A Lethal Time (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 4) (15 page)

Chapter 63

Chance Encounter Of An Unexpected Kind

Everyone was going to Weirs Beach, but I begged off to take another look at Robinson’s place. They all tried to talk me out of it, promising to go with me the next day, but I was tired of their fussing over me since the truck incident. I said I had my charged cell phone on and would be careful. Plus it was daylight. If anything looked suspicious, I’d call them immediately. Reluctantly, they let me go it alone.

But on my way over there, I noticed George sitting in a rocker on his front porch using his binoculars. I didn’t see his car in the drive, which meant Sally was gone, and figured it would be a perfect time to speak to him alone and see what I could find out.

I approached the porch and coughed, announcing my arrival. Hard of hearing, he obviously had no clue, as he was knee-deep in observing his far field. Then he swung the glasses my way. I must’ve looked ten times larger.

“Good God!” he yelled, just before he dropped the binoculars and clutched his chest.

I panicked and rushed to his side, but that only agitated him more as he lurched backward still in shock.

“Do you always go around scaring people half to death, or do you have some kind of sick sense of humor?”

I yelled, “I guess where you’re concerned, both.”

He let go of his chest and actually smiled, then laughed.

“I think I’m beginning to like you, young lady.”

I smiled back, seating myself in another rocker. “Good.”

“What? Why do you want some wood?” he asked.

I leaned forward. “I said
good
, as in I like you, too.”

He relaxed somewhat and I scooped up his binoculars.

“These must come in pretty handy for a person such as yourself who’s so restricted, so to speak.”

He looked at me carefully, weighing his words. “Oh, I get around. I just have to be careful not to overdo it.”

“I see you drove over to Sally’s place that day. I didn’t realize you could drive yourself around like that.”

“Well, I usually wait until Sarah is picked up by one of her friends before I take off. She worries too much.”

“With good cause, I’m sure,” I added.

“She means well, but sometimes it’s annoying the way she thinks I’m mentally infirmed, as well as physically.”

“Some people get a false sense of who I am, too.”

“Being an author, I guess they would.”

“I bet you’re intuitive, too.”

“I have been known to challenge a mind or two.”

“Then you probably know why I stopped by.”

“I have a pretty good idea.”

“Want to help me out?” I asked, smiling.

“I might. What is it going to cost me?”

“Nothing, but the truth. I get sort of hung up on that.”

“I think we can work that out. What’s your poison?”

“Excuse me?” I asked, now recoiling myself.

He smiled. “What would you like to drink?”

“Just point the way and I’ll get us both something.”

“I am thinking more in the way of spirits.”

“Alcohol-related, kindred, or both?” I asked, laughing.

Chapter 64

Tilting Toward The Truth & Karma

After sipping wine and nibbling on crackers and cheese,
we both had decided that it must be 5 p.m. somewhere
, we sat back and waited for the other one to start the banter, or the grilling. Or in this case, bull-honky as Martha liked to phrase that segment of our slow-dance of innuendo and inquisition. Obviously, we were both interested in what the other knew. Time to find out.

Trust me, I was not the babe in the woods I used to be. I knew where my bread was buttered and who I had to butter to get what I needed. Some individuals were harder to get to than others. I hadn’t pegged him yet, but was close. He probably was thinking the same thing about me.

After getting tired of waiting for him to start, I said, “What have you really seen, George?”

He gave a side-glance and nodded. “Direct first volley.”

I grinned. “I thought so.”

“…What I have seen, I don’t like,” he finally said.

“Such as?”

“Certain individuals arriving and leaving when no one thinks I am coherent enough to understand what might be going on around here.”

Now that was some return volley.
“Like who?”

“I’d describe them as rough and unsavory individuals.”

“Doing what?” I asked, leaning forward.

“Coming and going at all hours.”

“Do you have any inkling as to why?”

“I didn’t until I found an object in the field by the barn.”

He got up and returned with a three-foot piece of metal.

I had absolutely no idea what I was looking at. Did he?

“Help me out, here. What am I looking at?”

“A belt drive.”

“Now, what would that be doing here in your field?”

“Good question.”

“But what is this one used for?”

“A motorcycle, a Harley Davidson to be more specific.”

“Aha! I see.” I said, getting his message.

“Look, I know she’s a lot younger than me.”

I leaned in. “But that doesn’t make it right, does it?”

“Exactly my point.”

“So what are we going to do about this?” I asked.

“I was about to ask you the same thing.”

“When is Sarah due back?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“Want to come for dinner?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

“By the way, how come you’re hearing me perfectly?”

“Oh, that. It’s for show and Sarah’s sake. She’s already counting the inheritance. It’s my delay tactic of sympathy.”

“Is it working?”

“Not by a long shot.”

Chapter 65

Making Nice & Making Friends

The remnants of our delicious dinner lay by the wayside as we all sipped our wine,
plus one beer
. Our unexpected guest, George, caught everyone off guard. They smiled and nodded when he related what he saw and what he found by his barn; now realizing his agenda was similar to ours.

Martha jumped right in. “So you’re aware of Sarah calling Sam about the missing woods. What a load of bull! She sucked us in good. I wonder why she did that?”

“Maybe to throw us off track to look elsewhere,” I said.

George smiled. “Oh, she’s become quite the polished blueblood since she’s hooked up to yours truly.”

“How did you meet her?” asked Betty.

“She gave me a haircut. I was lost after the first snip.”

“You mean she worked in a salon as a hairdresser?” Hazel asked, surprised.

“Yes, in Tilton. Ah, those days are far behind her now. She considers herself one of
the
Smiths! Little does she know that I overstated my background to catch her.”

Clay stepped in, keeping the conversation on track. “So, what do you think is going on over at your place, George?”

“Exactly what you now suspect might be going on. Since I heard from Samantha you’re connected, and working undercover, I figured you might want to know.”

“I appreciate the heads up. We’ve been going crazy trying to figure where the chop shops are working from.”

“I think this is one of two barns they’re using.”

“Where is the other located at?” asked Crystal.

“I am not really sure, but I would think nearby.”

“He’s right,” I said. “This way they consolidate loads.”

“How will we find where the other is?” asked Martha.

“I’ve already tried tailing her,” said George. “No go.”

I laughed. “We already know how my tail went down.”

“So,” said Hazel, “Do we sit back and wait?”

“No,” I said. “I think that maybe I might visit someone.”

George got it in a second. “You wouldn’t!”

I smiled. “I am merely using my rules of engagement.”

Clay threw me a look. “And what are those?”

“Act defensive, while you’re watching their back.”

“And that means?” Martha asked.

“I’m going to ask who she thinks is watching my back.”

“Why?”

“I want to see if she squirms when I offer some names.”

Clay said, “Don’t blow it. We don’t want to step in until we’re absolutely sure where the other location is.”

I smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll behave.”

George said, “But then, you won’t learn anything.”

“You’re smarter than I had originally thought, George.”

“Don’t be too sure about that. …Let’s wait and see.”

Chapter 66

Rambling & Ramifications

It was a beautiful morning. I had plenty of time before I was scheduled to see Sarah, so I opted for a long hike.

Yeah, I know, I don’t have the best of luck when hiking.

But instead of veering right at the fork that led toward the pond and Boss’ pasture, I veered left for the deeper part of the woods to go check out the stone wall that divided Robinson’s property from Sally and Tom’s. I wanted to find out if I could see his house from there and also gauge the time it took to walk from Sally’s.

In minutes, I was under a canopied, much darker area of the forest than I’d expected. It was heavily bedded with pine needles, so my footsteps were muted on the tightly-packed base, while the wind rustled the branches above.

I continued on, side-stepping trees, stone outcroppings, massive boulders, evergreens and thickets that occasionally blocked the old path, determined to find my way to the stone walls, which would give me a better idea how close Robinson’s property line was. Could someone cut through easily at night to avoid using the road?

After seeing a deer and a fox dart across the path, I tried ignoring a branch cracking now and then. I still worried though. But figured as long as I kept to the trail, I would eventually end up back at the Sally’s house. Of course I might come from a different angle than where I started out, but I would nevertheless safely end up at the house.

After several more minutes, the forest itself began to close in. When another branch cracked much louder, I turned. My mouth flew open.
Where was the path?
I spun back to where I was headed, realizing I wasn’t following a path at all. Somehow I must have deviated and forged my own way and not realized it, thinking I was still on the trail.

When I reached into my jacket pocket and yanked out my cell, my stomach did a flip. No signal! I threw it back into my pocket, pivoting in place. Which way was home?

My sense of direction and confidence was completely thrown off because, with the thick tree canopy overhead, there was no way to gage the sun. Plain and simple, I was lost. I felt I had the word idiot stamped on my forehead for coming out there alone.

…Crack!
I whipped around. …
There it was again!

The hair rose on my neck. I gave a fleeting thought to hiding behind the large trunk of a tree. But where would I stand? I had no idea where those sounds were coming from. I took a calming breath and decided to keep moving. If someone was following me, then the chances were good that they had done so from the house, so the only thing to do was to keep walking forward.

Yes, but now which way was forward?

When push came to shove, it really didn’t matter, did it?

Chapter 67

Lost & Found

I began running, vaulting over fallen trees and branches, trying to keep as silent as possible. Was someone watching me, laughing at my feeble attempt to get away? Were they running parallel and keeping pace with me? My breathing was becoming labored. I had to get out of the woods, but had no clue which way. Was I running in circles?

I didn’t dare stop to think about which direction either, I just ran. In the dim light, I kept checking my cell for a signal, but it was a no go. I was in a cell no-fly zone.

After a few minutes, I found myself staring at the stone row, the property line. I came to a halt, panting, trying to decide what to do. I didn’t want to waste any time plotting some strategy that was sure to prove worthless. Then it hit me as I stared up at a tree with several reachable branches that might be my lifesaver. Being lost, no way could I outrun whoever was following me.

I leaped up onto the stone wall and grabbed the first branch and started climbing the giant evergreen as fast as I could. When I felt comfortable that I was camouflaged enough from who might be out there, I sat, staring down to identify my stalker and waited…and waited…and waited.

Nothing. I was about to climb down thinking I was being a complete fool to let my imagination get away from me when I heard someone approach. I sucked in a breath and stayed perfectly still.

A figure came into view. A male. However, I couldn’t identify who. I was too high up. His stance felt familiar, but doubt lingered because of his bandanna, sunglasses and bulky jacket, jeans and boots. …Was that an ear stud?

The bark tore into my sweaty palms as I gripped the branch to steady myself. Thankfully he seemed to have no clue as to my hiding place. But he appeared annoyed and began pacing, then stopped to listen. …I held my breath…

After a minute, he loped over the stone wall and ran toward Robinson’s. That was my signal to get out of there. I descended, then swung down and fell gratefully to the ground in a soft landing on the pine needles, brushed myself off and began running in the opposite direction.

I wasn’t waiting around for him to return and start looking up. I had to get back to friendly territory. I don’t know how long I ran, scraping branches and stumbling on logs, but eventually, by some miracle, I ended up out on the edge of one of the other fenced-in horse pastures.

As I raced toward the house, I grabbed my phone.
Now
I had a signal! But why bother calling anyone? It was too late. Whoever had followed me was long gone. Even though I had a plenty of time to freshen up before my visit to Sarah, my mental clock was ticking away. I was literally running out of time. My trip to go home was days away.