Fudge-Laced Felonies (14 page)

“As if.” That’s all I needed. To be plastered against him. I sighed. “I’ll follow you.”

The climb down scared me more than coming up, if that were possible. My legs shook so severely, I missed a rung and scraped the shin of my right leg. If I’d been a cursing woman, the birds would’ve flown from the trees with the severity of my words. Instead, I hissed against the pain.

When I reached the broken board, I fished around with my leg, searching for the next rung. My legs weren’t long enough. Before I knew it, I was flying. With one arm around my waist, Ethan swung me around until I clutched the tree, my legs on the lower plank of wood.

“A little warning would be nice.” I clasped a hand to my chest. “I almost had a heart attack.”

He laughed. “Good thing you don’t weigh much.”

“Yeah. Good thing.” I closed my hands and sagged against the tree. The bark felt rough beneath my cheek. I had a deep, abiding love for the tree and would never leave it.

“Come on, Summer.”

With a sigh, I inched my way down. When I’d made it to the bottom, I had an overwhelming urge to kiss the ground. My new best friend. I glanced above us.

“Won’t the thieves notice the broken plank when they come for their money?”

“They sure will.” Ethan looked up, hands resting on his hips. “I’ll dig around for a weathered piece of wood and replace it later today.”

I pushed the button on my watch to illuminate the face. 3:00. The problem with owning your own business was you couldn’t call in sick. All I’d get was a couple hours of sleep. I’d rather spend it with Ethan. “Too late to go to bed now. How about I fix us some breakfast?”

“Sounds good to me.” Ethan flung an arm over my shoulders, and we walked to the house.

While he stared at the pine box sitting in front of him on the kitchen table, I whipped up some ham and cheese omelets. My eyes were gritty from lack of sleep. I’d never thought almost-thirty would be too old for all-nighters, but I’d been wrong before.

When I turned around, Ethan had redonned his T-shirt and held my suspect notebook I’d left on the table. I wanted to kick myself.

“What’s this?”

I set his plate in front of him. “My suspect list.”

“Why’s Terri Lee at the top?”

“She’s my number one.” I sat down, my own plate before me.

“Why?”

“I don’t trust her.”

“Why?”

“Can’t you say anything else?” I lifted my fork then set it down. “She’s shifty.”

“She is not.”

“She is, and she’s the likely culprit. She designs her own jewelry and wants or needs more diamonds.” I pointed a finger at him.

“Why are Mabel and Ruby here? And Duane Parker? Don’t tell me you put him on the list because he just got out of prison. That wouldn’t be fair.” He frowned and peered closer at the list. “And Nate’s on here then crossed off.”

“Ruby turned up with diamond jewelry that looks like it’s worth a fortune, and Mabel has a brand-new Cadillac. Where’d they get the money? Huh?” I picked up my fork, stabbed my omelet, and stuffed a bite in my mouth. I didn’t speak it, but I’d taken Nate off because he hung around me so much he’d have difficulty getting into trouble.

“How does your aunt feel about having her friends on this list?”

“She told me to ask God who should go on it.”

“Did you?”

“Not yet. But I will. As soon as I get the chance. I’m sorry if I suspect your girlfriend, but—”

“She isn’t my girlfriend.” Ethan’s frown deepened, his brows almost meeting between his eyes.

“But y’all went on a date.”

He looked taken aback. “We never went on a date. Who told you that?”

“Terri Lee. She said y’all went to dinner the other night.”

“That’s not true.”

“See, Ethan, she’s guilty. Why would she lie about something like going out to dinner?” I knew the answer to the question. I just wanted to know whether he did.

“I don’t know, but I’ll ask her. I’ve known you since the summer you turned ten. If I were to date someone, don’t you think I’d tell you?” He grabbed my hand, said a quick blessing over his breakfast, and dug into his omelet like a man who hadn’t eaten in a week. When he finished, he dropped his fork with a clatter and stood, clutching the box.

He looked at me with wounded eyes. “You’re my best friend, Summer. I wouldn’t leave you out on something as important as who I’m dating.”

Ouch. I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand gazing at the hurt on his face. I wanted so much more than friendship. Guilt over not telling Ethan about Nate flooded through me. I opened my mouth to confess then closed it. I’d pick a better time. When he was in a good mood.

“See you later. Thanks for breakfast.” And he left, leaving the pine box on the table.

I pushed aside the uneaten portion. I wasn’t hungry. My heart sat in my chest like a cold, hard stone. I wanted to take it out and bash myself in the head. Instead, I grabbed the box and shoved it in the pantry. Joe would be livid, but someone wanted something from me. I intended to give it to them.

I didn’t know why Terri Lee wanted to play games, but I intended to find out. During my lunch break, I’d pay another visit to the jeweler.

Aunt Eunice and I moved around the candy store as if we wore weighted shackles. We didn’t get the batch of peanut brittle mixed fast enough, and the whole place smelled like burned peanuts. I almost cried when we dumped the ruined candy in the garbage. For the first time since the store opened, I thanked God we didn’t have many customers.

After work Aunt Eunice went home, and despite my exhaustion, I dragged myself down the street to the jewelers.

The same snotty, chubby Cruella de Vil lady stood behind the counter, looking down her nose. “I’d like to speak with Terri Lee, please.”

“She isn’t in.” The woman actually had the audacity to turn her back on me.

“Do you know when she’ll return?”

“She doesn’t work today.”

“Excuse me.” I reached across the counter and tapped her shoulder. “Can you give me her home address? It’s very important.”

The woman gave me a long-suffering sigh. “We’re not allowed to give out that information. But if you see her, tell her she’s fired.”

Okay. She dismissed me, but why wasn’t Terri Lee working? Both times I’d visited the jewelers, Terri Lee happened to be out. I left the store.

Did Terri Lee still live with her parents? Had she gotten her own apartment? I wished I’d asked Ethan where she lived. Dating or not, I was certain he’d know. But first I needed a nap.

Eleven

I didn’t make it to the Ruperts’ until the next afternoon. My lack of rest caught up with me. I napped through the night and into morning.

The Ruperts lived five miles out of town on a dirt road badly in need of grading. My head and joints ached after bouncing my way down the rutted street.

I stopped in front of a small ranch-style house. Peeling gray or weathered white paint, it was hard to tell, covered the wooden panels. One glance at the roof told me it most likely leaked. I’d forgotten Terri Lee came from such humble beginnings. You’d never know from the expensive clothes she wore. I guessed she regularly drove two hours to the outlet mall. Anything for appearances.

Two red bloodhounds met me, slobbering and barking. I pressed on the horn until a heavyset woman stepped onto the porch. Terri Lee’s mother. She’d been a beautiful woman once, but hard times had left their mark, streaking ebony hair with silver and lining her once smooth, high cheekbones with wrinkles. She had heavy-lidded, faded dark eyes. Same as Terri Lee’s. What some called bedroom eyes.

She yelled for the dogs to quiet down and used a few more words I wouldn’t repeat before the hounds slunk away and I could get out of my car. Mrs. Rupert didn’t smile a welcome, nor did she come off the porch to greet me.

I advanced toward her, my hand extended. “Mrs. Rupert? You probably don’t remember me, but I went to school a couple of years behind Terri Lee.”

“I remember you.” She didn’t return my handshake, and I let my hand fall. “What do you want? I hope you ain’t here drumming up business for that candy store of yours. I’m diabetic.”

“We have sugar-free.” I shook my head. “But that isn’t why I’m here. Is Terri Lee home?”

“Ain’t been home all night. Don’t know where she’s at.”

Nor do you care, from the way you’re acting. “Does she have a place in town where she stays once in a while?”

Mrs. Rupert laughed. A high, shrill cackle. “That girl don’t make enough money to live in town. You’re a regular comedian.”

Okay. People had called me lots of things before, but never a comedian. I don’t think she meant it as a compliment. “So, she doesn’t earn a decent salary at the jewelers?”

“Oh, you mean with her jewelry? She sells a few pieces here and there, but she usually gets her stuff from men, if you know what I mean.”

Mrs. Rupert eased herself into a rickety rocker without offering me a seat. “She brought that boy out here, and he turned up dead. Didn’t seem to break her heart none. Right away, she’s started chasing after that handsome greeter at the church.” Mrs. Rupert snorted. “Like he’d give her type the time of day. And I’ve heard she’s been seen with that convict. The one who wanders the highway at night. Freaky.”

I shifted from one foot to the other, eyeing the two hounds sneaking back around the corner of the house. “Mr. Banning treats everyone the same, Mrs. Rupert. With respect, kindness, and God’s grace. As for Duane. . .”

“Well, he’d better run as hard and fast from Terri Lee as possible. She ain’t nothin’ but trouble, that one.” Mrs. Rupert rocked her chair with such force that I expected her to take flight.

The rest of the conversation went nowhere fast. The direction it headed made me downright uncomfortable. I didn’t count myself as one of Terri Lee’s fans, but I hadn’t counted on such negativity from her mother. It made me determined to find out why Terri Lee lied about dating Ethan.

“Thank you for your time, Mrs. Rupert.” I started to offer my hand again, but remembering her nonacceptance earlier, instead wiped the palm down my pant leg to hide my intentions. I headed toward my car, keeping my eyes on the dogs.

“I’ll tell her you came by. Don’t know if she’ll be happy about it or not.”

Mrs. Rupert remained in the rocker while I backed the car down the drive. Her unblinking stare made me nervous, and I kept glancing from my rearview mirror to anywhere but her face. The dashboard, the trees around her property, my rearview mirror.

My rearview mirror! I slammed on the brakes in time to avoid backing into Joe’s squad car. My cousin pursed his lips and shook his head at me. My heart pounded so hard I swore it would soon be beating outside my body.

Joe strode to my window. “Summer, you need to watch where you’re going.”

“What are you doing here? My heart stopped, and I think I died for about two seconds. I swear I did.”

“I could ask you the same thing. Why are you here?”

I couldn’t read his expression behind his mirrored black sunglasses. He pressed his lips into a thin line. “I need Mrs. Rupert to identify a body.”

I flung the door open faster than I could say, “Where’s the corpse?” and jogged after Joe. “Why do you need Mrs. Rupert? Did you know Terri Lee’s missing? Is it her?”

Joe stopped and turned to face me. “You know I can’t divulge that information, Summer. Why do you bother to ask? Do you enjoy hearing me say no?”

“Just in case.” I shrugged. “Go home.”

I stopped and crossed my arms, pouting. Why did he insist on treating me like his younger cousin? I happened to be, but I didn’t like that he treated me that way.

Joe approached the porch where Mrs. Rupert still rocked. He stalked past the barking dogs as if they were noisy Chihuahuas not worthy of his attention. He spoke in a low voice, and Mrs. Rupert’s hand flew to her chest. She nodded then followed Joe. Neither of them looked at me as they passed.

I slid into my car and slammed it into drive, not wanting them to leave me behind. The dogs yelped and leaped out of my way as I turned a wide circle in the yard and sped after them.

A half hour later, I pulled into the parking lot of the Mountain Shadows’ funeral home and makeshift morgue. Sometimes they held bodies at the clinic.

Joe kept a hand on Mrs. Rupert’s elbow as he steered her inside. I tried to follow but halted at a stern look from Joe. Fine. I’d wait outside. The funeral home had a wonderful rose garden complete with wrought iron benches, and I settled on one to wait.

I didn’t wait long. From the relieved look on Mrs. Rupert’s face, the body couldn’t be Terri Lee’s. For the first time that afternoon, I’d seen the woman smile. I popped off the bench like a demented jack-in-the-box.

“Joe?”

“It’s Doris Ingram. From the jewelers.” He held the squad car door open for Mrs. Rupert.

“How’d she die? Why’d you have Mrs. Rupert identify her?”

I swear my cousin held the monopoly on long-suffering sighs as he turned to me. He let out a good one before he answered. “I’m not at liberty to say how she died, Summer. And the Ruperts are the only family she has. Doris and Mrs. Ingram are second cousins.”

Mrs. Rupert leaned out the window. “Someone strangled her. I saw the marks on her neck with my own eyes.”

Strangled? I froze in my tracks. We had a young man dead by stab wounds and a woman strangled. Were the deaths related? Different deaths. Different ways of dying. Where was Terri Lee? Did she kill one or both of these people? Was she lying dead somewhere? Could there be a murderer in Mountain Shadows I didn’t suspect yet?

My heart ached for the dead woman. Left with no family to know or care if she was dead or alive. She hadn’t been the friendliest person, but I vowed to attend her funeral even if I’d be the only one there.

“When’s the funeral?” I called out.

“Won’t be one,” Joe called out his window. “Once the medical examiner is finished with the body, she’ll be cremated and put to rest here at the home.

“Oh, and tell Aunt Eunice to set two extra plates for dinner. I’m coming over to confiscate what you and Ethan found. I’ll be bringing April.”