Dig Deeper: A Hallie James Mystery (The Hallie James Mysteries Book 1)

by DK Herman

  "I hope, not me." He got his phone out again. I listened as he spoke to his aunt. He didn't mention Hank. "She's still asleep from those pills, Doc gave her." He told me after hanging up. "I guess this news can wait till tomorrow."

  I gave him a hug. "Let me know if I can do anything."

  "Thanks. I will." He walked back to the patrol car.

  I went back into the house and up to my room. I printed out another copy of the two emails from theracer9816. I turned off my laptop before getting a sticky bun out of my fridge and a beer to wash it down. Then, I went out on my balcony to watch the sunset.

  I was on my third beer and second sticky bun when my phone rang. "Hello," I said, not bothering to look at the caller ID.

  "Hallie," Doc said. "I'm just leaving Gabi's. Troy and the boys are home, and Gabi's Mom is staying the night."

  "How's she doing?" I should have gone back to see her myself.

  "She's been asleep, since right after you left. I gave her mom another dose of sedative, in case Gabi wakes up in the middle of the night."

  "That's good, Doc. We're lucky to have you around." I took the last swallow of beer out of the can.

  "Are you OK?" Doc asked. "You sound more upset than you were this afternoon."

  "I may as well tell you, but please don't let it get back to Gabi and Troy, yet. Hank's in custody. The cops think he murdered those girls."

  There was silence at the other end of the line. Did she hang up? "Doc, are you there?"

  "Yeah...I'm here. Just....wow! What about Hannah?"

  "The cops are questioning him about her," I said.

  "I can't believe Hank would do something like this. Do you think he killed his sister, too?

  "I don't know," I said. I didn't feel like talking about it anymore.

  "He was the last person to see her, and he admitted to fighting with her that day."

  "I just don't know, Doc. We'll have to wait and see what happens." I licked the plastic wrap from my last sticky bun.

  "Are you going to keep investigating?"

  "To be honest, Doc, right now, I don't even want to think about it.” My voice was harsher than I meant it to be.

  "Oh, sorry. I'll let you go then." Doc sounded hurt.

  "I’m sorry, sweetie," I said, softening my tone. "I'm just so upset. But I'll see you tomorrow at Gabi's. Liv made Gabi and her family some good things to eat."

  "That was nice of her," Doc said. I heard a loud banging noise over the phone.

  "Doc are you OK?"

  "Dropped the phone," Doc said. "I'll let you go. I may see you tomorrow at Gabi's."

  "OK. Love you, Doc."

  "Love you, too, Hallie. And I'm sorry about Hank."

  I hung up and debated if I wanted another beer and a sticky bun or a long soak in my tub. I decided on both. I put the phone on my nightstand and got my bath ready.

  I woke up early the next morning with my mouth dry and a slight headache. Washing down some aspirin with bottle of water out of my fridge, I eyed another sticky bun. But thinking about the three I ate last night, I decided to wait. I took a quick shower and dressed in jeans and a tee shirt.

  I smelled coffee as soon as I got downstairs. Following my nose, I found Liv on a stool in the kitchen, a cup in front of her. Her little TV was tuned to the local news.

  "Aren't you the early bird this morning,” Liv said. "The coffee's good and fresh."

  I looked at the kitchen clock. "Six A.M. I hadn't realized, it was that early." I contemplated a cup of coffee or going back to bed. The coffee smelled awfully good. I got out my hazelnut creamer and poured a cup.

  "Couldn't sleep, honey?" Liv looked at me, concerned. I wondered if she heard about Hank.

  "I slept awhile." I shrugged and sipped my coffee. I noticed it wasn't quite light out yet.

  "Pancakes or omelet?" Liv asked me. She got out her well-seasoned, cast iron frying pan.

  "Pancakes, please," I answered. I watched her get a big package of my favorite sausages from the freezer. Hmm. She knew about Hank’s arrest. How did she hear so fast? I spun back to the TV, turned up the volume, and found out. The murders and Hank's arrest were the top story.

  Gram walked into the room. I thought about turning off the TV. But she came straight over and put her arms around me. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"

  I nodded. "There's evidence against him, but I'm not sure he did it. Some things don't make sense."

  "Do you want to tell me about it?" Gram sat in Liv's stool with her coffee.

  "First, the police and myself believe that the person who murdered the girls also killed Dr. Robinson and shot George."

  Gram nodded. "Why would Hank shoot the men?"

  "Exactly, what was his motive. Also, there were three attempts on George's life. Why would Hank want to kill him so badly?"

  "Four attempts, darling. You forgot about the one in the hospital."

  "Yes, four attempts,” I agreed. I told Gram, in detail, about the evidence, the police had against Hank. “But, Hank lives next to George's garage. He wanted to buy the property and may have snooped a little. I would. That would explain the fingerprint on the door. And anyone, could have put Ashley's ring in his truck. He never locks it. Just like, anyone could have tossed Amy Klein’s cell phone into the flower bed.

  "You think someone is framing him?" Gram asked.

  "I’m not sure. Or maybe I’m letting my feelings for him cloud my thinking?”

  "If it helps any, I find it hard to believe that Hank would murder anyone." Gram hugged me again. "I'm going to take coffee and juice upstairs. George should be up by now. Would you bring our breakfast tray upstairs when it's ready, Hallie?"

  "Sure." The pancakes and sausage were smelling great. Nerves, grief, or hangover, I always had an appetite. I smiled at Gram to reassure her I was OK.

  I helped Liv put together the tray. "Napkins, silverware, syrup, butter, salt, and pepper; am I forgetting anything?"

  "Looks good to me." Liv added two plates of pancakes and sausage.

  After delivering the tray upstairs, I eagerly returned to the kitchen for my own meal and more coffee. Sitting on the stool I was about to dig in when the doorbell rang. I checked the kitchen clock again. It wasn't quite seven, yet. I started to get up.

  "I'll get it," Liv insisted. "You eat your breakfast."

  I forked off a large hunk of pancake with syrup and put it in my mouth. Chewing slowly, I rolled my eyes with pleasure. I heard feet in the hallway and took a sip of coffee. There were male voices arguing with Liv. I recognized one of them, Detective Kasey. What the hell did he want this early?

  "Hallie James." He marched into the kitchen with a Herville patrolman I didn't know. "I need you to come with me to the police station." His tone was demanding.

  "What for?" Calmly, I sipped my coffee and took another bite of pancake. I detested this jerk, but I'd better play nice. "Now?" I looked meaningfully at my breakfast.

  "You can finish eating later. Maybe." He had that smug look on his face.

  I wrapped a sausage in the bottom pancake and took a step toward the door. "I'll get my purse."

  "You won’t be needing it. You'll be riding with us." Detective Kasey snapped his fingers at me. “Hurry up, I don’t have all day.”

  What was this jackass up to? "Fine." I gulped my coffee and grabbed another sausage. "Tell Gram, I'll be back soon." I told Liv as the two-policeman followed me to the front door.

  We got to their car and I stopped by the passenger side, back door waited for one of the men to open it.

  "You're not taking food in this car,” Detective Kasey growled. He tapped his foot with impatience. "Just throw it away!"

  I gave him a, go to hell, look and crammed it all into my mouth. My cheeks bulging like a squirrel in September, I slid into the backseat.

  "Be careful not to choke," Kasey said with mock sweetness as he slammed the car door.

  I flipped him the bird as he got into the seat in front of me. The Herville cop saw the gesture
in the rear-view mirror and stifled a laugh. I chewed on my breakfast most of the way to town.

  THIRTEEN

  At the police station, I was left in a small room to await questioning. There was a battered, formica topped table and several metal folding chairs. The only window was covered with crud and a thick metal screen. The room was straight out of an old cop show. There was even an annoying flicker in one of the fluorescent lights.

  I wanted to pace but forced myself to sit at the table. A security camera mounted in a corner of the room, told me I was being watched. Fighting the urge to make faces at it, I leaned forward onto the table and laid my head in my arms. With food in my stomach and a slight hangover, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

  Waking when Detective Kasey slammed the door, I stretched and put on my professional bitch face.

  "When you’re behind bars, you'll have lots of time to sleep.” He pulled a chair away from the table so hard, it hit the wall.

  I yawned deliberately before answering. "What have I done to be behind bars?"

  "Where were you, the morning of March the third?" He asked smugly.

  Unfortunately for him, I knew the answer to that question. "I had my first appointment with my divorce lawyer at nine o’clock that morning." I pulled my phone from my back pocket and gave him my lawyer’s name and phone number.

  "How far from here is his office?" Detective Kasey stalked around the room.

  "An hour, an hour and a half, depending on traffic,” I answered calmly.

  "Plenty of time after…to drive back for your appointment."

  "After what?" I asked sweetly. But I wanted to smack the arrogant blow hole until his face flew off his head.

  "After you picked up the Gordon girl at the Herville bus station." He watched for my reaction.

  Unbelievable, I was a suspect! Why? Did they let Hank go? I tried to stay calm and play along. Ben was right about cooperating with the police. Being questioned by the cops was like quick sand: if you struggled too much, you dug yourself in deeper. "I spent the night at a friend’s home, along with her husband, her mother in law, and two teenage children. I got up at six and had breakfast with them before the kids went to school."

  I hadn't spoken to my friend Mary in months. She was an executive assistant at Williams and Allen and a wonderful person. The day the sheriff showed up to serve my papers, I called the firm to try to get my job back. When she discovered that my husband had me evicted from my home, she insisted I stay with her a for a few nights. She was a dear woman, and it was embarrassing to need her for an alibi.

  "What about last Saturday, from about one in the afternoon?" Detective Kasey peeked at his notebook.

  "I was home with my grandmother, George Murphy, and Liv Miller." I knew Saturday afternoon was when Amy Klein was taken. I wanted to ask about Hank, but I didn't think it was wise. Kasey wouldn't tell me anyhow.

  "All day?" He looked at me over the top of his reading glasses.

  "George and I ran some errands in the morning, but we were home for lunch. Then, I was home until about seven that evening when some friends came to pick me up for a night out."

  "How close are you to Hank Ross?" Detective Kasey leaned toward me, close enough I could smell cough drops and bourbon on his breath.

  "We dated in high school, and we went on one date since I moved back to Herville." I looked Kasey in the eye as I answered. I had nothing to hide.

  "Who told you to hack into Cara Gordon's email? I'm sure, you're aware that's a crime," Kasey said. He sat down and stared at me, narrowing his watery, bloodshot eyes.

  "I didn’t hack her email,” I said. “Cara’s family gave me permission and the password.” Ben had told me Cara’s cat’s name was Muffin.

  "Did you delete anything?" he asked.

  "No, nothing." I just printed copies of what I wanted.

  "I have a problem, Miss James.”

  More than one, asshole. I refused to say anything and stared at him with my well-practiced, neutral, bitchy expression.

  After a minute, he spoke, “You and Mr. Ross, just happened to find the three dead girls. Then you found the girl in the woods with her throat slashed. And you were there when Mr. Murphy was shot." He counted off his points on his fingers. "And you, are having a love affair with our prime suspect."

  I couldn't help rolling my eyes, he was really reaching.

  He stood up again, his tone getting more intense. "We've got proof, you and your boyfriend burned down a garage to get rid of evidence."

  The fingerprints? Kasey thought that Hank and I were in collusion, kidnapping and murdering young girls. I was about to make the mistake of getting very angry. But reaching deep, I summoned every ounce of self-control I possessed and stayed silent.

  But Kasey must have sensed that he was getting under my skin. He continued trying to break me, intensifying his attack. "You were screwing Hank Ross the whole time you were married! Was that why your husband took you to the cleaners in your divorce? He caught you in bed with him, didn’t he?"

  Blood was rushing through my veins so hard, I could hear it in my ears. I was about to spring across the table and grab Kasey by the throat. Then a knock at the door saved me from a charge of assaulting a police officer.

  Chief Woods popped his head in the door. "Her lawyer's here, Kasey."

  "She didn't ask for a lawyer,” He barked, his face red with fury. "You don't want a lawyer, do you? It'll only make this harder."

  Harder for who, blow hole? "Yes, I would like a lawyer,” I said, looking directly at the camera. I didn't know how I'd gotten a lawyer, but I'd take him or her. I sighed in relief when I saw who was in the doorway.

  "You heard the lady." Karl Beyers eased past Chief Woods and entered the room. He was a close friend of Aunt Jeannie's and an excellent criminal attorney. He was tall with salt and pepper hair and deep brown eyes. His suit was well tailored to his lean form, and he smelled like a pricy, men's cologne. "I'd like to speak to Miss James, alone please."

  "Make it damned fast." Detective Kasey blustered and slammed the door on his way out of the room.

  "Always such an unpleasant fellow," Karl Beyers said, sitting next to me in one of the hard chairs. "Your grandmother called me this morning because Liv told her that the police took you away. I was in town, so I came right over. A good thing too, from what I’ve heard." He opened a briefcase and took out a pad and pen. "I was in the next room, talking to Chief Woods and I heard some of Kasey’s questions. The man is brutal, he’ll say anything to get a confession." He patted my hand. "You do realize, Kasey has a theory that you and Hank Ross have teamed up to murder young girls."

  I nodded. "That was obvious from his questions. I know about the evidence against Hank. Hell, some of it found for them. Why does he think I'm involved?"

  "Chief Woods told me that none of the other cops believe you were involved. But, Hank has an alibi for the times when two of the girls went missing." He checked his notes. "The Gordon girl disappeared from the Herville bus station in the early morning of March third. Hank was in Maryland visiting his daughter that entire week."

  I felt a wave of relief. "Then it can't be him."

  "Also, four of Hank's employees swear, he was at his bar from noon until midnight, Saturday, when Amy Klein went missing. So, no, it can't be him, unless he had help. That's where Kasey got the idea of a partner."

  I squelched a smile. I was positive we were being watched. But woo-hoo! Hank wasn't guilty! "I told Kasey where I was at those times and with whom."

  "This shouldn't go far, but with Kasey being lead detective on the case, I want our ducks in a row. Did you give him contact information for your alibis? Karl asked.

  I nodded.

  "Well, no worries then. I'm not allowing him to keep you here any longer." He put his notepad back into his briefcase and went to the door.

  Detective Kasey and Chief Woods came back into the room. Karl came right to the point. "Have you checked her alibis?”

  "Yes, we did
. They all vouched for her," Chief Woods said, earning a glare from Detective Kasey.

  "We'll be going then." Karl stood and handed one of his cards to a pissed off Detective Kasey. "If you have any more questions for Miss James, call me. We'll be glad to come in together and answer them.

  "I'm still considering obstruction charges,” Kase blustered.

  "Miss James is a licensed private investigator. And whenever she found evidence pertaining to this case, she handed it over to the police." Karl gave Kasey a challenging look.

  "Not to me,” Kasey growled.

  "Good day, gentleman." Karl held the door open for me. Without another glance at Kasey, I walked out the door.

  Outside, Karl opened the passenger door of his Escalade for me. It was no wonder Aunt Jeannie liked to spend time with him, he was warm, kind, and gentlemanly. He had dinner at the house with Aunt Jeannie, the last time I was home for a visit. I wondered if the relationship was serious.

  "You were great in there." I smiled at him as he got in the car. "How much do I owe you?"

  "It's on the house," Karl said, loosening his tie a little. He started the engine and shifted into drive. "Let's get you home. Your grandmother's very worried about you."

  "If it's not Hank, who has Hannah?" I thought out loud.

  "Is that his cousin's daughter, whose missing?"

  "Yeah." I took my phone out of my pocket. "I have to help find her. Hannah's mom is one of my best friends."

  "Be very careful of any involvement in the case right now," Karl advised. "I’m not trying to scare you, but Detective Kasey wants to arrest you. Don't give him any reason to do it."

  "Can I call you if..." I began.

  "Call me, if you need anything," Karl said. "Advice, bail, or help with Kasey again."

  "If I do, you’ve got to let me pay you,” I insisted. He probably heard that I'm poor. Everybody, seemed to know that my ex took everything in our divorce. Damn it, I hoped it wasn’t making the rounds in the gossip mills that Max caught me in bed with Hank. I sighed. “Please don’t take money from Gram or Aunt Jeannie. It’s bad enough that I had to move home, I don’t want them paying my bills, too.”