“So you’re just trying to make peace before your time is up?” Sam asked. “You know you could live another ten or twenty years.”
Sam knew better than that. The man sitting before him looked to be at death's door.
“No, sheriff. As shameful as it may sound, I’m trying to save my skin again,” Earl declared. “I guess no matter how old you get you still want to get just one day older.”
Earl’s statement again left Sam baffled. What did he mean by saying he wanted to save his own skin?
“You see, sheriff, you’re not the first person I’ve told all these things to,” Earl continued. “There was a man who paid me a visit a few months ago.”
“A man? Was he the killer?” Sam asked.
“I suppose he is,” Earl sighed. “It appears to be his work, your murders back in Castle County, that is.”
“Who is he? What does he look like?” Sam asked again, sensing he was close to discovering the identity of the killer. “Give me a description. Did you know him?”
“All I know is he was a man who knew everything that happened at the Red Dog that night,” Earl replied. “He came and visited me here one evening.”
“You mean you can’t recall what he looked like?” Sam wondered. “I mean you remember details about stuff that happened twenty years ago. Can’t you remember something? Hair color, height? Was he skinny or fat, young or old?”
“Sorry, sheriff. All I can say for sure is he had a deep voice,” Earl responded. “In case you haven’t noticed, which you obviously haven’t, I’m blind. All I can see is shapes and shades in the light. That’s why I sit at the window.”
His only witness was blind. He was so close yet so far. He had sat there for several minutes talking to the man not realizing he was blind. His detective skills were slipping.
“If you’re blind, how do you know you were visited by the killer?” Sam asked. “Maybe he was just curious like me. What makes you so sure he’s the killer?”
“Because he came here to kill me,” Earl responded.
The old man revealed he told the mysterious man the same story he just told the sheriff. Telling the man what he knew, Earl noted, saved his life - at least temporarily.
“He told me he would kill me last,” Earl said.
With that, the old man reached and pulled down the collar of his house coat, revealing a scar on his neck. It was a down payment left during the killer’s visit.
“See, sheriff, if you can stop him before he finishes his business in your county, then you’re saving my life too,” Earl revealed.
His eyes fixed on the scar, Sam was a believer. Earl Cutts’ words were now gospel in his mind.
“How many are left?” Sam asked.
“Just two,” Earl revealed. “Bart Foster and Glenn Satterfield.”
“Mayor Glenn Satterfield?” Sam gulped with his eyes wide. “The mayor of Easton? That Glenn Satterfield?”
“One and the same,” Earl confirmed. “He was a rapist and an attempted murderer before he became a politician, not that the two are mutually exclusive by any means.”
How could Sam protect the mayor without coming clean and revealing he knew his role in the incident at the old Red Dog? It wasn’t like Sam could just stroll in and call the mayor of Easton a rapist. Things had gotten even more difficult.
“And then there’s Sheriff Foster,” Earl reminded. “My visitor was very interested in him too.”
“Do you know anything else that can help me, anything at all?” Sam asked.
“If I knew anything else I would tell you since my neck is on the line,” Earl said. “He did know a lot about the girl. He even knew she was at the mental hospital over in Shelby.”
The snow was beginning to fall harder outside. The sheriff realized he needed to leave to avoid the chance of being snowed in.
“It’s a shame you can’t see the snow,” Sam said as he started for the door. “It’s very beautiful today.”
“That’s okay, I’ve seen more than I deserve,” Earl said as he turned back toward the window. “The good thing is that at least I won’t see him when he comes for me.”
NEAR MISS
Sam fought to keep his SUV out of the ditch as he wound back down the hill from the retirement home. Snow was now completely covering the blacktop. The trip was worth it. Not only had he discovered the identities of the Red Dog gang but he also found the rumors of Earl Cutts’ death were greatly exaggerated.
He now realized why Rhody insisted on immunity in exchange for his cooperation. The career criminal believed, wrongly, that they had helped murder Earl Cutts. If Sam’s suspicions were right, the rest of the gang was also under the impression they had been part of a murder. And, as such, they likely assumed the recent murders of their old gang were part of payback for Cutts’ death. They might even think the killings were the work of the ghost of the old tavern owner, back from the grave to collect his tab. They were overlooking their complicity in the rape of the young girl. Sam was convinced it was that unspeakable incident that had brought about the recent killings.
The more he thought about it, the less sympathy he had for the recently deceased members of the Red Dog conspiracy. What was happening was the purest form of justice even though it was delayed two decades. However, Sam had taken a solemn oath to protect the people of Castle County – the good as well as the bad. He had no choice but to find and prosecute someone for the crimes despite his personal feelings. Anything less would be dereliction of duty.
The sheriff resolved to head straight to the mayor's house when he made it back to town. Glenn Satterfield was likely in grave danger and it was Sam’s duty to warn him even though he suspected the mayor had already made the connection between the deaths and the Red Dog. Plus, Sam knew Bart was one of Satterfield’s biggest contributors, backing the incumbent mayor’s candidacy the past couple of elections. Some even believed Bart was bank-rolling the mayor’s campaigns in return for special favors that helped benefit both his legitimate and illegal businesses.
Although Bart had never been charged, it had long been rumored he dealt in stolen cars and parts, operating chop shops in neighboring Pickett County along with his alleged dabbling in the narcotics business. The chop shops were beyond Sam’s jurisdiction, Pickett County was almost like a lawless frontier where certain crimes were overlooked by law enforcement. Actually, Castle County had been that way before Sam’s election as sheriff. Most of its citizens had been oblivious to the illegal acts condoned by his predecessor.
Sam strained his eyes as he steered his vehicle through the blowing snow, following in the tracks of other vehicles, careful to keep a constant speed. The terrain leading from Harvest Lake back to Easton was hilly, creating a hazardous drive on sections of road that hadn’t been salted by road crews. He would have to take his time getting back to town. From the looks of things, it would be dark-thirty before he pulled back in to Easton. Sam realized what night time meant recently in Castle County – murder and mayhem. Would the string of murders continue tonight? If Sam had anything to do with it, the string would conclude. Armed with the knowledge of the remaining targets, the sheriff was confident he would have the killer in his jail by sun up.
Sam spent his slow drive back to town formulating a plan on how to catch the killer. His best plan of action was to elicit the help of Glenn Satterfield; however, the sheriff doubted the professional politician would be willing to go along with a plan where he would be used as the cheese to bait the trap. Instead, Sam reckoned, they would use the mayor as the lure without his knowledge. They would wait around and pounce when the killer showed himself. He would enlist the help of the police chief and some of his trusted men. They could cover every entrance to his house and make sure there was no way the killer could get to the mayor undetected. Sure, it would be easier if Glenn would go along but Sam was already resigned that they would have to do it the hard way.
Sam made the call to Chief Denton Wood as he continued his trip back to Easton. The ci
ty’s chief lawman was stunned by the news of his boss’ involvement in the heinous crime but quickly pledged his assistance in the sheriff’s plan of action. After all, what better job security could there be than saving your boss’ life? Sam agreed to keep the chief’s clandestine assistance a secret if the plan never came to pass, but give him the credit if their work saved the mayor’s life. It was a win-win scenario for the chief, who, in turn, enlisted the assistance of two of his most trusted officers.
For his part in the mission, Sam would put Bo and Kendal on the case while keeping their mission secret from the rest of his officers. He didn’t want news of the joint operation reaching the mayor’s ears for fear of retribution against Chief Wood should the plan not go as anticipated. While he trusted his deputies, Sam knew even the most trusted officers tended to talk. All it would take is one slip of the lip to expose the chief to the ire of his boss. Sam was also uneasy given the destruction of Rhody Turner’s phone records. He suspected there could be a mole within his department. He had never doubted the loyalty of anyone in his employ - until now.
Sam crossed into Castle County as darkness fell. The return trip took twice as long as the drive up to Harvest Lake. He had already set up his plans for the night over the phone on the assumption he would not be able to gain the mayor’s cooperation. However, he would still give Glenn a chance to join forces since it was his life at stake.
The security lights were just coming on at the mayor’s home, located on the edge of Easton, as Sam pulled into his driveway. The quickly intensifying snow storm made driving a chore despite the efforts of the street department. The city, not used to major snow storms, had just one snow plow.
The sheriff plodded through the three-inch deep snow in the mayor’s front yard. The mayor's large palatial estate sat at the edge of town and was back-dropped by a dense forest. The grand residence reminded Sam of a country plantation with its large columns that greeted visitors.
Glenn had married into money before becoming a multi-term mayor of Easton, tying the knot with the daughter of a wealthy oil man. The marriage ended badly a few years ago but Glenn had been able to make some good investments with his wife’s money. And, despite not getting the lion’s share of the divorce settlement, Glenn did okay for himself as evidenced by the trappings of wealth that surrounded him. However, given what he knew now, Sam suspected some of that wealth may have come by way of Bart and his illegal endeavors.
It was that money along with generous contributions from his friend Bart that helped finance Glenn’s political career - a career the mayor hoped one day would land him in the governor’s mansion. He had already put out feelers regarding the gubernatorial race that would be held in two years and had plans to begin fund-raising for a possible bid.
Glenn’s aspirations for a higher office were no secret to anyone in Easton. Sam took that into consideration when he assumed the mayor would resist his being recruited into their plan to catch the killer. He realized someone with the mayor’s lofty goals could not risk his skeletons being exposed.
Sam waited patiently after ringing the doorbell. He plunged his hands deep in his coat pockets as the cold breeze whipped across the mayor’s grand porch, funneling through like a wind tunnel.
“Sheriff Delaney,” Glenn said in a less than pleased tone as he answered the door.
Sam was immediately struck by the mayor's appearance. The normally well-manicured public official, who was rarely seen in public with a single hair out of place, looked like he had been out on a bender. Bags under his bloodshot eyes suggested a lack of sleep while a couple days' growth of beard and his nervous demeanor told the sheriff that the ghost of the Red Dog had already been haunting him.
“Sorry to bother you on such a snowy night,” the sheriff began just as he noticed several suitcases sitting by the door. “Are you planning on a trip? You appear to be packed and ready to go.”
Glenn rubbed the back of his neck nervously. His eyes darted back and forth as he was obviously not happy about the sheriff’s visit.
“Yes, I’m planning to go on a short vacation,” Glenn replied. “I thought I’d get away for a while. You know, get a little rest and relaxation.”
Sam nodded toward the door. The snow was piling up on the mayor’s lawn. The forecasters may have underestimated the accumulation total given the intensity of the snow fall.
“Well mayor, I don’t think you’re going anywhere tonight,” Sam declared. “The roads are treacherous and I’d say they’ll be shutting down the interstates in the next little bit. I think we may have a real blizzard on our hands.”
“I’d hoped to beat the snow but it rolled in a little quicker than I thought,” Glenn replied. “I really wanted to get away before dark, I mean ... before tomorrow.”
“Sorry, but I don’t think that’s happening,” Sam said. “No, I think you’re stuck here for the night, maybe even tomorrow since I hear it’s going to keep on snowing.”
Sam could tell Glenn was exasperated by his inability to get out of town. His procrastination was costing him dearly. He was stuck in Easton.
“But, since you’re going to have to delay your trip, maybe we can talk a couple of minutes,” Sam said.
“Talk about what?” Glenn asked with a hint of worry in his voice.
“The old Red Dog,” Sam replied.
“The Red Dog?” Glenn repeated, acting as if he were confused by the mention of the old tavern. “You mean that old redneck bar outside town? Why would you come over here in the snow to talk to me about that?”
Given the long day Sam had already experienced, he wasn’t up to playing word games.
“I’ve talked to somebody today who says you know a whole lot about it,” Sam revealed. “He told me you were there along with Eddie, Andy, Stevie and Rhody one evening about twenty years ago. Oh, and your buddy Bart was there too.”
Glenn glared at the lawman. His self-defense instinct kicked in as he felt boxed in by the sheriff. The suddenness of the sheriff's veiled accusation had caught him flat-footed.
“I’m sure you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Glenn retorted. “Who would have told you something like that anyway?”
Sam looked Glenn in the eye, shooting him a slight grin.
“Earl Cutts,” Sam responded.
The mere mention of the tavern owner's name left Glenn with a lump in his throat. His face turned pale white as he stood silent for a few seconds with his mouth agape.
“Earl Cutts is dead,” Glenn said hoarsely as he cleared his throat. “He’s been dead for twenty years.”
Sam shook his head, still with a grin on his face.
“I’m afraid not,” Sam countered. “I spoke to him earlier today. He’s very much alive and he remembers you. He also remembers what you did.”
The color returning to his face, Glenn couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How could a man they burned to a crisp in the Red Dog twenty years ago still be alive? Glenn had seen Bart hit the old bar owner in the head, knocking him unconscious and likely killing him on the spot. Then, he and the rest of the gang poured gas all around the building before Bart threw a cigarette, igniting the inferno that reduced the old bar, and Earl Cutts, to ashes.
“You’re lying!” Glenn yelled. “Earl Cutts is dead.”
“I don’t think …” Sam began as the mayor stepped toward him.
“Unless you’ve got a warrant, sheriff, you need to be leaving,” Glenn insisted, pointing toward the door with an angry look. “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove but I’d thank you to stay away from me in the future. And, I’d be careful what I said out in public unless you want a slander suit on your hands.”
The sheriff had certainly struck a nerve. The mere mention of the Red Dog and Earl Cutts had sent the mayor into a state of panic. He hadn’t even made an allegation or cited specifics.
“You’re in danger,” Sam blurted out. “The same person who killed the others will be coming to get you. Let us protect you.”
> The sheriff’s words gave Glenn a moment for pause as he considered his situation. He knew full well he was in the crosshairs of whatever was out there seeking revenge.
“I can take care of myself,” Glenn responded. “Now get out of here before I call the police on you.”
Sam gave the mayor a nod as he stepped out the door, pausing a moment as the cold wind hit him in the face.
“Just remember. I tried,” Sam said as he tipped his hat to the mayor. “Your blood won’t be on my hands.”
The mayor stood glaring at the sheriff as the lawman tromped back across the yard, following the footsteps he left when he walked to the door. Glenn considered his options as the sheriff pulled out of his snow-covered driveway and drove out of sight. It was obvious the sheriff knew his connection to the Red Dog. And, if the sheriff knew, then who else knew? Most importantly of all he gleaned from the conversation with Sheriff Delaney was the lawman’s claim Earl Cutts was still alive. Had the sheriff been bluffing, making up the story to see if he would bite? What if he wasn’t? What if Earl Cutts survived the fire that night more than twenty years ago? It’s hard to haunt a person if you’re not dead yet.
Glenn stood staring out the window for several minutes, watching the snow fall while trying to decide if he wanted to eat his pride. If Earl Cutts was truly alive, then everything had changed. Who was killing members of the old gang and why? All this time Glenn assumed it was vengeance for their deeds the night of the fire.
“That’s it. I’m calling him,” Glenn said as he pushed himself to the phone.
“What do you want?” Bart asked in a cool voice as he answered his phone. “I thought we said all we had to say today.”
‘The sheriff was just here,” Glenn said. “He knows, or at least he thinks he knows that I was involved.”
“And how is that my problem?” Bart asked.
“That’s not the point,” Glenn replied. “While he was here he told me Earl Cutts is still alive.”
The news caught Bart by surprise. The calculating businessman remained uncharacteristically quiet on his end of the line for a few moments.
Red Dog Saloon Page 18