Killing the Secret

by Donna Welch Jones

  “Long story,” Tye yawned.

  Within five minutes, exhaustion took over and he slept all the way to Panama.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  As Lexie sat at her kitchen table on Friday morning, she lamented on how slow Wednesday and Thursday had passed. She likened it to waiting for a monster to show up. Being on constant alert every second of every day was sapping her strength. Her apprehensive thoughts of the upcoming reunion resulted in headaches and nausea. Her only solace being that Tye was safely back in Diffee with valuable information and jungle stories to tell anyone willing to listen.

  I should have quit when I started to, after Abbey’s death. “No,” she said loudly. “I can do this. I will get Abbey’s killer.” Her self-reprimand maneuvered her brain from self-doubt into action. She stood abruptly and fastened her gun holster, then swiped her wrinkled uniform top with her hand. Nothing but an iron would improve her appearance. She didn’t have the time or the will to do such a mundane task.

  Driving to her office to coordinate the plan to catch the killer, a saying kept going through her head. It was something like “fake it to make it.”

  All of the men were there when she arrived. In front of her team, she pretended confidence. They discussed what was done and what still needed to be accomplished.

  “The school gymnasium was checked for bombs,” Lexie reported. “Highway patrol also checked for anyone who might have hidden to reappear later with a gun. The dedication of the gym renovation will be tonight. Saturday afternoon there’ll be a picnic at the park.”

  “I’m more worried about the park then the gym,” Tye said. “It’s a much bigger area to cover.”

  Lexie agreed. “The murderer seemed to like the great outdoors.”

  “Turner, I need you to guard Beth, Loretta and Jamie this afternoon while they finish last minute dedication preparations at Loretta’s house.”

  “Stupid for them all to be at the same place,” Clay countered.

  “We don’t have enough manpower to protect them separately at home.” Lexie paused as if reconsidering. “Anyway, Loretta said they needed the prep time. They’re all so stressed out I decided to let it pass.”

  “I’m heading that way right now.” Turner stood. “I want to get stationed before Jamie and Beth show-up. I’ll see you later.”

  “Okay, it’s time for the rest of us to head out also. Thanks for helping and be careful out there,” Lexie said as the men filed out of her office.

  Lexie drove back to the gym. Every door was locked and highway patrolmen stood guard at every entry.

  “Your captain told me that he assigned each of you to one of the possible murder victims as soon as they get to the front door. Correct?”

  “Yes,” a man responded who looked like a seventeen-year-old. “We’ll guard them with our lives,” he said with enthusiasm.

  Lexie shook her head. Just what she needed—a wild-eyed rookie.

  She drove to Main Street and parked at the fork where most traffic came into town.

  Around noon the early birds started arriving. The local motel was filled, according to the owner. Many of the returnees had relatives in Diffee with whom they stayed. A few of the ones with more money were staying in Tulsa.

  Lexie retrieved her phone from the passenger seat. “Loretta, just checking to be sure everything is okay.”

  “I suppose it is. Beth left all this work until the last minute. I’m hardly going to have time to get ready.”

  “Is Officer Turner staying close?”

  “He makes me nervous the way he’s stalking about,” Loretta whined like a spoiled child. “I’m tired of him bringing dirt in on his big shoes. I’d send him back to town but my husband is in town helping set up the stage for the presentation.”

  “I’m going to arrest you for hampering an investigation if you give him a hard time,” Lexie retorted gruffly.

  Loretta was taken aback. “You sound serious.”

  “Never more so. Have you heard anything from Mariah?”

  “Just did. She asked to spend the night here. Donovan’s not coming so she’s nervous about being alone.”

  “Okay. If you hear or see anything the least bit suspicious, tell Turner.”

  “Yes, I will.” Loretta sounded cooperative for once.

  “Let me talk to Turner.”

  “It’s for you,” Lexie heard Loretta say in the background.

  “Turner.”

  “It’s Lexie. I need you to check their cars before they leave, then follow them into town. When you get to the gym check in with me, then go home and get some sleep.”

  “I don’t mind staying on duty.”

  “I appreciate that, but I need you at the lake tomorrow.”

  Lexie was startled when she heard a rap on her back window.

  “Special delivery from OSBI,” the man said loudly, trying to compensate for the closed windows.

  She rolled down the window and reached for the parcel. “Thanks. Just what I needed to show-up.”

  Lexie opened the package and found Michael’s prints from Interpol. She hurried back to her office. Pulling the print from the lip gloss, she put it between those of the Haverty siblings. Without even reading the report, she saw that Michael’s prints clearly matched those from the crime scene. Now her job was a little easier. She was looking for a tall man with a toupee. The photo she had of him was twenty years old.

  She phoned Bryce at OSBI. “I’ve got a snapshot of my murderer that I need aged.”

  “Okay. Get it to me.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  “Delia, I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Radio Tye and tell him I’m coming back with a sketch of the murderer.”

  Delia’s mouth flew open. “Who is it?

  “It’s a long story that’ll have to wait until later.” Lexie’s rapid steps got her to the office door just as she finished her sentence.

  Her mind didn’t drift from the murder case during her drive to Tulsa. Walking swiftly into the OSBI office, Lexie approached the front desk asking, “Where’s Bryce?”

  “Who are you?” the woman responded sternly.

  “The sheriff from Diffee. He’s expecting me.”

  The woman motioned toward a door.

  Bryce was a wild-haired brunette who was skinny as a rail, as her father would have said. She immediately handed him the photo.

  He opened the envelope and stated, “You got here quick.”

  “Yes, I’m expecting the guy to show up in my county and kill a few more people.” Her voice was shaky.

  “That’s good reason to hurry.” Bryce stood. “I’ll give this to Webber. Leave your cell phone number and I’ll phone you when he’s finished.”

  “I appreciate it.” Lexie followed him out.

  She found a restaurant to wait out the time.

  The coffee she ordered tasted foul. Brown trim on the lettuce and mushy tomatoes didn’t make for an appetizing salad. She left her order on the table and headed toward the exit.

  “You didn’t pay.” The manager said as he chased her into the parking lot. “Cops don’t get free meals here.”

  “You should be arrested for serving that garbage,” Lexie fired back. “I had one bite and one swallow. The dollar I owe is on the table.”

  “Bullshit!” he yelled.

  Lexie continued walking to her car and drove to the OSBI building. She parked in the lot to await her call. The warm breeze from her window lulled her to sleep.

  “Hey, are you okay?” The words intermingled with the tapping on her roof.

  “Yes, I’m okay. Big case—no sleep.”

  “I know the feeling. Are you Sheriff Wolfe?”

  “That’s me”

  “Well, I’m Webber. Your sketch is ready.”

  “Thanks so much,” Lexie said as she exited her car.

  She hurried to sign out the drawing from Bryce. “I appreciate this, not to mention the extra copies.”

  “Go getum, Sheriff!”

&nb
sp; She knew she was driving too fast, but she was anxious to distribute the flyers to the officers. It was close to four and she needed to be at the gym matching faces to Webber’s picture. If they could catch the murderer before the celebration, her life would be much easier.

  Her mind kept mulling over why Michael killed the women. The only thing that fit was what Tye thought: Mariah must have told Michael something that provoked him. The logical reason being that night twenty years ago, in a drunken state, Mariah told her friends that her murdering brother was alive. If she recently confessed to him, it would explain why he was killing the women who knew his secret.

  Tye approached her as she entered the gym. “What’s this about a picture of the murderer?”

  “Here it is.” She handed him half the copies.

  They separated to disperse the drawings to men at various posts in the gym. Now it was time to wait, worry, and watch.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Mariah didn’t have any trouble finding Loretta’s pompous two-story house. She was there when the house belonged to Loretta’s grandma. The constant curves and hilly terrain made for a strenuous drive. The colonial house set on top of a hill with tall pines strategically located so as not to hamper the view. The woods were stripped around her house to accommodate the pines. The frame of pines was surrounded by hundreds of tall trees that descended down the hill around the house.

  A highway patrol car was parked a hundred yards or so from the house. When Mariah was in sight of the vehicle she turned, drove past the house, and backed into a cluster of trees.

  Turner started his car and followed her. “What’s your business?” He called out his open window.

  Mariah rolled down hers. “Came to help my friends. I assume you know about the dedication tonight.”

  “Sure do,” Turner said.

  “I’m Mariah Toleson.”

  “I know who you are. Didn’t recognize you at first ‘cause of the sun. I can’t wait to tell my wife I saw the next First Lady. You go right on in!”

  “Okay if I park here? I feel safer coming and going near where you are.”

  “Sure, good idea.” Turner saluted.

  The doorbell tune was some old southern song but the name eluded Mariah.

  Loretta answered the door. “I wasn’t expecting to see you until the dedication.”

  “I got in early and decided to see if I can help.”

  “Come in. Beth and Jamie are in the family room writing their dedications to our dead teammates.”

  “Mariah Rose,” Beth looked up from her writing.

  “It’s been a long time,” Jamie said. “As Loretta just told me, ‘Put your ass on a chair and get busy.’”

  “I wasn’t talking about Mariah. It was meant for you two, who put this off until the last possible minute,” Loretta argued.

  “I kept thinking you, or me, would be murdered then we wouldn’t have to work with each other,” Jamie shot back.

  Beth interrupted, “See, time really doesn’t change anything, Mariah. They still have the hate-barely-tolerate each-other relationship they had twenty years ago.”

  Mariah sat down at the head of the table. “Do you want me to make more of the tissue paper flowers?”

  “We have enough of those.” Loretta pushed a pen and paper towards her. “You can write and present an eulogy for Terri, that way we can each do one.”

  Mariah pushed the paper back. “I don’t want to be part of the program. That would center all the attention on me and away from your dead friends.”

  “How do you ever maintain balance with that swollen head of yours?”

  Jamie’s question was greeted with a few seconds of uncomfortable silence before Beth changed the subject. “How does it feel to think you may be First Lady someday?”

  “I can’t even begin to express how wonderful it would be.” Mariah’s smile was radiant.

  “I hope you let us visit you at the White House.” Loretta moistened her lips.

  Mariah stiffened. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable with you there.”

  The raw nerve Mariah hit was evident in Loretta’s stinging tone. “So now you’re too high and mighty for us? Before, you would’ve promised us anything to keep our mouths shut, but now you don’t want us around?”

  “I never told anyone and I never will,” Beth blurted out.

  “Mariah, when you swirled around that night with your penis bobbing, I thought Loretta was going to choke to death. First time ever she was left speechless.” Jamie couldn’t suppress the cackle that rose from her throat.

  “A First Lady with a penis? You got to admit it’s a real attention getter,” Loretta added sarcastically.

  “There’s no penis now. I’m a better woman than any of you.” Mariah’s angry gaze shot to Jamie, then Loretta.

  Loretta continued her attack. “You didn’t mind telling my secret about the abortion, so why shouldn’t I tell about you?”

  “Don’t pretend you’re a saint. You didn’t tell anyone I was male, because you would’ve lost your precious championship title because there was a boy on your team.”

  Mariah leaped from her chair knocking it to the floor. She ran toward the kitchen. The door continued to swing back and forth behind her.

  “You two are cruel.”

  Mariah heard Beth’s reprimand, then the kitchen door opened.

  Mariah sat at the top of the basement steps, her face in her hands.

  “They talk too much, but they’ll never tell anyone about you.” Beth touched her back.

  Mariah rose from the step, and with one strong tug flung Beth down the stairs. She rolled onto the cement floor below. Mariah waited for a few seconds, looking for movement, but none came.

  “Help! Help! Oh my God!” Mariah screamed.

  The kitchen door slammed repetitively against the wall as Jamie flung it open.

  “She tripped on the steps,” Mariah said breathlessly, as Loretta and Jamie came toward her. “Go help her while I phone for an ambulance.”

  Mariah cleared their way as they hurried down the steps, then she quietly closed and locked the door behind them. They gave no sounds to indicate they were trapped like animals.

  Mariah walked rapidly out of the house and toward Turner.

  “Can I help you?” Turner yelled.

  Mariah’s feet barely touched the ground as she ran behind the garden shed.

  “What’re you going way over there for?” Turner called as he rushed toward her.

  She turned, removed her gun, and aimed directly at the officer’s chest. “So I can kill you,” Mariah explained to the now still body lying in the dirt.”

  She pulled the gas can out of her car trunk and returned to the kitchen. Intermittently, she heard Jamie and Loretta’s screams to let them out. The fools seemed to think they were locked in by accident.

  Spilling the gas over the kitchen floor, she made a line to the living room then forked out to both the front and back doors. Mariah visualized the old wood floor burning above their heads, and an avalanche of fire and rubble consuming all of them. Her secret would soon die.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  “Where are they?” Lexie approached Tye in a panic. “It’s six o’clock. They should be here.”

  “Don’t get spooked, Loretta probably chipped a fingernail.”

  Lexie phoned Turner. The phone buzzed and buzzed. Lexie felt the sweat forming on her back and her head throbbed.

  Her phone rang. It reminded her of the night Tye phoned to tell her Abbey was dead. The blood drained from her face.

  “That’s Turner.” Tye tried to sound positive.

  “Sheriff Wolfe, this is Bryce. Didn’t you say that Mariah Haverty and Mariah Toleson are the same person?”

  “Yes.” Her hand tightened on the phone.

  “Well, there was an error. The Interpol prints don’t match Mariah Toleson. They match Michael Haverty. Also, the DNA from the gravesite in Bogotá was a family member of Sean and Mariah Haverty.

&
nbsp; “Okay.” Lexie quickly ended the conversation as her brain absorbed the shock.

  “I need to run by the office. Wake up Clay. Tell him to meet me at the bottom of Loretta’s hill in twenty minutes. Phone Turner’s chief and ask him to make contact. You’re in charge here. Catch me the murderer.”

  “Will do,” Tye called as she ran out the door.

  Lexie was at her office within five minutes. She pulled the prints from the file. Mariah Toleson and Mariah Haverty’s prints didn’t match. Then she pulled Michael Haverty’s prints. They appeared to be identical to Mariah Toleson’s.

  Bryce was right. They really screwed up her case. They miss-marked the prints of the brother and sister—or did they?

  Lexie ran to her patrol car and headed toward Loretta’s house. She pushed in Loretta’s number on her phone as she drove. The incessant buzzing continued until the machine requested a message. Lexie pushed redial time after time. When she reached the bottom of Loretta’s hill she signaled Clay to follow her. The smell of smoke invaded her nostrils. Not a fire on top of all this! She sped as she followed the winding road up the hill. The trees camouflaged her view as she searched visually for the source of the smoke. As the pine trees became visible, so did the flames firing red and yellow spirals from the lower level house windows.

  “Clay!” she hollered as she ran toward the house. “Phone the fire department and ambulance.”

  “Do you want me to get Tye out here?”

  “No, it may be a trick.” Lexie ran into the smoke. The front door was on fire, so she ran to the back, but it, too, was engulfed in flames.

  “Help me, Lexie! Help me!” a female voice screamed from the back of the house.

  Lexie ran toward the voice. Mariah was combat crawling on her stomach trying to stay below the smoke. She reached Lexie and said, “I jumped from the second floor.”

  Lexie helped her to her feet. “Was anyone else in the house?”

  “My friends are all dead! They were on the first floor!” Mariah hollered the words into the night.

  “Who’s dead?” Lexie’s heart pounded.

  “Beth, Loretta, and Jamie.”

  “I’ll get them!” Lexie shouted above the fire.