“Trixie, I’m so glad you’re back. Detective Baker’s been waiting to talk to you.”

“Me?” Suddenly, my knee throbbed. I plopped in the nearest chair.

“Yes, Ms. Montgomery.” He scooted to the edge of the couch, leaned forward with elbows on knees, and regaled me with his full attention. “It’s been brought to my attention you’ve been questioning some of the locals.”

“Yeah. Isn’t it great how she uses her work as an excuse to interview suspects?” Nana spoke between bites as she made her point by shaking a potato chip at the detective.

God please beam me up. How could I love Nana so much and feel like killing her at the same time? “What Nana means is I’ve been interviewing people for my article on Savannah and Tybee Island and they just happen to know Grace. What a coincidence.”

“Yes, what a coincidence,” Detective Baker said in a mocking tone. Somehow I didn’t think he believed me.

Nana wouldn’t shut up. “That’s not what I meant at all. Trixie’s helped solve two murders and I’m sure she’ll be able to help you crack this one.”

Detective Baker’s face turned bright red. “Ma’am, I don’t need any help.”

Dee Dee jumped up and grabbed Nana by the elbow. “Nana, I need you to help me for a minute.” I shot her a grateful look. She gently pulled Nana up and escorted her toward the door.

“What do you need help with? I’m not through eating.” I could hear Nana grousing all the way down the hallway. I owed Dee Dee.

Laura sat with her mouth agape, and Mama shook her head. I could have sworn I saw a hint of a smile appear on the Detective’s partner. I should be used to Nana’s antics by now, but I had a terrible urge to pull up a rug and slink under it like a snake going into its hidey-hole.

The Detective managed to speak. “Ms. Montgomery, your reputation precedes you. I know you have a habit of sticking your nose into matters that are none of your business. I have no intention of letting you railroad this investigation. Do you understand?”

“Uh, yes sir, I do. But what about my job? I have to conduct interviews for my article.” I held my breath. If I couldn’t interview people, I’d never be able to help Laura.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Detective Baker eyed me long and hard before he answered. “You can conduct your interviews, but I’d better not get another call that you’re harassing people about this case.”

I exhaled. “Okay.” He didn’t say I couldn’t interview suspects. He just said it shouldn’t get back to him. I would have to be more subtle. And keep Nana at bay. “Detective, while you’re here, could you tell us if you’ve made any progress in finding who the killer is? I’ve gathered that Grace made a lot of enemies.” I figured it wouldn’t hurt to remind him other people besides Laura might have wanted to kill Grace.

“Ms. Montgomery, I’m well aware of Grace’s personality, but Laura has a strike against her the others don’t. Her fingerprints were all over the murder weapon. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.” Detective Baker and junior Detective Taylor left without a second look.

“I don’t know what you wanted me for, Dee Dee,” Nana said. She came in the room, Dee Dee trailing behind her. “You could have picked out what you wanted to wear without me. Oh well, I understand why you’d want my advice. I just don’t understand why you needed me right when I was talkin’ to the detective.”

Dee Dee gave Nana a shoulder hug. “Thanks, Nana. That yellow and orange outfit will be the talk of the town.” She looked at me. “Did the detective leave?”

“Yes, and I’m glad because I’m about to drop. Anyone ready for a nap?” Dee Dee was the only one who took me up on my offer. We headed upstairs and plopped down on our beds.

“Trixie, do you have any thoughts on who might have killed Grace?”

“I’m not sure, Dee. I figure when we finish interviewing everyone on our list we can go to Detective Baker and give him the information we’ve gathered. I know he’s going to be mad we interfered, but I don’t think there’s anything else we can do. It’s too dangerous to go after the killer, even if we have an idea who it might be.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Have you decided on the big question yet?”

“What big question are you talking about?” Of course, I knew what she was talking about. I just wanted to pull her chain.

She grabbed a pillow and threw it at me. I felt a cool breeze as it whizzed by. “You know exactly what I mean.”

“I know. I thought we could use a good laugh.”

“You’re right about that, but you’re not going to make me forget my question.”

“I haven’t had much time to think about Beau with my focus on the murder investigation, but it’s been in a corner of my mind. Maybe I’m afraid to consider it. Dee Dee, he’s so good to me and he’s such a good Christian man. With that combination you would think I couldn’t go wrong. I don’t know why I have this niggling feeling in the back of my mind: what if?”

Dee Dee came over and sat next to me. “Trix, you’ve been through a lot. I know it was hard on you when Wade up and left. Once you’ve been betrayed by the one person you think will protect you, it’s hard to trust again. But Beau isn’t Wade. There comes a time when you have to let go and let God.”

“I know, Dee Dee. You’re right; Beau is nothing like Wade. I know in my heart what the answer is. I’ve known since he asked me. It’s just saying the words out loud. Oh well, in the words of Scarlett O’Hara, ‘oh fiddle-dee-dee I’ll think about this tomorrow.’” She squeezed my hand and returned to her bed. Before I knew it I heard soft snoring.

I turned toward the wall and tried to stop the thoughts that swirled in my head. Finally, sleep called my name. My dreams were more confusing than when I was awake. Grace ran along the beach holding a garden gnome yelling, “You killed me, you killed me!” Laura ran after Grace yelling, “I didn’t do it. Give me back my gnome.” Nana, dressed in a hot pink two-piece bathing suit, ran after Laura yelling, “Wait for me. I’ll help you solve the murder.” Last but not least, Dee Dee and I brought up the rear yelling and flailing our arms. I was unable to decipher what we said.

“Hey, wake up.” I looked into the familiar face of Mama. “Were you running from someone? Your feet were churning the covers.” Mama chuckled softly. It was good to hear her laugh. Even at my expense.

“Something like that.” I stretched my arms above my head and emitted a loud yawn. “I must have been wiped out.” I reached for my cell phone I’d placed on the bedside table. “What time is it? I haven’t missed dinner have I?” My phone showed the time was a little before six.

“That’s why I came up to get you. Everyone’s gathered downstairs. George arrived a few minutes ago.” Mama sat down beside me. “Trixie, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you and Dee Dee helping Laura. I felt so bad for her. I’ve known Laura for years and I feel strongly she couldn’t have murdered Grace.”

“Mama, I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate all you’ve done for me. You lifted me up when I was lower than a snake’s belly and helped me back on my feet. I love you.” I could feel the tears pooling in the corners of my eyes.

“Aw, honey.” She comforted me in a bear hug. “I love you, too.” I noticed I wasn’t the only one with teary eyes. “Come on; let’s go get something to eat.”

“Okay, let me freshen up and I’ll be down in a minute.” I didn’t want to scare anyone with my porcupine hair. A few minutes later I descended the stairs. I looked around and noticed everyone was present. Dee Dee, Nana and George were at one table. Mama, Laura, and Ellie Sloan were at another. Harold and Cassie Daniels sat at another table.

Laura jumped up and headed toward the kitchen. “Now that we’re all here I’ll help Louise serve.” Once again, Louise outdid herself. They placed the feast on a central table and everyone served their own plates. We dined on baked ham, slaw, potato salad, baked beans, green beans, and biscuits. We had a choice of peach cobbler or seven layer chocolate cake for dessert.