Moonshine Murder [Hawkman Bk 14]

by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

  Hawkman cocked his head. “Did she tell you that?”

  “Yes, she doesn't like the cabin, but she never said where she lived before.”

  “It would be interesting to know.”

  “Maybe one of these days she'll tell me.”

  “I know you don't want to let this friendship to wane away. However, you might have to. It's dangerous for you to go up there alone.”

  Jennifer exhaled loudly. “Don't harp at me about it. I'm not afraid and may go on a whim.”

  He slapped a piece of cheese on a slice of bread. “Will you let me know?”

  “All depends.”

  “On what?”

  “If I decide to go at the spur of the moment, I'll leave you a note.”

  He glared at his wife. “I don't like your attitude.”

  She shot him a look. “Then quit treating me like a child. You know I'm capable of taking care of myself. I don't need a chaperone.”

  They finished their meal in silence, then retired for the night. Miss Marple had the middle of the bed to herself.

  The next few days a heavy cloud hung over the Casey household.

  Wednesday afternoon, on his way home from work, Hawkman thought about their petty disagreement and decided it had gone on long enough. He realized he'd not made clear his concerns, causing her to feel belittled. Tonight he'd apologize and try to explain.

  * * * *

  Jennifer sat at her computer, but instead of writing on her book, she stared into space brooding about the silly argument between them. She still bristled at his talking down to her, yet she knew in her heart he only cared for her well being. Her husband didn't understand the workings of a woman's mind. He never had. Smiling to herself, she remembered the many times he'd worked on cases involving young women, then come to her for advice. It still didn't excuse him for treating her like a young girl.

  Maybe she should make another trip to the cabin on her own. It would prove she could do this. She'd carry her gun as usual, and be very cautious. The thought of checking on Beth and Randy intrigued her enough to get up from the computer, head for the bedroom, where she put her weapon in the fanny pack. She fastened it around her waist. If things went right, she'd be home before Hawkman.

  She hurried out the door and went to the garage. The sun glinted off the paint of her Ford and she noticed several minute dents caused by the buckshot. Biting her lower lip, she climbed into her vehicle. If Jeb or Earl shot at her again, she'd definitely shoot back.

  Having second thoughts as she drove up the hill to the turnoff, she took a deep breath. “I can do this,” she muttered aloud.

  Just before she arrived at the place to make the turn, an old pickup emerged from between the trees and bounced onto the road. As he passed, she frowned and studied the face of the man driving. Jennifer didn't recognize him or the vehicle, and wondered what business he had up here. Looking in the rearview mirror, she watched him putt down the road. She waited until he disappeared from view before entering the rough path which led to Beth's cabin.

  Keeping a close lookout as she drove, it surprised her no one stepped out of the shadows before she reached the turnoff to the cabin. Yet she could feel eyes upon her. She parked in front and hastened to the entry. Beth opened the door before she had a chance to knock.

  “I'm so glad to see you. Please come in.”

  “I won't be long. I just wanted to check on you and see Randy.”

  “Hi, Mrs. Casey.” Randy, sitting on the cot, held up the books she'd brought him. “I really like these puzzles. Mom has only had to help me on a couple.”

  “Wonderful,” Jennifer said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Really good, I think I'm almost healed and can get rid of these crutches.”

  “Don't discard them too soon. We don't want any problems,” Jennifer said, as she glanced in the cradle and noticed Marcy had been moved to the crib. “Oh, my goodness, you've already transferred her.”

  Beth smiled. “Yes, I caught her trying to roll over in the cradle, but the sides didn't give her enough freedom, so I put her in the new bed and she loves it. She likes it better than being held.”

  When Jennifer twirled the toys strung across the top, Marcy squealed in delight. “She's so adorable.”

  Beth looked at her with concern. “Did you have any trouble coming in this time?”

  “No, I didn't see a soul.”

  “Good.”

  “You sure don't want to be on Mom's bad side,” Randy piped in.

  Beth shot him a look. “You mind your manners, young man.” She turned to Jennifer. “I want to show you something.”

  She followed Beth to the small sink where she took hold of the pump handle and worked it up and down. Within a few short seconds, a stream of water spewed out the spout.

  Jennifer patted her on the shoulder. “Fantastic. Now you can get a bathroom inside, instead of having to go to the outhouse.”

  Beth held up a finger and grinned. “That's my next project.”

  “I think I saw the workman leave just as I came up,” Jennifer said.

  Beth gave her a puzzled glance. “We can't afford to pay anyone to do this work. Jeb and Earl fixed the water.”

  “Did the person you see have an old green clunker of a pickup?” Randy asked.

  “Yes.”

  “That was Grandpa.”

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  * * *

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “It must be nice having a grandpa to visit,” Jennifer said.

  Randy shrugged and made a face. “He never comes inside the cabin. He doesn't like us. I just saw the truck out the window.”

  Beth ruffled his hair. “Grandpa loves you and Marcy, it's me he despises.”

  Randy frowned. “Just because you're an Indian maiden. Sounds crazy to me.”

  Not knowing how to respond, Jennifer picked up a colorful blanket hanging on the end of the crib. “This is beautiful, and it's handmade. Did you make it, Beth?”

  She nodded, then moved toward the center of the room. “Excuse me for a moment; I need to stoke the stove.”

  Jennifer watched as Beth first poked wadded paper and kindling into the fire chamber, then tossed a lit match inside. She opened the chimney damper to allow the smoke to escape, then went outside, and returned shortly with an armful of wood. Placing a couple of small logs inside, she put the others on the floor beside the stove, dusted off her hands, and wiped them down her apron, then smiled at Jennifer.

  “There, got that out of the way. Once it heats up, I'll start supper.”

  Jennifer shook her head in amazement. “I wouldn't have the vaguest idea how to cook on a wood burning stove. Your talents amaze me.”

  Beth laughed. “One of these days I'll teach you. It's really easy, once you get the hang of it.”

  “What are you fixing for dinner?”

  “We're eating well tonight. Earl shot many quail this morning, and from the bag of potatoes you brought me, I'll make some crispy fried silver dollars. We'll go to bed tonight with full stomachs.”

  “Since you have no refrigeration, how do you keep the game the men shoot?”

  “We have a smokehouse behind the cabin. Keeps it all perfectly; no fly will land on smoked meat.”

  Jennifer patted Marcy's tummy and moved away from the crib, then turned toward Randy. “How are you doing?”

  “Real good. I tried walking a few steps without the crutches, but it still hurts.”

  “I think the doctor wanted you to stay on them for a couple of weeks. You have another week to go.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, I know. Just can't go very fast on them, and I can't ride my bike.”

  Jennifer grinned. “You'll have plenty of time to do all those things when you're healed.” She headed for the door. “Well, Beth, I better be on my way, so you can start your meal.”

  “I'm very happy to see you. Come again soon.”

  Jennifer had just started to clutch the door knob when it flew ope
n. She jumped back as her hands flew to her chest. “Good grief, do you always enter the house in such a hurry?”

  “Oh, sorry,” Earl said, as he bolted past her and ran into one of the other rooms in the cabin. He rushed back out in a matter of seconds carrying a shot gun in one hand, a box of ammunition in the other, and darted back through the open door.

  Jennifer peered outside and wondered if it would be safe driving home. She turned and waved at Beth. “See you in a few days.”

  She jumped in her Ford, turned around and headed out toward the road. About halfway there, she spotted Earl standing in the middle of the dirt trail with his gun pointed at a SUV slowly coming toward her. She blasted the horn, and poked her head out the window. “What the heck do you think you're doing?”

  “I'm going to stop the guy. Dad told me you're the only one I can allow through.”

  “That happens to be my husband, and if you don't lower your gun immediately, you're going to get your head shot off, either by me or him.”

  Earl's wide-eyed gaze darted from one vehicle to the next. Jennifer had poked her gun through the opened window, and Hawkman showed his. Earl slowly placed his shotgun on the ground, and raised his hands.

  Hawkman jumped out of the SUV, shoved the shotgun out of reach with his foot. “You don't point a gun at me.”

  Earl pointed at Jennifer. “She's the only one I'm allowed to let through to our property.”

  “This isn't your land. It belongs to your grandpa,” Hawkman said.

  “He told us to do whatever we need to do to keep it safe from intruders.”

  “Do you plan to get arrested for murder?”

  “No.”

  Suddenly, Jeb stepped out of the shadows, and stood on the sidelines with his thumbs hooked in the front pockets of his overalls. “What's going on with my boy?” he bellowed.

  “If you don't want him arrested, you better take this gun away, and teach him the law. Otherwise, if he stops me again, I'm going to make a citizens’ arrest and take him to jail.”

  “Earl ain't done nothin’ wrong, just stopped you to see what you're doing on our property.”

  “There're other ways to stop a person without pointing a deadly weapon at him.”

  “I'll see what I can do to educate him. So what are you doing up here?”

  “Checking on my wife. I wanted to make sure she remained safe.”

  “She's allowed to come see Beth. We won't stop her.”

  Hawkman regarded Jeb with skepticism. “Why the change of heart?”

  “Beth convinced me she needed a friend.”

  “I see.”

  Jeb strolled forward, reached down and picked up the shotgun from the ground, and put a hand on his son's shoulder. “Come on, Earl, let's go home.”

  Jennifer sat in the Ford taking in the conversation, but had not put away her gun. She watched Jeb intently to make sure he didn't suddenly turn the weapon on her husband.

  When Jeb and Earl passed Jennifer's vehicle, the corners of Jeb's mouth turned up in a cynical grin. “You can put your gun away, Mrs. Casey; no one is going to shoot your husband.”

  After Earl and his father disappeared into the trees, Hawkman and Jennifer drove home. Once settled in the living room, Jennifer glanced at her husband. “You don't look very happy.”

  “I'm not. I thought you said you'd leave a note. I had no idea where you'd gone. Since your Ford wasn't in the garage, you had to have gone farther than walking distance.”

  “Sorry, I figured on being home before you got here. I'll let you know next time, regardless.”

  “Thank you, I'd appreciate it. Now, I want to ask. What's this bit about you having permission to go see Beth? How'd such an agreement come about?”

  “I haven't the vaguest idea. When I reached the front door without sight of Jeb or Earl, it surprised me. Beth asked me if I'd been stopped and I told her I hadn't. Randy piped up and said something about not wanting to be on his mother's bad side. She quickly squelched him from saying any more. I had the feeling she has something over Jeb and knows how to get her way.”

  “It seems most women have this talent,” he said, grinning.

  She raised a hand. “Oh, I almost forgot. Driving to the cabin, I saw an old pickup came out of the area where we turn off the asphalt. I found out later from Randy, it was grandpa. Not knowing what the older man looked like, I didn't recognize the person driving.”

  Hawkman wrinkled his forehead. “Interesting. Wonder why he made a trip to his property. It must have worried him when I made the visit.”

  “That's not all. Kids have a way about blabbing stuff parents wish they didn't. Randy said his grandpa didn't like them as he never came inside and because his mother was an American Indian. Beth immediately corrected him by saying, he loved the children, but didn't like her.”

  Hawkman nodded. “Yeah, that's how he came across when I spoke to him. Nothing compassionate about that man, even to his own father.”

  Suddenly, a pounding and yelling ‘please answer’ at the front entry made both of them jerk to their feet. Jennifer quickly ran and opened the door.

  Earl, white faced, stood on the stoop wringing his hands. “Mom sent me. We need your help. Randy fell and is bleeding really bad.”

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  * * *

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Jennifer turned to Hawkman. “Throw his bike in the Cruiser while I grab the first aid kit.”

  He dashed outside, and tossed the bike into the rear end of the SUV. “Jump in, Earl.” He backed out and Jennifer hopped into the passenger side, toting a large case.

  “I thought I'd better bring the big kit. We'll probably have to take him to the hospital.” She glanced at Earl in the back seat. “How'd he fall?”

  “I'm not sure, but I think he sneaked outside without his crutches and tried to ride his bike.”

  “Oh, no,” Jennifer said, biting her lower lip. “I knew he was getting restless when I talked to him this afternoon.”

  Earl, not fastening a seat belt around his chest, bounced wildly, as Hawkman drove quickly over the rough path leading to the Hutchinson's place. He abruptly stopped at the front door sending up a dust cloud. First Aid kit in hand, Jennifer bounded out of the vehicle, and ran into the cabin without knocking. Jeb stood over Beth as she applied pressure to a bleeding wound on Randy's upper thigh. The boy lay bravely with clenched teeth and tears rolling down his cheeks.

  Jennifer pushed her way in front of Jeb and knelt beside Beth. She gently lifted Beth's bloody hand. “You've done a wonderful job of slowing down the flow. Hold on until I grab the tourniquet, then we'll get him to the hospital.”

  She flipped open the lid of the case, found the polyester strap with the plastic buckle and immediately placed it about three inches above Randy's wound. Tightening it slightly, she motioned for Hawkman to come and carry the boy to the SUV. Beth quickly washed her hands, then lifted Marcy from the crib, wrapped her in a blanket and followed them outside.

  “I want to come,” she said, standing beside the 4X4.

  “Of course,” Jennifer said, and opened the door to the front passenger seat. “I'll need to loosen the tourniquet in about twenty minutes, so you sit up here.”

  Beth scooted in just as Jeb appeared and handed her the crutches. “He might need these.”

  “Maybe,” Beth said.

  “Give them to me,” Jennifer said. “She has no place to put them.”

  Taking them from Beth, he placed the crutches in Jennifer's hands, and she laid them on the floorboard.

  He closed the door and stepped back.

  Hawkman turned the Land Cruiser around and headed back toward the road. He tried to avoid the bumps, but found it difficult. “Sorry, Randy, I'm trying not to hit all these snags, but there are many.”

  “It's okay, Mr. Casey.”

  Hawkman spoke over his shoulder to Jennifer, “What about the Yreka hospital? Could they handle this, or is it too serious?”

  “
Yes, I think it will just be a matter of closing the old wound. It looks like he just tore it open. Hard to tell how much blood he's lost, but not nearly what he did when it first happened. I doubt he'll need a transfusion.”

  Jennifer had placed an old towel they kept in the vehicle under Randy's leg. When she loosened the tourniquet, she looked at Randy. “You're doing great, no blood has stained the cloth.”

  “I really feel bad about being dumb. I felt so good, I figured I could ride my bike.”

  “I hope you've learned a lesson. Doctors don't give their patients instructions for fun. They're trying to protect you from hurting yourself again. I'd imagine now it will take twice the time for you to heal.”

  Randy's lips trembled, and he wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands. “I've caused a bunch of problems for you and my folks.”

  Jennifer patted his good leg. “Don't worry about it. You take it easy and we'll get you fixed up real soon.”

  She released the strap a couple more times before they pulled into the emergency parking lot.

  Hawkman carried the lad inside and a couple of hours later, they were on their way back to Copco Lake. Jennifer took Marcy and let Beth stay beside her son, to soothe him. They pulled up to the cabin at midnight, and a ghostlike light flickered through the windows. Hawkman carried the boy inside and placed him on the cot. Several kerosene lamps dotted the room, making strange shadows on the walls.

  Earl came out of one of the back rooms, his long hair scraggly, and clad only in a pair of ragged jeans. “Is Randy okay?”

  “Yes, he's fine. They stitched him up, and he has to stay off the leg for a week.” Beth scolded and pointed a finger at her oldest son. “So no taunting him, you hear?”

  Earl bowed his head in shame. “Yessum”

  Jennifer put Marcy in the crib, then moved to Randy's side. “If I'm in town the next few days would you like some more of those puzzle books?”

  Randy's eyes lit up. “That would be great, but you don't have to.”

  “This time I'll get some really hard ones,” she winked. “Maybe they'll keep you busy for a week.”

  He smiled. “Okay.”