Cornbread and Coffins, page 3
part #3 of Alphabet Soup Mystery Series
Actually, looking around at the antiquated office with dark wood paneling and heavy wooden furniture she fit right in.
“Hi, Ms. Regina, how are you?”
“I’m well, dear.” She smiled. “How can we help you today?”
“She’s brought the invoice for Lois Costello’s funeral. The food bill.” Gio said, handing over the bill. “You got this?”
“Yeah, I got it, Hun. Thanks!”
“Alrighty, I’m going to go back to prep … well, for tomorrow’s service.” With that, he turned and left.
“Great, great. I heard good things about the food, well, except what happened to poor Donna.” Regina started typing on the computer, cursing it a few times and then typing again. “I didn’t trust that Donna, though. There was something fishy about her and the way she would flirt with my Gio. I had to always come in here and make sure she knew he was mine.” She stopped typing as an ancient printer came to life.
It squealed and screeched before spitting out the page.
“Any idea who would want her dead?” If Regina was going to spill everything, I might as well be bold and ask.
“Aren’t you inquisitive?” She laughed. It was a trill laugh, like a flock of tiny birds. She wiggled her finger for me to come closer as she lowered her voice. “I hate to speak ill of the dead, but let me just tell you, any man that came in this place, especially if they were married, she would be all over them. Cooing and flirting. Openly flirting with the wife right there if you can believe that.”
“Anyone in particular stick out?”
She stood wobbling on her high heels as she went to the printer, grabbing the check and then bringing it back. She signed it quickly, then handed it to me.
“There were a few people. Darcy Whittaker hated Donna. They had a huge graveside fight, complete with hair pulling, slapping, and police hauling them both off to the station. It was quite a scene. I was so thankful I was there for it.”
“Oh, my.” I remember hearing a bit of that through the town gossip channels, namely my Aunt Rita. She was plugged into all the best gossip.
My mom is another good source for gossip, but I wasn’t speaking to her at the moment. Not after they went on another family vacation without me. It was like she only remembered she had a daughter when she wanted something from me.
Plus, mom’s gossip was almost never true because she would get the facts mixed up.
“Yeah, it was quite the scene. Then, oh, let me think.” She leaned forward again. “There was another time with Tilly Franco. They had a shouting match right out in the lobby while we were having a wake for Old Man Marlowe. His widow came running out, all four feet nothing of her, swinging her handbag at them and telling them how disrespectful they were. I can’t argue with that. It was disrespectful.”
She waved her hands wildly through the entire story. I could barely keep up with her energy, but I tried.
“Marlowe. Lolly Marlowe?”
“Yeah, you know her?”
“She used to babysit me. She and my grandmother are friends.”
“Oh yeah, she used to babysit Dimitri and Talia, too.”
“Yes, I remembered playing with them.” I smiled.
“She could probably tell you all kinds of stories about Donna. You should reach out to her.”
“I might just. Well, thanks for this. It was good to see you again.”
“Don’t be a stranger now. I always thought you and Talia should have stayed friends. I just don’t know whatever happened there.”
“Oh, you know, people change and grow.” The truth was, Talia turned into one of those mean girls. I was her prime target of hate. Her mom didn’t need to know that though and it was water under the bridge. We were adults and she was a mom now.
I ran into her a year ago. She was so frazzled by her children, that she barely looked like herself. The dark circles under her eyes, wrinkles in her clothes, and extra weight was not the Talia that I remembered. The Talia I remembered was always put together, like off a magazine cover. She had at least smiled and said it was good to see me.
“Ah, well, take care, dear.” She got back to typing on and cursing the computer.
I thought about what she said about Donna’s reputation. Could that be what got her killed? I’d have to ask Aunt Rita and possibly reach out to Ms. Lolly. I didn’t know Tilly Franco or Darcy Whittaker well enough to ask them.
They were both in the bible study with Aunt Rita and Granny and I’d only met them a few times. Not close enough to ask such personal questions without a good reason or opportunity.
Tilly ran a boutique jewelry shop. Vee likely knew her. I’d have to ask her. Darcy was the librarian at the elementary school. With no children in school, I had no reason to talk to her. At least there is no reason I could think of now, but I’m sure I would come with something.
Chapter Four
As I was leaving the Caruso’s, I noticed Gio loading a large bag into a dark van. It caught my attention, because of the way he looked around as he did it. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t look my way, so he didn’t know I noticed.
That was suspicious, right?
However, I didn’t know the funeral home business, perhaps that’s how he always did stuff. I know I had gotten a lot more paranoid lately, so I looked around more than usual. I tried to take in more details about my surroundings or see if anyone was watching me.
Even though I made a mental note about him, I shrugged off Gio’s behavior as I climbed into my car. Checking the time, I had an idea about how to get some more information.
I hit the call button on my car’s dashboard.
“Hello, Jessie!” came my Auntie Rita singsong voice through the car speakers.
“Hi, Auntie Rita. Are you busy?”
“No, not at all. I volunteered this morning. Now home doing some chores.”
“Want to go to lunch?”
“Oh, yes, I’d love to!”
“Great. I can swing by and pick you up in about twenty minutes.”
“I’ll be ready!”
We hung up. I smiled. Even if I was using her a little to get some information, I knew this would make her happy. We used to spend a lot more time together, but since I opened the restaurant, I hadn’t had as much time. This was going to be a fun lunch and if it helped me solve a murder, that was just gravy.
I drove across town, pulling up at the curb of the familiar craftsman home. Aunt Rita was on the porch in her plaid vintage sundress and tan sandals with wide heels. She was beautiful. I could picture her as a young woman waiting on a date or to go out with friends. It was a shame that she had never married.
Her one that got away was now married in Florida. My one that got away had been murdered two months ago, or at least that’s how I now thought of Colt. Having gotten to know him while investigating his murder, we had a lot in common. Who knows what would have happened had he not been murdered?
I sighed and then got out of the car just as my aunt neared it. I opened the door for her, causing her to giggle.
“Oh, Jessie, aren’t you a sweetie? But I can still open my own door, I’m not old yet.” She winked, then kissed my cheek.
“I know you can, but just being nice.” I closed her door, then jogged around to the driver’s side. “Any place you would like to go?”
“What about Dashwood Teahouse?”
“How did I know you would say that?” I chuckled as we pulled away from the curb.
“Because you know I love their strawberry spinach salad with grilled chicken.”
“They have the best salad dressing.” I said.
It was a honey lemon vinaigrette that I had not been able to copy. I just wanted it for my home use, not for the restaurant. Though I’d come close to getting it right, it wasn’t Dashwood Teahouse good. Betty, the owner, was very tight-lipped about her recipe. I didn’t blame her at all.
“So, why the sudden interest in lunch with your old aunt?”
“I finally had a day off and no murder to investigate.” I didn’t mention that’s what I was doing. She didn’t need to know. I felt a little ping of guilt lying to her, but I also really wanted to spend time with her, and this was the perfect excuse. Two birds, one stone as they say.
I cut my eyes to look at her from the corners, just to see if she bought my little lie. She was smiling brightly and bouncing slightly in her seat. As an ex-dancer, she was always moving to some unheard beat.
“Well, aren’t I lucky to get one of your rare day’s off then?”
We pulled into Dashwood’s Teahouse. It was not too far from my restaurant, but I had never felt in competition with her or any of the other restaurants. This was a foodie town, so there was enough business to go around.
Plus, the chefs and owners all supported each other and tried to eat at each other’s places. I know I tried to do my part when I was off.
“Jess! Rita! Welcome.” Betty said when we stepped inside. “It’s so good to see you ladies here today.”
“Hi, Betty. It’s nice to see you, too.” Rita said. I watched as the two ladies did a quick cheek kiss-hug hello.
“Where is Ines today?” Betty asked.
“Oh, she’s having lunch over at the senior center with some of our bible study group.”
“That’s nice. Table for two, then?”
“Yes, thank you.”
We followed her to a two-person bistro style table. It had fresh daisies in a pink pot on the table. We took our seats as she laid pink gingham cloth napkin bundles in front of each of us, then handed us menus.
“Enjoy, ladies.” She smiled, walking back to the front door to greet the next guests. As she left, a waitress came over to take our order.
“We actually know what we want, if you’re ready?” Aunt Rita told the waitress.
“Oh, perfect.” She took out her notepad. “What’ll ya have, Hun?”
We both ordered the strawberry spinach salad with grilled chicken.
“Great. I’ll bring out your drinks and a basket of cornbread.”
We smiled as she walked away.
“That’s what you should serve at your place, too. The biscuits are great, but I love a good cornbread muffin.”
“I should. Maybe that would be a good project for the students. I could ask them to come up with a recipe and then I’ll have the rest of the staff vote on their favorite.”
“That’s such a good idea! I’m so glad I helped.” She ginned.
The waitress returned with our iced teas and a basket of cornbread. They made them in mini muffin pans, which was a wonderful size. They served them with honey butter. I would have to see what the students came up with and then how we would present it. This was going to be a fun project. I couldn’t wait to get to work tomorrow to set the wheels in motion.
We each grabbed a muffin and slathered it with the delicious butter. The first bite was so good. A touch sweet and a bit savory.
“This is excellent.”
“It is.” Auntie Rita smiled. “So, what have you been up to besides working?”
“Not much. This morning, I had to go back over to Caruso’s for Lois’s funeral.”
“Such a shame about Donna, but I’m not surprised. She was always causing trouble, flirting with men, upsetting the wives or girlfriends.”
Here we go. She was going to spill it and I wouldn’t even have to probe much.
“That’s what Ms. Regina said. That’s crazy.”
“Oh, the stories I could tell, but I won’t speak ill of the dead.” She took a bite of her muffin.
Bleep! I might have to get her talking after all.
“I understand that, but I know Ms. Regina mentioned a thing with Lolly at Ray’s funeral. Were you there?”
She looked around, then made the sign of the cross.
“Yes, I was there. I thought—,” She stopped and pointed at me. “Oh wait, you were at that one big cooking tournament when Ray passed.” She looked around, then giggled slightly. This must be some good gossip. “Anyway, we are there listening to the service. Lolly’s daughter, Diane, was speaking and there was all this commotion in the hallway. We tried to ignore it.
Diane tried to keep going, but soon it was too much. Lolly stood up and marched right out there. We followed. That’s when we saw Tilly Franco and Donna rolling around, and Lolly was yelling and whacking them with her handbag. It was a sight. Alex had to pick up his mom and take her back into the viewing room while the police dealt with Tilly and Donna.”
Alex was Lolly and Ray’s son. He had been married twice and divorced twice. As far as I knew, he was currently single. He lived in Pinehurst which was a large nearby city.
Many people lived in Dashwood and commuted to the metropolitan area to work. Unless you were in the arts or town government, there was limited work in Dashwood.
“Do you know what Tilly and Donna were fighting about?”
“Tilly was yelling about Donna sleeping with her husband, and Donna was yelling back that she never would.”
“Wow, so what happened? Did they ever determine if Donna slept with Tilly’s husband?”
“No, he denied it, too, but honestly, nobody believes it. That Donna, may she rest in peace, was always flirting with any man that was near her.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I just ate another cornbread muffin.
“Did she tell you about Darcy Whittaker and Donna?” Auntie Rita asked, looking around again to see if anyone was listening. Nobody seemed to be.
“No, what happened?” I whispered.
Ms. Regina had in fact mentioned their fight, but I wanted to hear my aunt’s version.
“Again, I hate to speak ill of the dead, but we all gathered for Darcy’s mother’s funeral. Here comes Donna, shaking her moneymaker, prancing back and forth in front of all the men. She said she was just doing her job, but anyone could see she was looking for attention. Darcy was already upset about her mom and when Donna went to say something to her, Darcy just lost it. Now, I didn’t hear what started it, but I did see these two sixty-year-old women slapping each other and pulling hair. Donna’s dress got ripped and Darcy lost her hairpiece.”
Auntie Rita paused when the waitress brought our salads.
“How does everything look?” Our server asked.
“Looks good.” I said.
“Great. Do you want more cornbread?” She pointed to the basket.
“Um, no, I think we are good.”
She nodded and walked to the next table.
“Okay, where was I?” Aunt Rita continued. “Oh, yes, the police got called and in the process of trying to break them up, the officer was elbowed. Broke his nose. That’s when they ended up down at the station. They both had to do six months of community service. They did not like each other at all.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Those are the most memorable and honestly, Darcy, Tilly, and Lolly would be the people who hated Donna the most.” She paused, then lowered her voice again. “Oh my gosh, do you think one of them killed Donna?”
“I don’t know. Something to think about.”
“Maybe you should start using that board that Roy Hart built for y’all.”
Roy Hart was Sawyer’s father. He had built us a large clue board while I was investigating Colt’s death a few months ago. We had used it to put our suspects and clues. I don’t know if it had helped solve his murder, but it had put everything in one place. I think that part was helpful.
“I might do that.”
“Just be more careful this time.” She patted my hand. “I can help if you want. I am in that circle of ladies. In fact, Tilly and Darcy were in my class back in school. We are also in the same bible study group. Our next meeting is tomorrow. Then we’ll have our larger group later in the week.”
“Oh, oh, okay. Let me know if you find anything.”
“I will.” She giggled. “I can see why you like this. It’s exciting.”
I wanted to argue that I didn’t like it, but if I were honest with myself, there was a little thrill in chasing the clues.
Growing up, I had always enjoyed mystery books. They were still my go-to. I loved true crime shows and any of the police dramas. It was something that I shared with my best friends.
Still, if I never saw another dead body, I’d be happy.
We finished our salads, then each ordered a slice of gingerbread and Earl Grey tea. We got off the topic of fighting, drama, and murder.
She caught me up on family news, especially about my Uncle Sully. He was the youngest of the three. My father was the oldest, with Aunt Rita in the middle of the three. Granny Ines was their mother.
Uncle Sully had an attitude when it came to me and my father. He often caused drama at family functions. The last was a Sunday dinner where he accused his mother of ignoring his two children in favor of me. It got ugly. Thankfully, I hadn’t seen him or his family since then.
“And, he has been super sweet with mama since then. He brings gifts and treats, but she is still mad. She won’t completely forgive him until he goes to see Tito.”
“Let me guess, he still won’t go?”
“Not even an option for him. I expect her not to open the door for him until he does.”
“I would believe it.”
I haven’t seen my father in a while either. I should make that a priority for my next day off. Granny might ban me from the house if I didn’t go see him soon. If that happened, Sawyer wouldn’t forgive me if he missed out on any of Granny’s Sunday dinners.
So, I had to pick either my Granny being upset with me or one of my best friends. I loved them both, so I needed to keep them happy.
We wrapped up lunch, and I drove her home.
“Granny’s home. You should come in and say hello.”
“Yeah, I think I will.”
Walking in the house, we found both Granny Ines and Lolly sitting in the living room visiting over hot tea and cookies.
“Oh, hello, Jessie!” Granny Ines said. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“I had the day off, so I called Aunt Rita to go to lunch.” I smiled. “Hi, Ms. Lolly.”
“Hi, darlin’, how are you?”
