I could tell she was irritated having Cooke so close to her, but even Merlene tried at times to just be plain civil. After all, we of emotional intelligence, don’t always have to wear our emotions on our sleeves.
“So, you’re here to question me now?” she asked Cooke.
“Actually, no; I’m not.” He cleared his throat again. “Detective Lance Matthews has been working the case and liaising with the prosecutor, so they’ll stop by and speak with you tomorrow, if you’ll be available.”
She sighed. “I’ll make myself available, Sheriff. After all, it was my life those bums, including Roy Bostwick—the biggest bum of all—almost stole from me. I’ll be here on this chair waiting for your people to show up and get the wheels of justice moving. You people couldn’t rescue me, so that’s the least you could do.”
He nodded and then went on to make small talk with her concerning how she was feeling physically. Cooke was aware of Merlene’s feelings towards him and I could tell he didn’t want to reopen a can of worms by addressing her last assertion. I didn’t blame him. The mood she was in right then, she could’ve pretty much torn off his head if he even looked at her the wrong way. She would’ve worried about being arrested and bailed out later. The latter is where I, most likely, would’ve come in since I was the undercover cash cow.
All in all, they managed a decent conversation and as he was leaving, I got up right away.
“Let me walk you to your car, Sheriff,” I said.
He had a puzzled look as if to say, how’s this blind lady gonna do that?
“You know I get around,” I added. “I swear this cane of mine has eyes.”
He grinned.
“Well, considering you do get around quite well, Lucille, I’d have to agree,” he replied, coming over and giving me a hand.
After he said goodbye to everyone, he and I walked outside together.
“How are you gonna get back, Lucille? Should I call one of the boys?”
“No!” I shook my head. “I tend to think you don’t actually believe this cane of mine has eyes, like I said.”
He laughed. “Okay. Okay.”
“So, what have you guys found out about my friend Glenda Risdal’s death? The first time I checked in with you, it was nothing. By now, you must have some answers.”
He sighed. “Lucille, you know when we uncover anything we don’t mind the public knowing, we’ll share it with the media and that’s how you’ll know.”
I shook my head vehemently. “Don’t get it twisted, Sheriff. We both know that isn’t how things work between us. Now, what have you got? Who murdered her?”
He gave me a curious look. “Murdered? What makes you think she was murdered?”
“Don’t patronize me. I didn’t get this much grey hair being stupid! Any old fool would know if she’s found dead at the roadside, it must’ve been foul play.”
“Not necessarily. People have been known to drop dead right where they stood.”
“Not this woman,” I asserted. “And not on that highway. How many people do you know would leave their car at home and walk that distance it took for her to get to the highway? Were the clothes you found her in indicative of her having been exercising on a busy highway?”
“No,” he replied.
“Well then, common sense told me someone killed her.”
He was quiet for a few moments. “Okay, Lucille. You’re right, but we’re still investigating the matter, so don’t go running your mouth about what I told you.”
“Do I ever?”
He opted not to respond.
“Not that what you told me is any big secret anyway,” I said. “Everyone knows Glenda was murdered. What about suspects?”
“None yet. We’re conducting interrogations.”
We arrived a few feet away from his car.
“Well, I’ll be going now…” he said, “…but rest assured, we’re gonna get whoever’s responsible for Miss Risdal’s death.”
The blonde in his front seat was observing and looking at me rather strangely. Maybe it was the cane thing. I was sure she was his latest fling and if my suspicions were right, it meant he was getting bold and reckless about it. Mrs. Cooke was no pushover, so if she found out, I was sure he’d have hell on his hands. Of course, some of those cheaters at the Sheriff’s office thought they were too smart to get caught even after they learned the hard way, then took a chance getting caught again. The sheriff might’ve been no exception.
“All right, Sheriff. I’ll chat with you later.”
He got into the vehicle and gave the lady a slight smile before switching on the engine. Yep, I was absolutely certain that was his sweetheart. The man should’ve been ashamed of himself! After all, the girl was young enough to be his daughter.
2
_________________
Glenda Risdal’s body was finally released for burial. Her sister, Chloe, had flown down from Colorado after receiving the tragic news and was staying at Glenda’s otherwise vacant house.
Merlene still wasn’t in the best shape, but she accompanied me to Glenda’s funeral, as well as Theodore who’d taken quite a liking to Glenda before she died. Had she stuck around for a while longer, there’s a possibility she and Theodore might’ve hit it off.
Anthony couldn’t join us since he was busy at one of Chadsworth’s mansions getting the home exquisitely designed for the new owners. I bet his former boss would’ve been so jealous if he’d seen the photos Anthony had taken of his recent projects. Anthony had kept his photos in an album to build his portfolio. Those slave drivers might’ve thought the man’s only talent was sitting there in front of a computer taking crap from them and making them look good at the same time. But they thought wrong.
Although the sky was clear and the sun was out, a light drizzle fell as we stood under the large tent at the graveside. Dozens of people were in attendance, including Glenda’s co-workers at the phone company, Sheriff Gerald Cooke and even some government officials I didn’t think would have the nerve to show up, particularly since Glenda had some real dirt on them. Guess they figured the potential bearer of bad news was a stiff in that beautiful gold casket, so why not show up to make sure it was really her that was dead? What startled me was when I noticed my neighbor, Carla, standing afar off behind the white tent in a stupid auburn wig and dark shades with huge circular lenses. The woman was completely disguised and in my estimation, looked utterly out of place. I didn’t expect her to attend Glenda’s funeral since she was fearful of having any affiliation with her now that she was obviously murdered. And understandably so to a certain extent, considering Carla was the one whose hands the little black book with all the juicy details of upper echelon corruption landed in after Glenda was found. Guess Carla felt the need to pay her last respects and I found it admirable even though she looked like a three hundred pound drag queen.
Those who were not wailing and ready to jump in the grave with Glenda sang glorious hymns from the hymnal until the fine casket was being lowered into the ground. Chloe was a mess behind those clear glasses she wore. She stood up front in a nice, sleeveless, loosely-fitted black dress around her slender body with a black, wide-brimmed hat on her head. Her jet-black hair was pinned up neatly into a bun. At around five-feet-ten inches tall, she looked a little like Glenda, but if someone hadn’t told me, I would’ve never guessed if I’d seen her anywhere else that the two were related. Glenda was better looking, by far, and had the personality to match.
A tall, handsome man stood at Chloe’s side the entire time comforting her and stopping her from collapsing whenever her knees weakened. I felt so sorry for her since Glenda had once mentioned that Chloe was the only family she had left. I took it that she didn’t much care for the remaining living relatives.
The rain, now completely stopped, must’ve taken its cue from the good reverend after he’d ended the service with a prayer of consolation. By then, Chloe had seemed to calm down a bit, and Merlene and I went over to personally offer our condolences before she
left. Theodore went and waited for us at the edge of the lawn while Carla hurried to her car.
The girl was a sweetheart, despite her grief. “I really appreciate it,” she said to us. “My sister spoke very highly of you, Lucille. It’s very nice to finally meet you.”
“I wish it would’ve been under better circumstances,” I replied.
Merlene quietly smiled her way through our brief conversation. She looked so uncomfortable in that heavy black dress she was wearing. Who, while recovering from a couple of cracked ribs, would wear a heavy dress? Merlene—that’s who!
“I’m having the repast at Glenda’s house,” Chloe said. “Would you all be so kind to join me? And you and I can chat a bit more, Lucille.”
“That would be nice,” I said. “We’ll be there.”
* * * *
“What do you think of that woman?” Merlene asked from the front seat next to Theodore.
I had the entire back seat to myself.
“I think she’s very nice,” I replied.
“Seems a bit uppity to me.”
“Really?” I grimaced. “I didn’t get that impression.”
“What do you think, Theodore?” Merlene asked him.
“Well, I don’t know—I didn’t get to speak with her or anything to be able to form an opinion.”
“You never have to speak to any girl to form an opinion, Theodore!” she snarled.
We all laughed.
“You think you’ve got me figured right out, don’t you?” he replied.
Theodore was easy to pick on in that way since he was thirty-five, good-looking, hard-working and single. He was polite too and would’ve made a good husband to a nice, patient woman. Patience might’ve needed to play an integral role since Theodore had a keen eye for beautiful women. I’m guessing it would’ve taken therapy or something harsher for him to eventually have eyes for just one woman. Then again, sometimes all it takes for a man to be tamed is for him to be smitten hard by that one special girl and that was about one in a million.
We’d stopped off for a few cold drinks and about a half-hour after the funeral, arrived at Glenda’s beautiful home. The yard was perfectly manicured and she had white statues of angels displayed throughout her yard. There were even fruit trees such as cherries and plums. Good thing her yard was walled in because I suspect those fruits wouldn’t have stayed on the trees long enough for the owner to get to taste them—just how it was in some neighborhoods. Glenda’s neighborhood was really quiet and well-kept. She lived in a decent part of town and anyone could tell she’d done well for herself all those years at the phone company.
Several cars were parked at the house already and Theodore pulled up on the opposite side of the road next to a neighbor’s trash bin.
“Why park here?” Merlene frowned.
“Because there’s no space anywhere else—unless you’d be willing to walk from further down the street,” he answered.
She unlocked her seatbelt and opened the door.
“Let’s go, old woman,” she said to me.
“If I wasn’t secure about my age, I might’ve been offended.”
I grabbed my cane and got out, and Theodore hurried around the car to take my hand. Such a loving boy, he was. In fact, he looked out for Merlene as well as we all crossed the street to Glenda’s house.
A stranger opened the door and led us to the living room where Chloe was standing near the mantle, speaking with some of the guests.
“It’s very nice of you all to come,” she said, pleasantly. She immediately came and took me over to a tufted wing chair. “You two, please have a seat and make yourselves comfortable,” she told Merlene and Theodore.
“Oh! We have some food and drinks there in the kitchen,” she told them. “Just take a left at the end of the hallway and someone will fill your plates.”
Theodore immediately got up and offered to bring us back something to eat. I’m certain he knew there was no need to ask Merlene if she wanted anything since she’d been complaining about how hungry she was on our way there.
Glenda’s house was even more gorgeous on the inside. There were mahogany stained something or the other almost everywhere you turned—mahogany stained doors, tables and frames. And above was the most stunning cypress, cherry-stained wood ceiling; I really couldn’t imagine that being mahogany as well. A tall, oval shaped lamp stood on each side table in the living room which added a luxurious flair to the space. Glenda surely had exquisite taste and I smiled as I remembered the way she often dressed, especially for work. The outfits and colors she’d selected complimented her as a professional.
At least a dozen people were in the spacious living room. Some looked terribly sad while others seemingly not so much, engaged in trivial conversation. I noticed an Arabian gentleman about his sixties with a cunning smile etched across his face. He was sitting directly opposite Merlene, staring at her and I could only imagine what was going through his mind. I had no idea if he was there alone or someone had accompanied him. All I knew was that he was an odd ball, for sure.
Chloe pulled up a chair next to mine. “Finally, I get to meet Lucille Pfiffer.” She smiled. “It’s truly an honor; Glenda thought the world of you.”
“And I of her,” I replied. “Good friends are hard to come by these days.”
“I totally agree!” She smoothed out the back of her dress for the second time as she shifted in the chair.
“I miss her already.”
She sighed heavily. “I do too. When I was contacted by the police about her death, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I just couldn’t believe she was gone and the way she died…well, it was shocking. My husband is still in disbelief. He and Glenda knew each other years before he and I had met. She introduced me to him. Guess you could say if it hadn’t been for her, we wouldn’t have been married for the past fifteen years.”
“Glenda was good at bringing people together,” I said. “Very personable lady.”
“Yes, she was.” Chloe nodded.
On a wide tray, Theodore brought a little plate for me with a delightful combination of protein and starches—rice and beans, baked macaroni and tossed salad with cherry tomatoes and French dressing. He’d called off every item on the plate for me since he had no idea I could see them just as well as he could, then rested my tall glass of fruit punch on the side table.
“Thank you, dear,” I said.
“Going to take Merlene hers.”
“Yeah. You’d better. I can just imagine the look on her face right now.”
Chloe smiled as Theodore went and took Merlene her food which she immediately dove into. He returned to the kitchen for his own plate and minutes later, sat down next to Merlene.
“Who in the world would’ve wanted to kill my sister?” Chloe looked completely heartbroken.
“That’s what I’m wondering,” I said after taking a bite of the tastiest baked macaroni I’d ever tried. I wanted to tell her how delicious it was, but deemed it inappropriate at the time. “Have you gotten in touch with the Sheriff’s Department as of late?”
“Only every day,” she replied. “And one Detective Matthews there keeps telling me they’re doing everything they can and following leads. That’s all. I never get anything different.”
“Not surprising,” I said. “Our police department leaves a lot to be desired. Did you get the autopsy results?”
“They found a lethal amount of potassium chloride and barbiturates in her blood stream. Said the solution was injected into her body. Apparently, it’s what killed her. They mentioned the use of a syringe, which they haven’t found.”
Cooke had already filled me in, but I didn’t want to give Chloe the impression that I might’ve been privy to more information than she was despite her being next of kin. She sat back in her chair, looking right then like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
“I will certainly do whatever I can to keep the heat on them,” I told her. “Glenda was too good a woman and didn�
��t deserve what happened to her.”
She shook her head slowly. “I wish she and I had been closer like we used to be when we were kids. Over the past few years, we’d lost touch and that’s something I deeply regret. After being away from my sister for five years, I was really beginning to feel like we needed to mend our relationship.”
“I’m sure she knew how much you loved her in spite of everything. Allow that to be some form of consolation.”
“Thank you, Lucille.” Chloe managed a slight smile.
Right then, I noticed the Arabian guy had gotten up and finally made his way over to the apple of his eye—my wonderful friend, Merlene. He sat in the empty chair at her right and shamelessly began professing his love for her.
Merlene soon rolled her eyes, then said to him: “As flattering as that is, I must tell you I have a special bullet reserved for my ex-husband which I kissed this morning, and another for any guy who’s dumb enough to pursue me.”
Not once did she blink.
My fruit punch almost went down the wrong pipe as I laughed.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” I told Chloe. “Merlene over there just said the funniest thing.”
“I heard!” she replied, rather tickled herself. “She need not pay Haram any mind. He’s a friend of Glenda’s she met in college. She did say he’s quite a lady’s man.”
“I see. He obviously picked the wrong one today.”
We both chuckled.
It was nice to have a lighthearted moment in spite of the grim circumstance. Glenda wouldn’t have wanted it any other way as she was a ray of sunshine and always celebrated life with a beautiful smile on her face.
Merlene, Theodore and I spent about two hours with Chloe and we all gelled well even after many of the guests had left.
“Thanks so much for coming,” she told us at the door.
“It was very nice to meet you,” Merlene said. “I pray you find comfort through this most difficult time.”
“I really appreciate that, Merlene, and it was nice meeting you too.”
Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series (Books 4 - 6) Page 16