The ImPAWssible Mission

by Patricia Fry

  “Yes,” Savannah said. “I’m glad to get a chance to see you this morning. I want to thank you for your hospitality. It was wonderful meeting you and your delightful son.”

  “Yeah, thanks a million,” Craig said, moving toward the front door. “We need to get on the road.”

  Before the woman could respond, Melvin appeared, holding a gun at his side. “Not so fast,” he snarled. “I’m going with you. You’re taking me out of here past all those cops.”

  This stopped Craig. “We are?” he said. He looked at the gun. “Well, I guess we are. Where do you want to go—to the diner?”

  “Maybe,” he said. He kissed his wife, tucked the gun into his belt, then picked up a duffle bag and motioned for Savannah and Craig to walk out the front door.

  Meanwhile, White Fox grabbed her husband’s arm. “I wish you wouldn’t do this. There’s no reason for this, Mel.”

  Ignoring her, he stood just inside the doorway and asked Craig, “Is it clear? Do you see any cops?”

  Craig looked around and shook his head.

  “You better not be lying,” Melvin threatened.

  “Mel, please,” White Fox pleaded.

  “I have to. I’ll be back,” he assured her.

  Craig motioned for Savannah to head on down the stairs to the car. He followed her and placed the litter box in the back, took the bags from her and tossed them inside, then motioned to Melvin. The man crawled into the car and huddled on the floor in the backseat. Craig looked around, then said, “Sorry cat,” as he picked up a blanket Savannah had folded for Rags to lay on. He tossed it over the man.

  “Where’s Rags?” Savannah asked.

  “Oh, God,” Craig complained. “Don’t tell me…”

  “Maybe he’s under a seat.”

  “What’s Rags?” the man demanded in his gravelly voice.

  “My cat,” Savannah said. She got out of the car and began looking under the seats. “Rags,” she called. “Kitty-kitty. Craig, I think someone let him out of the car. “Rags!” she called again.

  When she saw the boy walking toward them, she asked, “River, have you seen Rags?”

  “The cat?” he asked.

  “Yes. He was in the car here. Did you see anyone let him out?”

  River shook his head and moved closer to the car. “Hey, maybe he’s under that blanket,” he said, reaching in and lifting it. “Dad!” River shouted. “What are you doing in there?” He looked frantically from one to the other of them.

  “Don’t worry about it, son,” Craig said. “Listen, we’re going to take your dad to the diner, then we’ll come back and get Rags. Will you look for him? If you find him, hold onto him until we get back.” Craig took the boy by the shoulders. “And don’t tell anyone where your dad is, will you?”

  He shrugged. “I thought he was at work—you know, driving his eighteen-wheeler someplace. Why is he going with you?”

  “It’s okay, Son,” Melvin said. “I’ve asked them to do this. I’ll explain it all to you later.

  Don’t worry yourself about it. Just do as Mr. Craig tells you, okay? Find the cat.”

  When Craig saw River hesitate, he said, “There’s five dollars in it for you.”

  “Oh,” River said, smiling. “Okay, I’ll find him.”

  “So why are you hiding out?” Craig asked once he’d driven past where the official cars were parked. He tilted his head. “I noticed your car gone this morning. I thought you’d left for work earlier.”

  Melvin sat up in the backseat. “I did leave, but decided to come back. When I saw the police cars, I took the alternate road around to the house.”

  “So why are you hiding?” Craig asked again.

  Melvin scowled. “It’s Milner. He’s threatening me like he threatened his own brother in there.” He made brief eye contact with Craig in the rearview mirror. “River told me you found a body in the abandoned mineshaft. I suspect it’s David Milner, am I right?”

  Craig nodded. He then said, “You don’t seem surprised. Why is that?”

  Melvin bowed his head, muttering, “It’s complicated. Like everything is with Harold Milner—complicated.

  “I’m all ears,” Craig said.

  Melvin let out a sigh. “It’ll go no further than this car.” When Craig hesitated, the distraught man said, “Well, it’s coming out now, isn’t it? But I know they’ll have a lot of questions. Questions I don’t want to answer.”

  Craig glanced at Melvin. “They’re going to catch up with you sooner or later.”

  “I guess you’re right there,” Melvin said. “You’re a lawman, right?”

  Craig grinned. “Does it show?”

  Ignoring him, Melvin asked, “What do you think I should do?”

  “Well, I can’t answer that unless I know what your story is.” Craig pulled over, turned in his seat, and asked, “Did you kill that man?”

  Melvin shook his head. “No. It wasn’t me.”

  “Was it Milner?”

  When Melvin hesitated, Craig looked him in the eyes and he finally admitted, “Probably. I’m not an eyewitness, but everything adds up to it being him—I mean, Milner. I don’t know what it was between the brothers and I never asked, but about ten years ago they started feuding like you wouldn’t believe. The two of them leased this place together, you know, from an uncle. They seemed compatible at first—I mean, in the way they ran the operation. That could have been because Harold was gone so much of the time with his job in Colorado.”

  “What happened ten years ago to change things?” Craig asked.

  “I don’t rightly know. But I do know that David, who pretty much ran things around here for the last darn-near fifteen years, got real uptight whenever his brother planned a trip here or while he was here. He wouldn’t relax until Harold left again. And fight! Those two brothers could not get along if their life depended on it.” He tightened his lips and shook his head. “I guess David’s life did depend on it.”

  “So you think Harold Milner killed his brother?” Savannah asked.

  “I’d bet my bottom dollar on it, which is why I don’t want to answer any questions.” He took a deep breath and looked Craig in the eyes. “How am I going to tell what I know to the authorities?”

  “Do you fear for your life?” Craig asked quietly.

  Melvin nodded. “And for my family. No one knows for sure what Harold Milner is capable of. Over the years I’ve watched him become something…well, someone I no longer know. No one much likes him anymore. One thing that guy’s good at is making enemies, except for my son, River. He likes the boy. Maybe because he sees a potential there to use him. He uses people, you know.”

  “No, I didn’t know,” Craig said. “So what was the beef between the brothers?”

  Melvin chuckled. “Everyone has a beef of some kind with Milner. I’m not sure what it was between him and David. I got the impression that David had something on Harold.” He looked Craig in the eyes. “Maybe it has to do with why you’re here. You’re trying to get something on Milner, aren’t you? Why else would you come out to this god-forsaken place and snoop. I saw you snooping. That’s how you found David, isn’t it? So what were you looking for?”

  “Something we think Milner took and hid out here, where nobody would find it.”

  “Oh, the treasure?” Melvin asked.

  Craig was obviously surprised. “Treasure? You know about it?”

  “Yeah, Milner isn’t all that bright at times. He has trouble keeping his mouth shut. He considers me and Miguel good friends, I guess, and he confided in us one night over some fine wine he brought in from somewhere. He said that he was going to acquire a fortune in some commodity and hide it where nobody would ever think to look. I figured he meant out here. Who would come out here seeking a fortune?” He looked at Craig, then Savannah, “I guess he wasn’t very good at covering his trail, was he?”

  “Did his brother know about the…um treasure?” Craig asked.

&nbs
p; Melvin thought about the question for a moment. “I really don’t know. But I guess people have been murdered for less. So maybe he did.”

  “When was the last time Milner was here?” Craig asked. “I mean Harold Milner.”

  “About two weeks ago.”

  “And before that?”

  “A month, maybe.”

  “Is that when his brother went missing?”

  Melvin thought for a moment and said, “Yeah, as a matter of fact. I think it was right about that time.” He took a raspy breath. “But we didn’t actually know he was missing, you see. Harold told us he went on a trip. There was no reason to consider him missing.”

  Craig studied Melvin, then asked, “Did Milner bring the treasure up here?”

  “I don’t think so. But I could be wrong. It’s just that nothing has changed, you know, that would indicate something valuable was hidden in the mines.”

  Craig ran his hand over his chin. “So what’s your plan? How do you think you’re going to avoid being interrogated?”

  “I hope to be gone for a week and return after things have settled down.” When Melvin saw Craig regarding him dubiously, he said, “Not a smart idea, huh? Is that what you’re thinking?”

  Craig nodded. “Better to take your medicine. And it may not be as bad as you think. I mean, you say you’re innocent.”

  “I am.” Melvin looked down at his hands. “But, it isn’t just me I’m worried about. Well, yeah, I’m worried about myself and my family, but not because I’ve done anything wrong. Milner has a way of squirming out of his obligations and putting the blame on others. I’ve seen him do it since we were kids.”

  Craig’s eyes widened. “So you two go way back, do you?”

  “Yeah, his grandfather owned mines up here and my family worked them.

  “I didn’t know you were a native of the area too. I thought your wife said you happened to stop here and found her.”

  He smiled tentatively. “Yeah, well, I left when I was a teen—struck out to make a better life, you see. I knew her family way back when. Yeah, when I returned one summer for a visit and saw what a beautiful young woman she’d become…well…” He shifted in his seat. “By then, Milner and his brother had inherited this place, and they started working the mines about fifteen years ago. Harold Milner had pipe dreams of finding enough ore so he could live the easy life. He’s always wanted that sort of lifestyle. He had it for a while when he married a rich widow. That was when he quit the police force out there in Colorado—but she soon saw through his scheme and kicked him to the curb and he went back to work as an investigator.”

  “Sounds like he’s had an interesting life,” Craig said.

  “Yeah, but too bad he never stopped to enjoy it. He just keeps chasing after rainbows, stepping on whoever gets in his way.” He turned. “See the big shoe print on my back?”

  “So you have reason to dislike him, huh?”

  “Sure do. I’m on the road a lot with my job and he likes to come out here and spend time with River when I’m gone.”

  “The boy seems to like him,” Craig said.

  “Yeah, maybe a bit too much. It makes me nervous.”

  “Why?” Savannah asked.

  “Well, ma’am, I guess you could call it jealousy. The boy’s pretty impressionable and can’t resist Milner’s gifts and promises. Sometimes I wonder…oh, you don’t want to hear about that. It’s just another of the many reasons why I’m not a big fan of Harold Milner.”

  “So, what do you want to do, Melvin?” Craig asked. “How about if I drive you back to the mines and you can talk to the authorities there. Okay? It’s the right thing to do. And I think you really want to do the right thing.”

  Melvin took a deep breath. “You’re right, of course. Yeah, take me back. I’ll talk.” He sat up straighter and asked, “Have you all eaten anything today?”

  “Haven’t even had my coffee,” Craig complained.

  “How about I buy you breakfast down at Millie’s. What I have to go through will sit a lot easier if I’m fed and have some coffee under my belt.”

  Craig grinned. “Sounds good.”

  ****

  An hour later, Craig slowed his car as he reached the police activity near the mine. When he stopped, the three of them exited the car.

  “Hey, Detective, I didn’t expect you back,” Officer Davis said. “Something wrong?”

  Craig nodded toward Savannah. “Came back to get her cat.” He handed the officer a four-pack of covered Styrofoam cups. “Coffee?”

  Savannah gave another four-pack to the female officer.

  “Hey, thanks,” Officer Davis said. Just then, he noticed Melvin trailing behind Craig and Savannah.

  Melvin held out his hand to the officer. “I’m Mel Eastman. My wife and I are caretakers for the Milners. I understand you have some questions.”

  The officer glanced at Craig and Savannah, then shook Melvin’s hand. “Yes, we do. Thank you for making our job easier.” He motioned toward where his official SUV was parked. “We can talk over there.”

  Before the men walked away, Savannah asked, “Excuse me. Have you seen my cat?”

  The officer chuckled. “The one wearing a harness? Yeah. He’s been up here helping with the investigation.”

  “Oh dear,” Savannah lamented.

  The officer gazed around the area and pointed. “There he is.” He chuckled. “Looks like he’s taking a ride on the gurney.” He called out to a woman officer. “Hey, Swenson, here’s the gal who owns that cat you’re playing with there.”

  “Thanks,” Savannah said, walking toward Officer Swenson. Savannah apologized to her and those around her, “I’m sorry, he’s such a pill sometimes.”

  The officer laughed. “Oh, he’s something else. Quite entertaining and helpful.”

  “Helpful?” Craig repeated, sniggering.

  Swenson looked at Craig as he approached. She became more serious. “Yes, he showed us where to look for the murder weapon.”

  “Really?” Craig replied. “Where was it?”

  “In a crevice about ten feet from the body. We’d looked in all the crevices, fissures, and crannies in there, and under rocks, up on ledges. All the while the cat seemed interested in this one narrow gap between the rocks. We figured he’d seen a mouse go in there or something. Finally, I suggested the men dig deeper into that crevice, and doggone if they didn’t come up with a bloody knife.”

  Savannah picked up Rags and kissed him on the head a few times. When he struggled, she said, “Oh no, I’m not turning you loose.” She started to walk to the car. “Let’s go get your leash.”

  “I’ll get it,” Craig offered.

  Meanwhile, Officer Swenson gazed at the cat and said, “You know, they ought to provide therapy cats for officers and victims at crime scenes. He has sure helped to lighten the mood out here.”

  Savannah chuckled. “Yeah, we saw you giving him a ride on the gurney.” She thanked Craig when he snapped the leash to Rags’s harness, then lowered the cat to the ground.

  A man in street clothes said, “He really enjoyed the ride. He’s one cool cat.”

  Another officer chimed in. “Yeah, if you ever want to get rid of him, he’d have a good home at our precinct, for sure.”

  Savannah looked down at Rags. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Just then she heard something behind her. She turned and saw River peering out from behind a boulder.

  “Pssst,” he said, motioning for her to join him.

  “Hi, River,” she greeted. “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to get your cat, but I see you found him. I saw everyone playing with him, but I’m not supposed to be out here, so I hid and tried to call him over. I guess he was having too much fun.”

  “Well thanks, River, for trying. He’s not an easy cat to corral.” When the boy didn’t make a move to leave, she said, “We have him now. Thank you again for trying to catch him. You’d better go on back t
o the house.”

  River bit his lower lip and looked at Craig, then at Savannah. “But…” he started.

  “Oh, the five dollars. Yes,” she said, “I think you earned it.” She dug into her pocket and came up with two dollar bills. “Wait here, River. I’ll be right back.” She approached Craig. “I need three bucks.”

  He frowned at her. “Why?”

  “Why not?” she responded. She then nodded toward the boulder.

  When Craig saw the boy, he said, “Oh yes, I promised him a reward, didn’t I?” He hesitated. “But technically, he didn’t…”

  “Oh, Craig, don’t be such a tightwad. Give me the three dollars.”

  He grinned at her and counted out two dollar bills and a dollar in change.

  “Thanks again,” she said to River, handing him the money. “Now go, before you get in trouble,” she insisted. When she rejoined Craig with Rags on his leash, she stopped in her tracks. “Craig, look,” she said, pointing. “They’ve handcuffed Melvin.”

  “What?” he exclaimed, turning. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered as he walked toward the officer who was leading Melvin away. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

  Before the officer could respond, Officer Davis approached. “We’re taking him in for questioning, that’s all.”

  Craig looked curiously at him. “Why not question him out here like you did the rest of us?”

  “It’s okay,” Melvin said. “Go tell White Fox I’ll be home later, will you?”

  Craig stared at the man for a moment, glanced at the officers, and nodded. Before he could walk to his car, River ran up to him.

  “Where are they taking my dad?” he asked, sounding out of breath.

  “Everything’s okay, son,” Craig soothed. “They just have more questions for him and they thought it would be best to ask them at the station.” Craig tousled the boy’s hair. “He’ll be home for supper.”

  “What about his job?” River complained. “He has to make a long haul to Arizona.” The boy squinted in the direction his father walked with the policeman. “I hope he doesn’t lose this job. Señor Harold says he’ll kick us out of the place if he loses this job and can’t pay his share.”