“Hi.” Great conversation starter.
She looked at me like I was a fly in her soup. “Hi.”
“This has been a real bummer for our vacation. How about yours?”
“Yeah, a real bummer.” Okay, this line of questioning wasn’t getting me anywhere. I decided to pull out all the stops.
“Harold Daniels told me they ran into you and John Porter downtown the night of Grace’s murder. Did you know John before you came to the island?” For a fleeting moment I detected a look in her eyes that said ‘oh no.’ But it was gone as quick as it came.
“Uh, no, I didn’t know him. We ran into each other outside and decided it would be nice to go downtown for a while.” She tilted her head and gave me a wary look. “Why do you want to know? I don’t see where this is any of your business.”
“I’m trying to help Laura and I can only do so by asking questions.”
“Well, if I were you, I’d leave that to Detective Baker. One person has already turned up dead.” The hair on my neck stood up. Was this a harbinger I’d later regret?
She stood up. “I’ve had a long day and if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.” She didn’t hang around for my permission.
I made my way over to a little group huddled together comprised of Mama, Dee Dee, Nana, and George. “I’m going up to my room to call Beau. This has been a stressful day and I could use someone to bounce ideas off of.”
Nana gave me an exaggerated wink. “Sure honey, we understand. You go ahead and ‘bounce’ ideas off Beau.” She turned to Dee Dee. “Why don’t you come up to our room and keep me and Betty Jo company and give the lovebirds some privacy.” Nana cackled. I loved that about Nana. She could make me smile even when I didn’t feel like smiling. And I let myself enjoy thinking about Beau that way.
We bade the Daniels goodnight and moseyed up the stairs. Dee Dee came in and grabbed her pajamas. “I’ll take my bath and visit with the girls while you’re on the phone.”
“I don’t think I’ll be that long, but I’ll give you a holler when I’m done.” I appreciated the private time with Beau.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Hi, Babe.” The sound of his voice sparked a longing. I knew without a doubt I wanted to share my life with him. Yes, there was that old niggling doubt that recurred, but I didn’t want to lose out on a chance at happiness.
“Beau, it’s so good to hear your voice.” I ached to touch him, to hold his hand.
“It’s good to hear you, too. How are things going on the island? Have you been able to get information on that George character?”
“He didn’t give me an address, but I did get his tag number. I hope this helps. I know there’s more to him than meets the eye. I’m afraid he’s up to no good.”
“Trix, I know you have a deep desire to help others and anything I say won’t change that. But I want you to be careful and please give the information you gather to the detectives and let them do their jobs.”
“We only have a couple more people to interview and then I’ll hand the material over to Detective Baker. I’m not too concerned about the interviews; it’s Nana who’s going to be the death of me.” A hearty laugh blasted through the phone. Beau loved Nana and he took her antics with a grain of salt. Of course, he didn’t have to live with her. “Beau, it’s not funny. Do you know she tried on a hot pink two-piece swimsuit and then modeled it for everyone in the store? I could have lifted the floor and crawled under it. If it hadn’t been for Dee Dee’s fast thinking I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
“Don’t take it too seriously, hon. She won’t be with you forever.” I knew he was right.
“I know. I love her dearly, even if she makes me want to pull my hair out.” I don’t know how long we’d been talking when Dee Dee stuck her head in the door and whispered, “You about through?” I looked at the clock and realized we’d talked for forty-five minutes. I nodded my head. She gave a little wave and shut the door.
We said our good-byes and promised to talk the next day. As soon as we disconnected I missed him. I couldn’t wait to get home and give him the answer he was patiently waiting to hear.
The bathroom door opened and Dee Dee peeked in. “Hey, can I come in now? I’m ready to hit the sack and read for a little while if I can keep my eyes open.” Dee Dee came around the door dressed in a pair of red pajamas covered with white kittens. I couldn’t remember a time when we’d spent the night together when she didn’t have on kitty PJs. She was definitely devoted to her babies – I mean her cats.
“New pajamas?”
“Yeah. I bought them just for our trip.” She plucked at the flannel fabric. “What do you think?”
I thought, they kind of look like the rest of your pajamas, but I said, “Nice.” Her smile was worth the compliment.
We talked a little longer and Dee Dee snuggled in bed with her book. I turned over and willed my errant thoughts to focus on Beau and our future to replace the memories of murder and mayhem that tried to hold my mind hostage. I faded into sleep, dreaming of Beau’s sweet kisses.
I awoke to Dee Dee singing, “Wake Up, You Sleepyhead!” I covered my head with my pillow, and she jerked it off.
“Oh no, you don’t. We need to hurry if we’re driving to Savannah this morning to interview Grace’s ex. I want plenty of time to find some costumes for tonight’s Pirate Fest.”
“Please, let me sleep ten more minutes,” I whined. She pulled off my covers.
“Nope. I’m already dressed. Come on, get up. I’m going downstairs to drink a cup of coffee. If you’re not down in fifteen I’m coming for you.”
I lobbed my pillow toward her, but missed my mark. Her laughter floated down the hall. To meet Dee Dee’s time requirement I splashed my face with water and threw on a pair of jeans and tee shirt. I could come up later and put on my face.
We managed to convince Nana to stay with Mama. I suggested they find Nana a costume for the evening festivities and headed to Savannah.
On the drive over we discussed what we planned on wearing to the Pirate Festival. The choices for women were few. You could be a lady pirate, wench, or princess. We decided princess or lady pirate worked best for us.
We headed downtown to the Mercer Williams House where Bert, Grace’s ex-husband, worked as a security guard. Dee Dee studied the brochure for directions. “Hey, listen to this.
The Mercer House was designed by New York architect John S. Norris for General Hugh W. Mercer, great-grandfather of Johnny Mercer. Construction of the house began in 1860, was interrupted by the Civil War, and was later completed, circa 1868, by the new owner, John Wilder.
“I knew Johnny Mercer was connected to the house, but I wasn’t sure he ever lived there.”
Dee Dee continued, “It goes on to say Jim Williams bought the house in 1969 and began a two year restoration.” She lowered the brochure. “He’s the guy who was portrayed in the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
“I know. Wouldn’t it make a great story for Georgia by the Way? I mentally filed information to use at a later date. “If we have time, I’d love to take the tour. Maybe take some pictures and buy a book or two for research.” My interest piqued as she continued to read.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Jim Williams, accused of murder, claimed self-defense. After four trials he was acquitted.” Dee Dee finished reading from the brochure.
“I wonder how he warranted four trials. I’ll put that on my research list. He definitely beat the bullet.”