Scandal in Tawas

by Madison Johns

“We should see if the designer is still at the Days Inn,” I said.

  Eleanor frowned. “I can’t imagine why?”

  “Well, Raul made it sound like he was designing clothes for a fancier party, don’t forget.”

  “Oh, and how about Sara’s assistant?”

  “Then there’s the hairstylist.”

  “I’m quite certain they’ve all left town by now,” Wallace said.

  “But it won’t hurt to check,” Benny said.

  “HELLO, AGAIN, STEPHANIE,” I said, as she hung up the phone.

  She joined us on the other side of the counter. “What can I help you with?”

  “We’re wondering if Raul is still here. You know, the designer who was working out of a hotel room the last time we were here.”

  “He sure is, same room, too.” Stephanie frowned. “Oh, I forgot, he’s moved to the conference room A. The room upstairs was too cramped for him.”

  “We’ll be right back,” I told Benny and Wallace. “This shouldn’t take longer than a few minutes.”

  We entered the conference room to the sight of Raul tossing lace fabric into the air.

  “Are you okay, Raul?”

  He wiped his brow with the back of his hand. “I have no input from Sara Knoxville. I have no idea if she still wants the five dresses or not and she won’t return any of my calls. I’m in designers’ hell.”

  “Stylists don’t go to hell,” I assured him. “Were you able to leave a message on Sara’s phone?”

  “Yes, but what good did it do for me?”

  “When was this?” I asked in excitement.

  “The day of her signing.”

  I sighed, as he dashed all of my hopes.

  “Has Sara ever done that before?”

  “No, she’s been my most reliable client.”

  “Do you happen to know where we could find Sara’s assistant Cindy, or Rosanna, the hairdresser?”

  “Probably sitting on a bar stool somewhere ... not that I can blame them.”

  “You look like you could use a drink yourself, Raul. Why don’t you come along with us.”

  “Oh, why not. I need a break.”

  I HAD BENNY AND WALLACE leave and we rode with Raul to Barnacle Bill’s.

  We hadn’t gone too far when I spotted Rosanna and Cindy chatting it up with two brawny men.

  “Hello, ladies,” I called out.

  They frowned until they spotted Raul, then they squealed as they ran over to him.

  “It’s about time you took some time off,” Cindy said. “Let’s get a table. There’s a band starting in half an hour.”

  We were led to a table near where the band was setting up and I had to clear my throat to get Raul’s attention.

  “I’m surprised you’re still in town, Raul.” I smiled.

  “I’m not finished with the dresses for Sara yet.” He wiped the shine off his chin.

  “Oh but I thought you said the dresses are for another event.”

  “Sara has sworn me to secrecy about going to Europe for a book tour. She can hardly wear a simple frock when she goes to London or Paris. She plans to fly from Tawas in a few days.”

  “Apparently that will be hard to do with the airport closed due to the replacement of the runway,” Eleanor said.

  “Besides, she’s missing,” I said. “That’s why I wanted to speak to all of you. Are you sure Sara doesn’t occasionally disappear out of the blue?”

  “She’d never do that,” Cindy said. “I’ve been trying to reach her, too, but I just figured that she wanted some time alone.”

  “Especially when some idiot left out a page in her book,” Rosanna added.

  “I’m sure it can be an easy fix, but the publisher will certainly have to correct the problem.”

  “Or make exchanges for the books,” Eleanor added.

  “How did Sara seem the last time any of you saw her?”

  “Happy,” Raul said.

  “Giddy,” Cindy added.

  “Cindy, is there something you might know that you don’t want to tell us?” I asked.

  “Not really. Sara told me she’d see me at the party, but I was so exhausted I barely climbed to my bed.”

  “Is that something that is required of you, to go to Sara’s parties?”

  “Oh, no. Not all assistants of actresses go to the parties. Now, running around and doing her errands and helping set up the soirée is definitely a requirement of the job. But I’d rather hang around with Raul and Rosanna than go to some Hollywood party attended by a bunch of snobs. No, thank you.”

  “I didn’t find that to be the case at all. Roman and Coco Douglas were very nice and so were Nash Rivers and Liv Haley.”

  “Nash Rivers was there?” Rosanna asked with widened eyes. “I knew I should have gone.”

  “It’s not like he’d talk to you. He’s too worried about Liv to even look at another woman,” Cindy said.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You know, the flavor of the month,” Cindy said. “Although I can’t imagine they’d want anyone to know if they did hook up.”

  “You’re right about that,” Eleanor said.

  “So, none of you have anything you can tell me about Sara’s whereabouts. Has she ever mentioned somewhere she wanted to go while she was in Tawas?”

  “Sorry,” Cindy said. “I’m fresh out of ideas.”

  I sighed. “I expected as much but oh, how I hoped I could figure out where to search for her.”

  I SMILED AT PIPER AND an older woman with frizzy hair and dark circles beneath her eyes as they sat at Rosa Lee’s table.

  Andrew pulled out a stack of papers and joined the women at the table. Eleanor scraped a chair across the floor as she pulled it out. “Sorry,” she said, as she sat.

  “Not a problem,” Rosa Lee said, as she smoothed her apron. “Let’s get down to business.”

  “I don’t see why we’re even here,” the middle aged woman said.

  “That will be enough out of you, Clarissa. We’re here for Piper’s benefit.”

  “Don’t remind me. I had high hopes for her and it didn’t involve her beginning a life of crime.”

  “I hardly think Piper here wants to live her life that way,” I began, “although she does have you for a mother.”

  Clarissa’s eyes narrowed. “Mind your own business, you—”

  A pistachio bounced off Clarissa’s head, thanks to the well-aimed throw by Rosa Lee.

  “Ouch,” Clarissa wailed.

  “Andrew came all the way here to discuss Piper’s charges, so let’s listen to what he has to say.”

  “I’m her mother, unless you’ve forgotten, Rosie.” Clarissa ducked as Rosa Lee pummeled more nuts at her. “Stop. Fine, I’ll shut up.”

  “That’s more like it,” Rosa Lee said, as she shoved a piece of fudge into her mouth.

  I wiped the tears from my eyes. Leave it to Rosa Lee to provide plenty of comedic relief in an otherwise tense moment.

  Andrew cleared his throat. “I’ve spoken to the prosecutor on your behalf, Piper, and he’s willing to dismiss all charges if you can find a suitable living situation.”

  “She already has one, with me,” Clarissa said.

  “We all know that, dear,” Rosa Lee said, “but that’s not working out so well, now, is it. If you could agree to it, Piper, I’d love to have you stay here.”

  Clarissa frowned. “She’s not going to want to—”

  “Thank you, Aunt Rosa Lee,” Piper said, as she ran to her aunt, who hugged her tightly for a long moment. She let her niece go and said, “I have rules in this house, Piper, and I expect you to follow them.”

  Tears glistened in Piper’s eyes. “I promise I’ll follow them. I’ll even weed your garden, but only if you make me.”

  “You can count on that,” Rosa Lee said.

  “Where does that leave me?” Clarissa asked, as she moved to her feet.

  “Honestly, Clarissa, you were such a good mom when Piper was younger and I think wit
h a little help you can be again. I’m certain that’s what everyone wants for the both of you.”

  “I love you, mom,” Piper said.

  “I-I know, Piper, I love you, too. I’ll try to stay in town this time, I swear.”

  Piper hugged her mother. “Thank you, mama.”

  “It couldn’t hurt to get rid of that gang of losers you surround yourself with, Clarissa,” Rosa Lee suggested.

  “I’m not sure I can. I’ve asked them to leave, but they’ve refused.”

  “Mom is right,” Piper said.

  “I’ll send Curt and Curtis over to get rid of the varmint.”

  “That’s my cue to leave,” Andrew said. “If you could sign the agreement, Piper, I’ll make sure the prosecutor gets it first thing in the morning,” he added.

  Piper signed the agreement and smiled.

  “Thank you, Andrew,” Rosa Lee said.

  “And I’m sorry for tripping you up, Piper,” I said.

  “I’m not. That’s not who I want to be. I want to go to college and make something of myself.”

  “You’ll be the first member in this family to attend college,” Rosa Lee said with pride. “Your cousins will be taking you to your mother’s house to gather your belongings. Don’t worry, they won’t be confronting anyone while you’re there. I don’t think you should be there when they confront your friends either, Clarissa.”

  “Thank you, Rosa Lee,” Clarissa said emotionally.

  “I almost cried,” Eleanor blubbered all the way back to the car.

  “It’s so great that Rosa Lee is going to take on the responsibility of providing Piper a safe place to stay. She’ll turn her thumbs green.”

  “Do you think that runs in the family, Agnes?” Eleanor asked. “Because all I can think about now is the Jolly Green Giant.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  ANDREW OPENED THE DOOR and in strode Benny and Wallace.

  “Hello, Agnes. I hope you don’t plan to duck out on us today. It’s really important to us to continue to record your case.”

  “That’s just the thing. I’m a little uncomfortable with you filming us since we’re investigating a murder. It’s hard to get people to talk when you stuff a camera in their face.”

  Benny nodded. “You’re probably right. I’m fine with that. Will we be picking up Eleanor on our way into town?”

  “Of course we will.” I stood up and walked with the quad cane. “My ankle is feeling much better today, too. At least I don’t need to use the wheelchair today.”

  “Although you should take it with you,” Andrew said.

  “So did you find out anything vital to your case last night?” Wallace asked.

  “Oh, no. More dead ends are all. If we can’t find Tom and Damon today, I don’t know where else we can go from here.”

  ELEANOR HOPPED IN THE car. “Hello, guys.”

  “Hello,” they said.

  “Where are we off to today?” Eleanor asked.

  “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” I smiled.

  My cell phone rang and I answered it with a nod. “Slow down, Cindy, I can barely understand you.”

  “Meet me at the dock in Tawas.”

  Cindy ended the call and I choked out, “I don’t know what’s going on, but that was Sara’s assistant Cindy. She seemed quite upset and we need to get to the state dock right away.”

  I held on as Benny sped up U.S. 23 and into the parking lot where Cindy was waiting.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, as I balanced myself on my cane.

  “Oh, you’re not in a wheelchair.”

  “Not for the moment, anyway.”

  “You mentioned that you were looking for Tom Lewis and Damon Bronson.”

  “I did? Of course I did. Do you know where they’re hiding out?”

  “Yes, or I think so. They’re on one of the yachts, but I can’t remember the name exactly. All I was told was that it has a Pokémon flag on the mast.”

  “So a sailboat,” Benny said in excitement. “Aren’t Tom and Damon the last ones you need to question?”

  “Yes ... hopefully they can tell us something of interest.”

  I stared toward the dock. There was no way I could walk far enough even to reach the closest of boats moored here. “I’ll need my wheelchair to get close enough to any of the yachts,” I said.

  Wallace took out my wheelchair and I held a hand tightly over my stomach as he pushed my chair along the wooden dock. I was never so happy when we met the part of the dock that was made of concrete.

  I visualized the flag that loomed in the distance and pointed it out to Eleanor. “There it is.”

  Wallace was huffing and puffing by the time we reached the sailboat and Benny helped me aboard.

  “Excuse me,” I called out. “Is anyone here?”

  The door to the cabin below opened and out came Tom and Damon.

  “Where did you come from?” Tom asked.

  “The dock,” I said. “You know, this boat is attached to it.”

  Tom rolled his eyes. “Go away.”

  “I thought you two had a room at the Butler Mansion?”

  “We don’t have to answer any questions.”

  “Oh, why is that? You have a lawyer already?”

  “Why would we need a lawyer?” Damon asked in confusion.

  “Oh, because you murdered Laith Ahmed at the Butler Mansion,” Eleanor said, scoffing.

  “Who is she talking about Tom?” Damon asked.

  “I just knew we shouldn’t have checked into the Butler Mansion. Sure, I thought it would be fun to rub elbows with Sara Knoxville and her friends, but word has it she’s missing, along with many of her guests.”

  “Oh, and where did you get that tidbit of information?” I asked.

  “Does it matter?”

  “It should matter, since Laith Ahmed’s body was found at the Butler Mansion. You two were the last ones there before he was discovered.”

  “You’re not a cop, so get lost,” Tom said.

  “I don’t understand what’s going on,” Damon said.

  “Don’t play stupid with us!” Eleanor shouted.

  Damon backed up. “Please, tell them we didn’t kill anyone, Tom.” He jumped to the deck of the sailboat and into the dinghy, loosening the tie from the boat. With a roar, the engine started and Tom jumped and joined Damon in the dinghy and away they went with us watching ... and off across Tawas Bay.

  Eleanor pushed me back down the dock as I called 9-1-1. “Tell Sheriff Peterson to get his boat ready. Two men who murdered Laith Ahmed have disappeared out on the bay.”

  “Where are you?” the operator asked.

  “At the dock.”

  “I’ll send the sheriff to meet you.”

  My stomach rumbled by the time we were back at the car and Peterson’s cruiser roared into the parking lot.

  “What’s happening?”

  “Tom Lewis and Damon Bronson killed Laith. I only had the chance to ask them a few questions before they jumped into a dinghy and took off across the bay.”

  “From what boat?”

  “That sailboat over there with the Pokémon flag.”

  “The dinghy was yellow,” Eleanor said.

  Peterson nodded and called for the Coast Guard from his portable. “I’ll join the Coast Guard at the boat launch.”

  “Can we go?” I asked.

  “No—not happening! This is official police business.”

  All I could do was watch the sheriff leave.

  “I knew it the entire time,” Eleanor said. “I can’t believe Damon was playing dumb like that one minute, and then the next, took off in that tiny boat.”

  “Not the wisest thing to do out in the bay,” I said. “Look, a storm is rolling in.”

  Gray clouds gathered and flashes of light could be seen within them.

  “We better get back in the car before someone gets struck by lightening,” I said.

  For some reason, it didn’t take long to put the
wheelchair into the back of the SUV and get safely inside.

  I called Stuart and blubbered into the phone about what had happened.

  “Stay safe, Mother. I better assist the sheriff.”

  When the call ended, I frowned. “I don’t know what’s going on, but Stuart told me he’d be helping the sheriff. He doesn’t even work for the sheriff’s department.”

  “No, but he has his own resources,” Eleanor reminded me.

  “What kind of resources, exactly?” Benny asked.

  “Oh, I don’t think I should say. I’d hate for my son to become angry with me.”

  “He works for the FBI,” Eleanor said with a shrug.

  “In that case, we better get you ladies home. I’d hate for something to happen to you on our watch. Besides, the case appears to be over.”

  “I know, and I hate for it to end like this. I wanted to grill Tom and Damon like a grilled cheese sandwich.”

  Eleanor laughed. “Me, too, but make mine with sharp cheddar cheese.”

  “Instead of taking me home, could you instead drop me off at the campground where my daughter stays?”

  “Oh, sure.”

  “MARTHA!” I SCREAMED, when Eleanor and I clambered inside the camper. “We need a boat and fast.”

  “Whatever for?” Martha asked.

  “So I can catch up with the men who murdered that man at the Butler Mansion.”

  “Isn’t that a job for the Coast Guard or the sheriff?”

  “They’re heading after the man, but I was hoping Adam could take us out there. I don’t want to just sit here and wait.”

  “I hope you know that it’s about to storm.”

  “I know that dear, so we better hurry. Where is Adam?”

  “He’s at the charter boat. We better get there before he has it secured.”

  We hopped in Martha’s station wagon and off we went to where the charter boat was moored, and Martha flagged down Adam.

  Eleanor helped me aboard the boat as Martha quickly explained what we wanted to Adam, who scratched his head. “You want me to take out the boat in a storm?”

  “Please, we have to catch the murderers.”

  “Oh, so not only do I have to worry about the storm, now there are murderers to contend with?”