Miss Pettybone's First Case

by Melissa Rees

  Mildred was not happy about being escorted back to the hotel. Walking them to the elevator, she and Lynn watched as Mildred stalked in, followed by a hobbling Louise. "Just don't you think for one minute that Louise and I are going home, Loraine Pettybone. We paid good money for the tickets to come out here and we plan to enjoy ourselves."

  "I’ll pay for your tickets, Mildred. Just go upstairs and pack. Lynn and I will be back in a little while."

  Furious, Mildred stuck her tongue out, and then pushed the elevator button.

  Chapter 43

  Mildred tugged on Louise's arm, guiding her out the side entrance of the hotel. "That Loraine Pettybone is nuts if she thinks she can pack us up and send us home after only one day." Mildred raged.

  "Slow down, Mildred." Louise said, shuffling beside Mildred.

  Mildred raised her hand to hail a taxi, then helped Louise in the cab and climbed in after her. Now that they were away from the hotel, Mildred gave a sigh of relief.

  "Loraine is going to be furious." Louise warned.

  "Better Loraine be furious that us furious." Mildred pointed out.

  “True." Louise said, glancing out the window. She admired her friend so much. Mildred was so brave, so unafraid of everything. She always had a grand time when she was with Mildred.

  After they had left the bar and Pete Hunter's unhappy face, they had settled in to a small cafe/bar on the water. Louise had had a wonderful time.

  She was aware of Mildred's reputation but she had also been Mildred's friend long enough to know that it was all in fun. When men got serious with Mildred, it was time to go. Louise knew better than anyone else that Mildred's lust after men was all an act, well maybe not all, she thought. Not that she didn't flirt and tease the men. She did. And Mildred did enjoy patting them on their behind but she drew the line of anything more. Louise sighed happily in anticipation on the night's entertainment, then leaned back into the seat and prepared to be entertained.

  ***

  "It’s not your fault," Lynn insisted, before taking a long drink of beer. "They are grown women. You told them, we both told them, that they were in danger."

  "Mildred doesn't understand danger," Miss Pettybone snapped. "And Louise, well, she's an old woman who thinks following Mildred around is fun."

  "Still, we both told them they were in danger and they still snuck away. Remember, Mildred said something about wanting to shop earlier. If that's what they were really doing," Lynn finished, darkly, imagining Mildred in some dimly lit bar surrounded by pretty men.

  Miss Pettybone closed her eyes. She should have known better than to call Mildred Bartlett. She should have known Mildred would not go home after she pointed the men out. Now they were in danger and it was all her fault.

  "I know what you're thinking, Loraine. And it's not true. You were the only one who cared enough about Warren Jones to actually seek out his killers. No one should be allowed to kill another human being and get away with it. No one." Lynn pointed out.

  Miss Pettybone opened her eyes and smiled at Lynn. "Thanks."

  "You're welcome. Now what do we do?"

  "Now we go back to Eli's and make our list of clues so we can hand them over to the police. The sooner, the better."

  ***

  Miss Pettybone walked down the graceful stairway at Shadowleaf. She felt a little better. She and Lynn had made quite a list for the police.

  When she had talked to Mildred a little while ago, Mildred said that after a long afternoon of shopping, Louise's leg was hurting, so they were probably staying around the hotel that night.

  It had been decided that Miss Pettybone and Lynn would pick them up in the morning and go to the police. Then the women would take a flight home.

  She walked into the study and sighed. The whole house was beautiful. The graceful front entryway with its high ceiling and crystal chandelier were designed to be impressive and was.

  The study with its leather bound books and ancestral paintings were Miss Pettybone’s favorite room. The dark paneling and rich burgundy sofa and chairs were so comfortable that Miss Pettybone could almost see distant relatives of Eli's reading a book with a glass of port wine at their elbow, a fire blazing in the fireplace.

  She wondered if there had ever been a Mrs. Eli Rawls. She would have to remember to ask Scott T.

  She sat down in an armchair beside the window and gazed out, her eyes taking in the magnificent old oak trees that lined the property. Legs crossed, she leaned back, her thoughts on Wagner and Keel. She would be willing to bet that they had beautiful homes also, probably not as fancy as Shadowleaf, but still.

  What would someone in their position be willing to do to protect that way of life? Probably a good deal.

  How had Warren Jones threatened that way of life? Because Miss Pettybone was convinced that he had been a threat to them.

  She cupped her chin in her hands and stared out of the window. She didn't hear Eli walk into the room.

  Eli paused briefly and wondered how Miss Pettybone had escaped marriage. She was beautiful and had that certain loveliness that was timeless. She would look good when she was eighty, he thought.

  "Miss Pettybone, you look relaxed."

  She looked up and smiled. "You have such a beautiful home."

  "I didn't have much to do with that, I'm afraid. This house hasn't changed in the last hundred years."

  "Still, you are the caretaker and that's a responsibility in itself."

  "That's true. Would you like a glass of wine?"

  “Truthfully?"

  "Of course."

  "Then I'd prefer a glass of Diet Pepsi. I'm afraid that Diet Pepsi is my worst habit."

  "Then you have no bad habits?" Eli said with a smile.

  He walked over and pulled the long rope that hung from the ceiling.

  "I wondered if that worked." Miss Pettybone remarked, watching him.

  "It has worked for a century."

  When an elderly woman walked in, he ordered Miss Pettybone’s drink.

  "And where is Mrs. Cooper?" He inquired, casually.

  "She was on the phone when I came down."

  "She's married, isn't she?"

  "She's been married a very long time."

  "And you? Never had that urge to settle down?"

  "Once, a long time ago."

  "What happened?"

  "He married someone else. He felt I was too independent for his taste."

  "I am sure he has regretted his choice many times."

  Miss Pettybone smiled and looked at Eli. "And yourself. Never married?"

  "No, never ran across someone that I thought I could look at every morning for the rest of my life."

  "Well, you could always acquire someone who had their own home."

  He smiled and handed her a glass of Diet Pepsi when the maid brought their drinks. "That's true. I guess I never thought that deeply about it."

  Miss Pettybone took a sip of Diet Pepsi and smiled.

  "So, are you going to tell me what you and Mrs. Cooper are really up to in Savannah?" Eli asked.

  She cupped her glass of soda and thought about his question. "What makes you think we're not on vacation?"

  "Many things. No shopping bags, no sightseeing that Scott T has been involved with. And not many tourists have been run down outside my club by a speeding car."

  She stood, making up her mind what she would tell him the truth. Before she had a chance to say a word, Lynn walked in.

  "That's it, I'm moving to Savannah."

  Distracted, Miss Pettybone stared at her friend.

  "Edgar is being most unreasonable. He actually thinks he’s coming here and getting me."

  Miss Pettybone raised her eyebrows and stared. "When is he coming?"

  "Saturday."

  "That's two days away, Lynn."

  "I am not a child to be fetched," Lynn snapped.

  Miss Pettybone smiled at Eli. "Married life. Now you know."

  Realizing that his opportunity to talk al
one with Loraine was over, Eli placed his drink on a table. Walking over to cup Miss Pettybone’s elbow, Eli reached over and tapped Mrs. Cooper's shoulder. "I believe dinner is being served."

  Chapter 44

  Otis stood beside the fireplace and watched Wagner fidget nervously with his tie. "What do you mean? You said four women. Don't you mean two?" Otis asked confused.

  Wagner stopped in the middle of the living room door and stared at Otis, his eyes wild, his face flushed. He had come roaring into the driveway forty minutes earlier in a raging temper.

  "Otis, pay attention to what I am telling you." Wagner yelled. "Remember when we stopped in Mississippi to eat, when we discovered where Warren lived?"

  "Of course I remember that." Otis said insulted.

  "Remember that nosy old lady who asked us what we were doing in Mississippi. She said we looked like FBI. The woman who gave us directions to Warren's."

  "The redhead?"

  "That's the one. She was at work today with those other two."

  "That's only three." Otis said, looking confused.

  Taking a deep breath, Wagner said slowly. "The redhead was sitting with the little old gray-haired woman in the booth."

  "Maybe they are just here with an antique."

  "They weren't carrying an antique around. They were looking for us."

  Otis's eyes grew wide with realization. He plopped down on a chair. "What are we going to do?"

  "There's something else I should tell you." Wagner said, looking at the floor.

  "Last week, Cecil came to the office and asked if I knew how to get a hold of Warren."

  "Cecil, our roadie Cecil?"

  "Yes, he said Warren told him about our little venture."

  Otis felt his body freeze in fear. He sat gazing at his partner, unable to move. "Warren told Cecil what we were doing?"

  "That's what he said."

  "What did you tell him?"

  "Nothing. I left him a note in his box to meet me at our warehouse a couple of days later."

  Otis jumped to his feet and pointed his finger at Aaron. "You killed him, didn't you? You killed that nice old man."

  "No, I didn't kill him." Wagner objected, his eyes narrow and angry.

  Relieved, Otis sat back down, and then searched Wagner's face. "Did you pay him off?"

  "I didn't get a chance to. When he found out there was no one else in the warehouse but me, he took off. I think he might have seen my gun."

  Dazed at the news of Cecil, Otis whispered. "Why did you have your gun?"

  “Because I was going to scare the living daylights out of him."

  "But you weren't going to kill him?"

  "Of course not." Wagner snapped.

  "Why didn't you tell me about Cecil?"

  "Because I knew you would get upset."

  "You were protecting me?"

  Not meeting Otis's eyes, Wagner nodded.

  "He must not have gone to the police. Or they would have already been here, right?" Otis said, hopefully.

  "I don't think he said anything to the police." Wagner agreed, rubbing a hand across his eyes. "I think he just took off."

  "So it worked. I mean, you scaring him off. But what should we do about the old ladies?" Otis asked, trying not to cry.

  "I don't know yet. We should buy tickets to France just in case we need them later on."

  "I’ll go on line and purchase two tickets right away?" Otis agreed, ready to turn tail and run.

  "Yes, I think that's a good idea. We might not need them but it's better to be safe than sorry."

  "When should I make reservations for?"

  "Buy open date tickets. They will cost more but that's okay."

  "I think we should leave now," Otis pleaded.

  "Well, I don't" Wagner snapped. "We are not leaving until I know we have no other choice. We worked very hard to get where we are, Otis. I can't see chucking everything we own because of four ladies."

  "Aaron, I draw the line at hurting women."

  "Otis, you know how angry I get when you tell me what you are or aren't going to do." Wagner warned. "Besides, I truly don't think they can prove we were ever in Mississippi. It will be our word against theirs."

  Otis wished he were stronger. Maybe they wouldn't be in the situation they were in, if he was stronger, more forceful. Gazing at the bottles of liquor that sat on the antique chest, he stood up and poured him a glass full of brandy.

  But he wasn't strong, had never been strong and Wagner was calling the shots. Damn his weakness to hell. Lifting the glass, he drained it, and then poured another.

  Wagner watched him silent and thoughtful. Otis would just have to help. He might not like it but help he would.

  Wagner walked to the bar and poured his own drink, trying desperately to come up with a plan to get rid of the women.

  ***

  Mildred pulled the hotel door open and pushed Louise into the hall.

  "Why can't we wait for Loraine and Lynn?" Louise asked leaning on her cane, as she watched as Mildred made sure the door was locked.

  "You heard Loraine insist we go home. If we wait for them, we will be on the next flight back to Mississippi." Mildred replied, grabbing Louise's arm.

  "But Loraine can't make us leave?"

  "She can't make us leave but she can drive us nuts."

  "Loraine is going to be awful mad; when she finds out we're gone again."

  "Are you ready to go back to Mississippi, Louise?"

  "No, of course not."

  "Neither an I. So, we scoot out this morning and do our thing."

  "You’re so brave." Louise said, admiring her friend.

  "And you’re lucky you have me for a friend. You can't let people walk all over you, Louise. You're too nice for your own good, sometimes."

  Always willing to let Mildred take the lead, Louise followed her friend towards a waiting carriage taxi.

  "We're taking a carriage?" Louise asked, happy as she always seemed to be when she felt she was doing something outrageous with Mildred.

  "Yes I thought we would go sightseeing." Mildred said, bouncing up and down in nervous excitement at evading Lynn and Loraine. "Then if it's not too late we'll book seats for the Homes and Garden Tour for tomorrow."

  "That sounds like fun." Louise said, elated that they weren't going home. Mildred really was a lot of fun. She was happy she had a friend like Mildred. She knew what other people said about Mildred. That she dressed too young for her age. That she wore revealing clothes because she loved men. They didn't know the real Mildred as she did.

  Mildred had begun coming into the library after her husband died. She loved romance novels and had been in the library at least two times a week for months.

  They had started having lunch together and then shopping and now they spent a lot of time in each others company. Louise discovered how much fun life could be if you were willing to take a chance.

  She was determined she wouldn't lie on her deathbed, wishing she had had more fun in her life. For sixty-eight years, she had done the right thing. She married right out of school. Had children. Worn the right clothes, went to church on Sundays. She had always helped at the Church and school. She did boring predictable things that all the women in her town did. But since she started hanging around with Mildred, she was never lonely or bored.

  She sat upright in the carriage, then turned and grinned at Mildred. Louise just knew something exciting was about to happen.

  ***

  Wagner watched the two women ride away in the carriage taxi. He narrowed his eyes in thought about what he should do.

  He would follow them and bide his time. They were bound to be alone sometime. And when they were, he had a surprise planned for them. Gesturing for a taxi, he jumped in and pointed in the carriage's direction.

  ***

  Wagner followed the two old ladies most of the morning. When they stopped and rented a wheelchair for the one with a cane, he felt like flat out shooting them in frustration. He couldn'
t believe the two old biddies would last as long as they had.

  The morning was wasting away. It would be lunch soon. Surely, they would stop and get something to eat.

  He gazed around the crowded street and noticed most people were enjoying themselves. They were laughing and talking together, looking forward to a few hours of rest and relaxation. He would miss the city if they had to run.

  In his opinion, Savannah was the best city in the world to live in. He had always planned to keep the house when they retired in France. They both would have missed the states and would want to come home occasionally.

  Wagner messaged the back of his neck and watched as Louise and Mildred turned down a side street, heading towards the docks. Now was his chance. Reaching into his side pocket, he drew out the small pistol he had picked up in Tennessee the year before. Even Otis didn't know he had it. He knew finally he would have the chance he needed.

  ***

  Wagner waited until the women were alone then walked up to Mildred and stuck his pistol into her side. "Don't say a word, not one word," He warned, as he put his arms around Mildred's shoulder. "If either of you scream, I will shoot you both. I can disappear into the side streets before anyone can come to your assistance." He threatened, pulling Louise's wheelchair towards him. "Just keep walking and I might let you two live."

  "What do you want with us?" Mildred demanded.

  “I don't want you." He assured them. "I want your friends. I have no wish to hurt either of you. And you'll be safe as long as you do everything I say."

  Mildred walked slowly alongside the tall good-looking man they had seen at the Home Show. She tried to think of something she could do. But with the gun was pressed firmly in her side she was scared. She had a feeling he wouldn't hesitate to use it.

  She tried to catch the eyes of the people that was milling around them but sighed in defeat. Everyone was determined to have a good time and no one was sparing a glance for two women and a man strolling along together.

  Mildred began wishing she had listened to Loraine as she gazed around trying to get her bearings. She would never be able to find her way back, she realized. She didn't know Savannah. Stumbling a little, she felt the gun jab in her side.