Moonshine Murder [Hawkman Bk 14] (24 page)

Chandler shook his head when he saw his officer going for his gun. “We're going, Mrs. Hutchinson, we're going. Don't leave town. We'll want to talk to you again.” When he stepped out the door, he motioned to the two officers guarding the front. “Okay, boys, let's get out of here,"

Beth stood in the doorway, the gun aimed at the detective. The officers all hurried to their cars, jumped in and took off without any argument.

Jeb stood behind Beth, and watched the cars disappear down the path. “After your tirade, they'll never leave us alone."

She shoved the gun into his hands, and stormed into the kitchen area. “I certainly didn't intend to stand there and listen to our family being accused of murder."

"Did you kill her, Beth?” Jeb asked.

She glared at him. “What if I did? I had every reason to strangle her. Are you going to turn me in?"

Earl stepped in front of his mother, his eyes wide with horror. “Mom, you didn't kill her, did you?"

"What if your dad did?"

His mouth dropped open, and he stared at his father. “Dad?"

"It sounds like one of your mother's hair ribbons was used. Maybe you stole it from her stash and killed her."

Earl stuck his thumb into his chest. “Me? Why would I want to get rid of Tami?"

"Did you like her?” Jeb asked.

"No, but not enough to murder her."

Beth stood listening to the two. “It appears any one of us could be a suspect. I think we ought to leave this place. We've had nothing but trouble ever since we moved here."

"Then we'd really look suspicious. They'd find us for sure, as we have no way to travel but in the buckboard,” Jeb said, flopping down on the couch. “Besides, I don't want to go right now. I've finally found a way to make some money."

Beth had her fists clenched beside her body. “You'll get caught at it soon, too, and you'll be hauled off to jail."

"It beats a murder rap."

Hawkman stood staring out the sliding glass door overlooking the lake when he spotted the police cars moving across the bridge toward town. His gaze traveled to Randy sitting on the floor holding Miss Marple, his attention glued to the television set where Jennifer had tuned in cartoons. He glanced at his wife at the computer, and nodded his head toward the deck. She arose and followed him outside as he slid the door shut.

"Detective Chandler and his troops are headed into town. They've finished up with Beth and Jeb for the night,” Hawkman said.

"Could you see if they had any one in the car beside the officers?"

"I couldn't tell, too dark to see inside the vehicle, but doubt they made an arrest. Not enough evidence except for the hair ribbon around Tami's neck, and that's not enough to put Beth behind bars."

"Wonder if Chandler has any inkling what's in those buildings?"

"He'll know by tomorrow night. I'm going to go in and give him the skinny on the Hutchinsons and their customers."

"Do you think we should take Randy home?"

"Not unless he wants to go."

Jennifer hugged herself. “I think he's scared."

"After seeing the dead body of a woman he knows and a cord around her neck he recognized as one of his mother's hair ribbons, I'd say I don't blame him."

"I can't believe Beth would kill her friend, even though she has a good reason to wring her neck. None of the family liked Tami, except maybe Jeb. Randy hated her, but he's out of the question. However, Earl's another story."

Hawkman rubbed the back of his neck. “Or someone doing business with her."

"Then how come ‘her’ body was found in ‘her’ car on the Hutchinsons’ property?"

"That's a good question. Maybe I'll get some answers when I talk to the detective tomorrow."

A knock on the glass caused both of them to turn around. Randy stood at the door with Miss Marple in his arms. Jennifer slid it open.

"You tired of the cartoons?"

"No, but I'm lonesome for my Mom and Marcy."

"You're more than welcome to spend the night. We have an extra bedroom,” Jennifer said.

"Thanks, but I think I want to go home."

"You can't ride your bike in the dark, so we'll put it in my vehicle and take you,” Hawkman said.

Randy gave Miss Marple a big hug, then put her on the floor with her stuffed toy. “Now you be a good girl until I see you again.” He looked up at Jennifer. “I really like Miss Marple."

"She really likes you too, and she's going to miss you. It's been a long time since she's gotten so much attention."

Randy smiled. “I'll come back soon."

They trooped out to the Cruiser and Hawkman lifted the bike into the back of the vehicle while everyone piled aboard. He wondered what sort of reception the boy would receive. Randy remained extremely quiet on the trip to the cabin. When they arrived, the faint glow of the lanterns could be seen through the windows. Randy and Jennifer climbed out and stood until Hawkman lifted out the bike.

"You don't have to stay,” Randy said, parking the two-wheeler at the side of the dwelling.

"We want to see you inside,” Jennifer said.

Randy shrugged and pushed open the door. The threesome met the surprised stares of Beth, Jeb and Earl, who stood planted with his rifle, aimed to fire.

"Hi, everyone. Put the gun down, Earl, it's just me.” Randy said.

"The detective said you were spending the night with the Caseys,” Beth said.

"I decided I wanted to come home."

"We told him he could, if he so desired,” Jennifer said, in a stiff voice.

"Thank you, for bringing him."

Hawkman touched Jennifer's shoulder. “We better get on our way. It's late and these people probably want to get to bed."

They stepped outside, closing the door behind them, and climbed into the 4X4. On the way back to their place, Hawkman asked, “Could you read any of their faces?"

"No. I couldn't tell if they were happy to see Randy or angry with him. At least we know none of them were taken to the police station."

"It'll only be a matter of time before one of them is arrested for running moonshine or murder."

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Randy could feel the stares of his family as he slowly walked toward Marcy's crib.

"Don't bother her, she just went to sleep,” Beth said, sternly.

"I wasn't going to wake her."

"I want you to tell us about this morning,” Jeb said.

"Yeah, creep. The police have been here,” Earl chimed in.

"Enough out of you,” Beth said, pointing a finger at the oldest son.

Randy slumped down on the cot, and clasped his hands together. His gaze cast to the floor, he told his story. “I went riding on my bike this morning and got bored, so thought I'd go down and see Mr. and Mrs. Casey. Just before I reached the road, I saw a bright reflection coming from the trees, so thought I'd see what caused it. When I got close, I recognized Tami's car and thought she'd fallen asleep inside. I yelled her name, and when she didn't move, I knocked on the window. Her eyes were open, but she never turned her head or anything. I tried to get in the doors, and they were all locked. I really got scared when I saw a ribbon that looked like one of Mom's hair bands wrapped around her neck. I didn't know what to do, so I went to the Caseys’ and told them about it. We all piled into Mr. Casey's Cruiser and I showed him where I'd found the car. He got out and looked, then drove back to his house where he called the police. Later, one of the policeman asked me a bunch of questions.” He glanced up and studied the faces of his family. “That's what happened."

Beth walked over and knelt in front of her son. “Why didn't you come and tell me?"

Tears welled in Randy's eyes. “Because she was your friend and when I saw the hair ribbon, I really got scared."

She took his hands. “Did you think I'd killed her?"

"I don't know what I thought,” he sobbed.

She folded him into her arms. “You did the right thing. I couldn't have done anything, since I had no transportation. Your dad and Jeb weren't here, so I'd have probably sent you to the Caseys for help."

Randy wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand. “I'm happy you think I did right by going to them. I wasn't sure. That's why I didn't come home any sooner; I thought you might be mad at me."

Beth patted his back, then stood. “I can imagine seeing a dead body is horrifying. It would frighten me too."

Randy gazed up at his mother. “Did somebody kill her?"

"It appears so,” Jeb intervened.

Randy peered up at his father, wide eyed. “Who would do that and leave her on our land? It makes it look like one of us did it."

Jeb nodded. “Yes, we could be in deep trouble."

Sunday morning, before making the trip into town, Hawkman called Detective Chandler to verify if he'd be in his office. He told him, unless an emergency occurred, he'd be there. Hawkman took off for Yreka. Not having been to the department since they'd moved into the old library building on Miner Street, he looked forward to seeing it.

When he pulled up to the station, he didn't dare park in the fifteen minute zone in front, as he knew he'd be there longer. He couldn't park across the street, because of the fire station. Taking a right, he circled the building where he found an empty slot on the right-hand side.

Strolling along the sidewalk to the steps leading to the door, he was impressed by the neat square building with an oval shaped entry. Maybe one day they'd see fit to remove the Library sign at the top.

As he stepped inside, the receptionist at the front desk quickly averted her eyes, then told him where he'd find Detective Chandler's office. Hawkman grinned, knowing the eye-patch always intimidated some women. He meandered down the short hall and knocked on the door with Chandler's name printed in copper letters.

"Come in,” a loud voice called.

Opening the door, he had to smile, as Chandler's large desk stacked with papers reminded him of Detective Williams’ desk in Medford.

"Glad to see you, Mr. Casey. I'm anxious to hear what you have to tell me."

"It seems you have gobs of paperwork here too. Every time I drop in on Detective Williams, his head is bowed over many reports awaiting his signature."

Chandler shook his head. “It never ends. Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to a chair in front of the desk.

Hawkman sat as Chandler stretched, made a yawning sound, then wiped his hand across his chin. “The last two nights have been buggers. Not only did Mrs. Hutchinson kick us out of their place, but kids don't know how to have calm and quiet graduation parties, causing chaos with the neighbors who'd like to get some sleep."

Hawkman frowned. “Did you say you were kicked out of the Hutchinsons'?"

"The lady really got fired up when I asked to see her hair ribbons. She thought I was accusing her family of killing the Spencer woman, and ordered us out of the house. I'll have to get a warrant if I want to speak to them again. Which I might have to do. Obviously, you know these people better than me, so give me a little insight."

He told the detective about how they met Randy first, then went up to welcome the family and were met with gun totting Earl and Jeb. “The property belongs to Jeb's father, Jacob Hutchinson."

"Did you meet the father?” the detective asked

"Yes.” He then related meeting Jacob at his stinky home and learned Jacob's invalid father lived with him.

"When did Jeb and his family move into the cabin?"

"Can't give you an exact date, but figure six months to a year ago. Jeb had been incarcerated for five years, for vehicular manslaughter, but let out in three for good behavior. From what I can gather, he's been out of prison for close to three years, couldn't get a job, so his dad let him move to the cabin. I'm not sure what the deal is, but there's a huge still on the property, and Jeb has been making moonshine. Whether this is a deal between his dad and him, I don't know, but the still cost a bundle and I'm sure it's been on the place for a while, definitely before the Hutchinsons settled in."

"Do you think he's selling the whiskey?"

Hawkman nodded. “I've witnessed it twice. This was where the Spencer woman came into the picture."

"How?"

"The go between. She sets up the buyer, then arranges for Jeb to take his buckboard and meet them on a back road."

Chandler scratched his chin. “Interesting. Wonder why she didn't pick up the order."

"Probably scared of getting caught."

"How did you see this happen?"

"I'd rather not say, but I can tell you I saw the exchange of cash for the product."

"Trade secret?"

Hawkman chuckled. “You might say so."

"Why would someone murder the go between? Doesn't make much sense."

"This is hearsay, but Jeb Hutchinson and Tami Spencer had an affair some years ago. When Beth Hutchinson found out, she almost left him. Needless to say, she wasn't happy to have Tami show up on the scene."

Chandler scowled. “Odd, I understood they were good friends. This information gives me a new look on things."

"She probably wanted to save face in front of the children, since the woman did come to their cabin a couple of times that I know about. However, I don't think she convinced Randy. The boy really disliked Tami."

"Tell me about these two boys. Are they going to school?"

"No. My wife, Jennifer, talked to Beth about getting them enrolled. She told her next year she'd see to it.” Hawkman shrugged. “Whether she will or not is up to Jeb. Earl is Jeb's sidekick."

The detective leaned forward. “If one of those people killed Tami Spencer, those children might end up in foster homes and there won't be a decision whether they go to school or not. They'll be enrolled."

"Have you heard from the coroner yet?

"Yes, we've gotten a few reports back, still waiting for the bulk. We do know Ms Spencer was killed by both ligature and manual strangulation. It appeared the ribbon didn't do the job, so the hands and fingers were used to squash the larynx. There were bruises on her neck and signs of a struggle. Also human flesh was found under her fingernails. Appears she scratched this person mighty good before she died. The residue has been sent off to see if we can get a DNA reading. Whoever killed her used gloves as we didn't find a fingerprint. However, we did find footprints on the back seat floorboard. Looked like they were made with boots."