Heather took a step forward and issued what she hoped would be her most withering glare. “You might like to know that I’m filming this and I won’t hesitate to post it far and wide. If you have official police business to conduct, then do it and leave.”
Long ground his molars but said nothing else to either her or Steve. Before he could take another step forward, Steve turned his head to face Brian. “If I’m not mistaken, these gentlemen do indeed have some police business to take care of. Stand up, Brian, and put your hands behind your back. You’ll need to go with them peacefully.”
Heather looked at Steve in surprise and added, “Don’t forget what your father and your attorney said about talking to the police.”
At that moment, Belinda and Johnny burst through the hedges, with Belinda leading the charge. By the time they reached the gathering, Detective Long had secured handcuffs on Brian’s wrists.
“Release my son,” shouted Belinda. She turned to her husband. “Do something!”
The sheriff held a folded document. “Sorry, Belinda. They have a warrant.”
Johnny looked at the sheriff and then his wife. “There’s nothing I can do.”
“You’re worthless. Why did I ever marry you?”
Johnny examined his shoes as Belinda turned to the sheriff. “You’ve known Brian since he was born. He’s never had a ticket or been arrested.”
The sheriff tilted his straw hat farther back on his head. “Actually, his record shows an arrest last September for disorderly conduct. As for tickets, you’ll need to talk to Johnny about them.”
Johnny took a step back. “I didn’t want to bother you with any of those things. They were all trivial.”
Belinda fumed, but turned back to the sheriff. “It’s preposterous to think Brian had anything to do with that Palmer girl’s death.”
The sheriff resettled his straw hat on his head. “The law is the law, Belinda.”
Johnny found his voice. “Can you at least insist he stay in Mattherson County?”
The sheriff shook his head. “That would only last a day or two. Then television crews and reporters would be swarmin’ everywhere. They’d be asking anyone they could find to make a comment, and they’d start with the Palmers. Believe me, it’s going to be bad enough with Brian being in jail in Houston. You don’t want the press here in Mattherson.”
Belinda took a step toward the sheriff. “Don’t count on support if you’re dumb enough to run for re-election.”
By this time, the two Houston detectives had walked Brian to their unmarked SUV and secured him in the back seat. As their taillights disappeared past the corner of the Wells mansion, Belinda turned to face Heather. “Why didn’t you stop this?”
Heather stuffed her phone in the front pocket of her slacks. “Why ask me?”
“Because I hired you to keep this from happening.”
Steve interrupted. “We never agreed to take your offer.” He turned to her husband. “Isn’t that right, Johnny? There’s no written contract, which we always require, and we made no verbal promise to find evidence to clear your son.”
He nodded, but said nothing else.
Belinda thrust a tight fist with an extended index finger at Heather. Her voice sounded like flint hitting steel. “You’re working for the Palmers, aren’t you? You two are nothing but a couple of money-hungry gumshoes.” She took a step forward. “Don’t think I can’t see right through you.”
Belinda turned and faced her husband. “You almost had me talked into a deal with this fast-talker.” Her attention turned back to Heather. “Forget your dream of a railroad. There will be no right of way through Mattherson County… ever!”
Heather kept her mouth shut, hoping Belinda wouldn’t launch into Steve.
With shoulders thrown back, Belinda left the Wells’s back yard mumbling a string of oaths and curses. When she couldn’t find a break in the hedges, they received her wrath as well.
Before anyone could speak, Babbs broke into a Bob Dylan tune. She’d hum a verse and sing the chorus. In a strange way, it took some of the edge off the arrest and Belinda’s reaction.
Traci rose from her chair. “I’m going to the Palmer’s and make sure they know what’s happened. I’d hate for them to hear some exaggerated account on television or read about it online.”
“That’s actually my job, but I’ll give you a ride,” said the sheriff. “It might be good if you’re there for support after I leave.”
The two walked to the sheriff’s SUV and soon disappeared, just like the two Houston cops and Brian. That left Heather, Steve, Johnny, and Babbs at poolside.
Babbs finished her humming and hefted herself from the chair with some effort. “Can’t spring up like I used to. I’d best get back to my friends. It’s past their supper time. Thanks again for the cat food. I’ll make sure and tell them they have you two to thank.”
“Our pleasure,” said Steve. He waited a tick before saying, “By the way, Babbs, could we meet with you after breakfast tomorrow morning?”
“I don’t see why not. Come to the bungalow. Clarence and Pearl will be glad to see you again.”
Johnny asked, “Do you want me to help you get through the hedges?”
She gave him a sideways glance. “I helped plant those hedges. I know every limb and where each of my friends likes to hide in them. The answer to your question is blowing in the wind.”
Heather watched as the woman hobbled her way through the hedge. It occurred to her Babbs gave answers that could be interpreted many ways. It might be a strange defense mechanism, but it seemed to work for her.
Johnny occupied the seat Babbs had surrendered. “I hope you don’t mind, but Belinda is in a rare mood tonight, and I need to let her cool off before I go home.”
Steve pushed out his feet and crossed them at the ankles. “Stay as long as you need to. I’m glad you’re here; I’ve been wanting to get to know you a little better.”
Heather wondered what Steve was up to, but played along. “You’ll have to excuse Steve. He’s a naturally curious guy. It’s probably a holdover from all those years as a detective.”
With chin lifted, Johnny said, “I’ve been around the block enough times not to be offended by questions. It comes with the territory of being an attorney.” He gave her a wolfish smile. “Here I am, trying to preach to the choir. I’m sure you get asked all kinds of questions.”
Steve answered for her. “We sure do. Is there anything you’d like to ask us?”
The response came much too quick, as did the lecherous smile directed toward Heather. “Who’s your client in Amanda’s murder case?”
Without a hesitation, Steve said, “We’ve had three offers so far and there’s still not a signed contract in Heather’s briefcase.”
It wasn’t a lie, but Heather knew Steve had no intention of revealing Babbs.
It was enough for Johnny to peel his eyes off Heather’s crossed legs and shift his gaze to Steve. “That means you haven’t accepted the Palmer’s offer yet.”
“Neither of us have discussed investigating the death of their daughter with the Palmers.”
Johnny let out a bray of a laugh. “That means Belinda threw one of her wild-eyed fits for nothing.”
Heather had to bite her lip to keep from chuckling, but for a different reason than Johnny. Steve led the country lawyer down a road paved with Johnny’s own false assumptions. She wanted to pile on while she could.
“I haven’t talked to Steve about this, but I’m at a standstill in acquiring the land for the right of way. I need to get back to my office in The Woodlands soon and see what I can salvage.”
Johnny waved his hand in dismissal. “Don’t worry about it just yet. Belinda runs white hot when she’s mad, but she’ll calm down in a day or two. When I tell her you’re not working for the Palmer’s, I’ll be able to get her to reconsider the sale of the property you need.” He looked at Heather. “Of course, that will mean you and I will have to hammer out the details. It might take more than one meeting.” Once again, he ran his tongue over his top lip.
Heather tamped down her revulsion and forced a smile.
“I agree with Heather,” said Steve. “We need to leave tomorrow, or her cat will disown her. That leaves only tonight to find out the information I came to glean from a Mattherson.”
“And what might that be?” asked Johnny.
“I ran upon a story about a young lieutenant in the Army Air Corps in World War II who was murdered as he got off a train in Houston. His case was never solved.”
“Why are you interested in that?”
“I’m an aspiring writer. It sounds like a good premise for a novel. You know, a sharp young female detective solves a cold case that occurred way back when.”
Johnny pointed at the Wells Mansion. “That young man grew up in the home you’re staying in. His name was Rodney Wells.”
“That’s him,” said Steve. “Second Lieutenant Rodney Wells. What do you know about him?”
With a shrug, Johnny said, “Only rumors that he and Babbs’s mother were an item in high school.”
“Were the Palmers in any way connected?”
“Now that you mention it, I heard talk from an old-timer that the Palmers and the Matthersons were getting along when the war broke out. You’ve seen the old newsreels. Everyone pitched in together to win. It was the murder of Rodney Wells that rekindled the feud.” He waved the issue away with a flick of his wrist. “Of course, I don’t know much about it. I’m still considered an outsider since I’ve only been in Mattherson for twenty-five years.”
“Do you know of any old newspaper clippings Belinda might have stashed that would help me in my research?”
Johnny’s head swung from side to side. “Belinda keeps nothing that doesn’t pertain to our boys.”
Steve sat up straight. “That reminds me. We had a pleasant chat with Brian earlier tonight and I got a good read on him. It seems he thought the world of Amanda. I don’t think he had anything to do with her death.”
“You read him right. While most of the boys around here are into hunting, fishing, and the usual activities at school, he and Amanda spent their time reading, or going to church, or helping with benevolent projects. As far as I know, Brian never used drugs or even took a drink until he went to college. I can’t believe the police arrested him.”
Heather had been quiet long enough. “What did you and your wife think about his friendship with Amanda and Traci?”
He hesitated long enough that Heather believed he was searching for measured words. “Let’s just say my wife and I agreed on how we’d raise our children.”
Steve let out an inappropriate laugh. “I know exactly what you mean. Maggie, my deceased wife, and I used to fight like cats and dogs on how we’d raise our kids. I concluded that I’d be much better off if I followed her lead. You know the proverb, ‘Happy wife, happy life.’”
“I’ll drink to that,” said Johnny. “How many children do you have, Steve?”
He sighed. “None. That was one part of our marriage that didn’t go the way we’d planned.”
Heather interrupted before she lost Steve in the sea of melancholy that he swam in when he lingered too long with Maggie’s memory. She moved on. “What about your eldest son, Ryan? Tell us what he’s like.”
“That’s easy. He has Belinda’s dark features and is a good-looking young man. He likes to live, and he’s full to the brim with confidence. I’m as proud of him as any father could be.”
“He sounds like a chip off the old block.”
“He and I think alike about most things.”
Heather wondered if one chip off the block was the way he treated women. She watched as Johnny rose from his chair.
“I need to get home and call a defense attorney in Houston. I know several, but would either of you have a recommendation?”
Steve beat Heather to the punch. “I used to, but that was years ago.”
Heather added, “Most all my work in Houston is civil, not criminal.”
It wasn’t a complete lie, but it bordered on it.
“No problem,” said Johnny. “I’ll call the same one we used when the police detained him.”
Instead of fighting his way through the hedges, Johnny made for the driveway, taking the longer way home.
Once he was sure Johnny was out of earshot, Steve said, “Sounded like he wasn’t cutting through the hedge. He must not be in much of a hurry to get home. Can’t say that I blame him.”
As soon as Heather stood, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She looked at the caller ID, moaned, and put the phone on speaker. “Hello, Father. How’s Mother?”
“You can call her and find out after you tell me what’s going on there. Have you secured the rights of way?”
“No, and it doesn’t look like there’s much hope for the immediate future.”
“Why not?”
“The police arrested one of the property owners’ sons for murdering my alternate landowner’s daughter. Nobody’s in the mood to discuss business.”
A huff of disdain preceded a long pause. “I’m receiving phone calls from investors. They’re losing patience, and frankly, so am I.”
Heather spoke before she thought. “Then buy me out and handle this yourself.”
He lowered his voice. “You know better than to make a rash statement like that. You could lose out on the biggest deal of your life.”
“Perhaps, but Steve and I have taken on a murder investigation and I can’t be hands-on with the project until we solve the case. We’ve already started but you never know how long these things will take.”
“Then you leave me no choice. What are your terms for the buy out?”
“A return of my initial investment and per hour billing for work completed by my company up to today.”
“It’s a deal. Send me the numbers.”
“I’ll notify my staff the first thing tomorrow morning with instructions to expedite.”
“If it were me, I’d call them in and have them start tonight.”
“I’m out of town, and you’re not me.”
The phone line went dead. It wasn’t the first time that one had hung up on the other. She hadn’t kept count, but was sure he was behind by a two-to-one margin.
Steve rose from his chair. “Let’s see if there're any cookies left. If there are, we can heat them in the microwave. I like my cookies soft and warm.”
“Do warm cookies help with all problems?”
Steve grinned. “Not all. Some require ice cream.”