Dee Dee covered her mouth and faked a cough. I tried to follow up with damage control. “What she means is we’re helping Laura. Detective Baker’s questioned her several times and shows no interest in looking for other suspects. My Mama is good friends with Laura and she’s asked me to help. Is there any information you can offer that would help us?”

“What makes you think I have anything to say about Grace?” She took a pinch of spilled salt and threw the grains over her left shoulder.

Dee Dee spoke up. “Edna, over at Ocean View Inn, told us how Grace maligned you.”

Mary Sue’s eyes widened and her tanned skin lost a little of its color. “Edna spoke out of turn. I don’t know what you ladies are up to, but I don’t have anything to say. Now if you don’t mind, I need to get back to work.” She stood up, ready to leave. I grasped her arm and gently tugged.

“Mary Sue, please. Grace tormented Laura, but we know she wasn’t the only one targeted. What if Detective Baker focused his investigation on you and you knew you didn’t do it. Would you want our help then?” Through her eyes, I glimpsed the wheels of thought spinning. She sat back down. I heaved a sigh of relief.

“You’re right. I guess I was a little hasty, but I didn’t want to get involved where Grace Watkins is concerned. That woman destroyed any trust I had in humankind.”

My heart went out to Mary Sue. Even though my situation was different, the feeling of betrayal was the same. Thoughts of her pain brought back my own hurtful memories. Wade decided to present me with the surprise of my life. After years of marriage, he had approached me with his bags packed and told me he’d found his soul mate on the internet.

My world shattered that day as did my trust in others. My very identity was wrapped up in my beliefs as I knew them. Wade not only left me emotionally empty, but left our bank accounts depleted, as well. I should have felt vindicated when Wade slithered back into my life. He soon discovered his beautiful, blonde soul mate was a three hundred pound hussy who conned men for money. I didn’t. After he returned home he rushed right into the arms of another woman.

Beau, my boyfriend, along with Dee Dee, worked wonders to restore my faith in people. I came to terms that humans were fallible and would disappointment us from time to time. But the most important thing I had learned is there is someone who loves us unconditionally and will never let us down.

“Earth to Trixie.” Dee Dee reached across the table and shook my arm.

I composed myself and turned to Mary Sue. “Anything you can tell us about Grace will be appreciated.”

“Hmm, where to start?” She stared at the ceiling as if all the answers floated in the air. “I remember when I came to Ocean View to work. I’d been through a nasty divorce and had a young daughter to care for. I was so excited to land a position in one of the most popular bed and breakfasts on the island.”

I looked at Nana and Dee Dee sitting across from me. They shoveled in banana pudding as fast as they could. I understood why. This might not be the most pleasant looking diner, but they sure knew how to make dessert. I nibbled a spoonful as Mary Sue continued.

“She had us fill out a contract. I didn’t pay much attention to the stack of papers as she shoved them in front of me to sign. At the time, I was so excited to have a job I’d have just about signed anything.” She took a cloth tucked in her apron and wiped the table off. “I still regret that decision.”

Nana with her usual lack of decorum asked, “Why? What was in them?”

Mary Sue’s eyes went wide. “I’m gettin’ there.” She picked at a thumbnail. “The job worked out fine for a couple of years. I got to be good friends with Edna. We had a lot in common and we both loved to cook. I took Grace’s recipes, which were all right but kind of bland and old-school, and doctored them up a little with my ideas to bring them into the current trends. You know, I came up with some gluten-free options, and I used some modern spices and ingredients with others.” She sat up straighter. “It was my idea to begin using truffle oil in some of the fancier dishes.”

We all studied our empty pudding bowls.

“Word spread and some of the locals came just to eat one of my meals,” she continued. “But instead of giving me credit for the recipes, she claimed anything I added was hers according to that contract I’d signed. She threatened to sue me if I made a fuss.” She looked around the table. “Grace fought me on a lot of the changes, but she had to admit we were finally on the map.” She glanced at our empty bowls. “Seconds?”

So that was why the two women fought like two parakeets in a pillowcase. Jealousy.

“No.”

“Yes.” I guess two yes’s outweigh a no anytime.

“Won’t take but a minute. I think I’ll take an official break and drink a cup of coffee with you.” She jumped up quicker than a grasshopper.

“Trixie, look and see if I have anything between my teeth.” Dee Dee furnished me a Whitney Houston smile. I inspected her pearly whites for any stray food particles.

“There’s a speck of black pepper right in front.”

She dug at it with a nail. “Oh no. Mr. Right might walk inside any minute and mistake it for a rotten tooth.” She rumbled around in her bag and came up with a mirror. “Yikes.” She rummaged around a little more and withdrew a small case of dental floss.

“You’re not going to do what I think you’re going to do, are you?”

“There’s nobody at this table but us. Just remember, what happens at this table stays at this table.” Her golden laughter filled the air.

Nana contributed to the fun. “What happens on the island stays on the island.” By the time Mary Sue returned to the table with a new round of pudding and a fresh pot of coffee we were laughing like a pack of hyenas.

She sat the food on the table and gave us a disapproving look. “You ladies don’t sound like you’re too upset about Laura’s troubles.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Mary Sue sank down beside me. Her stern look put the kibosh on our laughter.

“Sorry. You know what they say, ‘laughter is the best medicine.’”

“Yeah, I guess so.” She doctored her coffee and took a long drink. “Mmm. That’s good, even if I did make it.” Three heads bobbed in agreement. Images of Nana’s head atop a bobblehead doll invaded my thoughts.

Dee Dee leaned forward, silently willing Mary Sue to continue.

“Well, like I was saying. We’d built up a loyal following of locals at the bed and breakfast. Then one day, a friend of mine, Deidra, got a promotion and knew about my frustration, asked me to work for her in one of the beachside restaurants, The Blue Dolphin. The pay was double what I made at Ocean View and she was going to give me full credit for the dishes. I couldn’t turn it down. I knew this would be a great chance to make things better for me and my daughter.”

An elderly couple walked in the door and Mary Sue hollered, “Have a seat.” She stood up, but one of the other waitresses gave her a wave to say ‘I’ve got it.’ She sat back down.

“Mary Sue, what happened after you left Ocean View?” Nana and Dee Dee had wolfed down their second helping of banana pudding and now sipped on their coffee. A few bites remained in the bottom of my bowl.

Dee Dee eyed my pudding with genuine longing. “Are you going to finish that?”

“Yes, I am. If you cherish your fingers, don’t even think about reaching over here.” I scooted the bowl closer for protection. Mary Sue looked from me to Dee Dee and back to me. I’m sure she thought we’d escaped from the home for the bewildered.

She shook her head and smiled. “Y’all have a unique relationship don’t you?” We nodded in agreement. I’m not sure what she meant by unique, but I assumed she meant ‘special.’ “I wish I still had a best friend.” She stared into the distance, possibly remembering a time when she did.