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

her chair.
    “This could be a big break.” My wheels already turning, I glanced at Dee Dee, who was furiously writing names on her note pad. I turned back to Teresa. “I wonder if the sheriff’s looked at this angle. This Tommy character should be at the top of the suspect list.”
    “Remember, you didn’t hear any of this from me.”
    “Of course,” I nodded, attempting to make my expression the model of discretion. “One last thing: I’ve heard the sheriff’s going to retire? He could solve this case by blaming the most obvious suspect instead of investigating other leads. It would be mighty convenient for him to focus on Dee Dee.”
    She stood and placed fists to her hips. “I’ve known Jake Wheeler for years, and I believe he’ll follow any lead he thinks important.” She drew herself up. “Now I’ve got to inspect the rooms so we can open.”
    Dee Dee and I knew the way out, and it was obvious she wanted us to go, pronto!

Chapter Thirteen
    Teresa retrieved some papers and started to leave.
    “Oh, Teresa!” Dee Dee begged, in her not so subtle way. “I need to use the ladies room if you don’t mind.”
    I wasn’t surprised.
    Teresa’s eyes shot open like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She wasted no time ushering us out the door.
    “Well, ladies, I hate to be rude, but...No, I’m going to be honest. I don’t hate to be rude. I can’t take a chance on anything else happening while you two are loose in the museum. There’s a public restroom across the square.” She had me by one arm and Dee Dee by the other as she led us out. She stood, still as a statue, until we walked down the outside steps.
    I’m sure my, “thanks for the information” was lost in the wind as she turned and hurried back into the museum.
    “Well, I can’t blame her,” Dee Dee said.
    “Me neither.” I replied as we stood, deciding what to do next.
    “Our list grows longer.” Dee Dee thrust her notepad in my face as she hot stepped toward the public restroom.
    I reviewed our growing list of suspects while we stood in line at the facilities. Afterwards, we decided to stop in a quaint little ice cream and pastry shop for an afternoon pick-me-up. Country themed gifts, coffee cups painted with flowers and butterflies, Christmas wreaths, antique jewelry and home decor fragrances, and heavenly scented candles lined the shelves along the walls. We looked for a minute, then found a corner table and placed our order.
    I slid on my reading glasses and waggled my fingers. “Bring out the suspect list and let’s go over it.”
    Dee Dee brought out the tablet faster than a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. “So far, we have Miranda Tatum. A woman scorned is one to be contended with. Her husband’s betrayal has left deep scars that haven’t healed yet. I should know.” I wondered, prayed, that the time would come when I’d be able to think of Wade without that sharp stab of pain.
    Dee Dee gave me a little shake. “Girl, where did you go? You looked like you took a trip to La-La Land again. From what you’ve told me, Sueleigh Dalton wasn’t any happier with Tatum’s treatment of women. It seems like he used women and tossed them away like disposable commodities. Use them and lose them.” She rolled her eyes. “Men!”
    I nodded. “Don’t forget Tommy Hawkins. Teresa said he didn’t hide his hatred for Tatum. He told the whole town he was going to kill him.”
    Dee Dee pointed at his name written on the page. “You heard Teresa. The Hawkins are meaner than a mama bear protecting her cubs. Good grief, she refused to tell you where they live.”
    The waitress slid our dishes onto the Formica. “Anything else?”
    “No thanks,” I smiled at her before picking up my spoon.
    “I don’t think we need to mess with them.” Dee Dee scooped into her whipped cream as the waitress walked away.
    “True, but we can find it ourselves.” I savored a mouthful of my ice cream and sighed. “Speaking of