by Anne Hagan
“Patricia Dunkirk was supposedly standing on a balcony several feet off the ground. To hit her, a hunter would have had to have been aiming upward or have been out across from her on a hill on the opposite side of the street where he would have had an unobstructed view of her.”
Trainor waved me off, “There are tree stands all over those woods, uh...”
““Sheriff Crane, and no Sheriff, a hunter in a tree stand would be aiming down, not up, besides, there are no tree stands in the thin copse of trees atop the knoll across from the cabin in the line of trajectory to hit Dunkirk.”
Now his face reddened, “How on earth would you know what the line of trajectory was?”
I pulled two baggies out of my pants pocket and laid them on the table in front of me. “One of those is a full metal jacketed bullet that we dug out of the wall behind the Jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom in the cabin this morning. Before we dug it out, I took photos of it and its relative location. The other is a shell casing that would seem to fit that shell that I found on the opposite hillside a reasonable rifle or pistol eject distance from the line of sight. I understand that they may go together and they may not but, certainly, the bullet is damning evidence that someone was gunning for Dunkirk.”
“So you’re a bullet expert huh?”
Half standing and leaning across the table toward him, I was indignant. “I’m a County Sheriff, a 12 year veteran of the department and I’ve been hunting since I was big enough to hold a gun.” Dana grabbed a belt loop and started to haul me backward.
Trainor leaned back away from my advance and, after almost falling off the chair, remembered he had it turned backward.
“Okay, ladies, I admit, the bullet is a mite suspicious but the shell casing is entirely coincidental. It could have been there for years. Frankly, I’m writing all of this off to coincidence. It was a hunter because there is no other plausible explanation.”
Exasperation seeping into her own voice, Dana implored him, “Sheriff Trainor, Why on earth would someone be hunting coyote with a .22, with jacketed rounds and aiming that high? Most hunters would use a shotgun for one thing and, I checked, you can’t use jacketed rounds to hunt in Tennessee. It’s illegal. I’m sure any hunter here would know that.”
When she finished, Trainor leaned slightly forward in as much as leaning into the chair back would let him, “Tell you ladies what; I’ll have one of my men look into it.”
“He’s the laziest, most condescending piece of shit I’ve come across in my law enforcement career!” I was venting once we were in the car and out of earshot but Dana seemed to be pre-occupied. When she didn’t respond, I tapped her leg to get her attention.
“Sorry; just thinking.”
“Penny for them...”
“I heard you Mel but I don’t think it’s laziness. I think it’s more than that. The Sheriff, maybe his whole department, they’re hiding something.”
“Like what?”
“That, I don’t know but they must have had a reason to dust the cabin for prints.”
Chapter 9 – Coffee Klatch
Mamma Rossi
Tuesday Evening, October 14th, 2014
Crane Family Farm, Morelville
“Terry was a tough nut to crack. Some liked him, some didn’t,” Jesse stated as he toyed with the food on his plate.
Faye shot me a look that told me the subject of Terry was off limits so I tried to change it. “Your message said you wanted to know what I’d bought at Sharpe’s. You’ll never believe the deal she gave me on a...”
Not normally so talkative, Jesse interrupted and just kept going, “I figure there’ll be a funeral Friday or Saturday. That Sheila, she’s just too distraught to decide anything right now. The arrangements probably won’t be made until morning.” He hung his head down and stared through the table.
I traded glances with Faye. We continued with dinner in an uneasy silence until Jesse abruptly pushed his plate away and stood.
“There’s chores to finish and I’m wasting daylight.” With that, he was out the door and headed toward the barn.
“He’s sure taking this hard. Were he and Terry close?”
“Jesse was a year behind Terry and two years behind his brother Steven in school but they all played football on the same high school team. Jesse was tight with him and with Terry’s best friend Chuck Knox; even dated Chuck’s sister for a while before we started going out.”
“You two were high school sweethearts?”
Faye nodded, “Yes; married right after we graduated. By then Chuck and Terry were both married too. Steven went off to the Army – Vietnam - so he wasn’t around much in those early days.”
“The other men weren’t drafted?”
“My Jesse is a sole surviving son. The Army wouldn’t take him. Chuck eventually went but Terry had some sort of medical deferral.” Faye cupped a hand beside her mouth, “Just between you and me, everybody always said Terry wasn’t quite right in the head.”
Faye slapped her own cheek, “Listen to me, speaking ill of the dead.” She stood, “How about a little cake Chloe and some coffee to wash it down with?”
“Some of that amazing wedding cake that Hannah girl made?”
“Of course. I froze the top tiers for the kids for their first anniversaries but there’s still a little of each cake left too.”
“That was divine. Count me in.”
While Faye poured coffee and dished up cake, I wondered aloud, “Why would Terry just leave the store the other day without a word? I mean, he was working. He goes to the back to fetch something and suddenly he forgets everything and goes fishing? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Oh, I agree. Terry was a little eccentric, granted, but the whole thing is just too odd of a situation, even for him.”
“You’ve said that twice now, that he’s odd and eccentric. How so?”
Faye set a slice of cake down in front of me then returned to her own seat. “Well, let’s see, it’s just the sorts of things he does and the way he does them. He’s been known to hunt a little out of season. That’s against the law but he never seemed to care. He’s been caught trespassing on the private property of older folks when he was out mushroom and ginseng hunting without getting their permission to do it. He’d just sweet talk them into taking a little of his mushroom haul or splitting the cash for the ginseng since they were no longer able to go out and get it for themselves. Who knows how much he’s gathered that he’s never been caught for. He always had plenty of money for those smelly Sweets he liked to smoke and for poker, I’ll tell you that!”
“It seems like he had little regard for the law but that doesn’t make him odd.”
“Around here, folks would tend to disagree with you on that but there’s more. He’s something of a player, what I’ve heard called a serial monogamist.”
“I thought he got married right after high school?”
“He did, but not to Sheila. She’s his fourth wife. They’ve only been together a half dozen years or so. I’m not entirely sure he’s been faithful this last year or so. Rumors have been flying.”
From what she’d told me, I took Terry for a low level criminal and a cad. ‘Odd’ and ‘eccentric’ really didn’t ring true for me and I was prepared to write the whole subject of him off when Faye interrupted my train of though.
“Jesse and Steven are convinced Terry was murdered.”
I was shocked, “What?”
“They think someone killed Terry.”
“I heard you the first time; what I want to know is why they think that?”
“Jesse and I talked a bit on the way back from the store this morning after the search. Him and Steven are dead set about it.” She outlined the things the two men felt were unusual at the scene.
“It certainly does sound like there could be more there than meets the eye but don’t you think Mel’s men can figure all of that out?”
“According to Jesse, her crew was convinced to a man that it was a drow
ning case.”
“They are professionals, Faye.”
“Maybe so but if my Mel were here, things would be different. She’d listen to her father and look into it.”
“Have you called Mel and let her know about Terry?”
“I’ve been debating that. He’s known my girls all their lives...she’d probably be upset if I didn’t at least tell her he’s gone.”
“You should probably call her, Faye.”
Faye put down the coffee cup she was about to raise to her lips, “You’re right.” She rose and picked up a handset off the counter. A house phone still seemed to be commonplace out here I noted, while she dialed.
“Mel, it’s mom. I’m so sorry to bother you on your honeymoon, but I have some news I think you should hear.” She paused and listened very briefly.
“Honey, Terry Ford went missing on Sunday and they found him...your father and Steven found him...today, drowned in Chuck’s pond.”
I could hear Mel exclaim but I couldn’t make out what she said. Faye spoke to her for a few moments and then put her on speaker phone.
“Mel, baby, I hate to say this but your dad and Steven both don’t believe it was an accident. They both say somebody that had it in for Terry might have seen to it that he drown. Your officers aren’t pursuing any kind of investigation.”
Mel’s voice came across the phone. I could tell she was in a car. “Did the coroner take his body mom?”
“Yes dear; your dad said he did.”
“Okay then, Luke will do his thing and determine if there’s any reason to investigate further. If he does think so, my men will handle. If not, there’s not much I can do if my deputies didn’t find anything at the scene to implicate anything other than an accident.”
Without thinking that the girls didn’t even know I was still in Morelville, I spoke up to put my two cents in, “Mel, just how much do you trust your Coroner?”
“Chloe? Is that you?”
Oops! “Err, yes?”
“What are you doing there?”
“It’s a long story...I, uh...”
“Hang on Mom, Chloe.” There was a brief pause at the other end of the line then Mel came back on, “Now you two are on speaker phone. We’re in the car. Dana’s driving.”
“Hi baby! Are you having a good time?” I attempted to coo at her and distract her.
“Mama,” Dana questioned, “What’s going on? Why are you still there?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise dear but I guess I blew it.”
Dana sounded leery, “A surprise, how?”
“I stayed on and I’ve scrubbed down your house for the two of you and organized your cupboards and closets.”
Mel spoke, “Wow, Chloe that’s awesome. Thank you!” Apparently speaking to Dana, she asked, “Isn’t that awesome?”
“Yeah, it’s awesome alright,” Dana’s voice dripped with suspicion. “What else Mama?”
I let out a breath slowly. I was found out and I knew it. I went for a flattering approach, “You two have such pretty woodwork in this house, it just begs for some nice things to go along with it is all.”
“Oh my God, what did you buy Mama?”
Cringing at the fear in Dana’s voice, I recoiled a bit but then I mustered a little confidence and I told her, throwing Faye under the bus too, “Faye recommended a lovely antique shop to me and the owner made me a wonderful deal on a gorgeous bedroom set that looks to die for in your guest room.” Faye slapped my shoulder lightly.
Dana and Mel both spoke at once; Dana asking what else I’d purchased and Mel chastising her own mother for her role. I addressed Mel first, “Now, don’t go getting mad at your mama Mel! I told her what I intended to do no matter what and she gave me advice to steer more toward things that would appeal to your tastes too and not just Dana’s”
“What else did you buy, Mama?” Dana’s tone was more forceful this time.
“Nothing yet dear, I swear.”
“Yet?”
“Whoops, did I say that?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve only been gone two days. I spent all of Monday cleaning and organizing. I got the set this morning and a mattress set and had it all delivered this afternoon; that’s all.”
“Chloe, that sounds expensive. You shouldn’t be spending your money on us.”
“I’m not poor dear.”
“Melissa!” Faye cautioned.
Mel was immediately contrite, “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“No offense taken.”
“What else do you intend to do Mother?” Dana was being formal now.
“Honestly, I planned to stay the week and surprise you with it all when you got home. Other than that poor, poor man’s death, it’s been a nice break away from the city, for me.”
Mel’s voice came across the line, “If you two will hang on just a minute, I need to ask Dana something.” With that, there was silence. Faye and I just looked at each other. I sipped on the dregs of my coffee.
Finally sound came from the open line and Dana started talking, “Mama, we’d like for you to go ahead and stay for as long as you want to. We don’t mind you continuing to do some shopping for our home but on our dime now, not yours.” She told me where I could find the keys to the lock box where she kept a spare bank card.
“Okay, honey. I agree to that.”
“Wait Mama Rossi,” Mel said, “There’s more. Mom? Are you still there?”
Faye’s eyes grew wide, “Um...yes...”
“What are you doing this week?”
“Well, now that Terry’s been found, just working around the house...at least until funeral arrangements are set.”
“I want you to keep me posted on those but, in the meantime, we want you to go with Chloe.”
Chapter 10 – Lifted
Mel
Tuesday Afternoon, October 14th, 2014
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
“Are we going to live to regret that?”
Dana looked back across the table at me, rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You don’t know my mom that well yet. Had we not said, ‘go ahead’, she would have continued right on as she had been. Hopefully your mom being involved will buffer some of that.”
“I wouldn’t count on it. You just gave those two free rein with your bank card.”
Dana groaned low. “What a day we’ve already had...”
Our server brought our sweet teas. “Have ya’ll decided?”
Dana, already familiar with the barbecue joint we were sitting in, in Gatlinburg, ordered herself the sampler platter with the house sauce on the side and a side of mac and cheese. She smacked her lips after ordering that last bit.
The college aged waiter turned to me, “For you ma’am?”
Trusting the instincts of my always hungry wife, I ordered the same. The young man smiled and took his leave.
“You won’t be sorry babe. Bennett’s is the best around here.”
We chatted for just a few short minutes about what to do with the rest of our day but because our food was presented so quickly, we abandoned that conversation in short order and tucked in.
Dana finally lifted her head about half way through her lunch. “You know what bugs me about this whole mess?” she asked. “It’s their indifference. A woman died for heaven’s sake. Someone shot her. Because you can’t figure out something right away or because she’s not local, you just write it off? That just doesn’t fly with me.”
“I can’t stop thinking about it either. The trouble is, there really isn’t anything we can do about it, at least not till we get back to Ohio.”
“What then?”
“Think about it, you said yourself, you thought the police here are hiding something. That may be true. That they’re lazy may also be true though. She’s from Ohio. She dies here by an unknown hand that probably wasn’t a hunter. Maybe someone from back home wanted her dead and followed her down here to do it.”
Dana half shrugged, �
��It’s certainly possible.”
“How’s your lunch ladies?” I hadn’t even noticed the server approaching the table.
“Just fine,” I managed.
“Pardon me for interrupting but I couldn’t help overhearing, were you two talking about that woman that was shot?”
Dana nodded but I didn’t say anything.
“That was such a shame. They were good customers, used to come in a couple of nights a week or more because he really liked the brisket and she was a fan of our ribs.”
“She was with someone when she died?” I asked him, trying not to sound over eager.
“Not that the papers said, no, but she was usually down here with a man for a weekend or a few days every month and, like I said, they’d eat dinner here a couple of times each time.”
“Did you know them?” Dana asked.
“Personally? No, not outside the restaurant. I just know regulars when I see them and they were pretty regular.”
“Do you know his name?” I asked him.
“Sorry, no. Had I known, I’d have told the police then.” He took his leave to attend to another table.
“Funny,” Dana said, I made him out to be a college kid picking up some extra hours before every place around here slows down for the dead of winter. Sure seems like he’s been around.”
“Not only that, his information was more helpful then maybe he even realizes. Patricia probably wasn’t alone and the prints may very well have told the Sheriff’s department who was with her had they bothered to finish lifting them.”
Dana looked at me, her expression puzzled, “So, you’ll do some digging then when we get home?”
“Yeah, but here’s another thought: they haven’t sent anybody by our cabin to clean again and it’s doubtful they will before we leave. We need to try and lift those prints.”
