Blood Red Sundown: Evil Begins (27 page)

“I AM SORRY
to bother
you detective, but the notes are getting scarier. I am not sure how to handle them.
I tried ignoring them, but it has gone too far.”

Lon could see the sincere fear in her eyes as she reached
in her pocket to retrieve the note.

“This one read, [YOU DID NOT WALK YOUR DOG]. He must
have been there watching me last night when I arrived home; who knows why—for some
reason I decided at the last minute to just let Hobo out in the yard and wait for
him on the steps. He must have been somewhere nearby watching me.”

Before the detective could respond, she asked, “Could
he have been planning to approach me if I had actually walked Hobo up the street
like I normally do?”

“Listen Stephanie, I think he’s definitely setting you
up for something. I’m not sure if this is the same guy we’re looking for, but if
it is he has changed his MO for you.

There has to be a connection somewhere and we have to
find it. Maybe it’s at the hospital or your realtor. It could be anyone you have
contact with. I want you to check the hands of every man you talk to and see if
they wear rings. It would be a large stone or filigree type that could scratch someone
if it raked across their skin.”

“Something like the one you’re wearing detective?”

“Yes exactly.”

ANNE HEARD LOUD
talking
as she turned the corner of the bar on the way to her car. She slowed her pace when
she saw that it was Terry and the lady from the bar and Miss Jones. She snickered
inside and walked on to her car. Terry was blubbering something about just walking
her to the car and then going home.

Upon arriving home Anne decided to put a call in to Lon
and check on his meeting with the Doctor. She walked into her bedroom removed her
revolver and placed the call.

He picked up immediately.

“What’s up partner? Checking up on me? I think you’re
worried about me being alone with the very attractive Doc, right?”

“No, you are wrong Oh Mighty Carnac.”

STEPHANIE WALKED OVER
and answered the phone, surprised by the late hour of the call. “Oh hey, how are
you? Tonight? I guess I can. Alright, sure, what time? One hour is doable. I’ll
try to be on time.”

She hung up the phone with her mind questioning the necessity
of a meeting this evening, but the realtor had presented a sound reason. Still she
questioned why it couldn’t wait until tomorrow? “I guess eight o’clock isn’t late
for some people.”

As she began preparing for the meeting she remembered
the warnings from the detectives and decided to call Anne for advice. Going to her
dresser she found the paper on which she had written her information. Feeling somewhat
foolish at giving in to her fears, she dialed the number. Five rings and it went
to answering service. She left a message asking the detective to call her as she
was on her way to meet the realtor at her new house.

“It’s 103 Hobbs Hole Lane. I’m just following your suggestion
on being extra careful in my actions.”

Across town Anne stepped out of the shower and toweling
off slipped on a robe and went into the kitchen. The flashing on the phone base
caught her eye. She listened to the Doctor’s message and felt there was no panic
or fear in her voice. She apparently was being cautious making someone aware where
she would be meeting with her realtor.

Dialing the number she heard the dreaded sound of a busy
signal. I’ll try later, she thought. She took a TV dinner out of the fridge and
placed it in the microwave. Then grabbing a beer, she went into the living room,
switched on the TV, and sat propping her feet on the coffee table. I should call
the doctor back, ran through her mind. She took a big slug of beer, laid her head
back and closed her eyes.

DRIVING ALONG THE
coastal
highway she saw a police squad car parked along the road. Slowing down, she peered
over at the car and the officer appeared to be sleeping. His head was leaning back
against the head rest.

It didn’t look right to her. He should not be sleeping
with the car running. Thinking he could be in trouble she pulled over and reached
in her purse for her cell phone. Going under recent calls, she scanned until she
found detective Towers number. This is stupid she thought and replaced her phone
and blew the horn twice very loudly. When he sat up she waved and drove off.

ANNE WAS AWAKENED
by
loud knocking. Approaching the door she inquired before opening it the person’s
identity.

“It’s Lon, open up.

“What are you doing here? Don’t you ever go home?”

“I had a strange thing happen. Apparently the Doctor
wanted to call me, but hung up before I could answer. She either changed her mind
or some other reason caused her to hang up. I became concerned and decided to check
it out.”

“She left a message on my answering machine, a little
while ago, Lon, but didn’t seem stressed or worried. Come into the kitchen and you
can hear it.”

Anne pushed the message button and after listening, Lon
asked, “How often does a realtor ask a client to meet them at eight o’clock at night?”

“Why didn’t I pick up on that? I have to admit, it
did seems a little odd.”

“Grab your book and look at the names given by Stephanie
of men she has had contact with. One of them was a realtor.”

“Here it is, his name is Erick Palmer.”

“Where’s your phone book? Throwing the book on the counter
Lon began scanning for the name Erick Palmer. “Here it is. E. R. Palmer.”

He punched in the numbers and waited.

“Hello sounded on the other end.

“Mrs. Palmer?”

“Yes, who is calling?”

“Is your husband a realtor?”

“Yes he is, are you a client?

“No, I’m a detective and it’s important. May I speak
with him?”

“Just a minute, I’ll get him.”

Lon looked at Anne and turned his thumb down. “He’s still
there.”

“Yes, detective how can I help you, came through the
phone?”

“Mister Palmer. My name is detective Towers and I need
to know if you had an appointment scheduled with the Dr. Wearing tonight.”

“No, I was planning to get with her over the next day
or two.”

“I see; well thank you and I’m sorry to disturb you at
home. Goodnight sir.”

Anne was distraught with the news.

“This is not good Lon; it appears that someone is setting
her up. I’m going to get dressed and we’d better get over to that address.”

She walked to the bedroom and threw off her robe. Lon
watched her in the mirror. She caught his eyes smiled and continued dressing.

STEPHANIE PULLED INTO
the drive. A small night light was on at the far corner of the house lighting the
front porch and a portion of the yard. She looked at her watch and found she was
several minutes early. Feeling a little uneasy, she locked her doors. “Too quiet,”
she thought.

The phone sounded like a city wide fire alarm. She calmed
down as she read the message board. She recognized it as the number she had called
for Anne the detective.

“Hello Detective. You must have listened to my message”

“Listen Stephanie, we need to see you right away. We’re
driving toward you now.”

“Can you hold for a second, detective, my realtor is
pulling in now?”

“Stephanie there is no realtor. Stephanie, lock your
doors and get out of there now! Stephanie, listen to me!”

Stephanie had opened her door and stepped out and was
surprised to see it was a police car, but felt somewhat relieved. She watched the
officer get out of the car and walk toward her.

“Evening Miss; I’m interested in knowing why you’re here
at this vacant property at this time of night?”

“If you’ll give me a minute, I’ll explain everything.
I’m on the phone with detective Cummings. They are on their way to meet me here.”

She turned and grabbed her phone.

“Hello detective. No, it’s a police officer. Now what
were you saying?”

“Your realtor did not set this meeting with you. You
are being set-up by someone else. Get the officers name. Then leave the premises
immediately and drive to the Flapjack Diner.”

“I see; yes I’ll meet you there. Just a minute, I’ll
ask. She wants to know your name officer.”

“Tell her it is Leo Trent.”

“Anne, his name is Leo Trent. Okay, I understand and
I’m on my way.”

“Officer Trent I was supposed to meet my realtor here
at eight o’clock. I don’t know yet the details of what happened, but they informed
me that there was something wrong and that no meeting had been scheduled. The detectives
want me to leave and meet them at the Flapjack Restaurant.”

His eyes were fixed on her. Then after telling her to
be careful he turned and walked to the car.

She was surprised at his attitude change. What bothered
him, she wondered?

Leo Trent was angry as he drove his regular patrol along
the coast road. However, each opening along the road that provided a view of the
ocean began to calm him down and accept her meeting with him for what it was. At
least it had not interfered with his approach to her as a person of interest. Even
in the dark the ocean was a gray background to the faint white caps of the waves
breaking as far as he could see. Throw in the moon’s reflection shimmering on the
moving surf and it was impossible to remain in an agitated state. Still he wondered,
“Why were they arranging to meet with her?”

As he passed the seldom used pull-off, he caught a glimpse
of a parked vehicle. He turned around quickly and pulled into the lane and stopped
directly behind the parked car. Approaching slowly he directed his light through
the back window. It appeared to be empty. Stepping around to the side he approached
the driver’s door. His flashlight beam proved his observation correct, the car was
empty.

“Good evening officer, nice night wouldn’t you say?”

Leo saw the shadowed figure of the man walking up the
incline toward him. He instinctively placed his right hand down close to his sidearm.

“Very nice sir; do you have some ID on you?”

“Yes sir.” As he reached behind him for his wallet he
saw the policeman place his hand on his weapon.

“Easy, I’m just getting my license.”

“It’s self-protection sir, automatic reaction.”

He took the driver’s license and read the name.

“So mister Wearing, what are you doing out here?”

“Am I trespassing or something?”

“That is not the answer I asked. What are you doing here?”

“I am in town trying to locate my ex-wife.”

“Are you talking about Dr. Wearing?”

“Yes, sounds like you know her.”

“I just left her a short time ago. She’s buying a home
on up the coast.”

“I wasn’t aware of that.”

STEPHANIE WALKED INTO
the restaurant and saw Lon stand and wave to her, then moved over to the opposite
side of the booth sliding in next to Anne.

“This is getting serious,” Anne said in a very serious
almost scolding tone. “You’ve got to quit being so trusting and taking these silly
chances.”

“Now start at the beginning and tell us how this came
about from the phone call requesting the meeting to your arriving here.”

“The call came in and he identified himself as my realtor.”

“Did he say his name?

She thought for a second and said, “No, he said this
is your realtor and I said, how are you, Erick?”

He explained that there was a problem with the house
that I had to see and sign a waiver form before he turned in the offer. He wanted
me to see the problem first-hand and sign an agreement to overlook it or he would
stop the closing. It seemed logical to me. I realize that I’m sometimes too quick
to jump into these situations.”

Lon leaned forward to say something to her and his leg
rested against Anne’s. She started to remove it and then let it remain enjoying
the spark it had created.

He was deep in his conversation with Stephanie when they
heard his name called. It was Leo Trent walking toward them.

Stephanie spoke first. “Hello Officer Trent, I did not
expect to see you again so soon.”

“Why are you here Leo, Lon asked?”

“I’m here to ask the Doctor a question? Were you aware
that your ex-husband is in town?”

“Oh my God; he can’t be here; there is a restraining
order against him. His court order forbade him from following me to California.”

“Well he is here, I spoke with him, but if the court
order does contain that provision, we can arrest him.”

“Well one good thing about this, Stephanie, I think we
just solved the mystery of the note leaving.”

“Doctor, get us a copy of the court order and we’ll put
out a bulletin on him.”

“Let me know tomorrow, Lon; I need to get back on patrol.”

“I was worried about you sleeping in your car with the
motor running, Leo. That’s why I stopped and blew the horn.”

The officer’s face reddened with the remark.

“I wasn’t sleeping Doctor Wearing,” Leo responded in
an agitated tone.