We went back to our seats and lapped up what was left of our ice cream, which at this point was nearly all liquid. Not that I minded. I always liked it that way, just like a melted Frosty from Wendy’s fast food chain.
El and I sat in silence and stared at Lake Huron through the etched glass window of Fuzzy’s. The waves lapped slowly, and besides an occasional light from a boat coming into dock, there wasn’t any other activity. No Erie Board of Trade tonight.
As we made our way outside the sheriff’s car pulled in. Obviously he wouldn’t find his bed for quite some time. We locked eyes as he passed.
On the way back to the car, “I half expected you to say something to the ole sheriff.”
“I was biting my tongue.” I smiled. “The widow gave us all the information we needed.”
“Or all that she was willing to impart.”
“I thought as much too.”
El slapped her knee. “You sure know how to play sympathetic.”
“I knew playing bad cop wasn’t going to work with her. We didn’t leave the best impression with her the first time.”
“Her husband’s body was just found and she was acting very suspicious.”
“What do you make of her story, El?”
“I’m not sure if she’s being honest or just wants us to believe she is.”
“She’s not off the suspect list just yet. We’ll be keeping close tabs on the woman and her new-found accomplices.”
“Huh?”
“Kinda strange that the pair of ghost hunters just happen to be in town when her husband died, don’t you think?”
“There has been a ghost ship spotted, or did you forget?”
“Still, one day her husband dies and the next she’s seen in the company of these men.”
“Aggie, it could be you’re suspicious of everyone.” She snorted. “Am I on the suspect list too?”
“Right at the top, El.” I laughed.
I dropped El off and promised to pick her up promptly at twelve. When I arrived back at my trailer, two things jumped out at me: The Devil will see you soon, was scrawled across my Winnebago in black paint, and both Sophia’s car and Martha’s station wagon were in my parking spot.
I stared at the letters with mouth agape, fury coursing through my veins. I’m gonna kill that witch across the way! When I glanced that way, I saw she had cleared out. Figures.
Sophia came in for a hug and whispered in my ear. “Please, you have to help me.” She pulled back and rubbed her arms briskly.
I glanced toward Martha’s vehicle. “What’s up?”
“I was kinda hoping you could let Martha, I mean Mom, stay with you for a while?”
“A while?”
“She doesn’t have any money. She spent all she had for the trip here.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Really? I don’t see why that is any of my concern.” I knew it sounded cold, but really? “I don’t mean to sound that way, but I haven’t seen her in years. It’s not like she had made any effort to reconnect with me before.”
Sophia’s hand slid to her hips. “And just how do you think I feel, Gramms?”
“I’m sorry, dear. Of course you’re right. I can imagine this is really quite a shock.”
“You ain’t just whistling Dixie, Gramms. I can’t put her up at my place.” She went to shuffling her feet. “It just wouldn’t work out.”
I raised a brow. “And you think it will be any better for me?”
She pleaded with me. “Please, Gramms.”
“Why is she still in her car?”
“She doesn’t think you’ll let her stay, that you told her to hightail it down the road.”
“I don’t remember using those exact words, but what I said was a close second. I’ll let her stay, it’s not like you’re giving me much of a choice.”
“I owe you one, Gramms.”
Sophia ran to the car and Martha appeared, and within minutes, Sophia hopped into her car and was off like a shot.
“Well, she was certainly in a hurry,” I said nervously. “I guess you’ll be staying with me then.”
“I hate to put you out, Mom. I’ll find a job soon and be out before you know it. If only they allowed tents in the campground.”
“You’ll be more comfortable here, dear.” I patted her hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll make it work.”
“Wow, who did that to your trailer?”
“Some gypsy, although I feared she might be a witch. One day she started ranting ‘the Devil will see me soon’.”
“Wow, that is just freaky.” Martha swished her hips in time to a tune from a nearby radio that played a dance tune in the distance.
I opened the door and Duchess dove past me and out the door, again. “Well I’ll be. What on earth has gotten into her lately?” I made my way to the refrigerator and piled out lunch meat and cheese. “Hungry Martha?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t eat meat.”
“You a vegan?”
“Not exactly, do you have any hummus?”
“Humma what?”
“It’s a thick paste made from ground chickpeas and sesame with a variety of spices.” She laughed. “It’s quite tasty on whole grain crackers.”
“It sounds nasty.”
“You should try it sometime, Mom.”
“I’m not sure what I can offer you then.”
“Do you have any fruits and vegetables?”
“Not at the moment, but I had planned to take Eleanor to the Farmer’s Market tomorrow.”
She smiled at that. “Sounds great!”
She rummaged through the cabinets and came back with granola bars. She took them to the table and ate them like she hadn’t eaten in weeks and it was then that I felt like a complete heel.
“You sure are hungry.” I gave her once over and couldn’t help but notice her skinny frame. I offered a Diet Coke, but she shot down the offer too.
“Diet Coke is bad for you, Mom.”
“For someone that is a skinny rack of bones, you sure are awful fussy.”
She shrugged. “I was quite a plumper when I was younger or did you forget.”
“You were healthy.”
“Aw, that’s what moms are supposed to say.”
“I just never saw you as fat is all,” I said with heartfelt honesty.
“After having Sophia I got even fatter, that’s when my husband began to stray.”
“Some men don’t need a reason to stray.” I pulled the sofa sleeper out for Martha and brought her the bedding. “I hope this will be okay, I don’t have overnight company.” Not since Andrew left town that is.
“T-Thanks, Mom. This is great.”
I whirled when I heard a scratching at the door. I opened the door and Duchess ran inside full of pep. She jumped and meowed at Martha.
I said while walking to my bedroom, “You two best get along, I’m heading to bed.”
Hissing was followed by loud purrs that I could hear all the way to where I was. Duchess just plays bad cat when really she’s just a softy at heart.
I hadn’t expected for this unusual turn of events, but maybe this is what I needed—what both Martha and I needed. I’m not getting any younger, and maybe it’s time I get to know who Martha really is as an adult anyway. She needs to know it’s no nursing home for this old broad. That’s what they say, be nice to your children because they’ll be the ones picking out your nursing home. Not that funny of a joke now that I think about it. I smiled just the same at what kind of havoc El and I could get into.
Chapter Sixteen
I woke up with fur tickling the inside of my nostrils. I began to hack and cough until Martha ran into the room, her eyes searching me with concern.
“Are you okay?” she inquired.
I nodded. “Yes, just hacking up a hair ball.”
“Cats are known to be good for that. I try and stay clear of them, but that cat of yours won’t take no for an answer.” She smiled.
“I know, b
ut she’s quite lovable when you get used to her.”
She glanced around, “Hey, does your shower work?”
“I guess, I haven’t used it before.”
She looked sideways at me. “Wh-Where have you been taking a shower?”
I sat upright, “Campground shower room.”
Her face twisted into a sneer. “Yuck. No offense, but you’re asking for some kind of fungus doing that.”
“Since when is a woman that practically lives in a station wagon so dang fussy?”
She smoothed her hair back. “I know when to be careful, and Mom, you should be extra careful.”
“And why is that?”
“Somebody already wrote the Devil will see you soon. It may be a warning.”
“More like a scare tactic. Believe me Martha, I know I’m no saint, but the Devil wants to see me no more than I do him.”
She whirled and said over her shoulder, “I’m gonna scrub up the shower and give it a Girl Scout whirl.”
“You were never much of a Girl Scout, dear. Two badges from what I recollect.”
She turned at the bathroom, “I got a cooking badge,” she said with pride. “It’s not my fault I wasn’t good at tying knots, although the other girls sure had me pegged for stupid.”
I stood and did my attempt at a stretch, swallowing a groan. “How’s that?”
“At camp they told me they were planning to tie me to a tree and let a bear eat me.”
“That camp was in Frankenmuth, Michigan, no bears around that area.”
She gasped. “Tell that to a ten-year-old!” She shuttered. “I was scared they’d actually do it.”
“Trauma at the Girl Scout Camp.” I shook my head in disbelief. “I’d have sued if a bear had eaten you.”
“What good would that had done if I had been eaten for real.”
“Are you planning to clean the shower or…”
Martha tossed me a look only a daughter could give her mom and nobody else. She rummaged under the sink and after finding the right products, cleaned the shower.
I cooked the remaining bacon and welcomed the aroma that only a meat hater wouldn’t enjoy. For some reason that made me smile. Too bad the bleach smell drifted toward me and burrowed up my nostrils from the shower area.
Martha beamed like a child as she appeared and retrieved towels, soap and shampoo. She went to humming in the shower, and I tried to block out the sound of her voice. It was unsettling for me and made me feel sad for allowing my daughter to shut me out for so long. I should have hunted her down and helped her when she desperately needed the help. If only I had known. Maybe it’s not too late to reconnect with her.
I sure hope that the sheriff doesn’t find out that we told Betty Lou the low down on the recent body being discovered at the mansion. As if on cue, there was a knock at my door and I yanked it open, staring down the good sheriff.
“Peterson,” I said, letting him inside.
He scratched his head. “Just one question.”
“Okay, go ahead.” I waited for the blow that was about to come. Lord knows the good sheriff never brought me good news.
“Did you tell Betty Lou Butler about the body of the handyman at the mansion?”
“I thought he was the gravedigger.”
“He was also the handyman.”
I bit my lip, “I suppose he’d have to do something besides dig graves, it’s not every day a Butler descendant dies, recent events aside.”
Peterson narrowed his eyes, “Agnes Barton, are you purposely trying to dodge my question?” From behind gnashed teeth, “Did you or did you not tell Betty Lou Butler about the man found dead at the mansion?”
“So he was dead, huh.”
“Agnes!”
“Fine, I did, I’m afraid.” I smiled weakly. “It’s just when the maid told us she had been at the house earlier in the day. Well… I just wanted to know.”
He rubbed his head with one hand. “You are not making my job any easier.”
“I know and I’m sorry, but—”
“How am I supposed to gauge the woman for a reaction about the handyman’s death, if she already knew.”
I put my hands up. “I’m sorry is all I can say. I didn’t go looking for her. She just happened to be at Fuzzy’s and—”
“You just had to butt in.”
“Now, Peterson, that’s just not fair.”
“I was told to speak calmly about the matter with you, but if it happens again, you’ll be cooling your heels in jail.” He walked toward the door.
“I see, well, I don’t think Trooper Sales will go along with that.”
He suddenly whirled and said. “He’s the one that sent me here.” He grinned. “I guess your granddaughter and you don’t have him on quite the string you think you do.”
I gasped. “And that means what exactly?”
“Oh come on, Aggie, you know what’s going on with those two. The whole town knows.”
My mind raced and I had half a mind to slap the bejeezus out of him for making me think what I was about Sophia.
“Don’t you dare speak badly of my baby,” Martha shouted from the doorway. She stood completely naked and Peterson looked about ready to choke as his face reddened.
“Never seen a naked woman before?” I asked.
His eyes shifted to me.
“I’m going now.” He raced out the door and ran smack into it as he stumbled out. “Christ All Mighty!” He yelled. He jumped into his cruiser and stones peppered my camper as he left.
I raised a fist in the air. “I swear I’m going to sue the county for damages.” I whirled to face Martha again who was donning jeans and purple tee. Wh-What do you think he meant?” I closed my eyes tightly. I didn’t want the answer.
“I-I’m not sure, but I think it’s possible Trooper Sales and Sophia may be more than just friends.”
Stabbing pain struck me in the chest. No, this can’t be happening. “I can’t believe it! He wouldn’t do something like that.”
Martha patted my hand, “He’s a man isn’t he?”
“I know, but he’s also one hell of a trooper and he wouldn’t cross the line like that.”
Martha towel dried her hair. “It’s not criminal you know.”
“He’s a good friend and he should know how I’d feel about this, and he just wouldn’t do that!” I shouted.
Martha smirked. “Calm down already, you’re gonna blow a gasket and I’m not sure if they still make the ones you’d need for replacement.”
“How would you know? You haven’t been around since Sophia graduated high school.”
She winced. I knew I had struck a nerve.
“When you’re over your Mother Teresa thing I’ll be waiting outside.” She ambled down the steps and said over her shoulder. “You did say we’re going to the Farmer’s Market today, right?”
I slammed the door shut and wanted to throw something, possibly at Trooper Sales when I caught up to his cagey ass.
Chapter Seventeen
I took a shower in my Winnebago, but the water was way too cool and that hadn’t helped my mood. All I could think about was wringing Trooper Sales neck first chance I got.
I pulled on white shorts and a pink Victoria’s Secret tee. I filled Duchess’ food dish and was out the door. I made my way to the Caddy that at this point was more mine than El’s. Martha hopped in and rode gangster style. When we arrived at El’s house, she was waiting outside with purse in hand.
Martha moved to the back so El could ride up front without a word from either of us.
As El jumped in, “I didn’t think you’d ever make it here,”
“I almost didn’t. Peterson showed up at my door.”
“Really? Did he find out about us spilling the beans to the widow?”
“You got that one right.” I sighed as I turned onto the highway. “Did you know anything about Trooper Sales and Sophia?”
“Not sure how you didn’t, dear, after the day at her place.”
>
“She told us he slept on the couch that day.”
“Maybe he did? We shouldn’t jump the gun, not that I’d blame the man. Sophia is quite the looker.”
“It runs in the family,” Martha volunteered.
“I don’t want anyone in town talking about my granddaughter.”
“Folks are gonna talk. They go jogging together and have even showed up at Hidden Cove. We have seen them there ourselves,” El said, patting my hand sympathetically.
My brows drew together, “There could be a lot less jibber-jab in my opinion.”
“We’d be straight outta business if that were to happen,” El said.
I pulled into the Farmers Market, which was already packed. This one was held once a year in Tadium. Most of the senior citizens in town were here, and tourists from the looks of the amount of campers parked in the gravel lot.
As we made our way down the pathway of vegetable-laden tables, my mouth watered as I spotted fresh tomatoes, sweet corn, and green beans. Mr. Wilson was sitting beneath a tree fanning himself and Rose Lee Hill waved at us from behind a table. Her fare looked like potpourri just as her sons told me the other day. From growing marijuana to potpourri, who knew.
I greeted Wilson. “Are you okay, Mr. Wilson?” I inquired.
“Oh, Aggie, it’s good to see you, dear.”
When Eleanor whirled near him, she sneered. “Where is the retired school teacher?”
“Oh, sweet Eleanor, you don’t have to be jealous, you know you’ll always be the one for me.”
“Humph.” She strode away, making quite the distance between them.
I fanned myself with my purse. “She’ll cool off.”
“How about you, Aggie, are you gonna cool off and give that lawyer man a break or do you like them to come begging?”
I tried to act nonchalant. “Andrew is the past. He has a girlfriend or something.”
“He doesn’t look like she’s with him now.” He pointed in Andrew’s direction. “Might be a good time to make your move.”
“Don’t be silly, and I have no idea why I’m even having a conversation with you about him.” I snapped, I hadn’t meant to act like I cared. “Take care, Wilson. Stay here in the shade.”
He nodded and sipped from his tea. “Tell Eleanor I’m still in love with her.” He winked.
Madison Johns - Agnes Barton 02 - Grannies, Guns and Ghosts Page 11