Body in the Antique Trunk-A Lady Locksmith Mystery

by Curry, Edna

  “No way. Chance knows my voice and so do the dispatchers.”

  I frowned. When bossy Darcy makes up her mind, there’s no changing it. “You’ve put me in an impossible situation. You know I don’t dare withhold anything Chance might find important. Okay, I’ll tell him.”

  “Good.” Darcy smiled and resumed eating.

  My stomach churned. The sheriff was bound to find out I’d given Chance the tip. And once more, I’d be sticking my nose in Chance’s cases. But what else could I do? Letting the guy get away with murder wasn’t an option.

  ***

  Chance spent the day tracking down details of all the people involved in both murder cases. After filling out paperwork on what he’d found, which wasn’t much, he realized none of it would help him solve either case.

  Alfred’s daughter, Lisa, was a respectable teacher without even a speeding ticket. Alfred’s son, Bill, was an over the road trucker who only had a few traffic tickets, normal for a trucker. Nothing major, no hint of any problems, financial or otherwise. His alibi checked out, his boss confirmed he’d picked up a load in L.A. on the night Alfred was killed. No way could he have driven back to Minnesota from California in his truck.

  While Kendra and Harold Smith’s story was suspicious, he could find no proof they’d been in Canton, either. He couldn’t arrest them on suspicion.

  When Cassie called and invited Chance to dinner with her, saying she’d put a pot roast in the oven, his mouth watered. “My favorite meal,” he said. “How can I resist? But are you sure you’re up to it? I thought you were supposed to take it easy for a few days.”

  “Quit babying me. You’re as bad as Darcy. I told you yesterday, I’m fine. Besides, putting a casserole of roast and vegetables into the oven is one of the easiest meals I know.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there.”

  “Good. I have something I need to tell you,” she said and hung up before he could question her further.

  Ben had left to investigate an accident out on highway 95, so Chance closed up his office, said goodnight to Tom, who was working the evening dispatch shift, and drove to Cassie’s place.

  Her house smelled delicious and soon they were enjoying that tender beef roast with potatoes, carrots and onions.

  “Mm, perfect, Cassie,” he said, patting his full stomach. “You’re getting to be a wonderful cook.”

  “Thanks.” Cassie began putting away the leftovers and clearing the table. Then she dished up some Caramel Pecan ice cream and poured them more coffee.

  “To what do I owe this special meal?” he asked, digging into his favorite dessert and eyeing her suspiciously. “Do you have some bad news? You said you had something to tell me.”

  I sat across from him and took a deep breath. “It’s not really bad news, Chance. Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday and my brother Ken and his wife are up from Phoenix and want me to celebrate with them tomorrow night.”

  He frowned. “That’s not so bad, is it? I mean you get along fine with your family, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do. Ken said to bring my boyfriend if I wanted to.” I chewed my lip and watched him for his reaction.

  He just smiled and said, “If I can get away in time. When and where is it?”

  “Down by Rosedale, at the Old Country Buffet at six. You mean you’d really want to go?”

  “Sure, if nothing major comes up on the cases I’m working on. I’ll try to get off early and pick you up in time to drive down there. You shouldn’t be driving that far alone yet, anyway. I’d like to meet your family. But are you sure you’re feeling up to it? That’s an hour’s drive each way, besides the visiting time.”

  I smiled in relief. “I told you, I’m fine. And I’d like you to meet them, too.”

  I rose and poured us more coffee, then sat again. Might as well get this over with. “There’s one more thing. I don’t know if you’re gonna like this. I mean, I know you and Ben don’t like me getting involved in your cases, but…”

  Chance put down his coffee cup, his eyebrows dipping. “Just spit it out, Cassie. Quit beating around the bush. What is it?”

  I chewed my lip and swallowed, then blurted out, “Darcy says the man who broke into the house on Deer Lake was kept overnight in the hospital.”

  “Yeah, so what? The guy took a bullet to his shoulder.”

  “So, Darcy says that he was talking weird. Really weird.”

  “Cassie…”

  “Okay, okay. Darcy says he claims to have killed a man and hidden the body in a garage.”

  “What? You mean, maybe he’s…”

  I nodded. “The murderer of the body in the antique trunk? Sure sounds like it to me.”

  “Why didn’t Darcy report it to me herself?”

  “I told her to do that, but she claims her super wouldn’t like it.”

  “So she gets you involved instead?”

  “I know. But she said you could pretend someone called in an anonymous tip and just go question him, couldn’t you?”

  “Bloody hell. Okay, but I’d better follow this up before the guy posts bail and is released. If he’s killed George, he’s not going to just hang around.” Chance rose and leaned forward to kiss me goodbye.

  “I suppose not,” I agreed. “I didn’t think of that.”

  “Thanks for telling me, sweetheart. I’m sorry I yelled at you. I’ll have to let you know about tomorrow night. Hard telling where this will lead. Provided the guy is still there and willing to talk.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I suppose I should have called you as soon as she told me.”

  “Yes, you should have. Forget it. Bye now.” He leaned over and gave me a quick kiss.

  I watched him stride out and sighed, then got up to finish cleaning up the kitchen. No hope of a cozy evening cuddling with him tonight. Or taking him to meet my family. I’d be lucky if I saw him myself in the next few days. But maybe this really was the break he needed and if so, life might calm down again for us.

  I was about to settle down at my computer when my phone rang. Someone was locked out of their car at the campground in Interstate Park. I wasn’t supposed to be working, but it was only a car opening. Only a mile away and it shouldn’t take long. So, it was back to work for me, too.

  ***

  Chance strode into the hospital and mounted the stairs to the second floor where he knew the patients’ rooms were. He showed his badge to one of the nurses on duty and asked for Buddy Conners. She said he was still there and pointed Chance to the correct room. A Wisconsin deputy dozed in a chair outside the room. He demanded ID and called his boss to okay Chance’s visit, then nodded his okay.

  Buddy was asleep when Chance entered his room. Cautiously, Chance woke him.

  He opened his eyes and attempted to sit up. He found the control and raised the head of his bed, blinking at Chance. His arm was in a sling and he was hooked up to IVs. “You’re one of the officers from last night, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” Chance agreed. “I need to ask you some more questions.”

  Buddy sighed, reached for his water from the bed table and drank some. “I answered a million questions last night and more today. Don’t you guys talk to each other? Do I got to repeat it all for each one?”

  “Humor me,” Chance said, pulling up a chair and laying his clipboard on his lap. “Your name again?”

  “Buddy Conners.” He rattled off a Chicago address.

  “And where are you staying here in town?”

  “I have a small camper parked in Interstate Park.”

  “Which one?”

  “Which camper? Site 112.”

  “No, which Interstate Park? Minnesota or Wisconsin? They’re both named Interstate Park.”

  “Oh. On the Minnesota side. And I hope they don’t kick me out cause I’m in here and can’t renew the parking fee.”

  “I’m sure they heard about you being in here through the grapevine,” Chance said. “Gossip is rampant in small towns.”

  “Oh yea
h?”

  “Yeah. Not at all like Minneapolis or Chicago. What were you doing at the house on Deer Lake last night?”

  Buddy sneered, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  Chance glared at him. “Yes, actually, I would.”

  “Those assholes killed six of my buddies in Chicago. I swore I’d get them back.”

  “Who killed your buddies?”

  “Jonesy and the rest of that Lions gang. Only he calls himself Jane now. I don’t know the other two that were with him, but I’m sure they’re Jonesy’s bodyguards. Damned coward. He used to fight fair, now he hides out dressed like a woman and hires two bodyguards.”

  Chance stared at Buddy. Was this guy on the level? Did he seriously believe that the sensuous woman with a lovely figure he’d seen last night in her lingerie was really a man?

  “What makes you think Jane is this guy, Jonesy?”

  Buddy frowned at him. “’Cause I have eyes, man. Anyone can see his face is the same. He looks different with long hair and makeup and fake boobs, but it’s the same face, I tell you. I’d know him anywhere. The rest of the Lions gang is around here, too. I found Goldie and took care of him. He was pretending to be someone else, too. Said his name was George something or other. They’re all a bunch of cowards, hiding here in Minnesota under false names, thinking I wouldn’t track them down, but I found them. And I’ll get them all. Us Bears don’t forget, we get even.”

  “You found Goldie and took care of him?”

  “Yeah, that’s what I said. Put a couple of bullets in him.”

  “When and where was this?”

  “A couple of weeks ago. In Middleton, at an old house he was staying in.”

  “You say Goldie was a member of these Lions? But now called himself George?”

  Buddy nodded. “Yeah, the lily-livered coward. Thought he could move to a new place and just change his name. But I found him and fixed him good.”

  A chill ran over Chance. He couldn’t believe the guy was telling him all this. “What did you do with Goldie’s body after you shot him?”

  “Hid it under a bunch of garbage in the garage. You know that. I saw you cops there the day that locksmith found him. Nosy bitch. I’ll get her back for that, too.”

  Not if I can keep you under lock and key. “She didn’t do anything except find the body,” Chance said. “She was just doing her job, changing the locks as the realtor told her to do.”

  “Yeah, but she’s a nosy bitch. I know her from Chicago, too. Only she changed her name, too, and cut and dyed her hair. Used to be a newspaper reporter back then. Wrote articles about the Lions and Bears fighting each other, stirring up the public against us.”

  Another icy chill ran down Chance. This guy thought he knew Cassie? From Chicago? He couldn’t remember Cassie ever mentioning living there. But maybe she had lived there once? Or gone to college there? Was she still in danger? Was that why someone had shot at her? He’d never done a background check on her. Maybe it was time he did. Something was very weird here. Was Cassie hiding a past from him?

  Buddy went on, “I have a very good memory, even if the car accident damaged my head.”

  Chance perked up. An accident was something he could check out and maybe figure out who this nut really was. “You were in a car accident?”

  “Yeah, a bad one. In Minneapolis. Spent months in the hospital.”

  “How long ago was this?”

  Buddy lay back, closing his eyes. “About six months ago, I think.”

  “What hospital?”

  “Regions. A lawyer came to see me and got me some money, so I don’t have to work until I’m all okay again. If that ever happens,” he said with a groan.

  “What’s wrong with you now? Other than the shoulder wound, I mean.”

  “I have nightmares and bad headaches all the time. The doctors said they should go away in time. But they’re driving me nuts. Like now.” He rang for the nurse and asked for more pain medicine.

  She came in and fiddled with the controls on his IV. “You’ll have to leave, Officer. He needs his rest.” Sending Chance a glare, she turned and hurried out.

  “Okay. I’ll come back tomorrow.” Chance rose and moved to the door.

  Buddy opened his eyes and said, “I don’t care what you do to me. At least I got some of them Lions. The other Bears will have to finish the job, if you lock me up. But I got a good start.”

  “A good start on what?” Chance asked cautiously, turning back to look at Buddy. He didn’t want to stop Buddy’s angry tirade, but needed to steer its direction a bit. He couldn’t believe Buddy was telling him all this. Maybe he was so full of painkillers, he didn’t realize he was getting himself into trouble. Or didn’t care.

  “Getting them Lions back for killing six of our guys. They ambushed us one rainy night last winter. Our blood was all over the street, but we’ll get our revenge. It may take us years to do, but sooner or later, the streets will run red with Lions’ blood. They’ll never mess with us again.” Buddy’s brown eyes flashed with anger. “And if I can just find some of our guys, I’ll pass on the info so they’ll know to come here to look for the rest.”

  He was looking for more men to kill? Damn. Chance’s gut tightened. He hoped he could keep Buddy under lock and key. “Who are the rest?”

  Buddy yawned and closed his eyes, slumping back against the pillow. Chance was afraid he’d fallen asleep and he’d get no more out of him.

  But then Buddy opened his eyes again and muttered, “Just Hammer and Meatax left now.” His eyes closed again and this time his head drooped and he began to snore.

  Good Lord. Could it be possible? Had Buddy killed George because he thought George was someone else? Or was Buddy only a nut who’d heard of this murder and wanted to take credit for it? He knew there were people like that, who claimed to do various crimes, just to get lots of attention, even if they went to jail.

  Chance stalked out, found a chair and placed it outside Buddy’s room. Then he informed the nurses that an officer would be on guard here twenty-four/seven. Only authorized personnel allowed into his room. No visitors. Then he called Ben and explained what he’d learned.

  “I’ll send Roger to stand guard outside Buddy’s room and then let’s meet in my office to talk about this,” the sheriff said. Chance waited for Roger and then headed back to the office.

  On the way, Chance picked up a sandwich at a fast food place. That would help keep him awake tonight. He was nowhere near done for the day.

  Chance told Ben what Buddy had said, downing more coffee between sentences.

  “He may only be a nut wanting attention,” Ben said. “But I’ll talk to Wisconsin’s sheriff and I’m sure he’ll want to cooperate. We can check out the gun Buddy had last night and see if it matches those shell casings we found in the house in Middleton.”

  “Yeah. If so, he may really be the one who shot George.” Chance drank some coffee and gasped, “God, Ben, how old is this brew?”

  Ben frowned at him. “I just made it this morning, Chance.”

  “That was how many hours ago? Never mind, I need the caffeine. And I’ll check out Buddy’s camper in the park.”

  “Good idea. Maybe they have a report on his fingerprints by now, too,” Ben said.

  “And in the morning, I’ll check out the hospital and the info they have on the car accident. I’m sure they must have some details that’ll help us find out who he really is.”

  “Yeah. He sure as hell isn’t over a hundred years old,” Ben said with a hearty laugh.

  ***

  At Interstate Park, Chance showed his badge and the park ranger allowed him to search Buddy’s camper. He had indeed signed into the park under Buddy Conners, with a Chicago home address.

  The ranger shrugged. “He had an Illinois driver’s license with that name and address. We don’t do a background check on our campers. If I did, I’d sure never get anything else done.”

  “Of course not,” Chance agreed. “I know you don�
�t have enough staff for that.”

  Chance went through the small camper, but found little of interest. No mail addressed to Buddy anywhere. The guy must truly live on the fly. A bank savings book under the name Buddy Conners at a large bank with lots of branches. The book showed a hefty deposit about three months ago. Probably the settlement Buddy had said a lawyer had gotten him for being injured in the accident. Usually those settlements also included all medical expenses, so that explained the lack of hospital and doctor bills. Regular cash withdrawals that Chance assumed were money for living expenses. A receipt for parking his camper here. Marked Paid for with cash.

  Some .22 caliber bullets that were probably for the gun he’d used at the house on Deer Lake last night. Quite a small caliber, but deadly enough, especially at close range as Joe had discovered.

  That reminded him he should talk to Joe and Maynard and Jane. See what they thought of all this.

  He left the park and drove out to Deer Lake. No one was home. Obviously, they used the house there only for weekends. He’d talk to them at their home in Minneapolis tomorrow.

  Chance went back home. Talking to the hospital would have to wait for morning when the business office opened.

  Chapter 10

  The next morning, Chance drove to Minneapolis, planning to see several people for information in one trip.

  He was at the hospital business office when it opened. His badge allowed him to get information that usually was protected by privacy laws. His mention of a murder investigation opened the office worker’s eyes wide. She immediately opened her computer files and gave Chance the details he needed.

  Buddy had used that name at the hospital as well. He’d had a driver’s license with that name on it and that was the only info they had for him. The lawyer’s name who’d handled the financial details was listed as Carl North. Chance wrote it down and went to see him.

  Mr. North was a thin man in his fifties with unruly hair and steel-rimmed glasses. He wore a neat pin-striped suit and an angry frown.

  Under Chance’s questioning, he was adamant that he’d done everything correctly. Buddy had been riding with another man who’d died in that one-car accident. The car had been totaled. Buddy had been badly injured and he’d received a fair settlement and his medical expenses from the driver’s insurance company.