The Advocate - 02 - The Advocate's Betrayal (14 page)

“That’s right,” Rose said. “Don’t have any idea where they went to.”

“Did you know their friend, John?” JP asked Rose.

“Nope, didn’t know no one named John.” She shook her head and then looked down at her feet, avoiding eye contact with JP.

JP observed her body language. “Do you mind looking at something for me? It’s a little bit morbid, but I came across something that concerned me and I want to make sure Betty isn’t in trouble.” He took out the photo of John’s dead body Sabre had faxed him and showed the two women. “Do you know this man?”

“Yes, that’s Jim,” Alice answered, her eyes wide at the sight of the dead man in the picture. “So he did die. What a shame!”

JP watched Rose as she saw the photo. Her face turned somber, tears starting to well up in her eyes. She swallowed and took a breath, composing herself. “You okay?” JP asked.

“Yes, just surprised. I had no idea Jim was dead. He was such a good man, always there to help everyone.”

“Did you know them well?”

“Not that well, just trailer park buddies,” Rose said.

Alice wrinkled her brow at Rose. “Yeah, she’s right. Betty was really my friend. She spent a lot of time with me.” She shook her head. “Poor thing, losing her husband.”

“I better be going,” Rose said, as she took a step toward her house.

“What’s your hurry, Rose? You were going to help me with that crochet stitch, remember?”

“I’m sorry, Alice, another time. My stomach is acting up again.” She walked off.

“I think the photo upset her.” Alice said, as she turned to JP. “She has a weak stomach.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry I brought it out. I better go, too. Thanks again.”

As soon as JP left he called Sabre. “Do you still have Betty’s cell phone?”

“Yes, why?”

“I want you to check it in the next ten or fifteen minutes and see if she received a call. If so, get me the number.”

“Okay, but what’s going on?”

“I think I may have found someone who knows the scoop on Betty and John. I’ll catch you up as soon as I follow up on this.”

“Wait, I’m turning her phone on now.” She paused. “A call came in about two minutes ago with a five-one-two area code.”

“Bingo! That’s it.”

“How did you know a call was coming in?”

“Just a hunch. I’ll call you back.” JP hung up and walked toward Alice’s trailer, counted five down, and stopped near Rose’s place. He dialed the number Sabre had given him but didn’t push send. Keeping his finger on the send button of his cell phone inside his pocket, he walked up to her front door and knocked.

Rose came to the door. “Hi, Rose. We need to talk about Betty.”

“I told you everything I know, and I’m really not feeling well. Could we do this another time?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s very important, and I know you called her after you left here.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t call anyone.” JP pushed the send button on his phone. “There’s my phone now. I need to get that.” She started to walk away.

“That’s me calling, Rose. I got the number off Betty’s phone.”

“Look, I don’t know anything.” She turned and faced JP, but stayed back from the door. “I don’t know where she is. I didn’t know Jim was dead. I don’t know anything.” Rose trembled as she spoke. “Please don’t hurt me. I really don’t know anything.”

“I’m so sorry,” JP said through the screen. “I’m not here to hurt you. I’m not here to hurt anyone. Come out here and sit down, outside here where everyone can see us, and I’ll tell you what I know. Maybe we can help each other…and Betty.”

Rose came out, still shaking, and reluctantly sat down.

“You didn’t know John…er…Jim was dead, did you?”

Her voice cracked when she spoke, “No, I didn’t. What happened?”

“He was murdered.” JP didn’t want to blurt it out, but there was no other way.

“Oh, my God.” Rose gasped. “And Betty, is she…?”

“No, she’s alive, but she’s in the hospital. She had a heart attack. She’s stable now, but we haven’t been able to talk to her since she had her surgery two days ago.”

Rose sat there, shaking her head in disbelief. “Who are you, anyway?”

“I’m a private investigator. I work for Betty’s attorney.”

“Why does Betty have an attorney?”

“She’s been charged with Jim’s murder.”

“That’s ridiculous. She wouldn’t kill Jim. They loved each other more than anyone I’ve ever met. They gave up everything to be together.”

“What do you mean? What did they give up?”

“I don’t know exactly. I just know they had another life they had to walk away from, and then one day they had to leave this one. She told me that day she was leaving, but I’m sure she didn’t tell anyone else. And she never told me what she was afraid of, just that they had to go, that their lives were in danger.”

“Did you know where they moved to?”

“No, she didn’t want me to know in case someone came looking for her. She didn’t want me to be in danger. I was so scared when I saw you at Alice’s.”

“I didn’t handle that very well. I’m sorry,” JP apologized. “I’m thinking her past caught up to her, and Jim was killed because of it. We don’t even know if they were after her, or him, or both of them. Did she ever say anything that might give us a clue where to start looking?” JP paused. He looked at Rose pleadingly. “The only way we’re going to clear Betty is to find who really killed her husband.”

“What has Betty told you?”

“Not much. She’s apparently still afraid of what might happen if she talks. I don’t know if she’s afraid for herself or someone else. Did she have any family?”

“Not that I know of. When they first moved here, they said they were from West Virginia, but I don’t think they were. She didn’t seem to know that much about it, and she always changed the subject when it came up, so I didn’t pry. Her past was her business. We all have a past, things we regret in life. I just know they’re good people.”

“Thanks, Rose.” She was breathing easier now, as JP handed her his business card. “Please call me if you think of anything else. I apologize again for upsetting you.”

As JP started to walk away, Rose called out. “Wait. There’s a possibility she spent some time in Wisconsin.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because once we were talking, and I mentioned the place where I was born, a place called Klondike Corner. When I said that, she said, ‘In Brighton?’ Jim gave her a very odd, stern look and Betty looked surprised, as if she suddenly realized what she’d said. When I said it was in Wisconsin she tried to say the one she knew was in West Virginia. I tried to pursue it but she clammed up. Klondike Corner is an unincorporated area in Brighton, Wisconsin. Brighton itself has a population of fewer than fifteen hundred; Klondike Corner has way less than that. It’s a very small place. What are the chances of another town with the same ‘corner’ in another state?”

“I suppose it’s possible. She never brought it up again?”

“No, she didn’t. But I asked her about it once when Jim wasn’t around. She said I must’ve misunderstood, but I know what she said. And she had such a strange reaction, even then with Jim not there. She stammered and said she had to go.”

16

“Thanks for picking me up at the airport,” JP said as he and Sabre walked across the parking lot to the IHOP on Balboa. JP reached around Sabre and opened the door for her.

“My pleasure. Besides you said you needed to talk to me about Betty. Do I want to hear this?”

“Probably not.” They walked to a table on the patio and sat down. Sabre placed her briefcase on the seat next to her.

“Do you have any good news to tell me? If so, maybe I could have that first.”

“Yes, I do. The good news is you don’t need to be suspicious about the death of Betty’s last husband, Jim, because he didn’t die from a heart attack in Texas.”

“So, he’s not dead?” Sabre tipped her head to the side and curled her lip up.

“Well, actually he is dead, but he wasn’t dead when Betty told you he was dead.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Jim and John are the same person. Jim didn’t die like Betty said. Jim was very much alive when they sneaked out of Texas in the middle of the night.”

“So, why did they do that?”

“I don’t know. Betty’s friend, Rose, thought they were afraid of someone, but who knows. They could’ve been running from the law. What do you know about Betty before she came to California?”

“Nothing really.”

“Right, and there are no photos of anyone. No mention of family or friends. There’s something very odd going on.”

Sabre shook her head. “I don’t get it. She’s just a nice, sweet lady. What could she possibly have done?”

“I’m still working on that. I have a lead I need to follow up on, but I don’t know if it means anything or not; it’s something I got from Rose.”

“What’s that?”

“She mentioned another place Betty may have lived. I’ll check it out and let you know if it leads anywhere.”

The waiter took their order. Sabre sat in silence mulling over what she had just heard. When the food came, they ate with little conversation.

“We’ll get to the bottom of this, Sabre.” JP took a drink of his coffee.

Sabre nodded her head. “I’m sure you will, JP. I just don’t know whether to be angry or sad. I still don’t believe she had anything to do with John’s death, but frankly, she’s starting to annoy me.” Sabre sighed. “When I confront Betty with this, hopefully she’ll give us some straight answers.”

“That would certainly make my job easier. How’s she doing, by the way?”

“She’s more alert. They think they can take her tube out this afternoon. I’m going to the hospital to check on her as soon as I leave here.”

“Good. Do you want me there with you?”

“No. I think I’ll try it alone first. She may be more willing to open up. Besides, I want you to do a little investigating into another case for me.” Sabre opened her briefcase, removed a file, and handed it to JP. “This is the Kemp case.”

“What am I looking for?”

“I need a background check. Their criminal record is already listed. There’s nothing for the mother, but Mr. Kemp has a trespassing charge in Charleston, West Virginia. See what that’s all about.”

“Is that it?”

“See if there are any other criminal charges the department might have missed. And see if there’s anything else unusual that might help me determine what level of protection these children need.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

Sabre reached for the check, but JP picked it up before she could. “I’ve got it.”

Sabre didn’t fight with him. She knew it was no use. “Thanks.” She smiled.

They left the table and walked outside toward the car. JP put his arm around Sabre’s shoulder. “I’m sure there’s some reasonable explanation for all this,” he said, as he gently squeezed her arm.

“I expect so,” Sabre responded. She found some relief in JP’s confidence. “Thanks.”

Sabre dropped JP at his house and drove to the hospital where she found Betty sitting in her slightly elevated bed, with her tube gone. “Hi, you’re looking a lot better today.”

“Thanks, I am.” Betty, still in her hospital gown, hair uncombed, and no make-up spoke weakly.

“And she speaks,” Sabre announced. “Good to see you’re doing better. You had us all worried.”

Betty forced a smile and in a hoarse voice said, “Sorry I’m so much trouble.”

“You’re no trouble.” Sabre took a deep breath, wondering if she should question Betty.

“What’s the matter?”

Sabre shook her head. “Nothing that can’t wait. We’ll talk tomorrow if you’re feeling up to it.”

“Thanks.” Betty laid her head back and scooted down. “Could you lower my bed for me? I’m really tired.”

“Sure.”

Sabre sat at the bedside until Betty fell asleep. She drove back to her office and attempted to prepare for the next morning’s hearings. She had a trial to prepare for. She had to stay focused, but Betty and John, or Jim, whatever his name was, kept creeping into her thoughts. She’s afraid of something. I hope she didn’t commit a crime. God, I hope she didn’t kill John. No way. She couldn’t have.

The phone rang, startling her. It was Luke. “How would you like to go out on the town tonight?”

Sabre smiled, welcoming the distraction, and giddy at the thought of spending time with him. “Sure, I’d like that. Where do you want to go?”

“You just go home. I’ll pick you up. Dress nicely, but casually. Oh, and wear comfortable shoes. We both know you have plenty to choose from,” he teased.

Sabre put on a nice pair of black slacks, a light-weight red and black sweater, and a cushy pair of black boots. She was ready when her date arrived. “You look scrumptious,” Luke said, nibbling at her neck.

Chills ran down Sabre’s back as she reached up and put her arms around his neck. He worked his way around her face, kissing her gently, until he reached her open lips. “Hmm…you taste scrumptious, too.” He swooped down and picked her up and started toward the bedroom.

“I thought we were going out.”

Luke swung her around. “Right, and I have reservations. I lost my head for a moment. I guess we better go.”

“So, where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

Sabre picked up her new leather jacket and slipped it on. It fit her form perfectly, stopping at her waist. She zipped it up about six inches. “Well, at least tell me if I’m dressed all right?”

“You’re perfect…in every way.”

Sabre smiled at him. They walked to his car. He opened her door, and then closed it behind her. When he got in the car he reached over and squeezed her leg, then started the engine and drove off.
Maybe I’ve finally found the man of my dreams. Heaven knows, I’ve waited long enough.

“What are you thinking and smiling about?” Luke asked.

“Just happy to be here with you,” Sabre said, unable to wipe the smile off her face.

Luke winked at her. He drove south on I-163 until it ended, continued on Tenth Street until he reached Market, and turned right.

“Dick’s Last Resort?” Sabre asked.

“Nope.”

“Good. Last time I went there, I was in a food fight. I don’t want to ruin my new jacket.”