Paradise Park

by Carolina Mac

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  SPANGLER BUZZED MCMURTRY in his office down the hall. “Get your ass in here, Mick.”

  “You’re bossy this morning,” he growled.

  She grinned. “Guess what?”

  He sipped his coffee from the foam cup in his hand and didn’t smile. “Can’t wait until you tell me why you’re so happy.”

  “Those assholes in M.P. finally found Eastman.”

  McMurtry straightened up and raised his eyebrows. “Where the hell is he?”

  “Super jail.”

  He set his cup down on the desk. “Our own super jail?”

  “You got it.”

  “I don’t fucking believe it. What they get him for?”

  “P.V. He’s serving a balance—he knows the system well enough to know exactly how to work it to his advantage.”

  “Are you thinking he staged something to get picked up on purpose?”

  “That’s my first thought, but let’s not get crazy until we look into it a little further. We need to see the arrest report and his parole officer’s report and set up a time line.”

  “We need to question him.”

  Spangler shook her head. “Nope. Not yet. We’re not letting him know we suspect a single thing. Not until we have all the facts.”

  “Then let’s get the facts,” said McMurtry.

  After lunch, they had both reports on Spangler’s desk and she had set up a white board in the corner of her office. “Okay this is day one—August 20th. Gary is drinking with Sheila—Gary disappears around midnight. Day two—August 21st. Rob and Grace come to the office and I tell them to wait until the next day.”

  Spangler wrote more dates on the board in red marker. “August 23rd. Rob and Grace come back to file the report and the call comes in from the kids at the swamp.” She wrote ‘found truck. Marg in holding cell.’ “August 24th and 25th they drag the swamp and no body—no gun.”

  “Then the truck is in the forensic garage for the same two days, 24th and 25th and the only evidence in the truck is trace of Gary. Gary’s truck—no big deal,” said McMurtry.

  “Right,” said Spangler. “August 26th Legal Aid gets Marg released—no evidence. She returns to the trailer. Next morning—August 27th Sheila and Arthur hear her inside the trailer before noon. ME says she died around one o’clock. We find her when Rob breaks the door down around six.”

  “Could Gary have been waiting in the trailer?” asked McMurtry.

  “Let’s look at the date that we have on the arrest record,” said Spangler. She perused the paperwork. “He was in the bar at the Grand at three-thirty in the afternoon on August 27th throwing chairs and starting a fight with another patron.”

  McMurtry nodded. “Bar tender calls the cops. They process him and he’s alibied.”

  “It all fits,” said Spangler. “We have to prove he went from his own trailer directly to the bar to set up his alibi. Someone had to drive him to Lindsay—twenty-minute trip at the outside.”

  “Get patrol officers to question all the regulars at that bar and every buddy or girlfriend Eastman ever had. Employees too. He might know someone who works there if he’s a regular.”

  “What time are we scheduled to question him?”

  “Four o’clock

  McMurtry left and Spangler placed a call to Rob Eastman. “Mr. Eastman, this is Detective Spangler. Sorry to bother you at work, but I have some good news for you.”

  Rob sucked in a breath. “Oh, yeah, what’s that?”

  “We’ve located your brother.”

  Rob paused. “No way? Where is he?”

  “He’s in the Lindsay jail serving the balance of his parole.”

  “I can deal with that. Thanks for letting me know.”

  “My pleasure.”

  AT THREE-THIRTY, the two detectives took a short drive north of town to the new Super Jail. They were shown to an interrogation room inside the facility. One table and three metal chairs were the extent of the décor. The walls were cement block painted in a pale cream and the floor was poured concrete painted dark grey.

  Spangler smiled at McMurtry as they waited. “Maybe we can wrap this one up,” she said.

  “You’re optimistic.” He managed a chuckle.

  “Fuck you, Mick.”

  The door opened and a robust guard wearing a tight-fitting beige uniform pushed Gary Eastman into the room. He held the prisoner firmly by the arm and placed him on the only vacant chair. Gary’s hands were cuffed behind him for the interview. The guard retreated and stood sentinel at the door.

  Spangler grinned. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Eastman. I was afraid you were deceased for a while, but I see you’re alive and well.”

  “Fuck off, lady. What do you want?”

  “Just want to clarify how you murdered Marg Baker and got to Lindsay in such a hurry.”

  Gary raised his eyebrows. “You’re telling me Marg is…dead?”

  McMurtry smiled at the Oscar winning performance. “You seem surprised.”

  “Hell yeah. We were in love.”

  Spangler suppressed a giggle. “Who picked you up, Gary? Who drove you to Lindsay to set up your alibi?”

  Gary shook his head convincingly. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Whoever helped you, Mr. Eastman, we’re going to find him or her and this case will be closed. Murder one and you’re done.” Spangler smiled at him.

  “I want a lawyer.”

  Spangler nodded. “Wise move.”

  I WAS FIVE months along and hadn’t missed a beat with my editor. My new book was right on schedule. Rob had purchased a used Chevy pickup to drive to work over the winter and was talking constantly about the wedding that he wanted and the baby that he wanted even more. Now that I was starting to show, Rob fussed over me making sure I got enough rest and took my vitamins. He had taken a half day off work the day of the ultra sound and he was over the moon when the technician showed him the picture and told him the baby was a boy. He carried the picture in his shirt pocket to the welding shop and proudly showed all the boys.

  Rob blasted through the door at supper time with a huge grin plastered across his gorgeous face. “Hey, baby. I love you.”

  I smiled back at him. “I love you too. What are you so happy about tonight?”

  “Got some news today.”

  “Must have been good news. You’re doing a lot of smiling.”

  “That Detective Spangler phoned me at work today and guess what she said?”

  I shook my head. “No idea. Tell me.”

  “Gary ain’t dead. He’s been in the slam all this time. Spangler found out by accident and wanted me to know so I wouldn’t be all sad like I was. He’s getting out soon.”

  “That’s amazing news.” I gave him a big hug. “Why did it take them this long to find that out?”

  “No idea. You know how cops have their heads up their asses.”

  “You should go visit him.”

  THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, Rob and I drove to the prison to visit the long, lost Gary. He was wearing a huge smirk when he came into the visiting area on the other side of the glass.

  “Hey, bro,” said Gary. “Bout time you got here.”

  Rob hung his head. “I thought you were dead after the cops found your truck.”

  “Somebody stole it,” he said.

  I didn’t know Gary well, but he was lying, I was positive of that. “Is that a bandage on your arm?” I touched my finger to the glass.

  “Fucker shivved me in the dining room.”

  “Did you have to get stitches?” I asked.

  “A couple. Don’t worry about me. Okay? Neither one of you. I fuckin don’t want you doing that. Gary Eastman can take care of himself. Always has—always will.”

  “Prisons are dangerous,” I said.

  “You need anything, you call me,” said Rob. “When are you getting out?”

  “Middle of January. Won’t be long now.”

  “We rented your traile
r, but you can stay with us until the people move out,” I said.

  “Hey sweetheart. That’s a nice offer. No wonder my brother is all nutso over you.”

  Rob frowned. “What are you in for this time?”

  Gary hesitated only for a couple of seconds. “Parole violation. Couldn’t report after my truck got swiped and they picked me up.”

  “Where were you when your truck got stolen?” Rob looked puzzled.

  “Drunk at a bar in town. Came out to the parking lot and it was goners. Shacked up with a woman I met in the bar for a couple days.”

  “Why didn’t you call me? I thought you were dead in the swamp.” Rob sounded distressed.

  “They took my phone when they arrested me. Sorry.”

  That’s a pack of lies. Where was he really?

  “I’ll pick you up when you get released,” said Rob.

  “Thanks, bro. You’re the best.”

  Rob and I drove home and both of us were silent most of the way. Rob looked across at me as I drove and said, “He’s lying.”

  “I know he is. Why does he need to lie? That’s the question.”

  LONNIE HAD BEEN taking every long haul he could get. When he was away from Grace he felt less guilty for all the pain he had caused in her life. Coming home every night and seeing Rob’s truck in her driveway, even though he realized that his actions had put it there, make him insane with

  self-hate.

  Since Thanksgiving Lonnie had renewed hope. He and Grace had been talking civilly when they met occasionally outside and he had held her hand once or twice. During the cooler weather, she had been hard at work on her new book and three or four different times she had invited him over for dinner when Rob was working late. Things were looking up.

  More than anything, he wanted Grace back in his life, but if things didn’t work out with Grace he would take the job he had been offered, move to Texas with Ted and try to forget about the mess he had made of his life, if that was possible. He doubted it. And, so did Ted.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  ROB AND I were married on Christmas Eve in a tiny chapel near Jerry’s place in Oshawa. Kate and Jerry stood up for us, then took us for dinner at the Keg. We stayed overnight and celebrated a quiet Christmas with the two of them. Rob was elated that the deed was done, and even more thrilled that my brother had accepted him into the family.

  The first week of January, Rob decreed it was time to work on the baby’s room. “I never made a room look nice for anybody, but I seen them do it on HGTV. It always turns out good.” We chose a pale-yellow paint and Rob rolled it on the walls while I painted the woodwork white.

  Rob had trouble assembling the crib, but worked through the instructions with several bottles of Coors and viewed it proudly when he was done.

  “You’re my man, Robbie, and my husband. I love you greatly. Want me to show you?”

  Rob dropped his hammer and carried me to the bedroom. “Show me what you got.”

  SPANGLER WAS MORE than testy when she entered McMurtry’s cubicle with a large black coffee in her hand. “He’s getting out tomorrow and we still have stink to hold him on, partner.”

  “I fucking know it. We’ve turned over every ugly rock and can’t find a single shred of evidence to place him at the park on the day of the murder. It’s driving me nuts.”

  “I want a tail on him every minute of the day and night until we get something,” she said.

  McMurtry raised his eyebrows. “Think the captain will clear that?”

  “I’ll convince him.”

  JANUARY FOURTEENTH, ROB got the call. Gary was being released the following day.

  “I have to work but I’ll send Grace up at noon to pick you up.” Rob touched her belly and she smiled. “Are you okay to go get him, baby?”

  “I’ll be fine. Won’t take me long.”

  “Can’t wait until my son is born,” Rob said. “Bet he looks just like me.”

  I giggled. “I love you Robbie.”

  GARY WAS WAITING in the front entrance of the jail when I arrived. I signed the papers on behalf of Rob, and Gary swaggered beside me to the truck. “Sorry I’m late. The roads were slippery.”

  “No problem, baby. I’m used to sitting around.”

  Still a sarcastic smart-ass.

  “Looks like you and my little brother are having a kid,” he said, staring at me.

  I smiled although he was getting on my nerves and I’d only been in his company for two minutes. “That’s right. Rob’s excited about it. He can’t wait.”

  “Don’t sound like my brother.”

  “Well he is your brother and he does want this baby.”

  “Okay, you don’t have to get snarky.” He gave me a look that made me want to dump him at the side of the road.

  “Let’s get things straight, Gary, right from the get-go. You act like an asshole in my home and you won’t be there more than thirty seconds. Got it?”

  “Yeah, I got it. You think you’re tougher than Gary Eastman, but nobody is.”

  “I don’t care how tough you think you are. Your bullshit is not going to cut it with me.”

  “All right, all right. I’ll be nice. I promise.” He cast me a lecherous grin that made my skin crawl.

  We arrived home with no further argument and Gary settled into the back room that was really my office space. There was barely room for a single bed and a dresser, but that was the only space I had.

  “Hope this is okay. You probably want to talk to the tenants and give them notice if you’re moving back to your own trailer.”

  “Don’t know if I will or not. Might want to move on.”

  “You have big plans for the future?”

  “Maybe. My truck over at my trailer?”

  “Rob parked it there when he got it back from the impound yard, but he couldn’t get it running.”

  “He’s not the mechanic that I am. Never was,” Gary bragged. “Lot of things I’m better at than my baby brother. Know what I mean?”

  I chose to ignore him. “Make yourself at home and I’ll start dinner.”

  I’ve got to ignore this guy, or I’ll be throwing him out before day one is over.

  Gary ambled into the kitchen opened the fridge and helped himself to a beer. “Want one?”

  “No thanks. I’m not drinking because of the baby.”

  “I think that’s bullshit. What could beer do to hurt a kid?”

  I shrugged and paid attention to the potatoes I was peeling and the paring knife in my hand. Dinner was under way when Rob came through the door and hugged his brother.

  “Hey, glad you’re out.” He gave his brother a grin. “I’ll join you in a beer.”

  “You seem different Rob.” Gary punched him in the arm. “While I was away, I think you got yourself pussy-whipped.”

  Rob glared at his brother. “Don’t start with me, Gary. Grace doesn’t have to let you stay here.”

  “Okay. Sorry.” Gary chugged his beer.

  I set the table thinking this might be the longest month of my life. I filled a glass from the Brita for Rob and set it by his plate. “Dinner’s ready.”

  “Thanks, baby,” Rob said as he sat down at the table.

  Gary ambled over, took another beer from the fridge and chugged half of it. He sat down at the end of the table and stared at me. “If I lived with this babe, I wouldn’t waste a lot of time eating dinner,” he chuckled. “I’d make better use of my time.”

  “Shut up, Gary,” said Rob. “I’ll throw you out in the fucking snow.”

  “And you should try it,” said Gary motioning Rob towards him. “Come on.”

  Rob ignored his brother, but I could see he was fuming.

  I made it through dinner without saying a word. Tension was thick. Rob cast me distressed looks while he picked at his food. He always ate like a horse but his appetite was off. He was worried. Gary was trouble.

  Gary was quiet while he ate. He loaded up with mashed potatoes, carrots and pork chops, clean
ed up his plate and had seconds. “Better than prison food. That’s a fact.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Gracie’s a good cook. She makes good pies too. I love the lemon one.”

  I smiled at Rob and touched his hair as I got up to make coffee. “Uhh,” I grunted and Rob jumped up and ran around the table.

  “You okay, baby?”

  I sucked in a breath before I could speak. “Yep, just a cramp. It’s nothing.”

  “Don’t you drop a kid on my first day home,” said Gary.

  “Shut up,” said Rob.

  Gary made a face, “Couldn’t think of nothing worse.”

  “Shut up, I said.” Rob raised his voice.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Valentine’s Day

  TWO MORE WEEKS and Gary would be moving into his own trailer. Rob was counting the days. He had been far worse than me tolerating his obnoxious brother’s presence in close quarters. The only private time we had was in our bedroom at night—and Rob made a point of locking the door.

  I tried to get most of my work done in the mornings while Gary slept. He usually didn’t surface until about noon. Rob had whispered to me this morning that he was taking me out for dinner for Valentine’s day and Gary wasn’t invited.

  My phone rang at twelve-thirty. Rob was on his lunch break. “Hi sugar pop.”

  “How’s my beautiful Valentine girl?”

  “Fine. I love you. Can’t wait till you come home.”

  “I’m trying to finish early. I should be there by six.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  “What will you be ready for?” asked Gary as he ambled down the hall in his boxers.

  I averted my eyes. Gary wasn’t a pleasant sight in the morning—or anytime for that matter. He rarely showered, always smelled of smoke and beer and never combed his hair. “Rob’s taking me out for dinner.”

  “Ain’t that cute.” He lit up a smoke even though I had asked him to smoke outside. “What’s to eat?”

  “I haven’t had lunch yet. I’ll make you something.”

  “How’d you get so fuckin nice? Take pills or something?” He was too close to me and his body odor and bad breath gagged me.