Moonshine Murder [Hawkman Bk 14]

by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

  “What did you tell the police?”

  “They only asked if I knew Tami, and of course, I told them I did. This was before I knew she was dead. He wants to talk to you, me and Earl together, so he said he'd be back tonight.”

  Jeb frowned. “Finding her on our property puts us in a real predicament.”

  Beth bit her lower lip, then looked into her husband's face. “Did Tami show up here last night?

  He shook his head. “No, Atkins came by himself. He said he would have no use for her anymore, now that he knew where to come. He'd just pick up his own whiskey and not have to share the profit.”

  Beth sat down on the couch, shoved her hair out of her face, and tied it with the ribbon she had draped around her neck. Marcy had awakened, but lay cooing at the strand of colorful ornaments strung across top of the crib. Beth stared at the baby. “Jeb, I'm scared. What will we do if they think we had something to do with Tami's death? They'll take my babies away from me.”

  He sat down in the chair opposite her. “Before that happens, I'll get you out of here.”

  She threw up her hands in despair. “How? In the buckboard? How much of a chance do you think I'd have getting away?”

  “That's the way we got here.”

  “Yes, but we weren't running from the law.”

  Earl came in the door and placed his rifle in the gun rack. “Got everything done.” He studied his parents for a moment. “Is something wrong?”

  Jeb turned toward his son. “While you were on watch last night, did you see Tami?”

  “No, I only saw the guy in the truck drive up. You were out there, and said he was all right to let in.”

  “Where'd you head afterwards?”

  “I walked the boundary behind the barn, then came in for supper. I didn't think I needed to go toward the road, as you and that man were out in front talking.”

  “The police found Tami, dead in her car on our land.” Beth said. “We don't know where, but they'll be here shortly to talk to us.”

  Earl's mouth dropped open. “Did someone kill her?”

  “We don't know how she died,” Jeb said.

  “Where's Randy?” Earl asked, glancing around the cabin. “I didn't see him outside.”

  “He's with Jennifer Casey,” Beth said.

  Earl grimaced. “What's he doing there?”

  “I think he found Tami. He didn't know what to do, so he went to them.”

  “Why didn't he come to you, Mom?”

  “I have no car, no way to make an emergency call, and you guys were gone.”

  The boy nodded. “Yeah, makes sense.” He jerked his head toward the outside. “I just heard a car.”

  The sound of slamming car doors echoed through the room. Fear crossed Beth's face as she clasped her hands together, stepped back, and stared at the entry. A rap on the wood sent Jeb to the door. A man in a dark suit, with three uniformed police officers flanking him, met Jeb's gaze.

  “Yes, what can I do for you?” Jeb asked, his attention drawn to the detective's shiny badge he held out for him to examine.

  Chandler folded his wallet and pushed it into an inside pocket of his jacket. “Are you Mr. Hutchinson?”

  “Yes.”

  “I'm Detective Chandler from the Yreka Police Department. May we come in? I'd like to talk to you about Tami Spencer.”

  Jeb moved aside and motioned for the men to enter.

  The detective turned to the officers behind him, and pointed. “You two stay out here. Mike, you come with me.”

  Just as they stepped inside, Marcy let out a yowl. Beth picked her up and headed for the bedroom.

  “Where are you going, Mrs. Hutchinson?” Chandler asked.

  She stopped, and turned on her heel. “It's time to feed my baby and I don't care to do it in front of strangers.”

  He motioned toward the officer. “Mike, check the room for any guns. Mrs. Hutchinson, leave the door open, and come back in when you're through.”

  Mike returned in a matter of seconds. “Room clean.”

  Meanwhile, Earl had moved behind his dad, and eyed the officers.

  “Is this strapping young man your other son?” The detective asked.

  “Yes, this is Earl,” Jeb said, then gestured toward the small sofa. “Have a seat.”

  “Before I forget, the Caseys said to tell you Randy will spend the night with them. I've already spoken to the boy about the Spencer woman.”

  “Did he find her?” Jeb asked.

  “Yes, and he's a bit traumatized by the whole event.”

  Jeb ran a hand over his neck. “I can imagine. Where was she?”

  “In her car, pushed into a covey of trees just before you get to the paved road. My team has already removed her body and the car. How well did you know her?”

  “She's been a friend of my wife's for years, but they'd never been close enough to visit until Tami moved to Yreka some time ago.”

  “What did Ms. Spencer do for a living?”

  Jeb shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  Beth wandered back into the room holding Marcy. She put the baby in the crib with some toys and faced the detective.

  “Mrs. Hutchinson, do you know what Ms. Spencer did for a living?”

  “She used to be a waitress in a small cafe, until it closed. I don't know what kind of job she had recently,” Beth said.

  “I thought you were good friends?”

  Beth shrugged. “To a point, but you have to realize we live quite a ways from Yreka, and gas is very expensive. I have no way of getting into town, unless I use the buckboard or ride one of the horses, which is a bit hard with a nursing baby. So we really didn't see each other very often.”

  “When did you see her last?”

  “It was two or three nights ago when she brought a man out to meet my husband. She said he might have a job for him.”

  Chandler turned toward Jeb. “What kind of work, Mr. Hutchinson?”

  “Something to do at his bar, but being we have no vehicle, it didn't pan out.”

  “I see.” The detective put his attention back on Beth. “How many ribbons do you have?”

  Beth stared at him in shock. “Are you talking about my hair ribbons?”

  “Yes.”

  “I have a drawer full, because I'm always losing them.”

  “May I see them?”

  “I can't imagine what they have to do with Tami's death,” she mumbled as she opened the chest and handed him a handful.

  The detective sorted through them. “Looks like most of these are handmade.”

  “They are, I tear them off of rags.”

  He pulled a red satin one out of the pile and held it up. “This one looks store bought.”

  “Yes, I had a couple of those, a red and a blue. I lost the blue one somewhere; they're so slick they slide off real easily. It's probably out in the yard. They were on a gift I received when I moved here.” She frowned. “Why are you interested in these?”

  “Because Ms. Spencer was strangled with a blue ribbon.”

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  * * *

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  Beth narrowed her eyes as flashes of red anger exploded. Jeb and Earl both stepped back when she grabbed the hair ribbons from the detective's hands and tossed them on the chair. “How dare you come into my home and suggest one of us strangled Tami. You can buy these for a dime a dozen.” She pointed to the door. “Get out! And don't return.”

  Taken aback by the sudden outburst from Beth, Detective Chandler stood, held up his hands, and retreated toward the entry. “Mrs. Hutchinson, I didn't mean to insinuate any such thing. I just wanted you to know how she died.”

  “That's a bunch of bull,” she said, advancing toward them, then she reached for her husband's rifle on the gun rack. “We're not murderers, but you may make me one if you don't get off our property.”

  Chandler shook his head when he saw his officer going for his gun. “We're going, Mrs. Hutchinson, we're going. D
on't leave town. We'll want to talk to you again.” When he stepped out the door, he motioned to the two officers guarding the front. “Okay, boys, let's get out of here,”

  Beth stood in the doorway, the gun aimed at the detective. The officers all hurried to their cars, jumped in and took off without any argument.

  Jeb stood behind Beth, and watched the cars disappear down the path. “After your tirade, they'll never leave us alone.”

  She shoved the gun into his hands, and stormed into the kitchen area. “I certainly didn't intend to stand there and listen to our family being accused of murder.”

  “Did you kill her, Beth?” Jeb asked.

  She glared at him. “What if I did? I had every reason to strangle her. Are you going to turn me in?”

  Earl stepped in front of his mother, his eyes wide with horror. “Mom, you didn't kill her, did you?”

  “What if your dad did?”

  His mouth dropped open, and he stared at his father. “Dad?”

  “It sounds like one of your mother's hair ribbons was used. Maybe you stole it from her stash and killed her.”

  Earl stuck his thumb into his chest. “Me? Why would I want to get rid of Tami?”

  “Did you like her?” Jeb asked.

  “No, but not enough to murder her.”

  Beth stood listening to the two. “It appears any one of us could be a suspect. I think we ought to leave this place. We've had nothing but trouble ever since we moved here.”

  “Then we'd really look suspicious. They'd find us for sure, as we have no way to travel but in the buckboard,” Jeb said, flopping down on the couch. “Besides, I don't want to go right now. I've finally found a way to make some money.”

  Beth had her fists clenched beside her body. “You'll get caught at it soon, too, and you'll be hauled off to jail.”

  “It beats a murder rap.”

  * * * *

  Hawkman stood staring out the sliding glass door overlooking the lake when he spotted the police cars moving across the bridge toward town. His gaze traveled to Randy sitting on the floor holding Miss Marple, his attention glued to the television set where Jennifer had tuned in cartoons. He glanced at his wife at the computer, and nodded his head toward the deck. She arose and followed him outside as he slid the door shut.

  “Detective Chandler and his troops are headed into town. They've finished up with Beth and Jeb for the night,” Hawkman said.

  “Could you see if they had any one in the car beside the officers?”

  “I couldn't tell, too dark to see inside the vehicle, but doubt they made an arrest. Not enough evidence except for the hair ribbon around Tami's neck, and that's not enough to put Beth behind bars.”

  “Wonder if Chandler has any inkling what's in those buildings?”

  “He'll know by tomorrow night. I'm going to go in and give him the skinny on the Hutchinsons and their customers.”

  “Do you think we should take Randy home?”

  “Not unless he wants to go.”

  Jennifer hugged herself. “I think he's scared.”

  “After seeing the dead body of a woman he knows and a cord around her neck he recognized as one of his mother's hair ribbons, I'd say I don't blame him.”

  “I can't believe Beth would kill her friend, even though she has a good reason to wring her neck. None of the family liked Tami, except maybe Jeb. Randy hated her, but he's out of the question. However, Earl's another story.”

  Hawkman rubbed the back of his neck. “Or someone doing business with her.”

  “Then how come ‘her’ body was found in ‘her’ car on the Hutchinsons’ property?”

  “That's a good question. Maybe I'll get some answers when I talk to the detective tomorrow.”

  A knock on the glass caused both of them to turn around. Randy stood at the door with Miss Marple in his arms. Jennifer slid it open.

  “You tired of the cartoons?”

  “No, but I'm lonesome for my Mom and Marcy.”

  “You're more than welcome to spend the night. We have an extra bedroom,” Jennifer said.

  “Thanks, but I think I want to go home.”

  “You can't ride your bike in the dark, so we'll put it in my vehicle and take you,” Hawkman said.

  Randy gave Miss Marple a big hug, then put her on the floor with her stuffed toy. “Now you be a good girl until I see you again.” He looked up at Jennifer. “I really like Miss Marple.”

  “She really likes you too, and she's going to miss you. It's been a long time since she's gotten so much attention.”

  Randy smiled. “I'll come back soon.”

  They trooped out to the Cruiser and Hawkman lifted the bike into the back of the vehicle while everyone piled aboard. He wondered what sort of reception the boy would receive. Randy remained extremely quiet on the trip to the cabin. When they arrived, the faint glow of the lanterns could be seen through the windows. Randy and Jennifer climbed out and stood until Hawkman lifted out the bike.

  “You don't have to stay,” Randy said, parking the two-wheeler at the side of the dwelling.

  “We want to see you inside,” Jennifer said.

  Randy shrugged and pushed open the door. The threesome met the surprised stares of Beth, Jeb and Earl, who stood planted with his rifle, aimed to fire.

  “Hi, everyone. Put the gun down, Earl, it's just me.” Randy said.

  “The detective said you were spending the night with the Caseys,” Beth said.

  “I decided I wanted to come home.”

  “We told him he could, if he so desired,” Jennifer said, in a stiff voice.

  “Thank you, for bringing him.”

  Hawkman touched Jennifer's shoulder. “We better get on our way. It's late and these people probably want to get to bed.”

  They stepped outside, closing the door behind them, and climbed into the 4X4. On the way back to their place, Hawkman asked, “Could you read any of their faces?”

  “No. I couldn't tell if they were happy to see Randy or angry with him. At least we know none of them were taken to the police station.”

  “It'll only be a matter of time before one of them is arrested for running moonshine or murder.”

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  * * *

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Randy could feel the stares of his family as he slowly walked toward Marcy's crib.

  “Don't bother her, she just went to sleep,” Beth said, sternly.

  “I wasn't going to wake her.”

  “I want you to tell us about this morning,” Jeb said.

  “Yeah, creep. The police have been here,” Earl chimed in.

  “Enough out of you,” Beth said, pointing a finger at the oldest son.

  Randy slumped down on the cot, and clasped his hands together. His gaze cast to the floor, he told his story. “I went riding on my bike this morning and got bored, so thought I'd go down and see Mr. and Mrs. Casey. Just before I reached the road, I saw a bright reflection coming from the trees, so thought I'd see what caused it. When I got close, I recognized Tami's car and thought she'd fallen asleep inside. I yelled her name, and when she didn't move, I knocked on the window. Her eyes were open, but she never turned her head or anything. I tried to get in the doors, and they were all locked. I really got scared when I saw a ribbon that looked like one of Mom's hair bands wrapped around her neck. I didn't know what to do, so I went to the Caseys’ and told them about it. We all piled into Mr. Casey's Cruiser and I showed him where I'd found the car. He got out and looked, then drove back to his house where he called the police. Later, one of the policeman asked me a bunch of questions.” He glanced up and studied the faces of his family. “That's what happened.”

  Beth walked over and knelt in front of her son. “Why didn't you come and tell me?”

  Tears welled in Randy's eyes. “Because she was your friend and when I saw the hair ribbon, I really got scared.”

  She took his hands. “Did you think I'd killed her?”

 
; “I don't know what I thought,” he sobbed.

  She folded him into her arms. “You did the right thing. I couldn't have done anything, since I had no transportation. Your dad and Jeb weren't here, so I'd have probably sent you to the Caseys for help.”

  Randy wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand. “I'm happy you think I did right by going to them. I wasn't sure. That's why I didn't come home any sooner; I thought you might be mad at me.”

  Beth patted his back, then stood. “I can imagine seeing a dead body is horrifying. It would frighten me too.”

  Randy gazed up at his mother. “Did somebody kill her?”

  “It appears so,” Jeb intervened.

  Randy peered up at his father, wide eyed. “Who would do that and leave her on our land? It makes it look like one of us did it.”

  Jeb nodded. “Yes, we could be in deep trouble.”

  * * * *

  Sunday morning, before making the trip into town, Hawkman called Detective Chandler to verify if he'd be in his office. He told him, unless an emergency occurred, he'd be there. Hawkman took off for Yreka. Not having been to the department since they'd moved into the old library building on Miner Street, he looked forward to seeing it.

  When he pulled up to the station, he didn't dare park in the fifteen minute zone in front, as he knew he'd be there longer. He couldn't park across the street, because of the fire station. Taking a right, he circled the building where he found an empty slot on the right-hand side.

  Strolling along the sidewalk to the steps leading to the door, he was impressed by the neat square building with an oval shaped entry. Maybe one day they'd see fit to remove the Library sign at the top.

  As he stepped inside, the receptionist at the front desk quickly averted her eyes, then told him where he'd find Detective Chandler's office. Hawkman grinned, knowing the eye-patch always intimidated some women. He meandered down the short hall and knocked on the door with Chandler's name printed in copper letters.

  “Come in,” a loud voice called.

  Opening the door, he had to smile, as Chandler's large desk stacked with papers reminded him of Detective Williams’ desk in Medford.

  “Glad to see you, Mr. Casey. I'm anxious to hear what you have to tell me.”