by Vella Day
“What’s that you got?” Phil asked.
Dom looked up. “Shouldn’t you be playing golf or something?” The two partners kept the same workdays.
“I switched with Flynn,” he said, leaning over the desk to look at the file. “It’s his mom’s birthday today. Remember I called you this morning? I was here.”
Typical of Flynn, the young rookie. Dom didn’t mind. He thought it sweet the kid cared. If he had a mom, he’d celebrate her birthday too.
“It’s the guy from Tessa’s bar. He was harassing her last night, and now he’s dead. Something’s going on with the bar I don’t like.”
“I’d say. You gonna tell Ms. Redman?”
“Not right now. She has enough to deal with. Besides, what’s she going to do besides worry?”
Phil leaned a hip on his desk and crossed his arms in his proverbial commando pose. “You know, if it ever gets out people who visit the Blue Moon end up dead, her business is toast.”
“You got that right. We can’t let the press get wind of the connection. Come on. We’re on.”
“We’re covering this case?” Dom asked.
“You guessed it.”
The ride to Dirkman’s house didn’t take long, especially since the traffic was light on a Sunday afternoon.
The ME-mobile and two squad cars sat in the driveway, so Dom parked on the side to give the ME an escape route. As soon as they stepped over the yellow crime scene tape and entered the house, Bill Murtz exited a back room. “Thank God, you guys are here. I’m going crazy keeping all the neighbors out of the house. Don’t people understand what the yellow crime tape means? I never thought I’d clear the place, what with trying to get his three kids to safety.”
How horrible. “What do you know so far?” Dom asked.
“The ME and CSU team are in the room now. It looks like another execution style killing. The vic’s throat was slashed. That’s it.”
Could it be the same MO as the Redman case? “Was anything taken?”
“Not that I could tell. The back door was jimmied open, so we might get some footprints on the way into the bedroom. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a latent print somewhere. The team is dusting now. Go ahead and look before they take the body away.”
Dom and Phil donned sanitary footgear, pulled on rubber gloves, and then followed Bill into what he guessed was the master bedroom, which wasn't much bigger than his small den.
“Hey, Chris,” Dominic said to the coroner. The doc was dressed in white scrubs, head-to-toe. “This is getting to be a habit.” They’d worked the Wilkerson case together.
“Ain’t that the truth?”
“You know time of death?”
“From the rigor, I’d say 2 a.m. last night.”
Dom turned back to Murtz. “Was Mrs. Dirkman here?”
“No. She was staying at her sister’s place. The sister vouched for her. The three kids were upstairs, nestled tight in their beds when their dad was hit.”
“Who found the body?” Phil asked.
“The eldest daughter, Jenny. She’s twelve.”
“Mother, Mary and Joseph,” Phil burst out.
The air squeezed out of Dominic’s lungs. He could almost visualize his parents in their bloody bedroom. He understood the horror. “Who’s with them now?”
“Mrs. Dirkman. She came right over when we called.”
“Was she upset?” Dom asked, realizing if they were estranged, the wife might not show much emotion.
“I’d say. Her grief looked genuine. Say, if you’ve seen enough, how about canvassing the neighbors to ask if they heard anything last night?”
“Sure. We’ll get right on it.” Dom turned to Phil. “Ready?”
“As ever.”
Tessa couldn’t take the silence anymore. Mandy was asleep, and the television held no interest. She jumped at every noise, even though she knew full well the wind and rain were rattling her windows and not some criminal trying to break in. All Tessa could think of was how terrified her father he must have been when Ralph showed up—or whoever had taken his life.
Tessa called Annie, needing to talk to someone. Dang, she didn’t answer. “Annie, it’s Tessa,” she said, leaving a message. “My father, he, uh, was murdered yesterday. Don’t worry. I’m fine. I just need to talk to you.”
She hung up and debated calling Judd, but after looking at the clock, she figured he might be asleep. That left whom? Crap. No one. She’d been too busy studying for her PhD to connect with more people. Something was wrong when a psychologist shut herself away from those she was trying to help most.
Going to the bar was out of the question. Ralph might guess she’d be there. Of course, he would have no way of knowing Sunday was her day off. Lucky for her, the bar was closed Monday. By Tuesday she’d have to face the crowds and chance running into him since she couldn’t hide forever.
Aw, hell. Maybe Ralph wasn’t in Florida after all, and she was only imagining he was out to get her. It wouldn’t be the first time stress put strange thoughts in her head.
She snapped her fingers. She could call Marli, the one friend she had in Denver. Marli’s husband had worked with Ralph and had supported Tessa’s decision to turn him in. He might know of Ralph’s whereabouts.
Tess dialed and waited.
“Hello?”
“Marli? It’s Tess Redman.”
“Ohmigod, Tess, it’s so good to hear your voice. I thought you’d dropped off the face of the earth. How are you?”
“Okay, I guess. I wanted to let you know my dad was murdered last night.” The silence on the other end hung in the air like poison gas. “Marli, you still there?”
“Yes, yes. I’m in shock, that’s all. I never met your dad, but I know how close you two were. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” Somehow relating the horror of his death lessened her loneliness.
“Do the police know who did it?”
“Not yet, but I have a hunch it might have been Ralph.”
“Ralph? As in ex-husband, Ralph?”
“Yes.”
“Geez, Tess, you think it could really be him? Sure, he might have taken a few bribes, but do you think he’s capable of murder? That’s a pretty big step. Remember, the guy was a cop who had decent principles at one time.”
“I realize that, but don’t you remember the way he acted at the trial?”
Her friend took a moment before answering. “I have to admit he did seem a little pissed at you.”
“You think? When the bailiff dragged his sorry ass out of the court room, he mouthed something to me.”
“What?”
“‘I’ll kill you for this, bitch.’”
“Ohmigod. But Tess, we all say things we don’t mean when we’re being punished.”
“Maybe. Do you have any idea if he’s anywhere near Denver?”
“I really couldn’t say, hon. Ethan told me he’d been released, and to be honest, I never asked about him.”
“But can’t you see the man’s a menace?”
“I know, I know, but murder?”
“Yes, murder. He had issues you didn’t know about and ones I only found out about after I married him. I’m just sorry, Marli, that you and your family have to go through this. He might hassle your family in order to find out where I am. I never thought of the ramifications of my actions to anyone other than me.”
“Nonsense. You had to turn him in, but don’t worry about us. We can take care of ourselves. Ethan’s a cop, remember.”
“I know, but still.” Tess needed her question answered. Now. “Do you think you could ask Ethan if he knows where Ralph might be?”
“Of course, I will. Hold on.”
Marli’s muffled voice came through the line. Intermittent words filtered through. “I’m back. Ethan said he hadn’t heard anyone mention his whereabouts, but that doesn’t mean Ralph’s left town or that he’s coming after you. Ethan said he’d try to find out something and get back to you.”
“
Tell Ethan, thanks.”
“Hey, just promise to keep in touch. This once every four years thing doesn’t work for me.”
At that, Tessa had to chuckle. “I agree. I promise to stay in touch.”
After the call, Tessa felt a connection that had been missing in the last few years. She missed Marli and the old life—the life before Ralph ruined it.
A strong knock sounded at her door, and Tessa’s heart dropped to her stomach.
Before she could ask who it was, the person called, “Tess, it’s me.”
Tessa jumped up and threw open the door, her heart beating a tad too fast. The rain slanted in, carrying with it cold air that smelled refreshingly good.
Normally not a demonstrative person, Tessa couldn’t help but throw her arms around her friend. “Come in, come in.”
Annie hugged back. “Oh, Tess. I came as soon as I heard. I’m so sorry about your dad.”
Tessa motioned Annie over to the sofa. “I’m still in shock,” she confessed. “If Dad had died of natural causes, I’d be upset, sure, but it’s the way he died that keeps tormenting me.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Her friend wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
Next to the tall, statuesque Annie, Tessa felt small.
“You shouldn’t have come,” Tess said. “Not in this weather. I can’t believe Tony didn’t throw a fit.” Annie’s husband was terribly possessive and rightfully so since always Annie threw caution to the wind when it came to helping people.
“I had to come. You’re my friend. And Tony understands. But I promised him I’d only stay a little while.”
“Tell him thank you. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.”
Annie grabbed Tessa’s hand and drew her down to the sofa. “Tell me what happened.”
“All I know is that someone broke into Daddy’s house. This morning, a paper boy happened to look in the front window and spotted him with his throat cut.” Tessa couldn’t control her right hand from grabbing her own throat and massaging her neck. “The police think the attack was motivated by robbery.”
Annie squeezed Tessa’s left hand. “How utterly terrible for you. Do they have any clue who it might be?” Her voice helped soothe part of Tessa’s anxiety.
“None. But Annie, I think it was Ralph.”
Besides the people in Denver and her family, only Annie knew of her ugly past. “Your ex?”
“Yes. He’s been out of jail for three weeks. Maybe he thought Dad would tell him where I lived.” Someone had to believe her.
“I thought Ralph was in Colorado.”
“Was, being the operative word. I know Ralph. He’d go to any length to get back at me for stealing his life. You didn’t see his eyes at the trial. I’ve never seen such hate before.”
“Oh, Tessa. If that’s true, you’ve got to leave town.”
“Leave? You know I can’t do that. Who would run the bar?”
“Don’t you have a manager you can trust?”
Tess ran her fingers through her tangled hair that desperately needed cutting. She hadn’t had time for something as luxurious as a haircut.
“No. I’m the manager. If Judd thought someone else could run the Blue Moon, he would have put him or her in charge.”
“Then shut down the restaurant for God’s sake. Your life’s worth more than money.”
“I can’t. Judd’s medical bills are huge. We need the income.”
Annie shook her head and blew out a loud breath. “I’m sorry Judd is ill, but speaking of him, how is he taking your father’s death?”
“I visited him this afternoon. I had expected him to break down when I told him about Dad, but he didn’t cry or anything. He just stared at me like I was making it up.”
Annie rubbed Tessa’s hands. “Don’t judge him. People grieve in many different ways. Sometimes it takes days, weeks, even months for grief to show.”
“As a psychologist I know that, but emotionally I guess I wanted someone who could sympathize with what I was going through.”
“I’d feel the same way if anything happened to Tony or the girls.” Annie leaned back on the sofa. “Didn’t you tell me some liver patients have memory issues when the waste products back up in their system?”
“Yes, but he was lucid today.”
Annie grabbed her hand. “It must be terrible seeing Judd like this.”
Maybe it was Tessa’s imagination, but the circles under her friend’s eyes appeared darker, and there seemed to be more lines around her mouth. Tessa wanted to cry for her.
“It is. I have to be strong for Mandy’s sake. I can’t run away and pretend nothing happened.”
“Maybe you should get a roommate,” Annie offered.
Tess had been alone for so long, she wasn’t sure she could share her space with anyone. Logically, it made sense, but emotionally, she wasn’t ready.
“Detective Rossi suggested the same thing. The idea holds some appeal, but I haven’t exactly taken the time to make a lot of friends. You’re it, kiddo.”
Annie’s lips turned up at the corners, reminding Tessa of the Mona Lisa. “How about Chelsea?”
Tessa shook her head. “I'm not sure about that. She’s kind of wild. And a kid.”
“Chelsea is twenty-three, just six years younger than you. I’d hardly call her a kid. And she’s street smart. You should think about it. Besides, wouldn’t you feel safer with someone in the house? If Ralph did come by, I bet he’d think twice about trying something.”
“This is only a two bedroom. One for Mandy, one for me.”
“Maybe you and Mandy could share a room.”
“That’s not a bad idea, but I doubt Chelsea would want to move again. Didn’t you tell me she moved out of the shelter right before getting the job at the Blue Moon?”
“Yes, but I know her. She’d love it if you asked. The worst she can say is no.”
When a sharp crack of thunder dimmed the lamp next to the sofa, Tessa jumped.
“Hon, I better get back before Tony has a fit. Think about what I said. Remember, you can always come to the shelter if things get bad.”
Annie’s sincere offer gave her comfort. “Thanks, Annie. You’re the best.”
Once Annie left, Tess sat in the dimly lit room thinking about her life. She had to make some kind of decision about whether to keep the restaurant open or close it, before she went crazy. If she wasn’t already.
This weather sucked. Ralph didn’t know why he wanted to watch Tessa’s house. He’d been about to confront her when some tall bitch stopped by. As he waited for the visitor to leave, he had the idea that he best way to punish Tessa would be to drive her crazy a little bit at a time. Scare her death, and make her think he was going to kill her at any moment. Eventually, he’d have to, but for now, he’d work on ways to bring her to her knees. Literally.
6
Being at work two days after she’d learned of her father’s death was harder than Tessa had ever imagined. She’d tried to be cheerful in front of the customers, but near closing time, she had to force herself not to break down when someone offered her his condolences.
Everywhere she looked, she saw her dad’s little touches—the bar mirror he’d spent a week searching for, the big wooden sailboat hanging from the ceiling that took three men to put up, the crab traps he’d won in a poker game. Each decoration had a story, and remembering those stories tore her soul apart.
The lack of sleep and a half eaten meal didn’t help her fragile state of mind either. She should have taken the time to eat better, but eating would have meant she’d have to stop working—and stopping meant she’d have time to dwell on how and why her dad had died, and if Ralph had been responsible for her father’s death.
Anger at her dad’s untimely death bubbled up inside threatening to put a hole in her gut. It was easy to preach forgiveness to help a person get past her sorrows, but actually doing it was hell, if not impossible.
On top of everything, she had to deal with those two deve
lopers earlier this evening. She was still pissed they didn’t understand the word, no. Of course, she could use the money. Who couldn’t? She had mega school loans and Judd’s transplant costs to consider, but her family’s happiness took precedence over everything else in her life. Judd had told her he wouldn’t sell under any circumstance, and she wanted to abide by his wishes.
Then Chelsea had told her the detective had stopped by before Tess had come in to work. He warned the workers to be careful. Bob Dirkman was dead. How terrible was that? Not that she liked the guy, but no one deserved to die in his own house, asleep in bed. His poor kids were the ones who would suffer a lifetime because of his absence.
At first she was put off Detective Inman hadn’t told her personally, but she reasoned he might not have wanted to dump two pieces of bad news on her. His caring helped heal her.
Then a slow, chilling fear started at the base of her spine and crept up her back threatening to paralyze her. Keri Wilkerson had visited the Blue Moon, Bob Dirkman was a regular at the Blue Moon, and her dad had built the Blue Moon. All three had died within days of each other. There had to be a connection. Ralph wouldn’t have any reason to harm Keri or Bob Dirkman. Then who did?
“You wanted to see us?” Charley asked.
Tessa jumped at the intrusion. It took a moment for her to realize what her bartender had asked. “Yes.”
Dear Charley. He’d insisted on coming to work on his day off so Tessa could leave if she needed to. She was lucky to have him.
“Gather around, everyone,” Charley boomed. “Tessa needs to talk to us.”
Her support staff slowly moved surrounded her—Mick and Roger from the kitchen, Chelsea, Krystal, and Barb from the floor. There was no sign of the two bus boys, but she figured they were still loading up the dishwasher.
Tessa drew in a deep breath to gather the needed courage to get through the next few minutes.
“I wanted to thank all of you for your kindness during my time of need. I really appreciate you all pitching in.”