Killer Moves: The 4th Jolene Jackson Mystery (Jolene Jackson Mysteries) (11 page)

Part of me wanted to tell him to get himself home and rest so he wouldn’t die, but the wiser part of me kept my nose out of what wasn’t my business. Yes, it seemed strange to me too—and I didn’t expect this new wise woman thing would actually stick—but not taking responsibility for others’ poor choices felt good for a change. Besides, I had my own poor choices to deal with. Taking a deep breath, I put the Tahoe in gear and headed out to meet Clove.

Chapter 13

By the time I made it up the hill and around to the back of The Big House, I’d come up with a strategy for dealing with Clove—tears. Oh, it wasn’t intentional, I assure you. But halfway up, a gnarly ball of emotions had surfaced and I was about one little blink away from a serious sob-fest. Not a good place to be at any time, and especially not now when I had to establish myself as lord of the manor, or whatever.

I pulled up in front of the double garage doors on the left and turned off the car. The back of the house, which actually looked like another front, had huge glass windows and patio doors running the length of both levels. The upper floor had a deck that provided a covered area for the lower. There were lots of hanging and potted plants with colorful flowers everywhere. Today, the pool and waterfall looked even bigger than they had yesterday, and to my far right, I noticed a separate water area that had water shooting up out of a bronze fish statue.

Then, I realized that two people were coming out the door toward me—a frowning Clove and a smiling woman in an ankle-length denim skirt, white blouse, sensible shoes and a puffy-bun hairdo. I try really hard not to judge—yes, really I do—but stereotypes were created for a reason and all I could see before me was religious zealot Ethel Fossy—AKA Bony Butt—in a different uniform coming to attack me. “Oh, God, please let me be wrong,” I said, swallowing down another surge of emotion. “I can’t take any more of that.”

Grabbing a napkin, I gave my face a quick swipe. “You can do this, Jolene, you can, now suck it up and do it.” I took a deep breath and stepped out of the truck, then walked around the pool toward them.

As I closed the distance, I could see that Clove’s narrowed eyes were locked on me in an unhappy glare. No big shock there, but as he opened his mouth to say something, the woman stepped in front of him and hurried toward me.

Clasping my hand, she said, “I’m Clove’s wife Emmajean. We have everything all ready for you. This place has been needing some new life for a long time and we’re just so glad you’re here.”

“Thank you,” I said, sincerely.

Emmajean looked to be a little younger than Clove, somewhere in her sixties. “I took care of the cooking, shopping, cleaning and laundry for Mister Bob,” she said. “I’m here to do the same for you if you want me to.” She smiled and waved toward the house. “Come on inside and I’ll fix you a nice cup of hot tea and let you rest for a minute. I know this is all overwhelming for you and there’s no need to get in a rush about anything.”

Emmajean’s kind, gracious and genuinely caring were tempting tears to well up again, but I managed to say, “Tea would be great,” and let her lead me inside the house.

As the door closed behind me and my eyes adjusted to the light, I was stunned at the view that came into focus. A huge and elegantly furnished area with ten-foot ceilings spread out before me. I felt like I’d stepped into a magazine photo. The style was traditional yet modern, classy yet homey, with rich wood, warm tones and welcoming furniture. The style was similar to what I had in my own home in Colorado, only this was obviously professionally decorated, about twice as big and new. Okay, not really like mine at all.

To my left, kitchen cabinets than ran the length of the patio wall for about fifteen feet then turned right and ran about the same distance. A massive island with a second prep sink and bar seating anchored the area. Stainless steel, sparkling granite, a gas cook top, double ovens and sophisticated lighting completed the look.

“There’s quite a lot to take in,” Emmajean said, guiding me to the right into the living area. “Don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of time explore.”

I didn’t know about that, but just what I could see now was pretty spectacular. A white stacked-stone fireplace and built-in wood cabinetry covered the wall on my right. A leather sectional sofa situated directly across from it defined the area. Two complementing chairs covered in modern geometric patterns with table and lamp in between stood near the windows to the patio.

I sat in the first chair and discovered it was both a rocker and a recliner. Plush and cozy and just perfect for my size. It would be a very nice spot to relax if relaxing ever became an option for me. A table with a lamp stood between the chairs, providing a perfect spot for a cup of tea and a good book.

Clove stepped in front of me and put his hands on his hips. “What was wrong when you pulled up out there? Did Doctor Dickhead do something? Because if he did, I’ll go down there right now and kick his ass.”

“Clovis Stovall,” Emmajean said firmly from the kitchen behind me. “You’ll not speak that way in front of Miss Jolene.”

“Now, Em, honey,” he said, his gruff voice becoming silky smooth. “These are things I need to know about.”

Emmajean appeared behind me and set a large steaming mug on a coaster on the small table then settled herself in the other chair. “It’s jasmine tea and there’s a hot water dispenser at the sink for whenever you want a cup.”

“What happened?” Clove asked again. “What’d Waverman do?”

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head and reaching for the tea. I held the cup under my nose, breathing in the fresh flowery scent. “He’s agreed to my terms so that’s taken care of.”

“Fat chance,” Clove snorted. “But if it wasn’t Waverman, then what was it? What’s got you in a state? I want to know what’s going on.”

“Now, Clovis,” Emmajean said. “Quit being so pushy. Miss Jolene doesn’t have to tell you anything.”

No, I didn’t, but I would. “The truth is that this situation has turned my world upside down and it’s pretty overwhelming for me on just about every level. I didn’t even know until late yesterday that I had to be moved in here by today.”

“Well,” Emmajean said, “we’re all ready for you. You are all set up with whatever you need. You don’t even have to bring a toothbrush or shampoo.”

“That’s really nice. Thank you.”

“Just part of the deal,” Clove said. “So is getting whatever you want to bring up here from your mother’s house. I’ve got a trailer already hooked up and ready to go. The sooner we get it done, the better.”

“He’s probably right, dear,” Emma said. “I know you’re exhausted, but the sooner you get up here and get settled in, the easier it’s going to be on you.”

“Nothing’s going to be easy.” I twisted my hands around the mug. “And I am really sorry to have to do this, believe me, but I’m going to have to bring my mother here.”

“What!” Clove said.

“How can that be?” Emmajean whispered.

I was a little taken aback by their response, but not really surprised. Everyone knows Lucille. “You know she broke her hip a few weeks ago.”

“Yeah, we know,” Clove said. “And it seems to me she shouldn’t be let out yet.”

“Yes, well, things happened.” They were both eyeing me warily, so I said, “She’s Lucille.”

“We know,” Clove said. “We’ve had a front row seat for years.”

I supposed they had. “Then let’s jump to the bottom line. Because of circumstances involving my mother, I am helping a woman and her elderly mother who also had a situation at the rehab center. I was going to take them to Mother’s this morning, but since she’s coming home this afternoon and I have to be here…”

“Of course they need to come here,” Emmajean said.

Clove grumbled. “I want the whole story.”

“I am not happy about starting things out this way, but bringing them here seems like the best option, considering.”

“Considering what?”

“It will be a nice change to have people around again!” Emmajean said, interrupting her husband. “Let’s go take a look at the guest bedrooms and see what you think we need to do.”

“Thank you, Emmajean,” I said, smiling. “You too, Clove. Whatever help you can give will be greatly appreciated and you most assuredly will be well compensated for it.”

“We are well paid, dear, but if it becomes an issue, we will let you know.”

“Thank you.” I grabbed my phone. “I better call Melody and tell her to head this way.”

“You’ll have to move over by the door to get a signal,” Emmajean said. “All the beds have fresh sheets, so I’ll just make sure everything else is in order. Each bedroom has a chair that pulls out for a sleeper, so that’s all taken care of as well.”

“Wow,” I said, shaking my head. “This is truly unreal.”

“Get used to it,” Clove said, turning and heading for the door.

I followed him and found a place where I had a good signal and made my call.

Melody answered on the first ring. “Oh, Carol, I’m so sorry I haven’t called to let you know how Mother’s doing,” she said, sounding very sincere. “Nurse Linda’s still here and we’ve just been so caught up in details with all these papers to sign and things to talk about. But we’re all finished now and Nurse Linda is just leaving, so hold on for me just a second.”

“Are you okay? Do I need to get you help?”

Melody forced a laugh. “Oh, no, mother’s doing just fine, just a little tired so she went to lie down while Nurse Linda and I chatted. She’s been so nice even after that unfortunate misunderstanding yesterday. I have to tell you,” she said, pretending to chuckle. “I feel so silly about the whole thing. And do you know, that in spite of all that, Nurse Linda has graciously offered to come back in the morning and check on Mother. Can you believe it?”

“Yeah, I believe. Now, you do realize I have no idea where you are right now? Text me the address and I’ll be right there. If you can’t text and need me to find you another way, say something about, um, peaches.”

“Oh, no, Carol, that won’t be necessary. We’re doing just fine. Just hang on while I walk Nurse Linda to the door and we’ll chat more.”

I heard papers shuffling and muffled voices, but I couldn’t make out what was being said. Long seconds of silence ticked by and I was starting to panic when Melody picked the phone back up.

“She’s driving away.”

“Good. Keep watching her until she’s out of sight then get your mother in the car and head toward Kickapoo. Don’t take time to pack just go. We’ll go back for whatever you absolutely have to have.”

“Okay, Jolene, but where in Kickapoo?”

Good question since she didn’t know any more about my whereabouts than I did hers. “Do you know where Turkey Ranch Road is?”

“Yes, my mother lives about five miles from it out on the Bowman City Highway.”

“Then I suppose you know where the Little Ranch is.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Okay, go there and go up the hill to the house. Drive around to the back. Emmajean will take care of you.”

“The Little Ranch?” She sounded incredulous. “You want me to go up on the hill at the Little Ranch?”

“Yeah, well, it’s a long story, just go. I’ll explain later. Just go.”

When I hung up the phone and turned around, Emmajean was standing behind me. “If there’s trouble, we need to know. Clove especially.”

I wrinkled my face. “I’m in Texas and my mother is involved. There is always trouble.”

“That does seem to be the case,” Emmajean agreed, a little too quickly. “But I suppose we ought to know what the trouble this time.”

“The short version is that there was a situation last night where the woman on the phone thought her mother was being over-medicated, so I helped them leave.”

“Without telling anyone?”

I nodded. “Anyway, the nurse who was involved in the situation showed up at her mother’s door this morning, threatening to turn her in to Social Services if she didn’t bring her mother back or sign papers and such. So, I’m helping her protect her mother.”

Emmajean did not move. “Protect her from what?”

“Doris—that’s Melody’s mother—was being given pills she wasn’t supposed to be and was getting sick because of it.”

“That happens so much, especially with older people.” Emmajean shook her head. “It was that very thing that killed my own mother. It seemed like there was a new pill every week and she just kept getting sicker and sicker. I tried to tell them, but they wouldn’t listen, just kept stuffing pills down her she didn’t need.” She paused and blinked away the memory then smiled. “Don’t you worry, sweetie, I’ll take good care of them.”

“I know you didn’t expect this, and neither did I, but it won’t be for long, just until Doris is strong enough to go home with Melody to Dallas.”

“Well, it’s going to be just fine,” Emmajean said, sounding as if she believed it.

Fine—that word again. Back in the old days, I always looked on the bright side and trusted that things would work out fine too. But that was before the multiple near-death experiences, precipitated by a long list of felonious escapades and murderous crime sprees, made me jaded and cynical. Speaking of which… “I’m supposed to pick up Lucille later this afternoon, although I’m not sure on the time.”

“No problem with that. Right now, you just need to go get your things and get settled in to your new room. Take a quick look before you go. It’s quite nice and should put your mind at ease about having a private place.”

Turned out that “quite nice” was a serious understatement. The master suite had a unique private entry with a short hallway that blocked an initial view of anything. Then, after walking a few steps, you could go left into a hallway of closets that led into bathroom area or you could go right into the bedroom. I peeked in both directions and really all I could comprehend was the luxurious feel of it all.