Silent Witness

Ryan nodded. “Will you clear that with the chief?”

“I can try,” Toby replied wryly. They both knew it would depend upon what kind of mood Police Chief Peterson was in when they made the request. “I don’t think he’d want to leave the boy vulnerable to a possible killer.”

“I don’t think so either. I’ll find an excuse for sticking around.”

“I’m sure you will,” Toby said with a teasing smile. “Are there any good-looking women around?”

“One that I know of,” Ryan admitted, but he wasn’t all that sure the attractive Marian Richards would be happy about having an unexpected bodyguard underfoot. They’d have to find an acceptable reason for his presence for at least the next couple of days.

WHEN RYAN APPEARED in the office doorway, Marian’s whole body stiffened.

“May I come in?” he asked politely.

“Yes, of course.” She couldn’t tell anything from his expression. Motioning to a nearby chair, she said, “Have a seat.”

“Thanks, but I need to talk to Scotty. Where will I find him?”

His polite but official smile irritated her. She decided that if he wasn’t intending to keep her informed, she’d better set him straight right now. “What more do you need to ask him?”

She wasn’t prepared for his deep chuckle. “You’re quite the guard dog, aren’t you?”

“When I need to be.”

He made a gesture of mock surrender. “Well, I guess you’d better come along then. I might need a witness in case I’m accused of child cruelty.”

She knew he was teasing her, but she didn’t care. Establishing her authority came natural to her. More than once she knew she had been referred to as Miss Ironsides.

“Rest period is just about ending,” she said as she looked at her watch. “Scotty should still be on his bunk. I told our male teacher, Rob Harmon, to keep an eye on him.”

“Good. Maybe Scotty’s had time to remember a few more things.”

As they made their way upstairs, she struggled with a growing impatience. What had the forensic examiner discovered? Why did Ryan want to question Scotty again?

A wave of children came pouring into the hall and down the stairs. An hour of outdoor activity was scheduled before dinner.

There were four bedrooms on both the second and third floors. Nancy and the nurse shared the large master suite on the second floor and two girls were assigned to each of the remaining three rooms. The same arrangement was made on the third floor for Rob and six boys. Marian knew they had to move quickly if they wanted to catch Scotty before he bolted down the stairs with the others.

She wondered if he’d gotten by them when the third floor echoed with emptiness as they walked by the vacant rooms. Her chest tightened when they reached the last one, but a wave of relief swept through her when they looked through the door and saw Scotty sitting on the edge of the top bunk, his legs dangling over the side.

Marian knew he’d picked this room because of the bunk bed. He’d made it clear that he didn’t want “one of them sissy twin beds.”

“Did you have a nice rest, Scotty?” she asked brightly when he sensed their presence and looked up. She knew the question was an inane one, but she was desperately trying to keep the moment as light as possible.

All color left Scotty’s face as he glared at Ryan coming in behind her. He looked frightened, as if he expected the policeman to have a pair of handcuffs ready for him.

“Detective Darnell just wants to ask you a few more questions,” she assured him.

Ryan held up two fingers as he stood in front of Scotty. “Two questions. Answer them and you can go outside and play games with the others. Okay?”

Scotty slowly nodded, a guarded look in his eyes.

“Did you see a car parked anywhere in the trees when you walked to the cabin?”

Scotty stared past Ryan’s shoulder for a moment before he shook his head.

“Tell me, what did the dead man look like? Old? Young? His clothes? The color of his hair? Anything?”

Scotty sent Marian a frantic look, like someone backed into a corner. “I don’t remember nothing.”

She was ready to jump on Ryan for overloading the question, but he was already reassuring the boy. “If you remember anything later, Scotty, tell me. It could be important.”

At that moment, Rob hurried into the room and seemed surprised to see Marian and Ryan there. “I’ve been busy getting things ready for a game of kick ball and came back to get him.”

Scotty must have read the teacher’s lips about kick ball, because he slid off the bunk and started toward the door.

“Is it all right?” Rob asked as he put a restraining hand on Scotty’s arm.

Marian gave Ryan a questioning look.

“Great idea,” he readily responded with a smile. “I think Scotty would love having a chance to kick something right about now.”

After they were gone, Marian turned quickly to Ryan and demanded, “What did the forensic officer find?”

“Is there someplace we can talk privately?”

“My office—”

He shook his head. “Too many interruptions and we don’t want anyone eavesdropping.”

“Why all the need for privacy?” she asked, frowning. “If Rock Creek is anything like every other small town, the fact that a law officer was at the Wentworth estate will be tomorrow’s gossip.”

“True,” he agreed. “But we can orchestrate the gossip to be what we want.”

“How do we do that?”

“We put a spin on the truth,” he said as he put a guiding hand on her arm as they walked down the hall to the stairs.

The only place Marian could think of that was off-limits to everyone was her own private quarters, which were on the ground floor near the solarium.

When Alva Wentworth’s health began to decline, she had remodeled a spacious reception room and bathroom on the first floor into a parlor and a beautiful bedroom. A small refrigerator and hot plate sufficed for simple kitchen needs, and the buffet bar had remained intact. The wealthy widow had occupied these rooms the last few years before her declining health required an assisted-living facility.

“My rooms would probably be best,” she told Ryan.

Under different circumstances, she certainly would have had second thoughts about inviting a man she’d met only a few hours earlier into her private suite, especially a physically attractive man who made her feel that she’d been missing vibrant male company for far too long.

Was she just imagining that when he put a guiding hand on her arm, his fingertips slightly caressed her soft flesh? She gave herself a mental shake as they made their way downstairs. Enough of such romantic nonsense!

She informed him in her director’s voice, “I usually have a little time to myself during the activity period. We have the evening meal as soon as the children come in and I’ll need to be in the dining room to help serve.” She glanced at her watch. “We’ll have about forty minutes. That should be enough time for you to bring me up to date.”

If he was put off by her businesslike tone, he didn’t show it. A half smile remained at the corners of his mouth as they made their way to another wing of the mansion. As Marian opened the door, the spaciousness of the former reception room still amazed her. Obviously Mrs. Wentworth had moved elegant cherrywood furniture from other areas in the house to furnish her private space. A beautiful sofa and chairs in burgundy velvet, graceful end tables and Tiffany lamps defined the sitting area, and a glimpse of the bedroom revealed a large canopy bed and antique furniture. These luxurious accommodations had been a special treat for Marian. She had deeply appreciated the fact that at the end of a long day, most of the clamor of staff and children was in the upper parts of the house.

Quickly she motioned Ryan toward one of the chairs and sat down opposite him on the sofa. She tried to keep her manner relaxed. “Now, then, what exactly did your investigator find that made you question Scotty again?”

“Nothing concrete. And that’s the problem.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Toby didn’t find any blood anywhere, especially in front of the fireplace where Scotty said he saw the body. He looked the area over closely and took pictures. We’ll have to wait to see if Toby got any fingerprints. No telling who’s been using the cabin since Alva’s been gone.”

“The caretaker told me they hired a cleaning service for the mansion shortly before we took over. I don’t know if the cabin was included in that or not. I could ask and find out.”

“You are going to stay out of this,” he said firmly. Leaning forward, his eyes locked with hers. “No one is going to know anything about what happened today.”

“What do you mean?” She was startled by his tone and the sudden rigidity of his body.

“You haven’t told Scotty’s story to anyone, have you?”

“No.”

“Good.” He leaned back with obvious relief. “It’s a pretty safe bet the boy hasn’t said anything to anyone.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re not the only one,” he admitted with a fleeting smile. “And that’s the danger, Marian. Until we know if a crime has been committed, any talk and speculation could trigger something totally unexpected.”

“But you just can’t ignore—”

He quickly moved to the sofa beside her. “My first responsibility now is to keep Scotty and you safe. If someone did see the boy running away from a murder scene and knows the boy confided in you, both of you could be in danger.” He put his hands lightly on her shoulders, turning her to face him. “Do you understand?”

“Are you trying to frighten me?”

“No,” he replied in a softer tone. “I just intend to stay around and make sure neither of you are in jeopardy until we know exactly what we may be dealing with.”

“I don’t think that’s possible. How can I explain your presence to everyone? You want me to lie about who you really are?”

“Not at all. We just have to put a little twist on the reason for me being here at the estate.”

“Then you do mean lie.”

“It’s called a protective cover.”

“And what could that be? It’s hardly likely the staff will believe you’re a volunteer staff member.” Her mind raced ahead, already anticipating the problems of trying to incorporate a totally unlikely person into the curriculum.

“I was thinking more along the lines of something in keeping with the truth of my real occupation.”

“And what would that something be?”

“How about your needing my services to check out or change the security system?”

“I could never do that without the permission of Arthur Kennedy. He’s Alva Wentworth’s Denver lawyer and controls the budget. We’d have to get his approval for such an expenditure.”

“He’s in Denver? How often does he show up here?”

“I never know,” she admitted. “Most of the time we talk on the telephone. When he’s in town, he reports everything personally to Alva and then gives me instructions. I have never made a move without their approval.”

“Well, let’s go with the security story as long as we can. That will give me a free hand to hang around and keep you and Scotty under protection.”

“Do you think that’s really necessary?”

“I don’t know, but until we get something solid to go on, one way or the other, I intend to play it safe.”

She could tell from the firmness in his voice it was useless to argue. In a way she felt relieved that he was taking charge. On the other hand, just thinking about him being a constant presence in her life created challenges on more levels than one. She was very aware of his physical warmth and sexual appeal. Having him around as a bodyguard night and day wasn’t going to be that easy.

She rose abruptly to her feet.

“What’s the matter?” he asked as he stood up beside her.

“The children will be coming in soon. I have to see to the dining room.”

Something in her voice must have betrayed her anxiety, because he put his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll make this as easy on you as I can. Just remember we’re role-playing. Okay?”

“Okay,” she echoed as firmly as she could.

“I’m here because you have been concerned for the security of the children and want me to check out the present system. I’ll offer to remain on the premises until everything is brought up to date. Hopefully that will give Officer Bower time to carry out his forensic tests and provide us with some direction for any necessary investigation. I have a relative who is deaf and I can handle a little signing.”

He fell silent as they walked through the house to the dining room.

“I need to check with Elsie Mullens, the cook,” Marian said, turning toward swinging double doors leading into the kitchen. “We don’t have any money in the budget for additional help, so all of us pitch in when we can. Two of the older children help load the two dishwashers and get a dollar a day for it. Scotty started out helping but gave Elsie such a bad time that she quickly decided to dispense with his services.”

As they came into the kitchen, Elsie was filling bowls with a hearty vegetable soup. Platters of fried chicken, corn bread, fruit salad and peanut-butter cookies were side by side on the serving carts with pitchers of milk.

“Wow, everything smells delicious!” Ryan said enthusiastically as he smiled at Elsie. “I hope there’s enough for one more.”

“I wasn’t told there was going to be a guest,” she informed him in her blunt fashion.

“And I wasn’t told there was a chef in the kitchen preparing good solid food that could send a man’s stomach growling,” he countered as he bent over and sniffed the vegetable soup. “Just a touch of oregano, I’ll bet.”

Elsie’s frown instantly changed into an expression of surprise. “You some kind of a cook?”

“Nope, but I grew up on a ranch. We had a chuck wagon cook who was a whiz at making a soup that smelled just like this.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time during roundup cooking for a bunch of cowhands,” Elsie said proudly as she gave him a full-blown smile.

“Really? I may just decide to stick around for a while. What do you think?” he asked as he turned to Marian.

“I guess you can take your time,” she replied on cue. She was surprised how easily the lie flowed from her lips when she introduced Ryan to the cook. “He’s going to be checking out the security system.”

As Elsie wiped her hands on her apron, she scrutinized Marian’s face and then Ryan’s. Marian couldn’t tell what was going through her mind but she knew the cook wasn’t going to be easily fooled. If anyone saw through the charade they were creating, it would be Elsie. Once her suspicions were aroused, she could easily say or do something that could blow Ryan’s undercover pretense sky-high.

Marian’s mouth went dry.

And then what?

Chapter Four

When the children came in from their activity period, Marian went upstairs with Nancy to help the girls get ready for supper.

“All right, give,” Nancy ordered, her round eyes sparkling with open curiosity. “Who is that hunk of masculinity in the kitchen? A parent checking us out?”

Marian shook her head. “No, his name is Ryan Darnell.”

“And?” Nancy’s full face spread in a teasing grin. “Do I detect something personal afoot?”

“Not at all. He’s here on business.” The lie came out easier than she thought it would. “He’s checking out the security system.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Maybe nothing. That’s what he’s here to find out.” In a way, that was the truth. If Scotty was lying, there wouldn’t be anything to find out. Ryan Darnell would go back to his regular duties and this whole thing would be forgotten. She’d probably never have the occasion to see him again. And if he turned up something to verify Scotty’s story, then…She quickly shoved the thought away. The consequences were much too dire to even think about.

When Marian came into the elegant dining room with the rest of the teachers and children, she was surprised to find Ryan helping to set places at the one long table. She was amazed at the ease with which he handled water glasses, helped scoot in chairs and unfold napkins. Obviously, somewhere, sometime, he’d had plenty of practice.

Nancy winked at Marian as they walked to the end of the table where the adults sat, and whispered, “Let’s jimmy the security system and keep him around.”

Children as noisy as any in the hearing world took their places and began attacking the food and drink that had been put before them. A few of the youngsters had been finicky eaters when they first arrived, but they’d soon learned that meals were “eat up now or go hungry until the next one.”

Henry Ziller, a tall, balding man in his fifties, also showed up for the evening meal. His habitual scowl spoiled his appearance and he was the only one who ate without any interaction with kids or adults. Apparently he preferred Elsie’s cooking to any he could do for himself in his small garage apartment.

For all intents and purposes, Henry ignored everything but the food. He’d made it quite clear to Marian that he felt Alva Wentworth had betrayed him by turning the place over to a bunch of do-gooders. He’d been in charge of the place for nearly twenty years. He was resentful, suspicious and obviously wanted them gone.

Marian watched Ryan ignore a chair at the adult end of the table and take one between Scotty and Mindy. When he signed something to the little girl, she laughed but Scotty just scowled and gave his attention to the food.

Marian’s stomach tightened as the day’s events played over in her mind. The detective was probably used to living on the edge of drama and trauma, but she prided herself on a well-ordered and uncomplicated life. How could events of just a few hours send her life into a tailspin?

When dinner was over, the children were taken into the large parlor for a movie before bed. Ryan remained behind in the empty dining room and so did Henry Ziller.

As the caretaker walked over to Ryan, his expression was like that of a guard dog ready to drive the intruder from the premises.

Apparently Ziller didn’t remember him as one of the boys who had been at Stanley Wentworth’s sleepovers in the cabin almost seventeen years ago. Ryan was not surprised and doubted if he would have recognized the caretaker if he’d met the balding, big-bellied, frowning man someplace else.

“You working here now?” Henry demanded bluntly. “Every time I turn around the old lady sends somebody else around to make my job harder.”

Ryan had enough experience with hostile people to know that interviewing was about asking questions, not answering them. “You’re the caretaker, aren’t you?”

“Damn right! I see to the whole estate,” he answered pugnaciously, as if ready for an argument.

“Oh, yes, Mr. Ziller. I remember you!” Ryan smiled as if the memory was a pleasant one. “You were the caretaker here the summer some of us high school kids were running around with Stanley Wentworth.”

Obviously taken aback by this reference to the past, the caretaker deepened his scowl as Ryan stuck out his hand and forced a handshake. “Ryan Darnell. My folks have a place west of town.”

“Don’t remember you none,” Henry replied flatly, still scowling. “Stanley’s friends didn’t mingle with the hired help. A snotty brat, he was. I’m glad the old lady cut him out of her will.”

“I heard Stanley got himself into some kind of a jam and she disowned him.” Ryan waited, hoping he might have turned on a valve that would bring him some personal information about the family.

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