Tied With a Bow and No Place to Go (Tizzy/Ridge Trilogy Book 3) (7 page)

He faced Deborah. “Your turn. You got an alibi?”

“I‘ve been in Shreveport for the last few days and didn’t
even get into town until around midnight. So I couldn’t have killed him even if
I wanted. Which I didn’t.”

Ridge tore out three sheets from his spiral and passed one
to each woman. “I may need to meet with you again later, so list your current
contact information, along with anyone who can back up your alibis.” He waited
for them to finish writing, collected the sheets and put them in his pocket.

“To save time, I’m going to ask a few general questions and
I want you to answer them in order of your marriage. Kassie, you’ll answer
first, followed by Molly, then Deborah. Y’all understand?”

They nodded like a bobble-head trio.

“When was the last time you saw him?”

“It’s been ages. At least six months ago at Paco’s Tacos,”
Kassie said and looked at Molly.

“A few days ago. Since we both live local, I ran in to him
all the time. I saw him at the grocery store last Friday,” Molly said.

Ridge focused on wife number three. “And you?”

“I don’t remember, but it’s been a while,” Deborah said.

He flipped a page and focused on Kassie again. “You on good
terms with him?”

“Him, yes. Them,” she said pointing at the other two. “No.”

“Why is that?”

“Jay Roy had the morals of an alley cat and it wasn’t a big
surprise when I found out he’d cheated on me. But with two of my friends? Well,
I expected more from them. Friends don’t date each other’s boyfriends and they
sure as hell don’t sleep with each other’s husbands.”

Molly stepped closer to Kassie. “As if you didn’t sleep with
him during my marriage to him. Give me a break!”

“Me too,” Deborah said. “You gapped your legs open for him
every chance you got. I’d be willing to bet you hooked up with him at the last
reunion.”

“That was revenge sex to get even with the two of you for
sleeping with him during my marriage. Payback’s a bitch.” Kassie said.

“Enough!” Molly said. “Let’s settle this. I’ve got a roast
to cook and I can’t be spending the day with this nonsense.” She turned back to
Ridge. “I understand you found him in the field naked. Right?”

He considered not answering, but what the hell. The news was
already all over town. No reason to deny it. “That’s right.”

Molly shook her head. “Well, I’ll bet there was a ribbon
involved. Correct?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Oh Puh-lese. I married the man for Christ’s sake. He never
lay naked in that spot without the ribbon. It was his trademark. What color?”

Ridge looked at Molly, stunned. “Is the color important?”

“Very.” Molly considered the other two girls. “He gave me
red. Because of my hair.”

Deborah laughed. “More like because of your hot-headed
temper.”

“Not true. I’m a natural redhead and he loved that.”

“Deborah pulled herself up straight and smiled. “He said I
was his sunshine, so my color was yellow.”

Now Molly laughed. “What a crock. You’re yellow because
that’s the color of your teeth.”

Deborah lunged for her, but Ridge held her back.

“You shut your mouth,” Deborah said.

Ridge looked toward Pattiecake. “A little help, please.”

Pattiecake moved to stand next to them, gripped Molly’s arm
and pulled her to the nearest table. She slid a chair out and sat Molly in it.

Ridge ushered Deborah to a seat two tables away then turned
to Kassie and cocked his head to one side.

“Green,” Kassie said. “The color of my eyes.”

“Ha! It wasn’t your eyes, honey. It’s because you were
always green with envy of me,” Molly said.

“Don’t flatter yourself. You married him twice thinking
you’d be enough for him and you weren’t. Why would I ever be envious of you?”

Molly jumped from her seat, but Pattiecake eased her back
into it.

“He assigned each of you a color?” Ridge asked.

“Yeah, and on date nights, he tied that color around his—
you know,” Molly said. “So if it was yellow or green, then you’ve got your
killer right here.”

“Or red,” the other two said in unison.

Ridge eyed the three. “Ladies, you can go for now, but I may
have questions for you later. If so I’ll be in contact.”

“You’re not going to tell us the color?” Molly asked.

“No ma’am, I’m not.”

Tizzy fiddled with the last flower arrangement and surveyed
the results. The mismatched china, crystal, and silver were perfect for the
eclectic group about to arrive. If things got out of hand and dishes started to
fly, at least it wouldn’t ruin a set. After the earlier fiasco with Molly,
Deborah and Kassie, a cat fight was a definite possibility. To lower the risk
of an outbreak, place cards marked each setting to keep the three women as far
away from one another as possible.

Synola handed Tizzy a clean apron as she and Rayann came
from the kitchen. Slipping the pink pinafore over her head and tying it, Tizzy
said, “Well, we look official now.”

“The only thing that’d make it better would be to have
guns,” Synola said.

Rayann rested her hand on her chest and fingered a loose
thread trailing from the logo embroidered across the bib. “Don’t say that. I’m
scared to death this will turn out in a horrible way. We may need security.”

“We’re way ahead of you,” Pattiecake said, straightening a
Wedgwood Kutani Crane plate.

“Uh-huh,” Sugarpie said. “Jinx is gonna be here to keep an
eye on the ladies, and he’s bringing cocktails.”

Synola sighed. “I could use a drink right now.”

“Speaking of Jinx,” Rayann said to Tizzy, “Did you have a
chance to mention my problem to him?”

“Yes, and he and I are going to tail Bubba. We just need you
to call us on his next day off, when he leaves to go fishing.”

Wrinkles lined Rayann’s forehead and her answer came in a
whisper. “Okay.”

Jinx swaggered in, the afternoon sun highlighting everything
good about him—and it was all good. Black hair slicked into a ponytail at the
nape of his neck—blue polo shirt the exact color of his eyes. He grinned at the
group and went straight to Sugarpie and kissed her cheek. “Hi, Momma, I have
the drinks in my truck at the back door. If you’ll unlock, I’ll unload.”

Synola wagged her head. “Better to lock and load for this
bunch.”

“What did you make us?” Tizzy asked.

“It’s a new drink I wanted to try and it ain’t half bad.
It’s called Hop, Skip, and Go Naked.”

Everyone laughed and Tizzy asked, “What’s in it?”

“Limeade, lemonade, lemon-lime soda, vodka, and beer.” He
swaggered over to Synola and put his arm around her shoulders. “Hey, sugar
britches.”

Synola shrugged away and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t
start with me.”

“Oh.” Jinx’s baby blues twinkled. “Honey bunch, you know I’m
more interested in the finish.”

Synola’s lips twisted. She pulled a small notebook from her
pocket, jotted something in it, then glared at him. “Shut up.”

He stepped closer, and traced a finger along her cheek. “Say
what you want, but ever since you moved back to town, I’ve been your
inspiration—your muse for those snappy hangtags you write for the clothing
company. And just to prove it . . .” He reached into her pocket.

She swatted at him, but he got the book and flipped to the
last page. “Let’s see here. Ah, from start to finish, Luscious Legs jeans are
perfect for any occasion.” He double-dimpled her. “I rest my case.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she shot back. “Today’s occasion
inspired that.”

“Sure it did.” He whipped around and strolled through the
kitchen to unload the drinks.

Tizzy watched him leave, then spoke to her mom. “Who’s
coming today?”

Pattiecake counted off on her fingers as she named them.
“Kassie, Molly and Deborah will be back, unless they’ve killed one another.
Neely Jean Simpson, Janie Sue Thompson, Stella Chilton, Mary Jo Bryant, and
Lounell Hampton.”

Jinx and Sugarpie returned, carrying a tray of glasses and a
pitcher of amber-colored liquid.

Tizzy stared past Pattiecake through the big plate glass
windows at the first arrival. A blue Thunderbird convertible wheeled in and two
ladies exited. “Who’s that?” she asked her mom.

“Mary Jo and Stella.”

Tizzy walked to the center table and read the place cards.
“Not at this one.”

Synola glanced up from the one near the entry. “Here they
are.”

As Jinx opened the door, the two glided in, looking like a
stylish duo of Thelma and Louise, with big sunglasses and bright red lipstick.
Mary Jo removed the scarf from her head, fluffed her dark brown hair and Stella
adjusted her gathered skirt.

“Mary Jo! Stella! I’m so glad to see y’all,” Pattiecake
trilled. She and Sugarpie took turns giving them hugs and air kisses.

“These beautiful girls,” Sugarpie said, pointing to the
three pink aprons, “are Pattiecake’s daughter, Tizzy, and the two best
employees a bakery can have, Synola and Rayann. And this is my son Jinx. He’ll
show you to your seats.”

Next to arrive was Janie Sue Thompson, dressed in a layered
white concoction of tank tops, bra straps, leggings and three-inch white
wedges. Tizzy eyed the frail woman as she pulled a stack of papers from her
oversized straw purse and distributed the flyers.

“What is this?” Synola asked.

“Praise the Lord. It’s the answer to the questions of the
universe,” Janie said.

Tizzy stared at the brochure. “Are you serious? You formed a
religion based on Madonna?”

Janie gave a vigorous nod. “Amen! The name says it all.
Cosmic, universal. Madonna, goodness. What could be better than that? Madonna
tells us through her songs. I’m a Sinner, Confessions, Angel, Devil Wouldn’t
Recognize You, Like a Virgin. Those are messages to live by. It’s there, girls,
praise be. You just have to believe.”

“Lord have mercy, you are serious. You want a drink? I sure
could use one,” Tizzy said. “Oh, are Cosmic Madonna’s allowed alcohol?”

Janie crossed her hands over her chest and looked toward
heaven. “In moderation, praise the Lord.”

“Roger that,” Synola said. “Make mine a double.”

Tizzy handed Janie a glass and showed her to her seat.

Synola grabbed the pitcher of Hop, Skip, and Go Naked,
filled a china cup and downed the liquid in one gulp, then smacked her lips.
“Damn, that is good. Keep 'em coming, because we’re going to need 'em.”

Rayann moved to stand next to them and said, “The woman who
came in behind the Cosmic Madonna is Neely Simpson. After the weekend, she’s
going to a Hummel convention. How weird is that?”

Synola flinched. “Hummel convention. They have conventions
to look through a telescope? What the hell?”

“Humm-el not Hubb-le,” Rayann said. “They’re figurines.
Those little boys and girls dressed in clothes from the Sound of Music.”

“Oh dear God,” Synola whispered. “We’ve got a cult leader, a
figurine junkie, and three crazy ex-wives. This should be a hell of a party.
Pour me another drink.”

The three girls turned their attention to the front as
Pattiecake tapped her glass with a spoon. Once the conversation hushed, she
announced, “Welcome everyone. We have a delicious meal coming right up and my
mother-in-law, Nana, has made you a wonderful chocolate brownie treat as a
party favor. Each of you should have one in a small cellophane bag next to your
plate. Along with that, you’ll find a list of this weekend’s activities. I’ve
also placed a pen and card there. If you’ll take a moment to list your current
contact information, address, phone, and email, I’d appreciate it. It’ll also
be helpful to include where you’re staying while here for the reunion.”

A few minutes later, the door pushed open and everyone
watched the grand entrance of Mayor Lounell Patton, also president of the
Henderson County Red Hat Society. Her bright purple fluttery skirt swished as
she walked, and her cleavage looked like two bald men fighting their way out
the top of her hot pink blouse.

She stopped short, teetering on red spike heels. “Hello
everyone! As mayor of Brownsboro, I’d like to welcome you home, and thanks to
Pattiecake and Sugarpie for hosting this lovely get-together. Now, let us
observe a moment of silence in remembrance of classmate Jay Roy Hobbs, whom we
so tragically lost just this morning.”

Even though Lounell’s wide brimmed crimson hat cast her face
in shadow, Tizzy saw the pleasure on her face from having undivided attention.

Utensils and crystal clinked as the ladies lay down their
pens, forks and drinks—everyone but Molly. She stood and pointed at Lounell. “I
suppose you’ll be sending up a prayer of thanks.” Molly’s face went a shade
darker than her hair and her eyes went wild.

Tizzy set the pitcher on the counter and shot Jinx a look,
then focused on Molly to see what was coming next.

Lounell straightened and cocked her head. “Oh, Molly, you
haven’t changed a bit. You still like to stir the pot, don’t you?”

Tizzy moved to stand between the two women with Synola and
Rayann joining her, forming a defensive line as efficient as any high school
football team. “Anybody else need a refill?” Tizzy asked, trying to keep panic
from her voice.

Jinx palmed Lounell’s elbow and ushered her to a chair.

“I’m not done with her,” Molly said.

Jinx smiled at Molly. “You and the mayor should discuss this
after lunch.”

“Its fine, Jinx. Let her get it off her chest,” Lounell
said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “What is bothering you, Molly? The
fact you had two tries at keeping Jay Roy happy and failed both times? Or, are
you jealous because I’ve made something of myself and you haven’t risen above
grocery store checker?”

“Head cashier, Lounell. I manage twenty-two employees and
I’m not jealous of you. Dear God, you’re the mayor of a spot-in-the-road.
Unless you haven’t noticed, that makes you a big fish in a teeny-tiny pond. Not
much reason to brag. If it wasn’t for that shyster husband of yours, you
wouldn’t have anything.”