A Finder's Fee (24 page)

“What?”

“Only one of the new ones. You know where this leads if I have to testify against Dillon. Or if I do
anything
they want me to. I’m not leaving Duck, Kevin. I don’t care.”

Neither one of us felt like eating. We huddled in the booth farthest from the door and tried to decide what to do next.

“You’re going to have to work with them,” Kevin said. “I know you’re looking for a safe way to do it. One way or another, once they target you, you have no choice.”

“There has to be some way to help them without ruining my life.”

“Let me make some phone calls. I might be able to find out exactly what’s going on and what they want from you.”

“Thanks. I’m sorry I had anything to do with Dillon now. I like talking to him, even though I know he’s dangerous. He understands about finding lost things.”

He took my hand. “We’ll figure something out. In the meantime, let’s go back to your house and see where we are with our murder investigation.”

We took his pickup to the house and sat in the kitchen for a while, not speaking. He excused himself and went outside to make a phone call. I could tell he was angry from the thin line his mouth had become as he had considered what to do. I didn’t want to cause him any trouble. I only wanted my shop back again.

For the first time since I’d opened Missing Pieces, I didn’t feel comfortable there. That was as much a loss to me as finding out the ATF had devised a scheme to use me to trap Dillon.

I missed my burgundy brocade sofa and my view of the Currituck Sound. I hoped when I got to the other side of this, I could go back and not think about it again.

Kevin came back in a few minutes later. He didn’t say anything about Dillon.

“I called my friend in Boston earlier today.” Kevin wrote on the big sticky note sheets Gramps and I had moved to the wall by the refrigerator. “Marvin Taylor has been dead for only the past six months. He could’ve been responsible for Joe’s death too, just like Blackie Rogers.”

“Not to mention Gramps and Chief Michaels, for that matter. Wally is the only one with a real alibi for that night.”

“Right now, anyway. We still have other badge holders to interview.”

“Wally said Rosie’s father owned a car dealership.” I wrote the information on a big sticky note. “Maybe we can find a Carpenter Ford dealership or something.”

“That was a long time ago, and we don’t know if the dealership had his name or was called something like Bayview Ford. Or for that matter, what kind of cars he sold. It could’ve been used cars.”

“I know. I’m sure it’s important to find her. She’s the key.”

He sat back in his chair and studied the sheets with information on them. “We’re going to have to find something really convincing for anyone to look at it after they found Joe’s car at Mad Dog’s house.”

I knew Luke would certainly agree with that. “We have to keep looking.”

“I guess that means we keep going through the badges. I know you have a town meeting tonight. Do you think there’s time to head out to Corolla before that?”

“Sure.” I frowned. “I’m really not looking forward to confronting Chief Peabody.”

“I’m not either. We might as well get it over with.”

It had started raining lightly while we’d been in the house. It continued all the way out to Corolla. Darkness had settled in early with the clouds. We only passed one other car all the way down from Duck.

We didn’t talk about Dillon, but I felt it was weighing heavily between us. Kevin was a very good person with a single-minded ideal of good and bad. Gramps was the same way. I understood them.

For me, good and bad weren’t so clear all the time. I felt a kinship with Dillon, even though I knew he’d led a life that would someday see him dead or in prison. Maybe it came from actually seeing inside of things where most people couldn’t see.

I felt like I understood Dillon too. Maybe that was wrong, but it was true.

The Corolla Police Department was part of the city hall building. It was easy to find Chief Peabody. He was the only one with his own office.

“Are you actually questioning me about what I was doing the night Joe Walsh died?” Chief Peabody asked angrily. “You both have a lot of nerve coming out here.”

“We mean no disrespect, Chief.” Kevin tried to put a different spin on our request. “We’re trying to find out if anyone in the sheriff’s department at that time knew anything about what happened to Joe.”

“I think you all should be in Duck talking to Mad Dog. I heard they found Joe’s car at his house. I’d say that fries his bacon.”

“Mad Dog was never a sheriff’s deputy.” I entered the fray. “I found a deputy’s badge at the site where Joe was killed. There are only ten of you the badge could’ve belonged to.”

The chief shot to his feet. “And you think I was involved? What possible reason could I have had to kill him?”

“Maybe a woman you were both in love with,” I suggested. “Maybe Rosie Carpenter. Did you know her?”

“I saw her around. Everyone did back then. What does she have to do with Joe?”

“They were married two days before he was killed.” I watched his face, but his expression never changed.

“Married, huh? All I can say is that she was lucky he disappeared before she was stuck with him. He wouldn’t take care of anyone—including himself. All he and Mad Dog knew was cars. People didn’t matter to them. And as for what I was doing the night Joe was killed, how do you know
when
he died after all these years?”

“He was never seen again after the race between him and Mad Dog. The police think—”

“I know what they think. I know what they all think. They’re wrong. Lightning Joe was still alive after that night. I gave him a speeding ticket for going eighty miles per hour on Highway Twelve a week later in that old hunk-of-junk car of his. You’d better get your timeline straight before you go around asking people what they were doing when Joe was killed.”

“Have you shared this with Chief Michaels or Sheriff Riley?” Kevin seemed surprised to hear that information. “I’m sure they’d like to hear it.”

Chief Peabody looked a little shamefaced. “I’ve been busy. You know we have stuff going on out here too. I plan to tell them what I know as soon as I can.”

“I’ll tell Chief Michaels to expect your call in the morning.” Kevin nodded to him, but they didn’t shake hands. He started walking toward the door, and I followed him, knowing he had to be angry to ignore a social courtesy.

I felt a little raw too when we went back out into the cold, wet night. “Well, that was a surprise. Do you think he’s lying about giving Joe a ticket after everyone else said he’d disappeared?”

“Dae?” Maggie tried to get into the conversation.

“Not now,” I whispered.

“It’s possible.” Kevin opened the door for me then went around to the other side of the pickup. “It would be hard to prove—one way or another. Nothing was computerized back then like it is today. Those records may exist or they may not. It would be his word against what could be called mythology since no one knew what happened to Joe until now.”

“Dae, please!”

“Maggie, tell me later!”

Kevin smiled at me. “Everything all right?”

“Ignore my discussions with myself, please.”

“Okay.”

I returned to our conversation. “No one except Joe’s sister and parents, who said he never came home again after the race.”

“You have proof Joe secretly married Rosie Carpenter before the last race. This speeding ticket could be the only proof that Joe didn’t die that night.”

“I guess this would be bad for Mad Dog if Chief Peabody has any kind of proof that Joe didn’t die that night. The only real thing Mad Dog had going for him is people saying he was too banged up from the wreck to kill Joe.”

“That’s true. We still have some other badges to go through. Maybe someone else will have another take on it.”

I groaned a little. “I wish I could hold their hands and know if they did it. This can’t go on much longer with Mad Dog. The election is closing in on us.”

Everything seemed to be stacking up against Mad Dog. I wasn’t sure if we were going to be able to keep him out of prison. I felt so certain that he hadn’t killed Joe. I wished I could show everyone what I’d seen to convince them.

I was relieved to see the terrible ad on the water tower was gone as we passed it going back home. I was definitely going to propose a new ordinance that absolutely no advertising could be put up there. I was sure, after seeing my ads up there, the council would agree with me.

Kevin dropped me off at the house, and I went in to change clothes and get ready for the council meeting. Gramps was home, and we talked over a quick dinner, with Treasure begging for table scraps. I told him what Chief Peabody had said about the speeding ticket.

“He said he’ll contact Chief Michaels or Sheriff Riley tomorrow morning.”

“I hope that makes a difference. A few days don’t really matter so much here. I don’t want to think Mad Dog is guilty of this any more than you do, honey,” Gramps said. “But you have to admit the evidence is overwhelming, whether Joe was killed the night Mad Dog was injured or a week later. Why else would he have Joe’s car at his house?”

“Has anyone asked him?”

“I talked to Ronnie a little while ago. He questioned Mad Dog when he and Laura got home from jail. Mad Dog told him he didn’t know about the car. He said the garage was empty the last time he was out there.”

“Maybe he’s telling the truth.”

“Maybe—but how else would the car get out there, Dae? It might have been there since Joe died. I’m afraid it makes a terrible kind of sense.”

I put on my raincoat and boots. I needed some time to be alone and clear my thoughts. This was a good opportunity. “I’ll see you later. Are you coming to the town council meeting?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I’m going to try putting the new plastic sides on the golf cart to keep the rain out. I can drive you down there if you want to wait a few minutes.”

“No, thanks.” I smiled as I edged toward the door. Gramps’s driving was a little scary sometimes. “See you there.”

My walk in the quiet rain between my house and the town hall wasn’t nearly long enough to solve all the problems running through my mind or answer all the questions. But it lightened my heart and made me feel as though it would somehow all work out. I didn’t understand how yet, but I held on to my faith.

The Duck Shoppes parking lot was full, a tribute to everything that had happened recently. People were bound to have a lot of questions, and Duck residents tended to be very vocal about their concerns. It was going to be an interesting council meeting.

A
s I’d thought, the council room was packed. Besides
having bigger offices in the new town hall, there would also be a larger public meeting room. It was going to be a worthwhile project for the future of Duck.

Everyone in the meeting room was talking to their neighbors, expressing their concerns about Mad Dog, as well as traffic speeding down Duck Road and sand erosion.

At least ten people had signed up to speak during the public forum. Two of them wanted to talk about banning advertising on the water tower. Five wanted to talk about crime. The other three had random concerns about everything from the new boardwalk to taxes.

“Big crowd.” La Donna took her place at the council table next to me. “I wish they would’ve all stayed home tonight. I really don’t want to be here.”

“I know what you mean.” I took a good look at her. She had dark circles under her eyes and had forgotten to wear her lipstick. She seemed depressed and worried. “Is everything okay?”

La Donna was someone I’d always looked up to. I’d never seen her less than prepared and enthusiastic about a meeting.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

She stopped biting her lip, but her hands still trembled. “I don’t think so, Dae, but thanks for offering. I think I’m the only one who can handle this.”

Chris Slayton, the town manager, came up to shake hands with all the council members. He seemed a little off too. I began to think maybe it was just me.

“I have a few resolutions you need to sign, Mayor.” He put the documents in front of me and handed me a pen. “I thought you’d like to know that construction is back on track at the town hall. We’re still looking at a July opening. I hope it will be before the parade.”

“That’s great, Chris. Thanks for telling me. I’m sorry for the delay.”

“Not a problem, ma’am. Maybe next time you could use your finding powers to do this kind of thing
before
the construction begins.”

“I’ll try to get it set up that way.” I wished it were that easy.

I waved to Gramps, who was standing in the back of the room with Chief Michaels. I was making sure my nameplate wasn’t upside down, as happened sometimes, when a hush fell over the council room. I looked up in time to see Mad Dog standing in the doorway, leaning heavily on his cane.

He looked uncertain, as though he might turn around and walk back out. He finally squared his shoulders, puffed out his chest and strode into the room. He glared at each person he passed until he reached the council table.

Everyone was silent, watching him. I could tell he’d lost a little weight with everything he’d been through. His gray sport coat fit him a little looser.

Laura and Amos came in after him. They found seats at the back and kept their eyes glued on him. Once he’d reached his place at the table, talk in the room began again. It was plain from the conversations that many people felt as though he shouldn’t be there. Loud whispers and rude remarks followed as he sat down.

The other council members shook hands with him. Chris did the same. There were no ordinances or any other kind of rule about a person accused of a crime sitting on the council. Mad Dog was within his rights to be there—at least until he was convicted.

The buzz in the room continued until I banged my gavel at seven
P.M.
and called the meeting to order. Kevin sneaked in through the door and managed to find a seat in the back. I nodded to Nancy, and she turned on the tape recorder.

“Welcome, everyone, to the Duck town council meeting,” I said as I always did. “We have a full agenda tonight, so please keep your remarks brief when you stand to be heard during the public forum. And don’t forget to give your name and address.”

We all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. We’d barely sat down again when August Grandin said from the audience, “What’s
he
doing here? Are we going to allow criminals on the council now?”

I brought my gavel down again. “You’re out of order, Mr. Grandin. You know we don’t allow shouting from the audience during the meeting. Just to clarify for everyone, Councilman Wilson is still a member of this governing body. He may be accused of a crime, but town statutes say that he can keep his seat until he is convicted of that crime. Everyone in this country is innocent until proven guilty, I think.”

There were a few people who applauded but as many who booed. I tried to get the room back in order so we could continue with the town’s business. People kept talking, but they were more subdued. I called Chris to present our first issue on the agenda.

“A businessman has submitted a proposal for a floating casino,” Chris said. “You’ll see the specifics in your packets. Mr. Hughes is here from Elizabeth City tonight to address the council regarding this matter.”

Hughes nodded to the council as he got to his feet. He was a tall, smooth-looking black man in an expensive gray suit.

I knew that name. He was the publicist Dillon had hired to do the advertising work for my campaign. I glanced quickly at the proposal for the floating casino. I felt convinced Dillon was behind it, using Carlton Hughes as a front person so he wouldn’t have to be out in the open.

Mr. Hughes was explaining all about the benefits of Duck allowing the casino to be berthed here. The casino, which would resemble an old Spanish galleon, would travel each day to the twelve-mile limit for passengers to gamble and then return.

“Why come to us with this?” La Donna asked. “It seems like one of the bigger towns would be better for this enterprise.”

Mr. Hughes smiled suavely. “We like Duck and would like to help the town become more prosperous.”

“Have you been turned down by the other towns?” I questioned him.

“No, Mayor. We started with Duck. We can go somewhere else, if you like. This would potentially mean millions of dollars in taxes for your town, not to mention more tourists coming for the casino.”

The council read through their packets again then talked a little about the enterprise.

“I’d like to make a motion that we wait until the next meeting to get a better idea of what’s going on with this,” Mad Dog said. “I’m all for enterprise, but I’d like to understand what the downside to this is.”

I was glad he made that motion, because it would give me a chance to contact Dillon and find out what was going on. Why hadn’t he mentioned to me that he had this project in mind?

The other council members agreed unanimously with Mad Dog, and the motion to wait for more information was passed.

I hadn’t even noticed Pam Walsh in the crowd until she suddenly shot to her feet. “Are you going to let this killer tell you all what to do?”

Councilman Dab Efird groaned and muttered, “Here we go again.”

Pam searched the faces around her. “He killed my brother. I know I’m not from here, but that should still mean something.”

“Please take your seat, Ms. Walsh.” I brought the gavel down. “If you don’t, we’ll have to ask you to leave.”

I glanced across the room at Chief Michaels, who nodded in understanding. We didn’t have many times when it was necessary to have the chief or one of his officers at a town hall meeting. This was certainly one of them.

Pam glared at me but finally sat down again.

It was too late. Two more residents began yelling. Amos, Mad Dog’s son, shot to his feet and started yelling back. Laura cried silently. It only took another moment before more people joined in.

The room was completely out of control. I’m ashamed to admit that nothing I said or did had any effect on the chaos. I gave up trying to bang my gavel and be heard above the racket.

Councilman Efird was arguing with Elmore Dickie. James Millford was shouting back at Councilman Rick Treyburn. La Donna stared at the mess in front of us. She looked like she was hypnotized by it, not looking away at all but focused on the scene.

Chief Michaels put in a call on his radio then began wading through the large group to get to the front of the room. I wasn’t sure if he could handle everything by himself before people came to blows. I saw Gramps and Kevin move to help him by taking similar positions in other parts of the room, trying to get people to take their seats.

If it finally quieted down, I planned to call for a suspension of the meeting, tabling it for another time when, hopefully, things would be calmer.

La Donna stood slowly. Her hands were clenched into fists. She looked angry. I was hoping she wasn’t preparing to jump out into the crowd too.

“Quiet!” She started saying the word too softly for anyone else to hear. Then she started yelling, “Quiet!” at the top of her lungs. She was screaming so loud that her voice was raw and her face was dark red.

“Sit down,” I urged her with my arm around her back. “Let the chief take care of it. It’ll be okay.”

Clearly she was a woman who’d been pushed to the edge. I couldn’t stop her from climbing up on the council table. The other council members were too busy yelling at their constituents to even notice. I looked for help, but everyone who could help was otherwise engaged trying to restore order.

She kept yelling at the top of her voice until I thought she might have a stroke. I didn’t know what to do to help her.

“None of you understand. I killed Joe Walsh! Do you hear me? I killed him.”

I heard her, and attributed what she was saying to extreme stress. After a few moments, the people arguing in the audience heard her too. They calmed down to listen and stared at her.

Chief Michaels finally made it to her side. He pulled La Donna down and held her in his arms until she stopped screaming. The room got very quiet until only her sobbing voice could be heard from the floor in front of the council table.

“I did it. I killed Joe. I killed him.”

It couldn’t be true. I’d known La Donna all of my life. She couldn’t kill anyone. She was hysterical and only said whatever she thought was going to close down the argument that was ruining the council meeting.

Chief Michaels scooped his nearly incoherent sister into his arms and strode out of the meeting room with her. No one got up or said anything after that, including Pam, who had a look of total bewilderment on her face.

I asked Councilman Efird to make a motion to continue the meeting at another time. Nancy asked for a date, and I glared at her. “We’ll announce that later, thanks.”

I knew she liked to have everything neat and tidy for her records, but I didn’t think this was the time to worry about it. It was all I could do not to run out after the chief and La Donna to try and protect her from the things she’d said.

She didn’t mean it. She was overwrought by all the anxiety. She couldn’t kill anyone. We’d find out what she was talking about as soon as we could get out of the meeting room. It would all be explained.

I dismissed the meeting and headed for the door, feeling like a porpoise leaping and diving over the slower-moving people in front of me. A few of those people tried to stop me and talk. My focus went past them, ignoring them, until I found myself outside in the parking lot.

I saw the chief get into his SUV, La Donna in the passenger side. The door closed, and the vehicle left, headed away from their homes.

I looked around to see if anyone else was going. All I had at hand was Gramps’s golf cart. It was raining and people scurried to their cars and trucks. No one seemed intent on going with La Donna and the chief.

Kevin put his hand on my shoulder, and I jumped. “Are you okay?”

“No. Do you have your pickup here?”

“Sure, but—”

“Let’s go.”

We climbed in his pickup and Gramps pushed me in the middle as he got in behind me. “Ronnie said they’re on their way to the hospital.”

Kevin turned the key, stepped on the gas, and we were gone.

“What happened?” Kevin kept his eyes on the road. “Did she have a nervous breakdown? Why did she start yelling about killing Joe?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she was trying to take the burden away from Mad Dog.” I didn’t know what to say. “She wasn’t herself this evening. Maybe she’s ill.”

It was the only conversation we had between Duck and Kill Devil Hills when we reached the hospital. We jumped out and ran inside, hoping there would be some word on her condition. We met Chief Michaels in the emergency room.

“I don’t know anything yet.” He took off his hat and smoothed his black hair back from his anxious face. “She kept repeating it all the way here. I don’t know what she’s talking about. I know she didn’t kill Joe. We all know La Donna could never do such a thing.”

We huddled together in the waiting room on the god-awful orange and green plastic chairs. The nurse told us there was coffee on the sideboard. No one had any idea how long it was going to take to figure out what was wrong with La Donna.

“She’s been real depressed about this thing with Mad Dog.” Chief Michaels held an untouched cup of coffee I’d made for him. “Sometimes she takes things to heart, you know? I’m always teasing her about being such a softy.”

“I’m sure she couldn’t take that disruption at the meeting.” Gramps was sympathetic. “That woman won’t wash a spider down her bathtub drain. You know she didn’t kill Joe, or anyone else.”