Hoaley Ill-Manored (17 page)

Beneath him on the dirt floor, was a small
bunch of vibrantly colored flowers with soft brown centers.

Daisies.

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN

CC was coming in the door as Adam was going
out. The detective grabbed Adam’s arm to stop him. “Whoa there,
Hoale. Where’s the fire?”

Adam jerked his arm away. “Did you find
Worth?”

“Not yet. Krepps is updating Chief Deputy
Robinson and getting a search warrant. I told you, Hoale, we’re
going by the book on this.”

“Whatever. I’m going into town. If you want
to talk you’ll need to come with me.”

CC turned and followed him out to the truck.
“Just hold on a minute and tell me what’s going on! Where are you
running off to so fast? And what’s that in your hand?”

Adam handed CC the canvas. “I found that in
the attic.” He pulled open the truck door and then remembered
Walter. Whistling for the big dog, he waited, watching CC over the
top of the truck as the detective scanned the drawing.

“Does this mean something to you?”

“You didn’t see the noose and flowers in the
cabin in the woods. This could be an exact replication of that,
minus the body.”

CC frowned, “But this is really old.”

“Exactly.”

Walter came lumbering around the house, tail
wagging happily. Adam pulled open the back door for him. “Get in
the truck, Walter.”

Apparently seeing that he wasn’t going to be
able to keep Adam there, CC climbed into the truck and buckled up.
“Where are you taking this?”

There’s a little local museum in Ashville.
I’m hoping the proprietor will know who this belongs to.”

CC studied the yellowed, ragged edged
canvas. “You think this picture is connected to the attack on
Dirk?”

“I think that picture means something sick
and twisted to the person who attacked Dirk. I think that person
has been in the house previously and I think he was in the house
before we came here and he hopes to be here once he’s run us
off.”

“You’re talking about a squatter? Why would
a random squatter try to kill Dirk? It doesn’t make sense.”

With a start, Adam realized CC didn’t know
about the rumors of hidden jewels. So he filled him in on the
history of the place, the CliffsNotes version.

By the time Adam finished, CC was shaking
his head. “That’s a little far-fetched, Hoale.”

“That little gun I dug up in Teddy Worth’s
barn was part of that stolen cache.”

CC’s eyes widened, but when he thought about
it he appeared to accept the possibility. “The gun would be about
the right age. I did wonder where a family like the Worths got a
gun like that and why they’d hidden it in the ground. They don’t
strike me as the jeweled gun type.”

Adam snorted. “Not unless you’ve seen a
double barreled shotgun with gems glued on the barrel.”

CC grinned, shaking his head. “Okay, so
let’s assume you have a treasure hunter living in your attic, I
guess that would explain why people who own this place don’t live
here for long, and why your gazebo was torched.”

“And why people have thought the place was
haunted for years.”

“So why haven’t you seen him before?”

“Seen who?”

“The guy squatting at the manor. You and
your guys have been going in and out of that attic, wouldn’t you
have seen the guy by now?”

Adam shrugged. “It’s a huge house, CC. I’m
sure, like the dumbwaiter channel, he would have known all the
little nooks and crannies by now. And I doubt he’s been there full
time. He probably comes and goes.”

“But why would the guy be escalating things
now?”

Adam shrugged. “Maybe he realizes I’m not
going to be scared away very easily.”

“If that’s true, it makes perfect sense for
him to target Dirk. He’s definitely your soft spot.”

Adam stared straight ahead, afraid if he
moved the tender area at the center of his heart might burst open
and spew acid through his body.

Silence reigned in the truck for a few
minutes and then CC said. “Maybe the doors to the veranda aren’t
defective after all. Maybe your squatter opened them to let Walter
out.”

Adam turned a terrified gaze toward CC. Of
course! Why hadn’t he seen it before? “That means it probably
is
Teddy Worth.”

CC frowned, “How the hell did you come to
that conclusion?”

“Walter. He doesn’t trust people who skulk
around. He might have trusted Worth because he’s seen him with me a
few times. He wouldn’t have allowed a complete stranger to wander
around the manor unaccosted.”

“I’ve never seen Walter attack anybody,
Hoale.”

“No. Not attack, but he stands far enough
away so they can’t grab him and barks his fool head off. One of us
would have heard him.”

Adam parked at the museum and climbed out,
clipping a leash on Walter. The three of them went inside and Bev
Wilkins looked up from the counter, smiling. “Back so soon?”

“I am. Is it all right if he comes in here?”
Adam indicated Walter. “It’s too hot to leave him outside.”

“Absolutely.” Bev reached behind the counter
and pulled out a dog treat. “Can he have a cookie?”

“He’d like that. Thanks.”

Adam took the canvas from CC as Bev gave
Walter his treat. Walter trotted over to a corner and flopped down
with his cookie, happily scarfing it as Adam handed the drawing to
Bev. “I found this at Bilsworth Manor. I wondered if you’d seen it
before or if you knew who I could ask.”

Bev took the sheet from him and immediately
nodded. “Oh my, yes. This is part of the American Slave series. If
I’m not mistaken it’s the Jenks drawing, entitled
Retribution
. See this?” She touched a black slash across the
bottom corner. Adam squinted at it and thought maybe he could make
out the word
Retribution
. It was definitely open to
interpretation though.

“This appears to be an original.” Bev went
on. “I’ve only seen reproductions.” She pointed to the far side of
the room where several framed works of similar drawings hung on the
wall. “We have a local artist who does the reproductions for us.
He’s very talented…” Her finger traced the flowers scattered across
the ground. “But nothing as vibrant as this. Amazing.” She looked
up. “Where did you say you found this?”

“It was in the attic, wrapped in an old
blanket.”

Bev shook her head. “Incredible. You know
this is probably worth thousands of dollars?”

“No. I didn’t know that. But I’d say it’s
probably worth much more than that to somebody.” Adam offered.

Bev nodded, her attractive face completely
without guise. “I’m sure you’re right. I wonder if you’d let me put
this here, in the museum?”

CC stepped forward. “Right now this is
evidence, ma’am.”

She slid him a look that had Adam making
introductions. “Bev, this is Detective Clandestine from the
Indianapolis Police Department.”

“You’re a ways from home.” And her smile
told him that she wished he’d go back where he’d come from. “What
exactly is this evidence for, Detective Clandestine?”

Adam threw him a warning look. The last
thing they wanted was for Dirk’s attack to hit the news.

“I can’t tell you that yet, ma’am. Do you
have any idea where this drawing might have come from?”

“I’d heard Lolly Worth had one of the
paintings, but that was a very long time ago. It was part of what
Delf Worth gave her as a wedding gift. In fact he had the entire
series commissioned as a surprise on her twentieth birthday. They
were to be married the following month, in September, 1940.” Bev
shook her head. “Such a sad story.”

Adam swung a quick look toward CC. “You said
Delf gave Lolly these drawings, do you know what happened to them
after that?”

“I believe the family sold some of them off
to collectors over the years, to make ends meet. But Lolly
supposedly started hiding some of her treasures after a while.
George Worth just about drank everything they had away. It was the
only way she could stop him.”

CC smiled. “You seem to know a lot about the
Worths, Ms. Wilkins.”

“My husband was George Worth’s best friend.
They used to do everything together…including the drinking.” She
shook her head. But Pem…my husband, stopped drinking years ago and
never went back.” She looked at Adam. “You met him…well, you passed
him on the way out of here yesterday.” She smiled.

Another piece of the puzzle dropped into
place. “He reminded me of someone.”

“He gets that a lot. When he and Teddy are
together, people think they’re related.”

“Teddy Worth?”

Bev’s smile widened. “Yes. You know
Teddy?”

“I’ve met him several times.”

“He’s a good boy. He’s trying hard to make a
life for himself. It’s not easy you know, living under George’s
shadow. That man hurt a lot of people while he lived here.” She
frowned.

“Has George contacted anybody here since he
left?” CC asked.

Bev’s eyes widened. “Oh, I thought you knew.
He was killed, years back. Old Edgar Reeves reported it. I’m
surprised he didn’t tell you.”

Adam shot CC a look before asking, “How did
he die?”

“Apparently he got drunk and drove his truck
into the reservoir. He was such a mess by the time they found him
that poor Edgar could barely make the identification. He looked
like he’d been badly beaten…and being in the water for two days…”
She shuddered at the memory. “I was a young woman at the time and
nosy. The police tried to keep everyone out of the area when they
pulled George from the water, but I snuck down there anyway. I
always wished I hadn’t.” Her expression was filled with horror as
she remembered. After a moment she seemed to shake off the memories
and her gaze slid back to Adam. “Pem feels responsible for Teddy,
since he was with the boy’s daddy drinking the night George went
into the reservoir. He’s lived with that guilt for years.”

“Your husband was in the truck when it went
into the water?” CC asked.

“No. George had just dropped Pem off at home
and was on his way home himself, apparently.

Adam found it interesting that neither Teddy
nor Edgar had told him about George Worth’s death. “Thanks for your
help, Bev.” He put his hand out for the drawing and she reluctantly
returned it to him.

“My offer still holds on that drawing, Mr.
Hoale. I’d love to showcase it here at the museum.”

He nodded. “I’ll think about it. Thanks
again.”

They waited until they were in the car
before speaking. Adam glanced at CC. Need any more proof this is
Teddy?”

“It certainly has earned him some more
questions anyway. But you’re not coming along. I’m gonna go pick up
Officer Krepps and take him with me.”

Adam considered arguing but he was suddenly
too tired. He just wanted the current mess to be over. “Just tell
me when you arrest him so I can open a beer.”

Adam was glad to see that Edgar Reeves’ car
was still there when he arrived back at the manor. He watched CC
drive away while Walter did his business and then headed into the
house. Edgar was sitting in the sunny kitchen, staring out of the
streaky window over the new country sink.

Adam looked around, noting for the first
time since his world turned upside down the changes being wrought
in the huge kitchen. The slate tiles were down, though they were
covered by plastic to keep them dust free, new concrete countertops
had been laid on the island in the center and over the cabinets.
The copper ceiling above the island had been restored to its former
brightness. The green of the cabinets looked beautiful with the
copper and the darker accents on the floor and countertops.

“It’s really coming together isn’t it,
son?”

Adam nodded. “You and Maddy have done a
great job.”

The man shrugged. “I’d never heard of
concrete for a counter, but it turned out real nice. That Maddy’s a
gem.”

“She certainly is. Edgar, I need to ask you
something.”

The old man looked up from his tea.
“Certainly.”

Adam stood next to the table, trying to
figure out where to start. Finally he just jumped right in. “Why
didn’t you tell me George Worth was dead?”

Edgar looked shocked. “I didn’t? Well, I do
apologize, son. Sometimes this old mind gets a little mixed up.
George Worth drove his truck into the reservoir over twenty years
ago. He’d been drinking of course.” Edgar shook his head. “Teddy
was only eight or ten, just a little guy. It was hard on that poor
family to lose their bread winner.”

Adam frowned. His instincts told him Edgar
was telling him the truth. But with everything that had gone on
over the last few days, he barely trusted his instincts
anymore.

Maddy hurried into the kitchen, looking
pleased. “You were right, Edgar, that shade of green paint brought
out the gold in the marble floors just perfectly.” She smiled when
she saw Adam. “Hey! I didn’t hear your truck drive up. Did you go
see Dirk?”

Thinking of Dirk’s visitor that morning and
the probable outcome, Adam knew he should stay as far away from the
hospital as possible, or he might embarrass himself begging Dirk to
stay. “No. I’ll call him later. Franklin was going to visit him
this morning.”

Maddy met his gaze, understanding him as
only a long-time friend can do. “Okay, honey. If you want to go in
the morning I’d like to go with you.”

“Sure.”

She looked at Edgar. “You ready to go?”

The old man glanced at Adam. “Are we good,
son?”

“Sure, we can talk more later. You’ll be
here tomorrow right?”

Edgar pushed to his feet and doffed his old
guy hat. “I will. Maddy and I are tackling the master bedroom
tomorrow.” His smile of genuine pleasure made Adam sad. He really
hoped Edgar hadn’t been working with Teddy against them. He hated
to think about cutting the old guy loose. But he would if he
couldn’t trust him. Adam needed to trust the people he worked
with.