Cause for Murder

by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

  His gaze never swayed. “They'd have turned their backs on us."

  Maryann frowned. “Why?"

  "Because I'd been banned from the tribe."

  Her head jerked up. “What! How come?"

  Lilly stepped between her daughter and Maduk. “Maryann, that's enough. You're going where it's none of your business."

  Maduk put a hand on Lilly's shoulder. “Maybe it's time she knows."

  Maryann gave her parents a questioning look.

  Lilly clenched her hands together, and moved out of the way. “Do whatever you think best."

  Maduk took a deep breath. “I killed one of my own people."

  Maryann dropped into the overstuffed chair in the corner of the living room. “I can't believe what I'm hearing.” She glanced up at her father. “How and why did you kill a person of your own tribe?"

  "He was an evil man and had been harassing me for a long time about going out with a married lady. Even though he came into town regularly to take advantage of the white women in the bars. One night after he'd had too much whiskey, he came back to the reservation, yelling for me to come out of my house. By the time I stepped outside, a large crowd had gathered. He claimed I dishonored our people."

  "How did he know?"

  "Our people know many things about each other. Not much goes by they don't see."

  "So what happened?"

  "He walked to the center of the yard waving a long blade and challenged me. I took my knife and met him."

  Maryann's eyes were wide. “You mean, you killed him in self-defense."

  "The white man called it that, but they never got involved. They let the tribal council handle it. My people said I won because I proved the better fighter. But they banned me, saying, if I killed once, I'd probably kill again and they didn't want me among them."

  "That's stupid,” Maryann said in disgust. “What if it'd been the other way around?"

  "The same thing. The evil one would have been run out."

  Maryann rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, then shoved her hair behind her ears. “So what are we going to do?"

  Lilly stepped forward and took her daughter's hand. “Nothing for now. If you and I disappear, it will look bad. But Maduk must leave until he's cleared of suspicion. When it all blows over, we'll join him.” Lilly glanced at Maduk. “Hopefully far away from this place."

  Maryann thought she noticed a tic in Maduk's cheek as he contemplated what Lilly said.

  "If you think it's the right thing to do,” he said. “Then I'll go. When things are safe, I'll come for you."

  "How will we stay in contact?” Maryann asked.

  "We can't. Any message or phone call can be traced."

  "But how will you know when it's safe?"

  "I'll know."

  Maduk pulled Lilly into his arms and kissed her. “I hope we'll be together soon.” He glanced at Maryann. “I'll see you shortly, my daughter."

  The two women watched Maduk walk out the front door.

  Lilly took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Maryann put an arm around her mother's shoulders and guided her to the couch.

  * * * *

  Jennifer and Hawkman glanced at Sam when he walked in the door.

  "I heard Burke Parker's name. Have you found out something new?” he asked.

  "Well, his death might not have been from natural causes."

  Sam sat down on one of the stools at the kitchen bar beside Hawkman. “Did they find a bullet hole in his body?"

  Hawkman shook his head. “No."

  "So what'd they find?"

  "All the tests aren't in, but they've discovered some unnatural things that occurred in his body. Which could mean anything from an overdose to a reaction to alcohol in his system. Or, he could have been poisoned."

  Sam's eyes opened wide. “Poisoned?"

  Hawkman raised a hand. “Don't jump to any conclusions. And keep this to yourself. Nothing's final yet."

  "Oh, man!” Sam rubbed a hand over his chin. “That means Maryann and her mother are going to be involved in a murder investigation. And police will be swarming all over the new lawn we're putting in.” He slapped his hands on the counter. “And I thought I'd have a peaceful summer."

  Trying to suppress a smile, Hawkman patted Sam's back. “If the reports show a shadow of a doubt that he died of anything but natural causes, Lilly and Maryann will have a few hectic months ahead. Welcome to the real world, son. And yes, family members are the first suspected."

  That night, Sam tossed and turned before finally falling asleep. Richard and Maryann kept popping into his mind. If it turned out Burke was murdered, Richard's compassion for Maryann might grow. After all, he'd been a suspect in the murder of his mother, and knew the anguish they'd be going through.

  Early the next morning, Sam paced back and forth across the driveway as he waited for Richard to pick him up. He debated whether he should confide in his friend about the latest news on Burke's death. Hawkman warned him to keep quiet until all the tests were in, but it tore at his gut to think the police could converge on the Parker property at any time, and catch Richard off guard.

  Sam finally spotted his friend's truck coming across the bridge. As soon as the pickup rolled to a stop, he hopped aboard and they took off toward town. He observed how well Richard had mastered the art of driving by using all the mirrors. They’ drove a few miles before Sam spoke. He leaned forward so that Richard could see his mouth without too much distraction.

  "If they discovered Burke had been murdered and the first suspects investigated were Mrs. Parker and Maryann, how would you feel?"

  Richard shot a look at Sam and swerved, but quickly corrected his error. “I'd feel terrible. I've been there. It's not fun. What makes you think Burke might have been murdered? Does Hawkman know something?"

  Sam shook his head. “It just crossed my mind as a possibility. Sort of gives me the willies."

  "Yeah, me too."

  Sam changed the subject to the latest mountain lion attack in the area. A sheep rancher had lost several of his prize ewes before he finally bagged the big cat with the help of animal control.

  The boys arrived in Yreka and stopped by a garden shop where they rented a rototiller. They reached the Parker residence shortly before nine and immediately worked on the lawn, taking advantage of the morning cool air.

  Even though they'd watered the ground and left instructions for Maryann to change the sprinklers often, they still found it very hard. But fortunately, due to the smallness of the yard, it didn't take long to turn over the chunks of soil.

  They'd just stopped for a cool drink and wiped the sweat from their brow when Sam noticed a white car slow to a stop in front of the house. A uniformed police officer stepped from the passenger side as Detective Williams came around the front of the vehicle. Sam shot a glance at Richard, whose gaze was already glued to the two men strolling up the sidewalk.

  Sam grabbed his tee shirt off the ice chest and quickly slipped it over his head, then stepped onto the narrow walkway. “Hi, Detective Williams."

  The detective stopped, smiled and put out his hand. “Sam Casey, my Lord, it's been a couple of years since I've seen you. You look great. How's school?"

  "Real good.” Sam turned and motioned for Richard. “You remember Richard Clifford."

  "I sure do.” They shook hands. “So what are you guys doing here? Looks like you've been hired to do some rather heavy work."

  "We're volunteering to help Mrs. Parker out."

  "That's mighty kind of you,” Williams said and glanced toward the door. “Is she home?"

  Sam shrugged. “I don't know. Haven't seen her or Maryann this morning.” He pointed toward the station wagon in the driveway. “Her car's here. So, she must be inside.” He frowned. “Is there a problem?"

  "Just some loose ends we need to tie up. Good seeing you two.” With that, the detective gave a wave, and the two men scurried up the porch steps.

 
Sam noticed the frightened look that crossed Lilly's face when she opened the door.

  "Yes, what can I do for you?” she asked, a slight quiver in her voice.

  "Mrs. Parker, we'd like to talk to you and your daughter. May we come in."

  She stepped back to let them inside and closed the door.

  Richard touched Sam's arm. “What'd he say to her? She looked scared."

  "He just said they needed to talk to her and Maryann."

  "She's got something to hide. I could tell by her eyes,” Richard said, staring at the house.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The next morning, Lilly awoke to a loud noise in her front yard. She peeked out the window and spotted the two young men taking turns wrestling a rototiller. She didn't dare complain, but she sure could have slept another hour. Sighing, she padded into the bathroom and examined her puffy eyes in the mirror. “Oh, my,” she mumbled. “I look awful."

  She splashed cold water on her face, then patted her skin dry with a soft towel. Going to her closet, she selected a loose fitting house dress since she planned to stay home until work time. She shoved back the shoe box that rested on the ledge above her clothes. That shelf must not be level, she thought. Seems like the box inches itself forward every few days.

  Closing the closet, she left the room and moved softly past Maryann's door. She went into the kitchen and put on the coffee pot. Not feeling very hungry, she decided on a bowl of dry cereal. No sooner had she finished her breakfast and poured herself another cup of coffee, when someone knocked on the front door.

  Thinking it must be one of the boys, it jolted her to come face to face with two men, one in a police uniform and the other flashing a badge.

  "Yes?” she asked.

  "Hello, Mrs. Parker. I'm Detective Williams of the Medford Police Department. This is Officer McDonnell. May we come in? We'd like to speak to you about the death of your husband."

  Lilly felt her stomach tighten as she ushered the men into the living room and offered them a seat on the couch. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

  "No, thanks. We're fine."

  She sat on the edge of the overstuffed chair, her back straight and hands clenched on her lap. “What can I do for you gentlemen?"

  Detective Williams straightened his tie. “Is your daughter here? It would be best if she were present."

  "Yes, I'm here."

  He jerked his head around and eyed the young woman. “Good."

  Maryann crossed the room and sat down on the arm of the chair next to her mother.

  The detective cleared his throat. “It's never easy to be the bearer of bad news."

  "I already know my husband is dead, Mr. Williams. What worse news could there be."

  Unfortunately, we suspect your husband didn't die of natural causes."

  Lilly put a hand to her throat. “You mean murdered?"

  Williams raised a hand. “No, I'm not saying that. It could have been accidental. But we need some personal information about him. Did he have health problems? Was he on medication?"

  Maryann stared at him with a piercing gaze. “Why don't you go to his doctor and find out those things?"

  "I intend to do just that. But I need to verify the name of the doctor on the prescriptions we found in the room. Was Dr. Clevenger his regular doctor?"

  Lilly nodded. “Yes."

  "Mrs. Parker, did your husband consume a lot of alcohol?"

  Maryann's eyes narrowed. “If you mean, was he an alcoholic? Yes. And an abusive one at that."

  Lilly grabbed her daughter's hand. “He probably drank more than he should? Why?"

  "Some of the tests have come back showing a high percent of alcohol in his blood. Which could have reacted with the medications.” Williams stood. “I will probably have to ask you more questions as we get deeper into the investigation. Please don't leave town."

  "Why would I leave? I live here."

  He nodded. “Don't get up. We'll show ourselves out. Thanks for your cooperation."

  When Lilly heard the door close, she rose from the chair and crossed to the window. Hugging her waist, she peered through the sheer curtains as the two men got into the unmarked car. She noticed Sam's and Richard's heads turn toward the house as soon as the vehicle drove away. Her hands dropped to her side and she glanced at Maryann. “I don't like this. It's just the beginning."

  Maryann put an arm around her mother's shoulders. “Maduk will be safe. He knows how to hide."

  She nodded. “I wonder what they found that makes them so suspicious? It certainly wouldn't surprise me if Burke died because he mixed his medications with booze."

  Maryann moved away from her mother, and headed toward the kitchen. “I need a cup of coffee."

  Lilly followed her daughter and poured her cold coffee down the drain and replaced it with the hot brew.

  Maryann sat down at the table. “I gathered from the way the detective talked, they don't have all the test results."

  She sighed. “Well, once they talk to the doctor, they'll know Burke trod on dangerous ground with all his drinking."

  "Do you think the doctor realized how much Burke drank?"

  Lilly threw up her hands. “I don't know. But I might as well prepare myself for a lot of questions."

  "Me, too,” Maryann said, taking a sip of coffee.

  "You weren't even here, so the police probably won't bother you."

  "Mom, you've forgotten. If Burke had been dead for a few days before they found him, I could very well be a suspect. Remember, I was home over the Memorial weekend. In fact, I spent most of the day with Richard.” She pointed toward the yard. “The deaf boy helping Sam."

  Lilly felt the blood drain from her cheeks as she stared at her daughter.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Richard broke up the clumps of dirt caused by the rototiller, then raked the ground smooth so they could sow the grass seeds. Sam had taken his truck to return the machine. While in town, he planned to check a couple of the garden centers and inquire if they had any leftover patches of sod from previous landscaping jobs which they might be willing to donate.

  Sam had suggested the authorities suspected Mr. Parker hadn't died of natural causes. Richard's gaze drifted to the front door. This worried him, because he knew Maryann and her mother would be questioned extensively, especially if the rumors of Burke's abuse were true.

  He wondered if the detective knew anything about Mrs. Parker's boyfriend, in his mind, a prime suspect with a motive. And being a Native American, the man might well know how to mix up a toxic potion from plants. Richard shook his head. Maryann and Mrs. Parker also had a reason to kill the late Mr. Parker.

  His thoughts were interrupted when Maryann hurried out the front door, ran down the steps and headed straight toward him. He stepped over some dirt chunks to the narrow sidewalk.

  She folded her arms at her waist and smiled. “Hi, how's it going?"

  "Real good. We should finish the lawn today. Then we'll start painting tomorrow."

  "That's great.” She glanced around the yard. “Where's Sam?"

  "He'll be back shortly."

  She looked down at her feet, then up at him. “Uh, Richard, I'd like to ask a favor."

  "Sure, if I can."

  "Don't tell the cops I was here over the Memorial Day weekend."

  Richard felt a stab of shock at her request. “Why?"

  "It's just important they don't know."

  "But there were other people who saw you."

  "That's true, but I doubt the police will track them down."

  Richard frowned. “I won't lie, Maryann. If they ask me, I'll tell them, but I won't volunteer the information. I don't see why it should matter if you've nothing to hide."

  She dropped her hands to her side. “Of course, I don't expect you to understand, and your response is fair.” Turning on her heel, she hastened back into the house.

  Richard always thought he could read faces pretty well, especially eyes, but Maryann concealed her fe
elings extremely well. Her orbs were like two big black obsidian stones set in a beautiful face, but they reflected no emotion. Deep in his gut, he felt an ominous squirm. He now realized Sam had tried to warn him against establishing a relationship with Maryann, without telling him point blank to stay away from her.

  * * * *

  Maryann dashed back into the house and went straight to her room. She flopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Her mind told her she'd just made a big mistake. Thinking Richard had fallen for her, she believed he'd do anything she asked. What a surprise to find his ethics outweighed his feelings. Now she'd raised his suspicions and more than likely he'd tell Sam. She'd made too many blunders in the past week. When Sam offered to fix up the house for her mother, she translated it as his wanting to get closer. But he hadn't made one advance toward her since he'd been coming to the house. In fact, he avoided her as much as possible. Even if she caught him looking at her, his gaze held mistrust. What had she done to make him dislike her so? She hit her fists on the bed. “Dammit,” she muttered, “I've got to change his opinion. I don't want his pity."

  The aroma of food wafted under her nose. She jumped off the bed and traipsed into the kitchen. “Mom, what the heck are you doing? Looks like you're cooking enough for an army."

  Lilly had cut up two chickens and proceeded to drop the flour coated pieces into the large hot iron skillet on the stove. Potatoes were boiling and salad makings were strewn across the cabinet.

  "I've got to keep busy, Maryann. I can't just sit around and think about Burke's death. I decided those boys have been working very hard on our place and I'm sure they have big appetites. The least I can do is make them a good meal. And I don't know of any young man who doesn't like fried chicken."

  "That's good of you, Mom. I hope you've told them so they don't go get sandwiches for their lunch."

  She put a floured hand up to her forehead, causing a white smudge. “Oh, dear, I hadn't thought that far ahead. Will you go tell them?"

  Maryann let out a sigh. “Sure."

  When she went outside, Sam had returned and the two were unloading what looked like rolls of grass. “What the heck are you doing?” she asked walking toward them.