by Jude Pittman
"God, what a mess." Cam filled a couple of mugs with coffee and handed one across the bar to Kelly.
"Thanks." Kelly took the mug.
Cam came around the bar and straddled a stool. "I called Bill Shipton like you said and he set up a meeting with Detective Graham." Cam took a swig of coffee and sighed clear down to his boots. "Bill agrees with you it'll be best if I tell them about last night before they dig it up. He figures they'll hold me."
Kelly nodded. "He's probably right. But hey, you expected that. I'm meeting Gus tonight and I'll try to find out where he stands."
"Thanks, Kelly. At least knowing you're digging into it gives me something to hope for."
Kelly finished his coffee, wished Cam luck with the cops, and headed back to his cabin.
Kelly stepped onto the porch where Jake was basking in the sun. "It looks like you've got more smarts than I have. For all I've found out today, I might as well have stuck with you and caught myself some rays."
Kelly dug a sack of frozen tamales out of the freezer for dinner and sliced a couple of tomatoes. He perched the plate on his lap and ate while watching the evening news. There'd been a fire at the Stockyards Hotel and some idiot in Dallas was holding a couple of clerks hostage in a 7-Eleven. Coverage of Anna's murder consisted of a wide-angle shot of the flea market accompanied by a brief interview with the sheriff, who’d summarized the facts, speculated that the motive might have been robbery and assured the public the police were questioning a number of suspects.
Kelly sighed. They were questioning suspects all right and once Cam gave his statement, he'd be at the top of their list.
The phone rang and Kelly reached for it. "Hello."
"Is this Kelly McWinter?"
"Yes, it is. What can I do for you?"
"I heard you was askin' if anybody'd seen a stranger hangin' around on Saturday night."
Kelly jerked forward in his chair. The man's voice was muffled, as if the mouthpiece was covered with a handkerchief.
"I'm listening."
"I saw some guy scopin' out the flea market along about midnight. You interested?"
"Damn straight I'm interested. Have you called the cops?"
"Ain't having nuthin' to do with no cops. If that's what you figger, I guess I'll be gettin' off the phone." The voice was agitated.
"Take it easy." Kelly attempted to calm him down. "I was just asking the obvious question. What can you tell me about this guy? Did you recognize him?"
"Nope. Can't tell y’all nuthin' about him. I got his license number though." The guy sounded like he was getting a real kick out of his chance to play James Bond.
"Good job." Kelly pulled a pen out of his pocket and reached for the notebook he kept beside the telephone. "What's the number?"
"You gonna check it out yourself?"
"Of course," Kelly lied.
"Okay. It's LQY-464."
"Got it. How can I get hold of you?"
"You can't." There was a click and the phone went dead.
Kelly tapped the cradle, got a tone and dialed Gus' home number. The caller might be a crank but if he was on the level, it could be a break for Cam.
Chapter Seven
Kelly went back to work Tuesday morning. The police were finished with the barn and all the chores he normally took care of on Sunday night after the market closed still waited. Gus would call if the license number turned up anything. At noon, Kelly broke for lunch and checked the answering machine but there'd been no calls. Either the lead was a dud, or Gus was waiting until they met for dinner to give him the news.
Kelly quit for the day at quarter past five. He was meeting Gus at six and within twenty minutes had showered, changed, and fed Jake. He headed down the hill to the garage where he kept Old Blue—the Chevy pickup he and Lynda had bought new in 1976.
An image of Lynda flashed into Kelly's mind as he got in. It didn't happen as often now, time had dulled his loss, but in those early months right after the fire, every time he'd climbed in the cab she'd been there. Long and lean and smiling like an angel, her thick blonde hair tied back in one of those gaudy scarves she loved to wear.
Kelly backed out of the garage, swung around the cabin and pulled onto Boat Club Road. He was looking forward to dinner with Gus but the return to Angelo’s was stirring up powerful memories. Gus, Betty, Kelly and Lynda had gotten together there at least once a month for what Gus called their "pig outs".
Kelly supposed seeing Gus again was bringing back all these images of the past. That and his encounter with the mystery woman. She'd reminded him of Lynda, although her hair was lighter and she was a whole lot shorter. Lynda had been tall and definitely what they called leggy. Thinking of Lynda's legs brought back another memory and he laughed softly to himself.
They'd been on their way to spend a weekend in El Paso. It was mid-July and sweltering. In the middle of the afternoon, they'd stopped at a deserted rest area and taken turns splashing each other from the water fountain. After they'd cooled off, Lynda had climbed back into the truck while Kelly went to the porta-can. When he got back to the truck, he found her spread out on the seat, naked as the day she was born. It hadn't taken a rocket scientist to figure out what she had in mind. The memory spread a bittersweet pain through Kelly's body and he shifted uncomfortably in the seat.
Angelo's parking lot was crammed, just like always. Kelly spotted an empty space in the second row but he continued around back and found a spot next to the dumpster. Old Blue had earned a set of collector's plates this year and Kelly wasn't taking any chances on getting one of his doors nicked.
Kelly pushed open the door a few minutes past six. The sweet, spicy tang of Angelo's sauce wafted off the racks of ribs. His mouth watered. He picked his way carefully across the slippery sawdust covering the floor of the darkened room and headed toward a table tucked into a corner off the kitchen. Gus waved him over, a beer in one hand and a cold mug in the other.
"I waited for you like one hog waits for the other."
Kelly pulled out a chair. "Damn, those ribs smell good." The waitress approached the table and Kelly pointed to Gus' plate. "I'll have the same but throw in a couple of jalapenos."
"I see you still like that hot stuff." Gus set the rib down on his plate. "The doc said I was working myself up to an ulcer, so I've had to cut out the gut-burners."
"Yeah, well, I guess that goes along with that gray stuff you've got sprouting." Kelly grinned and ran his hands through his own thick still-brown hair.
"Your turn'll come, boy! Just you wait." Gus lifted a forkful of beans to his mouth.
"This last week's aged me at least twenty years." Kelly groaned. He thanked the waitress for his iced mug, sat it on the table, and turned back to Gus. "Now give. What about that license number?"
Gus shook his head. "Nothing much. The car's registered to a guy named Donovan Nolan. Ever heard of him?"
Kelly shook his head.
"Nolan's a sound technician and travels a lot doing the concert circuit. He's been out of town for a month and his wife says the car's been parked at the airport ever since he left. We checked. The car's out there all right with its plates still on it and the attendant says it hasn't been moved. I guess it's possible somebody took it out and brought it back without him being the wiser but it don't seem likely. We're still looking into it but I'm inclined to write your caller off as a crank."
Kelly sighed. He'd been afraid of that. "What about that news you were being so secretive about on the telephone?"
Gus grinned. "No secret. I just wanted to make sure you'd turn up. We did track down your mystery woman."
"That was quick. Who is she?"
"Her name's Krystal Davis and she's the dead woman's daughter."
"Her daughter?" Kelly frowned. "I never once heard Anna mention anything about having a kid. Are you sure about that?"
"Positive. Got a call from one of them hotshot lawyers down in Houston. He represents Davis Oil and this Krystal Davis is one of them. He hemmed and hawed about keepi
ng her name out of the papers and all that crap but he finally gave me her phone number."
"So…what did she say?"
"I haven't talked to her yet. I called the number and got her roommate. She said Krystal would be home about eight. I figured we'd drop by after we finished up here."
"You mean you're gonna let me come along?"
"Well, since you got a good look at her, you might as well confirm it's the same woman. You can identify her, can't you?"
"Oh sure, no problem there. I was just surprised, that's all. I've been racking my brains for an excuse to talk with this gal after you'd tracked her down and here you offer it up on a platter."
"Well, if you're disappointed, I can always retract." Gus gave Kelly another broad grin.
"Like hell you will."
The waitress leaned across the table with a steaming platter of ribs. Kelly's eyes gleamed in anticipation. It felt so good sitting here eating ribs with Gus again. The atmosphere soaked into his bones and flooded him with memories.
"We had some good times in here." Gus read Kelly's mood. "Betty sends you her love. She misses you, Kelly."
"I miss her too. I miss all you guys. I'm beginning to work my way back. It took me a long time, Gus but you know how it was with Lynda and me."
"Yeah, I know. It burned my ass good at the trial. If I'd been that judge, them sons a bitches would've fried. I guess the only consolation is, they'll be so damn old when they get outta the joint, what life they have left won't be worth living."
"You know, for a long time I considered doing them myself." Kelly met Gus' eyes. "I don't know why I didn't. It sure wasn't because I cared what would happen to me. I suppose it was just all the years of being a cop. But I’m long past that now. Nothing I did to them would bring Lynda back, so I don't think about them anymore. I found out it was healthier that way."
Gus nodded.
"So, what do you think about Anna's daughter? Do you suppose she's connected with the murder?"
"I can't say until I talk to her. I wouldn't count on it, though. I'd say she's probably got a pretty tight alibi, or there's no way that lawyer would let us near her without him tagging along to hold her hand."
"No, probably not." Kelly frowned.
"You might as well go ahead and ask me what I think about that bartender friend of yours." Gus jabbed his fork in the air. "He showed up at my office this afternoon with Bill Shipton in tow. Cam said it was you who told him to get his ass in and give me a statement. I'd thank you for that if I didn't suspect you'd also had a hand in siccin' old Bill on me."
Kelly kept a straight face. "What do you think of Cam's statement?"
"I think it stinks is what I think. Had half a mind to book him right then but I decided to leave him loose until after I'd seen the woman. I know this guy's a friend of yours but what did you expect?" Gus thumped the table and glared at Kelly.
Kelly grinned. "Hey, I was just asking. I admit his story's a little loose but do you have anything specific, or is it all just speculation?"
"I've got witnesses who heard him arguing with the deceased Saturday afternoon. Then I've got his own admission he threw her out of the bar that same night, not to mention the fact he followed her outside not five minutes later."
"Sure but you've got all that from his own admission. Seems to me if Cam had anything to hide, he'd have cooked up some kind of a story about where he went after he left the bar."
Gus shook his head. "A guy named Perkins spotted Cam and Anna up on the bridge and he swears they were arguing. Your buddy probably figured he'd best come clean before this Perkins ratted on him."
"Yeah, I know all that but you still haven't placed Cam at the flea market." Kelly struggled to keep telltale signs of anger out of his voice. "I remember you always used to warn me about jumping to the obvious conclusion."
"And I'm not jumping now," Gus snapped. "He's still loose, isn't he? But don't hold your breath. This is an election year and I'm getting a lot of pressure. The public doesn't like the idea of a woman getting knocked off out at a country flea market."
"I'm sorry. Didn't mean to come on so strong." Kelly brushed his hand through his hair and smiled to lighten the atmosphere. "I'd appreciate it if you'd keep an open mind, though. I know Cam and I don't think he's capable of murder. He can be a hot head at times but inside he's a marshmallow. Like his financial problems. He wouldn't have any if he'd quit carrying all those old-timers on a tab. He's a pushover for hard luck stories and whenever one of the Creek folks gets into a bind, Cam's the first one to stick his hand in his pocket."
Gus started to speak and Kelly hurried on so he wouldn't be interrupted. "Look, I'm not trying to bleed all over the table. Anna was a friend of mine. If Cam killed her, he deserves to get nailed. I just don't want to see him railroaded by a lot of circumstantial evidence."
"Nice speech." Gus chewed on a rib and swallowed. "What I'm wondering is, where the hell is all this leading?"
Kelly grinned. Gus knew him too well. "I'd like to work with you on this one. I know you're under a lot of pressure and I think I can help. I'd be sort of an unofficial snoop. That way I could help you get your nose into what's going on down there."
Gus shook his head but Kelly kept talking. "I won't interfere with your investigation. You know me better than that. But I do have some advantages you don't. I know those Creek people. I've been living with them for five years now and they treat me like one of their own.
"You know how it is, Gus. Country folks always have a few things to hide. Somebody's got a still out in the bushes or a fella's doing a bit of night fishing, stuff like that. They're conditioned not to talk to the police. Even if they do know anything, nine times out of ten they'll keep their mouths shut rather than tell it to a cop."
Gus had stopped shaking his head but he was still frowning. "You've got a point about those Creek folks. It's like pulling hen's teeth to get information out of them. If I go along with you on this, we'll need a clear understanding."
Gus paused and waited until Kelly nodded. "You aren't a cop anymore." Gus kept his eyes on Kelly's face. "My ass'll be on the line here. One screw-up on your part and I can kiss my job goodbye."
"I know that and it's not going to happen." Kelly met the detective's steady gaze. "Sure, Cam's a friend of mine and I want to help him if I can. But he's not the same kind of friend you are. He hasn't been around me my whole life. You ought to know I'd cut off both my arms before I'd stir up anything that'd land you in a pile of shit."
"It's against my better judgment." Gus shook his head again. "But I'll go along with you for now. I'll tell you as much as I think you need to know and I want your word you'll check with me before you so much as piss in the Creek. If you can live with that, then we've got a deal."
"Thanks." Kelly nodded, then stood up and grinned. "I gotta take a leak. You wanna come along?"
"Asshole!" Gus drained his beer. "Get your business done and let's get over to Camp Bowie and see what that gal's got to say.
Chapter Eight
Penny raced across the room and grabbed Krystal’s arms the minute she cleared the apartment door. "Policeman call." Her cold fingers tightened. "He want to know when you come home. I say eight o'clock. He come soon."
"That's okay." Krystal smiled at her panicky roommate. "Uncle Andrew called our lawyer. Mr. Masters already called the police and explained why I was at the flea market.”
"They no come?"
"Oh, they'll still come but it's nothing to worry about. They'll just ask us where we were and what we did Saturday night."
"They question me too?"
Krystal flinched from the bite of Penny's fingers. "All they'll do is ask you to confirm I was here all night. I'm sure they'll be very nice to you."
Penny’s head shook back and forth. "Have police come very bad thing. Lose much face."
"Don’t worry about that, not here. In America, it's not a disgrace for the police to talk to you. The neighbors might be a bit curious but we certai
nly won't lose face over it."
"I no talk to policeman."
"You have to. Just tell them I went to bed early and you stayed home and watched television."
Penny shook her head again. "I don't stay home, Krissie. Adelle, from upstairs, asked do I want to watch movies. I go there."
"You did?" Krystal's eyes widened. "I thought you were here all night. When did you leave?"
"You long time sleeping. Maybe eleven."
"What time did you get home?"
"Movie end very late, two o'clock. Lying to policeman not good. I go shopping."
"No. You can't do that. They'll just come back, or they might pick you up and take you to the police station." Krystal pried Penny's fingers loose and sat down at the table. "This is awful," she said. "I told Uncle Andrew I had an alibi. It's not your fault but I wish you hadn't gone anywhere."
Penny slid into the other chair and sat watching Krystal then she spoke. "Policeman not know Adelle. I say nothing. Not lie. Only not to say."
"Oh, Penny." Relief flooded Krystal's face. "I don't want to get you into any trouble but I hate to think what they'll do if they find out I was home alone."
Penny bobbed her head. "I speak little English. They no understand. Now, we forget about policeman. Tell me about uncle. Was he very angry?"
"Oh, he was okay. In fact, he was quite nice about it. He didn't like it that I'd gone to a detective but he was so relieved I had an alibi that he forgot to lecture me."
"He tell why mother run away?"
"No, but he said we'd talk about it later. I think he was sorry. I don't know, Penny. I'm so confused. All I have of my mother is childish memories and they're all mixed up. I've always believed they made her leave but now I don't know what to believe. Seeing her was such an awful experience. I don't even know how I feel anymore."
"She give you much pain. Talk with uncle good thing. Make you feel better."
The doorbell rang. Krystal paused halfway across the floor and looked at Penny. "That must be the police. Will you be okay?"
Penny nodded. "I go wait." She headed for the living room.
