The Sentinels had been in the paper enough times, most locals would know who they were.
“There’s a possibility you might be in danger. You can call either one of us back to learn more. Just so you know, Kelly has more details than I do. Be careful and watch your back.” He handed my phone back to me.
I was relieved Daniel had made the call. I didn’t like Rick after everything I’d seen and heard, plus trespassing on the boat. However, I didn’t wish him dead. My goal was to prevent another murder.
“Let’s both keep an eye out for him,” I said. “Even if he stole the coin, it doesn’t mean he should pay for it with his life, if that’s a possibility.”
“I agree,” Daniel stood. “And thanks for giving Allie a ride to watch Gus train. She’s been really excited about going.”
“Sure. I’m happy to take her. Stanton said the practice would last about an hour. We should be back here by five fifteen.”
“See you then,” Daniel said.
“Okay.”
“Bye, Helen,” he said and left.
I grabbed my jacket off the hook by the back door and put it over my arm. “Helen, I’ll see you in a little over an hour.”
She looked over her shoulder from where she stood at the sink and nodded. “Thanks again for helping with Tommy.”
Tommy and Fred were in the parking lot. From my vantage point on the back porch, I saw Allie crouched on the other side of the inn’s red Toyota pickup, out of sight of the basset hound and his owner.
Tommy held Allie’s jacket out to Fred. The dog took a sniff and looked at him.
“Track Allie, Fred. Track her,” Tommy commanded.
Fred looked around, then raised his nose. I could see his nostrils working overtime. He didn’t put his nose to the ground. Instead, he trotted to the truck and around the side.
“You found me, Fred.” Allie gave him a hug.
There was a little water on the top of my travel glass. I rolled my finger in it and held it up to check the direction of the wind. Just what I figured. Fred hadn’t tracked the path Allie took; he could smell her from the wind going under the truck and straight to that active nose of his. I wouldn’t tell the kids. No reason to disappoint them.
We all piled into my Jeep and headed for the training area located in a nearby state park. As I approached, I saw Stanton standing next to a police vehicle parked in the lot. We drove in, and I pulled up next to him. Tommy jumped out with Fred in tow. Stanton opened the back door of his car. Gus slid to the ground and went to welcome Fred.
Allie and I joined them.
“Tommy, you mentioned you trained Fred for tracking,” Deputy Stanton said.
The ten-year-old nodded vigorously. “Just a little. We’re real beginners.”
Stanton smiled at him. “How did you learn how to train him?”
“I researched online and read a lot. Mom bought me a special harness for my birthday, and I taught Allie how to put down the trail for me.”
“I brought some hot-dog pieces,” Stanton said. “Why don’t you show me what you, Allie, and Fred do?”
Both kids nodded energetically. Allie took off one of her shoes, pulled off her sock, and handed it to Tommy. Then she slipped her bare foot back into her tennis shoe. Stanton pulled a small ice chest from the back of the car.
He took out a container and held it out to Allie. “Here are nickel-size pieces of hot dog. Take as many as you want. The bait has already been put out for Gus.” Stanton pointed to an area a short distance away. “There’s a flat, grassy area over there. That’ll be a good spot for the three of you to work.”
Allie took a handful of coin-size pieces of meat. All of us walked over to the place Stanton had indicated.
Allie put several pieces of hot dog a couple of feet in front of Fred, where he could see them. Then she walked out a couple of feet, carefully placing one foot in front of the other, creating a single track. She mashed the grass a little by moving her foot from side to side.
Tommy said to Stanton, “I learned the dogs use both the crushed grass and the person’s scent for tracking.”
Stanton nodded. “That’s right, Tommy.”
Allie put down several more pieces of meat. She repeated this process three times. At the last stop she created a small pile of hot-dog coins. Allie then turned to the left and walked at a right angle for about six feet and then turned and walked back toward us, staying at a distance from the track she had put down.
“Impressive,” Stanton said. “You learned all of this on the computer and from reading books, Tommy?”
“Yeah, mostly. I love learning. I really got in to it. I also emailed a woman who trains dogs used by the police in Oregon.” He stopped for a minute, a worried look on his face. “Deputy Stanton, I know you’ve told me not to email strangers. Mom checked her out and said it was okay.”
Stanton smiled. “I’m glad you remembered that.”
“Mom got all the books that had anything to do with dog tracking out of the library.”
Stanton laughed. “You were thorough!”
Fred tugged at his leash. The hot dogs were calling to him.
Tommy held Allie’s sock out to him to sniff. “Track.”
The basset hound gobbled the first batch of treats, then put his nose to the ground, casting his head from side to side. He slowly followed Allie’s footsteps, Tommy behind him with a loose leash. The kids clapped and cheered each time he located the bait. When he got to the last one, they really whooped it up.
Tommy and Fred came running back to Allie and Stanton. “Everything I read said to make a big deal of it when he finds the last pile.”
“That’s right. It’s part of the reward,” Deputy Stanton said. “You two are doing a great job.”
Tommy handed Allie her sock. “I know the next step is to keep widening the distance, and there are things you can do to make it even harder.”
Stanton nodded and pointed up the hill. “Now, let’s see how Gus does.”
I noticed there were pieces of wire with yellow flags on them at various spots.
He continued. “Those flags mark the path Gus needs to take to get to the final reward. There are some obstacles in his way, and the path is a winding one. Because he’s not used to working with me, I made it easier and used more rewards than would happen with his owner. I want it to be a successful experience for him.”
He pulled a small notebook and a pen out of his pocket.
“What’s that for?” Tommy asked.
“We keep a detailed diary of all training sessions. It helps us know what to work on next and has even been useful in some trials to validate the dog’s tracking ability.”
Stanton bent down and held out a T-shirt to the dog. Gus rooted his nose in the fabric, then looked at Stanton.
“I hired a high school student to put down the track and this is his shirt.” Stanton looked at the dog. “Track, Gus.”
Tommy sat next to Fred and gave his own command. “Watch Gus, Fred.”
Over the course of the next forty-five minutes, we watched as Gus sniffed and slowly walked upward. Stanton kept his distance with a long leash, sticking to the dog’s pace. Occasionally, he made a note in the journal.
Tracking wasn’t the all-out run you often saw portrayed on television. When Gus reached the final flag, we yelled out words of praise. Fred jumped up and down with his front end.
Stanton came down the hill, part walking, part sliding on the steep hill and slick grass.
“That was fun,” Tommy said. “Seeing it is a lot better than just reading about it.”
“Gus’s owner has been working on a new command with him. He tells Gus hold, and that’s his cue to stand on someone. Tommy, would you be willing to be the victim, so to speak?”
Tommy handed Fred’s leash to Allie and sprawled on the ground befor
e Stanton could finish his sentence.
“Gus,” Stanton said to the dog.
The bloodhound looked at him, all attention.
Stanton pointed to Tommy. “Hold.”
The dog obligingly stepped onto Tommy with all four feet. The hound bent down his head, and his long ears tickled Tommy’s face. The boy began giggling. Gus gave him a big, slurpy kiss. Tommy laughed harder, and we all joined in.
“Gus, off,” Stanton commanded.
The dog obeyed but now was in to giving Tommy large, sloppy kisses. Tommy’s face started to turn red from laughing so hard.
“Gus, heel,” Stanton said.
The dog did as commanded.
Tommy sat up, and when he seemed to have regained his breath, Stanton said, “How about you kids go collect the flags?”
“Sure,” Allie said.
They both raced off, Fred in tow, the steep hill meaning very little with their youthful energy.
“Gus, down.”
The dog obliged by going into a traditional down position, resting on his haunches. Then he gave a groan, rolled over on his side, and stretched out. It appeared to be rest time.
Stanton turned to me. “Thanks for letting me know about Daniel and Rick’s conversation. I was able to reach Rick using Daniel’s phone. I had him come to the station and questioned him today.”
“Daniel told me. Rick called him and let him know he wasn’t happy about the ruse.”
“Too bad. Rick could’ve handled it a different way. Claims he didn’t get the messages.” Stanton shook his head. “Like I’m going to believe that.” He paused. “Do you have anything new to share?”
I told him about my experience at the coin shop.
Stanton’s face darkened. “Rick didn’t say anything about a coin. Denied he’d taken anything. I guess technically he didn’t have to mention it, if he’s sticking to the story it was given to him. It’ll be interesting to see his reaction when I ask him why Alexander gave the man he fired an expensive gift.”
“Rudy and Ivan encountered him on their boat. It seems he’s been living there.”
Stanton took out the notepad he used during investigations and wrote in it. “The word trespass might help to get him to talk.”
Tommy and Allie returned, out of breath but laughing, each clasping a bunch of wired flags. Fred plopped down on the ground, panting harder than either of them.
“Why don’t you kids take those over to the patrol car? You can put them on the ground next to it,” Stanton said. “Allie, do you want to take Gus? He and Fred can have a little playtime while I finish talking with Ms. Jackson.”
Allie’s face brightened. “You bet.”
She grabbed the long lead that Stanton had coiled up. I wasn’t sure how much play was left in Fred as he plodded behind the kids.
“Anything else I should know about?” Stanton asked.
“Probably nothing you don’t already know.”
I shared with him about the Mafia connection, Tom’s bitterness, and Harvey’s struggles. I was right—no new news for him.
“For not being connected to the police, you all are amazing at what you can dig up.”
“We’re really stuck on finding out who owns the Williams Company.” I looked at him hopefully.
Stanton put away his notes. “Sorry. I know you’ve helped me out a lot on this one, but I can’t talk about it.”
“I understand. Just thought I’d give it a try.”
“With as much as you’ve accomplished already, I’m guessing you’ll find out,” he said.
That gave me some hope that learning who was behind the company was discoverable if we just kept at it.
Stanton’s phone rang. He listened for a few minutes. “Got it. On my way.”
He put his phone away. “You’ll know this soon enough with the speed with which news gets around Redwood Cove.” He paused. “Looks like I won’t be asking Rick Stapleton about the coin.”
I looked at him questioningly.
“He’s been murdered. His body was found on the Nadia.”
Chapter 21
A jolt of shock raced through me. “What?” It was almost a shout.
Stanton’s face had a grim set to it. “Shot. One of the boat owners saw the body on the deck and called it in.”
Despair followed my initial reaction. “I was too late.”
Stanton frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I started to wonder if Alexander had been murdered because he might have been stealing from the Williams Company, which meant Rick might be in danger as well. I had Daniel call to warn him.”
“Don’t go racing to conclusions and blaming yourself. You don’t know if this has anything to do with what happened to Alexander.”
I sighed. “You’re right. It’s just that Daniel called him a little over an hour ago, so it’s fresh on my mind.”
“I don’t have the exact time of death yet, but from what I was told, I’m guessing he was dead when the message was left. Even if we find out his death is connected to Alexander and the Williams Company, you can’t blame yourself for not figuring out something sooner. Life doesn’t work that way.” He snorted. “I’d go crazy if I blamed myself for everything I didn’t figure out soon enough to keep something else from happening.”
I grimaced. “Okay. The best we all can do is keep trying to find more answers.”
“Listen, I have to go,” Stanton said.
We walked back to the vehicles. Stanton loaded Gus and the stakes in his car and said good-bye to the kids. The ride back to the inn was filled with happy chatter from Tommy and Allie, while my mind whirled from this new situation. I parked next to Daniel’s bus, and we all got out. He was tinkering with the engine but straightened up and turned to me when I approached him. His welcoming smile disappeared when he saw the look on my face.
“Daniel and I have some business to talk about,” I said to Tommy and Allie. “Why don’t you two go in and get some milk and cookies?”
Tommy’s face broke into a wide grin. “Mom made chocolate chip ones today. Come on, Allie. I’ll race you.”
The two sprinted for the back door, Fred right behind them.
“What happened?” Daniel asked.
I told him.
“Whoa,” Daniel said. “What’s going on around here?”
“I don’t know, but I want to get over to the marina as soon as I can to see what I can find out. This is going to be a real blow to Rudy and Ivan. And they’ll be questioned again. The more I can learn, the better.”
I went into the inn. The kids were munching on their treats in front of the television.
I joined Helen where she was working at the counter. “Helen, let’s go into the conference room. I need to talk to you.”
Once there, I told her what had happened and that I needed to go to the marina. From there, I’d try to find the Doblinsky brothers. Once again, I needed her to take responsibility for the evening.
“When this is over, I’ll pay you back in time.”
“No worries, Kelly. It’s not a problem for me, and what you’re doing is important. I just hope whoever’s behind this is found soon.”
“Me, too.”
She left, and I texted the Professor about what had happened and asked him to let Gertie and Mary know, but not the brothers. I wanted to tell them myself. The ride to the marina was short. A crowd of people had gathered off to one side. Three police cars and a coroner’s van filled the lot. I spied a space at the end of a row, parked, and walked to the bait shop.
Joe saw me coming and gave a little wave. No happy expression on his face today. “It ain’t lookin’ good for the brothers.”
“Have you seen them?”
“Not this afternoon. But I seen them this mornin’. Ivan threw the guy that was murdered off the boat. A bunch
of us saw it. Stapleton had no business bein’ on the Nadia, and we cheered Ivan on….Now that guy’s been shot, the police will head for the boys sure as shootin’.”
“Do you know when Rudy and Ivan left?
“Somewhere about ten.”
“When did you last see Rick?”
“He stomped by me about nine thirty.”
“Did you see him after that?”
“Nope. Had some customers. Busy with the weekend comin’ up. Then fixed lunch. Didn’t get back to my station until about one.”
“Your station?”
“Sure. My lookout. Where I keep up with what’s happenin’.” He patted his chair.
“What time was the body discovered?”
“Guy came runnin’ to use the phone around four thirty.”
“Rudy and Ivan have an alibi for the afternoon. Let’s hope they have one for the morning, if the police decide that was when he was shot,” I said.
I stared off to where the Nadia was. Stanton’s sturdy frame loomed over a shorter officer. Gus sat at his side. I saw him put what appeared to be a shirt to the dog’s nose. Gus put his head down and began to cast from side to side.
“Joe, I think Stanton is having the bloodhound track Rick.”
The officer and dog passed by us about six feet away and continued into the lot. Stanton didn’t look in my direction.
“I’m going to follow them.”
“Wait up, girl. You should take these.”
Joe reached into a canvas bag next to his chair and pulled out a pair of binoculars.
He didn’t strike me as a bird-watcher. What was he using them for? Was he spying on people?
“Joe? Really? Binoculars?”
“Now don’t go gettin’ any crazy ideas. I don’t look through no windows. Don’t like to move much with my arthritis and all. I can keep in the loop with these things.”
I took them and hung them around my neck. “Thanks. I’ll let you know what happens.”
I hurried after Gus and Stanton but kept a good distance behind them. They went into a brushy, wooded area bordering the parking lot. I made my way down a barely discernable track, glad I hadn’t changed out of my hiking boots. Branches with thorns grabbed at my ankles as I walked over thick trail debris.
Murder at the Marina Page 14
