Killing the Secret (8 page)

Lexie went into the restroom to cry. Sometimes kindness was harder to deal with than scorn. Perhaps it was because she didn’t think she deserved forgiveness. She agreed with her enemies: Abbey was killed because she didn’t take her seriously. Now she needed to find the murderer before someone else died.

She washed her face then brushed and braided her hair for the first time in two days.

“Lunch is here,” Delia called from the other room.

Lexie handed Wilbur his sandwich through the cell bars. She wrote notes as she chewed.

Cecil Lansbury arrived soon after their trash was tossed in the can. He was 300 pounds of ruthlessness in the courtroom, but in person he was the closest thing Diffee had to a gentleman. His round baby-face defied his sixty-three years.

“Hello, Miss Delia,” he said in a reverent voice.

“Hello, Cecil. Why are you defending that scum?”

Cecil’s voice was gentle and steady. “Everyone gets representation, Ms. Delia.”

“I know, I know, but he doesn’t deserve the best attorney in the state.”

Cecil blushed. “Thank you for that, Ms. Delia.”

“Cecil, the three of us can walk over to the courthouse. I’ll find an office for you to meet with him privately,” Lexie offered.

She unlocked the cell and handcuffed Wilbur. For some reason, he’d been very quiet since his nap.

“Good day, Ms. Delia,” Cecil said.

“Same to you.”

During the walk to the two-story brick court building, Lexie passed Ruben and Sam sitting at their usual spot.

“Hello,” she said. Neither man spoke. Ruben nodded and Sam diverted his eyes.

Wilbur didn’t miss the slight. “Cecil, this Sheriff Girlie has more problems than I do.” Wilbur’s lips formed into a twisted grin.

Cecil slowed his pace. “I don’t know anyone who has more problems than you do, Wilbur.”

Upon arrival at the courthouse, Lexie found an empty office for the pair to have their consultation. She spoke briefly to Assistant District Attorney Cower.

No one spoke to her, or even came near, as she waited on a long wooden bench outside the courtroom.

She predicted that finding alone time wasn’t going to be a problem anymore.

At five minutes before three, Cecil and Wilbur reappeared. The three made their way down the long aisle, passing rows of benches on either side. They separated when they reached the end. Lexie sat down at Cower’s table.

The court clerk announced, “Judge Marcus Simpson presiding.”

“DA Cower, state your case,” Judge Simpson commanded.

Cower read a long list of charges including child neglect; making and distribution of drugs; and withholding evidence in a murder investigation. Cower asked that no bond be granted since Wilbur might disappear into the woods for another three years.

Lansbury was then directed by Judge Simpson to speak. “My client pleads not guilty to all the charges. He wants to be released on his own merit so he can make a living for his family.”

Judge Simpson slid his glasses down to the end of his nose and looked over the top at Lansbury.”

“That’s absolutely ridiculous, Cecil.”

“I know Your Honor, but that’s what Mr. Langley requested.”

Cower stood up. “Your Honor, it has taken three years to apprehend Langley. If he’s released, he’ll disappear. Justice won’t be served and his drug clients will be.”

“Well, I need to be fair, Cower,” Judge Simpson said. “I set bail at one million dollars.”

“HELL!” Wilbur shouted. “No way can I come up with that kind of money.”

Judge Simpson banged his gavel. “Transport this man to county jail. His trial will begin two months from today.”

Wilbur’s ravings echoed throughout the courtroom. “It ain’t fair, havin’ to wait two months. You all have finagled me. You and Sheriff Girlie conspired against me that I’m crooked.”

Simpson bounded his gavel vehemently. “I don’t conspire with anyone, Langley. I’ve decided I need a vacation in two months, so I’ll see you again in four. Get this guy out of my sight.”

Officers grabbed an arm on each side and maneuvered Wilbur out of the courtroom.

Wilbur’s voice was heard from the hall. “THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP, ATTORNEY ASSHOLE!”

Cecil yelled back, “YOU’RE WELCOME!”

Chapter Twenty

The newspaper hit her front door with a bang. Lexie diverted her eyes from the ceiling that she’d stared at most of the night, and crawled out of bed.

Her hair was down and stray hairs stood up in the front. Pajamas that kept sliding down her hips and a tattered t-shirt were her apparel of choice. The growling of her stomach made her realize that she hadn’t eaten since Delia brought her the sandwich. Food was not an appealing thought, so she went directly to retrieve the paper.

The headline was three inches high:

MURDER VICTIM ABBEY

KING BURIAL TODAY

Adam wrote Abbey’s history including a list of her family members. At the end he quoted Lexie’s statement about the investigation continuing.

About mid-page was a one inch headline that read:

NOTORIOUS DRUG DEALER

APPREHENDED BY SHERIFF

Adam had done his homework on Wilbur to obtain information. He summarized all previous news stories about Wilbur, as well as covered the court proceedings from the day before.

Lexie went to her closet. She wasn’t sure what to wear. The black dress was appropriate but it made her feel feminine and vulnerable. Pulling her uniform off the hanger, she decided that she’d hide behind her sheriff’s badge. Too bad she didn’t have armor.

She pressed the blue slacks and shirt. After shining her badge, she pinned it on her chest. Today, she’d pretend she had strength and power. Tonight, she’d allow herself to fall apart—alone.

Lexie arrived at the office a little before eight. Tye, Delia, and Clay were already at their desks.

“Delia, I need you to stay here and answer the phone,” Lexie said apologetically. “I’ll take your place as soon as the funeral is over. That way you can go to the family home.”

“Yes,” Delia acknowledged as she slumped against the file cabinet.

Lexie continued, “Tye, I need you to record everyone at the funeral who went to high school with you. There’s apparently a tie between that class and these murders.”

“Will do.”

“Clay, I’m glad you didn’t wear your uniform because I need for you to blend in. Listen for speculations about why anyone would want to murder Abbey.”

“I didn’t wear my uniform because I didn’t want to be on duty. Now I have to spy on the mourners?”

“Exactly, Clay. You’re one of us whether it embarrasses you or not. People aren’t going to want to be seen with me, much less talk to me. I will be our eyes from the Baptismal loft,” Lexie said.

“Tye and I will be back here at three to interview Jamie, Beth, Loretta, and hopefully, Mariah. You two don’t need to come back until tomorrow morning.” Lexie knew that she sounded like a drill sergeant, but that’s what she needed to be on this forlorn day.

Lexie drove to the funeral alone. A group of four men stared as she exited her car.

“What the hell are you doing here?” one of them hollered as she walked toward the church.

She didn’t respond. Soon she was within four yards of them.

“You’ve got some nerve coming here after what you caused,” bullied an obese bearded man.”

Lexie kept moving. Behind her she heard a familiar voice respond to her tormenters.

“I don’t think Abbey would want you making a scene at her funeral. Do you?”

The first heckler shrugged his shoulders and walked faster toward the church. The others followed.

Lexie stopped so Red could catch up.

“Got some mean people here at this funeral. I’m thinking you need a sheriff escort,” Red said as a smile formed on his face.

Lexie looked up at him. “Maybe I should nominate you for the good Samaritan award.”

“Probably so,” he agreed. “But I’m going to desert you to sit at the front. Gary asked me to be one of the pallbearers.”

“He’s likely to fire you if he sees you with me.”

The pair separated at the back door. Lexie went behind the church stage and climbed to the platform behind the baptistery. Above the congregation, she could watch without being seen.

Clay apparently thought a sexy woman in her twenties was a suspect. She was the only person he seemed to be investigating.

Tye was at the back of the church searching faces as people filed into the church.

Lexie wasn’t sure what she was looking for—someone who cried too much, or too little? Even a small slip-up by the killer might give them a clue.

The pews were full. People stood at the back of the church and overflowed into the balcony.
Where would I sit if I were the murderer? I’d probably sit in the balcony so I could see it all without being part of it.
Of course, in this case, the logic didn’t seem to apply since there was such a crowd.

Jamie was the first person Lexie recognized as she visually scanned the balcony area. Jamie was seated alone and wore a large-brimmed black hat, no doubt a new fashion accessory. But Lexie wondered if she was hiding something.

All the Diffee farmers congregated at the top.

Lexie looked laboriously at each head searching for a wig or a toupee, but she didn’t see any. Row after row of sad faces was all that she saw. There was no hint of a murderer among them.

Mariah said she’d come, but none of the faces resembled the girl from twenty years before. Lexie was irritated at this discovery. Now a trip to Washington was necessary.

Loretta was gasping. Her sobs seemed to be hampering her breathing. Beth’s head was glued to her husband’s shoulder. He kept an arm securely around her.

Glancing at Jamie periodically, Lexie saw her sitting like a statue. A tissue was never visible near her face.

At the end of the service, the ushers opened the casket. Abbey was dressed in pink. Her short curly hair had been pulled back from her face.

Megan and Travis cried out, “Mama, Mama!”

Baby Nicky was in his Grandpa’s arms. His small face was drawn up in anticipation of his tears. He looked dazed and clearly didn’t understand what was happening.

Gary leaned over the casket and kissed his wife for the last time.

The horror of the moment was second only to the murder of her father. Lexie couldn’t will herself to be tough any longer. Tremors disrupted her body and soft sobs escaped from her mouth. For twenty minutes, she stayed in her perch waiting to regain control.

When she finally was ready to leave, she went out the back door and circled wide around the parking lot. The thought of facing any of Abbey’s family was unbearable.

Delia met her at the office door and gave her a hug. She left without a word.

Maybe she doesn’t hate me after all
. Lexie sunk into her work, forcing her emotions to the background. She prepared her questions for the three possible victims then arranged a table and chairs for the meeting.

Close to three, Beth, Loretta, and Jamie entered together. Soon after, Tye arrived.

They all sat around the table stone-faced waiting for Lexie to begin.

“So what we have are four of your former team members dead. Two clearly murdered, the third an apparent suicide, and the fourth a mercy killing. If someone is trying to murder your entire team, surely one of you can tell me why.”

“I’ve tried to remember something we did to provoke a killer,” Beth volunteered.

“Probably, some jealous fool,” Loretta answered. “Everyone wanted to be us back then.”

“Name names, Loretta. Who was jealous?” Tye probed.

“I don’t have names. I just know.”

Lexie continued, “Did any of you get threatening notes?”

Each of the three shook her head no.

“Anyone kicked off your team?”

Again they each looked at Lexie and responded with a negative headshake.

“Was there a guy or girl who seemed obsessive about any of you?”

Jamie finally contributed, “Ronald was fixated on Terri.”

“He’s still in jail. He couldn’t have killed Heather or Abbey,” Tye responded. “Anyone else?”

“About every guy in the senior class wanted Heather.” Beth smiled shakily.

“And me,” Loretta injected. “However, none of them came after me with a poison needle.”

Lexie raised her eyebrows. “Was there an opposing team that was particularly vicious toward you?”

“We were the best in the state. They all wanted to beat us.” Jamie rubbed her neck. “No one ever threatened us to our faces.”

Lexie looked at each of them in succession, purposely staring into their eyes. “I can’t imagine that someone hates you enough to want to murder you, and yet you have no idea of why. What happened that you’re not telling me?”

“I don’t like being called a liar. We didn’t have any secrets worth killing for,” Loretta’s voice lingered two octaves above normal.

“I don’t think I’d forget something that might cost me my life,” Jamie added. “I’m really not that stupid.”

Lexie ignored their protests. “What I hear you saying is there’s no one outside your team who wanted to kill you. What about one of your own? What do you know about each other? About your coaches? About the junior varsity players?”

“This is ridiculous!” Jamie exploded. “You’re just pulling crap out of the air looking for someone to pin Abbey’s murder on to cover your guilt. I’ve had enough of your game. I’m going home. It’s been a tough day.”

“I’m with her,” Loretta massaged her forehead. “My head hurts from all this chatter.”

They pushed their chairs back and stood up as if they were a synchronized rebellion team.

Beth lagged behind the others and said, “Sorry, I’m no help.”

“I hope your memories improve before the next one of you dies.” Lexie growled the words to their backs as they exited the office.

“They’re lying,” Lexie said as soon as the door slammed.

Tye shook his head. “You think we got three people trying to cover up for someone who’s trying to murder them. That doesn’t make any sense.”

“You’re right. It’s not logical, but that’s what’s happening. Did you see anything suspicious at the funeral?”