We managed to convince Nana to stay with Mama. I suggested they find Nana a costume for the evening festivities and headed to Savannah.
On the drive over we discussed what we planned on wearing to the Pirate Festival. The choices for women were few. You could be a lady pirate, wench, or princess. We decided princess or lady pirate worked best for us.
We headed downtown to the Mercer Williams House where Bert, Grace’s ex-husband, worked as a security guard. Dee Dee studied the brochure for directions. “Hey, listen to this.
The Mercer House was designed by New York architect John S. Norris for General Hugh W. Mercer, great-grandfather of Johnny Mercer. Construction of the house began in 1860, was interrupted by the Civil War, and was later completed, circa 1868, by the new owner, John Wilder.
“I knew Johnny Mercer was connected to the house, but I wasn’t sure he ever lived there.”
Dee Dee continued, “It goes on to say Jim Williams bought the house in 1969 and began a two year restoration.” She lowered the brochure. “He’s the guy who was portrayed in the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
“I know. Wouldn’t it make a great story for Georgia by the Way? I mentally filed information to use at a later date. “If we have time, I’d love to take the tour. Maybe take some pictures and buy a book or two for research.” My interest piqued as she continued to read.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Jim Williams, accused of murder, claimed self-defense. After four trials he was acquitted.” Dee Dee finished reading from the brochure.
“I wonder how he warranted four trials. I’ll put that on my research list. He definitely beat the bullet.”
Dee Dee flipped the brochure over. “Listen to this. Jim Williams was one of Savannah’s earliest and most dedicated private restorationists. He began to restore houses in 1955 at the age of 24, the same year the Historic Savannah Foundation was founded. It was the beginning of a career that would span more than 30 years and result in saving over 50 houses in Savannah and the Lowcountry. When he bought the Mercer house in early 1969, it had been vacant almost a decade. Thus began a painstaking restoration that lasted two years and was finished in time for a Christmas party.
“We’re getting close. It should be in the next square.” I knew from my research that Savannah boasted 22 squares. These squares, first designed by General James Oglethorpe, made this unique city a beautiful place to visit. I looked in awe at the huge oaks draped in Spanish moss standing like sentinels throughout the city. The traffic moved at a leisurely pace around the squares. Tour buses dotted the traffic.
“Look!” Dee Dee thrust the brochure in front of my face. “There it is. See? It’s the same house as in the picture.”
I slammed on the brakes, glanced in the rearview and breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, no cars were in sight. “Girl, what are you doing? Trying to get us killed?”
Dee Dee turned around to look, too. “Aw, Trix, you do tend to overreact. There isn’t anyone behind us.” She pointed at a two story, red brick house across the square. “Look at that. It takes up the whole block. Hurry and park; I can’t wait to take the tour.”
“Yikes, I haven’t parallel parked in a coon’s age.” The secret was out when I scraped my tires on the curb during my third try. The driver in the waiting car honked their horn. I didn’t blame them.
“I can tell,” Dee Dee said.
“A perfect job. Thank you very much.” I air pumped my fist.
“Yeah. And it only took four tries.”
Dee Dee sure knew how to put a damper on a girl’s accomplishment.
I grabbed my camera and clicked away. The Mercer Williams House stood proud among other historic homes in the area. Tall arched windows decorated the Italianate mansion. Ironwork balconies surrounded the stately windows. I took pictures from the front of the house and then from several different angles. I’d learned through my work that it took many shots to produce one or two images good enough to be print worthy.
We walked around to the back of the house where other tourists waited in line for tickets. A young lady informed everyone it would be twenty minutes before the next tour so we decided to browse around in the gift shop. I glimpsed through books showcasing the interior, making me even more anxious to see it for myself.
“Trix, here they come. I guess we’re next.” We stepped back to let the line of tourists pass by.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Mona, and I’ll be your guide for the next tour in about five minutes. Please be ready to go.” The matronly woman never cracked a smile during her announcement.
Dee Dee turned around and whispered, “Who took her teddy bear? She looks like she’s been sucking on lemons.” She puckered her lips in a mocking expression.
“Play nice, Dee,” I cautioned, but I couldn’t help giggling.
We followed her out of the gift shop into a small garden area. Mona started her spiel about the house. I positioned my camera to take a shot.
She stared straight at me. “Ma’am!”
I pointed my finger toward my chest and shrugged my shoulders.
“Yes, you. There is no photography during the tour. Did you not see the sign in the gift shop?” All eyes turned toward me.
I felt my face turning red. “No ma’am, I guess I didn’t.” Geeze louise, you don’t have to be so rude about it.
We entered the house and I pulled out a pen and tablet to take notes since I couldn’t shoot photographs. Before I could make my first stroke I heard that authoritative voice again.
“Ma’am!”
I glanced up, hoping she wasn’t talking to me. No such luck.
“You can’t take notes in here.”
I guess Dee Dee had enough of her rudeness and decided to call her on it. “Well, just why can’t we take pictures or notes?” She put her hands on her hips, mimicking Mona’s stance. Under her breath I heard her say, “It’s not like this house is top secret or anything.”
Mona’s eyes grew round and her face turned pink. Her reaction made me wonder if anyone had ever questioned her authority. She sputtered before giving Dee Dee a response. “Just because we don’t.”
Wow, that’s the best reason I’ve ever heard. I discretely nudged Dee Dee. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll memorize what I need.” Her glazed stare and open mouth indicated she doubted my recall skills. I smiled encouragement, anxious to get the attention off of us.
We walked through several rooms filled with valuable antiques and pictures. Our sober tour guide gave a detailed history and description of every artifact. No one could claim they didn’t get their money’s worth. We headed toward Mr. William’s office when a disembodied voice from the back yelled out, “Isn’t this where Williams bit the dust?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
I heard a sharp intake of breath. “We don’t talk about that here,” Mona exclaimed. I found it ironic that talk about the infamous murder wasn’t allowed. The book and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, had made Jim Williams and his love of restoring homes famous. The rest of the tour went quickly. We were ushered out of the house as fast as Mona could get us out.
Throughout the tour a uniformed man had followed us through the house. He held back a few feet behind the group, but it was obvious he was a security guard.
“Dee, I think that might be Bert. Let’s see if we can get a look at his name tag.”
“Okay.” In perfect Dee Dee style she skipped the investigation and went right in for the kill. “Hi, is your name Bert Watkins?”
“How may I help you?”
Dee Dee turned and smiled at me. “The balls’ in your court.”
“Bert, is there somewhere private we can talk? I work for Georgia By the Way and I’d like to interview you about the Mercer Williams House.” I sent up a silent prayer. Father, I need your help here.
Bert swallowed and his Adam’s apple bobbled up and down. “Well, we aren’t allowed to talk about the murder.” I swanny I thought I saw him shake. Was he th
at afraid of Mona?
“That’s all right. We don’t have to talk about the dastardly deed. I’ll focus on the house and the antiques Mr. Williams amassed.” Maybe Dee Dee would bring it up later.
He surveyed the gift shop before he answered. “I guess it won’t hurt to talk to you for a while. Follow me to my office.” I could have hugged him, but I restrained my impulse. I hoped we could escape before Attila the Hun returned to announce the next tour. We wove our way through tourists and exited out the back door of the gift shop. We stopped in the doorway of what appeared to be a tool shed. Bert turned around and looked at Dee Dee like he’d just noticed she’d tagged along.
He eyed Dee Dee up and down. “Uh, my office is kinda’ small. I’m not sure we can all fit in there.”
A spark of fire lit up Dee Dee’s eyes. I hurried to extinguish it before she squashed this little man into a pancake.
“It’s okay; this won’t take long.” I had my own doubts, but didn’t dare voice them. Dee Dee and I both weighed more than Grace’s ex-husband. I could see where he would be an easy target for a strong willed woman. I didn’t know how he managed to snag a job as a security guard.
He didn’t look too convinced we’d fit, but he led the way into the cramped tool shed. Off to the left was a small area with a desk and chair. He was right; we couldn’t fit in the confined area. Dee Dee stood among the rakes and shovels, but I needed her with me. As always, I kept my promise to ask questions for the magazine. Then I loaded for bear.
“Do you know Grace Watkins?” I mentally braced myself for his reply.
His brows rose. “What has she got to do with the Mercer Williams house?”
“Well she doesn’t really have anything to do with it.”
“We’re here on Laura Walker’s behalf,” Dee Dee picked up the trail. “She’s a person of interest in Grace’s murder.”
I made finger quotes when Dee Dee said, “person of interest.”
He looked from one of us to the other. “Well, there ain’t much to tell. We just didn’t get along, that’s all.” Like most other men, Bert seemed to be a man of few words. We’d have to pull them out.
Dee Dee snorted. When we both looked at her she covered her mouth and coughed. Nice try Dee, but I can see right through that fake cough.
She went on with the questioning. “Bert, could you tell us some names of people Grace had a run-in with?” Dee Dee grabbed the notebook and pen from my hand.
“I’m sorry ma’am, but it would be easier to name the people she didn’t have trouble with. Grace just rubbed people the wrong way. I tried, I truly did, but I couldn’t take her nagging at me anymore. It was hard to start over, but I didn’t have a choice. I knew if I stayed in the marriage one of us wasn’t going to make it out alive.” Bert busied himself straightening some papers on his desk, but not before I noticed moisture in his eyes.
“I wish I could have been more help. I need to get back to work now.” He stood and swung his hand toward the door, an invitation for us to leave.
“Thanks for your time, Bert.” We trailed him out of the tool shed.
We made a few purchases in the gift shop then decided to find somewhere to eat. “I saw a café about a block from here. I think I could walk if you want to.”
“Sure, I’m up for a vigorous walk.” Dee Dee slung her bag’s strap over her shoulder.
“Dee, you know I can’t walk fast.” I wondered if she’d lost her mind.
She put her arm around my shoulder. “Aw, Trix, I was just kidding. You should have me figured out by now.” Her laughter floated through the air.
“I’m just beginning to learn who I am. And I have you and Beau to thank for that. You’ve encouraged me to look inside myself and find who was in there beside just a mother and wife. Your faith has taught me to lean on the One who is stronger than me. Someone who’ll never let me down. Like you know who.” Tears dampened my eyes. But this time, instead of sad tears, they were tears of relief. I swiped at the moisture pooled in the corner of my eyes.
Dee Dee squeezed my hand. “I love you, too, Trixie.” She rewarded me with a huge smile. “Come on, let’s go get something to eat; we’re getting way too maudlin.”
It felt good to laugh. But we wouldn’t be laughing by the end of the day.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
As we walked to the café, a chill invaded my body. I shivered and fast rubbed my arms. I didn’t know whether the chill was from the slight breeze that blew or was a forewarning. I decided it was the draft and put it out of my mind. When I later recalled that fateful day, I realized I should have given my gut feeling more credence.
“Trix, take a gander at these houses. They’re so beautiful.” Dee Dee twirled around to take in all sights.
“Wouldn’t you love to live here? Do you ever wonder what the owners do for a living to be able to afford such a house?”
I looked in awe, and yes a bit of envy, at the grand houses surrounding the Mercer Williams house. I noticed most of them boasted ironwork of some kind. Fences, balconies, window boxes, and even rails attached to curved stairways were made of iron.
“I sure do. I sometimes have an urge to ring their doorbell and ask them.” She giggled at her comment. “Hey, why don’t we just go ahead and do it? I think I’ll march up to this house right here and ask for a tour.” She pointed to the house in front of us.
My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure if she was serious or being facetious. I decided to turn the tables. I grabbed her arm. “Okay, let’s go.” I headed toward the curved stairway, dragging her along. Her wide eyes and O-shaped mouth told me all I needed to know. I bent over in laughter.
“Trixie! How could you?” She playfully hit me with her enormous bag. “I guess you learned from the best. Come on; I see the café over on the next block.”
We discussed what we’d learned from Bert. We agreed he’d confirmed what everyone else had told us; Grace didn’t make friends easily. We settled in at the little café on the corner, aptly named The Corner café. Up-scale tourist trinkets filled a hutch against one of the walls. Homemade jellies, commemorative plates, and candles were just a few of the gifts the diners could buy for their friends left behind at home.
I decided to eat a salad so I wouldn’t feel so guilty for all of the calorie-laden food I’d eaten over the last several days. I didn’t suppose I would be considered over weight, but it wouldn’t take much to push me over the line. I really tried to eat healthy, but I usually failed miserably.
Dee Dee ordered a salad, too. “Hey copy-cat,” I said. I shot her a smile to let her know I was kidding.
“Well, they say the greatest compliment is imitation. I thought it was a great idea. Then we can order dessert and feel good about our healthy lunch.”
I waggled my fork. “What suggestions do you have for our next move?” I felt like the weight of the world sat on my shoulders. Mama and Laura had put a lot of faith in my crime-solving skills. But the fact was I didn’t believe I had special skills. I couldn’t have solved the murder in Dahlonega without the help of God and Dee Dee. I needed their help now more than ever.
“Let’s go back to the inn and look over our notes. We can get our costumes while we’re out for the festival tonight. I’m so excited; I feel like a kid going to the carnival.”
“Yeah, I imagine Nana will be acting like a kid tonight.” If truth be told, at times I was envious of Nana’s ability to tackle life with such exuberance.
Dee Dee’s patience with Nana was nothing short of a miracle. “Don’t worry, be happy Trix. It’ll be all right.” She wiped her mouth and reapplied her cherry red lipstick.
We spent the time on the way back to Tybee Island going over the suspects.
I was beginning to lose hope, and recalled that Laura mentioned finding an attorney. Maybe it was time; she was certainly still the prime suspect, even on our list. She had opportunity and motive. Grace made Laura’s life miserable. The murder weapon belonged to Laura and her fingerprints covered it
. Not good. We had to find someone who had a greater motive than Laura. I told Dee Dee as much.
“I wish we knew more about that bracelet.” Out came the infamous tablet and pen. “And what about Bert, and Grace’s attempts to control him?”
“But he’s been gone for a long time, and he’s hardly the bracelet wearing type. There wouldn’t be a need for him to kill her now; he seemed fairly content. Unless there’s something we don’t know about. I think he needs to be toward the bottom.” I remembered how controlling Wade could be. He wanted to know where I was and what I was doing.
“Let’s go over the names of the guests at Seaside Cottage. There’s us, of course.” Dee Dee gave a little snort. “What about Ellie Sloan? She seems kind of harmless.”
“That might be true, but remember we saw her talking with John Porter and she said she wasn’t acquainted with him before they met here. And the Daniels saw them downtown together that first night. I don’t know why she would lie about it. I think we need to move her toward the top.”
“Okay, she’s been moved.” Dee Dee punched me in the arm. “Stop!”
“What in the world?” I sputtered. I pulled over, alarmed maybe I’d hit something and didn’t see it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
I want to take some pictures of the boats,” Dee Dee indicated to the harbor. “Wouldn’t they make great photos? I could frame them and sell them in the shop. Customers grab up anything to do with the ocean.”
I pulled up to the road leading to the docks, next to the bridge on the way to Tybee. I had to admit the old fishing boats made great scenes. I grabbed my camera from the back seat and followed Dee Dee. We spent the next fifteen minutes snapping prize winners.
When we returned to the car we continued our conversation about the list. “Okay, Ellie was last. How about the Daniels, Cassie and Harold? That Cassie’s so sweet.”
“She sure is. I don’t see how she and Harold stay together. He’s one of the grouchiest old men I’ve had the displeasure to meet.” I turned on the wipers as large drops of rain splattered on my windshield. “But I don’t think they have any motive for murder.”
Terror on Tybee Island (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 3) Page 12