Mrs. Culpepper seized her chance the moment Belle paused for a breath. “Why don’t you go on in the kitchen and get us all some of that lemonade you made, Belle? Do something productive for once, and don’t just stand there talking till somebody’s ears fall off.”
Belle smiled. “I surely could use some lemonade myself. I’ll be back in a minute with some for everybody.” With that she turned and headed for the kitchen.
“I swear, that woman will be the death of me yet,” Mrs. Culpepper said. “If I don’t kill myself just to get away from the sound of her voice, she’ll drive me insane and I’ll be running out into traffic and get hit by a car.”
“You’d be bored to death without Belle,” Wanda Nell said, trying not to smile. “And you know it.”
“I reckon you’re right,” Mrs. Culpepper replied. “It’s actually kind of fascinating, listening to her talk, sort of like being in one of those mazes. You never know when you’re going to get to the center of it all, because there are so many detours and blind alleys.”
Wanda Nell and Jack exchanged glances again. Mrs. Culpepper probably hadn’t realized it, but when she did get a word in edgewise, she sounded more and more like Belle all the time.
“Now what brings you two by here?” Mrs. Culpepper asked. She flapped a hand at Belle, who had come back with a tray bearing a pitcher and four glasses. “You go on and pour that up for us, and then sit down over there and be quiet. I want to hear what Wanda Nell and Jack have to say, not you.”
“Of course,” Belle said. “I want to hear what they have to say myself.” With that, she set the tray on a table and began filling the glasses. Wanda Nell waited until Belle finished and took a seat before she spoke.
“We just happened to be downtown, and we thought we’d stop by. Juliet spent the night with one of her friends last night, and the girl’s mama is going to drop Juliet off here for us to pick her up. We were sure you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course not. She’s such a sweet girl, I like having her here. She can spend the night here anytime she wants, you just remember that.”
“Thank you,” Wanda Nell said. “We appreciate that. And I know Juliet enjoys spending time with you and Belle.”
“She’s a good girl,” Belle said.
“So what have you two been up to?” Mrs. Culpepper asked. “Are you settling in okay in that trailer?”
Jack nodded. “Yes, ma’am. We’re doing just fine. Wanda Nell’s trailer is actually bigger than the house I was renting, and it’s nice to have more room.”
“Good. I used to worry about my grandchildren growing up in that trailer park, but then I finally realized what really mattered was how they were raised, not where.”
That was as close to an apology as she would ever get, Wanda Nell realized. She smiled at Mrs. Culpepper, knowing that a spoken “thank you” would simply embarrass the old lady.
“Jack is starting to work on a new book,” Wanda Nell announced, “and I’m going to help.”
“That’s exciting,” Belle said. “You know, Lucretia and I have read both your other books, Jack, and I can’t tell you how thrilling they are. I swear I stayed up all night reading them.”
“What’s the new book about?” Mrs. Culpepper asked after glaring at Belle for a moment. Belle sat back and sipped at her lemonade.
“This one’s going to be about a murder that occurred right here in Tullahoma.” Jack paused at Mrs. Culpepper’s sudden intake of breath.
Realizing what she must have thought, Jack hastened to reassure her. “This is about an old murder, nothing recent.”
Mrs. Culpepper relaxed, and Jack continued. “Thirty-one years ago, someone found the body of a girl on the football field at the high school. The case was never solved.”
“Oh, how terrible,” Belle said. “That poor child. And her poor parents. What an awful thing, to lose a child, and to lose one like that. Who was she?”
“Nobody knows,” Wanda Nell said. “She wasn’t ever identified, from what we know so far.” She glanced at Mrs. Culpepper and was shocked to see how pale the old woman had become.
Belle had noticed it, too. She set down her glass and got up from her chair. “Lucretia, what on earth is the matter with you? Do you need one of your pills?”
“You’ll have to excuse me,” Mrs. Culpepper announced, her voice thin. “Belle, help me upstairs. I need to lie down.”
Belle shot a worried glance at Wanda Nell and Jack. “I think we should call your doctor,” Wanda Nell said.
“No, I don’t need a doctor,” Mrs. Culpepper snapped, her voice stronger. “I just want to lie down.”
Jack had jumped up from the sofa. “Let me help you,” he offered.
Mrs. Culpepper waved him away. “Belle will look after me, won’t you, Belle?”
“Of course, Lucretia.” Belle assisted her cousin from her chair. “I’ll get you upstairs, and you can lie down and rest. I’m sure you’re just tired.”
Jack and Wanda Nell watched as Belle escorted Mrs. Culpepper toward the grand staircase in the front hall. Mrs. Culpepper had recently installed a chair lift on the stairs, and Belle put her in it.
Wanda Nell and Jack heard the whir of the machinery as Mrs. Culpepper slowly ascended the stairs, Belle treading up them behind her.
Jack sat back down on the couch and looked at Wanda Nell. “That wasn’t good.”
“No, it wasn’t. She knows something, and I bet it involves the old judge. He must have been involved somehow.”
Five
“Do you think she’s going to be okay?” Jack asked, the concern obvious on his face. “The last thing I wanted to do was give her a stroke or a heart attack.”
Wanda Nell squeezed his hand. “We didn’t do that, honey, I’m sure. She was upset, but Belle will give her something to calm her, and she’ll be okay. Let’s just wait till Belle comes back downstairs.”
Jack squeezed back. “Thanks, love.”
Though she had done her best to reassure Jack, Wanda Nell was worried. Mrs. Culpepper did have heart problems, partly the result of years of drinking way more than she should have, but she had been doing pretty well for the past year. Wanda Nell prayed that they hadn’t caused her to have a setback.
Jack and Wanda Nell waited in silence until Belle came padding down the stairs about ten minutes later. They both rose from the sofa when Belle entered the drawing room.
“How is she?” Jack asked.
“She had a little shock,” Belle said, “but she’s going to be just fine. I gave her one of those little tranquilizers the doctor prescribed, and she’s already dropping off to sleep. When she wakes up, she’ll be just as ornery as ever. Don’t you two worry about her.”
“Did she say anything?” Wanda Nell asked as she and Jack sat back down on the sofa.
“Not much,” Belle replied, after a sip of her lemonade. “She did say, ‘Tell them I’m sorry,’ but I don’t really know what she meant by that. She did seem to get a shock when you told her about that poor dead girl.” She eyed Jack and Wanda Nell over the rim of her glass.
Wanda Nell glanced at Jack, and he nodded. She took a breath before she spoke. “The thing is, there was probably some kind of cover-up over the murder. Because somebody important here in Tullahoma was involved.”
“And you’re thinking it could be Thaddeus,” Belle said. She carefully set her glass on the table beside her chair. She leaned forward slightly. “It sure wouldn’t surprise me. Thaddeus James Culpepper was about as crooked as a mountain road, let me tell you. And poor Lucretia didn’t have much choice but to put up with him.”
“Thaddeus James?” Jack asked. “I reckon that’s the first time I’ve ever heard him called anything besides the old judge.”
“T.J. is named for him,” Wanda Nell said, making a wry face. “Now you know why he prefers being called T.J.”
“I’m sorry we upset Miz Culpepper,” Jack said. “The last thing we wanted to do was make her ill.”
“It’s not your f
ault, Jack, dear.” Belle shook her head. “It’s the fault of that awful man she was married to for so long. Thank the Lord he went off to his reward years ago, and I reckon I know right where he is this moment, roasting away. Him and all those floozies he used to carry on with. It was disgusting.”
“Still, dragging up the past can’t be anything but hurtful to her,” Wanda Nell said.
“Lucretia’s a lot stronger than you think she is,” Belle replied. “Don’t you think she isn’t. She had a little shock, but once she’s had some time to think about it, she’ll understand. I know she’ll feel sorry for that poor girl, and she’ll tell you that child ought to have justice. You’ll see. I know her better than anybody.”
“I hope you’re right,” Jack said. “We knew this was going to be tough, but I didn’t want it to be tough on Miz Culpepper.”
The doorbell rang, and they all started. Belle made a move to get out of her chair, but Wanda Nell forestalled her. “I’m sure it’s Juliet,” she said. “I’ll go.”
Belle subsided in her chair and smiled. “Thank you, dear.”
Wanda Nell walked to the front door and opened it. Her younger daughter stood there, small overnight bag in hand and a purse slung over her shoulder.
“Hi, Mama.” Juliet smiled.
“Hi, sweetie,” Wanda Nell said, stepping aside to let her pass into the hall. “Did you have a good time?”
“I did. We went to a movie last night, and then we stayed up talking till about two in the morning. Miz Hankins let us sleep late, too.”
“Good,” Wanda Nell said, giving Juliet a hug. “But you don’t need to be staying up that late too often, okay? Even if it is a weekend.”
“Okay, Mama.” Juliet rolled her eyes. Wanda Nell pretended not to notice.
Juliet followed her mother into the drawing room. “Hello, Belle,” she said, stooping to give the older woman a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “How are you?”
“I’m just fine, honey.” Belle beamed at her.
“Where’s Grandmama?” Juliet asked, waving at Jack. She perched on the arm of Belle’s chair.
“She’s upstairs having a little rest,” Wanda Nell said. “We were talking, and she was a bit tired.” She stared at Belle, willing her not to say anything to Juliet. Belle winked at her.
Juliet looked down at Belle. “She hasn’t been out working in the flower beds in this heat, has she?” Juliet frowned. “I told her I’d do the weeding for her, but I guess I forgot.”
“No, honey,” Belle said, patting Juliet’s hand. “She hasn’t been out in the heat. She was just a little tired, like your mama said. Don’t you worry about her.”
Juliet didn’t appear wholly convinced. She was still frowning. “Mama, would you mind if I spent the night with Grandmama and Belle tonight? I can work on the flower beds this evening, when it’s cooler out, and then Grandmama won’t have to worry about them. And I can go to church with her and Belle in the morning.” She glanced down at Belle again. “Is it okay with you, Belle?”
“Of course it is, honey,” Belle said, beaming. “You know how much Lucretia and I love having you here. That’ll be just the thing to perk her up.” She turned to look at Wanda Nell. “You don’t mind, do you, Wanda Nell? Juliet’s no trouble at all, none at all.”
“Of course I don’t mind.” Wanda Nell smiled at her daughter. “I’m real proud of her for wanting to help her grandmama like this. Do you have something to wear to church tomorrow, though?”
“Yes’m. I have a dress here that I can wear. It’s in the closet in my room upstairs.”
“That’s settled, then,” Jack said. “We can pick you up after church tomorrow, if you like.” He stood up and held out his hand to Wanda Nell. She grasped it and stood beside him.
“I can just come with T.J. and Tuck. They won’t mind coming by here to get me when they head out there for dinner.” She paused. “Unless you need me to help with dinner or help clean the house, Mama.”
“That’ll be fine,” Wanda Nell said. “I don’t think there’s anything you really need to do about cleaning tomorrow, honey. So we’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
Juliet came to her mother for a goodbye kiss, then gave Jack a quick hug. He smiled fondly at her.
Belle went with them to the front door while Juliet scampered up the stairs, heading for her room on the second floor. “Don’t y’all worry about a thing,” Belle said. “Lucretia’s going to be just fine.”
“Thanks, Belle.” Wanda Nell gave the older woman a kiss on the cheek. Jack did the same, and Belle blushed a little.
“Call us if you need anything,” Jack said on his way out the door.
“I sure will,” Belle answered.
Wanda Nell waved goodbye before she got in the car, and Belle waved back. The front door shut as Jack started the car and turned on the air conditioning. Mrs. Culpepper’s driveway was heavily shaded, and Wanda Nell was thankful. The car cooled quickly, and Jack backed down the driveway into the street.
“You mind if we go to the library?” Jack asked as he drove down Main Street.
“Of course not. I’m as curious as you are to see if we’ll find anything. There’s got to be something.”
“I sure hope so,” Jack said, “or this book isn’t going anywhere very fast.”
“Elmer Lee might turn up something, too,” Wanda Nell reminded him.
“True.” Jack turned the car into the parking lot at the library. He glanced at his watch. “It’s three-thirty, and I think they close at five on Saturdays. So we should have time to find something, if there is anything, in the back issues of the paper.”
There were only a couple of other cars in the parking lot, and the library was very quiet when they walked inside. A teenager was looking through the shelves in one section, and a mother with two young children in tow was browsing the shelves in another area. Wanda Nell and Jack walked up to the front desk.
“Afternoon, Miz Lockett,” Wanda Nell said to the librarian. Mrs. Lockett had worked at the library since Wanda Nell was in grade school, and Wanda Nell suddenly realized just how young Mrs. Lockett had been in those days. She was only in her mid-fifties now, so she probably hadn’t been long out of college when Wanda Nell went to the library for the first time.
“Why, hello, Wanda Nell.” Mrs. Lockett smiled. “How are you doing? And Jack. What a pleasure to see you both. Congratulations, by the way. I read about your wedding in the paper.”
“Thank you,” Wanda Nell said, and Jack echoed her.
“Now what can I do for you?” Mrs. Lockett asked.
“We need to look at back issues of the newspaper,” Jack said. “From thirty years ago or so.”
Mrs. Lockett nodded. “They’re all on microfilm, I’m afraid. I keep hoping somehow we’ll get the money to digitize them and get them online, but probably not in my lifetime.” She gave a quiet chuckle. “So we’re left with outdated technology.”
Jack laughed. “That’s fine. I think I remember how to use a microfilm reader.”
“Good,” Mrs. Lockett replied. “The local paper is in cabinets in that second room down the hall, and there are a couple of readers on the tables in there. If you need help with anything, you just come and let me know.”
“Thank you, we will,” Wanda Nell said. She followed Jack down the hall to the room the librarian had indicated. Jack flipped the light switch on, and he and Wanda Nell stared for a moment at the wall of cabinets.
Stepping closer, they began examining the labels on the drawers, looking for the local paper. “I guess I never realized just how much they have in here,” Wanda Nell said. “They’ve got the Commercial Appeal from Memphis, and the Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, too.”
“That reminds me, we should probably check those papers, too, just in case,” Jack said. “It might have made one of them before the cover-up started.”
“How about I start with the Memphis paper, while you look at the Tullahoma one?” Wanda Nell asked. She started hunting for the dr
awer with the right dates on it.
“Good idea,” Jack said. He wandered away from her. “Here’s the Tullahoma paper.” He bent to peer more closely at the labels.
Wanda Nell found the drawer she needed and pulled it open. Inside were several rows of boxes containing microfilms. Using one finger, she skimmed over the labels, looking for the correct month. “Got it,” she said, extracting the box from the drawer.
“I’m not having any luck yet,” Jack said.
Wanda Nell was only half-listening. She took her box to one of the readers and sat down at the table. There was a diagram that explained how to load the film on the machine, and she examined it closely. “That looks easy enough,” she muttered. She extracted the roll of microfilm from the box and began to load it. Behind her she could hear Jack opening and closing drawers.
Once the microfilm was properly loaded, Wanda Nell started going through it, looking for the right date to start. “Honey,” she called, “did Elmer Lee say anything about a date on that file?”
“No, he didn’t, but I’ve got the copy right here.”
Wanda Nell turned to watch as he pulled the folded papers from his jeans pocket. He unfolded them and scanned them quickly. “Looks like the body was found on April twenty-third.”
“Thanks.” Wanda Nell got to that date on her roll of film and began carefully going forward. She was dimly aware of Jack’s continuing to open and shut drawers while she worked.
She had made her way through April twenty-fifth without finding any reference to a murder in Tullahoma, when the increasingly loud sounds of frustration coming from behind her broke through her concentration.
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