CHAPTER 3

After the interview with Clay Madsen, Matt decided to go back to his office and was pleasantly surprised to find his secretary, Chris Chase, back at work. "Hey, there! I'd forgotten today was the day. Welcome back."

"Thanks. It feels kind of weird to be here and not at home with Lilly." Chris and her husband Murray were now the proud parents of eight week old Lilly Catherine and had asked Matt and CJ to be god-parents.

"Well, she's close by and if you get too lonesome you can always go downstairs to the daycare and say howdy."

"I made a pot of coffee – wasn't sure if you would be in or not but after I heard about Amos Kennon last night I had a feeling you would." She gave him a smile.

"Boy, that's a mess." His phone began to ring. "Hey, Babe." Turning he went into the main part of the office and poured a cup of coffee for himself and took one to the secretary as well while CJ began telling him what she had on Danna Sutton.

"Danna was born July 8, 1988 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Theresa Sutton – but the father wasn't listed on the birth certificate."

"Uh huh..." He sat down on the couch. "What about the mom?"

"Theresa Sutton was a 23 year old waitress in a bar when she got pregnant. At the time that Danna was born she was working in a burger joint."

"Do you have the name of the bar?"

"I do." She scrolled down. "It was a place called the Bar J – but it's no longer in business. I do have a call in to one of the former owners; haven't heard back just yet."

"Okay, what's she doing these days?"

"She's not: she died in an auto accident in 2006."

"Great. That just put another kink in the case." He blew out a breath. "Okay, what about Danna?"

"She graduated from high school in 2006 about three weeks before her mom was killed. She bounced around from job to job for a few years and then in 2011 she became one of Amos Kennon's backup singers."

"I don't get it; unless he remembered having a fling with Theresa Sutton why would he accept Danna as his daughter?"

"Maybe he did remember it."

"CJ, this guy was worth millions; I don't know of anybody who would just accept that they had fathered a child with a fling without a paternity test. It just doesn't add up."

"Maybe he had one done."

"No, I don't think so. His bus driver said Kennon got upset with him for even suggesting it when Danna showed up. They were pretty tight."

"I don't know, hon. Maybe he thought he was doing the right thing. Have you heard anything about the bullet?"

"Not yet." He walked out onto the patio of the penthouse suite and told his wife about Sutton's shopping spree and the fact that the clothing was the same brand and size as the women's clothing that was in Kennon's closet. "And then there's the pregnancy test that was in her hotel room."

"Hon, that still doesn't mean that she wasn't his daughter."

"I don't know. Just seems strange to me." He leaned on the wall. "Have you found any evidence of Danna having a boyfriend?"

"No, but I'll do some more looking around. Call you later."

"Thanks. Love you."

"Love you, Cowboy." She hung up and immediately began looking through some of the social media websites trying to see what Danna had been posting about her love life.

"Working on your tan?" Michael walked out onto the patio.

"Not really. I think I'm just chasing my tail." Sitting down at the table he tapped on it with his finger as he spoke. "If you were a star and found out you had a child out of wedlock...wouldn't you have a chat with your lawyer?"

"I would – and have him or her set up a paternity test."

"But Kennon refused the test. I wonder if he talked to the lawyer about it – or his agent?"

"One way to find out: we talk to them. I also contacted the police in Austin. Monty Likens and Jeb Stokes have solid alibis."

"I think we need to talk to Dolly Kennon again, too." Matt got up and went back over to the wall and looked across the LA skyline.

"You know the lawyer probably won't have much to say to us – attorney-client privilege. But if Mrs. Kennon should be with us..."

"Maybe he would say more? Or maybe not." The PI began pacing back and forth.

"Much as I hate to say it, you're overlooking a possible suspect." Michael had a seat at the table.

"Who?"

"When one spouse is murdered the surviving spouse is always suspect number one, PI; you know that."

"I really don't think so, Michael."

"We should have had her checked for GSR yesterday. I'm slipping almost as bad as you are." The cop was surprised by the almost angry look that the PI gave him.

"If you really think she did it test the clothes that she had on." He stared at the cop for a minute, neither speaking. Hoyt was taken aback by the reaction.

"You said you met the Kennons a few years ago; just how well did you know them? Do you need to remove yourself from the case?"

"I don't really know them, I just..." Houston stopped his pacing and dropped down in the chair across from his friend. "I don't think she did it."

"Look, she seems like a very nice lady who has been caught up in a bad situation. All I'm saying is that in any other case, we would have checked the widow's hands and clothing for GSR – just to rule her out."

"I know...I'm sorry. But I really don't think she did it. And look at it: she got to the bus at 6:54. The 911 call came in at 6:56. If she did it, she walked on the bus, shot him, and hit 911 as soon as she pulled the trigger, Michael." Both men were quiet for a minute. "Wait a minute..." The PI got up and started pacing again. "What did the ME say the time of death was?"

Hoyt pulled out his notebook and looked. "I don't have that." He called Jennings and relayed the news to Matt. "The ME said approximately 3:45 to 4:45. Thanks, Lee." Hanging up he looked at the PI. "So I guess Mrs. Kennon is out of the picture. You were right."

"But you know what? We still don't know where the booze came from and where the bottle went. It wasn't anywhere on that bus. And for him to have that alcohol level..." Matt stopped his pacing and thought about it a little bit more. "I think I know where the bottle went. Come on."

The pair went down to the parking garage, each taking their own vehicle as Hoyt followed Matt to the Stanford Arms on Wilshire Boulevard where Dotty Kennon was staying. After knocking on the door, it was answered quickly by a man in his fifties who looked particularly perturbed. "I told you people..."

"Lt. Hoyt – LAPD." The lieutenant put his ID back in his pocket. "We need to speak with Mrs. Kennon."

"She's too distraught..."

"It's okay, Jerry. Let them in." Dotty Kennon was sitting in a chair inside the suite and as Matt and Michael entered, she looked up at them.

"Miss Dotty, I'm sorry to bother you right now, but we really need to ask you something."

"Please – have a seat." She looked at the pair, her eyes finally landing on Matt.

"Ma'am..." Houston looked down at his boots for a second and then straight into her eyes. "Where did you put the whiskey bottle?" A slight amount of shock showed in her eyes and then the tears started.

"How dare you accuse her of anything?" Maples, the lawyer, was quickly by her side.

"No..." Patting on the man's hand the widow shook her head. "He's right. I took it." Sniffling she pointed to the bedroom of the suite. "It's in the garbage in there. I'm sorry. He just didn't want people to think bad of him. It seemed like the last thing I could do for him." She broke down then as Hoyt called Cheryl to come pick it up.

"So he had started drinking again." The PI's voice was very quiet and Dotty nodded, wiping away more tears with a tissue.

"Amos left it alone until about eighteen months ago. Then I noticed one night when he called me that he sounded kind of...well, he was slurring his words. Not real bad, but I knew. He said it had been a real bad week and he had a cold." She shrugged. "Even with all the medicines out on the market today..."

"Sometimes nothing works but a good slug of whiskey. I know." Houston nodded, smiling slightly. "It's just how some of us grew up."

"I knew you would understand." She dabbed at her eyes again. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I know I shouldn't have done it, but we've been married for..."

"Dotty, don't say another word." The lawyer moved between her and the two detectives.

"No, I don't have anything to hide. I moved the bottle; I'll accept the consequences."

"You don't need to be talking to these men right now; you're not thinking..."

"They've been nothing but nice to me since all of this happened, Jerry. Now sit down." Flabbergasted, the lawyer took a seat on the couch.

"Miss Dotty, I know it's not something that you like to think about, but did your husband have a paternity test done when he found out about Danna?"

"No. He...he said that he was sure about it." She looked ashamed once again.

"Detective, is this really necessary?" The lawyer gave him a reproachful stare.

"Sir, we're trying to figure out who killed Mr. Kennon. I believe he's past the point of being embarrassed about his daughter." Houston turned his attention to the lawyer. "And since you're here, Mr. Maples, could you tell us exactly what happened between Mr. Kennon and his agent? Miss Dotty said that his accountant was concerned about missing money."

"I...that's protected."

"Jerry, please tell them what you know. Amos wouldn't mind."

After a moment's pause, the lawyer started in. "Amos and Monty had an agreement; Monty could use one of the business credit cards for entertaining prospective clients. Back a few years ago they were coming to Amos looking to book him at their venues. The last three or four years Monty had to go looking for places that would take the act."

"And that was another reason why he was thinking about retiring." Matt propped his ankle on his knee.

"It was. See, Jeb and Danna had been after him to retire. Jeb sees the numbers and he wanted to pull the plug before the act started running into the red. Danna wanted him to retire so she could get a contract and take over the spotlight. That's all she cares about."

"What about you?" Michael watched the lawyer thoughtfully.

"I think I convinced Amos to call it quits after the tour ends in December. He didn't have any bookings for next year, so it seemed like a good time to quit. But Monty kept after him. Amos was torn – he loved what he was doing but he knew it was coming to an end. Sometimes it's just hard to admit when something you love is over."

"When he told you that Danna was his daughter did you advise him to get a DNA test done?" The PI glanced at Dotty who was staring sadly at the carpet.

Nodding, the lawyer answered. "I did – Amos had too much at stake just to take her word for it. If she was his child and news of it got out his reputation would be soiled."

"Did you advise him to help her get a recording contract?"

"Definitely not. The girl just isn't lead singer material. Oh, she does alright as a backup singer – but she just doesn't have what it takes to carry a show."

"Just out of curiosity, does she have an agent?"

"Uh huh – Monty."

Michael and Houston looked at each other as there was a knock at the door. Maples went to let in Cheryl and the pair decided that they were done with Dotty and the lawyer for the moment. "Miss Dotty, thank you for telling us the truth." Matt stood to leave.

"I'm sorry I didn't sooner – I was trying to protect him."

"Yes ma'am." The PI turned and followed Michael out to the hall as Cheryl went into the bedroom to collect the bottle.

Out in the hallway as they waited for the elevator, both men were silent. On the way down the PI blew out a breath. "Betcha that the money that was disappearing was being spent on Danna."

"Uh huh, I bet you're right."

Later that afternoon...

"Daddy!" Catey Rose rushed to meet Matt as he exited the truck at the ranch that afternoon.

"Hey, Lady Bug. Have you been a good girl today?" He scooped her up in his arms and received a big hug. "No clogging up toilets?"

"Nuh uh. Been good." She beamed at him.

"What about it, Lil Mama? Has she been good?"

"She's been extra good. Even helped with changing diapers and feeding." CJ was sitting on the swing holding Vinnie as Sheila came out of the house with Mike. Matt leaned down and kissed his wife, then the top of Vinnie's head and then Mike. "So how is the case going?"

"Mmph." The PI shook his head as he sat down in one of the lounge chairs with Catey.

"That good, huh? Think you'll have it wrapped up before Friday?"

"I sure hope so. I've got other things to do this weekend."

"That reminds me – Bo and Lamar said they'll help you practice this evening if you want."

"Think I just might take 'em up on it."

Later on after another hour of practice, Matt put Jasper back into the pasture, took Catey for a ride on Cricket, and then sat on the top rail of the fence smoking a cigar and thinking about the case. The one point that the PI just couldn't get past was that Amos had simply taken Danna at her word that he was her father. Even someone without so much to lose would want to know for sure that they had fathered a child.

He took a long puff on the cigar and looked out at the mountains. Dotty Kennon knew that her husband was drinking again and had removed the bottle from the bus. Danna said that she hadn't been drinking him with him the afternoon that he died, but didn't act like she was surprised that he had been. If both of the women knew that he had been drinking it begged another question: did Clay Madsen know? He hadn't said anything to indicate that he did, and if he and Amos were so close, wouldn't he notice it? Or was he still trying to protect his friend just like Dotty had tried by hiding the bottle?

Sighing, he crushed out the remainder of the cigar and jammed his hands into his pockets as he made his way back up to the house. Someone was lying – that much was obvious. But as to who and why he didn't know.

Thursday morning the PI was making his way into the city when his cell phone rang. "Good mornin'."

"It might be for us, but I don't know about Danna Sutton." Lieutenant Michael Hoyt was sitting behind his desk looking at the report that Cheryl had just sent to him. "She was the person in bed with Amos."

"Whoa."

"The DNA testing also showed that she was not his daughter. But the pregnancy test was hers."

"Ahah, well..." He thought for a minute. "I guess Amos figured it was easier to tell Dotty that she was his daughter instead of his lover. That way his sins would be in the past and he would have an excuse to keep her around."

"So it would seem."

"Mmph. What about the ballistics report?"

"I'm still waiting on it."

"Guess I'll just come over there and skip the office. See you in a little bit."

Once at the station, he stopped by the coffee pot before going into the lieutenant's office and having a seat on the couch, a puzzled look on his face. Michael knew enough about the man to know that he was working through something and just waited. In a moment he learned what it was. "The flask in Amos' boot was engraved "To Amos from D." Which D was it? Dotty or Danna?"

"Since Dotty didn't think he was drinking anymore I would think Danna – unless the flask was from a long time ago."

"But if it was from Danna..." He got up and began pacing. "It would prove that she knew he was drinking. But that still doesn't tell us who shot him."

He plopped back down on the couch and continued to stew over what they had learned about the man and other people on the bus. Although he hadn't interviewed Chris Canton and Wendy Foss himself, the other two backup singers who had been on the bus at the time of the murder, Gabby had said that they had both said that they were in Chris' bunk for most of the afternoon. "I want to talk to Foss and Canton." The PI stood up and popped his back.

"Oh?" The cop leaned back in his chair.

"Uh huh."

"They backed up each other's alibi when interview separately. Canton said they almost got stuck in his bunk." The cop actually giggled, something that didn't happen too often. "And she said they ended up taking a nap – you know – after."

There was a knock at the door and Bob Wisnewski was waved in by the lieutenant. "Oh, good – both of you are here. I just got the testing done on the bullet recovered from Amos Kennon." He handed the file over to Michael and Matt came to stand behind him, reading over his friend's shoulder. "You gotta be kiddin' me." The two exchanged a look.

"I'll arrange for a pick up." Hoyt shook his head, totally blindsided by the news they had just gotten.