At Witt's End (25 page)

"Then you better do it. That way when you leave the resort, everyone will agree it was for the best. Half the town already knows you're crazy. If you go to the newspaper with that asinine story, it will confirm it for the other half."

"Going to the paper will make everyone adore me even more than they already do."

Carl puckered his lips and rolled his eyes. “Sure it will."

"When I tell everyone Lon helped me solve the case, maybe he'll be elected sheriff. Heaven knows he deserves it."

With a quick side glance, Carl said, “What does Lon have to do with this?"

"If you hadn't been so nasty over the years, maybe he wouldn't be so eager to prove it was murder."

Sadie beamed, tipped her head, and toyed with an anchor earring. “I haven't had this much fun in years. I've got you right where I want you. Actually, I've never wanted you. But seeing you this uncomfortable is better than sex."

"That's it,” Carl shouted. He pressed the call button on the speaker attached to his shoulder. “Angie? I'm on the east end of Nordeen Point. Send a cruiser to pick me up."

Static blared through the speaker as Angie said, “You're where?"

As Carl pressed the button to repeat his location, Sadie said, “The rim on Richard's tire has a bullet hole in it."

Carl released the button. “What?"

"Well not actually a bullet hole, but evidence a bullet struck the rim. Lon's friend towed the car from the junk yard to his garage and found an indentation on the rim. They went back to the scene of the accident and did a thorough search."

Thrilled that she had piqued Carl's curiosity, Sadie continued, “They searched the area this time as if it had been a crime scene. They gathered the rubber tire shreds you didn't even bother to look for."

Dropping down on the top step, Carl leaned his head against a support pole and closed his eyes.

"They tested the rubber shreds and found traces of lead fragments. And you know what else they found?” Sadie watched Carl's right eyelid pop open. “They used a metal detector and found some shell casings. Lon said they were able to match the casings and fragments to the type of rifle used to fire the shot."

Releasing a deep sigh, Carl stared straight ahead. “It's a Winchester .300 Win Mag, isn't it?"

Clapping her hands together, Sadie said, “Give that man a prize. Isn't it peculiar Paul owns the same type of rifle? Lon also told me it was the same type you use when you compete in contests. He even said Paul's rifle was in your possession more often than it was locked up in Paul's gun cabinet."

Grabbing the support bar and pulling on it, Carl said, “Now wait just a second. If you think I had something to do with Richard's murder, you're wrong. Dead wrong."

"Murder? You're admitting it was murder?” Sadie jabbed a finger toward him. “That's what I needed to hear.” Pointing toward the seat next to the passenger door, Sadie said, “Sit. Now we're going to barter."

Carl stared at his feet. “What do you want?"

Smoothing the fabric on her shorts and tugging at her shirt hem, Sadie wagged her head in contemplation. “Here's exactly what I want. If you drop the lawsuit against us, I won't go to the newspaper. I'll even let you be the hero for solving the case. That, of course, comes with the stipulation you stop harassing Lon. He didn't rough up that guy last summer, you did."

"I'm going to take credit for solving this case by myself,” Carl said, before Sadie could draw a breath and start her next sentence. “No one would ever believe you were capable of solving it."

"Lon's ready to back me up. He'll tell everyone I was the one who came forward with the proof and you failed to find the evidence. And don't forget you're Paul's partner. If Paul committed fraud, and if news gets out that you're in cahoots with him, you'll not only lose the election, you'll lose your job. You'll be named as an accessory."

Grinning, Sadie said, “Don't you just love those legal words? Lon educated me on what to tell the authorities in case anything happens to him."

"You bitch,” Carl muttered under his breath.

"Now was that nice?” Sadie bent down to gaze into his face.

"It fits."

"It may fit, but you forgot to put ‘clever’ in front of it. Once Lon listened to me, it didn't take long for him to locate the evidence. The hard part was finding information on Paul's business holdings and tracking down his cash flow."

Sadie smiled at Carl's discomfort. “Don't look so surprised. Did you really think he'd stop digging once he had proof the tire was shot? Once he discovered that, he couldn't wait to look deeper into Paul's business holdings. What excited him most was finding your name buried deep within Paul's corporate records."

"That doesn't prove I was involved."

Gesturing with an open palm, Sadie said, “It also doesn't prove you weren't involved. Or that you weren't aware of what was going on. I would guess being a silent partner is enough to sway people's vote."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You don't. That's the beauty of it,” Sadie said. “I've got you either way. If you take the resort away from us, I'll go to the press and your career will be over. If you agree to drop your lawsuit now, but try to get the resort at a later date,” Sadie explained as she reached into her purse, “I've got a signed copy from Lon verifying your silent partnership with Paul and my involvement in solving the case."

Sadie waved the folded paper under his nose. “I'm not stupid. I've got copies in my safety deposit box. You might end up owning the resort, but you won't be able to enjoy it from prison."

She tucked the sheets back in her purse. “Don't forget there'll always be a record of your involvement in Paul's corporation. It might interest you that a client of Paul's who was cheated out of money is Mrs. Fading Sun. Does that name ring a bell? You wouldn't want the diversity crusaders to find out you're Paul's partner."

"Oh, and one more thing,” Sadie said. “There's no guarantee I've told you everything. Maybe I've got a little tidbit tucked away for safekeeping."

Sadie turned the key in the ignition. “I expect you to be at my cabin by ten o'clock tomorrow morning with a signed statement indicating you've agreed to drop the lawsuit. If you're not on time, I'll go to the newspaper and tell them what I know."

Carl closed his eyes in resignation.

"My favorite restaurant is Yerry's on the Bay. I believe a gift certificate for three dinners will be an adequate apology for all that nasty name-calling you did earlier."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Sounds of laughter and rejoicing drifted from the cabin as Jane, Sadie, and Mr. Bakke hugged and offered congratulations to one another on their pending victory.

"What if Carl backs out? What if he decides to go to the newspaper by himself?” Jane said.

"From what Sadie told us, I'd bet Carl's dropping the lawsuit as we speak.” Mr. Bakke pulled Jane to his side and kissed her cheek.

Sadie bobbed her head from side to side as she danced an impromptu jig by the kitchen sink. She held a hand out to Theo to join her as she celebrated.

Theo reached for her hand, grasped it, and held it to his lips. After placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles, he said, “To quote our eloquent friend, Rodney, you're one hell of a broad.” He twirled her around the room, dipped her in a graceful sweep, and escorted her to the table. He bowed low as she took her seat.

"Will wonders never cease?” Sadie said. “Theo just complimented me."

"He did?” Jane said.

"He did.” Sadie relished in the glow of Theo's compliment, a hard-won morsel of praise.

"Who else is here?” Mr. Bakke asked.

Sadie looked around the room. “Just Theo. I think Lora's out on the porch with Rodney. Tim and Aanders are in the inner room resting because Tim's stamina is almost gone. Guilt is getting the better of Aanders. He's afraid he ruined Tim's chance of going back through the light."

Sadie walked over to the window, parted the white curtains, and looked out at Lora. A tiny chipmunk sat on Lora's lap. His paw rested against her stomach, his head bobbing with each stroke of Lora's finger. Belly's legs trembled with excitement and he pranced at Lora's feet trying to convince her he needed some quality time with the animal, too. Lost in concentration, Lora ignored Belly's pleas.

Belly finally retreated to the top porch step and plopped down in defeat. His ears twitched erratically and he cocked his head from right to left, focusing on the faint movement beneath the porch.

Mr. Bakke bolted from his chair. “Oh, no. I forgot to take the meat out of the freezer. I better get over there or we'll have frozen fish for dinner."

As Mr. Bakke waited for Jane to join him, Sadie heard a plaintive cry from Rodney. “Sadie. Come here quick. Something's wrong."

Sadie hurried toward the screen door.

"Sadie. I'm over here by the trail,” Rodney shouted.

Sadie crossed the porch. Lora yelled, “No! Don't..."

Rodney wrapped the end of the fishing line around his hand as footsteps clinked across the porch decking. He yanked on the line. An ankle slammed against it, jerking his hand wildly. He scrambled to find the knife to severe the fishing line. A thunk echoed as a body hit the concrete slab at the bottom of the steps.

Jane screamed. She grabbed the railing and hurried down the steps. Kneeling, she called out, “Dial 911. Get an ambulance."

Jane's plea registered with Theo, but he concentrated on Lora's frantic movements.

"It's Rodney. He's hiding under the porch,” Lora screamed, pointing toward the sidewalk. “He told me he was going to kill Sadie."

Lora followed Theo down the stairs. He bent to see under the porch.

Theo dove head first under the structure as Rodney's boots disappeared into the darkness. Clawing at the ground, Theo inched along the damp dirt until he grabbed Rodney's ankle. Rodney's heel swung wide and caught Theo in the jaw. Theo yelled in pain and surprise.

Theo ducked avoiding Rodney's second kick. He pulled on Rodney's leg with all the strength he could summon. Grunts emanated from both men in their struggle. Jamming his foot against a porch brace for leverage, Theo pried the culprit out of the darkness.

Wide-eyed with rage, Theo shouted to Lora, “Get something to tie his hands."

Lora scrambled past the body on the sidewalk, now surrounded by others who stopped to help. Her shaking hands matched her frustration. She bobbed in place. “What do you want me to get?"

"Here, use this,” Theo shouted. Lora ran to assist him. Theo had wrestled Rodney to the ground and held him face down while he knelt on his back. “Pull my belt off. We'll tie his hands behind his back."

Kneeling in front of Theo, Lora unfastened the buckle and yanked the belt through the loops. She dodged Rodney's flailing feet, wrestled his hands into position, and looped the belt tightly around his wrists.

"You bitch. You bitch,” Rodney shouted, spitting dirt from his mouth. “I thought you were going with me.” He jerked from side to side, trying to rid himself of Theo's weight.

Theo removed his suit jacket and secured it around Rodney's ankles. “You're not going anywhere. If it's the last thing I do, I'll see you never leave this place."

Lora's head jerked up. She shouted, “The car. Those people left their car. We can put him in the trunk."

"No,” Rodney screamed, writhing back and forth.

"That's a rental car and they'll be leaving it at the airport this afternoon. Their suitcases are in the back seat. They won't need to open the trunk when they get there.” Lora gasped for breath, the words tumbling from her lips. “I heard them tell Sadie there's no hurry to get the car back because it's scheduled to have work done on it. It wouldn't be rented out for another two weeks.” Seeing Theo's confusion, Lora explained, “By then Rodney's time will be up."

"No. Don't do it,” Rodney yelled as he watched Lora check the trunk latch. “You're supposed to go with me to the other world. I'll give you anything you want.” Lora continued to grope frantically at the latch. Rodney shouted, “I'll kill you. I'll kill you, you bitch."

Lora's hands trembled as she continued to search the trunk's seal. “I can't find the latch.” She felt again and then looked toward Theo. “The keys. I saw those people give Sadie the keys before they went to visit their friends."

After retrieving the keys from the kitchen table, Lora hurried to the driver's door, unlocked it and felt along the driver's seat for a lever. Locating the lever, she lifted it and the trunk popped open.

"Grab his feet. Help me lift him into the trunk.” Theo stooped to slide his arms under the angry crosser. Rodney bent his knees and thrust his feet toward Lora. “Watch out,” Theo shouted. Lora stumbled and fell backward.

Rodney's feet slammed against the ground when Lora dropped them. She stood, set her jaw, and stomped against his knee cap. Ignoring his cries of pain, she looped one arm around his ankles and lifted them off the grass.

Rodney writhed back and forth by bending and then straightening his knees. His captors, bobbling in sync with each thrust of his body, shuffled toward the trunk. Bursts of air issued from Lora's lips.

Shouting to be heard above Rodney's cries, Theo said, “When I say three, lift.” Theo spread his legs to gain better balance. He forced his arms under Rodney's arms and clasped his hands together in front of Rodney's chest. Theo began swinging Rodney's body; Lora mimicked his rhythm. She gasped for air against the burning strain.

Grimacing under the weight, Theo rasped, “One. Two. Three."

As his body was hoisted into the trunk, Rodney clamped his upper arms tightly against Theo's arms and pulled Theo in with him.

Theo's feet left the ground. He sprawled on top of Rodney. Theo struggled to regain his balance and free his arms.

Lora stuck her fingers in Rodney's nostrils and yanked. Then she yanked again.

Screaming as his chin rose to meet Lora's hand, Rodney released Theo's arms. Theo put both hands on the trunk and slammed it. He turned toward Lora. “Are you all right?"

A breathless Lora nodded. She joined Theo and tucked her trembling hands next to her elbows. The two turned their backs on the trunk and leaned against it.