Incident At Elder Creek

by Anna Furtado

  Baker caught sight of it and pointed. He started up the embankment, others following behind him. When he crested the hill, Baker broke into a wide grin.

  “Am I glad to see you two.”

  Tucker matched his expression. “And we’re glad to see you, too.”

  Jackie crested the hill next and ran toward them, pulling them both into a tight embrace. Leah held her hand away from her body, so it wouldn’t be crushed by Jackie’s enthusiasm.

  “I was so worried,” Jackie breathed. “There was a cave-in. We didn’t know if you were alive.” Jackie’s eyes filled with tears.

  Tucker crooned, “Jackie. We’re okay. It’s going to be okay.”

  Jackie pursed her lips, and then she swatted at Tucker’s arm.

  Tucker grabbed the spot. “Ow. What’d you do that for?”

  “That’s for taking matters into your own hands, which was utterly stupid, Tucker Stevens. Don’t you ever scare me like that again. Do you hear me?”

  Tucker rubbed the sting from her arm. She knew it wouldn’t do any good to try to reason with Jackie when she got like this. She wouldn’t be able to hear her explanation. If she put off going straight to the mine, Leah might have met her end at Notch’s hand.

  It didn’t matter right now. All that mattered was Leah’s safety and their freedom. It was over.

  Someone handed Leah a bottle of water and she swallowed half of it without stopping. Then, she handed it to Tucker, who finished it off and swiped her sleeve-covered arm across her mouth thinking it tasted better than the Bushmills.

  Tucker looked down over the people still making the climb. She saw someone she didn’t expect. She looked at Sheriff Baker and pointed down the hill, asking, “What’s the Curmudgeon doing here?”

  She didn’t know if Baker would know who she meant, but he didn’t miss a beat when he answered. “He was worried about you two.” Baker chuckled. Then he added, “And, apparently, he’s the only living person in Elder Creek who’s ever found the secret entrance to the mine.”

  TUCKER SAT ON the bench seat of the ambulance guzzling a bottle of water. Leah lay on a gurney beside her. An EMT finished putting an intravenous saline line in Leah’s arm and another one was splinting her wrist. They insisted she be carried by stretcher to the vehicle because of the condition of her feet, but they allowed Tucker to walk with the sheriff on one side and the Curmudgeon, who insisted on taking the other side to steady her.

  They rode to the hospital in Portero to be checked out, side by side.

  As Tucker studied Leah, she said, “You know what I don’t understand?”

  Leah turned to meet her gaze. Tucker’s stomach fluttered a little.

  “What’s that, Tucker?”

  “How the heck did Notch get access to the mine when no one in town knew the whereabouts of the key?”

  “Oh, Mr. Chatty told me about that, too. Honestly, Tucker, he wouldn’t stop telling me about everything he’d done. He got the key to the mine from Joe Dawson. Apparently, Joe’s grandfather was the last person to be a sort of caretaker of the mine. The key has been in his family’s possession for years. When Notch lost his temper with Amy Hammersmith and knocked her against the edge of his kitchen cabinet, killing her, he called on Joe to help him get rid of the body. Joe suggested the mine. Then you started stirring up the citizenry to open the mine.”

  Tucker said, “I wonder what Joe Dawson’s connection is with Notch in the first place. What hold did he have on him?”

  “Family. Joe and Notch are cousins. Notch told me he bailed Joe out of financial trouble. Apparently, he almost lost his home last year because he couldn’t come up with his property taxes for two years in a row and they were breathing down his neck and threatening foreclosure.”

  Tucker raised an eyebrow, surprised at all Leah knew.

  “Like I said, I couldn’t shut him up. Actually, I didn’t try. When I realized all the valuable information he spewed, I encouraged him. I thought it might come in handy to use as evidence if I ever got out of the spot I found myself in. It also helped quell the terror. It kept my mind occupied.”

  When she paused, Tucker saw her take in a deep, shuttering breath.

  “When he took me to see Amy—her body, anyway—ugh, creepy.” Leah teared up and swiped at her cheek with her good hand. “He started telling me how much he liked blonde, blue eyed women. How he thought they were very pretty. Then he started saying how much he liked it when they allowed themselves to be bent to his will. How he liked to hypnotize them and suggest they—well, let’s say, he liked to give them the power of suggestion and leave it at that.”

  Leah looked away. Tucker understood she needed a break from the events of the past evening.

  When the ambulance rolled to a stop and the EMT opened the back doors, Tucker’s view beyond the covered carport showed dawn breaking over the hills. She marveled at the sky, dotted with billowing clouds, while the rising sun painted the puffs with the swirling reds and purples of a new day.

  They rolled Leah out first. A nurse from the emergency room stuck her head around the door and said, “Hi, my name’s Rachel. We’re going to get you out in a second. You doing okay?”

  Tucker smiled. “I’m doing fine. Take care of Leah first.”

  She barely finished the statement when the EMTs came back for her and helped her get out of the ambulance and into a wheelchair. They rolled her into the cubicle next to Leah’s to be examined.

  Chapter Eighteen

  TUCKER BROUGHT THREE cups of tea into the living room on a tray. She balanced it carefully on her fingers, keeping her salved and bandaged palms free from pressure. Leah sat on her living room couch with a quilt tucked around her legs up to her waist. Her bandaged feet, treated in the same manner as Tucker’s hands, stuck out the bottom of the quilt. Her wrist, in a bright pink cast, hung suspended in a sling.

  Sergeant Baker sat in the chair to her right, informing her about their findings thus far.

  “Bringing out the Hammersmith girl was fairly straightforward since the body wasn’t in the collapsed area. We’re still working on bringing out Notch. It’s going to take a while to get the cave-in cleared away.”

  Tucker passed out cups and sat on the couch opposite Leah, careful not to touch her feet.

  Baker offered his thanks to Tucker for the drink and took a sip of tea. “The man’s got quite a rap sheet.”

  They knew he referred to Notch.

  “He does?” Tucker said.

  “Yep. He’s quite the con man—has several aliases. Knox, Cox, Knott, Nunn. Even Notch is an alias. Apparently, his real name is Theodore Lithgow. Oh, and his degrees are fake, too.”

  The information didn’t surprise Tucker.

  Baker continued, “I thought you’d like to know we have Joe Dawson in custody. We’ve charged him as an accessory. He’s been very helpful with details. He’s likely to stay in jail, too. He can’t come up with bail money. The shack he lives in isn’t worth enough to put up for collateral and no one in town is willing to go to bat for him. Anyway, judge says he’s a flight risk and he set his bail pretty high. He won’t be going anywhere for a while.”

  Tucker fingered the steri-strips closing a gash at her temple.

  Leah said, “Tucker, don’t touch that.”

  Tucker jerked her hand away and smiled as if she’d been caught raiding the candy dish.

  Baker grinned and shook his head. “Anyway, I wanted you two to know where we stand with everything. We have all the information we need from you. Let us take it from here. We’ve got your statements. All you need to do is get some rest and get better, especially you, Ms. Hudson.” He gestured toward her cast.

  “I’ll be fine, Sheriff. It’s only a hairline fracture. I’ll be healed in about four weeks they tell me. And, by the way, don’t you think you should call us by our first names? After all, we’ve been getting pretty friendly over the past several weeks.”

  Tucker agreed.

  He chuckled. “All right, Leah, Tucker
. If it’s what you want. I’d be honored to call you by your given names.” He took another sip of his tea. “Just remember, you two have been through a lot lately. Take it easy and do what the doctors say, okay?”

  He looked at Tucker and said, “Oh, I almost forgot. Did you lose a denim jacket?”

  Raising her eyebrows, she said, “I’ve been looking for my jacket for weeks now. I thought I left it at The Charlie. Do you have it?”

  When he said he did, she asked, “How did you get it?”

  “Evidence,” he said.

  His statement confused her. “How do you know it’s my jacket?”

  “This one has initials printed inside at the collar. TS.”

  Apparently it was her jacket.

  “How in the world did it come to be evidence?”

  “We found it at Notch’s place.”

  Revulsion hit her as if she were punched in the stomach.

  “You’ll be able to get it back after the inquiry is completed since there won’t be a trial. You know, since Joe’s admitted to his part in the whole mess—and in the absence of a live criminal.” His mouth twitched as he tried to stifle a smile, and she wondered if he was glad Notch didn’t survive. “The investigation should go pretty quickly. We just have a few more details to wrap up.”

  “It’s all right, Sheriff. I think I’ll pass. You can throw the jacket out when you’re done with it, as far as I’m concerned. If that man put his filthy hands on it, I don’t want to touch it, let alone wear it.”

  “Suit yourself, Tucker. I certainly understand your feelings on the matter. I’ll make a note of it.”

  He put his mug down and rose from his seat and looked at each of them. “Leah. Tucker. I’ll be in touch again soon to let you know when we’ve completed the investigation. I don’t think we’ll need anything else from either of you, though. I hope you both can relax and put this all behind you.”

  Tucker looked back at Leah as she accompanied Baker to the door. “Well, with Leah staying home to heal, and with the mine off limits, we’ve canceled the plans for the inspection and any work to open it, so I’ll have some time on my hands to take care of her.”

  “Good,” he said as he stepped toward the front door. Tucker followed.

  When he pulled the door open, they found the Curmudgeon standing on the other side of the threshold, clutching a bouquet of bedraggled looking daisies.

  TUCKER AND BAKER looked at each other in disbelief. As the Sergeant stepped around Ackerman, he tipped his hat in acknowledgment. Then he walked down the porch steps and went to his car.

  Over the Curmudgeon’s shoulder, Tucker noticed the walkway conspicuously empty of snooping neighbors. No doubt the news Baker relayed to them circulated all over town by now. The neighbors probably didn’t need to snoop around their front porch in order to glean some tidbit of information.

  Facing the Curmudgeon, Tucker hoped she succeeded in trying to hide her surprise at his appearance.

  “Hello, Mr. Ackerman. Come in.”

  She turned back to the living room and saw Leah’s wide-eyed look.

  “Look, Leah, Mr. Ackerman’s here.”

  She glared, trying to will the astonishment from Leah’s face. Leah got the message and her expression changed from disbelief to an angelic smile as he entered the room behind Tucker. His grip on the flowers reminded Tucker of someone strangling a handful of snakes.

  Leah peered around him. “Isn’t Mrs. Ackerman with you?”

  “No,” he said. “She told me to come by myself. Sends her regards, though. Told me to give you these.” He held out the raggedy flowers.

  Leah grasped them in her good hand, holding them as if they were hundred-dollar long-stemmed roses. “Why, thank you, Mr. Ackerman, and thank your wife, too.”

  She thrust the flowers toward Tucker and asked, “Would you please put these in water? There’s a vase under the sink.”

  Tucker took them from Leah and disappeared into the kitchen. When she returned with the flowers in the vase, she found Leah and Ackerman chatting away as if they were old friends.

  Ackerman said to Leah, “I heard about your problem with your back door. Doris and I were talking about it and she said you probably shouldn’t have to look at something to remind you of these unfortunate incidents of late. I’ve got a spare door that might fit. If you want, I can measure it and see if I can replace it for you.” He gave Tucker a hopeful look and added, “Tucker, I know it’s your property, so I’ll need your permission along with Leah’s.”

  Tucker pursed her lips, trying to hold back a smile as she thought, okay, who are you and what have you done with the Curmudgeon? She said, “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Ackerman. And thank your wife for thinking about us. I’ll pay you for your trouble, though.”

  Ackerman waved the comment away. “No need. It’ll keep me out of Doris’s hair for a few hours. She says I’m always banging around working on some project or other and she can’t get a moment’s peace. And, yes, in spite of her complaints, my Doris is a fine woman.”

  “Well, thank you, Mr. Ackerman. If you’re sure I can’t pay you—for the cost of the door at least?”

  “No, no, I’ve got it covered,” Ackerman said. “And, by the way, why don’t you two call me Phil, okay?”

  Tucker looked at Leah. She still wore the cherubic smile painted on her face. Tucker wondered if it masked more surprise. Did she feel as thunderstruck by the change in this man as Tucker did?

  Tucker responded, “Sure Mr. Acker—I mean, Phil.”

  Leah’s smile widened and she agreed to do the same.

  Phil Ackerman stood and pulled a small metal tape measure out of the front pocket of his overalls and indicated the opening to the kitchen. Tucker waved him on, telling him she appreciated the help, once again, and he walked out of the room.

  As soon as he left, Tucker said in a low voice, “What’s gotten into him?”

  Leah mouthed back, “I have no idea,” adding a shrug for emphasis.

  In a few minutes, he came back, grinning widely. “All set. I think the door I have will fit fine. I’ll be back with it tomorrow if it’s all right with you two. I want to put a fresh coat of paint on it and give it time to dry overnight.”

  They thanked him again. Tucker closed the front door behind him and watched him walk down the porch steps. She said, “I think our new best friend, Phil Ackerman, has been taken over by aliens.”

  Leah giggled.

  Tucker acknowledged if she wasn’t afraid of hurting Leah, she would have picked her up and carted her off to her bedroom.

  Instead, she picked up her tea mug and said, “I need a warm-up.” More like a cool down. “Want me to put yours in the microwave, too?”

  Leah handed the cup over, a pained look on her face. Tucker didn’t think her injured wrist was the cause.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Two months later...

  JACKIE AND TUCKER sat at a table at the back of The Charlie as they waited for Leah to join them. They were celebrating several things. First, with Tucker’s acquisition of the property up on Tenderfoot Hill, construction on the new house would start in a couple of weeks. Also, Sergeant Baker called them to let them know they completed the investigation over the incident at Elder Creek and the killing of the woman in Portero. Joe Dawson confessed to his part in the whole thing and, with his sentencing scheduled, they were ready to close the case.

  As they waited for Leah to return from the women’s room, Jackie said, “We’re celebrating something else tonight, too, I see.”

  Tucker looked confused. “What’s that?”

  “You’ve done it, haven’t you—you and Leah?”

  Still perplexed, Tucker said, “Jackie, what the heck are you talking about?”

  Jackie wiggled her eyebrows and said it more slowly this time. “You—and Leah.” She lowered her voice before adding, “You’ve done the deed, haven’t you?”

  The light went on. Tucker’s expression changed. A bright red tint crept up
her neck. Through clenched teeth, she said, “Don’t you dare say anything to Leah, Jackie O’Malley. If you do, I’ll never speak to you again.”

  Jackie’s laughter melded into the din from the crowd populating The Charlie tonight. “It’s about time, too. I don’t know what took you so long. Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me. I’m the model of discretion.”

  Tucker sneered at her. “Yeah, right.”

  Tucker took a sip of her beer. Without looking at Jackie, she asked, “How’d you know?”

  Jackie waited a beat. “Leah’s face,” she said. “She’s glowing. So are you, actually. And I’m not talking about the red glow of embarrassment you’re wearing now.”

  Tucker reddened at this new comment—and just as her discomfort started to dissipate, too.

  “Tucker.” Jackie reached out to place her hand on Tucker’s as it rested on the table. “I’m so happy for you. Really. You two are good for each other. You deserve each other.”

  Tucker smiled but continued to stare at the table. “Thanks.”

  Leah appeared around the corner. As she approached, Tucker shot Jackie a warning look. Her face still glowed pink.

  “Remember,” Tucker warned, “you are the model of discretion.”

  Leah pulled out her chair and settled herself. She looked at Jackie, then at Tucker. When she saw the color in Tucker’s face, she gave her a questioning look. Tucker shrugged, so Leah dismissed it and looked around the room at the throng.

  “So Jackie, it looks like Tucker’s predictions came true. The revitalization project has brought in a lot more business, hasn’t it?”

  Jackie smiled. “Indeed. Some of the merchants were hesitant about closing Main Street to motorized vehicle traffic, but it’s only helped with the setting and attracted more people to come and check us out. Everyone’s very enthusiastic about it now.”