The Devil in Maryvale

by Jackie Griffey

  Lisa indicated a machine on the other side of her desk. "Have you ever used one of these?"

  "Yes," Connie examined the transcriber and the headset beside it.

  "It's not the same as the one I used to use in Fort Craig, but most of them are pretty much alike."

  "Before you get started on the correspondence, will you please try it out and see if you can manage it all right?"

  Connie smiled confidently as she picked it up. "I'm sure there won't be that much difference."

  Lisa plugged it in for her and showed her the controls. "There's a message on there for you to practice on. I'll be working here anyway, let me know when you finish."

  Connie made all the adjustments and started the dictation, fingers poised to begin.

  "This is a test," Dick Randolph's voice began the dictation. "I'm not too sure who it is who's being tested, you or me or the machine? This memo, hopefully, will let you get acquainted with the equipment and see if you can understand my dictation. There will also be statements from time to time, if you want to transcribe them. If you decide to take this on, as they say on Mission Impossible, I'll be grateful. I won't have to listen to Lisa and Jill gripe about doing statements any more. This is the end of the message. Thank you."

  Smothering an amused chuckle, Connie turned and handed the typed memo to Lisa. "I'm sure it will be no problem."

  Wondering at her expression, Lisa glanced at the memo. "That stinker!" She made a face at the paper she held, "We didn't gripe all that much."

  She appealed to Connie. "We really don't have time to do the things."

  "It takes a while to do them," Connie readily agreed. "That was the objection where I used to work, that and sometimes you couldn't hear them too well."

  "At least we don't have that problem, it's just that you hate to start on them and have something else come up. And Jill out there could never get a whole sentence typed without some kind of interruption, you can imagine."

  "I can. Meeting the public and answering the phone out there, it would be hard to concentrate on a statement."

  "There just never seems to be a good time to do them. The bright side is the ones we've got from clients so far have been easy to hear, so that's not a problem. Perhaps coming in to do them and not having to take care of the every day interruptions will make the difference. Shall I tell him you'll come in and do the statements, then?" Lisa glanced again at the memo.

  "Yes, I'll do them. The machine isn't all that different, I'll get used to it. And you say he knows they take a while to do, I don't want him to think I'm slow," Connie worried.

  "Oh, he knows," Lisa smiled. "Jill and I have both told him that often enough, though I wouldn't have called it griping to point that out."

  * * *

  Missy saw Chuck and Doris walking together as she went to her locker between classes. Chuck went into a classroom and Doris came back when she saw Missy.

  "Hi," Doris said a little uncertainly. "Chuck told me you and he broke up."

  "I guess you might call it that," Missy stopped to talk. "But we were not going steady. We only dated quite a bit. We weren't all that serious."

  "I've dated him since then, twice." Doris stopped, self-conscious.

  "That's fine with me," Missy assured her. "I've been dating someone else too."

  "Oh, good," Doris flashed a relieved smile. "I didn't want you to be mad at me. I wanted to make sure. There's the bell, bye!" Doris hurried away looking happy.

  Missy wondered briefly about what Doris thought of Chuck and the club. She hadn't heard her or Diane mention Denise lately, and they had been her closest friends. Depressed at the thought, she hugged her books to her breast, feeling a chill.

  "One day you've got a life and a future, and friends, then everything just moves on without you. Instant oblivion!"

  * * *

  Cas Larkn hadn't forgotten Denise. The only tangible clue he had to look for at the moment was the bracelet Muriel was certain she was wearing. Everywhere he turned he met either a wall of silence because of Darrell's club, or what he felt was genuine bewilderment that anyone would want to hurt Denise.

  He hadn't been too surprised Rhodes couldn't find the bracelet when he sent him out to look for it. Such a tiny thing, like a needle in a haystack in that woodsy place. But if Denise was killed where her body was found, that bracelet should be there. Drumming his fingers on his desk thinking about the tiny thing in all that underbrush, he came to a decision and reached for the phone to dial Harlan Glover's number.

  What are friends for? He smiled to himself already feeling better.

  Harlan Glover was a couple of inches taller than Cas, a string bean like Rhodes Cromwell, and was about eight years older. He had a droll sense of humor, an easy going manner, and usually, a wad of tobacco in his jaw.

  "Sheriff's Office. Harlan Glover speaking."

  "I'm glad I caught you. I hate leaving messages when I'm in a hurry."

  "Yeah, lucky you," was Harlan's dry comment. "What can I do for you?"

  "I'll get to that. Remember the picture of the no 'count brothers you faxed me?"

  "Yeah. Beauties, aren't they?"

  "One of the high school students identified the youngest one as a man who came to one of their meetings. He said he gave them a goat's head. A skeleton head for their club to use at their meetings."

  "It was him? The youngest one? He's sure?"

  "Yes. At least ninety percent sure, to quote him. He said if it's not him, it was someone who looks just like him and that's good enough for me, I know the boy."

  "Do you have those sheets with the dates on them there in front of you?"

  "Them and the pictures too. I noticed the dates of the thefts and the few meetings I know about are around the same time, as I said before."

  "There's been a little activity here too. Some cattle mutilations. I don't know of any more organizations yet. Do you suppose that's our connection, that these jerks are stealing cattle a few at a time under the cover of these kids and their nonsense? That would explain their generosity. Reckon they're trying to make people think it's this devil worship thing instead of plain out cattle rustling?"

  "Sure points that way. Why else would one of them come to a meeting and give them a goat's head and all that nonsense? They don't strike me as being that interested in helping out a bunch of kids. As you pointed out, it would explain their generosity. They must think this devil worship thing will scare people enough to keep them from reporting the thefts right away. I know of one case where it worked. The first time Caleb Martin called me he said he'd been missing one or two head for about a year, but his wife didn't want any trouble. He finally got mad enough to call me anyway."

  "I don't know. It's farfetched, but I wouldn't put anything past that bunch. I told you they've got a new truck. I went by there to look around after the last time we talked. In addition to the new truck, they've managed to get themselves a couple of beat up old horse trailers too. You'd think the dumb things could figure out having the horse trailers and no horses would generate some questions, wouldn't you?"

  "Maybe they think they're safe. Have you talked to any of them?"

  "Not officially. I saw one of them in town and asked him about that new truck. He told me it was in all of their names and they're all making the payments on it. He said they swapped in the two old trucks they had to get it. Pretty good deal if it's true. I'd have bet they couldn't sell them for junk, so I doubt it. They usually had to cannibalize parts off the others to get one of them in running condition."

  "New truck and horse trailers, sounds like they're making plans to me. I'll watch for them around here. It was just luck I found out about this goat's head business. Listen, I've got a favor to ask."

  "Okay," Harlan went along. "I think I still owe you a couple from before we stopped counting. Is it on the theft or the other?"

  "The Davis case. Denise's mother says she was wearing a bracelet the night she was killed. We haven't been able to find it. I don't t
hink she was killed where she was found, but if we find that bracelet, we'll know."

  "You sure she was wearing it?" Harlan sounded doubtful, "This is a terrible thing, she may not remember exactly what the girl was wearing or not wearing."

  "Yes, I think she was wearing it. Her mother says she always wore it, and it's not at home anywhere. She's sure she had it on. Missy's seen her wearing it too, at school. Didn't you tell me once you had one of those metal detectors?"

  "Yeah, we've had it quite a while, but I can do better than that."

  "Better than a metal detector? Like what?"

  "I've got a nephew that's a rock hound. He's got a smaller one that detects gold."

  "Gold? You're kidding. I didn't know there was such a thing."

  "I wouldn't have either if he hadn't told me about it. But he's got one, I've seen it. In fact, I think he brought it home last time he came. He starts bringing home things he doesn't use very much to lighten the load coming home when the semester's over. You're welcome to the metal detector, of course, but I'll check on the one for gold if you want it."

  "I want it. It would be exactly what we need if he'll lend it to me. How soon do you think I can get it? And Harlan," Cas promised hopefully, "I'll take care of it, use it myself and get it back to you as soon as we get through going over the scene with it."

  Chapter 12

  Miss Mayme answered the ringing phone with a smile in her voice.

  "You sound so happy, business must be good." Connie smiled, too, as if happiness was contagious.

  "I am. Can't imagine why I wasted all those years teaching school." Miss Mayme chuckled. "How's the typing business?"

  "As well as I can honestly say I want it to be. I called to check on whether Lorenzo's got a sale sign up for today. I'm also going to call and check on whether my cards have come in. I thought I might get lucky on both counts."

  "Haven't seen a sign today, at least so far. Better luck with the cards."

  "They're probably in."

  The tinkle of the bell on the flower shop door sounded. "Oh, I hear someone coming into the shop, I won't keep you. See you soon."

  Connie thumbed through the phone book looking for Pronto Prints. Feeling sure it had been longer than the promised week she dialed the number.

  "Pronto Prints," a woman said.

  "My name is Connie Larkin. I'm calling to see if the cards I ordered have come in yet. It was for freelance typing, if that rings a bell."

  "Why yes," the pleasant voice answered. "They're ready. I had your number here to call and let you know. You know they're a better buy in larger numbers," she said tentatively.

  "I know. I'm just getting started in business now but I'll sure keep that in mind. I have some more errands to do so I'll come by and pick them up today. Thank you."

  * * *

  In his office, Cas was sitting over the phone like a mother hen waiting for Harlan's call. His mind had wandered and he jumped with a nervous start when the phone finally rang.

  Gladys beat him to it and called, "It's Harlan Glover."

  Cas picked up the phone. "Harlan?"

  "Yeah. I checked on the metal detector as soon as I could, my sister's got her recorder on. My wife was out shopping somewhere, so it took me a while."

  "Don't worry," Cas assured him with irritating camaraderie. "I won't tell anyone the sheriff of Marble County can't find his own wife!"

  "Thank you, old buddy," came the sarcastic rejoinder. "Your luck is better than you deserve. She's already called me in case I was looking for her told me my nephew did bring the gold detector home. She told me they had laughed about whether he might need it at school or not. Soon as I can get my wife over there to get it, I can send one of my deputies to meet yours late this afternoon, if you need it that soon."

  "I need it a week ago the way I'm getting along on this case. Needling you's been the only bright spot in my day."

  "Still nothing to go on, huh? And the victim a youngster, too. I can understand you being on a low limb. But this gold detector will help, one way or another. You'd never be able to see something that small in a wooded area without it, so hang in there. Even if you don't find the bracelet, something's bound to turn up soon."

  "Thanks. I'd bet my shirt the Davis girl wasn't killed where the body was found. As I said, it might convince me otherwise if that bracelet is there. But right now I'm not even sure that we're looking in the right place. It's just another one of those things we've got to do, find it if it's there. It could have been lost in the struggle, if there was one. There's no sign of any struggle either. It would take something concrete like finding that bracelet to convince me that's where she died."

  "I remember you saying something about the position of the body."

  "Yeah, it didn't look like she'd fallen. Not natural, more like she was dropped. There was no blood, no sign of a struggle and I can't see her going in there in the dark either if she was alive. Something's just not right."

  "She was killed instantly. No chance to struggle maybe." Harlan helped him think of possibilities.

  "There was some kind of action, for her to have the bruises on her ankle and foot. I don't know, it just doesn't add up for me. Anyway, there's so much underbrush around the scene. We'll go over all of it with that gold detector. If that bracelet's there, we'll find it this time."

  "It's tough not to have any leads at all." Harlan's voice took on a positive tone, "But if your gut feeling is that she was killed somewhere else, she probably was."

  "Since we'll have the detector we'll go over the pathway in as well as the scene. Cover all possibilities. Wherever it could have dropped off her arm that night."

  "Keep pluggin' on it. Where do you want my deputy to meet yours? This side of the Roadhouse?"

  "Yeah, that's fine. About five-thirty?"

  "It'll be there. Good luck."

  * * *

  Connie was nervous as she parked her car outside Dick Randolph's law office. "I wonder if I was wise to take on those recorded statements. If they're hard to hear, and they aren't pleased with them they might not be pleased with the job I do. And I'm depending a lot on word of mouth recommendations right now, trying to get started. Since I've told Lisa I would do them I'll just have to wait and see whether I've made a mistake or not."

  When she entered the office Lisa Randolph came out to meet her before Jill had a chance to announce her.

  "Hi, I was afraid you'd chicken out!" Lisa shot her a relieved smile as she opened the office door for her.

  "Two of the statements are pretty long," she continued. "Do what you can on them now then come in tomorrow if you can. I put on the headphone and listened to parts of both of them and they sounded clear. They are usually audible, though. The two shorter ones are from an insurance company, routine statements on claims so I'm sure they will be all right."

  "Ugh! Three of them," Connie cringed inwardly. She glanced toward them as she set down her typewriter.

  "I'm glad you listened to them. I've tried to transcribe some really bad ones."

  "I know, so have I. It seems like nothing is as frustrating as a bad statement. I had one once where the man who was doing the recording was taking the statement by phone and he had a rock program going in the background. That and another one where loud street noises drowned out the answers. Those were about the worst ones I've tried to do."

  Connie nodded, plugging in both machines. "Makes you appreciate the good ones." She placed the paper supply Lisa had laid out within easy reach and settled herself in her chair.

  Lisa looked around before closing the middle drawer of her desk. "I'll be working on some files. If there's anything you need pick up the phone and dial pound zero. I'll close the door on my way out so you won't be bothered with the noise out front."

  * * *

  Cas went out to Gladys's desk. "Is there, oh, I see Doug. I was looking for a deputy," he explained.

  Doug Freeman heard him and stood waiting. "I'm available as they say in the ads, what i
s it?"

  "I need someone to go and meet one of the Marble County deputies out the other side of the Roadhouse about five-thirty. I want you to get there early so you won't miss him or make him wait. They're doing us a favor. He's bringing me a metal detector they're loaning us. It's not county property, it belongs to Harlan's nephew."

  "All right, sir. The other side of the Roadhouse?"

  "Yeah, same place as when we sent him the copy paper. You were the one who took it, weren't you?"

  Doug nodded, "Yes, sir. That's a good place to meet, too. You can see in all directions there. Is this metal detector to help on the Davis case?"

  "That's right. I'm hoping it will help us find the bracelet Mrs. Davis told us about. I need the metal detector soon as I can get it. And be careful with it when you put it in the car. We're lucky to get it."

  "Yes, sir, I'll be careful. I was just going back for coffee. I'll have a cup and go on out there unless there's something you want me to do here?" He looked up at the clock.

  "No, go ahead. And take your time. It won't take long to get out there."

  Turning to go back into his office he spoke to Gladys. "Soon as you hear from Rhodes or he comes in, I want to talk to him."

  "Yes, sir, should be soon."

  About an hour later Rhodes knocked on the frame of the open office door. "You looking for me?"

  "Yes, I am. Come on in and close the door."

  "Uh-oh," Rhodes said with mock gravity. "Am I fired?"

  "You should get so lucky. I want to talk to you about the Davis case."

  "Have you found something?" Rhodes pushed a chair closer to the desk.

  "Not yet, but there's something that may help us." He told Rhodes about the metal detector Harlan Glover was sending them.

  "If we can find that bracelet we'll know where the struggle and the murder took place."

  Rhodes studied the carpet, feeling guilty. "I looked the best I could, especially where the body rested. I even squinted from different directions, hoping the sun would pick it up if it was there."

  "Don't feel bad about it. It would be next to impossible to find a thing that small in all that underbrush and weeds without a metal detector."