“How did you meet Jenna Rae?” Wanda Nell asked. “She was a stranger in Tullahoma, right?”
“Yeah, she was. I was working a couple of jobs back then, trying to help my mama out. One of them was working at a little motel out on the highway, not far from where you turn off to go out to the lake. It was a pretty sleazy kind of place. It’s probably not there anymore.”
“I know where you’re talking about,” Wanda Nell said. “They tore it down about fifteen years ago, something like that.”
“It was a real cheap place to stay,” Rocky continued. “I worked there in the afternoons and evenings. I did some cleaning, and I was kind of the night clerk, too. Jenna Rae was renting a room there.”
“How long had she been there before she was murdered?” Jack asked.
Rocky looked up and frowned. Their waiter was approaching with their food, Wanda Nell saw when she turned her head. They waited until they had been served before continuing the conversation.
“She was only there about three days,” Rocky said.
“Did she tell you why she was there?” Wanda Nell asked.
“She wouldn’t say much, though I tried to talk to her as much as I could.” He paused for a moment. “She was the prettiest girl I ever seen, and she was sweet. But she was also real determined about something.”
“Did she tell you anything?” Jack asked.
“All she’d tell me was that she was in Tullahoma looking for her daddy. She was adopted when she was a baby, and she was trying to find her real daddy.”
Wanda Nell set down her knife and fork. “Did she know who he was?”
“She seemed to, but she wouldn’t tell me who he was. She said she had to be real careful about how she approached him. I figured he must be somebody pretty well off, and that maybe he wouldn’t be too happy about her turning up all of a sudden.”
“You’re right about that,” Jack said. “Especially if he was married to someone who wasn’t her mother. Did she say anything about her mother?”
“Naw, she didn’t talk about her, so I figured she must already know who her mama was.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes, Wanda Nell and Jack both lost in thought. Rocky ate steadily, not speaking unless to answer a question.
“Can you tell us about the night before her body was found?”
Rocky nodded at Jack. “Yeah, I had to go over it and over it a lot of times for the sheriff.” He set down his knife and fork to take a long drink of his tea. “I was working that evening, and I saw her come back about seven. I followed her to her room to talk to her. I couldn’t help myself, she was so pretty. But she didn’t seem to mind too much.
“She was kind of excited. She was going to talk to somebody that evening. She didn’t tell me who, but she seemed real pleased about it. Said she’d be meeting her daddy soon. She left about nine, and that was the last time I saw her.”
“How was she getting around?” Wanda Nell asked, as the thought suddenly struck her. “Did she have a car?”
“Naw, she came to town on the bus. But I let her use my car in the afternoons and evenings while I was at work. She was always back with it by the time I got off work, and she put some gas in it.”
“Did she have your car the night she was murdered?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, and that was what was so strange about it. I usually left there around one in the morning, because I had another job at a garage in town from seven to three. I didn’t see her come back, but my car was where it always was, and the keys were in it. I didn’t think nothing of it at the time.” He stared down at his hands for a long moment. “And then we heard next day about the girl found dead on the football field over at the high school. I didn’t want to believe it was her.”
“She really made an impression on you,” Wanda Nell said, her voice soft.
“Yeah, she did. She was so pretty, and she was young, about my age, nineteen or twenty. I couldn’t imagine why someone would want to hurt her.” His fingers toyed with his steak knife. “But I reckon she must’ve stirred up something that somebody didn’t want stirred up.”
“You’re probably right,” Jack said. “That’s sure what it sounds like.”
“What happened to her things?” Rocky asked. “Surely somebody come and took all that? And they would have known who she was. She had a driver’s license.”
“We don’t know,” Jack said. “The only accounts we’ve able to find say that she was unknown. My guess is that whoever killed her destroyed everything she brought with her, to make it harder to trace her.”
“I see. I thought it was pretty strange they found her without any clothes on.”
“That’s why,” Wanda Nell said. “But at least we know her name now. You’ve given her that much.”
Rocky smiled sadly. “I hope you can find out who killed her, and if they’re still alive, see that they pay for it. She didn’t deserve to die like that.”
“No, she didn’t,” Jack said. “And we’re going to try our best for her.”
“Is there anything else she might have told you?” Wanda Nell asked. “Like where she came from?”
“I saw her driver’s license when she registered. She was from Hattiesburg.”
“Good, that gives us something else to go on,” Jack said, relieved. “Did she happen to say anything about any family there? Her adoptive parents, or anybody?”
“I don’t remember her saying much about that, though I did ask her at some point.” Rocky frowned, trying to remember. “Seems like she did say something, though. Now what was it?”
Wanda Nell and Jack waited in silence while Rocky tried to recall what Jenna Rae Howell had said to him. With her name and the fact that she came from Hattiesburg, they now had some solid leads to follow up. But if there was something more, they’d be happy to hear it.
“I was asking her how long she was going to stay in Tullahoma,” Rocky said. “And she said ‘maybe forever.’ And then I asked her if she wasn’t ever going back to Hattiesburg. She shook her head. She said ‘never,’ and then she said something kinda strange, or at least it sure sounded that way at the time.” He paused again. “I think what she said was, ‘I’m sick of the stink of death.’ Or something like that. I never did get to ask her what she meant by that.”
“We’ll have to think about that one,” Wanda Nell said. “That is kind of a strange thing to say.”
By now they had finished their food, and Rocky glanced at his watch. “I gotta be getting back to work.” His tone was apologetic.
“Of course,” Jack said. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate you talking to us this way. I promise you we’ll do our best to find out who killed her, and why.”
“You know, it was kinda good to talk about it to somebody, after all these years. I ain’t told anybody, not even my wife.”
“You’re married?” Wanda Nell asked. “You mentioned your daughter.”
“My wife died about five years ago. She had cancer. It’s just me and Judy now. She’s fourteen.”
Jack signaled the waiter to bring their check, and he refused to accept any money from Rocky for his share of the meal. “We invited you to lunch, so it’s on us.”
“Thank you, then,” Rocky said.
On the brief drive back to the car dealership, Rocky asked them how his sister was doing. Wanda Nell didn’t want to lie to him, but she really hated having to tell him the truth. After a deep breath, she said, “We don’t think she’s doing real well, to be honest. We think the man she’s married to isn’t treating her right. She seems pretty out of it most of the time. And he keeps an eye on everything she does.”
Rocky absorbed this in silence. “Is he hitting her?”
“We’re not sure,” Wanda Nell said. “We couldn’t see any signs of it, the two times we saw her. But he’s trying every way he can to control her.”
“That just don’t sound like her. But I ain’t seen her in thirty years, so what do I know? She’s only sent me a few letters, and she
never said nothing about any of that.” He shook his head. “I need to do something about it. She shouldn’t have to live like that.”
“We’ll be glad to help you,” Wanda Nell said, and Jack echoed her.
“Thank you, I sure do appreciate that. You’re good folks.” They had reached the dealership, and Rocky opened his door to get out. He closed the door and stood by the driver’s side window. Jack rolled down the window, and Rocky stuck his hand in. They shook.
“We’ll be in touch,” Jack said. “We’ll let you know as soon as we find out anything.”
“Thank you.” Rocky pulled a business card from his pocket. “You can call me here if you need to. Just tell ‘em you’re calling from my daughter’s school, and they won’t make a fuss.”
“We will,” Jack said. “You take care.”
Rocky turned and walked off.
Jack and Wanda Nell sat there for a moment. They glanced at each other.
“I don’t think he killed her,” Wanda Nell said.
Jack sighed. “I don’t, either, though I’m only going on my instincts when I say it. I like him. He seems like a good man, despite all he’s been through.”
“I know,” Wanda Nell said. “He didn’t even sound bitter about any of it. He just got on with his life the best way he could, as far as I can tell.”
Jack headed the car out of the parking lot and back toward home.
“So, are we going to Hattiesburg now?” Wanda Nell asked.
“Tomorrow,” Jack said. “Let’s go home first, and tomorrow we’ll drive down there. You think you can talk Melvin into another day or two off? We might have to spend the night down there.”
“We’ll see. Maybe Ruby won’t mind filling in for me at lunch, and Gladys is still working the evening shift. Betsy or Patsy might be willing to put in an extra shift.”
“Good,” Jack said. “I don’t want to go without you.”
Wanda Nell smiled and settled back in her seat for the drive home.
Sixteen
They reached Tullahoma in plenty of time for Wanda Nell to work her shift at the Kountry Kitchen. Jack dropped her off, and Wanda Nell promised to talk to Melvin right away about the time off. “If he says I can’t, I’ll tell him I’ll work some extra Saturday nights. Okay?”
Jack grimaced. “I guess it’s for a good cause, but I hate you not being home on Saturday night.”
Wanda Nell kissed him again. “I hate it, too, but we’ll see.”
Inside the restaurant things were pretty quiet before the evening crowd started drifting in. Monday nights weren’t usually too busy, but they were busy enough. Wanda Nell took advantage of the lull to talk to Melvin.
During the drive back from Memphis, she and Jack had discussed how much they should tell Melvin about what they were doing. “He’s a good man,” Wanda Nell said. “And I think if we tell him the whole story, he’ll be willing to help by letting me take the time off. Plus, it’s early in the week. The evenings aren’t as busy, and he’ll have enough help at lunchtime.”
“I guess you ought to tell him,” Jack said. “I just don’t want what we’re doing to get to be general knowledge. We’re going to be stirring up something pretty nasty, and the more we can find out before the you-know-what hits the fan, the better.”
“Melvin won’t talk to anybody about it. We can trust him.”
“I know. I guess I’m just being a little paranoid.”
Melvin was at the register, talking to a customer, when Wanda Nell entered the restaurant. She waited until the customer was on his way out the door before saying, “Can I talk to you a minute? Back in your office?”
Melvin’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that. Sounds like you’re going to ask me for some more time off, or some other favor. I know that tone.”
Wanda Nell gave him a sweet smile. “Come on back, and I’ll tell you.”
Melvin rolled his eyes, but he followed her. “Let’s stop here,” he said when they reached the back door. “I need a smoke break.” He opened the door and stepped outside.
“Okay.” Wanda Nell watched as he lit a cigarette, and she sniffed the air appreciatively, watching the smoke drift into the hot evening air. She had quit smoking when Miranda was pregnant with Lavon, and she still missed it sometimes.
“So what’s going on?” Melvin asked. “Do you want some more time off?”
“Yes, but it’s for a real good reason.” Wanda Nell launched into an explanation, and Melvin listened without interruption. By the time she finished, he had smoked two more cigarettes. He flicked the butt of the last one toward the Dumpster; where it hit the side and bounced onto the pavement below.
“That poor kid,” Melvin said. “I remember it now. I guess if you think you can find out who killed her, you ought to go ahead with this.” He shook his head. “But you might be stirring up something mighty nasty. Have y’all thought about that?”
Wanda Nell nodded. “Of course. That’s why Jack wants to keep this as quiet as we can until we have something pretty concrete. And since Elmer Lee knows about it, well, he’s there if we need him.”
“That’s good,” Melvin said. He ushered her back inside and shut the door. “I guess you can take the next couple of days off, then.”
“But not with pay. You were real sweet to pay me while I was on my honeymoon, but I don’t expect it now.”
“Good. Business is slower in the evenings right now. I guess it’s just too hot for folks to get out.”
“I know how they feel.” Wanda Nell was looking forward to a glass of water after standing outside. “I’ll let you know how it goes when we get back from Hattiesburg.”
By the time the Kountry Kitchen closed at ten, Wanda Nell had earned some decent tips, but Melvin was right. People just weren’t coming out to eat in the evenings. Or at least, not to the Kountry Kitchen. Her car was still warm inside when she left the restaurant.
She drove home with the windows down, and when she pulled her car into the driveway behind Jack’s, she glanced over at Mayrene’s trailer. The lights were out, and there was no sign of Dixon Vance’s pickup. She wondered how things were going with her best friend, and resolved to call her tomorrow before they left for Hattiesburg.
Jack met her at the door with a kiss. “I sure do like coming home,” Wanda Nell said, smiling, as he released her. “It makes going to work even better, knowing I’m coming home to you.”
Jack grinned. “Glad to be of service, ma’am.”
“Is Juliet home?”
“Yeah, I picked her up. I think she’s probably still up, reading, if you want to say good night to her.”
“I’ll do that. And then we’ll talk about tomorrow. Melvin’s letting me take the time off.”
“Good.”
She walked down the hallway toward Juliet’s bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, and there was a glow from the bedside lamp. Wanda Nell knocked on the door.
“Come in, Mama,” Juliet called. Laying aside her book, she sat up on the bed as her mother came into the room.
Wanda Nell sat down on the bed, glancing over at the book her daughter was reading. “I’ve never heard of Georgette Heyer,” she said, reading the author’s name and the title, The Grand Sophy.
“She’s wonderful, Mama.” Juliet’s eyes were alight with enthusiasm. “They’re historical novels, and I really love them. You’ll have to read her.”
“I’ll give her a try,” Wanda Nell promised. “Now, did Jack tell you we’re going to Hattiesburg tomorrow?”
Juliet nodded. “He told me what y’all found out in Memphis. I’m so glad you found out what her name is. I kept thinking about her, and how awful it was that we didn’t even know who she was.”
“I’m glad, too, baby,” Wanda Nell said. “And I’m so glad you understand what we’re doing, and why.”
“It’s important.” Juliet’s face clouded. “What I don’t understand, though, is why somebody didn’t come looking for her. Do you think she didn’t ha
ve any family, Mama? Like maybe her adoptive parents were dead, or something?”
“That’s possible. It bothers me, too. Maybe we’ll be able to find out more about that in Hattiesburg tomorrow. Now, what are we going to do with you tomorrow? And the next day, if we end up staying overnight?”
Smiling, Juliet said, “Jack and I already worked that out. I called Belle, and she and Grandmama said I could stay with them.”
“Are you sure that’s okay, baby?” Wanda Nell frowned. “There can’t be much for you to do over there.”
“It’s okay, Mama,” Juliet said, placing a hand on her mother’s arm. “I really don’t mind. Belle and Grandmama like having me there, and I can go up to my room and read whenever I want to.”
Juliet loved to read. Wanda Nell sometimes worried that she spent more time reading than doing anything else, like hanging out with friends her own age. Her youngest child had always been shy, though, and she hadn’t really pushed her into being more sociable. She didn’t know if that had been a mistake, but Juliet seemed happy enough with a couple of friends and spending a lot of time reading, or sitting at the computer.
“Then I guess it’s all right.” Wanda Nell kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Now, you turn out that light soon, and get to sleep, okay? I don’t want you hurting your eyes by reading till all hours of the night.”
Juliet smiled, but she didn’t promise she wouldn’t. Wanda Nell paused at the doorway, looking back. Juliet was already absorbed in her book. Suppressing a sigh, Wanda Nell pulled the door nearly closed.
Jack was in their bedroom, already in bed. He put aside a book when Wanda Nell entered. “Everything okay, love?”
Wanda Nell nodded. “Juliet said y’all have already talked about her going over to Miz Culpepper’s while we’re gone.”
“It was her idea. I really do think she likes spending time over there.” He watched as Wanda Nell began to undress.
“Thank goodness,” Wanda Nell said. “But I do worry about her spending so much time with adults, instead of with kids her own age.” She put aside her blouse and jeans and, barefoot, padded into the bathroom.
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