Pretty, Hip, & Venomous

by Madison Johns

“But I thought you were going to question all the people here before you allowed anyone to leave,” Agnes said.

  “That was the plan, but I don’t want anyone here when the body is hauled away.”

  Kimberly bit her hand. “You mean Milly is d-dead?”

  “Yes, and I’d rather you both not spread the news in town until we get a handle on what’s really happened tonight.”

  “Could you at least tell us when you find out the cause of death?” Agnes asked.

  Deputy Danworth frowned and looked away from them.

  “You know we’re going to do some snooping. It would make it so much easier,” Agnes wheedled. “We questioned a couple in the snack bar who denied that they sell lemonade, but I found evidence outside that just doesn’t support that.”

  “Such as?”

  “A broken down box of lemonade,” Kimberly said.

  “And the couple we spoke to were gone when we went back to ask them a few questions.”

  “What are their names?”

  “You know, we never got around to asking their names,” Kimberly said. “But we’ll be happy to let you know if we find out who they are.”

  “You do that.”

  Agnes walked Kimberly out to her car. “That was pretty smart of you not telling Danworth the names,” Agnes said.

  Kimberly winked. “Well, I’d rather not share information with Danworth yet, especially because he was so uninterested about the discarded boxes that once held lemonade.”

  Chapter Two

  Kimberly paced the small deck of the cottage belonging to Mrs. Peacock. Birdie in turn paced the table, the macaw bobbing his head although quite silent for once. The wind whipped Kimberly’s blond hair and she eased her pink dress over her growing abdomen.

  Both Mrs. Canary and Mrs. Peacock wore pink and blue housedresses that were a blast from the past with the square neckline and zipper. They also share the same bouffant hairstyle.

  “Please sit down, Kimberly,” Mrs. Peacock said.

  “I wish I could, but all I can think about is poor Milly.”

  Mrs. Canary’s brow shot up. “Oh? I had no idea that you knew Milly.”

  “I didn’t, but you must be upset about it, ladies.”

  Agnes chuckled. “The bird sisters certainly don’t look upset. I can’t wait to hear the story behind that.”

  “I hardly think we should speak of the dead in a negative manner,” Mrs. Canary said.

  “Well, I don’t mind,” Mrs. Barry said as she pounded her walking cane on the floor. She held the ornate cane with a knob in the shape of a dog’s head that she carried more for decoration than needing the use of a cane.

  “I hope one of you are going to tell me something,” Agnes said.

  Mrs. Peacock opened her mouth and exchanged a look with her sister. “I agree with my sister. I shouldn’t speak negatively about the dead.”

  Agnes leaned in. “Which only means I’ll have to dig in deeper and learn the truth.”

  Kimberly sat down finally and said, “Agnes is right. If we’re ever to solve this mystery we’ll need to know the facts ... all of them.”

  Agnes turned to the sight of her best friend and investigative partner Eleanor Mason climbing over a four-foot-tall fence with the help of a trashcan. Agnes rushed over and helped Eleanor over the rest of the way and sputtered when they both tumbled to the ground.

  “You’re crushing me,” Agnes sputtered.

  “Thanks for catching me!” Eleanor exclaimed as they found their footing and sagged to the chairs on Mrs. Peacock’s deck.

  “Wow, you really know how to make an entrance, Eleanor,” Mrs. Barry said. “I hope you know Mrs. Peacock has a front door you could have knocked on.”

  Eleanor gave her recently-curled hair a careful pat. “I did! Nobody answered the door so I had to take matters into my own hands.”

  “I can see that, but there’s no need for such fanfare as Agnes and Kimberly have a handle on the case.” Mrs. Barry exclaimed.

  Eleanor cocked her head sideways. “What case is that?” she asked.

  Kimberly gave Eleanor the rundown, including the bird sisters’ reluctance to tell them what they knew about Milly Clark.

  Eleanor slapped her hand on the table, rattling it and scaring Birdie, who, with a flurry of feathers, hightailed it to the other side of the picnic table. “Get her away from me, she’s nuts ... she’s nuts!”

  “I have to agree with Birdie,” Mrs. Barry said.

  Eleanor narrowed her eyes. “I’d be careful if I were you,” Eleanor threatened.

  Mrs. Barry picked up her lethal looking cane. Kimberly snatched it away from her with a sigh.

  “There’s no time for bloodshed. We have to solve this murder before the next bingo.”

  “How often are bingos held in this town?” Agnes asked.

  “There will be another one on Friday,” Mrs. Peacock said.

  “Well, that doesn’t give us much time. Why don’t you spit out the facts about Milly so we can get this investigation moving along,” Eleanor said.

  “Mrs. Peacock, this could be life or death for one of you at the next bingo,” Kimberly said in her much lower voice.

  “I can’t imagine whoever poisoned Milly would come after either of us,” Mrs. Peacock said.

  Mrs. Canary nodded empathetically. “My sister is right. We’re the most popular ladies in town.”

  Mrs. Barry spit out her soda, spraying everyone at the table. “Sorry ladies, I just couldn’t hold that down at that ludicrous assumption. The simple fact is that everyone at church thinks—.”

  “Please don’t finish that sentence,” Kimberly said.

  “I had no idea you went to church,” Mrs. Canary snickered.

  “Spill the beans, Mrs. Peacock or we’ll do something quite desperate,” Eleanor threatened.

  Agnes opened her mouth to soften the blow, but Mrs. Peacock finally said, “Fine. Milly is the biggest busybody in Redwater.”

  “Bigger than Mrs. Barry?” Kimberly asked, covering mouth quickly with a hand.

  Agnes nodded at Kimberly. “Good comeback, Kimberly. Haven’t you reported your neighbors for leaving their trashcans out too long, Mrs. Barry?”

  Mrs. Barry shook her fist in the air. “There are ordinances against things like that!”

  Eleanor chuckled. “From the sound of it, Mrs. Barry might be the next victim. It might be a good idea to stay away from the bingo hall until we’ve solved this case.”

  “Do you really think Milly’s death had anything to do with her sticking her nose into her neighbor’s business?” Mrs. Canary asked.

  Mrs. Peacock flicked a bug off the table. “I suppose that might depend on her neighbors, sister.”

  Kimberly jotted that bit of information down. “Can you think of anything specific?”

  “She spread a rumor about a certain woman who just had a baby and is pregnant again.”

  Kimberly frowned. “That’s hardly inflammatory and not newsworthy. Nobody in town cares that I’m pregnant again. Whatever Milly could have said would have had to have been quite scandalous.”

  “I agree,” Eleanor said.

  “She told Beth Bentley that her husband Clark was stepping out on her,” Mrs. Peacock said. “And poor Fern Wolfe learned that her parents, Gordon and Felicity, were getting a divorce.”

  “Hardly scandalous,” Agnes said. “People cheat and get divorced every day.”

  “I know, but in Fern’s case, she refused to leave town. And the poor dear graduated at the top of her class.”

  “That’s horrible,” Kimberly said. “It’s a shame a young girl like that ruining her life.”

  “Beth put Clark out of the home and now he sleeps in his car. He hasn’t worked since early last year after a work injury,” Mrs. Canary said. “I can’t say for certain that Clark even cheated on Beth. He just doesn’t seem like that kind of man.”

  Eleanor rolled her eyes. “They never do.”

  “I’ll head over there myself,” Kim
berly said. “It sounds like Beth needs a friend.”

  Eleanor glanced up at Kimberly. “I hope you don’t waste too much time trying to fix everybody’s problems. We’ll never be able to solve this case doing that.”

  “Of course it won’t hurt to work in a little pep talk when we go over there to question the families,” Agnes said.

  “Oh,” Mrs. Peacock began, “I didn’t tell you the worst part yet.”

  Mrs. Barry snorted noisily.

  “Mrs. Barry!” Eleanor said. “I don’t want anything else spraying on me from your side of the table.”

  “I’m sorry about that. I felt like I had a frog in my throat. What I was about to say is not to be spoken to anyone. And I mean it!” Mrs. Barry warned. “To be honest, I’m shocked that Milly would call Sheriff Barry, my son. Anyway, the Pit Stop gas station was robbed a few weeks ago, and Milly claimed she witnessed Kane Keegan leaving the scene of the crime at a high rate of speed.”

  “Kane would never do such a thing,” Kimberly said. “He’s a good kid and has a job at IGA. He has almost enough money saved up to move to Florida with his girlfriend. Her father owns a fishing business in Tampa.”

  “He won’t be going anywhere for a while,” Mrs. Barry continued. “My son questioned Kane. He apparently had a warrant for not paying a ticket, so he’s cooling his heels in jail at the moment. I believe his mother either can’t or won’t bail him out or pay his tickets.”

  “Why doesn’t he bail himself out?” Eleanor asked.

  “They don’t let you do that,” Mrs. Barry replied. “It’s a stupid rule if you ask me.”

  “Did the clerk confirm it was Kane who robbed the store?” Agnes asked.

  “I believe the investigation is ongoing.”

  Agnes frowned. “We’ll see about that.”

  “You can’t save everyone, Agnes,” Kimberly said with a smile.

  “No, but I can certainly bail them out of jail -- especially when we need to question him. We can’t do that if he’s in jail.”

  “So is that all now?” Eleanor asked.

  Mrs. Barry, Mrs. Canary and Mrs. Peacock nodded in agreement.

  “I can’t imagine Milly was killed just because she spread gossip,” Kimberly said on the way back to the car.

  “She ruined some lives from the sounds of it,” Agnes said. “But I’d agree that it seems like a lot of trouble to go through just to get back at someone who gossips.”

  “We have plenty of leads,” Kimberly said. “But I’d better get home before Jeremy sends a search party. Besides, I miss my baby.”

  “How old is Abigail now?” Eleanor asked.

  Kimberly patted her growing belly. “Six months.”

  “I can’t wait to see her,” Agnes said. “Eleanor and I love babies. I have always wished my son would start a family, but he’s too busy working with the FBI.”

  “At least you have a great-granddaughter to spoil,” Eleanor said with a pout. “I wish I had grandchildren to look forward to.”

  Agnes frowned knowing all this talk of grandchildren hurt Eleanor, when her son wouldn’t even speak to her and she hadn’t seen him in years.

  Abigail was cooing from her highchair where Jeremy’s sister, Betsie, was feeding her a jar of baby food at Kimberly’s house.

  “It looks like the gang is back in town,” Betsie said.

  Eleanor puffed up her chest. “It’s hard to stay away from this precious baby.”

  Abigail squealed when Kimberly walked over and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. When she leaned down she earned a face full of baby food compliments of Abigail’s hands.

  Betsie handed Kimberly a napkin, but the mess was the furthest thing from her mind. Abigail was growing up fast, and Kimberly marveled at every single moment.

  Once Kimberly had the chance to clean up in the bathroom she came back into the dining room and explained the recent developments to Betsie.

  “So you can see we’ll be busy on the case,” Agnes said.

  “I still can’t believe someone would poison anyone at a bingo.”

  “Or that Deputy Danworth would try to pin it on me,” Kimberly said.

  “So that means I’ll be babysitting longer than I thought.” Betsie smiled. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take Abigail to back to my house until the case is solved.”

  “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “And I’m not asking you to, but Katie will love helping me take care of her cousin.”

  “It’s all settled. I imagine your daughter is very helpful, Betsie,” Agnes said.

  “That doesn’t mean I don’t want you stopping by, Kimberly,” Betsie said.

  “We could have a slumber party,” Eleanor suggested.

  “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day,” Kimberly said. “I can’t wait to see how happy that will make Katie. But I’ll have to run this past Jeremy first.”

  “Well, Jeremy will have time to explain about his business trip then.”

  Kimberly looked shaken. “Business trip? He didn’t mention that last night.”

  Betsie sighed. “I’m sorry, but I thought you knew.”

  “I do now.”

  “You can find out all about that when we go to his office,” Agnes said. “With Betsie looking after Abigail and Jeremy off on a business trip there’s nothing stopping us from solving this case quickly.”

  “Not with the three musketeers of detectives on the job!” Eleanor exclaimed.

  “Go ahead, ladies,” Kimberly sighed. “I’ll have to pack a bag for Abigail.”

  “I’ll do that,” Betsie insisted. “Go along to Jeremy’s office, where you’ll hear all about the business trip firsthand.”

  Kimberly forced a smile. She was so disappointed that Jeremy hadn’t spoken to her about the business trip. It was unacceptable that his sister knew before his own wife. Kimberly berated herself for not being there for both her husband and her baby.

  Agnes and Eleanor moved Kimberly along and back into the car with Agnes at the helm, giving Kimberly all the time she needed to think about how upset she was on the way to Jeremy’s office.

  Kimberly pointed out Jeremy’s office and Agnes had no more stopped the car when Kimberly hurried to the front door, leaving both Agnes and Eleanor in the dust.

  “Hello, Kimberly,” Gladys greeted from her desk.

  Kimberly blasted past Gladys with a mere quick nod before slipping into Nathan’s office. Jeremy lifted his handsome face to greet his wife with a smile and quick kiss as Kimberly practically stumbled into his lap as she tripped over a dog toy.

  Jeremy eased Kimberly onto his lap. “I didn’t expect to see you at the office today.”

  Kimberley wiggled back off his lap and moved her hands to hips. “Why wouldn’t I be expected at the office?”

  Jeremy’s blue eyes widened slightly. “I thought you had a crime to investigate with Agnes and Eleanor. Something about a woman possibly poisoned at bingo.”

  “I don’t care about the case. The most important thing in my life is you and Abigail.”

  “I know that, sweetheart,” Jeremy replied as Kimberly slipped to one of the leather chairs in front of Jeremy’s desk.

  Kimberly picked up a heart-shaped frame with a photo of Abigail and sniffled slightly.

  Jeremy’s eyes widened. “Oh, so you’ve seen my sister already today.”

  “Yes, and she mentioned a business trip?”

  Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck. “I meant to talk to you about that later this evening. I’m flying out to California to meet with Clive to handle a legal matter.”

  “The man who handles the Pretty and Pregnant perfume line?”

  “Yes. The same one who is sweet on you, Kimberly.” Jeremy winked.

  “Clive is not sweet on me. He’s just a little on the flirtatious side. Can’t I come with you?”

  “Not when you and the ladies from Tawas have a case to solve.”

  “It’s not nearly as important as my family.”

  �
��That’s not true, and you know it. I mean sure we’re important, but I don’t want you bored to tears hanging out in a hotel room in Los Angeles, especially when you’ll be much happier here with the investigation.”

  “Speaking of which, I need your help,” Kimberly said feeling a draft from the door.

  “It’s about time you got down to the case at hand,” Agnes said from the opened door.

  “There’s a matter of finding a client of yours,” Eleanor added.

  Kimberly rolled her eyes. “I was getting to that.”

  “Getting to what?” Jeremy asked.

  “We need to take a look at your appointment book.”

  Chapter Three

  “What does my appointment book have to do with your case?” Jeremy asked as he motioned to the couch behind Kimberly.

  Agnes shrugged as Kimberly turned hesitantly to glance at her before she met her husband’s eyes. “I need.” She cleared her throat. “We need to ask you a few questions about one of your clients, Jeremy.”

  “What kind of questions exactly? You’re well aware that whatever I discuss with a client is confidential.”

  “Even from your wife?” Eleanor asked.

  “Especially from my wife.”

  “I’m shocked you’d say that,” Agnes said. “Kimberly would hardly ask you for specifics about a case. We were more interesting in your clients, one specifically.”

  Jeremy frowned and before he had the chance to respond, Kimberly said, “As you’re well aware, a woman was poisoned at the bingo.”

  “I don’t understand what that has to do with me.”

  Kimberly squeezed the arms of the chair. “We spoke briefly with a couple who worked the snack bar at the hall. Nancy and Ben Shepard. I recalled a Shepard had an appointment with you recently.”

  “And you assumed it was the same couple who work at the hall?”

  “One of them.”

  Jeremy didn’t lift a muscle to even open a file. “You’re putting me in a difficult situation.”

  “I’m not trying to do that at all, but if we could get their address at the very least we’d be able to ask them a few more questions.”

  “Why didn’t you get it when you talked to them at the bingo?”