Birds of a Feather (An Agnes Barton Senior Sleuth Mystery Book 9)

by Madison Johns

  “And how are you positive that’s the name of the victim?”

  “The car was registered to her.”

  “And was her purse found, at least?”

  “I don’t know. I just jotted down the license plate number. Deputy Greenleaf went to school with the victim and confirmed it was her.”

  “And was the sheriff aware that Greenleaf told you that?”

  “It was pretty obvious, since the deputy was visibly upset.”

  “Oh, so we’re certain who this is. It might be better to wait and ask her family any questions until after they’re aware she died.”

  Eleanor rolled her eyes. “You think?”

  I glared at her. “Sorry, I was just thinking out loud. I really hate to question the families of victims, but that’s how we solve cases.”

  “A second accident on this road is suspicious, don’t you think, Agnes?”

  “Yes, but since we know beforehand who the victim is, it makes even less sense.” I walked up the road a spell and turned, asking, “How about the VIN number? Was there one on the Cobalt?”

  “Look, I’m no investigator. All I do is show up and cart the cars away.”

  “I’m sorry Jimmy. I just can’t believe this. I wish I could see that car. The last car I had to sneak into the impound yard to see.”

  “I can help you out with that, but we’ll have to wait until the police are done checking out the car. I have the key to get into the yard.”

  “Hopefully we can do it without the dogs being there.”

  “I’ll make sure of it,” Jimmy said. “I’ll give you a call when the car is released.”

  I thanked Jimmy and the Hill brothers, but I walked back over to where the car had hit the tree. I searched the ground, but everything I found was minuscule pieces of the Cobalt. We entered the woods and hadn’t gone that far when I heard footsteps behind me. I knew they weren’t from Eleanor, since she was right beside me. I turned and pressed a hand to my chest. “Curt and Curtis Hill, why are you following us? You about gave me a heart attack.”

  “Sorry,” Curt said. “There’s already been two fatal accidents on this road and I’m not about to leave you two here by yourselves.”

  “Curt’s right. Our Ma would have our heads if we did that,” Curtis added.

  “What are you looking for?” Curt asked.

  “Well, I’m not sure, but we found shell casings and slugs at the last accident, so I thought I’d take a look.”

  I began checking trees for slugs, but didn’t find anything. “I’ll look across the road,” I announced. I led the way over there, giving Jimmy a wave as he was smoking a cigarette, obviously waiting for the Hill boys to come back. There were plenty of white pines on this side of the road and the ground was spongy. It was so covered with pine needles that it would be hard to see if any footprints were present, and there were no signs of shell casings.

  “That’s it, I give up,” I declared. “The shell casings obviously are not related to this case.”

  “That’s good, since our fingerprints are all over them,” Eleanor said.

  A branch snapped behind us and a woman stepped from behind a tree. It was the same one who we had encountered before. This time, she was once again training a shotgun at us.

  “You two don’t give it a rest, do you? Just how many times do you plan on trespassing on my property this week?”

  “Put the gun down, Betsie Sue,” Curt said.

  “Betsie Sue, how is it that we’ve only met you in the woods?”

  “Because you keep trespassing?”

  “How long have you lived way out here?”

  “I’m not the only person who lives on Plank Road, you know.”

  “Of course not. Our friend Elsie Bradford lives not far from here.”

  “Do you happen to know her?” Eleanor asked.

  “No, can’t say I do.”

  “Have you noticed any large GMC trucks racing up and down the road?”

  “Can’t say I have. I mind my own business and you should, too.”

  “So, two fatal accidents have happened near your property and you didn’t hear or see anything?”

  “Sorry. Like I said, I mind my own business. Since you’re with the Hill boys I’ll let it go, but don’t come back. I’m losing my patience with the two of you.”

  Curt and Curtis led us back to where the LX was parked and told us, “Stay away from Betsie Sue. I really believe she might shoot you if you go on her property again,” Curt said.

  I thanked the brothers and Jimmy, getting back into the LX. “Let’s stop by and pay Elsie a visit. I’d like to know how well she knows that Betsie Sue.”

  “Or if she’s seen a GMC truck on this road,” Eleanor added. “Somebody has to have seen something.”

  I waved to the Hill brothers as they left and I raced over to Elsie’s house.

  Chapter Eight

  I knocked on Elsie’s door, waiting longer than I thought it would take her to answer. “Let me see if I can get a rise out of the ole girl,” Eleanor said, slamming her fist on the door.

  “I’m coming,” we heard a voice call, but it certainly didn’t sound like Elsie. When the door finally opened, Jack Winston stood there, wearing a bathrobe!

  “Jack, what are you doing here?”

  “Did you really think it was over with me and Elsie already?”

  “No, it was just that you weren’t here when Elsie threw that welcome home party for us.” I still couldn’t believe Jack was here after the way Elsie talked about not wanting another man to sleep in her bed after her husband died. “Can I we come inside before I catch my death. It’s downright chilly today.”

  “Make that the two of us,” Eleanor added with a hard stare.

  Elsie greeted us and at least she was dressed, even though she had her shirt buttoned up wrong. “I hope we weren’t disturbing you, Elsie.”

  “Course not,” Jack said, as he sat down, giving us something to have a nightmare about tonight. “We were just watching television in Elsie’s room.”

  “Oh, is that all?” Eleanor asked, with a lopsided grin on her face.

  “Please leave Elsie alone, Eleanor. It’s none our business about what they were doing before we arrived.”

  “We was watching television in my room just like Jack said.”

  “Is that how your shirt got buttoned up wrong?” Eleanor asked.

  Elsie looked down now and trounced in the bathroom, reappearing minutes later. All we could do was stare at Jack, who was smiling in a suggestive manner.

  “So, what do you girls want?” Elsie asked.

  “Were you aware that two fatal car accidents have happened on this road the last few days?”

  “I heard about the first one on the news. And you say there was another one, too? When?”

  “Early this morning,” Jack said. “I saw the wrecker hauling away the wreckage when I came to Elsie’s this morning.”

  “Was it pretty smashed up?” I asked.

  “It had to be put on a flatbed wrecker.”

  “Elsie, have you seen any GMC trucks on this road of late, the kind with a lifter?”

  Elsie shook her head sadly. “I can’t say since I’ve been home the last few days.”

  “I wasn’t asking you a time frame exactly, just in general.”

  “The militia is around these parts. You know well as me that plenty of rednecks drive those big trucks, but I don’t see any of them involved with any accidents. I thought it was only cars involved in the wrecks.”

  “Actually, we believe someone might have run those cars off the road.”

  Elsie sat now. “How awful. Have you figured out who did it yet?”

  “No, that’s why I’m asking you.”

  “Confound it, Agnes,” Jack sputtered. “It’s not like Elsie is a psychic.”

  “He’s right. I’ve never seen any trucks like that on the road whenever I’ve been on Plank Road, but it does worry me now. Why do you think someone would want to run p
eople off the road?”

  “I have no idea, but we’re certainly going to find out.”

  “Do you know a Betsie Sue?” Eleanor asked. “She lives down the road a spell.”

  “No, that’s a new name for me. Where abouts did you say?”

  “She lives in a house quite a bit back from the road.”

  Elsie’s face reddened. “Oh you must mean Miss Henry. I never did catch her first name. I hope she’s not mixed up in these accidents.”

  “No, but she’s held a shotgun on us twice now.”

  “That’ll teach you not to bother her. She’s not one for company and she’s quite a shot from what I heard. I’d stay away from that one for sure.”

  “She doesn’t have a GMC Truck, does she?”

  “I can’t say for sure since she sticks pretty close to home, or so she told me the one time I did meet her.”

  “Thanks. I’m so sorry I bothered you. We’ll be off now.”

  “Not a problem, Agnes. You know I like to help out you girls. I’d appreciate you not telling the other girls about Jack being in his bathrobe when you stopped by. I don’t need my business in the rumor mill.”

  “I don’t have any reason to tell anyone that. All I wanted to know was about the truck.”

  I walked back outside and shivered, pulling my gym jacket around me better. When we were finally back in the LX, Eleanor didn’t say a word about Elsie and Jack, which made me feel good. Perhaps Eleanor had really changed.

  “Where are we going next?”

  “I was hoping to catch Sheriff Peterson before we head to Oscoda.”

  “You’ll have us both in jail if you tell him that we found out about the VIN number being tampered with.”

  “Believe me, that’s the last thing I’d say. I’m sure it’s a crime breaking into the impound yard at night, which is why we’re not telling him.”

  I drove to the sheriff’s department, catching Peterson in the parking lot, where he was speaking to Trooper Sales. Eleanor and I quickly exited the LX and approached the men. “Hello there, Sheriff. I need to speak to you.”

  “What is it now, Agnes? Can’t you see I’m busy here?”

  “I bet you are, with a new accident earlier this morning.”

  The sheriff squinted his eyes at me. “And who do I need to fire, now?”

  “Nobody. Jack Winston saw the wrecker hauling off the car, is all. He certainly can’t be arrested for telling us that and we’ve seen the damage on another tree on Plank Road.”

  “I’m not about to discuss that case with you, or any case, for that matter.”

  “Ah-ha, so you admit it’s a case worth investigating?”

  “As you already know, accidents are investigated.”

  “I can understand that, but don’t you think it a bit peculiar that two accidents happened within two days?”

  Peterson’s face hardened. “I don’t know anything for certain as of yet.”

  “Well, the news released the name of the first victim, Donald Downey.”

  “Do you have a point here?” His brow shot up.

  I didn’t want to get Jimmy into trouble so I didn’t mention that we knew who the other victim was. “It’s just that Donald was from out of town and if the binoculars are any indication, in town for the Birding Festival.”

  Peterson sighed. “And?”

  “What if both of the victims were here in town for the festival?”

  “Look, this is an ongoing investigation and I’m not convinced that foul play is involved with either accident.” He smirked. “Why don’t you along and enjoy the festival instead of being a thorn in my side?”

  “I see nothing funny here, Peterson. Perhaps the state police are more fitting to investigate the accidents.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Oh, is that right? I had no idea you were qualified to make those decisions.”

  “All I know is that two cars were run off the road on Plank Road.”

  “Yeah,” Eleanor added. “And one of them a stolen car.” I gave Eleanor a nudge in the ribs. “Oops.”

  “Oops is right. Who told you that car was stolen?”

  “I memorized the plate number?”

  “And how were you able to look it up when only members of law enforcement are able to do that?”

  “I believe June Crawford told everyone she knows how her car was stolen,” Eleanor said. “It’s such an inconvenience for her. I just don’t know how the poor dear will get around now.”

  Peterson hooked his thumbs in the loops of his pants. “I wonder.”

  “If that’s all, Agnes,” Trooper Sales said, “the sheriff and I have a police matter to discuss.”

  “I hope you formulate a plan on how to keep the public safe. I’d suggest extra patrols on Plank Road, for starters. I was under the impression that a large truck may be the one running people off the road.”

  Trooper Sales shook his head in amusement. “You better get right on that, sheriff. It would be a shame if Agnes is actually right.”

  “The deputies are stretched enough with the Birding Festival beginning today and I’d rather not have to deal with your interference, Agnes.”

  “He’s right,” Eleanor said. “I’m sure the sheriff knows best.”

  Peterson looked puzzled. “I do? Of course I do, I meant.” He smiled. “It’s about time one of you understands I know what I’m doing.”

  I sighed. “Fine then, I’ll leave you to it.”

  I walked back to the LX, positively fuming. Once we settled back in the SUV, I spouted off. “I can’t believe the sheriff isn’t listening to reason. Plank Road needs more patrols.”

  “I know.”

  “Oh, you do? Back there you made me look like a fool, agreeing with the sheriff like that.”

  “I was playing good cop. I thought you were easing up on ol’ Peterson. You know you can’t be all bad cop with him if you want information.”

  “I know, but perhaps if we had caught him when he wasn’t with Sales,” I mused.

  “That’s wishful thinking. Peterson can only give us snippets of information. He can’t put his job on the line.”

  “I don’t want him to. I’m just worried that someone else might be run off the road. I’d hate for it to happen again.”

  “I don’t see what we can do about that. We could stake out the road, to see if anything looks suspicious.”

  “That worries me. What if we actually see that GMC truck?”

  “We could follow it, or call the sheriff.”

  “Good point, Eleanor, but right now I’d really like to question the woman whose car was stolen.”

  “Can we stop and get a pop first? I’m thirsty.”

  We stopped by Bay Party Store and each bought a diet coke. I smiled at the young man behind the counter, who set down a hand held video game at our approach. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything about the accidents on Plank Road.”

  “You must mean the one accident, according to the news.”

  I leaned on the counter. “No, there are two now. I heard it said that a GMC truck might have run the cars off the road.”

  “Really? Now that I hadn’t heard.”

  “Do you happen to know anyone with a large GMC truck?”

  “Sorry. I actually live in Harrisville.”

  “That’s quite the drive to work.”

  “I know, but my uncle owns the store and my mom insists I work here. It’s only until I start college in the fall.”

  “So she wants you to behave like a responsible young man?”

  “Yes.” He laughed.

  “Thanks for your time. We won’t take any more of it up.”

  “No problem. It’s not been that busy so far today. I bet I’ll get the tourists in later today.”

  We left and settled ourselves in the LX. “What a nice young man,” Eleanor said.

  “Yes, but I wished he was from Tawas. We’d be able to get more information that way. I wish I could find a way to warn people to be careful on Plank Road
.”

  “We can’t do that. I don’t think the sheriff would be happy if we caused a panic in town. Maybe the accidents were unrelated.”

  “Both crashed into trees within days and it’s not related? With skid marks to boot.”

  I powered down the window, enjoying the breeze on the way to Oscoda. “Can you look up June’s address, Eleanor?”

  “I’m doing it now. I’m glad she’s listed under her whole name.”

  “That’s true, otherwise we’d never be able to find her, but how many people could there be with the last name of Crawford in Oscoda?”

  We passed cabins and other rental properties on US 23 that catered to tourists. There was a steady stream of cars going south toward Tawas, but not much traffic going north once we passed the road that leads to Tawas Point.

  When we were in Oscoda, Eleanor rattled off the address and I pulled up to a logged cottage on Oak Lane. “How quaint,” I said.

  Eleanor hopped out of the LX first and I followed her. She knocked on the door and a woman older than the both of us answered it. She squinted her eyes and asked, “Are you from the insurance company?”

  “No, I’m Agnes and this here is Eleanor. We wanted to speak with you about your stolen car.”

  “That’s good and all, but you see it’s really an inconvenience not having a car. If you could take me to the store, I’d be happy to answer your questions.”

  “What store would you like to go to?” Eleanor asked.

  “Rodgers Family Foods will be just fine, just let me grab my purse.”

  I sighed when I caught sight of the noddy pine walls of her cottage. I used to have walls that look like that before my house had been burned to the ground. But you can’t get that kind of quality these days, which is why I opted for plaster walls. I breathed in deeply, taking in the fragrance of the pine, even though I hadn’t stepped inside.

  June stepped out her door carrying her purse. After she locked up, I helped her into the LX since she was all of four foot eight, if that. She’s the type of woman you would think about when you say little old lady. She was quite cute and small-boned, her wrinkled cheeks colored with rouge that she must have hurriedly applied. Her lips were cherry red.

  “This car is so high, if I had known, I’d have asked Edna to take me to the store, but now that I think about it, she’s living with her son in Saginaw, now. Poor dear broke her hip and hasn’t been the same since. I lose so many friends that way. They get injured and the doctors tell them they can’t live alone anymore, leaving them little choices. If their families don’t take them in, they wind up in assisted living or a nursing home.” She made a face. “There’s just no way I’d ever live in any nursing home. My Charles took good care of me when he was alive.”