by Jude Pittman
Kelly had slid forward in his chair, his eyes fixed on Gus’ face.
“They tagged him.”
“Sure as hell did. Here take a look at this.” Gus handed over a sheet of paper with a picture that Kelly instantly recognized as Dr. Morgan.
State of North Carolina
WANTED
Dr. Frank Bollinger. Wanted for questioning in the sexual molestation and murder of five year old Carter Salinger.
“I should have listened to my gut.” Kelly handed the paper back to Gus. “There was something about his story that just didn’t fit. Damn it to hell. I guess you’ve called North Carolina?”
“Damn right. Matter of fact, a couple of their detectives will be here in the morning. It’s been fifteen years, but the case is still an open sore for them. It seems the doctor was spotted with the boy, but he claimed to have been a Good Samaritan. Said he saw the boy walking along the road and gave him a ride. The boy lived out in the country, and the doctor supposedly dropped him off at the corner leading to his house. It was one of those country places set back about a quarter mile from the road. His story sounded plausible and nobody thought much about it. The doctor was well respected in the community and it wouldn’t have been out of character for him to give the boy a ride.”
“So what happened to change their minds?”
“A couple of hunters downed a doe in the exact spot where the boy’s body had been buried. After they gutted the deer, they dug a hole to bury the entrails and hit one of the boy’s leg bones with the shovel.”
“Guess it’s a good thing they knew the difference between human and animal.”
“Oh yeah. These two were ex-Marines. They called the sheriff and all hell broke loose. The body had been there several months, but the medical examiner confirmed that the boy had been sexually abused. For a smart man the doctor made a pretty stupid mistake. He wrapped the boy in one of the blankets he kept in his own car. He must have realized his mistake later but he didn’t dare risk going back to the body.”
“I suppose he cleared out as soon as he heard the body’d been found?”
“That’s just what he did. His taking off like that made him look guilty as hell, but he probably realized there was enough evidence on the body to hang him. I bet when they finish digging into this they’ll find that the real Dr. Morgan was actually a patient of this Bollinger’s. He might have died of natural causes, or maybe he was helped along. We may never know.”
“So Dr. Bollinger simply walked out of his old life and into the life of Dr. Morgan, veterinarian.”
“That’s about it. Apparently he took off some time last night.”
“Are they sure he’s gone?”
“Oh they’re sure. All his papers and personal effects are gone.”
Kelly shook his head. “I never thought to tell Scott to keep his story to himself—not that it would have done any good anyhow.”
“At that point we were looking for information from all of them, you wouldn’t have had any reason to try and keep Scott’s story under wraps. Likely he’d already told them anyhow. What about Ajax? You figure he might know who spilled the beans to the doctor?”
“That’s exactly what I was planning to find out,” Kelly nodded his head towards the doorway. “I don’t want to spoil Betty’s dinner, and it probably isn’t going to make a lot of difference if I get hold of him now or later, but with your approval, I’ll run Gillian home after we’re done here and then pay another visit out to that clubhouse.”
“You don’t think a phone call will do the trick?”
“I don’t want to chance it. Ajax told me they were having a general meeting tonight and he intended to find out if anyone else knew anything about Sam and his whereabouts. At this point I have no reason not to trust Ajax, but I’ll feel a hell of a lot better if I’m looking him in the eye when I ask my questions.”
“Good timing,” Gus said, when Betty poked her head around the corner and beckoned for them to come to the table.
The hour that followed consisted of friendly table conversation, and lots of lip smacking while they consumed double thick rib eye steaks and corn on the cob dripping with butter.
They had finished the main course and everyone was digging into heaping portions of strawberry shortcake when Kelly’s phone cell started buzzing against his pant leg.
“I’m sorry. Do you mind excusing me for just a minute?” He offered a rueful apology to Betty, who only smiled and motioned for him to go take his call. A typical cop’s wife, she was used to interrupted dinners.
“Hang on,” Kelly said into the receiver, after seeing Ajax’s number flash on the screen, “I’ll take this outside,” he said with a nod to Gus, who pushed back his chair and followed him outside.
“What’s up?” Kelly put the phone back to his ear.
“We’ve got that bastard surrounded and if you want him in one piece you better get the cavalry and get the hell out here.”
“Who you got, Sam or the doctor?”
“Doctor. What in hell do we want with the doctor? I thought you wanted that Yankee pervert whose been messing with our kids?”
“Yes, we do. Where are you?”
“Out at the Webster place at the end of Lone Star Road. You know where it is?”
“Hang on.” Kelly held the phone out to Gus. “They’ve got Sam trapped in a house out at the end of Lone Star Road.”
“Ajax,” Gus roared into the phone. “This is Detective Graham. There’ll be a unit out there within ten minutes and I’ll be right behind them. You just make sure he stays inside the house until we get there. And, mind you keep your boys from killing him. We need that asshole alive.”
Gus tossed the phone back to Kelly and headed for his car. “Tell Betty I’ll be back later,” he said over his shoulder. “You might as well take Gillian on home. I’ll call you as soon as we know something.”
Chapter Eleven
“I still can’t believe it.” Gillian said as they drove towards the ranch. “I’ve seen and talked to that monster almost every day for years, and never once suspected what he was. What’s the matter with me, don’t I have any instincts?”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. He’s a psychopath, and they fool the experts all the time. Why do you think serial killers get away with their crimes for years. Remember Ted Bundy? Everyone who knew him swore he was the ‘nicest man they’d ever met’.”
"I know. What you’re saying makes perfectly logical sense. I just can’t help feeling like I should have known, or at least suspected.”
“Hey didn’t you guess who I was talking about as soon as I told you someone wasn’t what they seemed?”
Gillian laughed. “Okay. I did start to get a bit uneasy, but I sure wish I’d felt that way before Larry and Toby. Do you think he killed them?”
“I don’t know. Depends on why. If he’s what we think he is, then he wouldn’t hesitate if they posed a threat, but we still don’t know about this Sam character.”
“So you believe Dr. Morgan—or whatever his name really is, is a psychopath.”
“Yes I do. I’m not a psychiatrist, but I’ve dealt with enough psychos during my time on the force, and he’s got all characteristics.”
“It’s all so ugly.”
“I know, and it’s probably going to get uglier before it gets better, but at least now we know who we’re looking for, and don’t ever forget, Gus is very good at his job.”
Gillian leaned over and placed her head against his shoulder. “And so are you Kelly McWinter. I’m just glad I’ve got both of you in my camp.”
Kelly smiled and lifted his hand to rub her hair. “I’d say we’ve got each other, and from the looks of things all’s quiet at the ranch.”
Gillian lifted her head from his shoulder and looked out the window. They’d just pulled into the driveway, and true to Gus’ word, a police car pulled in behind them.
Kelly rolled down the window and leaned out. “Thanks Paul,” he said to the officer beh
ind the wheel. “I’m going to drop Gillian off and then head out for a while. I’d appreciate it if you’d stick around.”
“My orders are to stay here until I get called off, so you go right ahead.” The officer lifted his hand in a wave and Kelly turned back to Gillian.
“You don’t mind if I take off for a while do you?”
“Of course not. I’m just fine. Actually more than anything I’m madder than hell.” She smiled and tossed her head as if to shake off her own emotions.
“Good. You stay that way, it’ll keep you cautious. I’ve a hunch where the doctor might be found, and since Gus is taking care of Sam and can handle that just fine without my help, I’m going to listen to my gut and take a run out to Indian Creek. I’ve got my cell cell phone, if anything at all bothers you.”
Gillian gave him a solemn look. “Like if I want you to pick up some groceries?”
Kelly laughed. “Glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor. Okay funny girl, inside with you. I’m not moving until I see that door close, and lock it behind you, okay.”
“Yes sir.” She leaned over, kissed him on the lips and hopped out of the truck.
Jake, who had heard the truck, loped up to the driver’s door and waited for Kelly.
“Hey boy. You stay here and watch her.” Kelly leaned out the window and spoke to the dog.
Without a second glance Jake caught up with Gillian and followed her up the steps of the porch.
“Keep him inside,” Kelly called, “he’ll let you know if anything’s amiss.”
Gillian turned around, smiled and waved at Kelly and then opened the door for Jake to precede her into the kitchen.
* * *
This is playing one hell of a hunch, Kelly told himself, as he headed towards Indian Creek. It might be a complete waste of time, but, it wouldn’t hurt to have backup, just in case, and Cam had been laying around honeymooning for weeks, so Kelly didn’t have any qualms about rousting his buddy out of his honeymoon haze. Of course, he’d have to contend with Stella, but after a month of non-stop togetherness, even the volatile redhead ought to be reasonably malleable.
* * *
Cam’s place, the Hideaway Bar & Barbecue, was one of the fixtures at Indian Creek. It had been in operation—in one form or another—since before Texas joined the Union— and there were those who still considered that to be the result of a plot that no true Texan woulda’ been party to if they hadn’t been bamboozled by some damn Yankees.
There were half a dozen vehicles parked out front—a couple of pickups, a motorcycle and three cars. Regulars, Kelly observed as he let himself out of the truck and climbed the steps.
“Hey, look who’s here,” a loud chortle greeted Kelly when he stepped through the door.
“How’s it going Doug?’ Kelly acknowledged the old timer, and walked over to the bar.
“So how’s the blushing bridegroom,” he said, reaching across the counter and slapping Cam on the arm.
“What the—that’s supposed to be blushing bride.” Cam gave his best imitation of a growl, then he laughingly dropped the towel he’d been holding and grabbed Kelly’s hand.
“Wondered when you were gonna get out here and welcome me home.”
“I’m about to do more than that,” Kelly lowered his voice. “I’ve come to spring you.”
“You’ve what?” Cam raised his eyebrows in the quizzical look he liked to adopt whenever anybody said something he regarded as weird.
“You heard me. Where’s that redhead?” Kelly looked around to make sure the coast was clear, and then leaned across the counter.
“Get that pistol you finally got a license for and bring it along. Better tell Stella you’re going to help me on a case, or she might come tearing along after you and ruin everything.”
Cam’s face split into a huge grin, and Kelly knew he had a sale. There was nothing his cowboy friend liked better than being included in one of Kelly’s investigations.
“You after another killer?”
“A psychopath. I’m hoping to catch one in a trap so you know this is dangerous business.”
“You think you know where to find this guy?”
“It’s just a hunch, but my gut keeps telling me I’m on the right track.”
“No way I’d ever bet against your gut. Can you hang on while I run back to the house and get Stella to watch the place? I’ll warn her that you’re on a case and you’ve got to get out of here in a hurry so she doesn’t bombard you with questions as soon as she walks in the door."
“Just to keep you honest, I’ll wait in the truck. That way you won’t be lying when you tell her I don’t have time to talk right now.”
Cam grinned. “Be right back.”
“Oh wait. Grab a couple of fishing poles and your tackle box?”
Cam turned and gave Kelly a funny look. “Now how in the hell am I supposed to explain that to Stella?”
Kelly just grinned and shaking his head Cam headed out the back door of the bar and across the lot to the small house that he and Stella now called home.
* * *
Before turning off I-30 onto Lone Star Road, Gus pulled over, grabbed his blue light out of the trunk plopped it on the roof and hit his siren. Two official cars had already arrived on the scene and apparently Ajax had kept his word and held the bikers back. It took Gus another five minutes to reach the end of the road, and there wasn’t any doubt which house was the target.
Harley Davidsons of every size and description covered the yard, and a couple of patrol cars blocked the driveway.
Gus pulled in and parked behind them.
“What’s the situation?” he asked a young deputy who stood beside a rusted old gate.
“We haven’t seen or heard anything since we’ve been here, Sir.”
“Okay. I’m going to talk to Ajax, and depending on what he has to say, I’ll approach the front door. You watch for my signal. If you see me lift my arm like I’m about to toss a baseball, you grab your partner and take up positions on either side of that front porch.”
“Yes sir.” The deputy turned and headed over to the gate where his partner stood watching the bikers.
Gus shoved the gate back on its one good hinge and walked down an overgrown path of dirt and weeds to the foot of the steps where Ajax had apparently driven his bike and parked.
“What’s happening?” Gus asked.
“Nothing as far as I can tell. Piss ant’s probably hiding underneath the bed.”
“You sure he’s in there?”
“Hell yes I’m sure. Doug over there talked him into coming out on the front porch when we first got here.” Ajax waved his hand at a young biker, who looked to be in his early twenties.
Gus turned to the biker, who had his eyes trained on the ground like he’d suddenly lost something.
“You the one that’s been bringing Sam around?”
The biker shrugged and Gus walked over to get in his face. “You don’t hear so good?”
“I heard. A friend of mine hooked me up with the guy a couple months ago. Seemed okay. I been showing him around a bit.”
“I just bet you have. We’ll talk about that later. Right now I want you to go on up there to the front door. Tell your buddy that a detective with the Tarrant County Sherriff’s Department is out front and wants to have a little chat.”
Doug lifted both hands in an empty gesture and shrugged again. “He ain’t gonna listen to me now he’s spooked.”
“You just do what I tell you. Get on up there to the door and you tell him that he’s got two choices. Either he walks out here on his own two feet and I take him into custody, nice and safe, or I drive the hell on out of here and let Ajax and his boys take him into custody the hard way. Up to him.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Who the fuck you telling what they can’t do.” Gus stuck his face up eye to eye with the now badly shaken biker and leaned forward. “You going?”
Doug did a jump and turn, and headed
for the porch at a fast lope.
“Probably pissed his pants,” Ajax said from behind Gus. “You mean that about me’n the boys taking him down for you?”
Gus held his hand up for silence and watched as Doug approached the front door, stopped and knocked hard.
“Hey Sam,” Doug yelled loud enough to be heard out on the road. “It’s me Doug. Look you gotta come out here now.”
A muffled voice could be heard coming from inside the house, and after a few seconds of listening Doug spoke again.
“I’m not shitting you man. You need to come out here now. There’s a murder cop out here who says he’s going give you about 10 more minutes to get your ass outside, or he’s going to head on back to town and tell Ajax and the boys to bring you in by any means they want to use.”
More indecipherable sounds from inside the house, while Doug pressed his ear against the door.
“No. I’m not messing with you man. These cops don’t give a shit what happens to foreigners, especially Yankees. If you don’t get your ass out here and get that detective to take you in, you stand about as much chance of staying in one piece as a rooster tossed into a cat house.”
The muffled voice from the other side continued for several minutes, until Doug held up his hand and yelled to Gus.
“He wants to talk to you.”
Gus lifted his arm and motioned for the two deputies to take their positions on either side of the porch.
“Tell him. I’m on my way,” Gus yelled back and then turned to speak to Ajax. “You make sure your boys stay under control. Once this bird turns himself into my custody, that’ll be the signal for you to crank up the bikes and ride on out of here.”
Finish the sentence ’s your pigeon.”
