John Miller - Smoke and Mirrors

Winter followed Kurt across the living room to the windows.

“About that other matter. We have discovered by interviewing Albert White that Mulvane did hire Beals to shoot Mrs. Gardner and to kill her children, which luckily he never had a chance to do. He also had a man named Tug Murphy, his private security agent, kill Beals and Jacob Gardner. I could not hold Mulvane, and he was seen leaving with two suitcases an hour ago in the company of Mr. Murphy.”

There was a bright flash on the horizon. Winter assumed it was lightning, since a cold front was moving in.

“Albert White told my man Finch that Tug Murphy shot Mr. Gardner as he was driving. Perhaps you should have someone with the necessary forensic knowledge check that out. I don’t believe Mr. White lied, since he admitted his own involvement in the matter.”

“And where is Mr. White now?”

“We had no authority to hold him, and he left after making a full taped confession. I was told that he seemed genuinely remorseful. He shouldn’t be hard for the authorities to find. His recorded confession will be delivered to the sheriff’s office in the morning.”

Winter stared into Kurt’s eyes for several seconds and said, “I’m glad your man was able to obtain a confession.”

“He is very good at these things,” Kurt said, smiling. “I won’t keep you.”

I won’t hold my breath until Mulvane, White, and Murphy turn up. He shook Kurt Klein’s hand and said, “Glad it all fell into place so perfectly. I expected no less from you.”

In the hallway outside Klein’s suite, Leigh called Cyn’s number, and she answered, “Mama?”

Winter and Brad stood next to Leigh, Winter’s head against Leigh’s so he could hear.

“Okay, darling,” Leigh said. “The papers are signed. Tell the people who have you I want to speak to them.”

There was a pause and a man’s voice came on. “Okay?”

“I signed the papers. Let my daughter go.”

“I know you did. I’ll let her out in five minutes.”

“Where?”

“A public place. She’ll call you when I’m gone.”

“If you aren’t telling the truth, I can cancel the deal.”

Winter nodded.

“If she doesn’t call me back in six minutes, I’ll do what I said. And if you harmed her…”

“Nobody’s done shit to your brat,” he said. “And, lady, you’re welcome to her.”

They were outside the casino six minutes later when Cyn called.

“He let me out at the Blue amp; White,” Cynthia said. “Dr. Barnett is here.”

“Let me speak to him,” Leigh said. “Your father is with her at the Blue amp; White,” she told Brad.

Brad took the phone from her.

“Dad? Is Cyn all right?”

“She’s fine. A little shook up. She told me she was kidnapped?”

“She was. Does she need to go to the hospital?”

“I don’t think so. She says she just wants to go home.”

“Take her home. We’re on our way.”

A minute after Cynthia broke off the call to her mother, Alexa drove within sight of the Gardner house, stopping at the end of the driveway near the waiting cruiser. The deputy got out, and pulling up his hood against the rain and wind, stood by the truck as she lowered her window. The deputy recognized her and gave a friendly nod to the killer. He looked in the backseat at Cynthia.

“Welcome back, Miss Gardner,” he said cheerily. “Y’all go on up to the house. Deputy Chief Bishop and Clarke are up there. I’ll call them so they don’t shoot at you. I guess I can call and cancel the BOLO.”

Alexa looked at Styer, who nodded and patted the seat using the cell phone. “You best get back in your car and stay dry,” Styer said.

“I will, sir. Y’all be safe.”

Alexa pulled away slowly, closing the window.

“I think that went well,” Styer said. “When we get to the house, I’m going to cuff you.”

Alexa’s heart fell.

They pulled onto the circular front driveway as Alexa saw a single bright flash. She waited for the thunder to follow, but the storm was still too far off.

“I’ve given your request some thought,” Styer said. “About allowing Massey to live.”

“And?” Alexa asked.

“I can’t do it,” he said. “You already knew that, didn’t you?”

Alexa nodded. “And you lied when you said you never lie, didn’t you?”

“I only lie when it suits my purpose. I have to tie up the deputies in the house. Don’t make me kill them, because I will. Winter will come after he is done at the casino, and he and I will conclude our business.”

“He’ll kill you,” Alexa said.

“I promise I’ll be really careful.”

Styer laughed, but she didn’t. Alexa figured that he had to have made the mask he was wearing over his own features by casting it on the owner’s face, which meant he had most likely killed the subject before replicating his features. She gritted her teeth hard.

Alexa parked behind a cruiser as freezing rain pelted the hood of the truck. She believed Styer planned to kill her, the deputies, and everybody else, but she didn’t think he would as long as he needed them. Leigh might call, and if nobody answered, Winter would know it was because Styer was there.

Styer got out and came around. As promised, he cuffed Alexa’s hands behind her back before helping Cynthia from the extended cab. With rain pouring down on them, the three started toward the porch.

“Easy, girls,” Styer hissed.

Brad was putting the envelope containing the bonds in the evidence vault when Brad’s deputy, who was posted at the Gardner’s driveway, called to say that Cyn had arrived at the plantation with Agent Keen and Dr. Barnett. Brad asked him how the girl looked and the deputy said she looked the same as usual to him.

“Thank God,” Leigh said with a shaky sigh.

As they were leaving the building, Brad’s phone rang. “Sheriff Watson from next door,” Brad said, reading the caller ID. He listened for a few seconds, said, “I’m on my way,” and hung up. “There was a big explosion on six twelve. Seems it came from the levee right there at the county line. Sheriff Watson’s on his way out there with firefighters and units.”

“That’s out at the equipment barn by RRI’s land?” Winter asked.

Brad nodded.

Winter said, “I think I saw that explosion when we were in Klein’s suite.”

“I need to check it out,” Brad said. “I can have somebody take you home.”

“I’ll go with you,” Leigh said.

“If it’s going to take a while, Winter can drive you home and I’ll get a ride,” Brad said. “I know you want to see Cyn and I’m sure she wants to see you.”

“I think Cyn’s in good hands,” Leigh said, smiling and slapping his shoulder playfully from the backseat.

As soon as they drove out of Tunica County, they ran into a line of vehicles behind a highway patrol cruiser with flashing blue lights. Using the shoulder of the road, Winter pulled even with the cop. A patrolman wearing a Smokey the Bear hat with a plastic cover and a reflective vest over his raincoat was waving cars through, and he gave Winter an irritated glare. Brad climbed out and spoke to the patrolman, who nodded and waved Winter through.

At the gravel road ahead on the right, a sheriff’s department car illuminated the roadside. A female deputy looked in at Brad using her flashlight.

“Sheriff’s expecting me,” Brad said.

“He’s on up this road at an equipment shed, Sheriff Barnett,” the deputy said.

“What’s the deal?” Winter asked.

“Explosion. Big hole in the building, and what’s left of a limousine. Just park out of the way of the fire trucks. I’ll radio Sheriff Watson you’re coming in.”