CHAPTER 16

Alsop grabbed his hat. It was a fair bet that Chief Parker wanted to know how he learned about the planted bone. To ease the chief’s disappointment, Alsop took him out back for a stroll along the creek and maybe learn how the murder investigation was going. Although the chief was pretty good at keeping his cards close to his vest.

Alsop had fallen in love with the creek when he bought the property from Doc Little ten years ago and built his dealership. He enjoyed showing it to customers, especially with the dogwood in bloom. Put folks in a buying mood.

The sun peeked through patches of clouds, and the air felt nippy. After crossing a footbridge, the chief tucked a handkerchief under the back of his hat, covering his neck.

“That’s a helluva coup you pulled with the bankers,” Alsop said. “Everyone supports your plan to finally update the town’s fleet of feeble cruisers.”

“Works out nicely for you, wouldn’t you say?”

“Not to bite the hand that signed the contract, but I’ve been after you to update for three years.”

“Timing’s everything. Back then, you didn’t have anything to match the Fury. Our being friends didn’t justify throwing the town’s money into a fleet of new cars simply to please you. Besides, at the time you didn’t have Bucky whatshisname. That boy’s good. Now, about this business of you getting assaulted. Jo-Dee said someone tipped you off about the phony bone deal before you called me. Who was it?”

Alsop raised a blueberry branch for the chief to duck under. “If I told you, my informant would catch a lot more than hell from the Caddo people.”

“Get serious, Cal. Someone tried to kill you.”

“Sorry, Chief, I promised.”

Parker stopped and glared at him, then shook his head. “At least tell me if it was a goddamn Indian.”

Alsop nodded. “He also said the Caddo people are planning to demonstrate at the commemoration.”

“They’ll pour into town like grain in a hopper. Carry protest signs and chant their heads off. A waste of their time and my resources keeping them in line. They’re crazy to think they’ll ever get their land back. Maybe you’ll spot the one who planted the bone.”

“In case I don’t, Bucky’s taking pictures of every Indian male.”

“That’s good. Our photographer retired and hasn’t been replaced. Bucky had better keep his camera dry.”

“Hopefully, the storm won’t hit until the car’s in the ground and covered.”

“I got word the governor’s not coming.”

Alsop puffed his cheeks and blew out. “Then we’re screwed. The mayor needs his support to win the election. If he loses, Johnston and Overstreet will get the racetrack they’ve been angling for.”

“It’ll make Tulsa County folks happy as drunken Shriners.” The chief picked up a small stone, studied it, and then dropped it. “You didn’t take me out here for fresh air. I assume you have something on your mind.”

“Have any leads on Will and Miss Iris’s killer?”

“I might. You driving at something?”

“You’ve talked to Kansas?”

“He came into the station on his own.”

“He tell you about his wanting Will’s job as foreman?”

“That’s why he came in. Figured that would make him a suspect. Offered to go to Tulsa and take a lie detector test.”

Now that was interesting. “Did he?”

”No, but I’m not counting it out.”

“Any other leads?”

The chief picked up another stone and studied it carefully. He planted his feet and skipped it across the still stream. It left rings on the surface like a series of plates. “As a kid we used to skip stones across Lake Hento. Search hours for the right stones. The best ones were silver dollar size, smooth and flat. A boy learns a lot about patience searching for stones.”

Alsop hadn’t the faintest idea of the chief’s point.

“I found a partial foot impression in the berm near where Will parked his car. Only the toe area, but clear as a fresh-minted gold piece. Nobody knows except you and Bucky. Neither of you are to say a peep to anyone. I’m ass-deep with this commemoration whoop-de-do and haven’t had a chance to follow up.

They returned up the creek in silence. Alsop considered the foot impression a big break, but wondered if the chief was holding something back.

Back in his office, Alsop found a while you were out message on his desk. It was marked urgent. Tony called. Must see you ASAP.