by Laina Turner
“I feel like I should start reading encyclopedias,” Sheldon said after his fifth missed question in a row. “This game’s making me feel really stupid. My tenth-grade world history teacher would be embarrassed.”
“Do they even make encyclopedias anymore?”
“I don’t know. Maybe electronic versions?”
“Let play something easier. I think I have tic tac toe. That shouldn’t be too challenging.” I started to search through my apps for the game when Sheldon grabbed my arm.
“There’s Eric,” he said pointing to the back door where a man had walked out.
I squinted, the sun was in my eyes, but he was right. That was him. I felt a nervousness in my stomach at confronting him, but I still felt this was a better course of action than talking to Glen.
“Let’s go,” Sheldon opened the car door to get out and I followed suit.
“Hey, Eric,” he called out and Eric turned toward us.
“What are you doing here, Sheldon?” Eric asked, with a none too friendly look on his face, as we got close. He obviously knew Sheldon. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since this was a small town and they weren’t that far apart in age. But Eric asked his question with such a flat tone and scowl on his face that gave me the impression he was not happy about the fact Sheldon was here. Was there some animosity between the two I didn’t know about? Is that why Sheldon thought this was a bad idea?
“We need to ask you about Roger Barrett. By the way, this is Presley,” Sheldon said in an offhand manner.
Eric barely nodded in my direction, not very interested in meeting new people, I guess. Fine with me. Sheldon could handle this conversation.
“What makes you think I know anything about Roger Barrett?”
“Did you know he was murdered?”
My guess was no by the shocked look on Eric’s face. Sheldon must have noticed that too because he didn’t even give him a chance to answer.
“Presley said she saw you talking to him the other day and it didn’t seem like a friendly conversation.”
Even though I knew this is what Sheldon was going to say I couldn’t help but feeling a little uncomfortable for Eric to know I’d been eavesdropping on him. The dirty look he gave me made it even worse. I cringed inside.
“I don’t see how that is any of your business,” he said coldly, while staring at me. Then he looked back at Sheldon.
“We’re just trying to find a killer.”
“I thought you said Roger was the one killed.”
“He was,” Sheldon said a bit impatiently. “But the more we can find out about what he was up to the better chance we have of finding out who killed him.”
“Why is it your business? You want to use someone else’s problem to get ahead?” Eric said.
“For God’s sake man! It’s not you we’re after. What are you trying to hide?”
“I’m not hiding anything. But if I were, you’d be the last person I’d talk to,” Eric snapped. “What I do, who I talk to, is none of your business.”
Eric stormed off and Sheldon and I got out of the way as he backed his car out and left. I put my hands on my hips and looked at Sheldon.
“Want to explain to me what that was all about?”
“You heard him. He doesn’t want to talk,” Sheldon said, not looking me in the eye. A sure sign he was hiding something.
“He doesn’t want to talk because he doesn’t like you. What did you do to him?”
“Nothing,” Sheldon said in a way that clearly indicated it was not nothing.
“Tell me,” I demanded.
“Ok, I may have dated his girlfriend.”
“Elle?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
He looked shocked. “How do you know? Geezzz…are you sure you haven’t lived here for years? You seem to know everything that’s going on.”
“He was fighting with Elle before I saw him with Roger. She walked out on him right before Roger walked in. So, was this before they started dating or after?”
“What kind of guy do you take me for? Before. And it was years ago. But I wasn’t the fine upstanding citizen back then and I admit I didn’t treat her very well. I’ve made my amends, you know part of the process, but he hates me. Because she hates me. Rightfully so. I don’t fault him. I’d probably feel the same way.”
“You could have warned me before we came looking for him.”
“Well I did tell you I didn’t think this was such a hot idea.”
I mentally rolled my eyes. For a writer, his communication skills sucked. He clearly was being very careful about what he did and didn’t disclose to me. Sheldon had work to do to meet that day’s deadline and was going to see what information he could scare up on Juan Vasquez. I also had some serious sunbathing and relaxing to take care of, so we decided to go our separate ways for the day. I didn’t want to spend my entire vacation chasing down a murderer. Though it did make me a little nervous that one was on the loose here. But then Chicago had murders all the time. It was unfortunately a byproduct of a big city. One you expected – not so much in a small town.
Finally, I was out on the stretch of beach in front of my house, looking up from my book and glancing over at the mansion every once in a while to see if anything seemed to be going on, but everything looked quiet. Didn’t even look like anyone was at home. After a few hours I stood to pack up my stuff and head back inside when I saw someone walking down the beach. I squinted to get a better look, a little nervous. Who wouldn’t be with what had happened here lately? It looked like the Sheriff. My little bit of nervousness turned into full-fledged panic. What if he’d found out what Sheldon and I did and was coming here to arrest me? My heart started racing. Act normal, I told myself as I folded up the lounge chair I’d brought down and stuffed my towel and water bottle back in my bag.
“Hi, Sheriff Travis,” I said when he got close enough to hear me, forcing a cheerfulness I didn’t feel and hoping he didn’t notice I wasn’t being genuine.
“Enjoying yourself?”
He seemed friendly enough or was he being sarcastic? I couldn’t tell. I was being paranoid. That’s what a guilty conscience did for you. It made you suspicious of everything. Once again, I told myself to act normal.
“Yes. It’s beautiful out here. Are you checking up on Allison and Paul?”
“I stopped by, but it doesn’t seem as if anyone is home. I saw you down here and I wanted to chat with you anyway so thought I’d come on down. It’s a beautiful day for a walk on the beach.”
This couldn’t be good. There was no way he was just down here for a leisurely stroll. “Me? What did you want to talk to me for?”
“I saw you were with Sheldon earlier today.”
“Umhm,” I said and stopped myself from saying anything else.
There was a long pause. I think he expected me to tell him why I’d been with Sheldon, but I was afraid to say anything. My friend Willie was a cop back in Chicago and he always told me people who weren’t even guilty often confessed because they felt compelled to talk instead of endure uncomfortable silences. They felt intimidated and started agreeing with all the accusations just to stop the uncomfortableness of the silence.
“How did you meet him?”
“I wasn’t happy with the article he wrote about me finding that dead body, so I sought him out. I felt he was inaccurate of his portrayal of what I said. Did you ever find out who that was that was in the water?” At least that answer was completely truthful.
“And now you’re friends?” he asked, ignoring my question. Why would he care who I was talking to? I didn’t understand. Unless he knew what we’d been up to and he was trying to somehow trick me into telling him. Maybe he thought I was an easier mark than Sheldon. That I would cave faster. He probably wouldn’t be far off with that thinking.
“I wouldn’t say friends. I just met him. Why? Does it matter?”
“Why were you guys talking to Eric?”
I was getting more nervous now. Why was he askin
g all these questions? “We were just talking to him. Why? What’d he say?” I said, knowing it came out a little defensively but why was he asking me this? It didn’t make sense. Didn’t he have more important things to deal with? Like the two recent murders?
“What were you talking to him about?”
As nervous as I was, I was also starting to get mad “It’s not like there’s a law against talking to people. I don’t see why it’s your business.” As soon as I spoke the words I regretted them. I shouldn’t give him any reason to think I was hiding anything. But then again what normal person with nothing to hide wouldn’t get annoyed at these questions over simply talking to someone. So maybe it was less suspicious of me to ask.
Instead of getting mad at my abruptness he showed a small smile. Like he found my indignation amusing.
“I like to know what’s going on in my town, that’s all. Janet said she saw you two talking to him and she is very protective over Eric. He’s had…” He paused. “Let’s just say he’s had his share of issues. She worries about him.”
I found it odd that the Sheriff would get involved in what amounted to a trivial personal concern because someone wanted to know why people were talking to her adult grandson, but I wasn’t going about to ask that question. I’d just roll with it. Being from a small town myself, I knew people were tight knit and could be overprotective and boundaries weren’t always that clear.
“Well rest assured there was no ulterior motive. We were just talking.”
“No? Not even a small one?”
The way he looked at me, I could almost guarantee this wasn’t just a simple visit. Something else was going on in his mind that went beyond the questions he was asking. I just didn’t know what.
“Nope. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get up to the house and grab a shower to knock the sand off before dinner.” I wanted this conversation to be over. He was making me very uncomfortable.
“Sure. Didn’t mean to keep you. If you’re going into town, I’d try The Red Key Tavern. Today is all you can eat wings and they have the best sauce around. Unless of course you and Sheldon already have plans,” he said with an inquisitive look on his face.
Was he baiting me? Without waiting for an answer he said goodbye and walked away. I wanted to run up to the house and call Sheldon but forced myself to walk casually as if the Sheriff’s visit hadn’t rattled me at all. The few hundred yards up to the house felt like miles.
As soon as I made it to the safety of the house, I called Sheldon but got his voicemail. Aggravated, I left a voicemail and then a text to call me as soon as he got my messages and hoped I wouldn’t have to wait long. I debated calling the paper but figured that was overkill. I was horribly impatient under the best of circumstances and these were not currently the best of circumstances. I took a shower and tried reading a book to take my mind off things but couldn’t. Sheldon needed to hurry up with whatever he was doing and call me back. I was freaking out over here.
Since I was antsy, I decided to drive into town. I thought maybe a change of scenery would distract me. Anything would be better than sitting here. I went to Starbucks and ordered my usual vanilla latte and then decided to splurge and got a blueberry scone to go with it. I sat down and took my first bite when my phone rang. I looked down. It was Sheldon finally. “It’s about time,” I snapped.
“Sorry. I was busy.”
“We need to talk.”
“Are you at home?”
“No, I’m at Starbucks.”
“Ok. I’ll be right there.”
I finished my scone in the few minutes it took for him to meet me and pushed my empty plate away as he sat down. He looked flushed and excited. Either he ran here, or he was worked up about something. “Are you ok?” I asked.
“Fine. I’ve just been on the phone trying to get some information on the victim you found and I may have found a lead.”
“The Sheriff came to see me. I think he knows something,” I interrupted. As interested as I was in what he had to say I couldn’t wait to tell him about my interaction with the Sheriff.
That stopped him mid-sentence. He looked shocked. “What do you mean?”
“He found me on the beach and was drilling me about us talking to Eric.” I lowered my voice, not wanting to be overheard. He told me that Janet had complained to him. Why would she care? And more importantly, why would he? He just had two murders in this town. How does he have time to investigate why one person is talking to another?”
“I don’t know.”
I gave him a look.
“I swear,” he said, holding up his hands. “I have no idea. I can’t imagine Eric would involve her in his personal affairs.”
“The Sheriff said Janet was overprotective because Eric had had issues in the past,” I said using finger quotes. “Do you know what kind of issues?”
Sheldon hesitated before speaking. “He had a drug problem and there was talk he was responsible for break-ins happening around the area during that time. No one could prove it but when Janet sent him for rehab the break-ins stopped. The town gossip mill assumed it was him, but everyone loves Janet so no one said it outright.”
“You think Janet feels he needs protecting from us? That we might lure him back into his old ways?”
“Don’t have a clue on that one.”
“I guess. Tell me what you found out,” I said, ready to change the subject. I needed to stop obsessing over what the Sheriff may or may not know because it wasn’t going to change anything.
“His name is Juan Vasquez. Which, of course, we already knew. I didn’t look into Roger since we already know his background. I was able to find out Juan had quite an extensive arrest record.”
“I thought he was from Ft. Smith, Arkansas.”
“He was, but his last known address was Chicago and that’s where all the arrest over the last five years came from.
“Let me guess. Drugs?”
“And then some. He’s not what you would consider a fine upstanding citizen. Member of a gang called Mexican Mafia. Bad dudes involved in all sorts of illegal activity.”
“So, what was he doing here? Selling drugs? Do you think he was selling drugs to Roger and Glen?” I said.
“Not to them. For them. My guess? He is the middleman, finding them distributors in Chicago for their drugs.”
“You think the militia group is selling drugs and Harley doesn’t know it?” I was all for giving someone the benefit of the doubt, but I had a hard time believing he could live there and not know what was going on. He seemed way too smart for that.
“Harley wouldn’t be involved in drugs,” Sheldon said firmly. “No way.”
“Hi, Eric,” I heard someone call out before I could ask Sheldon why he was so sure and we both whipped our heads around to the sound of the voice. Eric walked in the door and saw us as we saw him. The place wasn’t all that big so it’s not like we could hide. His eyes narrowed and I could tell he wasn’t happy to see us, but he didn’t say a word. Just walked up to the counter to order, ignoring us.
“Should we leave?” I whispered to Sheldon, not wanting to cause any trouble and more importantly I didn’t want it to get back to the sheriff that we were together. The last thing I wanted was another talking to.
“Good idea.” We got up and walked outside. “Leave your car and hop in with me,” Sheldon said as I started walking toward my car.
“Where are we going?” I asked as I stopped walking to my car and got into his.
“I’ll tell you in a minute.”
As we headed out of town I had a good idea where he was taking me, based on the direction he was going. I just didn’t know why. “Are we going out to the Wickam place? It’s a stupid idea to talk to Glen.” I said, thinking if that was his plan I wanted no part of it.
“Sort of. We’re going to talk to Harley. That’s the other thing I wanted to tell you.”
“What? Why would he talk to us?”
“He’s a nice guy.”
My eyebrows raised skeptically. “I take it you know him well enough that you think he’ll talk to us?”
“No one in that group does anything without Glen’s say so and Harley, as his son, knows what Glen is up to. Well most the time he does. I’m hoping this is one of those times. It’s at least worth a shot.”
“But why would he tell you? Us? Wouldn’t that incriminate him in whatever it is the rest of them are doing?”
“We’re friends. He knows he can trust me. I would never turn him in. We keep our friendship quiet these days, but when I called and asked him to meet me, he said yes. He really is a good guy.”
“Janet said he left town for college. If he’s such a good guy why’d he come back? Why stay involved in all this? This can’t be what he wanted his future to look like.”
Sheldon shrugged. “Family. Glen’s not the best dad in the world, but it’s all he’s got and small towns, they can be hard to leave. I think Harley just wants to make the best of it.”
While I’d left the small town I grew up in for Chicago, I knew what he meant. There was a lot to be said for a tight knit community.
“Won’t the others find it suspicious if we’re talking to him. Especially Glen?”
“We aren’t meeting him at the compound. You’re right about that. He can’t really be seen talking to us intentionally. He may trust me, but the others don’t. But there’s a place down the road where we use to meet up as kids and he’s going to meet us there.”
We rode in silence the rest of the way and finally, about a mile before the place if I was remembering right, Sheldon turned down a dirt road and on to a drive that was almost completely hidden with brush. It looked as if we were heading directly into the forest. I could see faint ruts in the ground but, because of the time of year everything was in full bloom and it kept the path well hidden. It was clear that not many people came here. Unless you knew about the place beforehand it would be impossible to spot.
Sheldon finally stopped. The road too narrow for a car anymore. “What is this?” I asked when we got out of the car and started walking down the path. While it was overgrown at the entrance making it a little tricky to get through, someone had taken care to keep it cut back after the initial overgrowth so the trail was walkable, but virtually invisible from the road. It was quite impressive.
