Murder in South Carolina

by Agnes Alexander

  “Of course not,” she lied. “I’ve never thought of such a thing.”

  “Well, I don’t want you to think of it. He’s a married man.”

  “I don’t know why you’re telling me all of this, Mrs. Collier.”

  “It’s really rather simple, my dear. I understand why you accepted Rex’s invitation to this family gathering, but I also understand why you must decline. When he comes by to collect you for the event, you can say there are pressing business matters you have to attend to.”

  When Megan simply stared at her, Hazel said, “You may be an important part of Collier, Collier, Briggs and Burton, but that’s as far as it goes. You’re not family, Megan. Only family has a right to attend the last good-bye to grandfather. If Colleen were here, I’d permit her to come because whether I care for her or not, she’s family. But I can’t permit you to come along. You’re not related in any way.”

  Megan still hadn’t spoken. She was afraid if she opened her mouth she’d say too much.

  Hazel stood. “Of course I’ll depend on your discretion as how you decline Rex’s invitation. If you don’t want to use the work excuse maybe you could claim a headache. That always works for me when I want to get out of something.”

  She went to the door. “I hope you won’t let this come between us, Megan dear. We’ve always been such good friends.”

  “Of course,” Megan mumbled and watched as Hazel slithered out the door.

  Megan now understood why she always thought of Hazel as slithering when she walked. She was just like a poisonous snake in tall grass.

  “But snakes have their enemies, too,” Megan said aloud. “So the queen doesn’t want me to come to the ceremony. Let’s see how she enjoys having another family member there.”

  Megan picked up the phone and dialed Dolly’s number. It was only after she finished the conversation and hung up that she let the tears sting her eyes.

  * * * *

  “Hi, Nola Dean,” Dolly said into the phone as she pulled the covers up over her body.

  “You’ll never guess what I found in my condo this morning,” Nola Dean said to her.

  “I have no idea. What?”

  “A big bag of money.”

  Dolly sat up and the covers fell to her waist. “How much money.”

  Shane was listening intently.

  “I don’t know,” Nola Dean said. “The police took it away. I didn’t count it.”

  “What would a big bag of money be doing in your condo?”

  “The police think Walter may have hidden it there.”

  “Walter?”

  “Yes. They say it could be the reason he was killed.”

  “Oh, dear. Poor Walter. What would he be doing with a big bag of money? I took care of all our finances.”

  “I don’t know, Dolly. I only know I found it under the bed and somebody had to have put it there.”

  “Why would Walter put it in your condo? He was killed on the beach, wasn’t he?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he hid it here thinking it wouldn’t be found. You and he have a key to my place, you know.”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. He was the one who always checked your place after a storm. If he put the money there, it’s my money now, you know.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Dolly. Somebody killed your husband for this money. You don’t want them to be after you because of it, do you?”

  Dolly paused. “You don’t think that’s why the man has been calling me, do you? Maybe Walter had some of the man’s money and of course I wouldn’t know about that.”

  “Now you’re catching on. The police made that very statement. If Walter had their money, no wonder they’d want it back.”

  “Was it a lot?”

  “It looked like a lot. It was all huge bills.”

  “I’m glad you found it, and I’m glad you gave it to the police. If that man calls me again, I’ll tell him where it’s at.” She shivered when Shane reached up and took hold of her shoulder, prompting her to say, “I need to run, Nola Dean. I’m sorry, but I was getting into the shower.”

  “No problem, Dolly. I’ll talk with you later. Goodbye.”

  Dolly hung up the phone and turned to Shane. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “Sounded interesting. Money is the next best thing to sex.”

  She giggled. “I agree.”

  “Tell me about it while I snuggle with you.” He pulled her back down into the bed with him.

  “It’s no big deal. Nola Dean found a big bag of money in her condo. She called the police and they think Walter was killed because of it.”

  “How much money?”

  “She didn’t count it, but she said it looked like a lot.”

  “I wish Walter had left it under your bed. You and I could have had a good time with it.”

  “Couldn’t we, now?”

  “What would you do with a lot of money, Dolly?”

  “Exactly what I’m doing.” She kissed the end of his nose. “You make me feel so good. I’d buy your time and keep you here.”

  “You don’t have to buy me. I’m here, aren’t I? I told you I didn’t have to leave yet. I have to work out a deal tonight, but that can wait for now.”

  “I’m glad.” She frowned.

  “What’s wrong then? Why the gloomy face?”

  “I’ve been getting some threatening calls. Nola Dean thinks the man who calls might be after that money she found. He probably thinks Walter gave it to me.”

  “But he didn’t.”

  “No. He didn’t. Walter never gave me much of anything. Most of what I got from him I took.”

  “I’ll give you something,” Shane whispered.

  Dolly relaxed and forgot about the money for the time being. “And I want what you can give me,” she whispered back, “but we have to make it quick. I have a family event to go to this afternoon.”

  Chapter 19

  Mr. Smith sat with his head in his hand. He was trying to think of what the next move should be. Now that Nola Dean Buckingham had found the money, he wondered if Walter Overton had hidden it all in her condo. He certainly hadn’t been able to determine if Dolly Overton had found anything. She was either telling the truth when she said she had no idea what she had that he would want or she was a very good actress. And there was still the paper he wanted. Which of the women could have that? Or did either one have it?

  He knew he’d have the answers to his questions if he’d done a better search of Nola Dean’s condo after they did away with Overton. If it hadn’t been so dark, he’d have found the money. He’d even looked under the damn beds, but they could hardly see in the dark. He knew he’d been smart about one thing, though. If he’d killed Nola Dean Buckingham, things would have been more complicated. Besides, she was a delightful woman to be with, though their meetings had been brief. Maybe he would find a way to remedy that. At this point she’d been no threat to him. Though she’d told her police friends about the body, she hadn’t hurt his plan in any way. It made it a little more exciting since the cops had the extra mystery on their hands.

  His main concern now was what the police were going to come up with on the stripper’s murder. He felt sure no one, but the show girl herself, had any idea he was the man with a connection to Arthur Brown. He was glad he’d gone to the club that night. If he hadn’t seen her eyes, she might have gotten a call through to the police and everything would have come tumbling down. But he did see her and he stopped her. It hadn’t been easy to squeeze the life out of that soft warm body, but he had no choice. If she’d only been as dumb as a beautiful blonde is supposed to be she wouldn’t have had to die.

  Now he had the immediate concern of how to make up for the money. He couldn’t keep hiding the fact that it was missing. The powers that be would soon get wise. He had to come up with a way to put some of it back right away.

  He knew the bags the police had would have to be forgotten. If he only had a way to find out how much they had. Dolly Overton could
still have some of it. No grocery bag could hold the millions they had made. Of course, the biggest amount could be in the off shore accounts. That was his other problem.

  The bugs in Dolly’s house and phone had helped. He wouldn’t have known about the police getting their hands on his money if Nola Dean hadn’t called Dolly and told her about it.

  An idea hit him.

  Nola Dean could be the answer. He’d have to get in her place and plant bugs there too. She talked to the police. Maybe they would tell her how much money they had. He had only to think of a way to get her out of her condo for a while.

  Laughing out loud, he pulled his chair up to the table and began scribbling on a piece of paper. “Nola Dean, my dear,” he said aloud. “Not only am I going to know all about Dolly and her sexual games, I’ll soon learn everything about you. And I’m sure you’re going to be much more interesting because you’re certainly more my type.”

  * * * *

  At five minutes to four the Collier family was ready to climb aboard the rented plane. To everyone’s surprise Dolly came running up to them. “Thank Goodness, I made it. I was afraid I’d be late.”

  Hazel Collier frowned. “What are you doing here, Dolly?”

  “I was told the family was to fly out over the ocean and dump Grandfather Collier’s ashes.”

  “That’s true. We’re glad you made it, Dolly.” Grady shot a glance at his wife then reached a hand out to welcome Dolly.

  She smiled at him and then turned to Rex. “Isn’t your wife coming?”

  “She’s in Europe at the moment. I’m sure she’s sorry she can’t be here.”

  “Humph,” Hazel grunted and turned toward the plane, mumbling something under her breath. Nobody was able to understand her words and they didn’t ask her to repeat them.

  Grady Collier followed his wife and Rex was left to escort Dolly. He smiled and took her elbow. “Shall we get aboard?”

  “Thank you, Rex.”

  Once they were all seated, the small plane took off.

  “Are you sure this plane is safe?” Hazel looked at her husband.

  “I’m sure it is, my dear. It’s rented all the time.”

  “If there’s a crash, it’s usually somebody in their own plane who has very little experience flying,” Dolly offered. When no one said anything, she changed the subject. “Hazel, it was sweet of you to have Megan call me and tell me you wanted me to come to this family event instead of her.”

  “She what?” Hazel stammered.

  Dolly didn’t see the surprised looks that both Grady and Rex shot Hazel. She went on, “Yeah. She said you thought it was more proper for me to be here than for her to come, though Rex had invited her because of her special relationship with Mr. Collier.”

  “Mother, what have you done?” Rex demanded.

  Hazel turned to look out the window.

  “I hope Megan wasn’t too upset,” Rex said. “She was very close to grandfather and I thought it would be a good idea for her to come. I’m surprised you wouldn’t want her to be here, Mother.”

  Hazel raised her chin a bit. “Some things need to be private.”

  “Oh, I agree.” Dolly laughed. “When there’s a death, family is what’s important. I know when Walter died, family was important to me. I wish you could have been there, Hazel. He had a nice funeral.”

  “I’m sure he did,” she said in an icy voice and again turned to the window.

  “Here we are folks,” the pilot said. “This is six miles out. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  They agreed and Grady opened the golden urn. He held it over the side and Rex whispered, “Goodby, Grandfather.”

  “Good-bye, Father,” Grady said. When the urn was empty he let it drop into the sea.

  Hazel didn’t say anything and glared down at the water. Dolly kept quite too.

  When they returned to land and left the plane, Dolly smiled at everyone. “Thanks for inviting me. It was a moving experience.”

  “Thank you for coming, Dolly,” Grady said and ushered her to her car.

  “How dare that woman show up for grandfather’s final farewell,” Hazel seethed as she started toward Grady’s Mercedes. “And how dare Megan tell her about the burial.”

  “Why would Megan do that, anyway?” Grady asked joining his wife and son. “She knows the family isn’t close to Dolly.”

  “I’m sure Mother knows why she did that,” Rex said as he opened the car door for his mother. “This was one time her scheme backfired.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I figure Mother went to Megan and uninvited her. Megan’s smart enough to know one way to get revenge was to send Dolly in her place.”

  “Did you do that, Hazel?”

  “It doesn’t matter now,” she muttered.

  “Of course it matters,” Rex stared at his mother. “I wanted Megan here. When you told her not to attend, I’m sure she was hurt. I’m glad she told Dolly. At least it proves your manipulating ways don’t always get you what you want.”

  “I thought it best if only family attended,” Hazel muttered through clinched teeth. She stuck her chin out and looked straight ahead.

  “Well, you see what your meddling caused,” Rex looked disgusted. “The last person I wanted here was Dolly Overton.”

  “There’s nothing we can do about it now,” Grady said. “I’ll drop you at the condo, Hazel. I have something I need to do.”

  “I don’t want to go to the condo,” Hazel said. “I want to go to a hotel where I can get room service and pamper myself.”

  “Whatever you say,” Grady said and waited until Hazel’s door was closed. He turned to Rex, “Get hold of Megan and have her meet us at the office. We’ve got to break the news to her.”

  Rex smiled. “Mother is going to have a fit when she finds out about it.”

  “I know, but that can wait. I don’t want to deal with her on that issue right now.”

  * * * *

  Link Holloway was having his third scotch on the rocks when he looked up and saw Joe Randell enter the bar. It took him a minute to remember where he’d seen Joe before. When it came to him, he was angry.

  “Well, well, well,” he roared as he raised his glass toward the officer. “Is one of Myrtle Beach’s finest slumming tonight?”

  Joe recognized him immediately. “Don’t you think you’ve had about enough, Holloway?”

  “Not on your life. I plan to drink until I can’t remember who I am, or who our friend Nola Dean is or who the hell you are for that matter.” He took a long swig from his glass.

  “Doesn’t sound like you’ve had any luck winning back the hand of the fair maiden.” Joe eyed him.

  “Maybe I’ve lost her.” He laughed. “But I think the likes of you never had a chance with her. Would you like to join me in a drink to help you get over it?”

  “No. Thanks.”

  “Oh, come on. That slick real estate dude said he was going by to see her. He’s probably with her right now. What do you want to bet, he’ll have her in the bed before the night is over?”

  “I think you’re getting drunk, Holloway.” Joe turned to the bar tender. “Is Susie in yet?”

  “I think so. Pepper’s back in the dressing room with her.”

  “I’ll wait.”

  “Want anything?”

  “I’ll take a Bud.”

  “There you go,” said Link. “Start on the soft stuff and move up. That’s my motto, too.” He drained his glass and handed it to the bartender. “Another of the same. Make it a double this time.”

  “I hope you don’t plan to drive in that condition,” Joe said.

  “Not on your life.” Link took the drink and indicated the bar tender as he said, “Had to give the jailer here my keys to get the last drink. Had to give him a deposit so the limo takes me back to the hotel too. You don’t have to worry. The streets of Myrtle Beach are safe from me tonight.”

  “Then, Mr. Holloway, drink until you pass out if that’s what you w
ant to do.” Joe took his beer and started toward a table.

  “I will.” Link toasted him again. “And when you get to thinking how upsetting it is to imagine Nola Dean with that Norrick fellow, come back and join me.”

  * * * *

  Joe didn’t answer, but when he heard the name Norrick he felt a small stabbing sensation in his chest. He hoped he’d heard wrong. Nola Dean certainly was too classy to get mixed up with Shane Norrick. His reputation with women was well known in the Myrtle Beach area.

  He’d settled in a booth when Susie came up. “I heard you were looking for me.”

  “Hi, Susie. Want something to drink?”

  “Not really, but Pepper will stay off my back if you buy me something. She thinks we have to work every minute we’re in this place.”

  Joe ordered her a glass of wine because she’d told him earlier Pepper didn’t allow the girls to have hard liquor while on duty. “Have you been watching the male guests?”

  “Like an eagle. But I’m sorry to say, I haven’t a clue as to who Denise was going to point out to you. Every time I think I might have an idea who it could be, I think of a million reasons why it couldn’t be him.”

  “Even if you think they’re innocent, I’d like to check them out myself.”

  “I thought you’d say that.” She rolled down the top of her long gold satin glove and took out a piece of paper. “I made a list. I wasn’t able to get all their names, but I’ve identified them the best way I could.”

  “I’m sure this will be a big help, Susie.”

  “I hope so. I liked Denise. I want you to catch the son-of-a-bitch who killed her.”

  “I want to catch him, too.”

  Susie sat back and looked at him a moment then she smiled. “You know for a cop, you’re a right decent fellow.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “It was meant as one.”

  Pepper walked up. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need Susie on the floor.”

  “We’re through anyway,” Joe said. “Thanks, Susie.”

  “See you around.” She flipped back her long black hair and moved from the table without another word to Pepper.

  When she was gone, Pepper looked at Joe. “Have you any idea who killed Denise yet?”