Murder At The Bed & Breakfast (8 page)

“Roger, I think we have multiple suspects here, but I'm getting the sense the killer could be someone trying to get back at Renee or Bob, rather than someone hating Laura. The only one who might hate Laura would be her ex-husband, and we don't even know if he was in or out of the Serenity Center when she was killed. What we do know is that there were a couple of people who felt they had reason to want to harm either Bob or Renee, and maybe Laura was simply the means to the end.

“Looks like the reverend or any one of his supporters or church members might have hated Bob enough to want to kill him for getting elected and beating the reverend out of the seat he'd tried for several times. Then again maybe Mitch Warren snapped when Renee told him she was going to marry Bob after their very long relationship. We should know something about each of those possibilities after Sean does some research, but I'm having a niggle about something else.”

“A year ago I would have laughed if anyone had told me they had a niggle about something, but after your niggle helped solve the last couple of cases, I'm not laughing. What's your niggle?” he asked.

“Renee told me how close she and her father remained even after her parents were divorced. It's somewhat unusual that a daughter would be very close to both of her parents after their divorce, particularly given the fact that her father has been remarried for years. From what Renee told me, her stepmother idolized her father, and when he decided he would have nothing more to do with Renee, she followed his lead and did the same. When Laura told their father that she was going to live with Bob and Renee and take care of their newborn, Renee's father became estranged from Laura as well and because of Bob's Mexican heritage, refused to even see his granddaughter. I have no idea why I have a niggle, but it's enough I'd like to see what I can find out about her father and stepmother. Think I'll pay her a visit tomorrow.”

“I agree that it's unusual. I know parents often don't approve of a child's spouse, but usually they reconcile. If you have a niggle, go for it, but I do have a request. I know I sound like some recording, but there has been a murder, and people will soon know that you're sleuthing again. Actually, I'm sure the police chief has already told all of the customers at Gertie's about it. Anyway, I want you to carry the gun you have, and I want Winston to be with you wherever you go. I won’t try and stop you from doing this, plus I have to say you're pretty good at it, but please be careful. Remember, you're a married woman now, and I sure as heck don't want to go through the death of another wife. Understand?" he asked, giving her the most solemn look he could muster.

“Roger, I promise I'll take Winston and my gun with me. You just mentioned Gertie's, and I think it might be a good thing if we go to breakfast there tomorrow morning. That woman knows more about what's happening in this area than anyone else. Gertie's Diner is simply the gossip hub of Red Cedar and Dillon County. Now, I need to get dinner ready. You've got a few minutes. Might want to turn on the news and see if they've made Laura’s murder the lead story of the night. For Bob and Renee’s sake, I hope not, however, with Bob's new position, it very well might be."

“I hope not too,” Roger said as he picked up the remote and turned on the television.

CHAPTER 17

“Liz, that was fabulous. You can fix that for me anytime. Mussels, clams, and shrimp in a white wine broth with garlic, herbs, and parsley. Plenty of bread for dunking and a salad to balance the taste. What's not to like about that?” Roger asked rubbing his stomach. “I'm stuffed. I probably should run back and forth to the highway several times to run it off, but I don't think that's going to happen.”

He was interrupted by the sound of the song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” coming from his cell phone. He walked over to the desk where he'd left it when he finished talking to Sean earlier in the evening.

“Sean, that was fast. You really are a miracle man. What did you find out?” He listened to Sean for a moment. “Let me put you on speaker phone. I'd like Liz to hear what you have to say. Like it or not, she's already involved in this thing.” Roger laughed at what Sean was saying. “No, Sean, even though we're married, I still don't have any control over what she does. Okay, shoot.”

“The first one I investigated was Mitch Warren. Looks like he really had it bad for Renee. According to the records, his family convinced him to enter a private mental care facility for severe depression. Evidently he was broken-hearted after Renee left him for Bob. He was in the facility for six months. From what I learned he's never gotten back to normal. He takes a number of medications for depression..."

"Wait a minute," Roger said. "That’s very privileged information. How did you find that out? Think it goes against the HIPAA privacy code.”

“Boss, one of the things I never do is divulge my sources. You know that. Can't tell you. Anyway the guy lives in a world of hurt. Something interesting I found out is that he had a frequent visitor to the facility, and it was Renee's father. I managed to have a little talk with one of the women who works at the facility, and she told me she would often hear the two of them talking about a no-good Mexican by the name of Bob. She never did hear them mention a last name, but I'm making a calculated guess that it was Bob Salazar, Renee's husband. There's something more you should know. The woman told me that one time she was folding some laundry, and there was a partition between her and where Mitch and Renee's father were talking. Renee's father said something to the effect that if Mitch wanted to do something to Bob, he'd never tell anyone."

“That doesn't sound good. If this guy is still mentally off, and from what you're telling me, he seems to be, he very well might have killed Laura to get back at Bob. Maybe he felt killing Laura rather than Bob would be a lot easier, and it would definitely hurt both Renee and Bob.”

“Don't know. That's one down. You asked about the Reverend Lou Jacobs. This guy's as oily as they come. He's originally from Kentucky. He attended a seminary school there and became a minister. Had a little problem with the father of one of the girls in his congregation. Seems like he caught the reverend and his underage daughter in a very compromising situation in the rectory. When the girl’s father told him he was going to expose the reverend unless he left town that night, the reverend left. He came to California and settled in Dillon. From everything I learned, the guy's so smooth he could sell snake oil to someone who lives in fear of snakes. He's a real fire and brimstone preacher, and his congregation loves him. He caters to people who are completely obsessed with anti-immigration, and almost every Sunday he preaches about how the Mexicans are responsible for California’s budgetary problems, the broken educational system, the overflowing prisons, and the upsurge in crime."

“Were you able to find out if he has an inner circle? Anyone claim to hear him make threats against Bob? And a thought just occurred to me. Does he lead Bible Study groups? What's his interaction with his parishioners?”

“First of all, he has a number of advisors, political and spiritual, but I don't think there's much there. As cagey as this guy is, if he wanted to get rid of someone he'd hire an outside thug. I think he's too smart to get caught with his hand in the cookie jar, so to speak. As far as interaction with his parishioners, he leads a weekly Bible Study group himself. Matter of fact, it's tomorrow night at his church."

“What about Bob's ex-girlfriend, Candy Poncinello?”

“Actually, I'm a big fan of Bob's, but don't think getting into that relationship was one of his smartest moves. I've done a little work in the past which involved that family, and they're just as dirty now as they were then. There is no doubt in my mind that if they wanted to do something to Bob or one of his loved ones, they definitely have the muscle to do it. They have connections all over the San Francisco area, many of them semi-legit or non-legit. However, based on what I found out, unless some family member kept a vendetta going against Bob for breaking up with Candy, I’d put them on the lower tier of suspects and here's why.”

He went on to tell Roger that shortly after Bob broke up with Candy, one of her brothers introduced Candy to a good friend of his, the son of a well-known Italian family from Chicago who was visiting San Francisco. They married a few months later and had twin sons within the year. According to what Sean found out, they were very happy, and Candy's brothers were very proud uncles. In the research Sean had done on Candy, there was no mention of Bob Salazar.

“Thanks, Sean. As usual, you've done a superb job. When you're up for a performance review, let me know, and I'll throw in my two cents worth. It's late, and I'm sure you need to get some sleep. Again, thanks." He ended the call and turned to Liz. “Well, what do you think?”

“I think one of us needs to attend that Bible Study group that’s going to be held tomorrow night. Secondly, I wonder who's running the Warren Ranch if Mitch is as depressed as Sean indicated. It doesn't sound like he'd be able to function very effectively. There must be some sort of ranch headquarters or main office in or near Dillon. Let's divide this up. Why don't you look into Mitch Warren and also attend the meeting of the Bible Study group tomorrow night? I'll check out Serenity Center, and as I've mentioned, I've got a niggle about Renee's stepmother. I'd like to see what I can find out about her. Will that work?”

“It does, and I’ll be sure and let Bob know that attending a Bible Study group led by a minister who was caught in an indecent act with a minor in Kentucky and is as glib as a snake oil salesman is not my idea of how I was planning on spending my honeymoon.” He sighed and said, “At least promise me we can still go to Gertie's, and I can get sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast.”

“I promise, but do I need to remind you that when you finished dinner not all that long ago you told me you probably wouldn't need to eat for a week because you were so full?”

“That was before I thought about Gertie and her sausage gravy and biscuits. I won't eat for a week after I have the sausage gravy and biscuits.”

"Sure you won’t. Since we don't have any guests, don't think I need to fill Brandy Boy's cask tonight. Winston, come. Time for you to go outside one last time.”

CHAPTER 18

“Well, looky what the cat drug in. If it ain’t the very newlywedded Mr. and Mrs. Langley,” Gertie said in a voice loud enough that all the patrons in the entire restaurant stopped talking and clapped along with Gertie. As usual, the popular diner was full of breakfast customers, the police chief already eating his customary breakfast of eggs over easy which would result in a stain on his uniform shirt, a daily occurrence of his.

“Gotta tell ya', I wouldna' missed that weddin' for nothin'. Highlight of my year. Don't get much better than one of my favorite people marryin' my new tenant. How's that new office workin' out for ya', handsome?” Gertie asked, as she blew a big bubble from her ever present wad of bubble gum and reached up and grabbed a pencil from her bottle-blond teased hair, all the while teetering on her stiletto heels.

“Glad you enjoyed it, Gertie, and I can't thank you and your staff enough for taking care of the reception. I couldn't have done it alone,” Liz said. “I know most of the staff that helped you, but when you have a little time, I'd appreciate it if you could send me the names of everyone and their addresses. I want to write each of them a personal note and thank them."

“Sure 'nuf, honey. Ain't no way to start your married life out by helpin' yer friend Bob and his wife find out who killed her sister. Darned shame it had to happen the night of yer' weddin'.”

“Gertie, I never doubted that you’d know all about it. Find out from Seth?”

“Yer' kiddin', right? Seth stopped in here right after he was at Cindy’s Bed & Breakfast jawin' 'bout it. Sounds like Bob had a few enemies altho' I like him. Matter of fact, even voted for him. Seems like a purty good man, and there aren't a lot of them around, jes' ask me. I married four I thought were good, but ain't doin' that no more. Waste of time and energy."

Privately Liz wondered who would want to marry a woman who was stuck in the sixties and seventies and still dressed as if time had stopped. Gertie was a legend in the town and surrounding area along with her hamburgers and chocolate malts. Tables in the popular diner were always occupied by people who had driven up from San Francisco for one of her burgers and a malt.

“So, who do ya' think done the nasty? Liz, yer' the one who's always finding the bad guy. Who's the bad guy this time? Hear it might be Renee's old boyfriend, Laura's ex, or even that smarmy minister Bob beat in the election. What's yer' take on the situation?”

“More importantly,” Roger said, “I'd like to know your take. You're the one who always finds out the latest rumor. Hear anything about the murder?”

Gertie motioned for Liz to move over and sat down next to her. “Handsome, I was ‘fraid ya’ weren’t gonna ask me. Little birdy tol' me the two of you are gonna have yer' hands full. On top of the three I mentioned, it was a pretty well-known fact that Renee's daddy hated Bob. Him bein' a Mexican and all. Personally, I couldn't run this place without 'em, but I hear he hated him. Also heard that Bob had a fling with one of them Poncinello women. Bad juju in that family. Wouldn't be surprised at anything they did, but back to Renee's daddy. I knew him purty well, and he was so proud of Renee and Laura. Never made no sense for him to turn his back on them. Sumthin' jes' don't ring true there. Been thinkin' 'bout it. Over the years her daddy came in here with his new wife from time to time."

“Gertie, his new wife wasn't exactly new. They were married for over twenty years.”

“Yeah, that may be true, but she's a weird bird. Don't think she ever had an original thought in her life. She was like a little parrot, jes' parrotin' whatever Don said. Used to see her and Renee in here jawin' it up. Thought it was a real nice touch on Renee's part - ya' know, bein' the good daughter and makin' nice with her stepmom. Musta been hard, cuz I know Renee and her mother are very close. And now to have her sister murdered."