Nana! “Nothing, Nana, everything’s fine. You can go back to sleep.”

She did, and right quick, two of my favorite people in the world snored in unison.

When I flipped on the bathroom light, a big black spider fled the scene. I looked around for any other creepy, crawly creatures sharing quarters with the spider. Coast clear! I turned on the water as warm as I could stand it.

Several minutes of warm water relaxed my tight muscles. I toweled off and dressed as quietly as possible. I applied a double dose of make-up to cover the dark bags that had sprung up, literally overnight.

I would need all the help I could get this day if I were to charm a story out of the likes of the Hawkins clan!

Chapter Twenty-One

When I exited the bathroom, I noticed Dee Dee rummaging in her suitcase for something to wear.

“Oh, you’re up.”

“Of course I’m up. Who could sleep when someone careens into her bed with the force of a tidal wave?”

She must have seen the look of surprise on my face, grinned, and said, “Just kidding! I thought I’d lighten the mood a little.”

“I wouldn’t try to lighten the mood too often. I’m on my last nerve, and it’s frayed.” With my nervous energy, I was pretty sure I could hand-power a light bulb.

I changed the subject to safer ground. “What do you think about a light breakfast so we can get an early start?”

“That sounds good.” Dee Dee leaned over and whispered “What about Nana? Is she going with us?”

“No way! I’ve been bouncing around ideas. I’m sending her on an important mission. It should keep her busy until we get back.”

“What are you girls talking about?” Nana piped up.

“I told Dee Dee I need your help this morning. I have an important errand for you to run while Dee Dee and I go interview someone for my article.”

She sat up. “Sure, doll. I’ll do anything I can to help. Remember, that’s why I’m here.” She grinned from ear to ear. “What do you need me to do?”

Dee Dee made her way to the bathroom while Nana and I continued our conversation. “I took some pictures to go along with my article, and they need to be printed right away. Harv wants to see them as soon as possible. Do you think you can find a store that will print them in an hour or two? Just check out the merchants on the square; I don’t want you going any further.”

If all went as planned, getting the pictures printed should keep Nana busy and out of trouble until we returned.

“Well, yes. I can do that. But why can’t I go with you and Dee Dee?” she pouted. “I can take care of the pictures when we get back.”

Shoot, this wasn’t going as easy as I’d hoped. Think quick Trixie.

“It might be noon by the time we get back. There’s a corner drugstore that opens at ten. Ask the clerk if she can put them on a computer disc as well as print them, and then I can send them to Harv as soon as I get back. I really need your help with this.” I said a quick prayer for her compliancy. Harv didn’t need the pictures right away, but I needed to keep Nana busy and safe.

“I guess you’re right dear. That Harv sure can be a nasty person, though. You’d think a burr was stuck up under his saddle the way he grumbles all the time.”

I couldn’t help laughing. Anyone who didn’t know Harv personally could easily come to that conclusion.

Minutes later we walked out the door. Dee Dee and I had dressed in jeans and long sleeve shirts and Nana had on another of her jogging ensembles. You could call us the three Musketeers.

Someone had laid out a continental breakfast of pastries and coffee in the lobby for those who didn’t want to eat in the dining room. We chatted with Joyce while we ate sticky buns and drank steaming hot coffee. I filled her in on our plan to visit the Hawkins’ place.

“You’d better watch your backs if you are determined to go out there,” she warned. “By the way, did you get a chance to talk with Miranda yesterday?

“Uh, yes. I talked with her.” I wondered why Joyce wanted to know, if she was just nosey, or if she had another reason for asking.

“Do you think she had anything to do with Tatum’s murder?” She took another sip of coffee. “I wouldn’t be surprised, the way she ranted and raved about his infidelity.”

“Well…” I took a breath, weighing whether or not to divulge Miranda and my conversation.

“If you ask me, he got what he deserved.” Joyce’s nostrils flared with distaste in a way that seemed out of character for the nice innkeeper.

“Why would you say that?” I leaned forward.

“J-just imagine how furious he made somebody, in order to be murdered in such a violent way. With a pickaxe!”

“Yes. Imagine.” I blinked down at the remainder of my now unappetizing bear claw. Whether or not it was true, I still thought it an odd thing for her to say.

Dee Dee and I finished our coffee, and left Nana talking to Joyce and Leroy, “that nice young nephew of hers” who creeped the heck out of me.

We stepped outside, a little nip in the air greeting us. A slight breeze blew as gentle as an angel’s breath. It was the beginning of another beautiful day. Only a few vendors had ventured out this early in the morning. Others walked up the steps of the local parish, the steeple bell ringing out a Sunday morning welcome.

“I feel guilty we’re not going to church.” Dee Dee sniffed. “Especially with everything that’s going on.”

“Let’s pray, quick.” I took her hands in mine, knowing we needed our Father’s direction.

Dee Dee prayed. “Heavenly Father, please keep us safe and help us to find John Tatum’s real killer… In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

I contributed a hearty, “Amen!” and felt stronger for it.

I followed the haphazard directions Sueleigh gave us. From the rear-view mirror, I saw the town fade away. The golden leaves of the surrounding forest glowed in the morning sunlight. The twists and turns of the mountainous road dictated the speed I drove. Leaves still clung to many of the trees, but along the side of the road, boulders were dusted in already fallen foliage. I was lost in my thoughts when Dee Dee spoke.

“This view takes my breath away,” she said with a contented sigh.

“Mine, too. Doesn’t it look like God created a kaleidoscope?”

“It sure does.” After a minute of contemplation she spoke again. “Trix, I’m still concerned we’re traveling so far out. What if something happens? You heard how mean Joyce said Tommy Hawkins is.”

“I bet he’s not that mean. She’s probably exaggerating.”

Like you believe that, Trixie. I shifted in my seat and peered at the twisting road all the more intently.

“Have you thought of any reasons I can give Tommy to interview him?” I thought about the moonshine still Hawkins hid in the woods. A story about the back woods would definitely earn brownie points from Harv.

“Since you’re writing on the gold rush, why don’t you use that as an opener? Most folks with roots from around here have someone in their families that mined gold.”

“That could work. Thanks.” As we drove, we talked about the kids, the cats, and anything else that kept us from dwelling on the inevitable meeting.

As we rounded a tight curve, I spied something furry skittering across the road at the double yellow line.

Dee Dee screamed, pointing ahead, “Watch out!”

Chapter Twenty-Two

I slammed on my brakes, the tires squealing. Both of us shot forward in our seat belts, the car now at a dead stop in the middle of the road. A quick check to the rear view showed no one was behind us. Thank goodness!

“Holy cow, what are you trying to do? Get us killed?” I clutched my heart. I pulled over to the side of the road to catch my breath. My knee screamed in agony.