Death in Dahlonega (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Deborah Malone Page A

minute?”
    Teresa adjusted the badge on her uniform. “For a minute. They’ve finished taking down the crime scene tape. I want to make sure the mining room is cleaned up. I don’t want any of our visitors upset by blood stains.” She looked directly at us with displeasure, and I didn’t blame her.
    “Let’s go to my office.” She led the way.
    “I’m so sorry this happened. This must be such an inconvenience for you, especially during the busiest time of the year.”
    “Not to mention the embarrassment it has caused. One of the most influential men in Dahlonega was murdered on my watch, and I was up for a promotion.” She muttered under her breath. The softly spoken words sounded something like, “I guess I can kiss that good-bye.”
    “Umm, look on the bright side. It might boost the tourist traffic today. You know how people possess a morbid curiosity.” A nervous giggle escaped my lips.
    Teresa turned and gave me a funny look as Dee Dee poked me in the ribs.
    “I hope you don’t think Dee Dee murdered Mr. Tatum. It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time—”
    “Look, Trixie,” Teresa interrupted. “I’m not sure what to think. I know for a fact that John Tatum had more than one enemy. He made some thoroughly bad decisions - others came with the territory of possessing enough power to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ to someone in need.” She pointed to some chairs, indicating for us to sit down.
    “I could use some help locating some of these people, and Joyce said no one knows the people or the town as well as you do.” I leaned toward Teresa, now seated behind her desk. “I heard John and Miranda Tatum had a messy divorce.” I searched her face for a reaction but saw no change. I continued. “Could you tell me about John’s girlfriend? Give me her name and how to get in contact with her?”
    “Look, I shouldn’t.” She looked from me to Dee Dee, then back to me. “But if my best friend was in trouble, I’d do the same thing. Promise you won’t do anything but ask questions, and leave the rest up to Sheriff Wheeler. One person’s dead already.”
    I nodded.
    Dee Dee spoke up. “I’ll promise for both of us.” She squinched her eyes and glared at me.
    Teresa’s shoulders relaxed and I thought, Way to go Dee Dee. But I had every intention of doing whatever was necessary to prove Dee Dee’s innocence.
    “What’s her name, and where can we find her?” I handed paper and pen to Dee Dee so she could play secretary.
    “Her family name is Dalton. Sueleigh Dalton. She lives with her kin several miles outside of town. You might be able to find her whole family at the festival today. They run a food stand every year during Gold Rush Days and she helps them out.” Teresa scooted back in her chair and adjusted her badge. Again.
    “I can’t thank you enough. You wait and see; you have my word. When this is over, Dee Dee will be exonerated.” I gave Dee Dee a big smile and touched her shoulder. I talked tough, but could I make it happen? I had to believe I could, with some help from above.
    “I don’t know why, but for some reason, I believe you.” Teresa tapped her teeth, as if considering her options. “There’s one more person you might be interested in.”
    Dee Dee and I both belted out, “Who?”
    “A couple of years ago, there was a robbery at the Tatum place. Tubby Hawkins, a local teenager, broke into Tatum’s home, but he didn’t make it out alive. He was a known trouble maker and had a gun in his possession, so no charges were filed against Tatum, but John killed the boy, all the same.” She shifted around in her office chair, obviously unsettled by the events.
    “The Hawkins family was outraged and vowed revenge on Tatum. Tommy Hawkins, Tubby’s older brother, was the most vocal. He went around town telling everyone that Tatum had better watch his back. No one was going to kill his brother and get away with it.”
    “Wow!” Dee Dee sat on the edge of