Tawas Goes Hollywood

by Madison Johns

  “Can you think of anyone who would want to hurt Louis?”

  “I wish I could. I hate this hanging over us. It can’t look good for this to happen when your movie is being made.”

  “I don’t know about looking good, but it’s rather bothersome, especially when we can’t figure out who killed that poor man.”

  “I don’t suppose you’d know where we’d be able to find Peter and Cheryl?”

  “They went sailing.”

  “And Madison?”

  “She’ll be along soon. She’s meeting me.”

  A feminine voice cleared her throat behind us and Eleanor and I moved out of the way.

  “Sorry. We didn’t realize we were taking your place,” I said to Madison, who was cute in a yellow dress accentuating her tanned skin and blond hair. She was in her early twenties, if that.

  “It’s okay. You’re the investigators, right?” she asked as Madison joined us. “Have you found out who killed Louis?”

  “I wish. Do you have any ideas?”

  “Afraid not. I was sick the day we arrived. I’m so glad the opening scene didn’t work out the next day. I was in the opening scene.”

  “Were you even on the set that day?”

  “Stuck in my trailer, and Eileen and Hannah made sure I stayed there until I was feeling better. They’re the set grandmothers.” She jiggled when she laughed.

  “What do you think about Eileen and Hannah?” Eleanor asked.

  “I just told you. But something strange happened that day. Ivy came to visit me.” Madison made a face. “I don’t like her. She’s too fake and acted like she was so upset about Louis’s death. I didn’t believe it for a minute.”

  I exchanged a look with Eleanor, who asked, “How much time did she spend in your trailer?”

  “Most of the day. The cops had Louis’s trailer hauled away. It’s part of the crime scene, the cops said. If I knew how cute troopers were I’d have forced myself to get up. Trooper Sales questioned me. The only thing wrong with him is his wedding ring.”

  “Bill is married to my granddaughter and they have a baby,” I clarified, just so she wouldn’t get any crazy ideas.

  “Oh that’s too bad. For me, I mean, not your granddaughter.”

  “It’s too bad you’re all in this situation.”

  “Amim managed to have two scenes shot today, which should put her back on track.”

  “I believe they were also shooting at Fuzzy’s later,” Eleanor added.

  “Amim shared the schedule with you?” Madison coyly asked. “I mean she told the entire cast, and said she appreciated our dedication to the movie. But I didn’t think you’d be privy to that information.”

  “That sounds strange since this movie is about us, but what do I know,” Eleanor said.

  “That isn’t done normally, trust me,” Madison said. “Never on any movie set I’ve ever been on, which makes this even better. Amim organized a bonfire at the point tonight.”

  “So why aren’t you two there?”

  “Too windy,” Madison said. “And Yasmine is the only one near my age.”

  “How about Ivy?”

  “She’s too busy running Amim’s errands. I heard she’s trying to keep Ivy so busy that she won’t have time to rattle on as if she’s the only one capable of being Amim’s first assistant.”

  “Personal assistants can be much busier, I imagine. I appreciate all your help, ladies,” I said as Eleanor and I walked through the restaurant.

  “We should head out to the point tonight,” Eleanor said.

  “Aren’t you tired?”

  “Yes, but how else are we going to find Peter and Cheryl canoodling?”

  “What would that have to do with Louis’s death?”

  “We won’t find out if we don’t check it out.”

  It was pitch black on the point and not a soul around. I sighed because we’d obviously been misled. “I’ve had it. Apparently there isn’t a bonfire after all tonight.”

  “You don’t sound too disappointed,” Eleanor shot back with a chuckle. “I’m too tired tonight to do anything other than hop in my bed and go to sleep.”

  “I’m right there with you, girl—except in my own bed, not yours.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Are you planning to wake up, Agnes?” Andrew asked as he presented me with a cup of coffee.

  “Why are you bringing me coffee in here?”

  “I’m hoping the smell will wake you; it’s nearly noon.”

  I moved up on my elbows and looked at the clock in shock. “Has Eleanor called yet?”

  “Interestingly enough, no.” Andrew laughed. “You girls certainly had quite the day yesterday. Do you care to share what happened at Elsie’s house?”

  “Nothing much to tell. I was afraid that if I couldn’t convinced Amim to let our friends be extras for one scene they’d tell the press what horrible friends Eleanor and I are.”

  “That’s a stretch.”

  “So says the man that didn’t overhear what Elsie had to say about Eleanor and me. I managed to swing a deal. After the way we’ve been hounding Amim I didn’t really want to ask her do anything else, but I didn’t see any other way out of it.” I took a whiff of my coffee and was lost in the fragrance for a moment. “Sophia was supposed to be an extra at G’s yesterday morning, but she didn’t show up. I forgot all about it until now.”

  “Sophia was at the dock scene instead. She was in the crowd surrounding the murder victim. Bill called me this morning and told me all about it. He was a little miffed that she was out so late.”

  “It’s about time. Sophia doesn’t get out much without the baby.”

  “Someone should remind Bill,” Andrew said. “Us men don’t have a clue when it comes to women.” He winked.

  “We were told Amim was having a bonfire at the point last night, but when we showed up nobody was there.”

  “That’s because Roman and his wife Coco arrived in town and met with Amim at Big Boy. He asked Sophia to come along.”

  “A big Hollywood director at Big Boy? You don’t see that every day.”

  “As if you know where a director would go,” Andrew countered.

  “I’ll be up shortly,” I said. “I hope Roman hasn’t arrived to replace Amim. I’m beginning to really like her.”

  “Even if she’s a suspect?”

  “So you’ve been talking to her.”

  “She just mentioned it, is all.”

  “I don’t know at this point how much of a suspect she is because we haven’t finished questioning everyone.”

  “Keep your eyes open, is all I’m saying.”

  “Hopefully I’ll get the chance to speak to Roman today. I’d love to pick his brain.”

  “But would Roman want his brain picked?”

  “Very funny,” I said and then drained my coffee before heading for the shower.

  I heard the wind blowing the leaves and rain pelting the roof. “Ugh, what a horrible day to shoot a movie,” I grumbled as I walked into the kitchen.

  “They’re shooting a scene at the sheriff’s department today,” Roman said from his chair at the kitchen table.

  “Hello, Roman. Andrew told me this morning you were in town,” I greeted him.

  “When Agnes says morning she means almost noon,” Andrew added.

  Heat flew to my cheeks. “You carry on as if I sleep in all the time.”

  “I know you don’t,” Roman said, his face quite serious now as his brows furrowed. “If I knew there would be a real murder when we came to town I’d have rethought the location.”

  “I hope you don’t mean that. It’s important the movie is made here.”

  Roman wiped his face with a handkerchief. “Louis was like family to me. I hope the sheriff has a handle on this case. I want it solved before we leave town.”

  “I can’t say what the sheriff is doing in regard to the case, but I know he’ll find the killer. And Eleanor and I are also looking into it.”

 
; “So I’ve heard. I hope you’ll be able to wrap up questioning the cast soon. They need to concentrate on the movie.”

  “I’m sorry; we’re only trying to help.”

  “I don’t mind that, but in the future I’d appreciate it if you’d keep the movie making to us.”

  I swallowed. Eleanor and I had made a few suggestions, but we weren’t instrumental in changing the opening scene. Amim thought it was a good idea too!

  “We won’t interfere again.”

  “You’d better not,” Andrew mouthed.

  “I can understand your views, but the movie needs to hold the viewer’s attention. Although I must admit the scene at Fuzzy’s this morning was enhanced by your performance.” He laughed. “Someone taped it on their phone and sent it to Amim.”

  I pressed my hands to my temples. “You must think I’m a fool.”

  “A scene like that would certainly get viewers’ attention. If I didn’t see if for myself, I wouldn’t have believed two older gals are capable of antics. It’s nice to know you can be so active at your age.”

  I didn’t know what to say to that, so I merely nodded.

  “If you could limit your contact with Amim I’d greatly appreciate it. When I came to town last night she lost her composure. She’s very upset about Louis.”

  “I forgot all about asking who picked up Louis’s body. Amim thought it wasn’t released from the coroner yet, but the coroner told us that a man picked up the remains.”

  “So you’re on a first-name basis with the coroner?”

  “Not exactly first names, but I know him. Did your wife come to town with you?”

  “She’s waiting for me back at the hotel. We’re going on a scenic drive today on River Road—if the weather holds up.”

  “The reports say it should be clearing out soon,” Andrew said.

  “Let’s hope that weather men are better here in Michigan than they are in California.”

  “WHY IS THE SHERIFF’S department’s parking lot closed?” Eleanor asked as I drove past. “I see plenty of parking places.”

  “I imagine for filming.”

  “If they’re filming in the department building, where are we going?”

  “To check out Louis’s trailer.”

  Eleanor bit her fist. “You mean we’re going to sneak into the garage behind the sheriff’s department?” She asked in a huff. “The trailer is too big to house there.”

  “It has to be there. It’s being checked for evidence,” I insisted.

  “I bet it’s at the impound yard.”

  I saw where Eleanor was going. “Good thinking, but it’s not as if we can just walk into the place.”

  “Don’t forget, we know the owner of the tow company.”

  “Jimmy won’t give us access to the yard.”

  “He always has before.”

  “Only because we gave him a good reason or a very deliberate lie.”

  “It beats sneaking into the place at night. Vicious dogs guard the yard at night.”

  “You have a point, but this time I’ll let you do all the talking.”

  Eleanor beamed when we arrived at the tow garage, and she happily glided into the office before I could catch up to her.

  A woman glanced up and asked, “Can I help you?”

  Eleanor leaned her bulk on the counter. “I-I hope so. My granddaughter got picked up for driving on a suspended license. And I need to get the car out before her mother gets back into town.”

  “What kind of car is it?”

  “A Chevrolet.”

  “Chevrolet what?”

  “That’s all I can remember. If I could wander the yard I’ll be able to point out the right vehicle.”

  The woman frowned and picked up the phone. “Jimmy, we have a couple of wild ones here. They’re trying to concoct a story about needing to get into the impound yard.”

  I lifted my head a fraction. “Apparently she has no idea who she’s dealing with.”

  The woman put down the phone and mumbled, “He’ll meet you at the gate.”

  Eleanor hooked her arm with mine and we went to the security gate. Jimmy met us, scratching his dirty head. “What is it this time, ladies?”

  I glanced over at the trailer, which looked similar to the ones at the point. “We’d like to take a look at that trailer.”

  “No can do.”

  “Oh come on,” Eleanor wheedled.

  “Do you have a signed affidavit from Sheriff Peterson to take a look?”

  “Well, no. But since when do we need one of those,” I asked. “You’ve always been accommodating to us.”

  “And we won’t tell a soul,” Eleanor added.

  “I’ll bet not because I can’t allow you to go anywhere near that trailer. The state police locked it up tight and they’re not finished with the investigation. You know well as I do those state boys don’t play around. It’s not like getting over on ol’ Sheriff Peterson.”

  I walked around the trailer and shrugged. “Are you sure this is the trailer from the crime scene.”

  “It doesn’t look like the rest of them from the movie set,” Eleanor quickly added.

  “You know what I think happened,” I began, “they locked up the wrong one and somewhere is the right one just sitting there ready to be ... .”

  “Checked out,” Eleanor whispered.

  “I’m sorry to have bothered you, Jimmy. We don’t want to get you into trouble with the MSP.”

  “It’s hard to control ourselves ... we’re impulsive,” Eleanor exclaimed.

  “No harm done. And I’m looking forward to seeing Hollywood’s version of Agnes and Eleanor investigate.”

  “I rather like that title, Jimmy. I believe you’ve wasted you calling working here,” I said.

  “No need to flatter me, ladies. I’ve stepped in deeper cow piles than some of your stories.” He laughed.

  “That was so uncalled for. I’ve always thought we’ve come up with some interesting excuses to get in there,” Eleanor said as we walked back to the car.

  “We do,” I said, once we were back on the road. “You made a good point about the wrong trailer. With the cast busy on set today, we could slip over to the point and check out the trailers.”

  “I hope you know they’ll be locked up,” Eleanor countered.

  “We won’t know until we try.”

  “We really need a set of lock-picking tools.”

  “I hardly think we need to go around breaking and entering.”

  “If not, then how do you think we’ll get into any of the trailers? I mean, even if the doors are unlocked it’s still wrong to go into them without permission.”

  “This is one area where I’m willing to stretch the law,” I said.

  “Whatever we find won’t be able to serve as evidence. And I doubt Peterson will be amused.”

  “We’ll have to flush out the killer sometime, and right now Peterson is too distracted to really investigate as he’d normally do.”

  WE CREPT OUT OF THE car and barely engaged the doors. We came upon Eileen and Hannah’s trailer when we heard a commotion.

  “I’m so sick of you and keeping your secrets! It won’t take long before they figure out what we’re up to,” a woman’s voice said.

  “They won’t if you keep your trap shut,” shot back a man.

  “Easy for you to say when you don’t have anything to lose.”

  “Oh and what about my —.”

  “Ah-ha!” Eleanor exclaimed as she jumped between the trailers, where Peter Bishop and Cheryl Fox stood holding paper folders.

  Cheryl’s brow knitted and she shared a confused look with Peter. “What are you two doing here?” she asked, barely able to breathe in her tight strumpet-red dress.

  “We caught you,” Eleanor said.

  “What do you have there?” I asked.

  “Our scripts,” Peter said. “We were rehearsing.”

  “What did you think we were doing?” Cheryl asked.

  I frowned
. “We thought one of you might have murdered Louis.”

  “Be serious, ladies,” Peter said as he ran his fingers through his thick hair. “What happened to Louis was quite unfortunate, but we had no motive to kill the man.”

  “Louis is Amim’s lap dog, or I should say was,” Cheryl said. “I didn’t meet him until recently.” She frowned.

  “I suppose you are having an affair with Peter there and Louis found out about it and threatened to tell Amim,” Eleanor suggested.

  “So you killed him,” I added. “Easy enough when you could have accessed a prop to strangle him, a red rope.”

  Peter shook his head as if attempting to dislodge water from his eardrums. “I highly doubt that would be a capital offense. Actors and actresses have affairs on movie sets all the time.”

  “So you’re admitting you are having an affair.”

  “In the movie we are,” Cheryl said. “In this case, fiction does not influence reality.”

  “And you don’t have any reason to want Louis dead?” Eleanor asked, perplexed.

  “None and I don’t know who would off the man. It can’t be Amim, because she has relied on him for everything,” Peter said. “Now Ivy certainly would have her motives, misplaced as they are.”

  I could agree they were quite misplaced. I wasn’t so sure that she had it in her to strangle Louis. Whoever did it was stronger or able to take Louis by surprise.

  “How well acquainted were you with Louis?” I asked.

  “To be honest, I never paid the man any attention,” Peter said. “When I’m on a set I focus on two things: women and going over my lines. With Cheryl around it’s not painful.”

  Cheryl lightly punched him in the arm. Have you questioned Amim’s assistant, Brianne? She certainly benefited from Louis’s death.”

  I was shocked for a moment. I hadn’t thought about that before, not seriously anyway. She didn’t even want to be Amim’s first assistant.

  “Yes, we have,” I said. Well, we’d be doing it later. “Do you happen to know which trailer belonged to Louis?”

  “They hauled it away the day his body was found,” Peter said.

  “We’re sorry to have bothered you,” Eleanor said. “You’re both great actors, because we certainly thought that you were ... .”