Madison Johns - Agnes Barton 05 - Treasure in Tawas

by Madison Johns

  “Of course I am, but if you make bail you’ll have to be extra cautious. If Sheriff Peterson or Trooper Sales finds out you’re investigating, they just might revoke your bail and lock you back up.”

  “What do you mean if we make bail? Why wouldn’t we get bail?”

  “It’s all up to the judge, dear. I’ll check with the sheriff to see when a bail hearing will be held. Until then, zip your lip and tell that friend of yours to zip hers too. I can’t have you two undermining me when I’m trying to get you off.”

  I followed Andrew from the conference room and was led back to the cell, but Eleanor wasn’t there. Ten minutes later, she was brought back in, and I gave her a hug, whispering in her ear, “Andrew is here, and he’ll be representing us. What did you tell them?”

  “The truth, that we only went looking for a missing painting and that we had no idea Mildred was lying dead in the kitchen. That trooper is really playing bad cop.”

  Our conversation was interrupted when Andrew came back to tell us our bail hearing would be in an hour.

  I sat on the bunk and tried to relax, but it was hard when we were so obviously on the hot seat. “I just don’t know what to do,” I said to Eleanor. “Andrew thinks we should butt out, but we need to clear our names.”

  “He needs to understand that we don’t have a choice,” Eleanor replied. “I can’t imagine what Elsie is going to say when she finds out her sister is dead and that we’re suspects.”

  Thinking about the social icon had my head hurting. “I can’t imagine she’s gonna want us anywhere near her, but surely she’ll listen to reason.”

  El’s eyes widened. “This is Elsie we’re talking about, right?”

  “I know, but hopefully she realizes that I’m no murderer, even if I didn’t get along with Mildred. I didn’t have as much resentment for Mildred as she had for me.”

  “I’m afraid that your history with Mildred is going to hurt you, but don’t worry. I’m planning to stick by you, no matter what.”

  She said it as though she weren’t already along for the ride. “You do know they think you’re my accomplice?” I reminded her.

  “Of course, but people have more sense than to believe I’d be an accomplice to murder. We need to find the real killer, and do it quietly, like Andrew suggested. It’s a good thing you’re dating an attorney, Agnes, but who knew we’d ever need one ourselves?”

  “I never imagined that we’d be on the other side of the coin—suspects in a murder ourselves,” I agreed. “It’s just awful that someone killed Mildred.”

  “And with a candlestick, of all things. They’ll find our clothing is clear of blood splatter, though, and that should be it.” Eleanor sounded matter-of-fact.

  “I still can’t believe Trooper Sales really even thinks we’re involved in Mildred’s death.” I shook my head.

  “He’s a good trooper, and he’s no dummy. He’ll come around to our way of thinking.”

  I sighed. “I sure hope so. I can’t imagine what my granddaughter will think when she hears about Bill accusing me like that. I hope it doesn’t come between them.”

  “I’m sure Sophia will back her husband, not you, Aggie.”

  “But I’m her grandmother!” I spat.

  “And she’s set to deliver her baby any time, now. It wouldn’t be fair to put her in the middle of this, Aggie.”

  I nodded and kept my thoughts to myself, like: What would we do if we really weren’t allowed out on bail?

  ***

  An hour later, we stood in front of the Honorable Mary Kroft, whose eyes widened in recognition. “This is a switch. I sure never expected you two to be charged with a crime.” She read off the charges of breaking and entering, then asked, “How do you plead?”

  “Innocent. We did have a key. My daughter Martha—”

  As if on cue, Martha strode into the courtroom, her navy blue suit swirling about her legs. She stopped to whisper into Andrew’s ear, and he asked for permission to approach the bench. I had no idea what was said but when I looked at Martha, she winked in our direction.

  Andrew returned to our side, watching as the judge removed her glasses and smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “It seems there has been a turn in events,” the judge said. “Your daughter has stated that she gave you the key to the lock box and had given you permission to enter the Butler Mansion. She has also admitted that she forgot to give you the code to disable the alarm, but I’m perfectly aware that there is an ongoing investigation into the death of Mildred Winfree. While I will drop the breaking and entering charges, I suggest that neither of you leave town.”

  I raised a hand, and the judge motioned for me to speak. “But we both live in Tadium. Is it all right if we go home?”

  “I’d prefer it if you stayed in East Tawas. Surely you have friends you could stay with here.”

  “I’d be happy to put them up somewhere in town,” Andrew volunteered.

  I sighed in relief. Although I knew that this didn’t mean we were off the suspect list for Mildred’s murder, at least it offered us some hope.

  We were dismissed, and on our way out, we ran into a stone-faced Trooper Sales, who insisted we notify him of where we planned to stay in town once we were situated. Sheriff Peterson told Andrew we were allowed to go home and retrieve our belongings and said that he was counting on Andrew to make sure we returned to East Tawas.

  We made way into the parking lot, and I hugged Martha. “Thanks. How are you holding up in the Winnebago?”

  “Great, but I sure hope you two can find somewhere else to stay. It’s just not big enough for all of us.”

  “A friend of mine has a vacation house on Lake Huron,” Andrew announced. “I’m sure he’ll allow you two to stay there since he lives in Detroit most of the time, and he’s been too busy to come to town this summer.”

  Chapter Two

  El and I carried our suitcases in hand as we walked toward the beach house we would now call home, at least until the Mildred Winfree investigation made a turn in our favor, or until I was able to clear our good names. Agnes Barton and Eleanor Mason were synonymous with private investigating, not committing murder, and I wanted to make sure it stayed that way.

  Andrew held the door open for us as we made our way inside the cottage. I smiled at the knotty pine walls. Along one wall of the kitchen, there was a sink, stove, and cupboards, which were all white in color. My eyes widened at the breakfast nook, with a table centered in the space that overlooked the magnificent Lake Huron. Today the lake was calm and the sun shone down brightly, giving the water a twinkling effect. In the living room was a stone fireplace and bookshelf loaded with educational manuals.

  I strode into one of the bedrooms, which had a double bed, and laid my suitcase on the dresser so I could put my things away. After I had finished unpacking, I went in search of Eleanor, whom I found fast asleep on the bed in the other room. She was snoring loudly. I closed the door. Poor dear. She’d had as long a night as I had. Spending the night in jail can have that effect on you, but today is another day. A day that I hoped would turn up additional clues to this mystery.

  “Is your friend a teacher?” I asked Andrew, who was standing in the kitchen, admiring the view.

  “Professor, actually, but I bet you figured that one out by all of the educational materials. He’s also a huge history buff, and you might find some local history buried in these books,” he suggested.

  I nodded. “We’ll need to run and get some groceries if we’re here for the long haul, but I’m hopeful that won’t be the case.”

  “I can get some for you,” Andrew offered. “It might be a good idea for you to stay put for a while. They announced Mildred’s murder on the news this morning. It didn’t take long for the cops to locate the next of kin.”

  “Probably not, since Elsie lives in town. I just can’t imagine what she’ll have to say.”

  “It’s best to leave her be for now. Until you can clear your name, that is
.”

  I smiled. “I know you’re right, but can you take me to Walmart? I really could use some coffee.”

  He nodded, and I jotted down a note just in case Eleanor woke up before we got back.

  ***

  As I pushed the shopping cart down the aisles of Walmart, I heard snickers and whispers that I knew had to do with folks thinking I was involved with Mildred’s murder. But how could they think I was involved unless someone told them so?

  I rounded the coffee aisle, and Mr. Wilson was there with his granddaughter, Millicent.

  “Where is my Peaches?” Wilson demanded, referring to Eleanor, who was his main squeeze..

  “She’s napping.”

  “I can’t believe you got her involved in a murder.”

  “Murder? Whatever are you talking about, Wilson?”

  “Mildred Winfree’s death. I know you two have never gotten along, but murder is pushing it, don’t you think?”

  Millicent’s ashen skin paled even more. “Gramps, let’s not jump to conclusions here. That phone tree is getting out of hand.”

  “Phone tree?” I asked. “What phone tree?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” Wilson said. “Us old folks just have a phone list, and we call one another when something newsworthy happens, like the murder of one of our senior population. When you and El were arrested last night, it led to some speculation.”

  Why wasn’t I included in the phone tree list? “Listen to me, Wilson, and then get back on your phone and start calling folks. Neither Eleanor nor I had anything to do with Mildred’s death. We simply went to the Butler Mansion and—”

  “It’s best if you don’t comment further, Agnes,” Andrew reminded me.

  “But—”

  “I have no idea who told you that Agnes and Eleanor were arrested, but they’re both innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

  “Spoken like a true gut-sucking lawyer,” Wilson snapped. “You had better get my Peaches off the hook. That’s all I know. Eleanor is so impressionable and,” he pointed straight at me, “that one needs to quit involving her in these wild goose chases.”

  I was head-to-head with Wilson now, as I shouted, “You’re off your rocker, old man! El and I are innocent, and I’m gonna prove it.”

  “Who you calling old?”

  Andrew stepped in between us. “Stop, the both of you. Who on earth told you about Agnes and El being arrested, anyhow?”

  “A little birdy who might work at the sheriff’s department, but you didn’t hear that from me,” Wilson said. “It’s a small town. You can’t expect news like that won’t travel fast.”

  “We weren’t detained for any reason associated with Mildred’s death is all I’m telling you. Her death is still under investigation, but believe me, I’m as curious as everyone else in town about who might have killed her.”

  Mr. Wilson frowned and pushed his walker away from us with a squeak of its wheels. Millicent apologized. “I’m so sorry. I just know there has to be a mix up. I’ve been told that El and you are great investigators, and I’m sure you’ll find out the truth. You know how some folks like to gossip.” She briefly hugged me and then sprinted away, trying to catch up with her aggravated grandfather.

  My mouth slacked open. “I can’t believe public opinion has gone against me so quickly.”

  Andrew pushed the cart along, grabbing coffee and filters off of the shelf. “Try not to let it bother you.”

  We finished our shopping, and when we got back to the cabin, Eleanor was awake and sweeping the patio. I made coffee and joined her outside. “I saw Wilson at Walmart. He seems to think I’ve led you astray.”

  Her brow shot upward. “Really? That’s not like him. I wonder why he’d act like that?”

  “He’s concerned about you, but he was so harsh about it. Apparently, there’s some kind of a phone tree, and the seniors all know we were arrested. They’ve jumped to the conclusion that it had something to do with Mildred’s death.”

  “I can’t say that it surprises me, but why on earth would anyone believe we’d have anything to do with Mildred’s murder? We need to start digging, and fast.”

  I nodded and called Martha. She arrived twenty minutes later, just as we were finishing the last of our coffee.

  “Mother, you two sure have yourselves in a fix this time,” was the first thing she said. “Lucky for you, the judge believed my story about the keys, but the realty office wasn’t amused. I made them a promise that I wouldn’t allow you back on the property.”

  I eyed Martha’s blue suit. “I really like your new suit,” I told her, ignoring her comment. It’s much better than the cat suits you usually wear.”

  “Did you hear a word I said?”

  “Sorry to get you into trouble, dear, but you know that, at some point, we’ll have to go back to check out the mansion. The cops might have missed a clue.”

  Martha sighed and sank into a chair. “How did I know you were gonna say that? I must have a sixth sense.”

  “So, about the paintings. Is one missing?”

  “Like stolen?” El asked from the patio door.

  “I have no idea. The problem is that the mansion is filled with paintings,” Martha said.

  El waddled over and placed her empty cup into the sink. “There might be a faded spot on the wall if one was taken,” she suggested. “We should go back and check tonight.”

  “No, absolutely not!” Martha put her foot down. “Wait until the dust settles first.”

  “I’m with Martha,” Andrew said. “I bet the cops are watching that place.” And giving me a stern look, he added, “As your attorney, I want no part or knowledge of you going back to that place.”

  I smiled. “Not a problem. You should get going now. I’d hate for you to break any oath you took to uphold the law.”

  Without another word, Andrew brushed past us and left. Not even a kiss goodbye. “Well, I’ll be,” I said. “I can already see that he’s not going to be on our side.”

  “Don’t worry, he’ll get over himself,” Martha assured me with a smile. “They always do.”

  “So, what’s next?” El asked. “Maybe we should check out some of these history books.”

  “I can’t imagine what good that would do. The only history we need to find out about is the Butler family’s.”

  Martha stretched. “I can help you out with that. They were into shipping in the 1800s. On one of their trips, rumor has it that they found a treasure aboard a sinking ship. When they brought the treasure aboard their own ship, something strange happened.”

  “They saw a ghost?” El asked.

  “No, their captain died. Some say it was of natural causes, but others believed his crew killed him to steal the treasure for themselves.”

  “So the treasure was lost?” I asked in disappointment.

  “Not at all,” Martha said. “When the St. Christopher came into port, all of the crew was missing except for one lone crew member, who had hidden in the hold. He told the Butlers that, one by one, the crew killed one another until only he was left.”

  “So this lone man killed the entire crew?”

  “That’s what they thought, and they arrested him. The Butler family took possession of the treasure, but strange things began to happen.”

  El’s eyes widened. “Like what?”

  “They mysteriously died, one by one.”

  I gulped. “The Butlers were cursed?”

  “So the story goes, and they believe it happened all because of that treasure. It was hidden somewhere in Tawas, unbeknownst to the residents.”

  I laughed it off. “You’re kidding, right? I mean, a cursed, hidden treasure, mysterious deaths at the Butler Mansion…”

  “Well, Aggie, there were many deaths at the Butler Mansion. It wasn’t long ago that Herman Butler and the handyman died there.”

  “Yes, but that wasn’t the work of anything supernatural. I hope you’re not insinuating that Mildred was killed by a ghost there?”
>
  “Maybe, maybe not, but one thing is for sure. Mildred’s death just might have had something to do with that treasure.”

  “I don’t believe it. If the treasure was hidden elsewhere, why would she die in that mansion?”

  “What if she went there to find the map? It’s supposed to be hidden behind one of the paintings. What if she found it and whoever was with her killed her to shut her up?”

  “Why would they do that, El?”

  “Because they wanted the treasure all for themselves.”

  “That may be true, but first they have to find the treasure, and we don’t even know if one of the paintings is missing yet, El.”

  We both stared at Martha until she finally gave in. “Okay, fine, but I’ll let you in tomorrow, in daylight. No way am I clucking around in some creepy old house at night. I agree with Andrew and think it’s being watched. You old birds might want to change your appearance before we go there. You know, just in case someone is watching.”

  I smiled. “Great plan, Martha.”

  “A shopping trip is in order,” El said. “We better hurry. They close at eight.”

  We left and arrived at a boutique five short minutes later. I went through the racks of colorful clothing and picked out a simple black dress with long sleeves.

  Martha asked, “What on earth are you planning to do?”

  I pulled out a black scarf. “I’m fashioning this into a hijab.”

  “A what?” Eleanor asked.

  “It’s a head covering that Muslim women wear over their hair when they are in public,” I explained. “I think you should also wear the same thing, Eleanor. No way will anyone know it’s us.”

  Martha squealed. “I love it!”

  “Fine, but I want mine to be a bit brighter,” El said. She pulled out a blue dress and matching scarf and carried the items over to the cash register, but Martha stopped her and made our purchases for us instead, while we waited outside.

  Once she met us in the car, she said, “We can’t risk anyone seeing you two buying anything like this. We really need for you both to stay on the down-low.”