44

“Did you know Glen Elders?”

He nodded, casting a sideways glance at his mom. “He used to sell us weed.”

“Who did you see shoot Glen?”

“It was Mr. Acosta, I think.”

“You think? You’re not certain?”

He looked down and shook his head. “I couldn’t see clearly. It was still kinda dark. But she said it was Acosta.”

“She? Tilly?”

“Yeah, she said she and Glen had stolen his money and Acosta wanted it back.”

Tess was back at the station twenty minutes after speaking with Duncan Peabody, Killer in tow. She’d had Duncan repeat his story into her digital recorder.

“I saw her slide down the hillside—it was barely light, but I realized she was trying to catch Mrs. Macpherson, so I went after her. That was when he shot at me, twice, maybe three times. The bullets went right over my head! I thought I was dead.”

“Did he say anything, yell anything?”

“No, but by then I got to the bottom of the Stairsteps, next to the pool there, where Tilly was. I saw her stumble into the water. I thought she was trying to get to Mrs. Macpherson, and I ended up going in and pulling them both out. There was no more shooting, and I didn’t know what happened to the dog.” He pointed to Killer. “I was going to call for help, but Tilly stopped me.”

He held up his right arm and Tess saw fingerprint marks, bruises on his forearm. “She squeezed my arm so hard I thought she’d break it. She said he’d kill us all, that he knew every alarm in the valley and could get into our house when we were sleeping.”

“And she meant Beto Acosta?”

“Yeah, man. Had to. His security systems are everywhere. We even have one at our house. It freaked me out. I helped her carry Mrs. Macpherson up the hillside. Crazy Tilly, that’s what we call her—”

“That’s not nice,” Delia interjected.

“Whatever. She had a tent up there and she just kept saying, ‘Trust no one’ over and over again like some old science fiction movie. It scared me. I told her Mrs. Macpherson needed help and she said she’d help her. And then I ran. I was just freaked out. I thought, Acosta, man, he was cold. He shot that guy point-blank and shoved Mrs. Macpherson into the creek like nothing. I thought he’d find me, kill me too, so I ran. I’ve never seen a real shooting before.”

He also solved the mystery of the shin guards. He’d taken his off when he helped Tilly and forgotten them when he’d run off. In spite of being a thorn in her side for two months, Duncan was a very credible witness, but it was troubling he wasn’t 100 percent certain that it was Acosta with the gun. But who else could it be? If Tilly was certain it was Acosta’s money Glen had stolen, wouldn’t Acosta be the logical person to try to get it back? Tess assured Duncan that Acosta was no threat, that he’d be in custody soon. She’d find hard evidence. Ellis said he’d change out his security system as soon as possible.

Duncan gave Killer a hug before they left. “I’m glad you saved the dog. She tried to help; that’s why she got shot.”

Tess called in Gabe Bender, Curtis Pounder, and Del Jeffers, signing authorization for overtime with a flourish. She knew she was being petty by not waking up Mayor Dixon, but he’d be up early anyway with his emergency city council meeting. If she was going to be fired, she was going out with a bang. Pop would approve. She also sent Logan a text. He was on his days off but sent a text back saying he would come up and help if he could.

Tess woke up a judge who listened to everything she had on Beto Acosta.

“This juvenile is not 100 percent certain on his identification of this suspect?”

Reluctantly Tess said, “No, he’s not.” She explained the other evidence they had, which wasn’t much.

“And no motive?”

“Possibly monetary.” There was a pause and Tess was afraid she’d lose this battle, one that in California would have been difficult but doable, at least with the judges she knew.

“Your Honor, I have two bodies here, an eyewitness to the murders, and some physical evidence. I realize it’s your name authorizing the search and arrest warrants, but we’re on the right track here.”

“Chief, I agree with you on many points. I just need a few minutes to think about what you’ve told me. I’ll call you right back.”

Logan stepped in as she slammed the phone down in frustration.

“Wrong number?”

She smiled; seeing him sucked the anger out. “Ah, trying to secure warrants for Acosta, and the judge is dragging his feet.”

“I think I know what judge.” He took a seat in front of her desk. He was armed but wearing civvies—a dark T-shirt and tan cargo shorts showing off well-muscled legs. “Don’t worry. He’ll call you back; he’s just a cautious man. Acosta doesn’t know you’re onto him, does he?” They both knew surprise was an advantage.

“He shouldn’t. The Peabodys came to my room at the inn, and then they went straight home.”

He nodded and started to speak when her phone rang. She grabbed for it; it was the judge, warrants approved. As she hung up, she gave Logan a thumbs-up.

“We’re on. Warrant to search house, business, car, but not for his arrest.”

“How can I help?”

“Your support will be awesome.”

“You got it.”

“We’ll be in two teams. I’m sending Del and Curtis to the business. Bender and I will hit the residence and vehicle; he rents a room at Charlie’s. You’ll be with us.”

While they were staging in the parking lot, as the day dawned, it was hard to miss the members of the city council filing into the council chamber, a room at the rear of the post office. Tess concentrated on the job at hand. Sheila arrived for her workday and agreed to look after Killer.

Jeffers and Pounder walked with the warrant to the PSS office on River Drive. Tess was about to start her car when another figure approached the station.

Oliver Macpherson.

He still looked devastated, but he’d obviously showered and trimmed his beard, maybe even gotten some sleep. Tess got out of the car to greet him.

“Pas—Oliver. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay, Chief. Where are you off to so early?”

“I’m serving search warrants.”

“Beto?” He winced.

“Yes, but keep that quiet for now. What are you doing here?”

He raised an eyebrow. “I’m here to speak some sanity into Doug’s council meeting. Anna thought a lot of you, and so do I.”

That he would come here to do this the day after his wife died touched Tess more than she thought possible.

“Thank you.” She held out her hand to shake his. “I won’t let either of you down.”

He gripped hers in both of his strong, rough, warm hands. “I know that, and I’m praying for you.”

–––

There were several cars in Charlie’s parking lot, one Tess recognized as belonging to Acosta. It was a utility truck with the PSS logo on both sides. Since Tess had seen Cole walk into the council chambers, she knew she’d be dealing with Charlotte.

“If I remember right,” Logan said, “Beto’s room has a separate entrance on the north side of the structure, close to the hollows tour building.”

“Okay.” Tess considered the logistics. She wanted to surprise Acosta, catch him off guard. “I want a key if possible. Gabe, you stay with the car. Steve, if you get eyes on the north side of the building, I’ll see if Charlotte will give me a key.”

Everyone moved into position and Tess went inside the business. Charlotte Markarov was behind the counter. She reminded Tess of a photo of a woman at the turn of the century. Her hair was swept up into a bun on the back of her head, she had a full figure, and she was wearing a long-sleeved, high-necked blouse. She was also wearing a lot of makeup. Tess wondered how long it took her to put all that goop on and be ready to work so early.

Her smile was tentative. “Chief O’Rourke, this is a surprise. What brings you here this early?”

“I have a search warrant to serve on one of your residents.” Tess handed her the paperwork. “I’d like a key in the event that Mr. Acosta is not at home or he is home and doesn’t want to open the door.”

“Oh, my. I—I just don’t know.”

“Mrs. Markarov, I’m asking for a key as a courtesy. If I must use a battering ram, it will do damage.”

“What is it you think Beto has done?”

“He’s a suspect in two murders.”

Charlotte paled. “Well, uh . . . okay then.” She reached behind her and fumbled around for a moment. She handed Tess the key. “Is it okay if I come with you?”

Tess nodded. “But please don’t try to interfere.”

She joined Steve Logan on the north side of the inn. The door to Acosta’s room was down five stairs and it faced the concession building for the tour through the hollows.

Tess knocked and announced their presence and heard nothing. She repeated herself two more times and still no response.

Nodding to Steve, who took a backup position, she opened the door and they went inside. But there was no sign of Beto Acosta.

Acosta was not at home nor in his office. But Tess got a call from Del informing her that the search of the office hit pay dirt. Anna Macpherson’s purse and ID were recovered from a drawer in the office. Acosta was their man. They’d have to find him to figure out the why.