“The real names of the couple who worked the snack bar at the bingo are Clancy and Beverly Tiff. They live on Elm Street,” Agnes said.
“And I suppose they told you why they lied about their names?”
“No they didn’t,” Kimberly said. “But we know they asked Jeremy about how long it takes to have a will read.”
“And they were having an estate sale, according to their neighbors,” Agnes added. “But they refused to give us the name of Clancy’s mother. Someone else might be the heir of the estate.”
“But this is speculation because we’re not even sure if Clancy and Beverly are who they say they are,” Kimberly finished.
“That still doesn’t explain why Clancy would have a driver’s license in Ben Shepard’s name.”
Danworth pounded his head on the desk a few times, rattling the pens in the holder. He lifted his head and nodded as he handed over a card with a number on it to Eleanor. “You can go online and access a police report there.”
“For free?” Agnes asked.
“Nothing is free these days,” he admitted.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Kimberly said. “Hey, while we’re here we should speak to Kane Keegan. I believe he’s in your jail.”
“I can’t help you there. He was bailed out earlier today.”
“By who?”
“His mother, I believe, but what do I know.”
“So did he rob the Pit Stop gas station or not?”
“We’re still investigating.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. Did you arrest him based on Milly’s tip?”
“We only questioned him about the robbery. He was arrested for an outstanding warrant and for an unpaid fine.”
“Do you know where Kane lives?”
“I’m quite certain you can figure it out, ladies. You’re free to go now. I’ll look into Clancy and Beverly Tiff because I don’t have any other viable suspects.”
Chapter Nine
“So tell me why we’re not going to find Kane now?” Eleanor asked as Agnes pulled into Mrs. Peacock’s driveway.
“Have you forgotten you wrecked Mrs. Barry’s car?”
“Well, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“I’d stick with the you were blinded by the sun story. It sounds sort of believable.”
“I could always tell her that you were driving,” Eleanor shot back.
“The police report will differ.”
Kimberly laughed and shook her head at Agnes and Eleanor. “I’m just glad I wasn’t driving.”
“For some reason I believe Mrs. Barry would be more forgiving if it was you Kimberly,” Agnes said.
Kimberly led the way through her cabin next door, opposed to knocking on Mrs. Peacock’s door. Once they had exited the cabin on the lake side, they strolled to Mrs. Peacock’s deck.
“Hello there,” Agnes greeted. “Where’s Mrs. Barry?”
“She left a few hours ago with the butcher, I’m afraid,” Mrs. Peacock said with a hiccup.
“Why are you afraid?”
“I’m afraid for him.” Mrs. Canary laughed.
“Now, sister, that’s not very nice.”
Agnes looked at a short man slumped in a chair in the corner of the deck. “Is he okay?”
“Oh yes. Arness fell asleep about two hours ago. He didn’t even have a sip of alcohol!” Mrs. Peacock exclaimed. “We’re not much on parties at our age. Either we peter out and go home or fall asleep.”
“You’re not planning to leave Arness there, are you?” Eleanor asked in shock.
“He’ll be fine. He’s slept on this deck more than once before.”
“So what’s so important that you have to find Mrs. Barry tonight?” Mrs. Canary asked.
“What makes you think it’s important?” Eleanor asked as she shifted nervously.
“Well, you knew we were playing poker, and of course Mrs. Barry would be drinking, but I swear we wouldn’t let her drive.”
“It would be hard to, sister, because Agnes borrowed Mrs. Barry’s car.”
Agnes swallowed nervously. “That’s right.”
Eleanor began to laugh uncontrollably. “I’m glad to hear Mrs. Barry found a ride home.”
Mrs. Canary looked suspiciously at Agnes and then Eleanor. “Hey, wait a minute. What’s really going on here?” Mrs. Canary demanded.
“You know, it’s really been a long day,” Kimberly said with a slight yawn. “I think we all could use some shut eye.”
“You’re right, Kimberly,” Agnes said. “Isn’t Kimberly so sweet to remind Eleanor and me that we’ve overdone it today? We wish we had Kimberly’s energy.”
“You’re so right, Agnes,” Eleanor said. “Pregnant women are more energetic than people give them credit for.”
“Good morning,” Agnes greeted as Kimberly’s niece opened the door of the chalet.
Eleanor puffed up the walkway to catch up and smiled at the child.
Katie ran back inside. She’d left the door wide open, so Agnes and Eleanor entered and secured it properly.
They walked in the direction of Kimberly’s musical laughter and entered the kitchen. Baby Abigail held a tendril of Kimberly’s long and flowing hair tightly in her grasp.
“Ouch,” Kimberly said kissing Abigail on the top of the head. When she finally was able to work her hair loose she greeted them, “Hello, ladies. I hope you had a good night’s sleep.”
“I slept like a log,” Eleanor admitted.
“And snored like a bear,” Agnes added. “But I must admit I was so tired that it didn’t take long to drift off to sleep.”
Kimberly pursed her lips. “Did you happen to pay Mrs. Barry a visit yet?”
“Oh no. We thought it would be better if we all went,” Agnes said.
“Agnes thinks Mrs. Barry won’t go off on us if you’re there.” Eleanor smiled.
“I’m not so sure about that, but she might be in a good mood today.”
“Well, she did have some male companionship last night.”
“We don’t know that, Eleanor,” Agnes scolded her.
“Sorry, I just think it would be funny. You know Mrs. Barry is quite the grump.”
“Yes, and I believe she prefers it that way.”
“She does,” Kimberly said.
Kimberly turned back to Abigail and watched closely as Katie fed the baby her bottle. “Am I doing it right?” Katie asked with a huge smile.
“You’re doing it just right,” Kimberly encouraged her. “You’ve been a big help with the baby.”
Betsie strolled into the room. “I can take over now, Kimberly.”
Kimberly sighed. “Okay, but I’ll try to be back earlier than last night.”
Betsie’s hands slipped to her hips. “It’s not like you came back at midnight. You really don’t need to rush, I’ve got this.”
“I know you do, but I still … .”
“Worry? Of course you’ll worry, but I know solving a case can’t be that easy. Especially when many can go cold.”
“Let’s not think that way,” Kimberly said. “With another bingo coming up, I’m worried.”
“Then we’d better get moving,” Agnes interjected. “I’d rather speak to Mrs. Barry before she gets wind about our little accident last night.”
“Do you think Deputy Danworth would really tell her?” Kimberly asked.
“From his history with you, yes.”
“He certainly has it in for you,” Eleanor put in. “Not very professional for a cop if you ask me.”
Agnes nodded. “Especially when he’s not the sheriff. I wonder why Sheriff Barry is always out of town during investigations?”
“Danworth probably finds a reason for him to leave town or stay gone.”
“You ladies make me laugh.” Kimberly snickered. “You make it sound like it’s a plot to become the next sheriff.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me. Being a cop doesn’t mean you’re on the straight and narrow.”
“It doe
sn’t mean Danworth is a bad cop, either,” Agnes began. “He’s a little too eager to assign blame, but I believe his heart is in the right place. He’s a good deputy and we need to play nice with him if we ever want to find out how Milly really died.”
“Poison!” Eleanor blubbered as they got into the car and Agnes drove toward Mrs. Barry’s house.
“Knowing exactly what type of poison might be helpful. It might lead us to the killer.”
“We have a lot of ground to cover,” Kimberly said. “It’s too much to hope that we’ll be able to solve this case so easily.”
Agnes whipped into Mrs. Barry’s driveway, where a white SUV was parked. With a shrug, they piled onto the porch and rang the doorbell.
Agnes staggered back when Pastor Williams answered the door.
“Is Mrs. Barry okay?”
Pastor Williams opened the door wide enough for them to enter. “She’s in her garden picking me some tomatoes.”
“Garden?” Kimberly asked. “I didn’t know she had a garden.”
Pastor Williams led them through the house and caught Mrs. Barry just as she was re-entering with a bowl of tomatoes cupped in her hands.
“Oh, so you were the ones who rang the doorbell,” Mrs. Barry said as she walked passed them and set the tomatoes on the counter. She began rinsing them in the sink. “I thought all you ladies knew how to do was pound the door half off whenever you come over.”
“Honestly, I didn’t see you even had a doorbell until today,” Eleanor said.
“Those are the best tomatoes I have, Pastor Williams.”
“I’ve never seen a tomato look so tempting.” He smiled as he turned to the investigators. “Have you tracked down the killer yet?”
“No,” Kimberly said. “But we’re still on the case.”
“That’s good to know. The congregation has been praying that your efforts will bring closure soon.”
“So what brings you by, Pastor Williams?” Kimberly asked sweetly.
“Is it so wrong to pay a visit to Mrs. Barry?”
“You girls don’t need to pry into my private life,” Mrs. Barry chirped. “It’s always a treat to see you, Pastor Williams. You should probably take those tomatoes home now. I bet your wife can come up with a good use for them.”
Pastor Williams walked to the door. “Nice to see you again, ladies. Our church service starts at ten on Sunday.”
Mrs. Barry exhaled noisily once the door closed behind the pastor. “I thought he’d never leave. I don’t have anything against a pastor dropping by or asking why I haven’t been to church the last six months, but that man is just looking for trouble dropping by just because he saw a strange car in the driveway.”
“So Pete was still here this morning?” Eleanor asked with a wink.
Mrs. Barry narrowed her eyes as she walked into the living room, where she eased back on her favorite chair. Kimberly smiled at the religious program that was on the television. “I had no idea you watched this channel.”
“How would you, dear? It’s not as though you stop by regularly. Pete must have done it on his way out. It’s not like I need the pastor to think I watch religious programming. Thankfully I was able to get Pastor Williams into the garden so Pete could leave without running into him.”
“What’s the big deal? Having a male visitor isn’t unusual,” Kimberly said.
“Apparently the pastor drove past my house last night and this morning. He told me he was worried that something was wrong,” Mrs. Barry explained.
“I don’t understand it,” Eleanor said. “It’s none of his business.”
“I know that, but I really don’t think Pastor Williams is aware,” Mrs. Barry laughed.
“We heard you left the poker game with Pete last night,” Agnes said.
When Mrs. Barry’s eyes widened, Kimberly said. “I believe the bird sisters told us he drove you home.”
“And I’m certainly grateful for that. I only let Pete in for a moment to use the bathroom. When I walked into the living room from the kitchen he —.”
“Was naked?” Eleanor suggested.
Mrs. Barry frowned. “No! He was fast asleep on my sofa! And from the way he snored I thought I should just leave him be and went to bed. I have a lock on my bedroom door, but at our age I highly doubt Pete would be able to find his way around my house in the dark.”
“That’s a good plan,” Agnes said. “Well played.”
“So what brings you ladies by?”
“We were a little worried about you,” Kimberly began. “Especially because you don’t have the use of your c-car r-right now.”
Mrs. Barry sighed as she stood up and marched to the front door. “What did you do to my car?”
“I swear it wasn’t my fault,” Eleanor said trying to catch up to Mrs. Barry, who hurried to her car, running her hand along the passenger’s side. “Where is the damage?”
“On the driver’s side,” Agnes said. “It really wasn’t Eleanor’s fault —.”
“What did you do to my car?” Mrs. Barry squealed.
“I was driving to the sheriff’s department,” Eleanor began, “when out of nowhere Deputy Danworth crossed the center line. If not for my good reflexes your car would have been more damaged. It was only sideswiped.”
“Is that right?” Mrs. Barry asked. “Are you sure the deputy crossed the center line?”
“It appeared that way. From the way he whipped out of the sheriff’s department he must have been on a call.”
“Make sure you get your story straight. I’m shocked Danworth hasn’t been here yet.”
“Oops,” Kimberly muttered as Deputy Danworth pulled in and walked over.
“It looks like they beat me here. I was dropping by to tell you about the accident.”
“When you crossed the center line?” Mrs. Barry asked. “Fortunately Eleanor has fast reflexes.”
“That’s not how my police report reads, but at least you’re aware of the accident. Should I have it towed to the garage?”
“Oh I don’t think so. There’s no sense in getting it fixed town. I can’t very well leave them without a means of transportation. Not when they’re taking me to church on Sunday. I believe Pastor Williams said ten o’clock.” Mrs. Barry smiled. “You’d better not breathe a word about Pete spending the night here,” she whispered to Eleanor, who nodded in agreement.
I should get back inside unless you have something else to speak to me about deputy.”
“No, I only need a word with Kimberly, Agnes and Eleanor.”
“Very well then, see you ladies on Sunday.”
Mrs. Barry walked back inside. Danworth leaned against his still-damaged cruiser. “I thought you might want to know that I checked out Clancy and Beverly Tiff. They’re clean. While it’s against the law to be in possession of a driver’s license in someone else’s name, I’m aware there’s a dispute over the estate of Clancy’s mother. I was assured that the will would be read within the next few days.”
“But I don’t know how long it will be before Jeremy gets home,” Kimberly said.
“I wouldn’t worry about that. There are a few other lawyers in town who can handle it.”
Kimberly looked doubtful, but nodded in agreement.
“Just because their records are clean doesn’t mean that they didn’t have anything to do with Milly’s murder,” Agnes said.
“So you think the Tiffs have a motive to murder Milly?”
“Well, not yet.”
“Very well. Contact me if you come up with a motive.”
Eleanor stopped the deputy as he was about to hop back into his car. “I don’t suppose you know the type of poison that was used to kill Milly?”
“Not yet, but I’ll let you know.”
Chapter Ten
Eleanor shouldered open the door at the Pit Stop gas station to allow Agnes and Kimberly to enter before her.
The cash register was near the door, with three aisles with shelves filled with everything from candy,
snacks, chips and pain relievers, all of which are overpriced. Eleanor squealed in delight when she spotted a flavored slush dispenser. “I can’t believe they have a banana flavor!”
“Calm down, Eleanor. They also have strawberry kiwi, cotton candy and Starburst flavors.”
“I’m getting a Starburst slush,” Kimberly announced as she filled her cup to the brim and then moved out of the way so Eleanor could get her banana-flavored drink. Kimberly licked her lips when she put the dome lid on her slush, wiping off the side of her cup when it overflowed. “I put too much in my cup.”
“Me too,” Eleanor said. “I think I smell doughnuts.” Eleanor put two glazed doughnuts in a plastic baggie. “What flavor do you want, Agnes?”
“I don’t want a doughnut. I want to speak to the clerk. If you remember, that’s why we came here.”
“Of course I know, but we skipped breakfast.”
Kimberly shrugged. “And I’m always hungry.”
Agnes was trying to maintain her cool and not say something she’d regret later. She couldn’t help it if she’d much rather stay on task than Eleanor had a wont to do at times.
Agnes smiled as the doughnuts and slushes were set on the counter and the girl behind the register rang them up. “We have breakfast sandwiches over there,” she recommended.
Eleanor practically knocked Agnes over in her haste to reach the heated display case. She picked up a sandwich and proceeded to poke the bottom of it with her finger.
“Eleanor, stop doing that,” Agnes hissed quietly to her friend.
“How else can I be sure it’s not hard on the bottom?”
“You’re right,” the cashier said. “While that happens sometimes, you shouldn’t have any problems with the sandwiches today.”
Eleanor’s eyes lit up. “You forgot a Diet Coke, Agnes.”
“I don’t want one.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Agnes smiled at the cashier. “I’m sorry about this, but my friend gets excited about the simplest of things sometimes.”
“I can’t say I blame her.”
The cashier rang up all the purchases and Agnes pulled out the exact change and paid.
“We’re visiting from Tawas,” Agnes said. She glanced around. “Is it true this gas station was robbed not long ago?”
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