Killing the Secret

by Donna Welch Jones

  Mariah was behind her quickly, directing her out. “I’m so embarrassed. The maid was supposed to straighten this closet a week ago and hasn’t gotten to it yet.”

  “My fault,” Lexie apologized. “I thought I was going into the bathroom. Nature is calling.”

  Mariah’s face was strained. “The bathroom is there.”

  Lexie didn’t doubt that Mariah wanted to slap the goofy country sheriff. Lexie flushed the stool and opened the cabinet door to look for clues. A lovely bronze brush yielded a strand of blonde hair for Lexie’s collection. She started the water running to create a sound barrier when opening the long cabinet under the sink. Under it was a man’s comb with a white hair attached. She wrapped each of them in plastic and stuck them in her bag.

  When Lexie came out of the bathroom, Mariah was gone and Wade was present. “Ms. Toleson said to offer her apologies and show you out. She needed to continue with her other obligations for today.”

  “Oh sure,” Lexie gushed. “I know I’ve been a pest but this place is fabulous.”

  “Tell her thanks for her time.” Lexie reached over and patted Wade’s back. He stiffened at her touch.

  “I hope you’re all right. You seem like such a sad fellow.”

  “I’m fine,” he said gruffly and opened the door wide.

  Lexie walked toward the huge security gate. She held the hair from the back of Wade’s shirt securely between her thumb and finger. As if by magic, the security gate opened. Red was waiting for her on the other side.

  “Have you been here the whole time?”

  “I left for a few minutes to get us sandwiches. What are you wrapping up there?”

  “A strand of hair. You never know when a DNA sample might come in handy.”

  “Did you find out anything interesting?”

  “Most intriguing were the two gray toupees and a wig lined up neatly in the Toleson closet. I’m going to take notes while you drive us to the airport. I don’t want to forget anything.”

  “I guess that’s my clue to shut up.”

  “Whoever said you can’t take a hint was mistaken.”

  Lexie looked at Red expecting a reply but all she got was him pretending to zip his lips.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Red’s small plane was left to the will of an uncompromising wind. Lexie grasp her stomach hoping to stabilize the contents so it wouldn’t find its way to her lap.

  “I hope you don’t have a weak stomach. This is the worst wind my little bird has ever flown in.”

  “I’m okay,” she said unconvincingly. “I’m going to close my eyes.” After what seemed like 24 hours of nausea, Red landed the airplane at a small airport in Kansas.

  Lexie phoned Sheriff Sloan from the airport. He was the main investigator on Tina’s case. He agreed to meet her at the park where Tina died.

  Red drove the rental car away from the terminal. Lexie gave him the directions as they made their way to where Tina’s life ended.

  “I’ll wait here,” Red said before Lexie ordered.

  A short man, probably mid-sixties, walked toward her. Thick, gray curly hair framed a bearded face. His pants were pressed and creased, and his shirt neatly tucked in. Lexie had no doubt he was military. His movement was a modified march and he seemed to be standing at attention when he stopped in front of her.

  “Sloan, here.”

  “Sheriff Wolfe, here.”

  He broke into a big grin. “You weren’t what I was expectin’.”

  “And what were you expecting, sir?”

  “A big, mean, ugly man.”

  “Mean fits from time to time, but I can’t claim the gender.”

  “Pleasure to meet you, Sheriff Wolfe.”

  “It’s Lexie.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I believe that Tina Smith was the second of four murders by the same man—one of which happened in my town, Diffee.”

  “It would certainly please me, Sheriff Lexie, to find any kind of clue in Tina’s case. Her poor husband has called me twice a week since she died asking if I’ve found the killer. All I can say to the poor guy is no. The scum left nothin’ here. I’m hopin’ he did somewhere else.”

  “What do you have?” Lexie crossed her arms at her waist and listened intently.

  “Whoever did it planned well. Musta worn gloves. We found what we thought was a gray hair but it turned out to be synthetic. You know the kind—used to make thousands of hairpieces and wigs. No car tracks. The culprit must have stayed on the gravel. My team is the best there is and we didn’t find anything that pointed us in the right direction. We assumed it was random meanness. Of course, that doesn’t explain why she left her husband’s service to go to a deserted park.”

  “So the husband looked clean?”

  “Gavin was collecting souls for Jesus when she died. Can’t get any cleaner than that. He said that Tina didn’t say anything about knowing anyone in town.”

  Lexie told Sloan everything she knew about the other three cases, including her saga of watered-down evidence.

  “I appreciate your help, Sheriff Lexie. If you think of anymore questions, phone me.”

  “Will do and you do the same.”

  Sloan lifted a hand in farewell as Red and Lexie exited the park.

  Red gave Lexie an inquiring look.

  “As Sheriff Sloan said, nothin.”

  “This is the end of the road for me, Lexie. I got a job in Lawton tomorrow.”

  “Okay. I saw a hotel near the airport. Drop me off there.”

  “Where’s your next stop?”

  “Tomorrow morning I fly to Dallas to check out Heather’s case. I’m back home late tomorrow night.”

  Red drove in front of the hotel and stopped. He pulled Lexie’s bag out of the back seat and handed it to her.

  “Here we go again,” she protested. “I’m capable of getting my own bag. Remember, I’m a gun toting sheriff.”

  “You may be everyone else’s sheriff, but you’re my girl.”

  “Red, I’m sorry I was such a bitch last night.”

  “You had every right, considering the day you had.”

  He pulled her toward his chest and kissed her long and firmly. Without a word, he got in the car and headed toward the airport.

  I haven’t had a kiss like that in fifteen years. Interesting that it was the same guy delivering.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Lexie couldn’t remember the last time she had slept so soundly. The alarm rang at six a.m. and her body refused to move from the bed. She pressed her lips against the back of her hand trying to recreate the feeling of Red’s kiss. It didn’t work.

  In the shower, she mentally chastised herself for giving in to sloppy emotions. “I don’t have time to waste on foolishness. I’ve got to find this murderer,” she said loudly as she soaped her hair.

  After the shower, it was one big rush to the airport, maneuver through security, and board the plane. Finally, she was securely fastened in her seat ready for the takeoff.

  Her mind went to Loretta’s alleged abortion and its connection, if any, to the murders. It was possible this was the secret. Even if it wasn’t, it could be used to bait Loretta into telling what her girlfriends were concealing.

  Why now and not five, ten, fifteen years ago?

  Gazing out the window, she hoped that she would find some help in Dallas since Kansas was a bust.

  Lexie was intrigued by the fact that District Attorney Lave Blanchard volunteered to meet her at the airport and chauffer her around. Her thoughts were interrupted by the stewardess giving landing instructions. The plane was soon on the ground.

  When she exited the plane, it was easy to spot Blanchard with the red sheet of paper they’d agreed upon as their contact sign.

  Walking up to him, she reached out her hand and said, “I’m Lexie Wolfe.”

  “Good to meet you. I’m Lave.”

  The muscles in his arms rippled when he reached to take her bag. His head was shaved
clean. The man looked like the poster guy for masculinity.

  A couple of stewardesses a few yards away were eyeing him up and down, obviously appreciating the view. When Lave caught them looking at him, he flashed a teeth-whitener commercial smile.

  His cocky attitude immediately reminded her of Johnson. Lexie wondered which man would get the mirror if there was only one in a room they shared.

  “I’m ready if you are,” Lexie interrupted the flirting.

  “I’m good to go,” he replied then gave his admirers another smile.

  “Lave, I’m surprised that a big time DA like yourself volunteered to spend the day with a small town sheriff. What’s that about?”

  “I like a woman who shoots from the hip. Not much of a mystery. Heather was my wife. We divorced a few months before she died. Got it in her fool head that I was cheating on her. So she left me.”

  “Sounds like she was insecure about your relationship.”

  “For sure. She started going to a psychiatrist because she was so screwed up. Williams is his name. He acted like a fool at the funeral.”

  “How’s that?” Lexie asked.

  “When he saw me in the funeral home lobby he came up to me and pressed against my shoulder. Told me I had no right to be there. I would’ve broken him in half if it hadn’t been Heather’s funeral.” Lave’s knuckles turned white from the strength of his grip on the wheel.

  “Did you have a woman with you?”

  “Whom have you been talking to?”

  “No one. I figure a man who looks as good as you has women panting on the sides hoping to be next in line.”

  Lave laughed and his shiny teeth made another showing. “Well, thanks, Lexie. Yes, I got an offer from a babe quick. I know it didn’t look appropriate, but a man has his needs.”

  Sometimes a man just needs to be neutered. Lexie replied, “I hear you.”

  “Detective Chandler told me that you’ve reason to believe that Heather didn’t commit suicide.”

  “Yes, she’s the investigating officer. I talked to her on the phone and she told me the case was ruled a suicide. I told her I had my doubts due to three of Heather’s teammates dying within a short period of time. I believe for some unknown reason someone is trying to get rid of them.”

  “Can you prove it?” Lave’s tone was intense.

  “Not yet, but I’m working on it.”

  “Girl, it’ll be a jackpot for me if it turns out to be a murder.”

  “Why?” Lexie tried to say the word nonchalantly, which was difficult since she wanted to reach over and choke him.

  “Heather has a fifty thousand dollar life insurance policy that I’ll get if she didn’t commit suicide. If murder can’t be proven—that money is down the drain.”

  “Oh!” Lexie knew she blew her role as the nonjudgmental sheriff with the tone of her voice but she didn’t care. The guy was a class A-ASS.

  “I know it sounds terrible,” DA Lave went on the defensive. “But you know she loved me or she wouldn’t have left it to me. I could afford to buy her a nice headstone and help her old man out some, if it’s murder.”

  “That’s a good plan.” Lexie was proud of her acting ability.

  At the police station, Lave walked her to Sarah Chandler’s office.

  “Hi, there Sweet Thing,” Lave said to Chandler then sat on the corner of her desk.

  Sarah, a sturdy built woman in her fifties didn’t look like she’d take any cuff and probably hadn’t for the last twenty years. “Get your rear off my desk,” she ordered.

  Lave immediately slid off. “Crabby today?”

  “You know it, Hotshot. I’m cranky everyday ‘cause you DAs don’t know how to solve cases after we catch the crooks. Don’t you have any manners? Who’s that with you?”

  “This is Sheriff Lexie Wolfe from Diffee, Oklahoma. She’s the one who’s going to solve Heather’s case. You know, the case you screwed up.”

  “Get out of here, Smart Mouth, so I can talk to Lexie—alone.”

  As soon as the door closed behind Lave, Sarah said, “I didn’t notice you drooling over Mr. America.”

  “Heads too big for me,” Lexie replied. “You don’t seem to be under his spell either.”

  “I got smarter as I got older. It’s not good looks; it’s money that I’m after.” Sarah chuckled. “So what do you know Sheriff Wolfe that will turn my suicide case into a murder?”

  Sarah listened intently as Lexie told her what she knew.

  “I see where you’re coming from,” Sarah said. “But you’re a long way from proving anything.”

  Lexie knew Sarah was right. “Was Heather checked for poison or needle marks?”

  “No, she wasn’t, I’m embarrassed to say. With her history it seemed damn clear that she’d caused her own death. I interviewed her dad and her psychiatrist. They verified that she was suicidal, so I closed the case. It really pissed off Lave since he didn’t get the insurance money. If you’re right, he’ll be one happy man.”

  “Makes me hope I’m wrong.”

  “Me, too,” Sarah acceded.

  “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to talk to Dr. Williams.”

  “Sure. I’ll have the clerk give him a call and set-up the meeting,” Sarah proposed.

  Five minutes later a clerk came to the door. “Dr. Williams said he’d be in his office all afternoon.”

  “Let’s go,” Sarah stood.

  “Sarah, I have a request.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That Lave not go.”

  “You’re a very perceptive young woman, Lexie. I’ll be happy to tell him to get lost.”

  “You know, Sarah, I just met you but I’ve already bonded.”

  “Mutual,” Sarah smiled.

  DA Lave was sitting on the desk of a cute young clerk when they came out. “Doesn’t your big ass fit in a chair?” Sarah blurted.

  Lave came to a standing position as if his rear was struck by lightning. His face was puckered in a pout. “My butt isn’t big.”

  “You missed the point, Mr. Ego.”

  “The point struck right here in my heart.” Lave placed a hand on his chest.

  “I’m taking Lexie off your hands. We’re going to visit Dr. Williams then I’ll take her back to the airport.”

  “I’d like to tag along,” Lave’s tone was now serious.

  “No,” Sarah said point-blank. “You need to get your nose out of this case.”

  “Okay. I’ll leave it to the Dynamic Dame Duo to retrieve my money.”

  “Thanks for the ride,” Lexie said to Lave as she followed Sarah out the door.

  “Anytime, Honey, anytime,” he responded with a salute.

  Sarah received a call as soon as they took off, so the drive was filled with her giving directions to the rookie on the other end of the line. Lexie was fine with that. She needed to mentally rehearse her visit with Dr. Williams. For some reason, she wanted to impress Sarah.

  * * *

  “Dr. Williams, this is Sheriff Lexie Wolfe from Oklahoma. She has an interesting theory about Heather’s death,” Sarah said as they approached his desk.

  He rose and extended his hand. He wore a long linen shirt, brown trousers, and loafers. A classy guy.

  “Thank you for agreeing to see me.” Lexie shook his outstretched hand.

  “You’re welcome. However, I don’t understand why Heather’s death is still being investigated.”

  “It’s because three other women she knew well died during the same time period, all apparent murders. If we don’t find the killer soon, four more may die.”

  “That’s disturbing news.” He covered his mouth then stroked his beard.

  “I need some assistance to prove my theory. Will you help me Dr. Williams?”

  “Perhaps.” His fingers made circular motions around his mouth. “Heather was a beautiful woman. She was caring and funny when she wasn’t overwrought with pain caused by the imbecile she married.”

  Lexie concurred, “I
met the jerk. He seemed to be on a mission to get that fifty thousand insurance payoff.”

  “Yes,” Williams focused on Sarah. “I couldn’t bare to help him. But now, if other women may die, there’s someone out there worse than him.”

  “So, did Heather commit suicide?” Lexie probed.

  “Very unlikely,” he confessed. “I saw her the night before. She was agitated about getting her life insurance policy changed so that ‘DA Lave and his whore princess,’ as she called them, wouldn’t get the money. She’d have changed the policy before she died so he wouldn’t end up with the money through some loophole.”

  “Anything else that made you think it wasn’t a suicide?” Lexie was surprised that Sarah hadn’t said a word or asked a question since the interview started.

  “Yes, she promised to go inpatient. She was ready to work on getting well,” his tongue stumbled over the words.”

  “Did she know how you felt about her?”

  “You are an intuitive woman, Sheriff Wolfe. Yes, I told her that night. I referred her to a new psychiatrist because I fell in love with her. She squeezed my hand before she left this office. When she died, it took all of my heart and part of my soul.”

  Sarah finally spoke up, “Why didn’t you tell me what you really thought?”

  “I wanted to make sure her ex-husband didn’t get the money. I saw it as the last thing I could do for her. That’s why I substantiated the suicide theory, which it appeared to be, to most. I never truly believed it to be so. Once I got the message, it solidified my belief.”

  “Message?” Lexie and Sarah asked in unison.

  “Yes, it came in that morning when I was with a client. I saved it so I could hear her voice.”

  Dr. Williams pushed a button on his answering machine. A cheerful voice conveyed her message:

  “Paul, it’s Heather. Just wanted you to know I’m doing fine and getting packed. An old friend from high school is dropping by to see me this morning. I’m so excited! I’ll talk to you soon.”