Body in the Woods, page 18
“Okay, okay. Corona beer is fine.”
When she brought my beer, I took several gulps and it had the calming effect I needed. Dinner was as good as I could have hoped for. After dinner coffee and dessert were the icing on the cake, so to speak.
Almost as good as sex.
CHAPTER 39
Friday, July 27
I woke up to the sound of my iPhone ringing. Caller ID listed Hines’ number. Mariana. I thought about not answering and letting it go to voicemail. Then it rang again. This time I accepted the call and checked the time. 10 am.
“What do you want, Mariana?”
She was sobbing again. I could barely understand her as she tried to gulp for air.
“Jack! Please! Please! I want you to come back to the house. I need…I need to show you something.”
“What? What are you going to show me?”
“Please! This is important. You must come. I can prove that Heinrich Hines is my baby’s father.”
“Mariana, I don’t have time to waste on your games.”
“Jack, this isn’t a game. I promise. What I want to show you will change your mind.”
I paused and thought about it, starting to get curious. What the hell.
“Okay. I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Thank you, Jack.”
After dressing, I stopped by the office to book another night, then stopped by McDonalds for my breakfast of two bacon, egg, and cheese bagels, hash browns, and black coffee.
It was noon before I arrived at Hines’ home. I didn’t care. Let her wait. She opened the door dressed in blue jeans and a sweatshirt and her hair pulled back into a ponytail. I walked into the room, but didn’t sit down. Wasn’t sure how long I’d be staying.
“Thanks for coming, Jack. Can I offer you coffee? Something to eat?”
“No, I just had a big breakfast.”
“You must have driven quite fast if you came all the way from Malibu and still had time to stop for breakfast.”
“I didn’t come from Malibu. I stayed in Wild Oaks.”
“Why? You could have stayed here.”
Stayed here? Had that been intended as an invitation to other things?
“With how things went yesterday afternoon, that wouldn’t have been a very good idea. What is it you wanted to show me?”
“I’ll be right back.”
She came back with what appeared to be a folded pale blue satin sheet. She unfolded it and pointed.
“Here. Do you see the yellowish stains? These stains belong to Heinrich Hines. It’s his semen from when we had sex.”
“Wait a minute. You’re telling me that this almost year-old sperm belongs to Hines?”
“Yes, it does. And don’t forget. Monica Lewinsky kept her blue dress over a year and then submitted it for testing which proved that it was Bill Clinton’s sperm.”
To say I was speechless. Well, I was speechless.
“How would you know anything about that? You were just a little girl.”
“I know a great many things, Jack. Not from school, but from reading.”
“So you saved the sheet. Why?”
“I saved it because I knew there was a possibility that I might become pregnant. He hadn’t used a condom and I was in the middle of my cycle. And I knew if I did there would come a day when I would have to have proof he was the father.”
“You are one surprising woman, Mariana. So you want me to have a DNA test done on this?”
“Yes!”
“Okay. Fold the sheet and put it in a bag.”
She did as I asked.
“I’ll see you later.”
It didn’t take me long to get back to the lab. I was greeted by the same receptionist and the same technician, who was a little surprised to see me again.
“Come on back, Mr. Ludefance. So, what little surprises do you have for me today?”
“I need another DNA test done.”
I handed her the bag.
“Inside you’ll find a sample. I want to know if it matches the baby’s DNA. I’ll pay whatever it costs to have it done by this afternoon and I’d like a copy of the results.”
She took the bag and smiled.
“Come back in an hour or so.”
This was going to be a long hour. I drove to Starbucks, opened my laptop and tried to keep busy. Needless to say, I kept checking the time.
At just after 3 pm I entered the lab, signed in, and waited for the technician to call me.
“Come on back, Mr. Ludefance.”
She closed the door, turned to me, and handed me the results.
“The baby’s DNA matches whoever belongs to the semen on the sheet. Do you want me to get the doctor to compare it?”
“Not right now. I may need his certification at a later time. But all I can say is thank you.”
“You are more than welcome. I just hope it helps solve whatever you’re investigating.”
On the drive back to Motel 6, my mind took another giant the leap.
Hines couldn’t have been the body in the woods. Ergo- Hines was alive!
If he was alive, that changed everything. Would the police accept the evidence? I needed more time to think it all through. For over an hour my mind went back and forth as to what to do with the evidence that I now had. The Police? Vance’s lawyer?
My gut instinct told me to sit on the controversy for the time being. Did I need to do anything with the information at the moment? Not really. If I were to accept the assumption that Hines was still alive, I had to find out where he was.
Checking airline flight records to see if Hines flew out that night was the first thought that came to mind and Rudy was the man to do it. As quickly as the idea came to me, I discarded it. Too many airlines, too many possibilities. Just too many ifs. Rudy couldn’t possibly hack into every airline, although I’m sure he’d love the chance to try it.
My thoughts started to go round and round again. Maybe I should tell Vance’s lawyer that the DNA of Mariana’s son didn’t match the body in the woods. Nope. Not ready to do that.
In the midst of all this, I began to experience an unexpected exhilarating feeling that somehow I was very close to a real lead. My head began to spin with the revelation that the dead man wasn’t Heinrich Hines.
And if it wasn’t him, where was he?
And who the hell was the body in the woods?
After another hour of dueling inside my head, I fell asleep.
Blissful sleep.
CHAPTER 40
Saturday, July 28
I slept in late. Not my usual habit, but after last night’s round and round thinking I needed it. So it was just before 10 am when I walked down to the office and booked another night. Breakfast at Denny’s included an everything omelet, sourdough toast, and coffee. Finishing my second cup, I dialed Hines’ home number.
“Hello, Mariana?”
“Jack? Why didn’t you call me yesterday?”
“I’d like to come by to talk with you.”
“Of course. I’ll put on a fresh pot of coffee. Did you get the DNA results?”
“Yes, I did. That’s what we need to talk about.”
“I’m sure I already know what you found out.”
“We’ll talk about it when I get there.”
After paying my bill, I started the drive over to Hines’ home. Halfway there, I pulled the rental over, parked, and turned off the engine. I thought of finding an excuse not to visit Mariana just yet.
Perhaps I should ask Mariana if I could borrow Hines’ laptop and bring it back to the motel. Rudy could work on it there. But, could I trust the motel Wi-Fi? Probably not. Better for him to work on it at the house. Meaning I’d have to ask Mariana to be quiet and wait things out a little longer.
Mariana must have been watching for me. Before I could ring the doorbell, she opened the door; an excited, expectant look on her face. In the living room, we sat in what had become our usual places. First things first.
“Mariana, I’m sorry I doubted you. The sample from your baby and the sample from the sheet is a match.”
“Oh, my God! I told you I wasn’t lying. And it hurts to think that I trusted you and you didn’t believe me.”
“As a PI, I have to go with the facts, Mariana. And the fact remains that you claim the stain on the sheet belongs to Hines. But without concrete proof, the police won’t accept it as evidence.”
That angry look came into her eyes. She stood up, stomped into the kitchen, and started slamming cupboard doors, then rattled dishes. After a few minutes she returned with a tray with a coffee pot and cups.
“Why can’t you believe me?”
“It’s not me. Can you prove that the sample on the sheet belongs to Hines? How would you answer that question during an interrogation by the police? ‘Officer, I swear that sheet was from the bed Heinrich Hines forced me to have sex on. It’s his semen and I kept the sheet.’ Do you honestly think the police, let alone a court of law would accept that without corroborating proof?”
“I don’t know what else to do. The only thing that I could do is have the police look in the linen closet in the master bedroom. There are over a dozen sets of identical blue satin sheets plus the set on his bed. And they’re used ONLY on his bed. He insists…
She caught herself.
“He insisted they be changed and washed daily.”
She looked pensive and deep in thought. I had an inkling that she’d put it all together just as I had.
“Jack, since the sample on the sheet and the baby’s sample are a match, and the baby’s sample doesn’t match the body found in the woods, doesn’t that mean he’s still alive?”
What a smart cookie you are, Mariana.
“It sure looks that way. How do you feel about that if it turned out to be true?”
“I really don’t know how I feel. Just very confused.”
“And for now, you must be patient and not a word of this to anyone. I still need to have a computer expert look at Hines’ laptop. Just a few more days, Mariana.”
She quietly nodded as I handed her the bag containing the sheet.
“Make sure you keep this in a safe place just in case we decide to present it as evidence down the road. I’m going to contact my computer expert and find out when he can examine Hines’ computer.”
“All right, Jack. Just let me know when you’re bringing him over.”
Before pushing the start button in my rental, I dialed Rudy’s number.
“Hey, Boss. To what do I owe the honor?”
Isn’t caller ID wonderful?
“I have another job for you, if you think you’re up to it.”
“Now why wouldn’t I be? Besides, I have a friend in London who is even better than me. If I can’t find what you need, he’ll help me.”
“And just how would this ‘friend’ in London be able to help you?”
“Easy. We talk on the Internet.”
“Okay, Rudy. Let’s put that aside for the moment. I need you to clean up and wear the suit I got you.”
“Tie and everything?”
“No, you don’t need a tie. Just a clean shirt and no dirty fingernails. You know what I mean.”
“So where’s this computer?”
“In a house in Wild Oaks.”
“Okay, Boss. When do you want me to start?”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning around 8 am at Starbucks in Venice Beach. And if I need you for the day after, I’ll book a room at Motel 6 where I’m staying. So you might want to pack a few essentials.”
With that finished, I realized the rest of the afternoon stretched before me and I didn’t want to do a damn thing or think about anything. Except something kept nagging at the back of my neck. Something left undone.
Back at the motel, I changed into bathing trunks and tried to relax by the pool. The nagging feeling persisted.
Bingo!
The yellow jeep.
Had it been found yet? I made a call to Vance’s attorney’s office and spoke with her assistant. I was informed that as of yet the police had not found the jeep.
Should I even try to find it? The fact that the jeep had followed Hines’ Mercedes had been established by an eyewitness. Hines’ Mercedes had been found. But the facts regarding the jeep were sketchy. It had been reported stolen by its owner and a description was included in the lengthy police reports. And I’d just been advised it was still missing.
I gave up any thought of checking chop shops for the jeep; ridiculous to think I’d get any kind of answer from those guys. They certainly weren’t going to say, ‘Yes, Mr. Ludefance. We chopped a jeep that fits that description and sent the parts to Mexico.’ I could go back the ‘snoop.’ He certainly has his ways of finding things out. Maybe I’d check with him later.
Frustration began to creep in again and I tried to push it away. I needed to do something positive. As is my habit, I have to check everything out. Sometimes I get results from the least expected places.
The crime scene.
Intuition was knocking and knocking hard; telling me to check it out.
Putting thoughts of the jeep aside, I made my decision.
No harm in checking out the crime scene. I had all afternoon.
CHAPTER 41
Getting up from the pool lounge chair, I headed back to my room and changed. First priority was a pair of binoculars. Mine were sitting on a shelf in the garage in the cottage back in Florida.
“Hi, Mariana? It’s Jack. I was wondering if Hines had a pair of binoculars and if he does could I stop by and pick them up?”
“Yes, there is a pair here. I remember him making a big fuss about them while I was cleaning after I first started working for him.”
“Why?”
“He told me that they had a very high-powered scope and he didn’t want me touching them.”
“Do you remember where he kept them?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you mind if I come by the house and pick them up?”
“Not at all. I’ll find them and have them ready by the time you get here.”
“Oh, also. Did he have any hiking maps of the area?”
“Yes, several. In his office. Did you want those as well?”
“That would be great. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Where are you?”
“Nearby.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why? Sometimes I find it’s better to stay clear of any distractions. I concentrate better.”
“You could stay here. I wouldn’t distract you.”
“Mariana, when you’re nearby I don’t think I can isolate my mind from what I’m planning.”
“I see.”
“I hope you do. I’m leaving now.”
I packed my laptop and everything that I didn’t want to leave behind in the motel. Stopping by Trader Joe’s, I picked up two sandwiches, two large bottles of water, and headed to Hines’ home.
When I pulled in the drive, Mariana opened the front door, stepped outside, and walked over to my car. She had found both the binoculars and the hiking maps.
“Thanks, Mariana. You’ve saved me a lot of time.”
“You didn’t tell me why you needed these.”
“I’m headed up to where the body was found. It’s one of the last things I need to check out. By the way, I’d like to leave my laptop here for safe keeping. If you don’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind.”
“Thanks again.”
“Be careful, Jack.”
“Will do.”
Taking Summit to where it turned into a dirt road, I parked the rental. Numerous trails headed out from the gravel parking area. I opened one of hiking maps. I had an idea of where I was headed from the details listed in the police reports, but it helped to see it all on a map and know which trail I should start out on.
I’d already decided not to try and drive up there. Even though Hines had driven his SUV and the yellow jeep had followed, I didn’t think it wise to try and take the rental. So, after grabbing my backpack, I locked up and headed out.
About thirty minutes in I approached a small waterfall where the trail made a sharp right and climbed at a forty-five-degree angle with thick scrub oaks on both sides. I kept on for about another half mile up the steep elevation before the trail turned sharp left and leveled off.
To the left, the bird’s-eye view down into the valley and the city of Wild Oaks far below was amazing. I took out Hines’ binoculars and swept the area. What breathtaking wilderness. Sitting down, I gobbled one of my sandwiches and drank a bottle of water.
Pushing on to where the trail split, I checked the map and took the path that would lead me up to the crime scene. Another thirty minutes and I came upon a stone fireplace. Must have been the remains of an old cabin.
Past the old fireplace the trail split again. Three trails diverged. Checking the map, it looked like one was a path just wide enough for four-wheel drive vehicles to traverse and had come in from another angle further back. Must have been how Hines got up here. The second trail was barely wide enough for hikers. The third trail became a wider dirt road curving back down into another valley.
Since I didn’t have a vehicle, I kept on the hiking path. Besides, the hike was doing me good.
A hundred yards further, at the point where the vehicle path connected again with the hiking path I was on, I came upon the crime scene. The sun’s blaring rays beat down on my head and hit my eyes.
Sunglasses? Nope. Stupid not to have thought I’d need them. That or a hat. My bad. Holding my hand to block out the sun’s rays, I took out Hines’ binoculars and hung them around my neck. Mine were military, but Hines’ were definitely several grades above.
I walked around the perimeter of the crime scene. A man had been brutally murdered here. But it hadn’t been Hines. Yellow crime scene tape littered the ground. Marks outlining where the body had laid had all but disappeared. Nothing caught my attention.
