Читать книгу A Detective's Heart: A Novel - Sioux Dallas - Страница 12

Chapter Five

The next day Connie walked into The Lost Cause Detective Agency. She was met by Victoria.

“Good morning! Welcome to The Lost Cause Detective Agency. My name is Victoria. How can I help you?”

“I need to see Miss Rutherford.”

“Do you have an appointment or do you want to make one?”

“Neither. This is vitally important. A young woman’s life is at stake. I need to see Miss Rutherford as soon as possible. Right now, please.”

Herb heard the excited voice and came out to see if Victoria need a backup. “Good morning. Is Victoria helping you?”

“She’s very kind, but it’s vitally important that I see Miss Rutherford now.”

“I’m sorry. She’s out on a case now, but should be back around one if you can wait that long.”

“I guess I have no choice. Please make sure that I get to see her. I shall return. I’m going down to that diner I saw to get some lunch. I’ll be back. Thank you both.”

“Miss,” Victoria called after her. “May I have your name?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so disturbed that I have been very rude. Forgive me. My name is Connie Ackerman.”

On the dot of one Connie was in the agency ready to talk to Hannah. At one twenty Hannah walked in looking weary and rumpled. She nodded politely at Connie who jumped up and said, “Miss Rutherford? I must speak to you. It’s vitally important to the life of an innocent young woman.”

“Hannah, this is Connie Ackerman. She came in earlier to see you.”

“Please come back to my office. I need to kick off these shoes and sit in a comfortable chair.” Connie eagerly trailed after her.

Hannah did kick off her shoes, got a glass of ice and a Diet Coke and offered to share something with Connie.

“No, thank you. I just need your advice. I’m willing to pay you. I’m not here expecting free service.”

Hannah chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first time I dispensed free service. Now tell me what you’re so concerned about.”

Connie carefully and concisely told Hannah the entire story.

Hannah listened politely. The more she heard the more her heart ached for Beth.

“There’s no need to tell you that it’s always best to face any situation at the first and tell the truth. Beth could have had an attorney present to advise her and protect her interests. The only trouble I see at the moment is the danger to Beth if the men who killed Malcolm hear of this and are afraid she might identify them. Of course she might be charged with obstructing justice. I’ll talk to Beth and get her statement first hand and maybe she’ll be able to tell me a bit more. In the meantime both of you keep quiet until I get a chance to talk to Beth. Bring the bloody clothes to me and remember -say nothing to anyone.”

Connie left feeling a little better that someone in authority was looking into the situation and would advise her and Beth without telling on them.

I’m not sure what we’re doing is lawful but I need to trust Miss Rutherford and allow her time to investigate and advise us as to the best possible action.

Connie breathed easier and was more at peace now that she had shared Beth’s calamity with a qualified person. She was glad she had kept the bloody clothes and had not mentioned Beth’s involvement to anyone.

“You mean she wants to talk to me?’ Beth stated with a trembling voice. “Won’t she go to the police and report me?”

“No, silly. She is working for you and we must trust her. Now when can you meet her?”

“Name the date and time and I’ll certainly be there.”

“Great! I’ll call her now and make an appointment.” Connie went in the next room of her apartment to make the call. Beth sat nervously not sure that she was doing the right thing. Connie is a dear, trusted friend. I’ll appreciate anything that she and this woman can do for me. How I wish I had never seen the beating and murder. But I did and I must face reality.

Connie came back with a big smile. “Miss Rutherford will see us at nine tomorrow morning. Now you get a good night’s sleep and I’ll fix a good breakfast for you before we leave. We’ll go together. Place yourself in God’ hands for you have done nothing wrong. Go to bed and rest.”

Beth was so nervous that she would not have gone if Connie had not insisted. She was put somewhat at ease by Victoria’s warm welcome. Meeting Hannah was not as scary as she imagined.

Connie recognized Beth’s nervousness and opened the conversation by reminding Hannah how she had found Beth wandering and took her to her own apartment. “I must tell you, we have not spoken of this to another soul. We are the only two who know absolutely what Beth experienced. A young attorney did come to her aid when she fainted, but he doesn’t know why or what had transpired.”

Hannah was very business-like and friendly so that Beth became very much at ease. She told Hannah how Malcolm was a bore and had whispered unwelcome comments to her. She then told of leaving, dropping her keys and looking up to see the beating which she learned later was a murder.

Hannah looked thoughtful. “I can understand your trepidation. It isn’t apparent whether the suspects knew they were being observed?”

“Not to my knowledge. It all happened so quickly. They were outside a building where anyone could step out at any moment and discover them.”

“Umm. I’m sure they left in a hurry. They probably did not look around and have no idea that they were seen. Could you identify them or recognize them if you saw them again?”

“I don’t think so. They were constantly moving and I was in shock.”

“I shouldn’t say this, but if you tell this to the police, someone might let it slip that you were there. The suspects don’t know that you can’t identify them and they would certainly come after you. I’m going to stick my neck out and say let’s just keep this with us three for the time being. I’ll go to the police station and ask to see the report and find out how far their investigation has gone. Is that all right with you?”

Beth looked at Connie and raised her eyebrows. Connie nodded. “We came to you for advice and guidance. We would be stupid if we didn’t cooperate with you. What happens next?”

“Be patient. I’ll contract you as soon as I find something to share.”

“Great,” Connie was relieved as was Beth. “How much do we owe you?”

“Let’s leave the talk of payment until I have something to tell you and know how much I’m going to have to be involved. Remember just us three.”

Beth popped up feeling much at ease. “Thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me yet. We haven’t gotten anywhere yet.”

“I thank you for allowing me to tell you my story and for giving me the comfort of knowing you’re on the job.”

They left and Hannah wrote some notes and placed them in a locked filing cabinet. She then went out to the front.

“Victoria, I’m going to run by Seacoast and check on the man with amnesia that I found. After that I’m going by the police station and read some reports. I’ll have my cell phone in case you need me in an emergency. I’ll come by here late to check on mail and any phone calls I need to answer. Herb is out on a case, so keep the phone handy in case you need help. Check all locks on doors and windows before you leave if you’re gone before I get back.”

“Good deal, Boss.” She saluted. “I’m yo lil ole man.”

“Silly. Are you trying to pretend to talk Southern? You failed.”

Hannah laughed and walked out.

At Seacoast Hannah was greeted by several nurses. She had been checking on the man and they were aware that she was paying the bills. She spoke briefly to the two at the nurses’ station and started walking back to Room 236.

“Miss Rutherford,” one nurse called, “the man has gone.”

Hannah whirled around. “Gone!?” She came back to the station. “Where did he go? Did he regain his memory?”

The nurses looked at each other. “We don’t know any more than what is written on the medical report. All we know is that Chief Ed Wingate personally came and got him. He took him somewhere and said he would be responsible for him.”

“Well, was the man talking and did he tell anything about himself or what happened to him?”

The nurses looked at each other. One spoke. “As I said, we don’t know any more than is written on the medical records. There is no record of him telling anything or what his name is.”

“Why would the Chief take him and be responsible?” Hannah asked bewildered.

“You know as much as we do. Sorry. We can’t tell you any more.”

“Okay. Thank you ladies. Do you know where the Chief took him?”

“No.”

“Sorry to bother you.” She turned to walk off.

“No bother. I just wish we could help you. Truthfully, we’d like to know.”

Hannah smiled at them and left. Why is the Chief interested? Where could he take him? Is the Sheriff in on this? There is only one way to find out.

Hannah decided the walk would be good for her. She appreciated the time to think as she walked to the police station. It was apparently a shift change because uniformed and plain clothes officers were milling around with some shaking hands and either saying hello or so long.

“Excuse me, please.” Hannah tried to pass by a small knot of men and women.

“Hannah? Hannah Rutherford, is that you?” The call came from an older woman at the front desk. “My goodness, child. I’ve heard some nice things about you, but I’ve missed seeing your sweet smile. Come give me a hug.”

Hannah smiled broadly and made her way to the desk through a group that insisted on hugging her or slapping her on the back as she walked across the room. She was appreciative of the fact that she had a good reputation and was well liked. She had worked previously with many of these officers.

The sweet lady, Anna May Harkins, was ready to retire after twenty-six years as a receptionist for the police department. She had been like a mother to Hannah when she first came in as a rookie officer.

Darlene Harwood could not leave her job as dispatcher, but blew a kiss to Hannah and motioned for her to come talk inside the bullet-proof cubicle. She pushed a button to open the door so that Hannah could walk in. Hannah didn’t want to take Darlene’s attention from her job as she might be needed any second. She just darted in, gave Darlene a hug and a quick word and left.

Just as she stepped out of the booth, Chief Wingate stuck his head out of his office door and called. “Hannah! I heard you were here. Come in and talk a minute. I don’t have much time, but I want to see you.” He stepped back so that she could walk by him and enter his office. He offered her a chair and then went to sit behind his desk.

“I’m glad to see you, Chief. In fact, I came especially hoping to talk to you.”

“It’s always a pleasure to see you, Hannah. What can I do for you?”

“I went to see about the man who has amnesia. I have been paying his bills, and was told that you had moved him. I’m interested as a caring person should be about another. Did he regain his memory? Where did you take him?”

“Hannah, Hannah. I do admire your ability to care for the underdog and I know you did a great service for that man. You’ll just have to take my word for it. He is part of an ongoing investigation and I can’t tell you any of the details. He is in a safe, secluded place and will receive the very best medical care.”

“Chief! I worked with you for a long time and you know I can be trusted.”

“Yes, I know all of that, but it remains a police investigation. Not many of our present officers know what is going on. I do trust you, but you’re no longer one of us.”

“Oh, Chief. You don’t know how much that hurts.”

“I know, my dear, but rules are rules, and, as I remember, you were always a stickler for playing by the book”.

“I still am, but I can’t help but feel I can help”.

“You might do that, but I can’t chance getting into hot water for confiding to an - umm - outsider”.

“Oh, come on now. How dare you call me an outsider.”

“Hannah, I’m going to stick my neck out and share some vitally, important happenings with you. I hope I can count on you to keep it to yourself. Don’t even tell your staff until the case is solved.”

“Do I have to place my hand on a Bible and swear?”

“No, nothing like that. I do trust you. I’ve known you most of your life and know and admire your father.”

“Thank you, Chief. Now what is it?”

He took a deep breath and picked up a folder. He took some pictures out and handed them across the desk to her. She gasped, but quietly looked through them. “What’s the meaning of this?”