Tess sat behind her desk, thinking about Tilly and Anna.
“Oliver, I have to ask: did Anna . . . well, was she able to speak?”
He shook his head. “She never regained consciousness.”
Tess acknowledged his answer with a sigh. The implication hung over the room like a haze.
“Tilly’s possibly the only witness, isn’t she?” he asked.
Tess nodded. “We found Glen’s tent, and she appeared to be staying with him. I believe she saved Anna from the creek and that she witnessed his murder.”
“Is she in danger?”
Tess exchanged glances with Bender.
“Not imminent. Most people probably think she’s crazy and not credible. That being said, I think she’s safer in the hospital than on the streets.”
“Then thank God for the accident. The Lord was looking out for Tilly.”
Tess didn’t have a response for that. Why would God look after Tilly and not Anna?
42
Oliver walked home, feeling heavier than he’d ever felt in his life. The numbness and shock of Anna’s death had worn off and left a harsh, deep ache, a slash across his heart. He saw the cars in the church parking lot and prayed no one saw him; he needed to be alone for a bit. For the first time as pastor of this church, he wished his home were somewhere else, that he lived far, far away. He made it inside without drawing any attention, closed the door, and let himself slide down till he was sitting on the floor with his back against the door.
He wanted to keep screaming, “Why?” To throw things and bellow out his pain. What kept him grounded was something Chief O’Rourke had said. She’d followed him out of the police station, grabbed his arm, to speak to him.
“I don’t understand your faith, Oliver, but I understand your pain. I’ve been there. My father was murdered when I was sixteen.” She’d looked at him, eyes filled with wisdom, understanding.
“How’d you get through the pain without faith?”
“I put one foot in front of the other and vowed to honor his memory every day. Life goes on.”
I can do that, Oliver thought, honor Anna’s memory each and every day. But it’s not a vow that will help. It’s a lifetime of seeing God work in and with every circumstance, the good and the bad. I’ve walked this walk, a tightrope sometimes, when Anna’s cancer was bad. I made it. We made it.
Oliver held his head in his hands and knew that he had to concentrate on something other than Anna’s absence right now. What would Anna want for him or from him? How could he best honor her?
She’d enjoyed Chief O’Rourke’s company and believed with all of her heart the woman would be a great asset to the town. Oliver knew this was a place to start, a first step. As much as O’Rourke might help him by catching Anna’s killer, he knew that it was important for him to help her. He’d warned her about Mayor Dixon and she’d not been surprised.
“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Just because Dixon violates my rule #2, ‘Be fair, not emotional,’ doesn’t mean that I will. And I’ll catch the person responsible for two murders.”
Oliver believed she would and found no small comfort in the fact that Anna would be pleased. Doug was misguided for some reason. Tess O’Rourke would solve the murder and bring him face-to-face with his wife’s killer.
How would he react then? I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
43
Monday night, Tess went by the PSS office. The broken window was boarded up and it was closed. Beto was nowhere in sight. The sign on the door said he’d be back at noon, but it was well past noon, so Tess wondered if he meant tomorrow. She still wasn’t certain how she’d approach him. A messed-up financial record and a broken key chain were not slam-dunk pieces of evidence.
But she had also found that Acosta had a concealed carry permit and a gun registered in his name. A 9mm. She’d like to get ahold of that gun and send it to the lab for testing. But that would have to wait until she got ahold of Acosta.
Later, when she’d finally given up and gone home to go to bed, after clearing Killer with Addie, she found a note slipped under her door. It was from Mayor Dixon. She was being summoned to the council chambers tomorrow morning. They were voting on whether or not to keep her in the employ of Rogue’s Hollow PD.
She tossed it in the trash with a sigh, not even able to muster up anger about the mayor’s pettiness. Finding a killer was the number one thing on her agenda and she’d do it on her own dime if she had to.
She fed the dog and set up her dog bed in the corner of the room. Then, wanting nothing but a shower and sleep, she almost screamed when there was a knock on her door.
Looking up at the ceiling and counting to ten, Tess called out. “Who is it?”
“It’s Delia and Ellis Peabody. We need to speak to you.”
Groaning to herself, Tess walked to the door and opened it a crack. She saw the Peabodys with a sullen-looking Duncan in the hallway. She had no patience for an intervention right now.
“Can this wait until the morning? I’m really beat.”
“It’s important that you hear what my son has to say.” Ellis leaned forward. “Really important.”
Tess didn’t have the energy to fight, so she let the family come in. Ellis was an older, balding version of his son, wearing stylish glasses and looking every bit the computer geek. He looked worried, not angry. Ditto Delia. She was tense, afraid of something. They noticed Killer and paused.
“She’s okay,” Tess told them. “As for Duncan, running away is technically not a crime.” She closed the door. “If you two want to disci—”
Ellis interrupted. “This isn’t about the runaway. Duncan—” he pointed at his son—“tell her what you told us—everything.”
Tess looked at Duncan more closely and saw it wasn’t sullenness he was projecting. It was fear; he was as fearful as his mother. What was going on?
She folded her arms. “What happened, Duncan?”
He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Uh . . . the other day . . . well, I rode my bike over to the other side of Midas Creek. I know I’m not supposed to, but—”
“You’re not in trouble for that; you’re not in trouble for anything,” Delia said, urgency in her voice. “Just tell the chief.”
“Yeah, well, I went up the trail, just above the Stairsteps to smoke a joint. I like to do that early, you know. It’s neat to watch the sunrise loaded. My friend Micah was supposed to come too, but he got caught sneaking out of the house.” He swallowed and Tess saw the Adam’s apple work in his throat.
Tension built inside Tess. “What morning was this?”
“Thursday. . . . I was there, on the other side of the creek. I saw him . . . I saw him shoot the dog, then Glen, and push Mrs. Macpherson into the creek.”
44
“Did you know Glen Elders?”
He nodded, casting a sideways glance at his mom. “He used to sell us weed.”
“Who did you see shoot Glen?”
“It was Mr. Acosta, I think.”
“You think? You’re not certain?”
He looked down and shook his head. “I couldn’t see clearly. It was still kinda dark. But she said it was Acosta.”
“She? Tilly?”
“Yeah, she said she and Glen had stolen his money and Acosta wanted it back.”
Tess was back at the station twenty minutes after speaking with Duncan Peabody, Killer in tow. She’d had Duncan repeat his story into her digital recorder.
“I saw her slide down the hillside—it was barely light, but I realized she was trying to catch Mrs. Macpherson, so I went after her. That was when he shot at me, twice, maybe three times. The bullets went right over my head! I thought I was dead.”
“Did he say anything, yell anything?”
“No, but by then I got to the bottom of the Stairsteps, next to the pool there, where Tilly was. I saw her stumble into the water. I thought she was trying to get to Mrs. Macpherson, and I ended up going in and pulling them both
out. There was no more shooting, and I didn’t know what happened to the dog.” He pointed to Killer. “I was going to call for help, but Tilly stopped me.”
He held up his right arm and Tess saw fingerprint marks, bruises on his forearm. “She squeezed my arm so hard I thought she’d break it. She said he’d kill us all, that he knew every alarm in the valley and could get into our house when we were sleeping.”
“And she meant Beto Acosta?”
“Yeah, man. Had to. His security systems are everywhere. We even have one at our house. It freaked me out. I helped her carry Mrs. Macpherson up the hillside. Crazy Tilly, that’s what we call her—”
“That’s not nice,” Delia interjected.
“Whatever. She had a tent up there and she just kept saying, ‘Trust no one’ over and over again like some old science fiction movie. It scared me. I told her Mrs. Macpherson needed help and she said she’d help her. And then I ran. I was just freaked out. I thought, Acosta, man, he was cold. He shot that guy point-blank and shoved Mrs. Macpherson into the creek like nothing. I thought he’d find me, kill me too, so I ran. I’ve never seen a real shooting before.”
He also solved the mystery of the shin guards. He’d taken his off when he helped Tilly and forgotten them when he’d run off. In spite of being a thorn in her side for two months, Duncan was a very credible witness, but it was troubling he wasn’t 100 percent certain that it was Acosta with the gun. But who else could it be? If Tilly was certain it was Acosta’s money Glen had stolen, wouldn’t Acosta be the logical person to try to get it back? Tess assured Duncan that Acosta was no threat, that he’d be in custody soon. She’d find hard evidence. Ellis said he’d change out his security system as soon as possible.
Duncan gave Killer a hug before they left. “I’m glad you saved the dog. She tried to help; that’s why she got shot.”
Tess called in Gabe Bender, Curtis Pounder, and Del Jeffers, signing authorization for overtime with a flourish. She knew she was being petty by not waking up Mayor Dixon, but he’d be up early anyway with his emergency city council meeting. If she was going to be fired, she was going out with a bang. Pop would approve. She also sent Logan a text. He was on his days off but sent a text back saying he would come up and help if he could.
Tess woke up a judge who listened to everything she had on Beto Acosta.
“This juvenile is not 100 percent certain on his identification of this suspect?”
Reluctantly Tess said, “No, he’s not.” She explained the other evidence they had, which wasn’t much.
“And no motive?”
“Possibly monetary.” There was a pause and Tess was afraid she’d lose this battle, one that in California would have been difficult but doable, at least with the judges she knew.
“Your Honor, I have two bodies here, an eyewitness to the murders, and some physical evidence. I realize it’s your name authorizing the search and arrest warrants, but we’re on the right track here.”
“Chief, I agree with you on many points. I just need a few minutes to think about what you’ve told me. I’ll call you right back.”
Logan stepped in as she slammed the phone down in frustration.
“Wrong number?”
She smiled; seeing him sucked the anger out. “Ah, trying to secure warrants for Acosta, and the judge is dragging his feet.”
“I think I know what judge.” He took a seat in front of her desk. He was armed but wearing civvies—a dark T-shirt and tan cargo shorts showing off well-muscled legs. “Don’t worry. He’ll call you back; he’s just a cautious man. Acosta doesn’t know you’re onto him, does he?” They both knew surprise was an advantage.
“He shouldn’t. The Peabodys came to my room at the inn, and then they went straight home.”
He nodded and started to speak when her phone rang. She grabbed for it; it was the judge, warrants approved. As she hung up, she gave Logan a thumbs-up.
“We’re on. Warrant to search house, business, car, but not for his arrest.”
“How can I help?”
“Your support will be awesome.”
“You got it.”
“We’ll be in two teams. I’m sending Del and Curtis to the business. Bender and I will hit the residence and vehicle; he rents a room at Charlie’s. You’ll be with us.”
While they were staging in the parking lot, as the day dawned, it was hard to miss the members of the city council filing into the council chamber, a room at the rear of the post office. Tess concentrated on the job at hand. Sheila arrived for her workday and agreed to look after Killer.
Jeffers and Pounder walked with the warrant to the PSS office on River Drive. Tess was about to start her car when another figure approached the station.
Oliver Macpherson.
He still looked devastated, but he’d obviously showered and trimmed his beard, maybe even gotten some sleep. Tess got out of the car to greet him.
“Pas—Oliver. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay, Chief. Where are you off to so early?”
“I’m serving search warrants.”
“Beto?” He winced.
“Yes, but keep that quiet for now. What are you doing here?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I’m here to speak some sanity into Doug’s council meeting. Anna thought a lot of you, and so do I.”
That he would come here to do this the day after his wife died touched Tess more than she thought possible.
“Thank you.” She held out her hand to shake his. “I won’t let either of you down.”
He gripped hers in both of his strong, rough, warm hands. “I know that, and I’m praying for you.”
–––
There were several cars in Charlie’s parking lot, one Tess recognized as belonging to Acosta. It was a utility truck with the PSS logo on both sides. Since Tess had seen Cole walk into the council chambers, she knew she’d be dealing with Charlotte.
“If I remember right,” Logan said, “Beto’s room has a separate entrance on the north side of the structure, close to the hollows tour building.”
“Okay.” Tess considered the logistics. She wanted to surprise Acosta, catch him off guard. “I want a key if possible. Gabe, you stay with the car. Steve, if you get eyes on the north side of the building, I’ll see if Charlotte will give me a key.”
Everyone moved into position and Tess went inside the business. Charlotte Markarov was behind the counter. She reminded Tess of a photo of a woman at the turn of the century. Her hair was swept up into a bun on the back of her head, she had a full figure, and she was wearing a long-sleeved, high-necked blouse. She was also wearing a lot of makeup. Tess wondered how long it took her to put all that goop on and be ready to work so early.
Her smile was tentative. “Chief O’Rourke, this is a surprise. What brings you here this early?”
“I have a search warrant to serve on one of your residents.” Tess handed her the paperwork. “I’d like a key in the event that Mr. Acosta is not at home or he is home and doesn’t want to open the door.”
“Oh, my. I—I just don’t know.”
“Mrs. Markarov, I’m asking for a key as a courtesy. If I must use a battering ram, it will do damage.”
“What is it you think Beto has done?”
“He’s a suspect in two murders.”
Charlotte paled. “Well, uh . . . okay then.” She reached behind her and fumbled around for a moment. She handed Tess the key. “Is it okay if I come with you?”
Tess nodded. “But please don’t try to interfere.”
She joined Steve Logan on the north side of the inn. The door to Acosta’s room was down five stairs and it faced the concession building for the tour through the hollows.
Tess knocked and announced their presence and heard nothing. She repeated herself two more times and still no response.
Nodding to Steve, who took a backup position, she opened the door and they went inside. But there was no sign of Beto Acosta.
Acosta was not at home no
r in his office. But Tess got a call from Del informing her that the search of the office hit pay dirt. Anna Macpherson’s purse and ID were recovered from a drawer in the office. Acosta was their man. They’d have to find him to figure out the why.
45
After watching Chief O’Rourke and the other officers leave, and praying they found success, Oliver walked into the council chambers, determined to do everything in his power to keep them from firing Tess O’Rourke. Doug Dixon was already there, as were Cole and Addie. Missing were Forest and Casey.
“Oliver!” Addie exclaimed. “What are you doing here?” She rushed over and gave him a hug.
He appreciated her warmth and support. “Felt I should be here.”
“There’s no need,” Dixon said. “We know you’re grieving.”
“Hey, Pastor Mac.”
He turned to see Forest walk in and he accepted a tight hug from him as well.
“So sorry, Pastor.”
Oliver nodded thanks and everyone took their seats.
“I’ll give Casey a few more minutes before I call this meeting to order,” Dixon said.
This earned him a snort of derision from Addie. “Waste of time for us to all be here. The chief is doing a fine job. She was your pick, and for once I’d say you made a great decision. Why aren’t you giving her a chance at it?”
Dixon held up a yellow pad. “I’ve documented fifteen reasons why she’s fallen short of expectations. I’m not afraid to admit I made a mistake.”
“Hear, hear,” Cole said.
“We could argue all day about this,” Addie said, “but the woman has done a good job.”
“Two unsolved murders, a runaway, a malicious mischief epidemic, and you say good job?”
Forest jumped in to defend Tess before Oliver could. Instead, Oliver watched Dixon. The man was acting a bit hysterical, but he couldn’t figure out why. His behavior was odd even for Dixon. The mayor had pushed so hard for Tess to be hired, the man couldn’t really believe the crimes he listed were the chief’s fault.
Crisis Shot Page 24
