Vi Agra Falls

by Mary Daheim

  Judith willed herself not to sound too disappointed. “Where was he going?”

  “I don’t know,” Woody replied.

  “I do,” Judith said, seeing the Aston Martin pull into view. “Billy just arrived. Did Mercedes and Darnell ask him about Terri?”

  “Yes. He said he hadn’t seen her in the last hour or so. They didn’t feel they could press the matter,” Woody explained, “but Billy insisted they check the trunk. It was empty except for an unopened half-rack of Corona beer. He seemed to think it was all a big joke. He told them he’d been buying beer at the grocery store at the bottom of the hill.”

  “Okay,” Judith said, standing with Renie by the Ericsons’ house and watching Billy open the trunk to remove the half-rack. “I’m going to play neighbor now. Keep in touch?”

  Woody promised he would, though Judith didn’t hold out much hope that he could discover Terri’s whereabouts.

  She turned her attention to Herself’s current husband. “Billy!” she called. “That’s some hot car you’ve got!”

  He looked over his shoulder. “Yeah, custom-built. It’s loaded.”

  Judith moved a few steps closer. “Have you taken it out on the highway?”

  “Not here,” Billy replied, hoisting the half-rack onto his shoulder. “I took it for a spin on I-10 to I-95 in Florida. Sweet ride all the way.”

  Judith reached the Busses’ garden gate. “How did Terri like it?”

  “I dunno.” Billy ascended the porch steps two at a time. “Ask her.” He went inside and closed the door.

  Renie joined Judith. “Is he as dumb as he seems?”

  “I think so,” Judith said, “but you can be dumb and dangerous.”

  “Oh, yes.” Renie glanced up at the low-lying gray clouds. “If we stand here long enough, I won’t have to take a bath tonight.”

  Judith sighed. “We might as well go back to the house.”

  “Good,” Renie said, glancing at her watch. “I’m late for Clarence’s tucking in.”

  “Okay.” Judith’s response was vague. She strolled aimlessly along the sidewalk toward the through street after Renie had headed for the garage. Daylight was fading fast. The streetlights were on, turning the pavement in the cul-de-sac to glossy black. Judith gazed from house to house, trying to find comfort in the familiar nook that was her home. But there was blight in her surroundings. Mrs. Swanson’s house already looked abandoned, an empty shell that would soon be gone, along with Vivian’s bungalow. In their place a hulking concrete edifice would rise, not like a phoenix, but an eyesore.

  “It’s wrong,” Judith said to herself. “All wrong.” This part of Heraldsgate Hill was a family neighborhood in the truest sense. The Catholics, the Jews, the Protestants, the African-Americans, the Japanese-born widow, had all lived in harmony for many years. They were friends as well as neighbors. There was nothing inherently wrong with people who lived in condominiums. But that wasn’t what Judith’s small, usually comfortable world was all about. Four generations of Grovers had lived in what had become Hillside Manor. Judith couldn’t imagine being squeezed out by the grandiose plans of a misfit such as Vivian Flynn. It simply wasn’t right.

  Vivian Flynn, she thought, and felt a sudden jolt of realization. It wasn’t just Herself’s plans that didn’t fit, it was the murder case itself. I’m the one who’s been wrong, she thought. My usual logic has been there all along, but I haven’t accepted my conclusions. I have to start at the beginning.

  But how, she wondered as she walked briskly back to Hillside Manor. And how could she help Terri? Assuming, she thought dismally, that Terri wasn’t already beyond help. She entered the front door at about the same time Renie came in through the back entrance. Caitlin was still sitting at the kitchen table, looking morose.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked.

  “Not exactly,” Judith replied. “Have you tried to call your father?”

  Caitlin shook her head. “It’s kind of late there, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, midnight.” Judith wandered from the kitchen table to the cupboards on the opposite side of the kitchen and back again. “Caitlin,” she said, leaning on the table, “did Terri give you any indication she wanted to move back to L.A.?”

  “No.” Caitlin crumpled a paper napkin and tossed it from hand to hand in a nervous manner. “I did wonder why she’d want to stay around here and be driven crazy by our mother, but she never mentioned pulling up stakes and going to California.”

  “That’s what I figured,” Judith said, and suddenly turned pale. “Good God, I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been!”

  Renie looked startled. “Huh? You mean by not helping me put Clarence to bed?”

  Judith dismissed Renie’s latest idiotic suggestion with a wave of her hand. “Aileen Rosenthal. I’ve got to call Woody and have him put me in touch with those neophyte detectives.”

  But when Judith phoned Woody, he wasn’t keen on the idea. “I’ve already overstepped the invisible line, Judith. The problem is that they’re young and inexperienced. They should never have been put on this case. They’re going by the book, trying to make sure they don’t jeopardize the investigation.”

  Judith hesitated, trying to help Woody help her. “Can you tell them I have fresh information?”

  “You do?”

  The hint of skepticism made Judith wince. She understood that he admired her detecting skills, but she also knew he was aware of her propensity to tell the occasional fib.

  “It’s something they know, too, but it doesn’t mean anything to them,” she explained. “It’s about the daughter who claimed the vic’s body. It’s very important that I find out how she surfaced and what she planned to do.”

  “You mean with the corpse?” Woody still sounded skeptical. “If this daughter got a release from the medical examiner, she probably shipped it to a funeral home wherever the dead guy came from or where she lives.”

  “That’s my point,” Judith asserted. “But what worries me most is that Terri’s still missing.”

  Woody expelled a heavy sigh. “Okay, I’ll try to reach Almquist and Griffin. They’re done for the day, but maybe I can use the gray hairs I’ve acquired to coax them with my aging wisdom and paternalistic approach. Mentoring, the higher-ups call it. Meddling is how the younger set describes it.”

  Judith thanked Woody again and hung up. Putting the phone on the counter, she sat down across from Caitlin. “I don’t like the waiting game,” Judith declared, fighting the old urge to bite her nails. “Not with Terri somewhere out there in the wind.”

  Caitlin had shredded the paper napkin and was picking up the pieces. “I feel useless. I had no idea how involved you got with these murder cases. I always thought Dad was just teasing you.”

  “Unfortunately,” Judith said, “he’s not.”

  Renie had left the kitchen while Judith was talking to Woody. She returned through the swinging half-doors, her expression ominous. “I thought I heard something outside,” she said, standing by the sink. “There’s another car over at Herself’s. I went out on the porch and heard raised voices, but I couldn’t see who was talking.”

  Judith started to get up from the chair, but the phone rang. She leaned sideways to grab the receiver, hoping it was Woody with encouraging news.

  “Hey, it’s your Georgia peach,” Joe said cheerfully. “How’s it going?”

  “Ah…great. Fine,” Judith lied, mouthing Joe’s name for the benefit of Renie and Caitlin. “How are you?”

  “Just about ready to wind things up here tomorrow,” Joe replied, “but don’t wait dinner. I probably won’t get in until fairly late.” His voice took on a more sober note. “I take it you’re keeping out of trouble?”

  “Absolutely.” Judith bolted out of the chair. “Renie and Caitlin and I are just chatting. Would you like to talk to your daughter?”

  “Sure, put her on,” Joe said. “Say, anything you’d like me to bring back from Atlanta?”

  “Ah…” Judith wa
s leaning so far across the table that she almost lost her balance. “No, not at the moment. Here’s Caitlin.” She shoved the phone at her stepdaughter, regained her balance, and followed Renie out to the front porch.

  All seemed quiet in the cul-de-sac.

  “Are you sure you heard something?” Judith asked.

  “Yes.” Renie pointed toward Vivian’s house. “The voices definitely came from over there. Mrs. Swanson’s house is vacant, and the Ericsons never make noise. In fact, I wasn’t sure they knew how to talk until about five years ago when I accidentally ran over their recycling bin.”

  “They are quiet,” Judith allowed. “They don’t have children. That can make for a more peaceful life.”

  “Yes.” Renie sighed. “Then, if they’re like my three, they get married and move far, far away, and you wish they were still under your roof, making noises like the mosh pit at a rock concert.”

  “I keep worrying that Mike will get transferred to some distant forest service job,” Judith said. “Look at Caitlin—she gets back here only once or—hey, is someone there on the sidewalk by Mrs. Swanson’s?”

  Renie peered toward the corner where the cul-de-sac joined the through street. “Yes. It’s a man. He’s pacing around. It looks like Mandrake Stokes.”

  “Let’s see what’s up with him,” Judith said, going down the steps. “Maybe he’s waiting for a cab.” Halfway across the cul-de-sac, she called his name. “Mr. Stokes! Do you need a ride?”

  Standing under the shelter of the maple tree in the parking strip, Mandrake Stokes looked startled. “A car is coming for me,” he replied stiffly. “I’m going to the airport.”

  The cousins reached the corner. “You must’ve finished your business here,” Judith remarked. “I hope it went well.”

  “It went nowhere,” Stokes replied through taut lips. “That’s why I’m going elsewhere. This was a wild goose chase.” He shook his head. “People are very odd.”

  “You’re referring to the Double UB ranch?” Judith inquired.

  “Of course.” Stokes peered at a pair of headlights coming along the street off Heraldsgate Avenue. “I’m a businessman, not an attorney,” he said hastily. “I am unable to sort through this ownership problem.” The car slowed down. “I believe this must be my ride.” He tipped his hat and walked swiftly to the rear passenger door. “Farewell, ladies,” he called as he got inside the car.

  Judith watched the vehicle make a wide turn to head down the southbound street. For a fleeting moment, she got a look at the car under the streetlight.

  “Oh, no!” she cried, digging the cell phone out of her pocket. “That’s not a hired car! It’s Herself’s lavender Bentley!”

  “So?” Renie said as Judith dialed the number she’d memorized for Mercedes and Darnell.

  “Give me a minute,” Judith shot back. “Darnell? It’s Judith Flynn. Where are you?”

  “By the firehouse on top of the hill,” he replied. “What’s up?”

  Judith quickly gave a description of the car, adding that it might not have a valid state license plate. “It’s the other car Mrs. Buss had shipped from Florida. I’ve no idea who’s driving, but they’re headed south from the B&B, and I think Mandrake Stokes may be in danger.”

  “Who?” Darnell sounded puzzled.

  “I’ll explain later. Just find that car and stop them, okay?”

  “If you say so,” Darnell responded.

  Grateful that Darnell and Mercedes took her seriously, Judith disconnected. “The patrol cops are by the fire station,” she said to Renie. “That’s only about six or seven blocks from here.”

  “Now we’ve got two kidnappings?” Renie said in disbelief.

  “Maybe.” Judith’s expression was grim. “Let’s hope that’s all we have. Why on earth didn’t I figure this out—” Her cell phone rang just as she was putting it back in her pocket.

  “Mrs. Flynn?” K. C. Griffin’s voice was brusque. “Detective Price asked me to call you. What kind of information do you have?”

  “More than I did when Woody talked to you,” Judith replied. “Could you stop by the B&B?”

  “Oh…” The policewoman sounded pained. “Can’t it wait?”

  “No. Is Almquist with you?”

  “Hardly. I’m home. I don’t let him near me after-hours. I mean—” Griffin made a vexed sound. “I separate my work from my private life.”

  “Then go back to work and get yourselves to Hillside Manor,” Judith retorted. “Please.”

  “This better be good,” Griffin said sourly, and hung up.

  “Mismatched partners,” Judith muttered. “Come on, let’s do our own surveillance of Vivian’s house.”

  “Good grief!” Renie looked mulish. “It’s after nine o’clock, it’s dark, it’s raining, and I want to watch the Upper Midwest Tractor Pull Competition on TV.”

  “No, you don’t,” Judith declared, cautiously opening the gate to Mrs. Swanson’s backyard. “We’ll get by the fence between the houses and stand under the plum tree. That way, we not only can see Vivian’s house, but anybody coming into the cul-de-sac.”

  “Like the guy from the booby hatch who’s going to put a net over your head?”

  “Keep your voice down,” Judith urged in a whisper. “The Busses may have some windows open.”

  “Okay, okay.” Renie sounded annoyed. “I don’t know what you’re going to see or hear, but—ow!” Grabbing her foot, she let loose with a string of obscenities.

  Judith turned around. “What is it?” she hissed.

  “I stepped on a rock,” Renie said, hopping up and down while rubbing her injured sole.

  “You’re barefoot!” Judith exclaimed, trying to keep her voice low.

  “It’s summer. Since when did I wear shoes in the summer except to drive?”

  “You are an idiot,” Judith murmured. “I hear music.”

  “Good for you,” Renie said, walking gingerly on the sore foot. “Are they playing our swan song?”

  “No, it’s big-band stuff,” Judith said, crouching down as far as she could against the plum tree’s trunk.

  Renie knelt beside Judith. “I hear it now. It’s pretty loud.”

  “A good thing, since you won’t lower your—” She stopped speaking as the music ended abruptly.

  Herself’s raised voice could be heard, railing at someone. “It makes not a damned bit of difference, you feebleminded moron! We’re still rich! Just keep your mouth shut!”

  A man spoke, but not loud enough for the cousins to hear what he said. “Billy?” Judith whispered.

  “Maybe.” Renie had finally softened her tone.

  “Just do as I say,” Vivian yelled. “Get your suitcase. You won’t need that much because we won’t…” The words faded away as she, too, spoke more quietly.

  Another woman’s voice interrupted. Again, the cousins couldn’t make out what she was saying. Judith hazarded a guess as to the speaker. “Adelita?”

  Before Renie could respond, a car pulled into the cul-de-sac. “The cops, I hope,” Judith murmured, standing up to see where the vehicle was stopping. “It’s another taxi,” she said, “pulling up in front of Herself’s. I wonder if Vivian and Billy are doing a bunk.”

  “I’m not going to guess why, since you won’t tell me,” Renie snapped, but crept closer to the sidewalk. Judith, who could only see the lighted sign on top of the cab, also moved away from the tree. Renie gestured at her. “Somebody’s getting out—a man and a woman.”

  Keeping a low profile, Judith reached the fence where Renie lurked by a jasmine shrub that grew on a wooden trellis. “Frankie and Marva Lou,” Judith whispered.

  “Obviously recovered from being poisoned,” Renie noted as the couple headed for Vivian’s porch, and the taxi drove away.

  “It all fits,” Judith said, more to herself than to Renie.

  “I heard that,” her cousin snapped. “If you’d tell me—” She shut up as Judith waved her into silence before scurrying back to the fenc
e between the two houses. Very faintly, the cousins heard the chimes play “How Dry I Am.” Twice. And a third time. Then there was pounding on the door, followed by Frankie bellowing to let them in.

  Judith and Renie could see Frankie and Marva Lou, but not who finally opened the door.

  “Stop playing games,” Marva Lou snarled.

  “No, no!” The voice belonged to Adelita. “It is wrong for you to—”

  The Busses entered, slamming the door behind them.

  “Where are those tecs?” Judith asked impatiently. It was starting to rain harder, and a breeze was blowing up from the bay. “Why haven’t I heard from Darnell and Mercedes? And where is Terri?”

  “Stop fussing,” Renie told her cousin, even as the din from inside the house grew more raucous. “Wow! They’re really going at it in there!”

  Judith cringed as she heard mostly unintelligible sounds from people hurling insults and threats. “Who’s on whose side?” she wondered out loud. “Frankie and Marva Lou are the visitors, so Vivian and Billy are the home team. Where does Adelita fit in all this?”

  “I thought you knew all the answers,” Renie retorted sarcastically.

  “Not all,” Judith said candidly. “In fact, I just thought of something that may or may not fit. The four-way stop east of the center where Billy got cited for running the arterial is by those motels, right?

  “Yes. Some kind of residence hotel on one corner, a gas station and a convenience store on another, and two motels on the south side of the east-west street. A Slumber Coach and the Travel Inn.” Renie winced at the sound of glass breaking inside the Busses’ house. “Hey, hasn’t Terri been staying at the Travel Inn?”

  “Exactly,” Judith said. “I wonder why Billy was in the vicinity. It seems strange that—” She gave a start as the garden gate creaked. Turning slightly, she saw a hooded figure moving stealthily toward their stakeout. “Don’t look, don’t move, don’t breathe,” Judith whispered. “I think we have a problem.”