Текст книги "Murder in Marietta"

Автор книги: Deborah Malone

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 10 страниц)

CHAPTER SEVEN

As soon as we settled in the car, I called Nana to find out the name of the hospital. Fortunately, the paramedics took Dora to Kennestone Hospital on Church Street, not far from the museum.

We found Nana camped out in the surgery waiting room. She stood in the corner talking with the most handsome specimen of human flesh I’d ever laid eyes on.

“Hi, Nana,” I said. My heart pounded and my chest beat like a jackhammer.

“Hello, Sweetie.” She gave me a big hug and pulled me right up next to the doctor. What gorgeous eyes you have and what luscious lips. I mentally slapped myself. Girl, what are you thinking? You’re here to check on Nana and Dora.

“Dr. Rossi, this is my great-niece, Trixie. And she’s single. Isn’t she something?” As Dr. Hotty looked me over, I felt the heat travel from my neck to my ears. Nana moved to the top of my naughty list, knocking my ex-husband, Wade Montgomery III, down to second place.

“Hi. I told your aunt that Dora is out of surgery. We decided to go ahead and replace her hip. We’ll keep her in ICU overnight, and if she does well she’ll move to a room tomorrow.”

“Has anyone been able to get in touch with her son?”

“I talked with him, and assured him she was doing fine and there was no need to fly back to the states at this time.” His dreamy eyes scanned a whiteboard over my shoulder.

“She’ll be in a regular room for four to five days. After her strength returns, we’ll transfer her to the rehab floor where she’ll stay another two weeks. If everything goes as planned we’ll assess her progress and decide when she can go home. Ladies, do you have any more questions?”

Oh, yes! Questions like, Are you married? How old are you? Where did you get those beautiful eyes? Alas, my Southern upbringing wouldn’t allow me to inquire out loud. Instead, I asked when we could visit Dora, and I was proud of myself for being able to focus while he told us we’d be able to visit her during the evening visiting hours. When he turned and walked down the hall, I noticed Dee Dee’s gaze glued to his backside.

Nana smirked. “I told you. Admit he’s one hot hunk.” I swanny, I thought she licked her lips. I reached over and gave her a bear hug. “What’s that for?” she asked as she straightened up her clothes.

“I’m so relieved you’re not hurt. And yes, he is one hot hunk.” Currently, that’s how Nana described the men she found attractive. Lately, anyone who could grow a mustache seemed to pass her hunk radar.

“Wow, I think he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen,” Dee Dee said. She furiously rummaged in her purse and drew out what she called her “hot flash fan.” The excitement and stress we’d experienced over the past twenty-four hours erupted. We broke into gales of laughter.

Nana shook her head, “Be quiet! Everyone’s looking at us like we’re crazy.”

“You’re right, but it sure feels good to laugh.” I squeezed her to me.

We maneuvered our way through a maze of hospital hallways before we exited into sunshine as bright as a new copper penny. I rooted in my purse for my sunglasses.

“Hey, wait up y’all. I can’t find my shades.” Nana and Dee Dee turned around. They sauntered back to where I stood searching for the elusive specs.

“Want to borrow mine?” Dee Dee stuck her hand in her purse.

“That’s all right. I know mine are in here somewhere.” Truth is – I didn’t think for one minute Dee Dee would find her glasses quicker than I could in the behemoth bag she called a purse.

“Here you go!” Dee Dee cheerfully handed me a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses. A Cheshire Cat grin covered her face.

“Anybody hungry?” Nana asked. For such a petite little lady, my aunt ate like a bird – all the time.

“Yes!” Dee Dee and I shouted in unison. I realized neither of us had eaten anything substantial since Hemingway’s the night before. I steered the car away from the square and the chaos of the museum.

“Let’s go to the Big Chicken, I need comfort food.” Dee Dee fiddled with the air conditioner trying to generate relief from the heat. It was a lost cause.

“Me, too. I’m hankering greasy chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy. Add two or three biscuits and that should do the trick. Are you game, Nana?”

“Sure, Sweetie. I may not be able to eat much – maybe a biscuit or two. I’m so worried about Dora. I can’t wait to see her this evening. I’ll feel much better when she’s awake and talking to me.” Nana wiped her forehead with one of her flowered handkerchiefs.

“I know it must have been scary when Dora broke her hip,” I said sympathetically.

“Scary doesn’t begin to describe my fear. Especially after she fell on the floor and started thrashing around. I had no clue what happened. I’ve never seen anybody have a seizure in real life, just on one of those doctor shows on the Discovery Channel.”

In less than fifteen minutes we pulled into the crowded lot of the Big Chicken. Sunday afternoon in the South used to mean dinner after church at grandma’s. Now, parishioners raced from services to the restaurants to see who crossed the finish line first. Rumor had it some churches began an hour earlier so their parishioners didn’t leave before the benediction to beat the crowds.

The jam-packed parking lot bore testimony to these changes. Patience is not one of my better virtues, but I’d fervently prayed about this issue. This definitely constituted a practice situation. I swung into a space only to discover the area occupied by a little yellow Mini Cooper. It took another five minutes before we found a spot.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The aroma of fried food wafted in the air. While we waited for a seat in the long line, I picked up a brochure on the origin of the Big Chicken. Dee Dee jabbed my ribs and interrupted the history lesson as we moved forward, and she signaled toward an empty table. I grabbed Nana and charged like General Patton on a mission. We barely beat out a family with two teenagers. Now, we’d have to tackle the lines at the order counter.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” Dee Dee said as she leaned in conspiratorially. “Nana, you and Trixie hold down the fort. Since I’m the largest, I have a better chance of bulldozing my way through the crowd. Tell me what you’re hankering and I’ll go get it.”

Nana ordered first. “I’ll just take a biscuit.”

“Trix, how about you?” Before I opened my mouth to answer, Nana continued.

“And maybe a chicken breast – extra crispy – and mashed potatoes with some of that brown gravy.”

“Sure thing, Nana.” Dee Dee turned back to me.

Nana wasn’t finished, yet. “Let’s see. Get me some coleslaw to go with the potatoes. And a piece of lemon meringue pie for dessert.”

“Are you through, Nana?” I asked.

“Well, yes honey. Oh, and don’t forget a large sweet tea with lemon.”

Dee Dee and I exchanged looks. I shrugged and silently answered her question. I don’t know where in the world she’s going to put all of that food.

“I’ll order the same thing she’s having – skip the pie.” My stomach growled in agreement.

In a few minutes, Dee Dee forged her way back to the table loaded down with food.

Nana hesitated before eating. “Girls, haven’t we forgot something?”

“Nana, what could we have possibly forgotten? We ordered enough to feed a small army.” I looked around, wondering what we’d overlooked.

“How about giving thanks for all this food?” Nana folded her hands on the edge of the table.

“Oh my, you’re right, would you please do the honors?” We bowed or heads in unison.

“Father, please be with all those who are in need. Bless this food to thenourishment of our bodies and our bodies to your service. In your son’sname. Amen.” Dee Dee and I added our amens.

For the next several minutes the only sounds heard from our table were mmmm’s and ahhh’s and the smacking of lips.

“Hey, Nana. How about sharing that piece of pie with us?” Dee Dee poised her fork ready to dig in.

Nana stared at her like she’d lost her ever-loving mind, but answered sweetly, “I don’t think so.”

“Well, all right, I’ll go and get a piece for me and Trixie to share.” She barreled her way through the crowd once more.

Nana reached over and took my hand. “Trixie, go ahead and spill the beans. I want to know what you’ve gotten yourself into over at the museum.”

“What makes you think I’ve gotten myself into anything, Nana?” I said, but I already knew there was no need to argue with Nana. I wouldn’t win anyway.

“Hmph, because I’ve known you since you were a baby. Remember?”

Right now, I’d take advantage of anyone who offered me a shoulder to cry on. Who better than someone who loves you? “You’re right, I do have a lot on my mind. The director of the museum is Harv’s good friend. This assignment is too important to mess up. I need this job, Nana.”

“You’ve been through a lot, Trixie. Your mama and I are so proud of you. Just remember God is with you, even in the valleys.” She grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze.

Shortly, Dee Dee came back with not one – but two pieces of pure delight. So between bites of the best lemon meringue pie I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat, I filled Nana in.

I began to regret being so specific when I noticed her face turn paler than usual. Maybe her heart just wasn’t as strong as it used to be. I lost all misgivings when she said, “My word girl, it’s worse than I thought. Thank goodness I’m here to help you.”

What had I gotten myself into? After Nana helped Dee Dee and me solve a murder, she’d come to fancy herself as an older version of Jessica Fletcher. She knows all the re-runs of Murder She Wrote by heart. I experienced an eerie sense of déjà-vu right before Nana spoke.

“Well, what’s the plan?” Nana asked.

“The plan is to stay out of the way and let the cops do what they do best. Detective Columbo seems perfectly capable of handling the situation. Don’t you agree, Dee Dee?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, sure, whatever you say, Trix.” I glanced in the direction she was looking and discovered the reason for her distraction.

Detective Bowerman had entered, along with a couple of his cronies. He’d discarded the overcoat, but his rumpled suit wasn’t much of an improvement. The unlit cigar protruded from his mouth. It was downright disgusting.

Ever the vigilant detective, he surveyed his surroundings with eagle eyes. I suppose he could have been searching for an empty table, but he appeared to be looking for someone to arrest. Then he spotted me. I quickly glanced away and hoped he hadn’t recognized me. No such luck. Dee Dee waved to Detective Bowerman like he was our long-lost friend. I promptly kicked her in the shin, but it was too late; he made his way toward us.

Removing his cigar, he addressed us with a nod of his head. “Ms. Montgomery. Ms. Lamont.”

“Hello, Detective,” I replied. “This is my Nana—”

“Are you the detective who interviewed Trixie this morning?” Of course, Nana couldn’t let it be.

“Yes, ma’am. And who are you?” He shot right back.

“I’m Belle, Trixie’s aunt. Everyone calls me Nana.” She smiled at Detective Bowerman and continued. “Detective, you sure are lucky my Trixie was at the museum this morning.”

“Oh?” His facial expression didn’t reflect someone who felt lucky. “Why would that be, ma’am?”

“Because. This is not the first murder Trixie’s been involved in.” Columbo’s caterpillar eyebrows crawled up toward his forehead.

“Really?”

“That’s right. She cracked a case wide open in Dahlonega last year. And I helped,” she said proudly.

Oh-my-word! She sounded like the little girl on the old Shake and Bake commercial. You know, the one where she’s helping her mother bake biscuits and at the end she states, “And I hel-lped” making helped a two-syllable word.

“Yes, Detective, and I was on the case, too,” Dee Dee said with aplomb.

CHAPTER NINE

I don’t think the conversation with Detective Bowerman went over as well as Dee Dee and Nana expected. Twirling an empty chair around, he sat down, eyes leveled at me. His arched brows led me to believe instead of seeing three astute amateur detectives; he ranked us right up there with the three stooges. He quickly confirmed my suspicion.

“Well, now. This is interesting, Ms. Montgomery. I don’t recall any of this from our conversation this morning. Perhaps you were too modest to share this bit of information with me?”

His probing eyes bore right through me. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it was like trying to swallow a cantaloupe.

Bowerman didn’t wait for me to respond. “You can rest assured I’ll follow up on this. Let me tell you right now, there will be no interference in my case. I don’t want or need any amateurs messing around where they don’t belong. Not only is it dangerous, but you could compromise the investigation. Do you understand, Ms. Montgomery?”

Well, shoot. Why ask me? I wasn’t the one who brought up my involvement. He should interrogate Nana and Dee Dee. I’d deal with those two later. In the meantime, I didn’t have a choice but to give him the answer he wanted. “Yes Detective, I understand.”

“Good.” He stood up, replacing the chair. “Don’t forget to call the station and let them know where you’ll be staying, in case I need to get in touch with you.” Nodding again, he said a curt, “Good day, ladies.” He stuck his cigar in his mouth, pivoted, and went on his way.

I turned to the two culprits. “Thank you. Between the both of you, I’m up to my neck in hot water.”

“Well, who stuck a bee in your bonnet? We just sang your praises.” Dee Dee came to their collective defense.

“Yeah, that’s right Missy.” Nana called me that when she wanted to remind me who was in charge. “Don’t you go getting on your high horse with me. I just told the truth. No harm in that is there?”

I knew better than to answer a loaded question.

The crowd in the restaurant had thinned. I imagined the churchgoers headed home to take a Sunday afternoon nap, and I wished I was one of them. The night’s activities were catching up to me. I didn’t know about Dee Dee, but I could use a snooze. Between ghostly visits and Doc’s harrowing dawn-thirty arrival, neither of us had slept much. At this point we didn’t even have a place to lay our heads.

“Dee Dee, let’s find a hotel for tonight.”

Nana spoke up. “Take me over to Dora’s first. I need to pack her some clothes to take to the hospital. And she has a couple of cats I’m sure she wants me to feed and water.” Nana swigged the last of her iced tea. “Hey, why don’t y’all sleep there for the rest of the afternoon until visiting hours? I know she wouldn’t mind.”

To tell the truth, I was too tired to go hotel hunting. I acquiesced quickly. “Nana, that sounds wonderful.”

“Yes, it does. Lead the way young lady,” Dee Dee said.

Of course, I thought she was talking to me. Before I could take my assignment, she grabbed Nana’s elbow, and together they walked arm and arm to the car, leaving me to my own accord.

The drive wasn’t far to Dora’s, and soon we were pulling into her driveway. The gracious homes in the community shouted “old money.” Whoever chose the dwelling’s color must have loved blue bonnets. The rich blue presented a beautiful background for the magenta azaleas and rhododendrons framing the front of the house. A welcoming porch lined with rocking chairs invited the weary traveler to sit and rest a spell.

A rare breeze, filled with sweet summer perfume, ruffled our hair as we walked to the front door. The varied shades of green in Dora’s yard reminded me of the Georgia hills on a spring day. God had painted a beautiful picture.

The inside of the house rivaled the outside. Dee Dee and I oooh’d and ahhh’d our way through the spacious cottage. The elegant house featured four bedrooms and two baths, dining room, living room, and kitchen. Exotic oriental rugs covered rich mahogany heart pine floors. Each room boasted crown moldings, wainscoting and wood ceilings. Wallpaper in a demure flowery pattern decorated the living and dining rooms. Unlike the understated common rooms, the bedrooms displayed deep, rich tones. I wanted to ask Nana the history later, but now I desired to lay my head down somewhere cozier than the hard, museum floor.

Since Nana already occupied one guest bedroom, Dee Dee and I picked between the two spare rooms left. We bade each other a “good nap,” and I gratefully flung myself across the bed fully clothed. I fell asleep faster than a hound dog trailing a scent.

Next thing I knew, Nana gently shook me. I fumbled for the clock on the bedside table and glanced at the time. Instead of minutes, I’d been asleep for hours.

“Hey Sleeping Beauty,” Nana cooed. “If we’re going to see Dora this evening, we’d better get a move on. I packed her clothes, and Dee Dee toted them out to the car for me. We’re just waiting on you.”

Dee Dee stuck her head in the door. “That’s right. And don’t forget we need to stop somewhere and get some supper on the way to the hospital.” Ever-practical Dee Dee.

“Y’all give me a few minutes, and I’ll be ready.” I yawned heartily and raised my arms above my head, loosening my achy spine. “I could stretch a mile if I didn’t have to walk back.”

Nana cackled. At least, it sounded like a cackle to me. “Hey, you stole one of my old sayings.”

“Yes, I did. Now you two go find something to do while I make myself presentable.”

“Geeze Louise. I don’t think we have that much time, do we?” Dee Dee grinned ear to ear. I threw a pillow at her, but my aim was off, and she escaped any serious damage. This time!

My phone dinged indicating a text message. It was from Harv and he wanted an update immediately.

CHAPTER TEN

We detoured into a drive-through and purchased burgers and fries. You’d have thought we’d eaten an adequate amount of grease for lunch, but we were in a hurry, and it was the only place quick enough. We finished our food in the hospital parking lot and headed toward ICU to check on Dora. Finding our way through the maze proved no easier than it had earlier that morning. We arrived a few minutes before visiting hours.

We plopped down to wait on a sofa that had seen better days and many bottoms. The cushion was so worn out I sunk lower than a worm in a wagon rut. Getting up would be next to impossible without help. I was glad Dee Dee sat beside me for more than one reason. She’s been a rock in my life. Feeling maudlin, I reached over and patted her hand. She smiled and returned the gesture.

A bevy of visitors filled the waiting room. An older couple sat huddled together in the corner. Their features were drawn, and they held hands. I wondered who they worried about – their daughter, their son, or maybe a grandchild.

An extended family, from grandma to grandkids, sat across from us. The group were obviously celebrating a loved one’s positive prognosis. According to the noise level, they were having a party – fixin’s and all. I’d watched this scene played out before in hospital emergency rooms. This throng of family are often referred to in the south as “Mama and ‘em”.

A Good Samaritan told us visiting hours started, and everyone jumped up and headed to the double doors.

“Nana, do you want me to go in with you?” I put my arm around her shoulder and squeezed.

“That would be nice, dear. You can come too, Dee Dee.”

“The sign says two visitors at a time, you and Trixie go ahead. I’ll stay here and wait on you,” Dee Dee instructed as she picked up a battered magazine.

Pleasantly surprised, we found Dora propped up, awake and talking. After we visited for a few minutes, I understood why Nana adored her. They were carbon copies. Reassured she was doing well, I excused myself to let them visit. To take our minds off more serious matters, Dee Dee and I spent the next several minutes expounding the virtues of “Mama and ‘em”.

Nana returned after the allotted time. Her eyes danced and she wore a huge grin, relieved her friend would be okay.

“She looks good doesn’t she, Nana?” She nodded in agreement. “Come on. We’ll take you back to Dora’s and we’ll go find a hotel.”

Nana’s eyes sparkled and her grin widened. “I mentioned to Dora y’all didn’t have a place to stay, and she said, ‘Nonsense! You let them stay at the house with you.’”

Tears sprang to my eyes. The thought of a quiet, relaxing place to stay thrilled my heart. Bowerman’s warning on top of Harv’s deadline mingled in my head, and I predicted we would need the extra rest for what awaited us.

Sunlight flooded my room. No! Wait a minute. This unfamiliar bedroom wasn’t mine. As the cobwebs cleared from my mind, I remembered we’d spent the night at Dora’s.

I emitted an audible groan, as I glanced at the clock and discovered it was only six in the morning. I pulled the covers over my head, not ready to face the day. Strange dreams had invaded my sleep, robbing me of a peaceful rest. During the nightmare the murder victim arose to haunt me, but when I saw his face it was that of my ex-husband, Wade. I wondered how an expert would explain that dream.

“Yooo-Hooo!”

I willed myself to sneak a peek from under the covers. Nana peered around the doorway. Her smile was way too bright this early in the morning. “Good! You’re up.”

“Do you know what time it is?” I pulled the covers back over my exposed head.

“Yep, it’s after six. I overslept; I must’ve needed that extra shut-eye. I’m making home-made biscuits for breakfast.” She sang off-key as she made her way down the hall.

I hauled my caboose out of bed, not bothering to change clothes. My jammies would do just fine for an audience with Nana and Dee Dee. Dragging into the kitchen, I noticed Dee Dee fared no better. Droopy eyed, bed-headed, pajama-clad Dee Dee sat at the table.

Dee Dee made a half-hearted effort to glance in my direction. “What are you grinning at? You don’t look any better than I do.” We took in each other’s bedraggled appearance and burst into laughter.

Nana, dressed in a summer running suit, was cute as a button. Adorned in hot pink pants with a pink tee shirt, she looked like a spring flower. I knew a matching pink jacket existed. Nana never went anywhere without a cover up, ‘just in case’. Occasionally, she even wore a matching ball cap.

She hummed a catchy tune, as she stood at the stove and cooked a full-blown southern breakfast. The mingled smells came straight from heaven. My stomach growled in agreement. Nana heaped a plate with eggs, bacon, and homemade biscuits. She sashayed over and placed the feast before me.

“Here you go, ‘shugah,’ eat up! Y’all are going to need a heap of energy if you plan to investigate the murder at the museum.”

“Nana! I told you I have no intention of getting involved. You heard Detective Bowerman warn me to butt out.”

“Well, that’s never stopped you before. Why should it now? And you have me and Dee Dee to help you.”

Dee Dee sputtered coffee at Nana’s declaration. “Uh, I don’t know. Maybe Trixie’s right. Detective Bowerman doesn’t seem like somebody you’d want to cross. Actually, he looks kind of mean to me. Those thick hairy eyebrows give me the creeps.” She wiped up the spewed coffee.

“I know I’m right. I don’t want to hear any more nonsense about us investigating the murder.” When she didn’t answer, I repeated. “Did you hear me, Nana?”