by M. Z. Kelly
***
After Faith was transported to the hospital for treatment, I told Wade that Jack might have taken the children to the coast. “His family has a cabin in some place called Timber Cover.”
Wade said he knew the area, then asked me if Faith had said anything about Darren Larsen.
“She said she was in love with him.” I looked at Wade. “She then said something else, but I couldn’t hear it over the helicopter.”
Wade took out his phone. “Let me make some calls and see what arrangements I can make for us to go to Timber Cove.”
As it turned out, the arrangements involved Wade and I going ahead, while plans were made for a small platoon of officers to follow us. Timber Cove was located a couple hours from Napa in a rugged section of the Sonoma coast, near the town of Jenner. We learned from public records that the Winslow’s cabin was down a dirt lane, overlooking the ocean.
Wade and I stopped on the highway and surveilled the cabin. Other than the small house, the area was desolate and windblown, a blanket of fog drifting just off shore.
“The car in the driveway if Jack Winslow’s SUV,” I said.
“How do you want to handle this?” Wade asked, causing my thoughts to surface.
“I’m worried about the children. If we wait for backup, there’s no telling...”
I stopped talking in mid-sentence when I saw a man and two children leaving the small house and walking toward the cliffs above the ocean.
“Looks like Jack and the kids,” Wade said at the same time a woman appeared from the house. “It must be Melody Evans.”
I opened the door. “Let’s go, but be careful. Winslow probably knows he’s wanted and is likely armed.”
Wade and I moved up to the house and stopped in the driveway. From where we stood, we could see them Jack, the woman, and the children taking a pathway at the back of the property down to the ocean. After they were gone, we moved up to the pathway and used the cover from the brushy hillside to also make our way down to the beach.
We were at the bottom of the path when we realized the tide was in. Jack, his children, and the woman were just a few yards away from us now. The woman then glanced over, looking at the pathway and spotting us. I saw her turning to Jack and saying something.
In that moment, I realized we had gotten it all wrong. The woman with Jack Winslow was Claudette Maxwell. I tried to make sense of what had happened. We knew that Claudette had been involved with Jack in the past, but Melody Evans’s brother had held Faith captive and tried to force her sign the codicil. How did Melody fit into the picture?
We held our positions as Jack removed a gun from his waistband and pointed it in our direction. “Stop right there.”
Wade and I had our guns drawn as I yelled, “It’s over, Jack. Drop the weapon.”
“I just want to live my life in peace. You have no reason to bother us.”
Wade spoke up. “I’d call the kidnapping of your wife and murder of Darren Larsen, two pretty good reasons.”
Jack looked at Claudette, even as the children had moved had off toward the water. “It’s your fault,” he screamed at her.
“What are you talking about?” Claudette demanded. She looked back at Wade and me. “I had nothing to do with this.”
“We know about the codicil, Owen’s trust fund,” Wade said to them. “Give yourselves up.”
There was lots of yelling now, Jack and Claudette blaming one another for what had happened. Claudette put her hands on her hips, yelling obscenities at Jack. He then moved the gun in her direction. She started to leave him, walking toward Wade and me.
I lowered my weapon and reached out toward her. There was a sudden explosion and I realized Jack had fired his weapon. The impact of the bullet caused Claudette’s head to explode. Jack then moved his weapon, aiming it toward us. It left Wade with no choice. He discharged his service weapon, cutting Jack Winslow down where he stood.
We moved up, kicking the weapon from Jack’s hand.
“I had no choice,” Wade said, obviously in distress.
I tried to reassure him. “I know. You did what had to be done.” I looked toward the water, seeing that the children were looking in our direction. “Go check on the kids. Keep them away.”
As Wade left, I saw that Jack was still breathing and bent down to him. I asked the one question that was still unanswered. “Why?”
His eyes fluttered, closed, and then opened. “Owen...it was because...of Owen.”
“What are you talking about?”
He drew in a ragged breath, his final words barely audible. “Darren was...his father.”
FIFTY-ONE
Wade and I spent the next couple days being interviewed and preparing reports on the events at Timber Creek for both the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department investigators and Napa PD. Faith Winslow had been released from the hospital and reunited with her children, and her son Owen was finally getting the help denied to him. We were now certain that the kidnapping scheme had been orchestrated by both her husband and Claudette Maxwell to steal Owen’s trust fund.
Faith had confirmed that Darren Larsen was her son’s father. She said Larsen knew he was the father and was concerned that Jack was being both abusive to Owen and not letting him get the help he needed. She believed Larsen had come to Napa and planned to confront Jack on the day he was murdered.
Faith had been certain that Melody Evan’s brother, Henry, was involved in her kidnapping. She believed he was the one who had taken her on the day she went missing. She also told us the attorney had prepared the codicil she had refused to sign and had abused her while she was held captive.
Henry Evans had been arrested, but refused to waive her rights and talk. His sister had been more helpful. Melody admitted having an affair with Jack, but adamantly denied being involved in the kidnapping scheme. She recalled Jack asking her about her brother’s expertise in preparing wills and trusts one night. She speculated that Claudette Maxwell had involved her brother in the kidnapping plan and used him to draft the codicil to the will. We had no reason not to believe Melody and no charges had been filed against her.
On my final day at Napa PD, I made the rounds, thanking Chief Howard and Lieutenant Sutton for their hospitality. As Wade walked me to my car late in the day, he said, “I’ve been told there’s a place here for you if you ever decide to leave Hollywood.”
I chuckled as we stopped at my car. “I’m a city girl, but I appreciate the offer.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you how things are going with Dave. Did he ever talk to you about what happened during the war?”
I decided that I needed to keep what was said to me confidence. “We’ve grown closer and had some nice talks.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything, maybe sensing by reticence.
I fished my keys from my purse, asking him, “Any idea what your next assignment will be now that I’m leaving?”
“Yeah. It looks like I’ll be working a case that will take about nine months and probably eventually result in lots of sleepless nights.” He smiled.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
His smile grew wider. “We just found out my wife, Gina’s, expecting. We’re hoping for a boy.”
I hugged him. “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”
After saying our goodbyes, I took my time driving to the winery. The sun was low on the horizon, the rolling hills ablaze with fall color. When I turned into the winery, I saw there were several cars parked near Dave Turner’s house and people were gathered on his lawn. Dave waved to me, so I stopped and went over to him.
“What’s going on?” I asked, at the same time giving Cruz some attention.
He smiled, “Just getting together with a few old friends.”
My brows inched together. “Really?”
The smile was still there. “I contacted a veteran’s group about guys from the war with PTSD. They arranged for a meeting here tonight.” His gaze moved over to the men and
women on her terrace. “I think it’s a good place for new beginnings.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m happy for you.”
We chatted about the gathering for a couple minutes before I told him I was leaving in the morning. “I’ve got a case I’m anxious to work on when I get back.”
His disappointment palpable. “You sure you have to leave tomorrow? I was hoping to ask you out on a real date.”
I smiled. “That would be wonderful, but I’m afraid duty calls. My flight leaves at noon.”
“Maybe you could come back up here for a little vacation one of these days. The cottage is yours anytime you want to get away.”
I hugged him. “That’s the best offer I’ve had in a long time.”
He surprised me by kissing me. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but it was long enough to make me realize I had feelings for him.
As I drove to my cottage, I smiled, the memory of Dave’s kiss still lingering. I had a feeling we would see one another again—and soon.
FIFTY-TWO
I got back to Hollywood late the next day because my flight was delayed. I went by Robin’s and picked up Bernie, got a bite to eat, then headed home. It was after dark when I pulled to the curb in front of our house, seeing there were lights and cameras set up in our yard and on the front porch. I realized they were shooting a movie. I found my friends on the sidewalk, talking to one of the actors. They came over and welcomed me home, at the same time giving Bernie lots of attention.
“What’s going on here?” I asked.
“The Dirty and the Dead,” Natalie said, her hazel eyes growing wider. “It’s about a bunch of monsters that climb out of the sewer and take over Hollywood.”
“They should be wrapping up in the next hour,” Mo told me. “Soon as they kill a dozen Biters.”
“Kill what?”
“Zombies,” Natalie said. “You gotta get out more.”
I sighed. “Yeah, I don’t see enough dead bodies. I’m going inside and getting something to drink.”
“We’d better warn her,” Natalie said to Mo. “You know how homicidal she gets.”
I folded my arms and regarded them. “What’s going on?”
“Fraid Uncle Fred, Nana, and Mattie are here. They’re makin’ plans for the BS Challenge.”
I groaned. “God, help me.”
“Maybe we’d better go with her,” Natalie told Mo. “She might use her gun on ‘em.”
We waited for a break in the movie shoot, then went inside where we found Fred and Nana arguing. Mattie also got in on the action, telling them, “I’m willing to join you, but I have image to maintain. I’m wearing one of those bathing suits from the roaring twenties.”
Nana stared at her. “You have to be nude to participate.” She lowered her eyes. “What’s the matter, you afraid of showing off that saggy body?”
I was surprised when Fred came to Mattie’s defense, telling Nana, “You got no room to talk, old woman.”
Nana scoffed. “And, I suppose you’re gonna show the world what little God gave you and then took back.”
I looked at my friends. “I think I need that drink.”
“Go ahead, run off and get drunk,” Nana said to me. “You don’t have anything worth showing to the world, anyway.”
While Mo forcibly escorted them out of the house, probably fearing I actually would shoot them, I followed Natalie into the kitchen.
“We need you to whip up a batch of them Cobra Fangs,” Natalie told our butler. “Kate’s ‘bout to go homicidal and needs to mellow out.”
After she left to check on our departing guests, I assured Otto that I wasn’t homicidal and asked him how things were going.
“To be honest, I missed you, madam,” he said. “It hasn’t been the same around here without you.”
I smiled and gave him a hug. “For the hundredth time, it’s Kate.”
“Of course, madam.”
After chatting for a moment, I said, “Robin mentioned that your recent date was...”
“Horrible.” He sighed, as he began gathering supplies for Natalie’s cocktails. “I think I’m too old for the dating scene.” He forced a smile. “It’s probably just was well.”
Bernie went over to him, wagging his tail, maybe sensing he was down.
“Don’t be silly and don’t give up,” I said. “Things will get better.”
“If you say so.”
After leaving him, Natalie and Mo joined me in the atrium.
“Glad I got that bunch of whiners out of here,” Mo said. “This place was beginnin’ to look like one of them adult day care places.”
I agreed, adding, “Are they really going to skinny dip?”
“Fraid so,” Natalie said. “I’m goin’ to get me a pair of them horse blinders so I don’t gotta look at ‘em when I jump in the reservoir.”
After discussing the upcoming charity event, their duties working security for Lance Worman, and how my case in Napa ended, Natalie asked me how I’d left things with Dave Turner.
“He invited me to come stay at his cottage again.” I smiled. “I just might take him up on it.”
“Sounds like you been bit by the wanna bug,” Natalie said.
“Huh?”
“It’s when you wanna be more than just be friends with a guy.” She nudged me as Otto brought in our drinks. “Kinda like me and Elmo.”
“Who?”
She handed out the Cobra Fangs. “He’s the director of the movie they’re shootin’ out front. We’re gonna go out for hexapod.”
“What’s that?”
Natalie looked at Mo. “She’ll never make it on that Jeopardy show.” She tipped up her drink, smacked her lips, then looked back at me. “They just opened a hexapod bar on Sunset. It’s the latest craze.”
“It’s an insect bar,” Mo explained with a grimace before downing her own drink. “You ask me anybody who wants to eat bugs is buggy.”
“Maybe you and Freddie want to join us,” Natalie said to me.
“It’s Grant, and, I think hexapod is probably an acquired taste.”
“You are gonna see the bloke again, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
She looked at Mo. “Ah oh. Sounds like Kate’s ready to leave another body in her wake.” She met my eyes. “They oughta call you man killer.” She saw that I hadn’t touched my drink. “Try your Cobra Fang, you’ll feel much better.”
I sniffed the drink. “What’s in it?”
“Rum, absinthe, and a touch of snake poison.”
“Swell,” I said, tasting the drink and finding that it burned my throat. “I can see how it got its name.” I stood, deciding that I would pass on the alcohol. “I think I’m going to call it a night. I’ll have a busy day back at work tomorrow.”
“You gonna go back to working that Russian sex ring case?” Mo asked.
“Maybe. Have you heard anything more about them?”
She set her drink down and nodded. “I heard they’re ‘bout to close up shop. They’re workin’ the girls they got in their posse and are plannin’ to leave town ‘cause the heat’s on.”
***
The next morning, I checked in with Lieutenant Byrd at the station and told him about my case in Napa. I then chatted with Leo and Al, before going with Olivia to assist her with a domestic violence homicide. The case involved a husband stalking his ex-wife and murdering her when she got into a relationship with another man. The suspect admitted what he’d done, but claimed his wife had been cheating on him. After interviewing him at Men’s Central Jail, we stopped at a coffee shop.
“I wish that just once, somebody would admit their crime and not make excuses or blame someone else,” Olivia said out of frustration after we found seats at a table.
“That would be about as rare as turning water into wine,” I said, at the same time giving Bernie a treat from my purse. It felt good to be back working with my furry partner who had fully recovered from his wounds.
She smiled. “You miss Na
pa?”
“Maybe.” My lips turned up and I mentioned Dave Turner. “He invited me to come back and stay at the cottage on his property. I just might take him up on the offer one of these days.”
“A wealthy winery owner. What could be better?”
“It’s not a simple as it seems. He has a lot of baggage from the war that he’s trying to process.” I sipped my coffee. “I’ve got my own baggage, so maybe that makes us a good fit.”
“Don’t we all.” She worked on her muffin. “I’m just happy that Harlee is finally in custody.”
“I told Joe Dawson I want to talk to her, see what she knows about Daniel.”
“Is he going to arrange it?”
“He said it has to go through channels, so we’ll see.”
We went on for a moment, Olivia asking about Pearl. I told her there was nothing new, then brought up the Anna Levkin case. “What do you think the chances are that the lieutenant would let us take another shot?”
“Same as the water into wine scenario.”
I showed her my phone. “I got this text from Walt Goddard with HTU this morning.”
Oliva read the text aloud. “CI on sex ring case says multiple players in game. Girls called Daisies work for players called matchmakers. Celebs and power players involved. Will advise if get more.”
“What do you think?” I said.
Her eyes brightened and she smiled. “Let’s go talk to the lieutenant and see if we can turn this into wine.”
We got back to the station late that morning. I stopped by Jenny and Molly’s workstations, telling them about the HTU text. While we waited for Lieutenant Byrd to finish up a meeting, I managed to round up Leo and Al. We all then met in Lieutenant Byrd’s office.
After everyone settled in and Bernie took a snooze in the corner, I read everyone Goddard’s text. I then said to the lieutenant, “We know that Jason Murray was working with others, including a woman who called herself Laura. We’ve also got a girl out there named Donna that Murray recruited who may still be in the game.”
Leo chimed in before Byrd could respond. “We’ve all had the sense that we only scratched the surface on this case. And, I don’t have to tell you that the use of sex for power and manipulation is high on everyone’s radar in Hollywood right now.”
