“Babe, that’s horrible, but finding the body shouldn’t land you on the suspect list.

“I wish it were that simple. Detective Sams, she’s the lady detective on the case – you ought to see her Beau – she’s Dee Dee’s twin except for her skin tone. Anyway, she said they found my fingerprints on her teacup and teapot. Of course they did. I visited her earlier in the evening and she asked me to look at the set. My fingerprints were all over them. On top of that, I was the last one to be alone with her.” I grabbed a fresh wad of paper to wipe my eyes.

“Slow down honey, let me think about this. What does the teapot have to do with anything?” I knew his criminal justice mind was working overtime and hoped he could piece together the facts so I could prove my innocence.

“Detective Sams said they found poison in her tea. Oh, I forgot they found some of the tea in my room. It’s a rare blend of tea that she ordered off the internet. Beau, I think I’ve been framed. I don’t have any other explanation for the tea showing up in my room.”

“It sounds that way to me, too.” He paused a beat. “You do need to prove your innocence.”

At the same time as his comment made me feel better, it also set my heart to a panicked flitter. I’d hoped he would reassure me that it didn’t look all that bad, but now he was agreeing I was in real trouble.

“Let me make some calls for you, and as soon as I can get someone to cover, I’ll come over there and do what I can to help. It might take a day or so.”

“I’d really appreciate that, honey.”

“How’s Nana taking all this?”

“You know Nana, she’s ready to take on the world for me. She fell night before last and broke her arm, but she’s doing great. She’s sporting a hot pink cast and asking everyone to sign it.” She wouldn’t have any room left before long. “She even asked the waitresses to sign it. I’ve never seen anyone so proud of a broken arm.”

The door squeaked open a little. Speaking of Nana, a little gray head peeked around the frame. “Trixie, you finished in there? I’ve got to use the lady’s room.”

“Just a minute, Nana, I’m talking to Beau.” Oops, I spoke before I thought.

“Beau! Let me speak to him.” She threw the door wide open. There she stood decked out in her footy pajamas.

I heard Beau’s voice drift from the phone. “Trixie, is that my best girl?” He called Nana his best girl and she loved the nickname. That’s how I met Beau. He was Mama’s next door neighbor and helped her out with yard work, and when Wade stepped out on me, she invited Beau over for barbecue ribs and potato salad, and told me to bring a lemon meringue pie, and the rest is history.

He’d always been a help to Mama and Nana long before I’d moved back home. I’d forever appreciate what he’d done for them. And that was just a small indication of what kind of man my Beau is. I listened to the two catching up.

“Hey, Beau. You ought to see my cast. Sure, I’m doing fine. Can you believe the mess Trixie’s gotten herself into? Don’t you worry one little bit. Dee Dee and I are going to help Trixie find the real killer. We’ve already interviewed a couple of people and have more lined up. What? Oh, I love you, too. You want to speak to Trixie now.” Nana handed me the phone with a smile plastered on her face. You’d think she was the one married to him.

We talked a few more minutes with Beau assuring me he’d come to Chattanooga as soon as he could. “Everything will be okay. God only knows why you’re a magnet for dead bodies.” I could hear the worry in his voice even as he spoke encouraging words to me.

I went into the bedroom and let Nana have the bathroom. Dee Dee propped up on her elbow. “What’s going on?” She looked at Nana’s empty bed. “Nana, okay?”

“Yeah, she’s in the bathroom. I just finished talking to Beau. He’ll be here in a few days.”

Nana returned. “And I told him all about how you and I were gonna’ help Trixie.” A smile crept across her face. I failed to see the humor.

“Good for you, Nana. I’m sure he felt a lot better knowing you and I were on the case.” Talk about being facetious. Dee Dee won the prize.

I yawned, then Nana copied me. “It looks like these detectives better get some shut-eye if we’re going to get up early and interview Bodene tomorrow.” Within minutes I heard a symphony of snoring, but I couldn’t sleep. The glowing red numerals on the clock read one, and I still tossed and turned.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

I dozed fitfully all night. Images of Detective Sams, Sergeant Gary Sargent, elves, and Annie in her pink bathrobe danced in my head. Nana’s voice invaded my dreams. “Get up, Trixie. The sun’s already up.” Why was she telling me to get up? Then I felt someone shaking me. I waded through the thick fog of sleep and realized Nana was not part of my dream.

“What is it Nana?” I peeped at her with one eye.

“Come on lazy-head. It’s eight already and you’re not even dressed.”

Nana was decked out in a matching ensemble. She wore hot pink jogging pants and jacket over a white tee shirt. I had to admit she was cute. Fortunately, her cast came to just below her elbow making it possible for her to dress herself. She must be feeling a lot better.

“Naaaana. It’s too early to get up; I didn’t sleep good last night.” I pulled the covers over my head hoping she’d go away.

She pulled them right back off. “Oh no you don’t. We have some detectin’ to do today.”

“Hey, what’s going on over there?” Dee Dee sat up in bed. “My goodness, Nana, you’re dressed already.”

“Yep, we’ve got a job to do. We’re not going to prove Trixie’s innocence staying in bed all day.” Nana put her hands on her hips and struck a serious pose. I couldn’t help but chuckle, and Dee Dee joined in the levity.

“What’s so funny?”

“Aw, Nana, you know we love you.” Dee Dee tucked her feet into her kitty slippers, padded over and gave Nana a hug.

“Come on girls, get dressed so we can go get something to eat.” This started another round of laughter. This time Nana joined in. It was good to laugh.

Less than an hour later we sat in an IHOP eating a stack of pancakes. I knew this wasn’t the healthiest nutrition around, but it was comforting. I totally got comfort food.

I was pleasantly surprised when I found Bubba Tate’s address. I called him up to ask if I could interview him on his invention. I filled them in while Nana dredged her bacon through a puddle of maple syrup. “He knew all about the magazine and was thrilled to be the center of attention.” I felt bad for using him to get to Bodene, but I had to find a way to talk to him.

“What are you going to do if Bodene isn’t there?” Dee Dee drizzled warm blueberry syrup on her pancakes.

“Let’s just hope he is.” I topped off my coffee and grabbed the sugary liquid. It looked delicious dripping down the sides of Dee’s pancakes.

Our waitress approached the table. By the wrinkles etched on her face, she’d lived a lifetime and a half already, but she was probably only in her thirties. “I brought a fresh pot of coffee.” She replaced the carafe sitting on the table.” Is there anything else I can get ya’?”

“Dee Dee and I said “no thanks,” but Nana asked for a couple more pancakes. Nana possessed a metabolism any woman would covet.

“Girls, we need to find a church to attend this morning. The Lord knows we could use all the help we can get. And I feel like the need for a good dose of spiritual food. ” Nana wiped a drop of syrup off her chin.

“What a wonderful idea. We could stop at one on the way to Bubba’s,” Dee Dee said.

“I agree.” We waited on Nana to finish her short stack and set out on our expedition. I was thankful for the short walk to the car. My new knee had taken more punishment the past few days than it had since surgery.