by Rose Pressey
“I suppose Charity didn’t like that her father was seeing Darcy.”
Mitchell shook his head. “She got red-faced when she heard him talking about Darcy. As far as Charity is concerned, no one could ever replace her mother.”
“I don’t think Darcy was trying to replace her.”
“Charity didn’t want her daddy to be with anyone,” Mitchell said.
“Mitchell, who do you think killed Darcy and Luke?” I asked.
He looked down at his feet. “That’s beyond me. It’s not something I would know.”
If he had his suspicions then he was keeping them a secret. Mitchell knew everyone in town, so I decided to ask a few questions.
“Mitchell, how long have you known Ross Perkins?” I asked.
“Since he was a kid. He used to come to work with his daddy over at the factory in Belleville. No offense Ms. Raelynn, but I knew he was trouble way back then. You should have asked me before you got hitched to him.”
“Well, I didn’t know you then, Mitchell, but I wish I had. It would have saved me heartache and time.”
“If there’s anything else you want to know you just come to me first. Like with Sheriff Klein. He’s a good one.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe I should listen to Mitchell.
I folded my arms in front of my chest. “Have you met Ross’ mother Doreen?”
Mitchell placed his head in his hands. Finally he looked up at me and shook his head. “Yes, I’ve met her. That woman is meaner than a rattlesnake. One time I asked to borrow a quarter and she stepped on my foot.”
“That wasn’t very nice. She could have just said no,” I said.
“I walk to the other side of the street now if I see her coming.”
“That’s probably a good idea. Do you know if she knew Luke or Darcy?”
He nodded. “I saw her speaking with Darcy just last week out on the sidewalk in front of Ms. Parish’s office.”
“What about Julian Montgomery?” I asked.
He took a swig from his bottle. “I’ve known Julian since she was born. Her family lived across the street from me before I moved. She was always a sweet girl. Kind of quiet though. I guess Julian had been dating that Luke fellow for a while. It was probably best that they broke up because all those two did was fight like cats and dogs. I was surprised they didn’t kill each other.”
I wondered if Mitchell realized what he’d just said. That meant Julian could really be the killer.
“What about Luke? Did you know a lot about him?”
I was getting more information from Mitchell than I had expected.
“Just met him recently. He always seemed to be in such a hurry. Never stopped to smell the roses. It’s too late for that now.”
Mitchell was right. It was too late for Luke. I needed to remember that when I felt I was too busy to stop and enjoy the little things in life.
“He seemed like a decent fellow though. What a shame.”
Did Mitchell wonder why I was asking so many questions? If so, he didn’t ask why. One last question before I had go.
“What about Darcy? She had started dating Luke. But you said she was dating Darcy’s father.”
Mitchell shook his head. “I don’t think Darcy was serious with anyone. For what I heard, she just wanted to have fun and date. Of course there’s nothing wrong with that. She had the right idea. No need to settle down until she was absolutely ready.”
I knew that was true. I’d settled down with Ross and obviously neither one of us had been ready. Thank goodness that was all behind me now. I had started my life anew.
I nodded. “Thanks for the information. I suppose I’d better go. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Don’t you work too hard now, you hear? Are you sure you don’t want a drink of whiskey? It’ll clear your head and help you work.”
I questioned his logic on that one. All the whiskey would do was make me dizzy and make my stomach hurt. I’d had a sip once and it had done nothing but make my insides burn. I waved and then headed out across the parking lot. When I glanced back I noticed that Mitchell had already left.
That wasn’t the only thing I noticed though. Charity’s car was parked at the supermarket. I hadn’t noticed it earlier when I was talking with Mitchell. But then I realized that she had left with Ross. That meant that she probably wouldn’t be back to get her car for a while. Would it be so bad if I took a little peek inside? She really would think I was a jealous ex if she caught me. But I didn’t intend on getting caught. Of course I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but I just had to know. If I didn’t look I would think about the missed opportunity for the rest of the day.
I glanced around to see if anyone was watching me. Luckily, the nosy people weren’t around at the moment. I hurried across the lot, back to the spot where her little yellow car was parked. Once I reached her car I looked around again. When I was confident no one was watching I leaned close to take a look.
In the passenger seat was what looked like an overnight bag. She had a couple small suitcases in the backseat. I supposed she had plans on moving in with Ross. Too bad he didn’t have a home for her to move into.
I was just about to walk away when I spotted something on the floor of her car. It was a shiny award that looked just like the one that had been hidden in the bushes at my house. I glanced around again to make sure no one was watching, then I leaned close to try to get a better look. It was the same type of award. But I noticed the name right away and it didn’t say Luke Lexington like the one I’d found. This one had Darcy Parish written on the front. I couldn’t believe Charity had the award right there in her car. Why did she have it?
How would I find out why she had this award? Darcy wouldn’t have given it to her. Why would she? I decided to pop back into the store and tell Claire Ann about what I’d seen.
Within a couple seconds I was stepping inside the store. The cool air eased my hot skin when I walked through the door. As far as I could see no one was in the store. I didn’t even see Claire Ann. She was usually behind the counter or stocking the shelves.
“Hello?” I called out.
Claire Ann popped up from behind one of the aisles. She had a bag of potato chips in her hand.
“You’re not going to believe this,” I said as I made my way over to her.
She placed the bag on the shelf. “I would believe anything at this point. What’s going on?”
“I was looking in Charity’s car and she has Darcy’s award. It was just like the one used to kill Luke Lexington.”
Claire Ann looked around as if she thought someone might hear us. “What were you doing looking in her car?”
“Oh, I was totally being nosy.” I waved my hand. “Why would she have the award?”
Claire Ann shrugged. “I have no clue. Are you sure if was Darcy’s?”
“I saw her name right on the front. Oh, and Mitchell said that Darcy was dating Charity’s dad. Charity wasn’t happy about that either.”
“What have you been doing?” Claire Ann frowned.
I leaned against the rack of mayonnaise jars. “Just a little snooping, I guess.”
“It sounds like it. So you think Charity may have killed Darcy? What about Luke Lexington? What would give her motive?”
I shrugged. “That’s something I plan on finding out. Oh, by the way, Charity announced to me that she and Ross are engaged.” I studied my pink-polished fingernails.
Claire Ann reached out and shoved my shoulder. “Get out!”
I stumbled backward, knocking over several jars of mayonnaise. Luckily none of them broke.
Claire Ann reached down and helped me to my feet. “Raelynn, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
I pushed hair out of my eyes and straightened my shirt. “I’m okay.”
“I just got a little excited. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Well, I just found out right before I talked with Mitchell.”
Claire Ann picked up the ja
rs. “Won’t they make a happy couple? I give them a year, tops.”
“That’s if they make it down the aisle,” I said.
Claire Ann and I were at the front of the store. A few customers had just checked out and we were discussing the upcoming newspaper article. I enjoyed writing for the paper, but I wondered how many people actually read the article. “I’ve gotten really good feedback,” Claire Ann said.
“From who? My mother? That doesn’t count. And not your mother either.”
Claire Ann smiled, which let me know that I’d been right.
“I think people are more interested in the local police report than my decorating efforts,” I said.
“You’d be surprised. Sure, they like the arrests, but they like your stuff too.”
The door opened and caught our attention. We stared in disbelief. Doreen walked inside, never making eye contact with us. I exchanged a look with Claire Ann. She shrugged and mouthed, What is she doing?
I supposed Doreen was just shopping, but I found it suspicious that she didn’t turn around and leave as soon as she saw me standing there. And I knew she’d seen me. She’d looked directly at us when she entered the store. I figured she was up to something. How long would I have to wait to find out what that something was?
Doreen was completely ignoring us as she moved across the store floor. She went down one aisle and picked up a loaf of bread and a package of crackers. Then she turned down the next aisle and picked up a jar of pickles. She had to feel us watching her, but she never let on. I had to hand it to her, she had a lot of willpower. I would have had to look at people if they were staring as much as we were staring at her. She always had been stubborn though.
Claire Ann and I continued to watch her. I stepped closer to the counter so that we could talk without her hearing us. “She’s up to something,” I whispered.
“Well, she’d better not try anything crazy while she’s in here. I won’t put up with it,” Claire Ann said.
“We should just ignore her,” I said. “I can’t stop looking at her though.”
Claire Ann snorted. “Me either.”
“I wonder what she’ll do when she has to pay for the items.”
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Claire Ann stood from the stool that she’d been sitting on.
Doreen stood in front of the cereal aisle for what seemed like forever. I wanted her to hurry up and get out of there. She was making me uneasy. I would have just left, but I didn’t want to leave Claire Ann alone to deal with her. Plus, I wanted to know what Doreen might say. She would probably accuse me of treating her poor son badly. Talk about a mama’s boy. I’d never forget the fact that she tried to climb in the car with Ross and me the night we left for our honeymoon.
Finally after a few more trips up and down the aisles Doreen approached the counter. She still hadn’t acknowledged us. She placed her items on the counter and waited for Claire Ann to ring them up.
Claire Ann looked at me and I shrugged. She might as well take the woman’s money and let her leave. For once Doreen wasn’t speaking to me, and I was beyond happy about it. If she never spoke to me again I would be the happiest woman in the world.
Claire Ann checked out the items and gave Doreen her total due. Doreen pulled the money from her purse and handed it to Claire Ann. She still hadn’t uttered a word. Claire Ann handed her the change and Doreen grabbed the bags. She weaved around me without looking at me. I was sure she watched me out of the corner of her eyes.
I wondered what she would have done if I’d spoken with her. She probably would have continued to ignore me. I had nothing to say to her so I didn’t test that theory. Claire Ann stared in shock because I knew she’d never seen Doreen quiet before.
I’d never seen her that quiet either. Heck, she’d had her teeth worked on while I’d been married to Ross and she still talked through most of that procedure.
Claire Ann and I watched her open the door and walk out. For a moment we stood, shocked into silence.
“I don’t know what to say,” I said when she’d disappeared from view.
“I’ve never seen her not speak before. Maybe she had laryngitis.” Claire Ann sat on the stool again.
“She had to have something totally wrong for her not to speak.”
After staring at the door waiting for Doreen to pop back in and yell at me, I turned to face Claire Ann.
“That woman is strange.” Claire Ann shook her head. “Thank goodness she’s your ex-mother-in-law now.”
“Yes, I’m glad. Now I don’t have to listen to her ask why my hair looks as if it has a rat’s nest in it every Thanksgiving.”
As I walked toward the counter I noticed a card on the floor. Doreen must have dropped something out of her purse. I wasn’t about to run out there and return it to her. I’d stick it in the mail, but I wouldn’t deliver it in person.
I reached down and picked it up. When I turned it over I was shocked at what I saw. The name on the front of the card was Darcy Parish. It was one of her business cards. Claire Ann must have noticed the expression on my face.
“What is it?” she asked.
I met her stare. “It’s Darcy Parish’s business card.”
“How did that get here?” She leaned closer across the counter.
“I think it fell out of Doreen’s purse. It wasn’t here a minute ago. I know because I was standing right here. I had no idea she even knew Darcy.”
Claire Ann quirked a brow.
“Why would she have it?” I asked. “Maybe she killed Darcy.” My eyes widened.
Claire Ann shrugged. “You know she’s crazy. Anything is possible.”
“Yeah, but why would she want to kill Darcy? And if she killed her did she kill Luke too? She wouldn’t have let her son go to jail for that.”
Claire Ann tapped her finger against the counter. “Yeah, but she would have let you go to jail for it. Maybe that was why Ross was there—he was trying to cover up the murder for his mother.”
“Or vice versa,” I said.
Claire Ann nodded. “They could have been in on it together for sure.”
I shook my head. “I still say Ross had nothing to do with it. He’s an idiot, but I really don’t think he would ever murder anyone. One thing is for sure though, I need to find out what Doreen knows about the murders. I have to find out why she had Darcy’s card.”
“That will require you having to talk with Doreen,” Claire Ann said.
I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
It might be especially hard now that apparently Doreen was giving me the silent treatment. For once she wasn’t talking to me and now I was going to try to make her talk.
“Okay, I have to go.” I waved over my shoulder.
“I’ll call you,” Claire Ann called out.
After leaving the supermarket, I figured I’d pick up a bite to eat. With all the stress I really didn’t feel like cooking, so I decided to splurge on something from that new little cafe. I passed my car and headed toward the Grits and Gravy Bistro. As I approached the door, the waitress from the other day spotted me. I remembered her name was Nicole.
“You do like this place, huh?” she asked.
I smiled. “The food is good and that means I don’t have to cook.”
Nicole was leaning against the building. “I’m waitin’ for my ride.”
I was glad that I had run into her before she left. I’d wanted to talk with her since that first day when I’d been in with Kent. I wasn’t sure how to approach the topic. Although I was sure most everyone in town was talking about it. That was if they weren’t talking about me.
I leaned against the building beside her. “So do you like working at the restaurant?”
Nicole smiled. “It’s a job. We do get all the food we want, so that’s a nice perk.”
I nodded. “That would be nice.”
I tapped my foot against the ground. She was probably wondering why I was hanging around.
“So that day we
were in was the day of the murder,” I blurted out.
She studied my face and then said, “Yes, it was. That was when we saw Luke having a disagreement with Julian.”
“So what do you think happened?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
I noticed that Nicole was watching someone behind me. When I turned around to look I spotted Connie walking our way. I groaned. If she heard it she didn’t say anything. Maybe she was friends with Connie.
There was no time for me to hide or escape into the bistro. Nicole waved at Connie and I knew that she would stop to talk with us. I would have to find a way to excuse myself right away. Connie stepped in front of us.
“Hello, dear,” Connie said to Nicole.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know your name,” Nicole said, looking at me.
“Oh, this is Raelynn Pendleton,” Connie answered.
“So you two already know each other?” Nicole asked.
I forced a smile. “Yes, we do.”
“Listen, I am sorry I didn’t meet you the other day,” Connie said to Nicole.
“That’s perfectly all right. It would have been an awkward spot to meet anyone since that was the time they found poor Darcy murdered.” Nicole shook her head.
Connie looked over at me. It was as if she knew what I was thinking. She had been in the area when Darcy had been murdered just like she had when Luke had been killed. Connie’s look was making me uncomfortable. As much as I wanted to stay for their conversation, I wanted to get away from Connie. I felt as if she was reading my mind. She gave me the creeps.
“Well, I’ll call you soon,” Connie said.
Nicole smiled. “Yes, please do. We’ll set up another time.”
Connie stared at me for a moment before she turned and walked away. I was glad she was gone. But now I had to ask the woman what that had been about. It was none of my business, but I wasn’t about to let that stop me.
“Wow, so you were supposed to meet Connie in front of Darcy’s office that day?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
“Yes, crazy, huh?” Nicole said.
“Was there a reason why you were meeting there?”
Nicole paused and then said, “You know, I think Connie may have had a meeting with Darcy.”