by Beth Urich
“I knew something was bothering you.”
“I guess I’ve been a little quiet. I’ve been trying to decide what to do.”
“That’s not what tipped me off. First, you didn’t even mention I was almost an hour late for dinner. Then, you didn’t want to discuss your conspiracy theories when Margie brought them up. Next, you didn’t comment when your dad winked and said he and Margie would be going out for a while so don’t wait up. But I knew it was serious when you didn’t want me to clear the table or help with the dishes.”
“Has anyone ever told you what a great detective you are?”
“Not lately. So let me have it. What did you do today that you aren’t sure you want to discuss with me?”
“I was in the Riverside Mercantile building today. I happened to be in Jack Brighton’s office when Jack, Randy, Larry, and their lawyer Keith Hawthorne were meeting in Randy’s adjoining office.”
“You happened to be in Jack Brighton’s office?”
“Please, let me finish. I know it was a bad idea.”
Tom pushed off the glider. “What time?”
“It was late afternoon, maybe three-thirty or four o’clock. But don’t worry, I left before you and Sid arrived.”
He rolled his eyes and looked toward the sky.
Kate paced the width of the porch. Her speech resumed, slowly at first and with several more caveats. As she relayed what she heard she became more animated and provided her analysis of each statement. Tom’s head was beginning to spin, it was like reading one of her articles—full of hearsay and innuendo. The difference being he was privy to information which made her report—and consequently the men’s discussion—make sense. He was still trying to sort it all out when he realized she was silent and again sitting on the glider.
“Say something,” she demanded, looking at him with those beautiful blue eyes.
“I won’t bother to tell you how your story would end had you been discovered by Jack Brighton. I will admit what you’ve reported is interesting. But unfortunately, it is no more than that. I can’t tell the prosecutor that Randy Brighton confessed to doing something bad when a reporter I know overheard him while hiding in the office next door. And, by the way, I’m not sure what it was that he did.”
“You’re angry.”
He sat down next to her and took her hands in his. “Not at you. I’m angry because I am so close to solving two murder cases I can taste it, but I don’t have nearly enough proof.”
“Two murder cases?”
“Oops.”
“You may as well tell me.”
“We got a tip about a possible bribery at one of the job sites. The tip led to a man who witnessed Paul Andrews allegedly provide an envelope full of cash to a building inspector.”
“Andrews is Larry Allen’s go-to-guy at all his job sites,” Kate interrupted. “But you said another murder not bribery.”
“Brad Fortner is the inspector in question. He was found dead in Arkansas several days ago. The sheriff has a suspect in custody who will name the man who hired him and his buddy in exchange for a plea deal.”
“Maybe that’s what Randy did to fix the problem at the office complex job.”
“We believe Allen is the actual culprit, despite his protestations. Randy’s only the accountant.”
“I hope you’re right, but in the meeting, Allen swore he’d done nothing, that all his jobs are clean. Randy’s the one who said he took care of a problem.”
“We’ll have to see what Sid finds out tonight. He’s taken some photos to Arkansas for the suspect to review. Maybe he’ll ID someone. Or maybe whoever hired him is an intermediary. We may never tie the Brighton family to the crime.”
“What about Lex Porter’s murder?”
“We know the victim is Lex Porter. We have an idea what happened. But unless someone confesses or something else comes up that shows a strong motive, we have an unresolved case.”
“You never know, what might happen,” Kate said.
As Tom was taking in the suspicious gleam in her eye, his radio sounded off and the dispatcher patched in a call from Sid in Arkansas.
“Hey, Tom, sorry to interrupt, but I figured you’d be happy to know we have a positive ID on the individual who hired these two dudes to kill Fortner.”
Chapter Forty-One
Kate got up early, fixed a pot of coffee and parked herself on the sofa in the living room. She was sure Tom would call with an update about his trip to Arkansas soon. She still didn’t understand why Sid couldn’t take care of everything with the Sheriff. Since the murder charge would be made by Boone County Arkansas, it wouldn’t even be Tom’s case. Her head ached with a thousand questions about who hired the men and who was involved with the bribery. She sipped from her third cup of coffee and stared impatiently at the phone.
“You haven’t moved for over thirty minutes,” her dad said on his way to the kitchen.
“You missed the first four hours of my vigil.”
Roger returned shortly with a steaming mug of coffee. He made himself comfortable in his recliner and cleared his throat. “I hate to ask, but did you and Tom have a fight? Margie and I both noticed things were a bit strained during dinner.”
“We’re okay. He went to Arkansas about a case not long after you and Margie went out.”
“And he was supposed to call, I take it.”
“Don’t you think he should? I mean, we were having a serious conversation.”
Roger smiled and took another sip.
She said, “You think I’m being selfish.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I’m worried that’s all.”
He raised a fatherly eyebrow.
“Okay. I confess. I wanted to discuss an idea with him about the skeleton case. I was about to run it past him when Sid called.”
“I would offer my advice, but I don’t want to know what your idea is. I have a feeling Tom would be skittish too.”
Kate got up and huffed toward the kitchen, throwing her parting comment over her shoulder. “You have no sense of adventure.”
THE SWING MOVED WITH the southern wind, but the veranda was deserted—no warm welcome from Etta today. Kate opened the screen door and started to knock, but let it close quietly and pressed the rusty doorbell.
“I didn’t expect you for another few minutes,” Etta said, her hand on her chest and slightly out of breath.
Kate took her usual position on the end of the sofa next to Etta’s chair and placed her recorder on the end table.
“Is this an official interview?” Etta asked pointing to the small device. “You said you had important news to tell me.”
“Force of habit,” Kate said picking up the recorder and dropping into her bag. “Have you spoken to Jack in the last few days?”
“I’m supposed to have dinner with him and Randy later this week.”
“For your birthday,” Kate said. “I forgot.”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to keep track of my birthday.”
“This wasn’t a good idea. I better go,” Kate said.
“You can’t ask me about Jack and not tell me why. Should I call him?”
Kate regretted the obvious concern showing in Etta’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. It’s just that the police have identified the remains found on your lot as Lex Porter.”
Etta said, “That’s not possible.”
“I’m afraid there’s no doubt.”
The octogenarian shook her head, coming out of her chair and walking to the mantel. She touched the picture of Clay.
“I’m not sure of details, but the investigation has shown Porter was murdered. As you know the detectives have questioned those close to Porter, yourself included. I guess they were in the process of interviewing Jack again, laying out all the evidence they have, when apparently Jack confessed,” Kate lied.
Etta turned, took a few steps, and leaned on one arm of her chair. She lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut
, then eased onto the seat.
“Are you okay?” Kate asked.
Etta shook her head, then rested it on the chair back, her eyes searching the ceiling as if for clarification. “It was my fault,” she whispered. “If I had told Jack when I found out, he would have begged Lex to come back. Once I knew Lex wasn’t the one who stole the money and stock items from the store, I should have gone to Jack.”
“That’s why he broke up the partnership?”
Etta nodded and said, “But Lex did nothing wrong. When the stealing resumed, I realized Randy was the guilty party. When I confronted him, he promised to stop and begged me not to tell his father. Before long Lex left town. In time I assumed he wouldn’t come back. But I was wrong.”
“You saw him?” Kate said out loud, more a realization than a question.
“I was in my office, but I heard them arguing, so much anger between them, and each friend thinking he’d been betrayed by the other. The fight escalated. By the time I went up front, Lex was choking Jack. I don’t know why I pointed to the shovel. He took it out of the display. Lex let go of Jack’s throat, but it was too late.”
Etta buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
Kate tried to process the woman’s declaration, but it didn’t make sense. As the reporter visualized Etta’s description of the event, something—or someone—was missing. “Who took the shovel from the display?” she asked.
Tears flowing down her cheeks, Etta raised her head. “He was so young. I only wanted him to help his father. I didn’t mean for him to kill Lex. He didn’t know his own strength.”
KATE PAUSED IN THE entranceway. Tom and Sid didn’t notice her at first. They were busy sorting papers at the conference table. Occasionally they reviewed the notes on a large pad attached to an easel in the corner of the room. She wasn’t sure she knew where to begin to explain what happened, unsure if it would help or hurt the case. She stared at the two detectives until a passing patrolman greeted her by name and Tom turned around.
“Katie. I didn’t see you,” he said. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to speak to you,” she said.
“Can it wait? I’m in the middle of getting stuff ready for an indictment. We’re on a tight schedule to get the package to Arkansas.”
“I understand, but you should listen to this first.” She held out her hand and revealed the small recorder in her palm. “It was in my purse, so I’m not sure how clear it will be.”
Tom accepted the device and said, “Let’s go in the office.”
The three listened to Etta’s version of what happened the night of the murder. By the end Tom was massaging his temples and Sid was leaning back in his chair shaking his head.
Kate lowered her chin and said, “I know it’s lame to say I wanted to help. I was convinced Etta had information she was hiding. And now you know who killed Lex.”
Tom said, “I’ll have to admit this is one notch above listening to a private meeting from the office next door. Unfortunately, it has the same impact. You tricked Etta into telling you her account of the events.”
Sid said, “And, to be precise, we know only what Etta says about Lex’s death. I’m sure Hawthorne will have a good time with this.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry seems a little shallow.”
Sid pushed away from his desk and said, “I need a refill.”
“I’ll be out in a minute,” Tom told him.
He took her hands in his. “I’m not saying I’m not furious with you. I know you were trying to help, but I wish you had discussed the plan with me first.”
“I was about to when you ran off to Arkansas.”
“We’ll discuss this later. I have to get back to work.”
Chapter Forty-Two
The three police officers walked silently to Sid’s vehicle as the last sliver of sunlight sunk behind the clouds. Tom took the backseat and laid his head against the cushion. The long day had been filled with meetings, capping a week’s worth of conference calls, brainstorming, and interviews to prepare two cases for two prosecutors—one in Arkansas and one in Missouri.
Dan Palmer said, “Good job, both of you. The bribery case is solid.”
“Let’s hope the prosecutor agrees,” Sid said.
“He seemed a little unsure of Frankie’s statement,” Tom commented.
“Don’t forget Paul Andrews’ testimony against Randy Brighton. His plea deal was a significant turning point. And we have the additional circumstantial evidence.”
Tom asked, “Will there be a problem trying Brighton in Missouri before releasing him to Arkansas for the murder case?”
“That will be up to the prosecutor to figure out, but probably not an issue.”
Tom knew the Arkansas case against Randy depended on the testimony of the thug he hired to kill Fortner. Fortunately, Sid chose a picture of Larry Allen surrounded by his coworkers, grandfather, and uncle to include in the photo lineup. And, if Randy is found guilty of the bribery charge in Missouri, it will go a long way to balance the scales of justice in Arkansas.
The men rode the remainder of the trip between Forsyth and Branson in silence. Sid pulled up to the police entrance and stopped.
“You’re not going in?” Tom asked.
“Already dangerously close to being late for my date with Shirley. Unless you need me for something tonight,” he added glancing at the lieutenant.
“Nothing more we can do this evening. Have a good time tonight,” Palmer said. “I’m going to take my own advice and I suggest you do the same,” he added in Tom’s direction.
“I want to finish up a couple things. See you Monday.”
TOM HADN’T CALLED KATE all week. At first, he was angry she disregarded his request to stay out of the skeleton case. Her meddling diminished hope of determining for sure what happened that night with Lex Porter, let alone proving who killed him. As the week dragged on, he focused on preparing for the Fortner-related charges, which seemed more straightforward and which were undamaged by Kate’s curiosity.
Ultimately, missing her softened Tom’s anger. He reached for the phone, but paused, tapped the receiver, and withdrew his hand. He wasn’t quite sure what to say to that little red-haired girl inside that beautiful annoying woman. He gripped the receiver but left it in place.
“So, are you going to call me or not?” Kate asked.
Tom smiled, hoping he wasn’t imagining her voice, and slowly turned toward the door.
“To call or not to call? Tough dilemma,” she said.
“I’m leaning toward to call.”
He came out of his chair and welcomed her into his arms. Pressing his cheek against hers, he embraced the soft lilac scent of her hair. “How did you know I’d be here?”
“You weren’t everywhere else,” she said with a grin.
TOM OPENED HIS EYES. A trail of discarded clothing led from the living room to the bedroom. It wasn’t a dream. He rolled over and studied Kate’s face and the slight raising and lowering of her chest with each resting breath. As he drifted back to sleep, he marveled at his fortune in recapturing this perfect love.
“Breakfast is ready,” Kate whispered in his ear.
“Did you order in?”
“Very funny. Come to the table and feast your eyes on my creations.”
Tom got dressed and met Kate in the dining area.
“This looks great,” Tom said, helping himself to eggs and sausage.
Kate asked, “Did you hear Ward I needs a new alderman?”
“Allen resigned?”
“Friday morning. Personal reasons according to his resignation letter.”
“Hmm, I’d say that fits.”
“How’s the bribery case going?”
“You’re not going for the Porter suit?”
“I’m trying to make conversation, not pump you for information!” She gathered the empty plates and silverware and took them to the sink.
“Sit down. I’ll tell you what I can,” he said with
a smile.
She pulled her knees close to her chest. “I’m ready. And I won’t print a word.”
“We’ll be able to take care of the bribery case in Missouri before Randy is extradited to Arkansas to face murder charges. We’ve received more tips and Leatherman is helping with the investigation.”
“What about Lex’s murder?”
“That’s another issue.”
“I tainted the evidence,” she said, a sincere apology in her eyes.
“Nevertheless, Jack Brighton has confessed. Hawthorne says his client is ready to turn himself in. Jack claims he and Lex were alone, they argued, and Jack lost his temper.”
“I suppose it could have happened that way, but it’s not what Etta told me.”
“More to the point, it doesn’t jive with the forensic evidence. Frankly, Etta’s story makes more sense. But with all the confusion and the time that has passed who knows?”
“Jack’s trying to protect his son and Etta,” Kate said.
“No doubt. But we continue to work the case. You will probably be happy to hear that Bryan Porter has hired a hotshot lawyer from Springfield to handle the inheritance issue. Thanks to you, he has a fighting chance with the partnership agreement.”
“That’s good, I suppose,” she said. “You know, I’ve been thinking it may have been Randy who hired those boys to break into Etta’s to find that document.”
Tom said, “Didn’t I mention? We nabbed the two young men who trashed her house. Randy did hire them, but that may not be enough.”
Kate shrugged and furrowed her brow.
Tom said, “Hey, at least you can be happy about Allen’s resignation.”
“To some extent, but he was cleared of bribery. He’ll probably end up running his grandfather’s company. And he, Wainright, and Henderson are free to go ahead with the mysterious lakefront project, which Allen still disavows by the way.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. Your article put folks on notice. They’re going to think twice about selling land to those guys. Besides, as you suggested in the piece, I wouldn’t be surprised if Branson has plans of its own regarding the lakefront.”