Shadows of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Series Book 2)

by Teresa Greene

“Poor Shirley Powers, she should have thought of the consequences if they were ever caught.”

  “Are you kidding? Both are so arrogant they thought they would never get caught.” Josh replied, “I don’t feel any sympathy for them. They are going to get what they deserve. Question is, can we prove she is also an assassin? In my mind she is no better than her husband.”

  “Does it matter?” Beth shifted on her feet. “She knew her husband was an assassin and did nothing to stop him. That alone is enough to send her to prison for a very long time.”

  Regret flashed across Chase Powers’ face as his wife’s body began to tremble. By his demeanor he really loved his wife. Because of him she would spend the better part of her life in prison.

  “A person has a choice which direction they take. No man is above the law. They chose a life of crime. Hard to believe they are doting parents.” Josh’s lip turned up in a sneer. “But then I guess even the devil loves his children. Can you imagine what the neighbors are going to say when they read tomorrow’s paper? The whole world will know they are assassins. Bet none of them suspected a hit man and woman lived next door.”

  Chase Powers must have told his wife the offer of twenty years in prison because her wails of despair filled the room. Pathetic sounds vibrated from her body. He did his best to comfort her as she sagged against him. She turned her face to press it against his arm.

  “Well, I guess they’ve had enough time to talk. Let’s go see if they are ready to make that deal.” Josh placed his hand on her elbow and gave her a gentle nudge toward the door leading to the hall. Without knocking, he pushed open the door to the room where Chase and Shirley Powers sat huddled together.

  The moment Shirley Powers saw them standing in the doorway, she wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, stiffened her shoulders, and snapped, “You have no evidence against me. Whether you believe me or not, I have murdered no one.”

  In two long strides Beth stood in front of Shirley and Chase. “I distinctly remember you trying to flee in a vehicle that the FBI suspects you used in many contract killings. Wasn’t it your intent to kill Kathy Lassiter and David Lewis so they couldn’t testify against your husband?”

  Josh slipped into the chair across from Shirley. “We have enough evidence to charge you with attempted murder. I’m sure if we keep digging we’ll also find enough for you to get the death penalty. We saw your little shooting range. Is it possible some of the bodies we are unearthing at this very moment might have been killed with your .45? The same .45 we found in your vehicle.”

  Restless and edgy, Shirley stood and began to pace the room. “As God is my witness, I was trying to get rid of the SUV and the .45 so there would be nothing to connect Chase to any murders.” In a very low and cold voice, she pointed at her husband and said, “He is the one that took contracts, not me. The .45 belongs to him.”

  “Forgive me if I don’t believe you. I’m just waiting for the evidence to speak for itself. I’m sure your fingerprints will be on the weapon you used at the bureau when you tried to kill Kathy Lassiter and David Lewis. The same pistol we found in the back of the SUV you were driving. Ballistics will be able to match the slugs at the crime scene. A forensic team is combing through the evidence as we speak. Your husband was in jail and couldn’t have made the attempt on Miss Lassiter and Mr. Lewis’ lives. That leaves you to take the fall for attempted murder.”

  Beth interjected, “The offer is only for today. If you don’t want to get the needle with your husband, I suggest you take the deal. Twenty years is better than death.”

  Chin up, eyes defiant she stared at Beth. “I thought you were our lawyer. Why the hell did you follow me today? Don’t you think you should be defending us instead of trying to prove we did something illegal?” Her voice rose in anger. “You’re fired. I want another lawyer. I’m not saying another word until I get one.”

  “I’m not your attorney. I’m your husband’s attorney.” Beth thrust her chin out. “I owe you nothing.”

  Chains rattled as Chase Powers tried to edge closer to his wife. The restraints only gave him a couple inches of movement. “Compose yourself, honey. Even I know no one can help us now. Take the deal.”

  She turned on him. “Did it occur to you that all this is your fault?” Her loud screams echoed off the walls of the tiny room when she hurled herself at her husband. Her fists pummeled his chest as she lost control. “I’m going to prison because of you. What’s going to happen to my children? Who’s going to take care of my babies?” Rage spewed through her as she realized her comfortable life was shattering around her. All hope for a future was disintegrating.

  Josh took her by the shoulders, pulled her away from Chase, and shoved her into a chair in the corner. “You need to get a hold of yourself. All this drama is unnecessary.” He leaned in so close, he was almost touching her. “What did you think was going to happen when you got caught? Did you think you would get to keep playing devoted wife and mother? Remain president of the PTO, continue your charity work? In the eyes of the law you are as guilty as your husband.”

  She struggled to get away from Josh. “Are you listening to me? I’ve done nothing wrong.” Her whole body quaked as she cried. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” Hands over her face, she began to repeat over and over, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  The sounds of Shirley’s despair set Beth’s teeth on edge. She wondered if she really believed that. In her demented mind, maybe she felt she did do nothing wrong. Maybe she was that devoted to her husband and children. He chose a life of crime so she accepted that life and even participated in those crimes to keep her happy home. Life could change in a single beat of the heart.

  Josh took a step back and shouted over her pitiful cries, “Enough theatrics! Calm down and own up to your crimes before it is too late. Consider yourself fortunate. We are offering you twenty years if you confess. Believe me, we are being generous.” He settled a hip on the corner of the metal table.

  The minutes clicked away as they waited for her answer. As reality began to seep through, she dried her tears on her sleeve and looked up at her husband. Mascara left ugly black rings under her eyes. With a frustrated sigh, she ran her hands through her hair. “I’m sorry I attacked you, honey. For a few seconds I kind of lost it.”

  “Kind of?” thought Beth. The woman was a raving maniac.

  “No harm done, Shirley. You’re entitled to your anger. I am responsible. I love you and our children more than anything else in this world.” He opened his hands palm up. “If I could shoulder all the responsibility I would, but they had evidence against us both.”

  Now that Shirley was calm, she asked Josh, “Can I call my sister so she can pick my children up after school?”

  “You mean your sister Tammy Lang that drives a gray BMW? Sorry, but she was arrested for questioning immediately after she dropped you off at the dirt road leading to the house of horrors. We are wondering what part she played in this little family crime ring.”

  Lips pursed, she answered, “She gave me a ride. That is all she did. She has no idea Chase is a professional hit-man.”

  Josh snorted, “Forgive me, but I don’t believe you. We did a little checking. Like you, she doesn’t work outside of the house. A single mother of two living in a huge home not far from you, driving a shiny new BMW must be doing something illegal to make money.”

  “It is never too late to do what is right.” Josh pushed the notepad and pen a little closer to Chase Powers. He folded his arms across his chest. “Names or the deal is off. Your wife goes to prison for life if you don’t start writing.”

  Hysterical, Shirley started screaming. “No, don’t tell them anything! I won’t survive prison!” She tried to take the pen away from her husband. “I want immunity. No jail time and he’ll tell you every person who contracted a murder.”

  Josh glanced at the two-way mirror and motioned for some help. The door swung open and a guard hurried inside. He grabbed Shirley Powers by the waist
and dragged her from the room kicking and screaming. Beth moved to the corner so she wouldn’t be struck by the panic-stricken woman. The room became deathly quiet when Beth shut the door behind the guard.

  Josh shouted, “Start writing or your wife will be tried for murder. I’m sure her fingerprints are in the RV.”

  Silent tears slipped from Powers’ eyes as he began to write. His expression crumbled into distress. Five minutes passed before he handed the notepad back to Josh. Beth drew closer to his side so she could read the names. In bold black print were the names of politicians, mobsters, judges, and many names she didn’t recognize, some of them women. “Which one of these men contracted the hit on Miss Lassiter?”

  He dropped his head to his folded arms. “I swear I don’t know, Miss Reynolds. I received a packet with Miss Lassiter’s picture and information.”

  “How did you receive the packet?”

  Powers raised his head and looked directly into Josh’s face. “It was in the front seat of my truck when I left for work. Half a million dollars was in the packet along with the other information. A letter said I’d get the rest after Miss Lassiter was dead. The letter said to make it look like a robbery gone bad. I was to take some of the valuables when I left.” His voice softened, “After I killed Miss Lassiter.”

  “And the packet?”

  His lips pursed. “I burned it.”

  Beth felt sick. More than anything she wanted the name of the man that was with Randal Collins at The Red Diamond. What if they never found out his identity? Both could slither away and they’d never be arrested.

  Josh slumped into the chair across from Powers. The news they would not be arresting the person responsible for the contract devastated him as much as it did her. “If I find out you’re lying, the deal for your wife is off. There will be no other deal. We’ll ferret out the truth eventually.”

  “I’m not lying. I have no reason to protect anyone.”

  “Who has been feeding you information from the bureau?”

  “I don’t know that either. Someone sent a letter to Shirley through the mail both times Miss Lassiter was to meet with you in your office. I knew it had to be a FBI agent.” Powers dropped his head and ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know who.”

  Josh leaned into his field of vision. “Yes, you do know. You’re lying.” Josh’s hand whipped out and gripped the front of his orange jumpsuit.

  “No, I don’t know.” Powers pried Josh’s fingers off his jumpsuit. “I’m telling you the truth.”

  “You’ve seen the names on that list. I’m a dead man. As soon as word gets out that I’ve caved, there will be a contract out on me. There is no prison in America that can protect me. I’ve given you all the names I know.” He couldn’t hide the echo of sadness in his voice.

  Josh smiled. “How does it feel to be the hunted instead of the hunter? You deserve a violent death.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Beth propped her elbows on the glass case, peered down, and wondered if any other pieces of Hilda’s jewelry might be for sale. Behind her, Josh was walking around in the consignment store where she had bought the ruby ring for Lacy. He picked up an old, yellowed corset and held it to his chest. He looked at her as if imagining what she would look like wearing it, but didn’t say what he was thinking. Even though he was still angry with her, he broke into a lascivious grin. Little did he know she wouldn’t wear something uncomfortable, not even for him. It was hard to believe that a hundred years ago women were strapped into those contraptions just so they would have tiny waists.

  Josh was still brooding because she had put her life in danger when she left work after she had promised Grant she wouldn’t leave until Josh came by to follow her home. He had not said two words on the ride. She was the one that should be angry after the damage he did to her car. It looked like he had a temper tantrum when he discovered she had followed Shirley Powers against his orders. Because of the two big dents he left in her car, it was now at the auto-body shop being repaired at his expense.

  But then everyone was on edge wondering when Randal Collins might strike. None of them would be able to relax until he was behind bars. Under Grant’s orders, no one could leave the house without a FBI escort. Living in constant fear was taking a toll.

  The bells over the door jingled. Lacy stepped across the threshold shadowed by Dylan Bauer. They looked so odd together. Lacy was gorgeous wearing the blue jean skirt and pink shirt Grace gave her for her birthday. Her baby sister always rushed spring. She was wearing blue sandals even though it was still nippy outside. Bright pink fingernail polish adorned her toes. Spring was her favorite time of year.

  While Dylan Bauer would be deemed good looking, he had too much facial hair. The go-tee and long, straggly hair gave him the appearance of a hippy. Beth would love to give him a makeover, but then she doubted he would get anyone to confide their evil deeds if he was clean shaven and dressed in a suit. Josh said he was an excellent agent.

  A dazzling smile on her face, Lacy hurried to Beth’s side and took her hands. “I’m so excited.”

  Seemed Lacy wasn’t as nervous about Hilda now that Beth had also seen her. Her eyes sparkled with pleasure.

  “Thanks for picking Lacy up at home, Dylan.”

  “No problem.” Dylan shifted from one foot to the other. He seemed nervous in Lacy’s company. It was funny to think a man that put his life at risk everyday was intimidated by a woman weighing 110 pounds. Beth wondered if it was Lacy’s brain or her looks that him feeling inadequate.

  “You can return to the bureau. I’ve got it from here.”

  “See you tomorrow.” Dylan gave him a quick salute before he turned and went back out the door.

  Lacy giggled, “I hope no one I know saw me in that hideous car.”

  Beth squeezed her hands. “It is terrible isn’t it?”

  Again Lacy giggled, “The wheels actually spin. It was hard not to laugh when he pulled up in that gangster mobile. Shadow barked until I thought he was going to have a heat stroke.”

  “Stop being mean girls. He’s undercover, Lacy. He has to look the part.”

  Lacy put her hands up. “Sorry, Josh. You’re right. I shouldn’t make fun.”

  Beth tugged Lacy toward the glass cabinet at the front of the consignment store. “I found the ruby ring over here.”

  Beth’s heart was pounding. She couldn’t believe the ring she purchased for Lacy had been Hilda’s. It was odd how she had been drawn to the case holding the ruby ring. She didn’t even look at any of the other pieces. One look at the ring and she knew it would be perfect for Lacy.

  Together they browsed through the other jewelry in the glass case. “Do you think any of the other jewelry belonged to Hilda?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not getting any weird sensations or anything of that nature.”

  The saleslady approached and smiled, “Hi, my name is Alice Sweeny.” Her arms circled the room. “I’m the owner. Can I help you with anything?”

  It was the same person that waited on Beth when she purchased the ruby ring. Long waves of blond hair, flowing dress, too much make-up, and rings on every finger. She looked like someone that would like antiques. She smiled and her makeup cracked at the creases of her eyes.

  Josh showed his FBI badge. “My friend bought this ruby ring here a couple of days ago and we’d like to know who brought the piece in.” Lacy held her hand out for the woman to see the ruby and diamonds as they sparkled in the light.

  Hand to her chest, the color drained from the woman’s face. “Was it stolen?”

  “We’re not sure. Could you please check your records?”

  The woman’s eyes lit up with recognition when her eyes stopped on Beth. She pointed a long, red tipped finger at her. “I remember you. You bought the ring. Said it was for your sister.” Her eyes moved to Lacy. “I guess. . .”

  “Would you please hurry, ma’am.” Josh placed his hand to the small of her back when she peered at him as if offended. �
��We have somewhere we need to be.”

  “I have it filed in the back room. I’ll be right back.” The woman disappeared through a doorway concealed by curtains.

  “Did you have to scare her to death?” Beth snapped. “She probably thinks she’s going to be investigated. Now who’s being mean?”

  “I don’t think she’d give us the information by just asking. If she thinks we’re working on a case, she’ll be more apt to help us. I don’t have all day to stand around and ask questions. I’m anxious to get back to the Powers’ farm house. Can’t wait to see what other evidence we find.”

  Lacy ignored them and moved toward a glass case at the back of the store. Her eyes locked on something. Josh was still talking when Beth walked away from him. “Do you see something else that belonged to Hilda?”

  A look that might have been shock showed on her face. She tapped a fingernail against the glass. “See that cameo. It was Hilda’s.” The discovery astounded her.

  “How do you know?”

  “I just know. Just like I knew this ring was Hilda’s,” she looked at the ruby on her finger, “I know that cameo was hers.” She bent over to examine the light blue and white cameo.

  “Here you go. I made a copy of the receipt so you can take it with you.”

  Lacy took the paper and read the name. “Billy Graves, 905 West Market Street, Raleigh.” She pointed at the cameo in the glass case. “Did Mr. Graves also bring the cameo in to be sold?”

  Anxiety etched on her face, Allison asked, “You have piqued my curiosity. Did Mr. Graves steal these pieces from you?”

  Before Lacy could answer, Josh interrupted, “It’s an on-going case and we can’t discuss the particulars.”

  Bewildered by his answer, she averted her eyes. Beth felt like kicking Josh for frightening the woman. “I didn’t know they were stolen. I don’t buy stolen merchandise.” Allison placed her hand to her chest as if her heart was pounding.

  “I didn’t say the pieces of jewelry were stolen, ma’am. I just said they are part of an investigation.”