The Corpse Wore Cashmere (18 page)

Wesley pulled into the parking lot and next to a marked unit. Only then did he notice the small neon sign that said
vacancy
. The motel was a one-story cinderblock structure. An EMS vehicle, the coroner’s van, and two more police units had gathered in front of the last room on the right. Yellow tape cordoned off the room and surrounded a car parked out front. Kerry stood in the opened doorway.

“I’ll give Kerry a call and let him know we’re here,” Wesley said. A few minutes later he hung up his phone.

“Well?” Dylan asked.

“They’re about to wrap up their initial investigation. He said he’d meet us in the lobby.” Wesley backed out his Tundra and pulled closer to the motel’s entrance.

The rain had slacked and now came down in a steady drizzle. The three of them hurried from the truck. Once inside, Dylan and Susan brushed off the water. Wesley didn’t bother. He was still wet from running to get the truck at the Pirates’ Reef.

“Can I help you?” the man behind the front desk asked in a grumpy and unenthusiastic voice.

“No, thanks. We’re waiting for one of the deputies,” Wesley said.

The man leaned over the counter and looked down toward Randy’s room. “I wish they’d hurry and get through with what they’re doing. All those flashing lights will scare off customers.”

Susan studied the overweight man’s ruddy complexion. That a man lay dead in one of his rooms didn’t seem to bother him, only that the motel might lose money.

“We might as well have a seat,” Wesley said.

The lobby, or at least the area designated as such, wasn’t much bigger than Susan’s bedroom. Stains covered the brown vinyl upholstery on the sofa and two overstuffed chairs. She could imagine all sorts of nasty little critters crawling around inside. This place was crawling with germs. No telling what diseases were hidden between the pages of dog-eared magazines scattered atop the end tables. “I’ll stand, if you don’t mind,” she said to Wesley.

“Can’t say I blame you.”

The front door opened, and Kerry hustled through, brushing water from his poncho. He motioned with his head for them to move further into the room, away from the obviously curious desk clerk. “How’s Chief Powell?” he asked Dylan.

“Doing better. They’re going to run some tests.”

“That’s good to hear. Now, about Randy, the coroner’s initial assessment is suicide. There was no forced entry, and a .38 caliber Ruger was beside him on the bed. I’m pretty sure ballistics will confirm it’s the murder weapon. The serial number has been removed, so there’s no way to trace it. Odds are we’ll find only Randy’s prints on the gun.”

“It’s all rather convenient, don’t you think?” Wesley asked. He repeated the questions Dylan had raised in the truck. Then after a nudge from Susan, he asked, “I know you were checking everywhere for Randy, so I assumed you investigated this place, showed Randy’s photo.”

“Of course we did, but that old codger behind the desk said he never saw Randy.”

“He rented Randy a room, didn’t he?” Dylan asked.

“No, he rented the room to a woman. Never saw anyone with her.”

“Who was she?” Dylan asked.

“All he knows was that she was middle-aged with brown hair. Too bad they don’t have security cameras. She paid cash for several nights, and he didn’t ask any questions.”

“What name did she give?” Wesley asked.

“Marilyn Monroe.” Kerry’s mouth curled into a smirk. “It’s that kind of place. He did write down her license plate. He said she left shortly after renting the room and never returned. We had no problem locating Ms. Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn is a rich old lady who’s a frequent visitor at the Pirates’ Reef Casino. She said she rented the room for Randy as a favor.

“Deputies also questioned the owner of the car found out front. She said she loaned it to Randy as a favor. We’re pretty sure neither knew anything about Randy being wanted for murder. Seems Randy had a harem of old broads. Oh, well, it takes all kinds.”

“I’m assuming no one heard anything, and that there are no witnesses,” Wesley said.

“You’re right on both counts. You can see how far away the room is from here, and the rooms next to Randy’s are vacant.”

“Who discovered the body?” Wesley asked.

“The cleaning woman. She said that even though he had a ‘do not disturb sign’ on the door, after a couple of days, she decided he must need fresh towels. When she couldn’t get anyone to answer the door, she let herself in. She went ballistic. We like to never have calmed her down enough to answer our questions.”

“How long has Randy been dead?” Dylan asked.

“Coroner estimates twelve hours or less. The autopsy will give us a more definitive time.” Kerry shook his head. “Can you believe we found a pirate’s costume and a woman’s long, blonde wig in his room? I’m guessing pretty boy used the wig when he went somewhere in the borrowed car.”

“Yeah, like when he drove to the Sea Side Marina to set off the bomb. He had to have used a disposable cell phone for the detonator,” Dylan said.

“We’re still working that angle,” Kerry said. “And I’m still convinced someone must have helped Randy with the bomb.”

“Where’s your morgue?” Wesley asked.

Kerry laughed. “What morgue, city boy? We’re not there yet. However, we do have one under construction. For now, we send all bodies to a funeral home where a forensic pathologist conducts the autopsy. I’ll send you a copy of his report.”

“Kerry, you know my dad’s getting up in age. I’m optimistic Dad will make a full recovery, but even if he does, it’s going to take him a while to get up to full speed. I think it’s time he starts thinking about retiring. I’m going to talk with him about that. You ever think about running for sheriff? I know he thinks the world of you, and should he decide to retire, I’m sure he’d back you. Until then, I’m glad you’ll be here to look after him.”

Kerry put his arm around Dylan’s shoulder. “We’ve always looked after each other,” he said, clearing his throat. “Are y’all still leaving in the morning?”

“If we want to keep our jobs,” Wesley said. “There’s nothing we can do here. Randy’s death is all yours.”

“I’ll be back Tuesday or Wednesday to check Dad out of the hospital if all goes well. I want to make sure he gets settled and has all the help he’ll need,” Dylan said.

Kerry looked from Wesley to Susan. “Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. You’re always welcome.”

As they walked back to the truck, Susan moved closer to Wesley and slid her arm around his waist. “I’m glad it’s over…glad things will get back to normal,” she whispered.

It might have been over, but Wesley and Dylan continued to discuss Randy’s death all the way back to the Pirates’ Reef. Suicide or murder, Randy’s death would officially close their case. It’d be up to Mississippi to investigate Randy’s death. If they were ever to get answers to their questions, it would have to come through them.

“I can’t believe we got so close to bringing him back, only to have a door slammed in our face,” Wesley said.

“Me either. And I don’t buy that Randy’s death was a suicide. That wimp didn’t have the guts to pull the trigger. On the other hand, pretty boy knew what he’d face in prison.”

The rain stopped, and the wiper blades screeched across the windshield. Wesley turned them off and drummed his fingers atop the steering wheel. “I’m with you, Dylan. I don’t think it was a suicide, either. Neither do I think he built the bomb. His profile isn’t one of a consummate criminal. It takes training and skill to construct a bomb like the one that blew up his boat. He had to have had help. I hate it that we’re left with more questions than answers.”

Susan didn’t comment, but she agreed with their assessment. She had unanswered questions of her own. Lorraine’s remains had been recovered not long after she saw the woman’s face beneath the water, but the vision of the bright light remained a mystery. And since she had first seen it in Palmetto, it must have something to do with Lorraine’s case.

She decided she shouldn’t keep it a secret any longer. Maybe they could make sense of it. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
Here goes nothing
, she thought. “There’s something we’re missing, or something that’s yet to happen.”

Wesley eyed her with a questioning gaze. “I know that look. You saw something else, didn’t you?”

“I’ve been trying to figure out its meaning, but I keep drawing a blank.” She looked at Dylan. “I hope you don’t think I’m crazy.”

Wesley gave a low groan. “I told Dylan about your visions, and he’s onboard with them, so let’s have it.”

Dylan leaned closer. “I believe in that sort of thing. Some people just have a gift, Susan. Give us a shot. What have you got to lose?”

Susan felt uncomfortable discussing the subject with Dylan, but she also knew that as partners, Wesley and Dylan had no secrets between them. If Wesley trusted Dylan, so could she. “The first vision I had was when Lorraine’s face appeared beneath the water, and we know where that led. But on several occasions, a bright light has appeared. It all but blinds me. From the center, long rays extend out in all directions, and the light disappears as quickly as it comes. I’m left with tears rolling down my cheeks while my eyes adjust to normal conditions.”

“What happens right before you see the light?” Dylan asked. “Are you talking to someone in particular or looking at a specific object?”

She shook her head. “No. It can appear at any time, even when I’m sleeping. What could it possibly mean?”

They rode the rest of the way to the hotel in silence. Neither Wesley nor Dylan had an answer.

It was after one o’clock in the morning by the time they arrived back at the Pirates’ Reef. The crowd in the ballroom had thinned considerably, but the music was still at full volume. Jack and A. K. were still at their table, nursing a drink.

“I love your outfit, especially your hair.” A. K. said giving Susan the once-over.

Susan had forgotten she was still wearing Wesley’s windbreaker, and her wet, stringy hair clung to her forehead. “Latest trend, don’t you know?”

“Dylan stopped long enough to tell us Randy was dead before he bolted out of here,” A. K. said. “Is it true? He’s really dead?”

Wesley pulled out a chair for Susan, and he and Dylan gathered around the table. “Too much noise in here. Why don’t we go where we can talk?”

They relocated to a table in the back of a lounge where Wesley filled in A. K. and Jack on what had transpired at the Silver Sands Motel.

“Guess that wraps up your case,” Jack said.

“Not exactly to my liking, but yes,” Wesley said.

“Anybody want anything to drink?” Dylan asked. When everyone passed, he ordered a beer. Afterwards, he took a long pull and said, “If you all will excuse me, I want to see if my, uh, dance partner is still around.” He strode out of the lounge, beer in hand, and in the direction of the ballroom.

“It’s getting harder and harder to keep up with that boy,” Wesley said, glancing at Susan. “Don’t know about you, but I’m ready to call it a night.”

“I’m with you,” she said, pushing up from the table.

“We don’t have to get up early,” A. K. said. “Check out is one p.m. What say we start packing up about noon? That should give us plenty of time to load the van.”

“Works for me,” Susan said.

She and Wesley told them goodnight and took the elevator to the second floor.

“I can’t believe it is over,” she said when they entered her room, “unless my vision of the bright light points to something totally unrelated.”

“I know how you feel. Things are just too disconnected, and I’ve never had a case yanked from my hands. I want to see it all wrapped up in a neat package…no loose ends. This doesn’t work for me.”

“I’ve been thinking about Myrtle, how she’ll take the news about Randy. Do you plan to tell her about Lorraine blackmailing Karl or that she was skimming from the escort service? What exactly are you going to say to her?”

“I’m going to tell her everything. Myrtle’s no dummy. She had to suspect Lorraine was involved in something. The worst thing I can do is perpetuate a lie.”

“Myrtle’s not the only one who suffered because of Lorraine. Karl’s suicide has affected a lot of people in Palmetto. Zelda will need help coping with his loss. I’m amazed how one person’s greed can wreak such havoc on a community.”

Wesley turned his head toward his shoulder and wrinkled his nose. “Talking about reek, I could use a shower and change of clothes, and I’m sure you’ll want to get out of your costume.” He made his way to the door. “I’ll be back in a little while.”

By the time he returned, Susan had finished her bath and changed into something comfortable. She donned an ecru knit top and a pair of dark brown slacks.

“You look great,” he said, “but I have to admit, I liked your pirate costume, too.” A mischievous grin crossed his lips. He took her in his arms and kissed her. “I’ve wanted to do that all day.”

She nibbled at his neck. “Me too.”

“I don’t know about you, but the explosion, Chief Powell’s heart attack, and Randy’s death has left me beat.”

“So am I. You know, it’s been a long time since you just held me.”

He slipped his arms around her, and they lay back on the bed.

“I want us to make reservations this summer for somewhere on the coast, maybe Destin. We need time together, away from everyone and everything, time to really get to know one another again. So much has happened since we went our separate ways. You’re not the boy I once knew, and I know I’ve changed. Let’s be honest. The physical attraction is as strong as ever, but we both have obstacles to overcome. I don’t know if I can adjust to your job, knowing that every time you leave, you could be killed. And don’t tell me my visions aren’t a problem.” She snuggled closer. “And here I thought coming home and rekindling our relationship was going to be easy.”

“Easy? Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, but whatever our problems, we can overcome them. We’re right for each other. I know that much.”

He stared up at the ceiling. She’d have given anything to know what he was thinking. If only she could see into the future, know for sure that everything was going to work out for them, but she couldn’t. For now, she had to be content that he was near. Lying with her head on his shoulder and arm across his chest, she soaked in his warmth and listened to the rhythmic sound of his breathing. Soon, it lulled her to sleep.