“But we never go there,” Amy insisted.
Clara tried to intervene. “The Varsity food is loaded with sodium, fat, and other unhealthy ingredients.”
Who was she trying to convince? Herself or the arguing sisters. I waited for Hattie to offer a suggestion but she didn’t. Then I noticed that she was on her IPhone.
“Hattie. Are you okay?” I asked.
I assumed that she had been talking with Howard about the exhumations going on in north Georgia. I only hoped the numbers hadn’t risen since the last update I had from Tom.
The limo was quiet. When she finished with her conversation, we all looked at her.
“What news?” I finally asked but didn’t want to push. The others were hanging on every breath that Hattie took.
Finally Hattie said quietly. “Can we just go back to the Marquis and order room service? I’m feeling very tired.”
~13~
We lost no time getting back to the Marriott Marquis. Hattie doesn’t often blow the whistle on fun so I knew something was up. None of us talked about Athena or home or the Manor. Instead we spent the ride showing each other the Coke memorabilia that each of us decided that we couldn’t live without.
Just for fun I got Tom and Howard matching Coke polar bear ties that light up – just right for a Christmas or a New Years’ party. I thought that would at least get a smile from Hattie but she was seriously concentrating on something else. I was afraid to ask what that ‘something else’ was because I thought I knew.
Hattie went straight to her room. I would have laid odds that she had talked to Howard and something was up at home. So I did what she knew I would, I telephoned my husband.
Tom wasn’t much help. The investigation was ongoing. No more victims were found but the Manor’s landscaping was a complete disaster. Howard was maintaining a calm façade, but this whole business was wearing him down. I promised to pray for him and for my hubby.
The next morning we were scheduled for America’s Mart. Hattie used her credentials as owner of Total Image to get us in. Hattie bought the salon years ago and technically still owned it, but the management was all up to her nieces. The mood was somber and Hattie was not up at her usual time. When she did emerge I fixed her coffee and we sat on the balcony. Hattie had not changed out of her nightwear or fixed her platinum curls.
“How did you sleep, dear?” I asked in the most cheerful tone that I could muster.
“Not well. As you probably guessed, I talked with Howard and the news isn’t good. The count is up to seventeen and the modes of death range from strangulation to poison with torture and hideous other measures in between.”
Hattie paused to sip her coffee. The other girls brought their coffee out to the veranda but they wisely didn’t speak. Clara locked eyes with me. I shook my head.
“Ladies, why don’t you go ahead and pack. I think we’ll be heading home today. Hattie and I don’t feel much like shopping. Is that okay with everyone?”
“Of course,” they chimed and quickly disbursed to accomplish their task.
“You don’t mind do you Hattie?”
“No I think it’s for the best that we go back and give our support to Howard and Tom. My nephew, Neal, has been called in and they are widely searching for the felons who committed the sex trafficking and the other atrocities. This diversion has been great, Roxy, and I owe it all to you. I needed to get away and just have fun with my favorite people. I’m ready to hunt these folks down and make them pay,” and with that Hattie was back. She wheeled herself into her room and closed the door. When she let me know I would help with the packing but for now I was enjoying the new resolve. Life had thrown her a lot of grief, curve balls, and heartache but this one might be the biggest yet. Thank God she didn’t have to handle it alone.
Scarlett was locked and loaded. Suzy was at the wheel. We were safely buckled in and headed north. I think the entire group was renewed and ready for the adventure before us. This time together was the best.
Clara left her car at the manor so we went straight there. Howard and Tom greeted us all and helped with the luggage. The manor lawn once so green, manicured, and perfect now looked like a war zone. There were pieces of heavy equipment that I couldn’t name but I knew they dug, examined, hauled, and sorted. Tables and tents were everywhere with items of clothing, bones, and miscellaneous gear on display. It was like an episode of “Bones” and I wished that Temperance Brennan was here to solve this mystery. A makeshift lab had been set up in the side porch where various experiments were being carried out by scientists who came and went like they lived there. I suppose they practically did since this seemed to go on twenty-four seven.
Howard said that he tried to keep track of the different ones in charge but finally gave up. Some investigators were local but a majority was not. It was the same for the law enforcement officers, so he just touched base with Chief Browning who seemed to know everyone.
It was surreal kind of like a movie set where there is a lot of background action with one a few main players. I guess we were the players. The only problem was that we didn’t have a script. I guess this is one of those times that we have to play it by ear.
~14~
Howard and Hattie invited us to the townhouse for dinner. Clara made her excuses and left to join Derek. Suzy and Amy also had commitments so that left the four of us plus Callie who arrived to help serve. She was more or less ‘on call’ while everything was in an uproar. Chief Browning came by and dropped off a partial list of the victims who had been identified either by fingerprints, DNA, or actual pieces of identification on their person. Hmmm. Must have been a rush job if they didn’t strip their victims of ID. That definitely says something about our villains.
I kept all of these musings to myself – no sense ‘rocking the Titanic.’ Tomorrow another expert, Dr. Madison of Forensic Science International, will be bringing us up to date on their findings. I wonder if I will ever look at goldfish ponds, vineyards, or green grass in the same way. Will I always wonder what’s underneath?
Howard suggested that we don’t open the contents of the manila envelope until tomorrow when Dr. Madison pays us a visit. I agreed.
“Let’s don’t spoil this lovely dinner with things we can’t control. It will only give us indigestion. I have an idea. Let’s play poker,” I said and saw Hattie’s face brighten.
“Where’s your green visor?”
Howard whispered, “Bless you,” when she went to get it out of her millinery stash in the bedroom. The plastic visor didn’t exactly go with Hattie’s black and silver caftan but it sure brought back good memories of Golden Palms and the many antics we had while she was there.
For five dollars each, we had the best entertainment that money can’t buy. I accused Hattie of cheating when she put me out of the game with a straight flush. She cackled as she raked in the chips. Tom and Howard went head to head in trying to force each other out. We laughed harder than we had in months and the weariness was at bay at least for the evening. A short reprieve before the information that Dr. Madison would share tomorrow.
~15~
We met at the townhouse – Hattie, Howard, Tom, Me, Clara, Suzy, Tony, and Amy. It was sort of a ‘united front’ for whatever news we were to receive. Dr. Madison was very professional. After the introductions and the coffee poured, he began:
“When a body is decomposing it gives off faint chemical signatures in the air pockets near the corpse. It is possible through the use of a super thin flexible tube to detect these bodies in hard to reach areas such as under concrete slabs. In this situation we were able to use this method in the vineyard where the soil is aerated. We concentrated on areas which were particularly fertile due to the added nutrient in the ninhydrin compound.”
Dr. Madison paused and looked to see if we were staying with him. I particularly appreciated that he didn’t bombard us with chemical equations and terms that only scientists understand.
“Is everyone with me? Are there any ques
tions so far?” the good doctor asked.
“What’s with the tents and the heavy equipment?” Amy asked.
Was she flirting with him? I think she was just trying to get his attention. I didn’t notice a ring on his finger but that didn’t mean anything these days. Tom lost his original wedding ring and we never replaced it. I wonder if women flirted with him because they thought he was single. A discussion for another time.
Still Amy did up her game as far as wardrobe. The pink Chanel pants suit did make her gray eyes twinkle especially with the black pearls around her neck. She didn’t usually drag out the designer wear for just any occasion.
Oops I got lost in thought while the doctor was sipping his coffee. Now he’s getting into how they found the rest of the bodies. Only a few were found with this first method.
“When we had mapped the property and found three bodies with the chemical method I described, we brought in the cadaver dogs. They are only useful to a certain degree and their results can vary,” Dr. Madison continued.
“What do you mean vary?” Suzy asked.
“Well, the cadaver dogs sniff the chemical decomposition but it isn’t always human. It could be a squirrel or something an animal dragged through the grass. Weather can affect their scent ratio as well. These forensically trained animals have been used for years and are cost effective, but we have more modern means at our disposal now,” he answered.
“What sort of means?” Tony inquired.
“The latest is Ground Penetrating Radar or GPR for short. This equipment isn’t bothered by weather or soil conditions. It uses a radio or microwave signal which is sent into the ground and reflects off of objects underneath. It can identify different types of materials by signal strength. If it detects a coffin or vault, it is able to identify that along with grave depth and density. Like most methods it isn’t foolproof but its level of accuracy is high and it is noninvasive which is important when you are dealing with sacred burial grounds,” he explained. “There are of course old methods such as dowsing rods which old timers swear by, but those aren’t given much credibility by the scientific community.”
“You mean like using two rods or sticks like they used to do to find water?” I asked.
“Precisely. It isn’t a reliable method and can be publicly embarrassing. There’s a wide range of information on the internet as you would imagine. I’ve merely touched on the surface. We are using a combination of all the methods, except dowsing, to excavate your property, Mr. & Mrs. Saunders, in order to determine how many victims these sex traffickers left in their wake. Of course, those involved in this investigation extend to you our apologies for the inconvenience. We hope to be as thorough as possible, but we ask your patience as all of this is intricate work and takes time,” Dr. Madison concluded and seemed relieved that a large part of his mission was accomplished. He eased back into his chair with a refilled coffee cup as if to say ‘bring it on.’
We were still digesting all of the information he had presented. It was a lot to take in. Most people don’t sit around thinking ‘how do they find bodies under the earth’ do they? I think Hattie and I were the most stunned.
Howard broke the silence by asking “how many victims so far?”
“Sixteen I believe. All female and seemingly all Asian from what we can tell. Probably from war torn countries where the population is willing to take any offer to get out. One had identification so we are hoping that will provide a lead. Perhaps some of them are related or are from the same village or tribe.
“Another clue we found was a blood stain. It is being analyzed. Perhaps it will provide identity to the victim or DNA on the murderer – a win/win either way.”
The good doctor seemed relieved when Howard extended his hand as a way of thanks and a signal that he could leave. Tom followed them to the door. I wonder if he had a last minute question or one that he didn’t feel comfortable sharing in front of us all. He was taking this quite hard. I suppose it was the age of the girls and what they’d been through before death.
Chief Browning assured us that the investigation would be closed as quickly as possible. Dr. Madison said the same. “Get back to your normal routine” was the phrase of the day. I think we’d almost forgotten what that was.
~16~
As the Chief suggested, the girls and I began our daily routines. Easter and all of the church related activities went off without a hitch. No one was injured in the community egg hunt and we actually picked up a few visitors at First Church from the event. Tom started planning his new series for spring and I began to entertain the idea of directing another play at the community theatre. But considering the last one, I doubt the community leaders would want me back. Bad Karma and all that.
Suzy and Tony went to South Carolina to visit relatives with a side trip to Kiawah Island for a little R& R. Howard and Tony were becoming good friends mostly because of Howard’s interest in Tony’s business. Who knew taxidermy was so lucrative? Something for everyone I suppose.
Amy and William still kept in touch, at least as far as I knew. She played their relationship a little close to the chest. He was still an enigma to me. Of course pretending to be dead puts a damper on any relationship, doesn’t it?
I decided to renew my visits to Golden Palms. I expect that Elvira would be happy to see me although she’d never show it. And she would probably whine about not having the rest of our little posse around. It was no secret that Hattie was always our favorite.
When I asked about the Ledbetter sisters, I was told that they visit often. According to the gossip factory the sisters resembled the odd couple in the movies. One of the deacon’s wives confided that Blanche sat in on their weekly poker games instituted by none other than Queen Hattie. Her hushed tones indicated that she thought this information scandalous. I’ll bet Hattie becomes a regular visitor when she gets wind of this information.
Lord knows she needs something to take her mind off of the manor and the notoriety that it had claimed these past few months. The Chief promised a list of victims’ identities as soon as that was available or even possible. Howard was anxious to have a memorial service and put the whole nightmare to rest.
Golden Palms management had changed hands yet again. What was it with this group that they couldn’t keep an administrator? Hmmm. Maybe the thought of having a cat funeral, another fire, or someone tampering with the teapot runs off the faint of heart.
I know that I couldn’t keep up if I had a group of seniors as lively as the ones I knew. Maybe they needed more arts and crafts – something to keep their little hands busy. I’d suggest it whenever I met the new administrator whoever he or she was.
I picked up some sugar cookies at the bakery – no nuts or hard fruit because of the denture wearers. I signed in at the desk – a new procedure for security no doubt – and headed toward the activity room. Just as I headed down the hall I heard a familiar voice – Chief Browning was speaking to the receptionist. When their conversation ended, the chief twirled around and headed down the west wing – the Alzheimer’s wing which peaked my curiosity. Who could she possibly be visiting in there? It had to be personal – no person with dementia could be interviewed or could they?
I found an excuse to leave the poker game and went to the front desk.
“Hi, I’m Roxy Thibideaux, the minister’s wife from First Church. I just wanted to invite you to the activity room for fresh pastries and cookies.”
She looked a little startled. Maybe no one pays her any attention.
“Thanks but I can’t leave the front desk,” she said. As she turned I noticed her name badge.
“Matilda, go ahead. Treat yourself. I will be happy to watch the desk while you take a little break,” I said hoping she would bite.
“Really? That is so kind. I am kind of hungry. I got up late and had to skip breakfast,” she looked longingly at me. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for me to leave the desk for just a few minutes.”
“You see. God provides in m
ysterious ways,” I chirped.
When Matilda turned the corner, I flipped open the receptionist’s sign in book. There it was Suzette Browning and the patient she was seeing was John Cantrell, Room 203 in the Alzheimer’s wing. Would wonders never cease? What was the connection? Got to get Clara in on this one. I believe it calls for some in-depth research and she is the one to do it.
In a few minutes Matilda returned, she thanked me again and seemed to perk up. That’s what a little sugar and caffeine would do for a soul. And I think I made a friend which could come in handy when we got the scoop on the Chief.
I made a note of Mr. Cantrell’s room number to give to Clara along with anything else I might get out of the inmates. Elvira was there today to give her advice. Heavens! She would no more play poker than put her head in a vice. But at least she gave up on converting others. She just sits in the rocker and knits with an occasional evil eye to the others. As for me, she has given up on my being the perfect minister’s wife a long time ago.
I sat out a game and took time to invite a conversation with Elvira.
“What are you working on?” I asked.
She held her knitting so close that I suspected a few dropped stitches.
“I’m working on a few things for the mission holiday package. I’m so slow that it takes longer than it used to,” she said and for the first time ever I felt a little sorry for her. It must be lonely up on that pedestal where she likes to stay.
“I’m sure it will be beautiful when you are finished. The yarn is a lovely color. What’s the name of it?” I asked.
“Coral sunrise,” Elvira answered. “It reminds me of a trip I took as a young girl. My family and I went on a cruise to the Caribbean islands. I always wanted to go back but never had the chance.” Her needles clicked on without hesitation. I think this pattern was memorized. She had probably done it dozens of times.
Thursday Club Mysteries: All 7 stories Page 35
