Greed with Envy (Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mystery Series Book 15)

by Hope Callaghan

  Gloria wrinkled her nose. “It looks like you’re going to a party, not a funeral.”

  Liz straightened her neckline. “This is all I have. They don’t sell drab colored clothing in Florida. Everything is bright and sunny.”

  “I’ll loan you an outfit. Follow me.” She motioned Liz to follow her to the master bedroom where she dug around inside her closet until she found a skirt and blouse that was more modest.

  Liz emerged from the bathroom and Gloria crossed her arms as she inspected the outfit. “Much better.”

  “I feel like an old woman,” Liz griped.

  “You are an old woman.”

  Liz grumbled all the way to the kitchen and even after she climbed into the back seat of the car until Gloria gave her a warning look.

  Liz knew she was treading on thin ice and quickly changed the subject. “I was thinking we could head over to the country club for a game of tennis tomorrow. It shouldn’t be too busy on a Friday.”

  Paul gave his wife a quick glance. “You’re taking up tennis?”

  “Liz wants to practice her swing and decided to take me with her. She finagled a trial membership over at Montbay Hills Golf & Country Club.”

  “And it’s only for a month.” Liz leaned forward in her seat.

  “You’re not going to snoop around to find out who Don was arguing with shortly before his death, are you?”

  “I hadn’t planned on it,” Gloria said. “Margaret hasn’t asked me to.”

  “Good.” Paul patted Gloria’s hand. “Sometimes it’s best to let things go. Margaret has enough on her mind right now.”

  Chad, Margaret’s son, planned to leave the following morning. He needed to return home and to work. He attempted to convince his mother to go with him so she wouldn’t be alone in the house but Margaret refused, insisting she had her friends to keep an eye on her.

  The funeral home parking lot was full. Don had many acquaintances and friends from both his career at the bank and all the years he’d spent as a member of the country club.

  Gloria briefly wondered if the man or men Don had argued with would be there. After parking, she followed Paul inside and Liz brought up the rear. She spotted Margaret standing next to her son, near the front of the closed casket.

  The trio joined the end of the line to offer their condolences.

  “I’m glad this is almost over,” Margaret said as she hugged her friend.

  “I know you are,” Gloria whispered in her ear. “God will help you through this day and through the days ahead.”

  Margaret hugged Paul next and finally Liz. “I almost didn’t recognize you in that outfit.”

  “This getup belongs to Gloria,” Liz said. “She made me change.”

  Margaret gave her a half smile. “Thank you for coming.”

  The trio moved on and joined Lucy, Ruth, Dot and Ray, Rose and Johnnie as well as Andrea and Brian, who stood off to the side in a quiet alcove.

  Lucy dabbed at her eyes. “This is so sad.” Her eyes wandered to the casket. “It reminds me of James’ and Gary’s funerals.”

  “Me too.” Gloria sighed. “I guess the older we get, the more funerals we’re going to attend. It’s just a part of life.” The group discussed the graveside service, scheduled for immediately after the funeral. After the graveside service, Dot was hosting a reception or repass for family and friends at the restaurant.

  All of the women had chipped in to cover the cost of the food. It would be a simple affair with comfort foods and a time of remembrance.

  After the somber funeral, Ruth, Gloria, Dot, Rose, Andrea and Lucy caravanned to the restaurant to begin the meal preparations. The men had gone on to the graveside service to represent for their spouses.

  Gloria transferred the garlic mashed potatoes from the large stainless steel pot to large serving bowls and placed them on the center island where Lucy picked them up and carried them to the long side tables they’d set up to hold the food.

  There were also large trays of baked and fried chicken, meatballs, green beans, corn, freshly baked rolls and several cakes and pies the women had baked ahead of time.

  They finished setting out the food, along with the dishes and silverware and guests began to file in. By the time Margaret arrived, the place was full of family and friends. There wasn’t a single empty seat in the place. In fact, many of the guests lined the walls and stood eating.

  Margaret took one look at all of the people who had shown up to show their love and support and burst into tears. Chad led his mother to the kitchen where Gloria and Dot were replenishing the platters of meat and rolls.

  “Oh dear.” Gloria wiped her hands on her apron and hurried to Margaret’s side. The friends quickly circled Margaret and Gloria began to pray. “Dear Heavenly Father, Please give Margaret the comfort and peace that can only come from You. Lord, you know today is so difficult for her. We ask that you wrap your arms around her and hold her close.”

  Gloria’s voice cracked and she began to sob.

  “Amen,” Lucy whispered before bursting into tears. The women began to bawl. Ray, who had jumped in to help, took one look at the kitchen full of crying women, walked out of the room and returned with several boxes of Kleenex.

  Paul arrived, as did Johnnie, Brian and Lucy’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Max. Chad comforted his mother and then returned to the dining room to speak with the guests.

  “We’ll take over.” The men shooed the women to the picnic table out back and took over hosting the reception.

  “I’m sorry Margaret,” Gloria whispered. “We were supposed to be strong for you.”

  “It’s okay.” Margaret grabbed a tissue and loudly blew her nose. “I just love you all so much. You have no idea how much your support and love means to me.” She eyed Dot. “I may have to hit you up for a job now that I’m flat broke and Don has left me with this mess.”

  “You haven’t recovered any of the money?” Rose asked.

  “No. The bank and retirement accounts are still active but there’s only enough money in each one to keep them open. I might have a thousand dollars total if you add all the money together.”

  “Except for the money from the coins,” Gloria said.

  “Yes. I still have the money from the coins. Thank the Lord I have no debt. If I’m careful the money will last,” Margaret said. “Chad is going to research some safe investments with the highest return possible to try to add to my nest egg.”

  Margaret reached for another tissue, dabbed her eyes and began twisting it around her finger. “Chad went to the country club to try to find out what happened. You know, who Don may have been involved with that had something to do with our money and Phil Holt stonewalled him again.”

  Liz wandered outside to join the women. “If you don’t mind me asking, how much money are we talking about?”

  “Liz,” Gloria gasped.

  “It’s okay.” Margaret waved a hand. “Let’s just say it was more than a million.”

  “A million bucks?” Liz’s eyes widened. “Whew! I’d be all over that. No way would I let someone rip me off.”

  “You mean like Martin?” Gloria asked pointedly.

  “I’m working on recouping my money,” Liz said. She turned to Margaret. “Have you thought about letting Gloria do a little digging around at the country club?”

  Margaret glanced at Gloria. “I didn’t want to ask since you have you hands full right now.”

  “With Liz,” Gloria pointed out. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to help, Margaret. If you want me to do a little poking around at the country club, I’ll be happy to give it a shot.”

  Liz placed the palms of her hands on the edge of the table and leaned forward. “I finagled a trial membership at Montbay Hills. I was trying to talk Gloria into running over there tomorrow so I can practice my tennis swing.”

  “I think it’s an excellent idea,” Dot said. “If anyone can sniff out the money, it will be Gloria.”

  “I agree,” Andrea sai
d.

  “I dunno.” Gloria gazed at Margaret hesitantly. “Are you sure?”

  “If you’re willing, I’d appreciate it,” Margaret said.

  “The sooner the better,” Ruth said. “If you wait too long the trail will grow cold.”

  “And the money will be gone,” Rose added.

  “It’s settled,” Liz said. “We’ll head over there tomorrow morning to start our recon mission.”

  Chapter 13

  “There’s a spot.” Gloria pointed to an empty parking spot near the center of the Montbay Hills Golf & Country Club parking lot.

  “Way out there? No way. We’re VIP baby.” Liz kept going and drove her sedan into the parking spot marked guest parking. “It was like pulling teeth to get this trial membership and I plan to take full advantage of it.”

  They exited the car and made their way to the door on the far side of the building. “We’re looking for Robert West, he’s the sales director.” Liz stopped abruptly and reached for the handle. “I had to spring for a 30-day trial membership but it will only cost you $500 bucks.”

  “Cost me five hundred bucks?” Gloria tightened her grip on her purse. “You’re telling me I have to pay?”

  “Of course,” Liz said calmly. “You can’t expect them to let us play at this beautiful club and use their tennis courts without paying for it.”

  “But…” To Gloria, five hundred dollars seemed like a whole lot of money just to whack a small yellow ball across a net.

  “You know I’m broke,” Liz argued. “Plus, this is a bargain. You wouldn’t believe what they charge at Royal Palm Plantations for a club membership.” She didn’t wait for her sister to answer as she opened the door and held it. “After you.”

  The inside of the office was masculine, the walls covered in a rich mahogany paneling. The smell of freshly cut grass followed them into the spacious shop and Gloria trailed behind her sister as she made her way to the counter in the back.

  “Yes. I’m Liz Applegate. I’m here to see Robert West about my membership and to remind him we plan to try out the tennis courts today.”

  The young man behind the counter nodded. “I’ll go track Mr. West down.” He disappeared through an open door and returned moments later, followed by a tall man with a crew cut and thick black glasses. “Ms. Applegate?”

  “That’s me.” Liz took a step forward.

  “I have your paperwork here.” Robert West briefly explained the country club’s policies on the use of the tennis courts, the exercise room, the golf course, golf carts, the green fees, the rental of golf clubs and other details Gloria tuned out.

  “I’ll need the five hundred dollars for your thirty-day trial membership.”

  Liz stepped aside and motioned Gloria to the counter.

  “Highway robbery,” Gloria muttered under her breath. She frowned at the man. “Do I get a refund if we decide within the thirty-day period we don’t want to join?”

  “Unfortunately not. The fee is non-refundable.” The man slid the papers across the counter for Gloria to look them over. “The policy on a 90-day trial is typically strictly enforced. We only agreed to a 30-day trial period since it’s nearing the end of the season.”

  “Lucky us,” Gloria said as she glared at Liz.

  She signed her name, handed him her credit card and waited for him to complete the transaction. After signing the slip of paper, she tucked the extra copy in her purse. “I’ll have fun explaining this one to Paul.”

  “I set aside our Babolat Pure tennis rackets for you to try along with a new can of tennis balls.” Mr. West reached under the counter and set a touch card on the counter. “I even threw in a thirty dollar gift card for Whispering Oaks Restaurant. The hours are on the back.”

  Liz snatched the gift card off the counter and shoved it in her front pocket. “How kind of you.”

  “Follow me.” The man stepped from behind the counter and Liz and Gloria followed him outside, down the sidewalk and around the corner.

  “The tennis courts are down this path about a quarter of a mile. You can’t miss them.” He pointed to a two-seater golf cart sitting next to the building. “It’s a distance so I thought I would loan you one of our carts.”

  “I’ll drive.” Liz handed the tennis rackets and can of balls to Gloria before she hurried to the driver’s side and hopped behind the wheel.

  Gloria frowned as she slid in the passenger seat. “Where’s the seatbelt?”

  Robert West began to explain how to operate the golf cart and Liz held up a hand. “I have a golf cart at my home in Florida.”

  “Good.” Mr. West took a step back and gazed up at the clear blue skies. “It’s going to be a beautiful day to play tennis. I hope you enjoy your game.”

  “Thanks.” Liz took her foot off the brake and the cart coasted onto the paved path. “I already checked out the layout of the club grounds so I know which way to go.”

  “This isn’t just a fun day out, Liz. Remember the reason we’re here is to try to glean some information about the incident with Don the day he suffered his heart attack.”

  “True, but all work and no play makes for a dull Gloria,” Liz quipped as she stopped the cart in the small gravel parking lot in front of the tennis courts and climbed out. “What’s the gate code?”

  “What gate code?” Gloria carried her purse, both tennis rackets and the can of balls to the gate.

  “The one he wrote on the paper you put in your purse.”

  Gloria fumbled inside her purse for the piece of paper and pulled it out. “One five one one.”

  “One five one one.” Liz repeated the numbers as she pressed the buttons. The lock clicked and she pushed the metal gate open. “Bingo.”

  Gloria trudged through the open door and stared at the double courts. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

  Liz ignored her sister as she reached for a tennis racket. “I’ll use this one.” She grabbed the can of balls from Gloria, popped the top and pulled one out. “I’ll take the duce court.”

  “Duce court?”

  “The right service court,” Liz explained. “You go on the other side.”

  Gloria walked to the other side of the net, tennis racket in hand.

  “Keep an eye on the ball.” Liz lightly tossed the ball in the air and hit it dead center. Whack.

  The ball sailed through the air, aimed right toward Gloria’s head and she ducked.

  “What are you doing?” Liz hollered.

  “Ducking,” Gloria said.

  “You’re supposed to hit the ball, not duck from it.”

  Gloria hurried to the back of the court to retrieve the ball. “Maybe if you hadn’t tried to hit me with it, I would’ve taken a swing.” She lifted her tennis racket, tossed the ball and swung. She missed the ball and it bounced on the clay court.

  “Nice shot…not,” Liz taunted.

  Gloria glared at her sister. “I told you I haven’t played tennis in years.”

  “Let me give you a couple pointers.” Liz strode to the center net. “Stance is everything. Make sure to keep your eye on the ball.”

  Gloria nodded and picked up the ball. This time, she hit the ball dead center and it whizzed through the air, across the net where Liz hustled and then swung, hitting the ball back across the net.

  Gloria missed on the return but after a few more attempts, was able to hit the ball half the time, which she considered a success. Gloria didn’t plan to admit to Liz she was enjoying the tennis game.

  It was a picture-perfect late summer afternoon and a light breeze fanned Gloria’s face. “I should have brought one of those thingies to shade my eyes.” She lowered her tennis racket. “I think I’ve had enough for today. Let’s explore the rest of the club, especially the golf course.”

  They exited the court and Gloria pulled the gate shut behind her. “You’re a pretty good tennis player.”

  “I’m not as proficient as I’d like to be, but it is good exercise and fun,” Liz said. “I convin
ced Frances to try it once. That’s where she hooked up with her beau, Harvey. It was the first and last time she played.”

  They climbed back into the golf cart, zipped past the first nine holes and zigzagged through a cluster of towering oaks. When they cleared the trees, Gloria spotted a small concession stand, the Snack Shack, on the other side. “I’m ready for a break if you are. Let’s check this place out.”

  Liz pulled the golf cart into the golf cart parking lot. “Me too. We should’ve brought some drinks with us. We’ll remember next time.”

  The women exited the cart and headed to the counter. There was a small sitting area inside and the place was full of men. All eyes turned to the women as they stepped inside and over to the small counter.

  Gloria perused the overhead menu board. “I’ll have a bottled water and hot dog please.”

  “Make it two,” Liz said.

  The man behind the counter rang up the purchases. “That’ll be twelve dollars and forty-nine cents.”

  Gloria looked at Liz who shrugged her shoulders. “I’m broke.”

  “And you’re beginning to sound like a broken record.” Gloria reached inside her purse, pulled out her wallet and handed the man a ten and five. “Keep the change.”

  After they grabbed their bottled waters and hot dogs, they sat at a small corner table a couple had just vacated. Gloria wiped the crumbs off the table with a paper napkin and then opened her bottle of water.

  After the women prayed, Gloria bit the end of her hotdog and studied the men seated inside. She wondered if any of them was Ed Shields, one of the men who had been golfing with Don the day of his heart attack.

  She tried to eavesdrop on the group seated nearby but it was a dull conversation about golf swings and the upcoming golf tournament. One of the men was contemplating purchasing a new set of clubs.

  Her mind drifted but she snapped back to attention when she caught the word funeral.

  “My hotdog tastes rubbery,” Liz complained.

  Gloria held up a finger to silence her as she tilted her head in an attempt to hear the men talk.

  “I was surprised Bolton had the nerve to show his face at the funeral home. Margaret should’ve tossed him out on his ear,” one of the men said.