“That my dear, is Miranda Tatum. John Tatum’s ex-wife.”

“The infamous Miranda.” Several heads turned our way.

“Shhh. Let’s finish our dessert and I’ll fill you in later.” We finished eating and headed for the bathroom—the place that got us into trouble in the first place. Dee Dee forever needed to go to the bathroom. I’d tried to get her to tell her doctor, like they suggest on the television commercial, but she didn’t see it as a problem. I’d bet now she’d visit him as soon as we got back home.

We stepped back into the busy street and were immediately engulfed by a sea of people. I had to holler to get her attention. “Let’s go over to the Gold Museum and see if we can wheedle some information from Teresa.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Because I like to wheedle people?” I smiled to let her know I was only kidding.

“Huh?” Her face was blank. Unusual for Dee Dee, she missed the joke. The investigation must have really gotten under her skin.

“Well, if we’re going to find out who killed John Tatum, we’ll have to create a list of suspects.”

Dee Dee stopped abruptly.

“Whoa. I almost ran into you,” I laughed.

“Well, with all my cushioning back there, it wouldn’t hurt you. Where did you get the crazy notion to snoop for suspects?” She stood firm, not moving an inch.

“Do you have any better ideas? You said yourself that Sheriff Wheeler needed to close this case as soon as possible. Joyce said that there are a lot of people who had reason to want Tatum dead. We can find out who they are, tell the sheriff, and let him follow-up.”

“Well, put that way it doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I don’t want you to put yourself in danger for my sake.” Dee Dee adjusted her shoulder bag and we continued walking.

We elbowed our way through the throng of people. Several of the festival booths seemed to call our names so we stopped to check out their colorful knick-knacks. We moved with the crowd until we reached the end of the street.

We stood at the corner, admiring the fancy, horse-drawn carriage providing rides around the square. As it turned, it nearly ran over us. We jumped out of the way. I felt something squishy under my foot. Let me tell you, those horsey diapers don’t work as well as you’d think.

I spied some grassy lawns around the museum. “Come on. Let’s go over there so I can clean my shoes.”

Dee Dee belly laughed.

It was good to hear, even if it was at my expense. “Thanks a heap, these are my new Rockports.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You should have seen the look on your face,” she managed to sputter.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the museum. By that time I was laughing, too. But as we got closer, my mirth slowly died from my lips.

Teresa might not be an easy mark for my line of questioning, but for Dee Dee’s sake, we had to try.

Chapter Twelve

Hello, ladies. What brings you back to the museum?” Teresa’s thin smile looked forced and unnatural when we walked in.

“Can we talk to you for a minute?”

Teresa adjusted the badge on her uniform. “For a minute. They’ve finished taking down the crime scene tape. I want to make sure the mining room is cleaned up. I don’t want any of our visitors upset by blood stains.” She looked directly at us with displeasure, and I didn’t blame her.

“Let’s go to my office.” She led the way.

“I’m so sorry this happened. This must be such an inconvenience for you, especially during the busiest time of the year.”

“Not to mention the embarrassment it has caused. One of the most influential men in Dahlonega was murdered on my watch, and I was up for a promotion.” She muttered under her breath. The softly spoken words sounded something like, “I guess I can kiss that good-bye.”

“Umm, look on the bright side. It might boost the tourist traffic today. You know how people possess a morbid curiosity.” A nervous giggle escaped my lips.

Teresa turned and gave me a funny look as Dee Dee poked me in the ribs.

“I hope you don’t think Dee Dee murdered Mr. Tatum. It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time—”

“Look, Trixie,” Teresa interrupted. “I’m not sure what to think. I know for a fact that John Tatum had more than one enemy. He made some thoroughly bad decisions - others came with the territory of possessing enough power to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ to someone in need.” She pointed to some chairs, indicating for us to sit down.

“I could use some help locating some of these people, and Joyce said no one knows the people or the town as well as you do.” I leaned toward Teresa, now seated behind her desk. “I heard John and Miranda Tatum had a messy divorce.” I searched her face for a reaction but saw no change. I continued. “Could you tell me about John’s girlfriend? Give me her name and how to get in contact with her?”

“Look, I shouldn’t.” She looked from me to Dee Dee, then back to me. “But if my best friend was in trouble, I’d do the same thing. Promise you won’t do anything but ask questions, and leave the rest up to Sheriff Wheeler. One person’s dead already.”

I nodded.

Dee Dee spoke up. “I’ll promise for both of us.” She squinched her eyes and glared at me.

Teresa’s shoulders relaxed and I thought, Way to go Dee Dee. But I had every intention of doing whatever was necessary to prove Dee Dee’s innocence.

“What’s her name, and where can we find her?” I handed paper and pen to Dee Dee so she could play secretary.

“Her family name is Dalton. Sueleigh Dalton. She lives with her kin several miles outside of town. You might be able to find her whole family at the festival today. They run a food stand every year during Gold Rush Days and she helps them out.” Teresa scooted back in her chair and adjusted her badge. Again.

“I can’t thank you enough. You wait and see; you have my word. When this is over, Dee Dee will be exonerated.” I gave Dee Dee a big smile and touched her shoulder. I talked tough, but could I make it happen? I had to believe I could, with some help from above.

“I don’t know why, but for some reason, I believe you.” Teresa tapped her teeth, as if considering her options. “There’s one more person you might be interested in.”

Dee Dee and I both belted out, “Who?”

“A couple of years ago, there was a robbery at the Tatum place. Tubby Hawkins, a local teenager, broke into Tatum’s home, but he didn’t make it out alive. He was a known trouble maker and had a gun in his possession, so no charges were filed against Tatum, but John killed the boy, all the same.” She shifted around in her office chair, obviously unsettled by the events.

“The Hawkins family was outraged and vowed revenge on Tatum. Tommy Hawkins, Tubby’s older brother, was the most vocal. He went around town telling everyone that Tatum had better watch his back. No one was going to kill his brother and get away with it.”

“Wow!” Dee Dee sat on the edge of her chair.

“This could be a big break.” My wheels already turning, I glanced at Dee Dee, who was furiously writing names on her note pad. I turned back to Teresa. “I wonder if the sheriff’s looked at this angle. This Tommy character should be at the top of the suspect list.”

“Remember, you didn’t hear any of this from me.”

“Of course,” I nodded, attempting to make my expression the model of discretion. “One last thing: I’ve heard the sheriff’s going to retire? He could solve this case by blaming the most obvious suspect instead of investigating other leads. It would be mighty convenient for him to focus on Dee Dee.”

She stood and placed fists to her hips. “I’ve known Jake Wheeler for years, and I believe he’ll follow any lead he thinks important.” She drew herself up. “Now I’ve got to inspect the rooms so we can open.”