Armie’s body language was quickly changing. His jaw bone was tense, waiting to square off with me. His furrowed brows, rapid breathing, and clenched fist told me he couldn’t handle my strong-arm approach to questioning him. I decided to change it.
“When was the last time you saw Duffy?”
“I saw him the week before he went to Tennessee. We went out to eat that Friday night with our wives before his trip. I think it was the last Friday in March.”
“Do you have any idea who did this horrible thing to Duffy?”
“Vett, I don’t. He had some problems and hang-ups, but he wasn’t a bad person.”
“I’ve heard he drank too much. Was that one of his problems?”
“No, it wasn’t. Who told you it was?”
“I have my sources.”
“Look. Sometimes when he drank, he was quick to lose his temper. He was working on controlling his temper. I was helping him with that. I don’t drink at all anymore. I was hoping I would be a positive influence on him. He never drank while driving nor while on tour. Jackson would have fired him for that.”
“Can you tell me what his other problems and hang-ups were?”
Armie gave me a fixed stare, filled with indecision. I was beginning to think he was one of those people who think long and hard before making a decision because of being terrified of making the wrong decision. After a few seconds, he saw that I was not backing down from his fixed stare. He then relaxed his body, stared at the table, and began talking.
“It’s just that he wanted a baby, and it appears Nancy didn’t,” Armie said slowly, then looked at me. “She is forty-two and has never had kids. Before they got married, Nancy told Duffy she wanted a baby. But it’s been two years since they got married, and she keeps giving Duffy stupid reasons for not wanting to get pregnant. Duffy was getting tired of it.”
“Why didn’t she want to get pregnant?”
Armie rolled his big brown eyes, but his entire body tilted forward as he said, “It’s not a good time, we don’t have enough money saved up, we need a bigger house, and I’m too old, are the reasons he told me she gave.”
“Are you sure those are all the reasons?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Did you know Duffy had the sickle cell trait?”
Armie stared in shock, “How did you know that?”
“Let’s just say I know.”
“Well, since you already know, I’ll tell you what Duffy told me. He didn’t tell Nancy he had the trait until after they were married. She didn’t like it. She thought that meant he was Black. So yes, she used that as an excuse not to have a baby.”
“What difference did it make? He was still the man she fell in love with.”
“I know, and Duffy told her that. There are still some highly racist people in Attribute, and I think Nancy is one of them, though she claims not to be,” Armie explained.
“Perhaps she is racist and has the sickle cell trait herself. From what I remember about sickle cell, if both parents have the trait, there is a 25% chance that any child born to them will have sickle cell anemia and a 50% chance any child will have the sickle cell trait. One parent with the sickle cell trait can still pass on the trait to their child.”
“I don’t know what the big deal is. I know several Black folks who have the sickle cell trait and do not have any health-related problems that I am aware of.”
Armie and I were deep into sharing what we knew about sickle cell anemia when Kit brought a tray to the table with our food on it.
“Is there anything else I can get for you,” he asked, after putting our food before us.
“Nothing at the moment, Kit. This looks great.”
“Enjoy,” he said as he walked away.
Armie blessed the food, and then we began eating.
“I don’t see why she would be hung up on Duffy having the sickle cell trait,” Armie said after taking a bite of food.
“Perhaps, it’s what it represents—his relatives are Black along the line somewhere.”
“Hmm, my wife jokingly says she is afraid of having a Black baby. The two of them get along fine. If it’s true she doesn’t’ want a Black baby, my wife will find out.”
“Do you think Nancy murdered Duffy or had him murdered?”
“No, Vett. She appears to love him. In front of my wife and me, Nancy acts like she loves him. I know he loved her very much. He gave her everything she wanted. And all he asked her for is a baby. He had put all his money and insurance policies in her name. He had done everything I know to do to show your wife you love her.”
“What about Duffy’s other friends? What do they think about Nancy and Duffy’s married life?”
“Duffy doesn’t have many other friends, ah, just some of the other drivers. But I know he didn’t talk much to them about his home life. You see, I knew Duffy when I lived in Envyton County. We’ve known each other since we were teenagers. My wife and I moved to Attribute when I got the job with Brightness, about eight years ago. We could have stayed in Envyton with me commuting to Attribute for my job, but I am so glad we moved. It makes it so much nicer and easier job-wise. I talked Duffy into applying for a job with Brightness.”
“Since you’ve known him so long, did he commit the Lacecap Hydrangea Murders?”
Armie hesitated, methodically put his fork down on the napkin beside his plate, then looked at me peculiarly and said, “Vett, I honestly don’t know. I like to believe he didn’t. He told me he didn’t. But to keep me honest, there are still some aspects of those murders that don’t sit right with me.”
“Like what?”
“Like, why hasn’t Diantha’s murderer been found? It’s been almost ten years. Why was Duffy with those two men the night before the murder of Ms. Lacecap? He says they were just guys out having a few beers. I knew the guys. They were thugs, but I didn’t hang around them. Duffy and I both were a little wild on up into our forties, but Duffy could sometimes be an insensitive horse’s ass. I thought his marriage to Sybil was going to quiet him down. The marriage only lasted five years before Sybil gave him the boot. Getting the job with Brightness has changed him. He is a much better person. Let me tell you, Jackson doesn’t play around. He’ll fire you in a minute if you don’t follow the rules.”
“So back then, Duffy making sexual advances to Sybil’s sister, Diantha, is something you see him doing?”
“Yes, the insensitive horse’s ass.”
“What else bothers you about the murders?”
“Diantha was such a pretty girl. To be raped and murdered is a crying shame. That bunch of blue lacecap hydrangeas she had with her meant she was meeting someone. She had them with her to give to someone. But no one has come forward admitting to meeting her. Why is that? Somebody knows something.”
“I’ve heard that Ms. Lacecap’s yard was full of hydrangeas.”
“That’s true. Giving people hydrangeas was their signature thing to do. All three of them gave them to everybody, grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, and mechanics, everybody. Ask anybody in Envyton; they’ll tell you.”
“I wonder why is it that nobody has come forward with information on who Diantha was meeting in the park.”
Armie shrugged his shoulders, then gave me a slightly annoyed glance as he said, “Someone knows.”
“Yes, someone does know, and I am going to look into the murders at the same time I’m looking into Duffy’s murder.”
“You think the two are related, don’t you?” Armie asked.
“Don’t you?”
“I don’t know.”
There was something about how Armie answered me that caused me to pause. He sneered at me. He had contorted his face in a manner that clearly showed contempt. Yet, I don’t think he knew he had done that.
“Again, I ask, do you know who murdered Du
ffy or any reason why he was murdered?”
“Duffy was my friend. I have many friends crazier than Duffy, but none better. If I knew anything, I would have taken it to the police as soon as I found out about the murder. I miss my friend, and nothing would give more pleasure than to have the scum who did this put away.”
Armie was getting emotional. A marked change in his face and voice was taking place since the sneer a few seconds ago. So I changed the subject back to the Lacecap Hydrangea Murders.
We continued talking about Duffy and the Lacecap Hydrangea Murders for the next forty minutes. I didn’t learn anything that I didn’t already know. Kit brought the check to the table, and I explained to Armie that I would pay for the meal and expense it to Brightness. He was okay with that.
After that, I said, “Tell me something about Duffy. What was he truly like?”
“He was a big-time animal lover. That little dachshund of his, Footlong, went everywhere with him when he wasn’t working. He treated that dog like his child. So he was gentle and kind. He loved driving the tour bus because he loved making people laugh. He certainly had a sense of humor; he had the gift to make a joke out of anything. During his downtime, he went to some of the local bars, but he loved being home with Nancy and Footlong, too.”
“Thanks, Armie. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.”
“You’re welcome. If you have more questions, call me any time. I want to know who did this to my friend, too.”
We walked out of the restaurant front door side by side, chatting casually as we walked to my Jeep. The parking lot was now full of vehicles. Nearing my Jeep, I pointed my Jeep remote key to it to unlock the door.
“One more thing,” Armie said as he stood by my Jeep door, “Lemmonee said you met Lanta. Well, Lanta had an attraction for Black men. I don’t know if she still does. It may be worthwhile for you to look into her background regarding the Lacecap Hydrangea Murders. When she was younger, the word is she was sleeping with several Black men, including Ms. Lacecap’s brother, and to this day, she still maintains a close relationship with him. That’s all I am going to say because I need my job. I don’t want to lose it.”
“What is it that you . . . ?”
“Uh, I’ve said enough. Good night, Vett.”
His stance told me he wasn’t budging. I opened my Jeep door and got in. Armie then closed the door, then waved goodbye. I waved back, then watched him walk to his car, my stomach beginning to churn. I knew that there was declining societal prejudice toward people in interracial relationships in today’s time, but not so in Lanta’s younger years. What was she hiding? She slept with Ms. Lacecap’s brother and other Black men. What the hell? What kind of life was Lanta living back then?
I was beginning to see an explosive reason why Jackson wanted me to solve Duffy’s murder quickly.
I started my Jeep and drove across the street to the hotel.
CHAPTER 8
I was glad to see Sty at the check-in desk. After checking in and she and I chitchatting about my sooner than expected return, I asked, “Sty, do you have a few minutes tomorrow morning, say around 8:15 am. There is some information I want to give you regarding my reason for being here.”
“Sure. I’ll be here at 7:00 am. I am filling in for someone,” she said hesitantly. “Just come to the desk. I can take a break at that time.”
“It’s nothing serious,” I assured her. I felt strongly that I needed to tell her the truth, but I didn’t want to do it until I was leaving. If the media knew I was here and what I was doing, they would be knocking on my hotel room door, or waiting for me in the lobby, or following me. So it was best that I waited until I checked out.
As soon as I entered the room, I turned on the TV, hoping the sound would put a stop to the feeling of impending doom that was coming on me. It didn’t. I sat at the desk, turned on the light, and then pulled my black and white composition notebook from my bag to write down my notes. Dimma, who was so technology savvy, was pushing me to buy a laptop just like the one she owned. I knew I would have to do it soon or get left behind technology-wise.
I opened my notebook and began writing:
Tuesday- 9:00 am meet with Nancy
10:00 am drive to Envyton County
12:00 noon or thereabout meet with Marjorie Brown
1:00 pm or thereabout meet with Rebbie Shields
2:00 pm or thereabout meet with Joe McClain
3:00 pm or thereabout meet with Holt Pruitt, Jr.
4:00 pm or thereabout drive home
I then pulled my phone from my bag. Neither Marjorie nor Rebbie had called me back. I placed another call to each and left the same message as I had left before. I pulled the passenger list from my bag and found Joe McClain’s telephone number. I quickly dialed it, and a man’s voice answered on the second ring.
“Hello, is this Joe McClain?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Joe, this is Vett Brayborn. I hope you remember me. We were on the Tennessee trip together.”
“Sure, I remember you. You’re that investigator that helped Lemmonee. How can I help you?”
“I want to know if you would have time to meet with me tomorrow. Jackson Stevens, the president of Brightness, has hired me to look into Duffy’s murder. I have some questions surrounding Duffy and the men’s restroom.”
“I don’t know what else to tell. I’ve told the police everything I know.”
“I do understand. Hearing what you saw direct from you may help me tremendously. Would you have time around 2:00 pm tomorrow? I promise not to take up much of your time.”
“Well, I guess that is okay.”
“Thank you, Joe. I really appreciate it. Would you give me your address and directions?”
I had his address from the passenger list, but I didn’t know if he would make a fuss with Jackson for giving it to me. After he had given me all the information I needed, and I had thanked him again for agreeing to meet with me, I said coyly, “Holt Pruitt, Jr. went with you to look for Duffy Friday night. I want to talk to him, too. Are you and he close friends?”
“He’s my best friend. If you want, I’ll ask him to join us tomorrow. I think Tuesdays are slow days for both of us.”
“That would be wonderful, just wonderful. Thank you, Joe.”
“You’re welcome. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Have a good evening, Joe.”
I made a few more notes in my notebook, then called Gam. An hour later, I took a nice long hot shower, then dressed in my pajamas. I took my notebook in hand, pulled back the balcony door curtains, and moved the desk chair to the balcony door. I intended to enjoy the night sky before reviewing my notes. Instead, I began critiquing them and adding more notes. When I finally stopped writing and looked to the sky, the moon and the twinkling night sky quieted me down. Gam and I frequently, in warm weather, sat out on our back porch enjoying the night sky activity before going to bed.
At ten pm, I closed the curtains and got into bed. The next thing I knew, it was 6:00 am. The three long phone rings were my wake-up call from the front desk. The TV was still on broadcasting the morning news. I jumped out of bed, washed my face, brushed my teeth, put on my sweats and sneakers, and put the room key in my pants pocket. I then walked down the exit stairs to the small exercise room. I was determined to walk for at least thirty minutes on the treadmill. That delicious meal from yesterday still lay heavy on my stomach.
There was no one in the exercise room. I climbed on one of the treadmills and began walking as I turned the grade level up to three. The music piping through the speakers in the ceiling was barely audible, but I was able to make out that soulful voice, with the husky quality, as Mary J. Blige. I began singing along with Be Without You. Thirty minutes later, I had sung along with several different genres of songs when the music abruptly came to a stop. I kept walking, waiting for it to
return. It didn’t. I walked for another ten minutes, then got off the treadmill. The music had been a good motivator to keep me walking. There have been times when I wanted to give up exercising altogether, but I feared more losing my stamina to do the things I’ve had to do in the job that I love. Running up flights of stairs, enduring a stakeout in a cramped position, and crawling through small spaces are not for the faint of heart nor the unphysically fit.
I walked back up the stairs to my room. The hot shower felt extremely nice. I took my time dressing and packing. Before leaving the room, I called Gam to provide him with some morning cheer. At 8:15 am, I had checked out and was sitting at a table across from Sty in the small business center.
“Sty, you’ve been the ideal representative for this hotel. As such, I thank you for the wonderful service, and I want to provide you with more details on why I’m here.”
“You don’t have to do that. It’s my job to provide good customer service, but I’m glad you think my service was wonderful,” Sty said, smiling and nodding her head.
I gave her a brief overview of who I was and how I solve cases. When I was done, I said, “Jackson hired me to find out who murdered Duffy, and I was on the bus Friday night sequestered in that awful weather.”
“You were!” I had lit a spark. Sty pulled her chair closer to the table. Stunned, she froze as she let what I had said sink in.
“No one sequestered on the bus was hurt. I wanted to tell you this because you so freely shared information with me. If you eventually found out what I was really doing here, I didn’t want you to think I had lied to you by not being upfront with you.”
“I wouldn’t think that. I had no idea you were on the bus. Did you see anything? The murderer must have known Duffy’s routes, right?”
As soon as Sty ended her sentence, my body trembled, and I knew what was about to happen. A sinking feeling began to take over my stomach. A sense of foreboding quickly overcame me. I knew it was nothing to be afraid of and that the sensation would only last a few seconds. A revelation was coming through to me. A power beyond me directed me to pay close attention to what Sty just said. Of course, Sty didn’t know this. All she could understand and see was my body trembling and me clutching my stomach.
Sequestered with the Murderers Page 7