Chapter 47
Forty-Seven
E than was sitting at his desk enjoying a cup of coffee from Wild Roasters, the rich aroma mingling with the smell of stale coffee and furniture polish. The brew was strong, just the way he liked, and he silently thanked Jane for introducing him to it.
He flipped through the reports from yesterday, the rustle of paper competing with the ringing of phones in the background, trying to recall all that happened. It was one disaster after another—a DUI with a car wrapped around a tree—no injuries, thank goodness; a theft at a convenience store; yet another domestic disturbance at Betty Ann and Ralph’s house, the third time this month. He rubbed his temples and wondered if Betty Ann would ever leave the bum, but that wasn’t his call.
So, when he finally made it home to Jane last night, all he wanted to do was eat, take her to bed and make love to her. Which was exactly what happened.
He hated leaving their warm bed this morning, but duty called. Ethan knew Jane was busy this morning, so there was no chance that he’d bump into her like yesterday at the Feed & Grow.
Now that he thought about seeing Jane yesterday, he had a nagging thought that refused to let go. That man talking to Jane. Why did he look so familiar?
A memory tugged at the back of his mind. Something about Thornton. He sifted through his memory, because the one thing he was certain of was that he’d seen the man before, but the connection eluded him. Think, dammit!
Damn. Ethan stood abruptly, stepped out of the office and looked around the office. “Adam, bring that box we found at Thornton’s house in here, would you?”
Adam narrowed his eyes in confusion. But he reached down and retrieved the box from his drawer and placed it on Ethan’s desk.
“Do you remember Thornton had a nickname for people he didn’t like?” asked Ethan.
Adam raised a brow. “Go on.”
Ethan sifted through old case notes and stopped at one in particular. “I remember him calling someone he hated ‘worm.’”
“Right!” Adam’s eyes lit up. “Remember when he called Sam Simpson ‘Slimy Sam’? Oh, a Stan Riccardo … ‘Slick Rick’?” Adam laughed. “The nicknames were colorful, for sure.”
“Well, I have a hunch about this Viper,” Ethan said. “Let’s look at those pictures again.”
They went through the photos one by one in silence until Ethan found what he was looking for. His breath caught in his throat.
“This guy.” He pointed to one man in the picture standing next to Thornton.
Adam leaned in, squinting at the image. “Who is it?”
“I just met him yesterday. His name is Victor. What are the odds he’s this Viper?”
“Where did you meet him?” asked Adam as he continued looking through the pictures.
“He was with Jane at the Grow & Feed.” His mind raced, connecting the dots.
“Why would a gangster be at a feed store?
“Don’t know. I’ll call Jane and ask.” Ethan leaned back and steepled his hands. There was something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He mentally reviewed all the suspects and their conversations he had recently. “Holy shit! I saw this same man in a picture at Maggie’s house. I think it’s her boyfriend. And now that I think about it, he has a tattoo.”
He quickly dialed Maggie’s number and let it ring. Ethan could feel his heart racing. Could this be the lead they needed? “No answer. I’m going to take a chance that Maggie is there and not answering the phone. I need to find out his last name and where he lives.”
“Want me to come along?” Ethan shook his head, already heading toward the door. “No. I’m just going to Maggie’s. I can handle this alone.”
Something told him this was the beginning of the end. Whatever Maggie had to say wasn’t going to be good.
He called Jane on his way over to Maggie’s house. He got voicemail and left a message for her to call him ASAP.
When he arrived, he noticed Maggie’s car was in the driveway, and a sense of relief washed through him. Hopefully, they were closer to not only solving a murder but catching a criminal.
Ethan knocked on the door, waited, then heard footsteps approach.
Maggie opened the door and scowled at him. “Sheriff, what do you want now? Come to accuse me of killing my father again?”
Shaking his head, Ethan stared at Maggie’s disheveled appearance—sweatpants and a baggy top—so different from the other day when she was dressed up. He glanced inside the house and noticed it had been cleaned up and boxes stacked. “Moving already?”
Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Is that a crime?”
“Maggie. I’m not accusing you of anything,” he said with a firm voice. “The other day, I saw a picture of you and your boyfriend on the mantel. I need to know his name.”
“Why?” she questioned.
Ethan sighed. He didn’t have time for this today. “I need his name right now.”
Maggie huffed and crossed her arms defensively. “His name is Victor Ruggerio. I don’t understand why you need it.”
“Does he have a tattoo?”
She squinted her eyes. “Really?”
“Just answer the damn question.”
Maggie’s eyes widened. “Yes. He has a viper tattoo on his arm.”
Ethan knew it. They had Viper. Now all they had to do was find him. “Do you have his address?”
She blinked rapidly and shook her head. “He usually stays here when he comes to town.”
“Is he coming back soon?” Ethan pressed. Maggie was lying about where he stayed, but he knew that no more information was forthcoming. He’d keep his eye on her.
“He’s supposed to be here in a day or so.”
“Do you have a phone number for him?” he asked.
Maggie hesitated. “Yes.”
Ethan blew out his breath. This was like pulling teeth. “Can I have it?”
“Stay here. I’ll get it,” said Maggie. She walked into the house, pulled out her phone, and returned. She read the number to Ethan, who wrote it down.
“Where’s he from?” Ethan asked.
“New York City.” Maggie fiddled with the edge of her shirt. “What’s this all about?”
Ethan debated whether or not to share his hunch with her. While Maggie was disagreeable, he couldn’t imagine her being involved with a criminal. And it was his duty to protect the citizens of Beaver Creek, even if they didn’t want protection.
“We’re investigating criminal activities in the area, and I believe Victor might be involved.”
She covered her mouth with her hands. “You think Victor is a criminal?”
“I’m not saying anything for sure until I speak with him. Please call me when he arrives.”
Ethan turned and left, but not before hearing the door slam shut behind him. He hoped that wasn’t a sign from the universe that this case was not going to be solved easily, and something told him that the worst was yet to come.