Disrobed for Death (17 page)

By the time Susan finished with her rounds, every car in the parking lot of both apartment complexes had a flyer under their windshield wiper. Thank goodness the rain had stopped, but the clouds remained, cloaking the surroundings in a blanket of cold misery. Shivering, she climbed into her car and cranked up the heater.

A little way down the highway, the lights at Tilly’s looked too inviting to pass up, and she made one more stop. A hot meal sounded good. The wait shouldn’t be long, as there were only a few cars parked out front. She took a seat at a table and Tonya approached.

“Do you mind posting this?” Susan asked, handing her one of the remaining flyers.

Tonya glanced at the paper. “Sure thing. I heard about your sale.” She set a basket of assorted crackers and a saucer of butter on the table. “Looks like you could use something to warm your bones.”

Susan briskly rubbed her arms. “A bowl of hot gumbo will work.”

“That won’t take but a minute. What do you want to drink?”

“Water and lemon.”

Tonya disappeared into the kitchen, and Susan started in on the crackers. To her surprise, the front door opened and Jack Evans entered. He went straight to the counter.

“Hey, Tonya,” he called. “You have my order ready?”

A muffled voice answered. “Be out in a minute. Have a seat.”

Did she dare try to get through to him, maybe evoke an inkling of their previous meeting? On some psychic plane, his subconscious had to hold the memories. A smile crossed his face as he gazed in her direction.

“Hi, there, Ms. Griffin. How have you been?” he asked, walking toward her table.

“Fine, Doctor Evans. Please, have a seat.”

He pulled out a chair. “I won’t be long. I’m just here to pick up an order.”

Beneath his jacket, he wore green scrubs, and the stubble on his face had gone well past the proverbial five-o’clock shadow. Not that it distracted from his looks. His tousled hair and disarming smile made him a definite chick magnet…just not her magnet. She was drawn to Wesley, and it looked like no one was going to come between them.

“Long shift?” she asked.

“Too long—forty-eight hours straight—I’m looking forward to catching up on my sleep.”

His relaxed manner, along with the sound of his voice and the sparkle in those cobalt blue eyes, swept her back to their meeting in the funeral home. She wanted to grab his hand and ask if he didn’t feel something…anything. But she knew the answer.

Maybe when it was all over, and Jack was safe, she’d tell him how so many had come together to protect him. Because they believed her story, they were able to prevent his murder.

“Here you go, missy,” Tonya said, placing the steaming bowl of gumbo on the table. “Doc, your order’s on the counter.”

“Nice seeing you again,” Jack said, getting up and following Tonya. Before leaving, he turned to Susan. “I still intend to call your friend as soon as I get a chance.”

“I’m sure she’ll enjoy hearing from you,” she said, knowing A. K. was more than anxious to get that call. Susan also knew she would also meet with him, as well, when this was all over. He wouldn’t be able to dismiss her then. Even Ramona would be there to back up her story.

Thursday morning, the sun reared its head and chased away the clouds. As so often happens in a Louisiana winter, the temperature moderated. The forecast for the next few days couldn’t be better. No wind and the high sixties would allow for part of their sale to take place outdoors.

On the way to the boutique, her cell rang.

“I’m fine, Mother. I know I should have called, but I’ve been busy. Yes, we do need to get together. Dinner? I’d love it. Give me two weeks. I should have things under control by then. You know I’m having a charity sale today and tomorrow. If you get a chance, swing by the boutique and make a contribution to the widow of the slain officer.” Susan turned into the parking lot. “Yes, I love you, too. Bye, Mother.”

Shortly after Susan opened the store, Sheila and Debbie arrived along with their model friends. The caterers followed, and A. K. entered the boutique on their heels. She held several helium filled balloons of various colors.

“Tie these to your easel. They’ll help draw attention,” A. K. said.

“Okay, thanks. Debbie, please help your friends get changed. I’m anticipating early arrivals.” Susan held the balloons in one hand and tucked the easel under an arm. She also carried a tote filled with colorful markers. At the front of the parking lot, she set up her grease board. She was sure it should attract a lot of attention. As if in confirmation, cars honked from the highway, and others began turning into the parking lot. One particular group of ladies exiting their vehicle caught her eye—Myrtle Thigpen and her faithful followers.

Oh, no, Myrtle, give me a break.

Her nemesis marched straight toward her. Susan readied for her verbal assault. At least this time, she wasn’t toting her pitchfork…uh, sign.

“We might have our differences,” Myrtle said, her voice somewhat mellow, “but what you’re doing here is a good thing. And I’m so grateful that Wesley wasn’t killed. My friends and I would like to contribute.”

Seems Wesley recognized a quality in the woman that Susan had failed to see—compassion. Maybe it was because Wesley wasn’t harassed daily by Myrtle. But if Myrtle was ready to take that first step toward friendship, Susan would meet her halfway.

“Thank you, Myrtle. You, too, ladies. I’m sure you’ll find many things of interests, and there are refreshments, too. Any merchandise you might find offensive has been moved to the rear of the store.”

Myrtle took the arm of a woman next to her. “This is my sister, Lorraine. She moved away fifteen years ago. Last night, she showed up at my front door and said she had decided to come home. Seems Christmas came a little late for me. I am so happy to have her back in my life.”

“I’m happy for you, Myrtle. Nice to meet you, Lorraine.” Susan never would have tagged Lorraine as Myrtle’s sister. Small in stature, her cobalt wool dress and matching wrap revealed style and fashion. Light brown hair with highlights complimented big amber eyes. A single strand of pearls and matching earrings were her only jewelry. This woman reeked of elegance and confidence.

Susan wondered what happened that made Lorraine leave. Where did she go, and what did she do all those years? What plans did she have for Palmetto? These and other thoughts raced through Susan’s mind, but now was not the time to ask. Now was just the time to be happy for Myrtle.

Myrtle patted her sister’s hand. “Susan only recently returned to Palmetto herself.”

“Yes, I’m trying to adjust to small town life again,” Susan said.

“Okay, ladies,” Myrtle said. “Let’s have a look.”

Susan blew out a sigh of relief as the middle-aged groupies followed their leader through the door and into the boutique.

Customer traffic was heavy all day long, and the merchandise flew off the shelves. She was thankful they had more in the storage room. Before closing for the day, they would have to replenish the racks. Myrtle and her friends left with smiles on their faces and pretty items in their hands. They bought earrings, blouses, and dresses.

“What do you think, Susan?” Myrtle asked, holding up a beautiful, black and white cashmere scarf with fringe, one that Susan had been eyeing. The woman obviously had good taste.

“It’s elegant and will look good on you.”

Myrtle smiled and turned to her sister. “Here, dear, I want you to have it. Consider it a welcome home present.”

Lorraine seemed thrilled and hugged Myrtle.

It was late by the time the store cleared of customers. Susan locked all the cash and checks in the safe, located in the storage room. “Thanks, everyone,” she said to her workers. Let’s hope tomorrow is just as good. Try and get some rest.”

“You want to grab a drink?” A. K. asked.

“I’ll take a rain check.”

A. K. sniffed. “Wesley, huh? Told you I smelled smoke.”

Susan laughed. “See you in the morning.”

Susan parked in front of Wesley’s house. Exiting the car, she heard the high-pitched sound of an electric saw. Light streamed from the open door of the workshop.

“Hi, there,” she said, stepping into a room filled with the smell of sawdust and paint thinner.

Wesley glanced at her and switched off the table saw.

“Helps to get my mind off things,” he said, brushing the front of his sweat shirt with his hands.

“To what do I owe your visit?”

“Just wanted to make sure you were okay. I thought maybe I would have heard from you today.”

“Still sorting things out, but I’m getting better.”

His was a forced smile, but Susan was glad to see even that.

“How did your sale go?”

“Fantastic. Even Myrtle and her friends declared a cease fire and bought a few items. They said they wanted to contribute something to Melanie.”

“I knew she had some redeeming qualities.”

“You were right about her being lonely. She introduced me to her estranged sister who decided to come home. Wish you could have seen the change in Myrtle’s demeanor. She seemed genuinely happy.”

Wesley picked up a long plank of wood and propped it against the far wall. “Would you like to go up to the house? Maybe share a cup of hot chocolate?”

“Hmm, chocolate, my downfall. It’s tempting, but I’m going to pass. The sale sapped all my energy, and tomorrow promises to be another busy day. A hot bath and a good night’s sleep is what I’m really craving.”

“I can understand that,” he said as he walked her to her car. “I’m glad you stopped by, even if it was for a second. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow, although I don’t imagine you have anything in my size.”

He gave her an impish grin.

“We have other things besides clothes. How about a set of satin sheets? One size fits all.”

“Now that’s a possibility. Any chance you could help me break them in?”

“Careful what you wish for.”

He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. She loved the feel of his body next to her, like they were made to fit together. Lost in the warmth of his arms, he kissed her. His lips, gentle at first, became urgent and hungered for more. She responded, moving and swaying against him, feeling his readiness.

When he released her, he brushed back her hair and nibbled kisses at her ear. “I’m so glad you came home.”

Susan answered with another kiss, and then gently stepped away. “I really have to go.”

He held open the car door while she slid behind the wheel.

“Be careful,” he said. “Satin sheets, huh?”

Driving down his driveway, she glanced in the rearview mirror. Wesley stared after her. She wondered if he was thinking what she was—all the ways the two of them could warm up those sheets.

Cars filled Susan’s apartment complex, but her numbered place remained vacant. She pulled in and stepped from the Camaro. For the first time in a long time, she felt good about everything, really believed everything was going to work out. While it was terrible that Wesley’s partner had lost his life, she was grateful Wesley had escaped unharmed. And with the blood money gone, Gary would have no incentive to kill Jack. She pushed thoughts of Gary from her mind and concentrated on the benefit sale. The response from the community was more than she anticipated, and she looked forward to Wesley’s visit. Would he really buy the satin sheets?

Halfway to her apartment, she changed her train of thought. However optimistic things were looking, this was not the time to let down her guard. She took special notice of her surroundings again. No one was present, and everything looked normal. She unlocked the door, stepped inside, and turned on the light.

One glance and her heart jumped into her throat. Her apartment was in shambles. It had to be Gary. He was on a rampage, and she was on the top of his list. Sofa cushions lay on the floor. Drawers from the mahogany secretary were turned upside down, their contents strewn about the room. Then the thought hit her—
is he still here?

Susan bolted into the front yard, climbed into her car, and locked the doors. Holding the cell phone, she hesitated. If she called the police, Wesley would find out for sure. He’d put two-and-two together and figure she was the one who ripped off his money. Not wanting to implicate Herman or possibly get herself arrested, she decided to call Herman. He could search the apartment, make sure Gary wasn’t there. She was glad Herman kept the money. If Gary had found it, Jack would be in his sights again, and Wesley would be facing an armed Gary.

Herman arrived within ten minutes.

“I left the front door ajar, and no one has come out,” Susan said.

“More than likely, whoever did this is long gone,” Herman said.

“We both know it had to be Gary. Where’s Vera?”

“I didn’t know what this might involve, so I suggested she stay at home for her safety.”

Herman pulled a gun from his waist band and eased up to the apartment. He waited at the door for several seconds. Susan imagined he was listening for any sound within, before entering. Silhouetted against the living room light, he stepped inside.

Susan gave a slight gasp and hoped no one was in there.

It seemed forever before Herman emerged and waved her into the apartment.

“I’m sorry about all this,” he said. “It’s my fault. Earlier today, Gary came home in a fit of rage. He was slamming doors and breaking things. Then he jumped in his car and took off. I tried to follow him, but he gave me the slip. I suspected he was making the rounds, trying to find out if some of his cronies had stolen his money. Anyone willing to hire out to kill someone must run with some real cruds.

“I knew you were at the boutique with the benefit sale, so I figured you were safe. I didn’t think about him breaking into your apartment.” Herman glanced at the door. “I didn’t see any sign of forced entry. How’d he get in here?”

“Most of the apartments in Palmetto have used Gary’s exterminating service for years. Being in and out of the manager’s office and different apartments, I suppose he stole or made pass keys. I’m calling a locksmith first thing in the morning. He sure made a mess here.”