Murderous Secrets: A Shandra Higheagle Mystery #4

by Paty Jager

  “I feel like the trip didn’t give me answers, only more questions. And then my dream last night. Heads of all the people involved with Father back then and one I didn’t recognize. Until hours later.” She took a sip of the tea.

  “What do you mean hours later? Did your grandmother come to your dreams twice last night?” He’d wondered if by going to her grandmother’s house, Shandra would feel her grandmother’s presence more.

  “No. After the dream I searched the internet and discovered the man I didn’t know is Dicky Harmond. He was a rodeo clown when Father, Charlie, and Phil were participating in rodeos. And he worked the same circuit.” Shandra frowned. “But I couldn’t find much about him after that season ended.”

  “Where did he live?” Ryan could put out some feelers, see if the man was still alive.

  “In Oregon.” Shandra shook her head. “From what I could tell he moved around a lot.”

  “I’ll see if I can find him.” Ryan held his hand out across the table. Shandra placed her palm against his. “You knew when you started this, it would be hard to find answers. Don’t let it consume you to the point you can’t do your art.”

  A faint smile tipped the corners of her lips. “I understand your concern, but knowing the truth about why my father was taken from me…it isn’t an obsession, it’s a need to know the truth. It will help me move forward.” She squeezed his hand. “It will help me understand what I need from life.”

  Ryan nodded. He’d realized from his first meeting with Shandra there was something in her past that held her back from committing to a relationship. Perhaps this hunt for the truth about her father would bring them closer.

  “Finish your tea. I want to take you to a new café I found.” His mom had been after him to invite Shandra to the ranch for Christmas. But after the remarks made by his father at Conor and Lissa’s wedding, he didn’t plan on taking her around his family any time soon. But he was hoping for an invite to her ranch for Christmas. It was only three weeks away.

  Shandra drank the rest of her tea, used his bathroom, and they walked toward the city center.

  “Why are we walking?” Shandra asked. “Not that I mind.”

  “I wanted to show you the charm of this town.” Ryan gently squeezed Shandra’s hand, tucked into his. “They have the Christmas decorations up. With the snow, it looks like a scene out of a Christmas movie.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Shandra enjoyed her lunch with Ryan and the stroll they took through Warner, window shopping and wandering through some of the shops to get warm and make purchases. She wanted to ask him to spend Christmas with her, but knew he had obligations to spend the day with his family. And given the way his father behaved at Conor’s wedding, she didn’t think she wanted to spend a day with his family. Not until she was certain about Ryan fitting into her future.

  Climbing into her Jeep, Shandra reached to close the door.

  Ryan held onto the door. “When will I see or hear from you again?”

  Shandra shrugged. “When you learn more about the rodeo clown or I discover something. Why?”

  “That’s not a concrete answer.” He released the door and moved to her side. “I have two days off starting Monday. Would you like some company for a couple of days?”

  She knew he was asking if he could stay at the ranch. The idea of sitting in front of a fire and watching the snow fall outside with Ryan on the couch beside her was inviting. “Yes, you may visit.”

  “I could help you get a Christmas tree.” Ryan’s eyes lit up.

  Shandra laughed.

  “I could.”

  “You look like a young boy anxious for Christmas.” She liked this carefree Ryan. He was always on alert.

  “Could be this year it looks a lot more promising than the last few years.” His youthful glow heated into desire.

  She knew what he wanted for Christmas. Her head wasn’t ready to become that attached to a man just yet. “You know we don’t always get what we wish for.”

  His expression didn’t change. “There’s a difference between wishing and knowing it is inevitable.” He leaned in, kissed her, and then backed away. “See you Monday.” He closed the door and watched her.

  Shandra started the Jeep. She glanced Ryan’s direction. He held up his hand miming to call. She knew he meant when she arrived home safe. Nodding, she backed out of his drive and headed home as the sun dropped from sight, filling the dark satin sky with sparkling stars.

  The drive home took twice as long as normal due to the slick roads. Heading up her drive, she was thankful that Lil was so tenacious. The snow had been cleared leaving a much smoother ride with the snow filling in the pot holes in her dirt drive.

  The twinkling of lights, like the stars only down low, caught her attention and when she drove into the meadow in front of the house and barn, she was delighted to see strings of white Christmas lights across the front of the house, the studio, and the barn. There was just the right amount to look festive and not gaudy.

  She pulled up to the barn. The doors opened. Sheba bounded out, her tongue lolling to one side. She stood on her back legs and put her paws on the window, looking in at Shandra.

  “Come on, Sheba, let her park the Jeep!” Lil called, waiting by the barn door.

  Sheba dropped to all fours and trotted to Lil.

  Shandra drove the Jeep into the area she used in the wintertime to keep the Jeep out of the weather. As soon as she opened the door, a big furry, black head shoved into her lap.

  “I missed you too.” Shandra rubbed her cheek across the top of Sheba’s head and kissed her. “Help me get my stuff unloaded.” She shoved the dog backwards gently and slid out of the seat.

  Lil already had the back door open, lifting out Shandra’s bag and the bag of items she’d purchased in Warner with Ryan.

  “Looks like you did some shopping.” Lil handed the bags to Shandra. “The fireplace is going and I put a crock of soup on.”

  Shandra hugged Lil. “Thank you! I’m starving but wasn’t in the mood to figure out what to eat.”

  Lil ducked out of the embrace. “You’re welcome. Go on. I’ll get the doors.”

  Shandra called to Sheba, and they made their way to the back door of the house. Her phone rang as she set her bag of clothes on the chair and the shopping bag on the table. To Shandra’s surprise, it was her mother.

  “Hello?” she answered wondering why her mother would be calling. They didn’t talk on a regular basis. In fact, they usually only called each other when they needed something.

  “Shandra, this is your mother.” Celeste said that every time, as if Shandra wouldn’t see it on her phone or recognize her voice.

  “I know. Why are you calling me? Aren’t you at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas?” She was ashamed the question came out sounding a bit on the snotty side. But since leaving home after high school graduation, her mother only remembered she had a daughter when she could use Shandra’s reputation to her advantage.

  “Yes. We’re at the Finals. I’m calling you for Adam.”

  Shandra rolled her eyes. What could her stepfather want? But then she had asked them some questions about the rodeo a while back. This was his way of collecting for giving her the answers she wanted. “What does Adam want?”

  “We learned that there are two new Committee Chairs in the circuit Adam provides rough stock for. To get to know them better we decided to host a holiday dinner party for the members of the rodeo associations in Montana that Adam works closest with. He’d like you to attend.”

  That her mother said Adam would like her to attend made Shandra wonder if her mother would like her to be there as well.

  “When is this dinner party? And can I bring a guest?” Shandra knew that would pique her mother’s attention.

  “Not that awful woman who helps you, I hope.” Celeste’s tone alone made Shandra want to decline, but it was the rodeo association. The people she wanted to talk to. Most would be the right age to remember her fathe
r and possibly the day of the accident.

  “No, she wouldn’t attend. I’d like to bring Ryan Greer.”

  “Wonderful! What does he do?”

  “He’s a detective with the Weippe County Sheriff’s Office.”

  “Not the man who was going to arrest you!”

  Shandra smiled. “He didn’t arrest me. When is the dinner?”

  “A week from this coming Saturday. Seven. I’ll have a room ready for you and Ryan.”

  “We won’t be spending the night,” Shandra said. There was no way she’d spend the night at Adam’s house.

  “But you can’t drive home after the dinner party, they usually last till eleven, some even later.” Her mother didn’t sound worried about her daughter more about what people would think if Shandra left early.

  “We’ll leave when we’re ready. Why does Adam want me there?” Shandra knew there had to be a catch.

  “One of the new committee members, the one who will contract the rough stock, likes Native American art. Adam thought you could talk about that with Wes Pickley.” Her mother’s voice was muffled for a moment. “I have to go. They’re getting ready for the bareback riding.”

  The sound of the crowd came through. Why didn’t I notice it before?

  “I’ll tell Adam you’ll be coming?” her mother questioned as if making sure Shandra wouldn’t back out.

  “Ryan and I will be there.” Shandra tapped the off button.

  Sheba shoved her head under Shandra’s empty hand.

  “I know, you want your lovin’s. Just one more call.” She scratched Sheba’s ears. “Go wait for me by the fire and I’ll bring you a treat.”

  The black ears lifted and Sheba’s tongue lolled out of her mouth. She padded on her large paws into the living room.

  Shandra slipped her phone into her back pocket and scooped a bowl of creamy potato soup, placed it on a plate with two slices of sour dough French bread, well-buttered. She poured a glass of wine and carried the food and beverage into the couch. After placing the dishes on the table, she pulled out her phone and dialed Ryan.

  “Hello,” he answered after two rings.

  “You answered so fast I’d think you were waiting for me to call,” she teased, placing the plate and soup on her lap.

  “I was. How were the roads? According to Ron there were a lot of accidents all around the county today.”

  “The road between Warner and Huckleberry was plowed pretty good. There is already a lot of traffic headed to the Huckleberry ski area. Those are the people I worry about. In a hurry to get an extra fifteen minutes of skiing in.” Shandra had two vehicles full of what looked to be college kids pass her as if she were standing still. She was certain she’d see them in a snow bank but luck was with them. She never did see the back end of either car.

  “I’m glad you made it home safe,” Ryan said.

  “I had a call as soon as I arrived.” She was certain if Ryan could get off he’d go to the party with her, but taking him to the place she grew up made it look like she was wanting him to get to know her family.

  “Was it about your recent trip?” His business-like tone made her smile.

  “No. It was my mother.”

  “Isn’t she and your stepfather in Las Vegas at the National Finals?”

  The suspicion in his voice revealed he had the same perception of her parents as she did.

  “They are. Adam learned of some new committee members in his circuit and has planned a dinner party a week from this Saturday after they get back.” She waited. He’d pick up the bait she’d dangled.

  “A dinner party. Were you invited?”

  “Yes. It’s with people in the rodeo industry. If you don’t dig something up about Harmond and I can’t get more on Charlie Frank and Jessie, then we’ll have a room full of people to visit with.”

  “Did I hear you say ‘we’. As in, I’ve been invited too?” Ryan’s tone became suspicious again.

  “You weren’t invited by my mom, I said I was bringing a guest. I thought I should let you know before I see you on Monday. It would give you more time to see if you can get that Saturday off.” She knew he would make sure he could go, but she held her breath. Would he put more into it than she wanted?

  “The only thing that would keep me from going to that party with you would be the weather.” His voice deepened with pleasure.

  “Thank you. Two of us asking questions will get more information gathered in one night than if I went alone.” She’d wait until just before the party and ask her mother for all the names of the attendees.

  “That’s the only reason you’re inviting me? To help interrogate people?”

  Shandra stirred the soup sitting in her lap. “That and to keep me company.”

  “That I can do. We can discuss more when I see you Monday.”

  “I agree. Good night.”

  “Night.”

  Shandra tapped the off button and tossed the phone to the other side of the couch. She peeled the crust from one of the slices of bread and dangled it in the air. Sheba slowly rose from her spot at Shandra’s feet and opened her mouth. Shandra tossed the crust into the dog’s mouth.

  Eating her soup and tossing more of her bread to Sheba than she ate herself, Shandra stared at her computer. Aunt Jo had given her Jessie’s maiden name that morning before Shandra left. It would be the name most of the rodeo participants would know the ex-barrel racer by. With her dinner finished, Shandra set the plate and bowl to the side and slid her laptop to the edge of the coffee table.

  Sipping her wine, Shandra typed one-handed, putting Jessie Preston into the search engine. To her surprise there was a lot about the woman. A video on barrel racing, a place to sign up for a class given by Jessie Preston-Lawyer, and a photo of Jessie back in the eighties when she was competing.

  Shandra zoomed the photo in. It was a bit grainy, but she was positive the man standing behind Jessie, and looking as pleased as the barrel racer with her check, was Dicky Harmond. That couldn’t be a coincidence that he was standing in a possessive way behind her. Now that she had more names, seeing Phil Seeton was next, while Ryan dug up what he could on Dicky Harmond.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Shandra pulled the vase out of the kiln early the following morning. The crackle look she’d hoped for on the glaze had turned out. She had time to try this on a couple more pieces before the February show and then she could do a tutorial on it in New Mexico.

  Stomping outside the back door of the studio meant Lil was done with the morning chores. The door opened, blowing in cold air along with the eccentric woman in purple insulated overalls and her usual purple coat and stocking cap.

  “Where’s Lewis?” Shandra asked, seeing a purple and lime green knitted scarf around Lil’s neck instead of yellow fur.

  “He thought it was too cold to come out.” Lil pulled off her thermal gloves and nodded to the buckets of clay they’d cleaned and stored so Shandra would have clay to work with through the winter while the clay pockets were covered with snow. “You going to work on something today?”

  Lil was better than a conscience. She said out loud what bounced around inside Shandra’s head.

  “Not today. I’m heading to Missoula to visit with Phil Seeton. You want to come along? You two do know one another.”

  “Someone needs to stay here for the animals in case you get stuck over there. There is another snow storm coming through.” Lil eyed her. “Why you need to visit with Phil again?”

  “I have a couple more names that seem to be connected to my father. Dicky Harmond and Jessie Preston.”

  Lil cringed at both names. “I didn’t realize your daddy hung around with the likes of them.”

  “You were at some of the rodeos with Johnny that Father participated in. What can you tell me about Jessie and Dicky?” Shandra walked over and sat in the padded chair she sometimes sat in while drawing her next project.

  Lil grabbed a folding chair sitting at the table where they glazed and sat in f
ront of Shandra. She pulled her stocking cap off, making her short white hair spark and wave with static electricity.

  “Johnny once told me Jessie liked Indian cowboys. But I don’t think she ever dated your daddy. No, I’m pretty sure she didn’t. I remember her shoving your mom at a rodeo. I don’t know what the conversation was, but Jessie was angry and your mom looked upset. That was a rodeo or two before your daddy’s accident.” Lil leaned forward, her gaze on her worn cowboy boots. “Dicky was mean. He was an average-sized man but thought he was bigger and tougher. If he didn’t like something the girl he was dating did, he’d knock her around. I heard your daddy stopped him from beating a girl in a parking lot. It drew a crowd and Dicky always made Indian comments after that when your daddy was around.” She shook her head. “He was mean even when he wasn’t drunk. But drunk…Johnny told me he threatened a cowboy at a party and the next rodeo that cowboy was injured real bad. But no one could point a finger at Dicky.”

  A shiver ran down Shandra’s back. Dicky would be in his sixties now, possibly seventies depending on his age at that time. He wasn’t a physical threat that she could think of but hearing about him, he was her first clear suspect in her father’s death.

  “If you think of anything else, call me or tell me when I get back. I should be back by late afternoon figuring in three hours for the weather.” Shandra stood. “I’ll take Sheba with me. Maybe I can talk the people at the nursing home into letting her come in and visit Phil.”

  “He’s gonna think you’re bringing in a miniature pony,” Lil quipped.

  Shandra laughed. “Could be. See you this evening.”

  ***

  Shandra shared the fries she bought at a drive-through with Sheba while sitting in the Jeep in the nursing home parking lot. The drive had taken even longer than usual. A semi-truck had jack-knifed, causing a backup on both sides of the interstate. She ate all the cardboard hamburger she could stomach and gave the rest to Sheba. She downed it in one bite and snuffled Shandra’s shoulder looking for more.