With eyebrows raised in curiosity, Theo said, “Do you know what was on those papers that made Paul so angry?"
"Not really,” Tim said. “Dad is Mr. Brink's bookkeeper. He does the books on our computer and won't let me play games on it because it's strictly for business."
"Do you know if the papers are still there?” Sadie pulled her arm from behind Tim. “Or did Paul take them with him?"
"I think they're still there. I didn't see him take anything when he left.” Tim looked from Theo to Sadie. “After Mom helped him pick up the mess, Dad locked the papers in a drawer. But I know where he hides the key."
"That still isn't enough to prove he was murdered,” Theo said.
"But Tim saw Paul shoot at them.” Aanders shrunk back when all heads turned toward him. “He saw Paul with a rifle."
"What?” Sadie stared in disbelief. “You saw Paul with a gun?"
"A rifle,” Tim answered. “Mom saw him, too."
"You mean Paul brought a rifle to your house?” Stunned, Theo sat forward on his chair
"No. He was standing in the woods."
"Where?” Sadie said.
"Right near where we had the accident. After the movie we dropped Aanders off and headed home. I had my earphones in my ears. Mom told Dad I had my music on and couldn't hear them. They always tell secrets when they think I'm listening to my iTunes. She didn't know I hadn't turned it on yet."
Tim paused; Aanders took the lead. “She asked Tim's dad if he could prove Paul was stealing the old people's money. His dad said he had proof his partner bezzled."
"Embezzled?” Theo offered.
"That's the word,” Tim whispered.
"But where does the rifle fit into this?” Sadie said.
"When Mom and Dad were talking about him stealing the old people's money, I saw Mom point out the window. When I looked, I saw Mr. Brinks pointing a rifle at us. He was on the edge of the woods. I knew it was him because he had on the same camouflage he wears when he shoots with Dad."
The group drew a collective breath trying to absorb the information.
"Are you sure, Tim?” Sadie asked. “You're not making this up?"
"See?” Tim's voice caught in his throat. He looked at Aanders. “I told you she wouldn't believe me."
"I believe you,” Theo said, rising from his chair. He crouched near Tim. “What happened after you saw Mr. Brinks with his rifle?"
"I heard a pop and then Mom screamed. She must have seen the flash from the rifle, too. Right after that, the car skidded toward the ditch. I could see Dad fighting with the steering wheel, but the car shot across the highway and into the ditch on the other side. It seemed like grass was flying everywhere. Then all of a sudden Dad's door flew open and that's all I remember."
Sadie's hand covered her lips. “Oh my God. Paul shot at Richard. That's what caused the car to go off the road.” She looked at Theo. “Deputy Friborg was right. It wasn't an accident."
"Were autopsies done on the bodies?” Theo said.
"Just Richard's. But Nan didn't mention any bullet holes when she prepped their bodies. If they would have found bullet holes, it would have been considered murder. Everything I read in the newspaper indicated it was an accident. They think Richard swerved to miss a deer."
"That's what I heard them say,” Tim whispered. “I could hear people talking. I tried to talk to them, but they wouldn't listen. I tried to tell them about Mr. Brinks."
"Maybe you were already dead,” Aanders said.
Tim rolled his head to look at Aanders. “I wanted to tell them that after the car hit that tree, I heard a motor start up and drive away. Then I couldn't hear it anymore."
"You mean like another car's engine?” Theo asked.
"No. It was a four wheeler. It sounded just like the one Mr. Brinks has because it backfires a lot."
25
"You can't be serious,” Jane said, as she listened to Sadie's plan. “What if someone catches you? Wouldn't it be safer if you called the sheriff and told them about the murder?"
Sadie stared at her sister while she let her impatience settle to a simmer. “That sounds like a good idea. I'll call Carl and tell him that Tim, who is deader than a doornail, told me all about a murder. Then I'll tell him the murderer, and his best friend, are one and the same."
"I don't get it,” Mr. Bakke said.
"What do you mean you don't get it?” Sadie said. “Carl already thinks I'm loony. Telling him I've been talking to a dead boy isn't going to make things better."
Mr. Bakke folded the newspaper. “I mean about the doornail. Who ever came up with the saying doornails are dead? Or better yet, who ever thought they were alive?"
"I'm talking about murder.” Sadie turned her disbelieving gaze from Mr. Bakke to her sister. “You two make a good pair."
Theo grabbed Sadie's arm as she dug for her keys in her purse. “I'm going with you.” He spun her around. “You might get into something you can't handle."
She batted at his hand. “Why don't you say what you really mean? You don't think I'm capable of doing it myself."
"Precisely.” Theo took her by the elbow.
Jane cocked her head. “It's not that I don't think you're capable. I think it's too risky. Do you really think you'll find some evidence?"
"Don't you think Paul would have gotten rid of it?” Mr. Bakke said.
" Nan said Richard's sister isn't coming back for a few more days. I'm hoping that means no one's been in Richard's office. If there were signs of a break in, it would give Lon even more ammunition to investigate. I'm betting Paul's waiting for Richard's sister to let him in. Tim told me where his dad hid his desk key. If we can find a way to get in the house, the rest should be easy."
Jane wiped her hands on her apron. “Do you think I should go with you?"
"Theo's going with me."
"What can he do that I can't?"
"Drive the getaway car? Stay out of sight?"
"That's not funny,” Jane said. “I can help you look for whatever it is you're looking for."
"Tell her there'll be less risk if one person is seen going into Richard's house,” Theo said. “You could say you were getting some of Aanders video games. People would believe that."
"Theo's right, Jane. He says it makes more sense that you stay here. If I'm not back in an hour, you can come looking for me."
"Where's Theo sitting?” Jane said.
"He's standing by the door."
Jane and Mr. Bakke looked at the door. Jane wagged her finger. “You keep an eye on her. Don't let her do anything stupid."
Mr. Bakke tipped his head back and puckered his lips. As Sadie glared at him, he turned an imaginary key to seal his lips. “I didn't say a word. Quit giving me the evil eye."
"I know exactly what you were thinking because death coaches can read minds."
"No they can't,” Mr. Bakke said. “If that were the case, you'd have kicked me out years ago."
Theo hung on to the back of the van seat with both hands when Sadie cut the corner too close. “Don't drive so fast. You're going to attract attention.” The rear tire hit the curb and bounced hard as the van bottomed out against the pavement.
Sadie adjusted the rear view mirror. “As long as Carl doesn't see me, we'll be okay. That fool pulls me over every time he sees me driving this van. If I fart, he makes a federal case out of it."
"Vulgarity.” Theo exhaled deeply. “Don't you remember we talked about purging those words from your vocabulary?"
"Are you saying judges don't fart?"
"When and if we do, we don't talk about it."