by Kathi Daley
After Jack introduced me to everyone on both the team I would play for and our opponents, Rick Savage asked me to throw a few pitches to the catcher so he could observe my form. At first I was admittedly rusty, but after the first few pitches I had half the team standing around cheering me on. I pitched a three-inning shutout before everyone changed positions to give those on the bench a chance to play. I went to third base for the second half of the game, and by the time it ended after two hours of play, I found myself asking why I hadn’t made more of a point to take time for myself once the girls and I had gotten settled following our mother’s death.
“We’re going for beer and pizza,” Jack informed me.
“Sounds good, but I told my sisters I wouldn’t be late. They’re still trying to get settled in. Maybe next week?”
“Sure. You did great tonight. In fact, you might singlehandedly be responsible for the first win we’ve had all season.”
“This was your first win?”
“First of many.”
“Is there a place I can clean up a bit? That last slide into home covered me in dirt from head to toe.”
“Locker rooms are over there.” Jack pointed to a building not far away. “By the way, I spoke to Garrett. He seemed interested in my idea of subdividing the property.”
I hated to ruin Jack’s good mood by telling him I’d had a similar conversation with him, though my understanding concerning his desires was quite different, so I simply told him I couldn’t wait to see his plans. He promised to come by Monday as planned. I gathered my things and headed to the locker room. My phone rang just as I neared the entrance. It was Kyle.
“Hey, Tj, are you done with practice?” Kyle asked.
“I am. I just need to wash up and then I’ll be home.”
“How’d your visit to the senior home go today?”
“Really good, actually. In fact, I think I might have figured this whole thing out.”
“Really? Do tell.”
I thought I heard someone coming up behind me, but when I turned around there was no one there, so I continued. “It occurred to me that when Blackbeard said ‘Charlie bad’ he might have been referring to Charlie Chaplin’s cane and not his hat as we suspected. I remember seeing a cane in the attic on the afternoon we found Buck’s body, but when I looked around the other day it was gone.”
“So you think someone hit Buck with the cane?”
“I do. I think that the cane was the murder weapon and Savage knew it, so he removed it from the property when he came back that evening.”
“Why would he do that?”
“When I went to the senior home today, the woman who did the tour commented that someone who used to work there had helped someone in the maximum-care facility leave without anyone knowing. What if Buck liberated Savage’s father in order to take him on a treasure hunt? We know he has dementia, and it’s likely he uses a cane. What if something happened when they were in the attic and Savage’s father had an episode? He could have hit Buck with the cane and then forgotten about the whole thing.”
“Sounds like a good theory. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll be home in a few minutes. We’ll talk about it then.”
“We’re going to take the dogs for a quick walk,” Kyle informed me. “We’ll talk when we get back.”
I hung up and turned around. Rick Savage was standing in the exit to the men’s locker room.
“Interesting theory,” he said as he walked toward me blocking my way.
“Is it true?” I demanded. “Are you covering up Buck’s murder to protect your father?”
Savage frowned. I waited for I don’t know what. He was a cop, so I doubted he’d kill me, but he had gone to a lot of trouble to protect his father, so who knew what he was capable of. Suddenly the rage I had been feeling turned to fear of what was going to happen next.
“Your theory is actually a very good one, but it’s only partially correct. It’s true Buck managed to check someone out of the senior home to take on his treasure hunt. And it’s true I strongly suspect that individual had an episode during the expedition and killed him. It’s also true the person in question doesn’t remember anything about that day. The individual was found wandering down the middle of the road not far from the senior center, and we all assumed the extent of his unauthorized field trip was limited to the area between the home and the place where he was picked up. I had no idea he actually ended up all the way across town in Garrett’s attic until I responded to your call on Monday. The part you have wrong is that it wasn’t my father I suspected killed Buck; it was Garrett’s.”
Color me stunned. In a million years I’d never expected that. “Garrett’s? I thought Garrett’s father died when he was a baby.”
“That’s what everyone thought, until I arrested him a while back for petty theft. At the time I arrested him, he seemed confused and told me he couldn’t remember his last name. I suspected he was lying until I ran his fingerprints and the name Maxwell Hanford came up. I now believe Max suffers from the same disease as my father.”
“Are you sure this Max is Garrett’s father?”
“I’m sure. Garrett’s father had been arrested for breaking and entering a couple of times during his treasure-hunting days, so his prints were on file.”
Wow. Talk about a complicated twist to an already complicated murder. “If Garrett’s father is alive, why did his mom lie and tell Garrett and everyone else he was dead?”
“I’m not sure. I suspect Garrett’s mom was afraid he’d get caught up in the treasure-hunting fever and didn’t want that for her only child, so she simply told Garrett he was dead.”
Poor Garrett. I let the idea sink in before I spoke again. “So how did Garrett’s father end up back here after all these years?”
“I don’t know what brought him back to Gull Island. Like I said, the man seemed confused. At the time of his arrest he knew his first name but not his last, and he didn’t remember why he was in the area. I spent some time talking to him, trying to explain to him where he was and, more importantly, who he was. After a bit he remembered the agreement he’d made with his ex to leave the island. He seemed to be scared that he’d violated his agreement and wanted to leave. I didn’t feel right about just sending him out into the world, so I talked him into allowing me to check him into the senior home for observation.”
I looked off into the distance at the darkening sky. The entire conversation seemed surreal. “Does Garrett know?”
“No. At first Max made me promise not to tell him that he was alive. He’s pretty far gone now, and I honestly doubt he’d care one way or the other. I was on the verge of sharing what I knew with Garrett when he had his stroke. I figured he had a lot to deal with already, so I decided to wait until he recovered. I’m really not sure how he’s going to take this, especially now.”
Talk about an understatement. I suspected Garrett was going to totally freak out. Not only was the dad he believed dead alive, but he’d killed a good friend and, probably worst of all, his mother had lied to him.
“The thing I don’t get is, why was Max even with Buck Barnes?” I asked.
“I suspect somehow Buck knew who he was. Maybe he recognized him. Buck was old enough to have lived here when Max did. It seems reasonable that Buck was convinced Max knew the whereabouts of the map he was after. I suspect he recognized him and decided to break him out of the home and take him to retrieve it.”
“So Garrett’s mother didn’t destroy it?”
“Probably not. Chances are that is simply what she told Garrett to keep him from going down the same path as his father and grandfather.”
“So you think either Max remembered the map was in the attic and took Buck to the location where he’d left it, or Buck believed the map was in the attic and took Ma
x there in an attempt to get him to reveal the location?”
“Both good theories. At this point I don’t have much to go on. I know Buck was at the home on the day Max was found wandering in the street because one of the volunteers saw him. And I know Buck was killed in the attic, and I suspect, based on the evidence I uncovered at the crime scene, Max is the one who killed him.”
“What evidence?”
“Keep in mind I’ve really only had a few days to put this all together, but when I arrived at Garrett’s home on Friday in response to your call, I realized immediately that the body must be Buck. Initially, I didn’t realize the trauma to the head was most likely caused by Garrett’s father until I saw the cane I’d given him on the floor behind one of the cabinets.”
The cane. Charlie bad. It suddenly all made sense. We suspected Blackbeard might have been in the attic when the incident occurred. The window had been left open, and Kyle and I had both felt Blackbeard had been living in the attic ever since Garrett was taken away. Blackbeard had seen a man with a cane—a man like Charlie Chaplin—hit Buck Barnes, causing him to fall to the floor and stop moving. If Blackbeard was referring to the incident, it really was amazing. The cane must have been what Deputy Savage came back for.
“You saw the cane and confronted Garrett’s father?”
“I did, but he didn’t remember anything. He didn’t even remember leaving the home. I have no way of knowing what occurred in the attic that day, but as far as I know, Buck and Max were the only two on the premises.”
“So you decided to protect him?”
“Bringing Max to justice for Buck’s death won’t serve any purpose. Buck is dead, and nothing we do will change that. Max doesn’t remember what he did; he probably didn’t even realize what he was doing at the time. If I report this, there are those above my head who may see things differently. When I realized what happened, I talked it over with Colin and we decided to keep the truth to ourselves. No one ever would have questioned it if you hadn’t decided to snoop around.”
“What now?”
“I guess that’s up to you. You can keep our secret, or you can have Max arrested. He doesn’t have long. Chances are he’ll die in jail before his case even goes to trial.”
“Is he a danger to others?”
“Honestly, I don’t think so, but just to be safe Colin has been keeping a close eye on him, and he’s only allowed to interact with others when there’s supervision.”
I was not normally one to let killers go free, but Savage had a point. No good would come from bringing the truth to light. “What are you going to tell Garrett?”
“The truth. Or at least the part of the truth that’s necessary for him to know. If you decide to keep Colin’s and my secret, I’ll simply tell him that his father has been found and leave out the rest.”
I thought about Garrett and the man he would only have a limited chance to get to know. I knew in my heart that sometimes seeking justice wasn’t justified at all.
Chapter 17
The house was empty when I arrived. Even the dogs were out, so the gang must have still been out for their walk. It was already almost completely dark, so I decided to head upstairs to take a shower before the girls returned and used up all the hot water.
I poked my head into the sunroom to check on Blackbeard. He was in his cage, but he hadn’t been tucked in for the night. I handed the parrot a treat. “It looks like you were spot on as to who killed Buck.”
“Charlie bad, Charlie bad.”
“Yes, I know. It’s amazing that you understand the concept of bad.” I filled Blackbeard’s food and water. “You aren’t a prince locked in a parrot’s body due to some sort of magic spell, are you?”
“Pillage the village.”
“Yes, I guess that’s what happened to the attic. But you don’t have to worry about that now. Nothing bad is going to happen. I believe Deputy Savage and I have come to an understanding.”
“Grog and wenches, grog and wenches.”
I laughed. “Where did you learn sassy talk like that? I need to head up for a shower, so I’m going to cover you now. Would you like another treat?”
“Who’s a good boy?”
“You are. Sweet dreams.”
I covered the cage and then went upstairs. I was just gathering clean sweats to change into after my shower when I heard a noise that sounded like it was coming from the attic.
“Kyle?” I called. My inquiry was met with silence. “Grandpa? Anyone?”
I shrugged and was about to continue to the bathroom when I heard the noise again. All the people as well as all the dogs living in the house were out, and I knew Blackbeard was safely in his cage, so I had to assume one of the cats had gotten locked in the attic when we were upstairs earlier in the day. I tossed the clothes onto my bed and headed down the hall to the stairway. I flicked on the light and had begun my ascent when the door to the attic swung open and a figure dressed in black came out of the room. I didn’t catch more than a glimpse of the figure before he, or possibly she, barreled into me and sent me falling backwards down the stairs.
“Tj, are you okay?” I opened my eyes to see Kyle staring into my face.
“Kyle? What happened?”
“I was hoping you could tell me. We just got home and found you lying at the foot of the stairs. I swear, my heart stopped for the amount of time it took me to determine you were still alive.”
I tried to sit up.
“Just lie back. The ambulance is on its way.”
“I don’t need an ambulance.” I touched my hand to my head. I definitely had a bump.
Doc knelt down next to me and began shining a light into my eyes while Kyle continued to hold my hand. “You were unconscious,” Doc informed me. “I want to check for a concussion.”
“I’m fine, really. I’m sure I wasn’t out for long. Maybe a couple of minutes.”
“That’s long enough,” Doc insisted. He instructed me to follow the finger he put in front of my eyes, as well as answer a few questions. I did so and he let me sit up.
“What happened?” Kyle asked.
“I fell, or more accurately, I was pushed.”
“Pushed? By whom?”
I put my hand to my head. Geez, I was going to have a headache. “I don’t know. I was getting ready to take a shower when I heard a noise in the attic. I thought maybe one of the cats was accidentally locked inside. I was halfway up the stairs when a figure dressed in black came barreling through the door. He ran straight into me, and before I could react or catch myself in any way, I found myself falling backward down the stairs. The next thing I knew I was staring into Kyle’s face.”
“Better call Savage,” Doc instructed Kyle.
“And while you’re at it, call off the ambulance,” I instructed. “I’m fine.”
Doc nodded at Kyle. I assumed the look was his consent to do exactly as I’d asked.
Doc helped me to my feet and led me into my room, where he sat me in a chair. “We’ll cancel the ambulance, but you’re going to the hospital for an X-ray.”
I opened my mouth to argue.
“No arguments. Head injuries can be serious business.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “I’ll go to the hospital. In a car, where someone waits for me and then brings me home to my own bed.”
“Deal.”
Kyle came back into the room. “Savage is on his way. Ben has the girls downstairs, but they’re pretty upset. Do you feel up to talking to them for a minute to assure them that you’re fine?”
“Yeah. Have them come up.”
By the time I’d comforted my sisters and assured them I was going to have a bit of a headache but would otherwise be fine, Savage had arrived. Grandpa took the girls down the hall to get ready for bed while Kyle checked on the dogs, who
were more than just a little upset, and I talked to Savage while Doc anxiously watched for any signs of concussion.
“Long time no see,” Savage joked. The man was actually nice-looking when he smiled. “Any idea who plowed into you?”
“No. It was all a blur. They had on black clothes and a black ski mask. All I could see were his eyes.”
“Color?”
“Brown. I think.”
“Height and weight?”
“How am I supposed to know? The guy barreled into me. Besides, I was on the stairs.”
“Taller that you?”
“Everyone is taller than me.”
“Taller than me?”
I looked at the man standing in front of me. “No, I don’t think so. Does it really matter?”
“No,” Savage admitted. “I don’t suppose it does at this point. I’m going to head up to the attic to look around a bit. I’ll have a few more questions for you when I’m done.”
“She really should go to the emergency room,” Doc said.
“We don’t have a hospital on the island,” Savage informed Doc. “Nearest one is almost an hour away by car.”
Doc frowned. “Are you dizzy?”
“No.”
“Blurry vision?”
“No.”
“Do you feel nauseous?”
“No.”
“Okay, I’ll just keep an eye on you, but if you start to experience any of those symptoms you need to let me know.”
“Okay.”
Kyle helped me downstairs, where I curled up on the sofa while we waited for Savage to complete his investigation of the attic. When I’d left softball practice, I’d been convinced that the case of Buck Barnes’s death was closed. Now I wasn’t so certain. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would break into the attic unless it was to steal something, and the only thing I could think that was worth anything was the map that most people didn’t even believe existed.
