Happier Days in Time

by Jenna St James

  “I’m leaning toward the whole Russian thing.”

  “Ditto. There’s also a note in here that she told Cliff she was done waiting for him to tell Nancy about Janie, and that she was going to tell Nancy the next time she saw her.” I read silently for a minute. “This just breaks my heart.”

  “What? What?” Rex sat up, causing some of the water to spill out over his thimble. “Is it Sissy’s last entry?”

  I nodded. “It’s the night she died. It looks like she didn’t really make another entry for almost a week. It’s dated June 24, and I’ll just read what she wrote. It says, ‘What is going on? I’m so confused! I didn’t write about what I saw because I’m still trying to process it all. I think I suspected. I feel I have no choice but to–I hear something! I think someone is in the house! I’ll write later. Must hide the journal for now.’ And that’s the last entry.”

  “Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking.”

  Chapter 10

  “You look beautiful,” Maggie said as I descended the stairs later that evening. “Your waves turned out magnificent.”

  I barely refrained from running my hands over my tender head. The Spoolie curlers weren’t so bad, it was the constant brushing and brushing and pinning to get the perfect wave look that gave me the headache. I was definitely going with a glamour spell next time, no matter what.

  But in the end, I had to agree with Maggie…my hair did look magnificent…and the dress wasn’t anything to sneeze at either.

  I decided my look tonight would be “go bold or go home.” I’d chosen a sleeveless red dress that cinched in at my waist and then flared out. The front cut down into a deep “V” plunge, and I topped it off with matching red high heels, white gloves, white pearls, white clutch purse with Rex stuffed inside, and my perfect blonde pin curls. I felt I was ready to take on the pod people across the street.

  Maggie looked just as magnificent in her curve-hugging tweed pencil dress, white and gray kitten heels, white gloves, and white pearls.

  “Omigosh!” I stumbled backward in surprise when I finally saw what was in her white-gloved hands. “What is that?”

  “My specialty. It’s my celery, egg, and shrimp Jell-O salad in this lovely mold.” She held the green, goopy, gelatinous blob up. “Everyone raves about it. Tonight I added a surprise…green peppers and green olives for just a little more flavor.”

  “Yuck!” Rex exclaimed. “Even I wouldn’t eat that! And I’m a rat!”

  “It looks amazing,” I lied. “I hope all the dishes aren’t as appetizing, or I’ll have a hard time not gobbling everything up.”

  “Wanda will probably bring her Spam and green olive hors d'oeuvres, and Peggy Sue—”

  “Oh, stop right there,” I said. “Let’s make the rest of it a surprise. I can’t hardly wait. Yum. Yum.”

  “You’re a horrible liar,” Rex said.

  “I assume you’ll snoop for clues tonight?” Maggie asked.

  “Yes. I hope you’re okay with that?”

  “My goal is your goal…we need to find Sissy’s killer.”

  I shut the front door behind Maggie and together we walked across the street to Cliff and Nancy’s house. We’d just reached the porch when the front door of the ranch house on the right of the Belmonts flew open and a surly-looking boy stomped outside.

  “Why don’t you go get bent?” He patted his slicked-back hair and turned to face inside the house. “I’ll be back before they get home.” The boy adjusted the cuff on the sleeve of his white t-shirt then pulled up his jeans. “Later, spaz!”

  He turned and trotted down the steps, cut left, and jogged up the street while a pretty girl in a Poodle skirt stared after him, slowly shaking her head.

  “I take it that’s Walter and Wanda’s place?” I mused.

  “Yep. That boy will either be dead or in jail within the next two years. And that poor sister of his knows it.”

  I was about to knock on Nancy’s door, when it swung open and a suit-and-tie wearing Cliff motioned for us to come inside.

  “The ladies are in the kitchen getting things around,” he said. “Go on in, and I’ll bring you drinks. We’re having dry martinis tonight.”

  “I’ll take an olive and an onion, please,” Maggie said.

  “Me too,” I said.

  Maggie and I paraded our green monstrosity into the kitchen and greeted everyone. Nancy, looking stunning in a pale blue swing dress, looked up from arranging the food. “Oh good, Maggie, you brought your delicious Jell-O salad! It’s always a hit.”

  I set my purse out of the way, opened it, then leaned down to whisper to Rex. “I want you to go next door and look around inside Walter and Wanda’s house. See if you can find anything that lets us know what Walter’s involved in.”

  “What’s that, Alexa?” Peggy Sue asked.

  I whirled around and clutched my chest, feigning shocked. “Peggy Sue, you scared me! Shame on you.” We both laughed. “I love your dress.” I guided her over to the table laid out with the most horrific looking food I’d ever seen. “What yummy item did you bring?”

  “I brought the Surprise Loaf. It has ham, salmon, and tuna along with onions and other secret ingredients. Then I hold it all together with my very own homemade pimento cheese. It’s absolutely swell! I can’t wait for you to try it.”

  Swallowing past the bile, I gave her a weak smile. “It does sound swell.”

  No wonder these ladies could all stay thin…they just thought of the most disgusting ingredients to throw and mash together so they wouldn’t have to put the food in their mouths.

  Wanda plunked down her tray of Spam topped with a sliced green olive on a cracker. Unlike Peggy Sue, she didn’t greet me with a smile.

  “It’s so nice out tonight,” Nancy said, “I thought we’d grab food in here and eat outside.”

  “I think that sounds wonderful,” Peggy Sue said. “Don’t you, Maggie?”

  “I do,” Maggie agreed.

  The men walked into the kitchen, each holding their own drinks plus refills for the girls. I was quickly introduced to Walter and Jack, and then handed a martini. We all stood and made small talk while finishing our drinks.

  At five, Nancy announced dinner, and not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings, I took a little from each platter. Luckily the serving size of the plate was almost half of what I was used to, so I didn’t have to grab too much food.

  Walking outside, I sat down on a wrought-iron red and teal chair and set my drink on the ground. I wanted to make sure it was handy in case I needed help choking down something. I’d just settled in when Nancy sat down beside me.

  “I’m so glad you could make it tonight,” she said. “I’m sure Maggie loves having the company. I know she misses Sissy.”

  “Yes, she does.”

  Nancy sighed and picked up one of Wanda’s nasty-looking treats. “Your sister was a lovely woman, but she sure could attract trouble. If you ask me, it was her shameful habits that drove her to kill herself.”

  “What shameful habits?” I nibbled on the edge of a cracker that had Peggy Sue’s spread on it. “You mean the secrets she found out about you all?”

  Nancy’s nostrils flared and anger flashed in her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re even talking about. Secrets indeed! What kind of people do you take us for? We have no secrets here! And I resent you implying otherwise.”

  I sat silently, letting her think she’d gotten the upper hand by intimidating me. When enough time had passed, I leaned down, picked up the martini, and swirled the liquid inside. “I must be mistaken on my information.”

  Nancy’s hand tightened over the cracker, causing it to crumble onto her plate. “What information?”

  “Oh, things like who your mom and sister are.” I leaned in conspiratorially. “You know, Barclay women who believe ladies should work outside the home…be paid the same as a man. Gosh, Nancy, I wonder what everyone will think when they find out?”

  “Lies!” Nancy hissed, her breath comin
g in rapid session. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your mouth shut.”

  I tilted my head and frowned. “I wonder, are those the same words you said to my sister just days before she was murdered?”

  Nancy stood abruptly. “Your sister killed herself. Everyone knows it.”

  I watched her stomp away, her head held high in the air. I caught Maggie’s eye. She lifted her glass to me and gave me a tight smile. She was talking with Jack and Cliff, so I didn’t think I could make my move there. I roamed over the backyard and zeroed in on Walter Smith. Leaving my plate under the chair, I picked up my martini and wondered over.

  “Hi,” I said cheerily. “Walter, right?”

  Walter leered down his nose at me. “You are Sissy’s sister?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t believe we have anything to talk about. My heroes are Joseph McCarthy and Walter Winchell. You know why? Because they tell it like it is.”

  I knew who McCarthy was. I knew he was famous for “outing” entertainment people—or bullying entertainment people—he thought were Communists. But in 1954 he was censured by the government and by now, in 1955, he’d lost significant power. I wasn’t sure who Winchell was, but I figured he must have aligned himself with McCarthy if Walter liked him.

  “You like people who tell it like it is?” I mused. “Is that what goes on during those Sunday night meetings you have?”

  Walter reached out and grabbed my arm. “Don’t make the mistake of following in your sister’s footsteps. You might end up just like her.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “That’s a fact,” he said.

  “Where were you between six and seven on the night she died?” I asked. “It was a Friday night, so I know you weren’t at your secret meeting.”

  The right side of his face twisted in a sneer. “I was sitting in my den reading the paper after dinner. I’m sure my lovely wife can vouch for me.”

  “If she wasn’t already passed out by then.”

  Scowling, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone. In the twenty minutes I’d been outside, I’d managed to rile two people. I was on a roll. I hoped Rex was faring as well. I watched Jack throw a ball to Cliff’s boy as Rosie played with Play-Doh and talked to her baby doll.

  “I love watching him,” Peggy Sue said as she sidled up next to me.

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “Jack. I love watching him interact with kids.”

  “He seems to be enjoying himself,” I said.

  “He’s going to make the best dad,” she said emphatically.

  “I’m sure he will. When the time is right.”

  She smiled. “Yes. When the time is right.”

  “Can I get you ladies a new drink?” Cliff Belmont asked as he stopped next to us.

  I looked down at my empty glass. “Sure.”

  “Not for me, thanks,” Peggy Sue said.

  “I’ll be right back,” Cliff said as he took my glass.

  “Finally,” Peggy Sue said, “Maggie is free. I want to talk with her about our trip to Philadelphia in a couple weeks. Will you excuse me?”

  “Sure.”

  With no drink and no one to talk with, I suddenly wished Rex was around. He’d at least keep me entertained.

  “Miss me?”

  I glanced down and smiled. “Yes. Hurry up. Get in my pocket and tell me what you found out.”

  Rex did as directed and nestled low in my dress pocket.

  “Propaganda about Communism and the Cold War. A lot of hostility and hatred toward the Soviet Union. Not good! Not good!”

  Chapter 11

  “Here you are.” Cliff Belmont handed me another martini. “A beautiful drink for a beautiful girl.”

  “Eww! Want me to bite him, Lexi?” Rex asked. “Huh? Huh?”

  “Thank you.” I took the glass but didn’t drink. “Cliff, I was hoping you might be able to help me piece together something.”

  He took a small step toward me, nearly touching me physically. Definitely too close in my personal space. “Of course. I always love to help a beautiful woman in need.”

  “Barf!” Rex said.

  “On the night Sissy died—that Friday night two weeks ago—Nancy tells me she saw Sissy draw the curtains downstairs and turn off the light. That was a little before six. Did you see Sissy anytime between six and seven that night?”

  “Me? Of course not. Why would I have?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe to talk with her about what she was writing down in her journal.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” He took a long swallow of his drink, his eyes never leaving my face.

  “I found a torn piece of paper in Sissy’s room. It said she saw you and your secretary being real friendly a few months back. Do you know why that would be?”

  The color drained from Cliff’s face. “What did you say?”

  “I said I found a—”

  “I heard you,” Cliff interrupted. “I have no idea why Sissy would have my name attached to that woman. She doesn’t even work for me anymore.”

  I tried not to snort. I really did. Everyone knew when a man said “that woman” in that tone, he know exactly who that woman was.

  “That is odd,” I said.

  “Your sister was a very sick woman,” Cliff said. “She was obviously unhappy and delusional. If I were you, I wouldn’t put anything into what that paper said.”

  Cliff strode away, once again leaving me alone. I took a sip of my martini and grimaced. I was sure Cliff had made the drink twice as strong as before.

  “I think I’m gonna go play with Rosie. She’s the coolest person around by far.”

  “Go,” I mumbled to Rex as I bent down to release him. “I’m about ready to leave myself.”

  “What are you doing?” Wanda asked.

  I glanced up from my squat position on the grass and groaned. Wanda and Nancy towered above me. They were the last people I wanted to talk with. Goodness only knew how many drinks Wanda had consumed from the time I last saw her.

  I stood up and smiled. “I thought I saw a four-leaf clover.”

  Before either one could reply, Maggie and Peggy Sue strolled over to join us.

  “What’s going on over here?” Maggie asked.

  “I was about to tell Nancy I wasn’t feeling well,” I said. “I think I need to call it a night.”

  Nancy’s cold eyes stared back at me. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  There was no denying it…I’d made an enemy out of this woman.

  “S’ry to hear it too,” Wanda slurred.

  I had to seriously bite my tongue to keep from telling her that she should probably lay off the booze, go home and check on her family. Because I knew for a fact that the son she thought she left at home was out running the streets. Granted, there weren’t that many streets in the subdivision, but he could probably get in trouble.

  “Mommy! Daddy!”

  Every eye turned to Rosie as she came running from the front yard, her hair and dress flying around her.

  “Mommy! Mommy!” she cried as she came to a stop in front of me. “It’s the heat!”

  Nancy frowned. “What? What heat?”

  Rosie rolled her eyes. “The heat…you know, the fuzz.”

  When everyone continued to just stare at her, she sighed. “The police! The police are here!”

  “The police?” Maggie mused. “Here? You’re sure?”

  Rosie nodded. “I’m sure.”

  She took off to the front of the house, yelling at the police to follow her, she could tell them where to go. I nearly smiled at that. I had no doubt that little girl could tell those police officers where to go.

  A few seconds later, two officers strode through the backyard. They zeroed in on Cliff and ambled over to where he stood. Nancy let out a squeak and hurried over to Cliff’s side.

  “Wonder what this is about,” Maggie mused.

  A few seconds later, Nancy’s
voice rose in the air. “Can’t this wait? We’re obviously having a dinner party.”

  We all stepped closer to where the police officers stood with Cliff and Nancy.

  “No, ma’am,” the young officer said. “I’m afraid we need to speak with him now.”

  Jack stepped forward and placed his hand on one of the officer’s shoulders. “I’m Jack Ellington, the DA for our county. Is there a problem?”

  The officer whispered something to Jack that made his face drain of color. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes,” the older officer said.

  “It’s okay,” Cliff said. “I’ll speak with them. I’m sure this is nothing.”

  Jack looked shell shocked, but Cliff followed the two officers into the house. As he watched them go, Jack rubbed his hands over his eyes.

  “What’s going on?” Maggie called out.

  Jack wandered over to us and shook his head. “I’m not exactly sure. Cliff may be right, and it may be nothing.”

  I didn’t believe that for a second, and I could see Maggie was about to argue, but the back door burst open and Cliff barged out.

  “Get everyone out of here!” he bellowed.

  Nancy gasped. “What? Why? What’s going on?”

  “Just do it!” Cliff snapped.

  Jack grabbed hold of Peggy Sue’s arm. “We need to go.”

  I looked at Maggie and she nodded.

  “Don’t worry about my tray, Nancy,” Maggie said. “I’ll get it tomorrow. It was a lovely meal.”

  I hated to leave my purse behind, but since Rex wasn’t stashed inside, I didn’t suppose it would matter. Luckily, I’d left the binoculars and alarm in my bedroom. I followed after Maggie as she grabbed hold of Jack’s other arm. Peggy Sue stepped out of her husband’s embrace and came to walk beside me.

  “I’m scared,” Peggy Sue whispered.

  “Me too,” I said. I had no idea what was going on, but whatever it was, it had rattled two grown men.