Tarnished Remains: Shandra Higheagle Mystery #2

by Paty Jager

  Shandra stood and started gathering the dishes.

  “Let me help. My mother made sure Conor and I know how to cook and clean dishes. She didn’t want any woman we married to be stuck waiting on us hand and foot.” He scooped up the lasagna and salad, following Shandra into the kitchen.

  “It’s good your mother was so forward thinking. I can’t imagine a woman these days putting up with a husband who couldn’t take care of himself or children.” She placed the dishes in the sink and ran water over them. “You can rinse these while I put the food away.”

  Ryan smiled. Having bossy sisters it didn’t bother him to be ordered around. Especially by a woman he respected. He sunk his hands into the water and piled the rinsed dishes in the second sink.

  Shandra finished with the food and stood next to him, placing the dishes in the dishwasher. Working side by side, the silence didn’t feel awkward. They worked well together. He bumped her arm with his elbow and grinned when she glanced at him.

  “Don’t get any ideas sheep herder.” Her tone was ominous, but her eyes lit with merriment.

  Ryan burst out laughing. “You are not going to let me live down my childhood on a sheep ranch are you?”

  “No. I grew up believing your wooly creatures were a threat to our livelihood. Though there were a lot of things my step-father told me that I’ve come to realize were untrue.”

  The one comment changed the atmosphere in the room as if a huge, dark, cloud hung from the ceiling.

  Not wanting the cloud hanging over Shandra the rest of the evening, he decided to bring up a topic that would catch her interest.

  “I went to the Dimensions Gallery to see Naomi and ask her about your favorite wine. They had three of your vases displayed in the middle of the gallery. The vases were exceptional in my opinion. Tell me about them.” He led her back into the dining area, refilled their glasses, and escorted her to the back patio and porch swing.

  Once they were settled, hip to hip, and shoulder to shoulder, sipping the wine, Shandra let out a huge sigh.

  “Those three…I don’t know how to explain it, but after Ella, Grandmother, died, I felt her presence.” She stared down at her drink. “It was almost as if she took over my hands as I made each vase.”

  Ryan raised her face by cupping her chin. He stared into her eyes. “You had her on your mind. I would imagine her death filled you with regrets that you hadn’t learned more from her. Did you ever ask her about your father?”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “I tried to ask her. She said when I was old enough the truth would come to me.” Her golden eyes, rimmed in tears, beseeched him. “I think the time is now.”

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Shandra hadn’t planned to draw Ryan into her belief her father’s death wasn’t an accident. It would take a lot of leg work and talking to many people to find the answer. But there was something about the man that made her tell him things she would normally never tell anyone, other than her trusty, silent companion Sheba.

  His hand remained gentle on her chin. His thumb stroking back and forth along her jaw. But his eyes lost the softness they held moments before.

  “What do you mean the time is now?”

  “Phil Seeton said there was no way the horse Daddy was riding the night he died should have been able to unseat Daddy. I looked up the horse. He was known for stomping on the riders after they hit the ground.” She leaned out of Ryan’s hold on her chin and settled her legs up under her on the leather cushions. “Phil was pretty certain that Daddy didn’t have an accident.”

  “Those are strong accusations and it happened what... thirty years ago?”

  “Twenty-six, and this case you’re working now is thirty years old.” She sipped her wine. Now that she’d unleashed her thoughts into the open, she knew what she had to do. Prove or disprove her father’s death was an accident.

  “You’ll have to do a lot of digging. What does your mother say about the accident?”

  Ryan sipped his wine, but his intent gaze told her he was back in cop mode.

  “She never talks about it. They, Mom and Adam, told me it was an accident, that’s it. I never thought to see what kind of accident. It was Phil who told me about Daddy falling off and the horse stomping him…” She couldn’t say more. Each time the image formed in her mind, bile rose in her throat.

  “You need answers. That’s clear by how emotional you get talking about your father’s death.” Ryan set his wine glass down and grasped her shoulders, turning her to face him. “Do some digging, but if you get even an inkling about someone or find proof it wasn’t an accident, promise you’ll tell me. I don’t want something happening to you.”

  She’d never had a man stare at her with such possessiveness or concern. Up until meeting Ryan, she’d sworn off getting close to a man. Now staring into this man’s eyes, she could feel his honest concern and see a lifetime with him.

  “I promise to keep you abreast of whatever I find. I don’t think I could do this if I didn’t have you to help me interpret what I find.”

  His gaze heated, and he drew her against his chest. Their lips met. Her heart thrummed and she returned the kiss.

  When her body started to melt under his hands and her mind started to haze, she pushed lightly against his body, putting space between them. She needed time to process the emotions and his reactions.

  Ryan released her, leaning back on the porch swing watching her. “Too fast?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know. I told you it’s been a while since I was in a relationship.” And it turned ugly. She picked up her wine as a way to avoid eye contact.

  “I haven’t been serious about anyone since Lissa.”

  He said it casually, but she understood. His heart had been broken, and he’d kept it to himself. That he was confiding in her and proving by his actions that he cared for her, gave her confidence he wasn’t like the two men before who soured her view of commitment.

  “I take that to mean you already know where this is going after our short dating period and acquaintance?” This was her first experience feeling this comfortable with a man that she could talk as if they were serious and not feel like the guy was going to disappear the next day.

  He grinned, showing off the devilish smile that made her heart do back flips. “I knew I was going to get serious about you the first day we met. When you stood up to me even knowing I thought of you as a suspect. You didn’t cower, you stood toe to toe with me and didn’t back down. I thought that’s one tough lady. One I wanted to know better.”

  “You really thought that the first time we met?” Do I dare tell him I had the same thoughts?

  “Yes. When I went with the body to Coeur d’Alene, I told Bridget that I would be bringing you to Conor’s wedding.” He grinned, raised an eyebrow, and sipped his wine.

  “You were that sure I’d agree?” She snorted. “Knowing that I may back out.”

  “You wouldn’t. You’re just as curious to meet my family as they are to meet you.”

  He had her there. “True. I’ve never met a whole family of sheep herders.”

  Ryan set the glass down and grabbed her around the waist. He slid her down on the porch swing . “We sheep herders have ways of bringing you cattle people to your senses.”

  Shandra froze. She drew in a deep breath and willed her eyes to remain on Ryan. He wasn’t Floyd. Ryan’s fingers ran across her ribs and she couldn’t stop the giggles. Ryan continued tickling her sides.

  “Stop! Please stop!” She caught her breath. “I concede.”

  His fingers stopped their assault on her sides.

  She stared up into his eyes. Eyes that smoldered with yearning and not craziness.

  He leaned down, brushed his lips across hers, deepened the kiss for two long delicious minutes, and backed away from the porch swing.

  “I’ll let you know tomorrow what I find out about Lil’s relations in Hafersville.”

  Before her head cleared and she registered Ryan had walked arou
nd the house, she heard his engine start up and the crunch of gravel under his tires.

  “You’re a tease, Ryan Greer!” she shouted and stretched her heated muscles. He’d set her body on fire with the smoldering look and the passionate kiss. And he’d proved he was nothing like the man who’d stole her innocence.

  When the sound of his vehicle died away and Sheba barked at the back door, Shandra set to work, cleaning up the rest of the dinner mess, and went to bed.

  A purple key chain floated around Shandra’s head. She tried to grab the glittering object but it moved away. She followed, climbing up the mountain. The object stopped at her clay pocket where she’d found Johnny Clark’s remains. It dropped to the ground. Shandra bent down to pick it up and found a ring. It appeared to be a wedding band with one purple stone. The inside glowed, revealing an inscription. Forever True, Johnny.

  Shandra sat up. Sheba belly crawled up the bed to lay her head in Shandra’s lap.

  Stroking the furry head, Shandra replayed the dream. How had the key chain made it to the mountain? Did Lil drive her pickup to Sally’s and back? Then the person who left the key with Johnny’s body had to have been at the ranch. And the ring? Who had a good look at the ring when Johnny was at the café? Did it have a purple stone? Was there an inscription? It wasn’t found with the body, where was it?

  She grabbed the notebook by her bed and listed her questions and people to talk with in the morning.

  ~*~

  Ryan drove back to the motel and took a long, cold shower. If he hadn’t left when he did, he would have taken things much farther than Shandra was ready to go. When he stopped tickling her and stared down at her dark hair splayed across the porch swing, her hands flung above her head, her face glowing, and her eyes at half-mast, he’d been overcome with desire. Halfway into the kiss, he’d realized if he didn’t pull back now, he could ruin his chances with Shandra. Someone in her past had hurt her. From her reactions it was more than an emotional hurt. It was physical. When he found out who it was, he was going to make sure the person paid.

  He flipped through the TV channels. A Pro Rodeo popped onto the screen. There was no hesitation from Shandra when she said her father didn’t die by accident. What isn’t she telling me? He didn’t want her looking into her father’s death, but he had no way to keep her from doing it. The only consolation—he’d be there for her no matter what she found.

  ~*~

  Ryan walked into the police station the next morning and sat down at Blane’s desk and computer. He could have Hazel or even Cathleen dig up the records he wanted, but this way, if his suspicions didn’t pan out, no one would know he’d suspected Lil’s relatives of killing Johnny.

  He punched in Lil’s grandparents, read the obituaries, and discovered who had been their lawyer. The firm was still in town. Chances their lawyer still practiced were slight. He noted the law firm and closed the computer screen.

  Hazel was once again seated at the dispatch desk.

  “Isn’t there anyone else who can do that job?” Ryan asked, stopping by dispatch on his way to the door.

  “I like doing it. If I went home and sat around, I’d die.”

  “I doubt that. You’re too young and active.” Ryan held up the paper he’d wrote the firm’s name on. “Do you have any idea if the lawyer from Yenks and Jarvis that drew up the Whitmires’ wills is still alive?”

  Hazel shook her head. “I know a lot about most people here but when it comes to who they used for legal stuff, I’m not much help. You could ask Sally Albright, Lil’s momma’s friend. Or try Jeffery Langley, he was friends with Ralph Whitmire. He’s over at the Hafersville retirement home.”

  “Thanks, Hazel, you have been my best source of information on this case.” Ryan left the building and climbed into his vehicle. He punched in Shandra’s phone number.

  “Hello. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.” There was a pause. “You left in such a hurry I thought maybe I did something to upset you.”

  Ryan closed his eyes. How do I tell her what happened without sounding like an adolescent pervert?

  “My leaving abruptly last night had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. You want to take this attraction slow, and my body was racing onto stages you aren’t ready for.”

  “Oh! I see.”

  Her breathy reply started his blood racing to areas that hadn’t seen action in a while.

  “Is that what you called to tell me?” Her tone held amusement.

  “No. I found the law firm that drew up the Whitmires’ wills. I don’t know if there will be documents or anyone there who would remember anything, but Hazel suggested I ask Mrs. Albright, and a friend of Ralph Whitmire’s. I thought you could ask Mrs. Albright and I’ll check the law firm. We could meet for lunch and if neither one of us came up with anything, we could drive to Hafersville and ask the friend. He’s in a retirement home there.” Ryan mentally crossed his fingers she’d agree.

  “I have some questions for Lil that came to me after a dream last night.”

  “Another visit from your grandmother?” Ryan asked. Most law officials didn’t believe in clairvoyants or anything other than good hard facts, but having a mother who believed in the little people and seers, he wasn’t as skeptical as most cops.

  “She didn’t appear, but it was all about the case and Lil. I’m sure she had a hand in it.” There was a pause. “I still have trouble knowing you believe in her visiting me in my dreams. I haven’t told anyone else because it makes me feel unstable even thinking about it.”

  “You’re having more dreams and talk to me about them. You must be believing in them to do that. ” Ryan appreciated that she trusted him enough to include him in her personal struggles.

  “What time do you want to meet for lunch?”

  “How about one? That will give you time to talk to Lil, drive down the mountain, and visit with Mrs. Albright.” He wasn’t sure what he’d do with that much time if the law firm was a bust, but he’d figure it out.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Shandra hung up the phone and smiled. Now I know why Ryan left in such a hurry. She found his actions chivalrous and comical. I’m a grown woman. All he had to do was tell me he was getting horny and I’d have put space between us. He didn’t have to run off like his pants were on fire. A laugh burst forth. Evidently his pants were on fire. And the thought didn’t scare her. His actions proved her trust in him was valid.

  She picked up her notebook of questions and headed to the barn, laughing all the way. She couldn’t remember when she’d had such a good laugh. I don’t doubt with Ryan around there would be many more.

  At the barn, she walked straight to Lil’s room. Light shone under the door proving she hadn’t started her chores.

  Shandra knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” Lil said, opening the door.

  Lewis was curled around Lil’s neck like an orange fur stole. Lil wore her signature purple. Today it was a pair of corduroy pants and a flowered, long-sleeved shirt.

  “I have some questions that came up when Ryan and I were talking about you and Johnny last night.” Shandra took the one chair by the table.

  Lil sat down on the side of the bed and closed her eyes. “What kind of questions?”

  “The key chain with purple stones and your name. What keys were on it?” She’d start with the easy questions.

  “I had an old pickup that Pappy gave me when I turned twenty. The key chain had the key to it and the house.”

  “Did you drive that pickup when you went to Sally’s after you lost the baby?” She hated bringing up sad times, but she didn’t know how else to ask the questions.

  “Yes. It was parked in the back of Sally’s until I drove home.”

  “Did you leave the keys in the truck when you arrived home?” Someone had to have taken the keys from the vehicle and dropped them in with the body.

  “I don’t…I usually left them in the pickup when it was parked here. No one ever stole an
y of the vehicles. They all had the keys in them.” Lil’s face was a study in concentration.

  “Do you remember if they were there the next time you drove the pickup?” Shandra held her breath, willing the woman to remember something that would help steer them in the direction of the murderer.

  Lil shook her head. “I was just getting up the nerve to tell Gran why I’d been at Sally’s for a week when Uncle Jerome arrived yelling the barn was on fire. We all went to the barn and put the fire out. Then Pappy and Uncle Jerome looked around and called the police. Before I knew it, they were hauling me down to the station and questioning me about starting the fire. After the fight, losing the baby, and being hauled in like a criminal, I didn’t leave this mountain for months. So I can’t say when or if I even thought about the key chain being missing.”

  Sympathy for the woman oozed from Shandra. An event that should have made her life wonderful, had instead, ruined the life she’d dreamed of.

  “Ryan is looking into your grandparents’ wills. Do you remember anything about their wishes?” Shandra hoped Lil had been more business savvy back then than she’d proved so far.

  “All I knew was the ranch was going to me. But when they became ill and needed medical treatment, I talked them into selling to pay for their care.”

  “How did your uncle feel about that?” She had to find someone who had it out for Lil.

  “He didn’t like the idea of ithe ranch going to me. He wanted it, so he could sell. If Gran and Pappy had been healthier toward the end, and we hadn’t needed to sell, I would have never sold the ranch. They knew that. I spent months telling them I didn’t need to own the ranch. That it wouldn’t do me any good if they left me with huge medical expenses. That finally sunk in. They agreed to sell.”

  “What happened to that money? What they made from the sale?” Shandra didn’t think that money had anything to do with Johnny’s murder since the sale happened years later, but she needed to know.

  “Most of it went to pay for Gran and Pappy. Then Pappy died.” She brushed at a tear. “Then Gran.” She sighed, deep and long. “Then the rest was left to me.” Lil’s face reddened. “Uncle Jerome threw a fit. He said he deserved more than me. He went to Mr. Yenks, my grandparents’ lawyer. I heard he yelled at the lawyer for letting Gran and Pappy leave everything to me.” She shook her head. “By that time there wasn’t that much. I kept ten thousand and gave the rest to Uncle Jerome to keep him quiet.”