Killer Green Tomatoes

by Lynn Cahoon

  “Don’t get started again. We don’t know what’s going on. As soon as I do, I’ll call you. Just try not to worry Mrs. Potter. I’ve reached out to the girl’s parents and let them know what’s going on. They asked me not to involve their mother until we have to. They are driving up from California, just in case.” He smiled. “Having her itinerary is going to help, I promise you.”

  “Thanks.” Now that reinforcements were on the way, Angie didn’t feel so alone. She started to stand but then dropped back down. “Did you see my other email?”

  “I’ve been a little busy here.” He scrolled down and clicked to open it. He read it and then turned to her. “You think this has something to do with Javier’s disappearance or Heather’s death?”

  “I don’t know. One or both?” All of a sudden Angie felt too tired. Like the weight of the world was on her and her alone. “I guess I figured you’d want to talk to the woman who was Javier’s alibi for Heather’s death.”

  “And you know for certain this is her?”

  Angie nodded. “I recognized her from the description Javier gave me of the sprinkle of star tattoos on her arm, but then, I took the picture to Barb and she confirmed it.”

  “I’ll check it out. I just wish that boy would come out of hiding. He’s making things worse.” Sheriff Brown ran a hand through his thinning hair.

  “If you don’t need Angie, I think I’m going to take her for a quick lunch.” Ian stood and held out a hand for her to take. “I’ll have my phone on me in case you hear something.”

  As they walked out, Angie stumbled, feeling the shock of the day wearing down on her. “I’m not really hungry.”

  “Then it will be a cheap date. All the better for my pocketbook. Some of us don’t have the advantage of running one of the premier restaurants in the Treasure Valley.” He took her arm and led her to her car, easing her into the passenger seat. “May I have your keys?”

  She dug into her tote and gave them to him. “Just to let you know, the car’s close to empty. If you drive it, you have to fill it.”

  “See? Now you’re feeling better.” He started up the car and glanced at the gauges. “You like to live on the edge, don’t you? First stop, the gas station on the corner.”

  After they filled the tank, he drove into Meridian and grabbed takeout chicken. As they pulled away, she reached into the bag for a biscuit. They were best when they were hot. She didn’t even care that she’d just had better fried chicken at home yesterday. “You are a big spender. Where are we going now? Back to your place?”

  “Someplace better.” He turned up the music and drove back toward River Vista, except when he got to the turnoff, he kept going straight. Finally there was a sign, pointing to the left. He turned onto the dirt road and took the car up to a parking lot. “We’re here.”

  “We’re in the middle of nothing. Where’s here?” Angie tried to see a landmark that would explain why they’d stopped.

  “Grab the food.” He opened the door. “I’ll bring the drinks.”

  Shaking her head, she checked her phone. No service. She stuffed the phone in her pocket and followed him. “Do you even get cell service out here? Because I don’t. We told Sheriff Brown to call us with any updates.”

  “Stop worrying. It’s been less than thirty minutes. Things move a little slower in the southern hemisphere.” He set the drinks down on a picnic table in front of a large stone with a plaque attached to the side. Checking his phone, he nodded. “Besides, I guess my service provider is better than yours.”

  Knowing that at least he could be reached, Angie relaxed a little. She started to unpack the food, but he waved her away. “Let me take that. Go read the plaque.”

  She stepped toward the rock and started reading. “Oh, this is Initial Point? I’ve never been here.”

  “I figured that when you thought I was bringing you out here to kill you and dump the body.” He came up behind her and gave her the glass of tea she’d ordered at the drive-in. “I found this place a few months ago. I try to visit all the historic places in the area, but this one is special.”

  “It’s the start of the entire valley. The point where the government took their first survey in Idaho to start measuring and breaking out the area.” As a kid, that hadn’t meant much to her. Just a rock in the middle of the desert. But now, looking around, she could see the history of the place. “Want to climb to the top?”

  A small staircase took them up even farther, and from that vantage point she could see miles of empty land. Ian put his arms around her. “I like knowing where things began. Did you know this used to be an active volcano many years ago?”

  “I think I remember that from fourth grade.” Seeing Ian’s confused look, she laughed. “We do Idaho history in fourth grade here. Then we learn about the rest of the world as we grow.”

  “That must be the reason I get along with the 4-H kids so well. We both are just starting out exploring our world.” He leaned against the pipe fence that surrounded the platform. “You are very lucky to have grown up in such a place.”

  “I would have disagreed with you when I was in high school. Moving here from Colorado seemed like stepping back in time.”

  “Sometimes that’s not a bad idea.” He put his arm around her. “Let’s go eat before the chicken gets cold.”

  They started down, and something flashed by the corner of the stairs. Angie leaned over the railings. There was something down there, but it was up against the rock foundation. “Hold on, I think someone dropped something.”

  “Be careful. It’s probably a broken bottle. I understand this is quite the make-out spot when the sun goes down.” He followed her down the stairs.

  Casting a glance at him over her shoulder, she laughed. “So that’s why you brought me out here? To make out?”

  “What am I, a teenage boy? If I wanted to make out with you I’d invite you upstairs to my apartment to see my etchings.” He joined her as she crouched by the wall.

  Looking up, she tried to gauge where she’d been when she saw the flash. “One of us should have stayed where I was. It would have made this easier.”

  “No worries, I have a photographic memory.” He counted up the stairs and then pointed.

  Angie’s gaze followed his arm, and when he pointed to the ground, she leaned forward. She picked up a stick and moved what looked like a rock out of the way. Turned over, the rock showed its true nature as a beat-up wallet, and the flash had been from the screen of a cell phone. “Well, I’ll be.”

  “You were right. Someone did drop something. I bet the wallet has an unused condom in it and this poor chap didn’t get lucky that night.” Ian reached to grab the wallet.

  Angie stopped his hand. She didn’t know why, but something felt off. “Go get one of the plastic bags from lunch and put it over your hand before you touch that.”

  Ian rocked back on his heels. “Why?”

  Angie pointed to the inscription on the leather. “Because that’s the logo for Pamplona Farms. I think that wallet belongs to Javier.”

  Ian went back to the table and found not one but two plastic bags. Then he carefully flipped open the wallet. An Idaho driver’s license was in the window pocket. Javier Easterly smiled back up at them. Ian quickly closed the leather and bagged it and the phone in the two bags. “I’m going to call Allen.”

  Angie walked back to the table and sat down while Ian spoke with Allen. Her stomach was growling, but she didn’t want to unpack anything if they were just going to be heading back into town. Ian joined her at the table and handed her a plate. “We’re staying?”

  “Allen’s on his way out here with the crime scene boys. I doubt if they’ll mind if we eat lunch while we wait for him to arrive.” He dished up mashed potatoes on both plates and then poured the gravy. Holding the bucket of chicken open, he smiled. “White or dark meat?”

  “Whi
te, of course, it’s the best.” She took an oversized breast piece and put it on her plate.

  Ian grinned and took out two drumsticks and a thigh. “Best answer ever. We won’t have any disagreements over who eats what.”

  “You seem to be planning our future one decision at a time.” Angie bit into the chicken, and crumbs from the coating fell onto her plate.

  “I like to imagine where we might be in ten or fifty years. I’m a bit of a planner, if you haven’t noticed.” He cleaned the drumstick in one bite. “Besides, you should see your face when I talk about our future. You get all freaked out.”

  “That’s not funny.” She slapped him lightly on the arm. “I’m trying to be serious here.”

  He rubbed the spot where she’d hit him. “So am I, my dear, so am I.”

  They had finished their lunch and returned the empty containers to the back of Angie’s SUV by the time Sheriff Brown and his deputies showed up. He got out of his car and walked over to the picnic table where Angie and Ian were sitting. “What did you dig up now? You know I have a life that doesn’t involve following you two around every minute of every day.”

  “The evidence is over there.” Ian pointed to the edge of the table. “We didn’t touch either one of them. You should be thanking Angie, she found the stuff.”

  “Found it or planted it? It’s quite coincidental that you two just happen to be out here today.”

  Ian’s voice got low and dangerous. “It was my idea to come out here, not Angie’s. Do you suspect me of having something to do with Javier’s disappearance?”

  “Of course not. You’re twisting my words.” Sheriff Brown took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “Miss Turner, I’m sorry for any misunderstanding between us. I know you had nothing to do with this, but you do seem to show up at the exact right or wrong time lately.”

  “Tell me about it. All I want is a successful business, a happy neighbor, and good friends.” Angie checked her watch. “Speaking of Mrs. Potter, I should be getting back to the house. I suppose it’s too much to ask if you’ve heard anything about Erica?”

  “Sorry, not yet. I’ll check my email as soon as I’m back in the office.” He slapped a hand on Ian’s back, but even Angie could see that bygones weren’t bygones yet. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Let’s go, Angie. I’ll drive you back to town. I’m sorry our date wasn’t as relaxing as I’d hoped.” He took her arm and led her to the passenger side, then with one last glance at Sheriff Brown, he got in the driver’s side and started the engine.

  “You shouldn’t be mad at him. He was just doing his job.” Angie spoke quietly.

  Ian put the car in reverse and backed out into the desert, then turned around to get back on the dirt road. “No, he wasn’t just doing his job. He’s been concerned about us dating. Like I need someone to give me permission. This was just a continuation of that argument.”

  “Wait, he thinks you’re too good for me?” Angie looked in the rearview mirror and saw Sheriff Brown talking to his men. “I should go back and kick him in the shins.”

  A smile curved on Ian’s lips. “It’s not that. He just thinks I should be more settled before I date anyone. I don’t think he wants me stuck in River Vista, like he feels.”

  “He realizes you’re an adult, right?” Angie shook her head. She thought of her conversation with Mrs. Potter about Nona not wanting Angie to come home for her final days. “Sometimes the people we love have weird expectations of us. I guess we’ve never talked about the long term, but it’s early in this thing, right?”

  “So early you cringe a bit when I introduce you as my girlfriend.” He laughed as he caught her gaze. “Like now. Don’t worry, I’m not ready for the whole lifetime commitment thing. I hope we’re moving there, but we have time.”

  The rest of the drive into town was quiet. Between finding Javier’s phone and wallet and thinking about what that might mean to Estebe’s cousin, the possibility of Erica being missing, and the conversation she’d just had with Ian, Angie had a lot going on in her head. She needed some quiet to think, and she knew just the place to get it.

  As soon as she got home, she loaded up Dom. Mrs. Potter was busy watching her shows, so she didn’t even get up when Angie popped her head in to tell her she was taking Dom for a hike. She packed water bottles, dog treats, and a few granola bars into the backpack she kept hanging on a hook by the back door, just for this type of outing.

  Back in the car, she breathed a sigh of relief. Mrs. Potter hadn’t sensed a problem. If she could just get her game face on before she went back home, maybe Mrs. Potter wouldn’t even have to know something was up with Erica. The girl could be at the airport waiting for her plane right now. Angie threw good vibes in the air, hoping that was exactly what was happening.

  All she needed to do right now was hike. She parked in the canyon lot and got Dom out and on his leash. Checking the time, she put an alarm on her watch to alert her when an hour had passed. Then she’d make her way back to the car and head home to make dinner. Cooking would help ease this upheaval too. Right now, she wanted to not think. Maybe that way, she’d be able to unconsciously sort through all the things that had happened and figure out what had been bothering her since they’d found Javier’s wallet.

  She was at the top of the trail when she realized what she’d missed. What the sheriff had also missed. Angie hurried down to the car where she could get cell reception and put a call in to the police station.

  Chapter 17

  At home, Angie ran upstairs to take a shower before starting dinner. Sheriff Brown hadn’t been overjoyed to hear from her but had grudgingly agreed to check out her theory. There was no way Javier’s wallet and phone had fallen up against the stone foundation. If he’d dropped them, the items would have fallen a good foot away from the foundation. The top of the viewing platform had been expanded to allow for more visitors to the site. No, if Javier had placed those items there, he’d done it from the ground.

  Letting the hot water flow over her, she thought it was more likely that whoever had Javier had hidden those items, thinking no one would notice them at the remote site or, if they did, they’d take the money and credit cards and probably sell the phone. To Angie, it was clear. Javier wasn’t just missing or hiding out until this whole thing blew over, he’d been kidnapped. And that was where Sheriff Brown had disagreed with her conclusion.

  At least he’d agreed to check out Javier’s phone once they’d gotten it charged. Angie was sure that one of those calls had been from the kidnapper. And maybe that was the same person who had murdered Heather. The original plan of framing Javier for Heather’s murder hadn’t been enough. Javier being perceived as running off would seal his fate. At least, that was what was supposed to happen. As soon as Sheriff Brown had found Katherine, the frame-up had been busted.

  Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. The logic made sense to Angie, but she didn’t have to convince a jury. She dried off and then went downstairs to play dumb with Mrs. Potter.

  Luckily Mrs. Potter was in her room on the phone. Angie mimed eating and Mrs. Potter nodded. They were getting pretty good at this sign language, just like an old couple. Angie would miss her when Erica returned. She didn’t even let the alternative fill her mind.

  She’d just finished cooking the pork chops and was ready to start plating when Mrs. Potter came into the kitchen. Her face beamed, and the smile that curved her lips could have been a mile wide.

  “Sorry about that. My son and daughter-in-law are coming into town tomorrow and wanted to make sure they could stay at the house. I guess we won’t have to wait for Erica to get home for you to get rid of me.” Mrs. Potter took down two glasses. “Iced tea?”

  “That would be perfect.”

  As she poured the tea, Mrs. Potter kept up the happy chattering. “I bet they’re here to see Erica. They were so worried about her trip to
Mexico. I thought her father was going to try to forbid her to go. And you know how well that works for children. I think your father tried that one summer, forbidding you to go with your friends to the swimming hole down by the creek.”

  Angie smiled. “I got on my bike and left when he went into the house. Boy, I was in trouble for that one. They didn’t think to look at the creek for hours.”

  “I think your grandmother told them to let you have your head a little. They were always so worried about you and what might happen.” Mrs. Potter sat and put a napkin over her lap. “We never worry about the right things and then they smack us square in the face.”

  Angie knew she was talking about how Angie’s parents were killed, but a chill ran down her spine as she thought about Erica. Be safe, she thought, trying to push the image across the wavelengths to Erica, no matter where she was. “I’m glad your family is coming in to be with you.”

  Something must have shown through her tone or choice of words as Mrs. Potter’s head came up sharply. “What do you mean?”

  Angie shook her head and tried to deflect the emotion. “Nothing, I’m just glad they’re coming. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said about Nona not asking me to come. I feel sad that she didn’t trust me enough to let me make my own decision.”

  Mrs. Potter tapped Angie’s hand. “No use crying over spilt milk—or bourbon, as my grandmother used to say.”

  * * * *

  After a fitful night of sleep, Angie came downstairs to find Mrs. Potter in the kitchen drinking coffee. “I hope you don’t mind, I’m doing a load of laundry before I pack the rest of my clothes. No need to haul dirty clothes home when no one’s going to be there until after four today anyway.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” Angie poured her own cup, sipping the black gold like it was an elixir.

  “You don’t look well. Maybe you’re doing too much.” Mrs. Potter started to rise. “I could make breakfast.”