Grave Doubts (A Paranormal Mystery Novel) Page 10

  “I’m not ready.”

  “Christ, Lee, when will you be ready?”

  Lee stared at her brother. He was so much like her father. Handsome and sharp-witted. On the surface, Patrick had it all. Women adored him, and men copied him. Yet, Patrick had lost something all those year ago, too. While Lee had lost her father and all the strength of character that might bring, Patrick had lost his mother through divorce. By the time he was rewarded with a stepmother, he’d already found ways to protect himself from getting too close to the women he loved. All except for Lee.

  Lee reached for her purse.

  “C’mon, Lee, don’t leave. Please.”

  “I’ll see you tonight.”

  With that, she pulled herself out of the booth and flew out the door.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Lee roared up the hill to Hendrick’s Park, her head aching from the anger that had propelled her from the restaurant. She whirled into a parking space and stopped the car, her eyes staring straight ahead. Patrick had a right to be skeptical. When her husband disappeared, she had been uncharacteristically silent. Now, she was parading around with righteous indignation about the ruling on Diane’s death, when there wasn’t one real piece of evidence to the contrary. It had to be confusing. It was confusing to her. And it made her all the more angry.

  She pushed open the door and got out, striking off on the path that led around the parking lot. She inhaled the crisp afternoon air hoping it would relax her, but her muscles were stretched so tight they were ready to snap. When a couple appeared ahead of her, she peeled off onto a side path that curved into a grove of trees, ending at a picnic table situated under a canopy of pine boughs.

  Lee sat down, her hands clenched into fists in her pockets. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, but Patrick’s smug face kept floating into view.

  “You’re as stubborn as they come, Lee. Don’t let this one go,” the face chided.

  “Dammit!” she screamed, tears springing forth. “Dammit to hell! You don’t always have to be right, Patrick!”

  She stood up and kicked a dent into a metal trashcan chained to the side of the table, and then grabbed the lid, intent on sending into a tree. At the last moment, she dropped it and dropped her head into her hands, falling back onto the bench, tears running down her face and sobs rolling across her body.

  “Dammit! I don’t know what to do,” she said, rocking back and forth. “I don’t know what to do.”

  The tears flowed as if a spigot had been turned on. They weren’t just about Diane. They were for all the disappointments in her life. The lost time with her father. The loss of her favorite sport. The fact Amy was growing up, and the fact Patrick had a way of reminding her of past failings. They were even for Martha Jackson for being so damned righteous. Then, of course, there was the fact that Diane wouldn’t be there at all anymore. But most of all, she was mad at herself. She’d wasted her last moments with Diane tangled in a stupid argument. That was unforgivable. The tears brought it all out, every last poisonous vapor.

  Finally, her energy spent, Lee pulled a Kleenex from her pocket and blew her nose and leaned back against the table. She looked out at the lush green park through leaden eyes, thinking she’d spent her entire life as a stubborn competitor. Patrick was right. In Girl Scouts they had nicknamed her “The Mule” because she was resolute in her pursuit to be the best. If the girls had to build a fire, Lee built the biggest. If they had to dig a hole, she dug the deepest. The summer Patrick had mentioned, she’d tried to prove she could keep up with the older girls by hiking further and faster than required, only to return to camp with blisters that bled through her socks.

  Then, almost two decades later, she’d simply withered when her husband disappeared, keeping everyone at a distance, retreating to an inner place to which only she held the key. Part of her had died that day, and it was Diane and her irreverent sense of humor who had reminded Lee to smile occasionally.

  The breeze rustled through the pine trees like the gentle flow of a mountain stream, and Lee looked around at the layers of verdant bushes and trees feeling a sense of calm for the first time in days. The tang of pine coursed through her system like aromatherapy, and she inhaled it deeply. When she rotated her head, the pain in her neck and shoulders was gone. Even the headache was gone.

  A small bird landed on the rim of the trash can, turning its head back and forth looking at her. It hopped up onto the table and bounced back and forth as if hoping Lee would toss it a bread crumb. She just smiled and reached out a finger, but the bird bounced to one side.

  Lee turned away from the bird and looked around. Hendrick’s Park in Eugene, Oregon, had been the place where Steve Prefontaine, a world-class long distance runner from the University of Oregon, had died many years before in a car crash. Diane’s husband had been a big fan of Prefontaine’s, and Diane had told Lee once that Prefontaine was quoted as saying, “Most people run a race to see who is the fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” Diane had liked that motto, and Lee realized how appropriate it felt right now. She would need guts to finish this race, but finish it she would.

  As she watched two squirrels chase each other around the base of a tree, flicking and switching their bushy tails, the small bird hopped onto the bench beside her. She studied it, wondering again about the bird in her purse and what it meant. On impulse, she reached into her purse and pulled the figurine out and placed it on the bench. She thought the little bird would fly away, but it tilted its head this way and that and then bounced sideways over to the small figurine. Lee watched in wonder, as the small creature reached out with its tiny beak and touched the onyx figurine once, twice, three times. Then, in a flurry of wings, it was gone.

  Lee felt an invigorating chill flow through her body as the bird disappeared into the air. Perhaps she should be frightened by the onyx figurine, but for some reason, it gave her a strange sense of comfort. She’d asked Diane for help. Lee was beginning to believe she’d given it.

  The intense crying had cleared Lee’s head and she decided it was time to consider her options. She was convinced the police wouldn’t budge with the little evidence she had. So, what could she really do? She didn’t have the police report, the coroner’s report, or the syringe. She didn’t have access to Bud’s background or any useful information on his relationship with Diane. But she did have access to the hospital, where both Diane and Bud had worked. Patrick had talked about the inciting moment in a mystery play - the point at which the need for murder was ignited. If Bud Maddox was involved, it was likely the story began at the hospital. And it was the one place where she had inroads.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Lee arrived in Robin’s outer office a few minutes after two o’clock wearing fresh clothes and makeup. A matronly-looking woman dressed in a gray polyester suit was hanging up the phone. She acknowledged Lee just as Robin returned from another meeting.

  “I wasn’t sure you’d come,” Robin said to Lee. “C’mon in. Can you hold my calls, Rosemary?”

  The secretary nodded as she turned to pull a fax off the machine. Lee followed Robin into her office where her friend pushed aside several file folders on a small, round conference table so they could sit down. The large window that overlooked an outdoor courtyard washed the oak furniture in a shallow band of light. Two large Asian watercolor prints warmed the room, and a small water feature on her desk gurgled like a mountain brook.

  As VP of Human Resources, Robin handled the personnel files of over one thousand employees, worked with two unions, and had earned a reputation as a tough negotiator. She was quick, clever, and didn’t hold a grudge. Robin settled back and scrutinized her friend.

  “That wasn’t your best move this morning. You must have known Martha wouldn’t want to hear theories about Diane’s death. She wants her executive team to walk a straight line. What in the world were you thinking?”

  Lee chuckled and shook her head as if she couldn’t believe it herself. “I don
’t know. It’s an understatement to say I’m not thinking clearly. I just couldn’t stand her pathetic attempt at compassion. I’d rather she just ignored Diane’s death.”

  “What will you do while you’re off?”

  Lee bit her lip and didn’t respond. Robin’s eyes grew wide.

  “My God, you’re going to try to find out if Diane was murdered, aren’t you? Lee, don’t. I don’t know what happened to Diane, but leave it to the police.”

  “Diane left a message on my answering machine,” Lee announced bluntly.

  Robin’s jaw dropped. Lee knew she was wading into deep water, but plunged ahead thinking she was going to have to get better at telling this story.

  “I don’t mean recently. She left a message Thursday night before she died.”

  Robin recovered her composure. “I don’t understand.”

  “She left a message saying that she wouldn’t be in on Friday. I played it for the first time last night when I got home from your place.”

  Robin inhaled. “How awful.”

  Lee leveled a look at Robin, all fear gone now for the path she was embarking on.

  “Diane wasn’t coming in to work that day because she was going to Portland with Bud.”

  Robin’s eyes grew wider. “But, he said…he…oh my God, he was lying! You could tell Alan.”

  Lee shook her head. “I need more information than that.”

  “But he lied. He said that he broke up with her. The police would have to talk to him again.”

  “Robin, be serious. Alan’s not assigned to the case. He’d have to pass the information along to Sergeant Davis, and I’m positive Davis wouldn’t care. Even if they talked to Bud, he would just come up with some lame excuse, and the police would drop it again. Diane’s message doesn’t prove he lied.”

  Robin sighed. “So what are you going to do?”

  Lee leaned forward slightly. “You need to promise me you won’t say anything to Alan. If I’m wrong, I don’t want Alan involved in any way.”

  Robin had been toying with the pearls around her neck as Lee spoke. “I don’t know, Lee.”

  “Please, Robin.”

  Robin’s graceful brows were clenched in the middle of her forehead, as if they were locked in mortal combat. Robin always followed the rules and never made grandstand plays. Lee was asking her to do something against her character, and right now there was a war going on inside her as she considered Lee’s request.

  “You don’t have to lie,” Lee cut in reassuringly. “Just don’t say anything.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I need to find something substantial. A reason someone might have wanted Diane dead. I need more information on the players.”

  “The who?”

  Lee made a face. “It was something Patrick said. The players…people involved with Diane. I’ve already had an encounter with her sister, Carey. And her brother-in-law came to see me in my office this morning.” Lee grimaced, remembering the letter opener. “He was pissed off to say the least, and he doesn’t want me encouraging Carey in any murder theories.”

  “Maybe he killed her and made it look like a suicide,” Robin offered.

  “I’ve thought of that, but I need more,” Lee emphasized. “What about the life insurance?”

  “I called the hospital’s agent, and I was right. Many insurance policies have a waiting period – especially for suicide. If a suicide occurred during the waiting period, then the company wouldn’t pay. After the waiting period though, they would.”

  Lee’s eyebrows arched. “Carey said that Diane took out a policy when she worked at the university.”

  “So, if there was a waiting period, it would have been over a long time ago.”

  Lee became so lost in thought about Vern Mathews and the life insurance policy, she almost missed Robin’s next sentence.

  “You know, you also have to find out more about Bud Maddox. He’s got to be your prime suspect.”

  Lee stopped daydreaming and stared at Robin. Each waited for the other to speak. Outside, clouds moved in a straight line across the sky like the cheap backdrop to a school play, and a bird descended onto the branch of a tree right outside the window. Lee was only vaguely aware of it.

  “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” Robin asked. “To get the personnel file. It won’t tell you why he might have murdered Diane. I told you, we did a criminal check on him, and he was clean.”

  “I need a place to start.”

  Now that she was moving in a positive direction, Lee was as calm as a mirrored lake. On the other hand, Robin shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

  “You know I can’t give it to you, Lee. It’s against the law.”

  The wind picked up and scratched a tree branch against the window, making them both look up. Lee noticed the bird and inwardly smiled. After a moment, Robin’s demeanor changed. She sat forward, cleared her throat, and glanced at the file cabinet to her left. Lee followed her gaze.

  “Do you want something to drink?” she asked. “I think I’m going to run to the cafeteria. I’ve been taking antihistamines, and my throat is really dry.” She stroked her throat and then got up to reach into a desk drawer to find her leather shoulder bag. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Before Lee could respond, Robin left the room. Lee recognized the charade for what it was and thought of the characters on stage. Robin had just played out her role and given Lee her cue. Although her heart raced nervously, she reached over and pulled open the drawer marked “M,” quickly locating the file marked “Maddox, Bud.” Before she could change her mind, she grabbed a yellow notepad from under a stack of papers and slipped the file folder in between the middle sheets. The deed was done before her conscience could disagree, but her temples pulsed, and her temperature had risen significantly. As calmly as she could, she opened the door and stepped into the outer office. The secretary looked up.

  “Tell Robin I had to leave. I forgot I have to make a phone call,” she lied as calmly as she could.

  The secretary waved her out as she juggled another incoming call. Lee hurried down the hall, her brain on fire and not really knowing where she was going. For the first time in her life, she’d just committed a crime. By the time she walked into her office, the pit of her stomach was twisted in knots. Jenny and Marie looked up in surprise.

  “I thought we weren’t going to see you until Monday?” Marie stated.

  Lee gaped at them. “I…uh, forgot something,” she said without conviction. She’d wandered back to her office out of habit, forgetting she’d already said goodbye that morning. “I’m just here for a minute,” she stammered. “I wanted to take some things home…to read.”

  Lee hurried into her office to mask her mistake. She placed the pad with its hidden contents on a chair next to her desk and then found a stack of professional fundraising journals lying on the floor. As she bent over to pick one up, Jenny entered behind her.

  “Got a minute?” Jenny asked, moving to sit in the chair. “I wanted to ask you about that campaign report before you go.”

  Lee straightened up as Jenny sat down and placed the incriminating pad in her lap. Lee froze, her eyes riveted on Jenny’s lap. A tip of the personnel file poked out of the pad only inches from Jenny’s fingers. Even from where Lee stood, she could read the beginning of Bud Maddox’s name in bold type on the tab.

  “Can this wait?” Lee blurted. “I’ve got an appointment.”

  No one could know she’d taken the file. If it was discovered, at the very least she’d lose her job. But the consequences could even be greater.

  “Uh…sure. No problem.” Jenny stood up again, confused. She started to leave, forgetting the pad now clutched to her chest.

  “Jenny!” Lee nearly barked. “I need that pad.” Lee gestured toward her hands.

  “Oh, sorry,” Jenny said, passing it over. Lee grabbed for it and pushed the folder back into place with her thumb.

  “Thanks,” Lee said, her
nerves starting to fray.

  Jenny walked out with a curious look on her face. Lee gathered up a couple of journals and stepped out to Marie’s desk.

  “Okay, I’ll see you guys later.”

  Marie looked up, her brown eyes furrowed. “Today?”

  Lee was beginning to know what it felt to be a pathological liar. “Uh, no, not today. I’m working on a couple of projects at home and may have to stop by to pick stuff up,” she said vaguely. “I mean, feel free to call me if you need anything. I’m not going anywhere, just taking some time off.”

  Marie frowned, and Lee realized she needed to just shut up. She spun around and hurried into the hallway, colliding with Martha Jackson who was just coming into the office. With an “oof!” Lee dropped everything at Jackson’s feet.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Martha,” Lee apologized. She quickly stepped in front of her boss to pick up the file folder.

  “That’s all right, Lee,” the CEO said, forced to step back. “I didn’t expect to find you here. I thought you had already left.”

  “I thought I’d take some work home,” Lee said as she patted the journals in her hand.

  “Well, I came over for Mrs. Bates’ address. Does Marie have it? I originally turned down the invitation for her birthday party tonight, but found I can go after all.”

  “Marie can get it for you,” Lee said, stepping away. “I’m late for an appointment,” she said quickly and left.

  Once out in the fresh air, she took a few deep breaths. How did con men do this on a regular basis? She was at the car before she realized she’d forgotten her jacket in Robin’s office. In her imagination, alarms were already going off inside the building as security guards converged on her office to find the personnel file. She unlocked the car door thinking that her jacket would have to remain behind to face the music alone.