Mama Gets Trashed

“Not according to data from Prudence’s cell phone.’’ He held up his own phone as a visual aid. “That showed she arrived in Himmarshee two days before you discovered the body. Prudence was likely strangled by Mace’s pal, Jason, aided and abetted by her own sister, Camilla.’’

I thought of the days of anguish we’d been through, when it looked like Maddie’s husband might have killed Camilla. Now, it turned out Camilla wasn’t even dead? Steam started rocking the lid on my temper pot.

“How long have you known this?’’

Carlos shrugged. “Suspecting something and getting the information I need to prove it are two different things.’’

“How long?’’

“A couple of days after you found the body. Neighbors in Atlanta saw Prudence packed and leaving for Florida last week, well before the call went out to her cell phone as Camilla’s emergency contact.’’

His gaze shifted briefly to the back of his car. His suspect stared back coldly.

“I contacted some of the twins’ old friends in England, who revealed how deep their rift really was. Camilla hated Prudence. Prudence was their parents’ favorite, and more accomplished at everything than Camilla was. She’d been jealous of her sister her whole life.’’

“And knowing all this, you allowed Ke

Sal put a hand on my arm. “That’s police work, Mace. Sometimes you have to keep a false impression about guilt and i

I whirled to confront Sal. “Did you know, too?’’

He shook his head. Mama said, “You can’t expect Carlos to share everything about his investigations with you, Mace. People’s lives could be at stake.’’

“So you’re on his side?’’

Mama gave me the same sad look I’d seen when she had to tell me my childhood dog was dead, fatally kicked by a horse. “Honey, this is Carlos’s job. There shouldn’t be a ‘his side’ and ‘your side’ to this. If you keep seeing things that way, maybe you’re right. Maybe you aren’t ready to be married.’’

Carlos cleared his throat. “Speaking of my job, I need to get these two processed.’’

Mama, Sal, and I watched as he read Jason his rights. He called over two more officers to help load him into the back of a squad car, since he couldn’t properly walk with duct tape around his ankles. When they were done, Carlos returned to his own car. Without a goodbye, he drove away with Camilla.

Did I want to question Sal? Did I want to know? I decided I did, even if it was humiliating or painful.

“Thanks for getting the message to Carlos,’’ I said. “Did you tell him everything I asked you to?’’

Pulling at his collar, Sal aimed his gaze on the ground. “I told him everything, Mace. Including that you were sorry and you loved him.’’

“And what did he say?’’

Sal mumbled something, his eyes avoiding mine. Mama nudged him to repeat it. I was sorry when he did.

“He said he wished he could believe you.’’

fifty-four

A Happy Birthday ba

Marty had pulled the DJ aside earlier, asking that his playlist not include “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?’’ or “Your Cheatin’ Heart.’’

Maddie looked resplendent, yellow dress and all. She sipped a soda as she welcomed the party guests. Her husband had been sprung from his holding cell after the true suspects were arrested. Carlos told the reporter for the Himmarshee Times Ke

Some of the same people who’d wanted to hang Ke

He sat in a chair against the wall, accepting birthday wishes and half-truths from friends who claimed they knew all along he didn’t do it. Every few minutes, his eyes shifted toward the wife he’d wronged. Maddie had on her game face, but I knew she’d need time before she’d trust him again, completely. Camilla had manipulated Ke

Before the party started, she revealed to Mama and Marty that she was pregnant.

“I knew it!’’ said Mama, after hugs and congratulations were exchanged. “A mother can always tell.’’

“Get real,’’ I said to her. “You had no idea. You were blaming some bad Brunswick stew for Maddie’s nausea.’’

“That’s not how I remember it,’’ Mama said airily before rushing to fetch Maddie a ginger ale.

D’Vora arrived an hour late with the infamous Darryl. She looked lovely in a glittery red dress. He, on the other hand, sported a wrinkled Western shirt, jeans with a can of dippin’ tobacco in the rear pocket, and boots so crusty they looked like he’d been out stomping cow patties. When he headed straight for the bar, I cornered D’Vora: “Glad you could make it.’’

Her eyes were glued to the pointed toes of her red high heels. When she finally looked up, a tear spilled onto her cheek. “The whole thing was so confusing, between what I saw in Ke

I waited to see if she was done.

“I’m sorry. I should have listened to you, Mace.’’ She sniffled, and wiped her eyes. “I’m going to apologize to Ke

I was ashamed to admit that same tendency applied to me.

We both looked across the room at Maddie and Ke

D’Vora sighed. “I wish just once Darryl would act sweet to me. I better go find him before he gets drunk and falls into a food platter.’’

After D’Vora left, I studied the scene around me. Elaine Naiman made an appearance, shaking hands and introducing herself to party-goers. I could definitely see her ru

Mama regaled a group of guests with her garbage-truck adventure.

“I’ll never be able to wear my persimmon pantsuit again. It’s completely ruined.’’

Mercifully, my phone rang so I didn’t have to re-hear the already familiar story. My heart sank when I saw it was an unfamiliar number. Not Carlos. He hadn’t returned any of the messages I’d left.

I moved away so as not to disturb the crowd, and then clicked on the call. Glasses clinked and music played on the other end. Suddenly, I knew who’d called Maddie’s answering machine to say Ke

“Hey, Angel.’’

“How’d you know it was me?’’ She seemed surprised.

“Sounds like the 19th Hole. Are y’all busy?’’

“Slammed. I just called to tell you I’m glad the real culprits were arrested. Camilla played me like she did everyone else.’’

The scene with the picture album at Camilla’s house ran through my mind. She’d paged through the photos, describing the more accomplished twin. Everything she said applied to Prudence—the sister she’d envied, hated, and finally murdered.