The Begonia Bribe (18 page)

The audience calmed considerably.

Jessica rushed up and ran at Dylan. “Heavens! Are you okay?”

“Like you care,” Cam muttered.

“What?”

Cam regretted saying it and hoped the “what?” meant Jessica hadn’t heard.

“I said we need to get him out of here. He needs medical attention.”

Jessica frowned.

“What about lighting?” Evangeline asked.

“He can’t do it. Maybe Benny?”

“Oh, I don’t think . . .”

“Benny can do it,” Dylan said. “He’s helped me at a few band shows. Nothing fancy, but he can point and change which lights—gives you maybe three shades and all the locations.”

Cam dialed Benny before Dylan finished.

“But do you think . . .” Evangeline protested.

Cam knew what her argument was. Cam had learned a few months earlier that Benny and his father had gone to great pains to make the Garden Society believe Benny was dim because of a minor crime he’d committed as a teen. Evangeline, Cam thought, needed to believe it because of some of the things he’d done more recently. If Evangeline believed Benny had full mental faculties, it might destroy their friendship. On the other hand, the show needed him, so she took on a confident expression and nodded.

“If you’re sure,” Evangeline said.

A few of the “muscle” helpers arrived to clean up the glass and metal, and an EMT who’d been on site arrived to look at Dylan’s ankle.

“You’ll need stitches and maybe to have this casted, sir. I’m not sure if it’s broken or just a very serious sprain, but you need to go to the hospital. If another person can help, I can get you to the ambulance.”

Cam didn’t want to do it, but the only person she could think of was Rob. She went on stage and shouted for him, certain that Dylan and Rob spending ten minutes together was the worst idea imaginable. She couldn’t justify not giving Dylan the help he needed, though. Rob was the only person she knew present she could ask who was strong enough, aside from Jake, and Jake was on duty.

She watched as the EMT and Rob helped Dylan off the stage. The crowd considerately parted for them as they made their way to the ambulance, which was only a short distance away.

Cam turned to Jessica. “You really don’t know who did this?” she asked.

“Why would I?”

“Because it seems to me, if your baby is the only heir left, you stand to inherit an awful lot.”

“For your information, I’m wealthy in my own right. I don’t need Telly’s stupid money. Even if I did, half is plenty and family is worth more. I have a mother with Alzheimer’s and no one else. I really want Dylan as family.”

Jessica was quite the actress. In fact, Cam really wanted to believe her. At the moment, though, the show had to go on and she didn’t have time to second-guess herself.

B
enny arrived a short while later. Evangeline introduced the next segment under the bluish lights that had been up for Kyle Lance’s second number, less the row that had fallen. Benny was able to get them adjusted as the finalists lined up for the poise routine.

Cam finally left the stage, relieved things seemed to be on track to at least finish the night.

“Psst!”

Cam looked around, unsure at first that the call was meant for her, but it was Annie.

“What?”

“This is it.”

“This is what?”

“Where the lighting unit was jerry-rigged.” Annie was standing at one of the spots where the lighting gadgets were anchored, but there was no rope.

“So you think it
was
on purpose?”

“Look at those other knots. You think they untied themselves?”

“Crap! Wait, what are you doing?”

Annie was fumbling in her camera case for something.

“Calling Jake. He needs to get over here.”

Cam started to argue but knew she’d only offend Annie, and it
was
Jake’s job. Maybe he could get fingerprints or something. She also felt a little satisfied that the most logical suspect for this was the person she’d spent so much time arguing for as a murder suspect.

“I knew that Jessica was evil,” Cam said.

“Why?”

Cam spun to find Evangeline behind her.

“Look.” Cam pointed to the empty anchor. “Someone set the lighting thing up to fall on Dylan on purpose.”

“It couldn’t have been Jessica,” Evangeline said.

“Why not?”

“She’s been helping me all night. She’s hardly left my side.”

That couldn’t be right. Even if it were true, it wouldn’t be the first time Jessica had had an accomplice. They both looked around for clues as to who the culprit was when Evangeline’s eyes lit on Annie.

“You!” Evangeline shrieked and Annie yelped, looking betrayed. She’d been accused of something she didn’t do before. Cam started to protest, but then heard the rest.

“Were you shooting the crowd when Kyle Lance was playing?” Evangeline asked.

“Of course I was. You didn’t think I’d shoot
him,
did you?”

Cam bit her lip at Annie’s sarcasm, glad Evangeline caught it for the humor it was.

“Silly me. But that’s perfect. We can see who left their seats!”

“Oh, yeah! Reliable Annie,” Annie said.

“Funny. That phrase has never occurred to me,” Cam said.

“Really? That’s where you want to go right now?” Annie said.

“No! You’re right. Steadfast, never-failing Annie!”

“That’s better.” Annie began to scan her pictures. “Crowd shots are way too small. We’ll need to do it on the computer.”

Cam sighed. She’d figured as much.

* * *

A
big screen dropped after the last routine and the finalists were called up one at a time to give a brief statement as to what being Little Miss Begonia would mean to her. After the girl’s very brief rehearsed answer, her talent and a clip of her interview were shown. Then the next girl was brought onto the stage.

Cam barely paid attention. She was alternating coordination of the show with scanning the audience for suspicious details. She didn’t spot anything that stood out.

Only when Lizzie, the last finalist, got up did Cam listen.

“I wish my sister was picked,” she began. “She really wants to be Little Miss Begonia, and I’m only here because I want to be like my sister.”

She looked down then and gave a sniff. There were a lot of “Awws” from the crowd, but Cam knew the reality: Lizzie had basically stepped out of the race without knowing it. The other girls—or more notably, their mothers—would be outraged if somebody won who didn’t want it, and, frankly, the criteria mentioned having a passion for the program and being a good representative. How good was a representative who didn’t want to be one?

When the finalists were done, the audience was given a ten-minute intermission while the judges met to make their decision. Cam was ready to spend the time problem solving, but Evangeline caught her.

“Come with me, will you? I need to change, but I want to ask you something.”

“Of course.”

Cam followed Evangeline around the crowd and into the library.

“Do you have a plan,” Evangeline asked quietly, “for keeping the murders disentangled from this?”

“Stalling,” Cam answered honestly. “The people interested in this pageant will be frenzied through Monday, and then all interest will drop off except for the individual girls. If we can keep the deaths ambiguous until then, we should be okay. Then, when the information on the murders begins to be more public, it will only be tied in passing to the pageant.”

Evangeline sighed. “Okay. Not ideal, but I can’t see a better plan. Will it work?”

“Unless a motive related to the pageant is uncovered, and I can’t see that happening.”

“Good girl.”

* * *

W
hen the audience was called back to their places, the judges went on stage. Each gave a brief speech regarding the qualities they were meant to judge on, the high caliber of the participants, and the spirit and benefits of the competition.

Toni Howe then called up the second runner-up, Andromeda Barrows. Barbara Mackay called up the first runner-up, Venus DiAngelo. And finally Clancy Huggins called up the winner, Daisy Rae Hawthorne.

Cam was a little annoyed to see Andromeda in the finals, as she’d proven herself a poor sport, but the judges had not been informed of that. Cam made a mental note that perhaps they should hear such things if she ever did this again. Venus was a bit of a know-it-all, but really was very talented and charming when she tried. Daisy Rae, on the other hand, was kind, pleasant, talented, and most of all, she seemed genuine, so Cam could be content with the results.

Once the girls were assembled, Kyle Lance came out for a last ballad and then walked to the front of the stage, formally escorting Daisy Rae.

* * *

W
hen the pageant wound up, Mindy approached Cam, Barry clinging to her hand.

“Thank you so much for everything! You’ve been so great.”

Cam had to bite her tongue. A reunion with Barry wasn’t the outcome she’d hoped for now that she’d met the man, or even before, based on Mindy’s description. He just wasn’t a good guy. Instead, Cam addressed the girls.

“Your daughters are really fabulous. I had a great time getting to know them. And it’s wonderful Lizzie got Nell’s runner-up award—I know $250 isn’t a thousand dollars, but it’s a lot more scholarship than most people have at seven!”

Mindy laughed. “It sure is, and I hope our money troubles are over anyway. Barry and I are going to try to work it out.”

Drat!
Cam hated it when an avoided topic became unavoidable. “Well, if that’s what you want, I hope it works. I’d just like to see you and the girls happy.”

Barry had the decency to look sheepish; she had to give him credit for that.

It took a long time to get everybody on their way. All the girls needed to collect their props, receive congratulations from friends and family—no matter how they had done—and of course, have their picture taken with Kyle Lance. He was a great sport about hanging out, especially given the annoyed expression of Jimmy Meares.

Rob interviewed the top three girls, promising that in addition to the Roanoke newspaper piece, he’d send a more extensive interview to each of their local papers. Cam thought he’d be up all night typing up the interviews. It would no longer be news in a few days, so it was best to shoot for the Sunday and Monday papers. She wasn’t sure about the other towns, but the
Roanoke Tribune
deadline was two
A.M.
to get the results into their bulky Sunday paper and midnight the next night for the Monday living section, where the in-depth interviews would go. The only exceptions the papers made on deadlines were the unavoidable, huge-news events that preempted page one—natural disasters, violent crime, or political scandal. Little Miss Begonia, when they’d known the date for weeks, would not qualify.

“Hey,” she said to Rob. “I know you have a heck of a deadline, and I’m here awhile. I can catch a ride from Annie.”

“Why does Annie have to stay?”

“Erm, or Evangeline. Go! I’ll get a ride from someone or walk twelve blocks.”

“Not at night, you won’t. No walking.” He pointed a finger at her and she rolled her eyes.

“Fine. I promise. Ride. Annie or Evangeline.”

He finally nodded, kissed her, and left. Cam was tired anyway. The only thing she’d miss about the walk was the jasmine.

* * *

A
s Cam wound her way to Annie, she ran across Nell and Byron Norton. She stopped to thank them profusely, then pulled Nell aside.

“I saw you earlier in an odd conversation with Barry Blankenship. Do you mind my asking?”

“The man was trying to sell snake oil—rural property on the outskirts of Roanoke—as if I don’t
have
rural property.” She sighed and walked away.

The audience finally dispersed as Kyle Lance drove off in his limousine, so only the contestants and their families continued to mill, alternately retrieving their things from the library and thanking the contest staff and judges. Cam had to work hard to be gracious when she was so distracted.

“What did you find on Barry Blankenship?” Cam asked Annie when she managed to find her. She looked thoroughly done with photography for the evening.

“What?”

“Did you look?”

“Yeah, two days ago. I thought you didn’t need the information once Mindy was cleared.”

“I don’t think we do on the murder, but he seems to have wormed himself back into Mindy’s life.”

“Sick. Why?”

“I don’t know, but I’d rather give her a heads-up if there is anything there.”

“Well, yeah—there was stuff—real estate stuff. There was something about a sexual harassment suit, but I didn’t end up reading it all in depth because we ran out of time and then Mindy showed up.”

“You saw it?”

“Of course.”

“You ready for a long night?”

“Not so much. Can’t you stick with one crime at a time? I got pictures for Dylan, philandering for Mindy, and neither looks like murder.”

“I’ll give you twenty free hours next weekend.”

“Huh?”

“Roanoke Garden Society is still on hiatus. I’ll work for you in exchange for helping.”

Annie sighed. “I hate you, you know.”

“I know you don’t. I also know you’re the best friend anybody could ever have.”

“And you’re a giant, demanding suck-up, which is almost as bad as being the ordinary favor vampire you always are. But I suppose if you must suck the life out of me, the butt kissing is appreciated.”

“I love you,” Cam offered.

“Shut up. When can you leave?”

“Not for another hour, at least. Evangeline can give me a ride if you want to head out and get started.”

“You’re too kind.” Annie’s unenthusiastic tone oozed sarcasm.

Cam made a kissy face. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

* * *

C
am did her part then, seeing families off, thanking staff and judges, and making sure the clean-up crew had things under control. Finally she found Evangeline.

“Would you mind giving me a ride home?”

“I’d be happy to, Cam, but I have several things still to do. Could you check with Benny?”

He hadn’t occurred to her, but there was no reason why not. Cam found him on the stage, stowing the last of the rented equipment.

“Hey, Benny. How’s it going?”

“Almost done.”

“Can I ask you a favor?”

“Probably,” he said.

“Would you mind giving me a ride home?”

“Well, sure. You mind if we stop at the urgent care and check on Dylan first? It’s just the clinic right over there.” He pointed—it couldn’t be seen through the shell, but Cam knew what he was talking about—there was an outpatient clinic that was part of Carilion Hospital. It sat just kitty-corner from the far end of the park.

Checking on Dylan wouldn’t have been her first choice, mostly because she had a full night ahead, but she did want to see how he was, so she agreed. A half hour later, she and Benny finished up at about the same time, so it worked well.

They walked across the park and intersection together after Benny had stowed the things that needed to be picked up by the rental company.

Dylan was waiting outside an ER-style waiting room. They’d put his ankle in a splint while they waited for the X-rays to come back, but as Cam and Benny arrived, the doctor was explaining that he had a break and his leg needed to be casted.

“How long will that take?” Benny asked.

“He should be back in a half hour,” the woman said.

“Does it hurt?” Cam asked.

“Why, Miss Harris, I didn’t know you cared,” Dylan said.

Benny snorted and Cam blushed.

“You didn’t see who did this, did you?”

“No, but I saw something.”

What?”

“Man acting real fishy—whispering and telling some woman off, then kissing her, but making her go—it was that guy in the video with the lady cop.”

“That toad!”

“Sounds right.”

“But you didn’t see anything else?”

“Maybe. Ask when the drugs wear off. My memory is a little fuzzy.”

Cam rolled her eyes.

“I’ll come back for you, okay?” Benny said. “You probably aren’t supposed to drive.”

“Especially not with the pain meds, and I’m definitely going to demand more of those.” Dylan grinned.

“I’m really sorry it’s broken,” Cam said.

“I know what you can do to make it feel better.”

“I’ll send a card right away,” Cam said, blushing even brighter.

“See you,” Benny said, and Cam led him back out, hoping her face wouldn’t burst into flames.

Cam was glad Benny didn’t feel compelled to ask about it. She wasn’t sure what she would have said, aside from her protest that she was happy with her boyfriend. She was deeply relieved to be dropped off at home.

* * *

“A
bout time!” Annie shouted when Cam finally got home. It was almost one in the morning.