by Kathi Daley
“Okay. Sparks is on the list.” I paused and looked down at it. “You’ve made a good case for all four people in terms of a motive to shoot Bristow in the back, but does it seem like any of them would go to the extreme of kidnapping Gina?”
“No,” Kyle said. “And we don’t know for certain that Gina’s been kidnapped. We only know that no one has seen or heard from her in the past twenty hours, and it appears she was taken by force from the accident site. If we include her in the equation, things become a lot more complicated.”
I looked at the list once again. “I suppose that someone like Connie Bristow might have felt threatened by Gina if she’d seen Gina and Bristow together and come away with the impression they were more than employee/employer.”
“I suppose. It does seem like a long shot,” Kyle admitted. “I wish I had a good answer to all this, but so far nothing really fits. As I said before, all we can really do is keep working on it and hope Gina’s okay and we find her soon.”
I ran my hands though my thick, unruly hair, trying to tame it. “I just feel so helpless.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“So what do we do now? Do we spend time talking to the four people on the list even though it seems very unlikely any of them have kidnapped Gina?”
Kyle furrowed his brow. He tapped a finger on the table but didn’t answer right away. Eventually he spoke. “It does seem like we’re grasping at straws, but I honestly don’t know what else to do.”
“Did you get into the locked file?” I asked.
Kyle glanced at the computer and frowned. “Not yet, which is odd in and of itself. The file has the type of security attached to it that you’d find with the military or government. Is there any reason you can think of that Gina would have a file from either of them?”
“Nothing I can think of offhand. She never told me anything about the project she worked on last spring. I think the contract was with someone in the private sector and I’m all but certain it had nothing to do with Bristow.” I glanced at the clock. “It’s almost one thirty. We have the entire afternoon to try to narrow this down. Maybe we should try to speak to at least a couple of the people on your list.”
Kyle nodded. “Okay. I guess narrowing things down could be helpful. I have no idea if Mrs. Bristow is still in town or where she would be staying if she is, so let’s put her on the back burner for now.”
“Maggie’s Hideaway is a member of the Paradise Lake Lodging Association. I’ll send an email to the entire group enquiring if Connie Bristow is checked into their property.”
Kyle grinned. “That’s a fantastic idea. While we’re waiting to hear, I have phone numbers for Wildman, Buford, and Sparks. I’ll see who’s available.”
As it turned out, Byron Wildman wasn’t available until three o’clock and Clint Buford didn’t answer his phone, but Billy Sparks was in his office and available to speak to us. Not only was Billy an environmental advocate, but he was a local Realtor as well. His office was in one of the first multistory business developments to have been built in Serenity five years ago.
“Billy Sparks, this is Tj Jensen,” Kyle introduced us when we arrived and were shown inside.
“I’m happy to meet you,” I said as I shook his hand.
“Likewise. Please have a seat.”
Kyle and I sat down on the opposite side of the long conference table where Billy seemed to have been working.”
“I’m not sure if you’ve heard,” Kyle began, “but Striker Bristow was shot and killed.”
Billy actually smiled. “You don’t say. When did that happen?”
“Yesterday,” I supplied.
“We’re speaking to everyone who might have had dealings with Bristow in the past week,” Kyle said. “I understand you and he had a conflict over the mall he hoped to gain a permit for.”
Billy nodded. “That’s correct. The land Bristow proposed to use is environmentally sensitive, with a seasonal creek. In the spring the creek is part of the overall drainage and filtering system into the lake. Bristow’s plan called for rerouting the stream to accommodate his parking lot. The environmental group I belong to is firmly against second-guessing Mother Nature. We believe the creek should be left in its natural state.”
“When was the last time you spoke to Bristow?” Kyle asked.
“We spoke on the phone yesterday morning. He called me after he received legal notice of our group’s intention to sue if he continued with his plans.”
“I take it he wasn’t happy about that.”
“Not at all. In fact, he threatened to come over here and rearrange my face just before hanging up, but I never did see him. I guess he came to his senses and realized getting into a physical altercation with me would be political suicide. Our group is small, but we have powerful members, including two attorneys. I’m not sure we would have won in the end, but at the very least we would have tied up his project in court for years.”
“When was the last time you saw him in person?” Kyle asked.
“I guess it’s been about a week. He stopped by with some shallow threats to get me to back off, but he was full of hot air and I mostly ignored him. The lawsuit was already in the works, so nothing he said felt like an actual threat.”
Kyle paused and glanced at me.
“Is there anyone else in your group Bristow might have been in contact with?” I asked.
“Not that I know of.”
“Would you be willing to give us a list of your members?” I followed up.
Billy opened his desk drawer and took out a piece of paper. He handed it to me. “The membership for the environmental group is a matter of public record, so I have no problem sharing it with you, but I’m pretty sure I’m the only one to personally confront Bristow. As you can see, over two thirds of the members don’t even live on the mountain.”
I glanced at the list, which seemed to confirm what Billy had said. Other than him, I recognized only two of the ten names.
“Thank you for your time.” Kyle stood up and held out his hand.
“Anytime. Can I assume now that Bristow is dead the project is dead as well?”
“I’m not in a position to respond to that,” Kyle said. “Bristow owned a corporation that had shareholders, so there are factors beyond the involvement of one man to consider. I’m sure the town council will meet to discuss the situation.”
“Well, keep me informed. I’ll wait to dismiss the lawsuit until I hear the outcome of your meeting.”
“Do you know Gina Roberts?” I asked before standing.
“Sure, I know her. She bowls in the same league I do.”
“Have you seen her in the past twenty-four hours?”
“No, I haven’t. Why do you ask?”
“It seems she was working for Bristow. We’re trying to track her down to discuss her role in his business but haven’t been able to locate her.”
Billy frowned. “Gina and Bristow? Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Wow. I had no idea. Gina’s such a sweet, caring person and Bristow was such a toad. I would never have guessed they’d be working together. I suppose Gina’s influence explains the new approach Bristow took at the last council meeting.”
I agreed but didn’t say as much. Kyle shook Billy’s hand and we left.
“What do you think?” I asked when we’d returned to Kyle’s truck.
“I’m of a mind to believe him, and I’m pretty sure he isn’t the one who shot Bristow.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“Bristow was seen having lunch with Gina yesterday at around one. The car was found with Bristow’s body in it at around eight last evening. That means Bristow was shot between one and eight. We can get the exact time from Roy, but I think it was probably closer to eight. I noticed Billy’s desk calendar. Written on yesterday’
s date was Realtor training in Reno. I can check to verify that he was there, but according to his calendar, the training ran from noon to six p.m. I doubt he would have made it back to town in time to shoot Bristow before his body was found in Gina’s car.”
“He might have left the training early,” I pointed out. “Or he could have skipped it altogether.”
“He might have, but it will be easy to check. I do have an idea which should have occurred to me before.”
“Oh, and what is that?” I asked as I buckled my seatbelt.
“When I mentioned that Bristow had a corporation I realized that he also has a corporate office. Maybe we should take a look around. We might get a better idea as to what he was up to on the day he died.”
“That’s actually a really good idea. Do you think we can get in?”
“I don’t know, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
“Okay, I’ll drive while you call the Realtors Association to verify Billy Sparks’s attendance at the training session.”
Once Kyle confirmed he was not only there for the training but stayed for the dinner afterward, I mentally crossed him off our list.
Bristow’s office was located in a commercial building in the old part of town. I parked in the lot and then Kyle and I headed toward the three-story complex that housed six businesses. Bristow had a small office on the ground floor. It was locked, as we should have expected it would be.
“Can I help you?” A woman asked after coming into the hallway from the office next to Bristow’s.
“I don’t suppose you have a key to the office next door?” Kyle asked.
“I don’t but Frank will.”
“Frank?”
“He works in the insurance office on the third floor. He’s sort of the building manager.”
“Okay, thank you.” Kyle graced the woman with a smile and we headed up the stairs.
Luckily Frank knew Kyle from the town council and was happy to provide him with a key to the office after he explained that he was there on official town business.
“I can’t believe that guy just gave you the key,” I said as we headed back down the stairs.
“Did you see the woman in his office?”
Kyle and I had entered through the reception area. The door to Frank’s office was open but he had come into the reception area to talk to us. I tried to remember who had been sitting at the desk across from Frank. “No, I didn’t notice. I assumed she was a client.”
“She may have been a client, but she was also drop-dead gorgeous, and she had on the lowest cut tank top I’ve seen anywhere outside of the beach.”
“So you think she might have had things on her mind other than insurance.”
“That would be my guess,” Kyle said as he used the key to open the door to Bristow’s office. “Not only did he hand over the key without really asking any questions, but he informed me he had a client and would be in conference and I should just leave the key on the reception desk when I was finished.”
“So he was going to have sex right there in his office?”
Kyle winked at me but didn’t really answer. “Why don’t you look through the things in and on his desk. I’ll see if I can access his computer.”
Kyle logged on but the computer was password protected. Given enough time he could get in, but time was one thing we did not have. I opened and closed the desk drawers, which weren’t locked, but all I was able to find were random items such as pens, paperclips, sticky notes, and other unimportant items. I did notice that he had a note on his desk calendar to have lunch with Gina on Thursday, which we already knew, but there was also a note to meet Doug at five. Doug who?
“Do you know anyone named Doug?” I asked Kyle.
“I know several people named Doug. Why?”
“There’s a note on the desk to meet Doug at five on the day he died.”
“Bristow has an employee named Doug. He’s some sort of an assistant. I’ve spoken to him on several occasions. He works out of his corporate office and only comes to Serenity on occasion. I suppose he might have been in town.”
“Yeah, probably. Did you find anything?”
“Everything is locked. I could probably break in, but at this point I don’t think that’s the best move.” Kyle glanced at his watch. “It’s after three. Let’s head over to see what Byron Wildman has to say for himself.”
Chapter 8
Byron Wildman lived on a large piece of property that had been left in its natural state for generations. Not only was it densely forested, but there was a natural spring that encouraged wildlife to hang out in the area. Wildman was outside working on an old Ford truck when we arrived.
“Can I help ya?” Wildman asked after we left Kyle’s truck. He looked to be in his late sixties and wore an old gray T-shirt under stained overalls.
“My name is Kyle Donovan. I’m a town council member. I called earlier about speaking to you about Striker Bristow.”
“Yeah, I remember.” Wildman began wiping his hands on a greasy rag. “What do you want to know?”
“I understand you’ve been involved in a dispute with Bristow regarding the property line separating your lot and the one he’s proposed to develop.”
“Dispute my ass. A dispute implies there are two sides. The fact of the matter is, that big-city snake in the grass is trying to steal my property. The creek is and always has been the property line. Everyone knows that.”
“I can understand your frustration,” Kyle said in a tone that I felt conveyed real sympathy. “I’ve been out of town and am trying to get up-to-date with the issues regarding the proposed development. I understand you’ve encountered Bristow trespassing on your property.”
“Damn right I have. The man has no sense of propriety. When I asked him to leave, he laughed in my face and told me to get on home where I belonged. He didn’t seem to understand that I was home. He was the one who needed to get. Talk about a stubborn fool. Nothing I said could get him to vacate my property until I introduced him to Old Remi.”
“Old Remi?” I asked.
“The rifle my pappy left me. Doesn’t work anymore. Hasn’t for quite some time. But Bristow didn’t know that. I pulled out Old Remi and pointed it at his head and he went running. Haven’t seen him since.”
“It’s nice your dad handed his gun down to you,” Kyle said. “Based on the name I’m assuming it’s a Remington?”
“Yup. A Rolling Block.”
“Very nice,” Kyle responded. “My grandpa had a Remington. I’m not sure what ever happened to it. It didn’t work either, but he was a collector and had other guns that did work.”
“I’m not really a collector. I just have the one for sentimental value.”
“You don’t have a rifle for hunting or personal security?” I asked.
“I don’t hunt, and until recently I haven’t felt the need for personal security.” Wildman looked at Kyle. “So about this Bristow fellow…I sure hope the council isn’t going to get swept up in his sweet-talking ways. He can’t be trusted. He’s a liar and a cheat and in my opinion, he should be run out of town.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kyle answered.
It seemed obvious Wildman had no idea Bristow was dead. Unless he was a heck of an actor, which I doubted, he most likely wasn’t the one who shot him. Kyle chatted with him for a few more minutes and then we made our excuses and left.
“So, what now?” Kyle asked as he pulled back onto the highway.
“Let me check my emails to see if anyone has gotten back to me about Mrs. Bristow.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket, then pulled up my emails. “Bingo. It looks like she’s staying at the Serenity Motor Inn.”
“Should we head there now?” Kyle asked.
I turned slightly toward Kyle. “No time like the present. I also have a missed call from Jenna. I’d bett
er call her back.”
I hit Redial and waited for her to pick up. Jenna, her mother Helen, her daughters Kristi and Kari, and my sisters had left town yesterday morning with two dogs and a whole lot of camping equipment. I’d worried they might have bitten off more than they could chew, and I’d meant to check in anyway.
“Hey Jen, it’s Tj. Sorry I missed your call. How’s camping?”
I could hear the sound of dogs barking in the background as Jenna answered. “Yesterday was pretty intense, but now that we have all the equipment set up, we’re actually having a good time. Mom took the girls and dogs down to the lake so I could have a few minutes to regroup.”
“I hear dogs in the background. Are those ours?”
“No. There’s a group camping at the next site over. Three men and eight preteen boys. They brought at least five dogs with them, but so far ours and theirs are getting along fine, and I get the feeling Kristi and Ashley feel like they’ve arrived at a cute-boy smorgasbord.”
“That’s just great,” I groaned. “I don’t think I’m quite ready for Ashley to be into the boy-crazy phase. I feel like she’s still my little girl.”
“She is your little girl, but she’s also a young woman,” Jenna reminded me.
“I guess. It’s too bad Dennis had to work and Bookman didn’t want to go,” I said, referring to Jenna’s husband and Helen’s fiancé. “It’d be nice to have some men around to ward off the boys.”
“Mom and I can ward off anyone who comes sniffing around,” Jenna defended. “Still, it definitely would have been easier to get everything set up with a couple of extra pairs of hands. I think we’ll be fine now, though. I’m calling because I just spoke to Dennis and he told me about Gina. Has she been found?”
“Not yet. Kyle and I are working on it, separately from Roy and Kate. I’m really worried. It feels like she’s simply disappeared.”
“Should we come back? Is there anything I could do to help?”
“Honestly, keeping the girls occupied is the most helpful thing you can do. You haven’t spoken to Gina recently have you?”