Found Dead in the Red Head

by Violet Patton

  — Need diapers. Bread. Milk. Supplies.

  It was Anita, doing what I asked, taking care of my babies. I didn’t keep much food at home. I live a single lifestyle, preferring takeout or drive thru, and Anita kept me supplied with baked goodies. If I made a full course dinner, who’d eat it?

  Fanny hung on, floating fast enough to stay with the car, but sensing my despair she dropped into a hazy quiet grayscale.

  “I have to stop at the store.” I whipped into the Food-4-Less parking lot.

  Dick said nasty things about Walker, but until I had proof, I wasn’t going to allow his speculation to persecute Walker. Life would go on, even if Dick thought Walker killed his father. In the rearview mirror, I patted my cheeks, wiped my face and smoothing my hair, but I looked such a sight, nothing helped.

  “Listen, I gotta shop for Allison and Ally. They’re my main concern, now.”

  Fanny glimmered, looking toward the store entrance. Customers leaving the store pushed carts laden with groceries. “Where do they get so much food?”

  “From inside. It’s the way people buy nowadays.”

  “Looks too big. Like the size of the Arlington.”

  I nodded. “Yes, ma’am. It’s as big as the hotel.”

  There will be ten people, if so few, shopping in the store who I might know. If a nosy somebody stops me to gossip, with Fanny’s gibberish in one ear and the shopper blabbing in the other, I might have a super nova come apart.

  “You don’t want me to go inside, do you?” Fanny sounded hurt.

  “If I run in, it’ll be easier on us both. When I get back, we’re heading to see the baby. You want to see her again, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I want to see the wee babe.”

  I popped open the car door. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave the car, okay?”

  “Okay. I’ll be good. Promise.”

  Clutching my purse, I hurried toward the store entrance, praying I would miss anyone who might have any inkling of my new problems. That’s one drawback to small town life, you can’t shop in peace and quiet. For weeks after the bath bomb poisoning, curious people shopping would stop and ask me about what happened at the Row. Repeating my bath bomb tale got old quick, so I didn’t shop much which is why I am now so short on the basics.

  I was almost to the store’s automatic doors when a kid, sitting in a basket seat, probably a four-year-old said, “Hey Dad! Look a weirdo woman.”

  The dad kept walking ignoring his child, but I couldn’t. Stopping, I whirled around just as Fanny passed through me producing a shivering chill. “Oh, you!”

  The kid looked around his father and waved.

  “Fanny? The kid saw you?” She had already passed through the unopened automatic doors without setting them off. “Come back here!”

  I caught up with her in the vegetable section. She spun like a top in glorious firefly green. “Lordy, look at all this food. I swanee, it’s more than the whole town can eat.”

  I stomped my foot better than Sandy, and my hands landed on my hips. “I told you to stay in the car.”

  In passing, a lady pushing a cart eyed me, and I prayed she could not see Fanny’s beautiful flickering image. Glimmering, Fanny moved throughout the store exclaiming over the food. I did not chase her, I had more important issues to worry about—diapers for my baby.

  I went back for a shopping cart and headed for the baby section. I tossed in two packs of diapers, baby wipes, a bottle just in case we need it, into the cart. On the candy aisle, I threw in a bag of Hershey’s Nuggets for Anita, she’ll appreciate the gesture. I bought basics, milk, eggs, cheese, crackers and Chardonnay. As thin as Ally was, I wasn’t stocking up on rice cakes and celery sticks, she needed real food to nurse a baby.

  In the center aisle, I grabbed a 24 pack of toilet paper and paper towels as I passed by. At the checkout I began to load the rolling gurney, but I heard, “Oh, my God! I can’t believe my eyes.”

  An all in black clad checker wrapped her arms around my neck. “Misses Fuqua, how are you?”

  “Erica. You’re choking me.” I forgot Ally’s high school friend, Erica James, worked at the grocery.

  She let go. “Have you seen Ally? Did she come home?”

  Erica grabbed things from my cart, chattering and asking questions loading them onto the gurney. “Where is she? Do you know? I haven’t heard from her in a long… long… who needs diapers?” She held up a pack, and clapped her spare hand on the side of her face. “O. M. G. Ally had a baby, didn’t she? Boy or girl? Heck, I can’t wait to see it.”

  I grabbed the diaper pack from her. “I’m helping a friend. Her daughter had a baby. Things aren’t going well for them.”

  That’s the truth. Things weren’t going well. I’m haunted by a 1920s flapper ghost who’s wreaking havoc in this very store. My good friend was murdered by his son. The father of my newborn granddaughter is a murderer, and I’m going to hell for lying about Ally.

  Erica grinned and went around the checkout stand to ring up my groceries. “I’m betting Ally’s had a baby, and you’re not telling anyone yet. Don’t you just love secrets?”

  Lies always come back to bite you. If Anita, or Sandy or even Fanny knew I was telling such a bodacious lie, they’d chastise, fume and poke me with a needle.

  “Times are hard for some people.” Times were hard, harder than I ever imagined.

  Erica giggled. “I hear that, I knew something was up when she took off. Walker broke her heart, did ‘ya know that? I’m up for a baby shower. Let’s plan it together.”

  Erica had no idea how broken Ally’s heart would be when she found out Walker was a murderer.

  I scanned my debit cart, but the machine took its sweet time processing the transaction. “No. No, baby shower. My friend’s moving to… to… Arizona soon.”

  Fanny passed through the shopping cart. “I love shopping. Let’s do it again.”

  “What’s that?” Erica asked, “Do what again?”

  I almost choked. Erica looked flabbergasted, cocking her head giving me a wonky daze. “Did you hear something?”

  Erica heard Fanny speak? A kid noticed her coming into the store?

  Fanny’s growing—what? More powerful. More confident? What happens when more people see her? How can I explain her presence? Most normal people don’t believe in ghosts, much less someone participating in an ongoing in-depth relationship—yes, we’re in a relationship—with a ghost.

  Croaking, I cleared my throat. “Shopping. I love shopping. We’ll do it again.”

  I glared at Fanny, but she grinned unpinning her sewing needle heading toward Erica, ready to poke her. “Don’t you dare! I won’t have it.”

  “Misses Fuqua?” Erica didn’t smile, she thinks me certifiable, too and handed over the receipt. “You have a nice day, ya’ here?”

  Chapter 14

  Anita

  “Okay. Have it your way. I’m heading home. You’ll miss the baby.”

  After I loaded the bags, I waited watching for Fanny’s glimmering image to appear, but she didn’t come out the automated door. Leaving her was wrong, but I also had priorities, taking care of my children came first.

  I drove through Taco Bell. I needed food fast. Cooking wasn’t on my agenda, even opening a can of soup sounded too difficult.

  In the condo parking lot, I said a little prayer for all of us and grabbed the bag of tacos, a pack of diapers and one shopping bag. With my love of junk food, the stairs are my thighs only hope, but I didn’t have the strength to tackle them. At the elevator, the doors swished open, warmly welcoming me home.

  Struggling with the shopping bags, I knocked on my door. “Help!”

  The door popped open, and I was so pleased to see Ally.

  “Mom.” She grinned, grabbing the shopping bag from my hands. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  “And me you?”

  She sat the bag on the floor inside the room and grabbed the diapers.

  Anita poked her head over the kit
chen bar. “There you are! It’s about time.”

  “Is there anything else in the car?” Ally asked, standing in the open door.

  “Yes, a couple more bags. Diapers.” I held up the taco bag. “Dinner?”

  “Oh, that’s bad news,” Anita chuckled from the kitchen. She secretly loves Taco Bell, but would never admit it. She eats vicariously through me, and I always bring enough tacos home for her.

  “I’ll be right back.” Ally bounded down the staircase.

  I fought the urge to say be careful and to jerk her back inside.

  Was she safe? Would Jason suddenly have a change of heart and return? He better not, I’d have Fanny tie him up in stitches until he begged for mercy. Then I’d let Sandy and Anita have a go at him, he deserved every lick.

  Anita wiped her hands on a cup towel. “What’s wrong? You look like hell?”

  She knows me too well. “I bought wine. I need downtime on the patio.”

  “Me and you both. It’s been a day. I’m not used to a baby.”

  “Where is she?” I started for the hallway, but stopped.

  “On your bed. Snuggled in. She’s a toot, lemme tell ‘ya.” Anita moved the groceries from the bag to the counter, and I caught a twinkle sparking from her glowing eyes.

  “Looks like your smitten.”

  Anita said, “Yeah, well. I give you five minutes. Not even that long. Five seconds.”

  Standing beside the bed, I only looked at the child.

  Earlier, Ally’s arrival flummoxed me on top of the bad news about Belly, but now seeing Allison sleeping like an angel, reality hit.

  My eyes burned with fresh tears as I lay my hand on the bundled baby.

  She was mine—no she belonged to us. We all needed her. Sandy, me, Anita and even Fanny had empty holes in our childless lives. Anita’s herd of grandchildren were adults who had moved on to jobs in Dallas or Memphis and to college in Florida.

  In the kitchen, Anita cheerfully chattered, putting away the groceries talking with Ally. Allison’s eyes moved under her eyelids listening to her mother’s voice. She stretched stirring, and I hitched my thigh up onto the edge of the bed, scooting closer. Sniffing her sweet scent, I counted her tiny fingers.

  I missed plenty, but now I have a future. That’s the true gift of grandchildren, they are our future and past accumulated into another adorable living bundle.

  Ally touched my shoulder. “Mom. You okay?”

  “Yes, I’m perfect.” I curled back and hugged her. “She’s so incredible. Amazing, isn’t it?”

  “Do you want to hold her?” Ally looked beautiful, too.

  “First we need to eat. I’m starving. Aren’t you?”

  She jerked her head. “C’mon. I miss sitting on your patio.”

  I looked back at Allison, and Ally said, “She’s fine. She’s not going anywhere.”

  “Not yet.” Before she knew what happened, Allison will be having a child of her own.

  On the patio, Anita set the table with paper plates and set the taco sack on it. My cheap wine glasses completed the décor.

  “You’re so talented. I bet Martha Stewart will hire you as a consultant.”

  “Shut up. Sit down. I’m hungry.” Anita sat in her usual spot.

  “Brrr. It’s kinda chilly.” I lit the butane heater and turned it up to high. “It’s not too cold, is it?” Stars twinkled in the cloudless evening sky.

  Bundled in one of my sweaters, Ally sat and rubbed her arms. “I like the cold. The air’s so crisp and clean here.”

  Anita cracked open the cheap wine twist top, pouring a splash of wine into each glass.

  Raising my glass, I toasted. “Too our amazing new future.”

  Chapter 15

  Goodnight Granny

  Enjoying the frivolity of tacos and wine, we joked laughing about how funny I looked this morning when Ally arrived. The cheap wine made Anita’s cheeks flush, and she jiggled a leg underneath the table. As it should be, Ally cracked open the patio door, keeping one ear focused on her baby. It didn’t take long before she cleared the table, using throwing away the taco wrappers as an excuse to slip inside.

  As soon as she was out of earshot, Anita whispered, “Girl, I’m dying over here.”

  “I knew you heard. You’re a dead giveaway. That fake smile of yours. Good grief.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Law. I’ve been so mixed up all day. Things like this don’t happen in our sweet town.”

  “Thank you for not saying anything to…” I jerked my chin, not wanting to say Ally’s name in case she could hear us.

  Along the shoreline, lights twinkled and I dazed musing at the houses across the lake. People were living their normal lives, decorating Christmas trees or shopping online preparing for the holidays.

  Only Anita and I shared the joy of a newborn and the horror of murder.

  Shivering, Anita leaned back pulling her sweater over her bosom. “You have to tell her.”

  Carrying Allison bundled tightly in a clean blanket in the crook of her arm, Ally stepped onto the patio. “Tell me what?”

  Anita jerked. “Oh! Oh, my you scared me.”

  “I bet. You two are acting weird. What’s up?” Even though she smiled, she darted glances between us. “You’re both horrible at keeping secrets.”

  I huffed. “What secret Space?” If only my darling daughter, yet still so young in years and experience, knew my real secrets.

  “We’re only talking about you. Our favorite topic.” Anita grinned, smoothing over our ruffled feathers.

  “Yeah, right?” Ally smiled. “Mamas.”

  Before she moved out, and I bought this condo, and before she left Hot Springs she called us both mama.

  “It’s been a long ride. I’m still worn out. Think I’ll take her to bed with me.” She leaned over, putting Allison’s little cheek near my lips. “Kiss granny goodnight.”

  I kissed Allison. “Nite, nite. Sweetheart.”

  Ally squeezed my shoulders. “Don’t fuss too much, you two old crows.”

  Once inside, she slid the sliding door closed. Neither of us moved or said a word, giving her enough time to settle in and get out of earshot.

  Running my hands through my hair, I felt like pulling it. “I’m numb. I can’t feel anything.”

  “I know what you mean. It wore me out keeping quiet.” Anita sipped wine. “I probably won’t sleep much tonight.”

  I probably wouldn’t either, alone under the covers is when I do my best fretting.

  “Tomorrow, I’m gonna talk to Teddy. By then, he’ll know more.”

  I could count on Teddy. He was still in the loop with many of his former associates at the department. I didn’t have an associate, other than Bubba and he was fishing on Lake Ouachita. Lucky guy!

  “Okay. What should I do?”

  “Nothing much. Just look in on Ally. She won’t stay low long.”

  “Probably not.” She stood. “You know what?”

  “No, what?”

  “I want to put a gate between our patios, so I don’t have to walk downstairs and all the way around.”

  “You could take the elevator or hop the fence.” I giggled, wishing she’d try to hop the fence. At least something made me laugh.

  “You’re full of it, aren’t you?” She patted my shoulder going by. “See you later.”

  “I’ll be out early. I left a houseful of work to do at the Row. No telling what happened after I left.”

  “No telling.” She let herself out, and I wrapped my sweater tight around my chest.

  Chapter 16

  My Ghost’s Keeper

  The next morning, I left without waking anyone. At 6:30 a.m. the streets weren’t busy with rush hour traffic, so driving downtown was an easy commute. I didn’t stop for coffee because I got up at four-thirty when Allison mewed. She didn’t fuss long, but I was awake and full of anticipation.

  I wanted the facts straight up from a more reliable source than Dick. I deduced after I laid awake frettin
g, Anita hadn’t mentioned Walker’s involvement. Granted, Dick said he had a viable alibi, but I know Dick, he still believes Walker is his number one suspect. After I sat up drinking coffee, I realized Dick wanted to get rid of me. He didn’t have a clue who killed Belly, and he’d never admit that to me. I fell for Dick’s bait, throwing myself off balance.

  I arrived at Coffee Corner early. At dawn, I sent Teddy a barrage of text messages telling him what happened at the police station and he suggested we meet again.

  At the counter, I ordered chai tea, because I’d had plenty of coffee. Sitting in the same leatherette chairs where Teddy showed me the newspaper headlines about the poisoned bath bombs made me wonky. Were they bad luck chairs? That thought was silly, and I stayed put, watching the parking lot.

  My heart somersaulted as Teddy drove up in his tattered pickup. I tell myself when I see him, when my heart betrays me, I’m only lonely and not in love. Looking rummy, he staggered in, pointing at the counter and I nodded, giving him space to order.

  Clutching a carafe of coffee and a mug, he leaned over and kissed my cheek.

  I fought the urge to clamp my palm over the spot, but looked up and smiled, “Mornin’.”

  He sat, put one foot over his knee, adjusted his cap and poured coffee into the mug.

  “Everything’s gone south.”

  “I’ll say.” He didn’t know the half of it. Unless Erica blabbed, spreading the news about Ally’s return, I doubt he’d heard about her and the baby.

  I shook off my shock over his kiss and cut to the chase. “What do you know?”

  He took a swig of coffee, jiggling his foot, staring out the window. “It’s… it’s breaking me up. Thought I’d keep it together seeing you.” Text messages take the emotion out of conversations, which can be good or bad.

  Seeing his feelings, made me tear up and I touched his arm. “Then it’s true?”

  “Yep. Gawd awful assassination, that’s what. I saw photos of the Red Head.”

  I wouldn’t cry, and I took a deep breath. “Don’t tell me, I can’t take it.”