Disrobed for Death

by Sylvia Rochester

  A. K. eased off the brake and continued slowly down the highway. “Does this mean we’re living on borrowed time?”

  “I don’t know what it means. It just flashed into my mind. Maybe it’s a result of my fall. Something has changed. That’s for sure.” She turned and stared at A. K. “Whatever it is, I don’t want it. Guess I’m going to have to take it one day at a time.” She took a deep breath and gathered her composure.

  “Okay, let’s talk business. I hate to leave you running the shop, but like I said, I’m not going to rush things, medically. I’ll see Jack in three days. If he gives the okay, I’ll be back at work. Maybe rest is what it’s going to take to cure me. In the meantime, I’ll see if I can talk Wesley into believing me. That’s not going to be easy.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t refer to the doctor by his first name, even though you feel you know him. He might take offense. Stick with Doctor Evans until you can work through this thing. And about work, it’s not a problem. Isn’t that why you made me the assistant manager? Besides, I’m not sure when Ramona can come, could be a day or two, and I want to be there. Same goes for Clarissa. If I had to pick a culprit, I’d go with the ex-wife. Divorces can get really ugly. Anyway, I’ll do what I can to find out more about Ramona’s family, especially the doctor.”

  “So, you do believe my bizarre story?”

  “Let’s just say I’m starting to.”

  Chapter 5

  Susan’s mother met her at the door. “I know you’re glad to be home. How are you feeling, honey?”

  “Much better. Something really smells good,” Susan said, as she and A. K. entered the apartment. “It reminds me of when I was in grade school. I couldn’t wait to get home to see what you had in the pots or if you’d baked some cookies.”

  “Whatever you’ve prepared, I can’t wait to try it,” A. K. added.

  “Everything’s ready. We were just waiting on you two,” her dad said, pulling a chair from the table. “You sit here, Susan. A. K., you’re across from her. Mother and I will take the ends.”

  Dad said the blessing, followed by a chorus of clinking silverware.

  “Someone else is glad I’m home,” Susan said, reaching down and petting Marmalade.

  Her mother nodded. “The cat went from one room to another looking for you.” She passed the bowl of potatoes to Susan. “I guess she figured if we were here, you should be here also. Marmalade kept me company in the kitchen, and I couldn’t resist giving her a treat or two.”

  “This is delicious,” Susan said. “A. K. you should try Mom’s steaks. You can cut them with your fork, and they melt in your mouth.”

  “Promise me I’ll get an invite,” A. K. said.

  Mrs. Griffin blushed. “I promise.”

  “Your mother and I were so worried when A. K. called and told us about your accident. I don’t know what we’d do if something happened to you. We’ve missed you something fierce these past few years.”

  “I missed you, too, but I had to go where I could learn everything about my business. Palmetto isn’t exactly the fashion and merchandizing capital of the world. New York and LA was where I had to be. I still have lots to learn, but I think I can make a go of it now, especially with such good employees.” She grinned at A. K..

  “How about seconds?” her dad asked.”

  “Not for me. I’m saving room for dessert,” Susan said.

  “Same here,” A. K. chimed in.

  After finishing a small slice of apple pie, Susan pushed up from her chair, rounded the table, and gave her mom a big hug. “Thanks, for everything. You and Dad are just what the doctor ordered.”

  “It’s the least we could do.” Her mother picked up her plate and started to clear the table.

  “Don’t touch a thing,” Susan said. “A. K., help me put the food in the refrigerator. We can clean up later.”

  “Indeed not,” her mother said. “A. K. and I will clean up. You, young lady, go make yourself comfortable and keep your daddy entertained. We’ll join you shortly.”

  Susan knew better than to argue with her mother. “Okay, Dad, you take the recliner, and I’ll stretch out on the sofa.”

  By the time her mother and A. K. joined them, her Dad was snoozing, and Susan was giving Marmalade some long neglected loving. Susan’s mother and A. K. each took one of the two overstuffed chairs.

  “I love what you’ve done with your apartment,” her mom said, glancing around the room.

  Her dad, with eyes closed, chuckled. “You should. It looks like you decorated it. Frilly curtains, floral upholstery, and plants everywhere. Feels like I’m in a jungle in our house.”

  While Susan listened to the conversation, her thoughts returned to the funeral home and what had transpired. She wondered if she would ever convince Jack that he was in danger. And if Wesley wasn’t willing to help her, she hadn’t the foggiest what to do about the pending disaster. When the chatter in the room gave way to silence, Susan realized all eyes were on her. “Guess who I ran into today? Wesley Grissom.”

  Her mother patted her heart. “That poor boy lost his mother to a heart attack and his father to cancer while he was overseas. We went to both funerals, and I prayed every day that he’d be safe and come home to us.”

  “I’m sorry about his parents,” Susan said. “But Mom, he’s not a boy anymore.”

  “You can say that again,” A. K. said.

  Her mother smiled at Susan. “I always thought you and he…Anyway, what’s he doing now?”

  “He’s living at his parent’s place and is a detective for Hammond’s Sheriff Department. And who knows? We might get back together yet.”

  “If that happens, I guess I’ll lose my football buddy,” her dad said. “I kinda thought you and I would take in some LSU games next year, the way we did in the past.”

  “You get the tickets, and I’ll be ready.”

  Her dad looked at his watch and yawned, a signal that he was ready to call it an evening.

  “You know to make yourself at home here. Looks like you’re ready to hit the sack, Dad,” Susan said.

  “That’s what happens when you get old—early to bed and you hope you see the sunrise the next day.”

  “I wish you had rebuilt our old house after the fire. If you had, you’d only be a stone’s throw from me.”

  Her dad pushed up from the recliner with a grunt. “Honey, when the house burned, you were gallivanting around the country, working for one person and then another. We weren’t sure you’d ever come home. Not only that but cutting ten acres, even on a riding lawnmower, wasn’t getting any easier at my age.”

  “You’re right, and I do love your condo. It’s great you don’t have to bother with upkeep any more. Just enjoy life,” Susan said.

  Her mother got up and walked beside her husband. She pushed back the gray hair from her temples and ran her hands over her cheeks, as if to smooth her makeup. “That’s exactly what we do, dearie.” She slipped her hand around her husband’s arm.

  The top of his balding head glistened beneath the overhead light. Looking up at his wife with love in his eyes, he blew her a kiss. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, my bride and I are going to bed.”

  Marmalade jumped down from the sofa and raced ahead of them to Susan’s room. “That’s right, kitty, I won’t be long either,” Susan shouted to the cat.

  “Do you plan on telling your parents about your experience at the funeral home?”

  “No way. I’m not that crazy.”

  A. K. cocked her head to one side. “You look tired. Lying in a hospital bed even for a day or two will sap your strength. A good night’s sleep in your own bed will work wonders. First, let’s synchronize our plans for the next day or two.”

  “What plans? I’m going to be right here tomorrow, visiting with my parents. The next day I’m going to see Wesley then back to my apartment again. The following morning, I have an appointment with Doctor Evans. After that, I plan to come to work. Until then, hold down the fort and say ‘hi�
�� to the girls for me.”

  “Will do, and don’t worry about anything. Debbie, Sheila and I will make out just fine. But in case you don’t get anywhere with Jack, and Wesley doesn’t offer to help, you’d better be thinking of something.”

  “Wesley won’t let me down. I know he won’t. Oh, I forgot to tell you. After you left the hospital the other day, I struck up a conversation with the cleaning lady. I learned that Doctor Evans often stops by Tilly’s Diner for breakfast on his day off. Thought I’d stop by there on my way to Wesley’s. Maybe I’ll meet up with him. That’ll give me another chance to try and get through to him. If I miss him, I’ll have one last shot when I go for my office visit.”

  “Good luck, but I think you’re whistling Dixie. He didn’t hit his head, didn’t experience a trip into the afterlife. He said he’s heard every crazy story in the book from patients. I doubt that you can come up with anything to make him believe yours.”

  “Maybe not, but having connected with him the way I did—and believe me, it was real—I feel compelled to try.”

  “If I were you, I’d give it some time.”

  “Time is one thing we don’t have. Be sure and let me know when Ramona and Clarissa are coming to the shop. I’m curious to hear what they’ll have to say.”

  “More than likely, you’ll be back by then.” On her way out the door, A. K. dug in her purse for the car keys. “Have you considered that Jack’s murderer might be someone totally obscure? Maybe it’s someone who blames the doctor for surgery that resulted in the death of a loved one. Or maybe it’ll be the results of a random burglary in which Jack surprises the intruder. He’s killed because the perp didn’t want to leave a witness.”

  “Listen to you…perp. You’ve been watching too many crime shows. Let’s just hope nothing happens.”

  “Hey, don’t knock CSI. I’ve learned a lot from that show.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh, boy, time for me to hit the road.”

  After A. K. left, Susan made her way down the hall. The door to the guest bedroom was closed, and she could hear her dad snoring. It was really good to have them here. Thinking about her dad calling her mom his bride, she crossed into her room with a grin and closed the door.

  Before going to bed, she pulled out another warm up from her chest of drawers to wear around the house tomorrow. But for the following day, she wanted something chic to wear to Wesley’s—and in case she ran into the doctor at Tilly’s. She rummaged through her closet and considered several outfits, finally choosing a lavender wool skirt, a silver satin blouse and a black, Anne Klein fitted blazer. Anything would look good after that gaping hospital gown.

  She really wanted to meet up with the doctor before her appointment. Maybe the hospital setting put him on the defensive. If she could get him away from the cold clinical setting, he might be more conducive to believing her. While Jack looked the same, his personality seemed to have gotten lost in the transition. Somehow she had to get through to the Jack she’d met at the funeral home. That wasn’t going to be easy. She crawled into bed, thinking about the best way to approach the subject, but everything that popped into her mind seemed stupid. Somehow, despite her muddled thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.

  The next morning, Susan opened her eyes to the sound of her mother’s voice and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

  “Come in,” Susan said, when her mother knocked on the door.

  “How are you feeling?” She handed Susan a cup of the dark brew in a matching cup and saucer.

  “I see we’re going fancy, today.”

  “If you don’t use your good china, who will? Coffee mugs are for the office.”

  “To answer your question, I’m fine, and I want you and Dad to know how much I appreciate your being here with me.”

  Her mother tsked her. “As if we’d have it any other way.”

  Susan put her coffee on the nightstand and slipped out of bed. Looking through the sheers toward the woods, she could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. “Are you two up for a walk about the complex?”

  “If that’s what you’d like, dear. First, let’s start the day with a good breakfast. I think your father has already gotten a jump on us. The bacon is dwindling fast.” She giggled.

  “You go ahead. I’ll be there as soon as I can throw on some clothes.”

  Halfway through breakfast, the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” her dad said.

  Susan leaned back in her chair to get a peek at the front door. “I can’t image who it could be.”

  “How’s she doing?” a familiar voice asked.

  Susan pushed away from the table and hurried into the living room. “Edward, I’m so glad you came. I missed seeing you at the hospital.”

  “You know I’m not going to let my little sister get all the attention.”

  Susan put her arms around him. “I can’t remember the last time we were all together. It’s a shame it took an accident to make it happen.”

  “Seems that’s always the way—an injury or something worse.”

  “Or worse? Don’t even go there,” Susan said. “From now on I’ll be more careful. Let’s not dwell on my carelessness.”

  She stepped back and examined her brother. “I must say, you’re looking good. Can’t imagine how you manage to stay single.”

  Edward had a boyish face and a quick smile that always put everyone at ease. He was the type of guy that, after a few minutes of conversation, you felt as if you’d known him all your life. A little over six feet and on the stocky side, he constantly fought to keep his weight down.

  “Hasn’t been easy, Sis. I’ve had to break many a heart.” Hard as he tried, he couldn’t keep a straight face.

  They all had a good laugh.

  “Speaking of the fairer sex, I enjoyed meeting your friend, A. K., at the hospital. She’s a lively one, isn’t she? And very attractive.”

  “You and A. K.? With you working in Lafayette, wouldn’t that be a problem?”

  “Heck, no. It’s a straight shoot down the Interstate, no more than an hour and a half. I was kind of hoping she’d be here.”

  “She’s working at the boutique, just a mile from here. Why don’t you pay her a visit before you head back? I’d like for you to see the shop, anyway.”

  “I might just do that.”

  Susan pictured the two together. A. K. with her red hair, green eyes and shapely body, could definitely keep Edward’s eye from straying. And Edward’s dark brown hair and blue eyes, along with a contagious smile and dimples, were enough to keep anyone interested. Interested? Yes. But A. K. serious? Susan wondered if the right guy would ever come along for her friend.

  Susan looked at her family and regretted the years she let slip away while chasing her dream. Now, her parents were in the twilight of their years, and time was fleeting. So today, she planned on making up for lost time. They took a long stroll and soaked in nature’s beauty. After returning, they had lunch and played a game of Hearts. The card game was followed by a modified version of Balderdash. Her mother won with her outlandish definitions.

  “You should have been an actress,” Susan said. “You suckered us all into believing you.”

  Her dad harrumphed. “How do you think she caught me?”

  Around two o’clock, Edward said his goodbyes. “I’d better leave now, if I want to stop by your shop. Mostly, I want to visit with A. K. before I get on the road. Sis, take care and remember I’m as close as the phone.” He kissed everyone before heading out the door.

  Her dad arched his back and stretched. “Okay, Momma, I’ve got the luggage. You get your purse. It’s time for us to head home, too. I think our girl can manage from here on.”

  Susan walked them out and hugged them goodbye. “Thanks again, for everything.”

  “If you need anything, call us. We love you.”

  Chapter 6

  The next morning, Susan was dressed and out the door early. It had been a long time since she’d stopped by Tilly’s Dine
r, but it looked the same. Well, actually the white stucco had darkened over the years to a dingy ecru, and the surrounding pines had grown to towering heights. Out front, a portable marquee advertised home cooking.

  She pulled into the gravel parking lot, covered with pine needles, and parked close to the front door. Tilly’s Diner had been a part of the community for as long as Susan could remember. It was the local hangout when she was in high school, and a family member still ran the place. Stepping inside, she was glad to see that nothing had changed. Formica tables with chrome trim, chrome and vinyl chairs sat on a black and white tile floor. Even the old jukebox still graced the far wall—an antique hunter’s dream. Susan wondered if it still contained many of the same old songs. The diner was exactly as she remembered it—clean, and the smell of something good on the griddle.

  Up in age, Tilly no longer ran the business. She had turned it over to her only child, Tonya, who had attended school with Wesley and Susan. She was busy serving a customer at the bar, and Susan couldn’t help but notice that the years had been kind to her. Tonya still had that peaches and cream complexion, shiny brown hair, and hazel eyes.

  In high school, they didn’t run in the same circles. Tonya was a bookworm, while Susan was into sports. But Tonya was always friendly and willing to help on any project.

  “Well, look who’s here?” Tonya said when she approached Susan’s table. “I’ve been meaning to come by your shop but can’t seem to get away from here.”

  “When you do, I’ll look forward to waiting on you.”

  “So, how’s business?”

  “Good. It’s been a long time since high school, huh? How have you been?”

  “I can’t complain. I’m still married to the same man and have five beautiful children.”

  “Oh, my, that’s wonderful. I wouldn’t know what to do with five kids. Are you still taking in stray dogs?” Susan recalled that Tonya had a special affinity for dogs. Seemed every stray gravitated to her, and she never turned any away.

  “You remember that? Guess that’s what the Lord had in store for me—kids and dogs.” Tonya gave her a discerning look. “You’re looking great, Susan. You seeing anyone special?”