“Nana we need to consider everybody. I’m sure we’ll find George is squeaky clean.” I felt guilty for the doubts that clouded my mind concerning George.
“What about that man, John Porter?” Mama leaned over and tapped her finger on my notebook. “Write his name down.”
“He seems like a decent enough guy, but he didn’t have much to say when he came to the inn to eat.” I pictured the fortyish, tall, dark and handsome man. I wondered what circumstances in his life landed him on Tybee Island at this particular time.
Dee Dee sported a starry-eyed glaze. “I wonder if he’s married.” Absentmindedly she fanned herself with the covers.
“Earth to Dee Dee!”
She snapped out of her daydream.
“Oh. Sorry. You have to admit he is one handsome hunk of humanity.” She looked around the room for affirmation.
“You got that right,” Nana heartily agreed.
“Okay, ladies.” I brought the meeting back to order. “We need to get our focus off John Porter’s hunky body and back on our suspects.
“Can you read the names again? Maybe we’ve forgotten someone crucial.” Dee Dee stood up and stretched.
“Let’s see.
1. Mary Sue Bartlett
2. Bert Watkins
3. Jasmine Watters
4. Edna Jackson
5. George Knight
6. Bubba Maxwell
7. Kiki and Nick Sanderson
8. John Porter
“Wow, what a list. How are you ever going to check out everyone?” Mama’s face reminded me of a sunflower with no sun. “Trixie, I’m so afraid for Laura.”
I gave Mama a big hug. “When Dee Dee and I released it to the One who does know all the answers before, He always came through, and I feel confident he’ll see us through this, too.”
Dee Dee and Nana offered a hearty, “Amen!”
“Don’t forget the Daniels, Cassie and Harold. Then there’s Ellie Sloan. Those are the only guests here besides us. Of course, there’s Louise, but I can’t see her harming a fly.”
A knock on the door startled us, and we looked at each other like we’d done something illegal instead of collaborating on Laura’s defense.
Dee Dee was closest so she grabbed the doorknob and eased the door open.
Laura stood on the other side. Dee Dee clutched her arm and pulled her in, guiding her inside to sit on the bed.
Mama sat beside Laura. When she gave her a hug tears began to pour from Laura’s red-rimmed eyes. “Oh, Betty Jo. What am I going to do?” She sniffed and wiped her nose with her hand.
Nana pulled out a fairly fresh Kleenex from her bathrobe pocket. “Here dear.”
We exchanged glances while she blew into the Kleenex sounding like a foghorn. A short time ago, Mama had been the one worried about Laura. It’s amazing to see what one will do for a friend. She put on her big girl panties along with a forced smile and told Laura about the list of suspects we’d acquired. We took turns giving Laura a hug and words of encouragement. By the time we finished, she’d wiped her tears and girded a cloak of courage.
“Y’all come on down and have some breakfast.” Laura had pulled herself together, and seemed encouraged that we had her back. “Louise said it’d be ready in a few minutes. I have another bit of good news to pass on. Grace’s niece arrived last night, so I don’t have to worry about her guest’s care. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about.”
Laura went downstairs to check on Louise, and Mama and Nana went back to their room to change clothes.
“How are we going to interview all these people?” Dee Dee motioned at the list I still clutched. “You’re not officially working, so you can’t use that as an excuse.”
“That’s not exactly true. I’m not working on a particular article, but I am collecting research while I’m here to use later on. I don’t see why I can’t do the same with interviews.”
“Trixie, we need to be careful. One murder’s already been committed. I don’t want one of us to be next.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I wore my usual khakis paired with a teal short sleeve tee. Dee Dee dressed in jeans with a bright pink shirt and a cute matching scarf. A myriad of colorful bracelets jangled on her wrists. Her sneakers matched her top. Even though Dee Dee shopped in the Womens’ section, she didn’t let her size stop her from being stylish. I envied her confidence to wear fun colors and kicky new styles.
I raised the blinds and glanced toward the beach. A little ways beyond the fence a man and woman stood talking. I squinted to see if I could identify them. I thought I recognized Ellie, but wasn’t sure about her companion.
“Dee, come here. See if you can figure out who’s talking with Ellie.”
She placed her face against the pane, her breath fogging up the window. “It looks like that man staying at Ocean View Inn.”
“John Porter?” I hip bumped her aside so I could take another gander. “It does look like him. What in the world are they talking about? They look like a couple of seagulls trying to take flight.”
“If I moved my arms that fast my skin would flap in the wind and I’d be in danger of knocking myself out. Let’s corner her at breakfast and get some answers.” Dee Dee grabbed her oversized tote and a sweater.
“Okay, let’s go.” I grabbed the suspect list, and shut the door.
“What’s on our agenda besides interviews?” Dee Dee called over her shoulder as she descended the stairs.
“Why don’t we drive to town? They’re having an arts and crafts festival today, and then tomorrow night they host the Swashbuckler’s Bash. Everyone dresses up and parties under a big tent. Think we should go?”
“Sure. Might as well have fun while we’re investigating. Think we can escape without Nana finding out?”
I shook my head. “I doubt it. Nana never misses a beat.”
Nana appeared from nowhere. “Were you talking about me?”
“Nana! You scared me to death. Took at least ten years off my life.”
“Aw, don’t exaggerate, Trixie.” Nana hooked arms and walked with me to the dining room. “You’re just feeling guilty because I caught you.”
“We weren’t exactly talking about you Nana. We were discussing the big pirate festival tomorrow night and your name came up,” Dee Dee said.
I can’t believe she told Nana about the festival. There go our plans. I reached over and pinched a healthy wad of flesh on Dee Dee’s arm.
Her recently waxed eyebrows raised in an arch. “Ouch, what did you do that for?” She rubbed the offended area. Realization hit and her eyes opened wide. “Oh, I’m sorry. I guess it’s too late to stuff the cat back in the bag?”
“Tell me more about this pirate festival. Sounds like something I’d love to attend.” Nana shuddered with excitement. “Let’s go tell Betty Jo.”
I looked at Dee Dee. “Yep, too late.”
Dee Dee shrugged. “Don’t worry about Nana. I’ll help you keep an eye on her. You’ll see. It won’t be so bad.”
Yeah, famous last words.
We stepped into a dining room amid wonderful aromas. I grabbed a plate and filled it with bacon, eggs, hotcakes and various pastries. No such thing as calorie counting on vacation. Ellie was sitting alone and I made a beeline for her table. This would be the perfect time to question her. “Is this seat taken?”
“No. Please join me.” She moved her utensils so I’d have room for my plate.
“Hey, Dee Dee! Over here.” I motioned for her to join us.
Dee Dee’s plate harbored a hearty breakfast, too. No skimping on our watch. She pulled out a chair and sat across from me.
“Hi.” She eyed Ellie’s plate of muffins, fruit and yogurt. “No wonder you stay so slim.” Ellie’s face turned a pretty shade of pink. She was a lovely girl. I wondered what if any role she played in Grace’s murder.