Pieces of January

by Ronald Paxton

  He grabbed a suitcase from the hall closet and headed for the bedroom. Olivia owed him. This was her fault. She had dumped this problem in his lap without a second thought. Nashville was where he belonged; playing sessions, hooking up with a band that needed a good drummer, maybe even writing song lyrics. Olivia could fix this and make it right. If she didn’t, he would kill her.

  Chapter 22

  Roy Dodd drove into the lot at Shenandoah Mountain Dock and parked in front of the marina store. He checked the paperwork in his briefcase and hesitated. There was no law that said he had to execute the search warrant just because he had it.

  He had to give Bo Carson credit. Sure enough, the drug screen on Donna Tice’s body had come back positive for cocaine, as well as heroin. The medical examiner hadn’t found any needle marks, so Donna had probably snorted the heroin. Dodd had called Finn Watson, and the dock manager admitted both Donna and Melissa Wright were active drug customers. Watson insisted he didn’t sell heroin. If he was telling the truth, Dodd figured Donna had probably made another drug connection through one of her clients or at Billy’s Bar, a decrepit establishment next door to the trailer park where she lived.

  The judge had signed the warrant authorizing a search of Finn Watson’s home, work place, and telephone records. It had been pretty straightforward once Dodd explained the dock manager’s past and current connections to the two murder victims.

  It didn’t feel right; that was the problem. He just couldn’t see Watson as a killer. True, the guy wasn’t a model citizen, but a small-time pimp and drug dealer didn’t fit the usual profile of a cold-blooded murderer. This was particularly true in the dock manager’s case since he was only pimping and dealing on the side to pay for his daughter’s college tuition.

  Of course, Watson could have been lying about everything, but it hadn’t felt that way. He had been open about his escort business and drug sales. The body language and eye contact had been that of a man telling the truth.

  Dodd drummed his fingers on his briefcase. He needed to find the killer. That was the bottom line. If Watson wasn’t the guy, the search could still turn up something linking him to the Committee. Shenandoah Mountain Lake was a small community, and Finn Watson was connected to its dark underbelly through his escort and drug activities. The claim that he had never heard of the Committee for Morality and Decency was difficult to believe.

  On the other hand, there was no reason for the dock manager to kill two of his regular drug customers or protect the identity of the killer. That made no sense unless the killer had some leverage over Watson. Maybe he had threatened Finn’s daughter, or perhaps he was the dock manager’s drug supplier. Dodd made a note to take a hard look at the phone records. He could also turn the tables and tell Watson he planned to interview his daughter. That should help jog the dock manager’s memory about the Committee.

  He dialed a number and spoke to a member of his team. They had already spoken to the manager of the apartment complex where Watson lived. The manager had the key and was ready to open the apartment for them.

  “All right, I’ll call you back in a few minutes. I’m going to serve the warrant now.”

  Dodd climbed the steps to the marina store and went inside. A middle-aged woman stood behind the counter. He produced his badge and waited while she examined it.

  “I need to speak to the owner or manager of the marina,” Dodd said.

  “The marina is owned by an out-of-state investment group,” the woman said. “I’m Dana Post. You can speak with me.”

  “Does Finn Watson report to you?” Dodd asked.

  “Yes, he’s my dock manager. What’s this about?”

  Dodd handed her a copy of the warrant and explained the purpose behind it. The manager read it carefully and frowned.

  “I’ll need to call our lawyer.”

  “That’s fine,” Dodd said, “But I can’t wait around for that.” He dialed a number on his way out the door and notified the team at Watson’s apartment to execute the search.

  The dock manager was working on a boat propeller when he entered the shop. “What are you doing here?”

  Dodd told him. “I just served the warrant to Dana Post. Call her. I’ll wait.”

  Watson tried to stare him down while he spoke to the marina manager. “All right, Dodd, it’s your show. Dana ordered me not to interfere with the search of the shop or my apartment. She also told me not to answer any questions. I’ll be waiting outside.” The dock manager started for the door and then stopped. “It’s a good thing you have that badge to protect you, Agent Dodd. Otherwise, I’d kick your black ass into next week.”

  Dodd made no reply. He hoped Watson would hang onto his temper so he wouldn’t be forced to arrest him on an assault or obstruction charge.

  Forty-five minutes later, the FBI agent called his team.

  “I’ve got nothing here. Tell me you’re having better luck.”

  The dock manager’s apartment was spare and almost obsessively neat. The team hadn’t found a thing. They were going over the place a second time, but it didn’t look good.

  Watson was outside, waiting for him. Dodd noticed his fists were clenched.

  “I’m done. My team will be finished with your apartment in a few minutes.”

  The dock manager sneered at him. “You’re welcome. I guess I’m in the clear now.”

  “I didn’t say that. We’ll be going through your phone records. I know you’re lying about the Committee.”

  “No, I told you…”

  “Save it, Watson. Tell me now, or I’ll be on the road tomorrow to interview your daughter at her college. Maybe you’re lying about that, too.”

  “You son of a bitch. I’ll kill you!”

  Dodd ducked under the dock manager’s wild swing and punched him in the crotch. Watson screamed and dropped to the ground. The FBI agent yanked the dock manager’s hands behind his back and cuffed him.

  “Congratulations, asshat, you’re under arrest for assaulting a federal officer. I’ll let your daughter know when I talk to her. I’m sure she’ll be proud of you.”

  Watson glanced up the hill.

  “It’s up to you,” Dodd said. “If you talk to me, the arrest will go away, and I won’t need to interview your daughter.”

  The dock manager looked out at the water. “Take these cuffs off before Dana comes down here and fires me.”

  Dodd removed the cuffs and waited.

  Watson sighed and rubbed his face. “I don’t have a name for you, Dodd, but there are a couple of things I can tell you about the Committee. You probably think it’s a large group of people.”

  “Actually, I think it’s a small group—maybe as few as three people. A large group would involve too much risk. We would have made an arrest by now.”

  Watson laughed. “I’ve got news for you, Dodd. The Committee for Morality and Decency is a committee of one.”

  “How do you know this?” Dodd asked.

  “I’ve lived here all my life, and I move around at night, taking my girls to outcall appointments and delivering drugs. I hear and see things. I saw this person deliver notes to Callie Wilson’s condo up the road and John Howard’s place across the lake that’s under construction. I also saw an unfamiliar vehicle coming down the road from Salem Matthews’ place. It was the same person each time.”

  “If you’re sure about that, you must know who it is,” Dodd said.

  The dock manager shook his head. “I was sitting in my truck at the condo complex where Callie lives. One of my girls had an appointment with a guy in the unit next door. It was too far away and too dark for me to see a face. They walked up the steps, dropped off a piece of paper, and left.”

  “What happened at John Howard’s place?” Dodd asked.

  “I was delivering weed to one of Howard’s neighbors and noticed someone at the construction site. I watched them do the same thing they did at Callie’s condo, but I couldn’t see a face. I saw the same person coming out of Salem’s road wh
ile I was waiting on my girl, Missy, to finish her appointment.”

  Dodd stared at him. “How do you know this is the same person if you never saw their face?”

  Watson shrugged. “The person’s size and shape and the way they moved were the same at both Callie’s condo and Howard’s place. You know how you can recognize someone from the back by the way they walk and look?”

  Dodd nodded. “Tell me again about the driver coming down the road from the Matthews place.”

  “I just got a quick look, but the clothes and the profile of the driver looked the same.”

  “What was the driver wearing?” Dodd asked.

  “It was a heavy-looking dark jacket with a hood, maybe a snowsuit. That’s why I couldn’t see the face. They were definitely dressed for the outdoors.”

  “Can you describe the vehicle this person was driving?”

  Watson shook his head. “I wasn’t paying attention to that. It could have been a mid-sized sedan, but I wouldn’t swear to it.”

  The FBI agent closed his notebook. “All right, Watson, we’re square, assuming I don’t find anything in your phone records. Try to stay out of trouble. I’m tired of dealing with you.” He turned and headed for the parking lot.

  “Hey Dodd!” the dock manager called, “I forgot to tell you one thing. It’s a man.”

  Chapter 23

  “It’s Elvis!”

  Monday opened her arms wide as a white, short-haired Chihuahua raced across the room and leaped into her lap. Henry was right on the tiny dog’s tail.

  Krista stuck her head out of the kitchen. “I didn’t know Henry was bringing a friend home.”

  Salem laughed. “Janet Todd came in this afternoon and brought Elvis with her to play with Henry while she did her shopping. They were having so much fun when she was ready to leave that I invited Elvis home for a sleepover with Henry. Janet said she’d stop by in the morning to get him. I’m giving Henry the day off from work tomorrow so they’ll have a little more time to play.”

  “Diva won’t like Elvis,” Krista said.

  “It’ll be fine, Krista. Henry and Elvis will just ignore her. What time is everyone coming?”

  Krista glanced at the clock. “They should be here soon. You can take the hot dogs, spaghetti, and potato chips out to the buffet table. Please tell me you remembered to bring sweet tarts home from the store.”

  “I remembered,” Salem said.

  The doorbell rang, and Salem opened the side porch door. Anderson stared at the platter of hot dogs in front of him.

  “Shouldn’t you be wearing an apron?”

  “Not before I have my sex change operation,” Salem said. “It’s bad luck.”

  Fifteen minutes later, everyone was lined up in front of the buffet table. Anderson was at the head of the line. He filled his plate and carried it over to the table where Monday was already seated.

  “Here you go, sweetie. I gave you extra spaghetti. I figure you’re going to need a lot of energy when you play Monopoly with Henry and Elvis.”

  “Do you want to play, Uncle Anderson?”

  “I can’t tonight, sweetie. We’re having a meeting.”

  The food was delicious. When everyone was finished, Salem helped Krista clear the table while Randi went upstairs to check on the baby. She returned a few minutes later with a smile on her face.

  “He was playing with his feet and talking. I think he’ll fall asleep soon.”

  Krista passed the sweet tarts and bottled water around the table. She gave Monday one of the tarts.

  “I like Uncle Anderson’s tarts better, Mama. Can I have one of his?”

  Anderson looked down at his fresh, full box of tarts. “Actually, I was saving two tarts for Henry and Elvis,” Anderson said, “But then I remembered they’re not good for dogs. Would you mind eating them for me?”

  “I don’t mind, Uncle Anderson.”

  Nobody spoke until Monday was across the room, setting up the Monopoly game.

  “You are such a softie,” Randi said. “I can’t wait to have a baby.”

  Anderson nodded and leaned forward in his chair. He cleared his throat and looked around the table. “All right, I’m glad everybody could make it tonight because Salem and I have been putting together a plan. Three murders are enough. Dodd’s doing the best he can, but I know I’m tired of sitting on my hands and wondering who is going to be next. Besides, we owe it to Melissa to get this guy.”

  “What did you hear from Dodd?” Bo asked.

  Anderson told them about the FBI agent’s interview with the staff at Passages and the search of Finn Watson’s apartment and work place.

  “That’s interesting,” Callie said. “I’m glad Dodd was able to squeeze Finn for that information about the Committee. So, this guy is a one-man gang. I never would have guessed that. This should make it easier.”

  “I don’t know,” Salem said. “It also means there’s nobody else involved we can get to roll over and give up the killer. We got lucky with Finn Watson because he happened to be in the neighborhood when this guy was delivering his notes.”

  “So, what’s the plan?” Jay asked. “Where do we go from here?”

  Salem finished a tart and drank some water. “For a start, we’ll resume patrolling my property and the campground when Bo feels up to it.”

  “I’m ready,” Bo said. “I’ll get back at it in the morning.”

  “I’ve been doing the campground while Anderson’s been busy,” Jay said. “I haven’t seen anything unusual. Hannah and Raymond are keeping an eye out, too.”

  “Have you checked the homeless camp down the road?” Salem asked.

  Jay nodded. “The snow is fresh, and there are no footprints or any other signs anyone has been there since Anderson found that guy’s body.”

  Salem nodded and glanced at Anderson. “You’re smarter than me. Why don’t you lay out the rest of the plan?”

  “Salem and I are going to sit on Davis Lord for a couple of days and see where it leads. He seems like the kind of guy who might feel the need to rid the world of gay people and prostitutes. Anybody who would try to kick a four-pound dog is capable of anything, and he can always blame God or Satan for his behavior.”

  “What can I do?” Callie asked. “Now that Olivia’s gone, I don’t mind saying I’m scared to be alone. I just want this to be over.”

  “You need to keep your door locked and dead-bolted,” Krista said. “Get the security guard at your complex to walk you to your unit when you come home at night. Carry your pepper spray in your hand whenever you’re out.”

  “That’s good advice,” Anderson said. “I also want you to visit Passages Addiction Center since that’s where Melissa was killed. If Davis Lord isn’t our guy, I think it could be someone there.”

  Callie nodded. “What’s my story?”

  Anderson grinned. “Your live-in boyfriend is an addict who steals your money to buy drugs. You’re planning an intervention with his friends and family, and are checking out rehab facilities. Dodd gave me the names of three people who got his attention: Jack Fowler, Grace Hanes, and Hal Morris. Fowler is the director. Dodd said he was evasive and defensive. Hanes is one of the nurses on Melissa’s floor. I realize we’re looking for a man, but Dodd thinks she’s hiding something that could be important to the case. Hal Morris found Melissa’s body. According to Grace Hanes, he’s a sex addict and a liar. If Lord isn’t the killer, my money is on Morris.”

  “I’ll see if I can talk to Fowler and get a tour of the place,” Callie said. “While I’m there, I’ll try to meet with some of the staff.”

  “Wear something sexy,” Anderson said. “Cheap and slutty would be even better. If you can attract Morris’s attention, I expect he’ll talk to you all day long.”

  Callie rolled her eyes. “I’ll see what I can do, Anderson. Getting all sexed up for a guy is one of my favorite things.”

  “What have you got for me?” Bo asked. “I want to be part of this.”

  Anderso
n hesitated. “You’re not going to like it.”

  Bo snorted. “I don’t have to like it, Anderson. Tell me.”

  “Dodd told me he saw our guy driving away from Salem’s property when he was waiting for one of his girls to finish her date with a client. The girl’s name is Missy.”

  “Donna Tice and Melissa were both prostitutes,” Bo said. “So you think Missy could be the killer’s next target. You want me to set up a date with her and find out what she knows.”

  Anderson nodded. “We’ll do it when you’re ready. I know you’re still recovering from a couple of surgeries. I think you should play it straight with her. Finn knows you, and there’s a good chance this girl at least knows who you are if she knew Melissa. There’s nothing to hide here. You miss Melissa, and you need female companionship. Try to draw her out and see where it leads. She might know something that can help us identify this guy. He could even be one of her clients.”

  Bo nodded. “I’ll call her after I patrol the property in the morning. She’s probably not available before noon at the earliest, so I’ll set up a date for tomorrow afternoon.”

  Krista looked at her father. “Are you sure you’re up to doing this, Daddy? We can wait a few days.”

  Bo nodded. “I’m ready, but I think I’m going to make it an early night. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”

  Krista watched her father get up from the table and walk downstairs to his bedroom. “I don’t like it. Did you see how slow he was walking? He’s not ready for this. What if he has a heart attack or embarrasses himself when he sees this woman?”

  “It’s up to him, Krista,” Salem said.

  “Why can’t Callie switch with him? I think it would be easier if Daddy could talk to the people at Passages instead of trying to be with another woman this soon.”