Digging Up The Dirt

For once in her life, Kanesha must have been struck speechless, An’gel decided, as she waited for the chief deputy to respond. Finally Kanesha said, “I’ll be on my way in a few.” She ended the call.

“Tell us what all that was about,” Dickce said.

An’gel shared what Kanesha told her about the death of Mrs. Turnipseed. When she finished, there was stunned silence for a moment.

Coriander looked up at Hadley. “I think maybe we should tell Ryan that he and Belinda and the boys should stay in Memphis until the murderer is caught.”

“Good idea,” Hadley said. “As soon as I know their plane has landed, I’ll text him and tell him to call me before they leave the airport.”

“Who are Ryan and Belinda and the boys?” An’gel asked, although she suspected she already knew.

“Our son and his wife, and our grandsons, Simon and Derek,” Coriander replied. “They live in London, and they’re on their way here for a visit.”

“This will all be theirs someday,” Hadley said. “If they decide they want to keep it and move here, of course.” He looked down at his wife. “We’re planning to stay here. That’s why I’m investing time and energy and money in this house and grounds.”

“I’m delighted to hear it,” An’gel said. “You belong here.”

“Me, too,” Dickce added. “It will be wonderful to see children here at Ashton Hall.”

Coriander laughed. “They’re not precisely children. Simon will soon be seventeen, and Derek is fifteen.”

“Young people then.” Dickce smiled.

“I take it that Deputy Berry is on her way here?” Hadley asked.

“Yes,” An’gel said. “She needs to know everything you’ve told us, and I’m hoping she will have other information she hasn’t shared. Maybe that way she can figure out who’s behind everything. Maybe even who really killed Callie.”

“While we wait for her,” Coriander said, “why don’t I make some tea? I think we could all use it right about now.” She rose from the chair.

Hadley smiled. “We’ve become accustomed to it. Tea as the antidote to everything. I frankly could use something a lot stronger, but tea will do. How about we all go to the kitchen and have it there? Cory made some fresh scones this morning.”

“Sounds fine to me,” Dickce said. “Come on, An’gel.”

“I’ll never say no to tea and homemade scones,” An’gel replied as she rose from the sofa.

An’gel had barely finished her first scone when the doorbell rang. Hadley left the room to answer it.

“Will the deputy be offended if we talk to her in the kitchen?” Coriander asked.

“Not at all,” An’gel said.

“Good. I’ll get another cup out for her.” Coriander walked over to the cabinet.

Hadley returned with Kanesha Berry, and he quickly made introductions between his wife and the deputy. Coriander stared at Kanesha for a moment. “I believe I knew your mother,” she said. “Azalea Berry, isn’t she?”

Kanesha nodded. “Yes, that’s my mother.”

“I hope she’s doing well,” Coriander said. “She was always such a gracious person and very kind to me when I saw her.”

“She’s doing fine,” Kanesha said. “I’ll let her know you asked about her.” She turned to greet An’gel and Dickce. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a lot going on. I really need to hear what all you have to tell me.”

An’gel knew that Kanesha was feeling the pressure of the investigation and was not bothered by her abrupt manner.

“Why don’t you sit down and have a cup of tea and a scone, and we’ll tell you everything as quickly as we can.”

Kanesha didn’t respond for a moment. “All right. I could use a little caffeine, frankly.”

Hadley held out a chair for her, and she nodded before taking it. Coriander placed tea and a plate with two scones on the table in front of her.

An’gel said, “It all started with Dickce and me trying to trace Coriander Simpson.” She gave Kanesha a quick summary of Benjy’s efforts and Dickce’s visit with Coriander’s mother. “We thought she really might have died in England, but as it turned out, we were wrong.” She looked to Hadley and Coriander to take up the story now.

Hadley explained the reasons he left Athena and all that ensued, from his own knowledge, after that. Coriander then shared with Kanesha what she knew about the other women who were in love with Hadley, and about the car she had seen the day she left Ashton Hall to join Hadley in New York.

Kanesha had consumed both scones and two cups of tea by the time she heard all the information that An’gel, Dickce, Hadley, and Coriander had to share. Now they all waited to hear what she had to say in response.

Kanesha pushed the empty plate away and regarded them all with her habitual unreadable expression.

“Well?” An’gel said. “Does any of this help you figure out who the killer is?”

Kanesha nodded. “I believe so, but I do have one question for you. I think I know who it is, but tell me, is one of these women left-handed?”

An’gel looked at Dickce and frowned. “As I recall, both Lottie and Reba are left-handed, aren’t they?”

Dickce nodded. “Yes, they are.”

Kanesha muttered something under her breath, and An’gel thought she knew what it was. She didn’t blame the deputy.