The Black Cat Knocks on Wood (15 page)

“Hold on, let me get this.” I pulled the phone from my pocket and answered without checking caller ID.

“Sabrina, it’s Helen,” Aunt Rowe’s friend said. “I don’t want to alarm you, but we need you to come out here to the rodeo right away.”

My heart rate kicked up. “Why? What happened?”

“This goat got the better of your aunt and knocked her down. I’m sure she’ll be okay, but she needs attention.”

Adrenaline flooded my body. “Did you call for an ambulance? I’m coming, but they’re faster. Don’t wait on me.”

“We called, but she’s arguing.”

“Of course she’s arguing.” I headed for the door. “That’s what Aunt Rowe does. If she needs a hospital, make sure she goes. And let me know. I’ll be there shortly.”

“You should have Thomas drive you over,” Helen said. “That way you can take Rowe’s car home.”

“Thomas is busy,” I said. “We can figure out the car situation later.”

I was halfway out when Rita grabbed my arm. “Sounds like Rowe needs help,” she said. “I’ll take you.”

As we sped down the lane in Rita’s car, I thought that perhaps I’d judged the woman a little too harshly. She might not care about all of the people all of the time, but she cared about Aunt Rowe. That meant a lot in my book, especially under these circumstances.

“What happened over there?” Rita said.

“Sounds like Aunt Rowe was knocked over by a goat. I thought they used baby goats for this roping, or tying, or whatever the heck they call it. They’re mistreating the poor things, that’s all I know.”

“Probably doesn’t hurt the goats,” Rita said. “They’re pretty hardy.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better. I just hope Aunt Rowe’s okay.”

“She’s hardy, too,” Rita said.

We reached the main highway, and Rita surprised me by hanging a right on a road I wasn’t familiar with.

“Wait. The rodeo’s that way.” I pointed in the direction I would have turned.

“This is a shortcut,” Rita said. “Trust me. I’ve been over there often enough.”

“If you’re sure.” I grasped the door handle as she made a sharp left and headed up a hill. Her car negotiated the incline and switchbacks easily. Below us, the Glidden River sparkled in the early evening sun. If I didn’t feel so overwhelmed with concern for Aunt Rowe, I’d appreciate the scenery from this height. As we came down the other side of the hill, I caught a glimpse of the rodeo buildings through a clearing in the trees.

“There it is,” I said.

“What?” Rita said. “You didn’t believe me?” She allowed the car to pick up speed as we went down. When we reached a dip in the road, she worked the gas in a way that made my stomach fall in a roller-coaster sensation.

“How’d you like that?” she said.

I wasn’t sure if she was trying to annoy me or amuse me. Or maybe she wanted to take my mind off of Aunt Rowe.

When the road leveled off, Rita nudged the accelerator harder and we sped along beside the river. I thought briefly about Hitchcock and the way he managed to slip into vehicles without anyone noticing. I checked the backseat and was relieved to find it empty.

When we arrived at the rodeo grounds, Rita didn’t even slow down at the parking lot. She drove around the perimeter of the arena building to an open gate and went straight on through.

“They’re practicing in the big arena tonight,” she said. “Looks like that’s where the action is.”

I didn’t bother asking how she knew the practice details. Beyond the fence surrounding the arena, ambulance lights flashed. Several people I couldn’t recognize from this distance sat in the stands. Others congregated near the ambulance’s open back doors.

“Thanks, Rita.” I jumped out of the car, then clambered
over the fence and ran headlong across the dirt floor toward a stretcher that appeared to bear an occupant. A white sheet was pulled up to the person’s chin.

“Aunt Rowe,” I called, approaching the stretcher at a dead run.

One of the EMS guys moved aside as I flew up beside him.

“Aunt Rowe.” Tears came to my eyes as I looked at my aunt’s still form. I looked at the guy. “Is she gonna be okay?”

Aunt Rowe raised her head and opened her eyes. She had dirt smudged across her cheek, and her hair was matted with what looked like mud. “I’m right as rain. You don’t think I’m gonna let a dang goat get me down, do you?”

I blinked back tears and reached for her hand. “I was worried, Aunt Rowe. See, this is why I don’t like you involved—”

“Hush,” she said. “Jason here says I need to rest and lay low on taking criticism.”

I looked at the paramedic, who grinned, then back at Aunt Rowe. “No, he did not. Where are you hurt? What exactly happened?”

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Remy approaching the ambulance. Since I wasn’t leaving Aunt Rowe’s side, I didn’t see a good way to dodge him.

“That goat head-butted her,” he said. “She went down like a box of rocks. Not a big deal.”

“Maybe not to you,” I said, my confidence bolstered by the fact that he wasn’t carrying a weapon today. At least not one that I could see. I noticed Aunt Rowe’s goat-tying posse crossing the dirt from the stands, coming our way.

Jason said, “We’re monitoring your aunt’s vitals. Blood pressure’s up, and we’d like to take her in for a thorough check. She doesn’t agree.”

Aunt Rowe propped herself up on her elbows. “I’m fine, and I’m going home.”

Adele, Helen, and Pearl were close enough now to hear the conversation. “You should listen to the paramedic, Rowe,” Adele said. “We’re not spring chickens anymore, you know.”

“Even if we can do a pretty good imitation.” Helen held her arms like wings and began walking with the gait of a chicken.

Pearl wore a calm and serious expression. “You scared me, Rowe. I’ve already seen one dead body too many this week.”

“Load ’er up, Jason,” Remy said, “Mr. Devlin requires injured participants to go to the hospital.”

Aunt Rowe swung her legs around and sat up. “Mr.
Devlin
doesn’t require me to do jack.”

“Wrong,” Remy said. “You signed some papers.”

“Papers schmapers,” Aunt Rowe said.

“I’ll go speak with Ace about this,” Remy said.

Exactly what we don’t need.
Ace McKinney’s two cents.

Remy moved off toward the stands. I squinted at the people sitting there and picked out Lance Devlin speaking with Rita. I scanned the other onlookers and spotted Cody Devlin standing at arena level. A shorter person in jeans and hat was facing the boy, and they appeared to be in the middle of a heated discussion. I didn’t see Ace.

Behind me, Aunt Rowe said, “I don’t blame the goat one bit for getting annoyed, do you, girls?”

Her friends chorused their agreement.

Pearl said, “Sabrina, did you know they tie those poor things to a stake in the ground so we can ride up and throw ’em down to tie ’em up? Where’s the fairness in that?”

“The whole event ought to be outlawed,” I said, “but at the moment I’m more concerned about getting my aunt out of here. Jason, may I take her to the doctor myself?”

“I have a car,” Aunt Rowe said, “and I can take myself out of here.”

Jason held up his arms, palms out. “Don’t get me in the middle of this. If she won’t agree to ride to the hospital, I can’t force her. I’ll just need a signature.”

“Show me where to sign,” Aunt Rowe said.

“Give me a sec.” Jason walked around to the front of the ambulance.

“I’ll drive you in your car,” I said, “no ifs, ands, or buts. Rita brought me over here.”

Aunt Rowe’s brows rose. “Bet that was an interesting ride.”

“She was okay,” I said, “because
you
needed help. She really likes you.”

Aunt Rowe smirked. “Doesn’t everybody?”

“Darn tootin’.” Helen walked over to the gurney. “Here, take my arm.”

Aunt Rowe cooperated, holding on to me on one side and Helen on the other, and stood beside the gurney.

“You feel okay?” I said.

She took a couple of steps and rolled her shoulders a few times. “I might feel about eighty in the morning, but for now I’m good to go.”

The sun was setting fast by the time Aunt Rowe signed Jason’s papers and listened to his advice about icing any aches and pains resulting from her fall. Remy came back and reported that Ace cleared Aunt Rowe to leave. Like we’d have waited without his clearance.

As we walked toward the exit, I noticed Rita was still in the stands with Lance Devlin. I wondered what the devil they were up to, but I’d have to think about that later. Right now, Aunt Rowe needed to get home and settle in with some ibuprofen and an ice pack. The way she was chattering with her friends, I believed she truly felt fine—for the moment.

I waved to get Rita’s attention and called to her that I was taking Aunt Rowe home. Lance Devlin had a cell phone to his ear. Cody and his friend were gone. The arena lights flicked off, one by one, and other onlookers drifted toward the gate.

Pearl agreed to drive the other ladies so I could head home with Aunt Rowe. I decided to take the new route I’d just learned today. It wasn’t a straight shot, but it was definitely a shortcut. Aunt Rowe didn’t comment as I headed north and up the hill.

“Should have seen the show Hayden Birch put on tonight,” she said.

“His clown performance?” I said.

“Not exactly, but he did act like a fool.”

“What’d he do?”

“Had a fight with one of the barrel racing gals,” Aunt Rowe said. “Right out there in the arena, big as you please.”

“What’d they fight about?”

“Sounds like he just broke things off with her. Guy his age shouldn’t be dating a girl barely out of her teens anyhow, and is she ever ticked off. Threatened to tell all about his fling with Crystal.”

“So it’s true they had an affair?”

“Apparently so.”

“Who heard all this?”

“Me and the girls were in the ring, waiting on the goats to be brought out, when the fight started. Didn’t see anyone else, but that hollering was bound to attract attention.”

“Interesting.” I steered carefully along one of the switchbacks, thinking about this new development. “I guess Hayden didn’t deny what the girl said.”

“Nope. He was tryin’ to shut her up, though. I’m guessing Lance knows nothing about whatever his wife had going with Birch.”

“Huh.”

I wondered if Crystal and Hayden were still an item when she died. Or had he broken things off with her, too?

A set of bright headlights shot up the hill behind me. When we reached a straightaway, the vehicle passed me and I recognized Rita’s black car.

“Wonder why she’s in such an all-fired hurry,” Aunt Rowe said.

I’d put my cell phone in the cup holder and it began ringing.

“I’ll get it.” Aunt Rowe had the phone to her ear in a flash.
“Well, hello, Luke Griffin,” she said. “What a pleasant surprise.”

My shoulders fell. Oh, jeez. How could I have forgotten meeting Luke for dinner? I glanced at the dash clock and saw that I wasn’t too terribly late, but I felt awful just the same.

“Dinner with Sabrina, you say?” Aunt Rowe said with a grin in her tone.

With the treacherous switchbacks I couldn’t take my eyes off the road or my hands off the wheel to snatch the phone from her. There wasn’t even a shoulder for me to pull over.

“She’s right here with me,” Aunt Rowe said. “Driving me home, and I’m truly sorry I took her away from seeing you, but—”

A pickup truck roared up behind us, seeming to come out of nowhere, and flew around me to speed ahead.

“Jeez Louise,” I said.

“We’re coming over Vaquero Pass,” Aunt Rowe said into the phone. “You know how steep that hill is. Not a place suited to speeding. Looks like we have a maniac out here.”

We reached the top and came over the ridge to spot the truck on the downhill side, a quarter mile ahead of us. Another vehicle was on the road in front of the truck, and I assumed the larger vehicle was closing in on Rita’s car.

Darn tailgater.

“Good God,” Aunt Rowe said. “What’s he doing?”

I watched in horror as the pickup truck sped up and rammed into the back of Rita’s car.

“No, stop!” I yelled.

“That truck’s trying to run her off the road,” Aunt Rowe shrieked into the phone. “No, not us. Rita Colletti.”

I glanced in my rearview, saw empty road behind me, and tapped my brake pedal. There was nothing either one of us could do to keep the truck from crashing into Rita’s vehicle again. This time the force sent her car off the road. My heart seemed to stop as I watched the truck race away. Rita’s car tumbled down the hillside toward the river.

“
Send help,” Aunt Rowe yelled into the phone. “Car went off the road. South of the ridge. Near the old Rockwell place.”

She paused to listen, then, “No. Can’t see the car from here.”

There was barely a smidgen of daylight left, and we couldn’t see much of anything. Maybe the trees on the hillside had kept Rita’s car from going too far off the road, or at least kept the car from hurtling into the river.

“Okey-doke.” Aunt Rowe disconnected the call. She turned to me. “Luke says stay right where we are. Help’s on the way.”

I looked at her in the dim light of the car. “Do
you
think we should stay right here?”

“Hell no,” Aunt Rowe said. “We need to help Rita.”

I shifted into drive and started down the hill.

“That Rita’s a tough cookie,” Aunt Rowe said. “She’ll make it.”

“Bet you’re right.”

I drove to the spot where the car had plowed through grass and weeds beside the road.

“Park it.” Aunt Rowe opened the glove box and rifled through the contents, pulling out a small flashlight. “Here. Take this. I have a bigger one in the trunk.”

I edged off the road as far as I could, threw the car into park, and turned on the hazard lights. Aunt Rowe’s door was lodged too close to the bank for her to open it. I wished she would stay inside, but didn’t waste my breath telling her so. She crawled over the console without hesitation to follow me out my side.

“Take it easy, Aunt Rowe.”

“No time for that.” She grabbed the car key from me and punched the button to open the trunk. “Got a first aid kit and a blanket. First we find her. Ah, here’s the big light.”

She flicked the switch on the long silver flashlight, and the beam illuminated the area around us. We ran to the place where Rita’s car left the road. Aunt Rowe shined the beam back and forth across the foliage on the hillside.

“Let’s go on down a little farther,” she said.

“You could wait here,” I said.

“We’ll both go.” She was already off into the weeds and grabbing at tree trunks to catch her balance every few steps.

We caught a glimpse of the car bumper about twenty yards down the hillside. The vehicle had landed with its left side crushed against a rocky ridge. Thank goodness it hadn’t tumbled all the way into the river. It had rolled, though, judging from the dents in the roof. A dim glow told me the headlights were on, but the nose of the car was buried in thick foliage that nearly blocked all the light.

“Good Lord,” Aunt Rowe said.

I shined my light at her face. She didn’t look good.

“Sit down
now
,” I said, surprised when my aunt listened and lowered herself to sit on a flat rock.

We looked at the car for a few seconds, and I knew we
were both thinking the same thing. To get out of that car, Rita would have to climb up to the passenger side door and hoist herself out.

If she could open the door.

If she could move.

If she was alive.

My heart threatened to slam right out of my chest. I didn’t hear any hissing or ticking noises coming from the car. Nor did I hear any cries for help.

I reached my hand out toward Aunt Rowe. “Give me the light.”

For once, she didn’t put up a fuss and handed over the heavy-duty flashlight.

I negotiated the rocky hillside as best I could in my sandals. Thorns jabbed my calves and pricked my feet. When I got within a few yards of the car I called out.

“Rita, can you hear me?”

No reply.

Sirens sounded in the distance.

Please hurry.

I shouted Rita’s name several more times with no response. I looked at Aunt Rowe, still seated and watching me with an eagle eye. Then I turned my attention back to the car. Sweat ran down my back as I climbed up on the ridge beside the car. I stretched, but the door handle was a good two feet above my fingertips. No way could I miraculously jump up, grasp the handle, and open that door.

Even if I could—

Aunt Rowe called to me. “Sabrina, let’s go flag down help. You can’t get in there.”

Reluctantly, I jumped down from the rock and started to climb. When I reached Aunt Rowe, I helped her up and we headed for the road. We were almost there when I heard a door slam, followed by Luke’s voice.

“Sabrina? Where are you?”

“Here,” I called.

His flashlight beam shined through the trees. When he barreled through the brush ahead of us, relief swept over me.

“The car’s down there.” I turned and pointed the way we’d come. “It’s on its side, and we couldn’t get to Rita. I didn’t see how—”

“You’re okay.” He wrapped his arms around me in a quick hug before backing away and looking at Aunt Rowe. “You’re both okay. What a relief. First responders are right behind me.”

The words were barely out of his mouth when I heard a vehicle screech to a stop up on the road. Doors slammed and voices came our way.

Deputy Ainsley was the first person I saw, followed by firefighters and EMS techs.

“Safer if you wait by the car,” Luke said. “You need a hand getting there?”

“We’re good,” Aunt Rowe said. “Stay and help get Rita.”

Luke nodded. I took Aunt Rowe’s arm and we hung on to each other to negotiate the slope back to the road. The strobe of blue-and-red police car and ambulance lights cast an eerie glow on our surroundings. The emergency vehicles had parked haphazardly around our car.

“We’re blocked in,” I said. “Guess we’re not going anywhere anytime soon.”

“That’s okay,” Aunt Rowe said. “I’d like to wait and see about Rita.”

I studied her face. “You sure you’re okay?”

“We got medical people nearby if need be,” she said.

“But how do you feel?”

“I could use some cool air.”

We got into the car, and I started the ignition to run the air-conditioning.

I wiped my damp forehead with the sleeve of my T-shirt. “Wish we had some water.”

“We’ll survive,” Aunt Rowe said, “and Rita will, too.”
She looked out the window for a few moments, and I could almost hear her brain cells clicking when she turned back to me. “Now tell me, who do you think’s out to get Rita?”

I shrugged. “No idea, not that it’s hard to imagine someone wanting to do her in.”

“Watch out they don’t try to pin it on you.”

“They can take one look at this car and tell it’s not the one that rammed into Rita’s.”

“You must have something by now that would help figure out who was driving that truck.”

“What do you mean I must have something?”

“From your investigation,” she said. “A clue.”

I rolled my eyes and looked away. “I’m not investigating. I told you that from the beginning.”

I could feel her glaring. “You think I don’t know you better than that? There was a murder. You couldn’t keep your nose out of it to save your life.”

I sighed, reluctant to tell her the bits and pieces I had picked up. Good thing I
wasn’t
the investigator on the case, ’cause I was doing a poor job.

“I may have learned a few things, but nothing that would tell me how or if Rita’s involved in the murder.”

“Go on.”

“Okay.” I twisted in my seat to face Aunt Rowe. Maybe it would help to voice the thoughts running around in my head. “Rita is doing some work for Lance Devlin. Whatever that’s about, she’s keeping it close to the vest. Devlin’s son, Cody, came to see her at the cottage. I don’t know why, and he wouldn’t tell me. Did she say anything to you about the Devlins?”

“Not a word,” Aunt Rowe said. “I saw her with Lance tonight. If she’s working for him, he wouldn’t run her off the road.”

“Makes sense, but we know this incident is connected to Crystal’s murder.”

“How so?”

“Devlin’s wife is murdered and now, mere days later, someone tries to kill his lawyer? That’s too weird a coincidence to be unconnected.”

Aunt Rowe drummed her fingernails on the center console. “The kid was out there at the rodeo. Hate to think of a boy killing his mother, but it happens.”

“True, but Cody Devlin doesn’t strike me as that kind of kid.”

A flashlight came bobbing up the hill. An EMS tech hurried to the ambulance. He reached inside, took out a gray box, then ran back the way he’d come.

We sat in silence for a little while. I tried to think positive thoughts for Rita and the people helping her.

Aunt Rowe cleared her throat. “You know that crotchety old cuss, Ace McKinney?”

“We’ve met,” I said. “I don’t really know him, and for that I’m grateful.”

“Likes people to think he’s mean as a grizzly bear.”

“Yeah, I’ve witnessed his behavior.”

“I hear he makes some money on the side on rodeo nights.”

“How?”

“Taking bets.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I’m not sure,” Aunt Rowe said. “Also heard he and Crystal were pals way back when.”

I perked up. “I heard that, too. From Crystal’s personal assistant. And?”

“Lately, Ace had nothing but criticism for Crystal. Couldn’t stand the sight of her is what I heard.”

“Because?”

“Don’t look at me,” Aunt Rowe said. “You’re the investigator.”

“No, I’m—” I stopped in midsentence when I saw Luke climb over the ridge.

He headed our way, and I got out to meet him.

“Is she—” I said before he reached me.

“She’s alive,” he said. “They’re getting her out of the car, but it’s slow.”

Aunt Rowe joined us. “Did she say anything?”

He shook his head. “She’s unconscious.”

“Oh, jeez.” I looked at the ground, taking in the new information.

Luke put a finger under my chin and tipped my head up. “Keep the faith.”

I attempted a smile.

Then he looked down and stooped in front of me. “You’re bleeding.”

“No big deal,” I said, then cringed when he touched a deep scratch where thorns had caught my leg.

“That needs cleaning up,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

Aunt Rowe nudged my arm with an elbow. “Hunky game warden wants to touch my leg, I’m not gonna argue.”

I gave her a light punch in the arm, then Luke was back with a first aid kit. I sobered my expression.

“Why don’t you get her to sit on your tailgate?” Aunt Rowe said. “Give you a better view of your subject.”

I shot her a glare. “It’s dark out here, Aunt Rowe. This can wait, really.”

Luke said, “Sit in the car. I have antiseptic. You don’t want an infection.”

I could clean the scratches myself, but I sat obediently on the back car seat with my legs stuck out in front of me where the dome light could shine on them. Luke knelt beside the car and opened the first aid kit on the floorboard. Behind him, Aunt Rowe grinned at me, and I looked down to avoid meeting her eyes.

“This will sting,” Luke said as he moistened a cotton square with liquid from a brown bottle.

He was right, but I managed not to cringe as he thoroughly cleaned off the dirt and blood. My legs resembled a road map
of scratches and cuts. When he finished the cleansing process, he pulled out a tube and began to cover the wounds with antibiotic ointment.

“Well, isn’t this special?” said a voice coming from behind Aunt Rowe.

We all looked up to see Detective Rosales approaching us. I must have been all tuned in to Luke touching my legs since I didn’t even hear a car approach. Of course, she had to park behind at least three other vehicles with flashing lights, so maybe it was no wonder none of us had heard her arrival.

Luke held my left calf in his hand, finishing the ointment treatment, and he kept right on going. “Evening, Deputy,” he said.

“Luke,” she said.

“Accident’s over the ridge,” he told her. “I’d say they’ll have the victim up here to the ambulance shortly, but you may need to assist.”

“I came to start the interview process,” she said, eyeing me.

I glanced at the notebook and pen she held, then said, “I’m surprised you have time for this.”

Rosales frowned. “Why is that?”

“Because you haven’t solved Crystal Devlin’s murder yet. But then you’ve wasted some time there, I guess, doing odd things like testing cat hair that doesn’t need to be tested.”

Luke raised his gaze and met my eyes. He shook his head ever so slightly, but I wasn’t finished.

“Maybe if you had arrested the murderer by now this accident wouldn’t have happened.”

In the strobe of the emergency lights, with her hair pulled back into the tight bun she favored, her harsh gaze reminded me of Snow White’s wicked stepmother.

“Ms. Tate,” she said tightly. “We are not talking about that case. I’m told you witnessed a truck ramming a car off the road up here.”

“That’s right,” I said.

“Me, too,” Aunt Rowe chimed in.

Rosales flipped her notebook open and clicked her pen. “Why were you out here at this time of night?” She’d directed her question to Aunt Rowe. “Don’t you have a business to run?”

Even in the dim light, I could see my aunt’s temper flare.

“Her business has no connection to tonight’s accident,” I said.

“I’ll judge what’s connected and what’s not,” the deputy said.

Luke finished his ministrations, put the ointment back in the first aid kit, and latched the lid. He stood and looked down at the deputy. “Lighten up on the ladies, Pat. They’ve had a bad night.”

He looked at Aunt Rowe. “I have some water in the truck if you’d like some. I’m sure the deputy wants to talk to you separately. That’s the usual MO.”

Aunt Rowe nodded and followed as Luke walked away. Rosales watched them for a moment before returning her unfriendly gaze to me.

“Need I repeat my question?” she said.

She’d directed her prior question to Aunt Rowe, not me. I didn’t point out the error and proceeded to explain that Aunt Rowe had been at the rodeo and about the call I received.

“This isn’t your car.” She tipped her head toward the vehicle I was still seated in.

For a moment I wondered if she knew what kind of vehicle everyone in Lavender drove or if she had specifically kept dibs on me and my car. I suspected the latter.

“This is Aunt Rowe’s.” I explained that I’d gone to the rodeo in Rita’s car and was driving Aunt Rowe’s back because of her high blood pressure issue.