Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers

by Diane Capri

  Clarence smiled, quickly closing the distance between them. Without saying a word, he kissed her soundly before pulling away, the twinkle in his eyes now a determined gleam. “You just let someone try and stop me.”

  For the next two hours they put their heads together, coming up with strategic plans, tossing them aside as too complicated or unfeasible. The seriousness of their plans never entered their minds as they laughed like teenagers, holding hands. Millie kissed him good-bye, telling him she’d be sure to lock the doors and keep the gun loaded. For the first time in years, she felt in control of her own destiny. She felt alive.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “Damn,” Sarah cursed, struggling to bring the Explorer under control. Letting her foot off the gas pedal, she breathed deeply and pulled over to the side of the road. What the hell was she thinking? Her hands trembled as she pried them loose from the steering wheel, realizing she’d almost met the same fate as Johanna Nelson. And for the same reasons. Everything was moving too fast. Her emotions had run the gamut, and now she was left with nothing but fear. Fear of losing control. She had three dead bodies, and no suspects. Gavin lay wounded in her bed, and Nikki was scared and upset. Continuing to breathe deeply, Sarah forced herself to calm down. She needed to think rationally. Allow her mind to sort through the evidence, look for the catalyst. It all started with Corrine Larson, and the death of Johanna Nelson. Sarah tightened her hands around the wheel. It was her job to protect the people of Glade Springs. If that meant stepping on toes, then she’d step on toes. Someone knew something, and it was time she asked the right questions and got the right answers. She headed to Doc Hawthorne’s.

  Sarah wasn’t surprised to find Doc’s light still burning in his office, nor did he appear surprised to see her.

  “Come in, Sarah. Been expecting you.”

  “Why’s that, Doc?”

  His eyes narrowed, a scowl accentuating the deep furrows of his face. “Shouldn’t of done it. Thought I was doing the right thing.”

  “What did you do?” Sarah was beginning to feel as if she’d fallen into the twilight zone of riddles and parables as she watched Doc Hawthorne fidget with the manila folder.

  Doc came towards her, his smile sad, eyes showing the burden of too many years of caring, too much pain. “All I can say in my defense is I did it for the right reasons.”

  Sarah took the folder, skimming the autopsy report of Johanna Nelson.

  “Dear God, Jim, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You know how this town is, Sarah.”

  Sarah nodded. The gossip, the scrutiny, the blame. It wasn’t just this town, it was all towns. They lived in a very unforgiving world.

  Sarah stood at the doorway for just a second, wishing she had time or words to relieve his pain and guilt.

  “I have to go, Doc. We’ll discuss this later.”

  Sarah waited for an answer, some acknowledgement that he’d heard her. When none came, she quietly closed the door behind her.

  #

  Sarah parked in front of the sheriff’s office and turned off the engine, wishing she could turn off her thoughts as easily. The image of Doc Hawthorne standing head bowed, liver spotted hands clutching the desk chair as if he no longer had the strength to stand, haunted her. If she reported him, he’d lose his license. Grabbing the manila folder, Sarah pushed open the door of the Explorer and forced her thoughts away from Doc. There was no time for empathy; Doc would have to deal with his own pain.

  Entering the office, Sarah stood for a moment basking in the warmth of her second home. She glanced around the room, surprised to find that Ella Mae and Joshua were still on duty. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she barked out orders.

  “Ella Mae, I want the file on Johanna Nelson’s accident. Joshua, my office, now.”

  Sarah saw the questioning look that passed between the two, as Ella Mae jumped to obey, handing the file to Joshua who followed Sarah meekly down the hall.

  “Close the door.”

  Sarah stopped, her eyes drawn to the vase of red roses in the center of her desk.

  “Where did these come from?”

  Joshua grinned. “Good Reverend delivered them himself. Didn’t read the card though.”

  Sarah removed the small card from the vase. Sheriff, I hope you’ll accept my apology for my wife’s rudeness. I assure you, it won’t happen again.

  She fingered the card for several seconds. There was something there, something not quite right. Picking up the phone, she placed a call.

  “Edgewood Police Department.”

  “Arthur Daniels, please. Sheriff Sarah Burns calling.”

  “Hold on.”

  Sarah fingered the card as she waited for Arthur to pick up.

  “Hey, Sarah, what’s going on?”

  “Need a favor, Arthur.”

  “Sure. What you got?”

  “Run a background check, and see if you can get me a picture of the Reverend Jacob and Sheila Cooper. Came here from Van Cleve about two months ago.”

  “Take a couple of days, but I’ll see what I can get.”

  “Thanks, Arthur.” Sarah hung up the phone, tossed the card into the trashcan, and sat down at her desk. She didn’t have time to worry about the Reverend or his marital problems, but she was glad the roses had reminded her to run that background check. Taking the file, she studied the report she’d written and frowned. Nothing seemed unusual.

  Joshua fidgeted impatiently. “Sarah, are you ever going to tell me what the hell is going on?”

  “I don’t think Johanna Nelson’s death was an accident. I think she was murdered,” Sarah stated, glancing up to emphasize her words.

  “Your eyes are blue.”

  Sarah felt the blood drain from her face. She’d forgotten to put the contact lenses in. And how long had they been out? Joshua’s face registered shock, along with the million questions Sarah knew must be running through his mind. There was just not enough time. Recovering quickly, she plunged on.

  “I’ll explain that later, Joshua. Right now, you’re just going to have to trust me that there’s a good reason for that. We’ve got bigger problems. What do you know about David Nix and Johanna Nelson?”

  Joshua looked away from her steady gaze. “I know he was seeing her. Hell, Sarah, everyone knew he was seeing her.”

  Everyone except me, Sarah thought.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t think it was important. He didn’t kill her. I mean, it had to be an accident. Nix is an ass, but he isn’t capable of murder.”

  “Did you know she was pregnant?”

  “Shit.” Joshua sank into the old armchair, the word summing it up for both of them. People did a lot of things to cover up mistakes. And if David Nix had gotten Johanna pregnant, that was definitely a mistake. Nix had plans to run for governor next year. Nothing like an affair and illegitimate child to kill a political career. And then there was Claire. She wanted that governor’s mansion. Claire Nix could be ugly when she didn’t get what she wanted. Real ugly.

  Sarah reread the report, looking for anything that might give her a lead. The car had been towed to George Riley’s Body Shop.

  “Joshua, I want you to get Tommy over to George Riley’s. I want that car checked from top to bottom, brake lines, tires, steering, everything.” Sarah slammed the file shut and stood up. “I’ll call you after I’m finished with David Nix.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  Sarah hesitated, knowing the decisions she made in the next hour could have a drastic effect on her future. “All right, but get Tommy started first.”

  Sarah didn’t wait for Joshua, but left the office, striding determinedly. It was all coming clear now. Ever since Johanna’s death something had been niggling at her. She knew now who had been in the car with her. What she didn’t know was what had happened after the crash. Sarah thought back over the past few weeks. David had been upset, different. He seemed to have lost some of his obnoxious confiden
ce. When Gavin had told her about the visit from Claire Nix, it had all come together in her mind. Secrets. Gavin was right, the whole world was full of secrets. She just hoped this one hadn’t caused the death of a young woman and her child.

  Starting the engine, she waited for Joshua to climb in and fasten his seat belt. “Ready?” Sarah questioned, giving him one more chance to back out.

  “Uh, you might want to put your contacts in, Sarah. Save a lot of explanations.”

  “Oh, God.” Sarah reached into the glove box for the green contacts. “Thanks, Joshua.”

  “No problem.” He grinned at her, but Sarah could see the confusion and strain of the past few days reflected in the tautness of his face. She was asking a lot of him.

  Darkness descended quickly in the mountains, and the mayor’s house was lit up. Sarah hesitated again. If she were wrong, she might be destroying her own career as well as Joshua’s.

  “Maybe you should stay here. Wait for me.”

  “No way, Sarah. Comes with the territory, remember? My job.”

  Sarah felt her eyes mist over, knowing he knew what was about to happen could destroy his future. And yet he would still go in there, stand beside her. Loyalty. It was the one thing she’d seen in his face the day she hired him. Joshua was fiercely loyal to those he cared about.

  “Okay. Let’s go.”

  Sarah’s stride spoke of confidence, a sureness she didn’t feel inside as she rang the doorbell.

  “Why, Sheriff Burns, what brings you here?” Claire Nix opened the door herself, eyes watchful, wary.

  “This isn’t a social visit, Claire. I need to speak with David in private, please.”

  “Well!” Claire’s gaze turned hostile. Sarah stood her ground. She felt no satisfaction in knowing she won, as Claire turned abruptly and hissed, “Follow me.” She left them at the library door. “He’s in there.”

  Sarah was suddenly glad for Joshua’s presence. The slight pressure of his hand on her shoulder. She knocked, “David, it’s Sheriff Burns.”

  The door opened immediately, and Sarah had the distinct feeling he’d been standing on the other side, listening, waiting.

  “Come in. Why, Sheriff, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you out there trying to find out who killed that poor girl? Or those other people?”

  Good old David, attack before being attacked. It wasn’t going to work this time. Her voice cold, authoritative, she addressed him. “Sit down, David.”

  To Sarah’s surprise he obeyed. As he sank into the desk chair, his lips quivered, double chins bobbing, as he sobbed, “I’m so sorry.”

  “What happened to Johanna Nelson?” Sarah felt the anger rising inside her.

  “Accident. I swear to God it was an accident. She was driving too fast, couldn’t make the curve. I wanted to help her, but I was so scared. Claire…Claire told me I had to end it. I didn’t know. She didn’t drink. I didn’t know.”

  Sarah gritted her teeth against the rising rage. “You were with her? You left her there to die?”

  “No, I swear to God, she was already dead. I didn’t know what to do. I called Claire. Claire always knows what to do.”

  Sarah paced back and forth. She wanted to choke the filthy bastard.

  “And the liquor?”

  “I was drinking. Claire said we had to do it.”

  Sarah continued her angry pacing. She could arrest him for leaving the scene of the accident.

  “Please don’t tell anyone.”

  Sarah’s control snapped. Reaching across the desk she grabbed the front of his shirt, hauling him up face to face. “Don’t tell anyone? You spineless piece of trash. She’s dead because of you.”

  “Back off, Sarah.” Joshua grabbed her by the shoulders. “He ain’t worth it.”

  Sarah let go of the shirt and stuffed her hands into her pockets. It was too tempting to choke the son-of-a-bitch. Joshua pulled her away from the desk, his voice barely a whisper. “It would only hurt Johanna’s parents. They’ve been hurt enough.” He inclined his head toward the door. They both needed a breath of fresh air.

  Sarah shook her head. Not yet. The bastard showed no remorse for the death of Johanna and her child. All he was worried about was what it was going to do to his image.

  “Did you know she was pregnant?”

  Nix’s face paled even more, the fat jaws trembling beneath her wrath.

  “No, I swear to God…”

  “Leave God out of this!” Sarah screamed at him. “Where were you this morning? Did you shoot Gavin McAllister?”

  “McAllister shot? No, dear God, no. I wouldn’t do anything like that.”

  As much as Sarah hated to admit it, even to herself, she believed him. Still, she wanted a reason, any reason to throw his fat ass in jail. The door slammed open behind them, and Sarah jerked around, hand automatically going for her pistol. Claire Nix stood there, her face contorted, a grotesque mask of hatred.

  “I shot McAllister.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Carl squirmed in the plush armchair under the chief’s penetrating glare, wishing he could light a cigarette. Didn’t have to smoke the damn thing, just light it. “It was all my idea, sir. Rob ain’t got nothing to do with this.”

  “That’s bullshit, Chief. If anybody is at fault here, it’s me.”

  Chief Walsh sat back, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. “Why?”

  Carl swallowed, his hands fluttering nervously from knees to jacket pocket. Goddamn no smoking rules. “We figured you’d take us off the case when we made the connection between the two cases.”

  “You figured?” Chief Walsh sat forward and roared, eyes blazing. “You knew goddamn well I’d take you off the case! You’re just lucky McAllister wasn’t killed!”

  “Yes, sir,” Carl said, eyes on his feet.

  “Two hours. I want a report on my desk in two hours.”

  Rob cleared his throat as he pulled the sheets of paper from inside his jacket. “Already done, sir.” He avoided looking at Carl as he continued. “I was going to give it to you today, along with my resignation.”

  “Shit.” Carl stood up and walked to the window taking the cigarettes from his jacket pocket. Screw the fucking rules. Ignoring the chief’s warning look, he shook out a cigarette and placed it between his lips, hands shaking slightly as the lighter clicked loudly in the silent room.

  A smiled tugged at the corners of Chief Walsh’s lips as he opened the top drawer of his desk and placed an ashtray on the corner of the desk. “Don’t get ashes on my floor.”

  Chief Walsh read the report, nodding occasionally. When he reached the last page, he tore it in half and tossed it into the trashcan. “You don’t get off that easy. Take what you’ve got down to Jefferson and get a profile report.”

  “Yes, sir.” Rob breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Well, what the hell are you waiting for? I thought you two were on vacation?”

  Stubbing out the cigarette, Carl grinned, heading for the door before the chief changed his mind.

  “Jackson.”

  “Yes, sir,” Carl turned, holding his breath.

  “There’s another problem in Glade Springs.” Taking a note pad from his desk, Chief Walsh quickly jotted down the name and address, handing it to Carl. Millie Crawford, 145 Second Street, Glade Springs, West Virginia.

  Carl met the chief’s somber gaze and nodded. “I’ll see it gets taken care of, sir.

  #

  Sarah longed for the comfort of her bed, the warmth of her child. The news of Claire Nix’s arrest spread like wildfire through the town. The phone was ringing incessantly. People wanted answers. Answers she couldn’t give them.

  “Damn, that woman is cold,” Joshua stated as he entered the office and tossed the keys on Sarah’s desk.

  Sarah nodded, absently rubbing her temples. “Did she tell you why she did it?”

  “Said she told him to leave. He didn’t.”

  Sarah laughed. As absurd as it sounded, that would have
been reason enough for Claire.

  Joshua flopped in the old armchair. “She wants to see you.”

  “Did she say why?”

  Shaking his head, Joshua placed a toothpick between his teeth. “Probably wants to explain.”

  Sarah raised one eyebrow, ignoring the steady hazel gaze. “Explain what?”

  “Don’t think she meant to shoot him. Probably just wanted to scare him. Her aim just wasn’t too good.” Joshua chuckled, imagining the shocked look on Claire’s face when the bullet actually struck Gavin.

  “Well, she did shoot at him, and she did hit him. Intended or not.” Taking the keys, Sarah headed for the door. The sooner she got this over with the sooner she could try to get some rest.

  “Go home, Sarah,” Joshua said quietly. “You’re gonna crash if you don’t get some rest. Claire can wait until tomorrow.”

  Sarah shook her head, too tired to argue. It was her job to deal with these things.

  “You’re not good to anyone if you crash. Besides, how long has it been since you really saw Nikki? She needs you, Sarah. And you’ve got McAllister to deal with. I’ll stay here tonight.” Joshua had her attention and pushed it home. “We can get by one night without you, you know.”

  Sarah knew what he was saying made sense. Juanita and José had been practically living at her home, taking care of Nikki. And now she had Gavin McAllister there to be taken care of. Besides, she was so tired she wasn’t really functioning. Running on caffeine and fear. Joshua was right, she had to crash eventually.

  Tossing the keys on the desk she consented. “Okay, but you call me immediately if anything comes up.”

  “Don’t I always?” Joshua grinned as he watched her leave. Placing the toothpick between his teeth, he moved to the sheriff’s chair. He liked it here. Waiting until he was sure Sarah was safely on her way home, he dialed the mayor’s number. He could at least listen to what the man had to say.

  “Hello.”

  “Mayor, Joshua Cross. The sheriff’s gone.”

  “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”