A Frosty Mug of Murder (The Grumpy Chicken Irish Pub Series Book 1)

by Constance Barker

  I complied with her request and once I was standing next her, Ida looked around to see who might overhear what she was about to say. When she was happy we were isolated enough to talk, she whispered, “I found something we should have known by now. But get this, Robert and Donna eloped last week.”

  I smacked my forehead. “Ginger Nicole O’Mallory, you foolish girl! How could I be so dumb.”

  Ida just stared at me. “Why are you mad at yourself?”

  “Amber was real upset just outside the crime scene. She even seemed to be mad at Robert. If she knew they just got married, she knew he would be suspect number one. Her reaction was telling us that they were recently married if I just paid attention. And if Robert married Donna, he would be in line for a large inheritance if she died. That’s a motive.”

  Ida hushed me, and whispered, “Not so loud. But we know now, so what do we do?”

  “This is big, I have tell Aunt Mae. Everything is pointing to Robert. This is a blockbuster. Are you sure about this?”

  “Sure. I found the marriage certificate in Savannah. Seems everyone thought they went to Savannah about ten days ago to do some business there, but they were eloping and got married there.”

  “I need you to keep looking for Robert’s phone records. Would it help speed up the search if we just focus on him?”

  “Sure, I can turn off all the other searches. But do we really want to do that?”

  “Yes. But we can discuss our options with Piper too if it makes you feel better.”

  Ida chuckled. “She is in your office right now scolding herself a lot harder than you did. She can’t believe she missed it either. And she told me to ask you what we should do next.”

  “Like I said, we tell Mae. The police need to know this.”

  “Okay, but you got a lot going on with this fair today. You want me to go find Mae?”

  “No. I need to do it. We’re family and it will be easier for me to tell her.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  It was now mid-afternoon and I tried my Aunt Mae’s cell phone, twice, but she didn’t answer. So I needed help to find Deputy Owens fast. I heard Guardrail, Dog Breath, and Digger bickering as usual in the kitchen. I think it was something about why chlorophyll made leaves and grass green and not some other color. After the whiteboard incident, it seemed everyone was obsessed with the color green. I moved into the kitchen with them and chose to just ignore their bantering to get to the point. “Gentlemen, I need your help finding my Aunt Mae. It’s real important that we find her and I have to speak with her, right now.”

  Guardrail replied, “Gentlemen? That must mean you really need us. But it shouldn’t be too hard. The fair means everyone will be hanging out on Main Street. But why don’t you just call her?”

  I replied, “I did, she didn’t answer. Mae is investigating the murder and who knows what she is digging into and where she is. But I really need you to find her. Oh and by the way, if you come across the Sheriff, don’t tell him what you're doing. Okay? He’s not too keen about our efforts to help with the investigation.” All three of them nodded and headed out to find Mae.

  I needed to search too, but first I went back to the sidewalk out front and checked our tables to make sure we were up and running and contributing to the fair. Then I scanned the nearby area, looking for Edith and Lily. The two spinsters were likely perusing Main Street to inspect the various booths and stations of the fair. I spotted their neatly groomed gray hair across the street talking to Velma Harris who runs the local sandwich shop.

  I crossed the street and they saw me coming. They finished with Velma and started slowly down the sidewalk to meet me. Edith was smiling and said, “What a beautiful day for a fair. The art in the new place is, let’s say, unusual. I’m not sure who would buy paintings like that with all those weird images and colors, but they sure have a lovely day for the first day of business.”

  I didn’t want to appear too desperate so I let her finish with the snipe. Then I said, “Ladies, I need your help.”

  Lily perked up, “Oooo, must have something to do with the murder. Is there news? We were just on our way to the pub to see if Ida found anything else.”

  “Yeah, there’s news. Robert and Donna eloped last week. So they were married at the time of her murder. I need to find my Aunt Mae and let her know. This means Robert stands to inherit Donna’s money, and with the amount of money involved, he might have a strong motive to want her dead.”

  Lily gasped, “Oh my, I can’t believe he actually put a ring on the black widow.”

  I added, “Yeah, Robert may not be the proper gentleman you think he is.”

  Edith sputtered, “That’s impossible!”

  “He married Donna for sure. Ida found the marriage certificate.”

  Lily shook her head no. “Well that’s just terrible news. I’m so disappointed.”

  I felt bad for the two ladies. They were genuinely shocked and Lily clearly had a crush on the man. “Please, I need your help to find my Aunt Mae. She needs to know so the police can use this information.”

  Edith took a reassuring tone. “I’m so displeased, but we will help you, dear. You know we will always help you.”

  “Thank you. Can you ladies look in the shops on this side of the street?”

  “Sure.”

  “And if you run into the Sheriff, don’t let him know what you’re doing or what you know. He wants us to stay out of this and will be mad if he thinks we’re messing in his investigation. But this is an important piece of information that I need to get to Aunt Mae.”

  “We know. And the Sheriff is at the fair, dear. We saw him earlier; he looked tired. We’ll tell him nothing about what we’ve found.”

  “Thank you. I have the boys looking for Aunt Mae too, so we have multiple teams looking. We should be able to find her pretty quick. Let me know immediately if you do find her. Call me on my cell phone.”

  “Will do, dear.”

  I left to head for the police station. The boys and spinsters were checking the shops on Main Street. But the best place to look for a deputy was in her office at the police station. So I went to cover that base.

  But first, I started back to The Grumpy Chicken to tell Dixie and Piper where I was going. However, I stopped short of my intended destination to see Guardrail, Dog Breath, and Digger talking with Star. No one knows what her real name is, but she runs the New Age shop next to the pub. Star was dressed in a tie died dress and outfitted with all sorts of costume jewelry. She was tiny and she looked pretty. The boys loved to be around her but they were never brave enough to actually go into her store. Things in the shop like crystal balls and tarot cards were just too strange for them. So it seemed that they took the rare opportunity to talk with the mystic outside on the sidewalk where it was safe. The only problem with that is they were chatting away the time instead of searching for my aunt.

  I made my way over to them and approached from behind. “Eh-hem! I thought you boys had a job to do?”

  Guardrail spun around, “Ginger! We’re looking. But we just took a little time to speak with Star.”

  “That’s nice. But did you forget, I need to find Mae, now?”

  Digger added, “Like Guardrail said, we’re looking. Just in our own way.”

  “Well, I need you check all the shops, not just Star’s. Okay?”

  I folded my arms and watched as they said their good day’s to Star. Then they moved on down the sidewalk. I looked across the street to see Lily and Edith checking the art store.

  Star asked, “How have you been Ginger?”

  “Good, thanks for asking. You?”

  “Fine. I know those boys would never be seen in my shop, but you should come by sometime for a crystal ball reading.”

  “I might just do that. But right now I need to find my Aunt Mae. Have you seen her?”

  “Early this morning. Saw her leave with a bag of donuts and cup of coffee from the waffle place.”

  “Thanks, Star. I don’t m
ean to be rude, but I need to get going. I need to find my aunt. If you see Mae, can you let her know I'm looking for her?”

  Star nodded, “Sure.”

  I smiled and waved goodbye to Star stopped to tell Ida and Piper what was going on and that I was headed to the police station. Then I headed out and made my way down the sidewalk. After only a couple of minutes, though, I threw my head back and moaned. The boys had stopped again. This time they were outside Grandma’s Diner, eating and talking to the owner, Mable Mirth. Mable had set up a substantial food service area in front of the old time diner and it was already pretty crowded.

  I scurried over to them for a second time. “Are you serious?”

  Guardrail slumped at the sound of my voice. He spun around and replied with a full mouth. “A man’s got to eat. And come on, we don’t always have deep fried gator being sold on the street.”

  Dog was trying to finish his corn dog without me seeing it, but didn’t do a very good job of hiding it. Then he gagged as he tried to eat it too fast. I asked him, “Did you swallow the stick?”

  Guardrail slapped him on the back and Dog spit out the offending bit on the sidewalk. Dog looked up at his big friend and said, “Did you have to hit me so hard?”

  Guardrail shrugged, “Have it your way. Next time I'll just let you choke.”

  “If you didn’t get sidetracked and just did what you’re supposed to be doing, no one would be choking. We need to find my aunt, now. Please?”

  Digger tried to respond but nothing beyond grunts and growls came out since his mouth was full with barbecue sandwich. I put my hands on my hips and must have had a stern look on my face because all three took that as a sign to leave and continue searching.

  Then I spotted Lily and Edith sitting on a bench outside the general store. They were under the large green awning that covers the front windows eating ice cream from the cart set up out front of the shop. I rushed over to them and said, “I thought you ladies would be more focused than the boys. Why are you sitting on a bench eating worthless calories and not out looking for Mae?”

  Lily didn’t look up but replied. “But, sweetie, we are looking. We’re just looking smart. We’re in our seventies, remember, and we can’t scurry around on the sidewalks like crazy women.” She then eyed me to let me know they had at least seen me making the rounds. “And we can see most of Main Street from here. So why not enjoy a little ice cream while we stand vigil?”

  I exhaled the air in my lungs followed by a new refreshing breath, then continued. “And have you seen her?”

  “No. We would have called you if we did.”

  I pointed out, “Then maybe this isn’t as good a method to look for Mae as you think?”

  Edith patted the seat next to her. “Deary, relax a little. You’re too worked up this afternoon. I think this murder investigation is getting to you. I haven’t seen you this bossy since your divorce.”

  At that moment, Sheriff Morrison walked up and stopped next to me. He leaned on one of the thick black painted lamp posts lining Main Street, causing the large ornate glass shade mounted on top to wobble a bit. He addressed us in his official, deep voice, “Hello ladies. I am sure we’re just talking about the street fair, and nothing else. Am I right?”

  I sheepishly replied, “Yes, of course.”

  He tipped his hat to the elderly sisters. “Good. Let’s keep it that way.”

  I nodded and said, “Ten-four. Message received loud and clear.”

  Sheriff Morrison walked off slowly and looked back at me over this shoulder once with a glaring look to emphasize how serious he was.

  After he was out of earshot, I continued, “Why does the Sheriff just show up at my side but I can’t find my own aunt? I tried her phone a number of times but just got her voice mail. So now I need to go down to the police station to see if she’s there. Please, can you two make the rounds and check the fair again to see if Mae is here while I go down to the station? We need to find her now. Alright?”

  “And we’re helping, dear. We’ll find her.”

  “Thank you.” Edith was right, I was a little worked up running back and forth on Main Street strip hunting for Aunt Mae. So I took another deep breath and refocused. I gave a weak wave goodbye to the two sisters who were still working on their ice cream and set out off the police station.

  I made it to the facility and went inside to find Eunice on the phone. She waved hello to me then held up an index finger. So I waited a minute. Eunice finished her call, hung up and said, “Are you looking for Mae?”

  “Yep. Is she here?”

  “No. But that was her on the phone. She had something to check out in Savannah, but she is on her way back. I told her you were here and she suggested you wait for her on the bench outside. You timing is good, she should be here in just a few minutes.”

  I said thanks and went outside to take a seat. And just like Eunice said, it wasn’t long before Aunt Mae returned to one of the parking spots out front. She was driving the lone police car owned by the town. Mae got out carrying a cardboard box that looked to be full of files. She plunked the box with a thud on the end of the bench then took a seat next to me. She put her arm around my shoulders giving me a kind of side hug and said, “Ginger, always so nice to see you. How were the buffalo wings the other night?”

  “We had a change of plans. I didn’t make them.”

  She sat up straight. “Oh, that’s too bad. Well, I hear you’ve been looking for me. What’s up?”

  “We learned something you should know. It may help with the murder investigation and you’re the only one I can tell.”

  “Sugar, I told you to stay out of this. But alright, what is so important that you have to come down here to tell me?”

  “I had to come down here. You weren’t answering your phone.

  Mae sighed. “I’ve been so busy with the murder, calling all over the state, chasing files and information. Sorry, honey. But I did see you called and was planning on coming by the pub later. But seems you couldn’t wait.”

  “This won't wait. Donna and Robert eloped. They got married last week.”

  Mae stared at me blankly while faintly shaking her head side to side. She finally said, “This is a dangerous thing you are messing with, honey. You need to let the police handle this. And Ginger, dear, I already know that. Got a copy of the marriage certificate in that file box right there. Just retrieved a fresh copy of it and interviewed the clerk that filled it out.” She pointed to the box on the end of the bench. “So see, leave it to us and let us do our job. I have a lot to do right now, but see you later sweetie.” Mae kissed me on the cheek and collected her file box. Then she entered the police station and went back to work, leaving me alone and embarrassed on the bench.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I took a brief respite on the bench outside the police station by folding my arms, throwing my head back, and closing my eyes. I was tired and humiliated that Mae already knew about Robert and Donna. In theory, I did the right thing telling her. But after thinking about it, I should have known the police would find out about their marriage. I was being silly to think we were helping.

  I wondered about everything that transpired, including the weird occurrences in the pub. What did the ‘R’ floating on the green brining chicken wings mean? And what were those strange blank spaces that formed ‘R’ and ‘H’ on the computer screen right after the second time the lights went funny? Were these references to Robert Harlow? And the whiteboard highlighted his name seemingly on its own. How could that be? And the word ‘secret’ also appeared, glowing green in a weird dent. Could that mean their elopement was a secret, leaving Robert in line to inherit a large amount of money? Was the grumpy chicken really trying to tell me it was Robert?

  Was I losing my mind? I’ve heard every story there is to tell about the chicken ghost while growing up. But could the tales be real? And was all this to just tell me something? Or was it really the fuse box and I own a business that is getting ready to have
an electrical fire?

  Then my phone rang. It was Ida and she was talking fast. I had to stop her and request that she start over. She repeated, more slowly this time. “I found a plane ticket out of Savannah! Robert has a plane ticket out of the country to the Cayman Islands. It looks like he is planning to run.”

  “Crap! He’s trying to Juliane Asange us! We have to keep him from leaving. I’m still at the police station, so I’ll tell Mae. When is he supposed to leave?”

  “Later tonight! He has a flight from Savannah to Charlotte, where he connects to the islands.”

  “Get everyone back to the pub. I’ll be there shortly after I tell Aunt Mae. I’ll see ya then!.” And I hung up before either of us could say goodbye.

  I sprinted back into the police station and I came in so fast it made poor Eunice jump as I blew past her on my way to Aunt Mae. I stopped just short of her desk and tried to catch my breath. I stammered, “Robert is running. He has a ticket to the Cayman Islands. And he’s leaving from Savannah later tonight.”

  Mae looked up, eyes wide. “Well there’s a barn burner that I didn’t know. How did you find this little nugget of knowledge? And are you sure?”

  “Ida found it and we’re sure. For now, please don’t ask me about how she found it. More important, if Robert is trying to run we have to stop him.”

  “I agree. But with the murder investigation and the street fair today, our force is spread thin. The Sheriff and Deputy Wise are working the event, but I think we should pull the Sheriff off that duty to help.”

  “Whatever we do, we need to move fast. We don’t have much time.”

  “Let me call him.” Mae pressed the talk button on her radio mic and called the Sheriff. “Kelly, glad I got you. Listen, Ginger tells me that they found a plane ticket for Robert Harlow to the Cayman Islands. And he is scheduled to leave today. Seems like we need to check it out and stop him if we can.”

  Mae put her hand on the small ear bud to hear better and nodded her head a couple of times, then said, “I understand. I will take care of this then. No problem. We were talking about bringing him in again anyway.”