Vintage Whispers (A Cozy Retirement Mystery Book 1)

by riley blake

  “It is,” Pearl drawled, not helping at all.

  “Well I haven’t slept, ladies. And I’m not happy to be standing here now. Tell you what. Why don’t you girls decide if you’d like to become permanent residents here. In turn, I’ll think about whether or not I’ll let you stay. Deal?”

  Pearl looked frantic. “You can’t do that.”

  “Oh yes I can,” he said, crossing his arms. “I’m responsible for you. If something happens to you on my watch then I have to answer for it.”

  “He means he could get sued,” Opal explained.

  “Oh we wouldn’t do that,” Pearl said. “We left here of our own free will.”

  “Good. I’m glad to know there weren’t any ghosts from the past leading you astray.” He blew out a hard breath. “I’ve heard enough of that for one year.”

  “See there,” Opal said, grinning. “At least we aren’t seeing things or pretending to be someone we’re not.”

  “That’s debatable. Were you detectives, cops, or perhaps investigators in another lifetime?”

  “How’d you know?” Pearl asked, never cracking a smile.

  Dr. Smalls wasn’t amused. “Look ladies. You can’t wander around after curfew. It isn’t safe. I don’t mind to arrange transportation for you during normal business hours. However, we don’t have any drivers who roam the back roads.”

  “Perhaps you should hire Johnny,” Pearl suggested.

  “We’re not beer guzzlers under normal circumstances.” Mary Louise set the record straight. They didn’t drink much at all and they certainly didn’t throw back the booze with the local boys.

  “Good to know.”

  “Anything else?” Mary Louise asked.

  “That’s pretty much it.”

  “Fine. Goodnight.” She was so embarrassed. “Come on, girls. Let’s scoot.”

  “Sorry you had to worry with us tonight.”

  “What she said,” Opal added. “Goodnight, Dr. Smalls.”

  “Ladies.”

  ****

  “What were you doing at my farm tonight?” Clarence stepped beyond the shadows and met them at their pod entrance.

  Mary Louise jumped. “Clarence, what are you—”

  “Answer me,” he grated out.

  “Guess you’re the tattletale who keeps Dr. Smalls on speed dial.” Pearl crooked her finger back and forth. “You should be ashamed.”

  “You’re one to talk. You were trespassing and I want to know why.”

  Opal pointed at their living room as soon as Pearl moved aside. “Why don’t you come inside where we can talk in private?”

  “I can’t,” he said, snarling. “Rules.”

  “Well then we’ll talk to you in the morning,” Mary Louise said, prepared to slam the door in his face and hoping he’d let her.

  His hand landed between the wall and doorjamb and he pushed his way inside. A big guy, Clarence had always been a nice person. Regardless of his size, Mary Louise had never thought of him as intimidating. Tonight he was different. He pushed his way around her and immediately went to the sitting area.

  “Can we get you anything?” Pearl asked, flitting around nervously. “I could make you a grilled cheese, put on a pot of potato so—”

  He jerked at the mention of Samantha’s favorite foods. “You’ve been talking to Johnny.”

  “We see Johnny B from time to time,” Opal said, trying to cover. “He recently gave Pearl his recipe for a grilled cheese sandwich.”

  “There’s no special secret to it. He buys his bread from the local bakery, toasts it on both sides in melted butter and slaps a piece of American cheese in between the slices. What’s so hard about that?”

  “Pearl can’t cook,” Opal said, nervously wringing her hands.

  “Then how come she’s been teaching the sheriff how to make stews and casseroles and such?”

  “I wouldn’t eat anything from her table,” Opal said, catching a sneer from Pearl.

  “She’s entitled to her own opinions.”

  Mary Louise arched a brow and studied Clarence. He acted nervous, guilty. “Can we get you something to drink?” And she shouldn’t have made him feel comfortable. What if he killed his own wife? What if he had blood on his hands? What if…

  “You can answer my question. Why were you at my house tonight? I won’t ask again.”

  “Well, we thought we’d check in on you and see if you would like to come with us to…” Pearl frantically looked from Opal to Mary Louise. “To…”

  “You’re on your own, girlfriend,” Opal said.

  Mary Louise sat next to Clarence. “We were prowling. I know we shouldn’t have been but we were and we’re sorry.”

  “Prowling?” He took his time and scanned their faces. “What on earth for?” He seemingly relaxed.

  “We think your wife was murdered,” Opal said.

  Clarence stiffened again.

  “I know it sounds crazy, about like it sounds when you hear rumors about me and the sheriff, but it is what it is. She was murdered.” Pearl sat on the other side of the recent widower. “Oh Clarence. I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to trespass and we didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that Samantha was loved by everyone and when—”

  Opal cleared her throat. “Pearl? Stop talking.” It was pretty clear that Clarence didn’t want them on his property. “So you were out there tonight?”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “Then how did you know we were?”

  He abruptly stood, hesitated, and then stomped to the door. “Stay off my land or I’ll report it.” He glanced at Pearl. “I won’t mention this sort of behavior to your boyfriend. I’ll go above his head. Understand me?”

  “We’re sorry,” Mary Louise said.

  “You’re sorry you got caught,” he said. “Don’t go back there. I’m not asking.”

  As soon as Clarence left, Opal blurted, “Guess who just moved to the top of our list?”

  “Impossible,” Pearl argued. “He loved his wife.”

  “Loved her to death if you ask me.”

  “Doesn’t add up.”

  “I’m with Pearl on this one. He really doesn’t have a motive. She was dying.”

  “And she’d recently developed a friendship with Oscar.” Opal went to the kitchen, retrieved an avocado from the fridge, and pulled a paring knife from a nearby drawer. She sliced and peeled before adding, “I think he killed his wife in a fit of jealousy and then murdered Oscar for betraying his friendship.”

  “Samantha was a good woman. I’m not going to stand here and listen to this.” Pearl went to her room and slammed the door.

  “She doesn’t have the stomach for this.”

  “And what about you?” Opal popped an avocado chunk in her mouth. “This is good. Want some? It’s one of the healthiest foods you can eat.”

  “Not a favorite,” Mary Louise said, putting her hand up. “And I’m fine. I’d like to find out what happened. If we don’t help Johnny clear his name, it could ruin his business.”

  Opal walked in the living room and sat down. “So what should we do?”

  “My instincts tell me it wasn’t Oscar. I agree with Pearl. Samantha was a good person and I’ve never met anyone who loved a man more. She and Clarence seemed happy.”

  “She loved him all right,” Opal said, eating her fruit. “But what bothers me is what we witnessed tonight. Clarence turned into a vicious person. You saw how he acted. And you heard what he said. He threatened us!”

  “Which is why I called Sheriff Littleton,” Pearl admitted, rejoining them. “And guess what I found out?”

  Opal rested her elbow on the sofa’s back. “Clarence is his top suspect?”

  “No. Well, I don’t know about all that but Oscar wasn’t Samantha’s friend. Oscar Leonardo was Samantha’s brother.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Wow. I guess we followed the wrong rabbit into the meadows. Didn’t we?”

  “Stop it. You sound like Pearl,” Opal said, tucking he
r feet underneath her.

  “Do you think Johnny knew and just didn’t say anything?”

  “That would mean he’s trying to hide something.” Opal must’ve realized Johnny looked like a viable contender on the suspect list. “Nothing gets by Johnny. If he stayed with Clarence and Samantha then he should’ve known Samantha and Oscar were siblings.”

  “Maybe they just found out,” Pearl suggested. “Oscar uprooted his family and moved here from New York City. He was a designer. Kelly worked in a Manhattan art gallery. A move to Tennessee at the height of their careers doesn’t seem like a great idea. What if he discovered he had a sister and wanted to live near family? That’s practical. That happens.”

  “You’re sure about this?” Opal asked.

  “Sheriff Littleton has been interviewing neighbors.”

  “Any chance you’ll stop calling him Sheriff Littleton? The man bakes in your kitchen, remember.”

  “I’ll miss our time together but we aren’t a love match. I’m not anyone’s love match. All I want now are a few lazy days on the big porch downstairs. Sounds like an ideal situation for someone who has been married four times.”

  “Eight,” Mary Louise and Opal said together.

  “Four of those don’t count because I married and divorced the same man several times.”

  “Then two of mine don’t count because they both cheated and left me.”

  “They only count when they matter,” Opal said, settling any potential dispute.

  “So if Oscar was Samantha’s brother, where does that leave the investigation?” Pearl asked.

  “It doesn’t look too good for Johnny,” Opal said.

  Pearl narrowed her eyes. “I knew he had the potential to be dangerous.”

  “And the pendulum will swing,” Opal teased.

  Mary Louise yawned. “The more I think about it, Clarence made himself look guilty tonight.” Now she was that swinging pendulum.

  “Told you he had a killer’s swing.”

  “And who was out at the barn tonight?” If only they had stuck together. Maybe then they would’ve been able to get a good look at the driver. “Clarence couldn’t have been two places at one time.”

  “It was Clarence. No one just happened to call him,” Pearl said.

  “You do realize you keep bouncing back and forth between Clarence and Johnny B? What about Kelly? Oscar’s wife seemingly had more motive than anyone.”

  “Not really,” Mary Louise said. “I’m sure she knew Oscar and Samantha were siblings.”

  “True,” Opal said, joining the undecided group.

  “I have an idea,” Pearl said. “Let’s go see Kelly.”

  “You want to go talk to the woman who may have killed her husband?” Opal asked, staring at her blankly.

  “We’ve talked to Johnny, Sheriff Littleton, and Clarence. Why not stop in and visit with the woman who likely benefited most from Oscar’s death?”

  “I don’t buy it. What would she gain by killing Oscar and Samantha?” Mary Louise asked, wishing they hadn’t gotten involved. She enjoyed reading murder mysteries and loved watching crime drama movies but this mystery was a little too close to home.

  “So what do you want to do?” Pearl asked.

  “Sleep.” Mary Louise dragged her tired bones from the chair without glancing back at her friends. “Don’t wake me for breakfast.”

  ****

  Mary Louise awoke to the scratchy-hiss sound of an ax striking a tree over and over again. She rolled to her back and listened. Undoubtedly Clarence was ticked off enough to change his tree-chopping habits. As luck would have it, he was splitting wood on their side of the building.

  To add a dash of irritation to her morning fury, her phone rang before she had a chance to check the time. Not that time mattered but her family and friends knew she wasn’t exactly a morning person. Given the sun’s eastern location, she assumed it was still early.

  “Hello.” She listened. “Is anyone there?”

  “Mom? Is that you?”

  “Mark?”

  “Mom, yes, can you hear me?”

  “Of course I can. What do you need?”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “I don’t do mornings. Other than that, everything is fine. Why?”

  “Well the whole town is buzzing about you.”

  “Me specifically or—”

  “You’re causing trouble there, Mom. I want it to stop.”

  “You want it to…Now you hold on a minute. I don’t know where you came by your information but you need to stop for a second and listen to me. I’m your mother. I may be old or aging—which sounds better—but I’m still Mom. I’m wise and strong and don’t need you or anyone else to call me up first thing in the morning. If you want to scold someone, try that technique on your wife. I’m sure my daughter-in-law will get a real kick out of it.”

  Silence.

  “Mark? Are you there?”

  “I just called to see if you’re okay.”

  “You didn’t. You called to jerk me back in line. Tell your other half that those tactics may have worked with her mother but they do not and will not work with me.”

  “I have to go but wanted to check in.”

  “You have a good day, hon,” she said in a sugary sweet voice. “Give Catherine my warm regards.”

  “I will. We’re taking the kids to Myrtle Beach. Should be back in a few days.”

  “Good. We’ll see you soon.”

  “And Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  “Stay out of trouble,” he said, ending the call.

  Mary Louise glared at her phone. It automatically shifted back to the icon screen. For a split second, she thought about calling her attorney. The sooner she changed her will, the sooner she would feel like this thirty-day stay was worth its weight in gold.

  She took in her surroundings. The built-in contemporary lacquer dressers, flat screen television, and floor-to-ceiling windows were actually kind of nice. For most of her life, she’d surrounded herself with historic artifacts and yesteryear’s furnishings. Now feeling quite dated, too, maybe it was time to toss out the old and bring in the new.

  The phone rang again.

  “Mark, listen. I don’t know what you hope to gain by upsetting me first thing this morning but the best thing you can do is take off for the beach and stay awhile. I need a break from reality. I need a break from you.”

  “Good to know,” Opal said. “But this isn’t your son. Check your caller ID before you answer next time.”

  “Opal? Where are you?”

  “You told us you wanted to sleep in so Pearl and I left around six this morning. I’m glad Mark woke you. I didn’t need an earful.”

  “Earned one anyway. Sorry about that.”

  “No problem. Listen. The coroner is dead. They found him under Lickety Split Bridge. And you can guess what was tied to his legs and holding him underwater.”

  “Cinderblocks.”

  “And they were recognizable if you know what I mean.”

  “Zigzags and polka dots all over them, I take it.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why do I feel like this is one of those ‘good news and bad news’ moments?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” Opal said. “But I do have another headliner.”

  “Please tell me it doesn’t have anything to do with death.”

  “Wish I could but it’s all connected. Cops are searching the store. We’re here now. Can you come on down?”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “What took you so long?” Pearl grabbed Mary Louise’s arm and steered her to the arts and crafts corner near the rear exit.

  “Long story. It involves a radiator and a car now abandoned about fifty yards down the road.”

  “Do I need to call Crane?” Opal appeared at Pearl’s side.

  “Already done. He didn’t have an open bay until I mentioned your name.” She shot her a weak smile, trying to ignor
e the cops and detectives wandering around the store. “Guess it pays to know people in high places.”

  “Apparently not,” Pearl said, shooting Sheriff Littleton a dirty look. “He knew this was coming and didn’t tell us.”

  “Pearl, can I see you for a second?”

  “Yes.” She turned and walked outside. Mary Louise and Opal followed her. “There’s his second.”

  “Do I want to know?” Mary Louise asked.

  “Trouble in Paradise,” Opal teased.

  Before she could give details, Sheriff Littleton appeared. “Ladies, they’ve found something. You’re needed inside, please.”

  Pearl marched right by him. Opal shrugged and trailed her. Mary Louise said, “She thought you were her friend.”

  “I am,” he whispered. “You’ll see why we’re here and you’ll wonder why I didn’t do this before now.”

  Minutes later they sat in the backroom staring at a rusty iron skillet. A detective held it out in front of him, shining an ultraviolet light. At first glance, the ironware appeared to be a rust-coated surface. Taking the end of his flashlight, the detective indicated the bloody pattern’s shape before he nodded at Sheriff Littleton and bagged what must’ve been their first real piece of evidence.

  “Where did you buy the skillet?” Littleton asked.

  Mary Louise turned to Pearl who turned to Opal. They shook their heads in unison.

  “Ladies, come on now. Help me out here. One, if not all three of you, know where you purchased this skillet.” Sheriff Littleton grunted as he waited. “Give me something.”

  “That’s just it, we don’t know,” Opal said.

  “Then why is it in your shop?”

  “It’s hard to say,” Mary Louise said. “We stopped carrying iron products when the big chains began stocking a larger assortment. We couldn’t compete.”

  “So you’re saying this iron skillet what…walked in here?”

  “Oh no, it would’ve had some help,” Pearl said. “We don’t really believe in all that who-do magic stuff.”

  “Pearl.” Sheriff Littleton held up his hand. “Why don’t we let Mary Louise and Opal answer the questions?”