The Mint Julep Murder

by CC Dragon

  She waved it off. “Very kind, but I’ll be just fine once that check clears. As long as it wasn’t suicide, insurance pays out and I’m the sole beneficiary.”

  “I’m glad you won’t have money concerns. You deserve it after all that unpaid work.” I wasn’t going to flip her into an enemy now. Imagining myself in her shoes, I’d feel stuck, betrayed and resentful too.

  “Don’t take it the wrong way. I loved my family. I’d do anything for my children. I loved helping with the church and people. I loved my husband. I meant my vows. When you find out your life is a lie because the man you love wants someone else—it degrades it. I was a virgin my first time with Eddie, only him. I was a good wife. I never once thought of another man and I’m pretty sure he’s had more than one mistress.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I spotted a box of tissues on the table behind her couch and got them for her.

  “Thank you. It’s important that you understand I never wanted him dead. I wanted him to be as loyal to me as I was to him. I tried everything a wife could. Counseling to lingerie.” Mrs. Monroe blushed. “When you marry, you put your happiness in someone else’s hands. They can destroy it. Be very careful if you ever marry, Belle.”

  “I will. I’m sorry I brought all of this up for you. I just didn’t want you or anyone thinking I held a grudge over a traffic-stop warning.”

  “No, dear. Though I do wonder what you did to get a warning and not a ticket. Flash a little something?” She looked at my bosom.

  I adjusted my blouse even though it wasn’t exposing much of anything. “No, I’d never. I think I heard his phone ring, but it was probably another police call that was more important.”

  “Probably his mistress. What late-night calls do we have in Sweet Grove? We’d have heard about a break-in or a health emergency.” She tilted her head.

  She wasn’t wrong. “Well, I promise, I’ve never flashed anything or anyone. Whoever called, I just got lucky.”

  “With any luck, I’ll get a proper death certificate and can file the insurance paperwork. Funerals aren’t cheap.” She sighed. “Come on, angel, time for your medicine wrapped in cheese. He just loves cheese.”

  “I’ll show myself out. Please call, for anything,” I said.

  “Thank you.” She carried her pet back into what looked like the kitchen.

  At least she had her little dog to keep her company until the kids made it home. I was a bit surprised they weren’t here now. Like it or not, I had two suspects now. The wife and the mistress. Odds of an accidental death were looking far less likely.

  Then again, what if the mistress was married? Her hubby…crap. I hated to gossip, but I needed to know who the other woman was.

  Chapter Seven

  “Things were busy today. Your smoothies were popular. And that new coffee machine. No one broke it,” Gran said.

  It was nice to be home, away from all the chitchat. She set the table as I dished up two heaping bowls of stew. Gran had taken her seat and her head bobbed forward a bit.

  I touched her shoulder. “Gran.”

  She snorted herself awake. “I wasn’t asleep.”

  I chuckled. “Sure. Eat up. Coffee, water, Coke?” I offered.

  “Water.” She waved.

  “Iced tea?” I tossed in another option.

  “That caffeine will keep me up.” She went to the fridge for butter.

  I poured two glasses of water and cut up some bread. Once everything was on the table, we both sat and ate.

  “I told you that your business would be fine. The sheriff’s death was natural or an accident.” Gran held up her hand. “May he rest in peace.”

  “Yes. But they’re still investigating. I hate the idea that people would get the wrong idea. His wife has an interesting theory.” I stabbed a carrot to make sure it was mushy enough. I hated raw or hard carrots, but well-cooked ones were delicious.

  “You and your carrots.” Gran teased as if she’d read my mind. “What’s this theory of the widow?”

  “How fast she’d gone from the sheriff’s wife to widow. It’s terrifying how your whole life can change like that based on one person.” I shook my head. “She thinks it’s another woman. The sheriff was having an affair.”

  “Lola Baker.” Gran tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into her stew. “I love this stew. That huge pot will feed us off and on for a week.”

  “I’ll have to scrounge around the pantry and see if we have what we need to make chili next week. But what about Lola?” I asked.

  “I can make cornbread! It never paid to make big pots of stuff for just me. I’d freeze some and forget it until I couldn’t recognize it.” Gran’s smile beamed up from her toes.

  “Lola Baker is in the choir,” I said.

  “Yeah, she’s the assistant manager of the florist in town. You know, where they do the farmers’ market. Nice enough woman. Divorced young, no kids and other women’s husbands, it seems.” Gran shook her head.

  “You knew about her and the sheriff?” I asked.

  “Annabelle, I don’t gossip. People confide in me because I care and can keep a secret. With the trouble your mother gave me, they knew I didn’t judge,” Gran explained. “I’m sorry, dear.”

  “I understand what you meant. Lola…” I had a goal and it wasn’t my mother. I wanted to know who’d killed the sheriff or if it was really an accident. We needed to prove it wasn’t me or the diner. It had to be hurting their business a bit too.

  Gran took another big bite and chewed thoughtfully. After a gulp of water, she glanced at the fridge. “We have ice cream, right?”

  “Gran,” I said.

  “Okay, fine. I knew about them, but nothing specific. Lola always liked older and powerful men who spoiled her, but she never showed it. Modest home, drove a Chevy and shopped at the usual places. Nothing snobby about her. Some women love secrets, makes things exciting.” Gran shook her head.

  “Every dog should have a few fleas. Do you think she’d be pissed enough to poison the sheriff for not leaving his wife?” I asked.

  “Dear, I don’t know her that well. I’m not into flowers so I only go to the florist if someone close to me dies. But to always be the other woman…what woman wants that?” Gran asked.

  I nodded slowly. “But what would she be if she killed him? Nothing. Unless he changed his will somehow, she gets nothing and no hope of anything. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Love rarely makes sense. Not that that is real love. Lust, more like it. Proper love doesn’t make you chase or worry. The intentions are clear. It might not be smooth sailing all the time—men and women are different and both have their moods—but no games. No cheating. No having your cake and eating it too. Imagine what those poor kids will think if they find out how their father treated their mother?” Gran focused on her eating.

  I did think about it and ate quietly, before my stew was cold. I could very much sympathize with the sheriff’s kids, but they were lucky truly. They’d had both parents growing up. The sacrifice Mrs. Monroe had made to stick with it made me admire her just a bit, even if she pampered her dog like a baby.

  “You okay?” Gran asked.

  I blinked. “Yes, sorry. I was just thinking. Who’s in charge of the investigation of the sheriff’s death without the sheriff?”

  Gran wagged a finger at me. “I saw Gus in that uniform today. He was brought on and he looked very handsome in it.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “You noticed? Maybe he came in to impress you?”

  She blushed and swatted my hand. “Four men sniffing around is enough. And they’re just friends. But you’re young.”

  “He’ll find out soon enough how this town ranks young women. Lurlene will probably sink her claws into him soon,” I teased.

  “Please, that girl is so desperate, it’s sad. The pastor or Gus—whomever. She just wants to define herself by getting married. I’m glad you’re not like that.” Gran finished her water and puttered to the sink to rinse her bowl. “Ice cre
am.”

  “I’ll dish it out. You let Duke out and feed him.” I finished my dinner and put the dishes in the dishwasher.

  Duke whined at the smell of our dinner and I tossed him a cooked piece of stew meat while he waited for Gran.

  “Don’t you give a dog people food,” Gran warned.

  “Never.” I put the rest of the stew in the fridge and opened the freezer. “Vanilla bean. Where’s your double chocolate?”

  “Chocolate isn’t good for dogs,” she said.

  “Is vanilla?” I asked.

  She shrugged.

  “Give him treats, Gran. Not ice cream.” I filled up a bowl for her and added a spoon.

  “Hush. I’m going to sit in my recliner, watch my shows and enjoy my treat. Then I may fall asleep with my faithful puppy. You go have some fun.” She swatted my arm.

  “Gran, I have to be up early for work tomorrow too. I don’t need to go out,” I protested.

  “If you want to solve the mystery of the sheriff’s death, you won’t do it here. Also, if you want to find a husband and beat Lurlene to a wedding and give me some great grandbabies, you won’t do that sitting in your room, either. Go!” She wiggled that spoon at me like a magic wand.

  “Fine. I’ll go visit Katie.” I grabbed my purse, not even stopping to check how I looked.

  * * * *

  I checked my makeup in the mirror of the truck before I went in. That was only polite, and I popped a mint just in case. That didn’t mean I was desperate for a husband. I just didn’t want to be caught with something in my teeth or sit at home with Gran all the time.

  Too wild like my mother or too lame at home—I couldn’t win, so I might as well spend time with my real friends.

  Katie was behind the bar, and I went right for her and plopped on a stool. “Need any help?”

  “You’re not an employee, but probably,” she reminded me. “How’re things?”

  “Good. Not as busy as you are here. It’s packed,” I said.

  “Everyone is wondering who the other woman in the sheriff’s life is,” Katie explained.

  I sat up straight and leaned over the bar. “They know about that? Who do they think it is?”

  “I guess some deputy mentioned it from the interview. Small towns and small-town cops.” Katie shook her head. “No one knows for sure. No one wants to think about that old sheriff with a beer gut with his wife, let alone anyone else.”

  One of Katie’s brothers got her attention. “Trouble in the back, sis.”

  “Watch the bar?” Katie asked.

  ‘Sure.” I grabbed an apron while dashing around the bar. Once in place, I tucked my purse safely away then washed my hands before filling the bottom of a tall glass with lots of maraschino cherries. I picked up the soda gun and found the Diet Coke button.

  “You look at home back there,” Gus said.

  “Heavens to Betsy!” Startled, I hit the button.

  I let it go just as fast, but I’d gotten the bar and the new deputy. “Sorry.” I handed him a bar towel.

  He laughed. “I shouldn’t startle a professional at work.”

  “I forgot ice anyway.” I scooped ice into my glass. “What can I get you? On me of course, for the mess.”

  “Club soda is fine,” Gus said.

  “Oh, Belle, that’s not how you call dibs on a man or mark him. Poor thing.” Lurlene walked up, took the towel from Gus and dabbed at the wet spot on his chest.

  Katie walked up behind me. “Well, Lurlene, she might hit you with the water button and enter you in a wet T-shirt contest, but we don’t need to see your itty-bitty assets in a C cup bra stuffed full of damp Kleenex, now, do we?”

  The laughs from around the bar made Lurlene turn bright red.

  “I can drink at home cheaper,” she said.

  “Please do,” Katie called.

  Lurlene left to whistles and jokes.

  “That was a bit mean. What God has forgotten, we will stuff with cotton is a nicer phrase,” I said.

  Katie glared at me. “You need to stand up for yourself a little more.”

  “I did make the mess.” I pointed to Gus’ shirt.

  “Cutest mess all day. How about we dance to cover it up?” he asked.

  “I’m working here, not just some bump on a log.” I looked at Katie. “Go ahead. I’ve got this.”

  I wiped down the bar and felt awkward no one was leaving. She sighed as I carefully used the soda gun to fill my drink without making a mess.

  “He meant you.” Katie shooed me away.

  “No, she’s the catch.” I hooked a thumb at Katie.

  “I’m not getting into this fight. You owe me a dance, Ms. Baxter. I’ll collect one day. Now how about that club soda?” he asked.

  “Right. I’m all thumbs today.” I grabbed a glass, poured the ice and filled it without making a mess.

  “She’s been sleuthing today.” Katie shook her head.

  “Maybe I should hire her?” Gus joked.

  Katie and I shared a look.

  “Katie,” one of her brothers shouted from the door.

  “Busy night. People think with a dead sheriff that it’s the Purge out there. I’ll be back.” Katie nodded to me.

  I put a straw in Gus’ drink before setting it on a fresh coaster. “See, busy. Besides, you don’t want to get paired up with me. People talk and small towns are the worst.”

  “Why would it be bad with you?” he asked.

  “You’ll hear about it sooner or later. Lurlene would be only too happy to tell you about my family,” I said.

  “Your grandmother is kind. Besides, I don’t think one person should bear the bad reputation of someone else because they’re family. Do you?” he asked.

  “No, but troubles seem to run in families. Sins of the father and all that. Teen moms is a bad pattern. Alcoholics. We learn what we see.”

  “Mind if I change the topic?” he asked.

  “Beer, please,” said the lead singer as he slid in next to Gus.

  “Tap or bottle?” I asked.

  “Tap,” he said.

  I pulled the handle and filled the glass.

  “Want to sit in tonight?” the singer asked Gus.

  “No, thanks. I’m trying to mingle and get some information,” Gus said.

  Maybe he just wants to know what I found out with my sleuthing?

  I set the beer down and marked the tab the band had running so Katie could settle up with them later. No doubt they got some drinks on the house.

  “When do you go on?” I asked the singer.

  “Not for half an hour. I better go check and make sure the rest of the band gets here. Musicians. Not reliable.” He winked and slid from the stool into the crowd.

  Gus sipped his drink. “You and he are friendly?”

  I shook my head. “Bartending, like the coffee or smoothie bar, is about customer service. I don’t want to hurt Katie’s business. You wanted to change the subject?”

  “Right. You were sleuthing?” he asked.

  “No, not really. I went to visit the sheriff’s widow and take her some scones. We got to talking. But you already know about the other woman. Katie said everyone is talking about it.”

  “Someone let it slip. Lou.” Gus shook his head.

  “Whoever is the next sheriff will have his hands full. I wonder if they’ll have a special election?” I wondered aloud.

  “Actually, they’ll appoint someone to complete his term and have a regular election since it’s under six months away,” Gus replied.

  “Rough way to start a new job. Do you know who the other woman is?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure.” Gus leaned and put his hand under my chin, tilting my head until I had to look him in the eye. My heart beat louder and jumped into my throat, but I swallowed it down. “But you do.”

  My skin tingled and I was about to tell all when Katie ran up.

  “Sorry. Gus, can I get your official help?” Katie asked.

  “Sure.” Gus releas
ed

  “Everything okay?” I asked trying to hide my blush.

  “The sheriff’s nephew came by, already having had enough to drink. I know it’s grief so I don’t want to get Hank arrested, but I need someone more official than a bouncer to get him to move on. His friend seems sober enough to drive, but the poor kid just wants to drink more.” Katie shook her head.

  “Good night. Duty calls.” Gus took a sip of his club soda and followed Katie.

  “Night.” I felt like an idiot all the way around, but I did have a lead ahead of the police. A lead I wasn’t sure would actually take things anywhere.

  Now I had even more suspects, though. The widow, the girlfriend and the deputies… Most of them would want to move up and be sheriff. Would they really poison the sheriff to get there?

  I didn’t think so, but I’d never thought the sheriff would cheat on his wife. I heard Gran’s voice telling me not to judge people. Just the facts. No judgment until the truth is proven. I could do that. Think of all the people Sheriff Monroe had put in jail—one of them could’ve approached the sheriff like they wanted to thank him or talk and slipped him the stuff. Right there we had a lot of suspects I couldn’t track down.

  I looked up and the lead singer was smirking at me as the band set up. Maybe he’d heard about my mom? I wasn’t going to prove that easy—no matter how good he looked in those tight jeans.

  Suddenly I wanted to spray my neck with cold water, but instead I just took a long drink of my cherry Diet Coke. I went about serving paying customers and filling orders from waitresses now that I wasn’t chatting.

  Tomorrow everyone would be saying I was flirting with Gus. Luckily, I’d be busy. I had the shop then choir practice in the afternoon. There, I could make friends with Lola innocently enough. She seemed so genuine and kind. I hoped she wasn’t a killer on top of being a cheater.

  My sweet little town wasn’t so sweet anymore.

  Chapter Eight

  My hair was up in a ponytail, but I’d managed to get up and moving on time. Gran busied herself setting out the baked goods while my fingers fumbled a bit as I made the coffee.