Murder in Marietta (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 2)

by Deborah Malone

  “That’s a great idea. But when will I ever get any work done? Harv’s gonna’ kill me if I don’t touch base with him shortly. Remind me to call him later.”

  “Okay. If you remind me to remind you.” She slapped her leg and guffawed. I just grinned.

  We pulled into the hospital parking lot and went in to fetch Nana. This time, we maneuvered the corridors like experts. Like all hospitals, the unappealing smell of antiseptics lingered in the air.

  We walked through hallways where pictures of employees of the month hung. Portraits of past directors adorned another wall. My mind had traveled a million miles away when I opened the door to Dora’s room. Someone practically fell on top of me. I gazed into the gorgeous eyes of Dr. Rossi.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said.

  “No, I’m sorry,” I sputtered. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

  With a sweeping gesture he motioned for us to enter the room. He was a gentleman as well as a hunk. What a combination. I experienced a guilty twinge, as thoughts of Beau popped into my mind. But, I guess it doesn’t hurt to look.

  “Don’t worry. No problem. If I had to fall on top of someone I’m glad it was you.” He stared straight into my eyes and grinned. Was he flirting?

  “Uh…” I was speechless. Leave it up to Nana to fill the void.

  “Well, I agree with you Dr. Rossi.”

  Oh my goodness. What was I going to do with her?

  “Nana!” I felt the heat travel from my neck to my cheeks. I realized I was probably tomato red. Being easily embarrassed had always been a problem for me. Never able to hide my feelings, I felt exposed to the world at times.

  I glanced at Dee Dee for help. She stood with her hand over her mouth. Was that a laugh she stifled? I’d make her pay for being a traitor.

  “Well, you ladies have a nice visit. The patient is coming along nicely and should be able to go home soon.” With that he left. He probably couldn’t get away from matchmaker Nana quick enough.

  “Nannna! What am I going to do with you?” I wanted to throttle her, but hugged her instead.

  “Ah, you love me anyway.” She hugged back.

  I held her at arm’s length and looked her over good. “You got that right!”

  Even though I loved Nana with all my heart, I understood how Mama became so frustrated at times. When my mother was young, her parents died and her mother’s sister, Nana, raised her.

  After Nana’s husband died she went into a deep depression. Mama stepped in and insisted Nana move in with her.

  Nana recovered nicely, but her strong will grated on Mama’s nerves at times. I was glad she remained at home to enjoy the peace and quiet. Now I was responsible for Nana’s care until we returned to Vans Valley. Thinking about Mama brought tears to my eyes. I owed her so much for her support over the past few years.

  When Wade forced us into a financial nightmare we lost everything, including our house. When I didn’t know where I was going to live, Mama let me stay in her garage apartment. Suddenly, I felt a tremendous urge to call her.

  “Ladies, if you don’t mind, I’m going to the visitor’s lounge to make some calls.” I reached in my purse for my phone.

  “Sure. I’ll keep the girls company,” Dee Dee said. “And don’t forget to call Harv.”

  Ugh, I’d forgotten, but that was probably because I didn’t really want to talk to him. Work was the last thing on my mind.

  “Oh, I meant to tell you, Nana. We came to pick you up for lunch. When I get through with my phone call we’ll go to this place I noticed on the way over. It’s called Kountry Kousins and boasts the best home cooking around.”

  I no sooner reached the end of the hall when my phone rang. I almost jumped out of my skin.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, sweetie.”

  “Mama. You are not going to believe this, but I was about to phone you. I had this gut feeling I needed to call. Is everything all right at home? Is Bouncer giving you any trouble?”

  “No, dear. Your dog is fine. Everything is fine. I just wanted to check on you.” I could picture her sitting in her favorite recliner, feet up, as she talked. “Has Nana driven you crazy yet?”

  “She’s playing matchmaker with me and Dora’s doctor. I have to admit he’s handsome, but I’m not interested,” I insisted. “Well maybe just a little.”

  The melodious sound of Mama’s laughter floated through the phone, touching that homesick spot I hadn’t realized was there.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Beau’s very lonely,” Mama said, making me wish I was there with all of them. “He’s dropped around the past couple of days. I know he’ll be glad when you return. If you’re not home soon he might just come and get you.”

  “I miss him, too. Beau could help us with this murder case if he was in Marietta.”

  “Trixie, are you involved, again?” I felt like a child who’d been caught sneaking a cookie.

  “I can’t very well leave, now we’ve gotten Dora involved. I promise I’ll be careful.”

  “I don’t want you to get mixed up in a murder investigation like you did in Dahlonega,” she said. “It’s too dangerous. I’m beginning to wonder if this journalism job leads you down a path of trouble.”

  I made a choking sound. “Of course it’s not dangerous. It’s just a coincidence.”

  “A coincidence you’ve been in the vicinity of two murders. I’m not so sure.”

  “I’ll be careful.” I fully intended to keep that promise.

  “I talked with Jill and she’s coming to Marietta tomorrow for a school project and wants to meet up with you.” Jill, my only child, is a student at the University of Georgia.

  In mid-sentence with Mama, I spotted Nana flying down the hall. Well, as fast a mature woman could run.

  “Come on girl. You gonna jabber all day?” She beckoned with her hands.

  “It’s mom,” I mouthed, waving her off.

  “Tell your mama good-bye and let’s hit the road.

  “Mama, did you hear? Nana’s anxious to get lunch.”

  ‘Hi, Betty Jo,’ Nana hollered.

  “Well, you go on. We don’t want to keep Nana waiting. And above all else please don’t do anything stupid?”

  Who me?

  When we got back to Dora’s room, a crumpled suit blocked the door. That suit could only belong to one person.

  “What are you doing here Detective Bowerman?” It sounded terser than I expected when it came out of my mouth, but I was surprised to see him. And a little nervous.

  “Hello, Ms. Montgomery.” At least he wasn’t chewing on a nasty cigar this time. “Dora’s an old family friend and I came by to say ‘Hi’ and ask her some questions about the break in.”

  “Detective, I’m glad you stopped by. Is it true Doc’s a suspect in Jacob Wallace’s murder?” The room was small, and the smell of stale smoke filled my nostrils.

  “Doc told us you took him in for questioning,” Dee Dee said. “I’ve been falsely accused of a murder myself. I know how law enforcement can jump to conclusions.” She straightened Dora’s covers and fluffed her pillow.

  “That’s right, Detective.” Nana offered her opinion. “I’m proud to say if it wasn’t for Trixie and me, Dee Dee would be in the slammer right now.” Way to go Nana. Open mouth and stick in foot. Quiet filled the room until the Detective spoke.

  “And who told you Doc was a suspect? And we do not call them suspects anymore; we refer to them as persons of interest.” He measured his next words carefully. “Ms. Montgomery. I don’t care how much you helped on the case in Dahlonega, but you will not get involved in this case.” He hiked up his pants over his protruding belly. “Do you understand?”

  All eyes turned to me. “Yes. I hear you.” I wanted to point out I wasn’t the one who mentioned getting involved. Every time Dee Dee and Nana were around Detective Bowerman they had to expound on my attributes as a crime solver. I’m sure they meant well, but their bragging kept getting me in trouble.

&n
bsp; “Excuse us, Detective, we were just leaving.”

  We made sure Dora was settled in and comfortable before we left. Detective Bowerman followed us into the hall.

  “Ladies, I don’t think I need to remind you someone broke into Dora’s house. Just keep that in mind and stay out of this investigation.” He gave us a firm look, and hustled down the hall.

  “Well, shoot, we were just trying to help him,” Nana said.

  “It’s as plain as his rumpled suit Nana, he doesn’t want our help.”

  “Hey, there’s Nurse Patton, too bad we don’t have time to stay around and pester her.” Nana laughed mischievously.

  “Nana!” I surveyed the hallway to see if anyone heard her. I have to admit though; I thought it might be fun, too.

  “Maybe she’ll be here next time,” Dee Dee rubbed her hands together.

  “Girls, we’re awful. Come on let’s find some food.”

  The drive to the restaurant should have taken fifteen or twenty minutes, but we hit a modern day traffic jam from all the tourists.

  As I drove, the day turned from sunny to cloudy in a matter of minutes. I could smell the rain before it started. Raindrops drizzled down the windshield, and I hit the wiper button. Nana and Dee Dee talked about Dora’s therapy. I used this time to ponder the events of the past few days. What a mess we’d fallen into.

  Not only had I offered to help Doc, I had an article due soon. Harv expected a manuscript on the Marietta History Museum and the resident ghosts when I returned home. I needed to focus on work more.

  Dee Dee disrupted my thoughts. “Is that it?”

  “Yep.” I whipped into the parking lot. Only a few spaces remained. A good sign.

  “Didn’t they misspell Country Cousins?”

  “It’s catchier this way, Nana. Come on, y’all. Let’s check this place out.” Dee Dee had the door open before I came to a complete stop.

  The building, a log cabin, was a little bit of nostalgia in the middle of suburbia. As we entered, I noticed old timey signs hanging on the walls. Antiques decorated every corner of the quaint restaurant. The hostess, all of 5’2” and a good 150-160 pounds, showed us to a table in the back corner.

  “Hello girls. My name is Velma. How y’all doin’ today?”

  Dee Dee shot her a sad look with her puppy dog eyes. “Well Velma, we’re doing pretty well, considering we’re starving.”

  “Shoot, I guess you’ve come to the right place. Let me tell you about our special of the day.” She took a pencil from behind her ear and licked the end. Yuck. She poised it over her pad. “Today we got meatloaf and two vegetables for $4.95. Of course, that includes dessert. Ruth, my cousin and the cook, whipped up a batch of her special bread pudding this morning.” Velma rattled off more specials without as much as a pause.

  “The meatloaf!” three voices told Velma in unison. While we waited on our food, she brought us sweet tea served in quart jars, a slice of lemon hooked on the rim.

  Ice clinking back into her tea glass, Dee Dee smacked her lips. “That’s the ticket. Trixie, we should go over to the Gone with the Wind Museum after we finish eating and pick out our dresses if we’re going to the ball tonight.”

  Nana jumped on this like a flea on a dog. “What ball are you talking about?”

  Oh boy, Dee Dee let the cat out of the bag. There was no way out of this but to tell Nana about the fundraiser.

  “The Marietta History Museum is giving a Civil War period gala tonight, and Doc wants us to attend so we can meet some of the Board members. The Gone with the Wind Museum is graciously providing dresses for attendees.” I took a refreshing sip of cold, sweet tea. “Why don’t you spend the night with Dora while we go to the ball?”

  She stared at me like I’d grown two heads. “Are you crazy?” She scrunched up her face. “You are not going to leave me out of this. You know, me and Scarlett have a lot in common.” She clapped her hands. “Oh, this is so exciting.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Velma muttered as she approached our table. “I told her so, but nooo she wouldn’t listen.” She shook her head. “Girls, sorry to have to tell you this, but we’re out of meatloaf.” We issued a collective groan.

  “Ruth never takes my advice. She’s Ms. Know It All. I told her she didn’t make enough meatloaf. It’s always a crowd pleaser, so it wouldn’t hurt to have more than enough. But no, she doesn’t want to have too many left overs,” Velma spouted. She put her hands on her hips and took a determined stance.

  “That’s all right Velma,” Dee Dee tried to cut her off before she continued her tirade. “What choices do you have available?”

  “Let me think.” She flicked her pencil on her chin. “We have plenty of steak and gravy or fried chicken. I’ll let you have either one for the same price of $4.95.”

  I chose the steak and gravy. Dee Dee and Nana went for the fried chicken. Cholesterol heaven here we come.

  We talked about Dora’s progress and then discussed who we’d question next. “Let’s go to the bookstore first thing in the morning and talk with Susan. Dee Dee, you can look around and I’ll find some reason to ask her questions.”

  While we planned, Velma and a young lady brought our food to the table. Good grief, each plate held enough food to feed a starving family of five.

  “Did I hear y’all mention Susan over at the Magnolia Books and Antiques down on the square?” Velma wiped her hands on her apron, and struck a pose.

  “Do you know her?” Dee Dee asked.

  “Yep. She comes in here now and again. She always treats me like I’m some second-class citizen. Sure, she has money and is dressed in them nice clothes, but that don’t make her any better than the rest of us. She puts her pants on the same as we do. Anyway, I’ve heard she’s about to lose her antique store.”

  She glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was listening and leaned in conspiratorially. “As a matter of fact, I’ve seen her and Jacob Wallace in here more than once. Lookin’ all goo-goo eyed at each other.”

  Susan and Jacob as a couple was definitely an interesting twist. This information could take the investigation in a different direction. “Really? Are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure. I’ve lived here all my life and know most everyone from around here. A good number of people who work down on the square eat here.” She looked at me indignantly.

  “That’s good news, Trix. Maybe she killed Jacob and we can get Doc off the detective’s hit list.”

  “Yeah, ain’t that great, Trixie,” Nana said.

  I kicked Dee Dee’s shin under the table, I wasn’t sure if Velma would tell Susan about our snooping. I had to put a sock in Nana and Dee Dee’s mouths.

  “Ouch, what did you do that for?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

  “Sure it was.” Dee Dee reached under the table and rubbed her ankle.

  “Thank you, Velma. We’ll holler if we need anything else.” I hoped she’d take the hint and leave.

  “Hmph. I’ll be back to check on ya.” She turned on her heels and left us to our delightful bounty. We bowed our heads and said a little prayer of thanks. I dug into my food like I’d never eat again. The helpings didn’t look so big after all.

  We enjoyed silence the next few minutes while we wolfed down our chow. Ruth’s home cooking was some of the best I’d ever eaten in a restaurant. No wonder they ran out of meatloaf.

  I laid the crumpled napkin on the table and patted my stomach. “Ladies, I feel like a stuffed turkey on Thanksgiving morning.”

  “Me, too,” Dee Dee agreed.

  “Well, I didn’t have much of an appetite after all.” Nana’s plate sat empty on the table. I’d hate to see her when she was hungry.

  “Ladies, y’all ready for your check?” Velma laid the ticket face down on the Formica. “I don’t know what you want to speak to that ole’ Susan Gray about, but I’m sure she and that Wallace fellow was up to no good.”

  I was sure they were, too. “Th
ank you, Velma. And you tell Ruth the food was to die for.” Oops, maybe not the best choice of words.

  “Yes, me too,” Nana said. “Some of the best vittles I’ve ever eaten.”

  “Well, y’all come back now. Ya hear?” Velma laughed and slapped her leg.

  It was a little after two in the afternoon, so we headed over to the Gone with the Wind Museum. We could go pick out our dresses, and then have enough time to go back to Dora’s and take a quick nap.

  Before Dee Dee could reapply her lipstick, we pulled onto the historic Marietta Square once again. Now familiar, with all of the trips we’d made downtown, the rain had stopped and the sun shone bright as a hundred watt light bulb. The air smelled fresh, and several tourists had already ventured out, enjoying the cooler air in the park, located in the middle of the square. Some window shopped as they walked along the sidewalks.

  We parked and made our way over the railroad tracks. Nana kept up like a trooper. She talked a mile a minute about being Scarlett.

  “Oh, I can’t wait to get my dress,” Nana said. “I’ll look just like Scarlett. You wait and see.”

  “Well. I rather fancied myself being Scarlett.” Dee Dee patted her head with the palm of her hand as if patting her curls.

  “Okay, girls. Let’s not get into a cat-fight. You can both be Scarlett. Once the ladies put on their dresses for the evening, all of them will probably feel a little like Scarlett.” I had to admit, I was getting excited. I’ve always wanted to dress up in a beautiful ball-gown.

  We walked into the Gone with the Wind Museum. The building appeared deserted at first. “Hello, may I help you?” An attractive, middle- aged lady greeted us.

  “Yes. We want to rent gowns for the museum fund-raiser they’re having tonight.” Her eyebrows rose to her widow’s peak.

  “Oh, my. You’ve come at a most inopportune time. The dresses have been picked over, but we may have something left.” She motioned for us to follow her through the hallway and back into a side room. “I’m afraid this is all we have. I’ll try my best to fit you with something.”