by Abigail Keam
“Do you think Farley had anything to do with Dwight’s disappearance?”
“Heavens no,” laughed Susie. “Farley’s a schemer, but that’s about it. He was just trying to knock the price down. If you want to look at someone, size up Selena. Now there’s a piece of work.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s what I inferred from all the stories Farley told me about her. He doesn’t like her. Said she was holding Dwight back. Always nagging.”
I didn’t know whom to believe. Everyone was telling the wildest stories but they did all seem to lead to Farley. If Farley disliked Selena so much, what was he doing sneaking out of her house at six in the morning?
“I want you to do something for me and I’m not going to pay you,” I demanded.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I want you to contact the insurance company that issued Dwight’s life insurance policy and find out who instigated the changing of the beneficiaries and anything else you can dig out from them.”
“What’s in it for me?” Susie insisted.
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I can give you the answer right now. Only Dwight could change the beneficiary.”
“Just find out. Maybe someone other than Dwight made the call. I want to see who.”
Susie sighed while slumping her shoulders in defeat. “I guess I could do that.”
I just wanted to slap her stupid little face so much my hand twitched. “You have my number.” I got up to leave.
“If I were Dwight and had this on my plate, I would have just run off. Dwight’s probably in Florida right now having a good time, while the rest of us are worried sick.”
“Well, you’re not Dwight. He’s not a runner. He’s missing because something happened to him.”
Susie sneered at me. “And I guess you think you’re going to be the big honcho to solve his disappearance. Lady, you’re old and can barely walk. You’re good for nothing except being a nuisance.”
I gave Susie my sweetest smile. “Besides letting the air out of your tires, I broke your side mirror too. It was an accident. I stumbled into it since I can’t walk – just like you said. Bye, bye now.”
On the way out I heard Susie rush behind me and squawk about the damage to her car. As I was leaving the parking lot, she was on her cell phone – no doubt to the police about my vandalism.
I didn’t care. I really didn’t care.
She had hurt my friends with her lies and she was lying now. I just couldn’t pluck out the lies, but I would get to the truth eventually.
God as my witness, I surely would.
51
I confessed everything to Detective Goetz.
He leaned back in his chair and peered over his new glasses. “That was very unlady-like of you. I’m surprised.”
“Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said?”
“How do you know this Susie Brinkman didn’t make advances toward Wheelwright and was rejected? Maybe she’s making stuff up for revenge?” asked Goetz.
“She called later after talking to the insurance company and an acquaintance in the office told her that Dwight came in himself and changed the name of the beneficiaries, giving the excuse that Selena was to receive a large bequest from her parents. My question is – was she?”
“No. I’ve already checked their finances. They don’t have any money or at least I couldn’t find a record of it.”
“Doesn’t this whole thing about the life insurance policy strike you as odd?” I asked.
“Maybe,” Goetz replied, shuffling some papers on his desk.
“What about the tooth?”
“You want to go out with me sometime?” Goetz asked suddenly.
I reared back in my chair. “I thought you didn’t like me.”
“I can tolerate you in small doses.”
“Wow. What a compliment. Let’s get back to talking about the case.”
“If that’s the way you want it.”
“The tooth fragments,” I insisted.
“His mother had kept all of Dwight’s baby teeth, so we did a DNA test after a cast was made of the tooth fragments. It turned out as you suspected. The tooth fragments were Dwight’s. It’s enough for a warrant in my book, even though the D.A. has some serious problems with the chain of evidence.”
“So you are finally taking this seriously.”
“There wasn’t a time I didn’t take his disappearance seriously. You seem to forget that I am a homicide detective. I needed justifiable cause to proceed.”
“Which I provided. What – no thank you?” I retorted.
“Since we are on that subject, you are to butt out. No more inquiries. If I hear that you are still snooping around, I will arrest you for interfering with an official investigation. I mean it.”
I started to interrupt him but I could tell from his demeanor that he meant what he said. “Will you keep me informed?”
“Hell no.”
“If that’s the way you want to leave it.” I gathered my cane and rose from the old-fashioned wooden swivel chair.
Goetz began walking me out. “You wouldn’t be sorry going out with me.”
“Oh, that again. If you’re such a catch, how come your wife divorced you and your girlfriend moved to Florida?”
“They said I was married to the police force.”
“Aren’t you supposed to retire soon?”
“Yep, but then I’m going to work for the District Attorney’s office.”
“Double-dipping.”
“Goetz gave me a big smile.
I had forgotten that he had dimples when he genuinely smiled. Thinking back, I realized when I had last seen him smile like that. It was on the first day we met, when he and O’nan had interrogated me about Richard Pidgeon’s demise.
Anger bubbled up my throat just remembering that day.
“I gotta go,” I said suddenly, and rushed out of the police station.
It wasn’t until I reached my car that I realized I was crying.
52
There was a knock on the door. Baby ran to the front door, panting excitedly and wagging his tail. I knew it was someone he was familiar with but still I checked the monitors.
It was Ginny Wheelwright!
I opened the door.
“Ginny!”
“May I come in, Jo?”
“Yes. Of course.”
Eunice came for Baby.
“Let’s go in my office. We won’t be bothered there.”
As we were going down the hall, I heard Eunice telling Baby to go outside and play. Then I heard the door slam. Eunice was one human Baby didn’t cross. She believed in swatting a bad dog. It only took one swat of a newspaper on Baby’s fanny for him to get the idea that Eunice was the alpha. He minded her without question. Wish I could say the same.
I closed the office door while Ginny sat down.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Detective Goetz has re-opened the case, but with few results so far. He got warrants to search Selena’s house and Dwight’s office. Amanda and that Susie Brinkman have given official statements.”
Ginny sniffed.
I handed her a tissue. It was confounding that Ginny never had anything to wipe her nose with. “Keep the box,” I said.
Ginny nodded thanks as she pulled out a wad of tissues. “Detective Goetz has been wonderful. He even tracked down that lead on a scorpion bite.”
“And?”
“Nothing incriminating was found at Selena’s house but the Detective did find a record of a cashier’s check made out to Dwight for two hundred thousand dollars. But the law firm working for Dwight’s company said they were never approached to write a buy-out agreement for Dwight. It was the first that they had heard of it but they did confirm what Farley had told you about what would happen if one partner was incapacitated.”
“Where’s that money now?”
“The check was never cashed. Selena doesn’t have it. Goetz checked
.”
“Did Selena opt to sell her portion?”
“She decided to remain as a silent partner. Farley pays her a dividend every quarter but she has no say in the business.”
“What about Susie’s story of Farley paying her?”
“Farley denied it, of course. Said she was trying to get him into trouble, as he had fired her. It’s an issue of he said/she said.”
“Isn’t there a money trail?”
“Goetz couldn’t find any evidence that Farley paid her but then Susie did say she had been paid in cash. There’s just no way to tie the cash to Farley.”
I sat back in my chair and looked out the window. I didn’t want to talk about this anymore. I was sick of the case. It depressed me.
Ginny continued, “I know if it hadn’t been for you that none of this information would have been discovered. I still don’t know what happened to Dwight, but I realize that the investigation went further than anticipated due to your efforts. I never could have done it. I wouldn’t have even known where to start. My only idea to help was to put up posters.” She opened her purse and laid a check on the desk. “This should cover all the lab expenses and your gas money. It took me awhile to raise the money, but here it is.”
I remained silent. What was there to say anyway?
Ginny rose from her chair. “As long as I live, I will never forget what you did for me.”
I still didn’t say anything.
“I’ll see myself out.” She quietly closed the door to the office.
I sat for a long time looking out the window. The ground was thick with snow while tree limbs drooped from the snow’s weight.
Any hope that Dwight was still alive had faded to a shadow. The check was to be his ticket to freedom and it had not been cashed. If he were still alive, he certainly would have cashed it.
The thought that Dwight was buried in some unmarked grave made me ill. I was tired of seeing lives ruined. Dwight’s. My daughter’s.
No one passed through this life unscathed.
Baby scratched at the closed office door.
I reluctantly got up and opened it. I was in no mood to put up with his chicanery.
Baby butted me with his head. He wanted his ears scratched. I reached down and pulled on his silky ears and gently rubbed the scar caused by O’nan’s bullet. I touched his eyeless socket.
Baby’s tail wagged enthusiastically.
His joy at being petted made me feel better. If Baby could be happy after being shot three times, who was I to wallow in sadness.
“Eunice, I’m coming,” I called as I rushed to help her.
53
The winter had been long and hard.
In the middle of February, we had an ice storm that shut the city down for a week. No one had electricity except the hospitals and a few government buildings. Cracked and broken trees were blocking the main arteries and side roads as well. Schools, including the University of Kentucky, cancelled classes. No one ventured out unless they had four-wheel drive as the roads were covered with black ice.
All was quiet. Much of daily life had ground to a halt.
Regretting that he had ignored my advice about installing a wood stove in his newly renovated house, Matt took refuge at the Butterfly.
Not too long after that Franklin followed, as his apartment was an icebox.
Franklin was followed by Lady Elsmere, who was deposited on my doorstep by Charles.
“What are you going to do, Charles?” I asked. “I can’t believe your generators are on the blink too.”
“My family is going to stay at one of the barns. I’ve already had wood delivered, so we’ll be fine. I’ll check on June every day. Call me if she needs anything,” he said.
“Will you be at Barn Number Two?” That was the barn that had an apartment with a wood stove, kitchen and two bedrooms. Everything in the kitchen was run on propane, including the refrigerator.
“Yeah, we’ll be hunkered down there. The boys have gone to stay with their friends, so it will just be the missus and the girls,” replied Charles.
“Let’s keep in touch a couple times of day,” I advised.
“Sounds good,” agreed Charles. “I’ll be back today, so call if you need anything.” Waving, he started the Hummer down the driveway.
Passing him on the way was Matt returning from the barn after checking on the animals. The animals had to be checked several times a day. Their water would freeze, so someone had to break the thick layer of ice so they could drink.
I held the door open for him.
Matt carried a large box into the house, which he deposited quickly in front of the fireplace. “Hey Baby, your buddies are here.”
I stood back and watched as confused and anxious cats sprang out of the box and ran for the nearest nook in which to hide.
“I couldn’t leave them in the barn. They were freaking out.”
“How about the rest of my babies?”
“Seem to be doing fine. I started the generator so that should give them some heat since it will be well below zero tonight. Put plenty of straw and hay in everyone’s stalls.”
“Did you put the goats in with the horses?”
“Naw. I put them with the sheep. They’re getting along.”
“What about the baby lama?”
“She and her mama are okay. I fed everyone. Don’t worry. They’re fine.” Matt patted my shoulder. “I’ll check on them again before dark.”
“Did you put food out for the deer?”
Exasperated, Matt declared, “I put out food, water and a salt lick. And I filled all the bird feeders. All God’s creatures are fine.”
“Where’re you going now?”
“To bring some wood in. And then I’m going to take a nap. Is that okay with you?”
I gave Matt a sassy grin. “Quit being so irritable. I’ll fix you something to eat.”
Matt harrumphed as he turned. He was getting crabbier as he got older.
“Hey, Matt.”
“What!!!”
“Thanks for being here.”
Matt shook his head. “Where else would I be?”
I was going into the kitchen to fix “Mr. Grumpy” some grub when the phone rang.
It was Ginny. “Jo, I need to ask a favor. Can you drive me over to Selena’s? She’s got electricity. I know it’s an imposition but I’ve called everyone including the cab company and volunteer drivers. They are overwhelmed and can’t get to me until tonight. I’m freezing over here and you have access to 4-wheel drive. Jo. Jo. Are you there?”
“Let me see if Matt can get you. He’s got the only car that can make it. Hold on.”
I went to Matt’s room and peeked in. Matt was on the bed sound asleep. No way was I going to wake him for Ginny. But I didn’t want to go out in this weather.
I thought of calling Charles but he would be busy tending the horses in the barns all day, so he was out. I went back to the phone. “Ginny, I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Okay but hurry. I don’t even have water.”
I hung up and went to find my boots. Finally buttoned up in a big flannel coat, I grabbed Matt’s keys and told Franklin where I was going.
“Can’t she wait for a cab?”
“She’s older than I and has health problems.”
“And you don’t?”
“Selena doesn’t have 4-wheel. I’m going. Should be back before dark. Keep June happy, will you.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Oh, Franklin, keep the wood stove going, will ya.”
“Sure thing. Matt’s gonna be mad.”
“Hopefully, I’ll be back before he wakes up.”
I pulled opened the front door and braved the cold, hurrying to Matt’s new SUV.
Going down Tates Creek was a nightmare. Everywhere were tree limbs that had snapped off due to the weight of the ice. Finally I came to a downed tree and power lines that blocked the road. I had to back up and retrace my steps back
to the little village of Spears. I headed down Spears Road toward Richmond Road.
All during the drive, I heard cracks and groans as the trees shifted, trying to shrug off their burden of ice. Finally I made it to Richmond Road, which is a main artery into town. Thanks goodness this road had been plowed and salted. Now making good time, I finally reached Ginny’s house.
Having stood watch at her picture window, Ginny saw me pull in her driveway and came out in a hurry with an overnight bag and her cat, Puss Puss.
“Jo, I so appreciate this. Really I do.”
“Let’s hurry. I’ve got to get back to the farm.”
It took me another twenty minutes to drive to Selena’s house as most of the traffic lights were out and all the side roads had not been cleared. I sighed with relief when I finally pulled into her cleared driveway.
“You coming in?”
“Yeah. I need to use the restroom and I wouldn’t mind a cup of hot tea before I head out again,” I requested, grabbing the cat carrier while Ginny got her overnight bag. We trudged over the crunchy ice into Selena’s house.
“What took you so long?” exclaimed Selena, looking put out. “We had lunch hours ago.”
Putting Puss Puss’ carrier down, I pulled off my gloves. “The roads were bad and all the traffic lights were on the blink. And I had to come from the farm.” What an idiot! I thought.
“But it’s only ten miles from Man O’ War to your place.”
“Selena, what can I tell you. It has taken me an hour and a half to get your mother-in-law here. I am going to use your bathroom now. I would really appreciate a cup of hot tea before I head out.”
I didn’t give her time to say anything as I made way to the bathroom. I tinkled, washed my hands and put on fresh lipstick. I took a hit of albuterol spray, as cold air was not good for my asthma. That should have been enough time for Selena to have a cup of hot liquid on the table.
When I came into the kitchen, Ginny was scurrying around Selena. She put a mug of steaming hot tea in front of me along with a nice hunk of coffee cake. “Thanks again for getting me. I really appreciate it. Wasn’t that nice of Josiah, Selena?”
“Yeah, it was nice,” mumbled Selena before she drifted off into another room.
