Bones of a Feather - Carolyn Haines [30]
“Please answer the question,” Tinkie said.
“Everyone in town with breathe in his body might have reason, but I don’t know who would actually act against them.”
“Not even Mr. Hightower?”
“Oh, please. He’d love to hang them in a public exhibition, but he isn’t a violent man. He needs them hale and hearty to wage his literary battle.”
“Sounds like so much fun,” I threw in.
“I’m sure you’d rather settle your disagreements in a parking lot brawl behind a juke joint. John is a civilized man. And he has the makings of a bestselling book. Murder, scandal, ghosts, unpleasant heirs. He’ll be the darling of the literary world, and all on the backs of the Levert sisters. And just let me add, Monica has spent an inordinate amount of time on her back.”
“She must have slept with someone you cared about,” I said, before I thought.
“Get out of my house.” Helena pointed out the door. “Go now before I have to resort to legal recourse.”
“Right.” I couldn’t hide my sarcasm. “Thanks for your time, Helena.” I knew my lack of formality would get under her skin.
“Good day, Mrs. Richmond.” Helena ignored me as she closed the door.
In the Caddy headed back to the Eola, Tinkie spoke. “Monica and Eleanor have made a lot of enemies. “
“Do they have any friends in Natchez?”
“We haven’t met anyone who likes the sisters. That would be awful, wouldn’t it? To live in a place where everyone hates you.”
“Speaking of friends, we need to let Cece know what we’re up to.” Cece Dee Falcon was the society editor at the Zinnia Dispatch, and her journalistic instincts had served us well more than once.
Tinkie pulled off the road. “I have to go home, Sarah Booth. Oscar is pitching a fit. We’re obligated to attend the Sunflower County Economic Development dinner at The Club.”
The Bellcases did have certain social requirements that came with owning/managing the bank. While Tinkie was a fine private investigator, she was also Oscar’s wife. Duties attached to the title. “It’s okay.” I put a hand on her shoulder. “I can manage here for a day or so. Really.”
She stared out the front windshield. “It’s a tough balancing act, to be a wife and a P.I.”
“I know, but you do it so well.” I rumpled her hair. “Don’t ever apologize for being a good partner to Oscar.”
She pulled back onto the road and in a few moments we were clearing the Natchez city limits. “Are you really going to stay?” she asked.
“I feel I have to.”
“But you won’t have a car.”
“Not a problem in Natchez.” The town was compressed. “Eleanor might loan me one. Or I’ll rent one. In fact, it may work to my advantage.”
John Hightower, Helena, and Millicent had seen the Caddy—a distinctive tomato red with white leather interior. A different car could give me an advantage if I had to tail someone. My personal car, an older model Mercedes Roadster that had belonged to my mother, was as eye-catching as Tinkie’s Cadillac.
“Are you going to talk to Kissie McClain?” she asked.
“I am. But I may invite her to the Eola.”
“And you’ll call me if you need anything?”
Her guilt was unnecessary. “You’re two hours away, Tink. I’m only asking a few questions.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Just placate Oscar. The one thing we don’t want is for him to feel you’ve put this job ahead of him.”
Tinkie’s smile was tentative. “Sounds to me like you’ve learned the first lesson of being a Daddy’s Girl.”
“Heaven forbid.” I made the sign of the cross.
Laughter was the best note for us to part on. She dropped me off at the Eola and I watched as she drove away. She wouldn’t be far, and I had no gut feeling that anything dangerous waited in the wings.
7
I was crossing the lobby of the Eola, headed for the elevator and my room, when a baritone voice called my name. My skin responded to the masculine tone with a delicious shiver before I saw Don Cipriano.
“Miss Delaney, would you have a moment?” he asked as he strode toward me.
I was taken with his attire—black from his jeans and boots to his open-throated poet’s shirt—a perfect accoutrement