Alpine Zen : An Emma Lord Mystery (9780804177481) (25 page)

Kip came to see me five minutes later. “I wanted to let you know I pulled the item from ‘Scene' about Rosemary and the writer guy chasing kids at the picnic. But I ran your feature on him. Is that a problem?”

“No,” I replied. “I wanted to spare Rosie's feelings and use the Dithers paint job instead. My Ellerbee piece doesn't mention her. For all I know, he is what he says he is. There are lots of odd movie types. It's possible he's a bit of a Hollywood prima donna.”

“Some day Chili and I'll have to go to Disneyland,” Kip said. “Would you believe I've never been south of Portland?”

I smiled. “There's a lot of country to see out there, Kip.”

He looked skeptical. “It can't be any prettier than Alpine.”

“Well…” I paused. “Not by much,” I said. And marveled at my own words. It seemed that marriage had curbed my big-city bias.

Shortly after nine-thirty, Vida asked if I wanted to call on Kay. I demurred, thinking it might be too early. “She got home fairly late,” I said. “Let's wait until eleven. Then we can have lunch.”

“Very well,” Vida agreed, then looked thoughtful. “I could get one of my casseroles out of the freezer. I'm sure Kay would enjoy a tasty home-cooked meal.”

“Of course.” I wanted to add that Vida's casserole wouldn't qualify, but didn't.
Peace at any price
, I thought, as she went into the newsroom.

Mitch called me a few minutes later. “We've got breaking news,” he announced in an unusually excited voice. “Apparently there's a hostage situation at the courthouse.”

My initial fear was for Rosemary. “In the prosecutor's office?”

“No,” Mitch replied. “It's the county extension agent who's being menaced. It looks like Ramsey's finally making some real news for us.”

I was stupefied. “Where are you?”

“In front of the courthouse,” he replied. “The building's in lockdown. Dodge went inside a few minutes ago. The emergency vehicles are manned now, but staying put out back.”

I was stunned. “Milo went inside? What's going on?”

“I don't know,” Mitch admitted. “I'd gone over to the post office to get some stamps before I went to the courthouse, and after I came out, I saw Dodge hurrying over there. That's not his style, as you know. I sensed news, so I went back to his office. Blatt said Eleanor Jessup called to say she'd tried to see Dean Ramsey, but he couldn't talk to her. He had someone with him who wouldn't let him open the door.”

“Did he say who it was?”

“He either couldn't or wouldn't,” Mitch said. “That's when Eleanor called the sheriff.”

I was too upset to stay in my own office. “I'll join you,” I told my reporter. “Find out if Milo's office is in contact with their boss.”

The newsroom was empty. Vida must have gone to fetch her casserole and Leo was on his advertising rounds. Alison was helping a man I vaguely recognized with a classified ad, so I merely waved before going outside. I wanted to run, but my
feet felt like lead. Besides, I didn't want people staring at me. At the corner of Third, I had to wait for a Sears truck to go by. As soon as it turned onto Front, I could see Mitch going into the sheriff's office. I'd meet him there.

Bill and Lori were behind the counter. They both looked anxious. Before I could speak, Bill said they hadn't heard from the sheriff since he'd gone into the courthouse.

“Why,” Mitch asked, “would anybody hold the county extension agent hostage? Is the 4H Club in revolt?”

Bill lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. “No idea. Eleanor told us that Ramsey was late getting to work. Her office is right by the county extension agent and she swears nobody went in there after the main door was opened at eight.”

“What about the back way by the freight elevator?” I asked.

“They hadn't unlocked it yet,” Bill replied. “They aren't expecting any deliveries this morning so they don't unlock that door until somebody goes outside to smoke.”

My fear for Rosemary hadn't quite been quelled. I asked the deputy if she'd come to work.

“I suppose so,” he replied, looking puzzled. “Why wouldn't she?”

“Just curious,” I said, realizing Milo had kept Rosemary's scare to himself until she filed a complaint. “Is the courthouse really sealed off?”

Bill nodded, his fair skin flushing slightly. “Crazy, huh? At least nobody's phoned in a bomb threat.”

Lori stared at her coworker. “Don't say things like that! I'm already a wreck with Grandma's funeral tomorrow. My poor dad feels lost with both his parents gone.”

I kept from saying Myron Cobb should be able to cope by now, being in his seventies. I didn't speak at all as Spence made his entrance.

“Ah!” he exclaimed, “the doughty Deputy Blatt, the lovely
Lori, and half the staff of the
Advocate
are already here. No wonder I sense news. Is it true that Mayor Baugh is being held hostage by Jack Blackwell?”

That had never occurred to me. I gaped at Bill. “Has Black Jack been released?” I asked.

Bill nodded again. “About half an hour ago. He's still fit to spit.”

Spence looked annoyed. “Blackwell was arrested? What for? Is this tied in to what happened at RestHaven?”

I leaned closer to Mitch. “Stick around,” I whispered. “I'm heading for the courthouse.”

My reporter seemed puzzled. “But—”

I kept going. If there was danger to the sheriff, I had to be there. My mind was racing as I crossed Second and waited for traffic on Front. Inspiration struck when I saw Leo coming out of the Clemans Building. He saw me and waited on the corner.

“I just got Doukas Realty to take out—” he began.

“Never mind. Call the courthouse and tell them there's a priority FedEx delivery out back.”

“Emma…” Leo began, but apparently realized I was not only sane, but serious.

“Okay.” He took out his cell. “Mine is not to reason why…. Hello? Urgent FedEx at the rear entrance,” he said and immediately disconnected.

“Thanks!” I called over my shoulder as I crossed Second and headed straight for the rear of the courthouse. To my dismay, Medics Del Amundson and Vic Thorstensen were standing by their vehicle. I tried to ignore them, but Del called to me.

“Hey, Emma, you can't go in there!”

The door was opened by the bailiff, Gus Tolberg. He was about the last person I wanted to see. “What the hell…?” he uttered in confusion.

“The sheriff!” I shouted, somehow managing to edge past Gus.

He came after me just as I entered the freight elevator and poked the second-floor button. “Do you want to get arrested?” Gus demanded, barely getting his burly body inside before the door closed on him.

I glared at Gus. “If the sheriff arrests me, he'll have to get his own dinner tonight,” I declared. “In case you've forgotten, you were one of the witnesses at our wedding here last February.”

Gus simmered down, but he still looked grumpy. He always did. “Oh, yeah, along with Ms. Bourgette as the other witness.”

“Is she here today?” I asked just before the elevator stopped on the second floor.

“Haven't seen her.” He remained in place and pushed the button for the main floor. “I have to go back to court. If Dodge doesn't bust you, I hope he tells you you're a real pain in the butt.”

“He often does,” I mumbled, starting through the delivery area.

I was about to turn the corner into the hallway when a voice called out. “Stop! Who goes there?”

“Your wife,” I shouted. “Don't shoot me.”

“Christ!” Milo, who had his hand on his weapon, looked as if he was tempted to kick, if not shoot, me. “How the hell…Damnit, Emma, why can't you stay put?”

“I'm on the job,” I replied innocently. “I heard you were making news at the courthouse.”

“The last thing I need is to worry about you,” he growled, leading the way down the hall. “Go into Rosie's office. She's not here yet. Which is good, under the circumstances.”

“Which are?” I inquired.

The sheriff, whose hand finally fell away from the King Cobra Magnum, yanked open the prosecutor's door. “Never mind,” he said in a low, adamant tone. “Get in there. Now.”

I knew what that glint in his hazel eyes meant. I scooted through the door. Milo closed it behind me. I wondered if he'd locked it. After I recovered from being intimidated, it occurred to me that I might as well have stayed in my own office instead of being stuck in Rosemary's. I tested the knob. It moved.

“Knock it off!” I heard my husband yell.

I looked around, noticing that the room looked exactly as I'd seen it the previous night. If Rosemary hadn't yet filed an official complaint against Des, it probably hadn't been processed. I didn't dare touch anything. Milo might bust me for tampering with evidence.

To hell with it
, I thought, and opened the door an inch. “Who's in there with Ramsey?” I whispered.

My husband shot me a disgusted look. “He won't say.”

“It's got to be Des,” I asserted. “I'll bet he never left last night.”

“Maybe.” Milo seemed to relax slightly.

“Any demands?” I asked.

He shook his head, his eyes fixed on the door across the hall.

I remained standing on watch. About all I could see was the sheriff's broad back, but that was a comfort. After a couple of minutes, he shifted from one foot to the other. I knew his patience was running out. Maybe he'd sent out for tear gas. It couldn't be any worse than the coffee they served at his headquarters. To my dismay, I began to giggle.

“What the…?” Milo glanced back at me. “Pipe down!” he hissed between clenched teeth.

Suddenly sounds erupted from across the hall. I heard someone let out an agonized cry. A couple of thudding noises
followed. The sheriff's hand had automatically gone back to his weapon. An ominous silence enveloped the hallway. I had to force myself to stay rooted to the floor.

Just beyond Milo, the door to the county extension office opened. A ghostly faced Dean Ramsey leaned against the frame. “Call the medics,” he said in a ragged voice. “I just stabbed someone.” Dean passed out at the sheriff's feet.

—

As usual, I didn't have a camera. But I could call Mitch and tell him to come to the courthouse. “If you can't get in,” I said hurriedly, “go to the back and get a shot of the ambulance taking away a wounded man. Don't ask for details. I can't talk.” To prove it, I rang off.

Milo was still on his cell, apparently having already called in the emergency crew and now was talking to one of his deputies. I still didn't dare leave Rosemary's office, especially with Dean lying halfway into the hall. Then I heard the medics before I saw them.

“Never mind this one,” the sheriff told Del and Vic. “Check out the guy in the office who's been stabbed.”

Del glanced at me. “Hi, again, Emma,” he said, before disappearing with the gurney. Somehow, the longtime medic could remain cheerful under even the grimmest of circumstances. I supposed that's how he survived the harrowing nature of his job.

The sheriff was out of sight, having gone into the county extension office. I threw caution to the wind and went into the hall, where Dean was coming to. “Emma?” he whimpered, looking disoriented.

“Yes,” I said, helping Dean sit up. “We have to get out of the way. Can you stand?”

He seemed bewildered. “I don't know.” Dean stared at the open door to his office. “Dang. Now I'm going to jail.”

“Why?” I asked stupidly.

He gestured at his office. “I stabbed that man with my Boy Scout knife. Besides, I…” He paused as Del and Vic wheeled Des Ellerbee out into the hall.

“He's moving,” I said, “so he's not dead.” I shut up as Dwight Gould and Bill Blatt came down the hall from the regular elevators. The sheriff obviously was waiting for them at the scene of whatever crime may or may not have been committed. Both deputies nodded at me as they passed by. If they were surprised by my presence, they didn't show it.

Dean seemed oblivious to Dwight and Bill's arrival. His eyes had widened. “The guy won't die? I got him in the ribs.”

“That's not necessarily fatal,” I asserted. “Do you know who he was?”

“I do now,” Dean replied in a miserable tone. “He finally told me his name. What did I ever do to him?”

I didn't know how to respond. “Did you two talk much?”

“He talked. He sounded kind of crazy. Who is he? Besides Des Whoever? He jabbered about movies and logging and all kinds of stuff. How'd he get into my office in the first place? He was hiding under the desk when I got to work.”

“Did he seem to know you?”

The question obviously puzzled Dean. “Well, he knew I was the county extension agent.”

That wasn't what I'd meant. “Then I assume he didn't know you from somewhere else.”

Dean looked flabbergasted. “Heck, no. Isn't he from California?”

“That's what he told me,” I replied. “Maybe he is. He may be Aaron Conley's brother.”

Dean's face sagged. “What?”

“Aaron wasn't really Aaron,” I said quietly. “That was his
name as a musician. He was probably Ellerbee's brother and I think Des killed the man we knew as Aaron.”

“Oh, no!” Dean cried, covering his face with his hands just as Milo stepped out into the hall and looked down at me.

“Does Ramsey need medical help?” he asked.

“He's really upset,” I replied. “There's something I have to tell you about who killed Aaron or Wes or whatever his name—”

Dean scrambled around me to grab the sheriff's pants leg. “Des didn't kill Aaron, Sheriff! I did! I never meant to! Go ahead, arrest me. I can't take it anymore.”