An’gel reserved judgment on that. If Horace gained by them, then ultimately his son and only child would as well. She asked, “Do you know the terms of Horace’s will? Does he leave everything to Trey?”
“Yes, he does,” Jacqueline replied. “Horace knows that I’m already provided for.”
“I believe you said that if Horace inherited his third of your estate,” Dickce said, “he can dispose of it however he likes.”
“Yes.” Jacqueline nodded. “It would ultimately go to Trey.”
Dickce glanced again at An’gel. “I saw Trey last night. Or rather, in the morning.” She explained that Endora had been in her bedroom with her and how she heard the cat meowing and scratching somewhere. “When I picked her up, Sondra’s door opened, and there stood Trey. He looked mighty upset.”
“What was he doing in Sondra’s room at such a time?” An’gel asked. “That seems odd to me.”
Jacqueline sighed heavily. “He was head over heels in love with Sondra, but she wasn’t interested, despite everything. He was angry with her over her decision to marry Lance. I guess he might have wanted to spend some time with her things. He’s devastated by her death, I know.” Her face crumpled, and a few tears trickled down her cheeks.
An’gel didn’t want to distress her goddaughter further, but two words Jacqueline had said caught her attention. “You said Sondra wasn’t interested in Trey, despite everything. What did you mean by that?”
Jacqueline rubbed her tears away with one hand. “I guess I might as well tell you. He’s Tippy’s father.” She stood abruptly. “All this is giving me a bad headache. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go upstairs and lie down for a little while. I have to go back into town soon to take care of some things.”
“Of course, dear,” An’gel said vaguely, trying to grasp the truth of the bombshell Jacqueline had handed them. “You need to rest. Dickce, Benjy, and I will take care of Tippy for you.”
“Thank you.” Jacqueline gave them a brief smile before she strode out of the room.
“Well,” Dickce said. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“I didn’t either,” An’gel replied. “But I can’t say I’m completely surprised.” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine what Jacqueline and Horace were thinking, to allow such a thing to happen.”
“Poor Mireille was horrified, I imagine.” Dickce made a moue of distaste. “I know they’re stepsiblings, but still.”
“I imagine Mireille had a few choice words to say on the subject.” An’gel shook her head. “I still can’t believe she’s gone, and so suddenly. This whole mess is truly heart-rending.”
“Yes, it is,” Dickce said. They sat quietly for a moment, until the sound of the doorbell interrupted their thoughts.
An’gel waited, expecting to hear the footsteps of either Jackson or Estelle as they went to answer the door. There was only silence, and the bell rang again.
“I’ll go.” Dickce rose and headed out of the room.
She returned moments later, preceded by the policeman Bugg and trailed by his junior officer, Sanford.
“Mornin’, ma’am.” Bugg nodded at An’gel. “I don’t reckon either Mister or Miz Mims is around anywhere, are they? I got something I need to tell ’em.”
“I’m sorry, Officer.” An’gel rose to address the man. “I believe Horace is at work, and Jacqueline has just this minute gone upstairs to get some rest. She’s completely exhausted, and I don’t want to disturb her unless it’s of vital importance.”
Bugg didn’t appear happy at An’gel’s news. “That’s sure unfortunate, ma’am, ’cause I really need to talk to one of ’em.”
“My sister and I are cousins of Mrs. Champlain’s,” An’gel said. “I am also Jacqueline’s godmother. Can’t you tell us what it is? I’d rather not have Jacqueline hit with any more bad news at the moment. And that reminds me, we have something to tell you as well.”
Bugg nodded. “Yes’m, I got the message that Miz Mims needed to talk to me. How’s about you tell me what you got to say, and then I’ll do the same?”
“Very well,” An’gel said. “Won’t you both sit down first?” She waved a hand to indicate a couple of nearby chairs. Bugg nodded and motioned for Sanford to take a seat as soon as An’gel and Dickce took their places on the sofa.
“Now, ma’am, what is it you got to tell me?” Bugg asked after he sat and squirmed gingerly in the antique armchair to find a comfortable position.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, An’gel had to suppress a smile at Bugg’s actions. He was clearly not comfortable in that chair and probably afraid that he might damage it.
“Sondra had an accident with her car yesterday morning,” An’gel said. “She was coming down the driveway a bit too fast when her brakes gave out, and she ended up crashing her car into one of the live oaks. Luckily she wasn’t hurt and was able to walk away from it.”
Bugg nodded. “She sure did like to drive fast. Surprised she didn’t have no more accidents than she did. Anything special about this one?”
“Yes,” An’gel said. “It was a brand-new car. Evidently she had only brought it home the day before. We all thought it was strange that the brakes on a new car were faulty so quickly.”
“It turned out, however,” Dickce said, “the brake line was deliberately cut. Jacqueline had the car towed to the dealership, and the mechanic called her a little while ago to give her a report.”
Sanford emitted a low whistle, but Bugg appeared not to have heard it. He frowned. “Somebody had it in for her, then.”
“That’s not all, Officer,” An’gel said. “My cousin was supposed to be in the car with her. At the last minute, though, she ended up staying home.”
Bugg’s eyes narrowed. “I aim to do my best to figger out who was responsible for that. You can count on it.”
“Thank you,” Dickce said. “We will.”
“Now, what about the news you have for Jacqueline and Horace?” An’gel asked. “Please tell us.”
“All right,” Bugg said. He leaned forward in the chair, hands on his knees. “The parish coroner, Dr. Kovacs—you saw her last night, ma’am.”
An’gel nodded.
“Well, she ain’t real satisfied with what she saw when she examined the body.” Bugg paused for a moment, then said in a dramatic tone, “We’re going to be treating this as a suspicious death, not no accident.”
CHAPTER 23
If Officer Bugg was expecting reactions of outrage or horror, he was definitely disappointed. An’gel merely looked at him and nodded, as did Dickce.
“Y’all don’t look like you’re surprised.” Bugg stared hard at each sister in turn.
“My sister and I thought the freak accident was a little too bizarre to be real. Now you tell us the coroner has found some kind of evidence that makes her suspicious of it, too.” An’gel frowned. “Frankly, Officer, we were expecting news like this.”
Bugg didn’t seem to know what to make of that, An’gel thought. He probably thinks we’re dim-witted old biddies who don’t have the brains the good Lord gave a goose. An’gel had to suppress a chuckle at that thought.
The officer cleared his throat and glanced at his subordinate. Sanford responded by pulling a notebook and pen out of his pocket. He flipped to a blank page, clicked his pen, and looked expectantly at Bugg.
“Seein’ as y’all are here and available,” Bugg said, “I reckon I need to ask y’all some questions.”
“Certainly, Officer,” Dickce said, and An’gel nodded. “We’re always happy to help fine lawmen like yourselves.” Dickce batted her eyelashes at Bugg, and An’gel was amused to note that the man’s cheeks reddened. Really, Dickce was incorrigible.