The Advocate's Felony

by Teresa Burrell

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  “Then we’ll go back to town and start looking for his car.”

  Sabre pointed to the left at a sign that read Elkhorn Health and Rehabilitation and said, “That must be it.”

  JP turned into the facility parking lot which contained approximately fifteen cars. He found a spot behind a van where he could see any car that turned onto Warm Springs Creek Road, but where he wasn’t that visible. His phone beeped. “I have a missed call and a message.” He listened to the message and turned to Sabre with a blank look.

  “What is it?”

  “That was Ernie.” JP hesitated and then said, “This doesn’t mean it’s Ron.”

  “Just tell me.”

  “The victim this morning in Clancy was a white male, approximately thirty-five years old, and had no ID. He looked like he hadn’t shaved or showered in about a week, but he had no other telltale signs of being homeless. That’s all he knows for now. He said he’ll call when he hears anything more.”

  Chapter 23

  Sabre closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. With her hand covering her forehead she lowered her head. She took another deep breath and let it out as she fought back tears. She raised her head. “Ron can’t leave me now, not when I’m this close. It just can’t be him,” she moaned.

  “I’m sorry, Sabre. Just try to think positively. We don’t know that Ron is still here or was ever here.” He put the car in gear. “There’s the guy,” JP said, pointing to the red Toyota passing in front of them along Warm Springs Creek Road. “And look: this is perfect. There’s an old pickup behind him. He won’t be able to see us as easily.”

  Sabre said nothing.

  JP pulled out onto the road and started up the mountain. “We’ll find Tuper and hopefully Ron will be with him, or he’ll know where he is.”

  Sabre couldn’t appreciate the picturesque scenery as they ascended the mountain. All she could think about was finding Ron. They drove in silence behind the old pickup along the paved road at about forty miles an hour. Only one other car had come up behind JP and it had passed all three of the other vehicles.

  They went around a fairly sharp curve and the backend of the Jeep fishtailed a little, but it corrected itself as they came out of the curve. The two vehicles in front of them slowed to about thirty miles per hour, forcing JP to slow down as well. Suddenly the road got rough, shaking Sabre out of her stupor.

  “What happened?” Sabre asked.

  “It’s okay. The pavement ended. We’re driving on a dirt road.”

  They had reached a point where it was nearly impossible to pass because the road narrowed to one lane in places, or at least that’s the way it looked. It was difficult to tell with all the snow on the ground. Sabre wondered what would happen if someone was coming down the mountain.

  The red Toyota picked up some speed and was putting a gap between it and the pickup. Every so often JP lost sight of the car when they went around a curve. Trying to pass the pickup wasn’t an option. The one thing they had in their favor was that there was no snow impeding their visibility.

  “Can you see him?” Sabre asked.

  “Sometimes. But we’re losing him, and it’s not safe to pass.”

  The truck crept along and the gap grew bigger until they could no longer see the red Toyota. “Dang, this guy is slower than a turtle on peanut butter.”

  “What are we going to do? What if Tuper, or whoever it is, turns off?”

  “Keep your eye out for his car. That’s about all we can do until we reach a place to pass this guy.”

  They drove about another quarter of a mile until the pickup made a left-hand turn onto what looked like a road, but they weren’t sure. It had not been plowed, nor did it have any tracks from anyone driving on it since the snowfall. JP picked up speed. They both watched for the red car. On a couple of occasions there appeared to be roads leading elsewhere, but there wasn’t any evidence of any cars having been on them today.

  About a mile up the mountain they passed a clump of trees with a small opening and Sabre spotted his car. “There it is!”

  JP slowed down, but he had already passed the turn. Looking back he could see a cabin tucked in among the firs. The car was parked in front of it. He backed up and turned in.

  “You stay here,” JP said.

  “I want to go.”

  “Not until I check it out,” JP said. “We just followed this guy home. We’re on his land. And we know how much he loves guns.”

  JP stepped out of the car, but before he could clear the door he saw a man glide out from behind a tree with a rifle pointed directly at him. “That’s far enough.” The voice was soft but effective.

  Chapter 24

  JP splayed his hands out, palms up, so the man with the rifle aimed at him could clearly see them. The door shielded part of JP’s body, but his head and chest were still exposed. “We don’t mean any harm,” JP said. “We’re looking for a man named Tuper.”

  “I already know that much,” Tuper said, never raising his voice. “You that girl’s husband? Because I’m pretty sure I never slept with her. I may be getting old, but I couldn’t forget a pretty, young thing like that.”

  “No. I’m not her husband.”

  “She ain’t my daughter, is she?”

  “No,” JP said. “Why don’t you put the gun down and let me explain?”

  “How about you explain first. Then I’ll decide whether or not I’m going to shoot you. Now move out from behind that door.”

  JP took a step to his left leaving nothing but cold open air between himself and the man with the gun, whom he now knew with fair certainty was Tuper, although the man hadn’t actually admitted to that.

  “We’re looking for Ron Brown. I’m here with his sister, Sabre. Ron is in real danger. We think someone is trying to kill him.”

  “I’m not saying I know the guy, but how do I know you’re not looking for him to kill him yourself?”

  “Because no one but his sister would know to come here. About ten years ago Ron found this cabin by accident when he was lost in the woods. He met you and then he came back again the next year.”

  “And who are you?” Tuper asked.

  “My name is JP Torn. I’m a good friend of Sabre’s and also a PI.”

  “A private dick, huh?” Tuper said. Then he mumbled, “Never understood why anyone would want to keep it private.”

  JP ignored his comment and asked, “Have you seen Ron?”

  “Let’s have the young lady get out of the car where I can see her.”

  Before JP could say anything, Sabre said, “I’m getting out.”

  JP didn’t want Sabre exposed any more than she already was, but if this man started shooting he was at a good enough angle to hit her anyway, so JP didn’t object. Not that he could have stopped her. She already had the door open and was halfway out.

  “Come over here next to your friend,” Tuper said. Sabre closed the door and turned toward the back of the car. “Around the front,” he said.

  Sabre did as she was told and stopped next to JP. Just as she did, the door of the cabin flew open and Sabre bolted toward it as Ron stepped out. Tuper turned his gun toward her and JP reached for his.

  “Tuper, don’t shoot,” Ron shouted. “That’s my sister.”

  Tuper swung the gun back at JP, who quickly raised his hands again. “And who’s this guy?”

  Sabre stopped and swiveled around. “That’s JP,” she yelled. Then she ran the few steps to Ron.

  “Is it?” Ron asked looking directly into her eyes. Then he hugged her and whispered, “You’re not being held against your will, are you?”

  “No, it’s really him.” She took a deep breath.

  “It’s okay, Tuper. They’re for real. And thanks for watching out for me.”

  Tuper lowered his rifle. “I led them to you. The least I could do is protect you.” Then he mumbled, “God knows you can’t do it yourself.” He walked over to the c
abin and went inside.

  Ron and Sabre continued to embrace until JP approached. She looked at JP. “This is my brother, Ron. Ron, meet JP, your investigator.”

  They shook hands. “I guess you must be pretty good. You found me.”

  “Your sister gets more credit than I do for that.”

  “Speaking of which,” Ron said, “why are you even here? I told you not to try and find me.” His tone was not harsh. He was either so delighted to see his sister again, or he knew scolding her wasn’t going to do any good.

  Sabre shivered. “I’m cold. Can we go inside?”

  “Without Tuper shooting us?” JP added.

  Ron laughed. “He’s fine as long as he’s on your side.”

  Once inside, Ron added more wood to the fire and gave Sabre the best seat in the house, the one closest to the stove. Ron sat on a chair at the table, which only put him about a foot away from her. JP joined Ron at the table, but Tuper remained standing. The bodies filled the tiny room.

  “You’re welcome in my home,” Tuper said not to anyone in particular, but his comment appeared to be meant for Sabre and JP.

  JP figured that was the closest he was going to get to an apology. Not that he really expected one. Under the circumstances, he probably would’ve done the same thing. Although, he got the feeling that Tuper enjoyed it a little too much.

  “Thank you,” JP said.

  “And thanks for taking care of my brother,” Sabre said to the handsome, rugged, old man. She noticed the scar on his face and wondered where it came from.

  “He’s good company. Never complains.” Tuper walked to the stove, retrieved the coffee pot, and filled it with water. He set it on the wood stove and then took a seat at the table.

  Ron and Sabre visited for a while with Ron questioning her about their mother, their Aunt Edie, and Uncle Gary. “I know Uncle Gary won’t let anything happen to her. That’s exactly where I would have taken her.” He paused. “How’s Carla? Do you ever see her?”

  Carla was a girlfriend of Ron’s who became institutionalized after he went into WITSEC. Sabre looked after her the best she could. “I see her at least once a month. We have a standing lunch date the first Tuesday of every month. She’s doing very well. With the medication and therapy she’s almost her old self again. She’s living on her own and even started dating a few months ago. I think she’s going to be okay.”

  They chit-chatted a little more before anyone broached the subject about why they were really there. Sabre and JP both waited until Ron brought it up in case he didn’t want to talk in front of Tuper.

  Ron finally asked, “Did you talk to Gina?”

  “We did,” Sabre said. She and JP related everything that had happened during the visits with Gina.

  “She’s probably still mad at me for not explaining my situation. I expect I would be angry after getting mixed up with someone who doesn’t have much to give, not even the truth.”

  “There’s something else you need to know,” Sabre said. “You already know that one of the thugs you sent to prison, Paul Kaplan, was shot and killed in Sarasota.”

  “Yes, JP told me.”

  “And Dan Upton was murdered in Gilroy the night before you left there.”

  “Yes, he told me that too. Why?”

  “On the night at The Affordable Inn in Hayden when you were shot at and Lance Dawes was killed….”

  “Yeah, what was that? Was Dawes shooting at me and someone else shot him?” Sabre watched her brother’s face. A look of complete bewilderment washed over it. “Or were they shooting at each other and I got in the way?”

  “We don’t know,” JP said, “but it’s unlikely that you just happened to be an innocent bystander since the victim was another one of the guys you sent to prison.”

  “Who would want to keep Dawes from killing me? That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “We were hoping you could tell us.”

  “I have no idea,” Ron said.

  “Whoever did it most likely also killed Upton and Kaplan. I’m sure they’ll do a ballistics comparison soon, if they haven’t already.”

  “I don’t understand. Do the cops have any suspects?”

  “Just you,” JP said.

  “Me? I couldn’t shoot a gun. I won’t even touch a gun,” Ron said.

  “Won’t even protect himself against the wolverines,” Tuper muttered.

  JP and Sabre both looked at Tuper for an explanation, but none came. Sabre turned to Ron.

  “You know me, Sis. I hate guns.” Ron’s shoulders hunched and he pulled his chin into his chest as he spoke. “I haven’t touched one since…since…the accident.”

  “I know,” Sabre said. A few seconds of silence seemed like an hour. “I think we should go call Mom and let her know we’re okay. I haven’t talked to her for a few days.” She looked at her phone, but she had no bars. “Can you take me to that spot where cell phones work?”

  “I’ll go with you,” JP said.

  Sabre snapped her head around to JP and gave him a questioning look. She thought he wanted to go because he didn’t trust Ron. He must have guessed what she was thinking.

  “You don’t know who’s after you or what they might do next. You shouldn’t be out there without a weapon and without someone who knows how to use it. I don’t think either of you qualifies.”

  “Smart man,” Tuper murmured as he poured himself a cup of tea. “And don’t forget about the wolverines.”

  ***

  Away from the shadows of the giant fir trees, the snow glistened from the sun’s rays. It was a perfect winter afternoon. There was no wind or falling snow and the sun was shining more brightly than any of them had seen in days. Sabre inhaled the magnificence of nature through the cold, crisp, pine air that filled her nostrils. Everything around her was beautiful and her brother was alive and safe.

  “Welcome to my phone booth,” Ron said. “Find your signal and then stand really still. It can be frustrating, but it’s better than going down the mountain.”

  Sabre took her phone out of her pocket, peeled off her glove, and called their mother in Arizona. While she didn’t explain much to her, Sabre reassured their mother that they were together and safe.

  While Sabre and Ron made their call, JP saw he had a message from Ernie. JP walked around the clearing until he found a spot where he had three bars. He returned Ernie’s call and Sabre heard him say, “Damn, not another one!”

  When JP hung up and rejoined the others, Sabre saw the concern on his face.

  “What is it?” Sabre asked.

  “I just talked to Ernie. He was able to get some information from the Jefferson County Sheriff. They identified the man who was killed in Clancy this morning.” JP turned to Ron. “It was James Ruby—another man you sent to prison.”

  Chapter 25

  “Who could be doing this?” Ron asked as he, Sabre, and JP stood around the wood stove in Tuper’s cabin. Tuper sat at the table playing solitaire with Ringo curled up by his feet. Sabre watched Ron tilting his head to one side and grimacing. Then he finally asked her, “Do the cops really think I killed Lance Dawes?”

  “I’m afraid so,” Sabre said. She wet her lips and swallowed.

  “What else?” Ron asked.

  “Since they’ve connected you to Dawes as one of the cons you sent away, it’s only a matter of time before they connect the dots to Upton, Kaplan, and Ruby. I think you can expect a warrant for murder charges on all of those men,” Sabre said, her voice trembling in spite of her attempts to choke back her own fear.

  “You lived in the same city as each victim and you left right after they were killed,” JP added. “You have to admit that it doesn’t look good.”

  “Oh, my God!” Ron said, while rubbing the back of his neck. Then he took a step closer to Sabre. “You don’t think I killed those men, do you?”

  “No, of course not,” she answered emphatically.

  “For God’s sake. I’m a pacifist. I don’t kill people.” He tur
ned to JP.

  Sabre took hold of Ron’s hand. “I know you couldn’t kill anyone. You’re not like that.”

  Ron sank down onto a chair, covering his face with his hands. “Yet, I have killed. Haven’t I?” he said.

  “Don’t go there, Ron. That was different.”

  “What are you two talking about?” JP asked.

  Neither of them answered. Instead Ron looked at JP and said, “But you? You’re not so sure, are you? You think I did it.”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think,” JP said.

  “It does to me,” Ron said.

  “And to me,” Sabre added.

  JP looked at Tuper to see if he was going to join in with the other two. He just shrugged. Ringo wagged his tail. “Here’s where I stand,” JP said. “I was hired to do a job. That job is to find out who is after you, Ron, and to protect you. I plan to do just that, but you must know that if I have to choose between protecting you or protecting Sabre, I will choose her.”

  “And I would want you to,” Ron interjected. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. But you still haven’t answered the question. Are you on our side?”

  “Absolutely. However, if I were the investigator on this case, you’d be my prime suspect. That said, because I trust Sabre, I won’t stop looking until I know for certain. She believes in you. That doesn’t mean I have to, but it means I’ll do everything in my power to prove her right. I want to believe in you. On the other hand, the cops on this case have no reason to look any further. They’re likely to stop investigating and escalate their search for you.” JP kept his gaze on Ron. “The way I see it, there are three possible scenarios: The first is that you are knocking these guys off one by one before they get you. The second is that these guys are trying to kill you and someone is shooting them before they can. And the third is that someone is setting you up.”

  “When you put it that way, the first does sound the most likely,” Ron said with a half-hearted chuckle. “But since I’m the only one who knows for sure that I didn’t kill those men, I need to find my ‘protector’ or my ‘arch enemy’ before things get any worse.”