by W L Knightly
“Do we want to send Sam after her this time, or do you think we should go question her at her house?”
“I think we should get familiar with the place. See what kind of mood hangs there.”
“Good call.” He really meant it too. Jo was doing a lot better than she probably thought she was. If her confidence had taken some blows, it didn’t show in her plans.
She got up from the desk. “I know you’re just settling in, but I thought we’d go when you showed up. I didn’t want to go alone.”
“Yeah, of course,” he said, getting back on his feet, thankful she hadn’t gone to the widow’s place alone. “I’ll drive.”
“Sounds good.” She stepped out into the hall, and he followed. Then the two made their way out to the parking lot.
They got into the car, and Jo cleared her throat. “I just thought since she’s a widow that it would be better for us to go to her instead of dragging her in, but the way she ran onto that crime scene, it’s been haunting me. I mean, who does that?”
“She was panicked, and it’s normal for people to want to see their loved ones, to know that what they’re being told is true. She probably acted on impulse and had no idea what she was walking in to.”
“Or she hoped to contaminate the crime scene.”
“Possible, but I wouldn’t read a whole lot into her actions. People do strange things when they’re hurting.”
The same could be said for anyone, including himself. He had only slept with the doctor because of the dent his ego had taken. He wished he could go back, take control of his actions, and get a do-over. If he could, he and Jo would be a lot more comfortable.
They arrived at the Bodins’ fancy home, where a black wreath still hung on the door with faded carnations which were turning a shade of deep greenish purple, like a nasty bruise that had marred their home.
Jake knocked as Jo looked across the lawn toward the neighbors’ house. “The woman who was with her is a neighbor. I’d like to talk to her too before we leave, if she’s around. Maybe she could tell us about the activity in the neighborhood.”
“It’s a nice area, mostly quiet, with some of the newer homes in town. I’m sure the community looks out for each other.” Just then, as if he had spoken it to life, he noticed the curtain in a window across the street move. “Looks like we already have an audience.”
Jo smiled. “There’s always that one neighbor. We’ll go talk to them too if you want. Maybe that’s our lady.”
Jake knocked again and stepped back to look at the home’s windows. There was no movement, and he couldn’t hear any footsteps or noises from inside. “Do you think she’s home?”
Suddenly, a voice called from across the street. “Detective Thomas?”
Chapter 6
Jo
Jo turned around as the lady approached hesitantly. “Yes, ma’am. We’re looking to speak with Kendra Bodin. Do you know if she’s home or when she’ll return?”
“I’m Joyce Johnson from across the street. Kendra should be on her way now. She’s out making arrangements. It’s a real shame what happened to her husband.” She turned toward Jake. “I thought I recognized you, Detective. I saw you years ago at a charity event.”
Jake smiled. “The children’s walk? I remember you.”
“Are you the neighbor who went along with Kendra to get their car?” asked Jo.
Joyce’s face turned a bit red, and she tucked her chin as if she were embarrassed. “Yes, I did. I’m sorry about that. We were just here getting out of the car, and she got the wild idea that she needed to see Tate. I couldn’t stop her, and I had a feeling she was acting on impulse, so I just jumped in the car with her. It was stupid, but I just felt so bad for her, you know?”
Jo felt for the woman, having gotten herself in the middle, but it was the perfect opportunity to talk to her about the Bodins. “We actually were going to speak with you after Kendra, but perhaps you could help us out now?”
The woman took a deep breath. “Of course. Anything you need.” She smiled at Jake, and Jo cleared her throat.
“For starters, have you ever known them to fight?” Jo asked. Jake seemed content to let her lead the questions.
“I already told the other officers that I barely know them. They moved in a short while ago, and I think I’m the only neighbor who has reached out. Kendra said she was lonely in a new town but glad she and Tate were doing fabulously.”
Jake shifted his feet. “Did you get the idea that she was being sincere? Or could she have been just trying to paint a nicer picture?”
The woman’s expression changed to one of concern with Jake’s question. “You don’t think she had anything to do with this, do you?”
She put her hand over her heart, and Jo quickly shook her head to reassure the woman she was not living across the street from a murderer.
“We’re just covering all of our bases,” she said. “Trying to get the right idea about who they were as a couple.”
“Well, she seemed sincere,” said the woman. “Honestly, as sweet as she seems and as badly as she wanted a baby with him, I can’t see her doing it. Especially after their last attempt failed.”
“You know that for a fact?” asked Jake.
“Yes, she called me crying about it. She was certain she was but then so hurt when it came out negative. I reassured her they could try again.”
“Do you know if they’d been tested? Like for fertility?” Jo wondered if she had Bodin killed because he couldn’t give her what he’d promised.
“Not that I knew of, but she had just gotten off the pill a few weeks before that, so I thought it was just that. Sometimes, babies take time. My husband and I tried for a year before we hit the jackpot.” The woman gave a bittersweet smile. “I guess it just wasn’t in their cards.”
Suddenly, the woman looked up and gestured down the road. “There she comes. I knew she would be back. She doesn’t stay gone long these days, but she said the mortuary called about the urn.”
As Kendra drove her fancy car into the driveway, Jo and Jake said goodbye to the other woman. “Thank you so much,” said Jo. “We might be in touch again.”
“It was good to see you again,” said Jake.
“Good to see you too,” said Joyce before walking away.
Kendra got out of the car and waved at her neighbor, who waved back and crossed the yard. Then Jo and Jake met her halfway. “Hello, Officers.”
“I’m Detective Calloway, and this is Detective Thomas. We’re investigating the murder of your husband. I was wondering if you had a minute to talk to us.”
“I already spoke to the police, so I’m not sure what else I have to offer, but of course. Unless you could wait until after the funeral?”
Jake looked at Jo then back at Kendra. “Actually, no. It’s best we talk now. We were curious about what happened at the scene.”
Kendra’s face turned red. “It’s stupid, yeah, but I just acted out of grief. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“It’s understandable, but we came to talk to you a minute about Tate. We’re trying to understand if there could have been someone unhappy about him taking the position.”
“Sure, come inside. I’ve got to get out of these heels if you don’t mind.” She walked to the door and unlocked it, and Jo and Jake followed her inside.
“Don’t mind the house,” she said. “I haven’t picked up in a couple of days.”
The place was spotless, especially for someone who had been through hell and back. “Please have a seat on the sofa. I’ll be with you in a moment.” She stepped down the hall for a brief moment as they situated themselves in her living room.
She walked back in to join them, her shoes off and her jewelry put away. “I hate leaving my jewelry and shoes on,” she said with an apologetic tone. “Now, what did you want to ask me? I’m afraid my mind is a bit scattered. I feel like I can’t string together a complete thought these days. Tate’s mother said it was normal.”
“
About Tate,” said Jo, not wanting the woman to get too far from the subject. “The two of you were new in town, but did Tate ever mention anyone that might have it out for him? Even back home? Was there a reason you moved away?”
Kendra’s shoulders rose with a deep breath. “Like I told the other officers, we only came here because of the job. It was a fresh start for the two of us. I guess you could say that we had hit a rut back home, but this was our big move, and we’d decided to start a family.”
“Had you tried before?”
“We had always said when the time was right. Both of us wanted children. It’s taking me some time to let it sink in that we won’t have them together. I mean, I guess someday for me, but I can’t even fathom it. Tate and I had decided it was time, and we really just started trying.”
What she said lined up with what the neighbor had said, and she seemed sincere enough. Her body language didn’t appear to be out of the ordinary.
Jo wasn’t finished, though. “What would you say was your husband’s normal routine? Did he make any fast friends?”
“No, and even his secretary hadn’t warmed up to him yet. He told me that he spent a lot of time shaking hands, but he felt like everyone was keeping him at arm’s length. I guess that’s not out of the ordinary after what happened to the previous judge. I just don’t understand what the killer has against people in Tate’s position. We were guaranteed that the job wouldn’t come with any dangers. That the homicide had been specific, having nothing to do with Tate or the office.”
Jo nodded. “We’re a little shocked ourselves. That’s why this isn’t making any sense to us. We wondered if there could have been anything you didn’t know about.”
She shrugged. “If there was, I guess I still wouldn’t know.” She rolled her eyes, which seemed a bit strange to Jo.
“I’m sorry.”
Jake interrupted. “I think what she’s getting at, and correct me if I’m wrong, Detective Calloway, but was there something you learned of recently about your husband? An affair, new or old, or perhaps anything that could be on the mend?”
Kendra shifted in her seat. “No, there’s nothing like that. We were finally in a good place in our lives, finally happy. Then this.”
“You say finally. Are you sure there wasn’t trouble? Financial problems from the transfer?” Jo didn’t mean to be so uncaring, but something wasn’t adding up, and the way Kendra got when an affair was mentioned had put Jo on alert.
“Are you asking me if one of us had an affair? Absolutely not, and I despise the insinuation. We might have been very busy in the past years of our recent marriage, but I can assure you we were quite happy. We were just now settling down, is all I meant.”
Jake and Jo exchanged a look, and she wondered if he caught the change in the woman’s tone.
“We just have to ask,” he said suddenly. “We don’t mean to offend.”
“I understand. But you have to understand that my whole life has just been ripped away. I’m not sure what to do now.”
“Didn’t your husband have insurance?” asked Jo. “You should be okay financially, right? Is there anything we could do for you? Or point you in a direction to receive help?” She knew she had to get the information without looking like she was making an accusation.
Kendra gave her a withering glance. “I should be okay financially, yes, but emotionally, I don’t think I’ll ever recover.” She stared at the floor, and for a moment, it was quiet.
Jake gestured across the room at the set of golf clubs that were left toppled over in their bag. “Was Tate a golfer?”
Kendra nodded. She looked up with tears in her eyes. “Yes, he was. He practiced every day. That’s why our car was there. It’s the last place he was seen alive.” She looked up at Jake. “Have you and your partner here looked into anyone at the golf course? Whoever did this, they took him from there, you know?”
“It’s still early, but the golf course is on our list. As a matter of fact, that’s next on our list when we leave here.”
“Someone there has to know something.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry I can’t be of more use.” She walked to the bar cart across the room and poured herself a drink. “I’ve been starting this a lot earlier in the evening. I’d offer you a drink, but I’m sure you’re on duty, right?” She held out a glass before taking a sip.
“Yeah, we’re good, thanks.”
She downed the drink. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to be alone for a while. I have Tate’s family flying in later tonight, and I’m already exhausted.”
“We’ll just get out of your hair.” Jake made his way toward the door, but Jo stayed behind.
She wrote down her private number, hoping Kendra would use it. “If you think of anything out of the ordinary or if you just need someone to talk to or any kind of help, give me a call. I can lend an ear or put you in touch with someone to suit your needs.”
Kendra took the note. “Thanks. I don’t know anyone around here. I’m thinking of selling the house and moving, but first, I have to give my husband back to the earth.”
Jo thought it was a strange way of saying things but beautiful at the same time. “I’m new, too,” said Jo. “I promise we’re doing all we can.”
With that, Kendra thanked her and walked her out. As they got into the car, she shut the door, thinking how Kendra might not be the only new girl in town losing family if the Hangman wasn’t stopped.
“What’s on your mind?” asked Jake. “I can tell it’s somewhere far away. You get a certain look in your eyes.”
“I guess it’s just sinking in that my father could die. I know it’s weird, and I’ve acted like it won’t bother me, but—”
“Of course, it will. But don’t worry, Jo. We’ll get him first. I can feel that it’s getting closer.”
She took a deep breath. “I hope so. Are you up for a ride to the golf course?”
Jake started the car. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter 7
Jake
Driving Jo to the golf course, he couldn’t help but look at her. Often times, it was from the corner of his eye so she wouldn’t notice, but it was hard to peel his eyes away from her.
She had that smart and sexy vibe going, and he often thought that if she ever figured out how incredibly beautiful she really was, she might just be dangerous.
“The report says that Tate was parked right there,” said Jo as they turned into the lot outside of the clubhouse. Jake parked closer to the building than where she pointed, and he looked up at the view ahead.
There were a few people lingering around on the patio outside of the clubhouse, where a young man caught Jake’s attention. He sat with his head so far down, it looked like he was being swallowed by his own shoulders. The man seemed to wipe tears as he stared at his phone. “He’s a little emotional for such a beautiful day, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps he knew Tate?”
“We’re about to find out.” Jake got out of the car and led the way, with Jo rushing to catch up behind him.
They went to the patio and were greeted by one of the young, fresh-faced hostesses. “Welcome to the Clubhouse Grille. How may I help you today?”
“I’m Detective Calloway, and this is Detective Thomas. We’re here to talk to you about Tate Bodin. He played golf here, and this is the last place he was seen alive.”
The blonde’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Judge Bodin. That’s so terrible. I’m the girl who called about the car. Alice Jennings.” She gestured toward a row of tables, and they took a seat. Jake kept his eye on the young man who was still sitting across the patio all alone, as if waiting for someone to come.
Jo sat down with the girl, and Jake hovered a bit before settling beside his partner. “What do you remember about the last time you saw him?” Jo asked.
The girl looked off toward the sky like she was trying to remember it. “He was out here having a drink and waiting for his caddie.” She looked ahead and pointed. “
That’s him there, Timothy. He’s taking it hard. The man was supposed to show up and just didn’t.”
“We’d like to talk to him as well, but did you see Tate talk to anyone besides his caddie?” Jake wondered if he ran into someone who had it out for him over the new job.
Alice’s expression was blank. “Um, just the usual customers. No one out of the ordinary.”
“Did you see him leave with anyone?” added Jo.
She shook her head. “No, I wish I had, but I must have gone back inside or gotten busy. Timothy came in and asked if I’d seen him waiting. I think he was late. That’s why he feels responsible.”
The phone began ringing in the bar area. “Shit, I’ve got to answer that. I wish I had more time.” She got up from her seat and inched toward the bar as she gave them an apologetic look. “They never schedule me any help.”
Jo smiled at the girl. “You’ve been helpful. If you think of anything, let us know.”
Jake got up from his seat and walked across the room before Jo had a chance to finish her goodbye. He wasn’t trying to leave her behind, but he was anxious about the man knowing something. Anyone who would cry like that in public had a story to tell.
The young man, who the girl had called Timothy, raised his head. “Excuse me,” he said, giving Jake a wild stare.
“I’m Detective Thomas. This is my partner, Detective Calloway. We’re talking to people who knew Tate Bodin.”
“Well, I hope you figure out who killed him.”
“That’s what we’re trying to do,” said Jo. “If there is anything you can tell us about him, we’d greatly appreciate it, and so would his wife.”
Timothy snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure she’s really broken up.” The man all but rolled his eyes.
“You sound resentful,” said Jake.
Timothy wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not her fault. At least, I hope. But I can’t help it. I really cared for him.”
Jo sat down. “Something tells me he meant more to you than just the man you caddied for.”