Judith sighed. “I'm not his blood granddaughter. My grandmother was Henry Parsons’ agent at one time. My grandfather Henry loved my grandmother and all the children she had. My parents were always very close to my grandfather. Henry, I mean... oh, it seems so strange to call him by his first name.”
“Why did you try and deceive us?” Flint demanded in a hard voice. “Why didn't you tell us the truth?”
“It's true, I knew who you are. But I had to wait and see if you could fool someone. I had to see if you could slip past the gate without being noticed, so to speak,” Judith said in a low whisper. “You fooled the driver. That's perfect. We can work as a team because I need your help.”
“No way,” Flint said. “Listen, sister, you're going back to Los Angeles for questioning. As far as we know, you could have killed Henry Parsons.”
“Would I be sitting here with you and telling you this if I killed my own grandfather?” Judith asked, clearly hurt. “Please, you have to help me.”
“Who killed Henry Parsons?” Flint demanded. Looking past Judith, he studied the driver. The man was focused on navigating the trolly down a winding road.
“If I knew that I wouldn't be asking for you help now, would I?” Judith said passionately. “Detectives, I know I shouldn't have sneaked around my grandfather's mansion. But I had to do something.”
“Where were you hiding when the place was filled with cops?” Flint asked.
“Hidden hallway. The hidden hallway you found in the parlor isn't the only one in the mansion,” Judith explained. “But,” she added, “the hidden hallway you found was one I wasn't aware of.”
“You seem to be very familiar with Henry Parsons’ Mansion,” Tori said.
“I should be. I grew up in that mansion,” Judith replied. “My grandfather practically raised me. Remember, my parents took me to visit him often. The only time I was really away from my grandfather was when he moved to Nevada with my grandmother. Still, my parents and I were allowed to go to the mansion any time we wanted.”
Flint studied Judith. “You must have seen the killer.”
“I saw a man wearing a black ski mask and a black jogging suit,” Judith said. “When I came to visit my grandfather, I walked into his bedroom and saw a man… well…” Her eyes welled up with tears but she swallowed and they disappeared. Her voice became quite matter-of-fact. “Strangling him to death. I screamed and ran away. The killer chased me, but I managed to escape into a hidden hallway and lock myself in. That's when I called the cops. It happened so fast... my grandfather… his arms hanging limp at his side... I'll never forget that for as long as I live.”
“Why didn't you make yourself known when the cops arrived?” Tori asked as the trolly passed through breathtakingly beautiful country.
“I was terrified, of course,” Judith said. “I had just seen a man strangling my grandfather to death. I don't know where that awful man went to when I escaped into hidden hallway. I didn't want to be his next victim. Even when the cops arrived I just couldn't come out of hiding. I began to walk through the hidden halls, trying to figure out what to do. I just somehow felt the killer was still around somewhere, and I was right, too.”
“How you were right?” Flint asked.
“Because I watched you and Detective Arnold from behind the hallway facing the parlor. I saw the killer sneak in, go down the hallway you found, and minutes later, run out,” Judith said. “I know I shouldn't have hid the way I did but I was scared and I was in shock. The truth is, I was afraid you might blame me for my grandfather's death. After all, I'm the only one in his Will.”
“She seems honest, Flint,” Tori said, leaning back in her seat.
“Not enough for me to trust a word she's saying,” Flint said. “Listen, sister, a man was murdered and you did nothing to help anyone. And now, you're claiming to be searching for the man who killed your grandfather, all alone. How do you even know the killer is in Gold Pot, anyway?”
Judith grew silent.
“Well?” Tori gently pushed at Judith for an answer. “We're not your enemies, Judith. We can help you.”
Judith began biting her right thumbnail. “My grandfather called me the morning he was killed. He said that he was scared.”
“About what?” Tori asked, making mental notes.
“He said people were calling him and demanding he tell them where gold was hidden,” Judith explained in a confused voice. “I knew my grandfather and grandmother owned Old West Tours many years. As a small child, I came out to visit them a couple of times, before my parents divorced. That's when my grandfather and grandmother relocated back to Los Angeles and began taking care of me. When my grandmother died, my grandfather gave up on living. He would have died from a broken heart soon or later.”
“Slow down,” Flint said, taking on a friendly tone. “Let's go back to the beginning. Did your grandfather say who was making the demanding phone calls?”
“Someone from Strike It West,” Judith whispered.
Tori looked at Flint, her eyes wide. “So we were right.”
“Your grandfather was a very wealthy man, but he went broke running Old West Tours,” Flint told Judith. “He only had around four million dollars to his name when he was murdered. Your grandfather didn't relocate to this dry area and run a measly tour company just for the fun of it.”
“I know, I know,” Judith said miserably. “I also know this company is running guns. I'm scared my grandfather was somehow involved. The truth of the matter is... my grandfather wasn't a pleasant man. He loved me very much, but he was cold to other people. My grandmother told me my grandfather used to get into a lot of fights with the people he worked making movies with... other actors, directors, producers, even extras.”
“Gold and guns,” Flint said, struggling to connect the puzzle. “Judith, what else did your grandfather tell you on the phone?”
“Nothing,” Judith said. “He wanted me to come and see him in person. He was afraid his phone might be tapped or something like that. The last words he spoke to me were about the ticket you and Detective Arnold found. He told me he would tell me how to find it when I arrived to see him.”
Flint glanced at the driver. The man wasn't paying any attention to him. The wind coming through the windows kept the sound of voices from reaching his ears. “You believe the killer works for Strike It West, right?”
“Yes.”
Tori shook her head. “It was very dangerous for to come here alone.”
“I didn't come here alone,” Judith explained. “I followed you two all the way from California. I drove to the police station and waited.”
“Not bad,” Tori admitted. “You have the making of a good cop.”
“I prefer to stay a writer,” Judith said. “I'm not interested in making enemies. All I want to do is bring my grandfather's killer to justice.”
“Maybe you want the gold?” Flint asked. “Maybe four million dollars isn't enough for you?”
“How dare you,” Judith said icily. “Detective, if I wanted wealth, I could have married the countless country club jerks who are always trying to put a ring on my finger. I'm talking about men that travel the world in yachts that cost more money than I can dream of.”
“Sorry,” Flint backpedaled. “I had to test the water in that area to be sure. I can see that you're being honest with me. Not many people are, Judith. You're rare.”
“I'm also very poor,” Judith said. “But I'm okay with that. I'm okay that I buy my clothes in a thrift store. I'm okay that I eat peanut butter out of a jar.”
“Why didn't your grandfather ever offer to help you?” Tori asked.
“He did,” Judith explained. “I could never accept his money, though. How could I? All my life my parents leeched off my grandfather. I wanted him to be proud of me. It may sound silly, but I wanted my grandfather to see me as a capable, independent, and intelligent woman who was able to support herself.”
“That's admirable, not silly,” Tori said.
“Great,” Judith said. “I know the killer is going to recognize me. I'm depending on that.”
“Because when he does, and he tries to kill you, we'll be there to snatch him, right?” Flint asked.
“That was kinda my plan,” Judith said nervously. “I'm the bait and you're the fishermen, I guess.”
“Not a bad plan,” Flint said. Growing quiet, he watched the landscape change into a rough, dry, hard land filled with boulders and scorched patches of ground. “It's too late to turn back now, anyway. You've put Detective Arnold and me on the spot. But you meant to do that, didn't you? You made sure we wouldn't have a choice in the matter.”
“Kinda,” Judith said in an apologetic voice. “Sorry, Detectives, but I really needed your help. I didn't mean to manipulate you.” Judith looked back and forth from Flint to Tori, from Tori to Flint. “You two are in a great disguise. You look completely different from the people I saw at my grandfather’s mansion. We're in a really good position here. The killer is as good as caught. We can't fail.”
“Never say that,” Flint cautioned. “Dangerous men are running guns out here. Guns are harmless unless a dangerous man decides to pick it up and kill someone with it. And the criminals running guns will not hesitate to aim one at you and pull the trigger.”
“I'll be careful, Detective. I always am.”
Flint bit down on his lower lip and focused on the landscape. He began to think.
Tori leaned her head into the wind and looked away from Judith. A bad feeling swept through her. Realizing the dangerous situation they were in, she reached her hand into her purse and found her gun. “When we arrive with her, it's going to get very real,” she said.
“Yes, it is,” Flint replied, resting his hand on his hidden gun. “Arnold, all we can do is wait and see what kind of ground we'll be given to stand on. But make no mistake about it, when the killer sees us arrive with Judith, he's going to know who we are with or without these disguises.”
“Assuming the killer is even here,” Tori pointed out.
“We're going to find out one way or another,” Flint replied and looked at Judith watching him. The woman sighed deeply and turned around in her seat. “Play it smart,” he whispered to Tori.
When the trolly pulled into a deserted place that resembled and old western town from a black and white cowboy movie, Flint narrowed his eyes. The town was empty. He didn't see a single person. The driver pulled the trolly up to a small, wooden building sitting by itself at the south end of town.
“All right folks,” the driver yelled, “this is your stop. I'll be back to pick you up at five sharp. Be ready or be left behind. When you get off the trolly go into the office. Mr. Edwin Wayberry is waiting for you.”
Flint nodded at Tori and stood up. Tossing back on his Irish accent, he fussed as he exited the trolly. “I expect better service when you come back.”
“You can count on it,” the man said with sarcastic cheerfulness.
“Please excuse my husband,” Tori said to the driver. “He's always grumpy in the morning.”
Judith remained in her seat. The driver swung round to look at her, annoyed. “You getting off, lady, or what?”
“That man from Ireland was very rude to me. I'm not sure if I want to take this tour with him,” she said. Flint and Tori glanced at each other. “He called me a twit. I'm not a twit. Just because I'm from Pasadena doesn't mean I'm a stupid valley girl.”
“It takes all kinds, lady,” the man said. “Get off the trolly or go back to your hotel. Choice is yours.”
“How rude,” Judith said and stood up. “You're just as bad as the Irish man is.” She stalked off the trolly. “I'm going to complain about you.”
“Complain away,” the man said and motioned to the deserted town, laughing. “There's lots of people to listen out here.”
Tori and Flint watched Judith quickly move away from the trolly as it raced off. Flint looked over at the small wooding building acting as the office. “Stay alert,” he said, expecting gun fire to begin volleying at them from the empty town.
Tori shivered. “Creepy.”
Judith stayed in character. “I'm not taking a tour with someone who is so rude,” she yelled at Flint. “Why don't you go back to Ireland and stuff a potato in your mouth.” Storming away toward the office, she prayed her act fooled anyone who might be watching her.
“You stuff a potato in your mouth,” Flint yelled back in his Irish voice. Grabbing Tori's wrist, he marched after Judith.
Halfway to the office, a large man wearing a black cowboy hat stepped outside. “Knock off the yelling,” he said in a loud voice.
Judith stopped walking. The man who had stepped outside of the office resembled a grizzly bear. His face was covered with a thick black beard that matched the dark shirt and black pants the man was wearing. “Mr. Wayberry?”
“That's me.”
“I want to put in a complaint. First, the man who drives the trolly was very rude. Second, that man,” Judith turned and pointed at Flint, “insulted me on the ride here. I'm not very happy.”
To Tori and Flint's surprise, Edwin Wayberry changed from deadly to pleasant in a matter of seconds. “I'm very sorry to hear that, ma’am. I have warned my driver to be more pleasant to my customers. The fact is, he's my wife's brother. I know that doesn't take help you anyway, and it certainly doesn't help me, and I'm sorry about that. I will refund your money and call to have the trolly take you back to Virginia City.”
“No, no,” Judith said, “I'm here. I might as well take the tour. But I would like a refund.”
“Of course,” Edwin assured her.
“What about us?” Flint asked walking up to Judith. “The driver was ride to us, and so was this woman. She called me a stuffy green mushroom.”
Edwin studied Flint and Tori. “My husband is right,” Tori spoke in her British accent. “The driver was very rude. But, I have to admit, he did beginning nagging at this poor girl first. Please, forgive my husband. He's angry because his brother refused to pay him back a loan that was made many years back.”
“I should have broke his nose,” Flint growled, and balled his hands into two fists. “He was always the cheapskate.”
“Please, sir, calm down,” Edwin said. “There's no need to take your anger out on innocent people. I will refund your money and have the trolly take you back to your hotel if you like?”
A dry, hot wind struck Flint in the face. He pushed down on his shirt to prevent the wind from exposing his gun. Pretending to consider Edwin's offer, he pulled Tori off to the side. “My wife and I need to talk.”
“What do you think?” Tori whispered when Flint pulled her out of hearing distance.
Feeling the empty buildings in the deserted town staring at him with dusty eyes and silent voices that had long passed through the land, Flint looked down at Tori's purse. “That man knows who we are,” Flint said. “You saw the way he changed his attitude. We'll play along, but be ready at any minute. We're not alone out here. I'm not sure what kind of game is being played, but we can't throw our hand down yet.”
“I'm with you,” Tori whispered.
Flint took Tori's hand into his, which shocked Tori, and walked back to Edwin. “We'll stay,” he said in a calm voice. “My wife and I are on holiday and taking this tour was my idea. There's not many places like this back in Ireland.”
“I guess not,” Edwin said and looked at a certain building in the town that had once been home to many different sheriffs. “As you read in the brochure, this town is famous for the Legend of the Lost Gold. Somewhere hidden underneath this land lies millions of dollars worth of gold... or so the legend tells us. It's pretty simple. I'm giving each of you a shovel and you can go out and explore around the town and the land. You can go as far as you want, but pay attention to the weather and time. Drink plenty of water an
d be back by five. If you get into any trouble, start yelling. I'll come running.” Edwin glared at Flint and Tori. “You two should have brought water.”
“We assumed you provided water,” Flint said.
“We'll stay in the shade,” Tori said quickly. What Edwin didn't know was that Tori had water packets in her purse. The plan was to appear looking like helpless tourist. But if Flint was right, Tori thought, and Edwin knew who they were, it was good that he thought they didn't have any water.
“See to it that you do because we don't supply water,” Edwin explained. “And try not to kill each other.” Edwin walked to the side of his office, grabbed three shovels, and walked back. He handed Flint and Tori their shovels and handed the last shovel to Judith. “It's best if you stay in a group. You don't have to, of course, but I recommend it.”
“Please,” Tori begged Judith. “We can ignore my grouchy husband and make friends.”
Judith pretended to reject Tori's offer and then agreed. “Sure, as long as he keeps his mouth shut.”
Flint watched Edwin examine Judith with curious eyes. “Let's go,” he said and walked off toward the deserted town. “We'll explore the town first and then dig for gold.”
“Be back by five,” Edwin yelled. “Also, we're not responsible for accidents. Enter the buildings in town at your own risk!”
Tori glanced over her shoulder and watched Edwin return back to his office. “He gave himself away when he was willing to offer our refunds so quickly. Also, it just occurred to me that we're the only people here. Flint, we've been set up.”
“Yep,” Flint said. “Keep walking.”
“What do you mean?” Judith asked, feeling fear grip her heart.
“Wayberry knows exactly who we are,” Flint said in a low voice as they walked toward a building that housed the old hotel. “He knows exactly who you are, too.”
“Judith, does that man fit the physical size of the killer?” Tori asked.
“No, the killer wasn't as big as he was. The killer was a big man, but not as big as that man.”
“Judith,” Flint said, “the ticket I found had the date of May 11, 1988, on it. That's the year your grandparents began Old West Tours. Any idea why your grandfather would hide that ticket in a safe sitting in an empty room?”
Detective Flint Box Set: A Detective Story Box Set Books 1-3 Page 30