“And it was a very helpful two cents,” said Decker. “One more question: Did Caroline know that her father was selling out?”
Crutchfield’s expression changed. “That isn’t an easy question to answer.”
“Just whatever you can tell us.”
“Over the last year or so I’ve sensed some uneasiness between the two of them. Nothing too serious. But Mr. Dawson came to me one day and said he believed that Caroline was growing weary of London. That’s when he began reaching out to McClellan’s camp.”
“Did he say why he felt that way?” asked Decker.
“No. And I didn’t press him on it. That was his own business, not mine. The deal went rather quickly after that.”
“Maddie’s Restaurant?” said Decker. “A tribute to her mother?”
“Yes. She and her mother were very close. Do you know about Junior Dawson?”
Jamison said, “We know he killed himself.”
“Yes, years ago, after coming out as gay to his parents.” He shook his head sadly. “It was very tragic.”
“His father didn’t care for that ‘alternative’ lifestyle, I guess,” said Jamison.
“Caroline loved her brother but had a real problem with her father because of the way he treated Junior, especially in public. And Maddie felt the same as Caroline. It drove a wedge between him and his wife, for sure. In fact, if she hadn’t died in that tragic accident, I’m not sure they would still be together.”
“But they were moving to France at the time,” said Decker.
“Yes, well, all I can say is that wherever they went, I’m not sure they would have stayed together.”
“Did you ever notice that Stuart McClellan might have been infatuated with Maddie Dawson?” asked Decker.
“Stuart? Well, I didn’t know him all that well. But my take on that man was that the only person he was infatuated with was himself.”
They left Crutchfield’s office and headed back to the SUV. Along the way, Decker said quietly, “You know, Alex, sometimes the cases that seem the most complex are the most simple.”
“I would never call this case simple.”
“Oh, but it is, very simple. We were the ones making it complicated. But we had help there, from some unusual sources.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning we got played big-time. Now it’s our turn.”
LATER, DECKER AND JAMISON walked into Joe Kelly’s office at the police station.
He looked at them. “Where have you two been lately? I’ve had some thoughts on Ben Purdy and where he might be.”
“Forget about Purdy,” said Decker. “We need a search warrant and we need it now.”
“For who and what?”
Decker told him and Kelly’s eyes widened at the answer. “Can you tell me why?” he asked.
“I can tell you enough to get the judge to issue the warrant. For the rest, I’d much prefer to show you.”
Later that evening, with a warrant in hand, they drove over to a large, well-kept house on the periphery of downtown London and knocked on the door.
“The car isn’t in the driveway,” said Decker.
“She may not be home,” said Kelly.
“Well, the warrant allows us to enter,” said Jamison.
Decker picked the front door lock and they went inside.
He didn’t head for the bedrooms upstairs. Instead he made a beeline for the laundry room. Hanging there on a peg was a bag marked “dry cleaning.”
He rummaged through it and pulled out the slacks and blouse. “We’re very lucky they haven’t been cleaned yet.”
Later, from a closet shelf, he snagged a pair of pumps off a shelf and checked the size. He nodded to himself.
Kelly said, “Now can you tell me what this is about?”
“As soon as we get these clothes analyzed, you’ll know about as much as me.”
* * *
Late that night Decker sat in the SUV in downtown London with Jamison in the passenger seat.
Jamison was shaking her head in disbelief. “It’s still mind-boggling,” she said.
He glanced at her. “You ready to do this?”
She touched her Glock. “Ready.”
The drive out took about an hour. They stopped well short of the property and made the rest of their way on foot. There was one vehicle parked out front. They recognized it. Decker went over to the car and looked at the tires, then hit the treads with his light.
“What are you looking for?” asked Jamison.
“Exactly what I found.”
The one-story farmhouse was old and badly in need of repair, but it was isolated, without another house in sight.
With Decker leading, they made their way to the barn first. The doors were unlocked. They stepped through and looked around with the aid of Decker’s tac light. Flies and mosquitoes were buzzing around, and they had to continually swat them away.
They finally spotted a door set against one wall that had an open padlock on it.
They stepped through and looked around at the straw floor.
Jamison swiped at her face where bugs were swirling. “Yuck. I think I swallowed one.”
Decker seemed unbothered by the insects. He knelt down and ran his light over the straw on the floor. “Looks like some blood there. We can get it checked later.”
“You think this was where Irene Cramer’s body was kept?”
“It would allow bugs in but no animals, so it’s a safe bet. And there would be no one around to hear her scream.”
“That’s certainly true,” said Jamison.
They searched another outbuilding that was behind the barn. Inside was a vehicle covered by a tarp. When Decker lifted it, a small Honda was revealed. “It must be Irene Cramer’s car,” said Jamison.
Before Decker could respond they heard the car approaching. As they watched from out of sight, the yellow Porsche SUV pulled up to the front of the farmhouse. Caroline Dawson got out and walked up to the door and into the farmhouse.
“Okay, that’s an unexpected development,” said Decker.
“So what do we do?”
“We go and do what we came here to do.”
Decker and Jamison crept up to the front door, and Decker whipped it open.
Standing in the front room were Caroline and Liz Southern.
“What the hell?” exclaimed Southern. “What are you doing here?”
Dawson turned around and looked at them blankly.
Decker noted the suitcase on the floor next to Southern.
“Going somewhere?”
Dawson said, “We’re going to Canada for a few days.”
“Just a few days?” said Decker, looking at Southern.
“Yes, Liz thought it would be a good idea to get away.”
“We know about you and Liz,” said Jamison.
Dawson looked taken aback. “What are you talking about. We’re just—”
Southern interjected, “What we are is none of your business. And what are you doing here?”
Decker pointed his gun at them. “We came for the truth, Liz. I think it’s time.”
SOUTHERN PLACED HERSELF between Dawson and Decker. “You can’t come in here and threaten us. I’m calling the police.”