Deception Trail: A Maggie McFarlin Mystery

by Charisse Peeler

  “It seems very un-secure, to me.”

  “There are only three keys to this particular auxiliary storage unit. Chase had one, Darrel has one and there is a third in the key minder.”

  “What’s a key minder?”

  “Right here,” Sue pointed at the large identical orange door with the numbers 414 painted above it. “The key minder is a security lockbox that holds all the keys at the Command. It looks like a giant walk-in freezer, but every key to every door can be located there. It’s located in the Main security building. Every employee has a code and is recorded when they enter the box. It also records what key is removed and returned.”

  “How are we getting in?” Maggie asked as she put the car in park and got out.

  “I have Chase’s key,” Sue said, holding up a small ordinary looking silver key stamped DO NOT REPLICATE.

  “How did you get Chase’s key?”

  “I keep all his work keys. He loses everything.”

  “Could someone know that?” Maggie asked.

  “I don’t think so,” she held up the tag attached to the key and it read, Ladies Restroom. “I think it’s more likely someone took it from the key locker. I’ll bet Kat could get us a copy of the key-minder log.”

  Kat was already parked next to Maggie and looked like she was finishing up a call before she got out and joined Maggie standing over Sue, who was leaning over, unlocking the unit. She lifted the large roll-up door and walked in.

  “Well, Sue is a suspect,” Maggie said to Kat, loud enough for Sue to hear, but Sue ignored the comment. She stood frozen with her hands on her hips, shaking her head.

  “Is there something wrong?” Maggie asked.

  “This is not a shipment of the vaccine,” Sue said, still shaking her head.

  “How do you know?” Kat asked as Sue walked around the large wooden crate sitting in the center of the space.

  “If it were vaccines, it would have to be in a temperature-controlled shipping crate, not a wooden box.”

  Sue took a small pocket-knife out of her pocket and expertly slit the tightly wound plastic wrap. She pulled out the packing slip and set it on top of the box, unfolding it.

  “It is the same paperwork we saw online. This isn’t Chase’s signature, and it says vaccine, but it’s not. I’m sure of it.”

  “What do you think is in there?” Kat asked, backing out toward the door.

  “It’s nothing alive, Kat.”

  Sue rolled her eyes and walked over to a workbench that was set up against the back wall.

  “I was just trying to get out of your way,” Kat said.

  Sue didn’t respond as she sorted through the tools in the large metal toolbox until she found a small crowbar and a hammer.

  “We are going to find out.” She handed Maggie her pocket-knife, “Can you cut the plastic wrap so we can get this lid off.”

  Maggie began slicing through the tight plastic that was wrapped around the large box.

  The lid was a large fitted piece of ¾ inch plywood nailed into place. Sue attempted to wedge the hook side of the crowbar into the small gap in the corner of the wood and pushed. It didn’t budge, so she turned the crowbar around and put the flat side where the two pieces of plywood came together. She took the hammer in her right hand and struck the crowbar a few times finally creating the smallest gap.

  “It’s on here pretty good.” Sue looked up at the two women standing side-by-side, watching her as she repeated the process around the whole lid until she was back in the original spot. This time she hit the crowbar with a lot more force and it worked. The crowbar slipped all the way into the box, creating a wider gap. Unfortunately, Sue didn’t expect it and her pinky finger was wedged into the space and was now positioned in an unnatural angle.

  “Aw shit,” Sue said, dropping the hammer and pulling her hand loose. She wrapped the other hand around the damage forcing her pinking back in place.

  “Oh my God, Sue,” Maggie reached for her, but Sue retreated.

  “Are you okay?” Kat picked up the hammer and laid it on top of the box.

  “I think it's broke,” Sue said, her eyes watering and she was rocking back and forth. It was obvious she was in pain.

  “We need to get you to the emergency room,” Maggie said.

  “Not before we find out what’s in the crate,” Sue said, her words pained. “Open it, Kat,”

  “We will come back,” Maggie said.

  “Open it,” Sue demanded.

  Kat picked up the hammer and wedged the crowbar in the space Sue had already created. She repeated the process around the rest of the lid until the plywood was completely free. Kat lifted the wood with Maggie’s help. They set it against the side wall as Maggie reached in and took out a layer of bubble wrap.

  “What is it?” Kat asked.

  “You’re not going to believe this,” Maggie said. Sue moved close and leaned in, still holding her hand. Kat also leaned in close.

  Maggie reached in and pulled out a large hairy skin. She laid it out on the floor.

  “A gorilla suit?” Kat asked aloud.

  “No,” Maggie said as she now held up a matching mask. “It is a Sasquatch suit.”

  “I don’t get it. Why would someone ship a Bigfoot costume and pretend it was a shipment of the vaccine?” Sue asked.

  “Maybe it is some kind of practice joke,” Kat said.

  “That’s not everything,” Maggie said, now pulling out what looked like a half leg made of resin with a broomstick handle. She set it near the costume.

  “There is more,” she said again, pulling the opposite foot and several more. Altogether there were three sets of resin feet, all of the different sizes.

  “It’s like the story of The Three Bears. Papa bear or rather a daddy Bigfoot, ma’am a Bigfoot and baby Bigfoot.” Kat said.

  “Where is Goldilocks?” Sue asked.

  “These are amazing.” Maggie picked up one of the legs and moved the toes around. “Feel it.” She held it out to Kat.

  “It’s some kind of moldable rubber. They change shape so the prints will be unique,” Kat said.

  “What are we going to do with all this? What does Chase have to do with it?” Maggie asked

  “Let’s just put it all back for the time being. We need to find out who ordered it and why someone used the Navy supply system to ship it. And why they used my credentials to do it,” Sue said, still holding her hand.

  “We need to get you to the hospital,” Kat said, helping Maggie, who already started putting the Bigfoot kit back into the crate. They lifted the lid together and Kat hammered it back in place.

  Maggie pulled the plastic back across and tucked it in, but it was obvious it had been removed.

  “Don’t worry about it. When I get back to work, I’m going to open an investigation,” Sue said.

  “You need to change the lock too,” Kat said. “Where is the key?”

  “In my pocket,” Sue lifted her arm and Kat dug out the key.

  They all moved out of the space. Maggie helped Kat pull down the door and waited for her to lock it.

  Maggie’s phone buzzed, indicating a text message, “It’s Liza. Her bail has been posted and she is being released today.”

  “That’s great news, Maggie,” Kat said, “I will take Sue to the hospital and you go get your sister,” Kat said, opening the passenger door for Sue. Then, all three women froze as a navy security vehicle approached at a slow speed and parked behind the two cars blocking them from going anywhere.

  “Who is this guy?” Kat asked.

  “We don’t have security rounds for this location,” Sue said. “At least I didn’t order it.”

  The man took his time exiting the vehicle. They watched him in slow motion approach them.

  Maggie narrowed her eyes, trying to place the man who looked so familiar.

  “Hello, Ladies,” he said. He was a tall man with short red hair and a crooked smile. It was when he smiled, Maggie remembered where she saw him. He was
the navy police officer parked at her father’s house when she was arrested.

  “Crap,” Maggie said, moving behind Kat so he wouldn’t identify her.

  “Is there a problem, officer?” Sue asked the man.

  “Nope, just doing my rounds,” he said.

  “Navy security does rounds at a storage unit?” Kat asked.

  “Wherever there is Navy property, we have jurisdiction.”

  “We were just about to leave,” Kat said, “so if you don’t mind.” She waved her hand at the man’s car.

  “Did you enter this building?” he asked, watching them closely.

  “We didn’t have the right key, so we were just leaving,” Sue said.

  “Can I see the key?” he asked, holding his large hand open to her.

  “Sure,” Kat said. “It’s right here,” she dug in her purse for what seemed like an eternity when she finally pulled out a Micky Mouse keyring with a single key. She handed it to the officer.

  He took it and pulled his eyebrows together before he turned and tried the lock. The key slipped in but didn’t turn.

  “I think I grabbed the wrong one from the key locker,” Kat explained.

  He pulled the key out of the lock and handed it back to Kat. “This is government property, and you three are trespassing,” he said, looking at Maggie.

  “Technically, the location is not government property. It is what is inside that may be government property,” Kat said.

  “Maybe we should call the Kitsap County Sheriff’s department and let them sort it out,” he again smiled at Maggie, indicating he knew who she was and remembered her when she was arrested at her father’s house.

  “No need, we are leaving,” Sue said, holding up her good hand.

  “What happened to you?” he asked, pointing to her now swollen purple hand.

  “I caught it in the car door if you really want to know. Now I need to get to a doctor, so again, if you don’t mind,” Sue said, getting into the passenger side of Kat’s car. Maggie leaned in and slipped the seat belt around her. “Good job,” she whispered as she closed the door.

  “Don’t come back,” the officer said, narrowing his eyes at Maggie as she got into her car. Maggie waited for Kat to pull out first and followed them out the gate. She took a deep breath as she headed to the jail to pick up Liza.

  Chapter 11

  Maggie parked on the street across from the jail and waited in her car. She sent Liza a text letting her know she was outside. Maggie watched several tired-looking people exit the building from the same side door of the jail, where she expected her sister to exit. They must have all been released at the same time. It was apparent not only from the worn looks on their faces, but each of them carried one of the white plastic bags of personal belongings just like the one Maggie had been given when she was arrested.

  She finally received a text from Liza. She said she would be out soon. Maggie sat back, entertaining herself by guessing what crime each person had committed as they walked past her car, drunk driving, illegal drug sales, prostitution, drunken driving again. Liza finally came out, but instead of the others' zombie looking stupor, she actually looked refreshed. No one would have guessed that she had spent the last week in jail if not for the white plastic bag. Liza smiled and bounced across the street when she spotted Maggie, sliding into the passenger seat.

  “Good morning, sister,” Liza said.

  “Good morning,” Maggie said, tilting her head with a slight smile. “You seem like you are in a good mood.”

  “I’m not in jail,” she said, “and I have my beautiful sister here, by my side. What could be any better?”

  Maggie sat silently, letting Liza’s words linger. She indeed was a different person now.

  “I’m happy to be here,” Maggie smiled at her sister before turning the ignition.

  “Plus, you're going to help prove I’m innocent, right?”

  “Let’s hope so,” Maggie said.

  “What are you saying? Hope so? I thought you believed me.”

  “Of course, I believe you. We will prove you didn’t kill Chase,” Maggie said as she drove forward. “Where to?”

  “I need to go home, take a shower and change these clothes. So, head toward Silverdale and exit on Anderson Hill,” Liza said, opening the plastic bag in her lap and digging out her cell phone. She pulled the charger from Maggie’s phone and plugged hers in.

  “You don’t mind, do you?” Liza asked, “It’s almost dead.” Maggie didn’t answer because it wasn’t a question.

  “I had to use my house to secure your bond,” Maggie said as her sister continued to dig through her purse.

  “I know,” Liza said, looking over at Maggie, “Trey told me, and I am sorry about that. I promise I will pay you back as soon as I get all the property stuff settled. We can sell dad’s house and I will give you all the money.”

  “Why is everything in Chase’s name?” Maggie asked.

  “That is a good question,” Liza said, sitting back in the seat, “Before dad died, he changed his will. He made Chase the executor of his estate and gave him the house.”

  “Why?” Maggie asked.

  “I don’t know, but I just found out that not only did he give Chase our family home, but he also owned my house. Well, our house, Chase and mine. Dad bought the house for us because of some credit issues, and we were making payments to him, but when dad died, it all went to Chase. I have been bugging Chase to put my name on the properties, but he always had an excuse.”

  Maggie took a second to clear her head before she spoke. “I had no idea that Chase was the executor of dad’s estate?”

  “You got your money, didn’t you?” Liza asked.

  “That is not the point, Liza. Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”

  “Maggie, you are the one who left, and you didn’t come to the funeral. I’m pretty sure you weren’t interested in having a relationship with me or anyone in the family. You know everything is not all my fault.”

  “I’m not saying everything is your fault and I didn’t come to the funeral because no one told me dad died. It was Kat who called me when I didn’t show up at the funeral. I would have come,” Maggie’s voice dropped, “to my own father’s funeral.”

  “Can we just get over the past and focus on the future?” Liza asked. “You and I are blood, and we have to stick together.”

  “Of course,” Maggie considered if she should expose her father and tell Liza they had different mothers.

  “I appreciate you coming here and helping me. As a matter of fact, can you come with me to see Angel?”

  “The surrogate?” Maggie asked eagerly at the thought of talking with the woman but wishing it was not with her sister. On the other hand, it would be interesting to see the interaction between the two women.

  “I need to pick up the latest sonogram. I tried to get Angel to reschedule the appointment until I got out of jail so that I could be there to find out the sex, but she insisted it was in the contract that she had it at the 22-week mark. She follows that contract exactly. I think she is afraid I won’t pay her.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, how much do you owe her?” Maggie looked straight, afraid to see the look on Liza’s face.

  “I already paid her $50K and need to pay $25,000 in two weeks and then the final $25K when the baby is born.” Liza looked out the window as Maggie took the exit. “Take a left at the stop sign.”

  “I thought you were broke, and that is why you are using Trey and not hiring a better lawyer.”

  “I am broke, on paper, but I have all the money I need to pay Angel. Don’t you worry, I am going to pay her. There is nothing that is going to come in between my baby and me. I’ve worked too hard for this.”

  “Well, if you need anything, you let me know, okay?”

  “I could use another attorney, but I get it that you don’t have that kind of money.”

  Maggie stayed silent for a moment considering a response, “Trey is a great att
orney, and my friend Mike is an amazing detective. You are in good hands, I promise.”

  “I trust you,” Liza said, “turn in here.” She pointed to a large gated community entrance. Liza held out a remote she had dug out of her purse.

  Maggie had never been to Chase and Liza’s home, so it was a surprise when they pulled into the driveway of the McMansion. She pulled in to one of the spots in front of the three-car garage. The front of the house was painted forest green with light brown trim and river rock along the bottom few feet.

  “This is gorgeous,” Maggie said, joining Liza, who was already out of the car pushing the code into the front door. Maggie followed her sister through the 8-foot rustic maple double door into a large foyer. The floor was made of dark oak with a Compass Rose inlay in the center of the space. Hanging above her head was a large chandelier made with what looked like deer antlers.

  “Make yourself at home,” Liza called as she left the room. “You need coffee?”

  “Please,” Maggie shouted in the general direction Liza called from. “I also need the restroom.”

  “Upstairs to the left,” Liza called over what sounded like an expresso machine steaming milk.

  Maggie made her way up the stairs and opened the first door on the left. It was the nursery. She couldn’t resist her curiosity and walked in. The crib and changing table were shaker style with a matching dresser and rocking chair. The decorations had an Alice in Wonderland theme, with Rabbits and Cheshire Cats. It looked very neutral since she still didn’t know if the baby was a boy or a girl. Maggie tried to imagine a tiny baby in the crib. She couldn’t help smiling at the thought.

  Maggie walked out, carefully closing the door before she found the restroom and returned to her sister, who was already sitting deep in one of her overstuffed leather chairs. She held out a large mug to Maggie, who eagerly accepted it before taking the chair next to her sister.

  “Aww, this is wonderful,” Maggie closed her eyes, enjoying the hot vanilla latte.

  Liza was tapping on her phone, obviously texting back and forth with someone.