Текст книги "Terror on Tybee Island"

Автор книги: Deborah Malone

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 11 страниц)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Don’t worry, Laura. I’ll wait up until the detective brings you back.” Mama gave him a scornful look, daring him to do otherwise.

“I should have her back in a couple of hours.” His gaze raked over every person present. “I may have to interview each of you again, so be expecting it.”

Mama gave Laura a big hug and with that they were gone.

Everyone talked at once. “Why did they take Laura? When are they going to return with her? Do they suspect her?” We exhausted ourselves with the possibilities until we were out of ideas, and I noticed most of the guests from Ocean View Inn had left except for George. He scooted a little closer to Nana.

“Girls, why don’t you go on to bed and I’ll wait up for Laura?” Mama stood up and gathered the dessert dishes.

“Watch it Betty Jo,” Dee Dee pulled her almost empty dish out of Mama’s reach, “I still have another bite.” She wasn’t about to let go of her second helping of bread pudding.

“I don’t know if I can sleep, but I’m sure willing to try.” I handed Mama my bowl. “Why don’t you let us know when Laura gets back?” I stood up and stretched like a cat waking from a nap.

“Nana, want to come up with us?”

Nana patted George’s arm. “I think I’ll stay here for a little while longer.” She smiled at George and he mirrored her smile.

“Come on, Dee. It looks like it’s time for us to hit the hay.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the steps.

“You might hit the hay, but I’m going to hit the bed.” Dee Dee guffawed.

We retreated to our lovely room. My knee ached, so I soaked in a tub of warm water, hoping to ease the pain. We shared a bathroom with Mama and Nana, but since they decided to stay downstairs a while longer I didn’t feel guilty hogging the bathroom.

“I’ll just be a few minutes Dee, then you can soak.” I surveyed the room while I relaxed. The cozy room boasted white walls with white and black tile floor covering. A border complimenting the color scheme decorated the walls. A unique hand-painted piece of glass hung on the wall. A closer looked illuminated the artist’s name, Nancy Smith. I’d heard Seaside Sisters, a variety store located downtown Tybee, sold these special paintings. The Seaside Sisters was definitely on my list of places to visit.

“Hey, have you drowned in there?” Dee Dee hollered from the bedroom.

“Hold on! I’m coming. I’m soaking these old bones.”

“Just kidding. Take your time.”

A few minutes later I exited the bathroom feeling like a renewed woman.

“Let me see your hands.” Dee Dee grabbed my hands and turned them palms up. “Just wanted to see if they look like prunes.”

“Ha, ha. Very funny. I’d wager you’ll stay as long as I did when you sink down in that claw-foot tub.” I sat on my bed and a huge yawn escaped.

“All right, sleepyhead. Go ahead and turn out the lights. I’ll be out in a few minutes.

I snuggled under the covers. My relaxed body melded into the soft bed sheets. It was a little bit of heaven on earth. I really wanted to stay up and ask Mama how Laura’s interview went. But a few minutes after my head hit the pillow I was sound asleep.

A knock on the bedroom door startled me from deep slumber. “Trixie, you awake?” Mama opened the door just enough to stick her head in.

I sat up in bed and pulled the covers up for warmth. Dee Dee propped up on her elbow to see what was going on. “Sure, Mama. Come on in.” The morning sun poured through the window, illuminating the room.

I scrunched my feet up so she could sit on the end of my bed. Mama wore a wrinkled brow and looked like she hadn’t slept much.

“Mama, what’s the matter?”

“It’s Laura. I waited for Detective Baker to bring her back.” Mama picked at a loose thread on the cover. “It’s not good news.”

“What do you mean, Betty Jo?” Dee Dee sat up and swung her feet over the side of the bed.

“They found the murder weapon not far from the body. Laura’s fingerprints were all over it.”

“What!” My mind couldn’t conjure up an image of this sweet lady as a murderer. Then again I suppose anyone pushed to the brink could act on impulse. “What was the murder weapon?”

“A garden gnome.”

Dee Dee laughed out loud and I couldn’t help but smile. Mama wasn’t amused.

“I’m sorry,” Dee Dee said through another burst of giggles. “I know it’s not funny, but a garden gnome. How could you kill somebody with a garden gnome?”

I took Mama’s hand in mine. “Mama, why do they think Laura killed Grace Watkins?”

“I know it seems far-fetched anyone would use a gnome as a murder weapon, but Detective Baker said her head was smashed in by blunt force. The gnome belonged to Laura. She had it in her yard for decoration. You know how popular they’ve become lately.”

“They do seem to be the rave right now. But there must be a hundred gnomes on the island.” Dee Dee plunged her feet into her fuzzy cat slippers.

“That’s just it. The gnome they found near the body came from Laura’s garden, and was custom painted to match the cottage trim. It didn’t help it’s common knowledge she maintained an on-going feud with Grace.” Mama got up and strolled around the room. “She’s inconsolable.”

“I’m so sorry, Mama.” A shiver ran through my body. I grabbed my robe and slid it on.

“Trixie, I have something to confess. Please don’t be mad.” I couldn’t for the life of me think of what she could have done to make me angry.

Mama’s my rock. After my divorce, she not only offered me a place to live, but a shoulder to cry on. I owed Mama, even though I knew she didn’t feel that way.

“Don’t worry, Mama. I’m sure it’ll be all right.” I put my arm around her.

She sniffed a little and a lone tear rolled down her cheek. “I didn’t know what else to do. She was crying and it just popped out of my mouth.”

I wondered out loud what had popped out of her mouth. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“I told Laura that you’d solved a couple of murders and that you’d help her.” She looked over my shoulder. “And I told her Dee Dee would help, too.”

“What? You did what, Mama?” Oh my goodness. I wasn’t mad, but I sure wasn’t doing a happy dance. “I promised I’d keep my distance.”

“Wow,” Dee Dee managed to squeak out.

I didn’t think anything could make Dee Dee speechless. This came close to it.

The bedroom door swung open a tad then flung open the rest of the way. Nana stepped in. “Did you ask them yet?” She looked around the room. “I guess you did. Isn’t it great, Trixie? Another murder for us to solve.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Nana, there is no ‘we.’” I studied Mama and saw hope shining in her eyes. I hated to disappoint her, but I didn’t think it was a good idea to interfere in Detective Baker’s investigation. It’s true, Dee Dee and I had been instrumental in solving a couple of murders, but I didn’t want to make a habit of solving crimes. The local authorities had already made it clear they did not welcome any intrusion.

“Mama, I don’t believe we’re qualified to help Laura. She needs a professional.”

“Laura deserves someone who isn’t biased and believes in her. She’s a newcomer on the island and with her carefree attitude toward the turtles it’ll be hard for her to get a fair shake.”

I couldn’t say no to the lady who had given so freely when I needed her. I took the chicken’s way out. “I’ll consider it.”

Mama’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Trixie.” She gave me a huge squeeze.

I glanced over her shoulder and noticed Dee Dee shaking her head with a big grin plastered on her face. She knew I’d cave.

“This is great. Trixie, you know I’ll help you any way possible,” Nana said. “Remember, you and Dee Dee probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me saving your necks in Marietta.” She glanced upward. “Well, I did have a little help from the Lord.”

As much as I hated to admit it, Nana was right. Less than a year ago, Dee Dee and I had gotten ourselves in a heap of trouble. Three crazy guys kidnapped us and held us at gunpoint. “You got me there, Nana. Come on. Let’s go down and discover what’s for breakfast.”

“Maybe you’d like to put on some clothes first.” Dee Dee rolled her eyes heavenward.

I looked at my pajamas. “Oh, I guess you’re right. Mama, you and Nana go ahead and we’ll be down in a few minutes.” Mama left with a smile on her face and a hope she didn’t have when she entered.

“Trix, how are you going to help Laura?” Dee Dee donned a bright orange, long-sleeve, pullover shirt. I wondered what color pants she’d wear. Dee Dee’s taste for bright clothes matched her personality: upbeat and cheerful.

“I don’t know. My gut says I shouldn’t get involved lest I risk getting in trouble with Detective Dreamy, but my heart wants to help Laura. Mama’s helped me so much. I don’t want to disappoint her. Let’s go down and talk to Laura after breakfast.”

We finished dressing. Dee Dee paired up her shirt with light green pants. It wasn’t something I’d wear, but it looked good on her and it was appropriate for the month of October. I had on my usual khaki pants with a light blue pullover. I often envied Dee Dee’s ability to dress so brightly, but I couldn’t bring myself to break away from my habit of wearing browns and beiges.

By the time we entered the dining room, guests from Seaside Cottage and Ocean View Inn already surrounded the tables. Breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, grits, waffles, and various pastries. Louise made sure our table remained full of breakfast goodies.

I noticed Laura’s absence right away. The talk at our table focused on Grace Watkins’ murder. The scuttlebutt was that Grace’s niece planned to move to Ocean View Inn. Her long time cook and assistant would keep it open and running until then. The guests at the inn had an open invitation for meals at Seaside Cottage.

I couldn’t help but survey the room and wonder if the murderer sat among us. I didn’t know these people. What, if any, motive would they possess to murder Grace? Surely her service wasn’t that bad. I silently laughed. Okay Trixie, get a grip.

“Hey girl, where did you go? I asked you if you were going to eat that sausage sitting on your plate.” Dee Dee’s fork was poised to jab the lone piece of sausage.

Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I felt the need for all the greasy food I could consume. “Sorry, I’m gonna eat it.” Her brown, puppy-dog eyes and protruding lip made me acquiesce. “All right, I’ll half it with you.”

By the time we finished eating, the other guests had left. Nana and Mama walked over and sat at our table. “Trixie, would you talk with Laura now? She’s in her room and won’t come out. She’s in a terrible state.”

“Sure, Mama.”

I eyed Dee Dee. “You coming?”

“I’m right behind you. I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” Dee Dee wiped her plate clean with a piece of biscuit. I guess I wasn’t the only one who craved cholesterol laden food.

“Trixie, I know you’d like for me to come, too. Being that I’m experienced in these matters. But George has asked me to go sightseeing with him.” Nana’s grin reminded me of a cat with a feather hanging from its mouth.

“That’s all right, Nana. We’ll keep you posted.” I looked heavenward. Thank you, Lord, for small favors.

“Laura?”

She looked up as I stuck my head in the door.

“Can we come in?”

“Okay.”

Laura’s room was as pretty as the rest of the house. Painted bright blue and accented with white furniture trimmed in gold, it reminded me of the ocean. Laura sat on a canopy bed situated in the middle of the room. She looked lower than an ant on stilts.

Dee Dee walked over and put her arm around Laura’s shoulder. I wasn’t surprised. When I had gone through my divorce with Wade I had nose-dived to the lowest I’d ever been in my life. I wondered if I’d ever feel human again. Dee Dee took me under her wing and supported me through some hard times and we’d been fast friends since. Dee Dee was a natural-born care giver.

With this simple gesture of empathy, Laura started crying. “What am I going to do? Detective Baker says I’m a person of interest. I know what that means – it means suspect.”

Dee Dee glanced at me with a look that shouted “help!”

I shrugged my shoulders, but took a stab at consoling Laura. “Didn’t the detective say he was going to interview all the guests? Maybe it was just routine questioning.”

“No.” Laura sniffed. Dee Dee grabbed a wad of tissues from the bedside table and handed them to her. “He said my fingerprints are all over the gnome and he knows it came from my garden. Grace and I have had an ongoing squabble since I opened. She accused me of purposely taking away her business.” Laura blew her nose and continued.

“I didn’t steal her guests. She ran them off with her horrible personality. She was a female Attila the Hun. I’ve never seen anyone so grouchy or vindictive in my life. Her long time guests have now started reserving with me. I don’t see how Edna put up with it all these years.” Laura rifled through the wadded up tissues for a clean one and dabbed her eyes.

Dee Dee and I spoke in unison. “Who’s Edna?”

“Edna is Grace’s cook and housekeeper. Was her housekeeper, I should say. She treated that woman like dirt, but Edna stayed with her anyway. I always wondered if she had something on Edna to keep her there all these years.”

Dee Dee and I shared a knowing look. Did this woman have a motive for murder?

CHAPTER NINE

A frantic knock on Laura’s bedroom door demanded our attention.

“Come in,” Laura said.

“Come quick, Ms. Laura. The dogs escaped.” Louise wrung her hands. “I’m so sorry. I opened the back door to let the dogs out for a little while. They flew out and the gate to the pen was open.” Her chin quivered.

“Oh no! Ladies please help me round up the escapees. I’ve already been fined once. Those blasted sea turtles have caused me nothing but trouble.”

We followed Laura downstairs, through the kitchen and outside. I spotted the dogs on the beach, bottoms up, digging for all they were worth. I hoped we’d go unnoticed while they dug.

The dogs stayed so intense on retrieving their prey the mischievous pups didn’t have a clue when we snuck up behind them. We carried them back to the house and Laura sequestered them to their kennels. “This is not going to work. I’ll have to call my friend and tell her to come pick them up. I can’t handle their care.” She sat in a dining room chair and covered her face with her hands. “I don’t think I can take one more catastrophe.” Dee Dee patted Laura on the back, but she looked at me like she needed me to throw her a life-line.

Laura removed her hands and looked at me with teary eyes. “Trixie, will you help me?”

I put myself in Laura’s Dockers. “I’ll do what I can. How about I talk with Edna and see what she can tell us?”

“If she worked for Grace all these years, she should be able to enlighten us if there are others who’ve had run-ins with her,” Dee Dee said.

Mama walked up and placed her hand on Laura’s shoulder. “Laura, what can I do for you?”

The waterworks started again. “Oh, Betty Jo. I don’t know what to do.” She sniffed and wiped her nose with a clean napkin. “Trixie and Dee Dee took pity on me and offered to interview Grace’s housekeeper. If anyone knows Grace’s secrets, Edna should.”

“I’m so glad they’ve agreed to help. Trixie and Dee Dee have a knack for sniffing out the bad guys.” She looked at me with a mother’s love written all over her face. Geeze, talk about a guilt trip. I smiled back sweetly.

Father, you are going to have to help me on this one. It’s way too big for me and Dee Dee.

“Dee Dee, let’s take a walk and see if Edna can answer some questions.”

“Okie dokie.” Dee Dee grabbed a danish from the table before we left. “What? I’m still hungry.”

“The least you can do is share.” She tore off a small corner and handed it to me. I popped it in my mouth happy to get a morsel.

“Mmm.” I licked the sugar off my fingers and wiped them on my pants. I know – not very dainty.

Ellie walked out the door behind us. “Hi. It’s a beautiful day for a walk on the beach. I thought I’d get some exercise before lunch, then go site-seeing after we eat.” We walked through the garden featuring a kaleidoscope of roses. Pink, red, yellow, and coral roses painted a colorful landscape. Rock walkways wound through the little bit of heaven on earth.

Ellie asked her own question. “What are you two ladies up to?”

Dee Dee piped up. “Oh, we’re going over to ask Edna…” I grabbed Dee Dee’s arm and gave it a hefty squeeze. She looked at me with raised eyebrows. I didn’t want her to divulge our plans. The less people knew about our involvement the better.

“Yeah, we’re going over to the Inn to see if Edna needs any help during this difficult time.”

“What a wonderful idea. How about I go with you?”

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was sincere about helping, or if she was just curious. “Thank you, Ellie, but you go ahead and take your walk. We don’t want to overwhelm her.” I crossed my fingers and hoped she’d decide to follow her original plans. We didn’t need an extra set of ears around when we questioned Edna.

“Well, if you don’t think you’ll need me.” I shook my head and watched her stroll toward the beach.

Dee Dee and I walked to the front of the bed and breakfast. I had to admit it was a cute cottage. The two story wood structure was painted coral with white trim, surrounded by a porch scattered with rockers. Swings hung at each end offering the weary traveler an invitation to rest.

Before we knocked, the door swung open. We jumped simultaneously. Bubba stood there, dressed in shorts and a tropical shirt dotted with colorful toucans. “Hi there, y’all. Come on in.” Had he been watching us? He opened the screen door and motioned for us to enter. “Hasn’t this been a terrible thing about Grace bein’ murdered and all? Who would’ve thought winnin’ the lottery would lead to bein’ involved in a murder?” He shook his head like a wet dog. “No siree. I didn’t know what I was gettin’ into. I sure didn’t sign up for this.”

“Uh, Mr. Maxwell,” Dee Dee said.

“Just call me Bubba. I don’t stand on ceremony. Just because I’m a millionaire now I’m still country folk at heart. Money won’t change that.”

“Okay, Bubba. Is Edna here?”

“She sure is. I’ll go get her for ya.” He headed toward the back.

I took the breather to look around the room. It was absolutely beautiful. A huge rock fireplace covered one of the walls. Wicker furniture filled the room. The accent color was the same coral color painted on the outside. It shouted, “Welcome!” It was easy to see that Seaside Cottage and Ocean View Inn were both comfortable and welcoming places to stay. I could see where the defining factor could be the kindness and personality of the hostess. It could tip the scales one way or the other. If Grace had been as grouchy as Laura claimed, there was a good probability she ran off quite a few guests.

“Country boy’s taking his time,” Dee Dee said.

“Shhh, here they come.”

“Here she is, ladies.” Bubba’s rotund frame hid Edna from view. “Well, I’m off to see the sights. Hope y’all have a good day.” He bowed as far as his pouch allowed and went on his way to reveal the petite lady behind him.

“Hi, Edna.” Dee Dee extended her hand. “I’m Dee Dee Lamont and this is Trixie Montgomery. We’re staying at Seaside Cottage.” Edna looked a little bewildered, but offered her hand to Dee Dee.

“What can I do for you? I’m sure you’ve heard the owner of Ocean View has passed away.”

“Yes, and we’re sorry for your loss.” I didn’t know how to approach this delicately so I charged ahead. “Look Edna, we’re friends of Laura’s and we’d like to ask you a few questions about Grace.”

“I don’t understand. Why do you want to know about Grace? That Detective Baker has already talked to me.” She took a cloth tucked in her pocket and wiped off a glass tabletop.

“The truth is, Laura’s been questioned and named a person of interest in Grace’s murder. She’s a long-time friend of my mother. Laura’s devastated and my mother’s asked us to see what we can find out. We thought since you knew her so well you’d be a good place to start.”

She hesitated, weighing her words. “I know one thing for sure. That’s one lady I ain’t gonna miss.”

CHAPTER TEN

Is there somewhere private we can talk?” I searched the room to see if any of the other guests lingered. I didn’t see anyone, but didn’t want to take a chance they were in listening distance.

“I have a small apartment off the kitchen. We can talk in there.” Edna had taken a small area and made it into a comfortable living space, and small described the living area right enough. It consisted of one large open room with a double bed on one side of the room and a couch, small dinette table, and television on the other side. A tiny bathroom was located off to the side.

“How cute, Edna,” Dee Dee said.

“Thank you. I’ve lived here for fifteen years. It’s the only home I have.” Edna plopped on the couch as if her legs wouldn’t hold her up another minute. Tears glistened on her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.” She pulled a wadded up handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her eyes.

“Oh, don’t worry. We all need a good cry every now and then.” Dee Dee sat down beside her. “And under the circumstances, you have every reason.”

I thought of all the times I’d boohooed on Dee Dee’s shoulder. Even though she’d been through her own trials when her husband Gary died suddenly almost three years ago. I strived to follow her strength and faith.

Edna sniffed. “I’m not crying over her murder. That woman never caused anything but grief and sorrow to those who crossed her path.” She blew her nose and emitted a sound akin to a pig snort.

“Did she make your life hard?”

Edna shot Dee Dee a look like she was plum crazy. “Hard? She made my life miserable. If I ever threatened to quit, which I did quite often, she said she would tell everyone I stole from her. She’d make sure I’d never work on the island again. Can you imagine what it was like to live under those circumstances?” We shook our heads in unison. She continued.

“I’m sorry about Ms. Laura being fingered for killing the old bat. I can’t imagine her killing a fly. I’ll help you in any way I can. As a matter of fact, if you do find out who did it I sure would like to shake their hand.” She released a maniacal laugh. I wondered if the stress had made her a little uneven. Considering her giddy behavior, I easily pictured her knocking off Grace.

“Trixie? Edna asked you a question.”

“Uh, sorry. What did you ask?”

“She asked what she could do to help. You know, with the investigation.” Dee Dee shot me a questioning look.

“Oh. Right.” I scooted to the edge of the chair. “Edna, could you give us a list of people who might have had a run-in with Grace in the past?”

Dee Dee rummaged around her gigantic purse and popped out a notepad and pen. I’ve never been with Dee Dee when she wasn’t carrying a larger than life pocketbook, usually color coordinated with her outfit.

“Well, shoot. I expect you don’t have enough paper in that little notebook of yours to write down all the names.” Dee Dee and I exchanged glances. This wasn’t going to be an easy task. “Now let me see.” She looked up as if the names were written on the ceiling.

“The first person that pops into my mind is Mary Sue. She was a cook at Flounders, a local seafood restaurant.”

“Do you know Mary Sue’s last name?” Dee Dee’s pen was poised ready to write.

“Sure, it’s Bartlett. Mary Sue Bartlett. Anyway, Grace had it in for poor ole Mary Sue.” She shook her head at Mary Sue’s plight. “She used to help out here and I treasured her help as much as her friendship. Everything was fine until she took the job at Flounders.” She had a faraway look in her eyes.

“What did her job have to do with Grace?”

“Well, that’s just it. She had all these wonderful recipes she introduced at the restaurant. The dishes became big hits with the customers, and the owners promoted her to head chef. Before long, a producer invited her to host a local cooking show. She was ecstatic, and all her friends were happy for her.

“Of course, she quit her job here. I missed her, but was glad she wasn’t stuck here like me. It wasn’t long until the feathers started to fly. Grace found out that the recipes she’d been using at the restaurant and on the cooking show were ones Mary Sue had developed when she worked here. Grace had all new hires who worked in the kitchen sign a contract, and the fine print stated her recipes couldn’t be shared outside the Inn. She claimed they were original family secrets, and she didn’t want anybody else discovering the ingredients.”

Dee Dee shook her hand as if she had a cramp, and caught my eye, her brow raised.

“I imagine Grace didn’t take too kindly to that. But I don’t see how she could prove they were her recipes. A lot of dishes are made with similar ingredients.” Didn’t sound like much of a case at this point.

“Grace could’ve let it go, but it wasn’t her way. She hounded poor Mary Sue to death. She threatened a lawsuit. She literally stalked the woman. Eventually, Mary Sue couldn’t take it anymore. She finally quit her job at the restaurant and the cooking show. Poor thing, she became so depressed there were times I thought she’d trip over her lip.”

Dee Dee shoved the pad toward me. “You write. My hand is cramped up.” I grabbed the items. “What happened to Mary Sue?”

“She wound up working at a fast food joint. She barely makes enough to feed herself and her kid. She was furious with Grace. Said she’d get even with her.”