“Luther Rahn,” Randy answered. Kyle nodded without comment.

  Kyle stood. “Thanks for your time, I better be on my way.”

  “If you want to trade up to a fancier model or a Harley, give me a call,” Randy said. He reached over to the corner of the desk, picked up a business card, and handed it to Kyle.

  “Thanks, don’t think I’ll leave BMW. It’s a nice ride.”

  “We have a complete repair shop, if you ever need work done,” Randy said, watching Kyle leave.

  Kyle put on his helmet, hopped on the bike and rode away. I think I’ll give Luther Rahn a visit, he thought. We can talk bikes. Where did he get the money?

  Kyle rode down Cedar, passing the new fancy McDonald’s, the strip mall with the Family and Home shop, a dollar store, and the Goodwill. He turned on Columbia, noticing that, as usual, the BP gas was a penny more a gallon than the Speedway across the street. Two blocks of small bungalows went by and he turned right on McRoberts. Houlis Construction and Lumberyard was on the corner. He drove into the parking lot, stopped, and started to get off his bike. He sat back down when he heard a female voice.

  “I thought I told you to stay away from here,” said Fiona Houlis. She stood with her fists on her hips, glaring at him.

  “You did, but I would like to talk to Luther,” Kyle said.

  “Forget it, he’s busy working and doesn’t have time to talk to you. Talk about what?”

  “I just found out he’s a fellow biker, and I wanted to congratulate him on his new bike.”

  “What new bike? I haven’t seen any new bike. Please leave. If you want to talk to him, find him after work. We’ve got a business to run.”

  Kyle rode away. It was time for lunch and he was hungry. He turned on Mason Street, pulled into the parking lot of the Depot, a restaurant in the old train station. Kyle knew a lot of the police officers ate there; maybe I’ll see Dan Dunlap and I want a hot roast beef sandwich with rich brown gravy and real mashed potatoes. Not good for my heart, but I’ll work it off tomorrow.

  Kyle parked his bike up close to the old building. He walked to the door of the restaurant, his helmet tucked under his arm. Opening the door, he saw a pile of used books stacked on a bench in one corner of the small vestibule. The sign said “50 cents each.” He paused but then moved on, his stomach was growling, letting him know it was time to eat.

  Coming through the door to the dining room, he stopped, looking for a table. He saw an arm motioning to him. The arm belonged to Dan, who was sitting in a far corner. Kyle walked to the table.

  “Join me,” said Dan, a big grin on his round face. “I haven’t seen you for a while.”

  Kyle sat down. “Keep eating, you don’t want those nachos to get cold.” Kyle ordered his sandwich from the waitress, stirred some cream in the coffee she brought him, and settled back in the booth.

  He and Dan had known each other for a long time. They had crossed paths when Dan was with the FBI and Kyle with the CIA. Dan left the FBI, preferring the local sheriff’s department. Kyle retired to become a private investigator.

  Kyle and Dan caught up on the people they knew in common. Over coffee, Dan asked, “How’s the investigation of Boswick’s murder going? The sheriff has closed his file, but, between you and me, I’m not convinced that Horace Appleworth is the murderer.”

  “Neither am I,” Kyle said. “I wonder about Boswick’s ethics. I heard rumors he took kickbacks from contractors.”

  “Well, I’m supposedly off the case, but I have been asking around and I agree. He drove that white Corvette, and even if he bought it used, it is still an expensive car to maintain. I know Sally teaches, but she doesn’t seem like the type to spend money on fancy cars.”

  “The other person who is flashing money is Luther Rahn,” said Kyle. “For a man right out of prison, where did he get cash for a new Harley?”

  “What do you mean?” Dan asked.

  Kyle explained his meeting with Randy Haywood and his comments about Luther.

  “I went to Houlis Construction to talk to him, but Fiona kicked me off the property. I’ll find him later.”

  “You want some help?” Dan asked.

  “Sure, a little pressure might help stir the pot,” Kyle said. “It will be like old times when we worked cases together.”

  “I’ll stop by and chat with him. Fiona can’t keep me off the property—it is an official investigation.”

  They finished their lunches and left the restaurant. They took off in opposite directions, Dan in the unmarked gray car, Kyle on his bike.

  Dan pulled into the parking lot of Houlis Lumberyard. He climbed out of the car and went into the main building. The room, a combination sales room and office, smelled of freshly cut wood and birdseed. He saw a display of fancy birdhouses and bags of seed.

  He approached the L-shaped counter that separated the clerks from the customers.

  “Can you tell me where I can find Luther Rahn?” he asked the closest clerk. She told him Luther was across the street in one of the buildings used to store lumber.

  “Ask any of the guys there, they should know where he is,” she said, smiling up at him.

  “Why do you want to see Luther?” asked another female voice.

  Turning toward the sound, Dan saw Fiona Houlis.

  “Hello, Ms. Houlis, haven’t seen you since the last Chamber meeting. I just want to see how Luther is doing. Won’t take up much of his time.”

  Fiona paused. “He’s working hard,” she said. “I’d appreciate it if you’d let him keep at it.” She turned and walked back toward her office, tucked in a corner next to the birdseed.

  Dan went out the door and across the street.

  The sound of a saw led him to a back corner of the building. “Know where I can find Luther?” he yelled. The big man at the saw stopped and pointed to the back of the building.

  “He’s back there with a customer, I think.”

  Dan saw two men talking. He approached but waited until one of them turned to walk away.

  “Thanks, Luther, I’ll pick up the order tomorrow morning,” he said.

  After the man left, Luther turned toward Dan. “Can I help you?”

  Dan took out his badge and showed it to Luther.

  “I haven’t done anything wrong,” Luther said. “I do my job and keep out of trouble.”

  “I don’t have any complaints,” said Dan. “I do have a question, however. I understand you bought a new Harley Davidson motorcycle. I was wondering about that, being as how you just got out of prison.”

  “You mean, where did I get the money? I don’t see how that is any of your business—I could’ve won the lotto or inherited the money, for all you know. I don’t have to explain my actions to you. I’m a free man.”

  “Yes, you are. I was just curious, being a BMW man myself.”

  “Well, I like Harleys. If there is nothing else, Officer, I have work to do.”

  Luther walked away. Dan decided the interview was over. He left the way he came, climbed in his, car and started to pull away. He looked up and saw a woman’s face in the small window at one end of the building. It looked like Fiona Houlis.

  Dan headed back to the sheriff’s office, wondering about Fiona, Luther, and Harleys—if they were connected—and if so, how.

  Chapter 15

  F iona turned from the window of her office and went in search of Luther. She found him next to a pile of rough lumber in the far corner of the warehouse.

  “Why are Kyle Laverty and Dan Dunlap looking for you? And since when do you ride a Harley?”

  Luther turned from counting the boards in the pile. He stared at Fiona.

  “Damn, now you made me lose count. Raff needs 100 2 x 4’s to frame in a new barn and wants them yesterday. He’s coming back in an hour. And I have no idea why they are asking about the Harley. Like I told them, it is none of their business or yours.”

  “I don’t like them coming around and interfering with our work. It’s hard enough to get jobs without having people snooping around.”

  “Don’t worry, they won’t be back. I sent them packing.” Luther turned from Fiona and started counting boards again.

  Fiona watched him. He looked like a man busy with work, but she wasn’t sure. She thought she saw his hands shake.

  “Well, I hope you’re right about that.”

  She strode through the warehouse, looking at the piles of cut wood. She loved the smell of fresh lumber. She looked around pleased with what she saw but worried about the recession. She thought of her conversation with the bank manager who wasn’t too interested in extending her line of credit. She knew if she didn’t get a big job soon, she might be in a serious cash flow crunch.

  Penny looked up from the report she was reading when the outer door to the office opened. Althea came in laden down with bags of candy. “I take it that candy is for Halloween, not for the office.”

  “Yes, I get a lot of ‘trick or treaters’ and Halloween is Sunday night. That’s only two days away. They were having a sale at Miller’s. I couldn’t resist. I think I have more than I need if you want some for your house.”

  “I don’t get many customers—the house sits too far back—they go to the main house and then go on their way. But I’ll take one bag, just in case. I’ll take tootsie pops. They aren’t my favorites so maybe I won’t eat them all myself.”

  Althea laughed. She put a bag on the chair in Penny’s office. “It’s about time for you to go home,” she said. “It’s been a long week.”

  Penny stood up and stretched. She had been sitting at her desk all afternoon. “You’re right. It is time to go home. We have a new client. Lia called with the appointment. She faxed over the police report. I’ll put the file on your desk. It can wait until Monday. The pre-trial is next Thursday. Our client is out on bail. He called while you were gone. He’s coming in Monday afternoon around 1 o’clock. I put a note on your desk.”

  Penny and Althea straightened up the office. They left together. Penny, JD’s leash in one hand and her briefcase slung on her shoulder, locked the door. Althea, loaded with her bags of candy, walked to the elevator. Penny and JD walked down the hall to the stairs.

  Penny noticed that Kyle’s light was on in his office. She opened his door. He looked up and smiled.

  “On your way out, I see,” he said. “Have a great week-end.”

  “You, too. Let’s meet on Monday afternoon to talk about Horace’s case. I’ve got a feeling we’re missing something.”

  “I’ll put it on my phone—how about 3 o’clock?” Kyle grabbed his phone.

  Penny reached in her briefcase, which was on the floor and pulled out her calendar.

  “Got it,” she said, writing a note on Monday, November first.

  Penny gathered up her belongings, called to JD who was busy exchanging sniffs with Percy. They took the stairs at the end of the hall, went out the door, and walked toward Penny’s car, parked in the lot in back of the building. It was the only car left. It sat in the space right next to the alley that led to the courthouse at one end and Ash Street at the other. Two drive-up mailboxes ready to receive bills, letters, and cards from folks who still used the printed word were opposite the entrance to the lot. Kyle’s motorcycle was in its special spot next to the building. Penny opened the driver’s car door, tossed her briefcase on the floor of the passenger side, and turned to JD.

  “In you go,” she said to the big dog. JD stuck his nose in the open door, sniffing. He backed up.

  “Get in the car. It’s time to go home.” Penny said. She pulled on his lead. JD pulled back, dragging Penny away from the car. She looked at him.

  “Oh, okay, we’ll go for a quick walk, but I think you could wait.”

  Penny slammed the car door.

  “Do we have to walk so fast?” JD was pulling Penny down the alley.

  “Heel,” she commanded. JD kept pulling.

  “What is the matter with you? You know better.”

  They arrived at the intersection of the alley and the main street of Midvale Corners. JD stopped. Penny looked both ways. There wasn’t any traffic. They crossed the street to the sidewalk surrounding the courthouse. Penny paused by the strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street. JD sat next to her.

  “I thought you had to go potty. Why are you…?”

  Penny stared down the ally. She saw pink metal parts flying through the air. Then she heard an earsplitting blast. Flames shot out from the back end of her car that was just visible from where she stood.

  JD started barking. Penny stood stock still unable to move.

  “Did you call 911? What happened? Was anybody hurt? Somebody call 911? I did, I have my cell phone. The fire department is on its way. Does anyone have a fire extinguisher?”

  The voices around Penny brought her out of her daze. She started back down the alley. She could hear the sirens in the distance. She smelled burning gasoline. She started to move.

  “I wouldn’t go down there, Penny,” said a male voice. Penny turned to the sound. She saw Ethan Humphrey.

  “Let the fire department get the fire out first.”

  “But it was my car, Mr. Humphrey. Why would my car blow up? My briefcase and cell phone are in there—I need them.”

  “No, you don’t,” said Ethan. “You need to sit down for a minute. There is a bench over there across the street in front of the bank.”

  Ethan and Toby, his Shetland sheepdog, led Penny to the bench. Penny sat. JD followed Toby. Both dogs sat down next to the bench. JD was sitting as close to Penny as he could. He put his big head in her lap. She put her hand on his head.

  Kyle came running out of the alley, looking up and down the street. When he saw Penny, he ran over to her.

  “Oh, thank God, you’re alright,” he said, looking at Penny closely. “I heard the explosion, but I couldn’t get to the car. The fire department arrived. They told me no one was in the car. Are you okay?”

  “She’s a little shook-up,” said Ethan. “Does anyone have any water?” he asked the crowd of people milling around the end of the alley watching the fire trucks and the firemen put out the fire.

  A woman stepped forward with a bottle of Evian. “This is fresh,” she said. “I haven’t even opened it.” She handed it to Penny who took it, holding it in her hand.

  Penny looked up at Kyle. “Why did my car blow up?”

  “The fire fighters will tell us. But, for now, I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “I had better call my mother. She will hear about this before it’s on the news. I’m sure someone has called her already. Can I use your phone?” Penny tried to open the water bottle but her hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Kyle took from her to open it when his phone rang.

  Penny jumped. Kyle answered. He listened for a minute. “She’s right here sitting on the bench at the end of the alley and she’s fine. He’s fine, too.” He handed the phone to Penny. “It’s your mother.”

  “I’m fine, Mother,” said Penny not surprised that her mother was on the line. The woman had always been able to find her children no matter where they were. “I don’t know what happened. The car just blew up.”

  “It’s funny though,” she went on. “JD wouldn’t let me get in the car. He insisted we come to the courthouse lawn. I thought he had to go potty, but he didn’t, and then the car blew up. Isn’t that odd?”

  “No, I can stay in my house tonight. Dad’s on his way here? Oh, well, he doesn’t need to do that. I want to talk to the fireman if I can.”

  Penny flipped the phone closed and handed it to Kyle.

  “Are you okay?” said a voice.

  Looking up Penny saw Alex looking down at her. He kneeled down in front of her. He held her hand.

  Penny looked at him. “I’m fine—a little shook up but fine. How did you hear about this?’

  “It’s a small town,” Alex said, standing up. “News travels fast. And Ethan called me.”

  “Althea’s here, too,” Kyle said.

  “Penny, thank goodness you’re okay. JD is okay, too.” Althea rushed up and gave Penny and JD a hug.

  Penny extricated herself from Althea. “I’m fine, Althea. JD’s fine, too.”

  Althea sat next to Penny on the bench.

  “I spoke to the fire chief,” said Penny’s dad, Judge Gallagher, approaching the bench. “He’s pretty sure that the car was rigged with a bomb.”

  “A bomb,” said Penny. “Why would anyone do that?”

  “Chief Whittaker thinks that’s the reason JD wouldn’t let you get in the car. He was trained to smell explosives and even though he flunked out--no offense, JD,” he said, patting the big dog, “still he knew enough to get away from the car.”

  “What set the bomb off?” asked Penny.

  “He won’t know until the fire is completely out and his fire investigators finish their investigation.”

  “I think we should get some hot coffee in you,” said Althea. “You look a little pale.”

  Ethan got up from his end of the bench. “I better get on home. Toby needs his dinner. I’m glad you’re okay,” he said.

  “Thanks for your help, Ethan,” said Penny. Ethan and Toby headed home.

  Penny gathered up JD’s leash and stood. Her hands still shook. “I could use some coffee. It’s too cold to sit outside and they won’t let JD into the bookstore. Where should we go?”

  “He can come in the store. No one will say anything. After all, he saved your life,” said Belinda. She held the door open ushering them all in. “I have some fresh coffee and newly baked cookies--just what you need to calm you all down.”

  Kyle, Alex, Althea, Judge Gallagher and Penny went into the bookstore. They sat at a large table. JD ambled under the table and curled up by Penny’s feet. He sighed.

  The clerk, who had been outside watching the excitement, followed them in to take their orders. Even though it was close to closing time for the store, he was willing to stay to hear all the news.

  Coffees were served with a plate of cookies, everyone sat silently staring at their coffee.

  “If it hadn’t been for JD,” said Althea. “I hate to think what could have happened.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23