She straightened. “When the money wasn’t forthcoming, he demanded to know who Joey was working for.” Elise went back to filling the ice chest.
“Then what?” My gritted teeth made the words curt and abrupt.
“He finally told Ned. The person wasn’t doing the actual stealing. He could say he didn’t know it was stolen. Probably the worst that would happen would be a fine and the wood confiscated. Joey’s the one who needed to worry about possible jail time.”
Made sense. I knew Roger fit that description. But he’d also said he’d lost out to Asian buyers on occasion.
Joey wasn’t off the suspect list of murderers yet. But if what Elise said was true, he’d committed no major crime and was trying to help out in a situation of strapped finances. He wasn’t being blackmailed for something serious.
“You need to tell the police. Better yet, you and Joey should do it together. You can explain the circumstances. It’ll look better for you, and they might go easier on both of you. I’ll give you a chance to do that.”
Elise returned to the chair and slumped against the workbench next to it. She ran her fingers through her hair. “Joey’s never been in trouble. If the police find out he lied about the alibi and Ned was blackmailing him, it will look really bad. But you’re right. We need to tell them.”
“You have until six this evening to go to the police on your own. After that, I’ll tell them myself.” I started to leave, then turned back. “By the way, what was with the container tug-of-war in the kitchen earlier?”
“I don’t know what you mean. It was a very rich recipe and bad for dogs to eat. Why is it I offer to do something nice and you twist it into something else?”
I felt there was more to it than that, but I didn’t think I was going to find out. I said no more and left. When I got back to the kitchen, Helen told me Michael Corrigan had returned my call.
I called him and felt a surge of energy at hearing his voice. He was a big, burly, strong man and his voice vibrated with life.
“Hi, Kelly. Thanks for letting me know about what’s happening. I contacted a San Francisco law firm I deal with and they’re sending an attorney. I’ve arranged to have him flown to Redwood Cove. One of the veterans from the center will pick him up and drive him to the police station. The company has already put in motion what we’ll need to do to post bail if it comes to that.”
“Thanks, Michael. His daughter is really hurting.”
“Understandable. We’ll get him home.”
“I’ll let him know.”
I texted Daniel about what was happening as soon as I got off the phone.
I returned to the work area. Tommy had gotten back and he and Allie were flipping through the magazine, putting sticky notes on some of the pages. Fred’s head rested on Tommy’s feet.
“What are you two up to?”
“Choosing which horses we like best,” Tommy said.
This was a nice safe conversation. Continuing it for a bit seemed like a good idea. “Show me which ones you’ve picked.”
Allie flipped to a photo of a leopard Appaloosa.
“Would you like to see a horse like that in person?” I asked.
She nodded enthusiastically.
“I can take you next weekend if you like. His name is Nezi.”
“Cool,” she said.
“Can I come, too?” Tommy asked.
“Yes, but Fred will have to stay home. Dogs, other than the ranch dogs, aren’t allowed on the property.”
“That’s okay. He understands he can’t always come with me.”
Tommy slid down on the floor and gave Fred a hug. He picked up a rope toy, and they began pulling each other from side to side. I looked at Allie and inclined my head toward the kitchen.
A cloud passed over her face as she followed me. We sat at the kitchen counter and I said, “Like I told you, the man who I said would help is doing exactly that. You and your dad aren’t alone in this. Now you have a very powerful person working on your behalf. In addition, there’s also a whole group of people, including myself, searching for answers.”
I told her what was happening.
Relief brightened her face. “Wow! Thank you so much.”
She rejoined Tommy, only this time with a smile on her face.
Helen took tomorrow morning’s breakfast pastries out of the oven and put them on cooling racks. I could see orange flecks on the top and knew they were one of my favorites—orange muffins. Their rich smell, combined with the fire’s warmth, gave the area a cozy, comforting, feeling…a good thing for Allie right now.
“Tommy met Priscilla the pig this morning and wants to go back into town to see her again. He got to pet her, and she did a little dance. Allie wants to see her, too.” Helen took off her apron. “His owner said he’d be giving her a break at two thirty.”
“That’ll be a good distraction for Allie,” I said.
I caught Helen up on the part Michael Corrigan was playing on Daniel’s behalf. Now she was the one with a look of relief on her face.
“We won’t be there long,” Helen said. “I’ll be back in time to put out the wine and appetizers.”
She gathered up the kids, and I checked the afternoon list of events. Time to talk to Joey. I called the off-roading company.
A man answered. “Hello, Happy Trails Off-Roading Company.”
“Do you have any space available in the three o’clock mushroom-hunting group?”
“We sure do. We just had a cancellation. I’d be happy to sign you up.”
Sometimes the opposite of Murphy’s Law was at work. I was about to say great and give him my name, but then I had second thoughts.
“I’m still making up my mind. I’ll get back to you.”
“Okay.” He hung up.
It had occurred to me going off with Joey and his friends wasn’t exactly being extra careful, like I’d promised. The mushroom hunters would be off in the woods, and I’d be alone with them. Add to that my plan to question Joey…and I needed to think of another plan.
Maybe I could ask Scott if he wanted to go with me. Then I reconsidered. Not a good idea. Scott wasn’t happy about the investigating I was involved in.
I looked at the contest flyer. A break was scheduled at the meeting area near the town square before the last group went out. I’d go try to see if I could talk to Joey then.
There was a little time before I had to leave and I picked up the work folder again. This time I could concentrate, and the numbers made sense. I hoped Deputy Stanton arrived before I had to go, in case he’d learned something he could share with me. As if on cue, he rolled into the parking lot. Once again I waved him in.
He sat next to me at the counter. I couldn’t tell if it was his massive leather belt carrying the tools of his trade creaking, or him. The lines in his face seemed much deeper than they had this morning.
“Coffee?” I asked.
He nodded. “Thanks.”
I filled a mug and put it in front of him. He put his hands around it and seemed to let the warmth of the cup seep into him. He took a sip.
“Have the cookies helped you through the day at all?”
Stanton gave a tired chuckle. “Yes. As much for their taste as the smile they brought when I looked at them. Happiness is a commodity I don’t have much of in my line of work.” He took out his notepad and a pen. “So, tell me what you know and show me the note.”
I was surprised at how much there was to share with him. The threatening message on the car, the stolen sinker log, the plunge in the river, and the Fungi Finders with their discovery of the illegal logging, all combined to make quite a list. I kept my word to Elise. I’d give her time to help herself and Joey out. I went and got the note.
“You’ve had quite the day, and it’s only midafternoon,” Stanton said. “I wonder what else you�
�re going to uncover before it’s over.”
I wondered, too.
“I’ll talk to the canoe guides. If they know anything, I think they’ll tell me. I’ve helped a couple of them out of some scrapes from too much boneheaded teenage energy when they were younger.” He stared at the message with the glued letters. “Kelly, the note and the shove into the river are serious.”
“I know. I’ll continue to be vigilant and not do anything reckless.”
Stanton stretched. “I can understand why you thought you were safe with the guides around…but you weren’t.”
I hated to say it, but he was right. “I know. I’ll be extra careful.”
It was the second time today I’d made that promise.
He put the note in a baggie. “I’ll take this in, but I doubt we’ll learn anything. I heard about the redwoods being cut down and the sinker log. I spoke with Clarence, and it doesn’t seem like he saw anything. No vehicles or people. Quite the red face about following you and Daniel.”
I went to the refrigerator and retrieved what had been intended as a treat for Max. “Helen found this, and it has some mushrooms in it. I believe it was part of Clarence’s meal.”
I gave it to him and described my encounter with Elise. I’d keep my word about the blackmailing, but I had no desire to shield the woman any further. It probably meant nothing, but I wanted Stanton to know.
“It makes sense to check it out. I’ll take it and drop it off with the same person who’s analyzed the mushrooms in the salad.”
“Did you find out anything about the mushrooms in it?”
“Definitely poisonous. The doc at the dinner was right about the type it was.” He stood. “I heard about Daniel going in for more questioning. For the record, I think he’s innocent.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Ned overstepped the line grabbing Allie’s arm, but Daniel doesn’t have a volatile temper. He’s thoughtful and deliberate. He gave his message to Blaine, and according to him that was the end of it. I believe him.”
We said our good-byes. I glanced at the clock.
Time to confront Joey.
Chapter 23
My cell phone number and Helen’s were posted inside the front door and had been given to the guests in case they needed to reach us. They also had contact information for the Ridley House. Our staffs worked together to cover for each other. One of us didn’t need to be at the inn at all times.
I grabbed my fleece off the rack at the back door, along with the truck keys. Pausing for a moment, I thought about walking. It was only a short distance, and it was a lovely day.
I shook my head. I wasn’t in the mood for sightseeing or enjoying the beauties of the area. Answers were what I wanted to get as quickly as possible.
There was a parking space next to the town hall. I surveyed the area where the groups were meeting and didn’t see the trucks. Joey’s group must not have returned yet. I did spy Priscilla holding court with Ted over by the registration booth. I joined the small crowd that had formed around them and stood next to Helen.
Priscilla still had her pink bow, and now she had matching painted pink hooves. Tommy was scratching her back. She snorted and grunted and appeared to have a big grin on her face. Her spinning tail would give the Professor’s twirling pen a run for its money.
“Is it okay if I pet her, too?” Allie asked.
“Sure,” Ted said. “The more the merrier, as far as Priscilla is concerned. She gets energized by all the attention.”
Allie stood across from Tommy and joined in on the pig scratching.
“I like the pink manicure,” I said.
Ted smiled. “It’s contest day. I thought I’d give her a little something extra to prance about.”
“How did you do with finding truffles?” I asked.
The wide grin on his face gave me the answer before he spoke. “Great, but let’s keep it between ourselves. I don’t want the others to know about them.”
“No problem. I’ll keep quiet.”
The sound of loud engines drew my attention to the main road into town. Four large trucks drove into view, with Joey’s red one in the lead. They parked a block away. I waited while the drivers and their passengers disembarked.
“Helen, I want to talk to Elise’s son. I’ll see you later.”
Helen nodded. “Okay.”
Joey hadn’t bothered to clean the mud off the windshield yet. Maybe this added to the macho look. The drivers gathered around the front of his vehicle.
As I approached, I heard a lanky man exclaim, “Look at those mudders on that truck, man. Wish I could afford a set of those.”
I was close enough now to see a catalog of truck equipment had their undivided attention. None of them noticed my arrival. I cleared my throat.
They glanced in my direction.
A look of annoyance passed over Joey’s face. “Afternoon, Ms. Jackson. Did you come to join us for the next trip?”
“No, not this time. May I talk to you for a few minutes?”
“Sure.” Joey scowled. “Seems like you’ve been doing a lot of talking and asking questions, from what I hear.”
Elise hadn’t wasted any time.
We walked over to a bus bench and sat.
“Mom called. Told me what happened.” Joey shot me an angry look. “Why can’t you mind your own business?”
“Your mom must have left that part out. Daniel Stevens is a good friend of mine and currently a suspect in Ned Blaine’s murder. The police called him in for more questioning. His young daughter was crying up a storm this afternoon, afraid she’s going to lose her father. If you could have seen her, I think you’d understand why I’ve involved myself in all of this.”
His frown eased a bit. “Sorry to hear about your friend and his daughter, but I don’t see any way I can help you.”
“Tell me what you told Ned Blaine.”
“Look, Mom and I are hard up for money right now. Maybe I’ve done a few things I shouldn’t have, but I did not kill Ned Blaine…and I do have an alibi. It’s just not the one I gave the police.”
“What is it?”
He shook his head. “I have my reasons for not saying. I’ll tell the police, not you.” He looked at his hands, took out a pocketknife, and began cleaning under his nails.
I paused. “Your mom told me you gave Blaine the name of the person who hired you. Who was it?”
“I agreed with Mom we’ll talk to the police when the next tour ends…and I will. There’s no reason for me to tell you.”
Frustrated, I realized I’d used my leverage regarding his alibi on Elise. The only other thing I knew about him was what Roger had told me.
“I know you and Peter sold sinker logs to Roger Simmons.”
Joey shrugged. “The ones Simmons told you about were legal. There are still some of those available.”
I suspected Roger was the one who had hired Joey and probably Peter to retrieve the illegal ones, but Joey had balked at giving me that information. I didn’t know if finding out about the legal ones would help, but I decided to ask anyway.
“Where did they come from?”
He eyed me for a moment. “Peter inherited them. An uncle died recently and left him his farm. He found dried sinker logs in a barn on the property. Nothing illegal about it.”
“I asked Peter if he knew where I could see some. He said no.”
Another shrug. “Didn’t want word to get out. They’re valuable and someone might steal them. So…keep it to yourself. I told you because I hoped some information might shut you up.”
“Who—”
Joey interrupted me. “Listen, now that they have a more exact time of death and I know I can cover myself, I have some other info that might gain me some points.” He smirked at me. “I’m the one who found Ned’s body and ca
lled it in.”
That caught me off guard. “What!”
“Yeah. I happened to go to where he was shot Friday morning. One of the guys said there were a lot of mushrooms there and we might want to take our hunters to that spot. He was right about the mushrooms, but the area wouldn’t have given the people much flavor for what off-roading was like, which was part of what we wanted to have happen. We decided not to use it.”
“Why didn’t you tell the police right away?”
“Yeah, right. With Blaine blackmailing me. When they first questioned me, I didn’t have an alibi for the whole time they wanted to know about.”
“Why did you call it in?”
He put his knife away. “Didn’t feel right leaving his body there. Some animal probably would’ve found it. I didn’t like the guy, but I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
“It was thoughtful of you to do that.” I paused. “It sounds like there were illegal sinker logs as well. Who were you working with?”
“That’s all you’re getting from me, Ms. Jackson.”
I tried another tack. “Did you take the big sinker log last night? Were you driving over your tracks this morning to cover them up?”
The cold stare he gave me reminded me of the frigid water he’d pulled me from. I wondered if he was wishing he’d left me there.
“Like I said. That’s. All. You’re. Getting. From. Me.”
Each word staccato and final. He stood. Our meeting was over.
“Thank you for your time,” I said, although I doubted he heard me as he was already on his way back to his truck.
I couldn’t thank him for the information he’d shared. It hadn’t gotten me any closer to Ned Blaine’s killer. He joined his group without another word to me.
My watch indicated it was about time for the last session to begin. I walked back toward Priscilla’s fan club and saw Ted leading her away.
Tommy was waving. “Bye, Priscilla, see you tomorrow.”
Her tail seemed to give an extra spin.
“Okay, kids. Let’s get back to the inn,” Helen said.
“I’ll see you back there.” I returned to the pickup. There wasn’t enough room in the truck, or I would’ve offered them a ride back. It was a single seater, not a monster like Joey’s.
Murder at the Mushroom Festival Page 16