Needled to Death

by Sefton, Maggie

Kelly obediently flipped open her cell even though she knew she wouldn’t have a signal. “I’m afraid I don’t have a signal, Lieutenant. I can call you when I get back into range. My call log will have a record of the time.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Flynn, I’d appreciate that.” He reached into his pocket and handed her a card. “Here’s another, Ms. Flynn. I’m assuming you no longer have the first one I gave you.” A small smile appeared for a second.

  “Thanks, Lieutenant. I’ll call as soon as I leave the canyon,” Kelly said. “Can I ask a question, sir?”

  “You can ask, Ms. Flynn, but I make no promises to answer.” This time Peterson gave her a real smile.

  “Who found Debbie? Was it Jayleen Swinson? She takes care of the alpacas. As soon as we got back into town last night, she headed up here.”

  Peterson started scribbling again, which wasn’t a good sign. “No, Ms. Flynn, it wasn’t Ms. Swinson who discovered the body, and I’m not at liberty to say who it was. We’ll make it a point to speak with Ms. Swinson, though. You take care now, and drive safely out of the canyon.”

  With that, Peterson turned around and headed back to a small group of investigators assembled on the porch. Kelly watched a uniformed officer start to wind yellow tape around the sprawling log home. Again. She stared almost in disbelief that death could strike twice in this peaceful mountain setting. Part of her still couldn’t believe it.

  Kelly headed for her car. Jumping in, she sped away from the ranch as fast as she could. This time, she didn’t even pay attention to the beautiful mountain scenery as she tore out of the canyon. The awful memories from Vickie’s death were tugging at her, and this time they’d brought a new friend. Guilt.

  This would never have happened if she’d been there yesterday. If she hadn’t gone to Wyoming, then she would have been there to help Debbie when she had her attack. Surely that’s what it was. A sudden asthma attack. Hadn’t Mimi told her how worried she was about Debbie? This very morning Mimi was worried about an asthma attack. And it happened. And Kelly wasn’t there to stop it.

  The sporty car shot forward, picking up speed, responding to the increased pressure of Kelly’s foot. It was all her fault. She knew Debbie was getting tired. She’d seen how pale Debbie looked these last few days. Why had she gone to count cows when Debbie needed her? Debbie probably spent the whole day up here working while Kelly was gone.

  She wheeled around a curve, feeling the centripetal force tug at the car, pulling it over the line. It was all her fault. If she’d been there, Debbie wouldn’t have overworked. She wouldn’t have died.

  Kelly rounded another curve just as a red SUV swerved into view. Thanks to razor-sharp reflexes, Kelly was able to hug the inside of the curve just in time. She braked immediately, slowing to a safer speed.

  Idiot! What are you doing? You know better than that. Slow down and stop this drivel about your being responsible for Debbie’s death. Kelly recognized the voice of her guardian angel. Nary a fluffy feather on this angel. Kelly’s angel specialized in kicking butt.

  Kelly realized the truth. She was not responsible for Debbie’s death. Debbie could have died just as easily in the motel room all alone.

  Checking the scenery, Kelly noticed she was almost out of the canyon. She flipped open her cell phone and tossed it on the seat, waiting for it to wake up with a beep. Meanwhile, Kelly tried to figure out who had found Debbie and called the police.

  She’d been sure it was Jayleen until Peterson said it wasn’t. After all, Jayleen headed over here last night about six o’clock. That means Debbie hadn’t been discovered yet, or there would have been police cars all over. Jayleen would have called. So, it had to be later in the evening. Who would come that late? Who would even know Debbie was here?

  Geri. It had to be Geri. She’s the only one who kept in regular contact with Debbie like Kelly did. Jayleen said she tried to stay out of Debbie’s way, because she didn’t want to upset her.

  Kelly glanced accusingly at the little phone, willing it to resurrect. It lay silent on the seat as she wound toward the mouth of the canyon. Finally, as she reached the edge of Landport, the phone beeped into life. Pulling over to the shoulder, Kelly punched in Peterson’s number and left a voice message. Time of Debbie’s call was eleven twenty yesterday morning. She searched the directory as she headed back into traffic, then dialed Geri’s number. Geri answered on the third ring.

  “Geri, it’s me,” Kelly exclaimed, breathless. “I went up to the ranch to finish the accounts, and the police were there. They told me Debbie died yesterday! An asthma attack. It’s horrible. I cannot believe this happened.”

  Geri’s voice sounded strained and raspy, as if she’d been crying. “I know, I know. The police told me this morning. I drove by and saw the cars. . . .” Her voice faded away.

  “You didn’t find her?” Kelly asked in surprise. “But, but I thought it surely was you who called them.”

  “No no, it wasn’t me,” Geri said. “I saw her yesterday afternoon, but then I ran some errands and went back to the ranch.”

  Kelly remembered Geri’s late-afternoon trip to the casino. Lots of errands, indeed. “Who in the world found her, then?” she wondered out loud.

  “Wasn’t it Jayleen? I assumed it was her. I haven’t called or anything.”

  “No, I asked the detective in charge if it was Jayleen, and he said it wasn’t,” Kelly replied.

  “Who could it have been? Oh, God . . . I can’t believe this,” Geri’s voice quavered. “Poor Debbie, dying all alone like that.”

  That image bothered Kelly too. “I know, that haunts me as well.”

  “I . . . I’ve got to hang up, Kelly. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Her phone clicked off.

  Kelly flipped off the phone, puzzling over who would come to the ranch in the evening. As she passed by a stretch of properties, Kelly recognized Jayleen’s truck pulling into a driveway. Without hesitation, Kelly wheeled in behind her, following Jayleen all the way to the barn area. A modest house and barn occupied the edge of what Kelly guessed to be about five acres. Not much, but enough to raise a small herd, she thought as she exited her car.

  “Thought that was you behind me,” Jayleen said as she strolled up, hands in hip pockets in her trademark fashion. “What’s up? You look like hell.”

  “Debbie’s dead,” Kelly blurted. “I went up there to meet her in the office, and police are crawling all over the ranch again. Just like when Vickie died.”

  Jayleen’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes popped wide. “What! That can’t be! Wh-what happened?”

  “They said it looked like an asthma attack.”

  Tears sprang to Jayleen’s eyes, and she ran her hand through her tousled hair. “Not Debbie, too. No! This can’t be happening.” She turned from Kelly and walked several paces away, her head hanging.

  Kelly stayed silent, watching a hawk sail from the pasture into the foothills, hunting. After a minute, Jayleen rejoined her, wiping the back of her hand across her face.

  “I’m so sorry, Jayleen. It hurts to lose family. I know.”

  “When did it happen? Yesterday, when we were gone?”

  Kelly nodded, somber. “Yeah, and you can imagine how I feel because I was up in Wyoming and not here with Debbie.” Guilt twisted its knife once more.

  “There’s plenty of room in that guilty tree, Kelly,” Jayleen said. “I went out there last night and raced through the chores. Got those animals in the barn in two shakes flat. I saw Debbie’s car in the driveway, but did I go in and check on her? Noooo. And this morning, too. I was in such a hurry to get back to my own business.”

  Kelly watched the emotions play across Jayleen’s face and offered the same advice to her she’d given to herself. “Jayleen, don’t do that to yourself,” she said softly, her hand reaching out. “I blamed myself all the way out of the canyon and nearly ran into some guy on the curve. I’m not to blame for Debbie’s death and neither are you. You didn’t check in on Debbie because you knew it woul
d bother her. You told me so before. And she could just as easily have had the attack at night in her hotel.”

  Jayleen snuffled and swiped at her eyes. “I guess you’re right, but I feel so bad! Her dying alone and all, right after her mother. Who . . . who found her? Geri?”

  Kelly shook her head. “No. I talked with Geri on the way here. She said she last saw Debbie in the afternoon, but not after that. She also mentioned she ran some errands yesterday. I guess those errands included a trip to the casino.”

  Jayleen stared off. “Well, who in hell found her then? Nobody else knew she was working at the ranch except us.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out,” Kelly said, catching sight of a police cruiser coming down the county road.

  It slowed as it approached Jayleen’s driveway and turned. Uh-oh, Kelly thought. Time for her to leave. She didn’t want to test Lieutenant Peterson’s patience.

  “Sorry, Jayleen,” Kelly apologized. “I should have mentioned this earlier. Lieutenant Peterson told me he was coming to interview you.”

  Jayleen gave Kelly a wan smile. “That’s okay, Kelly. I’ll try to behave myself better this time. I think he got upset with me last time we met.”

  Kelly smiled and waved good-bye as she headed for her car while the police cruiser pulled up in the graveled driveway.

  “This is horrible, just horrible,” Mimi said, a tear trickling down her cheek.

  Kelly reached across the secluded café table and squeezed Mimi’s arm. “I know, Mimi. It’s tragic to lose both of them.”

  Mimi leaned her face in her hands and wept quietly. Kelly gently patted her arm, not knowing what else to do. It was impossible to console another’s grief. Not really. It was best to let them mourn. Tears had helped her, Kelly recalled.

  “I’m losing too many friends, Kelly,” Mimi said. “This is heartbreaking.”

  “I understand, Mimi, I truly do,” Kelly soothed as best she could. Pete peered around the corner then and looked at Kelly with concern. She lifted Mimi’s cup so he would bring some more tea. “Mimi, why don’t you go home and take some private time to yourself. Everybody understands. We’re all concerned about you. You’ve known Vickie and Debbie the longest, so this hurts you the most.”

  Mimi sniffled into a tissue. “I don’t know. . . .”

  “This has been a terrible shock. You need to go home and rest. Take care of yourself, otherwise we’ll be hovering around you.”

  Mimi stared at the new cup of tea that miraculously appeared. “Thanks, Pete,” she whispered. “Maybe I will go home. Tell Rosa to—”

  “I’m right here, Mimi,” Rosa said, slipping into the chair beside her. She patted Mimi’s other arm. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Jennifer will take you home. You drink your tea. Everything will be fine here.”

  “And don’t come in tomorrow morning, either, or we’ll send you back home. Right, Rosa?” Kelly warned as she rose to leave.

  “You got it,” Rosa said, nodding her head.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow, and you’d better be at home,” Kelly said as she headed to the shop entryway. Mimi was in Rosa’s capable hands now.

  Kelly stopped by the library table long enough to grab her things. She needed to return to her own office now, where she imagined client files were stacking up in her computer mail in-box. Thankfully, there was no practice tonight, so she could catch up on her office workload. Another night spent in front of the computer.

  All of the work she’d done for Debbie was in limbo. The ranch office and all its files were off-limits for now. Kelly had no idea when she’d be able to finish. And who would be in charge when she did finish? The lawyer handling the estate? Maybe she should call the lawyer. Debbie had been in regular contact with him over the will and its provisions. Kelly needed to introduce herself and tell him the financial reports were nearly finished. After all, the estate couldn’t be processed without them.

  As Kelly approached the foyer, Burt entered the shop. “Kelly, I just heard,” he said. “Jennifer is outside waiting to take Mimi home, and she told me. How’s Mimi doing?” His gaze was warm and compassionate.

  “Heartbroken, as you can imagine,” Kelly answered truthfully. “We told her to go home and stay there for a couple of days. She needs to take care of herself.”

  Burt nodded, staring off toward Mimi’s office. “You’re right. Is there anything I can do? I’m teaching a spinning class tomorrow, but I’ll be glad to do whatever you folks need.”

  Thoughts began pulling at Kelly, demanding her attention. She’d been chewing on some of them all the way from Landport. “Actually, Burt, there is something you can do.” She gestured toward the main room once again and chose a spot at the end of the library table for them both. “There are several things about Debbie’s death that are puzzling me, and I was hoping you could find the answer,” she said as she sat down.

  Burt smiled as he settled his large frame in the small chair. “Tell me what’s puzzling you, Kelly, and I’ll try to find the answers, if I can.”

  Kelly pondered for a moment. “First, I’d like to know who found Debbie. I asked Geri Norbert, but she said it wasn’t her. Lieutenant Peterson told me Jayleen didn’t find her, either. Then he added he ‘wasn’t at liberty to say’ who it was. But Geri, Jayleen, Mimi, and I were the only ones who knew Debbie was working up at the ranch.”

  “More people than that knew Debbie was there,” Burt countered. “Think about it, Kelly. She’d been here for over two weeks and had been contacting lawyers and banks and all sorts of people, including police.”

  “Okay, you’re right,” Kelly conceded. “But I want to know who found her and why Peterson is being so secretive about it.”

  This time Burt grinned. “Secretive? Sure you’re not exaggerating, Kelly?”

  “Not at all, Burt.” Kelly leaned forward over the table even though they were the only ones in the room. “When I drove up to the ranch yesterday to meet Debbie, Peterson and his guys were crawling around there just like they did when Vickie died. They were putting police tape over the place like before. Something told me they wouldn’t do that if it was a natural death.”

  “Well, she didn’t die a natural death,” he said. “Apparently it was an attack of this asthma or whatever. Peterson was just following procedures, Kelly.”

  “I don’t think so, Burt. My instinct tells me something else is going on. Peterson came out and started asking me questions just like he did when Vickie died. Writing down everything in his little notepad.”

  “What kind of questions?”

  “When did I last speak with Debbie? Did she seem upset or disturbed about anything? Anything recent?”

  The expression on Burt’s face changed. Imperceptible, but Kelly saw it. “Anything else?”

  “No, he said he’d talk to Jayleen after I reminded him she was there the night before with the animals.”

  “Did she talk to Debbie while she was there?”

  Kelly shook her head. “Debbie doesn’t like Jayleen because she . . . well, she had an alcohol problem years ago, and Debbie still has a lot of bad memories of her mom trying to help Jayleen. I could feel it when Debbie talked to me about it in the office one night. So Jayleen tries to keep her distance.”

  “So, Jayleen was there last night to care for the animals, and Debbie’s body was found later, right?” Burt asked.

  The change in Burt’s tone was slight, but Kelly detected that as well. He was suspicious. “What are you thinking, Burt? That Jayleen might have done this? That’s crazy.”

  “Nothing’s too crazy to be ruled out in murder,” he said. “Tell me, does Jayleen go to the farm in the morning to care for the animals?”

  “Yes, and she told me she’d been in a terrible hurry, that’s why she didn’t check on Debbie. She feels terrible that she didn’t, just like I felt awful for being away in Wyoming.”

  “Did Jayleen mention there were police cars at the ranch?”

  Kelly shook her head.
“No, there couldn’t have been, or she would have called me. In fact, she would have gone to talk to them herself. I know Jayleen.”

  “Do you? How long have you known her?”

  “Well, not very long, actually,” she admitted. Now, Burt’s suspicions had magically transferred to her mind. How well did she really know Jayleen? Sure, she liked Jayleen as a person. Really liked her. But maybe there was a side of Jayleen she hadn’t seen. A side she kept hidden.

  “What time did you folks return to town?”

  “About six o’clock. Megan and I rushed to ball practice, and Jayleen took off for the canyon. She was way behind with her chores and all her work. She has a bookkeeping business on the side, too, you see.” Kelly added the last part in an effort to explain Jayleen’s hurried state. Surely Burt couldn’t be serious. Jayleen couldn’t kill Debbie. Could she?

  “Sounds pretty busy to me. Is money a problem for Jayleen?” he asked.

  “Yeah, like it is for all of us, I guess,” she answered lamely. Burt’s interrogation was making her very uncomfortable. Kelly didn’t like the thoughts that roamed around her head now. In one last effort to deflect Burt’s attention from her friend, Kelly offered, “Hey, maybe Peterson was asking all those questions because they saw signs of a prowler. You know, a break-in, or something.

  “Maybe,” was all Burt said, but it was the way he said it that convinced Kelly her questions had brought more suspicions than answers. And in the process, had put her friend, Jayleen, right in the middle of the police radar screen.

  Seventeen

  “Okay, Carl, that’s enough,” Kelly called out. “The guy will be finished in a moment. Don’t scare the man to death, or he’ll never come back.”

  Carl looked over his shoulder at her, as if he was considering what she said, then launched into another ferocious series of barks at the Intruder Who Dared.

  Kelly watched the fencing contractor measure and scribble, scribble and measure around the fence and yard. She hoped the estimate wouldn’t be too high, but she’d already convinced herself that angled fencing was the only remedy she could live with. Something had to be done to release Captive Carl.