“I’m hanging on, and yes, Cami finally responded and is in Los Angeles but flying back in tomorrow. She is not too happy about it, but I left her processing it all.”
“Why is Bobby so intent on talking to her, Abby?”
“Well—she was here, and she knew Sam as it turns out, though didn’t know he was coming here with his family.”
“Ah, I see where this might be landing. Say no more.”
“Yeah, she didn’t know all she needed to know about Sam Henson as it turned out, and this was a big surprise—all of it.”
“Bobby’s not thinking she had anything to do with his death, surely?”
“Oh, I doubt that, but Bobby does his job, and no one is exempt.”
Sandy went to the pantry to get the buns for the burgers and paused with her hand on the door. “There is one thing, and I just remembered it—Cami was up early that morning, the morning that Henson died. I was just coming in to do the breakfast prep and was surprised to find her up and dressed before daylight.”
“What are you saying, Sandy?”
“Just that—oh, I don’t know, it was just odd. When she saw me coming, she went back to her room, and then at some point, she disappeared before the hoopla of the body being found.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. She hasn’t been sleeping well for weeks, she was distraught over what she had learned. And she was in a rush to get back to work, to L.A.”
“Wasn’t she also out riding alone when he was shot at too?”
“Sandy! Don’t you dare suggest that to Bobby.”
“Huh, like he’d need me to suggest it. He’s no fool. I’m just making observations here, Abby.”
“Well—don’t. She is not a killer.”
“How well do you really know her, Abby? I’m not saying she is a killer, just asking, so don’t go yelling at me.”
“I know her well enough to know that she could never strangle a man or anyone with a rope, Sandy.”
“People can do things in the throes of passion, revenge, anger, that they’d never do under normal situations, Abby.”
“Sandy, please.”
“Well, who do you think it could be—one of his own guests, his own family, maybe?”
“I can see you’re enjoying playing Miss Marple here Sandy, but I have no idea. I know nothing about Sam Henson or who might want to kill him. That’s Bobby’s job, and I’m glad to leave it to him.”
“On another topic—how do you think this will affect your business?”
“Ugh, I’m leaving you now. See you at the cookout.” Abby went outside and did a few deep breaths, but the air was humid and heavy and gave her no comfort. The sky was getting darker as the clouds came in from the west. She hoped it was not a bad omen. A rained-out cookout and confined guests would not be helpful. She looked at the clouds again and said, “I need a break here.”
An hour later Cami sent her a text with her flight information, arriving at eight the next morning, which she sent on to Bobby. Now, with a thousand thoughts running wild through her head she had nothing to do until the riders returned and the cookout. Nothing to do but think, and she couldn’t help thinking about what Sandy had said about Cami.
Chapter Six
The group rode in a little before 11, hot and ready to get off the horses. They walked back to the guest house without noticing Abby watching them from the stables. After the group was back inside the guest house Abby walked around to check with Danny and Leon about the ride. The deputy tipped his hat at Abby and went back to his car. It looked like Bobby had installed him as a spy or safeguard, she didn’t know which.
Danny and Leon were busy tending to the horses and Abby stood out of the way and marveled at their efficiency as she quizzed them on the ride. Just as she was satisfied it all went well and she started back Danny called out to her. “Hey, one thing, Abby. I overheard that Brian guy, the brother-in-law, say to her, Mrs. Henson…come on, I know you’re glad he’s gone. We had stopped at the stream to let them and the horses rest before starting back down. I was checking the horse’s hoofs and I was bent down, and they didn’t see me.”
“Well, that’s interesting. I’ll mention it to Bobby. Thanks guys, for everything. See you at the cookout. Oh, invite the deputy out there in the car too.”
Abby made her way to the kitchen hoping Sandy wouldn’t start up again with her murder theories. Sandy was much too busy to speculate on killers when Abby got back to the kitchen. She was running back and forth with her cart between the grill and the kitchen, and Abby grabbed another cart and got the ice, coolers, and drinks.
By the time Bobby arrived, the group was enjoying their lunch, along with her staff and Bobby’s deputy. Sandy brought out dessert, and more tea, and took a plate to Bobby who followed Abby back to the house. She joined him at the table and in-between bites of burger, told her he had learned a lot more about Henson, but he couldn’t share everything with her. This was not what she wanted to hear but she understood. She fished around for a few minutes, but he wouldn’t give up much information. He did confirm that a deputy would be meeting Cami’s plane the following morning. She gave him an abbreviated version of what Sandy had said about seeing her early that morning but tried to make it sound coincidental. Cami could do her own explaining, she was sure.
If her guests were bothered by Bobby and one deputy at the cookout they didn’t let on. Everyone was talking and eating and though not festive, they seemed comfortable. She knew everyone processed grief in their own way and time, and she tried not to judge them. At the moment, her fallback position was to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
Abby managed to eat in spite of her nerves and in spite of her lingering doubts about Cami’s odd behavior. At two Bobby ushered everyone into the guest house. Abby noticed it was then that everyone started to get more tense and nervous. They all seemed to wander around for a bit trying to decide where to sit, but finally they all ended up around the table.
As soon as everyone was seated, Bobby, choosing not to sit, took off his hat and glanced
around the table. Abby stood out of his line of vision and where she could see the guests. Bobby took a step toward the table and pulled out his small notebook. “The coroner has ruled the death a murder, caused by strangulation, and time of death to be approximately between two and four in the morning.”
No one said a word. Jill was looking down at her shoes, her mouth a hard, straight line. Abby saw Cathy clutch her fiancé’s arm. Bobby looked around the table and then continued. “As you know, we do now believe someone did try to shoot him or at least, shot at him to scare him the day prior to his death. We don’t believe it was someone out there just shooting targets in other words. What we don’t know is why he was at the stables on the morning of his death.” Bobby paused to see if anyone would comment. Still there was only silence. Bobby put his notebook back in his pocket at looked at them. “So, I’m going to ask you again, does anyone know why Mr. Henson would be dressed and at the stables at that hour? Also, again, do you know anyone who might have a motive to kill him now that you’ve had more time to think about it?”
Jill stood now but held tight to the back of her chair. “I’ve told you all I know, sheriff. I had taken a sleeping pill and I didn’t know Sam was gone. I know nothing about his business, nothing at all, but I have to assume he made someone madder than usual. He was not one to hold his tongue. He had enemies. Now, if nothing else, I want to go pack if you don’t mind. Or is there a reason we are to be held here another day?”
Bobby shifted his weight and studied her for a few moments. “Thank you, Mrs. Henson, and I was just about to say, the body will be released in the morning so you can make arrangements with the coroner’s office and can leave after that is done, tonight or tomorrow, as you wish. I’m going to give everyone my card and ask that if you do think of something, that you call me direct at any time. I’ll follow up with you individually as I need to, but otherwise, don’t leave the state without letting me know un
til the case is closed, please.”
Abby walked beside Bobby as he made his way out of the guest house, but she heard the muffled voices of the guests as they got up from the table. She guessed they were all glad to be able to leave and see he last of her ranch. She tried not to let it get her down, but it was hard not to think of this as the end of her business. That thought led her to the next—Teresa Moore, and her PR spin. How could you spin a murder? She said as much to Bobby and he shrugged. She could tell he had a lot on his mind, and she wondered if he had a theory about the killer. He wasn’t talking but he kissed her goodbye and left to go back to the station.
Later, Abby sent Teresa Moore a text to let her know her guests were leaving the next day, and asked her advice on what to do next, knowing there was really nothing to do now. It would truly take a miracle worker to pull her out of this nightmare.
Sandy, and Connie, her helper went out to tackle the remains of the cookout, and Abby went back to the guest house to see when they had decided to leave. Jill told her she had arranged transport of the body for the following morning into Dallas, where they had family burial crypts along with a family minister and church. The group decided to leave via car for San Antonio after breakfast the next day. That meant one more dinner and breakfast for Sandy and Connie to prepare, but they were prepared for that. They all decided another outdoor buffet would be best since the weather had turned out for the best.
Bobby returned about five and Abby new it was as much to keep an eye on the guests as to see her, but he also wanted to ask Sandy questions about seeing Cami. True to form, Sandy didn’t gloss over anything but gave Bobby the information without the commentary she had shared with Abby.
Sandy made pizzas and salads for dinner and had everything was set up before she left to feed her own family. Abby had kept a pizza and salad in the kitchen for Bobby and his deputy, and after they ate, she walked Bobby out to the stables where he wanted another look around. “I guess you still can’t tell me much, huh?”
“Now don’t look at me with those big chocolate eyes, Abby. You know I can’t.”
“Can’t you tell me who you have ruled out?”
“His sisters, okay, are you happy?”
“Happier, but I could have told you that.”
“Oh, is that right, Sherlock? You ruled out his sisters. Anyone else you’ve ruled out to save me time?”
“Yes, Danny, Leon, Sandy, Cami, and myself.”
“Oh yeah?”
“We have no motive, plain to see.”
“So, you don’t think Cami has a motive?”
“No, well, no, not really. She loved him, why would she want him dead?”
“Because, let me count the ways: he lied to her, he leads her on for months, and shows up here with his happy family. He has ruined her life. She is overcome with a desire for revenge. It happens.”
They were at the scene of the murder now and Abby followed his gaze. “Pish-tosh, Cami is not a killer.”
Bobby laughed and took off his hat, slapping it on his leg. “Pish-tosh? You’ve been watching too many British detective shows, Abby.”
“Be that as it may, your theory is not right. Clearly, it was someone he knows who had a real motive, but it’s more likely to be a man he’d had business problems with, don’t you think?”
“I’ve ruled nothing out. I’m checking out the business angle.”
Abby started to reply when her phone pinged. “It’s a text from Evan. Oh, interesting, he says Teresa Moore and Sam Henson have some history. Wonder why she kept that a secret?”
“Sounds like I need to interview Miss legs, uh, Miss Moore.”
“Very funny, sheriff, and you look entirely happy about the prospect.
Abby tried not to dwell on Bobby and Teresa, Cami, her guests, or anything else as she got ready for bed, but it was a losing battle. She read until she was exhausted and finally fell into a troubled sleep.
Abby woke the next morning in a cranky mood. She had not slept well and was putting the last touches on her makeup when she heard Bobby’s car. It was only seven and she wondered if something new had happened. She hurried into the kitchen and hit the coffee brew button and opened the back door for him. “Hey, why so early?”
“I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss your guests’ departure, and I wanted to see you. And oh yeah, I wanted breakfast and coffee.”
Abby laughed and motioned for him to sit. “Coffee almost ready and my cooking skills are not too bad on breakfast options, so what’s your pleasure?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.”
“I’m having cereal and blueberries, so…”
“Well, let me re-phrase that, how about a couple of eggs and toast? Or is that too much trouble?”
“I can do that.” Abby got out the pan and started to work. She had to concentrate on cooking to keep from asking the dozen questions going through her mind.
“You look pretty cute over there at the stove, I gotta say.”
“Don’t get excited, it’s not my natural habitat.”
“Come on, Abby, you wouldn’t want a husband and house full of kids to take care of every day?”
“Good grief. What a deep conversation for so early in the morning.”
“Okay, to change the subject, Ollie is on the way to get Cami at the airport and they should be here by nine-thirty or so. She wanted to come here instead of her parents’ house, so they didn’t get upset with all of this.”
“I’d like to see her anyway. I have a bone to pick with her.”
“Don’t go making her mad, Abby. Or at least not until I’m done with her.”
“You don’t really think she had anything to do with this?”
“Just doing my job ma’am,” Bobby said.
Abby put the eggs and toast on a plate and put it down in front of him. “Are you going to interview Teresa Moore today?”
“At two at the department. She didn’t want me showing up at her office.”
Abby poured them both a cup of coffee and joined Bobby at the table. “Yes, I can see that. She’s all about the optics. Having a sheriff show up doesn’t look good.”
“She has some explaining to do for sure.”
“Just because she knew him doesn’t make her a suspect. What are you not telling me, Bobby?”
“It’s no big deal, Abby. I just want to know why she didn’t say she knew him before, and I want to know where she was the day Sam Henson was killed, and the day before that at the time of the attempt out there on the trail.”
“Well, I do know she rides. She mentioned that she has a horse over at Barclay’s stables, the next ranch over. She rents the space and pays them to care for her horse. She said she gets out a couple times a month to ride. Don’t know if she knows much about guns, but I’d not be surprised if she did.”
“I’ll need to check with them to see if she came out to ride the day of the shooting. Riding, shooting, owns a company, a woman of many talents,” Bobby said.
“Yes, and it seems you have noticed them all, sheriff.”
“Just doing my job, ma’am.”
Abby took a piece of toast off his plate. “That’ll cost you a piece of toast, sheriff.”
Bobby left to talk to Danny and Leon and watch for the guests’ driver to come collect them while Abby cleaned up the kitchen. She kept wondering about Teresa Moore and her connection to Henson, and on another level, if she could continue to work with her. Abby didn’t see how anyone could really help spin the event of a murder, PR genius or not, but maybe the word would not spread everywhere, and she could still get some guests in for the rest of the summer. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was just fooling herself, and that the dude ranch idea was a bad one. Should she go back to her old job and cut her losses?
Abby, decided she was not a quitter, and sat at the table with her notebook and pen now trying to come up with her own plan to promote the ranch, and to consider the terrifying idea she would have to ride out the rest of the year
without any paying guests. She looked up from her notes as she heard a car pull into the circular drive. It was the drivers for the guests, right on time. She went outside to wait near the cars to say her goodbyes. She saw Bobby talking to his deputy out near the ranch entrance. He turned, saw here, waved and started walking her way.
The group filed out of the guest house single file, pulling their luggage behind them. Their drivers met them and picked up the luggage.
Jill stopped and waved Abby and Bobby over. She looked tired but calm, Abby thought, as she held out her hand. “Abby, I want you to know that we don’t hold you responsible in any way, and we won’t be saying anything negative about the place.”
Abby shook her hand. “That’s nice of you to say, Mrs. Henson, and I appreciate it.”
“Under normal circumstances, it would have been a wonderful experience. If there are any lingering charges, please call me and I will take care of everything. And sheriff, you have been helpful and most kind. I think I have done everything I need to do legally but if there is anything else you need from me you know where to find me.”
Bobby nodded and shook her hand.
“I am so very sorry for your loss. Don’t worry about the payment details, Mrs. Henson. Your husband paid upfront, and everything was in the package, so nothing to worry about,” Abby said.
Jill gave her a small smile and walked a few steps before she turned back to them when she got to the car. “If only he had been upfront about everything.”
Abby and Bobby said goodbye to the remaining guests and watched them drive away.
“Such a sad woman, don’t you think?”
“Well considering…”
“No, Bobby, I mean she was sad even when she arrived. She was quiet, removed, and troubled. She seemed the opposite of her husband in every way.”
“You never know what goes on in someone’s marriage, or why people choose who they do, but I agree, she never had the look of a happy woman. I guess it’s true that money doesn’t buy happiness.”
Murder at the Dude Ranch Page 8
