Theodore had expressed his condolences earlier on as we were getting more acquainted with Chloe. At some point, she’d introduced us to her husband, John—the same man who was at her side at the graveyard. Although he was pleasant enough, he didn’t stick around very long before he rejoined a couple of guys outside on the back patio.
“So, how long do you plan to be in Chadsworth?” I asked Chloe.
“A couple weeks. John has to get back to work tomorrow, but I have to stay behind and take care of Glenda’s affairs.”
“I understand. Well, I’m just a phone call away if you need anything at all.” I gave her the number and she promptly added it to her cell phone’s contact list.
“Thank you so much, Lucille. I can see why Glenda thought so highly of you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Theodore smiled slightly; not sure why.
We said our goodbyes and were on our way.
“Do you still think she’s uppity?” I asked Merlene after leaving Glenda’s house.
She quickly nodded. “I think she’s an uppity broad who bakes a killer mac and cheese.”
I chuckled.
“That was delicious!” Theodore agreed. “If I can find a woman who can cook just as good, I’d be in heaven.”
“I must say I’m impressed as well. She told me she’s a chef for a five-star resort up there in Colorado,” I said.
“They must pay her real well,” Theodore surmised.
“I guess she’s okay,” Merlene relented. “Maybe I was comparing her too much to Glenda. I wasn’t as close to Glenda as you were, Lucille, but I know she was a great gal. I just get a different vide about her sister, that’s all.”
“I know what you mean,” I replied. “Sometimes, when it comes to siblings, we tend to think they’re all the same, but usually that’s not the case at all. Amazing how several babies can come from the same mother, brought up in the same environment and be nothing like each other or even like their parents. Guess the bottom line is we’re all unique and have been given our own personalities regardless.”
“Guess that sums it up,” Merlene snickered. “Sounds like something you’d tell ten-year-olds who have absolutely no idea about life!”
“Go ahead and laugh. I’m sure you needed to hear it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have judged the poor girl so harshly,” I returned.
Merlene didn’t reply. She knew why.
When we arrived at Merlene’s house, we found David outside servicing his car. He came over right away and opened the door for Merlene. “How was the funeral?” he asked us.
“Not too bad,” Merlene replied. “The food afterwards was good though.”
“It was a beautiful service,” I told David. “Glenda had a great turnout.”
“That’s nice,” he said, helping his mom out of the car. “It’s really sad what happened to her. I hope those jokers at the Sheriff’s office can actually solve this case.”
“I wouldn’t hold my breath, bro,” Theodore told him.
“Me neither. Hopefully, they won’t arrest the wrong person and put ‘em behind bars like they did me.”
Theodore nodded. “With those guys at the helm, anything is possible.”
“We’re going to hope for the best this time,” I chimed in.
“Guess, it’s all we can do,” David agreed.
“I’ve gotta get out of this dress, so I’ll see y’all later,” Merlene said.
We waited until she and David had almost reached their porch before Theodore drove off.
I couldn’t wait to get home to my baby girl. I knew she was wondering where the hell I’d been for so long, but I’d make it up to her with her favorite snack. She’d been looking up at me with those gorgeous round eyes more and more as of late hinting that she wanted her treat. I try to stick to giving her one no more than twice a day, but recently, it hadn’t been enough. About a month ago, I switched to a new flavor—the one shaped like a doggy paw with some sugary sprinkling. The second I’d give her one, she’d run off to another room to savor it all alone and a couple of hours later, she’d be back religiously for another; and a couple of hours later, yet another. I knew I had to put my foot down because Nilla was going overboard with that sweet tooth she had. I must admit, they looked temptingly delicious and it did cross my mind to try one to see why Nilla was absolutely hooked on them. I had a sweet tooth myself. Maybe we both could share the same treat, instead of my opting for the chocolate or pina colada ice cream I occasionally ran towards.
As we were about to pull into my yard, we spotted a brown Chevrolet parked in front of our driveway. An older man with a white beard wearing a cowboy hat was in the driver’s seat.
“Who’s this guy?” Theodore muttered.
“What guy?” I asked, as if I didn’t see him.
I know it’s bad that I was living with Theodore and Anthony and never told them the secret concerning my blindness and how that was related to my inner sight they didn’t know I had, but I was just waiting for the right time.
David, Merlene’s son, was well aware since he was the only person Merlene had trusted with that information. She was always so protective about it as we both knew I couldn’t risk losing my disability benefits to the government. Whether I needed it or not was not the issue; the issue was entitlement. Yes, I had lost my eyesight due to a rare disease and that was documented in black and white. Why should I risk losing my benefits simply due to the fact that years later, I was blessed with inner sight connected to a ghost I had shared the same home with for many years, but whom I knew nothing about until the night my husband Donnie was having a fatal heart attack? I agreed with Merlene that the average person out there who worked for the government would not understand and would likely try and snatch back the money I was entitled to. One day, I would be ready to spill my guts to Theodore and Anthony and had a strong feeling that time would be soon, but it was definitely something Merlene and I would need to discuss first.
“There’s a guy wearing a cowboy hat parked in front of our driveway,” Theodore explained. “I have no idea who he is, but I’m gonna find out.”
“Just be careful,” I warned.
He attempted to pull up parallel to the strange car, but the man quickly drove away.
“Hey! I recognize that car!” Theodore cried. “That same car was parked in front of Glenda’s house when we first arrived.”
“Are you sure?” I probed.
“Yes, I’m sure. I remember the Born to Die on the frame of his back plate. It’s the same car. At the time, I didn’t see anyone inside though.”
“Maybe he was in the house—one of the guests.”
“That’s a possibility, but it’s strange that he made his way to ours afterwards, don’t you think?”
“I certainly do.” I nodded. “I think it’s time you, Anthony and I had a good talk.”
3
_________________
I hated knowing Nilla was home alone with that creepy guy parked outside our driveway. Good thing we got there when we did as I couldn’t fathom having Nilla experience anything even remotely similar to what she and I both went through that fateful day when she was fighting off who turned out to be my would-be kidnappers. I could’ve killed the bastards for hurting her, but in the end, they got what was coming to them.
Nilla tried to climb up on my legs the moment Theodore and I walked through the door. I had missed her just as much as she did me.
“Hey, girl!” Theodore reached down and patted her little head. “Missed me too?”
I picked her up and smothered her with kisses, then promptly reached for her favorite snack. Once she got that treat though, she no longer had any interest in being within my embrace. She had to run off and find that private spot to savor the goodness.
Theodore laughed. “She’s something else!”
“Surely is.”
I asked him to unzip my dress for me which he did. I rarely asked such favors, but never had to worry about the boys since we had a dece
nt relationship. With Donnie gone and Nilla’s two front paws being able to do only so much domestically, it was a godsend having them around.
“I wonder when Anthony’s gonna get back?” I said. “I’d rather speak with both of you at the same time.”
“Is it serious?” Theodore’s smile gradually faded.
“Nothing for you to worry your sweet head about. I’m going upstairs to get changed, then will probably take a nap before Anthony comes.”
“Okay.” He slumped onto the couch and kicked off his shoes. Nilla jumped up onto the chair and snuggled next to him. “Nilla and I will shoot the breeze here for a while.”
“See you two later,” I replied.
* * * *
Turns out that Anthony had a full day on the job which was very good for his pocket. When he got back that evening, he was eager to tell us what he’d accomplished that day. Theodore and I listened attentively and basically shared in his excitement for his new career.
“Getting into this business was your best move, bro,” Theodore remarked.
“For sure. I feel like it’s my calling. I’m finally doing something that I love and actually getting paid for it,” Anthony replied.
I cherished his smile when he said that too.
“I met someone,” he revealed, quite casually.
Theodore leaned in. “You did? Who is he? I mean…she? Shoots! Whoever it is!”
I couldn’t believe Theodore let that slip. I’m sure, like me, he’d wondered all along what Anthony’s gender preference was when it came to dating since he obviously had a far more dominant feminine side, than masculine.
“She…” Anthony stressed, “…is the daughter of oil tycoon Randolph Wells. I’m bringing a fresh, new interior design to the new house they just purchased out in Oakdale. That’s where I was stuck part of the day today and have been going there every day for the past week.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me!” Theodore’s eyes widened. “She’s friggin’ drop dead gorgeous!” Then it’s like something hit him. “You’re saying she has a thing for you?”
“I think that might be what he’s saying, Theodore,” I chimed in. “And not only that, but he obviously has a thing for her. Am I right, Anthony?”
“You are.” He nodded, but wasn’t speaking excitedly about it. It might’ve been his way of making us believe he was not getting his hopes up.
“Wow!” Theodore leaned back in the chair. “Wish I could land me a babe like her.”
“I’m sure you will, some day,” I told him.
“Well, she hasn’t come out and professed her undying love for me or anything,” Anthony remarked. “I just noticed she seems quite keen about me. Maybe she just likes my work.”
“No way!” I vehemently protested. “She already sees you for the awesome, good-looking human being that you are. I bet you have scores of secret admirers out there.”
“Stop it!” He shooed the remark with his hand.
“I agree with Lucille, Anthony,” Theodore said, ever-so-kindly. “You really are a great guy and if I had to guess, your quiet demeanor is what makes some girls a li’l intimidated about approaching you. Obviously, this lady has a lot of confidence in herself and isn’t afraid of rejection.”
“Thanks, Theodore.”
“I noticed a lot of rich people’s confidence is practically through the roof,” I stated.
“I wouldn’t say that.” Anthony shook his head. “I’ve met wealthy people who are confident, yeah, but I’ve also met others who are quiet, humble, shy—you name it—just like the average joe out there who’s just trying to make it from day to day.”
“I suppose you’re right. I just haven’t met that many yet, that’s all,” I said. “And I’ve been here a lot longer than you have.”
Anthony grinned.
A few moments of silence ensued while I took a couple sips of my lemonade. I then felt for the little, black book and rested it on the center table.
“What’s that?” Anthony asked.
“It was Glenda’s.” I took a few seconds to gather my thoughts. “That book is what she’d kept under lock and key for years, adding to it whenever she found anything damaging on anyone who was high society.”
“You’re kidding me!” Theodore loudly whispered.
“Nope. I’m as serious as a heart attack. Remember when you and I were chatting about the mayor and how I said the information Glenda gave me might’ve been what ultimately caused her death?”
“Yeah.” Theodore nodded.
“That intel, and a whole lot more are among the pages of that book.”
He went to reach for it.
“Normally, I won’t let you see what’s in there, but because we’re all family and I trust you to keep your mouths shut, I will allow it.”
“Mums the word.” Theodore said, grabbing it.
“I second that,” Anthony added.
“Bro!” Theodore was reading as quickly as he could. “I can’t believe this!”
Anthony rushed over and eagerly looked on as he turned the pages. Then when Theodore had had enough, Anthony took the book and flipping back to the beginning, returned with it to his seat.”
“Do you know what’s in here, Lucille?” Anthony asked.
“Yep; pretty much. Glenda had filled me in.”
Well—it was the only explanation I could give other than telling them I could see the words on the pages just as good or better than they do. I know it seems hypocritical that I could share with them life or death information, but felt the time hadn’t yet come for me to fill them in on the truth about my inner sight. After all, it was my money at stake. Supposed one of them got mad at me and moved out, and took my secret with them? Like I always say, I didn’t get this old by being dumb.
“This is heavy stuff!” Anthony commented, his eyes still scanning the pages of the book.
“And I want you guys to know how heavy that stuff really is which means the fact that it’s in our possession and the knowledge of such in our heads could, perhaps, make us a target,” I said. “So, it’s crucial that we keep this amongst ourselves. In all honesty, I only shared it because I didn’t want it to be a surprise to you if something happened to me or if someone we don’t know shows up at our door with the intent to harm us.”
Looking at Anthony, Theodore sighed. “She’s talking like this because we met a guy parked in front of the yard today after we got back from the funeral.”
“What guy?” Anthony grimaced.
“We don’t know who he is or what he wanted because he took off as we were pulling up. I’d seen the same car parked in front of Glenda’s house at the repast, but have no clue if the driver was one of guests inside the house or not.”
“That’s suspicious,” Anthony noted.
“Precisely! And I don’t like it,” I said.
“When we got home, I stayed downstairs while Lucille went upstairs to rest,” Theodore continued. “I had no idea about this book at the time, but I just didn’t get a good feeling about that guy.”
“Neither did I, but I didn’t want to alarm you,” I revealed.
“Have you told anyone else about this book?” Anthony asked.
“Carla knows and I’ll be telling Merlene. That’s all.”
“Carla? Not Carla…our neighbor, by any chance?” he frowned.
“Yep. That Carla.” I nodded.
“Are you out of your mind?” Theodore barked.
“Calm down, boys. If there’s anyone in the world who won’t squeal about the contents of that little, black book, it’s Carla.”
“How do you figure that?” The boys reverted simultaneously.
“Because Glenda had it automatically sent to her upon her death!”
I could tell from the look on their faces that they were totally baffled and quickly explained to them how Carla got a hold of the book and subsequently turned it over to me.
They were almost at a loss for words.
Moments later, Anthony asked. “
So, what’re you gonna do? Turn it over to the police?”
“The police?” I was shocked by the question.
“Have you missed the part where some high-ranking law enforcement officials had their noses in some unsavory schemes?” I replied.
“Right. It wouldn’t make sense turning to them for help.”
He obviously saw the light.
“So, what’s the plan? You always have one,” Theodore said.
“That’s what I’ll be discussing with Merlene. One of those people in that book, in my humble estimation, must be responsible for Glenda’s death. She alluded to it in this letter.” I waited until then to show them the letter. Theodore, of course, grabbed it first, then soon handed it to Anthony.
“So, you’re gonna be detective again, huh?” Theodore remarked, rather coldly.
“And don’t forget her sidekick, Merlene!” Anthony sought to clarify. “She’s barely recovered yet from the brutal assault she got when she was kidnapped and you’re going to haul her out on another amateur investigation and probably put both of yourselves in mortal danger?”
“You make it sound so horrible!” I replied. “Merlene’s almost one hundred percent; she’s a strong girl, you know. Besides, I’d never put her in a position that I felt she couldn’t wiggle herself out of. We simply will go through the list of suspects in the book and try and come to a mutual decision on who needs looking into. You know we can’t rely on Cooke and his guys to get to the bottom of Glenda’s death. Shoots! They couldn’t even find Merlene after she was kidnapped, and was going to put her son David in jail and throw away the key because they couldn’t conduct a thorough murder investigation. If I didn’t try to help him, he’d be another innocent statistic in the prison system!”
They were just looking at me with those reprimanding eyes of theirs.
“Boys…you know I’m right.”
Anthony sighed. “I hate to agree, but I don’t like you getting involved in these situations where you or Merlene could get hurt.”
Nilla ran inside from the backyard and immediately headed in Anthony’s direction. It was the first time she’d seen him since he’d left for work that morning. He picked her up, sat her on his lap and petted her.
Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series (Books 4 - 6) Page 17