A Christmas to Die For_Mrs. A 1

by Kristine Frost

  Edith looked up as the ranger walked toward her small group. “Miss,” he said with a smile, “Superintendent Connelly will be down in just a few minutes. He’ll bring a ranger with a ladder. They’ll go down and check out your mysterious lump.”

  Five minutes later, a tall, beefy man in a green ranger’s uniform, strode from the elevator. His red face, jowls and frown showed that he was less than pleased to be in the Big Room at that moment.

  “What’s the problem?” He demanded, rather belligerently.

  The young ranger looked like he wanted to run, so Mrs. Thornton said, “When I was walking down the walkway, I saw something glint down there. It looked like a crystal or the face of a watch. When we looked we saw what looked like a bundle of clothes.”

  “Ma’am, our rocks are famous for looking like something besides a rock,” he said condescendingly.

  She could feel the blood rush to her face. She knew she had a quick temper and it began to rise to the surface. Her eyes flashing, she said, “I asked the ranger to shine his light on that rock just to make sure that it was a rock. He looked at it with binoculars. Then I did the same. It looks like hand is sticking out of the side of the rock. That seems a bit unusual unless you are reading a science fiction novel, so I asked him to check to make sure that the rock really was a rock.”

  Connelly reached for his big LED flashlight. Turning it on, he looked at Edith’s rock, then looked again. “Let me see your binoculars,” He snapped, looking at Simms.

  Simms pulled them off his belt, handing them to Connelly who held the flashlight in one hand and the binoculars in the others.

  “Johnson,” He snapped. “You’d better check it out.”

  Johnson attached the hooks on the end of the ladder to a small metal bar cemented into the backside of the overlook wall. He swung it over the wall and then carefully put his weight on the rungs and began to climb down.

  A large crowd had started to gather. “What’s going on?” A woman dressed in a florescent green jogging suit asked.

  “The lady dropped her glasses down below.” Superintendent Connelly replied. “Please move on about the cave.”

  He turned to look down at Johnson who was carefully picking his way around stalactites and stalagmites. When he finally got to the bundle of clothing, he stooped down and touched the bundle. Then he stepped over it, and stooped down again. Even in the bad light, they could see him put his hand to his mouth and turn away. He raised his arm and put his thumb down.

  “That doesn’t look good,” Simms said, as Johnson began working his way back to the ladder.

  Johnson climbed to the top of the ladder saying very quietly, “You’ve got a dead body, Chief, and it wasn’t natural. You’d better call in the police.”

  Connelly shook his head. “This is a National Park so the local police don’t have jurisdiction. I’d better call Bert Williams.” He looked at Mrs. Thornton, “He’s the regional supervisor over the Western Region of National Parks. I’m willing to bet he calls in the FBI.”

  Johnson said, “It doesn’t matter who he calls in. We are going to have a logistical nightmare. We can’t move the body, so their crime scene people will be all over the place. We’ll be lucky if we can contain the damage to the area the body is in.” He grimaced. “I just wish our stalactites and stalagmites weren’t so touchy. Some of these are still wet.”

  Connelly folded his arms. “True. We won’t be able to stop them from examining the area, not with a murder, but we can set up our lights and mark a path for them to use.” He looked at Johnson, “I’m assuming that you took the safest route to the body? Well, safest for the stalactites, that is?”

  “Yes, sir. I tried avoid the obvious path so I wouldn’t contaminate the crime scene if there was a crime.” He smiled a little sheepishly. “My brother’s a cop, so I know about crime scene contamination.”

  Connelly said, “I’d better call from my office. Cell’s don’t work down here and I don’t need any publicity.” He turned to Mrs. Thornton. “I’ll have to ask you and your family to come up to my office. You won’t be able to leave until the FBI get here.”

  Chapter 5

  Day Two--Downtown El Paso—mid afternoon

  Ruth was dead tired. She had spent the morning dealing with the repercussions of the surprise audit. Three government agencies had called saying they were sending people to look into the problems at Weldon. Both her cell and her land line had rung constantly. The press had gotten wind of the audit and were having a field day.

  Her cell phone turned off, Ruth was sitting on an uncomfortable plastic chair reading a picture book to Josie, a five-year-old girl lying in a large hospital bed. She was wearing a bright Christmas smock and the blanket on her bed was green with colorful Christmas ornaments and teddy bears printed on it. There was a small overly decorated Christmas tree on a stand in the corner. There were many small presents under the tree and one huge present.

  Both Ruth and Josie looked up as Amy, a tall, blond nurse walked into the room. She was dressed in a white smock with laughing Santa’s printed on it.

  “Josie, how are you feeling this this afternoon?” She asked.

  “Icky.” She smiled weakly, “But Grandma Ruth brought me the huge present that’s under the tree and she is reading my favorite book to me.”

  Ruth added, “For the fourth time.”

  “What book is that?” Amy asked. “If it’s that good, I’ll have to get it for my son, Devon.”

  Josie said, “It’s called The Monster at the End of This Book and you should ask Santa Claus to bring it to Devon.”

  Ruth smiled and turned the book so that Amy could see the cover.

  “That’s a good idea. I will ask Santa to bring him that book. He loves Grover.” She pulled her stethoscope from around her neck. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to take your vitals.”

  Ruth got up and walked to the window to give Amy room to move around the bed. She realized that the heavy black clouds that had covered the sky all day, were obscured by a raging snow storm. Fearfully, she looked at her watch. Then she turned her cell back on. It was nearly two and she hadn’t heard from her granddaughter and her friends.”

  “We’re having a blizzard,” she managed to say as she looked for a text from her granddaughter. The only texts were from newspaper reporters and Weldon employees. She could feel panic setting in. Her face turned so white that the blush she was wearing stood out on her cheeks like a fire engine against snow. Her hands were shaking and she fumbled trying to put her phone back in her teal pantsuit.

  “What’s wrong, Grandma Ruth?” Josie asked. “You don’t look so good.”

  Amy looked up and then hurried over to help Ruth sit down. “I’m sorry,” Ruth said. “My granddaughter and her friends went to Carlsbad Caverns yesterday and were supposed to leave by noon and they were going to call me before they left. I haven’t heard from them. When I saw the blizzard, I guess it gave me a shock.”

  Amy put her fingers on Ruth’s wrist. “The shock seems to be wearing off. Your pulse is strong, and you aren’t so pale. Why don’t you try calling them?”

  “I will, but the cell phone reception isn’t very good between here and Whites City.” She slid her thumb across the phone and then put it to her ear. After a few minutes, she said, “Antonia, call me when you get this message.” Then she pushed a button. “It just went to voice mail.”

  “Well, this young lady seems to be doing well, especially after having another treatment so I’ll let you get back to your reading.”

  Mrs. A sat down and picked up the book.

  Normally, Ruth loved to read to the patients in the Children’s Cancer Ward, but today it seemed like the hands on her watch refused to move.

  Finally, Tara, Josie’s aide brought in her mandatory snack and Ruth was able to escape from the hospital.

  She called Martin as she left the children’s wing. “I’m ready to come home,”

  “We’re waiting at the main entrance. I though
t you’d be done about now.”

  As she turned toward the main entrance, she could feel her feet slowing down. Come on, Ruth. I know you’re tired, but you do need to walk to the car. Just put one foot ahead of the other. Come on girl, you can do it.

  After what seemed like an eternity, she walked through the sliding glass door. The snow was whipping around so hard that she could barely see across the sidewalk to her car.

  As soon as Martin saw her, he opened the car door, umbrella in hand, but before she could tell him to stay put, the wind had turned the umbrella inside out and blown it out of his hand. He let it fly away and hurried across the sidewalk. Taking her arm, he helped her to the car.

  Once inside with the door shut, he said, “I hate to tell you this after everything else you’ve had to deal with but--”

  She sighed. “Just tell me. I’m sitting down.”

  “Bob Black was found dead in Carlsbad Caverns sometime today. It was on the noon news.”

  She groaned. “Oh no. Do you think it was because of the Crawford investigation?”

  “I don’t know. I’m sure that wasn’t the only case he had. He was a very good investigator so I’m sure he had a lot of clients.”

  Ruth struggled to find her cell phone in her oversized tote. “I think I’d better call Ann Miles. She might know more than the newspapers.”

  When she finally found her phone, she touched the screen. “Miss Miles? This is Ruth Arbuthnot. Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine, Mrs. Arbuthnot. Is there a problem?”

  My butler just told me that he heard on the noon news that Bob was found dead in Carlsbad Caverns this morning.”

  “He heard it on the noon news? That doesn’t make any sense. I just talked to Bob less than fifteen minutes ago.”

  She turned to look at Martin. “Are you sure that the news said Bob Black? Ann says that he called less than fifteen minutes ago.”

  “Positive, ma’am. They said that the FBI was in charge of the case because the murder happened at a National Park.”

  “Ann, did you hear what he said?”

  “Yes. But it still doesn’t make sense.” Ann protested.

  “I’m only a few miles from your office. I’ll be there in five minutes.” She pushed the off button firmly.

  “You could have at least said goodbye,” Martin said. “You’ve probably scared the poor thing to death.”

  She frowned at him. “I guess I did forget my manners, but--”

  “No, buts, ma’am.”

  “Don’t call me ma’am. You only call me ma’am when you think I’ve screwed up.”

  The driver managed to find a parking place almost directly in front of Bob’s office. As she got out of the car, she realized that the wind had dropped, but the snow seemed to be falling even harder.

  I wish Antonia would call. Then she thought, maybe the storm had damaged the cell service, though.

  When Martin held open the door, she pulled out her phone and pressed the number for Antonia’s cell phone. It went straight to voice mail.

  “No answer?”

  She shook her head. “It went to voice mail, again.”

  Martin said, “If there’s been a murder, the police may not let the girls leave or call home.”

  Ruth smiled. “I hadn’t thought of that. Of course, we don’t know what’s going on for sure.”

  Ruth walked to the elevator with Martin following. She said, “This building is always so squeaky clean and shiny. I’m always afraid I’m going to slip and fall.”

  Exiting the elevator on the fourth floor, Ruth hurried down the hall, thankful that she had worn a velour jogging suit and running shoes. Heels look good, but they can be hazardous to your health on slick floors.

  Martin hurried past her to pull open the door. As they entered Ann got up from her desk and walked over to shake hands. “Please sit down.” She motioned to a couple of chairs that she had pulled in front of her desk.

  “I tried calling Bob back after I talked to you, but he didn’t answer. I thought about calling Roger, Bob’s partner, but--”

  Ruth nodded, “You don’t have to explain. I wouldn’t have called Roger either.” There’s something about him, that sets my teeth on edge.

  Chapter 6

  Downtown El Paso

  “Even though the news talked about Bob’s death, they didn’t say who was in charge. I could call Tom Cramer at the Herald. I bet he’d know.” Martin said.

  “Good idea.”

  He pulled out his cell phone and pushed some buttons. “I wish to speak to Tom Cramer, please.” He put his hand over the receiver. “They have gone to see if he is still in the newsroom.”

  He turned back to the phone. “Mr. Cramer. This is Martin, Mrs. Arbuthnot’s butler. She was wondering who was handling the murder that took place at Carlsbad Caverns.” He listened for a few minutes, smiled and said, “I’ll see what I can do for you.”

  He picked up a pencil and Ann shoved a note pad toward him. He wrote a number on the pad, then turned. “An Inspector Lepley from the FBI is handling the case because it took place at a National Park. Mr. Cramer said that he wants an exclusive when you find out ‘who dun’ it as he so colorfully put it. He gave me Inspector Lepley’s cell number.”

  Ruth leaned back in the chair. “I’ve never dealt with the FBI.”

  “I’m sure they will be more competent than Sheriff Wilson,” Martin said with a grin.

  “If they’re not, I’m pulling my money from Senator Harbinger’s re-election campaign.

  Martin smiled grimly. “I wouldn’t blame you, ma’am. Do you want me to call Inspector Lepley?”

  Ruth rubbed her cheek. “Yes. I’m afraid that’s the only way we can clear up this confusion.”

  When Martin began to dial the number, Ann said, “Are you sure this is a good idea. I’ve heard that the police don’t like private detectives.”

  “If it is Bob, then we need to know for sure. If not, then there’s been a mistake in identifying the victim and the FBI needs to know that.”

  “Mrs. A,” he said he would be over if a few minutes. He’s in the neighborhood.”

  A few minutes later, a large man in a perfectly tailored dark grey suit pulled open the door. He was followed by a tall, rangy man wearing a dark brown suit.

  They certainly look like the FBI portrayed in the movies I’ve seen, Ruth thought.

  “Inspector Lepley?” Martin asked.

  Lepley flipped open ID. After introductions, Lepley said, “How can I help you, Mrs. Arbuthnot?”

  “Please call me Ruth or Mrs. A. Arbuthnot is such a mouthful.”

  He smiled. “Alright, Ruth. How can I help you?”

  “I hired Bob Black, Ann’s boss, to investigate a problem I’m having with Crawford Construction. You probably don’t need to know the details of that problem--”

  “You never know what details will be helpful. Why don’t you tell me about it?” Inspector Duncan pulled out his notebook.

  “Crawford Construction was the low bid on our new plastics factory complex. The building inspector approved the construction, but when the equipment was moved in, the building began falling apart. My attorneys tried to talk to the head of Crawford Construction, but he was never available. Then the building inspector disappeared. Jason Thomas, my attorney, suggested I hire Bob Black to investigate both Crawford and the building inspector. He said he had other cases, but a number of people had been injured when a wall had collapsed so I paid him extra to work on my case first which he agreed to do.

  “He called day before yesterday and said that he was making progress. He’d found a lead to the building inspector and he thought he would be able to find him.”

  Lepley frowned. “If he was working on your case, why would he have been at Carlsbad Caverns last night?”

  “I don’t know,” Ruth said. “He didn’t tell me anything about the lead he was pursuing.”

  Martin added, “Then I heard on the news that Bob Black had been found murdered
so Mrs. A called Ann.”

  “I told her that I had a call from Bob,” Ann looked at her watch. “Less than an hour ago.”

  Duncan looked at her shocked. “Are you sure that it was Bob Black, your boss?”

  Ann nodded. “Bob has a very distinctive voice, and we have a verification code that we use when he calls in.”

  Ruth said, “Does Roger know the verification code?”

  “No. His code is totally different and his voice is very high. Bob’s a deep bass.”

  Lepley and Duncan looked at each other. “Then who died?” Duncan asked.

  Lepley said, “That’s a good question. The man carried Black’s ID—driver’s license and detective’s ID.”

  Ann said, “Bob didn’t mention that his ID was stolen when he called. He just checked in to let me know he wouldn’t be back to the office today.”

  Duncan said, “Miss Miles, how long have your worked for Black?”

  “Eight years.” She smiled, then pulled her purse out of the bottom drawer. She reached inside and brought out a small jeweler’s box. Opening it, she turned it toward Lepley. “Bob asked me to marry him Sunday night. I would say I know him pretty well.”

  “Congratulations,” Lepley said. “I hate to ask this but would you come down to the mortuary. I need to know for sure if Black is alive.”

  Ann’s face paled. She looked helplessly at Mrs. Arbuthnot.

  Before she could ask, Ruth said, “Do you want us to go with you?”

  “Yes, please,” she whispered. Her eyes filled with tears and she began to tremble.

  Ruth got quickly got to her feet and hurried around the desk to put her arm around Ann. “I know this is hard, dear, but we need to know if Bob is okay.”

  Martin took Ann’s coat from the coat rack and helped her put it on.

  Lepley said, “I think we need to seal Bob’s office. If Bob is dead, we’ll need to preserve the evidence.”