Blinded by the Trees

by Kira Chase

  George grinned. “Now that might be a good idea.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Joe Barnes should be getting here any minute.”

  Frankie stood and then began to pace nervously. “Are you going to confront Eve Barnes?”

  “I’m formulating a plan. Of course, I’ll need the three of you to help,” he said, nodding toward Selma.

  “Of course. I’ll help in any way that I can.” Selma smiled proudly.

  George peered into his coffee cup. “It’s a dirty shame that this Joe Barnes didn’t try just a little harder to locate his son. It might have prevented the kid’s murder.”

  “We were saying the same thing last night,” Johanna replied.

  The door opened and all eyes turned to the handsome, dark reddish-blond-haired man who’d entered. He looked apprehensively at the assembled group as he removed his gloves and stuffed them into the pockets of his leather jacket. He was casually dressed in a pair of jeans and a camel-colored cashmere sweater.

  Sheriff Ryker immediately walked over to the man and ushered him into the room. Frankie moved a chair from in front of her desk next to the other chairs near Johanna’s desk.

  “I hope you had a smooth flight, Mr. Barnes,” Frankie said.

  His eyes swept over the group. “I did,” he replied. “I only wish it had been under better circumstances.”

  Frankie made the introductions while Johanna poured the man a cup of coffee. She couldn’t believe the similarities to Eve. Their hair color was the same and he had the same shape and eye color, only his were bright and hers had grown dull, which Frankie had suspected had dimmed through the years of abuse from Clyde. By the looks of his stylish clothes, he didn’t know how much better off he was than his baby sister. He’d be shocked when he saw her. Of that, Frankie was certain.

  George eyed the man carefully. “You haven’t had any contact with your sister or Clyde in all these years?”

  “That’s correct. That’s why I put my info on the website. I explained that to your detectives last night.”

  “They’re not my detectives. They’re private investigators. They found your boy’s body,” George explained. “The investigators have filled me in on the phone conversation with you last night, Mr. Barnes.”

  “Please call me Joe,” he said quickly. “When can I see my boy? I want to have a look at him before he—” He broke off and covered his face with his hands.

  George’s usually gruff voice softened. “He’s over at Taylor’s Funeral Home. It’s a closed casket.” He looked at Johanna and Frankie.

  “Why?” Joe asked as he retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his tear-streaked face. “Is Eve taking care of the details?”

  “Taylor’s is where those with no or little funds take their loved ones.”

  “I want him to have a proper burial no matter the cost, not be buried in a pauper’s grave. I also want the casket to be open,” he insisted.

  “We didn’t fill in the details,” Frankie said to George.

  George sighed and patted the man’s shoulder. “Whoever murdered your son messed his face up pretty good. That’s why it’s closed.”

  “Was he shot in the face?” he asked hoarsely.

  “No.” George cleared his throat. “He was stabbed several times.”

  “In the face?” His eyes widened in shock. “Who did it? Who murdered my son?” His hands instinctively balled into fists.

  “We don’t know, Joe,” George answered. “We’re doing everything possible to find his murderer.”

  “How could Eve have let this happen?” Joe shook his head back and forth. “This is so unfair. He deserved so much more. I hoped and prayed every day that Eve was providing for him. I couldn’t wait for the day that I found him. I envisioned one of those moments you see on TV where families are reunited.”

  “It’s not Eve’s fault. In her defense, she’s taking his death very hard,” Selma said.

  “You talked to her?” Joe peered at the elderly woman. “Please tell me what she said.”

  Selma glanced at Sheriff Ryker.

  “Go ahead, Selma,” George replied.

  Selma nodded. “Cody was a bright boy. He got good grades in school. Brenda…I mean Eve told Johanna and me that he was planning to go to trade school. He dreamed of some day opening up his own body shop. She said he was a whiz with cars. She implied that he couldn’t wait to get away from Clyde.”

  “Do you think he knew that Eve and Clyde weren’t his biological parents?” Joe Barnes asked.

  Johanna cut in. “Eve admitted to us that Clyde wasn’t Cody’s father, but since we only knew her as Brenda, she, of course, acted and talked as though he were her own son. I believed he was her son.”

  Joe rubbed his chin. “He never knew then that the woman who raised him was his aunt and not his mother. He never knew anything about his real mother, or about me. Maybe he thought Clyde was his father. I wish he could have known the truth.”

  “If he had known, I’m sure he would have talked to someone about his situation,” Frankie said. “It only makes sense that he would have tried to find his biological parents.”

  George took a picture from the file he’d brought with him to the office. “This is a picture of Cody.” He handed the picture to the man.

  Tears sprang to Barnes’ eyes as he studied the photograph. “He looked just like his mother.” He sniffed. “He has her smile.” He swallowed hard.

  “I’m sorry for your loss, Joe,” Sheriff Ryker said quietly.

  “Not half as sorry as I am. I gather from our phone conversation,” he said, looking at Frankie and Johanna, “that his life was pure hell with Clyde.”

  “Clyde Burrows has a lengthy record. He’s been in and out of jail,” George said. “If it’s any consolation, your sister kept Brenda Winston’s name clean. We couldn’t find anything on her.”

  “Why didn’t Eve try to contact me? I never moved. If she’d only called, I would have gotten Cody and her away from him. She could have left him while he was in jail.” His eyes searched theirs. “Why didn’t she at least try?”

  “She most likely was afraid,” Johanna said. “After all, she’d taken another woman’s identity and was raising Cody as her own son. She probably feared going to prison herself.”

  “I’d like to see her, too.” He looked at George. “I’m willing to sign anything I need to explaining my part in this. I discussed everything with my wife last night and explained to her that charges may be preferred against me.”

  “That must have been a difficult decision to make.” George frowned as he looked at him.

  “No, Sheriff. I’d already told her everything I’d done. But I had to tell her that I might not be coming home for a while.” He rubbed his temples. This whole situation has been a nightmare, but I thank God for giving me such a wonderful loyal wife. In the event that I am jailed, she’ll be well taken care of. She and our sons won’t be thrown into poverty in my absence.” He cleared his throat. “She and I together explained everything to her parents. I have very kind, understanding in-laws. They’ll help her and our sons through this.”

  “Did you tell your parents any of this?”

  He shook his head. “No. When I said they’d mellowed I wasn’t telling the whole truth. They are both suffering from dementia. In a couple of years, I doubt they’ll even know who I am. Since Eve and I are their only children, I had to act as their power of attorney.” He stared into Frankie’s eyes. “It’s not easy putting both of your parents in a nursing home. My wife and I were going to take them in, but the doctors advised us that their care would be too much for us to handle.”

  “I’m sorry, Joe,” Frankie murmured.

  “I’ll try to have any charges against you reduced if not dismissed,” George said. “After all, you didn’t have to tell us anything, but you’ve willingly cooperated.”

  “Thank you.” He nodded at George. “So, where do we go from here?” he asked as he picked up his cup of coffee.


  George pulled himself to his feet. “We’ll go to the office and take your formal statement.”

  “What would you like us to do, Sheriff?” Frankie asked.

  Sheriff Ryker took her by the arm and moved the women out of Joe Barnes’ earshot. “After I get Joe’s statement I’m going to send Deputies Paton and Allen to bring Clyde Burrows in.”

  Frankie frowned. “On what charge?”

  “No charge yet. He’ll be told he’s needed for questioning.”

  “What if he refuses to come?” Johanna asked.

  “I’m going to contact the authorities in Wyoming and also the local police department. I think we’ll have enough to hold him for a while until they sift through this mess. You three stay here. I’ll call and let you know what to do. If Brenda…I mean Eve, insists on coming with him, I’ll have you three and her brother meet her in one of the conference rooms away from Clyde. If she stays home, I’ll send you there.” He shook his head. “I can’t get used to referring to her as Eve.”

  “I know,” Frankie agreed.

  “So we would bring her brother to her apartment if she doesn’t come with Clyde?” Selma asked.

  “Yes. That would give you some time to look around while she’s reuniting with her brother. And if she knows who murdered her…Cody, she might just confess.”

  “I take it you have no suspects yet.”

  “You know I wouldn’t tell you if I did, Frankie.”

  She eyed him curiously. “If you did you wouldn’t need us to try to get Brenda to squeal.”

  Chapter 14

  Johanna sat at her desk waiting for George to call. It had been almost two hours since he left with Joe Barnes. She glanced at Frankie who’d stopped pacing and was now standing in front of the window peering out at the busy strip mall.

  “Want me to run to the coffee shop and grab some sandwiches?” She turned and waited for her mother and Johanna to respond.

  “Let’s wait a little while longer,” Johanna replied.

  “I can put on another pot of coffee,” Selma offered.

  Frankie held a hand up palm out. “None for me, thanks, Mom.”

  “Me either,” Johanna said, smiling at Selma. “But make some for yourself if you’d like.”

  “I don’t understand why you girls spend so much money on coffee at the shop next door when you’ve got a perfectly good coffee maker right here. Look at the money you could save.”

  Frankie grinned at her mother. “Mom, we use the coffee maker sometimes, but we love gourmet coffee. It’s one of our guilty little pleasures. If we couldn’t afford it we wouldn’t do it.” She studied her mother. “I don’t think you’ll ever quit pinching pennies.”

  Selma chuckled. “Probably not. It’s hard to break an old habit.”

  “It looks like we might be getting another storm,” Frankie said. “This is going to be a long hard winter.”

  “You girls should take a vacation to someplace nice and warm.” She winked at Frankie when Johanna wasn’t looking.

  Frankie beamed at her mother then quickly turned her attention back to the window before Johanna could figure out that they were up to something. Frankie had told her mother about the surprise cruise she’d booked for Johanna and herself. Selma was thrilled that they’d finally be getting some much-needed time off with no interruptions. Frankie knew that her mother would keep her secret.

  Johanna frowned at Selma before shifting her attention to Frankie. “We can’t even take a few days off without being dragged into a case.” She leaned back in her chair. “Look what happened to us with this case.” She shook her head. “It’s still a wish of mine that someday we will take a real vacation…somewhere no one can drag us into a case. I’d love nothing more than a week with nothing to do.”

  Frankie walked over to her and patted her shoulder. “Sometimes wishes do come true, sweetie.”

  Johanna reached up and grabbed her hand. “The most important one did.”

  Frankie kissed the top of her head.

  The phone buzzed and Johanna quickly picked up. “Okay, George, we’ll head over there as soon as Joe gets here.”

  * * * *

  Frankie found a parking space across the street from the building, which housed the Burrows’ apartment. Joe sat in the front passenger seat and Johanna and her mother sat in the back. When they first entered this part of the city the shock was evident on Joe Barnes’ face. Frankie felt sorry for him. He looked numb as each neighborhood they passed through was worse than the one before it.

  “I can’t believe Eve lives here and that Cody…” His voice trailed off in disgust as he surveyed the dilapidated buildings. “I hope I can convince Eve to come home with me. Sheriff Ryker is talking to a judge and since I am legally Cody’s father, he sees no problem with the body being released to my custody.”

  Frankie’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m happy for you, Joe.”

  “Joe, I’ve had a thought. I’d like to run something by you,” Selma said.

  Frankie quickly interrupted. “Mom, maybe now isn’t the best time.”

  Joe smiled weakly. “It’s okay.” He turned his head and faced Selma who was sitting behind Frankie. “Please, I’d be grateful to hear anything you have to say.”

  “I was just thinking since you said you have Brenda’s urn with her ashes, have you considered putting the urn in with your son’s body?” Selma asked.

  He nodded enthusiastically. “That’s a wonderful idea, Mrs. Barker. Brenda never got to hold him, but now they can finally be together.”

  Frankie saw the serene look that came over his face. Her mother had made a wonderful suggestion and she was proud of her for suggesting it. She was surprised that Joe Barnes and his sister could just go back to Wyoming as though nothing had happened. There had to be more to it. She looked in the mirror and knew by the expression on Johanna’s face that she was thinking the same thing.

  “Are there going to be any charges preferred?” Johanna asked.

  Joe cleared his throat. “The authorities will meet the plane. Since Eve was a minor when she left with Clyde, she won’t face as harsh consequences. I’ll most likely be charged with not getting medical help for Brenda and a few other major offenses.” He let his breath out in a whoosh. “It’s funny, but for the first time since this mess began, I feel free. I’ll never forgive myself for my part in it, but I want to do what’s right now. I owe it to Cody.”

  “What if Eve doesn’t want to go back to Wyoming?” Frankie asked.

  “Sheriff Ryker is going to explain to her that she can be held in jail and extradited back home to face charges. If she willingly goes back then the judge might not be as hard on her.”

  “Will you be contacting Brenda’s family?” Frankie asked.

  “Yes, I hope to talk with them before the newswires get hold of the story.” He sighed. “That’s one meeting I’m dreading. They think she just had her baby and ran off. I have no clue what their reaction will be.” His forehead creased. “Hopefully they’ll want to attend the services not only to say goodbye to their daughter, but also to the grandson they never got to meet.”

  “I take it they didn’t know you were the father?” Frankie asked.

  “They knew. They never once spoke to me when we ran into one another through the years. I thought they’d be curious as to why I wasn’t with Brenda. I’m sure they drew their own conclusions and most likely assumed that Brenda and I broke up and she ran off with the baby.”

  “This whole situation is unbelievable,” Selma said.

  “It’s been a nightmare,” Joe agreed.

  Frankie opened the car door. “Joe, wait here in the car. We’re going to talk to Brenda…I mean Eve, first. I’ll ring your cell phone when I want you to come up.”

  “I can’t wait to see my baby sister,” he replied nervously.

  The women all closed their doors. They walked through the cold and lightly falling snow to the building door. Frankie opened the door and led the way to Clyde and Brenda’s ap
artment.

  Frankie knocked on the apartment door. When she received no answer, she knocked again only harder this time. The door was slowly opened only a crack, revealing a chain lock. Brenda timidly peered through the crack at them.

  “Brenda, we need to talk to you,” Selma said gently. “Please let us inside.”

  “I can’t. If Clyde finds out…”

  “We know he’s not going to be home for quite a while. We’ll be long gone before he returns,” Frankie stated. “Please open the door. It’s important.”

  She closed the door, slipped the chain off, and opened the door wide. “Come in.”

  As they entered, Frankie was surprised at how clean the apartment was. She’d expected it to be as run-down as the interior hallways of the building. Instead, she saw that the walls had been freshly scrubbed. The furnishings were meager, but everything was spotless. She gave the room a quick once-over. There were no signs of any stolen goods here. At least not in this room. An old-fashioned TV sat on an old marred table. A shabby sofa rested against a wall. Two mismatched easy chairs sat facing the sofa. A few cheap pictures decorated the walls.

  Selma patted Brenda’s hand once they were seated on the green threadbare sofa. Frankie and Johanna seated themselves in the two uncomfortable black-and-red easy chairs.

  “What can I do for you?” the woman asked, eying Selma. “You said it was important.” She nervously played with a strand of her hair as she walked to the sofa and sat at the opposite end from Selma.

  “We just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

  Brenda peered at her and then at Frankie and Johanna. “I’m doing as well as can be expected,” she answered quietly. She twisted her hands together and then finally placed them in her lap.

  “We want to help you, Eve,” Frankie said.

  The woman’s face paled and her lips trembled. “What…what did you call me?”

  “We know everything. Level with us, Eve. We really do want to help you. Do you know who murdered your nephew?”

  She jumped to her feet. “I raised Cody! He was like my own son!” she shouted. “Leave me alone! Get out of my apartment!” Tears streamed down her cheeks.