by C. M. Sutter
“Mrs. Yahr, we need Mildred’s phone number, and does she own that house?”
“No, she rents it from a Martin somebody, but he said his wife is the actual owner.” She leaned across the table and whispered. “I’ve never met a wife, and Mildred hasn’t either. Mildred pays him with a money order every month for reduced rent. She is on a limited budget, so she jumped at the chance. I’m just afraid that isn’t legal.”
“I assure you it is, but it is an odd arrangement.” I gave Amber a side-eyed glance, and she excused herself from the room. “Can you give me one minute here? I have to send off a quick text to one of our deputies.”
“Sure, dear, take your time.”
With that done, I continued the questioning. “Now, go ahead and tell me exactly what happened when you pulled up to Mildred’s house earlier today.”
Worry covered her face. “I got out of my car and knocked on the door, but she didn’t answer. I tried her cell phone, and I swear I heard it ring in the house, but that went unanswered too. I walked to the garage and was surprised to find the side door unlocked. I was thankful because it would have taken a lot to see in that window with the blinds drawn. My vision isn’t that great anymore.”
I smiled and asked her to continue.
“Anyway, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Her car was there, so I went to the door that enters the kitchen and turned the knob—it was locked. I pounded on it, called out her name, and when she didn’t respond, I decided to ask the police to do a welfare check. I called her phone once more before I left, and it still went to voicemail. Please tell me she’s okay.”
I reached across the table and covered Mrs. Yahr’s hand with my own. “I’m sorry to tell you that Mildred has passed away.”
“Oh no, she’s my dearest friend! Did she have a heart attack?”
“We don’t know, ma’am. It’s early in our investigation.”
Mrs. Yahr dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “She took nitro, you know. Triple bypass two years ago, but she seemed to be doing fine.”
My mind was going a hundred miles a minute as I tried to process the information I was hearing. I handed Mrs. Yahr my card and told her it was okay to call anytime if she thought of something else. I asked the officer to show her out, then I met up with Amber at the car.
“Did you call Jack?”
She nodded and pocketed her phone. “Yep, and they’re on their way with the warrant. Good thing it covers any property owned by Mike Morton or Martin Glover.”
“Did Jack get ahold of the bank and title company in the Virgin Islands?”
“He said he did. They’re just waiting for the police department to review the warrant. Jack had to email them a copy of it. As long as Martin Glover’s name is on record as the signatory for the C Corp, we should be good to go.”
We returned to Mrs. Kittleman’s house to wait for Jack, Clayton, and Billings. It didn’t take long for them to arrive.
When Jack hit the brakes, his car skidded in the gravel. He jumped out of the cruiser and stormed inside. Clayton and Billings were right behind him.
“Start taking this place apart,” he said. “Where’s Lena?”
I pointed down the hallway. “In the bathroom with the deceased. Second door on the right.”
Lena walked out at the sound of Jack’s voice. “Jason is getting the gurney so we can take her to the morgue. Let’s sit, and I’ll tell you what I think.”
“Hang on. Everyone gather around.” Jack held up the warrant. “Look for anything with Martin or Isabelle Glover’s name on it. There may be plenty of properties in her name that we aren’t aware of. Find those rent receipts too. Now get started.”
Everything was fair game, and at least Mrs. Kittleman kept only things that were important. Her files were in order, and we quickly found the money order stubs with Martin Glover’s name on them, proving this was another Glover property. Jack had Clayton call the courthouse Register of Deeds again and check for properties belonging to Isabelle Glover. There were four.
“Work on those property locations while Lena updates me.” Jack took a seat in the kitchen with Lena. “Okay, tell me about Mrs. Kittleman.”
“There were no visible signs of a struggle. She’s an elderly woman, and if my theory is right, she likely died of a heart attack. If Glover stormed in here and took over the house, who knows how much stress that may have put on her heart, and the scar on her chest confirms she’s had open-heart surgery in the past. You’ll probably find nitro somewhere in the house. She’s been dead for hours, Jack, so I’m assuming Glover came here sometime yesterday.”
Jack let out a hard breath. “Yeah, looking for a place to hide after the confrontation with Karen and Kate at his house. I’m sure that old lady banging on the door this morning was a sign for him to move on, and fast.” Jack knuckled the table. “Thanks, Lena. Go ahead and remove the body.” He called us over. “Any word on the BOLO?”
Clayton responded. “Nothing yet, Boss.”
“Okay, he’s originally from Madison, so maybe he’s working his way back there. Do you have any homes in that general direction that were owned by Isabelle Glover?”
“There were two. One in Pierceville and one in Cottage Grove.”
Jack nodded. “Get Dane County deputies out to those houses and remind them of the BOLO for Mrs. Kittleman’s 2014 green Ford Escape. Make sure they know that Martin Glover is armed and dangerous.”
The radios squawked in the patrol cars. Ebert’s vehicle was the closest. He stepped off the porch and went to the car. Seconds later, he returned to our group. “Jan said the BOLO alerted in Jefferson County as the car passed a license plate reader in the westbound lanes of Interstate 94. The state patrol hasn’t been able to locate the car, though.”
Jack mumbled a few choice curse words. “He probably got off the interstate as soon as he saw the cameras.” He looked at Clayton and Billings. “You two wrap up everything here with Dan and Kyle and then go back to the station. See what’s going on with the authorities in the Virgin Islands. Silver, seal the house when they leave, then you and Ebert can go back to your patrol duties.” He tipped his head at Amber and me. “You two follow me. We’re heading to Dane County.”
Chapter 67
“Did your headache go away?”
“Yeah, I’m okay, but I’m telling you, it’s related to Glover. He was at Mrs. Kittleman’s house just before we arrived, and it can’t be a coincidence that my head started hurting then.”
Amber pulled up a map on her phone and spread it with her fingers. “There’s an exit by Lake Mills for Highway B. It runs parallel to the interstate then turns into BB and goes directly into Cottage Grove. There really isn’t a convenient way to get to Pierceville from that area.”
I glanced at her. “So you’re thinking Cottage Grove?”
“Yeah, I’ll call Jack and suggest having the sheriff’s office put somebody on that house.”
The drive to Cottage Grove normally took an hour and a half. With our lights and sirens engaged, we’d cut twenty minutes off that time. Amber made the call to Jack, explained her Cottage Grove theory, then hung up. Five minutes later, her phone rang. It was Jack saying he alerted the sheriff’s office that Glover might be traveling on Highway BB toward the residence in Cottage Grove. Deputies were being dispatched to that area and would also watch the house. He reminded us to set our radio to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office channel.
Amber set the channel then placed her phone in her lap. “I’m glad Dane County is all over this. Now we’ve got to get Glover before another person dies.”
I exited the interstate behind Jack onto Highway B at Lake Mills. The radios had been silent, and no calls had come in—something seemed off. Cottage Grove was only twenty minutes away.
Amber called Jack again and tapped Speakerphone. “Any updates from Dane County?”
“Not a peep. If Glover exited onto B at Lake Mills, they should have had him in custody by now. Damn it, we’ll be at the house in ten minutes
.”
I frowned at Amber. “What just happened?”
“He’s got to be pissed. He abruptly hung up.”
We made several turns off BB as we went deeper into farm country. We followed Jack down two-lane roads with thick woods on either side of the cruiser. Seconds later, his brake lights flashed red, and he stopped. Jack’s door opened, and he climbed out and crossed the road.
“What is he doing?” I inched forward and then saw it. A patrol car sat in a hidden driveway ahead and to our left. Jack leaned in at the driver’s-side window and talked to the deputy while we waited. I lowered the window when he turned our way. “What’s the word, Boss?”
“The house is a half mile up on the right. Patrol cars are stationed there”—he pointed—“and on the west side of the property. The sheriff’s office contacted the tenants, and they left the premises for the time being. None of the deputies have had eyes on the green Escape, though.” Jack jerked his chin toward the deputy’s car. “According to him, the entire patrol unit for the sheriff’s office, as well as the city police, are on the lookout for Glover.”
Amber busied herself with the map on her phone then leaned over the console so she could make eye contact with Jack. “We should split up. Kate and I could head toward the Pierceville property and watch for him on that side of the interstate. It’s only a five-mile drive.”
Jack scratched his cheek. “Not the worst idea. I’ll let the sheriff’s office know to send a few units that way too.” He slapped the cruiser’s doorframe. “Keep me posted and be careful.”
I smiled as I waited for Amber to give me directions. “Yes, dad.” I raised my window and turned toward Amber. “You ready?”
“Yep, go straight ahead until we reach Main Street. You’ll turn right and go about two miles until we pass under the interstate. That’s where the road turns into Highway N.”
“Okay, let’s get to that point, and then you can guide me from there.” I rounded Jack’s cruiser and continued west until we reached Main Street. I turned right with two miles to go before we’d see the interstate.
Amber tapped her phone. “I’m going to give Clayton a call and ask if the warrant for the C Corp went through without issues from the authorities. Oh yeah, just keep going straight on N when you get to the interstate. I’ll be off the phone by then.”
“No problem.” The radio squawked a few times with unrelated issues. I turned it down and listened to Amber’s side of the conversation as she talked to Clayton. The traffic going east and west zoomed by as the interstate came into view directly ahead. I’d pass under it and continue on. According to my calculations, the house was less than two miles away.
Amber hung up. “Everything is set, and they’ve emailed Chad the list of homes under the cloak of the C Corp.”
“That should help us track him down.” I passed under the freeway. “So I go straight for a mile or so?”
“Yeah, hold on, I’ll check. Okay, Highway N veers left a little ways up. You’ll continue straight on Lonely Road.”
“Really? Why would somebody choose a sad name like that for a road?”
Amber shrugged. “Watch out!”
A car gunned it off a side road, nearly hitting the front right quarter panel of the cruiser. I slammed on my brakes and cranked the wheel left, ending up in a shallow ditch. The car sped off ahead of us.
“Son of a bitch, that was close.”
“Amber, that car was green, and it looked like the same body style as an Escape. It has to be Glover.” I threw the car into reverse, and the wheels spun on the wet grass. “Come on and grab, damn it!”
“Do it slower. Not so much gas.”
I tried again with less gas, and the back wheels caught the edge of the asphalt. I was back on the road. I cursed as I shifted into Drive and floored the gas pedal. “Where did he go?”
“I don’t know, but there aren’t a lot of road choices out here. Just gun it!”
I had to slow at each intersection to look for movement. We weren’t familiar with the area and didn’t know the hiding places and shortcuts. Amber radioed that the suspect’s vehicle was seen north of 94 on Highway N. It was all we had, and even though we were in pursuit, we had no idea where he went.
I pounded the steering wheel. “Son of a bitch, we’ve lost him.”
“He won’t get away, Kate. There are too many deputies searching the area. Keep your eyes peeled. He’s surrounded, he just doesn’t know it yet. Try Lonely Road.”
I looked left and right and constantly checked my rearview mirror. Amber leaned forward and turned up the police radio. The flash of a vehicle came from the right. I yelled as the Escape appeared out of nowhere and slammed into Amber’s side of the car. The jarring impact sent the cruiser into the brush on the opposite side of the road, and my head bounced off the window, stunning me. I turned to Amber—her side window had exploded from the hit, and she sat motionless against the dash. Glover stood at her door with my own gun aimed at my face.
Chapter 68
“And so we meet again, Detective Pierce. Why can’t you just leave me alone? I’ll die soon enough, anyway.” His voice was getting louder and more urgent. “Damn women! None of you are worth a shit. This world would be a better place if none of you existed. I’m better and smarter than all of you put together. And you? You call yourself a cop? You and this bitch are a laughingstock, and we both know it.”
I squeezed my head to keep it from exploding. I could barely speak because of the pain, but I forced out the words. “If that were true, then we never would have found Naomi, but we did. You weren’t counting on that, were you? I’d say you were pretty stupid to leave your DNA all over her like you did.” I forced a smile through my pain. “Cat got your tongue?”
He didn’t respond.
“The deputies will be here any second, Glover. You aren’t going to get away with this. Just give yourself up.”
“Shut up.” He waved the gun at me then pressed it against Amber’s blood-soaked head. “I already have a plan, and you aren’t going to ruin it.”
“You’ll be in custody any minute. Listen, I can hear sirens in the distance, and they’re getting closer. They’re coming for you, and you won’t get away.”
“That’s where you’re wrong—again. I’m the one deciding my fate, not you.” With the gun still drawn on me, he used his left hand to reach into his right chest pocket and pulled out a vial.
I moaned in pain. “What the hell is that?”
“Don’t worry about it. Like I said, I determine my future, not you or the clowns you call cops. I’m dying, anyway. Damn brain tumor is a real buzzkill, and the pain is nearly unbearable at times.” He cocked his head to the right and smiled. “Must be similar to how you feel right now with that head injury.”
I felt the large goose egg forming and wiped away the blood running down the side of my cheek. “What’s in that vial?”
“Have your medical examiner figure it out during my autopsy. I’m giving you my permission to have her cut me up. Let’s just say it’s a fitting end to my suffering. Isabelle went out this way, so I figured I may as well too.” He shook the liquid in the vial then snapped open the cap.
I yelled out for him to stop. “I want to know why you killed those girls? They did nothing wrong.”
“I’m a highly educated man, Detective Pierce, and women should be flattered to spend time with me. Isabelle was the love of my life, yet she betrayed me. They all do sooner or later. Women who betray my trust should pay the price. I’m better than all of you, and I deserve respect!”
“The only thing you deserve is life in prison.” I saw three patrol cars screech to a halt. The deputies leapt from their vehicles with guns drawn and ordered Glover to the ground.
He smiled, tipped back the vial, and drank the contents. Within seconds, the effects were taking place.
I unsnapped my seat belt and reached for Amber as I yelled to the deputies to call an ambulance. When Glover collapsed to the ground, they ran to
his side.
The first officer kicked the gun out of his hand. “What’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know, but he drank whatever was in that vial. Bag it as evidence. Try to get this passenger door open and call Lieutenant Steele. Detective Monroe needs help.” I held Amber’s head between my hands. “Amber, Amber, can you hear me?”
She moaned and opened her eyes. “What happened?”
“You have a good knot on your forehead and a few lacerations. You slammed into the dash when Glover hit us.”
“Glover hit us? With what?”
“Never mind. The ambulance is on its way. I’ll explain everything to you later.”
Amber turned in the seat, and chunks of safety glass, metal, and plastic fell to the floor.
“Be careful. There’s plenty of sharp objects next to you.”
She looked out the mangled door as deputies pulled on it. Glover, surrounded by two officers, lay on the ground. “Did he get shot?”
“No, I think he drank poison, and well deserved, I might add. I don’t know if he’ll live or die.”
An officer stepped over Glover just as the ambulance pulled up. “Detective Pierce?”
I rubbed my temples. “Yes, that’s me.”
“The suspect is dead.”
I heard tires squeal to a stop, and behind the patrol cars, Jack was running our way.
EMTs rushed to the cruiser with a gurney and lifted Amber out. I crawled over the console, onto the passenger seat, then out to the ground. I leaned against the vehicle to stabilize myself and saw Jack at Amber’s side.
“Is she going to be okay?” he asked.
“Looks like a good contusion and cuts about the head, sir. She doesn’t appear to have any broken bones, though.”
Jack let out a relieved sigh. “Where are you taking her?”
“She’s being transported to University Hospital.”
I shook my head as Jack approached me. “University Hospital? That’s fitting, but to be honest, I’m tired of hearing the word university.”