“That brings us to Naomi. She had opportunity and method, but what would have been her motive? She was in love with him by all accounts and expected to marry him.
“So now we go back to Trisha. She had opportunity, but no real motive that I can see, and again, it was Naomi’s gun.”
Pausing, Rayna looked up at us. “So far so good?”
We nodded affirmation. Rayna can be quite organized in her thinking, which I always thought right brain people couldn’t manage. I must be a middle brain person, since I have no creativity and greatly flawed logic.
Continuing, Rayna ticked off the next person on the list, bringing a protest from the suspect herself.
“Hey,” Bitty said, “my name shouldn’t be on there!”
“I explained to you a little while ago that if we’re going to list all possible suspects we have to list
everyone
connected to both the victims, Bitty.”
“Yes, but I didn’t think you meant me!”
I patted Bitty’s arm. “It’s okay, honey. Just hear her out.”
“As I was saying,” Rayna continued, “Bitty dated Race once. While she didn’t want to see him again, she had no motive, no opportunity, and no access to Naomi’s gun.
“Then we have Cliff Wages, who allegedly sabotaged Race’s hot rod. His only motive seems to be greed, although with Race out of the way, he moved up in the NHRA ranks. That might be enough reason to kill, even though it wasn’t like Race was that much of a threat to him anymore. Race needed a new sponsor and money to get back into the game. There’s no evidence Wages ever met Naomi, though it’s possible. I think we can safely rule out Wages.
“That brings us to Rose Allgood. She has money. If it’s true that Race jilted her, that would give her motive. No opportunity, no access to Naomi’s gun, however. As far as we know, she didn’t know Naomi, though it’s possible they met since Naomi did go to Carolann’s shop pretty often.
“Now, we turn to Naomi’s murder. Despite Bitty’s suggestion that we include half the high school football team—” She flashed a wry smile up at my dear cousin. “—we’ve narrowed it down to three suspects.
“One, of course, is Bitty. We’ve established that she had plenty of motive, but it’s doubtful she had opportunity.”
“
Doubtful?
” Bitty repeated indignantly. “Don’t you mean impossible?”
“I’m approaching this objectively, Bitty. Don’t take anything personal. I’m just asking questions the police may—and probably have—asked themselves.”
“My phone records show I was on the phone organizing our meeting when she was killed. So I’ve been cleared.”
“There are records that your phone was in use, not that you were the one on it,” Rayna corrected, then added, “but I don’t think the police believe you’re the one who killed Naomi, or you’d already be in jail.”
Somewhat pacified, Bitty sat back in the kitchen chair with her arms crossed over her chest. “Oh, we all know that Trina Madewell killed them both.”
“It does look that way,” Rayna said with a frown, “but if that’s true, why drag in Rose Allgood’s name?”
“Trina and Miranda obviously had conversations, or that nasty column about the Divas wouldn’t have been published,” I said. “Maybe Trina told Miranda about Rose just to throw the police off the track.”
“But if Miranda went to the police—and remember, she said she didn’t—they would have already brought Rose in for questioning, wouldn’t they?” Rayna pointed out.
“We have only Miranda's version of that. What if Miranda is the common link in both murders?” I asked.
“Nonsense,” said Bitty. “It’s Trina. Or Trisha. Most likely Trina is the murderer.”
“I didn’t mean Miranda is the killer, Bitty. She’s just the vehicle the killer is using to spread false information. If not, she wouldn’t have been attacked. Maybe the killer thought she’d put together the pieces and intended to go to the police.”
“All conjecture,” said Rob from the doorway. He carried a bottle of wine and an empty glass. “Let the police handle this. If tonight wasn’t reason enough, remember being run off the road.”
“Hard to forget,” I said. “That’s one reason we’re so determined to get the guilty person. They’ve killed twice, and tried to kill four other people, including Miranda.”
“Reason enough for you three to stay the hell out of it,” said Rob flatly. He put the wine and glass on the kitchen counter, then pulled out a chair and sat at the table next to Rayna. “Believe me, the police are more than capable of solving these murders.”
“Before or after someone else gets killed?” Rayna reached across the table and put her hand over Rob’s. “Police have legal procedures they have to follow. We don’t. We can go places and talk to people who might actually say things they wouldn’t say to the cops. You know that.”
“I know the police have guns and pepper spray, and none of you do.”
“Oh, I do,” Bitty said brightly. “I have a gun
and
pepper spray.”
Rob rolled his eyes. “That’s not as comforting to me as you might think.”
“I can shoot. Ask Rayna. I shot up the truck that was chasing us. Maybe I didn’t hit the driver, but I did damage. If we could find the truck, I bet we’d find the killer. Let’s look out at the Madewell place. They probably have it hidden in a barn or something.”
“Hm,” said Rob thoughtfully. “Bitty, you just gave me an idea.”
“A good idea?”
He grinned. “I hope so. If I do some investigating, will you three promise me you won’t go snooping around anywhere?”
“Are you any good?” Bitty asked seriously.
This time I was the one who rolled my eyes. “Bitty, it’s what he does for a living. He investigates insurance fraud.”
“Oh, I forgot about that. I just usually see him as my bail bondsman.”
“For which I thank you,” said Rob. “Lately, you’ve been keeping my bank balance healthy. As nice as that is, I’d like to put an end to your budding career.”
“Career? I don’t really have a career. Although I have been thinking about going back into real estate. Why would you want to stop me?”
“He’s talking about our amateur detective work, Bitty,” I said. “Rob is telling us that he’ll try to find the black truck for us. If it’s at Madewell Courts, as an insurance investigator, he can ‘check out a recent claim’ so to speak. That gives him a legitimate excuse to go snooping in barns. Am I right, Rob?”
“Right on the nose, Trinket. What do you say, ladies? You retire and let me do the detective work for you?”
“You’ll tell us what you find?” Rayna asked.
“As long as you agree that I’m going to tell the police first.”
“But then they get all the credit!” Bitty protested.
“Don’t mind Bitty,” I said. “She’s still getting marriage proposals from around the world after all that publicity we got last time. If it wasn’t for Jackson Lee, I think she might have accepted the invitation she got from the Shah of Iran.”
Bitty glared at me. “You know that guy was really in a Texas prison and not the Shah at all.”
I made a face at her. “I’m shocked to hear that.”
“Yes,” Rayna said, “we all agree that anything you find has to be given to the police first. We would like to be kept in the loop, though. Will you do that much for us?”
Rob leaned over and kissed his wife. “Absolutely. As long as I know you’re safe, I will share everything I get.”
It was the best deal we could have gotten, I suppose, and really, I wasn’t that fond of poking into abandoned buildings after everything that happened a few months ago.
“Want our lists?” I asked Rob, and he reached for the notebook on the table. After looking it over, he nodded.
“Impressive. Your conclusion that the two murders are connected is logical. I’ll check out Rose Allgood’s past, money trail, anything like that, just to be sure. I have a new software program that can track almost anyone anywhere.”
Rayna gave him an exasperated look. “Well, why didn’t you tell me this earlier? I could have used it.”
He wagged a finger at her. “Hunh uh. I didn’t want you getting into any more trouble than you already have. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.”
Rayna's eyes narrowed. “I think I want to redo our bargain.”
“Nope,” he said. “We already have an agreement. You keep your end of the deal, and I’ll keep mine.”
Whistling a cheery tune, he got up from the table. We watched silently until he’d left the kitchen. Then we looked at each other.
“We made a bargain,” I reminded. “Let’s just see what he comes up with, okay?”
“Fine by me,” said Bitty. “I wonder if it’s too late to call DJ. I really need to get my thumbnail fixed.”
“It’s after midnight,” said Rayna. “I move we adjourn this meeting of the mentally impaired.”
“Seconded,” I said.
“Huh?” said Bitty.
I took her arm. “Let’s go home. I’ll explain on the way.”
****
It was an exhausting end to what had started out as a relaxing day. I was amazed we’d packed so much activity into just a few hours. I stopped my car in front of Bitty’s house and left the engine running. She looked over at me.
“You’re not coming in for a nightcap?”
“I’m too tired. One drink would send me into a coma.”
Bitty nodded. In the light that came from her front porch, I could see her frown. “I keep thinking about Miranda being in a coma, and the intruder at her house tonight. It seems like the same person who attacked her, doesn’t it?”
“That would be logical. Why?”
“Because that person is still out and about, and if the police had any idea who it was they would have already arrested him or her. Don’t you think?”
“Maybe. There has to be probable cause, hard evidence, something besides just suspicion, I suppose. But don’t worry about it. You’ll be okay. You have a house full of college kids and a Chinese dragon-dog to keep you safe.”
“I know. I was thinking about you.”
That caught me by surprise. Honestly, I hadn’t really thought about someone coming after me. There was no reason. I had absolutely no idea who the killer could be. Maybe Rob’s investigation would turn up something the police had overlooked, I didn’t know. I just knew that I was tired, dirty from my wallowing about on the floor and in the yard, and ready to bathe and go to bed. I didn’t want to think about it anymore tonight.
“I’ll be fine, Bitty. I’ll lock my car doors and not stop until I get home.”
“You should carry a cell phone. Just in case.”
“No, thanks. I’m not ready for another monthly bill. Besides, if I had a phone people could call me.”
“And you could call people if you have a flat tire.”
“My tires are fine. Daddy keeps my car running smoothly, and I have plenty of gas.”
Bitty opened the car door. “Okay. I tried. If you won’t listen, I can’t help you. Remember what my daddy always said: ‘Those who will not listen must suffer’.”
“I thought it was, ‘Those who will not learn must suffer’.”
“Both apply.”
“Bitty, I’m so proud. You’re getting philosophical wisdom at last.”
She said something rude and got out of my car. I could hear the leather of her jumpsuit rustle and groan.
“Your vampire suit is creaking,” I called to her right before she shut the door. I didn’t hear her reply. It was probably for the best.
CHAPTER 20
I got to the intersection of Walthal and Randolph and slowed down to look at a jogger on the sidewalk. Just in case. One never knows what killers do in their leisure time, so just to be safe, I locked my car doors. Then I saw who it was and laughed at myself. Bitty and her silly admonishment was making me a nervous Nellie. I hit the window button for the passenger side.
“Can I give you a ride?”
The jogger stuttered to a halt and turned to look at me. She smiled. “I’m just doing my regular run.”
“This late? It’s after midnight.”
“That’s the safest time. Hardly any traffic and everyone’s asleep.”
“Not everyone,” I said. “Ghouls, vampires, me and Bitty are still up. You sure you don’t want a ride?”
“Well . . . .” She hesitated, then nodded. “That would be great, Miz T. I’m renting a room two blocks over. If it wouldn’t be out of your way?”
“Not at all. I’m going to Cherryhill anyway.”
After she got in and shut the door, I glanced at her. She was breathing a little hard. She had what looked like chalk on her dark jogging suit. It was one of those Lycra things that fit snugly. Something to do with aerodynamics, I’ve been told, but since I’m not into running or any other kind of fitness program that doesn’t involve chocolate, I never paid much attention.
“You’re really into the fitness thing, aren’t you,” I remarked, and she nodded.
“As much as I can.”
“You need to be careful at night though, seriously. The police haven’t caught the person who killed Race and Naomi.”
“Are they close, do you think?”
“Yes, I think they definitely know who it is. They’re just trying to gather enough evidence before they make an arrest. At least, that’s what Rob Rainey says, and he probably knows more than most about it.”
“Rob Rainey—I don’t think I know him.”
“Oh, he’s Rayna's husband. You may have met Rayna at Bitty’s house.”
“She’s one of the Divas?”
“Yes. Rob is an insurance investigator, so he has access to a lot of the same info the police do, as far as running background checks on people.”
“Oh. That must come in handy for the Divas, since I know y’all are trying to find the killer, too. I never would have thought so many people would get involved. Usually, it’s just the police who do the investigating, not half the town.”
I laughed. “That’s the way it is in small towns. But you probably already know that. Biloxi isn’t that big, though it is a tourist town. Or was until Katrina.”
Hurricane Katrina had razed Biloxi pretty thoroughly. It destroyed old antebellum homes like former Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s beautiful place right on the main road overlooking the gulf. It also tore up the half-dozen or so casinos, as well as people’s homes and lives.
“The casinos are rebuilding. Some are already back in operation. I suppose I could always go back there to work,” she said.
“You worked at the casinos?”