Chapter 10
The state police were at the Scarboro farm when Merv and Felicia drove up. There were two troopers and one lieutenant. The troopers were putting Coons and Scarboro, both of them handcuffed, into their car.
"I'm Lieutenant Bills," the ranking officer said as he tipped his cap to the barefoot Felicia and shook Merv's hand. "You're Gaucin?"
Merv nodded. "I was afraid you wouldn't come."
"Had to. Your story was too far-fetched to ignore."
"You're already arresting them?" Merv asked. "Just on the strength of what I said over the phone?"
"No, for murder. Elon Martinez burned to death in his pickup. I was investigating it when you called, Mister Gaucin. It looked like an accident. Only there was a whiskey bottle beside the pickup, and I happen to know that Martinez never touched liquor. I knew him. When I got your message, Elon's death seemed to fit in somehow with what you'd said. I questioned Coons and Scarboro separately. Coons isn't as tough as he looks. He cracked, blamed Elon's murder on Buckner and Scarboro. Is this your girl? You found her?"
Merv nodded. "Buckner was with her. He came at me with a shotgun. I shot him, a few more times than I had to, I'm afraid. His body's in my pickup. I suppose you'll have to take me in, too."
"It was self-defense," Felicia said quickly.
"We'll take a statement from you, Mister Gaucin. I can't promise that you won't have to face trial, but from the looks of things, I wouldn't let it worry me if I were you."
"What about Ernesto?" Felicia asked tensely.
The lieutenant looked puzzled.
"Ernesto Armijo," Merv said.
The lieutenant still looked puzzled.
"They beat him and stuffed him in a culvert!" Felicia whined, wringing her hands. "He was my bodyguard! Has he been found?"
"The muscular young man," said the lieutenant, nodding. "Yes, one of our regular patrols found him, thanks to a pair of women's shoes lying on the highway. Yours, Miss Gaucin?"
"Yes. Is he all right? Where is he?"
"In the hospital with a concussion. He's still unconscious, but the doctor thinks he'll come out of it okay."
The color drained from Felicia's face. "I want to see him! Daddy, take me to the hospital! Please!"