Odd, Fonnie thought, how life's most wondrous events were over in a matter of moments. Months of anticipation and years of wonderful memories afterwards encapsulated in a few fleeting minutes. She sighed as Amy and Paul exited the little chapel. “Thank you, kind Shepherd by the Sea,” she said under her breath, “for the perfect ceremony. Now extend your protection over them as they start this new journey.”
The perfection of the wedding carried over to the reception. When it came time for Amy to throw the bridal bouquet, Fonnie tried to push Keisha to the forefront, but a young cousin of Paul's made the catch. The party went on as people drank toasts, munched on decadent pastries, danced, laughed, joked. Amy and Paul danced with each other until Amy was snatched away by other men and Paul made the rounds of all the women.
At one point Paul stopped the band long enough to thank everyone for coming. Then waving their tickets to Bermuda, the happy couple slipped out. Their departure left barely a dent in the festivities. Fonnie knew they had instructed Edgar to keep the party going as long as anyone wanted to stay. Ostensibly, it was a BYOB affair since the motel didn't have a liquor license, but the bar was well stocked.
Most everyone danced, but Keisha and Stephon stole the show. No matter what kind of music the band was playing, Stephon managed to add some frenetic steps that left Keisha breathless. Fonnie grinned at her when Keisha tossed the blue fringed shawl from around her shoulders and gyrated her hips.
On the other hand Brian and Melanie seemed to prefer the slower steps. In fact, at one point, Fonnie feared they'd forgotten they were in full view on the dance floor. The only things that seemed to be moving were the charms on Melanie's bracelet as she walked her fingers across Brian's shoulder. Fonnie breathed a sigh of relief when they started moving their feet again.
Jeremiah whisked her around the room a few times, but Fonnie was soon out of breath and decided to sit out the rest of the evening.
On the far side of the room, Edgar appeared to be having a deep conversation with Tony while Clara dragged Hank Peacock to his feet to dance. Doris kept time with her right foot and Lula kept busy refilling her glass.
As the band changed from one tempo to another, Edgar glanced over the dance floor, and apparently remembering his duties as host, he rose, went over and pulled Midge to her feet. The two of them glided by Fonnie like dancers in an old musical.
“For a big man,” Fonnie remarked to Jeremiah, “Edgar is certainly light on his feet.”
“That he is. Comes from playing tennis.” Jeremiah got up. “If you'll excuse me for a little while, I think I'll ask Lula to dance while she can still stand up. She's a nice gal, but I do wish she'd practice some moderation.”
Fonnie motioned him away. “I'm fine. I enjoy looking at all the others.” She watched as Edgar took Midge back to her seat and then stole Melanie away from Brian. Brian looked dejected for a moment, but soon recovered and asked Doris to dance. Edgar swung Melanie around as if she were a rag doll, and Melanie gave him a huge smile as she got into the rhythm.
Fonnie remembered fondly the days when she was young and willowy and could dance the night away. Now she was content to sit and watch. A phrase of Solomon's scooted through her brain, “To every thing there is a season.” She accepted that and was thankful for her memories.
She continued to watch as partners were changed and the band played on. Buzz claimed Melanie, Brian pulled Midge to her feet, and Tony collected Keisha.
Edgar joined his wife at the bar, but didn't ask her to dance. Lula raised her glass in his direction, but Fonnie couldn't help but notice how sad she looked. Fonnie surmised that Lula would be glad when all the wedding guests were gone and she and Edgar would be alone to enjoy their beach home. Maybe then he would pay more attention to her.
When the music stopped again, Edgar made his way across the room and asked Keisha to dance. She'd been enjoying herself, but she was glad when the band started up on a slower beat. Edgar enfolded her in his strong arms, and he glided her effortlessly around the floor. Her long thin fingers rested against his short beefy ones. She was surprised when she felt calluses on the palm of his hand. It reminded her of her brother's hands. Tyrone earned extra money by doing yard work and it showed on his hands. She guessed Edgar had the hands of a sailor. She'd heard how much he loved his boats. In contrast, Stephon's and Tony's hands were both as smooth as polished wood.
He bent his head to speak to her. “I understand you and Fonnie are staying a few days.”
“Yes. She wants to stay and enjoy the beach. This is the first chance she's had to travel in a couple of years.”
“Good. Maybe you'll let me take you out on my boat.”
Keisha nodded her head. “That'll be fun.” She wasn't sure he meant the “you” as singular or plural, but that part could be straightened out later on. “What kind of boat do you have?”
“A small cabin cruiser. She's not fancy, but she's fast.”
The music stopped and Stephon hurried to her side. Edgar thanked Keisha for the dance and turned around as Buzz clapped for attention.
Buzz had been going strong all evening: drinking, dancing, talking, and drinking some more. Now he stood up and raised his glass. “To all of us,” he shouted. “May we all be lucky in life and lucky in love!”
Stephon gave Keisha a quick squeeze, and she smiled in return. Brian made his way over to Melanie as everyone started clapping.
Buzz brought his glass down and took another sip. As he did, the glass slid out of his hand and crashed to the floor. He leaned his head forward and stared at the splinters, let out a loud groan.
Then his body crumpled as he fell face down to the floor.
Chapter Four
Melanie reached the collapsed man first. Fonnie watched as expert fingers searched for a carotid pulse, saw her nod as she found one. Brian was right behind her punching 911 on his cell phone. Fonnie hurried forward with the intention of playing nurse to the fallen man. She changed her mind when she saw how well Melanie and Brian were handling the situation.
Together they turned Buzz over onto his back. He was breathing, although his breaths were shallow. His eyes were closed, his face ashen. Melanie signaled Brian to grab a cushion from a nearby couch and they slid it under Buzz's head. Brian loosened Buzz's tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. Melanie made a finger-sweep of the victim's mouth to be sure nothing was obstructing his airway. Fonnie stood back and gazed in admiration at the young nurse and the young cop.
The other guests and waiters thronged around, hands over their mouths in concern or shaking their heads in bewilderment.
Edgar ran over to his partner and dropped down beside him. “Buzz, can you hear me?”
Melanie gently shoved Edgar aside. “Just let me handle it. An ambulance is on the way.”
“Thank God, you're here,” Edgar said. He moved away to give her room.
Midge started elbowing through the crowd. “What the hell happened?” She made her way next to her husband's fallen body, peered over Melanie's shoulder and shouted, “Buzz, get your butt up off the floor. We're going to our room.”
Melanie turned and spoke softly but firmly to Midge. “Mrs. Garrison, your husband isn't going anywhere—except to the hospital. I think he's had a heart attack. Now if you and everyone else will get out of the way, we'll try to keep him alive until the ambulance gets here.”
“You can't talk to me like that. I've never liked you and I don't like you now. You think you know everything. It's ridiculous to say Buzz had a heart attack. His heart is as strong as a horse.” Midge shoved the young nurse out of the way, slipped down to her knees, bent over her husband, and slapped him gently on his face. “Come on, Buzz Honey. Open those pretty brown eyes.” Her voice caught and she wiped a tear from her cheek. “Please wake up. You're scaring the crap out of me.”
Brian knelt down by the distraught woman and put his arm around her shoulders. “I know you're upset, Mrs. Garrison. But Melanie knows what she's doing.” He glanced back at Fo
nnie and motioned her forward. “Why don't you sit down with Gram? We'll take good care of Buzz until the medics arrive.”
Melanie reached across Midge and again took Buzz's pulse. “It's weaker and his breathing is slower. We might have to do CPR.”
Fonnie stepped over to Midge's side and took her by the arm. “You'll be more help to Buzz if you join me in a prayer. Come on. The ambulance will be here soon.”
Midge looked at Fonnie blankly, but nodded slowly and rose to her feet.
Fonnie led her to a corner sofa and Keisha brought her a glass of water. “Anything I can do?” Keisha asked. Fonnie shook her head
Midge rubbed her hands together. Her pudgy fingers paused over the diamonds on her left hand. “It's impossible. There's nothing wrong with Buzz's heart. I don't understand how this could happen.”
“Maybe his flu, or whatever he had, along with a little too much to drink precipitated an attack.” Fonnie said. “But he's strong. He'll pull out of it.”
Midge gave her a brave smile. “Sure. My Buzz is too stubborn to die.”
When the EMTs arrived, Edgar rushed them over to the patient. “Hurry,” he said. “The man's dying.”
Melanie rose and gave way to the two men with the stretcher and their medical bag. She patted Edgar on the arm. “It's all right. They need to get an IV started and give him oxygen. Then they can move him.”
Fonnie reassured Midge. “They're doing exactly what has to be done.”
“I want to ride in the ambulance with him.” Midge choked back tears, grabbed a napkin from a nearby table, and blew her nose. “I want to be near him.”
“Of course you do, but it'll be better if you ride to the hospital with Brian and me. You don't want to get in their way.”
Fonnie studied the two young men as they calmly and competently went about their work. Everyone seems so young these days, she thought. Those boys hardly looked old enough to drive and here they were saving lives.
Edgar, Melanie, and Brian accompanied them as they headed out the door. Fonnie heard Edgar speak to the EMTs as they filed past. “Melanie's an RN. Works CCU. I want her to ride in the back with Buzz.”
The one who looked the older of the two shrugged. “I don't know about that, sir. Is she family?”
“She's a close friend and your patient is my law partner. I want her with him. Understand?”
Melanie flashed a smile at the young men. “I promise I won't get in the way. I'll just scrunch up in back. You won't even know I'm there.”
The youngest of the medics smiled back. “Sure. No problem. Let's go.” As the gurney rolled toward the front door, he turned back and stared at Melanie in her skin-tight blue sheath and added, “But, I will know you're there.”
Brian hustled Midge and Fonnie out to his car. Keisha ran up as they were helping Midge into the back seat. “Want me to come along?”
Fonnie shook her head. “No need. I'll call when we find out something. Got your cell phone with you?”
“I'll get it and if you need me, be sure to call.” Keisha reached in and pressed Midge's hand. “I'm praying for him. My pop's a preacher and he says prayer is powerful.”
Midge sniffed and squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”
Brian had the car in reverse when Jeremiah came running up. He tapped on the driver's window and Brian rolled it down. “Got room for me?” Jeremiah asked.
“Sure. Jump in.”
Jeremiah raced around to the passenger side and scooted in. “I'm still the best man,” he said, “and I have to know what's going on so I can report to Paul.”
Fonnie poked him in the shoulder. “You're not going to report anything to Paul until the honeymooners are back home. There's no need to upset them when there's nothing they can do.”
“That's right,” Midge said. “And by the time they get home, Buzz will be all right.”
Keisha watched as Brian drove off followed closely by Edgar and Hank and their wives. Stephon came up and put his arm around her shoulders. “You're shivering. Let's go inside.”
“It is getting chilly. Or maybe it's just the thought of the closeness of death. I really don't think Buzz is going to make it. He looked terrible.”
“Yeah.” He gave her a hug. “Let's find some hot coffee.”
They paused at the reception room entry. Band members were putting away their instruments, waiters were clearing tables, the janitor was sweeping up the broken glass. “I guess the coffee's gone,” Stephon said. He shook his head, “I'm glad Amy and Paul weren't here to see how their party ended—in shambles.”
“I know. What a shame.” They were well past the door when Keisha suddenly stopped and turned back. “My shawl. I left it somewhere in there. I better find it.”
“Go ahead. It looks like the coffee shop is about to close. I'll grab us a couple of cups to go.”
Keisha made her way across the now empty dance floor, looked on chairs and under tables for her discarded shawl, and finally spied something blue on the floor by the bandstand. She picked it up, wrapped it tightly around her arms. Its warmth felt good and brought her a measure of comfort. On her way out she nearly stepped on a large piece of a broken glass. It must be from Buzz’s glass, she thought, and the janitor missed it. She picked it up and looked for a trash can to put it in. Not finding one, she snatched a napkin from a table and wrapped the jagged piece of glass. She slid it into her pocket, intending to dispose of it as soon as possible.
Stephon sat on a couch in the lobby holding two Styrofoam cups. “Get it while it's hot. There's no more where this came from.”
“Thanks. But do you mind if I run to my room first? I promised Fonnie I'd carry my cell phone in case she calls. I better go get it.”
“I could go with you. We could enjoy our coffee in the privacy of your room.”
Keisha hesitated then gave him a wide smile. “I think not. You stay here and enjoy warm thoughts. I'm going to change into jeans and sweat shirt and will be right back.”
Stephon shrugged. “Whatever.”
As she slipped off her dress, Keisha remembered the fragment of Buzz's glass she'd picked up. She looked for her waste basket, but not seeing it immediately, she slid the piece of glass into the drawer of the bedside stand. Her thoughts stayed on Stephon as she refreshed her lipstick and ran a comb through her hair.
When she returned to the lobby, Stephon was talking to a couple who were checking out. They were friends of Amy's that Keisha had met the day before although she couldn't recall their names. The woman was pacing impatiently as her husband signed the credit card receipt. “I'm so upset,” she said to Stephon. “I told Tom I couldn't stand to spend another night here. I don't think that man had a heart attack. He's been sick ever since we arrived. He may be dying from some horrible disease, and the sooner we get out the better. It's just not safe around here.”
The man turned from the desk and rolled his eyes at Stephon. “She's got quite an imagination, but there's no use arguing with her.”
Stephon nodded, reached out and shook his hand. “Have a good trip back.”
Keisha smiled as Stephon joined her in front of the gas logs burning brightly in the fireplace. She sipped her coffee and wiggled her feet at the flames. “Almost cozy.”
“Almost. If you can forget we're in a public lobby with the night clerk keeping a close eye on us. And worse yet, she reminds me of my grandmother.”
“Better your grandmother than mine.” Keisha slid closer and slipped her hand into his. “Thanks for being here. You're good company. But I really think I should go to the hospital. Fonnie may need me.”
“Why? She has Brian—and Melanie.”
Keisha's smile turned upside down. “I know.”
“What's wrong?”
“There's something about Melanie that rubs me the wrong way.”
Stephon's eyebrows shot up. “What? She's beautiful, competent, sweet. Fonnie and Brian both like her. You're not jealous, are you?”
“Don't be ridiculous.” Keisha t
ook another sip of coffee. “But just the same, I'll feel better if I go to the hospital.”
“Fine. I'll drive you.”
“That's not necessary. I can go by myself.”
“Sure you can, but I'd like to go with you. You're beautiful and sweet too—and I like being with you.”
Keisha leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You're the sweet one.”
Stephon gave her a quick hug. “We'd better be careful. That grandma at the desk is eyeing us.”
Chapter Five
A woman was standing outside the ER door. Her head rested against the “No Smoking” sign, and a cigarette dangled from her fingers. She lifted her head up to greet Keisha and Stephon. “Two more to stand vigil over the sick.”
“Hello, Lula,” Keisha said. “Have you heard any news yet?”
“Nary a word. The patient had already been whisked away to the inner sanctum when we got here and nobody's come out since.”
“How is Midge doing?”
“Not good. Buzz and Midge fussed a lot, but she really loves him. This is hard on her.”
“I'm sure it is,” Keisha said.
“And Edgar's going out of his mind,” Lula added. “You'd think Buzz was his brother instead of just a partner.”
“I can understand that,” Stephon said. “The people you work with can become closer than your own family.”
Lula laughed. “I wouldn't know about that. Edgar loves to remind me that I've never really worked a day in my life. As if trying to keep him happy isn't a full time job.” She took a deep drag of her cigarette. “God, I wish I had a drink. I should have snatched a bottle and brought it with me.” She ran her fingers up Stephon's arm. “Think you could find me a little something?”
Stephon shook his head. “Sorry. Small towns like this close the bars just before they roll up the sidewalks.”
Murder and Misdeeds Page 3