Wedding Belles

by Beth Albright

  “Wow, that’s a switch.”

  “And guess what? He’ll even throw back a few. Jesus did drink wine, so alcohol can’t be all bad, you know? It’s in the Bible, after all. I might just be able to hang on to this one.”

  We laughed. “Okay,” I said, “I’ll check in this afternoon and let you know when I expect to get back.”

  “I’ll hold down the fort.”

  I hung up, thinking how much I loved having her around. We made a good team and she was my real partner here. Harry never came in on a regular basis anymore, and I never even called him about any cases. So it was just us girls.

  Vivi and I put the last of the things in the car. I wanted to make sure we had all the proof we needed when we finally confronted Tressa. We jumped in the front seat and slammed the doors. Vivi had filled Arthur in on all the details. He stuck his head in her car window.

  “Okay, Arthur. We’ll be back late tonight.”

  “I’ll be here. You girls drive safe. Now look here, Miss Vivi, don’t you worry about anything. We’ll find that ring today while you’re out, so rest your head and focus on what y’all got to do.” He reached in, and she grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

  “I’m so glad I’ve got you, Arthur.” She smiled at him.

  “Of course you do. And you always will.” We both smiled at him as I started the car.

  “Okay, Vivi, let’s put this to bed and get you married.”

  “I’m with ya, honey. Let’s roll!”

  We drove down the long gravel drive to the gate of the McFadden Plantation, turned right, leaving dust flying behind us as we headed for I-59 North. Next stop, Birmingham. With Tuscaloosa fading in our rearview mirror, I told Vivi we needed to make sure word of this never got out.

  “Dallas can’t even get a whisper of this news. What a huge story it would be for her. Play-by-play Announcer and Radio Station Owner Lewis Heart in Bigamy Battle.”

  “I know. I’ve already thought about that. You know the Fru Fru boys are going to the media today about the wedding announcement. I’m already getting calls from the paper and the TV stations about covering the event.” Vivi was fidgeting in her seat.

  “Oh, no. They don’t know about this, do they?”

  “No, I’m sure they don’t, but they’ll be spreading a little info today on where the media is allowed to set up on the property. You know, stuff like that.”

  “Well, as long as we keep this between us...and Arthur and Lewis, of course. Dallas is notorious for pushing till she gets her story,” I said.

  “I’m starting to feel like I’m in a circus.”

  “Starting? I’ve been playing ringmaster for several weeks here. Where have you been?” I looked at her and smiled, but she was still shifting her weight around in her seat, pulling the air conditioner vents toward her.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m gonna have to pee. It’s a side effect of carrying Tallulah around.”

  After several pee breaks, we finally arrived at the Puss and Boots Gentlemen’s Club. It was early afternoon, so the mood was a tad awkward as a very pregnant lady and I stepped inside the men’s club. My research had shown Tressa still worked as a dancer, the very same thing she was doing when she met Lewis back in college.

  The place was dark, but looking around I was forced to admit that it wasn’t the sleazy hole-in-the-wall I’d been imagining it to be. There was a huge dark cherry wood bar lining one side of the building. The new-looking carpet was a cranberry color, and the stage had four bronze poles for the dancers. A maroon curtain hung behind the stage and was swept up in a swag with golden fringe. A microphone stood at center stage, ready for a singer.

  This certainly didn’t look like a place where a girl like Tressa would be working. The photo I had printed off the internet was of a girl with stringy blond hair and a camouflage bikini. She looked like she might be working at some truck stop, not a higher-end gentlemen’s club like this.

  Vivi took a seat at the bar and ordered a ginger ale. I walked around, checking things out. I suddenly wished I had Sonny with me, a knot forming in my stomach. He was the investigator, and I felt a little out of my element.

  I showed Tressa’s picture around but no one seemed to recognize her. I was told to come back around six o’clock when a woman they called T would be there. She was their singer, and maybe she might know this girl.

  Just then, a man walked over to me.

  “Can I help you?”

  He was a little greasy-looking and wore a dark suit with a crimson shirt. He had a mafia look about him with his long black hair slicked back and his tiny barely there mustache, a bit too long near his mouth. He wasn’t very tall, but he made up for that in his bulk. He looked like a former bodybuilder, but only about five foot seven.

  “Yes,” I said, mustering my confidence and looking him straight in his brown eyes. “I’m looking for this woman.” I showed him Tressa’s picture.

  “I’ve never seen her. She doesn’t work here,” he answered, a little too quickly.

  “Do you have a singer everyone calls T?”

  “Yeah, what’s it to you?”

  “Someone said she might know the woman in this photo. She’s coming in later I heard.”

  “You heard a lot, lady. T don’t know her, either.”

  I was crowding him. “You’re sure about that?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I mean, you’re welcome to stay, but she don’t know nuthin’.”

  “Fine, we’ll hang around for a while. What’s your name, you know, just in case I need anything?”

  I was trying to lighten things up and just get back to Vivi.

  “Dwayne. Dwayne Martin. I’m the manager. You can talk to T during her break if you’re gonna stick around.”

  “Thanks.”

  He walked away, and I scooted over to Vivi, who was looking really out of place.

  “Blake, this just feels weird. I am so pregnant, and this is a men’s club. I look like I’m scoping the place for a sugar daddy and a baby daddy.”

  “Well, you’re in luck. It looks like that’s just what the clientele is around here. Loaded old men. That guy I was speaking to was the manager, and he says he doesn’t recognize Tressa, either.”

  “Oh, Blake, what if we can’t find her before my deadline? Lewis and I have to get our blood test and wedding license before the wedding.”

  “Well, we still have a month. We’ll find her.”

  I said that to calm Vivi, but I was starting to have my doubts.

  24

  At six o’clock the stage went dark and the curtains dropped down. The tables were full of the happy-hour crowd in suits. You could tell this was a place for men with money and only one thing on their mind. One by one, scantily clad girls entered to Broadway-style music, each one taking a turn at the poles and turning themselves upside down. Slipping and sliding up and down.

  “You know what, I will never in my life understand how they do all that,” Vivi said, taking a sip of her ginger ale.

  Both of us sat there staring, our eyes searching the poles for Tressa.

  “It’s hard to tell if she’s even up there since everybody on that stage is upside down. I think if we wanna find her here, we’d need a new picture.”

  “Well, I’m not sure we can find a shot of her crotch on the internet,” I said.

  Vivi looked at me and grinned. When all the dancers were on stage, doing their thing, the curtains pulled back and the stage went black. The music soared and gave a dramatic crescendo just as the spotlight popped on a beautiful blonde at the mic.

  “Oh, my God! That woman looks just like Tamlyn!” I shouted at Vivi, leaning over to her ear. The music was so loud, and the blonde was belting out the words, “My momma done told me...”

  “Who’s Tamlyn? I thought we were look
ing for Tressa.” Vivi was confused.

  “Tamlyn’s the widow of my clients’ brother.”

  “The dead guy from the barge?”

  “Yep. This singer looks just like her. I found out yesterday that she was a singer in a bar up here, but what were the chances she’d be standing in the one place we show up at in all of Birmingham? I have to call Sonny. He’ll want to know about this.”

  I slid off the bar stool and ran out front, dialing Sonny as I went.

  “Hey, beautiful, y’all make it up there okay?”

  “Sonny, you’ll never believe it. I think I may have found Walter’s beneficiary. You know, the girl from the phone picture.”

  “What? How? Where is she?”

  “Vivi and I are up in this strip club looking for Tressa. No one seemed to recognize her from the photo I showed, but the singer here is a woman they call T and I’m telling you, she looks just like Tamlyn Aaron.”

  “I’ll put in a call to Cal right now and see if he’s found anything from the cell phone records. I told him all of your new info from yesterday, too. Listen, Blake, you should try to talk to her about Walter. If she takes off before I can get to her, it’s important that you try and find out what you can.”

  “I know. Okay. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Be safe, Blake.”

  “I will.” I hung up and inhaled a deep breath. I walked back over to Vivi at a clip. “I need to talk to this T when she’s fixin’ to take her break and then we can get outta here. I know this isn’t exactly what we came here for, but there’s a chance this woman can help. I promise you, we will track down Tressa as quick as we can.”

  T finished the song and took her bow, then headed to the side of the stage. I saw Dwayne talking to her, and then both of them were looking over at me. Damn it. He had gotten to her first.

  “I’ll be back in a second. Just sit tight.” I patted Vivi on the arm and headed over to T.

  I felt my mouth go dry as she stared me down. My palms became sweaty, and my heart sped up. I really wished Sonny was there to do this for me. I mean, I’m an attorney, not a cop. But she looked so much like that picture from Walter’s phone, and it all fit with the Aarons’ story. I couldn’t just walk away from an opportunity like this.

  “Excuse me,” I managed to say. “My name is Blake. My friend and I were just wondering if you happen to know this girl.” I showed her the photo of Tressa.

  “No, I’ve never seen her before.” She was cold and disconnected. Her eyes shifted to Dwayne. Of course she didn’t know her. ’Cause Dwayne had just told her she didn’t.

  “The information we have says she worked here within the last two years.”

  “Oh, I’ve only been here about six months now,” T replied smoothly. “Why are you looking for her, anyway? She in some kind of trouble?”

  I could tell she was holding something back.

  “Oh, she’s actually married to that woman’s fiancé.” I pointed to Vivi at the bar. It was, of course, obvious she was pregnant.

  “It was a college prank thirteen years ago, and we just need her to sign these annulment papers so they can get married soon. It’s really not a big deal.” I didn’t want to freak her out, but I was hoping to reveal enough information to at least get a clue from her.

  “Seems like you’d need that annulment pretty soon,” T said, nodding at Vivi and her belly with a smile. She was smooth and unruffled, smoking a cigarette and looking rather high-class, though still worn along the edges enough to show she had been around the block.

  My heart was racing. I knew I had to ask her about Walter, too. I was sure this must be Tamlyn. I took a deep breath and just threw it out there.

  “Um, I have just one more question,” I said as she was turning to leave.

  “Sure, missing another woman?”

  I smiled and paused, glancing at Dwayne.

  “Do you know a man named Walter Aaron?”

  “Uh—no.... No, that doesn’t sound familiar. Why do you ask?”

  She was now a tad ruffled. Too bad I didn’t have the picture of Tamlyn to show her. That would’ve really stirred the pot. “Well, he’s a friend of mine.”

  “Oh, is he okay?”

  “Are you sure you don’t know him?” I pressed.

  “No, she don’t. She just has a soft side, ya know?” Dwayne had grabbed her arm.

  “What does T stand for anyway?” I asked.

  “It’s Tonia. It was my mom’s name.” She looked a little melancholy at the thought. I was struck by Dwayne’s control over her.

  “I have to go,” she said, looking nervously at Dwayne. He let go of her and began to walk away, assuming she was right behind him. “I hope you find those folks you’re lookin’ for.” Her voice was soft.

  “Yeah, thanks.” I slipped her my card without Dwayne noticing. “Call me if you think of anything,” I whispered. I walked back over to the bar. I knew it was time to get Vivi home.

  I helped a disappointed Vivi back to the car and we settled in for the hour drive back to Tuscaloosa. We picked up some Taco Casa for the road and drove home in the dark...in more ways than one.

  * * *

  Late that night, everyone in the house was asleep. I was wide-awake, still tossing and turning, hoping Sonny had made contact with Cal when I heard my phone jingle. I turned over to see who would be texting me at this ungodly hour. To my surprise, it was T.

  I couldn’t admit it in front of Dwayne but...I am Tressa. I had a little work done before I started working at this club, and I go by T now so no one will recognize me. I remember that night at the frat house and the fake wedding, but I won’t sign the annulment papers till I meet my husband. Take it or leave it. And please keep this to yourself if you want my help.

  I sat up in bed, sick to my stomach. There was no sleeping for me. I texted her back.

  Meet me in Tuscaloosa ASAP. I will let Lewis know. I was trying to stay calm, but everything inside me wanted to scream in the dark silent house. Tressa and T were the same person! Did that mean this woman was also Tamlyn? She hadn’t admitted it, but if it was true, then that meant Lewis might be married to a woman who was also a suspect in a possible murder case. So much for this being a simple paperwork issue. My phone jingled again.

  Tomorrow night. Where?

  Text me when you get here, I typed. I wanted to make sure I had it all lined up so Lewis could get these papers signed.

  See you then.

  I had to get up and pace the room. I was a frantic mess. I wanted to tell Vivi right then, but as far along as she was, I knew it was a bad idea to wake her with this stressful news. She and Lewis would both overreact. They would talk to Tressa tomorrow anyway, so there was nothing I could do but wait for daybreak and count the minutes till this lap dance diva would finally sign over Lewis’s freedom.

  25

  The minute I heard Vivi up, I ran downstairs and told them everything. Vivi, to my surprise, was actually excited. She and Lewis felt like it was almost over. They’d get the papers signed tonight and away Tressa would go. Somehow I wasn’t feeling quite so confident.

  “I had a feeling she knew more than she said! She looked shifty even from where I was sitting,” Vivi said as she ran around the kitchen, getting breakfast.

  “I know, but she wants to meet Lewis and I can’t figure out why,” I said.

  “Probably just curious,” Lewis mumbled, sitting down at the table, still partly asleep.

  “Lewis is kinda famous and she probably just wants a look. If she’s a Bama fan—and seriously, aren’t we all?—she’s bound to remember who he is. I’m sure she just wants an autograph or something as a memento.”

  I was thinking the same thing, but it was a lot less reassuring. Lewis was famous, and maybe Tressa wanted a little more than his signat
ure. If this girl happened to be Tamlyn, too, she could not be legally married to Walter, since she was still technically married to Lewis! Maybe she wanted a little cash bonus from the famous star announcer, since she knew she’d get no money now from her deceased “husband,” Walter. Or maybe she didn’t understand any of that and was just being greedy. I knew one thing. We all had better be careful. Looked like this spider would bite anyone for money.

  * * *

  I had been so busy with work and Harry’s campaign and planning Vivi’s wedding and shower that my life had become even more than a circus—it was an entire carnival. I needed help, and I knew just the woman for the job: Bonita.

  I knew she and Arthur were becoming much closer and that she was going to be a big part of his barbecue business. Oh, she was still very much an investigator on Sonny’s team, but she was helping Arthur all the time and, therefore, was out at Vivi’s a lot. I always knew Sonny was a big fan of hers and now, as I had gotten to know her better, I understood why. She was seriously one of the smartest people I had ever met. And nothing stood in her way. She was just what I needed to make sure all of these celebrations for Vivi came off without a hitch. I had a meeting planned for lunch with Jean-Pierre and Coco, and I had asked Bonita to join us. We were meeting at Wintzell’s Oyster House on the Warrior River, where much of the menu is made up of delicacies from the Gulf.

  Tuscaloosa isn’t too far from the Gulf, maybe about five hours. I spent every summer of my life down there. We had a beach house, and Meridee, Kitty and my daddy loved being there better than anywhere else. We almost stopped those trips to the Gulf after Daddy died in that boating accident when I was six. But then Kitty’s girlfriends starting coming with us and I always brought Vivi. Those summer vacations became major girlfriend getaways. It made those days without Daddy a little more bearable. I learned at a tender age how important your girlfriends are and that my Sassy Belle sisters were forever. I had a feeling that with Bonita, I was fixin’ to induct a new member.