by Holly Plum
“That certainly sounds alarming,” Rick agreed. “It sounds like someone is after something of yours.”
“What do you think they’re after?” Mari asked.
“That’s the golden question now, isn't it,” he said, tapping a butter knife on the tabletop. “Whatever it is, it's probably evidence.”
"You're right," Mari gasped, realizing that the killer must have been searching, for one thing, this entire time – Vance's backpack. Maybe there really was something in Vance's field journal that would have given the killer away. But had the killer found what he, or she, was looking for? Mari hadn't had any luck looking through the lost and found box in her dad's office.
If the backpack were in there somewhere, the killer would be back.
CHAPTER TWELVE
By the time Mari had finished searching through her dad’s office again, Alex and David’s collection of rubbish lay scattered all over the carpet. Random items littered the floor, but the backpack wasn't among them. Frantically, Mari left the room and ran down the hallway toward the back exit. Tabasco stayed behind, sniffing through the things Mari had left on the floor.
The food truck was unlocked. As Mari opened the door and clambered inside, it occurred to her just how easily a criminal could have snuck in and hidden during daylight hours. If the backpack had ever been in here, the killer must have already taken it. There was no trace of the backpack anywhere. Just the usual assortment of kitchen equipment.
Mari stood in the doorway, letting a breeze blow in as she collected her thoughts. She had missed the opportunity to read through Vance's field journal and figure out what he had found. The killer had won.
With a disappointed look on her face, Mari closed the door of the food truck and raced back into the restaurant. Officer Rick had already left, and Alex was wiping down the table.
“For future reference, when a guy asks you out on a date it's rude to cut it short to go looking for evidence,” Alex stated.
Mari threw him a look of fury but realized she couldn’t argue. "You were eavesdropping?"
"Don't act all surprised." Alex chuckled. "You knew I was listening the entire time."
Mari shrugged as her mother entered the dining room with a disgruntled look on her face.
“Where have you been?” Mrs. Ramirez asked, waving her arms wildly. “Why did you cut your date short?”
“Don't tell me you were watching too,” Mari mumbled.
“Do you know how hard I worked trying to set you up with a nice man?" Mrs. Ramirez cried. “Sometimes I feel like you don’t even want to get married. Why do you constantly sabotage yourself?"
“It was just lunch, mom,” Mari responded. But she knew that it didn't matter what she said. Her mother would still be upset that everything didn't go according to plan. Her plan. “I’m sorry. I'll take your advice next time.”
“You’d better hope there is a next time,” her mom said. “Who knows what Officer Kinney will do now?”
“Mom, this isn’t high school.” Mari couldn't help but feel like it was her senior year all over again. “If he had a good time, I'll see him again.”
Mrs. Ramirez rolled her eyes as she headed back to the office. Alex laughed as soon as his mother was out of earshot.
“Boy, she's mad today,” Alex said. “Just last night I heard her talking to dad about how she would never become an Abuela.”
“Stay out of it,” Mari responded.
Mari had been so caught up in her own family drama for the last few minutes that she hadn’t even noticed the arrival of Kristi and Benny. They were now sitting at a table about twenty feet away in the center of the dining room.
“I’ll take care of that table,” Mari told Chrissy.
“Are you sure?” Chrissy said.
“It’s fine.”
Mari eagerly went to Kristi and Benny's table.
“Looks like we keep running into each other,” Mari casually said. “What brings y’all here?”
“We’ve heard this is the best Mexican restaurant in town,” Kristi responded. “We wanted to eat here at least once before we leave town.”
Mari wondered if they knew how many other Mexican restaurants there were in town.
“Oh, the police are letting you leave?” Mari handed them each a menu.
“Not exactly,” Benny replied. "But we're hoping that they let us go home soon."
Mari felt that they were both behaving suspiciously for two people who had just lost their fiancé and best friend. After realizing that the killer might have broken into her family's restaurant and even her apartment, Mari trusted no one. Neither Kristi nor Benny seemed particularly choked up over Vance's death. Even Kristi’s anguished outburst that morning could have been a calculated performance designed to win sympathy from Mari.
Mari continued to keep a close eye on them throughout their meal. This time there was no hand-holding under the table, although Benny had made a point of sharing his Spanish omelet with Kristi. He held his fork high in the air while Kristi leaned forward to take a bite. They both laughed. Customers around them shook their heads in bemusement.
Mari rolled her eyes as she finished the mopping job her brothers had only been pretending to do. Even her actual date hadn’t been that romantic. They had mostly talked about crime. And Mari had probably lost him forever anyway.
Mari contemplated all the things that had gone wrong on her date as Kristi and Benny paid for their meal and left the dining room. Grabbing a full bag of trash from a nearby garbage can, Mari walked outside into the parking lot. It would seem awfully suspicious if she'd followed Kristi and Benny outside without a valid excuse. If the two friends caught her following them, she could always insist she had been headed toward the dumpsters.
But what Mari saw when she rounded the corner into the alley between the restaurant and the laundry mat next door made her drop the bag in surprise. Kristi and Benny stood with their arms around each other and lips locked. They were so lost in their kiss that they didn't even notice that Mari was watching them.
"I knew it," Mari muttered.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Mari stood frozen for a moment, wondering if she should confront Kristi and Benny. If one of them were the killer, then Mari would be putting herself in grave danger by pissing off the wrong person.
A second later the decision was made for her. Kristi pulled away and looked in Mari's direction. Guilt burning in her face, Kristi pushed Benny away. He fell backward with a startled look.
“What are you doing here?” Kristi blurted out, startled.
“I should be asking you the same question,” Mari answered. “How long were the two of you sneaking around behind Vance’s back?”
For a moment Kristi’s eyes darted to the street at the end of the alleyway. She seemed to be contemplating whether she should make a run for it and leave Benny there to fend for himself. Then Kristi shook her head, pursed her lips, and turned back to face Mari.
“Four months,” Kristi admitted. Benny gasped. “You didn't know Vance like I did. In fact, you didn't know him at all. He worked all the time. Work was his mistress.”
“I see." Mari reached down and picked up her trash bag.
“Vance took Kristi for granted,” Benny continued, his face unnaturally white. “He never appreciated her the way he should have, and...I should've asked Kristi out the day we met. I don't know why I didn't.”
“You sound very convincing,” Mari replied. "But a lie is still a lie. Although, I suppose it doesn't matter now."
“Don't get all judgy, okay,” Kristi remarked. “You don't know what it's like. Vance was a good man, but he was a terrible boyfriend. And before you start making any accusations, no, I didn't kill him.”
“Then why didn't you just break up?” Mari asked.
“Because…I'm a coward." Kristi's shoulders sank. “Yes, I’ll be living with that for the rest of my life, but I’m not a criminal.”
“Look, we don’t want any trouble,” Benny cut in. �
��We were planning on leaving town in the morning, and putting this whole thing behind us. In fact, why don't you join us tonight?”
“What?” Kristi said.
“Yes, join us tonight,” Benny repeated, the color returning to his face. “Meet us at Aunt Polly’s ranch for drinks later. We’ll be toasting Vance's life and career at our last dig site. The view of the stars is spectacular out there. You won’t want to miss it.”
Mari studied their faces. It could have been an attempt to lure her into a secluded place where she would never be seen again. Kristi must have realized this, too, for she said, “And you can bring along anyone you want.”
“I’ll think about it,” Mari answered.
“Please don’t tell anyone about our relationship just yet,” Benny said. “Obviously the police are going to find out eventually, but I would like just one more normal night to say goodbye to my friend. If that detective finds out now, we'll spend hours in an interrogation room.”
“Your new relationship isn't really off to a great start, is it?” Mari pointed out.
“Please leave,” Kristi said bluntly, “before one of us says something we'll regret.”
“One more thing,” Mari responded. "Does anyone besides me know about the nature of your relationship?"
Kristi looked at Benny, and Benny looked back at Kristi.
“Not that we know of,” Benny answered.
“Okay,” Mari said. But she could hardly relax. Her eye caught something that was dangling around Kristi's wrist. “Nice bracelet."
Kristi's bracelet was identical to the one Tabasco had brought her the night of the breakin, except that the one Kristi now wore was bright green instead of pink.
“Oh, this?” Kristi said, holding up her arm so Mari could see the piece of jewelry. “I've had this old thing for years.”
"That's interesting." Mari tried to make her voice sound friendlier than she wanted it to be. "I've seen one before just like it, but in a different color."
"Oh, I have it loads of colors," Kristi continued. "You can buy these things just about anywhere."
Kristi and Benny turned and began walking toward Benny's car, his arm wrapped around Kristi's waist.
Mari watched them drive away, wondering if one of them was a cold-blooded killer. She now had every reason to believe that Kristi had been involved in the breakin a couple of nights ago. Kristi might not have even noticed that one of her bracelets was missing. Mari scratched her head.
Perhaps, Mari thought as she turned back to the restaurant, Kristi and Benny had broken into the restaurant together. They had seemed pretty attached to each other, but that was because they weren't in their hometown where they could've been caught. Tabasco ran to greet Mari as she stepped back inside. She had no idea what to do with the information she had just learned. All she knew was that to get more answers, she would have to pay a visit to Aunt Polly's land.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The moment Kristi and Benny were gone, Mari got into her car and drove to the police station. She gripped Tabasco's leash tight as she walked through the front doors. Rick sat at the front desk.
“Hey, Mari,” Rick said, flashing her a bright but mysterious smile. “What can I do for you?”
“Look, I’m sorry about earlier,” Mari began. She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “I didn’t mean to rush our date and then leave so suddenly."
“Well, I understand that you're a busy woman,” Rick replied. Mari couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or not.
“True,” Mari responded. “And it won’t happen again. I promise.”
Rick smirked. “Does that mean you want to go out with me again?”
“Oh.” Mari tried not to blush. "I do if you do."
“Mari, I'm going to need a confession here," Rick teased.
“Then I guess I am guilty,” Mari muttered. She cleared her throat, focusing on the task at hand. "Look, I'm no good with these little dating games. I had a good time talking to you, Rick. If you'd like to go out again, I would be cool with that."
"Wow, so direct." Rick raised his eyebrows. "It's refreshing. I had a good time with you too, Mari. Even if you did ditch me early to get a leg up in the Vance Gorden case."
“How did you know about that?" Mari's eyes went wide with wonder.
“All the questions," Rick admitted. "You practically told me you were digging around yourself. Care to tell me what you've found out?”
“I need to see Detective Price,” Mari replied. “You can come too if you want.”
“You sure do know how to make a guy feel special,” Rick joked. “Unfortunately, Detective Price isn't here."
Mari sighed and stamped her foot impatiently. “I think I know why my family's restaurant was broken into. My brothers found a backpack the day Vance Gorden was murdered. It was left at one of the tables. They took it home and…I think it belonged to Vance.”
"And you think it contained evidence leading to the murderer," Rick finished.
"Yes." Mari nodded. "Why else would anyone bother stalking my brothers and me?"
"Well, where is the backpack?" Rick glanced at Mari's empty hands.
"It's gone." Mari shook her head. "At least, I think it is."
"I don’t know what to tell you,” Rick responded, folding his arms. “You may be right about everything, but I’m afraid the murder investigation is through.”
Mari stared at him. "What do you mean?"
“Detective Price is arresting the culprit as we speak,” he replied. “An ex-convict named Raybern. Someone called the station claiming they had seen a man matching his description at the food truck lot.”
“Just like that?” asked Mari.
“Yes,” Rick went on, “the case against him looks pretty conclusive. He’s been hanging around here for the last week, committing a string of petty robberies. His prints are all over where the body was found. Maybe they'll even find that backpack you're talking about in his possession?"
Mari shook her head. “He's wrong. The detective is wrong. Where's the motive? Are we just supposed to let the real killer roam free? This Raybern guy can't have done it, and I'm going to prove it. Then we can have that date.”
***
Later that night, Mari and Tabasco met Kristi and Benny outside the front gates of Polly’s ranch house. Mari was quite certain that one of them knew the identity of the murderer. They were already so unsettled by Mari's recent discovery that she felt if she nudged them in the right direction, Mari might able to extract a confession. She had outfitted Tabasco with a secret recording device, and as they drove down the dirt path leading to the dig site in Benny’s Jeep, Mari pointed at the night sky.
“Those stars sure are bright,” Mari said. Above them, the light from dozens of constellations wheeled like lovers on a country dance floor. “Is it always like this out here?”
“Every night,” Kristi responded. “That was Vance’s favorite thing about coming here. He always said we should gaze up at the stars instead of in the dirt all day.”
“How romantic,” Mari mumbled. She wondered why Vance hadn’t taken the time to gaze up and notice that his girlfriend was having a fling with his roommate.
They reached a stone circle in which a fire had obviously been smoldering not long ago. Tall trees rustled around them, swaying to the warm night winds. Late summer in Texas was the best time of year to be outside. The weather was perfect for sleeping outdoors. Mari had done it on several occasions. Although the bugs were a different story.
Kristi pulled out a bottle of champagne. Using the lid opener on her keychain, she was able to uncork it and began pouring while Benny held out the glasses. Mari watched the drink fizzing and frothing with a look of deep fascination.
“A toast,” Kristi said, once the glasses were all filled. “To the best archeologist in the world.”
“The best archeologist in the world,” Benny and Mari recited in subdued tones. They clinked their glasses together.
Mari stare
d down into her champagne, wondering if it was safe to drink. The champagne had just been uncorked, so there was no way it could have been poisoned. She looked to Tabasco for his approval, but Tabasco was busy sniffing the dirt around them.
Mari took a deep breath, wondering if now was an okay time to bring up the bracelet that was found in the restaurant. Kristi and Benny could be murderers, but they could have also been innocent bystanders who had invited Mari along in hopes that she would keep her mouth shut about their relationship.
Tabasco barked at nothing and Mari patted his back.
“So I was thinking—” Mari began, but a loud bang interrupted her. Both Kristi and Benny fell to the ground. They lay there in the shadow of the elms as swift gunfire lit up the night sky.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mari’s ears still rang as a truck approached. The headlights were aimed straight at their campsite. Mari thought the truck would eventually slow down, but it didn't.
“Benny!” Mari shouted, reaching around in the darkness. "Kristi! Benny! Watch out!"
Tripping over Benny, Mari ran to help Kristi. The dark of night was what saved them. Even with its lights on, the driver of the truck seemed unsure where to go. Mari couldn’t tell whether the driver was deliberately aiming for her or if the driver was just a terrible driver.
The truck finally stopped, and Mari whirled around in the dark, listening to the sound of Tabasco barking. The door to the truck opened and a leather boot set foot in the dirt. A figure emerged wearing a cowboy hat. It was Lester.
“Howdy,” Lester yelled.
He fired his gun into the sky. She reached out again and found Kristi and Benny right next to her. Thankfully, they both seemed unharmed. Tabasco continued growling and barking. Kristi placed her hands over her ears. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to scream but was afraid of drawing Lester's attention.
Lester held his gun in one hand and a beer in the other. He walked closer to the three figures huddled in the dirt. He stooped down on his knees and peered into their faces, one at a time. When Lester reached Mari, she smelled the alcohol on his breath.