Fat hen farm 01- Killer tracks (7 page)

“Tina, didn’t you say that Candy told you that David was taking her on a vacation?” Frank asked.

“Yeah, she did. Maybe Roger was going to surprise her and David found out.” Kitty looked around the table. “When I was in Roger’s office, someone came in.”

“Who was it?” Frank looked very concerned.

“I don’t know. I hid in the closet and waited ‘til it was quiet before I came out. Whoever it was didn’t stay very long. I don’t even know if they took anything.”

“Did you find anything else?”

“I took some folders labeled Jimmie’s Auto. Glenda told me that Roger had copies of David’s files for the insurance work he did. I haven’t looked at them yet.”

“Do you mind if I take a look?”

Kitty handed Frank the folders.

“This is great! This is a list of names. It looks like this connects the VIN numbers and photos from the other files to who the stolen cars went to.

Roger must have been manipulating the information for insurance. He was part of the ring. Kitty, what did you know about his business?”

“Frank, I didn’t know anything. Roger worked long hours and never talked about business with me. Actual y, he barely talked to me in the last year. Our relationship was real y headed downhil but I was always hoping that I’d be able to turn it around.”

“Sorry to hear that. We have to figure out who kil ed him and quickly. What about David? There’s a lot of evidence pointing to him: access to your gun, the life insurance policy that he changed recently and the insurance information Roger was helping him with. Is there anything else unusual that happened lately that you haven’t told me about?”

Kitty and Tina looked at each other. Frank knew they shared a secret but he didn’t push it. He had learned that patience was the best way to get information from someone.

Tina looked at Frank. “There is something else. The night after Roger’s body was found, Max found a piece of fabric stuck to the latch of the barn door. We didn’t think too much about it until Sam stopped by yesterday and I saw a rip in his jacket. It’s the same fabric.”

“Kitty, what do you think about that? How wel do you know Sam?” Frank asked.

“I’ve known Sam my whole life. He told me he promised my Grannie that he would keep an eye on me. He said that Grannie wasn’t going to give the farm to me because she didn’t like Roger and didn’t want him to live here. He didn’t like Roger either but he convinced her to give me the farm.

Then he told me, it’s funny how things work out.”

“When did he tel you this?”

“I think it was yesterday when I was coming home. I saw him outside, he lives next to the end of my driveway. I stopped to say hi. He sees everything that happens up here. He shows up at odd times. I think he’s just keeping an eye on me but it is a little spooky. He gave me Max. Now I’m wondering if he wanted me to have a dog that knows him so he can snoop around without being bothered by a dog.”

“Kitty, you never told me that.” Tina looked at Kitty with alarm. “I thought you weren’t worried about him.”

“I’m not worried for myself but I’m just not sure if he kil ed Roger thinking he was protecting me or fulfil ing a promise to Grannie. Maybe it had nothing to do with the stolen cars. I just don’t know what to think.” Kitty looked from Tina to Michael to Frank hoping they had some answers for her.

Frank put his hand on her arm. “Did he know about your gun?”

“He seems to know everything, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he knew about that too.”

“I think it’s time I have a talk with your friend Sam. He probably knows a lot more about what is going on. I want to know what he saw the day Roger was kil ed: who came here, who left and what he was doing in the barn?” Chapter 7

Frank knocked on Sam’s door first thing in the morning. He waited for several minutes before the door opened.

“I’m looking for Sam Chapman.”

“Oh yeah? And who are you?”

“I’m Detective Frank Hughes. I’m helping Police Chief Herb Simmons with the investigation of the murder of Roger Wilson. Are you Sam Chapman?”

“Yup.”

“I’d like to ask you a few questions about what you may have seen on Monday, the day he was kil ed.”

“I’ve been wondering when you would figure out to ask me questions. Not too quick are ya?” Frank ignored that jab. “May I come in?”

Sam turned and walked inside without actual y inviting Frank in, but Frank fol owed Sam into his tidy kitchen. Frank noticed that Kitty’s driveway and house were in clear view from Sam’s big kitchen window.

“Ms. Wilson told me you were a longtime friend of her grandmother’s. It must have been hard to lose such a close friend. How do you feel about Ms. Wilson living on the farm now?”

“I’m thril ed. I convinced Frannie to give the farm to Miss Kitty.”

“How about Ms. Wilson’s husband, Roger. Were you happy to have him moving in too?”

“I never liked that weasel and I told Miss Kitty that. Frannie didn’t want him to live in her house.”

“His murder solved that problem, didn’t it?”

“You could say that.”

They stared at each other without saying a word. Frank liked Sam’s honesty.

“Did you see anyone drive in or out on Monday?”

“I saw a black car drive in a little before Roger’s car. The black car left just before Miss Kitty drove up the driveway.”

“Do you know who was driving the black car?”

“Nope.”

“Did you go up to the house?”

“Yup. I heard a gunshot just before that black car went flying down the driveway. By the time I got my boots on, it was gone. I walked to the house and saw Roger’s car and some footprints going to the barn. When I looked in the barn, I saw the body. Another car was coming so I stood in the shadows. When I saw it was Miss Kitty, I walked home.”

“Why didn’t you stay with her?”

“I don’t know, I guess I should have. I went back later. After things seemed to have calmed down to see how she was. Her friend was there. I brought my dog Max over for her. I wanted her to have some protection.”

“Maybe you walked to the barn and shot Roger and made up the black car.”

“I didn’t kil him. He had plenty of people who didn’t like him besides me.”

“Did you know Ms. Wilson kept a gun in her car?”

“Nope. I have no use for guns. That’s a coward’s weapon.”

“Who else didn’t like Roger Wilson?”

“Anyone who bought a car from that weasel-brother of his, David Wilson. The two of them sold bad cars. They were involved in something to make a lot of enemies.”

“You seem to know a lot, Mr. Chapman.”

“I watch and listen. I’m an old man and no one pays much attention to me.” Frank stood up. After shaking hands, he gave Sam his card and told him, “Thanks for your help. I’m glad Ms. Wilson has you keeping an eye out for her. I plan to get to the bottom of this. If you think of anything else, please give me a cal .” Sam nodded and opened the door for Frank.

Frank got in his car thinking about what Sam told him. Was he telling the truth or was he a very good liar? At any rate, Frank knew Sam wouldn’t hurt Kitty and he would keep an eye on her and her house.

He needed to find David and get a read on him. David seemed to have the biggest motive with that big insurance payout, and he had access to Kitty’s gun.

First, he drove back up the driveway to check on Kitty and see how she was holding up. He was surprised to see David’s car at the house.

Frank didn’t trust that weasel, as Sam had cal ed him. Kitty looked upset when she answered the door. Frank could hear Tina and David arguing in the kitchen.

“David, the service isn’t until five o’clock later today. You need to leave. Kitty has nothing to talk to you about.”

“I want the keys to Roger’s office. He had some papers I need.”

“You got fired. What could be in Roger’s office that you need?” Kitty yel ed.

“It’s personal.” He snarled.

“Wel , it wil have to wait until Kitty is ready to go there with you. She needs to clean out the office and she’l do it when she’s good and ready, not at your convenience.” Tina angrily told him.

David turned around, heading for the door.

“Who are you?” David almost spit at Frank. “Kitty’s not wasting any time finding another man, is she?”

“David, what is your problem? Get out of here!” Tina pushed him.

Frank grabbed David’s arm. “I’m Detective Frank Hughes. I have some questions for you.”

“Let me go. I don’t have to talk to you. How come you haven’t arrested the murderer yet?” David said as he pointed to Kitty and then slammed the door as he left.

“Seems like a real nice guy,” Frank said sarcastical y, a grin on his face. “I’l try to talk to him again later if it’s alright if I come back for the service?”

“You should come. There won’t be too many people but you might notice something. It should be . . . interesting,” Tina informed Frank.

Michael and Tina left to get some refreshments for the service.

Kitty looked at Frank. “I’m exhausted. Do you have time for some coffee and to sit down with me for a bit?”

“Kitty, meeting you has made this whole investigation so much more interesting. Watching you juggle moving into your farm, your friends and now trying to figure out who kil ed your husband, has been a real inspiration. I’d love to pay you back for your hospitality and take you out for a nice dinner. You choose when and where. How does that sound?”

Kitty was stunned. “I’m speechless. Wel , almost. That sounds perfect. There’s an elegant restaurant about a half hour drive from here that I’ve wanted to go to but Roger was always too busy. I’ve heard they have the best salmon and a great salad bar with lots of veggies and artisan breads and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.”

Smiling, Frank said, “You had me sold on the salmon. I can see you are real y passionate about food. It sounds like a date then. Saturday night?”

Kitty was on cloud nine. “Yes!” She had a huge smile on her face as she got coffee for Frank. “I don’t know how often you are in Wil ow Fal s, but I hope we can remain friends.”

“That’s what I was hoping, too. I’l be around for a while, at least until this is wrapped up.” Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Excuse me. Let me see who that is.” Kitty put her coffee mug down and went to the door. She was surprised to see Glenda wiping away tears, waiting to come in.

“Glenda, what’s wrong?” Kitty reached for her arm to console her.

“I need to talk to you Kitty. Is there someplace private?”

“Come in. Detective Hughes is here, is that okay?”

“Maybe the detective needs to hear this too”. Glenda fol owed Kitty to the kitchen, nodding to Frank. “Jimmie threatened to fire me yesterday. I gave you the wrong truck by accident. They are identical and I guess I grabbed the wrong keys. Something is going on and I don’t know what it is but I’m real y scared. David got fired, then Roger was murdered. Everyone is on edge. I need to get this straightened out.” Frank got up to give Glenda his chair. “Everything wil be okay Glenda. We’re starting to put the pieces together. Do you think David kil ed Roger?”

“I don’t know. Roger was in David’s office a lot. I had to make copies of lots of files for Roger. I never understood what was going on, I just did what David asked me to do. I know the police chief questioned al of us.”

“Try not to worry. If you don’t know anything, you aren’t a threat.”

“Thanks Kitty. Thanks Detective. I’l be back later for the service.” Frank walked Glenda to the door. As he opened the door for Glenda to leave, he saw that she was driving a black car.

Frank didn’t want to upset Kitty any more. He would keep that to himself.

Chapter 8

Tina and Michael came back with crackers, cheese, fruit, cookies and drinks.

Kitty was busy finding plates to put the food on. “It’s a good thing I unpacked the kitchen boxes first. I wasn’t expecting to need it for this, though.

Let’s open some wine. I think I’l need a glass—or two—to get through having to be in the same room with David. He’l probably be here first so he can harass me some more.”

Tina offered, “I’l be your buffer. Besides, he needs to be somewhat polite so you let him into Roger’s office. I wonder who went in when you were hiding in the closet if it wasn’t David.”

“It’s pretty funny that the suitcase I found in Roger’s office closet is right here. Those tickets are probably what he’s after. He promised Candy a cruise and he doesn’t want her to know he’s using the tickets that Roger was going to surprise her with. Poor Candy. She always was in love with Roger and now she’s stuck with David.”

“Do you think Sam wil come?”

“I told him about it. I don’t know. He didn’t like Roger so there’s no reason for him to come unless he wants to see who’s here and listen to what’s going on.”

Frank came into the kitchen. “Is anything ready to be carried out to the table?”

“We’re almost done. Al these trays can go out and there are glasses in the hutch you can put on the table too. What’s Michael doing?”

“I think he went out to check on the chicks. He said he would stay by the door to let people in so you don’t have to do that,” Frank told her.

“Oh good.”

“Kitty, I didn’t tel you this earlier, but Glenda was driving a black car. Do you remember anything about the car you thought was fol owing you?”

“Real y? Glenda? I don’t see what connection she would have with Roger. The car I saw was pretty nondescript, like a Taurus or Camry maybe?

Black cars are pretty common.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Just one more thing to keep an eye on. Sam told me it was a black car that drove out the night Roger was kil ed. Could be the link we’re looking for.”

The police chief was the first to arrive. “Hi Frank, Kitty. Everything good here?” Kitty nodded. “I hope you don’t mind that I came a little early. I can’t stay long and I’m curious to see the interaction of people here tonight.” He motioned for Frank to fol ow him off to the side of the room.

“Herb, are you making any progress with fingerprints?” Frank quietly asked as they stood in a corner of the living room.

“Nothing yet. The policeman parked at the bottom of Kitty’s driveway has seen a black car go by a lot. I don’t know if it means anything, we haven’t run the plates yet. Have you gotten anything new?”