A Lethal Time (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 4) (18 page)

Chapter 77

Always Keep Them Guessing

We finally found a few metal bars we thought might pry open those formerly loose, old boards the rabid raccoon had used to gain entry into the house days before. Clay, Crystal and I immediately got to work. Huddled near the light, the ladies tackled the stacks of money to estimate their worth.

A decent job was done of nailing and securing those boards back in place. Removing them from the inside was proving to be a larger job than we had anticipated. Crystal began complaining she was getting claustrophobic in the dark cellar and started going at the task with such gusto, the three of us broke through in no time.

One by one, we climbed up on some old storage crates and scrambled out into the tall grasses, disregarding the former snake threat. Martha and the ladies had the money secured in their bulging large-pocketed cargo pants. Their estimated tally of the bills was $100,000.00.

Wow!

After taking a few steps, I stopped. “Let’s go back in.”

“Are you out of your ever-loving mind?” yelled Martha, standing steadfast with her arms crossed, blocking me.

“No!”

She was not budging. “We just got out! Are you crazy?”

“No!”

Betty rested her hand on my arm. “Maybe, dear, you are a little stressed out because of all this. Besides, don’t you think we should be going to the police with this money?”

Everyone turned to Betty and said, “No!”

“I don’t know about this, Samantha,” said Betty.

“You don’t understand,” I replied. “We need to search again. There might be another secret area where Robinson stashed something. He’s been full of surprises. With a failing mind, he took simple precautions, but not what you’d call standard ones. Maybe we’ll find something.”

Clay understood and agreed. “You’re right. Whoever locked us down there realized that and was also thinking out of the box, but hadn’t gotten to the cellar yet.”

“Exactly!”

“Hey, we’re going back the day after tomorrow,” said Crystal. “What have we got to lose? We can make another search of all the rooms, but this time we have to look for anything that strikes us as a possible hiding place.”

“Well, I guess we could give it another shot,” said Martha, “but I’m kind of leery hanging around with all this money on us. Suppose whoever was upstairs returns?”

“All the more reason for us to get in there and tear the place apart quickly before they consider coming back, thinking we’re still stuck down in the cellar.”

“Samantha, who do you think it was?” Betty asked.

I shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
Was it Sarah or Jackson?

“You’re close,” laughed Martha, “but not committing.”

Chapter 78

Regrouping

But another thorough search of Robinson’s house, via the door this time, produced zip. We returned to Sally’s farmhouse and I tucked the money under my mattress.

I knew it was the worst possible place to store all that cash. But I was taking my cue from Robinson, hiding something in an obvious place because no one would think of looking there, imagining I’d be much shrewder.

Then I flipped open my laptop to try and make sense of who knew what because some people were outright lying.

Yeah, I know. Surprise. Surprise. I was lied to.

Now, who had the most to gain by Robinson being dead? I’d say that some did and some didn’t.

Jackson got a farmhouse, land, and grazing rights.

Sally got her property protected on one side from future development, plus an enhanced property value. Other than that, she was completely out of the picture as far as I was concerned.

Now, George, for some reason, wanted Boss nearby. Was that merely to annoy his wife, Sarah? He voiced doubts about her, but what did he expect me to do?

I couldn’t figure Sarah out, either. Was she telling me the truth about that horse incident? She wanted whoever had cut her trees down in her woods caught and admitted to being blackmailed. She also had doubts about her husband. I had the feeling that those last two were merely red flags being waved in front of me.

Was I getting too close?

It seemed that Jacob was nothing more than a local artist who happened to live across from Sally.

Millicent and Major appeared to be nothing more than a concerned elderly couple who, other than maintaining their property value, didn’t spike my interest.

I didn’t see Dan in the picture, either. He was just a groundskeeper, a loner and a grapevine listener, who knew everyone else’s business and didn’t mind spreading it.

Did Robinson run a black market business selling phony World War II memorabilia? Could he have been the one extorting money from Sarah? Was he involved with both?

Would Sarah pay $100,000.00 for Robinson’s silence? Didn’t seem possible, even with her skimming money from George without him noticing. The amount was too large.

Where did Robinson get all that money?

Who else could’ve hidden that money there?

Did Jackson know something and use that as leverage to extort money from Robinson? Again what for and why? How could Jackson have possibly extorted money from Robinson? College professors didn’t make that kind of money. How did Jackson get that house and grazing rights? Was
that
his payoff for those pictures instead of money? Were there more? If so, where were they?

What about all that cash? Would clear-cutting bring in that kind of money?

Possibly.

What about the motorcycle chop shop?

Another possibility.

Was this one of many payments made?

Probably.

Who hid that money in Robinson’s cellar?

Chapter 79

Suggestive Angles & Revelations

Wanting a safe route to go and think, and knowing I had
a strong cell signal,
I headed toward Boss’ coral. Either I was being foolish or looking for trouble, most likely, a little of both. The sky was an azure blue, laced with clouds skimming by in a subtle breeze, perfect for a thinking walk.

My confidence grew with every step, and I soon found myself looking forward to seeing that high-spirited stallion again, as long as a fence stood firmly between us. The reason for Boss’ close proximity to Sarah and George still puzzled me. Why did George go out of his way to keep Boss so close? Was it for easy access to something more than the horse?

As I rounded the bend of the pond, I heard voices up ahead near Boss’ corral. I had a choice, either create some noise, which would announce my arrival, or sneak up and listen to what was being said.

You know this was a no-brainer.

Luckily for me, I found a hidden area in the shadows of some dense evergreens and could finally hear the two clearly. The big eye-opener was the twosome standing there. They were a pair I never would have pegged as likely to be deep in conversation, and by the sound of it, weren’t exactly friendly about it, either.

“Why are you trying to get me involved?” Dan asked. “Just because you feel
you
have to, doesn’t mean
I
see it your way or agree with whatever you’re doing.”

“Look,” said Jackson. “I’m only suggesting this because it could be worth it for you to look the other way.”

“And I keep repeating, I’m not interested in any of it.”

“Come on. I just need this one favor.”

“Look, I’m already winging it talking to you. If they found out, I’d get heat and who knows what else?”

Who were they talking about?

“Look, Dan, I’m walking on eggs here.”

Were they talking about Sarah and George?

“I told you,” said Dan, “you’re treading a lethal road.”

Okay, now we’re talking a little violence here.

“Thankfully she’s is not onto me yet,” said Jackson.

“Well, keep her away from me and off my back.”

“My job,” said Jackson, “is to not raise suspicions.”

“And I want to keep my job.”

My job? Find out who and what they’re talking about.

Chapter 80

Planting More Than Doubt

I found Dan in the garden an hour or so later, planting some flowers. Distracted, he didn’t hear my approach and jolted somewhat when I spoke.

“Didn’t mean to startle you, but I saw you out here and thought I’d ask you some questions to clear things up.”

“Sure. No problem,” he said, brushing himself off. “Why don’t we sit on that boulder over there in the shade.”

As we walked over, I slid in smoothly, “I didn’t know you were that friendly with Jackson.”

He stopped briefly, stared at me, then finally nodded. After we were both seated side by side, he said, “I knew you were much smarter than what I had heard.”

I chuckled. “It all depends on who you heard it from.”

“And funny, too,” he said, giving me a side-glance.

“Again, you have to consider the source.”

“Why is that?” he asked.

“I have a mixed reputation, so to speak.”

This time he chuckled. “Me, too.”

“Care to discuss it?”

“It’s not that interesting, but since you’re so familiar with some facts, admitting some truth shouldn’t hurt.”

“That depends,” I said, staring right at him.

“On what?” he shot back sharply then smiled. “Why?”

“My, you are as inquisitive as I am.”

“When it concerns my reputation, I am.”

I shrugged. “I understand. I’ve had days like that, too.”

“Then you know there’s only so much I’ll tell you.”

“Why is that?”

“Because some of it is none of your business.”

This time I jerked back unexpectedly. “Like what?”

“Why don’t we stop this verbal dance?”

I gave him a level gaze. “Sounds fine with me.”

“What exactly do you want to know?” he asked.

“Since we’re no longer dancing partners, how about you tell me what’s up with you and Jackson and that favor?”

He sat very still for a minute, obviously thinking that controversial question over.
How much would he tell me?

He leaned back. “…I thought that was a deer.”

“No, it was little old me.”

“Well, I guess you caught enough to stir your interest.”

“And enough to get someone in trouble if I felt like it.”

“Are you threatening me, Samantha?”

“Not exactly, but some helpful information might help.”

“Like what?”

“The answer to my former question.”

“Oh, yeah… the favor,” he said, letting it hang out there.

“I thought we weren’t dancing, here. What gives?”

He looked away. “I don’t think you want blood spilled.”

Blood spilled?
“…Whose blood?”

He turned back and smiled. “Why, yours, of course!”

Chapter 81

Hold On!

“Hey, I like keeping mine on the inside,” I said warily.

“I thought so, too, but I wanted to put that out there in case you decided to confront the wrong individuals. There are some people around here who don’t take too kindly to someone interfering or cutting into their profit margin.”

“What do you mean, profit margin?”

He looked at me and smiled. “Don’t give me that dumb blonde routine. I’m not buying it. You have a pretty good idea what is going on around here. You’re just not sure exactly who and how many are involved, am I right?”

Now it was my turn to lean back against the tree we were sitting under. “Good gotcha question. Okay, I admit, I might have a rough idea who might be involved.”
Sarah!

“So what makes you think I might have some answers?”

“Oh, just a small case of blackmail for starters.”

He stiffened. “How did you put that together?”

“I wasn’t sure until now when you reacted like that.”

He sat there, and then laughed out loud. “That’s rich.”

I grinned. “I thought so.”

“There’s just one minor flaw with your thinking.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I asked, smugly.

“I’m not extorting money.”

I sat up straight. “It’s not you?”

He shook his head. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

I slumped back disheartened. “Then who is it?”

“That’s what we’ve been watching.”

I turned in his direction. “We?”

“Me and someone, who shall remain anonymous.”

“…No, wait a minute! I know who the blackmailer is!”

“You figured that out, too? Impressive! Do tell.”

“Please! At least give me credit for having half a brain.”

“Well?”

“Jackson was extorting money. And he’s your brother.”

He laughed. “You’re good, but not that good.”

“And why not?” I asked, slightly affronted.

“He’s not my brother.”

“Then who is he?”

He hesitated, then said, “…He’s related to Sarah.”

For once, mouthy me was at a total loss for words.

“Surprised?” he asked, smiling at my reaction.

“Yeah, I’ll say!”

“Good, now maybe we can help each other, here.”

“What makes you think I would help you?” I asked.

“Because without my help, you won’t catch them.”

“Catch who?” I asked, smelling a familiar rat.

“The ones responsible for killing Robinson.”

I sat stone still. “…Robinson was killed?”

“Smothered, but the authorities let it ride differently.”

Damn!
“Wait a minute! You’re FBI, aren’t you?”

All he did was smile.