“We can look through her chat history,” Star said as she pressed the screen to open the app. “Maybe we can find something in her conversations.”
“I don’t know, Star,” I said as I looked over at Bonnie May. “I feel icky going through her conversations on a dating app. That’s personal. I’m not sure how she’d feel about this.”
“No problem. Let’s ask,” Star said as she turned to Bonnie May. “Bonnie, if you don’t want us to look through your phone, say something now.”
Star stood still. She waited for an answer we both knew wasn’t coming. She smiled as she hummed while bobbing her head back and forth.
“I guess she doesn’t mind,” Star said as she smiled. “Not a peep.”
“Not funny, Star.”
As Star began to scroll through her messages, I sighed and shook my head in disbelief. Although I felt awkward going through Bonnie May’s personal messages, I ultimately sided with Star.
“Wow. She has like a hundred matches,” Star said, impressed. “That’s more than you have, isn’t it, Kara.”
“I don’t see how that’s important right now,” I replied. “Besides, it’s quality over quantity, right?”
“She’s only really talked to a couple of guys that she’s matched with,” Star replied. “One guy named Jerry and the other named Gus.”
It appeared Bonnie May only chatted with Gus and Jerry, as she ignored chatting with the other matches. We both wondered what made these two special, so we looked at each’s profile.
“Here’s Gus,” Star said as she clicked on his name.
Gus had a few photos on his profile. He appeared to be around Bonnie’s age, as he had grey hair and a receding hairline. He honestly looked like a good match for her.
“Do you know him?” Star asked.
“He looks familiar, but I can’t place it,” I said as I stared at his photo. “Where do I know him from?”
“While you’re racking your brain, let’s check out Jerry,” she said as she clicked on his link. “That’s odd.”
“What?”
“That sucks. He doesn’t have a picture of himself. The only photo on the profile is of a mountain range,” Star said. “That doesn’t help.”
“Why wouldn’t he have a photo?” I asked. “What’s the point of the app without seeing someone’s photo. That basically makes it a blind date.”
“It’s not too unusual,” Star replied. “I’ve occasionally matched with guys with no photos. It usually means they’re hiding their identity for a reason. Most of the time, they are in a relationship and trying to cheat.”
Besides the photo missing, the profile was blank as well. Without any info to go on, Jerry seemed to be a dead end.
“Let’s focus on Gus, since we at least have a picture,” I said as I clicked back to Gus’ profile.
“How are we going to identify him? Take the photo to the police station, see if he’s in their system?”
While Star recommended a great idea, I wanted to avoid Detective Beaux and Police Chief Sam. They already scolded me a few times for getting involved in the case. Besides, I knew another option.
“There’s two ladies in town that gossip more than Bonnie May. If there’s anyone in town that can identify this man, I’ll place my bets on them.”
“Oh, no,” Star said as she began to shake her head. “You’re not talking about the two crazy biddies at the salon, are you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said as I smiled. “I’ll call and set up an appointment. Maybe she’ll have room for us tonight.”
“Us?” Star said as she put her hands over her head. “That lady’s not touching my hair. I’ve seen the damage she’s done.”
Chapter 14
Later that evening, Star and I arrived at Cookie’s Beauty Salon. Cookie’s shop sat a mile east of downtown Sunny Shores. She ran that shop since I could remember, since my mother used her. I preferred my father’s barber, Pappy, instead.
Cookie Pearson meant well. But as she aged, her skill as a hairdresser diminished. She couldn’t help it as her hands shook like a bowl of jelly. I fell victim to her shears a few weeks back. Fortunately, Pappy fixed my hair with few casualties.
What she lacked in the hair styling department, she made up with her gift for gab. Her shop was the spot to hear all the town gossip. This rang especially true when her friend, Tara Holmes, stopped in. Lucky for us, both were there.
As we walked up to her shop, Star paused, allowing me to walk ahead of her. She smiled and pointed to the door.
“After you.”
“Here goes nothing,” I said as I walked up to the front door. I took a deep breath as I opened it.
“Good to see you again, ladies,” Cookie said as we both walked through the door.
The shop was mostly empty. Only Cookie and Tara were there. Cookie swept the floor around her chair, while Tara sat reading a magazine.
“You two have a seat, I’ll be with you in a jiffy.”
Cookie finished sweeping and walked the broom and dustpan to the back. While she walked away, Tara continued to sit and read her magazine. She didn’t pay Star or me any attention at all.
“So, which one of you’s first?” Cookie said as she walked back to the counter.
Without giving me a chance to respond first, Star stood up and said, “I appreciate the offer, but I’m growing my hair out to donate to Locks of Love.”
She sat back down and turned to me and grinned.
“That’s sweet of you dear,” Cookie responded. “You know where to find me when you need a trim.”
I took a deep breath. “Guess I’m up.”
After taking a seat in the chair, Cookie draped the apron over my body. When she tied it to my neck, she pulled too tight. I almost began to choke.
“What would you like me do, dear?” she asked as she pulled out a pair of clippers. I wasn’t sure what she had planned for those. All I knew was to avoid those at all costs.
“Before you start, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, dear,” she responded as she placed the clippers back on the counter.
“Star, show Cookie the picture.”
Star stood up and pulled Bonnie May’s phone out of her pocket. She opened the app and clicked on Gus’ profile.
“Do you know this man?” I asked as Star put the phone in Cookie’s face.
“That’s Gus Robins,” she replied as she looked over at Tara. “Isn’t it, Tara?”
Star took the phone over to Tara. She glanced at the picture and nodded.
“That’s him, alright.”
Tara and Cookie both seemed sure of his identity. Even though I knew the name, I still failed to recognize him.
“Why are you asking, dear?” Cookie asked.
“Apparently, he was talking to Bonnie May on a dating app. We’re trying to pinpoint who tried to poison her. We believe a jilted lover may have been behind it.”
“I wouldn’t put it past those two,” Tara said as she perked up. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
“What are your lips flapping about over there?” Cookie responded.
“Gus and his wife recently separated. So, they aren’t even properly divorced. Although it makes sense to me. That’s the type of man Bonnie May goes for,” she said, disgusted. “With all the single men out there, Bonnie May continues her home-wrecking ways.”
“Oh, Tara,” Cookie replied. “We’ve all made mistakes.”
“When will Bonnie May learn?” Tara said as she shook her head. “That hussy has wrecked more homes than a hurricane. Nelly Goldman, Jennifer Bell, Barb Jones, Val Young, and now this one to add to her path of destruction.”
“Does he live in Sunny Shores?” I asked, trying to ignore Tara’s spiteful comments. I knew Tara and Bonnie May had issues, but I never realized they went this deep.
“I think so,” Cookie replied. “Or at least he used to.”
“I believe he works part-time at the Home Depot near St. Augustine,
” Tara added. “I saw him there last week, working in the paint department.”
“So, what would you like, dear. A trim, perm, or even a color treatment? I’m in no rush,” Cookie said.
“On second thought,” I said as I sprung from the chair. “My scatterbrain mind can’t decide what I want, so I’ll have to take a raincheck.”
“No problem, dear,” she said as she smiled.
“Let me give you something for the trouble,” I said as I reached into my purse. “I feel bad taking up an appointment spot of another paying customer.”
“Nonsense,” she said as she refused to accept my tip. “It’s a pleasure just having you and Star. I don’t get many customers now-a-days. That dang Great Clips downtown.”
“Thank you, again,” I said as me and Star inched towards the door.
“By the way dear,” Cookie said with a slight grin. “You don’t have to book an appointment to talk. You’re welcome here anytime.”
“Busted,” Star replied as she tried to hold back her laughter.
“It’s just that…and please don’t take offense,” I said before pausing.
“You two old biddies gossip more than anyone we know,” Star said as she finished my sentence.
She immediately looked in my direction. After she saw the stunned and appalled look on my face, she turned to me and said, “What? You know it’s true.”
“What Star’s trying to say is that your insights into the private lives of everyone in town has helped us solve two cases. We appreciate the information.”
Tara and Cookie looked at each other and stayed silent for a moment. I wondered what thoughts were going through their heads. I thought they’d kick us out for sure. However, I stood corrected as they both broke out in laughter.
“I’m just glad someone has use for us…What did you call us? Oh yeah, old biddies,” Cookie replied. “Come back anytime, dears.”
With help from Cookie and Tara, the identity of Gus was no longer a mystery. Now the real mystery revolved around whether he played part in the crime or not. Although a few of the clues pointed to our food delivery guy, Ray. We needed to question Gus as well.
When we sat down in Star’s car, she looked at me and asked, “So what’s next?”
Star’s piqued interest in the case surprised me, to say the least. I normally dragged her along, kicking and screaming, on my impromptu quests for clues. However, her attitude changed. Maybe she really cared about Bonnie May more than she let on?
“We need to find Gus, but the only thing we know about him is that he works at Home Depot,” I replied.
“They usually close around nine, don’t they?
“I believe so.”
“That gives us a couple of hours. Let’s head on out there,” Star said as she turned the keys to start the car.
“How do we know if he’s there or not? I’d hate to drive out there for nothing.”
“Leave it to me,” Star said as she picked up her phone.
“Hey Siri, call the Home Depot in St. Augustine, Florida.”
“Calling the Home Depot in St. Augustine, Florida,” her phone responded.
Star placed her phone on speaker mode, so we both could hear. The phone rang a few times before sending us to an automated menu. Star pressed the zero key to bypass and talk to a real person.
“Home Depot St. Augustine, this is Carol. How may I help you?” replied the woman who answered the phone.
“Can I speak to Gus, please?” Star responded.
“Please hold.”
“What are you going to say to him?” I asked. “Don’t anger him, because we really need to hear his side of the story.”
“Don’t worry,” Star said confidently. “You forget who you’re speaking to sometimes.”
As the monotonous tone of the hold music played, I wondered what Star planned to say. When it came to the artful form of BS’ing, Star was Picasso. She possessed the skill to talk her way out of anything.
“This is Gus,” a gravelly voice answered. “Who’s this? What do you want?”
I waited for Star to respond. Instead, she hung up the phone.
“That’s your plan,” I responded, feeling confused. “To hang up on the guy.”
“We know he’s there, right?”
“Yes, I guess.”
“Then mission accomplished,” Star said as she shifted her car into drive and began to drive off. “Next stop, Home Depot.”
Chapter 15
The town of St. Augustine, Florida was located a half-hour north of Sunny Shores, along Highway US 1. I knew the store well, since it was the closest big-box hardware store to Sunny Shores. I remembered my father and me shopping there on Saturday afternoons, when I was a child. I enjoyed helping him with his honey-do-list from Mom.
We arrived at the store around an hour before closing. Since Trudy mentioned he worked in the paint department, we headed in that direction first. I felt nervous as I had no idea what to say to him. I hoped it came to me when the time came.
When I spotted the main desk in the paint department from a distance, I noticed an older man standing alone. I pulled out Bonnie May’s phone to compare him to the photo. I squinted my eyes to see better.
“I think that’s him,” I told Star. “But he looks a tad different from the photo.”
The gentleman manning the paint desk looked a bit heavier than his pictures. In addition, his hair was a bit thinner and his face a bit wrinklier.
“I think he took this photo ten years ago,” I said as I showed it to Star. “Talk about false advertising.”
“Welcome to the world of online dating,” Star said as she chuckled. “It’s called being catfished.”
“Catfished?”
“You really are an old woman trapped in a young body, aren’t you,” Star said as she took a deep breath. “Catfishing is when you misrepresent yourself when talking to someone online. It’s happened a few times to me. Although in this case, it’s a mild version. He doesn’t seem that far off, I’ve dated worse.”
“Put a bookmark on that,” I replied as she’d piqued my curiosity. “I need to hear about these stories later. But for now, let’s talk to Gus.”
We walked over toward the desk. Gus failed to notice us at first, as he worked the paint mixer. When we approached the desk, Star cleared her throat loudly, to get his attention.
“Can I help you?” he asked as he took the paint can out of the mixer.
He turned around and grabbed a rubber mallet. He carefully placed the lid on top of the paint can. We watched as he lifted the mallet in the air and struck it hard on the lid, causing Star and I both to jump back a step.
“If you have a few moments to spare, we’d like to ask you a few questions,” I said, softly. I kept one eye glued to his hand that gripped the mallet. “It’s about someone you met off Tinder.”
“Did my soon-to-be ex-wife send you?” he said as he dropped the mallet on the desk. “Please run along, can’t you see I’m busy?”
“It sure looks like it,” Star responded, sarcastically. She looked to her left and then to her right. “I don’t see anyone else around.”
“You got a smart mouth on you, don’t you, girl,” he said as his face scrunched up.
Star, not one to back down, stood straight up. She leaned slightly over the desk in his direction. She remained quiet, but if looks could kill…
“We don’t want any trouble,” I said as I stepped in, trying to defuse the situation. “We only want to ask you about Bonnie May.”
“Bonnie May Calloway?” he asked. His face un-scrunched and a slight hint of a smile poked through. “My wife and I are currently separated. Mediation is on-going between us, so the divorce is yet to be final. I’m ready to move on, so I threw my hat into the dating pool. Although, my wife wasn’t too thrilled. It makes no difference, regardless. Bonnie May ended things,” he said as his eyes began to water.
“What happened?” I asked. I started to feel bad for the guy. By the look on his
face, I saw how much he cared for her.
“She refused to move forward until my divorce finalized. She told me she was turning over a new leaf, whatever that meant,” he explained. “I tried to explain to her that my wife was responsible for holding up the divorce. In my heart, our marriage ended years ago. So, why are you two here?”
“Someone slipped blueberry extract into Bonnie May’s drink during the SSHA fundraiser the other night,” I explained.
“Oh, no,” Gus said as he sat down on a stool. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. “She’s allergic to blueberries!”
“How did you know?” Star asked with her eyebrow raised in suspicion.
“She mentioned it on our first date. After dinner, we decided to have coffee and dessert. The dessert special that day was blueberry pie. Before the waitress finished her suggestion, Bonnie May let her know to keep the blueberry pie as far from the table as possible and explained her allergy.”
“You mentioned that you wife was livid regarding you dating again. Do you think she poisoned Bonnie May?” I asked. I felt my theory made sense.
“My wife is a lot of things, but she’s not capable of attempted murder,” he said. “Now, she’d nag you to death, but that’s about the extent of it. She’s more of the passive aggressive type.”
“Can you think of anyone else who might have done it?” I asked, still trying to piece together a possible suspect.
“Just my wife and son knew about Bonnie May and me. In fact, my son took the news worse than she did.”
“You have a son?” I asked.
“Yeah, he’s around your age, in fact. His name’s Ray.”
“Ray Robins?”
Both Star’s and my jaws dropped in unison, as we put the pieces together. Ray Robins was the son.
“Wait a minute,” I said, still shocked. “Is your son the same Ray Robins that works for Fresh Market Food Supply?”
“That’s correct. He’s worked as a delivery driver for them for the last few years,” he said. “Why? Do you know him?”
“Yeah,” I replied as my mind began to spin. “My food truck is on his delivery route. We went to high school together, too.”
Blueberry Pie White Lie - a Cozy Mystery: Sunny Shores Mysteries Book 3 Page 7