Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Hewey Spader Mystery Series Book 3) Read online

  “I thought about it once, but I can’t afford any overhead expenses,” he replied. “Rent and utilities these days are so ridiculously high for residences, so imagine commercial buildings.”

  “What if I alleviated the rent part?”

  “What are you getting at Hewey?”

  “I saw a vacant lot there on Furlough Drive and think it’s a great location for a mechanic shop. I’d like to purchase it for you—that is, if you want it. If not, you can look for something else and let me know.”

  I couldn’t read the expression on his face after I’d said that, and for a moment thought that somehow, I’d insulted his intelligence.

  “You’d do that for me—buy me a piece of property?” he finally replied.

  “Sure, I would! You’re my brother.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”

  “You’re not interested?” I reluctantly asked.

  “The heck I ain’t! I know the land you’re talking about on Furlough. It’s the perfect location, for sure.” He smiled.

  “Great! Because I have the contract of sale in my room.”

  “What the hell? Are you serious?”

  “Yep. A couple of days ago while I was out with Sam and Rob, I found out who owned the property and quickly learned the guy was about to put it up for sale; had already informed his attorney. So—long story short, I told him I was interested; he gave the attorney instructions for the contract of sale and here we are. Now that it’s a go, I’ll have the money wired from my bank and the property is yours!”

  “I can’t believe this, Hewey! You’re amazing, man!” He got up and gave me the biggest bear hug ever.

  When he decided to release me, I went to my room and showed him the contract.

  “Whew! One hundred and fifteen grand!” He exclaimed. “I still can’t believe this, man.”

  Carl must’ve been the happiest guy on the planet that day and seeing him like that was the greatest feeling.

  “So, next, we can find an architect and have some plans drawn for your new mechanic shop,” I said. “And don’t worry, li’l bro, I’m gonna help you with the construction too.”

  He was washed in tears by then and I loved every second of it.

  11

  _________________

  Monday finally came—the day Sam, Rob and I were patiently waiting for. Luke Barry was the topic of conversation every day since Mrs. Cooper mentioned his name. Turns out, he was stationed at police headquarters where Chief Mays had worked his entire career.

  We arrived there at a quarter past nine and were relieved that the hour had come for us to put some serious questions to this officer.

  “Keep your fingers crossed,” I said before we walked inside the station. Sam and Rob immediately sat down while I enquired at the counter.

  “Good morning. I’m here to see Superintendent Barry,” I said to the slanky officer seated at the reception desk.

  “What’s the name?” he asked.

  “Hewey Spader.”

  “Superintendent Barry’s in a meeting right now, Mr. Spader. Can someone else assist?”

  “It’s very important that I speak with him personally, so I’ll wait,” I replied.

  He had no objections.

  As we sat quietly, time slowly ticked by and before we knew it, a full hour had passed. By then, another officer had relieved the first guy at the reception desk.

  I got up and went over to the desk again. “Excuse me. My name’s Hewey Spader; I’m here to see Superintendent Barry. Can you check to see if he’s still in a meeting please?”

  This guy barely looked up to acknowledge me, unlike his much younger colleague. He did, however, pick up the phone and enquire.

  “A Hewey Spader’s here to see him,” he said to whomever was on the line. Then, he finally made eye contact with me. “Are those two with you?”

  I glanced back at Sam and Rob who were looking our way. “Yes…they are.”

  Our plan was for me to speak with Barry alone, as we didn’t feel the need for all of us to be there, similar to the arrangement we had concerning our visit with Chief Mays. But since the officer asked if the guys were with me, I was thinking that maybe there should be a change of plans.

  The officer ended the call, slid a large black book with dogears in front of me and said, “Write down all of your names here.”

  I did as requested, then he directed me to enter the door directly behind him and offered further instructions on how to find Barry’s office.

  Luke Barry was in his mid-fifties, a bit on the tall side and clean-shaven. His head was as shiny as a bowling ball. Sipping a cup of coffee at his desk, he made a single gesture of his hand for us to have a seat when we arrived at the door.

  We all said good morning.

  Barry got up and extended a handshake to each of us. After returning to his chair, he asked, “How can I help you?”

  Of course, neither Sam nor Rob bothered to respond.

  “Sir, my name is Hewey Spader…”

  “Yeah. I understand you had called for me late last week and were told I was on vacation, due back today. Very little happens around here, especially concerning me that I don’t know about, Mr. Spader. Every phone call, every text, every email—I am aware of. What I want to know is why you’re here.”

  I crossed my legs, assuming a more comfortable position. “I guess I should start by saying that my friends, Sam and Rob here, and I have a friend and his mother who have been missing for more than twenty-five years. We’ve gotten absolutely no answers and no indications from police that there have been leads or an investigation concerning the matter and we think it’s high time someone showed some interest in finding out what happened to them.”

  “What’s the name of the missing persons?” he asked.

  “Jason and Catherine Anderson.”

  He nodded. “I remember those names.”

  “Has there been any type of leads in the matter?” I asked.

  It took him a few moments to respond.

  “I can’t say for sure.”

  “Well, who can?” Sam interjected.

  “If I can’t tell you, there’s nothing to tell,” he replied.

  “What kind of nonsense is going on around here?” Sam exclaimed. “How in the world can two people go missing from a small town like this and no one—absolutely no one gives a damn?”

  She’d caught me off guard there, but I must say that I admired her spunk—always had.

  Barry was silent.

  “I went to see Chief Mays just before he died,” I continued. “And he started to tell me something about an officer overhearing a conversation regarding Jase and his mom during that time when residents here were held captive on the compound…”

  “Uh-huh,” he muttered.

  “And then another resident recently called your name indicating that you might know something about the disappearances and that’s why we’re here.”

  He was nodding again, but I could tell he was feeling rather uncomfortable.

  “If you know something, sir, we would appreciate you telling us,” Rob chimed in.

  “Well, if we don’t get our answers today,” Sam started, “When I go home, I’ll be contacting every major news station in this country and also in France where I live and I’m gonna make it known that law enforcement in Eppington has either failed to investigate or is covering up the matter pertaining to our friend and his mother’s disappearance. And I guarantee you, sir, that some heat is gonna come down on this town like you’d never seen. A pity it didn’t happen long ago!”

  For the better part of a minute, we all sat there without uttering a single word. Barry was now looking more uncomfortable than ever.

  Then he finally said, “Only three people know exactly what happened to the Andersons and one of them is dead. The fact is…he only knew the truth because I told him. He was my superior who I trusted back then with my life and we promised not to speak a word of it in case those aliens came ba
ck for us with a vengeance. But what ended up happening was it gradually became a burden for Chief Mays since his duty—all of our duty—was to serve and protect the people of this community. We hadn’t done that for two of our own and keeping quiet about what happened to them that last day at the compound was extremely difficult to bear.”

  “You seemed to have coped with it all right,” Sam asserted, much to my dismay. Sometimes, the girl just went overboard.

  Barry slid open one of his desk drawers, then placed multiple prescription medication packets on top of the desk.

  “Looks can be deceiving,” he said. “This is how I cope with what I know. As a high-ranking police officer, it’s embarrassing to say that the events of 1995 changed me to where I’m frightened even to this day and more so because of a secret I’m afraid to tell—but it’s true. Chief Mays obviously tried to get it off his chest before he died.”

  I was startled by Barry’s confession.

  I remember you, Mr. Spader. I knew who you were from the moment you walked in here. I saw you at the compound that last day. You had a meeting with the Tibetan Mastiff leader of the canines, but what I overheard from two other canines was that those with you also had a private meeting with the leader while you were still there. What they went on to say is what I’m afraid to utter for fear that somehow those beings will hear and come back and retaliate against me and my family. I cannot risk that, Mr. Spader—I’d die first. What I suggest is that you get the truth out of the man who was directly involved and knows firsthand what really happened—and don’t stop until you do.”

  He gave us the name that shocked us to the core, and without delay, we were on our way to confront him.

  12

  _________________

  I banged on Jeffreys’ door and didn’t stop until he opened up. The anger I felt inside was something I hadn’t remembered ever feeling before.

  He soon opened the door with a confused expression on his face.

  “How could you?” Sam demanded after we’d entered his house without an invitation.

  “What are you talking about?” Jeffreys asked, clearly shocked by our hostile intrusion.

  “Tell us what happened in that meeting the leader of the canines had with you and Hugo after I left the room,” I insisted.

  “What meeting?”

  “You know what meeting I’m talking about, Jeffreys!” I scoffed. “After I went in there and he agreed to release everyone and leave this town, you and Hugo were called in. You made me believe it was all about him dealing with Hugo for betraying his own kind, but there was more to it than that, wasn’t it? What didn’t you tell me?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Spader.”

  He turned his back on me and sat down in his rocking chair.

  I grabbed him by the collar. “You either tell me the truth, old man, or this face is gonna be the last one you’d ever see!”

  He glanced at Rob and Sam as if they’d care to rescue him. I’m sure he remembered, according to his own words, how we were rascals and brats in our younger years. I’m guessing at that particular point in time, he figured not very much had changed.

  I tightened my grip to show him I was dead serious.

  “Okay! Okay!” He held up his hand. “I’ll tell you.”

  I released him and he sat back in the chair.

  “We’re waiting!” Sam said.

  Jeffreys sighed heavily. “It’s best if you all sat down for this.”

  The guys and I glanced at each other and reluctantly sat with him in the living room.

  It seemed like a century had passed before he spoke again.

  “Spader, I hate to break the news to you that your agreement with the leader was not as cut and dry as you thought it was.”

  “What are you saying?” I was sitting at the edge of the chair.

  “He called Hugo and me in there, yes—to scold Hugo about his betrayal of their kind for the sake of us humans, but also to tell us that because of his betrayal, there would have to be a trade-off. For him to release the residents of this town, two of them would have to go with them when they were leaving.”

  “What? We all exclaimed, simultaneously.

  “A trade-off?” I said.

  “Yes.” He nodded slowly.

  “He asked for names, and Hugo and I both hesitated for the longest time because we couldn’t believe what he was proposing. However, he said it was the only way he’d release everyone. Two people had to be the sacrifice for an entire community was the way he put it. In the end, it was left for me to decide who those people should be since they were our kind.”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. “So, you chose Jase and his mother?”

  “I did.”

  “Why them?” Rob asked.

  “Because the two people had to be someone close to you, Spader. It would’ve been either your parents or two of your friends; I’m sorry. I knew Jase only had his mother and figured if I chose them, no matter what happened, they’d be together.”

  Tears were streaming down Sam’s sweet little cheeks again and Rob was teary-eyed too.

  “I can’t believe this,” I whispered.

  “The mastiff promised they wouldn’t be harmed though,” Jeffreys quickly added. “That’s the only reason why I’ve been able to live with myself and this secret for so many years.”

  “Do you know what ever became of them?” Sam asked. “Did Hugo know?”

  With the assistance of his cane, Jeffreys got up and walked into the hallway. I reached over and wrapped my arms around Sam’s shoulder, trying to comfort her.

  “This is crazy,” Rob said. “Our buddy, Jase, turned out to be a victim in this situation more than once.”

  Sam nodded in agreement.

  Jeffreys soon returned holding something in his left hand. He sat down again, then called us over.

  “I want to show you all something,” he said as we stood around him. The device he was holding resembled a miniature computer screen—approximately three inches on all sides—but this was unlike any computer I’d ever seen.

  “What is this?” I asked him.

  “This was handed to me by the mastiff before Hugo and I left his office. I was directed to conceal it on my way out. In light of what I had done, it was to offer me assurance that no harm had come to the boy and his mother.”

  He waved his wrinkled hand across the face of the device and it immediately lit up. We all leaned in, and to our surprise, saw a little wooden house surrounded by fruit-bearing trees, and on the porch was Jase’s mom. She was sitting alone, shelling peas with a white bowl in her lap.

  “Honey, come here!” she called out toward the door. And shortly thereafter, a tall, handsome man, clearly in his forties, joined her outside.

  “It’s Jase!” Sam declared, cheerfully.

  “Yeah. It’s him, isn’t it?” Rob’s face lit up.

  “It’s him all right.” I was choked up, fighting back the tears. It was the very first time any of us had seen our friend for nearly thirty years.

  “Where are they?” Sam asked Jeffreys.

  “I have no idea,” he replied. “That little detail was not disclosed to me. Over the years, I checked in on them periodically, but they can’t see or hear me. They’re always outside enjoying the fresh air, doing odds and ends, gardening and such.”

  “Have you ever seen anyone else with them?” I asked.

  “Never. I have a feeling wherever they are, it’s likely in the middle of nowhere.”

  Jase took the bowl of peas from his mom and kissed her on the cheek.

  “In spite of everything, they seem happy,” Sam said.

  For a while, I was at a loss for words. The reality of the matter was taking its own slow time setting in.

  “Why didn’t you tell us, Jeffreys?” Sam asked. “You knew Jase was our friend and how concerned we were when we found out they were missing. Why did you keep this from us—at least the knowledge that they were alive?”

 
“Yeah. How could you?” Rob grimaced.

  “I had to protect Hugo while he was still here,” Jeffreys admitted. “Then, after he was gone, I felt I had to protect myself. Knowing what I’d done, it was easy to believe that if I told you kids what had really happened, you’d be furious, just like you were when you got here today. I’ll be joining Hugo soon, so it doesn’t matter that much anymore. It’s all out now and honestly…I’m relieved.”

  I had mixed emotions about Jeffreys and what he had done. Sam and Rob did too. The truth, however, was that he was cornered to make a decision that would’ve affected others in a major way and at the time, he did what he thought was best.

  We left his home that day knowing we’d probably never see the man again; neither did we want to.

  As we headed to my house to hang out for a while, Sam held the device Jeffreys had turned over to us and watched lovingly while Jase’s mom hummed softly in her little rocking chair as dust wisped into the air around the wooden house.

  * * * *

  “I’ll be heading back home tomorrow since our mission here is accomplished,” Sam said, as she and I sat alone on the back porch.

  Carl and Rob were inside watching a football game and discussing what had been uncovered within the last couple of hours.

  “When are you leaving?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. Think I’m gonna hang around here for a few more days and help Carl with getting a plan started for his mechanic shop.”

  “It’s so nice what you’re doing for your brother, Hewey. I’m sure he’s thrilled about it.”

  “Yeah, he is. Haven’t seen him so happy in a long time.”

  She smiled.

  “I guess your husband can’t wait for you to get back home.”

  She was staring straight ahead. “It’s not like what you think. We’re actually getting divorced.”

  I shook my head. “I’m really sorry, Sam.”

  “Don’t be. It’s been terrible for a long time and I just wanna get it over with.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say.

  “At one time, I thought he was my soulmate,” she continued. “But I was so wrong.”