Darlene Franklin - Dressed for Death 03 - Paint Me a Murder by Darlene Franklin Page B
Authors: Darlene Franklin
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that out, what do you need me for?”
Jenna and Dina stared at me as if I’d lost my mind. “Well, because people tell you things. They don’t open up to us the same way,” Jenna said.
“And sometimes people won’t talk to me. I’m ‘the reporter.’” Dina made quote marks with her fingers.
I ran my tongue around my teeth thinking of an excuse to talk with Ham. I couldn’t use the excuse of visiting the bereaved; he and Finella were divorced. But didn’t Ham live with his sister these days? That was it. Jessie had asked for my advice about the Land Run Days costumes; I could call her and say I had found some useful information.
“You’ve thought of a way to do it.” Jenna grinned.
“I have,” I agreed.
My sisters took off for their jobs. I considered calling Enid to see if she could run the store for a few hours that afternoon, since Jessie closed up shop about 2 every day. But Enid saved me the trouble by waltzing into the store about 9:30. She really looked like she was dancing, something our pastor’s wife had never done in public to my knowledge. I wondered what made her so happy.
“I figured out the first clue!” She waved a piece of paper in her hand. “The tornado warning last night got me to thinking. That horn sure makes a loud noise. And it’s located at the ‘gateway’ to the city, out there by city hall. And I was right! And now I have the second clue.”
“‘The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.’” I quoted the clue, Proverbs 15:19, which I had memorized after the committee had discussed it so often. “Well done, Enid.”
She wagged a finger at me. “I know you can’t give me any hints. But I’m excited. I think I was the first one! Betty seemed a little surprised that I figured it out so quickly. What if I win the prize?”
“I hope you do.” The dear lady deserved it.
I decided against asking Enid to stay at the store. I would have a better chance of catching Ham at home after his job, that night. To celebrate Enid’ success, I pressed a Japanese scarf, perfect for autumn with its geometric designs of brown, orange and tomato red, on her. I knew she had a matching dress in her wardrobe.
“You shouldn’t do that.”
I insisted. Enid allowed herself very few luxuries and the gorgeous scarf was a garage sale find.
Traffic slowed down that afternoon. To my surprise, Dustin Murk came by.
“Us businesswomen should stick together, don’t you agree?” She held up a jar of honey. “My treat.”
Looking at the golden syrup made my mouth water. “Thank you so much. I’ll put it with the tea and coffee. People might like to use it for sweetener. I should come by and buy a jar to take home.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll bring a jar the next time I visit.” She extracted a small bag from her purse and pulled out a stack of business cards. “Would you mind putting these by the honey?”
Free advertising. Well, why not? “Of course.” I studied the card. She had named her business “Dustin’s Delights.” “For honey, jams and other delights, contact Dustin Murk.” A floral arbor adorned the corner.
What brought Dustin into my store today? With her silver-blonde hair, smoky blue eyes and down-to-earth jeans, she didn’t look like the type who would wear vintage clothing on a regular basis. “Can I help you find something?” I queried.
“Just browsing.” She flashed a smile of overly white teeth in my direction. “Wilbert and I are thinking about holding a back-to-school hayride for the high schoolers, and I was thinking of using a vintage theme.”
“What a wonderful idea.” My mind teemed with possibilities, but one look at Dustin’s face told me she preferred working by herself. “I’ll be working on the window display if you see something you’re interested in.” I added the finishing touches while she browsed. She looked around for about an hour and promised to come back. In spite of her
Jenna and Dina stared at me as if I’d lost my mind. “Well, because people tell you things. They don’t open up to us the same way,” Jenna said.
“And sometimes people won’t talk to me. I’m ‘the reporter.’” Dina made quote marks with her fingers.
I ran my tongue around my teeth thinking of an excuse to talk with Ham. I couldn’t use the excuse of visiting the bereaved; he and Finella were divorced. But didn’t Ham live with his sister these days? That was it. Jessie had asked for my advice about the Land Run Days costumes; I could call her and say I had found some useful information.
“You’ve thought of a way to do it.” Jenna grinned.
“I have,” I agreed.
My sisters took off for their jobs. I considered calling Enid to see if she could run the store for a few hours that afternoon, since Jessie closed up shop about 2 every day. But Enid saved me the trouble by waltzing into the store about 9:30. She really looked like she was dancing, something our pastor’s wife had never done in public to my knowledge. I wondered what made her so happy.
“I figured out the first clue!” She waved a piece of paper in her hand. “The tornado warning last night got me to thinking. That horn sure makes a loud noise. And it’s located at the ‘gateway’ to the city, out there by city hall. And I was right! And now I have the second clue.”
“‘The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.’” I quoted the clue, Proverbs 15:19, which I had memorized after the committee had discussed it so often. “Well done, Enid.”
She wagged a finger at me. “I know you can’t give me any hints. But I’m excited. I think I was the first one! Betty seemed a little surprised that I figured it out so quickly. What if I win the prize?”
“I hope you do.” The dear lady deserved it.
I decided against asking Enid to stay at the store. I would have a better chance of catching Ham at home after his job, that night. To celebrate Enid’ success, I pressed a Japanese scarf, perfect for autumn with its geometric designs of brown, orange and tomato red, on her. I knew she had a matching dress in her wardrobe.
“You shouldn’t do that.”
I insisted. Enid allowed herself very few luxuries and the gorgeous scarf was a garage sale find.
Traffic slowed down that afternoon. To my surprise, Dustin Murk came by.
“Us businesswomen should stick together, don’t you agree?” She held up a jar of honey. “My treat.”
Looking at the golden syrup made my mouth water. “Thank you so much. I’ll put it with the tea and coffee. People might like to use it for sweetener. I should come by and buy a jar to take home.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll bring a jar the next time I visit.” She extracted a small bag from her purse and pulled out a stack of business cards. “Would you mind putting these by the honey?”
Free advertising. Well, why not? “Of course.” I studied the card. She had named her business “Dustin’s Delights.” “For honey, jams and other delights, contact Dustin Murk.” A floral arbor adorned the corner.
What brought Dustin into my store today? With her silver-blonde hair, smoky blue eyes and down-to-earth jeans, she didn’t look like the type who would wear vintage clothing on a regular basis. “Can I help you find something?” I queried.
“Just browsing.” She flashed a smile of overly white teeth in my direction. “Wilbert and I are thinking about holding a back-to-school hayride for the high schoolers, and I was thinking of using a vintage theme.”
“What a wonderful idea.” My mind teemed with possibilities, but one look at Dustin’s face told me she preferred working by herself. “I’ll be working on the window display if you see something you’re interested in.” I added the finishing touches while she browsed. She looked around for about an hour and promised to come back. In spite of her
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