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"Well, we still don't know who killed Tabby and tossed her apartment," Jo sighed as she and Gertie ate breakfast at Francine's with Ida Belle, Minnow, and Marc.
Marc picked up his plate. "Tell Francine I'll bring it back. Whatever you're plotting is going to end badly, so I don't want to know." He ignored the taunts as he left the cafe. "I'm having the door replaced this morning, Minnow, so don't be late for cleaning."
"I'll be right over," Min lied to his back.
"Is Mo coming today?" Gertie asked.
Jo laughed. "Don't count on it. I sent her a text this morning because she didn't answer her phone when I called. Guess what? They're out of town for the rest of the week. Mo didn't say where, so either Tony got a doctor to give him a week off work or his supervisor let him take the week off. Either way, I hope they enjoy the honeymoon. And I hope Tony's back doesn't still hurt."
"I wouldn't bet on it," Ida Belle murmured under her breath to Gertie.
"Well, that's okay. If Mo's gone, she can't be arrested," Min joked. "We may need her to bail us out."
"Are we planning to get arrested, Minnow?" Ida Belle's look was stern.
"Ida Belle, those things aren't planned." Gertie fielded the question.
"Yet they seem to happen frequently," Ida Belle reminded her.
"Well, blame the law, not us." Gertie patted her hair with a huff of righteous indignation. "Our only crime is being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Ida Belle lowered her head and said aside to Min, "Isn't that usually why people get arrested?" Min smiled in agreement.
"Okay, so we now turn our attention to the cheating husbands of Chalk Lake. Did the Sorcerer provide anything besides names and photos?" Jo inquired.
"That wasn't part of the deal," Ida Belle said. "We only asked for," she lowered her voice, "certain hard to access files."
"I think we can do our own investigation," Min assured her. "Since we have the names, we might be able to find out if any of them had a reason to kill Tabby."
"I'll check arrest records and complaints," Jo offered. "We can start with any who has a history of violent behavior." She pulled out her laptop and by the time they finished eating she had the information.
"Bad news. Either these guys are squeaky clean or they are so intimidating no one has filed a complaint, which isn't likely given their age. They are all over 35." Jo turned her laptop so the others could look. "Any ideas?"
"Yes. How do we know the Sorcerer isn't working both sides of the street?" Gertie asked. "Maybe he moonlights changing police reports for men who bully their wives and girlfriends. I saw this TV show and learned men with big muscles like to show off their strength by hitting women. They're always angry and they break out with acne like teenage girls the day before the prom. That's because they take growth pills and then they can't score a home run. But even when they stop taking the pills they shrivel up like prunes." Gertie paused to think. "I'm not sure if just their muscles shrink or if everything shrinks- if you know what I mean."
"Yes, we know what you mean." Ida Belle's eyelid twitched. "And the Sorcerer never works both sides. It's a waste of his valuable time."
"Hey, don't blame me for being educated. I didn't make this up. It was on TV. But I learned once they start down that path they become useless as a man." Gertie gave Min a scrutinizing look and casually picked at a loose thread on her sleeve. "So, Minnow, what supplements does Marc take? With those muscles he probably takes lots of things. Have you been checking his labels? How often does he break out with huge pimples?"
"For crying out loud," Ida Belle complained. "Why don't you just ask her if Marc is taking illegal steroids?"
Gertie glared at Ida Belle. "I was being diplomatic, unlike you."
Min smiled at Jo, who raised her eyes. "Marc doesn't take harmful supplements. He works hard and eats healthy."
"So he isn't bullying you, right?" Gertie asked despite Ida Belle's sigh of impatience.
Min assured Gertie that Marc wasn't a bully. "We've known each other for three years, Gertie. In that time I'm ashamed to admit I've given him three black eyes, although the last one was an accident." She grew serious. "He's never raised a hand to me, although we joke about it because that's just the way we are."
Gertie eyed her for a minute, then she smiled. "So Ida Belle was right. You two really are in love. I guess you both just have a hard time letting others see your emotions. But that's okay."
Min fought the flush that threatened to flood her cheeks. "Thanks," she said in a low voice.
Gertie patted her hand. "You don't need to be afraid to let us see how you really feel. We like watching."
"Gertie!" Ida Belle scolded.
"Well, it's true and you know it," Gertie said defensively.
"You make it sound like we're voyeurs." Ida Belle turned to Minnow. "We're not. What she means is we won't think you're weak because you're married." Min shifted her eyes to Jo, not sure if Ida Belle's remark was meant to insult or reassure.
Jo snapped her fingers, drawing attention to her obvious excitement. "That's it! Min, you've hit Marc, but he's never hit you." She turned to her laptop and typed in another search. With a broad smile she flipped it around so the women could look. "Voilà! We assumed it was one of the men who killed Tabby. But what if it was one of their wives? I see two strong candidates in front of us, but it could be any one of them."
"I bet if we look through the pictures we'll see at least one of the wives," Gertie mused. "Otherwise, how would they even know Tabby was at the grand opening? Especially since she was hired right before the event."
"She's right. Let's finish up and go look at those pictures," Ida Belle suggested. "Jo, I think you can expense this meal, right?" Ida Belle hopped up with a grin, followed by Gertie.
Jo shrugged to Min. "I'm worried these women know me too well," she joked as she paid for breakfast.
"They are likable aren't they?"
"As long as you don't tell Ida Belle, then yes." Jo smiled because she really did like Mo's Sinful friends, including Fortune. "There's just something about that fierce independence and the deep loyalty they don't have to question. I've seen it in Fortune as well." Jo paused thoughtfully at the door. "Maybe that's the attraction to this town. I find myself tossing around the idea of leaving Houston for the small town life, at least for a little while. Just to see how I like it."
Outside, Min placed her arm on Jo's. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"If I admit to that will you think I'm crazy?" Jo asked.
"I already know we're crazy. But I also understand exactly how you feel. And I realize why Mo didn't want to leave even though she's not far." Min looked around before lowering her voice to ask, "Do they really cast spells on people around here?"
Jo laughed out loud. "I think they'd like to believe they can. But you are guaranteed to be run out of town after those smoothies, not forced to stay."
Without thinking, Min confessed, "I told Marc that I almost wanted the fitness center to succeed, but now I really do."
"Whoa!" Min realized Jo stopped on the side walk and she wore her reporter's inquisitive face.
"You're not going to let that one slip by, are you?" Min cringed.
"You know me, right? Don't ask silly questions, Min. But at least your comment sheds light on the odd marriage you are trying to pull off. Plus, the obviously stupid decision to open a fitness center in Sinful."
Min threw her head back and groaned. "I haven't unwittingly broken an official confidence since my work started. Why now?"
"Blame it on Sinful and tell me all about it later. Oh, does Moses know anything?"
"If she does, it didn't come from me. But Jo? I need you to keep this between us, please? If my work is put in the spotlight, I'll be forced to leave Sinful."
"You and Marc, right?" Minnow nodded, and Jo asked, "So you really are married?"
Min wrinkled her nose, causing her eyes to squint. "It was a requirement of the job, but we have been working partners for three years. Can we forego the rest for now?"
"For now," Jo chuckled. "But I want the whole story, Minnow. And the whole truth. Like why do Ida Belle and Gertie think you're in love with Marc?"
"You think I'd only give you half-truths?" Min prevaricated, hoping she looked offended.
"I know you would because I'd do the same," Jo admitted. "Now let's catch up with Ida Belle and Gertie or they'll run off and capture the killer without us."
The boards were off the front door of the fitness center, so Jo and Min walked through the doorway. Marc stepped out of the storage room, wheeling a vacuum. Min stopped and looked at the floor with a guilty expression. Marc had already swept the bulk of broken glass, besides removing what was left of the old door.
"Go ahead," Min told Jo, giving her a push toward the office. "I really have to help clean up."
Jo gave her a knowing grin and waved to Marc as she passed him. Then she turned to tease Minnow by patting her heart with an exaggerated dreamy smile. Min's brows lowered and Jo stuck out her tongue.
"Are you mad about something?" Marc asked when he saw Min's expression.
Min dragged her eyes from Traitor Jo's receding figure. "Huh?"
"What's wrong?"
Minnow shook her head. "Nothing. I'm sorry I didn't help clean the broken glass. I'll vacuum though."
Marc shrugged and passed her the vacuum. The volatile Minnow was definitely mellowing. Not a single joke about him using the broom, or missing chunks of glass. Instead, Minnow smiled as she raced around with the vacuum while he watched. The man who came to replace the door cleared his throat twice to get Marc's attention, even though he stood next to him. Marc gave him a sheepish smile and the older man smiled, then got to work replacing the door.
In the office, Jo, Ida Belle and Gertie confirmed three of the wives from Chalk Lake attended the grand opening. It didn't take them long to devise a plan to expose the killer. When Minnow joined them a half hour later they had the details worked out.
"Jo printed open house pictures of the women we suspect." Ida Belle handed several pages to Minnow and explained, "We'll say the man in the photo left a laptop and we're trying to contact him. But Jo inserted a picture of Tabby into each of the pictures, so when they look they will see Tabby as well. You and Jo will be a team, so will Gertie and I. Gertie and Min will do the talking because Jo and I have better powers of observation. Okay, Gertie, would you be happier if I just said better eyesight? That's what I thought. The point is we can read subtle expressions although our guilty party might make it easy by throwing a tantrum."
"It might be a good idea to wait until the husbands and wives are together," Min suggested. "Between the two of them I imagine we'll get the response we're looking for."
"Then we'll have to wait all day," Jo moaned. "I have work addresses and schedules for the wives and I think we should go now."
"I agree," Gertie added. "Besides, the men might act guilty because of the affair and not Tabby's murder."
"Do you think we can really ID the guilty woman from her reaction?" Min seemed doubtful. "What happens if we blow this plan?"
"Then we'll go back and accuse each woman outright, saying we have proof," Ida Belle said.
"And that proof would be what?" Minnow asked. "The real killer will want to know exactly what we have on her."
"We'll say Tabby regained consciousness for a brief moment when you initially found her, and she told you who did it." Jo offered the suggestion.
"And if the killer waited until she knew Tabby was dead, we have nothing," Minnow pressed. "We need something rock solid that can't be refuted."
"I have an idea," Gertie said. "Since Eddie didn't ransack her apartment it was likely the killer who did. Maybe she was looking to retrieve evidence of her husband's affair or she was just in a rage. Either way, we can say the police have proof she broke into the apartment and vandalized it, which made them suspect she murdered Tabby. A DNA test has been ordered to match a hair found at the murder scene. It's all lies, but the killer can't disprove any of it unless she didn't toss the apartment."
"Let's assume they're the same person for now," Jo suggested.
Ida Belle was proud of Gertie's plan and she glared when Minnow asked, "Why haven't the police arrested her?"
"Whose side are you on?"
"I'm just thinking ahead," Min replied.
"No, you're over thinking," Ida Belle stated. "Which the killer won't have done, I assure you. She may have a story set for the police but she won't expect the accusation to come from Gertie or me."
"Hey," Jo protested. "What happened to the teams?"
"Minnow won't fool anyone with that doubting attitude. So we have one team, plus a chauffeur and a navigator. What do you think, Gertie?" Ida Belle asked.
Gertie flashed her a grin. "I'll get my Cadillac and you get your maps, Ida Belle."
"Oh, for pity's sake!" Ida Belle scowled when Jo and Min giggled with Gertie. She pointed to Min. "Just for that, you drive. Jo, here are the addresses. You're the navigator."
Min grabbed her keys and waved them to the car. As they drove to Chalk Lake Ida Belle said, "And the reason the police haven't come for the killer is because they are waiting on the arrest warrant." Her tone of voice said Try to argue with that!
"Where should we start?" Min asked as they approached the Chalk Lake city limits.
"Save the lawyer's wife for last," Jo suggested. "If we have to face her, it might be tricky."
Ida Belle and Gertie laughed from the back seat. "That's why you two amateurs won't be questioning them." Min and Jo exchanged a smile. Then Jo directed her to the public library where the doctor's wife worked. Ida Belle and Gertie spent less than three minutes inside.
"That was a bust," Ida Belle reported. "She's afraid of the kids in story hour. There's no way she would have the courage to murder Tabby, or break into her apartment and tear it apart. She's popping Xanax like M & M's."
"Can you blame her?" Gertie snickered. "It looked like monster daycare in there."
"For future twenty-to-lifers," Ida Belle added.
Jo turned to Min. "Floor it before delinquent kiddie hour is over." Jo then directed Min to the next potential killer, the businessman's wife. "I guess she works at the family owned furniture store."
Minnow checked her watch. "It's still early and business is usually slow for places like this. If the Finkles are the only ones in the store, it could be difficult separating them for questioning."
Gertie pushed her hair back. "Leave that up to me. I'll browse lamps and keep one of them busy."
"What if they have another sales person?" Jo asked.
Ida Belle shook her head at Gertie. "Rookies. If that's the case, then we'll all go in. Gertie, you go first. Min and Jo go next. I'll enter last and corner the wife. Gertie?" It was too late. Gertie was already opening the front door of the furniture store before the words were out of Ida Belle's mouth. "She's not browsing, she's buying. A new lamp my foot! Maybe to go with a new living room set."
When Min and Jo entered the store Mr. Finkle appeared flustered. It only took Gertie a few minutes to send him into a spin cycle. He looked up briefly before Gertie dragged him by the arm to another section. When Ida Belle entered, Gertie was laying on a sofa bed. She popped up and shouted, "Hey, Ida Belle. Come try this out and tell me what you think."
What Ida Belle thought was plainly written on her face. "Gertie, what are you doing?" she asked through clenched teeth. Mr. Finkle was torn between hoping Gertie would come in for a landing and buy something and hoping Ida Belle's arrival wouldn't mean a longer sales pitch. He liked to sell furniture to senior ladies shopping by themselves. It was easier to convince them they needed an expensive piece when they didn't have a voice of reason in the form of a friend standing at their side.
Jo and Min wandered around by themselves while Gertie kept Mr. Finkle busy. She also kept Ida Belle from doing her job of questioning Mrs. Finkle who worked behind the counter. Jo pushed Minnow to a back corner and marched to the desk. Mrs. Finkle briefly looked up with a smile, then ignored Jo so she cleared her throat.
"Someone will be with you shortly." Mrs. Finkle didn't bother looking up and Jo wondered what would happen if she reached over the counter and pushed buttons on the cash register.
"I'm here to ask you a question," Jo said.
"We don't rent and the prices are clearly marked."
"I didn't come to buy furniture. I'm here to ask if you know the man in this photo. He was at the new fitness center in Sinful." Jo slapped a photo on the counter and finally got her attention.
Mrs. Finkle rolled her desk chair over to the counter and took the photo. She paused in reflection, then turned pale and handed the photo back to Jo with a shaking hand. "I don't know him," she said tersely.
"Are you sure? I know you were there and this guy left his laptop..."
Mrs. Finkle's eyes blazed with fury when she replied. "I don't know and I don't care," she hissed. "Now I'm busy." She rolled back to her paperwork, the conversation now finished.
Jo waved Min over with a slight shrug. "Oh, does she know the man?" Min asked Jo in a loud voice when she reached the counter.
"She said no, but I'm not sure I believe her." Jo pushed hard, hoping for a reaction. She got one.
Mrs. Finkle's chair nearly burned marks in the carpet it rolled so fast. Her eyes still blazed, but she stood to face Jo this time. She stabbed the picture with her finger. "If you want to know who that tramp is I can help you. I don't know anyone else in the picture."
Jo watched her carefully then put the photo in her bag. "That's not necessary. Thank you." Mrs. Finkle nodded curtly and sailed into a small office, slamming the door shut. Min raised her brows and Jo gave a slight shake of her head.
Meanwhile, Gertie had Mr. Finkle and Ida Belle arguing over the merits of microfiber versus woven fabric. She waved at Jo and Min as they left the store and a half hour later Ida Belle blew out the front door with Gertie on her heels. The tiny bell that hung above it fell off and Ida Belle stomped on it, then kicked it into the street where an SUV made sure it would never jingle again. Gertie wore a happy smile as they got into the car.
"What happened?" Jo asked.
"Gertie talked me into buying a new recliner," Ida Belle huffed. "I don't need a new recliner!"
"Yes, you do," Gertie insisted.
Ida Belle glared. "Why is that?"
"So you can give me your old one." Gertie ignored the explosion from Ida Belle's mouth and leaned over the front seat. "Well? Is Mrs. Finkle our killer?"
"I don't think so," Jo confided. "She's angry, but she offered to give me Tabby's name. She didn't seem scared or guilty. What do you think, Min?"
"I think Ida Belle needs a new lamp as well."
"Smart ass. How about a new driver?" Ida Belle retorted from the back seat.
"So did you settle for the microfiber?" Jo couldn't resist asking.
"I can see I'm the only one taking this seriously," Ida Belle scowled.
"That means she went with the woven fabric," Gertie snickered.
"Don't think I won't cancel that order," Ida Belle threatened, "and toss you all from this car."
"So I guess you won't tell us what color you picked?" Min asked while Gertie flapped her hands.
"Hurry up and drive," she urged. "I don't want Ida Belle to miss out on her new recliner." Her eyes flicked sideways to Ida Belle, then she hissed to the women in front, "It's dark gray, like her disposition."
"That does it," Ida Belle yelled. "Minnow, turn this car around and let me out at the furniture store so I can cancel that chair."
"Sorry, Ida Belle," Jo grinned. "We have a date with Mrs. Attorney. Besides, I think that recliner you're giving Gertie will fit better with her decor than yours."
"This is me ignoring you." Ida Belle folded her arms and stared out her window. A few minutes later she broke her silence when Minnow parked the car. "The country club?"
"Where else do you think Mrs. Attorney gets a mud bath?" Gertie asked.
"Any full-service spa would be better. Unless you happen to have a membership here that I don't know about." Ida Belle's brows went up and Gertie's dropped. "I thought so."
Jo looked at her phone. "According to this she's scheduled for a full spa session today."
"I'm not going to ask how you got your hands on that," Min commented.
"Good. Ida Belle isn't the only one with friends." Loud throat clearing from the back seat made Jo turn. "My friends aren't at the same level as Ida Belle's, but they could get me Mrs. O'Hara's weekly schedule."
"Please tell me her name isn't Scarlett," Ida Belle smirked. Jo looked back with a smirk of her own and Ida Belle closed her eyes. "Why me?" she asked the roof of the car.
"Because you and I are going through the front door of this place. I have a plan," Jo assured them.
"What about Gertie and Min?"
"Kitchen help?" Jo suggested and Ida Belle chortled her approval.
"Have fun," she said as she exited the car with Jo.
"We'll be waiting with the engine running for a quick rescue," Minnow called.
"Because you'll need it!" Gertie added mumbling under her breath about being relegated to the kitchen.