“Is that you, Agnes?” he asked.
“Yes. Doesn’t the rental car the dealership gave me look wonderful?”
“Top-of-the-line heap of junk,” Eleanor added. “Is my husband here?”
“He’s at the hall where the men are helping fill the eggs.”
I frowned. “I think Eleanor and I should head over there to supervise.”
“I don’t think they need any help.”
“It’s our responsibility to get the eggs ready for the egg hunt.”
“And they will be ready, don’t worry.”
“Can’t we at least go there and check. I imagine Elsie might be there decorating for the dinner.”
“And we can’t let her thinking we’re not contributing at all,” Eleanor said.
“You bought the eggs and candy,” Andrew offered.
“Some eggs and candy,” I corrected. “I asked Martha to pick up additional plastic eggs and candy so we’d have enough.”
“I don’t think you’ll need all the eggs you bought.” Andrew smiled. “I’ll drive and you can tell me on the way why you don’t have a better rental car.”
“I’ll take the blame,” Eleanor said. “I told the serviceman our windshield was shot out, and they didn’t want to give us a rental car.”
“They told us they had to order the windshield and it would take a week to come in,” I added.
“I wish you had told me that before. We could have gotten the windshield replaced sooner than that somewhere else.”
We left, and I watched the scenery whizz past. Some resident decorated their yards with wooden Easter-themed signs, lighted eggs hanging in their trees, and vinyl inflatable rabbit lawn decorations.
The church had its Good Friday and Easter Sunday service times listed on the event sign. What they did not mention was that breakfast would be served in the basement after the sunrise service.
Four cars were in the hall parking lot, and Eleanor and I followed Andrew inside. Bill Hayes, Jack Winston, Mr. Wilson, Henry Winston and his partner Tony, and Curt and Curtis were stuffing candy into plastic eggs.
“Don’t put too much candy in those eggs,” I said.
Jack glanced up, dark circles rimming his eyes. “Look who decided to show up.”
“We didn’t know we were supposed to be here,” I said.
“Easy for you to say when we’re doing all the work.”
Eleanor folded her arms across her ample chest. “We didn’t ask you to do anything.”
“Whatever you say, Tuna La—”
Mr. Wilson slammed his bony fists on the table. “Don’t you dare speak to my wife like that.”
“Let's all play nice,” Andrew said. “I’m the one who asked the men to come here and help since you two have been so busy working a case.”
“And I appreciated it. We really meant to help,” I said. “It’s not like we planned on having a murder to investigate. I don’t suppose anyone knows Misha Curry?”
Jack laughed. “I would remember a strange name like that.”
“He’s escaped from the hospital,” I said. “Someone rendered him unconscious at a murder scene, and he disappeared from the hospital before the sheriff could question him.”
“What does that have to do with filling plastic eggs?” Jack asked.
I sighed. “It doesn’t, but I didn’t think it would hurt to ask a few questions while we’re here.”
“We could use a few more bags of candy,” Bill said.
“If you weren’t putting so much candy in the eggs, you’d have plenty,” Eleanor said.
“I hope that’s not you grumbling at my husband,” Marjory said as she appeared from the kitchen with a frown.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think I was grumbling,” Eleanor said.
“We’ve already spent a fortune on candy, and we can’t budget for more,” I added. “Did you remember to put dollar bills in some eggs?”
“I knew I forgot to do something,” Andrew said. “I’ll run to the bank.”
“No worries, Eleanor,” Bill said. “Although it’s nice to hear my wife take up for me.”
Marjory walked over and glanced at the tables. “If I had known how well you men work together, I’d have asked you to help in the kitchen.”
“That would be a negative,” Elsie said as she hustled from the back. “We have the cooking handled.”
“I thought I was in charge of it?” Tony asked.
“Oh, you are,” Elsie said. “But you’re the only man I want in there.”
“Both men and women work the fish fry on Friday,” he reminded her.
“But we’re not doing the fish fry.”
“You better check on that,” I said. “I’d hate for there to be a lack of communication and not have a fish fry on Good Friday.”
“The K of C hall organizes the fish fry, and members work the event.”
“Why don’t they organize the Easter dinner?” I asked.
“You’re making this so complicated,” Elsie said. “They’ve allowed us to use the hall for our event rent-free. Tony assisted me with the food order since he has experience in catering events.”
“And I’ll be bringing in four men to help in the kitchen from out of the area,” Tony said. “We shouldn’t expect your husbands to work that day.”
“We’re not required to work here that day,” Eleanor said. “Agnes and I have our own event to organize.”
“We’ll have to touch base with the owners of the property where the event will take place,” I said.
“I would have thought you’d have done that already,” Elsie said. “Good Friday is tomorrow.”
“No pressure there,” Eleanor said.
“It’s at the Singing Bridge Golf Course,” I said. “The Easter egg hunt will be on their driving range. We’ve ordered rolled grass for the animal petting area.”
“And the temporary fencing is provided by the golf course,” Marjory added. “I hope you girls don’t mind that I confirmed the event with the owners.”
“Not in the least,” I said. “We’ve been so busy we might have forgotten.”
“We can’t disappoint the children,” Marjory said as she smoothed her lavender lipstick that somehow matched the outfit she wore today.
“Well, it seems everything is in order.”
“What men from out of town?” Henry asked Tony.
“You’ll find out if you’re here on Easter.”
“I doubt you would want me to be underfoot.”
“No, but you could mingle. Residents have always been curious about the spy author who lives in East Tawas. You know, the hermit.”
Henry laughed. “I rather like the life of a hermit. Nobody asks me to do anything for them that way.”
“Don’t remind me.” Tony laughed.
My phone rang, and I answered it and nodded. “We’ll be right there.”
“Be right where?” Eleanor asked when the call ended.
“We’ve been given permission to talk to the 4-H kids,” I said. “Do you have anything to transport the finished eggs, Elsie?”
“There are plenty of empty boxes by the back door in the kitchen. You caught me before I had one of the men take care of them for me.”
“The men already have a job to do,” I said. “I think we should leave them to it.”
“And that from the woman who didn’t think us men capable of helping out,” Wilson said.
“I didn’t mention the word capable.”
“We were just worried you’d find out we asked them, Elsie,” Eleanor said.
“What would that matter?” she asked.
“You know how you can get sometimes,” I said.
Elsie tapped her foot. “No, how can I get?”
I glanced at a nonexistent watch on my wrist and said, “Time to go.”
I hurried outside and just remembered we didn’t take our car here. Andrew pulled up, and we met him halfway.
“We have something important to do,” I said. “And
we need your vehicle.”
“I’ll run you home.”
“Why can’t we use your vehicle? We won’t be gone long.”
“Because I can’t count on that. I know how you girls get when you’re on a case.”
“He’s right about that,” Eleanor said.
“Fine, but you’re putting us behind.”
Eleanor and I arrived at Harvey Farmer’s farm with a backfire and kaboom. The children looked up with laughter as we made our way over to them.
“What are you two doing here?” Harvey asked.
“We’re here to speak to a few of the 4-H children.”
“Their leader Stevie gave us permission,” Eleanor said.
“She’s in the barn, showing them my pregnant mare.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you did that sort of thing here.”
Harvey pulled his hat lower over his face. “I don’t, but the mare was already pregnant when I bought her. It’s going to be exciting in a few months around here,” he said. “Follow me.”
Eleanor and I stayed close. I had to admit it would be interesting to see a pregnant mare. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced before. I was born and raised in Saginaw and lived in the city.
The smell of manure didn’t just waft over, it slammed me in the face. The children were congregated at one of the six wooden stalls in the barn. I’ll admit they afforded more room than I would have thought. Dangerous tools hung on the walls of the barn, and the prongs of a pitchfork were buried in a pile of hay.
“Stevie,” I called out.
Stevie glanced up and said, “Morgan and Lilly Reece, the women I was telling you about are here to ask you a few questions.”
“If you stand back, I’ll bring the mare into the corral so the other children can see the mare easier. Pregnant mares get nervous if they have too many people crowded around them,” Harvey said.
“How about we talk outside,” I said.
“Morgan and Lilly, this is Agnes and Eleanor. They have some very important questions to ask you.”
“Can we check out the chickens while we’re outside?” Lilly asked.
“It’s fine by me. Anything to get out of the barn,” Eleanor said as she pinched her nose closed.
Eleanor and I walked outside, and the children pointed out the chickens who bobbed their way from the coop to the fence. The children were about ten years old with dark hair and eyes.
“Did your leader mention why we wanted to speak to you?”
“It has something to do with what happened at the fair,” Morgan said. “That woman at the fair accused us of jinxing her.”
“Jinxing her how?”
“She claimed our rabbits were in her spot,” Morgan said with a shake of his head. “And there’s no such thing as a reserved spot for the rabbit cages.”
“It’s first come first serve,” Lilly said. “And she didn’t like it when we told her that.”
“Are we talking about Constance Shaklee?”
“That’s her,” Lilly said. “I’ve never seen a woman’s face get so red before.”
“Did she try to hurt either of you?”
“No, she just yelled a lot,” Morgan said. “I told her she was giving the rabbits a headache, and that’s why they didn’t win.”
“She didn’t like that,” Lilly said. “I asked her why someone her age was in a competition meant for kids.”
“She got mad and left after that,” Morgan said. “And she was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.”
“Oh my,” Eleanor said. “How did she respond to that?”
“She left with her rabbits, but that wasn’t the last of her. Someone let our rabbits loose later in the day, and we barely caught them before the judging.”
“Do you really think it was Constance?”
“Some of our friends saw her go back into our tent, but we couldn’t prove it,” Morgan said.
“At least we found our rabbits in time and we both won blue ribbons.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I said. “Was that the only time Constance gave you any trouble?”
“Yes. We don’t show rabbits anymore at the fair. We are taking our rabbits to the semifinals in Oregon next month,” Lilly said. “You have to be under twelve to enter.”
“Thank you for speaking with us today. I’m glad you didn’t let Constance push you around.”
Morgan smiled. “Our mom taught us attitude is just as important as winning.”
“I like how your mom thinks,” Eleanor said.
The children admired the chickens for several more minutes before running over to the corral. A pregnant mare is more interesting than chickens.
Harvey joined us. “So what was that?”
“We’re investigating Constance’s murder.”
“Any leads?”
“None, unfortunately, but we haven’t spoken to her children yet.”
“But we don’t know where to find them,” Eleanor said. “The sheriff told us not to bother them so soon after they were told of their mother’s death.”
“I imagine that wouldn’t be a good time for either of them.”
“Do you know her children?”
“No, but I wish you luck in finding them.”
“Thanks again. I forgot to confirm with you about bringing your animals for the egg hunt,” I said.
“No confirmation needed, but you forgot to tell me where it would be.”
“At the Singing Bridge Golf Course at the driving range. We’ve ordered rolled grass to make it easier for the animals.”
“Good thinking. I doubt they’d like it if I let the animals graze on their greens.” Harvey laughed.
“We better get back at it then,” I said.
“That’s some car you have there.”
“It’s a rental.”
“Whoever rented you that car should be shot.”
“Shot?” I asked. “That’s a little extreme.”
“I didn’t mean it that way exactly.”
“I bet a man like you owns a shotgun or two,” Eleanor said.
“I hope you’re not planning to pin Constance’s murder on me.”
“We’re not pinning it on anyone.”
“Good, because I heard they already found the killer.”
“Do you know Misha Curry?”
“They said on the news he was injured on the property the day Constance’s body was found.”
“We’ve been wondering why he was there that day,” Eleanor said.
“He was Constance’s boarder from what I’ve been told,” Harvey said.
“Did he work for her?”
“I don’t know.”
“So do you know him or not?” I asked in a huff.
“I’ve never met the man, but I’ve seen him with Constance at events.”
“Oh, why didn’t you tell us that before?”
“Because we weren’t talking about him before today.”
“He’s right about that,” Eleanor said. “He finally regained consciousness at the hospital.”
I waited for a beat to gauge Harvey’s reaction, and I swear he was holding his breath.
“That’s good. Was he able to remember anything from that day?”
“He’s missing from the hospital,” I said.
“He disappeared,” Eleanor added.
“We didn’t mean to make you feel like we were accusing you of anything,” I said. “We just get a little overzealous sometimes.”
“Understandable. I’ll see you on Saturday at ten if I don’t before then.”
I backed out of the driveway and headed into Tawas.
“He was a little defensive,” I said.
“We did kinda accuse him of being involved with Constance’s murder.”
“I know, but why do I feel that he knows more than he’s telling us?”
“I don’t know, but it will come out if he’s being deceptive.”
“You better believe it will; it always does.”
“C
ould you help us find your children Becky and Brad?” I asked Gary as he nursed his cocktail in the early evening.
“I can arrange something for tomorrow. They just buried their mother this afternoon.”
“That was quick.”
“Constance doesn’t have any family except her two children.”
“And friends?”
“You should know the answer to that question by now.”
“She must have been close to someone.”
“Misha.”
“You told us you didn’t recognize his name,” Eleanor said.
“I was mistaken when I told you that. I had too much wine to drink that day.”
“Misha finally woke up at the hospital,” I said.
“Oh? That’s good news.”
“But he’s missing now,” Eleanor added. “Left the hospital without checking out.”
“Against medical advice?”
“I can’t say I blame him,” I said. “His ex-sister-in-law tried to strangle him at the hospital.”
“So the case is solved, or I suppose not since you’re here asking about where to find my children.”
“We’re not sure about the particulars, so only time will tell.”
“But until the sheriff tells us, there was a confession we have to keep investigating,” Eleanor added. “We’ve gone down this road before.”
“You’ll find my children at the lodge in Tawas City. Becky and Brad meet for breakfast there every Friday morning at eight.”
“That’s good for adult children,” Eleanor said. “Most don’t speak to each other that much.”
“They’re close, considering Constance was gone so much to her competitions.”
“So they didn’t go with her?”
“Constance said it would be too much of a bother, but the children didn’t mind. They enjoyed going out on the boat and fishing.”
“It’s not something many fathers take time for.”
“I know, but I enjoyed the time we spent together. We didn’t divorce until the children had graduated from high school.”
“Thank you, Gary. We’re sorry for your loss.”
“Nothing a good drink won’t cure.”
Eleanor and I yawned as we made it back to the car.
“I’m whipped for the day,” Eleanor said. “I hope we’re heading home now.”
Easter Eggs and Shotgun Shells Page 12
