The Body in the Gravel

by Judi Lynn

  “We’ll have to find the right dress for that. Nothing too severe.”

  Jazzi hadn’t ever worn anything severe. She couldn’t carry it off. She decided to change the subject. “Are Mom and Dad doing anything exciting?”

  Olivia’s eyes lit up. “They’re talking about going to New Orleans with Eli and Eleanore. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

  Dad had been talking about taking a vacation with his brother and his wife for a while now. The conversation turned to traveling, and she and Olivia finished their meal on a happy note.

  When they separated to drive home, Jazzi thought about how much fun it would be if she and Ansel took a trip with Olivia and Thane. She’d have to run that by him sometime. Maybe they could start small and spend a weekend in Michigan, up by Luddington, to see how that worked.

  Once she reached their house, she parked her pickup in the garage beside Ansel’s van. He’d beaten her home. When she walked through the door, she found him sitting at the kitchen island, feeding a few leftovers to George and the cats.

  “We didn’t eat supper at home, and they missed out,” he told her.

  She sat on the stool next to him and leaned into him. He wrapped an arm around her and grinned. “Did you miss me?”

  “We haven’t had enough us time.” She loved hanging out with him.

  “Tomorrow’s Friday, and then we have Saturday together.”

  “We haven’t finished Jerod’s basement.”

  He grimaced. “And on Sunday, your family comes for our meal.”

  She rubbed her cheek on his arm. “For the next few days, we’ll just have to touch each other every chance we get.”

  “I’ll rent a scary movie for Saturday night.”

  She frowned. “I was thinking of a chick flick.”

  “No, you get mushy and laugh when we watch those, but you don’t cling.”

  He had a point. “No guts or gore.”

  “I’ll find something creepy.” Ansel had this belief that if she got scared enough, she’d want him to hold her, which would put her in the mood for petting and other things when they went upstairs. Silly man. She’d want that if he whistled and nodded toward the stairs. It didn’t take much.

  Chapter 35

  On Friday, they started early and took a short lunch break, so that by the time Gaff came to pick her up, the gutters were finished. All of the outside work was done except painting the rest of the window trims. Jerod assured her that he and Ansel could cross that off their list on Monday while she was shopping. A good thing, too. Rain was predicted for late Monday night, and it was supposed to linger for most of the week.

  She slid in the car and glanced at Gaff. His expression looked as dark and foreboding as the upcoming thunderclouds. “You okay?”

  He pulled from the curb with a grimace. “When I called to tell Darby’s customer I wanted to stop to talk to him, he got belligerent right away. Turns out I arrested his brother a year and a half ago for robbing a convenience store. I didn’t recognize this guy’s last name, but that’s because his mom had remarried. There’s not one person in the family who hasn’t been hauled into the station for something—drugs, public intoxication, you name it. His mom spent time in jail for soliciting before her boyfriend bailed her out.”

  “Have any of them been charged with murder?”

  “Not yet.” Gaff turned east on Paulding Road. They passed the Catholic high school and kept going. “Eddie has a foul mouth and a worse attitude. If he gets to be too much for you, give the signal and we’ll leave. I can go back later on my own.”

  She appreciated his concern, but she worked a job where she dealt with lots of men. The majority of them kept things professional, but she’d met a few who were on the rough side. Their language tended to be salty or worse. She imagined Eddie must make them look like saints.

  “When we leave Eddie’s, we’ll drive to Shots and Spirits and see what we can learn there. If Eddie gets too cranked up, I’ll owe you a beer.”

  She laughed. “Why does every man think a free drink will even any score?”

  His lips twitched. “Because it works once in a while?”

  “I doubt it. If a woman accepts it, she was probably already interested or on the fence.”

  He glanced her way. “Afraid that’s about the best compensation a cop can offer a sidekick.”

  “In that case, I’ll take it.”

  The town’s housing subdivisions were behind them before Gaff turned onto a narrow, asphalt road. Farm fields stretched between long, gravel driveways that wound far back from the street. Gaff slowed and turned onto a drive that led to a run-down farmhouse with junk cars scattered in its front and side yards.

  Gaff turned off the engine and looked at her. “We’re here.”

  It was a sorry-looking place. If anyone had ever painted the clapboards, it didn’t show. She followed Gaff to the front porch. They waited until Eddie finally answered the door. He sneered at Gaff and motioned for them to step inside. So many engine parts littered the living room, it looked more like a garage with a couch and two chairs than the inside of a house.

  Eddie flopped onto the couch. His straggly hair was as greasy as his hands. “I was hoping to never see you again.”

  Gaff checked out the stains on the chair cushions and remained standing. “The feeling was mutual. Let’s hope we can get through this in a hurry. Then I’ll be on my way.”

  “After you drove so far?” He stared at Jazzi’s chest. “Looks like you brought me a booby prize to loosen my tongue.”

  He waited for her to be impressed by his wit. She wasn’t. She folded her arms over her breasts and stared at him.

  He shrugged. “Not the friendly type. But then, she hangs out with cops. That’s a strike against her right there.”

  Gaff pulled out his notepad and pen. “I came to ask you about Darby and the sand he delivered to you.”

  Eddie sat up and gripped the arm of the couch. “That’s what this is about? Did that son of a…” He glanced at Jazzi and then at Gaff. “Did the old crook finally rob the wrong person? Did the Better Business Bureau fine him for being such an…?” He stopped. “He owes me a load of pea gravel.”

  “I heard about your argument with him. How mad did he make you?”

  Eddie narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

  “Someone went to his company in the middle of the night, had a row with him, and hit him over the head with a shovel.”

  Eddie laughed. “Probably broke the handle. That man had a head as hard as a mule’s.”

  “It killed him.”

  Eddie jumped to his feet. “And you’re trying to pin it on me?”

  “Where were you on the first Monday of October?”

  Eddie paced to a side table and grabbed his cell phone. He scrolled through it and looked up triumphantly. “I spent the night with my baby mama. Her government check came that day, and she owed me some money.”

  “She’ll vouch for that?” Gaff scribbled down the information.

  Eddie grinned. “She’ll remember. I gave her a good old time.”

  Gaff wrote down the woman’s name, address, and phone number when Eddie gladly shared it with him. Then he returned his notepad to his pocket.

  “That’s it?” Eddie asked.

  “That’s all I have for now.” Gaff started toward the door and held it for Jazzi.

  “This has been so neighborly. Feel free to drop by any time,” Eddie called after them as they walked to Gaff’s car. “I’ll put the kettle on.”

  Once behind the steering wheel, Gaff grumbled, “That whole family thinks they’re too darn clever.”

  Jazzi glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Eddie standing on the porch waving good-bye to them. “It could have been worse.”

  “If you hadn’t been there, it would have been. They get on my nerves.”
/>   If Jazzi had seen the best of Eddie, she didn’t want to see his worst.

  On the drive to Wells Street and Shots & Spirits, Gaff drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “That was a dead end. I’ll check with Eddie’s girlfriend, but if her check came that day, he’d be there for his money. It was a long shot anyway, but you never know. Sometimes those lead to something.”

  They hit the five o’clock clog of traffic again before they found a parking space two blocks down from the bar. When they walked inside, they got the last two stools available. The bartender finished filling an order, then came to see them. He raised an eyebrow at Gaff. “You’re here again. You buying another beer for the lady?”

  Gaff nodded. “She’s earned it.”

  He laughed. “Hanging out with you should earn her a gold star. What’ll it be?”

  “A Michelob.” It was on tap, and the mugs were frosty cold.

  He went to pour her drink, then grinned at Gaff. “Working on a Friday, huh? No rest for the wicked.”

  “Every person we talked to said that Darby was losing it, getting more volatile all the time. Did you notice that?”

  “Oh, yeah, he fought with Whiskers almost every time they came in here. Never used to happen.”

  “Because of Haze?”

  “I thought so at first, but that was only part of it. When Haze first got here, those two strutted their stuff like roosters trying to impress a hen. But before she even settled on Whiskers, the two of them got into yelling matches until I had to toss them out a few times. I told them if they kept it up, they were done here.”

  Jazzi put down her mug and licked her lips. “Could you hear what they were fighting about?”

  His gaze slid to her engagement ring. “You’re a real pretty girl who doesn’t put on airs. If you’d hook up with me, I’d buy you a bigger diamond.”

  She shook her head. “I wouldn’t wear it. I asked for something that wouldn’t snag while I hammered or sanded.”

  He looked surprised. “That’s a first. Just makes me like you more.”

  Gaff grunted. “You should see her boyfriend—big and tall like a Viking. Steer clear of her. Back to Darby. Did you hear what he was arguing about with Whiskers?”

  He gave Jazzi one more look before answering. “Something about money. Whiskers swore Darby owed him money, but as soon as everyone looked their way, they both got quiet.”

  “Money can turn friends into enemies.” Gaff paid for the beer and added a generous tip. He looked around the crowded bar. “Does Haze work tonight?”

  “Nope, she and Whiskers left on her Harley. They rented a lake cabin for the weekend.”

  Gaff got to his feet. “Figures. Today’s been a bust.”

  The bartender grinned. “It’s Friday. Take Saturday and Sunday off, chill out for a while. Haze will be back on Monday.”

  “Tell her we’ll stop in to talk to her.” With a nod to Jazzi, he headed for the door, and she followed him. If Gaff didn’t want to take the weekend off, she did. She was ready for some quality time with a Norseman.

  Chapter 36

  Once they were in the car, Gaff turned to her. “Do you have to be home in a hurry? Do you have time for one more stop?”

  “Who else do you want to see?”

  “Walker’s mom and her new husband drove over to see him today. I’d like to question them in person instead of over the phone. Walker gets defensive about his mom. I thought it might help if you were with me.”

  “Does Walker know you’re coming?”

  “I warned him.”

  Curious, she asked, “How did you know they were coming?”

  “I called to set up a time to drive to Ohio to see them, and they said they’d be here after his mom got off work at the diner. Her husband took the day off. They’re going to stay overnight and spend all day tomorrow with Walker.”

  Jazzi nodded. “I’ll call Ansel and tell him I’ll be later than I expected. We’re going out for sausage rolls for supper tonight, so there’s no hurry for me to get back.”

  Gaff turned onto Main Street to drive to Walker’s place. “I’m taking Ann out tonight. We’re going to the Oyster Bar, have reservations for seven o’clock.”

  “It’s a little pricey, but the food’s delicious.”

  “It’s tradition,” Gaff told her. “Tonight’s our anniversary.”

  “How many years?”

  “Thirty-three. The woman’s a saint for putting up with me all this time.”

  Jazzi had met Ann when she invited Gaff and her to swim in their pond one hot summer day. She got the impression that there wasn’t much that would throw Gaff’s wife. She was a warm, down-to-earth woman. “No kids invited?”

  “Not tonight. Just Ann and me. She invited the kids and grandkids for supper on Saturday.”

  “You’re going to have a wonderful weekend.”

  He nodded. “Once I get this over with, I won’t be on duty till Monday morning.”

  When they turned into Walker’s drive, Jazzi noticed an SUV parked near the tri-level’s front door. She’d heard all good things about his mom, Rose. She bet Walker had missed her since he’d moved here.

  She stood to the side as Gaff knocked on the door. Walker opened it, looked at Gaff, and scowled, but he held it wide to let them in.

  “Thanks for coming with him, Jazzi.” He led them into the kitchen. “Mom started cooking the evening meal. I offered to take her and Gene out, but Mom brought everything to make one of my favorites.”

  The aromas from the stove made Jazzi’s mouth water. “Spaghetti?”

  He nodded. “With a Caesar salad and garlic bread.” When his mom looked at him nervously, he gave her a small smile. “Mom, this is Detective Gaff and Jazzi.” He motioned to the kitchen table. “And this is Mom’s husband, Gene.”

  Rose was an attractive woman, pretty, not beautiful, and petite. Jazzi wondered where Walker got his height. He got his coloring from his mom.

  She turned the burner on the stove to low, put a cover on the sauce, and went to join her new husband at the kitchen table. He reached across the smooth wood surface to give her hand a small squeeze. Walker took a seat next to her, and Gaff and Jazzi sat facing them.

  Gaff placed his notepad and pen on the table. “When was the last time you saw Darby, Mrs. Gilbert?”

  “Please, call me Rose. I think it was about three months ago.”

  Walker turned to her, surprised. “You drove to River Bluffs to see Dad?”

  “No, he tracked me down somehow and drove to Ohio to confront us. Just knocked on our door one day and insisted I go home with him. When I told him I was home, he got agitated.”

  He stared. “You never told me Dad came.”

  “I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Did he know you’d remarried?”

  She gently touched his arm. “He assumed that was why I asked for a divorce.”

  “Did he get loud and angry? Did he threaten you?” Walker’s hands tensed into fists.

  “Luckily, Gene had only gone to the drugstore because Darby got weird, not nasty. He told me nothing had gone right for him since I left.”

  Gene curled an arm on the back of her chair. “He wanted Rose to divorce me and remarry him. He wouldn’t stop talking about it. I finally had to threaten to call the police to get him to leave.”

  “Had he been drinking?” Walker asked.

  His mom nodded. “He shouldn’t have been driving, but we didn’t try to make him stay to sober him up. We just wanted him out of our house, but after he saw us, he kept calling me, over and over. He’d always said I was his good luck girl, and he believed his luck abandoned him when I left.”

  Gene gave a snort of derision. “It wasn’t the same as missing her. He wanted his luck back. Pathetic, isn’t it?”

  Rose tsked. “Darby was n
ever good at expressing his feelings. He’d never be able to tell me he missed me.”

  Gene shook his head. “We finally had to block his calls.”

  Gaff looked up from his notes. “Are you a jealous man, Mr. Gilbert?”

  “Gene. Call me Gene. No, not really. I’d never marry a woman I couldn’t trust. I trust Rose.”

  Rose smiled. “I stayed with Darby till Walker was grown. I’m loyal to a fault.”

  Gaff nodded toward Gene. “Is he protective?”

  Jazzi could see the light bulb go off over Rose’s head. She realized where Gaff was leading. “Yes, but he’s smart, too. He wouldn’t drive to River Bluffs to kill Darby. He’d hire a lawyer or talk to the police.”

  Gaff turned back a few pages in his notepad and scanned his information. “According to your previous statement, you and Gene were playing cards the night Darby died.”

  Rose nodded. “Our company didn’t leave until midnight.”

  Gaff flipped back to where his new notes were. “Plenty of time for you to drive to River Bluffs and back before work.”

  Walker’s gray eyes went wide. “That doesn’t mean they did.”

  “When Andy came to have it out with Darby, he saw a black SUV pull into the driveway. Its headlights lit up his pickup, and then it backed up and left. He thought it was the newspaper delivery guy, but you drive a black SUV, don’t you? Andy said it had a dent on the driver’s side, like someone had backed into it.”

  Rose stammered, “That has to be a coincidence.”

  Gene let out a long breath. “I brought a lawyer’s restraining order to hand to Darby myself. I wanted him to get the message—leave Rose alone.”

  It was Rose’s turn to stare. “When did you leave the house?”

  Gene grimaced. “I told you to go to bed while I changed into my pajamas. You were so tired after the card game, I knew you’d go right to sleep. I gave you ten minutes, then drove to River Bluffs. I left a note on the kitchen table, but you’d never gotten up during the night, so I just threw it away. That way, you didn’t have to worry.”