by Judy Kentrus
Margaret didn’t even look up. “I’ve been expecting you.” Margaret took off her reading glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. Stress was giving her a low grade headache.
“Mother, don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like hell.” Jessie pulled out the chair closest to her mother and sat down.
“I feel the way I look. My biggest concern right now is you and Edie. I know you are a cop and are capable of taking care of us, but Jessie, you are my daughter first.” Margaret waved a hand toward the neatly stacked legal tomes on the surrounding book shelves. “All this is materialistic. I could walk away from everything and someone else could take over. But I have one daughter and one granddaughter. Take that away,” Margaret’s voice broke off.
“You sure know how to take the fight out of my argument.” Jess took hold of her mother’s hand. “I love you, Mom, and understand where you were coming from, but keeping all this from me was wrong. Lincoln filled me in on everything, I think. No more holding back. Before I left this morning, I met Don Kelly and he explained the type of security system you want.”
“It will put me at ease, knowing we are all a little bit safer. I sensed a change in Lincoln last night at dinner. I’m sure he’s thrilled to know he has a niece. Your next step is to talk to your daughter.”
“He is leaving that up to me. It has to be the right time and place.”
“You two put on quite a spectacle in the park yesterday. I also saw the pictures on Facebook. Have you seen them?”
“No, I don’t go on Facebook. There’s enough gossip in this town to have their own social media site. The Laurel Heights Nose Patrol!”
Margaret laughed, and it felt good. “I’m glad everything is out in the open. Jess, Lincoln is a very good man. When are you going to tell him you love him?”
Jess stood up and headed for the door. “When I’m one-hundred percent certain he can be trusted.”
“As much as you dislike social media, I’d take a look at those pictures if I were you.” Margaret wasn’t the least bit surprised when she didn’t get an answer. She glanced at the time and decided she needed to talk to someone sweet, sane, and compassionate, her best friend since childhood, her sister Donna.
Jess walked into their break room that doubled as a meeting room and got her third surprise of the morning. The square tables had been pushed to the corner and the chairs were lined up movie theatre style. One long table sat in front of the room and four seats were currently occupied. Chief Charles, Lieutenant McCarthy, Detective Catcher, and Lincoln Adams.
He never said a word this morning. Completely honest, bullshit! He won’t even look me in the eye. She took a seat next to Emilio Donatiello.
“What’s going on?” the patrolman asked, keeping his voice low. “The chief notified everyone on and off duty this was a mandatory meeting. Why is Buford’s bastard sitting at the table?”
“This is the chief’s call, and watch your tongue.”
“Now you’re defending him?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes! Now stuff the comments.”
The chief stood up. “Thank you all for coming in. We’ll keep this as short as possible, since some of you are on duty. Before I begin, I’d like to formally introduce you to Lincoln Adams, owner of Adams Security and Investigations. He’s been assisting with the investigation into the murders that have recently taken place.”
“Son-of-a-bitch. He’s been spying on us!” Donatiello accused, glaring at Lincoln Adams.
“That’s not the case,” the chief answered. “We don’t have enough manpower or the resources to properly investigate a double homicide. Along with the murders, liquor is being smuggled into town in bread loaves. Vodka bottles were found in the field adjacent to the elementary school and at the old boathouse.”
“We discovered high end scotch and bourbon a block away from the high school,” Detective Catcher added.
“We don’t know if these cases are related, but I’ve divided the investigations. Detective Catcher will oversee the liquor investigation. Lieutenant McCarthy had fifteen years investigating homicides, so he will work with the county on the two murders. Any questions, so far?”
Donatiello shoved up from the chair and took a step away from his sergeant. “I hate to play devil’s advocate, but this was a quiet town until he showed up. We’ve lost two members of the town council and have alcohol showing up around our schools and public buildings. Who says he’s not behind all of our problems and is a murderer?”
Jess started to defend Lincoln, but the chief spoke up. “Unbeknownst to Mr. Adams, I went on his company’s website to do some investigating on my own. From all I’ve read, he is a man of integrity, and we are fortunate to have him offering his services. As the property owner, he’s paying for the added security around the field in the rear of the elementary school until the fence is erected. Any other questions?”
Jessie’s eyes darted to Lincoln. He just shrugged his shoulders and silently mouthed, “I forgot.”
When the meeting ended, the chief excused everyone but Jessie. She joined them at the table and sat next to Lincoln. “We need to discuss a few things in confidence. Chuck and Al are aware of the threats against the judge and the pending approval for the drilling of natural gas. They also know about the threat against Lincoln Adams and shots fired at his truck.” The chief paused and shook his head. “After reading last night’s incident report, you two attract trouble like a magnet. Is there anything else you can tell us?”
“I didn’t want to include this in my report, just in case our system is being hacked,” Jess began. “The logo on the truck that tried to ram us was Clyde’s Lawn and Gardening Services. We already know he wasn’t driving, because he was in headquarters giving a witness statement when we were being pursued by a one ton truck. Linc and I had a private talk with him in my office. He admitted lending his truck to a friend of his Uncle Harvey last evening and at least once a month, sometimes along with the trailer. Our theory is the killer used Clyde’s truck to transport the bodies to the school and church. He works at both places, so no one would question the presence of his vehicle. She looked at Lincoln. “Why don’t you tell them the rest since it’s your theory?”
“Thanks, Jessie. We don’t have any proof, but we think they are using Clyde’s trailer to distribute liquor. Jessie’s brother works undercover for ABC, and there’s a good possibility our case is related to their ongoing investigation. We spoke to him last night in his hospital room. The brakes on the rig his FBI partner and him were riding in, were sabotaged. They’re lucky to be alive. My computer tech is looking into the possibility that Price and Humperdinck were involved in the illegal liquor operation. They were silenced for a reason.”
“Goddamn,” Al cursed. “Half the town council was dirty. How are they bringing the contraband into town?”
“Good question. Clyde has agreed to let us know the next time his uncle wants to borrow the truck or trailer. He doesn’t know the guy’s name, but he leaves hundred dollar bills in the visor. I over-nighted the money to Danni Snow, a crime scene investigator. Her brother was the FBI agent in the accident with Treig. She will classify and get the prints identified a lot faster than if we went to the state or county. She was also instrumental in getting the prints identified on the threat left for me.”
“Isn’t it a small world? I know her too.” Jessie added extra sweetness to her voice. “Guess you forgot to tell me.” She silently mouthed, “Nekkid.”
“I don’t recall reading the fingerprint results in any of the information the chief provided,” Chuck said.
Jessie shifted in her seat that had become very uncomfortable. “I wanted to wait until Linc’s computer tech was able to dig a little deeper into the backgrounds of the members of the town council, and one other person before I said anything. There were two sets of prints on the paper. One belonged to Leon Price, and the other,” Jessie took a deep breath, “belonged to Andrew Sayers, my former husband. One other thing, the
previous owner of the psychedelic briefs found on Leon Price was Lincoln Adams.”
A resounding “Oh, shit!” filled the room.
Chapter 20
Saturday promised to be a beautiful day with temperatures in the low eighties. Linc, Jessie, and Edie were headed for the Long’s home. Scott had left a voice message for Lincoln the previous evening. Come around eleven-thirty. They’d fish for a few hours and have a barbecue for dinner. The girls wanted to sleep in tents on the back lawn and wanted to know if Edie could spend the night. He also asked if Jessie and Linc could chaperone in a neighboring tent. They would supply all of the camping equipment.
“Do you think your friends will like me?” Edie asked, from the back seat of the truck. She reached for her NY Yankees backpack and took out her small box of fresh water lures.
“How could they not like my two best girls? Are you excited about the sleepover?”
“It will be so cool. I’ve never been camping. You and Mom will protect us from the night creatures.”
“You don’t mind the sleeping arrangements?” Lincoln asked Jessie, when they stopped at the light across from the park and bandstand. It was amazing what the Kelly twins had accomplished in the past two days. The collapsed roof and the rotted gingerbread siding had been removed, and a new floor was in the processing of being laid.
“When in Rome.” Jess also looked at the ongoing construction. “Things are really progressing.” She turned slightly in her seat to stare at his handsome profile. “Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by the hardware store to see Northrup. Clyde was just getting into his truck. The back was filled with bags of dehydrated manure.” Jessie purposely exaggerated the word “manure.” “I thanked him for the daffodils. He got all flustered and I got his standard ‘I don’t know nothin.’ Now we have a flower and a candy fairy.” Muffled giggling came from the back seat.
“I continued inside and the two carpenters working on the bandstand were standing at the counter, placing a large supply order. They introduced themselves as Connor and Brandon Kelly. I thought it strange I’d met a Don Kelly with similar dark curly hair and intense green eyes the other morning. I casually inquired if they worked for Lincoln Adams.” Jess took a finger and pushed her nail, not too gently, into his ribs. “They claimed to work for Northrup Whipper. Suddenly, they had someplace else to be.” Jessie pursed her lips. “This doesn’t fall into the, ‘I forgot’ category. Do they work for you?”
“Nope. They told you the truth.” Linc took the turn for Laurel Heights Road and headed out of town.
“Let me rephrase the question. Is it another, I don’t want any thanks? Remember, your undies are in jeopardy.”
“Yes,” he chuckled.
“Why?”
“For the same reason I told you the other day.”
“You don’t want to be known as a philanthropist. I think you’re wrong.”
“Mommy, what is a filthropist?”
“That’s a philanthropist. It’s a person who likes to do good deeds and help other people.”
“I’d like to be that when I grow up.”
Linc glanced in his rear view mirror at his beautiful niece and stated with a great deal of pride, “Edith, you already are.”
Jess concentrated on the tree-lined road up ahead and fingered the loose change in the pocket of her yellow windbreaker. She was nervous to meet Lincoln’s best friends. She’d been the enemy on the other side of the courtroom, and these people were important to him. He was opening himself up to her. Isn’t that what she wanted? There was something about her he didn’t know. “I forgot to mention that I get seasick, not just a little, but violently ill. That means I won’t be able to go fishing.”
“That’s perfectly all right. Russell mentioned there is a huge deck, a hot tub, and an in-ground pool.”
“They have a hot tub! I’m going in it.” When the nine-year-old got her mom’s “we’ll see,” standard reply, Edie’s face fell. That usually meant no.
They pulled down a long drive lined with a variety of blooming flowers that ended at a wide open parking area. A black and gold motor coach and a Cadillac SUV were parked beside a three car garage. Beyond was a rich green lawn, sectioned by a designer stone walk that led to the lake. A two story boathouse bordered the water’s edge, along with a metal dock. Gently rocking at its moorings, was a Boston Whaler.
“This is magnificent,” Jessie said, as they walked up the path that led to the rear of the house. An A-frame of smoky glass, currently shadowed in mid-day sunlight, dominated the center of the two-story home. A gazebo housed a large hot tub at the end of the deck that ran the length of the house. Decorative landscaping and intricate walkways added to the richness of the property.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Jessie said. “Your friends live like this?”
“I can assure you, they are quite normal. Scott and Julie have five children and Russell and Alexis have triplets. Between the two of them, they could open their own day-nursery. Come on, you will love them. Be forewarned, Susan and Vicky, the mischief makers, can run rings around Edie.”
Neither of the adults understood Edith Amanda’s big grin. Ah, partners in crime.
“Susan and Vicky, clean up the crayons, markers and construction paper from the table. Our guests should be here any time.” Julie put the finishing touches on the lunch the fishermen were taking on the boat.
The two seven-year-olds could be spokespersons for Crayola. “Do you think Edith will like us?” Susan dawdled and picked up one crayon at a time and slowly lined them up in the green and gold box.
“Do you think Uncle Lincoln will still like us now that he has a little girl of his own?” Vicky reached for a pink marker and rolled it back and forth between her hands.
Julie walked around the island that separated the kitchen from the open dining area and adjusted the colorful scrunchies on their long blond ponytails. “Why would you say that?”
“Since he moved here, we don’t see him anymore.”
“Think of it this way. Edie and her mom will be new friends, and we can invite them to come and see us. When Uncle Lincoln gets here, give him a big hug and tell him how much you miss him. Now, finish cleaning up. You each have two pairs of shoes in the living room and the Monopoly game is still spread out on the coffee table.”
Susan was the first to see them through the wall of glass. “They’re here!” She forgot about the mess and ran into the great room and slid open one of the sliding glass doors. Vicky was right behind her sister.
“Uncle Lincoln, we missed you so much,” they said, throwing their arms around him when he stepped inside. “We are so glad you brought another girl. Billy is so bossy.”
“I missed you too.” Lincoln gathered them close. “That’s because he is a big brother. Girls, this is Jessie Taylor and her daughter Edie. I told them all about you.”
“Oh, no, Uncle Lincoln.” Susan’s face fell and she took a step back. “You didn’t tell them we always get in trouble and Uncle Russell nicknamed us Trouble and Double Trouble?”
“Those are great names,” Edie said, stepping forward. “I thought I was the only one who got in trouble. Mr. Lincoln calls me Short Stop, so I have a nickname too. Are you going fishing?”
“You bet,” Vicky said. “Our daddy and Uncle Russell have pink fishing poles for us. Uncle Lincoln, guess what? We are sleeping in tents!”
Susan looked up at Jessie. “Can Edie sleep in our tent? We have extra sleeping bags and flashlights. After supper, we’re going to have a campfire and make S’mores. You don’t have to worry, our mom is our Girl Scout leader and she knows everything about making them. Daddy brought extra fire extinguishers.”
Vicky lifted her pink and white striped cover-up that hid her one-piece bathing suit. “We already have our suits on.” She grabbed Edie’s hand. “Come down to the boat. It’s a San Francisco Whaler. It has seats and a teeny tiny bathroom.”
Lincoln and Jessie watched the three girls run off. “I wonder if talkingitis is
contagious. At the rate those three were going, they’ll be hoarse by this evening.” Jessie frowned. “San Francisco Whaler?”
Julie burst out laughing before offering a smile in welcome. “It’s a Boston Whaler, and it belongs to Henry Long. Hi Jessie, I’m Julie. I’m so glad you could join us.”
“Thanks for the invite. This place is gorgeous.”
“It’s a little overwhelming. With the cathedral ceiling and open double stairway to the second floor, the girl’s voices are doubly loud. The house has ten bedrooms and bathrooms. There’s a powder room on this level. Henry planned the house as a getaway for his business executives, but Russell nixed the idea.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a tall woman coming down the stairs carrying a laundry basket. Her black hair was piled atop her head and was secured by a wide gold clip. She appeared to be a cleaning woman in her well-worn denim coveralls, but Jessie remembered the beautiful woman from the courtroom.
“Do you know how long it’s been since I was able to spend a half hour in the shower? It was so blissful. I cleaned the three bathrooms and collected the kids’ dirty clothes and bath towels. If you need anything else washed, I’ll start another load.” Alexis hesitated when she realized Julie wasn’t alone. “Oops, caught red handed.” Alexis set the basket down at the base of the wide wooden steps. “I’m so glad to see you,” she said and gave Lincoln a big hug. “You have been sorely missed.” She looked down at her coveralls, then smiled at Jessie. “Sorry for my appearance. I wanted to make a good first impression.”
Lincoln looked at the three beautiful women and sensed it was time to make an exit. They needed to set a few ground rules. “Why don’t I go down to the boat and see what the guys are doing?”