Nealy started to shake. She dropped her head into her hands and bit down on her tongue so she wouldn’t cry when her daughter’s words thundered in her ears, You forgot to love me along the way. And then the crowning insult—Nick feels the same way I do.
It must be true since Nick’s phone calls were almost nonexistent these days. She had thought it was because of Hatch and his tirade about a case he was working on. Now she knew better.
Alone. Always alone.
The shadows in the cemetery were deepening. How easy it was to lose all sense of time in this place. Here, unlike the world outside this quiet place, things were neither black nor white, they just were. Beyond the low wall, a sharp line defined her life, and it was black or white. There were no gray shadings, no maybes, no what-ifs. It was. She wondered if she tried to explain her thoughts to anyone if they would understand. Probably not.
Fifty-seven!
It was a number.
In the barn, Nealy’s mood changed instantly as she walked with Lee Liu and Jake up and down the breezeway. “And this big guy is Gadfly. He’s the horse you’ll be riding in the Derby if things work out. Let him get your scent. Talk to him, stroke his head. When you’re finished talking, slip him this mint. Always keep them in your shirt pocket, but be stingy with them. They’re a sweet reward for a job well done. He already knows this, so he’ll be looking for them. Praise goes a long way with this horse. Later, Jake can fill you in on the story of Gadfly, who, by the way, is the biggest horse ever to come out of Blue Diamond Farms.
“This small baby is Hifly.” She waited to see if Lee’s reaction would be the same as her own when she saw Hifly for the first time. It wasn’t.
“He reminds me of John Henry,” Lee said. “He’s got a good configuration. The question is, can he run?”
“No!” Jake said. Then he grinned, and said, “He flies! And I’m his pilot.” He fingered the gold wings in his pocket.
“Ah, I see. That has to mean he’s very good.”
“Yes, he’s very good,” Jake said.
“And Gadfly?”
“He’s like greased lightning,” Nealy said. “In my opinion, he’s as good as his daddy, and that says it all. I’m going to leave you two now and go up to the house. Hatch is due home any minute. I’ll see you both bright and early in the morning.”
Nealy was sitting in the kitchen having her after-dinner coffee when Hatch walked through the kitchen door. She set her coffee cup down carefully and got up to greet him, not liking the grim set of his jaw or the cold look in his eyes. He barely grazed her cheek when he kissed her. He walked over to the coffeepot, poured a cup, then reached up into the cabinet for a bottle of bourbon. He poured generously into his cup. He drank it in two gulps, then fixed a second cup. He carried it to the table and sat down, his expression the same as it was when he walked through the door.
Nealy sat down opposite him. “Would you like some dinner, Hatch? You look awful. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I’m not hungry. Your son is what’s wrong, Nealy. Willow went to visit him in Santa Fe. He didn’t have the good sense to call the police. They’re probably hauling his ass into jail as we speak. I had this gut feeling she was going to head for Nick. The minute I found out she walked out of the jail, I knew. I can’t believe it, but, by God, that’s what she did. No one saw her, no one tried to stop her. She had a good fifteen-minute head start before they knew she was gone. Nealy, she just up and walked away. What the hell was Nick thinking of?”
Nealy was so agitated, she spilled her coffee all over the table. Some of it dribbled onto Hatch’s lap. She tried to mop it up with paper napkins. “I don’t know, Hatch. His heart, I guess. Are you sure he didn’t call the police? How do you know all this?”
“I told you, I had a gut feeling. I called one of the guys in the investigative firm we use and told him to watch Nick’s house. I didn’t want the kid getting into trouble, Nealy. I thought he had more damn sense. The whole thing is a big mess. The bottom line is, she’s gone, and Nick is on the hook, unless he came to his senses and made the call later on. You need to give him a call, Nealy. For all I know his ass could be in jail.”
Nealy paced back and forth in the kitchen, wringing her hands. “This is terrible. I’m probably the last person he wants to talk to right now. I’ll do it, I’ll do it,” she said, reading the angry expression on her husband’s face.
“You’re his mother for God’s sake.”
“Apparently, if you are to believe Emmie, I hold that title in name only. I’m calling him, Hatch. Just let me get my wits together.”
Hatch got up from the table and snagged a piece of celery from the cutting board. He chomped on it as he poured coffee into his cup for the third time. He tilted the bourbon bottle and poured. Nealy watched him out of the corner of her eye.
“Nick, it’s Mom. I need to talk to you. Hatch just came back from Las Vegas and told me that Willow is on the run again. An investigator the firm uses says she visited you and that you didn’t notify the police. Is that true, Nick? If it is true, you could be in big trouble. Hatch is here now. Do you want to talk to him?”
“No, I don’t want to talk to Hatch. Why is it so easy for you to believe I would do something like that, Mom? Yeah, and why is Hatch so quick to believe I would break the law and damage the firm’s image? You’re both pissing me off here. Yes, Willow was here. She broke into my house in the middle of the night. She stayed till it was almost light, then she left. She asked me if I would give her a head start before I called the police. I told her I wouldn’t call the police, but I did call them. If you want to stretch that hour into getaway time, then go ahead. I got up, took a shower, shaved, got dressed, drove to the police station, and filed a report. I did what I was supposed to do, so get off my back. And you can tell your husband to get the hell off my back, too. If you two are having sticky problems, don’t lay them on me. I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m going to hang up now before one of us says something we’ll regret. Good-bye, Mom.”
Nealy turned to Hatch. “It appears you were a tad premature. Nick did go to the police station, and he did file a report. He wouldn’t lie about something like that. He also said we’re both, as in you and I, pissing him off. You’re angry, Hatch, I can see that, but why are you taking it out on Nick and me? Clients burn their lawyers all the time. It goes with the job, doesn’t it? It can’t always be a hundred percent in your favor. It’s called human error, being human, whatever. I’m starting to think you might be sorry you got mixed up with my family. Nobody forced you to take on Willow’s case. I was grateful that you did, but when she ran away the first time, you could have called it quits and filed something with the courts. You didn’t have to go back the second time.”
Hatch sat down and rubbed at his aching temples. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I never had a client like Willow. She’s a wild card. Some small part of me admires her guts. The girl is a survivor. By now she’s probably halfway around the world. She had help along the way, that’s for sure.”
“Why don’t we just lay it to rest? She’s gone, and there’s nothing you can do. Let’s get back to our lives and move forward.”
“By moving forward, do you mean the running of the farm and training the horses for the Derby?” Hatch asked carefully.
Nealy answered just as carefully. “I guess that’s what I mean. Lee Liu arrived today. He’s with Jake. I made the decision to let Jake ride in the Derby. I really think he’s good enough. All his fear is gone.”
“He’s never run a race, not even a stakes race, Nealy. He’s so damn young. Are you sure he’s ready?”
“He’s as ready as I was at that age. He’s really come into himself these last six months. He’s got perfect balance, and that’s what I was looking for. Cordell says his stance is a mixture of dynamic imbalance and ballistic opportunity. Jake has that. He’s also got that exquisite sense of pace over each furlong. To you that means an eighth of a mile. It’s such a pleasure to
work with him. I’m seeing myself all over again from way back when. This is not a decision I made lightly, Hatch. The boy is ready. Hifly is ready. It remains to be seen about Lee Liu. I’m hopeful though.” Excitement ringing in her voice, she said, “In my wildest dreams I never, ever, thought I would have two horses running in the Derby. I get giddy just thinking about it.”
Hatch eyed his wife over the rim of his coffee cup. He remained silent, wondering how much time they would have together now that she had committed to the Derby. “I think I’ll go back to Santa Fe tomorrow and check on things. I might have to mend a few fences where Nick is concerned. I want to talk to the investigator myself. I don’t want anything coming back to bite me later on. Do you mind?”
“Nope. I’m going to have my hands full with Lee. Stay as long as you like.”
“Now that’s a romantic statement if I ever heard one,” Hatch grumbled.
“Oh, honey, I didn’t mean it that way. I meant take as long as you need to make sure you’re okay with everything. I’d rather you stayed here, but we did make a deal. We each get to do what we want to do as long as it doesn’t interfere with our marriage. As in you and me. Seeing as how you’re going to be leaving tomorrow, what do you say to us storing up some memories to draw on while you’re gone?” Nealy stood and linked her arm with her husband’s.
“I’d say that’s the best offer I’ve had all day,” Hatch said, leading her to the stairs.
“Nice to see you again, Cal.” Hatch’s hand shot forward. The private investigator pumped vigorously before he handed over a manila folder.
“It’s not extensive. I didn’t go out to the desert, but I did get the license plate number of the truck Willow Bishop drove here. As I told you, she parked it around the corner and walked to Nick’s house. I don’t know if she heisted the truck or if the guy gave it to her. He’s one of the old-timers around here who live out in the desert. I ran his plate, and his license is suspended. Not because of anything he did but because he’s legally blind and is still driving. He tries to elude the cops by using back streets. I didn’t go out to his house or make any inquiries. I waited to see what you wanted me to do.”
“I’ll take it from here, Cal. Send your bill to the firm. Thanks.”
Thirty minutes later, Hatch rang Nick’s doorbell. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. I owe you a couple of apologies and thought I’d deliver them in person. You got a beer? If you do, I’m in a drinking mood.”
“Yeah, sure. Come on in.”
Hatch looked around. “You need to pretty up this place a little. Green plants go a long way. Put some junk on the tables and some pictures on the wall. Ask Medusa to help you.”
“It’s on my list of things to do.” Nick uncapped a bottle of Hatch’s favorite beer and handed it to him. “I got apples and cheese. That’s it in the way of food.”
“I’m not hungry, kid.” He slapped down the report on the kitchen table. “I can pretty much tell you what it says. Willow somehow managed to borrow, and I use the term loosely, a pickup belonging to some old guy who lives out in the desert. I’m thinking, and this is just my personal opinion, that she had a little help. Some old codger that doesn’t give a hoot about anything might have seen fit to help a little lady in distress. Seems he’s legally blind, and his license was suspended, but he still drives. She could have seen him and helped herself to the truck. I’m thinking about taking a drive out there. It’s about a mile after the Chicken Ranch. You want to go along for the ride?”
“Not really, but if you want some company, I’ll go. Look, it’s just like I said. She broke into the house and came in through the kitchen. I woke up, and she was sitting there staring at me. We talked for a little bit. And, no, I did not go to bed with her. I wanted to. She was agreeable. However, it didn’t happen. She said I would never hear from her again. She’s gone, and I don’t know where she went.”
Hatch looked down at his feet, where a yellow tabby was purring loudly. “I didn’t know you had a cat.”
“Yeah. Her name is . . . Mazie. I did what I was supposed to do. I told the police she was here. That ends my involvement.”
Hatch reached down and picked up the tabby who settled herself in the crook of his arm. She continued to purr loudly. “How do you feel about it, kid?”
“I just want it to be over and done with. Every time I think I’ve put it behind me, she rears up, and it starts all over again. She’s gone now, and she won’t be back. I think I can guarantee it. Well, I’m ready if you are.”
“Then let’s hit the road. Cal gave me a map, so we won’t have any trouble finding the place once we hit Vegas. The flight isn’t that long. I’ll have you back in time for your morning shower. I want to be sure in my own mind that she’s gone. We all need closure where Willow is concerned. There is every chance the old guy knows nothing.”
“Why don’t we just call him, Hatch? Wouldn’t it be a lot simpler to call and talk rather than make the trip?”
“We could do that, but, as you know, seeing someone face-to-face and talking with them gives you a whole other perspective. If he doesn’t know Willow, we pack up and come home. I have this gut feeling she had help. The other thing is this, Nick: Junior Belez’s house is just a few miles down the road past where the old man lives. That almost tells me more than I want to know.”
Nick sighed. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Do you have to let the cat out or anything?”
“I don’t think so. I just got her. She uses a litter box. She’ll be okay till I get back.”
“I would have taken you for a dog man myself. It surprises me that you’d get a cat.”
“Yeah, it surprised me, too. She needed a home, and I needed a roommate. It works.”
It was almost midnight when Hatch drove the rental car up the gravel drive to the little house where Zack Leroy lived. “He must still be up; there are lights on in the house.”
Both men climbed out of the car at the same time a huge black Lab blasted through the front door. Hatch backed up a step and then another when the huge dog’s lips peeled back to reveal a vicious set of canines. “Whoa, boy, down. Mr. Leroy!”
“Stay, Stella,” a creaky voice said from the doorway. “Whatcha want out here at this time of night?”
“I just want to ask you a few questions. My name is Hatch Littletree, and this is Nick Clay. We’re attorneys in Santa Fe. We just want to talk to you. I know it’s late, so we’ll make it short.”
“Come on in. I’m sorry about the lighting. I have to keep it dim for a few days. I just had my cataracts operated on yesterday. Bright light bothers me. Now, what’s so all-fired important that it can’t wait till morning?”
“We want to talk to you about your truck. Do you know where it is?”
“Nope. Someone stole it right off the street. Well, it wasn’t a street but an alley. I went to get a haircut the other day and someone stole it. Wasn’t worth nothing. Didn’t report it because I’m not supposed to be driving. My license was suspended. Did you find it?”
“As a matter of fact, no. We spotted it, then it disappeared. In Santa Fe.”
The old man laughed. “You must be thinking about someone else’s truck. My old bucket would never make Santa Fe. I just use it for local driving. I mostly drive my wife Melba’s car because the truck isn’t dependable. I think you fellas are joshing with me here. That old clunker couldn’t have gone all the way to Santa Fe.”
“It had your license plate, and it was registered to you, Mr. Leroy. I have no idea where it is now.”
“Even if by some miracle it was my old bucket, what does that have to do with anything? I’d like to have it back for sentimental reasons but if that isn’t possible, I can live with the loss now that I can see again. Are you fellas trying to tell me something and I’m missing it or what?”
“Do you know a young woman named Willow Bishop?” Nick asked.
“Can’t say that I do. I think you better ask yourself what would I b
e doing with a young woman?”
“Helping her,” Hatch said. “She’s wanted for murder. I was her attorney. Nick here was married to her at one time. If you did help her, you could go to jail for a very long time. Prison is not a nice place for an elderly man like yourself.”
“No, I guess it isn’t. I’m sorry but I can’t help you. I never met a woman named Willow Bishop. Can’t say when I met a young woman last. If you find my truck, will you give me a call? I’d like to claim it. I can write down my phone number for you.”
“That won’t be necessary. We already have it. I guess you can’t help us after all,” Hatch said.
“No, I can’t.”
Nick moved closer to the old man and stood eyeball-to-eyeball with him. “So, if we keep on driving and go out to Junior Belez’s house, the guy who was murdered, we won’t find your fingerprints anywhere around there, right?”
“Nope. Know the case, though. Saw it on television every night for a long time. It’s my bedtime now. Good luck with your case and remember, now, if you find my truck, let me know.”
“Thanks for your time, Mr. Leroy.”
Outside in the dark on the way to the car, Nick said, “We made the trip for nothing. He doesn’t know Willow. At this stage I don’t give a good rat’s ass if she’s ever found or not. I’m sick of the whole mess. We gotta get back, Hatch. I have to be in court early.”
“He was lying. Cal said he lifted the hood of the truck and the engine was sound as a dollar. The old man took care of the truck, and it had fairly new tires according to his report. The truck could have made it to Santa Fe. Five bucks says we’ll find it at the bus station, train station, or airport. I’ll get Cal back on it.”
“Are we going to Junior Belez’s house?”
“I think Willow went out there looking for something. More than likely she hitchhiked and Mr. Leroy picked her up. She probably gave him some song and dance and he fell for it. My thought is she either bought his truck or he gave it to her. It’s just a guess. She might have had money stashed there, or Junior might have had some stashed and she knew about it. Don’t forget, she walked out of the police station with nothing but the clothes on her back. Somehow she got to Santa Fe, and where she is now is anyone’s guess. Whatever was at the house is gone now, so let’s head home, kid, and put this whole thing to sleep. If we ever want to find Mr. Leroy, we know where he lives.”
Kentucky Sunrise Page 19