Page 68 of Gem Warfare

Chapter Fifteen

I dropped Lily off at the bar so she could get her car and pick up Poppy from daycare, then I headed over to my parents’ street. Not that I was planning on visiting them but I’d had a missed call from the Dugans and a voicemail saying they had returned home and I could either drop by or call them when it was convenient.

Speaking to them directly would give me an opportunity to gauge their reaction to the case’s developments. I expected to see only relief, and maybe some curiosity about the identification and the jewels. Both would be natural reactions.

Instead of pulling up at my mom’s and walking to the end house, I took the approach from the other end of the street and pulled around the corner, out of sight.

The fence had been partially filled in with wood panels, held in place with twine. Only small fragments of yellow tape pinned to the right panel indicated crime scene tape had been tacked there recently. Someone had gone to great pains to try and remove any evidence of it and it was understandable why. The sooner the neighborhood forgot about the body buried in the yard, the better. Soft scrapes sounding from the other side suggested someone was at work.

A car was in the driveway so I headed up the path and knocked. Footsteps sounded from the other side of the door and there was a long pause where I felt I was probably being scrutinized through the peephole.

Carrie Dugan opened the door, wearing an apron and drying her hands.

“Thanks for coming by,” she said. “Pete and I are eager to hear what the news is. I’m hoping you have something to tell us?”

“I do,” I said.

“Come into the kitchen. I was in a baking mood and needed to keep my mind off worrying. Melissa is at Pete’s mom’s and Pete’s outside tackling the yard. He’s grimly determined to make it look as different as possible.”

“That’s understandable.”

“Excuse the mess. We’re still unpacking,” she said as I followed her into a light and airy kitchen that overlooked the rear yard. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Juice?”

“I’m okay, thanks.”

“Then I’ll call Pete.” Carrie hurried off, leaving me alone in the kitchen. The interior renovation looked almost complete with the kitchen and dining room one big room. A sofa was against one wall with a large rug and a wicker basket of toys. A tray with an artfully arranged posy and glossy hardback books had been set on the coffee table. Several boxes were stacked against the wall. Over on the kitchen island, mixing bowls and utensils were paired with a large recipe book held open on a clear stand. The oven made a soft hum.

“Hi there,” said Pete. He wore faded jeans, the knees rubbed with dirt, and socked feet. “Carrie and I are eager to know how it’s going. Do you know who the dead guy is yet? I called Lieutenant Graves but he wasn’t available.”

“We do. The ME was able to confirm him as a Charles Black.” I watched them for any reaction but there wasn’t a spark of recognition.

“I don’t know anyone by that name,” said Pete. “Do you, honey?”

“No.”

“He was a former rental occupant of the house. At the time, he was going by the name, Joe Smithson.”

Carrie looked at Pete and he shrugged. “That name isn’t familiar to us either.”

“I think it’s just a coincidence that you bought the housetwenty years after he lived here.”

“And was killed here,” said Carrie with a shudder.

“We don’t know he was killed here for certain, but it’s likely he was.”

“How awful!” She pulled a chair out from the kitchen island and sat, letting out a breath before rubbing her pregnant belly.

“What about the jewels?” asked Pete. “Has anyone claimed them?”

“We haven’t been able to track down anyone close to the deceased yet. I was with Lieutenant Graves when the jewels were appraised and some additional checks need to be made,” I said, purposefully vague.

“What kind of checks?” asked Carrie. “Are they very valuable?”

“Yes,” I said, “it looks that way but until we can be sure of the provenance, and their ownership, it’s unlikely the police will release them. The good news is: you’re both absolutely in the clear. The police aren’t interested in either of you as suspects.”

“That’s certainly good to hear,” said Carrie. “I guess that wraps up the case? I suppose we were a little hasty in hiring you but I’m glad we did. Is there any paperwork we need to fill in?”

“No. I’ll send you a report and your check covers the fee. There might be a small reimbursement but I’ll confirm that with the remittance slip I’ll include.”

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