Killing the Secret

by Donna Welch Jones

  Lexie continued, “Which girls were with you?”

  “Mariah, Jamie, Beth, Abbey, Heather, Tina and Terri were all there. It was near Mariah’s birthday. We told the parents we were going on a weekend trip to celebrate. No one seemed the least bit suspicious.”

  Lexie’s voice was soothing, “Haven’t you been afraid the truth would come out?”

  He was silent, then nodded. “Yes, at first, but I did what I thought was best at the time.”

  The harshness returned to her tone. “Since you have a military background, I’m sure you know you’re a suspect. You certainly have a motive to want all the women dead.”

  His distress was evident in his voice. “I know this looks bad, but you’ll be wasting your time if I’m the one you’re investigating.”

  “And then there’s the other secret—Mariah’s.”

  The old man looked stunned. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Sean.”

  “Mariah had a hard time back then. Her Mom died and then her twin, Michael, died the year after. Sometimes she acted strange but she was depressed,” Sean explained.

  “Did she ever tell you what her team members found out that night by the lake?”

  He glanced up at Lexie and frowned. “A bunch of drunk teenagers. I wouldn’t put any credence in what they heard.”

  “Sean, will you voluntarily let me take a DNA sample and fingerprints?”

  “Yes. Anything to be left alone.”

  Her work completed, she left Sean on the front porch fingering the button his nervous fingers pulled from his shirt.

  Driving back to the office, her head was filled with questions she couldn’t answer. A lack of answers might result in four more deaths.

  Tye crossed his eyes and shook his head when Lexie walked into the office.

  “Doesn’t look like you’ve had a productive day,” Lexie said as she tried not to smile through the words.

  “That’s not the half of it,” Tye griped. “Nobody knew anything, but some of them pretended they did. Of course, everyone has a theory. There was only once that I couldn’t suppress a yawn. I’m proud of that accomplishment.”

  Lexie held up her Coke as if in toast. “And well you should be.”

  “How about you?” Tye asked.

  “At first, we had no clues or suspects and now we’ve got so many it’s more confusing than ever. It’s like having three puzzles with the pieces all mixed together. No way to know which one needs to be worked first, in order to catch the murderer.”

  “What’re you thinking?”

  Lexie responded, “It’s looking bad for Sean. He has the best motive for wanting the team members dead because of the potential impact on Mariah’s future.”

  “Mariah and her husband both have the same motive as Sean. Anyway, he doesn’t seem to have enough energy to murder people,” Tye reasoned.

  Lexie continued, “Then there’s all those people who would have a motive if they found out the truth. There’s the father of Loretta’s baby and that guy’s family. Maybe the midwife decided to shut up the people who knew about her side practice. Anyway, it’s a long line of connections that have gotten me nowhere.”

  “I didn’t find out anything today that I didn’t know already.” Tye sounded frustrated. “I guess I did discover that teenage girls can keep secrets.”

  “They had good reason with their championship season on the line. I assume that’s why they never told anyone.”

  Tye asked with hope in his voice, “Does that mean I can cancel the interviews tomorrow?”

  “Good try, big brother. Think of it as a challenge. See if you can make it through without any yawns at all.”

  “There’s a goal!”

  “Lexie, phone,” Delia called out, then immediately returned her attention to the computer.

  “Bryce at OSBI. Sheriff Wolfe, those three DNA samples from Washington, D.C.—they all came back male.”

  “Okay. I’ll get another one from Mariah. Sorry for the mix-up.”

  Lexie slammed the phone onto the receiver. I messed up the DNA samples from DC. I pulled hairs from two brushes thinking I had Mariah’s brush and her husband’s. Instead I ended up with two of his. Now I need to go back and get official samples. Only good thing is it’ll give me the opportunity to question her eye-to-eye before the reunion.”

  “No way am I letting you get on an airplane.” Tye’s tone was firm. “Someone might be successful in blowing you up this time.”

  “Be careful. You’re almost acting like you love your sister.” Delia’s mouth curved into a wide smile.

  “Don’t get overconfident,” Tye warned. “I’m just too lazy to do this job alone.”

  “Not to worry. I’m going to ask Red to fly me.”

  “Good.” Tye sounded relieved.

  “This guy has been awfully quiet.” Delia looked at Lexie. “Do you think he’s given up?”

  “I think he’s waiting for the reunion. It’ll be easy for him to blend in with the out-of-towners. We’re giving him the perfect opportunity to murder again.”

  “That sounds creepy,” Delia shivered.

  “Yes, but it will also be our best, and maybe only, opportunity to catch him. We’ll know he’s here with us.”

  “I don’t know if that’s a good thing.” Delia shook her head.

  Lexie changed the subject. “Delia, I need you to go by Beth’s in the morning. Write down everything they have planned for the reunion from Friday night through Sunday. We need the times, locations, and speakers. Find out when the four possible victims will be in close proximity. Make a sign-in sheet so we’ll have a list of everyone and where they are staying. I need their cell phone numbers and spouses’ names too.

  “I’ll phone her now and tell her I’m dropping by,” Delia responded.

  As soon as Delia was off the phone, Lexie picked up hers.

  “Red, you said to phone if I needed you, and this is it.”

  “I hope you need me in a physical way?” Red teased.

  “No. Sorry.”

  “I was afraid of that. What’s the deal?”

  “Can you make arrangements to fly me to Washington tomorrow?”

  “Is this so you can see the hunk again?” Red sounded a bit suspicious.

  “He’s the last person I ever want to see. If I trusted him, I wouldn’t even go. I’d just ask him to talk to Mariah.”

  “I’m convinced. I’ll phone you when I’ve made arrangements.”

  Ten minutes later Red was back on the line. “DC airport said we can’t get in until the afternoon, so you need to meet me at ten.”

  “Thanks,” Lexie responded.

  She started her directions before the phone hit its cradle. “I’ll cover for you in the morning, Delia.” She looked at Tye. “I’d appreciate it if you and Clay worked on possible deputies for the weekend. Also, phone the highway patrol and see if they’ll send us some extra manpower.”

  “Will do. Clay may not show up,” Tye reminded her.

  “Did you talk to him about the drinking?”

  “No. He’s just having some party time,” Tye explained.

  “Your excuse for him aside—that’s not the image I want for the sheriff’’s department.”

  Clay entered the door as Lexie finished her sentence. He was closely shaven and his uniform was neatly pressed.

  “Now, that’s the image I like to see,” Lexie commented with a smile.

  “What?” Clay didn’t understand.

  “Just referring to a previous conversation,” Lexie said. “I’m out of here. You know how to reach me if you need me.”

  “Okay,” Clay said quietly. “Sorry about the other night.”

  “It’s done,” Lexie said. “Tye will fill you in, Clay. See you all tomorrow.”

  Chapter Forty

  The morning sun blurred Lexie’s vision as she drove from the office to the small airport outside of town.

  Her thoughts documented the morni
ng events. She reviewed the interviews she and Tye had conducted and Delia’s long discourse on the “when, where and who” of the twentieth reunion. On one hand, she was glad the reunion was only a few days away. The end of the investigation was in sight. On the other hand, she didn’t think she could live with herself if the demon managed to murder one, or more, of the women right under her nose.

  She looked forward to the four-hour flight to Washington with Red.

  “Howdy, stranger,” he said as she approached him standing by the plane.

  “Look who’s talking? Did you forget where I work?”

  “I’ve been fixing up Dad’s old place between plane trips.”

  Much to her surprise, he reached over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Get in, girl, or we’ll be late for your date.”

  The flight seemed like an hour to Lexie, instead of four. It was a lovely clear day. Red filled the time with animated stories about his customers and his renovation.

  Once on the ground, they rented a car and headed for the Toleson Mansion.

  “I’ve got my cell phone right beside me and I’ll wait in front,” Red assured her.

  “Okay. I don’t think this will take over an hour.”

  “If it’s much more than that, I’m going to put on my cape and come looking for you.”

  Lexie smiled. “Superman Red flying to my rescue!”

  The maid opened the door before Lexie rang the bell.

  “Come quickly to the sitting room. Ms. Mariah has a dinner party tonight. She’s upset that you’re late.”

  When Lexie entered the sitting room, Mariah looked like she just consumed a dill pickle. “I don’t have much time to talk.”

  “Sorry I’m ten minutes late. It’s hard to exactly predict flight time, airport, and traffic congestion.” Lexie said the words with malice.

  “Yes, yes, I know,” Mariah’s voice became more subdued.

  Lexie spoke earnestly, “I need to know your side of the story regarding what your team members learned by the lake twenty years ago.”

  “It’s so embarrassing. I was just a kid and if the story gets out people will think I’m a thief. The jokes on the late shows will be about locking up everything at the White House if I become First Lady.”

  “So you stole something?” Lexie clarified.

  “Yes, a diamond heart necklace. We went shopping earlier that day. It was so beautiful. When the lady was talking with Heather, I dropped it in my purse.”

  “Then what happened?”

  That night, at the lake, Heather called me a thief and told the others.

  “I made them swear never to tell. If they did, I had plenty of dirt to broadcast regarding them.”

  “So who was with you at the jewelry store?”

  “Just Heather.”

  “I need a DNA sample and fingerprints from you.” Lexie opened her kit.

  “No. I don’t want to get involved in this mess.”

  Lexie pulled the court order out of her bag and handed it to Mariah. At least the hunk got that done. He had, however, refused to get an order on Donovan.

  Mariah’s face squeezed in disgust after Lexie did the mouth swab. One would have thought her fingers were being amputated instead of printed the way her body stiffened.

  “Thanks for your time.” Lexie hoped Mariah took in her skeptical stare.

  “It certainly wasn’t pleasant.”

  “I could tell.” Lexie’s lips tightened. “This guy is probably long gone, but you still need to be careful. I’ll see myself out. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

  As Lexie walked toward the gate she felt as if she was being watched. She stopped and visually scanned the area. The tall trees camouflaged much of the landscape. Picking up her pace she hurried to the car.

  “Let’s get out of here,” she told Red. “This place gives me the creeps.”

  Red’s foot hurriedly pressed the gas. It was a quick beginning to their trip back to the airport. “How’d it go?”

  “Not well. She obviously was angry that I showed up again. My requests for DNA and fingerprints really sent her up the wall.”

  “Sounds suspicious.”

  “Yes. The only person who can verify her jewelry store story is dead, and the others haven’t been willing to tell Mariah’s secret.”

  “Convenient.” Red concentrated on the traffic.

  Lexie pushed the numbers into her cell phone.

  “Loretta, the day after your team won the state championship, before your cookout, what did you all do?”

  “How the hell do you expect me to remember that?” Loretta whined.

  “Just try, please. Did any of you go out of town?”

  “All I remember is that I was mad at Heather because she wasn’t helping. She stayed at home in bed like she always did on the first day of her period. She managed to show up in time for the party, however.”

  “Thanks.” Lexie hung up the phone.

  “The fact that Loretta could hold a grudge for twenty years has turned into a blessing. Mariah just spent an hour lying to me.”

  “Sounds like you’re glad.” Red looked confused.

  “I am. Now I know which puzzle to put together first.

  “Puzzles? I know I’m puzzled.” Red chuckled.

  “It’s a long story. I’d rather talk about the reunion. Do you plan on going?”

  “No.”

  “Please reconsider. I can use an extra pair of eyes. You’re alumni, so no one will think anything about your presence.”

  “Anything for you, Sheriff Honey.”

  “Cute.”

  The flight back to Diffee seemed ten times longer than the one to Washington. It was midnight when Lexie climbed into her soft warm bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Her eyes closed sixty seconds after contact with the pillow and didn’t open again until seven the next morning.

  Chapter Forty-One

  The light peeked in through the shades and she rolled over to avoid the intrusion. Her body was still, but her brain wouldn’t quiet down. Only one more week, and she had no doubt the murderer would arrive, assuming he already didn’t live in Diffee. She rolled out of bed. First thing she needed to do was follow up with Sean.

  By eight she pulled the patrol car in front of his house. There he was sitting on the porch swing, as usual.

  Dark circles underscored his eyes and the lines on his face were set in a frown.

  “More questions?” He spewed his words as she approached the steps.

  “Yes.” Seating herself on the old rocker she twisted it around in order to face him.

  “I need to know what happened that night at the lake. Your daughter lied. I can let it out that she’s a murder suspect. Then her husband’s future, and hers, won’t include a presidency.”

  “That would be an evil thing to do.”

  “Vile perhaps, but deserving, since she lied to me about what happened at the lake. I have a witness. Why would she lie if she wasn’t the murderer?”

  Sean held his shaking hand to his left temple.

  Lexie pressed, “Why did she lie, Sean?”

  “To protect her brother.”

  “Her dead brother?” Lexie’s body stiffened.

  “Michael was mentally ill. When his girlfriend disappeared in Columbia, the locals accused him of murdering her. I had to get him out of the country before they killed him, or locked him up, for the rest of his life. So I nailed him in a wood box. The locals helped me carry him to the boat. They were all so pleased when they were told that he committed suicide. that no one bothered to check inside the coffin.”

  “Strange you could get away with that.”

  “Not strange in Columbia. It was a whole different world then.”

  “Where is Michael?”

  “I don’t know. After he got back to the U.S. he changed his identity,” Sean divulged.

  “So Mariah knows that he’s still alive?”

  “Yes. They make contact from time to time,” Sean admitted.
r />   “Why her and not you?”

  “He hated me. He blamed me for his mother dying in Columbia. He said she didn’t have a chance in that country without good medical care.”

  There was a brief silence, then Lexie said, “That’s all for now except I need you to get a photo for me.” He went inside the house and after at least ten minutes returned with a snapshot of his son.

  Lexie walked away thinking that her puzzle had more pieces than she realized. She drove a few miles from his home and pulled off the road.

  Pushing Mariah’s number into her cell phone she regretted not being there to see her face.

  “Toleson residence,” Wade answered.

  “This is Sheriff Wolfe. I need to speak to Mariah.”

  “It’s that Sheriff,” she heard him say in the background.”

  “What is it now?” Mariah was obviously irritated with Lexie’s intrusion.

  “I talked to your father this morning. He told me that Michael is still alive and makes contact with you.”

  “That old fool is crazy.” Mariah sounded like a ruffled animal.

  “Where is Michael buried?”

  “Bogotá. That crazy man left him in the jungle,” Mariah’s voice huffed out the words.

  “Where is your mother buried?”

  “In Diffee. Sean brought her back home.”

  “Why didn’t he have Michael’s body transported?

  “Because he hated him and didn’t want to waste money bringing his body to the U.S.”

  The sharpness of Mariah’s words sent shivers down Lexie’s arms. “So why did your Father say that Michael is still alive?”

  “I don’t want to hear about that old fool’s hallucinations. Hopefully, he’s gone nuts over the guilt of my mom and brother dying in that horrid country. He wanted to advance his career and we didn’t matter.”

  “Do you have the location of Michael’s burial site?” Lexie questioned.

  “Of course I do.” Mariah’s tone was flat.

  “I need you to fax me directions.”

  “Then will you leave me alone?”

  “For now,” Lexie replied. She gave Mariah her FAX number before pushing the off button on her phone.

  When she got back to the office, Delia was busy typing the reunion schedule.

  “What’s up?” Tye’s eyes widened.