Murder at Black Lake

by Anne Patrick

  "Mainly Central America. El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala."

  "Us, too, along with Haiti and Mexico." Derek placed the toolbox on the porch. "I read an article about you once, where you helped to raise money after Hurricane Sandy."

  "I was actually on location in the Bahamas when it went through. That's one experience I never want to go through again. I couldn't believe the destruction. And once we were able to fly out, the damage along the east coast of the states, it was heart breaking."

  "Yeah, it was." Derek picked up his toolbox and he and Gage disappeared inside.

  Jamie didn't follow, her thoughts still lingering on her Bahamas adventure. It had been a turning point in her life, reminding her of how precious life was, and that in a blink of an eye, it could all end. After that trip, she had renewed her relationship with God. Made a pact with him and herself that she would be more particular about the parts she accepted, and trust God with her future.

  "You want a refill?" Mallory came out with the coffee pot.

  "Yes, thank you." Jamie moved her cup toward her and Mallory poured. "So tell me, how was your date last night?"

  "It was okay," Mallory answered with a shrug.

  "Just okay? What, you didn't hit it off?"

  "Not really. Turns out we don't have much in common. I thought he was going to hit the floor when I invited him to church tomorrow."

  "Oh. Well, I'm sure there are lots of Christian men around here who would love to take you out."

  "Not as many as you think."

  Jamie knew that finding someone who shared the same faith was important. That had been one of the downfalls in her relationship with Richie.

  ***

  It took Gage all morning and most of the afternoon to install the electrical box and exchange three outlets with new ones. He then gave Derek a hand replacing the loose floorboards and two columns on the front porch.

  "That looks great, guys," Jamie called out from the side of the house. "You two are amazing. And I absolutely love the picnic table, Gage."

  "Thanks." Gage wiped the sweat from his brow. "How's it coming on the inside?"

  "We've emptied two bedrooms, except for the beds and dressers, and washed down the walls. Stella says the steaks are almost done, so we're calling it a day."

  "We'll be right there."

  "Hey, did Macy get any hits on that DMV search?" Derek asked after Jamie walked off.

  "There were six in the county. I checked them all out yesterday afternoon; none were a match to the surveillance video. I had her go ahead and do the surrounding counties. I'll check those out Monday."

  "You're kind of going beyond the call of duty with this one, aren't you?" Derek grinned. "I mean it's not even our case."

  "I've known Jamie since we were in grade school, so yeah, it's personal."

  "I thought she moved away from here a long time ago."

  "She did."

  "So you two have stayed in touch."

  "Yes. I mean no, but…"

  Derek laughed. "You know, I think that's the first time I've ever seen you get flustered."

  "Shut up and let's go eat."

  ***

  "Have you ever met Al Pacino?" Derek asked as he and Jamie sat across from Gage at the picnic table. The dishes had been cleared and for the last half hour, Derek had been grilling Jamie about her career in show business.

  "We've attended the same events, but I've never had the honor of meeting him personally."

  Gage was impressed by the patience Jamie showed in answering all of Derek's questions. As if she were talking to a friend instead of a fan. Gage had come to realize, in the last six days, that Jamie really hadn't changed as much as he thought she had. She was the same person just wrapped in a prettier package. Out of the spotlight, makeup, and designer clothes, she was as comfortable in her skin as she was onscreen.

  "What about Richie Gaines, how was he to work with?"

  There was a subtle change in Jamie's expression, but she answered gracefully. "The best way to describe Richie is, intense. He's a great actor. He puts a hundred and ten percent into his roles."

  Derek started to ask another question, but Jamie's cellphone rang. She apologized and excused herself from the table. Derek looked at Gage and Gage laughed.

  "Hey, it's not everyday you get to have dinner with a movie star."

  "Just remember our deal."

  "I haven't forgotten."

  Jamie went inside, just as Mallory came out the backdoor. Gage hadn't seen her or his mother since they finished dinner. "Where you been?"

  "Jamie asked us earlier to look over the carpet and paint swatches she and I picked up the other day. We've narrowed them down to a half dozen. Mom's the deciding factor."

  "Who is she getting to paint and lay the carpet?" Gage asked, uncomfortable with the idea of strangers in her house.

  "She and I are painting the inside, and Mom has given her a short list of guys from church who may be available to paint the exterior and lay the carpet."

  "I could borrow my dad's sprayer and do the exterior for her," Derek offered.

  "Yeah, and I can help. A couple of weekends should do it. We can use a power washer to remove the existing paint." It would give Gage an excuse to come over. Seemed the more time he spent with Jamie, the more he enjoyed her company. His thoughts drifted back to yesterday and how tempted he was to take her in his arms; how much it saddened him to see her so discontent. It'd been a long time since he felt this protective over a woman.

  "That's awfully nice of you guys." Mallory grinned as she shifted her gaze between them. "The fact you're being so generous with your time doesn't have anything to do with her being a beautiful movie star, does it?"

  "I don't care if she's an actress." Derek crossed his arms and smiled at Mallory. "I'd paint your house, too, if it needed it."

  Great. Now he's flirting with my little sister. Gage kicked him under the table.

  "You guys want some more tea?" Mallory asked.

  "None for me." Derek stood. "I need to get going."

  Jamie rejoined them. "You leaving?"

  "Yeah. I'm working the graveyard shift tonight," Derek told her. "Thanks for dinner."

  "You're welcome. Thank you for all of your help." She gave him a hug and Derek looked like he had just won the lottery.

  "See you guys at church tomorrow."

  Jamie sat down across from Gage. He knew instantly from her frown, and the fact she still had her phone in her hand, that something wasn't right. "What's wrong?"

  "It appears my vacation is over."

  CHAPTER NINE

  "What are you talking about?" Mallory asked, sitting next to Jamie on the bench. "You can't leave. You just got here."

  "I may not have a choice, Mallory." She looked at Gage. "It seems someone recognized me Wednesday and decided to post a photo on social media of me with my face all bloodied."

  "Are you serious?" Mallory took out her phone.

  Disappointment that Jamie might have to leave paled in comparison to the anger Gage felt that someone would take advantage of Jamie's vulnerability.

  Jamie swiped the screen on her phone and slid it over to him. The photo displayed on the website showed Officer Williams and Mallory knelt beside the battered and visibly upset actress.

  "Oh my goodness." Mallory gasped. "It's all over the Internet."

  "That isn't the worst of it. One of the tabloids got hold of the story and has twisted the facts. Instead of me being the victim of an attempted mugging, I was in a drunken brawl and am now in rehab. They're planning to go to print with it next week."

  "That is pure evil." Mallory slid her arm around Jamie.

  Though Jamie appeared to be in complete control of her emotions, Gage sensed it was just a smokescreen. Something like this could ruin her career. "What are you going to do?" He hoped leaving wasn't part of her plan.

  "Damage control. Tommy has me booked for a radio interview tomorrow, and then Friday I'm doing a live appearance at a news
station in Cheyenne. I'll have my stitches out by then and makeup will cover any bruising left."

  "So you won't have to go back to California?"

  "I don't know, Mallory. It depends on how far the tabloids and paparazzi want to take it. If one of them digs around hard enough, they can find out my legal name is Riedel, and that I'm here in Jackson Ridge. And if that happens, they'll eventually learn about my dad and well . . . it'll really be bad."

  "It'll be a circus around here," Gage surmised.

  "Exactly, and I don't want that for you guys or the town."

  The backdoor slammed and Gage glanced up. His mom came toward them, followed by Bonnie. Stella stopped several inches from the table. Her eyes leveled on Jamie. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

  "As my grandma used to say, Satan has roused his minions." Jamie got up and gave Stella a hug. "They'll fill you in. I have some calls I need to make."

  ***

  The first call Jamie made was to the Greensburg PD. Officer Williams wasn't on duty, but the dispatcher took her number and said she would pass it along. Tommy had offered to do the task, but Jamie hadn't thanked him Wednesday, and she felt she should do that before asking for any favors.

  She then phoned her personal assistant, the only person in her circle of friends whom she trusted explicitly, the woman who tipped Tommy off to the story. Tamara Richards and Jamie had gone to college together at UCLA and had been friends ever since. "Tamara, it's Jamie."

  "Hey, girlfriend. I've been expecting your call. You owe me big time."

  "That I do. I have another favor to ask. Do you think you can get your friend at the Times to do an article on what really happened if I can line up an interview with the responding officer?"

  "Sure. I can't guarantee anything, but I'll do my best. I expect another exclusive interview with you, though." Besides being Jamie's assistant, Tamara was a budding writer. Her freelance articles had appeared in several of the more respectable magazines. "We can do it leading into your next movie release in February."

  "You got it," Jamie promised. "How's everything at home?"

  "No problems. I've been making good use of your pool. You know my offer of being your roommate is a standing invitation."

  "So you've said . . . about a dozen or so times. You know you are always welcome in my home and my pool. I don't know what I'd do without you."

  "Same here, my friend. Oh, before I forget, Richie has called and left messages several times."

  "Yeah, he's been calling my cell, too. Just let the machine get them and then erase them."

  "That's exactly what I've been doing."

  Next, Jamie phoned her attorney, Nathan Lancaster, told him what happened, and asked what recourse she could take to prevent the story from being published.

  "We should be able to get an injunction. I'll talk to Officer Williams, get his statement and a copy of the police report, and then file the necessary paperwork Monday. I know it's upsetting, but try not to worry about it."

  Easier said than done. "Thanks, Nathan." She hung up and laid the phone on the counter. For the first time since her arrival in Jackson Ridge, she wished she hadn't come.

  In this Internet age, privacy was harder and harder to maintain. She sometimes wondered if winning that Oscar was a curse. Up until then, she had lived a relatively normal life. But if she was real honest with herself, she knew it wasn't the award that brought her instant fame, it was hooking up with Richie Gaines. Had she just kept her relationship with him professional instead of succumbing to his charm, none of this would've likely happened. It was a crude reminder that her actions always had consequences.

  The screen door opened and Stella and Mallory joined Jamie in the kitchen. "Did you get your calls made?" Stella came over and put her arm around Jamie.

  "Yes. My attorney is confident we can get an injunction that will prevent the story from being published."

  "Good."

  Mallory placed the pitcher of iced tea in the refrigerator. "We're fixing to head home unless you want me to stay."

  "No. I'm all right. I appreciate everything you guys have done." Jamie gave them both a hug.

  "Why don't you come to church with us tomorrow?" Mallory invited.

  "I'd love to, but I'm afraid it's not a very good idea."

  "We can attend the early morning service," Stella suggested. "It's mostly older folks. I kinda doubt you'll be recognized."

  Jamie pondered the offer. It'd been two months since she was able to attend a church. Though she had kept to her daily Bible study and devotions, she missed going to weekly services. "I would enjoy that."

  "Wonderful." Stella squeezed Jamie's hand. "I'll tell Gage to drop by and pick you up. Then after church, we'll have dinner at my place."

  Jamie shoved her phone in her pocket and walked them out. Gage stood by his truck. "Thank you for everything."

  "We're not done yet. As soon as you decide on a color, Derek and I are painting the exterior."

  "You guys have done enough already," Jamie argued. She didn't want to take advantage of their friendship anymore than she already had.

  "We never leave a project unfinished. So don't argue."

  Mallory said something to him Jamie couldn't hear then she climbed in the extended cab.

  "I'll be by at a quarter till nine to pick you up for church, so be ready."

  Before Jamie could utter another word, he was in his truck and started the engine. She waved then watched them disappear from her drive.

  Bonnie whined beside her. "You wanted to go with them, didn't you, girl." Bonnie looked up at Jamie. "I'm not as much fun as Clyde, am I? What'd you say you go get your ball and we'll play?"

  Bonnie cocked her head sideways. "Go get your ball." That she understood and quickly vanished around the side of the house. A few seconds later, she reappeared with the yellow tennis ball. Half an hour later, a phone call interrupted their game. Jamie didn't recognize the number but answered anyway.

  "Is this Jamie Riedel?"

  Jamie hesitated briefly. "Yes, it is."

  "This is Officer Williams with the Greensburg PD. I was given a message you wanted to speak with me."

  "Yes, thank you for returning my call. I'm in a bit of a jam and was hoping you'd help me out."

  There was a slight pause before he asked, "What kind of a jam?"

  "It's kind of awkward discussing it over the phone. Would it be possible to meet you somewhere? I promise I'm not a lunatic, and I haven't done anything illegal."

  He chuckled. "All right. Are you free now?"

  "Yes. Only I would rather not come back to Greensburg. I know it's a huge inconvenience, but could you possibly come to Jackson Ridge and I'll meet you at Deb's Diner?" With it being a Saturday night, she figured it'd still be open.

  "Yeah. I know the place. Give me around forty-five minutes for the drive."

  ***

  Jamie showered, dressed in jeans and a grey hoodie, and then put on her makeup and wig. She checked the results. The two different shades of concealer underneath the eye shadow worked perfect and a slight adjustment of the wig hid the Band-Aid now covering her stitches. Since it was now dark, she would have to forego the sunglasses and hope the wig and hoodie would be enough of a disguise. With her face now plastered all over social media, it was going to be harder to fool people.

  She fed Bonnie, locked up, and then headed to town.

  Like most small towns in America, there wasn't a lot going on after dark in Jackson Ridge. Thankfully, the same went for Deb's Diner. Only half a dozen cars were parked in front of the brick building on the south side of the square. As soon as she pulled her Tahoe into an empty spot, a man wearing western clothes and a cowboy hat approached the driver's side. He tipped his hat to her as he reached for the door handle. Only then did she realize it was Officer Williams.

  "Wow. I didn't recognize you out of uniform." Jamie guessed him to be a couple of years younger than her and cuter than she remembered.

  He offered his hand to he
lp her from the SUV. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

  "Sorry I'm late, Officer Williams. The makeup took longer than I anticipated."

  "Please, call me Cade." He moved ahead of her and opened the door. "How are your battle wounds?"

  "They're healing nicely. Thank you."

  He seemed familiar with the place, so Jamie followed him to a booth near the back of the restaurant. A waitress came over soon after they were seated. "Hey, Cade. It's been awhile since I've seen you in here."

  "Hi, Deb. I'll have some coffee and a piece of your apple pie." He removed his cowboy hat and laid it on the seat beside him.

  "Just coffee for me. Thanks."

  "So, what can I do for you, Miss Riedel?"

  "I take it you're not on social media."

  Before he could answer, the waitress returned with their coffee and his pie. He took a bite and washed it down with a drink of his coffee. "Besides being a cop, I own a ranch that keeps me pretty busy. I don't have time for social media, or TV for that matter."

  "In that case, I better start at the beginning. My legal name is Jamie Riedel, but my stage name is Jamie Sutton. I'm an actress. I live in California, but I grew up and still own a home in Jackson Ridge. Wednesday, someone took a photo of me after I was attacked. That photo has since been distributed on the Internet, and one of the less respectable magazines in the business is planning to run a story saying I was in a drunken brawl and that I'm currently in rehab as a result. None of which, as you know, is true. So I need your help to debunk the story."

  "I gave your friend a copy of the police report." He took another sip of coffee, seemingly clueless of what the tabloids were capable of.

  "I know, and I appreciate that, but I was hoping you'd do me a couple of favors. My attorney will be getting in touch with you for an official statement so he can file an injunction against the tabloid. Then there are a couple of interviews I'd like you to do with me by conference call. All you have to do is just state what really happened and maybe answer a few questions."

  "I'm not really good at that sort of stuff."