Pecan Pies & Alibis

by Ruby Blaylock

  This reminds me of when I was a girl, Bessie told Kellyann. We’d get something similar at the county fair when I was young. Of course, they didn’t have as many flavors back then, but we didn’t care.

  Kellyann smiled and nodded. They are good on a hot day, she agreed. "Thank you again for buying me one.

  You really didn’t have to."

  Bessie made a noise that sounded like air leaking out of a tire. Pffft. Oh, I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. It gets old sitting all alone at these things and eating a shaved ice by myself.

  She licked at her ice for a moment. So you aren’t staying for the rest of the fair? It seems a shame to miss out on the fun after all the hard work you put in.

  Kellyann wiped a drip of cherry ice from the back of her hand. Well, after Frank, it just seems a little wrong to be having fun.

  Bessie nodded. I guess I can see that. Tell me, was he a nice man to work for? I only ask because I dealt with him once at your bank and he was unbearably rude. Not to speak ill of the dead, but he didn’t strike me as a man who would be fun to work with.

  Bessie watched Kellyann for a reaction. After a moment, the blonde shrugged her shoulders. I guess he wasn’t the best boss I ever had, but I loved the job, if that makes any sense. My coworkers were nice, everyone who comes into the bank are nice, for the most part. It’s a job, she added finally.

  Bessie nodded along as Kellyann discussed the positives about working at the bank. Then she replied. You talk about it like it used to be your job, not like it’s your current one, she noted.

  Kellyann’s eyes widened slightly. Did I?

  Yes, you said your coworkers were nice, not that they are nice. It’s not as if they’re dead, too, Bessie pointed out.

  Kellyann blushed. Oh, well, of course, I didn’t mean that. They are nice and it is a great job. I guess I just don’t know what to expect now that Frank is gone.

  Bessie nodded once again. I guess I can see that, she replied. I’m sure there will be big changes at the bank, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll be bad ones.

  Bessie glanced around as if to make sure no one heard what she said next. Did you know about Frank and Dianne Masterson? Oh, my--she and Mrs. Reed had a bit of a confrontation earlier.

  Kellyann’s eyes grew wide. They did? Oh, my...I’ll bet that wasn’t pretty. Frank wasn’t always the most discreet person, so I did have my suspicions.

  Oh, yes, it’s true, Bessie confirmed. Though what either of those women saw in him baffles me.

  Kellyann smiled and shifted on her feet. Did you happen to see a porta-potty nearby? I’ve been chugging water all day, washing down that food from the competitions, and I guess it’s caught up with me.

  Bessie laughed. Oh, how well I know that feeling. I’ve been frequenting the facilities today myself. Luckily there is a bathroom just back there, between the tent selling henna tattoos and the one selling cast iron skillets. It’s got a sink, sort of, but if you want to borrow some hand sanitizer afterward, just ask. I keep it on hand for such emergencies, she added.

  Kellyann thanked her and headed in the direction that Bessie had pointed. As soon as she was out of hearing range, Bessie grabbed her cell phone and called Emmett. She hoped to reach him before Kellyann came back because she really didn’t think that the conversation she was about to have was something that she should share with anyone else, at least not until her hunch was confirmed.

  8

  Bessie refused to learn how to text. Well, she knew how to, but she simply refused to engage in the act. It made no sense to type out a message that could take several minutes or longer to reach its recipient when you could just call them. This was why she was talking on the telephone and walking at the same time, which was also why she nearly didn’t see Kellyann slip between the tents in the craft area and head back towards the food tent.

  The food tent wasn’t her actual destination, Bessie was sure of it, so she sent Devon to the place where she was positive that he’d find an important part of the puzzle that was Frank Reed’s death. She smiled as she passed the food tent and glanced inside to see the young policeman in the SECURITY t-shirt digging through the large trash can that sat near the judging table.

  Devon, did you find anything? She was whispering as loudly as she dared, convinced that someone would hear her and ruin everything.

  Not yet, Grandma. Am I even in the right place? You said the lemonade stand closest to the food tent, but I can’t see you.

  I’m on the other side of the tent, she assured him. I just can’t get too close or she’ll see me. Look at the back, maybe underneath something, she instructed him. It’s a box, so it can’t be that easy to miss.

  She could hear Devon muttering to himself, then she could hear what sounded like Karma breathing into the receiver. This was followed by Devon scolding the dog, then a scuffling noise, and finally silence. She pulled the phone away from her ear and stared in horror at the blank screen. The battery had run out and the phone was now as dead as Frank Reed.

  Oh, crap, she muttered, then headed straight for the lemonade stand. She didn’t want to be seen, but she couldn’t leave Devon alone with a killer.

  She saw the lemonade stand, which had a line of people waiting for a cold drink. She didn’t see Kellyann though, at least not until she bumped into her.

  The blonde bank secretary looked shocked. She opened her mouth to say something but failed to find words.

  Did you have trouble finding the bathroom? Bessie asked, glancing around for signs of her grandson, but he was nowhere to be seen. She really hoped that he’d gone to the right lemonade stand, but there must be a half dozen of the things set up across the fair, and her heart sank when she realized that he must have gone to the wrong one.

  Kellyann pulled her purse up on her shoulder, preparing to walk away. Bessie put out a hand. Don’t do it, Kellyann.

  The blonde stopped. I am going home now, Miss Purdy. I’ve had a long day and I really just want to go home and relax.

  Well, I guess if you want to add bank robbery to the charge of murder, you might as well go on and take that box of money with you, Bessie said frankly.

  Kellyann looked confused, then her eyes flashed with anger. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

  I would ask why you killed him, but goodness knows he probably gave you a million reasons. I know he didn’t put all this, she said, gesturing to the fair around them, together. I’m sure you did all of the work and got none of the credit, am I right?

  Kellyann didn’t respond, but she didn’t run, either.

  Did he fire you? Is that why you zapped him with a stun gun?

  Kellyann clenched her mouth, then she spoke in terse, clipped sentences. I have to go. I’ve spoken to the police. They said I can go.

  That was before we had some new information, said a voice behind Bessie. She turned to find Emmett and the young officer--was his name Jefferson?--standing behind her. Emmett held a plastic evidence bag out in front of him. Inside was a stun gun, the type that would fit easily into a purse. Kellyann refused to look at it.

  Where’s the money, Miss Caruthers? The younger officer--Johnson! That was his name--asked as he unclipped a pair of handcuffs from his belt.

  I have no idea what you’re talking about. Kellyann shifted her purse yet again, prompting the police officer to hold out his hand.

  May I take a look inside your bag? Officer Johnson asked, but it came out as more of a statement.

  Miss Caruthers, Emmett stepped forward as he spoke, could we please take a look inside your purse? There is money missing from your employer’s tent and we have reason to believe you may know what happened to it.

  Kellyann cast a bewildered glance around her, taking in the unlikely trio confronting her. She passed the bag wordlessly, shoving it at Emmett.

  He opened it and peered inside. With a single gloved hand, he picked through its contents briefly, then passed it back to her with a sigh.

  Do you recognize this? He h
eld up the stun gun.

  No. And I really don’t know why you would think that I might. She turned towards Bessie. Did you put the police up to this? Were you just being nice to me so you could set me up to take the blame for Frank’s death? I thought you were just a nice old lady. Kellyann had an expression of hurt on her face that made Bessie cringe.

  I don’t understand, Bessie muttered. Emmett, you know that I would have never told you that I thought Kellyann was the person who killed Frank if I honestly didn’t believe it. She put her hands to both of her cheeks and groaned. Oh, Em, how could I have been wrong?

  A figure approached from behind the lemonade stand, led by a ball of fur and licking tongue.

  You weren’t wrong, Grandma! Devon was being dragged along by Karma, who headed straight towards Kellyann. He put himself between her and Bessie, a protective cub prepared to protect his pack member.

  Devon held up a metal bank box. I found it, right where you told me, he said to Bessie. I had to scramble because she almost saw me, he said, pointing to Kellyann. But we got it, didn’t we Karma?

  Kellyann’s eyes widened momentarily. Did you take that from the bank’s tent? she asked, accusation in her voice.

  Devon rolled his eyes. Whatever. Emmett, Grandma, here’s the evidence. Sorry about the wet stuff on the side--Karma wouldn’t stop licking the box.

  Emmett took the box from Devon, holding it carefully. We might be able to get her prints off of this if Karma hasn’t cleaned it too much.

  Oh, her name’s all over it, Devon said, flipping the box over. Stuck to the bottom was a copy of the judging schedule with Kellyann’s name written on it in what appeared to be her own handwriting.

  What’s this sticky stuff all over it? Emmett asked, then he sniffed it. A grin spread across his face and he shook his head. Well, I’ll be darned.

  What? Bessie asked. What is it?

  It smells like pecan pie. I’ll bet Frank set your pie on this box at some point and some of the filling got out on it. That’s what all this sticky stuff is.

  Bessie’s eyes widened as the wheels in her head turned again. I’ll bet she shoved that box into her bag and the schedule stuck to it. Then when she hid it--

  Underneath the lemonade stand, Devon offered.

  When she hid it, Bessie continued, she didn’t realize that the incriminating evidence was just sitting there waiting to be found.

  Can we prove that she used the stun gun though? Devon spoke up again, turning to Emmett for an answer.

  Emmett scratched at the edge of his mustache, a habit he had when he was pondering over a problem. If her prints are on it, then we can. I doubt she wiped it clean before tossing it in with all the food scraps. It might be a stretch, but I bet the forensics people can figure it out. Of course, murder and bank robbery are mighty heavy charges. If I were facing them, I think I’d probably try to work out a plea deal and confess my sins.

  Kellyann’s face went white, then slack. She dropped her head into her hands and let out a heaving sob.

  He fired me! I tried to keep his secrets for him, I even looked the other way when he took money from the charity account, but he didn’t care. He did what he wanted and then he fired me.

  It was just a job, Kellyann. Frank may have been an awful person, but you had no right to end his life just because he fired you. Bessie shook her head. You’d better just go on quietly with Officer Johnson, she added. It’ll be better for you if you do.

  Bessie watched as Officer Johnson and Emmett escorted Kellyann to a waiting police car. Emmett carried the bank’s box of cash and looked exhausted. Bessie felt the way he looked.

  Devon, I think we can go home now, she said to her grandson. I think I’ve had enough of the county fair for one year. How about you?

  Devon nodded and Karma let out a bark. Then the trio made their way back through the fair and out to the field where their car was parked.

  9

  The sun was setting off to the west of Rosewood Place when Emmett pulled up in the driveway. Bessie didn’t know he was coming, but she was waiting for him on the front porch when he arrived.

  I thought our date was tomorrow? she asked him playfully. Why’d you come out here after the day you’ve had?

  Emmett shrugged. Well, you did so much of the leg work today, I sort of felt like I had an easy day, he joked.

  Well, how did it all turn out?

  Kellyann admitted to it all. Apparently, she went to talk to Frank after she saw Dorothy at the food tent. She had to lie to Dorothy about what Frank was up to and Kellyann just got fed up with making excuses for the man. She says that when she told him she wasn’t going to cover for him anymore, he just up and fired her. I guessed that was the straw that broke the secretary’s back, so to speak.

  So she tased him?

  So she tased him. Well, after he propositioned her, of course.

  What?!

  Yep. Apparently, old Frank told her she could keep her job if she kept her mouth shut and something else open.

  Oh, my goodness! That disgusting old man!

  She might get to bargain down to accidental manslaughter since it could be argued that she felt frightened by Frank’s advances, Emmett suggested. And she claimed that the money was just an afterthought, though she did hide it with the intentions of going back for it later.

  What about Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Masterson? Did they kill each other yet?

  Emmett laughed. Not that I know of. Johnson says they bickered a while, then they settled down while they were waiting for me to come back and talk to them. I don’t know if they’ll be best friends after all this, but they did seem to both agree that they’d been played by Frank and his wily ways.

  Maybe Dianne will go on that cruise with Dorothy, Bessie suggested only half-jokingly. You know, the one that Frank booked just last week!

  Stranger things have happened, Emmett said solemnly.

  Like what?

  Like Dianne Masterson beating you in the pie contest, he replied. You know, I was sure looking forward to buying up half that pie from the charity sale, he lamented. You know pecan’s my favorite.

  Bessie nodded. Yes, it sure is a shame that it all went to those useless security guards, she sighed. I guess it’s a good thing I baked two, then, isn’t it?

  Emmett’s eyes matched his mouth as he broke into a wide grin. I guess it’s a good thing you like me so much, he replied and slipped his hand in hers. They sat there for a minute like that, watching the last traces of the sunset unfurl in the western sky before retiring into the house for a slice of pecan pie.

  Purdy's Perfect Pecan Pie

  If you stop in at Rosewood Place for a few days, you might just be lucky enough to be treated to some of Bessie Purdy's wonderful cooking. If you're really lucky, or if she's in a baking mood, she'll whip up one of these delicious, slap-your-grandma-good pecan pies. Or, you could just make one yourself, and leave poor Grannie alone.

  Ingredients:

  3 large eggs

  1 cup white sugar

  1 cup of light corn syrup

  1 tsp. vanilla

  1/2 tsp. salt

  1 tsp. butter

  3 tbsp. all-purpose flour

  2 cups pecan halves or pieces (Halves are prettier)

  One 9-inch pie crust (You can make one from scratch, buy roll out pie crust from the store, or use a frozen, premade crust--I won't tell anyone if you do!)

  If you want to make your own pie crust, try this one:

  2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour

  1 tsp. salt

  2/3 cup of butter

  6 tbs. cold water

  Mix the butter, salt, and flour together in a bowl using a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour. Add the cold water and keep mixing until you get a smooth dough. Roll it out and cut it as needed, then bake in a pie dish at 375 degrees F until brown. (Prick the bottom before baking if the pie isn't filled yet.

  The 'perfect' in this recipe actually stands for 'perfectly easy.' My mom used t
o make these at Christmas time or just whenever a good pie was needed. And we all know that pie is always needed!

  In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add your sugar, syrup, butter, flour, vanilla, pecan halves, and salt. Pour the mixture into a pie crust that has been pre-baked (to prevent soggy bottomed pies) and bake the pie in an oven at 350 degrees F for about an hour, or until the pie is firm in the middle.

  If you want to keep the edge of your crust from browning too much, try tearing strips of aluminum foil and pressing the around the edge of the pie all the way around. Remove the foil for the last twenty minutes of baking for perfect pie crusts.

  Other Books By Ruby Blaylock

  Rosewood Place Mysteries

  Bodies & Buried Secrets

  Corpses & Conmen

  Greed & Deadly Deceit

  Pecan Pies & Alibis (short novella)

  Carly Keene Cozy Mysteries

  Dead Before the Wedding

  Gravely Dead

  Love, Death and Christmas Cookies

  Can't Beat a Dead Horse

  Hedgewood Sisters Paranormal Mysteries

  That Witch Doesn't Kill You

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