by Robin James
“So now what?” I asked.
“Now,” he said, “I go have a chat with Jody Doehler.”
“Good,” I said. “I’m going with you.”
“Mara …”
“Non-negotiable. Plus, you’re my ride now.”
Sam made a noise. An actual growl. But he waited as I went inside to get my coat.
36
Jody Doehler lived with his grandmother on the outskirts of town, a ramshackle ranch with crooked shutters and more lawn art than grass.
“Why don’t you stay in the car?” Sam pleaded.
‘No way,” I said. “You don’t have a warrant or anything. It’s better for both of us if I stay close.”
“I don’t need a warrant to talk to the kid,” he said.
There were two vehicles in the driveway. A blue Dodge Caravan and an old F-250 with a flat tire. The truck was Jody’s. I’d seen it parked at Georgette Sutter’s the day I went out to her house.
I pulled my coat around me as Sam and I trudged up the uneven paving stones. He rapped on the screen door, causing two large dogs into a round of deep-throated barks. Decades of instinct kicked in and Sam moved his hand to his right hip. He was carrying. He was always carrying.
“Shut your yap!” a creaky female voice called out. She got a hold of the dogs and opened the storm door. Squinting up, she tried to recognize Sam.
“I’m Detective Sam Cruz,” he said. “This is Mara Brent. We were hoping to catch Jody Doehler at home. Your grandson?”
She had maybe twenty strands of wavy gray hair on her entire head. She had a cigarette dangling from her lip. She took it out and pointed it to her left.
“He ain’t here much,” she said. “Spends most of his time up at her place.”
“Her?” I asked.
“My sister,” she said. “Though she likes to say HALF.”
“Mrs. Doehler,” I said. “You mean Georgette Sutter? Your son is up at the Sutter residence?”
“Most of the time,” she said. “Look at this place. Paint peeling. Crap all over the driveway. You know my washer hasn’t been working for two weeks? Says he’s waiting for a part. Pff. He’s got me schlepping down to the laundromat while he’s out there cleaning her windows, taking her shopping, wiping her ass, for all I know.”
I winced.
“I really need to speak with Jody,” Sam said. “Do you have any idea when he might be back? Isn’t that his truck parked out front?”
“That piece of crap? That’s what he left for me. My van needs a new alternator. Said he’d fix that too when he got around to it. I can’t get up in that cab. I’m waiting on a hip replacement. Thinks he’s doing me some kind of favor. He’s such a fool.”
“Why is that, Mrs. Doehler?” I asked.
“Thinks he’s gonna get rich when my sister croaks. Now that her grandson kicked it. And that weird granddaughter of hers heading back to whatever fancy house she has. My sister ain’t gonna leave Jody a cent. And he’ll come crawling back here.”
“Mrs. Doehler,” Sam said. “Do you get the impression your grandson would do anything to make Georgette happy?”
“Like a puppy,” she said. Livia Doehler put her hands up under her chin as if she were a begging dog. “You find him, you tell him he’s got work to do here! What do you want to talk to him about, anyway?”
“Well,” I said. “You’re aware Jody is a material witness in the case against Mickey Harvey?”
“Got his name in the paper,” she said. “Yeah. I’m aware. They said there was gonna be a reward for information leading to the arrest. Well, you arrested that kid. Thug, that one. You know I dated his grandpa a lotta years ago? Almost married him too. Should have. Boy, that would’ve sent Louie’s family into a state. Anyway, the reward. Said ten thousand. I want you to know. Jody hasn’t paid a dime of rent since he was eighteen. That was supposed to be the deal.”
“What deal?” Sam and I said it together.
“I’m just saying. Your material witness. If he’s eligible for that ten grand. I want a lien on it or something. Who do I talk to about that?”
“Mrs. Doehler,” Sam said. “Do you think Jody would have made up a story in order to get reward money in the Sutter murders?”
“Wouldn’t put it past him,” she said.
“Mrs. Doehler,” he said. “Would you have a problem if we looked around your house a little? Does Jody have a computer here?”
I could see Sam’s wheels turning. Mine were too. Could Jody have actually fabricated his entire story to please Georgette Sutter or to get a reward?
“I don’t care what you do,” she said. “But you tell that good-for-nothing grandson of mine he owes me.”
“Sam,” I said, tugging on his arm.
“Wait one second, Mrs. Doehler,” he said, giving her a charming smile.
“Sam,” I whispered when we were out of earshot. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking there’s more to Jody’s story than he’s letting on.”
“Me too,” I said. “But I can’t let you into that house without a warrant.”
“She owns it,” he said. “She’s consented. I want to get a look at his computer. See what kind of searches he’s been running. Also his phone, see where he’s been.”
“I don’t want any loose ends,” I said. “She may own the house, but Jody’s got a right to privacy to his room. She just said she charges him rent. Any half-good defense lawyer would argue that makes him a tenant.”
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll write one up.”
“Good,” I said. “I’ll help you get it through. In the meantime, I want to talk to Grandma George one more time.”
37
“It’s not a good time,” Nikki Sutter said the next morning. She stood in the doorway, blocking my entrance.
“Nikki,” I said. “I’m not here to go over your testimony. Though I’ll admit, I wish you’d told me beforehand what you revealed on the stand.”
“I didn’t know it would come up. How could I know she’d ask me about all of that? Besides, you didn’t ask,” she said, casting her eyes down. She looked gaunt. Her cheekbones cut sharp angles beneath her hollow eyes. The trial, perhaps staying here, was taking its toll. It was almost as if Waynetown itself began to eat away at her.
“No,” I said. “I didn’t ask. But Detective Cruz and I both were after information about who might have had an axe to grind with the people who died down the hill.”
“I won’t apologize,” she said. “That was my truth to tell. I don’t know how that woman knew what my Uncle Chris did. And what did it matter? Skylar’s dead. Uncle Chris, Aunt Jenny, they were all dead. It doesn’t matter. I just wanted to forget about all of it. This family has been through enough. My grandparents have been through enough. Our business is out there. On the news. The internet. In that podcast. They’re taking my trauma … my trauma and using it to sell ads.”
It was hard not to get angry. I was frustrated, yes. At the same time, Nikki Sutter was a victim herself. I worried Elise had only scratched the surface of the abuse Chris Sutter may have subjected her to. I wished I’d known. I would have fought for her. I would have done everything within my power to make sure the man who hurt her faced justice.
“Olliver, my boyfriend. He’s scared,” she said. “A private investigator called his work. You know, to verify that he was actually at work the day before the murders. Is that woman going to try to make it sound like Olliver flew back here and murdered my uncle and my brother? He was halfway across the country …”
Nikki took a breath, as if she were revving up to lose it. I put a hand on the door. “No,” I said. “She can say all she wants. I don’t think there’s any real threat of Olliver getting dragged into it. But Nikki, I’m not here about any of that. I’d like to talk to your grandmother again.”
“She wants to talk to you too,” Nikki said. “She just finished taking Grandpa Lou’s breakfast tray. He’s been agitated. In and out. He thought I was her last night. I guess
I kind of look like Grandma George when she was younger.”
“I don’t want to cause them stress,” I said. “Oh, also, is your cousin Jody here? I have a few additional questions for him too.”
A few minutes before I arrived, Sam texted to tell me he’d gotten Judge Ivey out of bed. He’d signed his warrant for Jody’s laptop. He expected to serve it within the hour.
“I haven’t seen him,” Nikki said. “He might be on the grounds somewhere. You can ask Grandma.”
“Ask me what?” Georgette said. She walked down the hall. Nikki moved to the side. Georgette had a dish towel in her hands. She tossed it over one shoulder.
“Can I bother you for a few minutes?” I asked.
“You’re never a bother.” Georgette smiled. “Nikki, don't be rude. Let Mara in. Lou just finished his coffee. I’ve got half a pot on. You want?”
“I’m fine,” I said. “And I won’t take up your whole morning.”
“Get in here,” she said. “You’re lettin’ all the cold air in.”
I came in. Georgette proceeded to grab the shoulders of my coat and help me get it off. She gave it to Nikki and made a shooing gesture to her. Nikki took my coat and headed for a hall closet. Georgette looped her arm through mine and led me into the front room. Lou Sutter sat in his recliner with a TV tray in front of him. He had an old episode of the Price Is Right with Bob Barker on.
“You can stream those now,” Georgette said. “He’ll spend the whole day watching the game show channel. It keeps him calm. Family Feud is his favorite. Though I always found Richard Dawson creepy.”
“I’m glad,” I said. “That it keeps him calm.”
Georgette showed me to one couch. She took a seat on the other end of it.
“You sure I can’t get you something? You look skinnier than the last time I saw you.”
“No,” I said. “Thank you. I’m fine.”
“You worried?” she asked.
“About the trial?” I said.
“That lawyer Mickey’s got. She sure stirred up a storm.”
“She has,” I said. “And she shouldn’t have been permitted to. To be frank, Judge Denholm has allowed a lot of testimony in that I don’t believe he should have.”
I looked down the hall, but Nikki was nowhere to be seen.
“He shouldn’t have allowed the jury to hear things about what may have gone on between your nephew and Nikki.”
Georgette’s eyes glistened. She stared off into space for a moment.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I cannot begin to fathom how difficult this year has been for you.”
“She should have told us,” Georgette said. “Or I should have seen it. That’s something I’m going to have to figure out how to live with.”
“Georgette,” I said. “There’s something I need to ask you about. I have some concerns about another witness. Can we talk about Jody Doehler?”
“Jody?” she said. “What’s he done?”
“Nothing. Well, there are some ... discrepancies in his story that I’m trying to clear up.”
“What kind of discrepancies?” she asked.
“Georgette, you’re aware Jody provided critical testimony about Mickey and Skylar’s relationship.”
Georgette reached for her own cup of coffee and took a sip. “He said he heard that little bastard threaten to kill my niece. He wasn’t the only one.”
“Actually, he was,” I said. “We have other witnesses who saw Mickey get physical with Skylar. But Jody’s the one who said he expressly heard Mickey threaten to kill her. I’d like to talk to him more about that claim. I may have to call him back to the stand.”
“Jody’s a little soft in the head sometimes,” she said. “He’s a good boy when he does what he’s told. That sister of mine could never keep him out of trouble. That fell to Louie and me. Isn’t that right, honey?”
Lou Sutter had a finger pointed at the television. “I don’t know how that wheel doesn’t knock more of these idiots in the head. I saw it do that once. Funniest damn thing …” He chuckled to himself.
“Have you seen Jody today?” I asked. “Nikki thought maybe he’d come down to do some work for you.”
“He’s down at C.J.’s house,” she said. “I’ve been thinking of letting him live there. Patty’s daughter doesn’t want anything to do with it. She said she’d sell it to me. Nikki owns Kevin’s house. I’d like it if she moved in. I want to keep an eye on her after all of this.”
I had a feeling that was the last thing Nikki needed. Waynetown wasn’t good for her. She’d moved on, put the trauma of her younger years with Chris Sutter behind her. Now, I hoped guilt wouldn’t tie her here when all was said and done.
“Georgette,” I said. “I have to ask you something. Do you mind if I’m blunt about it?”
“I wish you would be,” she said.
“Jody,” I said. “Is it possible, that is, can you think of a reason he might have lied about what he heard between Mickey and Skylar?”
“What do you mean, lied?”
“Well,” I said. “I’m no longer convinced he actually overheard Mickey threaten to kill Skylar. Where he said it happened doesn’t track. There’s a bit of a hole in his story.”
“You think he lied?”
“I think I have more questions than answers about his story now,” I said.
“Does that woman know that?” Georgette said. “His lawyer?”
“I don’t know what she knows,” I said. “I’m just trying to make sure I prepare for every contingency. I believe Mickey’s lawyer is going to rest her case soon. If there’s any chance Jody was lying, I need to talk to him. I need to know why.”
“You think she’s gonna win, don’t you?” Georgette said. She went still.
“Like I said, I’m just trying to cover all of my bases.”
“Four thousand!” Lou shouted at the television. “She’s out of her damn mind. That Lincoln alone is worth four thousand.”
He batted his hand at the screen and turned his recliner toward the window. Bob Barker told a hapless contestant from Kenosha, Wisconsin, that she’d overbid the Showcase Showdown by over three grand.
“Grandma.” Nikki came around the corner. “I’m heading into town to meet a friend. Can I bring anything back for you and Gramps? I can hit the grocery store.”
“We’re good, honey,” Georgette said. “You have a good time.”
“Call me if you think of anything,” Nikki said. She gave me a wave, then left through the front door.
“So, Jody,” I said. “Do you know where I might find him? I need to talk to him about his testimony.”
“I don’t understand,” she said. “If he was lying, what does that have to do with you? Isn’t that the other lady’s problem?”
“I just want to talk to him,” I said. “That’s all. If he’s called back to the stand, he needs to be prepared.”
“Are you going to call him back?” she asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Hmm. Well, I just don’t see the point in any of it. Mickey’s going to jail. I was in that courtroom too. I saw that jury. They think he did it. Don’t you worry, honey. You’re doing a good job. I think God put you into our path for a reason. I think my Kevin is looking down, and he’s smiling, knowing you’re in his corner. And he’s right there next to his daddy, my Thomas. You know, that’s what gives me peace. Knowing Thomas and Kevin are together.”
It was then I noticed the new portrait on the wall next to Thomas Sutter and baby Tina. Kevin Sutter’s picture hung beside them. Georgette had lit three candles beneath them.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence,” I said. “But I really do need to talk to Jody again. If you see him …”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll make his way up here sometime today,” she said. “You want me to call you when he does?”
I rose to leave. “That would be helpful, yes. Only, would you mind not telling him what we talked about?”
She shrugged. “
If you don’t want me to, honey, I won’t.”
She put a hand on my back. “Don’t you worry. I told you. I had a feeling about you the day we met. It’s all going to work out. My advice to you? Eat something. You’re skin and bones.”
I laughed. “I’ll try.”
“Wait here,” she said. “I’ll go fetch your coat.”
She walked out of the living room, leaving me alone with Lou Sutter. He had a far-off expression in his eyes. I could hear Georgette humming as she walked down the hall.
An awkward moment passed. Lou’s program had ended and the TV went dark.
“How are you doing today, Mr. Sutter?” I asked.
He didn’t answer. He just kept staring out the large bay window, watching as Nikki’s car rounded the drive and disappeared down the hill.
“Always telling everyone what to do,” Lou said.
I looked behind me, then back toward the hallway. It was just the two of us.
“Rosemary always said she’d end up killing them all,” Lou said. “She will too. That one’s got a mind of her own. Tried to spread her wings. She’s got ’em clipped now. Poor kid.”
He seemed here and not here. Did he mean Nikki? I’d thought the same myself. She’d spread her wings and flown to Seattle. Now, with the murders and the trial, she might never fly back there.
“Rosemary?” I asked. I envisioned the Sutter family tree I had taped to one wall of my office. Lou’s older brother Ray had married a woman named Rosemary. But she’d died decades ago. Did he think Nikki was Rosemary?
“She’ll say they deserved it,” he said. “She’s probably right. But maybe that’s not for us to decide, isn’t that right, kid?”
He looked straight at me now and gave me a quick wink.
“She?” I asked. “Mr. Sutter …”
He reached into the side pocket of his recliner. He brought his hand out. For a split second, I thought he was holding a remote control. Then, the metal gleamed in the sunlight coming through the window.
It was a handgun. A small, semi-automatic. My memory flashed to the pictures of the nine-millimeter Luger Will once showed me as he hypothesized about the Sutter Seven murder weapon. No. It couldn’t be.
