by D P Lyle
Sam recalled the odor that surrounded the man who ran over her in the alley outside Varney’s. “What kind of smell?”
“Awful,” Debbie said, wrinkling her nose. “Musty. Like a dirty animal cage. You know...at the zoo.”
Kurt nodded his agreement. “I hadn’t put it together like that, but that’s exactly what it smelled like.”
“And its breathing was all raspy,” Debbie said. She wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. “Look at me. I’m crying like a baby.”
Kurt tightened his arm around her. “It’s OK. I was scared, too.”
“How close were you?” Sam asked.
“A hundred, hundred and fifty feet,” Kurt said. “Closer than I wanted to be.”
“And it remained hidden in the trees?”
Kurt nodded.
“So, you never got a good look at it.” Sam said.
“No,” Kurt said. “It stayed in the shadows like it didn’t want us to see it.”
Chapter 17
Sam woke to the sound of voices and car doors clicking open and slamming closed outside her window. She stretched, her body stiff from yesterday’s horseback ride and her own restless night.
She had slept poorly, tossing and turning, dreaming of large hairy beasts. Beasts that possessed bear-like teeth and humanoid hands, that seemed to melt from sight into the forest’s deep shadows at will, only to reappear and pursue her once again. Like some animated Rorschach blotch. Every direction she ran led her into even more densely packed trees, which slapped against her skin, raising painful red welts, and clutched at her clothing, preventing her escape.
At least the Kendalls had slept through the night. She hadn’t heard a peep or a squeak or a moan from them.
Another car door slammed.
She rolled out of bed, walked to the window, pushed the curtain back, and looked out. Kurt hefted a suitcase into the trunk of their car.
The Kendalls were leaving? She was sure they had said they were staying until Wednesday.
Sam shimmied into her jeans, pulled on a tee shirt and her jogging shoes, and headed out the front door. Kurt and Debbie were standing by their car, talking with Alyss. They looked up.
“You guys heading out?” Sam asked.
“Yeah,” Debbie said, casting a glance at Kurt. “Off to Aspen.”
“I thought you were staying another day,” Sam said.
“We were.” Kurt offered a nervous smile. “But, we’re meeting some of our friends there this afternoon.” He looked at Alyss. “As I said, we’ll be happy to pay for the night.”
“No, you won’t,” Alyss said. “It’s your honeymoon. Go have fun with your friends.”
Sam stepped closer to the couple. “Does this have anything to do with what happened yesterday?”
Kurt started to shake his head, but Debbie spoke. “Yes. I’m sorry. I’m scared. This is my fault. I told Kurt I just couldn’t stay here any longer.”
“It’s OK,” Alyss said.
Sam gave her a sympathetic smile and then turned to Kurt. “Have you thought anymore about what you saw yesterday?” Sam said.
“Sure,” Kurt said.
“And?” Sam asked.
“We don’t think it was a bear. And it wasn’t a man. At least not any man we’ve ever seen.”
Debbie grabbed her husband’s hand and inched closer to him. He slipped an arm around her.
“You said the person or thing you saw walked upright. But, how?”
Kurt gave her a quizzical look.
“Did it walk completely upright or somewhat hunched over?”
Kurt glanced at Debbie and then back to Sam. “It didn’t drag its knuckles on the ground, if that’s what you mean.” He smiled. “But yeah, its shoulders were forward and its head seemed to hang low. Of course, we only saw its shadow. Never got a good look.”
“Shuffling?” Sam asked.
Kurt shook his head. “Not exactly. Kind of a broad, almost bow-legged walk. But, it didn’t lumber along. Seemed to move pretty fast when it wanted to.”
Debbie nodded in agreement and looked at Sam. “What do you think it was?”
Sam shrugged. She considered telling them about her alleyway encounter outside Varney’s, but decided not to add to their fears. “No clue.”
The Kendalls said their goodbyes, got in their car, and drove away.
“I’m sorry,” Sam said.
“For what?”
“Your first guests. Leaving this way.”
“Not good for business, is it?” Alyss said.
Sam laughed. “Not unless you market Gold Creek as the home of Big Foot. Then, every nut in the country would line up to stay here.”
“That’s a thought. Maybe I could get Nathan to do a story on it.” Alyss locked her arm with Sam’s. “Coffee?” she asked as she steered her up the steps and into the house.
“Absolutely.”
After pouring Sam a cup of coffee, Alyss began filling two baskets with muffins.
“What are you doing?” Sam asked.
“Muffins for Louise Varney and Mama Rose. Shelby and I are going to run them into town. Want to join us?”
“Sure. Let me get dressed.”
Sam went to her room and quickly washed her face and changed her shirt. She carried her coffee cup back to the kitchen and rinsed it in the sink.
Alyss yelled down the hall to Shelby that they were ready to go. She looked at Sam and asked, “What do you think they saw?”
“It wasn’t a bear and it wasn’t Billy. Billy walks very upright. Leads with his chest.”
“Then, who was it?”
Sam blew a strand of hair away from her face. “The same person that killed Lloyd Varney and ran over me the other night.”
“So, you believe it was a he and not an it?”
Sam frowned. “Of course. There are no its.”
“True. But, I thought that Billy Bear was the prime suspect?”
“Not to me,” Sam said.
“Just to Chief Wade, huh?”
Sam shrugged. “Wade’s just doing what any cop would do. Collecting evidence and narrowing the list of possible suspects. Of course, he seems to have narrowed that list to one.”
“And he could be right.”
“Possible. But, I don’t think so.” Sam slipped on her jacket. “Of course, Wade may have evidence that I don’t know about.”
*
While Shelby headed next door to Mama Rose’s to get a table, Sam and Alyss walked into Varney’s. Louise looked up from the papers spread on the counter before her. “Good morning,” she said.
Alyss held one of the baskets toward her. “I made these for you.”
Louise took the basket and peeled back the cover cloth. “Hmm. They smell wonderful.” She picked up one of the muffins, broke off a piece, and took a bite. “Delicious. But I can’t eat all of these.”
“Share them with your customers,” Alyss said.
“I will. This is very kind.”
“My pleasure. I have some for Mama Rose, too,” Alyss said. “I’d better get them over to her before they get cold.”
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Sam said.
Alyss headed out the door with a wave.
Louise appeared tired, empty. Lines of strain etched her face and her eyes appeared flat as if all emotion had bled from them. Sam remembered how she herself had looked after caring for her mother during her mother’s half-year battle with cancer.
“Do you mind if I ask a couple of questions?” Sam said.
“Of course not.”
“Chief Wade mentioned you had had several break-ins.”
“That’s right. Four times during the past six weeks. Counting this last one.”
“Always Saturday night?”
“Yes.”
“And you don’t open on Sundays until after noon?”
“Lloyd figured the thief must have known that. Gave him more time until the thefts would be noticed.”
“Which means it
’s probably someone local.”
“Except, our hours are posted on the door,” Louise said.
“Still four B and E’s over six weeks would not be someone just passing through.”
“Probably not,” Louise said.
“What was taken?” Sam asked.
Louise led her to Lloyd’s desk near the side door. She pulled open the lower right drawer. “Lloyd kept a list. He was going to file an insurance claim, but hadn’t gotten around to it.” She shuffled through a stack of papers. “It’s here somewhere.” She extracted a single page from the stack. “Here it is.” Sam noticed Louise’s hand was shaking as she stared at the page.
“You OK?” Sam asked.
Louise released a heavy sigh. “Seeing his handwriting. I still can’t believe this.” Tears moistened the corners of her eyes. “All this because he tried to prevent a few meaningless thefts. A stupid waste.”
Sam laid a hand on Louise’s shoulder. “I can look at this another time.”
“No. I’m OK.” Louise handed her the sheet of paper.
The page contained a long list, hand-written in neat block printing, indicating items taken on specified dates.
April 28
Jeans--size 36
Flannel Shirts--2--size XL
Wool Socks--3 pairs
Parka--Green--size XL
Canned Hams--2
Crackers--2 Boxes
Cheese--2 -1 lb. blocks
Tuna--6 cans
Bread--2 Loafs
Wool Blanket--1
Sleeping Bag--1
Boots--Size 10
Matches--2 large boxes
Can Opener
Hunting Knife
Gloves
Backpack
May 12
Jean--Size 40
Gas Lamp--1
Hatchet
Tarpaulin--20’X20’
Canned Hams--3
Cheese--3-1 lb. Blocks
Crackers--4 boxes
Tuna--6 cans
Olives--2 jars
Flashlight--1
Batteries--8 packages
Hunting Cap--1
Lighters--2
May 26
Jeans--Size 44--2 pairs
Flannel Shirts--2--Size XXL
Wool Sweaters—2--Size XXL
Tuna--8 cans
Canned Hams--6
Crackers--4 Boxes
Cheese—8-1 lb. Blocks
Wool Socks--3 pairs
Boots--Size 12
“Every two weeks,” Sam said.
“That’s why Lloyd was sure the thief would return this past Saturday night.”
“What was taken this time?” Sam asked. She couldn’t remember if the man that ran over her had anything in his hands or not. All she saw was a big shoulder and then stars before her eyes.
“Not much. He apparently high tailed it after you surprised him. He took some food things and a jacket. A canvas bag and a folding shovel.” She furrowed her brow in concentration. “And boots. I think that’s it.”
“What size was the jacket?” Sam asked.
“Extra Extra Large.”
“And the boots were 14’s?”
“That’s right. They were for Billy. Just came in a couple of days earlier.”
Sam looked over the list again. Shirts, pants, jackets, boots. Different sizes. Could there be more than one killer? She shook her head.
“What is it?” Louise asked.
“Maybe nothing,” Sam said. “With the clothes being of varying sizes, it raises the possibility that there was more than one person involved. And the food.” Sam pointed to the list. “That’s a lot of ham and cheese for just one person.”
“I never thought of that,” Louise said.
“Whoever he or they were, it looks like they’re equipped for camping.”
“That’s what Lloyd said. Of course, they could be selling the stuff.”
Sam nodded.
“Maybe for drug money?”
“Drugs a big problem around here?”
“No. But, I see it on the news. Addicts breaking into businesses, people’s homes, stealing stuff. I guess it could happen here, too.
“Yes, it could,” Sam said. “Thanks, Louise. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do for you?”
“Other than helping Wade find out who did this, no.”
Sam handed her the list. “I’ll see you later.”
As she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she ran headlong into Billy, nearly falling from the impact. His thick fingers wrapped around her upper arm, holding her upright.
“Sorry,” he said.
“No. I wasn’t looking where I was going,” Sam said. She looked up at him. “Mind if I ask you something?”
He shrugged, but said nothing.
“Were you up in the hills late yesterday afternoon?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you see anyone? A young couple?”
“Nope. Not a soul. Why?”
“The Kendalls, the honeymooners that were staying at Alyss’ inn, saw someone, or something, up there. Whatever it was, it scared the hell out of them.”
“Someone or something?” he said, emphasizing the last word.
“They were pretty spooked.”
His eyes narrowed. “And you thought that might be me, huh?”
Sam laughed. “Well, you scared the hell out of me the other day. At first.”
His face softened. “Well, I didn’t see them. Or anyone else.” His brow wrinkled. “What’d this person look like?”
“Big and hairy was all they could say.” She detected a look of concern in his eyes. “You know anybody like that?”
He glanced up the street, down toward his boots, and then back at her. He smiled. “You mean, except for me?”
“Or maybe whoever it was that killed that deer you told me about.”
“I figure that was a hunter who’s long gone by now.”
Sam sensed that he knew more than he was willing to say. But what? “You sure?”
“I know these hills pretty well. If someone was up there, I’d know it.”
“But, you didn’t see the Kendalls,” Sam said. “And they weren’t trying to hide or anything. Merely hiking around.”
“If they’d stayed up there long enough, I’d have run across them.”
“I guess you’re right,” she said. “I’m on my way to Mama Rose’s for breakfast with Alyss and Shelby. Want to join us?”
“Thanks, but I’ve got some things to take care of for Louise.”
“Well, if you change your mind, we’ll be there. Bring Louise if she wants.”
Chapter 18
Sam entered Mama Rose’s greeted by an array of wonderful aromas, bacon, coffee, and fresh biscuits immediately recognizable. The decor was decidedly French with peach walls, dark green crown molding and wainscoting, and starched white tablecloths, each centered with a flower-filled vase. Most of the fifteen or so tables were occupied. It seemed as if the clatter of forks and knives dimmed and every head turned toward her as she stood near the door and scanned the room. Alyss waved to her from a table near the back.
A young black man approached. He wore snug jeans, a pink shirt, and a diamond stud in one ear, his walk somewhere between a runway model and a ballet dancer. As he led the way to where Alyss and Shelby sat, Sam felt curious eyes follow her.
Alyss made the introductions. “This is Don Dinsmore. He’s one third of this operation. And, this is my good friend Sam Cody.”
Don offered a soft handshake and then held her chair as she sat. “Are you just visiting or are you moving here, too?”
“Visiting for a couple of weeks,” Sam said.
“From where?”
“California.”
“LA?”
“No. Mercer’s Corner. In the high desert.”
“Jared and I tried LA once,” he said. “When we left Shreveport. Hated it. So did Mama Rose so we came here.”
“Mama Rose is Don’s grand
mother,” Alyss explained. “She’s responsible for the wonderful food here.”
Don wagged his head back and forth and rolled his eyes. “Not if you listen to Jared. He’s such a bitch sometimes. He’s back there,” he nodded his head toward the kitchen, “messing with Mama Rose’s French Toast recipe. She’s going to brain him someday, I swear.” He shook his head. “I’ll get you some menus.”
“He’s a trip,” Sam said after he walked away.
“Wait until you meet Jared. He’s gorgeous, too.”
“I take it they’re an item?” Sam asked.
Alyss nodded. “And they bicker like a married couple.”
Don returned with the menus and a pot of coffee. “Coffee?”
“Sure,” Sam said. Alyss nodded, too.
He filled their cups and looked at Shelby. “And what would you like?”
“Coffee,” she said.
“Are you old enough?” he grinned.
Shelby frowned and then laughed, obviously realizing he was teasing her. “I’m seventeen. In LA, that’s old enough for anything.”
Sam noticed Alyss’ slight intake of breath.
Don poured her coffee, then paused, looked at Sam. “You’re the one that found Mr. Varney.”
“News travels fast around here,” Sam said.
“Oh,” Don said, placing the coffee pot on the table. “Tell me what happened.” He snatched a chair from a nearby table, scooted it near Sam, and sat down. One leg fell easily over the other and he clasped his hands over one knee.
Sam told him of her experience the night of Lloyd’s murder.
Don concentrated on her every word, eyes wide, mouth slack. “I can’t believe you just walked in there. After those gunshots and with a dead body.”
Sam laughed. “I didn’t know anyone was dead. Of course, having my own gun helped.”
Don’s eyes narrowed. “Are you a cop or something?”
Sam nodded
“And she has a knack for finding trouble,” Alyss said.
Sam threw a frown at her.
Don fiddled with his collar. “I just can’t believe it. Mr. Varney was such a sweet man. It’s just awful.” His leaned toward Sam and spoke low as if telling a secret. “This kind of thing just doesn’t happen around here.”
“So I hear,” Sam said.
“And Lloyd of all people. He’s like the heart and soul of the town.” He looked down. “Or was.”