Midas Murders [Book 3 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] (18 page)

I began the story, “So you see, his son and I were puzzled since no ransom was demanded."

"Did anyone call the police to report Mr. Claybourne as missing?"

"His daughter did. At least I thought I heard her talking to someone here. Later, Rafe Diaz told me she hadn't called."

"I see. There's a way to check.” He opened the door and asked someone to bring the phone log for that day. “Why was Rafe involved?"

"He's a relative by marriage of Lars’ son. Don called and asked him to look into the disappearance since we believed the police had refused to do anything.” I went on to talk about the call from the hospital and Lars’ condition when I arrived. “Doctor Verdigras thought Lars had had a small stroke. I asked for a tox screen, but the doctor refused to order one."

"Why did you want one?” Detective Rodgers leaned forward.

"His symptoms weren't indicative of a stroke. Seemed drug related to me."

"Mr. Claybourne, why didn't you call the police when you returned home?"

"I thought...” Lars paused and then explained his suspicions of his daughter's involvement. “I didn't think I was in danger."

The officer groaned. “Right. What happened today was nothing, I suppose.” The door opened and he took a sheet of paper from another officer. Detective Rodgers scanned the list. “Rafe was right. No call was made.” He tapped a pencil against the desk. “Continue."

Lars took up the narrative. He skipped the New Year's Eve party and our trips until the moment we heard Bonnie had been kidnapped.

The officer straightened. “She was what?"

"Kidnapped, but it turns out the whole affair was a farce.” I went on to explain my theory.

By the time Lars and I finished that segment of the story, I thought Detective Rodgers would have a stroke. His face was the color of his hair. The pencil he held snapped.

"Do you have this note?” he asked.

"Either Carl or Damon must have taken it,” I said.

The officer groaned. “Spare me from amateurs. What happened next?"

Lars continued the story from our discovery of Bonnie to what he'd learned about the thefts from the business. “I planned to call you this morning, but I had to talk to my daughter first."

"Does anyone else know about this mess?"

"My son, but he doesn't know his sister is dead."

"He knows. I told him when he called this morning. Rafe Diaz knows."

"Good man.” Detective Rodgers rose. “I'd like to lock the pair of you away until we find your son-in-law."

"Why?” Lars asked.

"You could be in danger.” The officer shook his head. “Just go to a hotel and stay there."

Lars turned to me. “That all right with you?"

"Very all right. You have no idea how wonderful a hotel sounds."

"We could go to the chalet."

"A hotel here in town like the one where we stayed before."

We left the station and walked to the car. Lars plucked the keys from my hand. “I'll drive.” Instead of heading downtown and the hotel, he drove toward the house.

"Lars, what are you doing?"

"We need clothes and you'll need your tea."

"I can live without it."

"I can't."

His answer made me laugh. “I don't believe that.” Snow swirled in the air. “Why don't we go shopping for some clothes."

"We could, but we're not."

"What if we run into Carl?"

"He's bound to be long gone."

"I sure hope you're right."

"The police are probably still at the house doing whatever they do,” he said.

They weren't. The only sign they'd been there was the yellow crime scene tape that blocked the entrance to the front door of the house and the carport. Lars parked on the drive and we entered the house by the sunroom door.

I quickly packed several changes of clothes, my sleepwear and toiletries and headed to the kitchen. There I put the tins of tea in a canvas bag.

Lars appeared with his suitcase. “Talked to Don. There are a few things he and Megan need. I'll run across to their house and get them."

"Don't be long."

"Five or ten minutes."

I felt uncomfortable about being in the house alone and wished I'd gone with him. I set the canvas bag and my suitcase beside the door and returned to the kitchen. What I really wanted was a cup of tea, but that bit of comfort would have to wait until we reached the hotel.

The sunroom door closed with a snap. “That was quick.” I turned and gasped. Carl stepped into the kitchen. “What are you doing here?” My heart beat so rapidly I thought I would faint.

"Didn't mean to scare you.” He slumped at the table. His clothes were disheveled and his eyes bore the look of a hunted and desperate man. On closer examination, I noticed some bruises on his face. Had he somehow managed to escape from the wrecked car?

"Why did you come here?” I reached for one of the heavy stoneware canisters and slid it across the counter.

"Someone tried to kill me,” he said.

What was he talking about? He was the killer. “Why weren't you in the car? Bonnie said you never let anyone drive it."

"Yeah, normally I don't.” He looked up. “Car was a down payment on a debt until I could liberate some cash I stashed away."

"Don't you mean stole? You're on your way to Florida, I imagine."

His shoulders tensed. “Guess Lars figured that out."

"Who else would the culprit be?"

"Damon. Bonnie."

"But they're..."

"Kate, let's go,” Lars called.

"There's a slight complication.” Instead of pulling the gun I expected, Carl seemed to shrink.

Lars stepped into the room. He dropped the canvas bag he held on the floor. “You bastard. You killed her."

Carl held up his hands. “What the hell are you talking about?"

"Bonnie's dead. Damon, too.” Lars grabbed the neck of Carl's jacket.

"What?” Carl shook his head. “Not me. Got here not long before you and Mrs. Miller. Was looking for the keys to Bonnie's car and then came here to see if she'd left them."

Lars looked at me. “Call the police."

"No. I'll get the money back to you. I didn't kill anyone."

"We'll let the police decide that,” Lars said. “They'll discover how much you've been stealing."

"Just the ransom."

"Bonnie said..."

"She says a lot of things that aren't true,” Carl said. “When she turned up missing it seemed like a good idea. Who would have known she'd really get herself snatched."

I studied him. “Where have you been?"

"Around. Got waylaid by some punks. Beat me up and took the keys to the Jaguar. I wasn't is such good shape for a couple days."

Lars looked at me. “Make that call."

Still clutching the canister I punched the number. Nothing made sense. If Carl wasn't the killer, who was? Why had Lars and I come back to the house instead of going to a hotel?

"Lars, you have to listen.” Carl's body shook. “I needed money. Damon and I set up that fake company in Florida about a year ago and Bonnie signed the papers. Half the time, she was so drunk with being the boss she didn't check what she was signing. Ramona caught us. She called you and I told Damon. He said he'd handle her.” His laughter bordered on hysteria. “My buddy used to drive in demolition derbies."

"So her death wasn't an accident,” I said.

"Guess not."

Lars took the phone from me and dialed again. “Lars Claybourne here.” He tapped his fingers on the counter. “We haven't checked in yet. We're at the house. So is Carl Grayco."

Carl pushed his chair back and ran to the door. He stumbled over the canvas bag and caught his balance. I followed and stopped short.

"Rafe, am I ever glad to see you,” I said.

He didn't acknowledge me. With a grin he prodded Carl into the kitchen. I lifted the canister I'd put down to use the phone.

Lars turned. “Kate, I just..."

"Shut up,” Rafe said.

The look in his dark eyes frightened me. I raised the canister.

"Move away from Kate.” Rafe's voice was ragged and harsh.

"What's going on?” Lars asked.

"Justice,” Rafe said. “For Ramona. For me."

"He didn't kill her,” Lars said.

"If he and his pal hadn't set up their scheme, she'd be alive.” Rafe waved the gun.

A sound thundered in my ears. Carl screamed and fell to the floor, knocking one of the chairs over.

"Rafe, what...” Lars’ voice cracked.

"Like I said, justice.” Rafe looked at me. “Kate, I wish you'd taken my advice. Why didn't you listen?"

"Rafe, please,” I said. “You aren't solving anything with this kind of action."

"I raised her. She was like a daughter."

"Why didn't you go to the police?” Lars asked.

"I was a cop. Know how these things work. Without solid evidence they would have walked free.” He moved closer to Lars. “Ramona told Bonnie about Carl and Damon. Your daughter laughed. Said you wouldn't believe me. Since you thought Bonnie walked on water you would believe her version. You're as guilty as they are."

"And Bonnie's kidnapping and rescue?” Lars asked. “You knew she was there. How?"

"Jaime Verdigras told me."

I hurled the canister. The heavy jar hit Rafe's arm. He bellowed and grasped it. The gun flew from his hand, hit the floor and spun through the archway into the dining room. I heard sirens and relief nearly made me faint. Rafe stepped toward the dining room.

"It's over. Let it be.” Acid burned in my throat. I grabbed the back of a chair for support.

Four police officers entered, two through the dining room and two from the sunroom.

Lars pointed to Rafe. “He killed them."

One officer knelt beside Carl. “Call an ambulance."

Moments later, Detective Rodgers arrived. “Rafe, why?"

"He destroyed my family so I took his."

"What about Don and Megan?” I asked. “Were they next?"

He shrugged. “Who knows what I'd have done to Don, but I'd never harm Megan. She's Ramona's daughter."

An officer cuffed Rafe and led him away. I walked into Lars’ arms. My body shook with the aftershocks of the recent events.

Lars stroked my back. “Kate, thank you. I couldn't do a thing."

I looked up. “But you did. You kept him talking so I could act. It's all over but the grieving."

"Over,” Detective Rodgers said. “Not yet. There'll be a trial. I want the pair of you to follow me downtown. Why in blazes did you come here?"

"We needed clothes and things,” Lars said.

"You could have asked for an escort."

"Never thought of that.” Lars picked up the bag he'd brought from Don's and headed for the door. “Come on. Let's get this over."

"Sounds good.” I lifted the bag of mint and my case and followed him to the car.

When we reached the police station, we quickly gave our statements. Detective Rodgers saw us to the door.

"Where will you be staying? the detective asked.

"La Fonda,” Lars said.

"Stay there. We'll tell you when you can go back to the house.” He shook his head. “Do the two of you know how lucky you were?"

"I know. I still can't believe Rafe...” My voice broke.

Detective Rodgers nodded. “Me either."

Lars tugged on my arm. “We'll never understand why he snapped. Let's go."

A short time later we reached the hotel and settled in the same suite as before. For an instant I thought about those golden days. They'd been a moment of sunshine in a season of gloom. Very soon Lars and I would have to deal with our golden ghosts. I shook my head. So many had died because of greed.

Lars looked ready to collapse. I wondered if I should call his doctor, but decided against that move. With our recent luck, Jaime Verdigras would be the one I'd have to talk to and I had nothing to say to him.

"Lars, go lie down. I'll call Don and let him know we're here so he can come for his things."

"Have him and Megan come to dinner. We can eat here.” He gestured to the table near the window of the sitting room.

"Good enough. Now lie down."

I called the number I'd shoved in my pocket and someone called Don to the phone.

"Aunt Katherine, how's Dad?"

"In shock."

"Just what happened?"

Briefly I told him about Bonnie and Damon. Then I spoke of what had happened when we had returned to the house.

"Rafe? Are you sure?"

"I was as shocked as you are. According to Carl, Damon was the one who forced Ramona off the road."

His quick intake of breath sounded in my ear. “Looks like Rafe was right about her death. We should have left when Bonnie raised a fuss about Ramona becoming a partner in my stead. She'd still be alive."

"You didn't know what was to come and you're not to blame. I thought she wanted to stay here."

"I know. One day I'll believe I'm not at fault. What am I going to tell Megan? She adores Rafe."

I'd seen her adoration the night of the dinner. “The truth. That Rafe was angry and he hurt someone so he has to go to jail. You might consider getting her some outside professional help. If you were back east, Andrew would know who would be best."

"I'll call her pediatrician."

"Good idea. Oh, your things are here at the La Fonda. Your dad and I'd like you and Megan to come for dinner. I'll order from room service. Come around six."

"See you then. Take care of him."

"I will."

From the bedroom I heard ragged, gut-wrenching sobs. I went to Lars and held him while he wept. My tears joined his. Finally he took a number of deep shuddering breaths.

"I wish...” His voice broke. “Rafe..."

"Was an angry man and not in control. You couldn't have known. I didn't. I liked and trusted him."

"I'm so tired, but there's so much to do that I don't know where to begin."

"You can't do anything today. Just rest.” I stroked his back. “Tomorrow we can find out when her body will be released. Do you want to call your sons back east?"

"Later.” He looked into my eyes. “A private funeral. Just you and the family."

"Probably best."

I stayed beside him until he fell asleep. Then I ordered dinner for four, made tea and turned on the television. I carried a cup of tea and stood at the window to watch the snow fall.