Fire Mountain

by Vickie McKeehan

  “Sorry, but Jimmy called. A tourist out hiking Fire Mountain found a body along the flight path where Olson’s Cessna went down. It sounds like we might’ve missed it because we were focused on the tight area around the explosion.”

  “You mean it’s been out there this entire time?”

  He took down his service weapon and stuffed it inside his holster. “I’ll know more once I get there.”

  Deflated, she took out a loaf of bread and popped two pieces into the toaster. “So much for breakfast in bed. I’ll make you a thermos of coffee and a bacon and egg sandwich to go.”

  He ran a thumb down her cheek. “I’m sorry. I know you were counting on us spending our morning together.”

  “It’s okay. Until you find out who blew up that plane and killed Talia, our life will be like this.”

  Resigned to that fact, Lando headed out the door and headed up to where Jimmy had roped off one of the trails leading to the top of Fire Mountain.

  Jimmy met him before Lando could get out of the car. “I called Tuttle.”

  “That’s a start. He’ll be elated to spend his Sunday out here again.”

  “Yeah, he grumbled about sending an assistant, but I insisted he come himself.”

  “Good for you. Another plus. Let’s see what we’ve got.”

  “There was no ID, no purse.”

  “You don’t recognize her?”

  “Nope. I don’t think she’s local.”

  “So, another Jane Doe at this point.”

  Fifteen hundred feet up an incline, Jimmy led Lando to the body, a young woman who looked no older than twenty-five. But something was off. The female remains were intact and not burned or scorched like Olson’s. This body showed signs of strangulation, similar to that of Talia.

  Lando stared at Jimmy. “Why did you tell me you thought this was from the plane crash?”

  “Because it’s only five hundred yards or so from where we found Olson’s body, around the bend there.”

  “So? Look at this woman. She was strangled in the same manner as Talia Lewis. See the bruising around her throat.”

  “I do now. I just thought…you know…since it was Fire Mountain again and so close to what happened Monday that it had to be related.”

  “It still could be. The question is, how did she get way up here. She’s wearing heels and a party dress. She certainly didn’t hike to this spot. Look at those drag marks all the way up the hill. Someone killed her elsewhere and then brought her here hoping no one would find her for a week or so.”

  “How long do you think she’s been here?”

  Lando squatted beside the body, picked up the victim’s hand. “Since sometime late last evening, maybe around midnight. Rigor is just setting in. I’d say she got dressed to go out and never made it back home, wherever home is. But why dump her out here? Why?”

  “Maybe the killer was near here, and this was the closest place.”

  “How far is the airstrip from this spot?”

  “Less than a mile.”

  “Wait for Tuttle. I’m headed to the hangar to talk to O’Dell Owen.”

  “Is he there on a Sunday?”

  “Good point. I’ll look up his home address.”

  As it turned out, O’Dell Owen lived a few houses down from Talia Lewis on Baffin Bay. With storybook lines and a steep, catslide roof, the architecture made the Owen cottage look like a Western-style barn. But that was part of its charm.

  When Lando knocked on the door, he was surprised to see O’Dell answer wearing a wetsuit. “I didn’t peg you as a surfer.”

  “Swimmer,” O’Dell corrected. “I was just about to head out for a swim.”

  “How come the day I was out at the hangar you never mentioned that you lived down the street from Talia Lewis?”

  “You never asked me. What are you doing here?”

  “I need a list of every person who uses the hangar, whether he flies for someone else or has his own plane. I need the names of every mechanic who’s ever worked there, too.”

  O’Dell frowned in protest. “That’ll take all morning to put together.”

  Lando stepped inside without an invitation. “That’s okay. I don’t have anything better to do.”

  “But…it’s my day off. Couldn’t I just give it to you tomorrow?”

  “You’d think that, but no. I need it now. Shouldn’t you have a list of everyone who has access to the planes?”

  “It’s on the office computer.”

  “There you go. I’ll drive you out there myself and drive you back.”

  O’Dell’s shoulders slumped at the thought of spending his Sunday morning at work. “Okay, fine. Let me change my clothes. I’ll have to plow through the files. I don’t keep stuff like that here at home. And I sure don’t have it stored away in my head.”

  “That’s fine. Did you know Talia?”

  “Sure. She was a nice lady. We went out a couple of times, saw Fortitude down at the Duck & Rum once or twice.”

  “How’d you feel about her marrying Brandt Lewis?”

  “I told her she was making a huge mistake, that she hadn’t known him long enough to marry him. But she said he was wealthy. And money meant a lot to Talia, especially after she lost the weight.”

  “Were you angry with her?”

  “What are you getting at, Chief? I didn’t kill her. I was disappointed that she married the guy, but I wouldn’t have hurt her. If you’re looking at a suspect, why not look at Lewis? He’s the guy who married her for her money, not me.”

  “You live here alone?”

  “Yeah, ever since my wife left me and moved to Redding. Two years back now. She met another man. She never liked living here anyway. Coyote Wells didn’t have enough nightlife to suit her. Living here, living with me, was just too boring. She reminded me that enough times. You see, Chief, I married a party girl, a woman I met online, same as Talia did Brandt. That’s why I tried to warn Talia that she should wait, get to know him better. But she wouldn’t hear of it.”

  “That’s actually the third time I’ve heard the same thing. Talia did have friends who did their best to warn her off Brandt. Maybe you should stop blaming yourself. No one could have kept her from doing what she wanted to do.”

  “You got that right. Her mind was made up the minute Brandt started claiming he had money. Hell, that man didn’t even own his own plane. Everybody knows the truly wealthy own at least one jet or lease it.”

  “What did you just say?”

  “What? Nothing. I’m just talking, making conversation.”

  “No, you just gave me a new avenue. Come on, get dressed. I need that list of every person who ever used that airfield in the last two months.”

  Captain Jack’s was abuzz with the news that another body had been discovered. Rumors circulated that it was another one connected to the man they knew as Woodson in some way.

  But that didn’t make any sense to Gemma. She shuffled to and from the grill listening to one theory after another. She couldn’t wait to get the details from Lando. He’d know, she thought, know if there’s a link to the other deaths.

  Without any evidence to back up their gossip, the chatter persisted all through brunch. Doing her best to ignore the speculation, she took a few minutes to call Radley and ask if he’d check on the dogs. “Use your key, will you? I had to leave them alone. Too many things to do today and too many places to go.”

  After last night in the parking lot, Radley was happy to help. “Don’t worry. I’ll drop in and make sure they’re okay, make sure they have enough water to make it until you get back home.”

  “Thanks. I owe you one.”

  With one less thing to worry about, Gemma went about her chores. In between the breakfast rush and brunch, she approached Lydia about Leia’s deception. “Would you ever keep something like that from Paul about an ex-boyfriend? Seems sort of trivial to me.”

  “No, but then I don’t have ex-boyfriends, now do I? Plus, I’m not my daughter. She’s sup
er-sensitive about stuff that happened back in high school, especially when it concerns Zeb. He doesn’t make things easy with his…”

  “Smug persona,” Gemma added.

  Slicing tomatoes, Lydia laughed. “I see you’ve been talking to Luke. He does have a point. Zeb’s always been a bit like his parents, unwilling to forgive mistakes.”

  “I thought you liked Theo and Rima?”

  “Oh, I do, well enough. But do you ever see them come into town for dinner? No. They do their eating out on the Rez. Nothing wrong with supporting the eateries there. Unless their son is engaged to a woman who cooks at the family-owned restaurant, and yet, Theo and Rima never set foot in here. Willow comes in once in a while to order takeout, but that’s as far as it goes. The only time they socialize here in Coyote Wells is when someone specifically asks them to a party or an event.”

  “Like the book club.”

  “That, or the engagement party. I was never a hundred percent sure they’d even show up to it.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “I wish. The Longhorns are very standoffish when it comes to rubbing elbows with the rest of us. You do know Theo had a fit when Zeb had to go to high school here in town. The school on the Rez only went to eighth grade. That was a problem for him. So ask yourself, where are we having the wedding? The Longhorn ranch, that’s where.”

  “It makes for a beautiful backdrop, though,” Gemma pointed out. “It’s surrounded by the natural wonders here—Shadow Canyon, Fire Mountain, and a view of Spirit Lake from Moonlight Ridge.”

  “All true. I’m not arguing about the scenery. But Theo and Rima wouldn’t hear of having the ceremony anywhere else, not at my house or Leia’s.”

  “That’s why Leia gave in?”

  “Of course, she often gives in where the Longhorns are involved. She doesn’t want bad blood brewing before the wedding. Despite the badass attitude my daughter gives off, Leia doesn’t really like confrontation.”

  “Except when it concerns Lando,” Gemma muttered. “So, let me get this straight, you think this standoffish attitude is due to the entire Longhorn family thinking they’re better than the townsfolk?”

  “No, not that exactly. Theo and Rima have trust issues that go way back. To me, they’ve instilled those same issues into their children. Less so when it comes to Willow and Trent, but since Zeb is the oldest, he seems honor-bound to not rock the boat.”

  “You’re building up to something.”

  “I wonder, worry really, whether Zeb keeps trying to remain in the good graces of his parents or will he ever put Leia first? Just because he’s marrying her doesn’t mean he practices doing that.”

  “I know he loves her, Lydia. It’s not a horrible foundation to build on.”

  “But they need to trust each other more. Zeb needs to stick up for Leia more often than he does. It’s no different than you and Lando finding your love again and learning to trust each other, more so than before.”

  “Zeb and Leia love each other. I have to hope that’ll be enough for them to put each other first…always.” Gemma sensed she’d opened up a can of worms and wished she’d never brought up the subject.

  That’s why when Lianne and Luke showed up, Gemma grabbed her purse and put on her Mackinaw, preparing to get out of there as fast as possible. “I’m supposed to head up the trash detail out at Protect the Paws this afternoon. It looks like it could rain any minute, which means many of my volunteers will probably opt to stay home.”

  Luke wrapped an apron around his waist as he started to pick up plates from the lunch rush. “I’ll say one thing. You’re the busiest mayor Coyote Wells has seen since I got back in town after medical school. Fleet never cared about how much trash littered the roadway.”

  “He should have,” Lianne pointed out. “More people in charge should care about littering. I went out there the other day to see the mess for myself. Inez isn’t that far out of town. No telling what tourists think of us if we won’t take care of the land any better than we do.”

  “You should be mayor,” Gemma whispered to Lianne. “Next time I’m putting your name on the ballot.”

  “Don’t you dare,” Luke warned.

  “So, it’s okay if I’m stuck doing this job but not Lianne. Is that it? I could draft you to be assistant mayor, how would you like them apples?”

  Luke turned slightly pale at the idea. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Wouldn’t I? For now, I don’t have time to debate the issue. I’ve got to get going, but we should definitely sit down and discuss you guys putting aside more time for community service on a more permanent basis. Everyone I know should pitch in more.” Gemma waved goodbye to Lydia and darted out the side door.

  Luke stared at Lianne. “She’s kidding, right?”

  Lianne watched Gemma get into her Volvo. “I don’t think she is. Right now, she’s frazzled with so much to do. We’ll let her settle down before we start to panic.”

  Panic wasn’t precisely how Gemma described her mood as she pulled up to the animal shelter. She spotted Inez walking along with Ellen and Shaun surveying the progress from the day before. It seemed Ellen had already taken charge of the volunteers—four employees from her own garden center.

  That was fine by Gemma. She could turn the entire project over to Ellen and walk away, which meant she could touch base with Lando and meet him where the hikers had discovered the body. She sent him a text, giving him an update to that effect. Almost immediately, he sent back a reply.

  When you’re done at the animal shelter, meet me back at the house. I’ll need your help going over a long list of suspects, new ones.

  No problem. I’ll meet you there.

  Inez tapped on the car window. “I’m glad to see so much of the trash gone.”

  Despite the ominous-looking clouds overhead, Gemma opened the door and stepped out into the mud. “I said I’d find a way to haul it off.”

  “You did. I didn’t believe you. You should know the dogs carried on something awful last night. Wouldn’t settle down until around two a.m.”

  The rain began to fall, little splats at first and then bigger ones. Gemma pulled the hood up on her Mackinaw. “Really? Were you aware that another young woman was found not far from here? She’d been murdered.”

  Inez’s face fell. “What are we coming to these days, killing each other off like we’re stark-raving mad? I’m alone out here have been for years. But I’ve never felt as afraid as I do these days.”

  “I’ll get Lando to increase police patrols out here. And the camera he installed across from your property should help.”

  “You’re a wonder. You’ve certainly got my vote next election cycle.”

  Gemma wasn’t sure she wanted Inez’s vote or anyone else’s. But she took it as a sign she was doing something right. Instead of heading home, she turned the car toward Fire Mountain just to get a look at where the woman had been found. It wasn’t difficult to locate. She drove until she spotted Tuttle’s county vehicle parked at the side of the road leading to the foothills. To her surprise, Lando’s cruiser was parked next to it.

  After pulling in behind the patrol car, she cut the engine and got out in the downpour. She could see the techs were hurrying to finish getting the tent up around the victim to protect their crime scene.

  Jimmy rushed up to where she stood. “It’s a mess out here.”

  “Where’s Lando?”

  “He’s talking to Tuttle. It seems there’s a problem. Since she was killed somewhere else, Tuttle wants to wrap it up because of the weather. But Lando is insisting that he stay put.”

  “Butting heads again I take it? Doesn’t Tuttle understand Lando’s just trying to be thorough?”

  “I think our medical examiner is fed up with all the bodies. He says his autopsy room is backed up.”

  “That’s not Lando’s fault. Murders are generally frowned upon. To solve them, you need the facts.” But when she saw the techs bring out the body from inside the tent, she knew
Tuttle had prevailed. She watched everyone start to pack up and leave.

  All but Lando. He stood alone in the rain as it beat down, looking defeated. Drops of water ran down his concerned face.

  Gemma made a mad dash toward him. Navigating the hill in slippery mud along with thick patches of underbrush and scrub that made the terrain tough to climb.

  “Get out of this mess,” Lando shouted over a clap of thunder. “You don’t want to be here.”

  “I do. I need to see for myself where she was found.”

  “If you’re sure…” He held back the flap on the tent so she could step inside. He pointed to the indent on the ground. “She was probably here for less than twelve hours. It’s bound to be significant that she was left right here in this spot.”

  “Why didn’t they just drag her farther up the hill to that cave we used to play in when we were kids?”

  The look on Lando’s face showed he hadn’t thought of that. “Good question. Did the killer not know it was there?”

  “Which might indicate he’s a local but hasn’t lived here long enough to know the ins and outs of Fire Mountain.”

  Lando wiped some of the moisture off his face. “You’re right. Any local would know if you wanted to hide a body and got this far, you’d continue on up the side of the hill to the cave. If the victim’s hidden away, out of sight, the killer would have the advantage.”

  “When’s the last time you were up there?”

  “At the cave? Years.”

  “See what I mean. No hiker around to stumble on the body. It might be years before she’s found if he’d only thought to hide her in the cave.”

  He grabbed her shoulders and brought her into him. “You’re amazing. That’s why I love you.”

  “Hmm. I love you because you look sexy in the rain.”

  “That should be my line.”

  “Too late. Now that we’ve established your killer’s a moron, could we get out of the cold?”

  “Good idea. Let’s go home and try to salvage the rest of our Sunday.”

  Salvaging their Sunday meant showering to get warm. Afterward, the two built a fire and huddled in the living room, going over the new list of suspects. Rufus and Rolo were curled into each other taking a nap in front of the fireplace.