Throughout the tour a uniformed man had followed us through the house. He held back a few feet behind the group, but it was obvious he was a security guard.

“Dee, I think that might be Bert. Let’s see if we can get a look at his name tag.”

“Okay.” In perfect Dee Dee style she skipped the investigation and went right in for the kill. “Hi, is your name Bert Watkins?”

“How may I help you?”

Dee Dee turned and smiled at me. “The balls’ in your court.”

“Bert, is there somewhere private we can talk? I work for Georgia By the Way and I’d like to interview you about the Mercer Williams House.” I sent up a silent prayer. Father, I need your help here.

Bert swallowed and his Adam’s apple bobbled up and down. “Well, we aren’t allowed to talk about the murder.” I swanny I thought I saw him shake. Was he that afraid of Mona?

“That’s all right. We don’t have to talk about the dastardly deed. I’ll focus on the house and the antiques Mr. Williams amassed.” Maybe Dee Dee would bring it up later.

He surveyed the gift shop before he answered. “I guess it won’t hurt to talk to you for a while. Follow me to my office.” I could have hugged him, but I restrained my impulse. I hoped we could escape before Attila the Hun returned to announce the next tour. We wove our way through tourists and exited out the back door of the gift shop. We stopped in the doorway of what appeared to be a tool shed. Bert turned around and looked at Dee Dee like he’d just noticed she’d tagged along.

He eyed Dee Dee up and down. “Uh, my office is kinda’ small. I’m not sure we can all fit in there.”

A spark of fire lit up Dee Dee’s eyes. I hurried to extinguish it before she squashed this little man into a pancake.

“It’s okay; this won’t take long.” I had my own doubts, but didn’t dare voice them. Dee Dee and I both weighed more than Grace’s ex-husband. I could see where he would be an easy target for a strong willed woman. I didn’t know how he managed to snag a job as a security guard.

He didn’t look too convinced we’d fit, but he led the way into the cramped tool shed. Off to the left was a small area with a desk and chair. He was right; we couldn’t fit in the confined area. Dee Dee stood among the rakes and shovels, but I needed her with me. As always, I kept my promise to ask questions for the magazine. Then I loaded for bear.

“Do you know Grace Watkins?” I mentally braced myself for his reply.

His brows rose. “What has she got to do with the Mercer Williams house?”

“Well she doesn’t really have anything to do with it.”

“We’re here on Laura Walker’s behalf,” Dee Dee picked up the trail. “She’s a person of interest in Grace’s murder.”

I made finger quotes when Dee Dee said, “person of interest.”

He looked from one of us to the other. “Well, there ain’t much to tell. We just didn’t get along, that’s all.” Like most other men, Bert seemed to be a man of few words. We’d have to pull them out.

Dee Dee snorted. When we both looked at her she covered her mouth and coughed. Nice try Dee, but I can see right through that fake cough.

She went on with the questioning. “Bert, could you tell us some names of people Grace had a run-in with?” Dee Dee grabbed the notebook and pen from my hand.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but it would be easier to name the people she didn’t have trouble with. Grace just rubbed people the wrong way. I tried, I truly did, but I couldn’t take her nagging at me anymore. It was hard to start over, but I didn’t have a choice. I knew if I stayed in the marriage one of us wasn’t going to make it out alive.” Bert busied himself straightening some papers on his desk, but not before I noticed moisture in his eyes.

“I wish I could have been more help. I need to get back to work now.” He stood and swung his hand toward the door, an invitation for us to leave.

“Thanks for your time, Bert.” We trailed him out of the tool shed.

We made a few purchases in the gift shop then decided to find somewhere to eat. “I saw a café about a block from here. I think I could walk if you want to.”

“Sure, I’m up for a vigorous walk.” Dee Dee slung her bag’s strap over her shoulder.

“Dee, you know I can’t walk fast.” I wondered if she’d lost her mind.

She put her arm around my shoulder. “Aw, Trix, I was just kidding. You should have me figured out by now.” Her laughter floated through the air.

“I’m just beginning to learn who I am. And I have you and Beau to thank for that. You’ve encouraged me to look inside myself and find who was in there beside just a mother and wife. Your faith has taught me to lean on the One who is stronger than me. Someone who’ll never let me down. Like you know who.” Tears dampened my eyes. But this time, instead of sad tears, they were tears of relief. I swiped at the moisture pooled in the corner of my eyes.

Dee Dee squeezed my hand. “I love you, too, Trixie.” She rewarded me with a huge smile. “Come on, let’s go get something to eat; we’re getting way too maudlin.”

It felt good to laugh. But we wouldn’t be laughing by the end of the day.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

As we walked to the café, a chill invaded my body. I shivered and fast rubbed my arms. I didn’t know whether the chill was from the slight breeze that blew or was a forewarning. I decided it was the draft and put it out of my mind. When I later recalled that fateful day, I realized I should have given my gut feeling more credence.

“Trix, take a gander at these houses. They’re so beautiful.” Dee Dee twirled around to take in all sights.

“Wouldn’t you love to live here? Do you ever wonder what the owners do for a living to be able to afford such a house?”

I looked in awe, and yes a bit of envy, at the grand houses surrounding the Mercer Williams house. I noticed most of them boasted ironwork of some kind. Fences, balconies, window boxes, and even rails attached to curved stairways were made of iron.

“I sure do. I sometimes have an urge to ring their doorbell and ask them.” She giggled at her comment. “Hey, why don’t we just go ahead and do it? I think I’ll march up to this house right here and ask for a tour.” She pointed to the house in front of us.

My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure if she was serious or being facetious. I decided to turn the tables. I grabbed her arm. “Okay, let’s go.” I headed toward the curved stairway, dragging her along. Her wide eyes and O-shaped mouth told me all I needed to know. I bent over in laughter.

“Trixie! How could you?” She playfully hit me with her enormous bag. “I guess you learned from the best. Come on; I see the café over on the next block.”

We discussed what we’d learned from Bert. We agreed he’d confirmed what everyone else had told us; Grace didn’t make friends easily. We settled in at the little café on the corner, aptly named The Corner café. Up-scale tourist trinkets filled a hutch against one of the walls. Homemade jellies, commemorative plates, and candles were just a few of the gifts the diners could buy for their friends left behind at home.

I decided to eat a salad so I wouldn’t feel so guilty for all of the calorie-laden food I’d eaten over the last several days. I didn’t suppose I would be considered over weight, but it wouldn’t take much to push me over the line. I really tried to eat healthy, but I usually failed miserably.

Dee Dee ordered a salad, too. “Hey copy-cat,” I said. I shot her a smile to let her know I was kidding.

“Well, they say the greatest compliment is imitation. I thought it was a great idea. Then we can order dessert and feel good about our healthy lunch.”

I waggled my fork. “What suggestions do you have for our next move?” I felt like the weight of the world sat on my shoulders. Mama and Laura had put a lot of faith in my crime-solving skills. But the fact was I didn’t believe I had special skills. I couldn’t have solved the murder in Dahlonega without the help of God and Dee Dee. I needed their help now more than ever.