Murder in Calico Gold: A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  “I agree,” Julia said. “I’ll just tell them it was very sad that Grandpa and Dad found a man who had died when they were on their walk this morning. That should satisfy them. I think they’re far more interested in Missy and Sam. When I get them dressed, I’ll mention it, which it’s about time to do right now.”

  “Julia, Brad, I’ll clean up while you’re getting the girls ready. Mike, why don’t you take a shower, and I’ll be up in a few minutes to get dressed,” Kelly said.

  “Thanks, there’s something about death that always makes me feel unclean, but you know that,” Mike said.

  “Yes, exactly why I suggested it. I suppose the silver lining is that you don’t have to get into some sort of confrontation trying to get Gary to leave the shack.”

  “No, he took care of that for me,” Mike said, as he started to walk up the stairs.

  This will keep the town gossips busy for a while, Kelly thought. Another death here at the ranch, and we still don’t know who killed Aunt Agnes. That’s got to be the NMOT for me to do once her funeral is over. I might even have time to get to the art gallery late this afternoon and see if I can get a copy of Daniel’s handwriting. If not, I definitely need to do it first thing in the morning.

  CHAPTER 22

  “Mike, just a few more hours, and this will all be behind you. I want you to know I’m right here for you. You’re not going through this alone,” Kelly said, kissing him lightly on the cheek as they got ready to go downstairs and meet the rest of the family.

  “Thanks, sweetheart. It’s just that I’ve been flooded with a lot of childhood memories from the past. I can’t help but think that this is the end of line for the Reynolds branch of the family. I’m the last one, and I don’t have any children. There’s no one left after me. One way or another at some point in time this beautiful old ranch will fall into the hands of someone other than a family member. I’ve never thought about it before, but now I feel like I’ve let everyone down. It’s so sad to think that my aunt loved this town and this ranch so much she was willing to fight to protect it and then was murdered, possibly because of her love for the town and the ranch. I really don’t know what to do. I’m almost overwhelmed by the whole situation.”

  “Remember what you told me earlier about the NMOT. Right now the next most obvious thing is getting you through this funeral, and Mike, you’re the one who’s usually very pragmatic. You, more than anyone else, should know this will all be resolved in time, and I guarantee you it will be for the best. I believe that, and I hope you will too.”

  “Ah, Kelly, what would I do without you? I don’t say it often enough, but there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you.”

  “Sheriff, the pleasure is all mine, but I’ll be just as glad as you will when this is all over.”

  *****

  The minister had told them to meet him in his office, so they could enter the front pew from the side of the church rather than having to walk down the aisle.

  As Kelly walked beside Mike to take her seat, she quickly glanced towards the rear of the church. It was completely filled, and people were standing along the sides and at the rear.

  I don’t know if this is because Aunt Agnes was so highly regarded or because two deaths took place in two days on her property. I’m going for the high road here and hope it’s the former.

  Kelly thought the service was lovely, from the warm off-the-cuff talk the minister gave about the life of Agnes Johnson to the ending hymn, Amazing Grace, which was sung beautifully by a member of the church choir. The family left the church by the back entrance and quietly got into Brad’s van. Kelly put her hand on Mike’s as he looked out the window on the drive back to the ranch, doing his best to fight back tears for the loss of his beloved Aunt Agnes. No one spoke during the short drive. Ella and Olivia were uncommonly quiet, sensing the solemnness of what had occurred at the church.

  Several of the ladies from the church had come to the house just as the family was leaving for the funeral. They told Mike they were sure his aunt would understand why they weren’t at the funeral, and that they needed to get ready for the people who would be coming to the ranch after the funeral. When they drove down the lane on their return to the Robertson House, Kelly and Mike noticed that several more cars were there. Fortunately with a ranch as large as the Robertson Ranch, parking wasn’t a problem.

  Kelly walked into the kitchen and introduced herself to the women she hadn’t met. “Thank you all so much for doing this. You’ve done a beautiful job, and the lemonade is a perfect choice for a warm day like today. I have no idea how many people will show up, but be forewarned, the church was standing room only.”

  “Honey,” the large woman with the apron tied around her generous midsection said, “you can plan on just about everybody in town coming. News of the second death makes this the place to be today. This town has never had a murder before, and I don’t remember ever hearing about a suicide. Yes, this is where it’s at today.

  “We’ve got a load of food here, but I just hope it’s enough. When this is over, your face is going to hurt from smiling, and your hand is going to hurt from shaking everybody else’s hand. Better get ready. Looks like the first ones are coming up the lane as I speak. By the way, I make a cake for occasions like this that I call ‘The Big Smile Cake.’ I named it that because if nothing else, it brings a smile to people’s faces during tragic times, and we can all use a few happy faces on a sad day like today. I’m going to save a piece and put it in the refrigerator for you.”

  “I could use something to smile about. Knowing it’s in the refrigerator will help me make it through the next few hours. Thank you so much.”

  CHAPTER 23

  The first person Mike saw when he got back to the house after the funeral service was Ralph, the gas station owner he talked to when he’d first come to town. As soon as he stepped out of the van, Ralph quickly walked over to him.

  “Mike, sorry to intrude on yer’ privacy before everyone comes here from the funeral, but I really need to talk to ya’. I think it’s important.”

  Mike turned to Kelly and said, “Would you mind greeting the first people who get here? Ralph wants to talk to me. He says it’s important.”

  “Of course not.” She walked over to Ralph and extended her hand. “Hi, I’m Kelly, Mike’s wife. Thanks for coming. By the way, I love your gas station.” She turned away and introduced herself to the mourners who were beginning to arrive at the ranch.

  “Could we go out back and sit on the patio?” Ralph asked. “Agnes and I used to sit there when we were plannin’ what we were gonna talk ‘bout before each of our weekly meetins’. What I want to tell you’s private, so I’d jes’ as soon not have a lot of people breathin’ down my neck, and from the looks of the traffic coming up the lane, it’s going to get real crowded real soon.”

  “Of course. Follow me,” Mike said, as he walked through the house and out the sliding glass doors that led to the patio. He walked over to a small table that was hidden from the house by a large oak tree that the patio had been built around. When they were both seated, he looked at Ralph and said, “We can talk privately here.”

  “Mike, I knew yer’ aunt all my life. I’m only a few years younger than she was, and I was a good friend of yer’ uncle’s. I remember when they took the Robertson Ranch over from her parents. Max was a real environmentalist before anyone knew what the word meant, and Agnes was only ‘bout half a step behind him. When Max decided to do what they call nowadays, ‘live off the grid,’ she was all for it. They both had a real independent streak in them and wanted to be able to have everything they needed to live on available from the ranch, as best they could. Didn’t want to be beholden to the city of Calico Gold if they could help it. Course they couldn’t do much about electricity.”

  “When I used to come here as a child,” Mike said, “Aunt Agnes always told me never to rely on anyone else. She told me that was the reason she and Unc
le Max lived like they did with all of the plants and animals. I believe that was the reason they dammed up the stream.”

  “Yeah, I remember when they did it. John Wilson was madder than a hornet. His family had been gettin’ water from the stream on the Robertson Ranch ever since either ranch had been there. At the time he had a lot of underground water, so it wasn’t a real big deal, but he still didn’t like it. Mike, mind if I have a smoke? I’m a little nervous tellin’ you ‘bout this, and it’d make me feel better.”

  “No, go ahead. We’re outside, and I’m sure there will be others this afternoon who will step outside for a smoke.”

  Ralph lit a Camel cigarette and inhaled deeply. “Don’t know what ‘tis about these dang things that make me feel better, but they do. Okay, back to what I was jawin’ ‘bout. Max and John had an argument ‘bout dammin’ up the stream. Max told me ‘bout it and then a few days later, John was gassin’ up his pickup, and he tol’ me ‘bout it. I’m still the only gas station for miles around, so I hear things you wouldn’t believe.”

  “I’m sure you do. My wife has a small coffee shop in Cedar Bay, Oregon, where we live. Everyone comes to the coffee shop to find out the latest rumors. I imagine your gas station is about the same.”

  “That it is. Only other place around where people like to jaw is at Betty’s Salon. Between us we probably know everything that’s goin’ on in Calico Gold. Anyway that was a lot of years ago, but every time John comes to the station he still says somethin’ about that dam. Don’t think he and Max ever spoke to each other again. During the last few years with the drought and all, he’s gotten even angrier. Hear he’s afraid he’s gonna run out of water, and them cattle he’s got will all die. Agnes told me several times he’d offered her a lot of money for the ranch, but she’d promised Max she wouldn’t sell it, and she was bound and determined to keep that promise. Kind of surprised me, her being such an animal lover and all. Guess she had a blind spot when it came to that dam. Anyway that’s the background.”

  “Yes, she told me pretty much the same thing.”

  “Well, here’s what she didn’t tell ya’,” he said, looking around to make sure no one was listening. He needn’t have worried. No one was on the patio. “John came into the station the other day, and I was all geared up to listen to him jaw ‘bout how yer’ aunt wouldn’t sell him the ranch, sayin’ the same old things he always did. Instead, he was all smiles. Asked him what the big smile was all about, and he says to me, ‘Ralph, that ranch is gonna be mine. Got it figured out how I can get it. Can’t say more than that, but I’m gonna be a happy man real soon and so are my cattle.’ That’s what he said.” Ralph sat back and looked at Mike.

  “What do you think he meant?” Mike asked. “Did he say anything else?”

  “Asked him that very question. Said somethin’ ‘bout not bein’ at liberty or some such thing to say anything more, but everything was gonna be jes’ fine real soon.”

  “Ralph, you wouldn’t come out here and tell me this if you didn’t have some thoughts on it. So let me ask you again, what do you think he meant?”

  He was quiet for a long time, and then he said, “Don’t ya’ think it’s kind of a coincidence, him sayin’ that and yer’ aunt being murdered in the barn? It was pretty common knowledge that Agnes went out to the barn early every mornin’ to groom and feed Missy. Kinda convenient, his ranch bein’ so close, like right next to the Robertson Ranch. Funny thing is he’s got a strip of his ranch that ain’t too far from the barn. Always did think it was strange to have that one strip of his property there. It’s kind of like a finger that protrudes into the Robertson Ranch. Asked Max ‘bout it once, and he said the families who owned both of the ranches before the Wilsons and yer’ aunt’s family had been related and wanted to be near each other. Guess at one time there was even a little house on that finger of land, but that’s long gone.”

  “I’ve never heard anything about that. I thought all of the property surrounding the house and the barn was part of the Robertson Ranch.”

  “Tis ceptin’ for that little strip I jes’ told you ‘bout. Don’t look no different than yer’ aunt’s property, but if ya’ look real close you’ll see there’s a tree line that Agnes planted, so she wouldn’t have to look at that section of land. It’s probably less than a hundred yards from that little strip of land to where the barn’s located and those trees Agnes planted years ago. Well, guess what? They block out any clear vision a person might have lookin’ out from the house towards John’s ranch. Seems to me it would be pretty easy fer’ someone to sneak undetected into the barn from John’s nearby property. Anyway, thought ya’ oughta know ‘bout it. Ain’t accusin’ nobody, jes’ sayin’ ya’ might wanna think ‘bout it.”

  “Thanks, Ralph, I will. I really appreciate your coming out here and telling me. I don’t know what to make of it. I know that John wants the ranch, in fact, he’s offered to buy it from me, but a piece of his land being that close to the barn? That’s complete news to me.”

  “Probably would be to most people. ‘Member a night when I was here fer’ dinner, and we had a long talk about it. Yer’ aunt and Max didn’t like it, but there weren’t nothin’ they could do ‘bout it. I’ve been jawin’ at ya’ long enough. Sounds like a lot of people are here. If ya’ need anything, gimme a call. Kind of feel like yer’ family, being Agnes’ nephew and all,” he said as he stood up. “One more thing, son, be careful. From what I hear, the ranch is yours. If someone killed Agnes to get it, ya’ might be next. Make sure ya’ got yer’ back covered.”

  “I will, and thanks again, Ralph.”

  CHAPTER 24

  The next three hours passed by in a blur for Kelly and Mike. She was glad Julia and Brad had come to help out. Kelly felt like she was on display in the window of a department store, an object everyone wanted to look at and inspect. She could tell by the way people were looking at Mike that some of them considered him a suspect in the death of Aunt Agnes. It was not a good feeling.

  She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around. “Mrs. Reynolds,” Judge Lane said, “I want to introduce you to Richard Martin. He came from San Francisco to attend the service. He’s a developer there and someone who’s very interested in acquiring the Robertson Ranch.”

  Kelly shook his hand and said, “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for coming.”

  “It was a beautiful service. I never had the pleasure of meeting Agnes, but one of my associates did on several occasions. I wanted to buy this property, but Agnes couldn’t bring herself to sell it. Now that she’s deceased, I understand from Judge Lane that your husband has inherited it. I’d like to talk to him, but I realize this isn’t the proper time or place. I’m spending the night at the Gold Dust Bed and Breakfast Inn. Is there any chance I could meet with him in the morning?”

  “I can’t speak for him, and I don’t know what his plans are for the ranch. Why don’t you give me your cell phone number, and if he isn’t able to meet with you, I’ll have him call you. If you don’t hear from him, plan on coming out here to the ranch around ten tomorrow morning.”

  “That would work fine for me. I’m looking forward to meeting your husband and talking to him.” The two of them turned away from Kelly and walked down the steps to his car, a silver Lexus.

  People were gradually beginning to leave, and Kelly and Mike were standing on the porch thanking them for coming when suddenly a pick-up truck raced up the lane and screeched to a stop in front of the Robertson House. A man staggered out of the truck with a gun in his hand and said in a loud slurring voice, “Where’s Mike Reynolds? I wanna personally thank him for stealing from me what I shouldda’ rightfully had.”

  Mike stepped away from Kelly and said, “I’m Mike Reynolds. Who are you, and what in the devil do you think you’re doing with that gun in your hand?”

  Kelly noticed that the police chief and two of his men were quickly making their way towards the intruder.

  “I’m the one that shouldda’ gotten this hous
e and the ranch property,” the man yelled. “Name’s Daniel Noonan. I’m Agnes Johnson’s nephew. My mother was her sister. Probably don’t mean much to you, cuz it sure didn’t mean nothing to your mother and your grandparents. Kicked my mother out of the house like she was a piece of trash and never had nothin’ to do with either one of us. Yep, this property should be mine, not yours.”

  He turned and looked at the people who were standing on the porch and the lawn staring at him in open-mouthed disbelief. “See this man, the one who’s name is Mike Reynolds? Well, you’re lookin’ at my aunt’s murderer. He’s the one who killed her, so he could get his hands on the Robertson Ranch. You wanna solve this case Chief Robbins? Don’t need to look no farther. Jes’ arrest him right here and now and cart him off to jail where he belongs.”

  Daniel tried to whirl around to face the police chief who was rapidly approaching, but because of his obvious drunken condition, he lost his balance and fell to the ground. He dropped the gun in his hand when he hit the ground. Chief Robbins scooped up the gun and one of his deputies subdued Daniel and handcuffed him.

  The chief looked at the people who were staring at what was taking place and said, “Show’s over, folks. Go on back in the house or home. We’re going to take Daniel for a little ride, and he’ll be cooling his heels in jail until the alcohol wears off. Nothing more to see here.” He walked over to Mike and said, “I’ll be back a little later. I’m going to book him for disturbing the peace. When he sobers up, I’ll probably let him go, but not until I impound that pistol he was waving around. I’ll find some way to get some handwriting from him. You mentioned you might have one more for me. Do you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good, I’ll get it when I come back. Try to forget what he said. I’m sure it was the alcohol talking, not him. By the way, haven’t had a chance to tell you, but I ran a fingerprint test on those letters that were sent to your aunt and there weren’t any prints on them other than hers.”