Dead In Bed

by Curry, Edna

  This truck stop was nicer than some I’d been in. The décor was cheerful with country-pine paneling on the walls, plenty of windows and red and white checked curtains that matched the red, fake leather booths. A sign on a rear door advertised showers for a fee. Since Paul often slept in his truck, I knew he’d probably used similar facilities in his travels across the country. Not this one, of course. It was too close to home.

  I found an empty booth, then ordered my weakness—a hot fudge sundae and coffee.

  I’d copied pictures of both Clara and Harry from their obituaries. I showed the pictures to the waitress on duty. Either no one who had worked that night was on duty, or no one remembered either Clara or Harry being there.

  I finished my ice cream sundae and left.

  I stopped at the sheriff’s office to see if Ben had anything new he would tell me.

  He was in his office, feet on the desk, talking on the phone. I swear, every time I come to see him, he’s always in the same position.

  He hung up the phone and frowned at me. “What’re you doing here, Lacey?”

  “Can’t a girl stop in to see an old friend without a special reason?”

  Ben snorted. “She could, but she hardly ever does.”

  He had me there. I usually did have a reason for stopping to see him, just as I did today. I squirmed as he piled on the guilt, bringing up memories of my dad.

  “Your daddy and I were best buddies for years, you know. I promised him I’d look out for you.”

  He told me that every time I saw him. “I know, Ben. And I appreciate it. You know I do.”

  I leaned over, dropping a kiss on his forehead, then sat in the chair opposite his desk.

  “So, where have you been? I drove by earlier today and your car was gone. You could let me know when you’re leaving town.”

  I shrugged. I had no intention of starting to check in with him like I was a teenager, however much he piled on the guilt. “I wanted to see what I could find out about Harry.”

  He lowered his feet, sat up and frowned at me. “Did you find out anything?”

  I shook my head. “Very little.”

  Ben rubbed a finger along the side of his crooked, bony nose. “I told you to stay out of this Lacey. Why do you want to know about Harry?”

  I looked away. “Curiosity, maybe? Just wondering what he was up to in my territory.”

  “Ah, professional jealousy. You don’t like another private investigator horning in on you, eh?”

  “No, I don’t,” I said, though that wasn’t at all the reason I’d been checking out Harry.

  “See, honey, that’s how I feel about you getting involved in Clara’s murder, and in Harry’s death. Those are my cases, you know?”

  I shook my head. “They’re mine, too, Ben, because Sam hired me to find out the truth. I think Harry’s death ties in to Clara’s death somehow. Or to the factory, anyway.”

  “You don’t say.” He lit a cigarette.

  I lowered my eyebrows in disapproval. He knew I was allergic to cigarette smoke and started coughing if I had to breathe very much of it. Sometimes I think he lights up on purpose as a hint for me to leave.

  “Yes, I do say. And you know it, too, Ben. Did you find out anything about the people who were in Clara’s neighborhood the morning she died?”

  “Yeah. Several neighbors, including the gossipy Agnes Melonn, gave me a good description of people they’d seen. They all were people who are in the area on a regular basis, so nothing suspicious there. One was even Clara’s brother.”

  I sat up straighter. “John was there that morning?”

  Ben nodded. “Yep, he runs on a regular schedule through that area.”

  John had been in running clothes the morning I went to see Helen. “Ben, he and Helen were at Clara’s house the night before, too. He could have taken Sam’s keys then. Do you think he could have killed Clara? If he was in the area that morning, he could have started the car with the remote, then dropped the keys in the bushes and continued on his run.”

  Ben frowned at me, appearing chagrined.

  “Yeah, I suppose he could have. I’ll have to get his fingerprints and check them out against the one we got off of the keys.”

  I nodded. “Good idea.”

  Ben frowned. “But why would John kill his sister?”

  “He isn’t too happy about her leaving the factory to Sam. John and Helen both seem to think they should have inherited it. Maybe he didn’t know Clara was leaving it to Sam. Maybe he thought he and Helen would get it, just like Helen said at the meeting with their lawyer.”

  “It’s an interesting theory, Lacey, I grant you that. But it’s just a theory. I don’t think that’s a very good motive.”

  “Lots of people have killed for less,” I insisted.

  “That’s true,” Ben said, blowing smoke rings. “And that bit of doubt in my mind is why Sam isn’t in that cell yet.”

  “Nor will he be, if I can help it,” I declared stubbornly. “Do you have anything else new?”

  “Nope,” Ben said. “But I do know one thing.”

  “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “You need to go home and get prettied up.”

  That got my attention. Ben knows I dress up as seldom as possible. I’m mostly a jeans and blouses sort of person. I swallowed. Something was up. He was looking too pleased with himself.

  “Why should I do that?” I asked, cautiously.

  Ben’s long, bony face split in a sly grin. “Cause I saw Paul’s truck go by a while ago. He’s probably gonna want to take you out tonight.”

  I grinned as pleasure warmed me through and through. That was good news I could handle. I definitely needed some good news today. I jumped up, dropping another quick kiss on Ben’s forehead. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I have to go. Bye.”

  His grin widened. “Bye, Lacey. Have fun.”

  * * * *

  I drove home down the evergreen lined gravel road to my house on the lake. As I rounded the last curve, I saw Ben was right. Paul’s car sat in my driveway.

  I couldn’t help grinning as I parked, then raced inside. Scamp barked joyfully at me, Paul right behind her.

  Paul scooped me up into his strong arms, then whirled me around, setting me on my feet and raining kisses on me. I tried to catch my breath long enough to say hi, but I guess my happy response was enough of a hello for him.

  After a while, we stopped kissing long enough to find the bedroom, lock Scamp outside the door and make love.

  The first time we make love after being away from each other for a while is always fast and furious, with each of us only wanting satisfaction, now. Today’s quick coupling and explosion were like that, with both of us still half-dressed. We laughed with the pure joy of our reunion.

  We finished undressing, then started over, doing it again, slow and sensuously this time, with more thought for how to please the other.

  Afterwards, we lay on our sides, cuddling and kissing, face to face, grinning at each other. I caressed Paul’s dark hair. “You still need a haircut.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, I neglect things like that on the road. So, now that we have the most important thing out of the way, do you want to go out to eat somewhere?”

  “Sure. You know I never turn down a chance to eat out,” I agreed, sitting up.

  “Yeah, I know. So, go get in the shower.” He rolled over, swung his feet to the floor.

  “Sure, want to join me?”

  Paul laughed, then shook his head. He picked up his pants.

  “Nope, I missed lunch and I’m starved. I barely had enough energy for this workout.”

  “Ha!” I rolled my eyes in disagreement.

  “If I get in the shower, it’ll be another hour before we are able to go eat. I’ll take care of Scamp and then shower when you’re done.”

  “Okay. Spoilsport.”

  Paul suddenly sobered, his eyes narrowing.

  “And then, Sweetheart, you’re going to explain the na
sty message I found on your answering machine.”

  I spun back toward him. “Another one?”

  “There were others?” Paul asked in a dangerous growl.

  Oh, oh. I hadn’t told him about them. I hate to tell him bad stuff when we talk on the phone. There’s no point, when he’s out doing his trucking job and can’t help anyway. I don’t like to worry him and I know he worries about me. He tells me so all of the time.

  I cringed and chewed my lip. “I’ll tell you about it over dinner.”

  “I hope I’ll still have an appetite after you do,” Paul said. “I really wish you’d get a less dangerous job.”

  “Now you sound like Ben and Marion. Don’t be such a worrywart.”

  I gave him a quick kiss and headed for the shower.

  Chapter 11

  The next morning, Sam drove to his factory at his usual time, arriving before seven. He was usually the first one there, so he was surprised to see several cars already in the parking lot. He frowned when he didn’t recognize any of them. When a couple of men got out of their cars as he pulled up, he panicked, quickly backing out; then speeding off. Half a block away, he parked. He wiped his sweating palms on his trousers, then pulled out his cell phone dialing nine-one-one, reporting trouble at his factory.

  He sat in his car waiting for the sheriff to arrive, keeping one eye on the factory, ready to escape if they came after him. Who the hell were they and what were they doing there? He could still see the cars just sitting by the main door of the factory. Strange. If it was an attempted robbery, wouldn’t they have left when he pulled away? Surely they knew he’d call for help?

  Sheriff Ben arrived in a few minutes with Deputy Tom’s car right behind him. Obviously, Ben had called for back up.

  Sam explained the problem and together, the three cars went back to the factory.

  Once again, two men got out of the first car. The cases they carried looked like briefcases and laptops. A half dozen other people remained in the other cars, waiting. They didn’t look like thugs, in fact, they were dressed in business suits and appeared respectable.

  Sam and the officers got out, then cautiously confronted the men.

  “What’s going on here?” Sam asked, feeling more in control with the sheriff behind him. “Who are you and what do you want?”

  The tall, thin man laughed. “There’s no need for the Sheriff. I’m Ken White and this is my partner, Barry Kent. We’re from White Auditors. Clara Carter hired us to close and audit this factory today.”

  “What?” Sam exclaimed. “Close the factory? You can’t do that!” He turned to the sheriff. “Can he?”

  Ben only raised an eyebrow, looking uncertain.

  “But we have orders to fill. We can’t just shut down. I don’t believe this.”

  “I assure you we can. We have all the legal papers Mrs. Carter signed right here. Would you like to go into your office to see them?”

  Ben asked for and took both the men’s IDs, then stepped back, handing the IDs to Tom. “Tom will run these in our office. You’d better be who you say you are.”

  Ken smiled confidently. “You’ll find everything in order, Sheriff.”

  Ben nodded to Tom, who got back into his car and left.

  Sam turned to Ben.

  “Maybe we should go inside and check out the papers?”

  “All right,” Sam agreed reluctantly, pulling out his keys. He unlocked the door and turned off the alarm.

  At Ken’s nod, several of his men got out of their cars and came forward to stand guard at the door. Sam hesitated, eying them, then turned away. He snapped on the lights and led the way down the hall to his office.

  “Clara was supposed to meet us here. Would you call her, please? I’m sure she’ll explain everything to your satisfaction so we can get down to work,” Ken said.

  He and Barry sat in chairs, making themselves at home. Ken opened his briefcase taking out some papers.

  Sam sat behind his desk, reaching across it for the papers Ken held out to him.

  “That’ll be a bit hard to do,” Sheriff Ben said from where he was standing near the door.

  Ken’s head snapped up. “Oh? Why is that?”

  “Clara’s dead.”

  Ken’s jaw dropped. “Dead? But…but…Since when?”

  “Since last Wednesday morning,” Ben said grimly.

  “But we had an agreement. She paid for the audit already.”

  “Sam?” Ben asked.

  Sam raised his eyes to Ben from the papers he’d been reading.

  “It’s Clara’s signature all right,” he said. He swiveled his chair around to stare out of the window.

  “Do you want me to call your lawyer and check on the legality of this for you? I’m not sure, but I don’t think you have to honor this since Clara signed it and she’s no longer in charge to carry it out,” Sheriff Ben offered.

  Sam didn’t answer for a long moment. Then he swung back to Ben just as a woman pushed her way past Ken’s guards.

  “What’s going on here?” Sandra asked from the doorway. “Why are these strange men guarding the door and keeping everybody out?”

  “Good morning, Sandra,” Ben said, grinning at her take-charge attitude. “Trust you to get past them.”

  Sandra sent him a dirty look. “Sam, are you okay? Shall I call security? I think some of them have arrived.”

  “Clara ordered an audit,” Sam explained.

  Sandra’s scarlet lipstick made a perfect ‘o’ as her mouth hung open. She closed it and swallowed. “But…but Clara’s dead. You’re in charge now, not Clara.”

  Sam pulled at his tie as though it were choking him.

  “I know, Sandra. You’re probably right. And as Ben says, I could wait for our lawyer’s decision on it.”

  Ken and Barry stared at him, but said nothing.

  Sam shook his head. “But no, I don’t want to do that. If Clara wanted an audit done, we’ll do one. I’m sure she had a good reason.”

  Ken and Barry both relaxed, then smiled.

  Sam turned to Ben. “Thanks for coming, Sheriff, but I’ll handle it now.”

  “Whatever you want, Sam.” Ben tipped his hat, then turned to leave.

  “Wait,” Ken said. “What about our IDs? Your deputy took them.”

  Ben eyed Ken grimly. “I’ll return them after we check them out.”

  Ken sighed, nodded, then turned back to Sam.

  “So, what do you want me to do?” Sam asked Ken.

  “My crew will handle everything.” Ken nodded to Barry. “Tell the rest of the crew to come in and get started.”

  Barry gave a quick nod, then strode out.

  Ken turned back to Sam. “Send all your employees home. The factory is closed until further notice.”

  Sam nodded, defeat making his heart heavy.

  “Give me your keys and go home. All you have to do is be available to answer questions if we need you.”

  With great reluctance, Sam handed over his keys and the security codes for the alarm system. He and Clara had been the only ones to have those since he’d bought out Helen’s share of the factory.

  Why had Clara done this? What had she learned that made her so suspicious of him that she hadn’t even told him what she was planning? That hurt the worst—that she hadn’t trusted him. But, she had been right not to trust him. He’d been such a fool and it had cost him his only true love.

  With a heavy heart, he went to the parking lot to face his employees and give them the bad news.

  * * * *

  The restless crowd of employees huddled together, waiting for news of what was happening. Everyone was grumbling about the guards at the door who’d prevented them from getting inside to go to work.

  The sheriff and a deputy had left without giving them any information. Seeing the officers had made the employees even more apprehensive.

  Sam finally appeared, looking pale and shaken. Sandra followed, shaking her head at questions, hurrying to her car. Employees t
urned unbelieving eyes on the usually prim and proper woman who now looked ready to cry.

  At the wave of noisy questions, Sam held up his hand for silence. “I’m sorry to tell you all that the factory is closed until further notice.”

  The questions rose to a shout and Sam had to raise his hand again until his employees quieted. He looked around the group.

  “Apparently, Clara thought there were some irregularities in the factory records, so she ordered an audit without telling me. As soon as it’s completed, I’ll let you know. Then we can reopen.” He drew a ragged breath, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll do my best to make it up to you if I can. Everyone go home and we’ll call you with news as soon as possible.”

  Bill Jones pushed forward, belligerently. “Does this have to do with my production numbers?”

  “I don’t know what it’s all about, yet, Bill.”

  “Well, Clara was a bitch—I mean asking about that a couple of weeks ago.”

  “Let’s just wait until they do the audit and see what they find,” Sam said. With a wave, he went to his car, got in and drove away.

  Most of the others talked amongst themselves, absorbing the shock, then headed to their cars until two men were the only ones left in the parking lot, one man heavy and the other tall and thin, like Mutt and Jeff. The warm sun beat down on the blacktop, but Heavy felt cold to his bones. Everything was falling apart.

  Tall man looked at him. “What the hell brought that on? She couldn’t have found anything. We covered our tracks well.”

  Heavy felt ready to panic. “I don’t know. I trusted you to know how to make it all look legit.”

  “Let’s not get excited,” Tall said softly. “They probably won’t find anything. Even if things don’t add up, they can’t prove what we did. There’s no paper trail. I made sure of it.”

  “God, I hope you’re right. Or we’ll be up the creek without a paddle.”

  Heavy ran a finger around his suddenly too-tight collar. “Keep your mouth shut and don’t panic.”

  “Okay, okay. But I don’t like this. That Minneapolis PI, Harry, called me on my cell phone. The police might have found the number in his stuff. Or that lady PI. I heard she searched Harry’s car, too. What if she ID’s me?”