by Kathi Daley
“Whatever works.” Zak smiled at me.
While I suspected this was a made-up job to get me to feel like I was helping when I really wasn’t, Zoe Donovan Zimmerman could pull information out of even the most reluctant witness. By the time I finished my conversation with the agent, I knew Irvine hadn’t come to Ashton Falls alone; he left Hollywood with his new girlfriend. I also found out that Irvine’s ex-wife, who had demonstrated nothing but contempt for her ex recently, had moved to Bryton Lake a year ago, which meant she was plenty close enough to make the trip to town to kill him.
“Didn’t you say Salinger told you the desk clerks at the inn saw Irvine coming and going on several different occasions?” Zak asked.
“He did tell me that, and no, in anticipation of your next question, he didn’t say a thing about Irvine being with anyone. I suppose a call to the inn might be in order to verify that information. I’ll add it to my list.”
“I’ll call the ex-wife,” Zak offered. “I’ll tell her I’m working as a consultant for the Ashton Falls Sheriff’s Office and have a few questions. Did the agent know why Irvine came here?”
“It was just as we expected. He told his agent he got some tips on potential locations for future work and was taking a trip to check them out. He also made a comment about Irvine wanting to get new work in LA as soon as was possible. Something about a competitor.” I looked at my notes. “He said the competitor was carving a niche for himself, and some of the producers he’d worked with in the past were looking at his work. The agent felt that might have been the reason Irvine responded to the tip in such an expedient manner. He wanted to keep the upper hand.”
“Okay,” Zak said. “I’ll call the ex-wife and you call the inn to ask about the girlfriend.”
By the time I made my call Zak was on the phone with Salinger, but I overheard enough of the conversation to know the ex-wife hadn’t seen or spoken to Irvine and wasn’t even aware he’d come to Ashton Falls or that he was dead. The clerk I spoke to verified that Irvine had checked in to the inn alone. If the agent was correct and Irvine left Hollywood with a woman, he was no longer with her when he arrived here. Of course, it was possible the woman might have been one of the assistants we knew he oftentimes hired rather than a girlfriend, and she might have found her own place to stay.
“What did Salinger want?” I asked when Zak hung up.
“The venom used to kill Edgar Irvine was extracted from an African black mamba.”
“Okay. Is that important information?” I asked.
“It’s one of the most poisonous snakes in the world, and it isn’t found in the wild in North America, nor is it sold in this country,” Zak answered. “At least not legally. There are always dealers who’ll sell anything on the black market. Salinger found someone who’d heard of another black-market dealer, a competitor, who reportedly secured a black mamba for a client who asked to remain anonymous.”
“So this guy who bought the snake has to be our killer.”
“I won’t say he has to be, but I do think it’s possible, even likely, the person who bought the snake is the killer. The exchange took place on October 15.”
“So the timeline fits.” I frowned. “Sort of.”
“It’s feasible the killer bought this snake on October 15, extracted the venom, then used it to kill Edgar Irvine on October 22. And while I wouldn’t necessarily consider the next piece of information a smoking gun, I do think it’s interesting that this particular black-market deal went down at the Port of Los Angeles.”
I paused. “So the killer bought this snake ten days ago in Los Angeles. The victim lived in Los Angeles and, as far as we know, was there when the venom was secured. So why lure him all the way to Ashton Falls? Why not just kill him in his home or where he worked?”
“There’s more.” Zak brought up a photo on his computer. “This is you, taken in front of Rosie’s. I’d dropped you off and gone to park the car. You were supposed to go in and get a table, but you had a weird feeling and paused to look around.”
“I remember. I felt like I was being watched.”
“That night was October 15.”
I was beginning to catch on. “So, the person who snapped the photo can’t have been the same one who bought the snake. That means the person who killed Irvine didn’t buy the snake, or the person who killed Irvine isn’t stalking me, or the person who killed Irvine procured the venom and has been stalking me but had an accomplice who either took the photo or picked up the snake.”
Zak nodded. “I think that about sums it up.”
I sat back in my chair, stretching my legs out in front of me. “So which is it?”
He shrugged.
I let out a long groan. “So we’re back to square one.”
Zak put a hand on my arm. “We aren’t rounding third base, but I think we’re doing better than square one.”
“That’s a mixed metaphor,” I pointed out.
Zak winked at me. “I know, but let’s go with it.”
“Okay, so what does this information really tell us?”
Zak turned back to his computer. “In isolation, not a lot. But we have information, even if it doesn’t all fit together yet. In the end, the more information we have, the more likely we are to identify the killer.”
“Why that snake?” I asked.
Zak raised a brow. “I don’t follow.”
“If your intention was to inject snake venom into a man, making it look as if he’d been bitten by a vampire, why extract venom from that snake? There are plenty of poisonous snakes right here in the United States. Rattlers come to mind. They’re easy to find in nature and they’ll make him just as dead. Why on earth would anyone go to all the trouble of importing a dangerous, lethal snake from Africa? I mean, the cost alone must have been astronomical. It’s not like the person who sold the snake could have just put it in his carryon. I’m sure if the black-market dealer smuggled an illegal snake into the country he was going to want to be paid a lot for it.”
“That’s true,” Zak said. “The cost of killing Irvine is going to weed out people such as his ex-wife or an overly enthusiastic competitor.”
I cocked a grin. “So I guess the lead about the snake is already useful. I should never have doubted you. I really do feel we’re beginning to develop a profile of the killer.”
Zak narrowed his gaze. “Someone bent on killing who’s not only crazy but rich and connected. Sure. That’ll be an easy person to track down.”
Chapter 8
“I think you’re on to something with the why this snake thing,” Zak said. “I wonder if Irvine had been to Africa in the past year or so.”
“Can you find out?”
“Give me a minute to check passport entries and credit-card receipts. While I’m doing that, why don’t you call Irvine’s agent back to see if you can find out anything more about the woman he supposedly left Los Angeles with. A name would be helpful at the very least.”
I watched Zak as he turned back to the computer. While I really, really hated the reason the two of us were sequestered in the lab working on a shared project, I was enjoying this time with him. It seemed as if life had gotten in the way of our relationship lately. Not that we were having any problems. It was more that we’d both been very busy with projects we worked on independently of each other. If there was one thing that had been coming through loud and clear the past few weeks, it was that despite the family we loved, Zak and I needed to carve out couple time.
The agent was able to tell me that the first name of the woman Irvine left Los Angeles with was Stella. He didn’t know her last name. He also said Irvine had been on edge recently. I asked when he thought the nervousness had begun, and he thought it was around the time he returned from an overseas trip to do research on a novel he was working on that included several paranormal phenomena, including a ghost at the Parthenon, a disappearing mountain in Siberia, and an otherworld portal in the Serengeti.
“Are any of those actual thin
gs?” Zak asked when I filled him in.
“The agent didn’t think so, but he didn’t seem to care much. Irvine’s books have sold well and they were marketed as fiction, so he didn’t have the burden of proving anything one way or the other.”
“So if he was researching paranormal phenomena in the Serengeti he might have made a trip to Africa,” Zak said.
I nodded. “I guess he might have. Have you found out where he went yet?”
“Working on it.”
I took a few minutes to check on the kids. Scooter was in his room reading the latest sci-fi thriller he’d picked up in the library, Alex was laying on her bed talking on the phone, and Catherine was downstairs in the living room with Ellie, Eli, Mom, and Harper.
“How’s it going?” Mom asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. “We’re picking up clues as we go, but so far nothing is really coming together.”
“We were thinking of going for a walk along the lakeshore,” Mom said. “Would you like to come with us? Some fresh air might do you good.”
I hesitated. I’d told Zak I’d stay around the house, but fresh air might really help. “I’d like to. Let me tell Zak what I’m doing. I’ll grab the sand stroller for Eli and Catherine. The older kids might want to come along too, if only to get out of the house, so I’ll let them know too.”
Ellie offered to change both babies and Mom rounded up the dogs. It was a beautiful autumn day, the leaves along the shore in full color. It would be nice to get outside and appreciate all the lake had to offer. I knew Zak was concerned for my safety, but if the adage that there was safety in numbers was true, I was in good shape within the large group that set off along the water’s edge.
“I can’t believe Haunted Hamlet is this weekend,” Ellie said. “In the past I would have been knee-deep in volunteer duties. It feels odd to take on the role of spectator, although with a toddler who’s into everything and a baby on the way, I don’t see how I could have committed to doing anything this weekend.”
“I haven’t been the one to organize the zombie run. I’m sure the woman Hillary got to take it over will do a fine job, but I’m struggling with being on the sidelines.”
The pack of dogs came running back as Shep, who had been the one to retrieve the stick I’d tossed, dropped it at my feet. I picked it up and threw it again, and all the dogs, other than Charlie, took off after it.
“It’s natural to want to ease back into things after having a baby,” Ellie said. “With baby number two on the way, I’m thinking of quitting the events committee altogether. I go to the meetings, but I don’t contribute much. I think it might be better for the others to find someone to replace me who’s willing to chair events and spearhead volunteer duties.”
Ellie had a point. The events committee was very hands-on. Sure, there were a lot of volunteers in the community besides the ten of us, but it was usually one of the ten who was the chairperson. Before we had children, Ellie and I had chaired several events every year.
“It would seem odd to be off the committee completely,” I said, “but I see what you’re saying.” I glanced at my mom. “You’re the one person in this town not on the committee who really should be. You have tons of experience organizing events, and Harper will be going to kindergarten next year, so you’ll have time.”
Mom’s expression grew thoughtful. “I might think about taking on something like that. Who would I talk to if I were interested?”
“Hillary Spain. Trust me, she’ll be thrilled to have you.”
When we returned home from our walk, I learned Zak had used the time to track down Stella. He’d begun by doing a search linking the name Edgar Irvine with her name and found out he’d lived near a Stella Applewood and occasionally spent time with her. Zac tracked down a cell phone number for her and called it. Stella had flown here with Irvine, but when they arrived at the airport in Bryton Lake, she’d been picked up by a sister who lived nearby, while he rented a car and continued on to Ashton Falls.
Stella hadn’t heard Irvine was dead and was quite upset when Zak let the news slip. After she calmed down a bit, he managed to convince her to let us come to her sister’s place in Bryton Lake to ask her a few questions. Zak was ready to go, so I quickly got cleaned up to join him. Mom and Ellie were fine with keeping an eye on Catherine.
“Did she tell you anything on the phone other than that she was staying with her sister?” I asked as Zak sped down the mountain.
“She didn’t say a lot, just that she lived near Irvine and they were friends. When he talked about his trip to Ashton Falls, she told him that she had a sister in Bryton Lake. She’d been thinking about making a trip anyway, and coming at the same time would be company for the flight. Apparently, she hates to fly alone.”
“But she hadn’t heard that Irvine had been killed?”
“No, and she was understandably upset. I didn’t go into any detail, just said his body was found in one of the haunted places he was here to research. I’m hoping she’ll know something about his trip to Africa, and whether he was having issues with anyone in his life.”
Stella had pulled herself together by the time we arrived at her sister’s home. She offered us coffee, then suggested we take chairs around the kitchen table. Initially, she had questions for us, which we answered to the best of our ability, and then she agreed to answer ours.
“I understand Mr. Irvine went on a research trip six months ago,” Zak began.
“Yes, that’s correct. He had work to do on several projects. He was supposed to be gone for six weeks, but his assistant, Becka, died while they were away, so he came home two weeks early.”
“Do you know how she died?” Zak asked.
“Snakebite. There are some nasty snakes in Africa. From what Edgar told me, they’d been camping out on the Serengeti and Becka wandered away from the camp. She was dead when Edgar found her.”
“That’s so tragic,” I said.
Stella lifted a shoulder. “If you ask me, Becka was a bit of a loose cannon. She was very young, barely out of college, really. From what I heard from some of the other assistants Edgar worked with, she ignored the safety protocol Edgar had set up. In the course of his work, he sometimes put himself in dangerous situations. Edgar was careful, but Becka wasn’t. I don’t know why he didn’t cut her loose and get someone better suited.”
I couldn’t be sure, but I felt I was picking up on some jealousy here. Maybe the two women had been in competition for Irvine’s attention.
“Was Becka close to anyone who might have blamed Irvine for her death?” Zak asked.
“You think someone killed Edgar because they were upset that she died while on the trip with him?”
“It’s an idea,” Zak answered.
Stella paused to think about it. Eventually, she said, “There was this one guy, Matt. I know he blamed Edgar for both seducing Becka and for being careless and getting her killed.” She tapped her finger to her chin. “Matt Carson. I think he must have been one of her exes.”
“Matt was angry that Edgar seduced Becka? Were they having a physical relationship?” I asked.
“They were doing it around the clock.”
Okay, I didn’t need that degree of detail. I found it a little odd that Irvine had attracted a much younger woman. Of course, some women went for older guys. I wrinkled my nose and moved on from this train of thought. “How long had they been a couple before the trip?”
“A few months, I guess. Might have been less. Edgar didn’t discuss his sex life with me, but I knew when he was getting some.”
“Do you think this Matt Carson was mad enough to kill him?” Zak asked.
“Heck yeah. The guy was on a rampage. I’m pretty sure he might have killed Edgar then and there when he tracked him down if we hadn’t been in a public place and I hadn’t been with him. Though I didn’t get the vibe he would set up a fancy murder. I called Edgar’s agent after I spoke to you,” she nodded her head toward Zac, “and he filled me in on the deta
ils. If Edgar had been shot in the streets of LA, I’d say Matt was your man.”
“Can you think of anyone who might have wanted Edgar dead who would have gone to the trouble and expense of setting up a murder by snake venom?” I asked.
Stella screwed up her mouth. “I suppose it could have been one of his cult friends.”
“Cult friends?” I asked.
“Edgar was in this group in LA. It’s really nothing more than a bunch of kooks who are in to role-playing. They take on personas and dress and act like their characters.”
“Characters? Like vampires?” I wondered.
Stella nodded. “Vampires, zombies, werewolves, and other creatures of the night. I’m not in to that whole vibe, so I’ve never been to one of their events, but I know they get together a few times a month and play dress-up. One of the guys even had actual vampire fangs implanted. I mean, that seems way over the top. It’s not like he can pop them off and on; they’re permanent. There are a lot of role-playing groups around the country, but this particular one is very exclusive, and I know the members spend a lot of money on costumes and props. And when I say a lot, I mean like enough to buy a freaking house.” Stella rolled her eyes. “Pretty nuts.”
It seemed likely at least a few of the people who’d descended on Ashton Falls were associated with that group.
“I don’t suppose you can give us the names of anyone who might have more insight into the group?” I asked. “Maybe someone you know is a member.”
“I guess Edgar’s friend Spider might talk to you. I think he spent some time with the group at one point, although I don’t know that he was a regular.”
“Does Spider have a real name?” Zak asked.
“Probably, but I don’t know what it is. Spider and Edgar used to hang out in an old blues bar downtown. I think it’s called Poor Daddy’s. Someone there might know.”
Chapter 9
By the time we got home it was time to start thinking about dinner. Levi was knee-deep in football season, so I figured he wouldn’t be wrapping up until around five. My dad closed Donovan’s then, and the rest of us were already here. I supposed if we planned dinner for six we could accommodate everyone. There was another storm predicted for the weekend, but tonight was beautiful. I was tempted to suggest a BBQ on the deck. The sun would have set by the time we started eating, but we had a large fire pit, several deck heaters, and plenty of lights if you counted not only the patio lights and the thousands of orange and white twinkle lights Zak had strung. Thursday was usually my book club night, and I was sorry to miss it, but I’d promised to stay home.