“Didn’t he ever huddle with you in the corner of the patio on a night the neighbors were having a cookout and love you as you listened to the laughter next door?”
She shook her head.
“Didn’t he ever put his arms around you when you had your hands covered with cookie dough and pull up your dress…”
“Please, Shane. I can’t stand it.” She leaned into him. “I’ve never had a passionate relationship like that with anyone.”
“Until now,” he whispered and looked into her eyes.
“Until now,” she whispered as he began to fumble with the buttons on her blouse.
Chapter 17
Nola Dean was getting ready to make an omelet for dinner when Joe called and asked if she would join him for supper. She said yes if she could wear her jeans. He said he was in the mood for a good burger and jeans would be fine.
They went to River City Grill.
Afterward, Joe suggested they take in a movie. Nola Dean was pleased. It was the first time she’d gone to a movie with a man in long time. And the fact he wanted to see a Harrison Ford film pleased her. She’d liked every movie she’d seen the actor in.
It was fifteen minutes into the picture when Joe took her hand. It felt comfortable. Almost like it did when she was in high school and the boy would reach for her hand. She didn’t pull away.
When the movie ended, they moved into the crowded aisle.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“Yes, Joe. I did.” She smiled and wondered if he was asking about the movie or the hand holding. “Did you?”
“Yes. Very much.”
They were almost to the door when a voice said, “Well, hello Nola Dean and Officer Randell.”
“Olive. Hi,” Nola Dean said.
“Mrs. Brunson. How are you?” Joe said.
“Very well.” She nodded to the row of senior citizens beside her. “My friends and I usually wait until most of the people are out before we leave.”
“That’s a good idea,” Joe said.
Nola Dean looked at Olive and smiled. She thought she caught something in the older woman’s eyes. Instinctively she said, “Olive, Joe and I were talking about how much help you’ve been on the Overton murder case, weren’t we, Joe?”
For an instant, Joe looked puzzled, but he said, “Yes, we were. I don’t know what we’d do without your input.”
Olive beamed. “You know, I’m doing everything I can.”
“You have been thinking about what you and Nola Dean talked about on the beach the other day, haven’t you?” he asked.
“I’m still racking my brain. It will come to me, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure it will, too.” He smiled at her. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
“It will be soon,” she said.
As they moved away, Nola Dean said, “I’ll see you on the beach, Olive. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, now.”
When they’d moved a little further, Nola Dean motioned for Joe to look back. Olive’s friends were twittering and all gathering around her.
“You made her day, Joe.”
He shook his head. “I only followed your lead.”
“And I thank you for that.”
As they went out the door a burst of cool air greeted them and Nola Dean shivered.
“Are you cold?”
“A little bit, but I’ll be fine.” She was glad he put his arm around her and kept it there until they reached the car.
* * * *
At eight o’clock the next morning, Megan sat at her desk and gripped the phone as she listened to Rex’s voice. A tear slid down her cheek. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
“I know how much you liked Grandfather, Megan,” he said. “You worked with him for a long time.”
“I know. I still miss working with him.” She paused then went on. “Don’t get me wrong, I think the world of your father. The senior Mr. Collier gave me my first break. He taught me everything I know about real estate investment.”
“Me too. I’m sorry we didn’t get to have more of his wisdom in his later years.”
“When is the funeral?”
“There is no formal funeral. We’ll have a memorial service in week or so. Grandfather asked to be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. You know how much our family loves the ocean. Grandfather was no exception.”
“Yes. He talked about it frequently.”
“It will be a few days before the body is ready, but when we get to the coast, please join us, Megan? I’m sure Grandfather would want you there.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t be intruding.” He shifted his position. “My wife is in Europe. She won’t be there.”
“I wouldn’t let that stop me.”
“I know you wouldn’t. I only thought it would make it easier for you if you were reminded that Colleen was out of town.” He shifted again. “You know how jealous she is of you.”
“I know, but I don’t know why.”
Rex didn’t say anything more about his wife. “I’ll be driving to the coast the morning we scatter the ashes. I’ll have to get back to you with the exact time.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Rex.”
Rex cleared his throat, “If you don’t mind, please don’t say anything about grandfather’s death to Dolly. She was Walter’s wife, but she’s really not family, you know.”
Megan half smiled. “I won’t say a word to her. I won’t even call her until everything is over with.”
“Thank you. I don’t think I can handle Mother and Dolly at the same time, and Mother would have a fit if she was there.”
“I understand.”
“Take the day off if you like. I know this has upset you.”
“Thank you, Rex.”
“You’re welcome.”
A little while later, Megan did go home. She couldn’t work knowing that sweet Jessup Collier was dead. Nothing in the office would ever be the same. Though he wasn’t there in person, his presence was still felt, even in the office at Myrtle Beach.
At least there was some consolation. It would be nice to be with the Collier family again. Sometimes she wondered if Hazel Collier hadn’t liked her a little more than she did Colleen. She also often wondered what it would have been like if Hazel had ended up her mother-in-law.
* * * *
Three days later, Bett asked, “Is it really going to be mine?”
“It’s really yours. They went with the contract the way you filled it out.” Shane smiled at her. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, thank you.” She looked at him. “May I hug your neck?”
“I don’t see why not.” Shane held out his arms to her.
Bett put her arms around his neck. “You’re the best real estate agent in Myrtle Beach.”
He held her tightly. “I want to be your only real estate agent.”
“You are.” She dropped her arms, but Shane continued to hold her. “You can let go now,” she said.
“Do I have to?”
She chuckled. “I’m afraid so.”
He let her go and shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, well. Maybe next time.”
“Maybe so,” she said and looked at him. “What do we do next?”
“Well since you’re pre-qualified with a lender, we’ll notify them you’ve found the property you want. We’ll send them a copy of the contract and then we’ll set up a closing with a lawyer.”
“When?”
“It should only take a few days.”
“Wonderful.” Bett walked with him to the door. “It will feel good to get out of this apartment.”
“I bet.” He winked at her. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Thanks again, Shane.” She closed the door and did a little dance. “I think I’ll call somebody…Nola Dean, I guess.”
She dialed the number and got a busy signal. “Oh well, I’ll call Joe.” His number was busy too.
She decided not to jum
p to conclusions. They could be talking to anybody. It didn’t have to be to each other. She dialed Nola Dean again. Still busy.
Joe’s phone rang. She was relieved when he answered.
“That’s great, Bett,” he said as soon as she told him the offer had been accepted. “How long before you become a home owner?”
“I’m approved for a loan so Shane says it will only take a few days.”
“I know you’re glad of that.”
“Yes, I am.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say about the condo so she said, “I’ll be on into work soon. Anything happening?”
“Just routine. Take all the time you need.”
“Thanks Joe.”
“Sure. And again, congratulations.”
She hung up and for the heck of it, she dialed Nola Dean’s number. Her line was still busy.
* * * *
“So everything is going okay in the office?” Nola Dean asked again.
“Yes,” Danny Thurman, her office manager assured her. “As I said, we’ve got five closings this week and six listings have come in. We’re also about to sign with Edwards Building to list their houses. They build about sixty houses a year.”
“That sounds great. Should I come home to talk with them?”
“No. I’ll give you their number and you can call from the beach. You need to relax and enjoy yourself, Nola Dean. Everything is under control here.”
“I know.” She took a deep breath. “It’s hard to relax with so much going on.”
“I’m sure it is. We read about Overton. Do they have any idea who killed him?”
“Not yet. I wish they could solve it. Dolly isn’t dealing with it very well.”
“That’s too bad. How about Emily? Heard from her?”
“Oh, yes. She’s doing fine. Likes her roommate. I probably won’t see her until Thanksgiving.”
“That’s a good time to come home. It will be good for both of you.”
“If you’re sure you don’t need me, I may extend my vacation, Danny.”
“You know we’ll call you if anything comes up we can’t handle or we think needs your touch.”
“I’ll talk with you in a day or two.”
“Look forward to it. Have fun.”
“I will.” She hung up the phone and turned to Maxie who was dancing at her feet. “Well, Boy. I’m ready to take you for that walk now.”
Half way to the elevator, she thought she saw someone duck into an apartment down the hall a little too quickly. She shook her head as the elevator doors opened. “You’re getting paranoid, Nola Dean.” She said aloud as she stepped inside and punched G for the ground floor. “Who would be trying to hide from you?”
Though her logical mind told her she was being silly, she didn’t feel completely comfortable until she and Maxie were back inside and she’d checked under all the beds and in the closets.
Chapter 18
Nola Dean hung up the phone and smiled. She was happy Bett had called to share the news about her condo. It was exciting to buy your first home on your own and Bett had a right to be excited. But now the conversation was over and Nola Dean needed to get back to work in the spare bedroom.
She wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but after careful study, she decided the room needed a good make over. “I wonder if I should give everything in here to the Good Will and start from scratch.” She looked at Bubbles.
Of course he only purred and turned over in the middle of the bed.
She plopped down on the side of the bed and the poof of the bedspread sent a piece of paper into the middle of the room. She reached over and picked it up.
She glanced at it and figured it was some scribbling someone staying there had done, and it somehow ended up under the bed. Planning to toss it in the trash, she stuck it in her pocket. She then got on her knees to look under the bed.
“What in the world...?” She frowned and reached for the package stuffed up against the wall at the head of the bed with only a bit of brown paper showing.
She pulled it out and stood. The package was a brown grocery store paper bag half full of something. The top was rolled down and taped.
For a few seconds she hesitated, but knew she had to know what was inside. She pulled the tape away and peeked in.
“Oh, my Lord...”
She turned the bag upside down and plastic sandwich bags full of hundred dollar bills tumbled to the bed. “Who...?”
Dumfounded, she stared at it. “Could this have been the reason Walter was killed?”
Backing out of the room, almost in a daze, Nola Dean went into the kitchen. She wondered how much money was there, but she refused to let herself count it. Without stopping to think, she picked up the phone and dialed Joe’s office number.
In a few minutes he was on the line.
“What’s up, Nola Dean?”
“Could you come over here?” She tried to keep her voice calm.
“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know.” She took a breath. “It might be. Could you come?”
“I’ll be right there.”
Ten minutes later her doorbell sounded.
As soon as she answered it, Joe came inside without being invited. He was alone.
He took one look at her and asked. “Are you all right?”
“I think so.”
“You sound funny, Nola Dean.”
“I know. I’m still in a daze.”
“What happened?”
“I found something.”
“What?”
“Come with me.” She walked to the bedroom. The money was still on the bed where she’d dumped it. “That,” she said pointing at it.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Joe looked at the money. “Where did you find this?”
“Stuck between the headboard and the wall.”
“Whose is it?”
“I don’t know.” She looked at him. “It’s not mine.”
“I know. You wouldn’t have called me if it was yours.” He chuckled. “When did you find it?”
“Right before I called you. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Did you touch it?”
“Yes. I pulled it out and opened the package.”
“Did you touch the little plastic packages?”
“I don’t remember. I was so stunned to see them my mind went blank, but I think I only dumped them on the bed.”
From his pocket he took a pair of plastic gloves and placed the sandwich bags back into the brown paper bag. “We might be able to lift some prints from these.”
“Do you think this is the reason Walter was killed?”
“It very well could be. But for some reason they must not have thought he had the money with him or they would have torn your place up looking for it.” Joe stood. “It could also be what the man keeps calling Mrs. Overton about.”
“Oh, Joe. I’m beginning to think there will never be an end to this mess.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “It will end, Nola Dean. We’ll catch the culprits. It may take a while, but not as many people get away with murder as you might think.”
“I’m beginning to sound like Dolly. I want it all over with.”
“Maybe soon.” He smiled down at her as he squeezed her shoulders. “I’d better get this back to the station. Are you going to be all right?”
“I guess so.”
“I tell you what. Why don’t I come pick you up tonight and we’ll go bowling or something. You look like you could use a night out with a fun fellow like me.”
She laughed. “I think I could use a night like that, too.”
“I’ll see you about seven, then.”
“I’ll make a pot of chili or something.” She walked him to the door.
“That sounds great.”
“Thanks for coming, Joe.”
“It’s my pleasure, especially since I got a dinner invitation out of it.” He winked at her and went out the door.
* * * *
Megan went home for lunch to change into what she wanted wear to the scattering of ashes at four this afternoon. Things were hectic in the office and she might not get another chance to leave. Rex was with some investors and Grady had gone to a meeting with some of his friends somewhere. She donned a navy suit and was looking for the right pin to put on the lapel when there was a knock on the door. She opened it.
“Hello, my dear.” Hazel Collier said.
“Hello, Mrs. Collier.” Megan stood aside. “Won’t you come in?”
“Thank you.” She glided into the room and took a seat on the yellow flowered cushion on the love seat. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Of course not.” Megan chose a blue winged back chair. “May I get you something?”
“No. I want to chat with you a moment. My husband and son had some business they said they must attend to and I thought it would be a good time for us to talk.”
“Of course.”
“When Rex informed me he’d invited you to join the family for the disposal of Grandfather’s ashes, I was surprised.”
“I was pleased he asked me to come. I really loved Mr. Collier.”
“I know you did. Grandfather thought you were a special person too.”
Megan didn’t know what to say so she waited for Hazel Collier to continue.
“You know, of course, that Colleen is out of town.”
“Yes.”
“Colleen is extremely jealous of you.”
“I’ve been told that.”
“She has good reason to be.”
“I’m sorry to disagree with you, Mrs. Collier, but I’ve never given her any reason to be jealous of me.”
“Of course you haven’t. I have.”
Megan stared at her and Hazel laughed and said, “I often tell Colleen I wish Rex had married you instead of her.”
“Surely you don’t do that.”
“Oh, yes I do.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Probably if Rex had married you, I’d tell you that I wished he’d married Colleen.”
Megan looked confused. “I don’t understand.”
“Of course you don’t. It’s a mother’s prerogative to try to protect her son. That’s why I’m here.”
“Oh?”
“Are you having an affair with my son, Megan?”
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