“It’s okay, honey,” Wanda Nell said gently, trying to ig-nore all this byplay. ‘Take your time.”
“Yes, Mama,” Juliet said dutifully, after taking a sip of her Coke. “Well, I was asleep, and the first thing I knew, there was this man in my room. The light was on, and I could hardly see. I started to scream, but...” She paused, shuddering.
“It’s okay, little lady,” Elmer Lee said, and Wanda Nell marveled that he could speak so kindly to her daughter. “Just take it slow.”
Juliet drew in a deep breath. “He put his hand over my mouth, and he said for me not to make any noise. If I didn’t make any noise he said he wouldn’t hurt me.”
Wanda Nell wanted to throw up. The thought of some man putting his hands on her daughter sickened her even more than what she had found in the woods. Her hand trembled as she reached out to reassure Juliet with a touch.
“I’m okay, Mama,” Juliet said, her voice gaining strength. “He really didn’t hurt me. He just tied me up with that tape and warned me again not to make any noise before he put that nasty tape across my mouth. He said he would hurt me and Miranda and the baby if I caused any commotion.”
Startled, Wanda Nell glanced at Elmer Lee. His eyes had narrowed in quick comprehension. These men had been pretty well prepared, if they knew ahead of time there was a baby in the trailer along with the two girls.
“What did he do after he tied you up with the tape?” That was all Elmer Lee asked.
Juliet sipped at her Coke again before continuing. “He started looking through everything in my room. He was real fast about it, just like he’d done it before somewhere.”
“I’ll just bet he had.” Mayrene offered a tart comment, but Elmer Lee ignored her.
“Did he take anything out of your room?”
“No, sir,” Juliet said. “After he was done searching through everything and making a mess, he told me one more time to stay quiet. Then he turned off the light and left me there.”
“Do you have any idea what time this was?” Elmer Lee asked.
Juliet nodded. “Yes, sir. It was about two-fifteen when he left my room. I know, because the way he left me tied up, I could see the digital clock by the side of my bed.” She shrugged. “I laid there a long time and watched the clock, and then I finally fell asleep.”
“Could you hear what was going on outside your room?” “I heard him, or I guess maybe it was them, searching in the living room and the kitchen for a few minutes. And in Mama’s room and the bathroom. It took ’em about fifteen minutes, I guess. It was about two-thirty-five when I heard ’em leave the trailer.”
“Thank you, Miss Juliet,” Elmer Lee said, and he smiled at her.
“Yes, sir,” Juliet said, dipping her head shyly. “You’re welcome.”
“Now, Miss Miranda,” Elmer Lee said, focusing his attention on the older girl. “How’s about you tell me your story.”
Miranda tensed. Wanda Nell, her hand resting on Miranda’s leg, felt the girl’s whole body tighten. “It’s okay, honey,” Wanda Nell said, puzzled. “Just take it slow, and tell the deputy what happened.”
“Yes, Mama,” Miranda said, mechanically. “Well, it happened to me, just like it did to Juliet. I woke up, and there was this man in my room. He was pretty quiet, but I could tell he meant business. He had a real mean look in his eyes, and I wasn’t gonna do nothing to make him mad.”
“What did he look like?” Elmer Lee asked.
Miranda frowned. “Well, I could see his eyes, but that was all. He had on one of them ski masks. Oh, and I could see his mouth.” She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering. “I think maybe he had a moustache or a beard or something.”
“Okay,” Elmer Lee said. “How could you tell?”
“Well,” Miranda said, “that ski-mask thing he wore was red, and around his mouth it looked like maybe some dark hair was poking out. So I figured maybe he had a beard or something.”
“That’s good, little lady,” Elmer Lee said approvingly, and Miranda preened a little.
Wanda Nell glanced beyond Elmer Lee to where Deputy Taylor sat. She was noting things down on a pad, her mouth twisted in a frown of concentration. Would any of this, Wanda Nell had to wonder, help catch these men?
“Miss Juliet,” Elmer Lee continued, “how about you? Did you notice anything special about the man in your room? Was it the same man?”
“No, sir,” Juliet said. “The man in my room had on a black mask.” She frowned. “But there was one thing that was kinda odd.”
Elmer Lee nodded encouragingly.
“I noticed that his mask didn’t come down to but about here,” Juliet said, indicating with a finger to her throat where a man’s Adam’s apple would be. “And below that, there was a lot of color. I couldn’t see real clearly, because the light hurt my eyes. He was either wearing a real colorful T-shirt under his black shirt, or he had some tattoos.”
“That’s good, little lady, that’s good,” Elmer Lee said. “So was he wearing all black?”
“Yes, sir,” Juliet said. “And he was kinda short, too. He was just about as tall as the bookshelf in my room. I could see when he was standing in front of it, searching.”
“That’s excellent,” Elmer Lee said. “Very helpful information.”
“The man in my room,” Miranda said, her voice a bit petulant, “was wearing all black, too, except for that ski mask thing. But he was real tall. There’s a shelf in my room, too, and his head and shoulders stuck up over it.”
“That’s very helpful, too, Miss Miranda,” Elmer Lee said. “You girls did real well, keeping a cool head to notice things like that.”
“I watch a lot of those cop shows on TV,” Miranda said proudly.
“Did either of these men ever say anything that gave you an idea what it was they were looking for?” Elmer Lee asked.
“No, sir,” Juliet said.
Wanda Nell, nearly asleep but with a hand still on Miranda’s leg, felt her older daughter go rigid for an instant. Then, with a shaky sigh, she relaxed. “No, sir,” she said.
Wanda Nell opened her eyes slightly and peered at Miranda. The girl sure was tense, and Wanda Nell didn’t think it was just because of what the girls had been through. Miranda had never been able to lie very well, though the good Lord knew she sure got enough practice. What was she holding back?
Deciding that she wouldn’t tackle Miranda about it right now, Wanda Nell closed her eyes again. She’d get it out of the girl later, after she’d had time to rest and think about it.
“The man in my room didn’t talk that much,” Miranda added. “He had a kinda deep voice, though.”
“Would either of you recognize their voices if you heard them again?” Elmer Lee looked at each of the girls in turn. Miranda nodded firmly, while Juliet shrugged. “Maybe,” she said.
“Thank you, young ladies,” Elmer Lee said. ‘This was a terrible experience for you, but you’ve been a real big help. We’re gonna try to find these guys, but in the meantime, we’re gonna keep an eye on y’all. You don’t have to worry anymore, Miss Miranda, about what they said to you. They ain’t coming back anytime soon.”
“Yes, sir,” the girls said in unison. “Thank you, sir,” Miranda added.
Elmer Lee stood up. “Now, ladies, if y’all would sit tight for a little while, Deputy Taylor and me are gonna go take a good long look next door. Then I might have a few more questions, so y’all don’t go anywhere, all right?”
“They’re all too tired to go anywhere, Deputy,” Mayrene said, her voice just this side of sarcastic. “You just go on and do what you gotta do, and I’m gonna be looking after them.”
“I’m sure you will, Miz Lancaster,” Elmer Lee said sourly. “Come on, Taylor.”
Wanda Nell, through the fog of encroaching sleep, heard the trailer door close and Mayrene mutter a few choice words under her breath. Elmer Lee had better be careful, because if he got Mayrene riled up, there was no telling what she would do. Smiling at that thought, W
anda Nell slipped into a sound sleep.
Some time later, she surfaced from a dream to feel someone shaking her gently. “Wanda Nell,” Mayrene was saying in a low voice, “wake up, honey. Come on, now, girl, wake up.”
Yawning, her eyes blinking, Wanda Nell tried to focus. Her eyes sure were tired, and her whole body felt stiff and achy. “What is it, Mayrene? What are you doing here?” She tried to sit up in bed, then realized she wasn’t in bed, but on a couch, and Mayrene’s couch at that.
“Sorry to disturb you, honey,” Mayrene said, “but you gotta wake up for a little while.”
Wanda Nell stared up into her friend’s face, seeing the concern there. Then the memories came back, and Wanda Nell shuddered.
“I know, honey, I know,” Mayrene said, sitting on the couch beside her and throwing an arm around her shoulders. “It’s just about the most godawful mess I’ve ever seen, but you got to be strong, for your sake and for your girls.”
“I know,” Wanda Nell said, leaning against Mayrene for a moment. “How long was I asleep?”
“About half an hour,” Mayrene said. “The deputies came out of your trailer a couple minutes ago, and I figured you’d better be awake in case they come back in here to talk to you.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Wanda Nell said. The brief nap hadn’t done much to refresh her. She was still dog-tired, and she had no idea how she would manage to work her shift at the Kountry Kitchen and her shift at Budget Mart if she didn’t get some sleep.
“I called the school and told ’em Juliet was sick and wouldn’t be in today,” Mayrene said, her arm still around Wanda Nell’s shoulders. “And then I called Melvin at the Kountry Kitchen and told him you couldn’t work tonight.” She frowned. “I probably should’ve asked you first, honey, before I did that, but after what you been through, you need some rest.”
“Thanks,” Wanda Nell said, yawning. “I don’t mind a bit, Mayrene. I appreciate you being so concerned and all, and if I can get some more sleep, I can still make my shift at Budget Mart tonight.” She yawned again. “What did Melvin say, though?”
“He cussed a bit,” Mayrene said, “but when I explained why you couldn’t work, it was all I could do to keep him from rushing right over here.” She chuckled. “That man sure has got a thing for you, girl. He was gonna come over here, but I told him I was gonna see that you got in bed as soon as you could and got some sleep.”
Wanda Nell yawned again. The last thing she needed right now was Melvin Arbuckle acting like some kinda white knight in the middle of all this mess. She appreciated his concern, but if he came running over here now, Elmer Lee might get the wrong idea. He sure didn’t need any more wrong ideas to complicate the situation.
There was a knock at the door, and before Mayrene could get up to answer it, the door swung open. Elmer Lee stuck his head in.
“Could I speak with you, Miz Culpepper?” he asked. “Sure,” Wanda Nell said, sitting there and staring at him. “I mean outside here,” Elmer Lee said, his impatience all too obvious.
“Hold on there, Deputy,” Mayrene said sharply. “Give her a minute, okay?”
Elmer Lee rolled his eyes. “Alright, but I ain’t got all day.” His head disappeared, and the door slammed shut.
Mayrene cursed. “Honey, do you think you maybe need a lawyer? You know my cousin Blanche works for one, Hamilton Tucker. Blanche reckons he’s about the sharpest lawyer in Tullahoma County, and I bet he’d be willing to look after your interests.”
Wanda Nell drew away in alarm. “I don’t want a lawyer, Mayrene. I didn’t do anything.”
Mayrene laughed. “Ain’t nobody said you had, sugar. But just because you didn’t do a damn thing don’t mean you don’t need someone who knows what he’s doing looking out for you.”
“Well,” Wanda Nell said doubtfully, “I don’t know. You really think I might need a lawyer?”
“It can’t hurt,” Mayrene said. “Now, how’s about this? I’ll call Blanche and fill her in a little on what’s going on here and see what she thinks. She’s pretty sharp herself, and she’s been working for this lawyer for about two years now.”
“Okay,” Wanda Nell said, though she still wasn’t convinced it was a good idea. What if Elmer Lee thought it meant she had something to hide? He was going to be ruthless anyway, Wanda Nell reasoned, because of the way he hated her. That convinced her. “Yeah, you know, a lawyer might not be such a bad idea. You go ahead and call your cousin.”
“Good,” Mayrene said, nodding approvingly. “I’m glad to see you showing some spunk, sugar. Don’t let that jerk out there bulldoze you into anything.”
Wanda Nell stood up. “I guess I better get out there and see what it is he wants.” She frowned. “Where are the girls? Are they asleep?”
“Yeah, they’re sound sleep. Miranda’s with the baby in my room, and I put Juliet in the other bedroom.”
“Thank you, Mayrene,” Wanda Nell said, her eyes suddenly tearing up. “I honestly don’t know what I’d’ve done without you this morning.”
Mayrene grinned. “You dry those eyes and get out there and let that Deputy Jackass see he ain’t gonna intimidate you.”
Wanda Nell laughed, resisting the urge to salute. “Yes, ma’am.” Still tired, but feeling stronger, she went outside to see what else Elmer Lee wanted.
She found him conferring with Deputy Taylor and several men in uniform. Deputy Taylor coughed to alert him to Wanda Nell’s presence, and he broke off what he was saying to turn and face her.
“Miz Culpepper,” he said.
“Yes, Deputy,” she answered. “Is there something else you wanted?” With all these witnesses around, Elmer Lee was being awfully formal with her. She did her best not to smile and tick him off.
“Yes’m,” he said. “I know it’s going to be an inconvenience for you, but we need to have access to your trailer for another hour or two. Just until we finish our investigation.”
“But then we’ll be able to go back in?” Wanda Nell asked.
“Yes.”
Wanda Nell shrugged. “Then I guess it’s fine with me. In the meantime, me and my daughters will be next door with Miz Lancaster.” Thinking Elmer Lee was finished with her, she turned to go back to Mayrene’s trailer.
“Miz Culpepper.” Elmer Lee’s voice came out pretty sharp. “Miz Culpepper,” he repeated in a softer tone as Wanda Nell turned back to face him. “One more thing.”
“Yes, Deputy?” Wanda Nell inquired.
“Somebody needs to notify the victim’s mother,” Elmer Lee responded. “We can take care of that, but if you want to be the one to tell her, I’d suggest that you need to do so pretty quickly.”
Wanda Nell could feel the bile rising in her throat at the thought of having to tell Lucretia Culpepper that her only son was dead. And murdered, no less. Wanda Nell knew who the old battle-ax would blame.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Wanda Nell said, “If it’s alright with you, Deputy, I think it would be better if someone from the sheriff’s department spoke with Miz Culpepper.”
“That’s fine,” Elmer Lee said. “We’ll take care of it, then. That’s all for now, Miz Culpepper. We’ll let you know when you can get back in your trailer.”
Wanda Nell nodded before turning away. She didn’t trust Elmer Lee when he was being all polite like this, but she figured he couldn’t afford to show his true colors right now. Later on she might not be so lucky.
Mayrene, who had obviously been listening with the trailer door slightly ajar, swung it open to usher Wanda Nell back inside.
“Now you come on in here and get some rest,” Mayrene said. “Why don’t you tip on back there to the guest room and slip into bed with Juliet? I bet that girl’s so sound asleep you won’t wake her up.”
“In a minute,” Wanda Nell said, suppressing a yawn. “I’m so tired I feel like I could sleep for a week. But I don’t like the idea of sleeping while the sheriff’s department is over there rooting through my trailer.”
“I know, honey,” Mayrene said, “but by now it’s a little bit late to worry too much. You don’t think your buddy the deputy is going to try to plant some kind of evidence over there, do you?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Wanda Nell said. “But what kind of evidence would he plant? He’s already got one of my plastic flamingoes as the murder weapon.” She shuddered as the image of Bobby Ray, pinned to the ground, came unbidden to her mind.
“Stop thinking about that,” Mayrene ordered. “It ain’t gonna do anybody a bit of good, and you need to try to get some rest.”
“Aren’t you going to work today?” Wanda Nell asked, frowning as she remembered that, ordinarily, Mayrene would have left for the beauty shop long before now.
“No, honey,” Mayrene laughed. “I called in and told ’em I was sick. I’m not going to leave you in the lurch. You need somebody looking after you and the girls.”
“You’re a good friend, Mayrene,” Wanda Nell said, “and I sure do appreciate you being here.”
Mayrene gave her a quick hug, then pushed her in the direction of the guest room. “Go on now, get some sleep. I’ll keep an eye out, and I’ll let you know if something happens you need to know about.”
Consumed by a jaw-breaking yawn, Wanda Nell could only nod as she moved down the hall toward the bedroom. She opened the door to see Juliet sound asleep on one side of the bed. Moving as quietly as she could, she stepped around to the other side. Pausing only long enough to take off her shoes, she lay down on the bed without even undressing.
The bedroom was cool and dim, and the bed comfortable. Wanda Nell nestled her head on the pillow and waited for sleep to come.
Drowsily, she thought about the events of the morning. Did she really need a lawyer? She guessed Mayrene was right, but she wondered how on earth she could afford to pay a lawyer. Maybe he would let her pay him over time.
Flamingo Fatale (A Trailer Park Mystery Book 1) Page 5