Path to Nowhere (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 2)

by Cynthia Hickey

  “Don’t help too much, girlie. That’s how little ones get hurt.” Alan motioned for Damon to follow him.

  That didn’t give me any new information. I wanted to throw my pencil at them. Instead, I got up and sat down at the table where Scott sat alone. The poor guy looked as if he’d lost his puppy.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He glanced up from under lowered lashes. “I’m getting nowhere on this case. I’ve learned Teresa wasn’t the girl I thought she was. Because of…what she did for money, no one seems inclined to help me.”

  “I’m helping you.”

  Hope sprang to his face. “Have you learned anything?”

  “A bit.” I wasn’t sure how much to tell him. While I didn’t think he was a killer, I’d been wrong before and almost died because of it. “Do you have a grey-haired wig?”

  “Huh?” His brow lowered.

  “Nevermind. The killer may have grey hair.”

  “Great.” He slapped the table. “That’s all the men here except for Heath and I. Anything else?”

  “He may have worn a black hoodie.”

  “I own a black hoodie! You aren’t helping.”

  I shrugged. “I’m doing my best. The conclusions I’ve drawn are one, the killer thought Teresa knew too much about something she shouldn’t, or two, he wanted to know where she hid her money.”

  “You found her money in the maze?”

  I narrowed my eyes. “How did you know?”

  “I put it there. She said it was her life savings and she didn’t trust banks.” He covered his face with his hands. “I’m a fool for loving such a woman.”

  “Men throughout history have been taken for a fool by a beautiful woman. You’re one of many.” I patted his hand. “Let me know if you do find out anything.”

  “Sure, but I’m not much of a detective.”

  Poor thing. Well, I could only hope to find justice for him. Wait a minute. Damon gave me the impression a moment ago that he knew Teresa, but at the pool a few days ago, he said he’d never met her. Lying scum.

  “Where are you going in such a tizzy?” Grandma stepped in front of me.

  I explained about Damon. “I intend to confront him in his lie.”

  “Don’t you think it possible he was embarrassed about knowing her?”

  “Not him. He’s more the bragging type.”

  “Come have some dessert and settle down. It’s cherry cheesecake. I have something to discuss with you.” She led me to a table where Heath and Mom were already eating their cake. “I want to tell all of you at the same time.”

  “Oh, gracious, you’re getting married.” Mom tossed down her fork.

  “Not anytime soon, sweetie.” Grandma handed me a plate with a slice of cake. “Hush and let me talk. It might have some bearing on this case. When I’m finished, we’ll decide whether I should tell Teddy or whether it’s my imagination.”

  Grandma might be a bit flighty and lacking common sense in her wardrobe style, but I sincerely doubted she was imagining anything. She had my full attention.

  “Are y’all ready?”

  “Get on with it, mother.” My mom crossed her arms. “You always have to be so dramatic.”

  “You’re always droll.”

  “Ladies,” Heath said. “Ida, please continue.”

  She leaned over the table. “I think someone here is after the old women’s money.”

  “What makes you think that?” Heath cocked his head.

  “Because I got a letter.” She pulled a flier from her cavernous bag. This one was fluorescent pink and looked big enough to swallow my car. “It’s inviting, women only, to an exciting career opportunity and states the woman must be over the age of sixty. Now…the only women over sixty who might indulge in a career opportunity are old rich broads. The perfect target for a scam artist.”

  I hated to admit it, but I agreed with her. “Are you going to go?”

  “I thought it wise to attend out of curiosity and to see whether anything illegal was going on. Sue Ellen, you’re coming with me.”

  “When is it?”

  Grandma glanced at her watch. “In an hour. We’ll just make it.”

  “Not exactly how I wanted to spend my evening.”

  “All you do is watch television. Come on. Shelby, I’ll knock on your door when we’re back.”

  Then, they breezed out the door. I glanced at Heath and invited him over for coffee while we waited.

  We had just finished watching some shoot up bang bang action flick. with me covering my face with a pillow most of the time, when Grandma and Mom waltzed through the front door.

  “I know who our killer is,” Grandma announced with a grin. “Or at least one of two people.”

  Mom flopped into a chair. “That was the longest, most stressful two hours of my life. I had to pretend to be rich.”

  “Well, you do have a sizeable bank account,” I reminded her. “Who is it?”

  “Alan Barker and Damon Markson are promising that women will double their finances if they invest in their get-rich scheme.” Grandma perched on the edge of the coffeetable.

  “What’s the scheme?” I guessed I’d have to draw every little bit of information from her.

  “Condos. They’re supposedly building luxury condos along the Arkansas River.” She studied her nails. “I doubt they are. I’m sure they’ll take the money and run.” She glanced up. “Should I tell Teddy.”

  “Yes.” Heath pressed the button on the remote to turn off the television. “Let him investigate this. You three are in the murders deep enough without adding something else.”

  “But what if they’re related?” I thought it very possible. With this latest information, it seemed likely that Teresa’s death had to do with money. “I think you should write them a dummy check and see what happens.”

  “I think you should tell Ted.” Heath glared at me. “You gals have done a terrific job investigating this crime. Now, it’s time to let the professionals handle it.”

  I gave him a quick kiss. “It’s sweet that you worry about us.”

  “We can’t help it, sweetheart,” Grandma said. “As I’ve said before…it’s a sickness with us.”

  “Not me.” Mom glanced from one to the other. “I keep getting roped into coming along. I’d rather watch TV or read a book. Those won’t get you killed.”

  “You don’t need to get involved.” I knew my mother was the most passive of us three.

  She shook her head. “I’m the sane one. Who’s going to keep the two of you in line if I’m not there?”

  She did have a valid point.

  “I’m calling Ted.” Before any of us could stop her, Mom had dialed his number and told him to meet us at my cottage.

  I swore I could hear him groan over the air waves.

  “He’s already on his way.” Grandma smiled. “He spends most nights with me now.”

  “I do not want to hear this.” Mom covered her ears. “Have you no shame? Shelby is sitting right there.”

  “She’s a grown woman.” Grandma rolled her eyes.

  “With better morals than you, I hope.”

  Actually, I did. While I found Grandma’s antics humorous, I’d made a vow during Junior High church camp to save myself until marriage. Thank God, Donald ditched me at the altar. I much preferred Heath and his soft heart. He didn’t treat me like a possession. He treated me like an equal. That was extremely sexy to me.

  Fifteen minutes later, Ted barged in the door. “What now?” He planted a kiss on Grandma’s forehead and speared me with a sharp glance.

  “It’s all her this time.” I pointed at Grandma.

  “It’s true. I went to a seminar and discovered Alan Barker and Damon Markson are scamming old ladies out of their life savings. I’m going to write them a dummy check to trip them up.”

  “You are not.” He planted his fists on his hips. “You might end up their next victim.”

  I straightened. “So, you do suspect one of them.”<
br />
  “Maybe.” He avoided my gaze. “I still don’t want any of you women involved.”

  Grandma and I exchanged a glance. We’d be trying to trap the men for sure. We just needed a surefire way of doing so.

  “You’re wasting your breath,” Heath said. “The air is vibrating with secret messages going back and forth between these two. The best we can do is keep an eye on them.”

  “You do it. I’m trying to close this case.”

  “If you’re deputizing him, then I want to be deputized, too.” I raised my hand.

  “Me, too!” Grandma bolted to her feet.

  Ted shook his head. “I have no idea what the two of you are talking about. This isn’t the wild wild west. Stay out of my investigation or I’ll lock you up for your own protection.” He kissed Grandma again, took her by the arm, and practically dragged her toward the door.

  “I do love a tough man,” she twittered over her shoulder.

  I wanted to gag.

  “Your grandmother is cute.” Heath pulled me close. “Sue Ellen, I plan on kissing your daughter senseless, so you might want to disappear.”

  Mom sighed. “I’ll be in the bathroom for three minutes and not a second more.”

  Heath laughed, pushed me back on the sofa, and proceeded to make the most of our three minutes. Those were the fastest minutes ever. When Mom cleared her throat, I opened my eyes and blinked like a baby owl, a bit unsure of where I was.

  “Yep. Senseless,” Mom said. She clamped her lips together, but not before I saw the glimmer of a smile. “Say goodnight Heath,” she told me.

  “Goodnight, Heath.”

  “Now,” Mom said, gathering her purse. “I’d like an escort home. It isn’t safe out there. Shelby, lock your door. You don’t want to wake up dead.”

  20

  I didn’t wake up dead the next morning, but I did wake up with a renewed purpose. I was going to dig into this scam Alan and Damon were a part of.

  Lying in bed, I once again ran through what I knew. Which wasn’t as much as I would like.

  Hold the presses! My mind honed in on Teresa’s stack of magazines. Where was Teresa’s box of magazines? I hadn’t thrown them out and they weren’t sold at the yard sale. Maybe she had a purpose for holding on to them. A purpose other than trying to live as those inside the pages did.

  I quickly got dressed and found Alice at breakfast. “Where is the box of Teresa’s magazines?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re into that garbage.”

  “No, I want to check something. Do we still have them?”

  “They’re in a corner of my office. Feel free to toss them when you’re finished.”

  I wasn’t sure why, but I ducked into the bathroom to see whether I had another message. I did. This one said, “Look behind you.”

  Spiders ran up my spine. Instead of turning, I searched the stalls through the mirror. No feet were visible under the door. A voice inside my head screamed for me to run.

  As I turned and lunged for the door, Lauren shot from one of the stalls. She shrieked and raised a hand clutching a knife.

  “You ruined my life!” The force of her crashing into me knocked me to my back on the floor.

  I wrapped both of my hands around her wrist and fought to keep the knife from plunging into my chest. “You’re…insane.”

  Good. My words had the intended effect. She continued to cause an ear-splitting racket. Someone was bound to hear. I prayed it was soon. The woman was bigger and stronger than me. All I had over her was the determination not to die at her hands.

  I arched my back, throwing her off me, then scrambled on my hands and knees for the door.

  She clawed at my leg.

  A well-aimed kick caught her in the nose.

  Blood spurted.

  “Help!” Using the doorknob, I pulled myself to my feet.

  By now, Lauren had regained her footing and was charging me again.

  I yanked open the door and we both fell into the short hallway. By now, we had the attention of everyone in the dining hall.

  Heath came running and yanked Lauren off me. When she raised the knife again, he grabbed her arm, bending it behind her back until the knife fell to the floor.

  “Someone find Ted!” He wrapped his arms around Lauren, keeping her arms pinned to her side.

  Curses and spittle flew from her lips.

  I sagged against the opposite wall wishing I had the energy to punch her. Now that Heath had rescued me, I was as weak as a newborn colt.

  Ted arrived with handcuffs and relieved Heath of his screaming, kicking burden. “Lauren Westingham, you’re under arrest for the attempted murder of Heath McLeroy and Shelby Jenkins.” He proceeded to read her her rights as he dragged her from the building.

  Heath took me in his arms. “It’s all right. You’re fine now.”

  “Where could she have been hiding to sneak into the bathroom every day?” I rested my forehead against his chest. Why hadn’t she come for me at my cottage? There would have been less chance of anyone saving me. Still, the woman was insane, and there was no making sense of a person with a messed up mind.

  Heath led me to a chair. “The only place she could have hid was the tunnels. There must be several exits.”

  “You sure know how to hook a girl.”

  He laughed, sitting next to me. “She’s always shown signs of crazy. It’s my handsome physique and overwhelming charm that set her over the edge.”

  “Careful. Your ego is inflating.” I glanced down the hall. “I’m not cleaning up the blood from her nose.”

  “I’ll get the cleaning girls to do it.”

  “I was actually headed for Alice’s office to retrieve the box of Teresa’s magazines, when I decided to check the bathroom for another message. I didn’t really expect to find one.”

  “I’ll get them for you. You rest. When I get back, I’ll get you some breakfast.” He hurried to the manager’s office.

  I folded my arms on the table and laid my head down. That was a close call. Too close. If only Lauren had killed Teresa and Ms. Wilkinson the hunt would be over.

  “This is heavy.” Heath set the box on the chair next to me. “How many magazines did she have?”

  “A lot. I want to see if there is something in them to give us a clue to her killer.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “In a Hollywood gossip mag?”

  “It’s a feeling I have.”

  “All right. We can get your mother and grandmother to help. Between the four of us, we can flip through them in an hour or so after supper.” He went to the buffet, returning with a ham and cheese omelet for me.

  “Do you want me to take you home? I’m sure Alice will understand.” Heath set a glass of iced tea next to my plate.

  “I’m not hurt, and I really need to so some weeding in the vegetable garden. I’ll be fine. If you could drop that box off at my cottage…put it in the oven. No one will look for it there.” Better safe than sorry. If there was something in the magazines, the killer might try to steal them.

  “I’m not going to ask why you want it there.” He grinned.

  I returned his smile, finished my breakfast, then collected my things from the garden shed. While I knelt beside the green onions, pulling out the vegetation that didn’t belong, I kept looking over my shoulder. I knew Ted had Lauren locked up by now, but a killer still roamed. I almost expected a knife in my back while I worked. Not a pleasant way to spend the morning.

  By lunch time, my nerves were strung tight. Rather than be social in the dining hall, I headed for my cottage and a granola bar with yogurt. I could skim a few magazines while I ate before planning the big event in the maze.

  Once I’d finished eating, and wasted two much time reading two magazines rather than skimming them, I booted up my laptop and started work on the flier for Saturday’s event.

  I specified for everyone to dress comfortably and come at dark with a flashlight. First person to find the prize, wins it. Simp
le and straightforward. Now, to get Alice to approve.

  I headed for her office where she sat pouring over financial statements. “May I come in?”

  “Sure. I’m going cross-eyed looking at these things. Good thing is, we’re making a profit.” She beamed and leaned back in her chair. “All the cottages are full. My uncle booked the last one.”

  So, Ted had made the move. I wondered when he’d retire. That seemed the next logical choice. “Having a police officer close by will be handy.”

  “Especially with you around.” She wiggled her fingers. “Is that the flier? Let me see it.”

  I handed it to her and waited.

  “When you first mentioned this idea, I thought it great, now…it seems too dangerous with a killer on the loose.”

  “I agree, but I’m hoping this will draw the killer out. I’ll be wandering the maze, alone.” Scary, but ought to do the trick. “I’ll have my Tazor, and I’ll have Ted put a wire on me.”

  “I don’t think you should go alone, but it’s your neck.” She approved the flier and handed it back to me. “Get these distributed today, please.”

  That was my intention, but I held my tongue. Barking orders seemed to make Alice feel important. “Have you heard of the scam Alan and Damon are running?”

  “No.” She frowned. “I won’t allow that kind of thing to go on here.”

  I sat in the nearest chair. “I think one of them, maybe both, are our killer or killers. They’ve contradicted themselves about knowing Teresa, and now they’re trying to get women to turn over their life savings.”

  “If you get proof, let me know. I’ll kick them out on the spot.” She made a shooing motion with her hand.

  Dismissed, I headed back outside. After a month of working at Shady Acres, the grounds looked very good, if I said so myself. Bushes were trimmed, summer flowers were blooming, and all I needed to do was get the riding lawnmower and take care of the larger grassy areas. Not a chore I minded.

  By supper time, I was dirty, sweaty, and starving. After a quick shower, I joined my family in the dining hall. Rather than eat there, we loaded our plates and headed to my place to browse the magazines.