Come Homicide or High Water

by Denise Swanson

  Now, as Skye stifled a yawn, she really hoped the doctor was right. If the torture of one twin awake every hour between ten and six a.m. was a new pattern, even with Dorothy’s help, she’d never make it. After all, they couldn’t expect the housekeeper to be up all night with CJ and Eva and take care of them during the day too.

  Getting up at the crack of dawn to be at school by 7:20 a.m. was bad enough. But doing it without sufficient rest would be a problem. Skye had always said she could be a morning person if morning was considered a minute before noon. And she hated to think of how she’d handle difficult staff and parents if she’d been awake with cranky babies.

  Speaking of which, she rose from her chair, stretched out the kink in her back, and walked over to the bedroom to check on the twins. Both were peacefully napping in their bassinets and she fought the urge to rouse them.

  Dr. Fellows had insisted that naps didn’t cause them to sleep less at night. In fact, the pediatrician had assured Skye that it was exactly the opposite. The more they kept to their scheduled naps, the more likely they would sleep longer at night.

  Skye blew kisses at her babies, then headed back to the table to resume reading Piper’s reports. However, before she took more than a couple of steps, there was a knock on the door.

  Afraid the noise would wake CJ and Eva, Skye hurried over and looked through the window. Judy Martin stood on the little metal porch with a wrapped gift in her hands.

  Judy was the town librarian and engaged to Anthony Anserello, one of Wally’s officers. She and Skye had become good friends during Skye’s frequent visits to the Scumble River Library and Skye was looking forward to having her as a fellow police wife.

  Easing open the door, Skye put her finger to her lips and whispered, “Come in. The twins are sleeping, so we need to keep it down.”

  Judy gave her a thumbs-up and removed her jacket. As Skye hung the garment in the foyer closet, she admired the vintage purple swagger coat with its oversized moonstone plastic buttons. Although the petite brunette’s distinctive style wasn’t one that Skye could wear, she admired it on her friend.

  Once Skye closed the bedroom door, she offered Judy something to drink. The librarian’s sandy brown ponytail swung back and forth as she declined.

  She and Skye took a seat on the sofa, and after Judy gave Skye the package she’d been holding, she said, “I wanted to get this to you before all the Christmas hubbub started.”

  “What is it?” Skye fingered the crisp black-and-white paper.

  “It’s a going-back-to-work present.” Judy grinned. “I know your maternity leave doesn’t officially end for another month, but since you’ve started going into school a few days a week, I decided you needed to have it now.”

  “That is so sweet of you.” Skye tsked. “But with your wedding coming up, you shouldn’t be spending money on me.”

  Neither Judy nor Anthony made huge salaries and Skye knew they were paying for their own reception. She made a mental note to find a way to help them out.

  “Just open it.” Judy nudged the gift perched on Skye’s knees.

  “I can’t imagine what you got me.” Skye untied the shiny white ribbon, tore away the paper, and opened the flaps. Inside was a smaller box.

  “Keep going.” Judy giggled.

  Lifting the lid of the smaller box, Skye gasped. It was a silver bracelet similar to one she’d recently given away. But instead of her sorority’s letters engraved on the dangling disk, this one had an image of St. Monica, the patron saint of mothers.

  “Thank you!” Skye immediately slipped the bracelet on her wrist.

  “I had my aunt take it with her on her trip to Italy.” Judy touched the medallion. “She held it up during the Papal Blessing so it’s consecrated by the pope.”

  Skye blinked away a tear. “What an amazing gift.”

  “You are so worth it.” Judy hugged her, then sat back and said, “Is that your phone vibrating?”

  Skye dug the cell from her jeans’ pocket and swiped. It was a text from Wally. She saw that she’d missed an earlier message from him warning her to avoid Homer, but evidently, things had changed, since this text asked if she could find a sitter and get to the station by two to help with Beilin’s and Homer’s interviews. He’d added there was someone else they needed to talk to afterward and he’d explain about that in person.

  She frowned. Who could she get to take care of the twins? Her mom had taken this week off work, but she’d be busy preparing for the extended family’s huge Thanksgiving party tomorrow. Carson wasn’t getting back into town until later. And Dorothy had said she was hosting the holiday at her house and would be cooking all day. Skye was out of options.

  Sighing, she looked at her friend and said, “Sorry. I just need to let Wally know I can’t help out the PD this afternoon.”

  “Why is that?” Judy wrinkled her freckled nose.

  “All my babysitters are unavailable.”

  “I’ll do it,” Judy offered. “The library’s closed and Anthony is pulling a double shift. He won’t be home until after midnight.”

  “Wally can get along without me,” Skye demurred. Although she really wanted to be there when Wally talked to both men, she wasn’t about to impose on her friend. “I’m sure you’re busy enough getting ready for tomorrow.”

  “Nope. Anthony and I are going to his folks’ house, and all his mom wanted us to bring was a French Silk pie, which I baked this morning.”

  “Well…”

  “We’re pals, right?” Judy asked, and when Skye nodded, she said, “Friends are like boobs and I’m the real sort, not the fake kind.”

  “You definitely are, but that doesn’t mean I should take advantage of you,” Skye protested.

  “If I agreed with you about that then we’d both be wrong.” Judy smirked, then ordered, “Let Wally know you’ll be there and go get ready.” She jumped to her feet. “I remember where everything is from the time Anthony and I babysat last month.”

  “Okay.” Skye sent a quick text, then headed toward the bedroom to change clothes and put on some makeup. She paused at the door and said, “I really appreciate it. It’s one thirty and the first interview is at two, then there’s a second one, and maybe a third so I could be as late as five thirty or six.”

  “No problem.” Judy gestured to the fridge. “As long as there’re enough bottles we’re golden.” She glanced down at the black cat inching its way from under the couch. As he twined around her ankles, she added, “Okay, Bingo. And enough mushy food for you.”

  The feline meowed his agreement, and chuckling, Skye hurried away. Fifteen minutes later, she was ready, but before she left, she explained that she was weaning the twins from breast milk and told Judy the proportion of each to use for their feedings. Then thanking her friend again—for both babysitting and the bracelet—Skye got in her SUV and drove away.

  As she headed to the station, she wondered about the identity of their mysterious third interviewee. She still hadn’t come up with a viable candidate by the time she got to the PD.Pulling the Mercedes into a spot near the building, Skye trotted into the garage. She made it a habit of entering the PD this way because if she used the front entrance chances were that she’d be delayed by whoever was dispatching. They would want to chat about how fast the twins were growing or the weather or some bit of gossip, and Skye would end up being late.

  Once she was inside the station, she hurried down the hall, but when she neared the break room, she slowed as she caught a glimpse through the window of Anthony sitting with Beilin Quinn at the long rectangular table. The young officer was staring at the contractor as the man spoke on his cell phone. Every time Beilin thumped the table to make a point, Anthony flinched and fingered the gun on his belt.

  Wondering why Wally wasn’t with the suspect, Skye jogged toward the stairs to the second floor. However, before she got to them, W
ally met her at the bottom of the steps. His hair was standing on end and his shirt collar was open.

  Skye would bet the farm that she’d find his missing tie on the floor of her husband’s office. When he got frustrated, he had a bad habit of taking it off and throwing it across the room.

  “Hard day?” Skye closed the gap between them and gave him a hug.

  “Yep.” Wally laid his cheek on the top of her head and said, “I’m juggling contract negations, several suspects for Jerita’s murder, and we finally might have a lead on Edie Baker’s whereabouts.”

  Skye’s heart skipped a beat. “Really?”

  He hadn’t said Edie’s body. Maybe the poor woman was still alive.

  “You remember I told you that Martinez was viewing security recordings from the grocery and dollar stores?” When Skye nodded, he continued, “There was a section that showed a woman, who Gerald Baker identified as his wife, in the dollar store the morning of Edie’s disappearance. And it’s possible she went off with an individual that she met there.”

  “Met as in a deliberate plan or someone she casually ran into at the store?”

  Wally shrugged. “There’s no way to tell. But Gerald Baker identified the other woman in the picture with Edie and said she’d been hanging around him and his wife at various VFW and American Legion events. Possibly coming on to him.”

  “Wow!” Skye had long since stopped believing that nothing could surprise her, but she hadn’t seen that coming. “Who was it?”

  “Pru Cormorant.”

  “You’re kidding me!” Skye gasped. “Corny has a crush on Mr. Baker? Or maybe they’re having an affair and he didn’t want to admit it. I don’t think I told you that she’s improved her appearance and the rumor around the teachers’ lounge is that there’s a man in her life. A married one at that.”

  “I figured we’d head out to Pru’s house as soon as we finish interviewing Beilin and Homer and find out what she has to say about it all.” Wally rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “I thought maybe since you knew her from school, she might be more willing to talk to you.”

  “I’ll give it a try, but we’re not exactly friends, so…”

  “Well, we’ll see what happens.” Wally put his hand on the small of Skye’s back and guided her toward the break room. “Right now, let’s deal with Beilin.”

  The minute Skye and Wally walked through the door, Anthony jumped to his feet.

  Not quite saluting, the young officer said, “Chief, Mr. Quinn has been Mirandized, signed the acknowledgment form, and declined representation.”

  “Good job.” Wally nodded toward the exit. “Go ahead and get back on patrol.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He dismissed the young man, turned to Beilin, and said, “Thanks for coming in. I wanted to bring you up to speed on our investigation.”

  “Great.” Beilin frowned. “But why all the rigmarole with my rights and all?”

  “I also have a few questions for you, and our city attorney insists that we Mirandize and tape anyone we interview.” From the cabinet next to the sink, Wally took out an old-fashioned tape recorder, pushed a button, and said, “Please state your full name and address.”

  Beilin complied, then asked, “Why don’t you use your phone to record the interview?” Beilin asked.

  “The lawyer vetoed that idea because my cell isn’t city issued.”

  The contractor flicked a glance at Skye. “Why are you here, Mrs. Boyd?”

  Before Skye could speak, Wally explained her status as the psych consultant.

  “Oh. Okay.” Beilin nodded. “I guess I did hear something about that.”

  Skye took the chair next to the contractor and put her hand on his arm. “Nothing you say here will be shared with anyone else. The only reason the content of this interview will ever be made public is if you go to trial for your wife’s murder.”

  “You can’t imagine that I…” Color drained from Beilin’s face. “What reason would I have to kill her?”

  Skye opened her mouth but closed it, not sure how to answer.

  Wally ignored Beilin’s question, sat across from him, and said, “Here’s what we know so far. Although your house had been broken into previously, just a few minor items were missing and there was only some petty vandalism. In addition, nothing was stolen the day of Jerita’s murder. Correct?”

  Beilin nodded, then said, “Well, maybe her iPhone. I thought it was in her handbag, but when I went to get it out this morning, only the case was there.”

  “And you didn’t think that might be a good thing to mention to me earlier?” Wally’s ears reddened and Skye could tell he was barely holding onto his temper. “I don’t suppose you brought in the purse and case?”

  “It’s in my truck.” Beilin scrubbed his eyes. “There’s just so much to think about. I meant to bring it in when I got here, but I forgot.” He half stood. “Shall I go get it now?”

  Wally waved him back into his seat and said, “After we’re done, I’ll walk out with you and put it in an evidence bag.”

  “Sure.” Beilin perched nervously on the edge of his chair, cleared his throat, and said, “So…uh…what have you found out so far?”

  “Earl Doozier’s story has been confirmed by his fingerprints, and quite frankly, he has no motive. Plus, I seriously doubt Earl would have stuck around and phoned for help if he’d killed your wife.”

  “I still don’t trust him,” Beilin muttered.

  “Oh, I don’t trust him, but I also don’t think he’s our murderer.” Wally shot Skye a glance and said, “However, we do have a more viable suspect, one who does have a creditable motive.” Before Beilin could ask, Wally added, “I can’t share the name of that person, but another possibility has come to light and that has raised some questions.”

  “I want to know who you think killed my wife.” Beilin pounded the table.

  Skye was impressed at how easily Wally ignored the contractor’s outburst and turned the tables as he said, “Let’s start with where you were when you told Jerita you were working from dawn to dusk on our house.”

  “Uh.” Beilin licked his lips. “I… Well…” He squared his shoulders. “The thing is, a month ago, I started construction on a second home.”

  “Seriously?” Skye glared at the contractor. “You promised to finish our place before accepting another job.”

  “Your house is almost done and I would have lost out on this one if I couldn’t get things underway before the weather got bad,” Beilin protested.

  Wally put his hand on Skye’s arm and she knew he was urging her to keep her cool. She blew out a breath and nodded her agreement.

  “We’ll need to check with your other employer to verify your story.” Wally made a note, then said, “Now that you’ve answered that question, why didn’t you tell me the real reason that you left Chicago and moved to Scumble River?”

  Beilin looked down at the table and mumbled something Skye didn’t catch.

  “What?” Wally asked, leaning forward. “You need to speak up.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Beilin continued to study the tabletop as if it held a map to a Scumble River gold mine.

  “Jerita told her boss, who is my sister-in-law, that she left the city to make sure her daughter was protected,” Skye said softly. “And Loretta was under the impression it wasn’t just from the normal dangers of city life. She believed that there was a specific threat Jerita was trying to avoid.”

  “It’s possible.” Beilin shook her head sadly. “If she could, Jerita would have encased Jenna in Bubble Wrap.”

  Skye wrinkled her brow. Clearly, it wouldn’t be easy to get Beilin to talk about specifics. Glancing at Wally, Skye silently requested permission to take over the questioning. He gave a slight nod and sat back in his chair.

  “Can you give me an example?” Skye asked.r />
  “Once, in preschool, another little girl took Jenna’s snack and licked it. Then before the teacher could stop her, Jenna ate it.” Beilin shrugged. “Jerita wanted to sue the school and the teacher for neglect.”

  “I see.” Skye turned so that she was focused entirely on the contractor. “Then going after our school district and Principal Knapik wasn’t the first time she brought a lawsuit against someone.”

  “Nah. Just the first time she had a good case.” Beilin’s eyes hardened. “I think she ended up becoming a paralegal so schools and teachers would be more afraid of her and give her what she wanted for Jenna.”

  “Any other instance of Jerita’s overprotectiveness?” Skye asked.

  “She was convinced that someone was going to snatch Jenna.” Beilin sighed. “After a woman tried to talk to Jenna on the El, Jerita wouldn’t take any form of public transportation. She watched Jenna go into the school and met her at the door when it was over.”

  “So Jenna was only out of her sight when she was in class,” Skye murmured.

  “Uh-huh.” Beilin thrust out his chin. “And it was a lot more difficult to control that in the city.”

  “So nothing more specific?” Skye asked. “You’re saying that Jerita was just paranoid.”

  Beilin blinked rapidly, ran a hand over his hair, then cleared his throat, and said, “Yes.”

  Skye was pretty darn sure he was lying. She nudged Wally’s calf with her foot and gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head.

  “Would you be willing to allow us to search your house?” Wally asked. “Maybe we could locate something among Jerita’s things that would give us more of a clue about anything specific she feared in regard to Jenna.”

  Beilin screwed up his face. “Well…”

  “It would be very helpful, and if we could eliminate that area of the investigation, we could concentrate on the other suspect.”

  Skye wasn’t fooled by Wally’s smooth tone. She could see the tension around his mouth.