Death by Auction

by Alexis Morgan

  Tripp stood up at the same time she did. To her surprise, he gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for. . . well, everything. Maybe I’ll give Gage a call in the morning to see how things are going.”

  “And I’ll give some thought on how we can approach Denny Moller. He’s the only one of the suspects on our list we haven’t made a connection with as yet.”

  “Okay, but don’t go doing anything crazy on your own. You’ve managed to survive encounters with two murderers since you moved here. I’m not sure ‘third time’s a charm’ comes into play when it comes to killers.”

  His dire assessment of the situation hung there in the air between them, sending chills skittering right up her spine.

  “I’ll be careful.”

  Because he was right. Everybody’s luck ran out eventually. Unfortunately, Valerie learned that lesson the hard way when Gage came knocking at the front door bright and early the next morning. One look at his grim expression made it clear he wasn’t there for coffee and cookies. Instead, he’d come to read the barnacle her rights.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Abby had dealt with Gage in his professional capacity before and so had Tripp, but having previous experience didn’t make it any easier. That Ben Earle, the homicide detective from the county sheriff’s office, had accompanied him only made things worse. Both Abby and Tripp had had their issues with him a few months back when he’d arrested Tripp for withholding evidence in a homicide case. His only concession at the time was to let Gage hold Tripp in the Snowberry Creek jail instead of taking him to the county jail.

  Near as Abby could figure, Tripp had spotted the police cars as soon as they pulled up in front of the house, and immediately charged across the yard to warn Valerie. Without bothering to knock, he’d charged through Abby’s back door and bolted down the hallway to plant his stubborn feet right in the entryway and do his best to prevent Gage and Ben from entering the house.

  For her part, Valerie hovered just out of sight on the staircase. Her face was pale and her eyes wide with fear. She had good reason to be scared, but there wasn’t much anyone could do right now to help her. In fact, if he didn’t back down, Tripp would end up in the back of a police cruiser right along with his ex-wife.

  It wouldn’t be the first time he’d spent time in jail in defense of someone he cared about. If it happened again, Abby somehow doubted Gage would be as understanding as he’d been last time. She was also convinced that it hadn’t been an idle threat when he’d promised to toss them both into a cell if they interfered in another one of his investigations.

  She squeezed between Tripp and the open door, keeping her back toward the men on the porch. Ignoring both the cops and the accused criminal, Abby focused all of her attention on the one person who really mattered to her. Keeping her voice low and calm, she tried to get through to Tripp. “Come on, please step back. You know you can’t keep them out forever.”

  He barely spared her a glance. “It’s working so far.”

  Praying for patience, she tried again. “You’re not going to be any help to Valerie if you’re behind bars, too.”

  It was hard not to go into full retreat when he turned his furious gaze in her direction. “For the last time, Abby, she didn’t kill that guy. She shouldn’t get arrested for something she didn’t do.”

  “If she’s innocent, then she has nothing to worry about.”

  There was no amusement in Tripp’s bitter laughter. “Yeah, right. Like no innocent person has ever gone to prison for a crime they didn’t commit. Do you really think they’ll keep looking for the real culprit once they arrest her?”

  At his assessment of her chances, Valerie whimpered and plunked down on the steps as if her legs would no longer support her. At least she hadn’t fainted, although that would have at least broken the impasse between Tripp and Gage. Abby wished she could say he was wrong. She settled for saying, “Regardless, this isn’t helping her at all. You’d do better by calling Valerie’s attorney to tell him what’s happened. He can find out what’s changed that suddenly they’ve decided to make an arrest.”

  She took his hand in hers and gave him a gentle tug. Considering the difference in their relative sizes, there was no way she could move Tripp unless he cooperated. At first he remained rooted to the spot, but then he gave her hand a quick squeeze before retreating to stand in front of the staircase, continuing to block access to Valerie. Still not helpful, but at least it was an improvement.

  Abby was uncomfortably aware that she was still in her pajamas with her hair uncombed and teeth not yet brushed. Definitely feeling at a disadvantage to the two lawmen with their freshly shaved faces and crisp uniforms, she motioned for the two men to come in.

  “Have a seat in the living room, and we’ll be right with you.”

  Gage stepped inside but made no effort to move beyond the entryway. “Abby, this isn’t a social call.”

  She was so tempted to roll her eyes at that observation. “Yes, Chief Logan, I realize that. However, since you didn’t bother to call first, neither Ms. Brunn nor I are exactly dressed to greet visitors. If you don’t want to sit in my living room while we take care of that problem, then go to the kitchen and help yourself to some coffee. Tripp knows where everything is and can make a fresh pot.”

  Without giving him a chance to respond, she shoved her way past Tripp and climbed the few steps to where Valerie was still sitting. “Come on, Valerie. We’ll both feel better after we’re dressed and ready to face the day.”

  It took the other woman two tries to stand up, but she finally managed to find her balance. Abby put her arm around Valerie’s waist and gently led her up to her room on the third floor. When they got there, she said, “Are you up to taking a quick shower and getting dressed on your own?”

  Valerie slowly straightened to her full height, shoulders back, cool pride firmly back in place. “I’ll be fine. I just didn’t expect them to come pounding on the door with no warning.”

  “Me either. While you get dressed, I’ll go do the same. If you get done before I do, come wait in my room. We’ll go back downstairs together.”

  Valerie headed into her bedroom. “It won’t take me long.”

  Abby made it halfway down the first flight of steps when Valerie reappeared at the top of the stairs. “I should’ve said thanks, Abby. I know you never wanted to get tangled up in this mess in the first place, and that you’re only doing this because of Tripp. Even so, I appreciate that you made the effort.”

  There wasn’t much Abby could say to that, so she nodded and kept going. Gage and Ben might be willing to give them a little time to regroup, but she knew from past experience there was a limit to their patience.

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later, Abby stepped out of her bathroom to find Valerie sitting in the easy chair by the bedroom window. It was amazing how much more the other woman had managed to accomplish in the same amount of time. After taking an extra fast shower, Abby had pulled her still-damp hair back in a neat ponytail, brushed her teeth, and put on the first clean jeans and shirt she found in her closet.

  The barnacle, on the other hand, was decked out in one of her pantsuits, her hair perfectly styled, and just enough makeup on to erase the haggard look she’d worn after the unexpected arrival of the police. Amazing. Maybe someday she’d share the secret of how she managed to pull that off.

  Abby slipped on her shoes. “Are you ready?”

  Valerie shook her head. “Not really, but I guess I don’t have any choice.”

  She stood and picked up a small travel bag. Holding it out, she said, “I wasn’t sure if they’d let me bring anything with me, but I packed a few things just in case.”

  Abby doubted they’d let her bring anything into jail with her, but she could be wrong. Regardless, she would let Gage and Ben be the ones to deliver any bad news. “Let’s go.”

  The two of them arrived in the kitchen to find Tripp and the two police officers seated at the table and engaged in a three-way stari
ng contest. Would there be some kind of prize for whomever held out the longest? While this was clearly no time for joking around, Abby had to do something to break the tension before things got out of hand. She grabbed a handful of cookies out of the jar and circled the table to drop two in front of each of the contestants.

  Gage was the first to respond. “I told you this wasn’t a social occasion, Abby.”

  When he tried to give back the cookies, she refused to take them. “I know what you said, but it looked like you guys decided to kill time indulging in some kind of manly competition involving glaring until someone broke. Since I couldn’t pick a clear winner, I decided to hand out prizes to everyone.”

  From the look Valerie gave her, the woman was seriously questioning Abby’s sanity. On the other hand, both Ben and Tripp blinked and then slowly reached for their cookies. They all might think she was crazy, but at least the tension level in the room was down to a more reasonable level.

  As he munched one of his cookies, Tripp noticed Valerie hovering near the doorway and immediately offered her his seat at the table. She drew a slow breath and kept her eyes focused solely on him as she ventured far enough into the room to sit down. Abby wasn’t at all surprised when he positioned himself behind the barnacle, making it clear whose play he was backing in this early-morning drama.

  Aware that neither she nor Valerie had had a chance to eat breakfast, Abby’s innate need to feed people when they sat down at her kitchen table roared to life. Or maybe it was only that she needed to do something with the surge of hyper energy zinging up and down her nerves. Either way, she quickly filled Zeke’s bowl and then stepped closer to the table.

  “Valerie, I’m guessing you probably don’t have much of an appetite right now, but you really should eat something. You might be in for a long day and will need your strength. Can I get you a tub of yogurt or something?”

  Tripp offered Abby an appreciative smile when Valerie slowly nodded. “I could eat some toast and maybe a cup of tea.”

  After filling the kettle and putting it on to heat, Abby asked, “While I’m at it, do any of the rest of you want something?”

  “Nothing for me, Abby.” Ben Earle stifled a small smile as he leaned back in his chair, legs stretched out in front of him. “Gage, you weren’t kidding about Abby’s compulsion to play the good hostess.”

  Gage’s grim demeanor softened just a little. “She’s good about things like that.”

  While she waited for Valerie’s toast to pop up, Abby poured cups of coffee for the three men and herself. Gage and Ben had probably eaten breakfast somewhere around zero dark thirty. Tripp was another early bird, usually taking his morning run before the sun rose very high in the sky. With that in mind, she fished some muffins out of the freezer and zapped them in the microwave.

  If Gage wanted to stick to his guns that this wasn’t a social occasion, fine. At least she would’ve made a token effort to make her guests feel welcome even if they were both uninvited and unwanted. When the tea and toast were ready, Abby set them in front of Valerie and then carried the muffins over to the table and took the seat next to Gage.

  She chose a muffin for herself and then held the plate out to him. He stared at the stack of pastries long and hard before finally accepting one. He passed them over to the homicide detective, who didn’t even hesitate. When Tripp reached for a muffin, Abby stopped him. “Sit down and eat that. It’s hard to enjoy my breakfast, such as it is, with you standing there frowning at everybody.”

  Valerie’s eyes flared wide when he followed Abby’s orders without protest. To be truthful, Abby was as surprised as she was that he’d listened to her, but she hadn’t been kidding. Just having everyone sitting down and eating something put a whole different spin on the mood in the room. It was likely only a temporary reprieve, but at least everyone was getting a chance to slow down and deal with the rush of emotions Valerie’s imminent incarceration had stirred up.

  After a few bites, Valerie set her toast down and pushed her plate away. Her hand trembled when she picked up her tea and took a sip, but that was the only visible sign of her inner turmoil. Then she put the mug back down on the table but kept her hands wrapped around it, no doubt taking comfort from its warmth.

  Valerie then met Gage’s and Ben’s gazes in turn. “Okay, gentleman, where do we go from here?”

  The barnacle would never be her favorite person, but once again Abby admired the woman’s cool poise. Ben nodded to Gage, indicating he should take the lead. “Well, Ms. Brunn, after reviewing all the evidence, the district attorney has decided to press charges. Although the murder happened within my jurisdiction, this type of case is prosecuted at the county level, which is why Detective Earle is here.”

  Mount St. Helens had nothing on the eruption Abby could sense brewing in Tripp. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles stood out in stark relief. One wrong word at this point, and she had no doubt he would go ballistic. In an effort to deflect the impending explosion, she reached over to touch his arm.

  “Tripp, I know you’re upset about the situation, but we both understand that Gage and Ben have no choice but to do this. If you stop and think things through, you know these officers both know they can’t interrogate Ms. Brunn without her attorney present. The best thing you can do for her right now is to call his office and let him know what’s happening.”

  Before releasing her hold on him, she turned to Gage. “Where will she be held?”

  He’d been watching Tripp, but he slowly shifted his gaze to her. “The D.A. has agreed to let us keep her here in Snowberry Creek for the short term. I can’t promise how long that will continue, but that’s where we’re headed. Let her attorney know that we’re aware she has obtained representation and will act accordingly.”

  Abby wasn’t sure how she’d been elected spokesperson for the non-cop members of the crowd, but someone had to say something. “I’m sure Valerie and Tripp join me in being grateful that you were able to do that for her. Once the dust settles, will you let us know when and if we can visit her?”

  For some reason Ben Earle found that funny. He wadded up the wrapper from his muffin and tossed it down on the table. “Abby, we both know if you show up with a box of cookies or muffins, Gage’s people will trip all over themselves to let you in to see whoever you want. If I wasn’t guilty of enjoying a few of those goodies myself in the past, I might feel compelled to report his department for accepting bribes.”

  Tripp finally joined the conversation. “That’s what I told Gage when I was behind bars there. The problem is proving it since they always destroy the evidence.”

  Valerie was the only one who wasn’t enjoying the joke. “Can you all please take this seriously?”

  All three men immediately put on their grim game faces. Gage carried his empty cup over to the counter. “Sorry, Ms. Brunn. You’re right, of course. We should get going.”

  Valerie rose to her feet but stopped Tripp from doing the same. “Abby’s right, Tripp. All you can do right now to help me is call the attorney.”

  “I will. Do you want me to notify Becca, too?”

  Valerie immediately shook her head. “No, not yet. I’ve had a hard enough time getting her to stay put in Los Angeles. I don’t want her to freak out until I know more. She feels bad enough already.”

  “Okay, but have your attorney or Gage let me know if I need to make that call.”

  She managed a small smile. “I will. Please don’t worry about me, Tripp. I’ll be fine.”

  Abby wasn’t sure anyone really believed that was true, especially Valerie herself. This time Tripp wouldn’t be denied when he surged up to his feet. Between one second and the next, he had enfolded Valerie in a tight hug. “We’ll clear your name. Don’t doubt that for a minute.”

  When he released her, she managed a nod, her eyes shiny with tears. Ben gripped her arm in gentle support and led her out of the room. At least he hadn’t broken out the zip ties or handcuffs.

  Gage hu
ng back until they heard the front door open and close. Then he gave both Abby and Tripp a hard look. “When you said, ‘We’ll clear your name,’ I would like to assume that you’re talking about the police investigating Cadigan’s murder. However, I know both of you better than that. I will say this one last time—stay out of this case. If you don’t, I’ll ship Ms. Brunn off to the county lockup and let you two cool your heels in my jail.”

  Then he took a single step closer to Tripp. “Got that?”

  Abby wasn’t at all happy about once again having to intercede between the two men. They were seriously at risk of doing some permanent damage to their friendship. Bracing herself for the worst, she parked herself right between them. “Okay, guys. Enough is enough. I think we can all agree that we’re on the same page here. We all want the right person to go down for Bryce Cadigan’s murder, and Gage has no choice but to follow where the evidence leads him.”

  She gave each man a gentle shove, pushing Gage toward the hallway and her angry tenant back toward the table. “Tripp, you know Gage wouldn’t be doing this without good reason, whatever it might be. So let him do his job, and you do what you can to help Valerie, which is call her attorney. The sooner you do that, the faster he can find out what’s going on.”

  At least Gage took her cue and walked away. If the front door slammed shut with a little more force than necessary, she wasn’t going to complain. At least he was gone. Tripp started to follow, but she planted herself in front of him again. “Don’t go watch, Tripp. It will only upset you and embarrass Valerie more than she already is.”

  He didn’t step around her, but neither did he retreat. This time, she put her hands on his chest and gave him another gentle shove. “Please sit down and call her attorney. Meanwhile I’ll fix us something to eat.”

  At the same time, Zeke bumped his buddy’s leg with his big head, adding his own considerable weight to the discussion. She didn’t know if it was the dog’s efforts or her own that made the difference, but Tripp finally sat back down at the table. He stared off into the distance and ran his fingers through his hair before finally reaching for his phone. While he made the call, she got out her favorite cast-iron skillet to make them bacon and eggs.