Murder Fir Christmas

by Joyce Lavene

  Bonnie’s phone started ringing again. It was her mother.

  “Where are you?” she asked. “There’s a big storm coming. You might have to stop in town before you get here. The road into the valley might be closed.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be fine. I’m in Sweet Pepper now. Has Eric left yet?”

  “No. His plane was delayed due to the bad weather. Do you want to talk to him?”

  “That’s okay.” She was very conscious of the other man listening to her. “I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

  “Be careful, Bonnie. I know how you hate driving in snow.”

  “That was a long time ago. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” She ended the call and put the phone in her pocket. She was relieved to hear the wolf growl faintly.

  “So, you’re a native coming home.” Matthew grinned but kept his eyes on the slippery road. “And you live in Christmas Tree Valley. That’s a coincidence. I do too. You must be Rose Tuttle’s girl that she always talks about. No wonder you’re shivering since you’re used to that Alabama climate.”

  Bonnie clamped her teeth together to keep them from chattering. “I also had a refreshing swim in the lake trying to catch the man who started the fire.”

  “Why didn’t you say so?” He turned on the heat in the truck. “Did you get him?”

  “Yes. But someone was out there with a rifle. He shot Ray Hoy and Harvey.”

  “Seriously?” The truck tires slid off the road a few feet, but he recovered them. “Harvey and Ray are both dead? Who’d want to kill them?”

  “No doubt Harvey had some enemies as a Wildlife Agent.” She shrugged, highly aware of her cold, wet clothes and shoes. “Or it was a mistake. I’m not sure. Ray might’ve had help with the fire and his partner didn’t want anyone to know he was involved.”

  “I could see that. Arson is punishable with prison time.” He mulled the matter over. “It could’ve been Vince Stookey. Those two are always together.”

  “Thanks. I’ll check that out.”

  Though it was a slippery, dangerous ride back into Sweet Pepper, they finally made it. Matthew parked the truck on the street, and Bonnie got ready to go inside to talk to Chief Rogers.

  “I’ll take the wolf,” he said. “Trust me. If anyone can fix him, I can. Ask Don when you go inside.”

  She was between a rock and a hard place. She knew time was valuable as far as finding Harvey’s killer. That was no doubt her primary effort in this, and yet she didn’t want to leave the young wolf without help. He could die while she answered questions and drew diagrams.

  He held out his arms. “I won’t hurt him. I promise.”

  Bonnie had no choice. She gave him the wolf, still wrapped in her jacket. “Take good care of him.”

  “You want your jacket?” He peered into the warm cocoon she’d created for the animal. “Maybe not. Here, take him back a minute.”

  She took the wolf back, wondering if he’d changed his mind about tending to him. Instead, Matthew took off his heavy jacket and put it around her shoulders. It hung down almost to her knees and ballooned around her, still carrying his warmth and scent.

  “Thanks,” she said awkwardly. “But what will you do?”

  “I’ll be fine. Give me the wolf. Good luck trying to explain what happened. Call me when you’re finished.”

  “I don’t have your cell phone number.”

  He rattled off his number, and she quickly punched it into her phone. He had the wolf and her jacket. It seemed the day was doomed to be full of surprises—most of them unpleasant.

  She felt stupid walking into town hall wearing a coat that was too big for her, but she’d finally stopped shivering. She wasn’t taking it off to appease any small-town questions.

  There were a few unusual looks when she got inside, but no one said anything about it. Sandie rushed to get her a towel and a cup of hot coffee. Bonnie felt even worse about dripping on the floor. At least it was tile so it would clean up easily.

  “That’s Brown Elk’s jacket, isn’t it?” Chief Rogers stalked from his office. “You look rough. I can lend you a dry uniform if that would help.”

  Embarrassed, she told him she’d go out and get some dry clothes before they talked. “Sorry. I had a wolf in my arms and didn’t want to put him down. Matthew is looking after it.”

  “He’s the best we’ve got,” the chief confirmed. “You stay put. John will take care of that for you.” He turned to a tall man with brown hair who was wearing an officer’s uniform. “Will you get Agent Tuttle something dry to wear?”

  John Trump stared at him. “Sir?”

  “My blue suitcase in the front seat,” she told him, fishing her keys out of her wet pocket. “Thanks, Officer Trump. I’m Agent Bonnie Tuttle. Nice to meet you.”

  He shook her hand. “Nice to meet you too, ma’am. I’m sorry this had to be your first day in Sweet Pepper. We don’t have many murders around here.”

  “I guess I just got lucky to catch two of them on the same day.” She smiled weakly. “I’ve always been lucky that way.”

  “Me too. Let me get that for you.” John nodded and went outside.

  A short while later, Bonnie was in her uniform, the one she’d packed instead of wearing. Maybe it was just as well, she thought as she put her wet jeans and sweater into a plastic bag that Sandie had given her.

  She glanced at herself in the bathroom mirror. She looked tired and slightly angry. Her hair needed a good brushing, but the brush was in the other suitcase. She wasn’t going out for it.

  This was as good as it was going to get.

  Chapter Four

  Bonnie had never been involved in a murder investigation. She’d been part of several drug stings and investigated out of season hunting incidents and other wildlife related issues. She’d drawn her gun but never fired it except at the range.

  Sitting across from Chief Rogers and Officer John Trump made her nervous.

  “This is a map of the island,” John told her. “You can see the various landmarks. If you could put an X near the spots Harvey and Ray Hoy were killed, that would help the investigation.”

  She picked up the pencil and made a small X near the old dock and a few hundred feet away to the south where she’d found Harvey and the wolf.

  “How much time was involved between each man being shot?” Chief Rogers asked.

  “I can only guess about Harvey since I wasn’t there when it happened. I’d say there was about twenty minutes between Ray Hoy being shot and when I found Harvey.”

  “What about the weapon?” Chief Rogers asked.

  “Hoy had a rifle with him. I don’t know if that was the weapon that killed Harvey. I’m assuming there was another person on the island. Someone shot Hoy, but I didn’t see who.”

  John looked at the chief. “I could probably get both men to Sevierville.”

  “I don’t want to risk that,” Chief Rogers said. “They’ll keep until tomorrow. We’ll take them over to the ice house. It should be plenty cold to keep them. We’re gonna have our hands full here with the storm.”

  “All right.” John nodded. He smiled at Bonnie. “That’s enough for now. If we have any other questions, we have your cell phone number.”

  “You’re not trying to get down the mountain tonight, are you?” Chief Rogers asked her. “We have plenty of places to put you up in town. I don’t want you to end up in a wreck.”

  “No, I don’t plan to go down the mountain. Thanks.” The idea of driving in the snow and ice made her shiver. She’d never liked it when she lived here. She was spared that weather in Alabama. It would take some time to get used to it again.

  Sandie gave her a map that they normally gave out for the Sweet Pepper Festival. It looked like a cartoon but showed all the local places she could find a room for the night. “Your best bet is probably the bed and breakfast right across the street,” she said. “Even if the place was full, she’ll take in stragglers because of the storm.”

  “Thanks.�
�� Bonnie took the map from her. “Any idea where I could get something to eat?”

  “I think the cafe is closed, but Flo always has something. Let’s hope this snow has stopped by morning, or we’ll all be in a pickle.”

  Bonnie’s cell phone rang. It was Matthew Brown Elk.

  “Are you almost done in there?” he asked. “It’s been three hours. How many questions can they ask?”

  “I’m finished now. How’s the wolf?”

  “He’s sleeping comfortably. I guess you’re not going into the valley tonight since the road is blocked. Where are you staying?”

  She looked at the cartoon map. “I guess I’m staying at the bed and breakfast across from town hall. Where are you?”

  “I was planning on sleeping in my truck. You’re welcome to join me.”

  Bonnie smiled at the invitation. “Why don’t you come to the bed and breakfast?”

  “I don’t think Flo would thank me for bringing your wolf there, and he needs to be kept warm tonight. He can’t sleep in the truck by himself.”

  She felt guilty that he had to sleep in his truck to take care of the wolf she’d saved. “Where are you now?”

  “Outside town hall. They’re bound to stay open all night—protect and serve, you know. At least they’ll have a pot of coffee on and bathrooms. I’m staying where I am.”

  “All right. Thanks.” She put her phone in her pocket. It looked like she was going to be spending the night in his pickup. She wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing he was out there because of her.

  She’d also grabbed the heavy coat that went with her uniform. It was like new since she’d only worn it a few times in Alabama. Asking Sandie if she could leave her suitcase there, she draped Matthew’s coat over one arm and picked up two cups of coffee before she went out into the storm.

  It was easy to see why the roads out of Sweet Pepper were blocked. The storm had gathered intensity and had already blanketed the area with at least a foot of snow. Under that was the ice that had first accumulated. The roads that had been difficult were going to be impassable.

  She found Matthew’s truck parked along the curb close to town hall. Her wet tennis shoes were freezing in the snow. She hadn’t thought to bring any boots with her, other than rain boots. She’d have to shop for a pair as soon as she could. It was December in the Smoky Mountains. There would be snow through March or April. She was going to need some warmer clothes too.

  Bonnie tapped on the driver’s side window, and Matthew rolled it down.

  “Coffee?” she asked as the steam from the hot cup swirled with the snow.

  He looked surprised. “Thank you. The bed and breakfast is just over there. Sorry I can’t offer to drive you. I don’t want to lose this space—close to necessary services.”

  She didn’t answer but hurried around to the passenger side, shoved in his jacket, and hopped up on the seat. “You go on to the bed and breakfast,” she said. “I’m the one who brought the wolf. You shouldn’t have to suffer for my actions.”

  “I’ve spent more nights in this truck than I care to remember. I’ll keep watch on the wolf.”

  “Where is he?” She changed the subject since she knew she wasn’t leaving. “How’s he doing?”

  “He’s right here in the back.” He turned on the overhead light so she could see the wolf. “He’s doing all right for an animal that was shot and burned. He’s young. He should recover.”

  Bonnie peered around the seat. The little wolf was sleeping on her jacket. Matthew had cleaned him up, and his wound was no longer bleeding. She smoothed her hand across his head where he hadn’t been injured.

  “Thank you.” She turned back to face Matthew. “Burned and shot?”

  “Yep.” He tossed a small bottle to her. “I got the bullet out. I guess he was involved in the gunfight with Ray and Harvey.”

  She examined the bullet in the plastic bottle, holding it up to the light. “Not a bullet from a rifle. It looks more like a .38.”

  “That’s what I thought too. What the heck was going on out there?”

  “I guess we’ll have more answers tomorrow once the fire brigade gives its report and the coroner has a look at Ray and Harvey.”

  He turned off the light and sat back in his seat sipping his coffee. “You better head over to the B and B. I think we might already have more than a foot of snow, and it’s not slowing down.”

  “I’m not leaving.” She sat back in her seat and drank some of her coffee. “But you can. I promise to keep an eye on your truck.”

  “You’re kind of stubborn, aren’t you?” There was a smile in his voice.

  “That’s what my parents always said. I like to think of it as tenacious.”

  “Not a bad quality for someone in your line of work. How’d you become a federal agent anyway?”

  Bonnie watched the snow hitting the wide windshield, grateful for the warmth of the truck—and hoping he had enough gas in the tank to last the night. She was glad he finally accepted that she wasn’t leaving, but she wished he would have taken her up on her offer to stay there without him. He seemed to be a nice enough person, but it was still awkward staying in his truck overnight. She supposed she could have moved the wolf to her pickup, but she was exhausted. And the heater in her truck wasn’t as good.

  Something else on the list, she thought sleepily.

  She indulged his curiosity by briefly explaining how she’d decided to become a Wildlife Agent. “I’ve always loved wild animals. My mother used to complain because I brought rabbits and snakes inside all the time so I could take care of them. It’s what I wanted to do as an adult too.”

  “Why not work for a zoo or an animal refuge?” he asked.

  “My father was in law enforcement. I guess I wanted to roll the two together after he died. He was killed during a traffic stop on the highway near Sevierville. I was twelve at the time.”

  “I’m sorry. My father died when I was young too. Nothing so dramatic. His tractor rolled over him.”

  “That’s terrible too. I’m sorry.” She put her cup of coffee in a holder between the seats and yawned. “So what do you do?”

  “I still grow Christmas trees in the valley. Same piece of land—but I never take a tractor out by myself.” He paused. “Why did you leave the valley to find your career? Seems like there are plenty of jobs around working with animals. You could’ve been a part-time cop too.”

  She snuggled into her jacket. His had been much better since it was bigger, but hers would have to do. “I had to leave. I didn’t ever plan on coming back to stay.”

  “But sometimes things happen,” he replied. “I guess you had to come back to be with your mother, huh?”

  Bonnie’s even breathing and failure to reply told him that she was asleep. He tucked his coat across her, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes.

  * * *

  It was morning when she awakened. For a minute she couldn’t figure out where she was. The windows were covered with snow. Her back hurt, and the wolf behind her was crying out.

  Matthew was on his knees leaning across the seat. “Swallow some of this, little man. It’s guaranteed to make you feel better.”

  “Is he all right?” Even though her brain felt sluggish, she could still remember the wolf she’d rescued.

  “He’s in some pain. I made a paste with some herbs for the pain. He takes it pretty well.”

  “I’m surprised he’d take it from you that way. What’s in it?”

  “The herbs aren’t as important to getting him to swallow it as the bacon flavoring I put in it.” He soothed the wolf with a salve on the burned parts of his body.

  Bonnie watched him through the sliver of space between his back and her seat. “You’re really good at this. I’m surprised you’re not a wildlife vet.”

  “School and I never got along. It’s just come to me so I could help animals when I need to. But I told you, I’m a tree farmer at heart.” He sat back in his seat. “My coffee was gone a long time a
go. How about yours?”

  “Sure. I could use something hot.” She moved his jacket toward him. “You might need this.”

  “It stopped snowing a couple of hours ago.” He put on his jacket. “The cold set in after that. They’re saying it’s a couple of degrees below zero. I’ll be right back.”

  But it wasn’t as easy to get out as he’d expected. The snow was higher than the bottom of the door and glazed with ice. He had to lean back in the seat and kick the door open. Snow fell on him from the roof and blew into the truck.

  “Don’t try that at home.” He grinned at her and was gone.

  Bonnie checked her phone when he was gone. There were messages from her brother and mother, but she had no service to return the calls. She sighed as she took a closer look at the wolf. The herbs Matthew had given him had taken away the pain, and he was sleeping. He looked so thin and frail. She hoped he’d survive and that she’d be able to reintroduce him to his natural habitat.

  When Matthew didn’t return right away, she decided to go inside to wash her face and get her own coffee. She felt sure no one was going to be out to steal the truck. There were no footsteps or tire marks in the pristine, white blanket that lay over the town.

  Matthew was on his way out as she was going in. He handed her a cup of coffee. “There are donuts too. I didn’t have enough hands to grab any and thought you might not want to eat them after they were in my pocket.”

  She laughed at that. “I’ve eaten a lot of food that was in a pocket. Best place to keep it, right?”

  He took a donut out of his pocket and took a bite of it. “Still good.”

  Bonnie went inside and set her coffee down on a table. She saw the pastries next to the coffee pot, but she headed to the bathroom first.

  The mirror told her that she’d slept well enough for being in a truck all night. Her face looked better, and she felt better too. She felt the plastic bottle in her pocket that held the .38 slug and decided to turn it over to Chief Rogers right away. It wasn’t exactly in the chain of evidence, but it would have to do.