* * *
Ginger looked up to see John Worthy strolling through the front door. Startled, he rose to greet him. “John, are you okay? I’m so sorry…” He embraced his friend. His friend gripped him a little tighter.
“I just had to get away. Can we get a table?”
“Of course, John. What do you want to drink?”
“Martini.”
Ginger returned with drinks from his hidden stash.
“How’s your wife?”
“Outraged.”
“Well, she did lose a son.”
“So did I, but I’m not making a movement out of it. The murderer is dead. I just want to grieve and move on the best I can. This constant upheaval gives no closure.”
“What can I do, John?”
“Just be a friend I can drink with and play chess with. I feel comfortable and at ease with you.”
“Whatever you want to do, John.”
“Let’s just sit here and have a few drinks.”
They talked a little and drank a little. Occasionally the conversation drifted back to his son. Ginger listened patiently, and although he had many questions, he refrained from asking, waiting for the appropriate time. Finally, John spoke up.
“You know, Ginger, the strangest coincidence about this whole thing. The young man roofing our house was the man who shot Jeff’s killer.”
“At the liquor store?” Ginger pretended ignorance.
“Yeah. Isn’t that strange? This roofer just happened to walk in the store. He was in the bathroom when the store was being robbed, and startled the robber, who dropped his gun. Joe picked it up and shot him.”
“Joe is your roofer?”
“Yeah. He had been at the house earlier, until the weather turned bad. We had eggnog. I offered to advance him some money for Christmas, but he refused. I know he needed the money. I guess it was his pride.”
“That is strange. You don’t think he had anything to do with it?”
“Oh, no, just a coincidence. He seems like a good kid.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Ginger said reassuringly to John Worthy. However, he was wondering about the elderly couple that was murdered in Joe’s grandmother’s house. Two may be a coincidence, but three made Ginger have his doubts, especially since he had not bought into Joe, the hero. He did not like Joe, and he knew Joe did not like him.
“John, did you know Joe before he came to work for you?”
“Actually, he works for Triple A Roofing. But no, I did not know him before, although Jane has said numerous times she felt like she knew him or his family.”
“How would she know him?”
“I doubt if she does, unless it was connected with one of her causes.”
The two men sat and enjoyed a few drinks, not saying much, just listening to the bar talk. Finally, John rose from his chair, shook Ginger’s hand, and promised to be back in a few days.
CHAPTER 24
Rick drove by the house on Clyde Street. He sat in his car and stared at the residence, an old rundown house, made of wood siding and painted pale yellow. This was the last place Rick would have robbed. Could there have been cash? The perpetrator must have known them or something about them. Could they have possibly identified him? Is that why he killed them? Rick walked completely around the house before going inside.
The inside had many different odors, mostly stale and pungent smells rising from the kitchen and single bathroom. The two bedrooms had the scent of sweat and needed to be cleaned. Luckily, the bodies were found quickly or the situation could have been horrendous. Every trash can was full, and none had a plastic liner. The ashtrays were disgustingly full. The carpet had not been shampooed in ages and smelled of pet urine. The refrigerator smelled of old leftovers and uncooked fish. There was very little blood on the old man’s bed. Rick wondered if the old couple did, in fact, know the killer. Three different weapons—a .38 pistol, a 9mm handgun, and a shotgun—were used to commit the three crimes. The only common denominator was Joe Cooper. Rick needed a sounding board. Ginger would do.
* * *
“Hey, Rick.”
“I’m glad you’re here, Ginger. I need to bounce some things across your imaginative mind.”
“Just don’t bounce too hard. You’re off the clock; let’s grab a beer and go to my office. No interruptions, Dot; hold all my calls. Pick up my cleaning.”
“Yeah, right.”
Both men assumed positions they were very comfortable with: Rick in Ginger’s chair, Ginger across from him.
“So, what’s up?” asked Ginger.
“What do you make of the last few days, the crimes and everything else?”
“You’re the detective. I’m not privy to all your information.”
“Truthfully, you know as much as anyone. Jeff Worthy was murdered, a shotgun was stolen, a liquor store was robbed, the clerk was killed, and a customer picked up the loose gun and killed the thief. A few days later, two elderly people were killed in their home. The murder weapon was left behind at the crime scene, David Brown’s fingerprints were on the gun. The only catch: Mr. David Brown was quite dead.”
“Therefore, the natural assumption is that Brown had a second gun at his house, which his brother had access to. He wiped it down, but not good enough, even though he wore gloves, left the gun behind by accident, or perhaps to frame the previous owner. Were there any powder traces on Junior?”
“No, but he shot through a pillow.”
“Shouldn’t there have been some evidence?”
“Probably so. We’ll know more tomorrow.”
“So, you have a case, maybe a little weak, but enough to go to court. You’ve done your job. Let’s go hunting.”
“Something is just not right. What connection is there between Brown, Junior, and the old couple? I’ll put Dave on it, but I have a feeling he won’t find the connection.”
“Too hard to prove?”
“Not without witnesses or neighbors who saw them or heard them.”
“And the .38?”
“I bet it doesn’t belong to Brown or Junior. But I can’t explain the fingerprints.”
“There’s something still bothering you. What is it?”
“Who else has connections with all three crimes?”
“Joe Cooper,” Ginger said, looking directly into Rick’s eyes.
“Yeah, but what’s his motive? He hasn’t fled. In fact, he’s been cooperative and seems to be a nice guy.”
“But there’s still a doubt?”
“Yeah.”
“Check out the Clyde Street house in depth. Compare it with everything you can find about Cooper.”
“I know you dislike Joe, but you sincerely suspect him, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do,” Ginger confirmed. “He dislikes me and distrusts me and it’s not because of Marjorie. He doesn’t care for her, just the support her office might give.”
“How about a little undercover work?”
“Such as?”
“You know most of the bars. So snoop around. Then Saturday we’ll sum him up while we hunt.”
“I really look forward to that. Joe Cooper walking behind us with a 12-gauge.”
“Get us another beer, and then you’re on the clock.”
“Do I get a badge?”
“You don’t need no stinkin’ badge.”
CHAPTER 25
It was happy hour, so Ginger could bounce around the small bars where construction workers and so-called “oilfield trash” hung out. He would start at the Moon Light, a dive on the eastern edge of town, where the southsiders migrated on their way home. Many of the customers had been to other bars, so they picked up the latest gossip.
Ginger walked into the bar among echoes of, “What are you doing here? Wrong side of town, aren’t you?”
“Just slumming, boys and girls, just slumming.” He sat at the bar near the corner. It gave him a good view. There were about ten customers, mostly at the bar. Ginger had grown to know most of them
over the years.
“You close up your place, Ginger?”
“No, just down the road looking for parts to a riding mower.”
A tall redhead served him a Miller Lite without asking.
“Thank you, Ann.”
“Why do you need to mow this time of year?’
“Just trying to get it ready by spring, while the repair shops can get to it.”
“That’s true.”
“So what’s been going on around here?”
Another patron jumped in, “Same old shit. Just another day. Waiting for the holidays to be over.”
“Well, the multiple murders have made it a little different.”
“But they caught the guy, right?’
“Yeah, with a little help from a private citizen.”
“Anyone know him?” Ginger snuck in.
The tall redhead spoke up. “A few of the guys said they knew him from the Whiskey Trough. They said he was a good guy. However, he’s not local. Just chasing storms.”
“Ann, give the house a round.” Everyone nodded their thanks. Ginger had another and then said his goodbyes and headed to the next bar.
Ginger ducked into the side door of the Whiskey Trough, sitting at the corner of the bar. Pam was halfway down the bar before she recognized him.
“Ginger, it’s been a while.” She walked around the bar and gave him a warm hug and kiss. “What brings you in?”
“Different things.”
“Oh?” She smiled.
“Now that goes without saying, babe.”
“Let me buy you a beer first.”
“I won’t argue with that.”
“So, what have you been up to?”
“Trying to keep the bar going and working on the lake house.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been there. I would like to see it.”
“Any time you want to,” Ginger grinned.
“Well, I have a boyfriend now.”
“That’s never stopped us before.”
“Well, maybe it’s different this time.”
“I wish you the best of luck.”
“I’m ready to settle down. This bar scene is killing me. In addition, I know you have a new girlfriend, at least for now. What is really on your mind?”
“Really, there is nothing. I just felt like cruising around. However, if you have a few days off, I really need some help. I want to go hunting this weekend.”
“I could use the extra money. Let me check with Joe.”
“Joe?”
“Yeah, here he is now.”
Joe didn’t recognize Ginger until it was too late. “Ginger, what are you doing here?”
“Just stopped by for a beer and to ask Pam if she could work this weekend while we went hunting.”
“You two know each other?”
Ginger smiled. “Sure. Old friends. Isn’t that right, Joe?”
Joe attempted to regroup. “Sure, lifetime buddies.” He knew he had to be careful and play this scene close to the vest. He smiled and shook Ginger’s hand.
“So, you guys are going hunting?”
“If you can work for me.”
“Well, I can on Saturday.”
“Call Dot and she’ll meet you.”
“Just like old times.”
“Yeah, just like old times,” Ginger agreed. “Give us a beer. We’re not camels, you know.”
Joe’s curiosity was peaking.
Several people walked by and asked Joe how the investigation was going. A few bought him beers. He looked at Ginger and shrugged. Ginger did the same.
“Oh, well, what are you going to do?”
“Beats me! I don’t know any of these people.”
“Except Pam.”
“Yeah,” Joe smiled. “I know Pam.”
“Joe, I have enjoyed it, but I’ve got to get back to the bar. I’ll meet you and Rick at my place.”
Ginger walked to his truck, noticing a red Dodge pickup in the parking lot, just like the one he had seen drive past his bar.
The Hilton bar was sparse. The days between Christmas and New Year’s slowed the normal routine down.
There were a few businessmen in town. Ginger strolled to the bar. “Hey, Cynita.”
“Ginger! What’s going on?”
“Same old thing.”
“Drink or beer?”
“Drink. I get enough beer at my place.”
“Right, but you keep vodka close enough to touch.”
“But that’s illegal.”
“You have friends,” she smiled.
“So, not trying to change the subject, what have you been up to? Any new love interests?”
“Drink your vodka.” She smiled.
“So you do have a new man?”
“Not really. Just a possibility.”
“That’s great. You deserve it.”
“Let me buy you a famous Cynita shot.”
“It’s too early.”
“It’s dead in here. Besides, I don’t like to drink alone.”
“OK, but only one.”
“Let’s do it.”
They laughed and talked about different characters over the years. Finally, Ginger found an opening. “Who’s this new man in your life?”
“You don’t know him. He’s not from here.”
“Where’s he from?”
“I think the Houston area.”
“What does he do?”
“Roofing. Chasing storms and such.”
“Sounds like the guy in the news. You know, the guy who busted up the liquor store robbery?”
Cynita smiled with a blush.
“That’s him, isn’t it? You devil, you got yourself a hero,” Ginger smiled.
“Don’t say anything, Ginger.”
“I won’t, babe. You know that,” he lied. “Tell me about this hero.”
“He’s got a great personality. Everyone likes him. He’s kind of shy, until you get a few drinks in him. Then he loosens up. He was here with the cops and DA, your ex, after all the shit happened. They partied for a few hours. I think the DA bitch had a thing for him.”
“Did they leave together?” Ginger asked, mostly for his own ego.
“Trust me, not for long. He came back, and we partied with some salesmen, went to the Bitter End, then came back here.”
“Has he been back?”
“A couple times. But he was told to avoid the press and too much publicity. I think we’ll hook up this weekend.”
“I hope things go well. He sounds like a nice guy.”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Well, I better get back.”
“Come see me.”
Ginger left, even more curious than before.
CHAPTER 26
Jane Worthy paced her kitchen, as if measuring it. She thought about Jeff and cried. She thought about Joe and cried. She thought about John. She had a mixture of feelings: pity, sadness, and resentment.
She had to do something for Joe. He had stood up and taken action, much like she had always done. Get involved. Make a statement and stick to it. That’s what she had done with her movement. At first, she was a part of the anti-abortion movement, but then moved on and formed “God Save the Child.” The nonprofit organization was extremely successful statewide. Maybe Joe could join her cause. It would give his life more meaning. It was the least she could do.
The phone rang. “Mrs. Worthy, this is Joe Cooper. Are you all right? I’ve been worrying about you.”
“Oh, Joe. I’m glad you called. I’ve been thinking about you too. I’m doing okay. I’m kind of in a daze but holding up.”
“I just wanted to check on you and John. How is he doing?”
“He just keeps to himself.”
“Well, I won’t keep you. I know I need to get over and finish your roof, but I’m afraid the press will follow me and…”
“Don’t worry about it, Joe. That’s the least of our worries. Just find time to come by and visit. I need to tal
k to you.”
“I’ll be glad to, Mrs. Worthy.”
“Call me Jane.”
“I’ll try to come by in the next few days. I’ll borrow a car, so no one will follow me, but I will call you first.”
“That sounds great, Joe. You’re such a comfort. I will never forget you.”
Joe was sure she wouldn’t forget him. He hung up the phone and then called his boss. He needed a draw. He was sure it would be no problem.
CHAPTER 27
John Worthy sat on the pier at Ginger’s lake house. Even though it was cold, the wind had calmed, and he was quite warm with insulated clothes. He had a thermos of coffee and a bottle of bourbon next to him to ensure his warmth. He had two fishing poles out, not caring if he caught anything. Ginger was on the patio, cooking chili on the fire pit and giving John some breathing room. John would stay until morning, then return home. Ginger would wait for Rick and Joe. They would hunt quail behind the house, then sit on the patio or pier, eat chili and get drunk. Life in West Texas was not for everyone, but for a large percentage it was great. Sleep if only for a while.
Ginger’s cell phone rang. It was Rick. “Did you find out anything?”
“Yeah, our faired-haired boy has been busy. He has several girlfriends at several bars.”
“If that was a crime, I would have arrested you a long time ago.”
“No, I’m serious. While I was at the Whiskey Trough, he walked in smiling and feeling lucky, until he saw me. He quickly regained his composure and acted buddy-buddy. We talked about hunting and I told him to call you. This hero stuff has gone to his head.”
“That doesn’t make him a criminal.”
“No, but it makes me suspicious.”
“John Worthy came down this morning. He’s sitting on the pier fishing. He has nothing but praise for Joe. It’s amazing.”
“Better keep him away from Bev,” Rick joked.
“Real funny. You’re a funny boy.”
“Anything else?”
“He did say they couldn’t find Jeff’s new watch.”
“That’s interesting. I’ll check into it and call you back,” Rick said. “Check the pawn shops.”
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