No, look--he’s bringing her back. I’ll bet he was barking at that fox. Rory raced around the corner of the house, leaving Annie, Emmett, Devon, and Bessie staring at the dead chicken. Karma nudged the bird mournfully, then sat and stared up at Annie, waiting for some sort of praise or instruction.
Annie had neither. Well, this is just an awful way to start the day, she said finally.
Bessie took a deep breath and stooped to pet the dog. Oh, Karma, you tried, didn’t you? She wiped a tear from her eye and turned to Emmett. I want you to arrest that fox, Emmett Barnes. Go out there and shoot the darned thing.
Now, Bessie, that fox was only feeding itself and likely a cub or two, too. You can’t fault a critter for being a critter. He put his arms around her in a way that reminded Annie of her own father, who’d been dead now for what felt like forever. Emmett truly cared about Bessie, Annie was sure of that.
Bessie sniffed loudly, then turned to Devon. Could you please bury her for me? I can’t stand the thought of the other girls having to see her like that.
Devon nodded. I will, Grandma Bessie. Don’t you worry about it.
Bessie and Emmett headed back into the house. Annie and Devon looked at each other, then at the dog and chicken.
Devon, you take Karma out to the barn and put him up for a bit. Bring back the shovel and we’ll take care of this before the fox comes back. Annie had no idea how she was going to keep the fox from attacking again, but it felt good to be doing something. Being proactive had to be better than just waiting around for the villainous
creature to strike again.
Rory returned before Devon did. He shook his head to indicate that he’d been unable to locate the fox. I guess it was just too quick, he explained.
Annie told him about the burial that needed to occur, and he agreed that it would be best to bury the creature away from the other chickens. That way, if the fox does come back, it may just dig up its dinner instead of picking out a fresh meal.
It struck Annie as just a little bit awful that she’d shown more emotion over the death of a hen than she had over the murder of her neighbor, but she tried to tell herself that it was because the hen had never threatened to sue her. She watched as Rory helped Devon dig a fairly deep hole underneath a large oak tree behind the barn, then she placed the bird, which she’d wrapped in one of Bessie’s old dishcloths, gently inside it.
Devon excused himself after that, eager to get away from the morbid duties. Rory and Annie lingered by the makeshift grave, where Rory insisted upon saying a few solemn words about the bird.
Oh, lord, receive this hen unto Heaven, so she may spend her days pecking the ground joyously, Rory sang in a deep, churchly voice.
Annie glared at him. That’s not funny, Rory.
Well, I felt like I had to say something, he quipped. I mean, it’s the first time I’ve ever buried a hen. I have no idea what religion Lady belonged to, so I thought I’d keep it pretty simple.
Annie couldn’t help but giggle. Okay, I get it. There’s been too much drama around here lately, hasn’t there? I mean, even our guests are miserable, and we’re supposed to be a place for them to come and forget their worries, right?
Well, Mr. Music Man seems to be happy enough, Rory replied with just a hint of jealousy in his voice.
Do I detect a little green-eyed monster there, Rory? Annie grinned at him. I mean, sure, he’s good-looking and probably rich, plus he’s sort of a country music celebrity, but really--that’s not my type.
Rory sidled up next to Annie. Oh, yeah? And what type would your type be, Miss Purdy?
Annie blushed every time he used her maiden name. It made her feel seventeen again, though she was more than twenty years past that age. Well, she began, clearing her throat. I like real men, men who don’t mind working with their hands. Men who don’t mind getting a little dirt under their fingernails, she added.
Rory made a big show of looking at his own nails, which were crusted with earth after digging the burial plot for Lady, the hen. Whew, he breathed. I’m still in the running then, eh?
Annie smiled warmly at him. Well, you would be, if I was looking for a romantic relationship right now, she reminded him. You are my very best friend, Rory Jenkins, and I don’t know what I would ever do without you.
He waited for the ‘but,’ but it didn’t come. Instead, Annie linked arms with him and took the shovel from where it was leaning against the treed. Let’s go inside and have some coffee. It was a beautiful service, now we just need to make sure that we don’t have to bury any more of my mother’s chickens.
They headed back towards the house, and Annie hoped that Lady’s was the last body she had to see for a long time.
9
Bessie Gets An Idea
It didn’t seem right that there should be such drama and misery going on around her on such a beautiful spring day, but Annie resigned herself to the fact that the beautiful backdrop didn’t always match the events that were unfolding at the old plantation property.
Melody had come downstairs for lunch, but only briefly. She’d been on another crying jag, at least, that’s what Annie assumed when she saw the smeared makeup and red, puffy eyes. She’d tried to talk to the woman, but Melody seemed distant and worried over something that she didn’t want to talk about. Annie offered to keep Joshua for a few hours while the woman had some time alone, but Melody refused.
Annie worried what it might be doing to the poor boy to have to spend all his time cooped up in the guest room with his crying mother, but to his credit, Joshua seemed unfazed by it all. He did enjoy playing with the bucket of Lego bricks that Devon had loaned to the boy, and Annie made sure that she sent up new children’s movies so he wouldn’t have to watch the same ones on repeat.
While Annie and Melody shared lunch, she tried to make polite conversation. Do you live near Coopersville? Annie asked, trying not to sound too nosy.
No, I grew up in Anderson, Melody replied, stirring her soup aimlessly.
Bessie brought out a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches. Oh, Anderson is lovely, she exclaimed. I used to go with a boy from Anderson when I was still in high school, she added with a grin. Does your family still live there?
Melody shook her head. My mother died a few years ago and my father--well, let’s just say that’s complicated. She put her spoon down and sipped her sweet tea.
You don’t have any siblings? Bessie wouldn’t relent. Anyone? You poor girl. It is hard enough being a single parent these days, isn’t it, and you with no family to help you out. She meant it to be supportive, but Bessie’s words only brought on a fresh batch of tears.
Oh, my, I didn’t mean to make you cry! I just--well, I only…
Melody sniffled loudly. No, it’s okay, I’m just a little emotional lately. I’ve got a lot going on, it’s not your fault, really.
The conversation had effectively died at that point, and Melody excused herself just a few minutes later to go and check on a napping Joshua.
Well, that one’s a bundle of fun, isn’t she? remarked Bessie. She bit into her own grilled cheese sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. Mind you, she does have her hands full with that little tyke of hers. Cute as a button, naughty as a monkey.
Annie nodded in agreement. Oh, yes, I remember that age so well. I suppose she’ll be happy when he can start school, I should think. It’ll give the poor woman a break from all that non-stop rambunctiousness. Although Devon had been fairly inquisitive at Joshua’s age, Annie honestly didn’t recall him getting into as much trouble as Melody’s poor child seemed to. Annie hoped for Melody’s sake that the boy grew out of his clumsiness before too long, and she hoped for her own sake that he wouldn’t break anything else while the pair were staying at Rosewood Place.
I wonder who the boy’s father is, Bessie mused, wiping tomato soup from one corner of her mouth. Rory says he wasn’t too kind to the poor girl when she broke the news to him.
Annie frowned. From the way Rory described it, I’d say that the guy’s a jerk
and she’s way better off without him. I’m sure Melody is struggling financially, but she must have some money, or she wouldn’t be staying with us, right? Annie honestly hoped that this was true, but she was beginning to feel like Melody might just be her first ever non-paying guest. She half-wondered whether or not the woman would just slip out in the middle of the night, skipping out on the remainder of her bill at the inn.
She already paid for three days, Bessie reminded her. She peered at her daughter as though she could read her mind. I don’t think she’s the kind to leave without paying for the rest of her visit, but if she does, well, I don’t think I could hold it against her, not with her predicament.
Mother, we are running a business, not a halfway house.
Bessie narrowed her eyes. Annie Purdy, I can’t believe the heartlessness that I’m hearing coming out of your mouth. Why, what if this had happened to you all those years ago? What if you’d been turned away by the man who’d fathered your child and you had no kin to take you in? Hmmph--I thought I raised you to be just a little more considerate than that.
Annie blushed. Mama, I didn’t say I was going to send her packing unless she coughs up the money for the rest of her stay, but we do have to be careful with our generosity. Besides, we don’t really know Melody. We only know her side of the story. I hardly think we should be making any sort of judgments about the woman based on a one-sided version of events.
Annie didn’t want to seem callous or cruel, but she knew that some women could quite easily lie and manipulate their way through life, and since she really didn’t know that much about Melody Wallace, she thought it was best that they didn’t rush to any hasty assumptions about whether or not she was being straight with them about Joshua’s dad. For all they knew, the boy’s father could actually want to be part of his son’s life, but Melody might be preventing that from happening. With these types of uncomfortable situations, Annie hated to admit that they really ought to wait until they knew all of the facts before taking any sides.
There was a distinct lull in the conversation, filled only with the sounds of chewing and eating that accompanied lunch. Bessie never could stand silence, so she spoke again directly.
I noticed that Mr. Michaels was up quite early this morning, or possibly coming in quite late, Bessie tittered. He’s awfully charming, don’t you think? And he’s awfully single… She grinned at her daughter, mischief playing on her face.
Well, I’m not interested, if that’s what you’re getting at, Annie replied quickly, maybe a little too quickly.
Of course not, Bessie snorted. I wasn’t even thinking of you when I said that. I was thinking of Melody Wallace. Why, I bet they’d make a darling couple.
Annie nearly choked on her soup. What? You can’t be serious--we cannot go matchmaking our guests! Annie tried to imagine anything that Bo and Melody could possibly have in common, but she came up short of actually finding anything. What could those two possibly have in common?
Well, Bessie replied, ticking off reasons on her fingers. First of all, they’re both loners, at least from what I can see. And second, they’re both from around here, well, from South Carolina at least. Oh, and third, I know that Melody loves country music because she was listening to it on her phone while she and Joshua sat out by the pond the other day. So, there--there are three things they have in common, besides the fact that they’re both pretty attractive individuals. Bessie seemed poised to go on, but Annie interrupted her.
Mama, I don’t think we should push those two towards each other. I mean, Mr. Michaels came here for the peace and quiet, not to meet someone. And who’s to say he’s not seeing someone back in Nashville? Besides, do you really think Melody wants to rush into dating someone right now? She’s a hot mess. No, I think that’s a bad idea.
Bessie waved her hand dismissively. Nonsense. Rory agrees with me.
Annie’s eyes widened. Since when do you and Rory get to play matchmaker with our guests? she asked indignantly.
Since I can clearly see that these two could use a little help, Bessie responded.
Annie was a little annoyed that her mother and Rory had been discussing the guests’ private lives behind her back. She wasn’t opposed to a little bit of harmless gossip, but she was hurt that she hadn’t been included in the conversation.
I don’t think it’s such a good idea, trying to play cupid with two people we know so little about, Annie countered. I mean, it could blow up in our faces and we could wind up with two very angry guests and a bad reputation for our business.
Nonsense, Bessie snorted. Nothing bad is going to happen. And besides, wouldn’t it be great to have a little love and good things happening around here for a change? I mean, although I’m not exactly heartbroken at losing Mr. LaRue for a neighbor, it hasn’t exactly made for a cheerful week. Let’s see if we can change things up around here, give Cupid a little helping hand, so to speak.
Annie chewed her lip thoughtfully. She’d have to have a long chat with Rory about agreeing with her mother on things like this. And she’d definitely have to try to find some other way to distract Bessie from playing matchmaker before the guests figured out what the woman was up to. Sometimes, Mother, Annie sighed inwardly, you are very
hard work.
10
Learning More About Mr. Michaels
Rory Jenkins had learned to appreciate the search for knowledge many years ago. In his early twenties, he’d been foolish enough to fall for a girl who didn’t love him nearly as much as he loved her. He’d let jealousy and Jack Daniels get him into a whole heap of trouble, culminating in a nasty bar fight that went south way too fast. This fight sent Rory to prison for five years, thanks to an unfortunately timed swing of a bar stool and a judge who’d been friendly with the man who’d been hit by said barstool.
Prison had been an eye-opener for Rory in many ways, but none so much as the way in which it taught him how little he actually knew about the world. He developed a thirst for knowledge, particularly a love of learning about history, and Rory had spent the years since leaving prison teaching himself something new every day.
He kept a word of the day calendar (on his phone now, instead of a paper version) and made it a point to actually read newspapers instead of simply relying on social media and television for his news. He loved the internet for its vast and easy access to more information than he could ever consume, and he especially loved the fact that with a little patience, anyone with an internet connection could practically become a detective.
He’d forgotten all about the scrap of paper that he’d found wedged in the entrance to the secret tunnel. He’d simply been emptying his pockets, getting ready for a shower and maybe a few chapters of the novel he was reading, when the crumpled paper caught his interest. He pulled it from the assortment of detritus that accumulated in his pocket throughout the day--gum wrappers, nails and screws that he’d picked up around the property, and the occasional treasure of a fossilized rock or shell that he’d found.
He smoothed the crumpled paper and noted the small print, slightly smudged but mostly legible. It was some sort of receipt, he was sure, since there was a price at the bottom. There was also a name, Mackey’s, printed at the top. Rory almost tossed the paper into the trash but changed his mind at the last minute. Instead, he fired up his laptop, left the receipt beside it, and enjoyed a quick, hot shower before settling down with a mug of hot chocolate and his curiosity.
It didn’t take him long to find a list of businesses with the same name as the one on the receipt. There was a Mackey’s Bar in Toledo, a Mackey’s Diner in Wichita, and a Mackey’s Grocer in Spokane, but it was Mackey’s Music in Nashville that caught his attention.
According to the company website, Mackey’s was a music store that sold everything from guitar strings to paper for sheet music. The website didn’t have a lot of information, but it did have some very interesting photographs, including one of its owner shaking hands with a familiar figure. Rory peered more closely at t
he image. Bo Michaels smiled back from the photo, which was dated from the previous year.
Rory skimmed the content of the website to try and see if he could determine Michaels’ relationship with the store, but there wasn’t much to go on. It appeared that he was, at the very least, a satisfied customer of the small music shop.
Something nagged at Rory, and he closed his laptop to think about what it was. Bo Michaels must have dropped this receipt in the kitchen at some point. The receipt had been found wedged in the door to the secret tunnel, which could have only happened if the door had been opened some time since Bo had arrived at Rosewood Place. However, Bessie claimed that she hadn’t opened the door in quite some time, on account of spiders.
Rory rubbed his jaw, deep in thought. Someone must have opened the door, but who? He doubted that Bo would have known about the secret lever that opened the hidden door. Unless someone at the house had shown it to him, it would be unlikely that he’d even know the tunnel existed. Maybe Annie had opened it. It wasn’t likely--she disliked the dark, narrow tunnel--but it wasn’t impossible. He made a mental note to ask her about it in the morning, then he put the receipt in his desk drawer and grabbed his book so he could read in bed for a while.
***
While Rory had been playing detective, Annie found herself playing cards, first with her mother, then alone, and finally with the very charming Bo Michaels. Mr. Michaels had ‘conveniently’ arrived after Bessie had retired for the evening, but Annie suspected that it hadn’t been as much of a coincidence as he’d led her to believe.
She’d seen Bessie pestering the poor man with questions when he came down for dinner earlier. Although her
mother was the best cook in all of Coopersville, she was horrible at being subtle. Her questions about Bo’s love life were clumsy and almost inappropriate, but even worse was the fact that Annie was certain that Bo thought Bessie was trying to get the man interested in Annie.
When he appeared in the sitting room late in the evening, Annie welcomed him politely and offered to leave him her deck of playing cards. She really had no plans to entertain any of the guests, and if truth be told, she probably had a few tasks she really ought to tackle for her business, but the man was charming. He asked her to stay, so she did, and found herself playing gin rummy with him until far too late in the evening.
Greed & Deadly Deceit Page 6
