Bygone Days Read online

  “I love that ring.” Maybe she should’ve mentioned it before now.

  “You’ll have to play and win it back.” She tilted her head. “Nurse Waterbury is in the bakery.”

  “Guess our thief has a sweet tooth.”

  Pearl stopped. “That’s it.”

  “What’s it?” Mary Louise stood in line behind the customers waiting to reach the counter.

  “I finally remember where I saw our victim. It was earlier that evening. He looked familiar but that’s not unusual here. We could’ve passed one another on the stairs or sat beside one another on the porch.” Pearl pulled her away from the cookie counter. “Mary Louise, the pills weren’t toxic. Pills didn’t kill Sam.” She lowered her voice. “The baker did it.”

  Chapter Ten

  “Well if you’re not a sight for sore eyes.” Pearl plopped on the bed next to Opal’s hip. “Why aren’t you ready? We’re here to pick you up.”

  “Took you long enough,” said Opal, crossing her arms.

  “How’s our girl?”

  “Barely tolerable.”

  “I wasn’t talking about you.” Pearl thumbed the doorway. “I meant Candace.”

  “Oh that’s just swell. I’m MIA for a day or two and you’ve already replaced me.”

  “You’re irreplaceable.” She’d missed having Opal around as a sounding board. She couldn’t mention potential suspects to Pearl. If it were up to Pearl, Littleton would’ve already put together a lineup that consisted of everyone from the baker to the pharmacist to Sam’s first grade teacher.

  “Your hats are a hot commodity on the black market.” Pearl placed the beanie on the bed. “Waterbury said she’ll make a selection when you’re up to it.”

  “Did you talk to her today?”

  “We tried but she was more interested in whether or not the chef uses gluten-free icing.”

  “Why? She eats chocolate-covered donuts without any problem.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.” Pearl crossed her arms. “Bet she’s hiding something.”

  “Doubtful.” Opal said, throwing the thin coverlet aside. She was dressed and ready to go. “I’ve been waiting since before breakfast.”

  “Let’s stop by and see Candace before we leave.”

  “She can’t have visitors.”

  “Can you see her?” Pearl asked.

  “Of course. I’m a patient, not a visitor.”

  “Good. We’ll follow your lead.” Mary Louise hoped to dart in and out before anyone saw them.

  Minutes later, they quietly entered Candace’s room. She was lying on her side and whispering in the phone.

  Pearl said, “Bet she called a person of interest, someone we haven’t thought about.”

  “Any idea of who that might be?” Sheriff Littleton walked right by them as if they were mere strangers on the street. “Candace, you have company.” He frowned. “And if I were you, I’d choose my words cautiously. These three have a reputation for solving crimes that don’t exist.”

  “I resent the implication.”

  Pearl leaned closer to Opal. “What’s he implying?”

  “We have a way of finding trouble,” Mary Louise said.

  “Or causing it,” the sheriff said. “Anything you want to tell me?” He studied Mary Louise. “Walk me through what happened to Opal. How’d she end up here and how’d she slip by my guards and visit Candace?”

  “That’s a good question for your deputies,” Mary Louise said.

  “I’m sick.” Opal placed her hand against her head. “And feeling worse by the minute.”

  “The only thing sick about you is that silly hat on your head.”

  Pearl stared at the sheriff’s hand now covering Candace’s. “Sick means good if you’re talking to a teenager.”

  “That explains everything then,” he fired back.

  Pearl grimaced. “Thanks.”

  Mary Louise and Opal exchanged glances. Was Pearl jealous? Surely not.

  Unable to leave it alone, Opal whispered, “Get a load of that. Teach a man to cook and how does he repay you?”

  “We’re friends,” he said, studying Pearl.

  “Oh that’s nice,” she said. “Good to know.”

  The sheriff, catching how she’d misunderstood the comment, released Candace’s hand. “We have the situation under control. Unless you have something useful to add, I’ve got this.”

  “Sam was drugged,” said Pearl. “And we know who did it.”

  “Watch your step,” Opal warned.

  Mary Louise let Opal handle Pearl and approached the bed. “How are you feeling, Candace?”

  “Never better,” she muttered weakly.

  “I’m sorry you’ve been through so much. It’s a lot to process.”

  “You expect me to believe that Opal’s illness is a coincidence?”

  “I wouldn’t hurt you.” Opal wouldn’t keep a stranger’s secrets either. “You asked for a favor.”

  “What favor?” She sneered. “You left a handbag here and hoped to dispose of evidence by setting me up for a crime.”

  “What are you talking about?” Pearl seethed. “She risked her neck for you.”

  “Neck?” Candace roared with wicked laughter. “She doesn’t have much of a neck to speak of which is why she wears hats. It’s one of the oldest fashion tricks in the world.”

  Pearl patted Opal’s back. “We love her no matter how many feathers are glued to her headpiece.”

  “Thanks,” she muttered. “Guess I’ll be going now.”

  “Not so fast,” the sheriff said. “What was in the bag?”

  “I don’t know. For all I know it was empty.”

  Candace dumped the contents on the bed. When she looked up, she wore a sinister grin. “Look at that.”

  A familiar pill bottle fell to the floor and thanks to the pink and white label, it was recognizable. Scribbled in the center of the circle were the original consumer’s initials—SB for Sam Brown.

  “See,” Pearl whispered. “I was right all along. Candace is guilty.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Ya can’t go around accusing people,” Opal said, tossing her jacket onto the coat tree as they passed. “If Sheriff Littleton believed ya, he’d have several prime suspects no thanks to you.”

  “Good. I’m always glad to help.”

  “Your suspects don’t have motives.”

  “So money isn’t a motivator?” Pearl balked at that. “It’s one of the oldest motivators in the book.”

  “The only goal that woman had was marrying someone who’d make her feel safe.”

  “And you arrived at this decision when?”

  “Did I ruffle some feathers?” Opal laughed. “Maybe next time when you teach a man to cook, you’ll stick around and let him stir up something good for ya!”

  “That was uncalled for Opal Pain. You’ll get yours.” She marched to her room and slammed the door behind her.

  “Don’t say a word. I’ve been up all night.”

  “I’m not saying a word.”

  “Five. Ya said five.”

  “She was hurt.”

  “She shouldn’t have been. As soon as Littleton realized she cared, he dropped Miss Thing’s hand and walked away from her. He cares about Pearl or I’m not standing here.”

  “Then take a seat,” Pearl said, returning long enough to retrieve her book.

  “Get over your pouting spell and tell me what happened when ya had the pharmacy under surveillance.”

  “Didn’t go well.”

  “Mary Louise?”

  “We won’t know how bad it was—or is—until we see Mack again.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “They knew someone was there,” Mary Louise explained. “We saw an exchange, maybe a drug deal. Then someone swept the hillside with a spotlight. They may have known we were there.”

  “You were there or just someone in general?”

  “We hope they don’t suspect us but they sent s
omeone to search the hillside.”

  “Then you’re golden. It could’ve been anyone.”

  “But it wasn’t anyone,” Pearl argued. “It was us. You weren’t there. It was the most frightening experience of my life.”

  “What’s eating at her?” Opal asked as soon as she exited the room again. “That’s not scorned woman behavior.”

  “It’s much worse. That, my friend, is her “I missed bingo” face.”

  “Ah. Now I understand.”

  “For your information, they call me the dauber darling,” Pearl called out.

  “It’s only because ya have so many assorted blotters.”

  “I play more cards than anyone else.” She stuck her head out of her room. “And I win more than anyone else.”

  “Chances are better.”

  “Luck.” She disappeared again.

  “Glad to know ya can multitask!”

  “While you were at the hospital, she was the Jenny of all trades.” Mary Louise thought it might help to toss out a compliment in case she was still eavesdropping. “If she hadn’t been with me at Mack’s, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

  “Have you heard from the kids?”

  “Mark called and left a message. Catherine wanted to know if we’d dropped by the store.”

  “Figures.” Opal groaned. “She wanted us to cause a fuss about the toy corner.”

  “Probably,” Mary Louise said thoughtfully. “So what’s your take on Candace?”

  “She’s starving for attention and family. I don’t think she’s our killer.”

  “Did it ever occur to you that he just kicked the bucket?” Pearl stuck her head out of her room once more. “That happens sometimes.”

  Opal turned to face her. “And does the bucket reappear with deadly drugs at the widow’s bedside? We’re talking Fentanyl here.”

  “How’s that possible?” Pearl rejoined the conversation. The pouting had ended.

  “No idea. One of my nurses mentioned that it’s very dangerous in the wrong hands. Just a couple of specks can kill someone.”

  “Guess it fell in the wrong hands twice.” Sheriff Littleton entered without knocking and never missed a stride. “Door was cracked. That’s how easy it is to break and enter around here.” He shot Pearl a wink before he sat next to Mary Louise. “Coroner’s report.” He passed off a blue folder. “Sam was killed. Toxic levels of Fentanyl. Trace amounts were found in Candace’s system also.”

  “Could it have been an accidental overdose?”

  “No.” Littleton leveled a hard gaze on Pearl. “I knew Sam. Didn’t much care for him but I wasn’t alone in those sentiments. Still, he didn’t deserve to die.”

  “Could Candace be your killer?”

  “Doubtful. She was afraid of him.”

  Mary Louise picked up the folder. “May I?”

  “I brought it so you can see that Sam’s death has been ruled a homicide. Outside of that, there’s nothing in there that will interest you.” He watched Pearl as if he suspected you might have something to add. “You may not like Candace but she didn’t kill her husband. They were going on a delayed honeymoon next week. If she’d wanted him dead, she would’ve waited until the twenty-one day cruise ended.” He scratched his two-day growth of beard. “At least that’s the bet we’re making. Downtown boutique owners confirmed that she was supposed to pick up her wardrobe the day after Sam was killed.”

  Opal patted her knees and stood. “Well, that’s good enough for me. If you’re saying words like killed versus died, you definitely think Sam’s death was a homicide.”

  “No question.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Pearl said.

  Perplexed, Littleton didn’t move. “I’m not ready to go. I need you to listen to me.” He took the time to scan each of their faces. “This drug is deadly in the wrong hands. You need to stay out of this.”

  “We will,” said Pearl.

  Mary Louise started to say something then stopped.

  “Mary Louise?”

  “I hate to point fingers until we have more evidence.”

  “She missed the part where you said to stay out of it,” Pearl explained.

  “Sheriff, what about the pharmacy? Is there any indication that Mack would’ve wanted Sam dead?” Mary Louise wouldn’t rule out a partnership between Candace and Mack.

  “He didn’t like Sam but considered Candace a friend.”

  Bingo.

  “So we’re to rule out Candace and Mack as suspects. Got it.”

  “Listen to me. I won’t be able to stop this killer if he or she takes a shot at one of you. Unless you want a body bag with your name on it, stay out of this and let the professionals handle it.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “I’d love to stay out of it and let the professionals handle it.”

  “But?” Opal’s eyes twinkled with her inquisitive nature. “Ya won’t.”

  “I don’t trust those who call themselves professionals. I keep going back to the Oscar and Clarence case. If it hadn’t been for us, the murder would’ve gone unsolved.”

  Pearl sighed. “But we prowled and now several lives are ruined. Littleton is right. We need to mind our own business.”

  Opal and Mary Louise swapped glances.

  “We need to figure out a way to get close to Mack again.”

  “That’s easy. Reopen the shop. Mack enjoyed loafing there. If he’s innocent, he’ll pick up old habits.” Opal shrugged. “If he avoids us, he’s guilty.”

  “We can’t accuse him,” Mary Louise said.

  “Sure we can and I won’t lose any sleep over it. Mary, if he killed Sam and he’s dealing drugs, he’ll die in prison. I’m fine with that. If his backdoor traffic has anything to do with Fentanyl, they’ll throw the book at him and I’ll duck to be sure they hit him square in the face.”

  “We’re still in the trial phase of our residency here and until that ends, we’re supposed to be part of the community and participate in activities.”

  “Not if we’re sick,” said Opal, waggling her brows.

  “Don’t do that again. Creeps me out when your beanie moves.”

  Mary Louise devised a plan. After some thought, she interrupted an herbal tea discussion and said, “Here’s what we’ll do. Pearl, you like being part of the community. You’ll stay visible. If staff members see you wandering about, they’ll think we’re here as well.”

  “Got it,” she said excitedly. “I’ll even say things like, ‘Where did Mary Louise and Opal go? Weren’t they just here?” She clapped her hands. “Works like a charm. Conversations spin in all different directions. Some will say they saw you at the lake. Others will say you’re out at the patio or playing poker.”

  “Try to be more inconspicuous,” said Mary Louise.

  “Especially since we won’t be at the aforementioned places.”

  Mary Louise yawned. “We’ll reopen Vintage Whispers at ten tomorrow morning and go from there.”

  “Why do I feel like I’m standing in line for muffins and the baker just announced that they’re out of blueberry?”

  “No one likes to be left behind,” said Mary Louise. “If you want to go, we’ll revise our plan.”

  Pearl twisted her lips in deep concentration before she said, “I promised Red to stand in for her Rook partner tomorrow. I’d like to keep my word.”

  “Definitely.”

  “Red isn’t an enemy any of us need.”

  “Or I could change the game time?” Pearl wasn’t oblivious to Opal’s enthusiasm. “Do you need me at the shop?”

  “It’ll be a slow day. You won’t miss a thing.”

  ****

  The next morning, Mary Louise and Opal entered the store and found a mess. Someone had ransacked the place.

  “Weren’t you the one who promised an uneventful day?” Mary Louise knelt to pick up a broken lamp while Opal gathered scattered baskets.

  “Stay where you are!” Still considered a rookie, Deputy Darren Thompson
pulled his gun and stepped in front of them. “Don’t move!”

  Mary Louise stuck her hands up in the air. “We own this business. Mind telling me what you’re doing here?”

  The young deputy holstered his weapon. “Sheriff Littleton said to stay here until the owners showed up. He’s calling them now.”

  “No need,” said Opal, likely suspicious of which ‘owners’ were called. “We’re here now.”

  “This is your store?”

  “He’s calling Mark,” said Opal. “Fabulous. That means Catherine won’t be far behind.”

  “Speak of the devil,” Mary Louise said, catching Catherine’s reflection in a freestanding mirror.

  “What on earth happened here?” She stepped over the shattered glass and door frame. “Mary Louise? Opal? Are you okay?”

  “In her defense, she sounds concerned.”

  “Give her a minute,” Opal muttered before turning to Catherine. “Your mother doesn’t know.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Playing Rook,” Opal replied, facing the deputy again. “When did this happen? Any idea?”

  “We got a call from Johnny B. He owns the bar and—”

  “We know Johnny. He should’ve called us.”

  “Because you’re more efficient than the police?” The deputy reaffixed his gun belt and looked a tad more intimidating.

  “It’s our shop,” said Catherine. “Johnny B could’ve reached out to one of us.”

  “Ours?” Opal mouthed. She shook her head and walked away.

  “Catherine, where’s Mark?”

  “Work. I’m in charge here.”

  Mary Louise rolled her eyes. “As far as I know, we’re still listed as the sole owners of Vintage Whispers. We’ll take it from here.”

  Catherine looked mad enough to fight bulls. “I’m only trying to help.”

  “Put her in the toy corner. She can work on the trains while trimming down her caboose.”

  “Well I’ve never!”

  Not one to get over things easily, Opal stewed. “Tell Mark and the children hello for us.”

  If Catherine hadn’t stomped all the way to the exit, Mary Louise would’ve been unaware of her departure. She was too concerned about the catastrophe.