He glanced through them. “Larry Johnson. Now there’s a name I recognize. We’ve already had a few run-ins with him, a domestic-violence charge being one of them. Unfortunately, his wife dropped the charges.”
“He has a serious alcohol and anger problem,” Jamie said.
Max nodded. “When he’s not working, he hangs out at the lounge at the Holiday Inn.”
“I see you’ve made notes on the rest of these guys,” Lamar said. “That will be real helpful for us since me and my men have been focusing on Luanne’s business dealings instead of the personals section.”
“Destiny and I set up dates with these men,” Jamie said. “At first blush they seemed harmless. Except for Larry Johnson.”
Destiny spoke. “Don’t forget he keeps a crowbar handy,” she reminded Jamie.
Jamie looked at Lamar. “One in his car and one just inside his front door.”
“You should probably check them for trace evidence,” Max told Lamar.
“And let’s not forget about Brent Walker,” Jamie said. “He publicly threatened Maxine yesterday. I could be wrong, but I think the man has a few loose screws.”
“He’s been preaching on street corners, scaring folks half to death with talk of doom and gloom,” Lamar said. “One of my deputies threatened to haul him in if he didn’t stop. ’Course, Walker started yapping about freedom of speech and all that.
“We suspect he visited Luanne Ritter the night of her murder,” he went on, “but we have no proof. He claims he was home reading Scripture. It’s not exactly an airtight alibi; Agnes wasn’t feeling well that night and went to bed early. I mean, who else would have left all that religious material in her mailbox?”
“There is one other person who could have put that religious literature in Luanne’s mailbox,” Max said. He told him about the Reverend Heyward. “He ran an ad. He’s strange.”
“Do you know if Luanne contacted him?” Lamar asked.
Max shook his head. “I managed to get my hands on Luanne’s cell phone records, did a cross-check on the phone numbers, but I got nothing. She obviously made the calls from her home or office phone.”
“Any return addresses on the envelopes of those who responded to the ads?” Lamar asked Jamie.
She shook her head. “Like I told Max, they would have wanted it confidential.”
Lamar shuffled through the ads. “You’ve met with all these men?”
“Except for Sam Hunter,” Max said.
“I’ve left several messages on his answering machine,” Destiny said. “He must be playing hard to get.”
Lamar looked at her. “If you don’t mind my asking, what is your involvement in this case?”
“She’s psychic,” Max said.
“Oh, Lord, not one of those,” Lamar said with a sigh.
“Actually, she has visions,” Jamie told him. “She knew there would be another victim, but since we had nothing specific—”
“The scratches,” Destiny interrupted. She looked at Lamar. “Maxine Chambers put up a fight before she died. She left deep scratches on the killer’s arms.”
Lamar looked from Jamie to Max. “Several of her fingernails were broken. I had my men bag her hands for nail scrapings. I’d like to have a look at Larry Johnson’s and Brent Walker’s arms. Would ya’ll excuse me just a minute?” He got on his radio while Jamie and Destiny headed to the small kitchen for coffee.
“Maybe I could help you, Chief Tevis,” Destiny said, once she and Jamie had returned with their coffee. “If I could take a look at the murder scene, you know, I might get a feel for something. I can’t make any promises.”
Lamar seemed to struggle with the idea. “The guys would laugh me right out of my job.”
“But what if it works?” Max said. “What if it saves another woman’s life? You won’t know until you try.”
Lamar finally relented. “Oh, okay, you can come with me, but don’t tell the guys why you’re really there. I’ll think of something on the way over.” They started for the door.
“I’ll have to bring Ronnie.”
“Who’s Ronnie?” Lamar asked.
Jamie cleared her throat.
“Never mind,” Destiny said.
. . .
AGNES AIMSLEY AWOKE IN HER EASY CHAIR WITH a start. She felt tired and haggard after a fitful night. She had awakened when Brent had come in after midnight, only to toss and turn for hours. She had finally given up on sleep and had risen at four A.M. She glanced at the clock, reached for her remote control, and turned on the midday news where the top story of the day brought a gasp from her lips.
Brent found her there when he came through the front door several hours later. The TV was off. Agnes hadn’t moved from the chair except to answer the door once and make a cup of tea.
“What’s wrong, Gram?” he asked.
She didn’t answer.
“Gram?”
“The police came by earlier.”
He gave an exasperated sigh. “What do they want this time?”
“They didn’t say. Brent, the most awful thing has happened. Mrs. Chambers was murdered last night.”
“Who?”
“Maxine Chambers from the lingerie store.”
“Oh, great, the police probably want to pin that on me, too.”
Agnes looked at him. “What are you talking about?”
He sank onto the sofa and raked his hands through his hair. “They questioned me about that Ritter woman. I left some spiritual literature in her mailbox so they naturally assume I killed her.”
“I don’t understand. What was your business with Mrs. Ritter?”
Brent gaped at her. “Surely you know that she was hounding several members of the church, Gram. They had taken out loans with her and were having a hard time making payments. Ritter sent a couple of her goons out to scare them. These guys scared one of the members pretty bad. I’m surprised you haven’t heard.”
“I thought they were just rumors.”
“Somebody had to take the woman to task,” Brent said. “I felt it was my Christian duty.”
“You visited her?”
Brent nodded.
“Do the police know this?”
He hesitated. “I don’t want to involve you, Gram. The less you know the better.”
“You’ve always been able to talk to me.”
Brent clasped his hands together and stared down at the floor. “I had to lie to the police, Gram. I told them I never set foot inside Ritter’s house. That’s not true.”
Agnes went deathly still. “What happened?”
“She let me in, said she’d give me five minutes to have my say. It turned into a yelling match. I was so mad.” He raked his hands across his face. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You should have told the police the truth, Brent. It’s not like you to lie.”
“I had no choice. They’re desperate to pin this thing on someone. And now they’re going to come after me over that Chambers woman. I lost my temper yesterday, said some things I probably shouldn’t have. My guess is somebody reported it. Probably that newspaperwoman.”
Agnes suddenly looked afraid. “The police asked me if you went out last night. I told them yes, that you didn’t come home until late.”
Brent paled. “I was out driving around,” he said. “Driving and thinking. I might as well tell you things aren’t going well at school.”
“Then I suggest you return immediately and straighten them out, young man,” Agnes said sharply.
Their gazes locked. “Yes, of course,” he said. “I can be packed and out of here in less than an hour.”
VERA WAS NOT HAPPY. “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE going to pull the personals section to give that crazy woman more space for her Divine Love Goddess Advisor column.”
“It’s just temporary,” Jamie said. “Did you see the stack of mail Destiny received?”
“Yes. It just goes to show you people aren’t thinking straight if they’re seeking info
rmation from somebody like her. They must be spending too much time in the sun. Or maybe they’re eating too many of Lyle Betts’s brownies.”
Dee Dee and Beenie came through the front door. It was obvious Dee Dee had been crying. “We heard the news about Maxine, and we just stopped by to make sure you were okay. I know you liked her.”
“Thank you,” Jamie said. “It came as a real shock.”
“And we wanted to invite you to lunch,” Beenie said.
Dee Dee nodded. “That’s right. We haven’t had lunch together in ages. We used to do it all the time when I first moved here.”
It was obvious they were trying to cheer her up. “I wish I could join you,” Jamie said, “but I’ve been so upset over Maxine that I haven’t been able to concentrate on my work, and it’s going to be difficult enough meeting today’s deadline. I need to stay here.”
“Do you know if the police have any suspects?” Dee Dee asked nervously. “Do you know if Luanne Ritter’s death was connected?” she added, without waiting for an answer. “I shudder to think we have a killer walking the streets. I mean, what if he strikes again?” She had to pause to catch her breath.
“Dee Dee didn’t take the news well,” Beenie said, meeting Jamie’s gaze. “She’s really trying to be brave about the whole thing.”
“I’m afraid the police don’t know much at this time,” Jamie replied, not wanting to give out too much information. But she was just as worried as Dee Dee about the possibility of another murder.
“Well, I for one am going to make sure my doors are locked at all times,” Vera said.
Dee Dee took Jamie’s hand in hers, squeezed it reassuringly, but it was obvious the woman was equally distressed. “Perhaps we’ll have lunch soon?” Her bottom lip quivered.
Jamie offered the closest thing she had to a smile. “Of course we will. And try not to worry. It’s not good for the baby.”
Dee Dee nodded. “I promise.” She and Beenie left a few minutes later.
“I NEED TO TALK TO MAX,” VERA TOLD JAMIE, later that afternoon.
Max stepped out of Jamie’s office. “Did I hear someone mention my name?”
Vera nodded. “You’re just the person I’m looking for. I’ve decided I like Jamie’s Mustang so well that I want you to find me one.”
He shrugged. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Any specific color?”
“Pink.”
“Then pink it is. I’ll get right on it.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
THE REST OF THE DAY PASSED QUICKLY FOR JAMIE as she and Max worked together on the newspaper. By the time they sent it to press, Jamie was dog tired. Worry had etched lines on either side of her mouth, and when Mike Henderson had handed in his piece on Maxine Chambers, she’d asked Max to look at it.
Destiny came in for her mail as Max and Jamie prepared to leave the office. “I’m afraid I wasn’t much help to Lamar. Ronnie was yakking in my ear the whole time so it sort of blew my concentration. He doesn’t particularly like policemen since he had a few run-ins with the law when he was alive.”
Jamie nodded as though it made complete sense.
“Oh, and guess what I did? I applied for a job as bartender at the Holiday Inn and they asked me if I could start tonight since they’re short of help. I figured, what better way to watch Larry Johnson.”
“Good idea,” Max said.
“Do you know anything about making cocktails?” Jamie asked.
“No, but I suppose I can pick it up in no time. And here’s the best news. Sam Hunter finally returned my call. He’s going to come by for a drink tonight so we can meet.”
“Just as long as you remember to stay in a public place with him,” Max said. “Two women have died. We’re not taking any chances.”
Mike Henderson peeked in, and his eyes widened at the sight of Destiny. “Well, hello again. Have you thought any more about my offer to take you to dinner?”
Destiny stepped just outside the door with him. “I appreciate the offer,” she said, “but I work nights.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, that’s no problem for me. I can pick you up after you get off.”
Destiny smiled. “Look, Mike, I’m really flattered, but I’m sort of interested in someone.”
He looked disappointed. “Oh, well, I guess that changes things,” he said. “But, hey, if it doesn’t work out you can always give me a call.”
“HOW ABOUT WE MAKE IT AN EARLY NIGHT?” MAX told Jamie as they climbed into his car. “I’ll call out for pizza. Besides, I need to be available for Destiny, even though I don’t expect her to run into problems.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jamie said, although she didn’t have much of an appetite. All she could do was think about Maxine and hope the woman hadn’t suffered.
Muffin came on, and Max filled her in.
“Did anyone check Larry Johnson’s or Brent Walker’s whereabouts last night?” Muffin asked.
“Lamar said he’d put his deputies on it,” Max said.
Once home, Jamie checked to make sure her neighbor’s dog was nowhere in sight, then let Fleas out of the car. After they had decided what topping they wanted on their pizza, Max placed a takeout order and started a bath for Jamie.
Jamie headed for the bathroom. She stripped off her clothes, climbed into the hot bath, and sank deep into the water.
Once again, she thought of Maxine. Maxine, who’d been so proud of her new shop, had finally taken a chance in life and gone after her dreams. Jamie had admired her for it and was sure they would have eventually become good friends.
Now Maxine was dead, and it was probably related to Jamie’s new personals section. That was the toughest part.
Max returned some twenty minutes later with the pizza. Having dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, Jamie grabbed plates and silverware and set the table. She placed a slice of pizza on each plate, only to sit there and stare at her piece.
“Are you okay?” Max asked.
She looked at him. Tears pooled in her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”
Max pushed his chair from the table and reached for her. Jamie immediately went to him, and he pulled her onto his lap. She let her head rest against his chest.
“I feel responsible for all of this,” she said.
Max pressed his lips against her hair. “Jamie, we don’t know if the newspaper is involved, and even if it is, I’ve already told you, you can’t control the actions of a cold-blooded killer.” He paused. “You know, I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should leave Lamar to his investigative work and go away for a few days.”
She gaped at him. “I can’t leave while there’s a killer on the loose.” She didn’t realize she’d raised her voice. “I can’t believe you’d even suggest it. We have to find out who’s behind this, Max.”
“You’re taking it pretty hard,” he said. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
Jamie opened her mouth to respond, but the doorbell rang. “Oh, damn, who could that be?” she said. She got up and made her way to the front door.
Beenie and Dee Dee stood on the other side.
“Oh, Jamie, I am so glad to see you,” Dee Dee said, in her little-girl voice. “When you’re in trouble, the first person you want to see is your best friend.” She walked into the living room with Beenie on her heels. He held Dee Dee’s Maltese, Choo-Choo. Behind them stood a bevy of servants carrying luggage.
“What’s wrong?” Jamie asked, noting Dee Dee’s eyes were swollen. She’d obviously been crying again. “Did something happen?”
“It’s Frankie and all his wrestling buddies,” she said. “They’re driving me crazy.”
“Dee Dee needs peace and quiet in her, um, fragile condition,” Beenie said. “She’s not getting it at home, not with all those wrestlers around. They can be loud and obnoxious.”
“So I’ve left Frankie,” Dee Dee said. “I was hoping it would be okay if Beenie and I stayed with you until we found a place of our own. It is okay, isn’t it
?” Her staff began stacking expensive suitcases in the living room as Dee Dee spoke.
Jamie blinked back her astonishment. Of all times for Dee Dee to show up. “I, um, of course it’s okay, honey. Come on in.” She was only vaguely aware that Max had entered the room.
“What’s wrong, Dee Dee?” he asked.
Beenie answered for her. “Frankie has totally lost interest in Dee Dee,” he said. “All he does is hang out with his wrestling buddies.”
Dee Dee burst into tears. “Beenie’s right. Frankie doesn’t seem to know I exist.”
Fleas walked into the room and sniffed her dress. “Eeyeuuw! Is that your new dog? The one that came with the truck?” she added as she backed away.
“Yes,” Jamie said, hoping Dee Dee wouldn’t ask about the missing hair on his back. “I’m very attached to him. In fact, he sleeps with me.”
“Eeyeuuw!” Dee Dee’s jaw dropped clear to her collarbone. “What happened to his hair?”
Jamie sighed. “It’s a long story, honey, but if you plan to stay, you’ll have to get used to him. He’s really very sweet.”
Dee Dee attempted a smile. “What’s his name?”
“Fleas.”
“Eeyeuuw!” Both Dee Dee and Beenie huddled together. Even one of the staff carrying in the luggage paused.
“You’re joking, right?” Beenie said.
“I didn’t name him that, and he doesn’t really have fleas.” Jamie paused. “You’ll have to sleep with me,” she told Dee Dee. Beenie can use the other bedroom.”
“I thought you had three bedrooms,” Dee Dee said.
“I converted one of them into an office a long time ago.”
“I still think we should go to a nice hotel,” Beenie said, staring at the dog with disdain.
Dee Dee almost snapped at him. “I can’t go to a hotel. How would it look if the mayor’s wife just up and left her husband? Especially after we’ve announced my pregnancy to half the town.”
Max stepped forward. “Dee Dee, I’m sure you and Frankie can work this out. It’s not often he and his wrestling buddies get together.”
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