Maryann leaned forward and squeezed her mother's shoulder. “Mom, you're a great cook. He was just mean."
Lilly put her hand over her daughter's. “Thanks, dear, I appreciate that. But I figured if it kept him away from me, I'd take the time and effort."
"When did he pick up the food and liquor?” Maduk asked. “You worked late every night, especially on the weekends?"
"He'd come by around midnight. But I finally got to the point where I'd just leave it on the porch, because he always came to the house roaring drunk. I lived in fear of him hurting me again."
Maduk furrowed his brow. “You say you left it outside?"
"Yes."
"Did you always do that?"
"As often as I could. But there were times I didn't have everything together before he pounded on the door."
"So anyone could have come by and doctored that food."
Lilly gnawed her lip and stared out the passenger window. “Yes, I suppose."
Maduk turned onto a narrow dirt road and drove a couple of miles before heading up a rough driveway. A small home, smoke curling from the chimney huddled in a nest of trees. An old rattletrap pickup sat at the side.
Maryann sat forward. “Who lives here?"
"Someone very dear."
With suitcases in hand, Lilly and Maryann stood behind Maduk as he knocked loudly on the old oak door.
A toothless man with long gray hair peeked out. He squinted at the group standing before him, then broke into a big grin. “Madukarahat, my son. Come in, come in.” The old gentleman stepped back and waved the three inside.
The house felt warm and smelled of food. Maduk sniffed the air. “Ah, you're cooking rabbit stew."
Grabbing the cane leaning against a chair, the old fellow hobbled over to the wood burning stove and raised the lid on the pot. “Aah, it's doing nicely, should be ready in about an hour.” He took a long handled wooden spoon and stirred the ingredients.
"I can't stay, but my wife and daughter will enjoy the cooking of the master.” Maduk turned to the two women. “This is my Father. Call him Happy, I don't think the man has ever had a sad day in his life except when mother died."
Maryann stared at the steaming kettle. “I've never had rabbit stew."
Maduk smiled. “It'll be a wonderful experience."
Lilly touched his arm. “Does he know we're going to spend the night and why?"
"Not yet. I will talk to him. But he'll be thrilled. He's quite a storyteller and will keep you entertained. Come and I'll show you where you'll be sleeping. The two of you will have to share a bed."
Lugging their bags, the two women followed him into a small but immaculately clean room filled with the aroma of roses. Lilly noticed the fresh cut bouquet on the top of a small chest in the corner of the room.
"What beautiful flowers."
"Before it gets too dark, take a peek out back at his garden. It's quite a wonder. Now, I'll go talk to my father, and then I must leave."
Maduk left the two women sitting on the edge of the bed. They could hear the male voices echoing through the thin walls, but couldn't make out the words. Maryann and Lilly glanced at each other questioningly, then grinned, realizing the men were talking in their native tongue.
"We'll never know how much Happy knows,” Maryann said, as she stood and walked around the barren room. She pushed back the sheer curtain and looked out the only window. The sun had dipped in the horizon and early evening would soon be upon them. She sighed and sat back down. “What's going to happen to us?"
* * * *
Hawkman hung around the police station, waiting for Williams to return from negotiating with the judge. When the detective finally arrived, he entered the office wearing a sullen expression. “I take it the news isn't good."
Willams shook his head. “The judge says there isn't enough evidence to search Maduk's home."
"So what's your next move?"
The detective flopped down in his chair. “I'm sending a man out to keep a watch on the house."
"Would you like my opinion?"
"I'd appreciate it."
"I think it's a waste of man power. I'm sure the women were there, but once we left, he hustled them to another hiding place."
"What's his game?"
"Time. My guess is he'll get a good lawyer. Then the women will turn themselves in."
"How do you figure? This is a murder rap."
"Maduk knows you can't prove that either one of those women poisoned Burke Parker."
"Do you think he did it?"
"No. But he'll cover for either of them."
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Hawkman left the police station and drove back to the Parker place. Stopping in front, he let the engine idle as he surveyed the property. The old station wagon hadn't moved and the house stood in darkness. Nothing appeared disturbed since the police invaded the dwelling.
He slid his foot off the brake and slowly drove around to the alley. Sam seemed to think the vagabond had made his habitat somewhere behind the Parker's. He eased his vehicle onto the dirt and let the headlights play along the back fences. In the beam of light he soon spotted a mound of blankets piled in the corner where two yards came together at an odd angle. He shut down the motor, turned off the headlights, and removed a flashlight from the glove compartment. Getting out of the 4X4, he flipped open the flap of his shoulder holster so he could reach his gun quickly. One never knew what sort of a reaction you might arouse from a destitute person, especially if they'd been drinking or on drugs. He approached cautiously. “Anyone here?” he said, moving the light over the pile of blankets.
The lump moved, and a waving gnarled hand pushed above the covers. “Go away. I ain't botherin’ nobody."
"I want to ask you some questions."
A head of dirty gray matted hair emerged from under the blanket, followed by a bearded face. Light blue eerie eyes studied Hawkman. “I seen you before. One don't forget a face with an eye patch. You talked to Harley at Larry's bar, didn't ya? You a cop?"
"No, I'm Tom Casey, a private investigator. And yes, I'm the one who talked to Harley."
"So whatcha investigatin'?"
"A murder case."
The old fellow's eyes narrowed as he slowly climbed out of his bedroll. “What's that have to do with me?"
"I'm trying to find someone who might help me out. By the way, what's your handle?"
"Frank."
"Well, Frank, we're actually looking for Lilly Parker and her daughter. Seems they've disappeared."
The old man furrowed his brow. “Who's ‘we'?"
"Me and the police."
Frank's eyes grew wide. “Why do they want Lilly?"
Hawkman scratched his chin. “She's a suspect in the murder of Burke Parker."
The old fellow jumped up and grabbed a walking stick resting against the fence.
Hawkman stepped back, not sure what to expect.
Frank jabbed the cane into the ground. “My Lilly didn't do nothin'. That old man of hers deserved to die."
Hawkman frowned. “What do you mean, ‘your Lilly'?"
"Just what I say. She's the only family I have. Makes sure I'm fed and warm.” He rested the cane against his leg as he picked up the blanket from the ground and caressed it, then held it toward Hawkman. “See this?"
"Yeah. What about it?” Hawkman asked as he watched the man fold it neatly, then slip it into a plastic bag.
"Lilly gave this to me last winter when it got really cold. She told me to keep it dry and I'd stay toasty warm.” He looked at Hawkman with a crooked grin, showing gaps of missing front teeth. “And you know what? She was right.” Then he frowned, slapped on an old floppy leather hat and spit to the side. “Enough talk, I gotta find her."
"Did you by chance notice any unusual activity going on around the Parker house this afternoon?"
He slung the plastic bag over his shoulder and using the cane limped toward the street. “Ain't seen nothin’ but a bunch of cops swar
min’ around."
Hawkman hurried to catch up. “Frank, you said Lilly fed you. What did you mean?"
"Almost every night, but occasionally she didn't have nothin'. The woman barely had enough food for herself and that no good husband. But she always managed to give me somethin', even if no more than a slice of bread.” He again spit, then continued. “She had a good heart, and I get mad every time I think of her old man hitting her."
Hawkman took hold of Frank's shoulder. “You saw him hurt her?"
He stopped, stiffened, and eyed the hand on his shoulder until Hawkman removed it. “Yeah, more than once. Parker was a mean devil. Glad he's dead."
Hawkman noticed the man's eyes had turned a light gray color, giving him a ghostly appearance. “When did you see him abuse her?"
Frank turned toward Hawkman and stared into his face. “You ask a lot of questions for not being a cop. Not sure why I'm answerin'. But you look like a mean sucker with that patch over your eye. You've been around, ain't ya? But how do I know you won't shoot or arrest me?"
Hawkman cocked his head. “Well, Frank, for one thing, I'm only mean when I have to be, and the other thing, I'm not a cop, so I can't arrest you. Oh, sure, I could make a citizen's arrest, but you haven't done anything that would warrant it. I look at it as two guys talkin'."
"I think I've said my say. Maybe I'll talk to you again, maybe not. Right now I have business to take care of."
"Thanks for your time, Frank."
The old man waved his cane, then moved down the side of the road. The echo of the wooden stick clanked with each step as it struck against the blacktop.
Thoughtfully, Hawkman made his way back to his vehicle. He pulled a toothpick from his shirt pocket as he drove through the alley. His gut told him Frank knew a lot more and probably held some key evidence. Williams needed to question this fellow.
* * * *
Maduk stared at the television screen, but concentrated on outside sounds. He figured the cops should have returned by now, unless the judge didn't think the detective had enough proof to issue a search warrant.
He rose from the overstuffed chair and strolled to the window. Staring out into the darkness, he thought about his two women. Neither had confessed to poisoning Burke, but one of them might be guilty, a conclusion he had difficulty accepting. While looking for a mousetrap in that outdoor cupboard, he'd found the paraquat and suspected the worst. You rarely find that stuff in its original form any more. He knew he had to get rid of it before the police discovered the poison on the premises.
The family members are the first suspects and the police were usually right. Maduk suspected Maryann. He'd seen the change in his daughter. Her eyes were full of hatred and at times he felt she directed her scorn toward him. He doubted Lilly killed Burke after putting up with his abuse all these years. But he couldn't rule her out after hearing about Burke's threats to move in and take over the house. That could have pushed her over the edge. He felt like kicking himself for not telling her about buying this place.
Maduk let out a long sigh and turned from the window. If Maryann poisoned Burke Parker, he knew Lilly would protect her to the end. Even if she had to confess to the crime herself. He'd have to be very careful the way he proceeded. Then he noticed the shoe box on the table and remembered Maryann had brought the pictures. He meandered over and lifted the lid. He picked up several of the photos and placed them on the table. Even though he'd already been through them, his heart wrenched again when he saw the damage that evil man had done to his sweet Lilly. She at least healed well. These would definitely go to the lawyer. He dropped them back into the box and replaced the lid.
Glancing at his watch, it surprised him to see both hands on twelve. The detective obviously didn't get his search warrant. Maduk breathed a sigh of relief, flipped off the television and headed for the bedroom.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Hawkman took his cell phone from his belt and punched in Detective Williams’ number.
"Williams, here."
"Are you still on the road?"
"Yeah, thought I'd head home and try to catch a few winks. Not much more I can do tonight on this case. What's going on?"
"Just had an intriguing conversation with the vagabond I told you about."
"I'm listening."
"I think he knows something. He calls himself Frank, and I had him going for a while, but he's a stubborn old cuss, and turned me off before I got much information. But he's worth questioning."
"Think he saw something?"
"Possibly. He envisions Lilly as a saint because she gave him an old blanket and food."
"She fed him?"
"Often, so he says. And when I mentioned the police were looking for her, it really upset him. Then, when I mentioned Burke Parker's name, his whole demeanor changed. His eyes took on the most ghastly color I'd ever seen. I thought he was going to turn into a monster right before my eyes."
"You okay? Sounds like you need more sleep than me."
Hawkman laughed. “Yeah, it sort of spooked me when it happened. I thought I'd slipped into a fantasy world. Sam said it occurred when he and Richard talked to the old buzzard. I doubted his story, but not any more."
"So this fellow makes his home in the alley behind the Parker place?"
"That's where I found him today. But I'm sure since I talked to him, he'll figure the police will be next and he'll change locations."
"All depends. If these old boys find a nice, comfortable, safe spot, they'll migrate back to it in a day or two."
"No sense in trying to find him tonight. Get some rest. We'll see if we can locate Frank tomorrow. I'll meet you at the Parker's house early in the morning before he has time to move his belongings."
"Might as well check out what he has to say. Doubt we'll find Lilly or Maryann for several days if Maduk has taken them up into the hills."
"Are you posting a warrant for their arrest?"
"Not yet. I've gone ahead and sent one of my men to watch Madux's place. Even though you think it's a waste of time. At least if he goes to the women, we'll know it."
"Sounds like you've done about all you can for now. I'll talk to you in the morning.” Hawkman hung up, clipped the phone to his belt and headed for Copco Lake.
When he reached home, Sam and Jennifer were out on the deck enjoying the balmy weather. The familiar squawk of Pretty Girl echoed through the open sliding door. Hawkman slid the screen back and poked out his head. “Are you two teasing my falcon?"
Jennifer laughed. “No, but I think she's telling us she'd like to go hunting. You better plan on taking her out soon. She's getting awfully restless."
Hawkman glanced at Sam. “You think you could take her over to Richard's tomorrow?"
He grinned. “Sure. Richard loves that bird. But do you think she can wait until he gets off work?"
Walking over to her cage, Hawkman checked her tray. “She has plenty of food for tonight, so don't feed her in the morning and she'll be ready for a good hunt by tomorrow afternoon. The timing will be perfect."
"Why can't you go with them?” Jennifer asked.
"Williams and I are going to question Frank."
She raised a brow. “Frank?"
"There's a homeless guy who lives behind the Parkers'."
Sam whirled his head around. “Really. You think the old guy had any thing to do with Burke's murder?"
"Not sure he had any major role, but he might have seen something."
"Can you believe the old guy? He acted and sounded like a nut case."
Hawkman shrugged. “Hard to say. I questioned him a little while this evening and he appeared pretty lucid."
Sam's eyes widened. “Tell us. What'd he say?"
Hawkman reviewed the highlights of his talk with the vagabond. “He referred to Mrs. Parker as ‘his Lilly'.
Jennifer frowned. “That doesn't sound lucid. It appears he's embraced her as his own."
"I gathered more in a protective way than an emotional on
e. She'd done some nice things for him and he seemed appreciative."
"Sounds mighty odd to me,” Jennifer said, as she went into the house.
* * * *
The next morning, Madux arose early. Dark clouds covered the sky. Thankful he'd taken the week off from work, he quickly dressed and took his binoculars to the front window. About a quarter of a mile down the road, he spotted a suspicious parked car. Expecting this might happen, he'd left the Buick at the rear of the house. He'd again have to take the back route to his father's. Stepping out the kitchen door, he surveyed the area with his glasses and found it clear. Fortunately, neither the police nor Hawkman had discovered this remote path.
Not sure how much time he might have before the police converged on his place, he grabbed the box of pictures, locked up and left the premises. He drove slowly over the dirt road hoping to keep down any dust cloud that might draw attention to his departure. Once around a bend in the road where he could no longer see the house, he picked up speed.
When he reached his father's house, his stomach tightened. No smoke drifted from the chimney and Happy's old truck was gone. What had happened? Hurrying to the front door, he dashed inside. Rushing from room to room, he discovered Lilly's and Maryann's suitcases open with clothes dangling over the edges. In his father's room, he found an unmade bed, missing the decorative blanket his mother had made years ago. He ran back to the kitchen where a note placed on the table, held down by a cold cup of coffee read, ‘Happy sick, taking him to hospital in Yreka, Love, Lilly'.
Maduk ran out of the house and jumped into the car. The tires squealed as he yanked the steering wheel into a U-turn and sped out of the yard. It didn't appear they'd been gone long, and the old truck wouldn't travel over forty miles per hour, or you'd have a problem. And he imagined as soon as they got onto the main highway leading into town, they'd get stopped. The truck hadn't been registered in years because they never used it on the main road.
Sweat beaded Maduk's forehead as he thought about the dangers involved. He could foresee some young rookie pulling the vehicle over to get his quota of tickets for the day and discovering Lilly and Maryann in the car along with a sick old man.
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