Disrobed for Death Read online

  “Not at the moment, but that might change.” She grinned.

  “You and Wesley used to go steady. He’s back from Afghanistan, you know, and I hear he’s still single.”

  “Yes, I ran into him the other day.”

  “Well, I’d better quit jawing. What can I get for you?”

  “No problem. I love talking about old times. I’ll have some coffee, please.”

  Tonya returned with the coffee in a steaming mug, along with a bowl of grits, two slices of bacon, and some toast. “On the house. Welcome home.”

  “Gee, thanks. I suppose I should put something in my stomach, and it sure smells good.”

  She finished her meal and ordered another cup of coffee.

  To her dismay, Jack never showed.

  On her way out, Susan left a more than generous tip at the table and thanked Tonya again.

  Next stop—Wesley’s. Talking him into helping her wasn’t going to be easy, but it shouldn’t be as difficult as talking to Jack. A few miles down the highway, Susan drove her 2009 bright-yellow Camaro down Wesley’s driveway and parked beside the unmarked unit. Just sitting in his driveway gave her butterflies. Maybe it was Tonya and their recollecting high school days?

  No chance. It was the thought of being with Wesley again. Whoever said the line, ‘You can never go home,’ didn’t know her. She was determined to make it work.

  Before she could get out of the car, he stepped from the building adjacent to the house and pulled a pair of shop goggles from his head. A quick brush of a hand through his hair sent a cloud of sawdust around his face. Several healthy sneezes followed.

  “Whew! Excuse me.” Yanking a paint-stained rag from the back pocket of his jeans, he wiped the sweat from his brow and the back of his neck. “It might be February, but I’ve worked up a pretty good sweat.”

  He gave her car a hard look. “Nice wheels,” he said, walking over and opening the driver’s door. “Care to join me for something cold to drink?”

  When unfolding her long legs, she followed his gaze from her black, high-heel boots, which clung to her calves like a second skin, up her lavender skirt and across her satin blouse. She could tell he enjoyed the visual trip and wasted no time confirming it.

  “You sure look nice.”

  “Thanks. That’s some truck you’ve got.”

  “Kids around here tell me I’m supposed to say it’s a mean machine.” He gave her a mischievous grin.

  “Are you working on something?” she asked, pointing to a wooden spindle in his hand.

  “Oh, I’ve always got a project going on. Working with my hands helps to get my mind off my work. Ms. Thigpen’s railings on her back porch needed replacing. After haggling half a day, we finally agreed on a price. All they lack now is a quick coat of varnish, and I’ll be ready to install them. Funny thing is, my back porch could use some repairs, too, but I never seem to have enough time to get to it.”

  Wesley’s frame house was raised on piers and surrounded by woods. Painted a bluish gray with dark brown shudders, it sat a good two-hundred yards off the main highway and about a half mile past the Bawdy Boutique. He had inherited the place and a few acres from his parents.

  While the shrubs were neatly pruned, the flower-bed beneath the kitchen window laid neglected and brought back memories. Come spring, Mr. Wesley couldn’t till the soil fast enough. Mrs. Wesley was at his side with a wagon full of bedding plants she had picked out at the nursery. Today, the bed lay dormant.

  He put his arm around her shoulder and ushered her into the house. Once in the kitchen, he pulled out a chair for her at the table. “Is iced tea okay?”

  “Fine.”

  “This is like old times, except your parents aren’t here. Mom told me about them. They were such wonderful people. I know you must miss them.”

  “I never knew how much until they were gone. In a way, they’re still here. I left lots of their things just as they were. I don’t like messing with memories.” He paused and gave her a studied look. “They sure thought the world of you. I’m glad you decided to come home. When I got back from Afghanistan, I was really disappointed to find you’d finished college and was living in New York. I suppose it was foolish of me to think you’d still be here.

  “I thought about going to find you, but I had no right to interfere with your dream. Anyway, big city life isn’t for me. I had given up hoping you’d come home, and then I heard you had returned to Palmetto and opened the Bawdy Boutique. I couldn’t wait to see you but thought it best to give you some time. I knew you’d have lots to do opening a new business. And in this small community, sooner or later our paths would cross. But I never expected we’d meet at a traffic stop.”

  Susan smiled. “I’m glad we did. And I came to the conclusion that city life wasn’t for me, either. I missed home and didn’t see why I couldn’t breathe a little life into our sleepy town. I realize the population of Palmetto can’t sustain my business, but Hammond is close enough to make it work. So far, I’m hanging in there.”

  “Did you ever marry?” he asked.

  She could see apprehension in his eyes. “No, and you?”

  “Didn’t have…oh, well, I’ll save that for another time.”

  His eyes lingered with his thought. He always did have a problem saying what was on his mind. Did he want to say that she was the only one for him, or was that what she wanted to hear? Anyway, he still made her heart pound harder than it should, just like he used to do.

  “The building you were in, wasn’t it the barn?”

  “I converted it into a work shop. It gives me something to do, and I can pick up a little extra cash. I think Myrtle is going to be pleased with her new porch.” He handed Susan a glass of tea and took a seat across from her.

  “Myrtle, Myrtle, Myrtle,” she said, dragging out the name.

  He chuckled. “I heard about her protests. Don’t take it personal. She’s into everyone’s business. What she needs is a husband, but I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” He laughed out loud. “She may not be pleased with your shop, but you shouldn’t worry about her.”

  He looked deep into her eyes, as if trying to read her mind, but when she said nothing, he strummed his fingers on the table. “Okay, I know you didn’t come here to make small talk. In fact, you said you had something you wanted to discuss with me, so let’s hear it.”

  She took a sip of tea. “You solve crimes, right?”

  “I try. Tangipahoa Parish is not exactly a hot bed of crime, but we have our share of burglaries, murders, and dope dealers.

  “You ever stop a murder before it happens?”

  He hiked an eyebrow. “I’ve answered several domestic calls and have to believe I stopped someone from getting killed.”

  “This is…well, different. You’ll probably think I’m a lunatic.”

  “I doubt that. I’ve known you a long time, and crazy you’re not.”

  “When you stopped to assist the officer yesterday, my friend was driving me home from the hospital.”

  “Oh? Nothing serious, I hope?”

  “I’m okay now. I slipped in the bathroom and hit my head on the floor. They had to remove a small clot from the base of my skull.”

  “Thank goodness you’re okay.”

  “That’s debatable.”

  “But you said—”

  “Oh, the surgery went fine, but something happened when I was in the hospital. The doctor and my friend, A. K., tell me what I experienced was a dream. I was heavily sedated for a few days, but…” She dropped her head and reached for his hand. Squeezing hard, she said, “You have to believe me. It was real.”

  “I don’t understand. Tell me what happened.”

  “I passed out when I hit my head. When I came to, I was in the Roselawn Funeral Home at my wake.”

  “Yep, you dreamed you died all right. Otherwise, how could you be sitting here now?”

  Susan’s stomach tightened, but she wasn’t about to let anger get the best of her. Taking a deep
breath, she leaned back in the chair. “I don’t have all the answers,” she said in a calm voice. “All I know is I have to stop a killer.”

  Wesley studied her face for a while before answering. “It doesn’t matter whether I believe you or not. If you need my help, I’m here for you. Tell me everything.

  Susan described the wake and her meeting Jack. It was obvious Wesley was at a loss for words, so she continued. “You can’t imagine what it was like, looking at yourself in a coffin, watching your family and friends mourn you.”

  Her eyes welled with tears. “It was all so real. You were there, Wesley.” She gently patted the back of his hand. “I wanted so much to touch you, to hold you, but I couldn’t.

  “Jack was the deceased in Parlor B. Someone had shot him in the forehead in the wee hours of the morning on Valentine’s Day. At his wake, he pointed out his sister, Ramona, his mother and father, and his brothers. Even his ex showed up. Anyway, I agreed to help him find out who did that to him. I made up my mind that when my time came to walk into the light, I wouldn’t. But the light didn’t come for me like it did for the others. I was blinded. I stumbled around and couldn’t find anyone. Then I awoke again. This time, I was in the hospital.

  “I refused to believe I had dreamed everything. And I had my proof when the doctor walked into my room. The man was the same Jack Evans I met at my wake. You’ve got to believe me. I had never met him before, never even seen him, and had no idea his sister and ex-wife were customers of mine. But I’m convinced I had a glimpse into his future, and if I don’t do something, he’s going to die.”

  Wesley rubbed the stubble on his chin and shot her a wary look. “That’s some story and totally out of character for you. You were always so level headed.”

  “So you do think I’m crazy.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Look, I have no idea why this happened to me, but it did. If what I saw or learned about Jack’s family is true, it’ll give credence to the vision. My assistant has waited on Ramona several times, so she’s going to ask her to drop by the shop, say that she has some new merchandise that might interest her. A. K. is going find out if Jack is her brother and if she has other brothers. Then she’ll mention that she heard the doctor recently went through a divorce. Hopefully, Ramona will shed some light on her family.”

  “I can save you some time. I know Ramona. She’s Jack Evans’s sister all right, and her other brothers are Henry and Chris.”

  “I knew it. See, it has to be real. How could I have possibly dreamed those names?”

  “I don’t know, especially since the brothers aren’t from here. Henry and Chris are long-time residents of Hammond. As for the divorce, I can’t imagine Ramona would discuss her brother’s business. Did your dream, or whatever it was, hint at who might be behind Jack’s murder?” Wesley scratched his head. “I can’t believe I said that. The man’s still alive.”

  “At least he is for now. No, Jack had no idea who shot him. I really need for you to believe me. I wish you could have seen how his ex, Clarissa, was decked out at the funeral…uh, in my vision. She was flaunting her diamonds and designer clothes, but with Jack out of the picture, I don’t imagine she’ll be hobnobbing with the wealthy anymore. Unless—”

  “Unless she would benefit from his death,” Wesley said.

  “Exactly. I’m sure she walked away from the divorce with a decent settlement, but if she spends money the way I think she does, her well is going to run dry soon. I’m hoping the doctor put his affairs in order, and she’s not the beneficiary on his life insurance policy.”

  “If Clarissa’s planning anything, she’ll be closed mouth about it. On the other hand, you might find you have her pegged all wrong, that she and the doc made a clean break. What then?”

  “Then I’ll keep digging, but my gut tells me I’m not wrong.”

  “Look, I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll ask around. Maybe the doc had a problem with someone at the hospital. I’ll check the court records for any suits filed against him. Going from civil to criminal court is not unusual.”

  “I knew I could count on you.”

  “On one condition—you don’t let anyone know what I’m doing. And by all means, don’t do anything foolish. You might be the fashion police, but I’m a homicide detective. Leave the investigation to me. If they cart you off to the loony bin, I don’t want to go with you.”

  She laughed.

  As he walked her to her car, he gave one last warning. “Be careful what you say to anyone. If you stumble across the killer, you might wind up the next victim. I’d hate for you and Doc Evans to meet again at the funeral home.”

  Susan drove home from Wesley’s with her spirits lifted. Even if he didn’t believe her story, he was willing to help. For sure, she needed all the help she could get. Susan realized she was treading in dangerous and unfamiliar waters, and Wesley could provide guidance and protection, but no way could she stay out of it.

  It was early afternoon when she stepped into her apartment. The presence of her mom and dad still lingered. There was the faint hint of her mother’s perfume, and the recliner where her dad had rested his head lay embossed with his impression. Fluffing the top pillow, she found herself wishing they were still there.

  Her furry friend peaked around the sofa and broke her concentration. Picking up Marmalade, she stroked the cat’s head. “How’s my sweet baby?”

  The animal responded with tiny, motor-boat-like purrs.

  “Okay, let’s go check your bowl,” Susan said, putting the cat down. Marmalade pranced ahead, her fluffy tail straight up like a flag pole.

  After seeing to the cat’s needs, Susan decided to sit for a while on her patio, something she hadn’t done since moving back home. Getting the business up and running had been a non-stop affair. She fixed a fresh cup of coffee and took a seat at the wrought iron table.

  Winter in Louisiana provided days where the temperature would moderate, and the sun would tease at the possibility of an early spring. Today was such a day. The lawn, dappled with patches of clover, stretched into woods at the back of the property. Silver trunks and bare branches mingled with stately pines and a few willows, both of which painted a swath of green among the skeletal trees. A handful of birds flittered among the sparse foliage.

  Such a mild day should beckon to residents, but no one wandered about the complex. If not at work, she could only assume they preferred to remain indoors. That suited her just fine. The solitude would give her time to gather her thoughts. Tomorrow was her last shot at convincing the guy who had saved her life that his was about to abruptly end, and she intended to do everything she could to prevent him from getting killed.

  An hour later, she was still mulling over the possibilities when a mockingbird lit on the back of the chair across from her. It cocked its head from side-to-side then half raised its wings, again and again, a mystery common to the bird. She sat mesmerized by the fact that it didn’t seem to be afraid of her. That triggered her imagination. The setting became a Disney moment, like a scene from one of the late Mr. Disney’s animated movies. Any minute she expected to see and hear a high-pitched chorus of feathered friends descending with flowers in their beaks.

  Susan bolted upright from her chair.

  “I am crazy!” she said, startling the bird. As it flew away, she wondered if her weird thinking was also linked to her injury. She didn’t foresee anything this time, like she did on the highway with A. K., but she had to admit the fantasizing made her worry. What if she had not disrupted her train of thought? Would she have had another glimpse of the future? She sure hoped not.

  And if her fall did result in psychic ability, would she only foresee something bad? Why not lottery numbers or football scores? That would be nice.

  Nah, she couldn’t cash in on that. Cheating was not in her nature. She wondered if there was a doctor who could treat such a condition, undo what was done. While some might consider her ability a gift, she didn’t. More than anythi
ng, she wanted her normal life back.

  That night, she ate leftovers, watched a movie, and tried not to dwell on what she would say to Jack tomorrow. As she used to say, she’d just wing it. At ten o’clock, she woke to find that Avatar had ended, and the DVD was cycling on a segment of the soundtrack. She turned off the receiver and moved from the sofa to her bed, where she had no problem getting back to sleep.

  Chapter 7

  The sunrise woke Susan before the alarm clock. She climbed out of bed refreshed and ready to face the doctor. After showering, she slipped into a magenta sheath dress and put on a pair of onyx and gold earrings. Not wanting to overdress, she left the matching necklace in the jewelry box and chose a pair of plain back pumps. Since the weather decided to play like winter again, she brought along a fingertip, black coat.

  Before she could get out of the apartment, A. K. called. “How are you feeling?”

  “Great, ready to get this appointment behind me.”

  “Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t get anywhere with him. At least you would have tried.”

  “I’m leaving in a few minutes. I’ll see you as soon as I can. I’m so ready to get back into a routine. Regardless of what happens with Jack, at least Wesley’s onboard. That’s a real plus. Oh, and by the way, Edward was quite taken with you. He said he was going to stop by the boutique and see you. Did he?”

  “I was surprised, but glad to see him. He’s quite a charmer.”

  “Did y’all make any plans to get together?”

  “You know he’s in Lafayette, but he said he’s taking some vacation time next month and asked if I’d be interested in going out with him. Don’t know if he mentioned anything to you, but I think he plans on crashing at your place.”

  “That’s fine with me. Did you say you’d take him up on his offer?”

  “What do you think? I’m not in the habit of turning down good looking guys.”

  “Well, a month is a long ways away. Lots can happen between now and then. But keep me posted. Whatever you two do, it should be adventurous.” Susan laughed. “Phooey, I’m letting the time get away from me. I don’t want to be late. We’ll talk more when I get to the boutique.”