“He looks familiar,” Vivian said, her tone no longer reflecting anything more than curiosity. “What did he do for a living?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Staring up at the man, who looked almost ordinary in his casual dress and pose, Vivian waved her hand impatiently. “He looks like someone I’ve seen from time to time, but I can’t place him. Grocer? Mechanic? Something ordinary.”
Jesse squinted upward, looking for a resemblance to anyone she was familiar with, but she saw nothing. Having lived many years in Texas until returning home recently, she had never had occasion to meet Winnie’s husband while they were still married.
“Winnie spent more time complaining about how much he didn’t work, than talking about what he did do,” she answered. “But it seems like you’re right. When they were first married, she bragged a lot about his muscles, and I’m pretty sure he did something physical. Like construction, maybe.”
Vivian pointed toward the man. “So is that the bullet hole you were talking about? That dark spot just north of his eyes?”
“No better than we can see from here, it could be a clump of mud,” Jesse admitted. “But there’s what looks like bullet holes in the bottom of his boat, if it is his boat, so…”
Her voice trailed off, and she had the uncomfortable feeling that she’d talked way too much already about somebody who’d been shot and tossed around by a tornado, both within a few hours of each other. “Of course, it’s all just speculation,” she added uneasily.
“I suppose, statistically speaking, there’s not much chance of encountering another murder so soon after Bliss’s unfortunate situation.” Vivian’s tone seemed carefully neutral. “However, there’s not much about this that appears natural. And if suspicion appears to be falling on Winnifryd…”
“I don’t see how it could,” Jesse interrupted, cutting off the thought before it could be completed. “She was with me the entire morning.”
“It depends on the time of death,” Vivian insisted. “Bliss was with me the entire morning of Harold’s death, but as it turned out, he was killed before she arrived at my house, which left her with no alibi. And plenty of motive, unfortunately. And, as I was saying, in Winnifryd’s defense, we would be compelled to step in and do what we could.”
“Sheriff Tyler will…”
Bracelet flashing in the sunlight, Vivian waved her hand dismissively. “What Joe Tyler doesn’t know, won’t hurt him. Or us. It’s spring, and high time for the Myrtle Grove Garden Club to swing into action. He’ll never know a thing.”
Jesse groaned inwardly. Once Vivian got the bit between her teeth argument was futile, but as the one who had been repeatedly threatened with arrest, imprisonment, and finally with being bound and gagged if she remembered correctly, Jesse was not stepping blithely into another murder investigation if she could help it. Winnie was the one who had initiated the divorce, and she was happy with the outcome. And since she had no motive, she wouldn’t be a suspect, no matter how Roy Lee had met his death.
“So, you agree,” Vivian said, taking silence as consent.
“No, I do not agree,” Jesse answered. “Winnie is not a suspect and won’t be a suspect, and there won’t be any reason for us to get involved in this.”
Vivian expelled her breath in a huff. “You always were stubborn. Even as a child. In my opinion, I think the good sheriff is a little sweet on you, and if you would just flirt a little bit…”
“Vivian! I’m shocked.” Jesse had trouble keeping a straight face. The suggestion was so quintessentially Vivian that it was hard even to be surprised. Once the other woman started grinning, obviously more pleased with herself than repentant, Jesse gave in and joined her.
“There!” Vivian crowed in triumph. “I knew a little thing like that wouldn’t shock you. Besides, he’s a fine figure of a man, and if I were twenty years younger, you wouldn’t be the one flirting with him, I guarantee you that.”
“I am not going to flirt with him. Even if I were willing to do something like that, he’d see through it in a minute.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought about that. He is a suspicious sort, isn’t he? But I think you underestimate yourself, dear. You’re no spring chicken, but you’re still a very attractive woman.”
“Oh, good grief, Vivian, stop. Now I’m not even sure what I should be the most insulted by.”
“My slight to your beauty, dear. Always.” Vivian laid a hand on Jesse’s arm. “And you know I didn’t mean it. You’re more than a surrogate daughter to me, Jesselyn. You’re my best friend, and as such, I can tell you that in addition to being smart and sassy, you have a smoldering quality that would have men falling at your feet constantly if only you didn’t ignore them with such determination. It’s really distressing.”
“Men are a nuisance,” Jesse said. “Sooner or later, they always become more trouble than they’re worth.”
“The right man doesn’t,” Vivian insisted gently.
“I’ve been married twice, Viv. They’re both still dear friends, but I’m done with that.”
“I’m not suggesting that you marry him. I’m just saying, a little flirting wouldn’t kill you.”
“Okay.” Jesse held up her hands in self defense. “I’ll keep it in mind. And I’ll agree that he’s not bad looking, but he’s bristly as a porcupine, and so far he doesn’t seem to like me very much, so don’t hold your breath.”
Vivian smiled with the smugness of someone who had just won an argument, and Jesse turned away shaking her head. The whole thing was insane. They were not getting involved in this.
“If you ladies could point me to the body, and then get out of here,” the gruff voice of Arnie Holt said from a short distance away, “I would appreciate it greatly.”
Wordlessly, Vivian tipped a finger toward the body halfway up the thorned monstrosity that didn’t seem to impress others nearly as much as it did Jesse.
“Holy crap. What the hell is that thing?” The medical examiner ran blunt fingers through his thick white hair and rocked back on his heels as he stared upward.
“Thorn tree,” Vivian said.
“Never seen one that size. Damn. How the hell am I gonna get him down from there?”
“The cherry picker?” Jesse asked. She had hoped that when the official personnel arrived, it wouldn’t seem as daunting a task to them as it had to her. That apparently was not the case.
“Can’t do it by myself. Sure don’t want to drop him.” Arnie’s face twisted into a grimace as he studied the body straddling a limb halfway up a tree standing in water. He chewed his lip and scrubbed his fingertips over the base of his neck. “Todd!” he shouted. “Get over here.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s stuck on that cluster of thorns next to his shoulder,” Jesse offered hesitantly.
Arnie Holt swiveled around to face her. “You think so?”
“I’m pretty sure,” she repeated, gaining confidence from his mellow response.
He turned back and looked up again. “Kind of seems that way, don’t it?”
“He hasn’t moved since we found him,” Jesse added.
“If he’s in rigor, he is going to be a problem to get out of that tree,” Arnie said in a voice that seemed to be talking to himself. “And if he’s stuck up there, he’s gonna be a bigger problem. Hell, I’m thinking he’s just gonna be a problem.”
“I’m here,” Todd said, arriving at a trot, just ahead of the utility gang truck that was once again creeping forward.
“We need some pictures of him before we disturb him,” Arnie said. “I’m gonna send you up in that basket to get over near him and take some shots. Then we’re gonna discuss how best to get him down from there. Then, and only then, are we gonna touch him. Meantime, I’m going back to the van to get a body bag.” He waved a finger toward the tree. “You go on up there. Ladies, I believe you should come with me.”
Vivian clenched her teeth and shot a disgusted look toward Jesse, who was personally more than happy to go.
She wanted to see what was happening with Winnie, and she didn’t want to watch while they got poor Roy Lee down from his perch. She didn’t know how long it took for rigor to set in, but he looked pretty stiff to her.
Not intending to be ignored, Arnie stepped aside and swept an arm over the smooth dirt track beside him, indicating they should precede him. Jesse waited for Vivian to move first, wanting to make sure the older woman didn’t trip and break an ankle in those spike heels, and not for the world wanting Vivian to know she was being watched over.
Obediently they proceeded down the levee, inching to the side in single file when they encountered the slowly advancing utility vehicle, which dominated the available flat ground.
“Wish I was on the other side so I could get a look at that boat,” Vivian muttered, just loud enough for Jesse to hear her over the rumble of the engine.
“We’ll look at it before we leave,” Jesse promised.
Beside them, the truck slowed to a halt. The throb of its motor vibrated the ground beneath their feet as Arnie Holt stepped onto the running board and leaned in through the open passenger window. Jesse could hear him speaking, but couldn’t make out the words. Her curious nature felt a momentary urge to linger and eavesdrop, but ahead of her Vivian had moved on and Jesse forced herself to follow. Further down the levee, Winnie was spilling her guts to Marla Murphy, and Jesse needed to be there.
Once they were clear of the truck and facing open ground, Vivian slowed. “Where to now?”
Jesse pointed toward the rutted path going the opposite direction from the tree and the activity behind them. “I’m going to find Winnie. As soon as Deputy Murphy’s done with her, we can go.”
“Good. This place is starting to lose its fascination.” Vivian paused to stare down at her feet. “And I think I have mud on my shoes. I should have at least brought a pair of flats with me. I don’t know where my mind was.”
“You can wait in your car if you want.”
“Not on your life. I had briefly considered going down there and working my wiles on Arnie Holt, but he’s such an old curmudgeon, I don’t think it would be very productive. So I’ll just stay with you.”
“Vivian Windsor! You are shameless.”
“You better believe it. Once you get to be my age, only a fool wastes time on shame. If you’re going to do it, own it.” With a firm nod of her head, Vivian hooked arms with Jesse. “Let’s go rescue Winnifryd. I hear some truly fine Kentucky bourbon calling our names.”
Jesse sighed. “With food. My picnic basket was destroyed, and I am so hungry.”
“There’s one of Dottie’s excellent briskets left over from Friday. It’s in the fridge along with some of her potato salad and baked beans.”
Dorothy Carpenter had been Vivian’s housekeeper, cook and companion for most of her adult life. Semi-retired now, Dottie showed up half a day Monday through Friday and left enough food stockpiled to cover the weekend. That, plus pastries supplied by Jesse’s own tearoom, ensured that Vivian and whoever joined her would have a first-class feast waiting for them. Adding Malcolm Windsor’s tradition of a well-stocked liquor cabinet and wine cellar, made Vivian’s home a perennial party central for all ages.
“Oh, my heavens, you are such a corrupting influence.” Jesse sighed as she thought back over all the wonderful times she had shared with Vivian through the years. Times when they had laughed together and times when they had cried, times that had built a bridge across the years, healed the heartaches and forged a bond that nothing could break.
“One of my most stellar qualities,” Vivian agreed with a smile. “And none of it would be any fun without you there to help me.”
Aware she had just been dealt a gentle blow, Jesse released her breath in a groan. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Her question was more accepting than condemning. “You’re going to insist that we get involved in this somehow, aren’t you?”
“I don’t think we’re going to have any choice,” Vivian answered quietly. “Winnifryd is only recently divorced from him, and that’s going to make her an automatic suspect, perhaps the main suspect.”
“But she was with me! She couldn’t have done it.”
“She was with you when the tornado hit. That doesn’t mean she was with you when he died. And just because she’s innocent, doesn’t mean the evidence won’t point to her the same way it did with Bliss. This thing has been dumped in Winnifryd’s lap, quite literally. And I don’t think she’s prepared to deal with it, which means you and I need to be.”
“Oh, I hate it when you’re right.”
“I know, sweetheart. But it’s a burden I willingly bear.”
Chapter Eleven
Once she reached the other end of the levee, Jesse was surprised to find Winnie huddled on a log, her head in her hands, obviously in tears once again. Deputy Murphy stood a few feet away, staring off across the water, her tablet clenched in her folded arms and a frustrated frown stamped on her face.
While Jesse debated her next move, Vivian stopped beside her, close enough for their shoulders to touch. “I think I’ll just stay here,” she said. “It looks like maybe Winnifryd’s ready to go if Marla’s done with her.”
Glancing toward Vivian’s carefully straight face, Jesse asked, “Marla looks pretty done to me, what do you think?”
Vivian examined the toes of her shoes, refusing to make eye contact. “I’m not going to laugh,” she announced. “It would be inappropriate. But I think it would be an act of mercy if you could go down there and rescue those poor people from each other.” Then she pointedly turned back to face the way they had just come.
“Okay,” Jesse agreed. “I’m going in. Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need luck, sweetie. They’re both just praying for someone to come in and give them an excuse to stop.” Vivian’s words of encouragement drifted over her shoulder while she stared fixedly in the other direction.
“Anything interesting happening back down that way?” Jesse asked, taking her first, hesitant step toward the uncomfortable scene playing out below her.
“Yes, actually. The young deputy is in the bucket, dangling out over the water and taking pictures of poor Mr. Rogers. And Arnie Holt has almost made it back to where the action is. He’s carrying some sort of bundle in his arms. The body bag, I guess.”
“Good Lord, what a day.”
The picture Vivian described was clear in Jesse’s mind, contrasting with the image in front of her, where the struggle was purely emotional. Winnie remained in a seated fetal position, shoulders shaking. Marla Murphy turned from her study of the horizon to focus on Jesse’s slow trek down the rocky, uneven slope, possibly alerted by the sound of footsteps on the gravel, and reminding Jesse once again that this woman was no slouch at her job.
Walking over to greet Jesse as she arrived, Deputy Murphy rolled her eyes and whispered, “Thank God.”
“Are you done?” Jesse whispered back, being careful not to react to the other woman’s obvious exasperation.
“Not really, but that’s all I’m going to get today.” Then the deputy shook her head. “It’s not her fault. These are terrible circumstances, and nobody could be expected to remain calm.”
The words had a rehearsed quality, as if they had been repeated more than once in the last few minutes, and Jesse was happy to add her agreement. “I’ve never even met the man, and I’m practically at the end of my rope. I’m sure tomorrow will be a better day if you need to talk to her again.”
“Yeah,” Marla said, sounding more relieved than disappointed. “The main thing I’d still like to know is if she can identify the location where the actual death might have occurred. Like, did he have a favorite fishing spot nearby where his body might have been when the tornado touched down? It would be helpful if you could find that out and let me know.”
She reached into her shirt pocket and retrieved a business card. “You can contact me at this number if you learn anything that could help us. And you can share
that with Mrs. Windsor. My work number and cell number are both on there. I really appreciate your cooperation.”
“Any time, Deputy Murphy, any time. And if you need me for anything else, you know how to reach me.”
With a nod, the younger woman began to climb the embankment away from the two witnesses who could offer her only limited help. Once Deputy Murphy was far enough away, Jesse walked over to where Winnie sat curled in on herself with her head cradled in her palms.
As Jesse sat down on the log beside her, Winnie heaved a shuddering breath and turned just enough to peep out through spread fingers. “Is she gone?”
The hushed words sounded surprisingly calm, but Jesse was too relieved to hear Winnie sounding normal again to waste time wondering. Eager to get this morning behind her, Jesse looked back over her shoulder and watched as Marla Murphy handed a second business card to Vivian, who then carefully turned the deputy toward the action at the other end of the levee and began to walk her in that direction.
“Yep, she’s gone,” Jesse confirmed. ”Vivian appears to have her corralled.”
Winnie dropped her hands and rolled dry eyes toward Jesse. “Thank goodness. Can we get out of here now?”
“I believe so. Just as soon as Vivian gets a look at the boat, she’ll be ready to go.”
“Can I wait in her car?” Winnie shook her head in apparent disgust as the two of them rose to their feet. “I hadn’t realized what a tricky situation it was being married to a victim of whatever it was Roy Lee got himself into, until she started asking me all kinds of personal questions. Stuff that had nothing to do with what happened here today. Stuff that’s nobody’s business. Besides, we were separated for a year and a half before the divorce was final. So I gave her the name of his new girlfriend and started crying. That shut her up.”
Grateful to hear the fire in Winnie’s voice, Jesse took the opportunity to ask what she’d been worrying about since the other woman had walked off with Deputy Murphy. “You didn’t say anything about the bone, did you?”
Murder Most Thorny (Myrtle Grove Garden Club Mystery Book 2) Page 8