Pretty, Hip, & Hoodwinked

by Madison Johns

  Miss Jackson plopped back down. “She came to the bank after her checks came back with insufficient funds. We then looked into her bank records and all her money had been withdrawn on the tenth, which happened to be the day after her social security check came in.”

  Agnes tapped the paper with her pen. “How much money are we talking here?”

  “Fifty thousand.”

  Agnes swallowed hard, sharing a look with Eleanor before jotting down the amount.

  “Was anyone aware of any suspicious activity on her account?” Eleanor asked.

  “Yes, I mean, no. I was aware that while Mrs. Barry is recuperating from her surgery, she gave Kimberly Steele the authority to handle her finances. I hardly think that would mean clearing out her account.”

  “And how are you sure that Kimberly did this and not someone else?” Agnes asked.

  “We checked the cameras when the police were alerted.”

  “Is it possible for us to see the video recording?”

  “Certainly. Is there anything else you’ll need to see?”

  “No, that will suffice.”

  “Okay.”

  They waited a few minutes while the video was brought up on the computer and she turned it so they could view it. A blonde wearing sunglasses walked up to the counter, and ten minutes later left with a bag full of what Agnes assumed was money. The blonde also wore sky high heels, which was a red flag for Agnes.

  “Did the teller tell you how the person who withdrew the money was acting?”

  “She didn’t and I haven’t been able to speak with her as of yet. She’s been off the last few days for personal matters.”

  “And her name is?”

  “Rosemary Johnson. Would you like me to call you when she returns to work?”

  “That won’t be necessary. We’ll be able to find her address easily enough,” Eleanor butted in.

  “We had hoped to catch Kimberly Steele at home to question her. That is, if she hasn’t left town,” Agnes remarked.

  “Oh, so she wasn’t arrested?”

  “As you said, the sheriff’s department is investigating. It would be premature to make an arrest before they have the evidence to back it up with.” Miss Jackson nodded, and Agnes said, “Thank you for your help. Contact our attorney if you remember anything else.”

  Eleanor shook her head as she drove back to Kimberly’s house.

  “Let me guess, Andrew covered for us?”

  “Yes and I’m certain I’ll be hearing about this. I’m shocked that he didn’t laugh when she told him we were federal investigators.”

  “Where did you get that from, federal investigators indeed, and at our age.”

  “It worked, didn’t it?”

  Chapter 5

  Agnes and Eleanor walked through Kimberly’s door carrying a box of doughnuts.

  “You’re back before I thought you’d be,” Kimberly remarked.

  “And I found a bakery that just made fresh doughnuts,” Agnes said with a grin.

  “Great. I sure could use a sugar overload. I just got off the phone with Jeremy.”

  “How did that go?” Eleanor asked.

  “Not good. He wished he could be here, but he felt better knowing the two of you were on the case.”

  “What kind of case is he handling down there?” Eleanor asked, opening the box and pulling out a glazed doughnut and inhaling its fragrance.

  “It’s a murder case. Attorney Walter Hines is accused of killing his wife while they were in Detroit to gamble.”

  “I certainly hope the murder didn’t happen at one of the casinos,” Agnes said.

  “No. Apparently the man’s wife took a taxi to their hotel and hasn’t been seen since.”

  “Where was her husband, didn’t he leave with her?”

  “He wouldn’t leave the casino, claimed he was on a winning streak,” Kimberly said, as she poured a glass of milk. “The man was found with bloodied clothing the next day, but claimed he was in a fight.”

  “Where did they find the body?” Eleanor asked.

  “They didn’t. There was blood in their hotel room that matched the wife and also on Walter’s shirt.”

  “So they’re trying a man without a body?”

  “Yes, that’s why Jeremy became involved. He felt he could help him and there hasn’t been many cases for him in Redwater of late. Jeremy’s been branching out the last few months.”

  “Now that’s a case I’d like to handle,” Eleanor said.

  “Not me,” Agnes admitted. “I’d rather not handle any cases if they didn’t present themselves to us. I’m inspired to back in Tawas because I care about the community.”

  “And when we’re on vacation?” Eleanor asked.

  “Fine. So investigating might be in my blood. I only hope we’ll be able to clear Kimberly’s name and soon.”

  Kimberly bit into a chocolate-covered doughnut and asked, “Did you learn anything at the bank?”

  Agnes swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure she should share with Kimberly about the video, but then again, it might come out. And she’d hate to leave Kimberly unaware if the sheriff brought it up when he came back to town.

  “Actually,” Eleanor began. “Should we tell her, Agnes?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “The bank recording has a woman who looks like you making a withdrawal on the day the account was cleaned out. It was on the tenth.”

  “But that can’t be. I wasn’t even in the bank on the tenth. Mrs. Barry had me run to Port Austin to pick up a new walker for her that she ordered.”

  “All the way to Port Austin?” Agnes asked.

  “Yes, I thought that was far, too, but it was a medical supply store.”

  “So you weren’t in Redwater on the tenth?”

  “No.”

  “You said she sent you there,” Agnes began, “but you couldn’t have been gone all day.”

  “I wasn’t, but the rest of the day I was home with Abigail.”

  “It would be hard for her to be an alibi for you,” Agnes mused. “The bank also told us that checks have been bouncing and that’s when Mrs. Barry contacted the bank.”

  “That’s not possible. I didn’t even write all that many checks. Most of the bills were paid online.”

  “By bank account or credit card?”

  “Bank account, why?”

  “It could have been compromised somehow. Although I’m not certain how that could be done locally unless Mrs. Barry’s mail had been delivered to the wrong person.”

  “Or stolen,” Eleanor added. “The woman on the video wore sunglasses and wore sky high heels like you normally wear.”

  “I haven’t worn them since I gave birth to Abigail, actually. That proves it couldn’t be me.”

  “I hardly think the sheriff would believe that, but do you have any paperwork to support that you picked up a walker in Port Austin and that you might not have been in town to withdraw that money?” Agnes asked.

  “Actually, Deputy Danworth never asked me where I was the day it happened. He didn’t even mention when it happened.”

  “That’s odd for a deputy. So what did he ask you?”

  “He assumed I took the money and expected me to confess, at least that was my feeling. He wasn’t exactly thorough.”

  “No, but we certainly will be when we prove you didn’t do this,” Agnes insisted.

  “What now?” Kimberly asked.

  “Eleanor and I will question Mrs. Barry tomorrow. After that, you can help us clear your name.”

  “It won’t be easy when that newspaper comes out tomorrow.”

  “Perhaps not that many people in town even read the paper.”

  “This is a small town, don’t forget. There aren’t many things to do and most of the older population live for that local paper.”

  “Still, it’s not like it’s going to be in the Detroit Free Press.”

  “Not yet, anyway.”

  Agnes nodded and walked over, opening the refriger
ator. “Who’s in the mood for hamburgers?”

  “Not me. I couldn’t eat a bite,” Kimberly said, as she wiped chocolate off her lips, laughing.

  “You can’t live on doughnuts,” Agnes reminded her.

  Eleanor found the buns easy enough while Agnes cooked the hamburgers on the stovetop grill. Kimberly pulled out the condiments and the three of them sat down at the table to eat until Agnes pushed herself away. “That’s certainly some good hamburger meat.”

  “It’s from the local meat market and it’s ground round,” Kimberly said.

  Agnes squeezed Kimberly’s hand as she frowned. “I think we have some promising leads so I don’t want you to worry.”

  Kimberly yawned. “That’s good to hear. I can’t imagine what will happen if my name can’t be cleared. I’d hate to be imprisoned for a crime I didn’t commit.”

  Agnes stretched and said, “You look like you’re tired, Kimberly.”

  “I must admit I am.”

  “Why don’t you take a nap and Eleanor and I will question Mrs. Barry. That way you won’t be sitting around waiting for us to return.”

  “Will I be able to begin investigating tomorrow?”

  “Yes, now that I’ve already spoken to the bank manager. The teller who worked the day the money was missing wasn’t there today.”

  “So, that means we can question her tomorrow,” Kimberly said.

  “Well, if we can find out where she lives.”

  “Who is it? I probably could help you out with that.”

  Agnes looked at her notebook. “Rosemary Johnson.”

  “She lives at the Willow Creek Estates. Tomorrow is Sunday so it should be easy to catch her home. She drives an orange Malibu. She had it specially painted since it’s her favorite color.”

  “How well do you know her?”

  “I see her at the bank and she’s quite the talker.”

  “Good. Hopefully she’ll give us insight about what happened that day the money disappeared.”

  * * *

  Agnes knocked on Mrs. Barry’s door. Her Impala was parked in the driveway.

  “I wonder who has been diving Mrs. Barry’s car if she’s laid up?” Agnes asked.

  “Beats me, but it sure seems suspicious to me.”

  The door was opened by a lively brunette who was out of breath. “I’m glad you’re here. Hurry up, my grandmother is having a fit that you’re late.”

  Agnes and Eleanor walked inside. “Late?”

  “Yes, you’re here to help her out, aren’t you?”

  Agnes smiled. “Of course. I didn’t know Mrs. Barry had a granddaughter.”

  “She’s never mentioned you before,” Eleanor put in.

  “That doesn’t surprise me, especially when I don’t have time to run her errands. I wish I did, but I’m working my way through college.”

  “Oh, do you work here in town?”

  “At the Crazy Cow.” She laughed. “I must admit it’s a strange name, but it’s an ice cream shop for the most part, and they sell food, too.”

  “Where is that? I don’t believe I’ve been there before.”

  “On the lake. It’s on the other side of the sheriff’s department.”

  A loud noise carried to where they stood. “We better get moving, grandmother isn’t exactly the patient kind.”

  Agnes and Eleanor followed Jenny into the living room, where Mrs. Barry was sitting in a wheelchair thumping a cane on the floor.

  Mrs. Barry glanced up and her brow furrowed. “What are you doing here, Agnes and Eleanor?”

  “I thought they were your new help.”

  “Why do I need help when I have you, Jenny?”

  Jenny sighed. “You know I have to work tonight, grandmother.”

  “Call work and tell them you won’t be there tonight. I can’t be left alone. I just had surgery four weeks ago.”

  Jenny hung her head. “I know, grandmother,” she whispered.

  Agnes felt bad for poor Jenny, but at the same time, she asked, “Were you working on the tenth, Jenny?” Agnes asked.

  Jenny’s head snapped up. “What?”

  Mrs. Barry shook her head, her face reddening in anger. “I can see this isn’t a social visit, ladies.”

  “Who are they?” Jenny asked.

  “This is Agnes Barton and Eleanor Mason. They’re investigators from Tawas.” Her eyes shot fire as she added, “I suppose you’re both here to talk to me about Kimberly.”

  “I wish this could be more of a social visit,” Agnes said.

  “You don’t have to question me, girls, I’ll tell you all about it. When I fell and broke my hip I needed help, still do, actually. Well, Mrs. Peacock suggested that I ask Kimberly.”

  “What kind of help were you looking for?”

  “Medicare pays for my therapy, but I needed someone to look after my finances and pay the bills. The pain medication I take makes me a little woozy.”

  “When did you learn that your money was missing? Did someone from the bank call you?”

  “No, even though Kimberly was handling my bills, I look at my bank statements. I still get mine in the mail. I don’t know how to use a computer. Kimberly has a laptop, but doesn’t use it here since I have no Internet. It’s hard telling what she was doing with my accounts online.”

  “Did you think of getting Internet so she could make the transactions here? That way you’d know what she was doing.”

  “I trusted her enough to not do that, but now I wonder if she had planned to steal my money all along.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. So when you looked at your statement, you realized all your money was gone?”

  “All I focused on were the bounced checks. Then I began receiving calls from local businesses, too.” Her hands gripped the arms of her wheelchair, her knuckles whitening. “Jenny took me down to the bank and that’s when Miss Jackson told me that my account had been cleared out.”

  “Did she mention who took the money out?”

  “She didn’t have to. Kimberly was the only person who had my signed permission to take money in or out of my bank account. It had to be her.”

  “How much money are we talking about here?”

  “I’m sure Kimberly told you.”

  “No, but Miss Jackson from the bank told me it was fifty thousand. Does that sound about right?”

  “Yes. I still can’t believe Kimberly did this to me. She’s such a sweet girl.”

  “She is, which is why we’re in town investigating this case.”

  “You’ll have to speak to my son Clay. He’ll be taking over the investigation tomorrow.”

  “I see,” Agnes said. “There are other ways that someone can get ahold of your account information, you know. There are companies that are infiltrated by hackers who steal bank account information.”

  When Mrs. Barry didn’t say anything, Eleanor changed subjects. “Who was helping you here?”

  “Jenny, but the bird sisters were helping me out, too. Then we had a little argument about Kimberly mishandling my money and they went home. Jeremy must not be doing well if his wife stole my money like that.”

  Eleanor walked toward Jenny. “Where were you on the tenth?”

  “I’m not sure. I imagine I was working.”

  “So you’re not certain?”

  “No.”

  “I’d like you to check and I’d like to know exactly what time you weren’t here.”

  Jenny’s eyes filled with tears. “You can’t think I had anything to do with this. I’d never steal from my grandmother.”

  Mrs. Barry hit the floor with her cane. “I think that’s about enough, girls. I know my granddaughter didn’t do this. If you want to clear Kimberly’s name that’s fine, but don’t you dare question my granddaughter like that again.”

  The doorbell rang and a rattled Jenny went to answer it, returning with a woman with gray streaked hair. “I’m sorry I’m late,” the woman said. “I had a little fender bender.”

  “That
’s perfectly fine, Wilma. As you can see, I have had plenty of people here to help me until you arrived.”

  “How long have you been working for Mrs. Barry?” Agnes asked.

  “Here we go again,” Mrs. Barry said, pounding her cane on the floor for emphasis. “I already told you that the bird sisters were helping me. So leave Wilma alone.”

  Agnes put her hands up. “Sorry. You should know we’re thorough investigators.”

  Eleanor spied Mrs. Barry’s diet pop. “What, no sauce?” she asked.

  “Not with the medication I’m on, but I doubt you give a fig about that.”

  “Not true,” Agnes insisted. “Does that mean you’ve given up drinking at last?”

  “Don’t be a ninny.” Mrs. Barry laughed.

  “Is your son home from Florida yet?”

  “He’ll be back on the job tomorrow. I suppose you plan on speaking to him.”

  “You should know I will, but didn’t you send Kimberly on an errand to Port Austin to pick up a walker that you ordered on the day your money went missing?”

  “I can’t say what day my bank account was emptied. You shouldn’t expect a woman on medication to remember a detail like that.”

  “I don’t remember Miss Jackson telling you when exactly,” Jenny added.

  “What about you sending Kimberly to Port Austin ?”

  “I think I’ve answered way too many questions as is. Good day, girls.”

  “Thank you for your time, Mrs. Barry,” Agnes said with a shake of her head, as she headed for the door with Eleanor tailing her.

  Chapter 6

  Agnes yawned as she met Eleanor and Kimberly in the kitchen. Eleanor rushed to get Agnes a cup of coffee and returned with a mug filled with vanilla creamer.

  “I think Mrs. Barry isn’t all that clear about what Miss Jackson said,” Agnes said.

  “In what way?”

  “She claims the bank manager never told her when the money came up missing.”

  “She sure blames her medication for everything she can’t remember,” Eleanor pointed out.

  “Isn’t that the truth,” Kimberly said. “I brought back the walker she ordered and she fussed that she didn’t order it.”

  “Perhaps that’s why she never answered that question when I asked her.”