Page 29 of Exposure of Murder

“It won’t solve it,” Ethan replied. “But it makes me feel better.” He took another long sip.

Art chuckled. As a retired sheriff who served with Ethan’s father and trained Ethan to become sheriff, he knew everything about Beaver Creek—its people, its secrets and its history. Maybe he’d have some insight into the mess that was consuming Ethan’s life.

“I heard about David Thornton,” Art said. “Any suspects?”

“Yeah, two really strong suspects,” Ethan replied sarcastically. He took a deep breath and told Art about Jane and Tanner.

Art listened attentively, processing the information. “This Goodwin woman—what do you know about her? Her background? Her relationship with Thornton?”

“She moved up here from Boston after the death of her husband,” Ethan replied. “Jane outbid Thornton for the property and claims that he threatened her a couple of times.”

“Why would Thornton want the property?”

“Well, that’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question, isn’t it?” Ethan sighed. Thornton could buy any property he wanted. He knew it had something to do with the baseless claim about his grandfather promising him the land, but that was so many years ago. Unless Thornton harbored a grudge, it made no sense.

“Have you verified Tanner’s alibi?” asked Art. “You live with him.”

Ethan shook his head. “People saw him get into a heated argument in the diner, and they came to blows on the farm. I wasn’t there for either altercation. But I can’t rule anyone out yet.”

“Do you think the murder was planned? Or a crime of opportunity?”

“Don’t know,” Ethan replied, staring into his glass. “But the chains and rocks suggest it was planned. The timing, though, is still up in the air.”

Art ordered a beer, took a swig, wiped the foam from his upper lip, and placed the glass down. “Damn, that’s good. The Beaver Creek Brewery just keeps getting better and better.”

Ethan nodded. He was happy the brewery finally made its way into the various bars around town.

“Have you heard any rumors around town that involve Thornton?” Ethan asked. Art had his finger on the pulse of the community. If anyone knew anything, he heard it.

“Not much. You probably know Thornton was into some shady shit … that nobody can prove.”

“Heard that, but we haven’t been able to tie him to anyone specifically. Rosie and Adam are looking into his finances as we speak.”

Art thought for a minute. “You know, he was seriously involved with Vanessa Crumb until he broke it off and went out with her cousin Annabelle.”

Ethan’s eyebrows lifted in surprise; he didn’t know. He absentmindedly circled the rim of his glass with his finger. How come he hadn’t heard that? Although following the love lives of the townspeople wasn’t tops on his list of things to do. Maybe he’d pay Vanessa a visit. If she felt betrayed, could she have taken matters into her own hands?

“I just thought of something else.” Art tapped the table with his fingers. “If I remember correctly, Vanessa and Jim Jenkins were quite the item before that.”

Oh, for heaven’s sake. Ethan closed, then opened his eyes.

A love triangle? Why not?

People had killed for a lot less. And this was more information than he had when he came in. That added a new layer to the investigation. He contemplated the implications. He’d follow up with this lead after he paid his respects to Maggie Thornton.

Eighteen

Ezra sat in Ethan’s office the following day to report his findings.

“Thornton died from a single gunshot wound penetrating the heart. The wound is consistent with a 9mm bullet. I retrieved a partially deformed bullet and sent it for ballistics analysis, but it is most likely from a Glock 19,” he stated. “The bullet traveled through the body in a downward trajectory, indicating the shooter was probably standing at the time. Thornton was struck first, then shot. Judging from that, the indentation to the back of his head and extensive bleeding, livor mortis suggested he had been lying on a hard surface for several hours before being dumped in the pond.”

Ezra looked up from his report. “I don’t have to tell you that Thornton was dead before being dumped in the pond.”

“How tall would a person need to be to knock a person out?” Ethan’s mind was racing with questions.

“Well, David was six two.” Ezra thought for a moment. “So someone had to be at least six feet if David were standing, less if he was sitting.”

Okay, that potentially eliminated a woman, particularly Jane, who was only five feet two. Also Tanner, who stood at around five feet ten. Potentially being the key word since a shorter person could have hit Thornton while he was bending over or sitting. But the shot to the heart could have come from anyone. Ethan wondered if more than one person was involved in Thornton’s death.

---