One Dog Too Many (A Mae December Mystery) (11 page)

Mae nodded as Ben walked away. Titan stayed with her, but Thoreau followed Ben and they went out the door together.

Now that she knew the trespasser hadn’t been inside the house, Mae called Tammy and told her about the open window.

“They wouldn’t have needed a key and Ben doesn’t think anyone was inside. If you combine that with the man’s footprint Daddy found, Neesy doesn’t make any sense as a suspect. I insist that you leave her out of this.”

“Fine. Are you planning on staying there tonight?”

“Yes. Mama asked me to stay with her, but I have to stay here. The puppies, you know.”

“Okay. I have to check on some things at my office, reschedule two appointments and pack a suitcase. I’m inviting myself to sleep over tonight. I won’t take no for an answer.”

“I’m glad you’re coming. I’ve been alone enough.”

When Mae got off the phone, Mama said, “
It’s good she’s coming to stay, Honey. You’ve been dealing with a lot by yourself lately.”

“I know. Tammy will distract me from feeling sorry for myself. I’m afraid I blew it with Ben. All I wanted to do was help. He said I made him look like an idiot in front of his staff.”

“You like him, don’t you?” Mama took Mae’s hand and began rubbing her thumb gently across it. Mae’s breathing started to slow, along with her heartbeat.

“Yes, I do. The day I went to his office and we saw each other for the first time, I noticed a definite spark. I’m sure you get what I mean. It’s only happened once before. You know, the feeling when both people are instantly attracted
? I felt that connection with Noah. Despite the spark, I don’t know if I’m ready for another relationship. I still miss Noah so much. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever bond with anyone else.”

“Mae, can you bond with the new puppies?”

“Sure, every time. Why?”

“Then you can bond to another man. Seriously, Mae, if something happened to your father, I’d be on the next plane to a singles resort in the Caribbean.”

“Mother! I’m shocked. What about grieving and saying goodbye?”

“I’m exaggerating. Of course, I’d miss your father very much, but I can see your attraction to the sheriff. I want you to know I hope you’ll pursue this.”

“Do you really think chemistry is enough?”

She smiled. “I think it’s an essential beginning. Even when I’m really irritated with your father, I’m still drawn to him, you know … physically.”

“I wish that was news to me. You and Daddy obviously have chemistry. July and I’ve been mortified by the pair of you for years.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with having a strong physical bond in a marriage. For one thing, it’s very good for your complexion. I’m the only one of my friends who doesn’t get Botox injections. I think you should let Ben know.”

“Let me know what?” Ben walked back into the kitchen.

“Nothing.” Mae shot her mother a horrified glance. “I know you have to get going now, Mama. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Mae ushered her mother out the door.

“Goodbye, Ben.” With a little smile at Mae and a wave for Ben, Mama departed.

Ben grinned like a mule.

“Did you find anything outside?” Mae hoped to distract him from whatever he might have overheard.

“I found some footprints in the flowerbed under the open window. They look like a match for the ones by the barn. Your dad came back and showed me those. Maybe the person who did this saw the open window but decided not to come into the house for one reason or another. By the way, I like your dad. He’s out there turning your barn into a fortress.”

“That’s good, I guess. Thoreau seems to like you.” She glanced down at the big brown and black dog sitting on Ben’s foot.

“Yeah, he’s a good old dog, isn’t he?” Ben reached down and fondled Thoreau’s ears. “Could I have the note and the ribbons? I need to get going.”

“Here they are. I’m sorry, but both Tammy and I handled them. Tammy’s going to stay here with me tonight. I’m sure with all of Daddy’s security measures, we’ll be fine. Would you let me know if you find out who did this?”

“Of course I will.” He turned to go. “Goodbye, Miss December.”

“Stop calling me that!”

Ben stopped and turned back toward her. He wasn’t smiling. “You’ve got to be the most irritating woman I’ve ever known. I’ve been trying to maintain a professional detachment toward you since we met.” He stepped closer. His belt buckle squeaked and a beam of light reflected off his badge. “It hasn’t been easy, but I have tried. Is there some reason I can’t call you by your name?”

“It’s that stupid song,” Mae blurted out. “You know, the one about the guy who dates eleven centerfolds.”

“… and I saved the best for last, Miss December.” He sang the end of the line. “So that Arlen Hunter song is about you?
”

“It’s not about me. I’m not a centerfold.” Her tone was frosty. “It’s about my name. I never liked the song. It’s bad enough to grow up with a name like Mae December, without your boyfriend putting your name in a country song. Then to have Arlen Hunter turn it into a hit; well, don’t get me started on that dirt bag.”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Ben bit his lip.

“No one really knows how I feel about the song. I never even told Noah. ‘
Miss December’ was his big break as a songwriter, and I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I thought I’d take Noah’s name after we got married and people would forget about those dumb lyrics. I feel guilty even telling you this. When Noah died, I inherited the rights and royalties to all his music, so even the house I live in was paid for by that damn song.”

“You poor thing.” Ben stepped even closer and put a hand on her shoulder. “I promise, I’ll never call you Miss December again.”

“Have you forgiven me for crashing your staff meeting? I really am sorry.”

He put his hand under her chin and tilted her face up. For a second, she thought he’d kiss her. The bright blue in his eyes darkened to navy.

“Hey, y’all, should I knock next time?” Tammy was back and using her whispery little voice, which annoyed Mae to no end. When they were in high school, one of the boys told Tammy she sounded like Marilyn Monroe, only cuter. Mae wished he’d kept his big mouth shut.

Ben mumbled something under his breath and fled from the house. Mae and Tammy looked at each other and started to laugh. By the time Daddy stuck his head in to say goodbye, the two friends were in a heap on the kitchen floor with tears rolling down their cheeks from laughing so hard.

“Goodbye, you two. Maybe you should try to relax and have some fun.” Daddy shook his head and left.

W
hen Ben arrived at the office that morning, he tracked Dory down in the break room. “Can you find out where Silas Mead is staying?”

“I already have the phone number and address on my desk. Follow me.”

She turned and walked down the hall. Seating herself at her desk, she reviewed a legal pad filled with her elegant cursive.

“Here it is.”

“Thank you, Goddess of Information.”

“Actually,” Dory sounded a little sheepish, “Mae’s mother gave me the number yesterday. She got it from Mae.”

“Did Mae talk to Silas?” What do I have to do to keep that woman out of this investigation? Ben wondered.

“She only spoke to him real briefly, to give her condolences.”

“That better be all she did. What’s the address?”

“Here you go.” Dory read off the numbers.

Ben got Deputy Fuller and they drove to the address Dory provided. On the way over, Ben told Robert about the trespassing at Mae’s house.

Silas Mead was staying at a fine old antebellum home with a long circular drive. Ben and Deputy Fuller spoke with the housekeeper at the front door who directed them back to the carriage house. They walked through the garage toward a staircase leading to the upper floor. The light coming through the dusty windows seemed to turn everything green, reflecting the color of the grass and trees outside. They walked up the staircase at the back of the garage and knocked.

A tall, thin man with a receding hairline answered the door. “Are you Silas Mead?” the sheriff asked.

“I am.”

As far as Ben could see, Silas bore no resemblance to his sister. Besides having seen her body in the grove of trees and at the morgue, Dory had gotten pictures of Ruby from her grandmother and put them up on the conference room bulletin board. Even in the photos, Ruby possessed more vitality in her little finger than her brother seemed to have in his entire body.

“I’m Sheriff Ben Bradley and this is my deputy, Robert Fuller. We’d like to talk with you about the death of your sister, Ruby.”

Without a word, Silas opened the door wider, gesturing for them to come in.

They sat at a small round table by an open window that overlooked the large backyard. In the quiet, the bubbling of a fountain could be heard.

“I’m very sorry about your sister, Mr. Mead.”

Silas nodded, looking fatigued. His skin was almost gray. He offered them water or lemonade but didn’t say anything about Ruby.

“I understand that you will now inherit her property, as long as you’re not implicated in her murder.” There was a pause, and Ben fixed his eyes on Silas. “I’m sure you’re aware that you cannot see or even walk the property until her murder is solved. At present, the entire site is a crime scene. May I ask when you returned to town? ”

“Ruby called and asked me to come home. I hardly need to see the property, Sheriff; I grew up in that house.”

“When did you get back?”

“I got here on March thirteenth after checking with my friend to see if Terry and I could stay for a while.”

“Terry is?”

“He’s my partner.”

“Did you take vacation time to come back to Tennessee?”

Silas shook his head. “I’m a Web designer. As long as I have Internet access, I can work anywhere.”

“What does Terry do?”

“He’s a graphic designer. He freelances.”

“So he can draw, then?”

“Yes, he does beautiful sketches.” Like the beautiful drawing of a dog lying in a pool of blood?

Ben kept his
focus on Silas and watched as he folded his arms on the table and rested his head on his arms. It was the defeated posture of a depressed man.

“Where is Terry right now?”

At Ben’s question, Silas picked up his head. “He went out to do some errands. He should be back in an hour or so.”

“What time did he leave?”

“Before nine this morning.”

“Were both of you here yesterday afternoon?”

“What’s this about, Sheriff? Ruby died over a week ago. I don’t think we need to account for our whereabouts at this point.”

“Yesterday afternoon someone trespassed on Mae December’s property and left a threatening note on her back door.”

His eyes grew wide. “What?”

Ben felt Silas’ surprise was authentic.
His body posture conveyed astonishment. “The person drew a picture of a dog in a pool of blood. Would you know anything about that?”

“No, I’ve been here the whole time. I wasn’t feeling well and was asleep until you knocked.” His face did look drawn; maybe the man didn’t normally look this listless, Ben thought.

“Was Terry here all yesterday afternoon?”

He sighed. “I think so, but I’ve been pretty much out of it.”

“Does he know this area? Would he know Miss December, for instance?”

“After Mae called yesterday, I told Terry she seemed awfully nosy.”

Certainly couldn’t argue with him there
. “Do you think Terry might have been angered by her asking questions, enough to want to threaten her?”

“Of course not.” Silas shook his head.

“Somebody did. There were footprints by her barn. I need to know your shoe size and Terry’s, too.”

“I wear a ten and a half and Terry wears a nine.”

“I’d like to borrow one of his shoes and one of yours.”

“I don’t think so. I don’t think I should give you anything without a warrant.”

“I would prefer it if you would simply cooperate with us and give us the shoes. We’ll be able to return them within a day or two, unless one of you is the guilty party in the trespassing incident.”

“Fine.” Silas stood up and went back to the bedroom. Robert and the sheriff exchanged glances. Silas returned carrying a sneaker and a loafer.

“Which one belongs to Terry? What’s his last name by the way?”

“It’s Lerner. That’s his shoe.” Silas indicated the sneaker.

“That will be all for the moment, Mr. Mead, but I want you to remain in town until this matter, and the investigation into the death of your sister, is resolved.”

“When will her body be released? My grandmother would like to schedule the funeral. She has everything planned and her minister is standing by.”

Ben gave him a long, hard look. “The funeral home released the body yesterday. I’m surprised you didn’t know. Please notify my office about the time and date of the funeral. I plan to attend.” He glared as he handed Silas his card. He wanted to fluster this man about his sister’s death and the trespassing incident.

Ben and Robert started driving back down the long driveway, talking about the encounter. When they reached the road, Robert said, “I‘m glad he gave us the shoes.”

“Yes, me too. You know, I think we should park over by the main house where we can see the driveway to the carriage house and wait just a bit for our Mr. Lerner.”

They waited for twenty minutes without seeing any signs of Silas’ partner. Impatient and not wanting to waste any more time, the sheriff called Dory and asked her to send a deputy with a car to pick him up. He told Robert to stay there. Ben wanted him to find out Terry’s whereabouts the previous afternoon and to take a scraping from the shoes he was wearing. Even if Terry had been the one to leave that note at Mae’s, he might not be wearing the same shoes, but it was worth a try. The sheriff got into the other patrol car and drove off for the station.

The sheriff’s cell rang shortly thereafter. Deputy Fuller gave him an update. He had talked with Terry Lerner and had taken a scraping from his shoe. He described him as very nervous and almost combative. He had insisted on knowing the reason for the sole scraping so the deputy told him. According to Robert, the man literally backed away when Fuller told him why he needed the debris from the bottom of his shoe.

“Is he still there?”

“Yes. He’s sitting in his car, waiting while I called you. He’s on his cellphone.”

“Please bring Mr. Lerner into the office. I’d like to talk with him. I’ll meet you
here.”

Robert met Ben at the door to the sheriff’s office building
twenty minutes later. Standing next to him was a thin man with straight brown hair.

“Mr. Terry Lerner? I’m Sheriff Ben Bradley.”

“Yes, I’m Terry Lerner. Why did you have me dragged in here?”

“Please come back into our conference room. We need to talk.” The sheriff spoke softly, hoping to calm the man down a bit. They went into the conference room.

After getting Terry some coffee, Ben asked him what he had been doing earlier.

“I went shopping. It’s a good thing your deputy let me call Silas. He came right away; otherwise those groceries would have spoiled.”

“What about yesterday afternoon? What were you doing then?”

“I was running some other errands.”

As the questioning continued, Terry’s face reddened. He began to sweat. For the next twenty minutes, the sheriff asked questions, listening carefully to the answers and watching Terry’s nonverbal behavior.

At one point, Robert knocked on the door and handed Ben a slip of paper. It was the analysis
request from the sample taken below the window at the December place. He’d scribbled a note at the bottom of the page. The size of the footprint they found was a nine and Lerner’s sneaker was a match in size and tread.

Ben looked at the sheet of paper. There had been no time for an actual lab comparison between the scraping from Terry’s shoe and the soil sample from the December house, but this would be enough to
intimidate him.

“Mr. Lerner, it’s time you stopped lying to me. I know you were at the December house yesterday. You left the threatening note for Miss December and the drawing of the dog in a pool of blood. The footprints behind the barn were your size. The dirt on your shoe is identical to the soil near the window of her house.”

Terry’s eyes flicked from side to side.

“I could arrest you for
Criminal Trespassing and keep you here in the county jail until such a time as you could come before the judge. However, I doubt you want jail time. Since this relates to a murder investigation, you’re now at the top of my list of suspects.” Terry’s eyes opened wide.

“I just wanted her to leave Silas alone,” Terry burst out. “I had nothing to do with Ruby’s death.” He paused. “Do I need a lawyer, Sheriff?”

“It’s up to you, Mr. Lerner. I’m going to call Miss December to see if she wants to press charges. You can go for now. I’ll let you know what she says. Don’t leave town.”