Death of a Coupon Queen

by Jenna Harte

  I think Marla would like that her coupons were helping other families. She was always generous with her time helping me, and frequently donated coupons in the overseas coupon box.

  Of course, I couldn’t put them in the box until I was cleared to return to the library. Or maybe I could ask Lani to put them in.

  We sat at the table and I began to sort through the flyers. “Vivie, someone took a shot at me the other night. It was the day I told you about Randy and Tracy. Would either of them have done that?”

  Vivie looked up from her coupon binder. “I don’t think so, but I don’t know them.” Tears filled her eyes, and I wondered if it was because her husband betrayed her or her sister. Vivie knew Randy cheated, so I had to think it was Tracy’s betrayal that hurt her. She sniffed, and the hurt disappeared replaced by her usual smirk. “For once Tracy is in the hotseat.”

  “You think so?”

  “She could have killed Marla easily. In fact, maybe she framed me.” Her eyes narrowed and it appeared she was latching on to the idea. “Yea, she framed me to get Randy. Well she can have him for all I care. I don’t even know why I married him.”

  Rumor was she married him because she was pregnant. I decided the question was rhetorical and didn’t need an answer. “I’m sorry they hurt you, Vivie.”

  She looked up at me in surprise. “How come we never became friends?”

  I cocked my head and gave her a look that said, you know why.

  She shrugged. “Okay, I didn’t like that you stole Randy from me in high school.”

  “I didn’t steal him. You broke up with him and he asked me out.”

  “He only did that because he knew it would make me jealous.”

  I wondered if she realized how mean that statement was. Like Randy wouldn’t have been interested in me otherwise. He was interested enough to try and get into my pants, for which he paid dearly with my knee in his groin.

  “You were the only girl who was half as pretty as me.”

  My brow quirked up and for a moment I realized that was a compliment.

  “And smart. You and I were always competing for the top grades, remember?”

  I nodded. “I do.” In the end I beat her, however, Ethan Taylor beat us both and got valedictorian. I laughed at that, because Ethan turned out to be a terrible person.

  “What’s so funny?” Vivie looked offended.

  “I was thinking how Ethan Taylor beat us both.”

  Her nose crinkled into distaste, and then as if she got the joke, she laughed. “The smartest kids in Jefferson Grove, and look at us. We’re all a disaster.”

  I laughed. “At least you and I can improve.”

  “True, sistah.” She held up a hand and I high fived her.

  A week ago, if someone had told me I’d be able to spend hours one-on-one with Vivie, I’d have scoffed. But after three hours, I was loaded with coupons, had gotten some great savings tips, and had a very pleasant afternoon with Vivie. I wanted to think it was the start of a new friendship with her. There was a part of me that told me not to get too attached.

  I was feeling pretty good when I pulled into my driveway that afternoon. That is until Tracy pulled up. She stormed out of her car slamming the door.

  “Who do you think you are?”

  There were several reasons for Tracy to be mad at me. I decided to wait to see which reason had brought her here.

  I stepped back when she got into my space, leaning her fuming face into mine.

  “You told the sheriff I tried to kill you?”

  “Not exactly.”

  She jammed her hands on her hips. “Then what, exactly, Sophie?”

  I looked around the neighborhood to see if there was anyone about who would be a witness of Tracy tried any funny business. I wasn’t convinced she’d killed Marla or shot at me. I wasn’t sure she hadn’t either. “Someone shot at me the other night and Davis asked who’d want to do that.”

  “And you told him I would? I’ve always been nice to you. Vivie’s the one that always hated you.”

  “I hadn’t given Vivie a reason to hurt me.”

  “That’s right, because you told on me and Randy. Why? After the way she treated you, why would you take her side?”

  “She deserved to know, especially with everything going on.” I laughed at her gall. “You slept with her husband in her bed while she was in jail, and I’m the bad guy?”

  Tracy jerked back. “She doesn’t deserve him.”

  “Personally, I think they deserve each other. He’s a cheater, Tracy. If you don’t think he won’t cheat on you, then you’re delusional.”

  “Randy and I aren’t your business.”

  I shook my head. “Randy isn’t your business either, Tracy. He’s your sister’s husband.” I stared at her, trying to understand how she couldn’t see how crazy her thought process was.

  She pursed her lips and stepped back. “Just stay away from us.”

  There was a hint of threat in the tone that nearly had me asking, “Or what?” Recent events, however, had me holding my tongue. Turns out I had a little self-control after all. Instead I left her in the driveway and went into the house.

  The rest of Sunday was quiet. I watched TV with Aunt Rose, texted AJ and then I went to bed.

  Monday, I woke up with new resolve to once again try to get my life back in order, starting with looking for a job. I couldn’t hope that the shooting incident would be cleared up, or that the library would hire me full time even if it was. Since being back in Jefferson Grove, I’d worked hard, helped solve a crime, and overall been a good citizen. Granted, I was in the middle of another murder investigation, but I wasn’t a suspect. I’d hoped that in the few months I’d been home, people with jobs would see that I was not like my parents and brother, and give the chance they hadn’t been willing to give me when I first returned.

  I pulled the want-ads from the Sunday paper in Aunt Rose’s recycle bin and laid them next to the coupon inserts I’d taken yesterday. After I finished looking for a job, I’d clip and file the coupons from the Sunday circular, and find an envelope to take the coupons I received from Vivie to the library for the coupon box.

  Jefferson Grove wasn’t that big and only has a weekly paper, which meant my only choice for want-ads was the Charlottesville paper. That meant most of the jobs would be closer to there. I think my car could stand a short commute if necessary.

  One of the challenges I had in job hunting was the lack of skills and experience. My degree was in Folklore, which didn’t give me much practical knowledge for most job openings. With that said, I wasn’t without skills. I worked well with the public and children. I was organized. I knew how to research. I was a quick learner.

  I scanned the help wanted ads for jobs that required anyone with my limited skills and experience. I circled two office jobs, one with a legal office. Surely my experience being questioned by the FBI and sheriff’s investigators could come in handy there.

  An elementary school was looking for a part-time teacher’s assistant and a high school advertised for an English teacher. I wondered how much time and money it would take to go back to school to get a teaching degree, as that might be the best way to put my folklore knowledge and love of fairy tales to use.

  The rest of the day, I spent with Aunt Rose. I helped her deliver a few pies, which took some convincing since she was worried I might be a target and Bull wasn’t around to help. My life had been quiet the last few days and if someone wanted to kill me, there would have been chances when I drove to Vivie’s or while I was talking to Tracy outside the day before. I was beginning to suspect the bullet was either a stray from some crazy person hunting on the mountain or a warning, which I was heeding.

  AJ called in the afternoon from his boss Gordo’s office to say he’d just picked up another repo in North Carolina, and I wouldn’t be seeing hi
m today. He’d let me know about tomorrow.

  Since starting to date AJ, his frequent travels never bothered me that much. I’d been so focused on getting my life together and learning to take care of myself. His being away meant it was impossible for me to get too used to him being around, which was good.

  I’ll admit I was a bit disappointed that I wouldn’t be seeing him. I told myself it was boredom from having no job and no life that had me wishing he was home. Somewhere deep inside, I knew that I wanted emotional support from him. I didn’t think it was bad to need someone, but I had to learn not to rely too much on it. I’d spent my whole life completely relying on my father emotionally and financially, and look where that got me. I was way past the age that most adults were self-sufficient. I had a ways to go, starting with getting a job and eventually moving into a place of my own.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Tuesday, like Monday, normally would have been my day off, so it didn’t seem much different. I could almost forget I was unemployed. Except it would have been the first day of adding an additional program to my library job.

  I pushed that thought away, and spent the morning helping Aunt Rose get ready for her friends to come over for their weekly card game that afternoon.

  While they were playing cards and drinking watered down Bourbon, I went to my room to search for jobs online and get ready for my coupon group.

  “Are you sure you should be going out?” Aunt Rose asked as I prepared to go to Lani’s house where the group was meeting this week.

  “I think I’ll be okay.”

  “I don’t know how you stand it, Rose. I’d be scared to death if someone tried to shoot at my kinfolk,” Betty said as she laid a card on the table.

  “Sophie’s a smart cookie. And strong. Aren’t you, Sophie?”

  “Yes ma’am.” I didn’t always feel it, but I read in some self-help book that sometimes you just had to fake it until you make it. It also said to act like the person you want to be. So, I’d pretend to act strong and maybe I would be.

  Of course, strong didn’t mean smart. If I was smart, I’d have more concern over my safety than I did. Instead, I was wondering if both Vivie and Tracy were going to be at the coupon group tonight and what would happen if they both came. Maybe for once, I wouldn’t be the focus of Vivie’s venom. It’s not nice to wish that on someone else. I figured Tracy deserved it. She certainly deserved it more than I did.

  I arrived at Lani’s a little early, making me the first one from the coupon group there. I realized I hadn’t talked to her in a few days and felt bad for not calling. Then again, she hadn’t called me either.

  Dwayne, her husband answered the door. He and I have always gotten along, so I was a little surprised by the stern expression he gave me.

  “Everything alright?” I asked.

  “I’ll be honest, Sophie, I didn’t want you here.”

  “Oh.” I tried to hide the shock and hurt.

  “I know what happened the other night at the Booty Burgo, and I don’t need that kind of danger around my home.”

  I nodded and prepared to leave. While I didn’t feel I was in danger, that didn’t mean I wasn’t. And if I was, I could be putting him, Lani, and the other ladies in jeopardy.

  Before I could leave, he said “Sergeant Davis said he didn’t think you were in any danger, and of course, Lani would walk off a cliff with you.”

  A smile wasn’t the right response; however, I felt good that Lani was my best buddy. She was the Thelma to my Louise.

  “I just wanted to let you know how I felt.”

  “I understand, Dwayne, and if it will really make you feel safer, I’ll skip coupon group until this is all straightened out.”

  “You will not.” Lani rushed into the room. “I told you not to say anything, Dwayne.”

  “And I told you I would.” His eyes stared at her with the same firm hard conviction as hers glared at him.

  “I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

  “Great day, Sophie,” Lani said with exasperation. “Come inside. Dwayne is sticking around to keep us safe from the boogy man.”

  “Boogy men don’t carry guns,” Dwayne said, but he stepped aside to let me in.

  Lani gave me a hug. “How are you? I’m sorry I haven’t called.” She gave Dwayne a look that suggested he’d been a part of her not calling.

  “I’m . . . well . . . I’ve had a tough week actually.”

  Lani looped her arm through mine and escorted me to her kitchen. “Tell me about it while I pour us some wine.”

  I handed her the plastic pie container. “This is from Aunt Rose.”

  “Oh, a Rose Parker pie. I’m going to hide it and we can eat it later, when it’s just the two of us.” Lani set the container on the fridge. Lani usually was about fairness, but maybe she knew once I told her about my life, we’d need pie. And more wine. And ice cream.

  We sat at her table and I told her all about my adventure with Vivie, getting shot at, being suspended from the library, which earned a hand squeeze and more wine, and then being fired by Randy. I left out the part about the love triangle between Vivie, Tracy and Randy.

  “You didn’t like that job anyway.”

  “No, but it paid, and I need money more than I need not to work at the Booty Burgo.”

  “You’ll find something. I know you will.”

  I shrugged, because while I thought the people of Jefferson Grove might be more accepting and trusting of me than they had been when I first moved back home, they still might not want to hire someone that was always stepping into trouble.

  Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Aggie, and then Gwen. They too had heard about the shooting, so I had to repeat my story.

  “Lordy, lordy, Sophie, how do you always get yourself in trouble?” Aggie shook her head.

  I shrugged. “If I knew that, I’d do better to avoid it.”

  I got up to help Lani set out all the food and drinks, as we waited for Vivie and Tracy.

  Vivie arrived, looking normal instead of like a woman who’d been to jail, twice, and was cheated on by her husband and sister. Her nails were shiny blood red, as if she’d just had them done, and her hair was slightly shorter and the roots blonder. I worried that normal looking Vivie would also be normal acting Vivie.

  She stepped up to me, her eyes unreadable as I waited to see what she’d say. Finally, she gave me hug. “Randy is a pig, Sophie. The bar is already suffering since you’ve been gone. Would serve him right if he went out of business because of how he treated you.”

  There was a low gasp from Gwen. I couldn’t blame her. Vivie had never been nice to me. Not even when we were in high school.

  “Thank you Vivie.”

  “And I’m giddy about your siccing Davis on him and Tracy.” Her smile was full of glee. “I’d have loved to see their faces. You’re brilliant putting suspicion on them.”

  “It wasn’t on purpose.” Okay, I did call Davis to give him information about Randy’s behavior, however, it wasn’t in retaliation from being fired. “Randy was scary. I’d never seen him like that.”

  “What in world are you two yapping about?” Aggie narrowed her eyes as she studied us.

  “I haven’t told them about Tracy. Is she coming?” I said in a low voice to Vivie. I figured it was her business if she wanted the others to know.

  “Not if she wants to see the sunrise tomorrow.”

  I closed my eyes to gather my thoughts. When I opened them, I said, “Vivie, you really have to stop talking like that. If something happens to her, we all heard you threaten her.”

  Vivie waved a hand. “You’re my alibi.” She walked to the dining table. “So, are we ready to swap coupons?”

  Lani, Gwen and Aggie gaped at me. I shrugged and went to the table. Vivie went right to work, ready to get started exchanging coupo
ns.

  “Shouldn’t we wait for Tracy?” Gwen asked.

  “No.” Vivie continued to make her piles of coupons.

  Gwen looked at Aggie, then Lani and me.

  “Did something come between you and Tracy?” Aggie asked.

  Vivie looked up at the group of us. “Yes. Randy did.”

  It took a moment for the others to understand. Like synchronized swimmers, their expressions flowed from disbelief, to shock, to concern.

  “I’m sorry, Vivie,” Lani reached out to squeeze Vivie’s forearm.

  “Is that a coupon for juice boxes, Lani?” Vivie leaned over to peer at Lani’s coupons. When no one answered she looked up. Then with a resigned sigh she said, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  There was another moment of silence.

  “I have a juice box coupon.” I pulled the coupon from my stack and handed it to Vivie, hoping the others would take my lead and move on from the discussion of Tracy.

  As if in a trance, Lani snapped back to life. “Yes, I have one too.” Once Lani joined in, Aggie and Gwen did too, and nothing was said further about Tracy.

  We’d been swapping coupons for a half hour or so, when there was a knock on Lani’s front door. Dwayne answered it and returned a few minutes later looking perturbed. Then I noticed Sergeant Scowl behind him.

  “What’s up?” Lani asked looking up from her latest coupon score of $1.00 off Halloween candy.

  “Sergeant Davis needs to talk to you.” Dwayne’s eyes scanned the group.

  Sergeant Scowl stepped forward. “This is related to your friend Marla Naylor’s murder.”

  “Did you find who did it?” Gwen asked.

  He shook his head. “No. We have a new lead, and I need you ladies’ input.”

  “Well, come and sit down, Lawson,” Aggie said, apparently not feeling that it was necessary to show him the respect of his status. Aunt Rose was the same way. Anyone younger than her, which was just about everyone, was referred to by their first name regardless of title. “You’re going to crick my neck if I have to keep looking up at you like this.”