She held up a hand like a stop sign. “Oh, no you don’t. Don’t treat me like a child. None of you understood how much this meant to him. And,” here she paused dramatically, “just how much money Mountain Shadows will bring to the community of Benson.”
“And to you,” Kate said. “If no one stops you.”
Lorraine stared icily at Kate. “Call me crazy, but you don’t scare me. I’m not going to listen to this.” She marched out of the room, head high.
Kate jumped up to follow Lorraine.
Madrone shot to her feet, knocking her chair over. “Kate, stay here. All of you calm down. All this squabbling will do is create more enmity. Lorraine deserves time to mourn. And we need to honor her and her right to make decisions.”
Clapping sounds came from the hallway. Then Flicker moved into the room, leaning against the door frame. “Hear, hear. Brave Madrone. Ready to lay down your body to save the trees and the peace. Me, I’d lay down my body for a Bloody Mary.”
“I figured you’d do it for a Slurpee.” Madrone put a finger to her lips. “Or maybe a glass of water.”
“So much for keeping the peace,” Frances said.
Madrone raised an eyebrow and walked into the kitchen without a word.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: Sleuths Seeking Strategy
A fter the breakfast debacle, Gabe joined Madrone in the kitchen to help her clean up. He said nothing about Flicker’s comments. When they finished, he suggested they head outside to discuss their plans for finding Everett’s murderer. They settled on the far side of Tripp’s impressive lap pool, in the shade of a huge ramada with an outdoor grill center.
“Unless she’s a great actress, I think we should strike Lorraine from our list of suspects. She seemed truly upset about Everett’s death.”
Madrone lifted an eyebrow. “Most women have mastered the art of faking emotion, my friend. She’s been married twice that I know of, so she’s probably an expert. For all we know, her concern is for the loss of income from Mountain Shadows. By the way, where the heck is the mountain on his property?”
“Probably a metaphor. At one point in the day, I imagine there might be a shadow from the Whetstones. The point is, do you think she could have killed Everett?”
“Who knows? I do know she could have paid someone to do it. A lot of people in southeast Arizona will do almost anything for a few bucks. Plus, we don’t know anything about their relationship.”
“Okay. We won’t strike her off yet. Could you spend some time with her? See where the wind blows?”
“Sure. Write my name beside hers. You take Frances and Kate. We need to know more about them. If Frances knew Kate would inherit from Everett . . . .”
“Seems a stretch to me. Frances has her own money.”
“Then why is she trying to get a job with Tripp?”
“To keep an eye on her ‘sensitive’ granddaughter. Or so she told me.”
“Kate then. Could she—”
“When Ben and I found her, she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face. Make it pretty hard to knife a strong adult male. Especially given he’s her biological father.”
Madrone tilted her hand up. “Don’t confuse physical with emotional. But I agree, she’s not a strong candidate.”
Gabe made a few notes. “We’re left with Heather, Ben, Jesse and Tripp. And Flicker. I’ll go downtown and check out the property records. See if I can find Ben’s sister. We need to talk to her.”
“We should be able to find property records online. Sheez, Dr. Research, don’t you know anything? Or do you just want an excuse to get out of this place?”
Frances spoke from the other side of the built-in grill. “I’ll give you an excuse to go downtown. I need to talk to a lawyer.”
Both Gabe and Madrone started. “My heart’s fine, Frances. No need to give it a jump start,” Gabe said.
Frances pulled a chair over and sat down. “Sorry to interrupt, but I really do need to go downtown and I don’t have a car. Here.” Gabe and Madrone exchanged a glance. They’d both noticed the pause between car and here. What was going on with Frances?
Gabe made a bowing motion with his right hand. “Delighted to oblige you. But why a lawyer? You fixing to turn yourself in?” He smiled to indicate he was teasing her.
“If I can prove that Kate is Everett’s biological daughter, she might be in line to inherit some of his estate.”
Madrone tilted her head at Frances. “You’re a good grandmother. You look out for Kate’s best interests.”
“I try. With Kate’s temperament, it’s not always an easy task.” She laughed lightly and stood. “I’ll leave you two to your canoodling. Or sleuthing. Whatever. I need to phone for an appointment. Any time preference?”
“I’m at your service,” Gabe said. “We could head out this morning or after lunch.”
“Got it. I’ll go make some calls and let you know.” She turned back. “And thanks.”
When she was out of earshot, Madrone said, “Canoodling?”
Gabe snickered. “I should be so lucky. Unless she got you thinking?” He tried a puppy dog look.
“Remember your knife. We want you to stay out of jail. Maybe then we can consider some light canoodling.”
“Heavy detecting, here I come,” Gabe said. “Seems odd, if Frances is as rich as rumor has it, that she doesn’t just call Uber.”
“Maybe she’s after your body.”
“That’s a given. But I’m saving myself for you.”
Madrone grinned. “Don’t push your luck, cowboy. Seriously, you’re right. I wonder how we can find out about her finances. I don’t think Google will give it up easily. Or legally.”
“I think there are paid services. Like when someone rents property you can get a credit report. But I don’t want to pay until we know more. Let me see what I can find out with my sparkling personality and subtle questioning.”
“Sure. Then we can use the paid online sites.”
“I’ll ignore that. While Frances is busy with her lawyer, I’ll see what I can find out about Jesse and his family. I’ll be old-fashioned and visit the library.”
“Go for it.” She stood. “Wonder if Lorraine’s still here. I’ll see if I can butter her up.”
“I’ll be in to help with lunch unless I need to go into town with Frances. In the meantime, I’ll bring our notes up to date.”
“Could you Google local rodeos? If there’s one anywhere near, maybe we can visit. The cowboys usually hang around all day, even if it’s a night rodeo.”
Gabe agreed and the two returned inside, Gabe to his room, Madrone to the kitchen.
CHAPTER THIRTY: Madrone and Lorraine Take a Ride
I n the kitchen, Madrone made note of the pantry’s contents and then worked on a menu for the next few days. She drew up a shopping list and headed to Tripp’s office to get some cash for groceries. If Lorraine was there, she’d try to suck up to her somehow. Lorraine was bound to know who hated her husband. Possibly she was among them, given Everett’s habit of philandering. There’s a thought. What if Lorraine knew about her and Everett? If so, maybe not so easy to become best friends.
Behind the closed door to Tripp’s office, Madrone heard a low murmur of voices. Tension in them? Pure fantasy. Yet the look of total betrayal on Tripp’s face when Lorraine announced that Mountain Shadows was still a go had spoken to Madrone, piqued her curiosity.
The murmurs were louder now, but the door was made of stronger stuff than those in Madrone’s mother’s small home in Barrio Hollywood. She put her ear to the door and could almost make out some words. But her fear of being caught out by whoever left the room first overcame her desire to hear them. She knocked lightly.
“What?” Tripp’s snarl pushed her away but Madrone the Detective had a sturdy backbone and a reason to pry.
She shoved the door open and looked at Tripp. His expression would have stopped a charging javelina. Yep. Tension was the emotional flavor in this room. “Need to get some supplies
if you want me to feed the hungry masses.”
Lorraine laughed, a low, bubbly sound. Awfully lighthearted for a grieving widow. “I think it’s the huddled masses.”
Madrone smiled. “In this case, they’re hungry. Or will be if I don’t stock up on supplies. Even though I’m grateful for the food you brought,” she added. She turned back to Tripp, dropping the smile. “I need to know how you want me to pay for this.”
“Charge it and I’ll reimburse you.”
“I don’t believe in credit cards.” She didn’t mention the one hidden in her wallet for emergencies like her car breaking down, something that happened too often.
Tripp ran his hands through his hair. “Right. Forgot that.” He pulled his wallet from his jeans and extracted some bills, which he then handed to her. “Bring me the receipts.”
Madrone stood tall. “I always do.” He had a nerve.
Lorraine rose from her chair with panther-like grace. “Actually, I’m heading into town myself. We could go together. Save gas and have some girl talk. We can meet at my car in about twenty minutes.”
Tripp spat out, “She has a car,” just as Madrone said, “Thanks. I’m all for carpooling.” Her aging car had a limited number of miles left she needed to ration. Besides, this was a golden opportunity for asking some probing questions.
* * * *
Madrone had time to finish her shopping list and change into slightly nicer jeans before she ran outside to wait for Lorraine. Seated in the front seat of Lorraine’s BMW SUV, Madrone could not come up with a single question, probing or inane. She went with what she had and hoped inspiration might arrive before the first grocery store. “Again, let me tell you how sorry I am for your loss. You must be devastated.”
Lorraine expertly backed the car and turned it so she could exit Tripp’s drive face first. “Devastated?” She drew the word out, as if puzzling over its meaning. “I’m not sure. Maybe later. Right now, I’m mostly in shock. And angry at whoever decided to take justice in his—or her—own hands.”
Madrone’s head snapped to the left. “Justice?”
“Maybe that’s not the right word, but even Everett would admit he wasn’t exactly careful about who he pissed off. Like a teenager, he assumed he was invulnerable. That he could hurt whoever he wanted, do what he wanted.” At the stop sign, she added, “As long as it was profitable. Or pleasurable.”
Lorraine’s anger seemed directed as much at her dead husband as his murderer. “He did take confidence to a new level,” Madrone ventured.
“Confidence? Call it what it was—arrogance. I hated that part of him.” She drove south toward the center of Tucson. “Where do you want to go? Sprouts? Food Conspiracy?”
“Sprouts is fine. The co-op is a long ways.” Although a long drive would give Madrone more opportunity to pry. “Doesn’t matter to me. You choose, I’m the passenger.” She re-directed the conversation. “I guess there are always unfavorite traits in anyone we love. We can only hope the good parts are bigger and better than the bad ones.”
Lorraine snorted. “Huh. Or that we can live with the annoying ones.”
“I didn’t know Everett well. Tell me about him. That is, if you wish.”
Lorraine shot her a look. “Didn’t know him well? That’s not what Flicker would have me believe.”
Oh, Dios! I should have guessed. Madrone forced out a laugh meant to sound casual. “Oh, that Flicker. She loves to stir things up. Loves nothing more than some gossip to chew on.”
“Maybe that’s how she stays so skinny. Still, most gossip comes from a grain of truth.”
“Of course. I’ve known Everett for a couple of years.” And that’s all you’re getting from me.
Lorraine turned her head to stare at Madrone for so long that Madrone feared they’d drive off the road. In a low voice, Lorraine said, “Everett was a serial cheater. I knew it but did nothing about it. I don’t blame the women.” She turned back to her driving and Madrone let out her held breath.
Whether or not Lorraine chose to absolve Madrone of her sin of adultery, Madrone had no intention of confessing. The only thing she could think to say was, I guess he won’t be sleeping around anymore. Fortunately she stifled herself and said nothing.
Lorraine let out a sigh. “Let’s go to the Sprouts at Speedway and Swan. And then to the Trader Joe’s on Wilmot. I want to stop at Mostly Books.”
“No matter what goes on in our lives, the daily errands go on, it seems. I guess that’s why neighbors bring food to grieving folks. I imagine your freezer is stuffed.”
“Not so you’d notice. Lots of flower arrangements, and a few friends from the charities I work with have dropped by, but so many of them have private chefs and special diets. We haven’t had much time to socialize, and in my neighborhood, people tend to keep to themselves.”
Madrone tried and failed not to take offense. “Down in the barrio, when my father died, people brought food and stayed to offer sympathy.”
Lorraine flushed. “I didn’t mean—”
Madrone shrugged. “No worries. It’s what Latinos, and country folk, do. You’ll have to change your expectations if you move into Mountain Shadows.”
“I’m not sure where I’ll end up living. France, maybe? Besides, I doubt the people who purchase property at Mountain Shadows will be your typical ‘country folks.’”
Snotty elitist, well-matched to Everett. In an effort to keep the conversation alive, she said, “France? That’s where Gabe’s mother and sisters live.”
“Ah, yes, Gabe. How are his knuckles? Everett was frothing at the mouth all the way home. Can’t believe the two of them were in prep school together. Gabe’s kept his youth so much better. Quite a hunk, isn’t he?”
Strange talk for a recently widowed woman. Besides, Gabe was her hunk. Sez who? Madrone blushed. Control yourself, Madrone. “Gabe’s an entomologist, formerly a college professor. I think he’ll strengthen Adventure Calls.”
“If he isn’t arrested for killing Everett. He threatened him, you know.”
“Words are not actions.”
“Yes. Tripp mentioned that.”
Madrone wondered when they’d talked. “Did you and Everett socialize with Tripp and Flicker?”
“Good Lord, no. What sane woman would want to spend time with that beeitch?” After a moment, she added, “We did see Tripp on occasion, at fundraisers and the like. Usually he went alone. You say Gabe has relatives in France?”
“Yes.” She forced herself to continue, knowing this might be a way to get more information from Lorraine. “You should talk to him about it. He may have visited there.”
“I would enjoy a chat with him.” Another low, sultry chuckle.
Madrone gritted her teeth. “I hadn’t realized you were involved with Everett’s development business. I’m surprised you plan to continue the plans for Mountain Shadows.”
“Another wild-eyed activist hoping to convince me it’s a bad idea?”
“Have others talked to you?”
Lorraine glanced over at her and grinned. “Easier to ask me who hasn’t. Let’s see. There’s you, Kate, Frances, Tripp, Jesse and the hunk...Gabe.”
“I’m just wondering if you’ve considered the amount of work it will be.”
Lorraine laughed, a low, bitter laugh. “Honey, you can always find people to do your work, dirty or not, if you choke up enough money. I’m not worried.”
Then she swore under her breath and stomped on the brakes. They were headed downhill on Swan and the car picked up speed. Lorraine tapped her paddle shift twice and downshifted and the car lurched a little but didn’t slow. Another downshift slowed it somewhat.
Lorraine pumped the brakes again and again. “Nothing but air.” Madrone looked at her and noticed her tight jaw.
“There’s a red light ahead,” Madrone said. She braced herself for a collision.
Lorraine grabbed the emergency brake in the center console and, thumb on the release button, pulled upward. Again the car swe
rved, almost spun out. She released the emergency brake a little, then pulled up again and the car began to slow somewhat. She pressed her hand on the horn in continuous forceful thrusts. “Hang on. We’re not stopping for this light.”
A bicycle entered the intersection just as Lorraine’s vehicle did. The rider had ear buds in and seemed oblivious to Lorraine’s honking. She swerved to the far right, bumping against the curb before entering the intersection. The biker finally noticed her and swooped to his right, missing the SUV.
Madrone gripped the Jesus strap in her right hand and the car seat in her left. She bit her lips closed to stop the scream that wanted to escape. Other cars stopped for Lorraine as she veered back into the traffic lane and through the intersection, greeted by honks, curses and finger salutes. Once through, the downhill steepened and the car’s speed increased. “Hang on. I’m going to hit the sand and brush at the side of the road.” She aimed for the shoulder.
Lorraine was a good driver. She didn’t panic, and her move toward the shoulder was gradual and deliberate as she continued to manipulate the hand brake. The car wobbled and swerved when the right wheels hit sand and rocks but she continued her move for the shrubs. Once they made it fully onto the shoulder, they were at least not likely to hit another vehicle or flip. The vehicle bumped, wobbled and lurched to an eventual halt. Madrone exhaled and inhaled, only then realizing she’d been holding her breath.
Lorraine sat frozen, one hand on the steering wheel, the other still clutching the hand brake. “That was fun. Not.” Lorraine’s voice seemed steady but Madrone noticed her face was ashen.
“You were amazing. You’re a great driver,” Madrone said in a hushed voice. “Thank you. You may have saved our lives.”
“That might be a bit over-the-top, but you’re welcome. If I died, who’d spend Everett’s money?” Lorraine fanned herself and took a long pull on the water bottle she kept between the seats. “Of all the streets in Tucson for the brakes to fail, my car picked the steepest one.”
Murder, Sonoran Style Page 14