by CC Dragon
“Exactly.” Lurlene finished her drink. “Another, please.”
Katie looked at me. I nodded, and she poured but went lighter on the liquor.
“As an adult, you decide what’s right and wrong for you. It’s freer than being bullied by other kids or your parents. I’m sure you’d have helped Luke with Jeff and Pete, taken them all in and cooked for them, helped with their laundry and all of it. Hospitality and open doors for all, right?” I asked.
“Sure. I’m a great cook.” Lurlene grabbed a pretzel from the bar bowl and nibbled.
“Even with beauty school and helping at your dad’s store, you’d still be there for all your guests and never work on a Sunday. Plus you’d do all the pastor’s wife’s traditional work and fill in wherever needed. Heck, Luke didn’t like me working here to help Katie, so you’d stop drinking here and be at home with him—sewing or praying,” I teased.
She shot me a side eye. “When you’ve found the right person, drinking at home is cheaper. I come here to be sociable.”
“Right, that’s why you were crappy to Martha and me. How is it possible we’re worthy of any of your time? You’re not getting any younger. That clock is ticking. I think I can hear it.” I leaned in.
Katie stifled a laugh.
“You’re a bitch,” Lurlene said.
Gus walked up. “What’s going on?”
“Your girlfriend is a bitch. She’s being all mean saying I’m old.” Lurlene hopped to her feet and lost a heel.
“I didn’t say that. I simply suggested she go talk to the single men since she’s here for socializing and she already sent Martha off nearly in tears,” I replied.
“Okay, that’s enough. Miss Lurlene, we’re giving you a ride home,” Gus informed her.
“No, I’m not done.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s perfectly legal to drink in a bar.”
“But you came in drunk. You had some already. It’s time to go. Or I’ll write you a ticket for public intoxication.”
“I’m in a bar. I didn’t drive. I can get as drunk as I want.” She stomped her one heel.
“No, you can’t.” Katie pointed at the sign that read, We reserve the right to deny service to anyone. “You’re cut off. Take the free ride home.”
“It’s all her fault. You’re my curse, Belle.” Lurlene glared at me.
I finished my drink, hopped off the barstool and picked up her one shoe that had slid away. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Sorry the night got cut so short,” he said.
I shrugged. “In your job, emergencies will happen. But if you ever put her over me when it’s not a real emergency, we’ll have a problem. This is just dropping her off on the way home. I can’t wait to see what her mom has to say about that.”
“Don’t. I’ll sneak in the back,” she insisted.
Gus and I smiled. “Honey, you couldn’t sneak into a pumpkin patch without stepping on five pumpkins and a hound dog’s tail,” Gus teased.
Gus put her in the back of his SUV.
“You’re just loving me back here,” Lurlene grumbled.
I sat in the passenger seat. “I’m not hating it, but mainly it’s so you don’t puke on us.”
Gus sighed. “It’s easier to clean out that back seat if you do puke. It’s all hard plastic back there.”
“I don’t puke. It’s a waste of alcohol.” Lurlene batted at the protective plastic that divided the front and back seat. “This makes me look like a criminal.”
“You’ll be home soon,” Gus promised.
She smiled. “And where are you taking Miss Belle? Home to granny or out for a long drive for a little fun? Trust me, Belle, when he’s had his fun, he’ll be over you. Wild girl, just like her momma.”
“I’d say that’s not fair, but you are a drunk like yours,” I teased.
She slammed her hand into the plastic divider and called me a few choice names.
Gus closed the section so we couldn’t hear her comments.
“Another suspect?” I asked.
He nodded. “She wanted Luke. I don’t think she’d kill for him, but I’m worried she’ll go after you one of these years.”
I laughed. “She just wants to win. She’d never hurt Luke because he was the prize, in her mind.”
“But if he chose you and not her, she might try to scare him,” Gus concluded.
“Lurlene’s dad owns the feed and supply store. I doubt she’d touch a snake directly, but there are plenty of men working there who probably handle snakes. Do a favor for the boss’ pretty daughter? They probably thought it was a prank.” I waved off the notion.
“I’ll add it to the list, but I’m not sure a snake in the house would send the message Lurlene was going for,” Gus replied.
Chapter Eight
The funeral was the most awkward I’d ever attended. Playing the piano for the choir was the normal part. Megan breaking down a couple of songs in was odd. I’d told her to opt out of singing, but she’d insisted on the tribute.
A big part of it was a strange pastor no one knew in our church, except Pete. People did the readings and the preacher talked about Luke’s devotion to his flock.
I focused on the music and the people. There were two new faces in the crowd—beyond Luke’s parents, a few close friends who were seated with Pete. Jeff sat in the back, which felt wrong somehow. He’d known Luke better than most of us.
“That concludes our service. As many of you know, Luke’s brother and parents will take his remains home and have them buried in the family plot. You’re all welcome to join the family for refreshments in the entrance area of the church. We all pray that the person behind Luke’s untimely death be brought to justice on Earth and in Heaven.”
I played some exit music and once the church was empty, I dashed out to help Gran. There was sweet tea, lemonade and coffee as well as a ton of different things to nibble on. Our apple pie slices and cobbler squares were popular.
Gran was standing behind the tables, helping direct people. “I’ll get you a chair,” I offered.
Gus beat me to it and set a chair behind Gran like he’d read my mind. The guy had a lot of good points. Maybe I was too hasty and overreacted about the ex?
I smiled at him. “Thank you.”
He winked. “Get back there and help. Keep an eye on things. I saw two people I need to talk to.”
Martha walked up. “I can help,” she offered.
Martha’s daughters ran up to show Gran the cards they’d made for the pastor.
“You’re sure? You’ve got a handful,” I said.
“Go on, I’ve got this. Gran loves the girls, the girls love her and her treats and it’s less depressing for them back here. You go work with Gus.” Martha winked.
“I’m not sure I’m much help.” I shrugged it off.
“Go.” Gran sipped her sweet tea and helped the girls to plastic cups of lemonade.
“I’ll be back to check.” I grabbed a couple of sweet teas and headed for the sheriff.
Harry, Katie’s brother, walked up to me. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s weird, but we’ll get through it. Martha is with Gran, helping.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her. Lurlene is in rare form. I heard how she was to you at the bar. She shouldn’t take her pain out on other people.”
“I don’t think Lurlene knows any other way. Thanks for keeping an eye on them. You could just ask her out,” I teased.
“Your gran? Way too old for me,” he joked.
“Men.” I sighed.
Katie smiled at me, and I headed over. “How’s it going?”
She adjusted her bangle bracelets. “Harry is going after Martha, I assume.”
“You don’t approve?” I inquired.
Katie shook her head. “No, Martha’s great. She could use a little more confidence, but not everyone has a big dream. The kids are nice and cute.”
“Anything else interesting around here today?” I asked softly.
“Two people no one recognized. Gus is trying to talk to them. Or is that tea for me?” Katie joked.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m just trying to be useful. It’s a funeral.”
I moved on to find Gus talking to a woman. She was pretty and young, but her eyes were red.
“Sheriff.” I offered him a glass.
“Miss Baxter, this is Miss Henley. She played piano for Luke at a prior church. Apparently, that didn’t work out,” Gus said.
“I’m sorry. So nice of you to come out today,” I replied.
She sniffed into a tissue. “I needed to see that he was really gone, but I didn’t expect cremation.”
“We didn’t either. But his family wanted it,” Gus confirmed.
“He had a habit of dating members from the choir. It didn’t always work out. He fired me from the choir when we didn’t work out,” Ms. Henley said.
“We didn’t work out either. I guess he didn’t have time to fire me. I wouldn’t have been surprised, I suppose,” I said.
“It wasn’t just me. He dated others. It’s crazy how he got away with so much. His death was fitting,” she grumbled.
“Meaning?” I prompted.
“He was a snake. That’s what took him out. I needed to know it was real. If you’ll excuse me, I have a couple hours’ drive home.”
“A couple hours?” I asked.
She nodded. “I moved away from that church and town. I needed a fresh start.”
“I hope you got what you needed here,” I added.
“Closure is complicated, but he won’t hurt me again.” She smiled slightly.
“Was he in contact with at all you since he moved?” Gus asked.
“Not personally. I watched him on social media. He’d send updates to our church’s social media page—how he was doing. It was infuriating and emotional. Now it’s done. Good luck finding a new pastor,” she said.
“Is there anyone you can think of who wanted Luke dead? Who’d go to the trouble of putting a snake in his home?” Gus asked.
She shook her head. “Killing a pastor. That’s a bold move and a big sin for a churchgoer. No, I can’t imagine.”
“Have a safe drive,” I called.
“Not likely her,” Gus concluded after she’d left.
I handed him the sweet tea. “I’d say no. She’s right—avid churchgoers doing something like this? So planned and deliberate. Who else were you wanting to talk to?”
“That guy, but he’s dodging people. It’s weird,” Gus remarked.
“Let me try.” I headed back to the table and got a piece of cobbler on a foam plate and a sweet tea in a plastic cup, making it seem like the guy could politely take it and dump it if he wanted to get away—no need to return cups or plates.
I walked right up to him like the welcome wagon on the porch of the church. “Refreshments?”
“No, I just wanted to pay my respects,” he insisted.
“Well, the ashes are in the church. You’re welcome to go through the crowd. Were you from his former parish, or family?” I asked casually.
“Not family. I’m sorry, I have to be going,” he said.
“I don’t mean to run you off. Take all the time you need,” I offered.
He was gone.
Gus walked up. “Nice try.”
“Sorry. Usually my chitchat works.”
Gus took the cobbler. “You kept him around long enough for me to get a picture. One of the deputies got his license plate info. We’ll look him up that way.”
“Creepy.” I sipped the tea.
Lurlene was there chatting with Angie Lowell.
“Did you get her alibi?” I asked.
“She was on a work trip. But we can’t prove she didn’t swing by here on the way to or from her event. Nothing confirmed. She’s making the right friends though. Lurlene is glaring daggers at you.” He grinned.
“At us—she probably thinks we’re dating. She thinks everyone feels sorry for me and not for her. That that somehow got me the pastor and the sheriff. She’s crazy,” I said.
“The pastor was after you. Maybe he wanted to show me up?” Gus teased.
“Maybe he just knew I wanted to be the good girl and thought I’d play along and do all the pastor’s wife work. Then he had a girl on the side,” I complained.
“Figure out who yet?” he asked.
I tilted my head toward the core choir ladies. They were fussing over Megan, who couldn’t stop crying. “She’s always emotional, but this is extra.”
Gus nodded. “Grab that bench over there. I’m going to hook her away.”
I strolled to the bench and took a seat. Whatever he said seemed to charm the ladies and calm Megan. He steered her to get some lemonade and apple pie before heading over to me.
Megan locked eyes with me and her feet slowed, but she wouldn’t be rude to the sheriff.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
She sat down and shrugged, proceeding to eat. “I can’t believe you two are back together so fast. It looks tacky. Lurlene is having a field day.”
I smiled. “I’m sure. We’re not anything official. We’re trying to solve the murder.”
Megan looked at the sheriff. “I see. It sort of makes sense if she was using the pastor to make you jealous. But I think Belle is better than that.”
“She is. We weren’t officially anything. I had some trouble with an ex. Luke snuck in but I’m not holding any grudges. We’ll find out who did this and justice will be served,” he assured.
“I’ll be glad when it’s all over.” Megan sipped her drink.
Someone came over with a tray full of glasses of wine. Gus grabbed two and handed them to me and Megan. “Ladies.”
“Thanks.” I sipped the chilled white wine. If nothing else, it’d help relax me a tad.
Megan did the same thing then stood and turned around, spitting the wine into the bushes.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Fine. Sorry. I think I ate too much today. I’m going to go home. Please excuse me.” She headed for the parking lot.
“Do you need help?” Gus offered.
“No, I’m fine. I’ll be perfectly fine, thank you.” She waved him away.
“Wine taste okay?” he asked me.
“Fine. Wonder what’s bugging her. I had apple pie too. There’s nothing wrong with the food.” I took another sip of wine. “Oh.”
“What?” Gus asked.
“I’m not sure. I don’t want to start rumors,” I said.
He sat next to me and leaned in. “It’s not rumors if you’re telling the police.”
“Well, why would a woman not drink? I’ve seen her in the Buckle on a Friday night having a special. She doesn’t drink a lot. What’s so wrong with one glass of wine to toast the pastor?” I asked.
“She’s in AA?” he guessed.
“That’s one reason. But spitting it out like that? Very unladylike. If she didn’t want it or doesn’t drink, she’d just say so.”
“What else is there to do?”
“She could’ve swallowed the sip and set it down. One toast and done or something. But not drinking a single drop…” I shook my head. “Spitting it out? That’s someone who is on meds that make drinking dangerous…or she’s pregnant.”
Gus’ eyebrow arched. “That’s interesting.”
Before we could debate more, Jeff walked up. “Sorry to interrupt. My compliments to the chef. Excellent cobbler and pie, Miss Baxter.”
“Thank you. Please take some extra with you for later. Did you know the man who was here? None of us recognized him,” I said.
Jeff shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t. Pete said I can move into the motel with him when I’m let out of the jail. I don’t want to want trespass on anyone’s hospitality.”
“No worries. I’d like to hold on to you for a few more nights, just to make sure funeral visitors are gone. We’ll have a talk about Angie and Ms. Henley, if you don’t mind,” Gus suggested.
Mr
. Johnson didn’t seem all at all flustered. “Sure. Ms. Henley was hurt. Angie was much more public about how she handled the breakup. People are different. Their relationships with Luke were different.”
“Jeff, the Baxter shop is in need of a little electrical upgrade. Belle, Jeff shared that he did a lot of repairs and upgrades on his first churches. He might be able to help. I’m happy to help, but I’m not an electrician,” Gus offered.
“Would you be interested in some work?” I asked.
Jeff perked up. “I’m happy to pay back some of the kindness. I actually was an apprentice electrician before I found my calling.”
“Wonderful. Once you’re free, come on over. Gus has tools and we have some as well.” I smiled.
“Thank you. If I’m going to start my life over, that’s not a bad place.” He walked away with a bit of a spring in his step.
Chapter Nine
The next morning was slow at the shop because we’d contributed so many goodies for the funeral. Gran and her men were watching the store and planning what summer fests they might set up tables at. I made a bunch of muffins to keep myself occupied.
Gran padded in and grabbed a few fresh muffins. “You and Gus having fun?”
“We’re trying to solve a murder,” I replied.
“People are talking about you two. You spent most of the funeral together,” she reminded me.
My shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. I left you at the table with Martha. That wasn’t fair to you or her. I wish I had a clone.”
“Don’t worry about me. I had my guys there too. People always come to chat when you have the good food. Martha and the girls were fun and Harry kept circling by to see if we needed anything. But you and Gus—if you don’t want people to assume, you might want to dial back the time you’re spending with him.”
I shook my head. “You invited him to dinner. I thought you liked him.”
“I do, but you know how people talk. Sometimes you don’t realize how it looks. Especially with how recently you broke up with Luke,” she pointed out.
“Gus and I are just working together right now. I was close to Luke, so it makes sense.” I smiled weakly.
“I just don’t want you to be upset again.”
