A Timely Vision

I started walking again, maybe a little less angry. At least he seemed to be on my side. “Well, I don’t believe Miss Mildred did anything wrong. But you’re right. I know how the rules work. The chief was already questioning whether Miss Mildred should stay in her house by herself. Now it looks even worse. I don’t want to think what a court-appointed doctor who isn’t from Duck will think.”

He nodded. “The chief will continue investigating. So will the SBI.”

“Really? Once they establish that he found the murder weapon on her property and Miss Elizabeth’s purse in her house, that will be the end of the investigation. Chief Michaels already pointed out to me that Miss Mildred wasn’t that upset by her sister’s death when we came to give her the news. Half the town was at the vigil when she said her sister probably didn’t go to heaven because she was evil. I think you could say that’s a slam dunk.”

He didn’t disagree. I kept wishing he would as we turned to walk down Duck Road toward the shops on the boardwalk. The road was crowded now with tourists driving in convertibles and SUVs. I wished it was winter, for once; have some peace to think.

“I looked up Wild Johnny Simpson in the hotel directory last night.” He changed the subject. “I found where he checked in on June 7, 1978. It doesn’t show when he checked out.”

“But it was around that time the old owner, Bunk Whitley, disappeared. Maybe Johnny was killed and the hotel closed so quickly, no one realized.”

“Maybe. But someone had to put that key in the drawer. Whoever did it probably knew. I handed over the derringer to Agent Walker. I’m sure they’ll check it against the bullet wound in Johnny’s head.”

We continued walking into the business district of Duck. I had to cross the crowded street to get back to Missing Pieces. I glanced at Kevin, wondering if all of this made more sense to him than to me. “You don’t have to walk me all the way to the shop. I’m okay now. Unlikely to hold off the police, or the SBI, with hostages.”

“I know. You were doing what you thought was right.”

“Yeah. I’m lucky they didn’t arrest me for it.”

He laughed. “You’re right. Of course, you’re the mayor. It wouldn’t look good for the town if that happened.”

“True. But I won’t push my luck again.”

“Unless something else happens where you have to stand up for what you think is right. I might know you better than you know yourself.”

“Quit profiling me!” There was an opening in the constant line of traffic going through town. I smiled and waved at Kevin, then darted across the street. I noticed that he waved back then set out toward the Blue Whale. I also noticed that he was wearing sandals. It made me smile again. Duck relaxation even got to hardened FBI types. Maybe someone could use that for a tourist slogan.

I unlocked Missing Pieces and turned on the lights. I was only there a few minutes before a crowd of shoppers began surging in. They were mostly looking for bargains and souvenirs. Nothing to threaten my treasures.

A few hours later, as I was ringing up some Duck T-shirts, Trudy came in from next door. She waited until I was finished with my customer to come behind the counter and take a seat. “I heard about Miss Mildred. It’s awful, Dae. How can they arrest someone that old? I don’t understand why they think she was involved in her sister’s death.”

I didn’t want to go into the whole thing again. It was a little too fresh and painful to describe to her. “I’m hoping the police realize they’ve made a mistake and let her go back home.”

“Someone said they saw you and your grandfather down there,” Trudy whispered. “Did you see them take her away?”

I nodded. “I really don’t want to talk about it right now. It wasn’t exactly the bright spot of my day.”

“I understand.” She smiled a little and changed the subject. “I hear Shayla is dating that super-gorgeous new guy at the Blue Whale. I got that from her, so I’m trusting it’s true.”

“It’s true. I went out with them last night.”

A woman who looked as though she were carrying the weight of the world approached the counter. She had a little girl with her. The woman had a kid-size, blue party dress that had been part of a group of items I’d purchased from one of the local churches. It was left over from a Christmas bazaar. “How much for this one?” she asked.

I looked at the two of them and knew they couldn’t afford it. No matter what the price was, there was no extra money for this dress. I also knew she wouldn’t let me give it to her. It wasn’t any psychic sense that made me understand. It was a few years of running a thrift store. Those who didn’t need what I had to sell typically came in with a certain look of confidence, even arrogance, on their faces. People like this woman, however, had hopelessness written in their eyes. As mayor, I was well aware that among the well-to-do tourists and comfortable year-round residents, there were people in need living in Duck. I wished I could do more for them.

“I’m afraid that dress isn’t for sale,” I told her.