The Blue Butterfly: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Read online

“Nah, sometimes David thinks the sun comes up just to hear him crow. Nothin’ to what he said. Jes’ old words from a long time ago. He can’t let it go. Guess he thinks if it weren’t for mom and me he’d be livin’ in high cotton. Never ya’ mind, ya’ ain’t got no dog in this hunt. That boy could start an argument in an empty house. No wonder he can never hold onta’ a woman. Ain’t got no whaddya call it? Think the word’s finesse.”

  Liz turned around and walked out of the kitchen. She could see that people had gone on to other things, and the incident in the kitchen between Gertie and her step-brother had been forgotten as they began to discuss whatever the next most importance thing was to them.

  “Well, what did you find out?” Roger asked with a worried look on his face as she scooted back into the booth. She told him about the conversation she’d had earlier in the day with Gertie and then answered his question.

  “I guess it confirms there isn’t a lot of love lost between Gertie and her step-brother. Strange thing. When I asked her earlier why he’d come to Red Cedar if they didn’t get along, she said he’d mentioned something about a blue butterfly. That’s kind of weird. I mean I know he’s with the Forestry Service, so maybe he has something to do with butterflies, but I can’t figure out what that would be.”

  “Are you sure that’s what she said?” Roger asked.

  “Yes, why?”

  “We’ve had conversations about coincidences before, and how I don’t believe in them. Well, this is certainly a coincidence considering I just had a conversation with a client about a butterfly called the Lotis Blue butterfly.”

  CHAPTER 3

  “Ruby, did you know David Sanders is in Red Cedar?” George Myers angrily shouted as he threw open the front door of their home.

  “Of course not. Why would he be here?”

  “Probably to see if you’ll take him back. Did he call you or what?”

  “No,” Ruby said with her hands on her hips and the color in her cheeks starting to match the color of her long curly red hair. “I haven’t seen David since the day I walked out on him in Sacramento nearly two years ago. You know that. I can’t believe what you’re insinuating. Anyway, what makes you think he’s in town?”

  “I know we usually have lunch here at the house, so I thought I’d go to Gertie’s Diner and get a couple of hamburgers to go for us for lunch. When I got to the diner I saw a Forestry Service car parked in front of it. Figured it wasn’t a coincidence that since David is Gertie’s step-brother, the car had to belong to him. I know it could have been one of the other Forestry Service people, but I sat in my car and waited until he came out the back door. He looked really angry when he got in the car. I recognized him from some of those photos I saw of you and him, the ones I threw out after we got married. Yeah, it was David Sanders all right. I kind of remember you telling me how he and Gertie didn’t get along real well.”

  “That’s the understatement of the year, but you have to believe me, George. I haven’t had any communication with David for two years. He was part of my past, and you know those days are over. Even my mom can tell you that.”

  “Your mom would say anything to protect you so forget about having her come to your rescue. David may be part of your past, but you’re still an employee of the Forestry Service and so is he. Since he’s here he’ll probably go to the local Forestry Service office, and you’ll see him. How do you plan on handling that situation?”

  “I have no idea. Maybe there’s something going on at the office I don’t know about and that’s why he’s here. When I left for lunch, Les told me he wanted me in the office this afternoon and not out in the field, because he was holding a meeting at 2:00, and he wanted all the staff there. I have no idea what it’s about. Maybe it has something to do with why David’s in town.”

  “Ruby, you know I’ve worked real hard to control those anger issues I used to have. I’ve been seeing Dr. Lewis every week just like you told me I had to do before you agreed to marry me, but so help me, if David Sanders tries anything with you, I’ll kill him.”

  “George, don’t even say something like that. It scares me, and it’s not funny. You’ve done so well with Dr. Lewis, and you know those anger issues were the only thing standing in the way of our getting married. When Dr. Lewis told me you’d been able to get your anger under control and deal with it in a normal manner, that’s when I told you I’d marry you. Believe me, I wouldn’t do anything that would cause you to have problems like you used to have.”

  He glowered at her and clenched his fists. “Ruby, I’m telling you, if he looks at you or if he touches you, I’ll kill him. He’s old enough to be your father. I never could understand why you were ever involved with him in the first place. Maybe you’ve got some daddy issues or something you need to talk to Dr. Lewis about, but you’re mine now, not his. You remember that, and if he even thinks of doing anything, you tell him I’ll be the last person he’ll ever see. Understand what I’m saying?”

  “Yes, baby, I understand. You don’t need to worry. You’re the one I love, not David Sanders.” She walked over to George and put her arms around him. “I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what we have, you know that.”

  “I’d like to believe you, but when a guy from your past comes into town and you both work for the same employer, I don’t like it.”

  “I don’t blame you, but David Sanders means nothing to me other than a name from my past.”

  “Good. Make sure you keep it that way,” he said, roughly kissing her.

  She returned his kiss and then pushed him away. “I’ve got to get back to office. I’m probably going to be late as it is. See you tonight.”

  So David’s in town. Wonder what he wants. I’d never admit it to George, but I would like to see David and talk to him. Just for old times’ sake, Ruby thought. Maybe he’ll be at the meeting this afternoon. George won’t be there, and anyway, he’d never know about it if I talked to David.

  CHAPTER 4

  “Liz, let’s go over to my office. I’ve got a couple of things relating to the law office I’d like to run by you, and one of them involves the blue butterfly Gertie mentioned to you. I don’t like to discuss things that relate to my law practice in a restaurant. Rather doubt anyone would care what we’re talking about, but it will make me feel better if we discuss them in the privacy of my office. My next appointment isn’t for an hour. Would that be okay with you, or do you have something you have to do right away?”

  “No. I do need to get back to the lodge, unpack the groceries, and get organized for dinner, but I have a little time. Let’s go.”

  The young waitress had left their bill on a brown tray which she’d put on their table. Roger dropped some cash in it, stood up, and said, “She was a good waitress. I don’t mind tipping people who are really trying to do a good job even if they are new at it.” A few minutes later Liz and Roger were in his office, Roger behind his desk, and Liz sitting in a client chair across from him.

  “So, Roger, what’s this about? You mentioned there were a couple of things you wanted to talk to me about.”

  “One of my law firm’s clients is Jefferson Lumber Company which is headquartered here in Red Cedar. When I opened the firm’s branch office here the firm suggested to Lewis Jefferson, the owner of the company, that it would be much easier for him to come to the office in Red Cedar when his company had legal problems rather than drive down to San Francisco. He readily agreed. Naturally, I’ve met him a number of times in San Francisco, but today was the first time he’s come to my office.”

  “I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned his name to me, but since your expertise is in criminal law, why would you be meeting with him?” Liz asked.

  “You’re absolutely right. Criminal law has always been my specialty, but when the firm decided I should open this office, it was agreed I’d have to expand my practice into other areas of law. Let’s face it. If I looked solely to the residents of Red Cedar to provide me with enough clients who had criminal pr
oblems we’d starve, and I wouldn’t even be able to pay the rent. While there have been a couple of murders here, there really isn’t much crime in this sleepy little town.

  “As you know, we have attorneys in the firm who specialize in all kinds of law, so when I opened this office, my partners told me I had carte blanche to use the expertise of those attorneys whenever I needed to. Anyway, it’s not surprising I’ve never mentioned Lewis to you. A couple of my partners handled most of his business. I knew sooner or later he’d probably come in to see me, because a company as large as his is constantly having legal problems of one kind or another. That’s simply a fact of life, and Lewis is astute enough to realize when he needs to get legal help. He called me last week and made an appointment to see me. He said he had a couple of things he needed to talk to me about.”

  “Well, now my curiosity is definitely aroused. What were those things?”

  “He showed me an unsigned letter he’d recently received. Whoever wrote it said that several people familiar with butterflies had spotted a Lotis Blue butterfly on one of Jefferson’s timber properties and had photographs to prove it. The letter said that the Lotis Blue butterfly is on the Endangered Species List and prior to this alleged sighting hasn’t been seen since 1983. It went on to say that if all logging wasn’t immediately stopped in the area where the butterfly was observed, several people were willing to take the steps necessary to stop the logging. The content of the letter was quite threatening, and Lewis was concerned not only for himself, but for his employees who were working in that area. He’s very aware of the power environmentalists can wield if they want to, and from the tone of the letter, they definitely want to.”

  “How does that work?”

  “They would go to court and get an order to stop all logging activities because of the sighting of the butterfly. If they really do have photographs, they might be able to get a judge to grant a restraining order, since this particular butterfly is on the Endangered Species List,” Roger said.

  “Does that mean that all logging would stop right then and there?”

  “Yes, and it’s important to understand that Lewis is a very caring employer. He’s not only concerned about the amount of money his company would lose on a daily basis if the logging had to be stopped, but he’s also worried about what would happen to his employees if a restraining order is granted by the court. He knows he can’t keep them on the payroll if no money is coming in from logging operations. His company is one of the few lumber companies that’s been able to hang on during these last few years because of the slowdown in the economy and new environmental restrictions on logging activities. Lumber towns and the whole industry have all suffered tremendously.”

  “That’s horrible. Can you do anything about it?”

  “Not until whoever sent the letter decides to go public. As of now no one has served my client with a cease and desist order, and until that happens we’re simply in a wait and see mode.”

  “Do you think Gertie’s step-brother came here because of the Lotis Blue butterfly? Maybe the person who wrote the letter tipped off the Forestry Service.”

  “That’s a possibility. Maybe her step-brother wanted to see for himself if there are any here, but he’d be in a real quandary, because the Forestry Service is charged with the responsibility of protecting the resources of the state, and the forests of California are certainly a resource and a huge resource that provides much needed tax revenue to the state.”

  “Roger, let me see if I understand what you’re saying. Are you telling me that if the presence of the Lotis Blue butterfly is threatening to shut down a lumber company the Forestry Service would oppose such a shutdown?”

  “That would be my initial interpretation of the situation. Stay tuned because it may get very interesting. When these enviro activists get involved in something, they can sure make life miserable for the companies or people who oppose them.

  “The other thing that Lewis wanted to talk to me about is quite confidential, Liz, but of course you know anything I tell you is confidential. Evidently one of the plant managers at Jefferson Lumber got a little careless with some formaldehyde that was being used at their plywood production plant. Lewis told me this particular plant specializes in producing outdoor and marine plywood which requires the application of formaldehyde to combat high humidity. Anyway, at least one of the men at the plant has developed cancer. Lewis is concerned he’ll sue Jefferson Lumber Company.”

  “I didn’t know people could get cancer from working in a plywood plant.”

  “Lewis told me it’s quite common and happens when appropriate safety measures aren’t taken to protect the workers. Evidently this plant manager didn’t take the necessary steps to do that. Lewis isn’t sure what he’s going to do about the plant manager, because he’s always considered him to be one of his best employees.”

  “I think your hands may be very full with several legal problems in the near future. I’d love to stay and talk, but I need to get those groceries back to the lodge. See you later. Looks like all the cottages are full tonight, so I want you to be on your best behavior at dinner,” she said grinning as she stood up.

  “I promise I’ll be utterly charming to all of the guests. Give Winston a pat on the head for me. By the way, what’s for dinner tonight?”

  “You just finished a huge hamburger and malt. I can’t believe you’re even thinking about food.”

  “I told you I can’t help it. I have animal instincts when it comes to food.”

  “Yeah. I think we talked about you and your animal instincts a little while ago. Okay, we’re having roasted pork loin with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. Haven’t decided what the vegetable will be yet, but I can promise you a fabulous Neopolitan ice cream dish with a strawberry balsamic sauce.”

  Roger looked at her and slowly lowered his head onto his desk. Liz could barely make out what his muffled voice was saying, but it sounded like, “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

  “Ciao. Try to recover and get ready for your next appointment. Clients don’t trust lawyers who conduct business while drooling with their head on their desk.” She closed the door behind her and smiled at the man who was in the reception area, obviously Roger’s next client.

  A few minutes later, she patted Winston on the head as she got in her van and said, “That’s from Roger.” The big dog wagged his tail as if he understood everything that was being said.

  CHAPTER 5

  “Trace, I’m glad you called. I really miss not being in class. What is this all about, and why did you want to come out here?” Olivia asked the young man with the butterfly net attached to his belt.

  “I heard there was a Lotis Blue butterfly spotted on this tract of timber. It’s on the Endangered Species List, and I wanted to see if I could find it. If I could find one, not only would I be helping an endangered species, it would sure help me with my master’s degree and it would make applying for the doctorate degree program a lot easier.” He stopped talking and was quiet for a moment.

  “Wait, look over there on that green bush,” he said excitedly. “I think I see one. I can’t believe it. I thought maybe when those people said they’d seen one in this area it was a figment of their imagination. I even wondered if they’d taken a picture of one from some book, but look, it’s for real. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited. I can’t see it now, because it flew farther back into the forest, but I’m sure that’s what I saw.”

  “I know how important the environment is to you, Trace, and thanks for asking me to come out here to share this with you. This could be huge for your career at the university. I think there’s a problem, though, because I hear chainsaws. Jefferson Lumber must be cutting trees down somewhere nearby. This area may be next.”

  Trace cocked his ear. “You’re right. Those are definitely the sounds of chainsaws. That’s what they use to cut down big trees like these. If they clear-cut this area, it means the Lotis Blue butterfly is going to lose its habita
t. We’ve got to do something to get them to stop cutting the trees down. I know the Forestry Service in Sacramento was notified, but I’m not sure if they’d do anything to help. They’re more concerned about managing the state’s resources than saving endangered species. Sounds like a real conflict of interest to me,” he said.

  “What should we do? Something’s got to be done immediately, or the trees will be gone, and so will the butterfly’s home. This is exactly why I changed my major to Environmental Sciences. I want to help preserve things for future generations. This is just so wrong,” Olivia said with a rising sound of alarm in her voice.

  “I agree, but I don’t think we have the luxury of waiting even a day or two. What do you think?” Trace asked.

  “I really didn’t know anything about the Lotis Blue butterfly until you called me yesterday, but I don’t want to see their habitat destroyed. I know how important environmental things are to you, and I have to say, they’ve become very important to me even though there’s not much I can do about them right now.”

  They heard a car pull into the parking lot that was used by both day hikers and by the lumbermen working in the area. “I hear someone coming,” he said. “If the person is with the lumber company, we could be in trouble for trespassing. I think you better go to your car and get out of here. I’m going to catch that butterfly, and then maybe I can stop them from cutting down any more trees.”

  “Do you think you can catch it, Trace?” Olivia asked.

  “I don’t know, but I’ve got to try. I brought my net with me, and I’m going to go farther back into the forest. I may not be back for a little while,” he said, taking the net from his belt where it hung. “Go ahead without me. Whoever was in the car we heard won’t be able to find me. I’ve got to get that butterfly. Even though it doesn’t know it, an entire species is depending on me.” He ran down the forest path and never looked back at her.