Fool's Deadly Gold, page 15
She shook her head. “No. Should it?”
“I’m just asking,” he said.
“Is that the name of the guy who killed him?” she asked.
“We don’t know for sure, but we think so. He says he didn’t, but we happen to know that he and your husband got into a bad argument at the Hanna bar sometime back. Are you sure Cutler never mentioned him to you?”
“I’m sure. He and I never talk about that pointless passion of his. He leaves, spends a few weeks doing whatever it is he does, and then he comes back. But like I said, Cutler must have found something good and this Gus guy must have wanted it.”
“Perhaps,” Roger said.
Belinda Pike had yet to shed a tear. Roger supposed that would come later. But she did have more to say, and so he let her talk. “Cutler was a good worker. He was a custodian at one of the schools. I think the kids liked him, and it was a good enough living. We had health insurance, and I make a little doing some house cleaning for some of the neighbors. I kept telling him he didn’t need to go looking for gold. I knew there would be no good coming from it. I remember telling him once that it’s fool’s deadly gold. That made him mad, and I guess he had a right ’cause I had sort of called him a fool. Since then, the subject is one we don’t discuss.”
She stopped speaking for a minute, and so Roger said, “We’ll let you know what else we find out. Is there a funeral home you’d like to have pick up his body?”
“Where’s it at?” she asked. “Is it still up in those mountains?”
“No, it’s at the state medical examiner’s office in Salt Lake,” he said.
“What? Are they cutting my husband up? They don’t need to do that. You told me yourself that he got himself shot.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but that’s the law. When a person dies a violent death, they have to have an autopsy,” he said.
She fussed some more, and finally Roger brought her back to his original question. “What funeral home should we notify?”
She named one in Price and then said, “They don’t need to fuss with his body. It’s gonna be all cut up anyway. And he always said when he died he wanted his ashes scattered in the mountains. I suppose one of my boys will do that for him. Although they didn’t ever like him going off like that. My boys, both of them, went off to college. They used to tell their dad that the only way to get rich was to get an education and then find a good paying job. That’s what they’re doing. I’m proud of those boys, and I think Cutler was too. He just never said it.”
The officers finished their questions, and then bid Belinda Pike good-bye.
“Wow, that was different,” Alec said when they had returned to the car. “I thought people always started bawling and falling apart when you told them a loved one was dead.”
“Have you ever made a death notification, Alec?” Roger asked.
“No, and I hope I never do.”
“You’ll have a chance, I’m sure. But let me tell you this: you never can predict how someone is going to react,” he explained. “I remember hearing an officer say that when he told a widow her husband had died in a car wreck that she said something about how he wasn’t supposed to die for six more months. But when she was asked how she knew that, she said she dreamed it but never did tell her husband.”
“That’s different,” Alec said. “I’d have had a hard time believing that.”
“Here’s the kicker. The guy had an autopsy, and it showed a disease that the medical examiner stated would have caused him to die within just a few months.”
“Okay. So I’ll let someone else do all the notifications.”
Roger chuckled. “Usually it goes just like you said. I’ll grant that Mrs. Pike’s reaction was strange.”
***
Dade had tried calling Detective Koltun’s cell phone several times, but it kept going to voicemail. He was anxious to find out what else was on the video from his cameras. He finally decided that Roger must have gone out of town and was in an area where he was not getting good reception. Then he remembered that he and Lizzie had a lunch date with Darlene Fletcher. He needed to get ready for it.
Since Roger had his computer, Dade had finally taken Lizzie to the library so he could use a computer there to do some research on Darlene. He found that she was exactly what she said she was and that she was highly respected in her field. So as he and Lizzie entered the café where they had agreed to meet, he was feeling a whole lot better about her.
Darlene was at a corner table, and she stood up and walked toward Dade and Lizzie when she saw them. She was dazzling in white slacks and a white blouse with a black shawl draped around her neck. Her long dark hair was brushed to an ebony sheen. She hugged him and then she knelt, white pants and all, and took Lizzie lovingly into her arms.
Dade found that he was comfortable being with Darlene and respected her for the attention she gave to his daughter. After they had ordered, Darlene asked, “So did you and Lizzie sleep okay after I left? And I’m sorry I kept you up so late, Dade.”
“That’s okay. And in answer to your question, no, we did not sleep well,” Dade said.
“I was scared. I heard sounds in my room,” Lizzie said, trembling as she recalled the night.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Darlene truly appeared to feel bad.
“I slept better after I got in bed with Dad,” she said with a smile. “Then I wasn’t alone anymore.”
“You have a good father,” Darlene said. “Did you know he and I were friends once? It was a long time ago.”
“Really?” Lizzie said with wide eyes.
“Yes, really,” she said, her eyes catching Dade’s. Then she said, “Dade, would it be okay with you if Lizzie and I spent some time together? I’d like to get to know her better.”
Dade was sure he knew that she was tactfully suggesting that she be allowed to give Lizzie some counseling without Lizzie realizing it. He hesitated only briefly before saying, “I think that would be nice. Are you okay getting to know Darlene better?”
“Sure,” she said, looking closely at Darlene.
“I’ve been thinking since talking with you. I don’t need to work as far as my finances are concerned, and I know I said I needed a break. But I’ve found that I feel the need to work because of what I can do to help others. And I can’t think of any better place than rural Utah, near the mountains. I could set up a practice either here or in Vernal, probably Vernal, as it’s larger.” She shifted her focus to Lizzie. “I would love to get to know you, Lizzie. I really like kids, you know.”
“That would be okay.”
“If it’s all right, I could meet you two at your house. And you are welcome to be there, but in another room of course so Lizzie and I can get to know each other,” Darlene said with a gentle smile.
Dade turned to Lizzie. “Sweetheart, after you get to know Dr. Fletcher, would you like to see if she can help you get over your bad dreams and your worries? She’s really good at that.”
“Please, you two, call me Darlene,” she said, and then she addressed Lizzie directly. “I would love to help you if you want me to, Lizzie.”
“Okay. I don’t like having bad dreams,” Lizzie said.
“Maybe we can talk a little about it as I get to know you. I’m sure I can help you.”
“Okay, but what about my friends?” Lizzie asked.
“Your friends?” Darlene asked, looking puzzled.
“Kimber and Mittie.”
Darlene looked at Dade for guidance. “Are they the girls she was with when someone took her?”
“Yes. Kimber is the daughter of Detective Roger Koltun. He is the officer who is investigating . . .” He almost slipped and said Bridgette’s murder. He caught himself just in time and said, “The kidnapping. Mittie is fifteen. She’s the girl we have used for most of the babysitting for the last two or three years. The Koltuns use her as well. She’s a very responsible girl.”
“I see. Well, I would love to help them as well, but that would be up to their parents,” Darlene said. “Before we approach them, let me spend some time with Lizzie.”
“That would be great,” Dade said.
They were almost finished with their lunch when Dade’s phone rang. It was Roger.
“Hey, I’ve been trying to reach you,” Dade said.
“I’ve been hard to reach, but you and I need to meet,” Detective Koltun said. “I’ll bring you up to date on what we have determined from yesterday. By the time you get here to my office, I will have wrapped up a couple of other things, and then you and I will review the video from the cameras we placed at your mine,” Detective Koltun said.
“Oh, so you haven’t looked at them already?” Dade asked.
“I haven’t had time, so I thought maybe we could do it together.”
“Great. I’ll be a few minutes. Lizzie and I are just finishing lunch with an old friend. I need to run home for a bit and see if I can find someone to watch Lizzie while I’m with you,” Dade said.
Darlene raised a finger and smiled. Dade looked at her for a moment and then said to Roger, “Just a second.”
“I can watch her at your house,” she said. “We can be getting to know each other then.”
Dade looked at Lizzie. “Would that be okay with you?” he asked.
“Sure, Dad. But you won’t be too long, will you?”
“I’ll make sure I’m not,” he replied. And then to Roger he said, “My friend will watch Lizzie.” Then to Darlene he said, “Would you two wait here for a minute? I need to speak with Detective Koltun about a matter.”
They both nodded, and he stepped away. “Darlene is a professional counselor, a psychologist, and she specializes in working with children. She is going to work with Lizzie. She’s having a terrible time with nightmares.”
“Oh boy, so is Kimber. And apparently Mittie is too. Do you think she’d be able to help the two of them as well?” Roger asked.
“I’m sure she can. I’ll let you know how it goes with Lizzie. Give me thirty minutes and I’ll be there.” After ending the call, Dade went back to the table. Shortly afterward, Dade and Lizzie headed home and Darlene followed. He let Lizzie go in the house first, and then he turned to Darlene. “Detective Koltun is worried about Kimber, his daughter, and the babysitter. But I need to know how much you charge.”
“For you it’s free. And most insurance plans will help with this kind of counseling. I promise that it won’t cost any of you much. I want to help.”
***
Jake knew Lauralyn was at home now, but he decided to wait to make contact with her again. Since it appeared she was in no hurry to leave her apartment, he decided to see if he could figure out what Dade Tansey was up to, Dade and his pretty lady friend.
He parked again a short ways from Dade’s house after determining Dade was not at home. He was rewarded within minutes. Dade’s pickup pulled into his driveway, and moments later the maroon Mercedes that the woman drove parked beside him. Dade got out of his truck and then helped Lizzie out. The woman met them beside his truck, and the three of them walked to the front door. Dade unlocked it, and Lizzie went in. Dade and the lady talked outside for a moment, and then they also went in. A couple of minutes later, Dade came back out, leaving Lizzie and the lady in his house. Very interesting, Jake thought as he started his truck and drove away.
Jake followed Dade as an idea planted itself in his mind. He was determined to see Dade arrested, and now in addition to the idea of getting into Lauralyn’s apartment and spending some time with her, this new idea seemed like a perfect fit. Jake had nothing but time on his hands until the sheriff wised up and took him off suspension, so he would use it to further his plan to get Dade Tansey off his high horse and make him pay for his crime.
He kept a safe distance between Dade’s car and his own and was not surprised to see him park at the police department. Roger’s truck was there, so it was a simple conclusion to make; Dade was going to see his friend Detective Koltun at the sheriff’s substation there. Jake had to find a way to drive a wedge between the two of them. He had to make Roger wake up to the facts and admit that Dade was a murderer. Another idea, similar to the one he’d had as he left Dade’s house, came to him.
Poor Dade Tansey, he thought with a smile. The idiot wouldn’t know what hit him. Roger Koltun would turn against him when Jake brought his ideas into fruition. He almost laughed out loud as he thought about what he was going to do. It would be great fun. And Tansey would not get away with what he’d done.
He watched Dade until he entered the front door of the building, and then he drove away. He needed some rest.
Chapter Sixteen
“I want to hear more about this psychologist friend of yours,” Detective Koltun said when Dade walked into the office. “Ella and I are very concerned about Kimber. Ella said Mittie’s mother is concerned about her daughter as well. The trauma those girls went through was terrible, and we have to find a way to help them through it.”
“Darlene is sharp,” Dade said. “I really believe she can help the girls. I hadn’t seen her since college. She’s been in practice in Louisiana, but she decided to come back to Utah. I guess she only heard about my wife’s death from a friend who saw something on Facebook. She showed up at my place around ten last night.”
Roger cocked his head to one side. “Is she another old girlfriend?” He grinned.
“Viola Pero was never a girlfriend, but yes, Darlene was. We dated quite a bit in college, but she suddenly dumped me. I’m not sure why. The breakup only hurt for a short time because soon after that, I began to date Bridgette, and frankly I’ve hardly thought about Darlene since then. But she is a good person.”
“Is she a good psychologist?” Roger asked.
“I went to the library this morning to access a computer since you have mine,” Dade said with a crooked grin. “I did some research. It seems she has a very good reputation in her field. So I’ll see how she does with Lizzie.”
“If you see some positive change, please ask if she will see Kimber as well. And Mittie, if her mother is interested in Darlene’s help.”
“I’ve already talked to her, and she agreed she’d be willing to help. Now bring me up to date,” Dade said.
“The body in the grave was, like we suspected, that of Cutler Pike. He was shot in the chest—right through the heart. The bullet went clear through. It’s strange, but the exit wound was about the same size as the entrance wound. It must have been a steel-jacketed bullet. I need to see if I can find it. I already looked for a bullet casing and found none, but I suppose our suspect picked it up,” the detective said. Roger went on to give Dade a thorough update, including what he’d learned about Gus Colburn—the arrested suspect—and his interview with the widow of Cutler Pike.
Finally, they got around to looking at the videos they’d downloaded on Dade’s computer from the cameras at the mine. As they had noted before, the large buck walked through the clearing. The next time the camera was activated, Cutler Pike appeared. He was looking around as if making sure he wasn’t seen. Suddenly, something hit him in the chest.
“Stop right there!” Roger said. “Back it up.”
Both men looked closely at the video, and Dade froze it at the point when Cutler was struck. They looked at each other, shaking their heads. “That’s a crossbow bolt,” Roger said. “That explains why the exit wound isn’t larger. Gus is not our killer unless he has a crossbow.”
“The person who drives the old green Ford Bronco has one,” Dade said.
“Her name, according to the registration on the Bronco, is Sylvia Parris.” Roger rubbed his forehead. “This is getting crazy, Dade. I was almost certain Gus must have killed your wife. But now . . . I’m not so sure. We already know this gal had climbing gear in her vehicle, which is very suspicious. Move the video ahead slowly now.”
A moment later, a tall, stocky woman with a long braid of dark hair and wearing camouflage clothing and large boots stepped into the view of the camera. She came from the opposite direction from where Cutler had entered the clearing. She too looked around, then she looked at her victim who lay on his back, unmoving. She reached down, grabbed the end of the bolt and pulled it from the body with a heave.
“I can’t believe how cold that woman is,” Roger said. They watched her wipe the blood off the bolt on a rag she pulled from a pocket, and then she returned it to her quiver. “At least I won’t have to look for a bullet up there.”
Next the killer dragged her victim’s body into the nearby trees and out of view of the camera. Quite a bit of time elapsed before the killer came into view again. This time she uncovered the opening to the mine and went in. After quite some time she came out, covered the entrance very carefully, and then exited the clearing.
The next thing the camera caught was the big buck entering the clearing again. According to the time stamp on the video, it was the next morning. The deer stopped to sniff at the ground in the exact spot where Cutler Pike had died, and then it bounded away. “It doesn’t like the smell of death,” Dade said blandly.
About an hour after that, Gus Colburn entered the camera’s view. He too looked around before he pulled the brush aside, stooped, and entered the mine. He was carrying some mining gear, including a pick. He was in the mine for several hours, occasionally stepping outside and looking around like he was watching and listening for someone. Then he’d go back into the mine. When he came out for the final time, he was carrying a small sack along with his gear.
“He must have found something,” Dade said. “I can’t believe how many people know about my claim.”
“Yeah, it’s sure not a lost mine anymore.”
That comment failed to bring a smile to Dade’s face. “Clearly I’m not the only one who believes there could still be gold in that hole.” He looked at his detective friend. “Roger, this makes me worry about those people up there checking out the Spanish graves.”
Roger heaved a sigh. “Before we look at the view from the angle of the other camera, I’d better make a call to Mikel Chatard’s satellite phone. I need to warn those people that their lives could be in danger. They need to have armed guards to protect them while they work. And I need to put an APB out on Sylvia Parris. I’ll also need to speak with the county attorney about charging this woman with murder and getting a warrant for her arrest. We’ve got to find her and arrest her as soon as possible.”
