Before I stepped out, I couldn’t help myself and climbed out on a limb. “Uh, is that what John Tatum did to you?”
I’ll swanny, I saw smoke come from her ears. Her pretty face scrunched up and she balled her fists. At that moment, I imagined that Miranda Tatum was capable of murder in the first degree.
Chapter Ten
You want a reaction?” Venom spewed when she spoke. “This is it. That no-good, son of a gun got what he deserved. I did everything to make that man happy. Was that enough? No, it wasn’t. He had to have an affair with his so-called secretary. I’d wager she couldn’t turn on an electric typewriter, much less a computer. You know the type, don’t you?”
I certainly did. My curls danced as I nodded my head in agreement, encouraging her to continue.
“Not only did he mess around with her, he got her pregnant. You’d think he was old enough to know where babies come from. When he found out, he dropped her like a hot potato. Claimed the baby wasn’t even his.” Her lower lip quivered.
There were no words to console her. I knitted my hands and waited her out.
“I heard she was mad enough to kill him when he denied he was the father. He told her he’d marry her when our divorce finalized. He didn’t marry her, and he abandoned her with a baby to bring up by herself. I don’t know who hates him more, me or his mistress. Is that enough reaction for you?” Her creamy cheeks had turned a mottled pink. Her murderous, green-eyed stare dared me to defy her anger.
A knock broke the tiny roomed tension. A woman poked her head around the corner.
Before I could react, in stepped a bountifully rotund woman dressed in a bright orange sweater, covered with glittering black sequined cats. “Is there anything in here for sale?” She screwed her lips at us and decided there wasn’t. “I guess not. Sorry.” She scooted out. Her garish holiday ensemble reminded me I needed to check on Dee Dee.
“I’m sorry if I triggered painful memories. I’m sure this hasn’t been easy for you.” I figured since Miranda was mad at me, why not go ahead and stick my foot all the way in. “By the way, I do have one more question for you. Where were you last night?”
One of Nana’s quotes rang in my ears at the change in Miranda’s amicable expression. “Never believe blondes, natural or bottled, are as dumb as the jokes suggest.”
“Thanks, Ms. Montgomery.” Miranda regained her composure, and the veil of our newfound camaraderie shred in two. “I think our interview is over.” She flung an arm into the doorway, indicating she meant what she said. “I trust you’ve got all you need for your article, and the rest is none of your business.”
“I appreciate the time you’ve given me, and I’ll be sure and notify you when it’s published.” I dug in my purse for a business card and handed it to her. “Please call me if you think of anything else you’d like to add.” Like, maybe you killed your ex-husband.
Information swirled in my mind like leaves in a whirlwind. I hurried down the street, and the more I thought about it, the more her hostile attitude disturbed me. There was little doubt in my mind that the angelic Miranda harbored enough hate within to kill her ex-husband. Not only did Miranda have a motive for killing John, but his girlfriend did, too.
I knew what it felt like to be an outraged ex first hand. But I never imagined actually carrying out my fantasies. Was either one of these women capable of murder?
I stepped inside the sheriff’s department and an office door opened. Dee Dee rushed out with Sheriff Wheeler close behind. Her expression brightened as soon as she saw me.
The sheriff followed her to where I stood. “Ms. Lamont, thank you for your time. We’ll let you know if we need anything more.” He turned towards me with a lingering gaze, “How are you doing Ms. Montgomery?”
“P-please call me Trixie,” I reminded him, pushing down that overpowering urge to flirt when I was around him. With his good looks and southern charm, he was probably used to women fawning over him. After all, he was the enemy, and everyone knows you don’t fraternize with the enemy. Or was it, “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer?”
He rewarded me with a beatific grin, and I continued, “Considering the circumstances, I could be worse.” I plowed right ahead. “By the way, have you started looking at other suspects? I have reason to believe John Tatum made more than one enemy along the way. Some say that having an angry ex-wife and an angrier ex-girlfriend could present a sticky situation.”
“And how did you come up with this information?” He looked me square in the eyes. “I hope you’re not interfering in this investigation.” He placed a warm, but warning hand on my shoulder and guided me toward the door. “You have my pledge I’ll follow any and every lead I believe important to this case. That’s what I’m trained to do.”
We said our good-byes, and I firmly shut the door - maybe a bit firmer than necessary.
“Oh Trixie, it was awful.” Dee Dee pulled out a ragged tissue from her pocket and dabbed at her eyes.
“Sheriff Wheeler and Deputy Ray grilled me, then they left me alone with that GBI man.” The tissue was used for a makeshift hanky. She blew her nose and discarded it in a nearby trashcan. “Good grief, I didn’t even know the dead guy.”
I squeezed Dee Dee’s arm for reassurance. “I think they’re trying to make the puzzle pieces fit where they don’t belong.”
“That makes sense,” Dee Dee nodded. “I might have discovered a reason why the sheriff wants to solve this case in such a hurry. I overheard him talking to Agent Cornwall. The sheriff wants to retire soon and run for Mayor. He said, ‘It’ll be great to have this case closed by the time I leave office.’ Can you believe that?” Dee Dee plopped down on a bench and removed her shoe. She shook it and a small pebble fell out.
I sat down beside her and people watched a long moment, gathering my thoughts. The crowd was growing and, shortly, the streets and sidewalks would be wall-to-wall people. I leaned my cane on the wooden bench, but it slid off and onto the pavement. I let it lay there for the time being.
We sat quietly watching the throng of excited passers-by. Was Jake Wheeler trying to pin Tatum’s murder on Dee Dee? I didn’t want to believe this attractive man would use Dee Dee as a scapegoat.
“Dee, it makes perfect sense.” I poked her knee and she started. “No wonder he focused on you from the beginning. In his mind, this was an open and shut case from the time he saw you standing there with Tatum’s blood on your hands. It doesn’t hurt that you’re an out-of-towner. Don’t want to offend too many locals who vote.”
This put a new perspective on the situation. Would the sheriff cover all the bases? Possibly, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I had to continue my own investigation.
Chapter Eleven
My stomach growled like a lion, and we both laughed. “Come on Dee. Let’s get something to eat.”
“That’s the best offer I’ve had all day,” Dee Dee rooted in her gigantean shoulder bag. She pulled out her favorite “Ruby’s Red” lipstick, painted on a fresh coat, stood up, and readjusted her clothes. “Let’s walk around the square and see if we can find a nice café that isn’t too crowded.”
The smell of funnel cake and other fried foods, along with the squeals of children in the park, bombarded my senses. Smiles and excitement glowed on the faces of the tourists. I fought the little stab of jealousy mixed with a scoop of anger, thinking, If Dee Dee wasn’t under a cloud of suspicion, we’d be smiling, too.