Killing the Secret

by Donna Welch Jones

  Struggling to her feet, she fired a shot to his right and started running in his direction. A few yards later he vanished into the underbrush. She stopped and waited for the sound of running steps on the ground, or the clank of the unsecured link, but there was nothing. She wandered aimlessly, hoping sound would give her a direction, but there was no luck.

  I’ve got to turn back or I’ll lose the location of the pouch. Tracking back to the site her mind dwelled on what a fool she’d been. Regardless, she needed to check the pouch to be positive. The bark bit her skin as she climbed up the tree. Stretching her arm at full length she finally was able to secure the bag in one hand and start the treacherous downward trip. Safe on the ground, she bent from her waist and forced herself to be still until the rapid beating of her heart subsided. Her hand reached inside the pouch and pulled out a small plastic bag with a hard object inside. Her momentary exhilaration depleted to zero. It appeared to be a long skinny tube of lip gloss. What a joke I’ll be to Harris and the residents of Diffee. “Just like a woman—trading a drug dealer for lip gloss.” The rednecks will get a million laughs out of this.

  She stopped by Gary King’s house on the way home. Megan answered the door. “Dad’s still at work.”

  “You’re more likely to know the answer to this question than your Dad.” Lexie held the plastic bag open. “Did your Mom ever wear lip gloss like this?”

  “No. She just used those fat tubes of lipstick.”

  “Thanks,” Lexie nodded.

  “Okay,” Megan said as she shut the door.

  Lexie wondered at the girl’s lack of curiosity about the question. From the girl’s somberness, it appeared that depression may have set in as a result of her Mom’s death. One more thing to feel guilty about.

  Back at her office, Lexie immediately processed the tube for prints and there, as big as life, was a thumb and a fingerprint. Abbey’s fingerprints and DNA were taken before she was buried. She pulled copies of Abbey’s prints from her folder. An expert at fingerprints she was not, but these two clearly did not match.

  Allowing herself to have hope was ridiculous considering who she was dealing with. Even if Wilbur was telling the truth, for a change, it didn’t mean that someone else didn’t drop the tube in the woods. Suddenly, a horrible thought crossed her mind. Could these be Wilbur’s prints? She pulled his folder out—more fearful of looking at the prints than she was of facing Harris and the judge. Her breath came out in one long huff as she determined the prints were not his either. Now it was time to go face Harris.

  “Where is he?” Harris’ voice resonated through the third floor jail as soon as her foot hit the top step.

  “He got away when I was handcuffing him to a tree.”

  “Why the hell Diffee was stupid enough to elect a woman sheriff I’ll never figure out!” Harris shouted his final words: “This is your ass—not mine!”

  “I’m certainly willing to take the responsibility.” Lexie’s voice was as smooth as vinyl.

  A clerk peered around the corner. Lexie assumed the woman wanted to obtain firsthand visual confirmation of the fighters before she started the gossip chain. Workers stared at her as she walked down the hall and descended the steps. She heard prisoners cheering as she exited the building. One of their own escaped, thanks to her.

  As she trudged down the sidewalk someone behind her patterned her steady footsteps.

  “Sheriff Wolfe.” Adam’s long strides easily caught up with her. “I heard the jailer yelling at you. What’s going on?”

  Lexie didn’t slow but the long-legged boy had no difficulty equaling her pace. “Wilbur Langley escaped when he was in my custody.”

  “Why did you take him out?”

  “Because he told me he hid something that he found at the scene of Abbey’s murder. I took him with me to recover the object. I was re-handcuffing him when he broke away.”

  “That what the mark on your neck is from?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you recover the object?”

  “Yes, I did.” Lexie slowed.

  He shortened his stride. “What was it?”

  “Can’t report on that yet but I’ll keep you informed.” Her steps quickened.

  “You never keep me informed.” Adam let his professional demeanor and his gait lapse.

  “Good-bye, Adam. It’s time for me to head home.” She gave a modified wave and hoped the kid wouldn’t come after her again.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Lexie startled from sleep when the newspaper hit her front door with even more vengeance than usual. Curious to see if Adam vented his anger through his story, she retrieved the paper and sat at the kitchen table drinking her coffee. There it was, of course. FOUND AND LOST was the headline. It started with, “Sheriff Lexie Wolfe nabbed a notorious drug dealer a few days ago only to lose him yesterday when he escaped back into the woods.”

  The paragraphs continued with Lexie’s brief comments from the night before and a recap of Abbey’s murder. The article ended with “the murderer is still at large.” Adam was fair. He even mentioned her neck injury, perhaps as a means to verify that she didn’t give up easily. Maybe she would give the kid a break someday.

  The day ahead was going to be tough. Delia scheduled interview times with Beth, Jamie, and Loretta. Lexie hoped they’d give their fingerprints and DNA without subpoenas. Mariah would likely be the easiest one to check since she was overseas when her Dad was on military duty. It was a pain to think about a trip back to Washington to request the prints herself. She sure didn’t want to ask the hunk for any help. Finally, she berated herself to stop thinking and take a shower.

  Within an hour she was standing beside her desk watching Beth come in the door. Tye pulled the old table out for them to sit around. Delia fidgeted with the pen that was about to record hours of information.

  “Thanks for coming, Beth,” Lexie said.

  The legs scraped the floor when Beth pulled out the chair. She wore a long sleeved, high-collared navy dress. Her hair was swept back into a bun. Her straight back and set mouth didn’t soften as Lexie began the interview.

  “I was surprised to hear that you’re leading the reunion effort.”

  “It’s for Abbey. She wanted us to honor Terri and I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t try.”

  “Considering that you invited someone back who wants to kill you, I’m thinking you made a mistake,” Lexie drilled the words toward Beth.

  “What makes you think I invited the killer back?”

  “Heather left a phone message on the morning she died. She said an old friend from high school was coming to see her. Now she’s dead.”

  Tye took the good cop role. “Beth just doesn’t seem the sort that anyone would want to murder.”

  “Well, the murderer killed a woman almost dead from cancer,” Lexie responded. “So he doesn’t appear to have any limits on who he’s willing to kill.”

  Beth’s body seemed to suddenly be stricken with a seizure. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have sent out the invitations, but I wanted to do one last thing for Abbey.”

  “The best thing to do for Abbey is to help us find her killer. What did you see, or hear, or know, in high school that made someone think it was necessary to kill you?” Lexie questioned.

  “Nothing,” Beth replied.

  “There has got to be something or your friends wouldn’t be dying.” Lexie couldn’t keep the anger out of her voice.

  “It’s not going to happen to me,” Beth said quietly. “I’m always good to people. Everyone knows that if I say I won’t tell a secret then I won’t.”

  “Secret?” Tye repeated.

  Her neck changed from pale to blotchy red. “Anyone’s secret about anything.” Beth rose from her chair trying to avoid the firing squad of words. “I need to go now. Darren’s waiting in the car and he needs to get back to work. He’s missed a lot lately because of me.”

  “Maybe if someone, LIKE YOU, would give us a clue as to why som
eone wants to murder the team, then your lives could get back to normal,” Lexie challenged as she peered into Beth’s eyes.

  Beth’s gaze dropped to the floor and she grasped her hands to her head.

  “We need a DNA sample and your fingerprints. As evidence accumulates on the murderer, we can rule you out,” Lexie said.

  “You think I’d kill my friends?”

  “No, we don’t,” Tye answered, “but we can’t show any favoritism.”

  “Do what you need to do,” she said the words in an unaccustomed straightforward manner. No effort was made to dry the tears that were accumulating on her cheeks.

  Lexie put on her gloves and took the DNA swab. After Tye finished with the fingerprinting, Beth went out the door.

  “I guess she forgot to say goodbye?” Lexie scoffed.

  “You were tough on her,” Tye confronted. “Why so sarcastic?”

  “Because she knows something. She probably thinks it has nothing to do with her friends dying, but if it does, she’s helping the murderer.”

  “She seemed so frightened,” Delia spoke softly.

  “Should be even more scared than she is.” Lexie popped an aspirin then took a long drink of water.

  Jamie was the next to enter. Her strides were long and her face set in a scowl. She wore a gray running suit with a black t-shirt underneath, appropriate attire since she seemed to be trying to get away from something. Better to ask Jamie for the samples first, rather than last, since Lexie expected her to become even angrier.

  “Jamie, as part of our investigation, we’re asking everyone involved to give us a DNA sample and their fingerprints.”

  “Since I’m a suspect, I bet you’d really like mine without a fuss,” Jamie challenged.

  “It’s easier if you volunteer, but the judge can get an order over here within thirty minutes if you don’t want to cooperate,” Lexie countered.

  “I certainly wouldn’t want to be uncooperative. Just take anything you need then start your interrogation. Isn’t that how it works, Tye?”

  Tye tried good cop. “Jamie, I don’t think you’re a murderer, but I may need to prove it to other people.”

  “There you go—a gentleman after all.” Jamie’s nostrils puffing slightly. “Can’t we get on with this? I’ve got things to do.”

  “Beth mentioned a secret earlier today and I want to hear more about it.” Lexie returned Jamie’s stare.

  “Then ask Beth. She brought it up.”

  Lexie made her best attempt to sound gentle. “Just the thought of it made Beth cry. I didn’t want to upset her anymore than she already was. I figured a tough woman like you could share without the emotion.”

  “I got nothing to confide. I’m not aware of Beth’s secrets. Obviously, she has at least one she doesn’t want to share with you.”

  Lexie pursued, “And you, Jamie, what secrets do you know that may have resulted in Abbey, Terri, Heather, and Tina dying?”

  Jamie’s body stiffened. “As I’ve said before, we did nothing that’d deserve death.”

  “This guy is psycho,” Delia interjected, then glanced at Lexie. “Sorry.”

  “Delia’s right. This person isn’t normal. Something that might be irrelevant to us may be a personal affront to him.”

  Jamie wearily shook her head. “Again, I’ve got nothing to tell.”

  It was time for Lexie’s shock tactic. “Do you think this could be related to the abortion that Loretta had during that time period?”

  The sternness in Jamie’s face turned to mush.

  Lexie continued. “The abortion, Jamie. The one you all helped cover for her. Was the father angry?”

  “He never knew.”

  “I don’t think you can be sure if he knew or not. Maybe he just kept quiet. Now, twenty years later, he’s mad because you all helped kill his baby,” Lexie probed.

  “It’s not him.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “I heard he died in a motorcycle wreck during his sophomore year at college.”

  “So his family would’ve had a grandchild if it wasn’t for you,” Lexie accused.

  “They didn’t know about the baby,” Jamie said after she moistened her lips. “His dad was a preacher and would’ve condemned them both to hell fire for having premarital sex.”

  “Did anyone want Loretta to keep the baby? Did her parents know?”

  “No, they didn’t know. At the time, none of us thought of it as a real person. Just something that would interfere with our basketball season.”

  “Anyone try to talk Loretta out of the abortion?” Tye asked.

  “Abbey and Beth tried, but Loretta made up her mind. No way was she going to miss her senior year.”

  “That’s all for now.” Lexie stood abruptly.

  The room was silent as Jamie walked across the room with short strides and slouched shoulders.

  “This is getting interesting,” Lexie said when the door closed behind Jamie.

  “Hard to believe something like that could go on in our small town and never get out,” Delia shook her head as she spoke.

  Tye stood and stretched. “Apparently, people can keep their mouths shut if they choose to.”

  “Unfortunately, now is a lousy time to keep secrets,” Lexie added.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Loretta, as expected, arrived late. Even though Lexie wasn’t surprised, she was irritated at the disrespect it indicated.

  “Don’t blow up,” Tye cautioned her. “If she clams up you’ll get nothing.”

  “I have a feeling Loretta’s going to have plenty to say.” Lexie couldn’t suppress her smile.

  “I’m here. I’m here.” She swung the door back to give herself and two large shopping bags room to get in the office. Her hair was disheveled and her dark roots in need of color. Even her nails weren’t the usual chip free perfection.

  “Don’t look at me like I’m a criminal. I’m just five minutes late.”

  “Actually, you’re twenty minutes late,” Tye rebutted. “But for you, that’s on time.”

  “Have a seat here at the table.” Lexie motioned toward the old flowered chair.

  “Is this the hot seat?” Loretta’s laugh was tense.

  “I guess you can call it that since you’re the one answering the questions,” Lexie replied. “Will you volunteer to give us a DNA sample and your fingerprints?”

  “I’m sure you’ll get them one way or another. So go for it.”

  After the procedures were finished, Lexie started the questioning. “We need to catch this murderer, Loretta, and we need your help.”

  “I want this guy caught more than you do. I can’t even get my hair and nails done. My husband doesn’t want to babysit me at the beauty salon. Ever since Lexie told him to keep an eye on me he’s been my prison guard.”

  Lexie nodded. “Good. I’m glad he realizes how much danger you’re in.”

  “So who murdered your friends?” Tye demanded.

  “If I knew I would’ve already told you.”

  Lexie pushed, “I think you know, but you’ve chosen not to tell.”

  “That’s ridiculous. Don’t pull your cop psychology on me—telling me I know, when I don’t.”

  Lexie confronted her, “You do know about the secrets.”

  Loretta straightened her back and leaned forward in her chair. “You’re just acting like you know something in the hopes I’ll start spilling my guts.”

  “I for sure know about your secret—the abortion.” Lexie thought that Loretta’s look was best described as horror. Her eyes widened then almost closed. Her hands clenched the chair arms.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Jamie said that all your teammates knew and covered for you.”

  Loretta screeched, “That evil witch!”

  Tye clamped his gaze on her. “Do you know anyone who’d want to punish you and the others for causing the babies’ death?”

  “You and your girlfriend are accusing me of killin
g a baby? I’m sure she forgot to mention her secret.” Loretta’s face puffed up with emotional venom and her finger pointed at Tye.

  “What secret is that?” Lexie asked calmly.

  “I wasn’t the only one who got pregnant. Jamie just had better timing. She got to have her babies the summer before our senior year. I would’ve been pregnant through basketball season and missed the best year of my life. Everyone thought Jamie went to a basketball camp but she was in Missouri with her aunt birthing—guess whose babies?”

  Loretta turned her finger toward Tye again. “You should be a prime suspect since your girlfriend gave away your twin sons so it wouldn’t interfere with her basketball schedule. That could make a man who never had children want to murder her and all her co-conspirators. Just think, Tye. Jamie gave away your sons—gone forever. Doesn’t that make you want to murder?”

  “Shut up, Loretta.” Tye’s fist clutched inches from her face. “I don’t want to hear anymore.”

  “I just bet you don’t since now it’s about your woman.”

  “Who knew about Jamie’s pregnancy?” Lexie questioned.

  “Team knew, and her dad who sent her away to have the babies. Told her she was too young, and Tye was too wild, to take care of a family. All Daddy Jim cared about was winning the basketball championship so he could be Coach of the Year.” Acid dripped from Loretta’s words.

  “Anyone angry about Jamie giving away the babies?” Lexie continued to probe, determined to find an answer.

  “Why don’t we call them your nephews,” Loretta’s words stung. “No one seemed upset about the adoptions. The only one who might be angry at this late date is your childless brother.”

  “That might have been a possibility—if he’d known,” Lexie defended.

  “Maybe he found out,” Loretta accused, “and he’s putting on an act. Wouldn’t you really like to go kill Jamie right now, Tye?”