Southern Sass and a Battered Bride Page 9

  “Sounds like you’re dealing with a little guilt yourself.”

  I leaned against the closed door and crossed one arm over to the other, thankful Teddy was a friend and would listen without judgment. I met his gaze. “Yeah, maybe a little. He wanted me to give Lucy another chance. For Betsy and me to befriend her.”

  “He shouldn’t have put you in that position. And now he has to see how you’ve been through your own ordeal.” Teddy reached out and squeezed my arm.

  “Eddie thinks what happened to Paul and me was simply a diversion.”

  “Makes sense. It would give whoever time to get the body out of the area.”

  “Now I’m hearing about the biker that showed up at the wedding.” I rubbed my forehead.

  “What about him?”

  “It’s just rumors. He might’ve been involved with Lucy. Her ex or something.”

  “Does Alex know about that?”

  I shrugged.

  Teddy rose and put a hand on my shoulder. “Be careful. If Lucy got involved with the wrong person and you go doing what you always do, this could end badly.”

  He was right. And there was no reason for me to delve into this further. The deceased hadn’t intercepted my path as they usually did when they needed my aid. And for that I was grateful and planned to enjoy my reprieve. I held up my hands. “Not this time. I plan to steer clear and let Eddie and Javy handle it.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Paul and I parted ways after we left the funeral home. He acted miffed because I didn’t share what Teddy told me, and I was irritated because he had an issue with my father. Paul had to get to work anyway, and I needed a nap. I pulled into the small space in front of my home. Beach Daze circa 1932 renovated raised cottage, with its slate-gray shutters and lovely gazing deck and tall palm trees, always felt like a retreat for me. “Come in and rest,” the old place whispered over the salty breeze. My heart warmed as two large gift baskets sat on the front stoop, full of fruit and home-baked goods from our senior ladies.

  The screen door closed behind me, the cool air a welcoming change from the ninety percent humidity outdoors. I punched in the code on the security keypad. I placed the baskets on the bar and flung my bag on the natural hand-shaped and handwoven rattan bar stool. Yvonne had insisted the natural beauty against the marble bar would relax the room. She’d been right. The cool colors in my home put out a soothing vibe, which I appreciated. My home felt safe. If the diversion theory was correct, and it made perfect sense to me, even if the biker was responsible, he wouldn’t come after me again.

  I opened the refrigerator and extracted a pitcher of tea. My replacement cell in my bag rang with Yvonne’s ring tone. I’d been thankful I could sync it with my computer after losing my old iPhone in the explosion. I popped in my new AirPods and answered. “Speak of the devil.”

  “What?”

  “I was just thinking about you and the wonderful job you did on the cottage. You on your way home?” I filled my glass with ice and poured the amber liquid over it. I took a few deep sips from the glass.

  “Yes. I’m on the ferry.” Her tone sounded off.

  Something is wrong. I set the glass on the bar. “Tell me.”

  “Alex is here, and he isn’t alone.” I heard the car door shut. “Remember your favorite detective?”

  “You’ve got to be joking. Detective Thornton is with him?”

  “I’m not joking, and he certainly is.”

  That’s who Alex lit out in a hurry to go and see. I slumped down on the bar stool and my chest constricted as if the wind had been knocked from me.

  “And, Marygene, the man is not himself. Alex has always been prone to explosive, irrational reactions, especially in anger; though, I’ve got to say, this is edging on the need for medical attention. He told me I should have stayed away from the screwed-up island when I had the chance. He droned on about the crooked Peach Cove Sheriff’s Department. How Eddie would sacrifice truth to protect islanders. That no one ever accepted Lucy, and their prejudices toward her caused her a great deal of pain.”

  “Oh, for the love of God! Lucy was no saint. I understand how people idolize the deceased once they’re gone and all, but this is going too far. If Lucy didn’t make friends while she was living, it was due to her sparkling personality. Forgive me for speaking ill of the dead or perceived dead.”

  “What’s that? They’re not sure she died on her wedding day?”

  “No, well, I don’t know. Teddy said yes, then he said he wasn’t sure. Now he’s back on the yes bandwagon. If she is alive, that would explain her disappearance. Yvonne, I kid you not, people aren’t at all affected by her death. And it has nothing to do with prejudices. They’ve accepted plenty of transplants.” I popped open a bottle of Tylenol and took two, washing it down with more tea. “Plus, she had a shady ex. Did Alex mention him?”

  “Not to me.”

  “I bet Thornton is loving this.” I went and opened the pocket doors and walked out onto the deck.

  “I can’t believe Alex would stoop so low. That detective was horrible to you.”

  I hoped the Tylenol kicked in soon. “Did Alex say anything else?”

  “No. He seemed eager to end our conversation. Not that I wanted to stay engaged. He didn’t seem like Alex, you know? Really unhinged.”

  “He’s grieving. He’ll come to his senses. Drive safe.”

  “I will. Should I call off the trip?”

  I scanned my memory and came up blank before asking, “What trip?”

  “Remember, I’m taking Mama on the Alaskan cruise she’s always wanted to go on.”

  “Oh, right.” There was a knock at the front door. “No, you should definitely go. Y’all have been looking forward to this. Go, have fun. This will all sort itself out.”

  “Okay, then. I probably won’t see you before we leave. So be careful and don’t let Alex drag you into anymore of his bull. You’re seeing Paul now, and he’s a nice step up from Alex.”

  “I won’t. Have a great time.” I checked the peephole. Javy stood on the stoop.

  “We will. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  I disconnected the call, shoved the buds into my front pocket, and swung open the door. “I thought you’d be down at the station house helping Eddie with all those interviews.” I stood aside for him to enter and went to make him a glass of tea.

  “That’s why I’m here.” He took the glass I held out for him and thanked me with reserved politeness, making this visit feel more formal.

  “Right. You need to speak with me again. You’d think y’all would get all the questions you need to ask together before having someone give a statement. I bet y’all get a lot of complaints from folks tired of retelling an event that brought them trauma.”

  He sipped some tea, his brows raised over the rim of the glass.

  “I know, I know, other questions come up during an investigation. Well, things are about to get even more dicey. You’re never going to believe what Yvonne just told me.”

  “I’m listening.” His expression conveyed nothing.

  “She’s on her way home and called from the ferry. She saw Alex and he isn’t alone. He has a detective from Atlanta with him.”

  “What detective?” Javy put his glass on the counter and took a seat at the bar.

  I took up purchase next to him and put the cool side of the glass against my forehead.

  “Head still aching?”

  After I swallowed a sip from my glass, I nodded and placed the glass on the bar.

  “God, Javy. This is such a mess.” I rested my elbows on the cool marble and covered my face with my hands. “Alex is teetering on the edge from grief, Paul is angry with me because I won’t share everything, and now this horrible man is on his way back to the island. He’s like the grim reaper, and I’m not being melodramatic, I swear.”

  “I take it you’ve had some run-ins with the detective in question?” Javy rubbed my back and I froze.

  I lifted my head and met
his gaze, feeling the reservation fall away.

  “I apologize.” He dropped his hand and seemed surprised he performed such a familiar gesture.

  We’d shared one kiss. A kiss used as a distraction technique. His words before the kiss could’ve also been to divert my attention from Alex’s wedding. I had to remember that.

  “It’s okay.” I had a boyfriend, or sort of did. We were dating. Not that it was exactly relevant at present, and I focused on the current predicament. “A couple of years ago when Joseph Ledbetter died suspiciously, I met the Atlanta detective. There were rumors he wasn’t on the straight and narrow. Alex worked with the man and is aware of this. He also knows bringing in outside law enforcement will send the island into a panic. And his mistrust of his own sheriff.”

  “Maybe that’s what he’s after. To shake up the island, I mean.”

  “How do you figure?” I leaned on one elbow, facing him.

  “Well, the level of concern for his missing bride is strangely low among Peach Cove residents. After interviewing guests, the only reason a lot of them showed up for the wedding was to participate in the murder mystery.”

  Sam and I had surmised correctly.

  “The drama hasn’t hurt Sunshine at all. In fact, when I went by to speak with the new director, he claimed they were booked solid for the next three months.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  He shook his head. “And the theories the wedding guests have come up with in their statements. It’s enough to give me a neck ache.”

  “Everyone’s talking about the guy on the Harley? I heard about the love triangle theory from Poppy.”

  “That’s one of them. Those mainly come from Trixie’s friends. It’s a ton of work. We have to look into anything that sounds remotely plausible. Odd thing is, the mystery man seems to have vanished. He checked into the inn your cousin runs, a few weeks ago. He used the name John Smith, paid cash and kept his distance from guests and staff, and then two days after the incident, he checked out. The sketch we got of the guy could’ve been anyone and everyone.”

  “Huh . . .” I drummed my nails on the counter. “What about a driver’s license? They would’ve made a copy of it at the inn for booking purposes, since he wasn’t using a credit card as payment.”

  “We ran it, it was bogus.” Javy pulled out his cell from the pocket of his brown uniform pants. He didn’t have to explain who he was going to call. Eddie would require immediate notification of all developments. “Sheriff, I’m at Marygene’s and have been informed of pertinent information.”

  I pondered the ramifications of Alex’s decisions and worried about his mental state while I half listened to Javy relay to Eddie all I had told him. This would be the second time Detective Thornton got involved in Peach Cove business. And this time at the request of Eddie’s own deputy. Alex and my father weren’t simply colleagues who worked well together. They were more like, well, family. I found it devastating Alex would believe Eddie would cover up the truth, and seek outside help. A chill ran up my spine and the energy shifted. After days of no real contact, Mama stood behind Javy.

  “Honey, I’m sorry. I can see you’re upset. I’m not even sure what happened. I tried to appear before you, even got into the van. Something went wrong.” She buried her face in her hands. Mama was grieved. Her hands dropped. “There’s a strange energy around you. I can see something is wrong, but it isn’t clearly defined.”

  She’d shocked me. Again. I stood without realizing it and took a step around Javy, opened my mouth, nearly forgetting myself.

  Javy disconnected the call and turned in the chair to face me. I stood extremely close to him. He glanced over his shoulder and back at me. “Now I have more bad news.”

  Taking a step backward, I groaned and waved my hands for him to tell me.

  “Alex’s mom is at the department.”

  “Stirring up more trouble?”

  He nodded. “She’s formally alleging you and Betsy threatened Lucy.”

  That woman would not let anything go. A dog with a bone came to mind.

  “She claims Betsy bragged about being able to hide a body and even laid hands on the woman.”

  “That woman is a menace!” Mama’s face heated. “I never liked Regina. She loved to stir the pot.”

  I nodded in agreement. “She’s out of her ever-loving mind! Betsy didn’t kill Lucy. She despised her, sure, murdered her, no way. You know how riled Betsy gets. She’s all talk, as Regina Myers knows. She’s her niece, for heaven’s sake. That woman is kicking a hornet’s nest. Those Myers women don’t take too kindly for turning on their own.” I shook my head where thoughts fired at a rapid speed. “Plus, someone tried to kill us too! Betsy wouldn’t try to kill herself.”

  “Someone tried to kill you. Remember Betsy joined you at the last minute. It wasn’t planned for her to ride with you.”

  “And Paul.”

  “Speaking of Paul, you said you saw him today? We’ve been leaving messages for him to come in.”

  “A little while ago. Need to speak with him again too?”

  “Just a couple of questions we need cleared up. And sometimes after a tragic incident it takes a couple of days to remember the specifics clearly.”

  True. In the moment of panic, a lot of little things could slip your mind. Paul could be privy to a lot of clues he wasn’t aware of in his current mindset. And today, he seemed to have his wits about him. The way he went after Teddy proved that. I kept glancing in Mama’s direction, hoping for enlightenment. She stood with her hands on her hips and her brows furrowed. Waves of frustration rolled off her.

  “He went to work. He’s either at his office or on a job. He said his cell was impounded with the van, so I’d recommend reaching out to his boss. He’ll know how to reach him.”

  Mama’s amber gaze was zoned in on Javy. I could read how conflicted she felt. Mama wore her emotions, always had, and now I could almost discern her every emotion. Even the way she stood conveyed the turmoil within.

  “Something is definitely off here.” Mama stepped closer to Javy, and I wondered if he could sense her in some way. When he didn’t show any response, I figured not.

  “The sheriff requests you to come down if you’re up for it. Betsy is already there. He picked her up at the square.”

  My stomach did a flip-flop. “Picked her up as in . . .”

  “In the literal sense of the word. No cuffs were in involved. She’s a mess, he says.”

  As inconspicuously as I could, I searched Mama’s face for answers. “What can you tell me?”

  “I’ve been forthright with you.” Javy appeared confused.

  My gaze shifted onto his face, but my words were directed at Mama. “Am I going to see you later?” I had to communicate with her.

  “I’m going with you,” Javier said while I picked up my bag.

  “Yes. I think I fixed the issue. Be careful, my sweet girl, and always remember to trust your instincts.” Mama began to fade. “I plan to get to the bottom of this.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Peach Cove Sheriff’s Department was a small precinct. It always reminded me of something out of an old seventies police show, with its drab wood-paneled walls and white-tiled flooring. Whenever Eddie needed more seating, he borrowed folding chairs from the Peach Cove Baptist Church.

  The phone was ringing off the hook at the front desk. Tonya Wrigley, the office receptionist/secretary, had the phone to her ear. “Could you please hold.” Tonya hit one of the buttons on the phone and adjusted her floral scarf. “Marygene, hon, I’m so sorry to hear about what happened to you.” She glanced around. “I thought Officer Reyes would be with you.”

  “Oh, he is. He’s outside handling a dispute between two senior men. They seem to be arguing over a parking space.”

  Javy had sworn a blue streak when we pulled into the lot and the two old coots were going at each other. Both their vehicles parked half in the same space.

  Tonya rolled her eyes. “That’s M
r. Smith and Mr. Johnson. They’re neighbors and they’re here every other week filing a complaint about something or another. Idiot stuff like Mr. Smith allowing his grass to grow too high or Mr. Johnson letting his dog poop in Mr. Smith’s yard. You’d think they’d let up when real trouble strikes.” She took another call and asked them to hold. “Did you get my flowers?”

  “I did. Thanks so much. Things are pretty hectic around here, huh?” I edged closer to the desk.

  Tonya shook her thin dishwater-brown hair. “A madhouse. I can’t believe all the tips that are coming in. Folks around here have been watching way too much Netflix. How’s Mr. Wrigley doing? He’s real sensitive. Is he being all protective of you?”

  I smiled. Tonya had given the cat her last name when she’d adopted him. Oddly, it fit. “He’s my snuggle buddy. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

  The phone started ringing again. “I’m so glad. Listen, I’ve got to take this. The sheriff is waiting for you.” She made a face I couldn’t discern.

  “Okay. Thanks.” I made my way to the back of the room around the corner. Eddie met me by the lockers. His face was set to stone, showing no emotion, and that always spelled trouble. “There you are.” He gave me a hug and searched my face. “You feeling okay? No double vision or nausea?”

  “I’m okay.” I smiled reassuringly.

  He released me and nodded. His brows were drawn together and his face weary. There was a lot of that expression going around lately. “If you’re sure. I’m going to need you to help Betsy. She’s in my office and is a real mess. I’ve called her aunt Vi for her as she requested but got her voice mail.”

  “I’m confused here. I thought you wanted me to come down and make a statement.”

  He patted his sweaty brow and, now that I took him in fully, he didn’t look well.

  “We have more pressing matters at the moment. Regina kicked a hornet’s nest, throwing around accusations within the Myers family, and Betsy publicly threatened her.”

  Oh, Betsy.

  “Regardless of what Betsy says in anger, Regina knows Betsy would never hurt her family and accusations aren’t proof. What about the biker guy? All signs point to him, in my opinion.”