“Oh she did she?” Eleanor asked, folding her arms across her chest. “I thought you were sweet on Milly.”
Pete shook his head. “I think you’ve heard wrong. Milly just happened to be at every bingo I attended, so I normally sat with her.”
“Is that because nobody else would sit with Milly?” Kimberly asked. “We heard she wasn’t very popular in town.”
“I suppose that depends on who you ask.” Pete exhaled heavily. “I know Milly had a reputation of being quite the gossip, but so does someone else I know in town.”
Eleanor felt the blood rushing to her face. “You had better not say Mrs. Barry, Buster!”
“His name is Pete, not Buster,” Agnes reminded Eleanor.
“Oh he knew what I meant.”
Pete waved his arms frantically. “I’d never say a bad word about Mrs. Barry.”
“I suppose not, especially after you spent the night of the poker game at her house.”
“Look, I think you have the wrong idea. She needed a ride home and I was happy to help her out. I won three dollars from her in the poker game.”
Kimberly punched a fist in the air. “Let’s hear it for high rollers.”
“Calm down, Kimberly,” Agnes said as she patted her shoulder. “That’s way too much excitement for this early in the game.”
“Oh is that right?” Pete asked. “I wasn’t aware we were playing a game. I’d never belittle what happened to Milly.” He sniffled for moment before continuing, “It was a horrible thing that happened. All any of us could do was sit there and watch her slump over. She had to be moved to the floor so CPR could be administered. I-It was shocking.”
“Can you describe what happened in more detail?” Kimberly asked.
“It was intermission. Milly came back with a lemonade and a hot dog. I just love a good beef frank, don’t you?”
“Ah yes, I suppose I do. What happened next?”
“She guzzled it down like it had more than lemonade in it.”
“Like poison?” Eleanor asked with widened eyes.
“No. Alcohol. It wouldn’t be the first time that a bottle of vodka was carried in one of the ladies’ purses.”
“Do you have any proof it happened that night?”
Pete fell silent for a moment before saying, “You’re right. I can’t say for sure. I’ve just never seen Milly so parched before.”
“Perhaps she was on a medication that causes dry mouth,” Agnes offered.
“You must mean cotton mouth.” Kimberly shrugged. “I believe that’s the term.”
“I suppose you could call it that, although that term isn’t normally used in reference to a prescription medication.”
“Speak for yourself, Agnes,” Eleanor butted in. “I can’t think of any other way to say it than that.”
“Can we get back to what happened that night, Eleanor?”
“There isn’t much else to tell you. She guzzled the lemonade and keeled over.” His eyes began to water and he swiped away the tears.
“It’s quite shocking even for a poisoning,” Kimberly said. “So where exactly were you when this happened?”
“Where were you seated?” Agnes clarified.
“I was standing on the other side of the table listening to the women talk. They do that you know, talk a lot. Most of the women who go to bingo do. It’s the only way most of them get the chance to socialize.”
“They could always go to church,” Eleanor suggested.
“You don’t really have much time to socialize unless there’s a fundraising dinner in the basement of the church. Bingo is the best way.”
“Milly worked at the church as a secretary. Did she ever mention her job?”
“Milly loved working for the church. She wasn’t paid; she donated her time. That’s the charitable thing to do. She also volunteers at the drug treatment center in town.”
“I suppose she thinks that makes up for her gossiping and causing problems for her neighbors,” Eleanor spat.
“Now, Eleanor, we’re not here to judge Milly,” Agnes said. “Did Milly mention anything about Rosa McConnell? I believe Milly worked alongside her at the church.”
“No, she only helped when Milly was overloaded with plans for a fundraiser.”
“Did they get along?” Kimberly asked.
“I suspect so. Milly never mentioned her directly.”
“Are you telling me Milly didn’t gossip about anyone at bingo that night?” Eleanor asked.
“The only thing I can recall is how she caught the person who robbed the Pit Stop red-handed.”
“Did she mention a name?” Kimberly asked coyly.
“Kane Keegan. But he came up with a good enough alibi, according to Milly. He was mowing his mother’s lawn the entire day. His mother verified that.”
“Are you positive?” Agnes asked.
“Quite positive. Milly was quite insistent about it.”
“How would she know Kane had an alibi or that his mother verified it?”
“Milly has her ways. She was quite positive she saw Kane at the store that day, which is why she knew his alibi wasn’t worth the breath to say it. Deputy Danworth must have concurred because Kane was arrested for the robbery.”
“As far as Milly knew you must mean.”
“You mean he wasn’t?”
“On an unrelated charge,” Kimberly said. “But you’ve been a big help. It appears we have some backtracking to do.”
“So besides you, who else was at Milly’s table?”
“That’s about it. Although now that I think of it, I believe Beth Bentley was there that night. Milly was happy when Beth showed up and made room for her at our table.”
“Where was she when Milly died?”
“I can’t say for certain. I was too concerned about Milly.”
“Anyone else sit at your table?”
“No. We sat in the back. Most of the people who go to bingo are kind of hard of hearing at our age, except you young lady,” he said to Kimberly.
“So if you’re so hard of hearing why sit all the way in the back?” Eleanor asked in disbelief.”
“They have a monitor that displays the numbers quite clearly.”
“And Milly definitely drank the lemonade she brought back to the table?”
“Yes. The glass was in her hand. She didn’t let it even hit the table before she drank it down.”
Eleanor sighed. “Thanks for your help, but do yourself a favor and don’t spend the night at Mrs. Barry’s house again. I’d hate for her neighbors to start a nasty rumor.”
“I swear I was just worried about getting Mrs. Barry inside safely and she asked me to take a seat while she found her last jar of canned pickles. I’m sorry to admit I fell asleep in the chair. I forgot to take the pickles home with me when the pastor showed up so unexpectedly.”
“You might think about that the next time you overstay your welcome,” Eleanor chided.
Chapter Thirteen
Kimberly held her nose all the way to the door where they’d spoken to Kane’s mother earlier. She certainly didn’t lead them to believe that Kane had spent the entire day of the robbery mowing her grass.
“Hello again, Mrs. Keegan,” Agnes greeted. “We’re sorry to bother you again, but we have a few additional details we’d like to clarify about Kane.”
“I don’t see wh-what … .” She narrowed her eyes at Kimberly who was pinching her nose against the odor of rotting garbage from the dump. She opened the door wider. “We can talk inside.”
They walked in and stood in the entranceway and Kimberly leaned against the door until it slammed shut. “Sorry.” Kimberly shrugged. “I can’t take that smell.”
“I could tell,” Mrs. Keegan said coldly. “So what more could you possibly have to ask me about Kane?”
“We were told you verified an alibi for Kane the day of the robbery. He mowed your grass all day,” Eleanor offered.
“Oh that. I thought it wouldn’t hurt because Kane pro
mised me he wouldn’t come back to the house. Not that it mattered. He was arrested for an unrelated charge.”
“Driving on a suspended license?”
“I told that boy having a driver’s license is a privilege. I can’t believe he couldn’t even manage to pay his tickets. And I wasn’t about to pay them for him. I should have thrown Kane out of the house when he was eighteen with all the trouble he’s caused me.”
“What kind of trouble?” Kimberly asked. “Skipping school, bad grades?”
“Both. But he quit school at eighteen without even telling me. He was out of control and I was at my wit’s end. Believe me, you have no idea how that boy spoke to me. I can only take so much.”
“I can understand that,” Agnes said. “Thank you for your candor. We shouldn’t have a reason to return.”
“I’m just glad that Kane is staying with the couple from church. I’m sure the youth minister will help set him straight. I’ve raised my son by myself the last ten years, and I’ll admit I was too soft on the boy. He needs to grow up. I don’t believe living here will help him do that.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself; we understand.”
“Do you think Deputy Danworth is aware that the alibi Kane gave him isn’t true?” Eleanor asked once they were back in the car.
“There’s only one way we’ll know for certain,” Agnes said as she pulled a U-turn when she spotted Deputy Danworth pulling into the IGA market.
He parked his car in the front. Agnes quickly parked and they hurried into the store after him.
“I hope there isn’t a problem here,” Kimberly said. “Why would Danworth park in the fire lane?”
Eleanor hopped aboard an electric shopping cart as Kimberly and Agnes walked at a leisurely pace. There was no sense in trying to catch up with Eleanor. How far could she go?
They doubled to a near sprint at the sound of shriek and what sounded like a shelf crashing to the floor.
Agnes’ eyes widened to near saucers at the sight of Deputy Danworth sprawled on the floor beneath a shelving unit.
“Oh no! Are you okay, Deputy Danworth?” the IGA manager exclaimed as he lifted the shelf off the deputy with the help of one of the stock boys.
Danworth sat up and narrowed his eyes at Eleanor, who sat grimacing on her electric cart. “I’m so sorry. I swear I didn’t mean to hit that shelf. How was I to know it would fall like that?” She coughed nervously. “It’s a good thing it was only filled with bags of potato chips.”
“I can’t believe it toppled over so easily,” the manager said, helping the deputy from the floor. When he tried to dust off Danworth, the deputy snapped, “It’s fine! Apparently these ladies have something important to discuss with me.”
“I’m sorry if you’re here on official business,” Eleanor said.
“Eleanor, you’re making it sound like you did it on purpose now,” Agnes hissed quietly.
“I am on official business. My wife asked me to bring a gallon of milk home.”
“That sounds like important business.” Kimberly smiled. “I didn’t know you were married, Danworth.”
“I’d love to meet your wife,” Eleanor said with a shrug.
“No offense, ladies, but hell will freeze over before I introduce you to my wife.”
“Well, that’s fine by us. But we have a few things we need to run by you,” Kimberly said. “And I’m not sure you’ll want to do it here.”
“I’ll meet you outside in a minute. Just please take Eleanor out with you before I finish my shopping. I’ll have to come up with a good reason for why I have fresh bruises. And nobody back at the sheriff’s department had better hear of what happened here.”
“Don’t worry, you can trust us,” Eleanor said as she drove her cart to the front of the store.
Kimberly nodded in Danworth’s direction as he carried a gallon of milk that he secured in his police cruiser.
“I hope this won’t take long,” Danworth said.
“You know, I’ve always wondered,” Eleanor began, “have you ever picked up a few things from the store and had a call with the groceries in your squad car?”
Danworth narrowed his eyes slightly. “Do you know something I don’t?”
“I was just curious.”
“I don’t have time for your curiosity, so can we move this along?”
“Well, we wondered what you thought of Kane’s alibi about being at his mother’s house the day of the robbery,” Kimberly said.
“I thought you were trying to find out who killed Milly, not solving an armed robbery.”
“So were you able to check on his alibi?” Agnes asked.
“I didn’t need to. He was spotted at the Pit Stop leaving the scene of the crime.”
“Did Kane give you an alibi or not?” Eleanor asked with a gasp. “It’s a simple question.”
“He might have said as much, but I have solid evidence against him.”
“Does that mean you questioned him about the robbery?”
“That’s none of your concern, ladies.”
Kimberly gritted her teeth. “Not so fast, buster. If that was me, I’d have been grilled all night long.”
“I had a witness.”
“You had a witness is right,” Eleanor gulped. “And I must admit that might look like Kane had a motive for killing Milly.”
“Unless you have video evidence of the robbery, Danworth,” Agnes added, “I’m sorry to say you don’t have enough evidence to charge Kane.”
“I’d like to add that his alibi would be telling too,” Kimberly said. “Certainly you must have checked out Kane’s alibi. His mother backed up his alibi.”
“So maybe I did check it out, but it’s well known she kicked Kane out months ago. I can’t blame her for trying to help her son. I won’t be seeking any charges against her for lying.”
“Did the Pit Stop have any security videos?”
“I’m not at liberty to say,” Danworth said. “Is that all?”
“I’m not sure what your angle might be now that Milly’s dead. If you don’t see Kane on the video recordings, it’s all circumstantial.”
“I don’t need your advice. I’m pushing this investigation until I have proof that Kane robbed the Pit Stop with the help of his girlfriend.”
“So now you think Meadow was involved too?”
“She’s been a suspect all along.”
“Based on what?”
“She’s seeing Kane.”
“If that’s all it takes it must be very easy to be railroaded in this town,” Eleanor choked out.
“Unless you have something to add about Milly’s death I need to get home.”
“We’re still questioning suspects,” Agnes said.
“We’ll let you know if we find any persons of interest that pan out,” Kimberly said. “Believe it or not, we plan to keep you in the loop.”
They watched the deputy drive away. Agnes sighed. “I think we need to question Beth Bentley. She was at the bingo.”
Kimberly yawned. “Do we have to do that today? I am exhausted.”
“But isn’t there another bingo Friday?”
“Yes, but we’ll have time to finish up questioning tomorrow. Kimberly is exhausted and so am I,” Eleanor admitted.
“Fine, but if someone else gets poisoned Friday night at bingo, don’t blame me,” Agnes huffed. “I simply cannot allow that to happen.”
“What makes you think it will?” Eleanor asked. “I can’t think of anyone else in town who someone might want dead.”
“I can’t imagine anyone wanting to kill someone,” Kimberly said.
“Obviously someone in town wanted Milly dead. I’m not about to rest until I find out who.”
Agnes drove Kimberly home and waved as she hurried inside.
“Aw, she must miss her baby,” Eleanor gushed.
“I can’t blame her. I hope we didn’t push Kimberly too hard today,” Agnes said as she drove back to the cabin.
Chief Br
ody was waiting for them when they arrived.
Agnes met the fire chief and asked, “Are there any developments about the fire?”
“I came to tell you not to worry; nobody wants either of you dead.” He smiled. “There was a recall on that grill. The cabin owner apparently wasn’t aware of it. It had a faulty switch that allowed gas to release even if the grill was off. You’re both lucky to be alive. I’ll be mailing out letters to warn residents about recalls on gas grills this month. I don’t want to see an incident like that happen again.”
“Thank you, chief,” Agnes said. “I’m relieved that it wasn’t intentionally tampered with, although I can’t think of anyone in Redwater who would want either of us dead.” Eleanor laughed.
Chief Brody left. Agnes wasn’t able to stop Eleanor from marching up to Mrs. Peacock’s door and pounding on it.
Mrs. Canary whipped the door open and demanded, “Is that necessary?”
“Sorry. I didn’t think you’d hear us if you were on the deck.”
“My sister came in a few moments ago to bring out the burgers. Would you care to stay for dinner?”
Eleanor’s stomach growled. “We’ll accept that invitation.”
Agnes whispered to Eleanor, “Whatever you do, please don’t mention ... .”
Agnes was surprised to see Mrs. Barry, and Eleanor positively beamed, which she knew wasn’t a good thing.
“Oh, Mrs. Barry I didn’t expect to see you here,” Eleanor began. “I promise I won’t say a word to Pastor Williams about how Pete skipped out the back door when he happened by.”
Mrs. Barry narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re trying to say here, Eleanor. You know how gossip flies in this town.”
Eleanor plopped down in a chair. Mrs. Peacock’s macaw raced over to her owner.
“Call 9-1-1, Birdie in distress,” Birdie screamed with a violent flapping of his wings.
“I’ve never known a bird to have such a vocabulary.”
“She lets Birdie watch too much television, if you ask me,” Mrs. Barry said with a smile.
“Be careful starting that grill,” Agnes warned. “The chief told us there was a faulty switch on many grills.”
“Not to worry,” Mrs. Peacock said as she lit the grill easily.
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