Dyer Consequences (10 page)

That caught Kelly’s attention. “What do you mean?”

“I think there’s a connection between all these things that have been happening at your place. You know, the damage to your house and your car, and even today with Carl. I think it’s related to your purchase of the canyon ranch.”

Kelly stared at Jennifer. “
What?
That doesn’t make sense, Jen,” she protested. “What possible connection could there be? Everything’s happened right here.”

Jennifer released a long sigh before answering. “Bear with me for a moment, okay? Let’s take a look. The first time anything happened was a few days after you started to buy the property. Your tires were slashed. After you signed the contract in January and the place was officially yours, then more stuff started to happen. Worse each time. And now, it’s Carl.”

Kelly wagged her head. “Sorry, Jennifer. I don’t see the connection at all. I know you’re trying to help, but I really think you’re out in left field with that. Far left field.”

“Okay, let me bring it closer to home.” Jennifer dropped the needles to her lap and looked up at Kelly. “After I heard about Carl this morning, I contacted the real estate agent in our office who listed the canyon ranch last December. I remembered her saying something happened in the canyon that spooked the client and scared her into selling.”

Kelly sat on a plastic chair beside her friend. “Did she say what it was?”

“Ohhhh, yeah.” Jennifer nodded. “I pulled her aside when she came into the office and told her what’s been happening at your place. Then I told her about Carl, and she went white as a sheet. She told me her client’s dog was killed while the woman was up in the canyon touring the ranch last December. That’s what scared the woman off. Apparently she came back to her car and found her little pekeapoo lying in a bloody pile on the seat, his throat cut.”

The cold hand inside Kelly’s gut squeezed. “Oh, no!”

“Oh, yes. The woman totally freaked after that and dumped the property. Understandably.”

Kelly stared at the pattern on the tile floor. Could Jennifer be right? Was there a connection between her buying the canyon ranch and all these attacks? Her analytical side weighed in with an emphatic no, but her intuitive side wasn’t as easily placated. That little alarm in the back of her head kept ringing.

“Any chance a mountain lion got into the car?” she suggested, trying to find some other explanation for the chilling picture Jennifer had painted.

Jennifer shook her head. “According to the agent, there was no sign of entry by man or beast. The woman swore she locked her car door when she left her little dog. And get this: the door was locked when she came back and found him inside the car, dead.”

“Who would do such a vicious thing?”

“I think it’s the same person who poisoned Carl.”

Kelly stared into Jennifer’s dark brown eyes and saw the concern there. “You really think all this is related to the canyon ranch?”

“Yes, I do. Think about it. Go back to the first time the ranch went on the market. The real estate developer bought it to build a mega mansion up there. Remember what happened to him? His condo project in town was torched and a gas can was left on the ranch porch as a warning.”

Kelly nodded, a little shiver running over her skin. “I remember.”

“With him, it started with vandalism, just like at your place. The next buyer didn’t live here, so whoever’s doing this simply waited until the woman was in town to check out the property. Then they killed her dog.” Jennifer glanced away as she shook her head. “I swear, Kelly, it’s all connected. I know it is. I can feel it. Someone doesn’t want you to have that ranch.”

“But why?” Kelly protested. “Who would want to keep me or anyone else from owning the ranch?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out. At least I’m gonna try.” Jennifer shoved her knitting back into the bag. “I’ll start with a records search back at the office and see what pops up on all these transactions.” She slung the bag over her shoulder as she rose. “You know, I really hate leaving you here to worry about Carl all alone. Do you want me to stay?”

“Naw, that’s okay. Steve said he’d come out as soon as he finished at the Old Town site. With any luck, he’ll bring food, too.” She grinned, hoping to ease her friend’s concern.

“More food always helps. That’s my motto. Anything I can get you before I head to the office?”

An idea inched from the back of Kelly’s brain. “Yeah. You can get that out-of-town buyer’s name and phone number for me. I want to give her a call.”

Kelly leaned against her car door and drew Steve closer, their embrace warm in the frigid night. His kiss lingered before he lifted his mouth from hers.

“You okay now?” he whispered. “Promise you won’t drive over here in the middle of the night?”

“I promise,” Kelly said as she leaned out of the embrace. “I’m going straight home and falling into bed. Turn off my cell and sleep late.” She fished her car keys from her jacket pocket.

“Carl’s going to be okay, Kelly. Those last liver tests showed his levels dropping. You can stop worrying now.”

Kelly opened the car and tossed her bag inside. “I won’t stop worrying until Carl’s back at home and acting like himself again.” She draped an arm across the car door and stared up at the ink black sky. Cloudless and clear and brilliant with stars. And bitter cold. No cloud cover to warm the nighttime temperatures. “He looked so pathetic and helpless lying there,” she said, recalling the glass oxygen-filled intensive care unit where Carl lay.

“He’s going to be okay, Kelly. The big guy is gonna be back in the yard before you know it.” Steve reached over and zipped up Kelly’s half-open jacket. “You need to knit yourself a hat,” he said before he turned away. “I’ll call you in the morning.”

Kelly waved goodbye as she climbed into her car and revved the engine. A blast of icy air poured from the heating vents.

She heard the throaty roar of Steve’s truck engine come to life behind her. His blinding headlight beams cut through the darkened veterinary school hospital’s parking lot. Kelly nosed her car out of the lot and into the diminished nighttime traffic flow.

Heading toward the streets that led home, Kelly dug in her jacket pocket again and withdrew a slip of paper. She held it up, catching Steve’s headlights through the back window to quickly scan the number. Flipping open her cell phone, she punched it in.

The phone rang five times before the call was answered, and Kelly began to regret calling so late. Suddenly, the phone picked up. “Is this Jacquie Weeden?” Kelly asked when a woman answered.

“Yes, it is. Who’s this, please?”

“My name’s Kelly Flynn, Ms. Weeden. I’m the one who bought your Colorado ranch in December. I’m sorry to be calling so late, but I had a question about the property.”

The woman paused for a few seconds. “Oh, oh, yes . . . I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize your name. An attorney acted on my behalf at the closing. I don’t know if I can help you or not, Ms. Flynn. I confess I don’t remember much about the ranch.”

Kelly pulled to a stop at a traffic light and watched Steve give her a goodbye wave as he turned onto another street. “I understand, Ms. Weeden, and I appreciate anything you can tell me.”

She paused, wondering how to phrase what she was about to say. Kelly sensed that Jacquie Weeden had deliberately closed off certain memories concerning her Colorado real estate experience.

“Actually, Ms. Weeden, I’m hoping you can tell me about the last time you visited the ranch and . . . and the attack on your dog.”

There was a long pause before the woman answered, and her voice was noticeably softer. "I . . . I would rather not, Ms. Flynn. I’ve been trying to forget that awful day.”

“I can understand, Ms. Weeden, and believe me, I would never mention something so painful to you except that my dog was attacked early this morning.”

Ms. Weeden sucked in her breath.
“No!”

“I’m afraid so. Someone tried to poison him by throwing hamburger that had been mixed with antifreeze into the yard. Carl ate most of it, of course. Thankfully, I got him to the vet school hospital before his liver was destroyed.”

“Oh, no . . . that’s awful!”

“My friend Jennifer works in the same real estate firm as your agent, and she told me what had happened to your pet last December, and I was wondering if you had any idea at all who could be behind these vicious attacks.”

“I’m afraid not, Ms. Flynn. Believe me, if I did, I would press charges. I . . . I wish I could help you. I cannot understand why anyone would target me and now you. It makes no sense.”

Part of Kelly agreed with Ms. Weeden, but she continued. “Were you at the ranch alone that day? There’s a caretaker, Bobby. Was he there?”

“No, I was there alone. I met Bobby the day before when he was feeding the animals.”

“Did you notice anyone else in the vicinity? A parked truck or car near the driveway? Anyone walking around near the pastures?”

“I don’t recall seeing anyone lurking about, if that’s what you mean. As for parked trucks or cars, well . . . I remember seeing trucks parked everywhere along that canyon road.” She exhaled a sigh. “I’m sorry, Ms. Flynn. I wish I could be more helpful, but I have really tried to forget everything about that horrible experience. In fact, I have trouble even remembering what the ranch looked like. And... and I think that’s a blessing. If you know what I mean.”

Kelly knew exactly what Jacquie Weeden meant. “I understand completely, Ms. Weeden. If it had been Carl that had been killed like that, I’m sure I’d want to block it out of my mind, too. Please forgive me for disturbing you. I was simply searching for answers. I want to find the person who’s responsible.”

“I wish you good luck, Ms. Flynn. And let me know if you do. Although, I’m not holding out much hope.”

“I promise I will. Good night, Ms. Weeden, and thanks again.”

Kelly clicked off her phone and tossed it onto the seat beside her as she steered around a darkened corner.

She’d find the culprit. Kelly swore she would.

Kelly reached across her corner desk and grabbed the ringing cell phone, her eyes still on the computer screen. “Kelly here.”

“Hey, Kelly.” Burt’s voice came over the line. “I hope you haven’t burrowed into your accounts yet, because I need you to spread the word. I’m throwing a little get-together for Mimi and Pete tonight after the shop closes. Just the shop family and all you guys, of course. We’re keeping it kind of quiet and low-key.”

Kelly took a sip from her coffee mug. “That’s a great idea, Burt. Mimi’s coming, right?”

“Oh, yeah. I think she really wants to go back.” He paused. “But I can tell she’s a little scared, too. And that’s understandable, considering what happened to poor Tracy. Mimi’s still haunted by that. But coming back to see the shop all put together again will help Mimi a lot. At least, I hope it will.”

“I think you’re right, Burt. Okay, I’ll start spreading the word. What do you want us to bring?”

“Just yourselves. This is my treat. I’m bringing pizza and beer. I want to get Pete out of the kitchen, so he can relax and celebrate with the rest of us.”

“Burt, you’re a sweetie to do this. It should definitely help Mimi.”

“I sure hope so. I’ll see you tonight after the shop closes, okay?”

“Sure thing. By the way, what’s happening with the investigation into Tracy’s death? Any leads on that boyfriend she told Jennifer about?”

Burt sighed. “Dan said they haven’t learned anything new, I’m afraid. They’ve interviewed all of Tracy’s classmates who knew her and the staff at Jennifer’s real estate firm. Everyone said she was a quiet, hard-working student who kept to herself. No indication of trouble with anyone and no enemies, either. And nobody could recall Tracy ever mentioning a boyfriend or anyone else who was ‘special’ in her life. Apparently she only told Jennifer and didn’t give any name or details.”

“Not much to go on.”

“I’m afraid not. But they’re working all the angles they can. Dan is contacting some of his informants who’ve been useful in the past. Maybe one of them knows something about those guys who vandalized the shop. It still looks more likely that they committed the murder.”

Something about that still bothered Kelly. She wasn’t sure why. “Maybe so, Burt. I don’t know. . . .”

“Neither do I, Kelly,” Burt admitted. “But somebody killed that poor girl. She sure didn’t fall in the tub and drown herself. Not with those bruise marks on the middle of her back. Someone held Tracy under that hot water until she died, and I promise you, Dan and the guys are gonna find out who.”

Kelly heard the frustration in his voice and switched subjects. “Did you learn anything about dogs being poisoned in town?”

“Thanks for reminding me, Kelly. I’m going in so many different directions, I forgot about Carl. The animal and humane officer said we haven’t had an instance of dog poisoning like that for two years. I guess this was an isolated act of cruelty.”

“I don’t know, Burt. I used to think all these incidents were random, but now I’m not so sure. Did Jennifer talk with you?”

“Yeah, she did, but I think it’s a stretch to try to connect what happened to those other people who bought the ranch with what’s happened to you.”

Kelly frowned into her little phone. “Three days ago I would have agreed with you, Burt. But that was before Carl was poisoned. And before learning that this other woman’s dog was killed at the ranch. Now I’m worried that Jennifer may be right. Somebody doesn’t want me to have that ranch, and they’re hoping to scare me off. First, by trashing my place, and now, by trying to kill Carl.”

Burt paused for a moment. “I wish I had something to say that would reassure you, Kelly, but I don’t. Just trust that the police are looking into everything, okay? Meanwhile, come on over tonight and have some pizza and beer with us. It’ll make you feel better. See you later.”