It All Falls Down: Rose Gardner Investigations #7 (Rose Gardner Investigatons)

by Denise Grover Swank

  My brow pinched together. “That seems odd. Did she say why?”

  “She claimed my place was nicer, which wasn’t a lie. But the week before she broke up with me, she started gettin’ phone calls that she refused to answer. She got upset when I asked about them.”

  “Do you have any idea who was calling her?”

  “No.” He hung his head. “But I wrote a few of the numbers down when she went to the bathroom and left her phone unlocked.” He glanced up. “I looked them up, of course. They were burner phones.”

  “Maybe they were people reportin’ abused horses,” I said. “And they didn’t want to be traced.” I knew it was unlikely, especially given everything else I knew, but he looked so heartbroken I needed to give him some hope that Margi hadn’t been on the wrong side of the law.

  He snorted. “I asked her why she was gettin’ calls from untraceable numbers. She freaked out, asking me if I’d called any of them. I told her no, I’d just looked them up, but the way she reacted… I took her phone and pulled up one of the numbers and started to call it. She became hysterical and took it from me. That’s when she broke up with me. She said she couldn’t be with someone who didn’t respect her privacy. I told her that I was scared for her. That I was worried she was in trouble and wanted to help her, but that only seemed to upset her more. She threatened to call 911 if I didn’t leave.” He shook his head. His eyes were dry, but he still looked grief stricken. “So I left.”

  I reached out and covered his hand on the table. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I tried to make up with her. I’m not ashamed to say I begged, but she said it was for the best. That she loved me, but I’d be better off with a woman who was meek and mild and didn’t have a past.”

  I shook my head in confusion. “A past. What did she mean by that?”

  He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a folded and worn piece of paper, which he slid across the table to me.

  I opened it, squeezing Hope to my chest as I pried it open, surprised to see a rap sheet for a Margi Kindred.

  Glancing up with narrowed eyes, I said, “Her name was Margi Romano.”

  “No,” he said. “She was Margi Kindred. And she’s not Levi’s sister. She’s his cousin.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense.” I scanned the sheet, surprised by the multiple arrests. Drug possession. Possession with intent to sell. Burglary. Shoplifting. They had all taken place in Oklahoma. “Randy. What is this?

  “Margi fell in with the wrong crowd in Oklahoma. Got probation but then she was arrested for possession with intent to sell, and it wasn’t lookin’ good. Then it was dropped out of the blue. She didn’t even have to plead it down.”

  I cocked my head. “Did she tell you about any of this?”

  “No. I went to Levi last week and asked him what was going on with her. He didn’t want to talk about it, but I told him that I loved her. That I was worried and desperate for a way to help. He must have realized I meant it, because he admitted to being worried too. Then he told me about her arrests. I looked them up as soon as I left his house.”

  “Why the name change and the lie about being his sister?”

  “When she found out he was moving here, she asked if she could come too. Said she wanted to start over and leave her old crowd behind. He was hesitant, but she’d been off drugs for over a year by then. She’d gotten a job workin’ with horses, and she said it fulfilled something in her. They’d been close when they were younger, so he agreed. Since she planned on changing her name, he suggested she use Romano and pose as his sister. They didn’t know anyone here, and he figured it would offer her some degree of protection. Everything went okay for a little while, but soon after she came to town, she had some money to buy a barn, and he had no idea where it came from. She told him someone had donated it. And then months later, she had money to fix up your barn. When he asked her about that, she told him her previous benefactor had donated again.”

  “Did Levi believe it?”

  “He said he wanted to. He loved Margi, and he’d hoped she was turnin’ her life around. But now…not so much. He thinks those phone calls were from her contacts in Oklahoma and that they were the ones who gave her money.”

  My breath froze in my chest. “Randy.” We both knew who she’d been talking to.

  Tears filled his eyes and he choked out, “I know. Hardshaw’s all over Oklahoma. I think she came here to hide, and they found her.”

  “Or,” I said gently, “she came here to do their biddin’.” And maybe get inside information by dating a sheriff’s deputy, but his pain was too raw for me to throw any salt into his wound.

  He shook his head. “I need your help, Rose. I love her.” He made a choking sound, then said, “I loved her. Someone murdered her and I don’t trust the sheriff’s department to find out who really did it. Especially since Joe just quit. You have a way of knowing things, of finding killers. Please say you’ll help me.”

  I squeezed his hand harder. “Of course, Randy. I’ll find out who did this. I promise you.” It was only after I said it that I realized I shouldn’t have made a promise like that, one I didn’t know if I could keep, but his eyes flooded with gratitude, and I couldn’t take it back.

  “Thank you,” he mouthed as he released a soft sob.

  Suddenly male voices came from the living room, and I realized Joe’s meeting had finally ended. Panic washed over Randy’s face. “I was hoping not to see them. I already answered a bunch of questions, and…” He looked like he was about to fall into a million pieces.

  “No one will bother you here,” I said as I got out of my chair and turned Hope around, her chest to mine. “I’ll make sure of it.” I moved into the doorway and blocked the entrance to the kitchen.

  The sheriff and the DA stood in the middle of the living room, still trying to convince Joe to change his mind, but I noticed the sheriff was holding Joe’s gun and badge.

  “Is someone pressuring you to do this?” asked the DA, a man who looked to be in his fifties. Mason’s old boss had left, and tonight was the first time I’d met his replacement.

  “For the umpteenth time,” Joe groaned. “No one has pressured me into anything. I came to this decision of my own volition. The destruction of our barn has put things in perspective.” He moved toward the front door. “Now, I appreciate your concerns, and I’m flattered by your attempts at persuasion, but I’ve made up my mind. Rose and Hope are the most important things in my life, and this is what’s best for our family.”

  The sheriff shot me a hateful glare. “You did this.”

  My mouth dropped open in shock.

  “Sheriff,” Joe said, just this side of a shout, “you have overstayed your welcome. Now if you would kindly be on your way.” He jerked the front door open, and a bright spotlight shone through it.

  “Chief Deputy Simmons,” someone shouted from outside, and it sounded like Barry Whitlow, the self-appointed news source for Fenton County. He was a nineteen-year-old crusader who posted “news” on his YouTube channel. He mostly got things wrong, but people seemed to love it, and he had about five thousand subscribers. I couldn’t help wondering if Joe had invited Barry to come ask for a statement. It was the fastest way to spread information. Even faster than the Henryetta Gazette. “Can you give us a statement in regards to your sudden departure?”

  Joe gave the sheriff and DA a grim look. “I would prefer to make this look amicable. We can do that together right now.”

  The two men walked out onto the porch, and Joe swung the door partially shut behind them. “Stay inside, okay?” he said, turning to me. “This will be less of a circus if you and Hope aren’t involved.”

  “Yeah. Whatever you want.” I walked toward him and pushed the door all the way shut, Hope giving a little mewl as if to say she agreed. “Are you sure, Joe? Are you really sure? Because you don’t need to do this for me. You have me, no matter what you choose.”

  “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my li
fe.” Then he kissed me on the lips and walked out the door.

  I moved to the side window and peered out of a gap in the curtain as Joe stood at the top of the steps.

  “Chief Deputy!” Barry called out. Someone behind him held a camera, and a third person hoisted up a large spotlight. Looked like Barry had staff now. Cables ran from the light to a white van behind them with Barry Whitlow Action News painted on the side. “Were you forced to resign?”

  Joe let out a hearty laugh. “No, definitely not. And it’s not Chief Deputy anymore. It’s just plain old Joe Simmons. I resigned of my own free will. In fact, the sheriff and the DA dropped by to try to talk me out of it, but after our discussion, they both recognize that my decision wasn’t hasty or coerced. You see, six weeks ago, I became a father to a beautiful baby girl, and my priorities have changed.”

  “Chief Deputy,” a woman called out. “I mean Joe.”

  The few people in front of the porch laughed, including Joe.

  “I’m Philippa Black from the Henryetta Gazette,” the woman continued. I wasn’t surprised she was here. Rumor had it the paper was tired of being out-scooped by Barry. Even if he was mostly wrong. “Does your decision have anything to do with the invasion of your barn?”

  “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have something to do with it, but it was the last straw in Rose and I making our decision. As for what I plan to do now, I have several options. I’m part owner in the Gardner Sisters Nursery, or I might work in Rose’s landscaping business.” He paused, then said jovially, “Whatever I’ll be doin’, you can be certain that my wife-to-be will be in charge.”

  I had no doubt that message was intended for any criminal elements that might be listening, but it did set my mind turning. Would either of those things be satisfying to Joe? I didn’t intend for his bodyguard position to be a long-term arrangement. With any luck at all, this would be the last time I interfered with the Fenton County underworld. What would he do when everything settled down?

  “Thank you all for your interest,” Joe said, “but I’d appreciate it if you got on with your evening. We have a newborn daughter we’d like to put to bed, and all the commotion will likely keep her up.” Then he gave a wave and turned and walked inside.

  As soon as he closed the door, he gave me a grim smile. “Was that subtle enough for the people you deal with?”

  “I hope this was the right thing to do, Joe.”

  “It was.” He reached for Hope and cradled her in the crook of his arm. “Are you about ready to go to sleep, baby girl? Daddy wants to do all kinds of naughty things with Mommy.”

  “Joe!” I protested with a laugh. “You can’t tell her things like that.”

  “She’s too young to understand.” He leaned closer and placed a kiss on my neck. “Tell me you don’t want to do naughty things.”

  “I do,” I whispered, “but Randy Miller’s sittin’ at our kitchen table.”

  His smile fell. “Oh, shit.”

  “He asked me to find out who killed Margi. He doesn’t trust the sheriff’s department.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “That I’d do it, of course. But I think he needs to talk to you, Joe. He really needs a friend right now.” I took Hope from him and led him into the kitchen. Randy hadn’t moved, but his glass of tea was half gone. “Randy, Joe’s done with his meeting and would like to talk to you.”

  “Hey,” Joe said, walking over to him. “I’m really sorry, Randy.”

  Randy stood, and Joe enveloped him in a hug.

  “I’m gonna let you two talk,” I said. “But Joe, try to make sure he eats something. There’s a plate of spaghetti in the microwave.”

  I brought Hope upstairs to start her bedtime routine. She was half-asleep by the time I put her in her crib, and I hoped she’d sleep for more than a few hours this time. My mind was turning the whole time, thinking of Joe and what he’d done for us. Of Randy and his grief. Of Denny Carmichael and the lives he’d ruined.

  I’d just gotten ready for bed, wearing a simple short nightgown with spaghetti straps and no panties underneath, when Joe came in and shut the door.

  “How’s Randy?” I asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “A mess,” he said, coming over to sit by me. He checked the monitor, smiling at the sight of Hope in her crib. “I tried to get him to stay the night, but he turned me down. At least I convinced him to wait until Barry’s crew left. He was tryin’ to get interviews out of the sheriff and the DA.” He kissed my temple. “And I got him to eat half the spaghetti.”

  “Good,” I said with a smile. I took his hand. “I want to have a vision of tomorrow. Facing Carmichael. I should have done it earlier, but I want to see what happens.”

  “You know they don’t always come true.”

  “Well, it would be foolish not to be prepared.” I closed my eyes and concentrated on the meeting in the morning. Will Carmichael hurt Joe?

  I was plunged into a murky vision. At first I thought we were meeting Carmichael at night, but then I realized the vision itself was hazy. I was facing Carmichael and several of his men in front of what was unmistakably Carmichael’s compound. Dermot was next to me, and Vision Rose stood in front of us, her feet in a defensive stance. Carmichael’s full attention was on me.

  “What the hell is this, Simmons?” he shouted, looking furious. “You think you can just show up and then take whatever we say back to your boss?”

  “I quit the department,” I said in Joe’s voice. “I know you’ve got no reason to trust me, but I’m here as Lady’s guard. Nothin’ more. Nothin’ less.”

  Carmichael turned to Vision Rose. “I ain’t sayin’ shit in front of him.”

  “I was crooked,” Joe said. “I covered things up in the sheriff’s department. I fabricated evidence to get Rose arrested. I hid evidence to protect my father. I serve my own best interests, always have and always will. It just so happens that our interests overlap in this case. So take it or leave it, but it would be to your advantage to take it.” He slowly slipped his hand into his front jeans pocket and withdrew a flash drive. “Information the sheriff’s department has on you and every major player in the county, especially Skeeter Malcolm.”

  Carmichael’s scorn shifted to interest. “Go on.”

  But the vision slipped away, and I found myself staring up into Joe’s face. “You’re gonna give him information about every player in the county.”

  He studied me for a moment. “Did it work?”

  “The vision ended, but he seemed interested.”

  He nodded. “Good.”

  “You were already considerin’ it?” I asked in surprise.

  “I have to give him something, Rose. I’d already started compiling a list while I was working on my letter of resignation, and then I texted Jed and asked him to supply me with more information, especially on Malcolm. He said he would work on it tonight and email me in the morning.” He gave me a pointed look. “I’m not stupid enough to think I can just waltz into his compound.”

  “Is the information real?”

  “With Jed’s touches, it should be convincing enough that he’ll buy it. I suspect a good portion of it will be fabrications based on truth.”

  “So Jed knows you quit?”

  He grinned. “His response was ‘welcome to the dark side.’”

  I grinned too, then turned serious. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  He pulled me to him, kissing me softly but with building heat. “Very,” he breathed against my lips.

  I reached up and wrapped my hand around the back of his head, and held him in place. “I hate to start bossing you around already, but I don’t know how long your daughter’s gonna sleep, and I’m exhausted.”

  “We don’t have to do this tonight, Rose. We can wait until tomorrow.”

  I pushed him back onto the bed and grinned. “Not a chance.”

  Chapter 21

  Hope slept until around three. Joe got up, changed her diaper, the
n brought her to me so I could nurse in bed. She nursed longer than the previous two nights but fell asleep.

  Joe and I exchanged a look, and a silent communication passed between us. Neither of us wanted to let her go just now. Joe arranged her in the middle of the bed, once more placing small pillows around her. We both lay on our sides, facing each other, and he reached across Hope toward me. I took his hand, and he linked our fingers and offered me a smile. “I love you, Rose.”

  “I love you too.”

  I fell asleep, our fingers still linked, and when I woke up around seven thirty, Joe and Hope weren’t in bed. I sat upright in a moment of pure panic, but the bedroom door was partially open, and I could faintly hear Joe’s voice coming from downstairs. Based on the tone of his voice, he was either talking to Hope or Muffy, possibly both.

  I got up and headed downstairs, finding them in the kitchen. Hope was in her bouncy seat on the table with an empty bottle next to her, while Joe stood in front of the stove, frying bacon. Muffy sat on the floor under the table, giving the skillet a longing look.

  “What’s goin’ on down here?” I asked. “I woke up and found myself all alone.”

  Joe grinned, but I could see he was anxious. “Hope and I decided to have a little father-daughter bonding time, and after she had her breakfast, I decided to make sure you had yours.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Maeve called.”

  “Oh?”

  “She heard about me quittin’. She’s worried. I think she knows there’s more goin’ on than meets the eye.”

  I gave him a grim smile. “She’s a very intuitive woman. Is she still okay with watchin’ Hope?”

  “Even more so. And she was relieved to hear that Witt would be hangin’ out with ’em.”

  We spent the next hour trying to pretend like our life was normal, and Joe and I were just ordinary parents who were taking their daughter to the sitter on their way to work.