The sheriff thought for a minute. “Where’s Garret Frant?”
Daniel was going to lie, but thought a half-truth might be better in case the sheriff could track phone numbers the way they did on the detective show he and Annamarie watched last week. Daniel began a short account of the last time he saw Garret.
“Got a call from Garret saying his brakes went out and he had an accident. He was calling from a pay phone outside the Tangledbranch Saloon and said he needed a ride home. I took off to help him. I didn’t tell Annamarie where I was going. When I got there, Garret was gone. Thinking maybe he was hurt, and had wandered off, I drove around the rest of the night and part of the morning looking for him, checking the places he might be. I never found him, and I still don’t know where he is.”
“Hmm,” said the sheriff. “Who was in that scout group with you?”
Daniel thought the question was odd, but answered, “Ben, Garret, Bulk, Steve and a couple other kids from school.”
“Who taught you about oak?”
“My grandfather did on a scout sleepover at his place.”
The sheriff told them to sit tight. He’d be back in a few minutes. Confused by the sheriff’s questions and actions, the three men waited for him to return.
***
The sheriff said, “Greta is Steve around?”
“Yes, he’s out back washing the vehicles.”
Sheriff Richardson walked up to Steve and said, “I have a question for you. Give me the first answer that comes to mind.”
“Okay,” replied Steve a bit curious.
“What do you know about oak and where did you learn it?”
Tossing the sponge into the bucket, Steve said, “Wow, I think I’ve known about oak since I was a kid. I learned about it in scouts, when we had a camp-out at Daniel’s grandfather’s home. I think old Mr. Logan was proud of these woods because he told us how strong the wood was and how if we needed to stay warm on a cold night, oak is good to use. It burns slowly, and you don’t have to find much of it.”
“Who else was there that night?”
“Ben, Daniel, Garret, Bulk and I think a couple other kids I don’t see around town anymore.”
“Let’s sit down. I have some ideas to toss your way.”
“Sure,” said Steve and followed the sheriff to the picnic table behind the station.
“The coroner’s ‘inconclusive suspicious probable foul play’ determination about Ben’s death has been plaguing me a lot. None of this makes sense. Those boys were best friends, and if Ben fell when he was drunk, not one would have thought about it twice. They would have driven him to the hospital as fast as they could. If they were in a fight, and one of them hit Ben, they might try to cover it up.”
“I follow so far,” said Steve nodding his head in agreement.
Sheriff Richardson went on, “When Daniel told me about the slow burning oak, it was pretty clear that none of those boys would try to burn down the cabin. If they were trying to cover up a crime or accident, they’d have set fire to Ben’s body outside with dry leaves, brush and some easily flammable items. When you told me the same story Daniel did, it became clear none of those three boys set fire to Ben’s body. Someone trying to cover up a crime set the fire and thought the entire cabin would burn any evidence.”
“Hey, that means someone who doesn’t have any idea about the cabin being oak must have set the fire.”
“Right, and when you take all those facts into consideration, there’s only one conclusion. No one from around here set the fire because I’m pretty sure most of the town’s folk know the same facts about our town and the oak you guys do. I know those facts, too. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. An outsider set fire to the cabin and Ben’s body to hide the crime. That makes Dr. Webster’s ‘inconclusive’ murder in my book.”
“Agreed, but now that we know it’s definitely murder, and committed by an outsider, where do we go from here?”
“We think bigger. After I tell my theory to Dr. Webster and get him to change his conclusion to murder, we can call in the State Patrol if needed.”
“Sheriff, I don’t think Daniel knows who did this, but my gut tells me Garret does.”
“Mine too,” agreed the sheriff. He headed back into the station.
He walked into his office and before anyone could complain about waiting, he said they could leave. He told Daniel if he heard from Garret or Bulk, he was to call him right away.
Knowing Bulk was safely stashed at his brother’s place in Oaklin, the sheriff was hoping Garret was getting frantic, and might call Daniel again. After Annamarie’s time in jail, maybe Daniel would call.
***
Daniel had no intention of listening to the sheriff. His friends were in trouble. He would continue to help them. First, he had to go home and tell Annamarie everything that happened.
On the drive home, George asked Daniel, “Do you have any idea why the sheriff seemed to change his tone so abruptly?”
Lying to his father came easy to Daniel. He did it once again. “I don’t know any more than I did the other night. I told the sheriff everything I know.”
“I hope you told him the entire truth.”
Daniel asked his father a question, “Do you think the sheriff will go after Annamarie again? I’ve been a jerk, and losing Ben has made me realize I truly love her. I want to be an honorable husband, and hopefully a father someday. I can’t stand the thought he might put her back in jail.”
Impressed by his son’s honesty, George told him not only what he needed to hear, but what he thought was the truth.
“I think the sheriff is done playing games with this case,” George said. “And I think he’ll leave Annamarie alone. You, Garret and Bulk are still fair game. If I were you, I’d be honest with the sheriff and stay away from those two troublemakers.”
“I will, Father. Thanks for the ride home. Tell mom I’ll call her tonight.”
***
Slowly walking toward the door, Daniel waited until his father’s car was out of sight. He quickly hopped into his Jeep and sped off toward the pines before Annamarie knew he was home. He was back in less than thirty minutes after telling Garret that Bulk had been at church and seemed scared. They quickly discussed what the sheriff said and what Garret knew.
***
“Baby, I’m home,” Daniel called when he opened the back door.
Annamarie was relieved to see him home safe and sound. Today had been a horrible day for both of them. She was worried the sheriff might keep Daniel the way he kept her, simply to make a point. Running across the living room, into the kitchen and his arms, she felt a touch of happiness for the first time all day.
“I can’t believe you’re home. I was so worried,” she said through the tears flowing freely down her cheeks while he held her tight.
“Today was hell, but I’m here. And I’m not going to leave you again,” Daniel promised.
Annamarie wanted to believe him, but doubt held her back. Regardless, she was thrilled he was finally home.
“We have to talk,” Daniel said. He took her hand and led her into the living room. Annamarie’s apprehension returned.
They sat down facing each other. The first thing Daniel said was he had lied to the sheriff, and she admitted she’d also lied.
Daniel said, “It’s not only what took place the night Ben died. I know what happened to Garret and where he is now.”
“Daniel, if you hide Garret or help him and don’t tell the sheriff, you’re going to be in terrible trouble. Your dad and Mr. Townsend won’t be able to do anything.”
“I don’t care. Garret and I are friends, and I have to help him. Then we both have to do the same for Bulk.”
She asked, “What’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know. He’s disappeared.”
“Bulk whispered to me after Ben’s funeral he’s been in the psychiatric ward and just released. Maybe he’s back in.”
“Maybe.”
“Garret had been hiding near the parking lot, and saw Bulk with his brother, and followed them when the rest of us were at Ben’s burial. Bulk was at his brother’s early in the afternoon, but when Garret went back later, Bulk was gone. The house appeared empty.”
“Do they have other relatives where Bulk might be?”
“Garret told me Bulk’s brother worked the late shift, and wouldn’t leave Bulk home alone. I don’t think there are other relatives.”
“Bulk was incredibly distraught at the funeral when he talked to me. He begged me to have you and Garret get him away from his brother. Perhaps he had another break-down and is back in the hospital. I still think it’s possible. You didn’t hear him at church.”
“That’s a possibility. I’ll see what Garret thinks.”
“You plan to talk with him?” she exclaimed, “then you did help him hide out. Are you going to continue?”
“Umm, I just came from where he is. When dad dropped me off, I took off again before you knew. I let him know about Bulk. It’s the least I could do. He’s my friend.”
“You did it again, took off and lied about coming straight home. Will I ever be able to trust you? Why did you do this?”
“I had to, Annamarie. Someone killed Ben, and I think we’re all in danger. Helping Garret might keep us all alive.”
Daniel told her everything that went on at the sheriff’s office, and how the sheriff’s attitude had abruptly changed after they’d discussed the boys being scouts and learning facts about the local oak trees.
“That’s odd. There must be some reason the sheriff asked.”
They couldn’t come up with an answer. Daniel thought the sheriff might consider the spirits killed Ben, but agreed with Annamarie that he would immediately dismiss the idea.
Annamarie was upset over Daniel’s insistence he help Garret, and wanted to know why he felt they were in danger. More specifically, how would helping Garret help any of them?
“The frantic phone call was from Garret saying someone was trying to kill him, which is why I left without saying anything. I didn’t want to scare you, or have you worried to the point you might call my father or the sheriff.”
“I came close to calling both. I did worry. I also think it was cruel to leave me alone when you knew a killer was loose.”
She got up and started to walk away, but he begged her to come back and listen. Reluctantly she agreed.
“Garret told me the same people who killed Ben were after him, Bulk and maybe me. I had to do something fast. I didn’t think I should tell you anything.”
“If someone was after you, don’t you think they might’ve come here, and you should’ve told me to go someplace safe?”
“Probably, sorry baby, but I wasn’t thinking logically.”
“Don’t ‘baby’ me,” she grimaced. “Tell me the rest of what happened, and don’t lie or leave anything out.”
“I drove all over town and most of the countryside looking for Garret. I saw the overturned Bronco. I checked that no one was in it. I knew Garret must have walked off. I had no idea where and looked in every place I could think of Garret might hide. Early in the morning, I drove back into town and stopped at Garret’s mechanic shop. I asked if anyone had seen him. No one had, but one of the other mechanics said I should ask Nancy.”
“Nancy?”
“I wondered about her, too, but one of the guys said her number was written on the chalkboard in Garret’s office. So I looked, found the number and called. A sleepy-sounding female answered and I asked for Garret, telling her I was his friend Daniel. Garret got on the phone and said he was at Pearson’s farmhouse.”
“He’s at the old rooming house?”
“I didn’t believe it either, but I headed out there.”
***
The Pearson’s farm was about two miles past the Tangledbranch Saloon. The farm includes a huge old farmhouse converted into a rooming house where Nancy lived.
***
Daniel said, “Nancy was using it as a hideout.”
“That was a smart move, who would look way out there?”
“After speaking to Garret, I headed for the farmhouse. He was waiting for me on the front porch, but I barely recognized him. His black leather jacket and boots were replaced by a paisley print shirt and three or four strands of colored beads. Garret walked up to the Jeep and told me to park it out of sight behind the house.”
“Umm, you had my car didn’t you?”
“On my first run through town, I stopped at the insurance office and switched vehicles since I had no idea where I might have to drive.”
“Okay,” she sighed tiring of Daniel’s involvement with Garret. She was ready to leave the room, only curiosity keeping her in place.
He continued to explain Garret brought him through the back door of the farmhouse and up to a small room on the second floor. Nancy had been there for about a week and dressed to fit in with the rest of the renters.
“I couldn’t help laughing at the way Garret looked, but he said it was the only way he could stay out of sight. I told him I had a better idea and a perfect place for them to hide.”
“I hope no one saw you together. You don’t know who is after Garret, do you?”
“Nancy stepped behind the curtain to change clothes while Garret explained why he was in hiding. He said for the last year he’d been working with Nancy’s brother in Oaklin stealing and stripping cars. It was lucrative, and it also allowed him to get all the replacement parts for his shop at no cost. Nancy’s family owns a large tract of land on the other side of Oaklin, and they used a big barn on the property for their business.”
“What about Bulk?”
“Bulk knew a little about what was going on. He was never out at the barn. He did see the large amount of excess parts Garret had. He never asked many questions.”
“Okay, but why are they hiding, and why is Bulk so scared?”
“The problem began when Nancy’s brother allowed Garret to carry some of the money from their business to a silent partner in Oaklin. Garret thought it might be a good idea to keep the cash and fake a robbery. It was the biggest mistake of his life. Nancy’s brother didn’t believe a word. He threatened to kill him, Nancy, Bulk and anyone else involved. Garret thinks he killed Ben either by mistake or to send a message. Nancy’s brother always carries a knife and never a gun. He told her guns shots draw attention, his knife is quiet and does the trick.”
“I knew Garret had something to do with Ben’s death,” Annamarie said scowling at Daniel.
“Baby, I grew angrier with Garret, and it was all I could do to keep from belting him. I demanded to know who the hell that guy was. Nancy’s brother was the only answer Garret would give. He’s looking for all of us.”
“What? Then you’re not safe?” her voice echoing the terror in her heart.
“I wasn’t sure you were listening. You were so quiet.”
“I’m busy fighting the urge to strangle Garret.”
“Me too, let me finish. Garret and Nancy were ready to leave. He was dressed in his usual jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket, but there had been a transformation in Nancy. She wore a black mini skirt, knee high boots, a tight sweater and a black leather jacket. Her blonde hair hung loosely past her shoulders.”
“Sounds like Garret’s type.”
“He demanded to know where we were going. I told him there was a small outbuilding on the edge of my grandfather’s property no one uses. It can’t be seen from the house. It’s a perfect hiding place. I said you and I used to go there to make out, and no one ever saw us.”
“You told them that? Daniel Logan it was our secret place.”
“Sorry baby, but I thought it would make them feel safe. Garret was a jerk as usual.”
“What did he do? I’m getting sick of Garret.”
She stood and began to walk away, but spun around when Daniel said, “Now don’t get mad, baby, but Garret said,
‘Woo Hoo did little Prissy Missy Perfect actually put out?’”
Annamarie glared at him, her anger rising.
“I was across the room in less than a heartbeat, grabbed Garret by the neck, and threw him to the floor. I was choking him while Nancy was doing her best to pull me off. I might’ve killed him if someone from the next room hadn’t begun to pound on the wall.”
“He deserves it,” she was fighting the urge to find Garret herself and do it herself.
“I loosened my grip a bit and threatened him. I told him, if you ever say one word against my wife again you stupid son of a bitch, I’ll kill you. No one will stop me, do you understand?”
“Garret grunted, ‘Yes,’ and I let him go.”
“Thanks for standing up for me,” Annamarie said.
“You’re my wife. No one talks like that about you. I told them both after that crack, I should let them rot there, but I decided to help them before the sheriff found us.”
Continuing with his story, Daniel said they left in the Jeep. He headed toward his grandfather’s property and into the pine grove. The road turned into a rough trail wide enough to allow the Jeep to continue its journey. When the trail ended, he stopped and told Nancy and Garret this was where they get out. Garret recognized where they were.
“Hey, Garret said, this path leads to where your grandfather had those wooden stairs built, so we wouldn’t kill ourselves going down the cliff to the river.”
I said, “Right, and this way leads to the edge of grandfather’s land and the outbuilding, let’s go. They followed me through the pines until we came out the other side and into the meadow. It was eerie. I felt spirits all around me. I usually only feel them in the oaks on the other side of grandfather’s property. I knew they were moving. They’re in the pines, too.”
“I think you were stressed about Garret and thought you sensed them.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it.”
***
Approximately twenty feet beyond the edge of the path was an outbuilding that held hay when Grandfather Logan’s horses roamed free in the meadow. The horses were long gone, but the well-maintained building remained. The three entered, and while it wasn’t a classy accommodation, it would keep them safe.
Gypsy Spirits Page 14
