by Jana DeLeon
“You’re going to be calling the unemployment office if you don’t put Ms. Lemarque in that cell. She made her choice. I don’t have one.”
“That’s the biggest bunch of crap I’ve heard in this office,” Myrtle said. “And I’ve heard more than my share. I just never figured the smelliest of it would come from you.”
Admitting defeat, Carter chose to ignore her completely and turned to me. “I don’t suppose there’s any way I can convince you to go quietly home.”
“If you try to get out of arresting me, the next thing I kick won’t be inanimate,” I said.
“Fine. Take them both, Myrtle. They can share a cell.”
“Don’t we get a phone call?” Ally asked.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “Bernice called Ida Belle. That’s all the backup we need.”
Carter closed his eyes for a moment and I’m pretty sure he was praying.
“I’ll call for some blankets,” Myrtle said. “There’s a draft in those cells. Have you eaten tonight?”
“I haven’t,” I said. “I was waiting on my date.” I shot a look at Carter, who sighed and shook his head.
“Since the deputy has lost all sense of how to treat people decently, I’ll get you something to eat as well,” Myrtle said. She yanked a set of keys off the wall and motioned to Ally and me to follow her. She shot one last angry glance at Carter before huffing off down the hall.
“I swear to God, I don’t know what is wrong with that man,” Myrtle said as we walked. “I can’t imagine what you two did that would prompt this. Short of killing someone, anyway.”
“He thinks I killed Hooch,” Ally said quietly.
Myrtle stopped dead in her tracks and turned around to stare at Ally. “You’ve got to be kidding me. And that’s not the first words that came to mind. He’s lost the plot. I’m definitely calling his mother.”
“While I, for one, would love to see Carter dealing with Emmaline on this one,” I said, “let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Carter wants to question Ally concerning Hooch’s death. I told her not to talk without an attorney present because that’s what everyone being questioned as a suspect in a murder investigation should do. Since we can’t make an attorney materialize at this time of night, that means Carter has to hold her overnight.”
“Why?” Myrtle asked. “It’s not like she’s a flight risk.”
“Of course not!” Ally said.
“We all know that,” I said, “and Carter does too, but my guess is he’s doing this by the book to protect everyone. If he’s accused of favoritism, it could affect his ability to control the investigation. And no one wants the state police to take over. They might insist on holding Ally in New Orleans if they come up with a good enough reason to.”
Myrtle seemed a tiny bit mollified, but I was betting that Emmaline would get an earful as soon as Carter left the building. “Then why are you here?” she asked me.
“Oh, I couldn’t let Ally sit here alone all night, so I kicked the mirror off Carter’s truck.”
Myrtle’s lips quivered and finally the smile broke through. “I would have paid to see that. Well, best get you two criminals locked up before Carter sends me to that unemployment line.”
Ally and I sat in silence for several minutes. I figured Ally was silent because she’d never been in jail and was scared to be there now, especially given that we had no idea what Carter knew or why he’d zeroed in on her in the first place. I was silent because I was hungry and honestly, had no idea what to say except that. As it didn’t sound very comforting to blurt out, ‘I’d kill for a ham sandwich about now,’ I figured I’d just wait for Ally to take the lead on the whole conversation thing.
“I don’t understand what’s happening,” Ally said. “How could Carter think I killed someone?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t, but there must be some evidence pointing to you as a suspect. Can you think of any reason why someone would assume you have a grudge against Hooch?”
Ally’s eyes widened. “Oh my God.”
“That doesn’t sound promising. Better tell me what’s up.”
“I hired Hooch to rebuild my tool shed in the backyard. I knew he was unreliable, but he approached me about it and needed the work, so I decided to forgo the contractor I was going to use and hire him instead.”
“Did you give him any money up front?”
Ally bit her lower lip. “Yes. I know, it was stupid, especially given his reputation, but it wasn’t an emergency sort of situation, so I figured even if he slacked off, the work would eventually get done.”
“I take it that it didn’t?”
“No. He started by removing the old roof to shore up the framing and covered it with a tarp to keep the contents from ruining if it rained. It was only supposed to be for a couple days. That was three weeks ago. I’ve been outside nailing that tarp back down a million times since then and finally, it just tore completely in two in the middle of a storm. It took me two days to go through all my contents and try to salvage what I could, but some things are a lost cause. Probably a couple thousand dollars, but it’s not worth filing on my homeowner’s insurance.”
“How much money did you give Hooch to start the job?”
“Two thousand.”
“So you’re into him for four to five thousand?”
“That sounds about right.”
I held in a sigh. I knew Ally would never kill someone over any amount of money, and I was certain Carter did as well. But I could see how someone might make more of her situation with Hooch if they knew about it. Which led to my next question.
“Did anyone else know about your problems with Hooch?”
Ally blushed. “Probably everyone who was in the café last week. Hooch came in and when I asked him about the shed, he got belligerent and I might have said a few things I probably shouldn’t have. I was really embarrassed afterward and apologized to Francine, but she just said he deserved it and called him a choice name or two.”
“He did deserve it. And I’m sure you were a lot nicer than I would have been.”
“So do you think that’s why Carter brought me here? Because of the shed and what I said at the café?”
“I think it’s probably part of the reason, but it’s not enough. My understanding is that Hooch was known for that sort of behavior. I’m sure you’re not the only one in Sinful who’s taken a loss hiring Hooch. But you’re the only one here tonight. Carter knows something else. He’s just not sharing it.”
“But what could he possibly know?”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure. But we need to find out what killed Hooch. Based on some other gossip, I’d already figured Carter didn’t think his death was from natural causes, but no one has gotten the scoop on the cause. That is information we need.”
“You think there’s something linking me to the cause of his death? But what could that possibly be? I was working a shift at the café from early morning until midafternoon. It’s not like I could sneak off from my tables and jet down the bayou to kill someone without my customers noticing my absence. So unless he was killed after 3:00 p.m., then I don’t see how I could be a suspect for anything.”
“It does seem a bit odd. And I’m sure Carter checked your work schedule.” I sighed. “Unfortunately, I think we’re going to have to wait until we have more information. Whatever Carter knows, he’ll have to divulge to your attorney.”
Ally’s eyes filled with tears. “But I don’t have an attorney. I don’t even know one to call. I mean, I’ve been talking to one about setting up my bakery business but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t handle murder charges.”
“Don’t worry about that part. I have an idea.”
She looked a tiny bit hopeful but I could tell she wasn’t convinced. I wasn’t convinced, either, given that I had no idea what Carter knew. But I was certain of one thing—it wasn’t good, and it tied Ally directly to Hooch in some way because Carter would never go this route otherwise.
I had to find o
ut what Carter knew.
No way was he going to put it in writing anywhere Myrtle might access it, which meant no computer logs and no file kept at the sheriff’s department. And no way was he going to put it in writing anywhere I might access it, which meant no file at his house, either. But he had to keep the records somewhere. That was one angle.
The other was the medical examiner. Surely Ida Belle had someone in her network who could ferret out a cause of death for us. That would give us a starting place in figuring out what happened, and God forbid, building a defense, if it came to that. I glanced at my watch. We’d been here for fifteen minutes. I figured Ida Belle would show up any minute.
Not a second later, I heard arguing coming from the front of the sheriff’s department. I looked over at Ally and grinned.
The cavalry had arrived.
There was several seconds of shouting, then I heard some stomping and the door to the cells swung open. Carter stepped inside and waved for Ida Belle to enter. She strode past, refusing to even look at him, Gertie right behind. Gertie gave him the finger as she walked by. Then I was surprised to see Francine behind Gertie.
“You’ve got five minutes,” Carter said. “And I’m going to be standing here for all of them.”
Francine gave Carter a disgusted look and stepped forward. “Myrtle said you were hungry. I can’t imagine what is wrong with our illustrious deputy, locking up people who haven’t had a proper dinner.”
Gertie nodded. “Especially when one of the people locked up was waiting on the illustrious deputy to eat. Bad manners all around.”
Carter closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall.
“Anyway,” Francine said. “I threw together some vegetable soup from today, roast beef sandwiches, chips, and apple pie. It’s not gourmet, but I wasn’t exactly given notice. I’ll be back with a much better spread tomorrow morning.”
She looked over at Carter and motioned to the door. “I’m no physicist, but I don’t think this basket is going to fit through those bars.”
Carter pushed himself off the wall and opened the door to our cell. Francine passed me the basket, shot one last dirty look at Carter, then whirled around and left the jail. I placed the basket on the cot behind me and looked at Ida Belle, wondering how we were going to have a conversation with Carter standing right there.
“I know an attorney I can call,” Ida Belle said. “But it will have to wait until morning, of course.”
“I already have something in mind in that regard,” I said. “Of course, it would help if we knew what to tell the attorney.” I looked over at Carter, who studied the ceiling tiles.
“Is there anything else we can get you?” Gertie said.
“No,” I said, “but if one of you could drive my Jeep home, that would be great. Bernice has the keys.”
Gertie nodded. “I brought a couple of blankets. I know from experience there’s a draft in here at night. I told someone to get it looked at, but you know how things run around here.”
She shoved the blankets through the bars and Ally took them and placed them on the cot next to the basket of food.
“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” I said. “Maybe a little bored since we had to give up our cell phones, but I suppose we could just sleep it off.”
Ida Belle pulled a deck of cards out of her pocket and handed them to me. “This might help if you’re not able to sleep.”
“Thanks,” I said. As I took the cards, I saw a certain look in Ida Belle’s eyes. A look that told me there was more to their visit than just checking on our welfare.
“Be sure you eat,” Gertie said. “I know you’re stressed, but it won’t do either of you any good if you get weak and sick.”
“You don’t have to worry about me,” I said. “I’m starving. And I’ll make sure Ally eats something.”
Ida Belle looked at Ally. “Everything is going to be fine. I promise you. Don’t worry about this. We’ve been in some precarious positions with the law ourselves. There’s just some things to work out and all of this will blow over.”
“Thank you,” Ally said, and I could tell Ida Belle’s words and the strength of her conviction as she spoke them had helped calm Ally a bit.
“Okay, time’s up,” Carter said.
“We’ll be back tomorrow,” Ida Belle said, and she and Gertie strolled out of the jail, not giving Carter so much as a backward glance.
He’d been expecting an argument, and I could tell he was somewhat surprised that they’d left without one. He looked over at Ally and me.
“Do you need anything before I go?” he asked.
“We’re good,” I said.
“Well, if anything comes up, ring the bell. Myrtle will check on you periodically.” He hesitated and I could tell he wanted to say something more, but ultimately, his sworn duty must have won out and he closed the door behind him.
I felt a tiny bit sorry for him, but far sorrier for Ally. Despite the repugnant nature of his job at the moment, Carter was equipped to deal with it. Ally, on the other hand, did not belong in a jail, or deserve being questioned for murder. In fact, I couldn’t think of a less likely person to commit such an act than Ally. It defied all logic.
Which led me right back to needing more information because clearly, there was something I didn’t know. Something big.
I glanced at the door, making sure it was shut, and sat on the cot to open the deck of cards.
“You want to play cards now?” Ally asked.
“No. I think Ida Belle slipped something in here with the cards.” I pulled them out and sure enough, found a piece of folded paper in the stack. I unfolded it and saw Ida Belle’s handwriting. I read the words and felt my back tighten.
“What does it say?” Ally asked. “What’s wrong? I can tell something’s wrong.”
I could have lied to her, but what was the point? It wasn’t like either of us was going to get a decent night’s sleep.
“It says Hooch died from ingesting cyanide. That’s why Carter knew it was murder. He probably saw it during his service time and recognized the symptoms and the smell.”
Ally paled. “Oh my God. I packed all of the lunches for the rodeo. That’s why Carter wants to question me. I packed the lunch and Hooch cost me a lot of money. Fortune, what am I going to do?”
Her voice shifted to a higher octave and I could tell her stress level was about to shoot through the roof.
“Let’s not get excited,” I said. “This is good news.”
“How in the world can this be good news?”
“Because you’re not the only one with access to the food. You’re just the one that Carter knows for sure had opportunity and motive, so he’s talking to you first. It’s all circumstantial. He can’t prove anything from this, and the DA will tell him just that.”
“Then he’ll be questioning everyone at the café, right?”
“Yes, and don’t forget all the random people who stroll in the back door.”
Ida Belle, Gertie, and I had recently investigated food theft from the café and had run into a bit of trouble nailing down the perpetrator due to the lax policy of the unlocked back door and the propensity for locals to waltz into the kitchen whenever convenient. There was no telling how many people other than staff had moved through the kitchen while the lunches were being prepared and packed.
“Oh, that’s right,” Ally said. “That’s encouraging.”
I nodded. “And given Hooch’s reputation for falling down on the job, I can’t imagine you’re the only person in Sinful he’s in the hole with.”
“I’m sure I’m not. But it’s a big stretch from being hacked at someone over money to killing them. Surely someone didn’t poison Hooch over a construction job.”
“I doubt a loss on a construction job is what’s behind this, but that doesn’t matter as far as you’re concerned. All we need for reasonable doubt is for someone else to have had access to the food and been screwed by Hooch, and I’m just betting the odds are really
good on that. A DA won’t touch a case that has multiple potential perps. And honestly, given your appearance and reputation, they’d darn near need video of you stabbing someone to death before a jury would believe it.”
“Oh.” Ally was silent for a couple seconds and I could see she was processing what I’d said. “That actually makes sense. Not that I want other people going through this or anything, but I guess he can’t put everyone with a motive in jail, right?”
“Not for very long. Not without pressing charges.”
“So do I really need a lawyer, or should I just talk to Carter and clear this all up?”
“You need a lawyer. Carter is not the issue here. I’m certain he knows you didn’t kill Hooch, but he has to follow the investigation wherever it leads, and right now, it’s pointing to you.”
Ally’s shoulders slumped a bit. “I don’t want Carter to get in trouble, and I definitely don’t want the state police taking over the investigation.”
“Exactly. It’s no big deal. We’ll spend a night on these uncomfortable cots and then tomorrow, we can put it all behind us.”
Ally gave me a small smile. “What about you? You damaged Carter’s vehicle and then threatened to damage him. You think he’s going to let you off?”
“I think he’ll do anything to avoid the hassle of booking me. I’ll pay to fix his mirror.”
Ally tilted her head to the side and studied me for a minute. “Out of curiosity, would you really have hit him?”
“Of course. What are friends for?”
Now her smile was real. “I’m so glad you’re staying. I can’t imagine going through this without you.” She reached for the food basket and opened the top. “Friends are also good for providing tasty snacks. You hungry?”
“Starved!”
Ally handed me a sandwich wrapped in paper and I frowned. The side felt a little hard. I unwrapped the sandwich and found a cell phone inside. It was pink and covered with diamonds.
“That’s Francine’s,” Ally said. “Now we have a way to call out.”