Chapter 11 #2
“He blinked a couple of times, then he laughed.” Beth parked the car in a visitor spot.
“He said he’d never thought of it that way, but to an outsider, he could see how it looked like a cult.
Then he shrugged and said, ‘We have rules that others might not see as normal and we tend to be insular, but the club doesn’t expect you to turn over your life or all your money.
We even stopped killing people who wanted to leave years ago. ’”
“Oh, my goodness, he said that?” I could feel my pulse start to race.
“He was kidding, sort of, but I do think he’s changed things in his group.
He doesn’t want to be on the wrong side of the law anymore.
” Beth paused before opening her car door.
“He did say he lost several members for going soft. He didn’t want that life anymore.
He just wanted to hang with his friends. ”
“A reformed motorcycle gang. I guess it could happen. Greg still thinks they’re dangerous.” I climbed out of the car and wondered if there was anything on the club I’d find in the library.
“Jim was furious with me for even talking with him. That’s one of the reasons I stayed.
” She locked the car and then looked at my shocked face.
“Oh, not because I wanted to talk to Dom or had any interest in him. Lille made it very clear he was her property. I don’t want Jim telling me who I can talk with and when.
He needs to learn I’m a person, not his possession. ”
“I think Lille needs to learn that as well about Dom.” I adjusted my backpack. “Should we go play student?”
“Dom has to deal with that problem, not me.” Beth joined me on the sidewalk. “See, this is why I love spending time with you. You get me.”
“Two of a kind.” I thought of Amanda’s comment. “The King boys have excellent taste in women.”
* * *
By the time we’d left the library and headed to dinner at a seafood restaurant in Bakerstown, I’d found nothing on Dom’s motorcycle club, but several articles about his crimes and convictions.
They were all ten plus years old and the angry young man in the pictures looked nothing like the calm, centered Dom who I’d met.
I’d made copies, but I still didn’t think Dom should be high or even on Greg’s suspect list.
The stories about Chip’s building were more interesting.
There had been a death in the building much like the one that befell Chip, but it had been in 1970, just before he’d bought the building and opened his bar.
The man had been tied to a chair, stabbed several times, then left to bleed out.
The bar was closed down due to the owner being arrested for drug charges.
And this bartender wasn’t found for days. Until his girlfriend came looking.
The similarities were too close. They’d never found the killer in that murder. And the reason for the torture had never been released to the press. I wonder if Greg had the cold case files in his building. Would he let me research that, just in case solving it might help solve the new killing?
It was a long shot, but I could ask.
The bar and building had passed from owner to owner, with a few years of being held in trust for the state. No one had owned the building for long. And that fact, with the murder, had given the place a bit of notoriety. It was called the Bar of Death by a few newspapers.
I’d sent several articles to my email to read and had printed several others so I could read them later and highlight passages.
With these articles and Josh’s books he’d loaned me, I might be able to create a timeline of any oddities for the building.
Maybe they would paint a picture that would lead me to a better answer.
For both of the victims who’d died in the building.
“Did you know that there are more than ten thousand cults in the US, and California isn’t the state with the most?
” Beth asked as we drove to the restaurant.
“I’m thinking of starting my book with a what you think you know about cults quiz, then I’ll blow up the stereotypes.
For example, if you go by a ratio per number of people who live there, the District of Columbia has a higher percentage, over fifteen percent, than any other state. ”
“Seriously, DC? I would have guessed California.”
Beth nodded. “I know. Me too, until I started researching. Nevada is the state with the largest percentage, besides DC. And New Mexico is next. California is third.”
“What other questions would you ask? Age of participants?”
Beth went on to explain her idea, and not for the first time, I knew she needed to take this job with the university.
She had a way of providing information to others that stuck.
She’d be an excellent instructor. I’d read part of her thesis, and even though it was academic, it was interesting.
If she just tweaked it for the everyday reader, she’d have a winner on her hands.
As we walked into the restaurant, her phone rang. She glanced at the display and put it back in her purse.
Then after we’d ordered, it rang again. This time, after checking the caller ID, she turned it off. She saw me watching and shrugged. “It’s Jim. He’s called every hour since he got out of church. I’ll call him back this evening when we’re back at the house.”
“Maybe it’s important.”
She shrugged. “He knows how to text. He wants me to come home. On his terms. I keep telling him the frequency of the question does not change the answer. I told him I was staying until Monday after next, and that’s what I’m doing. Unless you kick me out.”
“Then who will I have to keep me company while Greg works the case? I’m thinking about calling you to come visit every time he’s involved in a big case.” I studied my menu. Beth and I got along a lot better than I’d ever expected. Especially since Jim, her betrothed, had never liked me.
“I know you’re kidding, but that warms my heart.” Beth grabbed my hand. “I’ve never had a sister before, and no matter what happens with Jim, you’re always going to be my sister.”
“I feel the same way. What are you thinking about getting? I’m torn between the seafood pasta and the scallops.” I squeezed her hand back and turned my attention to the menu.
“I’m going to ask about the specials, then I’ll probably go with the pasta. It’s Sunday. You should celebrate the day.”
Greg called as we were on our way back home. “So where are you two?”
“Driving back from Bakerstown. We spent the afternoon at the library and just finished dinner. Don’t tell me you’re already home.” I glanced over at Beth.
“Okay, I won’t tell you. Don’t worry, I’m only here for a few minutes before I head to Bakerstown.
The county commissioners want a report on the murder and if it affects the holiday tourist season.
They want me to tell them it’s fine to have the annual parade next week.
” He sighed so loud I could hear it over the phone.
“The fact that I’m in the middle of an active investigation is weighing on their minds.
Especially after someone leaked that Dominic and his boys were at the dart tournament that night. ”
“Sorry, I would have liked to see you. Maybe you’ll still be home when we get there.”
He chuckled. “Maybe. I’ve fed Emma, so don’t let her con you out of another can of food. And tell Beth that Jim’s looking for her. He says he hasn’t been able to reach her.”
“Like I said, we were in the library, then at dinner,” I repeated our schedule. “Oh, and she’s taking a few shifts at the bookstore since you have Toby busy.”
“I’m just the messenger. But please ask her to call. I’m afraid if she doesn’t, he’ll get on a plane tonight to make sure she’s okay.” He paused for a minute. “I love you, Mrs. King. Tell me you weren’t investigating my murder case.”
“I won’t lie to you. And I love you back,” I responded. I could see the ocean now in the distance. “We’re about thirty minutes out.”
“I’ll wait. I can call Jim and let him know Beth’s alive while I wait. You know he’s going to blame you.”
It was my turn to sigh. “He always does.”