Miss Pettybone's First Case

by Melissa Rees

  Could he kill again? Thinking about Warren, he sighed. He would have no qualms about killing Cecil. It was his and Otis's life compared to an old mans. No question at all about the right choice.

  He downed the drink, then stood up and walked into the bedroom. He stretched out on the bed and cupped the back of his neck in his hands. He would plan a way to kill him and get rid of the body. He had heard if there was no body, no crime had been committed. That sounded completely logical to him

  Chapter 26

  Miss Pettybone stopped and gazed around the beautiful hotel room. The main suite was decorated in red and gold with beautifully tufted upholstered red sofas facing each other. Two gold armchairs held sentry on opposite ends of the room and fresh flowers decorated the floor and tables. Walking around the room, she noticed how everything fitted and blended to present the extravagant luxury the hotel was famous for.

  She hadn't asked Lynn how much the rooms cost and now she didn't want to know.

  "Isn't this beautiful?" Lynn asked, twirling around in her bedroom.

  Miss Pettybone had to admit that it was.

  "Now, aren't you glad we are staying here?"

  "I’ll be happy until it's time to pay the bill." Miss Pettybone promised.

  ***

  An hour later, they were walking out of the hotel into the busy streets of Manhattan.

  The sun was shinning and there was a soft southwestern breeze feathering their faces. Miss Pettybone could feel the intense throbbing of the bustling city beneath her feet.

  "What shall we do first?" Lynn asked, turning her face upwards towards the tall buildings.

  "Let's see if we can find the address."

  "Loraine, can't we wait until tomorrow? Let's have lunch. Then we need to buy you at least some night clothes."

  Miss Pettybone frowned at the mention of her lack of clothes and silently wished her luggage well. She imagined by now her luggage was winging its way to the south of France. "That's true; I'm going to need something to wear."

  "Come on, we'll walk until we find someplace nice to eat."

  "Someplace not expensive." Miss Pettybone requested.

  “Someplace not expensive." Lynn promised.

  ***

  Miss Pettybone lay contently for a few minutes in the huge comfortable bed before climbing out and stretching. Last night had probably been the best night's sleep she had had in a long time.

  She pulled back the sheets and looked at the mattress. Had to be the mattress, she reasoned.

  There was, after all, something to be said about expensive hotels, she thought, straightening the blankets. Gazing around the opulent bedroom, she shrugged. She would guess it took a lot of money to pay for this kind of luxury.

  She walked over to the closet and looked at the new clothes. Lynn had demanded she buy enough clothes to get her through the week. And although her heart gave a hard kick against her chest when she saw the amount, she paid the bill.

  Now, she was pretty happy with her new wardrobe. Lynn was right; she had needed some new clothes.

  After taking a shower and blow-drying her hair, she slipped on a new pair of beige linen trousers and a cream colored sleeveless top. Putting on her new sandals, she felt looked in the full length mirror. She was alert and ready for anything.

  She sauntered into Lynn's room and flipped the bedside lamp on. "Up and at it, Lynn. Time to get moving."

  "What time is it?" Lynn moaned, not bothering to open her eyes.

  "It’s late, already after six o'clock. We get up earlier than this at home." She pointed out.

  "Okay, about that. I'm on vacation. When I go on vacation, I sleep past six. So go away."

  Miss Pettybone stared her friend in confusion. Lynn was serious, she had already gone back to sleep.

  “I’m going to find that address all by myself if you don't get up." Miss Pettybone warned.

  Lynn stuck her hand out from under the blankets and waved a sleepy good-by.

  ***

  Miss Pettybone climbed out of the cab and looked up. It was the right address but not what she expected. An Antique Home Show Sign hung above the front door.

  Miss Pettybone stared at the door, lost in thought. How would an address of the famous Antique Home Show end up in a dried up yard in Mississippi?

  Warren Jones must be connected in some way to someone at the show.

  mentally shook herself when she saw a tall thin man hurrying out of the building. Giving her a friendly smile, he paused in front of her.

  "Don't tell me you have a valuable antique you need information on."

  "No, but I've seen the show on television many times."

  "You can't be from around here. Not with that accent."

  "Mississippi."

  "I see." Glancing at his watch, he frowned. "I have a meeting or I would show you around."

  "Oh, well, that would be nice." Miss Pettybone said, not particularly wanting a tour.

  "I tell you what. My name is Caleb Hopkins. I will give you my card and if you have time while you are here, call me. I’ll give you a personal tour."

  “Are you an antique dealer?"

  "No, but I am one of the producers on the show. And unfortunately, I have to run."

  Miss Pettybone took his card and smiled at him.

  "You’re very kind."

  "It’s easy to be kind to a pretty southern lady." He flirted, nodding at her before he rushed for a cab.

  Pretty southern lady, she thought, looking down at the card. Reading his name, she tucked the card into her purse and turned to wave for a cab.

  ***

  When she returned to the hotel, Lynn was sitting at a small table in her room, reading the paper and sipping coffee. Looking up at Miss Pettybone, she smiled. "Where were you?"

  "I went to see if I could find that address."

  "Oh. Did you find it?"

  “It wasn't a house."

  "No?"

  "You will never guess in a million years what I found."

  "Not another dead body I hope."

  "No." Miss Pettybone answered, insulted. "The address belongs to that Antique Home Show on television."

  "You're kidding. Why would Warren Jones burn the address of a television show?"

  "I don't know. I've been asking myself that all the way back here."

  "And?"

  "I don't have a clue. I did meet one of the producers of the show. He offered me a private tour." She informed her friend, throwing Lynn a teasing look.

  "Was he cute?"

  "Lynn, I've been telling you for years, men are way to much trouble to have around. They have been the downfall of many wonderful women."

  "You hate men and are never going to marry, are you?"

  "I don’t hate men. I just do not have any deep respect for most of them. And no, I am never going to marry. Not every woman aspires to that, you know."

  Sighing, Lynn went back to her paper.

  ***

  After an hour of watching Lynn eat breakfast, then another hour waiting while she showered, they arrived back in front of the Antique Home Show.

  "What now?" Lynn asked, looking around.

  "My intuition tells me that Warren Jones has a connection to the show."

  "Really?" Lynn teased. "I don't have your awesome intuition, but even I figured that out."

  "You know, I never noticed before but you have quite the sarcastic tongue in your mouth. I'm surprised Edgar puts up with it." Miss Pettybone retorted.

  Lynn laughed at her friend and asked. "What do we do?"

  "I've thought about what we should say. And I think I’ll pretend that Warren Jones is my brother and I tracked him here."

  "What if they know Mr. Jones doesn't have a sister."

  "Then be prepared to run."

  ***

  Miss Pettybone and Lynn pushed opened the huge door and entered a plush receiving room. The ceiling soared to twenty feet and huge crystal chandelier hung over stark white marble floors.

  A
ntiques sat crowded on carved inlaid tables. Beautiful reproductions of paintings covered the stark white walls.

  A small older woman sat behind an enormous ornately carved walnut desk. Behind her was a plate- glass door with the Home Show lettering on it. She smiled at them and asked softly. "My name is Mrs. Neal. May I help you?"

  Miss Pettybone walked over to the desk and looked down at the older woman. "You sure have a beautiful city." She remarked.

  "You folks not from around here?"

  "We're from Mississippi." Lynn supplied

  "Oh well, you are a long way from home." The woman said, smiling.

  "We are that." Lynn agreed.

  "What can I do for you?" Then said. "If you came to get on the show, then I'm sorry to inform you that the show is in Savanna, Georgia for the next three weeks."

  "Oh, no, although that sounds like fun. We, me actually, am looking for my step-brother." Miss Pettybone said.

  "Your step-brother?" Mrs. Neal asked, looking interested.

  "Yes, you see, my brother, I call him my brother. He ran away years ago and very recently I came into some money, so I thought I would find him and share the wealth, so to speak." Miss Pettybone informed the woman.

  "How lovely for you and your brother. But I don't understand why you would think he’s here." Mrs. Neal said, her bright blue eyes glancing to Lynn and back to Miss Pettybone.

  "I hired a private detective and he traced the address to here." Miss Pettybone said, feeling heat rise in her body. She had never been a good liar.

  "Does your brother work here?" Mrs. Neal inquired.

  "Yes." Miss Pettybone said, grabbing at the suggestion.

  “What's his name? Maybe I can look him up for you." She offered.

  "That would be wonderful." Miss Pettybone smiled and glanced at Lynn.

  "Hang on for just a second while I bring up that file." The older woman requested, clicking on her computer.

  Miss Pettybone raised her eyebrows at Lynn, happy at their progress.

  "Okay dear, what's his name?" She asked, moving the mouse around on the desk.

  "Warren Jones." Miss Pettybone said.

  After hitting a couple of keys, the older woman glanced up. I’m sorry, I don't see his name. He's not on payroll.”

  Miss Pettybone frowned at the woman. "Maybe he worked here a while back."

  "I can look that up. Hold on a second." She said, moving to another screen.

  Mrs. Neal suddenly smiled. "Yes, here he is. But I'm afraid he quit working here last December."

  "What did he do here, I mean, if you don't mind telling me?"

  "Looks like he worked as a roadie."

  "A roadie?"

  "A roadie is the person who is charge of all the cameras and props the show uses as we move the show, city to city."

  "Does it say why he quit?" Miss Pettybone asked.

  Mrs. Neal looked up and frowned at the question.

  "I know it sounds weird. It’s just that I am just very curious about everything that he did, does." Miss Pettybone explained.

  "Oh." Looking down, she stared at the computer screen. "It doesn't really say. It looks like he just left. Didn't give any notice, at least that what Mr. Keel and Mr. Wagner wrote here."

  "Who are Mr. Keel and Mr. Wagner?"

  "The show is so large and there's so many people involved, that every person who isn't antique dealer has supervisors. Mr. Otis Keel and Mr. Aaron Wagner were your brother's supervisors."

  "Are Mr. Keel or Mr. Wagner here? I'd like to speak to them."

  "No dear, they're all in Savannah."

  "Oh, okay. I really appreciate your taking time to help us." Miss Pettybone said, sticking out her hand.

  "No problem, I only wished I could help more," Mrs. Neal answered, shaking Miss Pettybone’s hand. "I hope you find your brother. I’ll pray for you."

  ***

  "You are so going to hell." Lynn announced, as they walked out.

  "Yeah, well, I guess sometimes detectives have to lie." Miss Pettybone answered, her eyes fixed on the sidewalk.

  Lynn waved for a cab. "What now?"

  "I don't know. I’ll have to think about it."

  "Let's go back to the hotel. I could use something to drink."

  "Alcohol or non-alcoholic?"

  "Alcoholic, I think. I was a nervous wreck listening to all the lies that came out of your mouth." Lynn said, glancing at her friend's downcast face.

  Not feeling so well herself, Miss Pettybone sank back into the seat and didn't speak until they were in their rooms.

  ***

  Lynn ordered a bottle of white wine from room service, and then sat down on the sofa.

  "So, what happens now?" She asked.

  "Now, I think we go to Savannah, Georgia."

  "Georgia! You can not be serious."

  "That's where the answers are. I can feel it."

  "Loraine, I was looking forward to catching some Broadway shows while we're here."

  "You don't have to come."

  "Oh, what am I supposed to do? Stay in New York all by myself?"

  "You could call Edgar to come to New York and have a vacation with you." Miss Pettybone suggested.

  Lynn looked at her friend and sighed. "It’s a good thing for you that I've never been to Savannah either."

  "You'll come?"

  "Well, I can't quit on you now. But we are going to stay tonight, so I can see at least one show."

  "Deal." Miss Pettybone said pleased that Lynn gave in so easily.

  Chapter 27

  Billie June was bending down, sorting papers when she heard the post office door swoosh open. Straightening up with a smile, she froze as Sheriff Dwight Caruthers walked into the front door. She knew why he was here and that she would probably have to lie. She felt her face turn a bright red as she watched him stroll up to her counter.

  "Sheriff, what can I do for you?" She asked, trying to look busy.

  "Oh, not much." He said, leaning causally on the counter.

  "What brings you in here? I know Mary took your box this morning when she left."

  Dwight pulled a toothpick from his pocket and slid it in between his lips.

  Pushing his hat further back on his head, he stared at Billie June. "Oh, my mail was delivered this morning, just as it always is."

  "Oh, well, good." Billie June said, getting a little nervous under the sheriff's cool stare.

  "I didn't come in about my mail."

  "No?"

  "I've been trying to get a hold of Miss Pettybone and Mary told me this morning that she went on vacation two days ago."

  Billie swallowed uneasily before looking down at the envelopes lying in front of her. "That's right, she had, you know, her head problems and so Lynn suggested she take a vacation."

  “Really and where did she go on vacation?"

  Billie June edged away from the sheriff and gazed wildly around, looking for anything to distract him. "Where did she go? I think she went to New, New Jersey."

  "New Jersey. What did she go to New Jersey for?"

  "A cousin, I think. She went to see a cousin."

  "I see. So where's Lynn?"

  "Lynn?"

  "Your boss. Tiny blonde-haired woman that pays you every two weeks."

  "Oh, she's around." Billie June said, smiling nervously.

  "Around? Around New Jersey perhaps?"

  Clearing her throat, Billie June admitted unhappily. "She did decide to go with Loraine to New Jersey. I forgot, they both went on vacation."

  "This is so interesting, Billie June. It really is. So, basically you're saying that two people who never took a vacation at the same time, takes one now."

  "How do you know they've never taken a vacation together?" She asked, unhappily.

  "Mary told me this morning."

  "Oh."

  "So what kind of things are they enjoying in New Jersey?" He asked, toying with her.

  "Fishing." Billie blurted out, and then clutched hands together nervo
usly.

  "Fishing?" Dwight exclaimed, amazed. "I didn't know either one of them enjoyed fishing so much."

  Almost sick, Billie stared down at the floor.

  Dwight gazed at Billie June thoughtfully. "I hope that those two aren't doing something they shouldn't be doing."

  "They aren't, sheriff, they're fishing."

  "That's good, Billie June. Because I would truly hate to see them get into trouble."

  Billie June unwilling to meet the sheriff's eyes, looked up at the ceiling.

  Dwight glanced up to see what she staring at. Shaking his head, Dwight looked back at Billie June. "So, of course you have a way to get in touch with them. I mean they both have cell phones."

  Billie June answered, keeping her head raised towards the ceiling. "Yeah, they have cell phones but I can't remember the numbers. I have such a terrible bad memory."

  Dwight sighed, and then straightened up. "You know, they could get themselves killed if they're doing what I think they're doing."

  "Killed?" Billie repeated faintly.

  "Billie June, for crying out loud. Look at me. You are the good one. The one who never lies? Who always tells the truth? I know what a good Christian you are." Dwight said sympathetically. "It’s probably so hard for you to lie."

  Billie June slowly looked down at Dwight in agony. He could see huge tears swell up and start to fall down her bright red cheeks. Good. He had her.

  ***

  Miss Pettybone and Lynn were standing in line to check their luggage when Miss Pettybone heard her cell phone ring. Digging into her purse, she flipped her cell phone open and looked at the number. Twisting around to show Lynn, she sighed. "It’s Dwight. Billie June told must have ratted us out."

  Chapter 28

  Suspicious and annoyed that Lynn and Miss Pettybone had flown the coup, Dwight bumped his cap on his leg while he considered his options. Although he didn't get a lot out of Billie June, he knew that the women had an address that they were going to investigate when they landed in New York.

  Billie June swore that she didn't know the address. She said Loraine wouldn't show it to her and he believed her.