Burnt River (29 page)

Macy picked up her pen. “Do you have any idea where Karen is now?”

“I ran into her down at the rodeo in Cheyenne last year but she wasn’t too keen to have anything to do with me. I got the impression she’s still angry.”

“Any idea what she’s doing these days?”

“As far as I know she never married. A friend of a friend told me she ran a riding school in Cheyenne.”

“I read that you brought charges against Tyler for theft?”

“A sizable quantity of fertilizer went missing. This was following the Oklahoma bombing so we had to report it. There were rumors that Tyler was planning on selling it to some militia group down near Billings, but nothing could be proved. God knows what they would have done if they got their hands on it. After I called the cops Annie didn’t speak to me for months.”

“You did the right thing.”

“I have to admit I was looking for any excuse to get rid of him. John was at an impressionable age and I didn’t like how he’d hang on Tyler’s every word.” He placed his thick hands flat on his lap. “I may have had issues with Tyler in the past, but in the end he made good. He’s taken some serious knocks for our country.”

“Were there hard feelings?”

“I don’t think so. He came to me a few years back and thanked me for all we’d done for him … apologized for his behavior. I think he should be commended for turning his life around.”

“Maybe you should extend the same generosity to your daughter.”

“I’d like to. I’m just worried she’ll throw it back in my face.”

“She’s lost so much. It would surprise me if she wasn’t willing to meet you halfway.”

“I hear you had a near miss yesterday.”

“Thankfully, there was a big hole in the middle of the backyard to jump into.”

“Tyler’s famous nuclear fallout shelter.”

“I was dubious but now I’m now a believer.”

They both stood and shook hands.

“Thank you for taking the time to speak to me today.”

“I’ll let you know what we find today. Unfortunately, it looks like Jessie and Dylan will both need lawyers.”

“I’m going to see one now.”

*   *   *

As soon as Jeremy left the office, Macy opened her laptop. Karen Walcott ran a small riding school in the suburbs of Cheyenne. There was a photo of her on the home page of the Web site. She looked like she was in her late thirties. She had a nice smile, pale complexion, and thick dark hair. Macy called the listed number and it went straight to an answering machine. An automated voice informed Macy that Karen Walcott would return the call as soon as possible. Macy explained why she was calling and left her details. The phone rang less than a minute later.

She sounded out of breath. “Detective Greeley, this is Karen Walcott. I’m so sorry I missed your call.”

Macy opened her notebook. “That’s no problem at all. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. Do you have time to talk?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I understand you made a complaint against Tyler Locke when you were employed by the Daltons. It’s been more than ten years, so I understand if you don’t remember the details, but I’d be grateful if you could tell me everything you recall.”

“Oh, you don’t easily forget something like that. May I ask why you’re asking after all this time? Has Tyler done the same thing to someone else?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

“I knew I couldn’t be the only one. He was so intense. The way he stared at me made my skin crawl.”

“I want to know if he did more than stare.”

“Mostly he followed me. I could be going to a bar as far away as Butte and he’d somehow manage to find me. The first couple of times I was polite, but then I confronted him at work. He told me I was a stupid bitch and that he wanted nothing to do with me. He was really abusive, but after that he quit following me so I figured it was worth it. A few weeks later I realized he was hanging around my house instead. He’d drive by with the headlights off, but I could see it was him.”

“Did you ever think of calling the police?”

“I went to speak to Annie and Jeremy Dalton instead. I’d been working there for a few months by then. Annie and I had become close. I figured she would listen to me. The way she reacted you would have thought I was the one harassing Tyler. I’ve never felt so betrayed. To his credit, Jeremy tried to get Annie to see things from my point of view, but that woman wouldn’t listen. I saw a completely different side to her that day. It wasn’t pretty.”

“Did you leave town after that?”

“Damn right, I did.”

“Did Tyler try to make contact again?”

“There were a few late-night phone calls but thankfully no visits. Even though he never said anything, I knew who it was. He’d done the same thing when I was living in Wilmington Creek. Last year I opened a riding school so I had to put my address online. I’ve been really anxious but so far he’s left me alone. I suppose that just means he moved on to someone else.”

“I’m afraid that might be the case.”

“Can you tell me what’s going on?”

“I have your details. Once I get to the bottom of this I will call and explain everything.”

Macy checked the time before venturing into the outer office. A couple of officers were working the phones. Most of the other staff was out at the lake or interviewing potential witnesses. Even by Wilmington Creek standards it was unusually quiet. The officer she’d met when she interviewed Lana put his phone down and waved to get her attention. He handed her a phone message.

“I didn’t want to interrupt your meeting with Mr. Dalton. Aiden called. It looks like it will be another couple of hours before they raise the truck.”

“Thanks. Anything else come through?”

“So far we’ve got nothing new from the interviews we’ve been conducting this morning. Everyone seems to have a solid alibi for the night John was murdered.”

Macy headed for the office. “Keep digging. Someone must know something.”

She closed the door and checked her phone. There were still no calls from the medical examiner in Helena, but Ray had tried calling her three times. She couldn’t be bothered with checking her voicemail. She scrolled down to his number and put the phone to her ear.

“Ray, it’s Macy.”

“Hey, did you get my messages?”

“Yes, I’m heading out to the lake soon. We should know if it’s Ethan Green within a couple of hours.”

“I’m not sorry for the way I handled things. I based my decision to go forward with the press conference on the information we had at the time.”

Macy scraped her hair away from her face and stared up at the ceiling. “Good thing I wasn’t expecting an apology.”

“I should have never accused you of putting our personal issues ahead of your job. That was out of order. I can only imagine how hurt you felt.”

“Ray, I’d rather not talk about us right now.”

“I need to know what you’re thinking.”

“I’m not thinking anything at the moment. I just want to sort this case out so I can get home to Luke.”

“What about your health? I was told you spent the night in the hospital.”

“It’s just a few bruises. I didn’t even have a concussion.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to overdo it.”

She raised her voice. “Ray, back off. I’m fine.”

“I’m just concerned.”

“I need to go. I promise we’ll talk properly when I’m back in Helena.”

“Will you keep me posted on developments?”

“I’ll call you later when we know more.”

Macy sat drumming her fingers on the desk. Tyler had barely been out of high school when Karen Walcott accused him of stalking her. In between he’d done five tours, and aside from stealing some fertilizer he had a clean record. According to his service record he was with his platoon in Afghanistan during the time Lana was being harassed. She put in a call to his CO in Afghanistan and wasn’t surprised that it went straight to voicemail. After leaving him a message, she checked the cover sheet stapled to the front of Tyler’s service record. Someone named Stuart Long had sent the e-mail. The address and phone number for the Fort Benning human resources department was listed below his name. While she waited to be put through to Stuart Long, she found the original e-mail on the mainframe and downloaded it to her computer.

“Stuart is in a meeting. Can I help you, ma’am?”

“My name is Detective Macy Greeley. I work as a special investigator for the state of Montana. I’m working on a case that involves an active duty platoon sergeant named Tyler Locke. I’m following up on the service record your office sent us last Wednesday. I need to speak to Mr. Long. I’m worried that the file may be incomplete.”

“Are you sure Stuart Long was the individual who sent the file?”

“Absolutely, I have the original e-mail up on my screen right now.”

“I’d like you to forward it to me so we can look into it from our end. Service records are normally distributed out of the U.S. Army Personnel Command Center in Kentucky.”

“Is it possible Mr. Long’s account was hacked?”

“I can’t say. I’ll know more once we have had a chance to look at the e-mail.”

Macy typed in the clerk’s e-mail address and hit the Send button. “If there’s even a chance that Tyler Locke’s service records have been altered, I need you to send me a valid copy right away.”

“I’ll have to speak to my supervisor. Sorting this out could take some time. Like I said, all requests would normally go through the command center.”

“It can’t wait. I’m in the middle of a murder investigation. I need to know if Tyler Locke was in Georgia during February of this year.”

“I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll do what I can. We’ll certainly get something out to you today.”

After hanging up, Macy tried calling the medical examiner’s office.

Priscilla’s voice was sharp. “Who’s this?”

“Priscilla, it’s Detective Macy Greeley. You got a second?”

“If this is about your bomb victim it’s going to have to wait. We’re still sorting body parts. Excuse me.” Priscilla covered the mouthpiece and shouted instructions before getting back on the line. “Listen, Macy, I’ve got two medical school interns puking their guts out. You’re going to have to call me back later.”

Macy was left listening to a dial tone.

Macy put in a call to Lana Clark but she didn’t pick up. Macy looked up the number for The Whitefish and was relieved when the manager answered the phone immediately.

“Jean, this is Detective Macy Greeley. We spoke a few days back. I was wondering if Lana Clark was working today.”

“She was supposed to, but she called in sick. Have you tried her at home?”

“There’s no answer. Nothing on her cell phone either. Did you actually speak to her, or did she leave a message?”

“Yes, we spoke. It was about an hour ago. It’s pretty dead here these days so I was none too bothered.”

“How did she sound?”

“She seemed a bit out of it, which is unlike her, but I wouldn’t say she was on death’s door. I just figured everything that happened here is finally catching up with her. She tried to put on a brave face, but she was very fond of John.”

“If you hear from her, can you tell her to give me a call immediately?”

“Will do. You guys making any progress? I don’t think my customers feel too safe anymore. It’s been bad for business.”

“We’re doing the best we can.”

“Why doesn’t that fill me with confidence?”

“Have a good day. I’ll be in touch.”

There was a knock and the same officer she’d spoken to earlier stood at the door. Macy invited him in.

“It’s Dean, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ma’am. Just wanted to keep you posted. I got another call from Aiden. He thinks you should head up to the lake now. They’re making faster progress than predicted. Should have the vehicle out of the water within the next half hour.”

“That’s great. Thanks for letting me know.” She offered him a chair but he remained standing. “Have you been in touch with Lana Clark recently?”

“I saw her a couple nights ago. Why?”

“I’m just concerned. I’ve been trying to get in touch with her and she’s not picking up her cell or her home phone.”

“She always has her phone with her.”

“You know where she lives?”

“Sure. I’ve been out there a few times.”

“I want you to go check on her.”

“Do you think she’s in trouble?”

“It’s probably nothing.”

“I’ll head up there now.”

Macy stopped him before he left the office. “Call me the second you know something.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m on it.”

“Dean,” she said, gathering her things. “Take someone with you.”

*   *   *

Macy took the back roads up to Darby Lake. Overhead the sky was a silky gray, and the hay fields flattened out like inland oceans. Solitary houses wavered in the heat. Macy stopped at a four-way intersection and waited for the cross traffic to clear of the cars coming from the direction of Darby Lake. Except for the press, the picnic area was closed until further notice. Macy recognized the officer standing at the roadblock from when she’d worked in Collier. She shook his hand through the open window.

“Hi, Gareth.”

“Hey, Macy, how you been?”

She gazed out the windshield. The road ahead buckled like wet floorboards. “I’ve been better. This heat is getting to me.”

“Tell me about it. Another ten minutes of this and I’m going to pass out.”

Macy reached over to the passenger seat and fished around in her icebox. “Diet Coke or 7 Up?”

“Either would be great.”

She handed him a can. “If it’s any consolation, I think they’re almost finished at the lake.”

He pulled back his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. “Makes a difference to being up here in winter.”

“I can’t even imagine it now. All that snow seems like a distant dream.”

He held up his drink. “Thanks for this.”

“My pleasure. See you soon.”

The police had cordoned off the parking lot near the boat ramp. There were a few reporters loitering in the shaded picnic area, but they seemed reluctant to venture across the baking tarmac. Macy pulled up as close as she could to the temporary awning the forensics crew had erected. Ethan’s pickup truck glided across the water, riding on the back of a flat-bottomed boat that looked like a small ferry. The boat ramp wasn’t steep but the water level had dropped so much that the trailer was out on the rocky beach, its two back wheels submerged in the water as it waited for the truck to arrive. The tow truck driver sat behind the wheel with his engine idling. She could see the crane they’d used to pull the vehicle from the water. It looked like a children’s toy sitting at the base of the tall cliffs ringing the escarpment.