Forbidden Entry (31 page)

A hesitation. “That doesn't sound right. I only served him one beer. Listen, I know drunk when I see it and he wasn't. Plus that, I'd be liable if I sent him out of here if he was too intoxicated to drive.”

“So…what could account for the witness statements?”

“I don't know. I think I remember him saying his stomach wasn't feeling too good and he felt light-headed, like he might be coming down with the flu or something, but that's all. He was
not
drunk when he left here.”

“I see.” Might as well wind this up.

“Are we done? I gotta get back to work.”

“Anything out of the ordinary happen that night? Anyone in particular stand out? Do you remember who was there?”

“I can't remember everybody who comes in here. We have regulars who live here and others from the surrounding area, but we also get a lot of visitors passing through on their quads and ATVs. We get our share of Snowbirds and lowlanders from the valley too.”

“Who would you consider a regular?”

“I dunno. All the townspeople. Local miners, ranchers and the residents of Raven Creek. Our area BLM ranger comes in after work sometimes.”

“Yes, I've met Linda Tressick and also Burton Carr.”

“Yeah. Burt usually stops in for lunch 'bout once a week. I think he may have been here that night, but I'm not positive.”

“So, nothing about that night stands out in your mind? Benjamin Halstead came in, ordered a drink, talked, played pool and then left.”

“That's about it. Oh...wait. I do remember one thing different. I had to break up a fistfight between a couple of roughnecks and two of our local boys.”

“From Crown King?”

“No, from the McCracken Ranch.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Are you talking about the Hinkle brothers?”

“You know 'em?”

“Yeah, we've met a few times.”
Another
coincidence? How was that even possible? I thanked him and hurriedly dialed the sheriff's office. “Julie! I need a favor. I don't have time to get over there today to finish reading those two files, so could you scan the tox report on Benjamin Halstead and send it over to me?”

“Sure, give me a few minutes.”

It was a quarter after five by the time I got her email. Knowing I still had to stop at the store to buy chips and dip for the potluck, I skimmed through the toxicology report as quickly as I could. Holy flippin' cow! The report showed documented evidence of the powerful painkiller OxyContin in Benjamin Halstead's system.

CHAPTER

27

Deeply troubled and more intrigued than ever, there were so many thoughts knocking around in my head it was difficult to stay focused on the task at hand. Lost in a fog, I locked up, rushed to the store, grabbed a cart and headed down the aisle. I paused in front of the potato and tortilla chips section thinking that I needed to contact some of Benjamin Halstead's friends and relatives to find out more information about him. Had the young man been abusing OxyContin and perhaps other stimulants prior to that night? Or had he, as my Internet research illustrated, been out partying and ingested a dangerous cocktail of drugs and alcohol before driving off the cliff? Where had he obtained the drugs?

After witnessing the alarming conduct of the drug-addled teens in the desert, my own brother's bizarre behavior and what I suspect had been a drug deal going down in Jerome, it seemed a certainty that the Hinkles were involved. Had Benjamin Halstead met them there to make a purchase? Had he taken too much and fallen asleep at the wheel? Or was I reading too much into the fact that the two men just happened to be at the saloon that particular night? Was I using twisted logic to cast blame because I found them repugnant and harbored resentment towards them for providing my brother with illicit drugs?

But was it a coincidence that they appeared to be connected with every single person I had met in and around Raven Creek? And what about their access to the gravel company property? If Jack Loomis was associated with them, was it possible that Luke Campbell had also come in contact with them during his weeks of gathering interviews for his documentary film? And if so, was it conceivable the brothers had been entangled in the strange circumstances surrounding his death? But, how would that have been possible? And the most important question had to be, why? Was there a connection between him and Benjamin Halstead? And if there was, what possible motive could the Hinkle brothers have to silence these two men?

The next thought that popped into my head took my breath away. Oh my God! Could they somehow be linked to the deaths of Nathan and Jenessa? Was it mere coincidence all four people had been found dead within a few miles of Raven Creek? Could that be the key? Or was I way, way out in left field? My supposition sounded logical. The problem was, I possessed not one single shred of evidence to prove it. All I had to go on was the grinding apprehension lodged deep inside me.

“Excuse me. Would you please move your cart?”

Startled, I looked up to realize I was blocking the aisle and had to issue a sheepish smile to the exasperated elderly woman. “Sorry, I was thinking about something…”

As she rushed by with a curt nod, I glanced at my phone. Oh crap! I was really late now. Haphazardly, I chose several bags of chips, threw four containers of dip into the cart and checked out. Still preoccupied, I drove across town towards Marcelene's cottage, wondering why I was so hungry. Then it dawned on me. I'd been too busy to eat lunch.

No sooner had I pulled into the motel parking lot, gathered up the grocery bags and started towards the cottage than my cell phone sounded. Awkwardly, I slid the bags up my arms and fished out my phone. When I saw Tally's name on the screen, my heart did a happy, little dance. “Hey, Cowboy! I was wondering why you hadn't called.”

“Sorry, we were out on the Jeep tour. No cell towers in the middle of Monument Valley.”

“I'm so jealous I missed it.”

He chuckled. “You would have loved every minute.”

“I know. How's my dad holding up?”

“He's a real trouper, but I can tell his ankle is bothering him.”

I sighed. “I'll bet he's not taking his pain pills again. Poor guy.” A sudden gust of wind rattled the plastic bags. “Well, how are Sean and my mom doing?”

Dead air. “They're tolerating each other.”

“That means they've been at each other's throats the whole trip, doesn't it?”

“Sort of. Listen, some problems have come up and we're going to have to skip the last leg of the trip to Canyon de Chelly and head back tomorrow morning.”

His somber tone sent a pang of concern sweeping through me. “Why? What's wrong? Is it because of the bad weather coming?”

“That could be a factor, but secondary. Got a couple of other problems.”

Was I going to have to drag it out of him? “Such as?”

“Ronda left me a message earlier. She's been pushing Ma hard to take her meds. She finally did and overdosed.”

Taken aback, I gasped, “You're kidding!”

“Nope. Ronda rushed her to the emergency room and they had to pump her stomach.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“As far as I know. Ronda's there with her now, but she said Ma is raising a ruckus asking for me.”

Immediately suspicious, I wondered if this was a deliberate ploy by Ruth to get Tally away from my family and back in her clutches? She was a master manipulator and I would put nothing past the conniving old witch. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Before you get your panties in a twist, you might want to know the second reason.”

“What?”

“Your brother's sick.”

“Really? What's wrong with him?”

“I dunno. He's blaming the Indian fry bread and says traveling in the car is bothering his stomach.”

All the years we'd been together growing up I'd never known him to have motion sickness. Did that mean he would try to opt out of our driving excursion to southern Arizona next week? “I see. Well, what are your plans? Are you coming back tonight?”

“I don't think that's necessary. Ronda's going to stay overnight and everybody's too tired to travel now. I'll let everyone sleep in a little bit and we'll head back right after breakfast tomorrow.”

“What time do you think you'll get in?”

“I'm shooting for noon or so. I'll drop your family at the motel and go on to Phoenix.”

“We'll probably pass each other going opposite directions on the freeway. I have one more guy to interview in the Bumble Bee area around two. I'm going to invest a few more hours and then I'm done with this story.”

“That so?”

“Yeah.” Chagrined, I swiftly changed the subject. “Hey, any chance you'll get back in time to meet us for dinner tomorrow at the Barbeque Pit around six?”

“Can't say for sure yet. But that's a good pick. Your family will like the Old West ambiance and the ribs for sure.”

“I wonder if Sean will feel up to going.”

“I wouldn't count on it. Even if he wasn't feeling sick, I think he and your mom need a break from each other. They had a pretty big blow-up this morning.”

“What about?”

“Not sure. I came in on the tail end of it.”

“Oh man. Sorry about that.”

“Even with the squabbling, I've enjoyed getting to know your family, especially your dad.”

“I knew you two would hit it off.”

Apparently not willing to let go of my earlier pronouncement he inquired softly, “You glossed over it pretty fast, but I gather your investigation didn't pan out?”

“No, it hasn't. At least not the way Marcelene and Ginger hoped. Granted, I met some colorful characters, but so far I haven't been able to come up with a workable theory or even one miniscule crumb of evidence to prove that what happened to Jenessa and Nathan was not accidental.” I blew out a dejected sigh. “Now I have to go in and tell them that I failed.”

“I wouldn't say you failed, Kendall. It is what it is. They'll just have to accept the truth.”

“It's not like there isn't still a boatload of unanswered questions. Wish I could get the toxicology report from Fritzy now,” I lamented, staring up at the brilliant starlit sky, “instead of having to wait months.”

“Why so long?”

“She's backlogged with too many cases. Oh well, maybe I'll learn something new tomorrow.”

“You're by far the toughest taskmaster of yourself,” he consoled me with a chuckle. “You did your best. That's all you can do.”

“I'll get over it.”

“I know one thing for sure,” he added, his tone turning husky, “I could sure use some alone time with you, pretty lady.”

His intimate suggestion sent a surge of warmth coursing through me. “Cowboy, you can count on it.”

After we exchanged goodbyes, I stood there in the cold night air for another minute, savoring the image of his invitation, then headed for the cottage. I rang the doorbell and was still formulating what I should say when the door swung open. “Well, it's about time you showed up, girl!” Ginger reached out and crushed both the chips and me in an enthusiastic embrace. “Come on into the kitchen. Everybody's been waitin' on ya.”

“Sorry, it was a hellish day at work, I got away late...”

“Don't fret none,” she said, reaching for the plastic grocery bags. “Now that Bonnie and Tom are here to help out, guess what?”

I eyed her with puzzlement. “What?”

She treated me to her dimpled, pixie-faced grin. “I'm gonna be back at my desk first thing in the mornin'!”

“Oh, that's great news! You have no idea how much we've missed you.”

“I figured that might make your day.”

“It sure does.” When we reached the doorway, I asked in a low voice, “How's everyone holding up?”

“Well as can be expected. Lot of waterworks around here. I know I've bawled so much I ain't got a tear left to shed right now. It was pretty rough pickin' up Jenessa's car today and just now Aunt Marcelene got a phone call sayin' they're releasing her body to the funeral home tomorrow.” Looking morose, she tacked on, “It still don't seem real.”

“I know.”

She searched my face expectantly. “Did ya find out anything new?”

I was in no hurry to admit I hadn't. “How about we eat first. I'm starving.”

“Come on into kitchen. Nona rustled up her famous chicken casserole, I brung that corn bake you like so much and Bonnie's whipped up a snazzy-lookin' salad. Oh! And Brian brought ice cream. I think we can get ya filled up.”

“Let's get started.”

Bonnie and Tom greeted me with animated smiles and hugs, while Brian called out, “Hey, how's it going?” from across the room. As always, it was a pleasure to visit with their grandmother, Nona, who delighted in concocting a different pronunciation of my name almost every time we met. With her hearing almost gone, she'd pronounced my name as ‘candle' at our first encounter and, continuing her tongue-in-cheek tradition, she asked with a merry twinkle in her eyes, “How you doin' tonight, Scandal?”

“That's a new one!” I grinned and bent down to kiss her withered cheek. “I'm doing okay.” True to staying in character as a former Broadway leading lady, she wore an over-abundance of blush and sported an outlandish feather hat—both endearing aspects of her playful personality.

While everyone ate and conversed, keeping to light topics like the weather, amusing stories about Bonnie and Tom's baby and the upcoming engagement party, the underlying sadness was palpable as everyone verbally tiptoed around the somber subject matter. For me, conjuring up the image of Jenessa's cold body lying in the funeral home proved to be an exceedingly effective appetite suppressant. After dinner, while everyone pitched in to clean up, with the exception of Nona, who had nodded off in her wheelchair, Marcelene caught my eye. She and Ginger traded expectant glances before she motioned for me to follow them into the living room. Hating to admit that I'd come up empty-handed, I filled them in on what I'd learned, omitting some of the more depressing details. The entire time, Marcelene sat there shaking her head no and when I concluded with a sheepish shrug, she snapped, “I can't be wrong. I am certain that something terrible happened to her. I refuse to accept the premise that it was an accident. I…I feel it right here.” She pressed her hands to her middle and her stricken expression turned my heart inside out.

“I do too,” Ginger concurred in a tremulous voice, pinning me with a look of mild reproof. “Don't you?”

I threw up my hands in frustration. “Yes! I do! Look, I believe there
is
something weird going on out there, but for the life of me, I can't logically connect whatever it is with Jenessa. And if there isn't any evidence, there's nothing I or anyone else can do. I can't magically create it.”

My passionate declaration was met with stone-cold silence from both women. I shrank beneath their disapproving stares, unable to remember being this disappointed in myself, and my abilities as an investigative reporter. Marcelene's crestfallen gaze slid away from mine, but Ginger reached out to pat my knee. “We ain't mad at ya, sugar. And well, we both feel bad about even askin' you with your family here and all, but it's just that we both feel real strong about this and it don't seem like Marshall is taking it seriously.”

“He's in the same boat I am. Listen, I haven't given up yet. I'm going out there again tomorrow. I've got one more person left to interview. He's the man who found…the…them. I'm hoping maybe he'll have some new information.” I directed my attention back to Marcelene. “If it's okay with you I'd like to go through her room one more time in case I may have missed something. But, I could use your help as well.” I repeated my conversation with Stuart Taylor. “He told me that Nathan called him at some point during their trip. Did you have any communication from Jenessa after she left here?”

Marcelene nodded. She called me two…maybe three times.”

“From her cell phone.”

“Yes.”

“Did she say where she was calling from?”

“Not specifically. Out in the forest someplace.”

“Did she say what they were doing?”