Bus Stop at the Last Chance (Loni Wagner Western Mystery Book 2)

by Sue Hardesty

  “Just tryin’ to cheer you up. How'm I doin’?”

  “You're about as cheerful as that dirty dishrag you been pushing around.”

  “Speakin’ of dirty, how come you're covered with so much dirt? Didn't know cops did any work. Or even knew how.” Laughing at her disgusted expression, Elmer slid a tall glass of Coke in front of Loni. “Maybe you should stay downwind from my customers.”

  Pushing the cat's head out of her drink, Loni picked up the glass and turned on her stool to look around the empty bar. It was the same as when she came to get Willie and haul him home. Bright halogen lights couldn't brighten the gloomy room with the grime engrained in its walls of dark pine tongue and groove boards and wide floor planks. The windows covered with advertisements didn’t let much light in. She turned back to stare at Elmer.

  “Church ain't out yet.” Elmer grinned at Loni. “Only heathens hanging around now.” His grin revealed a mouth full of gold teeth. Elmer put his money where his mouth was, swearing it was retirement money nobody could take from him.

  “Okay, you've made enough fun of me. Tease your cat for awhile and answer a question.”

  “Maybe. What you want to know?”

  “How much cooking flour do you use?

  The look on Elmer's face was priceless. “What kind of question is that?”

  “Just wondering. Do you use five pounds a day? A barrel a week? What?”

  Elmer couldn’t seem to stop laughing. Finally he grunted, “This here's a bar, Loni, not a fancy restaurant.” Elmer pointed to the grill at the end of the bar. “Wine, burgers and chips, that's it. And no, I don't make my own buns.” Wiping down the tired bar again, Elmer threw the rag in the sink and wiped his huge hands on a towel flung over his bulky shoulder. He picked up Loni's glass, refilled it and slid it back to her. “Only flour I use is Wonder flour for gravy and that's at home. I buy all my buns, pickles, and hamburger from Pat's store.”

  “You don't get any flour from a delivery truck?”

  “Nope.”

  “So you don't get any deliveries from a green truck?”

  “Just said no. Drink your damn Coke and stop asking me stupid questions.” Elmer walked to the other end of the bar.

  Loni was ready to shout another smart remark when a slap on the back of her head made her jerk around. Janet Jace hopped up on the stool beside her.

  “What was that for?”

  Janet laughed. “Just making sure I have your attention.”

  “Think about a gun in your face the next time you do that. Would that be good enough attention for you?”

  “Oh bullpucky, would you just listen up? I have to ask you something, and you have to promise not to laugh.”

  A yellow butterfly just above Janet’s left breast showed through a thin tank top, and her matching black shorts showed a lot more skin. Loni took a deep breath and forced her eyes up to meet Janet's amused face. “Hello, Janet, how the hell are you? Where'd you come from? How'd the Tony Branger case come out, and how come I never got called to testify? Do you hit everybody you sit beside, and how the hell did you find me?” Janet tried to interrupt but Loni stopped her with a finger on her lips. “Here's what I really want to know.” Loni leaned over and whispered in Janet's ear, “How many tattoos do you have, and when can I look for the rest of them?”

  Pushing Loni back, Janet gave Loni a disgusted look. “I'm good, back door, Sal put it off, and no, I only hit you because you'll need it for something like that last question, and who could miss that ugly monstrosity you pretend to drive.” Janet crossed her eyes as she grinned, finishing with “Too many butterflies for you to ever count.”

  Loni couldn’t block her blush. “She put off the trial? You're kidding, right?”

  “Nope. She told Carl he needed to get her more evidence.”

  “You're talking about the kid who ran his girlfriend out of her own apartment and threw her clothes out the window to her front yard with beaucoup neighbors watching. Then, when she got to her parents house he called her on his smart phone and sent her pictures as he burned them? That kid?”

  Janet snapped back, “Since when do you speak French?”

  “Just answer my question.”

  Janet gave her a weak smile. “Yep.”

  Laughing, Loni shook her head. “Good luck finding more evidence with that one. It's one of mine. I cuffed him still trying to light more fires.”

  “Back to why I followed you into this dive. Do you think Sal's husband would shoot me?”

  “What for?”

  “Well, to put it bluntly, he caught us in his bed and kicked Sal out of the house. Then he threw out all her clothes.”

  Loni burst out in loud laughter before she could stop herself. “Well, damn! Did he burn them too? Sal could be her own witness if she's sure she saw enough while she stood there watching and all.”

  “It's not funny, Loni. Would you lower your voice? I don't want everyone to know.”

  “Shit, Janet. Would you stop worrying?” Loni paused a few seconds, grinning. “Besides, the town newspaper doesn't come out until tomorrow.” Grinning, Loni watched Janet's eyes get huge before she realized Loni was joking.

  “Shit!” Janet slugged Loni on the arm. “That's not funny, either.”

  “How'd you end up here in bed with Judge Sal? Aren't you from Boston?”

  Janet sighed. “We met last year in Boston at a seminar on criminal justice. One thing seemed to lead to another. You know?”

  “So, naturally, you followed her all the way out here and she didn't even know you were coming.” Loni got her chortling under control. “If you two are worried about him taking a gun to you, how come you're still in town?”

  “Shhhhh!” Janet looked around furtively and waved Elmer off as he started toward her. “Charlie Thorton's trial goes to summary in the morning, and we can't leave. You know she's the judge, and I'm the defending attorney.”

  “Of course I do. I had to testify, remember? But I heard it was over. So what do you want from me?”

  “Come to the trial and keep an eye on her husband so he doesn't cause any more trouble?” Janet pleaded.

  “Why don't you tell Carl?”

  “Because Carl would tell his wife, and June would have it all over town. I'd feel better if you did it. Will you come? Please.”

  Loni sighed and nodded in agreement.

  Janet disappeared out the back door just as the opening front door cast a bright light across the floor. Squinting to identify the two silhouettes, Loni recognized them. Oh, god. Just shoot me now.

  “I need to talk to you.” Lola said as she headed on to the restroom at the back of the bar. “Don't leave.”

  Junior stopped behind Loni. “Heard about the buzzard you rescued. Been glad to grab my shotgun and take care of that bird for you.” Junior's big cawing laugh bounced around the room.

  Spinning her stool to face him, Loni cringed at Junior's exaggerated Texas slow drawl. “No thanks, Junior. Do appreciate the offer though. Didn't want you to miss and be embarrassed.”

  “No way. A Texan never misses.”

  “That's true. I heard about this Texan that never missed. Wanted to get rid of a wart so he shot it off along with his finger. I figure since you Texans don't care what you shoot, I don't want to be anywhere near you.”

  “You're crazy, Loni.” Junior shook his big head in disgust. “Heard you're looking for me.”

  “Yeah, Junior. The next time you fob off a rape, I really am gonna shoot you.”

  Face wrinkled in a frown, Junior looked Loni up and down and stared at the drink in her hand. “Shame, Loni. You know Injins can't handle liquor. Better give that to me.”

  “Too late now, Junior. This is my fifth drink.”

  “Give me that, Loni.” Junior reached for her drink as Loni pushed it out of his way and shoved at him. “Get away from me!”

  “Okay then, give me your gun, or so help me God I'll take it away from you.”

  “Touch me again, and you're
gonna need God's help.” Loni slid off the stool and backed away from Junior. “You know what else, Junior? Next time you ignore a rape case it'll be your balls I shoot off.”

  “What's going on?” Lola pushed in between them.

  “Yourstupid boyfriend istrying to take my gun away from me.”

  “He's not my boyfriend." Lola spat at Loni before she turned to Junior. “Why do you want her gun?” Lola stared at Junior in confusion.

  “Because, Lola,” Loni shrieked in frustration, “his head is so far up his ass that this brains are scrambled and he thinks his shit don't stink.”

  “See what I'm sayin here, Lola? She's an Injin, and everybody knows Injins can't handle their liquor. Just look at her. She's so drunk and filthy she looks like she wallowed with that buzzard!”

  With a look of disgust, Lola grabbed Junior's belt and jerked him around, facing away from Loni. “One!” She reached up and grabbed Junior's nose. “She doesn't drink. That's a Coke. And two! What you're saying about Native Americans just isn't true. And three! She's been out at the ranch helping her granddad. She might be dirty, but it's from hard work and, let me repeat, she isn't drunk!”

  “All Injins drink! Even worse, she's queer!”

  “Junior, don't ever call her that again!” Lola’s voice climbed to a screech. “I'm also part Native American. What's more, I'm gay.”

  Junior snorted. “You can’t be no queer. I don't date no queers.”

  Well, shit. a date? Loni decided it was a good time to leave. She quietly slid off her stool and left the bar as Lola’s loud voice, informing Junior they were not dating, followed her out the door.

  Her brain reeling from Lola’s revelation and Junior's declaration, Loni stumbled into the Oasis, the last place left where she could look for Willie. He hadn’t been there. And nobody bought flour off the Thursday truck. Driving home in spiking fear, Loni parked inside the hangar, turned off the motor, and climbed down as Coco pushed by her. She stood by the large hangar door waiting for Coco to reappear from the pitch dark.

  The black silence left Loni with an uncertain feeling. The moon was still chasing the sun early in the morning eastern sky, and she missed its soothing glow at night. A coyote yipping in the distance shooed Coco back inside and the brown poodle huffed as she shot up the stairs in front of Loni as she turned on a small light at the bottom of the stairs. After a bowl of Shiichoo's menudo, she fell into a restless sleep with Coco curled up next to her. Her dreams turned soft as she felt Maria surround her. Suddenly she jerked awake and sat up. Oh, my god! Loni realized Maria's face had morphed into Lola's.

  CHAPTER 22

  LONI WAS EARLY, but the courtroom was already overflowing. The whole town must be at court, Loni thought. There were always problems finding a parking space on court days, and this murder trial made it even worse. Loni worked her way up front until she sat directly behind Sal's husband, Wesley. A look of relief crossed Janet’s face, and she gave her a little wave. Wesley turned from staring at Janet and locked eyes with Loni.

  Seeing the pain in his drawn face, Loni leaned forward and whispered, “I'm really sorry, Wes.”

  Wes nodded. “So am I, Loni. So am I.”

  “All rise!” The side door opened, and Judge Sal stalked behind the bench. Her black hair spiked out around her taut face. Sitting down, Sal studiously avoided looking at her husband as she faced the packed courtroom.

  “Please be seated!” the bailiff called out.

  No one settled. The milling people talked as if they were waiting for something to happen.

  Sal banged her gavel three times and shouted, “Sit down and shut the fuck up.” The room was instantly silent. “Defense. You're up.”

  Janet took a deep breath and stood, facing the jury. “Against my recommendation, my client insists on his own summation.”

  Janet traded places. In his thirties, Charlie Thorton owned one of the biggest feeding pens just outside of town. He had been good-looking, but the good life was beginning to show, and his yellow shirt showed a small paunch that the grey sports jacket didn’t hide. He smoothed down his tie and quietly looked around, making eye contact with each jury member. A few of them gave him nods and slight smile while others looked away.

  “You all know me,” he said as he paced up and down in front of the jury, his boots echoing on the wooden floor. Sorrow filled the warm brown eyes almost covered by the curly brown hair falling on his forehead. “You know my folks and how tight a family we all are. In fact Maud there,” Charlie pointed to a stocky grey-headed juror in the back row who lifted her head a bit, “was my mother's midwife. You all watched me and my brothers grow up here. Hell, we all look alike!”

  Three of the older jury women gave Charlie big smiles as they nodded in agreement. A man in the back row chuckled. “You know they would do anything for me.” Again, Charlie got several nods as he kept his eye contact with the jury. “Even lie for me.” The jury members fidgeted, and a few of them frowned.

  Wondering where Charles was going with this, Loni leaned forward on the railing separating her from the action in front of her and tried to watch his eyes.

  Charlie turned to Judge Sal. “They hired me a lawyer when I said I didn't want one. I even tried to fire her, but she wouldn't quit. Said I wasn't the one paying her.”

  The restless wave that passed through the audience quieted when Judge Sal lifted her gavel and stared out at them. “The facts of this case as I see them, since I was the only one there as a witness, are these. We went to a party at the McCluar’s. You all know them.” Charlie looked for the couple in the audience and pointed them out. Smiling again, jury members nodded at the McCluars.

  Charlie gestured as he paced in front of the jury. “I drank too much at the party and, even though my wife tried to stop me, I kept drinking while I drove home. Barbara got really mad because I wouldn't let her drive. She tried to take the bottle away from me just as we were driving over the bridge on the Santa Cruz River. I lost control and we went into a spin. When we stopped, the passenger door was open, and Barbara was gone.” Tearing up, he stopped and stared into space for a few seconds.

  Loosening his tie, he turned back at the jury. “Here's the thing. My family wants you to think it was an accident, that when I hit the bridge the door accidently opened and Barbara fell out. Did it really happen that way? Or did I shove her out as the prosecutor claims.” Charlie hung his head for a few minutes. Then he looked up. “But it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter whether she fell out or was pushed out. The point is I was drunk. I was stupid drunk. I am, therefore, totally responsible for her death. It doesn't matter how she died. I was drunk, and it’s my fault. I am guilty as hell and deserve to go to prison.” Charlie sat back down behind the table.

  Pandemonium reigned in the courtroom. No one paid any attention as Judge Sal banged her gavel. The bailiff released the jury and took Charlie away in handcuffs. Wesley followed and closed the door behind him. Loni joined the exodus into the street.

  Loni had missed lunch, but she wasn’t hungry. She spent an hour wandering through the town bars and alleys behind the bars looking for Willie. No one had seen him. It was as though he had dropped off the face of the earth, like losing Maria all over again.

  Loni kept herself busy at her desk by making a list of things to do in her search for the green truck. She took the paper and grabbed the tape dispenser off Lola’s desk. Intent on fastening it on her organizing board, Loni jumped as Lola's angry voice pierced her concentration. “Loni! Put that back where you got it!”

  “Geez. I only wanted to tape this list up.”

  “Use your own tape.” Lola stalked over to Loni and snatched the tape dispenser. Back at her desk, she moved every item in jerky moves.

  “Gad!” Loni said to Lola's back. “I have to agree with Carl about your counting each sheet of toilet paper fetish. Did anybody ever talk to you about your OCD?”

  Lola ignored Loni as she buzzed Carl and Junior through the main door into the building. They
were arguing so loud everybody came running, worried about trouble. “Goddamnit, Junior!” Carl growled. “I don't care what you did in Texas. Here you pay for your goddamn coffee.”

  “Why? I'm a cop, for god's sake. It's what I deserve for servin’ and protectin’.”

  “That's why, you dumb ass. It's like taking a bribe. You accept nothing free, do you hear me?” Irritated, Carl turned to Loni with a nod back at Junior. “El es codo duro.”

  Junior dropped his big Stetson hat on Lola's counter. “What did he say?”

  Loni turned toward Junior with her sweetest dimpled smile as she purred, “It means, Junior,” her voice slowly rising in pitch, “you're a cheap sonofabitch! And now that I have your full attention,” Loni’s voice rose a few more notches as she stepped into his space, “give me back my goddamn files.”

  Junior turned to Lola. “Help me out here, Lola.”

  Twirling the bracelets on her arm, Lola frowned. “Why can't you give her back her files?”

  Junior shook his head so hard Loni thought he might damage his brain. “Come on, Junior,” Loni insisted. “I just need the file on Chui's Mexico contacts. I want to ask them if they remember seeing a green delivery truck anywhere along Devil’s Highway.”

  “I don't care what you want!” Junior bellowed. Grabbing his hat, he stomped to the main door and shoved out of the building.

  Furious, Loni watched him go. “You know what, Lola? You should pick your company better. No wonder you married a loser.”

  Lola's green eyes sparked in anger. “I don't see your ring on my finger.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Loni flared back until she saw the hurt on Lola’s face. Loni’s entire body sagged, and she dropped her head into her hands.

  Lola's voice softened. “He was only buying me a hamburger to thank me for my help. More than you’ve done lately.”