A Bobwhite Killing (27 page)
Read A Bobwhite Killing Online
Authors: Jan Dunlap
Tags: #Murder, #Nature, #Warbler, #Crime, #Birding, #Birds
“This is Bob.”
“This is Detective Harriman in Fillmore County. Stan Miller asked me to call you and let you know we found evidence that Sheriff Paulsen was the one who cut your brake line. We found a tool in her squad car trunk with brake fluid on it. I understand that your vehicle is readily identified by your vanity plates, so that would explain how she knew which car was yours at the hotel lot on Saturday night.”
No surprise there. It wasn’t the first time my plates had given me away. Usually it was to the highway patrol when I was racking up speeding tickets. Tagging my car for sabotage was a novelty.
“We also know that you spoke with the sheriff Saturday night concerning your suspicions about Ben Graham. We’re operating on the assumption that was her motive for cutting your brake line—she didn’t want you nosing any further into his affairs, so she decided to make you feel unwelcome in town.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I noted. “Especially since it resulted in an accident that injured my friend. It could, conceivably, have been a lot worse, Detective. We could have been killed.”
“That’s why I’m calling. Do you want to press charges?”
I wasn’t sure. Naturally, I wanted justice for Bernie and myself, but at the same time, I wasn’t convinced I wanted to be a part of the media feeding frenzy that was bound to spring up around a sensational double murder case like this one. I’d already had a taste of sound-byte fame on television, and it sure hadn’t left me with an appetite for more.
“Can I get back to you on that?”
“Your call, Mr. White. Oh, and Stan said I should tell you something else we found. The bug on Billy Mason’s car not only broadcast location, but it was an amazing piece of hardware. It actually recorded conversations in the car—in particular, we got one side of a phone conversation that Billy had with Ben Graham after he’d witnessed Jack’s murder. Billy told the mayor he had some information about the sheriff that could ruin them both and he set up a drop point for a blackmail payoff at Mystery Cave. We played the tape for Graham, and he admitted he’d called the sheriff about it. Apparently, they both decided that Paulsen should be the one to meet Billy. And the gun that shot O’Keefe? It turns out it was one that had gone missing from the evidence room at the police station.”
“So you’ve got enough for a solid case against the sheriff?”
“I’d say so. The prosecutor in this case is going to have his pick of charges, for both the sheriff and the mayor. That little bug turned out to be a big break for us.”
“Thank you, Eddie Edvarg,” I said. Crazy Eddie’s electronic wizardry had once again won one for the home team.
There was a momentary silence at the other end of the phone connection. “The name’s Harriman,” the detective reminded me, “but you’re welcome anyway. Let me know what you decide about charges.”
I closed the phone and turned into the driveway of my townhouse. The automatic garage door opener jammed and refused to raise the door, so I left my car outside and let myself in through the front door.
I wasn’t alone.
Sprawled across my living room sofa was Luce, sound asleep. Her long blonde hair trailed over the cushions and her left hand hung off the couch, almost touching the floor rug. A couple of cartons from her favorite Chinese take-out place were sitting on the coffee table, empty, but still filling the room with a lingering aroma of lemon chicken.
I sat next to her hip and laid my hand on her shoulder.
“Luce. Wake up. I’m home.”
She made some sleepy noises and blinked her eyes open.
“You’re home.”
“I know. Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing here? You knew I was gone.”
She pulled herself up onto her elbows and yawned. “I’m in hiding.”
“From?”
“Your sister. She’s driving me crazy. I don’t think I want to be a maid of honor anymore.”
I traced my finger over her full lips and smiled. “Then how about being the bride instead?”
She rolled her beautiful blue eyes and groaned. “I don’t want to marry Alan, Bob. I know he’s your best friend, but he can’t tell a Northern Cardinal from a Bluejay.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I told her. “He was birding with me today, and I think he’s salvageable.” I pressed my lips against hers in a warm, soft kiss.
“I mean
my
bride, Luce,” I said a minute later. “I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
For a few seconds, she didn’t say a thing. She just stared at me.
And then, finally, she smiled.
“Yes.”
Several years ago, I went on my first Minnesota Birding Weekend led by Kim Eckert. Our group didn’t find any bodies, but we did see turtles, along with quite a few birds. That experience convinced me I had to set a Bob White Birder Murder on a weekend birding trip in order to take advantage of the wonderful repartee amongst a flock of seasoned birders. Thanks, Kim, for introducing me to that part of the birding life. I also want to express my appreciation to Karla Kinstler, Director of the Houston Nature Center, for allowing me to write her and Alice into Bob White’s world. If you ever have the chance to attend the International Festival of Owls in Houston, Minnesota, in early March, it’s well worth the trip—the whole town goes crazy over owls (think owl-face pancakes and a Great Gray mocha for breakfast), thanks to Karla’s efforts.
Birding websites
- Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union website offers audio, video and photo galleries of Minnesota birds, along with occurrence maps, birding hotspots, and other birding information
- Audubon Minnesota website answers bird FAQs, reviews conservation efforts in the state and provides ways individuals can become involved in helping Minnesota’s bird populations
– Cornell Lab of Ornithology website has an extensive data base on birds and links to a variety of information about birds and birding
- a multi-author birding blog with posts and birding news from around the world
http://www.blogs.com/topten/top-10-bird-and-birdingblogs/
- a list of the best individual birding blogs where readers can learn about everything that has to do with birds (and life in general!)
- visitors can locate local chapters on this website of the National Audubon Society and learn about conservation and education efforts across the country
Bird feeding supplies stores
- find a local Wild Birds Unlimited store near you for birdfeeding supplies and expert advice
- find a local Wild Bird Center near you for birdfeeding supplies and expert advice
