Easter Eggs and Shotgun Shells

by Madison Johns

  “You’re not a murderer,” Eleanor added. “That much we know.”

  “You never mentioned how she died,” Bernice said. “Not that I’m prying into your case.”

  “We’d never think that,” I said. “Do you know of anyone who might have had a problem with Constance?”

  “Like I already said, I didn’t know her personally. Running into her car doesn’t count.”

  “I believe you’re right,” I said. “Thanks, Bernice.”

  “Promise to keep this to yourself,” Eleanor said. “We weren’t supposed to let the cat out of the bag.”

  “You can count on me.”

  The wheels of the car spun as I skidded down the road.

  Eleanor gripped the dash. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”

  “Back to Harvey Farmer’s place before Sheriff Peterson does.”

  “Why would he want to talk to Harvey?”

  “He might find out Constance and Harvey knew each other.”

  “Whoa. Harvey never said they knew each other exactly. He only told us she had rabbits,” Eleanor said.

  “Still, he might have some useful information for us.”

  “Not all farmers know each other, you know.”

  “Constance doesn’t appear to be a farmer.”

  “She owns rabbits, and that’s not too different from what Harvey uses his animals for.”

  “I don’t follow you.”

  “Harvey has a petting zoo. I mean, I don’t think he calls it a petting zoo. It’s a petting farm. Zoos don’t encourage visitors to pet the animals there.”

  “Nope, but that doesn’t stop stupid visitors from trying on occasion.”

  Harvey was watering the animals when I pulled in. We joined him at the fence.

  “Hello again,” I said.

  Harvey smiled. “I take it Constance shot you down.”

  No, but somebody did, but I’d have to hold off on that for now. We promised the sheriff we wouldn’t tell anyone about Constance. Bernice doesn’t count since she’s our friend. I trust her not to spread the news.

  “Something like that,” I said. “Do you know of anyone else in town who might be raising rabbits?”

  “You talking competition or for sale?”

  “Oh, I never considered Constance would have any real competition,” I said.

  “Competitions can be brutal especially when it comes to winning prize ribbons,” Harvey said. “Stevie Paul runs a 4-H club, and some girls have ousted Constance’s rabbits from the winning circle.”

  Eleanor laughed. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to be bested by a kid.”

  “Constance wasn’t too happy when the 4-Hs began competing at a professional level. Some of those girls have gone on to nationals with their rabbits.”

  “I thought 4-H only competed at fairs,” I said. “This is certainly eye-opening. Did Constance have any other stiff competition?”

  “Not in regards to winning ribbons.”

  “Is that all you can tell us?”

  “Sorry, that’s all I have.”

  “What about you?” I asked. “You personally involved with Constance?” I was having trouble not speaking about Constance in the third person.

  Harvey’s eyes widened. “Personally involved?”

  “It wouldn’t shock me that two people who love animals so much would connect,” Eleanor said.

  “Well, that wouldn’t be me. I’m married, and I’d rather not discuss this further if you don’t mind. My wife has ears everywhere.” He laughed.

  “Is Constance married?”

  “Not anymore; she divorced her husband Gary last fall.”

  “Is he local?” I asked.

  “You’ll find him at the marina. His boat is called Broke and Busted.”

  “Ouch, doesn’t sound like the divorce went well,” Eleanor said.

  “It’s a nice boat.”

  “Is Constance wealthy or something?”

  “Nope, but I believe Gary is or was.”

  “Any children?”

  “That’s a lot of questions, but since I have work to get back to, I’ll tell you so you can be on your way. Constance has a daughter and a son, Becky and Brad.”

  “Thanks again, Harvey. We appreciate your help.”

  “I hope he doesn’t wonder why we’re asking him about where to find rabbits,” Eleanor said once we were back in the car.

  “Why is that?”

  “Because you can find rabbits quickly on Craigslist now that I think about it.”

  “We’re looking for rabbits to borrow for the event, not purchase.”

  “I know, but people might wonder why we didn’t do it that way is all I’m saying.”

  “I wanted to thank you for not telling Harvey that Constance is dead,” I said. “I know it was hard for you.”

  “And it wasn’t for you?”

  “It was for me too, but I’m not sure how easy it will be for us if nobody learns the truth soon.”

  “We could hit up the ex-husband next,” Eleanor suggested.

  “I wonder what we should say to her ex though.”

  “Maybe we should wait until tomorrow before we question anyone further. I can’t imagine Peterson would expect us to keep the revelation to ourselves forever.”

  “One day is forever at our age.” I smiled. “Not that we can’t poke around at the hospital and find out how the other victim is doing?”

  “How you planning to do that? He’s most likely still being treated.”

  “You’re probably right, but I hate to keep waiting around.”

  “I bet Sophia would tell you where to find the man tomorrow.”

  “Sophia would lose her job if she told us anything.” I gasped.

  “Then how do you expect us to find the man?”

  “I don’t know, but we’ll have to think about something even if it’s volunteering at the hospital.”

  “We can’t just show up and announce we’re volunteering for the day,” Eleanor scoffed.

  “You’re probably right. We’ll simply have to find someone who can help us out in that regard. I bet Elsie might know somebody. According to her, she knows everyone in Tawas.”

  “I’m not so sure about that, but it’s worth asking her.”

  My mouth watered as I stepped on Elsie’s porch. Obviously, somebody was grilling ribs on the deck from the smell of the barbecue sauce aroma that wafted over to us.

  The door flew open before I knocked.

  “What are you doing here?” Henry asked.

  “I could say the same.” I smiled. Henry was Elsie’s beau Jack’s son, a best-selling author of spy novels.

  “I’m off to get more ice. Everyone is in the backyard.”

  Eleanor and I walked through the house, and in the kitchen Henry’s partner Tony was mixing up a fruity drink.

  “What are you making, Tony?” I asked.

  Tony’s deeply tanned skin made me wonder if he was of Cuban descent, especially with his headful of thick, wavy hair.

  “Hawaiian Punch I’m calling it, but it won’t be served until after dinner. You might say it certainly will give you a punch.” He laughed at his joke.

  “That sounds like my kind of drink,” Eleanor said. “But we haven’t exactly been invited to dinner.”

  “Your husbands are outside,” Tony said.

  “What?” I asked. “Andrew didn’t give me a heads-up.”

  I followed Eleanor as she stormed outside. Her foot went to tapping when she spotted her husband Mr. Wilson seated next to Jack Winston. Eleanor didn’t care for Jack or he for her. I tried to stay neutral on the matter.

  “You must have read my mind,” Andrew said as he flipped the ribs. “I was just about to call you.”

  “Call me and say what exactly?”

  “That we were invited here for dinner.”

  “It seems like you would have called us earlier.”

  “Wilson, what are you doing?” Eleanor spouted off.

 
“Andrew made me come with him.” Wilson smiled as his denture uppers flew out of his mouth and he caught them like a football.

  “Why are you busting your old man’s jaw for?” Jack asked. “I should have warned you about Eleanor before you went off and married her.”

  “Might want to watch it, Jack,” Andrew said. “That’s Wilson’s wife you’re talking about.”

  “I don’t understand why you don’t like my peaches,” Wilson said referencing Eleanor. “She’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.”

  “You must not have gotten out much,” Jack shot back. “But then again I like my women on the young side.” He laughed.

  “Then how did you wind up with me?” a red-faced Elsie asked as she stepped outside with a bag of potato chips.

  “I was just kidding,” Jack backpedaled. “But it was the truth at one time.”

  “Word is that you paid those ladies to hang out with you,” Eleanor said.

  “Please don’t bring up the past,” I said. “It has nothing to do with the here and now.”

  We had thought Jack was just a pig until we found out the truth about him paying women who pretended to be his girlfriends. Of course, that was before Elsie and Jack had gotten together and moved in. Like many senior citizen couples, they chose not to get married. Elsie would lose her late husband’s pension and Henry held on to Jack’s money so he didn’t blow it all the first day he got his check.

  “Did you buy plastic eggs today?” Elsie asked as she filled her mouth with chips.

  “Yes, but I was told we still don’t have enough. Martha promised to pick up more eggs and candy for us.”

  “It would be nice to have hard-boiled eggs for the egg hunt too.”

  “I’ll barely have time to fill the eggs with candy, especially now.” I slapped my hand over my mouth. And didn’t Elsie just tell us at the meeting kids didn’t like to find real colored eggs?

  “Oops,” Eleanor said.

  “What happened and to whom?” Marjory asked from the doorway.

  “Not to anyone I know, I hope,” Elsie added.

  “You see, the thing is we’re not supposed to tell anyone, not yet anyway.”

  Elsie turned to Eleanor. “Spill it, Eleanor. I know you can’t keep a secret.”

  “I can if I want to, and right now I want to. It’s a shame you have such a low opinion of me.”

  “I’m sure Elsie didn’t mean it that way,” I said. “I don’t have anything to say on the subject either.”

  “Not even to your friends?” Elsie asked.

  “There’s no sense in bugging them about it,” Andrew said. “Once Eleanor and Agnes agree on something, there’s no way you’ll be able to get them to talk.”

  I straightened my back. “Thank you, Andrew.”

  “If you weren’t planning to tell us, why are you here?” Elsie asked.

  “We were planning to volunteer at the hospital and wondered if you could get us in touch with a volunteer who might want the day off tomorrow.”

  “Is it called a day off if you’re a volunteer?” Marjory asked.

  “You’ll have to do better than that,” Elsie said.

  “Fine, Eleanor and I have to get into the hospital tomorrow morning. We’re looking for a friend of ours. Her family has forbidden us from visiting.”

  “Why don’t you ask Sophia to help you,” Marjory said.

  “Because I don’t want to get her into trouble.”

  “But you’d risk getting a volunteer in trouble?”

  “You might be right. I should honor the family’s request. I only hope she doesn’t pass away before we have time to visit her.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it. You’re both so resourceful you’ll find a way.”

  “You’re probably right,” I said.

  Henry walked outside and carried a bowl of potato salad and set it on one of the picnic tables. Tony followed with a container of noodle salad and baked beans.

  Andrew removed the ribs and carefully arranged them on a platter before handing them off to Jack, who set them on the table.

  Tony raced off and returned with a pitcher of the punch we saw him making. Eleanor elbowed her way through to pour the beverage into glasses.

  Elsie led the line to the food, and Eleanor, Andrew, Wilson and I sat down together. I sighed at the wonderful ribs that melted in my mouth.

  “I imagine Tony had a hand at seasoning the ribs. He must have given you some great grilling advice, Andrew.”

  “Actually you can thank Henry for the ribs. He loves to grill.”

  “I had no idea he left his office long enough to cook.” I winked.

  “I have plenty of time off this week,” Henry said. “I’m taking a much-needed break.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. I hope Henry won’t be too underfoot for you, Tony.”

  “I’ll manage, but unless I pound boards over Henry’s office door, I doubt he’ll be able to stay out of there.”

  “Care to make a friendly wager?” Henry asked as he blinked rapidly.

  “Do you have something in your eye, son?” Jack asked.

  “It’s a private joke.”

  “It certainly is,” Tony said. “But I won’t embarrass Henry in front of all of you. I can’t stand when he broods.”

  I loved watching Henry and Tony interact. Henry needs to appreciate Tony more than he does. It must be hard to be in a relationship with someone who spends a lot of time on the computer, but in Henry’s profession, it can’t be helped.

  5

  After dinner, Eleanor and I helped put away the leftovers. My phone rang, and I smiled when I saw Martha’s name pop up on the caller ID.

  “Are you calling to say you found more plastic eggs and candy?” I asked.

  Silence greeted me until Martha uttered a long sigh. “Yes, Mother. Meet me back at your house to help unload your loot.”

  I ended the call with a laugh. “Eleanor and I need to run. Martha picked up more supplies for the egg hunt.”

  “How is Bernice doing with finding animals for the petting portion of the event?” Elsie asked.

  “She’s doing just fine. Harvey Farmer has agreed to bring some of his farm animals and plans to stay for the event to handle them himself.”

  “I hope he has rabbits too. The children expect to see rabbits at the event.”

  “We’re working on it.”

  “You? That’s Bernice’s responsibility.”

  “I know, but I don’t see why we can’t help her. If it wasn’t for Harvey, I’d never know where to find any rabbits to bring.”

  “Did you try Constance Shaklee? She breeds rabbits.”

  “I’ll have to stop by her house,” I said as I pulled the collar of my shirt slightly away from my neck. “We better catch up with Martha, or she’ll have a fit.”

  Eleanor and I left. I dabbed a napkin I retrieved from the glove box against my sweaty brow and shifted the car into gear.

  “I about swallowed my tongue when Elsie mentioned Constance,” Eleanor said.

  “Me too. I almost told her Constance is dead.”

  “I’m proud of myself not spilling the news,” Eleanor said. “I’m proud of you too.”

  “How do we plan on getting in the hospital in the morning?” Eleanor asked.

  “I was thinking about that, and I came up with a wonderful idea. The coroner has an office on the third floor of the hospital, so it won’t be too much trouble to get on that floor.”

  “You’re right.”

  I hurried to my house, and my eyes widened when I saw a pickup truck backed up to my door.

  Eleanor and I raced to the door. “Martha, since when do you have a truck?”

  “She doesn’t; the truck is ours,” Bobbie Sue said.

  I eyed the back of the pickup stacked full of packages of plastic eggs and shopping bags full of candy.

  “That looks like enough eggs and candy for an army.” Eleanor gasped.

  “We might have overdone it a little, but we wante
d to make sure you had all the supplies you needed,” Martha said.

  “Didn’t want your mother to bother you again?” Eleanor asked with a chuckle.

  “It’s so scary when you read my mind, Eleanor,” Martha said. She glanced at me and added, “Not that I wouldn’t drop anything to help my dear ole mother.”

  “Watch it, you’re being too over the top” Eleanor cautioned.

  “Let's get this unloaded,” Bonnie Sue said.

  We carried the packages to the spare bedroom, and I frowned when I had to slam the door shut so the contents wouldn’t fall out the door.

  “We have too many eggs I fear,” I said when I joined the women in the living room.

  “Don’t worry about it. At least you’ll have enough eggs for next year.” Martha winked.

  I sighed. “Please don’t remind me.”

  “Or tell Elsie that we want to be included in the planning phase next year,” Eleanor said. “But I don’t think we’ll have a problem making short work out of any extra candy.” Eleanor wagged her tongue.

  “Please put your tongue back in your mouth,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

  “Just saying I love candy.”

  “I do too, but we won’t be skimping on the candy inside the eggs.”

  Eleanor’s hands slipped to her hips. “Can you believe Elsie suggested we have colored eggs at the Easter egg hunt? Like expected us to boil eggs and color them.”

  Martha hid a smile behind her hand. “I’d love to see that happen.”

  “I don’t remember the last time I made hard-boiled eggs,” I said. “Or colored them.”

  “Not since your children were younger, I imagine,” Eleanor said.

  “Huh,” Martha spouted. “My mother was horrible about coloring eggs. We went over to my grandmother’s house to do it.”

  “I’ll admit I could have been a better mother.”

  “Only when it came to making cookies and coloring eggs,” Martha said. “Considering my father died when I had just graduated high school, I think you did a pretty good job. You didn’t hold us back from leaving the nest.”

  “How could I when you both had set your sights on college?”

  “I didn’t know you went to college, Martha,” Eleanor said.