“What’s her name, and where can we find her?” I handed paper and pen to Dee Dee so she could play secretary.
“Her family name is Dalton. Sueleigh Dalton. She lives with her kin several miles outside of town. You might be able to find her whole family at the festival today. They run a food stand every year during Gold Rush Days and she helps them out.” Teresa scooted back in her chair and adjusted her badge. Again.
“I can’t thank you enough. You wait and see; you have my word. When this is over, Dee Dee will be exonerated.” I gave Dee Dee a big smile and touched her shoulder. I talked tough, but could I make it happen? I had to believe I could, with some help from above.
“I don’t know why, but for some reason, I believe you.” Teresa tapped her teeth, as if considering her options. “There’s one more person you might be interested in.”
Dee Dee and I both belted out, “Who?”
“A couple of years ago, there was a robbery at the Tatum place. Tubby Hawkins, a local teenager, broke into Tatum’s home, but he didn’t make it out alive. He was a known trouble maker and had a gun in his possession, so no charges were filed against Tatum, but John killed the boy, all the same.” She shifted around in her office chair, obviously unsettled by the events.
“The Hawkins family was outraged and vowed revenge on Tatum. Tommy Hawkins, Tubby’s older brother, was the most vocal. He went around town telling everyone that Tatum had better watch his back. No one was going to kill his brother and get away with it.”
“Wow!” Dee Dee sat on the edge of her chair.
“This could be a big break.” My wheels already turning, I glanced at Dee Dee, who was furiously writing names on her note pad. I turned back to Teresa. “I wonder if the sheriff’s looked at this angle. This Tommy character should be at the top of the suspect list.”
“Remember, you didn’t hear any of this from me.”
“Of course,” I nodded, attempting to make my expression the model of discretion. “One last thing: I’ve heard the sheriff’s going to retire? He could solve this case by blaming the most obvious suspect instead of investigating other leads. It would be mighty convenient for him to focus on Dee Dee.”
She stood and placed fists to her hips. “I’ve known Jake Wheeler for years, and I believe he’ll follow any lead he thinks important.” She drew herself up. “Now I’ve got to inspect the rooms so we can open.”
Dee Dee and I knew the way out, and it was obvious she wanted us to go, pronto!
Chapter Thirteen
Teresa retrieved some papers and started to leave.
“Oh, Teresa!” Dee Dee begged, in her not so subtle way. “I need to use the ladies room if you don’t mind.”
I wasn’t surprised.
Teresa’s eyes shot open like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She wasted no time ushering us out the door.
“Well, ladies, I hate to be rude, but...No, I’m going to be honest. I don’t hate to be rude. I can’t take a chance on anything else happening while you two are loose in the museum. There’s a public restroom across the square.” She had me by one arm and Dee Dee by the other as she led us out. She stood, still as a statue, until we walked down the outside steps.
I’m sure my, “thanks for the information” was lost in the wind as she turned and hurried back into the museum.
“Well, I can’t blame her,” Dee Dee said.
“Me neither.” I replied as we stood, deciding what to do next.
“Our list grows longer.” Dee Dee thrust her notepad in my face as she hot stepped toward the public restroom.
I reviewed our growing list of suspects while we stood in line at the facilities. Afterwards, we decided to stop in a quaint little ice cream and pastry shop for an afternoon pick-me-up. Country themed gifts, coffee cups painted with flowers and butterflies, Christmas wreaths, antique jewelry and home decor fragrances, and heavenly scented candles lined the shelves along the walls. We looked for a minute, then found a corner table and placed our order.
I slid on my reading glasses and waggled my fingers. “Bring out the suspect list and let’s go over it.”
Dee Dee brought out the tablet faster than a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. “So far, we have Miranda Tatum. A woman scorned is one to be contended with. Her husband’s betrayal has left deep scars that haven’t healed yet. I should know.” I wondered, prayed, that the time would come when I’d be able to think of Wade without that sharp stab of pain.
Dee Dee gave me a little shake. “Girl, where did you go? You looked like you took a trip to La-La Land again. From what you’ve told me, Sueleigh Dalton wasn’t any happier with Tatum’s treatment of women. It seems like he used women and tossed them away like disposable commodities. Use them and lose them.” She rolled her eyes. “Men!”
I nodded. “Don’t forget Tommy Hawkins. Teresa said he didn’t hide his hatred for Tatum. He told the whole town he was going to kill him.”
Dee Dee pointed at his name written on the page. “You heard Teresa. The Hawkins are meaner than a mama bear protecting her cubs. Good grief, she refused to tell you where they live.”
The waitress slid our dishes onto the Formica. “Anything else?”
“No thanks,” I smiled at her before picking up my spoon.
“I don’t think we need to mess with them.” Dee Dee scooped into her whipped cream as the waitress walked away.
“True, but we can find it ourselves.” I savored a mouthful of my ice cream and sighed. “Speaking of Harv.”
“We weren’t speaking of Harv, Goofy.” Dee Dee poked her spoon at me.
I laughed. “I know, but he popped into my head, and I felt like pulling your string.” I did love to tease Dee Dee. And she loved to tease me.
I noticed a lonely tear running down Dee Dee’s face. “I’m, sorry Dee; I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Man, I felt like a jerk.
She sniffed. “No, it’s not that. You didn’t hurt my feelings. I miss my babies.” she was referring to her furry babies; all five of them. I never understood the attraction to cats—I’m a dog woman myself. But the love for her cats is as strong as the love I have for my dog, Bouncer.
The tears streamed down her face. As any woman knows, crying plus make-up equals raccoon eyes. Dee Dee dabbed her napkin at her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, sweetie; I’m sure you miss them.” I squeezed her hand, knowing she was now upset about more than her cats.
“Its times like this I want to wring Gary’s neck for going and dying on me. I don’t want to face this all alone. I’m scared.” She rubbed her eyes, enlarging the black circles of smeared mascara.
“You aren’t alone, Dee. I’m here. And, as you always tell me, we are never really alone. We have someone who loves us unconditionally.” We shared a long, stuttering glance, and hand-hugged. She sniffed and wiped her nose.
“You’re right. I need to practice what I preach. Come on. Let’s go back to the room for a while. I want to freshen up.”
We left desserts half-eaten and paid our check. I led the way back to the Dahlonega Inn.
When I keyed the door, it pushed open, unlocked. “Did you remember to lock the door?” I whispered to Dee Dee.
She shook her head, eyes wide.
Inside, I heard shuffling, then the squeak of a mattress. Someone was in the room!
Chapter Fourteen
I slowly pushed the door open, praying protection from whatever awaited us. And there, sitting on the corner of my bed, dressed in jogging pants and matching pull-over, sat my great aunt.