by Kira Reese
Grabbing her car keys, she told Evelyn she was leaving for a while to find out more about the case. Evelyn attempted to ask Natalie what her destination was, but her coworker was out the door before she had a chance to do so.
Natalie set her GPS and headed for Cowherd Road. When she parked along the desolate road next to the grove of trees she realized how silent the country can be. The early fall sun beat down on the dusty graveled road. She shielded her eyes and looked across the fields. In the distance there was one house with outbuildings behind it.
“There is no way I could live way out here,” she said aloud. “I wonder how farmers and their families do it.”
She pushed back a bent bush and went into the grove. When she stopped to adjust her eyes to the shaded area, only the sounds of awakening insects met her ears. A few birds fluttered nervously at the intrusion. Natalie glanced around until her eyes rested on a cleared area. Sticks and brush had been pushed to the side and exposed a shallow empty hole, approximately four or five feet deep. She presumed Robert Douglas had seen it when fresh dirt covered over the now vacant grave. She snapped pictures of the discovery with her smartphone camera and turned to go back to her car.
When she touched the door handle, she sensed an odor of sweat and grime. Rustling of dead leaves reached her ears. She fumbled for the latch and swiftly jumped into the driver’s seat. Fingers shook as she clicked the lock that secured all doors. Sweating hands dropped the car keys twice before she successfully inserted the key into the ignition. The motor hummed. Moisture seeped through her entire body and she froze when she saw the figure at the edge of the trees watching her. Natalie thought they locked eyes, but from the shadows she could not be sure.
“Where did he come from?” she whispered. “He must have been in the grove the whole time I was there.”
She pressed on the gas pedal and the car jerked forward. Circling around in the middle of the road, she glanced in her rearview mirror. The only thing visible was the dust billowing behind her. Her body shivered as if covered in ice. At the end of Cowherd Road, she almost collided with a large tractor slowly turning from the blacktop highway. The ruddy-looking man glared at her as she swerved around the farmer. Once back on the paved road, it dawned on for the first time that she had broken the cardinal rule of Candy’s investigative policies. No one knew where she was. She recalled Candy always told them where she was going when she left to investigate a crime. How stupid she had been not to tell Evelyn she was going to a remote spot in the country. The figure who appeared from nowhere continued to send trembles through her as she thought of how easily she could have become a victim like Robert Douglas.
Evelyn glanced up when Natalie came through the back door. She took a second look at her coworker.
“Are you all right?” she asked. “You look scared to death.”
Natalie explained where she had been and gave details of her experience to Evelyn. “I don’t know why I didn’t remember to tell you where I was going. I guess I wanted to prove to Candy I could investigate this case in a professional manner. Instead, I put myself in danger and no one knew where I was.”
Evelyn stood to heat water for tea. She dipped the lemon tea bag in and out of the hot water several times and handed it to Natalie. “Sit down and drink this. The important thing is you are safe. When you feel better I think you should call Candy and tell her what you experienced out there. Did you see the figure clearly?”
Natalie sipped the hot beverage slowly. “He was at the edge of the grove in dense shade. I assumed it was a man, though I couldn’t really tell now that I think about it. Most unnerving of all, I had no idea anyone was there at all.” She shivered violently thinking about the “what ifs.”
“Try to push the terror away and concentrate on facts as you found them. I’m sure Candy will have some ideas about it all. One mistake won’t get you fired.”
Evelyn had a subtle sense of humor, thought Natalie, but she was right and the assistant knew it. She must get a grip and lay out the facts, then call Candy to report what she had found.
***
My phone rang twice before I realized I had a call. I had drifted off to sleep again. The caller ID told me it was Natalie. I was excited to think about what she had uncovered so far in the Robert Douglas case. I answered and listened as Natalie told me of her experience out in the country. I made mental notes of every detail, and my assistant didn’t leave anything out. That included the fact that she had not told Evelyn where she was going. I knew she was ambitious, and she let that fact overrule all caution. I could excuse her for that omission once and told her that.
“No matter where you are going, let Evelyn know,” I told her. “Before your day ends, call Ben and tell him what you know so far. They are investigating the murder, and somehow I believe all of this will tie in.”
Natalie breathed a sigh of relief over Candy’s understanding of her amateur mistake. “I think that when Robert returned to Cowherd Road and the grove of trees, he saw what looked like a grave. At least, I don’t believe he saw an empty hole. Maybe whoever sneaked up on me was the person who shot him.”
I agreed with her assessment but reminded her we didn’t have enough to come to any conclusions this early.
I asked Natalie to forward pictures from her phone to mine and then we ended the call. When they came through I commended her through a text for getting clear pictures. From the loose dirt and the branches to the side I agreed with her that the hole had not always been empty. The shadowed figure was a mystery. Natalie told me about almost colliding with the farmer. I wondered if he had seen anything. I looked at my bottle of pills and noted I still had three to go before finishing the prescription. I went downstairs and swallowed the second large glass of orange juice that Nick had prepared for me. It was time to start waiting on myself again. When Nick arrived home his broad smile quickened my adrenalin. He did that to me without even trying.
“You’re sure looking better,” he said. “I see you are following Dr. Nick’s orders and getting your vitamin C.”
I laughed at him. “I am following the doctor’s orders and I do feel better.”
After asking if he had clinched the real-estate deal on the house, he said he had. I told him of the latest news from Natalie on our recent case. It dawned on me that I failed to ask Natalie if the Douglas family had paid the initial fee. I knew I wouldn’t charge like I usually did since I found that Dora Douglas worked part time as a waitress and her daughter was still in high school. Now that Robert’s income stopped, there wouldn’t be much money to pay out for an investigator’s fee.
As if reading my mind, Natalie rang back. “I meant to tell you that Jenny Douglas brought in a money order for $300 today. It was dated the day of her father’s death. She told me he had told her to buy it and bring it with her when they met with you.” I told Natalie to lock it in the small safe in my office. Nick had suggested I have the safe and it was hidden behind one of the doors of the credenza behind my desk. “Jenny asked me what our charges were. I told her I would check with you and get back to her.”
“Tell her for now the $300 is plenty. I’m sure they don’t have money to spare. We can play it by ear for now.”
When I ended the call, Nick swept me into his arms. “That is very generous of you, as I expected in this case.” He planted a lingering kiss on my lips before he released me. “It looks like this will be a more complicated case than usual for you since the person who wanted to hire you is dead. How will you get specific information about what he knew?”
“That’s a good question. I do know Robert told his daughter why he wanted to hire me. She has given me quite a bit, but most likely her father didn’t say anything about someone who may want to harm him.” I sat down at the table and rested my chin in the palm of my hand. “That will be one main thing to find out. It may have been the shadowed person Natalie saw. It could be the farmer out there is involved. Then I have the couple who asked to be taken out to the grove. At least, the
y asked to be taken to Cowherd Road. Robert Douglas went back to see where they walked to the next day.”
Nick leaned over and kissed me lightly on the cheek. “Are you up to sitting on the patio for a while?”
“I’m for getting some fresh air but not quite ready for a barbeque dinner yet.” Nick’s hobby was to experiment with recipes for barbeque sauce and he loved his “toy” above all and in all seasons.
“No grilling tonight. I’ve called for a carry-in,” said Nick, “and a large vegetable salad with chicken chunks for you.”
“I’m happy you realize how much I love my veggies,” I said. “That sounds just right for now. What did you order for yourself?”
“I’m having a grilled steak and salad. I can add a steak for you, if you want.”
“No thanks. Grilled you said? You just can’t resist, can you?” I said. He laughed heartily at my teasing.
The day Nick and I moved in together was the best day of my life. Very little fazed him when it came to a crisis I experienced in some of my cases. Without a doubt, his devotion to me exceeded all expectations in our relationship.
Chapter 4
The Daughter
I awoke to a sunny Friday and reached for Nick. He was just waking up. I glanced at the clock, which told me it was six.
“You must be feeling better to wake up this early,” he said.
“I am better. No aches any more. I think I’ll go in for a half day and see how it goes.”
While the water ran for his shower, I put on some sweats and went downstairs to get the coffee going. My legs were wobbly, but the more I walked around the kitchen preparing breakfast, the steadier they got. Neither of us ate a full breakfast, but I set the cereal box next to the bowl for Nick. I shuffled to the refrigerator and brought milk and butter out. My fare was toast along with coffee. Nick was the one usually up and doing these tasks, but it felt good to be useful again.
“I’m glad you are up and at it, Candy,” he said. He pushed damp reddish hair from his forehead. “Don’t overdo it or you’ll be right back in that bed.”
“I’ll wait until midmorning to go in for a few hours. I want to see what needs to be done on the Douglas case.”
“Isn’t Natalie handling it okay?”
“She is doing a great job, but I don’t think she is comfortable working with the detective like I am. Ben gives me privileges on cases because we’ve known one another for a long time. I have the feeling he doesn’t want that word to get out. So far he has been reluctant to give information to Natalie, though he is willing to take what she has. That has to be controlled, too, on my part. I don’t always give him everything I know until the end.”
“That’s what makes you a great private investigator,” said Nick.
***
Natalie found it hard to sleep the night before. The anticipation of the next step in her big case raced through her head most of the night. When she got to work there was a message on the office phone from Jenny Douglas. She wanted to come in to speak with Candy or Natalie this morning. She was not in school due to her father’s death. She explained briefly that the family expected to plan the funeral for Monday or Tuesday. It depended on when the police were finished with the examination of his body.
Evelyn walked in just as the message ended.
“I am amazed at how mature Jenny Douglas is in what must be a nightmare for someone so young,” said Natalie. “I’ll call her back and tell her to come in around nine this morning. I have some questions to ask her, as well.”
Evelyn agreed that would be a good next step. Both women felt Jenny knew more than she had told them so far. Natalie wondered if Robert told his daughter about anyone unusual along Cowherd Road. She recalled the farmer she had the near-mishap with. Perhaps he had seen something unusual.
When Jenny arrived, Evelyn smiled at her and asked how she was doing. She wore a little more makeup than the last time she had seen the young girl. She obviously attempted to hide some of the signs of grief, but her red-rimmed eyes told the secretary everything.
“I’m doing fine,” said Jenny. “Is Natalie or Miss McCauley in?”
“Miss McCauley will be in for a few hours later today. She is feeling up to coming in for a short time. She told me to tell you that you can tell Natalie whatever you want to say. They are both working on the case, though Natalie is doing most of it right now.”
Jenny nodded and Evelyn stood to take her to Natalie’s office. Natalie greeted Jenny and asked if she would like something to drink. She shook her head and thanked her for asking. She sat down in the chair Natalie indicated. Evelyn closed the door quietly and hurried to her desk to take an incoming call.
“I am glad your mother understands why your father wanted to hire Miss McCauley,” Natalie said. “It will be easier to answer any questions she may have for us.”
“She knows the basics of why he came in here but not everything. My father and I were very close, especially after my brother accidentally drowned. My mother is not well and he protected her as much as possible from any problems.” Jenny reached in her slim purse for a tissue and caught tears that escaped her eyes. She regained her composure. “Was the money I gave you enough? We had no idea what you charged.”
“That was plenty for us to go on,” said Natalie. “Can you tell me if your father mentioned seeing anyone at all near the tree grove when he went back out there?”
Jenny sniffed softly. “He did tell me someone was nearby. He, at first, thought it was the farmer since it was farm property. When he looked around he didn’t see anyone at all. He thought he had imagined hearing crunching leaves but later decided it was the fall wind blowing dead leaves around.” She sniffed a little. “I thought he wasn’t telling the whole story, but I let it pass.”
“Did he mention picking up on a strong body odor?” asked Natalie.
“He didn’t say that when telling me about it.” She looked thoughtful for a few seconds then jerked forward in her chair. “Now that you mention it, the night before he said something like that. We had all gone to the local café for a light supper after he came home from work. When we left the café he made the remark that a man nearby smelled bad and needed a bath. My mother chided him for what she called making fun of someone who was poor.”
“Can you describe the person?”
“I didn’t know who he talked about. I paid more attention to his conversation with my mother on our way out. He told her that the man simply smelled bad and he would never make fun of someone who was poor. They laughed about it and we went on home.” I smiled and told her to go on. “My mother turned in early and my father and I sat outside for a while. That was when he told me of his experience both times in the country. He said he had seen Miss McCauley’s office and decided to get her advice.”
“He was a smart man to not just let it all go. I am wondering why he didn’t decide to take it to the police first,” said Natalie.
“He was afraid the cops would think it was not important. And, like I said, he felt the couple simply wanted to visit a family grave and he would be foolish to make a big deal over it. I believe deep down he knew it was important and decided on a private investigator first.”
“That gives me a bigger picture of everything, Jenny,” said Natalie. She asked Jenny for the name of the café. It was a long shot, but it could be the same person who stalked her at the grove and Robert Douglas, as well.
“It is Culver Street Café. It’s on the corner of Culver and 5th. My mother worked there years ago when she first started waitressing. We know the owners, Lila and Jim Franklin. They are nice people. The place is small but has been in business a long time.”
Jenny glanced at her watch. She stood to leave and then sat back down.
“I’m sorry but I have my CNA class later today and we’re having a test. I need to study for it. Did you have any more questions for me?”
Natalie told her not at the moment and wished her good luck on the test. After Jenny left, Natalie ent
ered all information to date on the Douglas file into her computer.
***
I arrived at the office and greeted Evelyn.
“You are looking better, Candy,” she said. “I hope you’re feeling better.”
“I am much better. I am only staying for a little while. Some cases need a little work on them yet.”
I stuck my head into Natalie’s office. She looked up and told me to come on in. I gathered all the latest information regarding the Douglas case from her. I told her she was doing a great job. When I asked her next move she told me she was going to first visit the Culver Street Café and ask if anyone knew the man who Robert noted that night.
“He isn’t someone easy to miss if he smelled as bad as Jenny said,” she said.
“That’s for sure. Are you thinking he could be the man you picked up on out in the country?”
“I’m hoping for a connection. I want to go out to the farmhouse and meet the farmer. That may have to wait until Monday depending on my timeframe.”
“I’ve thought of the farmer and the possibility he may have noticed unusual activity near the grove.” I encouraged her to see him and find out what he may know, if anything at all.
I went into my office and opened my computer screen. I was nearing the end of an investigation concerning a theft of funds from a chain grocery store. By now I was sure I had proof it was the manager, himself. The information needed to be put into chronological order and then handed over to Detective Ben Jones so they could make the arrest. Ironically, it was the manager’s wife who hired me to look into it. She and her husband drew further apart and she was sure when he told her of the missing funds, he was the one who did it to entertain his new girlfriend. I didn’t enjoy love triangles, but this one became more interesting as I went along. The wife had her own secret life, and even their teenage daughter was privately spying on both parents. I had gotten involved, but with my proof I was finished with it. The husband was careless in hiding evidence, which made the trail easier to follow. He had more than one bank account and no explanation as to where the deposited funds came from. I didn’t let on to him that I knew he stole from the company. I couldn’t risk him fleeing the area. I hinted that another employee was the culprit until I could get to the detective. His wife paid me the last installment when the final bill was sent to her.