Pecan Pies & Alibis

by Ruby Blaylock

  Emmett returned just as Dianne Masterson crept around the corner of the tent. She seemed nervous but smiled a weak smile when she saw Bessie.

  Dianne! We just keep bumping into each other today, don’t we? Bessie turned to Emmett. This is Mrs. Masterson, the woman I was telling you about earlier. And Dianne, this is Emmett Barnes.

  Dianne nodded. I was hoping to talk to someone here who might know about the person taken away by ambulance. Do you have any idea who could help me?

  Emmett held out his hand and she shook it gently. Yes, ma’am, that would be me. I’m the Chief of Police for Coopersville. We did remove a person by ambulance from this tent, but I’m afraid they were not alive when they left by ambulance.

  Dianne’s eyes grew large and watery. Was it Mr. Reed?

  Emmett nodded. Did you know him?

  I...uh, I did, she replied, her voice choking up.

  "I’m going to need to talk to you, Mrs. Masterson, about the last time you saw Mr. Reed alive. Can you talk

  with me now?"

  Dianne opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, a screeching wail filled the air. Bessie turned to see Dorothy Reed standing behind them, one finger pointing directly at Dianne.

  "That Jezebel! That harlot! That adulterous murderer! She killed my husband!"

  Bessie barely had time to move out of the way before Dorothy Reed dove straight for Dianne with her claws bared and revenge on her mind.

  6

  Dorothy was determined, but Emmett was stronger, and within minutes he’d subdued the aggressive widow. You are going to have to calm down, Mrs. Reed, or we’ll have to put some handcuffs on you.

  But she’s a cheating hussy, Dorothy protested.

  And he didn’t love you! Dianne had recovered from her initial shock. He told me that he didn’t love you and he was going to leave you so that we could finally get married. Dianne’s eyes were still tearful, but there was anger, there, too. Bessie wondered for a moment what would actually happen if Emmett just stepped aside and let these two women fight it out. Then common sense kicked in.

  He wasn’t worth fighting over, if you ask me. Bessie’s comment caught both women off guard. Well, he was cheating on both of you with each other, so he was hardly being Mr. Wonderful to either of you.

  Dorothy pushed her platinum hair back out of her eyes. He didn’t love you--he was happily married to me, she seethed.

  He was going to tell you tonight that he wanted a divorce, Dianne countered. Doesn’t sound like love to me.

  Well, then why did he book us two tickets for a cruise next month? Yeah, he did. He booked them last week, Dorothy countered triumphantly.

  Emmett held up both hands. Ladies, please! If you ask me, Bessie is right. He was playing you each like a fiddle and as awful as it sounds, you might just be better off without him.

  The two women stopped their bickering for the moment. An uncomfortable silence fell upon the unlikely quartet, and for a minute, Bessie was sure that one of the women, wife or mistress, would dive on top of the other again. Strangely enough, that did not happen. Instead. Both women began to cry, quietly at first, then full-on sobs that bordered on theatrical.

  Oh, come on, Bessie said at last. Let’s not forget that there are other circumstances at play here, she said to Emmett. That barbecue contest is going to finish soon and you’ll have all sorts of people out here. Maybe we should take this conversation somewhere else.

  I’m going to have to talk to each of you separately and soon, Emmett told them. For now, I want both of you at the First Aid tent. I’m sending an officer over to make sure you two don’t act like little kids again. He turned to Bessie. And I’m thinking that you might want to go on home. It looks like I’m going to be a while. I’m sorry we couldn’t spend the day together like I was hoping, but duty calls.

  Oh, no, Emmett. I told you I’m not going anywhere. Besides, you may need some backup since you’re a little shorthanded today. She leaned up on tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. Why don’t I go get us a couple of plates of barbecue while you start talking to those nice bank employees. I believe they’re coming out of the tent right now.

  Bessie was right about the employees. They filed out of the tent in near silence, hot and agitated, probably wondering what in the world had happened that would require them talking to the police. Bessie waved at Kellyann as she filed past, and the blonde gave her a friendly nod.

  Dianne and Dorothy were already being escorted towards the First Aid tent by someone in a security t-shirt--Bessie thought she recognized the man as one of the younger officers that worked with Emmett. Sensing that everything was under control, Bessie headed for the barbecue tent, joining the shortest line of people in order to get herself and Emmett some of the hopefully heavenly barbecue.

  As she waited, Bessie couldn’t help but notice a repetitive murmur moving through the small crowd. Words like police and investigation had already started erupting in the myriad conversations going on around her. It wouldn’t be long until a few busybodies started inserting murder in there, too.

  Finally, Bessie reached the beginning of her line and found herself face to face with Herbert Shockley, AKA, Bubba Shockley of the locally famous Bubba’s Barbecue. She wasn’t in the least bit surprised to see him at the competition, but she was surprised to see that he did not hold the first place ribbon.

  Afternoon, Miss Bessie. You got here just in time. I’m about outta this here barbecue, and it’s a mighty good thing. All I want to do is roll on home and put my feet up, maybe get me a cold drink and watch a little TV. Bubba was all of three hundred and fifty pounds if he was an ounce, and he had a personality that was just as big.

  Afternoon, Mr. Shockley, she replied. I didn’t know this was your line, but I’m glad I got in it, she said,

  smiling kindly. Who’s running your restaurant while you’re here?

  He grinned back at her. Got some of the high school kids running the place. They're cheap labor but hard to train, I tell you. I reckon I need to find me a wife to handle that sort of stuff, though. You want to get hitched?

  Bessie grinned and waved him away. I’m a lot older than you, Herbert Shockley. You’d do better to find somebody closer to your own age so she can keep up with you.

  He laughed. I have a feeling you’re a lot friskier than you let on, Miss Bessie. He scooped the last of the barbecue onto two plates, added a couple of pieces of thick bread to each one, then handed them to her. Now, I saw Emmett Barnes in here just a minute ago looking all serious-like. He looked like he could use some of this, so why don’t you just take this on out to him?

  Bessie took both plates and thanked Bubba. You’re a mind reader, Bubba Shockley. He’s working out there in this heat and needs something just like this to keep his energy up. She glanced down at the ribbon that indicated his second place prize. Congratulations on the win--I’m shocked they found anybody with better barbecue than you, though.

  Bubba laughed again, his whole body shaking like a plateful of Jello. Well, I can’t be too mad. It was my brother that won it, he explained. Though I should be angry because I taught him how to smoke pork, he added with a cheeky grin.

  Now, I heard you were robbed this morning at the pie contest. Who on earth told Dianne Masterson that she could bake? He shook his head, then leaned in to speak more quietly to Bessie. You know I’ve seen her and Frank together. They came in for some takeout one evening when his wife was gone to her sister’s place. If you ask me, there’s something fishy going on between those two. And lord help him if Dorothy ever finds out! She only looks meek and mild, but let me tell you, I’ve seen that woman get angry, and it sure ain’t pretty.

  Bessie’s eyes widened. Oh? She’s always seemed so nice when we’ve spoken.

  Oh, yeah, butter wouldn’t melt in that mouth out in public, but I catered a barbecue for her and Frank on their anniversary one year. She got angry at Frank, said he’d been flirting with some woman. Now, Frank had sunk a few cold ones
, if you catch my drift, so he might’ve been flirting, but I didn’t see it. Dorothy cornered him in the kitchen and smashed up a few dishes, throwing them at him and yelling. Then, she came back outside to the party like nothing had ever happened. I only saw the whole thing because I was in and out of the house with the food, he explained.

  Well, that is certainly interesting, Bessie murmured. She decided that Emmett needed to know this bit of information before he spoke to Dorothy or he might be fooled by her weeping widow theatrics. It has been so good talking to you, Bubba. I promise Emmett and I will drop by soon for a bite to eat and some good conversation, she added before making her way back outside the food tent.

  She headed over to where Emmett was questioning the bank employees--one by one, at the same picnic table where she’d sat with Dianne--and hovered near enough so that he could see her. He gave her a nod to let her know that he knew she was there, but he never stopped making notes as Matt, the banker she’d given the antacids to, told him what he knew about Frank as a person.

  I don’t know what else to say, Matt apologized. I feel uncomfortable talking bad about someone who’s just died, but I struggled to find many good things about Frank. Except, maybe, he did a lot of fundraising for charity. Matt sighed. I can’t believe he’s dead, and I really can’t believe that it could be under such strange circumstances.

  He shook his head. Emmett nodded. I know it’s unexpected, but his wife said that he had a heart condition, so you all at the bank had to be aware of it. Did he ever complain of chest pains or struggle with his usual level of physical activity on the job?

  Matt shook his head. No, he didn’t complain of problems with his chest. And as for physical activity, well, he pretty much had a desk job. The tellers took care of all the heavy lifting, he added. And Kellyann--that’s his secretary--she tried to keep him from getting too stressed out. She took a lot of his calls, kept up with his schedule, that sort of thing. If you ask me, she doesn’t get paid nearly enough for all she does.

  Emmett nodded thoughtfully as he wrote down Matt’s words in a little notebook. Mr. Lane, I do appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. If I have any further questions I can reach you at the bank, correct? Matt nodded, and Emmett informed him that he was free to leave.

  As he was walking away, he saw Bessie and smiled. "Thank you for those antacids, Miss Purdy. I definitely

  couldn’t have survived that barbecue tasting without them. You enjoy that, you hear," he added, gesturing towards the plates of barbecued pork.

  Bessie assured him that she would and she hurried over to where Emmett was still sitting. Got this from Bubba’s, she informed him, sliding the plate in front of him. He sends his regards and says you need to keep your strength up. He also says that he saw Dianne and Frank eating together at his place and that Dorothy Reed has a violent temper. Do you need a fork or a wet wipe, because I’ve got both.

  She handed Emmett one of each before he could respond. He made a sound that was somewhere between a sigh and a chuckle. Woman, are you interrogating everybody in town today or what?

  Of course not, she protested, but I just happen to be a person that people like to talk to. Can I help it if they also like to share little tidbits of information with me, too?

  You mean gossip, he corrected her. Did you tell Bubba about Frank?

  No, she replied. I didn’t feel right telling him or anybody else just yet. I don’t know how you do it--tell people that someone they know has died, I mean. It must be awfully hard to do your job.

  Emmett nodded, chewing slowly before swallowing his mouthful of food. It’s not my favorite part of the job, he admitted, but somebody’s gotta do it. Might as well be me.

  Bessie tried not to think about all the times that Emmett had to deliver bad news to people. Instead, she reminded herself of all the good things that he’d done as the Chief of Police.

  Emmett cleaned his plate in no time, wiping up the last of his barbecue sauce and meat with a piece of bread. That hit the spot, he told her, wiping his mustache carefully with a handkerchief he produced from his pocket. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I still need to talk to a couple of bank employees, then I believe we’ll be close to finished with all this, he gestured at the bank tent and orange traffic cones, for the day.

  Bessie gathered up their plates and wiped the table down with one of her wipes. Now, you finish catching a murderer while I go and see if I can find something sweet. I guess I’d better find that grandson of mine, too. No telling what he and that dog are up to, she told him.

  Emmett took the trash from her and placed it in a nearby trashcan. I’m sure Devon’s fine. I believe I saw him talking to that young lady who works at the library, Laura Parsons. At least, I think that’s her name.

  Bessie grinned broadly. Oh, good. I like her--she’s a fine young woman. Well, then, maybe I’ll just go and see about getting one of those lemon ice thingies I saw earlier. You want me to bring you one back?

  You don’t have to fuss over me so, Emmett protested.

  Nonsense. You’re working hard, keeping our town safe from murderers--who strike at the county fair, no less--and the least I can do is keep you hydrated. After all, we’ve got a date tomorrow evening and I don’t want you to be sick from heat exhaustion.

  Emmett looked confused. We have a date? Since when?

  Bessie shrugged. Since I have spent almost no time with you today, that’s when. Or why, I should say. You can come round our place for supper, then we can go listen to the bluegrass band playing downtown at the city park if you want.

  Emmett wiggled his mustache playfully. Sounds like a mighty fine plan to me.

  Bessie scooped up her purse and headed back towards the place where she’d seen the lemon ice drinks. She thought that she’d seen them over by the tent filled with garden plants and fresh produce, so she headed in that direction, taking only a slight detour along the way.

  7

  Bessie knew she’d have to wait for a little while to speak with Kellyann Caruthers, but she didn’t realize that it would be almost half an hour. She hid just out of Emmett’s line of sight, peeking only when she thought he couldn’t see her, and waited for the petite blonde to finish talking to Emmett. He didn’t seem to want to talk to her for very long, which surprised Bessie, but she supposed he was getting tired and probably would talk to the bank staff again if he needed more information.

  Kellyann left the cordoned off area and headed into the crowded area where the food and drink vendors were set up. Bessie had to move quickly to intercept the young woman, but she managed to get herself in front of her and ‘accidentally’ bump into her.

  Oh! Bessie exclaimed as she took a step back. I’m so sorry! I guess I didn’t see you--I was so focused on trying to decide which fruit ice I should get that I wasn’t paying attention.

  Kellyann smiled awkwardly. I guess I wasn’t paying attention, either. She paused, narrowing her eyes. I know you--you had that amazing pecan pie this morning. You were robbed, she added, echoing Matt Lane’s sentiment exactly.

  Oh, well, we win some and we lose some, don’t we? Bessie shrugged. And you’re that nice lady from the bank--Kellyann, isn’t it?

  Kellyann blushed. Yes ma’am.Bessie patted the younger woman’s arm gently. I am sorry to hear about your loss. Frank Reed--he was your boss, wasn’t he?

  Kellyann’s face paled slightly. Yes, he was. It sure is awful, but to be honest, I don’t think it was unexpected.

  Bessie cocked her head to one side. Oh, why not?

  Well, Kellyann began, he did have a heart problem. I mean, he had a pacemaker and he was supposed to keep his stress levels down but he didn’t listen to his doctor’s orders.

  I suppose his job at the bank must have been stressful, Bessie commiserated.

  Especially since he insisted on sponsoring the fair this year, Kellyann replied. I mean, we all worked really hard to get ready for it, but most of the legwork was left up to Frank.

  And by default you, Bessie
thought. She looked closely at Kellyann, who’s makeup had worn off to reveal eyes with dark circles underneath them. Her nails were short--bitten down to the quick on some fingers--and her eyes held the look of someone who was exhausted.

  I’m sure you did more than you’re taking credit for, Miss Caruthers.

  Kellyann hoisted her large purse higher on her shoulder. I do what I can, she said simply.

  Bessie pointed to the sign above the fruit ice stand. Let me get you a cold drink. You look like you could use one and the sugar will perk you right up. It’s so important that you stay hydrated in this heat, she added.

  Kellyann put a hand up in protest. Oh, no, that’s okay. I really should be going home now.

  Bessie put an arm around the other woman. Nonsense. I insist. Now, what flavor would you like?

  Kellyann glanced around, then fixed her eyes on the fruit ice stand. Well, I guess the cherry one looks nice, she relented.

  Bessie removed her arm from around Kellyann’s shoulders and clapped her hands together. And I’m having the pina colada one, with no rum, of course, she laughed. They didn’t have to wait long as the line was moving very efficiently. Within just a few minutes, they were both enjoying the shaved fruit ice drinks.

  Bessie pointed to a shady spot beneath an awning. The awning belonged to a donut vendor whose window had been shuttered. A sign on the shutter read BACK IN TEN MINUTES. Of course, that didn’t necessarily mean that it was true, she mused. Anyone could put up a sign like that and stay gone as long as they liked since most people wouldn’t hang around for ten minutes just to make sure it was telling the truth.

  They stood in the shade of the awning, basking in the fried sugar scent and the humid August air. She was right about the fruit ices--they did perk her up and made her feel quite refreshed. She was only a bit sorry that she hadn’t picked the lemon flavored one--the pina colada was sickly sweet--but it was still a tasty relief from the oppressive summer heat.