CHAPTER 5
The next morning, Dan was still in bed, but everyone else was looking forward to breakfast. They hadn't eaten very much yesterday, but now their appetites had returned. Milford had taken Ray down to the chicken sheds and let him collect some fresh eggs. Ray still wasn't sure if he liked the idea of eggs straight from the chicken, but he went along anyway. The chickens were surprisingly calm, Ray had assumed they would be clucking about, but they mainly just pecked around his feet. I wonder if you saw anything, he thought to himself, addressing the birds.
Gloria was busy in the kitchen cooking breakfast and Fraser took Maria aside. "Have you given any thought to what we were speaking about last night?" he asked her.
Maria shook her head, "I want to talk to Dan first," she said, "he was so tired when he got home and we didn't get a chance."
"I understand," nodded Fraser. "How is Wendy?" He looked over at the baby who was playing happily on the floor.
"She slept for hours," smiled Maria, "thank you so much, I'm definitely going to try that again."
Fraser nodded in acknowledgement. He glanced towards the kitchen. "I'm sure if you spoke to Gloria she would be able to tell you a few stories about nights like that from when Dan was a baby," he said smiling. Ray and Milford came through from the kitchen carrying plates of food and they all sat at the table and ate hungrily. After breakfast, Fraser insisted on helping Gloria with the washing up. There was a knock at the door and Milford got up to open it. "It's Sheriff O'Callaghan," he called out and the others gathered in the living room.
"Is Daniel here?" asked the Sheriff, rather abruptly. Diefenbaker growled and let out a low bark. Fraser glared at him.
"He's asleep," replied Maria, looking puzzled.
"Well I suggest you wake him then," the Sheriff continued, "I need to speak to him."
"He's only been home for a few hours," began Gloria, "surely this can wait until this afternoon."
"Sheriff O'Callaghan..." Fraser started to speak, but was interrupted by the Sheriff.
"Please remind me what this has to do with you, Constable?" she said. Ray took a step forward and started to speak, but Fraser raised a hand to stop him. He glanced over at Maria and she nodded and went upstairs to wake her husband.
"Maybe we should all sit down?" suggested Fraser and they gathered around the table waiting in silence until Dan and Maria returned.
As soon as Dan entered the room, Sheriff O'Callagan spoke. "Mr Buxley," she said, "can you please tell me what you were doing yesterday morning between seven and eight o'clock?"
"I was eating breakfast at my hotel," replied Dan Buxley, "I don't understand?"
"Are there any witnesses who can confirm that?" asked the Sheriff.
"Wait just a minute," began Ray, but Fraser looked at him and shook his head to stop him.
"Yes," said Dan, getting slightly annoyed as he realised what the Sheriff was saying. "Are you suggesting that I had something to do with this?"
"Are you aware of what some people around here have been saying about your wife and Jorge Benitez?" continued the Sheriff.
Maria looked shocked. She was about to speak, but her husband spoke instead. "Some people around here should learn to keep their prejudices to themselves."
Ray couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "You cannot possibly be suggestin' that this man flew all the way home, killed a man, nearly killed another man and then flew all the way back, before flying home again last night? That's just, um, that's just stupid!"
"Of course not, Detective," dismissed Sheriff O'Callaghan, "but I am suggesting that maybe he paid someone else to do it?"
Fraser spoke now. He had only just met Dan Buxley, but he felt sure that this line of questioning had no basis in fact. "I assume you have obtained some evidence that leads you to these accusatory questions?"
"Yes Constable," replied the Sheriff indignantly, "the deceased had fifty thousand dollars in his bank account that had been transferred via an offshore account."
"What has that got to do with my son?" asked Milford.
"Your son, Mr Buxley, has been earning a significant amount of money in the last year or so," the Sheriff explained, "and none of that money appears to be in his account at this time?"
"You searched my bank account?" Dan was shocked.
"I hope ya had a warrant," spat Ray.
"I hope you have an alibi," retorted Sheriff O'Callaghan. Ray physically tensed. "We are simply following all the leads, Detective. So then, where's the money gone?" She looked expectantly at Dan.
Dan took a deep breath and looked at his wife a little awkwardly. "It was meant to be a surprise," he said quietly.
"Dan," began Fraser, "under the circumstances, my advice would be to furnish the Sheriff with the truth."
"I've been saving," he glanced at his parents, "to buy a place of our own." As he said this, Maria looked at him in disbelief. "All the extra money I've earned doing these damn lecture tours I've been putting into a separate account. I'll give you the details, Sheriff and you'll see it's all still there."
"Sheriff O'Callaghan," Fraser spoke again, "if you are under the impression that Dan Buxley paid Jack Stockard oblique-stroke James Travis the sum of fifty thousand dollars to obtain employment with his parents, under false pretences, in order to kill Jorge Benitez with whom he believed his wife was behaving inappropriately, then who exactly are you suggesting killed Mr Travis himself?"
"Well," replied the Sheriff, with an odd smile, "that is the big question, isn't it? Who did kill James Travis?"
Ray sneered, "Sheriff, that is the most important question in a, er, er, a murder investigation, y'know, or am I missin' somethin' here? Maybe ya should be out there investigatin' that, instead of comin' round here accusin' people of stupid things?" Diefenbaker growled in agreement.
The Sheriff got up to leave. "I've got my eye on you," she said pointing a finger at Dan. Gloria was about to speak, but in the end she couldn't quite think of anything to say. Fraser darted to the front door and opened it for the Sheriff who walked out of the house without another word.
As Fraser walked back into the other room, Maria was crying. Dan was trying to comfort her, "I haven't done anything wrong," he said, "this is just a misunderstanding."
"If she really had anythin' on you, she would've just arrested ya," Ray said. Dan nodded.
"Perhaps we should have some tea?" suggested Fraser. "We should be thankful that at least the Sheriff is making some progress in this investigation."
"What progress?" snapped Ray.
"You have to admit Ray, that the discovery of the money in James Travis' bank account must be of some significance," replied Fraser. Ray sneered and reached down to pat Diefenbaker.
As usual, Fraser's tea helped everyone to feel a bit calmer and Ray and Fraser offered to go into town to pick up some groceries for Gloria. She handed Ray a short list, although Ray immediately handed the list to Fraser, who put it in his pocket. Fraser picked up his hat, placed it perfectly on his head and followed Ray out to the GTO. As they left, Dan securely locked the door behind them.
Ray drove into town and parked his car outside the small grocery store. They went in and began selecting the items from Gloria's list. The shopkeeper was staring at them and it made Fraser feel a little uncomfortable. It made Ray feel like kicking someone in the head. They approached the counter and the man began to process and pack their shopping without saying a word. Eventually, he had to speak in order to tell them how much they owed for the shopping. "Twenty nine dollars and twenty five cents," he said coldly. Fraser removed his hat from his head and produced a folded bundle of dollars from it. He handed the money to the man and replaced his hat. He didn't say anything either as he thought that it would be best to avoid any trouble. He desperately hoped Ray was thinking the same.
The man handed Fraser a few coins in change and he replied with a quiet, "Thank you kindly." Ray picked up the two bags of shopping and glanced at Fraser. The atmosphere was really uncomfortable, but he was resisting the urge to say something he might regret. He wasn't entirely sure what the man's problem was, anyway.
Just as they were almost at the door, the shopkeeper called out to them. "You're the two boys who've been staying at the Buxley Farm, aren't you?"
"That is correct," replied Fraser with a nervous glance at Ray.
"Dreadful business," the man continued.
"Indeed," agreed Fraser.
"Well that's what happens, isn't it," the man went on, "I mean when you hire cheap foreign labour."
Ray nearly dropped his bags of shopping. "Jorge Benitez has worked for the Buxley's for ten years!" he exclaimed, angrily. Fraser thought it was no use trying to stop his friend and besides, he completely agreed with Ray's sentiments.
"All I'm saying is this sort of thing was bound to happen sooner or later," the man tried to explain, "what with the way they was carrying on with each other."
This time Fraser spoke up, showing a remarkable amount of restraint, noted Ray. "No one has been carrying on with anyone, sir and besides, the dead man was an American."
"Well, that's as may be," the man sighed, "but I still think you're asking for trouble. I mean, I know young Daniel married one of them, but I don't think they have the same moral standards in countries like that."
"Moral standards?" Ray was working up to a serious head kicking incident.
"That's what I said," said the man, "and now there's more of them. This isn't the big city you know. I went to Detroit once, terrible place, full of all sorts. Folks round here like to maintain certain standards."
Ray was edging closer to the man, but Fraser picked up the shopping and spoke to him. "Come on Ray, we need to get these groceries back to Gloria." He turned towards the door, but then suddenly turned back on his heels. "Wait minute," he said to the shopkeeper, "you say there are more Brazilian citizens in town?"
"Well I don't know if they were Brazilian exactly," replied the man, "I mean they all look the same, those South American types, don't they?" Ray's fists clenched. He could not believe this man's attitude. "There were two more of them in here this morning, buying supplies," the man continued. "They were talking funny, I could barely understand what they were saying?"
"That would be Portuguese, their native language. Portuguese is one of the fastest growing European languages, together with Spanish and it is estimated that by the year 2050, the Portuguese speaking nations will have a combined worldwide population of three hundred and thirty five million people," explained Fraser, still staying calm and desperately trying to distract Ray so that he didn't do any stupid. He was proud of his friend's attitude towards racial discrimination and other bigotry, but he wished Ray would learn that there were better means of educating people in the error of their ways than losing his temper. "Of course that's not really important at this juncture. Come on Dief," he said and he and Diefenbaker turned back towards the door.
"Wait for me," said Ray and ran a couple of steps to catch up with them before they left the shop. He took one of the bags of shopping from Fraser and then, with a glance over his shoulder at the shopkeeper, took Fraser's free hand in his own and entwined their fingers. Fraser's eyes opened wide and although he knew exactly what Ray was trying to do, he couldn't help but freeze to the spot. "C'mon handsome," said Ray with a grin and he didn't need to look back at the shopkeeper again, he could virtually hear the man's jaw dropping. Ray dragged Fraser out of the shop by the hand.
"Ray..." Fraser began, as soon as the door closed behind them, but Ray interrupted them.
"Relax buddy," said Ray, releasing Fraser's hand. "What an asshole!" he said, looking back towards the shop and kicking over the display of newspapers that stood outside.
"I'm inclined to agree with your sentiments," nodded Fraser, "however I don't think that little display was necessary. It only antagonised him further." Fraser began picking up the newspaper stand.
"I know Fraser," grinned Ray, "that's why I did it. I thought I'd give him somethin' else to bother about." Ray put the shopping in the back of the GTO and opened his door to get in.
"Ray," Fraser spoke again, a little awkwardly, "Ray, nothing has, um..."
Ray looked up at Fraser, "changed between us?" he finished Fraser's sentence for him. Fraser nodded. "Sorry Fraser," he grinned again, "I mean, I love ya like a brother, y'know. Don't panic, it was only for that jerk's benefit."
Fraser breathed a huge sigh of relief and began walking around to his side of the car. He opened the door, but before he got in he looked over the car at Ray. "I'm very pleased to hear that Ray," he began and then added, "it would have made things very awkward at work."
Ray looked over at his friend and noticed the smirk Fraser was desperately trying to hide. "I wish you would quit with the jokes buddy," he said, grinning, "it's freaking me out." Fraser let out a small laugh. Ray carried on, "I think I preferred the old 'you' Fraser, y'know' before you decided, er, what did ya say, um, that you were no longer emotionally posessed."
"Repressed, Ray," corrected Fraser, "and anyway, I'm sure I didn't actually say that."
"Oh yes ya did," Ray was still grinning.
"No I didn't," insisted Fraser. Ray shook his head, he really couldn't be bothered to argue. Fraser held the seat back for Diefenbaker to jump in, but the wolf was sniffing at the ground. "What is it Dief," said Fraser as he walked over to him. Dief looked up and barked. Fraser crouched down and began studying the area.
Ray wandered over to see what they were doing. "What've ya found?" he asked.
"Diefenbaker has identified these tyre tracks," explained Fraser, "they are from the blue van, the one with the unbalanced wheels." He began tracing the outline of the tracks with his index finger.
"Fraser, you're not gonna..." Ray began, but it was too late, Fraser picked up a tiny amount of the mud and placed it on his tongue. "Oh jeez Fraser!" exclaimed Ray.
Fraser stood up and faced his partner. "It's silt Ray," he said. Ray pulled his best 'What are you talking about Fraser?' face. "The tyres are caked in silt," Fraser continued, "it may explain why the wheels are so unbalanced." Ray nodded. "The presence of silt would also indicate that this vehicle has recently been in the vicinity of a body of water."
"A body of water?" Ray repeated, not entirely sure what Fraser was saying.
"Yes Ray, like a lake, pond or..." Fraser began, but Ray quickly interrupted him.
"Or a river!" exclaimed Ray.
"Exactly," nodded Fraser, "and we know that the river runs through this town and behind the Buxley's farmland." He dropped to his knees and began studying the tyre tracks again. "This way," he said, standing up and following the tracks across the road. Ray followed. "It looks like the van drove this way," he continued, walking slowly along the road. They walked a short distance before Fraser stopped. He looked back towards the shop where Ray's car was still parked and then the other way down the road that headed out of town.
"What is it buddy?" asked Ray.
"The tracks on the road stop here." Fraser was a little puzzled. "Dief," he addressed his wolf, "can you pick up the trail?" Diefenbaker barked and ran off towards the trees to the side of the road. Fraser and Ray followed. "Good boy Dief," smiled Fraser, "look Ray." He pointed to some broken branches on one of the trees and then to the ground. Ray looked bemused. Fraser shook his head, his partner's tracking abilities were appalling. "They came through here, Ray."
"I knew that," replied Ray, sounding completely unconvincing.
"Ray, lets get the car," Fraser began, "Dief, can you follow this trail? I'm assuming it leads down to the river, we'll follow the proper road and meet you there." Diefenbaker barked and began heading down through the trees. "Dief," Fraser yelled after him, "be careful!" Fraser watched him go for a second before turning and running after Ray who was already half way back to the GTO.
As they drove along, Fraser had to close his eyes to visualise the map that he'd been reading when they arrived on Friday. He opened his eyes. "It should be just up here on the left," he said to Ray. Ray turned the steering wheel and they followed the winding, narrow road down towards the riverbank.
"So d'ya think these other guys are Maria's brother and step-dad?" Ray asked Fraser.
"That would be pure speculation at this juncture," said Fraser, "but it is certainly a strong possibility Ray."
"So they came back for Maria?" Ray still couldn't quite see the connection between what happened to Maria before she fled her country and someone paying young James Trent a huge amount of money before killing him and almost killing Jorge Benitez.
Fraser remained silent. He too was confused. There must be something I'm not seeing, he thought to himself.
Quite quickly, the road ran out and Ray stopped the car. They could see the water's edge just ahead. "I guess we're on foot from here," he said. Fraser nodded and they got out of the car.
Ray set off and was just about to quicken his pace when Fraser called out to him. "Ray, it's this way." Ray silently turned and began following Fraser in the opposite direction. After a few minutes they saw Diefenbaker running towards them. Fraser bent down to greet the wolf. "Good boy," he said, "what did you find?" Dief turned and headed back in the direction he'd just come from and Fraser and Ray had to pick up the pace to keep up with him. As they turned a corner, suddenly Ray and Fraser stopped dead in their tracks and flung themselves behind a tree. They could see a blue van together with the remains of a camp fire and other signs of recent activity.
Ray drew his gun. "C'mon Fraser," he whispered and set off towards the van, keeping low to the ground.
"Ray," hissed Fraser, who thought maybe they should try to obtain some sort of back up before attempting to confront these dangerous criminals. Although, we don't normally bother to do that, he conceded to himself and quickly followed his partner.
Ray had already got as far as the van. He looked carefully around the other side if it, but couldn't see anyone. Fraser was examining the remnants of the fire. He looked over at Ray. "It's still warm," he whispered, "they may be in the van?" Ray nodded and walked round to the back of the vehicle. Fraser looked at Dief and gave him a signal to be ready to attack. He and Ray put a hand on each of the van's back doors and Fraser held up three fingers. Ray nodded and Fraser used his fingers to count. As soon as he got to three, they flung open the doors. Ray immediately aimed his gun inside, but quickly lowered it again when he realised the vehicle was unoccupied. They both jumped into the van and began looking around. There was a pile of Portuguese language newspapers in the corner and strung across one of the walls of the van was the distinctive yellow and green jersey of the Brazilian national football team.
Dief began sniffing underneath one of the seats. "What ya got Dief?" asked Ray. He got down onto his knees and peered under the seat. He reached out one hand and pulled out a white plastic carrier bag which was heavier than he'd imagined it would be. "Fraser," he called to his partner. Fraser joined him on the floor. Ray opened the bag and looked inside. His eyes widened and carefully Ray lifted out a large, blood stained hammer, wrapping the handle with the bag as he did so to prevent contaminating any potential fingerprints. "I'm guessin' this is what smashed up Jorge's head?" he said to Fraser.
"I agree," said Fraser, "but no sign of either of the knives that were used in the attack."
"Not here," Ray said shaking his head, "I guess the scumbags still have those with them." They got out of the van and continued looking around for any other clues.
"Ray, over here," Fraser was on his knees again. Ray ran over to him. "Footprints," he pointed them out to Ray. "Two sets, it looks like they were running. They're very recent." He stood and turned back towards the remains of the fire. "That fire was only extinguished maybe half an hour ago, so they can't have gone far."
Ray spoke urgently now, "Do ya think they're headin' back to the Buxley farm?"
Fraser thought for a moment, "That's highly likely Ray," he agreed, "come on we need to hurry!" They quickly ran to the car and set off back to the farmhouse.
Ray drove as fast as he could along the road out of town and back to the farm. "Are we gonna be too late?" he asked Fraser.
"I'm sorry Ray," began his partner, "they have had around half an hour's head start. If they were running along the riverbank, following the path to the farm, they may beat us there by between five and ten minutes." Ray put his foot down on the accelerator as far as it would go.