Skein of the Crime

by Maggie Sefton

  “About what time was that, Malcolm?” Jerry continued.

  “Ohhhh, about ten o’clock or so. It was pretty warm that night so I went right to sleep.”

  “What woke you up?”

  “It was that girl’s voice,” Malcolm said. “You get used to the sounds of traffic at night, but you’re not used to other sounds. You know, high-pitched voices like that girl’s.”

  “What’d she say?” Kelly couldn’t help asking.

  Malcolm shrugged again. “Couldn’t tell. All it did was wake me up. That’s when I looked over my shoulder and saw them.”

  That word jumped out at Kelly. “Them? You mean she wasn’t alone?”

  “Nope. A man was with her. Looked like he was helping her walk down the trail. She wasn’t too steady on her feet. I figured she was drunk. They were coming from the other end of the trail, near the crossroads.”

  Kelly recognized that as the crossroads of the avenue that ran beside the knitting shop and golf course and the large main east-west thoroughfare that ran through Fort Connor. The river trail ran underneath the intersection itself and came to a parking lot on the other side of the street.

  “Could you see what the man looked like?” Kelly asked, leaning forward.

  Malcolm shook his head. “Nope. He was wearing a dark jacket with the hood up. He was tall, that’s all I noticed.”

  “You saw them walk along the trail and then what?” Jerry probed.

  “The man walked the girl over to a rock and set her down on it. Then he walked back the way he came. Left the girl on the rock.”

  Kelly caught Jayleen’s questioning gaze. “What’d the girl do? Did she call out or anything? Did she follow him?”

  Malcolm shook his head. “She tried to. She got up off the rock and started walking a couple of steps then fell right down on the ground. She lay real still, so I figured she was passed out. I rolled over and went back to sleep.”

  “The man didn’t come back for her?”

  Again, he shrugged. “If he did, I didn’t see him.”

  “Was the girl still there in the morning when you woke up?” Jerry asked.

  This time, Malcolm looked down and shifted in his seat. “Yeah, she was. Some guys were standin’ over her, talkin’ real loud. One of them saw me and asked who she was. I played dumb and said I’d never seen her before. I didn’t want them to think I was involved. That’s why I never said nothing to anybody until now. I don’t want no trouble with the cops. No, sir!” He gave an emphatic shake of his head.

  Kelly watched Malcolm. His apprehensive glance darted from Jerry to Jayleen to her. She couldn’t tell if he was telling the truth or not, but Jerry and Jayleen seemed confident he was. And they both had a lot more experience with people who’ve been on the skids in life. Kelly bowed to their opinions.

  Jerry reached over and gave a reassuring pat on Malcolm’s back. “That’s really good of you to come forward, Malcolm. Now maybe the police can find out who the guy was that left Holly on the trail that night.”

  Malcolm visibly flinched. “Damn. I hate talkin’ to the cops. Can you stay with me, Jerry? I start to break out in a sweat when I see a uniform. They’ll think I had something to do with her dying.”

  His comment made Kelly curious. “Were you still there when the ambulance came?”

  Malcolm looked at her like she had two heads. “Hell, no! They’d have taken me in for questioning. We all skedaddled out of there. Joe went over to the Mission and told them a girl was lying passed out on the trail.”

  Jerry put his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Malcolm. I’ll stay with you whenever someone comes to question you. I promise.”

  Malcolm looked at him with obvious relief. “Thanks, Jerry. Have you called them yet?”

  “I’ll call them now. I wanted to wait until Kelly had a chance to hear your story first. That way, she can let her family know if she thinks it’ll help them.” Jerry looked at Kelly, his doubt evident.

  Kelly understood Jerry’s reaction. She wasn’t entirely sure if she should let Tommy or Barbara know about this. She’d let Burt decide. He could tell his old partner Dan and let him decide if Malcolm should be questioned or not.

  “Thank you, Malcolm,” Kelly said as she stood up. “I really appreciate your telling me this. At least I have something to help explain how Holly got down there on the trail.”

  “That took some guts, Malcolm,” Jayleen added as she rose. “Gotta hand it to you.”

  Malcolm dropped his gaze to the floor and shrugged. “Well, you guys have always been straight with me. Thought I’d return the favor.”

  “You done good, Malcolm,” Jerry said, clapping him on the shoulder.

  Jayleen motioned Kelly to the door. “Talk to you later, Jerry. Bye, Malcolm. Enjoy the elk.”

  Kelly gave him a smile and a wave as she and Jayleen left. “You and Jerry acted like he was pretty reliable.”

  “He is, now that he’s not hitting the bottle so much,” Jayleen said as they walked down the corridor.

  Kelly pushed through the door back into the lobby. “So, what do you think, Jayleen?” she asked in a lowered voice. “Should I tell Tommy or Barbara any of this or just tell Burt?”

  “Just tell Burt. Let him decide. He’ll tell his buddy on the force and let’s see what happens. I wouldn’t be surprised if they question old Malcolm.”

  “I think you’re right. Thanks, Jayleen, for telling your friends. We’d never have found out about Malcolm without you.”

  Jayleen walked Kelly toward the lobby. “No problem at all, Kelly. Just part of giving back.”

  “So, what do you think, Burt? Will Dan want to question Malcolm?”

  “Yeah, Kelly,” Burt’s voice came over her cell phone. “I think he will.”

  “Do you think I should e-mail this new information to Tommy?”

  “I wouldn’t if I were you, Kelly. Let the police do their job. Then they can tell Tommy what they found. It would be better if it came from them, anyway. More final. That should also help Tommy find some closure at last. And maybe some peace.”

  Even though Kelly’s mind buzzed with other questions, she didn’t voice them. “Tommy certainly deserves some peace,” she agreed.

  Eleven

  Kelly held out her coffee mug for Jennifer to refill while she reread the first two paragraphs of the loan disclosure statement. “What do you think of these rates, Jen?”

  Jennifer finished pouring the black stream into Kelly’s mug, then glanced around the café with the practiced eye of an experienced waitress. “They’re better than what other people are able to get right now, Kelly. That’s because you’ve got higher scores and more assets. I have to tell you, I haven’t seen rates this low since I’ve worked in this business. And that’s been almost ten years.”

  “Well, that’s a lucky break. It makes up for those nasty high rates I’ve been paying for over two years.” She perused the columns of figures detailing the three available loans, rates, and terms. “Listen, would you be able to come with me to meet with this loan officer? I’d really appreciate your expertise.”

  “No problem. It’s not like I’m tied up with clients or anything.”

  “Yeah, I’ve noticed you’ve been working through all of lunch nowadays.” She looked around at the café’s main dining area, filled with lunchtime customers. “Looks like Pete’s business hasn’t dropped off.”

  “Not the café, no, but the catering is slowing just a little. Boy, I hope it doesn’t slow down too much. I’m depending on that.”

  “Well, remember my offer. If you need some quick cash, let me know.” Kelly took a big drink of the hot, dark brew.

  “I know what. I’ll let you buy me lunch in Denver when we go.”

  Kelly peered at her. “We’re going to Denver? When?”

  “I just spoke with Mimi and she said we have to go, since Megan didn’t find any gowns she liked in the other stores. Mimi insists Megan has to see everything that’s out there. So,
chalk up another Saturday.”

  Kelly closed her eyes and groaned. “How many stores are there?”

  “Mimi mentioned at least seven or eight. Denver has a lot of suburbs,” she added with a wicked grin.

  Kelly flinched. “Oh, man . . . I don’t think I can do that anytime soon. I think I’m developing an allergy to beads and lace, like Megan.”

  Jennifer laughed out loud. “I’m sure you’d prefer jeans and a tee shirt.”

  “Hey, I suggested to Megan she and Marty could save a lot of time and trouble and money if they got married at the softball field. Wouldn’t that be cute? Standing at home plate in their baseball jerseys and cleats.”

  “Only you would think that’s cute,” Jennifer said as she returned to her customers.

  Kelly pushed away the remnants of her lunch salad and pulled the phone from her bag. She was about to call the loan officer’s number at the top of the information sheet and make an appointment to start the refinancing process when the cell phone rang in her hand. Curt’s name and number lit up.

  “Hey, Curt, how’re you doing?”

  “I’m doing fine, Kelly girl. What’re you up to?” Curt’s deep voice rumbled over the line.

  “Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I’m looking over some loan information Jennifer got for me. I’m starting to refinance the cottage and get rid of that awful high-interest loan I’ve been paying for over two years.”

  “Good for you, Kelly,” Curt enthused. “Like I said before, that will save you a bunch of money every month. Smart move.”

  “You bet it will. I’ve been waiting for that early penalty period to finish. I can’t wait to dump that sleazy loan company.”

  “I’m surprised the same company is holding your paper. Most of those Denver bottom-feeders went out of business already.”

  “Oh, they did. My loan was sold early last year.”

  Curt’s deep laugh rumbled. “That doesn’t surprise me. Tell me, what do you have planned for that monthly amount? Are you gonna stick it in savings, I hope?”

  “You read my mind, Curt. I figured I’d better put it away in case this economy gets even worse. Who knows? Maybe my new consulting clients will go bust. Maybe those construction and real estate loans will dry up.”

  “Not much likelihood of that, Kelly,” Curt said with a nonchalant tone. “Those guys have access to private investment capital. They’ve both got proven track records.”

  “Good to know, Curt. Thanks for reassuring those little nagging worries that nibble at me every now and then.”

  “Glad to, Kelly. Now, let me get to why I called. You have Megan and Marty’s engagement party on your calendar, I trust.”

  “You bet. Friday night next week. You need my help?”

  “No, we’re covered. Mimi and Burt offered to come early and help Jayleen and me get everything set up. Jayleen wanted me to call and ask if you could bring a salad or something instead of a dessert. She says we’ve got too many desserts.”

  Kelly had to laugh. To hear barrel-chested Colorado Cowboy Curt Stackhouse talk about potluck selections for next week’s engagement party sounded so out of character. She decided to keep that observation to herself. Curt had been happily married to his first wife for over forty years. Kelly had no doubt Curt had a softer domestic side he didn’t often show.

  “I’ll put it on my day planner, Curt,” she said. “You two realize of course that this will be a store-bought salad, not homemade. I don’t do homemade unless it’s the holidays and I dig out Helen’s gingersnap cookie recipe again.”

  “You shouldn’t have reminded me of that, Kelly. Now we’ll all be waiting for those cookies. Okay, I’ll tell Jayleen someone else can bring a salad. I’ve got you down for Helen’s gingersnap cookies.”

  “Curt, weren’t you listening? I just said I don’t do cookies except holidays.”

  “Well, this qualifies as a holiday, don’t you think? Megan and Marty celebrating? I’ll put you down for three dozen.”

  “Curt!”

  “Talk to you later, Kelly.” Curt’s phone clicked off.

  Darn it. He’d outtalked her. How’d that happen?

  Kelly pulled her car away from the gas station and back into traffic. Her cell phone jangled on the seat beside her. Steve’s name and number showed on the screen. She pulled into a parking space at a hardware store before answering.

  “Hey, how’re you doing?” she asked. “I haven’t heard from you in a couple of days.”

  “Sorry. No time to breathe, let alone call. I finished at the firm early so I’m heading out to help Fred on another project. Thought I’d give you a quick call on the way over. How’s everything going?”

  Kelly paused before answering. She recognized Steve’s distracted tone of voice. That was a tipoff he was only halfway listening. She heard it more and more these days. “Everything’s okay. Busy at work.”

  Steve snorted. “Tell me about it.”

  Kelly didn’t pause this time. And she didn’t give Steve a perfunctory answer that would pass as conversation. Instead she told him what was on her mind. She couldn’t help it.

  “You know, Steve, I’m in the middle of refinancing the cottage now that I can get a lower interest rate. That means I’ll have a lot of extra cash each month, which you could use. I wouldn’t even miss it, and you need it. That way you could cut back on the second job hours and get some rest and—”

  Steve cut her short, his voice sharp. “Kelly, I’ve told you I’m not discussing that. So don’t even bring it up.”

  “But, why? You’d help me out if I needed—”

  “That’s enough, Kelly. Gotta go.” His phone clicked off.

  A wave of frustration washed over her, leaving her insides twisted in knots. “Dammit! Why won’t he listen?”

  She tossed the cell phone to the seat, then revved the car’s engine, listening to its deep rumble before moving back into traffic. Her cell phone rang again, and Kelly grabbed for it as she drove. At last. Steve’s come to his senses. “Glad you called. We need to talk,” she said as she stopped at an intersection.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting a conversation or anything,” Burt’s voice came over the line.

  Kelly’s frustration and aggravation whooshed out of her like air from a popped balloon. “Hey, Burt, what’s up?”

  “I thought you’d be interested to hear that Dan went over to the Mission this morning and questioned that guy Malcolm.”

  The calm logic lobe of Kelly’s brain clicked into place. “Really? What’d Dan think?”

  “Dan spoke to the staff counselors beforehand, so he had a pretty good read on this guy before he even spoke with him. Dan thinks this Malcolm is telling the truth.”

  Kelly gave a little sigh of relief. “Good. I thought so, too. So . . . will Dan be following up on anything, you think?”

  She heard Burt’s sigh on the other end of the phone. “To be honest, Kelly, there’s not much more the department can do. There’s no description of this guy. No license plate. No witnesses to identify him. So there’s really nothing to go on.”

  “Well, Patty confirmed that Holly had been seeing this guy Eddie from Greeley lately. Maybe it was Eddie who picked her up from the party in a dark car. Maybe he gave Holly the narcotics. Maybe he dumped Holly on the trail when he saw her passing out.” Kelly pulled to a stop at a red light.

  “You know, Kelly, it doesn’t really matter whether Eddie was the source of Holly’s drugs or not. It could have been someone at the party, and he just picked her up. The fact is Holly is the one who overdosed. She took too many pills. No one forced her.”

  “But maybe he told her it would be all right,” Kelly argued. “Holly would believe him, especially if she was drunk already. Patty said Holly was drinking vodka.”

  “There’s no way to prove it, Kelly. You know that. It was still Holly’s decision, even though her reasoning was probably impaired at the time.”

  Kelly exhaled an exasperated breath. “Yeah, I k
now, Burt. There’s no way we can get around Holly taking those pills. She did it to herself. I saw the effects of her decisions firsthand last month when she wound up on my backyard patio.”

  “It’s sad, I know, Kelly. But sometimes people get on a self-destructive path and stay on it. They may get off for a while, then they fall back again. They can’t seem to stop themselves. I have to agree with Barbara. Holly has been on this risky behavioral path for years now, and it’s finally taken its toll.”

  There was nothing Kelly could add to Burt’s bleak-but-honest assessment. “I guess Dan will close Holly’s case, right?”

  “Probably. It will go down as an accidental death due to an overdose of opiate narcotics. Unfortunately, Holly isn’t the first to be classified that way, and I’m afraid she won’t be the last.”

  Kelly steered her car into the mall parking entrance. “So, will you tell Tommy, or do you think Dan will?”

  “I’ll tell Tommy about Holly being seen on the trail that night. I’ll let Dan tell him the rest of the details when the case is closed. Tommy will be hurt, of course, but he’ll understand eventually. And find some closure, I hope.”

  “Let’s hope.”

  “Oh, before I forget. Dan told me he’d spoken with Officer Frobischer, who’s on the drug task force. She said she’d be glad to speak with you anytime. Are you still interested, Kelly?”

  Kelly grabbed her bag and opened the car door. “Sure thing. It’s useful information. All these prescription drugs legally go into people’s hands, then show up illegally at parties and on the street. That makes me curious.”

  “Okay, here’s her cell number—”

  “Do me a favor, Burt. I’m walking into the mall right now. Can you call me again and leave that number as a voice mail?”

  “Ahhhh, cell phones. Can’t do without them, can we?”

  “I appreciate your taking the time to talk with me, Investigator Frobischer,” Kelly said as she settled into her desk chair, cell phone to her ear. “Burt Parker said you’re involved with the drug task force here in Fort Connor and could answer any questions I might have.”