Markers (Joshua Stokes Mysteries Book 3) (10 page)

Sixteen

Curious Liaisons

The pairing of Carolyn and Barnes was peculiar to say the least, but it was also intriguing; and, although Joshua knew he should be on his way to pick up little Anna Leigh and take her to her grandparents, he could not help but to follow at a safe distance. He wanted to see where the two were going. The idea of the two of them together brought to mind the old saying about “Strange bedfellows.”

The pair walked to the corner of Royal and Government Streets and then turned left and walked down Royal Street toward Bienville Square. When he made the corner, he saw them enter the Royal Street Café.

Hmm, either a late breakfast or an early lunch, thought Joshua as he glanced at his watch, it was not quite 10 a.m. There was nothing to indicate there was anything other than a professional relationship between the two. They had not been arm and arm nor had they held hands; they simply walked side by side. He knew he could not just park and wait, but he would make it a point to check further into Carolyn and Barnes’ relationship.

Joshua turned the corner and headed toward the station. He wanted one of his deputies to accompany him when he dropped the baby at her grandparents. He also wanted to call Ilene and let her know that he was on his way to pick up little Anna Leigh. He hoped she was not too disappointed. He would not think a woman that had grandchildren would want to start over by raising another child.

When he entered the Sheriff’s Office, he ran smack into John Metcalf. Metcalf paused slightly, said, “Mornin’ Sheriff,” and then kept walking.

“Hold on, you got a minute, John. I need to talk to you.”

“Sure, Sheriff, what do you need?”

“I just wanted you to know that I had nothing to do with McIllwain killing himself last night. I’m on my way now to pick up the baby and turn her over to her grandparents.” Joshua could tell that he had caught Metcalf off guard. He saw several emotions cross Metcalf’s face and he could see that Metcalf thought something he said was surprising, by the way his eyes, widened.

“Now, hold on a minute, Sheriff. I was a little peeved at you, but I never thought… why would you even think that I would think you killed that man? I know you would never do anything like that. I was concerned that you had taken that child from the hospital because you did not have faith in the ability of the FBI to protect her. I was afraid you would lose your job over it. I like working with you and… I admire you.” Joshua could see that Metcalf was sincere.

“Thanks, son; I appreciate that you think so highly of me.” Joshua could not help but to grin. He did not know why this boy’s opinion of him mattered so much, but it did. “I don’t know why, but I felt that you had lost confidence in me the last time we talked, and I like you, John.
You
are one of the few people I know, whose opinion matters to me. I just wanted to clear the air on that McIllwain situation.” Metcalf nodded his head, his eyes still serious. “I stopped by here to get one of the deputies to go with me to take the child to her grandparents; they’re staying at the son’s residence.”

“That’s odd,” Metcalf interjected. “You would think that would be the last place they’d want to stay after what happened.”

“My thoughts exactly,” said Joshua “That’s why I wanted someone with me when I went… if you’re not busy you could ride along with me.”

“I just finished what I was working on. I was going across the way to put this on your desk when you walked in. You may want to read it, before you take the child back. I believe Lita McIllwain’s accident was no accident at all. The toxicology report came back this morning; Mrs. McIllwain was high as a kite when she died. A Detective King, from Atlanta, also called me yesterday; well actually, he returned my call from a few days ago. He said that Mrs. McIllwain had a history of mental illness and that she had been arrested on several different occasions for fast and reckless driving, and for driving under the influence. The funny thing is, that none of that came up when I ran her numbers. Someone is lying; or they are trying to cover up something more serious.”

“Maybe they’re trying to cover their own asses,” Joshua responded. “There’s no telling how high up into the ranks of government officials and prominent businessmen, this sex trafficking stuff goes. Let me look at those,” he said, reaching for the folder. “I just left Barnes’ office. He told me they investigated the grandparents when they investigated young McIllwain. I hope they are in the clear; I don’t want the responsibility of a child to take care of.”

“I’ll be happy to ride with you, Sheriff. I had thought they would call me in to process McIllwain’s residence after his suicide, but the Federal Bureau handled it… I’d like to get a look at the place before it’s cleaned up good.”

“That is a good idea, John. Let me go tell Ida Mae the where and what of it, and then we will get going. Do you need to do anything before we leave?”

“I just need to run and lock the lab and my office. I’ll be right back.”



When they drove up to James and Ilene’s place, Ilene and James were sitting under the carport drinking coffee. Joshua saw that Ilene had set up a playpen near the table and chairs. Little Anna Leigh was sitting in it playing with some colorful blocks, trying to stack one on top of the other; she seemed content.

“Y’all want a cup of coffee?” James asked. “We just made a fresh pot after you called,” James said, looking into Joshua’s eyes, questioning. Joshua knew James was probably wondering why he had John Metcalf with him.

“Sure, I could use a cup,” Joshua said quickly. “I’ll help you with it,” he said heading toward the back door. “Do you want a cup, John?” he asked over his shoulder.

“No sir, I believe I’ll pass,” Metcalf responded. Ilene did not miss the looks exchanged between James and Joshua, but she would find out from James what was up after Joshua and Metcalf left.

“You can sit out here and keep me company,” she said to Metcalf.

“Yes, Ma’am” he replied and sat down at the table.

“I’m sure gonna miss that little thing,” Ilene said, nodding toward the playpen.

“Yes, Ma’am I imagine so, but she needs to be with her blood relatives.”

“Family isn’t always blood, son. You’ll see that one day,” Ilene replied humbly. “I was raised in an orphanage, well, the poor folks home.” Ilene saw that she had gotten Metcalf’s full attention so she carried on with her story. “Both my folks died within months of each other when I was eight years old. None of my kin could afford to take me in; they was poor themselves and already had too many mouths to feed.

After I had been in there about a year and a half, a young couple came in looking for a child that they could take home and rear. There were probably a dozen of us kids that were younger than twelve years old, (which was their specified age limit) that had been brought in for them to inspect and pick from, but by that time, I had given up on ever being adopted so I just headed to a corner of the room and sat down. Well, this couple spoke to each child individually, asked different questions, some, I didn’t hear, because I was not paying attention; I didn’t want to get any hope up whatsoever. When they called me up to them, I was my usual charming self. If you have seen Eeyore, the donkey, in that new Winnie the Pooh cartoon movie, then that was I-I was Eeyore, a sad sack kid.

“Well, their first question to me was ‘Do you want a new mommy and daddy?’ I told them, “No, I didn’t, the mommy and daddy I had before was just fine and that no one would ever take their place.” Ilene became quiet, thoughtful. After a minute or so, she heard Metcalf clear his throat as if he wanted to speak. She looked at him; she saw the eagerness in his eyes. He wanted to know what happened, but did not want to ask.

“Those fine folks adopted me, Mr. Metcalf, and they raised me with lots of love and respect. They made sure they got all the information they could on my family so that when I was grown, I could look up my kin if I wanted to. I grew to love them just as much as if they were my blood kin mama and daddy. I never regretted speaking my mind when they first asked me if I wanted a new mommy and daddy. If I had not of spoken exactly what I felt, I would have probably never been adopted. My folks said they adopted me because they wanted an honest, trustworthy child. Don’t ever be afraid to speak your mind, Mr. Metcalf.”



As soon as he and Joshua entered the kitchen, James asked, “What’s up, Hoss, why are you hauling around ‘young blood’ out there?”

“I thought it best to take someone with me to cover my ass in case something goes wrong when I get over to McIllwain’s place.”

“If you’re expecting trouble, or you think it might be dangerous, you may not want to drag that young’un into the middle of it.”

Joshua knew James was concerned, he could hear it in his voice.

“I really don’t expect any sort of trouble, Hook; at least, not out of the grandparents. It’s just that Metcalf thinks foul play was involved in the woman’s death, which means it is also possible that foul play was the cause of McIllwain’s death too.”

“Won’t Metcalf and the coroner do an investigation into his suicide?”

“No, that’s the bad thing about it. Those federal boys have done ruled it a suicide. From what John found out, the body has already been embalmed. The only reason he was able to do a toxicology report on her, was because he drew blood before the family was notified about her being involved in an accident. It seems that someone is running interference on McIllwain’s death. Something ain’t right, we know it ain’t right, but there is nothing we can do about it, yet.

We don’t know how high up or how deep this sex trafficking thing goes. John has been making calls and asking questions for a couple of days, without any luck. Then, just this morning, he received a call from an Atlanta detective who says that Lita McIllwain was mentally unstable and had several run-ins with the law. I really don’t believe it and neither does John, especially after he ran the woman’s credentials. He thinks someone is trying to cover something up.”

“Well, you know they’ll want to cover the fact that she was bought over here as a child and sold like a piece of meat.” James’ voice was harsh with anger at things that went on beyond his comfort zone.

“I know, Hook, and I’m wondering if McIllwain’s folks know that… and that is why I wanted someone to accompany me. I wish you were a deputy; you are good at reading people… I think I might call Calvert and have him meet John and me there. It won’t hurt to have another person there that I can count on to give me their honest opinion of these people.”

“Nah, I love you brother, but I don’t want any part of actually being in the thick of things. You call and get Calvert to meet you there; I like him. In my opinion, he is probably the best deputy you have in your force, and the one that would be of the most assistance if something goes down.”

Joshua drank his coffee, smoked a cigarette and then used James’ phone to call Ida Mae and have her to quietly contact Calvert and have him meet him at the McIllwain place. He told her that he would be there in an hour.

When they walked back outside, Ilene had Anna Leigh in her lap, hugging her to her and telling her what a sweet child she was. Metcalf was grinning. Joshua could see that John had matured a lot in the several years he had been on the force. He felt proud, much as a parent would, although he did not feel that any of John’s growth and maturity was because of him. However, Joshua did not realize the influence he had on those around him…

Seventeen

Cross-threaded

When he and John reached the McIllwain residence, Calvert’s patrol car sat parked near the driveway. Joshua saw that Paul was still sitting behind the wheel waiting their arrival. He drove up into the driveway and as close as he could. There were several ritzy automobiles already parked in the driveway. Joshua wondered who they could be - the man had not been dead even twenty-four hours yet, and he had not been in Mobile long enough to make many friends. When he finally thought to look at the tags, slightly embarrassed that he had not immediately done that, he saw that one car was from Birmingham, Alabama, one from McNairy Co, Tennessee, and the other was from Atlanta, Georgia. He figured the one from Georgia belonged to the elder McIllwain. Then, he wondered about McIllwain’s car… where was it? There was an attached garage but there was no car in it. The garage doors were up and he could see that it was empty other than items stored there. It looked as if someone had gone through the boxes that were stacked there and pulled items out and left them lying on the floor of the garage.

When he parked, Calvert exited his vehicle and came to stand beside his. John Metcalf got out. Adjusting Anna Leigh in his arms, he leaned back against the patrol car and waited while Joshua and Calvert chatted quietly on the other side of the vehicle. Joshua told Calvert what he and John had discussed, their thinking that foul play was probably involved in both of the young McIllwain’s deaths. He asked Calvert to eyeball everyone he saw at the McIllwain residence and then give him his opinion of them after they left there.

“I’m good at reading people, Sheriff. I’ll look ‘em over real good and I’ll keep an eye out for any shifty goings on, I might see. I got your back,” he said, unsnapping his holster to free his weapon incase he needed it. Joshua felt better having Paul with him; he knew he could count on him; he was a seasoned officer and one of the best on the force.

“Let’s do this,” he said, walking around to where John Metcalf stood holding Anna Leigh. She reached for Joshua when she saw him. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled in the early afternoon sun and he was tempted to put her back in his car and leave. He seriously hoped giving her to these people was the right thing to do. Moreover, even though Barnes said they had checked them out, he felt they should be thoroughly investigated before that happened. Joshua took the child from Metcalf and then walked toward the entrance. He rung the doorbell and then stood back and waited. It did not take long until he heard the doorknob turning. A colored woman, dressed in the uniform of a servant, answered the door. Joshua saw the surprise on her face when she saw him standing there holding the baby with a deputy sheriff standing behind him.

“Lawd, lawd, is that poor, lil’ Miss Anna Leigh you’se got there,” she asked, a smile broadening her face.

“Yes, ma’am” Joshua replied. “Since the accident, she has been checked at the hospital and released by the doctor. I was instructed to bring her to this address.”

“She okay din?”

“According to the doctor, she is in perfect health.”

“I sho is glad she didn’t die in dat wreck like poor Miz McWain done… she jest a lil’ baby, she done nuthin’ wrong. No sir ree, she ain’t done nuthin’ wrong,” the woman said as she reached for the baby.

“I’m sorry ma’am,” Joshua apologized as he stepped back a step, “but I was instructed to hand deliver her to Mr. and Mrs. McIllwain.”

“Dey both dead,” said the woman in a serious tone. Then her expression changed and she said, “You mean dem older ones don’t cha…” She scowled, but tried to cover it as she opened the door wider and invited them in.

“You gentlemen’s wait right here; I gets‘um for ya.”

“Ma’am, may I ask you a couple of questions before you get them?”

“Youse can ask, don’t know that I can help ya though.”

“Did you ever see Mrs. McIllwain high on drugs or know of her taking drugs?” as soon as he asked, Joshua saw the look on the maid’s face and knew there was some truth to the reports from Atlanta.

“It not nice to speak ill of de dead, Sheriff, but I’se did see Miz McWain takin’ pills afore, and den she would sleep while dat poor baby cry wantin’ her mama.”

“Thank you,” Joshua replied.

She turned and disappeared into a wing of the house then returned shortly to announce ‘dey say dey be here in a minute’.

He could tell that she did not think too highly of the older McIllwain’s by the way she carried herself and the expression on her face. “How long have you worked for the McIllwain’s?” he asked.

“Just since dey move here; only two days a week though, and babysit da lil’ miss when dey has to go somewhere dey couldn’t take her. Miz McWain say I good wit her,” the woman said the last with pride in her voice.

Joshua heard footsteps and turned to see a silver haired man walking toward them; two younger men and two young women followed him.

“Olivia said you wanted to speak with me,” the silver haired man said. His voice controlled, his manner, perfunctory. “What is so important that it cannot wait until we finish our lunch?”

“I was under the impression that you would be expecting me,” Joshua said, his voice rough and disapproving. “I am here to deliver your granddaughter to you.”

“Oh, yes, of course” the man said, his manner still haughty. “Olivia, take the baby to the nursery,” he instructed the servant who said a quick, “yes-sir” and then reached for the child. Joshua reluctantly handed her over. He disliked the arrogant man. The younger men who followed him out looked to be just as condescending as he was.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us, we will get back to our lunch,” the older man said.

Joshua’s gaze left the man to encompass the others. Each stood poised and polished, as if raised in the finest manner. The women made no eye contact, but stood as if they attended the best finishing schools. The men stood as if they had graduated military training. The men all appeared haughty, looking down their noses at everyone around them as if they were better than he and his deputies were.

“Hold on a minute, I need to ask a few questions first,” Joshua said gruffly.

“Now, look here Sheriff, we have enough to deal with at the moment than to answer redundant questions by the local law enforcement. As soon as we are done burying our boy tomorrow, we will be on our way back Atlanta. My son took his own life; there was no doubt about it. I found him in his car in the garage, the gun still in his hand.” Joshua’s mind immediately went to the woods of north Mobile County, remembering how easy it was to stage the scene… and then his dream of killing McIllwain came to mind.

“My wife has already taken to her bed-”

“I
personally
have questions concerning your daughter-in-laws death.”

“Questions concerning her should have already been dealt with by my son!” the man exclaimed harshly.

Suddenly, one of the women began crying.

“And now you’ve upset my daughter-in-law with your questions. Please, can’t this just wait,” the man said impatiently.

“Before you all leave town, I wish to meet with y’all again and I expect to get a few answers,” Joshua said firmly, staring the man in the eye a moment. With a tip of his hat, he turned and walked out.



After they reached Joshua’s cruiser, Calvert said, “Boy, those are some snooty assed people, Sheriff…
upper crusts
.” Joshua leaned against his car and lit a cigarette.

“Well, other than snooty, what sort of impression did you get of them?” Joshua asked, directing his question toward Paul Calvert.

“They’re uppity and bigoted, arrogant-I could probably use a dozen more adjectives along those same lines to describe-”

“What about you John, what did you observe?” he asked Metcalf, cutting off Calvert before he went on a tangent.

“I think they wanted us out of there in a hurry. They’re hiding something… Did you notice the two women were not Americans?”

“How do you know that when they didn’t say anything,” asked Calvert.

“They were subservient for one thing,” Metcalf replied. “They never moved from behind the men folk. And the reason I don’t think they were Americans was because American women don’t act like that; they’re usually in front of their men, the same way they are with their children - its their protective instincts.”

“Women from other countries are protective too,” Joshua explained. “But, those two women appear to have been conditioned to serve, to follow.”

“I read a case once where there are these groups of men that use all sorts of means to control their wives-even going so far as to use their children to keep them in line-sort of like that Stepford Wives movie that came out last year.”

“That was a creepy ass movie!” Calvert exclaimed. “Those Stepford women were turned into human looking robots.”

“I know they were, Paul, but its sort of the same thing… when you brainwash someone, you virtually turn them into a robot,” said Metcalf, then he began walking toward the open garage doors as if he were going to walk right on in and look around, but before he reached it, the doors began closing. They all looked for but did not see anyone.

“We will figure it all out tomorrow,” Joshua said to Metcalf and Calvert as he turned and opened his car door. “I intend to be waiting on them when the funeral is over and get this thing finished; there’ll be no excuse for them not to talk to me once that is over. Paul, can you give John a ride back to the station; I’ve got something I need to do.”

“Yes, sir.” Calvert replied.

Joshua got in, cranked up, and then backed out the driveway, leaving them standing there watching him as he drove away.

“When he’s ready to go he’s ready to go, ain’t he,” observed Calvert as he walked toward his patrol car.

“Yes, he is - it’s strange,” Metcalf replied as he followed behind. “He can be one of the most patient men in the world when he needs to be, but on a dime, he can get cross threaded and turn inward, like he just done, then he becomes distant.

He will go home, sit on his porch, and drink. While he’s doing that, he’ll be contemplating his next move.” Calvert ventured as he opened the car door. John Metcalf got in on the passenger side and they left McIllwain’s house and headed toward the courthouse.