Cause for Murder (26 page)

"I think I've said my say. Maybe I'll talk to you again, maybe not. Right now I have business to take care of."

"Thanks for your time, Frank."

The old man waved his cane, then moved down the side of the road. The echo of the wooden stick clanked with each step as it struck against the blacktop.

Thoughtfully, Hawkman made his way back to his vehicle. He pulled a toothpick from his shirt pocket as he drove through the alley. His gut told him Frank knew a lot more and probably held some key evidence. Williams needed to question this fellow.

Maduk stared at the television screen, but concentrated on outside sounds. He figured the cops should have returned by now, unless the judge didn't think the detective had enough proof to issue a search warrant.

He rose from the overstuffed chair and strolled to the window. Staring out into the darkness, he thought about his two women. Neither had confessed to poisoning Burke, but one of them might be guilty, a conclusion he had difficulty accepting. While looking for a mousetrap in that outdoor cupboard, he'd found the paraquat and suspected the worst. You rarely find that stuff in its original form any more. He knew he had to get rid of it before the police discovered the poison on the premises.

The family members are the first suspects and the police were usually right. Maduk suspected Maryann. He'd seen the change in his daughter. Her eyes were full of hatred and at times he felt she directed her scorn toward him. He doubted Lilly killed Burke after putting up with his abuse all these years. But he couldn't rule her out after hearing about Burke's threats to move in and take over the house. That could have pushed her over the edge. He felt like kicking himself for not telling her about buying this place.

Maduk let out a long sigh and turned from the window. If Maryann poisoned Burke Parker, he knew Lilly would protect her to the end. Even if she had to confess to the crime herself. He'd have to be very careful the way he proceeded. Then he noticed the shoe box on the table and remembered Maryann had brought the pictures. He meandered over and lifted the lid. He picked up several of the photos and placed them on the table. Even though he'd already been through them, his heart wrenched again when he saw the damage that evil man had done to his sweet Lilly. She at least healed well. These would definitely go to the lawyer. He dropped them back into the box and replaced the lid.

Glancing at his watch, it surprised him to see both hands on twelve. The detective obviously didn't get his search warrant. Maduk breathed a sigh of relief, flipped off the television and headed for the bedroom.

Hawkman took his cell phone from his belt and punched in Detective Williams’ number.

"Williams, here."

"Are you still on the road?"

"Yeah, thought I'd head home and try to catch a few winks. Not much more I can do tonight on this case. What's going on?"

"Just had an intriguing conversation with the vagabond I told you about."

"I'm listening."

"I think he knows something. He calls himself Frank, and I had him going for a while, but he's a stubborn old cuss, and turned me off before I got much information. But he's worth questioning."

"Think he saw something?"

"Possibly. He envisions Lilly as a saint because she gave him an old blanket and food."

"She fed him?"

"Often, so he says. And when I mentioned the police were looking for her, it really upset him. Then, when I mentioned Burke Parker's name, his whole demeanor changed. His eyes took on the most ghastly color I'd ever seen. I thought he was going to turn into a monster right before my eyes."

"You okay? Sounds like you need more sleep than me."

Hawkman laughed. “Yeah, it sort of spooked me when it happened. I thought I'd slipped into a fantasy world. Sam said it occurred when he and Richard talked to the old buzzard. I doubted his story, but not any more."

"So this fellow makes his home in the alley behind the Parker place?"

"That's where I found him today. But I'm sure since I talked to him, he'll figure the police will be next and he'll change locations."

"All depends. If these old boys find a nice, comfortable, safe spot, they'll migrate back to it in a day or two."

"No sense in trying to find him tonight. Get some rest. We'll see if we can locate Frank tomorrow. I'll meet you at the Parker's house early in the morning before he has time to move his belongings."

"Might as well check out what he has to say. Doubt we'll find Lilly or Maryann for several days if Maduk has taken them up into the hills."

"Are you posting a warrant for their arrest?"

"Not yet. I've gone ahead and sent one of my men to watch Madux's place. Even though you think it's a waste of time. At least if he goes to the women, we'll know it."

"Sounds like you've done about all you can for now. I'll talk to you in the morning.” Hawkman hung up, clipped the phone to his belt and headed for Copco Lake.

When he reached home, Sam and Jennifer were out on the deck enjoying the balmy weather. The familiar squawk of Pretty Girl echoed through the open sliding door. Hawkman slid the screen back and poked out his head. “Are you two teasing my falcon?"

Jennifer laughed. “No, but I think she's telling us she'd like to go hunting. You better plan on taking her out soon. She's getting awfully restless."

Hawkman glanced at Sam. “You think you could take her over to Richard's tomorrow?"

He grinned. “Sure. Richard loves that bird. But do you think she can wait until he gets off work?"

Walking over to her cage, Hawkman checked her tray. “She has plenty of food for tonight, so don't feed her in the morning and she'll be ready for a good hunt by tomorrow afternoon. The timing will be perfect."

"Why can't you go with them?” Jennifer asked.

"Williams and I are going to question Frank."

She raised a brow. “Frank?"

"There's a homeless guy who lives behind the Parkers'."

Sam whirled his head around. “Really. You think the old guy had any thing to do with Burke's murder?"

"Not sure he had any major role, but he might have seen something."

"Can you believe the old guy? He acted and sounded like a nut case."

Hawkman shrugged. “Hard to say. I questioned him a little while this evening and he appeared pretty lucid."

Sam's eyes widened. “Tell us. What'd he say?"

Hawkman reviewed the highlights of his talk with the vagabond. “He referred to Mrs. Parker as ‘his Lilly'.

Jennifer frowned. “That doesn't sound lucid. It appears he's embraced her as his own."

"I gathered more in a protective way than an emotional one. She'd done some nice things for him and he seemed appreciative."

"Sounds mighty odd to me,” Jennifer said, as she went into the house.

The next morning, Madux arose early. Dark clouds covered the sky. Thankful he'd taken the week off from work, he quickly dressed and took his binoculars to the front window. About a quarter of a mile down the road, he spotted a suspicious parked car. Expecting this might happen, he'd left the Buick at the rear of the house. He'd again have to take the back route to his father's. Stepping out the kitchen door, he surveyed the area with his glasses and found it clear. Fortunately, neither the police nor Hawkman had discovered this remote path.

Not sure how much time he might have before the police converged on his place, he grabbed the box of pictures, locked up and left the premises. He drove slowly over the dirt road hoping to keep down any dust cloud that might draw attention to his departure. Once around a bend in the road where he could no longer see the house, he picked up speed.

When he reached his father's house, his stomach tightened. No smoke drifted from the chimney and Happy's old truck was gone. What had happened? Hurrying to the front door, he dashed inside. Rushing from room to room, he discovered Lilly's and Maryann's suitcases open with clothes dangling over the edges. In his father's room, he found an unmade bed, missing the decorative blanket his mother had made years ago. He ran back to the kitchen where a note placed on the table, held down by a cold cup of coffee read, ‘Happy sick, taking him to hospital in Yreka, Love, Lilly'.

Maduk ran out of the house and jumped into the car. The tires squealed as he yanked the steering wheel into a U-turn and sped out of the yard. It didn't appear they'd been gone long, and the old truck wouldn't travel over forty miles per hour, or you'd have a problem. And he imagined as soon as they got onto the main highway leading into town, they'd get stopped. The truck hadn't been registered in years because they never used it on the main road.

Sweat beaded Maduk's forehead as he thought about the dangers involved. He could foresee some young rookie pulling the vehicle over to get his quota of tickets for the day and discovering Lilly and Maryann in the car along with a sick old man.

His heart beat faster when in the distance he spotted the old truck off to the side of the road. He could see his house now and pushed the accelerator, then came to a screeching stop alongside the vehicle. He jumped out of the car, rushed to the pickup's side and threw open the door. His pulse pounded as he found the cab empty except for a pair of old slippers resting on the passenger side floorboard.

He glanced toward his house, but knew in his heart someone had picked them up. Madux's mind raced as few people traveled this route, especially this time of the morning. His gaze shot up the road where he'd seen the surveillance cop. The car had disappeared.

Hawkman awoke to a dark dreary day. Gusty winds buffed against his vehicle as he drove into Yreka. Turning on his headlights, he flipped on the windshield wipers to the low setting as a fine mist covered the glass. A flash of light filled the sky, then the thunder rumbled. These storms played havoc with the forest and put many fire fighters on alert. A bolt of lightning could start a fire in the high mountains, which could develop into an inferno and devastate everything in its path as it roared through. No one in the area enjoyed these types of thunder storms, and they always kept a wary eye on the nearby hills.

He turned the corner toward the Parker place and as he approached the property he noticed a shadowy figure scurry from under the carport and disappear behind the house. Instead of stopping, Hawkman drove past the house, circled the block, then turned into the alley at the far end.

Coming to a halt near the mound of blankets still piled by the fence, he climbed out of his vehicle. He prepared himself for a confrontation and strolled cautiously toward the makeshift abode.

"Frank, wake up. It's time to talk again."

About that time Detective William's unmarked vehicle entered the alley and drew up next to Hawkman's 4X4. The mist had turned into a light rain as Williams walked up to the mound and pulled away the covers.

"Come on, Frank, I need to talk to you. I don't want to get soaked, so let's go down to the station."

The old fellow looked up at the men wide-eyed. “Why are you taking me in?"

"I'm not arresting you. I just want to get someplace dry,” Williams said, pulling the collar up on his coat. “Hurry up. Let's go."

The old fellow climbed out of his bedding, tenderly folded his prize blanket, slipped it into the plastic bag, and slapped on his ratty hat. He grabbed his walking stick resting against the fence and limped toward the car, grumbling. “A fellow can't even get a decent night's rest anymore."

Hawkman followed the detective's car to the station. The three men made a dash for the door as the rain developed into a downpour. Once inside, Hawkman removed his hat, shook off the moisture, then placed it back on his head. He trailed behind the two men as they made their way to Williams’ office. The detective had Frank take the chair in front of his desk. Hawkman grabbed an extra seat that rested against the wall and placed it in the middle of the room, so he could see both men's faces.

Frank placed the plastic bag on the floor and jostled his cane against the desk until it held firmly. Once settled into the chair, he thumbed toward Hawkman. “If this one eyed guy ain't a cop, what's he doing followin’ you around?"

"He's helping me out,” Williams stated, taking off his coat and flipping off the droplets of water before placing it over the back of his chair. He sat down, fished a recorder from the drawer and plunked it down on the desk. “Hope you don't mind if I record this conversation. Writing cramps my hand."

Frank squirmed in his seat and licked his lips as he stared at the small machine. “Not sure I like it one bit."

"Don't worry, nothing's going to be used against you. I just need information. Say your name first."

"Frank."

"You have a last name?"

"Smith."

"Okay, we'll go with that for now."

"How long have you been bedding down in that particular alley?"

Frank shrugged. “A long time. I don't give no one any trouble."

"I didn't say you did. I just ask, how long?"

"Close to a year."

"Did you make friends with the Parkers?"

Running his fingers over the edge of the desk, Frank glanced at Hawkman with narrowed eyes, then shifted his gaze to the detective. “Only with the missus. She's a generous and good woman."

"Did you know Burke Parker?"

Frank shook his head.

"The recorder doesn't work well on silence. It needs a voice to record."

"I never met the man."

"Did you know what he looked like?"

Frank stared at the detective, his eyes turning a strange color.

Williams cleared his throat and shot a look at Hawkman, then back at the vagabond. “You all right, Frank?"

The old man raked his hand over his long beard as he stared into space. “Yeah."

"Tell me about Burke Parker."

"He was a mean son-of-a-bitch. One night, I saw him hit Ms. Lilly several times. She kept whimpering and begging him to stop."

"Where were you when you saw this happening?"

"Checking the porch, where she usually left me something to eat."