by Renee George
Several of us chuckled uncomfortably.
Then he explained that the joke was funny because writing involves past tense, present tense, and future tense.
You could hear a pin drop. I felt bad for the guy.
I went to my Botany class, hoping it would be another short one. My hope paid off. When I got to the classroom, several students were standing outside the room. A younger student, a guy about the age of twenty, said, “There’s a note on the door. Class is canceled today.”
“Does it say why?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Just that we’re to read chapters one and two then complete the odd questions at the end of each chapter to turn in next Tuesday.” Several students groaned. I was just happy to have more time to figure out how to save Buzz.
What was next? I felt as if the investigation had ground to a halt. My next stop was to find out what I could about Clem Hanley and his son James, along with Electa Laverty. They were certainly up to no good, but was their hinky behavior related to Jock’s death or merely coincidental? This would all be easier if I had a crystal ball, but not even witches, the real kind, could foresee the future.
As I drove through town, I decided that the purple-pink flowers covering knobby, gnarled redbud trees were my new favorite color. The native tree decorated the streets with its unusual beauty. I’d skimped on breakfast this morning, and with the full moon so close, I was hungrier than normal. The Moonrise Drive-in had recently opened up. It reminded me of a hometown Dairy Queen type place. Basically, fast food and custard ice cream. Yum. And that’s all it took to talk me into stopping there for an early lunch.
The gravel parking lot was packed, and I thanked the Goddess my truck was tiny. I squeezed in between a white SUV and an electric blue four-door sedan. There were two picnic tables in a grassy area occupied by the seven elderly men in coveralls and John Deer hats, and several people were sitting on the tails of their trucks, eating burgers and sucking down large fountain drinks and shakes. The menu was on a board that stretched from one end of the drive-in’s exterior wall to the other. I got in line for the order window. My mouth watered at the smell of frying hamburgers and onion rings, but the picture of the giant tenderloin on a bun screamed, eat me!
“I heard he stabbed him five times right in the parking lot,” I overheard a woman say.
“I heard he shot him and stabbed him.”
I rolled my eyes. People liked to talk. It wasn’t a crime, but I wanted to seek them out and smack them into next week. I took a deep breath. This damn full moon was going to get all the Masons in trouble. I danced on my toes and concentrated on the menu. Root Beer float, that was a definite yes. Onion rings. Yes, yes. Fried cheese balls. Oh, hellz yes. And they had Pups-cream. A vanilla ice cream cone with a doggy treat on top. Free when you brought your pooch with you. I saw a trip to the drive-in in Smooshie’s near future.
I had to stop reading the board. Otherwise, I was going to buy everything. There was a door on the far side of the pick-up window. I assumed it was for employees, but I saw two geriatric women knock on the door, one with snowball white hair and one with hot pink hair. Unless the Moonrise Drive-in was hiring retirees, Opal and Pearl were not employees. I saw Opal say something right before she went inside. Pearl knocked, and I tuned out the crowd so I could hear what she said.
“The crow flies south,” she said. The door opened, and she went inside.
There were only three people ahead of me now. A fierce debate between my stomach and my curiosity raged in my head. Did I keep my place and order food? Or did I poke my nose into Opal and Pearl’s business?
There was a reason for the saying, curiosity killed the cat.
Dang, it all!
With great reluctance, I stepped out of line. I went to the door and knocked.
“Which way does the crow fly?” someone asked on the other side.
“The crow flies south,” I replied.
The door opened again. A man in a white hat and grease-stained apron ushered me inside. There was a “do not enter” sign on the door behind him. He jerked his thumb toward it. “Ten dollars buys you thirty minutes. Twenty dollars buys you an hour. If you want longer, you must exit and then come back.”
Pulling out my wallet hurt, because ten dollars might not seem like a lot of money, but for me, every nickel counted. Still, I had to know what was on the other side of that wall! I hoped it wasn’t anything dirty, because I didn’t think I could ever use enough mind bleach to scrub the sight of Opal or Pearl doing the sexy. Eek.
Even more reluctantly than I’d given up my place in the food line, I handed over two fives. The guy opened the door. I entered with trepidation, but seeing Opal and Pearl, along with a man in a pair of black pants, a white button-down shirt, and a tie, all sitting down at video poker machines lessened my anxiety.
“Lily!” Pearl said. “I’ve not seen you here before. You must do all your gambling at Langdon’s.”
As in Langdon’s One-Stop? I was still confused by what I was seeing. Opal and the man were pushing buttons on the machines as I sat down to the only open one on the other side of Pearl.
“What do I do?”
“Oh, you’re a virgin,” she said, nudging me with her bony shoulder. She poo-pooed her hand. “I love it. Just put money in that slot and start playing.”
“To what purpose?”
“To win money, of course.”
“We can win money?”
“You really are a video poker newbie,” she cackled. “Watch me.”
She hit the button on her machine to bet one dollar on the hand. Five cards came up, a king of hearts, a two of clubs, king of spades, a ten of diamonds, and a two of hearts. She pushed the hold button on the two kings, and the two twos then pressed deal. A two of clubs replaced the ten of diamonds.
“Yes!” she cried out as she won ten dollars on the hand. “I’m a winner, baby!”
“Settle down, Pearl,” Opal said.
“You’re just mad because you ain’t me,” she told her sis.
“I had no idea Moonrise had gambling,” I said to Pearl.
“I’ve never been anywhere that didn’t have gambling or bookmaking. It doesn’t matter where I’ve lived.”
“Is this legal?”
Pearl leaned in conspiratorially. “It’s legal unless you get caught.”
I knew from Opal that they had lived in Las Vegas for many years. Pearl had been married to an accountant who worked for the mafia. He’d abused her, and Opal killed him for it. I put a dollar in the machine in front of me but eyed the sisters warily. Would they have killed Jock? I’d watched a Discovery show on murder, and it was mentioned that poison tended to be a woman’s weapon.
I couldn’t see a clear motive for them. I mean, I think boredom was Pearl’s only motivation, and Opal, as I’d learned, would do anything to protect Pearl. But could Pearl have gotten bored enough to murder? I doubted it.
I bet a quarter, the minimum bid, and watched as a three of clubs, four of clubs, king of clubs, eight of diamonds, and a queen of clubs came up on the screen.
“Hold all the clubs,” Pearl said.
I did as she said. An ace of spades replaced it.
“Shoot.” Pearl rapped my knee with her arthritic knuckles. “Keep trying.”
“When is Buzz opening the diner?” Opal asked. She didn’t glance up from her machine. “I don’t want to have to find a new spot to people watch in the afternoons.”
“I don’t know. Probably tomorrow. He just needed a day.” I wasted another quarter on a losing hand.
“Well, tell him we are all rooting for him. I don’t believe for a minute he killed Jock Simmons, not because he’s not capable, but because he’s not stupid enough to get caught in the act,” Opal said. “Obviously.”
I smiled even as I lost my fourth hand and the last of my dollar. “That’s no lie.”
“Mike Avery has his head so far up his own butt, he couldn’t see obvious if it smacked him in the nuts,” Pearl
said.
The man in the tie snorted a laugh.
I giggled. “You guys are the most.”
“And don’t you forget it,” Pearl said.
“Well, I’ve lost my money, so I’m out. Good luck, you all.” I could still smell the food, and so after I exited the building, I got back in line. When I made it to the front, finally, I ordered a Bonanza burger, a giant tenderloin, onion rings, fried cheese balls, and a root beer float. When my order was ready, I picked it up at the far window. It was then I noticed a small sign that said, Trinity Commercial Real Estate, Buy. Sell. Lease. Call 555-289-3434.
I called the number.
A robo-voice answered: You’ve reached Trinity Commercial Real Estate. We buy, sell, and lease commercial property. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message about why you are calling, and we will return your call as soon as possible. Beep.
Straight to voicemail. Interesting.
Chapter 16
I called the zoning office when I got back into my truck and asked for Electa Laverty. The person who answered said Electa wouldn’t be into work this week. I took a chance and asked where she was, but I was told that they weren’t allowed to give out personal information. After, I drove straight to Buzz’s house. I wanted to see how he was doing, but also, I hoped Nadine would still be home. I hauled the food and the float up the stoop with me. Buzz answered the door. He frowned. “Did you bring enough for everyone?”
“What do you think?”
“I think I’m making my own lunch,” he said.
“You’re such a smart man,” I told him. “If you’re nice, I’ll share my onion rings.”
He made a face. “What are you doing back?”
“I was hoping to catch Nadine.”
“She’s showering. She’s on patrol tonight.”
I put the bags of food on the glass coffee table in the living room. I heard the shower running, so I asked, “How are things between the two of you?”
“Strained, but not over.” He shook his head. “I’ll take it. I can get through anything as long as she doesn’t leave me.”
“I know it’s rotten timing, but I’m glad you were honest with her. I really wish I could have been here, though. It’s hard knowing that two people you love have been lying to you from the get-go. I hope she can forgive us.”
“Me too,” he said. I heard the shower shut off. Shortly, Nadine strode down the hallway with her hair and body wrapped in towels. “Buzz, do you know where my round brush is?” She saw me and blinked. “Lily, what are you doing here?”
“Did you know the new Moonrise Drive-in has gaming machines in a back room?” I spoke hurriedly as if Nadine might kick me out before I could finish. “You have to give a password phrase and everything to get inside. I paid ten bucks to play for twenty minutes. That’s shady, right? And I think Langdon’s One-Stop has the same setup.”
“We’ve heard about the gambling in town,” she said, sitting on the arm of the brown microfiber couch. “But the sheriff never wants to investigate.”
“He doesn’t, huh?” I scratched my head as my conversation with Greer about Hanley ran through my head. “Did Clem Hanley offer to buy The Cat’s Meow, Buzz?”
“About six months ago,” he said. “He offered a fair price, but I don’t plan to give up my place in Moonrise.” He gave Nadine a meaningful look.
“He made an offer to Parker as well,” I told him.
“What does this have to do with gambling?” she asked.
“Nothing or everything,” I said. “It could be a coincidence, but there is a Trinity Commercial Real Estate company listed as the owner of the property leased by the Moonrise Drive-in. I wonder if Clem has been buying up property to sell to them?”
Nadine scooted far enough forward that her upper thigh was exposed. Buzz, with the familiarity of long-term coupling, pulled it down for her. She frowned up at him, her expression a mixture of longing and confusion. I think it was the first time they’d touched since Buzz’s revelation.
Nadine’s gaze flitted to me. “That time when the bar was on fire, and you pulled me to safety. Did you do it in your cougar form?”
All I could do was tell the truth. “Yes. I couldn’t get you out fast enough in my human body, so I changed.”
“All this time.” She shook her head and laughed once. “I thought the smoke had made me delirious. It’s hard to be mad at someone who saved your life.”
“It’s hard having you mad at me. You’re my first and best friend in this town. I don’t want to lose that.”
“Your round brush is in the third drawer on the right with your curl lotion,” Buzz said.
“You always know,” Nadine told him. She got up to go back to the bathroom. Before she left the living room, she said, “I’ll check into the gambling and Hanley and see what I can find out.”
“You’re the best,” I said.
She grinned. “Yes, I am.”
I finished lunch at Buzz’s then drove out to the Petry’s Pet Clinic to work my Thursday afternoon shift. I’d missed my hours the previous morning so I couldn’t miss any more time this week. Unfortunately, I would barely have enough money to cover my bills this month, but, over the years, I’d managed to turn living paycheck to paycheck into an art form.
Where the shelter smelled strongly of dogs, no matter how much we cleaned, the clinic held a countless number of odors. I found it difficult in my human form to distinguish one from another. On top all of the animal scents, there was a distinct aroma of medicine, disinfectant, and kibble.
“Afternoon, Lily,” Abby Levine, a petite black woman, and the head receptionist greeted me. She wore her chin-length hair straight and cut asymmetrically, and it complimented her angular face. Abby was the kind of woman who always seemed put together. There were two men, one with a beagle on a leash, the other holding a Pomeranian in his arms, and a young woman with an adorable white kitten in a carrier waiting for their appointments.
“Hi, Abby.” I strolled past the reception desk to the examination area just on the other side. I took a spur of the moment detour into the kennel area to check on Hester. Ryan had told Parker he wanted to observe her for a few days, but even though he expected her to fully recover, I wanted to check on her myself. The large brindle was lying on a cot covered in clean blankets. “Hey, sweetheart,” I said as I unlatched the gate. She was slow to get up, but her eyes appeared clear, her tail wagged, and she had the best smile on her face when I got down on my knees to greet her. Hester had had her ears cropped when she was young, which could make pit bulls seem intimidating, but there was nothing about this seventy-five-pound bundle that wasn’t love. She’d been over bred eight times in a puppy mill, and when she was too old to have more babies, she’d been abandoned at a dump. To see the dog she was now, to the dog she’d been when we’d taken her in three months ago was amazing. “How are you feeling, girlfriend?”
She licked my face.
“Better, huh? I bet you're ready to go back to a cozy house.” I booped her nose. “No more drinking bad stuff,” I told her. “I’ll check on you again before I go.” I gave her a good scratching behind the ears and on her butt before leaving the large kennel.
I went back to the exam area and peeked around the corner of the workspace, where Ryan kept medications, lab specimens, a refrigerator, and diagnostic equipment. It was an area strictly off limits to non-employees. Ryan hovered over a microscope, studying a slide.
I crept up behind him and goosed his side.
“Ah!” He jerked to attention and hit the top of his scalp against the cabinet directly above the counter. “Ow, crap.” His hand went to the top of his head.
I was simultaneously appalled and amused. I threw my hand over my mouth to cover my laugh. “I’m so sorry! My bad.”
He grimaced as he rubbed his head. “Your apology would sound more sincere if you weren’t giggling.”
I reached up and touched the newly formed bump on his crown.
�
��Ouch,” he said.
“Dang, you whacked it hard. I’ll get you some ice.” I took a cold pack from the fridge and handed it to him. “Don’t fire me.”
Even in pain, he flashed me his signature flirty smile. “I’ll fire you next week.” He leaned back against the counter, still holding the ice pack to his injury. “How are you doing? I can’t believe it about Jock. And they arrested Buzz. How crazy is that?”
“Pretty crazy.” For the first time since Buzz had shown up at my trailer, it all hit me.
Ryan put down the ice pack. He fast-grabbed some tissues out of a box on the counter and thrust them at me. “Don’t cry, Lily.”
I sniffled and dabbed my eyes. “I’m not.” The tears and snot were telling a different story. I blew my nose. “I’m fine. Fine.”
He gave me an uh-huh, right look. The only thing missing between the arched brow and pursed lips was the head bob. “I can tell,” he said flatly.
“Buzz is innocent,” I told him. “He didn’t kill Jock.”
“Lily,” Ryan said, his voice gentle. “Of course, Buzz didn’t do it.” He put his arm over my shoulder. “How can I help you?”
I glanced up at him. “You just did.” I clapped my hand and stepped away from him. “Now, give me something to do, boss man.”
“Help Kelly with the next patient exam. It’s an itty-bitty kitty.” He chucked my chin with a crooked index finger. “Kittens make everything better.”
“Yay. They really do.”
Kelly, one of Ryan’s VTAs, or veterinarian technician assistant, the job I was angling for, popped her head around the corner. While we were both redheads, my coloring was more cinnamon while hers was a lighter ginger. She smiled at me. “Lily, do you want to bring back Ms. Jackson with her new baby Pillow?”
“Oh my gosh, the kitten’s name is Pillow? I can’t stand it.” The cuteness overwhelmed! “I’ll bring him… Her?”
“Him,” Kelly said.
“Even more adorable. I’ll bring them back.” I strode through the exam area to reception.