is adult money. Enough for the robbers to whack any witnesses. Even with them wearing masks.”
“Sean did say he thought that might happen,” Nicole said.
“What about the drug angle?” I asked.
“Had a chat with Chief Warren,” Pancake said. “She said all things drug related in Baldwin County run through the Mack household. Clive and Reba.”
“We did a drive-by,” Ray added. “Snapped a few photos. Made a video.”
“Any connection between them and Sean or Martin? Jason?”
“Don’t know yet,” Pancake said. “Haven’t got into them yet.”
“Looks like they deal from their house,” Ray said. “We saw a couple of guys. Looked like they were either delivering money or scoring new supplies.”
“Probably both,” Pancake added.
“You saw the exchange?” Nicole asked.
“Nope. But it smelled that way. Couple of losers. Bright red pickup. F-one-fifty. Camper shell.” Pancake shrugged. “Looked like dealers to me.”
“What’s the plan?” I asked.
“Pancake’ll do some digging,” Ray said. “Tomorrow morning I think we should have a powwow with Warren. Bring her up to date on what little we have. Maybe pick her brain.”
“And keep her in the fold,” I said.
“Exactly.”
“So, we’re free tonight?” Nicole asked.
Ray nodded. “Seems so.”
“Great.” She looked a me. “You ready, cowboy?”
Was I ever.
CHAPTER 26
“IT’S GOOD TO finally put a face with the name,” Chief Billie Warren said as she shook Ray’s hand.
We were gathered in her office. We took seats, as did Warren. Behind her desk.
She went on. “Of course, I’d heard about you before, but you’re a bona fide celebrity lately. What with Victor Borkov, Kirk Ford, and then Billy Wayne Baker. See you in the papers more than the Kardashians, it seems.”
“They get paid better,” Ray said, offering a half smile.
“They get paid better than anyone. Still haven’t figured that one out.”
“Some things defy description.”
“Which brings up a question,” Warren said. “How does Daniel afford you? Even at the discount you mentioned.”
“We gave him the family rate,” Ray said. “All of a buck.”
She flattened her palms on her desk. “So, this really is personal?”
“Emily and Daniel have a history with us,” I said. “And she broke Pancake’s heart in the sixth grade by leaving town.”
Pancake grunted.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of the entire crew from Longly Investigations?” Warren asked.
“Thought we might compare notes,” Ray said.
“Really?” She looked at me. “When Jake said you’d give me everything you turned up, I thought he was simply blowing smoke up my skirt.” She smiled. “If I wore skirts.”
“Afraid we don’t have much,” I said. “Hopefully, you do.”
“So far I got nothing. Of all the folks in Emily’s and Jason’s world, I don’t see any of them good for it.” She cracked her knuckles, her muscular forearms tightening into bands. “Sean has a pretty ironclad alibi, Charlie Martin just doesn’t seem capable, and the drug connection hasn’t offered any breadcrumbs.”
“We’re on the same page,” Ray said. “Those are the avenues we think are most relevant.”
“Charlie Martin had the opportunity, at least,” I said. Warren started to say something, but I raised my hands. “I know, I know. Nicole and I talked with him. He doesn’t seem the type for sure. And his cousin Bobby Taylor agreed. Charlie loved Emily. No doubt about that. Taylor said Charlie was the patient type. He felt Emily and Jason would probably fall apart at some time and he’d be there.”
“Sort of a Steady Eddie?” Warren asked.
“Exactly. But sometimes those frustrations grow and fester, become intolerable. Even for someone like Charlie Martin.”
“And if so,” Pancake said, “things could go sideways in a hurry. Let’s say Charlie finally decided to confront the couple. Maybe even do something to Jason. Things got crazy, both ended up dead.”
“You believe that?” Warren asked.
“No.” Pancake gave an emphatic headshake. “I don’t. But it’s at least possible.”
“Let me ask you something,” Warren said. “You think there’s any way Sean could’ve hired someone to do it? I mean, it’s most often the spouse that’s involved. Money and property being valuable.”
“I went deep into his finances,” Pancake said. “Other than fifteen hundred he took out to apparently pay for a car repair, there’s nothing.”
“How’d you do that?”
Pancake smiled.
“Probably better I don’t know,” Warren said.
“Chief, you’re a genius.” The voice came from the hallway. Burton Moody rounded the doorjamb. Put on the brakes. “Sorry. I thought you were alone.”
“Come on in.”
Pancake, Nicole, and I already knew Moody so I introduced him to Ray.
“Don’t know why you sound so shocked that I’m brilliant,” Warren said, “but what are you talking about?”
“You wanted me to dig a little more on Jason Collins and his family. And I did.”
“You going to tell us, or is it a mystery?”
“His parents passed, but he had a brother. Brett. Over in Pascagoula. Did a couple of years for meth possession. Now works odd jobs over there.”
“Meth?” I asked. “Any connection between that and his brother?”
“You mean besides finding a couple of packets in Jason’s back pocket?” Warren said.
“Maybe they weren’t planted?” Pancake said. “Maybe he was holding?”
Warren gave a half nod. “That sure would open up that line of thought to further scrutiny.”
“If so, don’t you think Emily would’ve known?” Nicole asked.
“Maybe she did.”
“Everyone we talked to said she was completely opposed to drugs of any kind.”
“People wear masks,” Ray said. “Users are often adept at hiding it. From family, friends, lovers, everyone.”
“And then they’re the enablers,” Pancake said. “Even those that are most opposed will cover for family and loved ones. Even help them get fixed.”
“I’ve seen it,” Warren said. “Don’t always understand it, but I’ve definitely seen it.”
“I think we need to visit Allison again,” I said. “Maybe she held it back. Didn’t want to harm Emily’s reputation.”
“Or she didn’t know,” Nicole said. “Or even suspect.”
I nodded.
“Back to the brother,” Warren said. She nodded toward Moody. “Did you talk to him?”
“Nope. But that’s my next step.”
“May I offer a suggestion?” Ray said.
“Go ahead,” Warren said.
“Let me and Pancake drop in on him. Unannounced. See what he says.”
“You’re thinking that he’d try to protect his brother?”
Ray nodded. “Maybe. I also want to look in his face when we open that can of worms. If Jason has, or ever had, a history of meth use, that would change things.”
Warren waved a hand. “Have at it. Pascagoula’s a little out of our jurisdiction anyway.”
“Which brings up this,” Ray said. He pulled out his cell. “We visited the Mack place yesterday.”
“What’d you think of them?” Warren asked.
“They didn’t know we visited,” Pancake said.
Ray thumbed to the images he had taken at the Macks’ place. He had earlier tran
sferred them from his camera to his phone. He handed the cell to Warren. She swiped through the pics, examining each.
“Looks like you guys did a little creepy crawling.”
“We did,” Pancake said.
“The guys with them?” Ray asked. “You know them?”
She smiled. “Sure do. A pair of losers. They sell for the Macks’. Jack Reed is the taller one. Reavis Whitt the other.”
“And?”
“They deal. Popped Reed once, but all he had was a few crumbs of marijuana. Didn’t charge him for that. But they deal the whole palate. Meth, coke, oxy.”
“So they’ve been slippery?” I asked.
“More like luck. Neither one of them could pass the SAT. So they aren’t exactly criminal masterminds.”
“Lucky is the right word,” Moody said. “We know they deal. I’ve pulled them over a couple of times. The chief has, too. Minor stuff like rolling through a stop sign. But enough to search them and their vehicle. You know? For weapons and such? Officer safety? Never found anything.”
“I think I know the answer to this,” Ray said. “But you’ve never connected them, or the Macks, to Jason Collins?”
“No. Never even suspected such a thing.”
Out on the street, Ray said, “We’re off to Pascagoula. You guys chat with Allison. We’ll see what turns up and go from there.”
Pancake was already buried in his iPhone. No doubt thumbing through all the places he goes when he’s digging for information, or dirt.
CHAPTER 27
PANCAKE AND RAY followed us to Mullins Bakery. Pancake’s take was that if he had to travel the sixty miles to Pascagoula, he needed nourishment. Of course he did. The massive breakfast he had had at the hotel before we all ventured up to Fairhope a distant memory. It had been a couple of hours, and feeding the beast—as he called it—was more or less a full-time job.
Fully stocked with ham and cheese croissants and bear claws, they hit the road. Nicole and I grabbed coffee and settled at a corner table while Allison served several customers. She then came over and sat with us.
“Anything new?” she asked.
“Maybe,” I said.
She gave me an expectant look.
I knew we had to tiptoe here, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. Discussing the evidence would be betraying our promise to Chief Warren to keep certain things undercover. But the revelation that Jason’s brother had done a couple years for possessing the same drugs found on Jason made the risk necessary. To me anyway. My assessment of Allison was that she was straightforward, honest, trustworthy. I hoped us driving out of our lane didn’t put us in a ditch. I took a breath and pressed forward.
