Walk the Wire Read online

  “Brother-in-law? So you knew he was here, then?”

  “No, it was a surprise. He’s a big guy, almost as big as me. Reddish hair, with the same color beard. Rugged in appearance. Ring any bells now?”

  Kelly smiled. “Hell, you just described half the guys here, Decker.”

  “Yeah, I guess so,” said Decker absently.

  Jamison said, “We didn’t find any note or letter at Cramer’s apartment. She might have taken it with her, or she might have destroyed it.”

  “At least it shows she was concerned about something,” said Decker. “And it might also account for the air of resignation Susan Ames alluded to.”

  “What can you tell us about Caroline Dawson?” asked Jamison suddenly as she glanced briefly at Decker.

  “Caroline?” said Kelly. “Why? Did you meet her?”

  “Just for a minute. She’s apparently dating Decker’s brother-in-law.”

  Kelly looked at her oddly. “Really? Okay. Well, she’s Hugh Dawson’s only child. Well, his only living child.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Jamison.

  “There was a brother, Hugh Jr. He was older than Caroline.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “He, uh, he killed himself. This was a number of years ago.”

  “My God. Do you know why?”

  “His father and him didn’t see eye to eye on some things and it just got out of hand. I guess depression set in and that . . . was that.”

  “Care to elaborate?” asked Decker.

  “Not really, no. I don’t like telling stories out of school, and it has nothing to do with the case.”

  “And Dawson’s wife?”

  “She died a few years ago. In an accident.”

  “Caroline mentioned being involved in her father’s businesses,” said Jamison.

  He nodded. “Hugh’s training her to take over one day. She’s really smart. Went to college out of state. And then came back here to begin her ‘apprenticeship.’ ”

  “She seemed more of a party girl when we met her,” noted Jamison.

  “She works hard and she’s ambitious. She was a right little hellion in her teens. But she knows she has the golden egg in front of her and she’s not about to screw that up. Then again, Hugh’s only sixty and in good health, far as I know. He won’t be retiring anytime soon.”

  “It sounds like you know her well,” observed Decker.

  Kelly looked thoughtful. “We grew up together, were pretty close all the way through high school. But I don’t think anyone really knows Caroline. She can be fun on the outside, but most never get to see her inner core. At least that’s my observation.”

  “And her father?” asked Jamison.

  “Hugh Dawson is a big, gregarious man who likes to come across as just a regular guy despite his wealth. He’ll make you laugh. But if you cross him he’ll make you cry instead. Not a man you want to get on the wrong side of.”

  “So what’s the deal with this military complex?” interjected Decker. “Who works there?”

  “It used to be a mix of folks. Military and contractors. But a year or so ago the military outsourced all the operations to a contractor. They have their own fire station, bowling alley, and even a bar. An Air Force colonel still commands the installation—Mark Sumter.”

  “Ever had any problems over there?”

  “Nothing serious.”

  “You know this Sumter guy?”

  “Yeah. He’s been here about a year. But why all the questions about that place?”

  “Woman gets butchered and there’s a sensitive government facility nearby? It’s at least worth a look.” He glanced at Jamison, who said, “And it might explain why the FBI got called in.”

  “And Cramer came here about a year ago, too, same as this Colonel Sumter,” added Decker.

  Kelly nodded slowly. “Okay, yeah, I can see that. Maybe.”

  “So maybe you can arrange an interview and visit,” said Decker.

  “I’ll make a call, sure.”

  They dropped Kelly off, and Decker and Jamison returned to their hotel. As they walked in, Decker’s phone buzzed. He looked spooked as he stared at the screen.

  “Who is it?” asked Jamison, noting his expression. “Bogart?”

  “No, it’s my sister, Renee.”

  When Decker made no move to answer the call Jamison said, “Well? You wanted to talk to her. Here’s your chance.”

  Decker moved over to a corner of the room and put the phone to his ear. “Hey, Renee.”

  “Stan called me, Amos.”

  “Yeah, I figured. Look, he told me about . . . you two.”

  “We’re getting divorced. We’re not terminally ill. So don’t sound so morbid. It’s not the end of the world. And it’s not like you kept in touch. You’ve never even visited me here.”

  “Well, it’s a long way.”

  “And it was a long way every time I came to visit you. But I didn’t call to argue.”

  “Why did you call then?”

  “I wanted to just let you know that despite Stan and I going our separate ways, we’re doing okay. The kids understand. They’re fine with it.”

  “Why didn’t you call and tell me?”

  “I left two messages for you. And what would you have done? I figured that you’d find out at some point. Diane knows, of course. She’s already been down to see me.”

  “Stan said you tried to work it out.”

  “And I imagine you think we didn’t try hard enough. But we did, Amos. We just couldn’t make it work. I’m not getting any younger and I’ve got two kids still at home, and one in college. And Danny just graduated from college and he’s moving back here. I didn’t have time for endless counseling when it became clear it was going nowhere.”

  “Are you going to be okay financially?”

  “Stan makes good money, and he’s helping with all of the kids’ expenses. And we had college funds set up. And I’ve got a good job that pays well and has excellent health benefits.”

  “So what happened? You both seemed so happy.”

  “How would you know? I haven’t seen you since the funerals. And if you call more than once a year, well, you called the wrong number. I almost had a heart attack when you picked up just now.”

  “I . . . I guess I have been sort of AWOL lately.”

  “I invited you to live with us after Cassie and Molly died. When you turned that down, I offered to move the whole family to Ohio to be close to you.”

  “I couldn’t let you do that, Renee. That would have disrupted all of your lives.”

  “I would’ve done it in a heartbeat. You are my only brother, after all.”

  “I got through it. I’m okay.”

  “I know you found the person who did it, though you never talked to me about it. I read it in the newspaper,” she added in a hurt tone.

  “Yeah, well, it’s not something I really wanted to talk about.”

  “But it must’ve offered you some closure.”

  “Not as much as you might think.”

  She didn’t say anything for a long moment. “So how was Stan?”

  “He looked okay. He . . . when I saw him, he . . .” Decker could not bring himself to tell her.

  “It’s okay, Amos. I know he’s seeing someone. It’s okay. We are divorcing.”

  Relieved, he said, “So are you seeing anyone?”

  “Yeah, my four kids. Motherhood is sort of a full-time gig. But once I have some time getting to know myself again, and actually taking care of some of my needs, I intend to find some companionship. Don’t know if I’ll ever take the plunge again. How about you?”

  “How about me what?”

  “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “I keep pretty busy, too. Look, I gotta go. Something’s come up.”

  “Good talking to you, little brother,” said Renee sarcastically.

  Decker clicked off and rejoined Jamison.

  “How’d it go?” she asked anxious
ly.

  Decker started to say something but then shut his mouth, turned, and walked off.

  Jamison watched him go and then said under her breath, “That good, huh?”

  DECKER AND JAMISON GRABBED an early dinner at the hotel.

  “I checked the weather outside. It’s down to eighty-one with a thousand percent humidity. Winter is clearly upon us,” added Jamison, attempting a smile.

  Decker put down his menu. “It’s like Mark Twain said, everybody complains about the weather, but no one ever does a damn thing about it.”

  After the waitress took their orders and departed Jamison said, “So why don’t you tell me how it went with your sister?” She gave him a look. “If you remember, you just walked off without a word.”

  Decker sighed. “She said she’s doing fine financially. Her focus is on the kids and she said they’re handling it okay. When things slow down a bit she’s going to concentrate on her own well-being.”

  “Well, that’s smart. And Stan?”

  “She said it was amicable and he’s been very supportive.”

  “I guess not all divorces are that easy. So, good for them.”

  Decker said, “Did you ever consider getting married again?”

  “If you can believe it, I never ran into Mr. Right, which includes my ex-husband.”

  “I’m sure you had suitors.”

  “How very old-fashioned of you. I had men who were pursuing me, yes. What they were pursuing me for, well, I don’t think it was marriage.”

  Decker held up a hand. “Okay, sorry I asked.”

  “I speak my mind. I’m independent. And some guys find that a turn-off.” She paused. “Although I seem to have no problem playing second fiddle to you.”

  Decker looked surprised at her statement. “I wouldn’t describe it that way. I rub people the wrong way. Sometimes that works, other times not. You’re good at rebalancing things.”

  “So we make a good team, you think?”

  He seemed startled by the query. “Yes. Don’t you?”

  She patted his hand. “Don’t worry, I’m not looking to get a new partner. I’m just now breaking you in.”

  “Can anybody join the party or is it totally private?”

  They looked up to see Caroline Dawson standing next to their table. She was dressed far more conservatively than the last time they had seen her. A modest white blouse buttoned to her neck, black slacks, low pumps, and her hair pulled back. Her makeup was minimal but her personality was as effervescent as the first time they had met.

  Jamison indicated a seat. “Help yourself. We’re just grabbing a quick bite.”

  Dawson sat down. “Stan told me about you, Decker. Said you’re a crackerjack detective, the FBI’s finest.”

  “Did he?” said Decker, not looking pleased.

  “And here I was asking you to go clubbing. I’m really sorry about that.”

  “You had no way of knowing why we were here,” interjected Jamison.

  She glanced at Jamison. “He didn’t really know you, but if you’re an FBI agent, you must be great, too. And I love it that they have women in the ranks doing the job and not just guys.”

  “I agree with you there,” replied Jamison.

  “Well, it’s nice that tiny London, North Dakota, gets so much firepower. You should finish solving it in no time. Stan said it was a murder?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Irene Cramer?”

  “How’d you know that?”

  “Hal Parker. He works for my father sometimes as a hunter. He was tracking down a wolf that was doing damage to some of my dad’s livestock when he found the body.”

  “You keep livestock out in this heat?” said Jamison.

  “The winter is actually harder on them than the summer. And when it’s fifty below out we provide dry bedding, which is important. Their coats will adapt to the cold, but when they’re penned inside, you have to keep an eye on the ventilation. Too much nitrogen, moisture, or odor in the air, and other factors like that can lead to respiratory infections. With the heat it’s important to make sure they have water and shade and enough to eat. My dad’s been doing this a long time, and he gets the balance just right.”

  “And it sounds like he taught you well,” commented Jamison.

  Dawson brightened. “He has taught me well. Sometimes too well, such that I’m sitting in a restaurant with two strangers talking about cow pens and nitrogen levels.”

  Jamison said, “The closest I’ve ever gotten to livestock is at a petting zoo.”

  “What else did Hal Parker tell you about finding the body?” asked Decker.

  “That he threw up. That he’d never seen anything that awful in his life. And he fought in the Middle East.”

  “But he couldn’t have known it was Irene Cramer. She was identified after she was brought in.”

  Dawson sat back and looked at Decker in a new, perhaps sobering light.

  “I’m good friends with Liz Southern. She told me. But I don’t want her to get into trouble. I was just curious after Hal told me he’d found a body of a woman.”

  “That’s okay,” said Jamison. “It’s a small town and news was bound to get around.”

  “Got any suspects?”

  “None that we can talk about,” advised Decker quickly. “Did you know Ms. Cramer?”

  “No. But I knew that she taught school over at the Brothers’ Colony.”

  “Do you know the folks there?”

  “I can’t say I really know them all that well.” She glanced at Decker. “So, Stan also told me that you’re his brother-in-law.”

  “Soon to be ex-brother-in-law, as I’m sure he also told you.”

  “I wouldn’t be seeing him if he were still happily married,” she said firmly.

  “That’s good to know,” replied Decker. “I have to admit that I went to the OK Corral Saloon and watched you two dancing. Frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him more uncomfortable.”

  Dawson smiled. “He is very awkward in his own skin when it comes to things like that. But it’s also very endearing.” She glanced up at Decker. “But I’ve found that I like showing him there’s more to life, you know.”

  “I can see that,” said Jamison appreciatively. “Sometimes guys need a little helping hand in that regard.”

  “He’s nice and there’s something about him, I don’t know, this naïve quality, that really appeals to me. Plus, he’s quite the gentleman. And he fought for his country. I mean, I definitely feel safe when I’m around him.”

  “Did he talk about his combat days?” asked Decker.

  “Never, and I’ve asked.”

  Decker said, “He was Special Forces. Fought in the Middle East. Got a bunch of medals. Was even wounded. But the ones who do the most in war don’t talk about it. That’s why Stan keeps quiet about it. He’s a straight-up guy.”

  “Wow, that’s impressive.”

  “I’m not sure he can keep up with you, though,” said Decker.

  “We’re not looking to get married. We’re just having fun.” Dawson’s smile faded as she looked over Jamison’s shoulder.

  Jamison and Decker turned to see what she was staring at. A short man, barely five-two, in his early sixties had come into the dining room. Despite the heat he was dressed in an expensive woolen three-piece suit and blue paisley tie with a matching pocket handkerchief. Decker thought he had never seen a pair of more intense eyes. Next to him was a good-looking, tall, well-built man about Caroline Dawson’s age.

  “Let me take a wild guess,” said Jamison. “Is that Stuart McClellan?”

  Dawson said, “Yes. And his son, Shane. I wonder what they’re doing here.”

  “Do they not frequent places like this?” asked Decker, studying the two men.

  “They don’t frequent any place owned by my father. At least Stuart doesn’t.”

  “Well, from what we learned, that severely limits their options,” said Decker.

  “Something my fathe
r takes delight in.”

  Stuart McClellan spotted Dawson and headed over with his son in tow.

  “Hello, Caroline,” said McClellan, his voice surprisingly low and baritone. So much so that Decker wondered if it was affected.

  “Stuart.” She glanced at his son. “Hi, Shane.”

  Shane broke into a grin and drew closer to the table. “Hey, Caroline. What’s up?”

  His father aggressively elbowed him aside. “And these two are the FBI agents?”

  “Yes,” said Jamison after glancing at Decker.

  “Nasty business. I’m Stuart McClellan, by the way. You probably passed some of my fracking wells when you were coming in.”

  “We did,” replied Jamison. “And I guess we also saw some of the neighborhoods where your workers live.”

  “I had Shane oversee some of their construction, and for once he didn’t . . . I mean to say, he did a pretty good job.”

  “Thanks, Pop,” said Shane, seemingly oblivious to the underlying meaning in his father’s “praise.” He seemed to have eyes only for Caroline, who would not meet his gaze.

  Decker said, “Did either of you know Irene Cramer?”

  Stuart shook his head. “Shane?”

  He finally managed to draw his gaze from Caroline and said, “Nope. Didn’t know her.”

  “Why is the FBI here?” asked Stuart. “I mean, don’t you people have anything better to do than investigate local murders? We have police to do that. Shouldn’t you be going after terrorists and the like?”

  “We cover a lot of ground,” said Decker. “And we go where we’re told to go. So nothing else you can tell us about Cramer?”

  Caroline Dawson said, “She lived in an apartment building. It wasn’t one of the nicer ones, but it was affordable.”

  “But it’s also one of the few that your father doesn’t own, or at least we were told that,” Jamison pointed out. “So how did you know that she lived there?”

  “I went there to drop off an offer to purchase the building this morning. Ida Simms, the manager, told me that she’d lived there.”

  “So you’re looking to buy that building, huh?” said Stuart. “Why’s that? Your daddy’s been building like crazy the last two years.”

  “Well, he can’t build fast enough to support all the people moving in to work at your fracking operations,” retorted Dawson. “So we want to buy that building, rehab it, and then rent it out. It needs a lot of work.”