“Let's do it!”
“Okay, now that we're finished working for a while, let's sit and talk about what happened last night,” Lisa said, carrying two cups of steaming hot coffee to the small round table in the corner.
Brynn joined her and grinned. She knew what Lisa was talking about. “I wondered when you were going to bring that up.”
“Well, you know me. Work first, then gossip.” She laughed at herself, which caused Brynn to laugh along.
“There's nothing to gossip about,” Brynn said as she looked down at the swirls on the marble top table.
“Oh, yes there is.” Lisa paused long enough to sip the hot drink. “I saw the way you were eyeballing him as he was saving you.”
“Eyeballing who?” Brynn gave her a strange look coupled with a slight grin. She was playing with Lisa and loving it.
“Who? Superman, that's who!”
“Well, I don't know if he's Superman, but he is pretty sweet.” Brynn felt her face burn and knew she must be blushing.
“Uh-huh, I knew it!”
“You know what?” Brynn teased.
“You're smitten with the handsome detective.” Lisa winked and smiled.
Brynn shrugged and grinned as her finger traced the curvy lines on the table. “Maybe,” was all she offered to her friend.
“Looks like we have a customer,” Lisa said as she glanced over Brynn's shoulder to see Millie's neighbor coming up the sidewalk.
Brynn looked up as she walked behind the displays. “Good morning, Mrs. Cutler.”
Myrtle Cutler had been Millie's neighbor for more than thirty years. She and her husband Charlie bought the house next door on a whim one day while driving around town. Myrtle had noticed the large white trellis with bright red roses climbing it and had to have the house right then and there. Since then, she'd planted many more flowers, turning her home into the town's showplace for gardening. It was her passion.
“Good morning, sweetheart. How are you doing today?” she asked in a most empathetic tone as she went around the register to hug Brynn.
Brynn was surprised but returned the gesture. “I'm doing alright.”
“Oh dear, I know the shock of what happened must have been too much. I can't imagine,” Myrtle said as she brought her hand to her chest and shook her head.
“It's hard,” Brynn answered, hoping to change the subject. “So what brings you to town?”
“Oh, honey, I'm on my way to pick up my new car,” Myrtle said as she leaned over and examined the croissants.
“New car? Wow,” Lisa chimed in.
Myrtle looked up. “Oh, hi, Lisa. How are you, sweetie?”
“I'm great.”
Myrtle went back to looking for a treat. “Yeah, I got a new Mercedes and they’re getting it ready as we speak.”
The girls looked at each other and smirked. “That's nice,” Lisa said.
“Mmm,” Myrtle muttered.
“Your husband must have left you a fortune when he died.”
“Lisa!” Brynn blurted.
“Oh, it's okay,” Myrtle giggled. “He did, honey. He was a generous man.”
“I'm surprised you haven't married again,” Lisa prodded.
Brynn looked at her and wondered where she was going with this line of questioning.
“Well, you know what they say, ‘You never know what tomorrow holds’,” Myrtle replied.
“That will be four dollars and thirty-five cents, Mrs. Cutler,” Brynn said, hoping to end the Lisa’s interrogation.
Myrtle set her large purse on the counter in front of Brynn and began to rummage through it.
Brynn looked at her strangely. “Mmm, something smells sweet in your purse. What is that?” she asked.
Myrtle looked up. “Oh, I don't know. I must have spilled some perfume or something.”
Brynn watched as she fumbled with the zipper, trying to close it quickly.
Lisa stepped forward. “Let me smell it.”
Myrtle quickly took her tart from Brynn's hand. “Oh, it's just some cologne I spilled, that's all.”
Brynn watched as Lisa moved behind her and sniffed the air around her. “Thank you, Mrs. Cutler.”
“Thank you, sweetheart,” she returned with a smile. “You are so much nicer than Mildred. I'm so glad that you're running this place now.”
Brynn smiled. “Thank you, but Aunt Millie wasn't that bad.”
“Oh, yes she was!” Myrtle shot back. “She never would keep that mutt of hers out of my flowers. I've got prize-winning roses in my yard, you know.”
“I know,” Brynn said, surprised that her attitude had taken such an ugly turn.
“Well, I hope the problem is solved now that she's –,” Myrtle stopped mid-sentence.
Brynn saw Lisa's eyes widen as she stood behind Myrtle. “Whoa,” she mouthed as she shook her head. Brynn knew what Lisa was thinking.
“So Myrtle, you still play bingo?” Lisa asked.
“Uh, yeah, a little.”
“Well, Brynn and I are going tonight. How about you meet us there?”
Brynn shook her head as Myrtle looked at Lisa.
“Oh, I don't know. I've got a lot of work to do in the yard. I'm getting ready for the annual Rose Festival.”
“I'd say you're a shoe-in to win too,” Brynn offered.
“Yeah, as long as you keep that dirty little fur ball out of my yard.”
“I promise I'll keep him off your property,” Brynn said.
“Well, that's more than what Mildred ever did. She let that little yapping varmint come over whenever he pleased, digging holes in my beautiful lawn.”
“So, Myrt, you in for bingo tonight?” Lisa interrupted.
“I guess I could meet you down there.” Myrtle turned to Brynn. “Thank you for the tart and the invite.”
“Thank you for your business, Mrs. Cutler.”
They watched her clomp out of the bakery. Her already unkempt salt and pepper hair blew like fuzz in the breeze when she cleared the door, causing Lisa to laugh uncontrollably.
“Man, she's a mess!” she exclaimed.
Brynn giggled. “What was with the questions?”
“Come on, Brynn. You can't be that naive.” Lisa stared at her.
“What do you mean?” She was clearly dumbfounded as to what Lisa was talking about.
“Oh, please. The sweet smell coming from her purse? Her attitude about Millie? The anger towards the dog?” Lisa stopped as if she was waiting for Brynn to catch up. “Brynn. Don't you think it's possible that Myrtle killed Millie?”
“Myrtle?” Brynn laughed. “I doubt that. I know she didn't like her, but murder? I don't think she's capable of it.”
“Well, I did some checking on the internet last night and ethylene glycol has a sweet smell, just like her purse.” Lisa smiled and shook her head as if she'd just solved the mother of mysteries.
Brynn rolled her eyes. “She said the smell was perfume. And why would she have antifreeze in her purse anyway? That's crazy.”
Brynn could tell that Lisa was in deep thought. “Maybe she had it in her purse to transport it?”
“I think you're grasping at straws, Lisa.”
“You never know.”
“Now who's watching too much TV?” Brynn laughed and went back to filling the cases.
With the work day finally over, both girls were getting ready for their “big” night out at the local bingo hall.
“You look cute,” Brynn said as she walked into Millie's bathroom and saw Lisa putting her long blonde hair up in a ponytail.
Glancing her way, Lisa shot back the same compliment to her best friend as she held the bobby pin tightly between her teeth.
“Hey, Brynn?” Lisa asked.
Brynn looked at her and smiled. “Yes?”
“When you were sitting in your fancy New York apartment, did you ever think you'd end up back here playing bingo with a bunch of old ladies on a weeknight?” She laughed loudly as the words trickled from her mouth.
<
br /> Brynn laughed. “You're not going to believe this, but I actually hoped I'd end up back here.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s home and all that jazz,” Lisa said as she lightly sprayed the fraying pieces of hair.
“There's just something about this place that called me back.” Brynn seemed lost in thought. “I loved New York, but it's just not home.”
“Well, listen, I can't wait to get at Myrtle tonight,” Lisa said, displaying her evil grin.
“Hey, take it easy on her. I don't think she's as bad as you think.”
“Well, she's crabby, that's for sure. She gets bent out of shape about those stupid roses of hers.”
“I know, right? Promise me if I ever get that way, you'll put me out of my misery by taking me shoe shopping or something,” Brynn said as she put her arm around Lisa's shoulder.
“Hey, only retail therapy for us chicks!”
Brynn
“Oh my god, would you look at that,” Lisa remarked snidely as the girls walked through the doors of Chesapeake Pointe Fire Department, ready to play bingo.
Brynn glanced over at her best friend in complete bewilderment. “What am I looking at?”
“The wrinkles and the smoke,” Lisa said as she pretended to cough.
“Ha ha. I know, it's kind of ironic that smoking is allowed in a fire department,” Brynn said as her eyes scanned the room for Myrtle.
“Yeah, I know,” Lisa replied under her breath.
Brynn looked over to see that she, too, seemed to be searching the crowd.
“Hey, look,” Lisa pointed to the far left wall where Myrtle was sitting with a group of older women. “Come on,” she said as she grabbed Brynn's right arm, practically dragging her toward Myrtle.
“Hey girls, have a seat,” Myrtle said as she lit a Virginia Slim and took a long drag.
Brynn elbowed Lisa as she scooted her chair under the table, getting comfortable.
“I wasn't sure you'd come tonight, Mrs. Cutler.”
“Brynn, honey, you've known me for years. Please call me Myrtle.” She smiled and blew smoke into the air above her head.
“So, you feeling lucky tonight, Myrt?” Lisa taunted.
Brynn watched as Myrtle eyed Lisa. She had a feeling her neighbor might just let Lisa have tonight if she continued her badgering.
“I am. How about you?” She raised her eyebrows and smiled. Taking another long drag of her cigarette, Myrtle began to cough deeply.
“Wow, you'd better quit those things,” Lisa said suddenly. “They just might kill you.”
Brynn kicked Lisa under the table and quickly changed the subject.
“So, I'd say there are a lot of people here tonight that I haven't seen in years,” she said as she looked around the large room.
“Yeah, most of them you probably don't want to see, honey,” Myrtle said in her direction. “They're just the same old busybodies they always were. Nothing's changed since you left. Has it, Lisa?”
Brynn quickly looked at Myrtle to see she was staring hard at Lisa.
Was Lisa on to something? Was her theory as crazy as it sounded or could Myrtle really be Millie's killer?
“Hey, earth to Brynn,” Lisa said as she snapped her fingers in front of her best friend's face.
“Oh, I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something.”
“Yeah, no kidding. You were a million miles away. I asked if you wanted a soda.”
Brynn looked around again. “Sure, but I'll go get it. How about you?” she asked Lisa.
“Yeah, get me a Coke.”
“Mrs. – I mean, Myrtle, would you like something?” Brynn asked politely.
“Yes, sweetheart, I would like a cup of black coffee, if you don't mind.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a dollar bill.
Brynn took the money and walked toward the concession stand where she saw a crowd of people. Getting in line, she remembered what Lisa said about Myrtle's purse smelling sweet and she decided to sniff the dollar bill.
Nothing. Come on, Brynn, get a grip. These people are going to think you've lost it if they see you smelling money.
She smiled as she thought how funny she must look with the nasty dollar bill against her nose.
“Well, if it isn't Brynn Monroe!” a female voice called from her left.
Her head spun around to see her high school English teacher, Elsie Fletcher. “Hi, Mrs. Fletcher!” Brynn said as she hugged her tightly. “How are you?”
“I'm great. How are you?” Elsie asked as she pulled away from the hug, but continued to hold Brynn's arms.
“I'm doing well. I've opened the bakery and changed some things. And you know we lost Aunt Millie?” Brynn could feel tears welling in her eyes.
“I know,” Elsie said in a lowered tone. “I'm so sorry, sweetie.”
“Thank you. Are you getting some snacks too?”
“Just some coffee,” Elsie said. “Have they found out what happened yet?”
“No, they're still working on it,” Brynn said. She was uncomfortable speaking of her aunt's death in such a public place.
“Yeah, well, if you ask me, there's probably a long line of suspects to go through,” she said calmly as they took a step closer to the counter.
Brynn tilted her head. “What do you mean, a long line?”
“Well, honey, it's no secret that Millie was hated by pretty much everybody in town.”
How rude. And blunt.
“I'm not trying to be mean, but c’mon, you know what kind of person she was,” Elsie said in a hushed tone.
Brynn shook her head. “I know she wasn't the nicest person ever, but I had no idea that so many people disliked her to the point of wanting her dead.” She was in shock.
“I'm sorry, I thought you knew.” Elsie suddenly looked distraught. “Oh, I wish I'd kept my big mouth shut now.” She put her hand over her mouth as if she'd just given out some top secret government code.
“No, Mrs. Fletcher. It seems there's a lot I don't know that maybe I should.” Brynn smiled at her. “Do you mind if I come sit with you, so you can tell me whatever you think is pertinent?”
“Of course, honey. I don't mind one bit. I'm sitting right over there.” Elsie pointed to her table. “I'll meet you there after I get my coffee.”
Brynn stepped up and ordered their drinks and headed towards the table where Lisa was sitting.
“There you go,” she said to Myrtle as she put her coffee on the table in front of her. “I ran into Mrs. Fletcher from high school and she wants us to sit with her tonight,” she said to Lisa.
Brynn saw the look of shock on Lisa's face but she knew she couldn't explain in front of Myrtle.
“Why?”
“It's been so long since we've seen her and she just wants to catch up.”
“Are you kidding? I just saw her last week down at Grady's Hardware Store. She was buying some tomato stakes.” The serious look on Lisa's face almost caused Brynn to laugh.
“Well, I haven't seen her in a long time. Come on.” She grabbed her purse and motioned for Lisa with her head.
“Alright, you're the boss.”
“Myrtle, I'll see you tomorrow around the house probably,” Brynn said as she hurried away from the table.
“I wanted to sit with her so I could question her,” Lisa said in a huff as they walked away.
“I know, but listen.” Brynn stopped halfway to the table so she could clue Lisa in on what was about to happen. “Mrs. Fletcher said there are so many people in town who probably wanted Aunt Millie dead and she's going to give me a list of suspects, of sorts. So, we have to sit with her. Now, c’mon.”
“Oh okay, why didn't you just say so?” Lisa said as she followed Brynn to the table across the room.
“Hey, Mrs. Fletcher, I brought Lisa with me.” Brynn placed her purse under the table by her feet and got comfortable.
“Hello, Lisa.”
“Hi, Mrs. Fletcher. Did you get your tomatoes lined up?”
“Yes, I sure di
d. Grady had just what I needed for the job,” she said with a smile. “Brynn, you remember Agnes Stanton, don't you?”
“Yes, I do. How are you, Ms. Stanton?”
“I'm doing fine, doing fine,” Ms. Stanton said in a squeaky voice.
“Do you still have your shop on the waterfront?” Brynn asked. “Curl Up-N-Dye?”
The girls giggled.
“I do. Been at it for over thirty years now. These old gams are getting tired.”
Brynn smiled at her. “It's nice to see that you're still going strong.”
But can we please dispense with the small talk? I mean, conversations with old ladies about tomatoes and varicose veins are NOT what I'm here for. Geez!
“Agnes, I was telling Brynn at the counter all about how Millie had a lot of enemies in town.”
“Oh, she did, she did,” Agnes repeated.
God, I hope she doesn't do that all night.
Brynn leaned in so she could speak lower. “Can you tell me who they are?”
“Sure,” Elsie began but was stopped by the male voice overhead.
“B-12”, he announced. “B-12”
The women took their markers and blotted the numbers on their papers.
“This is gonna be a long night,” Lisa whispered in Brynn's ear.
Brynn shook her head in agreement and rolled her eyes.
“Okay, where were we?” Elsie said.
“You were getting ready to tell the girls about who hates Millie enough to want her dead!” Agnes announced loudly.
“Shh!” Lisa said suddenly. “Come on, keep it between us.”
“Sorry,” Agnes squeaked. “I have a hearing problem. I've mostly lost my hearing in my left ear.”
Oh my god, I'm gonna die of old age myself before I get anything out of these two.
Brynn was becoming noticeably anxious.
“Calm down, sweet pea. We're getting there,” Elsie said.
Brynn smiled. “I'm sorry. I just wonder who did this to her.”
“Well, if you want my opinion,” Agnes said, being the first to speak. “It was the delivery driver that used to make his runs to the bakery. What was his name?” She put her finger to her mouth and looked up, as if in deep thought. “What was his name, Elsie?”
Elsie marked her paper with the O-75 that had just been called and took a short puff of her cigarette. “Dan, I think.”
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