Murder in South Carolina Read online

  “Do they know who killed him yet?”

  “Not yet. The police are working hard on it, though.”

  “I sent Mrs. Overton a card. Should I do more, Mom?”

  “I think a card is enough. It was thoughtful of you to send it, Emily. I’m sure Dolly will be pleased to get it.”

  “And how are you doing with all this, Mom?”

  “I’m fine. I’m determined to enjoy some of my time here regardless of what’s going on.”

  “Good for you. I want you to.”

  “Now, tell me a little about school.”

  Emily laughed. “It’s more confusing than anything right now. I’m still trying to get through the drop/add process and keep a decent schedule for this semester. I think it will eventually work out.”

  “I’m glad. Have you met any interesting people?”

  “Quite a few. My roommate is from Florida. We seemed to hit it off. She likes many of the things I do.”

  “I’m glad.” Nola Dean took a deep breath. “When do you think you’ll want to come home?”

  “Oh, Mom, I’ve only been here a few days.” Before her mother could answer, she added, “It will be a few weeks. Probably Thanksgiving. Maybe we could spend the holiday at the beach.”

  “That would be fun,” Nola Dean said. She began telling Emily about the beautiful weather and about some of the things she knew would interest her, including the bands still playing at the many theaters in the area. For the first time since Emily went to school Nola Dean didn’t feel rushed when talking with her daughter.

  The conversation lasted for thirty minutes and afterward, Nola Dean sat on the balcony, watched the stars over the water and thanked the universe for all the blessings she knew she had in her life.

  * * * *

  Megan Eller came down the hall and found Dolly sitting on the side of her bed in her bedroom. She smiled at her new friend. “Could I make you some tea or something?” she asked.

  Dolly shook her head. “I’m fine.” She kicked her shoes off. “I have to be fine. I have no other choice.”

  “I know it has been a distressing day for you. Now that everyone is gone, don’t you think you should try to relax a little?”

  “You’re being very kind to me, Megan, but it really isn’t necessary for you to spend the night. You know my college roommate, Justine offered to stay, but I insisted she go back to the motel and come see me tomorrow.”

  “I know, but I want to be here if it helps. I still can’t believe Walter won’t be coming back to work.”

  Dolly ignored the statement about Walter. “I know Rex or Grady asked you to stay with me, but it’s not necessary.”

  Megan blushed. “They only wanted to be sure you’re all right.”

  “I know. They’re good people. Especially Rex, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, he’s very nice.”

  Dolly eyed her. “Too bad he’s married, isn’t it?”

  Megan chuckled. “I probably wouldn’t stand a chance with him, even if he were available. I’m not part of the country club set.”

  Dolly smiled. “What’s so special about the country club set? From what I know at my club, most have problems they would give up their memberships to be rid of.”

  Megan changed the subject. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like some tea?”

  “I’m sure.” Dolly pushed down her panty hose. “I tell you what I could use though.”

  “What?”

  “A good frothy drink made with some good rum. How does that sound to you?”

  “I’m not much of a drinker, but a taste wouldn’t be bad.”

  “Then let me get out of this dress and I’ll see what I have that I can whip up.” She paused at her dressing room door. “It’s too bad Nola Dean went home. She makes the best blender drinks in town.”

  “She’s a good friend of yours, isn’t she, Dolly?”

  “We’ve known each other since we were in high school. Nola Dean didn’t go to college. She married Marcus Buckingham right out of high school. Had a baby the next year.”

  “Where’s the baby now?”

  “In college.” Dolly laughed. “We’re the same age. I haven’t even started my family and she has a grown daughter.”

  Megan shuddered. “I’m thirty-eight and I can’t imagine having a kid in college.” She laughed. “Of course, I’m not sure I can imagine me having a kid at all.”

  A few minutes later the two women were sitting in the den with drinks Dolly had made from crushed ice, fresh peaches and rum.

  “This is really good,” Megan said. “As I said, I’m not much of a drinker, but something like this could make me change my habits.”

  Dolly laughed. “It is rather tasty.”

  There was a slight pause as Dolly eyed the woman seated on the cream colored sofa. On impulse, she asked. “How did you like working with my husband?”

  Megan couldn’t hide the fact that the question startled her. She stammered when she said, “It was okay.”

  “So,” Dolly laughed. “He was an asshole at work, too?”

  “You shouldn’t say something like that about him.”

  “Why not? It’s true.” Dolly took a swallow of her drink. “The fact that he’s dead doesn’t change the fact that he played around on me all the time.”

  Megan said nothing and Dolly went on. “I know you had to be aware of what he did. It was no big secret.”

  Megan regained her composure. “I think you’re overtired. Why don’t you go to bed and get some rest now?”

  “I don’t want to go to bed.” Dolly stood. “But if you’re tired, I’ll understand your leaving.”

  “Are you asking me to go?”

  “Of course not, but on the other hand, why would you want to stay. You and I hardly know each other and I’m well aware of the fact that you’re only here because the Colliers had to go back to Columbia today. I also know they felt an obligation to see I wasn’t left alone.”

  The liquor was taking effect on Megan. She closed her eyes and said, “I’m sorry Walter is dead, and I’d stay with you even if Rex or Grady hadn’t asked me to.”

  Three drinks later, Dolly asked. “Were you one of the women my husband slept with, Megan?”

  “No,” she answered. “I was never attracted to Walter like many of the women who came into the office were.”

  “But you did know he slept around on me?”

  “I thought he did, but I was never completely sure.” She was glad she still had some control over what she said. She didn’t want to hurt Dolly, though she could have given her names and numbers of some of the women in Walter’s life.

  The telephone rang. Dolly picked it up, but only talked a moment. Hanging up, she said, “That was Nola Dean. She wanted to know if I was doing okay.”

  “As we said earlier, she seems like a nice person.”

  “She is. I’ve never understood why she hasn’t remarried. She’s certainly pretty enough and she was such a good wife. She’s been a widow for a long time.” Dolly paused a minute and added. “Of course she lost her husband in an automobile accident. He wasn’t murdered.”

  Megan shook her head. “I wonder who killed Walter.”

  “I have no idea, but I think it may have been one of the women he dumped on.”

  “They did call the office occasionally giving him a hard time.”

  “I know. A few called here.” Dolly stood. “There’s a little more drink in the blender. Let’s split it and if it isn’t enough to satisfy us, we’ll make some more.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Chapter 13

  Two mornings later, Dolly said good-by to her college friend, and assured Megan she was fine and did not need company. To convince Megan, she said she was going to go shopping since she had her car back. She fully intended to do the shopping only; she decided to go to the bank first.

  Because this was her third time to take money from the safe deposit box, she made a point to refer to the small parcel in her ha
nd as her late husband’s jewelry. While in the cubicle, she put the package in the box, took out ten thousand dollars and stuffed it in her purse. The process took less than five minutes.

  * * * *

  Mr. Smith sat in a rented dark blue Ford and watched Dolly go inside the bank. He hoped she was leading him to some of the money, but he’d plainly seen the small package she had in her right hand as she opened the big glass door. He wondered what it was, but didn’t dwell on it. He didn’t have time. He had work to do; he had to do it fast.

  He’d gotten back into his Ford when she came out of the bank. “That was close,” he muttered noticing the package in her hand was gone.

  Again he didn’t dwell on it because the instant she pulled from her parking space, she picked up her mobile phone. Mr. Smith switched on a button.

  * * * *

  Dolly was surprised when Nola Dean answered on the second ring.

  “I just put Walter’s wedding band and some of his jewelry in the safe deposit box and it has left me a little depressed.”

  “I’m sorry, Dolly.”

  “I guess it’s to be expected, but I thought if you weren’t busy, we might meet for lunch.”

  “I’d love to, but I can’t. My washer gave out last night and I bought a new one. If it wasn’t so late, I’d try to stop the delivery, but I’m sure they’ve already loaded the truck by now. I have to be here.”

  “Why don’t I give you a ring tomorrow?”

  “That sounds good. By the way, how are you doing?” Nola Dean asked.

  “I’m fine, I guess. I’m not sure how a new widow is supposed to feel.” Dolly sighed. “Justine went home this morning and I feel a little lost.”

  “It will be hard for a while.”

  “Being in the house is the hardest. I think I’ll go to the mall for a while.”

  “Are you up to shopping?

  “Not really, but it will fill my time.”

  “If you like, you can come up here. I’ll make a salad or something.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll take a rain check.” She pulled into the traffic. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  * * * *

  Mr. Smith smiled. That would give him ample time. Now that the bug was planted in the car, he would do the same at the house. He wouldn’t have to rush as much. He knew Dolly Overton’s type. Once she got to the mall, she’d stay most of the day.

  Still smiling, he pulled into Wendy’s. He would even have time for a sandwich.

  * * * *

  Joe and Bett flipped a coin to see who was to go back to the hotel to question more of the employees and who would attend Arthur Brown’s funeral.

  Bett got the hotel and Joe the funeral.

  Joe knew the minute he sat down in the nearly empty small Baptist church that Arthur Brown’s funeral wasn’t nearly as elaborate as the one for Walter Overton. The eulogy was given by a minister who Joe knew had never met the deceased. Though nice, his words were the generic ones that could be used for any unknown party.

  When it was over, Nellie Brown and her four children, ranging from age five to fourteen, marched behind the casket to the graveyard.

  Joe lingered in the background, but there wasn’t anyone in attendance he remembered seeing at Overton’s funeral.

  Since the investigation at the hotel hadn’t come up with an identification for Mr. Smith as of yet, he hoped someone out of place would be here today. He was about to slip away when there was a light tap on his shoulder.

  “Hello, officer.”

  He turned. “Hello, Mrs. Brown.” He said to the blonde he’d remembered as the wife Arthur had before his last stint in prison.

  “Mrs. Brown, my ass. My name’s Denise Palmer.” She sneered. “Did you know the bastard was a bigamist? He never divorced Nellie.”

  “Someone told me that recently.”

  “They were right. He got married four times without ever bothering to divorce her. Why do you suppose he did that?”

  Joe shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  “I think it was because he never stopped loving her even though he couldn’t stay faithful to her.”

  “You may be right.”

  She twiddled her plastic pocketbook. “Do you know who killed him yet?”

  “We’re working on it.” He smiled at her. “Anything you can tell me will be helpful.”

  “I don’t know much. There was a guy who came to the club a few times. He sat around and nursed one drink all night.”

  “I bet that infuriated the waitress.”

  “Not really. Every time she went by to serve him, he tipped her, but said he didn’t want anything else to drink. Said he wanted to keep his head clear.”

  “Do you know who this man was?”

  “No. Some businessman, I guess. I did see him in a conversation with Arthur a couple of times, which I thought was strange because Arthur usually only talks to women when he comes in.”

  “Has he been in since Arthur’s death?”

  “No.”

  “Can you describe the man?”

  “Not as tall as you. Brown hair with some gray. Sometimes he wore glasses and sometimes not. When he had them on he was constantly taking them off.”

  “How old would you say he was?”

  “I’m not sure. Probably somewhere between forty and sixty.”

  “That’s a big range.”

  “To be honest, officer, there are so many golfers in and out of the place; I kind of get them mixed up. I only noticed this guy because he talked to Arthur a couple of weeks ago.”

  “I appreciate you telling me this. I’m sure it’ll help.” He took out a card and handed it to her. “If you see the man in there again, would you give me a call?”

  “Yes, I will.” She started to move away then stopped. “I wouldn’t try to help the son-of-a-bitch at all if he hadn’t come in one night last week and slipped me a hundred dollar bill.”

  “Oh. Do you remember what night?”

  “Sure. It was the night of the bad storm. He said he had a job to do, but when it was over he’d come back and we’d party cause he’d have a lot more money then.”

  “And he never showed up?”

  “That’s right. Of course, I told him he could bring me all the money he wanted to, but he’d have to party with somebody else. I wasn’t about to get hooked up with a married man.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Nothing. He laughed because he knew I was kidding. He’s been coming around to see me off and on for the last year. He even tried to marry me again, but I told him to get lost. I didn’t mind a night with him now and then, but marriage was out.”

  “Did he get lost?”

  “No, but like I said, he only stayed with me occasionally. He spent most of his time with somebody else.”

  “Do you know who?”

  “No. Some girl in Conway, I think.”

  “Thanks for telling me all of this.”

  “You’re welcome.” She laughed. “If I’m ever busted, try to remember I’m one of the good guys.”

  Joe smiled.

  The service at the grave was ending and people were beginning to head toward their cars.

  “I better scoot. I don’t want Nellie to see me. She threatened to pull my hair out next time we ran into each other. I wouldn’t put it past her.” Denise waved at him as she backed away. “Good hunting.”

  Joe nodded and moved toward the parking lot.

  Nellie Brown hesitated at the door of the funeral car and motioned to him to wait. She then bent and said something to the girl who looked about ten years old.

  The little girl took a paper from her mother and ran toward Joe. “Mama said give you this. Daddy left it at our house when he came by for mom to fix his pants the other day. She thought you might know what it is.” She thrust it toward him and turned back to her family before he could respond.

  Joe glanced at the piece of paper. It had a list of numbers on it. Though they were neatly written in black ink and easy to rea
d, he wasn’t sure what they meant.

  * * * *

  Jennifer Rogers was a little nervous as she stood in front of the police officer. “Like, I said, Ma’am, I’m not sure if I ever saw the man in this room. Every time I came by to clean, the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign was on the door and I didn’t go in.”

  “And you never saw anyone coming in or going out?”

  “No. I’m here ’til the rooms are clean. I get off at four. Lots of time the people ain’t back to the rooms from the beach or golfing by then.”

  “So when you did come in to clean the room, you didn’t try to open the closet.”

  “No.” She glanced around. “I probably should have, but to tell you the truth the room was like it had never been used. The sheets were still clean and the bathroom towels were still hanging in the proper place. I don’t think he even took a bath. The tub was still shining.” She took a breath. “I washed it, though, just in case. I also changed the sheets and towels.”

  “I see.” Bett made a note. “So as far as you were concerned the room was ready to rent again?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Thank you very much, Miss Rogers.” Bett smiled at her. “I appreciate your help.”

  “I know I ain’t been much help, but I’m telling you all I know.”

  “Thank you.”

  Bett sat back and rubbed her head. There was a nagging ache, but she was determined not to let it get the best of her this time. She read over the notes she’d taken thus far. Miss Dinkins, the supervisor had told her nothing except that she had told Jennifer Rogers to clean the room. None of the other room attendants had noticed anything out of the ordinary. But maybe there was a nugget of a clue in what Miss Rogers had said. If the room was as clean as the attendant said it was, then Arthur Brown had probably been killed the same night as Walter Overton. That meant the killer had been gone since then. He or she could be anywhere in the country in that length of time. She flipped her notebook shut and hoped Joe had had better luck at Arthur Brown’s funeral.

  Chapter 14

  Nola Dean spent the morning at Colonial Mall with Dolly. They wandered from one shop to another. At a gift shop, Nola Dean bought a three-dollar magnet for her refrigerator because she thought the cat on it looked like Bubbles. At Belk she found a tank top on sale that matched a pair of shorts she liked to wear and at Mrs. Fields she treated herself to a chocolate chip cookie. All totaled, she spent less than twenty dollars.