“We’re doing everything we can to help Laura.” Dee Dee assured Louise, and pulled the notebook from her pocket. “We have a list of people we want to question. Could you look it over and tell us where we might find some of them?”

“Honey, you’re going to have to hold it way back if you expect me to read it.” Dee Dee made the adjustment. “Whoa. That’s a long list. You have Edna on the list? If I’d known that I wouldn’t have told you all that stuff about her.”

“No. No. Don’t worry about Edna. We put everyone down that had recent contact with Grace. It doesn’t mean we really suspect them of any wrong doing,” Dee Dee said.

Louise was right, though. She had divulged a lot of information and it didn’t bode well for Edna.

She placed her dripping hand under her chin, reminding me of The Thinker. “You can probably find Mary Sue at her job. She works at the local hamburger joint, Dairy Delite. The building’s located on the main road right before you get into town. You can’t miss it. Bert lives somewhere in Savannah. Mary Sue might be able to tell you where since she worked for Grace. Jasmine works at one of the tourist shops downtown, I think its Pirate’s Treasure. I’m sorry I can’t be of any more help.” She let the water out of the sink, rinsed her hands, and dried them with a dishtowel.

“You’ve been a tremendous help.”

“I’d do anything to support Laura. She’s been really good to me. I feel so blessed to be working here with her instead of Grace. I’ve always felt sorry for poor Edna. Stuck with that …. Well I’d better not say what I was thinking.”

Before she could finish, Nana barged in the kitchen like a whirlwind. “There you are. I thought you’d left without me. Who are we going to interview first?”

“Uh, Nana.” I looked to Dee Dee for some help, but she had started helping Louise re-shelve the dried dishes.

“I think we’ll try to find Mary Sue Bartlett first. Are you ready to go?”

“I sure am. Let’s go!”

I was so shaken up with what Louise may have been about to explain, I hadn’t noticed, but I had to admit, she looked very cute. Dressed in a dark blue jogging suit with a light blue tee shirt, she wore a matching blue baseball cap. Wearing a matching cap was something she’d recently started. I can truthfully say there was never a dull moment with Nana around.

“Let’s tell Mama we’re going.”

Nana scooted out of the kitchen faster than a greased pig.

“Are you really going to let her go?” Dee Dee whispered.

“I guess so. I just couldn’t tell her no. Anyway, Mama needs a break.” We thanked Louise for her help and went to find Nana. We discovered her excitedly telling Mama about our sleuthing.

“Now don’t you worry, Betty Jo. I’ll keep an eye on the girls. I won’t let them do anything stupid.” This coming from the lady who on a whim decided to get a tattoo that would last a lifetime – well as much time as Nana had left.

“Trixie, thank you for letting Nana go along. I’d like to spend some time with Laura today. She needs all the support she can get.”

I hugged Mama as tight as I could. I loved her so much. I realized I needed to spend some time alone with Mama. I wanted to share my feelings with her about Beau’s proposal.

Dee Dee walked up. “Group hug?” We hugged and we laughed and we cried. The events of the past few days had taken its toll on all of us. Lord, please don’t let us wind up in the home for the bewildered before this is over.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

We piled in my car. It still harbored the new car smell. Dee Dee sat in the back and Nana rode shotgun. We decided to interview Jasmine first and save Mary Sue until lunch time. We drove down Jones Avenue, and headed toward the pier and pavilion. City officials had cordoned off the downtown area due to the arts and crafts festival. I hoped the walk to Pirate’s Treasure wasn’t too far and then recalled the physical therapist said moderate exercise would be good for my new knee.

Nana hopped out of the car before it completely stopped. I slammed the gearshift in park and followed her as fast as my gimpy leg would allow. I could sure use some of her energy, Lord.

“Come on girls. If you’re waiting on me you’re backing up,” Nana cackled.

“Remember, I’ve got a new knee, Nana.” Even though I now walked without a cane, I wasn’t up to running marathons.

Tourists of every size and shape poked through booths filled with homemade items. Parents, accompanied by children begging for souvenirs, weaved their way through the throng of people. Couples held hands and made goo-goo eyes at each other. Images of Beau flashed in my mind. The void that filled my heart surprised me. I vowed to call Beau as soon as I had some alone time.

A shoulder shake from Dee Dee interrupted my thoughts. “Trix. Are you in there?”

“Sorry, I was in another world.”

“The one where Beau lives?” At times she knew me better than I knew myself. It was wonderful to have Dee Dee along on this roller coaster ride better known as life. Her faith was a beacon for me in the storm I’d been riding the past couple of years.

We stopped at a few of the booths along the way. “Look at this picture frame with a sea shell border. Wouldn’t it be perfect for a picture of me and George?” Nana turned around and shoved it in my face. I gave her a smile, but I still wasn’t convinced George was on the up and up. I’d tell Beau what little information I’d gleaned.

I stopped a young man in costume and asked where the Pirate’s Treasure was located. “Arrrrg, matey. It be located around the next corner.” He bowed at his waist as he made a wide sweeping motion with his hat. I thanked him and we ventured on. He resembled Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. Lucky man.

“Well, wasn’t he the handsome one?”

When did Nana not think a man was handsome?

Dee Dee didn’t miss a beat. “So Nana, you’re a real pushover for the bad boy type?”

“Yep. I’ve been seeing George, you know.” My head shot up. I wondered if she knew something we didn’t. I gave Dee Dee a look to see if she caught Nana’s reference. She raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement. We had to talk later.

We stopped in front of Pirate’s Treasure. Beach-going necessities filled the display windows. Colorful tops and shorts, flip flops, children’s sand toys, and even a striped beach umbrella decorated the outside area.

“Let’s go in.” Dee Dee pushed the door open and a bell tinkled overhead.

A gum smacking young girl in her teens greeted us. “May I help you?”

“Yes. Is Jasmine working today?”

“Sure. Want me to get her?” She tucked her hair behind her ear and exposed a row of earrings all the way up the side. Ouch, that must’ve hurt.

“Of course we do, dear.” Nana wasn’t one for beating around the bush.

“Nana. Be nice.” A sense of dread filled me and I wished I’d left Nana with Mama.

“Watch it, Missy. Remember, I changed your diapers.” Why did I always have the urge to roll my eyes when I was around Nana?

We looked around at the variety of merchandise. You could find anything you needed for a day or a week on the beach at Pirate’s Treasure – an apt name.

“I’m Jasmine. How may I help you?” I turned around and faced an attractive woman. Her silky hair flowed to her waist. Even though it was obvious she was middle aged, her dark hair was absent of any gray. She wore little, if any, makeup. She had paired her white peasant blouse with a teal blue skirt that reached her ankles. A silver toe ring winked up at me. I could imagine others labeled her as an “old hippie” but I liked her style at once.

“Hi, Jasmine. I’m Trixie Montgomery and I write for Georgia by the Way, a magazine featuring the past and present stories of Georgia. Uh, I’m writing about the sea turtles and I’d like to interview you.” I crossed my fingers and hoped she still had some involvement with the turtles.