Agnes yawned. “You know, I don’t think it will take me long to nod off tonight.”
“Just don’t do it with all the blankets,” Eleanor said.
Agnes and Eleanor simultaneously groaned when sunlight blasted them in the morning. Eleanor rolled out of bed and closed the panel to conceal them in darkness, moaning in relief when she came back to bed. She was soon snoring.
Agnes hurried into the bathroom and dressed before she wandered into the kitchen to the fragrance of fresh-brewed coffee and cooking bacon.
Fresh-faced Kimberly sat at the table stirring creamer into her coffee, a napkin delicately set in her lap. She wore a yellow polka dot top that Agnes hoped wasn’t paired with more than solid color leggings. Kimberly modeled for the Pretty and Pregnant perfume and lotion lines, and was quite hip for a pregnant woman. And thankfully she changed up her look from wearing sky-high heels to flats that were much more suitable for a young mother.
“Good morning, Agnes,” Kimberly greeted. “Is Eleanor still sleeping?”
“Yes, and tonight I plan to make sure the panel is closed. I’d much rather not be woken up so early.”
Betsie sprinted into the room and turned to the bacon with a hum.
“I want Lucky Charms for breakfast,” Katie grumbled when she walked into the kitchen.
“Oh, so you don’t want pancakes?” Betsie asked with a grin.
“I want pancakes, but can I have cereal for lunch?”
“That sounds like a great idea for lunch. Cereal it is.”
“Can I lend you a hand?” Agnes asked. “I’m a whiz at making pancakes.”
“You won’t hear me turn you down on your offer.”
Eleanor yawned and entered the room as Agnes mixed the pancake batter and poured the first set of pancakes.
“You people certainly wake up early here in Redwater,” Eleanor said. “I usually don’t get up until nine.”
“I agree with that,” Agnes said as she flipped the pancakes. “But we have a case to solve.”
“How could I forget when today we’re going to—.”
“Eat breakfast before we leave,” Agnes interjected as she set a plate of pancakes in front of Katie.
Katie clapped her hands in excitement.
“I call them silver dollar pancakes.”
“Mama makes Mickey Mouse pancakes, but I love yours too!”
Eleanor poured a cup of coffee and asked, “Did Jeremy leave town yet?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Betsie’s mouth jacked open. “I’m certain you didn’t mean it like it sounded.”
“Where is Abigail?”
“She’s taking a nap,” Betsie said, “She didn’t sleep very well last night.”
“Well, you certainly look refreshed for someone who was up all night with a baby,” Eleanor said.
“Believe me, I’m tired, but all I’ll need is a power nap and I’ll be fine. So don’t let me delay you ladies from your planned activities.”
“I must admit Betsie is a real gem to have around,” Agnes said as they climbed in the car.
“I don’t know what I’d do without her, but to be truthful she’s too helpful at times. I don’t want to put her off from doing something that’s important to her,” Kimberly said.
“I can’t say I blame you there, Kimberly,” Agnes said. “But if Betsie felt that way I’m quite certain she’d make you aware of it.”
“Family is a good thing to have,” Eleanor agreed. “Doesn’t she have a man in her life, though?”
Kimberly laughed. “Don’t let her hear you say that. She believes she’s quite happy raising her daughter.”
“I’m not discounting that, but children grow up and eventually she’ll be alone. I’d hate to see that happen to her,” Agnes said. “My husband Tom died when he was in his forties and I didn’t get married again until I was in my seventies.”
“Where are your husbands?”
“At home, thankfully,” Eleanor said. “Oops, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, but I looked forward to this time with only us girls.”
“You know, my cabin is empty,” Kimberly offered. “Jeremy and I only go there occasionally.”
“Thanks,” Agnes gushed, “and I promise we won’t use a gas grill.”
“You must be clairvoyant, because I was just going to say just don’t use a gas grill. We use the fire pit and even have a cooking grate. It’s right next door to Mrs. Peacock’s house.”
“That’s a plus,” Eleanor said when Kimberly turned into the parking lot of Jeremy’s office.
Kimberly unlocked the door and led the way inside and turned on the lights.
They headed for Gladys’s desk. Kimberly pulled out a set of tiny keys and unlocked the drawer, pulling out the appointment book.
Kimberly licked a finger and turned the pages until she came to Friday. “I knew I wasn’t wrong. Ben Shepard was here for an appointment.”
“I suppose it doesn’t state the reason for the consultation,” Agnes asked.
“I’m afraid not that much is listed -- and no phone number.”
“Is it possible Jeremy actually planned to take him on as a client?” Eleanor asked. “I bet there’s a file in the file cabinet for Ben.”
Kimberly frowned. “I’m not sure I should do that. Jeremy would have a fit if he found out.”
“So what do you suggest?” Eleanor asked.
“Maybe we could find his address at the very least, but we’re not reading the file in depth.”
“Why the heck not?” Eleanor asked. “If we had the chance to read a file of one of our suspects on a case in Tawas, we’d do it.”
“Is your husband an attorney?”
“Well, no.”
“Mine is, and fortunately I’ve never been in a situation to riffle through and read his client files.”
“No, but he’d probably tell you if you asked,” Eleanor said with a bob of her head.
Agnes frowned. “I don’t think I’d read the file against my husband’s wishes either.”
Kimberly frowned and unlocked the file cabinet. “There isn’t a file. Maybe Jeremy isn’t representing him after all.”
“You could check the computer,” Agnes suggested.
“I don’t think I know how.”
“You don’t know how to use a computer?” Eleanor asked incredulously.
“That I know how to do, but to find the right file and know where to look for it is quite another. And I don’t know the password to even get into the computer.”
They froze when the door opened with a bang.
“Sorry about that,” Gladys said as she walked in carrying her bag. Her eyes narrowed slightly when she spotted the appointment book out and Kimberly sitting behind her computer.
“What’s going on here, ladies?”
Kimberly swallowed hard and spilled her guts about what they were looking for and why.
“Is Jeremy aware that you were planning to come back today when he’s out of town, Kimberly?”
Kimberly squared her shoulders. “Well, no, but all I wanted to do was verify that Ben Shepard had an appointment with Jeremy on Friday. I saw him in the office that day.”
“And his address,” Eleanor said, “don’t forget, we need his address.”
“So all you want to know is his address?” Gladys asked skeptically.
“I swear that’s all,” Kimberly said.
“Kimberly had no intention of reading his file,” Agnes said.
“And your husband apparently refused to tell you anything about one of his clients, Kimberly?”
“Exactly,” Kimberly sighed.
“Can you help or not?” Agnes said.
“Fine I’ll give you his address, but that’s it. I hope you know I’m putting my job on the line here.”
“I know and I promise Jeremy will never find out you helped us.”
“Which means you won’t say that you know for a fact that Ben had an appointment here.”
Gladys shook her head and jotted down an address and handed it off to Kimberly who then thanked her and led the way outside.
“You don’t think Gladys will rat you out to Jeremy, do you?” Eleanor asked.
“No, I’m positive she won’t do that.”
“I have to hand it to Gladys, she takes her job seriously,” Agnes said.
“Much more than I thought.” Kimberly looked at the address and said, “They live in town. Lawndale Drive isn’t far from here.”
“I hope we plan on bailing out that young man soon. You know, Kane Keegan, who Milly told the cops she saw leaving after a store robbery,” Eleanor said. “Can’t we do that first?”
“No. The Shepards are more viable suspects,” Agnes insisted. “But I promise we’ll do that very soon.”
“Kane has been in jail, so it’s safe to say he’s not a suspect,” Kimberly pointed out.
“I know, but he might be able to point us in the direction of anyone else who might have a beef with Milly.”
Eleanor frowned. “I suppose, but it bothers me that poor Kane has to cool his heels in jail all because of Milly.”
“What if she was right about Kane, though?” I asked.
“I don’t see it,” Kimberly commented. “He’s a good kid.”
“From the lady who is nearly a child herself.” Agnes laughed.
“He’s barely eighteen!”
Chapter Six
The address on Lawndale was the last house of the cul-de-sac. Kimberly pulled into the driveway. She knocked on the door of the gray ranch house, but nobody answered. Agnes stopped Eleanor from pounding on the door, and rapped on it herself.
“There are two cars in the driveway,” Eleanor pointed out. She didn’t wait for a reply, instead letting herself through a gate and into backyard, with Agnes and Kimberly giving chase.
A shocked couple tumbled out of their lawn chairs and two teenagers stared wide-eyed.
“I think I made a mistake,” Eleanor blubbered. “We were looking for a Ben and Nancy Shepard.”
“We’re Ben and Nancy Shepard. Why are you in our backyard? Gates are closed for a reason,” Nancy asserted.
“I’m really sorry,” Eleanor said. “But I believe imposters are in Redwater.”
“We met a couple who claimed to be Nancy and Ben Shepard, but unless there’s another couple in town with the same names they lied about who they really are,” Agnes explained.
“Do you know of anyone who would claim to be either of you?”
“I certainly don’t feel comfortable with this conversation,” Nancy said. “You show up like this and expect us to tell you anything?”
“But you’re not concerned that someone is claiming to be you and that they’re potential suspects in a murder investigation?”
Nancy and Ben’s eyes widened. “Murder?”
“The couple sold snacks at the bingo at the UAW hall where Milly Clark died after drinking tainted lemonade.”
“Can I ask why you’re asking around about this?” Ben asked. “Shouldn’t the police be handling the investigation?”
“If I had a dollar for every time someone asked us that.” Eleanor chuckled. “Agnes and I are investigators from Tawas, and Kimberly handles investigations here in Redwater.”
“We can’t be of much help,” Nancy said. “We’re not aware of anyone else who has the same names as us in Redwater.”
“My wife is a nurse and I’m an attorney in Port Huron,” Ben explained.
“So you’d have no reason to consult with another attorney?” Kimberly asked.
“I should hope not.” Ben finally smiled.
“I’m sorry for the intrusion, but you’ve really given us something to think about.”
They thanked the couple and quickly left. Kimberly and Eleanor then knocked on all the neighbors’ doors. The Shepards were well spoken for, which had them walking wearily back to the car.
“This is a huge blow,” Eleanor said. “I really thought … .”
“We all did, but we need to regroup and start fresh,” Agnes said. “We need to find out who that couple really is.”
Kimberly nodded as she cranked the engine. “And why the fake Ben made an appointment with Jeremy.”
“We need to find out what’s on that file,” Agnes said, “even if Gladys doesn’t want to tell us.”
Kimberly drove back to Jeremy’s office and they walked inside. They stood silently around Gladys until she sighed. “Fine, I’m looking right now.”
Kimberly sighed. “Good, the person who had an appointment with Jeremy wasn’t Ben Shepard.”
“Are you positive about that? I looked at his driver’s license and it matched the same address I gave you ladies.”
Gladys scooted her chair back. “He was here asking about the process for having a will read.”
“Yup. Probably Milly’s after they murdered her,” Eleanor blurted.
“So was Jeremy handling the case?” Kimberly asked.
“He made some notes, but it was put on hold because he left town.”
“So does it say anything about Jeremy handling anything for Ben Shepard?”
“Jeremy didn’t give me any details about that.”
“How about the copy of the driver’s license?” Agnes asked. “Certainly you can show us that.”
With a few clicks of a mouse Gladys printed a copy of the driver’s license.
Kimberly snatched up the paper and scanned it. She sighed before handing it to Agnes and Eleanor.
“The man who came here isn’t Ben Shepard and doesn’t live at the address on the license.”
“Could it be possible that the couple was related to Milly?” Eleanor asked.
“We have a photo now. It wouldn’t hurt to ask Endora a few more questions,” Agnes said. “Thanks again, Gladys.”
Gladys sighed when the trio disappeared back out the door.
When they returned to Milly’s house, Kimberly pounded on the door. Endora gingerly opened. “Oh, hello again.”
“We only have a few more questions,” Kimberly said. “Did your sister have a will?”
“I-I’m not sure. Why?”
“It’s important. I’d hate to think that Milly’s will had anything to do with her death.”
“Like I told you, I don’t know if my sister had a will. I’m still going through her paperwork.”
“If you find out, please call us,” Agnes said as she handed Endora her business card.
“Do you recognize this man?” Kimberly asked as she handed the paper to Endora.
Endora’s eyes widened and then squinted. “I must admit that my eyesight isn’t the best anymore. Let me get my glasses.”
Kimberly exchanged a look with Agnes.
“Shouldn’t we follow her?” Eleanor asked.
“We weren’t exactly invited in.”
“When has that ever mattered,” she whispered.
Agnes shrugged. “I don’t want to be arrested in Redwater.”
The door flew back open, Endora wearing a pair of thick-rimmed glasses. “Sorry about that. I can’t say I’ve ever seen this man before. I really wish I could be of more help.”
“Me too,” Kimberly said. “Thank you for your time.”
“Do you think my sister really had a will?”
“I don’t know, but keep looking. You might find one”
“Let’s head to the sheriff’s department,” Agnes said as they left.
Eleanor clapped her hands. “Finally!”
“Don’t get your hopes up. Our first order of business is to speak with Deputy Danworth about the couple posing as the Shepards.”
“So you don’t plan to bail out Kane?”
“Not until we first get the chance to speak with the clerk at the Pit Stop gas station.”
“I agree with Agnes,” Kimberly said. “Someone is impersonating Ben Shepard. They made an appoin
tment with Jeremy using a false driver’s license.”
“Which is against the law, I know, but we’ll have to see what Deputy Danworth has to say on the matter.”
“I can’t help it if I want Kane bailed out,” Eleanor said changing the subject.
Agnes pulled out a compact and took the shine off her face. “I’m sure the clerk will be able to clear it all up.”
“Of course if she can’t identify Kane, Milly certainly wouldn’t have been able to,” Kimberly pointed out.
“We’re getting off track here,” Agnes said. “There’s a parking spot.”
They scaled the steps of the sheriff’s department, Eleanor utilizing the ramp. At the unmanned counter, Eleanor leaned against the wall.
Two women chatted at a nearby desk and never even bothered to look in their direction. Kimberly put her purse noisily on the counter, still no response. They all sighed simultaneously … still no response. Eleanor began coughing uncontrollably until finally one of the women approached.
“Sorry. I didn’t see you.”
“No but you should have heard us!” Eleanor said loudly.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes. Is Deputy Danworth here?” Kimberly asked. “It’s important that we speak to him … now.”
The young blonde’s eyes widened, and she picked up the phone and relayed the message, presumably to Danworth, who wearily walked to the counter.
“I expected you before now,” he said as he rounded the counter. “It’s a nice day to sit outside, don’t you think.”
They went outside and sat on benches that faced one another.
“You look exhausted, Danworth,” Agnes said.
“You might say that. I know you must think I’m a jerk, but I actually care when a crime happens in this town. My mother goes to bingo frequently, and now there’s no way I’ll let her go after this poisoning.”
“How can the autopsy report be ready this soon?” Kimberly asked with a notable frown.
“It’s a preliminary report. Have you turned anything up on your end?”
“Actually we did,” Agnes said. “We spoke to a couple who sold the snacks. They gave the names of Nancy and Ben Shepard.”
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