Murdered in Argentina: A Jack Trout Cozy Mystery (17 page)

She set Cayo down on the floor and then she laid on the floor peering under the bed. Sure enough, just as Catalina had said, there was Ray’s antique fly rod with the Hardy Perfect reel attached to it along with his rod case and his box of antique flies. As she was reaching for the rod, the door opened, and Janelle walked into the room.

“What the…?” Janelle said. “Stay where you are, Lisa. So, you figured it out, did you? Well, guess what. You’re right. I’m the one who murdered your husband. He found out about the money I took from the company and gave to Andrew, but you knew that, didn’t you. I had a text today from the janitor at Moving Graphics. I’ve been paying him for some time to make sure no one goes into my department after hours. He thought it was strange when he saw a light on in my office last night. He went in and told Bea he was doing a check like he did every night to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. He said she was sitting at my computer looking at a bunch of numbers.”

As Lisa sat up she saw a gun in Janelle’s hand. “Where did that come from?” she asked fearfully. “I know you can’t get a gun through airport security.”

“Trust me, you can get about anything through security these days, particularly when you’re an attractive woman and you pay people. Not much is off limits, but that’s neither here nor there. Now that you know about me, I think you and I are going to take a little walk down to the lake. The reason I came back to the room just now was to get Ray’s antique fishing equipment out from under my bed and take it down there. I’m going to throw it in the deep section of the lake, so it will never be found. I can’t leave it here under the bed where someone might find it sooner or later, and then I might be implicated in Ray’s murder.

“Since I was already planning on going down to the lake, I’ll just take you along with me and when we get there, I’ll shoot you and put the gun in your hand after you’re dead. It will look like an open and shut case of suicide. Wouldn’t be much of a stretch for everyone to think that you committed suicide because of your husband’s death. Weather being what it is, don’t think anyone will see us go down there. Get up,” she said, motioning with the gun.

Lisa put her hands on the bed to help steady her as she tried to stand up. Neither one of them saw Cayo leap at Janelle’s arm, badly scratching her, and causing her to drop the gun which discharged with a loud bang when it hit the floor. As Janelle and Lisa struggled to get to the gun, the door flew open, and Pablo rushed into the room. In one step he held his knife to Janelle’s throat and yelled, “Senora Trout, come quickly to Senorita Byers’ room.”

Seconds later, in response to the sound of the gunshot and Pablo’s shout, Carola ran into the room, trying to figure out what had happened. “Pablo, what…? Lisa, what’s happened?”

“Later, Senora Trout. I don’t think Senora Martin can stand up right now. I want you to go out in the hall and take the boleadora from the wall where it’s hanging next to where the whip was. That’s the thing that’s made of stones and bound with leather strips. I’ll use it to tie Senorita Byers’ hands behind her back until the chief of police gets here.”

Carola hurried out into the hallway and took the boleadora from where it hung on the wall with the rest of the gaucho display items. She quickly returned to the room with it.

“Senora, hold this knife at her throat. If she moves, plunge it into her. I’ll tie her hands behind her back.”

Lisa sat on the edge of the bed in stunned silence watching the scene taking place in front of her. Cayo had jumped into her lap and seemed to be watching as well.

While Pablo was securing Janelle’s hands behind her back, she screamed, “Stupid cat. Look what he did to my arm. That’s my blood dripping on the floor. Let me go. You can’t prove I did anything.”

Just then Santiago barged into the room. “Pablo, Pilar called me and said she heard a gunshot upstairs. I ran over here as fast as I could. Senora Martin, are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just pretty shaken up. Santiago, Janelle admitted to me that she killed my husband and also said she was going to kill me. What do we do now?” she asked.

“I will call my brother-in-law, the chief of police. I think when he hears that an American woman was the one who killed Senor Martin and was going to kill you, he will be happy to take her away to jail. From what I hear, the jails in Argentina are much different than those in the Unites States. Our jails here in Argentina are in terrible condition and full of mean and cruel prisoners. I don’t envy her.”

“I’m entitled to a phone call. I want to call my attorney in California,” Janelle yelled, trying to get her hands free from the boleadora.

“I don’t think that applies here,” Santiago said, “and even if it did, we’re a small town and Ramiro runs his police department the way he wants to. You’ll be lucky to ever see an attorney. I’ll call him now. I think this will make him quite happy.”

While they were waiting for the chief of police to arrive, Carola said, “Pablo, why did you come back up here?”

He looked at her with a sheepish smile and said, “Pilar said I should ask Senora Martin if she could donate something to my family to help Catalina get medical help. Pilar said the senora was very rich, and that I should try. I was walking down the hall to her room when I heard the gunshot.”

“Considering you saved my life Pablo, I think we definitely should talk later today. Perhaps I can help your family,” Lisa said. “And I probably should thank Pilar as well for sending you up to my room. Let’s not forget Cayo. If he hadn’t jumped up and scratched Janelle, the gun wouldn’t have gone off, and I’d probably be lying dead on the shore of the lake about now.” She petted the cat and whispered, “I don’t know what Carola’s feeding you, but I think I’ll go down to the kitchen and get the best fish Pilar has in stock and give it to you on a silver platter.” Later, when the events of the morning were related, everyone would swear Cayo had grinned.

*****

That afternoon Jack walked into their room and began stripping off his wet clothing as he headed for the shower. “Hi sweetheart,” he said, “how was your day?”

“Quite amazing. I’ll tell you all about it after you take a hot shower.”

CHAPTER 33

The following evening while they were getting dressed for the final dinner at the lodge, Carola said, “I can’t believe we’re all leaving tomorrow. So much has happened in such a short time. I wonder if we’ll be bored when we get home.”

“I certainly won’t,” Jack said. “I’m looking forward to some down time. I don’t know if it was the weather or what, but I think these are the three best days I’ve ever seen on the rivers here. I doubt if the guests will ever catch more fish anywhere else.”

“Well, that’s great news. What with the tragedy that happened while we were here, I don’t think I appreciated how super the fishing was. I’m glad there was some good to go along with the bad. Let’s go downstairs. Lisa’s going to join us tonight, and I want to be there to support her.”

“I’m ready, by the way have I told you lately how much I love you and how beautiful you are?”

“I don’t think so, but I’m more than happy to have you repeat both of those thoughts as often as you wish. Thanks, and I love you just as much, but I don’t think you’re beautiful,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“I’d worry if you did. Might hurt my reputation. Don’t think being a beautiful man would make people want to fish with me.”

“Agreed. Cayo, your treat yesterday was a once in a lifetime thing. Don’t get any big ideas about me giving you treats like that on a regular basis.” Once again, she was sure he understood as he turned and jumped up on the bed, lying down and purring deeply.

When they walked into the great room, the cocktail hour was well under way. Even with Ray’s death, after all, these were fishermen and they were all very happy with their three days of fishing. Jack joined the group and they began to swap fishing stories.

Carola saw Lisa and Mitch talking and walked over to them. “Good evening, Carola,” Lisa said, “you look beautiful tonight.”

“Thanks, and may I return the compliment?”

“I’ll just say ditto to both of you and save myself the trouble of repeating it,” Mitch said laughing.

“Well, how is the new owner and how is the new president of Moving Graphics doing this evening?” Carola asked taking the glass of wine that Mitch had poured for her.

“We’re discussing some changes that need to be made in Janelle’s department as well as in the Janitorial Department. I spoke with Bea today and found out that the man who sent Ray the information regarding the missing funds was the number two man in the Finance Department. I’m going to appoint him as Chief Financial Officer to replace Janelle. I spoke with him, and he doesn’t think anyone else in the department was aware of the situation, so it looks like I won’t have to fire a bunch of other people and create headaches for the Human Resources Department. There are enough changes taking place. Glad I don’t have to implement some more.”

“Lisa, how are you doing?” Carola asked.

“Actually, a lot better than I thought I’d be doing at this point. I’ve had a lot of time to think things over the last couple of days, and even though I know psychologists say when you become a widow or a widower you shouldn’t make changes in your life for at least a year I’m not going with that school of thought. Actually, I would like to speak for a few moments tonight at dinner if that would be okay with you and Jack.”

“Of course, this is your trip. I’m sure Jack would agree with me. You’re the head of it, so whatever you want to do is fine,” Carola responded. “Excuse me, but I need to find out what Pilar is serving tonight. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

She returned just as the bell rang for dinner and stood at the head of the table. “As I’ve done on the other nights, I want to let you know what you’ll be eating tonight, and believe me, you’re going to have a fabulous meal. The entrée is matambre, which is the Argentinian version of stuffed flank steak. It’s delicious. Pilar is also serving spinach fritters, a fruit salad, and for dessert a dish called miljohas, which is layers of pastry stuffed with cream, chocolate, and some other wonderful things. I had it once when we were here previously, and I’ve never forgotten about it. Enjoy!”

When they’d finished eating and after Kevin had led the customary toast for Pilar, Jack stood up. “I would ask that everyone have their luggage outside their room by six-thirty tomorrow morning. The SUVs will be leaving at seven to take you to the airport. On behalf of Carola and myself, I want to thank all of you for coming here and taking part in this fishing trip. Although a tragedy took place, and it was a very eventful few days, we did have the luxury of experiencing some of the best fly fishing I’ve ever seen. Glad you could all be a part of it. Lisa Martin has asked if she could say a few words. Lisa, you’re on,” Jack said as he sat down.

Lisa stood up and looked at the people sitting at the table for a long moment. Although she wore the tragedy of the last few days on her face and in her eyes, it didn’t diminish her beauty. She was dressed in an expensive pair of black silk pants and a matching black tunic. Her diamond wedding ring sparkled as well as the large diamond studs she wore on her ears and the diamond bracelet that circled her slim wrist. She began to speak.

“I want to thank all of you for your support and help over the last few days. I’m truly grateful for the notes and letters that were slipped under my door at various times. While I can’t reverse the events of the last few days, I have several things I’ll be doing in Ray’s honor.”

She took a deep breath and continued. “I have already arranged for Pablo and his wife, Catalina, to leave tomorrow by a hired car for Buenos Aires. Some of you may not know that a doctor here in San Martin believes Catalina has breast cancer and needs treatment from a specialist. None is available in San Martin. Through my doctor in the United States I have made arrangements for her to see the finest cancer specialist in Buenos Aires. She will receive whatever treatment she needs at my expense. I owe my life to Pablo. That’s the least I can do for him and his family”

Everyone sat in complete silence as she continued to speak. “Secondly, this afternoon I purchased a ranch that is adjacent to this one, and I will soon be making it my permanent home. I intend to convert it into a refuge for the stray dogs or, as some call them, the village dogs, in San Martin, and possibly other surrounding towns. These poor dogs live on the streets at the mercy of whatever food they can find in trash cans or scraps of food people give them. Pablo is going to help me hire people to work with the dogs and construct the building I’ll need on the property to complement the refuge.”

“Oh Lisa, that’s wonderful,” Carola blurted out.

“Well, when we had lunch in town the day after Ray died, and I saw all those stray dogs who didn’t have a home, I knew I had to do something. I’ve also purchased a car for Pablo and his family. Actually, this is a bit selfish on my part, because after Catalina wins her fight with cancer, as I hope and pray she will, she’ll be coming to my dog shelter daily to teach me to speak the local language.”

“When do you think you’ll be ready to open it?” Carola asked.

“I don’t know. The first thing to be done is get help for Catalina, and as you can well imagine, there are a number of things I need to do back in California before I can make this move. I’m really excited about it, and I feel very comfortable leaving Moving Graphics in the capable hands of all of you.” She turned to Jack and Carola and said, “You probably thought you were going to be rid of me, but with my purchase of the adjoining property, I’ll be able to see you whenever you bring groups here. Oh, one more thing. Ray’s antique fishing gear was so special to him, that it didn’t seem right for me to sell it, so I’m donating it to the Museum of Fly Fishing.”

Brad laughed and said, “Well, I really would have liked to have owned it and added it to my collection, but I think you found a very good home for it. At least I won’t have to be jealous that someone else has it.”