Murder in Marietta (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 2) (9 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

B
eau’s very lonely,” Mama said, making me wish I was there with all of them. “He’s dropped around the past couple of days. I know he’ll be glad when you return. If you’re not home soon he might just come and get you.”

“I miss him, too. Beau could help us with this murder case if he was in Marietta.”

“Trixie, are you involved, again?” I felt like a child who’d been caught sneaking a cookie.

“I can’t very well leave, now we’ve gotten Dora involved. I promise I’ll be careful.”

“I don’t want you to get mixed up in a murder investigation like you did in Dahlonega,” she said. “It’s too dangerous. I’m beginning to wonder if this journalism job leads you down a path of trouble.”

I made a choking sound. “Of course it’s not dangerous. It’s just a coincidence.”

“A coincidence you’ve been in the vicinity of two murders. I’m not so sure.”

“I’ll be careful.” I fully intended to keep that promise.

“I talked with Jill and she’s coming to Marietta tomorrow for a school project and wants to meet up with you.” Jill, my only child, is a student at the University of Georgia.

In mid-sentence with Mama, I spotted Nana flying down the hall. Well, as fast a
mature
woman could run.

“Come on girl. You gonna jabber all day?” She beckoned with her hands.

“It’s mom,” I mouthed, waving her off.

“Tell your mama good-bye and let’s hit the road.

“Mama, did you hear? Nana’s anxious to get lunch.”

‘Hi, Betty Jo,’ Nana hollered.

“Well, you go on. We don’t want to keep Nana waiting. And above all else please don’t do anything stupid?”

Who me?

When we got back to Dora’s room, a crumpled suit blocked the door. That suit could only belong to one person.

“What are you doing here Detective Bowerman?” It sounded terser than I expected when it came out of my mouth, but I was surprised to see him. And a little nervous.

“Hello, Ms. Montgomery.” At least he wasn’t chewing on a nasty cigar this time. “Dora’s an old family friend and I came by to say ‘Hi’ and ask her some questions about the break in.”

“Detective, I’m glad you stopped by. Is it true Doc’s a suspect in Jacob Wallace’s murder?” The room was small, and the smell of stale smoke filled my nostrils.

“Doc told us you took him in for questioning,” Dee Dee said. “I’ve been falsely accused of a murder myself. I know how law enforcement can jump to conclusions.” She straightened Dora’s covers and fluffed her pillow.

“That’s right, Detective.” Nana offered her opinion. “I’m proud to say if it wasn’t for Trixie and me, Dee Dee would be in the slammer right now.” Way to go Nana. Open mouth and stick in foot. Quiet filled the room until the Detective spoke.

“And who told you Doc was a suspect? And we do not call them suspects anymore; we refer to them as persons of interest.” He measured his next words carefully. “Ms. Montgomery. I don’t care how much you helped on the case in Dahlonega, but you
will not
get involved in this case.” He hiked up his pants over his protruding belly. “Do you understand?”

All eyes turned to me. “Yes. I hear you.” I wanted to point out I wasn’t the one who mentioned getting involved. Every time Dee Dee and Nana were around Detective Bowerman they had to expound on my attributes as a crime solver. I’m sure they meant well, but their bragging kept getting me in trouble.

“Excuse us, Detective, we were just leaving.”

We made sure Dora was settled in and comfortable before we left. Detective Bowerman followed us into the hall.

“Ladies, I don’t think I need to remind you someone broke into Dora’s house. Just keep that in mind and stay out of this investigation.” He gave us a firm look, and hustled down the hall.

“Well, shoot, we were just trying to help him,” Nana said.

“It’s as plain as his rumpled suit Nana, he doesn’t want our help.”

“Hey, there’s Nurse Patton, too bad we don’t have time to stay around and pester her.” Nana laughed mischievously.

“Nana!” I surveyed the hallway to see if anyone heard her. I have to admit though; I thought it might be fun, too.

“Maybe she’ll be here next time,” Dee Dee rubbed her hands together.

“Girls, we’re awful. Come on let’s find some food.”

The drive to the restaurant should have taken fifteen or twenty minutes, but we hit a modern day traffic jam from all the tourists.

As I drove, the day turned from sunny to cloudy in a matter of minutes. I could smell the rain before it started. Raindrops drizzled down the windshield, and I hit the wiper button. Nana and Dee Dee talked about Dora’s therapy. I used this time to ponder the events of the past few days. What a mess we’d fallen into.

Not only had I offered to help Doc, I had an article due soon. Harv expected a manuscript on the Marietta History Museum and the resident ghosts when I returned home. I needed to focus on work more.

Dee Dee disrupted my thoughts. “Is that it?”

“Yep.” I whipped into the parking lot. Only a few spaces remained. A good sign.

“Didn’t they misspell Country Cousins?”

“It’s catchier this way, Nana. Come on, y’all. Let’s check this place out.” Dee Dee had the door open before I came to a complete stop.

The building, a log cabin, was a little bit of nostalgia in the middle of suburbia. As we entered, I noticed old timey signs hanging on the walls. Antiques decorated every corner of the quaint restaurant. The hostess, all of 5’2” and a good 150-160 pounds, showed us to a table in the back corner.

“Hello girls. My name is Velma. How y’all doin’ today?”

Dee Dee shot her a sad look with her puppy dog eyes. “Well Velma, we’re doing pretty well, considering we’re starving.”

“Shoot, I guess you’ve come to the right place. Let me tell you about our special of the day.” She took a pencil from behind her ear and licked the end. Yuck. She poised it over her pad. “Today we got meatloaf and two vegetables for $4.95. Of course, that includes dessert. Ruth, my cousin and the cook, whipped up a batch of her special bread pudding this morning.” Velma rattled off more specials without as much as a pause.

“The meatloaf!” three voices told Velma in unison. While we waited on our food, she brought us sweet tea served in quart jars, a slice of lemon hooked on the rim.

Ice clinking back into her tea glass, Dee Dee smacked her lips. “That’s the ticket. Trixie, we should go over to the Gone with the Wind Museum after we finish eating and pick out our dresses if we’re going to the ball tonight.”

Nana jumped on this like a flea on a dog. “What ball are you talking about?”

Oh boy, Dee Dee let the cat out of the bag. There was no way out of this but to tell Nana about the fundraiser.

“The Marietta History Museum is giving a Civil War period gala tonight, and Doc wants us to attend so we can meet some of the Board members. The Gone with the Wind Museum is graciously providing dresses for attendees.” I took a refreshing sip of cold, sweet tea. “Why don’t you spend the night with Dora while we go to the ball?”

She stared at me like I’d grown two heads. “Are you crazy?” She scrunched up her face. “You
are not
going to leave me out of this. You know, me and Scarlett have a lot in common.” She clapped her hands. “Oh, this is so exciting.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

V
elma muttered as she approached our table. “I told her so, but nooo she wouldn’t listen.” She shook her head. “Girls, sorry to have to tell you this, but we’re out of meatloaf.” We issued a collective groan.

“Ruth never takes my advice. She’s Ms. Know It All. I told her she didn’t make enough meatloaf. It’s always a crowd pleaser, so it wouldn’t hurt to have more than enough. But no, she doesn’t want to have too many left overs,” Velma spouted. She put her hands on her hips and took a determined stance.

“That’s all right Velma,” Dee Dee tried to cut her off before she continued her tirade. “What choices do you have available?”

“Let me think.” She flicked her pencil on her chin. “We have plenty of steak and gravy or fried chicken. I’ll let you have either one for the same price of $4.95.”

I chose the steak and gravy. Dee Dee and Nana went for the fried chicken. Cholesterol heaven here we come.

We talked about Dora’s progress and then discussed who we’d question next. “Let’s go to the bookstore first thing in the morning and talk with Susan. Dee Dee, you can look around and I’ll find some reason to ask her questions.”

While we planned, Velma and a young lady brought our food to the table. Good grief, each plate held enough food to feed a starving family of five.

“Did I hear y’all mention Susan over at the Magnolia Books and Antiques down on the square?” Velma wiped her hands on her apron, and struck a pose.

“Do you know her?” Dee Dee asked.

“Yep. She comes in here now and again. She always treats me like I’m some second-class citizen. Sure, she has money and is dressed in them nice clothes, but that don’t make her any better than the rest of us. She puts her pants on the same as we do. Anyway, I’ve heard she’s about to lose her antique store.”

She glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was listening and leaned in conspiratorially. “As a matter of fact, I’ve seen her and Jacob Wallace in here more than once. Lookin’ all goo-goo eyed at each other.”

Susan and Jacob as a couple was definitely an interesting twist. This information could take the investigation in a different direction. “Really? Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. I’ve lived here all my life and know most everyone from around here. A good number of people who work down on the square eat here.” She looked at me indignantly.

“That’s good news, Trix. Maybe she killed Jacob and we can get Doc off the detective’s hit list.”

“Yeah, ain’t that great, Trixie,” Nana said.

I kicked Dee Dee’s shin under the table, I wasn’t sure if Velma would tell Susan about our snooping. I had to put a sock in Nana and Dee Dee’s mouths.

“Ouch, what did you do that for?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

“Sure it was.” Dee Dee reached under the table and rubbed her ankle.

“Thank you, Velma. We’ll holler if we need anything else.” I hoped she’d take the hint and leave.

“Hmph. I’ll be back to check on ya.” She turned on her heels and left us to our delightful bounty. We bowed our heads and said a little prayer of thanks. I dug into my food like I’d never eat again. The helpings didn’t look so big after all.

We enjoyed silence the next few minutes while we wolfed down our chow. Ruth’s home cooking was some of the best I’d ever eaten in a restaurant. No wonder they ran out of meatloaf.

I laid the crumpled napkin on the table and patted my stomach. “Ladies, I feel like a stuffed turkey on Thanksgiving morning.”

“Me, too,” Dee Dee agreed.

“Well, I didn’t have much of an appetite after all.” Nana’s plate sat empty on the table. I’d hate to see her when she was hungry.

“Ladies, y’all ready for your check?” Velma laid the ticket face down on the Formica. “I don’t know what you want to speak to that ole’ Susan Gray about, but I’m sure she and that Wallace fellow was up to no good.”

I was sure they were, too. “Thank you, Velma. And you tell Ruth the food was to die for.” Oops, maybe not the best choice of words.

“Yes, me too,” Nana said. “Some of the best vittles I’ve ever eaten.”

“Well, y’all come back now. Ya hear?” Velma laughed and slapped her leg.

It was a little after two in the afternoon, so we headed over to the Gone with the Wind Museum. We could go pick out our dresses, and then have enough time to go back to Dora’s and take a quick nap.

Before Dee Dee could reapply her lipstick, we pulled onto the historic Marietta Square once again. Now familiar, with all of the trips we’d made downtown, the rain had stopped and the sun shone bright as a hundred watt light bulb. The air smelled fresh, and several tourists had already ventured out, enjoying the cooler air in the park, located in the middle of the square. Some window shopped as they walked along the sidewalks.

We parked and made our way over the railroad tracks. Nana kept up like a trooper. She talked a mile a minute about being Scarlett.

“Oh, I can’t wait to get my dress,” Nana said. “I’ll look just like Scarlett. You wait and see.”

“Well. I rather fancied myself being Scarlett.” Dee Dee patted her head with the palm of her hand as if patting her curls.

“Okay, girls. Let’s not get into a cat-fight. You can both be Scarlett. Once the ladies put on their dresses for the evening, all of them will probably feel a little like Scarlett.” I had to admit, I was getting excited. I’ve always wanted to dress up in a beautiful ball-gown.

We walked into the Gone with the Wind Museum. The building appeared deserted at first. “Hello, may I help you?” An attractive, middle- aged lady greeted us.

“Yes. We want to rent gowns for the museum fund-raiser they’re having tonight.” Her eyebrows rose to her widow’s peak.

“Oh, my. You’ve come at a most inopportune time. The dresses have been picked over, but we may have something left.” She motioned for us to follow her through the hallway and back into a side room. “I’m afraid this is all we have. I’ll try my best to fit you with something.”

I picked up a velvet, maroon dress I thought would fit me. I ran my fingers over the soft material.

“By the way, I’m Susan Gray. I volunteer at the museum and I’m helping out today. We’ve had a last minute run on dresses.” Her gaze swept over all of us. “You’d think people wouldn’t wait to the last minute.”

I literally dropped the dress I held. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Did you say your name was Susan Gray? Do you own the Magnolia Books and Antiques Store?”

“Yes, I do. How did you know?” The tone of her voice reflected her wariness.

“Uh, Doc. Doc Pennington told us you’re on the board of the history museum.” I picked the dress up from the floor. I wanted to try it on. “I’m Trixie Montgomery and I write for “Georgia by the Way”.

“Yes, I’m familiar with the magazine. We have some copies in the bookstore.”

“This is my friend and assistant, Dee Dee Lamont.” I’d called her my assistant so often; I’d begun to believe it. I placed my hand on Nana’s shoulder. “This is my great aunt, we just call her Nana.”

“Well, we need to get you ladies fitted if you plan to attend tonight.” She pulled out several dresses and held them up to Nana. Most of them would swallow her whole. She told us to wait and after a few minutes she returned with a sure-fire replica of Scarlett’s gown. Nana’s eyes lit up like a ten-carat diamond.

“We’ve just received this dress. The mayor’s wife was going to wear it, but she changed her mind. I see no reason why we can’t use it. She handed the dress to Nana. “Would you like to try this on, ma’am?” What a silly question. I don’t believe Sherman’s troops could’ve stopped Nana. She grabbed the dress from Susan’s hands quicker than a dog on a biscuit.

Now, for Dee Dee. After several more attempts we found one Dee Dee liked. I wasn’t sure it would zip up, but I wasn’t going to bring it to her attention.

“Dee Dee, why don’t you go help Nana, and I’ll wait here?” I wanted to question Susan alone.

Dee Dee didn’t take the hint. “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun if we all try them on at the same time,” she suggested.

I winked at Dee Dee, trying to grab her attention.

“Trix, is something in your eye?” Dee Dee asked. “You do seem to have a problem with that. Maybe you need to get your eyes checked.”

“Let me see. I’ll get it out.” Ever helpful Nana got right up in my face. I feared she would stick her finger in my eye and try to pluck out what wasn’t there. I popped up over Nana’s head and glared at Dee Dee.

“Please take Nana with you and I’ll follow in a minute.” She finally took the hint and off they went to try on their outfits.

“Susan, do you mind if I ask you a few questions for an article I’m working on about the Marietta History Museum?”

She jumped at the chance to share her expertise. I asked a few benign questions at first and she answered them willingly. Then I loaded for bear. “Susan, is it true you had an affair with Jacob Wallace?”

“Who are you, and what do you really want?” Susan’s eyes bore straight through me.