Death of a Coupon Queen

by Jenna Harte

  “That’s not something I’d ever thought I’d see. Do you think your Aunt isn’t as curmudgeonly as we thought or she’s just softening in her old age?”

  “A little of both, I think.”

  He was silent again, giving me that ut-oh sensation. “Listen Sophie, I’ve been assigned a repo and have to leave this afternoon.”

  “Okay.” That wasn’t new. Why did he sound hesitant about that?

  “Bull has to come with me. I tried to get someone else because I feel better knowing he’s there.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t really think I’m in danger.”

  “Someone shot at you the other night.”

  “I know, but like Davis said, they were probably just warning me off. I’m warned. I have nowhere to go and nothing to do, so I’m not likely in danger.” I didn’t tell him about my plans to see my father, knowing it would worry him.

  “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I promise.” I shook my head, because he made it sound like all my troubles were on account that I wasn’t careful. The truth was, more often than not, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Who can anticipate and avoid that?

  “I’ll stop by in an hour to say goodbye and pick up Bull.”

  “He has a car.”

  “Well then I’ll just stop by to see you.”

  An hour later, Bull and Aunt Rose were pulling the final pies from the oven when AJ knocked on the front door. AJ had called Bull who said he’d stay put until AJ arrived.

  “Hey Warrior Princess.” AJ smiled when I opened the door. He looked across the living room toward the kitchen. Aunt Rose and Bull were examining their pies. I suppose that was what AJ wanted, because he quickly pulled me into a hug and gave me a fast kiss before anyone would notice.

  We stepped into the living area and Bull emerged from the kitchen. “I’m ready.”

  “Where you going?” I asked.

  “Cleveland.” AJ held my hand. “We could be back early tomorrow, but most likely it will be tomorrow night or the next day.”

  “What’s in Cleveland?” Aunt Rose asked.

  “A Gulf Stream.” AJ’s eyes sparkled a bit, making me think it was a nice plane. “That’s why I need Bull. He’s my co-pilot.”

  I turned to Bull. “You fly too?”

  “You sound surprised?”

  I didn’t know how to say I thought he was just the muscle, so I shrugged.

  “I have a license, but mostly I just co-pilot.”

  “Will Sophie be safe while you’re gone?” Rose asked.

  Bull looked down on me. “You’ll keep your head down, right?”

  I nodded. “Like I told AJ, I have nothing to do and nowhere to go anymore.”

  AJ squeezed my hand.

  “Why not? What about your job?” Aunt Rose asked.

  “We need to get going, Bull.” AJ interrupted, allowing me to put off my employment situation a little longer.

  I walked them out and gave AJ another quick kiss.

  He gave me a gentle shake. “Please, don’t do anything that could get you in trouble.”

  “You too, Flyboy.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The next morning, I left early heading down out of the Blue Ridge Mountains, into the Piedmont and toward Petersburg, Virginia. Civil War buffs like this area as it was the location of the beginning of the end of the War Between the States. Of course, I wasn’t there to tour history, I was there to visit my father.

  I went through the requisite screenings and searches, and was led to the visiting area. The room had several other people visiting inmates.

  The door opened and my father walked in. He always looked a little bit older than the last time I saw him and sometimes I worried he wouldn’t survive his time. He smiled when he saw me, and it filled my heart. My dad did a very bad thing, but he was my dad.

  “Sophie.” He gave me a short hug, which was allowed by the inmates in low security prisons.

  “Dad.” We sat across the table from each other. “I brought you lemon bars.” I put the box that had already been screened on the table. I had to buy them, as Aunt Rose continued her baking spree in the kitchen even after Bull left.

  “Thank you, sweetheart.” He opened the box and took a bite. His eyes closed and a look of bliss crossed his face. When he opened his eyes, they were bright. “They’re delicious.”

  I smiled, happy to bring him a bit of joy. I thought my life was hard. His was worse. Of course, he’d brought it on himself by breaking the law.

  “So, tell me everything Sophie. How’s your new job?” Then he frowned. “Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

  I bit my lower lip to keep from crying as my emotions welled again. I managed to explain to him about Marla and how her murder led to my suspension from the library and firing from the Booty Burgo.

  My father patted my hand, and I could see in his eyes that he felt bad and wished he could do more.

  “I don’t know how I always get into these situations.”

  “Because you have a kind heart, Sophie. You’ve always been the best part of me. I just wish I’d taught you more about the world.”

  I swallowed, because there had been many times I’d wish he’d done that as well.

  “I also know that it’s your goodness that will get you out of this.”

  “From your lips to God’s ears.”

  He patted my hand again. “Is there anything good going on?”

  “I’m still seeing AJ and that’s going well.” When I’d first told my dad about AJ, I wasn’t sure what he’d think. Although my dad wasn’t as negative about people from the Hollow as other townspeople, he did operate within in a social structure, and AJ had been hired help. Then I decided my father couldn’t really talk because now he was in prison. In the end, he’d been supportive.

  “What does Rose think?”

  “She invited him to stay for dinner.”

  My father’s graying brows rose nearly to his hairline.

  I laughed. “That was my reaction too. She seems to like him.”

  “Well, that’s point for him, I suppose.” He took another lemon bar. “And what about your other friends. The coupon ladies?”

  “They’re all the same, except of course, Marla is gone and Vivie is in the hotseat. She asked me to help her clear her name.”

  “Isn’t she the one that doesn’t like you?”

  “Yes, well, I wouldn’t say that’s changed. I also don’t think she did it or attacked Junior Junior Mason.”

  “Someone attacked Junior Junior?” My father’s expression was dumbfounded, probably at all the craziness going on in his little hometown. “Surely that’s an angry husband?”

  “It was in Marla’s garden, so the investigators think it had to do with her murder.”

  My father shook his head. “Jefferson Grove used to be such a peaceful town.”

  “There are still good elements. I’ve been spending some time with Ellie Tappen. She’s always positive even though her husband is sick.” I left out the part where my father had taken their money. He knew that and I didn’t need to remind him of it.

  I was surprised when a scowl crossed my father’s face. “Are you sure she doesn’t have him chained in the basement?”

  “What?”

  “I never knew Ellie to be particularly positive, especially towards Al.”

  “Maybe she is now out of guilt. It’s a 24/7 job to care for him.”

  My father waved away my comment with his hand. “Or she just wants his money.”

  I looked at him wide eyed. “I thought you took their money.”

  My father flinched, and I was about to apologize, but he shook his head. “I did take some of it. However, Al and his brother were beneficiaries of a trust. When Al’s brother died, Al was the sole re
cipient.”

  “If she was all about the money, wouldn’t she want Al dead? Then she’d get the trust since they don’t have children.”

  My father leaned forward resting his forearms on the table. There was a little gleam in his eye as he said, “Rumor has it that Al put in his will that the trust will go to the Baptist Church. I guess he hoped to buy his way into heaven. Even if that didn’t work, his wife, who put him through hell, wouldn’t get it.” My father appeared to like this story and I wondered if he’d have liked to pull something like that on my mom. I couldn’t blame him. She ran off with her trainer, not only betraying and abandoning my father, but also escaping justice as she was as much a part of my father’s scheme as he and my brother had been.

  What he was saying didn’t mesh with the Ellie Tappen I knew. “Are you sure? She’s really nice.”

  My father shrugged. “Maybe she’s changed.” His tone suggested he didn’t believe it. “Speaking of changed, are you going to see your brother?”

  I nodded. Both my father and I were worried about how much prison was changing Will. My father had pulled my brother in to his scheme, which is not to say my brother shouldn’t be held accountable. He was a grown man who could have said no. The once vivacious, fun loving older brother I’d grown up with was now a shell of a man. Yes, he’d spent most his time working out in the prison gym, which made him a bigger man, but his personality was practically non-existent anymore. “I’m bringing him the caramel brownies he loves.”

  My father’s eyes turned soft as he took my hand. “You’re a wonderful daughter and sister Sophie. We don’t deserve you but I’m glad we have you.”

  The visit with my brother Will went well. He smiled when I told him about overhearing Jennifer Babbitt talking about him, but it was bittersweet. Will wouldn’t be with a woman for a long time unless his new attorney was successful in getting him a reduced sentence. It made me more grateful for what I had. Sure, I was unemployed and someone might be trying to kill me. What I did have was Aunt Rose and AJ and my friends. I was definitively in a better place than Will.

  I arrived home after dinner time. Rose was watching one of her shows, but stopped long enough to ask about my dad and Will. She listened, muttered something about being darned fools the both of them, and then went back to watching television. I was tired from the long day and decided to turn in. I’d just opened my bed and was getting ready to put my pjs on, when my phone pinged.

  Hello Warrior Princess

  I smiled. Hello fly boy

  Look out your window.

  I peeked through the curtain. AJ’s truck was parked in front of the house and he was leaning against the passenger side. He looked up from his phone and grinned.

  Can you come outside to play?

  I laughed. I can come outside, but there won’t be any playing.

  I left my room. “I’m going to visit with AJ on the porch.”

  “Behave. I don’t need my neighbors talking.”

  I opened the door. Immediately, strong arms wrapped me up and AJ’s lips consumed mine. That was probably the behavior Aunt Rose was worried about her neighbors talking about, but I didn’t say anything. How could I? I was busy being kissed.

  “I missed you,” he said when he pulled away.

  “You’ve been busy.” I tugged his hand toward the love seat. Before I could sit, he tugged me into his lap.

  “I know. The repo went well and Ally leaves tomorrow, which will give me more time.”

  Deciding it was worth risking Aunt Rose’s wrath I wrapped my arms around his neck. “That will be hard for your mom.”

  “Mom wants to see you.”

  I leaned back slightly to look him in the eyes. “She does?”

  “Yes. She knows we’ve been seeing each other. I think it’s time she got to know you. Afterall, your aunt had me over for dinner.”

  Emotion welled in me. At first, I was embarrassed by it because I couldn’t figure out why I was feeling so gooey. Then I realized that while my family was gone, I had a new family of sorts with Aunt Rose and AJ. And AJ was inviting me to officially meet his mom, suggesting a deeper level of seriousness in our relationship. I remembered his response to Becca about his commitment to me and the possibility of marriage. “Maybe . . . probably.”

  “Hey, you okay?” His brows knitted in concern.

  “Yes. I’m just happy.”

  “You sure?”

  Of course, it was odd to be happy considering my life was in shambles. Except for him. “I visited my dad and Will today. It made me realize that I don’t have it too bad after all. In fact,” I tightened my arms around him. “I have it pretty good.”

  “Do you?” His hands rubbed my back. “How good?”

  I knew he was bantering but I decided to answer seriously. “If it weren’t for you, I think I’d feel completely lost.”

  “You’d make it with or without me, Sophie. But you have me, and I’m here for whatever you need.”

  I kissed him. “Back at you Flyboy.”

  We sat on the porch like young lovers, talking, laughing and occasionally necking. It was normal and nice, pushing away all my problems. It also made me realize that I wasn’t powerless. My dad and Will could do little to improve their plight. The only limits I had were those I put on myself through defeatist thinking.

  Truth was, I didn’t like working at the Booty Burgo, so getting fired could be a blessing in disguise. Being suspended from the library was tough, but I wasn’t fired. Eventually the situation about the gunfire and Marla would be solved and then I could go back.

  Until then, I could email my program ideas to Mrs. Wayland. She could at least share the books and information with the kids until I got back. Maybe I could even video conference my program. I could continue to lead it without putting the kids in danger.

  By the time AJ left and I climbed into bed, I felt happy and positive about my life.

  Chapter Twenty

  The next morning, I went to church with Rose, and was the center of attention again about getting shot at. Afterwards, I returned home and pulled out my plans and started drafting a program proposal for Mrs. Wayland. My phone rang, playing Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Vivie’s ring tone. I inhaled a deep breath to prepare myself for whatever she was going to assail me with and picked up.

  “Hello Vivie.”

  “Sophie, you have plans today?”

  “Not really.”

  “John and Debbie left all of Marla’s coupons with me. I thought since you’ve been a big help, I’d share them with you.”

  “Thank you, Vivie. What about the others?” When Lani got a big a stash of coupons a couple of months ago, we had an impromptu couponing group as she shared with all of us.

  “He left them with me. I’m only sharing with you because I owe you.”

  “When do you want me to come over?” I figured I’d take as many as I could and share them with everyone else later.

  “The kids are at my mother’s until dinner. Sooner is better.”

  I nodded. “Give me an hour.”

  “See you then.”

  I arrived at Vivie’s house a few minutes early, but she was ready. She had her dining room table covered with Marla’s cutting board, boxes and boxes of filed coupon flyer newspaper inserts, and her own couponing equipment.

  “Davis has the binders,” Vivie said with disdain.

  “Any word on if he’s looking at anyone else?”

  “He talked to Randy and Tracy. I’m told you put him on them.” The hint of satisfaction in her tone told me she wasn’t mad at me for talking to Sergeant Scowl. “Why did you talk to Davis?”

  I wondered if she knew I’d been fired. I told her about my meeting with Randy, and how sinister he’d been, and his comment about Marla not minding her own business. “Davis said that Randy had an alibi.”

&nbs
p; “I don’t why Davis would believe either of them. They’re both liars.”

  “Do you think Marla knew about them and if so, would Randy have killed her?” On the one hand, that made sense. On the other, it didn’t because they both knew that I knew their secret, and they hadn’t shut me up. Then again, Randy was holding my job over my head, and someone did try to shoot at me the other night. Then I remembered that Davis had said he couldn’t have killed Marla.

  “I know she knew.”

  “How.”

  “Tracy told me that Marla caught them together at her place. Marla was giving her some coupons and he was there . . . like all there . . . full monty.” Vivie shook her head. “This town knows everyone’s business.” Her lip quivered. “People knew but didn’t tell me.”

  I felt bad for her. I was one of those people and I felt the need to defend my position. “I wasn’t sure until recently.”

  Vivie waved her hand. “I know why you didn’t tell me. I’m sure Randy threatened you with your job. Sophie, I know we’re not great friends, but sacrificing your job for me . . . well . . . no one has ever done something like that for me.” For a minute I thought she might hug me. I’d always thought it would be nice to be friends with Vivie just to avoid all the angst and animosity, but this touchy-feely stuff was weird. I wasn’t sure to trust it. I also wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “Here, take any and all coupons that you want.” She waved her hand over the table. I knew Vivie well enough to know she’d already have taken the coupons she wanted. Looking over the table, there were a lot of coupons and I had to accept the gesture for what it was. She was thankful.

  “Thank you, Vivie.” However, as I looked over the coupons, I had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. It just didn’t feel right to be scavenging Marla’s coupons. I looked at Vivie who was sorting through flyers. If I refused the coupons, she’d be offended. Normally I didn’t mind offending Vivie, but she was showing her gratitude and I didn’t want to appear ungrateful.

  Maybe I could pretend I didn’t find any I liked. Vivie would catch on to that. There were plenty of coupons for everyday items that I wouldn’t pass up. Finally, I decided I could pretend to take the coupons, and then put them in the overseas coupon box at the library. This box was for expired coupons that active duty military families could use when they’re abroad. Once a month, the coupons were collected and mailed off to foreign lands.