Marja McGraw - Bogey Man 04 - Awkward Moments (12 page)

Chapter Twenty-two

I slept for a couple of hours and awoke to find Chris softly snoring next to me. Looking in on Mikey, I found him and the dogs sound asleep, one dog on each side of him. Normally they slept on the floor, but I didn’t disturb anyone.

Not seeing Bill, I assumed he was still asleep, too. I was wrong. I found
him sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.

“What’s up, ya big lug?” I asked.

Lifting his head, he grinned at me. “Not much. This lug couldn’t go back to sleep.”

“Unlike your brother,” I said. “He’s sawing logs in our room.”

“Yeah, the little twerp knew I wouldn’t sleep. He’s probably dreaming about me sitting on the porch and keeping an eye on the property.”

“I’m assuming things were quiet after I went to bed.”

“They were. Stu stayed and talked to us for a few minutes. After he left, it was quiet as a church – except for all the bugs around here. Those crickets really get on my nerves. I think I heard frogs, too. Have you and Chris done any exploring? There’s a small creek a ways behind the house.”

“Mikey found it our first day here,” I said.

I measured coffee grounds out of the canister and turned on the coffeemaker. “So what did Stu have to say?”

“Not much. He said the people in town are freaked out about Charlie’s death, but apparently the call of gold is stronger than their fear.”

“Ya think?”

“Pamela, maybe you were right. Maybe we should all go home and let things take
care of themselves around here. After all, we don’t know these people. We don’t have any obligations to them.”

“You’re forgetting one itty bitty thing. We can’t leave because we’re suspects in Charlie’s death
, even though Jimmy knows we’re not likely killers. And, honestly, I’d like to do a little digging into Charlie’s past. I’d like to know more about Tony, too. He seems like the most probable suspect, but appearances can be deceiving. For such a quiet little town, it seems to have its share of intrigue. Love triangles, killings, hidden gold and who knows what else?”

Bill studied me while I took bacon and eggs out of the refrigerator. “You’re kind of enjoying this, aren’t you?”
he said. “I mean, you’re already thinking of people and things to investigate.”

I smiled. “Like Mikey once said, this isn’t our first rodeo. Think about it. With our history Chris and I probably, actually, have more experience with murder than Jimmy ever will. We might see something he’s missed. This isn’t one of those little towns you read about in books
where there’s a murder every other week. Know what I mean?”

He thought about what I said before replying. “Mom’s told me about some of the things you and Chris have been through. Maybe you’re right.” He looked thoughtful again. “And maybe I’ll do a little digging of my own on the property. It
is
my place, and there could be more gold out there.” He pointed toward the front door.

Laughing softly, I said, “Gold fever. I do believe you’ve got the fever.”

He looked embarrassed. “Every little bit will go toward Ace’s college fund, right?”

“Right.”
I began frying the bacon and before I could start the eggs Chris, Mikey and the dogs showed up.

“I smell breakfast,” Chris said, sniffing the air.

“Me, too,” Mikey said. He rubbed his tummy. “It seems like a long time ago since we had dinner.”

“What have you two been up to?” Chris asked, sitting across from his brother.

“I’m going to look for gold and your wife is going to solve a murder.”

“Is that a fact?” Chris glanced longingly at the coffeemaker
, not too concerned about our plans.

I poured two cups, handing one to him and one to Bill.

Mikey sat down on the chair next to Bill. “Can I help you look for gold?”

“Sure, Ace. I can always use a partner. After breakfast we’ll figure out where we want to start digging.”

Mikey fed the dogs and gave them fresh water while I scrambled the eggs. My son, who was being uncharacteristically helpful, made the toast. The bacon was draining on a paper towel. Chris set the table and Bill watched the activities. Both men looked tired. Mikey, on the other hand, was a chipper as they come.

After breakfast Chris helped me wash and dry the dishes while Mikey changed into jeans and a t-shirt
. He was ready to start digging. Kids are so resilient. I wished I had half his energy.

“Come on, Ace. Let’s get busy.” Bill led our son outside and they started examining the holes left by our early morning intruders.

I watched out the window for a few minutes before heading for the shower. Chris beat me to it, but I didn’t have to wait long. With a smile, he passed me in the hallway and headed outdoors to join the expedition. After showering, I did the same.

While they poked the ground
with sticks and dug, only in the dirt per Bill’s instructions, I walked around the house, checking to make sure no one had dug up the grass.

“Pamela, come here,” Chris called. “I found something interesting.”

I walked toward him. “Don’t tell me. Another leather pouch?”

“Not even close,” he said, holding something in his hand.

Standing next to him, I looked at what he held. Taking it out of his hand, I looked closer. It was a watch, and it had Charlie Duncan’s name engraved on it. “Where’d you find this? By the oak tree?”

“No, and that’s what’s interesting. It was lying on the ground where those people were digging up the yard last night. I have a feeling someone other than Charlie dropped it.”

“Do you remember if Jimmy said Charlie had been robbed? Because this would probably mean someone took his valuables.”

“Jimmy didn’t say. I think we’d better call him and let him know what we found. I’ll ask him about the
watch, too.”

Mikey ran up to us. “What’s goin’ on over here? You guys find some more gold?”

“No, Ace. But we may have found a clue about Charlie’s murder.” Chris showed the watch to Mikey.

“I don’t get it. Why is that a clue?”

“Charlie’s body was found over by the oak tree. I found this on the other side of the yard by your uncle’s truck.” Chris stuck the watch in his pants pocket.

“Maybe Charlie was digging over there,” I said.

“I would have seen the watch yesterday,” Chris said. “No, I think someone dropped it last night. It looks like someone was digging next to the truck because yesterday there were no holes near it. I think the killer might have been here last night. It’s too bad we couldn’t see people’s faces. Maybe Stu recognized the cars, or maybe he was close enough to see them.”

“Well, Dad, I guess you really did find a clue.” Mikey looked up at his father. “Know what it means?”

Chris smiled. “I found a clue but I don’t have a clue what it means.”

“You’re funny,” Mikey said, deserting us and heading back to Bill’s side.

“Don’t you think we’re being a little blasé in front of Mikey about finding a dead body?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t worry about it. He knows what happened, but he didn’t see anything. And remember, Ace has been through this kind of thing before. It ain’t his first rodeo.”

“I’ve heard that phrase too often lately. I wish it was his first exposure to this kind of thing, even from a distance.”

Chapter Twenty-three

After showing the watch to Bill and asking if he knew anything, Chris called Jimmy and told him what he’d found. I listened while they talked. “Did it look like Charlie’d been robbed?” Chris asked.

I pushed the Speaker button on the phone so I could hear what was said.

“No. His wallet was in his pocket and it had money in it. Why?”

“Because I just found his watch and it wasn’t near where he was killed. I think the murderer was here last night.”

“Last night? What happened last night?” Jimmy asked.

“The town treasure hunters put in another appearance.”

“Why didn’t you call me?” The copper didn’t sound very happy.

“My brother went outside with a gun – ”

“Your brother took out after them with a
gun?
” Now he was beginning to sound angry.

“Wait, wait,” I said. “It’s not like it sounds.”

“Bill had a rifle he was waving around to scare them off, but it wasn’t loaded,” Chris said.

“Uh huh. And what if one of the so-called treasure hunters had a gun with him? Your brother is playing with fire. You just told me you thought the killer was out there last night.”

Chris was quiet for a moment. “I hadn’t thought about that. Do the people around here generally carry guns?”

“No, but it only takes one. I’m driving out there. See you in about twenty minutes.” Jimmy hung up
without waiting to hear more.

“Wait!” Chris said,
but he was too late.

“Who was that?” Bill asked, opening the screen door and holding it for Mikey
while they entered the house.

“The local flatfoot,” Chris said. “He’s on his way over, and I think you’re toast. He’s
got a beef with you, so you might want to keep your head down.”

“A beef about what?” Bill asked.

“The fact that you scared people off with a rifle last night,” I said.

“But it wasn’t loaded.” Bill shook his head.

Mikey was glancing at each of us, nodding his head. “Yeah, what about that?”

“The copper had a good point.” Chris looked his brother square in the eyes. “What if one of those people had brought a gun to the treasure hunt?”

“Why would anyone bring a gun to look for treasure?” Bill was mystified.

“Maybe because someone came tearing out of the house screaming at them the night before,” I suggested.

“Oh.” Light dawned in Bill’s eyes.

“Yeah, ya
big chump,” Chris said. “What were you thinking? Oh, yeah, you weren’t. You shouldn’t have had a gun, loaded or unloaded, in your hands last night.”

I glanced at Mikey and back to Bill. I could see
Bill got my hint that he shouldn’t be talking about this in front of my son.

He turned around and walked back outside without a word.
The dogs followed on his heels and barely made it out before the screen door slammed.

Creak, bang!

“I think he feels bad about what happened,” I said, looking at Chris. “You were kind of hard on him, but under the circumstances, I guess you needed to be.”

Chris didn’t reply. He went through the kitchen and out the back door.

I followed him and watched him out the window. He headed toward the small creek at the back of the property. His shoulders were squared and his back looked rigid.

“Why don’t you go with your dad,” I said, looking at Mikey. “I’ll go talk to Bill.”

He nodded and left by the back door with Sherlock and Watson by his side.

After filling a bottle with water and adding some tea bags, I headed out the front door. I set the bottle in the sun to make sun tea and saw my brother-in-law standing under the old oak tree, studying the hole in the ground.
I took my time and wandered over to him.

“See anything interesting?” I asked.

“I’m just trying to get this straight in my head. Why would someone come all the way out here to murder this Charlie guy?”

“It may have been as simple as opportunity. Someone may have seen him out here and figure
d this was their best chance to get rid of him. More than location, I’m wondering
why
he was bumped off.”

“It sounds like the guy that came out here and talked to you might have had a motive.
What was his name? Tony?”

“Maybe. We’ll do some digging and see if we can figure out what’s going on.”

Bill was quiet.

“Okay?” I asked.

“Sure.”

“Would you help us?” I had no idea why I asked him, but I had a hunch maybe he wanted to be involved
, more so than he was willing to admit.

“You bet. In fact, I think I’ll drive into town and do a little digging.”

“Would you mind explaining?” I asked.

“I think I’ll stop in at the Burnt Bun for a cup of coffee. I might hear something. After that I believe I’ll do a little shopping at Stu’s store. I think we might need more eggs.” He winked at me,
letting me know he wanted to talk to Stu and he wanted to be nonchalant about it.

“Well, I think you should wait until Jimmy gets here. I’m pretty sure he wants to talk to you.”

“All the more reason to leave now. Bye.” Leaving me standing there, he walked over to his truck and swung up onto the seat. The truck was so high he surprised me. Guess he’d had a lot of practice.

Bill left and Jimmy showed up about ten minutes later. They must have passed each other on the highway.

As he drove past the cottonwoods along the driveway, Chris and Mikey came around from behind the house. My son carried his flip flops in his hand. Apparently he’d been wading in the creek. Father and son were smiling, and I was glad I’d sent Mikey after my Bogey Man.

Chris stood where Bill had been parked and waited for the copper to approach him.
Sherlock and Watson sat by his side and eagerly awaited their new friend.

“Let me see the watch,” Jimmy said, without preamble. “Charlie kind of hoarded his money, but I know he bought himself an expensive watch.”

Chris handed it over and studied Jimmy, seeming to watch for a reaction.

“Yeah, this is Charlie’s, okay. It was the one thing I saw him show off
. I never figured out why a watch would be so important to him.” Jimmy looked up and glanced around the yard. “Where’s your brother?”

Chris, true to form, rolled back on his heels and rolled his upper lip under. The Bogey Man was about to put in an appearance. He reached up and tugged on his ear lobe. I was so used to seeing this performance that I sometimes felt like I should give him a nudge to hurry him along. I didn’t though. I smiled instead.

“I know you’ve got a beef with him, but the chump knows bupkis about dealing with people. He blew outta this place, so you’re gonna have to cool your heels and jaw with us instead. He’ll have to face the music later.”

Jimmy glanced at me and I thought he wanted a translation.

“He means – ”

“I got it. Your brother-in-law went on the lam to avoid me.”

“Lam?”

“I watch old movies from time to time.” The flatfoot looked quite pleased with himself.

Chris grinned. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” he said, quoting Humphrey Bogart.

“Now let’s talk,” Jimmy said, nodding his head.

Speaking over my shoulder, I headed for the house. “Okay, but I want you to understand Bill isn’t on the lam. He drove into town to see if he can find out anything about what’s been going on.”

Sherlock and Watson escorted Jimmy to the house by sniffing every inch of him, or as much as they could reach while walking.

“No one’s going to open up to your brother-in-law. He threatened them with a gun, not to mention he’s a stranger.” Jimmy stumbled over Sherlock but caught himself before falling. He didn’t lose his temper or yell at the dog. He didn’t even make a face, but just recovered and kept walking. That said a lot about his character.

I liked this young man.