Love and Suspicion Read online

  “I’m listening.”

  “I saw who took the baby. I never told because I was too scared.”

  “Who scared you?”

  “I don’t know who he was, but he had a gun.”

  “So you didn’t see his face?”

  “No, it was dark and I was only ten at the time.”

  “I see. How do you know he took the baby?”

  “I heard it cry.” She abruptly covered her face with her hands. “It couldn’t have been any other baby – baby Tiffany was the only one missing the next morning.”

  “Can you remember where you were at the time?”

  She took her hands away from her face and looked up. “How could I forget? I wanted some candy, you see. I had a little money so I crawled out my bedroom window and walked to the store. It was real late at night and Dad would have killed me if he knew. I’d just come out of the store when I heard a baby crying and went to look in a car window.” Sam paused just long enough to breathe.” That’s when he came up behind me and put the gun in front of my face. He told me to run and not look back. I tell you, I dropped my candy, ran like the wind all four blocks home, and nearly dove back through the window. That night I cried in my sleep. Mother came and I told her it was just a bad dream. The next morning, I thought it was just a bad dream until I went back and found my bag of candy. Then I knew.”

  “Anything else you can remember?”

  “No, that’s all.”

  “You’ve been very helpful, Sam.”

  “How so. It was dark, I didn’t get a good look at the car, and didn’t even notice what color it was.”

  “Well, now we know it was a man and not a woman who kidnapped the baby.”

  Sam caught her breath. “You’re right. I’m certain it was a man.”

  “You didn’t recognize his voice?”

  “No, like I said, I was only ten.” She took a moment to gather her thoughts and then stood up. “I am so relieved to have finally said something. All these years.”

  “Sam, if you think of anything else, will you call me?”

  “Sure, but there isn’t anything else.” She ignored the card he tried to give her, walked back to her car, got in, and left.

  THAT NIGHT, ROD WAS the last to arrive at Nancy’s house. He presented her with a bottle of wine and then went inside to greet Willie, and Tiffany. A bowl full of fresh cut lilacs made the room smell sweet and an array of finger foods and dips were already set out on a second small table. This time, Willie was far more interested in the chips than in Rod. Nancy smiled and finally nodded to her son, who was all too happy to grabbed a handful of chips.

  “Gin Rummy or Monopoly?” Nancy asked.

  “Monopoly?” Rod asked. “I haven’t played that in years.”

  “I hear you can make a lot of money playing that game,” said Tiffany.

  “I’ve heard that too. Where’s Ben?” Rod asked.

  “On the back porch trying to figure out what’s wrong with the freezer.”

  “Come on, Willie,” said Rod, “we better go help him.” The delighted child grabbed another chip, beat Rod to the back door, and opened it. Ben already had the cover plate over the motor removed and was shining a flashlight into the small space “There it is,” said Ben. He tried to wedge his hand inside the small space, but it was too big. “It’s just a screw that fell out. Willie, go ask your mom if she has some tongs.”

  “Thongs?” he heard a shocked Nancy ask from the kitchen.

  “Tongs!” Ben shouted. “Tongs!”

  “Oh, that’s way different.” Nancy reached in a kitchen drawer, pulled her tongs out and gave them to Willie. Next, she went to a cupboard, got the monopoly set, and took it to the table. “How do you like Iowa so far?” she asked Tiffany.

  “I’m becoming more and more fond of it every day.” Tiffany answered.

  “I hear you’re from Rhode Island. I’ve barely been out of Iowa.”

  “I can see why, it’s beautiful here.”

  “You don’t like Rhode Island?”

  “I do, but the winters are brutal sometimes.” As soon as Nancy opened the box and laid the board on the table, Tiffany began to sort the play money. “I know absolutely nothing about farming. Are you happy here?”

  “I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I love watching things grow and discover something new every day.”

  “You don’t have animals? I thought all farms had chickens, cats, and dogs.”

  Nancy lowered her voice, “Don’t tell Willie that.” Just as she set the cards and dice on the board, the men came back in. “Fixed?” she asked Ben.

  “Just a loose bolt.” He went to the kitchen sink and washed up before he joined the rest of them at the table. Willie, on the other hand, headed right back to the snacks.

  The game turned out to be great fun, with each player trying to buy up as much property as possible and charge rent. Their discussions turned from fixing things, to working the farm, and to a little boy who would soon fall asleep on the sofa, before Nancy said, “Crazy Eddie came by today. He’s taken some some beautiful pictures of you and couldn’t wait to show them off.”

  “Of me?” a surprised Tiffany asked.

  “You didn’t tell her?” Nancy asked Ben.

  “It never came up,” Ben answered.

  “Tell me what?” Tiffany asked.

  “Well,” Nancy began, “on the nights Crazy Eddie’s ex-wife won’t let him in the house, he parks his truck in one of his hiding places, watches people and takes pictures. He’s been taking pictures for years.”

  “You mean he’s the one who puts videos on the internet?” Tiffany asked.

  “He’s the one,” Ben answered.

  Nancy smiled at Rod. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but Eddie caught Wayne sleeping on the job one night. Eddie revved the engine of his truck and nearly sideswiped Wayne’s cruiser. When Eddie doubled back, he said the deputy was so scared, he had to take a walk into a cornfield to relieve himself.”

  Even Rod laughed. “I bet that was the last time Wayne fell asleep on the job.”

  “At least not where Eddie could see him,” Nancy answered.

  “For years Eddie used an old camera and had a darkroom where he developed the film,” Ben explained. “His darkroom was one of the reasons his wife left him. He wouldn’t let her see some of the pictures, she assumed they were of other women, and didn’t believe him when he denied it. He didn’t give in though. Those are his prize pictures and no one is going to see them until after he dies, not even her.”

  “That was before cellphones,” Nancy added. “Eddie had one of the first cellphones on the market, and calls the guys who put cameras on them geniuses. It’s made his hobby easier and a lot less expensive.”

  Tiffany scoffed, “Like he needs to care about spending money.”

  In unison, both Nancy and Ben said, “That’s why they call him Crazy Eddie.” Their laughter filled the room.

  “How long has he been taking pictures?” Rod asked.

  “As long as I’ve known him,” Ben answered, “and that’s my whole life.”

  “I have yet to meet him. How old is he?” Rod asked.

  Tiffany touched the back of Ben’s hand. “Careful, I believe Rod has suddenly changed from the regular guy to the cop.”

  “I just wondered if Crazy Eddie was taking pictures around the time of the kidnapping? It might be a great help...”

  “You could ask him,” Ben suggested.

  “If I can catch him,” Rod admitted. “What kind of engine did you put in that truck, anyway? Millie says not to even try to catch him in a cruiser. There’s no point.”

  “If I told, the sheriff would have me soup up all the cop cars in town. Besides, Eddie wouldn’t hurt a fly. If you want me to, I’ll ask him if he has any pictures from around that time. Anyone special you’re looking for?”

  “Yes, a man by the name of Charles Hadley. Mariam said he visited Shelley Woodbury before the kidnapping.”

  �
�I’ll ask him,” said Ben.

  “I appreciate that.” Rod said. “By the way, do you know a man by the name of Levi Coaster?”

  “I do,” Nancy said. “He’s my uncle.”

  “Then you know where I can find him?”

  “Yes, his daughter couldn’t take care of him any longer and put him in the Blue Falls Nursing Home a couple of years ago.”

  “Is he still alert enough to talk to me?”

  “His limitations are mostly physical, but his mind is sound – that is if you can keep him awake.”

  Rod chuckled. “Thanks.”

  Annoyed, Tiffany tapped Rod on the shoulder, “It’s been your turn for about an hour now.”

  “Oh, sorry.” He grabbed the dice and tossed them. “Ah ha, Boardwalk is mine at last.”

  “He cheats,” Nancy moans.

  “Yes he does,” Tiffany agreed. “He reminds me of Tanner Hyde.”

  “Oh boy, here we go,” Ben mumbled.

  “You love my stories,” Tiffany said, “You know you do.”

  “True, but do they all have to be your ex-boyfriends?”

  “Not this one,” Tiffany answered. “Tanner Hyde lived right next door.”

  “Very well, go on,” Ben said.

  “Well, he was only fifteen when they moved in and...”

  “How old were you?” Ben asked.

  “Fourteen.”

  Ben scoffed, “And he didn’t eventually become a boyfriend?”

  “No he didn’t.” she paused. “Come to think of it, I did like him for a day or two, but it was just a passing fancy.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Ben said as he rolled the dice and moaned when he landed on Rod’s Boardwalk.

  “Who’s telling this story me or you?” Tiffany asked.

  Ben rolled his eyes. “Pardon me.”

  “Who was Tanner Hyde?” Nancy asked.

  “Well, Tanner Hyde had a one track mind. He loved boats of all shapes and sizes and could not think of anything else. He built models, he went to the docks to watch the ships come in as often as he could, and once, he even drug me along with him.” Tiffany abruptly ended her story.

  “And?” Rod asked.

  “Well, you’re obsessed with your profession the way he loved ships, but you’re not like the rest of the story at all, so I thought...”

  “Please continue,” Rod insisted.

  “There’s not a lot to tell. Tanner Hyde was awkward, careless, and willing to take more chances than he should. Twice he nearly drowned when he discovered he couldn’t jump as far as he thought, and missed when he tried jumping from boat to boat tied to the dock. Then know what?”

  All three of the others asked in unison, “What?”

  “When he finally got on a boat that took him out to sea, he discovered he had seasickness of the worst kind, and ended up staying in bed for days and days. There was something wrong with his inner ears, they said.”

  “That’s too bad,” said Nancy.

  “It would have been, but these days they’ve got drugs for that. The last I heard of Tanner Hyde, he was in the Navy intending to become a Lieutenant Commander someday.” Tiffany stared at Rod. “I suppose if you become sheriff someday, you and Tanner Hyde will have success in common too.”

  “I’m not sure I want to be a sheriff. The pay is better, but Otis sits in an office all day. I would rather be helping people.”

  FOR THE REST OF THE evening, a good time was had by all, and after Ben and Tiffany left, Rod gently picked a sleeping Willie up off the sofa and followed Nancy into his small bedroom. Willie had plenty of toys, which Rod suspected came mostly from Millie and her dad. He waited while Nancy dressed her son in pajamas, pulled the covers up, and then turned out the light.

  “He’s a tired little boy,” said Rod.

  “We haven’t done much entertaining lately and he was so excited.” She led the way back to the living room, began to gather what was left of the food, and take it to the kitchen.

  “Nancy,” he said as he picked up a platter. “You look tired too.”

  “Do I?” She smiled. “Don’t tell Millie, she likes to fuss over me too much as it is. Are you going to see my uncle tomorrow?”

  “If I can get away.”

  “Give him my love, will you?”

  She seemed to be saying goodbye, and he got the hint. “I better let you get some rest. Call me if you need anything, ok?”

  She left the kitchen and walked him to the door. “Or if I just want to talk?”

  He smiled, “Even better.” To his surprised, she went into his arms and hugged him. He held her for as long as he dared and then lightly kissed her on the cheek. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.” She laughed when he started to tip a hat he forgot he wasn’t wearing. Nancy watched him get in his car and then as he drove up the lane. “Millie is right, he is a good man,” she whispered.

  LEVI COASTER JUST HAPPENED to be the second name Millie’s dad had written on the napkin, and after Rod drove his usual route, he headed for the Blue Falls Nursing home. From the outside of the two-story brick building, he estimated they had less than thirty beds available for the elderly and frail. He wasn’t surprised when the sign on the door noted they were not accepting any new patients. When he entered, he expected it to smell more like a hospital, but the faint odor of pine-scented cleaner greeted him instead.

  “May I help you, Deputy?” the young woman at the desk asked.

  Rod respectfully removed his hat. “I would like to speak to Levi Coaster if he is available.”

  “They just took him into dinner. Follow me.” She got up, led the way down the hall, and then opened a door. Inside were several round tables that seated four patients each, most of whom were in wheelchairs. “Will you be staying for dinner?” She asked. “We’re having our favorite rigatoni and French bread tonight.”

  “No, but thank you for the offer.”

  She led him around two of the tables, put her hand on an older gentleman’s shoulder, and woke him up. “Levi, the deputy would like to talk to you.”

  “Arrest me, please!” said Levi. “They try to poison us here, you know.”

  “Oh, Levi,” she purred. “We’d make no money at all if we killed everybody off.”

  Levi winked at the woman, who promptly left the room. “Nancy said you’d be coming by.”

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner,” Rod said. “I could come back later.”

  “No need, I can talk and eat at the same time.”

  The elderly woman next to Levi was having trouble opening a small packet of crackers to put in her soup, so she handed it to Levi. His hands didn’t work well enough either, so he handed it to the woman sitting on the opposite side of him. She managed to get the package open, but instead of passing the crackers back, she dumped them into her own bowl of soup.

  “Gretchen, those were for Myra,” Levi scolded.

  “Well, why didn’t you say so?” Gretchen shot back.

  Rod struggled to keep from laughing while the others at the table roared – all but Myra.

  “Don’t worry about Myra,” Levi said, “she’ll forget soon enough – they all will. Pull up a chair, Deputy.”

  Behind him, Rod found an empty chair, turned it around and sat down. “What can you tell me about the night of the kidnapping?” He was too late. Levi had fallen asleep again. “Mr. Coaster?”

  Apparently, Myrna was still not happy about her lack of crackers, so she swatted Levi’s arm. “Wake up, old man. You’ve got company!”

  “Oh,” said Levi. “Where was I?”

  “You were about to tell me what happened the night of the kidnapping.”

  “That’s right. We lived across the street, you know, and I heard Mrs. Woodbury scream. Thing is, I’d seen her standing in front of the baby’s window looking out just a few minutes earlier.”

  “Could you tell what she was looking at?”

  “No, Sir, I didn’t see anything at all on the street. I figure
she was making sure whoever took the baby had gotten away clean.”

  “I see. Do you remember what time that was?”

  “Sure I do. It was 1:50 a.m. I remember because I could hear the train coming and I knew the schedule. It was right on time.”

  “Why were you awake that late?”

  “I worked nights, so on my days off I didn’t bother changing my sleeping hours.”

  “I see. Why didn’t you tell the sheriff what you saw?”

  “You mean he doesn’t know? I told half the town when it happened.”

  “There’s nothing in his file about it,” Rod answered. “In fact, I don’t recall seeing your name.”

  Levi wrinkled his brow. “I’m sure I told the cop that came to talk to me the next day, what was his name? I remember now, it was that city cop, Dan Shaw, yes that was his name. He died, oh, about a month later. It was a hit and run outside of town and Otis never did find the car that hit him. Of course, Otis had his hands full trying to solve the kidnapping case.”

  “Anything else you can remember?”

  “No, that’s all,” Levi said and then promptly fell asleep.

  Rod quietly put his chair back and left. In his cruiser, he crossed Levi’s name off the napkin. What Levi saw confirmed what Rod thought all along – Shelley waited to scream until after her accomplice had time to get away. It was unfortunate, though, that Otis was never told what Levi saw. If he had, he would have been a lot harsher on Shelley during the questioning, and she might have cracked and confessed. Too late now. Way too late now.

  THAT EVENING, ROD HELPED Victor wash graffiti off the outside walls of the middle school, and then tried once more to find the stray dog. At least the dog found the food Rod left for it the day before, but the dog was still too wary of him to catch.

  At home, he returned to reading more of the Woodbury file. He’d been thinking about Jason Woodbury all day. While he couldn’t imagine why Earl’s younger son would take part in the kidnapping, Emma, the woman in the restaurant was positive she had seen him. There wasn’t much in the files about Jason either. Apparently, Jason’s college professor in Atlanta produced an exam Jason had taken that afternoon, making it impossible for him to be in Iowa before 2:00 the next morning.