by Rayna Morgan
Maddy pointed at her sister and grinned before she patted the man’s knee. “You got that right, Ralph.”
His remark reminded Lea of someone else she’d met recently. She refocused her attention on the matter at hand. “I’m not trying to put you in a difficult situation, but does your son have access to a large truck?”
A sly look crossed his face. “You mean one large enough to carry a load of stolen nuts?”
Heat climbed up Lea’s neck, and it wasn’t from the rising temperature. “I don’t mean to imply—”
“Imply what you want. Unless you have proof, it doesn’t mean my son did anything wrong.” He stroked his chin and his hand trembled. “But if he’s gone and done somethin’ stupid, I want it straightened out. I’m not willin’ to go to my grave with the family name blackened.”
The old man’s body sagged. Maddy shot her sister an angry glance.
His voice was weaker when he continued. “The engine went out on our truck months ago. He took it to have it repaired, but decided not to spend the money.”
“Is the truck here?” Lea asked.
He waved a frail hand behind him. “Back there, in the barn. Have a look if you want. Tell me if you find anything I should know about. Otherwise, close the door when you leave. Don’t stop to say goodbye. I’ll be restin’.”
Lea reached for her purse. “I’m sorry we tired you, sir. Thank you for talking with us.” She gave him a card. “Call me if you think of anything else.”
He dropped the card in his pocket. “Not likely. I think of less and less these days.”
When they got to the car, Maddy turned on her sister. “Good going, Sis!” she yelled. “He’s a nice guy. Why were you badgering him?”
Lea returned fire with fire. “Back off. We’re here to prove Archie’s innocence as much as his guilt. Besides, don’t doubt for a moment that Ralph isn’t worried about his son’s intentions. He’ll only find peace when we eliminate Archie from the list of suspects.”
“How exactly do we do that?”
“What are three things Dad always looked for?”
“Means, motive, and opportunity,” Maddy said, ticking the points on her fingers.
“There’s no denying Archie has motive, but if we confirm his truck is inoperable, we can scratch means.”
Maddy lowered her voice. “All right, I’m willing to check it out. But this sleuthing business is becoming less appealing.”
• • •
Lea parked at the barn and let the dogs out. A gold rooster with a red plume skittered by. The white retriever moved as fast as though shot from a cannon. “Spirit!” she yelled.
The chicken scampered through a small opening at the front of the building with the dogs in close pursuit. The sisters squeezed through the sliding door and a smell of moldy hay assaulted their noses. Maddy sneezed.
They passed a tack room where two worn bridles and a saddle hung on the wall. Holding her nose, Maddy opened the lid of a wooden food barrel. The container was empty, but a mouse scampered from behind the bin. She screamed. “Let’s get out of here!”
Gracie and Spirit chased the rodent to the back and Lea sprinted after them. Turning a corner, she nearly collided with a black truck. The hood was propped open by a thin, metal rod.
She approached the vehicle and saw small tools scattered on the floor. It looks as though Archie lied to his father, she said aloud. She held an oily rag between two fingers and stared at the engine. The question is whether this clunker runs.
“That’s none of your business.” The booming voice rumbled through the barn. Lea spun around. She dropped the rag and her legs weakened. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” Archie snapped.
The dog emerged from under the truck. A deep growl vibrated in Gracie’s chest. Lea noted her wide eyes and flat ears.
“Get your mutt to back off,” he warned.
His icy voice made Lea’s stomach churn. She whistled. Gracie responded by inching toward Lea without taking her eyes from the man. “Your father told us—”
“I was waiting at the side of the house. I heard what he said.”
“I thought you’d be at the orchard,” she stammered.
“My father called to tell me you were coming. I came to find out what you’re up to.”
A figure approached, swinging a leather halter. The squeaky voice trembled. “It’s your turn to back off!”
“It’s all right, Maddy. Everything’s under control.”
Her sister lowered her arms and dropped the bridle to the floor.
Lea turned to Archie. “Why did you lie to your father about the truck?”
Sensing the dog and the other woman were under control, he relaxed and leaned against the vehicle. “He’s afraid of being a financial burden. Frets over every penny we spend.”
“Is he?”
“Is he what?”
“A burden you’ve resolved by finding extra sources of income.”
He rose to his full height and planted his feet. His voice hardened. “I didn’t empty the truck parked at the Hill Valley Café if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Maddy stepped between them. “No need to ruffle your feathers. You’re mistaking my sister’s intentions. She’s trying to prove your innocence. You could use someone on your side. Everyone around here knows of the grudge you carry.”
He mumbled as he stepped away. “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. The only grievance I hold is against people who disturb my peace and quiet. It’s time for you to go.”
Maddy opened her mouth, but Lea shook her head. “I’m sorry we upset you, Archie. We’ll find our way out.” She shooed the dogs from the barn.
“We didn’t have to back down like that,” Maddy grumbled as they walked to the car.
Lea dismissed the remark with a wave of her hand and secured the pets. “It doesn’t matter. There’s someone else who could have stolen the food. We need to stop at the farm. I have a few more questions for Sunny.”
Inside the car, she buckled her seatbelt. “Thanks for having my back, Sis. That was an interesting choice of weapon. What did you plan to do with it?”
“No clue, but Archie didn’t know that.”
“From the look on his face, he probably did.” Lea grinned. “I hate to burst your bubble, but he didn’t look worried.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
In the parking lot at Sunny Orchards, Maddy laughed at her sister’s suggestion. She pulled down the visor and stretched the skin under red-rimmed eyes. “I’m not going for a walk in all this dust and pollen. I’ll wait in the car.”
Lea got out. “Suit yourself. We’ll go for lunch as soon as I’ve talked to Sunny. The dogs will keep you company.”
“Oh, they’ll be great company.” Maddy glanced over her shoulder at the sleeping dogs and listened to their loud snoring. “On second thought, give me your keys so I can lock the doors when I leave.”
Lea dropped the keys on the front seat. “Be careful. Don’t let the fresh air overwhelm you.”
“Very funny.”
Maddy saw several people leave the building her sister entered. She watched as they strolled over to a truck parked in the corner of the lot. Mary & Tommy’s Tacos. Maybe I won’t have to wait for that burger Lea promised.
After locking the car, she followed her nose toward the spicy smell of marinated meat. Before arriving at her destination, two men with tattoos stepped up to the serving window. One of them looked familiar. When he glanced in her direction, she recognized the last person she expected to see.
She couldn’t interpret the emotion rippling across Billy’s face. Was it surprise or anger?
He looked at her and frowned. “I’ll catch up,” he told the other man.
She waved nonchalantly but he moved quickly, reaching her before she could make a hasty exit.
“You’re the one who’s been talking to my girlfriend. What are you doing here?” His head pivoted from side to side. “You
following me or something?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re hardly worth a two-hour traipse to the boondocks. My sister’s getting information for a project we’re doing for the food store.” She poked a finger at him. “The brochure you told your girlfriend she couldn’t be part of.”
“You been talking to her again?” He flapped his arms in the air. “Stop filling her head with ideas.”
“Ideas about achieving what she’s capable of?” Or ideas about finding a more deserving boyfriend?
“I know what’s best for Libby. I take care of her. And don’t worry, I make her happy.”
She would have liked to knock the smug look off his face, but his friend was watching. She calmed her breathing. “She’d be happy to know you’re working here today. Why didn’t you tell her?”
“I told her I’m working. That’s all she needs to know.”
She changed her tone to one of mild interest. “What do you do here?”
“I’m a day worker, same as him.” He nodded toward his buddy. “We do what the farm tells us to do. Last month, we picked grapes. Today, we’re packing and loading nuts.”
“Sunny Orchards is a good company. Why not take a permanent job with them?”
“This works better for both of us. By hiring day labor, the farm doesn’t have to pay benefits and—”
“You aren’t saddled with a full-time job.”
Before he could respond, they heard his friend calling. “C’mon, Billy. We got to go back to work.”
“Order me a taco,” Billy yelled. “I’ll eat it on the way.” He leaned so close Maddy smelled his body odor. “Use one of the other cashiers. You won’t have Libby’s consent.” He joined his friend.
She ran to the car to get Gracie before the men left the area. The dog was known for her instincts about people; she could pick good ones from bad ones. “C’mon, girl,” Maddy urged. Leaving Spirit asleep on the seat, she walked the Border collie to the edge of the lot.
“Billy, wait,” she yelled.
Both men stopped. She leaned over the dog and pointed at Billy. “Go ahead, Gracie. Let me know what you think.”
Billy’s jaw dropped as the canine raced toward him. He fell to one knee. “Hey, gorgeous!” He embraced the dog as she eagerly licked his face.
Maddy gasped. It wasn’t the reaction she expected from either of them.
• • •
On their way to Hill Valley, Maddy called Libby. “I talked to Billy at Sunny Orchards today. He’s packing produce. Why doesn’t he get a job at Fresh & Healthy? He could earn money instead of sitting in the parking lot waiting for you.”
“He did a couple of months ago, but he and Sheldon had a falling out.”
“Over what?”
“He didn’t tell me, and—”
Maddy could barely hide her frustration. “I know. You didn’t ask.”
“Do you want me to find out? I’ll ask Billy when he comes home tonight.”
Maddy looked at her sister but Lea shook her head. “Don’t bother. He won’t be receptive to any more questions.”
Libby sounded worried. “He didn’t get mad or anything, did he?”
“Everything’s fine. I’ll talk to you later.” Maddy hung up. “I don’t know what to make of it. My instincts tell me the boyfriend’s no good, but he checked out okay with Gracie.”
“No offense, but I trust my dog’s instincts over yours.”
“Thanks bundles. There’s still the question of why Billy is so secretive.”
“Have you considered that Libby and her boyfriend might be in cahoots?”
Maddy’s voice rose. “I told you she wouldn’t do anything to hurt the store.”
“Chill out, Mad. In fact, get us both a cool drink. There’s apple juice or water.”
Maddy reached for the nylon cooler bag. “No beer?”
Lea grimaced and continued. “You said Libby wants to marry Billy. I’m sure she dreams of starting a family and buying a home of their own. If he’s unwilling to hold a steady job, selling stolen goods might seem like the easiest way.”
“Billy may consider that solution. That doesn’t mean Libby’s involved.”
“She has access to information he would need.”
Maddy chewed on a hangnail. “If Billy works at the farm, he can figure out delivery schedules himself. Why would he use Libby?”
“You should break that habit,” Lea said. She reached over and brushed Maddy’s finger away from her mouth. “It would be interesting to know what he argued with Sheldon about. Maybe those two pulled off the first job together. After their disagreement, Billy decided to try again with someone else.”
Maddy snapped her fingers. “The guy he was with in the parking lot! They could be scoping out the place for another heist as we speak.”
“You’ve been in the sun too long.” Lea pointed toward the restaurant. “A burger and some pie à la mode should bring you to your senses.”
• • •
They saw BJ in the parking lot. “Sorry, I can’t chat. My wife wants me at home.” He gave Maddy a once-over. “But I can always take a moment to meet a pretty woman.”
Lea introduced her sister.
“I hope this won’t be your only visit, Maddy.” BJ winked. “Hill Valley could stand some beautification.”
He left Maddy blushing and walked to his car.
“He’s charming in a quaint sort of way,” Maddy quipped.
“You’re attracted to any man with chest hair.”
“All men have chest hair.”
“That’s my point.” Lea continued toward the entrance. “The difference is, not all men are vain enough to expose it.”
“It’s a sign of masculinity.”
“It’s a sign of vanity.”
A voice rang out as they entered. “Hey, city girl. Back so soon?” The waitress carried dinner plates in one hand and beer bottles in the other.
Leading the way to a booth, Lea responded. “I told my sister about the apple pie. She couldn’t wait to try it herself.”
“It won’t disappoint. Fresh out of the oven. Sit down and take the load off. I’ll be right with you.”
Lea glanced at the two customers Mary served. One of them tipped his cap. The truck driver from her previous visit.
“I’m going outside to call Tom,” Maddy said after they placed their order.
Mary brought drinks and eating utensils while Lea wandered around admiring pictures of kids in baseball jerseys with the name Hill Valley Café. A large trophy in a case at the back of the room was inscribed with names of winners of the Central Coast Baseball Tournament. “It appears this town has a winning team.”
“BJ is their biggest supporter,” Mary said, with a hint of pride.
Lea stared at the large picture hanging over the trophy case.
“You’re looking at the greatest team this town has ever known,” a gravelly voice informed her. The truck driver looked up from his plate and pointed a fork at the ring on his finger. “I got a championship ring to prove it.”
Squinting her eyes, she leaned closer to the photograph before studying the man in the booth. “The boy in the middle is a younger version of you.”
“That’s me, all right. It was my senior year, the best season I ever pitched. I only walked eight batters. Coach said my slider was as nasty a pitch as he’d seen from a high school player.” He made a throwing motion with his arm and a wadded napkin swished into an empty pitcher across the room.
“Enough showing off, Charlie,” Mary warned. “You break something, I’ll get the rifle behind the counter and use it on you.”
“My best friend was the catcher. There wasn’t a team in the valley that could beat us,” he boasted.
“Did you play in college?”
“Nope. A car accident I was in that summer ruined those plans.”
Both men stood. Charlie threw a few bills on the table and nodded at his companion. “Now I play with this guy on the town’s baseball team
.” He ruffled the man’s hair. “We’re no threat for a trophy of any kind.”
“Here’s your food, ladies,” the waitress announced as Maddy returned. She placed a cheeseburger with fries at one place and a salad at the other. She moved to the next table and picked up the money. “I’ll get your change, Charlie.”
“Keep it, Mary. Tell my uncle I’ll see him later.”
“Take my advice and stay clear of your uncle today. He’s riled up about Sunny buying the Benson farm and converting it to nuts. You know how he feels about that.”
“I’ll take a six pack and go over to calm him down.”
“Stop worrying about him. You’ve done what you can.”
The men left the restaurant and Mary disappeared into the kitchen.
“What’s with the rabbit food?” Maddy asked. “You told me the burger is to die for.”
“It is, but my waistline and arteries don’t need it. Did Tom have anything interesting?”
“I’ll say.” She smothered the French fries with ketchup and spoke between bites. “A carload of high school seniors drove to Tijuana to celebrate graduation. They got drunk on tequila and collided with a cart on the highway. The peasant driving the cart was taken to the hospital. Under Mexican law, the driver of the other vehicle was thrown in jail until the guilty party was determined.” She swiped a napkin across her chin. “The old man never recovered. The police might have thrown away the key to the kid’s cell except one of the boy’s relatives bought off the authorities. Without his friend’s rich uncle, he’d still be rotting in a Mexican jail.”
“I assume the driver you’re describing is Billy.”
“Yeah, and you’ll never guess where he’s from.”
Lea walked to the picture she examined earlier and tapped the glass with her nail. “Billy’s from Hill Valley. I saw the ring around his neck. He was the catcher of this championship baseball team and Charlie’s best friend.”
“Then the friend’s rich uncle must be—”
“You got it, Sis, and guess what else we’ve got.” Lea’s face glowed. “Means, motive, and opportunity.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Maddy talked a mile a minute on the ride home but Lea remained quiet. “What’s the problem, Sherlock?” she asked. “You should be excited you cracked your first case.”
