“Here ya’ go. Two burger baskets and two dogs all the way.” Mary Sue plopped the plates down in front of us. She reached in her pocket, brought out a bottle of ketchup, and placed it on the table. Dried goo clung to the sides. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
I leaned my head in toward Nana and Dee Dee. “When she comes back for dessert we need some excuse to get her to sit down and talk with us.”
Dee Dee rubbed her chin. “Hmm. Let me think.”
“Just tell her the truth. Explain to her we’re trying to help Laura and does she have any information she can share with us. We don’t have to tell her more than that.” Nana pulled the tablet closer and studied the names.
“That might work, Nana. Now, let’s see who we’ve talked to so far. Dee Dee, call off a names.”
Dee Dee scooted the pad back her way. “First, we talked to Edna, Grace’s cook and housekeeper.” She took a bite of her hamburger. Ketchup oozed off the bun and plopped on her plate.
“It’s obvious no love was lost between those two. Edna felt trapped and murder might have seemed her only choice out of a terrible situation.” For the next few minutes, quiet surrounded the table while we ate. I surveyed the dining area and noticed only a few diners. Maybe Mary Sue wouldn’t be too busy to stop and talk.
Nana talked around a mouthful of hotdog. “Who’s next?”
Dee Dee glanced at the notebook. “Louise. She didn’t have a personal vendetta against Grace, but she’s good friends with Edna. Unknowingly, she corroborated everything Edna said.”
“I don’t get the feeling Louise had anything to do with it. I can’t say the same for Edna.” We snagged bites in between our discussion. Dee Dee pointed to her mouth then to mine. I swiped the area with my napkin. I’d wiped a blob of ketchup off my face.
“Don’t forget Ellie. Remember her reaction when you mentioned her meeting with John Porter on the beach? She was madder than a bull eyeing red.” Dee Dee took an onion ring, slipped it on her finger and twirled it around like a hula-hoop. Laughter floated around the table.
“That’s right. It’s mighty suspicious my question solicited such a reaction. Let’s keep her on the suspect list until we find out more about her.”
“Is that all?”
“What about Jasmine? You just talked to her.” Nana had made her hot dogs disappear quicker than a crab could burrow in the sand. She worked on digging the last little bit of slaw out of the container.
“Of course. Thanks, Nana. Jasmine needs to be on the list right beside Edna. Both of those ladies were wronged by Grace, and neither one of them showed any sorrow at her death.”
“We still have several others to interview: Grace’s husband Bert, the Daniels, Bubba Maxwell, the Sandersons and finally John Porter.” Mary Sue walked up to the table and Dee Dee shoved the notebook back in her bag.
“You ladies need any refills? How about dessert?” She stacked a few of the dirty dishes and gathered a handful to carry with her.
I looked at the girls. “Banana pudding all the way around?” They nodded their agreement.
“Coffee with that?” We nodded in unison. “Okie dokie. I’ll be right back.”
We chatted while she rounded up our desserts. I hoped when she returned I’d be able to convince her to sit with us for a while. Only one other booth held customers. Laden with pudding and coffee, she approached our table.
“Here, let me help.” I handed the bowls to Nana and Dee Dee and she served the coffee. I scooted over. “Please sit with us a minute.”
She surveyed her surroundings. “I probably shouldn’t, but I’ll sit for just a few minutes.” She eased down beside me and I heard a sigh. “Feels good to sit; my feet are killing me. Now, what are you ladies up to?”
Her blunt question startled me and I struggled to say something to lighten the mood.
“We want to know if you killed Grace Watkins.” Nana blurted before I could speak. “Where were you Monday night?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
My eyes rolled heavenward. Lord please bless me with a healthy heaping of patience. Although, I knew the way to learn patience was to handle more trials and wondered if it was too late to take back my prayer.
Dee Dee covered her mouth and faked a cough. I tried to follow up with damage control. “What she means is we’re helping Laura. Detective Baker’s questioned her several times and shows no interest in looking for other suspects. My Mama is good friends with Laura and she’s asked me to help. Is there any information you can offer that would help us?”
“What makes you think I have anything to say about Grace?” She took a pinch of spilled salt and threw the grains over her left shoulder.
Dee Dee spoke up. “Edna, over at Ocean View Inn, told us how Grace maligned you.”
Mary Sue’s eyes widened and her tanned skin lost a little of its color. “Edna spoke out of turn. I don’t know what you ladies are up to, but I don’t have anything to say. Now if you don’t mind, I need to get back to work.” She stood up, ready to leave. I grasped her arm and gently tugged.
“Mary Sue, please. Grace tormented Laura, but we know she wasn’t the only one targeted. What if Detective Baker focused his investigation on you and you knew you didn’t do it. Would you want our help then?” Through her eyes, I glimpsed the wheels of thought spinning. She sat back down. I heaved a sigh of relief.
“You’re right. I guess I was a little hasty, but I didn’t want to get involved where Grace Watkins is concerned. That woman destroyed any trust I had in humankind.”
My heart went out to Mary Sue. Even though my situation was different, the feeling of betrayal was the same. Thoughts of her pain brought back my own hurtful memories. Wade decided to present me with the surprise of my life. After years of marriage, he had approached me with his bags packed and told me he’d found his soul mate on the internet.
My world shattered that day as did my trust in others. My very identity was wrapped up in my beliefs as I knew them. Wade not only left me emotionally empty, but left our bank accounts depleted, as well. I should have felt vindicated when Wade slithered back into my life. He soon discovered his beautiful, blonde soul mate was a three hundred pound hussy who conned men for money. I didn’t. After he returned home he rushed right into the arms of another woman.
Beau, my boyfriend, along with Dee Dee, worked wonders to restore my faith in people. I came to terms that humans were fallible and would disappointment us from time to time. But the most important thing I had learned is there is someone who loves us unconditionally and will never let us down.
“Earth to Trixie.” Dee Dee reached across the table and shook my arm.
I composed myself and turned to Mary Sue. “Anything you can tell us about Grace will be appreciated.”
“Hmm, where to start?” She stared at the ceiling as if all the answers floated in the air. “I remember when I came to Ocean View to work. I’d been through a nasty divorce and had a young daughter to care for. I was so excited to land a position in one of the most popular bed and breakfasts on the island.”
I looked at Nana and Dee Dee sitting across from me. They shoveled in banana pudding as fast as they could. I understood why. This might not be the most pleasant looking diner, but they sure knew how to make dessert. I nibbled a spoonful as Mary Sue continued.
“She had us fill out a contract. I didn’t pay much attention to the stack of papers as she shoved them in front of me to sign. At the time, I was so excited to have a job I’d have just about signed anything.” She took a cloth tucked in her apron and wiped the table off. “I still regret that decision.”