Dead in the Water

by Denise Swanson

  “We’ll work on that little problem later.” Wally’s mouth hovered over Skye’s, his breath caressing her lips. “Much, much later.”

  “Crow told us not to mess around for a day or two,” Skye protested halfheartedly.

  Wally ignored her, divested Skye of her nightshirt, and palmed her breasts. “What were you saying, sugar?”

  “I forget.”

  The next time Skye woke up, Wally wasn’t beside her, but she heard his voice in the other room. Hoping he was on the phone and they didn’t have houseguests, she heaved herself out of bed and hurried into the bathroom. She’d better get dressed. Evidently, the second honeymoon was over, and they were back at work.

  Once she had put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, she emerged from the bedroom and saw Wally standing at the washing machine, a frown on his handsome face. Seeing Skye, he said goodbye to whomever he’d been talking to and tucked his phone into the pocket of his jeans.

  Turning to her, he held up the clothes and asked, “What setting do I use on this?”

  “It depends.” Skye stepped toward him. “What does the tag on the shirt say?”

  Wally squinted at the embroidered tag above the pocket and said, “Chief Boyd.”

  Rolling her eyes, Skye nudged him aside, took the clothes from his hands, and glanced inside the collar. Normally, she’d tease him about being housework-challenged and too dependent on their cleaning lady, Dorothy Snyder. But Skye was so happy to have him back. Today, she’d give him a pass and just do his laundry for him.

  Once Skye had Wally’s uniforms washing, she made them breakfast, then joined him at the kitchen table. He was on the phone again, and from what she could hear on his end of the telephone conversation, Quirk was briefing him on what had occurred in his absence and apologizing for the lack of attention to the Zeke Lyons murder case. Wally reassured the sergeant and informed him that he would be taking over the Lyons investigation, then disconnected and kissed Skye hello.

  While she and Wally ate, she pondered what they knew about Billie Lyons. Although she’d seen the woman only once, from what everyone had told her, she felt like she had some understanding of Billie’s way of thinking. So where would she go with both a dog and her mother in tow?

  Hmm… Billie and her mother had been staying at the shelter when she’d been called to pick up the German shepherd, which probably meant both women had no other place to live. Skye hadn’t been able to locate any family or close friends in the area when she’d been searching for Billie. And Aunt Millie had said Billie worked from home, editing scientific journals, so she didn’t have any local colleagues.

  Attempting to find a rental property that would accept a large animal would be nearly impossible. Billie could have realized that, and instead of looking for housing for her, her mother, and the dog together, she might have tried to locate something for them and the pet separately.

  When May had been grumbling that it would be so much easier if Jed would just board Chocolate until they rebuilt the Labrador’s pen, she’d mentioned that Linc Quillen was offering to lodge all animals displaced by the tornado free of charge at his veterinary clinic. After hearing that, Skye had meant to check out Linc’s clinic but got distracted when Carson remembered Wally’s message about Dante. And then with everything that happened later, her mother’s comment had slipped Skye’s mind.

  Could it be that Billie had heard about the vet’s generous offer and taken the German shepherd there? If she had, Linc probably knew her current location. Or at least had her cell phone number. Information no one else they’d asked seemed to possess.

  “You have a pleased look on your face, sugar,” Wally drawled, interrupting Skye’s thoughts. “What’s going through that pretty head of yours?”

  Smiling at her gorgeous husband, Skye said, “I might have just figured out how to find Billie Lyons.”

  “Oh?” Wally took a sip of his coffee and waved his hand for her to continue.

  “The crime scene techs authorized the release of Zeke Lyons’s dog to Billie, which means she needed to find somewhere for the German shepherd to live,” Skye started. “The local disaster shelters don’t allow animals, and according to Aunt Minnie, Billie and her mother don’t have any nearby relatives or close friends, so…”

  When Skye finished explaining her reasoning, Wally grinned and said, “Let’s go visit Linc and see if the good doctor can help us.”

  While Wally cleaned up the breakfast dishes, Skye hurriedly fastened her hair into a ponytail and put on a bit of makeup, then they headed south of town. It was a blessing that none of the tornadoes that touched down in Scumble River had hit the area around the veterinary clinic.

  As they pulled into the parking lot, Skye smiled at the clinic’s sign, which read: PETS ARE FAMILY. WOULD YOU CHAIN YOUR GRANDMA OUTSIDE?

  Getting out of the SUV, Skye patted the hood and asked, “Will you be driving the Hummer instead of your squad car from now on?”

  “At least until the crime scene techs finish gathering forensic evidence from the cruiser.” Wally put his hand on Skye’s waist and guided her toward the clinic. “We’re hoping to get fingerprints of some of the gang members.”

  “I’ll have to return Uncle Wiley’s Pontiac when he gets back to town on Sunday, so if you’re not through with the Hummer by then, I’ll need to rent a car.”

  “I’ve got that covered for you.” Wally’s smile was enigmatic.

  Before Skye could question him, they pushed through the clinic’s double glass doors and entered the empty waiting room. A few seconds later, a huge man with acne-scarred skin and a crew cut lumbered into sight. He wore jeans and a T-shirt with the clinic’s name and paw-print logo embroidered across his massive chest. His muscular arms were decorated with tattoos and a small gold hoop hung from his earlobe.

  He marched behind the front counter and growled, “We’re full.”

  “Hi, Cal.” Skye held out her hand. “You probably don’t remember me, but I’m Skye Denison-Boyd and this is my husband, Wally, the chief of police. Are you still keeping an eye on the clinic for Dr. Quillen?”

  “Yeah.” The man eyed her palm as if it held a pile of poop, but he finally gripped her fingers for a nanosecond and muttered, “I came back to help when I heard about the tornado.”

  “Nice to see you again.” Wally held his hand out and Cal seemed much more comfortable shaking it than he had Skye’s. “Is Dr. Quillen around?”

  “He’s out back with some new arrivals.” The guy jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Follow that hallway to the exit and watch your step.”

  “So a lot of folks have brought their displaced pets here to board?” Skye asked.

  “Too many.” Cal crossed his gigantic arms. “Dr. Q is being run ragged.”

  “Has Dr. Quillen put out the word that he needs assistance?” Wally asked.

  “Nah. He doesn’t want to take away from the people whose property was wrecked,” Cal answered, then pointing to the corridor again, he repeated, “Doc and his girlfriend are that a-way. Maybe you can talk him into asking for some folks to help.”

  Recognizing a dismissal when she heard one, Skye thanked the taciturn man and followed Wally down the passageway to the back of the building. When she stepped outside, she saw rows and rows of newly erected kennels, each with a canvas roof and a comfy dog bed.

  Waving at Linc and his girlfriend, Abby, Skye and Wally walked toward the couple standing among the new kennels. Linc had been seeing Abby Fleming since Skye had arranged a date between the school nurse and the veterinarian a few months ago. She was thrilled that one of her matchmaking efforts had finally paid off.

  Linc was an attractive man with a lean but muscled physique, and Abby, a tall blond with beautiful, blue eyes and an athletic build, was just plain dazzling. As Skye and Wally joined them, they paused before entering the next kennel.

  “What
brings you two out here?” Linc asked, twining his fingers with Abby’s.

  “I don’t suppose it’s to help us feed and water all these animals.” Abby raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. “Or to muck out their pens.”

  “Sorry.” Wally shook his head. “Not this time. We’re looking for Billie Lyons.” He turned to Linc. “Did she drop off her husband’s dog here?”

  “Billie Lyons.” Linc rubbed his chin. “That doesn’t ring a bell.”

  “What’s the dog’s name?” Abby asked, her eyes twinkling. “Linc’s a lot more likely to know the animal than the owner.”

  “I don’t think that I ever heard.” Wally glanced at Skye. “How about you?”

  “Nope. All I know is that it’s a German shepherd.”

  “We’ve got two shepherds.” Linc pointed a few kennels down. “That one is Prince and the one over in the next row is Leo.”

  “Leo.” Skye grinned at Wally. “I’ll bet Zeke Lyons named his dog after a lion.”

  “If Leo’s the one, although I don’t recall the name, I do remember his owner,” Linc said. “She was a pretty woman in her late forties and she was accompanied by an older lady who kept encouraging the younger one to have the dog euthanized.”

  “That sounds like Billie and her mother,” Skye said.

  “Let me get Leo’s identification certificate.” Linc disappeared for a few seconds, then came back holding a four-by-six index card. “I can put the number into the computer to get the owner’s information.”

  The two couples went inside, took seats in Linc’s office, and then as he brought up the program, Abby asked, “Why are you trying to locate this Billie Lyons?”

  Skye was a little surprised that Abby hadn’t heard about the murder. Evidently, the tornadoes’ repercussions were still interfering with the Scumble River grapevine. The local paper usually came out on Wednesday, but she hadn’t seen a copy anywhere on her rounds yesterday. Maybe it hadn’t been printed this week.

  Realizing that Abby was staring at her, Skye said, “Billie’s husband was found dead right after their house was destroyed in the tornado.”

  “How horrible.” Abby’s forehead wrinkled in sympathy. “The poor woman.”

  Skye glanced at Wally, and when he gave her a slight nod, she continued. “We haven’t been able to find Billie since she was notified and we need to talk to her about the investigation.”

  “Investigation? Was he murdered? Is she a suspect?” Abby’s eyes widened. “Why would she kill her husband?”

  “There are always reasons. Some more obvious than others,” Wally answered. “But since we haven’t been able to speak to her—”

  “Found it.” Linc looked up from the computer monitor. “Looks like Billie Lyons must have rented an apartment in Bourbonnais.” He read off the address. “Do you want her phone number, as well?”

  “Please,” Skye said. “Wally’s father was able to find a lot of information on Billie and Zeke using a software program the company he works for owns, but there was no record of a cell phone and no one I spoke to had it either.”

  “It’s probably a prepaid one.” Wally squeezed Skye’s knee. “Folks who only want a cell for emergency often purchase that kind.”

  “If you watch mystery programs on television, you’d think only criminals use disposable phones.” Abby tilted her head. “They call them burners, right?”

  “Uh-huh.” Wally helped Skye to her feet, then turned to Linc and said, “Thanks for the help. Is there anything we can do to give you a hand with the dogs you’re boarding for the tornado victims?”

  “We’re currently at maximum capacity for the canines. I still have a little space for cats, but I’ve purchased as many portable dog kennels as I can afford, so if you know of anyone who wants to donate more of those or food or litter or other equipment…”

  Skye tugged Wally down and whispered in his ear, “I bet your dad would be willing to help out.” She’d told him all about Carson’s donation to the shelter and his purchase of the Doozier stun guns.

  “I might have someone.” Wally held out his hand to Linc. “I’ll let you know.”

  As Wally and Skye moved toward the door, she paused and asked, “Linc, do you recall if Billie had a dog bite on her arm?”

  “I didn’t see any.” Linc gazed at the ceiling. “Nope. She was wearing a tank top and her arms didn’t have a mark on them. At the time, I thought how lucky she was since so many people were scraped and bruised after the tornadoes.”

  Chapter 24

  “I have been wicked in my day, but I never thought a little girl like you would ever be able to melt me and end my wicked deeds.”

  —Wicked Witch of the West

  Walking down the clinic’s front steps, Wally said, “If Billie doesn’t have a dog bite on her arm, she can’t be the woman the motorcycle gang saw zapping Zeke Lyons after the tornado.”

  “I was just thinking that.” Skye wrinkled her nose as they headed to the clinic’s parking lot. “But you still want to talk to her, right?”

  “Absolutely.” Wally opened the SUV door and helped Skye climb inside before rounding the vehicle and sliding into the driver’s seat.

  “Are you going to call Billie to come in to the police station or are we heading to Bourbonnais?” Skye asked, fastening her seat belt.

  Wally took out his cell. “Let’s try calling and go from there.”

  His key ring, duty belt, and weapon had been found in the squad car and were still being processed by the crime scene techs, but when Tin—a.k.a. Spencer—had been arrested, he’d had Wally’s phone in his pocket. After the undercover officer was released and his personal effects were returned to him, he’d returned the cell to Wally.

  Skye watched as her husband dialed. It was so good to have him back. He hadn’t been missing that long, but she’d been terrified that she’d never see him again. That he’d never get to hold his babies. That after all they’d been through to be with each other, in the end, they still weren’t going to be able to grow old together.

  A few seconds later, Skye heard Wally identify himself and say, “Mrs. Lyons, I’d like to bring you up to speed on your husband’s murder investigation. Would you be able to meet me at the Scumble River Police Department?” He paused for her answer, then said, “Say in about an hour?” Another pause. “Fine. See you then.”

  After disconnecting, Wally turned to Skye and said, “She’s on her way.”

  “It didn’t seem as if she was reluctant to talk to you,” Skye commented as Wally put away his phone and drove toward town.

  “Not at all.” Wally pursed his mouth. “In fact, she sounded eager.” He frowned. “I could hear her mother yelling at her in the background.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Skye rubbed her belly. Minnie had returned Skye’s call and given her the lowdown on Billie’s mom. “From what everyone’s told me, Myra Gulch is a pain in the butt. And her house was next door to her daughter’s place. Can you imagine having a mother-in-law like her only a few hundred feet away?”

  “Myra Gulch is Mrs. Lyons’s mother?” Wally asked, and when Skye nodded, he added, “I don’t think that I ever noticed Billie’s maiden name. But then again, I haven’t really had a chance to study the Lyons file.”

  “Your father and I investigated because we thought your disappearance might be connected with the murder.” Skye poked his arm. “You, on the other hand, have been kind of busy with being kidnapped and all.”

  “I suppose.” Wally’s expression was still self-critical. “And you said Myra and her daughter are next-door neighbors?” Wally asked.

  “That’s what Aunt Minnie said.” Skye wrinkled her brow. “And Bartolommeo Capuchini, the guy I talked to at the church shelter, mentioned that Myra had lived in the same house for at least forty years, so the Lyonses must have purposely moved next door.” Skye tapped her chin. �
�Considering that Bartolommeo also said that Myra managed to prevent Billie from marrying Zeke for the past twenty years, I bet living close by was one of the ways Billie appeased her mother.”

  “I’m surprised your mom didn’t try to make us build a house next door to her,” Wally joked as he pulled into the police lot, parked the Hummer, and walked around to help Skye out of the SUV. “You know, it’s funny that the last call I went on just before the tornado hit was to Myra Gulch’s house. She called the police because her neighbors were playing their music too loud and their dog was barking. But when I got there, I couldn’t hear a thing and she was furious.” He rubbed his shoulder. “The woman threw a book at me.”

  “Do you think Myra phoned in a complaint about her own daughter and son-in-law?” Skye shook her head as Wally led her into the PD’s front entrance. “I thought it was a bit harsh when Bartolommeo called her ‘old lady Gulch,’ but I’m beginning to see his point of view.”

  “Definitely.” Wally waved to May behind the counter and she buzzed open the door leading to the back. “Old lady is probably the nicest thing he could call her. Witch with a capital B is probably more appropriate.”

  “Wait a minute.” Skye stopped so abruptly, she pulled her hand from Wally’s. “You mentioned that the gang member said it was Zeke’s old lady zapping him. But maybe the biker said that it was an old lady.”

  “That would explain why Billie doesn’t have a dog bite.” Wally ushered Skye into the interrogation/coffee room. “Now we need to see if Myra has one. Do you think she’ll accompany her daughter to the station?”

  “If everything that I’ve heard about her is true, Myra will be with Billie.” Skye eased into a chair and looked up at Wally. “But would a woman really kill her son-in-law just because she was upset that he married her daughter?”