The last introduction was Amanda Holbrook. Amanda had short, blonde hair and was a little heavy-handed on the makeup. Kind of reminded me of Tammy Faye. Even with the hefty amount of makeup she was an attractive lady.

“I’m here because my low-down, no good, cheatin’ husband left me high and dry. You wouldn’t think your best friend would stab you in the back, but she did. I’ve been writing for pleasure several years and now it’s time to get serious if I want to find a good job. That’s all I’ve got to say.”

Humm, seems Amanda and I had a lot in common. I thought I’d seek her out when I had a chance and offer her a shoulder to cry on. I remembered how devastated I was when Wade left me and how comforting a kind word could be. Anyway, I figured after I told her what Wade did, she’d know she wasn’t the only one who had a low-down, no good, cheatin’ ex-husband.

Annie put us to work faster than a hound dog on the trail of a coon. She started by asking the class to write an article about a hobby we enjoyed. She took up the assignment and then distributed some hand-outs.

“I’m going to read your papers and then give suggestions,” she told us. “After I’ve given my opinions, feel free to offer ideas to your fellow writers.” She had quite a few thoughts on each article letting us know we all had room for improvement. Her lecturing wasn’t too bad until she reached George’s paper.

She looked over her half-glasses and began her spiel, “Now, here is how not to write an article.” She held up George’s effort and read it out loud. My face grew hot and I resisted the urge to crawl under the table and it wasn’t even my paper. I couldn’t begin to imagine how George felt. One look at him and I knew he was beyond embarrassed. He’d moved right into furious. His eyes narrowed and I thought I saw smoke coming from his ears.

When I thought it couldn’t get worse – it did. Annie took the offending paper and tore it in two. There was a collective gasp around the table. All eyes went from Annie to George. He sat stunned for a minute and then his chair shot back, scraping the wooden floor as he stood. He grabbed his papers and notebook and stormed out of the room.

CHAPTER FOUR

A fly would’ve had a grand ole’ time with the five mouths that stood agape. I assumed Annie would dismiss the class so she could make amends with George. It wouldn’t be the first time, nor the last, that I was sorely mistaken.

Annie proceeded without a hiccup. “Class, let’s continue with our next assignment.” We closed our mouths, and got back into the zone. We spent the rest of the day working on new assignments. For our last project of the day, Annie suggested we work on a topic we’d normally write about for work. What a break. I could combine my article for Harv with Annie’s assignment.

I retired to my room and ached to snooze for a while, but with Harv holding me to a deadline I decided to work on my article. I reviewed the pictures given to me by people I’d interviewed concerning the murder of Mr. Bobby Lee Ghoston. This was not an old murder – well not in the sense of historic. I don’t know what it is with Harv, but since I’d been working for Georgia by the Way, and unwittingly became involved in three previous murders, he had become fascinated with murder and mayhem. More often than not, murder was my assignment.

I didn’t mind so much, I sort of fancied myself an amateur detective now. Bobby Lee Ghoston was a well-known bootlegger and was rumored to be a member of the Dixie mafia. I decided to run my ideas by Annie. I gathered my research and headed to her room.

I passed Tippi “with- an- i” in the hallway outside Annie’s room. I was determined to speak to her. “Hi, I’m Trixie,” I said extending my hand. “I hope we can get to know each other better in the next few days.”

Her features didn’t soften like I’d expected. “I know who you are. You’re that lady who helped solve crimes in Marietta and Tybee Island. You think you’re something and I bet you’re dying to be the teacher’s pet.”

Oh my goodness. Did she just say teacher’s pet? “Uh, no. Not really.”

“I should offer you the professional courtesy to know I wouldn’t mind working for Georgia by the Way myself. I’ve already sent in several manuscripts for consideration and I expect to hear back from Harv any time.” She stopped just long enough to get her breath.

“You might have robbed me from winning an award at the Excellence Awards last year with your sensational story, but it won’t happen again. I have my eye on your job and I intend to do anything it takes to get it.”

She stared straight into my eyes. It was hard not to be intimidated, but I’d grown in confidence over the past few years thanks to my faith in God and a bit of trial by fire. I stared back. I expected her to back off but she didn’t. I realized how ridiculous we must look and gave in.

“I’m sorry you feel that way Tippi. I’d like to be your friend, but it takes two to tango and I guess you don’t want to dance. If you’ll excuse me I need to meet with Annie.”

Tippi raised her chin a little higher and left me to wonder what hit me.

Annie’s room was a little bigger than mine. I guess a perk for being the teacher. Her room was filled with antiques making it a cozy nook. Night had already fallen and she’d turned on a floor lamp beside a Queen Anne wingback chair. Shadows danced on the walls.

“Come in, come in. How might I help you tonight?” She sipped from a cup of hot tea. “Oh, excuse my bad manners. Would you like a cup of Rose Petal Green Tea? It’s one of my indulgences so to speak. I can only find it one place on the internet, but the soothing taste is worth it.”

Annie took a sip. “Ummm, good. Would you be a dear and set this on the dresser by the teapot?” I didn’t mind since I was closer. I reached for the delicate cup and placed it beside the tea canister decorated in flowers. I picked up the pretty container and admired the handiwork. The entire set matched.

“My mother gave that set to me and her mother gave it to her. It’s been in the family for years.” She sat up a little straighter in her chair and gave me her full attention. “Now, let’s talk about you.”

“I’m working on an article for Georgia by the Way, and I wanted your opinion on combining it with the article I need to write for you. It’s about an unsolved murder that happened on Lookout Mountain. I have some pictures and I’d like you to look at them.”

“Yes, it’ll be fine to combine the two. I sure hope the remainder of our time improves the writing of my students.” Annie’s voice became louder as she ruminated about the assignments. “I tell you, I’ve never seen such sloppy writing.”

A knock at the door interrupted Annie’s tirade. “Come in.”

“Ms. Henderson?” The door slowly opened. “I’m Ladonna. Here are some extra towels I thought you might like.” Ladonna’s lovely mocha complexion was highlighted by a lovely smile until she saw me. “To be honest, I thought you sounded upset as I passed by in the hallway.”

She looked at me accusingly, then offered a show of concern to Annie.

“It’s quite all right,” Annie said. “We were just talking shop, but now that you mention it, I’m not feeling well. My stomach is killing me.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Annie clutched her stomach. “Trixie, I think I’m going to have to cut our meeting short. I don’t feel up to company right now.” In a few minutes, her face had turned from a healthy pink to the white of a new fallen snow.

“Is there anything I can do for you Ms. Henderson?” Ladonna looked as worried as I felt.

“Annie, I’d be glad to sit with you for a while.” I didn’t mind staying if she needed me. “Perhaps we should call a doctor.”