Murder in Madden

by Raegan Teller

  “She was troubled, and Myra couldn’t handle her. Honestly, I’m not surprised that she fell in with the wrong crowd and got herself killed,” he said.

  “That’s the second time you’ve made it sound like she was responsible for her own murder,” she said. “And wasn’t your son, Ray, part of that wrong crowd?”

  Jensen rubbed one leg with his hand, studying the back and forth motion before he looked up at Enid again. “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove by digging up ancient history, but I think you need to reconsider this mission you’re on.”

  Enid couldn’t help but smile. “Are you trying to run me out of town?”

  Jensen picked up his hat and stood up. “On the contrary, Ms. Blackwell. You are welcome to stay in Madden as long as you like. Just keep your nose out of open police cases.” He leaned down slightly to straighten the crease in his pants. “I’m sure Cassie enjoys the female companionship.” He walked to the door of the living room and put on his hat. When he got to the hallway, he turned halfway around and tipped his hat to Enid. “A pleasure, ma’am.” He walked out the door, slamming it harder than necessary.

  Cassie walked back into the living room. “I thought I heard him leaving. Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

  “I’m mad as hell, but, yeah, I’m fine.” Enid stood up and reached down to get her tote bag before remembering she had left it with Jack.

  “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard most of the conversation, I’m concerned about you. And about Jack.” Cassie walked over to Enid and gave her a hug. “I’ve just got a little more work to do, and then we can talk more. I’ll make a light supper and we can eat on the porch and have a glass of wine.” Cassie smiled. “Or two.”

  Enid laughed. “I could use it.”

  When Cassie left the room, Enid reached into her pants pocket and got her cell phone and punched Jack’s number. “Hi, this is Enid. When you get this message, call me. Jensen is probably headed your way about now, and he’s not happy.” She added, “Oh, and I need to get my tote bag and notes back from you.”

  She ended the call and started up the stairs to her room when she heard the hinges squeak on the inn’s massive oak door as it opened. Thinking that Jack had been waiting nearby for Jensen to leave before he returned, she expected to see Jack.

  “That was quick,” she said turning around. When he saw the man standing in the doorway, her smile faded. “Cade, what . . .? What are you doing here?”

  Cade came in and shut the door behind him. “You left your contact information with our neighbor. She told me where to find you.” He clenched his hands and then released them. “We need to talk.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Enid walked down the stairs and hugged Cade. “It’s good to see you. It’s just, well, this is a total surprise.” Enid pulled back from her embrace. “Are you alright? Fern?”

  “Everyone is fine.”

  Cassie came out of the office. “Hello, I thought I heard someone come in.” She put out her hand to Cade. “I’m Cassie, the innkeeper.”

  Cade shook her hand. “I’m Cade, Enid’s husband.”

  “Nice to meet you. You look hot and tired. How about some iced tea and cookies? They were baked fresh this morning.” She studied Cade’s face.

  “Sure, that would be nice,” said Cade. He looked down at the floor and shifted his weight.

  “Yes, that would be great,” said Enid. “Can you bring the tray to my room? Cade and I need to catch up.”

  “Yes, dear, of course. You go on, and I’ll be up in a minute.”

  In Enid’s room, Cade went to the bathroom and threw cold water on his face and neck. “It’s hot as hell down here.”

  “The capital city’s marketing slogan is ‘Famously Hot,’ and you can see why.” Cade dried off with a towel and sat in one of the chairs at the small table by the window overlooking the lake. He sat silently, looking across the water.

  Cassie’s voice followed a light knock on the door. “The tray’s here on the hall table. Just call if you need anything else.”

  Enid got the tray and brought in to her room. In addition to sweet iced tea, there were cookies and cheese straws, the kind with a hint of red pepper that had become one of Enid’s favorites during her stay at the inn. Enid poured tea in the glasses and handed one of the small napkins to Cade.

  “I’m not sure what I like the best about this place, the view or Cassie’s treats.” Enid sipped her tea, but Cade left his untouched and watched her.

  “Why are you here?” he asked.

  “I told you I was here doing research on Rosie.”

  Cade took a sip of tea, frowning. “This tea is really sweet.”

  “You get used to it after a while.” She reached out to take his glass. “Here, I’ll pour that out and get you some water.”

  “No, it’s fine.” Cade put his glass back on the table. “This isn’t just any story and you know it. This is my family you’re digging around in.”

  Enid brushed crumbs from her hands. “Not long ago you would have said she was our family.”

  Cade shifted in his seat. “I’m going to take the job in Montana.” Condensation from the cold glass had dripped onto his pants leg and he brushed it away. “I start in two weeks.”

  Enid wiped her hands slowly with a napkin, giving herself a few moments to collect her thoughts. “How am I supposed to respond to that? I thought you said you wouldn’t make a decision until we had a chance to discuss it.” She was determined not to become emotional.

  Cade raised his voice slightly. “Like you included me in your decision to come here?”

  Tears ran down Enid’s cheeks, and she quickly brushed them away. “This story is important to me. I thought you, of all people, could understand that.” They sat in silence for a moment, each looking away from the other.

  “I thought you’d poke around a little and come home. I didn’t realize you had become fixated on Rosie’s story. Have you talked to Mother?”

  “Not since I returned the news clippings to her.”

  “Did you tell her you were coming to Madden?”

  “No.”

  “I’m sure she’s not going to be happy that’s you’re here. Besides, I had hoped our marriage was more important to you. I want you to come with me.”

  “To Montana?”

  “Yes. It’ll give us a chance to make some changes and start a new life.”

  Enid went to the bathroom for a tissue and came back to her chair. “I’m sorry. It’s just that this a lot to take in.”

  Cade reached out and took her hands in his. “Oh, baby. I’m sorry we’ve come to this.”

  Enid nodded. “Me, too.”

  “I’m going to Montana on Monday to start looking for a place to live. Will you come with me? I want you to help find us a home.”

  “And what about my work here?” she asked.

  “I thought you wanted to leave the bank anyway.”

  “I meant my research. I want to finish it and maybe do a story on Rosie.”

  Cade turned and stared out the window at the lake. A heron swooped down on the water, hoping to grab a fish. He turned back toward Enid. “You can find another story to write. I’ll help you find one, and I’ll use my connections to help you get back into journalism. If that’s what you really want to do.”

  “It’s just that . . .” She got up and threw her tissue in the small trashcan under the sink. She ran cold water on a washcloth and wiped her face while looking in the mirror. A rash of fresh freckles had developed on her nose and forehead since she had been in Madden.

  Cade came into the bathroom and stood behind her, putting his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck and looked at her reflection in the mirror. “I love those freckles. Don’t try to rub them off.”

  Enid turned around to face Cade and kissed him. “I’ve missed you.” She ran her finger across his lips. “You seem so far away at times.”

  Cade released her waist. “Come with me.” He kissed he
r neck again and then her lips. “Please.” He made an exaggerated sad face, and Enid laughed. She took his hand and led him to the edge of the bed and motioned for him to sit beside her.

  Cade put his hand on her back, stroking it slowly. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against hers. Enid took his face in her hands and began kissing his nose, his eyes, and then his cheeks. Cade closed his eyes and made a small contented murmur.

  Enid dropped her hands. “But you’re a journalist, not a media relations person. Why are you taking this job? And what about Fern? Are you just going to leave her alone in Charlotte?”

  Cade stood up. “I think you’ll agree I’m qualified to deal with reporters and the media on behalf of the mining company.” He walked back over to the chair and sat down. “And Mother has a gaggle of ladies in the garden club to take care of her. When I’m gone, they’ll dote on her, and she’ll love it.”

  Enid walked over and sat across from him. “You really want to make a change, don’t you?”

  “That whole thing with the exposé on the senator taking bribes just took everything out of me. I’m tired of fighting newspaper executives who are paper pushers, not journalists, who make decisions based on profit and power.” Cade reached out and stroked her face with the back of his hand. “That’s not what we dreamed about when we wanted to be journalists. We wanted to go out and expose the truth, no matter what the cost. But that’s not the way the world works.” He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “Yes, I want to start a new life—with you.” He reached down and took Enid’s hand and led her back to the bed.

  CHAPTER 24

  Enid opened her eyes and squinted at the bright morning sun peeping in around the edges of the window shades. She looked down at her naked body and remembered Cade’s warmth and the cool breeze of the ceiling fan on their damp bodies. She also remembered the promise she made to him about returning to Charlotte today.

  Enid swung her legs off the bed and sat there, trying to get the cobwebs out of her head. She noticed a handwritten note on the bedside table. “Hurry back home. Love you. Cade.” He left early that morning to wrap up a few things in Charlotte before leaving for Montana.

  Enid showered and then packed her bags. Part of her was anxious to leave Madden and its secrets behind her. Maybe she and Cade could start over. She packed her suitcases and left them at the foot of the bed. She desperately needed a cup of tea, and she needed to let Cassie know she was leaving.

  Halfway down the long stairway, she inhaled the smell of hickory smoked bacon that filled the inn. Yes, she would miss Cassie’s cooking. And, she would miss Cassie. Enid had grown fond of her, and they had developed a close relationship. At times, Cassie reminded Enid of her mother, especially when Cassie fussed over her and tried to protect her.

  Cassie met her at the bottom of the stairs. “Hey, sleepyhead. Didn’t think you were going to get up this morning. Breakfast is out on the library porch. It’s such a beautiful morning, I thought you’d like to enjoy it.” Cassie scurried back to the kitchen, calling over her shoulder. “Go on out. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  * * *

  Enid was looking out across the lake when Cassie brought out a tray of scrambled eggs, bacon, and blueberry scones. When Cassie finishing laying out the food, Enid asked, “Do you have a minute to sit and talk while I eat?”

  “Of course.” Cassie got herself a cup of tea from the big mahogany sideboard in the library and returned to sit with Enid. “I just love this amaretto rooibos blend, don’t you? It’s so soothing.”

  Enid smiled. “Yes, it’s delicious.” She picked a few crumbs from the napkin in her lap and put them on the tray. “I need to tell you something.”

  Cassie put her cup down and looked at Enid. “You’re going home, back to Charlotte, aren’t you?”

  Enid nodded.

  “Your husband must have left pretty early this morning. If I had known, I would have given him some coffee and muffins for the road.”

  “Cade is taking a job in Montana and wants me to go with him.”

  “Is that what you want?” asked Cassie.

  Enid thought before she replied. “I want to save my marriage.”

  Cassie looked down at her hands and appeared to be studying a piece of loose cuticle on her finger. “I’m torn about what to say to you.”

  Enid reached out and patted Cassie’s hand. “I know. I’ll miss you, too.”

  Cassie put her hand on top of Enid’s and smiled. “Yes, but that’s not what I meant.”

  “What is it then?” asked Enid.

  “An innkeeper never talks about her guests, especially to other guests. But I feel like you’ve become more than that.” She paused. “Last night, when your husband came in, I thought I recognized him.”

  “How could you possibly know Cade? We were living in Charlotte by the time you came to Madden.”

  Cassie got up and went inside to the library and opened the middle desk drawer. She returned to the table with a photograph and handed it to Enid. “Last night, I looked through some photo albums until I found this. It was taken almost ten years ago at one of our annual picnics. I’m good at remembering faces and placing them, but not so good with names.”

  Enid studied the photograph. Cade was standing by the lake with a glass in his hand. He was with an attractive brunette, and they appeared to be laughing together.

  “Who is that woman?” asked Enid, pointing.

  “She’s Chief Jensen’s niece, an attorney in Columbia. The picnics are an open invitation. My guests attend, but we always have others who come from the town and elsewhere.”

  Enid put the photograph down and looked at Cassie. “Are you saying she was here to see Cade?” Her mind was racing.

  “She came here several times to talk to Cade, but I assumed it was business. They always looked serious when I saw them talking, but not intimate. Although, they were somewhat secretive, too. You know, they stopping talking when I came around.”

  “Was Cade a guest here when this photo was taken?” asked Enid.

  Cassie nodded her head. “As I recall, he stayed at the inn for nearly a week.”

  Enid was replaying conversations with Cade, trying to remember if he ever mentioned staying at the inn. “Was that for Rosie’s funeral?” As Enid recalled, Cade had gone to Rosie’s funeral and was back at work the next day.

  Cassie twirled the corner of a napkin with her fingers. “No, this was a year or more after that. When I saw Cade last night, I tried to remember our conversations. Of course, that was a lot of years and a lot of guests ago. I’m pretty sure, though, he told me he was checking into a family matter.” She put the napkin back on the table. “Of course, since I didn’t remember his name, I had no way of connecting the two of you when you showed up. Not until I saw him.”

  Enid picked up the photo again. “May I keep this a little while? I’ll mail it back to you.”

  “Of course, keep it if you like. It has no meaning for me. I just snap a lot of photos for the scrapbooks in the library. Guests seem to like seeing them, especially my repeat guests who show up each year.”

  “I remember Cade saying he did some checking into Rosie’s death, so perhaps that’s why he stayed here.” Enid looked down at the photo again. “I don’t know why he didn’t mention it last night.”

  Cassie stood up. “Well, I just wanted you to know, but I think you’re making the right decision to try to make your marriage work. If you love him, hold onto him.” She leaned down and hugged Enid. “I’ll help you get your bags down.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Enid looked around the large oak-paneled entrance foyer for the last time before heading back to Charlotte. She said goodbye to Cassie, with a promise to stay in touch. Cassie opened the front door and put one of the suitcases on the porch. “Just drive up to the front door so we can load your bags.”

  Cassie picked up a package wrapped in brown craft paper on the porch near the door. Across the top of the package was a note written w
ith a black marker: “To Enid Blackwell—Personal.” Cassie handed the package to Enid. “This is for you.”

  Enid took the package, which was about the size of a man’s shoe box, and looked at it. “This must have been delivered last night or very early this morning. There’s no postage or mailing label on it. I wonder what it could be?” She put the box on top of her suitcase. “I’ll open it when I get to Charlotte. Maybe it’s from Jack.”

  Cassie put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, Jack called and said he would drop your tote bag and notes off after lunch today. I’ll ship it to you, but you need to tell him you’re leaving.” Cassie looked at the box again. “That’s not Jack’s handwriting.”

  “Then I think I’ll see what’s in it before I leave.” Enid sat in one of the big upholstered chairs in the entrance hall. After loosening the heavy twine holding the paper wrapping, she examined the small wooden box inside. The initials RMG were crudely carved into the cover. Enid ran her hand across the letters and looked at Cassie. “Rose Marie Garrett.”

  Enid walked into the library and sat at the big table. She opened the box and carefully removed each item so as not to tear the brittle paper. Surveying the contents spread out on the table, she saw several documents, an envelope, a bus schedule, and two photographs. She opened the envelope, which contained $200 in five, ten, and twenty dollar bills. She put the cash aside and unfolded the first document—Rose Marie Garrett’s birth certificate from Mississippi. Rosie would have been twenty-seven if she were still alive. Wynona Garrett was typed in the space for the mother’s name, but the father’s name had been left blank.

  Enid folded the birth certificate and put it aside. The next document she picked up was a handwritten letter signed “Mom.” As Enid read the letter, her eyes kept drifting back to one line: “I’m sorry I let them tell you I was dead.”

  “Oh, my,” Enid said aloud. She massaged her temples with her fingers and took a deep breath before picking up the bus schedule, which listed the dates, times, and fares from Columbia, the nearest city with a Greyhound bus terminal, to Jackson, Mississippi. According to Wynona Garrett’s letter to her daughter, she was a prisoner at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility.