A Fair to Die For

by Radine Trees Nehring

  “Maybe to cast suspicion on me—to confuse the real issue of who is bringing in drugs to sell in the Ozarks. Now, I don’t mean the primary dealer has to be John. He’d almost have to be involved, but the real boss could be someone he fears, or owes allegiance to.”

  Carrie said, “Well, at least it looks like he knows something about the drug business.”

  Henry added, “Yes, and I understand he’s been a friend of yours for a long time.”

  “That’s true, he has. Ergo, why should you believe me? I’ll give you that. I don’t blame you for being cautious.”

  He chewed in silence while looking at each of them in turn.

  Henry asked, “I’m curious about why you chose to meet Edie here. Odd location under the circumstances.”

  Sales laughed, and gestured toward their plates. “What about that, really? How could you wonder after you’ve each finished one of their meals? I eat at the mill whenever I get a chance.”

  “Hmmm,” said Carrie, licking honey off her fingers.

  Henry said, “Okay. We’ll assume for now that you had nothing to do with those four toys or the powder in them. What about John Harley?”

  “Major King, I . . .”

  “Ah, so you know something about my history in the Kansas City Police Department?”

  “Yes, I did pretty thorough research which, along with what Edie tells me, makes me think I can trust you and your wife.”

  “Trust us? For what? Not to turn you in on suspicion of being a drug dealer?”

  Sales’s smile faded, and he mashed a piece of biscuit, stirring it into his gravy.

  Watching him, Carrie thought, He’s wondering what to say next.

  “No, not that, but I’d like to believe I can trust you. You must keep what I’m about to say in total confidence. Will you do that Edie? Ms. McCrite? Major King?”

  Carrie thought, More secrets. This is high drama. Maybe we should all prick our thumbs and smear a drop of blood on paper.

  Henry said, “You must realize that depends on what you plan to tell us.”

  “Okay, I concede that. But at this point you need to know that, like you, I’m connected to law enforcement. In that capacity, I’ve had my eyes on John Harley for a couple of years, though I’ve known him much longer. In fact, I was chosen for this current job because of my attachment to craft fairs, and a long-time friendship with him, as well as a background in drug interdiction.

  “My history as an undercover agent for the old Bureau of Drug Abuse Control came to the attention of the sheriff’s department in this county, and you might say all things worked together. They approached me, and I agreed to join the effort to curb drug distribution in this part of the Ozarks, with my special focus being craft fairs.”

  Carrie looked at Edie. Was her cousin surprised? Did she know? Hard to tell. She had a blank look on her face.

  Henry asked, “So you live in this area?”

  “Yes. I normally only use the RV to travel to other craft fairs around the Ozarks. Crafting is my full-time business these days, and it provides good cover for research into drug trafficking. I had the RV here this year in order to keep a full-time watch on what seemed like a rapidly developing case centering on John Harley. But things are more complicated now that it seems John—or someone—suspects my law enforcement connection.”

  Henry gestured in the general direction of the fairgrounds. ”Did you know your RV is gone from the field over there?”

  “Yes. Deputies had it towed in last night. They’ll keep it safe for the time being.”

  “What were the people or person who searched the RV looking for?”

  “Probably something that showed I was either part of the drug trade or an agent against it. They wouldn’t have found anything because I never keep paperwork, computer files, or other information that would connect me to law enforcement where it could be located by a searcher. I’m guessing the vandalism was more because they were angry they hadn’t found what they were searching for than a product of the search. There was sure no reason to cut up bed sheets, though I can understand dumping out boxes of cereal and dry food.”

  “What about tampering with the gas lines?”

  “That could be part of the same thing, a kind of vengeance, or they could have unfastened the connections in the hope I’d come back, and, in spite of finding the mess, try to light the stove to make tea or coffee. I guess they might also think I smoke, but that would mean they don’t know me well, and I think the people who did this know me very well. Or it could just be they thought law enforcement would suppose I had unfastened the gas lines myself to destroy evidence of drug-dealing, or injure someone I expected to come in.

  “How come you didn’t either fix the leak or report it?” Carrie asked.

  “I didn’t know about it until after deputies discovered it.”

  “Oh? Really?”

  He looked at her but didn’t seem angry. “Yes, really. The excessively destructive search and the gas leak could not have happened at the same time. I saw the results of the search but I didn’t know about the leak. After discovering the vandalism, I decided the best thing I could do was remove myself completely from the scene before a more intense attack ruined all the undercover work done thus far. Better for someone to think I’d skipped and wonder why, than for me to stay and perhaps risk exposure, or a more dangerous personal attack. I’m guessing the disconnected gas lines were one form of personal attack.”

  Carrie said, “Did you have a chance to check and see if anything was missing?

  “There was only time for a quick look, but I didn’t see anything. I had my laptop, memory sticks, and a few important papers with me in the truck since an RV is not really a secure place.”

  Edie said, “What next?”

  Sales put his hand over hers. “One important thing now is for me to testify that your father was an honest man, trying to do his job. I hope to clear his name for you.”

  “And yours as well?” Henry asked.

  “Already done as regards the past, I assume, or they wouldn’t have asked me to be part of the current task force working to shut down a pipeline of drugs into the Ozarks.”

  “Maybe. Also a good way to keep an eye on you.”

  Sales laughed. “That, too,” he said, “though I’m sure it wasn’t their reason.”

  Henry finished the last bite of his honey-smeared biscuit and asked, “What evidence have you found in the way of drug distribution through craft fairs?”

  “Nothing at all until this peculiar incident with Harley. As soon as sheriff’s deputies learned about the powder-filled toys on Saturday night they contacted me, then went to the fairgrounds and did a thorough search through John Harley’s booth and his stock of bird houses and feeders. Everything was clean, maybe only because he’s very careful.”

  Carrie changed the subject. “Did you know Edie before this past week?”

  “Only by name and reputation, though, in a way, I feel like I’ve known her for years. Her father and I worked together—spent a lot of time together. He talked about his Edie a lot. He often said she was near my age, and that he’d like me to meet her. I am so glad to have finally accomplished this, though it’s been more than forty years since he died. Meeting her brings me back to those days with him. For a while we were good friends. Once this is over, I hope to go east with Edie, meet her mother, and give her news about her husband.”

  Carrie noticed Milton’s hand was still curved over Edie’s on the tabletop. “So, what next?” she asked.

  “I have a date to meet John Harley and his wife for dinner at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs tomorrow. John and Liz Harley and I are old friends, remember? They’re from Little Rock, but he told me Thursday that they’d decided to stay in this area for a few days to go antiques shopping, sightsee, and relax after the intensity of the fair. Of course that may also mean they have drug business to accomplish in this area. If they do, I’d sure like to catch them at it.”

  Carrie
said, “His wife? If she was here, why didn’t she help him out in the booth? He was alone every time I saw him and could have used some help.”

  “She has helped him off and on in other years, but he said she aggravated a back problem carrying some of his merchandise in on Wednesday. Other than a visit to a chiropractor, she didn’t leave the motel until Sunday night, and supposedly spent a lot of time in the motel’s hot tub.”

  “What motel?” Henry asked.

  Sales looked at him for a long minute, then grinned. “Well, well, you’re on the same track I am. It was Ozark Suites, and the housekeeping staff I talked to said Mrs. Harley wasn’t in the room when they cleaned it on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and no one saw her anywhere in the building during the day, though of course they couldn’t be everywhere. And, get this, the hot tub was emptied for cleaning and repair last week.”

  “How did you find that out?” Carrie asked.

  “Desk clerk. I hit it lucky. This morning I went there and asked about a room later in the week. I said one thing I’d heard recommended was their superior hot tub. Clerk told me it had been out of service for repair and cleaning for several days, but would be ready to go today. Had a hard time keeping a stone face when she told me that.”

  “What about other information?” Henry asked.

  “Ah. Well, they provide breakfast, but only coffee the rest of the time. There had been no food deliveries during the day for several days, according to the clerk.”

  “I see,” Henry said. “How did you get her and the housekeepers to talk to you without raising suspicions? I assume you didn’t want to show any official identification, faked or not. That could call attention to you and might get back to the Harleys through gossipy staff.”

  “While I was at the front desk, I said I would have a lot of office work to do if I stayed with them, and asked about order-in meals. She handed me a list. I pointed to one name on the list at random, said I had heard that one was closed, had any of the others delivered in the last few days? She said no, because the guests last week were mostly craft fair exhibitors or fair visitors, and all of those were away during the day.”

  “I speak some Spanish, and I gave the housekeeper on the Harley’s floor the impression that I have a romantic eye for Elizabeth Harley, who’s husband is a beast and demands she stay in their room all day while he’s gone. She said the lady had not been in her room when it was cleaned on any of the days they stayed there.” He laughed. “I think she suspects the woman has more than one boyfriend on the side.”

  “Good work,” Henry said.

  Edie said, “Milton, I think I should go with you to the meeting in Eureka Springs.”

  He answered her immediately. “Edie, that’s not a good idea.”

  “Y’know, Milton,” Carrie said, “When I first talked to John Harley about you, and made up a story about my cousin being a friend of yours, he said if my cousin came back, I should tell her that Milton wasn’t married. The implication was that my cousin and you should become better friends.”

  Henry said, “Carrie, please forget this whole idea. It’s potentially dangerous. Remember John Harley himself may have been responsible for the RV search and gas leak, and he surely knows the source of those powder-filled toys. He isn’t likely to continue accepting Milton Sales as a true friend.”

  “Ah. We’ll see about that,” Edie said. “That’s one reason I want to go along.”

  Carrie, excited by a new idea, said, “What about this? I’ll buy a wig, and that, with high-heeled boots, my tinted glasses, and one of my older pantsuits should conceal me pretty well. John Harley and his wife, so far as we know, have never seen you, Henry, but we’ll think of something to change your looks a bit anyway. We can be in the dining room when Milton and Edie go there. We could keep watch and provide back-up.”

  “WHAT!” Henry said, then looked around the room to see if anyone had noticed his outburst. Everyone seemed absorbed in their own conversations and food.

  “I’m not involving civilians,” Milton said.

  Edie moved her hand, put it on his arm, and stood. “My friend, I have something to explain to you. Let’s go for a walk.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  WHO’S IN DANGER NOW?

  “Well, why couldn’t they talk in front of us?” Carrie asked as soon as footsteps on the wooden stairway died away. “I suppose she’s going to tell him about her work as a confidential source for DEA, so what’s up with the secrecy?”

  Henry shrugged. “Maybe a little romance mixed in? Otherwise, there may be things about her work—and his—that we don’t need to know.”

  Carrie huffed. “Guess they don’t fully trust us.”

  “Nor we them,” he said. “And, speaking of that, we are not going to any meeting between Milton, Edie, and the Harleys. That whole adventure could be dangerous for them, assuming we have heard nothing but the straight truth this morning. It’s out of the question for us.”

  “But, Edie’s safety . . . ”

  “I know, Cara, and I understand your concern, but she’s working for the DEA by choice, what she does in relation to the Harleys is her decision alone. I’m sure she doesn’t expect us to provide back-up. I also understand Sales’s reasons for going to the Crescent Hotel, and why Edie would want to go along. Again, assuming the truth of what they’ve told us, both of them are stuck in a difficult position, with the Harleys possibly knowing or suspecting Sales is connected to law enforcement. I think Sales believes they were responsible for the wreckage and gas leak in the RV, and I agree it’s likely they were. Of course the way Harley gave those toys to you pretty much nails him as involved in the drug trade, assuming it’s true that he would have known Milton Sales did not make them.”

  “Yes, I understand all that, Henry. I’m not stupid.”

  He frowned and spent a silent moment just looking at her. “Carrie, my dear, I never said you were, let alone thought it.”

  “Well, but . . . but you were explaining things I know as if I didn’t know them.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was offending you. I was just repeating suspicions and facts as I see them, partly to think them over myself.”

  “Oh.”

  When she said nothing more, he went on. “It’s a volatile and dangerous situation, with the advantage being on the Harleys’ side for the moment. Profitable craft fair undercover work by Sales is pretty much out of the question from now on unless he can convince them he has no connection to law enforcement. Since they probably don’t suspect Edie, she could help by playing girlfriend and, in the conversation, bring up fictionalized details that prove his ordinary citizenship, or even details of his drug use, past or present. That may be what the two of them are talking over right this minute. In any case, the meeting at Eureka Springs is going to be difficult, and for us to be there in any capacity would be extremely foolish, especially if the Harleys learned we were there and who we are.”

  She nodded her head, and stared into her empty coffee cup.

  “Cara?”

  “Let’s go downstairs and see if Edie is ready to go home with us.”

  There were several more cars in the parking area, and one man had just finished unloading fishing gear from his van. While Henry watched him from the mill porch, he headed across the road to the river area below the stone dam.

  Huh, never thought of fishing the War Eagle. Might be interesting to try it out.

  There was no sign of Edie and Milton at first, but then Carrie, who had walked out into the parking lot, pointed toward the bridge on the opposite side of the mill. Henry joined her, and saw Edie and Milton leaning on the bridge railing overlooking the millrace and wheel. Edie was talking and gesturing while Milton listened, shaking his head slowly and staring down into the churning water.

  Henry wondered if this had been going on since the two left the restaurant. Well, it didn’t matter. No way he and Carrie were going to get in any deeper. Time to head for home and schedule Carrie’s intervi
ew with Investigator Burke.

  Now Sales was shaking his head more vigorously. It would have been interesting to hear what they were saying. He wondered whether Edie or Milton would prevail when it came to plans for future undercover work.

  “Should we walk over there?” Carrie asked.

  “They wanted privacy. We’ll give them what they want.”

  “For how long?”

  “Good point. I assume they’ve seen us. If we simply stand here as if waiting for them to finish, I’m sure that will speed things along.”

  “You can stand here. I’m going back inside the mill and do more looking around. They have a lot of interesting cookware on the second floor. If those two aren’t finished when I get back, then I’ll go closer and see if that reminds Edie I need to get back home and call Investigator Burke.

  “Go ahead. I’d like to watch that guy who came here to fish. Think I’ll walk to the river where he’s setting up. I might decide to try my luck here some time and maybe he can give me some pointers. I’ll find you in the mill if Edie and Milton break loose before you’re back.”

  Carrie spent more time looking at jewelry and crafts on the second floor than cookware. Before long she tired of even that, and decided to go back to the first floor for a closer look at mixes and flours she wasn’t familiar with. Just reading instructions for using some of that stuff could be entertaining, and, come to think of it, they had recipe books, too. Maybe she’d add a second cookbook to her kitchen.

  But first . . . a trip to the restroom. She went out the front door of the mill and saw Henry standing with the angler. He wouldn’t miss her. Crossing the parking lot, she opened the door to the women’s side of what she thought must be the fanciest pit toilets in Arkansas.

  She heard someone come in while she was still in a stall, and, when she opened the door to come out she gasped, and said, “This is the women’s rest . . .”

  “I know.”

  The man had a gun, and, in the close quarters, it was easy for him to push it against her neck. “We are going to walk out of here quietly, go to the van across the lot, and you are going to get in, also very quietly. If you don’t, my partner, who is playing at fishing across the road, will kill your friend so quickly he won’t know what hit him. Do you understand this?”