Murder in Marietta (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 2) Read online

  The officers packed up their equipment and left us to deal with the aftermath of the break in.

  “I don’t know about you girls, but I sure don’t feel like sleeping.” My nerves felt like electricity coursed through them, and thoughts swirled through my mind like leaves in a whirlwind.

  “Me neither,” Dee Dee said. “What do you think, Nana?”

  “I couldn’t sleep if I had to. Let’s stay up for awhile. I’m so worried about the break in.” She wandered around, picking up undamaged items and returning them to shelves. “Dora was nice enough to let us stay and now someone has broken in and destroyed her belongings. I sure hope she doesn’t think it had anything to do with us.”

  We spent a while cleaning, and collapsed over a pot of hot tea, discussing the events of the last couple of days. Within the hour Nana’s head fell over to the side and she snored loud enough to wake the next town over.

  “Come on Dee Dee. Let’s help Nana to bed. I think I might be able to sleep now.” I doubted I could, but I wanted to lie down and rest. My body ached from weariness.

  “That sounds like a great idea,” Dee Dee said. She went over and shook Nana’s shoulder. “Nana. Off to bed we go.”

  Morning promised to bring a better day when the dawn broke into a luminous show of daylight. Nana cooked another good ole’ down home southern breakfast loaded with fat and cholesterol. Dee Dee grabbed the syrup and poured a liberal amount over her second stack of pancakes.

  “Please pass the syrup, Dee Dee.” I drowned my pancakes in a river of the sweet sugary liquid. I took a huge bite and savored the flavor as it passed over my taste buds. No wonder they called it ‘comfort food.’

  “Nana, are you going to sit with Dora today?” I swirled around another bite and popped it into my mouth.

  “Yes, I’d like to stay with her again. Did y’all go to Gloria’s just to interview her for your story? I have a feeling you had an ulterior motive.”

  “I don’t want you to worry, but Doc wants me and Dee Dee to help him. Detective Bowerman informed him he’s a person of interest in the case, and after all this happened last night—”

  “I knew it. I knew it. I knew it.” Before I finished explaining, Nana did a crazy little dance around the kitchen. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to keep out of the investigation. What do you want me to do?”

  I didn’t want her to do anything. She could help by not helping, but I couldn’t bring myself to say that to her. “Uh, staying with Dora and making sure her needs are taken care of will be a great help.”

  “How in the world am I going to tell Dora someone broke into her house? She doesn’t need any added stress.” Nana’s brows knitted with worry.

  “Let me and Trixie explain everything to her when we drop you off,” Dee Dee suggested. She pushed her plate back and wiped her mouth. Nana filled our coffee cups with fresh brewed coffee.

  “By the way, Trixie, remember that book I found about the history of the Marietta Museum?”

  “Sure, you found it next to the book on Andrews’ Raiders.”

  “That would be the one,” Dee Dee replied. “When I couldn’t sleep last night, I read some from the book and it’s interesting. Did you know the museum was a hotel at one time? The owners originally named it the Fletcher House and later changed it to the Kennesaw Hotel. It was owned by a northern couple who had three daughters.”

  “Harv told me it had been a hotel at one time.”

  “The lady at the bookstore said the owner, Louisa Fletcher, kept a diary. The Fletchers lived in the hotel during the Civil War.”

  “That is interesting. I’d give my right arm to get my hands on that.” I absently rubbed my arm. “Not really, but you know what I mean. I wonder if Doc could acquire a copy.”

  “Let’s ride over to the museum and ask him if he knows anything about it.”

  We decided to tell Dora about the break in later, there was no reason to worry her until we knew more from the investigation. After we dropped Nana off at the hospital, Dee Dee and I drove to the museum.

  It was hard to believe only a few days had passed since our arrival. Less than seventy-two hours since we’d arrived, we had found ourselves knee-deep in a murder investigation.

  I surveyed the three-story, red brick structure that held years of history. Not only did it house memorabilia from years gone by, it contained history from the people who lived there since its conception. If only the walls could talk.

  The old Marietta train depot stood to the left of the museum and housed the visitor’s center. To the right stood another historic building, home to the Gone with the Wind Museum. An abandoned railroad track ran parallel to the buildings. I imagined Civil War era ladies in their dresses with hoop skirts, and men driving carriages and wagons down the streets.

  “Trixie, did you hear what I said?”

  “Sorry. I was daydreaming about times gone by.”

  “I said, wouldn’t it be fun to visit the Gone with the Wind Museum?”

  “Maybe we can.” We entered the building, and took the elevator up to the second floor. As the doors opened, I was once again transported back to a time when life was much simpler.

  A young woman, I guessed to be in her thirties, sat behind the mahogany counter. She stood when we approached. “My name is Marianne, may I help you?” With long blond hair and a petite build, she was a pretty little thing.

  “Is Doc here?” I looked around to see if I could spot him.

  “No. You just missed him.” She checked a sign-in board on the wall behind her. “He should be back within the hour. I’d be glad to give you a tour.”

  “I’m Trixie, this is Dee Dee. We’d love to look around.” This was a good time to talk with her and see if she knew anything that might help Doc. Dee Dee gave me the eye. I don’t think she was as anxious to go on another expedition of the museum.

  “Why don’t I browse in the store, Trix, while you go with Marianne?”

  “Suit yourself.” I didn’t blame her. I’d seen more than enough of the museum myself.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  We began in the Andrews’ Raiders room. A silhouette of a man stood at the window and looked out over the railroad tracks. The scene seemed eerily realistic. Marianne explained Andrews’ Raiders were a band of northern spies who came to Marietta with one goal. They stole a southern locomotive engine, the General, with the intention of destroying the tracks along a much used supply route. Their plans foiled, Andrews and his gang ran for the hills. His pursuers ultimately caught and hung him.

  “What did you say your name is?”

  “Trixie Montgomery. I write for “Georgia by the Way” a historical magazine. We like to say, where the past meets the present.”

  Marianne’s eyes widened. “You’re the one who stayed overnight at the museum while the murder took place.” She sat down in a chair that was part of a display. I knew enough about museums to understand it wasn’t kosher to touch any of the items. “That must have been horrible. But I can’t say I’m sad Jacob is gone.”

  I grabbed a chance to jump in and ask some questions. “Marianne, have you heard the police fingered Doc as a person of interest?” Her eyebrows arched and her eyes widened.

  “No. I didn’t.”

  “He’s in big trouble. Do you have any information that could help us find the real killer?” I recognized I was in deep over my head – questioning her about a murder. Please Lord, help me help Doc.

  At first, I believed she was going to clam up. Then a lone tear slid down her cheek. “I’ll support Doc any way I can. He’s been so good to me.” She swiped the tear from her face. “Jacob was a jerk. He’d worked at the museum for less than six months when he started to make moves on me. Moves I didn’t want.”

  “Did you tell Doc?” I remembered Doc said Jacob had made advances toward Susan. The guy must have hit on everyone.

  “No. Jacob threatened me,” she said. “I should have told Doc, but Jacob had something on me. He said he’d expose my secre
t to Doc and the board. It scared me. I have a daughter I care for by myself, and I was afraid I’d lose my job if Jacob let this out.”

  What information did Jacob have on her? “Marianne, what did he discover that made you keep quiet about something as horrible as unwanted passes?”

  She started to cry in earnest, “I can’t tell you,” she sobbed. I managed to find a clean tissue for her. She sniffed and wiped her nose. “But the time has come to tell Doc.”

  I had to find a way to observe the conversation if I planned to help Doc. “Do you want me and Dee Dee to sit in with you? The more information we have on Jacob could possibly help us clear Doc.” She regarded me with a startled expression. Was it because I asked a stupid question or because I was willing to help her?

  “I guess so.” She sniffed and dabbed her eyes. “Maybe Doc won’t be so mad if I have someone on my side. I hope as mothers, you’ll understand why I did what I did.” The tears stopped and her face relaxed. She was ready to get this off her shoulders.

  “Let’s go find Doc. We’ll explain what happened. He seems like an understanding guy.”

  “Oh, he’s been so good to me,” she said. “I hope he doesn’t fire me. I need this job.” We walked back to the entrance of the museum. She stopped and looked me in the eye. “My ex-husband laughed and told me I’d never be able to survive without him. He insisted I’d eventually crawl back to him.” Marianne had a far-away gaze in her eyes as if she relived the moment.

  My heart ached for her. Fear overwhelmed me when I went through my own divorce. Wade never said those same words to me, but he left me financially broke. I experienced first-hand the distress of having to support myself. I could relate to Marianne’s distress.

  By the time we made our way back to the lobby, Doc had returned and was talking with Dee Dee.

  “Hi, Doc. Any news?”

  His face held the answer. “No. Nothing new.” He looked as forlorn as a little boy who wasn’t old enough to go hunting with his daddy.

  I nudged Marianne. It was now or never. “Doc, Marianne needs to talk to you. I think we’d better go somewhere private.”

  We all traipsed behind the counter and into Doc’s office. Penny had returned with Doc, so she volunteered to man the front desk.

  “Doc, I realize you’re going to be mad at me when I reveal what I’ve done,” Marianne said. “I’ll probably lose my job.”

  “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?” Doc took Marianne’s hands in his own.

  I was touched with the display of compassion. I wondered how compassionate he’d be when he found out what Marianne had to say.

  “I’m so sorry for what I’ve done. I know better than to do something dishonest, but I was in a tight spot and couldn’t figure out a solution.” Marianne’s chin quivered and she dropped her head.

  “Go ahead dear. It can’t be that bad.” Doc’s gentle encouragement seemed to give her confidence to continue.

  “I needed money. After my divorce I had to start over on my own. I didn’t have a job.” Her eyes pleaded for empathy. “I couldn’t let my daughter go hungry, so I borrowed as much money from the bank as possible.” She looked at me. I nodded.

  “Well, that doesn’t seem so bad,” Dee Dee said. “I borrow money all the time.”

  “No, I guess it wouldn’t be that bad. But, I was in way over my head and felt like I was drowning. When I received the bookkeeping job at the museum, the temptation was more than I could handle. I took a little money from the register every now and then.” By this time the tears flowed. Doc let go of her hands and sat back in his chair. He couldn’t have appeared more surprised if Gloria Hamilton had patted him on the back and congratulated him on a job well done.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Please don’t inform the police,” Marianne choked out between sobs. “I fully intended to put the money back. But, one day Jacob saw me take some from the cash bag. Next thing I knew, he made unwanted advances toward me. I said I’d report him, and he told me to go ahead – he’d tell you I took the money.”

  “So you didn’t say anything?” I couldn’t imagine how terrified she must have been. Her actions put her in a lose-lose situation. She’d made a bad decision at the time when she’d been left to raise her child alone, and now it had come back to haunt her. If Mama hadn’t offered me a place to live, I don’t know what I’d have done. But I wondered if this young woman could have been panicked enough to kill Jacob. Although there were moments I’d hated Wade, never enough to murder.

  “I’m so ashamed.” She hid her face in her hands.

  “Uh, I’m shocked.” Doc slid his chair back, stood up and walked around the room. With hands behind his back, he paced for a few minutes then sat back down.

  “I don’t have a notion how to handle this.” Doc gazed at the top of Marianne’s head. “Marianne, why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I’m not saying I’m going to fire you, I just need time to think.”

  The tears flowed faster. Dee Dee handed Marianne a fresh Kleenex. She blew her nose in a most unladylike honk.

  Marianne turned pleading eyes up toward Doc. “I’m aware I did something wrong, but I’m asking you to please put yourself in my shoes. I’m willing to pay back all the money. I’m sorry, please forgive me.”

  I thought of how many times I needed the forgiveness of others. Through experience, I also understood how hard it was to forgive sometimes. The whole scenario brought back painful memories. Wade had dropped the news, out of the blue, he wanted to end our marriage. He’d found his soul mate online, a beautiful, blonde, twenty-something. My world turned upside down, and he left me to pick up the pieces.

  They say what goes around comes around. In Wade’s case, the saying came true. His beautiful blonde soul mate was in reality a 300 pound bimbo who played men for what she could get. By then, it was too late to preserve the marriage. Wade wanted out.

  The anger and bitterness began to eat away at me. It wasn’t until Dee Dee helped me see that if I continued to harbor these feelings they would destroy me. God had a good plan when he asked us to forgive others. When we forgive someone who has hurt us, forgiveness can heal that hurt. Even though I’d made progress in forgiving Wade, every now and again I still thought of him as ‘the jerk.’ Lord, please forgive me.

  “Trixie.” Dee Dee brought me out of my reverie. “Marianne just left. What were you thinking about, anyway?” She squeezed my shoulder. “Wade?”

  I’m not sure if it’s a curse or a blessing to have a friend who knows you so well. “I don’t want to talk about it.” I swiped at a tear that ran down my cheek. “I don’t think we can accomplish anything else here. Why don’t we go pick up Nana and go to lunch. I’m starved.”

  “Let’s go!” She grabbed her signature style gigantean purse faster than Nana could spot a good-looking guy.

  Doc sat at the table with his head down. “Look Doc, it’s obvious you have a lot of information to digest,” I said. “We’ll leave you alone while you decide what you want to do about Marianne.”

  He raised his head and stared at us like he’d just realized we were still in the room. “I can’t believe it. She’s such a sweet girl. I didn’t need this problem on top of everything else.” He stared into his empty coffee cup. “I think I’ll take some quiet time to pray about this situation. The Lord knows I need all the help I can get.”

  I hated being the bearer of more bad news, but a thought entered my mind. “You’re aware, if Jacob threatened Marianne, it’s possible she killed him to get out from under his control.”

  Doc’s head shot up. “No!” he said. “I can’t believe she’d hurt another human being. She may have stolen some money, but she wouldn’t kill anyone.”

  He was extremely upset, and I didn’t want to cause him further stress. But Marianne definitely gained a place of honor on our suspect list.

  We said our good-byes and walked out into the humid air. On our way to the parking lot we crossed the abandoned railroad tracks. Severa
l historic train cars rested on the tracks, in front of the museum, reminiscent of a time gone by.

  “Oh, fiddle-dee-dee,” Dee Dee said.

  “Why are you talking like Scarlett?”

  “I saw the Gone with the Wind Museum. I just couldn’t help myself.” We both laughed.

  “All right, Scarlett. What were you fiddle-dee-deeing about?”

  “I forgot to ask Doc where Susan Gray works. She’s next on our list of suspects.”

  “Why don’t you call him on your cell phone while we drive to the hospital to pick up Nana?”

  The visitor’s center next door was a hive of busy tourists. After we crossed the tracks, I turned and looked at the three story, red brick building. If I had a chance tonight, I’d read the book Dee Dee found in the antique store. I wanted to learn more about the family who once called this home.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  What did Doc say?”

  Dee Dee flipped her phone closed. “He said Susan owns Magnolia Books and Antiques, the bookstore where I found the Andrews’ Raiders book. We probably met her while we shopped.” She replaced her phone in her purse.

  “We can go by the shop after lunch and talk to her.”

  “Well….”

  “Well what?” I asked. “Does that ‘well’ have something to do with your conversation with Doc?”

  “Yes. He invited us to come to a ball they’re hosting tonight. The history museum is sponsoring a Civil War period gala, and he thinks it will be a good place to meet some of the people on our list.”

  “What? One, nobody gives balls anymore and two, where are we going to find dresses with hoop skirts?”

  “Doc has it all figured out. He said the Gone with the Wind Museum is renting gowns for tonight. It’s late notice, but I think it’d be fun and we can do some sleuthing while we’re there.” Dee Dee pulled down the vanity mirror. Maybe she pictured herself as the next Scarlett O’Hara.