The bridge, covered with fairy lights, is a photographer’s dream when the sun goes down. I was glad I’d brought my camera from the hotel when we dropped off Mama to recover her tummy.

We were halfway across the span when we stopped to view an island in the distance. I was busy taking pictures when Nana said, “Watch this!” I knew whatever she was about to do couldn’t be good. I’d heard the story too many times about the redneck’s last words, “watch this!”

I turned to see Nana spitting off the side of the bridge. Dee Dee wasn’t going to be outdone. “Let me try.” Dee Dee leaned out and took her turn. Oh – my – goodness, how did I get so lucky to have these two for companions? “Come on, Trixie, give it a try.”

“Have you lost your mind?” I’d done a lot of things, but spit off a bridge was not one of them. But those two had no intention of giving up.

“Trixie, surely you aren’t too good to see how far you can spit.” Nana’s eyes twinkled as she threw down the gauntlet. “Life is too short to be so uptight all the time.”

I wasn’t going to let a little sprite of a woman get the best of me. “All right. If that’s what you want, then I’ll show you. I happened to be the neighborhood champion back in the day. I out spit all the boys.” I readied myself and spit for all I was worth.

We crowded together to see where it would land. Unfortunately none of us thought about the boats that floated under the bridge. What were the odds that a riverboat crammed with people on deck would appear from under the bridge the same time my glob of spit careened in the wind? I could see a lady wiping her face and looking up. Then several of the surrounding people were pointing up at us. We backed up, and hurriedly walked down the bridge before stopping to catch our breath.

I was mortified, but a nervous giggle escaped my lips. “Well, I hope you ladies are happy now. I just hope no one recognizes me from that distance. I’ll be in trouble for sure. Wait and see if I let y’all talk me into another hare-brained idea.” Lord, please send me some patience, now!

Dee Dee gave my shoulder a thump. “You did win the distance contest, though!”

“And accuracy!” Nana added, and she and Dee doubled over in laughter. I had to admit it was funny, but I still felt awful for the poor woman.

“Come on Trixie, we’re headed over to the merry-go-round on the other side of the bridge. I know that’ll cheer you up.” Dee Dee and Nana started discussing which animal they wanted to ride. I was grateful that for just a few minutes I’d forgotten about the murder. But there was nothing I could do until either Beau arrived, or Detective Sams found evidence to clear my name. I allowed Dee and Nana to lead me inside.

Thank goodness the merry-go-round was located in a large warm room. According to a plaque on the wall, the carousel was built in Atlanta in 1895 by Gustav Dentzel where it made many children happy until its dismantling in 1960. Several businessmen found it in a deteriorated condition and hired artists to refurbish it for use in Coolidge Park in Chattanooga.

It was unlike any other carousel I’d seen. There were not only the usual horses, but colorful, unique animals. A tiger, giraffe, elephant and a bunny decorated the carousel. The excited children ran around trying to decide on a favorite.

“Which one are you going to ride?” Nana was buying a ticket.

“I’m choosing one of the horses. Aren’t they beautiful?” Dee Dee dug in her purse for some change. “Trixie, have you picked one out yet?”

I recalled a similar carousel I’d taken my daughter, Jill, on and it brought back fond memories. “I don’t know, I’m going to walk around before I choose.” How would Jill take it if her mama was convicted of murder? I was deep in thought when I heard Nana’s shrill voice.

“No, I was here first.” What was going on? I looked to see Nana and a little girl standing beside a giant gray bunny with pink ears.

The determined child stomped her foot. “I saw it first.”

“Well, you might have seen it first, but I beat you to it.”

I expected Nana to stick her tongue out any minute. Dee Dee came up behind me. “Oh, boy! I guess I need to referee.” She grabbed Nana by the elbow and eased her toward a couple of horses. “Nana, come on, ride with me.”

“All right, I didn’t want to ride on a bunny anyway.” I followed a few steps behind. As usual Dee Dee took one of Nana’s capers and diffused a possible disaster. She mouthed, “Sorry,” to the little girls’ astonished parents as Nana climbed up on a chocolate brown steed. I’d be forever grateful for her help with Nana. “Come on girls, let’s go back across the river,” I said when the ride was finished, glad Mama hadn’t been with us. The round and round motion had left me a little dizzy.

“Goodie, the museum’s right past the bridge and that’s next on my list,” Nana said.

The quiet of the Hunter Museum of Art beckoned. I’d researched, and knew it was a blend of an historic mansion with a modern facility built on an 80 foot bluff overlooking the river. You could stand on the bridge and see the beautiful architectural creation. This is one place I really wanted to see.

I snapped pictures from one end of the bridge to the other. On the right side was the aquarium and on the left was the museum. I expected my article on Chattanooga to be a memorable one. Now all I needed to do when we got back to the hotel was to work on the Ghosten murder.

As we wandered from one exhibit to another, I thought about the case. Discovering Tippi was really Tabitha had given me a new direction to consider, but I couldn’t quite fit the pieces of the puzzle together. While it was obvious Tippi stood to gain financially if she killed her guardian, I just didn’t have the feeling she was the killer.

I had an idea about who framed me and probably killed Annie, and I’d check my theory out when I got Nana back to the hotel. As we enjoyed the museum, I wanted to go into the mansion part of the building before we ran out of time.

“Do y’all want to come and see the mansion owned by George Thomas Hunter, a Coca-Cola bottling tycoon? The brochure says it was built in 1904.”

“I’d like to go outside and look at the river from the bluff. You know they have those telescopes you can put a quarter in and see from here to yonder,” Nana exclaimed.

“I’ll go with her, Trixie, you go ahead and we can meet up later,” Dee Dee offered.

I think she was giving me a chance to be alone for a little while. I decided to grab it. We agreed to meet in thirty minutes at the gift shop. Lost in the art, for a few minutes, I almost forgot I was a murder suspect. I discovered one of my favorite pieces of art, The French Tea Garden. I wished I could be transported into the picture and disappear from my troubles. But that was impossible so I would depend on God for my strength. Father help me through this difficult time and direct my footsteps to the path of truth.

I was soon to find out just how fast he would put my feet on that path. I strolled out on an open air deck to observe the beautiful scenery. The wind had picked up so I put on my coat and leaned against the rails. My thoughts flowed as freely as the river, when a dull object poked me between the shoulder blades.

“Don’t move,” a deep voice commanded, and this time it wasn’t spit I thought would hurl over the railing.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Instinct kicked in and I turned around. “Amanda? What are you doing?” I was right all along. Amanda was the only one absent from the room when we gathered for Detective Sam’s talk. She had to be the one who planted the tea in my room. “It was you wasn’t it?”

“Geeze, what gave me away?” She hissed. “If you want to stay alive you’d better do what I say. We’re going for a little walk, so don’t try anything.” She slid a coat, thrown over her arm, up to cover the gun barrel. Motioning to the door, she shoved me inside.