Lie Down in Green Pastures (8 page)

He was the last to leave and as he headed toward the front of the cemetery he tried not to let the images of other funerals, ones where he had been a mourner, fill his mind.

He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, preparing to call a taxi to take him back home when a familiar car rolled up beside him.

"Need a ride?" Cindy asked.

"Yes," he said, pocketing his phone and moving around to the passenger side.

"What are you doing here?" she asked once they had begun moving.

"I was presiding over a funeral. And you?"

"Attending one. Dr. Tanner's."

"Were you close?"

"No, but I wanted to go. I still don't think it was an accident.I think he was killed."

"And what makes you think so?" he asked.

"My gut tells me."

"And your gut's never been wrong?"

"I—I don't know," she stammered slightly.

"Look, Cindy, leave those sorts of determinations to the police. That's what their job is."

He could tell that he had irritated her. They drove in silence the rest of the way to his house.

"Thanks for the ride," he said, forcing a smile as he exited the car.

She stared at him stonily. "You're welcome."

He sighed as she drove away.

Monday morning Mark was sitting at his desk going through and cleaning up his notes about the Kelly case and waiting for Paul to get offthe phone. His partner had been on the phone since Mark had gotten in and his curiosity was beginning to get the better of him.

Finally Paul walked over, his face grim. He pulled up a chair and sat down.

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" Mark asked.

"No, because I hate it."

"What did you find out?"

"We got hold of the manuscript Kelly was working on. I've got a couple guys reading through it. I skimmed it. It's inflammatory, but he doesn't name names or point fingers as much as I expected. I don't see anything in there that could have gotten him killed."

"Okay."

"I called up to the administration office at Green Pastures."

"And?"

"Randall Kelly did go up there on Wednesday to look around and talk to some of the staff."

"Did you get names?"

"Better than that. He spent most of his time talking to a gentleman who fancies himself a park ranger. I got that guy on the phone and he was more than happy to tell me all about Kelly and their conversation. Apparently all that land up there is not only a camp but also one of the only breeding grounds for a rare type of bird."

"And that could have sent Kelly on a crusade easy," Mark said. "Did our would-be ranger have any idea why he might have been in the burn zone?"

"No, because when Kelly left apparently he was in quite a rage and said he was heading to talk to Max Diamond and get the whole project stopped."

Mark whistled low. "I guess we're going to be paying a visit to Mr. Diamond this morning."

Paul nodded.

Mark stood up but his partner didn't join him. Mark looked at him questioningly.

"There's more," Paul said.

Mark sat back down. "What is it?"

"Autopsy report came back on Dr. Tanner. He had a heart attack all right. It was induced by poison."

5

M
ARK BLINKED AT HIS PARTNER. "DR. TANNER WAS MURDERED?"

"Yes."

"Two deaths and they were both connected in some way to Green Pastures."

"We were right; I don't think it's a coincidence," Paul said.

"Then we definitely need to go see Max Diamond this morning."

"He's staying at a local hotel while he's working on this deal."

"Let's go, then."

"Ready when you are."

They got up and headed outside to Paul's car. When they arrived at the hotel they were relieved to find the land developer was still in his room. They headed on up and were admitted by the man himself.

Max Diamond would be imposing under any circumstances.He was well over six feet tall with the build of a linebacker and an iron handshake. Mark looked him dead in the eyes and didn't give an inch as the developer tried to use those facts to his advantage. Mark didn't care who Max was or how big he was; he wasn't going to be intimidated by anyone.

"Detectives, come in and sit down," Max said after they had introduced themselves.

The living room area of the suite was tastefully furnished despite the fact that it was larger than most apartments. As soon as they had taken their seats Paul pushed a picture of Randall Kelly across the coffee table toward Max.

"Have you ever seen this man before?"

"Of course," Max said without hesitating.

"Do you know who he is?" Mark asked.

"A pain in the butt, but like all such pains he's not worth much attention. He's one of those environmental activists.Why, has something happened to him?"

"What makes you ask that?" Paul said.

Max Diamond laughed. "Gentlemen, I'm not stupid.Detectives come around with pictures asking if you know somebody there are very few reasons why. Either he committed some sort of crime, accused me of some sort of crime, is missing, or is dead."

"Very good, Max," Mark said. "In this case, dead."

"I can't say I'm sorry. He was an annoying little pest. He confronted me late Wednesday, all bluster about how he was going to make sure the deal for that camp didn't go through.Something about birds. I've dealt with his kind before so I wasn't overly concerned. They usually go away in their own time."

"If you pay them off?" Paul asked.

Max shrugged. "I've never had to. I'm an expert on getting the community on my side, despite whatever concerns people like him have."

"And just how do you do that?" Mark queried.

Max smiled. "That, gentlemen, is a trade secret, so to speak.Are we done or do you have more questions?"

"Oh, we have more questions," Mark said, irritated and refusing to be dismissed so easily. "Were there any witnesses to your little conversation?"

"Sure, he got me while I was having a drink downstairs at the bar. He wasn't exactly quiet. His type never are. There were probably a dozen witnesses. You could start with the bartender, I'm sure."

"And what time did this all take place?" Paul asked.

"Between six and six-thirty. I had dinner reservations at sixthirty.I invited him to join me and continue our philosophical discussions. I think that upset him and he left."

"And how did you spend the rest of your evening?" Paul asked.

"Dinner here at the hotel. Around ten I retired to my room where I stayed until eight in the morning when I came down for a late breakfast."

"How are your negotiations going with the Green Pastures board?" Mark asked, changing topics.

"Well. I'm sure they'll come around to my point of view.Although I have to hand it to the chairman, he's a tough one.Smart, shrewd, and principled."

"You sound like you almost admire him."

"I do in a way. He's not like that weasel," Max said, pointing to the picture of Kelly. "He knows how to create something, how to be a success, not just stand in other people's way.Still, he's a reasonable man, and in the end I think we'll make a deal."

"Not with him you won't," Paul said.

"Oh, and why is that?" Max asked, looking bemused.

"He's dead."

And for the first time since they had been there the look of smug superiority vanished from the developer's face. Surprise mingled with a touch of sorrow twisted his features. "Dr.Tanner is dead?"

"Yes, he is."

"I'm very sorry to hear that. What happened?"

"He was killed."

Max looked uncertain for just a moment, like he didn't know how to respond, and then the mask descended again. "That's unfortunate, but hopefully his replacement on the board will be easier to work with. I wish you luck in catching his killer."

As they left the hotel, Mark couldn't help but marvel at what a piece of work the developer was. Once in the car he turned to Paul. "Do you have to work hard to become that much of a jerk or is it a gift?"

Paul smiled briefly. "You know what they say. Some are born with it; the rest aspire to it."

"You think he killed Kelly?"

"Personally, no, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he hired somebody to do it."

"If we can prove that, it's good enough for me," Mark said."How about the doctor?"

"He actually seemed surprised by that one."

"I agree. So, two different killers?"

"Maybe, I don't like it, though. It's too much of a coincidence," Paul said.

"The murders have to be connected. We just have to figure out how."

Marie popped her head into Jeremiah's office. "You have a visitor," she said. "It's one of the Gentiles from next door."

"You mean Cindy?" he asked.

"No, this one's a guy. Said his name was Joseph."

What could Joseph possibly be doing here?
Jeremiah wondered.

"Go ahead and send him in."

He rose and shook the other man's hand when he entered and then they both took their seats.

"Joseph, it's been a while," Jeremiah acknowledged.

"Yes, it has."

"What can I do for you?"

"I'm here to invite you to serve on the Green Pastures board."

"Excuse me?" Jeremiah said, blinking in surprise.

"With the death of Dr. Tanner I've been elected the acting chairman and I want you to fill the vacant position."

"I'm sorry, I'm just not interested."

"Hear me out. I'm not so much asking you as begging you.As rabbi you're a community leader with a vested interest in the future of Green Pastures. I need someone like you right now while the decision is being made whether to continue the camp as it is or to sell it to Max Diamond in exchange for a lease on the land and more than enough cash to fix the infrastructure of the immediate camp area."

"I'm not a businessman, Joseph."

"Exactly. We've got too many businessmen on the board, myself included. What we need is a religious leader to help us examine the pros and cons and decide the future of Green Pastures."

"I still don't—"

Joseph held up a hand to interrupt him. "Please don't give me an answer right now. Just think about it. If you could serve for three months until we get this matter settled then I'd happily accept your resignation and we could both move on. But right now I have to replace Dr. Tanner and I would much prefer someone like you sitting at that table with me. Your community needs you."

"I'll think about it."

"That's all I need for the moment. Thank you," Joseph said, rising and extending his hand once more.

"You ever planning to go into politics?"

Joseph laughed. "No, why?"

"No reason," Jeremiah said, shaking his hand.

As soon as Joseph had left, Jeremiah sank back down in his chair. Of course he had to refuse the offer. Serving on a board like that was far too public and politically charged. He didn't need the scrutiny. He couldn't help but wonder why Joseph had come to him instead of one of the pastors of his own church, though.

There was definitely a certain irony to the whole situation.
Dr. Tanner, why did you have to hit my car?
He sighed and turned back to his work.