by Ann Mullen
“Handcuff them,” Sheriff Hudson commanded.
“Wait a minute,” Billy said. “Sheriff, you need to hear this.”
He was quite annoyed, but the sheriff waved his hand, allowing Billy to proceed. While Billy was playing the recording, the ambulance arrived. By the time the scene had played out on the phone, Donald had been brought out on a stretcher
“What’s his condition?” Sheriff Hudson asked the EMT.
“He’s lost a lot of blood,” the EMT replied. “But he’s still alive.” The EMT looked at us and then back to the sheriff. “He did manage to tell me that his wife shot him.”
We were off the hook! Thank you, Donald Rhodes for telling the truth. Wynona was going to the big house! She would pay for her actions.
Sheriff Hudson looked at Billy and me and asked, “Why are you two always in the middle of everything. Every time I go to a crime scene, you’re there. Don’t you have anything else better to do?”
“We were working a case,” Billy replied.
“You’re always working a case,” the sheriff commented. “One of these days you’re going to step in a mess you won’t be able to clean off your shoes. Then what will you do?”
I started to say something, but was interrupted by a familiar face. Officer Downey walked out the front door and said, “Mrs. Rhodes claims these two shot her husband and threatened to come back and kill her if she told anybody.”
“That’s a good one,” the sheriff said. “Did you find the gun?”
“No, sir. The EMT said Mr. Rhodes was shot with a .38. There’re also two bullet holes in the floor.”
“I can explain,” Billy said. “The two holes in the floor aren’t related to Mr. Rhodes’ shooting.”
“I can’t wait to hear this,” Sheriff Hudson replied. He looked at his deputy and said, “Arrest Mrs. Rhodes for attempted murder. If the husband dies, the charge will be upgraded to murder.”
Officer Downey turned on his heels and headed back into the house. A few minutes later, Wynona Rhodes was being led out in handcuffs. She screamed at us as she passed.
“They broke into my house and killed my husband. They’re the ones who should be arrested.”
“Your husband isn’t dead, Mrs. Rhodes,” the sheriff told her.
She shut up. She was dumbfounded. She was so sure that Donald was dead. I guess she didn’t bother to check for a pulse before making her assumptions.
“He’ll be able to tell us what happened as soon as he recovers.”
“I want a lawyer,” Wynona demanded as Officer Downey led her to the patrol car. “Where’s my lawyer? Somebody call my lawyer!”
Sheriff Hudson looked around the yard, and then asked Billy, “Where’s your truck? I know you didn’t walk here.”
“It’s totaled.”
“We drove my Toyota 4Runner. It’s parked in the woods.”
“What ever.” The sheriff waved his hand. “Go get your vehicle and follow me to the station. I’m going to need a statement from both of you.”
We didn’t say another word; instead, we turned and headed to the woods. As soon as we were out of earshot, Billy said, “I’m so glad we got these new phones.”
“Me, too,” I agreed. “Are they going to be able to use the dirt we got on Wynona in court?”
“They won’t need to. All they’ll have to do is play it for her. She’ll crack like a sheet of thin ice. She’ll spill her guts.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. She won’t go down without a fight, and if Donald does recover, he’ll probably stand by her.”
“Don’t be so sure. She shot him, for Pete’s sake. No man is going to take up for someone who shot him, even if it was the wife he loved so dearly. The cards are on the table, and if Donald Rhodes survives, he’ll be holding the winning hand. Wynona might get away with shooting him, but she’s still going to prison. She killed Hank Sharp, and we have the proof.”
“And Donald cleaned up her mess. Concealing evidence, covering up a murder, they’ll prosecute him for that.”
“It’s a shame. I feel bad for the guy. He just loved her too much.”
The storm had been long gone, along with the rain, leaving behind a glistening sheen. Wet as the woods were, it was still a beautiful sight. Trudging through it was another matter. By the time we reached the 4Runner, our pants were soaking wet. Billy opened the passenger door and waited while I jumped in.
“It scares me to think that I might’ve done the same thing that Donald did, if I were in his shoes.” Billy leaned in and kissed me. “I love you, Jesse. I’d do anything to protect you.”
It surprised me to hear Billy say something so totally against the grain. He always did the right thing—no matter how hard it was.
He closed my door, walked over to the other side, and got in. He didn’t say anything. He started the Toyota and was about to back up when I put my hand on his arm and said, “You’re a good man, Billy. You’d stand by me if I was innocent, but if I were guilty, you’d do the right thing. Right or wrong. Don’t confuse the two. We’re not Donald and Wynona. We’re the good guys.”
Billy sat there for a minute. He looked over at me, smiled and said, “So true. We are the good guys!”
We headed out into the darkness of the night, on our way to the Sheriff’s Office. A trip we’ve taken many times in the past. I could probably drive it with my eyes closed… as they say. Ten minutes later, we were parked next to Sheriff Hudson in front of the station—his turf. That always made me a little jumpy.
The first thing Billy and I did was to remove our vests and guns. We wouldn’t need the vests in a police station, and the cops don’t take too kindly to folks walking into their domain armed. One could get shot.
Before we got out of the car, I looked at Billy and said, “Did we just have a moment back there where we dug into each other’s soul?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Sometimes we question ourselves, but fortunately, in the end, our true worth prevails. We know who we are.”
“Hmmm… this is a little heavy for me right now. Can we pick up on it later? We’re getting ready to go into the police station to be interrogated… and talking about killing someone and covering it up for the one you love is not something I want to discuss.”
Billy laughed. “I think you missed the point.”
“Oh, no I didn’t. I love you, too. Tell me to scalp someone, and I’d do it, but not just now, though. I’m a little busy.”
We walked through the front door into the clutches of Sheriff Wake Hudson and his hoard of Greene County deputies. No matter what went down here tonight, I had a feeling Billy and I were about to get a slap on the wrist for our part. That always seems to happen when we got involved with Sheriff Hudson and his men. They would use us, and then browbeat us to death. Well… not this time, buddy. Like Billy always said, sometimes the prey bites back. I’m ready to take a chunk out of somebody, so why not the cops? We were in the right. They better not mess with me and my man!
Deputy James led us down the hallway to a room on the right where we were to wait for Sheriff Hudson. When he went to open the door, I heard a familiar voice calling to me from one of the cells in the back.
This is a sheriff’s office. It’s not the biggest jail in the world.
“Jesse! It’s me, Savannah.”
I looked up at Cole. “She’s still here? I can’t believe she hasn’t been bailed out. What’s going on? Where’s her lawyer?”
“It doesn’t work like that, Jesse,” Cole answered. “She’s charged with murder. That’s a whole different story.”
“I guess being a celebrity won’t get her out of this mess.” I don’t know why I said that. My tone seemed so awful after the words were out of my mouth.
Deputy Cole James dryly responded, “Not likely.”
“May I go see her just for a moment? I promise I won’t cause any trouble. I know that’s what you’re thinking, but you can trust me.”
Billy didn’t utter a word.
Cole looked around for a second as if he were searching for a spy, and then spoke quietly. “Sheriff Hudson’s going to be tied up for at least fifteen minutes. I think I can arrange it. No yelling, Jesse. I mean it. If you cause a scene…”
“What makes you think I’d… oh, never mind. I’ll behave. I swear.”
Cole walked us down the hall to Savannah’s jail cell. He stood aside so we could talk—and so he could watch and listen. He wasn’t cutting me much slack. He knew me too well. We did have an intimate relationship at one time. Gosh, I try not to think of it, but every time I see him, I’m reminded of that fact.
“Jesse,” Savannah cried. “I’m desperate. You have to help me. They won’t let me out.”
“Where’s Russell?” I asked, looking her over.
She looked drained, worn out. Her hair was plastered to her head as if it could use a good washing, and her face was without makeup. That was rare for Savannah, someone who prided herself in her appearance. She was always well-dressed, makeup perfect, actions prim and proper—the perfect fashion diva. She knew what to wear and how to act for any occasion, but now she was a sight. She had been stripped of her dignity and crushed. Suddenly, I stopped being mad at her. Yes, I had been pretty mad at her, but I hadn’t realized it until now. I was over my little tantrum, so it was time to get over it and help Savannah. She is my friend. Emotionally, I could help put her back together, but when it came to helping her with the law, there was nothing I could do.
Cole was on the mark when he said murder was a whole different story. You don’t just check into jail, and then check out. The process isn’t pleasant, but then again, nothing’s fun when it comes to being thrown in jail. There’s a reason for that.
I did the only thing I could for my friend—I tried to make her feel good about herself and help her get prepared for what was about to come. “Listen,” I said. “It’s only been a few hours. You have to go through the process. Hopefully, you’ll be out by tomorrow. Just hang in there.”
“I’d feel a lot better if I had my makeup and some fresh clothes.”
All aboard for a trip into diva purgatory. No makeup. Oh, my.
“Tell me what you need, and I’ll go get it for you,” I found myself saying. Don’t ask me why.
“There’s a makeup travel case sitting on the vanity in my private bath, and I’m sure you can pick out a suitable outfit for me to wear. Can you get that for me soon? I’m not at my best.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Voices coming down the hallway got our attention. We turned around and saw Russell Shank following a deputy toward us. The deputy unlocked the cell and told Savannah she was free to go. Her lawyer had secured her release.
Cole’s mouth dropped open.
Savannah was ecstatic. She ran past us and gave Russell a big hug. “I knew I could count on you,” she told him. “Thank you so much. I don’t think I could’ve stood another minute in that nasty, old jail cell. It was terrible. I never want to be locked up in jail again.”
“Our cells aren’t nasty,” Cole said, offended by her remarks. “Our cleaning crew makes sure they are kept…”
Savannah ignored Cole. She was so glad to be free that she walked away with Russell and didn’t bother to look back.
“I guess she doesn’t need her makeup,” I snidely remarked, looking at Billy. “Or us.”
“She’s probably relieved just to get out of jail,” Billy replied. “Don’t hold that against her.”
“I’m stunned she’s being released so quickly,” Cole said. “She never even made it to the regional jail in Orange. That’s where they usually go from here until the magistrate…”
“I guess she wasn’t a flight risk after all,” I remarked, cutting him off. “They set her free.”
“She’s been bailed out of jail,” Cole said. “She still has to go to court and answer the charges against her.”
“Oh, it’s over,” I came back with. “I bet she never steps foot in a court room. That’s just not going to happen. She’s a star. Stars don’t go to court!”
“If I were a betting man, I’d take that wager,” Sheriff Hudson said, coming around the corner of another hallway.
“I thought you said Savannah was a flight risk.”
“And I thought you were her friend,” the sheriff replied. “You don’t seem to be too happy she’s been released.”
“I believe people should be treated equally, not given preferential treatment. It’s not fair.”
“Sure, you do.” Sheriff Hudson chuckled. He looked at Cole and said, “I can take this from here, Deputy James.”
Cole turned and left, dismissed like a child. At least he wasn’t admonished for allowing us to see Savannah.
“Follow me,” Sheriff Hudson said. “I have a few questions for you.”
He led us to his office and was about ready to show us in when two deputies came down the hallway escorting a handcuffed and very disruptive Wynona Rhodes. She was kicking and screaming, and cursing at everyone in sight. Try as she might, she couldn’t dislodge herself from their grip.
This is the sheriff’s office. These guys are tough.
It was almost midnight by the time the sheriff had finished with us. We had given our account of the day’s events, the sheriff picking our brains until there was nothing left to tell, except the part about the bug Billy had planted at the Rhodes’ residence. He had left that little tidbit out, so I didn’t bring it up either. I know when to keep my mouth shut.
Flo got the credit for the two bullet holes in the floor. The sheriff just about had a fit over her part in all this, but couldn’t do anything about it unless Donald Rhodes wanted to press charges—which, at this point—was highly unlikely.
Our job was done. Because of us, Flo Garner would be able to sleep better at night, and hopefully, the killer red Dodge Charger wouldn’t be after us anymore. Wynona Rhodes was in jail, and if Donald Rhodes recovered, he’d face his share of charges. He might not be a killer, but he had other crimes to answer for. They would both be off the streets for awhile. An added bonus, the case of Hank Sharp’s murder could now be closed. His killer had been arrested.
“Not a bad day after all,” I said as we climbed into the Toyota. “I bet Flo will freak when you tell her what happened after they left.”
“She was right, you know,” Billy replied, starting the car. “She swore that Donald burned down her office.”
“Yeah, but he wasn’t out to kill her.” I hesitated for a moment. “Shouldn’t we call her?”
“It’s late. She’s…”
Billy’s cell phone hummed and then played a tune.
“Hello,” he answered, after pulling it from his pocket, and then hitting the speaker button. “We were just talking about you.”
“I just got off the phone with the sheriff,” Flo said, sounding a bit on edge. “He told me everything, and he wants to ask me some questions. I have to be at his office at eight in the morning.”
Being the diplomat that he is, Billy said in a sincere tone, “Then maybe you should get some sleep now that you can. You’re safe. That’s all that matters. As far as Sheriff Hudson’s concerned, don’t worry about him. All he wants to do is get a statement from you. It’s his job. You have nothing to fear. Just tell the truth.”
“Thanks, Billy. I feel much better now.” She broke the connection without further adieu.
“So much for conversation,” Billy said, looking at his phone. He hit a button, and then put the phone back in his pocket. “Nothing left to do but send her the bill.”
“My sentiments exactly,” I agreed. “We’ll have to make an appearance in court when there’s a trial. That’ll be fun. I’d rather go to the dentist.”
My eyes followed the road. It finally dawned on me that we weren’t headed in the right direction. This wasn’t the way to our house. “Billy, where are we going?” I scanned the scenery. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d lost your mind. You’re going back to Jack Rabbit
Road—the scene of the crime. What if the cops are still there?”
“They’re gone. While you were talking, I was listening. Not just to you, but to others. Sheriff Hudson’s guys left a long time ago.”
“I can only surmise that you have a good reason for such lunacy.”
“Then you would be right, `ge ya. It’s too late for dinner and too early for breakfast.”
“What… what does that mean?”
“I want to get back my bug. With this phone, that thing’s outdated. Since I just bought it, I can return it.”
“Oh, so you can exchange it for something else. Perhaps something better, more hi-tech. I hope that store appreciates how much money you spend there.” I backpedaled. “Not that I care how much you spend. I love your junk. It’s so cool. Spend all you want!”
Billy just smiled as he made a right turn off the main road into the Rhodes’ driveway. Immediately, he turned off the headlights, shoved the gearshift into neutral, and then turned off the engine. We glided to a stop behind a cluster of baby white pines. He pointed to a car that was partially hidden in a line of trees next to the garage.
It was the Lincoln Town Car.
Chapter 11
After a summer storm, the air usually becomes hot and muggy, but tonight was different. There was a light breeze settling in, and the animal sounds in the woods were returning. Crickets and frogs sang in the background. Now that the clouds were gone, the moon had become visible, casting shadows on the lawn. The house was still fully lit. Someone hadn’t bothered to turn them off before they left.
Billy insisted that we put our vests back on before we confronted the driver of the Lincoln. I thought it was a waste of time, but didn’t refuse. We grabbed our guns and then took off for the tree line. We were going to hide behind a pine tree close to the Lincoln, and then jump out and surprise whoever came out of the house.
However, it didn’t quite turn out that way.
When the front door opened, a man carrying something in his hand came out. He tried to keep out of sight as he made his way back to his car, but the light from the moon gave him away. It was Bruno, the man who had helped us earlier.