Nobody's Sorry You're Dead: A Hadley Pell Cozy Mystery (13 page)

“
H
e’s suing you
,” said Rayna, flatly. “I knew this would happen. First, Eustian slings mud, bad-mouthing somebody. Then, when he tires of that little game, he brings a lawsuit. This is so typical. He’s like a one-trick pony. He keeps pulling the same stunt over and over on people around here.”

“I know,” said Sandy. “Don’t say it. You tried to warn me.”

“What’s he saying you did, put the tires on backwards?” Rayna asked.

“Not as simple as that,” Sandy said. “Eustian’s satisfied with the fabricated parts I made for his tractor, but he claims I stole some original ones when I was in his barn. I didn’t, of course. But Eustian swears I am trying to stiff him for more money.”

“That’s ridiculous,” said Rayna.

“I know. But my reputation’s gonna be ruined,” Sandy said. “You see, Rayna, I guaranteed I’d make those parts as good as the original. I’m good at my job, but Eustian’s branding me as a thief.”

“But Sandy Miller, you are one man who is as honest as the day is long.”

“Well, in court, it’s gonna be my word against Eustian’s. What he said versu what I said. Nobody was in that barn but him and me. He knows I didn’t steal anything. But that doesn’t stop him from lying. I know what he wants. He’s had second thoughts about shelling out all that money. He wants me to give him the parts and throw in my labor for free. I won’t do it. So, he’s suing me.”

“What are you going to do?” Rayna said.

“I’m going to fight it,” Sandy said. “Gunn wants to settle quick and hope the stink dies down. But I am going to fight this. I’m tired of Eustian pushing people around for a quick, easy buck.”

“You watch,” said Rayna. “He’ll give you some time to think about it. See your lawyer. It won’t take long. It’s incredible how fast your legal fees will pile up. Then, Eustian’s snake oil salesman, who calls himself a lawyer, will come knocking on your door suggesting a settlement out of court. He’ll tell you it’s cheaper in the long run. And he’s right!”

“I’ve lived here long enough to know how Singlepenny operates,” Sandy said. “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that story about how Eustian has hoodooed folks, I’d be a millionaire.”

“Eustian can wreck you, Sandy,” Rayna said. “Take it from me.”

“I know,” said Sandy. “But I’m not only worried about me, Rayna. I’m worried about Gunn, too. Business has slacked off so much since Eustian brought the suit against me. Gunn’s got nothing to do. With that little brother of mine, too much time on his hands is a problem. Don’t worry, though. I’ll handle Gunn and Singlepenny.”

“But this suit could end up costing you an arm and a leg, Sandy. You could be ruined. Oh, Sandy. Oh . . .”

Rayna started crying.

“Rayna, don’t,” Sandy said. “I didn’t mean to upset you, but I felt if I didn’t tell you, some gossiper down at Lou Edna’s would.”

Rayna hung up the phone. Suddenly, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under her feet.

Again.

* * *

T
eddy Croft was
36 years old. His father and grandfather had been in the orchard business, and like them, Teddy was an orchard man. Teddy fell in love and married Rayna Lowell. It was Teddy’s second marriage and Rayna’s first.

Teddy had one son, Junior, by his first wife, Lynnette, who died in an auto accident at the age of 27. Rayna and Teddy had one son, Richard, two years after they were married.

The family had several good seasons, and Teddy was planning to expand his orchards. Junior was enthusiastically involved in every stage. Teddy Croft had approached his neighbor, Eustian Singlepenny, in the hopes that the old man would sell him about 40 acres. But the gruff man told Teddy to stay on his side of the fence and leave him the hell alone.

Teddy complied. As Teddy looked at his watch, he felt the cold wind blow over the mountains. Spring was coming late this year. It happened like that, sometimes. Anybody could tell you that farming was a risky business. So much depended on the whims of Mother Nature. This year had been totally unpredictable. It seemed that every time Teddy thought they’d turned the corner and frost was behind them, a cold snap would come roaring over the slopes.

Teddy and twelve-year-old Junior stood looking up at the sky.

“If that wind dies down, Junior, we’re in for it,” Teddy said.

“I know, Daddy,” said Junior. “You want me to set out the kerosene heaters.”

“Yeah, son,” Teddy said. “There’s no time to waste.”

Junior and Teddy set to work.

“I’m going to get the tractor, Junior. I’m going to load up the wagon. We’ll put extra straw around the trees, too.”

“All right,” Junior said.

“Can’t hurt,” Teddy said. “Even if we’re fooled, and it don’t drop low tonight, I don’t trust this weather we’re having. If not tonight, the thermometer may still sink tomorrow night. We’re better off if we err on the side of caution.”

Junior doggedly set out the heaters. His father was right. The straw would be extra protection if it got too cold, but he prayed the mercury on the thermometer would hold above freezing.

That night, Rayna, Junior, and Teddy were in the orchards. They moved the oil heaters farther down the slope where cold air was settling.

“We’re running low on fuel,” Teddy said. “Junior, stay with the trees here. Move the heaters around when you feel you have to. Rayna and I are going after more straw to put around the bases of the trees in the lower section.”

Junior knew that the remaining amount of fuel would not last through the night.

He started his UTV and headed to the neighbor’s. It wasn’t far, and the utility vehicle glided between the trees. When he knocked on Mr. Singlepenny’s door, he did not know what to expect. Eustian Singlepenny had given up his father’s orchards to the weeds and pests. He lived with his widowed mother in the family home. Junior had been told leave Mr. Singlepenny alone. But this was an emergency.

Junior explained his family’s desperate situation.

“How much you got?”

“I have saved eighty-nine dollars and forty-three cents, Mr. Singlepenny. We need fuel for the kerosene heaters. It’s all I have. Do you have any extra kerosene around?”

“There’s some in some those sheds out back. I don’t know how much,” Eustian said.

“I’ll be grateful for any that you’ve got,” said Junior, turning to go. “Thanks a lot, sir.”

“Wait a minute, boy. This ain’t no charity. Take whatever cans are in the sheds, but leave me that money.”

“But how many are there?” Junior asked.

“How the bum am I supposed to know? You want the fuel or not? Don’t matter if it’s one can or two hundred. The price is eighty-nine dollars and change.”

“It’s at home in a cigar box. I’ll bring you the money, tomorrow, Mr. Singlepenny. You have my word.”

“Wait a minute,” Eustian said, disappearing into the dark recesses of the house.

“What’s this?” Junior said, as Eustian shoved a dirty piece of paper towards him.

“I.O.U.,” Eustian said. “Sign it. It’s a promise you’ll come back tomorrow with the money.”

Junior scrawled his name on the bottom and handed the paper back to Eustian.

“Now, you be careful in them sheds, boy. Don’t tear up nothing. Be sure to bring me them empty cans back, you hear,” Eustian said.

“Yes, sir,” Junior said.

Junior went to the shed. Although it was dark, he had his flashlight. He found four red fuel cans and loaded them into the utility vehicle. He hurried back to his father’s orchard. With luck, he’d refill the pots before his father and Rayna returned with the load of straw.

Junior grabbed a can and raced to a kerosene heater. He refilled it quickly. The temperatures were dropping and his nose ran. His hands were cold. The cans were old. Junior was in a hurry. He was so cold, he never noticed the fuel didn’t smell right. He sloshed some on his pants leg and boots.

“Junior!” Teddy called. “What are you doing?”

“I bought some kerosene from Mr. Singlepenny, Daddy.” Junior said. “Some of them were running out.”

Junior stood up and looked at his father.

The was a rumble, and the explosion sent an orange fire ball up through the trees and into the black, starry sky.

“Junior!” Teddy and Rayna screamed.

Junior was dead.

Teddy Croft was never the same after that night.

Two weeks after they’d buried Junior, Teddy ran into Eustian in town.

“What’s this?” Teddy asked, when Eustian pushed a torn piece of paper Teddy’s way.

“Collectin’ on a bill your boy owed me,” Eustian said.

“What are you talking about?” Teddy asked.

“Your boy signed this bill. He owes me this amount. All of it, and I aim to collect it,” Eustian said.

“My boy’s dead,” Teddy said, flatly.

“I know. But you’re his daddy,” Eustian said. “If he can’t pay me, I ’spect you can.”

The rage inside Teddy Croft’s heart boiled over. He lurched toward Singlepenny, grabbing him by the throat.

“You Devil!” Teddy screamed. “That was gas in those old kerosene cans! What were you thinking! I know Junior. He was careful. If that old can had been labeled Gasoline, Junior never would have pour it into the heater. You killed my son!”

“You can’t prove that! And I’ll swear till the day I die that there was kerosene in all of them! Way I heard, nothin’ left but a few scraps of your boy. If that’s true, then there’s not gonna be anything left of them cans but a few shards of metal. Dern heater was defective, if you ask me. Blew up ’cause it was broke.

All I know is, I didn’t have nothing to do with your brat’s death. But you still owe me that money. Go put that in your kerosene heater and heat it!”

Several men raced to pull Teddy off Eustian. Eustian got up, coughing and sputtering.

“Arrest this man!” Eustian screamed. “He tried to kill me! You all saw it! Arrest him, I say.”

Nobody moved. The sheriff, hearing the commotion on the street, ran up to the group. Teddy Croft was arrested for assault and battery. Eustian refused to drop the charges. The trial that followed was covered in the local papers. When the evidence was presented that Eustian may have stored gasoline instead of kerosene in one of the containers in the shed, an audible gasp was heard in the courtroom.

Eustian was called back to the stand and swore he had stored only kerosene in his metal fuel cans.

The jury deliberated for two hours, returning to the box.

“Do you have a verdict?” the judge asked.

Teddy Croft was let go.

“This is a travesty!” Eustian yelled, as the Croft family exited the court room. “He tried to choke me! Attempted murder! What is wrong with you people! I got people in town who saw this man try to kill me!”

Two months later, Teddy Croft disappeared.

No one knew where Teddy went. Rayna got up one morning, and he was gone.

Had he committed suicide? Too depressed to continue on? Was the sorrow of losing his eldest son too much? Had he just left, abandoning his home where too many memories lingered? Was the pain too much?

No one knew.

There was no body. No note. Nothing.

Reports of sighting in Alaska and Idaho filtered in. The next few years saw good crop yields, and somehow Rayna held onto the orchard. Still, it was hard for her and Richie.

More questions than answers, but Rayna persisted, working from sunup until sundown, to provide for herself and Richie. Rayna planted new varieties of fruit trees, hoping that if one kind had a poor yield, another would not. She was lucky enough to have enough good Croft land to do this.

Eustian stewed and continued to be a thorn in Rayna’s side. Every chance he got, he pestered her. He pitched a fit when trees were planted near the property line. But Rayna was careful. They were near the line, but not on it, so Eustian fumed and ranted, but nothing came of his threats.

She had tried to warn Sandy to steer clear of Singlepenny. But her words of warning had gone unheeded. But, what could she do?

She was just a woman, after all.

“
I
can’t believe
my luck!” Anna said, as Hadley entered the library. She had decided to make good on the resolution to check out books and expand her horizons.

“Anna, what’s going on? It’s barely lunchtime. You look as if you’re closing,” Hadley said.

“I am,” Anna said, “but only for a couple of hours.”

“Stanley just called. He wants me to rush home,” Anna said.

“Is there some kind of emergency?” Hadley asked. “My goodness, I surely hope not.”

“No. Not at all,” Anna said. “I thought so, at first, too. But Stanley sounded too chipper. I asked him if something was wrong. Stanley assured me he’s fine.”

The smile on her face put Hadley at ease.

“It’s my birthday! Stanley has been so mysterious. I knew he was up to something. In fact, he’s still in Richmond. He won’t be back for two more days. But he just phoned and said my surprise was waiting for me at home! I have to go now because Stanley said they’ve delivered it. Someone is waiting for me at the trailer.”

“That’s so mysterious. And so exciting! What can it be?” Hadley asked.

“I don’t know, but he was insistent I go home at once! Maybe it’s a horse!” said Anna. “On second thought, Stan is so practical, it’s probably a beef cow. But I have to find out! So, I decided to close and go. Right now. This is so unlike me, but Hadley, I am dying to see it. Come with me.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I don’t want to celebrate my birthday alone. You must come. You must!”

“All right,” Hadley said.

She hated lonely holidays and had faced a few since Harry’s passing.

“Since you put it that way.”

Anna left a hand-lettered sign taped to the door.

“Oh, Hadley,” she said, “slipping her key in the ignition, I feel just like a teenager skipping school!”

“And I feel like your partner! Man, I hope we don’t get expelled or have to stay late in detention!”

As they raced to Anna’s house, Hadley couldn’t help but feel a bubble of happiness rise in her. Anna’s excitement was contagious.

“Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!” Hadley exclaimed, as Anna pulled up to her house.

“It’s a Tomahawk! Oh, Stanley, I love you!” Anna exclaimed. “A Tomahawk!”

“That’s surely no cow, Anna,” Hadley said as they walked up to get a closer look.

“My very own plane!” Anna said. “I can’t believe it!”

A gentleman was standing beside the aircraft.

“You are one lucky lady,” he said. “Do you want me to show you what she can do?”

“Give me the rundown,” Anna said, and she and the gentleman began to talk.

“Come on, Hadley. Don’t just stand there like a knot on a log. Climb in. Stanley has been working out here on this pasture for weeks. I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together! Hadley, come on!”

Hadley had never flown in her life. She and Harry always preferred the land route in their rolling boat of an automobile as opposed to exploring the heavens in an airship.

“It looks kinda flimsy, Anna,” Hadley observed. “Are you sure the wings won’t fall off?”

“Oh, don’t be silly. This craft is perfectly safe. This gentleman explained to me that Stanley got it for a steal! It’s in perfect working order. Don’t you just love it, Hadley? It’s so cute!”

“A steal!” Hadley said. “Will the wheels stay inflated?”

Anna was climbing inside the little plane before Hadley could blink

“Don’t let looks fool you,” Anna said. “It’s a simple, light, and dependable airplane, Hadley. Oh, I can’t wait to try it out.”

Hadley looked unconvinced.

“Come on. Climb in. I want you to feel what it’s like.”

“Oh, Anna, I don’t know.”

“But Hadley, somebody has to celebrate with me!”

“Here, ma’am,” the gentleman said, “here’s a step ladder.”

The man positioned the stepladder for Hadley to climb up.

“All right, but Mr. Flyboy here has got to turn his back and promise not to peek. This ain’t gonna be pretty,” said Hadley. “If I don’t split my torso, I may rip my jeans or split my underwear. No peeking, now.”

The gentleman was smiling, but he turned his back on Hadley. He gave his word he would remain where he was until Hadley said he could turn around. Hadley lumbered up onto the wing.

“Are you sure we’ll both fit in that thing?” she asked. “Looks kinda small in there.”

“We’re fine,” Anna said. “Now, get in.”

“You’re serious,” Hadley said.

“Absolutely. I want you to see how great it feels to sit in my plane,” said Anna.

Pale Hadley had a sick look on her face.

“I want you to know I’m only doing this because we’re friends,” Hadley said.

Anna laughed.

Hadley inched her way forward on the wing. Awkwardly, she climbed into the little plane.

“The view’s good from here,” she said. “But for a moment there, I wasn’t sure whether the inseam in my britches was gonna cut the mustard.”

“You did great,” Anna said.

“It’s real nice, Anna. I’ll be sure to tell Stan he did good with this gift,” Hadley said.

“It’s better than nice. This is the best gift Stanley’s ever given me.”

“Uh-huh,” and Hadley’s eyeballs popped. “Hey, you moved!”

Hadley was talking to the gentleman who was now standing away from the plane. The man gave Anna a thumb’s up. Anna smiled and nodded her head.

The motor caught and the propeller began to spin.

“Maybe I should get ouuuuuut,” Hadley screamed. “Annnnnaaa, this is definitely not a good idea!”

Hadley was frantic.

“I just want you to see what she can do,” Anna yelled above the engine, and the plane started to roll forward.

Hadley’s jaw fell. The little plane went bobbling down the runway.

“Anna! Are you crazy! You’ll get us both killed!” Hadley screamed.

Hadley heard the melodious sound of Anna’s joyous laughter for a split second before the plane took off.

“Isn’t this wonderful,” Anna said. “Hadley, open your eyes. Don’t be afraid. I am a good pilot. I promise. It’s like riding a bike. Once you learn, you never forget.”

Hadley’s neck had disappeared into her shoulders. Her eyes were squished shut. Her stomach had landed around her feet the moment the little plane left the ground. She was trying hard to overcome her fear and pray frantically to her Maker at the same time. If she was going to meet Him, and she felt certain she was, she wanted to be on speaking terms.

But the delight in Anna’s voice made Hadley want to open her eyes. Anna sounded like a little girl at Christmas.

Hadley managed to crack on one squinting eye.

It was a dizzying, magical, wonderful sight.

“Everything looks so small down there,” she managed to say.

“You’ll get used to it. I love it,” and Anna turned the craft sharply to the right.

“Anna, can’t you warn a body before you make her heart leap out of her throat!”

Anna just laughed.

“Where are we? It’s beautiful.”

“I know. We live in a beautiful part of the country, Hadley. But the orchards and farms are even more magnificent from above.”

Anna was right. As Hadley peered out of the little bubble-like windshield, the whole countryside looked like a gorgeous patchwork quilt. Anna flew low, past Hadley’s house, past the court house, and over the outlying farms and orchards. Hadley saw dirt roads crisscrossing the land that she never knew existed.

There was Croft Orchards with a maze of dirt paths cutting the property, bisecting the orchards, connecting the out buildings, and leading to and away from Rayna’s neat, white frame farm house. There was the Singlepenny place with its own much smaller network of dirt roads and a beaten path between the two. From above, you would never know that the specter of Death had recently visited Eustian’s home. From above, everything looked normal and peaceful and undisturbed.

And across the road was Xenith Lane’s farm with cows and horses that looked like little specs.

“The trees look like fluffy green cotton balls,” she remarked.

By the time the little airplane landed, Hadley’s fears had dissolved.

“That was something,” she said to Anna. “Really something.”

The gentleman was standing by a fence post, a goofy smile pasted on his face. Hadley clambered down and walked over to him.

“I forgive you,” Hadley said as she passed him. “But if I ever see you walking around in town, I’ll be sure to run over you and back up over you at least twice, for good measure. I won’t be going fast enough to kill you, just hurt you, really, really bad. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

The gentleman laughed heartily.

“You had a great time, didn’t you,” he said to Hadley.

“I loved it,” she said, winking and smiling at him.

“I knew you would.”

“Oh,” Hadley said, “you knew no such thing. But you can thank your lucky stars I did!”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, with feigned respect.

“Hadley,” Anna said, “let’s go in and telephone Stanley. I can’t wait to tell him how much fun we had and how I love the biplane.”

“You go on in,” Hadley said. “I gotta go meet Rayna. We’ve got a ton of work to do on this year’s bazaar. Happy birthday, Anna. Tell Stanley he’s the best!”

“Thanks,” Anna said, waving to Hadley as she drove away. “I will.”

“Now,” Hadley mumbled to herself, “it’s on to cakes and pies and second-hand clothes.”

Somehow, after the fly-by over Hope Rock County, that all sounded terribly flat and boring.