by Dixie Cash
“Okay, you win. I’ll go on a plane. I’ll even let you be in charge of the Dramamine.”
“But only if you promise not to have any with you and that you don’t have Buddy and Vic giving you pills too.”
“Hmm, do I have to promise that?”
“Without reservation.”
“All right already.” Edwina’s tone changed. “Just think of it, Dippity-do. You and me in Nashville. I mean New York City was nice, but now we’re talking Nashville, home of country music. This is our people. Does your mom know we’re coming?”
“I haven’t called her yet.”
“This is going to be so much fun.”
The word fun struck something deep within Debbie Sue. Her enthusiasm faded and she didn’t reply to Edwina’s comment.
“Debbie Sue, you still there? Hey, did we get disconnected?”
“I’m still here, Ed. I got a little carried away with the idea of the trip. Let’s not forget the real reason we’re going. A young woman who was brutally killed by someone is being laid to rest and we need to find out what happened to her.”
“I haven’t forgotten. Do you think I’m heartless? But you can’t expect me to beat my chest and tear my hair. I only saw her a couple of times and both times she insulted us.”
“I know you’re not heartless, Ed. Look, I’ll talk to you later. I’m standing in the kitchen naked.”
Edwina had reminded Debbie Sue of her mother, Virginia, who now lived in Nashville. She would be thrilled at a visit from her only daughter and the man she looked upon as her son. She would line up a million things for them to do. Debbie Sue hated to disappoint her with the news that this would be a business trip.
Looking up the hallway again, she ascertained that Buddy was still sleeping. Still wrapped in the afghan, she stepped out the back door onto the deck. She sat down on the bottom step and began pulling weeds. “The Eyes of Texas” blasted from the phone and she keyed in to the call. A warm, familiar voice said hello.
“Hi, Mom,” Debbie Sue said. “I was just thinking about calling you. Guess what? Buddy and I are going to see you Wednesday.”
Debbie Sue left her house early on Tuesday, headed to pick up Edwina. She suspected everyone from ordinary housewives to evangelical preachers, not to mention the press, would be trying to get a seat in the Midland courtroom to get a glimpse of a fallen country-music star. The thought of the press gave Debbie Sue a jolt of anxiety. Absolutely no way did she want some reporter to get wind of what she and Edwina were planning.
Yesterday Edwina had called every booked Styling Station customer and rearranged appointments. Being a natural-born multi-tasker, Edwina could make the calls and pack for Nashville at the same time. She had rearranged the entire week so they could spend a couple of extra days in Nashville without feeling the pressure to get back to the salon. Even Buddy’s captain, normally not one given to allowing time off without adequate notice, had encouraged Buddy to take all the time he needed. Everything was falling into place. Now if one of the suspects met them at the airport and provided a little hard evidence or confessed on sight, everything would be perfect.
Edwina appeared at last and climbed into the pickup. “Why are we going so early?”
“I want to get a seat, Ed. You know how it’ll be. At the rate we’re going, we’ll be lucky to get a place in the hallway. Now remember, don’t talk to anyone and don’t let anything spill. We’re just spectators, right? It wouldn’t help Darla a damn bit if some reporter started following our every move.”
“I got it, I got it. Mum’s the word, as somebody said.”
“When did Vic get back?”
“Last night around nine thirty.”
“How did he react to going to Nashville?”
“You know Vic. He’s up for anything. He does so much driving, flying is a nice change for him and you’ll be glad to know he told me the same thing you did. Two pills, no more. But I think all I’ll need is a dose of Vic sitting next to me.”
“Trust me, Ed, between Vic and me, you’ll get to Nashville just fine.”
“And home again?”
“And home again.”
Leaving Salt Lick’s city limits, their talk turned to the pending trip: clothing that was being packed, weather that was expected and the places they would go. Then they were at the Midland County courthouse. Vehicles filled the parking lot. Debbie Sue had to make several circles before finding a spot.
When they finally reached the courthouse steps, they were stunned to be greeted by Darla and Bob coming out of the building. A young man wearing big glasses and an ill-fitting suit accompanied them.
“You’re free?” Edwina exclaimed.
“Oh, my God, Darla, I’m so sorry,” Debbie Sue said. “We wanted to be here for you.”
Darla leaned in to hug of both of them. “That’s okay, guys, don’t worry about it. It was over in a matter of minutes.”
“We weren’t sure you’d get released,” Edwina said. “What about your bail? Who came up with your bail?”
Darla gazed up at Bob lovingly, while he turned pink and looked uncomfortable. “Bob put up the deed to his office building in Nashville.”
“And you pled not guilty?” Debbie Sue asked.
“Of course. Because I haven’t done anything. My trial date is six weeks from today.”
“That soon? When can you go back to Nashville?” Debbie Sue asked.
The young man made a step toward them. “The judge ordered Mrs. Denman to stay in the area until this unfortunate misunderstanding is cleared up and I’ve assured him that’s not a problem. We have a lot of work to do.”
“And you are . . . ?” Debbie Sue asked the pompous young man.
His spine stiffened. His nose lifted and he cleared his throat. “My name is Rooster Perdue, ma’am. I am Mrs. Denman’s attorney.”
The guy looked more like a college student than a hotshot defense lawyer qualified to defend a murder suspect. Debbie Sue glanced at Edwina, whose dark brows had shot all the way to her hairline, a sure look of panic.
“Listen, Darla,” Edwina said, looking around. Satisfied no one was listening, she continued in a low tone, “Me and Debbie Sue and our husbands are going to Nashville tomorrow. We’ll be gone two or three days. My place will be empty. I want you to stay there.”
“Oh, Edwina, I couldn’t—”
“Well you can’t stay at Debbie Sue and Buddy’s house with Bob. Think of how that will look. Salt Lick’s a small town, you know, and Koweba Sanders might be blind as a bat and deaf as a post, but she knows everything that goes on up and down that street. Bob can continue to stay there and you’ll stay at my place and that’s final. There’s plenty of food. We get all the good TV channels. If you want to use the Internet we’ve got that too. Short of room service and a maid, you’ll be as comfortable as staying at a resort.”
“I’ll probably be on the flight back to Nashville with you,” Bob said, also keeping his voice low. “I’m going out tomorrow as well.”
Darla’s eyes moistened and she laid her hand on Debbie Sue’s forearm. “I wish I could go with you to show you the sights.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Debbie Sue said. “You will one day. This really isn’t a pleasure trip anyway.”
“Right,” Edwina added.
“I’ll be coming back here after Roxie’s service,” Bob said. “Darla won’t be alone for long.”
“Well then, everything’s set,” Debbie Sue said. “Darla, we’ll meet you back in Salt Lick at the house so you can pick up your stuff. Listen, keep your chin up. Everything’s gonna be fine.”
“That’s exactly what I told her,” the attorney said. “As long as I’m on the case, there’s nothing to worry about.” His briefcase popped open and all of his papers, including two Spider Man comic books, fluttered down to the courthouse steps. He dropped to his knees and began gathering everything into a wad.
Everyone exchanged worried glances. “My God,” Edwina mumbled. “He looks like a
chicken with his head cut off.”
Debbie Sue gave her a glower.
Edwina lifted a shoulder. “Or maybe more like a Rooster.”
Put a sock in it, Ed, Debbie Sue wanted to say. “Look, let’s help him,” she said instead, also sinking to her knees and gathering loose papers. Darla left the courthouse with Bob in Vic’s pickup.
On the drive back to Salt Lick, Edwina said, “What do you think of the lawyer?”
“Nothing,” Debbie Sue answered, not willing to voice her concerns aloud.
“Hah,” Edwina said. “You’re lying to me. If I know you, your opinion is worse than mine.”
“Look, he got her out of jail, which I didn’t believe anyone could do on a murder charge. So he can’t be as inept as he looks.”
“But she pled not guilty.”
“Everyone pleads not guilty.”
Edwina drew a great breath. “I’ll never understand the legal system. First she confesses, then she pleads not guilty and they let her out of jail.”
“I know,” Debbie Sue said. “It is confusing. I’m going to talk to Buddy about it.”
They rode a few more miles in silence. Debbie Sue hadn’t even turned on the radio.
“We need to get to the airport a couple of hours early tomorrow, you know,” Edwina said.
“Not the Midland Airport, Ed,” Debbie Sue replied. “We’ve got an early flight. If we planned to be there two hours early, we’d have to get there before daylight.”
“They say to arrive at the airport two hours early when you’re going somewhere. Anything you read about flying safety advises you to arrive early.”
“At DFW or LaGuardia, Ed,” Debbie Sue said. “But not the Midland Airport. My God, there won’t be seven people getting on board our flight.”
“And it only takes one terrorist to bring us down, Miss Smarty Pants.”
“If we went that early, we’d be there long enough before boarding for you to really get to know everyone on our flight. Maybe you could talk a terrorist out of his plan. Besides, we’ll have Vic and Buddy with us. That’s like traveling with our own private sky marshals. Of course they won’t be armed, but—”
“Oh, hell, that doesn’t matter. Vic can do more damage with his bare hands than most people can do with a gun.”
“Right,” Debbie Sue said.
“I still want to go early.”
“Fine. You and Vic go two hours early. Buddy and I’ll meet you there.”
Chapter Twenty-four
The next morning, Debbie Sue and Buddy met Edwina and Vic and Bob at the Midland Airport. Bob had returned Vic’s pickup and the three of them had ridden together. Sure enough, they had arrived before daylight.
Now, as all of them waited, a boarding announcement was called. They gathered their belongings and found a place in line. As they passed into the Jetway, Debbie Sue turned to Vic and said out of Edwina’s hearing, “I gave Edwina her two pills about an hour ago. She should be fine.”
Vic’s eyes narrowed. “What? I thought I was supposed to give her the pills. I gave her two just before you got here.”
“Shit,” Debbie Sue said, staring at Edwina’s back.
“That little scoundrel,” Vic muttered.
“Maybe it’ll be all right. She seems okay so far.”
Just then Edwina whirled, threw an arm in the air in a signal of triumph. “Whoa-ho!” she said in a loud voice. “Let’s light this candle, baby!”
Debbie Sue, Buddy and Vic exchanged looks. “Oh, crap,” they chorused.
The flight went well. Edwina slept the entire time, snoring loudly enough to draw tittering and scowls from fellow travelers. Bob sat four rows ahead of them. Debbie Sue found herself studying his profile. Her heart went out to him. He was going home, carrying the remains of his murdered wife in a sealed urn, leaving behind his ex-wife, whom he still loved. Debbie Sue couldn’t imagine all of the emotions he must be processing—grief, guilt, worry, fear, regrets, you name it. She didn’t envy the drama that surrounded him.
After a smooth landing, they disembarked and gathered in the Nashville Airport. “How do we want to do this?” Bob asked. “Do we want to go in cabs?”
Buddy stepped forward. “Bob, we’ll rent a minivan or an SUV for the time we’re here. There’s more than enough room for you to ride with us. After the service we’ll give you a ride home or back here, or wherever you need to be.”
“Thanks.” Bob smiled self-consciously. “I need to wait for my bags. I put the urn in my suitcase. My car’s at my home, so if y’all will take me there after the service, I’ll be fine.”
“Are you flying back or are you driving?” Edwina asked.
“I’ll drive. No telling how long I might be there.”
“I understand,” Buddy said. “Vic, let’s find the Enterprise desk and see what they’ve got.”
After Buddy and Vic walked away, Debbie Sue inched closer to Bob. “Do you need any money, Bob? Buddy and I talked about it and if you need funds . . .”
“Oh, gracious, no. I’ve sold some stock I had almost forgotten about and I’m in good shape. In fact, I want to repay you for your kindness and I plan on getting a room in Midland when I get back. If you can suggest—”
“You’ll not repay us for a thing,” Edwina said. “If you do you’ll ruin our act of kindness and turn it all into just a loan. I won’t speak for Debbie Sue, but I need all the brownie points I can get with the man upstairs.”
“And please do continue to stay in the house,” Debbie Sue said. “I know it’s a drive from Salt Lick up to Midland, but the house is free and I hate seeing it sitting empty. Besides, a trial might not even take place.” She leaned closer. “Ed and I might just solve that problem while we’re here,” she whispered. “But don’t say anything to Buddy and Vic. They think we’re here only to go to Roxie’s funeral, then do some sightseeing stuff.”
“Oh, okay,” Bob said. “My lips are sealed. I hope you can do what you think you can.”
Buddy and Vic returned. “We’re all set,” Buddy said, folding a sheaf of papers and stuffing them into his breast pocket. “Let’s get a move on.”
Buddy drove, taking directions from Bob, who sat in the front passenger seat. Debbie Sue dug through her purse searching for her cell phone, pulling out items and placing them in her lap.
“Did your mom say where we’re staying?” Edwina asked.
“Nope. She was planning on telling me where she made reservations when we got here. . . . Here it is!”
At the same time Buddy looked over his right shoulder and said, “Make it quick, Flash. We’re at the funeral home.”
Debbie Sue pressed in a number as Buddy drove to the rear entrance of the building. When her mother picked up she said, “Mom, we’re here.”
“Hi, sweetheart,” her mother said. “I knew that had to be you. Did you have a good flight?”
“Very uneventful. We’re just about to go into the funeral home now.”
“Then you must be at the one on Donelson Pike. McAlister’s is the name of it, I think, if it’s the one close to the airport.”
Debbie Sue looked around for a sign. “Um, yep, that’s the name.”
“What time is the service, dear?”
“Not for a couple of hours. We’re dropping Bob Denman off. He’s going to stay here to greet anyone who comes just for visitation. We’re going to get checked in and come back for the service.”
“I’ve got you booked at the Gaylord Opryland. You won’t have any trouble getting back to the funeral home.”
“Gaylord. Oh, Mom, that must be pretty expensive. I hope it’s within our budget.”
“It’s very much in your budget. The manager owed me a favor. I helped him get some last-minute entertainment when a band didn’t show for a big shindig they had, so he’s comping the rooms. But, honey, don’t expect much. They’ll be the basic rooms. No frills.”
“Are you serious? That doesn’t matter to us. Just being there will be a treat.”
&n
bsp; “What? What’s wrong? What did she say? Where are we staying?” Edwina carped like a parrot.
Debbie Sue covered the phone with her hand. “Criminy, Ed, would you let me get off the phone?” She returned her attention to her mother. “Okay, Mom. I’ll call you later and we’ll plan on meeting for dinner.”
Debbie Sue snapped the phone shut and before she could place it in her purse again, Edwina was pumping her for information. “What’s too expensive? Let me guess! No, tell me.”
“Mama Doll,” Vic said, laughing, “give her a chance to answer. I can see right now I need to get you out of Salt Lick more often.”
“She got us rooms at the Gaylord, for free.”
“How?” Vic asked.
“The manager owed her a favor. She said not to get too excited because they’re basic rooms. But I don’t care. I’m excited.”
Bob turned and added to the conversation. “Even a basic room at Gaylord Opryland is nice. Well, I need to get inside now. Thanks again for everything. See you in a while. Buddy, you think you can find your way back?”
Buddy’s briefcase rested on the console. He popped it open and pulled out a GPS device. “These days, I never leave home without it,” he said.
“Good, I won’t worry. See you in an hour.”
Bob entered the back entrance to the funeral home and was immediately greeted by a man who introduced himself as the director. The anteroom was dimly lit and fragrant with flowers. Soothing organ music, barely audible, came from somewhere and ultra-thick carpet muffled other sound.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” the director said in a smooth-as-silk voice.
“Thank you,” Bob replied. “Have there been any calls, any messages?”
The director looked somewhat uncomfortable but regained his composure quickly. “Um, no. No, I’m sorry. There have been no inquiries, but it’s early yet.” He reached out with both hands. “Would you like me to take the departed for you?”
For a fraction of a second Bob didn’t understand the question and then he reacted. “Oh, certainly, yes.” He released his hold on the urn that held Roxie’s ashes. “Should I, I mean is it all right if I go with you?”