Desperate Measures

by Patricia H. Rushford

  “Oh, Christine,” Mary sighed. “It’s not insane. You were beside yourself. I understand perfectly.”

  Tucker rubbed a hand across his jaw. “I’m glad someone does. Why did you sneak out? Mary thought you were asleep.”

  “I didn’t sneak out. I just went out the back way—it’s where I keep my boots. By the time I finished cleaning I felt exhausted—came back in and fell asleep. Mary was busy in the kitchen and I didn’t feel like talking.”

  Tucker nodded. “No real harm done, Mrs. Sutherland. Can you think of anyone who might want to kill your husband?”

  “You mean, did he have enemies? I’m afraid so. Would any of them kill him? I have no idea.”

  “Straight Edgers.” Mary shifted her gaze to Tess.

  “What?” Tess set her cup down and scribbled something on her note pad.

  “I read about them in the paper a few months ago.” Mary took a sip of coffee. “They’re young people who are anti-drugs, smoking, and casual sex. For the most part they’re vegetarians and came out of the punk rock scene of the ‘80s. The subculture is fairly large, but only a few of them have turned violent.”

  “Those few have caused a lot of damage,” Tucker said. “A number of them have linked up with ARM and have been torching fast-food restaurants, fur-trapping outfits, and fur farms. They hate anyone who eats meat.”

  “Yes, I remember.” Christine dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “The fur commission sent a fax.”

  “Do you have a copy?” Mary asked. “I’m sure I do. I’ll get my files.”

  Tess set her pen down and reached for her cup. “Don’t bother. Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing some memos come in from the FBI about them. They’re also called Hate Edgers. Scary group. We haven’t been bothered by them before now.”

  “We’ve run into a few in Portland.” Tucker rubbed his chin.

  “They say no to drugs and yes to fire bombs.”

  “Christine,” Tess went on, “tell me again about yesterday. Everything that led up to your husband’s disappearance.”

  “I told you everything already.”

  “I know, but I’d like Agent Tucker to hear it as well.”

  Christine seemed to gather herself. “Bob didn’t sleep at all after the raid. I’ve never seen him so angry. Said he knew the Chambers kid was in on it and insisted he was going to beat the information out of him. I tried to talk some sense into him, and when he wouldn’t listen I went with him. He had his gun, but I took that when we got to the Bergstroms’ place and wouldn’t give it back. I told him he was going to have to kill me first.

  “Bob swore at me but didn’t press it. He went into the bunk house, found Scott packing his things, and started beating on him. Scott ran out of the house, and Bob tore after him. That’s when Tom and Jennie showed up. With Tom’s help we were able to get Bob calmed down. I thought it was over. His back was hurting and he’d gone upstairs to lie down. I called Aleshia and asked her to meet me for lunch. I left around ten-thirty. I was so angry at Bob I …”

  Christine’s face clouded over and she reached for another tissue. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even kiss him good-bye when I left. The next thing I knew Bob was gone. I guess Stan had come by to tell him he had to go to Portland—a family emergency. Stan got worried when he couldn’t find him and called around. You know the rest.”

  “Where is Stan now?” Jennie asked.

  “I’ll ask the questions, Jennie.” Tess twisted around and shot her a keep-out-of-this look.

  “Sorry, I thought maybe the call was bogus to get Mr. Sutherland out of the way. I still don’t think Scott did it.”

  “The call was legitimate,” Christine offered. “His mother had fallen and broken her hip. He’s still there. Will be for another week or so. He called me yesterday.”

  “Now that we’ve satisfied Jennie’s curiosity, I’d like to get back to your meeting with Aleshia. You left here at ten-thirty and met Aleshia in town when?”

  “At noon. I went shopping first.”

  “Where was Aleshia during that time?” Tess asked.

  Had Aleshia come out to the farm, killed her father, then gone into town to meet Christine? There would have been time.

  “Oh no, Sheriff.” Christine must have caught on as well.

  “You’re not thinking Aleshia could have … No! She and her father didn’t get along, but Aleshia isn’t a killer. Besides, didn’t you say Jim found him in the … box?”

  “That’s right,” Agent Tucker answered. “Aleshia couldn’t have lifted him into it.”

  “True. But it doesn’t take that much strength to operate a lift truck.” He cleared his throat.

  Mary gasped. “Oh, how awful.”

  “My guess,” Tucker went on, “is that the killer sneaked up on him from behind, took the hammer from the tool belt while he was working on a pelt, and hit him in the back of the head, then gassed him to finish the job. Your daughter is a member of ARM.”

  “I’m sorry, Christine,” Tess said. “I know this is hard, but she has motive, and statistics show that most murders are committed by family members or people who know the victim.”

  “I don’t care about your statistics, Tess Parker. I know my daughter. Nothing would provoke her to …Cto commit murder.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.” Agent Tucker got to his feet.

  “Would you come with me to the shop, please?”

  “What …Why?” She rose from her chair and followed the FBI agent outside and into the sunlight.

  “There’s something in the shed I’d like you to see.”

  Jennie trailed along behind, hoping it wasn’t the body, but then realized it couldn’t be because an ambulance had already come and removed it.

  The five of them walked without speaking. Jennie hesitated before going in. Jennie held her breath as Agent Tucker opened the heavy door to the freezer. He came out a moment later carrying a plastic bag with an animal carcass inside. “We think this is what Mr. Sutherland was skinning when he died.”

  Mary covered her mouth and closed her eyes.

  Christine stared at the half-skinned animal, and a look of horror filled her eyes.

  Jennie looked away from the dead animal. She couldn’t be sure, but it looked like the fox she’d picked up in the yard the night of the release.

  “It’s Sasha, Aleshia’s pet fox.” Jim stepped in front of Christine, shielding her.

  “Sutherland didn’t care who he hurt. He did it to spite her. I … I killed him.”

  16

  “No, Jim.” Christine tried to pull him back. “Don’t say any more. We’ll get a lawyer.”

  Jim Owens took in several ragged breaths. “It’s no use, Christine. They’d find out sooner or later. I might as well come clean.” He turned back to Tucker. “Have someone take Christine back to the house. I’ll tell you everything.”

  “You don’t need to do this.” Christine cast pleading eyes in his direction.

  “Yes, I do.”

  Silent words flew between them. Jennie wished she could intercept, but all she could do was venture a guess. Jim’s admission of guilt came at the moment he saw the carcass of Aleshia’s pet fox. The anguish etched across his face, and his comment to Christine that he had to confess led Jennie to question the validity of his statement. Jennie had read mysteries where a family member confessed to a crime he didn’t commit—willing to face prison and death to save a loved one. Was Jim that kind of person?

  Christine backed down and let Mary lead her away. Did she think her daughter was guilty as well?

  Jim waited until they’d gone, then gave his confession. “I came over to talk to Bob yesterday morning about some money he owed me. When I saw what he was doing, I confronted him. I couldn’t believe he’d do something so hateful. He laughed at me. “Serves her right. I never thought she’d set
me up,” he said. I told him he was wrong and that Aleshia didn’t have anything to do with the releases in this area. He wouldn’t listen. I’d had it with him. Aleshia’s a good person. She’s got her priorities a little messed up, but she’d never intentionally hurt anyone.”

  “For pete’s sake, Jim, don’t do this to yourself.” Tom turned to the officers. “He was working for me yesterday. He couldn’t have killed Bob.”

  “Stay out of this, okay? I was gone for over half an hour, remember?” Jim’s hands shook as he stretched them out to Agent Tucker. “Go ahead and arrest me. I killed him. I saw what he was doing and lost it. The hammer was hanging on the tool belt where he always kept it. I grabbed it and hit him. It didn’t kill him, so I put him in the box and turned on the gas. I wanted to get rid of the evidence and throw everyone off track, so I drove his tractor into the lake and tossed in his gloves and hammer. I came back to the shop, wrapped up Sasha, and stuck the pelt in the freezer so Aleshia wouldn’t see it. Thought I’d bury it later. He had no business hurting her like that. Aleshia and Christine will both be better off without him. I’m glad I killed him.”

  Tess’s eyes narrowed. Tucker gave her a quick nod. They weren’t falling for his line either. It surprised Jennie when Tess pulled out a pair of cuffs, turned him around, and placed his hands behind him. “Jim Owens, I’m placing you under arrest for the murder of Bob Sutherland. You have the right to remain silent…” She finished Mirandizing him and led him to the car and settled him into the backseat.

  She came back to the door of the shop, where Jennie, Tom, and Agent Tucker were waiting. “Well, what do you think?”

  “He’s lying,” Tom said. “Trying to protect Aleshia, I suspect. He took off for about a half hour yesterday morning like, he said, but there’s no way anyone could kill a man like that and go back to work like nothing happened.”

  “Don’t be too sure about that.” Agent Tucker nodded toward Owens. “He’s lying, all right, but we need to play along with him for now. Having him in custody might work to our advantage. If Aleshia did kill her father, I suspect she’ll come clean rather than let her fiancé go to prison.”

  “How can you be sure he’s lying?” Jennie asked. “I mean—I thought so too, but …”

  “His confession has a gaping hole in it.” Tucker settled a hand on her shoulder. “He said he put the fox in the freezer. He couldn’t have. I found it in the trash behind the building and set it in the refrigeration unit myself.”

  “Are you going to arrest Aleshia?” Jennie asked.

  “Not yet. We’ll bring her in for questioning.” Tess hitched up her gun belt. “We’ll see how it goes from there.”

  “Um—what if she did it and doesn’t confess?” Jennie asked. “She might realize that there isn’t sufficient evidence to convict him. You know Jim didn’t do it, but what if he keeps insisting? Do you go to trial?”

  “Hopefully it won’t get that far.” Tucker reminded her not to talk about the case to anyone.

  “I won’t,” Jennie assured him. As they walked she asked about Scott again.

  “I wish I had good news for you. Unfortunately, we still can’t find his hospital records. We know he was there, of course, but we still haven’t been able to locate the nurse. Her family claims they don’t know where she is. The guard couldn’t tell us anything. We’ve questioned everyone who was on the floor that night. They only had a couple of nurses working that section.”

  “Scary to think someone could be abducted from a hospital.”

  “Well, that’s another thing. According to the ER doctor, it’s possible Scott walked out on his own. All he needed was someone to bring him a pair of crutches.” Tucker pulled his keys out of his pocket.

  “I don’t believe that. He was in so much pain, along with the concussion.”

  “That brings up another possibility. The head injury could have caused some confusion.”

  “You’re not giving up, are you?” Jenny tucked her hair behind her ear.

  “No. One way or another, we’ll find him.” He reached for the door handle, then turned back to her. “There’s one more thing you should be aware of, Jennie. Scott was supposed to be working for us. But there’s also the possibility he used us to gain information for ARM.”

  Jennie could hardly believe what she was hearing. “Like a double agent?”

  “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “Not Scott. What about the hit-and-run? Somebody tried to kill him.”

  “We don’t know that for sure. It may have been unrelated. Scott told Tess he didn’t have any idea who might have hit him. Couldn’t give us any of the details—or wouldn’t.”

  Jennie folded her arms and backed away when he shifted into reverse. Tess had already started down the drive.

  Tom gave Jennie a fatherly hug. “Scott’s lucky to have a friend like you, Jennie. I hope he’s deserving of it.”

  Jennie hoped so, too, but didn’t say so.

  “Let’s see how Mary and Christine are doing.”

  They were nearly to the porch when Mary came out and shut the door behind her. “Are you two ready to go home?”

  “You’re not staying with her?” Tom asked.

  “Christine called a lawyer. She’s meeting him at the sheriff’s office in an hour. She wants to take a shower before she goes. No point in my being here. She seems to be handling things all right. I’m sure it helps having something to do. She’s worried sick about Aleshia—hasn’t been able to reach her.”

  “Maybe her lawyer can straighten this out. Jim is a fool for making a confession like that.”

  “I’m sure he felt it was the noble thing to do.”

  “Noble, my foot.” Tom opened the door to his pickup. “His jumping in with a confession has done nothing more than cast more suspicion on Aleshia.”

  “Pm sure it will all be cleared up soon, and the authorities will realize that neither Aleshia nor Jim had anything to do with it. This is obviously the act of terrorists.”

  Tom slid in and closed the door.

  “Would you like a ride back to the house, Jennie?” Mary offered before getting in.

  “No, thanks. I’ll walk. Lisa and Megan might still be down by the lake.”

  “See you later, then.” They backed around and waved as they passed her. Jennie felt a mingling of relief and uneasiness as they drove away. A haunting silence surrounded her. Only one vehicle remained in the yard now—Christine’s deep purple Bonneville.

  Hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Something didn’t seem right, but Jennie couldn’t think what it might be.

  “Jennie?” Christine called down to her from an upstairs window. “Is everything all right? I thought everyone had gone.”

  “I’m just leaving.” Jennie glanced over at the car again. It stood there alone. Like Mrs. Sutherland. Of course, that’s it. “Um, Mrs. Sutherland, I just noticed your husband’s truck is gone. It was here yesterday and—”

  Christine stared blankly at the space where the truck should have been. “You’re right. I can’t believe I didn’t notice it before. Someone must have stolen it.” She ran a hand through her hair. “That’s all I need right now.”

  “Would you like me to call the sheriff?”

  “No, I’ll tell her when I go into the office. Thanks for all your help, Jennie.” She ducked back inside, closed the window, and lowered the blinds.

  “You’re welcome.” Jennie tucked her fingers into the pockets of her jeans and started down the road to the lake. While she walked, her mind replayed the disjointed events in what now had become a murder case. The raid on Sutherlands” place. Bob’s disappearance the next day, which they now knew to be his death. The bizarre circumstances of the death itself. Had the killer set it up to make it look like a gang killing? Then the hit-and-run, which may or may not have been an attempt on Scott’s life. Scott’s
disappearance, or whatever it was, and now the missing truck. She wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that whoever had run down Scott had stolen the truck and that the police would eventually find it abandoned somewhere. Thoughts of Scott set her heart to aching again. She didn’t know how long she could stand waiting while the FBI searched for him. I just wish there was something I could do.

  The afternoon sun was beating down on the water, and swimming seemed the perfect way to work out the tension that had settled into her shoulders. Jennie spotted the foursome sitting on the dock and waved, glad they’d waited for her. She jogged the rest of the way.

  Jennie yelled greetings to the swimmers, saying she’d get changed and join them. Ten minutes later, she slipped off her shoes, dropped her cover-up and towel, and dove into the lake. It felt deliciously cold against her too-warm skin. She swam out to the middle and back several times. The exercise, as it always did, cleared her head and gave her a new perspective. She needed to trust the authorities to find Scott and deal with the murder investigation. It would be hard not to get involved, but what else could she do?

  She reached for the dock and pulled herself up. Algie and Kyle had their shirts on and were tying their shoes. “You two leaving already?” She reached for her towel and wrapped it around herself.

  Algie nodded. “We both have chores to do. We’ll be over to pick you up later, though.”

  Megan knelt down behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You guys are really sweet to do this.”

  Kyle sighed. “Yeah, that’s us.”

  Jennie looked from one to the other. “What are you planning to do?”

  Lisa beamed. “We’re going to help you find out what happened to Scott.”

  Jennie squeezed the water out of her ponytail. “Look, guys, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. I got strict orders from Sheriff Parker and Agent Tucker to sit tight.”