“I know who your daddy is.”
Her frown deepened. Being interrupted must be a new experience for her.
“Yes, most people do.” She cleared her throat. “But what most people don’t know is Father’s planning a run for the presidency. Are you aware of that?”
Ah, the real reason she had joined us today. Damage control. So she had recognized me in the parking lot and was afraid I’d recognized her. Now she wanted me silent about what I might have seen. Not surprising. Screwing around with Daddy’s top aide, a man whose ex-girlfriend had recently been murdered, would make headlines. Toss in Lila’s engagement to another man and the media would go wild.
Underneath her cool, smooth skin, she must be scared stiff. She’d have to be to stoop to a faked-up meeting like this, even though she was acting mighty uppity about it. Anyway, real estate sure hadn’t brought her here. As she arched an eyebrow, waiting for my reply, a to-hell-with-the-condo attitude practically seeped out of her pores.
“Yes, I heard tell the senator has his eye on the White House,”
“You ‘heard tell’ correctly,” she said with a sneer. “He’ll be announcing in August, during the Senate’s recess.”
“Interesting, Miss Lott. But why are you telling me this now?” Let’s get our cards on the table here.
“No particular reason.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
“Except I don’t allow anything to disturb Daddy. He likes having Trey close by, so I’d prefer he stay with us when he’s in town. And though I hate to have Sam’s firm lose a sale, I really wish to discourage this purchase.” With a catch in her voice, she added, “Daddy’s everything to me. I don’t want anything or anyone to upset him. Ever.”
“That’s mighty sweet of you.” I cleared my throat, though I didn’t need to. “But I save my worrying for Ridley’s Real Estate, and for Mr. Ridley himself.”
“I have Sam’s interests in mind too, but you need to understand something, Honey.” She crossed the room, coming so close, the angry flush blooming on her cheekbones couldn’t be missed. “Someday soon, my father will be president of the United States. He’ll take his place in history. That’s the important factor here. In comparison to that, nobody else’s needs matter. Not mine, not Sam’s, not Trey’s.
“Before the election, every aspect of Daddy’s life will be examined under a microscope. The public thrives on half-truths, misconceptions. Lies even. What will surely be brought up is Trey’s relationship with that unfortunate girl who was killed.”
“Tallulah Bixby.”
“See what I mean? Everyone knows.”
“In this, I’m not everyone. I found her body.”
“Oh. Right. We’re sorry about what happened to her.” Lila paused. “For several reasons. The press will drag their relationship out into the sun and make hay with it. At this point, there’s nothing to be done about that. But any further upsets of any kind are to be avoided at all costs. We can’t give the press more ammunition to use against us. We can’t risk anything that might derail Daddy’s campaign.”
I glanced across the room. As Lila launched into her willingness to fight for Daddy, Trey left the battlefield in her hands and turned away to stare out the window. This had all been a setup. Compared to it, my sneaky sales plan had been pitiful. I’d been used. Trey Gregson wasn’t the slightest bit interested in buying a condo.
Red hot mad and boiling over with it, I stared into Lila’s perfect, movie-star face. “Since Daddy’s political career is so fucking important, all concerned parties need to behave themselves. At all times. In all places. Don’t you agree, Miss Lott?”
She gasped. For a second there, I thought she would hit me. Glad she hadn’t brought her riding crop along, I stared her down, daring her to kick up a fuss, to out and out threaten me. But she didn’t. I had to hand it to her. She was too smart for such doings.
All’s she said was, “I believe we understand each other, Honey. I don’t want Daddy upset, and you don’t want Sam upset. It’s as simple as that. Maybe we should shake on it.”
I made no attempt to take her outstretched hand. For a long moment, it hovered in the air between us before she let it fall to her side.
Her voice soft, she said, “I heard you grew up in a trailer. It shows.”
Boots clicking, she strode toward the condo door. “Coming, Trey?”
“Not yet, Lila. You run along. I’ll see you at the house as soon as Honey and I finish our business.”
We still had business to finish? Don’t tell me Trey was going to up and feud with the boss’ daughter?
Yessiree.
“The asking price is fine,” he said as soon as we were alone. “Let’s not dicker. I don’t have the time.”
Using the kitchen counter as a tabletop, I filled out a sales agreement while he wrote a deposit check.
“I’ll see Cletus Dwyer in the morning about a mortgage,” he said.
“I’m sure you won’t have a problem.”
He sent me a half-smile. “Not with Cletus.” His gaze drifted back to the window. “I love the place. It’s just what I had in mind.”
So he’d been interested in buying a condo all along. I’d misjudged him and felt a little guilty about it and more than a little surprised.
“The view is gorgeous,” I said. “It reminds me of the one from the Hermann farmhouse.”
That was when he gave me another jolt. “It does, doesn’t it? The same rolling hills, the same southern exposure.”
What? When had Trey been on the Hermann farm? I stared at him, gape-mouthed. Could it possibly have been the day Tallulah was killed?
Chapter Twenty-Four
For what it might be worth, the police needed to know Trey had likely paid a visit to the Hermann farm. I’d call Matt as soon as I got back to Ridley’s. As for Lila and Trey and whatever their relationship might be, my lips were sealed. Sam was a mighty clever man. If his fiancée wasn’t worthy of his trust, he’d find that out, wouldn’t he? Yes, sooner or later, and I hoped to God it wouldn’t be later, as in too late.
“I’m back,” I said to Mrs. Otis as soon as I stepped in the office. “No problem.”
“Not so sure about that, Honey. The sheriff’s in Sam’s office with that detective from Fayetteville. They’re waiting for you.”
For the second time that afternoon, my heart began a wild racing. And rightly so, as things turned out.
They both stood when I walked in. Neither one smiled.
“Honey, Detective Bradshaw has a few questions for you,” Matt said. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
I did. Good thing. My knees had gone all wobbly.
“Those diamonds you found on the Norton property …” the detective began.
“Yes?”
“What did you do with them?”
“I gave them to Violet Norton.” I shifted in my seat, trying to find a comfortable spot. “Look, I’ve already gone on record with that.”
He held up a hand, palm out for silence.
“I’m aware of your statement. The heir to the Norton estate …”
What a highfalutin word for that scruffy hilltop.
“… claims he can’t find the stones.”
“That’s strange. I put them in Violet’s hands.”
Matt and Detective Bradshaw exchanged a glance. Not good.
My chin came up. “I’m not a liar, Detective.” True most of the time and especially about serious doings like this.
“Honey,” Matt said, “Detective Bradshaw is just trying to protect you. The problem is, you found the bodies of two murder victims. Now, even in something relatively minor, you need to be free of any hint of blame. Do you understand?”
I nodded, feeling lightheaded. “What you’re telling me is folks will say if I could steal, I could kill. Is that it?”
“That’s exactly what we don’t want said.” Matt stopped all of a sudden as if he hated to go on. “Violet’s nephew, Earl Norton, is planning to sue you for
theft.”
“That’s downright silly. Why would I tell the police about the diamonds and then do something so stupid?”
“We believe you, Miss Ingersoll,” Detective Bradshaw said, “but it’s your word against his. We want to keep him from pursuing this lawsuit idea. He won’t win the case, in any event. Miz Norton could have thrown those stones into the creek for all we know, or done any of a thousand things with them. Or her killer could have. But a lawsuit would drag your name through the county courts. We know you don’t want that. Neither do we. So if you have anything to tell us, now is the time before this thing escalates.”
“You’ve already been told everything.” I stood, my knees as firm as rocks. “Am I under arrest?”
“Of course not,” Matt said.
“We’re only trying to help, Miss Ingersoll.”
“I understand. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have work to do.”
“Don’t take that atti—”
I strode out of Sam’s office and over to Mrs. Otis, back ramrod straight. “When Sam comes in, please tell him I sold a condo in the Eureka Arms. Here’s the paperwork.” I stepped away from her desk. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Where you off to?”
“The Norton farm. There’s a problem out there.”
“I’ll say. Poor Violet.”
“No, not that. Well, yes that, but something else has gone wrong.”
“And you’re going out there alone?” She gestured over a shoulder. “You should ask one of the policemen to go with you.”
“No. I have to prove something to them, or I’ll be accused of theft. Big time theft. Diamonds.”
“Well, for land’s sake.” Mrs. Otis reached into her lower desk drawer for her purse and heaved to her feet. “I have no idea what you’re yammering on about, but whatever it is, you’re not going out to that farm alone. I’m going with you.”
“But it’s not five yet. The office—”
“Honey Ingersoll, you shut your mouth.”
This was far from a laughing moment, but I busted out laughing anyway. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“Believe. Now, let’s get the cops out of here and close up shop.”
Lord, she was wonderful.
After locking up, we hurried out to the Lincoln and headed for the pike. So Earl had searched Violet’s house, had he? Well, I’d stake my next sales commission on the fact he hadn’t looked in the most logical place of all. A place a man wouldn’t dream of searching.
As we drove along, I gradually cooled down, and a little reality set in. If I hadn’t been so furious leaving the office, I might have asked Matt to come with us. Probably should have. But I’d been too damn mad to think straight. Besides, when folks said a murderer always returned to the scene of the crime, they were just repeating an ol’ granny’s tale. Everybody knew that.
At the top of the rise, wisps of smoke trailed out of the farmhouse chimney. A pickup sat in the front yard. I parked behind it and turned to Mrs. Otis, who was belted into the passenger seat and as calm as if we were on a church outing. “I’m going in alone.”
“No, you’re not.” She fumbled for her seatbelt buckle.
“Alone. If I’m not back out in ten minutes, call 911. You have your cell handy?”
She wasn’t happy, but she nodded, and taking her phone from her purse, she set it on her lap.
I kissed her cheek, feeling guilty as sin for involving her in all this. “You’ll be fine, Mrs. O.” I hoped to heaven that was true.
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” she said tartly, waving me on. “Go ahead, do whatever darn fool thing you came out here to do, so’s we can get on home.”
I locked the car and carefully made my way over the lumpy ground. High heels did great things for legs but not much for feet.
Before I reached the front porch, the farmhouse door creaked open. Tucking his hands into his overall bib, Earl Norton stood blocking the doorway.
“My, my. This sure is a surprise. You got some reason comin’ out here?” His eyes narrowed as he gave me a whole body scan. “Reckon there’s no need of askin’. You must’ve heard I went to the sheriff about those diamonds you took.”
I sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I didn’t take Violet’s diamonds. I found them and gave them to her.”
“Yeah? Where’re they at, then?”
“If you’ll let me in, I might be able to find them.”
He stepped aside. “Sure, come on in.”
“You alone?”
A grin split his face. “Yes, ma’am.”
He wouldn’t try anything, would he? Small, weaselly Earl Norton? I took a deep breath and stepped up onto the porch. “I can’t stay but a minute. Someone’s waiting on me in the car.”
“No need to rush off. Let ’em wait.” He followed me inside and shut the door.
With Earl on my heels, I headed for the kitchen. A wood fire burned in the old-timey stove, most likely getting ready to heat up Earl’s supper. Over by the far wall, next to the Scottish sideboard, hung the peg row I remembered. Violet’s frayed brown sweater hung from one peg and next to it the apron she wore the day I brought back the diamonds. My hope was that Earl, like most men, would tear a house apart but not think to check out a woman’s apron pocket.
I marched across the rickety floor, and plucking the apron off the peg, felt the pocket. Sure enough, the little cloth sack sat right in there. I removed it and dumped the diamonds into my palm.
I held them out.
“Here they are. Safe and sound.”
He snatched them up, and after rolling them around in his palm, dropped them into his overalls pocket.
“Be sure to tell the sheriff you found the diamonds,” I said, “because I surely will.”
I’d about reached the outer door when a hard, callused hand grabbed my arm. “I’m not tellin’ him nothin’. Not unless you cooperate.”
I looked at his grin and shuddered. “I have to get back to work, Earl. Sam’s expecting me.”
“And I ’spect some of what he’s gettin’.”
“You’re wrong there. He’s my boss, that’s it.”
“Yeah? Ol’ Saxby Winthrop was your boss too, and he tells a mighty different tale.”
“Get your hand off me, Earl.”
His grip tightened. “You want to go to jail for stealin’? You will if you don’t get off your high horse.”
“Blackmail? You’re going to blackmail me, you little wimp?”
“I’ll show you who’s little.”
My heart was jumping in my chest like a live animal. I needed to smack Earl with something hard, but all I had was my purse. Loaded as it was, that ought to do. “How can we get it together, Earl, if you don’t let go of me first?”
Taking that as an invitation, he released me. Freed of his grip, I raised my right arm, and using the same smash to the head I’d used on Billy Tubbs, I let him have it right between those leering eyes.
“Ooowww!”
I ran for the door, swinging it open so hard it banged against the outer wall.
Earl recovered fast and raced me to my car. I had the lead but also the high heels. A split second ahead of him, I slid behind the wheel and jammed down the locks. He grabbed the door handle.
“Too late, Earl!” I yelled.
His face livid, he pounded on the window. Mrs. Otis, not to be outdone, pounded as hard on the inside glass. Between the two of them, they’d break it if I didn’t get out of there. I turned on the engine, ready to do an Indy 500 down the rise when a car came surging onto the scruffy turf, screeching to a stop in back of me. A quick glance through the rearview mirror and my heart slowed to a sweet, steady beat.
Sam got out of his car and slammed the door. “Get away from her, Earl.”
“Hey, this is my property. You can’t tell me what to do.”
Sam sauntered up to him, slow and easy, like he was on a country stroll. An arm’s length away, he stopped, saying nothing, s
taring straight ahead. I think he was staring at the red spot between Earl’s eyes, right where a bullet usually landed in those TV crime shows. Right where I’d smashed him with my purse.
Well, as for Earl, he couldn’t stand the silence. Before long he was scuffing at the dirt with a toe of his shit-kickers. “Aw, you don’t have to take on that way, Sam. Nothin’s goin’ down.”
“Good.” Sam’s voice was as cold as a gulp of ice water.
I lowered my window and leaned out. “Sam, have Earl show you the diamonds.”
“The what?”
“Just ask him. They’re in his overalls pocket. I saw him put them there.”
Though not knowing what this was about, Sam upped his chin at Earl anyway. “You heard the lady. Show me what you got.”
“No problem. She’s fussin’ about nuthin’.”
Earl reached into his overalls for the stones and held them out to Sam. Then, dropping them back in his pocket, he jerked his head in my direction. “Satisfied now?”
“Yes. Thanks for being so honest.”
“Always have been. Always will be. Now, you got any more reason to talk to me?”
Sam nodded. “You lay a hand on Honey again, you won’t live to regret it.”
“Oh, yeah? You fixin’ to kill me, that it?” Earl pointed a skinny arm at the rut road. “Get off my land. Both of you.”
“Your land? Heard tell you sold it, Earl.”
“You heard right. I’ll be outta here soon enough, but I want you outta here now.”
“No problem. We’re leaving.”
Mrs. Otis lowered her window. “Shame all over you, Earl Norton. Violet must be turning in her grave about now.”
Sam ducked his head in the open window. “Follow me out to the pike. Park by the highway. We need to talk.”
Nerve endings frayed but otherwise in control, I drove down the rise. Sam had parked a few hundred feet ahead on the edge of the pike. I pulled up behind him and walked over to his car.
Jaw set, lips pressed together, he said, “Get in.”
He sat quietly, hands on knees, looking straight ahead for a moment before turning his gaze full on me. One more second without a word and I swear I would have ….
“I have a question for you,” he said. “What in hell possessed you to come back out here, and with Mrs. Otis, of all people, in tow?”
Murder on Pea Pike Page 13
