Deadly Sanctuary (12 page)

“Do you think it’s because Roy’s an idiot? Or do you think he’s hiding something?”

“I don’t know yet. But this is what we do know. John had several secretive phone calls from some unknown female. He bought one ticket to Nogales, Mexico. He called you to say he was meeting someone who had information so vital, it would turn the town on its ear, right?”

Tugg nodded, opened a drawer and took several swallows from a blue bottle. “Stomach’s acting up again.”

“We know his girlfriend Yolanda fully expected him to return, yet he was never seen again after Roy ticketed him.” I flipped to the next page in my notebook. “Now, what we don’t know is whether Roy is even involved. If we make the assumption that John met with foul play, then it makes sense that someone cleaned out his place to make it look as though he’d just skipped town. But what if he really sent for his belongings? Then where is he?”

Like the shadow from a cloud, another weary, troubled look passed over Tugg’s face. “This business about his truck really bugs me. John thought his Toyota was the greatest thing since microwave popcorn. If he bought that ticket to Nogales for himself, what the hell did he do with his truck? Sell it in Phoenix before he left? And why would he do that?”

I heaved a sigh. “I don’t know. I could understand it better if he’d bought two tickets, but one…” Hesitating, I met his eye. “It sounds to me as if he bought that ticket for someone else, that he never intended to go to Nogales. I believe Yolanda when she says he told her he was coming back. Now all I have to do is find out who he bought the ticket for.”

“What about the missing medical records on those two dead girls?” Tugg asked. “What’s the connection there?”

“I’m not sure there is one. Potts says the records exist, but they’ve been misfiled. He didn’t seem suspicious or upset that I’d asked to see them and said he’d cooperate in trying to locate them as soon as possible. He also said Roy has worked very hard on the two cases, and that’s contrary to what John was insinuating.”

He groaned and buried his face in his hands. “God, this is exasperating! The more you find out, the less we know.”

I wondered if he was comparing my reporting skills to my dad, who’d been tops in his field. “Just give me a little more time. I’m going to have a look at those medical records as soon as Potts finds them. Maybe I’ll find some shred of evidence that’ll tie Roy into this. What’s your game plan if I do?”

“It’s funny,” Tugg mused, staring blankly out the window. “Half of me wants to tell you to just let sleeping dogs lie, yet the other half doesn’t. For my wife’s sake, I pray Roy isn’t involved. But if he is, and he gets wind of this, he’ll sue me, call the loan and this paper is history. Remember, this is a small community. Secrets are hard to keep.”

I smiled encouragingly at him. “So far, he doesn’t know anything and there’s nothing to tie my investigation to you. I’ve been super careful to say only that I’m looking for Dexter in order to return some stuff he left behind. Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky and discover he really did just skip out.” It was obvious that neither of us believed that.

I returned to my office to study the assignment sheet. With the first of June fast approaching the town was gearing up for the week long Gold Dust Days celebration. Jim jokingly called it the ‘last gasp’ before the snowbirds packed up and made tracks for their homes in the east and midwest. After that, he informed me, Castle Valley citizens pulled in the sidewalks to wait out the sizzling summer.

“Sounds charming,” I muttered while copying my assignments, then looked up as Al Robertson from classifieds stuck his head in the door.

“Hey, you guys, everybody’s getting together after work tonight to chug a few beers and celebrate Lupe’s birthday. We’re all meeting over at Angelina’s around six. You wanna come?”

He gave me a wide smile and a feeling of warmth spread through me. For the first time I felt accepted as ‘one of the gang.’

“Count me in,” Jim replied with enthusiasm.

“Well, Kendall,” Bradley said, leaning back in his chair, “this will be your chance to have some authentic Mexican food.” His steady gaze made my pulse skip.

Smiling, I said, “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Okay, see you folks later.” Al saluted and left. All three of us had assignments centered around Gold Dust Days. Jim grabbed his camera and left. I knew Bradley was on his way to the fairgrounds to talk with rodeo personalities, and my assignment was to interview the head of the Chamber of Commerce and the winner of the Queen of the Gold Dust Parade competition.

When I returned in late afternoon Ginger, on the phone as usual, gave me an excited thumbs up and a dazzling smile as I went by. I didn’t know why until I rounded the corner to my office.

My mouth gaped at the sight. There on my desk stood a vase filled with at least two dozen magnificent long-stemmed roses.

Bradley and Jim both eyed me in silence. Puzzled, I inquired brightly, “So. What’s the occasion?” For a fleeting second, I wondered if they were from Bradley. But a big, flashy vase of flowers didn’t seem his style.

“We were kinda hoping you’d tell us.” A wicked twinkle gleamed in Jim’s eyes.

“Apparently, you have an admirer,” Bradley said quietly and then turned his back to me. The warm companionable mood I’d sensed earlier seemed to have vanished.

I crossed the room and pulled a small white envelope from the bouquet. “Your promised evening of enchantment still awaits. Please say you’ll dine with me on Friday.” It was signed: Eric Heisler.

I buried my face in the sweet blooms, inhaling deeply. The man definitely had class. I couldn’t ever remember receiving such a romantic invitation in my life. How could I turn it down? And why should I?

Jim was insistent. “Come on, let’s have it. Who’d send you a hundred bucks worth of posies?”

“My father,” I announced sweetly, meeting Bradley’s eyes as he glanced over his shoulder. He had to know I was lying. The stony look on his face made me feel as if I’d done something wrong.

Ginger cornered me later in the restroom, squealing with excitement. “Praise the Lord, you’ve gone and hooked the big one! Now don’t tell me them flowers are from your pa.” She closed one eye and wagged her finger in my face. “I knew the second Eric Heisler got a peek at you in that dress last Saturday, he’d be a goner for sure.” Placing both hands over her heart, she crooned, “I am assumin’ y’all will want me to be your maid of honor. And, missy, how many layers will you be needin’ on your weddin’ cake? I like chocolate.”

“Calm down, Ginger. He just asked me to dinner.”

“Well that’s just the first step, sugar pie.”

“I haven’t even agreed to go yet. I’m thinking it over.”

She gave me a pained look. “You’re thinkin’ it over? You’re thinkin’ it over! Good gravy, girl, you know the odds of catching a stud like him? Why they’d have to be a zillion to one, ’specially in this town.”

“I don’t know, Ginger. I asked Bradley to tell me why he acted so awful toward Eric, and he did.”

Her lips rounded into a little O. “Mercy me! He beat me to it. So, what’d he say?”

I moved to the mirror and applied fresh lipstick. Giving her a sidelong glance, I replied, “That his wife Stephanie and Eric Heisler had been having an affair.”

She looked puzzled. “Well, so what?”

“So what? Bradley’s asked me to dinner and now, so has Eric.”

“Well, good lord girl, we should all have such a problem. I’m gonna have to hogtie my fellow to get him to the altar and you’re complaining ’cause you’ve got two of ’em banging down your door.”

I sighed wearily. “Oh, Ginger. I’m not sure I want to get into the middle of something like this. I think they still hate each other.”

“That was a long time ago. And remember, Eric wasn’t the only guy she was fooling with. What’re you kicking up such a fuss about? Everyone in town knew she and Tally was gettin’ ready to split.”

I zipped my purse shut. “Don’t have a heart attack. I’m going to give it careful consideration, believe me.”

She sniffed. “Well, I should hope so. Men like Eric only come along once in a blue moon, darlin’. When’s the last time y’all even seen a blue moon?”

“Ginger, you’re incorrigible.” I chuckled and headed toward the door.

“Wait just a second,” she said grabbing my elbow. “Y’all recollect when we was talking Saturday night about my repeating your spider story down at the beauty parlor?”

“Yes.”

“Y’all gonna tell me why you were so upset about that?”

“Probably, but not right at this moment.”

“Oh, me and my big mouth. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Forget it, Ginger. You told me what I needed to know. I’ve got to finish my copy. I’ll talk to you more this evening. You are going to Lupe’s party aren’t you?”

“Is a pig’s ass pork? I’m bringin’ the cake.”

I laughed and almost got out the door when she blurted out, “Will y’all just hold yer horses for one minute?”

“Sorry, what is it.”

“I happened to recall who else was down at Coleen’s but…” she hesitated coyly, looking away. “If y’all ain’t interested…”

“I’m interested.”

“When I thought about it some more, I remembered there was old Mrs. Hatterly, she’s about ninety if she’s a day, and then there was Marcie Ordway, she’s the cashier down at the moviehouse, and then there was the one we was talking about Saturday afternoon?”

“Who?”

“You know. That skinny old gal from over yonder at the shelter. Claudia Phillips.”

Ginger’s remark really threw me. I thought about it all the way home. Every time I’d come up with a different theory, out the window it would fly. For the life of me, I couldn’t connect her with the spider prank. Why would Claudia Phillips give a hang about anything I did? And what reason would she have for trying to scare me away from the Delgado Ranch? No. The fact that she had been at the salon with numerous other people could only be a coincidence. It had to be Lucinda. Her unbridled passion for Bradley provided the only motive.

Following a quick sponge bath, I slid into my turquoise jumpsuit, brushed my hair until it crackled with static electricity, then stopped by the dining room table to take a big whiff of Eric’s flowers. The thought of seeing him again intrigued me. He was definitely one hot-looking guy.

On impulse, I grabbed the phone and dialed the number on his card. It was already past five-thirty and chances of catching him at his office were probably slim, but what the heck, I’d give it a shot.

Seven. Eight. Nine rings. Oh, well, I’d call another time. Then, his unexpected hello made my stomach feel fluttery.

“Oh? Hi. This is Kendall O’Dell.” There was a short pause and then in a silky voice brimming with self-assurance he remarked, “I knew it would be you.”

“You did? How?”

“Because,” he replied, “from that very first moment, I’ve felt certain our meeting was preordained. The tides which were destined to bring us together cannot be altered.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant but had to admit the man could really turn a phrase. “Well,” I laughed, “I guess you could say that. However, I did plan all along to meet with you…strictly for professional reasons of course.”

“I see. And does that still stand?”

“For now,” I answered.

He chuckled. “I hope you’ll give me a chance to change that status.” His voice dropped the caressing tone and became more cordial. “I’m going to assume that was a yes for dinner. I’ll pick you up at six.”

“Oh, that’s not really necessary. I can meet you.”

“Humor me.”

“All right. But, I don’t live in town. I’m sort of out in the boondocks.”

“Oh? Where do you live?”

“Since you grew up here you probably know where it is. I’m renting the Delgado house on Lost Canyon Road.”

“My dear girl, why in the world are you living out there?”

“It’s affordable, the air is good for my asthma problem…lots of reasons.”

“Along with your attributes of obvious beauty and intelligence, you must also be quite brave. I don’t know of many single young women who would want to live in such an isolated spot.”

Knowing how to flatter a gal was certainly one of his strong points. “I’m managing, thank you.”

“I know quite a lot of people in Castle Valley even though I don’t live there full time anymore. If you wish, I could arrange for you to have a very nice place closer to town.”

“I’m fine for now, but if Mrs. Delgado returns any time soon, I may take you up on that. Anyway, I’ll see you Friday. By the way, thank you for the beautiful roses. That was very thoughtful.”

“I’m glad you like them.”

I hung up thinking Eric was exactly the kind of guy my mom would be thrilled with; wealthy, educated, cultured and great-looking. I could hear her now. ‘He’s perfect for you. Grab on with both hands and don’t let go.’ I would make a point to call her this weekend.

The clock chimed six. Rats! I was already late for Lupe’s get-together. I grabbed my purse and hurried to the car.

Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant was located in a crumbling adobe building near the industrial section of town. Two Hispanic women were shouting in rapid-fire Spanish as I passed by an open kitchen door. Whatever was cooking smelled heavenly.

Since the outside of the place looked so dilapidated, the spacious interior surprised me. The rough plaster walls were decorated with colorful strings of chili peppers and beaded straw sombreros. Squat candles sputtered in tiny rounded alcoves.

Over the din of the crowd and the lusty Latin tune thumping from nearby speakers, I heard Ginger’s distinctive voice. “Hey, sugar, over here!”

She and the rest of the staff were all gathered near the bar. I could feel Bradley’s steady gaze on me as I approached so I met his eyes and smiled. He smiled back. Then with casual grace, he hooked the toe of his boot around a vacant chair and pulled it next to his. I was relieved. I’d expected him to still be annoyed about the flower incident.