Fat hen farm 01- Killer tracks (8 page)

“Lots of leads. I’m just waiting for it al to come together. Waiting for someone to make a mistake. People always do. I’m especial y interested in David Wilson. He had the most to gain from Roger’s death.”

Herb walked over to Tina and Kitty. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. How are you holding up?” Tina replied, “Don’t pretend I’m broken up about this, Herb. Everyone knows that Roger and I didn’t get along wel at al . We never did. I’l let Kitty speak for herself on that subject.”

“Thanks Herb. I’m okay. Roger and I were going through a rough patch but I was hoping that the move to the farm would improve things. Now I’l never know, wil I?”

Tina looked at Kitty and gave her a big hug thinking that she was the eternal optimist. Tina knew that Roger wouldn’t have changed. If anything, he would have resented Kitty more because she didn’t actual y need him. The inheritance had made her independent but Kitty always hoped for the perfect marriage.

The door opened and David and Candy walked in. He hadn’t even bothered to knock. Typical. As the oldest in the family, he was used to doing and getting what he wanted. Scanning the room, he headed for the drink table set up in front of the bay window. Candy approached Kitty and Tina with a nervous twitch in her eye.

“Kitty, I’m so sorry for you. Roger was such a great guy. We’l al miss him terribly.”

“Thanks Candy. Thanks for coming.”

Candy whispered, “Did you look at those papers? Does anyone else know I gave you that stuff?” David possessively put his arm around Candy, “What are you whispering about over here? Come on Candy, I want to talk to Herb.” He didn’t even acknowledge his sister and sister-in-law.

Candy fol owed David with a quick glance at Kitty and Tina. Tina smiled at her and shook her head slightly to let her know no one knew about the papers. Candy’s expression visibly relaxed.

“That was weird,” Tina whispered to Kitty. “Candy looks like she’s about ready to jump out of her skin whenever David gets near her. We have to find out what papers he wants from Roger’s office. I bet what he’s looking for is right here in your house—the papers and suitcase you brought back. Do you have it wel hidden?”

“It’s not real y hidden but it’s upstairs. I don’t think anyone wil be going there. What wil David do when he can’t find those things in Roger’s office?”

Another car pul ed up to the house. Michael was at the door to greet Glenda, Jimmie and Joe. Sam was fol owing them in, too.

“Come on it. There are some drinks and food on the table in the living room,” Michael told everyone.

“Sam, I didn’t expect you to come. Thanks.” Kitty hugged him.

With his face right next to her ear, he said, “The black car I saw the day Roger was kil ed is parked outside. Tel your detective friend. Someone here is the murderer. Keep acting like everything is normal. We don’t want to tip anyone off.” Sam straightened up and asked, “Where’s Max? I’d like to say hel o, make sure he hasn’t forgotten me.”

“He’s upstairs in my room. I wasn’t sure if he would be upset with people coming in. You can get him and bring him down if you think he’l be alright.”

It wasn’t long before Max came bounding down the stairs to hover next to Kitty. Sam fol owed, hugged Kitty again and told her he was walking back home. Sam nodded to the detective as he walked by on his way to the door.

Herb asked Frank, “How do you know Sam? I’ve known him for a long time and he’s an odd fel ow. He whispered something to Kitty and left. I wonder what that’s al about.”

“I talked to him yesterday. He was home when Roger was kil ed and he told me he saw a black car going to Kitty’s house just before Roger got home and it left in a big hurry before Kitty drove in. He is odd but he pays attention and may be a good resource for us.” Tina clinked her glass to get everyone’s attention. “Thanks for coming today. We’re al here to remember Roger’s life and the impact he had on each of us. Kitty has decided that she wil spread his ashes on the farm in a quiet wooded area. A toast to Roger.” Glasses clinked around the room and the conversations started up again.

Glenda was standing at the drink table watching everyone in the room. She wondered why that cute detective and the police chief were here.

Everything felt odd. David stood alone in a corner looking guilty of something. Candy kept eyeing the detective and nervously shifting from one foot to the other. Tina and Kitty were actual y starting to relax. And Glenda wondered who that old guy was who came in and left after about five minutes.

Michael and Tina carried empty plates to the kitchen. Glenda took the opportunity to talk to Kitty alone.

“Kitty, I need to talk to you,” Glenda quietly said as she stood next to Kitty. “I real y need to get that file back. I don’t want to lose my job.”

“This isn’t a good time Glenda. Do you want to come back tomorrow?”

“Alright. Give me a cal to let me know when. Where’s your bathroom?”

“Over there. Oh, it looks like someone is using it. There’s another one at the top of the stairs.”

“Thanks.” Glenda hurried upstairs just as Tina came back in with plates of food.

“Kitty, where’s she going?”

“She needs to use the bathroom.”

“What about the files?”

“I’l go up and check in a minute.”

David approached Kitty and Tina. “Hey, I want to get into Roger’s office tomorrow. When wil you unlock it for me?”

“What’s your hurry David?” Tina pestered him.

“Listen Tina, there are files in Rogers office that belong to me, either Kitty lets me in or I’l get the landlord to unlock the door.”

“If it’s that easy, why wait for Kitty? Why don’t you tel Herb your problem, he’l probably be sympathetic. Maybe even get a search warrant.” The color drained from David’s face.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. If you want our help, you’d better tel me what’s going on.” Tina was getting impatient with her brother.

“Tina, you better watch your step.” He turned, found Candy, and headed for the door.

Frank meandered over to the food table, got a plate and quietly asked Kitty what had just happened.

“I’m not sure. David wants me to let him into Roger’s office to get some files and Tina suggested he ask Herb for a search warrant. He didn’t like that too much. There’s something in that office that he urgently needs before someone else gets to it first.”

“Great. I think he’s getting desperate. Do you feel comfortable meeting him at the office?”

“Of course. I’m not going to let that creep intimidate me.”

“We’l photocopy the contents of the folder you took and you can put it back. I’l be outside the building and take him in for questioning when he comes out. I think we have enough to arrest him for the stolen cars and I’l try to get him to give me more names.”

“What about Roger’s murder?”

“I’m going to try to pin that on him, too.”

Jimmie and Glenda were heading toward Kitty.

“Sorry about your loss, Kitty. We have to get going. You need to bring your truck in again. We got some more parts so we can finish up the repairs.”

“Joe didn’t tel me anything about more repairs. I need my truck. How long wil it take?”

“It won’t take long. We’l squeeze you in whenever you can stop by. Good luck with your farm.” As they headed toward the door, Kitty whispered to Frank, “I almost forgot. Sam told me the black car he saw the night Roger was kil ed is here.

Quick, take a look out the window and see if it’s Glenda and Jimmie’s car.” Frank motioned to Herb and they took a look out the window as Jimmie slid into the driver’s seat of a black car. It was the same car that Frank had seen the last time Glenda had come to the farm to talk to Kitty.

“Herb, David is going to Roger’s office tomorrow to get some files. We think he’s after a file that Kitty found listing names of people who have the stolen cars. Once he takes the file, we need to bring him in for questioning. My guess is that Jimmie, and maybe even Glenda, are in on it too.

Jimmie just told Kitty she needs to bring her truck back for some more repairs. It sounds like an excuse to swap the truck she has now which is on the stolen list and give her the right truck back.”

“Tina!” Kitty yel ed from upstairs. “The files are gone. Al three of them.”

“Who went upstairs?” Frank asked when Kitty came down.

“Sam went up to get Max, and Glenda went up to use the bathroom. I didn’t see anyone else go upstairs. I don’t think Sam would take them.

Glenda had already asked me for one of the files that was left in the truck when I picked it up. That was the one that was a list of VIN numbers. But al three files are gone. We need them al to tie it al together.” Kitty was starting to panic.

“Calm down. Let’s cal Sam, just in case he took them,” Tina suggested.

“I’l drive down and ask him,” Frank said. “I’l be right back.”

“I’l go with you,” Herb added and fol owed him out the door.

***

Kitty, Tina and Michael saw car lights coming toward the house.

Frank and Herb walked in carrying the three files.

“Sam had them. When he went upstairs to get Max, he saw the files and didn’t think they were safe in your house, Kitty. Not with the black car and the likely murderer inside. He tucked them inside his shirt. That’s why he left so quickly. He doesn’t think you should be alone here tonight. He thinks whoever wants these files might come back, and I agree with him. Herb is going to take the files to the station, copy them, and bring them back so you can put them back in Roger’s office. I’d like to stay here tonight, if you don’t mind. I’l just sit in this chair in the corner in case anyone does come back.”

“I’m staying too,” Tina announced. “I’ve been staying here with Kitty ever since Roger was found dead.”

“That’s al fine with me,” Kitty agreed. She was actual y grateful they’d both be staying with her. Things were getting too out of control. “Tina, you and I can sleep on the floor again with Max, and Frank can have the recliner. I’l get another pil ow and some blankets.” Michael carried in a tray with sandwiches and beers. “It’s too early and who can sleep anyway. Let’s have something to eat and see if we can make some sense out of al the clues.”

“Thanks Michael. You’re right. It’s nice here by the woodstove. Let’s al get comfortable and see what we can put together,” Kitty told everyone.

Herb stood up. “I better get these files copied. I’l be back in the morning.” In between bites of a cheese and tomato sandwich, Tina thought out loud, “I think David is at the top of the suspect list. He accused Kitty of being the murderer right after Roger was found in the barn, before information was even released. He changed the life insurance policy and he had an opportunity to steal Kitty’s gun. He’s desperate to get those files from Roger’s office. He’s probably involved with the stolen car ring, too.”

“Are the stolen cars and the murder connected? Maybe it’s just a coincidence and we’re looking at it al the wrong way. I don’t think Jimmie would fire David if they were working together moving stolen cars,” Kitty said.

“Why would Roger have copies of David’s files if he wasn’t involved with the stolen cars? I think Jimmie would have the cars delivered, David would sel them and Roger would manipulate the numbers somehow so they could be insured,” Michael offered.

“Then who kil ed Roger?” Kitty asked.

“Looks like we’re back to the beginning. David had the most to gain. I don’t see a motive for Jimmie. It seems like he needed Roger to do the insurance stuff. Unless Roger was trying to blackmail Jimmie. That’s always a possibility,” Tina said.

Frank set his beer bottle on the table. “You are forgetting one important fact; why would Jimmie fire David if he was involved with the stolen cars? When I talked to Jimmie, he was nervous but he also acted like a disengaged owner.” The group gave him blank looks. “What I mean is, he was more interested in getting his River Trail project done and bettering the community than who was buying cars. He depends on Glenda to keep the business running smoothly and let him know when there’s a problem he needs to be involved in. I think he fired David because he didn’t like how he treated the customers. Kitty, when you and David had that argument, Jimmie stepped in and did the right thing by solving your problem to your satisfaction. David didn’t care about the customers or the business. I think David is the mastermind and Roger was helping him because he owed David. They were moving the stolen cars through Jimmie’s lot without his knowledge.”

“I don’t know, Frank. Jimmie is a smart business man. How could al that happen right under his nose?” Michael asked.

Frank sat up straighter. “Sometimes people just get too comfortable and think they can relax and let their business chug along on autopilot.

David was a salesman there for quite a few years. He understood the business and saw the opportunity. I’ve been watching him for a while. My team set up a phony business auctioning off stolen cars and David has been a regular customer for the last couple of months. He was very careful to buy just one or two cars at a time. We needed to figure out how he was moving them along with the legit cars. The cars seemed to just disappear. We were stumped until Kitty got the file of the VIN numbers and Candy gave Tina the list of photos. He always had two identical cars and managed to alter the VIN numbers. With Roger’s help, they manipulated al the insurance information to erase suspicion. He must have found out that Kitty got the wrong car. Someone else must be helping him.”

“So why would David kil Roger?” Kitty asked.

“I’m stil not sure but I think that clue might be connected to whatever David is after in Roger’s office. Roger might have been putting pressure on David for more money. People who get involved in crime, get greedy. They get careless. And then they get dangerous.” Chapter 9

Herb showed up bright and early with the copied files.

“Come on in, Herb. We al just sat down with coffee. Do you have time for a cup?” Kitty asked.

“Sure. A quick cup then I need to get back to the station.”

They walked into the kitchen to hear the end of Frank and Tina’s conversation.

“—I don’t think she’s involved, Frank.”

“What are you two arguing about now?” Kitty elbowed Tina and grinned.