Twisted (21 page)

“Oh, that’s right. I read in the paper, you think the guy may have a hiding place or several and brings his victims there.”

“It’s a possibility.”

“Do you have any suspects?”

The agent looked at AJ for a long time. “I can’t answer that.”

AJ looked contrite. “I’m sorry. I’m really into true crime.” It looked like he thought he was an amateur sleuth.

Agent Holder fixed a cold stare on AJ for a few minutes and then turned to me. “It seems, Jeff, you have a talent for attracting murders.”

“Pardon?” I was stunned.

“Well, first your employee Pedro is shot, then the biker, next the forest ranger, and now the body you found about a week ago. Finally, your connection with the body in the Wenatchee River.”

“And these are all connected how?” I could feel my temper rising.

“Just through you.”

“Are you saying that I had anything to do with any of these killings?”

Sheriff Johnston looked at Agent Holder. It appeared he was about to speak up, but Agent Holder continued.

“No, it’s just interesting. Most folks never even know a murder victim. You’re up to what, five now?”

“Holder, I don’t think that Jeff has anything to do with any of the crimes you’re talking about. In the rustlings last year, Jeff was more the victim and was the target of the killer.” Sheriff Johnston looked angry.

“The cattle rustling and murders sure did bring a lot of attention for your ranch and your artwork, didn’t it, Jeff?”

“I can’t say it didn’t. But I’d trade all that attention to have Pedro back. Hell, even have Porky alive. All that attention ain’t worth a life.”

“No, it isn’t. You see though, that’s how I have to think if we want to solve these crimes. I have to look at every angle.”

I really didn’t know how to respond. I was more angry than anything, but if his thinking like that would really help catch a killer, then more power to him. “If it helps you catch the bastard doing this, then keep it up.” Mike clapped me on the back with that.

AJ jumped into the conversation. “It sounds like you really don’t have any leads, if you have to practically accuse Jeff here.”

“What makes you say that?” Holder was focused on AJ again.

“It seems the killer has you outsmarted, and you’re just blundering around, trying to stumble over a clue, here or there.”

“Now that the FBI has stepped in, I’m sure that the crime will be solved quickly. I know the local law enforcement is good for cattle stealing and that sort of thing but no match for a serial killer.” Sheriff Johnston glared at Holder. I was tensing up too. He had way too much attitude and was way too abrasive.

I decided to change the subject. “Agent Holder, while you’re staying here, looking for the killer, is there anything you need, above and beyond the normal facilities we offer our guests?”

“I believe you have wireless access.”

“Yes, and indoor plumbing too.”

“Well then, with those things I should be all set. Gentlemen, with that I think I’ll call it a day.” He got up and walked off to his room.

As soon as he was out of the room, Mike spoke up. “What an asshole.”

Sheriff Johnston just shook his head. “I hate working with the feds. I wonder if they teach them that superior attitude at FBI training camp.”

“Wherever he learned it, he sure is one obnoxious son of a bitch. Enough about him though. AJ, I’m sorry that your vacation had to be ruined by this.”

“It hasn’t been ruined, Jeff. I had a great time. I’ve really enjoyed skiing, and I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful place or better hosts.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that.”

“I’d actually like to come back sometime before the snow melts and do some more skiing.”

“I’ll tell you what, AJ, you stay for three days and pay for two.”

“Yeah, AJ, we’d really like to have you back here. You’re welcome anytime.”

“Thanks, Mike, and thanks, Jeff, for the free night. I’ll have to take you up on that.”

“Jeff, on that note, I’m going to be heading off. I’ll take Sandy and Maria with me.”

“Okay, sheriff. Thanks for stopping by.”

“My pleasure, Jeff.” He got up and walked over to Sandy. After a minute or so, she and Maria came over to say goodbye. Shortly after, Smitty, José, and Jason headed out to the bunkhouse, and Renee, Josh, and Al headed back to town. Mike and I made pretty quick work of cleaning up. It was still fairly early, so Mike and I decided to take a dip in the hot tub. We got our swimsuits on and were just about to jump into the hot tub when the door to the house opened. AJ had on a pair of swim trunks.

“Mind if I join you two?”

“Not at all.” It was cold out, so we all got in the hot tub quick. I did notice AJ checking Mike and me out.

“Jeff, Mike, thanks again for the great time spent here. I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

“That’s great to hear. We want you to be happy, don’t we, Jeffy?” I nodded.

“You guys are monogamous, aren’t you?”

I answered this time. “We are. I care about Mike too much to share him, and sex for us is something special. It’s an expression of how we feel about one another.”

“That’s right. Only guy I want is Jeff.”

“I guess that’s good for you guys and sad for all the rest of us.”

“I’m surprised you don’t have a partner, AJ. Are you seein’ anyone special?”

“No, Jeff, I’m not. I guess I’m just happy being single. That way I don’t have to worry about monogamy or anything.”

“Jeffy and me don’t worry either, AJ. We got each other.”

“Touché.” AJ laughed. “You guys mentioned that you compete in the gay rodeo?”

“I have for about seven years now. Mike’s rodeoed for a while, but next month will be his first gay rodeo.”

“Where’s the rodeo next month?”

“Phoenix. I’m lookin’ forward to it, not only bein’ in a gay rodeo, but I ain’t never been to Phoenix before,” Mike answered enthusiastically.

“Yeah, we’re gonna take a few days off and head to Tombstone, the Grand Canyon, and maybe a few more places.”

“That sounds like a lot of fun. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you guys down there.”

“That would be nice, wouldn’t it, Jeffy?”

“It would. You seem to travel quite a bit, AJ. Do you get that much time off?”

“I’d mentioned that I work in software, didn’t I?” Both Mike and I nodded. “I work contract. As long as I meet my deadlines and call in for meetings, I can work anywhere I want. So if I have my computer and cell phone, I’ve got my office.”

“That’s nice. Are you working now, or on vacation?”

“I’m on vacation, Mike. Next time I’ll probably bring my laptop and do some work. By the way, Jeff, I know you grew up here, where did you grow up, Mike?”

“A small town in Nebraska. What about you, AJ?”

“My dad was in the army, and I was born in Southern California, but we lived all over the place.”

“That sounds kind of interesting.” I said that to be polite, but I couldn’t imagine moving so frequently.

“It wasn’t. My dad was a drunk who liked to use his fists on my mother and me. He’d get drunk, get mad, then come home and beat up my mother and me. It was tough also, in that as soon as I started to make friends, he’d be transferred elsewhere and we’d move.”

“That’s pretty bad, AJ. My dad was a preacher who couldn’t accept me for who I am.”

“I know my parents wouldn’t accept me, so I wasn’t even out to them. What about you, Jeff?” AJ looked at me.

“I’m pretty lucky. My dad was acceptin’ and supportive of me from the get-go. He always let me know he cared about me, and as long as I’m happy, that was what was important.”

“Lucky you. My parents are gone now.” We sat in silence for a few minutes before AJ got out of the hot tub and headed off to his room. Mike and I just sat in the hot tub, enjoying one another’s company for a while. Then we headed off to bed.

Chapter Nine

W
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just finished breakfast. AJ had left earlier. Agent Holder had brought his own French press coffeemaker, so I had made him coffee in that. He seemed to like the bacon, ham, and cheese omelets and fried potatoes I’d made. Mike was just starting to clean up when Agent Holder spoke up.

“Are you boys ready to go over finding the body, and any other details you may have about the Cutter and/or his victims?”

“Sure, who do you want to speak with first?”

“How about you, Jeff? Then Mike. I’ll also want to talk to Jason and your employees.”

“Okay. What do you want to ask?”

“Let’s go in the other room. I want to talk to each one of you separately.”

Every time I was with Agent Holder, I felt like I was a suspect. Mike felt the same way, that he was under a microscope. The man had a talent for making you feel as if you’d done something wrong and for putting people on the defensive. I got up and headed into the office with my cup of coffee. I could hear him following me. I sat down in one of the office chairs and got comfortable.

“Okay, now what did you want to ask?”

“How did you know Sam Olsen from San Francisco?”

“When I lived in San Francisco, I’d occasionally stop at Little Orphan Andy’s. It’s a hamburger place just outside the Castro. Sam worked there.”

“How well did you know Mr. Olsen?”

“Enough to say howdy and chat a bit.”

“Were you and Mr. Olsen involved sexually?”

“No, I had a boyfriend at the time.” He had practically sneered out the question. I was trying very hard not to be annoyed with him. I wasn’t quite able to stop the annoyance from reaching my voice. I could tell he was able to sense that he was bothering me.

He smirked. “Ah yes, Robert Hanson, correct?”

“Yes.”

His smirk got even more unpleasant. “So you didn’t share Mr. Hanson’s sexual relationship with Mr. Olsen?”

“Robert and Sam weren’t in a sexual relationship!”

“You mean to tell me, you didn’t know that your partner was having an affair with Mr. Olsen.” He said it as a statement with that infuriating smirk. It wasn’t like Robert and I had the best relationship, but if he had been cheating on me, I had been completely oblivious.

“Number one, Agent Holder.” I put as much sarcasm into “agent” as I could. “I’m not sure if I believe you that Robert and Sam were playin’ around. Number two, if they were, I was unaware of the fact. It ain’t like Robert ever swaggered up to me and announced he was cheatin’.”

“You seem very upset about their affair, Jeff. From my understanding of the gay community, you guys fuck like rabbits. It’s a bit surprising you’re so shocked that your partner was having sex with the decedent.”

I took a deep breath. I’d been accused many times of acting before thinking, and I wasn’t going to do that this time. “I’m actually a bit surprised at your assumptions about the gay community. We’re no different than straights. Some guys are monogamous, some are sluts, and then there’s guys of every type in between. As to Robert’s cheatin’, it’s news to me.”

“It does make you angry though, doesn’t it, Jeff? Angry enough to kill?” I glanced down at the gold band on his left ring finger.

“Angry? Yeah, betrayal does that. It makes you angry. But Robert ain’t worth killin’ anyone over. Say for example someone was fuckin’ your wife, would you kill him?” I could see him turn bright red.

“I think you do have some connection to these killings, and I’m going to find out what it is.”

“I wanna see this guy caught as bad as you do. And I’m happy to answer any questions. But, I ain’t gonna be insulted and accused in my own home.”

“If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about. Let’s start over.” He looked at me and smiled.

Part of me wanted to wipe the smile right off his face. I didn’t have anything to hide, so I just said, “Okay.”

“I realize that it must be a shock for you to find out your partner was having an affair with Mr. Olsen. Your relationship with Mr. Olsen was just acquaintances, then, you’re saying?”

“Yes, other than to say hi to him on the street or a small chat about the weather or whatever when I went to Orphan Andy’s, I can’t really say I knew him.”

“Did you know he was a prostitute?”

“I knew he hustled. He didn’t make a big secret of it.”

“How do you know your employee, Jason?”

“His brother has worked here for a couple of months. He mentioned Jason had been in with a bad crowd and in a spot of trouble, and he asked if I might be able to give him a job. Smitty feels that Mike and I’ll be a good influence on him. The gay people he knew were all into drugs, and quite a few hustled.”

“That’s nice of you to help out like that, and pay for Paul’s funeral.”

“I’m lucky I had the support I did. If I hadn’t, I could have ended up like Jason.”

“Or Mike.”

“Yeah, but Mike’s story has a happy ending. The jury’s still out on Jason.”

“Does Mike’s story have a happy ending?”

“Of course it does. He’s in a relationship he’s happy with, he likes the work he does, and he’s got friends.”

“That’s a good thing then. Can you go over finding the body for me again?”

I walked him through the skiing trip Mike, Jason, and I had taken. He took careful notes and asked quite a few questions about what we had noticed, how I saw the ravens and reckoned there was something dead there, and how and why I had Jason back away from the body.

“Jeff, how did you know the person was dead?”

“Well, he was gutted like a deer, and there was snow and ice in the body cavity. I could see that much from a distance. I didn’t really reckon too many folks could survive that.”

“When was the last time you were in San Francisco?”

“Early last September. I came up here when my dad died, and I ain’t been back.”

“Okay, thanks, Jeff, for answering my questions. I may have some more. Could you ask Mike to come in here?” I nodded and walked out. Mike was in the living room.

“Your turn, buddy. One word of warnin’, he’s got his own good cop, bad cop routine, so he’s gonna try to rile ya. Don’t let him get to ya, okay?”

“Thanks, Jeffy, I’ll try not to.”

I gave Mike a big hug. “I’ll be in the livin’ room, readin’. Maybe we can get a workout in after you talk to Columbo.” Mike laughed and headed off to the office.