Pushing Up Bluebonnets: A Yellow Rose Mystery

by Leann Sweeney

  ''You have a lovely home,'' I said, halting in the entry to the master bath.

  ''Thanks,'' she said. ''You said your name is Louise?''

  ''That's right. But I didn't get yours.''

  ''Georgeanne. What do you want to know?'' She'd begun using a foam wedge to apply glittery bronze foundation to her tanned face.

  ''After you found out about Kent's sister, did he tell you anything about her disappearance?''

  She discarded the wedge in a wastebasket beneath the faux-marble sink. ''He said she's done this before. He felt sad, you know, that he couldn't help her.''

  Help her disappear permanently? I thought. ''She disappeared before?''

  ''That's right, but like I said, the subject made him very, very upset. If my sister—I mean if I had a sister, which I don't—fell off the side of the earth, well, you know I'd be upset, too. Guess I can't really help you much, can I?''

  ''He didn't have a clue why she went away?'' I asked.

  Georgeanne kept on with her careful makeup application, focusing on her eyes now. ''If you ask me, from the way he talked, I think she had a screw loose.'' She pointed her mascara wand at her temple and rotated it, making the ''crazy'' sign.

  ''She was mentally ill?'' Not even the Richters hinted at this possibility.

  Georgeanne turned and looked at me, one brown eye shadowed and shaped, the other plain and far prettier, in my opinion. She said, ''Please don't say anything like that to Kent. Gosh, I probably shouldn't even be talking to you.''

  ''Then this will be our secret,'' I said—a promise I intended to keep.

  ''That's good. He might get royally pissed if he thought I bad-mouthed his sister.'' She continued on with her makeover. Reminded me of Richter's housekeeper Estelle.

  ''He gets angry?'' I said. ''I know my boyfriend has a real temper. Calls me names, throws things.'' Did I just tell the biggest lie of my life? Oh yes.

  ''He doesn't get mad much, but boy, when he does, look out. If my mee-maw knew I was with a man who used those words—you know, the really bad cuss words? Anyway, she'd yank me by the hair all the way back to Lufkin. That's where I'm from. I was Miss Lufkin in the Miss Texas USA pageant and Kent saw me on TV. Said he wanted to meet me.''

  ''He went to Lufkin to find you?'' I asked.

  ''Well, not exactly. I work for Ace Printing. I'm the receptionist—actually my boss calls me his right-hand girl.'' She smiled, looking as proud as punch. ''Anyway, Kent found me somehow and came calling at the office. We hit it off right away.''

  She was almost done with her makeup and I needed a little time to check the place out, so I said, ''Do you have another bathroom besides this one? I had one too many cups of coffee.''

  ''Sure. Out the bedroom and at the end of the hall.''

  I walked back into the hallway and saw the open powder room door. But there were two other closed doors on the way there, one on each side. I opened the one on the right. A guest room, this one all brown and tan and as orderly as the other rooms. There was nothing homey about this place. It just seemed so cold.

  I carefully shut the door and tried the one on the left. But seeing that the traditional bedroom doorknob had been replaced with a keyed one, I knew it would be locked—and it was. Was this where they threw their junk mail, magazines, orphan slippers, empty boxes, Christmas decorations and all the other stuff that cluttered my place? I didn't think so. No, there was something else in there, something maybe even Georgeanne didn't know about.

  I heard Georgeanne in the bedroom then and rushed down to the blue and white powder room, closed the door and quickly flushed the toilet. I ran the water a few seconds and then came out. She was waiting for me at the living room entry.

  ''I really have to get to work,'' she said.

  ''Sorry if I've kept you,'' I answered. I glanced into the kitchen on my left as I walked toward her. Black appliances, mottled gray granite countertops, all of it blending with the living room visible through a passthrough bar. Nothing unusual, just more neat-freak ambience. ''I promise I won't tell Mr. Dugan I dropped by. He has enough on his mind right now.''

  Georgeanne smiled. God, she looked like a clown now and smelled like a bottle of cheap perfume. ''Thanks. Maybe we can have lunch one day and you can tell me what it's like to be a detective because, you know, I think that is so very, very cool.''

  ''Sounds like a plan,'' I said as we left the condo together.

  Her car was in the garage and mine was parked at the curb. I left first and headed toward the freeway, but then took a turn down a street to my right when I saw the garage door open in my rearview mirror. I waited for a few minutes and then drove back to the condo, went past it about a block and parked. I wanted to know what was in that room.

  18

  I figured there had to be windows in both extra bedrooms of Dugan's place and I jogged back down the sidewalk—the jogging for the benefit of the man and woman walking toward me with their twin Scotties. I figured I needed an excuse for being in the neighborhood, since I sure wasn't dressed for delivering religious literature. The Scotties started lunging and barking their heads off as I approached, so I made a detour for the street to avoid losing a chunk of my leg. The man mouthed ''Sorry'' as they pulled their pets quickly past me.

  After I returned to the walkway, I glanced back to make sure they weren't looking before I made a hard left into Kent Dugan's driveway. I hurried past the garage to the locked-room side of the house. The window's vertical shades were shut, but fortunately even a blind hog stumbles over an acorn every once in a while. One slat was twisted enough that I could see into the room— make that see into part of the room. A copy machine stood against the left wall, and not your standard HewlettPackard ink-jet, either. Laser and color, maybe? And there was a laminator, the type I recognized from my high school days when I'd help the librarian laminate posters for the teachers. It was almost as big as the copier. What kind of consultant needed office equipment like this? Did he publish manuals or something?

  I turned my head and pressed the other side of my face against the window, trying to get a glimpse of anything else in the room while I considered the laminator thing.

  But then I noticed I had a problem.

  Kent Dugan was standing next to the garage, head cocked. ''What the hell do you think you're doing?''

  Uh-oh. Think fast, Abby. ''I—I was, well, you didn't answer the door, and I thought maybe you saw me through the peephole and decided you didn't want to talk to me—which I perfectly understand. I wanted to ask you a few questions.''

  ''Really? Well, you know what? I could have you arrested for trespassing.'' His anger was probably being broadcast all over the quiet neighborhood. ''What's your interest in Elizabeth, anyway? How did you know her?''

  ''I—I—'' My gaze wandered beyond Kent to the sidewalk.

  The Scottie walkers were back and they had slowed to take in this unpleasant confrontation.

  Dugan followed my stare. He sounded perfectly nice and in control when he said, ''It's nothing, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. I'm just a little upset because they found Elizabeth and she's hurt and now I have an unexpected visitor.''

  ''They found your wife?'' Mrs. Lewis said. ''That's wonderful news. Will she be okay?''

  ''That's not clear yet. I'll let you know.'' He turned back to me and quietly said, ''How's about we go inside and discuss this problem privately, Abby.''

  The couple took this as a cue to be on their way. Besides, those Scotties might rip the couple's arms from their sockets if they didn't get on with their walk.

  Dugan, meanwhile, marched around the garage toward the front of the condo and I followed.

  He opened the door, his anger almost palpable. Did I really want to go in there with him? Not exactly, but since I'd been accompanied by two police officers last night, and Dugan certainly didn't fall off the stupid truck, I figured he'd mind his manners.

  Once we were both inside, he gestured to the living room. ''Sit down. And then I want you to tell me why they won
't let me in to see my wife. See, I was turned away at the hospital.''

  ''She's not your wife, so maybe that has something to do with the hospital's decision.'' I wasn't taking any attitude from this guy without giving some back.

  Dugan's lips pressed together. He seemed to be collecting his thoughts. As his expression relaxed, my guess was he was considering it might be wise to keep his enemies closer than his friends—that is, if he had any friends besides Georgeanne.

  He walked over and sat down, pushed his hair off his forehead and leaned back. He looked tired . . . and frustrated. ''Sorry I went off on you. I'm worried about her, that's all.''

  But I wasn't about to sympathize with a man I trusted about as much as I trusted my ability to hoist a baby elephant. I remained standing. ''Apology accepted. Maybe you're ready to share more of what I'm sure you know about Elizabeth. Does she have a last name, by the way?''

  He raised one eyebrow, offered his best photo-shoot shy smile. ''You won't believe this, but she never told me. We hooked up instantly. The attraction didn't last for her, but I still care. Anyway, after she moved in, she would introduce herself as Elizabeth Dugan to people we met.''

  ''You're right. I don't believe you. In fact,'' I said, ''I don't like you, I don't trust you and I'm leaving.''

  I started to go, but he stopped me with his next words. ''I thought you wanted to ask me questions, Abby Rose— adoption PI. You're that Abby, right?''

  I tried to will down the flush creeping up my neck and attacking my cheeks. Didn't work.

  He went on, saying, ''Yellow Rose Investigations, right?''

  I hate nothing more than smugness and he was full of himself now. But I smiled when I said, ''As my daddy would have said, you're sharper than a pocketful of toothpicks, Kent. You have a computer and actually know how to get on the Internet. I'm so impressed.''

  ''Not hard to find out stuff about a superstar like you,'' he said.

  Since I'd seen no computer in my pass-through with Georgeanne, I was guessing it wasn't visible from the angle I'd had into the locked room. ''I'm sure you've learned plenty more about me. What does that have to do with your wife . . . excuse me, your un-wife?''

  ''Do they teach that in detective school, Abby? How to never answer questions?''

  ''Did you try to kill Elizabeth, Kent?'' Maybe the direct approach was best, especially since I felt so uncomfortable. I didn't like the way he kept using my name. Maybe familiarity does breed contempt and it's an immediate birth.

  ''You've been talking to Roberta too much, Abby. To answer your question, I didn't have a clue where Elizabeth went, so I sure as hell couldn't have tried to kill her. Now it's your turn. Did you find out about Elizabeth's past? Is that your connection to her?''

  ''I'm not telling you anything.'' But despite how much I disliked Kent, maybe I had let Roberta's assessment color my thinking. He could be telling the truth, at least about the murder attempt.

  He stood, came closer. ''I've got you wondering—and that says a lot about you, Abby. You're thinking about giving me the benefit of the doubt and I appreciate that. Your eyes are intelligent. No secrets there. Very nice eyes.''

  Was this how he charmed people? With his acting skills? Or was he being sincere? The fact that he was a check forger and a thief was enough to tip the scales. Jeff was right. I needed to be careful around this guy. ''I'll be going now. Sorry about our little set-to outside.'' I could keep my enemies close, too.

  As I left, he called after me, ''Don't be following me around after this, brown eyes. It would be a waste of time.''

  I walked to my car, making an effort not to sprint, because hell, I wanted to. I started the ignition, mentally running through a list of unkind words directed mostly at myself—ones like dufus and damn fool. I should have researched this guy before I ever got in the Camry this morning for the ride over here. Man, did I screw up today.

  I waited until I returned home to call Cooper and tell him the whole story, including how I'd messed up and alerted Dugan about a tail.

  ''Don't beat yourself up, Abby. You learned some important information. We figured Dugan for a liar and we were right. How far the lies go is the question,'' he said.

  Pacing in the kitchen, Diva winding between my legs, I said, ''Do you believe he knew where JoLynn was and, like stalkers sometimes do, decided to kill her—maybe simply because she left him?''

  ''It's a thought. Or maybe he was afraid of what she knew about his 'consulting' business, what she might spit out one day that could bring him down. That guy is smart and the smart ones worry me. No more tails. Keep your distance.''

  ''No problem there. Besides, he'll be looking for me now and I'm sorry about that.''

  ''You followed your gut and no detective should apologize for that. With this guy's background, I'm guessing the laminator and high-end printer are part of an ID shop. HPD forgery division might be interested in following up on what you saw through that window.''

  ''ID shop? Could that be where JoLynn's fake ID came from?'' Thank God I could still put two and two together.

  ''You got it. But a crook like Dugan wouldn't have expensive equipment for a small operation. He could be raking in lots of money supplying documents for illegals or identity thieves. That fake driver's license of JoLynn's was top-notch. The hologram was nearly perfect.''

  ''But that might mean she was in on this ID shop. Maybe Richter's relatives are right—she did come to the ranch to scam Elliott Richter out of his money.'' And if Richter found out, I thought, maybe he had that car fixed up to get rid of JoLynn.

  ''I know what you're thinking, Abby. But Richter had plenty more options than to kill a scammer. Like coming straight to me. Or sending JoLynn packing.''

  ''True,'' I said, still trying to make sense of this. ''We don't know enough, do we?''

  ''No,'' he said. ''Let me bug the forensics people about any more evidence from that smashed-up car, alert HPD to Kent Dugan's so-called job, and then we'll see where we stand.''

  We said good-bye and I hung up. But I kept pacing, trying to think this through until the phone still in my hand jangled and startled me. It was Kate.

  ''Sorry, Abby, but I need your help—and I know you won't like the request.''

  ''Have I ever turned down a request from you?''

  ''It's Aunt Caroline. I made arrangements for her to join the diabetic support group on a trip through the grocery store today. The dietitian will be teaching her and a few other newly diagnosed diabetics about their food choices and how to shop for the right foods.''

  I instantly regretted my eagerness to help. ''And you want me to go with her?''

  ''I planned to take her during a break in my schedule, but two patients called for emergency appointments. I had to fit them in. Can you pick her up about twelve forty-five?''

  I tried to sound cheerful when I said, ''Sure. No problem. Where do I take her?''

  Kate told me and when I hung up, I looked down at Diva and said, ''This day is unraveling faster than that sweater I tried to knit for my seventh-grade boyfriend.''

  19

  On the drive to the grocery store, Aunt Caroline was as edgy as a hungry coyote, fidgeting, snapping at me, telling me my driving was atrocious—which it was not. Just getting her out of her house and into my Camry took plenty of persuading and when we pulled into the Kroger parking lot, I was afraid she might balk again.

  But with a ''Let's get this silly exercise over with,'' she ignored my extended hand to help her out of the car, got out and strode ahead of me, her Prada handbag swinging on her arm. Maybe they'd give out a ''bestdressed-diabetic-on-tour award'' after this meeting ended and make her happy.

  A checker directed us to the in-store coffee shop. We were running late thanks to Aunt Caroline's earlier stalling, so if she'd hoped to be the center of attention here, she got her wish.

  A lean, dark-haired woman smiled broadly when we took our places at one of the small round tables. The woman was the only one standing and I assumed she was in cha
rge.

  ''You must be Caroline. And who have we brought with us to help today?'' she asked.

  ''I have brought my niece Abigail, and perhaps you are woefully misinformed, young woman, but a plural pronoun to describe a solitary person is very condescending. Exactly who are you, anyway?'' Aunt Caroline said.

  I cringed, wanting to crawl under the table. No one did imperious better than my aunt.

  The woman didn't even blink. ''I'm Judith, the dieti tian. You spoke with my assistant on the phone. Can we all introduce ourselves to Caroline? Remember, first names only, unless you prefer to waive anonymity.''

  ''That wasn't me on the phone,'' Aunt Caroline called out, interrupting the first person who tried to give her name. ''It was my other well-intentioned but overprotective niece. This better be worth my time.''