by Jenna Harte
“That’s weird, don’t you think? I heard they won the lottery. Why would she still be wasting time on coupons?”
“Habit?” Karen opened a small plastic coupon box and sorted her new coupons.
“I heard she was having an affair with Junior Junior.”
“No.” Karen’s eyes were wide with surprise as she stopped her sorting to look at her friend. “Him?”
Jennifer cocked her head. “What do you have against Junior Junior?”
“Nothing except he’s always dirty and smelly.” Karen scrunched her nose as if Junior Junior’s odor was right there.
“He’s a landscaper. He works outside in the heat and dirt, so of course he’s dirty and smelly during the day. But he cleans up well, and his family is loaded.”
I frowned as I wondered about Junior Junior and his response to Marla’s death. Mrs. Tappen suggested that he and Marla had been friendly. He did seem overly distraught at her murder. Was that grief or guilt?
I thought about Jennifer’s comment about his family’s wealth. Yes, the Mason family was well off. Junior Mason, Junior Junor’s father, not only owned the only landscaping company in town, but also the only hardware store now that the one downtown went out of business, and the largest HVAC and plumbing business as well. Was she saying that money trumped stinkiness or did it have something to do with Marla’s murder?
“Why would he kill her?” Karen went back to sorting her coupons.
“I don’t think he would. Junior Junior is a sweet man, but a bit dim, bless his heart. I think maybe her husband found out and killed her for it.”
“And took her coupons?”
Jennifer shrugged. “Maybe he set Vivie up? Or maybe she gave them to Vivie.”
I knew that wasn’t true, but I kept my silence as I spied from behind the Mortal Instruments series.
“How do you know about Junior Junior and Mrs. Naylor?” Karen asked.
“Ellie Tappen told me the other day when I brought her some lasagna.” Jennifer shook her head. “It’s sad about her husband. He’s so far gone; he doesn’t even come out of his room hardly at all.”
“Why doesn’t she put him in a home?”
“Whenever I suggest she should, she says she could never do that to her Al.” Both women shook their heads in pity.
They worked in silence for a minute and I was about to go back to shelving, when Jennifer said, “You know, Vivie could have killed her over Junior Junior.”
I nearly dropped the book I was clutching. Vivie and Junior Junior? No way. Jennifer was right, Junior Junior was rich and decent looking after a shower, but he was a bit too simple for Vivie. He wasn’t dumb, just unworldly and guileless. Vivie would eat him alive.
Karen’s jaw dropped. “Vivie and Junior Junior?”
Jennifer nodded. “Yes.”
“Since when?”
“On and off since Vivie and Randy moved into Monticello Heights about eight years ago. The Masons do all the landscaping up there. In fact, rumor is that Vivie’s second son could be Junior Junior’s.”
“No way.”
I had the same reaction. How hadn’t I ever heard this before? I knew Vivie had cheated on Randy, just as Randy cheated on her. And it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that she’d sleep with her landscaper. My mother had an affair with Junior Mason, the father, before settling on the trainer that she eventually ran off with. That sort of gossip is big news and not something that would stay secret.
“Why would she kill Marla?”
Jennifer leaned closer to Karen. “Because Vivie wanted Junior Junior.” She sat back. “It’s no secret that the Danners are having money and marital troubles. Junior Junior might not be the brightest bulb in the pack, but his family is the richest now that the Parkers are broke.”
I flinched at hearing my family name, even though she wasn’t wrong.
“Vivie is conniving. I can totally see her divorcing Randy and sweet-talking Junior Junior into marrying her.”
Jennifer wasn’t wrong about that either. Vivie did seem like the type of person who might do that, except I’d never gotten any inkling that she’d been thinking about leaving Randy in all the months I’d been seeing her at coupon group. Not that she’d tell me because she didn’t like me. But she might have said something to the group.
“Speaking of the Parkers,” Karen started, and it gave me an ut-oh sensation in the pit of my stomach. “You must be glad you didn’t end up with Will.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Jennifer had a coy smile.
“Really? He’s in prison.”
Jennifer shrugged. “He wouldn’t be if I’d been with him. I’d have kept him from following his father’s lead.”
“Does John know you still carry a torch for your ex?” Karen asked about Jennifer’s husband.
“No.” Jennifer bit her lip and her eyes lit up suggestively. “He doesn’t know I’ve visited Will either.”
“No!” Karen’s wide eyes matched mine.
“I feel bad for him. Will is really a nice guy who just got caught up in his dad’s schemes. You know he’s trying to get his sentence reduced. He could be out in a year or so.”
“Oh my God . . . you’re not going to . . .”
Jennifer shook her head. “I love John and my life, but I won’t deny I wouldn’t mind spending time with Will. You should see him. There apparently isn’t much to do except workout, which he does. A lot. He’s really, really buff.”
I suppose it’s because Will is my brother that I don’t think of him in terms of being buff, but Jennifer was right. He did spend a lot of time working out. He had packed on twenty-five pounds of muscle. But more than his physique, I wondered what he’d do when he got out of prison. He hadn’t been able to avoid going despite my father’s attempts to take all the blame. But he got a lesser sentence than my father. Once he got out, where would he go or do? I had a hard-enough time coming home and finding a job simply being related to my crooked father and brother. He’d fare much worse. I shook the thought from my head. He had a few years before that would be a problem.
I turned my mind back to Vivie and Junior Junior, and what they might have to do with Marla’s murder. Did Sergeant Scowl know about the affair, if it was true? Was he going to take a closer look at Junior Junior, who, I had to admit, was acting strange? Sure, it could be grief, but it could be guilt too.
I finished shelving the books and ended my shift with all this new information swirling in my brain. I wanted to call Lani, but she was at work and I didn’t think this was the type of discussion to have over the phone. Instead, I went home and got ready for my shift at the Booty Burgo wondering if Junior Junior would be there tonight.
Chapter Eight
After a short rest and changing into shorts and a t-shirt, I headed to the Booty Burgo for my shift. As I walked past the bar, I looked for Junior Junior, but he wasn’t there. Probably just as well. I wasn’t sure how I was going to ask if the rumors about him and Vivie were true, and about the nature of his and Marla’s relationship.
I walked into the back office to clock in. Randy was sitting on the love-seat sized couch his head titled back and his fingers digging into his eye sockets. He was disheveled and it was possible he was wearing the same clothes he had on last night.
He lifted his head. “Oh, it’s you, Sophie.”
“Just signing in.” I dealt with my timecard, pushing away the natural instinct to ask him if he was okay. I tried to avoid anything personal with Randy because I didn’t trust him not to read more into it. He might be banging his wife’s sister, but I had no doubt he’d move on to a new woman if the opportunity presented itself. I didn’t want him to think that woman could be me.
I was heading toward the door to leave when is head popped up again. “I want you to do something for me.”
I stopped. “Oh?”
&n
bsp; He stood, running his hands down his shirt as if it would eliminate the wrinkles. “Vivie kicked me out.”
I quirked a brow. Although he and Vivie had marital problems for some time, it didn’t seem like either of them had been eager to get out of the marriage. Plus, if Vivie made him leave, that meant she was home.
“What happened?” I moved closer to the door and away from him. I didn’t want him to get any ideas about me comforting him.
“She found a pair of underwear under the bed.”
I stared at him not sure what he meant. She did keep a clean house. Was it possible she was angry he didn’t do the housework while she was in jail?
“They weren’t hers,” he clarified.
The first thought in my mind was that they must have been Tracy’s underwear and I wondered if Vivie knew that. The second thought was how it was possible a woman could get up, get dressed, and leave the house without knowing she didn’t have her underwear on.
“You had a lady friend in your home . . . in Vivie’s home.”
“Vivie was gone and the kids were at their mema’s,” Randy said referring to Vivie’s mother. With Vivie and the kids gone, I supposed in Randy’s world, that was an invitation to bring his mistress into his home . . . into his and his wife’s bed.
“This morning I got the call that Vivie could come home, so I went and got her.”
“I see.” I waited to see what he thought I could do about his predicament.
“Can you talk to her, Sophie?” He stepped toward me.
I retreated closer to the door. “Why?”
He gave me an exasperated expression as if I was being dense. “Because you’re her friend. You’re in that coupon group with her.”
I shook my head. “Vivie and I aren’t—”
“You helped us get her a lawyer.” He paused a moment. “She’s really hot, Sophie.”
My chin dropped to the floor and I couldn’t stop the snark from escaping. “Randy, do you hear yourself? You’re boo-hooing that your wife kicked out and in the same breath lusting over her lawyer.” I kept the part about sleeping with his wife’s sister because I didn’t want to push my luck. Randy was my boss, after all.
He rolled his eyes. “A man can look. Besides, Vivie’s no saint.”
“So, what’s the problem? Maybe if the two of you can’t be faithful, it’s not a marriage worth saving.”
His face dropped, and for a moment I felt bad. “I’ve done a lot for you Sophie.”
He hadn’t done much, actually, but I suppose he’d allowed me to have a job. “I’m just not sure what I can do. Vivie and I aren’t close.” I was about suggest that he enlist Tracy’s help, but caught myself. I scanned my brain for other possibilities, but Aggie, Gwen and Lani would probably encourage her to divorce Randy.
“You’ve been through the same thing when the police suspected you in Cullen’s murder.”
I wanted to point out that I wasn’t held overnight, but kept my mouth shut.
“You can help her.”
“That’s what her lawyer is for.”
He stepped toward me again, and I bumped into the doorjamb when I stepped back.
“Can’t you just go and talk to her? Calm her down. Remind her that I hired the lawyer. That I didn’t get mad about her fling with Cullen.”
A question about her and Junior Junior sat on the tip of my tongue, but I stopped it from slipping out. It was a better question for Junior Junior, or Vivie.
I blew out a breath. “Alright. I’ll visit her, but I won’t have time until Sunday. I have my library job and here tomorrow.”
He shook his head. “You can have tomorrow off.”
“I need the money, Randy.”
He reached out and took my forearms in his hands and smiled, like he was giving me a gift. “I’ll still pay you your full shift.”
I wanted to ask about tips but was afraid how he might construe it. Instead I wrangled myself free of his grip. “I’ll stop by tomorrow after the library.”
“Thank you, Sophie.”
I shook my head at Randy’s odd request and made my way to the bar. Spike was already there serving a beer to a patron I’d never seen. Along with locals, the Booty Burgo was often busy with tourists visiting the Blue Ridge. There was a lull in the season at the moment, but it would pick up again when the leaves turned vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow.
Junior Junior wasn’t there, but it was early in the evening.
“Did you see Randy?” Spike nodded to me as I walked behind the bar.
“Yes.”
“Do you think his wife will take him back?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” I worked hard to stay out of the inner workings of the Danner family.
Spike wiped the bar with a rag. “I almost feel sorry for the guy.”
“Almost?” I quirked a brow at Spike.
“Well, we all know he’s not faithful.”
“True.”
“But he does seem like a lost puppy.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Randy isn’t that cute.”
My shift was normal with all the usual suspects including Paulie and Walt. The only regular customer to not show was Junior Junior. I was disappointed not to have the chance to talk to him, and yet, it was probably best that he wasn’t pickling his liver a third night in a row. His son, Tri-J, had probably found a way to keep him home.
Randy left around eleven, saying he was going to try to go home, but if not, he’d be at his parents’ house. He reminded me that I was off tomorrow. Spike arched a brow at me. His expression appeared to ask about my relationship with Randy. A giant “eww” moved through my body. “He just wants me to visit Vivie.”
“None of it is my business.” Spike went back to filling a beer glass.
I helped Spike close up, and then headed out to the Brown Bomber to go home. It was a long day and, except for the visit with Vivie, I was looking forward to not having to work tomorrow.
As I got close to my car, I saw a familiar truck parked next to it.
“Hey Warrior Princess.”
“AJ.” Fatigue floated away, replaced with a bubbly excitement. I’d missed AJ while he was gone, but until that moment I hadn’t realized how much. Or maybe it was less about the missing him and more about the needing him after the emotional few days I’d had.
I rushed to him, and he swooped me up into his arms and spun me around. Then he sat me on the back bed of his truck, where his dog, Dutch, nuzzled me. She’d have to wait for her pat though, because AJ bent his head for a hello kiss. I held him close as his lips seared mine. AJ was the best kisser, and I’d have been happy to spend the rest of my days right there in a lip lock with him.
He pulled away. “Did you miss me?”
“Maybe a little.”
Dutch nudged me, and I patted her. “How are you, Duchess?” Then I looked back up at AJ. “I thought you weren’t going to be home until Saturday.”
“It is Saturday, Princess. It’s two a.m. on Saturday.” He leaned forward and kissed me again. My heart swelled at the idea that his feelings for me were as strong as mine were for him. After all, he clearly couldn’t stop kissing me. When he pulled away, he frowned. “You look tired.” His fingers traced my cheek.
“It’s been a long day.”
“Oh yeah, today is your library day too.”
I nodded, but my fatigue was more than physical. It had been a crazy few emotional days as well. It made me even more glad AJ was back.
As if he could see there was more going on than just a long day, he asked. “You okay?”
I’m not sure if it was fatigue or just everything from the last few days coming to a head, but my eyes filled with tears.
“Hey Sophie, what’s going on?” He pulled me close and held me, giving me comfort and strength.
He nodded that he knew who I was talking about.
“She was murdered.”
His auburn brows drew together. “What?”
“I went to her house for help on coupons and found her.”
“Are you alright?” His eyes scanned my body apparently for signs I might have been hurt.
“She was stabbed . . . it was . . .” The image of all the blood and Marla’s lifeless body flashed in my brain. “Horrible.”
“Sophie, I’m sorry.” He pulled me close again. “Do the police know who did it?” He rubbed my back.
“No. They’ve held Vivie Danner.”
AJ pulled back and looked at me quizzically. “Really?”
“Yes. She had Marla’s coupons. I don’t think she did it, but she was seen there.”
“You’re not in trouble, are you?”
I understood why he’d ask that. Only a few months ago, both AJ and I were people of interest in a murder.
I shook my head. “No. But I wasn’t too happy about having to see Sergeant Scowl again.”
AJ gave me a lopsided smile at my nickname for the investigator.
I shook my head of the memory of Marla’s dead body, and the last few days. “Did you get your airplane?”
AJ studied me for a minute as if he wanted to be sure I was okay. Then he nodded. “It was quite an adventure, Soph.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll tell you all about it once you get some rest.” His fingers brushed my cheek again.
I didn’t want to leave him now, but he was right. I was tired and it was late.
“Same time, same place?” he asked.
“I have tomorrow night off.”
A slow, seductive smile spread on his face. “Can I make you dinner, Warrior Princess?”
“Yes, Flyboy.”
Chapter Nine
The next morning, I woke early. Early enough that I could visit AJ before my library job. I knew I’d see him for dinner, but with my crazy work schedule, and his job that took him out of town every few weeks, our time together was often fleeting. In fact, in the few months we’d been dating, most of our time together was spent in the parking lot of the Booty Burgo after work.