Rhetta’s birthday had fallen on Columbus Day—a bank holiday and a Monday this year. Randolph wanted to throw a party. He’d promised to get everything ready, but she decided to help him. She wanted to have the yard and flower beds looking their best.
She took a day’s vacation on the Friday before, and spent the entire day mowing and trimming. The weather had co-operated with plenty of brilliant blue sky and warm breezes. She strung white lights around the patio and onto the potted trees she bought on clearance to decorate. She’d lucked into end-of-the-season cushions for the wicker furniture at Trees n Trends and Randolph had splurged on a new gas grill.
They left early Saturday morning for Bollinger County. After a country breakfast at Merc’s in Marble Hill, they stopped at Green’s Grocery for the world’s best fried bologna sandwiches. They tucked them into a picnic basket and spent the day at Billy Dan’s fishing with Ricky and Billy Dan. They’d caught a mess of catfish, and stayed late cooking them and enjoying a fish fry with Billy Dan as chef.
Early Sunday morning, Rhetta left Randolph sleeping soundly and, instead of running, she drove into town to the Lutheran church and sat in the back pew for early Sunday service. She scooted out just as it ended, and was home before Randolph had awakened. She had plenty to be thankful for these days, and was exploring a reunion with her former church. She’d talk to Randolph about it and maybe he’d accompany her next Sunday. They spent the rest of the day shopping for food for Monday’s party, and relaxing.
Now, hours before the party, Rhetta relieved Randolph’s concerns. “I talked to Mylene this morning and she said wild jackasses couldn’t keep her away.” She sipped her coffee and grinned. “She really is a great gal, and although we met under peculiar circumstances, I’m glad we’ve become friends.” Rhetta stroked Greystone, who had commandeered her lap. The other cats purred lazily.
Randolph raised an eyebrow. “Peculiar circumstances? You have a way with words, Rhetta.”
Rhetta ignored the comment. “She must’ve threatened the Alexander County muckety-mucks. Or, she may have had video of the cops and the prosecutor relaxing at her establishment.”
“Stop.” Randolph coughed, nearly spitting out his coffee. “I don’t even want to know how she got the charges dropped.” He put his hands up in a surrendering gesture. “I never thought my wife would be best buds with a pole dancer.”
“Former pole dancer,” Rhetta corrected. “Business woman, now.”
“Right. Whatever you say.” He tried another sip of coffee.
“I know she’s one tough cookie,” Rhetta said, emptying her cup. “She only spent one night in the hospital after the fire. I was scared for her. For a while out there I thought she was a goner.”
Randolph stood, collected her empty coffee cup and kissed her cheek. “For that matter, I thought you might have been a goner, too.”
She hugged his neck in return. Then she stood back and straightened his collar. “Lucky for me the neighbor across the road heard the explosion and ran to see what happened.”
“And that Ricky called me as soon as she got a signal, to tell me she thought you might head out to the cabin. She was right.” Randolph kissed the top of her head. “As I told you before, I hope this teaches you a lesson about not getting involved in police work.” Randolph carried the two cups.
Rhetta followed him into the kitchen. “I wouldn’t have gotten involved, if the police had actually done their work.” When he shot her The Look, she added, “What’s going to happen to Adele? Will she go to the pen?”
“I doubt if the State of Missouri will show much mercy for a cold-blooded killer, no matter what her age. She pled guilty to second-degree murder in the deaths of her husband and Jeremy Spears, so she saved the State from trying her. However, she still has to stand trial for the attempted murder of you and Mylene. Either way, she’ll be off to the Big House to enjoy her retirement.”
“How exactly did she kill her husband? Did she say?” She stroked an appreciative Greystone, whose purring motor revved on high.
“According to her confession, she asked him to go to the barn and look at the Z28. She said she was thinking about buying it for Mylene. When he got there, he was leaning in, checking out the motor. She came prepared with a wrench, and smashed it over his head. He must’ve lost his wallet in the struggle, and then she lost the wrench after she walloped him. Just as you had figured out, she dug a hollow grave, pushed him in it, then went to their construction site and got a truck to push the Z28 over his grave. He stayed undiscovered all these years.”
Randolph slid the door aside and slipped into the kitchen. The cats meowed, expecting food, no doubt. When Rhetta set Greystone down, he signaled his disapproval by swishing his tail and yowling.
She followed Randolph into the house and tapped on his shoulder as he stood at the sink rinsing out their cups. “You said you were getting me something special for my birthday. I’m ready now.” She grinned and folded her arms.
“Not yet. I plan on giving it to you when everyone gets here.”
Rhetta feigned annoyance. “You know Ricky will be late. You’re going to make me wait until she gets here?”
Randolph smirked. “Yep.”
Rhetta pretended to be miffed. “If that’s the deal, then I’ll go clean up.”
Rhetta headed for the shower, and Randolph followed her. They had a couple of hours before their guests would arrive.
* * *
Woody and Jenn got there first. Jenn strode through the kitchen and set a large bag bearing the logo for Primo Vino! on the island counter top. “Happy Birthday, Rhetta,” Woody said, and Jenn hugged her, joining in, singing, “Happy Birthday to you!” Rhetta hugged them back.
When the doorbell next chimed, Rhetta spotted Mrs. Koblyk peering in through the glass in the front door. Mr. Koblyk stood by her side, smiling. Rhetta opened the door wide. “Hello, Missus,” her neighbor said, handing her a large pan containing a spectacularly sinful dessert. “This is for having birthday. Much chocolate. Special occasion.” She beamed at Rhetta.
Mr. Koblyk grinned broadly and bobbed his head in agreement. “Very special day, you wait and see,” he said. They trooped in and joined the others in the kitchen.
Mylene’s red Viper slithered up the driveway and stopped behind the Koblyk’s car.
“My, my, such a red car,” Mrs. Koblyk said. Rhetta waved to Mylene.
By two o’clock, the party was in full swing and everyone had arrived but Ricky and Billy Dan. Randolph had donned a white apron and chef’s hat and commanded the grill like a captain at sea. Steak and chops sizzled, and the mouth-watering aroma wafted across the yard. The cats were languishing expectantly at the base of the grill. The guests sipped wine and milled around the patio.
“Who’s bringing the birthday cake?” Mylene asked, swirling a light wine in her tall glass.
“Ricky,” Randolph answered. “She called and was running a bit late. She said the bakery at Schnuck’s was ten deep with people waiting for their cakes.”
“Must be a popular day for birthdays,” Rhetta said and giggled.
Ricky came bursting through the front door loaded down with a gigantic sheet cake. She rushed it to the kitchen, set it on the island countertop and sighed. “Whew, glad I made it here without spilling it all over the white upholstery.”
Rhetta said, “What white upholstery? Your car has tan upholstery. And your truck is, well, dirty. What did you drive?” She started toward the door to peer outside at her ride, but was interrupted by Billy Dan who’d followed Ricky into the kitchen.
“Happy Birthday, Rhetta!” he said, and picked her up and swung her around. She began laughing.
Randolph appeared waving a red bandana. “It’s time for your birthday present, but I have to blindfold you first and spin you around.”
“Are we playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey?” Rhetta asked as she allowed Randolph to snug the scarf and block the light.
Placing his hands on h
er shoulders, he spun her around until she was properly disoriented. It didn’t take much, since she’d had two glasses of wine. Cupping her elbow, he steered her around the house, dodging furniture and doorways until he stood at the garage door. He held his finger to his lips to caution everyone to be quiet, then silently opened the door, and guided her through. She sniffed. “Are we in the garage?” she said and extended her arms as though to feel her way. Randolph took both her hands and walked backward, leading her. He nodded at Ricky to remove the blindfold, which she did with a flourish.
“Happy birthday, darling.” Randolph sidestepped so she could enjoy the full impact of her gift.
There, in her regular spot, gleaming and shiny, sat Cami. Impossible as it seemed, her ’79 Camaro had been returned to her.
“But how…I thought…Is it really Cami?” She ventured to the car and caressed the hood. Tears runneled down her cheeks. She opened the driver’s door and eased into the luxurious white interior. She closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet fragrance of new.
Her baby was truly home.
* * *
It was nearly ten o’clock when everyone finally left. Rhetta and Randolph picked up the remnants of the evening’s fun, put the dirty dishes into the dishwasher, then sat exhausted, but happy, at the kitchen table. She reached over and grasped both his hands in hers. “I still can’t believe that I really have Cami home again. I can’t wait to drive her. I’m taking her to work tomorrow. She’s beautiful and I love you.”
Randolph kissed the back of her hands. “I was lucky to get her bought from the insurance company after they totaled her, but the real miracle was what Ricky did with her. Ricky certainly had her work cut out. The hardest part was keeping it a secret. Woody nearly found her when he was out there, as did you one time. Ricky said you are just too snoopy for your own good.” He angled over to gaze straight at her. “And I agree. You’ve got to stay out of trouble for a while.”
Rhetta smiled, and tears leaked again.
Randolph pulled her to her feet and hugged her. “Your birthday isn’t over yet, my girl. I have one more gift for you.” He reached into his pocket and removed a small blue velvet pouch with a corded drawstring. He opened her hand and placed it in her palm.
She turned it over and looked at him, puzzled. “Sweets, you more than made my birthday the best ever. What is this?”
“Open it.” He stood back and smiled as she studied the pouch, turning it over in her hand.
Carefully, she unfolded the velvet cloth. Nestled inside on the end of a gleaming liquid gold chain, lay her mother’s locket—the one she believed lost forever with Cami. Today had to be a dream. If it was, she never wanted to wake from it. She threw her arms around Randolph’s neck and hugged her amazing husband. She was the luckiest woman in the world.
“How in the world did this survive?” Rhetta said, caressing the locket. “It looks perfect.”
“The chain had melted, but the locket had slipped down under your leather calendar book, and was protected from the heat. Mr. Koblyk spent many hours restoring it.” Randolph flicked his thumb across the tears streaming down her cheeks. He pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her.
“I’m going to go over there tomorrow and give him the biggest hug,” Rhetta said.
The house phone interrupted them, and Rhetta, still sniffling and mopping her tears, strode across the kitchen to answer it.
“I wanted to wish you Happy Birthday, Rhetta.” The man began coughing deeply and was unable to go on for a few seconds. He wheezed when he spoke next. “You see, I never forgot.”
Before she could ask who it was, she heard a click and the hum of a dial tone. At first, she couldn’t place the raspy voice. Then it came to her. She stared at the receiver.
Her father had just called her.
THE END
Sharon Woods Hopkins
KILLERFIND, the second book in the mystery series featuring mortgage banker Rhetta McCarter hits close to home. Sharon is a branch manager for a mortgage office of a Missouri bank. She also owns the original Cami, the car featured in the book. KILLERTRUST and KILLERGROUND are the next books in the Rhetta McCarter Mystery series.
Besides writing, Sharon’s hobbies include painting, fishing, photography, flower gardening, and restoring muscle cars with her son, Jeff.
She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Southeast Missouri Writers’ Guild, and the Missouri Writers’ Guild. Her short story, DEATH BEE HUMBLE, will appear in the SEMO Writer’s Guild Anthology for 2012. Her first Rhetta McCarter book, KILLERWATT, was nominated for a 2011 Lovey award for Best First Novel.
Sharon has been a regular contributor to www.wheel-emag.com and was a regular contributor to the Appaloosa Journal. She spent 30 years as an Appaloosa Horse Club judge, where she was privileged to judge all over the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe.
She also spent time in the air as a flight attendant for American Airlines, fifteen years as a real estate broker, and ten years in retail management.
Sharon lives on the family compound near Marble Hill, Missouri, with her husband, Bill, next door to her son, Jeff, his wife, Wendy, and her grandson, Dylan, plus two dogs, one cat, and assorted second generation Camaros.
Praise for KILLERWATT. the first book in the Rhetta McCarter series.
Killerwatt was nominated for a 2011 Lovey Award for “Best First Novel.”
"Oh, I love Rhetta McCarter! She's hilarious, smart, savvy, tenacious, loving--and just the teensiest bit stubborn. (Good thing, or her hometown would be in serious trouble.) "Killerwatt" is a high-voltage, high-speed adventure--with humor, heart, and a frighteningly realistic story!" -Hank Phillippi Ryan, Anthony, Macavity and Agatha-winning author
"Feisty amateur sleuth Rhetta McCarter takes us along on a thrilling ride in her '79 Camaro as she tries to stop a terrorist plot that could mean lights out for the country...and for Rhetta! An exciting, fast-paced thriller from a promising debut author."-Sharon Potts, award-winning author of In Their Blood and Someone's Watching
“Killerwatt is as fun and fast-paced as riding around in McCarter's '79 Camaro with the top down. Well-rounded characters and great writing make the frighteningly real terrorist scenario come to life.” -D. Alan Lewis, author of The Blood in Snowflake Garden
From “Top Book Reviewers” https://www.topbookreviewers.com
Hopkins has written a solid mystery thriller that will appeal to a wide audience. Her style takes a fun, light-hearted approach to a serious subject which kept me reading it in one go. Even when my eyes were trying to close, I had to read the next chapter to see what would happen next to Rhetta. Hopkins has created a likable heroine that I could see become a series of books quickly. Killerwatt is an entertaining read that shows how vulnerable we are. I hope it never really happens in my lifetime.”
From Readers:
“I really enjoyed Killerwatt and being introduced to protagonist Rhetta McCarter. She's spunky, smart, determined and opinionated— everything a reader wants in a leading lady and amateur sleuth. The book is set in Missouri and painted with such care you'll feel like you're zooming along the back roads, riding shotgun in Rhetta's prize Camaro.”
“Sharon Woods Hopkins knocked this out of the park. She creates a suspenseful tale with well-drawn, believable characters.”
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends