J. Margos - Shattered Image

Doris scrutinized it carefully and then pronounced, “Nope. I’ve absolutely never seen this young man.”

“You’re sure.”

“I see everyone who ever comes to this town-distant relatives from out of town, old school chums, new love interests, you name it, hon, old Doris hears and sees it all.”

At least Doris had never seen him, and didn’t know of a connection between him and Addie, but I wasn’t about to give up. I would talk to his mother, and his friends in Hempstead. Maybe someone would have a clue.

“Well, Doris, as usual you’ve been a great help. The pie was as awesome as ever.”

“I’m just glad that you love my pie that much.” She smiled and popped her gum one more time.

I paid for my pie and got back into my car. I had found out part of what I wanted to know and had gotten a really good dessert out of the trip.

On the way back to Austin, my cell phone rang. It was Drew.

“Toni, I want your update on this bone case of yours, and the young man from Hempstead, plus I have something special for you. Can you come by?”

“Absolutely. I’m on my way back into town, and I can probably be at your office in about forty-five minutes.”

“Sounds great. I’ll brew us some Earl Grey.”

I chuckled at the thought of all those hard-core Texas Rangers sucking down rot-gut coffee out at Ranger headquarters, and Drew in his office with his cup of Earl Grey. He was one in a million. I was glad he had called. I wanted to tell Drew more about the Red Bud case. I didn’t just want his opinion. I thought we might need his help outside of the Austin jurisdiction. If I was right about finding the original burial site, then Drew could be of help with local law enforcement.

I wheeled into the parking lot at Ranger headquarters and went up to Drew’s office. When I got there, he was on the phone and motioned for me to come in and sit down, so I seated myself in a chair in front of his desk.

Drew finished his call, and said, “Toni, I’m glad you could make it by.”

“So am I.”

He served me my tea and then smiled and gave me a sly look out of the corner of his eye as he went back around the desk, and pulled out a small package of Walker shortbread.

I shook my head. “Drew Smith, you sly dog…” I couldn’t bear to tell him I just ate pie an hour ago. Drew knew that I loved Walker shortbread.

He laughed. “Now, Toni, I’m a gentleman. You don’t think I’d invite a lady to my office and not offer her proper refreshments.”

“You’re the limit, Drew.”

“Well, not exactly. That tea was prepared in the microwave down the hall.” He smiled again.

I was already sipping my tea. “It’s wonderful-microwave or not.”

“Well, good,” he said, satisfied with his efforts. “So, tell me, Dr. Antoinette, how are you today?”

I winced at the use of my full name.

“You know, I’d appreciate it if you stuck with my nick-names-particularly in public.”

He chuckled mischievously. “I just love to push your buttons, Toni.”

I shook my head again.

“So, what’s happening with your Red Bud bones case?”

“I’m sure you saw in the papers where another set of bones had been discovered.”

“Yes, and linked to some guy from Houston? I’ve also heard rumblings about Hempstead and a burial site out of town-which means the murder probably did not occur in Austin.”

“Probably didn’t. Chris says the A &M has matched the soil samples to the same kind of soil in and around Hempstead, which is where the latest victim was living.”

“Brian Ferguson?”

“Right. That same soil was found in the bones of Addie Waldrep. So they were previously buried in that area.”

“Which means they were probably murdered in that area.”

“Which means you’re thinking about jurisdiction.”

“Mmm, hmm. Tell me what you know so far.”

I told him all about what we knew about Addie Waldrep, Jimmy Hughes, Dody Waldrep and Lori Webster. I told him that Doug Hughes was still missing. I told him I was going to go and visit Mrs. Ferguson and see what I could find out.

“I just came back from the Viola area, where the first victim lived. I questioned someone up there about any connection between Addie Waldrep and Brian Ferguson, but I struck out.”

“Why is it I think you’re not giving up on that angle?” He smiled.

“Because you know me too well.”

“I think you’re on the right path talking to the young man’s mother. I’d like you to pursue that. If you can isolate some places he normally went bird-watching, maybe we can get some warrants and do some searching. But we can’t search the whole county down there.”

“I know. Maybe I can eliminate some places you won’t have to search. So, are you going to get officially involved?”

“I want to see what you come up with first. Then I’ll need to talk to Tommy and Mike. If this thing really looks like something that involves multiple jurisdictions, I’ll call them and we can talk about it.”

“You won’t be calling them until I come back from Houston, then.”

“No, Toni. I have my hands full right now.”

“Good.”

“And I want you to let me know exactly what you find out on your trip to Houston.”

“You got it.”

After meeting with Drew, I had called Michael and arranged to meet him at our dojo for an aikido workout. My son and I were both black belts in the art, although at different levels-I had begun teaching him when he was nine-and we both served as instructors there as much as our schedules would allow. Lately, my schedule hadn’t even allowed for much in the way of workouts.

Mike met me there and the two of us sparred with a group of black belts who regularly met there on Tuesday evenings. I was rusty and needed the workout badly. My son almost beat me, but the old lady was still ahead and I proved I could teach him a few things.

When we were done with the workout, we cleaned up and buzzed over to one of our favorite Tex-Mex joints to meet Tommy. He was crunching on tostadas and gulping down gallons of tea when we arrived.

Mike and I ordered water and tea, too.

The waiter brought our beverages, and we ordered our food. “So, who won the big sparring match tonight?” Tommy asked.

Mike cleared his throat, and gave Tommy the corner eye shot that silently told him, “Don’t go there, man.”

Tommy started to chuckle. “I love it, she kicked your rear again.” He laughed out loud now.

Mike sighed, shook his head and put his hand over his eyes.

“Well, I was his teacher, Tommy, and I do outrank him. Besides, he was doing really well at first. It took me a while to get a handle on him tonight.”

“Hey, man, don’t feel bad,” Tommy said to Mike. “My mom kicks my rear every time I go home and she’s not even into martial arts. She’s a little stick of dynamite.”

We all laughed now. I knew Mrs. Lucero, and I could just imagine her keeping Tommy right in line.

“So, Tommy, when are you going to come to the dojo and start taking lessons?” Mike said.

“Are you interested in aikido?” I asked.

“Well,” Tommy said, “I’ve seen Junior here get some suspects under control in real short order and without a lot of energy expense. So, I just thought it might be a good idea to at least explore the merits, you know, see what it’s like.”

“He’s chicken,” Mike said.

“Whoa, partner! I am not chicken. I just don’t want you to be my teacher, that’s all. I got to put up with you all day long, I don’t want to have to put up with you in the dojo, too.”

“We have a lot of great teachers, Tommy,” I said, “but you know you do have to show deference to all the black belts.”