Chapter 12 Fallout

“He did not change his name? Such gall.” said Bobby.

The grey sky only added to the grey mood of the day. Sheriff Glace, Alex, Glace’s Mom, several from the police force, and the community as well as Jason, stood around a pretty lavender colored casket. Jessica’s funeral was a long time coming. Nearly 21 years since she went missing.

“Jessica had an inquisitive mind. She always wanted to know why and how. This why and how, led to her solving a crime that involved millions, but it also led to her solving her own murder. I can almost imagine her thought process as she shoved that one piece of paper into her backpack. Nothing written on it, but a letterhead that opened the case wide and led us to her killer. Jessica would not have wanted it any other way. Even though she was only 10, she understood that she could face danger. She was ready for danger. She was ready for this. She knew and loved Jesus with a fervent spirit few have. Certainly more than me. She marched through life with a mission. Good bye Jess, you and Henry enjoy heaven, see you later. “

Bobby had insisted on doing an eulogy before the Preacher did his message at the graveside. Jessica lay in her lavender dress, in her lavender coffin, surrounded with lavender flowers clutching her turtle, and was at peace. They did their best to arrange the bones, and only family saw the body before the casket closed at the church before coming here. Alex had done a life sized portrait of Jessica’s face, and it sat over the skeleton skull of the dear girl. The group of mourners listened to the Preacher then closed in Jessica’s favorite song.

“When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and SHOUT, the victory.”

Bobby could almost hear Jessica raise her voice and shout!

Dale Eshguard sat in a prison cell awaiting arraignment. The cumulative years from the charges sat at 25 to life. He still had said nothing. No defense of himself. No plea bargains, no fight. He took the whole thing in silence. Even though, he alone knew, he did not act alone. There was still no accounting for the money. The trail ended at Eshguard, but there was no money to be found. Alex knew there was more, but now was not the time to dig. Wounds needed to heal. Alex did not share her thoughts on this with Glace, it was too raw. She did not believe Eshguard was the one to murder Jessica, but there was someone behind it, and that someone had the money.

After they left the grave site Jason took Bobby and Alex out for dinner. The quiet time was welcome.

“I have a proposal for you two. Something to shift your thoughts. Kathryn and I would be honored if you would consider doing a double wedding with us. Our stories are so intertwined, it would be fitting. March wedding, spring theme, new beginnings. You do not have to answer now, mull it over.”

“That is quite the offer, and it is tempting, we will get back …”started Alex.

“Yes,” said Bobby, without letting Alex finish.

“We accept.”

Alex grinned at Bobby.

“You know me too well, yes we accept, I was just deffering, we would be honored to share the day with you and Kathryn.”

With that wonderful plan settled, the trio enjoyed their dinner.

Alex sat in silence on their drive home. Glace knew that silence. Alex had something on her mind, and it was not wedding plans.

“A penny for your thoughts, care to share?” asked Bobby.

“No, not now. Mulling something, and do not want to intrude into the day. This is your day, our day, and Jessica’s. The graveside was beautiful. You did Jessica justice, she would have been proud of you.”

“I came a long way from the brother she knew. I am trying to not blame myself for not listening more closely to her, but I know God had other plans….I accept that He used Jess to take down Eshguard. That was a case worth the best PIs and it was solved by a 10 yr. old.”

They arrived at Alex’s place and Alex said goodnight. Bobby was going home. He had bunked at Alex’s place long enough. He needed to be alone. He said goodnight with a peck on the cheek.

“Get some rest, no brainstorming tonight. See you at church in the morning.”

Alex grinned, and headed in home. Gladys had already arrived, and had a snack ready for Alex. She saw that Alex had something on her mind, and knew that bedtime would not come soon.

Although Alex had half heartedly agreed to not brainstorm tonight, the storm of ideas racing in her mind would rival Katrina. She knew that money trails do not end at no money. Whoever had the money was the next target. Who, was anyone’s guess.

“Jess, did you leave us any more clues, that we are missing?”

Alex pulled out the evidence bags containing everything Jessica had in her backpack. Well, not quite everything. In the shuffle of solving a crime, catching a crook, solving a murder, and catching a murderer something was overlooked. A small hairbrush, which they assumed to be Jessica’s was missing. Why would the backpack thieves keep a hairbrush?

Alex knew she would not find that answer tonight. Off to a much needed sleep, with mind and storm a bit calmed.

Morning came with a flutter of busy. Alex barely sat to breakfast, when she called the lab to talk to Ernie.

“Good morning Ernie, I have a question about Jessica’s backpack. The hairbrush that was in there, did you test the hairs to see if it was Jessica’s?”

“Well, no, I assumed it was. It did not occur to me that it would not be. I have daughters, and they would not have someone else’s hairbrush. I did ask Sherriff Glace about the hair color, and it matched Jessica’s. Did I make a blunder?”

“Well, yes, and no. The hairbrush was not in the bag when we retrieved it from Eshguard. I am thinking it belongs to someone else, someone Eshguard is protecting.”

Ernie apologized and Alex said bye for now. Her next call was to Glace. He was also sitting down to breakfast.

“Put down your fork” Alex chuckled. “We have a lead. One question. Do you remember what your sister’s hairbrush looked like?”

“Yes, it was lavender, with little turtles on it, with a matching…..hey wait, that brush was not Jessica’s.”

“Exactly, and guess what is missing from Jessica’s backpack?”

“The hairbrush. Who do you think it belongs to?”

“Well I do not know, but I know someone who does, Eshguard. It is missing from the evidence bag and he was the only one we know of who had it…he took it to protect someone, but who?”

“Well at least we are looking for a female, or at least someone with shoulder length hair. I identified the hair color as Jessica’s.”

“Yes, I called Ernie already. At least we have pictures of the brush, and haircolor. That will be a start”

“Well, guess we are heading to the County Jail to see Eshguard this morning. Want me to pick you up?” Asked Glace.

“Yes, let’s make this an official visit, maybe shake Eshguard up a bit. He needs some shaking. He knows who has the money.

The county jail fit every movie description. Cold, grey imposing building, with ivy hanging from the stones in fall surrender. Alex and Glace walked up the steps, showed their ID, even though everyone knew who they were, and headed to the lower floor, where the prisoners were kept who were awaiting transfer to the larger facility. The guard signed them into the visiting area, a waiting room as cold as the rest of the building, with stainless steel tables and benches bolted to the floor, and a caged wall looking into the prisoner side of the room. Eshguard was already seated in one of the booths. No private phone conversations. Everything was said through a speaker, no secrets.

“Eshguard, I am going to get right to the point. I have no time for pleasantries for the man who killed my little sister. Where is the hairbrush, and who does it belong to?”

Nothing, just a blank stare, without a blink.

Glace inched his face right up to the speaker.

“NOW, ESHGUARD. WE WILL FIND OUT WHO YOU ARE PROTECTING!”

Nothing.

Alex looked at Glace.

“Let me try,” she mouthed.

“Eshguard, we know there is someone else involved, that was made clear in court. We know it is a girl, with sandy brown hair, shoulder length. We know it is a young girl, by the design of the brush. Who are you protecting?

Sister? Niece, daughter? Who?”

Nothing, but Alex noticed a slight flicker in his eyes when she said sister.

“We will leave it at this for now. We know you are protecting someone, we will find out who. It will go so much easier for you if you let us know what is going on.”

The pair got up and left. No pleasant goodbyes, just left.

The guard took Eshguard back to his cell. As they left Alex looked back at the man, who had also looked back at Alex. Something in his eyes, fear? Alex’s mind went into overdrive.

In the car Alex let Glace know what she was thinking.

“We need to do a more thorough check into Eshguard. I think he has a sister….I think the brush is hers….I think she is in danger.”

“I will never understand your gut feelings Alex, but I have learned to trust them.”

They drove in silence. Glace dropped Alex off at her office, and Glace went to the station. Both were focused on finding out more about Eshguard.

When supper rolled around, Alex’s phone rang.

“Time for dinner’ came Bobby’s voice. “I’ll pick you up in 15 mins. Already made reservations, we need a good meal.”

“Sure thing, see you in 15.”

Alex sat in the car and wondered about many things. Her mind was a jumble.

When they left the main downtown area Alex wondered where they were going. Then they pulled onto Alex’s Street, and into her drive. Alex looked at Bobby, puzzled.

“I said we needed a good meal, no place better than here, and no better cook than Gladys. I called her. I had figured correctly that you were too engrossed in your investigations to think about food, and I…well, I always think about food.”

Alex chuckled, took Bobby’s hand as he opened her car door, and the pair headed into the welcoming aroma of a roast beef dinner with all the fixings.

Alex’s first course, of action, not food, was to dive into Bobby’s memory. So much of his sister was buried under layers of grief, anger and pain.

“Bobby, I know it is hard for you to talk about your sister, but we need to figure out who that hairbrush belonged to, and where the connection is to the case. Jessica would not have it if it did not mean something to the case she was working on. She is a mini me in so many ways, maybe that is an underlying connection between us.”

The couple had retired to the livingroom for desert, after Gladys’ super supper. They sat on the couch with the file spread out on the coffee table.

“Yes, it is hard, and the hurt that I thought was gone has resurfaced big time. Believe me, I have been rattling my brain, trying to think what I am forgetting. Now, with this new information, I am trying to remember Jess’s friends. I pulled out this.”

Bobby pulled a photo album out of his work bag. It was worn and aged. Little turtles edged the lavender cover, and Jessica Glace was written in the middle in script.

“Look at this picture in particular. It is Angela, Jessica’s best friend. Same hair color, and notice the bear tee-shirt. Same bear, I believe, that was on the back of the missing hairbrush. I checked the lab pictures, it looks identical.”

“Well, now we need to find our who she is. Maybe another trip to Eshguard is in order. I am sure he knows. I have a feeling that she is his sister, by his reaction when I questioned him. If so, where is she?”

Alex and Bobby chatted a bit more about the case, but gravitated to their plans. The thought of sharing a wedding date with Jason and Kathryn was exciting. Half the work load was a nice prospect. The time was going to come fast. Bobby had another piece of cheese cake, and they sipped Gladys hot apple cider. It was a month til Christmas, and true to her tradition Gladys kept the cider ready-made.

Morning was going to come fast. The couple said goodnight. Future plans looking organized and much anticipated.

Eshguard was not at all happy to see them. He looked like he had not slept, and the worry was evident in his eyes. Before Alex or Glace had a chance to say anything he spoke. His voice hushed, guarded, and raspy from sleepless nights.

“I know that you pieced some things together. I know that you saw that the brush was missing. I know…” His voice trailed off.

“You know what?” asked Alex, calmly, softly, seeing that this man was in pain, emotionally.

“She is probably dead, I dare not hold out hope that she is still alive.” The tortured man whispered.

“Who?” asked Glace sensing that the man wanted to keep things hushed, he lowered his voice to match his whispers.

“My sister, Angela. They took her, 20 years ago. they told me that if I ever gave them up, she would be killed, like they killed your sister. They killed Jessica because she was too nosey, but they kept Angela, my sweet little sister, as leverage. Every year, on the anniversary of her leaving they would send me a picture. For 18 years they taunted me. Then two years ago the pictures stopped coming. I could not risk the possibility that it was just because they got tired. I knew in my gut she was dead, but could not, no would not believe it.” The man stopped, wiped tears from his eyes then went on.

“The formula was too valuable, the profits too high. They would not give up. They arranged my life. They set me up in my government position so they could control the building plans. They….” he trailed off again.

“Who is they Dale?” asked Alex, using his first name, as it dawned on both she and Glace, that this man was innocent of murdering Jessica. That he was being blackmailed, and that he was done with being their pawn.

“Colin Black, the CEO of Vitallic Inc. His men took my sister. They made it look like my Mom had moved, they set my Mom up to silence her, and it killed her, and they kept my sister …. leverage. Jessica was a smart girl. Before Mom and Angela left, Ange told Jessica everything that was happening. She gave her that Vitallic letterhead, and her brush. There was another notebook, but they took it from Jess. The one in code, they thought was just a kids scribblings. I do not know where Ange could be. They said that my Mom is buried in Reed Lake, a small town in Northern Canada. If I survive, I will testify. Let me talk to a lawyer and an officer…..I will tell them all the details. You…you please go to Reed Lake and see if you can find any trail of Ange…please.”

Dale stopped, his sobs shook his body. Alex whispered.

“We will, I promise.”

The pair left and the guard took Dale back to his cell. Glace called the DA’s office and set up a lawyer for Eshguard, separate from the one that was appointed to him by the courts. A trusted friend who Glace and Alex both knew would get to the truth.

Glace sat in the entry way of the courthouse, shaken, but with a determination in his eyes that Alex had never seen.

“We go, today. I will not rest until we settle this. Pack. I will arrange a flight.” Alex did not argue. He was right, and she knew it. The plans took mere minutes to arrange. Before any whiff of the happenings could possibly reach Colin Black, Alex and Bobby were on a plane to Canada.

They rented a car at the airport and arranged for the 4 hour drive north to the small town of Reed Lake. Armed with pictures of Dales Mom, and Angela, and Colin Black. The murderous schemes of Black did not take into consideration the closeness of small towns. He did not figure anyone would come looking, especially after 20 years. He miscalculated the love of a big brother, and the determination of his finacee.

“We really need to pray this one all the way through. Dale was told his Mom was dead, but at this point, with the players in this, I do not believe a thing.” Bobby took Alex’s hand and bowed his head to pray before they started their drive.

“Lord, we really need You to sort this all out. Please bring the enemy to light, and stop their plans. Dare I ask that we find Dales Mom and Angela, alive and well? You are able, and we trust You to do what would seem impossible to us. Keep Black out of the picture. Do not let him find out what we are doing until it is too late for him to save his skin. In Jesus name, Amen.”

He gave Alex’s hands a squeeze. “Lets get this show on the road.”

The drive was long, but picturesque. The North country was sparce, but beautiful. They slowed for a moose. Neither had ever seen a live moose with their own eyes, and Alex got a good picture. The winter roads were snow covered, and what would have been a four hour drive down south, stretched into six hours before they saw the town sign.

Reed Lake

P0P 1400

YOUR GET-AWAY

“Get away, wow, really away. I thought Valley-Hill was remote, this place is waaaaaay out here. No wonder Black was so relaxed. He was sure no one would find this place, let alone two people whom he was trying to hide.” Alex noted as they pulled in front of a small motel. The only motel in the town by the looks of things.

The woman who greeted them was in her early 60’s. Bobby and Alex looked at each other in disbelief. It could not be! Before them stood Dale’s Mom, alive and well.

Alex spoke first.

“Doris Eshguard?”

The woman’s face flashed with fear.

“No, relax, do not be afraid. We are here for your son, Dale, he is fine, and safe. Just nod if you are in danger, and we will be just a random couple on a random trip, okay?”

The woman nodded and winked. Alex and Bobby went into tourist mode, chatting about the drive, and the moose. A man came out of the back room.

“Everything alright Linda?” he asked. A fake name that had been given. Glace noticed the bulge of a gun under the mans sweater.

“All good hun.” said Doris, gaining composure immediately, much to her credit for the bombshell of reality that was just laid at her desk.

“This young couple are on an exploration trip. She was telling me about the moose they saw on the drive up here from the city.”

“Yes.” Added in Alex quickly. We are on a pre-wedding trip. With a wave of her ring-fingered hand. We just got engaged a bit ago, and are taking a wild exploration engagement trip. Neither of us had ever been to Northern Canada, and we were looking to get away from it all.”

Alex’s explanation was perfectly received, not a slight question in the man’s face as he answered them. Doris, or Linda smiled, and gave Alex another quick wink.

“I remember our wedding trip, nearly 21 years ago. We came here, and ended up staying. This motel has been a wonderful family business. We plan to hand it down to our daughter when we retire.” Doris said, with another wink to Alex.

“That is wonderful. We plan to have a family, sure hope we can do as well as you have. We are moving to a small town after we get married. No more city bustle.”

Alex saw the wink, and was certain that the lady was signaling her about the situation. The conversation lasted a bit longer, then they went to their room.

“Can yo believe that, we walked right into the thick of it, and that man has no idea. Angela is alive, by the sounds of things. God answers prayer, sometimes very quickly. Did you see Doris’s wink, she knows that we are here to help. This could not have gone any better. We do have to be careful though. I am sure you saw the gun under that man’s sweater.”

Alex was way more exuberant than normal. The wonderful revelation was almost too much to take.

“Yes, I saw it, and I recognise that man. His mug is on a wanted poster in my office. Fraud, embezzlement, kidnapping. He has been wanted for over 20 years. We really walked into it. We will have to be very careful who we talk to and what we say. No telling who works for Vitallic up here…of all places. We have to work fast, and quietly. Two days tops. We will get them out of here. We cannot risk making any phone calls. After all we are on a romantic trip, so who would we call? Lets play that card full force.”

Alex agreed full-heartedly, and the pair prepared to go out for a romantic dinner. If there was something more than a greasy spoon in this town. They freshened up with motel toiletries, as they had not brought in their bags, and went downstairs to ask about places to eat.

“You are in luck,” said the man. Our daughter has a quaint little diner that she has started go go along with this place. The only other is a burger joint, and it is…well, just okay.”

Alex and Bobby looked at each other and asked directions. They could not believe how God was working. There was a reason they had not taken their bags out of the car. Bobby stopped at the gas station and topped up his gas tank. He had a gut feeling. He looked at Alex.

“Yes, I know that look. God has opened this door wide, and we may be leaving tonight, I feel it, protection, providence, God is working for us.” Alex squeezed Bobby’s hand.

“Leys play the game. That man, what is his name?”

“Roger Woods, and he will not get out of these woods.”

The pair went to the diner. They recognised Angela right away. She had not changed much. She took their order, and could not stop looking at Bobby.

“I’ll get your drinks.”

She went to the back, and gave the order to the cook. Her phone rang. It was her Mom. There was a brief conversation. She came back to the table.

“I knew I recognised you. You are Jessica’s big brother. Mom told me you were here for my brother Dale. Mom said you are to eat, and then I go with you when you leave, at closing time. We will pick up Mom at the library. We both have escape bags there. We hoped this day would come, and are prepared. We prayed, lots. You pray to don’t you? I can feel it. God sent rescuers.”

She spoke fast, and quietly, as she put their drinks on the table. There was no telling who was listening. Alex and Bobby felt the tension, and they understood. They winked, a cue they picked up from Doris, and felt it was a signal.

They ate and then readied to leave. The diner was closing. This was their cue.

“Hey, waitress, sorry, did not get your name. If you are done work, we are staying at your parents motel. We could give you a lift home if you need it.”

Alex offered, not quietly, not as if she was hiding anything.

“Yes, that would be awesome, it has gotten pretty cold out. I normally walk. My name is Elizabeth, Liz for short. Let me get my things.”

Angela came back to their table with a small backpack, with teddy bears on it. A touch of the past, that Alex was surprised she was allowed to keep. Guess Roger did not think it was important.

Liz said good-night to the cook, who was closing up, waved as normal and went with Alex and Bobby to their car.

“Wow, that was awesome. I cannot believe this. God is so good. Now, we have to hurry. The cook works for Roger…”

“He did not change his name? Such gall.” said Bobby.

“I know him, I am a sheriff, and he is on my most wanted wall. Alex here is a PI, who works with me. She is also my finacee, we are here looking for you following clues Jessica left. She not only solved a huge fraud crime, her own murder, but now, your kidnapping. This is huge.”

As Bobby spoke Angela gave directions to the Library, where Doris was waiting in the shadows with a small bag.

“Okay, lets get out of here,” Alex said. “We anticipated this, we did not take our bags to our room, feigned hunger, and tiredness. We are gassed up and ready to go. Sheriff Glace has contacted the authorities….”

“No, the town police is part of the mess!” Exclaimed Doris.

“It is fine, I did not call local police. I called the city right after we checked in. The RCMP is on their way. Should get to your house just as Roger realizes you are gone. Your wink, that was awesome. Perfect signal. I knew in my gut, well in my spirit that it was a signal. God has orchestrated this all.”

The group drove in silence for an hour when they met four RCMP vehicles. Glace flashed his lights, as he had told them he would. At that the officers turned on sirens and picked up speed.

Back in the familiarity of home, the group met at the courthouse. Dale Eshguard had given full confession of all the workings of Vitallic. It was Roger Woods who killed Jessica. Authorities had made several arrests in Reed Lake, with the help of the RCMP. Roger was being extradited, along with several of his men, who were in Canada illegally.

Doris met her son, as he finished up release paperwork. A hug that would not let go. Angela joined in the hug. Alex and Bobby left the family to get re-acquainted.

“I sure would have like to be a fly on the wall when the RCMP showed up at the motel.” said Alex as they left he building.

“Hey, wait,” called Angela as she ran after them.

“I have something for you.” It is the link to the security camera at the motel. Thought you might like to see what went down.”

Alex grinned at Bobby.

“Like icing on a cake.”

“Cake, sounds good, I am hungry.”