Journey to Murder (An Alex Warren Novel)

by DJ Owen

  Alex told Kyle that her mother had been in insurance, and her father had served in Viet Nam. He struggled for awhile, trying to find his place in the world when the world was rejecting those who had served. He finally found a job with a furniture manufacturer and worked his way up through the ranks until he became Vice President. He had been tapped to become the next President when the car accident killed both of Alex's parents.

  Kyle studied Alex's face as she described the wreck and told him of the damage her parents had sustained. He saw anger well up in her eyes along with her tears of frustration as she told him how little the police had investigated, and the final determination that they caused their own deaths.

  "My mom and dad would never deliberately put themselves or others at risk. But nobody listened to us." Alex used her napkin to dab the tears still glistening in her eyes as Sophia brought over their food.

  Sophia could see that Alex was upset, so she raised her eyebrows at Kyle as she set the plates down. "Here you go, folks. Enjoy your lunch!"

  Kyle thanked her, and shook his head to indicate Sophia shouldn't ask what was wrong.

  "Looks fabulous," Alex said, and without looking up she took a large bite of her sandwich. "Mmmm. Delicious!" The crunch of walnuts and tang of green grapes made what could have been a bland combination of chicken and mayo into a robust, palate pleasing meal.

  "I'm glad you like it! Let me know if you need anything else," Sophia said as she went about cleaning and servicing the other customers.

  They ate in silence for a few moments. "So, do you think the police ran into jurisdictional problems because your parents drove through three states? Their trip would have included the CPD in Chicago as well as the Illinois, Indiana and Ohio State Police. And that's not including any local department where the accident occurred."

  "That may be true, but my family shouldn't suffer because my parents crossed the state line," Alex stated emphatically. "Someone murdered my parents and is still out there."

  "How about if I look into this for you? It's been quite a few years, and all I can do is ask to see any files, but maybe a new set of eyes would help. I can't guarantee anything, but I can make a few calls."

  "You would do that for me?" Alex had given up on ever finding out what really happened to her parents. Kyle's offer to talk with the police and look at what they had uncovered during their brief investigation was unexpected. Alex hadn't realized how much pain she still endured because of her parents' deaths.

  "Sure. There's no harm in a couple calls. Still, no promises that we'll learn anything new." Kyle was pleased to see Alex brighten up at his offer. "It may take a few days, but I'll try to find out what they know before you leave."

  "I...I don't know quite what to say. Thank you, for sure. You really don't have to do this, but I would greatly appreciate anything you can find out."

  Kyle steered the conversation toward less upsetting subjects. They finished off their meal with Kyle filling Alex in on some of the more colorful characters in town. Kyle picked up the tab for the meal over Alex's argument that she invited him to lunch and should therefore pay.

  "I'm a gentleman, Alex, and my mother taught me that the gentleman always pays." They left the diner and entered the bright sunshine of early afternoon. "Where are you headed? I'll walk you there."

  "That's okay. I know you need to get back to work. Jolene will be wanting her lunch! I'm just going to hop on the shuttle back to the park. I think I've done all the damage I can do at the library."

  "Well, thank you for coming by, anyway. I enjoyed our lunch. How about dinner tonight, or am I being too pushy?" Kyle would normally move more slowly at the beginning of a relationship, but Alex and Amy were only there for the week.

  "Okay, dinner it is, but only if you let me cook. I can whip up a decent meal in the Winnie."

  "That sounds good. What time should I come by?" This was a first for Kyle, having a park visitor offer to cook for him.

  "How about seven or so? Is your shift over by then?" Alex was going to have to do some shopping before catching the shuttle.

  "I'll be there with bells on! Can I bring anything? Some wine or something?"

  "Just yourself. I think we're good on supplies. If I'm missing something, I'll give you a call, okay?" Alex was looking forward to the evening. She was surprised at how easily Kyle had maneuvered himself into her life.

  "Okay. See you then." Kyle started to turn away and then turned back and kissed Alex lightly on her cheek. "Be careful," he murmured, then turned away and walked back to his office.

  Alex found a small grocery a couple of blocks down the street and bought a few things for dinner. By the time she returned to the park, it was already nearing 3:00 p.m.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  After dinner, Kyle suggested the three of them walk by the lake.

  "Not me, I've got enough mosquito bites to last a lifetime already!" Amy asserted. "But you two go ahead. I'm just going to hang around here and maybe find something to read. I'm exhausted from all the hiking today, anyway!"

  "Are you sure, Amy? We don't mind the company." Kyle found himself walking the thin line between wanting to get to know Amy better and wanting to be alone with Alex.

  "I'm sure. Maybe I'll give Aunt Monica a call before she goes out with her boyfriend."

  "That would be a good idea. We haven't heard from her since we left on Thursday. I would appreciate you giving her a call. We don't want her to get too comfortable being there by herself." Alex wasn't really worried about her sister, but it was odd they hadn't even had a voicemail from her.

  "Make sure you lock up. We'll knock when we get back, okay?" Kyle wasn't sure he liked the idea of a pretty fourteen-year-old hanging around the campsite by herself. He was too aware of how often young girls were attacked by guys people thought were good, honest family men.

  "I'll be fine. I might invite Lacy over. She's only two doors down. Mom, is that okay?" Amy looked to her mother with all the eagerness of an eight-year-old asking for a puppy.

  Alex had to smile. "Of course, but no boys if I'm not around, okay? I trust you, but I know better than to trust any boys hitting puberty."

  "Ewwww, MOM!" Amy wrinkled her nose in disgust. "No way am I going to get interested in some boy I'll probably never see again." Realizing her statement could be just as appropriate for her mother, Amy added, "But you can travel whenever you want, so it's okay for you and Kyle."

  Alex just shook her head as she left the camper. "We'll be back shortly. Invite Lacy if you want, but give your Aunt Monica a call first."

  "It was nice of Amy to give us permission, don't you think?" Kyle slipped his arm around Alex's waist, pulling her close.

  "She really needs to learn to think before she speaks, but she likes you, and that makes me happy. You're the first man I've brought around since her father died. Being on the road doesn't bode well for relationships. Frankly, if I hadn't brought Amy here for her graduation present, you two might not have met."

  "I hope you're not implying that once you leave, I won't see you again. I know this is all fairly sudden, but I really like you, Alex. I know a long-distance relationship is difficult, but I'm willing to give it a shot if you are."

  "We'll have to see. It's too soon to be making long-term plans, don't you think?" Kyle's face fell when he heard those words, but brightened when Alex added, "But I do want to keep in touch. You're a good man, and good men are really hard to find in this day and age."

  "I'll take what I can get," Kyle responded. At least he would be able to talk with her. She was right in that they barely knew each other. He could understand Alex wanting to be sure, especially with her daughter in the mix.

  The sun was setting as they neared the lake, and its reflection on the water showed orange and yellow. Crickets provided a continual backdrop to their conversation, and frogs added a bass line to the song of the park nightlife.

  An owl hooted, and Alex shivered briefly at the reminder of her previous trip to the park. />
  ----------

  Amy unlocked the door when Alex knocked and called to her. Alex noted that Amy was alone.

  "Where's Lacy? Couldn't she come over?" Alex asked.

  "I never invited her," Amy replied, her brow as furrowed as a young girl can manage. "I've been trying to call Aunt Monica, and all I get is voicemail on her cell phone. I tried calling the house and it rings, but then all I get is the answering machine. She's never this out of touch."

  "She's probably out with Mark, and maybe she forgot to charge her cell phone. I'm sure it's nothing. She'll call back when she gets home."

  Kyle looked at his watch. "Speaking of getting home, I should probably go. I want to be at the station a little early tomorrow. Will I see you for lunch?"

  "Probably not. Amy and I are going to drive around and see some of the sights in the area. However, why don't you plan to come over for supper again, maybe Wednesday night?"

  "I have a better idea. Why don't you two come over to my place Wednesday, and I'll cook." Kyle pulled Alex close and lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. "I'm not a bad cook, and you'll get a chance to see where I live."

  "That sounds nice. I usually end up being the one to cook, so having someone else offer is new to me." Alex looked at Amy. "What do you think, Amy? Shall we go see what a real bachelor pad looks like?"

  "Sounds good to me, Mom, but how are we getting around?"

  "I'm going to take the shuttle in to town tomorrow and pick up a rental car. I'll just turn it back in on Thursday rather than Wednesday night."

  "Better yet, how about I pick you up Wednesday evening when I get off work? I can meet you at the car rental place and drive you back here after dinner. It beats paying for an extra day. I promise, I'm a safe driver and nothing will happen to you or Amy."

  "Are you sure you don't mind bringing us back here? It won't be any problem keeping the car an extra day," Alex responded. She wasn't accustomed to having someone who went out of his way on her behalf. She could get used to this.

  "Don't mind at all! So it's settled. Call me when you drop off the car and I'll come pick you up. I'll see you then."

  Alex raised up on her toes as far as she could and Kyle got the message. He leaned down for a kiss, though he felt a little odd doing so in front of Amy. He was gone a few moments later.

  ----------

  Alex was up bright and early on Tuesday and showered quietly. She wanted to rent the car early so they would have time to see as much as they could of the area. She packed a quick overnight bag for the two of them in case they got lost or decided to find a hotel room somewhere rather than return to the park.

  When Amy awoke, Alex fixed them a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes. They were both surprisingly hungry. Amy took her shower, and Alex left on the shuttle while Amy dried her hair and got dressed.

  Alex tried calling Monica's work phone since she wasn't driving. She began to get a little worried when she heard Monica's voicemail.

  "Hi, you've reached Monica Townsend's desk. Today is Friday, June 3rd. Please leave a message at the tone and I'll return your call promptly."

  Alex asked Monica to call her as soon as possible. Her sister was a bit compulsive when it came to work. She always updated her voicemail message as soon as she arrived at her desk. Did she simply forget, or had something happened? Alex could understand Monica forgetting to update it one day, but two? That was highly unlikely.

  She called Monica's cell again and it still went straight to voicemail. Even if Monica had forgotten to charge her cell Sunday night, she would plug it into the car charger on her way home Monday, or going into the office on Tuesday.

  The home phone rang the customary five rings before the answering machine picked up. Now Alex was seriously concerned. Losing her husband and parents to murder made Alex paranoid, and she accepted that fact. However, this was completely out of character for her shy and responsible sister.

  I know she's okay. She's just so involved with Mark that she's become scatterbrained. Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly, terribly wrong.

  ----------

  Alex practically ran to the Sheriff's Office when she exited the shuttle. When Kyle came to meet her in the lobby, she had managed to calm herself enough so that she wouldn't seem hysterical even though that's how she felt.

  "Alex! What is it?" They may not know each other all that well, but anyone could see that Alex was upset over something.

  "Kyle, it's my sister. She never called us back last night and I still can't reach her, even at work. I'm worried something has happened to her. This isn't like her at all!" Alex could hear the quiver in her own voice and hated herself for it. She took a deep breath and looked Kyle in the eye. "She always changes her work voicemail message to let callers know she's in the office that day. Her voicemail says it's last Friday. We haven't talked to her since then. I'm scared, Kyle. I can't lose her after everyone else."

  Kyle held her for a moment. Alex pressed her face into his broad, muscular chest. "What can I do, Kyle?"

  "Have you tried calling anyone else at her office? Maybe that boyfriend you and Amy mentioned?"

  "Uhm, no. As soon as I reached her voicemail, I panicked. Let me try."

  Alex called the office again, but this time she asked the receptionist if Monica was in rather than just asking to be transferred to her phone.

  "I'm sorry, but Monica Townsend hasn't come in today. Could someone else help you?"

  "No, I'm her sister and I haven't been able to reach her. When was the last time she was in? Was she there yesterday? I really need to reach her," Alex pleaded.

  The receptionist remained calm, but explained that Monica hadn't been in the office since last Friday. She said they had tried to call her home and cell phones when she didn't report in on Monday, but hadn't been able to reach her. "Would you like to speak with her supervisor?"

  "How about Mark Bauer? Is he in?" Alex was certain Mark would know where Monica was before her supervisor did.

  "I'm terribly sorry, but Mark Bauer turned in his resignation Friday. I was told to direct his calls to Mr. Helmsford, our Administrative Partner. Would you like to be transferred to Mr. Helmsford?" The receptionist was good at her job. She retained her composure but was determined to help Alex any way she could.

  Alex was dumbstruck that Mark had resigned. "YES! Please put me through to him. Thank you," she added as an afterthought.

  "Helmsford." The man came across as a no-nonsense man of few words. He was all business, and it didn't sound like he had a light-hearted bone in his body.

  "Mr. Helmsford, my name is Alex Warren. I'm Monica Townsend's sister," Alex began.

  Helmsford cut her off. "It's good to hear from you. How is Monica? We haven't heard from her and it's not like her to miss work and not call in. I hope she's okay." While the words conveyed concern, his tone of voice hinted at irritation. How dare one of the paralegals not report in, and fail to call in on top of it?

  "I don't know. That's why I'm calling you. I haven't been able to reach her, either."

  "Well, Ms. Warren, I'm certain we can't be of any assistance, then. Good day."

  "WAIT!" Alex almost screamed.

  "What is it, Ms. Warren?"

  This man is a real piece of work, Alex thought. If I didn't like the partners before, I certainly have no use for them now!

  "Please, Mr. Helmsford, I need some information. I understand Mark Bauer resigned last Friday. He had been seeing my sister. I was wondering if you could give me his contact information so that I can find out when he last heard from Monica." Alex was trying to sound professional, but having to deal with this sorry excuse for a human was pushing her over the edge.

  "I'm afraid I can't do that, Ms. Warren. We don't give out that kind of information in order to protect the privacy of our employees."

  Alex was at her wit's end and afraid Helmsford would hang up. Kyle had been listening to her side of the conversation and quickly took the phone
from her.

  "Mr. Helmsford, Officer Buckley here. Monica Townsend's sister is here at the Sheriff's Office asking for our assistance in locating her family member. I understand you have concerns about providing contact information for Mr. Bauer, who may be able to provide information regarding Monica's whereabouts. Mr. Helmsford, I'm certain your partners would not want the firm to become implicated if failure to provide the requested contact information resulted in harm to Ms. Townsend." Kyle's voice was strong and steady, and it was obvious he had dealt with lawyers before.

  "Officer Buckley, I will be happy to provide you that information once you produce a warrant. Good day." The line went dead. Kyle was astounded, but also worried about how Alex would react. He located the most recent call on the log and redialed the number.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  "Law Offices. How may I direct your call?" The receptionist sounded bored, and this suited Kyle just fine.

  "This is Officer Buckley of the Sheriff's Office. We need your help. We are trying to locate Monica Townsend, and believe Mark Bauer may have information we need to find her. Do you have a phone number or address for Mr. Bauer?" Kyle was hoping to appeal to the receptionist's sense of urgency and her natural desire to help a female in trouble. He also hoped to get the information before Helmsford had a chance to send out an email reminding the staff that all calls regarding Monica and Mark were to go directly to him.

  "Certainly, Officer. His cell phone number is right here on our directory." The receptionist provided the number and asked Kyle to hold a moment. "I just found his address in the system. His records haven't been removed yet." She read off the address as Kyle jotted it down. "Is that all you needed?"

  "Thank you. Yes, it is. Monica's family and law enforcement greatly appreciate your assistance." Kyle ended the call and looked at Alex. "We've at least got a phone number and address."

  Alex threw her arms around Kyle's neck and hugged him unexpectedly with all her strength.

  "Hey! If you break it, you buy it!" Kyle put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed until she loosened her hold. "Maybe you should call Mark. You know him, and I would have to identify myself as an officer. That sometimes causes people to forget things they might tell a family member."