Текст книги "Blue Moon Rising"

Автор книги: Lilian Francken

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 7 страниц)

CHAPTER 15

Dan hurried into the living room. He just tossed the gun and hat on the chair next to the door. He was too anxious to see Kelly to bother taking off his shoes. He walked into the kitchen and when he saw Kelly at the table working on a puzzle, he slowed down. Dan walked over to the pot of coffee, checked to see if it was hot, and then took a mug off the mug tree and poured himself a cup. He turned around and leaned back on the counter and just watched Kelly.

“Rough morning?” Kelly asked, looking up from the puzzle.

“Can you tell?”

Kelly glanced at his shoes. She knew something was bothering him. She also knew it would be difficult getting it out of him.

“I heard all about it on the radio.”

“Half the county heard I was meeting Buzz. Mac was supposed to scramble the calls.”

“Don’t blame him.”

“It was a simple request.”

“Under normal circumstances no one listens.”

“Someone’s been listening now.”

“Did you get a look at who did it?”

“It all happened too fast. By the time I was dragging poor Buzz out of the water, the car was already down the road.”

“Nancy called,” Kelly said, almost forgetting the call. “She wants you to stop by the lab.”

Dan took a sip of coffee and then looked around the room nervously.

“Would you mind if we had company for Sunday’s barbecue?”

“Anybody I know,” Kelly asked, teasing her father.

“No. But you could get to know her,” Dan said looking at Kelly for her reaction.

“It’s about time. I was going to ask you how your date went, but I guess if she’s coming for Sunday dinner, it went well.”

“It’s just awkward talking to you about my date.”

“Why, you always want to know about mine?”

“That’s different,” Dan laughed.

She smiled up at her father. “I’m glad it went well.”

Dan set his coffee down. “If you don’t mind I’m going to take a run up to Little Rock. If Nancy calls again, tell her I’ll stop by the lab when I get back in.”

“You’re bothered by all this, aren’t you?”

Dan shook his head. “Used to be a nice place to live.”

“Still is.”

“Make sure you keep the doors locked after I leave.”

“That bad?” Kelly looked up with concern.

“Four dead bodies in three days aren’t good for the numbers.”

“There’s only one person doing the killing. You get him and it all stops.”

“I wish I had your optimism.” Dan said with a puzzled look. “Things don’t add up. Buzz was going to tell me something about Jason.” Dan hesitated for a moment and then continued. “But how does it figure into the Ames boy? Then Junior killing himself. If that’s what happened.”

Kelly got up from the table and walked over to her father. She wrapped her arms around him. Dan kissed the top of her head. He was thankful he had her to come home to, otherwise he didn’t know how he would survive when things didn’t go right.

* * *

Dan stood outside the Medical Examiner’s lab. The door was locked but Nancy’s Outback was still parked in the lot. He pressed the button again. Finally the familiar voice on the intercom answered his call.

“Who is it?” Nancy asked.

“It’s Sheriff Harter.”

The buzzer going off indicated the door lock had been released. Dan quickly pulled open the door.

Dan walked into the lab as Nancy shoved the slab back in the wall unit. She shut the door and then turned to Dan.

“You’re locking the outside door now?” Dan asked as he watching Nancy closely.

“You bet, at least until all this settles down.”

“That’s a smart move,” Dan added.

“I called you earlier.”

“Yeah. I got your message, but I had to check something out.”

Nancy walked over to the desk. “What do you want first?” she asked.

“At this point, I don’t really care.”

“Got the results from Junior’s shirt. It was the Ames boy’s blood.”

“Figured as much.”

Nancy picked up the clipboard. “You’re not going to like this one though,” she added.

“I’d ask you not to tell me, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t listen.”

Nancy handed Dan the clipboard. “Junior’s neck was broken, but not consistent with a hanging.”

“Shit! I was so hoping it was suicide,” Dan said, thinking for a moment. “No one claims to have seen anyone enter the jail.” Dan shook his head. “With Maria out front everyone was watching her.”

“Maybe you can get her to talk,” Nancy said.

“Judging by the bruise on her face, and her not wanting to press charges, I think she knows enough to keep her mouth shut. At least for now.”

Dan flipped through the pages. “Anything else?”

“All I can do is tell you what I know,” she said.

Nancy shrugged her shoulders. She took the clipboard from Dan and set it back on the desk.

“Who do you think would do such a thing?”

“I’m narrowing the field down.”

Dan walked away, but then turned and looked at Nancy for the longest time before speaking.

“You were going to tell me something the other day,” he said.

“I was?” She asked with a puzzled look.

“About Alan Maxwell.”

Nancy turned away before answering. “It was a long time ago, seven, maybe eight years ago. I said it was nothing.”

“It had to do with the disappearance of that boy up in Little Rock.”

“How did you find out?”

“I got an old Army buddy working for the FBI up in Little Rock. I had him do a little checking for me.”

“I’m impressed,” she said.

“Do you want to tell me about it now?”

“What’s to tell? The cops had Alan Maxwell as a person of interest. The Senator pulled strings. Before I knew it, the Senator whisked his little golden boy out of town,” Nancy remarked and then laughed. “The next thing I heard, Alan married this rich widow and became respectable.”

“How certain were you that Alan was involved?” Dan asked.

“It didn’t matter. Although…”

“Although what?”

Nancy shook her head in frustration. “I don’t know. There was more at stake,” she said while raising her hands. “Politics. What can I say?”

“I remember in high school, Alan always came to school with bruises. He claimed it was from breaking mustangs or a fight with someone. But no one ever was able to substantiate any of it. And I think he had a fear of horses.”

“And no one did anything?”

“It was a different time.”

“Abuse breeds abuse.”

Dan frowned. “He was a kid just like me, I can’t believe he killed Jason. Christ, they were friends.”

“Maybe you can get him to talk to you.”

“Yeah, before more people turn up dead.”

“Did your friend have anything else to say?” Nancy asked.

“No, but I’m having him check a few things out for me.” Dan glanced around and then turned to Nancy. “You about ready to leave?”

“I guess.”

Dan took Nancy by the arm. “I’ll walk you out,” he said.

Nancy looked up at Dan. There was concern in his voice and on his face so she did not argue. She too had been a little more concerned about her safety in recent days. Hence the locked lab door after everyone else left for the day.

As they left the building Dan walked Nancy over to her Outback. She took out her keyless entry unit and pressed the button to unlock the doors.

“I enjoyed dinner last night,” he said looking down at Nancy.

“So did I.”

“Would you like to come over Sunday for a cookout? You can meet my daughter.”

“Only if you promise to stop drumming up business for me.”

Dan smiled. “I promise.”

Dan opened Nancy’s car door but before she could climb in Dan pulled her into his arms. He cupped the bottom of her chin with his free hand and kissed her gently. He stopped suddenly.

“I’m sorry.”

Nancy kissed him back and whispered softly, “Don’t be.”

Dan pulled her closer and kissed her long and hard. He so missed the warmth of a woman’s body. This felt good and natural.

CHAPTER 16

Dan slept restlessly as he tossed and turned the whole night through.

In his dream, Dan was walking down the dark country road, the full moon shone brightly in the distance. There was movement in the underbrush. Dan ran until he was out of breath. Suddenly there was a flash of light coming at him.

Dan suddenly sat up in bed. Lightning illuminated the room followed by the clamor of thunder, picture frames rattled on the walls. Dan had trouble catching his breath and wondered why that dream always haunted him when things did not go right.

* * *

Dan entered the Sheriff’s office. Mac was sitting at the radio. He turned to Dan and pointed to the cellblock door. Dan looked over in the direction Mac was pointing to. There, standing near the cellblock door with mop and pail in hand, was Ester Cratchet. She turned to Dan.

“Morning, Sheriff,” she greeted Dan with a big grin.

Dan turned to Mac and then glanced back at Ester, who disappeared through the cellblock door and shut it behind her.

“What’s going on?” Dan asked.

“Says you hired her.”

“When?” Dan asked.

Mac raised his hands. “Maybe the other day.”

“But there’s no money in the budget to clean this place.”

“You tell her,” Mac argued.

Dan raised his arms in frustration, and then quickly turned to Mac before Ester came back.

“How much is in petty cash?”

Mac opened the left hand drawer. He took out the old metal box and then opened it. Mac quickly counted the money.

“Fifty-five bucks,” Mac said, looking up at Dan.

Dan quickly reached into his pocket, pulled out a twenty, and tossed it into the open box.

“At noon send her home,” he pointed to the money before continuing. “This is all I can afford to pay her,” he added and then walked to the door.

“Where are you going?” Mac asked.

Dan turned back to Mac. “Remember, I got a murder to solve.”

He stared at Mac a moment and then pointed to the cellblock door, indicating for Mac to take care of the situation.

* * *

Dan parked the squad next to Alan’s car and got out. He walked up to the door and rang the doorbell.

Mabel guided Dan to the study. She tapped lightly on the door and then opened it. Unlike before, she did not announce Dan. Dan just walked in and stared at Alan, who had a magnifying glass in one hand while holding a tweezers with a stamp in the other.

“I’ll shut the door,” Dan said, turning back to the door.

Alan set both stamp and magnifying glass down. “This isn’t social, then?” Alan asked.

Dan shook his head. “Hardly. We have to talk,” he said.

Alan folded his hands and then looked up at Dan. “Should I have an attorney present?”

“Depends if you’re innocent or not.”

“What if I just want one?”

Dan motioned to the phone. “Be my guest,” he said, studying Alan for the longest time. “Is this what you do all day?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Stamps, nothing. You wanted to become a doctor, to help people.”

“People can’t be helped,” Alan said irritably as he stood and walked over to the fireplace. “Oh sure! You can correct what ails them,” he continued. “But you can’t do anything for what’s wrong up here,” Alan pointed to his head.

“So become a shrink.”

Alan rolled his eyes, realizing Dan did not have a clue. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“What happened that night twenty years ago?”

Alan waved his hand as if dismissing Dan. “Is that why you’re here?”

“Buzz is dead.”

Alan tried to hide his surprise. “So!”

“Something was bothering him.”

“And you think I have the answers?”

Dan looked hard at Alan. “What happened that night?” Dan asked pointing a finger. “I’ll find out and when I do you’ll be sorry.”

“Can’t be any worse than the hell I’m already in.”

Dan stared at Alan for the longest time and then turned and walked out in disgust. Alan was so unlike the cocky kid he knew in high school. He seemed a broken man now, and Dan wondered how someone who had everything going for him could waste it all away and have nothing to show for his time on Earth.

CHAPTER 17

Dan unlocked the front door and then walked in. He quickly put his gun and hat on the rack at the door. He hurried to the bedroom and once there went to the top dresser drawer. He took out the pocketknife and put it in his back pocket and walked out.

Kelly was standing at the sink washing dishes when Dan walked in. He glanced at the table, where the puzzle was almost complete. Kelly turned to her father.

“Do you want lunch?” she asked.

Dan walked over to the fridge. He opened the door and just stared for a moment. “I’m not hungry.”

“What are you doing home then?”

Dan shut the door and then turned to her. “Can’t I stop in to see my favorite girl?”

“Yeah, right,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You’re checking up on me?”

“Not on you in particular.”

“Then what?” she asked looking at him with concern.

“There’s a lot of crap going down lately.”

The front door opened. Dan turned to Kelly as he listened closely.

“Are you expecting someone,” he asked.

Kelly shrugged. “No, maybe it’s Ms. Witherspoon with another tuna casserole?” Kelly mocked.

“So soon after the last one. How can I be so lucky,” he laughed.

Kelly wiped her hands and walked out of the kitchen. Dan leaned on the counter and just watched her disappear around the corner. He did not want to see Ms. Witherspoon and knew Kelly would make sure of that.

* * *

Kelly walked into the living room and froze when she saw Alan Maxwell taking her father’s gun out of the holster.

“Hey!” she yelled.

Alan held up the gun quickly and pointed it at Kelly. “Where is your father?”

“Dad,” Kelly yelled. “Someone is here to see you.”

Alan quickly grabbed Kelly by the arm and pulled her to him. Dan walked into the living room. He stopped suddenly when he saw Alan, who had the gun in one hand and Kelly pinned with the other.

“Alan, you don’t want to do this,” Dan warned.

“You just wouldn’t leave well enough alone,” Alan replied shaking his head.

“All I wanted to know was what happened to Jason.”

“It was a long time ago. We had no idea, and everything was out of our control.”

“You talking you and Buzz?”

“I’m not saying anything more.” His face turned ugly. “Jason deserved what he got.”

Dan was concerned and feared what Alan might do to Kelly. He wanted to keep Alan talking until he could get the upper hand and somehow get Kelly safe from harm.

“You have to tell me what happened.” Dan kept pressing.

“Wasn’t natural,” he said and then looked at Dan with pleading in his eyes. “All I need is a little time.”

Dan held up both hands. “Leave Kelly out of this.”

“You wouldn’t let it rest. You are just like Kay, you just had to keep digging into the past.”

Alan bringing up Kay puzzled Dan and he wondered what he meant by her digging up the past. She was an investigative reporter and didn’t share a lot of what she was working on with him until she completed the story.

Dan moved slowly toward Alan. “The past and the present are one. There’s been a string of unsolved murders throughout the state. What started twenty years ago didn’t end with Jason. It only got worse.”

“You don’t know that for a fact,” Alan snapped.

“I have proof, so if you know something, talk to me. We can work out a deal.”

“I can’t,” Alan said.

“We’ll work through it.”

“If you only knew.”

“Knew what?”

“It’s not just the boys, it was Kay too.”

“Why bring up Kay?” Dan asked.

“You really don’t know, do you?” Alan said with a sarcastic look on his face.

Dan’s face flushed at the mention of Kay’s name. It had always bothered him about the brakes, but it was a guilt he had to live with every day. That it was his fault his wife was dead.

“It was an accident.”

“Yeah, right, keep thinking that. I used to think you were smart.”

Dan lost control at that moment and grabbed hold of the gun. But Alan was too quick and hit Dan across the side of the head with the butt end of the gun. Dan went down. Alan kicked Dan in the rib cage while Kelly struggled to free herself, but could not break Alan’s hold on her.

* * *

Dan groaned in pain as he slowly came to. His hands were tied behind his back. He struggled but it was useless. The car engine starting out front and tires squealing caused Dan to sit up. Dan continued to struggle to free himself and finally he managed to get one hand in his back pocket. He pulled out the pocketknife. Opened it quickly and slowly managed to cut the rope.

Once free, he raced out of the house. He glanced down the street and saw Alan’s car turning the corner. He quickly got into the squad. Thankful that Alan did not have the fortitude to disable it as someone did on the Bayou earlier.

Dan sped through city streets and finally gained on Alan’s car. Dan could see Kelly in the passenger seat. She turned around and Dan saw the frantic look on his daughter’s face. He just prayed that Alan wouldn’t harm her.

Alan headed out of town. He took turns too fast, fishtailing almost out of control, but then regained control of his car. When he passed Murphy’s place the squad was bumper to bumper with Alan’s car. Dan was not letting Alan take his daughter anyplace without putting up a fight. The dust seeped into the car. Dan quickly rolled up the window as he coughed almost out of control.

Alan was driving to the tall pines, puzzling Dan, not knowing what Alan had on his mind. Suddenly the brake lights came on Alan’s car. Dan slammed on his brakes too and barely missed hitting the Seville.

Alan grabbed Kelly and dragged her out of the car. He yanked her down the path toward the tall pines. Kelly struggled with Alan while being dragged along the path.

All Dan could do was watch from a distance. Dan finally got out of the squad. He was not going to let Alan take Kelly anywhere without a fight.

Dan held up his hands showing Alan he was unarmed. “Let her go,” Dan yelled.

Alan dragged Kelly along the path. All the while Kelly struggled to get free of him.

“Stay there. I’ll let her go when I get to the woods.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Dan yelled.

Alan shook his head. “Don’t matter. Any place is better than this hell.”

“You aren’t taking Kelly.”

Alan raised the gun at Dan. Kelly grabbed his hand as a shot rang out but it still hit its mark and grazed Dan in the temple. Dan fell to the ground while Kelly screamed and struggled with Alan but to no avail.

Alan turned and hit Kelly with the butt end of the gun. He tossed his keys into the field and then fired a shot at the squad car’s front tire. Alan walked up to the squad and fired a shot at the radio.

Dan was face down in the tall grass pretending to be dead. He waited a while until he was sure Alan was far enough away so as not to put Kelly in further danger. In the distance Alan turned around and yelled.

“I never meant to hurt anyone,” he said in his defense and then turned around and hurried to the tall pines.

Dan slowly got up while Alan disappeared into the woods. He hurried over to Kelly where she was motionless on the ground. As Dan reached down, she finally started to come to. There was a trickle of blood coming from her forehead where Alan struck her with the gun.

“You okay, honey,” Dan asked.

“What’s the matter with him?”

“He did some bad things.”

Dan helped Kelly up. Kelly looked up at her father and saw the blood dripping down the side of his face. “You’re hurt,” she said.

Dan ignored her concern. He had a job to do, but right then he had to make sure Kelly was safe.

“You’ll have to go back to Murphy’s place and get help.”

Dan hobbled over to the squad. He glanced inside at the radio and then grabbed his billy club from under the seat. He helped Kelly over to Alan’s car. He looked in and saw the car keys were gone. Dan was thankful it was an older model Seville as he opened the driver’s door and then reached under the dash. Dan quickly hot-wired the car. Kelly just stood by and watched her father.

“You’re bleeding,” she said.

Dan wiped the blood from his forehead. “Murphy’s place is just down the road.” Dan said, while trying to focus his eyes.

“Come with me,” Kelly begged.

“No,” Dan whispered finally. “I have to go after Alan. What I need for you to do is go get help.”

“Daddy, I’m scared.”

Dan got out of the car, he shoved Kelly into the driver’s seat, and then shut the car door. Kelly looked up at him with tears in her eyes as she finally put the car into gear and backed up. She stepped on the gas and spun away.

Dan started walking toward the tall pines. He winced in pain from where Alan kicked him in the ribs earlier. Dan turned to see Kelly driving off down the road. He took a deep breath. The pain in his side caused him to double up for a moment. After he recovered, he quickly hurried in the direction that Alan had run off in.

CHAPTER 18

Dan walked through the thick tree growth. It got denser and denser the further he walked in. Dan stopped and listened. A squirrel chattered in the branches above while birds fluttered about. The thick canopy of trees above barely let the sun shine through.

Dan’s shirt stuck to his back, the sweat and blood ran into his eyes. When Dan came to a fallen tree, he stopped. Brush and vines grew up all around the decaying trunk.

“Alan,” Dan yelled feebly.

Dan’s voice came out a hoarse whisper. He cleared his throat and got a firm grip on the billy club. Just as he rounded the trunk he heard a noise. Thirty feet away rutting in a patch of mud were six razorbacks. One of the boars had blood covering its right shoulder. Dan turned and made a quick retreat behind the trunk when something struck him hard on the back. Dan slid forward onto the ground.

“Why did you come?” Alan demanded.

Dan managed to look up. “Had to,” Dan said finally.

Dan felt around for the billy club. Alan walked toward him. Dan tried to wipe away the sweat and blood. He did not lift his head for fear the razorbacks would see him. The hogs pawed at the earth and rooted up the ground. It was then Alan saw them too.

“Jesus Christ!” was all he managed to say.

While Alan appeared momentarily distracted, Dan grabbed the billy club quickly and swung it at Alan’s shins and connected solidly. Alan yelled out in pain. He stumbled toward the razorbacks, yelling and hopping from one foot to the other. The razorbacks were puzzled at first. A few were frightened and ran off. The two old boars just looked up with a savage gleam in their tiny eyes. The sharp hooves pawed at the soft ground.

Dan tried to get up but had no luck. He got to his knees and saw Alan standing a few feet away. Dan made a turning, clumsy twist toward Alan, sticking out the billy club and managed to grab an ankle. Dan pulled and Alan tumbled down, dropping the pistol. Both men reached for it. Dan’s face was mashed into the forest floor while Alan kneeled on top of him. Dan tried to raise himself and throw Alan off, but he was hurting too bad. Alan’s weight had Dan pinned.

Alan straightened up and turned. Just then the boar with the wound charged, followed by the other boar. Dan’s eyes were filled with dirt, sweat, and blood but he still managed to see the charge coming.

The two razorbacks crashed into Alan’s back with a thunderous thump. All the air went out of Alan as the razorbacks thrashed him around like a rag doll.

Dan felt around for the gun while the hogs were grunting and slobbering, with no inclination of deserting their prey.

Dan finally had the gun in hand. He used the billy club to push himself into a sitting position. Dan quickly took aim and fired off one round. It hit the one boar in the right eye. The boar went down with a high-pitched squeal. The other boar looked up. All Dan could focus on was the tusk as the boar looked him straight in the eye and then quickly charged. Dan fired off a shot but the bullet struck the razorback in its side. The boar did not even slow down, just lowering his head and came straight on at Dan.

Dan did not have time for another shot. He twisted to the side to avoid the charge and yelled out in pain as the boar sideswiped him. Dan screamed as he was tossed two feet into the air. Quickly he managed to sit up and grip the gun with both hands. The razorback turned. It stopped for a moment before lowering its head again, and charged. When the boar came within four feet, Dan let the last two rounds go. The razorback struck Dan in the chest and then there was only darkness.

* * *

Dan finally regained consciousness and heard Alan moaning in pain. He struggled to shove the razorback off his chest and then crawled over to Alan.

Alan was covered in blood. His breathing was ragged and shallow. Dan twisted himself into a sitting position and slid himself over to Alan.

“Alan, Alan, you there?”

Alan’s eyelids flickered a moment. “I’m not going any place,” he whispered.

“I’ll get you out of here.”

Alan tried to laugh as he looked up at the condition Dan was in.

“I wouldn’t try it if I were you. I think my back is broken.” He hesitated while catching his breath. “Among other things.” He struggled a moment and then coughed up blood. “I didn’t do all those things. I may have stood by and done nothing. But it wasn’t me,” Alan stopped and breathed a deep ragged breath.

“What do you know about Kay’s accident?”

“I can’t,” Alan coughed while shaking his head.

“If you know something you have to tell me.”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Why did you run?” Dan asked.

“I hate what I’ve become. And I’m not taking the fall.”

“It’s too late for that. Too late,” Dan said.

“Wasn’t me, honestly.”

Dan shook his head. “All this, and it wasn’t you? And now you’re telling me Kay was murdered too. Why?”

Alan tried to laugh. “I’m so sorry.” Alan coughed up more blood. “You were right about Jason. But it was his fault. Doing the things he did. Wasn’t right. He deserved what he got.”

“He didn’t deserve to die,” Dan snapped. “Kay didn’t deserve to die either.”

Alan started to cry. The pain was too much to endure. All these years he lived with the guilt and now it was all coming out into the open.

Dan turned to the razorback lying a few feet away and then glanced down at Alan.

“What bothers me is you did nothing all these years.”

“Like anyone would have believed me.”

“A jury will have a field day with you.”

“The way I feel, there won’t be a jury. I just wanted you to know.”

Dan glanced around for something to use as a cane. He slid over to the fallen tree and broke off a branch.

“I’ll get you out of here.”

Alan coughed again. “Too late. Time you get to town, too late.”

“Don’t tell me that, damn it.”

Alan did not answer as Dan struggled to get up and then, after getting his bearings he managed to hobble off.