Terror on Tybee Island (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 3)

by Deborah Malone

  “Hey, wake up.” I looked into the familiar face of Mama. “Were you running from someone? Your feet were churning the covers.” Mama chuckled softly. It was good to hear her laugh. Even at my expense.

  “Something like that.” I stretched my arms above my head and emitted a loud yawn. “I must have been wiped out.” I reached for my cell phone I’d placed on the bedside table. “What time is it? I haven’t missed dinner have I?” My phone showed the time was a little before six.

  “That’s why I came up to get you. Everyone’s gathered downstairs. George arrived a few minutes ago.” Mama sat down beside me. “Trixie, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you and Dee Dee helping Laura. I felt so bad for her. I’ve known Laura for years and I feel strongly she couldn’t have murdered Grace.”

  “Mama, I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate all you’ve done for me. You lifted me up when I was lower than a snake’s belly and helped me back on my feet. I love you.” I could feel the tears pooling in the corners of my eyes.

  “Aw, honey.” She comforted me in a bear hug. “I love you, too.” I noticed I wasn’t the only one with teary eyes. “Come on; let’s go get something to eat.”

  “Okay, let me freshen up and I’ll be down in a minute.” I didn’t want to scare anyone with my porcupine hair. A few minutes later I descended the stairs. I looked around and noticed everyone was present. Dee Dee, Nana and George were at one table. Mama, Laura, and Ellie Sloan were at another. Harold and Cassie Daniels sat at another table.

  Laura jumped up and headed toward the kitchen. “Now that we’re all here I’ll help Louise serve.” Once again, Louise outdid herself. They placed the feast on a central table and everyone served their own plates. We dined on baked ham, slaw, potato salad, baked beans, green beans, and biscuits. We had a choice of peach cobbler or seven layer chocolate cake for dessert.

  We sat around the table and talked between bites of delectable food. Nana recounted the events of the day to George. I didn’t feel comfortable with her sharing information, but didn’t know how to stop her without causing a scene.

  The door to the kitchen opened and in scurried Captain Jack. Laura stood up and started toward the cat. “Oh Jack, what are you doing in here?” He scooted past her and ran under our table.

  Dee Dee reached under the table and scooped him up. “Look! He has something in his mouth.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Dee Dee pulled out what appeared to be a piece of jewelry from Captain Jack’s mouth. As it was covered with sand it was hard to tell. She took a cloth napkin and dipped it in a water glass. Each swipe revealed a little more of the treasure.

  “May I?” George grabbed the piece from Dee Dee. His eyes widened. “Cartier pink gold with diamonds.”

  Those of us sitting around the table gaped. By this time the others in the room wondered what was happening. Laura voiced her query. “What is it?”

  An animated Dee Dee spoke up. “It’s a bracelet. Captain Jack’s found a diamond bracelet.” Everyone rushed over to take a look.

  Harold Daniels let out a long whistle. “Look at those diamonds.” He grabbed for the bracelet. “Finders keepers, right?” George drew his hand back a lot faster than I thought a man his age could move.

  “Uh, I think this is something we need to call Detective Baker about. After all, Captain Jack was at the scene of the crime. This could be some kind of evidence. Does anyone recognize the bracelet?” Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Ellie leave the room. “I can hold onto it until the authorities arrive.”

  “No.” Well, that was to the point. What was going on with him? “What I mean is, I will keep it safe until Detective Baker gets here.”

  Not wanting to start a scene, I let it go. I called the detective and relayed his message to the others. “He’ll be here in about an hour and he wants everyone to be available when he arrives.”

  “Why don’t I get Louise to make a fresh pot of coffee? We can leave the desserts out and you can help yourselves.” Laura walked over to where I stood. “Do you think this might be evidence from Grace’s murder?”

  “I don’t know, Laura, but Captain Jack was digging around Grace when I found her body. I remember him running away.”

  “I can’t picture her owning a Cartier bracelet. She’d squeeze a nickel until it screamed.” Laura lifted an eyebrow. “Why would she have it in her possession?”

  “Good question. Maybe Detective Baker can check it out.”

  “I think I’ll help Louise. Staying busy keeps my mind off things.” She shook her head and wrinkled her brow. “I don’t look forward to seeing him again.” She walked over, whispered in Mama’s ear, and then they headed for the kitchen.

  I noticed Harold and Cassie Daniels sitting in the living room. This would be a good chance to talk with them. Dee Dee and Nana sampled the coffee and desserts. George had disappeared. I contemplated why he was so interested in the bracelet, but he wasn’t about to share the reason with me. I intended to find out, though.

  I poured a cup of java and sat down across from the Daniels. “This has been an interesting evening.” I took a sip of the hot liquid and savored the flavor. It tasted delicious.

  “Yeah. I told Cassie I didn’t want to come to Tybee Island. And I sure didn’t want to stay at a bed and breakfast.” He said ‘bed and breakfast’ like it was a dirty word. “It’s like staying with distant relatives that you hardly know. Now look what’s happened. We’re right smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation.”

  Cassie’s face flushed. I’m sure her husband’s little tirade embarrassed her. “Daniel, you don’t have to be rude. I’m sure Trixie doesn’t want to hear you whine.” She took a sip and turned to me. “I’m sorry, dear. This has been hard on both of us. When Harold retired we thought we’d be able to find some peace and quiet through travel. It seems we’ve gotten just the opposite. It’s terrible what happened to Grace, and even worse Laura seems to be the main suspect.” She shook her head like she couldn’t believe they’d landed in the middle of this mess.

  “I’m trying to help Laura by asking everyone where they were Monday evening. Do you remember what you were doing?” I crossed my fingers they’d be willing to talk.

  “What do you want us to do? Incriminate ourselves to get Laura off the hook?”

  Cassie sucked in a breath. “Harold! Why are you being so rude? Trixie’s just trying to help, and we don’t have anything to hide.” She turned toward me. “We went for a walk on the beach after we ate. Then we decided to go downtown and look around. We came home around ten and went to bed early. We were wiped out from the drive.”

  “You can ask that girl, Ellie. She was downtown, too, with that Porter fellow. Both of them saw us.”

  “Really? She was with John Porter?” This definitely put a twist on things. I felt stronger than ever she knew Porter before they arrived on Tybee Island. But why would they hide the fact they knew each other?

  “That’s what I said.”

  Cassie shrank into herself. I sensed her husband’s brusqueness often embarrassed her.

  We sat silent for a while eating cookies and sipping our coffee. The doorbell interrupted our muse. Laura slowly walked toward the door as if she were walking to a firing squad.

  “Good evening.” Detective Baker and his ever-present sidekick Detective Taylor entered the room. “I want to talk with everyone who was present when the bracelet was discovered.”

  I volunteered my assistance. “I’ll be glad to round them up.” It took a few minutes to find Dee Dee and Nana, who’d stepped outside for some fresh air. Everyone else was in the house. Except for George.

  “Uh, I can’t find George.”

  “Did someone say my name?” George walked up, dapper as ever. Not a worry line etched on his mature face.

  “Could I see the bracelet in question?”

  George reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out the now sparkling clean tennis bracelet. Oh my goodness. What did he do to make it look
brand new? I had a hunch Detective Baker wasn’t going to be happy with this. Why would George take the initiative to tamper with evidence? This brash decision added fuel to my suspicions of him.

  The detective reached for the shiny bracelet. “Is this what it looked like when it was found?” He looked directly at me. “I thought you said it was covered with sand.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Detective, I take the blame for this.” George didn’t seem worried he’d destroyed evidence. “I’m somewhat of a jewelry connoisseur and when I saw this piece I couldn’t help it. I cleaned the bracelet up to see if it really was a Cartier. It is.”

  Detective Baker stared at George as if he could see right through him. “Don’t you know not to tamper with evidence from a crime?”

  “I’m sorry, sir. But we don’t really know it’s evidence from a crime, do we?” George had a point, but it was too much of a coincidence for Captain Jack to be running from the scene with something shiny in his mouth.

  He exchanged an exasperated look with his partner. “It’s too late to do anything about your mistake now.” He looked around the room and made eye contact with everyone present. “If you find anything else, do not handle it. Put it in a plastic bag and call me immediately. Is there anything about those instructions you don’t understand?” Heads shook back and forth, accompanied by a chorus of “no.”

  “Ms. Montgomery, I’d like to consult with you in my office in the morning. I want to go over your statement concerning the crime scene. For the rest of you, don’t leave the island. This is not over yet!” He turned so abruptly he almost bumped into Detective Taylor, who followed him like a baby duck following his mama.

  When the front door closed on them for what I hoped was the last time that night, Laura spoke first. “I’m tired to the bone. I’m going to retire for the evening. Please treat this as your home. Louise will leave night-time snacks out for everyone. Good night, and I hope you have a restful sleep.”

  I walked over to where she stood by Mama. Laura looked like she could use more than a night of peaceful sleep. Her hair needed a good comb through and her rumpled clothes looked as if she’d slept in them. She was bare of make-up and her skin revealed a sickly pallor. The bags under her eyes reminded me of a woman who’d given up on life. Memories of when I had been at my lowest, after Wade left, flooded my mind. I had been so thankful for the help my friends and loved ones offered. How could I not do the same for Laura?

  Mama hugged Laura. “You’ll continue to be in my prayers. Let Trixie and Dee Dee do what they can and we’ll leave the rest up to God.”

  “I want to believe everything will turn out all right, but it’s hard to muster up faith when you’re in the midst of the storm. I’m calling a lawyer tomorrow.”

  I took the opportunity to give Laura a hug. “I understand how you feel. I’ve been where you are.” She gaped at me in disbelief. “Really? You’ve been accused of a murder?”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, no. But I’ve been to the valley where it’s hard to find strength. Your friends’ faith can help strengthen your assurance. Before you know it, yours will be strong again.” Wow, did I just give Laura a pep talk about faith?

  It wasn’t that long ago Dee Dee had given me the same pep talk. I was a firm believer a friend could be a good influence and help you through the hard times. Dee Dee and Beau had proven it over and over. Now it was my turn to share that faith with Laura. She offered me a weary and not-so-sure smile, but at least it was an attempt. Dear Lord, please help me help Laura.

  She went on to bed while the rest of us milled around and waited to discover what Louise would bring out for a night-time snack. I’d never been on a cruise, but I imagined this was what it would be like where food was the favorite pastime of the tourists.

  I spotted Ellie sitting in a corner. She held a mug of coffee. This would be a great chance to talk with her. The burning question was, did she know John Porter before they arrived on the island or not. I refilled my cup and wandered over to where she sat. I nonchalantly took a seat next to her.

  “Hi.” Great conversation starter.

  She looked at me like I was a fly in her soup. “Hi.”

  “This has been a real bummer for our vacation. How about yours?”

  “Yeah, a real bummer.” Okay, this line of questioning wasn’t getting me anywhere. I decided to pull out all the stops.

  “Harold Daniels told me they ran into you and John Porter downtown the night of Grace’s murder. Did you know John before you came to the island?” For a fleeting moment I detected a look in her eyes that said ‘oh no.’ But it was gone as quick as it came.

  “Uh, no, I didn’t know him. We ran into each other outside and decided it would be nice to go downtown for a while.” She tilted her head and gave me a wary look. “Why do you want to know? I don’t see where this is any of your business.”

  “I’m trying to help Laura and I can only do so by asking questions.”

  “Well, if I were you, I’d leave that to Detective Baker. One person has already turned up dead.” The hair on my neck stood up. Was this a harbinger I’d later regret?

  She stood up. “I’ve had a long day and if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.” She didn’t hang around for my permission.

  I made my way over to a little group huddled together comprised of Mama, Dee Dee, Nana, and George. “I’m going up to my room to call Beau. This has been a stressful day and I could use someone to bounce ideas off of.”

  Nana gave me an exaggerated wink. “Sure honey, we understand. You go ahead and ‘bounce’ ideas off Beau.” She turned to Dee Dee. “Why don’t you come up to our room and keep me and Betty Jo company and give the lovebirds some privacy.” Nana cackled. I loved that about Nana. She could make me smile even when I didn’t feel like smiling. And I let myself enjoy thinking about Beau that way.

  We bade the Daniels goodnight and moseyed up the stairs. Dee Dee came in and grabbed her pajamas. “I’ll take my bath and visit with the girls while you’re on the phone.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be that long, but I’ll give you a holler when I’m done.” I appreciated the private time with Beau.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Hi, Babe.” The sound of his voice sparked a longing. I knew without a doubt I wanted to share my life with him. Yes, there was that old niggling doubt that recurred, but I didn’t want to lose out on a chance at happiness.

  “Beau, it’s so good to hear your voice.” I ached to touch him, to hold his hand.

  “It’s good to hear you, too. How are things going on the island? Have you been able to get information on that George character?”

  “He didn’t give me an address, but I did get his tag number. I hope this helps. I know there’s more to him than meets the eye. I’m afraid he’s up to no good.”

  “Trix, I know you have a deep desire to help others and anything I say won’t change that. But I want you to be careful and please give the information you gather to the detectives and let them do their jobs.”

  “We only have a couple more people to interview and then I’ll hand the material over to Detective Baker. I’m not too concerned about the interviews; it’s Nana who’s going to be the death of me.” A hearty laugh blasted through the phone. Beau loved Nana and he took her antics with a grain of salt. Of course, he didn’t have to live with her. “Beau, it’s not funny. Do you know she tried on a hot pink two-piece swimsuit and then modeled it for everyone in the store? I could have lifted the floor and crawled under it. If it hadn’t been for Dee Dee’s fast thinking I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

  “Don’t take it too seriously, hon. She won’t be with you forever.” I knew he was right.

  “I know. I love her dearly, even if she makes me want to pull my hair out.” I don’t know how long we’d been talking when Dee Dee stuck her head in the door and whispered, “You about through?” I looked at the clock and realized we’d talked for forty-five minutes. I nodded my head. She ga
ve a little wave and shut the door.

  We said our good-byes and promised to talk the next day. As soon as we disconnected I missed him. I couldn’t wait to get home and give him the answer he was patiently waiting to hear.

  The bathroom door opened and Dee Dee peeked in. “Hey, can I come in now? I’m ready to hit the sack and read for a little while if I can keep my eyes open.” Dee Dee came around the door dressed in a pair of red pajamas covered with white kittens. I couldn’t remember a time when we’d spent the night together when she didn’t have on kitty PJs. She was definitely devoted to her babies – I mean her cats.

  “New pajamas?”

  “Yeah. I bought them just for our trip.” She plucked at the flannel fabric. “What do you think?”

  I thought, they kind of look like the rest of your pajamas, but I said, “Nice.” Her smile was worth the compliment.

  We talked a little longer and Dee Dee snuggled in bed with her book. I turned over and willed my errant thoughts to focus on Beau and our future to replace the memories of murder and mayhem that tried to hold my mind hostage. I faded into sleep, dreaming of Beau’s sweet kisses.

  I awoke to Dee Dee singing, “Wake Up, You Sleepyhead!” I covered my head with my pillow, and she jerked it off.

  “Oh no, you don’t. We need to hurry if we’re driving to Savannah this morning to interview Grace’s ex. I want plenty of time to find some costumes for tonight’s Pirate Fest.”

  “Please, let me sleep ten more minutes,” I whined. She pulled off my covers.

  “Nope. I’m already dressed. Come on, get up. I’m going downstairs to drink a cup of coffee. If you’re not down in fifteen I’m coming for you.”

  I lobbed my pillow toward her, but missed my mark. Her laughter floated down the hall. To meet Dee Dee’s time requirement I splashed my face with water and threw on a pair of jeans and tee shirt. I could come up later and put on my face.