09 - Rumor Mill
"Can I help you?" The man behind the counter of the health food store looked to Matt as the customer he had just been helping turned and went out the door.
"I sure hope so. Name's Houston - HCSO." He tapped the badge on his belt.
"Larry Loritz." The two shook hands. "And I bet you're here about Jerome."
"Yes, sir."
"I already talked to one of your guys. Don't think I was much help."
"Maybe you can be now. Do you know if Mr. Stone knew a lady by the name of Lydia Bell?"
"Bell…" He leaned on the counter. "Not that I remember."
"What about a Dr. Paul Bohlmann?"
"Yeah, that's the doctor that worked on Jerome's little boy. He had a heart transplant a few months ago."
"Bet that's it then." Matt nodded. "What did he happen to say about him?"
"Oh, he thought the guy was amazing. Said that Xavier wouldn't have made it another month if it hadn't been for that transplant coming through."
"Mr. Loritz, I sure do appreciate your help. Thanks." He left the store and got back into the Suburban, flipping through his notebook for Zoe Stone's phone number. It was answered after a couple of rings and Matt identified himself and arranged to meet with her at 1:00. After hanging up, he looked at the clock on the dash and decided to get some lunch before heading to Mrs. Stone's mother's house where she and the kids had been staying since the murder of her husband. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed east on FM 1960 for a quarter mile before turning into the lot of a Chinese restaurant. All during his meal he kept looking out the window hoping that he wouldn't see the reporter lurking about. Pocketing the fortune cookies that came with his order, he went back out to the Suburban and headed west on the highway again and then south onto Shay Lane.
He pulled into the drive of a one story brick house in the 19000 block and got out, walking up to the front porch and ringing the bell. The sound of dogs barking greeted him and in a minute the front door was opened by a woman of about sixty with graying hair. After identifying himself to Agnes Everhart she invited him inside. "Let me put these dogs away. Come on, Scooter."
"Don't do it on my account." Matt had already started petting on the German Shepherd that was now leaning against his leg.
"Please come on into the living room. Zoe will be with you in just a minute. She and Xavier are finishing his math lesson."
"Yes, ma'am." He followed her into the room and was instructed to have a seat on the couch. In a flash both the Shepherd and the mouthy Chihuahua were clambering for attention causing him to laugh.
"Are you sure they aren't bothering you?" She took a seat in a nearby chair.
"No, ma'am. I love dogs. Got a half Husky-half Blue Heeler at home."
"That sounds like a beautiful combination."
"She's a good one. Makes a good babysitter." He stood as Zoe Stone entered the room.
"Detective Houston? Please have a seat." She settled into another chair. "I see you've met Scooter and Daisy."
"Yes, ma'am." He smiled down at the pair that wouldn't let him stop petting them. "I hate to bother you, but I think we may be making some headway on your husband's case. Mr. Loritz tells me that your son received a heart transplant recently."
Tears sprang up in her eyes. "Yes, and I saw on the news this morning that Dr. Bohlmann had been murdered."
Matt nodded. "I believe his case and your husband's are related, along with Mrs. Lydia Bell."
"I don't know a...no, wait. Yes, I do! She was one of the ladies who helped us get in touch with Dr. Bohlmann. She's...she's dead?"
"I'm afraid so. She and the doctor both, uh...well, they were found in the same condition as your husband." He was trying to be delicate about the fact that all three had been found with their hearts removed.
"Oh, my God." Zoe began crying in earnest then, and was immediately handed a tissue by her mother who took her hand. "Why on Earth? Who would do…?"
"We've got a lead on someone, a sketch of the man who was seen at the doctor's house. Does he look familiar to you?" Matt unfolded the paper that he removed from his shirt pocket and handed it across to her. "I…" She took a breath and studied the picture. "He looks kind of familiar, but I don't know where I've seen him before."
"Mom?" A boy of about eleven with sandy blonde hair stood in the doorway.
"Xavier, you don't need to be in here." She immediately went to him.
"Are you the detective?" He curiously eyed Matt.
"Uh huh."
"Go on back to your History lesson, sweetie." Zoe was trying to head him back out of the room but he resisted.
"Are you going to find the man that killed my dad?"
"I'm sure trying."
"Good. Because when you do I want you to kill him."
"Xavier! Go on now. Go!" She turned him and pointed him toward the back of the house. "I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize." Matt watched as she took another shuddering breath. He stood. "I'll leave that sketch here with you - maybe it will come to you." Both women walked him to the door and he opened it, but paused, turning back to face the pair. "Don't be too hard on him for what he said. I know exactly how he feels."
"Thank you for your help."
Handing her one of his cards he spoke again. "If y'all need anything - anything at all - don't hesitate to call me." With that he went back out to the SUV and backed out of the driveway, wondering what direction to head next. For lack of anything else to try, he called the lab. Chris Eversong got the call and ran a check for him.
"Houston, it looks like Simmons got some prints at the Bohlmann house last night that didn't belong to the doctor. Not sure who they belong to - they aren't in the system."
"Alright. Thanks." He hung up and started back to the office. The trip down I-69 was uneventful and he pulled into the parking lot on Baker Street, cursing to himself when he saw three news reporters outside along with Tamara Placer. Just as he was about to open the door, his phone rang. "Yes, ma'am?"
"I just got your message." Martinez was pulling into the parking lot herself.
"I don't know how to say this…" Matt took a big breath.
"Just say it."
"Tamara Placer is trying to make out that there's something going on between us."
"She…" Martinez had just pulled into her parking spot and the group of reporters had spied her as had Matt. "Crap."
"I'm in the parking lot, too." He thought quickly. "Look, if we both start in there at the same time…"
"Uh huh."
"I'm kind of at a dead end right now. How about I just go to the ranch?"
"That might be for the best." The sound of someone pecking on the window of her SUV could be heard over the call. "I'll call you later and get the lowdown on us." The last was said with a laugh before she disconnected the call.
Matt put the phone down and waited until the reporters were following her up the steps before he started the engine and left the parking lot. Once safely away, he breathed a sigh of relief. All the way to the ranch he kept looking at the other vehicles and expected to see Placer. He was relieved as he went through the gates and pulled in behind the house.
Madre Rosa was sitting on the back porch snapping beans."You're home early. Did you get to the bottom of your case?"
Matt pulled off the ball cap and set it on the swing next to him and reached over into the bowl, removing a few of the beans and began snapping. "No, ma'am." He finished the handful and reached in for more.
"When you were a boy you didn't much care for this job, hijo." She glanced at him as he continued, not receiving an answer. "What's wrong?" He shook his head. "Don't lie - look at me." Matt quickly looked up at her and then back down at the beans in his hands. "Tell me what you're worried about. Is it the case?"
"No."
"Then what? Is it what you called CJ about earlier?" He nodded. "So tell me what happened."
Disgustedly he replied. "Absolutely nothing - but that doesn't stop that woman from trying to make everybody believe that something has."
"And who is she?"
"Tamara Placer."
"And?" He shook his head. "Tell me, hijo." After a big sigh, he finally told her. "Matt, anyone who knows you will know that there is no way you would ever do such a thing to CJ."
Shrugging, he replied, "I know that, but I also know that it makes the sheriff look bad - and the department." Both snapped the beans in silence for a minute. "She's got a hard enough job without that."
"Can I give you a piece of wisdom?" She watched as he nodded and grabbed another handful of beans. "This Placer woman won't last. I've seen them come and go, and that one just doesn't have what it takes to stay in the spotlight." He shook his head. "Trust me - I'm old." That got a chuckle out of him. "And the most important thing that you need you already have: a wife who knows you would never do what she's accusing you of doing." They continued to snap the beans in silence for a couple more minutes before he spoke.
"Is CJ here?"
"She's at the PH."
Leaning over, he kissed the housekeeper on the cheek. "Thanks. Think I'll ride over and pay her a visit." Putting the cap back on his head, he started down the steps but turned back to her. "And you're not old: you're well-seasoned." He went down the steps and out to the barn. A few minutes later Rosa saw him exit through the back with a horse in tow, then he mounted up and swung out through one of the pastures. A gate had been installed connecting the two properties and he took the mahogany bay down the fenceline, stopping for a minute beside the oak tree where he and CJ had met, just as he always did. The gate was a quarter of a mile further and he leaned over and unfastened the chain, then closed and secured it before riding up toward the renovated barn and house. She was standing in front of one of the farm trucks with blueprints rolled out on the hood talking to Ben and Scott. He opened the gate from the pasture and as he leaned to fasten the chain back in place, she spied him, a large smile spreading across her face.
"Hey, Cowboy! You're home early."
"Uh huh." He swung down from the saddle and gave her a peck on the cheek. "So what are y'all up to?"
"Just showing Scott the final plans."
Matt leaned over and looked at them. "Looks good. I hope Errol is spinning in his grave." The comment made the others crack up. "He could have done a lot with this place if he'd gotten off his ass." They talked on for a while and then she rolled up the plans and put them back in the tube. "Feel like goin' for a ride down by the river?"
"I guess. But I'll have to come back for the truck."
Scott spoke up quickly. "Not if I drive it back you won't."
"Well, alright then. Thanks." She waited as Matt mounted the horse, removed his left foot from the stirrup, and then held out a hand to help her climb on. "See y'all later." The pair went back through the gate and slowly rode toward the river.
"Did you get the case wrapped up?"
"Nope." He didn't say anything else and felt her arms tighten around his waist a little as she rested her head on his back.
"So why are you home so early?" She waited and after a brief pause he told her about his conversation with Martinez that afternoon and her response to the allegations. After a good laugh she hugged him. "I really do like her. She doesn't get rattled easily." He didn't have much to say. "But I can tell it's really bothering you."
"I just…" He shook his head. "I don't understand why she's after me."
"Well, it's obvious: you broke her heart!"
"Cute."
"Really, hon, think about it: you're a good target. Rich, handsome - devastatingly handsome…" She saw him shake his head again. "You've led an exciting life, are somewhat famous, have a history with a lot of women…"
"Bingo. That's why I wish she would leave me the hell alone. That was...it was in the past. Those days are over."
"And anybody who matters knows that, hon."
"But it isn't just me that it affects, Babe. It affects Martinez and the department."
"Honestly, if that's the most Francine has to worry about she's in great shape. From what you told me it doesn't seem to be bothering her at all." He grunted in reply and turned the horse south along the riverbank. "So is that why you came to see me?"
He was quiet for a minute. "Yeah."
"So you didn't just come to sweep me off my feet and take me for a ride down by the secluded river and…" She left the last part unsaid as he began to chuckle.
"That's just a bonus."
