Authors: Madison Johns
Eleanor shook her head. “Why do I see this one going badly? Are you trying to get us locked up today?”
“Not really. We just need some solid leads.”
“Hopefully it will be a lead that doesn’t wind us up in the slammer. We still have a wedding to plan, you know.”
“We’ll do that. Why don’t you give Loretta Kirkpatrick a quick call to see if you can arrange us a meeting with her later.”
Eleanor retrieved her cell and made her call. When she hung up, she said, “She’ll meet us at the lighthouse at three.”
“Good, that should give us plenty of time to at least find some leads. We’ll just follow up on them after our meeting.”
* * *
I pulled into the parking lot of the Iosco County Government building that houses the sheriff’s department. Eleanor and I carefully made our way to the door as the snow continued to fall, piling up quickly.
Once we were inside, we stomped off our shoes on the mat, making ourselves known. Instead of a drill sergeant-like receptionist, a pretty blonde manned the counter, and once we reached her, she pleasantly asked, “Wow, it’s really beginning to pile up outside. I just love snow, don’t you?”
“Actually, not so much. We can’t risk a fall at our age,” I said. “We’re here to speak with the sheriff.”
She frowned. “Okay, but he’s not in a very good mood today,” she whispered.
So far, I liked this new receptionist and hoped nobody overheard what she had just told us. “And what’s new with that?” I asked with a laugh, until Eleanor nudged me in the ribs to bring me back down to earth. “Can we go on back, then?”
Just then, Sheriff Peterson was walking by, asking, “Go on back for what?”
“We’d like to speak with you, if we could,” I said pleasantly.
“If you’re not too busy, that is,” Eleanor added. “I’m sure you worked long into the night doing the best job you can for the people of Iosco County.” She then faced the receptionist. “He’s the best sheriff we ever had in this county.”
Peterson’s brow shot up, and he tried not to smile, but failed miserably as his lips curved into a smile. “Come on back.”
The receptionist buzzed the door, and we hightailed it through, as if it would be slammed shut on us before we had the chance to go back there.
“You ladies know the way. I’ll be along shortly with coffee.”
Eleanor pranced ahead of me. “See, flattery works with Peterson.”
I rushed past her, hoping something of interest would be on his desk, but no such luck. I then glanced at his computer, and only the screensaver of the sheriff’s department emblem was dancing along on it. There was no way I could even click a button to see if something was left open since the sheriff would be alerted I had done it. Besides, I’d probably have been caught red-handed, and how would I ever explain my way out of that?
Eleanor was already sitting by the time I plopped down in a chair next to her. “What did you expect, Agnes? That the good sheriff would just leave something lying out in the open for us to see? He’s smart enough to know that it’s not such a good idea to leave even a browser open while he’s out of the office.”
“I know. I was just hoping. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the sheriff’s office looking so clean before.”
Peterson came into his office, fumbling to keep ahold of three cups of coffee. I jumped up and took two of the mugs, handing one to Eleanor. I sniffed my cup curiously. It smelled rather spicy. “What is this?”
“Chia tea latte. I heard it’s a favorite with you two, or that’s what the girl who works at Diversions Tea House on Newman Street told me.”
“Yes, it is, but how were you able to make one of those,
here
?”
“We have one of those new coffeemakers you can use those flavor packs for.”
“On the county’s budget?” I asked.
“Oh, no. Our new receptionist, Grace, brought it in, and we all chip in to buy the packets. It seems everyone has different tastes.”
When he yawned, it was my cue, so I asked him, “Were you ever able to find those men who tried to rob Elsie’s card party?”
“No, the dogs lost the trail. We had deputies from nearby counties aiding in the search, but they were called off an hour ago. They apparently know the area well and slipped away.”
“So you think they’re from the Tawas area?” Eleanor asked.
“I’m not sure. I’m not ready to say one way or the other just yet.”
“And it was a diversion to keep you busy last night,” I added. “I heard there were more robberies while all the cops in town were searching for the robbers out at Jack’s place.”
Peterson interlaced his fingers, his knuckles whitening. “Who told you that?”
“Look, I know you’re a good sheriff, but we’re here to help you.”
“Fine, but I’d really like to know how you know first.”
“My son may have let it slip when he questioned us earlier.”
“And he said what, exactly?”
“Just that there were five more robberies last night, and one of the victims was a member of the militia.”
Peterson sighed. “If your son told you that, why didn’t he share the rest of the information with you?”
“I’m not sure that he knew specifics. Has he been here yet today?”
“Yes, actually. He left with his merry little band of ATF agents.”
“So they’ve taken over your investigation, then?”
“About the size of it, but you might be interested to know I’m not willing to just stand back, even if I’m told to. Of course, this case might be a little too much for you, Agnes. I’d hate to see you ladies get hurt for getting too close to solving the case. Whoever is stealing guns in the Tawas area, they are an organized group. Someone big is involved here, too big for you girls to try and flush out.”
“Do you see me as a quitter, Sheriff? Because I assure you that I’m not. I’m not about to stop investigating this case. I don’t like to see guns in the hands of criminals and worry what they plan to do with them. What if they use them against the citizens of Tawas?”
“I agree with you there, Agnes. I just wanted to spell out the danger for you. I’ll give you the information you want, but I highly doubt questioning the victims will help much.”
“Did you know that Curt Hill was shot in the robbery at his house?” I informed the sheriff.
“I wasn’t aware they had been robbed at all.”
“They didn’t want to report it, for obvious reasons.”
“They’re not supposed to have guns to begin with, but I’m aware that they do. Since they have never caused any trouble after they’ve been out of prison, I’ve really never bothered them, but this might give me cause to investigate. Is he okay?”
“Yes, he’s been getting some medical attention from someone I’d rather not mention.”
“Hopefully that someone isn’t related to you, because her husband would have a cow.”
“What makes you think that?”
“No reason. I’m just saying. Anything else you’d like to share now?”
“Just that we’re in a bit of trouble because we found the Hill brothers’ guns over at Robert Miller’s house, and they retrieved them. Unfortunately, they took them to another militia member’s house, and they were once again stolen.”
Peterson pulled out a notebook and jotted down a few notes. “And that means what to you?”
“That someone knew where they had taken the guns to.”
“Someone on the inside would have to be handing out information if the Hill brothers were robbed, period, because it would be darn near impossible to catch them unaware. I told those boys to stay away from that Harvey Smith. He’s trouble.”
“That’s exactly who I want to question,” I said.
“But he reported a robbery, too,” Eleanor said.
“And that means nothing, really. He might just have made that up so he wouldn’t look guilty.” It was then that I thought about how Stuart never said if Harvey was under arrest for having guns at his property since he was a felon.
“Agnes has a point, but as for now, I’m out of the mix, since the ATF took over. I suppose they think you’re responsible for Robert Smith’s disappearance, too?”
“Yes, we’ll be trying to find the kid before whoever he’s involved with decides to shut him up, permanently.”
“Sounds like you ladies have work to do. I’ll give you the list of the other victims from last night, but don’t you dare tell that son of yours I did. The last thing I need is for the ATF to be down my throat about it.”
“It’s easily explainable. This is a small town, and if someone gets robbed, everyone is going to find out about it soon enough.”
“We better get going,” Eleanor said. “We have to meet Loretta Kirkpatrick soon. We need to get her permission to get married at the lighthouse,” she explained to the sheriff. “We’re getting married on Christmas Day.”
Peterson stood, smiling. “Well, congratulations are in order. I didn’t know you and Agnes were getting married, or that same sex marriages were legal in Michigan yet?”
“Very funny,” I said.
The sheriff was laughing so hard at his joke that tears were running down his cheeks. I was having trouble not smiling at the moment, too, so I just took the paper the sheriff handed to me and buried it in my pocket, then strode out of the sheriff’s office, returning a quick minute to drain the cup he’d brought me. No sense in wasting a perfectly good chai tea latte.
Chapter Ten
I drove to KFC and went through the drive-thru. After we placed our orders, I grimaced when I drove up to the window. It was just my luck that Ella was back on the job. I paid her with a slight smile, hoping she wouldn’t mention how I had been tailgating her earlier or how she had flipped me off.
She took my money, and after she handed me back my change, she practically threw my order into the car. “Teach you to tailgate me,” she spat out, slamming the window shut.
My mouth must have been gaping open, since Eleanor told me it was a darn good thing that it was winter so a fly couldn’t find its way inside!
“Should I go in and apologize?”
“Not unless you want to be pummeled by biscuits,” Eleanor said with a smile.
Just then, the window popped open again. “Move along, would you? You’re tying up the line,” Ella said.
“Sorry,” was all I said before slamming on the gas, narrowly missing a customer who darted in front of my car.
“Agnes,” Eleanor huffed, “would you slow down? You almost mowed the woman down.”
“It’s not my fault. I don’t respond too well when Ella yells at me like that. She’s always been so nice to me in the past.”
“I guess that was before you tailgated her, but look on the bright side. At least we actually got our meals.”
“I-I don’t think I want to eat mine if she’s that mad. Who knows what she might have put in the mashed potatoes.”
Eleanor began to open a container of mashed potatoes and poked her fork inside it. “Now that’s a bit much, but you might have a point. I think I’ll just stick with the chicken. Of course, we could always go inside and complain to the manager. We’d probably get a free meal out of the deal.”
“And risk making Ella angrier than she already is? I think not. Besides, if we don’t get over to the lighthouse, and soon, we’ll miss our appointment with Loretta.”
I drove directly to the point and sailed through the checkpoint since they don’t man it this time of year. I slid to a stop in the parking lot and scarfed down a chicken leg before exiting the car with Eleanor beside me. We made our way up the sidewalk and checked the gift shop, but it was locked up tight, so we headed for the lighthouse. Martha was waiting inside with a frown on her face.
“What’s going on, Martha?” I asked.
“Loretta is doing an inspection. I don’t think she thinks I’m doing a good job here.”
“Why would you assume she thinks that? I believe it’s her job to do an inspection if she sees fit. After all, she does run the lightkeeper program.”
“I know, but Cliff isn’t here, again. He took off a few hours ago for paint supplies and hasn’t been back since. He’s up to something, I just know it.”
“Probably went home to play
Call of Duty
,” Eleanor said.
“Well, he better not have. I need the help around here. This old lighthouse draws dust like honey does flies.”
We stopped talking when we heard heels strike the floor toward us. “Hello, there. You must be the ladies I was meeting with at three.”
“Yes,” Eleanor said. “I’m Eleanor Mason, and this is Agnes Barton.”
“I’ve heard rumors about you girls. You’re investigators, right?”
“Yes, that’s exactly right,” I said. “On occasion, that is.”
“That’s good to know. It never hurts to have someone like you around, just in case I ever need to have my husband investigated.” She winked. “I’m kidding, of course.”
I pretended to laugh harder than I meant to since it wasn’t really the type of thing we do. “I’m sure you don’t have to worry about Gerald. I’ve heard tell he keeps very busy running the city campground and state dock.”
Loretta gave me an odd look. “How on earth do you know that?”
“It’s a small town,” I reminded her. “And my Winnebago is parked at the campground and has been for quite a time. Martha lives there.”
“Oh? I think Martha might have mentioned that. So what did you ladies need to speak to me about?”
“Actually, we’re getting married, and we were hoping to get permission to do it right here at the lighthouse.”
“Not to each other,” Eleanor said. “We both have fiancés—Andrew Hart for Agnes, and Mr. Wilson for me.”
“That might be able to be arranged. When?”
I gulped. “Christmas Day.”
“Christmas Day?” she said. “That’s out of the question. You can hardly expect me to come clear out here to unlock the place for you on Christmas, of all days, and it’s closed for the season.”
“Please, isn’t there some kind of way we can work this out?” Eleanor said.
“Not unless you girls want to stay here the night before on Christmas Eve. That’s when Martha is off the hook. That way I won’t have to come out here, but there’s no smoking or, er ... drinking here or on the grounds.”
“I think we could do that,” I said. “I mean stay here on Christmas Eve and not allow anyone to smoke or drink here.”