Mama Gets Trashed

I asked D’Vora the question right out: “Do you think Ke

Snap.Unsnap.Snap.Unsnap.Snap …

“Look at me!’’ I grabbed her hand. “Do you think he murdered that woman?’’

She pulled away, rubbed at her thumb. “I know what I saw with my own two eyes: The two of them bumpin’ boots in Ke

I stared at her, incredulous. “He’s lived here his whole life, D’Vora. I bet he sold insurance policies to your parents and their parents.’’

She crossed her arms over her chest. “He wasn’t born here.’’

“You’re right. He moved here in the third grade, from one county over.’’

I could see she’d made up her mind. That worried me. If D’Vora, with her ties to Mama and the rest of my family, was ready to see Ke

“Just keep an open mind, that’s all I’m asking. There are things going on in this town that you would not believe. Shady things. Suspect people. Ke

She raised a skeptical brow. “You’re certain?’’

Until that moment, I hadn’t said it out loud. But yes, I was certain. I’d seen Ke

I nodded. “I’m certain.’’

She shrugged. “Well, I guess we’ll see if your detective beau agrees with you.’’

On that troubling thought, I went off to find Marty, Mama, and Sal. After my morning phone call with Henry, I’d provided all of them a condensed version of last night’s events. I’d told them about the note and sex collar, the shooting, and my collision with the gate. All I left out was my blowup with Carlos. I couldn’t even begin to explain that.

The three of them had commandeered a picnic table in the shade, where some of the police department’s civilian staff liked to eat lunch. I hoped someone discovered something that would link anyone else but Ke

At the TV crew’s urging, Junior displayed his sign, complete with misspellings, for the camera: A Eye for A Eye. Venjance for Camela.

“I’m amazed he got the word ‘eye’ right,’’ Sal said.

Mama tsked. “It’s a good thing Maddie’s not here to see all this.’’ She pointed with her chin to the glamour-girl teens. “Those two are locals. You know they must have had Maddie for their principal in middle school.’’

“Maybe that’s why they’re standing with the anti-Ke

“I simply ca

Heads together, the two women whispered. Whatever D’Vora revealed made the blonde rear back. Her penciled-on eyebrows arched up like arrows.

“The mood out here is pretty ugly,’’ Marty said. “Whatever happened to the concept of ‘i

“Speaking of,’’ I said, “did y’all find out anything useful today? Anything that will help prove somebody else is guilty?’’

Mama spoke first. “Those sex swingers are trying to get some new members. Some gal I know from bingo came to the salon today. Told us we should start offering Brazilian waxes to take care of …” Mama cupped her hand to her mouth; lowered her voice to a whisper “… hair down there.’’

When Marty looked at her blankly, Mama made a ripping motion over her groin. “Apparently, being bald downstairs makes things sexier when they have an orgy.’’

“Rosie!’’ said Sal, shocked.

“I’m just telling you what she said. Anyway, she’s trying to recruit some new members. She invited me to come sometime.’’

Sal choked, barely able to get the words out. “Absolutely not!’’

Mama narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t need you to tell me no, Sally. I’m a Bible-believing, churchgoing woman. I don’t even have to ask myself What Would Jesus Do? I can pretty much guarantee you He would not sign up for a swingers’ party.’’

“I’ve got some information, too, though mine isn’t Triple X-rated like Rosie’s.’’ Sal aimed a pointed look at her.

She smoothed at her hair. “Not TripleX, Sally. One X, at the most.’’

When had Mama become such an expert on the relative shadings of X-ratings?

“Whaddever. I think it’s relevant. We all know something has been going on out at that golf course. Ke

“Angel?’’ Mama’s mouth was tight with disapproval. “Talk about X-rated.’’

Sal, wisely, ignored her. “She said not to buy Jason’s dumb, good-guy act. He knows a lot more than he pretends to. He pulls a lot of strings out there, Angel said, in cahoots with the mayor’s wife.’’

“Humph! I’m not sure I trust that barmaid. She’s definitely no angel.’’ Mama folded her arms over her chest. “By the way, I hope you’re not intending to light that stink-bomb cigar out here. It’s sure to give Marty a migraine.’’

“I’m fine, Mama. Really.’’ Marty offered Sal an apologetic smile.

He gave the cigar a last, loving stroke before he slid it back into his shirt pocket. “Angel is just a hardworking gal, trying to make an honest living.’’

I wasn’t sure about Sal’s assessment of Angel’s upstanding character. But I could see a storm brewing on Mama’s face. I wasn’t about to let us get sidetracked by one of her jealous snits. I changed the subject.

“Marty, what’d you find out at the library?’’

“Something interesting: Prudence is applying for Camilla’s old job.’’

“And the body’s not even cold? That’s kind of weird,’’ I said.

“I thought she’d be going back to Atlanta,’’ Sal said.

Marty shrugged. “Apparently not. Prudence told my boss it made her feel close to her sister to stay in her house, right here in Himmarshee.’’

Mama tapped her cheek, thinking. “Hmmm. Now what do y’all make of that?’’

All of us were quiet, perhaps considering the question. Something about Prudence and her sister’s house tugged at my brain. She’d confessed she and Camilla were estranged. I reran the mental filmstrip of the barbecue di

As I glanced around the crowded parking lot, my attention was diverted by the arrival of Elaine Naiman. I was shocked to see her limping through the ranks of the Ke

“How’s the ankle?’’

“Better, thanks.’’ She eased herself onto the bench; wiggled her foot slowly. “It’s not as swollen, but it’s still a bit sore.’’

She peeked over both shoulders and hushed her voice, like a spy trading secrets. “I’ve got some news.’’

Four expectant faces gazed at her. She gave me a quizzical look.

“They’re family,’’ I answered the question she hadn’t voiced. “They know everything I know. We’ve all been trying to find information that will make anyone but Ke