Faster than a chameleon changing colors, she transformed from a composed young lady to a ranting female.

“Look, you want the truth?”

Even though I wasn’t so sure anymore, I nodded my head.

“I’ll give you the truth. I don’t care if that old bat is dead. She was my brother’s teacher in college. Leonard was about to graduate when she failed him in English. He didn’t have enough credits to walk with his class. He’d already invited his family and friends to the celebration. She was some wannabe writer who just couldn’t cut it in the real world. So she took it out on her students.”

Tears rolled down her bronze cheeks. “He was devastated. Not graduating with his class was the last straw and he started drinking again. He had a problem when he was a teenager, but he’d gotten back on track and was trying to get his degree. He had to study harder than most just to keep his head above water. Annie Hamilton,” she spewed her name like venom, “wouldn’t give him a break. Is that enough truth for you?” Her voice faded as if she was out of breath.

I looked over at wide-eyed Dee Dee. “Why couldn’t he just walk, and then take the class in summer school, they do that all…”

“Because she accused him of cheating and they have a zero tolerance for that.”

I couldn’t have been more surprised to discover Lori harbored so much animosity toward Annie. I had wondered if there was some connection between them, but never imagined it went so deep.

“Uh, I’m so sorry to hear about this Lori.” This was huge, but so many years later, why would she murder anyone?

“How is your brother, dear?” Dee Dee wiggled around in her chair like a bear trying to scratch an itch.

“He finally pulled himself together, took some classes at the community college and appealed for the university to award him his degree. They gave him an F in her class, but he eventually got his diploma.”

Drat. I didn’t like to think my freedom depended on pinning the murder on someone else, but it was my neck that would be in the noose so to speak.

She seemed spent after her rant. “Look, I shouldn’t have told you all of this. I’ve tried to let it go, but it took my brother years to get over what she did to him.” She shook her head. “When I found out she was going to teach this class I figured it would be the perfect time to confront her.”

“Did you ever tell her about Leonard?”

“I know what you’re thinking, but I didn’t kill her. I didn’t even get the chance to talk with her. I’m not sorry she’s dead, but I didn’t do it.” Her eyes widened and she turned a shade paler. “You’re not going to tell the detective about this are you?”

Boy was she delusional. “Lori, how about I give you the chance to tell her first. Then I won’t have to.” I wondered if I was giving a killer reason to go after me.

Dee Dee looked at her watch. “I think we need to go, Trix.” She was giving me an out and I wasn’t going to waste it.

I looked at my watch, too. “I believe you’re right. We need to get back and check on Nana.” I turned toward Lori, “my great-aunt Nana fell and broke her arm. We left her at the hotel by herself and we don’t want to leave her alone too long. Thanks for talking with us.”

“I hope you’ll consider my suggestion not to tell Detective Sams what I’ve disclosed to you. I wish I hadn’t spilled my guts but I needed to talk to somebody.” Wow, had I put Dee Dee and myself in harm’s way now? The soup and salad I’d eaten for lunch now felt like a lead ball.

“Okay, well thank you for your time Lori and we’ll be on our way.” Dee Dee grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the door. She didn’t have to pull hard, because I harbored no desire to linger.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

We high-tailed it to the car. “Wow, she has a burr under her saddle,” Dee Dee said. “Do you think she did it?”

“Yeah, I sensed she knew Annie, but had no idea she harbored such hate.” I swerved to miss a car drifting into my lane. “Sheds light on Annie’s attitude.”

“You’d never kill over jealousy would you?” Dee Dee said. “I’ve heard of being bitter, but to lash out at someone for their talent, that’s harsh.”

I swerved to avoid a car speed-changing lanes.

“You’d think this was the Indie 500 the way people are driving. I don’t know why everyone is in such a hurry,” Dee Dee said.

“Holiday shopping traffic. It’s only a couple more weeks until Christmas.” I thought of how quickly the year had flown by; a year of being Mrs. Beau Beaumont. I wanted, no needed, to hurry home to him. I applied a little more pressure on the gas pedal.

“And here we are smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. How did we get so lucky, Trix?”

“Don’t know, but we have to find a way out of the middle. I can’t wait to get back to work on the Ghoston article and home to Beau. I miss him.” I could at least call and hear his voice, but I dreaded telling him about the murder.

“I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when you tell him about Annie. I wish he wasn’t halfway across the country so he could help us.” Dee Dee rooted around in her bag.

“What ya’ looking for, Dee?”

She pulled out something, raised it in the air and yelled, “ta da! It was a pack of crackers. “My chicken salad has flown the coop.” She held the package in front of my face. “Want some?”

My vision obscured, I slammed on the brakes. Thank goodness we were on a side street. I glanced in the rear view and let out a breath of relief since there were no cars behind us. “What in the world were you doing, Dee Dee. You almost got us killed.”

“Sorry, I was just being nice. If you don’t want any just say so.”

“Uh, I didn’t say that. Hand me over a couple, I could sure use some sustenance.” She pulled two out of the pack and handed them over. “Yummy, cheese on wheat. Thanks, Dee.” I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating. The crackers just whetted my appetite.

“What do you want to do for supper?” The thought of food was never far from Dee Dee’s mind.

“I don’t know right now. Give me a little time to think about it. Maybe we can look at the Chattanooga directory in our room and pick out a good restaurant.” I’d thumbed through the directory earlier and noticed it listed dining choices, tourist attractions and accommodations.

“Sounds like a plan. I think I’ll take a little snooze before we go out. I wonder how Nana’s doing. She’s something else isn’t she? I hope I have the energy she does when I reach her age. Oh shoot, I don’t even have her energy now.” We both laughed at Dee Dee’s observation. She was right though, on a good day Nana could run circles around both of us.

When we entered our room, Nana was talking on the phone. Now the proud owner of a cell phone for seniors and she loves to talk on it. I mouthed “who are you talking to?”

“Your mama. Want to talk to her?” My mother came straight from the lineage of Job. That woman had more patience than anyone I knew. But even Mama needed a break from Nana now and then. That’s why I didn’t mind taking her with me when I could.

“Sure, I’d love to.” Mama came to my rescue more than once. Watching Nana for a while was the least I could do for her. I laid my purse and coat on the bed and took the phone.

“Hi Mama. How are things in Vans Valley?”

“The question is how are things with you, Trixie? I’ve been so worried about you and Nana. Do you want me to come pick her up and bring her home?”

“To tell you the truth, I’ve thought about it Mama, but I think we’re fine for now. Nana’s resting most of the time.” Well, some of the time anyway.

“Okay, you just let me know if you want me to come.” I knew Mama would come faster than a snowman melting on a sunny day, but I’d wait until I was sure I needed her.

“How’s Bouncer?” Mama took care of my border collie when I was out of town.