FIREWORKS IN PARADISE

by Daley, Kathi

  “I have the contact information for the woman who approached Judge Harper in the first place,” Roy said. “I’ll see if I can meet with her and get some additional information. If nothing else, it’ll give us a starting point.”

  “Sounds good,” Kyle responded.

  I took out my list and added “Jennifer Reinhold’s killer, should Steven be innocent,” beneath Striker Bristow and Fred Deerborn in my notebook. “Okay. Who else do you have?” I asked Kyle.

  I heard Kyle setting one file aside and accessing another. “A thirty-two-year-old woman named Connie Blake who was accused of three bank robberies that occurred at various places around the lake five years ago. Judge Harper was sure she did it, but the prosecution was unable to come up with compelling enough evidence, so the jury acquitted her. There weren’t any additional bank robberies after the trial until four months ago when two banks—one in Indulgence and one in Serenity—were robbed. The MO was similar and Harper suspected Connie was up to her old tricks.”

  I glanced at Roy. “Can you get your hands on the current incident reports?”

  “Yeah, I can get them. I was the one to investigate the bank robbery in Serenity. The Serenity Community Bank was hit just prior to closing. At the time of the robbery there was only one teller on duty, along with the bank manager who was in his office. A single individual dressed in black jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt, and dark sunglasses entered the bank and handed the teller a note demanding that she empty her cash drawer. The teller cooperated and the thief got away with just over three thousand dollars.”

  “I take it he or she was never caught?”

  “That’s correct. The bank manager was on the phone at the time and unaware of what had occurred until after the whole thing was over.”

  “Isn’t there usually a security guard in the bank?”

  “He’d left early, claiming he was feeling sick to his stomach. The robbery at the bank in Indulgence was similar, and we’re operating under the assumption that the same person robbed both banks.”

  “Did the bank robber pull a gun at any point?” I asked.

  “No. It was actually all very quiet. In fact, the bank robber never even spoke, just handed the note to the teller, who turned over the cash in the drawer.”

  “I wonder why the robber didn’t try for more money,” I mused.

  “He or she probably wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible,” Kyle speculated.

  “If Connie was guilty, and Judge Harper was looking into it, she would have a motive to want him out of the way,” I commented.

  Roy agreed, so I wrote her name in my notebook. “You said there were three cases that stood out?”

  “The third has to do with domestic abuse and was heard in family court, not by Judge Harper, but he made notes on it, so I decided to point it out. Two years ago Brad Turnball was convicted of beating his girlfriend’s four-year-old son, Tommy. He was sentenced to serve time in the state prison and was recently released due to good behavior and overcrowding. Just a month ago, Tommy showed up at school with a broken arm. His teacher didn’t buy his story of falling off his bike because he had bruises inconsistent with a fall and reported it to Child Protective Services. Someone from CPS went out to the house and found the boy’s mother had renewed her relationship with Turnball. After reviewing the previous case, Turnball was arrested and is in county lockup awaiting trial.”

  I hated cases in which children were victims and wanted Turnball put away for good this time, but I couldn’t see how he could have killed Judge Harper if he was in jail. I interrupted Kyle to say as much.

  “It seems Turnball is claiming he’s innocent. In fact, he told the arresting officer he was innocent the first time too. He claims it was the boy’s mother, Gloria White, who was beating Tommy and he was just the fall guy. On the surface, it seems Turnball is lying. There were no reports of the child being bruised or other evidence of beating while Turnball was in prison, yet as soon as he got out the bruises reappeared.”

  “It seems obvious the boyfriend is the bad guy,” I agreed.

  “But Judge Harper wasn’t convinced. He was actively looking into some old medical reports he’d found concerning the same woman and another child eight years ago.”

  “What happened to the other child?” I hated to even ask.

  “He was reported missing eleven months before Tommy was born. He was never found and is presumed dead.”

  I was horrified and had no idea how to respond.

  “Did the judge think the mother killed the boy reported missing?” Roy asked.

  “He suspected as much.”

  “Why haven’t I heard of that case?” Roy asked.

  “Ms. White lived in another state at the time her first son went missing. She currently lives in Indulgence, so the case wouldn’t necessarily be on your radar.”

  I hated everything about this case, but it seemed Judge Harper could have been on to something, so I added Gloria White’s name below Connie Blake’s and the others’.

  “We now have five viable suspects who all appear to have motives for wanting Judge Harper out of the way,” I commented. “What should we do next?”

  “Track them down, check their whereabouts on the night of the judge’s death, and eliminate them one at a time,” Roy said. “I’ll get started on it right away. Hopefully at the very least I’ll have the list whittled down to two or three possibilities by tomorrow.”

  “There’s one other angle I think we should look at,” Kyle said. “I realize Judge Harper has been retired for quite a while, but during his years on the bench he was responsible for sending a lot of people to prison. It occurred to me that at least a percentage of those individuals could hold a grudge. I think it might be worth our while to see if any of the convicts Harper sentenced have been released recently.”

  I glanced at Roy. “You suggested that as well when we spoke earlier.”

  “I haven’t had a chance to look into the possibility that an ex-con has resurfaced, but I’ll see what I can find out,” Roy answered. “It seems someone with a grudge would act quickly, so I’ll see if I can get a list of everyone released from prison in the past couple of months.”

  “It looks like we have a couple of avenues to investigate.” I closed my notebook.

  “I’ve been thinking about Kate,” Roy said, referring to his new partner.

  “What about her?” I asked.

  “I’m going to have to keep her in the loop in terms of this investigation. She’ll eventually catch on if I don’t. I was thinking about introducing her to the two of you. I don’t necessarily need to tell her that we’re working together right away, but I think it would be a good idea to at least have you meet her.”

  “I’ll be home by midday tomorrow,” Kyle offered. “Maybe we can have dinner. Somewhere casual like Rob’s?”

  “Rob’s sounds good to me,” Roy agreed.

  “That would be all right,” I agreed, “but we have the concert on the beach tomorrow night, and I may need to be at the resort to help out. I’ll call to let you know once I get a feel for how things are going to play out. If nothing else, maybe you can invite her to the resort.”

  “Sounds even better. We’ll chat tomorrow.”

  Chapter 6

  “Thank you so much for all your help with the girls,” I said to Jenna later that evening as we shared a glass of wine at our favorite bar. “It was a good idea to have them stay at your house for a few days. I was stressed; they were stressed; it was a recipe for disaster.”

  “I was happy to help. Besides, Kristi and Kari have been miserable since you left for Gull Island. Having everyone back together in the same town again just feels right.”

  “Well, almost everyone is back,” I countered. “Once Kyle and Doc and the animals get home tomorrow it really will feel like things are falling into place. If my dad wakes u
p, that is. If he doesn’t…”

  Jenna placed her hand over mine. “He’s going to make it.”

  I tried to smile. “I know.”

  “Tell me about Kyle and the amazing kiss you didn’t want to talk about before.”

  I felt the heaviness in my heart lighten a bit. “It was pretty amazing. Although…” I frowned.

  “Although?” Jenna prompted.

  I looked across the table at my best friend. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I have to admit I find myself wondering if he felt the same way I did.”

  “Of course he did. He adores you. He has for a long time. I’m sure the kiss was as meaningful for him as it was for you.”

  “Maybe. Kyle and I have been friends for a long time. In that instant when we kissed on Sanctuary Island it felt like we had turned the corner and become something more. The kiss was one of the most magical moments of my life, but we never had the chance to talk about what, if anything, it meant.”

  “I agree the timing was unfortunate. If your dad hadn’t been in the accident and you hadn’t needed to run home, your relationship could have progressed normally. And having to leave things up in the air could leave you both feeling awkward when Kyle gets home.” Jenna looked me directly in the eye. “But it doesn’t have to stay that way unless you let it. Do you love Kyle?”

  “I think so. I mean, yes, of course I love Kyle, but I haven’t had the time to process everything, to decide whether I’m in love with him. In that moment, under the waterfall, as our hearts and lips met for the first time, I felt sure. But now…”

  “You’re overthinking things. You tend to do that when it comes to matters of the heart. Love isn’t something you have to dissect and analyze. It’s something that just is.”

  I sat back on my stool and looked away for a moment before returning Jenna’s gaze. “Have you ever wondered what might have happened if you hadn’t married Dennis? I mean, you did start dating in junior high.”

  “Never. I loved Dennis the minute I met him and I’ve loved him every minute since. Sure, we argue at times, and life can be stressful. But no matter what life brings our way, I know Dennis is the other half of my soul. He isn’t only someone I am attracted to and grateful for, but someone I know I couldn’t live without.” Jenna took my hand in hers. “Look, Tj, you’re my best friend and I love you. You’re a brave, giving person who I admire and trust with my life. But somewhere along the way you got the idea in your mind that love is something born and fostered. It’s not. If you really want to find love—the real kind that’s hard and messy, but also beautiful and life sustaining—you’re going to have to learn to open your heart and let it in.”

  “But what if Kyle is regretting the kiss? What if he isn’t in love with me?”

  “He gave up his life and followed you across the country. Trust me, he’s in love with you. The question is, are you in love with him?”

  I glanced down at my hand entwined with Jenna’s. Even when I’d been dating Hunter again, Kyle had been the one I’d run to when I really needed someone. He’d been there for me every minute of every day since I met him. He was not only a trusted friend but a true partner. But love? I thought about how my heart had raced when he’d kissed me. I remembered the feeling of homecoming I’d felt in his arms.

  I knew if I didn’t want to risk what I had with Kyle, I needed to figure out what this all meant sooner rather than later.

  Rosalie was sitting in the living room staring out the window when I arrived at the resort. She had a distant and contemplative look on her face, but she turned and smiled at me when I came into the room. “How was your night out with Jenna?”

  “Good,” I answered as I sat down on the chair across from her. “I had a nice time in South Carolina, but it’s good to be home.”

  “And I’m glad to have you home. Your dad and I really missed you all while you were away. Mike mentioned on several occasions that the house was so quiet with everyone gone. Too quiet. I know having me here is a big change for you, and while I love your dad very much and want to be part of his everyday life, the last thing I want to do is disrupt the wonderful multigenerational family you have.”

  I paused. “I really don’t want to disrupt that either, but I thought as a newly engaged couple you would need some space to really settle in. Things, as you know, can be pretty hectic around here when everyone is home.”

  Rosalie paused before she answered. It appeared as if she was considering her response. “I’ve been alone for a long time, and I can say without a doubt that quiet is very overrated. Honestly, I’m thrilled to finally be part of a big noisy family. I know your dad wants us all to live here at the resort. I want that as well and hope you’ll consider staying now that you are home.”

  I stopped to look around the room. The resort had been my home for most of my life. I supposed one day I’d marry and move out, but until then it really was the best place for the girls and me. “I’ll admit I felt awkward when you first moved in. It isn’t that I don’t care about you—you know I’ve always enjoyed our friendship—but change can be hard for me. I do think my time away has given me some perspective, and I know Dad’s accident has caused me to look at things differently. So yes, I’d very much like to remain living here for the time being if it really is okay with you.”

  Rosalie smiled. “It’s more than okay.”

  After we spoke I went up to bed. I knew bringing someone new into what had been so very perfect was going to have difficult moments, but Dad loved Rosalie, and after almost losing him, I wanted nothing more than to ensure he had everything and everyone he needed in his life to make him happy once he woke up.

  I was exhausted and should have been able to fall asleep instantly, but I found myself tossing and turning. After trying to force the issue, I finally sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. I grabbed my computer from the nearby table and logged on. If I couldn’t sleep I might as well research the suspects we had identified at this point. I knew these things took time, but I had to admit that I felt a certain urgency I couldn’t quite explain. Maybe the idea resided in the back of my mind that once the case was solved and Judge Harper’s killer had been found, my dad would wake up and things would once again feel safe and normal.

  I began by Googling Striker Bristow. In my mind, a man in the pursuit of a payday made the best suspect. The fact that Bristow was a developer with some pretty major projects under his belt made him a public figure of sorts, so I figured there would be a decent amount of information readily accessible. My research turned up some interesting but irrelevant facts. He was born in Atlanta but grew up in Boston. He had degrees in both architecture and engineering and worked for an international developer after graduating college. He set out on his own when he was in his early thirties, and in the eleven years he’d owned his own company he had accumulated an impressive resume of projects. His last project prior to coming to Paradise Lake was a sixty-unit mall in Oklahoma, and before that he developed a ten-unit business complex in Chicago.

  I had to wonder why a man with his background even wanted to mess with a strip mall in Serenity, Nevada. It seemed like a step down from his last project, although Bookman did say the man stood to make tens of millions of dollars.

  I tried to find something on Bristow that would support the idea that he was willing to play dirty in order to get what he wanted, but in spite of my efforts I was coming up blank. I did find an article detailing his recent divorce from his second wife. It appeared she had hired a skilled attorney and managed to come away with a fairly significant amount of money. Maybe the strip mall was a way for Bristow to refill his bank account.

  After fishing around for another thirty minutes, I decided I wasn’t going to be able to dig up any dirt on Bristow, at least not without Kyle’s help. I decided to abandon my research into Mr. Bristow at least for the time being and move onto Fred Deerborn. While my Google search for items rel
ated to Striker Bristow turned up pages and pages of articles, I only found one item relating to Fred Deerborn: an obituary for his wife dated ten years prior.

  I felt a wave of sympathy for the man. I didn’t know Deerborn well, but nothing about him suggested to me that he had once been married. He was such a cranky sort of guy that I had a hard time picturing him in a committed relationship with another person. Of course, it could have been the death of his wife that made him an ornery cuss in the first place.

  I read the article and discovered Deerborn’s wife had been shot and killed during a home invasion, which occurred on the farm the couple lived on prior to Deerborn moving to Serenity. The man who killed Deerborn’s wife managed to get away before the police arrived, and, as of the time of the article I was reading, he had never been brought to justice. No wonder Deerborn was so paranoid about the individuals who lived and worked near him.

  While both men would remain on my list based on what I’d discovered, I didn’t have a strong reason to suspect either one in Judge Harper’s death. I made a few notes and then moved onto the names I had listed from the files Roy and I retrieved from Judge Harper’s safe.

  There wasn’t a lot of public information on either Gloria White or Brad Turnball. If Gloria had been involved in Judge Harper’s death, it seemed our best bet might be to try to get ahold of police records or perhaps records filed by case workers from CPS. I supposed if we decided there was a link between the child abuse case and Judge Harper’s death Roy might be able to get the information we needed, but since my hacking skills were pretty much nonexistent, I doubted there was much more information I could gather that evening.

  I felt my energy begin to fade as I attempted to pull up information on Connie Blake. I tried to focus on the screen, but my eyes kept dipping closed. It really was late, and if I wanted to be of use to anyone tomorrow I knew I needed to get some sleep. After a quick look at Blake’s Facebook page and Twitter account, I turned off my computer and drifted off to sleep.