Lando stepped back to where Gemma stood. “What’s up?”
“Inez was out of town the week Talia went missing. She had Ebbie and Corkie out here to take turns housesitting and working the kennels during the time she was gone. So I took the initiative and called Ebbie and Corkie about their time staying here.”
“And?”
“They didn’t see or hear anything the night Talia disappeared. They don’t even remember the dogs kicking up a fuss. Could the killer have left the car here without disturbing the dogs?”
“Doesn’t seem likely, does it? Although the location is a good two hundred yards away from the kennels.”
“That’s true. And the dogs would’ve been inside their enclosures. Inez sees to that. They aren’t kept out in the weather. So, it stands to reason that Ebbie and Corkie would’ve followed that same practice. Even when Inez agreed to do this, Marissa saw to it that the carpenter she hired built the best cages for the animals. I’ve been up there. It’s difficult to hear the road noise from inside. Ten minutes ago, I couldn’t even pick up the techs milling about.”
Lando mulled that over. “Just our luck that the killer must’ve slipped in and out of the area without being seen or heard. But how did he leave? If he left Talia’s car here, what did he do for transportation to get back to town? Walk? I doubt that. If only we’d had a security camera installed.”
“You can’t cover every crime scene with CCTV,” Gemma noted. “But having found the car in this spot, doesn’t that mean the killer was familiar with the area?”
“Probably. A local then.”
“Mind me asking about… you know, the body?”
He shook his head. “You don’t want to know. Decomposition. A week. You do the math.”
“It was her though, right? It was Talia?”
“Yeah.”
“How’d she…?”
“Strangled, I think. Bruising around the throat and neck area. You heard that stuff Tuttle found out about Woodson, right?”
“Not difficult to believe after all those gold coins. Any word on whether or not they were real?”
“Just a matter of time before we know for sure. Want me to have Payce take you back to the office?”
She glanced over at the roadway. Payce was directing traffic, only most of the cars belonged to the county, most had pulled over to work the scene. “If you can spare him, that would be great. I need to take the dogs for a walk anyway. And someone needs to break the news to Leia that her friend’s been found.”
Gemma sat in one of the booths across from Leia inside Captain Jack’s. Leia had taken the news about Talia hard.
“So she’s been out there all this time?”
“Looks like.”
“Do you think that jackass will even have a funeral?”
“By jackass, I’m assuming you mean Brandt?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, just checking. Payce was on his way to the Lewis home after dropping me off here. The answer is pretty clear, though. As her husband, Brandt would be in charge of things like that.”
“Well, that sucks. Talia deserved better than that jerk. She was a good person, always willing to help out here if I needed her.”
“What? Are you saying Talia worked here? When was this?”
“Before you came back to town before she met Brandt Lewis online, she waitressed here sometimes. She didn’t need the money. She did it as a favor to Mom and to me. That’s the sort of person she was.”
“If she planned to leave town, would you have known about it?”
“Before Brandt, yes. After Brandt, no. The man was a control freak, had to know where she was every minute of every day. It drove her crazy. I know because she had this special phone she used to text me. Do you really think she’d gotten fed up with him and decided to leave? Wouldn’t that prove Brandt is the one who killed her?”
“I see your point. But I don’t think he did, Leia. I just don’t. He might’ve wanted to, but she didn’t die because Brandt was the person who strangled her.”
“Then who did?”
“I don’t know that. Where did she keep this special phone she used to text you?”
“No idea. All I know is that she kept it from Brandt. I’m not much help, am I?”
“None of us are at this point. If it’s any consolation, I’ll keep Brandt on my radar, on Lando’s. Maybe I’m completely off base on this.”
“Thanks. At least you’re willing to admit it.”
“Are things any better with Zeb?”
“We didn’t talk last night if that’s what you mean. I got home late and he was already asleep.”
“What can I do?”
Leia let out a sigh. “I don’t know. I’m starting to panic.”
“Do you want to marry Zeb or not?”
“I love him. You know that. But I’m not sure we work as a couple.”
“Leia, this is always what you do. Whenever you start to get close to what you want, you somehow find a way to sabotage it. Are you sure this isn’t on you?”
Leia put both hands over her face. “I don’t know. Maybe. I just feel this overwhelming urge to call it quits.”
Gemma pulled Leia’s hands away so she could look into her eyes. “Stop doing this to yourself. Maybe you should take a few days off, go somewhere and relax. What about taking this weekend and going to the cabin, spending some time alone to get your head on straight?”
“I could do that, although I’d be leaving Mom in the lurch.”
“I’ll cover for you. Lydia can run the grill and I’ll waitress.”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course. I don’t like seeing you so down.”
“Let me think about it. I’d need to figure a way to explain it to Zeb, my leaving for the weekend without him.”
That might be tricky, Gemma decided, but she kept her opinion to herself as she left Leia depressed and upset. Rufus and Rolo were ready for a nap, so instead of going to the office, she took them home.
If she was convinced Brandt had nothing to do with Talia’s death, then maybe she should back up that theory with some solid proof. She’d have to find it first, though.
After getting the dogs settled, she needed a decent cup of coffee. She’d have to do something about that swill at City Hall. For now, she needed an uptick in attitude and knew just the place to get a shot in the arm.
The chocolate shop smelled heavenly. She yearned to be back behind the counter with Lianne.
“God, I miss this place.”
Lianne looked up when the bell above the door jingled. “Is it really that bad?”
“Lianne, you wouldn’t believe how messed up things are at City Hall. Make me a double expresso and I’ll unburden my soul.”
Lianne moved to the commercial coffee machine and began to grind the beans. “You got it. I know it’s almost lunchtime, but how about sharing a pack of truffles, too? I could use a break.”
“Sounds yummy. I could use a chocolate fix. I also need your help.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I need you to talk the Happy Bookers into keeping an eye on Brandt Lewis without him catching on.”
“You’re kidding?”
Gemma slid onto a stool at the counter. “I’m not. I’d do it myself, but I don’t have the time. Besides, if the members take turns watching him, it might be a better plan all-around.”
“Are you sure he didn’t murder his wife? Because that would be dangerous for little old ladies like Enid Lloyd.”
“You’re right. Don’t include Enid in this or Birdie. Stick with Ginny Sue and Dinah Underwood. Those two women love that kind of stuff. And since Elnora and Ansel postponed their retirement, they haven’t taken off in their RV yet so they might be up for an adventure.”
Lianne snickered and placed a cup of espresso in front of Gemma. “Luke and I could take a shift in the evenings, might put a bit of sizzle into our relationship.”
“Not you two? Please don’
t tell me you and Luke are having relationship issues. What with Leia having second thoughts about the wedding…”
“No, nothing like that. It’s just that there’s nothing much to do in this town for entertainment. The other night we packed up the car, took the telescope up to Moonlight Ridge to look at the stars.”
“That sounds romantic. What are you complaining about?”
“I miss having a mall. I know how that sounds, but there are some things you just can’t pick out online. You need to try on outfits and look into the mirror and make all the wrong choices anyway.”
A stream of laughter escaped from Gemma. “Ah. Is that why you want the bookstore off the ground? You’re planning on stocking dresses in the back?”
Lianne chuckled. “No. Besides, I doubt a bookstore will have mass appeal. Only a small percentage of residents like to read in their spare time. Just look at how small the book club is. The rest sit at home glued to Netflix, streaming reruns from ten years back, reliving another decade.”
“So, if the bookstore isn’t the answer, then what is?”
“Luke and I have been batting around an idea. What if we make it like a community center, a meet-up place to hold pottery classes or maybe…dances? We could get live entertainment in there, like Fortitude. Maybe it’s time the band had a permanent place to perform instead of dealing with Greendeer every Saturday night.”
Gemma sipped the strong caffeine, beginning to feel its kick. “Not large enough for that kind of venue. Unfortunately. But the community center idea begs further consideration. The town could use a place that encourages creativity, a place where kids and adults alike could appreciate reading, art, music, even theatre.”
“I doubt it would make much money.”
“Does everything have to be about money?”
“No, that’s not me talking. I just thought…you know…everything is about the bottom line these days. Everyone wants to become the next gazillionaire.”
“True. Look at that fake Brandt Lewis. He’s a piece of work, that one.”
“Just not a wife-killer?”
“Not you, too? Leia thinks I’m way off base.”
“Are you?”
Gemma swiped a hand through her hair. “Haven’t you ever had a feeling so strong, yet it makes no sense?”
“Sure. Coming here from Portland to find Collette’s killer against my parents’ wishes.”
“There you go. But you met Luke here and the move changed your life.”
“Is that how you feel about Brandt Lewis?”
“Pretty much. It doesn’t make sense yet. But I’m certain he wasn’t the one who wrapped his hands around Talia’s throat and watched the light go out.”
Lianne paled at that description and shook her head. “I don’t know how you deal with visions like that. But it sounds to me like you’re not certain enough to give him a pass, otherwise you wouldn’t want us to keep tabs on him. Could he have had a hand in it? You know, paid someone to do it.”
“That’s what bothers me. Brandt might not have been involved directly, but maybe he got someone to carry out the murder for him.”
“Ah. So he still might be dangerous?”
“Absolutely. Which is why I wouldn’t want you or anyone else to get close enough to him to get a reaction. The legwork is strictly from a distance.”
“Got it. I’ll let the others know to stay back and observe.”
Gemma finished off her espresso. “I needed that. Do you or Luke have any clue what’s wrong with Leia? This is more than wedding jitters.”
Lianne stopped cleaning the coffee machine and turned from the equipment to look at Gemma directly. “I don’t know if it means anything, but Luke did mention he saw her meeting some woman they went to high school with out on the road leading to the Rez. The two cars were pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. Leia had gotten out of her car and handed the woman an envelope.”
Gemma’s mouth fell open. “Some girl from high school? When was this?”
“The Sunday after your wedding. Could it mean something?”
“No idea. But why would meeting this woman make Leia act so jumpy? Did Luke give you a name?”
“I don’t think he mentioned it. Besides, I wouldn’t have paid much attention to the name anyway because I wouldn’t have known who he was talking about. I went to Grant High School on the north side of Portland, remember?”
“Right. So, Leia started acting weird the Sunday after the wedding?”
“Seems like. Yeah. But no one knows why.”
“That’s the question, isn’t it? You do the legwork on Lewis. I’ll do my own with Leia.”
Lando did a little legwork of his own. Tuttle had mentioned that Woodson liked to hang out at one bar in particular—Thackery’s Pub down at the pier.
Owned by a Brit named Peg Thackery, the tavern was a more upscale place than the Duck & Rum. The clientele hung out in the cozy setting with a flair for authentic, old-world English atmosphere, sipping overpriced cocktails, imported cognac, or any number of genuine craft ales.
They could order shepherd’s pie, drink warm beer or play a game of darts or cribbage to while away an afternoon trading gossip.
A few customers were keeping their barstools warm when Lando walked up to the counter. A few he recognized as regular patrons, a few he didn’t. Today, Peg’s son tended bar. A strapping lad at six-four, Denham Thackery, otherwise known as Denny, was a college grad who’d come back home after getting his four-year degree to help his mother make sure the bar stayed in the black.
“Hey there, Denny. How’s it going?”
“Hey, Chief. What can I get you?”
“Coke for now,” Lando said, taking out his phone and bringing up Woodson’s photograph. “Ever see this guy in here?”
Denny studied the picture for a few seconds before nodding his head. “In here all the time. He’s the guy whose plane went down yesterday, right?”
“One and the same. Who did he usually talk to, spend time with when he was in here?”
Denny sat a glass of soda on the bar. “Hmm. Mostly sat with Kenny Painter, sometimes with Lucien Thorne, sometimes he’d finish off a Guinness with Tully Beacham. Darby Berwick was another one of his pals.”
Lando already knew about Beacham from Tuttle, but his forehead furrowed into deep lines at learning about the other names. “Lucien the boat captain, Painter from the casino, and Darby Berwick who works at the old shipyard, am I right?”
“Yeah, those guys were his drinking buddies.”
“Doesn’t Painter manage the nightshift out at the casino?”
“Sure does, five nights a week. I’d say those times when Kenny wasn’t working, though, he was usually in here.”
“With Woodson?”
“Yep.”
Lando started to take out money for his Coke, but Denny stopped him. “On the house. Anytime you want coffee or a soda, they’re free to any member of law enforcement.”
“Thanks. Tell me something, Denny. Did that also apply to Woodson since he was former ATF?”
“Sure. Get a pint or two in that guy and he loved to talk about his days as an agent, couldn’t shut him up.”
That didn’t sound like it matched up with what Tuttle had said about Woodson keeping to himself. But maybe that was because Tuttle hadn’t been around to hear Woodson brag about his exploits. Such a phony, Lando mused as he headed for the door. When he got to his cruiser, he texted Zeb.
What do you know about Kenny Painter?
Likes to party. Likes women. Spends money like it grows on trees. Why?
Because he was a friend of Peter Woodson’s.
The ATF agent?
ATF was a front. Woodson was a fake. I think we need to talk. You free now?
You bet. I’m intrigued. My office or yours.
Yours. I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Have fresh coffee waiting.
The tribal police department on the Rez sat in the shadow of Fire Mountain. The building was a moder
n facility that touted state-of-the-art everything. From immaculate holding cells to an oversized evidence room to the latest equipment and cruisers, Zeb worked around the best. As Lando saw it, the only drawback was personnel. Not only was Zeb woefully understaffed, but the six officers who worked under him were raw recruits with little or no on-the-job experience.
Lando arrived at the front desk toting a bag with the samples of coins to show Zeb. He recognized the officer, or rather the trainee, who greeted him as Cody Chato.
Lando wagered Cody still hadn’t celebrated his twenty-second birthday. “How ya doin’? I’m here to see Zeb.”
“Thought so. The boss is in the breakroom waiting for you. It’s through those double doors.”
Over a plate of fresh pastries and a pot of coffee, Lando caught Zeb up with everything he knew about the uncertainty of his three cases. “I’m drowning here, Zeb. I’ve got a phony guy who landed in Coyote Wells five years ago pretending to be an ATF agent. If that isn’t bad enough, all I needed was a cold case murder of an unknown female found in a box at his residence. Throw in a murdered housewife who didn’t get along with her new husband, and I’m in deep. Not to mention my victim married the guy after meeting him online less than a year ago.”
“And people say the Rez has problems,” Zeb lamented. “Let’s start with the one I know about firsthand. Leia says Gemma doesn’t think Talia was murdered by the husband. But what are the facts? He’s already lawyered up, already shut the door in Leia’s face and yours. Why is he so defensive if he’s got nothing to hide?”
“Gemma’s belief is a sticking point right now. That’s why I’m waiting for Tuttle to tell me if he found any useable DNA in Talia’s car that might lead to another suspect.”
“But finding the husband’s DNA in Talia’s vehicle is hardly a smoking gun. He probably drove it at least a hundred times.”
“Exactly, which leaves me nowhere. As for Woodson and his phony background, Tuttle told me he kept to himself. But I found out he hangs around with Painter at Thackery’s. I need to know if Woodson also hung around the guy while he was working at the casino.”
“You want me to go to the casino and see if I can find Woodson and Painter on video together?”
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