Gertie motioned for Liz to move over and sat down next to her. “Handsome, I was ‘fraid ya’ weren’t gonna ask me. Little birdy tol' me the two of you are gonna have yer' hands full. On top of the three I mentioned, it was a pretty well-known fact that Renee's daddy hated Bob. Him bein' a Mexican and all. Personally, I couldn't run this place without 'em, but I hear he hated him. Also heard that Bob had a fling with one of them Poncinello women. Bad juju in that family. Wouldn't be surprised at anything they did, but back to Renee's daddy. I knew him purty well, and he was so proud of Renee and Laura. Never made no sense for him to turn his back on them. Sumthin' jes' don't ring true there. Been thinkin' 'bout it. Over the years her daddy came in here with his new wife from time to time."
“Gertie, his new wife wasn't exactly new. They were married for over twenty years.”
“Yeah, that may be true, but she's a weird bird. Don't think she ever had an original thought in her life. She was like a little parrot, jes' parrotin' whatever Don said. Used to see her and Renee in here jawin' it up. Thought it was a real nice touch on Renee's part - ya' know, bein' the good daughter and makin' nice with her stepmom. Musta been hard, cuz I know Renee and her mother are very close. And now to have her sister murdered."
“Any other ideas, Gertie?” Roger asked.
“Well," she said, looking around to make sure no one was listening, “Sounds to me like somebody was tryin' to get back at Renee or Bob. Can't think of any reason why anyone would wanta' murder Laura. She was as sweet as they come, course there is that no-good druggie she married. Hear he's out of Serenity. Any truth to it?”
“Actually I'm going over there today and talk to the director. Renee didn't know if he’d left the Center, although he’s been there three months, and that's the usual treatment time for someone who goes in voluntarily for rehab, according to Renee. I'll know more later on today. I know he's had a problem with drug abuse, but killing the woman who was his wife? I have a hard time with that.”
“Yeah, so do I, but wouldn't be any more surprisin' than a man of God murderin' her or havin' her murdered. Thinkin' ya' got yer' work cut out for ya’. Enjoyed the talk. Gotta get back to work. Assume it'll be the breakfast usual, sausage gravy and biscuits. Half the people who come here in the mornin' ask for that. Purty popular. If I hear anything, I'll let ya' know.”
“Gertie, there’s no one I would rather hear from than you. Gertie's Diner is the hub of Red Cedar, and you're at the center of that hub. Again, thanks for your help at the reception."
“My pleasure, darlins’, my pleasure.” She stood up and tottered off to the kitchen to place their order. Liz looked at Roger and grinned.
“See what you have to look forward to when I'm her age?” she asked.
“Don't think so. For one thing bottle-blond is not my favorite hair color and secondly, I'd hate to see you take a fall because you insisted on wearing five inch high heels, but I will say this. There's no one quite like Gertie. She's definitely an original.”
CHAPTER 19
“Roger, it's almost noon, and I probably won't be back until around dinner time. You said you had a couple of places to go as well. I'll take Winston and see you later. Who knows? Maybe one of us will get lucky this afternoon.”
“For Bob and Renee's sake, I certainly hope so. Be careful. Love you.”
Forty-five minutes later, Liz and Winston turned down the lane next to the large sign that read “Serenity Center.” She parked her van in front of the center.
Although she'd met the director of the center, she had no idea who owned it, but from the looks of it, money was not an issue. The center was a large white building with an attractive security gate and fence surrounding it. The only thing that hinted at the nature of the center was the concertina wire which was strung on top of the fence and gate, effectively keeping the people who committed themselves to the three month program from spontaneously leaving. Between the fence and the wraparound porch was a neatly manicured lawn. Hanging baskets with bright, cheery blossoming flowers were secured by wires which had been hung from the porch roof.
Porch swings and cushioned furniture were inviting to guests and those who had chosen to deal with their addictions at Serenity Center. Next to the welcoming front door, which had been painted red, was a neatly painted sign that read “May All Who Enter Find Peace.”
Liz knocked on the door and a moment later it was opened by a large man. He looked at Liz and said, “Hi, I'm Mike Hadley. Welcome to Serenity Center. How may I help you?” He looked further at her for a moment and continued, “I'm sorry, Liz, I didn't recognize you with that big dog.” He bent down and let Winston sniff his hand. Standing up he said, “I'd heard you had a guard dog at the spa, and I'm assuming this is the dog.”
“Yes. This is Winston. Winston, this is Mike Hadley.” Winston was sitting next to Liz and put his paw up as if to shake Mike's hand.
“How did you teach him that? We've got a dog here at the center, but trust me, getting him housebroken was about as good as it got." He shook Winston's paw. “Liz, I'm assuming this isn't a social visit. Let's go into my office.” He walked down the hall and into an office with the word “Director” in brass letters on the door. “Please have a seat. Winston, you can sit next to her. What can I help you with?” Mike asked.
“Mike, I'm sure you have confidentiality issues when it comes to releasing information about someone who is or who has been at Serenity Center for drug or alcohol problems, and of course I would never ask you to violate anyone's confidence. Here's what I'm dealing with. A very good friend of my husband's..."
He held his hand up. “I'm sorry. I certainly am being remiss in not congratulating you on your recent wedding. I appreciate the invitation to your reception, but we were having an issue with a guest here at the Center, and I couldn't leave it to the staff. Please, go on.”
“Bob Salazar, the new county supervisor and his wife, Renee, were at our wedding and the reception which followed. The two of them, their young daughter, and her sister, a nurse who was helping take care of their newborn daughter, were all staying at Cindy's Bed & Breakfast. Unfortunately her sister was murdered at Cindy's, and their young daughter was in the room when it happened. Cindy heard the baby crying and when it had gone on longer than she thought was normal, she went into the room and discovered that Laura Hutchinson had been murdered. The child was hysterical. Who knows what's embedded in her psyche?”
“I hadn’t heard about it. I haven't been to Gertie’s for a couple of days, and we've had no new guests out here, so that's not unexpected." He grinned and said, “I'm sure if I'd been at Gertie's for breakfast I probably would have heard Seth telling everyone all about it and what he was personally doing to solve it. Would I be right?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.
“Absolutely. I'm here because Laura's husband was Nick Hutchinson. I know he voluntarily checked himself into Serenity Center to deal with drug addiction. His sister-in-law, Renee, recommended the Center.”
Mike snapped his fingers. “Of course, now it's all coming together. Renee’s a very respected psychologist in the area. She and I have worked together from time to time with people who had addiction issues. I haven't seen her or talked to her since she and Bob got married. I know she was helping him in his campaign and was working fewer hours. I didn’t know that Nick was her former brother-in-law. When you mentioned the name Laura Hutchinson it rang a bell, but I couldn't place it. Now I do. I conducted a number of group therapy sessions which Nick Hutchinson took part in, and that's where I’ve heard Laura’s name.”
“Mike, you said you conducted, as in the past tense. Does that mean Nick is no longer here at the center?”
"That’s correct. He left a week ago. That's about all I can tell you.”
“I understand. Let's speak generally. When someone completes a three month intensive session at the Center, is there any type of follow-up? I guess I'm asking if a former patient is assigned to a mentor or if you require them to check in with someone.
I really don't know what the proscribed procedure is.”
“We ask that people who complete a three month treatment check in with a sponsor or mentor here at the Center every forty-eight hours for the first month. After that it drops to once a week and eventually to once a month.” He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and took out a file.
“I don't think I'm breaking any confidentiality rules by telling you that Nick Hutchinson has not checked in with his sponsor since he left a week ago. I have a note here that his sponsor is very concerned about him. He hasn't answered telephone calls and isn't at the apartment where he was formerly living.” Mike looked through the file and then across the desk at Liz. “He was an exemplary guest while he was here and his sponsor said he had every reason to believe he would be able to lead a productive life free from drugs. Yesterday he put a note in Nick's file indicating that when someone did not check in with their sponsor, it was a big red flag that the person may have returned to, in Nick's case, drug use. Beyond that, I can't tell you anything. I hope it helps.”
“I don't know if it helps, but at least I know he's out, and he possibly could be a suspect, not that we need another one.”
“Liz, I voted for Bob Salazar, and I like him. He seems like a real straight shooter, and I was sorry when Renee started working fewer hours, and we had less interactions, because I really enjoyed working with her. Let me do this. If Nick's sponsor hears from him, I'll let you know. Beyond that there's not much I can do.”
“Thanks, Mike," she said standing up and motioning to Winston. “I really appreciate what you've told me. Let me ask you one more thing. Do you have any reason to believe Nick Hutchinson could be violent? In other words, would there be any reason for him to want to harm Laura?"
Mike was quiet for several moments, deep in thought, and then he spoke. “Liz, let's speak theoretically. If one of our guests came here hoping to repair a marriage or even reconcile with someone from whom they'd become estranged, and after they'd gone through the program and that person still would have nothing to do with them, then yes, someone with a strong substance abuse problem could become violent. Since you're wondering if Nick Hutchinson was responsible for his wife's murder, I don't know. Could he or anyone else be capable of it given those circumstances? I would have to say yes. And Liz, if you hear something, would you let me know?”
“Of course, you've been more than generous with your time and your information. Winston, come.” When she and Winston were in the van she looked back at the center and saw Mike in the doorway. She smiled and waved to him, as she and Winston drove back down the lane.
CHAPTER 20
Liz had gotten the address of Renee’s stepmother, Nancy Messinger, when she’d spoken with Renee. She drove to the address she’d been given and parked down the street, gathering her thoughts and figuring out how she was going to approach her.
Renee's father had been the mayor of Red Cedar before Liz and her former husband, Joe, had moved there from San Francisco. She remembered hearing that Don Messinger sold the family ranch many years ago to a developer who had subdivided it and built ranchettes. The transaction made Don Messinger a very wealthy man, wealthy enough that until the time he had died, he had paid his former wife, Renee's mother, a very large monthly alimony payment. Liz had met him once, but had never met Nancy. She decided to use the excuse for visiting Nancy as simply wanting to pay her respects upon learning of the death of her stepdaughter.
She started the van, pulled away from the curb and drove the short distance to Nancy Messinger’s home. “Come on, Winston, I'm not particularly looking forward to this given everything I've been told, but I think it's something that needs to be done.” Liz and Winston walked up the steps in front of the large house, crossed the porch, and stopped at the front door.
The yard and porch were spotless, recently painted, and beautifully kept up. She rang the doorbell and within moments the door was answered by an imposing woman dressed in black. She wore her grey hair in a blunt cut and no make-up adorned her face. The look she wore on her face was just as severe as the black dress. Hard eyes looked out from a face which was deeply lined. “Yes, may I help you?” the cold and severe looking woman asked.
Without much luck, Liz tried to look into the house to see if it was as austere as the woman in front of her. She could vaguely make out some boxes and things in the hallway, but the woman’s edgy tone made her look back at her. It was apparent from the woman’s commanding presence and coldness that Liz probably wasn’t going to be invited into the house.
“My name is Liz Lucas, and I’m here to express my condolences on the death of your stepdaughter.”
“I have no stepdaughter. My husband disinherited both of his daughters. The first one married a Mexican, and the other one moved in with her so she could help take care of her half-breed baby. My husband begged his daughter, Renee, not to marry that man, but she wouldn't listen to him. Broke his heart, it did. I know that's what killed him. She might as well have jammed a knife in her father's heart when she married Bob Salazar. They added insult to injury when Laura took up with them. That was the final nail in Don's coffin. He died not long after. Heard she got murdered, and as far as I’m concerned, good riddance to her. Too bad whoever did it didn't murder Bob and Renee as well. Maybe even their kid. Condolences, lady? I'm not accepting condolences about Laura. Just wish you were giving me condolences for Bob and Renee as well.” With that, she slammed the door shut in Liz’s face.
Liz looked down at Winston. “Well, I guess we know how she feels about her stepfamily. It’s pretty obvious we're not welcome here.” They walked back down the steps to her van.
While Liz hadn't found out anything specific as to who had murdered Laura, she couldn't wait to tell Roger what had happened and see what he had to say about it.
On the way home she kept thinking about the experience she'd just had with Nancy Messinger. That has to be one of the angriest people I've ever met. Think she qualifies as a suspect. Not a far stretch of the imagination to think about her committing murder because she blames her stepdaughters for her husband's death. Wonder what her background is.
She made a mental note to call Sean and see if he could find out.
CHAPTER 21
“Hi, I’m Roger Langley. I’m an attorney somewhat new to the area and wanted to introduce myself,” Roger said to the attractive redhead seated at the desk in the office of the Lazy K Ranch located in downtown Dillon.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Susie Warren. My brother owns the Lazy K Ranch just outside of town, but I run the day-to-day operations from the office here in Dillon.”
“You may be a first for me. I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who ran a ranch. How did you happen to fall into that?”
She laughed. “Please, have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks. As I said, I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. I’m a lawyer and recently opened an office in Red Cedar. My expertise is in criminal defense, but the main firm in San Francisco that I’m associated with has attorneys who are knowledgeable in all areas of law. Here’s my business card,” Roger said, handing one to her.
“I hope I never need your services, but I’ll keep the card. From time to time I do get asked if I know a good attorney,” she said smiling. “As far as running a ranch, believe me, it was never on my bucket list, it just kind of happened.”
“How does something like that just kind of happen? Seems like there must be more to it than that.”
“There always is, isn’t there? For me, it was a family member who could no longer run the ranch. Actually, it’s no secret. My brother is Mitch Warren. He’s the owner of the ranch that’s been in the family forever. My father willed the ranch to him because Mitch had overseen it from the time he’d graduated from college. I had no interest in it. My focus was on making it big in the movies. I moved to Los Angeles and other than a walk-on part for a commercial, I never got a call back.”
“I’m surpris
ed. I’d think a beautiful woman like you would have a pretty good shot at making it in the movies.”
“Thanks for the compliment, but Los Angeles is filled with beautiful women. After being a bar maid for a number of years, I could see the miles begin to show on my face, and my eyes were becoming dead from too many one-night stands and men groping me in the bar. One day I said that’s enough and left Los Angeles. I came back here, tail between my legs, so to speak. Everyone in the area knew I’d gone to LA to be a star. It didn’t happen. I was simply one of the legions of women who go there and eventually wind up going back home.”
“That must have been very difficult for you, but it still doesn’t quite tell me how you came to run the ranch.”
“I returned here about the time a woman my brother was very much in love with dumped him for someone else. Mitch was a broken man. The ranch started going downhill, and my brother started saying things like ‘Everyone would be better off if I was dead’ and a lot of other statements that led me to believe he was not only suffering from severe depression, but he was also a suicide risk. He’d been seeing a psychiatrist in San Francisco, because the woman he’d been in love with was a local psychologist, and he couldn’t go to her, and because she’s well known locally, he didn’t want to go to any others in the area. Anyway, I talked to his doctor, and we both agreed Mitch should check himself into a mental treatment facility. Fortunately he was agreeable, and I told him I’d take care of the ranch. Sometimes you just have to rise to the occasion. That’s what I did.”
“You may have risen to the occasion, but you must have learned a lot about the ranch just by being the daughter and sister of ranchers. Maybe you didn’t consciously know it, but I’d bet subconsciously you did.”
“That’s probably true,” Susie said, playing with the coffee cup in her hand. “The funny thing is that I’m good at this, at least that’s what the ranch foreman and the CPA for the ranch tell me. Now, I’ve talked enough about the ranch. I’d like to know why you’re really here. I doubt you came all the way over from Red Cedar just to say howdy.”
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