by Donna Doyle
She could not clearly see but saw the vague silhouettes of three man climbing up onto the porch. A smell of liquor and smoke hung around them and it made Dora cringe.
"C-Can't f-find the keyhole," one of them slurred.
"Gimme that key," another one hollered. He had a strange croak to his voice and Dora decided that if frogs could talk, that's what they would sound like.
Somehow Frogman managed to get the door open and the three drunks stumbled inside. A second later they slammed the door closed. She was safe… but Molly Gertrude? Poor Miss Molly. She was still in the house.
12
Confrontations
Dora felt utterly defeated as she stumbled back to the parking lot of the Cash'em-Right. Seeing her faithful Kia Rio cheered her heart somewhat. The metal of the chassis shone joyfully in welcome to its mistress as the light of the supermarket reflected on the second-hand car.
But Dora's heart did not shine.
Molly Gertrude was in serious danger, and as Dora had run back to the car, she had already envisioned a few of the most horrible scenario's. Molly Gertrude half dead in the hospital. Or worse, Molly Gertrude completely dead in an alley. Still worse, Molly Gertrude gone, never to be heard of again.
Dora was well aware of Mark Twain's famous statement he made in his latter days in which he proclaimed that he was an old man who had seen many troubles in his life. But he was quick to add, 'Most of them never happened.' But tonight she was sure Twain was wrong, as something very bad was about to happen to dear Miss Molly. What could Molly Gertrude do to defend herself against these thugs if they found out she had broken into their house? It even made it worse that these were not normal thugs, but intoxicated thugs. People with alcohol streaming through their veins were unpredictable and could make the weirdest decisions.
"Dear Lord," she lifted up her eyes to the roof of the car, "…what am I to do?'
But instead of a booming answer from the heavens, her interior light began to waver. Dora tapped it with her finger, causing it to stop working altogether.
Great.
Should she call Digby? That was possibly her best option. JJ Barnes was a foghorn, and although the man did have more authority, she really didn't like the idea of calling the Sheriff. No, calling Digby was her best option.
She plucked her mobile phone out of her coat pocket, and wanted to push the call-button. But as she stared at the screen, she realized she could not even read the numbers on the dial. She needed her sunglasses again. Luckily the screen lit up, and with her sunglasses perched on her nose, she could finally call in the cavalry.
With trembling fingers she tapped Digby's number. He did not pick up right away. Maybe he was busy… She waited with bated breath as the phone kept on trying to make the connection. At last, and to Dora's great relief, Digby picked up.
"Dora," he jubilantly yelled, as he had apparently recognized the number. "What can I do for you?"
"Digby… It's Miss Molly," Dora began. She wanted to say more, but right at that instant, somebody was knocking loud and insistent on the window, effectively interrupting her talk. Oh, Lord, please don't let me have too many of these nights. She turned her head, and let out a yelp. There stood Molly Gertrude, unharmed, healthy, and looking very prim. "Can you let me in," she called, her voice barely audible through the closed window. "And who are you calling?"
"Dora? Hello… what's going on?" Digby's voice rang through the car as Dora, in her excitement, had pushed the speakerphone button by mistake.
"I-I…" Dora shouted in her phone, "… don't know."
"Let me in," Molly Gertrude called from the outside. She was getting impatient. "We need to get out of here." That was the understatement of the year.
Dora yanked the door to the passenger seat open and helped Molly Gertrude in.
"Is Miss Grey there?" Digby's voice came again through the loudspeaker. "Miss Grey? Is that you?"
Dora wanted to answer him but Molly Gertrude was first. Since the speakerphone was on, she knew Digby could hear her words even though she was not speaking directly into the phone. "Go home, Digby. You need your rest. I'll take it from here."
"But I am home," Digby protested. "What's going on?"
"Bye Digby," Molly Gertrude ordered in a stiff voice. "Thank you for your good work. See you soon." She turned her eyes to Dora and even though not a word was spoken, Dora could clearly hear Miss Molly's voice in her heart: "Turn-It-Off!"
"Bye Digby," she still managed to say. "See you soon." Then she turned off the phone, and as she fell back in her seat she let out a long, tired sigh. After she had closed her eyes for a second, she turned her glance at Miss Molly and said, "I will never do this again. Not ever…"
Molly Gertrude arched her brows. "Not so negative, dear Dora. It was a most profitable evening. I am sure glad we went."
Dora stared with disbelieving eyes at Miss Molly. "You almost got caught by some local drunks. Do you know what they could have done to you? Such fellows do not believe in God nor man. You were in serious danger."
"No, I wasn't," Molly Gertrude snorted. "These fellows were so drunk I heard them coming from a mile away. I made my way back to the garage in time. But tell me," she exclaimed. "Why did you call Digby?"
Dora's face dropped and she suppressed a sob. "I was scared for you, Miss Molly. Really scared. I did not know what to do, so I thought I'd call Digby."
Molly Gertrude seemed surprised, but then a tender expression washed over her face, and she grabbed Dora's hand. "Thank you, dear Dora, for being my assistant. I am an old lady, and I suppose I am not as much aware of the dangers anymore as you are. But I appreciate your friendship more than you know. I am sorry to have scared you."
Dora's eyes glistened for a moment, but then she forced a smile on her face. "Tell me… what did you find?"
Molly Gertrude tilted her head. "I don't know if it has much meaning, but this man, Bald-Head, isn't always bald."
Dora's eyes widened. "He isn't?"
"I found three wigs, and a stash of what looked like moustaches – I’m not certain. They were more like hairy caterpillars. Yeuck!"
Dora narrowed her eyes. "Why would anyone have three wigs and, em, hairy caterpillars?"
"It's simple," Molly Gertrude said. "You only have three wigs if you want to disguise yourself. Of course, it's still too early to tell if Bald-Head is connected to Abe Mortimer's unfortunate encounter with a killer cake, but I am convinced he's a slippery character. That much is certain."
"Anything else?"
"He works different jobs. I found all sorts of outfits stuffed into his overcrowded wardrobe.”
Dora shrugged her shoulder. "That's normal. Any man has to work for a living.”
"Of course," Molly Gertrude repeated while she nodded her head. "But some men make an honest living, while there are others who prefer to make a dishonest living. I have the feeling that our friend Bald-Head falls in the second category."
"Can we go now?" Dora asked while she shivered.
Molly Gertrude smiled. "We can, Dora." Her eyes lit up as she thought of something. "If you come in for a cup of tea I have a surprise for you."
"What?"
"I baked a homemade batch."
"Of what?"
Molly Gertrude frowned. "Come on Dora, you know. I made them this afternoon, especially for you."
"Silky Citrus Curd Cookies?"
Molly Gertrude nodded. "There's no better remedy for ruffled nerves. Let's go."
Billy's face paled as he stared at Charmayne. "You can't be serious, honey. You actually went to see Molly Gertrude Grey and asked her to investigate your father's incident at the wedding? Look, I know your Daddy is still in a coma, but everyone knows it was an accident. He choked on the cake. I’m certain he will be ok," he said, almost choking himself on the final words. Charmayne took it as an indication that he too was upset by the whole affair, but just did not know how to quite express himself.
She shook her head. "It was no accident, Bil
ly."
Billy thought it over. "But who would do such a thing?" A dark cloud washed over his face and his eyes grew wide. "You don't think I have anything to do with it, do you, Charmayne?" His breath came in short gasps as he began to realize that if Abe Mortimer breathed his last, he would be one of the first suspects.
Charmayne looked up at her husband. "Billy, we are just starting out on the road together. It's not going to be an easy ride, but let me make one thing clear…"
Billy took a step back. "Sure… eh, what's that?"
"I should have had this conversation much earlier. But this whole affair has made one thing very, very clear…"
Billy tilted his head. He wasn't certain if he liked what was coming.
"For our marriage to even have a chance of success we need to really work on our relationship."
"Sure, anything you say."
"I want you to be honest with me. Completely honest."
"Of course, Charmayne. I am always honest."
"Are you, Billy?" She rested her eyes on Billy. Billy began to fumble with the button on the cuff of his shirt and his eyes began to dart. "I had nothing to do with what happened to your Pop, Charmayne. You must believe me. I loved him like the father I never had."
"I believe you, Billy," Charmayne said, "but there are other issues."
"Other issues? What do you mean?"
I heard you have debts. Big debts."
Billy's cheeks flushed red and his mouth opened and closed as if he were a fish on dry land. "How do you…? I mean, sure, I have a few debts, but it’s nothing I can't handle."
"But this is the first time you are admitting those debts to me personally. A few days after we have gotten married."
Billy threw up his arms in the air. "Please, Charmayne, it's a storm in a glass of water. Who told you I've got debts? I bet it's your old boyfriend, Albert Finney. Are you still seeing him?" Billy gritted his teeth. "You are talking about honesty, but at the same time you still see Albert behind my back."
A pained expression washed over Charmayne's face. "That's not fair, Billy. I married you, didn't I? And it wasn't Albert who told me."
Billy's eyes widened. "It wasn't?"
"No Billy, it was my Daddy. Charmayne gently slapped with her hand on the couch and with her eyes she demanded that Billy sit down next to her. Billy almost looked like a little schoolboy as he came near and sat down. "Listen, Billy… from now on, it's honesty. You tell me everything, and I will tell you everything too. I have always known about your gambling problems, but I've also always wanted to give you a chance, just like my Daddy. But now that we are married, it's time to be completely open and start changing."
Billy was still gasping for air. "I-I am sorry Charmayne. I will change. Honestly."
"If you are going to be honest with me it will work, Billy."
Billy scratched his forehead. "It's not exactly fair."
"It isn't? Why not?"
"You don't have any secrets," Billy objected.
"Yes, I do," Charmayne answered.
Billy stared at her, not understanding what she meant.
"Shall I tell you one of my secrets, Billy?"
"Please…"
"My Daddy took your name out of the inheritance."
"What?" Billy jumped up and began to swing his arms around wildly. "What are you saying?"
"Daddy loved you like a son, Billy, but your gambling has always worried him. To protect me he has taken you out of the will. Even though we are married, you will have to ask me about every cent you are about to spend after Daddy’s gone." She sniffled slightly at the mere thought.
Billy's mouth opened. Charmayne expected a scream, but no sound came forth. At last he dropped himself back on the couch and hung his head in between his knees. "It's not fair," he whined. "How am I going to ever pay off my debts if you and Abe don’t bail me out?"
Charmayne shrugged her shoulders. "How about getting a job?"
The phone rang.
Charmayne reached for her phone. As she glanced at the screen, her face lit up. It was Molly Gertrude Grey's number. "Miss Grey," she cooed with happy delight. "Is there anything you found out?"
"Maybe," came the reply. "I just want to know about your Daddy's dentist. What was his name?"
"That's a strange question," Charmayne replied. "It was Tyler Florey. He's been our dentist for as long as I can remember."
"And he lives in Calmhaven, right?"
"Yes," Charmayne replied, "of course. In fact, he lives right down the street." She did not understand the validity of the question.
"How about a dentist by the name of Salvatore Swaggart? Did you ever hear of him?"
Charmayne thought for a moment, then broke out into a chuckle. "Sounds more like an opera singer than a dentist. Never heard of him. I don't think there's a dentist by that name in Calmhaven."
"That's right," Molly Gertrude answered. "That man lives in Trenton Valley, fifty miles up north."
"Oh? And what is the connection to my Daddy?" Charmayne narrowed her eyes as she pressed the phone closer to her ear.
"I don't know yet, Charmayne. I am trying to find out," Molly Gertrude replied. "I wish I could tell you more."
Charmayne closed her eyes for a moment. Poor Daddy. How she missed his familiar smile. "Thank you Miss Grey," she said at last. "Call me as soon as you know more."
"I will," Molly Gertrude replied. "Don't you worry now. We'll do the best we can. How is Abe? Any news?"
"Not yet, Miss Molly. Daddy’s still not responding.
“Oh, my dear, don’t fret. The good Lord will raise him up I am certain. We are praying for you all, you know.”
“Thank you, Miss Grey."
"Bye Charmayne."
The conversation was over, and as Charmayne turned her mobile phone off she let out a deep sigh. Life could be very complicated at times.
13
A Visit to Trenton Valley
Early the next morning, Dora turned the key in her Kia Rio, let it run for some time to get the juices flowing and waited until Molly Gertrude was ready to go. When Molly Gertrude had fastened her seatbelt and gave her a gentle nod, she drove off.
They would be visiting Trenton Valley, and more specific, the dental clinic of Salvatore Swaggart. Molly Gertrude had contacted the office and made an appointment for Dora to get her teeth checked.
"I don't need my teeth to get checked," Dora had objected, while she wrinkled her nose. "I just went a few months ago to Tyler Florey." A victorious smile appeared as she lifted up her right index finger and waved it around. "No cavities."
"I would gladly sit in the dentist's chair," Molly Gertrude explained, "but I've got dentures, so there's no reason for me to make an appointment."
"You pay the bill," Dora had grunted.
Molly Gertrude couldn't help but smile. "Sure, Dora. Expenses are on me."
As they left Calmhaven and took a turn-off to highway 59 that was leading towards Trenton Valley, Dora wanted to know why they actually had to go see Swaggart.
"His business card was in Abe Mortimer's pocket," Molly Gertrude replied. "You told me that JJ Barnes had found it."
Dora shrugged her shoulders. "I have lots of business cards in my house from people I don't even remember."
Molly Gertrude's eyes flashed. "Dora, there's one thing you need to learn…"
"What?"
"There's always a reason for everything. Abe Mortimer has had contact with this Salvatore Swaggart. That card didn't land in his pocket by a strange gust of wind. It may very well be nothing, but in order to solve the mystery, you have to follow up on all possible leads."
Dora nodded without taking her eyes off the road. "You are right, Miss Molly. Of course."
"Charmayne told me that her Daddy always went to Tyler Flory, just like you. So what's he doing with the address of a dentist 50 miles away from his home?"
"Beats me," Dora said, as she concentrated on overtaking a truck from the Cash'em-Right.
Molly
Gertrude pushed the button on the radio, trying to find a station with classical music but when Dora heard a country tune from her favorite band, the Wranglers in Jeans, she cried out and begged Miss Molly to keep the tune playing.
Molly Gertrude didn't particularly like country music but already feeling guilty that she had forced Dora to the dentist chair, she consented. She just had to grin and bear it, and while Dora began to happily sing along, she withdrew from the scene by leaning her head against the window of the Kia Rio.
Baby it's a mystery to me
To understand the misery I see,
But soon I fly to heaven's cloud
And won't be hearing oh, the wicked shout
Yeah-Yeah-Yeah- Time is on our hand
Come and take the stand- Come and take the stand
Dora got quite into the song, and began to drum along by tapping with her left hand on the steering wheel, causing Molly Gertrude to cast nervous glances at the road. But at last the song finally ended, and to Molly Gertrude's relief, she noticed they were nearing the outskirts of Trenton Valley.
"Go slow," Molly Gertrude cautioned. "Trenton Valley is quite a bit bigger than Calmhaven. We don't want to miss the right exit.”
"What's the address again?" Dora asked.
"25 Orange Blossom."
"We'll turn here then," Dora suggested as she pointed to an exit sign. "There's a sign for the fruit tree district."
That sounded about right, and indeed, within a few minutes they drove up to Orange Blossom and found Salvatore Swaggart’s dental clinic. It was an impressive sight. The clinic was a cubical shaped ultra-modern building with artistic, but apparently meaningless arches on all sides, and was almost entirely made of the type of glass that you could not see through from the outside. A stone path led through a grassy lawn to the entrance and as they walked over it, they passed by a marble statue of an object of fine art. Molly Gertrude stared at it for some time, trying to figure out whether it was a naked man, a handicapped tiger, or possibly an artistic rendition of the artist's worst nightmare. To Molly Gertrude, it was impossible to tell.
