Tied With a Bow and No Place to Go (Tizzy/Ridge Trilogy Book 3) (21 page)

“Thanks for doing this. We’re going to head back to the
station. Call me if you need me,” Ridge said.

Back in the car, he turned to Bubba. “Oh, I’ve been meaning
to ask. Any results from your DNA test?”

“I got them earlier today. I haven’t even told Rayann yet.”

“Was Olivia a match? Is she your sister?”

“A full blood sister.”

“Seriously?”

“It was a shock to me, too. I’ve never known who my
biological father is, but since the test proves she and I have the same father,
she wants to find him.”

“Do you?”

“I’m not sure.”

Ridge slid him a sideways glance. “What does that mean?”

“My biological mom was a druggie. She gave Olivia and me
away. I figure our dad is a druggie too. Not someone I want to bring into my
life, much less Rayann’s. You know how fragile she is. She needs me, and I need
her to need me.”

Ridge chuckled. “Just because she’s afraid of everything in
the world doesn’t mean she can’t handle tough situations. If memory serves, she
came after you with a vengeance. It’s a good thing, because you wouldn’t make a
move.”

“I told you I pursued her back in high school and she wasn’t
interested. I wasn’t willing to risk rejection again.”

“And what if your dad turns out to be a great guy?”

“How’d you feel if a kid you never knew existed or wanted
came looking for you? If he was an addict, he’s probably dead by now and the
whole thing will be a non-issue.”

“Still, you and Rayann want to start a family someday, and a
medical history is important.”

“I’ll tell Rayann tonight and we’ll go from there. I hope
she accepts Olivia. I’m getting used to the idea of having a sister, an actual
blood relative. That means a lot to me.”

Ridge smiled. “Yeah, they’re nice to have. Growing up, Erica
was always my strongest ally and with our mother, a united front was the best
defense in dealing with her.”

“Well, you married a woman who can handle anything. She’s
helped Rayann out more than once. I’ve never told you this, but Rayann’s first
husband beat the crap out of her.”

Ridge jerked his head around to face Bubba. “What?”

“He had money. After a big fancy wedding, they returned to
Lubbock. He’d hit her before, but one night, he got drunk and lit into her full
force. She called Tizzy. Tizzy called the cops to Rayann’s apartment and had
them stay while she packed everything and moved her out that night. Once Rayann
got out of the hospital, she stayed with Tizzy and Boone.”

“And the guy?”

“Dan went to Lubbock and put the fear of God into him. Tizzy
made Rayann take out a restraining order and file for divorce. The marriage
lasted five months. It ended quietly, and nobody in town ever found out about
the abuse.”

“Not even Rayann’s parents?”

“No. She didn’t want anyone to find out. That’s why Tizzy
and Synola are so good for her. She always feels safe with them.”

“Speaking of the dynamic trio, they have a trip to the
funeral home planned for tomorrow. I understand Jay Roy’s body will be ready,
and Tizzy wants to talk to him. Maybe he’ll tell her who killed him and I’ll
wrap this up before his funeral.”

Ridge pulled into the parking lot at the station. “Right
now, I’m going to see if I can do telephone interviews with the two women who
didn’t come to the reunion. Once I rule them out, that will leave four more
former classmates to question.”

When Ridge pushed the door open, Rita stood, placed her
hands on her hips and glared at him.
Oh crap.
He braced himself.

“Uh-oh,” Bubba said, and disappeared down the hall.

“You better believe ‘uh-oh’,” Rita called after him, then
spoke to Ridge. “What do you think you’re doing treating Tom like a criminal?”

Ridge held up his hand. “Now hold on a minute. I didn’t
treat him any differently than any other person in an investigation, and his
calling to whine should give you pause.”

Rita thinned her lips. “He didn’t call to whine. He wanted
to tell me before you did.” She pointed her finger. “I care for this man and if
you’ve messed this up for me, I’ll never forgive you.”

“Questioning him shouldn’t bother him—unless he has
something to hide. I found a connection between him and a suspect. I have to
follow up on that sort of lead. Basic procedure. You have to admit, his
connection with the case and dating you sent up a red flag. I’m trying to look
out for you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Rita plopped back into her chair and folded her arms under
her breasts. “You worry about the case and let me worry about getting hurt.
Deal?”

“No. When a case crosses the line to include someone I care
for, I worry, and nothing will change that.”

Her face softened and she heaved a deep breath. “Oh.”

Ridge propped an elbow on the counter. This was a first.
Rita lost for words? Clearly she thought his motive had been more than concern
for her. “What’s wrong? Surprised I care? We’re friends and if this guy isn’t
right for you, I’ll say so. Hey, sometimes men do things for the wrong reasons.
I wanted to make sure he wasn’t using you to get information.”

“And what was your verdict?”

“He was being honest with me. He’s dating you for the right
reasons.”

“Poor Gracie.”

“What do you mean, poor Gracie?”

“I pity the boys who date her. You’ll take their prints, run
background checks, and make them take lie detector tests before you give your
approval.”

He laughed. “I hope the fact I carry a loaded gun on my hip
will be enough deterrent for them to toe the line. I don’t intend to let her
date until she’s thirty.”

“Good luck with that. Oh.” Rita shuffled papers and handed
one to Ridge. “Here are the phone numbers for Lorna Garmon and Selene Dyer.”

“Thanks.” He took it and smiled, relieved she’d moved on to
business. “Please call Doyle Patton again and ask him to come back in tomorrow.
I need to discuss the gas exploration on Jay Roy’s property and find out if it
will go to Doyle or the family. After that, if the last four women on Jay Roy’s
love list are in town. Let’s set up interviews with them.”

The fax machine hummed and Rita removed the papers.

“Well, this is an interesting turn of events,” she said and
passed the pages to Ridge. “Maybe Doyle won’t need to come in after all.”

Ridge read the documents. “Well, I’ll be dammed. Doyle had
an independent lie detector test administered. According to the results, he
didn’t get information on the gas survey until after Jay Roy’s death—and, he
didn’t kill him. This moves him up on my suspect list.”

Carroll and Lehr Funeral Home sat on a hill fifteen miles
west of Brownsboro. The late afternoon sun winked between crepe myrtles lining
both sides of the long drive leading to the entrance. Their pale pink blooms
ruffled in a warm breeze. Over the years, Tizzy had attended many services here.

As the car crested the rise, she peered over the top of her
sunglasses at the almost vacant parking lot, then glanced at Synola.

“What? You already getting something?” Synola asked.

Thankful for the sparse crowd, Tizzy planned to ask Jay Roy
two quick questions and get out of here. She didn’t want to risk running into
the family. Most people in town knew of her ability and many times parents and
siblings had their own questions they wanted answered. She hated doing their bidding.
She’d learned if someone carried a secret to their grave that was pretty much
the point in the first place and chose not to reveal it afterwards. “No. I
thought there’d be people here, like—family members.”

“The actual viewing isn’t until tomorrow,” Rayann said, from
the backseat. “I’m sure the family came early.”

Tizzy wheeled into a space near the door.

“You want us to go in with you, or do you prefer to be alone
with him?” Rayann asked.

Tizzy frowned. “Is that a joke?”

“No. When you talk to Boone at the cemetery, you’re usually
by yourself. I thought the signals were better that way.”

“Signals? You think I tune into cell towers or something?”

Rayann giggled. “You do seem to get better reception when
it’s just you and the deceased. Less people, less body mass, better
connection.”

Synola swung her door open, stopped and pulled her notebook
from her purse. “Wait a minute. I can work with that motto for Luscious Legs
Jeans.”

“I’m not sure if they have Jay Roy displayed, or if he’s
still in the back,” Tizzy said and opened her car door.

When they entered the building, Lenard, one of the
directors, met them in the hallway. “Hello, Tizzy. Who have you come to see? I
have Mrs. Whitehead in slumber sanctuary one and Mr. Tucker in number two. The
families won’t be here until seven.”

“I wanted to see Jay Roy, even though his viewing isn’t
until tomorrow.”

“He’s been very popular today, so we have him in three.”

“What do you mean popular?” Synola asked.

“Quite a few of his classmates came this morning. He must have
been dearly loved, because they were so bereft.” Lenard sighed.

Tizzy eyed her two friends, then the director. “Did they
happen to sign the guest book?”

“I don’t believe I had it displayed. I wasn’t expecting
anyone today.” The man wrung his hands.

“Did you know any of them?” Tizzy asked.

He lifted his gaze toward heaven and tapped a finger on his
chin. “Several came in a group and a few came alone. Oh yes. An ex-wife and the
mayor. Perhaps Hilda, our secretary, listed the visitors. I’ll ask.” He disappeared
around the corner.

Tizzy led the way.

“Wow, look at these flowers. I’ve never seen so much color,”
Rayann said.

Tizzy approached the casket with Synola and Rayann trailing.

“He looks nice, doesn’t he?” Rayann said.

Synola scrunched up her face. “Are you kidding? He is not a
handsome man. I’ve just noticed how much he resembles—uh—that actor from the
movie
Sideways.
Paul something.”

“Giamatti,” Tizzy said.

“That’s him. Paul Giamatti. Only Jay Roy is thinner. And
taller. And older. And deader.”

Tizzy fingered his collar, then smoothed her hand along his
lapel. “He still looks nice and I don’t remember ever seeing him in a suit.”

Rayann leaned over and sniffed the blooms resting on the
coffin. “The casket spray is beautiful.”

“Wow, they are all pretty and there’s a bunch of them.”
Tizzy panned the chapel. Sprays mounted on stands lined the perimeter. Roses,
carnations, mums, irises, and gladiolas. She placed her hand on Jay Roy’s chest
and spoke. “Who did this?”

After a few seconds she jerked her hand away.

“What did he say?” Rayann asked.

“That’s crazy,” Tizzy said. “Let me try again.” She placed
her opposite hand against his heart. “Who were you meeting? Who was the blue
ribbon for?” She waited for a response, and as Jay Roy began to speak, loud
voices caused a commotion, breaking her concentration.

Molly Hix appeared at the casket, nudged Tizzy aside, and
yanked off the flowers. “How dare her move my arrangement.” Molly replaced the
yellow mums with her red roses.

Deborah shoved Molly away. “You leave those yellow mums
alone!”

“I will not!” Molly said. “I was his last wife and current
girlfriend, so if I want mine on there, they’ll stay!”

Deborah grabbed the yellow spray and tugged it away from
Molly. “I have as much right as you do to furnish the funeral bouquet.”

“No you don’t!” Molly said, struggling with the flowers.

While Tizzy tried to break up the argument, she caught sight
of Kassie placing green carnations on the box. Molly must have noticed too,
because she let go of Deborah, spun around and gripped Kassie’s arm. “What are
you doing?”

“Let go of me,” Kassie hissed.

Molly snatched the arrangement, threw it on the floor, and
stomped it.

“You tramp!” Kassie screamed. “See what you’ve done! You’ve
ruined them!” Kassie picked up the crushed carnations and tried to fluff them
back into shape.

Deborah scurried past and repositioned the yellow mums.

Molly held her red flowers in one hand and grabbed Deborah’s
with the other.

Kassie gave up on her arrangement, latched onto Molly’s and
tugged hard.

Deborah joined in and jerked the red roses loose. Blooms and
petals exploded into the air.

Molly screamed, snatched a handful of Deborah’s hair, and
dragged her from the casket. They both fell on the floor, rolling first one way
and then the other.

“Break it up!” Tizzy yelled, trying to get a hold on one of
the women.

Synola aimed her phone and videoed the scene.

“That’s it, let her have it!” Kassie yelled, as if still a
cheerleader.

Molly glanced up at her, kicked a leg out, and connected
with Kassie’s ankle bringing her to the floor. Her foot dislodged the set brake
on the casket stand and it started to move. Tizzy pushed against it, trying to
stop the motion. Kassie tried to upright herself, but Molly threw a leg over
her.

Clutching air until she made contact with the sleeve of
Deborah’s blouse, Kassie ripped it loose.

“You witch! This is a new dress!” Deborah hooked her fingers
inside Kassie’s collar and yanked. Dress buttons scattered across the floor.

Kassie tried to close the gaping top with one hand and push herself
free of the two women with the other.

Tizzy gave up on the coffin and danced around the three
trying to get a grip strong enough to pull them apart. She glared at Synola and
Rayann. “A little help, please?”

Synola passed her phone to Rayann and jumped into the fray.

Jay Roy picked up speed.

Deborah made contact with Molly’s earring. As it ripped
through flesh, Molly yelped and grabbed her ear, blood streamed between her
fingers. “Let go of me!”