Moonshine Murder [Hawkman Bk 14] (28 page)

"Little sore this morning?” she asked.

"My butt hurts like hell. I can hardly walk."

"Did you find Beth and the kids?"

"Yes, a hundred miles from here.” He waved a hand. “Well, probably not that far, but my bones feel like it."

She climbed out of bed, smiling. “I'll get the coffee started. Then you can hobble in and tell me all about it."

"You're enjoying my pain, aren't you?"

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Of course not. I'm just happy you're home safe."

Later, over a cup of coffee at the kitchen bar, he told her about finding the campsite and how Jeb had shot the mountain lion.

"Sounds like it turned into a very hazardous ride. Sure glad you didn't come face to face with one of those critters. If Jasper had bucked you off, I'd probably never find you deep in the woods."

"Believe me, it ran through my mind.” He reached for the phone. “I've got to call Detective Chandler and give him my account of the hunt."

Jennifer made breakfast, while Hawkman spoke with the detective. When he hung up, she studied his face. “Looks like you just received some bad news."

"I'm not sure. Chandler said they received the DNA results from under Tami's fingernails, but so far no matches. They've contacted the prison Jeb spent time in, but haven't received a response. They're going to see if Atkins will volunteer a sample; otherwise, they'll have to get one or arrest him."

"On what grounds?” Jennifer asked.

"Suspicion of murder."

"This is becoming one complicated mess,” Jennifer said, throwing up her hands. “Do you think he killed Tami?"

Hawkman let out an audible sigh. “I wish I could answer, but I have no idea. It has to be connected somehow to the Hutchinsons, or a customer Tami dealt with to buy the hooch."

"Who hired Tami to do this job?” Jennifer asked.

He looked puzzled. “That's an excellent question. I have no idea."

"I doubt Jeb hired her; he has no money. I wouldn't think the bars would, as they probably hadn't even thought of moonshine until she brought it up. So someone had to mention it to her and know Jeb was making it."

He jumped off the bar stool and moaned. “I forgot I'd been on a horse for ten hours."

"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"Into Yreka, and talk to Detective Chandler. I want to look through Tami's personal stuff again. She had a small address book with only initials written inside. I want to check those again. It may hold a clue of who killed her."

"Are you going into work today?"

"I have nothing pressing right now, so I can miss a day or two.” He grabbed a Stetson off the Hawkman coat rack, and his cell phone off the counter.

Jennifer shook her head as she watched him hobble out the front door.

Once Hawkman got a short distance from Copco Lake, his cell phone could find a signal and he called the detective.

"Hi, Detective Chandler, Tom Casey here. You going to be in your office for a while? I need to look at Tami Spencer's address book again."

He listened for a moment. “Great, see ya in a few."

Soon, Hawkman pulled into the police station and parked. When he went inside, he found the detective hovering over a stack of papers. “All you detectives seem to have come from the same mold. Always signing papers."

Chandler raised his eyes and grinned. “Yeah, but they didn't tell us about this in the academy.” He motioned at the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat."

Hawkman carefully lowered himself and the detective grinned.

"You act like you've been in the saddle for a while. Guess you've got a sore ass."

"Yep, you've got that right. My body will never be the same."

Chandler rose and went to the filing cabinet. “So what made you want to see Spencer's address book again?"

"My wife asked me a question this morning that sent my brain into overdrive."

"Oh, yeah. What about?"

"She asked who hired Tami Spencer to be the in-between person. I figured it had to be someone who knew Jeb had a still."

"How many do you think knew?"

"Very few, and she may have demanded more money as she began to bring customers in, especially after seeing them come to Jeb's place after the initial meeting, and collecting the hooch themselves. This could have gotten her killed."

Chandler handed Hawkman the small book. “Do you think you saw something in there that would give us a clue?"

"I'm not sure. I wanted to check the grocery list I spotted the first time. It could be a code indicating meetings, and who she reported to."

Hawkman flipped it open and went through it page by page. He stopped at the grocery list he'd seen before. Shaking his head, he began examining the book. It appeared the plastic cover could be separated from the rest, so he carefully fiddled with it and eventually pulled the pad out of the binding. A folded piece of paper fell to the floor. Picking it up, he smoothed the sheet out on the desk. After scanning it, he glanced up at Detective Chandler. “This might be the motive for murder!"

Chandler's eyes opened wide. “What?"

He turned the paper around so the detective could read the writing. Chandler's eyes then narrowed as he absorbed the information. He ran his finger across a line. “If this is her handwriting, which I'd assume it is, she has it dated when Jacob hired her and he obviously owed her a large sum of cash. Everything from gas bills to hush money, which he obviously never intended to pay.” He pointed to a note scrawled at the bottom of the sheet. ‘Tell Moss Atkins how he's cheated them'. “It appears she might have threatened Jacob that she'd tell his clients they were being ripped off if he didn't pay up, so he shut her up for good."

"It certainly looks that way,” Hawkman said.

"The thing that bothers me is why did he kill her on the Hutchinson's property?"

"To make it look like Beth had done it. He doesn't like her, and he knew the story about Tami having an affair with Jeb. He probably found the ribbon out in the yard when he went up there earlier."

"Okay, that fits. But how did he know Tami would be there?"

"It's possible he told her Jeb would be getting paid by Atkins that night, and he'd meet her at the cabin after he got his percentage; then they could settle their debt. He might have even told her to park where we found the car and body."

Detective Chandler rose from his seat and attached his gun belt around his waist. “I think it's time to have a talk with Jacob Hutchinson.” On the way out, he motioned to a couple of his officers. “Need a back up."

Hawkman directed him to Jacob's place, and before they got out of the car, he warned the detective of the pungent smell in the house. “Also, he told me he takes care of his father, who is bedridden. Probably, much of the odor comes from such a situation."

The detective nodded as they walked up to the entry. Flanked by two officers, Chandler stepped upon the stoop and knocked firmly. Hawkman could hear the growling of the dog, then a male voice shouting for him to shut up.

When Jacob opened the door and saw the police officer along with Hawkman, he frowned. “What's up?” he asked.

Chandler displayed his badge. “We'd like to come in and talk to you about Tami Spencer."

When they stepped into the room, the odor hit the men like a slap in the face. Nonchalantly, they covered their noses with their hands.

"Sorry about the stench,” Jacob said. “My Dad wets and shits on his bed faster than I can clean him up."

"I'd like to talk to your father,” Chandler said.

Jacob furrowed his brow. “Why, he's not even coherent. He couldn't tell you a thing."

"Just the same, I want to see him."

Shrugging his shoulders, he led the detective to a bedroom off the main part of the house. Chandler walked over to the still form, and yanked back the filthy covers. “Dear God,” he murmured. He stormed back into the living room, and spoke to one of the officers. “Go out to the car and call an ambulance. That man needs to be in a hospital. He's skin and bone, with sores all over his body.” He swirled around and pointed a finger at Jacob. “How could you neglect your own father to this point?"

"He's never seemed to be in any pain,” Jacob said.

Chandler scowled. “You stupid man. He's got bed sores all over his body. Do you ever feed him?"

"Yeah, but he won't eat much."

"He's sick,” Chandler yelled. “He needs medical attention."

The officer came back from outside. “Ambulance on the way."

"Good, you two go outside and wait for it,” he instructed the two officers. “When it arrives lead them to the poor man.” Turning back to Jacob Hutchinson, he glowered. “Sit down. I've got some questions for you, and by God you better answer truthfully."

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The ambulance arrived and the paramedics rolled the elderly man out on a gurney. A clipboard in hand, the driver approached the detective.

"What's his name?"

Chandler pointed at Jacob. “Ask him."

"Jacob Ross Hutchinson, Sr. I can't afford no long hospital stay for him."

Chandler glared at Jacob. “So you're a Jr.? Your father will stay there as long as needed. That poor old fellow has been neglected long enough. You'll find the money."

Hawkman stepped back and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed as he watched Detective Chandler in action. He also noticed scratches on Jacob's neck and on his right arm where he had his shirt sleeve rolled up.

After reading Jacob, Jr. his Miranda rights, Chandler began his questioning. “How well did you know Tami Spencer?"

"She was Beth's friend. I only saw her a few times."

"I told you I want the truth, Mr. Hutchinson. I have some indication that you owed Tami Spencer quite a sum of money."

Jacob shook his head. “I still don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"When did you install the still on the property near Copco Lake?"

"I ain't put in no still anywhere."

"Mr. Hutchinson, I can find that out through the company when you ordered it. So I'd advise you to tell me."

Jacob slammed the end of his cane on the floor. The dog jumped and so did Hawkman. “Five or six years ago. Don't remember the exact month."

"Did you plan to make moonshine and sell it?"

He stared at Chandler. “Never had the opportunity."

"I see. So when your son got out of prison and couldn't find a job, you figured this was the time to put the still to work?"

"Beth didn't want him to do it. She didn't like the idea of him going back to jail."

"You bribed him with a free place to live with his family, didn't you? Along with a little money each month to keep them in staples and ammunition for hunting?"

"I don't have that kind of money."

"You've got enough to hire someone to be an in-between for moonshine running, even though you didn't pay her."

Jacob jerked up his head. “What are you talking about?"

"Mr. Hutchinson, I did a search on your son, Jeb, when I found out we had an ex-con in the area, and guess what else I found? A whole lot about the Hutchinson clan. Your dad made a fortune, but it's still in his name. You've been skimming off the top, just enough to not draw attention to yourself. When the old man dies, you'll inherit the whole shebang, but you know it has to be a normal death or your son, next in line for the inheritance will get all his money."

Hawkman listened intently to Detective Chandler, and liked the way this man worked. He'd definitely done his homework.

Jacob fidgeted with his cane, never making eye contact with the detective. “What are you trying to say?"

"When Tami Spencer approached you about the money you owed her for finding customers to buy the moonshine, you told her to meet you at Jeb's place, where you'd be getting cash. You instructed her not come to the cabin, but park in a cluster of trees. That's where you killed her, making it look like Beth had done the deed."

Jerking up his head, Jacob narrowed his eyes. “You're crazy. There's no proof I did anything to Tami. I hardly knew her. I ain't answering no more of your questions."

"It's up to you Mr. Hutchinson, but I'm putting you under arrest for the abuse of an elderly person. Please stand up so my officer can put on the cuffs."

"I treated my Dad good. He's still alive."

Chandler scowled. “Barely."

"I can't walk without my cane."

"My officers will assist you to the car."

"What about my dog?"

"Has he got a name?"

"I call him Mutt."

The detective eyed the thin, dirty dog on the floor beside the couch. “I'll get the SPCA out here to take him in. He definitely needs help too. Doesn't look like you take good care of living things that supposedly mean something to you."

"How much will it cost me to get him out?"

Chandler shot a look at him. “Get him out of my sight before I pull my gun. Take him in and book him for elderly abuse for now."

The two officers got on each side of Jacob and practically carried him outside. The dog watched with soulful eyes, but didn't move to object to his owner being carted out. The detective closed his notebook, then turned to Hawkman. “Let's get out of this hell hole. Would you mind going with me to check the hospital to make sure the poor old man is being looked after?"

"Sure,” Hawkman said, as he stepped outside and gulped in the fresh air.

On the way over, Chandler called the SPCA and told them to pick up the dog. The door was unlocked. He gave a little history of the animal's malnutrition, its name, and told them the owner was being incarcerated for a while.

After hanging up, he shook his head. “Boy, this guy is one loser. The DNA should prove he's the murderer."

"Did you notice the scratches on his neck and right arm?” Hawkman asked.

"Vaguely. He made me so mad, I couldn't see anything but red. Glad you spotted them; We'll take pictures at the jail."

They arrived at the hospital and went straight to the emergency room where Detective Chandler did all the talking. One of the nurses led them into one of the rooms where Jacob Hutchinson, Sr. lay on a bed with an intravenous tube in his arm. His eyes were closed and Hawkman noticed Chandler's lip quivered as he stared at him. He quickly regained his composure and said, “How could anyone starve his own father."