My eyes scanned the room, and I observed guests partaking of homemade dishes. Others sat with heads close together, talking and laughing, all of them oblivious to our troubles.
Nana interrupted my thoughts. “Why, there’s Joyce, and that nice, young nephew of hers. He had the cot set up in our room in no time at all. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Except for Beau, of course,” she added, with a sharp elbow to my ribs.
Joyce approached and led us to a large round table already occupied by Sheriff Wheeler. “Ladies, I hope you enjoy your meal. If you need anything, be sure and let me know.” She gave us a smile and went off to tend to other guests.
“Good evening.” Sherriff Wheeler greeted us by standing up, offering out a chair to Nana and when she’d accepted, pushed it in with a chivalrous flare.
I gaped after Joyce, now chatting at another table. Why did she seat us here? She had to have made a mistake.
Nana floated out her napkin.
“Nana, get up. We’re going to find another table.” I placed a hand on her chair back.
“Trixie, what’s gotten into you? There’s nothing wrong with this table, and I’m not moving.” She stuck to the seat like glue. She made goo-goo eyes at the sheriff. Not long ago, I thought he was easy on the eyes. Things change. Right this minute he didn’t look so good to me. His sidekick, Deputy Ray, plodded across the room and, with a nod, sat next to him.
“Trixie, sit down. You’re making a scene,” Dee Dee pleaded. Her face paled in the dim light.
How dare he do this to her! Couldn’t he leave us alone long enough to eat in peace? I had a gut feeling this was a set up.
“Trixie, why don’t you introduce your young friend? I don’t believe we’ve met.” The sheriff met my eyes.
Oh puleeeeeeeese.
Nana grinned from ear to ear.
“Sheriff Wheeler, this is my great-aunt. Nana, this is Sheriff Wheeler.” I reluctantly sat down, and settled my napkin. “Shouldn’t you be out looking for John Tatum’s murderer?”
He met my gaze with equal measure, and then turned back to my aunt. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ma’am. I see where your niece gets her good looks.” He shook Nana’s hand and held it longer than necessary.
The waiters brought large bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans, potato salad, and baked beans and sat them on the table. Silence ensued for the next few minutes while everyone filled their plates. I needed energy, so I wasn’t going to let this put a damper on my appetite. Looking at the mountains of mashed potatoes piled on the other plates, I could tell no one else was, either.
After several minutes, the sheriff disclosed the reason for this supposedly impromptu meeting. “I heard you’ve been asking some questions of our local citizens.”
“That’s what writers do, Sheriff Wheeler.” I gave him a sickeningly sweet smile.
“You know what I mean. This is serious, and I’m not going to be responsible for what might happen to you.” The sheriff put both hands on the edge of the table and gave me his now famous “I’m not kidding” look.
“All right, I won’t hold you responsible.” I had no intention of giving in yet. I had leads to follow. I returned his look with my best “I’m not giving up” stare.
He continued. “I have some information that might lead us to another suspect. This could possibly clear Dee Dee once and for all. It’s being checked into as we speak.” He leaned in further towards me, returned my gaze, and didn’t look away.
What beautiful blue eyes you have, Jake.
“I promise to let you know if anything transpires from the lead. Now, you promise to leave the investigation to us.”
He looked so satisfied; I hated to burst his bubble. “That’s great news Sheriff, but I’m not sure I can do that. I have more people to interview for my article. I can’t help it if they’re acquaintances of Tatum’s. It’s a small town, after all.”
His demeanor changed in a millisecond. He grumbled, just loud enough for me to hear. “Look, Ms. Montgomery, I’ve tried being nice to you. I know this has been hard on you and Ms. Lamont, but stay out of where you don’t belong. Consider yourself warned.” With hands on the edge of the table, he pushed his chair back and nodded to Deputy Ray.
“But, I’m not through eating yet.” The deputy met his boss’s eyes and he changed his mind. “Oh. I guess I’ve had enough.” He scooted his chair back and tipped his hat to us. “Ladies.”
With that, we watched the local law enforcement, and any olive branch they might have offered, storm out of the restaurant.
Chapter Twenty
The rest of our meal subdued, we finished our dessert and retreated to our room.
“Trixie, you heard what that handsome sheriff said. Are you going to mind him?” Only Nana had the nerve to ask, but I saw the same question mirrored on Dee Dee’s face.
“Nana, I really am working on an article. Remember, that’s why I came to Dahlonega in the first place. I’m just taking the opportunity to ask questions that might help Dee Dee while I’m at it. What if I trust the sheriff, who wants to run for mayor, and he slams the case closed? And Dee Dee behind bars!”
“Put that way, it’s as clear as the nose on my face. That’s why you need my help.” She had a glint in her eye that scared me. I half-expected her to grab her jacket and pocketbook again and head out the door. “Together, I bet we can not only clear Dee Dee, but solve who did this terrible thing.”
“Uh, that’s great Nana. I’m sure you’ll be an asset.” It was late; I didn’t have the energy to argue. I still had research to do before I could go to sleep. I looked to the closed door and sighed. “Dee Dee’s sure been in the bathroom a long time.”
“That girl needs to see a doctor. It’s like watching a commercial with the leaky pipe people!”
Right then, the door flew open, and in Dee Dee bounced, dressed in her bright green kitty pajamas.
“Well, who let the cats out?” Nana asked. I doubled over in a fit of laughter.
“Very funny,” she said as she grinned. “Y’all are jealous because you don’t have any p.j.s like this.” She modeled for us, to our hoots of laughter.
“You’re right.” We both laughed and applauded.
Dee Dee gingerly made her way to the roll away bed and straightened out the blankets. She sat down and sighed.
“How are you really doing, Dee Dee?” I clasped her hand and pressed my lips together in a smile. I wanted to help her so badly. I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes.
“I feel a little better since Sheriff Wheeler told us he has another person of interest. Isn’t that good news?” She shook off her matching kitty slippers and put her feet on the bed.
“Yes, it is. I won’t be satisfied, though, until they’ve made an arrest. Then I’ll breathe easy.” I spoke slowly, watching Nana grab her toothbrush and jammies and head to the bathroom. I made sure the door closed tight before I lowered the boom.
“I plan on driving out to the Hawkins’ in the morning. From everything we’ve been told, Tommy could be a prime suspect. I’m not sure what reason I’m going to use for an interview. I don’t suppose I could tell him I’m doing a story about stills, and someone told me he might have one in working condition?” I emitted a nervous laugh.
Dee Dee smiled, but shook her head. “Very funny, but I don’t think so. Approaching the Hawkins clan sounds dangerous to me.” She pulled the covers up to her nose.
“I’ll come up with some idea tomorrow. I have to.”