Greed & Deadly Deceit

by Ruby Blaylock

  Yeah, he died, just like everybody said, Annie replied. She hoped that just maybe, with a little time, Bo Michaels might just be able to resurrect his true identity, but for now, that was the least of his problems. There was still very likely a murderer on the loose, and Annie was determined to find out who it was and bring them to

  justice, if not for Adrian LaRue, then for Bo Michaels instead.

  22

  Rooting Out the Sly Foxes

  The morning, which had been slightly chilly, had warmed and brightened into midday. With the sun shining high above Rosewood Place, the estate held the look of something akin to a fairytale idyll. Wildflowers had begun to sprout along the length of the gravel driveway, while clusters of poppies, daisies, and petunias lifted haughty heads along the fence that surrounded a small graveyard to the west of the house.

  Birds and insects sang lazily, a song of work and wonder that would culminate in a steady, buzzing drone come the summer months. For now, they seemed content to hum rather than shriek, so the effect was pleasant and almost cheerful.

  Annie cracked open her diet Coke and took a long swig. She’d managed to cut down to only one or two cans a day, which was way better than the four or five that she’d been used to when she first moved back to South Carolina. Her mother had scolded her fiercely for drinking so much of anything with artificial sweeteners in it.

  Don’t you know that stuff is bad for you, Bessie had warned her. Annie could have said the same thing about her mother’s love of baked goods, but she didn’t want to be unkind. She knew Bessie was probably right, but giving up her daily caffeine fix had proven easier said than done. She now compromised with fewer diet soft drinks and more coffee, not the best solution, but one that would do for now.

  As promised, Emmett had sent over a van from animal control. Two animal control officers climbed out of the van and greeted Annie with matching expressions of concern. An older man with a nametag that read Derek and a young woman, whose nametag said Stefanie, explained the capture and relocation process to Annie.

  Normally, we’d like to leave them until they’re old enough to travel on their own with the mother, Derek explained, but if we can catch her, we’ll take them all in and keep them at the recovery clinic until they’re big enough to be relocated. I’m surprised that they nested this close to people--you said you only started seeing them recently?

  Annie explained about her mother’s dead chicken and the problems Frances LaRue had been having with foxes.

  Oh, yeah, we’ve got his chickens being fostered right now. Small world, huh?

  Annie thought it was odd that someone would be willing to foster a chicken, let alone several of them, but she was at least glad the poor creatures were being looked after.

  I’m glad you called us and didn’t try to move the cubs yourself, he continued. The mother foxes can get very aggressive if you touch the babies. We don’t want anyone getting hurt, not even Mama Fox.

  Annie left the duo to their work, content that they would safely capture and relocate the adorable baby foxes and their mother in no time. She retreated to her front porch, where Emmett was waiting for her in one of the rockers. She dropped down into the empty one beside him, her brow furrowed and a distant look in her eyes.

  They’ll do a fine job, he told her after noting the worry on her face. Stefanie and Derek are two of the town’s finest employees, he added. They just happen to look after many of its four-legged residents instead of the two-legged ones.

  I’m not sure if I’m more worried about the little fox cubs or the fact that my guest isn’t who he said he was, she replied. Or, maybe I’m more concerned with the fact that whoever killed Frances LaRue is still on the loose and potentially a threat, she added.

  Emmett’s expression darkened. I don’t want you to worry, Annie. We are doing all we can to figure out who did this, but you have to admit, this is a pretty unusual situation. I mean, everyone in town thought that Adrian LaRue was dead and gone, even me, I must admit. Yet, here he comes, all these years later, out of the woodwork.

  Hiding in plain sight, she reminded him. Emmett’s cheeks reddened.

  Well, even his own cousin didn’t recognize him, so I hope you wouldn’t have expected me to. I had only laid eyes on Adrian LaRue a handful of times when he was a little kid. I would never have expected Bo Michaels and Adrian LaRue to be one and the same. He twisted the edge of his mustache thoughtfully. I just wish I’d have known about how Frances LaRue was really treating that kid. Maybe if I had stepped in, or if somebody had, well, he wouldn’t have felt the need to run away.

  Annie shook her head. "Nuh-uh. The past is past, Emmett. You can’t beat yourself up for not knowing, and

  besides, Adrian, I mean Bo, turned out fine. In fact, he turned out better than fine. But now that we know who he really is, now is when you owe him your help. We’ve got a chance to help him get some closure, but only if we can figure out who killed that old man."

  Emmett nodded slowly. Some days, Annie Richards, I think I should just deputize you and be done with it. He smiled at her through eyes that looked a little more tired than usual, and Annie realized that this case maybe had been a difficult one for Emmett, too.

  I think we need to be looking closer at Bobby LaRue. Annie crossed her arms over her chest and swung one leg over the other, its foot tapping impatiently in the air. He just seems way too keen to get his hands on that property, if you ask me. And did Bo tell you that Bobby brought some piece of paper from an attorney over for Frances to sign? That sounds like he was trying to coerce the old man into signing away his property, if you ask me.

  Emmett sniffed, then pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose loudly. Darned allergies, he grumbled, then answered Annie’s question. He did mention it. I called Delbert and had him run over to the attorney’s office to verify this information.

  Delbert was a Coopersville Police Officer with good intentions and a weak stomach. He’d been the first police officer that Annie had encountered when she moved back to town, and despite being many years younger than Annie, he seemed to have developed a puppy dog crush on her. She hoped that Delbert would be able to get the information that the Chief needed, but she couldn’t help but think Emmett would be better off approaching the attorney on his own.

  Will he be able to tell you? I mean, doesn’t he have to maintain attorney-client privilege, or something like that?

  Annie, honey, you watch too much television. A lawyer may not divulge his client’s secrets to anyone, but if somebody tried to file for Power of Attorney, well, that’s not a matter of client privilege. Besides, I happen to know that Abernathy fellow and he seems like a decent guy. I don’t think he’ll mind helping our investigation.

  Bobby seemed so nice when he came here that day, but you saw how heated he got at dinner time. He just gives off that vibe, she added. Icky, that’s what she was feeling about him, but was he icky enough to murder a helpless old man just for a few acres of land?

  Well, while we can’t jump to any conclusions, I certainly have seen my share of bad things in my line of work. I guess I don’t need to tell you that trusting your gut is a good way to go, but we have to follow the line of the law here and double check everything. After all, besides Bobby LaRue, our next suspect happens to be a man who’s faked his own death and who’s been using an assumed identity for over a decade. We don’t know any more about his character than we do about Bobby’s, so it’s important to rely on the facts here.

  What do you think the LaRues are going to say when they find out Adrian isn’t dead? Annie had been wondering about this all morning, and she suspected that the LaRue reaction would be far less ‘happy families’ and more like an episode of the Jerry Springer show.

  Well, I don’t know how they’ll feel about it, but I do know one thing--how they react will be a great indicator of their character.

  Annie nodded. Yeah, if they freak out and yell at him, they’re probably the type of people who’d kill an old man for the
sake of a chicken farm.

  You said that, Emmett warned her, not me. Something in the far distance caught his attention. His smile melted away, only to be replaced by a firm set to his lips. Well, now, he sighed. Looks like you have another visitor. Things might get interesting around here, Annie, but maybe not in a good way.

  Annie turned her head to follow Emmett’s gaze. Bobby LaRue’s truck bounced up her driveway and came to a stop in the gravel patch that was used for parking. A thick cloud of dust, kicked up by his hasty arrival, settled around the vehicle, giving it the look of an angry bull nestled in a cloud of smoke. Bobby LaRue appeared, walking around the rear of the truck, his cowboy boots kicking up stones as he walked without a care in the world.

  Howdy, Miss Richards, he called out, sending up a little wave. He ambled up to the front porch and climbed the handful of stairs. Chief, he added, directing a nod at Emmett.

  Mr. Larue, Annie replied. Are you here to see Melody?

  Bobby grinned. I’m here to pick her up, he corrected Annie. We’re going to head over to my uncle’s old place and go sort through some of his old junk, start clearing it out.

  Son, you can’t do that, not just yet, Emmett warned him. I’m afraid that the house is technically still under police jurisdiction as a crime scene until we can verify some details about your uncle’s death.

  Bobby’s smile evaporated. His eyes flashed, and Annie could swear that his nostrils actually flared. I don’t see why I can’t go over there. That place belongs to my daddy now, and he’s giving it to me. And, not to be too blunt about it, but my uncle was a crazy old fool who tried to shoot anybody who came near him. However he died, however awful it was, I’m sorry to say that he won’t be missed by anybody.

  Emmett rose from his chair. Annie mirrored his movement. Just the same, I’d appreciate it if you just give us a couple of more days to finish our investigation. Once that’s done, your family can settle matters in peace. He turned to Annie before Bobby could reply. I need to get back to the office, check on some things, he told her. Stefanie and Derek will take good care of your vermin problem. Delbert and I will take care of that other thing.

  He gave her a brief hug, something a family member might do rather than his usual Chief of Police handshake or nod, then he headed down the porch steps without looking back.

  Rude fella, isn’t he, Bobby grumbled.

  Annie didn’t reply. Emmett’s actions spoke louder than his words. He believed the same thing Annie did--that Bobby LaRue was up to something, and that something might just involve the murder of Frances LaRue.

  Why don’t you come inside and wait in the sitting room? Melody is waiting on some things to finish in the laundry, but I’m sure we could whip up some lunch for y’all while you’re waiting.

  She walked past him, into the house, and pulled the screen door closed behind him as he followed. The part about Melody’s laundry had been a lie, but she hoped that he’d believed it. She needed to buy Emmett some time and she was not about to let Melody and Joshua leave Rosewood Place with someone who might be a murderer.

  23

  Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

  Melody was packing her bags when Annie knocked on her door. Annie entered the room at Melody’s insistence, the younger woman seemed happy to take a break from packing. Joshua napped soundly on the bed, beside stacks of clothing and half-packed suitcases.

  I’m not here about the bill, Annie explained when Melody scrambled for her wallet. You have a visitor, but before you go downstairs, I really wanted to talk to you about something.

  Melody’s face tensed into a frown. Oh, I guess Bobby got here early. I told him after lunch, but he just doesn’t seem to listen. She folded a small shirt--obviously Joshua’s--and placed it carefully in her suitcase.

  Well, that’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about. I know that it’s none of my business, but you seem like such a strong, independent young woman. I hope you aren’t going with Bobby because you feel like you have to. There was no way that she could say it that didn’t feel awkward, but Annie couldn’t let Melody walk out of her home with that man without at least saying something.

  Melody took a deep breath. You’re right, it’s not any of your business. Annie, I do appreciate every bit of kindness that your family has shown Joshua and I, but I owe it to my son to give him some kind of stable family life. Honestly, I don’t know if that’s going to be with Bobby or on my own, but I haven’t got much of a choice right at this moment.

  You do have a choice. And you don’t have to leave here today. In fact, I can comp you one free night here, just so you’ll have a little time to think things over. I mean, you really just got back with Bobby yesterday. Do you think Joshua is going to be thrilled about going to live with someone he just met?

  Melody chewed her bottom lip. Are you serious, I mean, about the free night?

  Annie nodded. Absolutely. And if you still decide to go with Bobby tomorrow, I will keep my big mouth shut and that will be the end of it.

  Melody narrowed her eyes. Why are you being so kind to me? What’s in it for you?

  Annie took a deep breath. I guess I’m paying it forward. When I was down and struggling after my husband died, I had no way of knowing if I could make this place a success. In fact, I sunk every penny I had into buying it, and I couldn’t even get a contractor to come and see me. Rory and my mother stepped up to help me, and now I just want to show someone else that kind of support, I guess.

  Melody’s eyes filled with tears. You are too kind, Annie, you really are. But, I really, really appreciate it. She closed the lid of the suitcase without putting anything else in. I think I will take you up on that offer, she said quietly. What do you think I should tell Bobby? He’s all set on going over to his uncle’s old place and clearing it out already. Can he even do that? Isn’t it still a crime scene?

  You can tell Bobby that you already paid for tonight and I won’t refund your money. Or, you can just tell him to kiss your grits and hit the road, Annie said flippantly. Besides, Emmett Barnes has already told Bobby he can’t get into that house just yet, so you might just be able to use that as an excuse, too.

  Melody stifled a giggle. I like you, Annie Richards. You are a very awesome person.

  Annie shrugged her shoulders. Eh, I guess I’ve gotten better with age. Just ask my mother. She’ll tell you that women are like wine--we get better, and wiser, as we get older.

  Annie turned to leave Melody and Joshua alone, but she paused in the doorway. I don’t know if I should be telling you this, but you know Bo Michaels, the other guest we have staying with us? Ask him about Bobby, if you get a chance. I can’t really say any more than that--it’s not my place--but just ask him. I think you’ll be surprised by what he tells you.

  Melody nodded slowly as Annie disappeared through the doorway. It wasn’t Annie’s place to go spilling Bo’s secrets to Melody, but she was fairly certain that he wouldn’t mind sharing them with the pretty young mother himself.

  Bobby LaRue had made himself at home in her sitting room while she’d been talking to Melody. Bessie must have brought him a mug of coffee, because he sat sipping it, phone in hand, when she arrived.

  Mr. LaRue, I’ve let Melody know you’re here, but Joshua is napping right now, so she may be a few minutes.

  Bobby shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Uh, ok, then. I guess she’ll get down here when she can. He

  glanced at his phone for the second time since she’d entered the room, and Annie couldn’t help but think that Bobby was expecting something it to ring or buzz with an incoming message.

  Can I get you anything while you’re waiting? She looked pointedly at his coffee cup.

  Uh, no, thanks. You’re mama already fixed me a cup of coffee. I’m good.

  Annie left him with his coffee and phone. She wanted to find Rory and tell him--what, exactly? She realized that he probably knew as much as she did about what was going on with the murder investigation and her guests’ drama. Sh
e also realized that she really just wanted to talk to Rory, about anything.

  Careful, Annie. You are letting yourself get carried away like some hormonal school girl. Her inner monologue couldn’t dissuade her from seeking him out, though, so she went to the most likely spot.

  Her intuition served her well. Rory was in the barn, hammering away at a piece of metal. I’m making a distressed copper gate for the coop, he explained. Had this piece of copper that’s not much use for anything else, but it’ll look really pretty when it’s up.

  Annie admired his handiwork. It’s sweet. Mama’ll love it, I’m sure.

  You just missed the Great Fox Hunt, he added. Animal control people finally rounded up the mama fox and her babies. They left about five minutes ago.

  Annie hadn’t even noticed that their van was gone. Well, good. I’d hate to see anything happen to those cute little cubs, but I don’t think my mother could stand losing any more hens. Those birds are becoming a bit of an obsession for her lately.

  He grinned across his workbench at her. I guess you’d know a lot about obsessions, he teased.

  And what is that supposed to mean? Annie’s cheeks felt a little flushed. She hadn’t flirted in years. This effort might just kill her.

  Well, maybe obsession is the wrong word, he conceded. You know a lot about passion. You’re a passionate person. He put down the mallet he’d been using. I’ve always admired that about you.

  Annie wasn’t entirely sure how to respond to his compliment. Well, I just...feel very strongly about some things, she replied, stumbling over her words.

  Rory took pity on her and dialled back his flirtation. I admire you, Annie Purdy. I always have. You stand by the strength of your convictions, even when they don’t seem like the most likely things.

  Rory never referred to Annie by her married name, and she never corrected him for it. Part of her felt a little thrill of nostalgia every time he used her maiden name. It reminded her of those heady, romantic teenage years she’d spent dating Rory before her life became something complicated and out of her control.