“Well, I have a break coming up. Let me tell my manager, and then I’ll be free for about fifteen or twenty minutes. Would that be long enough?”

“Sure. That’ll be great.” I looked at Dee Dee and smiled. She smiled back. Nana, engrossed in looking at the merchandise, was oblivious to our silent conversation. Jasmine disappeared through a door behind the register.

Dee Dee grabbed my arm and whispered in my ear. “You did it girl. She thinks you really work for a magazine.”

“Dee Dee, I do work for a magazine.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right. You do.” I wondered about Dee Dee at times. And this was one of them. Before I could question her sanity she put my mind at ease. “Aw, I was just pulling your leg, Trixie. You need to lighten up.”

“I’m on my last nerve and you just stepped on it.” I stuck out my bottom lip.

“I’m sorry, Trixie. I only wanted to see you laugh. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.” She put her arm around my shoulder and squeezed. “You know I’m here for you. You don’t have to face this alone. Your mom doesn’t realize how draining it can be to gather and interview suspects. Right now she’s thinking of helping her friend. She believes in you.”

“I’m sorry, too. It’s not only the murder that has me so upset.”

“I know. Trixie, remember to pray about it. I believe the answer to Beau’s proposal will come to you and when it does a peace will follow.”

“Thanks, Dee Dee. I needed that little pep talk. Hey, where is Nana?”

“She was here just a minute ago. I wouldn’t worry. She can’t get into too much trouble in the store.” Was she ever wrong.

Jasmine walked up, accompanied by a middle-aged man. “Trixie. This is Joe, my manager. I told him you worked for Georgia by the Way and he wanted to meet you.” He stuck out his hand and I reached to shake it.

He drew back his hand as if he’d been bitten by a snake. His eyes bulged and his face turned a bright shade of red. He gasped for breath. I turned to Jasmine for help.

I was surprised to discover her face mirrored his. She’d be of no help to anyone. They stared over my shoulder and I turned to see what had caused such a reaction. I knew, without a doubt, the unbelievable image my eyes beheld would be etched in my mind forever.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Walking toward us was an apparition – no, on second glance I realized the vision was real. Lord, please beam me up and transport me anywhere else. Dressed in a skimpy, hot pink, two-piece bathing suit, with matching flip-flops, mimicking the high-stepping gait of a beauty queen, Nana glided toward us. An invisible hand squeezed the breath out of me and now I, too, gasped for air. The only one who retained the ability to speak was Dee Dee.

“Nana, what have you been up to?” Dee Dee grabbed a beach towel and wrapped it around Nana’s shoulders. Nana pushed the covering away.

She placed a hand on her hip and twirled about. “How do I look?” We sputtered and coughed, unable to find words to describe her. “I found this cute bathing suit and knew hot pink would look great on me. And it’s half-price – icing on the cake. Just wait till George sees me. His eyes will pop out of his head.”

Well, she had that right. His eyes would probably never be the same. I knew mine wouldn’t. When I spoke, my words squeaked out.

“Nana. For heaven’s sake, go back to the dressing room. Dee Dee can help you while I talk to Jasmine.” My ears felt like they were on fire. Why, oh why, didn’t I leave Nana with Mama?

“Look, Missy.” This was Nana’s favorite name for me when she was upset. “Just because I have a little age on me doesn’t mean you have to treat me like a doddering old fool.” I wasn’t so sure about the “old fool” part.

Still in shock, I would be forever beholden to Dee Dee for taking control of the situation. “Come on, Nana. Let’s go see if we can find a cute sun dress to wear over your new suit.” She grabbed Nana’s arm and with the determination of an army general, she led Nana away.

I turned to Jasmine and her boss. My addled brain tried to come up with a plausible explanation for Nana’s behavior. Before I could utter intelligent words, Joe said he had work to do and hurried away.

“I’m sorry, Jasmine. My great-aunt displays quirky behavior at times. My mama thinks she has the beginning of dementia, but I think she does it on purpose. The truth is probably somewhere in-between.”

“Don’t worry. Every family has a colorful character – mine was my grandfather.” She reached over and straightened the pile of towels Dee Dee had toppled when she grabbed one to cover up Nana.

“Is there somewhere quiet we can talk?” I really just needed to sit down. The shock of seeing Nana half naked had left me weak in the knees.

“Sure. Let’s go to the break room.” I followed her through a maze of merchandise. We entered through a door labeled “Employees Only” where a lone table stood in the middle of the small room. A microwave sat on a counter, along with a coffee maker, and a variety of condiments. She pulled out a chair and sat down across from me. “Are you all right?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Did you want to ask me some questions about the sea turtles?” She grabbed a Styrofoam cup and poured me a drink at a small sink. “You look a little pale.”

I put the image of Nana in the back of my mind and focused on the task at hand. I sipped the cool water, then pulled notebook and pen from my bag, beginning with some general questions concerning the habits of mother and baby terrapins. It seemed no time at all when Jasmine checked the time on the microwave.

“I only have a few minutes left before my break’s over.” I knew I had to ask the hard questions before she left.

“Edna, the housekeeper at Ocean View Inn, told us you ran against Grace for president of the local chapter of Save the Turtles.” Jasmine’s dark skin turned a shade lighter.

Her stare dared me to continue. I wondered if I gazed into the eyes of a murderer.

“She told us Grace used underhanded means to knock you out of the running and win over the board. The members heard you threaten Grace at one of the meetings.”

“Why are you bringing all this up? It doesn’t have anything to do with my concern for the sea turtles. It certainly doesn’t have any business in your magazine.”

“You’re right. I do write for Georgia by the Way and I am writing an article, but I’m also here as a friend to Laura. Actually, she’s my mama’s friend, but I’m interviewing some of the people Grace had run-ins with.”

Jasmine emitted an incredulous laugh. “You’ll be here a long time, because you’ll have to interview half the town.” She scooted back her chair.

“Please.” This wasn’t going as planned. “Jasmine, I want to help Laura. Detective Baker’s questioned her several times and she’s worried the detective’s placed her on the top of the suspect list.”

She slowly sat back down and leaned her arms on the table.

A faraway look clouded her eyes and her fists clenched into balls. “Just thinking about that lady makes my blood boil. I moved here to make a fresh start and help with the sea turtles. It would have been a win–win situation for me. Up until I threw my hat in the ring to run for president, my life had changed for the better.” She stopped for a minute, lost in her own thoughts. When she spoke, her voice possessed a hard edge.

“After that witch aired my past to the board and the members of the club, my life went from good to bad. The club didn’t throw me out, but the members treated me differently. Sure, they were civil, but nobody was knocking down my door to be best friends. If it weren’t for Joe giving me a chance, I don’t know if I would even have a job.”

She drew in a deep breath and looked me in the eye. “I’d like to say I’m sorry she’s dead. But I can’t.” The list of people who wouldn’t miss Grace continued to grow. I had one more question for Jasmine. I charged ahead like Sherman leading his march to the sea.