Fat hen farm 01- Killer tracks (3 page)

When they got back to Kitty’s house, Michael’s truck was parked by the barn. They walked inside and Michael gave Kitty a big hug. “Holding up okay?”

“I guess so. Feeling a little shel shocked at the moment. I could use a glass of wine. I think I have a bottle around here someplace.” Michael opened cabinet doors until he found the wine and three glasses. ”Let’s sit in the living room. I’l get a fire going for you.” Tina poured a glass of wine for Kitty and got a faraway look on her face. “Hey, do you remember how the three of us used to solve al those mysteries when we were kids?”

“Oh my god. I haven’t thought about that for a mil ion years. What was the name? Something Crime Busters?” Kitty felt some sort of happiness at the memory.

“Yeah, the Crime Busters Agency. Remember the lost sweatshirt case? And the stolen lunch money caper?” Al three were just about rol ing on the floor laughing at their big mystery solving successes. “This is a trip down memory lane. Maybe we should reactivate the agency and help you solve this murder.”

“Guess what Herb showed me at the police station?” Michael and Tina froze. “The weapon that kil ed Roger. It was my gun.” Kitty looked at her friends as they stared with mouths open. No one was laughing anymore.

“Your gun? How? That doesn’t make sense,” Michael stammered.

“I don’t know. Someone must have stolen it. Who told you it was murder?”

“No one official y but that’s what everyone is saying. You know how news spreads like wildfire in this town. I stopped to get gas and that’s what everyone was already talking about.”

Kitty grabbed a pen and pad. “Let’s start getting the facts down. Suspects, motives, opportunities, clues. Clues—my gun. Suspects—me.

Doesn’t look too good.” Kitty sat on the couch with her head in her hands.

“Pul yourself together Kitty,” Tina said. “You’re right, it doesn’t look good. But we know you didn’t shoot Roger, even though he treated you like crap. David has a life insurance policy on Roger. Actual y, David and I are both beneficiaries. I’l check that policy and see if anything has changed.

How about Candy? She might know something. She hangs onto David like she’s part of him. It’s disgusting. I have a hair appointment with her tomorrow and I’l try to get her talking. That shouldn’t be too difficult. She’s never been able to keep a secret. And she’s always trying to get on my good side. I guess she thinks that wil endear her to my brothers. She doesn’t realize that I’m not particularly fond of them.” They were al startled when they heard a knock on the door.

“Who could that be?” Kitty whispered.

Chapter 3

Opening the door, Kitty was surprised to see Grannie’s neighbor and friend, Sam Chapman. His wrinkled face broke into a big smile when he saw Kitty and wrapped her in a big hug.

“How are you Miss Kitty? There’s been a lot going on today.”

“Sam, it’s wonderful to see you. It’s been too long. I’m okay, I guess. Yes, lots of excitement for my first day on the farm. And not in a good way.

Come in. Let me introduce you to my friends. Tina, Michael, this is Sam. He and Grannie were friends their whole lives, kind of like the three of us.

Sam, did you hear? Roger is dead.”

“I know. I can’t say I’m sorry about that. I never did like him. He didn’t treat you very wel . I saw three cars come up your driveway earlier today.

One was Roger’s, one was yours but I don’t know who the first car belonged to. It arrived just before Roger’s and drove out just before you came in.”

“Real y? Have you told the police?”

“Nope, they haven’t asked me anything. You know, I don’t miss much that happens on this farm. I heard the gunshot too. Was it your gun Kitty?”

“How did you know I have a gun?” Kitty was shocked by Sam’s question.

Smiling, Sam said, “I don’t miss much.”

“Miss Kitty, I brought you something. Come here Max.” A mostly black, lab/shepherd/terrier dog looked up at Sam. “Miss Kitty, you need a dog around here. This is Max. He’s special. I told him he needs to protect you and he wil . He’l die for you if need be. You won’t have to worry about anyone bothering you.”

“Thank you Sam. How did you know?” Kitty crouched down to welcome Max as he wagged his tail. He sniffed her outstretched hand letting Kitty scratch his neck and then he wandered around the kitchen finding Licorice curled up in his little fleece bed. Max nose butted Licorice and the kitten mewed softly, reaching a paw up to touch Max’s nose. He curled up with the kitten, waiting to see what was going to happen next.

“Yup, he knows this is his home now. Don’t forget that I’m just next door. You can see my lights now that the leaves are off the trees for the winter.

Cal me if you need help. I promised Frannie that I would look out for you and I never break a promise. Good night you al .” Sam nodded and let himself out into the cold night.

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about here, Kitty. Between Max and Sam, you’l be protected,” Michael said. “Sam seems like an interesting character. I think he knows more about what happened today than he told us.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Tina said. “Kitty, you need to ask him some more questions. Maybe tomorrow. It’s getting pretty late and it’s been a long day. You must be exhausted. Do you want me to stay here with you tonight?”

“That would be great. If you don’t mind. I’l just take Max out for a minute. I need a little fresh air too.” Tina looked at Michael and told him, after Kitty had closed the door behind her, “I think Kitty is in a lot of trouble. Her gun, her tracks in the snow to the barn. We have to try to find out what real y happened. I hate to say this about my brother, but Sam was right. Roger wasn’t a nice person. I bet there are a lot of people that won’t be missing him. We have to find who had a motive and access to Kitty’s gun. Maybe Candy wil give me some good information tomorrow.”

Kitty rushed back inside with Max at her heels. “Look what Max found on the barn door. I didn’t want to go near the barn, but he insisted. This piece of material was stuck on the latch. It looks like someone got caught on it and ripped their jacket. It’s not from Roger’s jacket. Do you think it could be from the kil er?”

Tina looked at the fabric. “Good boy, Max! That could be a clue. Kitty, do you remember anything about the footprints in the snow when you walked to the barn?”

Kitty crunched up her face trying to remember. “I was stepping in the footprints. They were bigger than my feet. I assumed they were Roger’s footprints. They were a little messed up. I didn’t think about it at the time, but maybe whoever kil ed Roger, walked back on his steps.”

“Let’s cal it a day. Maybe after a good night sleep, you’l remember something else. I’m heading home but I’l be back bright and early tomorrow morning to finish up your chicken coop.” Michael hugged Kitty and Tina, patted Max and headed to his car.

“Tina, thanks for staying. I’ve been looking forward to this day, moving into my farm. And it couldn’t have gone more wrong. Tomorrow is a new day and we’l get this figured out. Let’s get the sleeping bags and camp out on the living room floor. I don’t want to sleep upstairs where Roger slept last night. Come on Max, I’l get a blanket for you too. Tina, this is just like when we were kids and you would sneak out of your house when your parents were fighting. I loved it when you tapped on my window and we could spend the night together. I’ve been wondering if Roger only married me to try to split us up. I think he was jealous of our friendship. He probably should have married Candy. She always adored him.”

“It doesn’t real y matter anymore, does it Kitty?” Tina said wistful y.

***

Tina woke before Kitty. Max was curled up with his head at Kitty’s feet. What was this dog’s story, she wondered.

Tiptoeing into the kitchen, Tina got the coffee started. Looking out the French doors, she saw a movement. Was that someone running toward the River Trail? She felt Kitty move next to her. “Did you see that Kitty?”

“Yes. Let’s get Max and take a look.”

They bundled up and fol owed Max out the door. He didn’t need to be told what to do. With his nose to the ground, he took off toward the river.

“What’s Max going after?” Kitty and Tina turned around to see Sam standing behind them.

“We thought we saw someone running toward the River Trail.”

Sam shaded his eyes and looked toward the river. “Let’s go.”

”Look at this.” Sam pointed to footprints in the snow. “Tracks heading to the barn and another set away. Interesting”

“Sam, last night Max found a piece of material caught on the latch of the barn door. I have it in the house. Do you think someone came back to try to find it?”

“Maybe. I don’t think we’l find anything else now, though. Do you have any coffee in the house?”

“Of course. I can make us some breakfast too if you’re hungry. How about a cheese omelet and homemade bread?”

“Is that Frannie’s recipe? I can’t say no to that!” Max was waiting at the French doors to come in too. “Too bad he can’t tel us what he saw on the trail.”

Tina’s phone rang. It was the insurance company cal ing back about the life insurance policy she and David had purchased on Roger. “Hi, this is Tina Wilson, I want to inform you that my brother Roger Wilson died yesterday. My brother, David, and I are the beneficiaries of a policy in Roger’s name.”

“Hel o Ms. Wilson. This is Nora Johnson. I’m looking up the records and there was a change made about six months ago. It looks like the policy is in just your brother David’s name now. You signed off as a beneficiary at that time. I see another change was made at the same time. It looks like the amount was increased to $500,000. That’s al the information I can give you.”

“Thank you Ms. Johnson. I’m confused though. I never signed off on that policy. Are you sure it’s my signature?”

“The signature says Tina Wilson.”

“Um . . . thanks. Bye.”

Tina hung up and looked at Kitty and Sam. “Something strange is going on. Someone forged my name on the insurance policy, taking me off as a beneficiary. And, David increased the policy amount to $500,000 six months ago. I’m going to stop by his office later today and find out what’s going on with this.”

“That sure makes David look like a suspect. You better be careful when you let him know you have this information. Do you want me to come with you?” Kitty asked.

Tina considered the offer. “I don’t think so. I’l let you know after I have my hair appointment and find out what Candy knows. I’m sure she knows something and I’l get it out of her one way or another.”

Kitty picked up the egg carton. “Have some breakfast before you leave. I gave Sam the first omelet but it’s quick to make another one. Michael should be here soon too.”

“Thanks for breakfast Miss Kitty. That was even better than your grannie’s.” Sam winked at Kitty and carried his dish to the sink. “So long, I’l see you later.”

Tina licked her lips. “Kitty, this omelet is delicious! They seem to get better every time you make them. What’s your secret?”

“Ha. Wouldn’t you like to know? Maybe it’s just that I love cooking and some of the love comes through in the food.” Kitty smiled with pure happiness.

“I’l keep that in mind. I’m heading over to the Stop and Style for my hair appointment with Candy. See you later.”

“I’l make dinner for you if you want to stay over again.”

“Sure. You know the way to my heart is through my stomach.” Tina hugged Kitty and headed to her car.

***

Tina drove into Wil ow Fal s to the Stop and Style. The business had been on Main Street for as long as Tina could remember, between the bakery and the florist. Main Street was stil thriving even after the mal was built on the outskirt of town. Al of the smal independently owned businesses had a lot of character and were owned by people who had been raised in Wil ow Fal s.

Tina had an interesting relationship with Candy. Candy was a couple of years younger than Tina and had always had a crush on Roger. When Roger married Kitty, Candy was devastated. She hated Kitty for that. Eventual y, she settled for being David’s girlfriend but had refused to marry him. Candy pretended to have a friendship with Tina to have an in with the brothers, not that it helped at al . Tina could read Candy like a cheap novel and used that to her advantage. Suffice it to say, Candy was not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Walking into the Stop and Style, Tina was super friendly. “Hi Candy. How’s everything going?” Candy whispered, “Tina, I’m heartbroken. I can’t believe Roger is dead. Who would do that? Do you think it was Kitty?” Tina sat in Candy’s chair thinking, what is she heartbroken about? “I don’t think Kitty had anything to do with it. What is David saying?” Candy looked around the shop to make sure no one was listening. She leaned in close to Tina. “Of course he thinks it’s Kitty. He hates her. He says it was her gun that was the murder weapon. She kept the gun in the glove compartment of her car.”

“How does he know that?” Tina asked in shock.

“I don’t know. Maybe he saw it there? The only good coming out of this is that David told me he’s coming into a lot of money.”

“Real y? He told you that? Where is it coming from?” Tina prodded for more detail.

“Something about money Roger owed him and a life insurance policy. He didn’t tel me the details. But he did say he was taking me on a vacation. I can’t wait!” Candy said with enthusiasm.

Tina caught Candy’s hand to stop the hair cut. “He’s not wasting any time making big plans, is he?”

“What do you mean?” Candy’s eyes widened with a look of surprise and concern.

“Oh never mind. Just finish the hair cut.” Tina felt disgusted with Candy’s attitude.

Candy looked closely at Tina. “You don’t seem too upset about Roger.”

“I’m not. Roger was a jerk. But I’m not benefiting from his death either.”

“You don’t think David was involved, do you?” Candy actual y looked scared.

“Candy, I didn’t say that, but it does make you wonder, doesn’t it? What is he going to do now that he lost his job?” Tina thought none of this added up to anything that made sense.

“He says he’s not worried. He was ready to quit anyway,” Candy said very nonchalantly.