Murder in Georgia

by Agnes Alexander

  She knew she couldn’t go back to work with the sticky liquid on her, so she wiped the floor with a paper towel and ran upstairs to change into her checked suit. Though it took a little extra time, she wasn’t late in returning from lunch.

  The rest of the afternoon was as busy as the morning had been. By the time five o’clock came, she was ready to go home, but as she walked up the street she couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. Connor hadn’t been in the office all day.

  * * * *

  Jeff Bowie took notes while talking with Katrina Hunter’s aunt in Atlanta.

  “It was so sad,” Miriam Hunter said. “Katrina was so excited. She and her fiancé had the license and they were planning a small family wedding in a few weeks. Then he suggested they take the trip to Lake Tobesofkee for some sort of fishing thing. I’m not sure if it was a competition or just a friendly wager between some men. Whatever it was, it was the sight of a tragic accident.”

  “What do you mean accident?”

  “According to one of their friends a late summer storm came up and their small boat was tossed in every direction. The couple fell overboard and though the friend did everything he could, her fiancé was lost. Katrina became hysterical, but the friend tried to calm her. She was having none of it. As he was fighting to save them both, she went under. About that time another boat came up and tried to help in the rescue. He wasn’t sure what happened after that. He was knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital, but the people in the other boat said they didn’t see a woman with him. They never found either body.”

  “That’s very sad. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Yes, it’s been hard on the family. Katrina had devoted much of her life to helping and caring for family members. It was time for her to be happy. Unfortunately, her happiness didn’t last long.”

  “May I ask you one more question, Mrs. Hunter?” When she said yes, he went on, “Did you meet the friend, or do you recall his name?”

  “I didn’t meet him or her boyfriend, but the friend called me and gave me his condolences. He said his name was Nelson Burk.”

  “I’m sorry; I do have one more question. What was the boyfriend’s name?”

  “You know, she never told me. She just said they had the license and she’d be bringing him to meet the family after the trip to Macon. She wanted to surprise us.”

  “Well, Mrs. Hunter, I appreciate the information and please express my sympathy to the rest of the family.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Bowie.”

  Jeff folded the notes he’d made from the conversation and put them in a file he’d labeled, Katrina Hunter. It all seemed cut and dried as they say, but for some reason he wasn’t sure this was the entire story.

  He sighed. “Oh, well, I’ve got other things to do now. Maybe when I hit a dry spell I’ll come back to this and see what it is that bothers me about the explanation.”

  He slipped the file into the growing ‘pending’ section of the file cabinet and turned to the matter at hand. He’d found another woman who had been born on the same day as Katrina and Dora Hildebrand’s daughter. If he was a praying man, he’d be tempted to ask God to let this one turn out to be the one he was looking for.

  * * * *

  Lita was humming away in the kitchen when Nicole came through the front door. “Hello,” Nicole called.

  “Hello, dear. Come out here. I have something to tell you.”

  When she came into the room, Lita said. “I went to the doctor for my annual checkup today.”

  A little alarm bell went off in Nicole’s chest. “You’re okay, aren’t you?”

  “Honey, they said if I was in any better shape, I’d be forty years old instead of seventy-six.”

  Nicole relaxed and laughed. “That sounds wonderful.”

  Lita chuckled. “I’m glad you’re pleased. I decided we’d celebrate tonight. I bought something special.” She motioned to the sink where two big lobsters were swimming in water. “I hope you like them.”

  “I’m sure I do,” she said before she thought. When Lita looked at her funny, she added. “I’ve only had tails. I’ve never tackled a whole lobster.”

  “I see,” she said. “Then you’re in for a treat.”

  It was a treat and a lot of fun. They wore dishtowel bibs, and cracked and picked and dipped in hot butter and made a big mess. At least Nicole did. Lita knew what she was doing. Nicole was just happy Lita had set up the meal in the dinette instead of the formal dining room.

  Because Lita was expecting friends in, Nicole went to her room after dinner. She soaked in a long hot bath, put on her nightclothes, and sat down at the desk. She read the old paper which she’d picked up in the mall. She didn’t find anything in it to jolt her memory. She tossed it in the trashcan and picked up her spiral notebook. She wrote across the top of the first page: What was my grandmother like? She then wrote the one memory which had floated to her.

  She thought for a minute, but nothing else came to mind. Finally she wrote: She must have been a lot like Lita.

  After writing about her new job and the men she worked for, she closed the book, snapped on the TV, and climbed into bed. She found an old re-run of ‘In the Heat of the Night,’ a show that seemed familiar to her. She snuggled down in her feather pillow, but didn’t stay awake long enough to find out if Bubba Skinner and Virgil Tibbs caught the man who was threatening Althea.

  Chapter 8

  It was raining on Monday morning. Lita tried to get Nicole to take her car, but she insisted on walking. Lita did convince her to take an umbrella. Of course Dora wasn’t out, so they didn’t get to greet each other.

  The morning was again busy and by lunch, it was raining even harder. She still had a little cash, so she decided to go across the street and pick up a sandwich instead of going home. She knew if she brought it back here to eat, she could save on the tip.

  When she shook out the umbrella on the sidewalk and stepped into the café, her stomach growled. Everything smelled good and made her hungrier than she already was. She picked up a menu near the cash register and told the cashier she wanted a take-out order. At two dollars and fifty cents, the toasted cheese sandwich was the cheapest thing on the menu so she asked for it. The waitress looked puzzled when she didn’t get anything to drink or a side order to go with the sandwich. There was plenty of coffee in the office and though the sandwich probably wouldn’t fill her up, she knew it would hold her appetite at bay until dinner.

  When she got back to the office, she made a fresh pot of coffee, poured herself a cup, and sat down to eat the sandwich at her desk. She devoured it in only a few bites. Wadding up the paper and throwing it in the trash can, she drank the last of her coffee and turned her mind to the papers on her desk.

  The rest of the day passed without event, and at five she stood to leave. Connor came into the outer office.

  “You didn’t walk today, did you Nicole?” he asked.

  “I did. I was sure it wouldn’t be raining this afternoon.” She laughed. “I guess I was wrong.”

  “You sure were. It’s raining harder than ever.”

  “I won’t melt,” she said and started for the door.

  “Well, we can’t take a chance that you might. In the short time you’ve been here you’ve proven to be a valuable asset to our company. Therefore, I’m going to take you home.”

  “Oh, Connor, that’s nice of you, but I really don’t mind walking. I like rain.” Her heart began to beat a little faster. What was it about this man that gave her strange feelings every time she looked at him?

  “Don’t argue with me. I’m the boss. Besides as I said, we want to keep you around a while.”

  She was delighted to know her work pleased the Cottinghams, but she didn’t expect this special treatment. “I don’t want to argue, but...”

  “Well, then don’t. My car is right out front. Come along. I’m ready to go home and dropping you off will be no problem at all.”

  She didn’t put up any more
resistance. As Connor locked the front door, she waited on the sidewalk. He walked up beside her and pressed a button. The lights of a beige BMW blinked on.

  He hurried to open the door for her and she climbed in the passenger side. He closed the door and scurried around to the driver’s side. He shook his sandy hair and a few drops of water found their way to her side of the car.

  “Sorry. It’s really wet out there,” he said with a laugh. “You would’ve been soaked if you tried to walk home in this weather.”

  “I guess I would’ve at that.” She didn’t add she was delighted he’d decided to drive her home. Though she’d thought him attractive from their first meeting, seeing him daily had increased those thoughts.

  “Which way?” he asked.

  She pointed him in the right direction. Nothing else was said and in five minutes they sat in Lita’s driveway. “You do live nearby,” he said. “I know Mrs. Mancini. She’s a nice lady.”

  Nicole couldn’t help saying, “Yes, she is and she told me the Cottinghams are nice people too. She said your mother was in a club or something with her.”

  “Probably either the garden club or the bridge club. Of course it could be both. Mom is as dedicated to one as the other.” He glanced at her. “It’s convenient to live so nearby, isn’t it?”

  “That’s why I like to walk. I get my exercise in and I feel refreshed when I get to the office.” She smiled at him.

  “I don’t blame you, but I’d consider driving when it’s raining.” He smiled back.

  “I will.” She hoped he couldn’t hear her heart pound.

  He started to open his door. She put her hand on his arm. “Don’t even think about it, Connor. I know you’re a gentleman, but I can let myself out. There’s no need for you to get wet opening my door.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “I know, but I can do it.”

  “Then I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Thanks for the ride,” she said and hopped out. She ran to the house without looking back. When she got to the front porch, she paused, looked around, and waved.

  She knew he was watching her too, because he waved through the windshield.

  * * * *

  As Connor backed down the driveway he saw her wave. He almost pretended he didn’t see her, but he knew that would be rude. He raised his hand. She smiled then turned and went into the house. He shook his head and pulled into the street. She reminds me of that country song, “She Doesn’t Know She’s Beautiful.”

  The rain came down harder. He slowed his car and wondered if Elsie would be furious with him if he called and told her he couldn’t attend the hospital fundraiser with her this evening. It was a night he wanted to go home, sit by the fire, and maybe read one of those new mystery novels the book club had sent him.

  As much as he wanted to cancel, he knew he wouldn’t. Not because he wanted to spend the evening with Elsie. He didn’t care to see her at all, but he would go. Before she’d left on some sort of trip last week, he’d given his word he’d escort her to the banquet if she was back in time. And she was back. She’d called him on his cell phone earlier today. He wouldn’t bow out now and leave her to go alone. As Nicole said, he was a gentleman, though at times he didn’t feel like one.

  He didn’t want another woman in his car today. The short ride from the office with Nicole in the passenger seat had left him with the feeling she should be the only woman to ride there.

  Connor couldn’t let his mind linger on his secretary long because the ringing of his cell phone interrupted his thoughts.

  * * * *

  Lita met Nicole as soon as she came into the entryway. “I was worried about you. I called, but the office was already closed. I was going to come get you.”

  “Connor brought me home.”

  Lita lifted her eyebrows. “That was nice of him.” She changed the subject. “Now you run and change. I’ve got some good hot stupe made from one of Rachel Ray’s recipes. That’s what she calls a dish that is thicker than soup and thinner than stew.”

  “It sounds wonderful.”

  “It’s good. I’ve made it before. In fact I’ve made a lot of the foods I’ve seen on Food Network. Most of them have been wonderful. Now scoot upstairs. You look as if you could use a towel. We’ll eat in thirty minutes or so.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  She went to her room and took off her damp clothes. She hung them in the shower to dry and changed into her jeans and T-shirt. Grandma had always told her not to hang wet clothes in the closet.

  She stopped short. She’d thought of Grandma again. What did my grandma look like and where is she? Is she in Atlanta? Undoubtedly she has been an important part of my past life because she is the only one from my past to come to me at odd moments. I just wish I could remember more about her.

  She grabbed her notebook and wrote down this memory. When nothing more materialized in her mind, she shook my head, laid her notebook aside and headed down the stairs.

  They were halfway through the meal when the phone rang. Lita got up and picked up the kitchen wall phone.

  “I understand Dora. I don’t blame you. I really don’t want to get out either... Of course I understand... I’ll see you later then.” She turned to Nicole. “Dora says it’s so awful outside she doesn’t want to go to the hospital fundraising dinner. We’d planned to go together, but I think the weather is too bad to be driving after dark. I’ve already sent my regrets.”

  “It’s probably wise to stay in. I don’t like to drive when it’s raining this hard.” Nicole smiled at her.

  “While I’m up, would you like another bowl of stupe?”

  She held out her bowl. “I think I will. I may have to drag myself up the stairs because I’m so full, but it’s delicious.”

  Lita laughed and filled the bowl again.

  After dinner, they cleaned the table then went to the living room to play a few hands of gin. Of course Nicole lost again. She was now in debt to Lita for six dollars and thirty-seven cents. Lita told her they would settle up at the end of the month.

  Chapter 9

  The next morning the rain had stopped and the sun was hiding behind the clouds, but it was there. Dora wasn’t in her yard as Nicole walked to work, but she didn’t expect her to be. With all the rain the day before, there was no need to be watering.

  They had another busy morning at work. Several people with homeowner policies had problems with their roofs leaking. The company set up adjusters to go out to check the damage.

  Connor came into the front office about eleven and said he was going to take his parents to lunch. His father was going to Savannah in the afternoon to play golf and take care of some business. His mother wanted to go along. Nicole wondered why they wanted to have lunch first, but she didn’t ask.

  “If you need anything, Paul is still here. He said he has a lot of paperwork to catch up on.”

  “I’ll be fine. Thank you, Connor.” She almost wished he wouldn’t look so directly at her. It makes me want to.... Well, I’m not sure what it makes me want to do, but something inappropriate I’m afraid.

  He nodded and went out the door. She took a deep breath, finished the filing she had to do, and decided she’d head home for an early lunch. Lita told her this morning she was going to get her hair done and would be having lunch while she was out. She said there was plenty of stupe left or there were cold cuts for sandwiches.

  Nicole was getting her purse from her bottom drawer when the door burst open and a woman with light brown hair holding a small child’s hand came into the office. She recognized her immediately as Paul’s wife. He had her picture on his desk.

  In a condescending voice she said, “You must be the new secretary.”

  Nicole nodded.

  Without introducing herself, she went on. “I came to take my husband to lunch. Is he here?”

  “Yes, he’s in his office.”

  “We want to eat with Daddy,” the little girl said. Nicole smiled at
her and realized she was a miniature version of her mother.

  “I’ll let him know you’re here.” She started to pick up the phone.

  “Don’t bother,” his wife waved her off. “We’ll just...oh never mind, here he comes.”

  Paul came into the office. “I thought I heard your voice.” He smiled at his wife and held out his arms to his little girl.

  “Hi, Daddy,” she squealed and ran to him.

  “Nicole, this is my wife, Erline, and my special girl, Mattie.”

  “Hello,” Nicole said to both of them.

  Mattie, busy hugging and kissing her daddy, ignored Nicole. Erline didn’t bother to acknowledge the introduction, but turned to her husband. “I’m ready for lunch. Let’s go to the club.”

  “That’ll be fine.” He nodded. “I’ll see you later, Nicole.”

  “Yes, sir.” If Paul’s wife wanted to play formal, she could do it too. As the door closed behind the family, she decided she wasn’t ever going to be good friends with Erline. She had already chalked her up as a snob.

  Deciding she didn’t care, Nicole picked up her purse and headed home for lunch.

  She ate half a turkey sandwich and decided she did want some stupe. She filled a bowl and headed for the microwave. For no apparent reason, she stumbled and the soup went all over the front of her multi-colored blouse. “I wonder if I’ve always been clumsy?” she muttered aloud as she sat the bowl down and cleaned up the mess. She refilled it and made it to the microwave this time.

  Of course she had to change clothes before going back to the office.

  She was glad she beat Paul back to work. It was only by minutes, but that didn’t matter. She was typing away on the computer when he and his family came in.

  “I enjoyed it,” he said as he sat his little girl down. “It’s always fun to spend time with my family especially since Elsie wasn’t in the picture this time.”

  “Elsie went shopping this morning. I had a good time too,” his wife said and then glanced at Nicole. She frowned. “You were wearing something different earlier.”

  Surprised Erline noticed the change, Nicole said, “I went home for lunch and spilled soup on my other blouse.”