Mountain Woman Snake River Blizzard

by Johnny Fowler

  Theo stood and said, “This meeting has ended. Get out of my office.”

  Man and Kate stood and walked toward the door. Man stopped and turned back toward Theo. “We’re going to talk to the Knorr family now. Hopefully, they have more sense than you and will recognize the chaos that will be brought down on both families if a war breaks out.”

  “Out,” he shouted.

  Man and Kate went by the empty desk up front. They wondered where the secretary had gone, but then she might have simply been on an errand, or even in the coffee room.

  “Where do we go next?” Man asked.

  “I don’t know. I wonder if Cliff would know them and give us a starting point. I see his store in front of us.”

  Cliff had a customer when they entered, but he waved. Man returned it and he and Kate went to a counter to look at the merchandise until he was free.

  As soon as the customer paid for his purchase, Cliff hurried to where they waited. “Thank you for bringing Lucille home. I was so excited to see her the other night I may have forgotten to thank you.”

  “We were happy to find her,” Kate said. “But, we came in to see you on a more serious matter.”

  “Has something happened to Lucille?” he asked in an alarmed tone.

  “No,” Kate replied. “Do you know the Knorr and Günter families?”

  “Of course I know them,” Cliff replied. “Every native knows both families. They’ve been here since the beginning of Coeur d’Alene. What do you want to know?”

  “Have you heard about the trouble brewing between them?” Man asked.

  Cliff looked at the door to see if a customer was coming inside before replying. “I heard that Theo was caught in the sack with Rosalind by Elmer Knorr and a big stink may be brewing.”

  “It’s more than a big stink now,” Man said. “Elmer was murdered and somebody took a shot at a Günter. Thankfully, the bullet only clipped his leg. But, it looks like a shooting feud could develop.”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me at all,” Cliff said. “There has been bad blood between the Knorrs and Günters since day one. However, it never got violent. I think most of it was jealousy or maybe competition on which family could outdo the other. I remember when Theo and Evelyn ran off and got married. We expected trouble, but it only turned into a shouting match.”

  “Cliff, what we ask you and tell you must remain between us, and only us, including Lucille,” Kate said. “We’re doing our best to stop any more killings and we don’t want you or Lucille pulled into it.”

  Cliff gulped a couple of times. “I can keep my mouth shut. What do you want to know?”

  Man took the lead. “We talked to Theo and he ordered us out of his office. He got very belligerent.”

  “That I understand,” Cliff said. “That’s his nature. Why Evelyn married him is beyond me, but the rumor had it that she was pregnant. But, if that was so, she lost the baby. They have no children.”

  Cliff again looked at the front door to make sure it was clear. “The rumor mill also said that the son of Rosalind belongs to Theo, but you know how things get started with just an off-handed comment. I know Hans, Rosalind’s husband. He’s a hardworking man. Hans is not overly bright, but the salt of the earth kind of man. He’s honest to a fault and always polite and likeable.”

  Kate glanced at Man and then took the lead. “We may need to talk to him next. Where could we find him this time of day?”

  “If he went to work today, he would be at the sawmill. He’s one of the supervisors. He may have gotten that job because his family has an interest in the mill. I know that’s being rude, but it could be the truth.”

  “We need to talk to somebody in the Knorr family that has influence on the others,” Kate said. “Which one would you recommend?”

  Cliff thought for a few moments as he rubbed his chin. “I think that if you could get to see Grandmother Gretchen, she would be your best bet. She’s old, but she’s still sharp witted and if anybody has control of the younger ones, she would be the one.”

  “Where would we find her?” Man asked.

  “Go out on the road toward the lake and keep circling around and look up on the side of a hill. It’s a big white home with columns on the porch. When you see it, you’ll know it.”

  “Thanks,” Kate said. “How is it going with Lucille?”

  Cliff beamed at the question. “I hope she’ll marry me. I intend to ask her this weekend. And you can keep that to yourselves. There’s no need to start the tongues wagging over the back fence until she says yes.”

  Kate nodded. “Well, good luck. I hope it all works out for both of you.”

  They left Cliff as a customer came into the store.

  “The sawmill next?” Kate asked.

  Man nodded and they rode toward the mill located at the far end of town.

  A guard met them at the entrance. He stepped out and said, “Sorry, no visitors when we’re running the saws.”

  Man showed him his badge. “I’m Marshal Manchester, and this is my partner, Deputy Marshal Kate. We’re here to see Hans Geyser.”

  “That’s different,” the guard said. “You’ll find Hans over in that office.” He gestured toward a log cabin.

  “Thanks,” Man said and turned Arabian toward the office.

  They dismounted, walked to the door, opened it, and stepped inside. A man seated behind a desk looked up and said, “You can’t come in here. The mill is running. How did you get by the guard?”

  Man pushed his coat back and showed his badge. Kate did the same. “We are looking for Hans Geyser.”

  “You found him,” the man said. “What can I do for you? Has one of our lumberjacks got into trouble?”

  “That’s not why we’re here,” Man said. “It’s about Elmer Knorr.”

  “I heard he drown in the lake. Probably too much to drink and he fell in.”

  “He didn’t drown,” Man said. “He was murdered and tossed in the water.”

  Genuine surprise spread over Hans’ face. “Oh my God,” he exclaimed.

  “And somebody shot at a Günter, but only nipped his leg. We’re trying to prevent more bloodshed and stop a possible feud between the Knorrs and Günters.”

  “Tell us what happened with Rosalind and Theo,” Kate said.

  Han’s sat for a few moments in silence.

  “We need to know to prevent bloodshed,” Kate said. “This could get out of hand in a hurry. Tell us what you know.”

  Hans took a deep breath before speaking. “Rosalind has been sleeping with Theo for ages. They apparently got careless and Elmer caught them.”

  “Rosalind is your wife,” Man said. “Weren’t you jealous?”

  “Why did you let it go on?” Kate asked.

  Hans stood and walked around the desk and sat on the edge. “I’ll tell you, but please do your best to keep it from becoming public. Rosalind is my wife in name only. I was injured in an accident when I was about fifteen. The doctor had to finish removing my testicles, forgive the bluntness. They were beyond saving. Rosalind was pregnant and she needed a husband. To be honest, her family bought me. That’s how I got this job. I know I’m not smart, but I work hard and have learned to be a good employee and supervisor.”

  “I’m sorry,” Man said.

  “Don’t be,” Hans said. “I stopped feeling sorry for myself a long time ago. I’m playing the hand dealt to me. I enjoy my job and love to fish. I’m doing okay.”

  “Who do you think killed Elmer?” Kate asked.

  “I have no idea, but it wasn’t me. If Theo and Rosalind had been more cautious, it wouldn’t have happened. Elmer had a drinking problem and it’s possible somebody in the Knorr family didn’t want him talking in a saloon about what he saw. Protect the family reputation, a pride thing. If I were you, I would question the Knorr men first, but that’s only a wild
thought.”

  Kate studied Hans for a moment before speaking. “Hans, you play dumb, but you’re sharp as a tack. Why are you playing this role?”

  “It keeps people from asking questions and teasing me about being a eunuch,” he said.

  “Which Knorr would you suggest we visit to try to stop any more killings?” Kate asked.

  As Cliff had done, he thought for a few moments. “Grandmother Gretchen rules the Knorr family with an iron fist. If you can see her, that would be my recommendation.”

  “We respect your condition and assure you that we will not discuss it,” Kate said.

  “Thanks, but I expect most of the people that know me also know my condition. I might add, Rosalind and I have never shared a bed. I have my own bedroom and kitchen facilities. I go for weeks without seeing her and when we do meet, it’s usually on the street. I never go to her part of the house and she never comes to mine.”

  “Where does she meet Theo?” Kate asked.

  “He has come to our house. I see his buggy parked in the barn. They also meet at the lake. Theo has a cabin there.”

  “Did Evelyn know about Rosalind and Theo?” Kate asked.

  “I can’t say with certainty, but she had to know. As often as they met, well, she would have to be dumber than me not to know.”

  “I understand you have a child,” Kate said.

  “We do. Well, he has my name, of course. But, his father is probably Theo. I have no way of knowing. It wasn’t me.”

  “Thanks for the information,” Man said. “We appreciate your candidness.”

  The two marshals mounted their horses and rode toward the lake. They were looking for a large white house on the side of a hill, with columns on the porch.

  Kate was the first to spot it and pointed. Man turned Arabian and with Kate astride Red Bird, and they followed a winding road through the trees to the house.

  The front was immaculate and was beautiful with the snow still on the ground. Only the road and circle driveway showed any signs of use. They dismounted and tied the horses to a hitching rail. Before they reached the front door a woman wearing a maid’s uniform stepped out and waited for them.

  “I’m Marshal Manchester and this is my partner, Deputy Marshal Kate. We came to see Grandmother Gretchen.”

  “May I tell her your business?” the maid asked.

  “It’s about Elmer Knorr.”

  “We were told he got drunk and drown in the lake,” she said.

  “We need to discuss this with Grandmother Gretchen,” Kate said.

  “Well, she certainly had nothing to do with it,” the maid scoffed. “She hasn’t been out of the house in a couple of years. She’ll turn ninety next month.”

  “We aren’t here to accuse her of anything,” Kate said. “But, we want to talk to her. She may know something that will help our investigation.”

  “I’ll tell her you are here and what you want. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

  She went inside and closed the door, leaving them standing on the porch.

  Man and Kate stood admiring the house. “I expect this is one of the nicest and most expensive homes in Coeur d’Alene,” she said.

  The door opened and the maid stepped back for them to enter. “Kick the snow off of your boots before coming inside,” she instructed. “If you don’t I’ll have to mop.”

  Kate and Man did as she requested.

  “Follow me,” the maid said. She led the way to a stairway and went up to the second floor. “Grandmother Gretchen is waiting in what she calls her parlor. It’s where she greets guests.”

  They entered and found her in a chair in front of a window. The maid made the introductions.

  Grandmother Gretchen motioned for them to sit in chairs close to her.

  “She has hearing difficulties,” the maid said. “Sit close and talk slowly and loud.”

  Kate and Man sat and Man was the first to speak. “We came to visit you because we were told you’re in charge of the Knorr family. We want to prevent trouble. Elmer was murdered and somebody shot at a Günter. Is there a feud brewing between the two families?”

  “If there is, I can’t stop it,” she said. “There has been bad blood between us for as long as I can remember, but no real violence. Why wasn’t the death of Elmer determined to be drowning?”

  “We don’t know,” Kate said. “Police Chief Kincaid called us in to investigate the murder of Elmer Knorr and shooting at a Günter. As of now, we don’t have his name. We were told the bullet only clipped his leg.”

  “His name is James Hollander Günter, but commonly called Dutch,” she said. “But, don’t put total faith in what Dutch says. He craves attention and if he scraped his leg, he might report it as a gunshot. That would be his style. None of my family say they did it and I have faith in their word. They know better than lie to me. They know to be honest and upright with me if they want to stay in my will. A lie to Grandmother Gretchen is the kiss of death to any inheritance.”

  The maid was standing by the door nodding agreement.

  “Now, back to Elmer, how was he killed?” she asked.

  “We were told he was killed and later his body was put in the water,” Man said. “At the time we were told, Chief Kincaid didn’t have that information either, but when the doctor examined the body, he said Elmer didn’t drown.”

  “So you think he may have been murdered because he caught Theo in bed with Rosalind?” the older woman said. “If so, you’re wrong. Hell, everybody in both families knew old Theo was screwing her. He has been for years. She has a son by him. That’s no big deal or a reason to start a feud.”

  “I suggest you start looking at who Elmer owes money to. He gambled heavily and drank anything with alcohol in it. I expect if you dig deep enough, you’ll find he got in a fight over a debt and somebody killed him. It wasn’t a Knorr, and I will bet it’s not a Günter, either.”

  She leaned back, crossed her arms over her bosom, and closed her eyes indicating their visit had ended. The maid gestured toward the door.

  Kate and Man followed her to the front door. “A name you might look into is Bedford Nail,” she said as she closed the door.

  Man and Kate walked to where their horses were tied. “Well, that was interesting, to say the least,” he said. “What do you think?”

  “I read her as a sharp old gal in spite of her age. I read her as being truthful. I think we might look into this in a different direction. I suggest we start with Elmer Knorr and do a little digging into him. I wonder if he was married.”

  “And I think we should visit Chief Kincaid again,” Man added. “We need more information on how Elmer was killed, and about the alleged shooting of Dutch Günter. In fact, I think we need to go back to the police station and ask some pointed questions.”

  They found Dunlap in the front when they walked in. He saw them, put a folder on his desk, and hurried to where they waited. Dunlap glanced over his shoulder and saw several policemen watching and listening.

  “We can use Chief Kincaid’s office,” he said.

  He led the way down the hallway, went to the table, and sat, leaving the door open. Kate sat across from him and leaned forward. “What happened to the informer?”

  “Theo had his lawyer here not long ago and got him out on personal recognizance.”

  “Where is Chief Kincaid?” Man asked.

  “I don’t know. He left a few minutes before you can in. He said he would be back shortly. Maybe to get the mail, or to the telegraph office, or it’s possible he went after tobacco.”

  “We’ll wait,” Kate said. “We have information for both of you. Do you know how Elmer was killed? I mean, was he shot, knifed, hit on the head?”

  “I don’t know, but maybe the chief has that information,” Dunlap said.

  “Another question,” she said. “
Do you have any details of the shooting of Dutch? Were there any witnesses, did a doctor examine him? We need to verify it happened the way we were told.”

  Dunlap sat and eyed them for a moment. “It appears you have suspicions about both the murder and the shooting?”

  Kate nodded they did.

  “We have conflicting information and we need to sort it out and get to the truth,” Man said.

  “We have one other question,” Kate said. “What do you know about a man named Bedford Nail?”

  Dunlap leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. He didn’t speak for a long moment. “Well,” he said as he moved his chair forward and put his elbows on the table. “Nail is always one step ahead of us. He owns a dive near the docks. It’s called the Pirates Cove. He has booze, women and gambling. Do you think he might be involved in Elmer’s murder?”

  “Just checking out leads,” Kate said. “How far from the Pirates Cove was Elmer’s body found?”

  “Again, I don’t know. Fishermen brought the body in. They said it was caught in their net. So it was out in the water, but exactly were, I don’t know.”

  “Tell us what you know about Dutch Günter,” Kate said.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “What does he do for a living would be a good start,” Man said.

  “He operates a farm that is owned by the Günter family.”

  “What about his character,” Kate asked. “Is he known as a truthful, honest man?”

  “That, I don’t know,” Dunlap said. “I only know him on sight. I do know he has been taken home several times after too much drink. We have had to pick him up off the street because he wasn’t capable of getting home alone. He’s single, I know that much. His wife left several years ago.”

  “Was Elmer Knorr married?” was her next question.

  “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure.”

  A noise at the door caused everybody to look. Chief Kincaid came in and welcomed the marshals with a smile. “We have some information for you,” Man said.