Dee Dee and I knew the way out, and it was obvious she wanted us to go, pronto!

Chapter Thirteen

Teresa retrieved some papers and started to leave.

“Oh, Teresa!” Dee Dee begged, in her not so subtle way. “I need to use the ladies room if you don’t mind.”

I wasn’t surprised.

Teresa’s eyes shot open like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She wasted no time ushering us out the door.

“Well, ladies, I hate to be rude, but...No, I’m going to be honest. I don’t hate to be rude. I can’t take a chance on anything else happening while you two are loose in the museum. There’s a public restroom across the square.” She had me by one arm and Dee Dee by the other as she led us out. She stood, still as a statue, until we walked down the outside steps.

I’m sure my, “thanks for the information” was lost in the wind as she turned and hurried back into the museum.

“Well, I can’t blame her,” Dee Dee said.

“Me neither.” I replied as we stood, deciding what to do next.

“Our list grows longer.” Dee Dee thrust her notepad in my face as she hot stepped toward the public restroom.

I reviewed our growing list of suspects while we stood in line at the facilities. Afterwards, we decided to stop in a quaint little ice cream and pastry shop for an afternoon pick-me-up. Country themed gifts, coffee cups painted with flowers and butterflies, Christmas wreaths, antique jewelry and home decor fragrances, and heavenly scented candles lined the shelves along the walls. We looked for a minute, then found a corner table and placed our order.

I slid on my reading glasses and waggled my fingers. “Bring out the suspect list and let’s go over it.”

Dee Dee brought out the tablet faster than a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. “So far, we have Miranda Tatum. A woman scorned is one to be contended with. Her husband’s betrayal has left deep scars that haven’t healed yet. I should know.” I wondered, prayed, that the time would come when I’d be able to think of Wade without that sharp stab of pain.

Dee Dee gave me a little shake. “Girl, where did you go? You looked like you took a trip to La-La Land again. From what you’ve told me, Sueleigh Dalton wasn’t any happier with Tatum’s treatment of women. It seems like he used women and tossed them away like disposable commodities. Use them and lose them.” She rolled her eyes. “Men!”

I nodded. “Don’t forget Tommy Hawkins. Teresa said he didn’t hide his hatred for Tatum. He told the whole town he was going to kill him.”

Dee Dee pointed at his name written on the page. “You heard Teresa. The Hawkins are meaner than a mama bear protecting her cubs. Good grief, she refused to tell you where they live.”

The waitress slid our dishes onto the Formica. “Anything else?”

“No thanks,” I smiled at her before picking up my spoon.

“I don’t think we need to mess with them.” Dee Dee scooped into her whipped cream as the waitress walked away.

“True, but we can find it ourselves.” I savored a mouthful of my ice cream and sighed. “Speaking of Harv.”

“We weren’t speaking of Harv, Goofy.” Dee Dee poked her spoon at me.

I laughed. “I know, but he popped into my head, and I felt like pulling your string.” I did love to tease Dee Dee. And she loved to tease me.

I noticed a lonely tear running down Dee Dee’s face. “I’m, sorry Dee; I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Man, I felt like a jerk.

She sniffed. “No, it’s not that. You didn’t hurt my feelings. I miss my babies.” she was referring to her furry babies; all five of them. I never understood the attraction to cats—I’m a dog woman myself. But the love for her cats is as strong as the love I have for my dog, Bouncer.

The tears streamed down her face. As any woman knows, crying plus make-up equals raccoon eyes. Dee Dee dabbed her napkin at her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, sweetie; I’m sure you miss them.” I squeezed her hand, knowing she was now upset about more than her cats.

“Its times like this I want to wring Gary’s neck for going and dying on me. I don’t want to face this all alone. I’m scared.” She rubbed her eyes, enlarging the black circles of smeared mascara.

“You aren’t alone, Dee. I’m here. And, as you always tell me, we are never really alone. We have someone who loves us unconditionally.” We shared a long, stuttering glance, and hand-hugged. She sniffed and wiped her nose.

“You’re right. I need to practice what I preach. Come on. Let’s go back to the room for a while. I want to freshen up.”

We left desserts half-eaten and paid our check. I led the way back to the Dahlonega Inn.

When I keyed the door, it pushed open, unlocked. “Did you remember to lock the door?” I whispered to Dee Dee.

She shook her head, eyes wide.

Inside, I heard shuffling, then the squeak of a mattress. Someone was in the room!

Chapter Fourteen

I slowly pushed the door open, praying protection from whatever awaited us. And there, sitting on the corner of my bed, dressed in jogging pants and matching pull-over, sat my great aunt.

“NANA!” My heart jackhammered. “What in the world are you doing here?”

“I’m glad to see you, too, Missy,” my white-haired aunt shot a smile, green eyes peering from behind her glasses.

Dee Dee concocted an excellent excuse and left me to handle the situation alone, rushing past us for the ladies room.

“Nana, how did you travel all the way to Dahlonega? I gave her a hug and stepped back, hands on my hips, waiting on her explanation. “And this had better be good.”

“Beau.”

Beau? Nana’s answer shocked my socks off.

“He’s over at the sheriff’s department right this minute, looking into the murder investigation. Isn’t this something? How in the world did you get mixed up in this?”

Nana bounced on her seat, up and down. I hoped she wasn’t testing it out for that night.

“Nana, I’m the one asking the questions.”

“You can get off your high horse, Missy. I’m sure you’re surprised to see me, but that’s no reason to get sassy with me.”

Nana didn’t seem fazed by my authoritative tone.

“I’m sorry, Nana. I’m just surprised to see you. What in the name of Jehoshaphat made you and Beau decide to come to Dahlonega?”

I sat on the edge of the other bed, no longer able to stand. My knee throbbed. Dee Dee came back in and plopped down beside me.

“Now, don’t go and get mad at Beau,” Nana said. “I threatened to find another ride if he didn’t bring me. Remember, Beau’s a deputy sheriff. Who better to help you? I thought you’d be happy.” Tears sparkled in the corner of Nana’s eyes. Nana didn’t cry often. She’d been brought up during an era where living was anything but easy. There had been precious little time to cry then.

“Don’t cry, Nana. We’ll work this out.” I hugged her. She brightened up a little too quickly.

Dee Dee asked, “How did you know about the murder, Nana?”

“I happened to answer the phone at the same time Betty Jo did and overheard part of Trixie’s conversation.” She looked me straight in the face and dared me to say different.

“I knew it! I had this weird feeling when I was on the phone talking with Mama. Nana, you eavesdropped.” I crossed my arms.

“That’s not true.” She sniffed, as if daring me to think her intent malicious. “When I heard you crying, I couldn’t hang up the phone.”

Her features softened. I melted.

“You’re here now. Let’s call Mama and make sure she knows you’re all right. She does know where you are?”

“Of course she does,” Nana responded with indignation. It was a miracle. She seemed to have successfully erased her memory of all the times her antics resulted in worrying Mama.