Murder On Spirit Island (Niki Dupre Mysteries Book 1)

by Jim Riley

  “I'm sure you've seen the news reports.”

  “Not really,” Niki replied. “I watch little TV these days.”

  “Juliette, my cousin. Someone stabbed her to death in her condo. All the evidence points to Dalton Bridgestone.”

  “I can't say that I know him,” Niki said. “I've seen his picture in the paper, but I don't know him.”

  “Evidently, he had Juliette fooled. She adored the bastard. Thought the world of him.”

  “Why would he kill her?”

  “There are some reports she was gonna write a book and reveal some of the senator's inner circle workings. Maybe some of his other romances. The guy is a real sleazebag. Supposedly, there's some real dirt that she was gonna make public. The current theory we're working on is he didn't want that information aired.”

  “But you said they were engaged.”

  John nodded. “We figure he gave her a ring so she would forget the book idea.”

  Nike looked at the intense face of the man in the chair.

  “Looks like you're taking this personal.”

  A deep frown crossed John's face.

  “I am. His fiancée was not just any young lady. She was my favorite cousin. We were real close.”

  Niki couldn't help but see the tear forming in the macho man's eye.

  “I'm sorry. I remember now, but I didn't make the connection when I heard it on the news.”

  She reached across the small space and rested her hand atop his.

  “It's okay. I just hope I find that piece of trash first. We won't have to worry about the expense of a trial if I can get to him before anyone else.”

  “Do you have any idea where he went?”

  “No. It's like he just vanished off the face of the earth.”

  Niki withdrew her hand. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  John shook his head.

  “Not with that case, but I came here to ask your help.”

  Niki laughed. “I wondered what would bring you back to the slums.”

  “Central is far from the slums. Compared to many of the neighborhoods I work, it's a resort area. You did well staying here and starting your business. You're in one of the best areas in the parish.”

  Niki let out a big breath.

  “Hasn't done much for my bank account lately.”

  Her eyes settled on the stack of bills on the right side of her desk.

  John's eyes followed hers.

  “That bad, huh? This is a tough business to crack. A lot of folks will go with the more experienced agencies.”

  She picked up two bills on top of the stack.

  “It's been a tad slow.” She paused before continuing. “I know this isn't a social call. You haven't dropped in on me unexpectedly since you were a senior in high school and I was a freshman. Then you dropped me like a hot potato.”

  John looked down at his shoes.

  “You know I went to Ruston to play football. I didn't come back to Central often.”

  She laughed out loud.

  “Excuses, excuses, excuses. You should have majored in agriculture.”

  He glanced up with a confused look. “Huh?”

  “With as much manure as you just dumped in here, I could grow a garden. Tell the truth. Why don't you fess up and tell me that Donna Gaddy was the real reason you didn't call me again?”

  John dropped his gaze back to his shoes.

  “You know we're not together anymore. She couldn't do the things she wanted to do on a detective's salary.”

  Niki shook her head.

  “No, I didn't know. So is this a social call?”

  The muscular man looked at her directly with his deep blue eyes.

  “No. We have another case I'd like for you to help with if you can fit it in.”

  Niki stifled a laugh.

  “Tell me about it. I'm sure I can squeeze it in somewhere for an old friend, even if he dumped me like yesterday's fish.”

  John's face turned red.

  “I didn't—It's not like that. I would have called.”

  “Never mind. That's history, and I got over it a long time ago.” Niki lied. “Tell me about this other case.”

  “A friend of mine—actually, he's my brother-in-law. Bobby married my sister, Rebecca, last year. Bobby Welker, that's his name.” He paused. “Anyway, my sister and I are included in the 'we' that wants you to help.”

  Niki could see the discomfort in John's movements.

  “Want me to get you some coffee? I don't keep a pot going, but I can brew some up in a jiffy.”

  He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’d rather get this all out while I can keep my train of thought.”

  Niki picked up a paper notebook and a pen. “Okay, shoot.”

  John squirmed a little in his chair before looking back at Niki.

  “Bobby's dad disappeared.”

  “When?”

  “Last night.”

  John folded his hands in his lap.

  “What happened?”

  “His family and hunting club hold an annual fishing weekend on Spirit Island. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but it's in the Mississippi River right north of town, close to the Port Hudson Cemetery.”

  Niki jotted down the notes on her pad.

  “The old Civil War park?”

  John nodded. “That's the one. He's in a hunting club on the island. They get all the family and kids together for a weekend of fishing after every hunting season. It's a fun time for everyone to get with their families and also clean up the camp after the deer season is over. You know, have a meeting and sort of make plans for the next year.”

  “What's the dad's name?”

  “Henry. Henry Welker.”

  “The hunting club's name?” Niki asked with her eyebrows arched.

  “I don't know. Bobby's dad leases the land from the Amite River Drainage Authority. It's twenty-three hundred acres cut off when the Mississippi River changed directions and formed a channel isolating the island. No place on earth better to grow big deer.”

  Niki nodded. “Aha. I remember now. They were gonna build a conversion canal. I knew I'd heard of Spirit Island before. You said he disappeared last night?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did he go missing trying to reel in a big catfish?”

  “No. Mr. Henry was the last one at the camp on the island after everyone else had packed up and gone home. He is like that according to Bobby. He likes to make sure everything is just right and doesn't trust anyone else.”

  “How do you know he's missing? He could have spent another night in paradise.”

  John shook his head.

  “When he didn't show up at home, his wife called Bobby. He went back out to the island and looked for him, but found nothing, including his boat. Everything was in place and locked up. He tried to call his cell, but didn't get an answer.”

  John paused while Niki caught up with her notes. Then he continued.

  “This morning, a fisherman found his boat south of town near Sorrento. There was some blood in the boat and we're assuming the tests will show it belongs to Mr. Welker.”

  Niki looked up from the notes.

  “Sounds like a case for the cops. That'd be you.”

  “We looked into it. I went to look at the boat. There wasn't enough blood to determine if Mr. Henry is dead or just hurt. The department is so tied up with the senator's fiasco, there aren't enough resources to launch a full-scale investigation without proof he's dead.”

  Niki smirked. “What you mean is there is so much press coverage of the other case, it's gonna take priority over everything else. Isn't that what you mean?”

  John nodded, and looked back down at his shoes.

  Niki laughed. “I wish I held as much interest as your shoelaces.”

  John smiled at her.

  “If only you knew.”

  Niki blushed and changed the subject.

  “So what do you want me to do with the case?”

&nb
sp; “The family, meaning my sister and Bobby, want you to find out what happened. They asked me to recommend someone that I was confident would dedicate the time and energy to sort this out as quickly as possible. I thought of you.”

  Niki frowned. “That was awful kind of you, but aren't there a lot of firms with a lot more resources and experience in Baton Rouge?”

  “True enough.” He nodded. “But I don't know them as well as I know you. This is personal to me. It's my sister's father-in-law, and I want the job done right, not relegated to some flunky that can't find his own mother on Mother's Day.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but what if I find nothing?”

  John leaned forward in his chair.

  “You will. I know you will.”

  Niki blinked. “And how would you know? You haven't exactly been real close in the last ten years. That's a long time to keep faith in someone.”

  John leaned back and sighed.

  “I've been keeping up with your cases. You've done an outstanding job on the investigations you've worked.”

  Niki gave a derisive laugh.

  “There's been so few of them. I didn't think anyone would notice.”

  “I noticed.”

  Niki could not contain the smile.

  “Thanks for the compliment. I had no idea you even knew I existed anymore.”

  “I wasn't sure if you had fond memories or if you hated my guts. But I've kept up with you, and I think you're right for this job.”

  Niki looked down at the stack of bills.

  “I could use the work. Look, I appreciate the opportunity, but really, why me?”

  “Because my sister was crying when she called me. She wants the very best person I know working on the case. I tried everything I know to get Samson to assign someone to this. He won’t budge for seventy-two hours. I'm not asking for a handout here. Money is no object.”

  Niki placed her hand on top of the bills.

  “I thank you and my creditors thank you.”

  “I've hunted with Bobby and Mr. Henry a lot over the last couple of years. We've become close, so I took the liberty of telling Bobby what I think would be a fair price for your services.”

  Niki's mouth dropped.

  “John, how could you do that? I have a lot of bills to pay, you know.”

  The handsome man smiled.

  “Don't worry. I looked at your files. Since you had to register to carry a weapon, we have your business profile down at headquarters. I sneaked a peek.”

  The long-legged investigator let out her breath.

  “Whew. That's a relief. I thought I might be doing discount work, and I can't afford it right now,” She paused for another long look at his deep eyes. “I know how much this must mean to you. Even if I had to do it for free, I would have helped you.”

  “Bobby's family can afford your services and in this case, they're more than willing to spend the money to get quick results.”

  The tension left Niki's body.

  “Good. If you have my files, you know I charge three hundred a day plus expenses and I get three days up front for a retainer.” She paused while she glanced at the bills. “That's nine hundred due now. Are they willing to do that?”

  John inspected his shoe laces once more. “I—uh—I told him a different price. I didn't think three hundred dollars a day was fair.”

  Niki shouted. “Are you kidding? Do you know what it will require finding out where Mr. Welker is?”

  John raised his gaze to her eyes.

  “I didn't think it was fair for you to give up your other cases and focus only on this one for three a day. That's what I told Bobby.”

  Nike shook her head in confusion.

  “Huh? Other cases?”

  “I didn't know what your workload was like right now. Before we go any further, can you adjust your cases to fit this one in?”

  I wonder if he knows I haven't had a case in over a month except to look for Mrs. Richard’s lost chihuahua puppy.

  “I think I can readjust my schedule,” she replied, trying to keep the grin from erupting. “I don't want to take advantage of the situation with Bobby and your sister, but for me to give up everything else I'm working on, I'd need to get a five-day retainer. That's fifteen hundred. I don't mean to be all business, but I have to keep the doors open.”

  “Are you willing to work full time for Bobby until you figure out what happened?”

  Niki nodded. “On the condition that I get the five-day retainer up front.”

  The detective pulled an envelope from his pocket. “I was hoping you would say that. I told Bobby that I thought we could get you on the job for five thousand a day plus expenses. He gave me this check for you if you agreed.”

  John slipped the envelope across the desk toward Niki. She took it, and with trembling hands, carefully opened it. When she pulled the check from the envelope, her mouth dropped wide open.

  “Jo—John, this is a check for fifty thousand dollars. What—?”

  The detective laughed. “I know. I gave it to you. I figured it might take up to ten days to get to the bottom of this and I wanted to make sure you'd be on board.”

  “For this kind of money, I'll swab the decks and steer the damn boat.”

  “If you close the case sooner, keep the rest for a bonus. Bobby also said to email him a list of expected expenses, and he'll transfer that amount to your account. He said to get whatever was necessary to get the job done.”

  “A Ferrari would help,” she laughed. “No, seriously. I don't know what I'll need until I look into it a little.”

  John leaned forward. “I hope this will help mend some fences from the past.”

  Niki drew in a deep breath.

  “You made a good start. If it gets any better, you'll be working on the Great Wall of China. I—I don't know what to say.”

  “Say you'll take the job.”

  She rose in her chair and reached over to hug him.

  “Thank you so much.”

  He released his hug on her.

  “One more thing.”

  Uh-oh. I knew it was too good to be true. This must be the catch. There's always a catch when something good happens to me.

  “What's that?”

  “This is not a requirement, but I'd like to be kept updated. You're working for Bobby, but I have a deep interest.”

  Relief spread through Niki's body.

  “No problem. When I know something, you will know it as well.”

  John rose from his seat.

  “Great. LSU has a baseball game at home this Friday. They’re having a good season so far and Bobby gave me two tickets. It'd be a good time to let me know if you've been able to make any progress. Care to join me?”

  The grin on Niki's face told it all. Little did she know the game she signed up for would go into extra innings.

  Tuesday Morning

  West Feliciana Parish

  The decisions started small and grew.

  Niki took off the third top she tried on and tossed it on the bed.

  What do I wear to a deer camp? Sweet Jesus, it's not a normal meeting with a normal client, and it isn't at Ruth's Chris Steak House. This is not your normal Coonass hunting armadillos. This is someone with money to burn and he's burning it on me. This is the best client I've had. Heck, he's the best client I'll ever have, and I'm meeting him for the first time. What is he expecting? What did John tell him about me?

  She picked up red form-fitting dress from the closet.

  A dress, maybe? John said the camp was on stilts off the ground. If I wear a dress, climbing up some stairs will give Bobby a paparazzi view if he's following me. I can't do that. I want him to respect me for my work, not for a view of my privates. I wonder if he is John's age. What does Bobby's wife wear to the deer camp?

  She grabbed a pair of denims.

  It's not fair. Men don't have this problem. They can wear a pair of Levi's to Ruth's Chris or to the deer camp and will fit in either place.
Women have to think about the season, the occasion, the weather, and what the other women will be wearing. A man can just show up, and ask for a spit cup. A woman has to make sure her shoes match her top. Not to mention her purse. Speaking of that, what shoes are appropriate for a place where they slaughter wild deer?

  Niki threw the denims on top of her blouses.

  What would Bobby think of his investment if he knew I couldn't even decide what to wear? Not much, I bet. I've got to quit worrying and get it together.

  Niki settled on a Khaki sports top with some dark jeans. She completed the attire with a pair of black leather ankle boots. Satisfied, she headed out to meet her client.

  In her white Ford Explorer, she turned on Blackwater Road to Highway 64. She turned west and traveled through Zachary and out to the old Airline Highway that connected Baton Rouge and St. Francisville. The marker said Highway 61, but everyone Niki knew referred to the road as Airline. Not far from the intersection, she turned down a gravel road that she had passed a hundred times before without noticing.

  The trip down the rutted gravel lane jostled her roughly in the cab. She was trying to plan how she would greet Bobby Welker, but the constant bouncing kept her mind occupied. After a little over a mile, she came to an open gate.

  Passing through the opening, she saw the mighty Mississippi River flowing beneath her. On the bank were a wooden pier and a concrete landing area. A Ford F250 waited next to the dock. She saw a man about John’s age sitting on a bench on the pier. When he saw her vehicle coming, he rose and started toward her. Before she could open her door, he opened it for her and extended his hand to help her out.

  “Hi. I'm Bobby, and you must be Niki from the way John described you.”

  Niki laughed. “Don't believe everything he says. He's been known to stretch the truth.”

  Bobby smiled. “You might be right, but in this case, I'd say he was right on the money.”

  Niki blushed, not knowing for sure how John had described her.

  “I don't know if that's good or bad.”

  “I'm not gonna tell his secrets. You'll have to get them straight from him. I hate to be pushy, but are you ready to start?”

  “Yep.” she replied.