Inez, you want someone on the board who cheats people? Whats wrong with you? I did the right thing.
You did the right thing for you. Inez pressed the end button on her cell.
Inez zipped up her parka, went back into the aisle, and noticed Simon, the opossum, peering over the side of the hayloft. Harryvarmint. She pointed up.
Oh, thats Simon. Hes a little shy, but he wants his molasses and maple-syrup icicles. I make them for him.
Inez gave Harry the details of Flos call.
Its ugly no matter how you look at it. Harry shook her head. Im pretty much done. Ill carry you over to Tallys. First let me climb into the hayloft and give these treats to Simon.
Inez put her hand on her hip. You spoil your animals.
And you dont?
Within fifteen minutes they all piled into the Volvo. While the three animals gossiped in the back, Harry carefully negotiated the treacherous roads. The intense cold meant that where there was runoff, there was also black ice, which could land you in a ditch faster than you could blink.
Rose Hill, as the crow flies, was maybe two miles away, but by road it was more like four.
Once at the lovely old house, Inez knocked, then opened the door.
Without greeting as she came down the hall, Aunt Tally simply said, Now what?
Inez repeated Flos call as the three ladies settled in to the cozy den, where the fire was roaring. The animals played with Doodles, who had been right at the front door when they came in.
Hot tea and small sandwiches fueled their chat.
Inez sipped the delicious tea, warming from the inside out. Tally, its all so petty.
Some people hold grudges all their lives. I figure thats the glue to hold together a weak, cracked personality. Although if Mariah did bilk her customers, which it appears she has, thats no laughing matter.
Harry grinned mischievously. A sex scandal would be much more interesting than a watch scandal.
Righto. Aunt Tally held up her tea, spiced with fresh lemon and a dot of gin. And no one has heard a peep from Mariah. No one has seen her or thought they have. She could be dead.
I hope not. Inez shook her head.
If Mariah is as guilty as Flo swears she is, maybe Mariah committed suicide. Its the only honorable way out.
Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, tiring of the boisterous dogs, had joined the women.
Catnip, Pewter said rather loudly.
Aunt Tally doesnt have catnip. She just has her Gordon setter. Mrs. Murphy wished Pewter hadnt mentioned catnip, for now she wanted some.
No. I mean this is about human catnip. Pewter expanded on her theme.
Sex. Love or money. Thats their catnip. Mrs. Murphy agreed with the gray cat.
Inez, meanwhile, bore down on Aunt Tally. Do you read your investment reports?
No.
Oh, Tally, I told you to take an interest in the money when we were students. You never listen.
Why? It rolled in. Thats Scott and Stringfellows job, not mine. Anyway, why are you bringing this up? You know the answer.
Women who inherit wealth are kept stupid by it, and kept from it, I might add. Ive been telling you that for years. Just look at how Mariahs customers were robbed, so to speak. They didnt pay attention.
Watches and stocks are not similar. Aunt Tallys face turned red. Anyway, Mim has an interest in it. Bores me to tears. If anything is amiss, shell tag it. You forget, Inez, that our generation usually had one membermaleof each generation who was to manage the family money. I didnt have a brother, so the job passed to my nephew, Mims brother, who as you know died in 1942. Mim didnt exactly take over, but she browbeat Scott and Stringfellow into more participation. But women just didnt do money.
You sure spent it. Inez couldnt resist.
Not so much. Aunt Tally wasnt profligate.
Im being mean. Worry makes me well, you know. Im sorry.
You take everything to heart. Look, Flos investigationif that is what it was; vendetta is more like itis bad news, but dont dwell on it. Aunt Tally turned to Harry. Put her in the truck with Fair tomorrow. Will keep her occupied. She then turned back to Inez. Really, relax. All this fuss is halfway across the country. Nothing we can do.
Youre right. Inez nibbled another sandwichegg salad, at the perfect consistency.
I like egg salad. Pewter opened her nostrils wider.
Me, too. Mrs. Murphy always liked eggs, any way she could get them.
The two cats sat on either side of Harry, faces turned upward, whiskers forward, the picture of concentration and concentrated affection.
Harry couldnt help but notice. She tried to ignore them.
Pewter put a paw on her leg.
Damn, Harry muttered.
Oh, break up a sandwich and give it to them. They wont leave crumbs, and if they do, the vacuum cleaner will suck them up. Thats what its for, Aunt Tally commanded.
Youre such a good woman, Pewter thanked Aunt Tally, as the much-desired sandwich piece came her way.
Ditto, Mrs. Murphy agreed.
Inez looked at her watch, an old Bulova made just before World War II. Theres still some daylight left. Harry, will you drive me to where Ralston Peavey was found?
Why do you want to go there? Aunt Tally put her cup in the saucer with a clink.
Youve mentioned it. I think we drove by it years ago and you said something, but I dont have a mental picture of the place.
Youre just doing it to distract yourself. An old trouble is better than a new one.
Well, maybe, Inez agreed halfheartedly.
Once down the driveway from Rose Hill, Harry headed east toward Crozet. She slowed down as she came to the spot. Here. He was facedown, across the middle of the road. Run over forward and backward.
You think once would have been enough.
Maybe its like pumping extra bullets into someone youve shot. Sometimes I think about that when I read the papers or see a TV report about a store owner or someone in their home. A robber comes in. The person has a gun. Shoots the intruder. Well and good. But then he or she empties more into the robber. When the whole sorry thing goes to court, the defendant goes to jail. It makes sense to me that when youre so angry, so scared, maybe you do keep firing. What do you think?
Same as you. I think any citizen has a right to defend himself, even if he becomes brutal in so doing. Your property, your person, are sacred. But these days the sympathy seems to be toward the criminal, not the victim.
Insane, isnt it?
Yep. Inez looked at the road, as Harry made a U-turn since there was no traffic. Lonely place to die.
Yes. We come in alone and we go out alone.
That we do, but to die surrounded by those who love you surely is better than this.
That evening at around seven, Flo was working late in her office, papers covering her desk, a small notebook in front of her. She heard the front door open; she hadnt thought to lock it. She looked up with surprise.
What are you doing here? were her last words, pencil poised in hand.
The only evidence, which melted by the time she was found, was a large snowy rubber boot print.
Flo had been shot once through the forehead at close range. Any hope of tire track molds perished with the dwindling but still persistent snow. She often worked late at the office, but when she didnt answer Dicks calls, he drove over, found his wife, and immediately called the police.
A small puddle of water in front of her desk was all that remained of the boot print. Flo was slumped forward. When the police moved her, they found her body covering a notepad on which she had scribbled NE. The pencil was still between her thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. No one had heard the shot because the other offices were empty.
The next morning, Thursday, April 2, Kenda Shindler called Inez at Tallys, for she knew she was staying there. Inez told Aunt Tally, and they were both aghast. It appears Mariah got her revenge. Who else would kill Flo? Aunt Tally said.
Later that day, Liz Filmore calle
d Aunt Tally to see if she and Terri Kincaid could come by to visit her and Inez. Tally told her that Inez would be at Harrys, helping to repair old tack. Inez might be ninety-eight, but her fingers were nimble. Liz said her husband was in San Diego, she was bored, business was slow, and the dreadful news about Flo gave her an excuse to visit Terri.
Before Liz and Terri came, Harry ran the vacuum cleaner, then warmed up shepherds pie that shed made the day before. When the two ladies arrived, the pleasing aroma pervaded the kitchen.
Terri, never one to eschew emotional display, hugged Inez. Inez, you must be so distressed. I know I am, and I didnt even know Flo as you did.
Its unfathomable, Inez replied.
Liz also hugged Inez. What can I do to help?
Think, came the wise reply.
Ladies, come sit. Its bitter cold. A little shepherds pie ought to help. Heres some water crackers to get started.
Harry propelled them to the kitchen table, filled their glasses, then sat down to join them.
Pewter eagerly circled the table. Tucker and Mrs. Murphy sat on the floor but were less obvious in their intentions.
Tucker said, Fear.
Liz. Mrs. Murphy sniffed.
Terri, too, Pewter added.
Funny, Inez isnt afraid. Tucker thought the lamb in the pie smelled fabulous.
Maybe because shes lived her life. The other two are young. Inez knows death cant be very far away, Mrs. Murphy wisely noted.
Does anyone know how Dick is? It seemed to be a good marriage, Liz asked as she enjoyed the food.
Inez responded, Kenda said his brother and sister-in-law are with him. According to Kenda, Dick is alternating between rage and tears.
Poor man. Terris hand shook slightly as she raised the fork to her mouth.
Flo was very, very good to me. Liz misted up.
She was good to everyone but Mariah. Inez found the crackers unusual and delicious.
Any more tea? Waters boiling, Harry asked.
I can always drink a second cup. Terri watched as Harry rose to fill the large teapot with a horse painted on it.
Give it a minute or two. Harry put a small silver strainer on Terris saucer, for the tea inside the pot was loose.
Terri, always one for dramatization, squeaked, Im scared. I dont mind admitting it. How do I know whats out there or whos out there?
Liz said drily, Terri, Im sure youre quite safe.
Terri glared at Liz for a second, then softened her gaze. Youre probably right, but until this is resolved and Mariah is apprehended, Im scared.
How do you know Mariah killed Flo? Inez didnt bother to ask why Terri came to that conclusion. It was obvious Liz had filled her in on the watch scam.
Who else? Terris eyes widened. If she were dead, youd think someone would have found the body. Her voice rose. I mean Flo threatened her. Mariah had to know an ugly arrest and court case would follow. She disappeared. Flo should never have opened her mouth. She should have gone directly to the police. For a smart woman, Flo was stupid.
Emotions cloud judgment, Harry simply said.
It does seem that Terri has hit on the most likely chain of events. Liz sighed, pushing back her saucer and cup.
Inez answered, Things are rarely what they seem, Liz.
Isnt that the truth? Harry nodded grimly.
I hate it when mud gets between my toes. Mrs. Murphy sidestepped a large slush puddle.
Better than ice. Cuts my pads to ribbons, Tucker replied.
The tiger cat stopped and lifted her head. Overhead, the great horned owl flew back to the barn. She dipped her wing slightly in acknowledgment.
Must have been a good night. Shes happy, the cat noted. Between Flatface, she named the owl, Matilda, the blacksnake, Pewter, and myself, we keep the varmint population low.
What about the mice in the wall behind the tack trunk? Tucker leapt over a log.
Doesnt count. We made a deal with them.
They reached the creek, which ran deep and strong between Harrys property and Blair Bainbridges. Blair, having married Little Mim, now rented his land to Deputy Cynthia Cooper.
Pewter, loathing the cold and hating wet paws even more, refused to accompany her friends. She was sound asleep on the sofa in front of the fireplace.
Know what? We arent getting over this. Tucker, brave but not foolhardy, studied the rushing water.
We could try the beaver dam, Mrs. Murphy, more nimble than the corgi, suggested.
Worth a look. The mighty little dog trotted northward toward the large beaver complex.
When Harrys animals arrived, a slap of a tail on the churning water alerted the rest of the beavers, who dove under the water up into the huge lodge.
The waters about at the top of the dam. Mrs. Murphy knew if she made one mistake, shed fall into the flying waters. If we get any more rain or snow, there will be flooding for sure.
So much for that idea. Lets head home. The dog, although a strong swimmer, didnt want to land in the drink, either. I really wanted to check up on Coops.
Cooper was in Atlanta. Shed be home tomorrow, Friday, April 3. Given her high performance, shed been selected along with other law-enforcement officers for a special one-week training session focusing on community relations. One of the rewards was, during the weekend, the officers were given a special tour of the vibrant city. Officer Doak, a young fellow from the Albemarle sheriffs department, had accompanied her. He had been chosen to study cybersecurity. Albemarle, a county of about ninety thousand souls all told, happened to be quite richdisgustingly rich, really. Still, Sheriff Rick Shaw had to fight for money for his force from the county. He did manage to get the funds to send Cooper and Doak off to Atlanta, though.
Apart from being a fine officer, Deputy Cooper was a good friend to Harry, and vice versa. Harrys best friend, Susan Tucker, was in DeLand, Florida, tending to an ailing aunt. Harry felt alone without her two stalwarts. To make matters worse, Miranda Hogendobber, a surrogate mother to Harry, was in Greenville, South Carolina, because her sister was recuperating from surgery for breast cancer. This, too, was described as ailing, to acquaintances. To close friends, only, the word cancer was used. The doctors said they got it all, but Miranda was taking no chances. Her sister, Didee, had told her to stay in Crozet, but Miranda would have none of it. Secretly, Didee was glad.
Harry depended on her friends for their insights. She wished they were home.
Smell that perfume Terri was wearing? Tucker asked.
A heavy musk, Mrs. Murphy answered the dog.
A distaste underlaid it. Im not sure, but somethings not right. Whether she didnt want to come out to us, doesnt like Harry or Inez or Liz, I dont know, but it was noticeable.
I halfway noticed, Tucker, but I didnt think too much about it. They approached the barn. There certainly seems to be a lot of drama among this group of women. Well, any group, I reckon.
Why is that?
I dont know. Men arent as complicated, thats all I can figure. They might be devious, lie, or undermine others in a group, but its about pecking order. At least, I think it is. The weaker the man, the more sneaky. But womenits just too complicated for me. She laughed. PMS in concert.
Harry and her friends arent like that. Tucker always defended her human.
No, but think about it: With the exception of Coop, theyve known one another from birth. Miranda used to babysit Harry. Susan and Harry shared a cradle. Different.
Reckon so. Tucker pushed open the dog door into the barn. Everybody knows her place.
Mrs. Murphy laughed. Thats the great thing about being a cat. Im not a pack animal. You and Harry are.
Youre part of the family. Thats a pack.
Im part of the family, but I figure Im always number one. No struggle for place.
Oh, Murphy. Tucker couldnt understand this.
Tucker, sweetie, dogs are so literal. Mrs. Murphy rubbed her head on the corgis. Mrs. Murphy then pushed through the second dog door into the tack room. She hurried to the t
ack trunk, jumped on top, and peered behind it. A fairly large mouse entrance was there.
Hey, you all. Crumbs in the aisleway. You know the deal. You can eat the scattered grain from the horse buckets, but youd better clean it up or Harry will think Im not doing my job.
A tiny set of whiskers appeared, a pair of bright eyes, then the whole mouse emerged. All right. Anything else?
Nope.
The two friends left the barn, slipped through the dog door in the winter-porch door, cleaned their feet, then pushed through the dog door into the kitchen. Inez, like a teenage girl, was having a sleepover with the Haristeens. She was truly enjoying not having her own house to manage for a while. Aunt Tallys hundredth had been a good excuse to tarry, visit, talk about everything under the sun.
Harry and Inez were huddled around Inezs laptop. The envelope icon popped up. Harry fooled around and photos appeared: two photos of Flo slumped over her desk.
Inez, this is sick.
Sick or a warning? Inez felt terrible seeing Flo like that.
The loss of Flo affected Inez, even though she was angry at Flo for not telling her up front about her investigation of Mariah. Sometimes you dont know how much someone means to you until theyre gone. As to Mariahs vanishing, Inez didnt know what to think. She liked her well enough, but theyd never clicked the way she had with Flo.
Before we call anyoneI mean the sheriff, whos a good guylets wait until my friend Coop comes home tomorrow. I want her to look at this first.
Are you sure we should wait a day? Inez couldnt look at the photos anymore.
I think so. If I call the sheriff, you give up your computer. I want to look at this with Coop.
If you think its best. Inez breathed deeply. Whoever left this is part of it. Well, I guess thats obvious.
One day, Harry said soothingly.
Harry, one day can be a lifetime.
Inez flipped her phone shut out of nervousness, then opened it again. Well, I can at least tell Tally to be alert. I dont know if shes in danger, but this is much too close for comfort.
Cooper asked to keep Inezs laptop for a few hours. We have a geek on the force now. Maybe he can retrieve information. Ill have it back by supper.
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