Murder in Calico Gold: A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Part 3

She stood up and lightly touched him on the cheek. "Thanks for coming. I already feel better knowing you're here. See you in the morning."

Mike would never forget what she looked like as she walked away from the table and the feel of her warm soft hand on his cheek. It was the last time he would see her alive.

CHAPTER 12.

Mike got out of bed early the next morning and said, "Kelly, stay where you are. I'll make some coffee and bring it up after I let the dogs out. Rebel's been whining for the last half hour. Think he misses his own home. Don't know about you, but I could get used to sleeping in a four poster bed. Felt like I was floating on a white puffy cloud. Did you sleep okay?"

"Absolutely great. What do you have in mind for today?"

"Coffee and breakfast, in that order. Think I'll go into town and visit the police chief. I want to introduce myself to him, and I'd like to know if he can pick up any fingerprints from those letters."

"Those letters worry me, Mike. Sounds like there are a number of people who could have sent them. I thought I might go into town and see what I can find out. There's always some place that's the local gossip center. Usually it's a restaurant, but from the looks of the one we saw yesterday, it was a little too upscale to cater to the locals."

"Okay. Plan on going into town with me, but right now this man needs coffee. I'll be back in a few minutes with a cup for you."

"That was fast," Kelly said as Mike pushed the bedroom door open with his hip, a cup of steaming coffee in each hand. "Thanks. How's Aunt Agnes this morning?"

"Don't know. She wasn't in the kitchen. She mentioned last night that she goes out to the barn and exercises Missy every morning. When I finish this coffee, I'll go see if I can give her a hand."

"Rather imagine she has her own way of doing things from what I've seen of her. You might just get in the way," Kelly said laughing.

"You're probably right. She's an opinionated strong-willed woman, and like Ralph at the gas station said, kind of a living legend in this town. No one wants to cross her, and everyone's afraid of her."

"That may be so, but from what she told us last night, it sounds like there are a few people who aren't afraid to cross her."

After he finished his coffee, Mike showered and got dressed, "Back in a few. I'm going out to the barn. Lady, Rebel, come."

Kelly finished dressing and walked downstairs to get another cup of coffee. She expected Mike to be seated at the table, reading the paper, as he usually did each morning. There was no sign of him, and she heard Rebel whimpering. The sound came from the direction of the barn. She walked outside and headed towards it. As she approached the barn, she thought she heard someone crying. She hurried to the door and quickly took in the scene in front of her. Mike was holding Aunt Agnes' hand, crying, while Lady, Rebel, and Sam stood next to him, softly whining. She ran over to Mike.

"What's happened? Did she fall? Is she alive? Should I call an ambulance?"

"No, she's dead," Mike said between sobs. "She's been murdered. Someone struck her on the back of the head. I'll never forgive myself for letting her come out here by herself after those threats."

"Mike, you can't blame yourself. She's been coming out here every morning, probably for as long as she's lived on the ranch. You had no way of knowing that someone really meant to do her harm. You stay here, and I'll go in the house and call the police."

She ran to the house and in a shaking voice made the call. A few minutes later she heard the sound of police sirens, and two police cars raced up the lane and pulled to a stop in front of the house. She opened the door and waved them in.

"You must be the wife of Agnes' nephew. She was always talking about him, and she couldn't wait to meet you. I'm Police Chief Robbins. Where is she?"

"In the barn. Mike's with her," she said, tears gathering in her eyes. "He thinks someone hit her on the back of the head and killed her. This is not going to be easy for him. Even though he didn't see her very often, they spoke on the phone almost weekly."

"Murder's never easy for any relative, and unfortunately Agnes had her share of enemies. I'm sure there are a number of people who'd like to see her dead. I called the county coroner. He should be here in a few minutes."

Kelly and Mike spent the rest of morning talking to the police, the coroner, and the people who began to come to the ranch as soon as they heard the news. The police chief and his deputy searched the area for clues, particularly in and around the barn. They had no luck finding the weapon that had been used to murder Aunt Agnes.

Mike walked over to Kelly and said, "Could you talk to the people who are starting to show up at the front door? Just tell them we have no idea what happened other than the fact that she was murdered. I really need to talk to Chief Robbins without anyone around."

"Of course. Take your time. I'm just not sure there's enough room in the refrigerator for all this food everyone's bringing."

"There used to be another one in the garage. I haven't been out there since we got here. Check it out. I'll be back in a few minutes." He and Chief Robbins went into the study which Aunt Agnes had used as an office, and Mike closed the door behind them.

CHAPTER 13.

"Please have a seat, Chief Robbins. There are some things I think you need to know that my aunt told me last night. They may have a bearing on her murder."

"First of all," the chief said, "let me tell you how sorry I am about the loss of your aunt. Agnes was one of my heroes. She never turned away from something difficult, and I can't imagine what this town would be like if she hadn't been so active in trying to keep out the big city money. A few of them were able to get in, but without her leaders.h.i.+p, the town we know today as Calico Gold wouldn't be here. The personality of the town would be gone, and it would be just another tourist trap in California's gold country. She was a remarkable woman, and I'm going to miss her. She spoke of you often and said that although you didn't see each other too much, she regarded you as her son. Rest a.s.sured I'll do everything in my power to find the person who murdered your aunt. Agnes told me you're a county sheriff up in Oregon, so any a.s.sistance you can give me in finding the killer would be a big help."

"Thanks, Chief, I appreciate it. I've decided to stay here for a few days and see what I can do about finding the killer. You can deputize me or just use me however you want, but for now, there's something I want to show you."

He walked over to the desk and took out the letters he had put there after he and Kelly had finished cleaning up the night before. "At dinner last night my aunt told me she had received these letters during the past week. There's no doubt in my mind they represent a threat to her. I was going to go to the police station today and see if you have a fingerprint machine or something that might be able to pick up any prints on them other than my aunt's."

Chief Robbins spent several minutes looking at the letters. "I agree, Mike. These are definitely threatening. Yes, we do have a machine, and I'll see what I can pick up. Tell me about the conversation you had with your aunt."

Mike related what his aunt had told him last night about the people who possibly could have sent the letters to her. "Chief, it seems like quite a coincidence that my aunt would receive three threatening letters, and then she's murdered. I don't believe in coincidences. I think there's a very good chance that the person who sent her those letters is the person who murdered her. Would you agree?"

"In theory, yes. If we could find out who wrote the letters, I believe that would be enough evidence to warrant an arrest, but it doesn't mean that's the person who killed her. In other words, we'd need more evidence than a match between fingerprints. What are you thinking?"

"Once we establish a match, we'd have to find out where that person was at the time of the murder. Of course, there's always the chance that it was a hired killer, particularly if it was the developer. I can't see him getting his hands dirty by becoming directly involved in a homicide. My aunt was rather vague on the developer's ident.i.ty, but Ralph at the gas station might know something."

"I don't think you have to even bother with Ralph. The developer's from San Francisco, and his name is Richard Martin. He specializes in building resorts and golf courses. I always like to know who's planning on doing what in this town in order to keep one step ahead of trouble. Anyway, city hall employees tell me when they get wind that someone is interested in building in Calico Gold.

"This guy has been trying to get a foothold in this area for five years and has been getting much more aggressive of late. You have to admit that the Robertson Ranch would make a spectacular golf course with its hills, the stream, the lake, and the hundreds of old oak trees. He was also nosing around trying to find out if the Robertson House was on some Historical Home Registry. He mentioned that if and when your aunt sold it to him, he was going to modernize the house and make it into a boutique hotel."

"No wonder my aunt was fighting so hard. To see this house made into a hotel would have killed her."

"Well, it might very well have been the reason she was murdered. On a related subject, Mike, I have to ask you something. You told me you were shocked when your aunt told you last night she was going to leave the ranch and the house to you in her Will. Was last night the first time she had ever discussed it with you?"

"Yes. I had no idea she intended to do that. And I know what you're thinking. It would be the same thing I would think if I were in your shoes. Who has the most to gain when someone is murdered? In this case, it would probably be me, but I did not murder my aunt. Number one, I had no idea she was going to will everything to me. Number two, she asked me to come here, and even Ralph mentioned she'd told him that she'd asked me to come, and number three, those letters were postmarked as having been mailed from Calico Gold. I didn't get here until late yesterday, and I have a number of people who will vouch that I was in Cedar Bay until yesterday morning."

"Mike, I believe you, but let me ask you this. Do you have an alibi for the time of the murder?"

"I was with Kelly and the dogs here in the house. Kelly can vouch I was with her until I went to the barn and found my aunt."

"You're a lawman. You know it's not uncommon for a married person to lie in order to protect their spouse. If your cousin is angry that you're going to inherit the ranch, he may try and get back at you by saying that she's covering for you. Better be prepared for that."

"I've never met him, but I sure don't like what I'm hearing. Do you know him?"

"There's not much that goes on in Calico Gold I don't know about. He's not a very friendly sort, kind of a hermit. He's never been in trouble with the law, but there's nothing likable about the guy. Heard through the rumor mill a while ago he was your aunt's nephew, and that she was taking care of him financially. I've seen a couple of his paintings in town. Not my style. They're dark and kind of scary. I don't think he sells very many, but Cindy, the woman who owns the gallery where they're displayed, likes to showcase local artists. She told me once tourists like to buy a painting that's from a local artist when they visit a town."

"All right. I'm prepared to be considered a suspect until I can clear my name, but let me worry about that. I would think you could get a sample of handwriting from the judge in the form of something she's signed. We could have an expert compare the handwriting sample with the writing on the letters and see if there's a match. I can probably get something from Gary when I talk to him. As small as Calico Gold is, I wouldn't think you'd have a handwriting expert here."

"No. If we pick up anything, I'll send it to the Department of Justice in Sacramento. I've got a friend there who a.n.a.lyzes handwriting. They help small towns out with things like that, and it won't be a problem."

He was interrupted by a knock on the door. He opened it and saw that it was Kelly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the minister is here to discuss tomorrow's service. I told him you'd be with him shortly."

"Thanks, sweetheart." Mike turned towards Chief Robbins, "I think that's about it for now. I need to make arrangements for the funeral tomorrow. It's going to be at 2:00 in the afternoon. I'll stop by your office afterwards if I've found out anything."

"Mike, I'll be at the funeral. Your aunt was a great lady, and I want to honor her, as will probably most of the people in town."

CHAPTER 14.

Thirty minutes later, Mike said, "Thank you for coming, Reverend," as he walked with him towards the door. "We'll see you tomorrow, and please tell the women at the church I really appreciate their offer to help with the food here at the house after the funeral."

"Not a problem. Your aunt was pretty special to a lot of people. Oh, by the way, my secretary and another church helper will be coming to the house momentarily to see what they can do to help."

"Again, thanks for everything," Mike said as he closed the door and turned to Kelly.

"Mike, I know it sounds impossible, but maybe you should go upstairs and see if you can get some sleep. The next few days are going to be pretty hectic. By the way, I called Julia and told her about Agnes. Being the good daughter she is, she immediately called me back after she'd talked to Brad, and the two of them, along with the girls, are coming here for a few days to help in any way they can. Couldn't ask for a better daughter or son-in-law. They're driving over from San Francisco and will be here late tonight. The phone has been ringing off the hook, and I could use some help, so I'm really glad they're coming. Between the phone and the people coming to the door bringing food, I'm getting overwhelmed."

"I had a phone call from my aunt's attorney. He's coming over in a few minutes. He wants to talk to me about her Will. You want to sit in on the conversation?"

"I'm going to pa.s.s. We left Cedar Bay so quickly I had to cancel my bi-monthly appointment to have my hair trimmed. I really want to get it done before the funeral. It's looking pretty scraggly, and I'll catch the devil from Julia if I don't. You know how Julia is when it comes to you. She's fiercely protective of anything to do with you since you gave her away at her wedding and also gave the toast that brought tears to everyone's eyes. She'll tell me I have to represent you, and that people will really be scrutinizing me. She's probably right. I thought I'd go into town. I saw a beauty shop when we drove in yesterday, and I noticed they had a sign that said they took walk-ins."

"Okay. I can hold the fort down here. Where are the dogs?"

"Lady and Rebel have befriended Sam. Poor guy, he's been going from room to room looking for your aunt, but a few minutes ago, I noticed that all three of them were asleep. It's a good thing we brought Lady and Rebel. Sam needs a little company."

"Not only for Sam, but for us as well. Don't forget there's a killer on the loose, and he's been on this property. That's why I'm glad we have the dogs with us. You promised me that you'll always carry that gun I gave you. Still have it in your purse?"

"Yes. I'm never without it, but I don't think I'd be the target here. If anyone is a potential target, I think it would be you. You've replaced your aunt as the owner of the ranch, so someone might be after you as well."

"I'm well aware of that. I've got my gun, and you know what a great guard dog Rebel is, so I'm sure we'll be fine."

"So am I, but I really wonder what's going to happen to the Robertson Ranch now. Be willing to bet you're going to be contacted by at least a couple of people today or right after the funeral who want to buy it."

"I'm sure you're right. Kelly, have you thought about what we're going to do with the ranch? I'm having a hard time dealing with all of this. It's totally unexpected. We can't pick up and leave Cedar Bay and live here, but on the other hand I don't want to sell the ranch and see a golf course built on it."

"Want my advice, sheriff? Sit on it for a few days. Too much has happened, and you might regret any decision you make now. There's no hurry. Julia said they could stay a couple of weeks, and I'm sure I can as well. Plus you could probably get some time off from the Sheriff's Department for bereavement leave. Let's see what the next few days bring. Gotta go, the doorbell's ringing."

She returned a few minutes later. "Mike, this is Jim Warren, your aunt's attorney, and the two women from the church have arrived. They're going to take care of the phone and door while I'm gone. I'll be back in an hour or two. I just let the dogs out, so they should be fine while I'm gone." She pulled the door shut behind her as she headed outside towards their car.

"It's nice to meet you, Jim. Thanks for coming out here," Mike said to the silver haired lawyer who wore an open collar s.h.i.+rt with freshly pressed jeans and expensive looking cowboy boots. "I'm usually on the other side of situations like this, the lawman side, so dealing with the aftermath of a murder from a family perspective is quite new to me." He shook Jim's hand. "Please, have a seat. What can I do for you?"

"I don't think there's anything you can do for me but listen." He opened the worn brown leather briefcase he'd been carrying and took out a file. "Your aunt made a Will a few years ago. It specifically names you as the sole beneficiary of the Robertson Ranch and everything else that was your aunt's." He looked over the top of his bifocals at Mike. "Everything else would include Sam, Missy, the barn, and all of her investments, which were not insignificant. I can give you the exact amount as of the date of death in a day or so. The Will also specifically says that no other relative is to inherit any part of the ranch property." He looked up from the Will he was reading.

"I'm not a lawyer," Mike said, "but that sounds to me like she did not want her other nephew, who I just found out about last night, to inherit anything. Would that be right?"

"You're absolutely correct. She told me about her nephew, Daniel Noonan, several years ago. She didn't like him but felt she owed something to him for the way her family had treated his mother. She also told me she'd made a deathbed promise to her sister to watch over him. Agnes mentioned he came to dinner occasionally, but that he'd never made an attempt to be a real nephew to her. Reading between the lines, I gathered he hadn't offered to help her in any way as she was getting older. I'm sure she could have used some help.

"She's been his sole support, and we talked about what would happen to him when she was gone. I agreed with her that if he didn't inherit anything from her, maybe he'd be forced to do something on his own. Although she was a very strong woman in many ways, she had a weak spot when it came to him and his mother. She couldn't bring herself to stop giving him an allowance, which I'd been advising her to do for quite a while.

"Agnes spoke very highly of you. I don't know if you're aware of it, but there is also a provision in the Will for the financial maintenance of the ranch. She loved the Robertson House and this ranch. She told me several people were trying to get her to sell it, but she had no intention of doing so."

"That's pretty much what she told me last night," Mike said. "I've never even met this cousin. It certainly says something about his character given the fact he wanted this house and the property, but he never tried to help my aunt out. I suppose I'll meet him some day, maybe even at the funeral, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like him."

"I've met him a couple of times, and I would have to agree with you. I don't think you're going to like him."

"Well, counselor, what's next?"

"I'm going to court this afternoon and file the necessary paperwork to have you named as the interim person who has the power to sign checks and anything that's necessary to keep the ranch running until everything is legally transferred over to you. Here are a couple of papers I need you to sign," he said, handing a pen and the papers to Mike. "Just write your name where the red "X" marks appear. That's all I need from you. Once they're filed, I'll have Judge Lane sign off on them, and you'll be good to go."

"Jim, I a.s.sume anything I tell you is privileged information since you're an attorney, and I believe now we have an attorney-client relations.h.i.+p. Would I be correct?"

"Yes," he said quizzically. "Why do you ask?"

"Aunt Agnes told me she was supporting a young man who was running against Judge Lane in the upcoming election. Would it be better to get another judge to sign off on these papers?"

"No. We're in a pretty remote area here in Calico Gold, and she's the only judge around these parts. If it will make you feel any better, I'm sure she'll be happy to sign off on them. If the rumors are true, that out of town developers are funding her re-election campaign, the judge and her supporters should be happy there's a chance the property will be sold now that Agnes is deceased."

"In a twisted way, you're probably right," Mike said, standing up. "Again, Jim, thanks for coming out here. You certainly saved me a trip to town, and with everything that needs doing and the decisions that need to be made, I'm kind of tight on time."

"No problem. Happy to do it for Agnes. I'll call you and let you know when the judge signs off on the paperwork. If there's anything you need from me, or if you have any questions, feel free to call me. Here's my card. See you at the funeral."

CHAPTER 15.