Текст книги "Death In Dahlonega"

Автор книги: Deborah Malone

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 9 страниц)

Chapter Eighteen

I’m sorry about your misfortune. I’ve been told John touched a lot of people’s lives, but not always for the best.” I spied the Visitor’s Center approaching and knew the ride was ending, and I’d almost forgotten the magazine interview. “Sueleigh, can we take another lap around? I want to ask you a few more questions. Uh, about the carriage rides.”

“If there’s no one waiting. You want more information about the horses? We train our own you know. My father has trained carriage horses for people all over the United States.”

“Uh, yeah, that’s interesting.” I scribbled so she’d think I really cared about the horses, and glanced over my shoulder. DeeDee’s fingers were steepled in prayer, her eyes closed and lips moving. I shouted to get her attention and made a circle with my hand indicating we were going another round. She gave me a little wave. “Uh, Sueleigh. Can you think of anything else that might help clear my friend’s name?”

“Nope, I can’t tell you anything else that would help.” She smiled thin and even, more like a sneer under her carefully placed façade.

I could see continuing this line of questioning was pointless. Sueleigh had given me enough to confirm she had as much a reason to want Tatum dead as anyone. And, she’d added two more suspects to my list. John certainly didn’t hold a special place in her parents’ hearts, either.

“One more question. I’m looking for Tommy Hawkins. Do you know where he lives?” I thought those Tammy Faye eyes would pop right out of her head.

“Everybody knows Tommy Hawkins. Look, you don’t want to go out there. He’s crazy. He used to go around town, drunk as a skunk, telling anyone who’d listen he was going to kill John for shooting his brother.” Sueleigh pulled back on the reins at the stop, and the carriage slowed to a halt.

“I heard as much. I need to talk with him, though. It sounds like he had every reason to want John dead. Don’t you agree?”

She bobbed her head in agreement, catching my bait. “Yeah, sure. But that doesn’t mean you need to go out there. You’re asking for trouble if you do.”

“Please tell me where ‘there’ is. If it were your friend in trouble, wouldn’t you want to help her?” I must have hit a chord on her heartstrings because I could see her expression soften.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. The Hawkins’ are the meanest folks in these parts. Everyone says they run a still back up in the woods behind their house. They’ve made it clear they don’t want anyone snooping around their property.” Her blue-shadowed eyes widened as she spoke. “Are you familiar with Amicalola Falls?”

I nodded my head yes.

“That’s the road you’ll take. Go five miles out of town until you see the sign. Take a right, and go another ten miles or so and you’ll see the entrance, but don’t turn in. You’re going to go past the entrance and down the road another three or four miles.” She gestured each turn with her hands.

I jotted down the directions in haste. I hoped I’d be able to read them when the time came. Outside the carriage, I had Dee Dee take a few shots of Sueleigh, posing with her horse.

By the time we said good-bye, you’d have thought we were best friends. It didn’t seem to dawn on her that I had asked her questions that could implicate her in a murder. Maybe she wasn’t “the brightest bulb in the room,” but I’d taken a liking to this girl and hoped she didn’t have anything to do with Tatum’s murder.

Dee Dee and I were beat, emotionally and physically, and I needed to get back to the inn and check on Nana. “Come on, assistant.” I hobbled a few steps and Dee Dee took my elbow to help steady me. “Let’s go see what trouble Nana’s cooked up.”

When I limped into the room, Nana sat up sharply.

“Missy, what’s wrong with you? Is your knee acting up again? If it were me, I wouldn’t wait to have surgery.”

“It’s not your knee they’re going to cut open, Nana.” I clipped, and regretted it. She was right, though. I had put it off much too long. My job required a lot of walking, so the condition wasn’t going to get any better as time went by. I made a mental note to consult with the orthopedic surgeon when we got back home. Sooner than later I hoped.

Nana sat on a cot surrounded by an empty pizza box and a big bottle of Coke she’d had for lunch, and practically thrummed with the sugar coursing through her veins. “Well, do you see anything different?”

I assumed she was talking about the roll-away and not the food.

In the crowded room, the extra bed made it impossible to go to the bathroom without turning sideways. The small area had become a breeding ground for stubbed toes and bumped knees.

“And who will be sleeping on the cot, may I ask?”

Nana spoke up. “I don’t mind sleeping on it. I’m tough.”

Dee Dee glanced at me with raised eyebrows, then turned to Nana. “Nana! Don’t be silly. I’ll be glad to.”

“Oh, good grief. I was kidding!” I sank down on the cot, squeaks filling the room, wires poking my backside. “Can’t you guys take a little humor?”

“You most certainly will not. Your knee is killing you. I won’t have you tossing and turning all night. You’ll keep us awake,” Dee Dee winked. She stood with her hands on her hips, looking as if she could take on the world. Who was I to argue? She needed a little control in her life. Since my knee hurt, it was a win-win situation.

“Ladies, let’s save this for later. I’m hungry, and they’re serving dinner now. You don’t want to miss it, do you? Just let me get my pocketbook.”

Dee Dee and I grabbed our purses, too, and together we maneuvered out of the door.

Chapter Nineteen

The dining room held a menagerie of people. The sights and sounds transported me back to Granny Morgan’s where my family would meet for weekly Sunday dinners. The dark oak floors of the dining room shone like polished glass. Off-white wainscoting complimented the flowered wallpaper. Country blue molding and chair rails tied everything together like a photo in Southern Living magazine.

High ceilings, painted to match the wainscot, were accented with heavy oak beams and chandeliers that hung over each large family style table. The smell of frying chicken and freshly baked biscuits swirled around me like ghosts from a time gone by.

My eyes scanned the room, and I observed guests partaking of homemade dishes. Others sat with heads close together, talking and laughing, all of them oblivious to our troubles.

Nana interrupted my thoughts. “Why, there’s Joyce, and that nice, young nephew of hers. He had the cot set up in our room in no time at all. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Except for Beau, of course,” she added, with a sharp elbow to my ribs.

Joyce approached and led us to a large round table already occupied by Sheriff Wheeler. “Ladies, I hope you enjoy your meal. If you need anything, be sure and let me know.” She gave us a smile and went off to tend to other guests.

“Good evening.” Sherriff Wheeler greeted us by standing up, offering out a chair to Nana and when she’d accepted, pushed it in with a chivalrous flare.

I gaped after Joyce, now chatting at another table. Why did she seat us here? She had to have made a mistake.

Nana floated out her napkin.

“Nana, get up. We’re going to find another table.” I placed a hand on her chair back.

“Trixie, what’s gotten into you? There’s nothing wrong with this table, and I’m not moving.” She stuck to the seat like glue. She made goo-goo eyes at the sheriff. Not long ago, I thought he was easy on the eyes. Things change. Right this minute he didn’t look so good to me. His sidekick, Deputy Ray, plodded across the room and, with a nod, sat next to him.

“Trixie, sit down. You’re making a scene,” Dee Dee pleaded. Her face paled in the dim light.

How dare he do this to her! Couldn’t he leave us alone long enough to eat in peace? I had a gut feeling this was a set up.

“Trixie, why don’t you introduce your young friend? I don’t believe we’ve met.” The sheriff met my eyes.

Oh puleeeeeeeese.

Nana grinned from ear to ear.

“Sheriff Wheeler, this is my great-aunt. Nana, this is Sheriff Wheeler.” I reluctantly sat down, and settled my napkin. “Shouldn’t you be out looking for John Tatum’s murderer?”

He met my gaze with equal measure, and then turned back to my aunt. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ma’am. I see where your niece gets her good looks.” He shook Nana’s hand and held it longer than necessary.

The waiters brought large bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans, potato salad, and baked beans and sat them on the table. Silence ensued for the next few minutes while everyone filled their plates. I needed energy, so I wasn’t going to let this put a damper on my appetite. Looking at the mountains of mashed potatoes piled on the other plates, I could tell no one else was, either.

After several minutes, the sheriff disclosed the reason for this supposedly impromptu meeting. “I heard you’ve been asking some questions of our local citizens.”

“That’s what writers do, Sheriff Wheeler.” I gave him a sickeningly sweet smile.

“You know what I mean. This is serious, and I’m not going to be responsible for what might happen to you.” The sheriff put both hands on the edge of the table and gave me his now famous “I’m not kidding” look.

“All right, I won’t hold you responsible.” I had no intention of giving in yet. I had leads to follow. I returned his look with my best “I’m not giving up” stare.

He continued. “I have some information that might lead us to another suspect. This could possibly clear Dee Dee once and for all. It’s being checked into as we speak.” He leaned in further towards me, returned my gaze, and didn’t look away.

What beautiful blue eyes you have, Jake.

“I promise to let you know if anything transpires from the lead. Now, you promise to leave the investigation to us.”

He looked so satisfied; I hated to burst his bubble. “That’s great news Sheriff, but I’m not sure I can do that. I have more people to interview for my article. I can’t help it if they’re acquaintances of Tatum’s. It’s a small town, after all.”

His demeanor changed in a millisecond. He grumbled, just loud enough for me to hear. “Look, Ms. Montgomery, I’ve tried being nice to you. I know this has been hard on you and Ms. Lamont, but stay out of where you don’t belong. Consider yourself warned.” With hands on the edge of the table, he pushed his chair back and nodded to Deputy Ray.

“But, I’m not through eating yet.” The deputy met his boss’s eyes and he changed his mind. “Oh. I guess I’ve had enough.” He scooted his chair back and tipped his hat to us. “Ladies.”

With that, we watched the local law enforcement, and any olive branch they might have offered, storm out of the restaurant.

Chapter Twenty

The rest of our meal subdued, we finished our dessert and retreated to our room.

“Trixie, you heard what that handsome sheriff said. Are you going to mind him?” Only Nana had the nerve to ask, but I saw the same question mirrored on Dee Dee’s face.

“Nana, I really am working on an article. Remember, that’s why I came to Dahlonega in the first place. I’m just taking the opportunity to ask questions that might help Dee Dee while I’m at it. What if I trust the sheriff, who wants to run for mayor, and he slams the case closed? And Dee Dee behind bars!”

“Put that way, it’s as clear as the nose on my face. That’s why you need my help.” She had a glint in her eye that scared me. I half-expected her to grab her jacket and pocketbook again and head out the door. “Together, I bet we can not only clear Dee Dee, but solve who did this terrible thing.”

“Uh, that’s great Nana. I’m sure you’ll be an asset.” It was late; I didn’t have the energy to argue. I still had research to do before I could go to sleep. I looked to the closed door and sighed. “Dee Dee’s sure been in the bathroom a long time.”

“That girl needs to see a doctor. It’s like watching a commercial with the leaky pipe people!”

Right then, the door flew open, and in Dee Dee bounced, dressed in her bright green kitty pajamas.

“Well, who let the cats out?” Nana asked. I doubled over in a fit of laughter.

“Very funny,” she said as she grinned. “Y’all are jealous because you don’t have any p.j.s like this.” She modeled for us, to our hoots of laughter.

“You’re right.” We both laughed and applauded.

Dee Dee gingerly made her way to the roll away bed and straightened out the blankets. She sat down and sighed.

“How are you really doing, Dee Dee?” I clasped her hand and pressed my lips together in a smile. I wanted to help her so badly. I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes.

“I feel a little better since Sheriff Wheeler told us he has another person of interest. Isn’t that good news?” She shook off her matching kitty slippers and put her feet on the bed.

“Yes, it is. I won’t be satisfied, though, until they’ve made an arrest. Then I’ll breathe easy.” I spoke slowly, watching Nana grab her toothbrush and jammies and head to the bathroom. I made sure the door closed tight before I lowered the boom.

“I plan on driving out to the Hawkins’ in the morning. From everything we’ve been told, Tommy could be a prime suspect. I’m not sure what reason I’m going to use for an interview. I don’t suppose I could tell him I’m doing a story about stills, and someone told me he might have one in working condition?” I emitted a nervous laugh.

Dee Dee smiled, but shook her head. “Very funny, but I don’t think so. Approaching the Hawkins clan sounds dangerous to me.” She pulled the covers up to her nose.

“I’ll come up with some idea tomorrow. I have to.”

“Well, if you insist on going, I’m going with you. After all, you’re doing this for me. The least I can do is help.” Dee Dee wore the look she would don when she was dead set on doing something. I didn’t even try to talk her out of it. My problem was to figure out how to keep Nana from joining us.

Dee Dee smoothed the bed covers. “I called Sarah to see how things were at the shop. She told me not to worry, business couldn’t be better. And she was fine working alone. I hope when I reach her age I can be as active as she is.”

We sat and discussed what we had learned from talking with Miranda and Sueleigh. Both of us were in a lighter mood with the news that Sheriff Wheeler had another person of interest. In a few minutes, Nana emerged from the bathroom wearing a nightie that had surely been ordered from Victoria’s Secret.

Something was definitely going on with Nana. What would cause this gray-haired little lady to become so flirtatious lately? I had many memories of my spunky great-aunt, but flirting shamelessly was not one of them. Now the sexy nightie? I would have to keep a watch on her.

Even though it wasn’t quite dark, Nana and Dee Dee had settled down to sleep. I turned off the big light and used my book light to read from one of the Dahlonega research books I’d brought from home.

Harv had asked me to look for a murder that took place during the original gold rush days and, after looking at several books, I found an unsolved murder I thought would make a good article.

In the early 1930s, a farmer named Donnie Haygood lived and worked the land that had been handed down through generations of his family. His great-grandfather, Micah Haygood, had won the acreage in the Cherokee Land Lottery. Micah hoped to find gold, but was unsuccessful. The spread became a working farm, and the Haygoods spent their spare time looking for gold.

Tired of working his farm, Donnie decided to sell and move into town, hoping to offer his children a better life. He promised the property to a buyer, but before the transaction took place, Donnie discovered gold and backed out of the deal.

A few days later he was found dead behind the assayer’s office.

I screwed my lips and tried to remember if I’d seen or heard anything about this at the gold museum. I yawned and set the light and the book down, unable to keep my eyes open any longer.

It seemed I’d just laid down when my eyes opened to light peeping through the curtains. Propped up on one elbow, I craned my neck to see the alarm clock. The lighted face of the clock showed it was nearly seven. I seriously considered turning over and going back to sleep. In my dazed, half-awake, half-asleep state, my dream of a handsome cowboy tempted me to resume snoozing.

But sleeping in was not a luxury I could afford. Important interviews waited. I wanted to interview Tommy Hawkins as soon as possible. I willed myself to jump up and rush around with enthusiasm, but I couldn’t. Cowgirl up! It took several minutes before I could force my tired body from the bed.

It wasn’t easy maneuvering around Dee Dee’s cot. I stumbled, bumped into her bed, and fell over on a wadded up body.

“What the ….” Dee Dee shot up like a jack-in-the-box.

I held my sore knee. “I’m sorry, Dee Dee.”

“Are you okay?” She asked with concern in her voice, and rubbed sleep from her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m all right.” I held my painful knee. “I hit my knee. I tried to be quiet.”

“Need me to do anything?” She spoke in a sleep-slurred voice.

“No. Go back to sleep. I’m going to get a shower. We’ve got a lot to accomplish today.”

She rolled over, covered up, and started snoring.

Another head popped up on the other bed, reminding me of a bobble-head doll. “What’s going on over there?”

Nana! “Nothing, Nana, everything’s fine. You can go back to sleep.”

She did, and right quick, two of my favorite people in the world snored in unison.

When I flipped on the bathroom light, a big black spider fled the scene. I looked around for any other creepy, crawly creatures sharing quarters with the spider. Coast clear! I turned on the water as warm as I could stand it.

Several minutes of warm water relaxed my tight muscles. I toweled off and dressed as quietly as possible. I applied a double dose of make-up to cover the dark bags that had sprung up, literally overnight.

I would need all the help I could get this day if I were to charm a story out of the likes of the Hawkins clan!

Chapter Twenty-One

When I exited the bathroom, I noticed Dee Dee rummaging in her suitcase for something to wear.

“Oh, you’re up.”

“Of course I’m up. Who could sleep when someone careens into her bed with the force of a tidal wave?”

She must have seen the look of surprise on my face, grinned, and said, “Just kidding! I thought I’d lighten the mood a little.”

“I wouldn’t try to lighten the mood too often. I’m on my last nerve, and it’s frayed.” With my nervous energy, I was pretty sure I could hand-power a light bulb.

I changed the subject to safer ground. “What do you think about a light breakfast so we can get an early start?”

“That sounds good.” Dee Dee leaned over and whispered “What about Nana? Is she going with us?”

“No way! I’ve been bouncing around ideas. I’m sending her on an important mission. It should keep her busy until we get back.”

“What are you girls talking about?” Nana piped up.

“I told Dee Dee I need your help this morning. I have an important errand for you to run while Dee Dee and I go interview someone for my article.”

She sat up. “Sure, doll. I’ll do anything I can to help. Remember, that’s why I’m here.” She grinned from ear to ear. “What do you need me to do?”

Dee Dee made her way to the bathroom while Nana and I continued our conversation. “I took some pictures to go along with my article, and they need to be printed right away. Harv wants to see them as soon as possible. Do you think you can find a store that will print them in an hour or two? Just check out the merchants on the square; I don’t want you going any further.”

If all went as planned, getting the pictures printed should keep Nana busy and out of trouble until we returned.

“Well, yes. I can do that. But why can’t I go with you and Dee Dee?” she pouted. “I can take care of the pictures when we get back.”

Shoot, this wasn’t going as easy as I’d hoped. Think quick Trixie.

“It might be noon by the time we get back. There’s a corner drugstore that opens at ten. Ask the clerk if she can put them on a computer disc as well as print them, and then I can send them to Harv as soon as I get back. I really need your help with this.” I said a quick prayer for her compliancy. Harv didn’t need the pictures right away, but I needed to keep Nana busy and safe.

“I guess you’re right dear. That Harv sure can be a nasty person, though. You’d think a burr was stuck up under his saddle the way he grumbles all the time.”

I couldn’t help laughing. Anyone who didn’t know Harv personally could easily come to that conclusion.

Minutes later we walked out the door. Dee Dee and I had dressed in jeans and long sleeve shirts and Nana had on another of her jogging ensembles. You could call us the three Musketeers.

Someone had laid out a continental breakfast of pastries and coffee in the lobby for those who didn’t want to eat in the dining room. We chatted with Joyce while we ate sticky buns and drank steaming hot coffee. I filled her in on our plan to visit the Hawkins’ place.

“You’d better watch your backs if you are determined to go out there,” she warned. “By the way, did you get a chance to talk with Miranda yesterday?

“Uh, yes. I talked with her.” I wondered why Joyce wanted to know, if she was just nosey, or if she had another reason for asking.

“Do you think she had anything to do with Tatum’s murder?” She took another sip of coffee. “I wouldn’t be surprised, the way she ranted and raved about his infidelity.”

“Well…” I took a breath, weighing whether or not to divulge Miranda and my conversation.

“If you ask me, he got what he deserved.” Joyce’s nostrils flared with distaste in a way that seemed out of character for the nice innkeeper.

“Why would you say that?” I leaned forward.

“J-just imagine how furious he made somebody, in order to be murdered in such a violent way. With a pickaxe!”

“Yes. Imagine.” I blinked down at the remainder of my now unappetizing bear claw. Whether or not it was true, I still thought it an odd thing for her to say.

Dee Dee and I finished our coffee, and left Nana talking to Joyce and Leroy, “that nice young nephew of hers” who creeped the heck out of me.

We stepped outside, a little nip in the air greeting us. A slight breeze blew as gentle as an angel’s breath. It was the beginning of another beautiful day. Only a few vendors had ventured out this early in the morning. Others walked up the steps of the local parish, the steeple bell ringing out a Sunday morning welcome.

“I feel guilty we’re not going to church.” Dee Dee sniffed. “Especially with everything that’s going on.”

“Let’s pray, quick.” I took her hands in mine, knowing we needed our Father’s direction.

Dee Dee prayed. “Heavenly Father, please keep us safe and help us to find John Tatum’s real killer… In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

I contributed a hearty, “Amen!” and felt stronger for it.

I followed the haphazard directions Sueleigh gave us. From the rear-view mirror, I saw the town fade away. The golden leaves of the surrounding forest glowed in the morning sunlight. The twists and turns of the mountainous road dictated the speed I drove. Leaves still clung to many of the trees, but along the side of the road, boulders were dusted in already fallen foliage. I was lost in my thoughts when Dee Dee spoke.

“This view takes my breath away,” she said with a contented sigh.

“Mine, too. Doesn’t it look like God created a kaleidoscope?”

“It sure does.” After a minute of contemplation she spoke again. “Trix, I’m still concerned we’re traveling so far out. What if something happens? You heard how mean Joyce said Tommy Hawkins is.”

“I bet he’s not that mean. She’s probably exaggerating.”

Like you believe that, Trixie. I shifted in my seat and peered at the twisting road all the more intently.

“Have you thought of any reasons I can give Tommy to interview him?” I thought about the moonshine still Hawkins hid in the woods. A story about the back woods would definitely earn brownie points from Harv.

“Since you’re writing on the gold rush, why don’t you use that as an opener? Most folks with roots from around here have someone in their families that mined gold.”

“That could work. Thanks.” As we drove, we talked about the kids, the cats, and anything else that kept us from dwelling on the inevitable meeting.

As we rounded a tight curve, I spied something furry skittering across the road at the double yellow line.

Dee Dee screamed, pointing ahead, “Watch out!”