For the Love of a Woman

by VC Angell

  The next morning at work, Jim called Julie into his office, “Just before Alex was killed, I was told he was seeing someone named Maryann Hjelmstad. I saw that had you had written articles with her name in them about the 4-H.”

  Julie’s hand flew to her mouth, covering it as she said, “That’s bad. Very bad. Oh God, don’t let it be her ex-husband.”

  “Why is it bad?” Jim asked.

  “The man is a real jerk. He physically abused Maryann. He got jail time for the last one. He beat her badly a couple of times before out of jealousy, so she divorced him,” Julie said.

  “Do you think he might’ve found out about Alex and Maryann?”

  “I don’t know. I had heard Maryann’s ex-husband had moved away from Alma after the divorce.”

  “You have a cell phone number for her?” Alex asked.

  “Where she lives, there’s no cell phone service, but she has a landline. I’m sure I have it in my notes because I remember calling her to clarify something in the last article. I hunt it up if you’re interested,” Julie said.

  “I’m interested, but do you think she would talk to me if I called her?” Alex asked.

  “She seemed to be pretty down-to-earth to me. Just an ordinary farm girl. I’m pretty sure she talked to you. I’ll get you that number.”

  “Thanks, Julie.”

  Chapter 13

  Julie found the landline number for Maryann, and Jim called her. She seemed surprised and then told him that she had tried calling him a couple of times but had hung up before answering. That solved the strange calls Jim had gotten when he first had come back to Alma. Maryann said she would be happy to talk to him. She lived further out on the same road that Jim’s house was on in a trailer house. Late in the afternoon, Jim drove out to her place. He was surprised when she answered the door. Maryann appeared as old as he was or perhaps even older. She was the raw-boned woman that Jim would expect from a farm girl. He introduced himself.

  “Come on in, sit down. I have the coffee pot on,” Maryann said.

  Jim stuck out his hand to shake hers, “That sounds good to me.”

  Maryann led him to the kitchen to a table that had already been set with cups and saucers. “How do you like your coffee? Cream or sugar?”

  “Straight up black for me. I’ve been putting some weight on, and I don’t need the extra pounds,” Jim said.

  “You and me both. I’m constantly fighting the weight problem,” Maryann brought over the coffee pot and poured them each a cup before sitting down.

  Jim asked, “Is this trailer yours, or are you renting?”

  “Neither, this land belongs to my dad. Look up the window. There are about 80 acres of land back there. My dad bought this land along with the trailer a few years back. He uses the land for haying. It’s not bad land for that. He almost always gets two cuttings each season and a small third cutting in an exceptional year. He needs it because he makes his living raising Black Angus. The hay is used to feed them during the winter. The trailer was on the property when he bought it, and he had rented it out. After my divorce, he’s letting me use it free of charge,” Maryann said.

  “That’s how you got to helping out the 4 H kids with cattle?”

  “Yep, it was Herford’s when I was growing up, and then it became Black Angus. There was a small premium paid by the processors for that breed. Not so much anymore,” Maryann said.

  “Julie said that you had been married twice,” Jim said.

  “My first husband, Don, was killed in a farming accident less than a year after getting married. I guess it was good that it happened that quick because we didn’t have any kids. When I met Rick, I wasn’t sure about getting married again because I was getting older and didn’t know about having kids. You know, all the problems of old mothers giving birth to kids with problems. Rick said that was okay. He didn’t want any kids. That was a good thing the way it turned out. He’s a mean bastard. He was also jealous. I didn’t dare to smile at another man when we were out shopping. He’d beat on me. What ended it all was he put me in the hospital. I think it kinda scared him. It didn’t do him any good as he got locked up for a while, and while he was in jail, I divorce him. Dad let me have this place, and I have an unlisted phone. I don’t think he can find me. The last I heard, he worked in the oil fields out North Dakota,” Maryann said.

  Jim asked, “How did you meet Alex?”

  “It was at the county fair in the 4-H building. We hit it off right away. Yes, I knew Alex was married. When the divorce started to happen, we got real close, if you know what I mean,” Maryann looked at Jim questioningly.

  Jim nodded his understanding and asked, “What did you make of his murder?”

  “I thought it was just a hunting accident and kept waiting for the funeral. It didn’t keep me from crying a lot. Then your paper published that Alex was murdered. That didn’t make it any easier. We were talking about getting married after the divorce was a few months old,” Maryann said.

  “I hate to ask this question, but you think your last husband, Rick, might have done it?” Jim asked.

  “I thought about it, but it didn’t seem like Rick. Rick might fly off the handle and kill somebody, but it’s just not like him to drug someone, then take them out into the woods and shoot them. Besides, he is not that much of a planner,” Maryann said.

  “Did Alex say anything about anyone else who was unhappy with him?”

  Maryann laughed, “Yep, he said some of the bigwigs in town thought they were smart and had hidden the fact that a Swedish company wanted to build a wood products plant here. He thought he’d make them squirm with the last editorial he wrote.”

  “It turns out they weren’t doing anything bad. The company needed to buy land, and they were afraid people would overcharge them if word got out that they were coming. They arranged for Ralph Hansen to buy the land on their behalf. I still think it’s rather strange. He is an accountant, and you’d who think that they’d want a lawyer. Anyway, they found a piece of land that suited their needs, but a problem with the property title held up the deal. My brother was just having a little bit of fun at their expense,” Jim explained.

  “That sounds like Alex. He didn’t have a very high opinion of the bigwigs in Alma. I was wondering if you heard anything about finding his killer?”

  “No, it’s frustrating as hell. I wanted to help find his killer when the autopsy results showed he had been drugged and killed. The whole thing his wife told me doesn’t make any sense. Then I had problems getting the paper running, so it wasn’t losing money. It took me a long time. When I found out about you, I hope you might have some answers for me.”

  “How so?” Maryann asked.

  “Sally, his wife, told me that the divorce was necessary to protect her.”

  “That could be. Alex was worried. He figured that I’d be safe because the only time we had been seen together was at the county fair. I know Alex had feelings for his wife. He would likely have tried to protect her, too,” Maryann said.

  “Did my brother give you a reason why he was worried?”

  “He said it was better if I didn’t know because I’d be safer that way. I often wondered about that. It was clear he was scared. In a little place like Alma, who or what is there to be scared of?”

  “Alex must have had a reason for his fear. It took me a while to find you. You are sort of my last hope. I thought if you were married, your husband might be pissed,” Jim said.

  “Rick would’ve been, but it was long after he was gone that I started to see your brother. Besides, as I said, Rick is no planner. He is a hothead,” Maryann said.

  “I hope you don’t mind if I talk to the Sheriff about our little meeting. He said he was assigning a woman detective. I would think she might come to see you,” Jim said.

  “I think I might know who she is. I remember seeing an article in the paper about her promotion. We were in classes together from grade school through high school.”

  They continued to talk.
It continued over the second cup of coffee. Maryann said that she and Alex would talk long into the night. She thought he was an unbelievably kind and honest man. Jim thanked her for her time before he left.

  * * *

  Back at his office, Jim called and talked to the Sheriff. He knew Maryann from the time that Rick had put her in the hospital. Jim agreed with Maryann’s assessment that did not sound like Rick. He told Jim he would see if Rick was still working in the oil fields in North Dakota. After hanging up, Jim thought, “I’m back to zero. I don’t know what to do next.” It was approaching another Thanksgiving with no headway in finding Alex’s killer.

  The weather was turning colder. There had been some sleet and snow, but nothing more than would cover grassy surfaces. Jim spent one Saturday cleaning out the garage so that he could park in it. In the afternoon, he cooked dinner for himself and Carol. When she arrived, she was carrying a small suitcase.

  “I brought a change of clothes and some things that every woman needs,” Carol said, pointing at the suitcase, “Your bathroom needed little things like an extra toothbrush, a better comb, and some other little extras womanly things.”

  “It sounds like our miscommunication phase is over. That extra toothbrush in the bathroom will always remind me of you,” Jim said teasingly.

  Carol just ignored his comment and said, “I have spent every Saturday night with you and sometimes other nights during the week. I just wanted to feel clean and fresh in the mornings after I stay.”

  Jim thought for a moment, then said, “I’ll clean out one of the dresser drawers for you to use. The only thing in it is a couple of things I don’t wear anymore.”

  “That would be great.” Carol seemed unaware of the commitment she was making, Jim thought.

  After supper and cleaning up the kitchen, they sat down in the living room. Jim said, “Before we get caught up in whatever streaming tonight, I’d like to talk about my meeting with Maryann and how it ended any investigation.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met her that I know of. From what you’ve told me, she those in the wilderness area without cell phones and cable TV,” Carol said.

  “It is quite a way out of town. She does have a landline, but I didn’t ask about a cell phone.”

  “I know all the dead spots are driving around and showing properties. Once you get a few miles further down the road out front here, there is no cell service or cable TV.”

  “I was wondering if Alex had been seeing another woman before Maryann. If he was, how can I find out who it was?” Jim asked.

  Carol paused before answering as if thinking, “I can’t think of an easy way. Could you go back and talk to his ex-wife?”

  “I could, but I seem to upset her or something. The other thing she said was that she had told Alex not to tell her he was involved with. I don’t know where to go from here.”

  “I am finding in selling real estate that people are willing to tell you something if you ask in the right way. I might show a couple a home that would be ideal for them, but the wife says something about the kitchen. If I ask what was wrong, she won’t tell me. However, if I ask her, she’s had a bad experience with the kitchen, she’ll tell me a story about it. I can then ask her what was wrong with the kitchen. If she doesn’t like a kitchen with the central aisle, I know not to waste my time showing her homes with that in the kitchen,” Carol said.

  “You might have something there. I remember Sally telling me that Alex had been seeing a prostitute until he found another person. I did not ask her if there was more than just those two.”

  “She might be reluctant to tell you about any other woman or women. It might hurt her. She might not even want to admit to herself that there are other women in your brother’s life,” Carol said.

  “I think she’s the last resort. I should go back and talk to Birdie. He might’ve said something to her. She would be less likely to hold anything back. I never thought that I might be asking the wrong questions. That observation of yours is brilliant.”

  Carol smiled and blushed a little.

  Jim said, “I thought about from my days as a reporter but dismissed it as I was sure I had asked all the right questions. I see now that I didn’t.”

  “Glad I could help, but I’m tired. I think I might’ve sold a forty to a hunter. He has to see if this wife will let him spend the money on the land. I showed a couple of other properties to hunters, and I’m tired. Could we skip binge-watching tonight?” Carol asked.

  “Sure, anything to get you to bed earlier,” Jim teased.

  “Okay, you sexy man. My mind is willing, but I’m not sure about this tired old body,” Carol said.

  “No problem, we have all day tomorrow. Besides, what we just talked about has got me thinking. You know, I have a one-track mind at times,” Jim said.

  “Don’t I know it,” Carol said with a teasing smile.

  * * *

  Monday morning, Jim was talking to Helen about the day’s schedule. As it was winding down, Jim thought to ask, “You know Alex was cheating on his wife?”

  Helen looked a bit flustered but said, “I do. He’d tell me he was leaving the office to satisfy his needs. It was obvious what his ‘needs’ were.”

  “Did he ever say who he was going to satisfy his ‘needs’ with?”

  “Yes, for some reason, now and then, he would mention a name.”

  “I found the prostitute he would visit, Birdie. I also found Maryann Hjelmstad. Did you hear any other names that you remember?” Jim asked.

  Helen blushed, “There were two other names he mentioned. There was Dolores Christiansen and another name I don’t remember. I think it was Jesse or something like that. I remember Dolores because I knew her well and was shocked when I heard her name from Alex.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s married and goes to my church. She’s the last one I would’ve ever thought would do something like that. She’s honest and straightforward.”

  “Do you think she would talk to me if I went to see her?” Jim asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t think Dolores would do anything like that. I guess I didn’t know her all that well,” Helen said.

  “Would you have her phone number?”

  “Yes, I do. Dolores is on one of the church committees with me. I still don’t understand how she could do that with Alex,” Helen said, shaking her head.

  After their meeting, Helen brought Jim Dolores’s telephone number. It had to be a cell phone number because Jim got Dolores’s voicemail. He didn’t leave a message. Jim then called Laura and told her what he had discovered. He asked Laura if she would talk to Birdie and see if Alex had mentioned the other names.

  * * *

  A couple of days later, in the evening, Jim was home alone watching one of his favorite series of shows on TV about a spy. The spy and a friend searched the office looking for a memory chip they thought would be hidden. The spy thought it was likely that it was hidden somewhere in the desk. He told his friend that the most likely place to hide a memory chip would be taped to the back of the drawer or taped underneath the drawer. Jim immediately lost interest in the show and wondered if that might be where the tiny memory chip that went into the digital recorder was. Jim thought about going directly back to Journal but soon realized that it could wait for the morning if it was hidden that well.

  The following morning when Jim got into the office, he pulled out the drawer where the extra memory chips were stored and put it on top of the desk. Taped on the back of the desk drawer was an envelope with its flap cut off. Inside were two memory chips. Jim took the two memory chips out and replaced the drawer. He sat up the recorder as Tinker had shown him to do with the computer. Jim watched with fascination as the text appeared on the computer screen. It looked like the beginning of the story about a drug dealer in Alma that Alex had researched. As more and more lines appeared, it was clear that Alex had found others associated with the drug dealer. Jim knew what he had to do immediately. He waite
d until the memory disc seems to have emptied everything into the computer. Jim used the printer in his office to print it out. He took the printout and memory chip and left the office.

  The Sheriff was not in, but he was shown into a detective’s office. A woman behind the desk, and Jim assumed she was assigned to his brother’s case.

  The woman stood up and said, “I’m Gladys Schmidt. I’m glad to meet you after working on your brother’s murder.”

  Jim shook her hand and told her about the hidden memory chip. “Here’s the printout of what was on the memory chip, and here’s the memory chip. There might be more on another one I found. I don’t know. It won’t print. As soon as I printed this out, I knew it had to come to you.” Jim handed her the printout.

  She sat there reading it. She looked up at Jim, frowning, and said, “This is a perfect reason somebody would kill your brother. Was there anything else?”

  “There was another memory chip. As I said, it wouldn’t print. I thought I should get this one to you right away.”

  “It might just be my job to be suspicious, but I wonder if we might look at it too?” Gladys said.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t bring it with me. I didn’t think it was necessary.”

  “Don’t apologize. You did a good job bringing this to us. I wonder if we could go back to your office and pick it up?” Gladys asked.

  Jim and Gladys formed a little caravan back to the office. The second memory chip was right on his desk where Jim and left it. He asked, “Should we try to print out what’s on it?”

  “Sure, we can see if it’s pertinent to this investigation,” Gladys said.