Murder in Mississippi (Flight Risk Cozy Mystery Book 5)

by Susan Harper

  7

  The next morning, Kendell rolled out of bed fairly early. She got dressed and headed out, deciding to walk to Main Street to get herself some breakfast. It hadn’t seemed that far away, but she was very soon regretting that. A five-minute car ride in rural Georgia took you a lot further than a five-minute car ride in New York. She had greatly over exaggerated her physical capabilities. By the time she arrived on Main Street, she was panting. “That was so stupid,” she said under her breath, slowly making her way to the coffee shop on the corner. Felicity and Jefferson had told her how wonderful the coffee shops breakfast was, and she had been craving a taste for it. “This better be delicious,” she growled as she entered the shop. She had enjoyed their coffee the other day, so she assumed the food had to be good as well.

  There were a few people already lounging around – drinking coffee or enjoying their breakfasts. Kendell ordered herself a platter of food, starving after such a crazy walk. She also got herself a coffee and found a seat in one of the lounge chairs by the window, sipping her drink while waiting for the employees to finish up her food. When her plate was sat in front of her, she immediately began to devour the eggs and bacon first. The door to the coffee shop opened, and Pauline came wondering inside – Dot on a leash beside her.

  “Morning, crazy,” Pauline said with a smirk. “I got your note. I cannot believe you walked all the way here.”

  “Believe me, I am seriously regretting that decision,” Kendell said, laughing at herself. “We just got to Felicity’s house so quickly from Main Street yesterday, I thought I could do it. A ride that quickly would have been like half a block in New York. That’s nothing. I greatly underestimated the power of not having any traffic.”

  “Well, now you know,” Pauline said, shaking her head. “Well, don’t worry. You won’t have to walk back. I drove Felicity’s car here.”

  “The Cobra!” Kendell exclaimed.

  “Oh, no – not the Cobra!” Pauline laughed. “That is parked in the garage where it belongs. Just her regular car.”

  “Oh, okay,” Kendell said. “I thought for a second there you might have swiped your granddaughter’s car before she could wake up to say otherwise.”

  “No, I’m not that senile,” Pauline said. She went and ordered herself some coffee and returned shortly, sitting beside Kendell.

  “I appreciate you coming to my rescue,” Kendell said. “There is no way I would have made it back to the house. Felicity and Jefferson hanging out at the house today?”

  “For now. The event shop opens a little later today,” Pauline said.

  Kendell smiled, thinking about the shop. “Your granddaughter really does have a pretty cool business set up. You can tell she has found her passion.”

  “Most definitely,” Pauline said.

  “I’m having some second guesses about my career choice,” Kendell said. “I don’t know if I want to spend the rest of my life on an airplane not really going anywhere. I want a career that allows me to travel – and by travel, I don’t mean from airport to airport.”

  “Oh, how exciting!” Pauline said, clapping her hands together. “You’re young. Now is the time to explore and find out what really drives you. What are you thinking about?”

  “I’m not sure,” Kendell admitted. “I just know I’m not totally happy where I’m at. I know I enjoy travelling. I mean, that’s why I became a flight attendant. I just don’t know what could let me do that in the way I expected being a flight attendant would have done for me. I just sort of lost my sense of adventure somewhere along the way. I feel like I am finally getting it back – thanks to you.”

  “Well,” Pauline said, siting up straight. “I’m glad that I could be of service to you.”

  The door to the coffee shop opened up, and a familiar young woman entered and headed towards the counter. “Hey!” Kendell said, popping Pauline in the arm. “That’s Ariana – one of the artists from the art auction!”

  Pauline immediately began frantically waving the young girl over. “Hey! Ariana! Ariana!” she yelped as the young woman turned around, coffee in hand.

  “Oh… hello…” the girl said, confused as to why this old woman was shouting for her. She slowly made her way over. “Oh, I remember you! You bought one of my paintings!” Ariana exclaimed.

  “I did!” Pauline said. “Sit down, dear. I’d love to chat.”

  Ariana smiled. “I suppose I could sit for a minute,” she said, sitting in the empty chair across from them.

  “Ariana, I don’t suppose you could tell us anything about Barbara,” Kendell said, immediately taking up the opportunity to help out with the case if she could.

  Ariana huffed. “I don’t really have anything to say about her, honestly. I didn’t really like her.”

  “We know about her little tiff with Tim,” Kendell said.

  “Yeah, him and everybody else,” Ariana said, crossing her arms. “At least, that’s what it sounds like. Like she couldn’t get along with anyone, and after meeting her I see why.”

  “Really?” Kendell questioned. “She seemed so nice when she was speaking to you about your paintings.”

  “Yeah, she was,” Ariana said. “But, every time I got someone looking at one of my paintings, she would draw their attention away.”

  “Intentionally?” Pauline questioned.

  “I think so,” Ariana said. “I mean, she was good. I get that. People were bound to be drawn to her artwork. But, it was like she didn’t want anyone else to succeed either. It was crazy. I couldn’t believe it. Every single time I had a potential buyer looking at my artwork, it was like she would just appear and steal them away.”

  “That’s awful,” Pauline said. “I’m sorry you were having to deal with that.”

  “Especially Ms. Lark,” Ariana said. “I couldn’t get that woman’s attention for nothing, and she was there to spend some money. I could tell. But, she was all over Barbara’s paintings. She really didn’t seem interested in anybody else’s artwork at all. Barbara told me she didn’t know who Lark was, so I thought it was weird that the woman didn’t look around at other artists and just hung around her booth the whole time making sure she outbid everyone on the paintings. It was really weird.”

  “She didn’t look at anyone else’s artwork at all?” Kendell questioned.

  “She came right for Barbara’s booth as soon as she got there and didn’t move the whole time,” Ariana said. “Like I said, weird. Barbara comes off as kind of sketchy to me. I don’t know what it was exactly, but I felt like there was something off about that woman. She was up to something. I don’t know how she kept people coming over to her – like she was just summoning them or something. I swear, Barbara just didn’t want anyone else to do well at that art show. Like it gave her some sort of trip knowing that no one else was doing well except for her.”

  “That’s… harsh…” Kendell said, raising a brow. Ariana didn’t seem entirely truthful to her. Not that she was lying – more like exaggerating. She knew from Stephanie that Ariana only sold one painting – the one that Pauline had purchased. Kendell highly suspected a lot of what was coming out of Ariana’s mouth was due to jealousy.

  “Well, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us, Ariana,” Pauline said.

  “Sure,” Ariana said. “And, thank you for buying my painting. I really appreciate the support.”

  “Well, it was a lovely painting. You are very talented,” Pauline assured her. “Just keep at it, and don’t let anyone discourage you.’

  “Thank you,” Ariana said before standing. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got some work to do today. You ladies have a nice day.” Ariana headed out the door.

  Once she was gone, Kendell and Pauline exchanged uncomfortable glances. “Did you believe anything that young lady said?” Pauline asked.

  “Not really,” Kendell said. “Sounded like Ariana was coming from a place of resentment. Barbara seemed like a sweet old lady to me. I have a hard time imaging that she would intentional
ly lead people away from Ariana’s booth – she had been very sweet and encouraging to Ariana when they had first met. I think Ariana is probably jealous of Barbara’s skills.”

  “Barbara’s paintings were quite amazing, and the theme was clever and something that the young audience at the art auction particularly enjoyed. She knows how to work a crowd, but she seemed like the type willing to support young artists – not compete against them,” Pauline said. “I agree. Ariana is definitely bitter because she only sold one painting… the one I bought… I was the only one who put a bid on the painting, so I imagine that that hurt a little.”

  “Yeah, that was probably a bummer, but do you think jealousy like that is motive?” Kendell asked.

  “Depends on how off her rockers she is,” Pauline said. “But, I think this conversation is definitely something worth reporting to Felicity.”

  Kendell nodded in agreement. She finished her breakfast, and by that time Pauline said that Felicity and Jefferson were probably already at the shop. They headed out, walking up the street towards Overton Family of Companies. As predicted, the shop was already up and running that morning.

  They found Felicity upstairs working with Jack and Fix while Jefferson and Trixie manned the event shop. Felicity was pinning evidence and photographs up onto the board in preparation for the new case. “Hey, Grandmama,” Felicity said, smiling. “Kendell, I heard you walked here? Are you nuts?”

  “Apparently,” Kendell said, laughing. She looked down at her sandals. “Especially in these shoes. I think I have effectively ruined my white sandals with Georgia clay.”

  Felicity laughed. “Well, now you know. Did you enjoy your breakfast?”

  “I did. And, you grandma and I ran into one of the artists from the art auction. We had a talk with her – Ariana,” Kendell said, and she and Pauline proceeded to fill Felicity, Jack, and Fix in on what little they had learned from the jealous young artist.

  8

  “Ariana sure does paint an interesting picture,” Felicity said as she crowded onto the elevator with Pauline and Kendell.

  “Are you referring to her painting that Pauline bought or the way she talked about Barbara?” Kendell asked.

  “Her talk she had with you two,” Felicity said. “Something seems kind of off about what she said. Do you two think what Ariana was saying was true?”

  “Not really,” Pauline said. “I think Ariana sounds like she was just jealous.”

  They exited off the elevator. Jack and Fix had already made their way up the stairs, and Jack was working on the board – pinning up any miniscule evidence that they had found while Fix was sifting away on his laptop. Jack pinned up a picture of Ariana as a potential suspect.

  “Seems extreme,” Kendell said. “You think Ariana would kill Barbara over some petty jealousy?”

  “Every killer we’ve ever dealt with has their own motives for doing things,” Felicity said. “And, they have all seemed pretty petty to me. But, to the killer, it’s important.”

  “But because someone sold more paintings than you?” Pauline questioned.

  “Maybe in Ariana’s head the only reason she wasn’t doing well was because of Barbara,” Felicity stated. “It doesn’t necessarily have to make sense to us. It just has to make sense to the killer.”

  “Excellent point,” Kendell said, crossing her arms and staring at the bulletin board. “Doesn’t look like we have a whole lot to go on just yet. Do you have anything else?”

  “No – what’s on the board is just about it,” Jack said. “But, we’ve worked with less than this before. I think we need to look at some other potential suspects other than Tim and Ariana. Tim may have a shaky history with the old woman, but frankly he was just frail old man – Barbara was a little old lady herself, but she seemed sturdier than Tim. I don’t know if Tim would have been able to leave those bruises on Barbara’s wrists. I managed to call up Veronica, and she did a little bit of snooping around the hospital for me. Tim’s got serious arthritis in his hands after spending his life doing sculptures. He used to carve stone before moving to welding – he does welding now because it’s less demanding on his hands.”

  “That would make it pretty difficult for him to grip her wrists and leave those sort of bruises, then,” Felicity said. “Not impossible – but difficult. Ariana is young and fit. She probably could have caused more damage, but the motive is a little far-fetched. Plus, I think she might have been in the seminar upstairs at the time of the murder. I’m not certain, but I feel like I saw her. Anyone else recall?”

  There were shrugs all around. “Whoa! I think I got something you might want to see!” Fix called from the couch where he was slouching while aimlessly looking for information on his laptop.

  “What do you got, Fix?” Felicity asked.

  “Barbara’s attorney is holding a public reading of the will,” Fix said. “Today.”

  “Public?” Felicity questioned.

  “It was per request of Barbara that the reading of her will be open to the public,” Fix said.

  “That’s… unusual…” Jack said. “She must have wanted plenty of witnesses.”

  “That must mean she’s doing something unexpected,” Felicity suggested.

  “So, if it’s public, then that means we can go to it, right?” Kendell asked.

  “That’s exactly what that means,” Felicity said. “Fix, text me the address. I’m going to head that way.”

  “I’ll hang back,” Jack said. “I’ve been on the phone with Tim some today trying to get a follow up interview with him. He might stop by, so someone needs to be here.”

  “I could interview Tim,” Fix suggested.

  “Why don’t you go with Felicity, actually?” Jack suggested. “She might need some back up if things get crazy at the reading. Something doesn’t feel right in my gut about this thing being so public. The fact that a notice was sent out about it too is strange.”

  “Awesome,” Fix said, smiling – clearly glad that he was going to get in on the action today.

  “We’re going with you too,” Pauline declared, and Kendell nodded approvingly. It seemed that Pauline spoke for both of them nowadays, but she was okay with that.

  “Why don’t you leave Dot here with Jack?” Felicity suggested. “I don’t think you’re going to be able to sneak her into the courthouse, Grandmama.”

  Kendell smirked. She wondered how surprised Pauline’s granddaughter would be at all of the places she had managed to sneak that dog into. “Oh, if you say so,” Pauline said, putting Dot’s carrier down. The little dog jumped out of the carrier and scurried over to the couch, hopping up next to Fix and claiming the spot as her territory.

  “So, I’m dog sitting now?” Jack asked, but he asked with a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the little fuzzball.”

  Pauline, Kendell, Fix, and Felicity headed back down into the shop. They paused by Jefferson and Trixie, letting them know that they were headed to the courthouse in Fayetteville for the reading of Barbara’s will before departing. They loaded up into Felicity’s car; she had left her fancy Cobra at home that day. “Do we have time to make it?” Felicity asked Fix who was sitting in the back with Pauline. He pulled up his phone.

  “Oh, yeah, totally,” he said. “It doesn’t start for another hour.”

  “Oh, good, we’ll have plenty of time to get there then,” Felicity said.

  “I’m excited to see the inside of that old courthouse,” Kendell said. “I saw it on our way into town for the art auction. It’s gorgeous.”

  “Oh, that courthouse isn’t the actual courthouse,” Felicity said, disappointing Kendell. “The one you saw is more of a historic site now. It’s used as a sort of welcome center and planning center for the city.”

  “Oldest courthouse in the state,” Pauline said. “The only one Sherman didn’t burn down during his March to the Sea during the Civil War.”

  “That thing predates the Civil War?” Kendell questioned.

  “That’s
right,” Felicity said. “The story is that a local lawyer distracted Sherman when he came through town, waving a confederate battel flag around and running down the street – causing the soldiers to chase him and forget all about the courthouse. Not sure how true that is, but that’s the story they’ll tell you. The courthouse did catch on fire and had to be redone once, though. Some criminals broke into the courthouse and set the record room on fire to try to cover up some of their crimes – that was back when everything was on paper and not kept digitally. Now, the building is mostly a monument to the town’s history. The new courthouse is just down the road. A regular old brick building.”

  “Too bad,” Kendell said – a little disappointed to hear that the beautiful old building was mostly out of commission – at least for its intended purpose.

  They arrived at the newer Fayette courthouse within forty-five minutes, plenty of time to head up the brick steps and into the building. The building was huge. There were courtroom’s galore as well as a number of meeting rooms. Usually, a reading of the will would be done in one of the meeting rooms as it was more of a private event. However, because Barbara had requested such a public reading, the courthouse had decided to move the reading into an empty courtroom to prevent overcrowding.

  A decent amount of people flooded into the courtroom. Felicity, Fix, Pauline, and Kendell found themselves a seat in the back. There were some familiar faces from the art auction; Kendell imagined it was people just trying to be nosey. There were people sitting up front she suspected to be related to Barbara in one way or another including Sheldon and her stepson Lonnie. Kendell watched the stepsiblings for a moment. Sheldon occasionally wiped tears from his eyes; Lonnie would pat Sheldon on the shoulder reassuringly.

  Fix nudged Felicity, nodding towards a back corner of the room. Kendell turned around to see what Fix was trying to show Felicity, and she spotted Ms. Lark standing up in a corner. She was eyeing everyone in the room. “Do you think Lark expects to get something in the will?” Kendell whispered to Felicity.