“I’ll be glad to help if I can. I think the world of Cassie.”
Enid felt slightly guilty for leveraging Bonnie’s friendship with Cassie in order to get information. But, as Cade had reminded her many times, a journalist does whatever it takes to find the truth. “I need information about goat farms in this area. Is there a list somewhere? Do all of you belong to an association or something?”
Bonnie wiped her hands on a napkin and brushed some bread crumbs from her lap. “Well, some of the dairy farmers, you know, the ones who produce cheese and milk, belong to the American Dairy Goat Association. But there are other associations some belong to, like the American Goat Federation.”
Enid cleared her throat and jumped directly to the point. “I’m writing about Rose Marie Garrett’s life. And about how she died. Did you know Rosie, by any chance?”
Bonnie instinctively put her hand to her neck and looked uncomfortable, reminding Enid that Rosie had been strangled. “I knew of her, but didn’t know her personally. Poor girl.” She dropped her hand from her neck. “I’m sorry, but what’s that got to do with goats?”
Enid quickly debated with herself how much information she should give Bonnie and decided to be straightforward. “The coroner’s report showed goat hairs on Rosie’s clothing, and I was just wondering how she came into contact with them.”
Bonnie studied Enid’s face as if she were trying to read her thoughts. “Wouldn’t the police have checked that out? It’s been a good many years back, as I recall.”
“Yes, it’s been over ten years.” Enid hesitated. “But the police apparently didn’t spend a lot of time tracking down goat hairs.”
Bonnie was quiet for a moment. “Me and Toby bought this place about a year after that girl, Rosie, got killed. It was already a goat farm when we bought it from Otto Jensen.”
Enid felt the hairs on her neck bristle at the mention of Ray Jensen’s employer. “You mean OJ Development Company?”
Bonnie nodded. “Yes, that’s him.” Bonnie pointed toward Enid’s glass. “Can I get you a refill?”
“No thanks.” Enid’s mind was racing. “Did Otto work the farm himself before you bought it?”
Bonnie smoothed the legs of her mud-stained coveralls with her hands. “No, he was just the broker. The previous owners had leased the farm to another family. Mr. Jensen told us if we had any questions about running the place, we could talk to them. Mr. Jensen knew we had never owned a goat farm and probably figured we’d need the help. But we never had to. Toby did his homework before we invested in this place.” Bonnie’s eyes drifted back to the barn again. “He was a good man.”
“I’m surprised you stayed after Toby died. It must be a lot of work for you. Alone, I mean.”
“It’s home.” She paused and appeared to be composing herself. “I’ll get you a list of the local dairy goat farmers if that would help you, at least the ones I know. Although, like I said, not all goats are dairy goats, and not all goats are on farms. You probably saw a few goats here and there while driving over here. It’s not unusual to have goats in rural areas, especially if you need to keep an area cleared out. They’ll eat anything, and I mean anything.” She laughed. “One time when Toby was alive . . .” She stopped and looked out across the big front lawn where several goats were chewing vigorously on something. She smiled. “I love these goats. I know that sounds silly, but they’re my family now.”
“That’s not silly at all.” Although, Enid couldn’t imagine getting attached to a goat. “Can you also give me the name of the previous owners? They may be able to help me.”
“I’ll get that information for you, and the cheese you wanted.”
Bonnie went inside, and Enid finished her snack while she watched the goats chew contentedly. What a peaceful life this must be.
When Bonnie returned, she gave the cheese to Enid but refused to take any payment. “Here, it’s on the house. Besides, it was nice to have the company.” She took a piece of paper from the pocket of her coveralls and handed it to Enid. “When you introduced yourself, I didn’t connect your name with the previous owners.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.”
“I checked the folders all our property papers are in and found the name of the previous owners. I didn’t recall their names, because they didn’t come to the closing, and we never met them.”
Enid looked at the note Bonnie had given her and felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. The previous owners were Samuel and Fern Blackwell.
CHAPTER 50
“Hi, sleepyhead,” Cassie called out when Enid walked into the kitchen the next morning. “Hope the workers didn’t wake you.” Cassie’s face lit up. “I’m so excited. The renovations will be finished next week and we can reopen the inn.”
Enid poured herself a cup of coffee and stumbled to one of the kitchen chairs. “That’s great. I know you’ll be glad to have all this construction work behind you.” She carefully took another sip from the steaming cup. “How was your shopping trip?”
“Good. I found the new linens I wanted.” Cassie brought a cup of hot tea to the table and handed it to Enid. “Here. I saw you making a face trying to drink that coffee. You look tired.”
Enid put the coffee cup aside and picked up the teacup. “Thanks.” The welcome bergamot scent of Earl Grey filled her nostrils. “I didn’t sleep well last night. Too many snakes in my head again.”
Cassie sat down at the table. “Anything I can do to help? I listen pretty good.”
Enid smiled at Cassie. “Thanks, but I just need to talk to Cade about something that’s come up.” Enid looked down into the cup and saw her own reflection. “You’re so good to me. I’m going to miss you when I go home. Though I’m not sure where home will be.”
“Things have a way of working out. You’ll see.” Cassie patted Enid’s hand gently. “Besides, I expect you to be a regular guest. You’ll get the family discount, of course.”
“Do you know when Jack will be back?” asked Enid
“Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you he called and left a message. He’s helping his sister and her new husband move into a new house and won’t be back for a few more days. But he will be back in time for the celebration.”
“Celebration?”
“Yes, we’ll have our usual picnic on the beach of Glitter Lake. We’ll have South Carolina, mustard-style barbecue and all the cold beer you can handle. It’ll be fun to take your mind off your troubles.”
Enid’s attention had already drifted back to the conversation she needed to have with Cade. “I’m sure it will be.” Enid stood up. “I’m going to take one of your scrumptious Morning Glory muffins upstairs to my room.”
* * *
Upstairs, Enid put the tray on the small desk by the window and pulled the note from her bag that Bonnie had given her at the goat farm. No matter how many times Enid read it, “Fern and Samuel Blackwell” was still unmistakably printed in Bonnie’s child-like handwriting.
Enid tapped on Cade’s number from the list of favorites in her cell phone. Cade’s voice mail message said he was in meetings all day and would return all calls within twenty-four hours.
“Cade, it’s me. We need to talk. Call me as soon as you can.” Enid ended the call and stared out the window. The morning sun was glittering on the lake. Dammit, Cade. What else haven’t you told me?
Her cell phone rang, and thinking it was Cade, she answered quickly without checking the screen. “Hello.”
“Hi, it’s Molly. Molly Anderson.”
“Hi, Molly.” Enid hoped her disappointment wasn’t reflected in her voice. She liked Molly but just wasn’t in the mood for chit-chat this morning. “This is a surprise. What can I do for you?”
“I was hoping we could get together. I may have some information for you.”
“About Rosie?”
“Let’s not talk about it over the phone. Can you meet me at the snack bar at the Exxon station on the edge of town?”
E
nid remembered that’s where she had met Rachel. Was this Molly’s way of letting her know she knew about Enid’s meeting with her daughter? “Yes, I’m pretty sure I know where that is. What time?”
“I get off work at eight tonight. Would that be too late for you?”
Enid remembered Cassie’s son had been killed at night at that station. “Well, I . . .”
As though Molly sensed Enid’s concern, Molly said, “I know you’re worried about Eddie, but I doubt he’s foolish enough to bother you again. See you then.”
Molly hung up at the same time Cassie knocked on the door and called out, “Can I come in for a minute? There’s something else I forgot to tell you.”
Enid opened the door and offered a seat to Cassie. “What did you forget?”
Cassie looked at Enid’s teacup. “I’ll bring you a fresh, hot cup.”
“Is that what you forgot?” asked Enid.
“No, sorry. Occupational hazard of being an innkeeper. You’re always looking to see what people need. What I forgot to tell you is that Bonnie left me a message yesterday afternoon while I was driving back. I let the call go to voice mail because the traffic was bad on I-26, and I didn’t want to get distracted. I forgot to check messages until late last night. By the time I got her first message, she had left a second one. She said you were really nice, and she enjoyed your visit. But after you left, she starting wondering if you were who you said you were. She mentioned something about the previous owners’ name, but I didn’t follow what she was saying. Anyway, poor Bonnie has been a fraidy cat ever since Toby died. Thinks everybody is trying to con her.” Cassie shook her head. “Bless her heart. Anyway, after she couldn’t reach me, she called the Madden Police to see if they knew who you were.”
“Oh, great. Just what I need. Chief Jensen will probably arrest me now for harassing the locals.”
Cassie laughed. “No, you’re in luck. Molly answered her call and assured her you were really Enid Blackwell and that you were my guest.”
“That’s funny, Molly just—” Enid heard a knock on her door and saw the construction foreman standing in the open doorway.
“Miss Cassie, I need to you look at something downstairs if you don’t mind.” He looked at Enid and tipped his hardhat. “Sorry for the interruption, ma’am.”
Cassie stood up and said to Enid, “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about Bonnie’s calls. Got to run.” Cassie scurried off with the construction foreman.
Bless your heart, Bonnie. Enid suddenly remembered she had left the goat cheese in the car overnight and hoped the smell wouldn’t be too awful.
CHAPTER 51
The road leading away from Madden, where the Exxon station was located, was nearly deserted. Most of the traffic during the day came from commuters who worked in Columbia and other nearby areas. Once the work traffic died down, few people came into town, or left it, at that time of night. Other than the Exxon station, there wasn’t much around except thickets of pine trees. At late summer, the days were getting a bit shorter, and the new moon didn’t provide much light.
Enid was beginning to reprimand herself for agreeing to this meeting. After all, what could Molly have to say? Maybe she had found out Enid had talked to Rachel. If Enid was going to get scolded, she’d rather hear it over the phone.
The interior of her car was suddenly illuminated by the headlights of a vehicle behind her. It must have pulled from one of the side roads because she had just checked her rearview mirror a moment ago. Enid turned up the volume slightly on the radio to hear the national news. Lately, she had been so absorbed in local happenings that she felt isolated from the world she once knew.
Suddenly the vehicle behind her sped up and rammed into the back of her car. Stunned, Enid gripped the steering wheel and tried to maintain control. Idiot! What are you doing? Another jarring bump almost knocked her off the road. Her anger quickly turned to fear when the attacking vehicle pulled up beside her. Fighting to maintain control of her car and her emotions, Enid glanced to the side and saw a green pickup truck. In the fading light, she couldn’t be sure, but the driver looked like one of the bikers she had encountered in the cemetery. He smiled as he rammed her again from the side. The side airbag deployed just as her BMW went off the road and headfirst into a deep ditch.
The driver’s car door was wedged against a huge boulder embedded in the wall of the ditch. Her car was almost on its side. If there was any way out of the car, it would be on the passenger side. Her leg was hurting and the right one was jammed against the console. She managed to free her leg and tried to swing it over the console, with no luck. With the shift in weight, the car moved slightly, so she held still.
Enid wasn’t sure which she heard first—the gunshot or the back window shattering. Immediately afterward, she heard herself scream. Another shot sounded like it ricocheted off the rock right outside the driver’s door. She instinctively covered her head and crouched down as much as she could.
Where was her cell phone? It had been in the cup holder before the crash. She eased her hand out, careful not to show much movement in case someone was looking into the car. Her fingers came up empty. Slowly, she put her hand on the floorboard and reached around trying to find her cell phone. She touched something but before she could pick it up, the sound of tires peeling rubber stopped her. The loud noise of the pickup’s engine was faint now as it traveled away from her. After she assumed the assailant had left, fear overcame her. Her hands shaking, she groped around in the darkness trying to find her phone. She froze when a beam of light shone in the car. Someone with a flashlight was standing on the edge of the road looking down into the ditch at her car.
Enid twisted around and sat up. She looked up toward the road. She hadn’t heard the truck coming back, but fear was causing her mind to play tricks. She felt sick to her stomach and her leg was throbbing from pain. The beam of light moved away from her to the back of the car. The jerky movement of light probably meant someone was climbing down into the ditch. Cursing herself for not bringing her gun along, she prayed that whoever was after her would not rape or torture her. After so much of the life she had taken for granted just a few weeks ago had died, would physical death just be the next step? In an instance, she thought of the things that would be left undone. Cade, I’m sorry the way things turned out for us. And then she thought of Rosie. I’m sorry, I tried.
The sound of a hand beating on the passenger window made her jump and pulled her back from the morbid thoughts.
“Are you okay in there?” A woman’s voice. “Who’s in there?” The voice sounded familiar.
“Molly? Is that you? Please help.” Enid prayed it was her.
“Enid, is that you? I’m going to break the window. Cover your face.”
Enid put her arms across her face. The loud, shattering noise was followed by little balls of glass hitting her head and neck. Enid looked up at the driver’s window and Molly was standing there with an emergency glass breaker in her hand. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I think I’m okay. Did you see that pickup drive away?” Enid pointed down the road.
“No, I didn’t see anything. Just your car. I can’t get you out, but I’ll call the wrecker service. They operate out of the Exxon station, so it won’t take them long unless they’re out on another call.”
“I’m so lucky that you came by when you did. I think I was run off the road intentionally.” Enid was shaking uncontrollably.
“I’m sure it was one of the locals who drank a few more beers than he should have.” Molly patted her shoulder. “There, there now, you’re okay. Molly’s here.”
CHAPTER 52
Molly poured a shot glass of single malt bourbon for Enid while they sat in the police station. Molly winked. “This is the chief’s stash, but I’m sure he won’t mind if you have a shot. Not after what you’ve been through.”
Enid didn’t usually drink liquor, but tonight was an exception. “Thanks,” she said after taking a sip. “I needed that.” She t
ried not to focus on her leg and the side airbag burn on her arm and shoulder. “I want to thank you again for rescuing me.”
“Well, I feel bad after I told you it was safe to go out there.” Molly put the liquor bottle back in the cabinet. “The chief’s coming in to talk to you, but before he does, I feel I need to warn you.”
“Warn me? About what?” The warm buzz from the bourbon dissipated.
“You’ve been poking sticks at rattlers. It’s not surprising one of them struck out at you.”
Enid wondered who in particular Molly was talking about. There seemed to be a lot of rattlers around. “I’m not sure I’m following you.” Enid sipped the last of the bourbon in her glass.
“It’s admirable, and all, that you’re writing a story about that poor girl. She had a tragic life, even if she brought most of her troubles on herself.” Molly’s eyes squinted slightly. “This is an open case, and I think you’ve got what you need for your story. Let the police do the detective work. Anyway, I’m sure you’re anxious to get back to Charlotte, especially after what happened tonight.” Molly shook her head sympathetically. “I’m afraid you’ve gotten a bad impression of Madden.”
The front door of the small police station opened and Chief Jensen walked in. He took off his wide-brimmed hat and laid it on Molly’s desk. “Evening, Ms. Blackwell.” He looked at Molly. “Thanks, I’ll take it from here. You go on home.”
Molly nodded to the chief and turned to Enid. “If you need anything, let me know. And think about what I said.” Molly called out as she left, “Goodnight.”
For the next hour, Enid repeated the details of what happened several times. The chief rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock. It was nearly midnight. “So you really think you were deliberately run off the road? And that someone shot at you?”
Weariness and bourbon were not a good combination, especially at this time of night. “I don’t think so, I know so. Someone deliberately ran me off the road and then shot at me. I’m sure your police department has the capability of finding bullets. There’s at least one in my car.”
Murder in Madden Page 19
