“Sure I did. I don’t snore.”

Dee Dee laughed so hard I thought she was going to fall back on the bed. “Come on and get up. Your mama stopped by and said dinner was about ready to be served.”

“It can’t be that late.” I looked at the bedside clock to see for myself. Sure enough it was almost seven.

“Yep. We slept longer than I thought we would, but the trip took a lot out of us. Go ahead and I’ll wait on you to get ready,” Dee Dee said.

A few minutes later we walked down to the dining room together. A crowd had already gathered. It looked like everybody from the Ocean View Inn was in attendance: George Knight, Bubba Maxwell, Kiki and Nick Sanderson, and John Porter.

George sat by Nana and Mama sat next to her. Ellie sat next to Cassie and her husband Harold sat next to her. There were two empty chairs for Dee Dee and me at a table occupied by Bubba and John.

“Ladies, take a seat,” Laura waved across our table. “Louise, my fabulous cook, is going to help me serve.” She returned to the kitchen. When Laura and Louise walked back into the dining room their arms were laden with food. Fresh fish was the entrée for the evening. Side dishes included slaw, hush puppies, green beans, and baked potatoes. Now this is what I’d been waiting for with baited breath: a fresh seafood meal.

Talk around the tables focused on Grace’s death.

Who would do something like this? Why would someone do this? And the burning question was, “Is the killer or killers still in the neighborhood?”

Laura urged all of us to retire to the living room for coffee and our choice of bread pudding, or chocolate cake. That’s where we were when the doorbell rang. Louise promptly answered the door.

“Ms. Laura, there’s a man here to see you,” she called.

Detective Joe Baker followed her in. “Good evening, people. I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but I’m here on business.” He looked around taking in the crew of guests in attendance. His gaze stayed a little longer on Dee Dee. She smiled like a cat that just finished a bowl of milk, and though he didn’t smile back, his eyes said it all with their twinkle.

“Hi, Detective. Were you looking for me?” Laura came in from the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron.

“Yes, ma’am. I need to talk with you. Let’s go somewhere private.”

We busied ourselves stacking the empty dessert dishes, wondering what the conversation was in the other room. We didn’t have long to wait because they returned quicker than a hound dog chasing a coon. Tears trailed down Laura’s face. When she spotted Mama she openly cried.

“Oh, Betty Jo. They’re taking me in for questioning. The detective said he has evidence that makes me a person of interest. Please, help me.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Don’t worry, Laura. I’ll wait up until the detective brings you back.” Mama gave him a scornful look, daring him to do otherwise.

“I should have her back in a couple of hours.” His gaze raked over every person present. “I may have to interview each of you again, so be expecting it.”

Mama gave Laura a big hug and with that they were gone.

Everyone talked at once. “Why did they take Laura? When are they going to return with her? Do they suspect her?” We exhausted ourselves with the possibilities until we were out of ideas, and I noticed most of the guests from Ocean View Inn had left except for George. He scooted a little closer to Nana.

“Girls, why don’t you go on to bed and I’ll wait up for Laura?” Mama stood up and gathered the dessert dishes.

“Watch it Betty Jo,” Dee Dee pulled her almost empty dish out of Mama’s reach, “I still have another bite.” She wasn’t about to let go of her second helping of bread pudding.

“I don’t know if I can sleep, but I’m sure willing to try.” I handed Mama my bowl. “Why don’t you let us know when Laura gets back?” I stood up and stretched like a cat waking from a nap.

“Nana, want to come up with us?”

Nana patted George’s arm. “I think I’ll stay here for a little while longer.” She smiled at George and he mirrored her smile.

“Come on, Dee. It looks like it’s time for us to hit the hay.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the steps.

“You might hit the hay, but I’m going to hit the bed.” Dee Dee guffawed.

We retreated to our lovely room. My knee ached, so I soaked in a tub of warm water, hoping to ease the pain. We shared a bathroom with Mama and Nana, but since they decided to stay downstairs a while longer I didn’t feel guilty hogging the bathroom.

“I’ll just be a few minutes Dee, then you can soak.” I surveyed the room while I relaxed. The cozy room boasted white walls with white and black tile floor covering. A border complimenting the color scheme decorated the walls. A unique hand-painted piece of glass hung on the wall. A closer looked illuminated the artist’s name, Nancy Smith. I’d heard Seaside Sisters, a variety store located downtown Tybee, sold these special paintings. The Seaside Sisters was definitely on my list of places to visit.

“Hey, have you drowned in there?” Dee Dee hollered from the bedroom.

“Hold on! I’m coming. I’m soaking these old bones.”

“Just kidding. Take your time.”

A few minutes later I exited the bathroom feeling like a renewed woman.

“Let me see your hands.” Dee Dee grabbed my hands and turned them palms up. “Just wanted to see if they look like prunes.”

“Ha, ha. Very funny. I’d wager you’ll stay as long as I did when you sink down in that claw-foot tub.” I sat on my bed and a huge yawn escaped.

“All right, sleepyhead. Go ahead and turn out the lights. I’ll be out in a few minutes.

I snuggled under the covers. My relaxed body melded into the soft bed sheets. It was a little bit of heaven on earth. I really wanted to stay up and ask Mama how Laura’s interview went. But a few minutes after my head hit the pillow I was sound asleep.

A knock on the bedroom door startled me from deep slumber. “Trixie, you awake?” Mama opened the door just enough to stick her head in.

I sat up in bed and pulled the covers up for warmth. Dee Dee propped up on her elbow to see what was going on. “Sure, Mama. Come on in.” The morning sun poured through the window, illuminating the room.

I scrunched my feet up so she could sit on the end of my bed. Mama wore a wrinkled brow and looked like she hadn’t slept much.

“Mama, what’s the matter?”

“It’s Laura. I waited for Detective Baker to bring her back.” Mama picked at a loose thread on the cover. “It’s not good news.”

“What do you mean, Betty Jo?” Dee Dee sat up and swung her feet over the side of the bed.

“They found the murder weapon not far from the body. Laura’s fingerprints were all over it.”

“What!” My mind couldn’t conjure up an image of this sweet lady as a murderer. Then again I suppose anyone pushed to the brink could act on impulse. “What was the murder weapon?”

“A garden gnome.”

Dee Dee laughed out loud and I couldn’t help but smile. Mama wasn’t amused.

“I’m sorry,” Dee Dee said through another burst of giggles. “I know it’s not funny, but a garden gnome. How could you kill somebody with a garden gnome?”

I took Mama’s hand in mine. “Mama, why do they think Laura killed Grace Watkins?”

“I know it seems far-fetched anyone would use a gnome as a murder weapon, but Detective Baker said her head was smashed in by blunt force. The gnome belonged to Laura. She had it in her yard for decoration. You know how popular they’ve become lately.”

“They do seem to be the rave right now. But there must be a hundred gnomes on the island.” Dee Dee plunged her feet into her fuzzy cat slippers.

“That’s just it. The gnome they found near the body came from Laura’s garden, and was custom painted to match the cottage trim. It didn’t help it’s common knowledge she maintained an on-going feud with Grace.” Mama got up and strolled around the room. “She’s inconsolable.”