by Rick Polad
He shifted in the chair and his eyes started to dart again. I had the feeling that he knew.
“No. How would I know?”
“There’s also been a kidnapping. I got a call offering to trade the person kidnapped for something the caller thought I had.”
“So?”
“So, I have no idea what they want to trade for. Do you?”
He didn’t answer.
“Cletis, I think both answers are the same. And if you do know something about it, you’re going to prison as an accessory to murder and kidnapping even if you didn’t do those.”
“How do I know they won’t blame me for those anyway? Cops don’t like me.”
“Because I believe you didn’t do them. You are involved in something, but it’s not murder or kidnapping. I already took care of Peggy Sue. I’d like you two to get together again.”
“Can I talk to her?”
“I’ll see. One more question. There were duck decoys in the store. Who was doing the carving?”
“Gunderson. He was a genius with wood. He could make a piece of wood come alive.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
I got up and knocked on the door and the officer opened it. We switched places.
Rosie met me in the hall.
“So, can we set up the call?”
“How is that going to help?”
“My leverage. I think if he sees I took care of her he’ll trust me.”
“Wait here.” She walked toward Stosh’s office.
***
Rosie was back in ten minutes with a phone.
“Plug it in and get her on speaker so you and I can hear.”
The officer and I changed places again.
“Okay, Cletis. I’m going to call the inn and get Peggy Sue on the line. I’ll put her on the speaker so I can hear.”
He looked suspicious. “And I get to talk to her?”
“You do. Ask her anything you want. Okay?”
He nodded hesitantly.
Maxine answered the phone. I explained that I had found Cletis and he wanted to talk to Peggy Sue. She went to get her.
I pushed the speaker button. A minute later Peggy Sue came on.
“Cletis? Cletis, are you there?” She sounded almost frantic.
“Hi, Peggy Sue. Are you okay?”
“Yes, thanks to these nice people. You won’t believe what happened.”
“Where are you?”
“You know that inn, the Harbor Lantern, in Ephraim just down the street from Wilson’s Ice Cream?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that’s where. I met Maxine and Mr. Manning and he got me a job there so I’d have a place to stay. There’s this nicest lady, Rose, who makes the best breakfasts.”
He still looked suspicious. “And what do you have to do for all this?”
“Just work. You know, make beds, wash dishes, and…”
“Peggy Sue. What about the manager? We owe him money.”
“I don’t know, Cletis. Mr. Manning said not to worry about him. Cletis, where are you?”
“I’m in Chicago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me where you were going? Why are you in Chicago?”
He twisted the cord around his finger. “I’m sorry, Peggy Sue. I came to get money. There’s this guy who owes me some.”
“Okay. Did you get it?”
“Well, not exactly.”
“That’s okay. You can live here, too. And I have a job to pay for it. We can be happy, like we talked about in Tennessee. When are you coming back?”
“I’m not sure. Soon. I have some business to take care of.”
“Okay. But please hurry.”
“Sure thing, Peggy Sue. Goodbye.”
“Bye, Cletis.”
He untwisted the cord and hung up. He looked down at the table and played with the cord for several minutes before he spoke.
“Why did you do all that for her?”
“Because she needed help. So do you, Cletis.”
“What did she mean, you said not to worry about the manager?”
“I paid your rent. Peggy Sue will pay me back. You can pay me back.”
He tossed the cord at the phone. “Not if I’m in jail.”
“I can’t help if you don’t talk to me.” I tried to sound reassuring.
His eyes darted around the room and then settled on the table. “There were some things I was doing.”
I looked at him and asked myself if I would be talking like he was about to. The answer was no. I would have asked for a lawyer a long time ago.
“Cletis, excuse me for a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”
He just looked at me like he didn’t have a choice.
I switched with the officer again and let myself into the room where Rosie was watching.
“You’re doing great, Spencer. You were sure right about the phone call.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t feel so good about being right. He needs a lawyer.”
“He already refused.”
I nodded. “Yes, he did. And I sure want to hear what he has to say. But I’m pretty sure I just talked him into a jail cell.”
“We can make him state’s witness and grant him immunity.”
“Well, we can’t. But it could be done—depending on what he’s involved in. I’m not going to take a chance on what he has to say landing him in jail.”
“Those damn morals.”
“There is a way.”
She cocked her head and raised a hand, palm up. “And that is?”
“Ben.”
“Ben. Call him.”
I did. And then I called home—still no calls from the kidnapper.
Chapter 29
According to Ben, he was now leading the good life without responsibilities or a committed relationship. But there were a few times I had convinced him to put on a suit. After a brief explanation about the Cletis situation, he said he’d take on Cletis as a client, listen to what he had to say, and give me an opinion about the guy’s exposure. I took him out for a few beers Friday night.
We got the required Cubs talk out of the way. As usual, they looked good on paper but not so good on the field. We switched to Cletis over the second round.
“Run the confused paintings by me again.” He tossed a handful of peanuts into his mouth. “I’m confused.” He smiled.
I made patterns in the sweat on the side of the bottle with my finger. “Understandable. Join the club. Kathleen had a favorite painting, Blue and Green. The gallery in Chicago had been trying to buy it, but she wouldn’t sell. The frame shop in Fish Creek acts as an intermediary between Kathleen and the Simmons Gallery in Chicago. They pick up…”
“Why didn’t she deal directly with the gallery?”
“I was going to ask her that, but…” I took a drink. “I did ask her brother. All he could say was that’s how her father did it.”
“And why did her father do it?”
I glared at him.
He looked amused. “You’re no fun to play with. So when her father died, they made the same deal with Kathleen?”
“Yup.”
“She inherited her father’s talent?”
“Hardly. I’ve been thinking about that. I’m thinking they didn’t care about the paintings, but about the process.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning both her father and Kathleen provided something someone needed. It was just an added benefit that her father’s work was good.”
“And what was it they needed?”
I shook my head and finished the second beer. “Don’t know. And the two people who might know are dead.”
Ben took a drink and swirled what was left in the bottom. “You’re hoping another person might be Cletis.”
“Yup. He says he was involved in something.”
“So what about the confusion?”
“The gallery made out a list of paintings they wanted. On that list was a painting called Green and Blue. The frame shop woul
d get the paintings on the list, frame them, and ship them to Chicago. Cletis picked up thirteen paintings two Saturdays ago when Kathleen wasn’t there and grabbed a wrong painting, Blue and Green. But a Green and Blue was the one on the list. I asked Gunderson about it and he said he just figured the kid had made a mistake and was confused by the similar names. But both Green and Blue and Blue and Green were gone.”
“Did Gunderson check the paintings before they were shipped?”
“No. Cletis did all the framing. Gunderson had no reason to think the paintings were wrong.”
“Okay. So just an honest mistake.”
“Seems so. But Kathleen wanted her favorite painting back. Knowing Kathleen, she thought the gallery was trying to steal it from her. The employee at Simmons, Tony, says he saw her walking out with a painting on Wednesday. He says it was Harbor Nights. But when the curator of the gallery took an inventory of what was shipped, all thirteen were there. And Blue and Green wasn’t on the manifest.”
Ben looked confused. I couldn’t blame him. “So, if all thirteen were there… what did she take?”
I shrugged. “Vitale and Bloom are sticking to their story of Kathleen taking Harbor Nights. But we just have Vitale’s word that she even took anything, much less what it was. And Bloom didn’t see anything. Maybe Cletis was confused and made an honest mistake and fourteen paintings were sent to Chicago. Kathleen took her painting and that left the correct amount of thirteen.”
“Sounds plausible. So why did Lonnigan and Steele go after her?”
“Because when the gallery started to display the paintings the next day, one was missing—Harbor Nights. The curator assumed that was what was taken by Kathleen.”
“But they counted thirteen the day before.”
“Yes. Curious. Bloom said they miscounted. All he knew was there was a missing painting.”
“Had he checked the names against the shipping list the day before?”
“No. Just counted them.”
“I need another beer.”
I caught the bartender’s attention and held up two fingers.
Ben asked, “Both paintings are still missing?”
I nodded.
“Does Door County want Cletis for the murder?”
“Well, they want to question him. They’re sending someone to get him tomorrow. But he’s got a good alibi.”
“Sure. I’ve heard that before.”
“His’ll be checked, but it’s good. He and his girlfriend, Peggy Sue, took the car to Washington Island for the day. The ferry got them back at five. Time of death is between three and five.”
Ben tilted the bottle up and grabbed some more peanuts. “Something’s bothering me. If he was killed then, why were you the one to find him, especially with the door unlocked? Lotsa people up there in the summer. Why didn’t a customer find the body?”
“Tourists aren’t his customers. Gunderson did framing for clients. And the shop is at the outer edge of the shopping district. Most people don’t get down that far.” I thought about the door. “Here’s what I think happened. Whoever killed Gunderson walked in while the shop was open and then locked the door on the way out. Then Cletis unlocked the door, let himself in, found Gunderson, and left in a hurry without locking the door which was unlocked when I got there.”
Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “This is giving me a headache, but that does explain it. Well, sounds to me like Cletis is in the clear. No one is going to pursue the boat charge and he has an alibi for the murder—at least that one.”
I looked up at him. “And it might just be a matter of time before they ask him about the other one. Kathleen was probably put in the water from a boat and Cletis had a boat. But I’m guessing the same person is responsible for both, and Cletis didn’t kill Gunderson.”
“Makes sense. Okay, I could use a break. I’ll run up to Door tomorrow and take care of Cletis. I don’t see them holding him. If all goes well, you can have a chat with him.”
I raised my glass in Ben’s direction and then finished what was left.
“Think you can find me a room?” he asked with a smile.
“I’ll make a call.”
Chapter 30
Lieutenant Powolski requested that I spend the weekend at home in case there was a call. He offered to come over Saturday afternoon and play gin and watch the Cubs. This time I complied. Steele showed up at one and told me he had the afternoon shift. I warned him about Stosh’s visit. He was less than thrilled. I let him get settled before I asked him about Iverson.
“I hear you spent some time with Iverson.”
A wistful look faded quickly. “We were beat cops a long time ago. I hear he made it to the top.”
“I guess, if you consider a two-man force that has to hand things off to the sheriff the top.”
“Well, there is that chief in front of his name.”
I got out the cards and set up the card table. “He wasn’t too friendly.”
“I’m not surprised,” he said with a wide grin.
“Why?”
“There was an incident. He was pretty much thrown under the bus to save some brass ass. Completely screwed. He had to bend over and take it and he wasn’t happy. When he got the chance to move up the ladder it was in Milwaukee. He was happy to leave.”
“So a small town is perfect.”
“Yup.”
I chuckled. “I bet he got a big kick out of you guys losing a prisoner.”
He smiled. “I bet he did.”
“You have lunch?”
“I did. But I could still be hungry.”
“Okay, I’ll scare up some sandwiches.” I walked toward the kitchen.
“Hey, P.I.”
“Yeah?”
“That incident with Iverson? The brass backed up a P.I. who was a friend of the captain. They took his word instead of Iverson’s.”
Nice.
Lieutenant Powolski showed up at a quarter to two, put a six pack of Schlitz in the fridge, and then briefed me on what to say if the kidnapper called.
The phone rang a few minutes later. Steele got ready and pointed. It was Ben.
***
Hey, Spencer. The county sheriff is holding Cletis till Monday when the sheriff gets back from a seminar in Milwaukee. Cletis can’t make bail—$20,000. You want to post it?”
“No. Won’t hurt him to sit for a couple days. And he’s safe in there. You talk to him?”
“Yes. Same story. I told him I thought he wouldn’t be charged if the alibi checks out. Ephraim police are checking the ferry records.”
“That would be Paul—a cousin of Kathleen. Have you met him?”
“No. Maybe I’ll stop by there Monday.”
“Did you ask Cletis about what he was involved in?”
“No. All I want to know about is what’s pertinent to these two cases. I’ll leave that to you once he’s released.”
“Okay. How’s the room?”
“Wonderful. Cherry pie baking as we speak.”
“I’ll dream about it.”
“When are you coming?”
“I’ll leave Monday morning if all goes well.”
“Okay. Let’s meet here. Hopefully Cletis will be out by then. Hey. Do you know his last name has three Ds?”
“Yup. Unique.”
“Odd. See ya.”
I hung up and brought two beers to the card table. I was tired of explaining Cletis’ name. The Cubs and Cards were in the second with no score. The phone rang again a half hour later. Steele got ready.
“Hello.”
“Manning?”
“Yup. Who’s this?”
“I ask the questions. Have you decided to be helpful yet?”
Stosh watched with apprehension.
“I don’t do anything till I know the girl is okay.”
“She is.”
“Pardon me if I don’t take your word for that. I want to talk to her.”
“She’s not here.”
“Where is she?”
It was worth a shot.
“Not here, big shot.”
“Well, then we’re at an impasse.”
“A what?”
I sighed. “I evidently have something you want. But if I can’t talk to her, I’m not talking.”
He was silent for a few seconds. I looked at Steele. He looked hopeful.
“Be there at eight tonight.” And he hung up.
“Shit!” said Steele. He took off the headset and banged it on the table. “Just a few more seconds.”
Stosh was dealing the cards. “I think it’s a pretty good assumption that the murders and the kidnapping are the same guy. Pretty sloppy. This isn’t someone who knows what he’s doing.”
I agreed. “Not good for Pitcher. He’s already killed twice.”
“Yeah, but probably by mistake. Killing them didn’t get him anything. If it had, he wouldn’t have taken Pitcher.”
“Had any luck following up on her?”
He spread his cards. “Not much. The guy who knocked on the door evidently had a good enough story to get her to open the door. Her purse, with her badge inside, was left on her dresser. The purse wasn’t open so maybe the guy doesn’t know she’s a cop.”
“Nothing from the neighbor?”
“Nope.”
“Maybe another trip to Simmons,” I suggested.
“We’ve been there several times. Either they know nothing or they’re good at playing dumb.” He finished his beer. “I think the key is up in Door. That’s where the murders have occurred and places have been trashed.”
I picked a card. “You staying?”
“Yup. We’ll order some pizza for dinner. Gin.” He was ahead by a buck eighty.
***
The closer it got to eight, the more nervous I got, and the grumpier Stosh got. The phone didn’t ring at eight. And it hadn’t rung by ten when Stosh left and Steele’s relief showed up. I talked him into a game of gin and won back my buck eighty.
Chapter 31
Every policeman in the city and the suburbs was keeping a lookout for Pitcher and they had nothing. Two problems with amateurs—they were dangerous and they weren’t predictable. Stosh was concerned because they hadn’t called. I figured they just didn’t know what to do or were arguing about what to do. That could be good and it could be bad. As long as they thought I had what they wanted, Pitcher would be safe.