by Michael Beck
"When you say all, do you mean all five of you got them?"
"No, just us guys. Ashley was too worried what her father would say."
"So she didn't get one?"
"Not then. She got one later."
"When?"
"What does it matter?"
"Just curious."
"It was the weekend before that Thanksgiving weekend."
"How come you remember that? It was a long time ago."
"I remember it well. We were teasing Ashley saying she was too scared to get the tattoo and she stormed off, really pissed. Then, when we met to head up to the cabin, she showed us the tattoo. I couldn't believe she'd done it. Her dad would have killed her if he had seen it. Is there any point to this?"
I hung up.
I picked up a magnifying glass and studied Ashley Hunter's shoulders. No tattoo. I ran it over her arms, down her body and legs. All of the five were only wearing shorts and runners with no socks. There was a smudge on Ashley's ankle. I used the magnifying glass and the smudge became letters.
FF. Fantastic Five.
My eye zoomed in on a beaming King, sitting on Maxwell's shoulders, flexing his biceps. Look at me everyone, I'm the king of the world.
"Son of a bitch."
King was at the cabin that Thanksgiving.
I pulled out my cell and keyed in a number.
"Goddam, who the fuck is this?" said Sheriff Shaw.
"Hey, Sheriff. Remember me? Mark Tanner. How are you?"
"It's after midnight. What the hell do you want?"
"Just wanted to ask you a question."
"Sorry, I'm in a committed relationship but thanks for thinking of me."
"Sheriff, are you sure there were only the four of them at the cabin that weekend?"
All I heard was the background hum of an open line.
"Sheriff?"
"What are you saying?"
"Could there have been a fifth person there?"
"Who?"
"Who do you think I'm going to say, Sheriff?"
Again the line went silent, then one word.
"King?"
"You got it. Why did you think I was talking about him?"
"He was one of the Fantastic Five. Who else would it be?"
"How ill was he, Sheriff? Did you check his story?"
"I spoke to his doctor. He confirmed that he visited King twice over the weekend to treat him for stomach flu."
Now it was my turn to be silent. "Why did you check his story, Sheriff?" I finally asked.
"I don't know... I just did."
"Was there any evidence at the cabin that he might have been there?"
"No. We searched the cabin and surrounding area completely after we found Ashley. There were no belongings except those of the four kids' and no sign that King or any other person had been at the cabin."
"But still you checked his alibi?"
Silence, until, "I thought--"
"Thought what, Sheriff?"
"I thought I saw a flash of light in the distance when I flew in."
"Flash of light?"
"Yeah. In the sky. Kind of like the reflection you get off something metallic."
"So what does that have to do with King?"
"His dad, Dedrick, owns a helicopter. It's how he commutes from Leadville to Denver."
"Wouldn't the pilot have to keep a log book?"
"That was nine years ago. What are the odds of finding it now?"
"You didn't try to look at it back then?"
"No. I thought I was imagining it. And even if it was an aircraft, it could have been anyone's plane or helicopter. King had an alibi and the boys' testimony backed him up. I had no reason to think he was involved. I still don't. Why do you think King might have been involved?"
I knew if I told Shaw about the panties and photo my investigation would be hijacked by the law. Call me old fashioned, but someone had tried to knock me off and I took that kind of thing personally.
"Just a hunch. The Fantastic Five did everything together, so King would have to have been really sick to not go to the cabin. And I spoke to Ashley's dad, Henry. He didn't have any kind words to say about Kyle."
"Huh. Well, that's no surprise."
"What do you mean?"
"Kyle's dad, Dedrick, dated Tammy Hunter for a while back in high school."
"Dedrick King and Tammy Hunter were lovers?"
"Yeah, they were an item in their senior year. Everyone thought they would end up getting married, but they broke up just before the end of the year."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure. I think the talk going around was that Dedrick's parents instigated the break up. They came from old money and Tammy's family was from the wrong side of the tracks. Even back then I think they harbored thoughts of a political career for Dedrick."
"So Tammy wasn't good enough?"
"That's about right. So you can see why Henry Hunter wouldn't have anything nice to say about the Kings, which is kind of rough considering."
"Considering what?"
"Considering the money the Kings gave him."
"Why did the Kings give him money?"
"Well, to be accurate they didn't. Their insurance company did when Henry broke his back."
"Henry worked for the Kings? I thought he worked in a mine?"
"He did. The Kings owned the old Eureka Silver mine. A lot of the mines were folding back then so Henry got a job working in the Eureka."
"How did he break his back?"
"Got struck by a mine trolley. Apparently a warning light was supposed to let the miners know there was an incoming load coming in. In this case the light didn't work and Henry was struck by a two thousand pound steel trolley. He was lucky he wasn't killed."
"So he sued the company? That must have caused some bad blood?"
"Not at all. No one was sued. The company admitted it was their fault and, from what I can gather, gave Henry a more than generous settlement. So you're barking up the wrong tree if you think there was any bad blood between the Kings and Hunters."
"When did all this happen?"
"Let me see. Henry was about twenty-eight and already had Jason and Ashley, so I guess the accident happened about 1990."
I hung up not sure what to think. So Dedrick King had dated Tammy Hunter in high school. Nineteen years later his son goes on a date with Tammy's daughter, Ashley. Two weeks later she was dead. Did it mean anything? Dedrick King broke up with Tammy, so he couldn't have been harboring any grudge towards the Hunters. And how could one date between two teenagers have anything to do with Ashley's death?
These were puzzling questions, but only one question really kept on going through my mind.
How could a doctor be treating Kyle King for stomach flu in Leadville when I had a photo that placed him fifty miles away, at the same time, just before the worst blizzard in Colorado history?
CHAPTER 48
"Is this really your car or is this just for my benefit?" said Bob.
"What do you mean? It's a Beetle, it's a classic."
"Yeah, in a Disney movie. Not for grown people to drive around in. Does Bear ride in this?"
I smiled at the image. "Some of my fondest memories."
Put Henry Kissinger's brain inside Angeline Jolie's body and you'd have Bob. I think if Fidel Castro had had a Bob whispering in his ear during the Cuban missile crisis, we'd all be speaking Spanish right now.
"So, where are you taking me? I was so thrilled when you asked me out," she said as we pulled away.
"Do any men actually ask you out?"
"The men I want to."
"And in what universe do I fall on that list?"
"You interest me. Most people I meet are boring, predictable. You are the least predictable person I've ever met." I felt her looking at me. "How often does a player deck three opposition supporters after a game?"
"They said I threw like a girl. What was I to do?"
"You're not exactly a sensitive, caring guy, are
you? But you also don't seem to take too well to authority. I wouldn't have thought that would go down well in the Army?"
"If you want to go to the dance you have to wear a suit."
"Why did you want to join in the first place?"
"I thought I'd look great in a uniform."
"You know, I have a contact inside the Army and I asked him to find out about your service record. It makes interesting reading. More for what it doesn't say than it does. It said you were awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart."
"Everyone was getting them back then. I got mine inside a cereal box."
"Ah huh. The citation said you ignored your own personal safety and came under withering, enemy fire to rescue a fellow soldier."
"Well, he owed me money. What was I to do?"
"It said you were shot twice."
"I was that slow and they still gave me a medal?"
"Funny thing though, it says you were also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. But the citation is blank. It doesn't say what it was for?"
"I think that one was for eating two servings of the Army's beef stew in one sitting. The citation read for courage above and beyond the call of duty. That one I'm actually proud of. That was some beef stew."
"You know, I can see why those three guys tried to deck you. You really are a pain."
"And our date is only five minutes old."
We ate at Luigi's. It wasn't Italian and it wasn't even run by a Luigi, but they did serve food. Luigi's was owned by an old Army-cook buddy of mine, Luke Cloke, who I had served with in Afghanistan. Cloke named the place after his dog, Luigi. The dog wasn't Italian either.
Cloke, as you might have gathered, lived on his own. The restaurant was in an alleyway in a walk-down building in Queens. The only advertising was a small 'L' above the door but, as usual, the place was full. All soldiers ever do is complain about the cook, and here at Luigi's patrons make a booking months ahead to get fed by the same guy.
We ate in a dark booth, with soft leather seats and mahogany walls, at the back. I liked the place because it was quiet and private, each booth invisible from the next.
"Is this where you take people you don't want to be seen with?" Bob said, once we were seated.
"Exactly."
"Sorry, I would have worn sunglasses and a hat if I had known."
"Just keep your head down when we leave."
"You're a real romantic, aren't you?"
"I cried in Scream 4, does that qualify?"
"I read up on Ashley Hunter's death last night. Do you think Decker had anything to do with it?"
"Is this the small talk?"
"I don't do small talk."
"Now, why couldn't I have guessed that? Is Decker responsible? I don't think so. If anything untoward happened, my money is on Maxwell and Franklin."
"Untoward? Who are you, my grandpa? Then why has Decker gone to such great lengths to conceal his identity?"
"He knew that he might not get into a good college program or get drafted if he had this question mark hanging over him. All the evidence indicates that Franklin and Maxwell were the last ones to see Ashley. They were alone with her, drinking and getting high. The next moment she was dead."
"They fell asleep, remember?"
"So?"
"Ashley could have gone back into Decker's room after she awoke or Decker could have come out into the front room. And then something might have happened between them. They were both drunk. They could have had an argument over anything. According to Franklin and Maxwell, they didn't wake up until after midnight. That's a long time where something could have occurred."
I was silent. Damned if I hadn't thought of that. It was so simple but it could be true.
"So Decker might have changed his name because of guilt and fear?" I said.
"It's possible. Any one of the three could have done something to Ashley, and the other two wouldn't have known because they were unconscious."
Actually, it could have been any of the four boys. I hadn't told Bob about Kyle King. You can train a lion from birth so it's like one of the family. You can pet and hug it. Hell, you could probably sit on the damn thing. Then, five years later, in the blink of an eye, it could turn and take your arm off. That was its nature.
I knew Bob would try to do the right thing by me. But with Kyle King in the picture, the story suddenly tripled in importance. Could Bob resist the temptation to print the story until I gave her the all clear? I wasn't sure. It was her nature.
That morning I had dropped the panties off at a company that specialized in DNA analyses. I needed to know that they were actually Ashley Hunter's panties, but I had to have something of Ashley's for comparison. I had been stumped for a moment, until I remembered Henry Hunter's cut hand. I got the wastebasket from my kitchen and dumped the contents on the table. Sorting through the rubbish, I had found my bloodied handkerchief. Henry Hunter's DNA would tell me if the panties were worn by his daughter, Ashley.
"And if Franklin did something to Ashley while the others were asleep, we'll never know because he's dead," I said.
Bob nodded. "If that's the case, Decker and Maxwell will never know the truth."
"Well someone sure as hell thinks they know the truth." I thought back to my icy escape.
"You're right about that. Why else would they try to kill you? Broncos-cap doesn't want anyone getting in the way of his revenge. Who do you think he is?"
"I'm not sure. Ashley Hunter had no close relatives, apart from her parents and her father is wheelchair-bound. I thought they might have hired someone, but they aren't exactly rolling around in money so it's unlikely.
"I even thought it might be Maxwell. He might blame Decker for Ashley's death and be trying to get back at him. Especially since Decker's career was going so well and Maxwell's was in the toilet. But Maxwell's life has been more screwed up than anyone's, so it looks like whoever is after Decker started with Maxwell first."
"Have you considered it might have nothing to do with Ashley's death? It might be just an obsessed fan, an ex-lover or even a dispute over money. You know what they say. It's always either money or sex."
"No. I'm sure it's something to do with Ashley's death. It's too much of a coincidence that someone would be trying to frame Maxwell at the same time Decker's career is being destroyed. They must be linked. I'd stake my life on it."
"No. You're staking Decker's."
* * * *
"Next time you're paying," I said when I saw Bob's apartment.
Bob lived on the top floor of a ten-story apartment complex in Manhattan. The living area had an uninterrupted view over the Hudson. Her furniture was chrome steel with black cushions, and there were no family pictures or personal touches evident. It must have cost a fortune but it looked as friendly and as welcoming as an airport lounge.
"Who said there's going to be a next time?" said Bob, grinning.
"It doesn't look like you need a promotion. You seem to be doing all right where you are?"
"I'm not after money."
"Well that puts you ahead of most, right from the start. Where did you go to college?"
"Harvard."
"Ah huh. Me thinks someone has a rich daddy and mommy."
"I paid for this myself," she said curtly.
"Did I hit a nerve?"
"No. I just don't like people to think I got to where I am because of my dad. I've worked hard to do it on my own."
"Who's your father?"
"You really don't know?"
"Should I?"
"I just assume most people know. It's hard to keep hidden. My dad's Harrison Andrews."
"The newspaper king?"
"Ah huh."
"The Times isn't one of his, is it?"
"No. Like I said, I wanted to do it on my own. That's why I use my mother's maiden name. I didn't want any favors."
I sat down on the couch that looked out over the Hudson. "Great place. Did you decorate it yourself?"
"Yes."
> "I thought so."
She glanced around. "What do you mean?"
"It's not exactly warm and fuzzy, is it?"
"I'm not a warm and fuzzy person."
"No kidding. I've seen more welcoming rooms in train stations."
Bob slid onto the couch next to me, her hip resting against mine. "You don't feel welcome? Perhaps I might be able to fix that." She slipped her leg over mine and faced me. She kissed me. "Better?"
"I'm starting to feel pretty welcome," I agreed.
She pulled her blouse off over her head and we kissed again. My hands ran over the smooth suppleness of her back. I was way past feeling welcome. Bob's hands went inside my shirt, pulling it out and popping the buttons. I grabbed her hands, not wanting her to see my stomach.
"It's okay. I've already seen it," Bob said, against my mouth.
I pulled back and she nodded.
"Sorry, I know you didn't want me to, but I saw it at your place." She gently opened my shirt and ran her hand across the tattoo that ran across my stomach.
"Sixth of December, 1998. Alieno Nunquam. Never forget," she whispered.
"You know?"
She nodded.
"You never said."
"I thought if you wanted me to know you'd tell me."
"Since when do you wait for someone to tell you anything?"
"Since you."
* * * *
I dreamt I was flying. Jade was next to me as we swooped through the clouds to emerge over a town.
"There he is," said Jade.
We descended towards a dark figure wearing a hooded cloak.
"Is that him?" I called.
"Yes! Get him." screamed Jade.
The figure ran but we were too fast. At the last second he turned. I plummeted towards him and lifted the knife I held in my hand. I plunged it towards his back just as he turned. His hood fell off. He was me.
I awoke and, for a moment, thought I was still in the dream as I looked down at the distant ground. Far below me, a ferry was making its way up the Hudson through the sleet that was striking the window. I felt a warm body pressed against my back, a leg over mine and an arm wrapped around my chest. I rolled onto my back. Bob was lying with one hand under her cheek watching me.
"Was it a bad dream?" she said.
Now I knew. She was a witch. "How the hell did you know that?"