by K C Hart
John examined Katy’s manicure and smiled. “Okay, you look like my wife and sound like my wife, but my wife does not believe in fancy girly fingernails.”
“I’m not that bad.” Katy slapped him on the chest. “I can be a fancy girl too. I went with Misty to the Nail Palace yesterday and she talked me into having them done. Look.” She turned her face to the side and wiggled her forehead. “I got my brows waxed just for you.”
“Well look a there,” John grinned. “I thought you looked different, but I couldn’t be sure with the paint you have on. They look nice. Since you’re all dolled up why don’t you give me a minute to wash up and we’ll go out for supper? Ain’t no use wasting all this updo on just me.”
“We can if you want to,” Katy said. “I have grilled pork chops ready. I thought you might want a home-cooked meal.”
“Stick ‘em in the frig. I’m gonna show off my woman.” He patted Katy’s backside as he went into the bathroom. “Of course, everybody’s gonna be jealous, but that’ll be okay.”
Katy heard John whistling through the closed door as she went to the kitchen to put up the pork chops. She sighed as she stuck the field peas in the refrigerator. It was a shame that she had let herself get into such a rut over the years. He had never stopped telling her she was beautiful, never treated her any differently, but gaging from his reaction, he did appreciate the small effort she’d put into her appearance today. I’m going to do better, she thought. For John, but also for me.
They decided on the Fish House and were soon sitting across from each other drinking sweet tea and waiting on their orders. Katy ordered crawfish etouffee and John the seafood platter.
“I guess people don’t eat at home much like they used to.” He looked around at the nice-sized crowd. “There’s a lot of folks in here for a Tuesday night. I remember eating out on three occasions the entire time I lived at home. Now, most people eat out at least once a week.”
“You have four sisters and three brothers. If your family had eaten out once a week your dad would’ve had to file for bankruptcy.”
“That’s true. Even eating at home was a big ordeal. Momma would sometimes bake three pans of biscuits and two skillets of tomato gravy at one sitting when me and the twins were older. For a while, she had three teenage boys and two teenage girls along with the littles to try to keep full. That woman spent a lot of time in the kitchen.”
Their food arrived and John said the blessing. “That’s some good-looking shrimp.” He took a bite of the deep-fried delight then reached for another. “What have you found out about the murder since the last time we talked? I know with Todd staying at the house you’ve been able to quiz him down to see what the police know.”
Katy pulled out her little notebook and caught him up to speed on everything she’d found out, and how she had come upon the information.
“You went to the jail and interrogated a man accused of murder? I don’t think I like that very much,” John said.
“It wasn’t like that.” Katy lifted a spoonful of etouffee from her bowl. “Todd needed me to deliver this guy’s lunch, and while I was there, I just asked him a few questions. I’m sure he didn’t do it.” She brought the spoon to her lips and blew the steamy liquid. “Once you look at my big notebook at home and think about everything I’ve said, then you won’t think he did it either.”
“That’s not the point I’m trying to make here Katy. I don’t like you getting involved in this thing. What if that guy had done it? What if he had a friend who didn’t like you asking all those questions and decided to do something to hush you up?”
“Nothing like that has happened. Joe Phobs is just kind of pitiful. He was in a relationship with Jessa that was coming to an end. They had a fight over her wanting to give up her baby. Somebody saw the fight and decided to get rid of Jessa and pin it on him.”
“I’m not doubting that you’re right. I’m saying that you must be more careful before you jump into these kinds of situations. If you’re right, there’s someone in our town who thinks they have gotten away with murder. If you mess that up for this person, he won’t be happy.” He picked up the third shrimp and pointed it across the table. “If he killed one person, he might kill again.”
“I understand what you’re saying. That’s why nobody but you and Misty know about everything I’ve found out. I haven’t even told Todd yet. I wanted to discuss it with you first.”
“That’s good. Don’t tell the rest of them women in your band. They probably wouldn’t mean to, but they would spread every bit of what you just told me all over the town.” He paused and took a deep breath. “I think you’ll have to tell Todd. Just make him promise to not mention your name to anybody. He might already know the stuff you know anyway.”
“Okay. I guess he’ll come by tonight and get his things since you’re back home. If I’m back from band practice, I’ll tell him then.” Katy looked at her watch. “Do you mind if we run by the funeral home for just a second when we leave here? I want to pay my respects. We don’t have to stay. I have practice at Sarah’s at seven.”
“Might as well. You’re neck-deep in this mess and I know why you’re going to the funeral home, so don’t even try to kid me. You want to see who all will show up, and you want to talk to Tubby Robinson if you get a chance.”
“You know me too well.” Katy cocked her head to the side and smiled. “I figured that since you know Tubby, maybe you could start up a conversation with him if he happens to be there. Then I could ask him about Jessa and Marissa. That way Misty won’t feel like she needs to have that ridiculous party just so we can talk to Tubby’s wife.” Katy leaned across the table and kissed her husband lightly on the lips. “You sure know how to treat a girl right. Taking me out to eat and then a trip to the funeral home all in one night. That’s why I love you so.”
“Yeah, right,” John laughed, “we’re going to have to do this more often.”
Katy’s shoes clicked with each step as she walked across the ceramic tiles of the large funeral home foyer. She’d been in here many times to see the families of patients’ who had passed away, but she was always in scrubs and quiet work shoes. The clicking echoed and caused several people to turn to look as they walked past.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown were standing together near the casket when they entered the parlor. Tripp was sitting on a pew near the back talking with Marissa Holmes. Their heads were together, and they appeared to be laughing over something she was telling him. Katy guessed that really wasn’t strange. People grieved by telling funny stories of things that had happened to their loved. Still, they did look mighty chummy. She noticed another member of The Wildcats walking up to view the body, but she didn’t see Tubby.
She peered into the casket. Jessa looked like she was sleeping, but Katy knew if she touched her hand, the skin would be as cold as ice. A tear appeared on her lashes and she swatted it away. The poor little baby nestled in Jessa’s womb being buried along with her mother would not be mourned.
John looked at Katy’s face as she wiped her eyes. “He’s not here. Are you ready to go?”
“I guess so. Let me look at the flowers. Misty does such pretty arrangements.” They spoke to the Browns as they passed by the end of the casket. A huge spray of yellow roses standing nearby was the most prominent arrangement in the parlor. Katy looked at the tag. ‘With our deepest sympathy from the Brown Family Motors employees’. That was nice. There were a few other plants and arrangements, but none half the size of the prominent yellow arrangement.
Katy looked at a beautiful spray of wild daisies and sunflowers that had just been brought in and placed near the rest of the flowers. “No tag,” she said, stepping closer to the arrangement. “That’s odd. I’ve never heard of someone sending flowers to a funeral without sending a card to show who it was from.” She looked at the label on the stand. “They’re from Misty’s shop. Maybe they forgot to place the card on the arrangement.”
“That is strange,” John nodded. “I�
��m sure Mrs. Brown will contact Misty’s shop and find out who they’re from.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Katy glanced around the room one more time. “We might as well go. I’ve already talked to Mrs. Brown and Marissa. I don’t guess talking to Mr. Brown or Trip would do any good.” She looked back into the parlor one last time as they headed out of the room. Mr. Brown was pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his eyes while he was talking to The Wildcats member that Katy didn’t know. Mrs. Brown had left the casket and was talking to Mr. Morse, the funeral director and coroner. It looked like she wouldn’t learn anything new tonight. She did plan on asking Misty about the flowers that didn’t have a card. Was the card left out by mistake or had someone sent flowers and didn’t want anyone to know who they were from? She would find out shortly in band practice.
Chapter Eleven
Katy dropped John by their house, picked up her guitar and headed to Sarah’s house. All the ladies ooohed and awed over Katy’s change in appearance, which boosted her ego, but also embarrassed her about how she normally looked. She didn’t give it much thought, however, once they started tuning up the instruments and looking over their song list.
Playing with The Moonlighters was her favorite past time. Their next engagement was their monthly Saturday afternoon session at the nursing home. They had played for weddings, church functions, family reunions, and parties, along with the nursing home, and even some elementary school functions. She knew they would get together and play, even if nobody ever called inviting them to perform.
“Sarah, why don’t you spotlight on the mandolin during the turnaround for Unclouded Day? That’ll give us a chance to catch our breath between the verses. Plus, it will give your pawpaw something to brag about during the bingo game after we leave.”
“Sure will Mrs. Katy, but he doesn’t need encouragement to brag. I know the nursing home staff are sick of him telling them about our band and how he doesn’t understand why we’ve never made a song for the radio.”
“My Aunt Geraldine’s the same way,” Vickie laughed. “I heard her last time telling one of the other women at her table that the only reason we hadn’t made it big was because we were all good Christian girls and didn’t want to get involved in that seedy music industry. I liked to have choked on my coke trying not to laugh. If we were half as good as the nursing home crew thought we were, we would be something special.”
“That’s one of the perks of playing there,” Katy said, pulling her guitar pick from the corner of her mouth. “Not to mention being told how young I look by all the residents.” She looked at her watch. “We’ve got time for a couple more songs then we need to wrap it up.”
“Mrs. Misty, I got your text inviting me to your party Friday evening,” Vickie said closing the tab on her mandolin case when the final song was finished. “I should be able to make it, but I’ll be a couple of minutes late since I’ll be coming straight from work.”
“That’s fine. It’s going to be informal and fun. I hope the rest of you are coming.” Misty glanced around the room at Sarah and Heather.
“I’m coming,” Sarah said.
“Me too.” Heather picked up her phone and read the name of the make-up from the texted invitation. “About Face… I’ve never heard of that. Is it what you wear Mrs. Misty?”
“No, I’ve never used it myself, but Emma Robinson at the bank sells it and has been asking me to have a party for quite a while. She always looks nice, so I thought why not? I think it’ll be fun.”
“I know her,” Sarah said, hoisting up her electric bass guitar with a breathless grunt. “She lives in Pecan Acres Mobile Park near my sister. I like going to those kinds of parties. I love playing in make-up.”
Misty smiled, “Well here’s your chance.”
“See,” Misty said as they walked to their cars, “I told you this would work. By nine o’clock Friday night we’ll know all about that squabble between Marissa and Jessa.” She tapped a drumstick on Katy’s shoulder. “By the way, did you go by the funeral home? And how did John like the eyebrows?”
“John loved the eyebrows and the nails.” Katy spread her hands out in front of her admiring their new look. “I did go by the funeral home but didn’t find out anything. I have a question for you though. There was a beautiful arrangement of daisies and sunflowers from your shop that arrived without any information from the sender. Do you think that that was an oversight?”
“I don’t know. I guess it could have been.” Misty’s eyes narrowed in thought. “Mother did a couple of arrangements while I was working on that huge spray of yellow roses. I’ll ask her about it, but if there wasn’t a card, I bet the delivery boy knocked it off because you know my mother. She’s OCD about those cards. She makes the people write their own when they place and order and then she reads back every line. She even makes people let her double-check the spelling when they are called in over the phone.” She unlocked her car and tossed her purse into the front seat. “Now I’m curious. I would call Mother tonight, but she would drive herself nuts if a card got knocked off and give that poor delivery boy the what for. I’ll look into it first thing in the morning and let you know something.”
“Alright, be safe going home.” Katy backed out of Sarah’s drive and turned her car toward home.
John and Todd sat in the living room eating chocolate chip cookies and drinking coffee. John was one of those rare people who could drink two cups of coffee at ten pm, chase it with a Mountain Dew, and still sleep like a baby all night long. Since Katy wasn’t wired that way, she opted for a bottle of water instead.
“Have you told John about the wreck yesterday on the five-eighty-seven?” Katy asked Todd. “I heard an eighteen-wheeler with an empty trailer flipped over blocking both sides of the road for almost two hours.”
“He just got through telling me about it,” John said as he took the last sip of his coffee. “I came through that way today coming home and there were skid marks all over the road. That truck must have been flying.”
“He wouldn’t admit to it, but I’m sure he was going pretty fast,” Todd nodded.
“You’ve had a busy week,” John said. Her looked at Katy. “You about ready to tell him your little bit of information?”
Katy sat down her water bottle. “I guess so. Let me get my notebook.” She ran into the bedroom and returned with her yellow notepad. “You know yesterday when I took Joe Phobs’ lunch by the station for you? Well, Ms. Lois was busy, so I just took it back to Joe myself and we talked a little.” Katy looked at Todd and waited for his reaction. After all, he hadn’t told her that she couldn’t talk to Joe Phobs.
Todd’s forehead wrinkled into a crease and he ran his fingers through his short sandy hair. “Uncle John, you know that she’s doing all this on her own, right?” He looked from Katy to John. “I’d never have asked her to take Joe his lunch if I’d known she was going to go back there and talk to him.” He turned to Katy, clearly aggravated. “Aunt Katy, you know that’s not what I meant when I told you to take that man his lunch.”
“We’ve already had a very similar discussion and I promise you; I know you wouldn’t ask her to do anything that would put her in danger,” John said. “That’s one of the reasons why I wanted you to come over while I was out of town. I wanted you to be around to help look out for her.” He looked at his wife and smiled. “You can’t seem to grasp how dangerous this could be with your snooping around.”
“Excuse me you two,” Katy glared from one man to the other, “I’m sitting right here so please quit talking about me like I’m a child who cannot take care of myself.” Both men stared at Katy. “Okay, Todd I knew you hadn’t intended for me to talk to Joe Phobs, but don’t you want to know what I found out? I also found out some other things yesterday afternoon at the Nail Palace. And for the record, I’m not a snoop.”
“Yes mam.” Todd took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. “Tell me what you found out.”
She looked triumphantly at both men an
d flipped the page on her yellow notebook. “Well, first of all, Joe Phobs didn’t do it.” Todd started to speak, but she held up her hand to silence him. “Just hear me out, Todd. I don’t know who did this, but somebody set up Joe Phobs.”
She then told him about Jessa being pregnant and that she and Joe were arguing about this. “It made no sense to think that he would have killed Jessa while she was carrying his child,” she said. “He didn’t want to harm his child.” She then told him about the scratches on Marissa Holmes’ neck and the missing fingernail from her right hand. “Oh, and I talked Joe into giving a statement to his lawyer. Did he follow through and do that?”
“Yes mam, he did.” Todd brushed a cookie crumb from the front of his shirt. “When Sheriff Reid read Joe’s statement, he looked at the autopsy report and sure enough, Jessa was pregnant. We ain’t letting that news out right now though, because the sheriff ain’t sure how it will affect Joe’s sentencing.”
“Todd,” Katy’s voice grew tense, “I’m telling you that boy’s being set up.”
“Aunt Katy,” Todd held up his hand and raised his voice a couple of decibels, “I’m not saying that he is guilty or he ain’t. I do know that until the sheriff gets a better suspect he’ll be hanging onto Joe Phobs. If the murder weapon hadn’t been found in the guy’s truck, then he might be more inclined to listen. But as it is, he’s pretty sure of the man’s guilt.” He broke off and took a deep breath. “He figures Joe killed her, threw the monkey wrench in the back of the truck thinking he would have time to get rid of it before anybody found her body, then got drunk out of his mind. When you look at it that way it’s pretty convincing.”
“I disagree,” Katy said, shaking her head. “The whole thing was planned out. Jessa and Todd’s fight just gave the killer the opportunity he needed. I can’t prove it, but you’ve got to keep looking into this.”