by Tonya Kappes
“Kenni bug,” Poppa voice echoed from the direction where Finn was going to go look around. “Come in here!”
“On second thought,” I cringed at what I was about to do since I’d tried to convince him I’d let him take the lead. “Why don’t you go that way.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Finn gave a thin smile and headed in that direction while I hightailed it down the hall until I found Poppa in what appeared to be Avon’s office.
“Check out her files.” Poppa stood near an old metal filing cabinet.
I wrapped my hand around the handle and pushed the button to the right to release the automatic lock on the drawer. The wheels squeaked when I pulled the drawer open. The files weren’t alphabetized but were named. There was one for taxes, student loans, house bills, and CAT.
“Take out the CAT one,” Poppa instructed me.
“Okay.” I took it out and laid it open flat on her desk. I flipped on the small desk light so I could see better.
This was the time I loved having Poppa as a ghost deputy. He led me right to where I needed to be without going through the hassle of finding things. He didn’t cover everything all the time, but he did hit a lot of things on the head. This was one of those times.
“Finn!” I hollered when I noticed there were several write ups from Avon’s nurse manager.
When I heard Finn’s footsteps stop at the door, I took hold of the file and held it up.
“Apparently, Avon wasn’t the model citizen her parents lead me to believe. She has several write ups at work from her nurse manager, is a nurse. Someone by the name of Reagan Quinlan.” I held out the file for him to take a look.
“It seems like Avon didn’t play by the rules there either.” He glanced up at me after he’d read a couple of the charges against her. “Taking a patient out to lunch? When I had rotator cuff surgery, my physical therapist never took me to lunch.”
“You had rotator cuff surgery?” I asked.
“No big deal.” He shrugged off what seemed like something I should know.
I let it go, but realized we had a lot more to learn about each other than just a religion.
“Rich Moss, Lita Brumfield and now this Reagan Quinlan.” I named off the three people that I needed to question about their relationship with our victim. “It looks like we’ve got a few people to look into.”
The rest of the house didn’t produce anything that stood out as evidence, but we made sure we took the next couple of hours to comb through everything.
“I’m going to give the Meyers a call and let them know we haven’t cleared the house.” I pulled my phone from my back pocket. “I’d like to come back with fresh eyes tomorrow or even have Deputy Lee come in.”
It wasn’t unusual for us to keep a scene a few days, even though it technically wasn’t a crime scene.
As I was making my call, Finn’s phone rang.
“It’s my mom. I need to tell her. . .” he started to say that he needed to tell her I wasn’t willing to meet her for lunch, but I was starving and needed to eat anyways.
“Tell her to meet me at Ben’s in ten minutes.” My words put a smile on his face. I turned the corner to get some privacy while I spoke to Wesley after he answered. “Wesley, this is Sheriff Lowry, I wanted to let you know that I’ve got some solid people to talk to in the case of Avon. And that we don’t want anyone to come into the house as we are treating it like a crime scene.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.” His voice was low. “We are getting ready to go to the morgue to claim her body. Please keep us up on any details.”
“Don’t worry. We will keep you posted the entire time until we have whoever did this to Avon in jail.” It was a promise I had made and one I was going to keep. No matter what.
Chapter Ten
Ben’s Diner was in walking distance on Main Street from the department. I’d decided to hoof it down there after I parked the Jeep in the alley behind Cowboy’s Catfish. I needed to get my blood flowing and mind cleared of Avon’s murder and the Moss’s break-in.
There were so many conversations I’d had in my head and things I wanted to say to Shelby but wasn’t sure how she was going to take it. After all, if she did bring up the whole religion thing, at no cost was I about to convert to Catholicism.
Through the large diner windows, I could see it was still busy from the lunch crowd, unusual for the time of day since we were past lunch. Someone pushed their way out of the door, without even recognizing I was standing there because they were too busy on their cell phone. I caught the closing door with the heel of my shoe, caught the handle and pulled it open.
The bell over the door signaled my arrival and the smell of delicious cornbread and brown beans made my stomach growl and mouth water.
Ben Harrison stood behind the counter with his normal dress attire of a plaid shirt, jeans, and a dishtowel flung over his left shoulder. We caught eyes and I watched as he looked towards his left where Shelby was waiting. He gave a slight head nod with a grin that told me what had happened between mine and Finn’s family had already made the gossip rounds.
I zigzagged through the crowd trying not to make eye contact with anyone. That didn’t last long.
Luke and Vita Jones were in the booth behind Mrs. Vincent. Their fidgeting as I got closer was a sure sign they were going to ask me a whole mess of questions. I prided myself on reading body language, since I was the top student in that particular class, and I knew Luke and Vita Jones were hankering to question me about something.
“Hello, dear,” Shelby stood up. She fussed with her hands before she dropped them to her stomach.
“Hi,” I said, taking a step closer to hug her. Not that she and I had that type of relationship, but Finn and I sure did. She meant a lot to Finn, so I had to try my best. “Sorry about my appearance, but I don’t get all gussied up for work.”
“Gussied up.” She patted me with a pinched look on her face. “Charming.”
No, no, no, the words begged my mind when I saw Vita jump up out of the booth and mosey my way.
“Hi do, Kenni.” Vita stuck her hand out towards Mrs. Vincent. “You must be Deputy Finn’s mama. I’m Vita Jones and this here is my husband, Luke.” She put her hand out behind her gesturing to Luke, who at this time had turned completely around in the booth and hunched on his knees.
“Ma’am.” Luke took off his John Deere hat. “I hope you ladies come to the theater and enjoy tonight’s viewing of Calamity Jane. It’s a real humdinger, especially since Kenni here is Cottonwood’s own Calamity Jane.”
I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a not. I certainly didn’t think I was a salon owner who woo’ed Wild Bill or was Luke trying to make a comparison between me and Finn. With his comment left to hang there, I turned back to Vita.
“I have my Euchre night tonight. I’m sure you’ll draw a crowd.” My brows rose as I sucked in a deep breath.
“Euchre.” Mrs. Vincent’s hand tapped the table. “I’m in. I love me a good Euchre game.”
“You can’t.” Vita’s nose curled. “They’ve already got set partners. I’ve been trying to be invited for years.”
“Then you can be my partner.” Shelby had totally invited herself and Vita.
“That sounds like a swell idea. I mean, Vita could take Kenni’s place since I’m sure you’re working on the murder case and all.” Luke had readjusted himself. He sat in the seat with his arm up on the back of the booth, turned around.
“Murder investigation?” Mrs. Vincent’s mouth dropped, her eyes nearly popped out of her head with shock. “Cottonwood?”
“Why yes, ma’am. Cottonwood’s had a few of ‘em.” Luke nodded.
“They’ve all been isolated incidents as I’m sure this one is. Now, if you two don’t mind, we’d like to order.” I threw my hand up in the air for Ben’s attention.
“Honey, I don’t k
now what I want.” Mrs. Vincent’s tone told me I was being rude.
“Here.” I plucked the paper menu from in between the salt and pepper shaker. “I suggest the beans and cornbread.”
“I’ll see you tonight.” Vita shimmed her shoulders. “I’m sure you’ll go with Kenni.” She wiggled her fingers in the air. “See you at Tibbie’s.”
“That was so kind of her.” Mrs. Vincent’s eyes scanned the down the menu. My silence must’ve made her look up. “Oh dear, was I not to invite her?”
“It’s just that our Euchre games are. . .um. . .” The words all of the sudden left my brain. “It’s fine.”
There were a chorus of greetings filling the front of the diner. Shelby and I turned to the door. My stomach dropped when I saw it was Mama and her Sweet Adeline group. My presence didn’t go unnoticed. Our eyes met before she glared at Mrs. Vincent.
Mama touched her sleek, brown hair with her white gloved hands. It was a polished coif, a sure sign that she’d be going out. She whispered something to Viola White and fluttered a finger towards the counter. Viola motioned for the others to follow her where they took the open stools butted up to the counter.
Mama’s purse dangled from the crock her arm and swung to and fro as she made her way over to our booth.
“Here’s a couple of waters.” Ben made it before Mama. He pulled the pen from behind his ear and tugged the ordering pad out of his back pocket. “What’ll y’all have?”
“I see we are having some lunch.” Mama peered behind him before she took a step in front and scooted Ben to the side.
“We’ll have the cornbread and beans.” Shelby tucked the menu back between the salt and pepper shaker. “I’d ask you to join us, Vivian, but I see you’re with your friends.”
“The Sweet Adelines. We are the local singing group. We are very good.” Mama plucked the gloves off, one finger at a time.
I rolled my eyes because her dramatic flair was as subtle as a choo-choo train blowing its whistle.
“I’m sure you carry a fine tune.” Shelby brought the glass of water up to her lips and took a drink.
“Well, Kendrick.” Mama’s nostrils flared as she tried to keep her composure. “I’ll be seeing you later tonight.”
“Me too. I love a good competitive game of Euchre.” Mrs. Vincent’s lips curled into what I’d call a getting-even smile because she knew she had Mama in a little pickle.
Not only was I sitting there eating with her, but now she was going to our weekly Euchre game, which would have been Mama’s chance to let everyone know about the whole supper fiasco.
“Well,” Mama gasped. “You’ve got to have a partner.”
I gripped the edges of the vinyl booth just waiting for Mama’s reaction when I saw Shelby open her mouth.
“Lucky for me, I’ve got Vita,” Shelby looked as me and asked, “Vita, correct?”
I gulped and nodded.
“Vita is free tonight. I believe she runs a movie theater in town.” Shelby fluttered her hands. “Anyways, we are looking forward to it.”
“Kendrick,” Mama said my name with gritted teeth behind her smile. “I’d like to see you outside.”
“Excuse me.” I got up and grabbed a piece of the warm plate of cornbread Ben had reached around me to put on the table.
Mama’s heels were clicking so hard on the black and white old tile of the floor, I swear I thought she was going to break one. Ben had just spent a lot of money and hours redoing the diner after it’d been showcased on the Culinary Channel’s Southern Home Cookin’ Show.
He really had Mama to thank for all the exposure and pick up in customers who had come far and wide to visit the diner. She’d won a local cooking contest and somehow someone in the culinary industry got wind of it. They featured her and her chicken pot pie on the show. Her head had been twice the size of Cottonwood. It took a few months for it to deflate, but she deserved it. She was a good cook.
“What do you think you are doing?” Mama grabbed me by the elbow.
I cringed at the pinch.
“I’m a grown woman and can eat with whoever I please.” I jerked away. “Stop treating me like this in public.”
“I don’t care who you eat with, but I do care that you invited her into our private group. Vita. Vita Jones?” Mama’s jaw dropped. “You know that Camille Shively and Vita don’t get along.”
“I think Camille Shively is adult enough to put aside whatever feelings she has for Vita Jones.” I referred to the town’s doctor as I shoved the cornbread in my mouth.
Apparently, Vita had sent Luke to her. Luke went home and commented how pretty Camille was and Vita made an unfounded claim that she’d made a pass at Luke. A far cry from the truth, I’d bet my whole career on it.
There was a hurt in Mama’s eyes. More of a betrayal than hurt, but to me, it was all still hurt.
“Listen.” I inched out of the way of the door that someone was trying to get through, dragging Mama with me. “You’re my mama. Things might not’ve gone exactly how you and I saw it. But she loves her son just as much as you love me.” I lifted up my left hand. “Do you see a ring on this finger from White’s Jewelry? Did Viola White tell you that Finn came in to get an engagement ring? Or even better, did Finn ask you and Daddy if he could marry me?”
My head started spinning. Was he going to do the right thing when the time came and asked my daddy for my hand in marriage? Had he gotten Southern enough since he’d been in Cottonwood to know he was supposed to do that?
“No, Viola has not and he’s not.” Mama’s chin lifted with a little more spirit in her eyes.
“Then you don’t have to worry about me taking a kneel in any Catholic church. Why can’t you just enjoy his family while they are here. They want to like me as much as you love me and you’re making that difficult.” It was a reality that I knew she needed to hear. “I love that you’re a big Southern mama and I hope to be just like you one day.”
“If that’s the case,” she muttered and snapped open the top of her purse, “you can start by putting on some lipstick. You look like that dead girl I found.” She rolled up the brightest red lipstick and handed it out to me.
“You just won’t do.” I laughed and applied the glossy red to make her happy.
“Speak of the devil.” Mama’s head tilted around me. “If it ain’t Wally Lamb.”
“We weren’t talking about Wally Lamb.” Or had I totally missed some sort of conversation Mama had but too caught up in making things right with Shelby that I didn’t hear her.
“No, but I was going to ask you about him and that girl.” Her gaze shifted as she followed him getting closer to us. “Mrs. Kim said that her daughter, Gina Kim, told her that Wally and Avon come into Kim’s Buffet. They shared a moogoo gipain.”
“Is that right?” I knew I’d heard some rumblings about it earlier but figured nothing of it. “Wally,” I greeted him just as he stopped shy of us.
“Just the sheriff I wanted to see.” Wally’s face was different today. He still had on his cheap two-piece brown suit and his blond hair was slicked back with gel, the new way he’d been wearing it. The brown leather shoes were shinier than his hair. “We need to converse.”
“Is that your way of asking to talk to me? Because I need to talk to you, but I’m currently having lunch with Finn’s mama.” I pointed back into the diner where I’d left her.
“Now. Right now.” He nodded his head.
“What’s this about, Wally?” Mama stuck her nose in it.
“Mrs. Mother Sheriff, I think it’s none of your business.” He gave Mama a hard stare that told her to butt out.
“Wally Lamb, you outta be ashamed of how you treat the elderly. I bet your mama won’t like it when I tell her at bell choir just how much you acted up today.” Mama didn’t mind scolding someone for bad manners, no matter their age. “Kendrick,
I’ll see you at Euchre.” She patted my hand. “You go on now and I’ll take care of Shelby, though she really shouldn’t have that name. It’s a disgrace. The Catholic thing and now Shelby.”
“What on earth are you talking about now?” I felt my blood pressuring rising. What on Earth had she found fault in her this time?
“Shelby was a beloved character, Southern mind you, in Steel Magnolias. She has tainted that name forever.” Mama lifted the back of her hand to her forehead as if she were about to faint at the idea.
My right brow lifted in disbelief.
“Wally, give me a second to say goodbye to her.” I held up a finger and pulled the door of the diner open.
Mama headed in before me with a little more sashay in her walk. My little talk to her must’ve done some good because her attitude was much better than it had been a few minutes before.
“Mrs. Vincent.” My mouth watered when I saw the bowl of beans had been delivered. “I’m sorry but I’ve got to go. I need to talk to someone about the case.” I grabbed my bowl of beans and looked over the heads of the crowd to find Ben.
All I had to do was hold it up in the air and he hurried over with a to go bowl and box that I was sure was filled with cornbread.
“Don’t you worry.” Mama sat down where I’d been sitting. “We’ve got a little business of our own to discuss. We’ll be just fine, Kendrick.” Mama gave a sweet smile that kinda scared me. “Isn’t that right?” The smile never faltered as she looked over at Mrs. Vincent.
“Yes. We’ll see you tonight at Euchre.” Shelby took the napkin from her lap and dotted the corners of her mouth.
Chapter Eleven
I hated leaving Shelby alone with Mama. Ben told me he’d keep an eye and ear on them after he’d handed me my to go boxes. The issues between the mothers was going to have to work itself out one way or the other.
Wally Lamb was standing outside of the diner waiting on me.
“I hope you got an extra bowl for me.” Wally winked, something his old self would do.