by Jeff Shelby
A small voice piped up. “It’s…it’s mine.”
The crowd of women parted and Elena Klersy stepped into view. Her face was pale, her lips pressed together in a tight line.
“Yours?” I asked in disbelief.
She nodded.
I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me.
Elena Klersy?
Mousy, meek Elena Klersy had stolen the money? She’d orchestrated the entire thing, and had made the effort to make Sophia look like the guilty party?
How could I have missed that?
Easy, I thought to myself. Because there hadn’t been a single sign that pointed to her as a suspect.
“This is your purse?” I asked.
She nodded.
“You’re absolutely sure?”
She nodded again.
I sighed. “Wow. Okay.”
She coughed, and glanced nervously behind her. “It’s my purse,” she said, “but I didn’t bring it tonight.”
I frowned at her. “What?”
“I didn't bring it tonight.” Elena looked across the room. “Savannah did.”
THIRTY SEVEN
Savannah threw her shoulders back. “That’s a lie.”
Elena’s face crumpled at Savannah’s accusation.
“It is not,” she said hotly. “I brought the black purse, that vinyl one right there.” She pointed to a bag still on the table. “You can look inside of it. My wallet is in that one, I swear.”
Savannah had pushed her way to the front of the crowd and was staring down Elena. She glowered at her, her expression murderous.
“You planted that envelope!” she said. “You loaned me that purse and planted that envelope inside of it, didn’t you?”
Elena shrank away from her. “What? Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re jealous of me!” Savannah spat. Her cheeks were red and her eyes blazed with fury. “You want everything that I have! My position with the Conservation Group, and my prestige here with the society.”
“I don’t want your…your things,” Elena said, her own cheeks blooming with color. “And you’re the one who wanted my things. You specifically asked if you could borrow my purse!”
“You offered to loan it to me!”
“But only because you asked if you could borrow it!”
I was standing in front of a group of women, holding onto an envelope of missing money that had embroiled them all in scandal, and two of its members were arguing over a purse.
A purse.
I’d had enough.
I reached into the purse and pulled out a wallet. Without ceremony, I flipped it open and found a driver’s license. Savannah Springs stared back at me.
I held it up for everyone to see.
“I think this answers our question.”
Another audible gasp.
I gave it a solid 10.0.
“I…I can explain,” Savannah sputtered. She whipped around to the face the women crowded behind her. “I…someone planted that envelope in there to make me look guilty!” She whirled back around and pointed at Sophia. “It was you!”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please. I was with her the whole time. She didn’t touch your purse.”
Savannah snarled at me. “And why should we trust you?” she growled. “You’re not even a member!”
“You’re right,” I said. “I’m not. But I do know that the only person pushing the theory that Sophia stole the money was you. You haven't questioned it from the moment it came to light and you haven't wanted to hear any arguments to the contrary.”
Another gasp, a little less audible this time.
An 8.0, at best.
“I didn’t do it,” Savannah said, folding her arms across her chest. “And you can’t prove otherwise.”
“When was the last time you all met?” I asked Vivian.
She thought for a moment, clearly rattled by the confrontation taking place in her kitchen. “Last Wednesday.”
“And all the purses were here in the kitchen?”
She nodded.
“And, Savannah, you have an alibi for Friday, when the check was cashed in Richmond?”
“An alibi? Why would I need an alibi?”
“To prove you weren’t in Richmond, cashing this check.”
Her cheeks colored. “I was right here in town.”
Elena shook her head slowly, as if just realizing something. “No, you weren’t. I stopped by your house to let your dog out. I still have the spare key you gave me.”
“I was in Winslow,” she insisted. “You’re wrong, Elena!”
“I went over in the afternoon and then again at dinnertime,” Elena continued, ignoring her. “Because you called and told me traffic was bad.” She paused. “In Richmond.”
Savannah opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it. She looked like a fish sputtering for oxygen.
“I think it would be best if you didn’t say anything else,” I said. “And wait for the sheriff to get here.”
Vivian looked at me, an alarmed expression on her face. “The sheriff?”
I knew exactly how she felt. I was balking, too, at the thought of calling Sheriff Don Lewis and reporting a crime. He was the most incompetent officer of the law I’d ever met in my life. Unfortunately, I was pretty sure he had to be the one doing the actual booking. A citizen’s arrest probably wasn’t going to cut it.
“Someone stole three thousand dollars from your organization,” I told her. “That might actually be a felony offense.”
There was another gasp, this time off the charts. The women erupted into conversation, and Savannah emitted a sound that sounded like part shriek, part howl. The women closed in around her, forming a human prison, pressing her further into the kitchen.
“—law enforcement—”
“We can’t have—”
“—reputation would be ruined—”
I glanced at Sophia. She took one look at the ladies and stuck her fingers between her lips, emitting an ear-piercing whistle. The chatter ceased immediately.
“I think Rainy has something she’d like to say.”
“I do,” I said, nodding. To her, I whispered “Nice whistle,” before addressing the rest of the women. I kept it brief. “Can someone please tell me what the heck is going on?”
Vivian was the first to speak up. “We can’t call Sheriff Lewis.”
I nodded. “I know. I don’t want to call him, either. But we don’t really have a choice.”
“Sure, we do.”
I frowned. “What, you want me to call the deputy instead? Teddy?” I didn’t see what difference it would make; Sheriff Lewis was going to come either way, eventually. Unless “The Bachelor” was on. Then all bets were off.
“No, we can’t call anyone,” Vivian said, her voice calm.
“We sort of have to if you want to press charges.” I didn’t know what she thought my apparent investigative skills included, but arresting individuals was definitely not one of them.
“We’re not going to press charges.”
I cocked my head. “Excuse me?”
Vivian cleared her throat. “We won’t be pressing charges.”
I wasn't sure I'd heard her right.
“Why not?” I demanded.
There were murmurs among the rest of the women and Savannah stood frozen in front of them, looking just as confused as I felt.
“Because we are a society,” Vivian said simply. “A society that puts ladies first.”
THIRTY EIGHT
I rubbed at my temples. “Can someone please explain to me what is going on?”
I’d sunk into one of the kitchen chairs after Vivian’s announcement. Around me, women were thinning from the circle they’d created, filling up the empty space in the kitchen. Savannah, apparently no longer a flight risk now that she’d been assured she was getting off scot-free, was leaning up against the stove, her face still pale and her eyes still wide.
Vivian spoke. “Our motto at the Latney
Ladies Society is ‘ladies first.’”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” I said. “Female empowerment and solidarity. That’s great. But you have a member who committed a crime…against the society.” I stole a quick glance at Savannah. She was staring at me with pure hatred. I didn’t even blink. “And who framed another one of your members along the way.”
“Yes, those things are all true, evidently,” Vivian said, nodding. “But that doesn’t mean we simply disregard our motto.”
I rubbed my temple, out of frustration and also because I was trying to keep the headache I felt coming on from erupting. “I’m not following.”
“Our commitment first and foremost is to the ladies in our society.”
“Sure,” I said, nodding. “So Savannah somehow trumps Sophia? And Elena?”
A frown creased Vivian’s brow. “Of course not. That’s not it at all.”
“If you don’t press charges, she gets away with it,” I said. “She framed Sophia, lied to Elena—and all of you—and doesn’t suffer any of the consequences. She was perfectly willing to throw Sophia to the wolves not fifteen minutes ago.”
“If we do press charges, the society will suffer,” Vivian said. She looked at the other women gathered around, all of whom were nodding in agreement. “Our reputation will suffer, as will all the good work we do here in Latney and the rest of Bueller County. That’s not a sacrifice we’re prepared to make. That doesn’t keep with our motto. We must put the society first, above all else. Even the law.”
The society was sounding more and more like some kind of cult.
“We got our money back,” Vivian said, motioning to the envelope stuffed with cash. It was sitting next to me, within arm’s reach in case Savannah decided to make a grab for it. “Savannah will be dealt with by the society. Sophia’s name has been cleared. And most importantly, we can continue now with the Fall Festival and all of the other things we do.”
It was hard to argue with her logic. I hated to admit it, but she was right. Pressing charges against Savannah would shine an unnecessary spotlight on all that had transpired over the last week. Yes, Savannah would be brought to justice, something I desperately wanted to see happen, but the ladies society would suffer along with her. I knew what it was like to be part of a scandal in Latney. I thought back to Mrs. Grottsman and the pumpkins, and the barbed words she’d said to me. I was still suffering the consequences of being a part of the arson investigation and subsequent “murder.”
“And how will you deal with Savannah?” I wondered if there was some sort of ritual in the group for treating insubordination or disloyalty. Part of me hoped there was.
Vivian glanced at Becky, the vice president of the society. She just shrugged, trying to hide behind her black bob.
Vivian took a deep breath. “Our bylaws are pretty clear. Any act that threatens the solidarity of our group calls for immediate dismissal and a permanent ban.”
The collective gasp was back.
“But…” Savannah began.
Vivian held up her hand. “Immediate. Dismissal. There is no appeal, and no secondary vote. Once the decision is made, the decisions stands.”
“Megan isn’t here,” Savannah said, weakly. “You can’t vote without her.”
“Yes, we can,” Vivian said. “We simply need a quorum. And she’s the only one missing.” She addressed the group. “Based on what we have discovered tonight, is there a motion to permanently remove and ban Savannah Springs from the Latney Ladies Society?”
Six hands shot up. Fittingly, Vivian pointed to Sophia.
“I, Sophia Rey, make a motion to permanently remove and ban Savannah Springs from the Latney Ladies Society.”
“Is there a second?”
Five hands raised.
“I, Becky Froth, second the motion.”
“All those in favor?”
The only hands that stayed down were mine and Savannah’s.
“Motion carries.” Vivian leveled her gaze on Savannah. “Grab your things and go. I will take your pin.”
Savannah gasped. “My…my pin?”
Vivian nodded. “Only members in good standing, whether current or retired, may keep their pin.”
Savannah’s eyes filled with tears. “I only did this because I wanted to be a bigger part of this society! I wanted to be an officer, to help guide where we were going! I am not a criminal!”
“Technically, you are,” Vivian muttered. “And we have elections for officers.”
“I'm impatient!” Savannah cried. “And I have great ideas! I just needed a platform. Maybe this wasn't the best way to go about it. I don't know.”
Maybe?
“But I love this group and I just wanted to help,” she said. “I'm sorry, Sophia. I truly am. I'm embarrassed and ashamed of myself. But you have to believe me. I just wanted to have a bigger role! Please give me another chance. Please!”
Her words fell on deaf ears. Vivian marched up to her and held out her hand. Savannah stared at it for a moment and the rest of the ladies fell back into position, blocking the door to the hallway in case Savannah decided to make a run for it.
She must have noticed, because she let out a resigned sigh and lifted her shirt. I glanced around, wondering what the heck was going on, but no one else seemed surprised that she was exposing her stomach and bra to all of us. And then I saw it. Pinned to her black bra, a small, shiny pin.
She tucked her shirt up under her chin so she could use both hands to unfasten it. She dumped it in Vivian’s outstretched hand.
I leaned toward Sophia, who was sitting next to me. “Why did she wear the pin there?”
“We all do,” she whispered back. “LLS, Close to my heart, part of my soul. Ladies First is our solemn goal.”
I stared at her for a long moment, thinking maybe she was playing a joke on me, that the terrible rhyme was her way of trying to lighten the mood.
But she just smiled at me earnestly.
The terrible rhyme was real.
THIRTY NINE
“Are you scared?”
Gunnar was walking beside me, his arm brushing against mine as we strolled through the parking lot of St. Simon’s. It was a cloudless night for the Fall Festival, and a crescent moon glowed yellow against the inky darkness. Around us, miniature cowboys and superheroes and princesses and furry animals streaked by, giggling and shrieking and clutching bags filled with crafts and candies.
“Of these little munchkins?” I asked, glancing at a furry purple dinosaur next to me. “Not a chance.”
“No,” Gunnar said. “I’m wondering if you’re scared of this. Of us.”
I looked up at him. His standard flannel shirt was hidden under a dark Dickies jacket, and he had a black skullcap pulled over his head, hiding his hair.
My heart hiccupped a little, and I was saved from having to respond because Vivian sidled up at that very moment, a smile stretching across her face.
“Look at this!” she said, waving her hand in the air. “I think this is the most successful festival yet!”
“All thanks to the hard work of the Latney Ladies Society,” I told her.
She shook her head. She was wearing a Cleopatra wig and dark eyeliner to complete the look. “All thanks to you,” she said.
“Me? I didn’t plan any of this.”
“No,” she admitted, “but you made it possible for us to continue when we thought we’d have to cancel.”
I shrugged. “You didn’t end up needing it.”
“Which was a good thing,” she said. “But you still offered it to us. And that matters.”
I shrugged again.
Vivian chuckled. “You can shrug all you want, but we know the truth. And we won’t forget it.”
“Is that a threat?”
Her laugh was genuine. “Take it however you want.”
“Any word from Savannah?” I asked.
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Apparently she’s planning to start a rival group.”
“A riv
al charity group?”
“Good luck to her with that,” Vivian said. “No one will ever join. Her reputation is ruined.” She looked at me. “I know you wanted to press charges but I knew it wouldn’t be necessary. Word would get around about what she’d done, and she would suffer in the court of public opinion.”
Unfortunately, I could relate.
“I’m just glad the money is back where it belongs,” I said. “And I’m glad she won’t be causing any more problems for you guys.”
“Or the Conservation Group. The members found out what happened and they asked her to step down.”
I felt a small burst of pity for Savannah, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. She'd been happy to see others take the blame for something she was responsible for. She’d gotten no less than what she deserved.
Vivian surprised me with a hug. In a lowered voice, she said, “Seriously, thank you. For what you did for the society, and for what you did for me.”
She was referring to the check I’d given her, the ladies society check I’d signed over to her the minute I received it from Sophia.
“I want you to go,” I said. “You’ve been waiting a long time.”
“Still,” she said. “I hate that I’m borrowing money from you to go to Paris.”
“It’s important to you,” I said. “And I know you’ll pay me back.”
“I will,” she promised.
“Besides, “ I said, winking at her. “I know where to find you if you don’t.”
She laughed again and squeezed me once more. “The Money in the Hay game is about to start,” she said, and then hurried off.
“That was a good thing you did, loaning her the money for her trip,” Gunnar said after she’d left.
“She deserves it,” I said.
We stopped at the refreshment table. Becky was working the cotton candy machine, twirling paper cones through the spun pink sugar and slotting them in the holder for Elena to hand out. A younger girl, maybe thirteen years old, was running the popcorn machine and another girl was filling paper cups with steaming cider. Maybe they were Ladies in training.
