Pretty, Hip, & Hoodwinked

by Madison Johns

  “Yes, it’s so cozy with all the updates. Jeremy and I will be coming here when we want to enjoy the beach life. It was hard on him to let go of the chalet.”

  “Why did you do that?” Eleanor asked. “I thought it was a beautiful place to live.”

  “Oh, it is, but we were afraid with the stairs that Abigail would hurt herself one day. The ranch house we have is much more practical,” Kimberly said.

  “I suppose it is.”

  Where are Clive and Corrine these days?” Agnes asked, “Corrine left so fast when I arrived.”

  “I think they’re giving me my space.”

  “You still model for Pretty and Pregnant, though,” Eleanor commented. “I saw an ad just last week. I love the ad campaign now. You don’t wear as much makeup and wear flats. More like a pregnant woman of today.”

  “It’s been doing much better and the perfume sells just as much as the lotion. I’m glad I was given the opportunity to be a spokesmodel again.”

  “Do you plan to stay out there all day, Kimberly?” Mrs. Peacock asked with a stomp of her foot.

  “Get moving, get moving,” Mrs. Peacock’s Macaw Birdie shrieked as she held him.

  “We better get moving before Birdie starts cussing.” Kimberly laughed.

  Agnes and Eleanor followed Kimberly and they waved at Mrs. Peacock, who pulled out her glasses and asked, “Is that you, Agnes and Eleanor?”

  “Yes,” Eleanor said. “I can see that bird of yours is gabby as ever.”

  “Shh, wait until we go inside. My neighbors don’t care to listen to his cussing outside.”

  “But doesn’t he do that on the deck, too?” Agnes asked.

  Mrs. Peacock led the way inside and Mrs. Canary greeted them. “Oh, how nice. It’s Agnes and Eleanor.”

  “It’s nice to see you, too, Mrs. Canary.”

  Agnes stared at the interior of the small cabin. It smelled of pine and was quite tidy. The couch was worn and sported the stripes of the seventies and had brown pillows. There was a perch for Birdie and a cage, but Agnes doubted that the cage was ever used.

  “Let’s head outside. It’s quite a nice day,” Mrs. Peacock said.

  They wandered outside and sat on the lawn chairs that were positioned beneath a large umbrella. Birdie was set on his perch that allowed for him to walk far enough to gaze out to the lake.

  Agnes breathed in the fragrance of the water lapping at the shores mingling with the scent of burgers grilling on a barbeque nearby. The breeze was nice enough so that it wasn’t terribly hot out here.

  “So, what brings you to Redwater?” Mrs. Canary asked Agnes.

  “Do you really have to ask?”

  Mrs. Canary frowned. “I suppose not.”

  “We only hope that you’re here to help out Kimberly,” Mrs. Peacock said.

  Agnes paused in thought. She hated that this couldn’t be a social visit since she liked the bird sisters, but she also liked Mrs. Barry, too, and hated that they were all in this situation.

  Kimberly rubbed her stomach and Mrs. Canary asked, “Are you feeling the baby move yet?”

  “Yes, but only a flutter.”

  Mrs. Peacock hugged Kimberly. “My poor girl, I’m so sorry you have to go through this, and at a time like this.”

  “The only thing you should have to worry about right now is Abigail and the baby growing inside you,” Mrs. Canary insisted.

  Eleanor nodded profusely. “I still can’t believe Mrs. Barry thinks you’re capable of this.”

  “I agree,” Agnes added. “That’s why we’re here today, to ask you a few questions.”

  “I figured as much,” Mrs. Peacock commented.

  “Mrs. Barry told us you were both helping her out after her surgery,” Eleanor said.

  “Don’t remind me. That woman has been a tyrant since she’s gotten out of the hospital.”

  “Oh?” Agnes said with a raised brow.

  “I don’t think she means to be that way,” Kimberly said. “It’s taken a toll on Mrs. Barry. Who wouldn’t be grumpy or demanding if they weren’t able to the things they once could.”

  “I know you’re right, which is why we tried to help her out,” Mrs. Peacock explained. “But after that business with the missing money, and the things she said about you, Kimberly, let’s just say it was too much. I wasn’t going to stand there and listen to Mrs. Barry making you out to be a thief.”

  “We know better,” Mrs. Canary reiterated. “It’s not like you weren’t busy enough with your own family. I still can’t believe Clay wasn’t helping his mother out more.”

  “Why would he, if they can get by without paying anyone?” Eleanor said. “Or that’s my thought.”

  “You have that one right. If only she hadn’t pressed all those frivolous lawsuits on her neighbors, more people would have been more inclined to help,” Mrs. Peacock said.

  Agnes took over the questioning. “Tell us what was said about the missing money?”

  “I have no idea why Mrs. Barry insisted Kimberly take on the responsibility of managing her finances. Her mail comes to a post office box and I had forgotten to check it,” Mrs. Peacock began, “by the time I did, it was full of bounced checks.”

  “So, how long has that money been missing?”

  “I have no idea. I can’t even remember what the checks were for.”

  “Mrs. Barry signed all her own checks,” Kimberly said. “I just made out a few for bills that I couldn’t pay online.”

  “Where is the checkbook now?” Agnes asked.

  “That’s the thing, I only used a few of the checks. Mrs. Barry has her checkbook. Although I do have—or did have—the banking card.”

  “Did you use it when you picked up that walker in Port Austin ?” Agnes questioned.

  “Yes, why?”

  “That might just be your alibi. From what the bank manager claimed, the money was withdrawn the same day you were sent to Port Austin .”

  “Now that makes sense,” Eleanor commented. “I bet whoever was responsible for taking the money out knew where Kimberly would be on that day.”

  “Good observation, Eleanor.” Agnes frowned. “But someone went to a lot of trouble to look like you when the money was withdrawn.”

  “Why is that?” Mrs. Canary asked.

  “The recording at the bank captured an image of a woman that fits Kimberly’s description.”

  “Except that I don’t wear heels anymore,” Kimberly added. “I have no idea who is trying to set me up. We had hoped to question Rosemary at the bank, but nobody will be able to now.”

  “Why?” The bird sisters gasped.

  “B-Because we found her dead today,” Kimberly told them.

  “How awful,” Mrs. Peacock said. “How?”

  “We have no idea, but I think someone wanted her out of the way.”

  “We’ll get back on track soon,” Agnes said. “Did Mrs. Barry have anyone visit her, like anyone else besides her son, Clay?”

  “Jenny is staying there, too.” Mrs. Peacock said.

  “We’ve already met. We’ll be checking her alibi later.”

  “Later?” Eleanor asked. “But I thought we were going to Port Austin to get a timeline for when Kimberly was there.”

  “We’ll do that, too, if you ever quit blubbering,” Agnes responded. “What can you tell us about Jenny?” she asked the bird sisters.

  “She’s Mrs. Barry’s granddaughter and the daughter of the sheriff.”

  “I have that part. What kind of person is she, really?”

  “Sweet as the day is long,” Mrs. Canary said. “Mrs. Barry is hard on her, too.”

  “We witnessed that ourselves,” Agnes said. “Mrs. Barry is quite protective of her. I almost hate checking out her story that she was at work, but if we don’t, we won’t be able to cross her off the suspect list.”

  “Jenny would never do anything like that,” Kimberly insisted. “But you know best about who to question next.”

  “I’m not sure about th
at, Kimberly. All we do is follow the clues we find along the way.”

  “I wish we could add something more,” Mrs. Peacock said. “I just can’t imagine who would do such a thing. Mrs. Barry might not get along with half of Redwater, but that doesn’t mean she’s deserves to be robbed in that way. Why, that could happen to any of us senior citizens.”

  Chapter 8

  Eleanor, Kimberly, and Agnes left after thanking the bird sisters, and arrived at the Crazy Cow not five minutes later.

  Eleanor stared up at the giant cow on the roof of the building. “Wow, no wonder this is an ice cream shop, do you see the size of that cow?” She chuckled at her own joke.

  “Wait till you see the ice cream sundaes and banana splits they make,” Kimberly said. “They don’t have half-bad burgers, either.”

  They walked into the Crazy Cow and the interior was done all in black and white. The seats of the chairs and booths were in the pattern of a milking cow’s hide, whereas the tables were white and shiny enough to see a reflection in.

  They were able to find seats in a booth, although it still had chocolate and strawberry stains on the table. A server came right over with a towel, and said, “Sorry, I was planning to wipe off the table before anyone sat down.”

  “That’s fine. We wanted to make sure we got a seat,” Agnes said. “Kimberly here says the place packs up.”

  “She’s right. I’ll bring you back waters,” the server said before darting off.

  Agnes picked up a laminated menu. All manners of ice cream was served here, as well as burgers, hot dogs, fries, and even onion rings.

  “Look,” Eleanor pointed out. “It says here a half gallon of ice cream is used for a banana split!”

  “That would take the three of us to eat. And before you say anything, Eleanor, we’re too busy for that today.”

  Eleanor practically frowned, but as a consolation, they each ordered a burger basket with malts.

  When the waitress walked away, Eleanor asked, “Why didn’t we ask the server anything?”

  “Because I’d rather speak to the manager.”

  Eleanor shook her head. “I can’t see that happening when they’re busy like this.”

  “Leave it to me.”

  “We could make a complaint about the food when we get it,” Kimberly suggested. “He’ll come out here for that.”

  “Do you know the manager?” Agnes asked.

  “No, he’s new to town, but Jenny says he’s a great boss.”

  Agnes glanced around the room and all the workers had smiled on their faces. It didn’t look forced either. “This looks like a great place to me. We have a place back in Tawas, Marion’s Dairy Bar. It doesn’t have a cow on the roof, though.”

  “No, it has a little boy holding an ice cream cone,” Eleanor finished for her.

  The food was brought out in record speed and the server hurried away. Agnes bit into the burger and she murmured, “This is a great burger.”

  “I told you,” Kimberly remarked.

  “When are you going to issue a complaint?” Eleanor asked.

  “Not before I finish this burger, I tell you that.”

  Kimberly smiled and when they had finished, she waved the server over. “I’m sorry, Agnes over there has a complaint.”

  “Complaint,” the server said.

  The wide-eyed look in the server’s eyes made Agnes wonder if this was the first complaint she had ever received. “Yes, this burger was a little undercooked. I hope I don’t get sick.”

  “Oh, are you sure? The cook always makes sure to cook burgers well done.”

  “Of course I’m sure. I’d like to speak to the manager, please.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  The server disappeared in the back. “Thanks, Kimberly. And to think Eleanor is usually the one who throws me under the bus.”

  Kimberly gulped instead of responding as a tall man came over. He was about six foot and wide enough to know he works at an ice cream shop.

  “What’s the problem with your burger?” he asked.

  “We don’t have a complaint,” Kimberly said. “We just want to verify that one of your employees was working on the tenth of this month and find out at what time.”

  He frowned. “I don’t feel comfortable telling you anything about my employees.”

  Kimberly wiped at invisible tears. “Drat, I was hoping that if I knew for certain that Jenny Barry was working on the tenth and that I’d be able to clear up a few things.”

  “Settle down now,” the manager said. “How do you know Jenny?”

  “She’s helping out her grandmother of late. The poor dear stands accused of taking her grandmother’s money. I know she’d never do such a thing and if you could tell us if she was here that day and what time, it certainly would help us clear things up.”

  “Of course I will. No reason to upset yourself, little lady.”

  When the manager left, Agnes remarked, “That was good, Kimberly. Thanks. I was wondering about how I’d be able get that information out of the manager.”

  “What man wouldn’t help someone who looks like Kimberly,” Eleanor said.

  “Whatever do you mean by that? I’m not a temptress, you know.”

  “No, you’re clean and sweet as the breeze.”

  The manager came right over with a print out. “As you can see here, Jenny was here from nine until after five on the tenth.”

  “Did she leave for breaks?” Agnes asked.

  “No, it’s against policy. I do allow the staff to order food and eat it in the break room or take a smoke out back. Jenny doesn’t smoke, though.”

  “Thanks, you’ve been a big help,” Kimberly said.

  “Your meals are on the house, providing you don’t tell anyone that we prepared a less that exemplary meal.”

  “We didn’t really have a complaint,” Agnes tried to tell him.

  “I guessed as much, but since I’m out here, people are watching. You could say I don’t ordinarily come into the dining room much. There’s too much work in the kitchen. Can I get you ladies any ice cream sundaes?”

  “Yes!” Eleanor exclaimed. “Make mine hot fudge.”

  “What my friend means is we’ll take a rain check,” Agnes insisted. “And we’ll be paying the next time. Nice to meet you, Mr. Manager.”

  “Call me Ted,” he said with a laugh.

  Kimberly led the way outside and back to the SUV they went. “Where to now?” Kimberly asked.

  “Port Austin, we need to verify what time you were at the medical supply store.”

  “How will going there prove anything?”

  “We’ll try to wiggle out a receipt from them. I’m certain if Mrs. Barry ordered it, there should be an order slip at the very least.”

  “Smart thinking,” Kimberly said.

  The trip to Port Austin was carefully recorded on the navigation system. “It looks like it’s an hour drive,” Agnes said.

  “So that means an hour there and an hour back, unless Kimberly stopped somewhere else on the way,” Eleanor surmised.

  “I stopped to buy a pop at a party store,” Kimberly said. “I think I might even still have the receipt somewhere in the SUV.”

  Agnes opened the glove box and papers fluttered to the floor. She picked each of them up, examining them carefully. “You certainly buy plenty of pops.”

  “You might say that.”

  “You should buy milk instead,” Eleanor proclaimed from the back seat.

  “That’s what Jeremy tells me, but I rather like a Coca-Cola.”

  Agnes held up a slip of paper in the air. “I think I found it. The date says the tenth and it’s stamped with eleven a.m.”

  “How far away is that party store?”

  “It’s right up here around the bend.”

  Agnes kept her eyes peeled for that party store when Kimberly pointed it out. “Should I stop?” Kimberly asked.

  “On the way back,” Agnes said. “I’d rather get this long trip done first.”<
br />
  Kimberly passed the party store while Agnes turned on the radio, relaxing her seat back until Eleanor yipped. “Are you trying to kill me back here?” Eleanor said.

  Agnes moved the seat back up. “Sorry.”

  The skies were blue with darker skies on the horizon. Agnes just hoped that it wouldn’t rain. She hated those torrential downpours. It made her very nervous even if she was only the passenger. But at least Kimberly wasn’t speeding. With the way she was going though, it would take even longer to reach Port Austin.

  * * *

  Agnes and Eleanor practically rolled out of the SUV when they arrived at Chadwick’s Medical Supply. Kimberly didn’t seem to be bothered by the drive. She opened the door to the shop and held it open for Agnes and Eleanor.

  The ring of the door alerted a clerk, who walked over. “Can I help you find something?”

  “We’re just looking,” Eleanor blurted out, making way to a therapeutic bathtub with jets.

  “What my grandmother means is, I was here on the tenth and picked up an order,” Kimberly said. “It was for Mrs. Barry.”

  “I remember that, how is the walker working out for her?”

  “She’s not happy with it.”

  “Mrs. Barry is a proud woman,” Agnes added. “Could we perhaps get a copy of the order or receipt?”

  “She means both, actually,” Eleanor put in. “Poor Kimberly is on the hot seat with Mrs. Barry.”

  “I’m still trying to talk her out of returning it,” Kimberly said.

  “Orders aren’t returnable, I’m afraid.”

  “Does that mean you won’t help me?” Kimberly asked with a cocked brow.

  “Let me see what I have. Come along this way.”

  The clerk led them into an office and opened a file cabinet drawer. He shuffled through the files and came back with the order. “This is it. You picked it up at two in the afternoon on the tenth.”

  Kimberly’s shoulders dropped. “Could I get a copy?”

  “Sure, if it will help you out.”

  The man copied the order and handed it to Kimberly. “I sure hope you won’t be in any trouble when you tell Mrs. Barry she can’t bring the walker back.”

  “I’m hoping by the time I come back that she will have changed her mind. It seems to me using the walker would be better than sitting in a wheelchair.”