Текст книги "Chilled in Chattanooga"

Автор книги: Deborah Malone

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 10 страниц)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Why?” I had no idea what was brewing in that mind of hers.

“Don’t ask questions, just let me know when she’s coming back.”

“Okay.” I kept an eye on the door and listened for signs of the detective returning.

Dee hurried around the detective’s desk, hitting her thigh on the corner. “Ouch, that hurt.” She stopped to rub the painful spot and hurriedly took a picture of the paper containing the names of the other students. She no sooner sat back down when the detective walked in.

“Sorry about the interruption,” she said. “I just got an update from the coroner’s office. The poison found in Annie’s body is from the Rhododendron family. She locked in on my eyes. I’m sure she was watching for a reaction from me, but the only one she got was shock.

I broke the stare under her scrutiny. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I just wondered what you knew about this.” She didn’t take her eyes off me.

“We don’t know anything about killing somebody with flowers,” Dee Dee said.

“She’s right, Detective.” Could this get any worse?

Detective Sams’ body relaxed and she released her gaze as she changed the subject. “Do you want to tell me about Amanda now?”

I looked at Dee Dee, who nodded for me to go ahead. “We saw her on the riverboat the other night and she said her room was down the hall from Annie’s. She heard my conversation with Tippi, confirming she was in the hall with me. Tippi could have been coming from Annie’s room making her a likely suspect.”

“Like I’ve already said, we’ll be checking everyone out. I can’t keep you from talking to the other writers short of arresting you, so I hope you’ll watch your step. If the killer is out there, then they’re not going to like you sniffing around for clues.” Detective Sams stood up signaling she was through. “I suggest you stick to antiquing, or whatever brought you here.”

“She came here to write a magazine article and got framed for murder,” Dee Dee blurted. “No thanks to you she may lose her job—”

“Yes ma’am we will.” I grabbed Dee’s sleeve and tugged her toward the door. “Let’s go, Dee Dee.”

We made it back to the car, even though my knee protested every step in the dropped temperatures. “What were you doing with your phone?” I had gotten into the driver’s seat. I needed to feel like I was in control of something in my life.

“You’re going to love me for this, Trix. I took a picture of Detective Sam’s list of suspects. And it has where everyone is staying. Who’s your best friend now?” She grinned from ear to ear.

Oh my gosh, if the detective ever found out what Dee did, we were dead meat. But it wasn’t like we were on her poker night invitation list in the first place. “You’re going to paddle me further up the river.” I jammed the key in the ignition and realized the information could save me from a lifetime in the big house. “Do not EVER tell Beau how you came to have these addresses, promise?”

“Pinky-swear.” Dee Dee mimed turning a key to her lips, and threw it away. “Humm, it looks like Tippi’s staying on the mountain and George is staying at the Sheraton Read House on Broad Street. Who do you want to drop in on first?

“Let’s visit George first. I want to go back to the hotel and look through the pictures I have on the Ghoston murder. Something looked familiar to me in one of the pictures and I want to double check it.”

“Okay, let’s head on over to Broad Street.”

The Sheraton Read House was located right down the road. It was an enormous old building and I couldn’t wait to get inside and explore the historic structure. I remember as a child history bored me to tears. But since I’d been writing for Georgia by the Way I can’t seem to get enough. I knew there’d be some great history behind this building.

“Look! That has to be it. Isn’t it beautiful?” Dee Dee turned to the side to get a better view. Oh, I can’t wait to see how it’s decorated. It must be full of antiques. That reminds me, I need to call Sarah and see how the store’s doing. I swanny I don’t know how she keeps going at her age. I hope I have half as much energy as she does at eighty.

“Me, too, Dee.” We opted to use the parking deck next to the hotel. “Do you think we’ll have any trouble getting the number to his room?”

“Let’s ask the desk clerk to contact George to meet us in the lobby. You can tell him you’re from the magazine.”

“Good idea.” We walked the short distance to the elevator. As the doors opened into the lobby, I heard Dee Dee gasp.

“Would you look at this?” She stepped into the lobby and surveyed the huge room. “Can you spell opulence with a capital “O?”

She was right. Oversized chandeliers hung from the two-story ceiling in the atrium. Deep red couches and chairs were spread throughout the area, welcoming travelers. A concert grand piano graced the center of the room. The piano’s reflection shone brightly from the marble floors.

I noticed a plaque showing the Read House was established in 1926. It wasn’t hard to imagine the clientele of that time period. I pictured women attired in dropped waist dresses with a long string of pearls slung around their necks, their scandalous chin-length bobs turning heads.

Dee Dee nudged my arm. “Hey, close your mouth, a fly’s going to take up residence.”

“I don’t remember when I’ve seen anything so grand.” I did a three-sixty turn to soak up the décor.

“I know,” she said. “I wish we had time to investigate, but we have work.” Dee Dee pointed toward the reception desk.

The clerk behind the register smiled as we approached. “Your first time here?”

We nodded.

“Everyone is amazed the first time. Beautiful isn’t it?”

Dee Dee returned his smile. “Yes, it is.”

I could have stood there extolling the magnificence of the Read House all day, but if I didn’t find Annie’s killer, and soon, I’d be a guest in the big house.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Could you tell me if you have George Buchanan listed as a guest?”

He checked his computer and curtly said, “Yes, would you like me to ring his room?” He indicated a small table with a house phone. “Or I can let him know you’re here.”

I nodded. “Well, would you tell him he has guests who would like to see him in the lobby?”

“Your names, please?”

“I-I’m a reporter for Georgia by the Way, name’s Trixie Beaumont.”

His smile grew wider. “Of course. If you’ll take a seat over there I’ll see if he’s in.” He lifted a handset, and we took a seat next to the piano, waiting to see if George would take the bait and talk to us. In less than five minutes the elevator doors opened and he stepped out.

“You.” George didn’t seem too happy to see me. “What are you doing here?”

I felt like saying, “I’m happy to see you, too Bubb,” but I kept my snarky comment to myself. Any information George might have about Annie’s murder was too important to mess up.

“As you know, I work for Georgia by the Way. I’d like to talk to you about Chattanooga. Since you write for a paper in the area, I thought you might have some information I could share with our readers.” I crossed my fingers and hoped he’d respond. I felt kind of bad for using the magazine as a ruse for getting information, but I did plan on writing about Chattanooga and I’d use whatever he could offer.

“You know what, Trixie?” He shook his finger at me. “I don’t believe you. I think you’re here to question me about Annie. You want to save your own hide.”

Busted, Trixie. “You’re right George. I do want to ask you about Annie, but I intended to use any relevant information in my magazine article. I was just covering two bases at once.” I looked around for Dee Dee so she could back me up. I saw her over by the piano lovingly stroking the slick surface of the beautiful instrument. Before I could say Steinway a security guard swooped in to caution Dee Dee.

I excused myself and hurried over to see what trouble she’d stirred up. I walked up just as I heard him say, “Ma’am we don’t allow anyone to touch the piano. This is an antique and it’s just for the pleasure of our guests. As you can see we have a sign saying “do not touch.”

Dee Dee’s face turned a healthy shade of pink. “I’m so sorry. I guess I missed the sign.” She turned toward me. “This is my friend Trixie Beaumont and she works for Georgia by the Way,” she said. “She’s here to interview someone, and I was just admiring the antiques. I own an antique shop. By the way how did you know I was touching the piano? I didn’t see you anywhere.”

The security guard gestured toward a small camera in the corner of the ceiling.

“Sorry.”

“I’m a bit of an antiques buff,” the guard said, obviously charmed by Dee Dee’s apology. “Have you seen the chiffarobe in the foyer? It’s 18^th century.”

She turned to me. “Trixie, go ahead and conduct your interview. I’ll be back in a while.” She sashayed off with her new friend.

I turned around and was surprised when I almost bumped into George. I thought he’d probably taken the chance to retreat to his room. “Oh, you’re still here.” Great deduction, Trixie.

We talked a few minutes about his life in Chattanooga. Then I asked the burning question. “George, what can you tell me about Annie’s murder? I know she wasn’t very nice to you.”

His voice raised an octave, “Not nice? That’s putting it mildly. That woman humiliated me in front of the whole class. If she treats other people that way then I’m not surprised the old bat got what she deserved.” Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead and his face scrunched up like a dried plum.

Why don’t you tell me how you feel, George. “I’m sure you understand how important it is I find out who might have been capable of… well, fatally harming her?”

“I’ll tell you this much. I saw the red-head going into that skunk’s room that evening after class.”

It was obvious he still harbored resentment toward our teacher. I wondered if he was angry enough to kill her. At least he’d confessed to seeing Tippi in Annie’s room. I wasn’t the only one who’d been in there. She could have easily spiked her tea. But why was he hanging around to see who was coming and going?

“Thanks for your help George. I’ll pass this along to Detective Sams. I’m sure she’ll find it useful.” I hoped she would anyway.

I spotted Dee Dee getting off the elevator and hurrying our way. “Oh, Trixie, you wouldn’t believe the treasures they have here.” She turned to her companion and shot him a smile. “Daniel was kind enough to show me around.”

Dee Dee seemed to have a way with the men. Every time we went out of town she struck up a new friendship, and she still emailed a few of them. It took a while after Gary died for Dee to even think about dating, but once she took that first leap, her social calendar stayed full. I enjoyed seeing her have so much fun.

Dee Dee watched Daniel stride away. “Isn’t he a hottie tottie?” It didn’t matter he was bald and had a little pooch. She watched him giving a couple some directions, and gave him a princess wave when he turned back to us.

“All right, man magnet, get your head out of the clouds and come on down to earth. We have a murder to solve.” I couldn’t help but laugh and she joined right in. Sometimes you just had to laugh to keep from crying and this was one of those times.

“Let’s get back to the hotel and pick up Mama and Nana and take them out to lunch,” I said. “Did you notice any places that looked good on the way here?”

“The English Rose Tea Room is directly across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Let’s try it.” The parking deck offered a little shelter from the wind, but it was still cold. We hurried and got into the car.

“Sounds good to me.” It was such a rush every time I turned the key to my P.T. Cruiser and it started on the first try. My prior car, a little red Jeep, ran on a prayer. After passing my six month probation period and working for Harv for a year, I’d felt secure enough to buy a decent vehicle. It still thrilled me to drive it. I only hoped I would have many more years of enjoying it, prison inmates don’t have much use for a vehicle.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

We called Mama and Nana to tell them we were on our way to pick them up for some lunch. When we arrived at the hotel I took the opportunity to grab the pictures for my Ghoston research. I wanted to confirm something that had been niggling at the back of my mind. We decided to bundle up and walk across the road to the tea room.

Dee Dee did a great job of picking a nice place. The English Rose Tea Room was enchanting. The delightful hostess seated us at a window table. A short history was printed on the front of the menu.

The English Rose was established in 1997 as an authentic British Tearoom, designed to bring timeless traditions of England to Chattanooga. The atmosphere, menu and staff reflect our British customs.

The Tearoom is in the foyer of the original Grand Hotel. The hotel was built in the 1890’s to accommodate passengers using the newly opened railroads to the South. This explains our location across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

“Isn’t this charming, girls?” Dee Dee proudly asked.

“Yes, it is Dee,” Mama said. “Why don’t we get the Afternoon Tea? It sounds delicious. And it’ll be on me.”

“Aw, Mama, you don’t have to do that.” Dee Dee agreed with me and we bantered back and forth until we acquiesced. After all, Mama said we shouldn’t deprive her of a chance to give. You can’t argue with logic like that.

We told Mama and Nana about our adventure to the Sheraton Read House. Dee Dee couldn’t wait to share about her new friend Daniel and what she’d seen. Everyone laughed at Dee Dee’s tale of an argument they’d had over whether a chair was a Chippendale, until a maid overheard and showed them the Furniture Barn receipt. “I guess we were both a little twitter-pated,” she admitted. Dee Dee knew her antiques better than I’d memorized my liver spots, so I knew she was falling quickly for Daniel.

While we waited for our scones, I browsed through the pictures. I studied the one that kept popping up in the back of my mind. I was sure the young teenager in the picture was Tippi. She was standing between Bobby Lee Ghoston and his wife. The red hair and the long legs caught my eye just like they did the first time I met her at the writer’s workshop. Stunning.

I was eager to question her. Could an inheritance from Bobby Lee be a motive for murder? She did drive a fancy sports car. My mind was spinning with unanswered questions like a gerbil on a spinning wheel but getting nowhere.

“Hey, Trix, what’s going on in that head of yours?” Dee Dee’s question interrupted my thoughts. “You looked like you were a million miles away. Did you find something in those pictures?”

“Actually, I did, Dee Dee.” I handed her the picture. “See the young girl in the middle?” She nodded. “I believe that’s Tabitha, Tad’s daughter and Bobby Lee’s ward. Remember Tilly told us her story? The only thing is that she goes by Tippi now.”

“If she was raised by the Ghostons, and stood to inherit a lot of money, then that’s definitely a motive for murder,” Dee Dee said. “Sounds like something we need to follow up on.”

“Yeah, it does. I’m in!” Nana was sure she’d be invited along for the ride. I’d have to think quickly if I was going to get out of this. She saw right through me.

“Don’t even think about leaving me behind, Missy.” Nana crossed her arms as best she could with her cast.

I turned to Mama. “You might as well go with us.” Maybe she could help keep Nana occupied.

“Honey, if you don’t mind I’d like to go back to the hotel and take a nap. Now that I see Nana’s fine I’d like to rest up. I haven’t slept the last couple of nights worrying about y’all.”

Dee Dee came to the rescue as usual. “Don’t you worry about it Betty Jo. You go right ahead and rest and I’ll help Trixie keep an eye…”

I interrupted before she finished her sentence. I didn’t want Nana thinking Dee Dee was her babysitter. “Uh, that’s right, Mama. We’ll walk back to the hotel with you and get the car.”

We finished our lovely tea, then got Mama settled in our room and headed up the mountain where Tippi was staying. We used the GPS to find the address Dee Dee had “borrowed” from the detective’s desk. The house was gorgeous. It reminded me of a small mansion.

The brick home boasted two stories and a three car garage. Since land was scarce on the mountain, most of the homes had a small yard, but this home sat back from the road on at least two acres of land. It wasn’t the opulent house that surprised me as much as seeing two police cars parked in front.

CHAPTER THIRTY

“Dee, what do you think’s going on?”

“Looks like there’s been trouble at the homestead,” Nana said.

“I couldn’t have said it better, Nana.” Dee Dee unbuckled her seat-belt. She scooted up, sticking her head between me and Nana.

I pulled in the driveway behind the patrol cars. “My curiosity’s killing me.” Probably not the best choice of words, Dee Dee.

A poker-faced patrolman walked up to the car and motioned for me to roll down my window. “May I ask why you’re here?”

The officer’s nametag identified him as, Steve Smith. “Officer Smith, we’re here to visit Tippi Colston.”

“She’s not here,” he said.

I wondered how to broach the subject of finding out where she was when Nana piped up. “Well, where is she? We have an important business date with her and it can’t wait.”

“What kind of important business date?”

Way to go Nana. Open mouth and insert foot. But she wasn’t finished yet.

“My niece is a murder suspect and she needs to question Tippi.”

“That’s right Officer. We’re helping Detective Sams solve a case.” I couldn’t believe it. Dee Dee was getting as bad as Nana. They were determined to get me in trouble.

“You don’t say? Stay right here a minute.” He walked over to another officer. He turned our way and pointed toward the car. He walked back over.

“Ma’am, pull your car in behind the patrol car and y’all come with me.”

I moved the car as told, then turned to Nana and Dee Dee. “Way to go girls. Now you’ve done it.”

“Aw come on, Trixie, we just told the truth,” Dee Dee said.

Officer Smith directed us to the back seat of his cruiser. “You ladies take a seat in here while I make a phone call.”

The car had been running with the heat on and it was warm with all three of us squeezed in behind the iron cage. I felt like I was already in prison. I imagined he was calling Detective Sams to let her know about the murder suspect and her two accomplices running around questioning people. A bead of sweat rolled down my back.

Within minutes I saw the detective walking towards us. She didn’t look happy. She beckoned to me to get out of the car. The fresh air felt good.

“I knew I’d see you again, but I didn’t think it’d be this soon. Get your car and follow me to the station.”

“You’re in trouble now, Trixie,” Nana said. Lord please keep me from strangling her. I loved Nana with all my heart, but that didn’t keep me from getting frustrated with her at times. Before I knew it I’d rolled my eyes. Big mistake.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Missy. I changed your diapers ya’ know.” I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but Nana never missed a chance to call me on eye-rolling.

Back down the mountain we went. Thank goodness there wasn’t any ice on the roads. I couldn’t imagine living on a mountain and being snowed in for days. I loved being able to get out too much. Loved my freedom.

The glittering Christmas decorations caught my eye. It was kind of hard getting in the Christmas spirit when you’re suspected of murder. I had to find the killer and get this investigation wrapped up.

The same young lady was at the reception desk when we arrived at the office. She looked young enough to be in high school, and her spiked hair and a wad of chewing gum didn’t help her image.

“I see you’re back again.” She smacked. “And you have a new person in tow.” She looked at Nana. “Who do we have here?”

I could see Nana didn’t take kindly to her condescending tone, so I stepped in. “This is my great-aunt, Nana. We’re here to see the detective.”

“She said to send you on in.” Popping followed us as we traipsed into Detective Sams’ office.

She stood up as we came into the room. Dee Dee diffused the awkward situation with a compliment on the detective’s outfit, black pants with a red shirt covered by a Christmas themed vest. “Love your outfit.”

The detective answered in kind. “I like yours, too.” Dee Dee’s outfit mirrored the detective’s except for a white shirt. I felt like I was looking at the Bobbsey Twins.

Her friendly demeanor changed quicker than a duck on a Junebug. “What were you doing at Tippi Colston’s? Were you there to question her on Annie’s murder?”

“You told me you couldn’t stop us from interviewing my classmates, so I decided to go ahead with it.” My brazen answer startled even me, but I didn’t have anything to lose and I was getting tired of all this. And why were all the police at Tippi’s? Perhaps they were onto her as well. “George Buchanan said he’d seen Tippi Colston coming out of Annie’s room earlier in the evening. This definitely gives us another person of interest.”

“So then you went to Tippi’s to question her?” Detective Sams said.

“That’s right.”

Dee Dee spoke my thoughts. “Did you arrest her for the murder, Detective?”

She looked from me, to Dee, to Nana. I wondered what she thought of our motely little crew. “No, we didn’t arrest her. She’s been shot. She’s in Erlanger Hospital with a gunshot wound to her shoulder.”