Mariah sensed that Flo was behind this, but she didnt panic yet. Given that she had followed Flos investments as best she could through gossip with Liz, she then checked her own investment portfolio against each stocks buy-and-sell amount with The Wall Street Journal. Every day, the stocks highs and lows were recorded. She could see the exact time one of her stocks was traded.
She was the first to recognize that her portfolio had been falsified by Liz using accurate information. But when Mariah contacted the company, the trade had never been made. She found out that her bank, SunTrust, had no record of the purchase. Painstakingly, Mariah checked each of her trades without tipping off Liz. This took two weeks. Still, she couldnt quite accept the horror of it.
Her first mistake was withdrawing money from the alumnae account. Her second was in loudly accusing Flo of setting her up for losses. The third and fatal mistake was confronting Liz after the classroom meeting. Flo had left. Mariah dogged Liz, who denied everything but recognized she had to silence Mariah.
Tim, whod sold cocaine in college to pay his way, still had some of his old contacts left. Theyd succeeded in their profession, as had he. When the market crashed, he started selling again, but with much higher volume, to cover some of the payouts to clients. They shipped in cocaine through small boats that landed in the many coves of the Chesapeake Bay. He and Liz figured they could stay afloat for perhaps seven or eight months while they shifted their money to Costa Rica. Business was goodTim repented of not sticking with it when hed graduated from college.
Terri was paid five thousand dollars a month to allow the pots to be delivered to her store. Although she was frightened of having drugs come through her place, she was wildly happy with the money. She didnt pay much attention to Mariahs death, but when Flo died, Terri began to get nervous. Ultimately, she became unreliable, too scared, plus she was taking too much toot herself. What begins as a good thingincreased concentration, feeling greatwinds up as a bad thing. This seems to be the progress of any addiction.
As to Terri being laid out where Ralston Peavey was killed, Liz thought it would shunt people to the wrong track. Shed heard stories about the old murder. Unsolved murders stay in peoples memories, providing curiosity. The Black Dahlia murder certainly proved how potent a strange unsolved crime can be. It was quite cunning of her to place Terri on that road. She never figured on Inez being so angry about her investments, which she would have put into Inezs account as soon as she and Tim sold a little of the cocaine. Selling cocaine in a wealthy community is easy. Charlottesville was no exception. Tims old contacts had given him a few numbers. They in turn gave him more business through their friends, since the stuff was high quality.
Cooper relayed all this at the supper table at Harrys on Saturday night. Inez, released from the hospital, sat in the living room along with Aunt Tally, who was only too happy to get out of her house. Shed spent last night at Little Mims. Lizs blood all over the living-room rug upset her, and she didnt want to stay there until the rug was carried out. She sent it to Rudys Dry Cleaners with the instruction that, once cleaned, it was to be given to Goodwill. She couldnt bear to look at it, but it was too expensive to toss.
I would have never figured it out, Harry admitted.
Were not finance people. I guess you dont know somethings wrong until you cant pay your bills, Fair replied quietly. He was horrified that Inez had been shot.
You all know I dont know beans about money. Aunt Tally stroked Doodless glossy head.
We knew something was off with Liz. That nasty smell, Tucker said.
It was sharp, Erno agreed.
Is there any money left? Inez asked Cooper.
Tim had managed to get a lot of their money out of the country. It will take some time to get it back, the officer answered. Of course, they blew a lot, too.
How much? Aunt Tally inquired.
Tim says they took out twelve million. Whether one can believe him or not is another matter. He saysif you can stomach thisthat Liz stole such a small amount compared to Madoff that he should receive a light sentence.
Fair drummed his fingers on the table. If the Richmond police and whoever Tim hires for his lawyer think theres still a lot of money, some of them might be bought off. One doesnt like to consider such things, but Mafia dons can run their empires from prison. The corruption is within. Few people can resist a huge sum dangled under their noses. Why do you think drugs come into this country, and why do you think they dont get legalized? The nontaxable milk train will dry up for a lot of people in law enforcement and government if drugs are legalized. The louder a congressman shouts about the evils of drugs, the more you can bet hes on the take.
Makes me sick. Cooper was an honest person, an honest cop.
Harry put her feet up on the old coffee table. So theres probably more money somewhere else.
I expect so. Hell serve his time. After all, he didnt kill anyoneLiz did that. When hes out, hell go to the money and live like a king. Cooper put her drink down on the table.
Thats disgusting. Inez pursed her lips.
Doc, Im afraid thats the world we live in. Money sanctifies just about anything. Cooper sighed.
So why do you remain a cop? Aunt Tally, forthright as always, asked.
I dont rightly know. I keep hoping I can do some good against the avalanche of evil out there.
Poor people. Erno came and rested his head on Inezs knee.
Their own fault, Erno. Dont waste a minute feeling sorry for them. Pewter nonchalantly cleaned her tail, holding it in one paw.
Cooper asked Aunt Tally, Were you scared?
No. In fact, I felt wonderful, energized. When Liz shot Inez, I suddenly felt forty again and I wanted to fight. She beamed.
You werent afraid to die? Cooper put her own feet up on the coffee table. As a dear friend she could do that, but then, Harry didnt care much about the old furniture.
Cooper, if youre afraid to die, youre afraid to live. You cant have one without the other. Aunt Tally smiled.
Inez giggled, then, as though Harry and Fair were her parents, asked, Can Tally spend the night?
Fair laughed and said, Certainly, but I dont want you girls staying up all night talking.
They all laughed at this.
No reading under the covers with flashlights, Harry added.
Aunt Tally roared with laughter, thrilled to be alive, thrilled that she won. Can there be a victory more clear than the death of an enemy?
Then she said wistfully, We never will know about Ralston, will we?
She was going to get her wish. It wasnt over yet.
On Monday, April 27, Inez received a call from the bank manager of the BB&T near ManakinSabot.
She hung up the phone and walked out to the barn, slowly, for the wounded leg still stung. She was using a cane. Aunt Tally had kidded her that if they held hands, they could prop themselves up with their canes and dance the cancan, kicking up their legs. Harry had just finished mucking all the stalls.
Harry, my bank manager informs me theres little money. As my accounts are with Filmore Investments, God knows if I have any money at all there.
Oh, Inez!
Its going to take time to find out. Inez took a deep breath. I may have to sell the farm. It would be great if Blanca could buy it, but I dont think she and her husband can afford it. Its prime real estate. But as you know, the market is dreadful for expensive country properties.
Inez, dont even think about it. Stay with us. Your farm is paid off, thank God. It will all sort out, and theres no point going back to ManakinSabot and being stressed. Theres been enough of that. She checked the wall clock. In an hour youll be calling the president of William Woods and the other alumnae board members for a conference call on the next step for the board. Luckily, what happened has nothing to do with William Woods other than that Liz broke bad, Terri tagged along, and Mariah was a cheat. Harvard has produced far more rotters than that. Dont think about the money right now. Just concentrate on William Woods.
I cant impose on you two like that, but thank you for offering. Thats so very kind. Inez smiled.
If you dont, Fair will be apoplectic. And you know, Inez, its a joy to have you around. Harry took her by the hand and walked her into the tack room, seating her at the old school chair.
She then called Fair on his cell, explained everything, and handed the phone to Inez, who, upon listening, began to cry.
Harry put her hand on the old womans shoulder. Although she couldnt hear it word for word, she knew the gist of what her husband was saying.
Inez handed Harry the phone. Yes, honey? Harry said to Fair.
Thanks.
Fair, Ive learned to love her as much as you do.
This made Inez cry harder. Erno tried to lick her face.
Harry clicked off the phone. I have a boon to ask, Inez.
Wiping away her tears, she said, Anything.
Ride with him when you can, and, Inez, please, please convince him he needs to take on a partner, or partners. Hes going to have a heart attack before hes forty-five. Just like his father.
I will. I most definitely will, and I dont know why he didnt do it long ago.
He gets frustrated dealing with people. Hes not a manager. If he takes on a partner, there will be some management in the beginning.
Dont you worry about a thing. I can take care of management. And, Harry, I love you, too.
Harry leaned down and Inez kissed her on the cheek.
Tuesday at eleven, Harry and Fair drove Aunt Tally back to Rose Hill. Along with Inez, they walked her and Doodles into the house, just in case.
When Aunt Tally saw the new rug in her living room, she clapped her hands. Beautiful. I know Mimsy did this.
As they left her, she was happily dialing her niece.
They stopped midway down the long drive because Garvey was driving in, the XFR gleaming.
How are you? Fair rolled down the window.
Good. Hows Tally?
Shes a tough old bird. Fair smiled. Sos this one. Bullet passes through her leg and she wouldnt stay in the hospital for observation.
You girls. Garvey smiled, then rolled on.
He had called ahead from his car, since he figured Aunt Tally might be wary of anyone knocking at her door.
She met him before he even put his hand on the large pineapple brass knocker, because Doodles told her someone was at the door.
Come on in, Garvey. Its so good of you to call. I can offer tea. Its just about noona little sherry?
Sherry.
She poured him a fine old sherry, contenting herself with a stiff martini. They settled on the back patio, wearing light sweaters, for the temperature was only fifty-two degrees. The colors of the sunshine provided a beautiful background, as did the barn swallows, who had finally arrived. The birds darted everywhere, calling out as they did.
Excellent sherry. He placed his glass on the end table by his chair, where Aunt Tally had thoughtfully provided the decanter.
Her martini glass, jumbo-size, would hold her.
After some chitchat, Garvey turned to her. Tally, Ive come to grant your wish. Terris death just reached down into my core.
Aunt Tally stared at him, uncomprehending. What wish?
You always wanted to know who killed Ralston Peavey.
You. You! Garvey, that cant be. You wouldnt hurt anyone.
Let me explain. He drained his glass, raised the decanter. She waved a go-ahead, and he refilled it. I was driving home. You might remember it was a foggy night, thick. I didnt see him until it was too late. He was standing in the middle of the road, taking a leak. He must have been loaded. I heard the sickening thump and then I didnt see him. I braked, backed up what I thought was a little bit so I could get out, but I ran over him again. I killed him. The only thing I could think to do was put my gloves on and zip him up. At least hed be spared that indignity.
Why didnt you go to the sheriff?
Ah, Tally, think. It was 1964. I was a young black man. There were already rumblings in the Deep South. I was scared. I thought Id get railroaded.
Dear God. She took a long draft herself. I didnt think of that. White people dont, I guess. What did you do?
Daddy repaired all our tractors, so I woke him up and we worked all night, banging the big dent out of the fender. Put on touch-up paint and it looked pretty good. Then we pulled the tires off and Daddy buried them halfway up around Mamas garden. We painted the top of the tires white. He always had a pile of old tires; everybody did. He put them on my car.
I see. Did anyone from the sheriffs department check your car?
They came by. Looked at Daddys, looked at mine, those thin treads. That was that. Tally, I have carried this sin all my life. I liked Ralston. He could get loaded on the weekends, but it was a different time. Everybody drank. I guess he thought the middle of the road was as good as the side of the road, if he even knew the difference.
Im sorry for both of you. She took another sip. What now? I wont tell, if thats what you wish.
Ill turn myself in tomorrow to the sheriff.
Would you like me to be there?
Oh, Tally, thank you. Thank you, but, no, I have to do this myself. Ive had since 1964 to think of this. Im an old man. All passion spent, if you know what I mean, but I still carry guilt. Its time to be rid of it, confess, take my punishment.
I see. Ill call Ralstons granddaughter after youve seen the sheriff. I admire you, Garvey. I truly do.
He nodded in thanks, finished his sherry, helped her carry the decanter and glasses back into the house.
As she opened the door for him to leave, she asked, Does Lila know?
Ill tell her tonight.
Garvey did go to Sheriff Shaw. The sheriff allowed him to leave on his own recognizance. The papers that week blared with a headline as big as the one days earlier about Liz Filmores attack on Aunt Tally and Inez.
The real miracle was that the case was hustled before the court, and Garvey hired an excellent lawyer from McGuire Woods. The Peavey family, all now in the Midwest, did not press charges.
The judge allowed that as so much time had passed, it was an accident, and Garvey had been an upstanding citizen all these decades, no jail time would be forthcoming. He did assign Garvey community service, which was right up his alley: Garvey was to mentor kids in the high school junior business program.
After it was all settled, Harry and Inez chatted in the barn, both thinking the judges ruling was the only correct one.
In the loft, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter filled Simon in on all of it.
No animal was run over with Ralston, was it?
No, Simon, just Ralston.
Oh, Im so glad. Im still upset over Pharaohs horses. I wish youd never told me that story.
Ill be sure not to tell any more Bible stories. Mrs. Murphy rubbed against the possum.
Murphy, I dont know why you trouble him with that, anyway. You know the Great Spirit is a cat. A gray cat, Pewter announced with authority.
Pewter, was all Mrs. Murphy could manage.
How I Came To Love William Woods University
Saddlebred shows, most of them taking place in the summer, bring together crowds of friendly people. I bring this up because it is not true of some of the other horse disciplines. Mercifully, I shall not name them and can only hope they repent their snottiness.
Mother knew her Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and some Saddlebreds (we saw the great Wing Commander together, when I was five, at his second show). Ive sustained her interest in my life, which is how I met Gayle Lampe in 1984. I cant remember if it was at the Mercer County Fair or Shelbyville, two wonderful Kentucky shows. I remember it was hot and thunderstorms came up at night. They always do.
Gayle was and remains unforgettable. She mentioned William Woods University. I asked Larry Hodge and Joan Hamilton about the school. Larry and Joan own Kalarama Farm, which I explain to people is like old Calumet Farm was to Thoroughbreds, when Mrs. Gene Markey was at the helm. Kalarama
s great rival, Callaway Hills Stable, was in the very county that is home to this university. I knew the late Mrs. Weldon in passing, for she lived in Charlottesville briefly. She, too, confirmed what Joan and Larry said, which is that WWUs graduates fill the Saddlebred world. They couldnt comment on dressage, hunt seat, or Western seat, which are also taught at WWU, as those are not their disciplines.
The next year I was at Shelbyville, a show I try to attend on the odd years; the even years I head to Saratoga, if I can. Sometimes the money is tight or theres too much to do on the farm. If youve never been to either Shelbyville or Saratoga, go.
Anyway, Joan and I were sitting in the bleachers at the warm-up ring, the night lights blazing, moths flying in squadrons, when from the west, heading toward us from the Ohio River, we heard thunder. Joan pointed out all those in the ring, the trainers, the assistant trainers, and many of the riders who had graduated from William Woods. Not only was the number impressive, but so was the skill.
Gayle and I would run into each other and exchange letters, and Joan and Larry would report on Gayles progress and vice versa. You might say I was on the outermost ring of William Woodss Saturn.
Then out of the blue in the mid-nineties I received a letter inviting me to be the commencement speaker. I really adore giving commencement speeches, but this one was to stay with me forever, not because of anything I said but because of the magic of this community. First off, no one fussed over me in a sickening sweet way. Those whom I met were just who they are. How delightful.
The campus is pretty and I liked all the ducks who appear to have quite a high opinion of themselves whether walking down the middle of the road or swimming about.
Staying at Fairchild Alumni House felt like visiting your aunt. Gayle, knowing of my addiction, stocked the fridge with Classic Coke in cans, high test.
The faculty that I met were down-to-earth, yet very accomplished. The conversations, if only I could have chatted forever, were truly stimulating. My God, people who thought for themselves! Well, I was in the middle of Missouri; I should have expected that. Its not called the Show Me state for nothing.
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