“That’s right.” Not knowing if he was one of the bad guys, I didn’t want to give away too much information. “I have a bum knee and I fell when the lights went out.”

“I hope it’s better.” He looked at my cane, motioning to two red leather visitor chairs in front of his desk. “Now what can I do for you?”

“I’m Trixie Montgomery and I write for “Georgia by the Way.” I motioned toward Dee Dee, who had made herself comfortable, and I sat in her chair’s twin.

“I’m familiar with “Georgia by the Way.” He leaned forward and settled his hands on his desk. “What does that have to do with me?”

“I’m working on a story about the museum. The night Jacob was killed, Dee Dee and I were there.”

He stood up, walked around his desk and closed the door. I wondered what he had to hide. I intended to find out.

“I’m interviewing all the board members. Can you tell me a little about your position at the museum?”

I let him drone on about his love of history and the antiques he’d collected over the years. It was time to get to the nitty-gritty.

“Jeffrey. Doc is in a lot of trouble. Detective Bowerman, the investigating officer, has his sights on Doc. We’re trying to help him. Did you demand Doc fire Jacob for making passes at Susan Gray?”

“Yes, I did. And I don’t see why you’re getting mixed up in this.” He leaned forward, arms crossed. “What is it to you?”

“Trixie helped solve a murder last year in Dahlonega, and saved my hide.” Dee Dee told him. “She’s got a knack for it. When Doc found out he was in deep, he asked Trixie to help.”

I couldn’t tell who owned the biggest mouth, Dee Dee or Nana. It’s a toss-up.

“Really?” He stared directly into my eyes. I didn’t like the way he glared at me. Fear gnawed at the pit of my stomach, and perspiration beaded on my forehead.

“And what have you found out so far?” He glanced from me to Dee Dee.

“Well, let’s see,” Dee Dee began. I faked a pneumatic cough hoping Dee Dee would put a lock on her lips. She grabbed the water from Jeffrey’s desk and handed it to me.

“Drink it, Trixie. It’ll keep you from choking.” When I didn’t take the water she shoved it in my hands. “Drink it! I promise it will work.” I was going to choke her if she didn’t sit down in her chair.

“I’m all right now.” We had to make a quick escape. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I was getting a real bad feeling about Jeffrey. “Come on, Dee Dee. I think I need to go, I’m not doing well.

Jeffrey opened the door for us. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, Ms. Montgomery. Please be careful. Digging into a murder investigation could turn out to be dangerous.” Was it my imagination or did he over emphasize “danger?” Relief flooded through me as we exited the building.

Back in the car Dee asked, “Where to James?” This time, her joke fell flat. She wasn’t as perky as earlier, and neither was I.

“Let’s head to the museum and see if Doc’s in. Maybe he can update us on his status with the detective.”

“Trixie, what if Doc killed Jacob? We don’t know him that well. Maybe we’re wasting our time.”

She had a point. But my gut told me Doc was innocent. I prayed my gut wasn’t wrong. Our lives depended on it.

We pulled into the parking lot. I grabbed Dee Dee’s arm before she could exit the car and gave her my serious look. “Don’t you dare pretend you’re Scarlett. I’ve had enough of Scarlett for the rest of my life.”

“Okey dokey, your wish is my command. Obviously your knee hurts and it’s making you grumpy.”

I was grumpy, and my knee did hurt, but I couldn’t give up. We were close. Maybe too close and someone tried to stop us.

Marianne manned the front desk. “Hi, I’m glad to see you.”

“I’m glad to be here.” Marianne met my gaze, her eyes clear and bright. “Doc and I worked out a plan so I can repay what I took.”

I patted her hand. “That’s wonderful. Is he in?”

At that moment, Doc walked out of his office and saw us. “Hey, there.” He eyed my cane and gently took my elbow. “Penny and I were so worried about you. Come in and sit down, tell me how you’re doing.” He led us into his office.

“I’ve been better. The question is how are you doing?” He showed me to a chair and waited until I settled in.

“Not so good,” he said. “Detective Bowerman has been back, questioning me several times. He’s relentless. Maybe he thinks I’ll confess if he wears me down. If so, he’s in for a big disappointment. I’m not going to confess to something I didn’t do.”

“Doc, Trixie and I believe we’re getting close. That’s why Dora’s house was broken into and Trixie was pushed down last night,” Dee Dee said.

“I appreciate your help, ladies. But I don’t want you in harm’s way. You probably shouldn’t try to investigate anymore. The case is getting too dangerous.” He shook his head and his shoulders drooped.

“We’re already in up to our eyeballs. The killer doesn’t want us to finish what we started, but we don’t have a choice,” I argued. “It’s imperative we find out who the killer is before he kills us.” I readjusted my bottom on the seat. The worn chair had lost its padding long ago.

“We’ve interviewed all the people on our list: Marianne, Susan, Gloria, Jeffrey, Sammy and Steven. Each and everyone have a motive. Jacob was blackmailing Marianne. By the way Doc, we’re happy to see Marianne still here.”

“I gave it a tremendous amount of thought and prayer. Jesus had a lot to say about forgiveness. He tells us in Ephesians to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” He cupped his hands over his face as if he was praying. He was silent for a minute, Dee Dee and I waited.

“How could I not forgive her?” he said. “I’ve fallen short so many times in my life. Several people have given me a second chance, and that’s why I’ve come as far as I have. I could be rotting in jail in the Bahamas. Penny is going to take over the finances for the museum and I’ve come up with a plan for Marianne to pay back what she borrowed. I pray I’m doing the right thing.”

“You’re being more than generous and I’m sure she appreciates it,” Dee Dee said.

“Not to mention that Gloria is telling everyone you stole the money,” I said. “Won’t the board demand her dismissal?”

“I have the last word on employees, and Marianne will stay as long as I have a job.”

“Then all the more reason we need to find the killer.” I leaned back, the chair squeaking in protest. “Let’s get back to our list.”

Dee Dee pulled a rumpled piece of paper from her bag.

“Susan also has motive,” I began. “She had an affair with Jacob and she didn’t want Jeffrey to know. On top of that, her bookstore is about to face foreclosure.” I mentally put a check by her name. My vote went to Susan. She had the most to lose or gain, depending on how you looked at it.

Dee Dee spoke up. “We visited Jeffrey this morning. When we arrived, Sammy was in his office and we heard them arguing. I haven’t figured out what Sammy’s motive might be. Jeffrey could have found out about Jacob and wanted him out of the way.” She tapped Jeffrey’s name on her list to accentuate his guilt.

“That leaves Gloria and Steven,” Doc stated. “I can’t envision Gloria being strong enough to kill anyone, and I’m not sure she has a motive. I know she wants Steven to take over as director, but killing Jacob wouldn’t guarantee Steven’s appointment.” He pushed his glasses up on his nose and wiped his brow with his handkerchief.

“That’s not exactly true, Doc,” I said. “If you go to prison for killing Jacob, then Steven could step in as director with her recommendation. So she does have motive.”

“Put that way, I guess you’re right,” he said.

“That goes for Steven as well. It would be to his advantage if you were out of the way, Doc.” I thought back to last night, when I met Steven. He seemed like such a nice young gentleman. I struggled picturing him as a killer.