“I’m having lunch with Gina in about an hour. If you want, I can pull up on the side of the restaurant opposite her building and let you out where she can’t see us even if she’s in the restaurant already. You can go in and I can drive around to the other side, so if she’s watching she will see me arrive alone. That way you can see what she looks like—because I know you are dying to do so.”
Sabre smiled. “You think you’re pretty smart, don’t you?”
“Smart enough to get your attention, darlin’.” He reached over and patted her on the leg. “But first, let’s go get you some gloves.”
For a moment, Sabre felt giddy, something she hadn’t felt in a really long time. JP was so considerate…and hot. She smiled at him as her eyes took him in from his handsome face all the way down to his cowboy boots. Then her thoughts came back to her brother. She just wanted to figure this all out, find Ron, and take him home. Then she could get back to her life. Only now it would be better because Ron would be a part of it again. Then she realized that wasn’t going to happen. He would most likely be running and hiding for the rest of his life, and this time without WITSEC to help him.
***
When Gina entered the restaurant JP waved to her from the table he was saving. Sabre was perched on a stool about ten feet away. The angle was such that if she looked straight ahead she was looking directly at their profiles.
Gina walked over and JP stood up. “Hi, Gina. Nice to see you again.”
“Hi,” she said. “Sorry, I got stuck in the office. Have you been waiting long?”
“No, ma’am, but I thought I’d better get us a table before it got crowded.
“Thank you. I can wait here while you get your food.”
“You go ahead. I’ve already placed my order.”
As she walked away, Sabre gave JP a slight nod of approval.
“Thanks for letting me join you for lunch,” JP said when Gina returned.
“No problem. Did you get your truck fixed?”
“They’re working on it. If it gets done early enough today I’ll get back on the road this evenin’, but that isn’t lookin’ real likely.”
“I’m sure you’re anxious to get home to your family.”
“The road is my home, but if you’re askin’ if I have a wife and kids, the answer is no.”
Gina’s face reddened. “No, I wasn’t asking that.”
“Number 72,” the clerk announced.
“That’s me,” JP said as he stood up.
“Number 74.”
JP glanced at Gina’s number sitting next to her phone and saw it was 74. “l’ll get it,” he said.
JP returned with the food, placed it on the table, and sat back down. “So, what about you?” he asked. “I noticed you’re not wearing a ring, but I’ll bet you have someone special in your life.”
“I do,” she said. “He’s very special. His name is Buck.”
“And what does Buck do for a livin’?”
“He works at a local resort. Maintenance. He likes it because he can be outside a lot. And he’s very good at what he does.” Her voice sounded almost bubbly when she spoke of him.
“You sound very happy.”
She swallowed and her shoulders seem to droop. “I was,” she said in a flat, monotone voice.
“I’m sorry,” JP said. “Did something happen to him?”
“I think he left me.”
“What do you mean, you think he left you? Did you have a fight?”
Gina shook her head. “I’m sorry, I’m sure you didn’t expect to get dumped on when you invited me to lunch with you. Besides, I shouldn’t be telling my problems to a stranger.”
“Look, I invited you to lunch because I didn’t want to eat alone and you were very friendly. If you want to ‘dump’ on me, as you put it, I’m all ears. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger than it is a friend. I’ll soon be gone and your story will be a well-kept secret.”
She forced a little smile. “You are easy to talk to.”
“Thanks,” JP said. After a slight pause, he added, “So, what happened between you and Buck?”
“We went out last Friday night and everything seemed fine. He had to work the next day so we didn’t stay out late. And then nothing. He hasn’t called me and he won’t answer my calls.”
“How long have you been together?”
“We met about three months ago. We hit it off right away, and we have a lot of the same interests. We spent a lot of time together camping and fishing. I thought I had even convinced him to start going to church with me. My friend thinks that’s the problem.” Her chin dipped down and she stared at her hands.
“That you wanted him to go to church?”
“No, not that.” Her voice became almost a whisper. “I know it seems strange in this modern day, but I’m a good Christian girl and my friend said he probably got tired of waiting.” Then a little louder. “But I don’t think so. He seemed alright with that.”
“So, what do you think happened?”
“That’s just it. I’m actually getting worried about him. I’m afraid something bad might have happened to him.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I just can’t imagine what.”
“Have you been to his house?”
“Yes, he’s not there. He lives in a large apartment complex. I got the manager to let me in, in case he was sick or hurt or something, but he wasn’t there. Nothing looked disturbed and all his belongings were there.”
“Has he been goin’ to work?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t want to call and get him in trouble.” She paused. “Do you think I should call the police?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he just needed a break. Guys are like that sometimes. I’m sure he’s fine.”
Gina looked at the time on her phone. “I’d better get back to work. I have a ton of paperwork sitting on my desk. Thanks so much for listening. If you’re here tomorrow I’ll see you, unless I scared you off. Either way, be safe out there.”
“Thank you. It was real nice meeting you.”
***
“I was hoping to learn more than I did,” JP said, as he and Sabre drove off.
“Like what?” Sabre asked.
“I’m not sure, but it doesn’t seem like much to report to Ron.”
“He’ll be glad to know that she’s still alive and well. No one has harmed her or taken her captive. I expect that was his biggest concern.”
JP sighed. “I know, but I’d want more if it were you.”
***
Back at the hotel, Sabre and JP sorted through the criminal records of the four remaining ex-cons. JP made a list of arrests and convictions prior to their last imprisonment:
Dan Upton, 58—Two arrests for “Breaking and Entering” with only one resulting in a conviction, one “Kidnapping,” fourteen misdemeanor convictions consisting mostly of drug possession.
Gilbert Vose, 39—Lawyer, no arrests or convictions.
James Ruby, 37—Mostly drug offenses, one “Assault and Battery” at a baseball game, one “Assaulting a Police Officer” during an arrest for possession.
Kirk Gillich, 31—Lots of arrests but few convictions, only misdemeanors. Good lawyering seemed to keep him out of prison until Ron’s testimony broke his streak. It seemed like a good motive to want Ron dead.
While JP created his list, Sabre researched on the computer. “This isn’t good,” Sabre said.
“What is it?”
“Mendoza told me that Ron had to leave Gilroy, California because their office received an anonymous tip that he had been discovered. So, I researched Gilroy for each one on your list just on the off chance that something might show up. Look at this headline.”
DEAD BODY ODOR STRONGER THAN GILROY’S GARLIC
“What a cheesy headline,” JP said.
“It gets worse. Listen to this.” She read the article. “Man found dead in parked car after tenant complained of strong smell outside her window. He was discovered with a bullet in his chest after
baking for three days in the acrid, garlicky air of Gilroy, California.”
“Who writes this stuff?” JP said.
“Here’s the kicker, Sabre continued to read. “The man is identified as Daniel G. Upton from Dallas, Texas.”
JP set aside his list. “What date was it?”
“The article was written on June 16th of last year.”
“So if the man baked for three days, he was killed on the 13th.”
“Do you know what dates Ron was there?”
“He left Sarasota on March 29th.”
“Our mother’s birthday.”
“Correct. That’s why Ron remembered it so well. I didn’t get the exact date he left Gilroy, but he said he was there about three months.”
“Two and a half, according to Marshal Mendoza,” Sabre said.
“Which would mean Upton was killed around the same time that Ron left Gilroy.” He sighed. “I don’t like the way this is adding up.”
Chapter 15
Snow continued to fall as Ron worked his way up the mountain to the “Montana phone booth.” Tuper told him he’d go with him when he returned from his jaunt to a local Helena casino, but Ron figured Tuper had been caught in the storm or he would’ve returned by now. Ron had waited for several hours for the blizzard to let up, but it seemed to be getting worse and darkness was encroaching. He needed to hike to the spot where he could call and walk back to the cabin before the sun set. Considering the storm, Ron wouldn’t have gone if he hadn’t promised Sabre he would call. Besides, he also wanted to talk to JP and find out what was going on in Idaho, and in particular how Gina was doing. He wondered if he did the right thing by leaving her behind. He had expected to miss her but didn’t know he’d miss her this much.
Ron shook from the cold. He couldn’t remember when he had felt so cold for so long. The only time he seemed to be warm was when he sat by the stove with his feet propped up on the oven door. He wished he had bought a knit ski mask, the kind that covers your entire head except for your eyes. That would at least have protected him against the wind that was blowing the snow hard against his face, making the snowflakes feel like cold pebbles of sand. He thought his cheeks were going to break off.
Once Ron reached the clearing he removed his right glove and called Sabre. He was facing the wind, but if he turned he had no bars. Sabre answered on the second ring. They exchanged pleasantries and he apologized for the poor reception.
“How’s Mom?”
“She’s fine. She’s still with Uncle Gary and Aunt Edie.”
“And where are you?” he said sternly.
“I’m with JP and I’m fine.” She explained why she was there, that she had spoken with Marshal Mendoza, and he had told her it was Lance Dawes who was shot in front of The Affordable Inn.
“So, who shot him?” Ron shuddered and turned slightly to protect himself from the wind. He lost his connection. He called right back and asked again, “Who shot him?”
“We don’t know.”
“Do they think I did it?”
“Mendoza doesn’t, but the detective for the Sheriff’s Department is very interested in talking to you.”
“I don’t even have a gun, but I’m beginning to think I should get one.”
“Seriously?”
“No.”
“There’s something else, Ron.” Sabre paused. “What date did you leave Gilroy?”
He thought for a second. “It was the middle of the month, about the 14th or 15th, not sure which date exactly. It was a Friday, if that helps.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, why?”
“Because Dan Upton was shot there on the 13th.”
“I don’t get it. Who’s killing these guys?” Ron put his left arm up in front of his face to shelter it from the snow and the wind.
“I don’t know, but we plan to find out. Are you doing okay?”
“Other than freezing my ass off, I’m good. How is Gina?”
“JP talked to her again yesterday. She vacillates between thinking you dumped her and that you’re in some kind of trouble.”
“I’m thinking you should tell her. What difference does it make? I’m not going back there. Why make her suffer through all that?”
“I’ll do whatever you want.”
“And Sabre, tell her I love her, okay?” His teeth chattered as he spoke. “Anything else? Because it’s really cold out here. And it’s starting to snow even harder.”
“Just one thing: where are you?”
“I’m not going to tell you. You know too much already.”
“All I know is that you are somewhere very cold. Why won’t you tell me where you are?”
“Because if someone is looking for me and they find you and start asking questions, you can honestly tell them you don’t know. It’s safer for both of us that way. Okay, Sis?”
“No, not really. Just be careful.”
“I’ll call tomor….” The phone went dead again. Ron stuck it in his pocket and put his glove back on. It was getting dark.
He took about three steps in the knee-deep snow toward the trees and then stopped. About thirty feet in front of him was a furry, muscular animal about the size of a medium dog hunkered down on a fallen tree. His white claws looked enormous as they protruded out of his large, dark paws and curled around his toes. Ron wondered why this small bear was out in the dead of winter. The animal lowered his head and Ron saw the patch of white fur just above his eyes and across his side. His open mouth revealed his huge, white teeth and told Ron this wasn’t a friendly visit. Nor was it a bear. Worse, it was a wolverine. That much he knew from pictures he had seen in books and on the Internet. Other than that, he knew very little about this animal or what his next move should be.
For a few seconds Ron froze, his muscles tightening throughout his body. He didn’t know whether to stay still or run. He had nothing to protect himself and with the ground covered with snow he wasn’t likely to find a club. He very slowly shifted his eyes to his left. The trees were close, but most of them didn’t have branches low enough to climb on. And even if they did, he suspected wolverines could climb a lot faster than he could.
Still showing his teeth, the wolverine furtively slunk off the tree branch and took a step toward him. Ron felt his heartbeat racing and the tendons tighten in his neck. Think, he told himself.
The animal advanced another step closer, his beady eyes staring menacingly at Ron.
Ron made up his mind to run toward a tree, try to break a low hanging branch, and use it to scare the wild animal off. As soon as he had the thought, he realized how stupid it was. But another step forward by the creature had narrowed the gap even further. Soon there would be no options. Ron tightened his leg muscles to get as much force as he could for the dash through the snow when “Bang!” a rifle shot rang out. The wolverine bolted and Ron, not sure where the shot came from, threw himself down into the snow.
By the time Ron started to pull himself up and out of the snow, he saw Tuper walking toward him shaking his head.
“Crazy fool. I told you before it’s not safe out here without a gun.”
“I’m sure glad you came along,” Ron said.
“Lucky for you the cards were bad,” Tuper mumbled as they walked toward the cabin.
Chapter 16
“Ron thinks we should tell Gina what’s going on,” Sabre said. “He says he can’t go back into Witness Protection anyway.”
“He’s got a point,” JP said.
“Do you think we should tell her?”
“I think it’s up to Ron and if he says ‘tell her,’ then we’ll tell her.”
With that question settled, Sabre called Bob to see if he needed any information on any of her pending juvenile court cases. They discussed a few dicey areas. Sabre gave Bob her recommendations but encouraged him to make his own call if things changed. Then she asked, “Anything new on Sophie Barrington?”
“Mark, the stepfather, continues to deny any wrongdoing and So
phie supports his claims, but the department is still convinced he’s the perpetrator.”
“How’s Sophie’s mother handling it?”
“I think she’s starting to believe Mark. He had a lie-detector test done that showed he was telling the truth, but since those aren’t admissible it won’t really help him.”
“And they’re not always reliable,” Sabre said. “Dang, I was hoping at least the mother would be a good placement, but if she doesn’t believe her husband did it, she may not protect Sophie.”
“It’s a tough call. If Mark is innocent, how does he prove he didn’t do it?”
“You can’t prove a negative. The only way to know for sure is to find who did it.”
“This case goes to trial next week. If you’re not back, what do you want me to do?”
“If Sophie doesn’t disclose another perp, we can’t send her home. We don’t have much choice.”
After discussing several other cases and getting the lowdown on court, Bob said, “One other thing, Sobs. Elaine said you received three calls this afternoon from Detective Daryl McLaughlin of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department. She seemed very anxious to speak with you.”
Sabre pushed the speaker button so JP could hear. “She? Daryl is a woman?”
“Yes.”
“What did she want?”
“All she would do is leave her phone number and said you needed to call. It was important.”
When Sabre hung up, JP asked, “The detective is trying to reach you?”
“Yes.” Sabre twisted her hair. “I wonder if Mendoza told her I was in the area.”
“Probably, but they must not know where you’re staying or they’d be knocking on your door. This isn’t good, Sabre.”
“I know, but what can they get from me? I don’t really know anything. I don’t know where Ron is, and on most questions I can claim attorney/client privilege.”
“Except if they have a warrant for his arrest, which they will have soon if they don’t have one already. If they think you’re harboring a fugitive, they’ll arrest you.”
“But Ron didn’t do anything, and even if he shot back, which he didn’t because he doesn’t have a gun, it would’ve been self-defense.”
The Advocate's Felony Page 8