Chapter 8
I slid into the retro booth at La Casa across from Katy for the second time in two days. We had decided to forgo our picnic in light of the senator’s murder and the fact it was supposed to rain later, and decided instead that somewhere in town would be much better. That didn’t leave too many choices, so La Casa seemed the best option.
Chris Stone was there with her, and Katy was hanging on every word he was saying. I noticed Katy had an extra button undone on her pink Oxford shirt. Yep, she was showing some cleavage, though with her chest it didn’t take much effort. Was something going on between them? Katy didn’t usually show that much cleavage for no reason—especially to someone she had not only known for years but had also dated on and off. Chris was cute, but he sure was acting strange yesterday, and I wasn’t a fan of how he treated Katy.
“So, what is so important that you couldn’t tell me on the phone?” Katy asked playfully, as I settled into the booth. Since it was mid–afternoon and Katy had dinner plans at her dad’s, she was sipping a Diet Coke instead of her trademark margarita. Although, after a morning like this one, a margarita sure sounded good, even if it was barely lunchtime.
“Hi, Chris,” I said to him before answering Katy’s question. He nodded to me as a response. Still not being very friendly.
“Have you been on another planet this morning? You didn’t hear? Senator Daniels was found dead earlier,” I said, rummaging for my favorite lip gloss in my brown Coach purse. The purse, a bucket style, was one of my favorites, even if it was a present from Rick. One of the few pleasant memories I still had of him was that he didn’t mind spending money. I almost felt I should have been greedier so at least the relationship wouldn’t have been a total waste.
“Of course, I heard that,” Katy said. “I do spend all of my days in a beauty salon, where the goal is to gossip as much as possible. My phone was ringing off the hook all morning at home since the salon wasn’t open. But what does that have to do with you?”
I dropped my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Cooper showed up at my house at six o’clock this morning to grill me,” I said, rolling my eyes dramatically. “Then halfway through that lovely experience, which happened before I got any coffee, mind you, Dirt showed up and all but threw Cooper out of the house for interfering in a police investigation. I tell you, something is going on between those two and I would like to know what.”
“How was he killed?” Katy asked. “What did they tell you? Who do they think did this?”
I looked around before saying quietly, “I don’t know, but Cooper said that the senator was found early this morning by the housekeeper. Someone stabbed him. Can you believe it?”
“Oh my God! In this town?” Katy said excitedly.
Not since Old Lady Hubbard shot her husband when she found him with that slutty bar server had there been a murder in Alkon, and that was over twenty years ago. This murder was earth-shattering news for a little sleepy town where the biggest crime was, usually, a kid drag racing through town. That may sound a little cliché, but seriously, nothing ever happened here. That was part of why I moved to Chicago right after high school. I needed some action.
“Should we be talking about this?” Chris finally opened his mouth. It startled me. I had been so wrapped up in telling Katy the story that I forgot he was still sitting with us.
“Why not? I, for one, am curious about who would kill the senator. Especially here in Alkon; it’s not like this is Capitol Hill,” I said. “C’mon, Chris, you can’t tell me you aren’t the least bit interested.”
“No. It’s none of my business. And you shouldn’t be going around spreading gossip,” Chris snapped. I just looked at him. Men. Always thinking they were above gossiping. So why did it seem sometimes they were the worst offenders?
“This isn’t gossip, Chris. It's a fact someone murdered him. Why shouldn’t we talk about it? Maybe we can figure out why.”
“Think of how Helen feels,” Chris said. “Don’t you think that the more people talk about this and start speculating and spreading rumors, like everyone in this town does, the worse it’s going to make Helen feel? Don’t you have any compassion?”
I just stared at him. He couldn’t have surprised me more than if he showed up at the diner with purple hair. Since when did Chris Stone care about Helen Daniels? I doubted they traveled in the same social circles. His brother Tobey did work for the senator, so maybe he was concerned on his behalf, but still, that seemed like a stretch.
“You know, I did overhear someone at the salon talking about how Tom and Helen were having marital problems, and Helen was having an affair,” Katy said, ignoring Chris’s stance on gossip. “Do you think maybe Helen has a lover who wants her all to himself and decided to get Tom out of the picture? Wouldn’t that just be so Hollywood?”
“Katy, I doubt that Helen was having an affair and even if she was, don’t you think it would be back in D.C.? Not here in Alkon,” Chris said, sounding almost indignant. He seemed tense. “I mean, really...who here would be good enough for her?”
“Excuse me?” Katy said, offended.
“You know what I mean, Katy. I mean good enough for her in her eyes.”
“Well, maybe the person followed Tom and Helen to Alkon because it was easier to get to them here than in D.C.?” Katy fired back. “Or maybe Helen’s lover just can’t bear to be without her, so he followed her here. Chill out, Chris, I’m just having some fun.”
“Who in Alkon could catch her eye? I mean, c’mon, look at her. She’s way out of anyone’s league in Alkon,” Chris said.
“Ummm... she’s originally from here, remember. Geesh, you’re awful testy, Chris. Didn’t you take your happy pill today?” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “If Helen was having an affair, maybe she wanted a divorce and the senator wouldn’t give her one. That would be motive to kill him, wouldn’t it?”
“She is not having an affair. Blame it on something else,” Chris said defensively.
“How would you know?”
“Tobey works, or rather worked, for Senator Daniels, remember? From everything he tells me, they are a loving couple. As much as anyone else, anyways.”
“Speaking of Tobey, what does he think of this? Does he have an idea who might have killed him? He has to know who might have had it in for the senator.”
“Like I already said, Pres, it’s none of our business.”
“Did you ask Cooper who he thought might have done this?” Katy asked me.
“I tried, but he wouldn’t give me the time of day. He was too busy trying to ask me questions. He was a jerk, actually.”
“Why? Because he wouldn’t give you information on a murder investigation?” Chris shook his head. “You two are unbelievable. What do you expect him to do? Give you all the inside information?”
“I was telling him everything I knew. Is it too much to ask to have him reciprocate?”
Chris sighed. “He is a professional and spreading around sensitive information wouldn’t look good for his reputation.”
“What’s your deal, Chris? We’re just playing around,” I said.
“This is none of your business, Presley. Just drop it.”
“I can’t help that I’m curious and want to know what happened. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“True,” Katy said. “The public is always more fascinated with people posthumously.”
I nodded. “Sick, but oh so very true.”
“You girls are crazy. Just stay out of it, or you might hurt someone or end up hurt yourself.” With that, Chris got up and stormed out of the diner.
“Wow. He was in a mood. We aren’t doing anything bad, are we?”
“I don’t know,” Katy said, “but I haven’t seen him like that before. He’s been on edge lately.”
“What’s the deal? First Cooper and Dirt, and now Chris.”
“I guess everyone has a right to be moody. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.” Katy shrugged.
?
??No, this goes deeper than that.”
“I think you’re reading too much into it, Presley. Chris is probably just having a bad day.”
“Are you sticking up for him? How did he get so lucky?”
“Well...” Katy blushed, embarrassed.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice how low your shirt is unbuttoned. Or how you kept leaning into him when he was talking. He’s not that fascinating,” I teased. “But he is cute.”
“Maybe he is.” She shrugged, trying to act as if she hadn’t noticed—and failing.
“You have a thing for him again? You do, don’t you?” Seeing the look on her face in response to my question, it was quite obvious. “Didn’t you learn your lesson with him already?” Katy and Chris had dated on several occasions, and it always ended badly, starting with him blowing her off for Missy Stevens, a blonde bimbo of a cheerleader, in high school. Then two other times in the subsequent years. Katy just never stopped liking him.
“He’s different now. Not everyone is the same as they were in high school. Besides, that was a long time ago. Anyway, who cares?” she said with a wave of her hand. “It’s not like we’re that serious. It’s just fun.”
Katy might try to tell herself she was only having fun, but I could tell by the look on her face that it was more than that.
“Well, what happened to John — or Don — what was his name again?”
“It was Jim. And he’s been history for a long time. A girl can have her fun, can’t she? I’m a big girl. I know what I’m getting myself into with Chris.”
“You’re crazy to go down that road again. But whatever makes you happy. There is something else I wanted to tell you before the men around here sidetracked us. But I didn’t want to talk about it in front of Chris. Especially after I saw how he was acting.”
“What? Tell me.” Katy leaned in closer to hear.
“I saw Helen Daniels going hot and heavy in a parked car on Main Street last night on my way to Brian’s.”
“What? Oh my God...with who?”
“That’s just it, I don’t know. I couldn’t see who the other person was and believe me I tried. The windows were too fogged up.”
Katy laughed. “Seriously? Couldn't you see anything? Are you sure it was Helen then? I can’t imagine her doing that in plain view. Chris was right in that she’s different than us here.”
“I am positive it was Helen, but you’re right, it does seem odd she would hook-up in public with someone here in Alkon. At the time, I didn’t think much more about it other than figuring what was good for the gander was good for the goose. But now it also makes her a suspect in her husband’s murder, don’t you think?”
“Did you tell Cooper?”
“Um, not exactly.”
“Please tell me you told Dirt.”
“Well, he was so mad at Cooper, and I was so mad at him for being mad at Cooper that, well, I sort of forgot.”
“You mean you forgot on purpose.”
I just shrugged. No use denying what was true.
“Presley! They are going to kill you when they find out. And they will find out. You have to tell them.”
“This is what I was thinking, Katy,” I leaned in closer, “if I can figure out who killed Senator Daniels first, then they will both be happy, and there’s no need for them to know about what I saw and didn’t tell them. Think about it. This could be my big break. I’m smarter than they are. I can solve this thing.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard, Presley. Since when did you desire to be an amateur detective? At least tell Dirt. He’s a cop. What if this fling of Helen’s does make her a true suspect and you’re keeping valuable information from them that could help them find the killer?”
“Well, I can always tell them later. Besides, if they’re good at their jobs they should be able to figure it out on their own. They don’t need my help.”
“Presley, what if it’s dangerous? I mean, the senator is already dead. Doesn’t that scare you? Besides, isn’t it a crime to withhold evidence?”
“Who’s to say that Helen’s extramarital activities constitute evidence? I can’t help it if I have a bad memory,” I said innocently. “Besides, now they’re probably busy, and I hate to bother them. They probably wouldn’t have time to return my phone calls even if I tried to contact them.”
“If you say so, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“So, how do you think we can find out who Helen was with in that car?” I wanted to change the subject so Katy would stop making me feel guilty about not telling Dirt and Cooper.
Just then, from out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dirt walk in the restaurant. Shit. It was one thing to know something and just not say anything, but a different scenario to be face–to–face with him and not tell him about it. I couldn’t very well claim I forgot again, when I just finished telling Katy everything. Dirt saw us and walked over, and I felt instantly guilty.
“Don’t you say a thing,” I whispered to Katy.
“What are you talking about?” She hadn’t seen Dirt come in yet.
“Just don’t throw me under the bus,” I warned.
“You two spend a lot of time in here,” Dirt said as he walked up. “Mind if I join you?”
“Please do,” Katy said waving her hands toward the space next to her. Dirt slid in a little too close in my opinion. I thought that maybe Katy should try to hook-up with Dirt. He was a much nicer guy than Chris.
“You seem to be in a much better mood now,” I said to him. “How are things going with the investigation? Catch the killer yet?”
“Not many leads. People in the senator’s camp are keeping their mouths closed about the inner workings. To make it worse, a girl showed up claiming to be the senator’s girlfriend. Luckily, Helen wasn’t there at the time, but it’s not going to be long before it gets out. The press was there, so I’m surprised it hasn’t hit the news already.”
“What did she want?” I asked.
“Supposedly her and the Senator had plans to meet. She was putting on a good show of being distraught, and when I left, poor Tobey was trying to calm her down and presumably do damage control. She was a mess but gorgeous. Don’t know how the senator pulled that in.”
“Dirt!” Katy leaned over and hit him.
“What?” Dirt said, pretending to ward off more blows. “She is hot. I couldn’t help but notice. With all the shit going on, at least let me appreciate something normal.”
“You’re a pig,” Katy said playfully. She knew he was teasing.
“I just stopped by here to grab a burger before heading back to the station,” he said, raking his hand through his hair, looking stressed.
“Who is that?” Katy said and motioned over to a woman who had walked into the restaurant and made her way up to the to–go counter. Not from around here, she had long brown hair with caramel highlights, a high–end job according to Katy. She was stunning in her gorgeous navy wrap dress, possibly a real Diane Von Furstenberg, and camel–colored knee boots. “That’s Lisa Simmons,” Dirt said turning around to look. “She’s a reporter from some paper in Washington. She must have flown out here within minutes of hearing of the senator’s death. She was at the station hounding the FBI agents. I don’t envy them. She didn’t seem too interested in talking to a small town sheriff, which was just fine by me.”
“The Feds?” Katy asked.
“They showed up a few hours ago and pretty much took over. I expected it with Tom being a senator and all. But it’s still my town, and this needs solving for people’s peace of mind,” he said, slamming his fist on the table. “That’s something the FBI doesn’t care about—the people here in Alkon.”
“Dirt, you are not going to believe what Presley,” Katy said with a sideways glance. I looked at her incredulously. Had I not just asked her five seconds ago to not tell anyone? I sent her a stern shut–up look.
“What did you see, Pres?” he asked, sounding tired. Something told me that telling him now m
ight not be the best timing. In fact, he was so tired and stressed; he would probably be irrational and upset with me about not saying anything about it this morning. It would probably be best if I waited. Why get him all worked up over something that probably was nothing? Yes, not telling Dirt was the best option. It’s not as if I wouldn’t ever tell him, just not now. I wanted to wait until I had more information to share.
“Mr. Simms painted his house pink,” I blurted out. I was going to kill Katy for opening her mouth. She kicked me under the table and glared at me as if to say tell him, you idiot. I shot her back a shut the hell up smirk.
Dirt looked at me funny.
Katy eyed me and shook her head at the fact that I wasn’t coming clean. I just hoped he didn’t notice all the looks that Katy and I were exchanging. Lucky for me, he was exhausted and not paying attention.
“Oh that,” he finally said, waving his hand. “He did that after the Town Board denied his permit to put a totem pole in his front yard and made him take it down. Since they couldn’t tell him what color to paint his house, it was his way to get back at the town.”
“What was their problem with a totem pole?” Katy asked.
“Well, it wasn’t the totem pole they had an issue with per se. It was the naked women he wanted carved on the totem pole that the town fathers objected to.” Dirt laughed.
“Tell me something, Dirt. What is the deal between you and Cooper these days?” I asked. “You used to be friends, and now you act like you can’t stand each other.”
Sighing, he said, “It’s a long story, Pres.”
Before I could say anything else, the server brought Dirt’s food wrapped up to go. “I’ve got a murder to solve, ladies.” He stood up to leave.
“See you later Dirt,” we said in unison.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell him about Helen,” Katy said when he left.
“I can’t believe that you started to. I told you that I wasn’t ready to say anything yet. I counted on you to keep my secret. Luckily I distracted him.” My phone rang. Looking at it, I saw it was my parents’ number. “My mother, I’m sure,” I said to Katy. “Hello, Mother.” I barely got that out before my mom started badgering me about where I had been and what I was doing. “Okay, okay.”
I hung up and looked at Katy. “Next time she calls, and I’m with you, I’m just going to hand you the phone and you can deal with her.”
Katy laughed. We moved on from talking about current events to reliving some old memories. Talking non-stop until it was time for Katy to leave.