The Mardi Gras Murder

by Jackie Griffey

  "Oh, I guess you're right." He still looked puzzled. "I guess where I really hurt, is I can't believe you think I'm capable of committing murder."

  "I don't. I was just scared when I saw Julia's picture. The first thing I thought of was that she could have been the one in your office who heard us talking."

  "Muriel, it could also have just been someone who picked up, listened just long enough to know the line was being used and hung up."

  Muriel nodded. "That's probably what happened. But seeing that picture and knowing she was drowned in the lake where your cabin is, I didn't know what to think."

  She touched his cheek gently with her hand. "In my heart I didn't believe it. I've known you, after all, in good times and bad. And there were some really good times. I just didn't know what happened or if someone had been listening, and could be a threat. And I know how determined you are—if you did decide to run for judge again."

  "Well, now you know better. But, after all these years, after all we've both been through together, as you pointed out, I don't feel like we have to explain anything to anybody, and I don't like the idea of having to put off our marriage."

  "One month won't be so long, and it will give me a chance to get Tim caught up with all his correspondence. Believe me, it will make a lot of difference to him." She smiled. "And Connie Larkin will probably help us too."

  Muriel looked in a mirror and touched her hair. "And it will give me a chance to get my hair back to normal."

  Troy kissed her other hand that he still held and laughed. "Well, I'd like that, all right. I'll wait a month then. I'm certainly in favor of that."

  Chapter 38

  Hannah gave Tim directions to the motel. "You do mean it was Muriel Davis who disappeared, don't you? You said your secretary. But Muriel? To just leave with no explanation? I just can't believe it."

  "Disappeared is the only way I know how to describe it. All I know for sure is that Muriel left while I was gone one afternoon. She told one of the girls in the office she had to leave and she didn't show up for work again."

  "Gone with no explanation then and she's still out?"

  Tim nodded. "After a couple of days and several calls to her home, she lives with her sister, Margaret." Hannah nodded.

  "I never did get to talk to her. Then every day, of course, I hoped she would be back. But she never showed up, never called, and I never got to talk to her when I tried to call her. I could only get Margaret. Then I got insistent that I wanted to talk to her and Margaret told me Muriel had laryngitis and couldn't talk but definitely would call as soon as she got better. It was an obvious stall for some reason. I couldn't believe it either."

  He took his eyes from the road a second to glance at Hannah, looking puzzled. "There was always some excuse even before Margaret said she couldn't talk and I never got to talk to Muriel. And the work was piling up. It was just a bad situation." He paused, looking worried.

  "Cas even came in and asked some questions. He talked to the girl who was there when Muriel left. Asked if she'd said anything that might give us an idea what the trouble or sickness was. He was concerned about it too. It just wasn't like Muriel. He even called her sister, Margaret, and didn't get any information or cooperation from Margaret either. He didn't say, but I think Connie and his Aunt Harry might have been pushing him to find out something, too."

  Tim shrugged and smiled at Hannah. "Small towns are famous for knowing everyone and everyone's business. The good part of that being, we're concerned for each other. Not just the sheriff or the judge, everyone."

  "Cas would have wondered, but like Dubois there was probably nothing he could do. Muriel isn't officially missing, is she?"

  "No. That's just it. He had no business checking on her but he did anyway. Of course he didn't tell me anything about what he thought, but I could get a lot by the questions he asked since they were in my office. Millie was the girl Muriel told she had to leave."

  "One of the high school students?" Tim nodded.

  "He came into my office and talked to the girl about when Muriel left. Muriel had just told her she had to leave, didn't even say she wasn't feeling well or anything like that. But regardless of calls and questions neither I nor Cas found out a thing. I just hope she's all right, wherever she is, and will be back by the time we get home."

  Hanna shook her head, bewildered. "That's strange, all right. She's never missed a day before, has she? Seems to me I remember some kind of award for perfect attendance or something last year?"

  Tim nodded and smiled, remembering the occasion. "No, she's regular as clockwork, and a good secretary too. I just didn't know what to make of it. But surely, she will be back, or at least be able to talk to me by the time we get home."

  "I hope so, too. For Cas's sake as well as yours."

  Tim shrugged. "It's not a case he's got to close. Wasn't any missing persons report or anything, we just don't know where she is, what's wrong with her, or when she'll be back."

  "What about the poor girl that was drowned in the lake?"

  "We know who she is now. There hasn't been an autopsy yet so we don't know if there was foul play or it was accidental."

  "Probably accidental. There sure is a lot of paper work involved in police work. I never gave it much thought before..."

  "Yeah," Tim grinned. "Police work is sort of like the water supply, you don't think anything about it until it's gone." He pulled over, judging the length of the room between two cars at the curb. "Anyway, we're here."

  Tim and Hannah climbed the motel stairs and heard laughter before they knocked on the door of the suite.

  "Welcome," Flora waved them in.

  "Yeah, we've already checked out and were just waiting for you," Gina told Hannah. "This is one place I'm just as glad to be leaving as I was to get here."

  "Amen," Flora agreed. "I called to say goodbye to Didi and she's taking care of Jake. She said goodbye and to give you all hugs for her."

  "About leaving," Hannah started gathering up her things. "Tim came here in his car, because he wanted to be sure and have transportation. I'm going back with him if nobody objects?"

  "Why would anybody object?" Gina scoffed. "If I'd just had a proposal from a handsome judge and a chance to go home with him I wouldn't care WHO objected."

  "Elle and I agree," Flora put in. "Have a nice trip." She went to Tim and kissed him on the cheek. "Drive safely."

  Hannah smiled as she looked around the tiny bathroom for anything she'd overlooked. "We will. We've got a lot of things to talk about. And it was a good, fun trip right up till Jack the Cane Chopper interfered." She held out her arms.

  Tim waited patiently during all the hugs and goodbyes. Hannah picked up her purse, a sack of souvenirs and Tim took her suitcase.

  At the door, Hannah turned. "And Elle, I love your car. It's a wonderful antique and I'll never forget my ride in it."

  "Maybe it would be a good thing if you did." Elle grinned, giving a nod at Tim who was looking the other way.

  Hannah nodded and winked. "Till next time."

  Chapter 39

  Cas glanced at the ringing phone, Gladys had gone to The Smithy for stew and rolls. He sighed and picked it up.

  "Pine County. Sheriff Larkin speaking..."

  "Glad I caught you."

  "Tim! Is that you?"

  "In the flesh, and the news I've got is good. First of all, Hannah is out of the clutches of the New Orleans police. All charges against her and her friends have been dropped. The others are going home in Elle's car."

  "L?"

  "E-L-L-E, like the French elle for girl. She's one of Hannah's friends who went on this trip. There were Hannah, Elle, Gina, and Flora. Anyway, they went home in Elle's car and I'm glad I took my car. Hannah's with me. We're on the freeway, on our way home."

  "Good. I've got good news too, Muriel's back."

  "Thank the Lord! Is she all right?"

  "Yes, she's going to work tomorrow."

  "Thank goodness. You can fill
me in on everything when we get back. Right now, we're just glad to be on the road."

  "Great. Come on home. We'll talk when you get here." Cas hung up grinning. After a brief pause, he picked the phone up again and dialed his home number.

  * * *

  "What are you up to, Harry?" Connie took slices of cheese toast out of the oven. "I fixed us a cheese snack for our coffee break."

  "Sounds good. I'll be right there. I'm cramming my belongings into this thing to go home. It's about an eyelash above grocery sack but it holds a lot."

  "Oh, you're checking out of the Chez Larkin? Was it something I said? Or cooked?" Connie grinned. She wasn't worried about that the way Harry ate, especially the venison sausage.

  "Neither. It's just time to go. Would you take back my library books?"

  "Sure, come on and eat this cheese toast while it's hot."

  Connie had just poured their coffee when the phone rang.

  "Larkin Residence."

  "Connie, I've got good news." Cas looked up as Gladys came in the outer door and beckoned her in to listen. "I just had a call from Tim. All charges against Hannah and her friends have been dropped. She's with him, in his car, bags and all, and they're on their way home now."

  "That's great. I'll tell Harry. She's about to leave so I'm glad we got the news. Thanks for calling soon as you heard. I'll tell her now."

  "I heard," Harry said as Connie hung up. "That is wonderful. I already knew it had to be some kind of horrible mistake, but it's sure good to know they are on their way home. Did he tell Tim Muriel is back?"

  "Oh, I didn't think to ask."

  "No problem. At least all of our cases seem to be solved now."

  "Yes. The official and the unofficial." They touched their cups and started on the cheese toast.

  Chapter 40

  "Alone at last," Daniel grinned at Elfrieda as the door closed on Gina and Flora who brought up the rear of the happy exodus of cleared suspects.

  Elfrieda glanced at the door and the lock clicked. Daniel laughed out loud like a co-conspirator and took her in his arms.

  After the bell-ringing kiss, Daniel held her in his arms, her head on his chest. Elfrieda's arms stayed around his waist as she looked up at him with a dazzling smile.

  "I'd like you to just ah—transport us somewhere for the rest of the day." Daniel nuzzled her forehead at her hairline, showering kisses on her lips, cheek, and the end of her nose.

  "Do I sense a but of some kind or a problem with that?" Elfrieda's arms held on, eyes on his.

  "Unfortunately. If I got loose now, I'd just get transported back into all this horse-hockey and have to work overtime. It's the nature of the job."

  "When will they release your bod without unjust punishment; horse hockey, hanging; whatever?"

  "You left out crucifixion."

  "Oh. And or crucifixion?"

  "Somewhere between five and six o'clock. Could you spare another one of those corrupt-a-saint kisses to tide me over?"

  "My pleasure." Elfrieda tiptoed for the kiss.

  "I've got something I need to take care of anyway." She smiled up at him. "See you between five and six."

  Elfrieda began to fade.

  "Wait! Wait!"

  "What?" Elfeida faded back in.

  "I've still got some vacation days coming that I'll just lose if I don't take them. Time was you could take the money, but not any more, not with things as tight as they are now. Maybe we could go somewhere, just the two of us and get better acquainted?"

  "Do you have somewhere in mind?"

  "No. Your choice. If I can afford it, that is."

  "I can think of a lot of fun places where money isn't the main concern," Elfrieda smiled. I lived on bananas and pineapple salads about a week once when I just wanted to get away and rest. All the monkeys on the island were glad to see me leave." Will you let me handle the transportation?"

  "Yes, come back in a couple of hours and we'll talk about it. Okay?"

  "Okay, I'll just go see my daughter off and be back."

  Elfrieda threw him a kiss as she vanished.

  * * *

  "What kept you?" Daniel greeted Elfrieda later when she opened his door and came in. He came around the desk to meet her and kissed her hand. "All through with errands and getting daughter off?"

  "All through except for one thing I've got to finish up. I just came back to check on your progress."

  When he looked disappointed she added. "Only one thing left to do and it won't take long. We can talk about vacation plans over dinner, I'm looking forward to it."

  "Something that won't take long? Is there anything I can do to help?"

  Elfrieda shook her head. "No, I might have to use some of my special talents," she wrinkled her nose. "The ones I said no one else should try at home."

  "Oh. Those. And it won't take long? Do you have to notify someone you'll be gone a while or something?"

  "No. Just a minor thing in time and importance to me, but it won't take long and it will keep someone else from being taken advantage of, perhaps."

  "Am I supposed to understand that?"

  "No. Did you ever find out about your vacation days? "

  "Yes." Daniel brightened up. I've asked for them and it's been okayed. In fact we can leave any time." Daniel looked up at the clock. "It may be a bit early for a full dinner, but I'm hungry. You always say "I'll find you, should I slip home and get a bag or wait till you come back? Assuming you can find my digs, of course."

  "I can find them, but if you don't' mind, just wait till I get back and we'll go out for dinner," she grinned mischievously. "Then we'll stop by your place for your bags or whatever you want, and just keep going."

  "Sold, Pretty Lady." Dubose grinned, "I'll be right here."

  Elfrieda threw him a kiss as she faded.

  * * *

  Cas turned from the wall phone in the kitchen. "Connie? It's for you."

  Connie came quickly and Cas mouthed 'Muriel' as she said hello.

  "Connie? I'm going back to work at the office tomorrow."

  "Tim will fall on your neck and kiss you when he gets back," Connie laughed. "By the way, he and Hannah are on their way home from New Orleans."

  "From New Orleans?"

  "He'll fill you in about Hannah's trip to New Orleans when you get to work, if there's time. He really was snowed under for the past week or so."

  "Oh, I know and I feel bad about that. I'm going to try and put a dent in some of that work when he gets back. I'll start on what's in his Out basket if he hasn't left something on his desk with instructions on it. He does that sometimes. He may call on you for some help, too." She hesitated.

  "Okay. He knows he can just call. No problem. It's good to have you back, Muriel, we were all worried about you."

  "I know. I've already apologized to Cas."

  "No need. We're just glad you're all right. And tell Tim he can call on me any time. He has the number."

  Connie watched as Cas poured himself a cup of coffee. "My guess is Tim will stop for emergencies only," she told Muriel. "He'll get Hannah safely home, and be at his desk by eight sharp in the morning." Cas left with his coffee.

  "Knowing Tim, he will." Muriel agreed.

  "By the way, I know Troy told Cas you two are planning on getting married."

  "Yes. But Troy and I have talked it over, and we are going to have a simple ceremony somewhere, we may even elope. Troy said something about a cruise and getting married on a ship."

  "How fabulous!" Connie exclaimed.

  "Yes. Well, we haven't really made up our minds yet. You know, talking about all kinds of things. All I've really got an agreement on is that I will have one month to get Tim's correspondence and work caught up to make up for leaving like I did. And just to get him in good shape in general." She paused. "The reason I'm calling you." She stopped taking a deep breath.

  "I'll do anything I can to help you, Muriel. All of us are so glad you're back and all right."

  "Oh, Conn
ie. I know. I am sorry about what I put you through. But what I want to do is to get other things besides Tim's correspondence caught up. He's got lists and other things that have been there in that office since he was elected and I want to get all of it done but there's no hope I can get the least important done. I know he's going to call you to help and more than usual so please, Connie, if you don't have something that's really pressing, could you please put us on your top priority list if you have one? I know I don't deserve it, but could you do it for Tim?"

  Cas looked at Connie from the doorway, a worry wrinkle showed on her forehead. "Nonsense. I don't have anything that can't wait. Of course, I'll be glad to come help you in any way I can."

  "Oh, thank you. I'll tell him when he gets back. And I'll let you know about the marriage plans soon as Troy and I have time to think about it and agree on a plan."

  "Sure. Just give me a call and I'll be there. And both of us are happy for you and wish you joy, and many happy years together." Connie hung up the phone looking pleased. "A wedding is always good news."

  "Yes. For everyone but Tim and he'll survive if Muriel takes a few days off."

  "I should think so, she's postponing the wedding a month to get Tim caught up with his work. Or at least she wants to, evidently Troy hasn't agreed to that yet."

  "A few days won't hurt Tim and he's got Hannah now, to cushion any blows life hands him." He laughed. "We've got a lot of things to catch him up on when he gets back."

  "Muriel kept telling me they would be calling on me, I surely succeeded in assuring her all they had to do was call me."

  * * *

  Captain Dubois wondered as he returned to his desk what Elfrieda had to do, then smiled as he opened a file. "Whatever it is I know she can handle it."

  Elfrieda went into a store that handled hardware and asked for a phone book. Her neatly manicured mail followed the address given for Chelsea, the arrogant, greedy, and hateful attorney. He was also the loud and uncouth self-styled public defender. She handed the book back to the clerk and said thanks.