by Susan Slater
“Right after they did. I like to get home at a decent hour to fix our dinner—As you know, I live with my mother.”
Dan didn’t think there was anyone in the room who didn’t know that, but he watched the sheriff make a note before he asked, “How often do you go to the walk-in cooler?”
“I never do. Unless I’m taking inventory or checking in a shipment of supplies, I don’t go into the backyard even. I walk Bitsy out front.”
“And you, Doc?”
“I spend most of my time in the office. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since that cooler has been in use. A year or two, maybe. Frankly, I was surprised that there was still electricity to it.”
“And Amber…” Penny paused to dab at her eyes. “I’m still in shock. I called her mother this morning when she didn’t come in to work…I never imagined…it’s just so awful.” More dabbing at her eyes and a quick blowing of her nose.
“Did she work Friday?” Sheriff Howard referred to his notes.
“Yes. She was here before I was—eight or so. She left a little early—about four-thirty. She needed to go into Las Vegas to shop. Grocery shop, and, well, pick up some Budweiser for her mother…and I remember she was going to get some Advil. She hadn’t been feeling well. Headache and runny nose…she thought it was some upper respiratory sinus thing.”
“Did you notice anything unusual? About her work? Anything happen Friday?”
“No, typical day. We’re just about to go under with all these packets to make up. We both ate a sandwich at the table and kept on working during lunch.”
“So, nothing out of the ordinary?”
“Not really…unless you count the number of phone calls she got.”
“More than usual?”
“Yes. I’ve kinda had to get on Amber about phone calls every once in awhile, but Friday it was just out of control.”
“Any idea who from? Same person? Different people?”
“Well…I hadn’t thought about it. Two were from her mother—one requesting the beer-run. And the others I thought were some guy—not from anything she said but she excused herself to take the calls in the kitchen. Once, I heard her raise her voice and another time, it looked like she’d been crying.”
“But no comments?”
“No. Complained about having to pick up beer for her mother—the two weren’t close. Said she hoped she could shake the sinus-thing before Monday. That was it.”
“Did Amber leave before the truck got here?”
“It would have been about the same time. I stopped work when the foreman came up to the house to get keys to the ATVs. Amber had been gone maybe fifteen minutes, not more.”
“And what did you do then?”
“I got a ride to the site.”
“On an ATV?”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to take a look at that site. Doc, can you and Penny take us down there?”
“Sure thing. Transportation’s right outside the door.”
Dan assumed that would be several ATVs and wasn’t wrong. Elaine was limping but gamely got on behind him and Dan followed Doc and Penny with the sheriff bringing up the rear.
The site wasn’t much to see—a clear path the truck had taken leaving a dirt road and pulling off onto the grass, then tracks going forward again. “Where does this go?” Sheriff Howard pointed in the direction of the road.
“Hooks back up with County 5 ’bout a mile from here. I had this detour cut in when I bought the place. Easier for deliveries.”
“Pretty secluded back here—I can’t even see the highway.”
Dan got the distinct feeling that the sheriff was thinking out loud. Was he thinking that this would be a good place for any kind of delivery—fertilizer, drugs, or something else? Were they that far from where he and the sheriff had heard the gunshots a couple nights ago? The warning that was answered by someone deep in the trees. An involuntary shiver tickled across his shoulders. The place gave him the willies. And he guessed he wasn’t the only one as Elaine slipped her hand in his.
“What kind of bird do you reckon that is?” A sweeping glance from the sheriff took in the tops of several pines.
“I have no idea. I’m not a birder. Are you?” Doc looked uncomfortable, Dan thought.
“Just an amateur.”
Now everyone paused to listen. A moment of silence, then a whistling roll of sound ended in a series of chirps—but it came from the opposite direction of the first call. Dan didn’t know birds but he doubted that one had feathers. Everyone waited expectantly but the two calls seemed to be it.
“Any idea what that was?” The sheriff asked.
“Not something on the wing. I’d guess hunters checking in with each other.”
The sheriff frowned, “Any problems with squatters? Or others you might not want using your land?”
“It’s hunting season—always have to chase a few off this time of year. The land is posted private but that doesn’t seem to mean much. The boys keep an eye out for anything else. We’re isolated here that’s always an invite to take advantage.”
“I don’t need to tell everyone not to touch anything.” The sheriff pointed to a water bottle and a wadded burger wrapper. “I’ll get the boys down here later.”
“So I didn’t see anything after all. I mean there apparently was nothing to see.” Elaine sounded dejected. “I don’t know what reason there could have been to abduct me.”
Dan was beginning to feel the morning had been wasted. “I agree. Someone went to a lot of trouble to just get your car.”
“And Amber…do you think she left the property or was she…detained here?” Elaine turned to the sheriff.
“Time frame would have her still around here—if Penny was accurate about when she left work. Seems like there’s a piece of the puzzle that should be apparent but I’m not seeing it. I need to get the boys out there in the woods, too—do a little bird hunting. I’ll call if anything turns up. I may need you later, but you’re free to go now.”And with that the sheriff walked back to the ATVs.
***
Dan opened the car door, then paused. “How about coming with me to pay a visit to Gert.” He wasn’t willing to let the whole morning be a wash.
“You haven’t told her about the theft?”
“Finding you kinda got in the way of things.”
“Oh? Is that a complaint? Maybe I should disappear again.”
“Not on your life. You’re not getting out of my sight. I’d asked the sheriff to go with me but I doubt he can get away anytime soon. Come on, let’s go break the bad news. ”
Gert was raking the yard when they pulled up, but insisted they all go in for a nice cup of tea. And it wasn’t until this ritual was complete and they were sitting around the dining room table that Dan broached the subject of the necklace.
“I was able to meet with Mr. Ortega himself. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday.”
“Oh my, finding Elaine safe and sound was more important than a report on the necklace. I just knew you had gotten turned around in the woods when you went for gas. It’s so easy to do.” Gert leaned in to pat Elaine’s hand. “Welcome back, dear.”
Penny must have come up with that story and it was actually better than having to explain what really happened.
“Now, I’m sure you’re going to tell me I’m dreadfully underinsured. And if my premium goes up, well, that’s all a part of owning such a unique piece of history. How do you put a price tag on keeping your dearest possession protected?”
Dan wished she didn’t look so chipper…and trusting and hadn’t referred to the necklace as her “dearest possession.” To say this wasn’t going to be easy was an understatement. Big time.
“I need to treat this as a deposition. May I use a recorder?” A nod from Gert, and Dan placed the small compact Sony on the table be
tween them and turned it on. “I have a list of questions that we’ll need to address.”
“Of course.”
Dan took a breath, “Before we could even begin the appraisal, Mr. Ortega informed me that this was the third time he’d seen the necklace in as many months.”
“How could he have seen the necklace?”
Dan paused, then “It was brought in so that a certain number of diamonds could be removed and sold. He was also instructed to replace those taken out with Russian zirconia.”
Had he thought she might have been behind the ruse? It had crossed his mind but not this kind of duplicity, double dipping—sell the diamonds piecemeal and declare the necklace stolen for full payout. The gasp put his questions to rest.
“Who…?” Gert grasped the edge of the table with both hands, her voice was barely a whisper and for a moment, Dan wondered if Gert’s heart was strong enough for what was turning out to be a shock.
“Mr. Ortega had no reason to think it wasn’t being done per your instructions. Mr. Woods from the bank brought the necklace in all three times.” Dan took an envelope out of his jacket pocket, “This gave him full authority to do what he thought was your request.” Dan placed the copy of the contract that she had supposedly signed on the table in front of her.
Gert leaned in and studied the signature but didn’t touch the paper. “I’ve never seen this and I certainly never signed it.” Gingerly, with an extended index finger she pushed it away from her.
“Is that your signature?” He had to ask.
“Yes, but it’s clearly a forgery. I never signed this…this falsehood, this lie.”
“Before we go further, I want to assure you that the necklace is covered for theft. Those diamonds will be replaced by equivalent gems and the necklace’s worth restored. We simply need to make certain that the sales—three separate sales—of diamonds removed from the necklace were not authorized by you.”
“I understand. This is simply a part of your job.” There was a tremor in her right hand.
The worst part, Dan thought as he watched Gert’s mouth pull into a prim, straight line. Her hands, tightly folded, now back in her lap.
“But it won’t be the same. The diamonds that are gone are a part of history. The necklace was there; turn of the century, Teddy Roosevelt…of course, the Titanic. Louis Tiffany handpicked all the stones—big ones, smaller ones. No, there’s no replacing that.”
“I agree. That is truly what has been lost—a slice of time.” Dan leaned his elbows on the table and met Gert’s stare. “Was there anyone else besides yourself who could have had access to the safe deposit box?”
“Penny, of course.” Involuntarily Gert’s two hands flew to cover her mouth. “You couldn’t think…you don’t…Penny…maybe Mr. Woods used some sort of master code and got into the box and took the necklace…but Penny? That’s not possible.” She looked over at Dan, “Mr. Woods would have had access to my signature. It’s going to be difficult to prove his involvement now. But I don’t think stealing diamonds is a reason for suicide.”
“Mr. Woods’ death has been ruled a homicide.”
A stifled gasp, “Oh, my. I didn’t know.”
“I also need to ask you about another incident. When the claim was originally filed, you stated that the necklace was in your safe deposit box at the time of the break-in.”
“That’s true, it was.”
“Last week Penny came to me with the necklace. She told me she had found it in the guest room—your guest room here at the house. It had been put between the mattress and box spring. She said that you sometimes put it there?”
“Never.”
“Not even if someone came to the door and you needed to get it out of view quickly?”
“No.” Gert was now sitting bolt upright.
“Penny told me that she thought you had put it there and had forgotten about it. The rest of the story you know—she asked Mr. Woods to ‘find it’ using the excuse of confusion caused by the break-in for it having been misplaced. He offered to safeguard it at the bank but you opted to bring it home.”
“Mr. Mahoney, stop right there. I’ve heard enough. I am not senile. The things you’re saying simply did not happen. To the best of my knowledge the necklace had remained in the safe deposit box after I had removed it to clean it.” Gert pushed back from the table and stood. “I’m saddened that you feel you need to point a finger at Penny. Yet, I’ve not known you to be a dishonest man. If I am to believe you then I must acknowledge my daughter is lying. That she has been stealing from her own mother. I need to do some thinking. Leave the necklace with Mr. Ortega. When I’ve gotten to the bottom of this, I’d like you to take me to Santa Fe to meet with him. Until then, the necklace is safe.”
Gert walked them to the door. “I appreciate your candor. I imagine the personal stories could make your work difficult.” Another quick squeeze of Elaine’s hand and she opened the door.
“I’m sorry I had to be the messenger—”
“I needed to know. If circumstances are, in fact, what they appear…well then, I have decisions to make.”
A hug seemed to be called for but Gert’s ramrod straight spine and pursed mouth made him hesitate. Instead he followed Elaine to the car. The old girl had grit. How many people could take that kind of news and not fall apart? Elaine turned to wave before getting into the Cherokee, but Gert had already shut the door.
“I’m glad that’s over. I’m sorry for Gert—there’s no win-win to any of this. Do you mind driving? I need to check something.” Dan handed the keys to Elaine.
He needed to make a quick call to Santa Fe to reiterate that the diamonds were paid for by check—one made out to Mrs. Gertrude Kennedy for eighty-five thousand, and one for fifteen to Ortega’s. And he needed to know dates. All three times were the same—and all three occurred in August. One on the eighth, the next on the fifteenth and the last just four days before the break-in. Bingo. Checks leave a trail. And yes, the store had made copies. UL&C would require them for their records.
Wow. That close to Bean Day…did someone have advance knowledge—get as much as they could from the necklace before they would declare it stolen? And recoup the entire five-hundred thousand? Eight-hundred thousand total wasn’t a bad haul. For the first time in a long time, Dan felt he was getting closer to the truth, and he wished it didn’t point a finger at those who stood to gain the most.
Chapter Sixteen
“Hello.”
“Stephanie, Dan Mahoney. I need your help. Can you get into the bank this afternoon?” A quick explanation—he needed to prove that Gert Kennedy wasn’t behind selling diamonds out of the necklace and then trying to claim the loss of the entire item. He had to back up and give a quick overview of what he’d found out at Ortega’s but after some exclamations of shock, Stephanie said it wouldn’t be a problem. She was just going out the door. She’d been called in by bank management to box up Mr. Woods’ belongings. Maybe he could meet her there? She could get everything for him—copies of Gert’s accounts—monthly reports going back to June. Not a problem. She would have access to whatever the bank would have sent out in the mail.
Stephanie met them at the door and explained to the guard what they wanted. She made copies of Dan’s driver’s license and business card, then Elaine’s drivers license and university ID. The three of them waited while the guard cleared them with his boss…whoever that was. Finally they followed Stephanie back to Lawrence Woods’ office.
“I’m sorry, but they can’t be too careful.” Stephanie walked ahead and opened the door.
“Not a problem. I expected as much.” Dan looked around. This was not the bare-bones room he’d waited in a week ago. The floor was littered with bubble wrap, stacks of newspapers, packing cartons, cardboard boxes yet to be set up and rolls of tape—masking, cellophane, and scotch tape in dispensers. She certainly had her bases cove
red. And she’d need every bit of packing material if she boxed up everything he was looking at.
Desk top, chairs, benches, bookcases—there wasn’t an uncluttered surface in the room let alone a place to sit. Knick knacks—plaques proclaiming Wagon Mound Bank employees winners of good citizens’ awards, baseball trophies, basketball championship two-handled cups on wooden stands with twenty or so names engraved, framed watercolors, a couple of oils and pictures, some framed, some not—but all telling a piece of Wagon Mound history.
“Where did all this come from?”
“Storage. Mr. Woods put everything in storage when he came. We hardly recognized the place—bare walls, empty showcases. He was Spartan and expected the bank to reflect his taste. There was quite a row over it. This is our town.” Stephanie’s hand swept in a circle. “Its citizens needed a place to show off what they are all about. Like this stack here. Pictures of Bean Day celebrations dating back to the 1950s. We don’t have a library or a city hall or anywhere that this memorabilia can be on display. It made sense to use the bank. But not to Mr. Woods. God rest his soul.”
“Do you mind if I look through these?” Elaine pointed at the Bean Day pictures.
“No, of course not. It’s a wonderful step back in time. There’s so much history in this area. We’ll just be out here at my desk.” Stephanie picked up several folders and went back down the hall. Dan looked at a few pictures, then left the stack with Elaine. Seemed a shame the town had been deprived of viewing their heritage. He had a feeling things would be different from now on.
“Oh this is so terrible.” Stephanie sat behind her desk and leaned forward as Dan sat down. Then in her best stage whisper, “It’s exactly what you thought. Everything was set up to double-dip. But the money didn’t go into Ms. Kennedy’s account.” She paused and looked around her then leaned even closer. “Eighty-five thousand was deposited into Ms. Penelope Kennedy’s account. Copies of the checks show them signed by Gertrude Kennedy but I’m certain those signatures are fake.” She sat back and folded her arms. “And each time, on the exact same day, ten thousand dollars went into Mr. Woods’ account, a transfer made by Penny Kennedy. Must have earned himself a little bonus.”