Who's Dead, Doc?

by J. M. Griffin

  “What?” I asked, and peered past him to see what had caused his reaction.

  Good grief, she had used a broad nib marker on those who, in her opinion, were unacceptable. That wasn’t the worst of it, her remarks were cruel. Words like poor, no money, destitute, stupid idiots, no secrets found, and other uncomplimentary remarks. It didn’t matter that the rabbit met the requirements.

  “She was a piece of work,” Adam remarked when I sucked in a breath of air after reading the last remark scrawled across the page: Dead in the water.

  It was Petra’s application. I closed my eyes for a second and gathered strength to face Adam. He’d question why she’d written such a thing and would know if I lied. A tight spot to be in, no matter how I viewed it.

  His brows arched, Adam pointed to the words. “And this is because?”

  I flounced into the desk chair, hugged my folded legs to my chest, rested my chin on my knees, and groaned. “If I say I don’t know?”

  “Not acceptable, sorry.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Try again.”

  By this time his arms were folded across his chest as he leaned against the edge of the desk focused on me. Her harsh words, boldly scrawled across the application, glared at me.

  “Fine.” With what pluck I could manage, I said, “Carina and Evelyn had a brief disagreement. I didn’t hear what was said, but their body language showed they were upset. When it was over, Evelyn stopped by my rabbit pen and cooed over the rabbits. Before she walked away, she told me to keep my mouth shut or Petra wouldn’t be in the show.” I jutted my chin toward the folder. “It seems she had already decided before that incident. I haven’t a clue why, so don’t ask. A short time before the party ended, Carina and I found her body.”

  “Was that so hard?”

  I gulped, took my time answering him, and then said, “Not really.”

  “Why would she discard your application?”

  “How would I know?”

  “You must have some idea.”

  “The one thing I heard over and over from those in the show concerned Evelyn’s malicious behavior. She harbored secrets about others and used them for her own gain. Quite an unprincipled woman. I don’t have secrets, which meant I was no use to her. Maybe that’s why she wouldn’t consider Petra’s application. Evelyn might have thought I heard what she and Carina argued over and that I’d use it to my benefit. Which, by the way, would never happen.”

  “Carina didn’t hint at what they argued about?”

  I shook my head. “I was too busy with the rabbits to pay attention. Besides, I wasn’t close enough to hear more than a few words.”

  He stood up, seemed satisfied, and asked if I was ready to leave.

  “Sure am, let’s get out of here.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  I flipped through other applications while I trailed a short distance behind Adam. He had passed the basement door when it swung open. Seamus charged off the first step. Shocked, I slid to a halt, crushed the file in my hands, and watched in horror as Adam was struck with a piece of wood. Seamus hadn’t aimed high enough to strike Adam’s head, but had caught his shoulder, throwing him off balance.

  Slow to recover, Adam gave him the advantage. The files hit the floor and I jumped on the beastly man’s back as he continued to attack Adam. With my arms wrapped tightly around his neck, I leaned backward to choke him. Garbled words came from him as he struggled against my hold. Having done heavy lifting at the farm gave me added strength.

  As he weaved and shook his body to free himself, Adam tackled him. Seamus and I fell backward. I slid sideways as Adam crashed on top of Seamus. Grasping the collar of the man’s jacket, Adam hauled Seamus to his feet.

  I’d risen from the floor, looked past them toward the basement, and glimpsed Colin. He saw me and took off. On my way to catch him, I heard Adam yell, “Stay where you are, Juliette.”

  I stopped mid-stride. He was right, it wouldn’t be in my best interests to take on someone who might have a weapon. What would I do with Colin if I did catch him?

  I said, “I’ll call the station.”

  He nodded while he handcuffed Seamus. Moments later sirens blared, and the police arrived. They entered the house with guns drawn, which scared the daylights out of me. They took Seamus into custody as I sank onto a nearby chair, wiped sweat from my face, and thanked my lucky stars.

  If I had come here on my own, I’d have walked into a deadly situation. In the future, I’d do well to think first and act later. But then . . .

  “Are you okay?”

  “Are you?” I asked in return.

  “He caught me off guard. I didn’t hear them enter the house.”

  “Me either. If you hadn’t recovered so quickly, I think we might have been in big trouble.” I wiped dribbles of perspiration from my face with the sleeve of my jacket.

  “Is anyone looking for Colin?”

  Adam nodded. “He’s probably long gone, but a search is underway, regardless. What possessed you to chase him?”

  I shrugged. “Anger, maybe. Who knows?”

  We gathered papers from the floor. They had flown willy-nilly across the room. Gathered into the folder once more, I straightened up. “We’d better leave now.”

  Our return trip to the farm was quiet for the most part. Every now and then, Adam would ask a question.

  “Why did you jump Seamus?”

  “He’s dangerous. I was afraid he’d harm us both.”

  “It was foolish.”

  “Really? You think I was foolish to help you? I lift bales of hay and deal with heavy rabbit hutches for a living. Besides, I was strong enough to choke him while you got your act together. You might be a little more thankful,” I complained.

  His silence lasted for a moment or two, yet felt like forever, before Adam said, “Thank you.” He turned into my driveway and parked next to Sheriff Carver’s car.

  Unsettled over what would happen next, I walked into the shop. Jessica and Jack were deep in conversation. I hung my jacket on a hook and set the crumpled file folder on the counter.

  The conversation had come to a sudden end when we had entered the room. They looked us over, Jess with a worried expression on her face, the sheriff glaring. “You’re both fine, then?” His look directed at Adam, I kept my mouth shut.

  “No injuries, except to the intruder, sir.”

  “I heard.” Jack turned to me. “You were lucky Adam went with you.”

  “We worked as a team to take Seamus down,” Adam admitted.

  “Did you? I’ll expect a report on my desk by the end of your shift.” His cool attitude toward Adam surprised me. If he was upset with Adam, I could only imagine how he felt toward me.

  When his silence lengthened, Jessica blurted, “I think dinner is done. I turned off the Crock-Pot a while ago. Would you like me to set the table?”

  “No, I’ll do it, thanks.” I left them in the shop.

  Bun waited at the kitchen door, so still he reminded me of a garden decoration.

  I knelt in front of him and stroked his fur. “I’m so glad you didn’t come with us. I was scared when Seamus McKenna entered the living room and attacked Adam.”

  “I would have taken him down in a heartbeat. You and I know how ferocious I can be.”

  It was true, he could be quite wild at times and protective to a fault. “You sure can. I feared for both of us, and jumped on his back to help Adam, who wasn’t pleased by my actions. It all happened so fast, I reacted the way I was taught.”

  “Let’s face it, we aren’t always appreciated for our fearlessness.”

  “True. Have you and the others been fed?”

  “Jason and Jessica took care of us. We’re all fine. Jess also made lunch for her and Jason while you were out.”

  “Then I’ll set the table for dinner.”

  “I listened to the sheriff and Jess talking before you arrived. He questioned her on what you were up to. She handled herself well, and didn’t g
ive you up. Proud of that girl, really proud.”

  Footsteps sounded in the breezeway. I murmured that we’d talk when Jessica left for the day. Bun hopped into his room and munched his leftover veggies.

  Once I set the table for two, I noticed Sheriff Carver was still with Jessica.

  “Sheriff Carver is working tonight,” Jessica said.

  I set another place. “You may as well have dinner with us, I know you want to talk about today’s incident.”

  He tried to deny he was hungry.

  “You’re nearly drooling over what’s for dinner, so take a seat and get it over with.”

  We ate and spoke of mundane topics at the farm and clinic. Near to the bursting point, my anxiety over his avoidance of the inevitable ran rampant. I put my fork down and looked him in the eye.

  “You might as well ask your questions, Jack. Let’s discuss what’s on your mind and then have dessert.”

  He studied me, and then asked, “Why would you interfere with an arrest in progress?”

  I handed a plate to Jack. “The problem being that it wasn’t in progress until I got involved.” I explained how Adam had been taken by surprise, struck hard with the wood and thrown off balance. He’d have been in serious trouble if I hadn’t interfered.

  “I suppose you’ll tell me I was foolish, but I knew what I was doing, Jack. My actions increased Adam’s chances of making an arrest.”

  “Okay, enough said about it. We haven’t apprehended Colin yet, but we will. Every officer in the area, and the towns surrounding Windermere, has been alerted.”

  I set a piece of apple pie in front of Jessica and said, “He might not be as dangerous, but desperation changes people.”

  His dessert plate empty of pie, Jack nodded and rose from his chair. “Thank you for dinner and that pie was tasty. I’ll be in touch.”

  After he’d gone out the door, Jessica leaned across the table and whispered, “He had a fit when he found out you two were attacked. When he learned of your part in the event, he began to rant about it. Gosh, I thought he’d never stop. He worries about you, I don’t know how he’d deal with you being seriously injured.”

  “Not well, I’m sure. He knows Meredith would take him to task over it. Did Jack ask you anything specific? Your conversation appeared intense when we arrived.”

  “His nose is out of joint because you won’t leave the investigating up to him. How he knows that is beyond me.” Perplexed by Jack’s knowledge, Jess said, “I was careful with my answers. I told him I thought you were concerned about Carina and her daughter. Other than that, I didn’t share anything.”

  “Thanks. I think he was bluffing when he said I wasn’t leaving his business alone. We’ve been very careful to not draw attention to what we’re doing. I certainly don’t want him to know what I’ve been up to. I also don’t like lying to him.”

  “I know.” Jessica set the dishwasher to run. “I have to leave. See you tomorrow.”

  I waved as she walked out the front door.

  “I knew she wouldn’t tell the sheriff about our actions.”

  I looked at Bun and sat on the floor next to him. “She’s a good friend to us, Bun.”

  * * *

  I answered the phone on the second ring.

  “Hello.”

  “You found it, didn’t you?” Colin wanted to know.

  Why would I tell him? If I said yes, he’d try to take the certificate from me, by force if necessary.

  “Why would you think that? I was at the house to look for files Ms. Benedict asked for.”

  “You’re a liar. I know you have it, and I want you to give it to me.”

  His voice tense, I was sure he knew he was hunted by law enforcement. I took a deep breath. “Well, good luck with that. I don’t have it and if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you.”

  “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt, you know. When Seamus shoved you at the show, I was afraid for you. Then Seamus took your rabbit. I couldn’t let him be harmed and protected him for you. I’m sorry about all that’s happened.”

  Was he trying to convince me that he’d been an unwilling participant? Colin was the liar, not me.

  “It doesn’t matter now. You’re being hunted across several towns and cities. Do yourself a favor, and turn yourself in. You wouldn’t want to be shot on sight, would you?”

  “N-no. I don’t want to go to jail, either.”

  “I can’t help you there. I’m afraid jail will be the end result for you and Seamus.” I heard what sounded like a train running in the background and used my cell phone to text Sheriff Carver. He texted an okay.

  “Would you put in a good word for me?”

  “Since you protected my rabbit, I will do so, but it’s important that you surrender.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Cripes, we were back to square one with the liar, liar thing. I held back a snappy retort and sat down. “Tell me where you are. I’ll come and talk with you in person. I don’t think you’re the violent type, I really don’t.”

  “I need money to get away. Do you know what that certificate is worth?”

  “No, and I don’t know what’s so important about it, either. Why do you want it so badly?”

  He hesitated, then blurted, “Because she’s rich and will pay to get her hands on it.” The line went dead. I’d lost any hope of saving this young man from being wounded or worse.

  The entire day had been busy from start to finish, and I hadn’t taken a minute to look the certificate over. I searched through the pockets of my jacket to see if it was what he wanted. Empty. Panic surged through me as I searched a second time.

  I paced the floor and considered the possibilities. How had I lost it? During the scuffle maybe? Surely, I’d have seen it when Adam and I had gathered the papers from the folder. The truth slammed me with a jarring effect. Adam had found it. He and I weren’t always within each other’s sight as we picked the papers up.

  Why didn’t he offer to put it in the file? Had he realized it wasn’t what Vera had asked for? I remembered saying she only needed the applications. I growled at my stupidity, before I pounded my fist on the table in frustration.

  From his bedroom doorway, Bun asked, “Are you okay? You’re awfully upset. What can I do to help?”

  I sat on the floor as he came up to me. Running my hands through my hair, I swept it back from my face and told him my suspicions. Disappointment gnawed at me. I’d been deceitful in my efforts to find the certificate, with no idea of its importance. Ashamed of my actions, and fearful that I’d be in more trouble than ever, I called Jack to ask if I could come by his office.

  “I’ll be here. There’s a different officer watching over you tonight. Don’t be nervous if you don’t recognize the car, Adam is off duty.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you soon, then.”

  “Can I go? I’m sort of feeling left out of what’s going on.”

  “Sure, I’ll get your sling.”

  Ready to travel, I set Bun on the passenger seat before we set off. Now and then I looked in the rearview mirror. A single car was behind us, closer than Adam had ever been. Anxious, I sped into the back lot of the police station and parked as close to the door as I could. The other car had kept going. Maybe it hadn’t been my protector, after all.

  With Bun in his leather sling, we entered the station. The officer at the front desk motioned me toward Jack’s office. I reached his door, knocked once, and entered on command.

  The certificate sat on the desk in front of Jack, who had a smug look on his face. Why? I wouldn’t ask. All I knew was that I had been doing the dirty work to find out who was to blame for what had happened to Evelyn, and why. The birth certificate held the key to the answers. I was certain of it.

  Indicating a chair in front of his desk, Jack asked, “What can I do for you, Juliette?”

  I took a seat. Eyeing the folded parchment paper, I dragged my gaze from it and asked if Colin had been found.

  “Not yet. I s
ent a team to scour the railroad tracks, but he wasn’t there. Are you sure you heard a train? There isn’t one scheduled until midnight.”

  “I swear it sounded like a train in the distance.”

  “Hmm, well, it was worth a look. You could have asked me that question over the phone. What else is on your mind?”

  “I wondered how your investigation is going.”

  “Don’t play games, can’t you tell he knows something? Whatever you do, don’t walk into a trap. Carver can be wily.”

  His hands posed as a church steeple, Jack tapped two fingers against each other.

  “It’s going quite well. As a matter of fact, this is what you have been in search of. It’s most interesting.” He leaned forward to tap the parchment with a fingertip.

  I eyed the certificate and asked, “May I see it?”

  He handed it to me, then leaned back and rocked in his squeaky chair. Carefully, I unfolded the parchment and began to read. My mouth must have hung open, because drool ran down my chin. I wiped it away and gawked at Jack.

  “Am I right? This is what you had to find?”

  “Y-yes. I had no idea what it contained, though.”

  “Do you know now?”

  “I-I think so.” My heart sank into my shoes at the significance this information had. “Seamus and Colin were hired to get it. By whom, I can only guess. When Colin called me tonight, he insisted I had it in my possession and said it is worth a lot of money, that someone would pay a huge sum for it.”

  “Did you say you had it?”

  “I denied it while trying to get him to turn himself in. He’s very scared and will continue to act rashly. He might even come to the farm to force me to give it to him. He never believed a word I said about not having it.”

  “Who asked you to retrieve that?” He pointed to the paper.

  “Seamus wanted a birth certificate from Evelyn’s files. He never named anyone.” I stared at him as a look of disbelief spread across his face. “Honest, Jack. I only looked because these two guys were obsessed with it, and they had Bun. I figured that document and Evelyn’s death were somehow connected, and would produce her killer.”