Terror on Tybee Island (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 3) (15 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

I
heard a sharp intake of breath. “We don’t talk about that here,” Mona exclaimed. I found it ironic that talk about the infamous murder wasn’t allowed. The book and movie,
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,
had made Jim Williams and his love of restoring homes famous. The rest of the tour went quickly. We were ushered out of the house as fast as Mona could get us out.

Throughout the tour a uniformed man had followed us through the house. He held back a few feet behind the group, but it was obvious he was a security guard.

“Dee, I think that might be Bert. Let’s see if we can get a look at his name tag.”

“Okay.” In perfect Dee Dee style she skipped the investigation and went right in for the kill. “Hi, is your name Bert Watkins?”

“How may I help you?”

Dee Dee turned and smiled at me. “The balls’ in your court.”

“Bert, is there somewhere private we can talk? I work for
Georgia By the Way
and I’d like to interview you about the Mercer Williams House.” I sent up a silent prayer.
Father, I need your help here.

Bert swallowed and his Adam’s apple bobbled up and down. “Well, we aren’t allowed to talk about the murder.” I swanny I thought I saw him shake. Was he that afraid of Mona?

“That’s all right. We don’t have to talk about the dastardly deed. I’ll focus on the house and the antiques Mr. Williams amassed.” Maybe Dee Dee would bring it up later.

He surveyed the gift shop before he answered. “I guess it won’t hurt to talk to you for a while. Follow me to my office.” I could have hugged him, but I restrained my impulse. I hoped we could escape before Attila the Hun returned to announce the next tour. We wove our way through tourists and exited out the back door of the gift shop. We stopped in the doorway of what appeared to be a tool shed. Bert turned around and looked at Dee Dee like he’d just noticed she’d tagged along.

He eyed Dee Dee up and down. “Uh, my office is kinda’ small. I’m not sure we can all fit in there.”

A spark of fire lit up Dee Dee’s eyes. I hurried to extinguish it before she squashed this little man into a pancake.

“It’s okay; this won’t take long.” I had my own doubts, but didn’t dare voice them. Dee Dee and I both weighed more than Grace’s ex-husband. I could see where he would be an easy target for a strong willed woman. I didn’t know how he managed to snag a job as a security guard.

He didn’t look too convinced we’d fit, but he led the way into the cramped tool shed. Off to the left was a small area with a desk and chair. He was right; we couldn’t fit in the confined area. Dee Dee stood among the rakes and shovels, but I needed her with me. As always, I kept my promise to ask questions for the magazine. Then I loaded for bear.

“Do you know Grace Watkins?” I mentally braced myself for his reply.

His brows rose. “What has she got to do with the Mercer Williams house?”

“Well she doesn’t really have anything to do with it.”

“We’re here on Laura Walker’s behalf,” Dee Dee picked up the trail. “She’s a person of interest in Grace’s murder.”

I made finger quotes when Dee Dee said, “person of interest.”

He looked from one of us to the other. “Well, there ain’t much to tell. We just didn’t get along, that’s all.” Like most other men, Bert seemed to be a man of few words. We’d have to pull them out.

Dee Dee snorted. When we both looked at her she covered her mouth and coughed.
Nice try Dee, but I can see right through that fake cough.

She went on with the questioning. “Bert, could you tell us some names of people Grace had a run-in with?” Dee Dee grabbed the notebook and pen from my hand.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but it would be easier to name the people she didn’t have trouble with. Grace just rubbed people the wrong way. I tried, I truly did, but I couldn’t take her nagging at me anymore. It was hard to start over, but I didn’t have a choice. I knew if I stayed in the marriage one of us wasn’t going to make it out alive.” Bert busied himself straightening some papers on his desk, but not before I noticed moisture in his eyes.

“I wish I could have been more help. I need to get back to work now.” He stood and swung his hand toward the door, an invitation for us to leave.

“Thanks for your time, Bert.” We trailed him out of the tool shed.

We made a few purchases in the gift shop then decided to find somewhere to eat. “I saw a café about a block from here. I think I could walk if you want to.”

“Sure, I’m up for a vigorous walk.” Dee Dee slung her bag’s strap over her shoulder.

“Dee, you know I can’t walk fast.” I wondered if she’d lost her mind.

She put her arm around my shoulder. “Aw, Trix, I was just kidding. You should have me figured out by now.” Her laughter floated through the air.

“I’m just beginning to learn who I am. And I have you and Beau to thank for that. You’ve encouraged me to look inside myself and find who was in there beside just a mother and wife. Your faith has taught me to lean on the One who is stronger than me. Someone who’ll never let me down. Like you know who.” Tears dampened my eyes. But this time, instead of sad tears, they were tears of relief. I swiped at the moisture pooled in the corner of my eyes.

Dee Dee squeezed my hand. “I love you, too, Trixie.” She rewarded me with a huge smile. “Come on, let’s go get something to eat; we’re getting way too maudlin.”

It felt good to laugh. But we wouldn’t be laughing by the end of the day.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

A
s we walked to the café, a chill invaded my body. I shivered and fast rubbed my arms. I didn’t know whether the chill was from the slight breeze that blew or was a forewarning. I decided it was the draft and put it out of my mind. When I later recalled that fateful day, I realized I should have given my gut feeling more credence.

“Trix, take a gander at these houses. They’re so beautiful.” Dee Dee twirled around to take in all sights.

“Wouldn’t you love to live here? Do you ever wonder what the owners do for a living to be able to afford such a house?”

I looked in awe, and yes a bit of envy, at the grand houses surrounding the Mercer Williams house. I noticed most of them boasted ironwork of some kind. Fences, balconies, window boxes, and even rails attached to curved stairways were made of iron.

“I sure do. I sometimes have an urge to ring their doorbell and ask them.” She giggled at her comment. “Hey, why don’t we just go ahead and do it? I think I’ll march up to this house right here and ask for a tour.” She pointed to the house in front of us.

My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure if she was serious or being facetious. I decided to turn the tables. I grabbed her arm. “Okay, let’s go.” I headed toward the curved stairway, dragging her along. Her wide eyes and O-shaped mouth told me all I needed to know. I bent over in laughter.

“Trixie! How could you?” She playfully hit me with her enormous bag. “I guess you learned from the best. Come on; I see the café over on the next block.”

We discussed what we’d learned from Bert. We agreed he’d confirmed what everyone else had told us; Grace didn’t make friends easily. We settled in at the little café on the corner, aptly named The Corner café. Up-scale tourist trinkets filled a hutch against one of the walls. Homemade jellies, commemorative plates, and candles were just a few of the gifts the diners could buy for their friends left behind at home.

I decided to eat a salad so I wouldn’t feel so guilty for all of the calorie-laden food I’d eaten over the last several days. I didn’t suppose I would be considered over weight, but it wouldn’t take much to push me over the line. I really tried to eat healthy, but I usually failed miserably.

Dee Dee ordered a salad, too. “Hey copy-cat,” I said. I shot her a smile to let her know I was kidding.

“Well, they say the greatest compliment is imitation. I thought it was a great idea. Then we can order dessert and feel good about our healthy lunch.”

I waggled my fork. “What suggestions do you have for our next move?” I felt like the weight of the world sat on my shoulders. Mama and Laura had put a lot of faith in my crime-solving skills. But the fact was I didn’t believe I had special skills. I couldn’t have solved the murder in Dahlonega without the help of God and Dee Dee. I needed their help now more than ever.

“Let’s go back to the inn and look over our notes. We can get our costumes while we’re out for the festival tonight. I’m so excited; I feel like a kid going to the carnival.”

“Yeah, I imagine Nana will be acting like a kid tonight.” If truth be told, at times I was envious of Nana’s ability to tackle life with such exuberance.

Dee Dee’s patience with Nana was nothing short of a miracle. “Don’t worry, be happy Trix. It’ll be all right.” She wiped her mouth and reapplied her cherry red lipstick.

We spent the time on the way back to Tybee Island going over the suspects.

I was beginning to lose hope, and recalled that Laura mentioned finding an attorney. Maybe it was time; she was certainly still the prime suspect, even on our list. She had opportunity and motive. Grace made Laura’s life miserable. The murder weapon belonged to Laura and her fingerprints covered it. Not good. We had to find someone who had a greater motive than Laura. I told Dee Dee as much.

“I wish we knew more about that bracelet.” Out came the infamous tablet and pen. “And what about Bert, and Grace’s attempts to control him?”

“But he’s been gone for a long time, and he’s hardly the bracelet wearing type. There wouldn’t be a need for him to kill her now; he seemed fairly content. Unless there’s something we don’t know about. I think he needs to be toward the bottom.” I remembered how controlling Wade could be. He wanted to know where I was and what I was doing.

“Let’s go over the names of the guests at Seaside Cottage. There’s us, of course.” Dee Dee gave a little snort. “What about Ellie Sloan? She seems kind of harmless.”

“That might be true, but remember we saw her talking with John Porter and she said she wasn’t acquainted with him before they met here. And the Daniels saw them downtown together that first night. I don’t know why she would lie about it. I think we need to move her toward the top.”

“Okay, she’s been moved.” Dee Dee punched me in the arm. “Stop!”

“What in the world?” I sputtered. I pulled over, alarmed maybe I’d hit something and didn’t see it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I
want to take some pictures of the boats,” Dee Dee indicated to the harbor. “Wouldn’t they make great photos? I could frame them and sell them in the shop. Customers grab up anything to do with the ocean.”

I pulled up to the road leading to the docks, next to the bridge on the way to Tybee. I had to admit the old fishing boats made great scenes. I grabbed my camera from the back seat and followed Dee Dee. We spent the next fifteen minutes snapping prize winners.

When we returned to the car we continued our conversation about the list. “Okay, Ellie was last. How about the Daniels, Cassie and Harold? That Cassie’s so sweet.”

“She sure is. I don’t see how she and Harold stay together. He’s one of the grouchiest old men I’ve had the displeasure to meet.” I turned on the wipers as large drops of rain splattered on my windshield. “But I don’t think they have any motive for murder.”

“I think you’re right. I forgot about Louise, but I can’t imagine her killing a bug.” Dee Dee checked out her pictures on her camera’s tiny screen as we drove.

“Okay, start on the list for Ocean View.”

“George is next on the list. What are your thoughts on the gentleman extraordinaire?”

“What’s not to like about him? He’s handsome, a perfect gentleman, smart, and Nana loves him,” I said. “I can’t forget about the night he took off with the bracelet. Now that was just weird.”

“That leaves Bubba, Nick and KiKi Sanderson, and John Porter.”

“Well I hate to say it, but I don’t know why any of them would want to kill Grace. The one that concerns me is John Porter. And that’s because he met up with Ellie. I would like to know what they’ve been up to.” I looked over to see the sign for Fort Pulaski, a Civil War fortress. I would have loved to get some pictures, but the rain was really driving down now, and I felt we needed to focus on exonerating Laura. “Who’s next?”

“We still have Mary Sue Bartlett and Edna Jackson. If you ask me, Mary Sue is carrying a grudge bigger than my bootie. And that’s saying a lot, if you know what I mean.” Dee Dee laughed at her own joke.

“I’m not touching that one with a ten-foot pole. But you’re right; Mary Sue has a lot of baggage from dealing with Grace. She suffered quite a few losses at Grace’s doings. She lost her job, her home, and her dignity. We need to consider her highly as a suspect.” I liked Mary Sue and it would disappoint me if she were involved in Grace’s murder. But I’d learned that
nice
people could commit murder.

“Then there’s Edna. I believe if I had to live with Grace for as long as she has, I might have been tempted to strangle her myself.”

“Edna has the patience of Job.” Every time I’d say this I’d think about Job and the hand he was dealt. He was often used an example of patience. And it was true he had never cursed God as his wife wanted him to, but he had cursed the day he was born. God hadn’t been too happy with him, either. God’s booming voice asked Job, “Where were you when I made the foundations of the earth?” Job had changed his attitude right quick. But what I loved about Job was how he was human, just like we were. He had fussed and groused about the things that were happening in his life, just like us; and God still blessed him in the end.

“Hey, Trix!”

I came back from my musings and looked over at Dee Dee.

“Where did you go?”

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

“I said Edna might not be as patient as we’ve given her credit for. She might be someone else we need to keep a close eye on.” Dee Dee scooted around in her seat. “Good thing we’ll be back to the inn shortly.” She slapped her backside with her hand and released a hearty laugh. This time I laughed with her.

“I think that covers just about everybody we’ve talked to. Is there anybody we left out?”

She took a minute to study the list. “We haven’t mentioned Jasmine.” She held up the notebook and pointed to a name with her pen. “Now there’s a scorned woman. I’ll never understand why Grace made it her life mission to make other people miserable.”

“Well, we’ll never get the answer now.” I shook my head in bewilderment. I was as stumped as Dee Dee. Why would anyone enjoy making enemies? “Jasmine must have been furious when Grace brought up her past. The question is, was she furious enough to kill her?”

We pulled into Laura’s driveway. “Come on; we’ve talked enough about death and murder. How about we take the evening off and have a great time at the pirate’s festival.” Dee Dee helped me retrieve all our stuff from the car and lug it in the house.

Nana met us at the door. “I thought you’d never get back. We have to go get our pirate costumes for tonight.” She had her jacket hung over one arm and her pocketbook strapped over the other.