He lifted his head to look at me. Listen, I have to take this. Thanks a lot for the ice cream. I think Im going to head on home, grab that much-needed shower.
I waved my hand at him, shooing him out of the booth. So much for dinner, and for whatever.
Go on, well catch up later, I said. The fact that Emma Jean had another man was the biggest news I had. Im going to work on finding out who it was.
He waggled a no-no finger at me, but started to scoot out of the booth anyway. Okay, Im back, he said into the phone.
As he leaned across me to retrieve his pad and pencil off the table, I overheard a few words from the caller. Not enough to understand. But enough to tell the voice on the phone was familiar. It was a loud honk, unmistakable evidence of a boyhood spent in the Bronx.
I had to squeeze Pams VW past Sal Provenzas big Cadillac in Mamas driveway. So I wasnt completely surprised when he opened the door at her house at seven thirty in the morning.
We all still had our doubts about Sal. But, for some reason, Mama had warmed up to him again. Obviously, since here he was. At least he was fully dressed, in a pale pink golf shirt and burgundy polyester slacks. They were short enough to show off his ankles, resplendent in beige-and-burgundy checked socks. A braided gold chain nestled in the furry pelt of his chest. A Pomeranian snuggled in the crook of Sals left elbow, shedding on his expandable-waist pants.
Your mothers in the bedroom, getting ready.
I cringed to hear the words your mudder and bedroom coming out of Sals mouth.
I know Mama had sex at least three times, since there are the three of us girls. But I didnt want to think about it, and particularly not in the context of Big Sal.
Weve got something to tell you, Mace. But Ill let Rosalee be the one to break the good news. Sal was smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary. Ive seen the man eat. He might have downed both the bird and the cat before he realized what hed shoveled into his mouth.
I made some coffee.
I softened a bit. Sal makes great coffee, adding a dash of cinnamon to the pot.
I got out that mug with the blue flowers that you like. Its on the kitchen counter.
He led the way into the kitchen, engulfing both of us in an aftershave fog. As he tromped across the floor, gingham knick-knacks trembled on their shelves. He filled my mug with coffee and handed it to me.
I was just going to make myself some bacon and pancakes. Wanna join me?
My mouth watered as I looked at the butter softening on the kitchen table next to a bottle of maple syrup. But first things first.
I was with Detective Martinez last night when you called him on his cell phone. I added a spoonful of sugar and a splash of cream to my coffee. Whats the story between you two?
Why dont you ask Martinez?
I noticed he didnt try to deny that hed called.
Oh, yeah. Well he did mention that thing about before. I was bluffing, trying to convince Sal I knew somethinganything.
He measured pancake mix into a glass bowl. Which thing? he asked, watching the bowl and not me. And what happened before? He poured in some milk.
You know, I said lamely.
He replaced the milk carton in the refrigerator and shut the door. Turning around, he leaned against the sink, folded his arms and plopped them where his belly met his chest. No, I dont know, Mace. And, its obvious, neither do you.
I studied my coffee.
Ive told you before. He patted his pompadour. Was it gel, or just naturally stiff? Certain things I cant say, no matter how much you might want me to.
Want you to what, Sally? Mama came into the kitchen, tying a silk scarf around her neck. It was the same shade of boysenberry as everything else, from her earrings to her heels.
Dont you think youre a little over-dressed for the livestock auction, Mama?
I wanted to see what I could find out from Jeb Ennis ranching buddies at the weekly auction. Id convinced Mama and Marty to join me. I didnt even ask Maddie. As Martinezs new best friend, she wouldnt approve of me ignoring his warning about investigating.
Mama checked her reflection in the glass window of the microwave. You can never be
too
well-dressed, Mace. She aimed a pointed look at my own scuffed boots, frayed jeans, and T-shirt. Besides, I have to go to work after our mission. The girls at Hair Today would fall off their chairs if I showed up in boots and jeans.
So, instead, shed go to the livestock market looking like Queen Elizabeth on a royal visit. Go figure.
Mama lifted the head off a dog-in-a-gingham-baseball-cap cookie jar. Teensy started cutting circles around her legs, nails scrabbling on the tile floor. The dog jumped onto a chair, leaped into midair, and snatched the bone-shaped biscuit from her outstretched hand.
Lookit Mamas little baby! Just like in the circus, she cooed. Still smiling at the dog, she lifted onto her tiptoes so Sal could stoop and give her a kiss. Better him than the dog, I guess.
Your boyfriend and I were just discussing how hes cooked up something secret with Detective Martinez.
Oh, honey, Sallys not my boyfriend.
Finally! Mama had come to her senses.
Hes my fiance, she squealed, shoving her left hand under my nose. The sun coming through the gingham kitchen curtains glinted off the diamond weighing down her ring finger.
___
Marty, help me out here. Mama cant marry Sal. What do we really know about him?
The three of us were sitting in the air-conditioned interior of Martys Saturn in the parking lot at the livestock auction, planning our investigative strategy. Of course, the topic of Mamas betrothal had been well-covered first:
How Sal had cooked her veal piccata (I almost swallowed the ring, girls. He hid it in a lemon slice!). How hed gotten on one knee (I had to help him up!). And how he hoped to make her forget Husbands Two, Three, and Four (He knows I could never forget your daddy!).
Now, my pleas to Marty were falling on uncharacteristically deaf ears.
Mace, Mamas a grown woman. Your suspicions aside, Sal has been nothing but loving to her. Im sorry to say it, but you need to butt out.
Mama shot me a triumphant look. Close your mouth, honey. No telling what might land in there with all this livestock around.
She was unswayable with Marty on her side. But I knew my argument would win once I got Maddie involved.
Navigating the rickety wooden stairway to the Himmarshee Livestock Market can be tricky, but Mama was managingdespite the purple footwear. Marty climbed ahead of her; I stayed close behind. That way, one of us could catch her if her heel hooked on a splintery plank.
The market, the largest in Florida, dated to the 1930s. And it looked it: a ramshackle wooden building, white with barn-red trim, perched on top of a sprawling maze of livestock pens. As we made our way up, calves bawled from below. The ammonia stink of urine filled the air. Whistles and shouts came from the alley rats, the workers who move cattle down the long, dark rows that branch off into holding pens.
Upstairs, cattle buyers were just beginning to make their way to seats that surround the sunken sales pit below. We opened the door to Miss Ruths Restaurant, a little nook in the corner above the ring. A sign overhead said,
Cows May Come and Go, But the BULL in This Place Goes On Forever.
Ruth Harris favored patriotic colors. Flags decorated the napkin holders. The curtains were stars-and-stripes. A cowgirl hat in cherry red topped Ruths towering white beehive. She wore a red-and-white checked shirt, tucked snugly into a blue denim skirt. A white belt with a buckle the size of Texas cinched her still-trim waist. The only thing missing was a six-shooter on a holster around her hips.
Thats the cutest outfit youve got on, Ruth. Mama hugged the cafes well-preserved namesake like a long-lost cousin. Youve sure got a theme going here.
We did greetings all around.
You look awful pretty too, Rosalee. That shade is sure becoming to your coloring. It must be nice to dress up again after being in prison.
Oh, honey, that was nothing but a misunderstanding. Mama waved her ring hand airily.
Ruth hadnt noticed the diamond. I figured her cataracts must be bad, as big as that stone was. Mama picked up a cow-shaped creamer from the table, turning it this way and that. She pretended to be admiring it, but really she was just trying to catch the light with her ring.
Grabbing the dappled cow from Mama, I glared at her to quit showing off. Miss Ruth, we dropped by because weve been looking into who really might have killed Jim Albert, I said.
Of course, Marty chimed in, we knew all along Mama wasnt the guilty party.
Ruth nodded, still looking sideways at Mama. She didnt seem convinced. Or maybe she was thinking that a woman whod murdered a man and stuffed his body in her trunk wouldnt think twice about stealing the cow creamer shed picked up and was playing with again.
Did the man who got killed ever come in here?
No, he sure didnt, Mace. Although
What? Marty and I both said at once.
Well, I get my hair done at Hair Today. Rosalee, you know that.
Mama nodded, her chin cupped in her left hand with her ring finger splayed across her cheek.
That sweet girl DVora and me were talking about how Jim Albert loaned people money. Some of the ranchers up here have been having a hard go of it. Ive heard certain people were in the habit of visiting him before he got killed.
Who, Miss Ruth? We need names, I said.
She pursed her lips. The cafes owner for thirty years, her customers were her family.
Please, Marty said. Its important.
Still no answer.
You know Jeb Ennis? I asked.
She shook her head unconvincingly and moved across the restaurant to wipe down an already-spotless table. I need to get back to work, she said over her shoulder.
Every seat in the place was empty.
If yall can find Old Jake, you might ask him. Head lowered, she continued swabbing the table. Hes been here longer than I have. He used to work downstairs in the pens. Now, he mostly hangs around. He knows everything about everybody. And he dont have a problem telling what he knows.
Mama touched Ruths wrist, her fingers stretched all the way up her arm. Thanks so much, doll.
Youre welcome. Ruth tried to pull away. Mama held tight. Ruth finally looked down. My, oh my. Her eyes widened. Would you look at that ring!
Oh, this? Mama lifted the ring to the light. Well, honey, my boyfriend just proposed. Im gettin married.
Again? Ruth said.
I grabbed Mamas elbow and steered her out the door.
Congratulations, Ruth called after us as we started down the stairs.
We found Old Jake under the building, sitting on an upside-down milk crate in the shade of the pens. He looked up as we approached, his grin spreading across his white stubble beard. A few teeth were missing. Those remaining were stained brown from a chaw of tobacco, and thousands more before it, bulging in his jaw.
Well, lookit you, Maam, He took off his hat and beamed. Youre as purty in that purple as a speckled pup in a red wagon.
Mama fluttered her lashes. Its boysenberry. And thank you kindly, suh.
Had we wandered onto the set of an old cowboy movie?
You must be Jake, Marty said.
Old Jake, thats what they call me. He ran a hand over his head. It was mostly bald, with brown age spots and a fringe of gray. Im so old now, some days Im not sure I even remember my name.
Why, you dont look a day over Mama hesitated, trying to find a number that would flatter without sounding ridiculous. Seventy, she finished.
Jake, whod probably passed that landmark fifteen years before, smiled so broadly we got a peek of his spit-softened chaw.
Do you mind if we ask you a few questions? I said.
Depends.
He put his hat back on and spit. A brown stream hit the ground, sending up a puff of dust. Mama took a careful step sideways in her boysenberry heels.
Do them questions have anything to do with unpaid taxes or immoral women?
Marty blushed.
No, I said, laughing. Nothing like that. You remember hearing about the owner of the Booze n Breeze, the man who was murdered?
Jake knew all about it, even down to the fact that the body was discovered in the trunk of some ladys convertible. We didnt mention the purty gal in front of him was that same notorious lady. He also knew about Alberts loans to strapped ranchers.
Yep. A stream just missed my boot. Some of these boys round here bit off more than they can chew. Ranchings a tough bidness. Only the strong survive.
