Southern Fried Son of a Gun (A Willow Crier Cozy Mystery Book 4) (Willow Crier Cozy Mysteries)

by Lilly York

  He looked at his watch. “If you want to get in the library, this is probably your best bet.”

  She held up the oversized pair of fishing waders and gulped. She thought about Jordina waiting inside. She thought about Clancy, a war hero, no longer among the living. She thought about sweating off some of the Jell-O attached to her thighs. “OK. I’ll do it.”

  Willow gingerly inserted her foot into waders. She cried out in pain a few times but doggedly persisted. The other foot was easy going and before she knew it, she was chest high in rubber pants with suspenders. She was so thankful she did not have a mirror handy. She did not want to know how ridiculous she looked. Ignorance was bliss.

  Mrs. Peterson held the door open wide. “Now, that wasn’t too hard, was it?” She waddled alongside Willow and made small talk, like visiting the library in a pair of waders was an everyday occurrence.

  Willow entered the library slowly, the squeak of the rubber with each step gave her pause. The quiet of the library accentuated the rubber meeting rubber sound which was hard to avoid.

  Mrs. Peterson turned and put her finger to her lips. “Shhh… This is a library.”

  Willow stopped. “Really?” She said without lowering her voice.

  Mrs. Peterson pursed her lips, then continued walking.

  As the small group progressed, Willow felt her face heating up. Each person they passed stopped what they were doing and stared at her. Some giggled. Some pointed. Most had an expression that begged an explanation. Some even asked, “Was the bathroom flooding? Did the sewer back up? Was there some sort of fishing demonstration planned for this evening? If so, which room?”

  Steve was doing everything he could to avoid laughing. If the teeth marks left on his index finger were any indication of just how difficult that was, well, his task was nearly impossible. When Willow told one group of ladies she’d already lost an inch off each thigh and perhaps they should give it a go, he busted. He could no longer hold it in.

  Willow didn’t bother looking at Steve. She kept her head held high, as well as those size 12 boots— those required giant purposeful steps or she would have been tripping over her own bandaged foot which would have in turn assured the library patrons quite the show. One giant rubber duck, at your service.

  Chapter 8

  Willow wondered if Jordina would show. After all this, she truly hoped so. She made her way to the mysteries and found Agatha Christy—their agreed upon meeting place—and perused the titles. She heard a small voice clear behind her. Steve was standing in the next aisle over. Willow had convinced him Jordina might talk more freely if he wasn’t directly part of the conversation.

  Willow turned around. “Jordina, you made it.”

  She nodded. The fact that the girl didn’t look twice at Willow’s get up proved she was worried beyond reason.

  Willow raised her eyebrows. “You asked me to meet you. Was it to explain what you said at the gun range?”

  Jordina’s eyes filled with tears. “Mrs. Crier, my grandpa killed Clancy. I don’t know what to do.”

  “How do you know he killed him? And why would he want him dead?” She inserted, “And please, call me Willow. Mrs. Crier was my mother.”

  Tears were staining the beautiful young woman’s cheeks. “Clancy didn’t earn that Medal of Honor, not really. My grandpa saved those men in Vietnam, not Clancy. By the time Grandpa was able to report what had happened, Clancy had already taken credit. He had been presumed dead and was in a hospital, in a coma, and no one knew who he was. By the time Grandpa woke, Clancy had already been heralded as a hero. When Grandpa confronted him, Clancy asked him who they were going to believe, a white man or black man, then he laughed. My grandpa knew he was right. They weren’t going to believe him. He always said in his heart he knew what really happened and that Clancy got his reward here on Earth and he would get his in heaven.”

  “If that was really his attitude then why do you think, after all this time, he wanted revenge now? And why was he and Clancy even friends? That doesn’t make sense.”

  Jordina wiped her eyes. “I don’t know why, but it has to be him.” She glanced down the row of books. “They weren’t friends. Grandpa always says, ‘keep your friends close, and keep your enemies even closer.’ That would make him an enemy, right?”

  Willow wondered. She’d spent time with Clancy. While he pretended to be modest about his Medal of Honor, he wasn’t too modest. If prodded he had no problem sharing his bravery. The vivid description of exactly what happened, and the fact that he told the same story with no deviation, pretty much gave credence to his account. But, if he had witnessed what happened, he would have just as detailed information as if he had been involved. “I don’t know. I think we need to speak with your grandfather. He’d be the one to shed some light on the whole situation.”

  Jordina put her hand on Willow’s arm. “Do we have to? He’s the only family I have. When my parents died, he took me in and raised me. What’s he going to think? That I would turn on him?”

  Willow smiled. “No, he wouldn’t expect anything less of you. He raised you to be trustworthy and truthful, to have values and morals. He would probably be upset if you hadn’t come to us.”

  Jordina looked around. “Us?”

  Steve walked around the corner. “Hi Jordina. We met briefly the other day. I’m Steve.”

  She nodded then looked at Willow inquisitively.

  “He wouldn’t bring me if I didn’t let him listen in. Besides, it’s his job and I have to do the right thing too.” She shrugged.

  “Jordina, we’ll do everything we can for your grandfather. He sounds like a good man. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

  She pulled a piece of yellowed newspaper from her pocket. “I found this in Grandpa’s room. I thought you should see it.” She turned to leave.

  “Jordina?” Willow called after her.

  “Yes?”

  “What were you doing at Clancy’s cabin?”

  Jordina’s face paled. “How did you know about that?”

  Willow remained quiet.

  “I…I…” She stuttered, “I just wanted to see if there was any evidence incriminating my grandfather. That’s all.” She turned and quickly left.

  Willow turned to Steve. “Well, what do you think?”

  “I think we have more questions than we do answers. Before we go searching for them, we need to get something to eat. I’m starving.”

  Willow squeaked her way back through the library and climbed into the passenger seat of Steve’s truck. “I’m going to take my pain pills as soon as I get something to drink.”

  An hour later, after their stomachs were full and Willow’s pain pills were giving her cause to smile again, she settled into her recliner.

  Within minutes, Embry and Marshall popped in. Embry’s smile nearly blinded Willow. She glanced at her watch. “Hi, Marshall, what brings you out tonight?”

  Marshall immediately dropped to one knee. “Ms. Crier, do I have your permission to marry your daughter?”

  Embry cleared her throat and Marshall turned to look at her. She was indicating he should stand up, with both her eyes and her hands.

  “Oh, oh, yes, I’m sorry.” He quickly stood up and re-asked the question. “I would like to marry your daughter. Do we have your blessing to get married?”

  Willow looked from her daughter to Marshall and back again. She was thankful she’d taken two pain pills. She stood up and hugged her daughter to her and whispered. “Is this what you want?”

  Embry pulled back and with tears, nodded.

  Willow kissed her cheek. “Then congratulations, my sweet girl. I’m so happy for you!” She turned to Marshall. “Looks like I’ll finally have a son. Yes, you have my blessing.”

  Chapter 9

  Steve left after congratulating the engaged couple. Marshall followed shortly thereafter. Embry giggled. “Mom, I’m getting married. Can you believe it?” She held out her hand. “Look. Isn’t it beautiful?”

&nb
sp; Willow held her daughter’s delicate hand in her own and gazed at the beautiful diamond engagement ring. “Oh honey, it’s just gorgeous.”

  Even loopy Willow enjoyed spending the evening listening to Embry share all her ideas about the wedding. They would have so much to do. The young couple wanted to marry in just over a year. It seemed so far off but in reality, they would just have enough time to get everything planned. They wandered from one topic to the next, landing on the reception and the food.

  Yawning, Embry asked, “Speaking of food, have you perfected your fried chicken recipe yet for the state fair contest?”

  Willow nodded her head. “Almost. I’ve got a little more prep work to do. I can’t believe that we’re getting so close. Next weekend already.” She picked up her notebook. “I’ve pretty much got all the ingredients tweaked, just a couple more run-throughs and I’ll be good to go.” She looked up. “You’re coming, right?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She yawned again. “You ready for bed?”

  “Yeah, and you don’t have to sleep in my bed tonight. You really don’t have to stay at all. I can manage now without ‘round the clock care.”

  “I’m staying. One more night, just in case.” Embry jumped up. “I almost forgot.” She rummaged around in her overnight bag. “I brought you a present. When Steve texted me that picture of you in those waders, I stopped and picked up some open toe sandals.”

  “He didn’t!”

  “It was in your best interest, honest. He asked me if I had any sandals you could borrow so you wouldn’t have to wear rubber pants out and about.” She bent down and kissed Willow. “So, are you next?”

  Willow was confused. “Next?”

  “You and Steve. Are you next?”

  “Goodness no. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready to go down that road.”

  “Mom…” She smiled. “You’ll change your mind. I’m sure of it.” She kissed her mother on the cheek. “Sweet dreams. I know I will.”

  The next morning Willow was up and about before Embry. Probably too excited to sleep. Embry had the day off and Willow needed her daughter’s help, so she fried up some bacon then added sausage to the pan for gravy. “That’ll wake her up.” Willow had plans for the day and Embry played a big part in those plans. At least in the transportation department. She couldn’t drive on pain pills and no way was she going without. Not after the day before.

  The biscuits were nearly done before Embry came stumbling out of the bedroom. “This isn’t fair.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Was I being too loud?”

  “Yeah, right.” She breathed in the luscious southern breakfast food. “I guess there are worse ways to wake up.”

  Willow slid two scrambled eggs onto her plate.

  “Mom?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Not much. Just a chauffeur.”

  “I’ve been in that position before. I almost got run off the road and shot at, remember?”

  “This is different. I promise.”

  Embry rested her head in her hands then looked up. “Where are we going?”

  “Back to the scene of the crime.”

  Embry leaned back against the chair. “I should have known.

  Chapter 10

  Willow tried the doors of the building. “Locked.” She turned around and gave the “you’re in trouble” look to Embry who had refused to get out of the Jeep. “I’m the chauffeur, remember?” She mimicked her daughter’s reminder. Outside was all she was going to get. She’d have to be happy with that. I suppose, it wouldn’t be too smart to leave a gun range open willy-nilly.

  She trudged around to the back of the building. The police really had done a good job of collecting the evidence, even the cigarette butts were gone. Willow decided to expand her search. The woods behind the building would be a great hiding place if you were waiting for someone to step out for a smoke. She walked the perimeter.

  “Ah ha!” She bent down and picked up several cigarette butts from the ground just inside the trees. She wondered if they would be a match to any found on the scene. She put them in a little baggie— she’d grabbed several before leaving the house. She tried to remember who all went out back to light up. And who would know Clancy was a regular.

  Willow climbed in the passenger seat. “OK, onward my good chauffer.”

  Embry sighed. “I should be home looking at wedding magazines.”

  “Oh, you will be soon enough. We have a killer to catch.” Willow gave directions to Embry and sat back and closed her eyes. She only took one pain pill to avoid being put to sleep.

  “Mom, I think we’re here.”

  Willow opened her eyes. “Oh, yeah. Pull up there on the side of the road.”

  Embry did as she was told. “Now what?”

  “Now, we investigate. Birdie parked here and walked through the woods. I thought we’d follow her same steps.”

  “Why don’t we just pull in the driveway? It’s not like she was looking for anything out here.” She added. “Besides, you’re gimpy and you’re afraid of snakes. Did you see all the tall grass? You aren’t even wearing boots.”

  “You’ve got a point. The driveway it is.”

  Willow jiggled the door handle. She noticed Embry didn’t put up a fuss this time about getting out of the Jeep. Nosy girl. “It’s locked.”

  “And this surprises you?”

  “I guess not.” She walked around the perimeter of the house, trying to peek in windows. “Steve would know how to get in.” She muttered. She was looking in the back window and let out a yell. Standing on the inside waving to her was Embry. She ran around the front.

  “How did you get in?”

  Embry held up a key. “Steve gave it to me. He said it might keep you out of trouble.”

  “The nerve of that man. I can’t believe…” She paused. “…well, maybe I can. Let’s look around.”

  “Someone was going through his recipes.” Embry held the index card holder up.

  “That’s hardly reason to kill a man. There has to be something else.”

  Willow hobbled into the office. A scrapbook was on the desk so she leafed through the pages. Several pages had empty spots where something had been on display. She paused on a page with a much younger Clancy posing with a woman who looked like Birdie. Weird. Birdie is much younger than Clancy. She turned the page. She knew the local police were questioning each of the four suspects about their visit to Clancy’s cottage. She would love to see those reports.

  She opened what she thought was another scrapbook and instead she found his checkbook—one of those in a three ring binder. All the checks stubs had payee information and amounts except the last one. The check was missing and the stub was blank. “That’s weird. He seems to be meticulous in keeping track of his spending. Why wouldn’t he have recorded this check?”

  When Embry didn’t respond, she walked into the living room to see her hands raised in the air and a uniformed police officer with his gun drawn. Willow immediately stopped moving and put her hands up too. “Um, Sir, we have permission to be here.”

  The young police officer kept switching who he was pointing the gun at. “Just stay where you are. We’ll figure this out when back up arrives.”

  Willow started to sweat, just a little. Her gun was concealed in her purse. She didn’t want to freak the young police officer out any more than he already was but duty to reveal she had a firearm propelled her forward. “Officer, I have a gun in my purse.”

  “A gun?” He nearly shrieked. “Get down on the floor, both of you. Now.”

  Both Embry and Willow dropped to the floor. Willow tried to explain. “I have a permit. It’s in my wallet. If you’d just let me show you…”

  “I hope they lock you two up and throw away the key. To think you’d kill an American hero like that.”

  Willow glanced at Embry who was glaring at her. She mouthed, “What did I do?”

  By the time back up arrived, Wi
llow was lying on the floor facedown, handcuffed and Embry’s wrists were constrained with a zip tie.

  One of the higher ranking officers asked, “Parker, what have you done?”

  “Sir, she has a gun.”

  “Son, half the state of Oklahoma has a gun. Did she pull it on you?”

  “No, Sir. She told me she had a gun.” The perspiration beaded up on his forehead revealed just how nervous he was.

  “Take the cuffs off them and help them to their feet.”

  “But Sir…”

  “No buts about it, Parker. Do it.”

  The young officer undid the hand restraints and helped Willow and Embry to their feet. He mumbled under his breath and walked away.

  Willow muttered right back at him.

  “Sorry about that. He’s new to the force. I had him watching the house just in case another suspect showed up.” He looked at the rookie who seemed to be apologetic. “He wasn’t supposed to engage until back up arrived.” He turned back to Willow. “I guess his good intentions got the best of him. I’m guessing you’re Willow, Steve’s friend. Thanks for your help the other day. We couldn’t have narrowed down the suspects without your help.”

  Willow fought the urge to give the young cop a dirty look. “You’re welcome. I consider it my civic duty to help.” She showed him what they found.

  “We know who took the missing articles but, we missed the blank check. It could be something, or it might not. But, we’ll look into it. Did you find anything else?”

  “No, we didn’t have time. I’d like to look around a little bit more, if that’s OK with you.”

  “Sure go ahead.”

  “Did you find a copy of his will?”

  “Yes and no. We didn’t find it but we do have a copy— got it from his lawyer. Jason, his young employee, was set to inherit everything but Clancy made out a new will with his lawyer right before he was killed. You’ll never guess who inherits now.”

  “Who?”

  “Jordina, Abel White’s granddaughter. We have no idea why. It doesn’t exactly make sense.”