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His phone buzzed as Hawke drove toward Winslow and the office.
“Hawke.”
“Donner. The tech boys checked into the credit card number used to purchase the elk tag. It was set up from a computer with an IP address at the La Grande library. The card has not been used for any other purchases.”
“It was set up specifically to purchase the tag in Lange’s name.” Hawke had figured that was the case. This confirmed his thoughts.
“Looks that way. The only way we might be able to find out who did it is to see how the credit card bill was paid. I’m working on a warrant to get that information.”
Hawke filled the detective in on what he’d discovered last night and this morning. “Any chance you can dig up background on Rachel Wallen?”
“I’ll get someone on that and let you know what I come up with.” Donner disconnected.
Hawke pulled into the Rusty Nail for lunch before going to the office and writing up his report on the morning.
Justine stood behind the counter, taking an order.
Hawke sat down at the far end and opened the menu even though he knew it by heart. Merrilee hadn’t changed it in the fifteen years he’d been living and working in Wallowa County.
“Iced tea or coffee?” Justine asked, standing in front of him with a coffee pot.
He turned the coffee cup on the counter over.
She filled it. “What are you having?”
“Grilled cheese and fries.” He put the menu back and spun to check out the other customers.
Ralph Bremmer was poking fries in his mouth as fast as he could. It wouldn’t have caught Hawke’s attention if the man hadn’t glanced his way every ten seconds. The man was nervous. As if he didn’t want Hawke to talk to him.
Hawke smiled, picked up his coffee, and walked over to the table where Bremmer sat. “Ralph, how’s it going?”
“Fine. Why you sitting with me?” The man asked. His usual bellow was actually contained to a natural tone.
“You don’t happen to know anything else about Sigler’s death, do you? Like, did he happen to say where he was getting the money to pay you off?”
The man’s eyes widened.
“You do know how he’d planned to pay you off. Was he blackmailing someone?” Hawke kept his face serious even as he laughed inside at the man trying to act like he didn’t know anything while his leg under the table started bouncing. Hawke felt the vibration in the floor.
“No. Duane wouldn’t try to blackmail anyone.”
“Then why are you so nervous. Did he tell you who?”
The man’s leg started bouncing faster.
“You aren’t trying to blackmail that person for Sigler’s death, are you? Because if you are, you could very well be the next body that needs a medical examiner.” Hawke spotted the beads of sweat on the man’s brow.
“Ralph, if you know who Sigler was blackmailing, you better let me know. It’s the only way you’ll be safe.” Hawke hoped the man’s fear was stronger than his greed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ralph threw money down on the table and scrambled out of the café.
“You want your meal here or there?” Justine asked.
“There.” He walked back to the counter. “Did you see anyone unusual talking to Ralph in here this morning?”
Justine shook her head. “No, but he wasn’t in here for breakfast. This is the first time I’ve seen him today.”
Hawke nodded and dug into his food. The man knew something. Would he be greedy enough to risk his life? Was his hunch enough to have someone watch him? No.
But he had a day off tomorrow. He’d finish his reports and watch Bremmer tonight and tomorrow.
«»«»«»
Hawke changed out of his uniform, fed his animals, and walked over to where Herb was working on a tractor.
“Anything we told you this morning help your case?” his landlord asked.
“A little. Tomorrow’s my day off, but I’m going to watch someone tonight. Any chance you could feed my horses in the morning? I’ll take Dog with me.” Hawke grabbed the part on the tractor Herb was loosening.
“I don’t see a problem with that.” He took the part from Hawke. “Thanks.”
“You bet.” He strode over to his pickup and whistled.
Dog raced out of the barn and straight into the cab. He was ready for a ride anywhere.
“You have to help me stay awake tonight.” Hawke told the dog, who sat in the passenger seat staring out the window.
They headed to Eagle. He hoped to catch Bremmer before he left his gas station. If the man didn’t go home, he could be going to meet the person responsible for killing Sigler.
Bremmer was still at the station when Hawke pulled up across the street and one block up. He watched the front of the building in his side mirror.
Dog sat in the passenger seat drooling. They’d picked up a burger, fries, and a soda at the small drive-thru on the edge of Eagle.
Hawke dug in the bag for a fry and fed Dog while keeping his gaze on the mirror. He was licking his fingers and Dog his lips when Bremmer exited his business.
“He’s headed somewhere.” Hawke started his vehicle and eased out onto the street after Bremmer passed him in his Ford pickup.
The man wasn’t headed home. Hawke knew where he lived.
They traveled out of Eagle, through Winslow, and at Alder, Bremmer pulled into the parking lot of the High Mountain Brewery.
He’d be spotted by Bremmer and whoever he was meeting if Hawke walked in the brewery. He looked up the phone number and dialed.
“High Mountain Brewery, this is Desiree.”
The person he wanted. “Hi Desiree, this is Hawke. Do you know who Ralph Bremmer is?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“He owns the gas station and towing business in Eagle.” He began putting a description of the man together. “He is wearing a suit jacket and jeans. A dress shirt but no tie. He’s tall, a round face, and about sixty.”
“I see him. He’s talking to Thomas Ball.”
The investigator. “Is there any way you can hang out around them just long enough to hear a bit of what they are talking about then call me back?”
“Does this have anything to do with Dennis Brooks’ death?” she asked.
“It could.”
“I’ll call you back if I hear anything.”
The connection ended. Hopefully, Desiree would be discreet while listening in. He’d hang up his badge if something happened to her. He’d helped her family out when poachers were trespassing, cutting fences, and being vicious.
He and Dog sat in the far corner of the parking lot where he could see the door to the brewery and Bremmer’s vehicle.
His phone buzzed. The brewery number.
“Hawke.”
“Desiree. It’s a good thing the man you’re interested in talks loud. I didn’t have to get very close to hear him. But I’m not sure what Thomas’s replies were.”
“Did it look like they were arguing?”
“No. Just having a conversation. Your guy said he knew Duane’s death was being hushed up because of who killed him.” The question in her voice told him she was curious about that.
“Did he say who he thought did it?”
She hesitated. “He said ‘your boss’ to Thomas. And he didn’t even flinch.”
Bremmer accusing Lange was exactly what the killer wanted. Bremmer wouldn’t be in danger as long as he kept believing Lange had killed Sigler. But why had he gone to Thomas? Why not the Assistant D.A. or Lange himself?
“Thanks. Call me back if Bremmer talks to anyone else or Thomas acts like he’s meeting someone else.” He didn’t think Bremmer was in trouble, but he’d stay here and follow the man home to be sure. He might even ask the gas station owner why he’d met with the D.A.’s investigator.
«»«»«»
Hawke crawled out of bed about nine the following morning. Bremmer hadn’t left the brewery until one and then showed up at a house, Hawke called in and discovered, belonged to a widow. Bremmer must have called her because she answered the door in a revealing night gown and pulled him in as she kissed him.
That’s when he headed home and Desiree called.
“I don’t know if this means anything. Thomas didn’t really sit and visit with anyone else the rest of the night. But when I was leaving to go home, he got into a car with a woman. Her Mustang was parked beside his car in the parking lot.”
He’d thanked her for the additional information, and when he’d returned home, checked vehicle data on the people he considered suspects. He’d discovered Assistant D.A. Wallen had a driver’s license but there wasn’t a car registered in her name. He knew there were county vehicles she could use when needing to drive somewhere, but given the address on her driver’s license, she would need a car to get to work.
His day off may require a trip to the courthouse to determine what vehicle she drove.
Dog woofed to get in. Hawke had let the critter out around six-thirty when he’d figured Darlene was feeding.
He crossed to let Dog in. Opening the door, he noticed someone walking into the barn. It was a woman, and the build wasn’t that of his landlady. This part of the barn was only for his horses, the tack room, and when Darlene gave lessons. There shouldn’t be anyone else around.
Before he could call out to see who it was, Dog yipped and leaped down the steps, landing at the woman’s feet.
Hawke walked into his apartment and pulled on his pants and a shirt. By the time he returned to the door, Dani Singer stood at the foot of his stairs.
“Good morning,” she said, peering up at him.
“It’s morning.” He did a quick peek of his place and decided it wasn’t too bad. “Want to come up for a cup of coffee?”
“If it’s not an inconvenience.” She ascended, Dog pushing by her.
“What are you doing down here?” He hadn’t planned to sound like an interrogation, but he was curious at her showing up at his place unannounced. The only woman he’d invited into his home was Darlene, his landlady, to show her any updates or work he’d done to the place.
“You ask like I’m not allowed to come off the mountain.” She stood inside the door, her eyes scanning the one room. “Small, but comfortable.”
He filled the coffeemaker with water and grounds and flicked the switch. “It works for me. How did you find me?”
“Is where you live a secret?” She had a smug smile on her lips as she sat on the one chair at his small table.
His blood whooshed in his ears. Damn! He had to stop acting like a teenager around this woman. But there was something about her that made his desires come to life and his mind and tongue jumble. “No. But I don’t remember telling you where I lived.”
“You aren’t the only one who can ask questions and get answers.”
The pot finished making noises. He filled two cups, placing one in front of her on the table.
He sat on the bed, holding his cup. “Why did you need to find me?”
“I flew in as soon as it was light this morning and decided while my supplies are being put together, I’d come ask you about something Tuck noticed.”
“You could have called. We could have met for breakfast somewhere.”
She smiled. “My knowing where you live makes you uncomfortable, doesn’t it?”
“No. But I am hungry. I just woke up. I was on a stakeout last night.” He ran a hand through his hair and knew it was probably standing on end. Oh well, that’s what she gets for showing up unannounced.
“I’m sorry. We can go some place and have breakfast. There’s that Mom and Pop place in Winslow. The Rusty something.”
“Rusty Nail. It’s just a Mom place. Pop skipped out on her years ago.”
“I see. So you frequent the place. That must mean it’s good food.” She stood and moved to the door. “Come on. You can eat while I tell you why I tracked you down.”
He didn’t want to go into The Rusty Nail with Dani. Justine was already curious about the woman and might ask a bunch of questions, not to mention the regulars would start making things up. “I’m fine. I’ll just make some toast.”
She frowned. “Are you scared to be seen with me?” She studied him.
His face heated.
“Or is it any woman?” She opened the door. “Grab your coat and get over it. You need to eat, and I could use a better cup of coffee. No offense.”
Dani started down the stairs. That she sought him for help with a problem was the only reason he grabbed his coat and followed her down to her sedan.
“Get in. I have to come back this way to get to my helicopter anyway.”
He grimaced at getting into the sedan. “I’ll take my pickup. I need to go to the office and file my report from my stakeout last night.” He headed to his pickup, Dog on his heels. The two climbed in and followed Dani’s car out to the highway and toward Winslow.
Hawke had less flutters in his gut when he faced an armed suspect than thinking about Justine and Dani meeting.