by Marja McGraw
Before Jasmine could start talking, Donna arrived to take the ladies’ orders. “Have you found Addie yet?” she asked.
“We know where she is, and we’re going to go pick her up.” May sounded quite proud of her answer.
“Well, I’m so happy to hear that. Now, what would you like to eat?”
The women knew exactly what they wanted and Donna was off to turn in their order in a flash.
“Okay, now for the last time, what did Addie say?” Chris set his fork down and turned his full attention to Jasmine.
“She’s waiting for us to pick her up, but none of us can drive that far.”
“Explain, please.” Chris’s words were coming more slowly, and he was enunciating carefully. “Tell me what she said, from the beginning.”
“Well, we were going to meet you and Pamela here when the diner opened, but Addie called before we could leave my house.” She glanced at Lila and May. “My friends slept at my place last night just in case Addie called again. She might have needed us, you see.”
“Apparently she does, since you said you need to pick her up,” I said.
No one paid the least bit of attention to me, except Lila, who took hold of my hand.
“The man in the truck stopped for gas last night, by a motel, and Addie climbed out of the truck so he wouldn’t catch her. Instead of heading for the camper, he got himself a motel room. Now how much sense does that make? Why spend the money on a motel when you’re carrying a bedroom on the back of your truck?”
Lila and May both shrugged their shoulders, nodded their heads and smiled.
Chris rolled his upper lip under, and this time it had a whole different meaning than it usually did. “What else did Addie say?”
“Since he wasn’t going to use the camper, Addie let herself back in and slept the night there. This morning she heard him climb in the truck and she quickly let herself out. She felt she’d traveled as far as she could, and she was beginning to worry that he might catch her.”
“He might catch her?” Chris stopped talking and I could see he was grinding his teeth. He took a deep breath and took a bite of pancake, letting himself calm down.
I was having so much fun watching the interaction between Chris and Jasmine that I’d finished my breakfast without even realizing it.
“Where is Addie?” Chris asked.
“She’s in San Bernardino County, somewhere between Victorville and Barstow. She’s waiting at a gas station coffee shop until we can get there to pick her up. You’ll pick her up, won’t you?” She gave Chris a look that said she had no doubt whatsoever that he would.
“Of course, I will. Tell me what else she said so Pamela and I can get moving.”
“We’ll tell you on the way,” Jasmine said.
“You’re not going with…” Chris closed his eyes and dropped his head. “Finish eating so we can get on the road. We’ll have to take the old Chevy if we’re all going to fit. Six of us won’t make it in Pamela’s car.”
“God bless you,” Jasmine said.
“Amen to that,” May added.
“You’re a living doll,” Lila said, smiling up at Chris.
I could see a vein throbbing in Chris’s neck and decided I needed to talk to the ladies while he regrouped.
“Why didn’t she call you last night?” I asked.
“She didn’t have any money with her. She had to borrow a cell phone from a tourist who was eating at the coffee shop. He treated her to breakfast, too. She took his address so she can pay him back.”
“I’m assuming that the goon left and Addie is at the coffee shop by herself, right?” Chris asked. “Or is she hanging out with this tourist?”
“She said she barely got out of the camper before he left. The tourist left, too, so yes, she’s by herself.” Jasmine was beginning to watch the kitchen door with hunger in her eyes. I thought I heard her stomach rumble.
Donna brought three more orders, and the ladies dug in like loggers rather than the delicate little flowers they were. Chris and I excused ourselves and the ladies stood up to let us out. We walked outside to talk things over.
“What did we get ourselves into?” Chris asked.
“I have no idea, but I think we’re about to find out. The answer lies somewhere between Victorville and Barstow. How long will it take us to get there?”
“A few hours.”
After a couple of minutes, we returned to the table and the ladies. They were just polishing off their breakfasts.
“Did Addie ever tell you what crime these men were talking about?” I asked, watching Jasmine intently.
“Oh, yes. I almost forget to tell you that part. She said that someone hired them to murder someone else.”
Chapter Seven
“Murder?” I squeaked.
Chris dropped his head again before standing up straight and looking directly into Jasmine’s eyes. “Let’s go, ladies. Time’s a’wastin’, and we’ve got places to go and things to do. By the way, did she at least give you directions to the coffee shop?”
“No,” Jasmine said, “but she did give me the name of it. Will that help? She wasn’t really sure where she was.”
If it wasn’t for the fact that these were the Church Ladies, I think Chris might have said some words that they wouldn’t appreciate. Instead, he turned and headed for the cashier to pay the bill. His back looked stiff and his head was hanging again.
I drive a Jeep Wrangler, which is why we couldn’t all fit in it. The ladies followed us back to our house so we could pick up Chris’s Chevy. While we were there, Chris looked up the coffee shop on the Internet while I called Constance to ask her if Mikey could stay until later in the day.
“Constance, I feel like I’m taking advantage of you because it seems like I’m always asking you to watch Mikey. I do apologize, but sometimes it can’t be helped.”
“I don’t mind in the least,” Constance replied. “When you and Chris are working on a case, I live vicariously through you. It makes my life a little more exciting. Maybe someday I can get involved in one of your cases.” She laughed. “Besides, I can always use the extra money.”
I couldn’t tell if she was teasing or if she was serious. Since she stayed with Mikey while we worked, we paid her a monthly fee. It worked for all of us.
“Well, we don’t really have cases. It’s just that people seem to think we can help them. We don’t really want to get involved in these things.”
“Sure you do. You’re just like Nick and Nora Charles from the movies. What do you want me to tell Mikey?”
“Just say we got tied up and we’ll be home as early as possible. And thank you, Constance. You’re a good friend.”
I hung up and turned from the phone, wondering if she was right about us. Did we really enjoy getting involved in these situations? I guess we did or we’d tell people we couldn’t help them. Chris had always wished he could be like Humphrey Bogart was in his P.I. movies. Did I have a personality like Nora Charles? Before I could go any further with my thoughts, I heard Jasmine telling her friends that they’d better make a pit stop before leaving.
“The bathroom is down the hall and on the right,” I said.
After another fifteen minutes, everyone was ready to leave. Chris helped the three ladies into the car, and left me to fend for myself. I climbed in front and turned to the women. “Put on your seat belts.” Like I really needed to tell them.
We were sitting at a stop light, waiting to get on the freeway, when I heard Jasmine say, “Okay, girls, time to pray.”
I glanced back over the seat at them and Jasmine pointed to the freeway entrance sign.
“We always say a prayer before driving onto the freeway. Those people are nuts.”
Chris and I both started to laugh, but stifled ourselves when the ladies began to pray for safety and sanity on the freeways and highways.
“Is that what you’re going to be like someday?” Chris asked, keeping his voice low.
“You never kn
ow,” I replied quietly, smiling at him.
We drove for a long time, passing through the San Gabriel Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and several other cities before we finally left the 210 freeway and got onto the I-15, which would eventually lead all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada. Fortunately, we weren’t going that far. We passed Wrightwood and Phelan, and Chris finally left the freeway at one of the Victorville exits.
For the most part, the Church Ladies had entertained themselves on the ride. They’d discussed Pastor Findlay’s sermon from last Sunday and anticipated what he might talk about this Sunday.
Lila commented in passing that she was going to sing a solo in the morning. She’d been in the choir for a few years, but I’d never heard her sing alone.
“What are you going to sing?” I asked.
She grinned. “A standard. I’m a little nervous because I’ve never sung by myself in public before, but I think you’ll enjoy it. Like Elsie said, God’s taking me to it, and I know He’ll get me through it – if I don’t pass out first.”
She purposely changed the subject before anyone could ask questions. “Do you think we’re close yet?”
Chris pointed. “Look just up the street on the right. See that gas station? That’s where we’re headed.”
Everyone sat back in quiet anticipation of seeing their friend. I glanced back and saw that the three women were holding hands.
Chris pulled into the parking lot, but we didn’t see Addie. Of course, Chris and I had no idea what she looked like, and there was no one in the parking lot except a teenager who was busily pulling up his baggy pants. May made a clucking sound, but she didn’t say anything.
“She must be waiting inside,” Jasmine said. “Hopefully that man didn’t come back and see her.”
“I’m sure that’s where she is,” Chris said. “I don’t see a black truck with a white camper in the parking lot so I think we can safely conclude that the guy didn’t come back. Why would she wait outside in the heat anyway?”
The women were nervous and I didn’t think they’d calm down until they saw their friend. We were climbing out of the car when the front door of the coffee shop opened and a very small woman walked out. She looked like she’d been through the wringer, but then I would too if I’d been hiding out in the back of someone’s camper for a day and night. Her short gray hair was sticking up in all directions, her dress was quite wrinkled and she looked exhausted. She saw her friends and perked up a little, waving and slowly walking over to meet them.
“Well, it’s about time,” she said, obviously joking. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see you three again.”
“Praise the Lord,” Jasmine said, pulling Addie to her bosom and giving her a bear hug. “I was beginning to wonder the same thing.”
I couldn’t help but wonder if the little woman could breathe. Lila and May joined in, turning it into a group hug.
Addie pushed them away. “Okay, okay, girls, give me some room. I missed you, too, but I feel so stinky after my trip. I can’t wait to go home and take a shower.” She waved her hand in front of herself as though her own odor offended her.
“You’ve never smelled sweeter,” Lila said, grinning.
Addie patted her hair. “I saw myself in the mirror in the Ladies Room. Ugh. I hate to have you see me this way, but praise the Lord, here you are.”
I watched Chris during this exchange and he looked almost panicky.
I touched his arm. “It’s okay, Bogey Man. They won’t hurt you.”
“Are you sure?” He smiled his best Bogey smile and visibly relaxed. “Let’s see if we can find out what’s going on.”
“I have a feeling Addie is anxious to get home. Why don’t we talk in the car on the way to her place?” She’d spent enough time in the coffee shop and I knew if it were me, I’d be ready to leave. Besides, we had a long drive back.
“Where are our manners?” May said. “Addie, come and meet our friends.” She introduced Chris and me to Addie, and Addie blessed us.
Chris just shook his head. “You ladies are going to take some getting used to.”
“Oh, my,” Addie said. “Do you know who you look like, Chris?”
He curled his upper lip under and pulled on his earlobe. “I’ve been told I look like – ”
“You look just like the man who runs the farmer’s market out by my house. You could be brothers. Do you have a brother who runs a farmer’s market?”
“Oh, Addie,” Jasmine said, “he doesn’t look anything like Thomas. He looks just like Humphrey Bogart.”
Addie studied him. “Well, if you say so. But he looks like Thomas to me.”
Chris purposely headed for the coffee shop. “Come on, ladies. Let’s at least get something cold to drink before we leave. Actually, I could use some lunch right about now.”
“And I could use a trip to the Ladies Room,” Lila said quietly.
We turned and followed Chris into the coffee shop.
After we were seated and everyone had taken turns making themselves more comfortable, we ordered lunch and talked.
Chris looked at his club sandwich after it was delivered. He’d become more demanding about his food since we opened Bogey Nights, so I didn’t know what was on his mind.
He took a tentative bite of his sandwich. “Delicious,” he announced, digging in and taking a bigger bite.
I watched as Jasmine, May and Lila talked excitedly with their friend, drinking in the fact that she was okay and not lost to them forever.
Chris swallowed and set his sandwich down instead of taking another bite. “Ladies,” he said.
No one was listening.
“Ladies,” he said a bit louder.
They kept chattering.
“Ladies!” he said sharply.
All eyes turned to him and they stopped talking, mid-sentence.
“That’s better,” he said, calmly, pulling on his earlobe again. “Now, Addie, take half a shake and a deep breath and then I want you to flap those lips.”
“What? Half a shake? Flap my lips?” Addie asked.
Jasmine patted Addie’s hand. “Take your time, and tell him what happened, Dear.”
“He talks kind of funny, doesn’t he?” Addie folded her napkin and set it next to her plate.
“Please,” Chris said. “Just tell us what’s going on.”
I could hear the desperation in his voice. He was losing patience, but no one else would recognize that except me.
“Oh. Okay,” Addie said. She glanced up at the ceiling, as though trying to collect her thoughts, and cleared her throat. “I was supposed to meet my friends at the diner for lunch. I was early.”
“You’re always early,” Jasmine said.
Chris gave Jasmine a look that told her to hush. She did.
“Yes, well… Anyway, I was at my table and there were two men sitting behind me. At first I thought they were talking about a television show or a book or something. They were talking about a murder. I didn’t hear the whole conversation because my ears didn’t perk up until I heard one of them say something about trying to make a murder look like an accident.”
She turned and looked at each of her friends in turn. “As soon as I realized that they were serious, I prayed for the intended victim.”
“Can you tell me exactly what they said?” Chris asked.
“The one man – the thin one with the mustache – said he needed to make it look like an accident. The other man asked him how he was going to do that, and the thin one said not to worry, that he knew his business and no one would ever figure out it was a murder-for-hire job. That’s what he said; murder-for-hire. I think I even know the person’s name.”
“Which person?” I asked.
“The one they’re going to kill. They kept talking about Vic, so I’m guessing the man’s name is Victor.”
I glanced at Chris just as he turned to me. So now we knew the paper they’d dropped contained the victim’s first name. Too bad it didn’t list his la
st name.
“At least we have an address,” Chris said.
“So,” Addie continued, “I left the diner. I decided I’d better go home and call the police. But before I could call, the thin man came to my door. He must have followed me. He wanted to know how much I’d overheard. I tried to tell him that I didn’t know what he was talking about, but he wouldn’t believe me. He started yelling at me, threatening me, and then Elsie from next door yelled out her window, wanting to know if I needed help. He put his head down so Elsie couldn’t see him, but before he left he told me he’d be back, and that I was in big trouble.”
“Elsie didn’t mention that she yelled out her window,” I said.
“You talked to Elsie?” Addie asked.
“We were trying to find you,” May said. “We didn’t know what had happened to you.”
“And your purse and bible were still inside your house,” Lila said.
“We knew you’d never go anywhere without those things,” Jasmine added.
“I wouldn’t have if I’d had time to grab them, but the man was getting away.”
“Did it ever dawn on you when you climbed into that camper that you were following a killer?” Chris asked.
Addie’s eyes widened and her eyebrows shot up. “No, sir, not until just this moment. It seemed like an adventure, and it seemed like the right thing to do. Someone’s life is at stake.”
“And it could have been yours,” Chris said. “One wrong move and we could be at the coroner’s office identifying your remains.”
“Chris!” I said sharply.
The Church Ladies sucked in their breath, collectively.
“Poor Vic, whoever he is,” Addie said, placing her hands on her flushed cheeks and leaning forward.
Chapter Eight
“Excuse us, please,” Jasmine said. “We need to do some heavy duty praying, and we need some privacy.”
Before they could leave the table, a waitress walked over to talk to us. It wasn’t the one who’d waited on us when we sat down.
“I see your friends finally showed up. Are you feeling better now?”
Addie smiled sweetly at her. “I certainly am, and bless your heart for asking.”
