The English Rose was established in 1997 as an authentic British Tearoom, designed to bring timeless traditions of England to Chattanooga. The atmosphere, menu and staff reflect our British customs.

The Tearoom is in the foyer of the original Grand Hotel. The hotel was built in the 1890’s to accommodate passengers using the newly opened railroads to the South. This explains our location across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

“Isn’t this charming, girls?” Dee Dee proudly asked.

“Yes, it is Dee,” Mama said. “Why don’t we get the Afternoon Tea? It sounds delicious. And it’ll be on me.”

“Aw, Mama, you don’t have to do that.” Dee Dee agreed with me and we bantered back and forth until we acquiesced. After all, Mama said we shouldn’t deprive her of a chance to give. You can’t argue with logic like that.

We told Mama and Nana about our adventure to the Sheraton Read House. Dee Dee couldn’t wait to share about her new friend Daniel and what she’d seen. Everyone laughed at Dee Dee’s tale of an argument they’d had over whether a chair was a Chippendale, until a maid overheard and showed them the Furniture Barn receipt. “I guess we were both a little twitter-pated,” she admitted. Dee Dee knew her antiques better than I’d memorized my liver spots, so I knew she was falling quickly for Daniel.

While we waited for our scones, I browsed through the pictures. I studied the one that kept popping up in the back of my mind. I was sure the young teenager in the picture was Tippi. She was standing between Bobby Lee Ghoston and his wife. The red hair and the long legs caught my eye just like they did the first time I met her at the writer’s workshop. Stunning.

I was eager to question her. Could an inheritance from Bobby Lee be a motive for murder? She did drive a fancy sports car. My mind was spinning with unanswered questions like a gerbil on a spinning wheel but getting nowhere.

“Hey, Trix, what’s going on in that head of yours?” Dee Dee’s question interrupted my thoughts. “You looked like you were a million miles away. Did you find something in those pictures?”

“Actually, I did, Dee Dee.” I handed her the picture. “See the young girl in the middle?” She nodded. “I believe that’s Tabitha, Tad’s daughter and Bobby Lee’s ward. Remember Tilly told us her story? The only thing is that she goes by Tippi now.”

“If she was raised by the Ghostons, and stood to inherit a lot of money, then that’s definitely a motive for murder,” Dee Dee said. “Sounds like something we need to follow up on.”

“Yeah, it does. I’m in!” Nana was sure she’d be invited along for the ride. I’d have to think quickly if I was going to get out of this. She saw right through me.

“Don’t even think about leaving me behind, Missy.” Nana crossed her arms as best she could with her cast.

I turned to Mama. “You might as well go with us.” Maybe she could help keep Nana occupied.

“Honey, if you don’t mind I’d like to go back to the hotel and take a nap. Now that I see Nana’s fine I’d like to rest up. I haven’t slept the last couple of nights worrying about y’all.”

Dee Dee came to the rescue as usual. “Don’t you worry about it Betty Jo. You go right ahead and rest and I’ll help Trixie keep an eye…”

I interrupted before she finished her sentence. I didn’t want Nana thinking Dee Dee was her babysitter. “Uh, that’s right, Mama. We’ll walk back to the hotel with you and get the car.”

We finished our lovely tea, then got Mama settled in our room and headed up the mountain where Tippi was staying. We used the GPS to find the address Dee Dee had “borrowed” from the detective’s desk. The house was gorgeous. It reminded me of a small mansion.

The brick home boasted two stories and a three car garage. Since land was scarce on the mountain, most of the homes had a small yard, but this home sat back from the road on at least two acres of land. It wasn’t the opulent house that surprised me as much as seeing two police cars parked in front.

CHAPTER THIRTY

“Dee, what do you think’s going on?”

“Looks like there’s been trouble at the homestead,” Nana said.

“I couldn’t have said it better, Nana.” Dee Dee unbuckled her seat-belt. She scooted up, sticking her head between me and Nana.

I pulled in the driveway behind the patrol cars. “My curiosity’s killing me.” Probably not the best choice of words, Dee Dee.

A poker-faced patrolman walked up to the car and motioned for me to roll down my window. “May I ask why you’re here?”

The officer’s nametag identified him as, Steve Smith. “Officer Smith, we’re here to visit Tippi Colston.”

“She’s not here,” he said.

I wondered how to broach the subject of finding out where she was when Nana piped up. “Well, where is she? We have an important business date with her and it can’t wait.”

“What kind of important business date?”

Way to go Nana. Open mouth and insert foot. But she wasn’t finished yet.

“My niece is a murder suspect and she needs to question Tippi.”

“That’s right Officer. We’re helping Detective Sams solve a case.” I couldn’t believe it. Dee Dee was getting as bad as Nana. They were determined to get me in trouble.

“You don’t say? Stay right here a minute.” He walked over to another officer. He turned our way and pointed toward the car. He walked back over.

“Ma’am, pull your car in behind the patrol car and y’all come with me.”

I moved the car as told, then turned to Nana and Dee Dee. “Way to go girls. Now you’ve done it.”

“Aw come on, Trixie, we just told the truth,” Dee Dee said.

Officer Smith directed us to the back seat of his cruiser. “You ladies take a seat in here while I make a phone call.”

The car had been running with the heat on and it was warm with all three of us squeezed in behind the iron cage. I felt like I was already in prison. I imagined he was calling Detective Sams to let her know about the murder suspect and her two accomplices running around questioning people. A bead of sweat rolled down my back.

Within minutes I saw the detective walking towards us. She didn’t look happy. She beckoned to me to get out of the car. The fresh air felt good.

“I knew I’d see you again, but I didn’t think it’d be this soon. Get your car and follow me to the station.”

“You’re in trouble now, Trixie,” Nana said. Lord please keep me from strangling her. I loved Nana with all my heart, but that didn’t keep me from getting frustrated with her at times. Before I knew it I’d rolled my eyes. Big mistake.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Missy. I changed your diapers ya’ know.” I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but Nana never missed a chance to call me on eye-rolling.

Back down the mountain we went. Thank goodness there wasn’t any ice on the roads. I couldn’t imagine living on a mountain and being snowed in for days. I loved being able to get out too much. Loved my freedom.

The glittering Christmas decorations caught my eye. It was kind of hard getting in the Christmas spirit when you’re suspected of murder. I had to find the killer and get this investigation wrapped up.

The same young lady was at the reception desk when we arrived at the office. She looked young enough to be in high school, and her spiked hair and a wad of chewing gum didn’t help her image.

“I see you’re back again.” She smacked. “And you have a new person in tow.” She looked at Nana. “Who do we have here?”

I could see Nana didn’t take kindly to her condescending tone, so I stepped in. “This is my great-aunt, Nana. We’re here to see the detective.”

“She said to send you on in.” Popping followed us as we traipsed into Detective Sams’ office.

She stood up as we came into the room. Dee Dee diffused the awkward situation with a compliment on the detective’s outfit, black pants with a red shirt covered by a Christmas themed vest. “Love your outfit.”