The Hard Fall

by Brenda Chapman

  “Where does this army buddy live?”

  “Montreal.”

  “Dad, maybe that’s asking too much.” Especially since this was just work to keep Dad busy.

  “Nonsense. He’s happy to do it. Said he couldn’t imagine anything more fun. He’s going to report in tonight.”

  I’d created a monster. “Well, ask him to submit his bill for gas and expenses. I want to pay him.”

  “No need, but I’ll let him know. Where are you now?”

  I looked across the street at the toy store. “I’m about to find a birthday gift for Evan.”

  “Great. The party’s tomorrow night. Cheri’s bringing the food.”

  “I hope she’s having someone else make it.”

  “You and me both.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The next day was one of those unexpected hot, humid ones that Ottawa is famous for. Dad warned me to put on light clothes as he passed by my bedroom door. “Going to be a scorcher,” he called. “The weather is getting crazy. Global warming.”

  I found a white T-shirt and tan summer slacks. I pulled my leather sandals from the back of the closet. I would have rather worn shorts but it was a work day.

  I joined Dad in the kitchen. He’d already made the coffee and was scrambling eggs at the stove. “My turn to feed you,” he said.

  I got a cup of coffee and cut some bread for toast. Dad shooed me over to the table while he finished making breakfast. He’d started cooking after Mom died, when I was eleven. He’d stay up half the night trying to make her recipes, until he mastered them.

  “So what’s our plan of attack today?” Dad asked as he slid a plate in front of me. He’d added a side of berries and melon to go with the eggs. He poured himself a coffee and joined me with his own plate.

  “I’m debating who to visit first, Paul or Katie Taylor. Their stories are off a bit and I want to find out why. What about you, Dad?”

  “I’m going to keep digging on those two vice presidents. From what you told me, Gordon Tate thinks Paul Taylor screwed him over. That kind of bad feeling grows over time. It can turn to hate real quick. And my army buddy should be in New York City by now. He’ll be reporting in later today.”

  “Sounds good. I’m going to find out more about Katie Taylor’s activities over the past year. I’m heading over to speak with her now. I called last night and she said she’d give me a few minutes. I’ll also try to get the name of a friend or two of hers, to find out if she told them anything about her marriage.”

  Dad’s notebook and pen appeared out of nowhere. “Just making a note to track down Maddie Ringer’s bank. We sure have lots of lines of enquiry going on. It’s easy to forget one.” When he finished writing, he looked at me with his sharp blue eyes. “What will you do if after all this you find Paul Taylor really did murder Laura Flint?”

  I knew by the way he asked that he thought Taylor could be the killer. “First, I’ll send his lawyers my report,” I said with a smile. “And then, I’ll start looking for a waitress job.”

  “Jimmy says they’d hire you back on the force if you’re interested.”

  “I know. If you recall, he told me that the other night when he was over. I’ll think about it, Dad.” I picked up my empty plate. Why was it that just thinking about returning to the force felt like a failure? I made my voice lighter than I felt. “Let’s hope we catch us a killer today, Dad. And let’s really hope that killer is not my client.”

  * * *

  Katie Taylor let me into the front hallway but didn’t invite me any further into her house. “I have a busy day,” she said. “I have to stand in for Paul at a meeting with Gordon, Kyle, and a client after I visit Paul in jail.” She was wearing a sleeveless green dress and black sandals. She smelled like expensive French perfume. “Have you found out anything to help my husband?”

  “I’m following up on several leads.” True without committing myself. “Did you ever meet Laura Flint’s cousin, Maddie Ringer?”

  “No. Laura told me when she moved next door that she had a cousin in Perth who was after her money. She didn’t appear worried about it. She seemed to think the whole thing was a joke.”

  “So, she wasn’t worried about Maddie trying to hurt her?”

  “God, no. Laura called her a lazy lump.” Katie laughed. Her white teeth were straight and perfect. The woman’s beauty had no flaws that I could see. She tossed back her cascade of midnight black hair and looked at the diamond-studded watch on her arm.

  “I’m curious about your recent modelling jobs,” I said.

  Her green eyes lifted to mine. “Oh? I can’t see how that helps Paul.”

  “I’m trying to cover every detail of your lives together. It helps me to narrow down my search.”

  She smiled. “Of course. What did you want to know exactly?”

  “After speaking with Maggie Wren . . .”

  “You spoke with my modelling agency?” Her voice rose and her green eyes opened wider. “Do you even know how to investigate? Paul is on trial for murder and you’re wasting time looking at my career?”

  “I know this might not seem important, but . . .” I let my voice trail away. “Paul told me that you were on shoots for the months of May and June. Maggie said you only had seven days of work during those two months. I wondered where you were.”

  “I don’t see that that is any of your business.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. One foot tapped up and down on the floor. “If you must know, Paul and I were having problems in our marriage. I took some time away to think. I was deciding whether or not to leave him.”

  “You returned and said you were ready to start a family.”

  “That’s correct. I realized that I love him.”

  “You still haven’t told me where you were for May and June.”

  “No, I haven’t. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for my workout.” She bent down to pick up her gym bag. “When I visit Paul later today, I’m going to suggest that he find another PI. One who isn’t wasting money on finding out information that has nothing to do with his case.”

  * * *

  That went well. I hadn’t even had a chance to ask her about her friends. Watching Katie Taylor pull out of her driveway, I could only wonder what had gotten her so upset.

  I probably had one more day to figure out the Taylor case before I was fired. The worst part was that maybe Katie was right. Maybe I didn’t know what I was doing. Dad and I were chasing leads that led nowhere.

  I drove toward the jail where Paul was being held. He was counting on me to come up with something. I thought about quitting the case before Katie made him fire me. I turned onto the Parkway and glanced in the rear view mirror. A black car with tinted windows pulled in right behind me. The front licence plate was missing. It looked like the same car that had followed me to Perth. I sped up and the driver stayed right behind me, much too close for comfort. If I braked suddenly, they would have hit my bumper. My heart beat double time as fear pulsed through me. I pushed harder on the gas pedal and my car leapt forward.

  When I checked my rear view again, the black car was still right behind me. I felt a sudden jolt as it rammed my back bumper. “Back off!” I screamed just as it struck me again. I struggled not to wrench the steering wheel off course. I checked the rear view. The car was pulling into the next lane over. Before I could react, the car had pulled alongside me. I sped up more, but it kept pace, edging my car closer to the shoulder of the highway. Our side mirrors collided and mine snapped off like a broken wing.

  The exit ramp was just up ahead. I pressed my foot as hard as I could on the gas pedal and got a slight jump on the black car. I was almost even with the ramp when I let off the gas and pumped the brake. The black car shot ahead as I swerved onto the ramp. I just managed to keep my car from spinning into the concrete barricade. I screeched to a stop at the stop sign at the end of the ramp. I struggled to control my breathing and my shaking hands. I checked behind me. The ramp was empty fo
r the moment.

  I turned left onto the main highway and drove as fast as I dared. When I exited onto Innes Road, the black car was still nowhere in sight. I pulled over and waited to make sure the car was really gone. It took a full minute for my heart to feel like it wasn’t beating its way out of my chest.

  That’s when my cellphone rang.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Is this a good time to file my report?” Dad asked.

  I watched cars speeding by. “Sure. Why not?”

  “My army buddy called. He’s done some snooping. Alex Dowd was living in an apartment in New York City last year. He spent a lot of time working out in the local gym but didn’t have a paying job. He moved to Ottawa six months ago.”

  I sat up straighter. “Six months ago, Laura Flint moved next door to the Taylors.”

  “I seemed to recall that. My buddy sent a recent photo of Alex. Another guy in the building took it at a party. I’m about to send it to you.”

  “Okay. I’ll have a look when our call is over. Anything else?”

  “Dowd didn’t have a job but he wore expensive clothes. He worked out and got invited to parties with famous people. A woman used to visit him but she didn’t live with him. She’s in the photo, too.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Gotta go,” Dad said. “I’ve got a cake in the oven. Don’t forget Evan’s party.”

  “Right. What time?”

  “They’ll be arriving at four. Dinner’s at six.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  I clicked on Dad’s message and opened up the photo. Alex Dowd was in his early thirties, blond, buff, and tanned. He was holding a beer in one hand, a big grin on his face. I leaned in for a closer look. The hair colour was lighter but there was no doubt in my mind: the woman that Alex had his other arm draped around was none other than his high school sweetheart Laura Flint. She was clinking her beer bottle against his and her head was tucked into the hollow of his neck. She looked happy, relaxed, and very much in love.

  Of course. Laura Flint’s high school sweetheart. Who better to help her kill her husband and break an old man’s hip? I looked down the road and thought about the black car that had tried to ram me off the road. I remembered how the push had felt that landed me in the middle of the busy street. It must have been him. And if so, Alex Dowd was one nasty piece of work. I had no doubt he would have killed Laura in a heartbeat, once her money ran out.

  I lowered my phone. Pieces of the puzzle were finally sliding into place. It was time to set the final trap.

  * * *

  Paul Taylor looked even more tired and dejected than on my first visit. He hadn’t combed his silver hair recently. His shoulders were more rounded. The sight of me didn’t appear to help his mood. “So?” His voice was empty of energy.

  “I believe you were set up. I can’t prove it yet, though. I’ll need your help.”

  Paul lifted his head and studied my face. Something flickered in his eyes. Something hard. “Who?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure yet. I want to throw out some bait. You have to be prepared not to like who we reel in.”

  He thought over what I’d said before nodding. “Someone else deserves to be in a cell; not me. I have no problem putting away one of my friends. What do you need?”

  “Katie is coming to see you today before she meets with Kyle and Gordon. She’s going to ask you to take me off the case. Tell her that I’ve got a lead that you want to see through. Let it drop that the lead has to do with Laura Flint’s boyfriend Alex Dowd from high school. Also, tell your wife that I’m working late tonight at my office. If you can, slip in that my partner is away.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yeah. That ought to do it.”

  Paul Taylor was no fool. “Are you saying that you think my wife had something to do with this? Because that would be insane. She’s been the only one to stand by me. We’re planning a family together.”

  “No, I’m not saying that at all. She’s bound to share your update with the vice presidents. This way, she doesn’t really know anything and she’s protected.”

  Paul was distracted enough to buy my explanation. “Fine,” he said.

  I called for the guard and made my escape. I didn’t want to give Paul Taylor time to dig any deeper into my request.

  * * *

  I bought some lunch from a Westboro food truck and sat at their picnic table to eat. I made a few calls between munching on French fries and a burger. The sun was like a heat lamp on my face. Too bad this one day heat wave wouldn’t last. My last call was to Dad. I told him not to hold supper for me. I’d do my best to get home when I could. Hopefully, there would still be some birthday cake left.

  My next stop was a spy equipment store. I bought a video camera hidden in a digital clock. The sound and picture quality were amazing. The spy clock used a battery and would sit on the desk in our office, ready to record. I looked at the spy watches and other high-tech toys. I’d be back when I had more money.

  It was nearly five o’clock when I climbed the stairs to the Storm Investigations office. The sun had started to sink lower in the sky and a chill had replaced the day’s heat. I unlocked the door and left it unlocked. I hoped that Paul Taylor had given Katie my message. If I was right, the driver of the black car would soon be paying me a visit.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  I kept busy typing my report for Paul’s lawyers. It gave me time to review the facts and to think. All the while, I was listening for footsteps on the stairs. As time went by, it got harder to concentrate. The clock struck seven and I thought about calling the whole thing off. I looked toward the other room, now completely in darkness. The door was half open, revealing the empty space. If no one showed up, I was going to look mighty foolish.

  I decided to give it a bit more time. Ten minutes later, my patience was rewarded. The stairs creaked as someone’s weight shifted on the old wooden steps.

  Show time.

  The door to my office silently swung open and Alex Dowd stepped inside. He made a quick check of the room and shut the door firmly behind him. He was wearing leather gloves, a black jacket, and a ball cap.

  I pretended to be surprised. “Can I help you?” I asked.

  “I think you can.”

  He walked toward the desk and stood a few feet in front of it. He took off his baseball cap and smiled. The word that came to mind was hot. Alex Dowd was definitely a man that women would do bad things for. Messy blond hair, bleached almost white from the sun, square jaw, eyes that could melt butter, and a strong body. Animal heat steamed off of him like a boiling kettle.

  “You’ve been talking about me to people,” he said.

  “I might have a few questions for you, Alex. Why don’t you take a seat?” I pointed to the chair next to him. It was hard to get a read on what he planned to do. I had to keep him talking.

  “I’ll stand, thanks. Ask away.”

  “Why did you kill her?”

  “You don’t waste any time. I guess you’re referring to Laura. How did you know we were still in touch?”

  “I had a source in New York City. They tracked the two of you to an apartment building. Laura moved to Ottawa six months ago and so did you.”

  “That doesn’t prove anything. We ran into each other a few years ago.”

  “Really? I think that if I do some more digging, I’ll find that the two of you were together right after her husband was shot by a mystery hunter. You lived the good life on her husband’s money.”

  “I’m not admitting to anything.” He moved half a step closer. One hand was in his jacket pocket. I tried to keep my eyes on his face. “Let’s say that if I killed Laura’s husband, she would have come up with the plan. Laura was tired of being married to an old fart.”

  “I think you both planned it before she married him. The two of you carried on behind his back and waited for the right time to get rid of him.”

  He shrugged. “Show me your proof, lady.”

/>   “I intend to. So, your money . . . or I should say, Laura’s dead husband’s money, was running out. The two of you decided to con some other rich sucker out of their money. That’s why you weren’t living together in New York or here. It’s hard to pick up somebody rich when you have a partner at home. God forbid, either of you got a job or scaled back your lifestyle. Who came up with the plan to target the Taylors?”

  “If we had a plan, Laura was the one with the big ideas.”

  “It’s easy to blame a dead woman. What, did she get jealous when you actually fell for Katie Taylor? Did Laura tell you she’d let you go over her dead body?”

  A puzzled look came into his eyes. He wrinkled his forehead as if trying to place her. “Katie Taylor?”

  “Too late to pretend she’s not involved. Your arrival here tonight confirms the two of you are in on this together.”

  His eyes got a little less happy. “The problem you leave me,” he said, “is that you aren’t going to let this go, are you?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  Dowd nodded. “So be it.” He took another step closer, at the same time pulling a hunting knife out of his jacket pocket. The desk was still between us. I got to my feet and pushed back my chair.

  Dowd stopped and held up both hands in a shrug. The knife glinted in the light from the desk lamp. “Believe me, nobody was more surprised than me that I fell hard for Katie Taylor. Laura would never have stood for it if I left her. She didn’t like being on her own. Let’s say that she could have made my life very difficult. As time went by, I came to realize that I needed both Laura and Paul out of the way so that I could have Katie and the money.”

  “Katie was in on it,” I said. I wanted to hear it from him.

  “Katie had to go back with Paul and convince him that she loved him. We couldn’t chance him cutting her out of his bank account.” He took another step toward the desk. The knife was starting to make me nervous. I’d also gotten enough on tape to nail them. “Shaw!” I yelled. I looked Dowd in the eyes. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You’re in enough trouble already.”