She’ll Stitch You Up Page 11

  “Mama’s fine, Mrs. Harmon.” He rolled his eyes, and Velma knew he’d always hated to be called Bucky. “She’s been visiting a new church.”

  “I knew I hadn’t seen her around. What possessed her to do that?” Ethel had sworn to never switch churches. To do so was a sin in her book, right up there with swear words and not wearing a dress to Sunday morning service.

  “She’s been going with her new friend,” said Buck. “Now let’s get you two ladies in the car.” He opened up the back seat and waved them in.

  “We are going to sit in the back? Like common criminals?” Ethel looked in at the seat as if it had cooties. “I can’t be seen in this car.”

  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Harmon. It’s night, and our windows are tinted. You’ll be just fine.” He gave the chief a pointed look, and she smiled as she watched on.

  “Get in the car, Ethel!” Velma pushed her forward until she sat down and slid across the seat. Velma followed, still angry that she didn’t get to talk to the chief about anything that was going on with the case.

  Bucky shut the door, and Velma huffed.

  “What’s the matter, Velma?” Ethel asked.

  Velma didn’t want to go into it with her sister at that moment, but she knew deep down that she wasn’t going to give up on this case, even if Chief Rayne didn’t act like she wanted her help. She was going to solve this one just to prove she could.

  Chapter 17

  Sunday morning, Ethel had breakfast ready when Velma walked into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. “Good morning, Velma.” She walked over with a cup already in hand. “This is for you, sister. Have a seat and enjoy.”

  “You’re in a perky mood, considering the weekend we’ve had.” Velma took her cup to the table and sat down.

  “I just felt terrible that I talked you into going to that dinner party, only to have it turn into a disaster.”

  “It’s okay. It’s a terrible thing that happened, for sure, but I’m back in action.”

  Ethel’s eyes lit with a worried expression. “Oh, no, Velma. Don’t tell me you’re still going to try and solve this case. You saw the chief’s reaction to you being there. She asked you not to get involved.”

  Velma shrugged. “Not in so many words, but whatever. I was there, and I have the best perspective and a jump start on the evidence. Besides, you don’t want Ray to have to rot in jail, do you?”

  “Well, there are times I think he’s just about the awfullest person we know, but then, he is a friend, I suppose. I just don’t think he’s guilty of killing anyone. He was eager to come around to sit with me, and I don’t think he said all of that as a distraction.”

  “No, he didn’t. He was just standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. But what we need to find out is who hid that knife. Ray said he found where it was stashed, but that doesn’t mean it was Alice. It could have been anyone.”

  “It was John Pair’s knife,” she said.

  “You’re right. I only wish we knew how to get in touch with him. Maybe if we see Alice when we go to get the car, she could tell us. We could say we loved his food and that we’re having a birthday party for Landon and wanted to use him. She doesn’t suspect him for murder, thinking Ray’s guilty, so maybe it would work out.” Velma thought it was a pretty good idea.

  Ethel’s eyes lit up. “We should have a party for Landon Jr.” She put her hands together and then turned back toward the stove where she flipped one of the pancakes she had poured.

  “We’re not really having a party, Ethel. It’s just to have an excuse.”

  “I don’t want to talk to anyone there. I’m sure that place is haunted now. It was all I could think about last night. What if Balthazar’s ghost killed Everett? He might have killed us all if we’d stayed all night.”

  “Ethel, you’re a new kind of special, aren’t you? That wasn’t any ghost. It was a living, breathing killer, and I am not going to let them get away with it.”

  Ethel plated the pancake and poured another one. “Well, you don’t know. But mark my words, the place is ruined now. It will never be in another magazine. That’s for sure.”

  “Well, maybe Taxidermy of Texas or a paranormal rag.”

  Ethel’s eyes lit up. “Oh, how about those magazines at the cash registers in supermarkets? I’ve always wanted to be a media darling.” She tended her pancake and then took the bacon out of the oven.

  Velma got up and got the syrup from the fridge. “We need to figure out how we’re getting back there to our car.”

  “Landon Jr. will be by any minute to mow the lawn, and I’ll ask him.”

  “It’s times like this I wish Bliss had a cab service.”

  About that time, Landon Jr. walked in through the back door. “Good morning, Grams, Aunt V.”

  “Oh, sit down, we’re having breakfast!” Ethel took the pancake she’d finished and added the one from the griddle to make a stack. “Here you go, sweetie.” She placed the short stack in front of him, and he took the syrup from in front of Velma.

  “Thanks, Grams. Looks like I was just in time.”

  “To eat my breakfast,” said Velma with a scowl.

  Landon Jr. laughed. “You’re funny, Aunt V.”

  “And serious,” she mumbled.

  “So, Gram, where’s the car? I thought you two were gone already.”

  “We have to go pick it up,” said Ethel. “We had to leave it at the party we attended last night.”

  Velma didn’t have to worry about Ethel spilling the truth about dead bodies to her grandson. She would think it was much too graphic to share with the boy.

  “That’s a bummer. If I’d known, I’d have dropped Mom at work to give you a ride, but she probably wouldn’t let me use the car anyway.”

  “It’s the thought that counts,” said Ethel, walking over to brush his hair back.

  Velma looked over at the griddle, which was empty. “Are you going to fix my pancakes, or should I do it?”

  “Oh, of course,” she said. She looked into the bowl where she’d fixed the batter and frowned. “I hope one pancake is enough. I used all the milk, and I’m low on batter.”

  Velma watched as Landon inhaled the last bite. “Those were sure good, Grams. Thanks. I can’t eat another bite. I had two bowls of cereal at home and now pancakes. What a morning.” He got up with his big, dopey grin and walked to the back door. “I’d better get moving on the lawn.”

  “Okay, honey. Velma and I are going to get the car in a little bit. If we can figure out who to take us.”

  “Take an Uber,” Landon said with a shrug. “That shouldn’t cost much. Why did you have to leave the car anyway? Did you have too much to drink?” He got a teasing grin and shook his finger at his grandmother.

  Ethel’s eyes widened. “Landon Jr., what do you know about being too drunk to drive? You know I don’t drink a drop of the devil’s potions. I am a teetotaler.”

  “A teetotal fool,” mumbled Velma. “What’s an Uber?”

  “You don’t know what an Uber is, Aunt V?”

  “That’s generally why one would ask a question, Landon.” The boy was dimmer than a busted headlight.

  “Uber is a private taxi service. A lot of the college kids are doing it now for extra money, and so there are a ton of drivers around.”

  “You mean college kids are picking up strangers and giving them rides?” Velma asked.

  “Yeah. Look, I’ll find you a driver.” He took out his cell phone, and after a minute of messing with the thing, he looked up at Ethel. “Okay, here’s one. He’s available.”

  “Could he be available when I’m ready?” asked Velma. She had gotten dressed, but she hoped to have time to eat her pancake.

  “Sure, and if not, I’m sure someone else would do it. There’s a whole list. I can put it on your phone.”

  “Oh, nice,” said Ethel, who had started their pancakes. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

  “There are all sorts of apps out there for you to have anything deli
vered to your door. Food, groceries, you name it.”

  “I just need a ride to pick up the car,” said Velma, not wanting to get involved with any of that other nonsense. “If I had people doing everything for me, there’d be no reason to leave the house.”

  “That’s the point,” said Landon. “Some people don’t want to leave the house.”

  Velma couldn’t help but think of how the world had changed and not for the better. “Just order that car and tell them to head on over in ten minutes. Ethel, give me my pancake unless you want to feed it to the cat.”

  Miss Vicky had been sitting under the table licking himself for the past twenty minutes, and as if it had heard its name, it came out looking up at Ethel and mewing.

  “No, you don’t, you wicked little shit. Get back under there and stop eyeing my food.” She thought if the cat kept it up, Ethel just might give in. But instead, her sister put the pancake down in front of her.

  “There, Velma. Enjoy.”

  “You’re all set,” said Landon. “He’ll be here in ten.”

  Velma finished her food and then went to get herself ready. By the time Ethel had on her rouge, the car had arrived.

  “Be sure and bring your mace, Ethel. We don’t know who this young punk is.”

  But when they walked out to the car, they did.

  The boy’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me?”

  Velma recognized the kid right away as she slid into the seat after Ethel. “You’re that little shit from the art museum.”

  “And you’re that old lady who wrecked that sculpture and found the dead body behind the place next door to the museum. Do you know that actually hurt the exhibit?”

  “Sorry, the next time I’ll leave the dead body there to rot. Then we’ll see how your patrons stomach the fumes.”

  “Hey, I’m not blaming you. I’m just making an observation. Try not to break anything back there. I’m still paying notes on this car.”

  “Relax, boy band. We need a ride to Gaines Manor.”

  “I know the place, and the name’s Riley. Sit tight and buckle up. I’ll have you there in no time.” He put the car in reverse and backed out of their drive. Landon waved from the side of the house where he pushed the mower.

  “So, what happened to your old car?” asked Riley after they got on the road.

  “Long story,” said Velma. “But we had to leave it at a friend’s house.”

  Ethel glanced over Velma’s way, as if that was the lie of the century. Everett Gaines was not their friend, but he hadn’t exactly been their enemy either.

  “Bummer,” he said, turning onto the private street. “I’ve always thought this place was cool. Do you two know the owner?”

  “We did,” said Ethel, gaining a nudge from Velma.

  “We knew his late wife,” she corrected. “Just pull up to the garage, and you should see our car.”

  The boy did as he was instructed, and as they crossed the bridge, they could see the patch job, which didn’t faze Riley a bit. He stopped at the garage, and when they got out, Velma turned to Ethel. “Pay the kid,” she said.

  Ethel walked around and paid the boy, who left with a big smile on his face from the tip she gave him.

  “Maybe before we leave, Calvin will show up to get his mail truck,” she said as Riley drove away.

  “Maybe,” said Velma. “It doesn’t matter. I didn’t come to see him anyway.”

  The front door opened, and they heard talking and laughing. “I’ll see you soon, sweetie.” Jean Pierre, who seemed much happier than the night before, leaned over and kissed Alice on the cheek. Then as she cut a hard look their way, he walked out to his car, passing Ethel and Velma.

  “Hey, Chef. That was a terrific-tasting dinner last night.” Velma wondered where the man had gone off to toward the end of the night, knowing he wasn’t able to leave and he hadn’t been in the kitchen.

  “Thanks, but it would have been much better served hot instead of reheated.” He took a step toward his car, and Velma cleared her throat as she followed.

  “May I help you with something?” He rolled his eyes and put his hand on his hip.

  “Well, you could tell us what your relationship with Everett was.”

  He took a step back and looked at her sideways. “Are you interrogating me? Because I’m about to go down to the sheriff and tell my side of things.”

  “I am just curious who you think could have committed the murder.”

  “Me? Why does it matter what I think? They’ve already arrested the killer. That man Ray, the one with the poor taste in clothes. All I know is I’m out of here. I’m going back to Paris.”

  “Paris, France?” asked Ethel, earning a warning glare from the cook.

  Jean Pierre took a deep breath as he hit the locks on his car from his keychain. “If you ladies want to play detective, you should look into Everett’s handyman. I’ve heard a lot about him from Alice, and she’s convinced he had something to do with it. He didn’t think too highly of Everett or Alice. As a matter of fact, I’m nervous about leaving her here, but she keeps telling me to go. Keep an eye on her, please? She’s a bit fragile.” He got into his car and shut the door, leaving the sisters to speculate.

  Chapter 18

  Ethel watched the chef drive away, and Velma looked over to the garage where their car was parked. More specifically, she looked at the upstairs part, where she could have sworn she’d seen movement at the window.

  “I’m not sure John Pair is really French,” Ethel said with a sigh.

  “Are you seriously just now figuring that out?” Velma walked over to the car, and Ethel followed. When she stopped at the car, she glanced up again to see Reeves watching them from the window.

  “What did you think about the butler, Ethel?”

  “He’s a nice enough man, a little rough around the edges like you, but I’m sure some women might find him attractive. Or even a catch.”

  “I’m not talking about dating him, you boob. I want to know what you think about him for the murders. Were you even listening to Jean Pierre?”

  “I guess not. I was too distracted by his southern accent. I don’t remember him having that last night.”

  “That’s because he was putting on a show.”

  “That’s silly. Why did he think he had to lie?” Ethel gave a scowl and glanced back to see the man had finally driven out of sight.

  “Who knows? But maybe we should go and talk to Reeves.” Velma had caught him peeking out of the window and figured he must live above the garage.

  “I don’t know, Velma. Maybe we should just get the car and go home.” She opened her purse and pulled out the bottle of Milk of Magnesia, a wad of Kleenex, two packs of Double-Mint, and finally her keys.

  Velma looked up and waved the man down, and while she thought he didn’t want them to see him watching, minutes later he came down and out of the garage. “May I help you, ladies?”

  “As a matter of fact, you can,” said Velma. “We wanted to talk to you about the murders.”

  “Ah, so what the Chief and the Mayor said about you was true. You fancy yourself a detective.” He took a handkerchief from his shirt pocket and wiped his brow. “I don’t mind talking to you. I’ve got nothing to hide, and I’d like to get to the bottom of things.”

  “Then you won’t deny that you hated Everett?”

  “That’s what Jean told you, isn’t it?”

  “His name is John Pair,” Ethel corrected, though she didn’t sound any different.

  “Jean is one of Alice’s more unusual friends, and while she’s brought many of them around to benefit off of Everett, that one has taken more opportunities than most. I don’t know what the whole French act was about, but I’ve suspected that he was a fake from the minute I met him. I think she just wanted Everett to hire him. Said he was a fancy French chef and that Harrison would be so envious. That’s all he had to hear, and he was hiring the idiot. But to answer your question, no, it’s not a secret I hated him
. The real secret was that I loved the son of a bitch.”

  Ethel’s eyes widened. “You mean you’re into men?”

  Reeves gave her a hard look. “No, I mean that I loved him like a brother. We had been through the whole war deal together. And while I was content to make his life miserable, I always knew I couldn’t live without the asshole.”

  “Why did you hate him?” asked Ethel. “Because of Loretta?”

  “Yeah. She and I weren’t too good to him. I loved her too, but he took it the wrong way. I guess at times, I did too. I never realized what a mess I’d caused with them, at least not until she died, but we grieved for her together.” He used the handkerchief on his eyes. “I guess he’s with her again now, and I hope she’s giving him hell.” He gave a chuckle. “But no, I didn’t kill him. I don’t even know who did. I know that Alice is not in any hurry to leave the house, and while I’ve told her that she should be getting her things together, she says she needs a place to stay until after the will is read.”

  “Do you think Everett left her anything?” Velma was trying to establish motive. Perhaps the two were secretly married.

  “No, Everett was a good businessman. I don’t see him leaving anything to her.”

  “You’ve been very helpful,” said Velma. “We’ll be in touch.”

  “You ladies feel free to stop by anytime.” He gave a wave and then walked back into the garage.

  Velma turned around, thinking there was nothing to do but go home, when a dark red car pulled up and stopped.

  Calvin stepped out of the car and waved at the driver. Ethel got a dumb grin and smiled at Velma.

  “Hey, ladies,” he said. He wore a pair of jeans and a button-down shirt with his sleeves rolled up, so Velma could see his muscular forearms. The years of carrying mailbags had been kind to him.

  “I see you’ve come to pick up Sally,” she said.

  “Yeah, I need to get her cleaned up and ready for the week. I can’t have my old girl looking dirty.”

  “You do have one of the prettiest mail trucks I’ve ever seen,” said Ethel.