"That's all right, as long as you managed to get some recognition. I always thought the good guys should get as much recognition as the bad guys do."
"It'll never happen. I doubt anyone will remember it this time next year."
"I doubt it too, but it gives us something to shoot for. Let me know when you get that other thing wrapped up, or if I can help."
"I will. Thanks."
Cas pressed the disconnect and told Gladys, "Get me Judge Spruce, will you?"
It was a matter of seconds till Gladys rang back, "Judge Spruce is on the line, sir."
"Judge Spruce, this is Cas Larkin."
"What can I do for you?" The judge's voice was distant, but civil.
"I'm going over to the school to talk to Darrell and I remembered you said you wanted to know about it the next time I talked to him."
"What are you going to see him about?" The judge was instantly alert.
"There's only one thing open right now that I would be seeing him about." Cas was as distant and cold as the judge had sounded when he answered.
"The Davis case? But, you've talked to him about that and he's told you all he knows. It wasn't much. I can't see any reason for you to talk to him again."
"You don't have to see any reason. I'm conducting this investigation, not you," Cas pointed out bluntly. "So I'll be the one to decide whether I need to talk to him about it or not."
"There's no need to take that attitude. I simply don't see any point in bothering him at school about something he has no knowledge of."
"I called you because you were upset the last time I talked to Darrell. You asked me to tell you when I talked with him again. I'm leaving now to go to the school and talk with him. I called you only because I promised you I would. Goodbye, Judge."
Cas broke the connection. "That should get him in gear."
Gladys had heard his side of the conversation and raised her eyebrows as he paused at her desk.
"I'm going over to the school. It won't take long, in case Doug or Rhodes calls."
At the school Cas wasted no time in asking Janice to get Darrell from his class and asking John Squires for the use of his office again.
John Squires took one look at his face and gestured him in without commenting. "I'll be in the gym if you need me," he told Janice on the way out.
Darrell was soon ushered in, looking sullen. Janice went back to work at her desk.
"Sit down," Cas ordered, brushing past Darrell to shut the door.
"I don't have anything to tell you I didn't tell you before," Darrell started. "Why did you call me out of class?"
"I'll ask the questions here." Cas sat down, his face grim.
Darrell squirmed and looked away, his jaw set.
"You told me you were home studying the night Denise Davis was killed."
"Yes. I was." Darrell stated it flatly, as if his saying so once should have been enough.
"Brazen brat!" Cas clinched his fist in his pocket.
Aloud, he pointed out, "But there are no witnesses to place you there, Darrell."
"My mother and father!" Darrel objected immediately.
"You've admitted you didn't know what time they came back from the country club."
"Well, I think it was around nine, maybe nine-thirty."
"Well, I don't think so. I went out there and talked to some of the people who work there. Especially the ones who waited on your parents at dinner, and later, when they went into the bar."
He watched Darrell. "They went into the bar after they finished dinner and listened to the band in there. Three people who work there said they didn't leave till around midnight, a few minutes before twelve o'clock. I talked to the band leader and he put the time as just before the last number of the evening."
Darrell's sullen expression was gone. He was apprehensive about what Cas told him as well as the chiseled in stone way he said it. He sat silently studying the carpet between his feet.
"Given the established time of death, there would have been plenty of time for you to go out, meet Denise, and get back home before they got there." Cas waited until Darrell looked up and met his eyes.
He was scared now. Cas knew it. More scared than he was last time he had talked to him. He didn't think his alibi would be questioned. He realized he was not above suspicion just because he's a judge's son.
The heavy silence was relieved by the opening of the door. It swung wide and Troy Spruce stood there, his eyes glaring at Cas. He hadn't bothered to knock.
Darrell let out an audible sigh of relief when he saw his father. Cas almost pitied him.
Cas gestured the judge to a chair. "Come in, if you want to, but don't interrupt," Cas ordered.
"As I said," Cas addressed Darrell. "The witnesses I have spoken with say your parents didn't leave the country club until midnight or close to it the night Denise Davis died. You would have had plenty of time to go out, meet Denise, and get back before your parents got home."
"This is about the Davis case again," Judge Spruce sputtered. "As I pointed out, we've both already told you Darrell was at home studying that night." His brows drew together into what he meant to be an intimidating frown. "Did you get us here just to ask something we've already answered in regard to this?"
"I know what you told me. What you said is a matter of record. But what you say is not consistent with the facts," Cas calmly stated. "You couldn't have got home before twelve fifteen according to witnesses, in fact, it was probably at least twelve-thirty, since you had to drive home. And that, with the witnesses' testimony whether you like it or not, leaves Darrell no alibi for the time that Denise was killed."
Judge Spruce sat open mouthed a second, the red anger creeping up his neck. He nearly shouted, "I would think OUR WORD would be enough."
"Your word? You're a judge," Cas's eyes bored into his. "Are you in the habit of taking a plaintiff's word when it conflicts with the evidence before you? I think not. No, bluffing won't get it this time. What you think, if you actually do think you got in at nine or nine-thirty, won't stand up in a court of law. There are witnesses, both statements and tapes, to the contrary. And since you've insisted on being here let me point out a few other things to you."
Darrell and the Judge sat listening as if they could not believe their ears.
"There was a tire print found at the edge of the highway where we found Denise's body. We took a cast from your utility truck, and they match. The tread, the wear, even to a rock caught in the tread."
Cas turned to Darrell. "And you claim you were not a close friend of Denise's?" He glanced at the judge. "When several witnesses have seen you together on at least two social occasions."
The judge shot a surprised look at Darrell. His mouth opened slightly though he didn't speak.
"No," Darrell quickly protested. "We sat together a couple of times at school. The play, and that movie we got credit for seeing. That's all." He cast anxious eyes at his father.
Judge Spruce suddenly looked like a tired old man, which seemed to worry Darrell more than Cas's questions.
Cas followed up his advantage. He couldn't afford not to at this point. His stony features did not soften.
"There is only one thing that keeps me from arresting you for Denise's murder right now." Cas's eyes held Darrell's as he spoke. The boy's eyes were wide with fear.
Judge Spruce asked desperately, "What? You've been honest to the point of brutality so far. What is it that's holding you up?" He spat out the words.
"I'll tell you. I've known for quite a while now that where we found her is not where Denise was killed. She was wearing a bracelet that night. A small gold chain with the initial D on it. Her mother is sure she had it on, and it was not found on her. It must have fallen off in the struggle when she was killed. Her mother reported it missing when we returned Denise's things to her. She said Denise always wore it."
The judge bowed his head, as if resigned to hear it all.
Cas leaned forward, his eyes still on Darre
ll's. "I'm starting first thing in the morning, with all the help I can spare from the office, a search for that place where the bracelet fell off. I've got some ideas where to start, some hints about meeting places, and I'm not going to stop until I find it. When we find that bracelet which is the only missing link, we'll know where she was killed. You'd be wise to tell me now, what happened."
Darrell slumped in his chair, staring at the floor between his feet.
Judge Spruce spoke up, decisive now. "Come on, Darrell, we're going home." He got up, beckoning to Darrell.
He put his arm around his son as he ushered him through the door and turned a venomous glare on Cas.
"The next time you talk to us, it will be through our attorney."
Chapter 21
At five till four o'clock Gladys knocked on Cas's office door and announced Shirley Dalton.
Cas approved of her dark slacks and shirt as Gladys held the door for her.
"Please don't get up," Shirley said as Rhodes and the others started to stand.
Doug pushed a folding chair toward her and she took it.
"We were a little embarrassed for chairs," Cas explained. "The break-room is where we usually gather. I'm glad you wore dark clothing."
"Yes, sir," Shirley looked down at the slacks. "The main thing I was looking for was the comfortable shoes you suggested. I'll get some more suitable ones, as soon as I get a chance to shop."
"You did fine on short notice and not knowing what kind of assignment you were headed for. Rhodes and Doug know the general plan, but I want to go over it again with all of you."
He directed his remarks to Shirley. "This concerns the Davis case. I guess you've read some of it in the papers, about the young girl who was stabbed?"
"Yes, sir. About her being stabbed and where she was found. Not much else was in the paper."
"We haven't had much to go on. Most of our evidence being circumstantial. If we're lucky, this operation will give us the proof of guilt we need."
Cas proceeded with his plans keeping his voice low even though the office door was closed.
All of them listened without comment, understandably a little edgy and anxious to get started.
Shirley, eyes wide, listened intently. Cas knew without looking directly at her, her hands were clinched together as she leaned forward.
Cas was glad he'd allowed Shirley to go with them. It would get her feet wet working with the group and it was a chance for experience that wouldn't come again soon, at least he hoped not. There was no better way to show her how important it was to work together. He remembered what she had said about intending to work a long time.
He finished reviewing his plan. "All we have to do is make sure the car is where he can't see it and wait to see if he takes the bait. I think he'll be there all right."
He looked at Rhodes. "I've been back out there today, just to check. No one's been out there since I placed the door I told you about. That door will give us a place to wait out of sight so we can take him by surprise," he told all of them. "And I doubt he'll even notice it in the corner in the dark."
He told Shirley the general layout of the place, making his description as brief as possible.
"Shirley, you're getting a chance to get in on some action before you even get into uniform. I'm depending on you as part of the team to back us up when we make our move. You're an important part of this."
"Thank you, sir. I know I'm lucky to get this chance. And thank you for letting me use the practice range, too."
"You should add that training you told me about to your application, too. It would be one more thing in your favor."
"I didn't think about it, I was so busy getting the names of the courses I'm taking right."
"No matter, you won't need more training for a while and you'll have time. This is unusual. But you do have to be prepared. One of the most important things about weapons training is knowing when not to use them. But I'm not going to make a speech. We may be disappointed tonight, but I don't think so. Do any of you have any questions?"
"You said we will be out of sight if he comes in with a flashlight, but you said that door is a half door and it's a very large room?"
"The place is the basement of an old house, but it's a big area. The old door is half a barn door, so it's twice the size of an ordinary standard door. Maybe more. There's room between it and the corner of the room for two of us to hide behind and it will be in deep shadows back there. But it will also be close enough for us to see what he's up to and surprise him."
Shirley nodded.
"Anything else?"
Rhodes shook his head, shifting his big feet to get up.
"Then let's get started." Cas scooped things off the top of his desk from force of habit as he rose, and closed his desk drawer.
Gladys stopped her work and looked up as they filed out, looking serious. "Good luck."
"Yeah, keep your fingers crossed." Cas patted her typewriter's guardian angel decal for luck.
In the parking lot Cas said, "We'll go in my car. Rhodes, you and Doug or Shirley, can drive the other car back with the prisoner." He grinned at his confidence, "Assuming we're going to have one. He will be in handcuffs. One car will be easier to hide. We'll put it behind the barn where it won't reflect light when he drives up the hill."
They stopped at the drive-in window of The Roadhouse and got sandwiches to go.
"And fill these, please." Cas had brought thermos bottles for their coffee.
"Don't want my troops falling asleep," he winked at Rhodes.
"You think we'll have a long wait?" Doug asked.
"I don't think so. I told him all I needed was that bracelet, and I'd launch an all out search for it tomorrow. He's going to be anxious to get hold of it."
Rhodes nodded. "He'll probably start out there as soon as it's dark enough, thinking we won't know where to start looking."
Dusk was turning into dark by the time they got to the judge's cabin and pulled up the hill. Cas parked the car behind the barn, and they walked down the path keeping to the tufts of grass and weeds.
As he used both hands to open the door of the basement Cas observed, "The hinges on this old door make enough noise to raise the dead. There's sure no danger he'll catch us napping."
All of them took a quick look around the place before it got too dark to see anything. Shirley shook her head at the garish decorations.
"It would take a mighty dark night for this to look scary. In broad daylight, it's just a lot of old junk."
Cas made sure his door was steady and at the right angle before deploying his troops.
"Rhodes, you and Shirley get one of these benches to sit on. Take it out to the other side of the slope. When you hear the creaking of the hinges, come quietly and cover the door. Doug and I will wait here until he finds what he's looking for, has the bracelet in his hand, then we'll take him."
Rhodes and Shirley selected their bench and started out with it.
"Looks like a hard sucker!" Shirley whispered after they cleared the door.
"As long as there's no splinters." Rhodes eyed it with suspicion. "I'll dust it off before we sit on it, should have done it before we put our sandwich sacks on it."
Inside the basement Cas pointed to the barn door he'd positioned across the corner. "We'll get over there in the corner when we hear the car. The noise that door makes, we could probably take a nap."
Outside, Rhodes and Shirley opened their sandwiches and ate as the dark got thicker, saving some of their coffee.
"I feel like he'll come as soon as he can, but it could be a while. I just hope he takes the bait. I think Cas is right and he will. He knows he's got to if he wants to save his hide."
They talked about the evidence and what Cas had told them about his session with Darrell and the judge. "Yes, I think he'll be here, all right," Rhodes repeated.
Shirley nodded, though it was too dark for them to see each other. "I'm glad to get in on something like a murder case," Shirley
said. "I was happy just to get the promise of a job, much less something like this."
In the quiet, Shirley's stomach growled and Rhodes laughed.
"Okay, so I'm a little nervous," she giggled. "Maybe it's good we've got a wait ahead of us."
"Drink the rest of your coffee, you'll be all right. Anybody with good sense would be nervous. We'll move in behind him when we hear him go in. Cas will take it from there. We're insurance, is all."
"I understand."
"We're too small a group not to be able to depend on each other. Don't be embarrassed about being nervous. When you stop being nervous, you'll be too careless to wear a uniform."
"I can see the truth in that. There's more coffee here and it's still good and hot, if you want some?"
"Yeah, pour me some if you can see how. It's getting chilly out here. Can you manage?"
"Yes, I'm holding the cup against the thermos. The night's as black as the coffee."
Cas and Doug sat in the dark basement, getting up from time to time to stretch.
"There's no way to tell how long we've been waiting.," Doug said.
"Probably not as long as it seems. It's black as a coal mine in here."
Doug drew a quick breath. "You hear that?"
Cas strained his ears. "Yes, it's a car coming up the hill. He's coming."
The adrenaline pumped as they hid themselves behind the old door. Neither spoke, listening intently.
Rhodes and Shirley heard the car. They stood up too, waiting in the dark.
Soon they heard noises outside the old cellar. Then the hinges of the basement door groaned as someone entered.
Inside, a flash of light flickered around the dark room. The light stopped a moment on the goat's head and someone grunted.
Then the light played on the bench near the table as Cas watched. It went slowly toward the place Hannah said Denise had died.
Cas peered cautiously around the door in front of him as Doug watched from the other side. He saw hands searching, feeling around in the grime between the ancient stones.
Looking out on the other side of the old door, Doug held his breath. There were three hands, then four!
One of the hands lifted something shiny and a voice exclaimed triumphantly, "Here it is!"
The Devil in Maryvale Page 23