Murder on Sagebrush Lane (6 page)

16

Harrie had never been accused of being a patient person. It wasn’t in her DNA. But at the moment, she struggled mightily to at least fake patience.

“Give it up.” Ginger watched her best friend’s tapping fingers and jiggling foot movements with a smile on her face.

“What?” Harrie turned to look at Ginger as though she’d just realized she wasn’t alone in the room.

“For heaven’s sake, if you can’t stop the tapping and jiggling, get up and walk around. You make me nervous just watching you. Where do you get all that energy, anyway? We could put you on a bicycle, hook it up to the utility company, and collect enough electricity to power all the lights in this house.”

“What are you muttering about?” Harrie stood up and paced, her focus once more on the current annoying situation. “What are they doing in there? How long has it been?”

Ginger looked at her watch. “Less than ten minutes.” She tried to change the subject. “Hey, why don’t we see what we can do to be productive?”

Harrie spun around, a big grin on her face. “Of course! That’s it! You’re a genius. We’ll do it now. Come on.”

“Whoa, there Kemo Sabe! What will we do?”

Harrie grabbed Ginger by the shoulders and lowered her voice. “Not so loud. I don’t want them to hear us. Come on. We’ll slip out the side door.” With that, she grabbed Ginger’s arm and practically dragged her across the kitchen.”

“Wait a minute!” Ginger protested and pulled her arm from Harrie’s grip. “I am not leaving here until you tell me what’s going on in that sneaky little brain of yours.”

Harrie let out an exasperated sigh. “I planned to tell you as soon as we got out of here. Can’t you just trust me?”

Ginger crossed her arms and raised one eyebrow. Harrie recognized it as the same look Ginger gave her teenage sons whenever they tried to con her. “Oh I trust you, all right. Trust you to get us both into trouble. Come on. I see the squirrel running around in your head. What’s this wonderful idea I had that I don’t know about?”

They were standing in the utility room, and Harrie had her hand on the knob of the outside door. They were so close, but now she had to stop and explain the plan to Ginger and hope she would go along.

“Okay. Here it is. And don’t say anything until you’ve heard me out, okay?”

Ginger leaned up against the dryer and nodded. “All right. I’m listening, but this better be good, and it better not involve us breaking the law.”

Harrie frowned. “I’m hurt that you’d even suggest I’d break the law.”

“Yeah, right. Okay, Miss Law and Order. What’s the plan, and how bad am I going to hate it?”

Harrie’s grin suggested her unwilling co-conspirator might be right. “It’s nothing, really. We’ve already established I have to go back to Katie’s house to get her things. Even DJ agreed to that. So, since they’re busy with that woman, what better time for us to go than right now and take care of that little chore.”

Ginger tried one more tactic. “I thought you needed me to go to the grocery store. Isn’t it more important to get milk and kid food for Katie? Why can’t you wait until DJ and Swannie are finished with the woman?”

“Because,” Harrie said as she turned the knob and opened the outside door. “Now’s a much better time for this. I told you I want to check that place out. DJ and Swannie would just interfere.”

“Then how do you propose to get in the house? I thought you were counting on Swannie to approve the visit and let you in.”

“It’ll be fine. You’ll see. Just leave it up to me. Don’t I always have a plan?”

Ginger groaned and followed her friend out the side door. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”

17

“Yes sir. I’ll do that right away. Thank you, Judge. I appreciate your time.” DJ disconnected the call.

“What did he say? What happens now?” Lt. Bob Swanson had been standing by while DJ informed Judge Connors of the latest development. The tension in the air was palpable.

DJ ran his hand through his hair, and he didn’t look happy. “For now, Judge Connors wants APD to investigate this woman, see if she’s who she says she is, where she’s staying, things like that. In the meantime, our office will contact the New York City office to start an inquiry on that end.”

“What are we supposed to do with the angry Ms. Bellows? We should at least keep an eye on her.”

“You don’t have any reason to hold her, do you? If she’s who she says she is, and if she really does want to take Katie back, she’ll need to make herself available for the investigation. Get her local address and phone number, and tell her CYFD will be in touch with her.” DJ looked at the closed door to his study. “In the meantime, we have to get her out of here. She said she came here in a cab. Can you take her down to the station to talk to her? I don’t want Harrie or Katie to see this woman—not right now.”

Swannie nodded. “Yeah, I know you’re right. It just burns me the way she comes barging in here, all demanding and pushy like that. Who the hell does she think she is, anyway?”

DJ smiled and put his hand on Swannie’s shoulder. “Come on Swannie. You’ve handled more difficult people in your day, haven’t you? Just turn on the old charm, and you’ll have her eating out of your hand by the time you get her downtown.”

Swannie grinned. “Sure, go ahead with the flattery, Scott. Appeal to the old detective’s pride.” He straightened his shoulders, and the smile left his face. “Give me ten minutes. I’ll let my guys know what’s happening. But I think you have no choice now. You have to get Katie out of this house. Take her to a place the dragon lady can’t find her.”

“I know. I’ll take care of it. You just get her out of here.”

Swannie went back to the study, and DJ went in search of Katie and his mother. He found them in the guest room, both stretched out on the bed. When he opened the door, Caroline looked up and put her finger to her lips. “Shh,” she gestured, and carefully got up from the bed. She took DJ’s hand and led him from the room. “Where can we talk?”

“Our bedroom seems the best place right now.” DJ led the way and Caroline closed the door behind them.

“What’s going on? I heard the doorbell and angry voices. I didn’t want Katie hearing any of it. Thank God she fell asleep. So tell me. What’s up?”

“You won’t believe it, Mom.” And he quickly related the events starting with the appearance of the strange woman, and ending with her startling revelation. “So, we need to find another place for Katie. Now that Ms. Bellows knows she’s here, I don’t trust her. I thought maybe you could take her to your house for a couple of hours. I need her out of this house for now.”

“Well of course I can do that. But will Harrie be upset? She’s really taken a shine to that little girl. I don’t want to interfere with her plans.”

“Harrie doesn’t know what we just found out. I’m sure she’ll go along with it, at least temporarily. I know her main concern is Katie’s safety. Now all I have to do is tell her. Do you think she’s still in the kitchen with Ginger?”

Caroline shrugged. “I don’t know, Dear. I’ve been with Katie ever since lunch was over. They were in the kitchen when I went to put Katie down for her nap.”

DJ pondered his next step. “Okay, for now, I want you back in the guest room with Katie. I’ll go find Harrie and tell her the plan. We have to go to the murder scene to get Katie’s clothes and toys. By the time we get back, Swannie will have left with Ms. Bellows, and we’ll have time to formulate a strategy.”

Caroline went to check on Katie, and DJ went to the kitchen. Everything from their impromptu lunch was put away, and there was no sign of Harrie and Ginger. “Damn,” DJ muttered under his breath. “Where did she go, and what is she up to?”

He looked at the built-in desk between the kitchen and family room. Harrie’s purse was in its usual place. Obviously she hadn’t driven anywhere without her purse and ID. Another purse was stashed on the counter by the side door. DJ peeked inside and found a wallet, with ID for Ginger Vaughn. “Great,” DJ said. “They’re on foot together, and that can only mean one thing.”

He took out his cell phone and punched in numbers. It rang only once, and then went to voice mail. “Sorry I can’t get to the phone right now. Leave a name and number at the beep, and I’ll get back to you.” Harrie’s voice was bright and cheery as she delivered the recorded message.

“I hope you’re not where I think you are,” DJ tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice. “Call me as soon as you get this. We have a problem.”

18

Lt. Swanson escorted Bonnie Bellows into an interview room at APD. She looked around the space, her expression oozing disapproval.

“Have a seat, Ms. Bellows.” Swanson indicated the chair opposite his at the table.

She took a tissue from her purse and, before she sat down, made a point of dusting off the chair with exaggerated carefulness.

Lt. Swanson put a stack of papers in front of her. “We’ll need you to fill out these forms before we can start an investigation into your claim.”

Bonnie’s eyes pierced through the hapless detective. “Why would I do that?”

“Because you’re making a claim regarding custody of a minor child. Before you can even be considered for guardianship, we must conduct an extensive investigation into your background. I don’t know how it is where you come from, but here we don’t just hand over children to the first person who asks.”
Unless it’s an upstanding FBI agent and his wife asking, he thought.

She seemed to consider her options, then reached for the papers. “Do you have a pen or must I supply my own?”

Swannie stifled his annoyance, took a pen from his pocket, and laid it down on the table within her reach. “When you finish with the forms, give them to the officer at the desk just outside. We’ll contact you in the next few days to let you know when to return for further questioning.”

Before she could argue or make any more comments, Swannie left the room and closed the door behind him. “Keep an eye on this one,” he said to the officer on desk duty. “She’s a handful, but don’t let her intimidate you. See that she’s filled out all the paperwork, and make sure you have her contact information, got it?”

“Yes sir, Lieutenant.” The rookie officer stood, and for a moment, looked as if he were going to salute.

Swannie grinned. “At ease, son. Just don’t let her push you around. You’re in charge. Make sure she knows it.”

Swannie was anxious to get back to the crime scene. He had more interviews to do, and he wanted to make sure the child was safely away from the area before nightfall. As he drove through typical afternoon traffic along Albuquerque’s busiest streets, he pondered this latest development. He caught the red light when he exited I-25 at Montgomery Boulevard, and while he waited for it to turn green, he took a moment to consider what he knew so far.

A high-level employee at Sandia National Labs had been murdered in his own home. His two-year-old daughter had been in the house at the time. She may or may not have seen the murderer, but she’d definitely had blood from the crime scene on her clothing. At the moment, she was safely in the custody of DJ Scott and his wife, Harrie. But how much longer would that be the case with the troublesome Ms. Bellows on the scene?

He took advantage of the last few seconds of the red light to speed dial DJ Scott on his cell. He put it on speakerphone just as the light changed to green, and he turned right, resuming his journey to the foothills.

“Hey, DJ. It’s Swannie. Bonnie Bellows is at headquarters at this very moment, filling out a ton of paper work. It should keep her busy for at least the next hour. Can you move Katie now?”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. “DJ, are you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here. I’ve explained to my mother what we need, and she’s ready to take Katie to her house. But I have one problem.”

Swannie tensed his grip on the steering wheel. “What’s wrong?”

“Harrie and Ginger have disappeared.” He paused, “Well, that’s probably inaccurate. I’m pretty sure I know where they are. In fact, I’m headed there at this very moment. How soon will you be back at the crime scene?”

“I’m on Montgomery now. Just got off the freeway. Give me about ten minutes. Where are you headed?”

“I’ll meet you at the Rinaldi house. I’m on my way there now.”

“I thought you said you were going to find Harrie and Ginger?”

DJ laughed a small, humorless laugh. “I am. I’m pretty sure that’s where I’ll find them. At the crime scene. With Harrie being Harrie I’m hoping to head her off before she gets in trouble.”

Swannie shook his head. “You know, DJ. I never fully appreciated how strong-willed your lovely wife is.”

DJ let out a long sigh. “Believe me, Swannie. You don’t know the half of it.”

19

Officer Harley had dreamed of being a police officer since he was fourteen years old. His grandfather, father, and two uncles had been on the force, and he was anxious to follow in their footsteps. But if he’d known there’d be days like today, perhaps he would have been more open to becoming a doctor, like his mother wanted.

When the lovely Harrie McKinsey Scott appeared at the door of the Rinaldi house and asked for him by name, his goose was cooked. He knew he shouldn’t let her and her friend into the house, but she was so cute and petite, and she smiled at him so sweetly. How could he say no to her? All six feet of him practically melted at her feet.

Although Harrie hated playing the flirty female, occasionally she found it necessary. And she actually felt a little guilty about Officer Harley. But it got them into the house, so it was worth it. She and Ginger wasted no time surveying the area where the body had been.

“I’m sure this is the scene I saw in the dream this morning. When I close my eyes, I can still see the body where it was, and the furniture, carpeting and draperies are exactly right.”

“Okay, since you know all that, can we get out of here?” Ginger felt more than a little squeamish about being in the room where a murder had occurred so recently.

“Let’s get upstairs while the coast is clear. I have to see the bedrooms.” Harrie moved out to the hall and started up the stairs.

Ginger stopped short and whispered, “Wait!”

“No,” Harrie called back down to her in an equally soft whisper. “I’m not leaving here without seeing Katie’s room. Besides, I have to get her things.”

Harrie disappeared up the stairs. Ginger said, “Okay, okay. Wait up.” She grumbled to herself, “Why do I let her talk me into stuff like this?”

Harrie already stood in the doorway of Katie’s room when Ginger got to the top of the landing. She stopped to catch her breath, and made one last try. “Let’s make this quick,” she said, knowing full well it would take as long as it took.

But Harrie paid no attention to Ginger. She moved around the child’s bedroom in a trance, taking in the decorations so perfect for a little girl like Katie. She ran her fingers over the child-size furniture, and smiled at the shelves populated with stuffed animals, toys and a beautiful doll. She stooped down to the little round table, with its matching toddler-sized chairs. A few picture books were spread out, obviously well worn and loved. What a perfect room for a little girl to grow up in. But now, of course, she wouldn’t grow up here. Harrie’s heart ached when she thought about the magnitude of the disruption to this little girl’s life. Unless she and DJ could stop it, Katie would end up in foster care, or more likely a series of foster care homes. She shook her head. “That just can’t happen!”

Ginger looked over at Harrie, who still stood by the little table. “What can’t happen?”

Harrie stood up, her chin raised in stubborn defiance. “Katie can not be sent to foster care. I just won’t allow it.”

“I agree with you, Sweetie. We’ll do everything possible to keep her safe until a member of her family can be located.”

“No, that’s not what I mean. I know we’ll take care of her for now. I’m talking about the long haul. I don’t want any further disruption in her life—no shuffling her from one place to another. We should be the ones who keep her.”

Ginger studied her friend. “Harrie, please don’t get your hopes up too high. You open yourself up to terrible disappointment. It’s too early to tell what will happen with Katie.”

Harrie looked down at the books on the table, and selected three of them to take with her. “I know exactly what you mean. Normally, I would agree with you, but right now, I hope we get the chance to keep her.”

She turned to Ginger and saw the concern on her friend’s face. Harrie smiled. “Please don’t worry. I know the odds, but I also know this feeling is important. I have the strongest sense that this is the beginning of a new and wonderful adventure for DJ and me, and for Katie, too.” She brightened. “Come on, let’s find a suitcase or a box to put these clothes and toys in. We need to get back and find out what’s going on with that awful woman.”

Ginger opened the closet door and spied a small suitcase on the shelf. She got it down, and they gathered up clothes to take with them. Harrie found a large canvas bag in the corner of the closet. She gathered up the toys she felt most drawn to, and filled the bag.

When they finished, Harrie said, “Let’s take a look in the other bedrooms. There’s more here we need to figure out.”

Ginger nodded. She knew from long experience that her friend, once she had her mind set on a thing, wasn’t easily convinced to abandon her quest. Instead, she picked up the suitcase with Katie’s clothes and followed Harrie out the door.

Harrie was already in the master bedroom when Ginger got there. She set the suitcase down beside the canvas bag of toys outside the door. She looked around the room and noted the unmade bed.

“Do you suppose he was in bed when the intruder arrived?” Ginger asked.

“It’s my guess he wasn’t turned in for the night. The bed doesn’t look rumpled, like it’s been slept in. And look at the glass of wine on the bedside table. It’s full.”

“Yeah, I saw that. And there’s an opened book on top of the blanket. It looks for all the world like Mr. Rinaldi was sitting up in bed, reading and sipping a glass of wine.”

“Yes,” Harrie said with growing excitement, “then he heard a noise and put the book down. Look how it’s lying, face down, to mark his place. He must have gotten up to investigate the noise.”

Ginger considered that explanation. “Maybe the doorbell rang, or he decided to go downstairs for a snack.”

Harrie had her back to Ginger. She peered at the bedside table. “Come here a minute, and look at this.”

Ginger joined her and saw the open drawer.

Harrie pointed to an empty holster. “Tell me this,” she said, “if Michael Rinaldi went downstairs to get a snack, why do you suppose he felt it necessary to take along his pistol?”