Still in shock, I would be forever beholden to Dee Dee for taking control of the situation. “Come on, Nana. Let’s go see if we can find a cute sun dress to wear over your new suit.” She grabbed Nana’s arm and with the determination of an army general, she led Nana away.
I turned to Jasmine and her boss. My addled brain tried to come up with a plausible explanation for Nana’s behavior. Before I could utter intelligent words, Joe said he had work to do and hurried away.
“I’m sorry, Jasmine. My great-aunt displays quirky behavior at times. My mama thinks she has the beginning of dementia, but I think she does it on purpose. The truth is probably somewhere in-between.”
“Don’t worry. Every family has a colorful character – mine was my grandfather.” She reached over and straightened the pile of towels Dee Dee had toppled when she grabbed one to cover up Nana.
“Is there somewhere quiet we can talk?” I really just needed to sit down. The shock of seeing Nana half naked had left me weak in the knees.
“Sure. Let’s go to the break room.” I followed her through a maze of merchandise. We entered through a door labeled “Employees Only” where a lone table stood in the middle of the small room. A microwave sat on a counter, along with a coffee maker, and a variety of condiments. She pulled out a chair and sat down across from me. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Did you want to ask me some questions about the sea turtles?” She grabbed a Styrofoam cup and poured me a drink at a small sink. “You look a little pale.”
I put the image of Nana in the back of my mind and focused on the task at hand. I sipped the cool water, then pulled notebook and pen from my bag, beginning with some general questions concerning the habits of mother and baby terrapins. It seemed no time at all when Jasmine checked the time on the microwave.
“I only have a few minutes left before my break’s over.” I knew I had to ask the hard questions before she left.
“Edna, the housekeeper at Ocean View Inn, told us you ran against Grace for president of the local chapter of Save the Turtles.” Jasmine’s dark skin turned a shade lighter.
Her stare dared me to continue. I wondered if I gazed into the eyes of a murderer.
“She told us Grace used underhanded means to knock you out of the running and win over the board. The members heard you threaten Grace at one of the meetings.”
“Why are you bringing all this up? It doesn’t have anything to do with my concern for the sea turtles. It certainly doesn’t have any business in your magazine.”
“You’re right. I do write for Georgia by the Way and I am writing an article, but I’m also here as a friend to Laura. Actually, she’s my mama’s friend, but I’m interviewing some of the people Grace had run-ins with.”
Jasmine emitted an incredulous laugh. “You’ll be here a long time, because you’ll have to interview half the town.” She scooted back her chair.
“Please.” This wasn’t going as planned. “Jasmine, I want to help Laura. Detective Baker’s questioned her several times and she’s worried the detective’s placed her on the top of the suspect list.”
She slowly sat back down and leaned her arms on the table.
A faraway look clouded her eyes and her fists clenched into balls. “Just thinking about that lady makes my blood boil. I moved here to make a fresh start and help with the sea turtles. It would have been a win–win situation for me. Up until I threw my hat in the ring to run for president, my life had changed for the better.” She stopped for a minute, lost in her own thoughts. When she spoke, her voice possessed a hard edge.
“After that witch aired my past to the board and the members of the club, my life went from good to bad. The club didn’t throw me out, but the members treated me differently. Sure, they were civil, but nobody was knocking down my door to be best friends. If it weren’t for Joe giving me a chance, I don’t know if I would even have a job.”
She drew in a deep breath and looked me in the eye. “I’d like to say I’m sorry she’s dead. But I can’t.” The list of people who wouldn’t miss Grace continued to grow. I had one more question for Jasmine. I charged ahead like Sherman leading his march to the sea.
“Jasmine. Before you leave could you tell me where you were the night of Grace’s murder?”
“Even though it’s none of your business – I was in bed asleep. Now I’ve got to get back to work.” This time she slid her chair back, ending the discussion with finality and headed toward the door. She reached for the handle when a knock on the door stopped her hand mid-air.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Hello. Anybody in there?” Nana’s voice blasted through.
“Oh, no.” I looked around, scouting for an avenue of escape. There wasn’t one.
Jasmine opened the door. “We’re finished. Come on in.” She stepped back. Nana entered with Dee Dee on her heels. Jasmine made her escape past them.
“Thanks for your time.” I spoke to her back, but doubted she even heard me.
Nana wore the jogging suit she’d worn this morning. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was amazed how Dee Dee could tame Nana, and winked at her. Thank you, my friend.
“Well, what did she confess, Trix?” Nana came over and stood beside me.
Dee Dee pulled out a chair. “How did it go?” Dee Dee thumbed toward the door.
“She didn’t confess, but Grace is definitely not on Jasmine’s ‘A’ list. She harbors a lot of anger toward Grace for bringing up her past to the club members. We need to keep her as a possible suspect.” My stomach produced a noise akin to a small volcano. Nana and Dee Dee laughed.
“Somebody’s hungry. Let’s go find some lunch,” Dee Dee jumped up.
“Best idea I’ve heard all day.” I grabbed Nana’s elbow and steered toward the exit. I didn’t want her sidetracked by shiny do-dads on the way out. She’d wreaked enough havoc on this trip for a lifetime. Little was I to know she wasn’t through.
We returned to the car without any major catastrophes. Dee Dee read the directions as we navigated down Jones Street. I turned on a side road to reach the Dari Delight where Mary Sue Bartlett worked. The block building needed some tender loving care. A few cars were scattered around the parking lot, but not as many as you’d expect at lunch time.
A bell hanging above the door tinkled to announce our arrival. Several voices hollered in unison for us to take a seat. We chose a table by the window. I grabbed the menus, stuck between the salt and pepper shakers and the napkin holder, and passed them out. I pulled a napkin from the container and wiped grease from the front of the plastic cover.
A middle-aged lady with a pencil stuck behind her ear, and dressed in black slacks and a once-white blouse, approached our table. “What can I get cha’?” She pulled a pencil from her ear and stuck her tongue to the lead. Ugh.
“Hi. We’re looking for Mary Sue,” Dee Dee said.
“Well, y’all came to the right place. You’re lookin’ at her.” Drooped shoulders and hooded eyes surprised me to no end. Was this the same lady who’d hosted her own cooking show? “What can I do for ya?”
My stomach chose that moment to growl like a half- starved lion. “We’d like to order something to eat first.” Dee Dee and I ordered the burger basket with french fries and onion rings. Nana ordered two hot dogs all the way, french fries, and a side of slaw. Then she inquired about dessert. Dee Dee shot me a look that said, “Where is she going to put all that food?” I shrugged.
“Okay, ladies. I’ll put your order in and bring out your drinks.” She hurried off toward the kitchen.
We continued our discussion about Jasmine and her interview while we waited on our food. “Dee Dee, grab the list and let’s go over who we’ve talked to and who we have left to question.” She reached in her gigantean bag and magically pulled out the notebook. She laid it on the table between us.