To Fetch a Killer

by Maria Hudgins

  “Uh, yeah. Me, too. He gave me my first job,” he said in a low tone.

  “What happened? I couldn’t figure out why he was on the property after dark.” Cassidy stepped closer.

  He shrugged his shoulders again. “Who knows? He told grandma he was going to the lodge, and he never came home. She called me when the police showed up last night. He’s always paranoid that somebody’s going to mess with this stuff.”

  “So, no idea why he would be back here at the track after dark?”

  “Like I said. He was always worried about his stuff. Like somebody’s going to cart off this heavy junk?” Zac pulled out an e-cigarette and took several puffs. A fruity smell from the mist permeated the area.

  “Thanks. If I can help with anything today, let me know.” Cassidy took several steps back.

  He nodded, and she disappeared in the crowd.

  Cassidy spent the rest of the morning making sure all was well with guests and staff. Pleased that everything was running smoothly and that she had plenty of pictures, she checked on Oliver and gave him his morning walk.

  After Oliver settled in for his pre-afternoon nap, Cassidy’s stomach rumbled, reminding her that she had missed lunch. Not finding anything interesting in her kitchen, she slid on her jacket and walked over to see what Rita had on the menu.

  The smells of grilled burgers and hot dogs floated through the air. Her mouth watered as she decided on a chili cheese dog and onion rings. After waving to Rita and her team who buzzed around the snack shack, she picked up her food and wandered over to the wooden picnic tables.

  Todd sat by himself at the last table. “Mind if I join you?” she asked.

  “No, help yourself. The food’s good. Her cheeseburgers rival those in the big restaurants.” He wiped mustard off his chin with a paper napkin.

  “How’s it going?” she asked.

  “My golf game needs improving, and I just finished reading a John Grisham novel.” He paused and winked. “Oh, you mean with work. I talked to Pearl Silver and her grandson. You were right about ‘the show must go on’ attitude. That’s all she could talk about.”

  Cassidy opened the aluminum wrap around her hot dog. “It’s all been a shock to the system.”

  “Marti didn’t know that Ron had died last night. It quieted her for a little while, but not long. She still didn’t have anything nice to say about the furniture dealer.” He dragged a fry through ketchup and popped it in his mouth.

  “Was it an accident?” Cassidy asked, hoping that nothing nefarious had gone on at the track.

  “Probably,” he said. “We’ll know more when the medical examiner finishes. I’m still not sure what he was doing on your property after everyone had left.”

  “Zac, the grandson, said that he was paranoid and probably checking on his stuff. I didn’t catch him or his truck on any of the cameras. He must have climbed over the gate.”

  “Yes, he told me that, too. The white truck was at his house when I talked to the wife.” Todd balled up the wrapper and took a swig of his drink. “If you hear anything, let me know. Right now, it’s a death investigation. I’ve got to head out. See ya.”

  A tingle surged through Cassidy. Was he being nice or was there more to the handsome trooper?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Cassidy relieved Dee at the information booth so she could check out the vendors. Happy that they had a good turnout, her thoughts drifted to other types of events that would bring folks out like a spring 10K around the track and a craft show. When there was a lull in questions, she posted the pictures she’d taken on the track’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

  A shadow loomed over the table. Cassidy looked up to see Uncle Henry lean forward. “How’re things? The crowd has been steady all day. And all the vendors I talked to have been really pleased with their sales.”

  “That’s good news. Hopefully, they’ll help spread the word about our activities. What have you been up to? I haven’t seen much of you. Did you get one of the apple cider doughnuts?”

  He nodded. “Rita saved me a couple. They went fast. Concessions and track souvenirs have been selling well, too. Good job, kiddo. I’ve been pounding the pavement and chatting. It’s amazing what you pick up when you listen. Ron Silver wasn’t too well thought of. People offer the typical condolences, but they’re quick to pile on with all his faults, how he cheated customers and how he tried to get out of paying his bills.”

  “Any scuttlebutt on his wife? She seems nice, but she’s the grieving widow one minute, and then she’s trying to sell dining room furniture the next. I talked to the grandson a bit. He didn’t seem too broken up about the family’s loss either.”

  “They’re an interesting bunch. They moved here when Ron retired. Pearl’s family is from here, so I guess they moved back to be near them. He bought an abandoned retail property on Rt. 360 and opened a ‘furniture emporium.’ ”

  “Ever been in there?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “No need to. Don’t need any furniture.”

  “Any other juicy info?” Cassidy slid her phone in her pocket.

  “Norma Raye’s cat had a litter of six kitties, and Tara Thompson is engaged to that Burroughs kid who works at the garage. In racing news, Dickie Ellis’s son Richie is expanding the race team. He’s sponsoring his cousin Otter. They’re going to come and talk to me next week about getting him qualified.”

  Cassidy raised her eyebrows. It was about time the Ellis family had some good news. The murder last season had caused a lot of heartbreak in the county.

  She shook off the melancholic feelings. “So, what’s next for you?”

  “I’m going to do some more glad-handing and probably get me a cheeseburger. I saw you chatting with that young buck at the picnic tables.”

  “You should have stopped by. Todd was filling me in on what he learned today.”

  It was Uncle Henry’s turn to raise his eyebrows. He cracked a slight smile. “You seem to be spending a lot of time with law enforcement these days. I’ll let you know if I hear anything else good.”

  Dee returned while Cassidy was checking what felt like hundreds of emails that appeared in her inbox. “All done shopping?” Cassidy asked.

  “I found some cute Christmas decorations, a side table for my sun porch, and a bookshelf made from a recycled wooden ladder. I need to stop before I buy more stuff.” Dee plopped down in the plastic chair next to Cassidy.

  “It was busy when you left, but it’s tapered off, so I’m going to check it out. Hope I can resist the urge to shop.”

  “It may be hard,” Dee said. “A lot of the vendors are discounting stuff they don’t want to haul home. That’s why I’m staying put here. If I come home with too much, Steve will pitch a fit. He says we have too much clutter now.”

  Cassidy rose. “I’m going to see how things are going. Holler if you need anything.”

  She lapped the track again and slowed down as she approached Pearl Silver’s booth. Zac, focused on his phone, stood near a dresser and four-poster bed with a canopy while his grandmother showed furniture to an older couple. She prattled on and on about the quality of the wood and the craftsmanship. She mentioned some manufacturer and raved about how the product held its value. Many of the pieces were gone, including the china hutch and dining room set.

  Cassidy moved over to Marti’s booth. The tall woman scrambled, almost knocking down a stool, to greet Cassidy. “Things seem to be winding down. Are you back to look at more jewelry?” Marti asked.

  “Did you make all these?”

  “They’re all my designs, and my mother makes the paper beads.”

  “Lovely,” Cassidy looked at beaded necklaces made from old sheets of music. “I hope sales have been good today.”

  “Marvelous. I stayed busy most of the day. Even you-know-who did well today. I can’t believe folks carted off that heavy furniture.” Marti nodded her head in Pearl’s direction. “It’s not my style, but obviously somebody likes early American or early
country. Whatever it’s called. She played the merry widow who could turn on the tears. I think she got some sympathy sales. She really knows when to turn on the waterworks. At least I didn’t have to listen to her husband bloviate all day.”

  Cassidy nodded and looked over at Pearl, who was wiping her eyes with a tissue as a man handed over his credit card.

  Finishing her circuit around the track, she checked on the concessions. Rita reported that food sales were higher than their best race weekend. The volunteers in the souvenir booths reported great sales, too. Cassidy beamed. Her ideas, not always race-related, were paying off and bringing new faces to the track. Now, she had to turn them into repeat visitors.

  Cassidy sat on one of the picnic tables and watched vendors pack up. The crowds streamed through the main gate to the parking lots.

  Someone touched her shoulder, and she jumped.

  Uncle Henry stood next to her and waved to someone heading toward the exit with a box. “Sorry, kiddo. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you. You did a great job today. You should be proud of yourself.”

  “I wish it had been flawless, but I guess it went as smoothly as it could with what happened yesterday.”

  “Stuff happens when you deal with the public. In the early years, we had a couple of racers die in crashes before all the protective gear was available. Each loss of life is tragic, but this and the one last summer weren’t our doing.” He patted her shoulder.

  “Always the voice of reason. Thanks.”

  “Jason and Brian are going to help me shoo everyone out of here. We’re a good team. I told them I’d buy them each a case of beer if we could clear the area in under an hour. We’ll see if they’ve got the juice to do it.” He winked and disappeared into the office.

  Cassidy hurried home and leashed up Oliver. “Time for a walk, bud. It’s been a long, lazy day. Let’s go burn off some energy.”

  Oliver wiggled his stubby tail and waited at the door.

  Glad to be out and about, Oliver made a beeline for the track. He didn’t even dawdle the way he normally did, investigating every smell or bug he found along the way.

  He pranced with his head held high looking for treats. Several folks on their way out stopped to greet him. He and Cassidy walked the perimeter of the track twice.

  By the time, they reached the office, only a few stragglers remained. She unlocked the back door, and Oliver did several circles and found a comfortable spot on his bed. Cassidy busied herself with uploading her photos to her laptop.

  Oliver and Cassidy jumped when the chatter started on the walkie talkie. “Hey, Henry. Ten minutes to go, and the back gate is closed and locked. You’re buying,” Jason said.

  “And this is Brian at the front gate. There’s one more vendor on her way out, and I’ll lock the gate behind her. Old man, you’re definitely buying.”

  “Good job, guys,” Henry boomed. “I think that’s a record. Swing by before you leave, and I’ve got beer money for both of you.”

  Cassidy smiled. “Sounds like y’all have it down to a science. I’ve got the ROTC from the high school scheduled tomorrow to do the cleanup.”

  “A win-win,” Uncle Henry said. “They earn some money for their group, and we get the track back in tip top shape.”

  “Come on, Oliver. Let’s head home. It sounds like it’s all under control. Let’s go see what’s for dinner.”

  At the magic “dinner” word, the dog’s ears perked up, and he zoomed to the door.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next morning, Cassidy barely had the key in the office door before her phone started ringing. “Come on, Oliver. Let’s see who’s calling before eight o’clock.”

  The dog sniffed the trash can and strolled to his puffy bed.

  “Good morning. This is Todd. Are you headed to the office?”

  “Already here,” Cassidy said, setting Oliver’s leash on her desk. “What’s up?”

  “We had a development in the Silver case. We need to talk to you about your concessions.”

  “My concessions?”

  “I’ll explain in a minute. We’re in the front lot.”

  “Be right there.” Cassidy locked the back door behind her and hurried past the ticket booth. She opened the wooden gate and scanned the parking lot. An Amelia County cruiser, Todd’s state police car, and the forensic van gleamed in the sunshine. Four officers and techs climbed out of their vehicles.

  “Morning,” Charles said, plopping his Smoky Bear hat on his head.

  Todd stopped beside Cassidy. “Some of the preliminary reports came back on Mr. Silver, and we have reason to suspect that his death was not accidental.”

  Cassidy opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

  “We need to see your kitchen and food storage area,” Todd said.

  “Sure. I’m not sure how it will help, but okay.” Cassidy held the gate for the four men.

  “Do you want to see the paperwork?” Todd asked as she led the way to the wooden buildings near the picnic tables.

  “That’s not necessary,” she said. “This is the main food area. We have several smaller ones around this area for beer, popcorn, and ice cream. This is the one with the grill, freezer, and the food storage. “Can I get y’all some coffee while you get set up?” Cassidy asked, as she unlocked the white door with the red trim.

  “Uh, that’s probably not a good idea today,” Charles said with a snicker.

  Todd cut his eyes toward him, and the deputy busied himself with looking around the kitchen.

  “Okay. If you need me, I’ll be in the office.” Cassidy backed out of the room and headed to her desk. Bats banged around inside her. What could they possibly want with her food? Rita managed the supplies with the precision of an army supply officer. And the concession stand wasn’t even open on Friday.

  Cassidy couldn’t sit still long enough to focus on the bills or her attendance spreadsheet. She spent the next several hours scheduling social media posts and scrolling Facebook for funny memes.

  A knock on the back door startled her. When she opened the door, Oliver stood at attention and watched as Todd entered.

  “We’re done in your kitchen. Do you want to take a look as we release it and lock up?”

  Cassidy nodded and locked the door behind them. “What’s up?”

  “The preliminary tox screens came back on Ron Silver. He had ethylene glycol in his system.”

  “Antifreeze?”

  He nodded. “It’s in that and other products. His wife mentioned that they ate at your concession stand.”

  Cassidy frowned. “Not sure how. It wasn’t open on Friday.”

  He paused and furrowed his brows. “We took samples. I’ll let you know what comes back.”

  Cassidy took several deep breaths to calm the rising panic. She followed Todd to the kitchen where the back door was propped open. Two technicians moved equipment outside.

  She stepped inside and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place.

  When she stepped back outside and locked the door, Todd asked, “Mind if we look around the garage area?”

  She shook her head and led them past the grandstands to the covered area that looked like a large carport. The racecar drivers used the space when the cars needed more work than could be done on the track or if the race officials required an inspection.

  Charles and the two technicians looked around the empty space. They peered under workbenches and opened the cabinets attached to the walls.

  By the time Cassidy started to fidget, the technicians signaled that they were done and began the trek to the front gate.

  “Thanks, Cassidy. I’ll call you later,” Todd said, as he followed the others.

  “Hey, do I really need to be concerned with what was in the pantry of the snack bar?”

  The tall trooper shrugged. “Probably not, but we should have the results from our samples in a couple of days. I’ll let you know.” He stepped closer and whispered in her ear, “The ME said it was probably in some sort of dr
ink.”

  The thought of throwing out hundreds of dollars in food stock made her queasy. He couldn’t have been poisoned here. Why would Pearl say they ate at the concession stand?

  Cassidy walked back to the office, patted Oliver on the head, and settled in at her desk to go over Friday and Saturday’s video feed again. There had to be something she missed.

  After hours of painstakingly looking at the recordings, she yawned and stretched. She managed to catch Pearl Silver and her grandson walking around the grandstand area at different times on Saturday, but that was after the murder. Nothing looked odd during the setup day.

  She blew out a heavy sigh, and Oliver trotted over to her desk with his leash in his mouth.

  Cassidy hugged him. “You’re right. It is time for some exercise. We’ve been cooped up too long with no answers. Let’s go have an adventure.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Cassidy glanced in the mirror as she combed her hair. She wasn’t really due for a haircut, but she could use some information. The ladies down at the Clippity-Do-Dah had their fingers on the pulse of everything going on within a hundred-mile radius of the county. She did a couple of more swipes with her mascara and tidied up the bathroom counter. Let’s see what the girls know.

  “Oliver, you’re on guard duty here. I’m headed out.”

  Cassidy climbed in her black Jeep Wrangler and drove leisurely past the track.

  The sun shone through the orange and red leaves and created a picture postcard fall day. After finding a spot in the graveled lot, Cassidy pulled open the screen door and entered the parlor of the house that had been converted into Bev’s hair salon. A strong whiff of chemicals and some kind of flowery air freshener greeted her at the door. When Bev looked up from coloring a woman’s hair, Cassidy said, “Morning, y’all. Bev, do you have any open spots this morning?”

  “Hi, hon. Have a seat over there, and I’ll get to you after I finish here with Ellie.” Margaret, the Baptist church organist, waved from under a helmet dryer in the back corner, and Bev’s daughter, Lila, breezed in with a stack of pink towels.