A Murder State of Mind Boxed Set

by Jude Pittman

  “I wish I could tell myself you’d put him away for good, but we both know the system. It’s not too likely.”

  “It won’t be for good, but it’ll be a lot longer than it would have been a few years back. The courts are getting tougher and tougher on child predators. We wouldn’t even be able to hold him if you hadn’t set it up the way you did.”

  “Good. If you’re done with me, I’ll head on back to Gillian’s.”

  “Yes, good idea. I’ll let you know if we come up with anything that leads in the direction of Taylor.”

  * * *

  Kelly pulled into the yard, got out of the truck and headed for the back porch. There he found Gillian, a bottle of Jack Daniels, two glasses and a bucket of ice.

  Kelly sat down on the wicker love seat and put his arm around his girl. “Do you mind if I don’t talk about it?”

  Gillian picked up the bottle. “Rocks?”

  Kelly nodded and she dropped in two ice cubes, poured two fingers into the glass and handed it over.

  Kelly downed the whiskey in one swallow.

  “I needed that.”

  Gillian refilled his glass and he leaned back and took a deep breath.

  She placed her hands on either side of his face and took his mouth in a deep kiss. “Let’s go upstairs. You can take a long hot shower and then we’ll go to bed and sleep.”

  “Thanks. I’ve never felt so dirty in my life.”

  * * *

  Later snuggled in the bed, spooned to Gillian’s back, Kelly whispered into her ear. “I love you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She tightened the snuggle and before long sleep overtook them both.

  Chapter Ten

  The Battle Hymn of the Republic had Kelly diving for his pants and yanking out his cell phone.

  “What the hell,” he growled, flipping open the case and shaking the sleep out of his head.

  “If you want to know about that asshole who took those pictures, you need to get on out here,” Ajax shouted over the sound of a revving Harley.

  “The Clubhouse?”

  “Yeah. Get a move on. Scott Danforth knows the scumbag, but he’s leaving for Sturgis this afternoon, so you got questions you better get ‘em asked.”

  “I’ll be there in half an hour.” Kelly tossed the phone back on his pants and headed for the shower.

  Ten minutes later, dressed and downstairs, he stopped in Gillian’s office, scrawled ‘Gone to Hurst’ on the yellow pad she kept on her desk, and headed outside.

  Jake, who’d been keeping himself busy in the stables, tore up the porch and barked a welcome. Kelly stopped long enough to give the dog a few scratches and hug his neck.

  They strolled down the steps and along the path to the truck. “Guess I’ll see you tonight,” Kelly said, when Jake stopped at the gate. Jake gave a short bark and turned towards the stables.

  I’m going to have to investigate what’s keeping him so interested out there. Kelly decided as he climbed into Old Blue and started along the driveway.

  * * *

  Half an hour later Kelly pulled up in front of the clubhouse and cut his engine. The garage doors stood open and several bikers stood around an antique chopper.

  Ajax separated himself from the group and approached Kelly.

  “That’s Scott,” he said, pointing at a gangly red haired biker who had started towards them when Ajax waved his arm.

  “Scott!” Ajax shouted over the revving Harley. “Tell Jake about that Sam character who came to the barbecue last weekend.”

  “Not a lot to tell.” Scott stuck his hands in his pockets. “Doug Gillespie brought him along.” Scott spit out a stream of chewing tobacco and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Guy was a Yankee. Didn’t like him myself. Too slippery.”

  “Yeah, we know. You don’t like Yankees,” Ajax chimed in. “Tell Jake about the cards. Hell, show him yours.”

  Scott scowled and reached into his pocket for his wallet. “Like I told Ajax, Doug and this creep were pushing to get votes for a drug deal. Everyone knew that. Like we’d vote on something that stupid without Ajax here. Not if we wanted our skin we wouldn’t.”

  Ajax nodded approval and motioned for Scott to hand over the card.

  “He told us we could get ‘em as young as we liked and they’d do whatever we liked too.”

  Kelly took the card. It was black with white calligraphy style print. The pictured showed an Elephant sitting on the back of a Turtle with the words ‘White Elephant Club’ printed beneath. “You haven’t used yours.”

  Scott spat tobacco again. “I got kids. Stupid Yankee bastard. Meant to throw it out but forgot about it ‘til Ajax started asking questions.”

  Kelly nodded. “Mind if I keep this?”

  “Hell no. Like I said, I’d a’ thrown it out if I’d remembered.”

  They talked a few minutes longer. Kelly attempted to get the names of some of the others who’d received cards, but Scott went mute and Kelly let it go, knowing that Gus would get the information out of him quick enough if it was needed.

  “Sure didn’t figure that Sam character for the brains of the operation,” Scott remarked. “I kind of figured the old guy was in charge.”

  “What old guy?”

  “Some skinny dude with white hair and chin whiskers. They called him Doc.”

  “Would you recognize him if you saw him again.”

  “I guess so.” Scott didn’t look too happy at the idea of identifying someone for the cops, but a look from Ajax kept him cooperative.

  “I’m pretty sure I know who ‘Doc’ is,” Kelly said when he and Ajax stepped outside. “Can you make sure Scott will be available if Gus needs him to make an identification?”

  “He’ll be back next weekend. He’s just making a rally run. What about Sam, you want us to keep looking?”

  “Yes, but if you find him call me or Gus. Don’t try anything on your own.”

  Ajax nodded, and Kelly hoped he’d follow instructions, but it would definitely depend on what they caught Sam doing when they tracked him down. Still, it was worth the risk. The bikers could ask questions in places where neither he nor Gus would get any answers.

  “Keep in touch.” Kelly headed for his truck and Ajax went back into the clubhouse.

  * * *

  Back in his truck, Kelly called Gus and briefed him on the meeting with Scott, keeping the best for last. “You’ll never guess who was out at one of their barbecues last weekend?”

  “Okay, I won’t guess. Who was it?”

  “None other than our too smart for his own good veterinarian.”

  “You don’t say. I guess it’s time we paid the doctor an official visit. I don’t even know if we ran his prints. We’ll rectify that.”

  “Good idea. It’s beginning to look like there’s a lot more to the doctor’s involvement then we’ve been led to believe.”

  “The shit we found at that club, together with the eyewitness’ testimony to the doctor’s involvement we should be able to get a warrant for the vet’s house and clinic. I’ll get someone started on that right away. Meantime why don’t you grab Gillian and come on out to the house? Betty’s planning to barbecue up some rib eyes tonight and she’s been nagging the devil out of me to have you bring that girl of yours out for a visit.”

  “As if I could resist Betty’s cooking. It’ll be good for Gillian to take a break too. I’m going to stop by Indian Creek on my way back to town, Cam and Stella got back from Oregon last night and I want to touch base with them. I’ll give Gillian a call and let her know about tonight. What time do you want us there?”

  “Let’s say four-thirty. I’ll set the wheels in motion regarding the doctor and depending on what comes back, we’ll either pick him up or let him stew. Either way I’ll be heading home by three.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Give my regards to Cam and Stella.”

  “Will do. Catch you later.” Kelly stuck his phone back in his pocket and headed Old Blue towards Indian Cre
ek.

  * * *

  Later, back at the ranch, Kelly went in search of Gillian and found her out in the stables helping Robin.

  “Hi there,” she called when she spotted him standing in the open doorway. "Give me a minute to get this mare settled and I’ll be right with you.”

  “Take your time,” Kelly grinned. “There’s something very soothing about watching a couple of attractive ladies pitch hay.”

  “A smart man is very careful of his comments when faced with a couple of women holding pitchforks.” Gillian winked at Robin and both of them laughed.

  “I get the point … bad pun intended.” Kelly laughingly turned on his heel and headed toward the house. “Gus has invited us for dinner,” he called over his shoulder.

  After stopping for a chat and a dog rub with Jake, Kelly let himself into the house and headed upstairs for a shower and a change of clothes.

  Later, Kelly snagged a longneck from the fridge and joined the dog on the back porch.

  “You sure have settled yourself in around here,” Kelly remarked, taking a seat on the swing and letting his hand trail along the dog’s back.

  The two of them relaxed and dozed in the comfortable silence that comes from long companionship. The better part of an hour had passed when Gillian let herself into the kitchen, grabbed a cold one from the refrigerator, and settled into the swing beside Kelly.

  “Seems like I’ve caught myself a cat nap,” Kelly said, slipping his arm around her shoulder.

  “I passed Jake heading back to the barn.”

  “There wouldn’t happen to be a female lurking anywhere around those parts would there?”

  Gillian laughed. “As a matter of fact the Robertson’s female has been spending a lot more time around here since Jake’s been in residence.”

  “Figures. So how’s it going out there? Is Robin doing okay with the change of schedule?”

  “She’s doing great. It was nice today. We got a lot done. Of course we all still have the murders in the back of our minds, but this is probably the first day we didn’t talk about them. We concentrated on the horses, and our plans for the fall—normal stuff.”

  “I’m glad. I know how badly you want things back to normal and I’m hoping it’s not going to be too much longer. Although I do have to tell you something that isn’t going to make you very happy.”

  Gillian closed her eyes for a moment and then lifted her head. “I guess I’d better hear it now.”

  “I’m afraid one of your people may not be quite what they seem. I hate bringing it up, but you need to be forewarned. ”

  “Is it Dr. Morgan?”

  “Now how did you come up with that?”

  Gillian shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s instinct, or more likely it’s a combination of that and some of the things he’s said that don’t quite jive.”

  “You better be careful or we’ll have you turned into a detective.”

  “No thanks. Once this stuff is finished I intend to stay a long ways away from anything to do with the business side of your life.”

  Kelly laughed and pulled her into his arms. After a satisfactory diversion from the subject at hand, he leaned her head against his shoulder. “I hope it won’t be much longer. I’ve got a feeling we’re getting close. Gus is running background on Dr. Morgan this afternoon, so if anything pops we’ll know about it tonight.”

  “Thank heavens he finished up with our horses this morning. I don’t think I could face him now that I know he might have been involved in what happened to those boys.”

  “I doubt he’ll come back here, however, if it’ll make you feel better I’ll ask Gus to have someone keep an eye on the place.”

  “Would you?”

  “You bet. I’ll give Gus a call while you go get changed for dinner. How’s that?”

  She leaned in and gave him a kiss. “Thanks.” She rose from the swing and prepared to head upstairs.

  “Better be careful with those hot kisses or I’ll be joining you up there."

  Gillian laughed. “Later. First we have a barbecue. I’m looking forward to meeting Gus’ wife.”

  “Betty’s a dream. I’ve been telling him for years he’s just lucky he saw her first. She’s also one of the best cooks in Texas, so we’ll need to bring our appetites.”

  “My stomach heard that one. I’ll be quick.”

  * * *

  Kelly took out his cell cell phoneand pressed speed dial for Gus.

  “I was just on my way out the door.” The detective sounded rushed. “I’ve news, but it can wait until I see you at the house.”

  “That’s what I was calling about. Any chance you can get someone to keep an eye on the ranch while Gillian and I are away? She’s real uncomfortable knowing her vet might be involved in all this.”

  “He’s involved all right. That’s what we’ll be talking about tonight. I’ll send someone right over. Darn good idea. Especially since we don’t know where the good doctor is right now.”

  “Sounds like things are popping.”

  Gus grunted.

  Kelly chuckled. “Okay. It’ll wait until after dinner. Tell Betty I’m bringing my appetite.”

  * * *

  Gus and Betty lived in what used to be a rural area on the Arlington side of Fort Worth. The urban sprawl of the past decade had brought the city out to the country. Rush hour traffic was already in full swing by the time Kelly and Gillian headed out, but Kelly pulled off I-30 and followed a winding maze of streets that only a local would recognize. In no time at all they were out of the city and approaching Arlington. At Morningside Drive Kelly followed a tree-lined road to the end where he turned in and parked behind Gus’ unmarked but unmistakable Crown Vic.

  The neat little rambler where Gus and Betty had raised three kids and an assortment of dogs, cats and rabbits looked pretty much the same as it had the last time Kelly had pulled into the familiar driveway.

  “What a friendly looking house,” Gillian said.

  Kelly nodded. “I couldn’t describe it better myself.” He sat for a moment, both hands on the wheel, while pictures of the past flooded his mind, then, forcing himself to let go of the wheel, he turned to Gillian and brought his mind back to the present.

  Gillian smiled and squeezed his arm and Kelly returned her smile.

  Gus and Betty had been two of Lynda’s favorite people. A lot of years had passed since then, and Kelly had gradually moved on with his life, but being here, at Gus and Betty’s, had jogged some bittersweet memories and he appreciated the fact that Gillian seemed to understand.

  “Shall we go see what’s for dinner?” Kelly reached across and opened Gillian’s door.

  “I’m starved.” She climbed out of the truck.

  Betty was already on the front porch waving a dish towel, and Kelly had no sooner started up the steps than she had her chubby arms around his neck and was planting a kiss on his cheek.

  “It’s about time you decided to bring this young lady out here to your adopted mama.”

  Kelly reached back and grasped Gillian’s hand. “I’d like you to meet Gillian. She’s the special lady in my life.”

  Betty opened her arms and pulled Gillian into the hug. “I’m so very glad to meet you.” She smiled into Gillian’s eyes and the two shared an instant connection.

  “Would you like to join me in the kitchen, while I send this one back to Gus’ study?” Betty asked and when Gillian responded with an eager, “yes please,” Betty turned to Kelly and motioned down the hall. “You know where he is,” she said, taking Gillian’s arm and heading for the kitchen.

  * * *

  Kelly went straight to the study where he found Gus stretched out in the same well-worn leather recliner that he'd had for as long as Kelly could remember.

  “There’s a cold one in the holder.” Gus pointed to Betty’s chair.

  Kelly crossed the room, sank down into the soft cushioned chair, raised his legs onto the flower print footstool Betty kept parked in front
of her chair, and took a long swig out of the cold bottle Gus had waiting.

  Gus took a swig from his own bottle, and waited until Kelly set his down before getting down to business.

  “Once I told the judge we had an eyewitness who was prepared to swear the doctor was involved in that child pornography and maybe even human trafficking operation, being run out of the White Elephant, he couldn’t give us a warrant fast enough.”

  “But?” Kelly knew there had to be a ‘but’ because Gus’ tone was anything but satisfied.

  “Son of a bitch must have been tipped off, either that or he figured we’d get around to doing some digging sooner or later. I’m kicking my own ass for not doing it sooner.”

  “I guess that means he was already in the system?”

  “Yes and no.” Gus shook his head. “It wasn’t as if he’d have popped up in the normal course. The boys had checked his credentials as a matter of course, when his name first came up, but everything appeared to be in order. What they didn’t do, however, because there wasn’t any reason to at the time, was have the Veterinary Licensing Board send over a picture. That’s what I did this afternoon, and imagine my surprise when Dr. Morgan, DVM, could have been one of my own relatives.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope. Definitely a black man, and about fifteen years younger than the Dr. Morgan we’ve been dealing with.”

  Kelly scowled. “I don’t get it. He’s been looking after Gillian’s horses for a couple of years now. She may not be medically trained, but she’s a smart woman and there’s no way she’d have been fooled by someone who didn’t have any medical knowledge.”

  “Oh the good doctor had plenty of medical knowledge.” Gus slapped his hand on the arm of his chair. “Once we knew the doctor was a fake, I sent his prints over to the Feds. Of course we all know hindsight is 20/20, but I sure as hell wish I’d done that first thing.”