“Come in,” came a gruff voice.
I wafted in behind Bradford as he pushed through the door and into the office. I noticed the chief’s face, and bloodshot eyes looked dog tired and put off. Chief Nichols indicated the chair facing his desk. I perched on the edge of the desk facing both men.
“You have no jurisdiction here,” he growled. “However, I know you and the Claiborne woman had a thing before you left town so I guess I can allow you a little leeway. But don’t get in my way, Bradford. This is a simple case of clumsy fingers pushing the wrong button.”
Bradford’s eyes narrowed. “Did you just say it was a case of hospital negligence? If so, I’m sure the family would be mighty interested in your assessment. I’ve seen lawsuits filed for less.”
“I said no such thing, Bradford. Don’t put words in my mouth or I’ll kick your sorry ass out of here. I warn you, this is an ongoing investigation, and I’ll brook no interference from you.”
“You’re right. I don’t have jurisdiction, but I know plenty of people who do, Chief.” Bradford took off his Stetson and held it in both hands, his eyes never leaving Nichols’ stern face. “I’m not leaving here until I’m satisfied there’s no foul play involved. I can make myself a pain in your ass. I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again if it produces results.”
“That shiny new police chief’s badge has gone to your head, Bradford. I’d be careful of what I say if I were you.”
Bradford leaned forward. “I didn’t come here to box words with you, Chief. I’m here because someone I care deeply for was severely injured in a drive-by shooting on the day of her sister’s wedding. Add in the suspicious incident at the hospital, and you can see why I’m concerned for her safety. As a matter of fact, I would appreciate it if you placed an officer in her room as a safeguard. Someone like Diamond Pressley. She’s familiar with Jolene and her family, and capable of deterring any further accidents.”
Chief Nichols stretched backward and put his hands behind his head. “What do you know that I don’t?”
Bradford dodged the question. “I’m interested in seeing the hospital security footage.”
“Anyone, in particular, you’re looking for?”
“Yeah, someone of interest.”
“And who would that be?” His mouth twisted into a sardonic grin.
“Lilith Lacewell.”
His grin vanished, and his brows drew down in thought. “Seems I’ve heard that name before. On a recent incident report. Hmmm, and I believe it involved the Claiborne woman’s place of business.” He sat up and leaned forward over his desk. “Let me check the computer files.” The computer keyboard clicked several times. “Ah, yes, here it is. Officers Rivers and Ballard responded to a call last Friday morning at the salon. The report states that a heavy speaker fell from a top-shelf narrowly missing an employee’s head.”
“That employee was Jolene’s mother, Annie Mae Tucker.”
Chief Nichols shifted his gaze from the computer screen to Bradford. “And according to the report, Lilith Lacewell is the one who pushed Mrs. Tucker out of the way, thereby saving the woman’s life.” He sat back. “Now tell me why you suspect a Good Samaritan of sabotage? Seems to me the Tucker family would be indebted to Miss Lacewell, not looking to pin a crime on her. This only proves the opposite. I need solid evidence of intent to harm before I investigate an upstanding citizen like Lilith Lacewell.”
“I don’t have any solid evidence, Chief. That’s what I’m after.” Bradford twirled his hat. “On the hospital footage. Any indication of Miss Lacewell’s presence at the hospital at the time of the incident.”
Chief Nichols stared at Bradford in thoughtful silence, then said, “You were one of my best detectives, Bradford, and I’ve always felt you had the nose and instincts of a bloodhound. So, although there’s no evidence to support your suspicions, I’m going to go with my gut and allow you in on the investigation.”
Bradford slipped on his Stetson. “Thanks, Chief. You won’t regret your decision.”
“However,” the chief began, and Bradford, halfway out of his seat, sank back down in the chair. I hovered over the computer screen to read the officer’s report on Mama’s run-in with the Devil’s playmate.
“Detective Pressley won’t be playing nursemaid. I’ve given her this case, and I expect you to respect her position. You can teach her a lot, but I want her to take the lead. I’ll dispatch Officer McMillian to the hospital when she comes in for her shift. She’s my newest recruit and can use the experience. Pressley comes on duty at seven, and since there’s little you can do at this hour, you can start then. Now, get out of here so I can get some shuteye. You might consider doing the same. You look jetlagged.”
“Not a bad suggestion, Chief.” Bradford stood and without a backward glance strode out of the chief’s office and down the hall to the front desk.
“Thanks for all your help,” he told Officer Middleton. “I’ll be back at seven.”
I followed him out of the station and to his car. Behind the wheel, he released a tired sigh. “The chief is right. It’s time for a little shuteye.” He fired up the engine and turned his rented sedan towards the farm, and I headed back to Dixieland Salon for a much needed R&R. Diamond’s shift began in five hours, and I wanted to be fresh and alert when I joined their investigation into my attempted murder.
****
Some habitual lifestyle habits follow you into the afterlife. Like oversleeping. The morning sun casts long golden rays through the front plate glass window when I roused myself out of a zombie-like coma and wafted through the facial room door into the hallway. Since the shop was closed on Mondays, Scarlett and I had the place to ourselves. No worries of disturbing or frightening any clients and renewing the rumors of hauntings.
How ironic that I was now the haunter of my own beauty shop.
I yawned several times and cast an envious eye at the kitchen door. My caffeine addiction had me hog-tied this morning, and I knew I shouldn’t, but I willed myself present and made a pot of coffee. I had just finished my first cup when Scarlett drifted through the door. She frowned and folded her arms.
“I assume you have a reasonable explanation for your physical manifestation? Saint Peter warned you of the consequences of such actions. You may live to regret it.”
“Shut up, Scarlett.” I went over to the counter and poured another cup. “I have five minutes to feed the beast, and that’s what I intend to do. Let me deal with the consequences. It is my body, you know, and I retain the right to choose.”
“Aren’t we grumpy this morning?”
I sat down at the table and cupped the warm mug with both hands. “I overslept,” I said as an explanation for my moodiness. “And I’m tired of being a ghost—a shadow of my former self. I want my life back.”
“I felt the same way when I woke up dead, but you’re lucky. Heaven is giving you another chance at life.”
“Yeah, and I’m grateful.” I sipped down my second cup. Three minutes left. I poured another cup.
“I’d take it easy if I were you,” Scarlett pointed out. “You’re going to be bouncing off the walls with all that caffeine streaming through your bloodstream.”
“In three minutes I’ll be a ghost,” I reasoned. “Give me three minutes, Scarlett. Three measly minutes of peace, while I finish my coffee, is all I ask. When I revert, you can resume your harassment.”
“Deal,” she said as she settled down across the table opposite me. “Now fill me in on your adventures with Detective Delectable.”
I gave her a brief outline of last night’s events. “I plan to tag along with them, Scarlett. I’m fairly certain Bradford will want to interview Lilith, and I want to hear what she has to say. I’d like you to come with us. For backup security. Man, you’re awesome with a sword.”
She beamed at me. “Let’s hope the Powers That Be take note of my expertise. I’d like to move up the ranks until someday I might achieve the status of guardian angel to a new human ent
ering the world. That’s the highest position in Heaven, you know.”
“No, I didn’t. And I didn’t realize you wanted to watch over a child.”
“I never had the chance to be a mother. This is the next best thing.”
“It’s a hard, demanding job, but rewarding too. Geez, I’m sorry, and I sincerely hope you achieve your goal. You’d be a great guardian angel.”
She was silent a moment, and then said, “Really? Do you honestly believe I am worthy?”
“I sincerely do, Scarlett.” I gulped down the last of the coffee, placed the mug in the sink, and switched off the pot as I began to lose my solid form. “My time’s up for now. Let’s get moving, girlfriend. We have a ghost to bust.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Talk about corny, Jolene. You’re unimaginative and unoriginal.”
“And you’re a phony with those store-bought boobs,” I countered good-naturedly. “C’mon, let’s track down Bradford and Diamond and join the investigation. I have a feeling this situation is coming to a head.”
“Wait, how’s your arm and ankle? I’m good, but not that good.”
I flexed my shoulders and ankle. “Doable.”
Together we zoomed out of the salon and down to the police station to find Bradford and Diamond getting into an unmarked police cruiser.
“Let’s hitch a ride in the backseat,” Scarlett suggested. “There’s a nip in the air this morning, and I’m cold. Please, I promise to keep quiet.”
Her reasoning appealed to me, so we slipped into the backseat and waited as Bradford and Diamond buckled their seatbelts.
“Let’s hope you’re wrong about Lilith Lacewell,” Diamond said. “I’d much rather think hospital negligence is to blame for Jolene’s near-death than a competitor attempting murder. The security tapes I’ve viewed don’t lead me to believe it was foul play. Although the tapes do confirm Miss Lacewell was in the hospital at the time of the incident, she was nowhere near ICU. I believe we’re barking up the wrong tree, but I’m willing to look into every possible lead, Sam.” She put the car into reverse and backed out of her assigned parking space.
“Head over to Lilith’s shop,” Bradford directed. “She should be there working with Roddy Hazard, the contractor. I’m sure she won’t mind answering a few questions.”
Diamond made a right onto Main Street. “How long are you stayin’ in Whiskey Creek, Sam?”
“Until it’s time to go.”
“Still keeping matters close, I see.”
“Only way to survive, Diamond, you know that. Or you should know by now.”
“I’m a slow learner, Sam. Always have been. Look how long it’s taken me to make detective. And I wouldn’t have without your help. I’d still be a patrol officer if you hadn’t taken an interest in me.”
“I know talent when I see it.”
Diamond parallel-parked in front of Lilith’s shop, Shear Indulgence. “I suppose you want to take the lead?”
Bradford nodded. “No, you start, and I’ll jump in if necessary. You know what to do. I taught you well.”
They both climbed out of the cruiser, and Scarlett and I wafted through the car to the sidewalk.
“Time for a little wake-up call for ole sulfur breath,” I told her. “Keep your sword ready, Scarlett. Lilith doesn’t play fair, so expect the unexpected. Plus watch out for her demon companions. They’ll surely be lurking nearby.”
“Do you think your plan will work?”
“What plan? I’m all out of ideas. I’m winging it.”
From the sidewalk, I spotted Roddy’s tall form through the plate glass window. He was perched high on a ladder installing retail shelving above what looked to be a reception desk. A couple of his crew were also clearly seen through the glass in various stages of construction.
Diamond rattled the doorknob. Locked. She rapped on the glass, and one of the men opened the door.
“Sorry, but the salon isn’t open for business,” he said. All work ceased as the men turned to look at the interruption.
Diamond flashed her badge. “That’s okay, we’re here on business. Is the owner in?”
Scarlett nudged me. “I’m going to scope out the back. You stay here with them.”
I gave her an approving nod as I wafted over to Bradford’s side. By this time Roddy had climbed down the ladder and stood in the opened doorway. He extended his hand to Bradford, and said, “Good to see you again, Sam. Billie Jo said you’d arrived. I’m sorry I haven’t had time to look you up.” He jerked his head toward the shop interior. “Work and all, you know.” He turned to his crew. “It’s okay, guys. Get back to work. I’ll take care of this. Oh and Andy, see if Miss Lacewell is in the back room.”
The men turned back to their task in progress, and immediately the noise of construction resumed. Roddy stepped back so they could enter. I wafted in behind them. “What’s this about, Sam?” He hollered over the noise. “Jolene was still in serious condition this morning when Billie Jo called the hospital. Has something changed?”
Bradford shook his head and yelled over the racket. “She’s holding her own. We’re here on other business.”
Lilith chose that moment to waltz out of the back room like Miss America in her victory walk after receiving the crown. Work halted, and all eyes fastened on her. Dressed in a form-fitting orange sweater dress and matching heels, she oozed sexuality and vivacity as she slinked toward us. Her amethyst eyes, alive and lusty, touched on Roddy, and then rested on Bradford. A slow, sensuous smile parted those full, tempting lips.
She moved closer to Bradford and offered her hand. “I can’t imagine a nicer surprise than to see you again, Sam.” Lilith's eyes caressed his tall form, and then settled on me with waves of cosmic radiation and contamination, but I didn’t back down. I met her knowing gaze with determination and a silent challenge only we could discern.
Bradford slipped his Stetson from his head and took her hand. “I see you’re getting ready for your grand opening.” He dropped her hand and placed his hand on Roddy’s shoulder. “Hazard’s Construction is the best in town, Lilith, so I know you’ll be pleased with his work. Roddy and his wife, Billie Jo, are good friends. However, Detective Pressley and I are here on official business. Do you suppose we could talk in private?”
Ever so slightly her phony expression shifted, and I tensed as the beast within grew angry and suspicious. Only those attuned to the spiritual world could sense the gathering force of darkness. The air crackled with tension until Diamond stepped forward and flashed her badge.
“I would appreciate your cooperation, Miss Lacewell. You can answer a few questions here or downtown. Here would be faster.”
Lilith recovered in an instant and turned a fragile, distressed look at Roddy. His eyes glazed over, and his jaw clenched. Damn, my suspicions were correct. My brother-in-law was bewitched and well on his way to falling into Lilith’s destructive trap, and I was helpless to prevent it.
“What’s this about?” he burst out, his tone sharp with challenge. “You have no right to come in here and harass Lilith.” His face flushed with vulnerability as he fought the unseen tentacles tightening around him and drawing him to Lilith’s outstretched hand.
Bradford grabbed him. “Get a grip, man. What the hell is the matter with you? Interfering with a police investigation? This isn’t like you, Roddy. You’ve got a wife and family to think about.” He jerked his head toward the front door. “You and your crew need to clear out of here until we’re finished.”
Roddy shook himself free of Bradford’s grip. A muscle flicked at his jaw as he stared hard at Bradford. Tension cloaked the room, but Roddy jerked his head toward the door. “C’mon, guys, let’s take a break.” He started for the door but stopped and said over his shoulder, “We’ll be back in half an hour, Miss Lacewell.”
Worry congealed in my limbs as I watched Roddy and his crew exit the shop and climb into their work vehicles and drive off. The situation was grave, and unless someone stopped her, Lilith wo
uld destroy Billie Jo’s family.
Diamond’s rich, contralto voice interrupted my thoughts. “We only have a few questions for you, Miss Lacewell, concerning your relationship with Jolene Claiborne.” She looked up from her notepad.
“Jolene and I had a strained relationship,” Lilith responded in a stiff tone. “She didn’t like me from our first introduction, but I feel certain jealousy is the root problem. I run into that a lot around older woman. Thankfully, the rest of the family didn’t reflect her negative view. Especially after I saved Annie Mae from what could’ve been a nasty accident.”
“Yes, I’ve read the report.” Diamond made a notation on the notepad. “So, besides the one incident involving Annie Mae Tucker, can you recall any further confrontations between you and Miz Claiborne?”
“No, none that I can recall.”
“A member of the family is certain Jolene suspected you of displaced interest in Roddy Hazard. Miz Claiborne expressed to this family member of your intentions to destroy the marriage and the man out of revenge. Is there any truth to that statement?”
She directed her answer to Bradford. “No truth whatsoever. I’m fond of Billie Jo, and I can’t imagine why Jolene would tell such a lie.”
Bradford remained quiet and allowed Diamond to continue her questioning.
“It’s been confirmed by the hospital security tapes that you were in the hospital at the time of Miz Claiborne’s incident with the ventilator.”
“I was there.” A quiver of a smile touched her lips.
“For what purpose?”
“I witnessed the shooting and wanted to express my support for the family. However, before I reached the ICU waiting room, I realized the family would be too distraught for visitors. I then promptly left the hospital.”
“So you never made it to the second floor?” Diamond narrowed her eyes.
“Well, I’m sure you already know that I did.” The smile widened. “And I’m sure the security tapes attested to me getting off the elevator and returning just after a few steps down the corridor from the waiting room. I’m sorry, Detective Pressley for wasting your time. I have no beef with Jolene. Now, if you don’t have any further questions for me, I’ll get back to work on my grand opening. Great seeing you again, Sam. Stop by later when you’re alone so we can renew our acquaintance without an audience.”
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