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I sat in the booth, drank my coffee and watched the hall slowly fill with attendees. Had I missed something? Something important? My thoughts went in circles and my heart pumped wildly. I told myself to breathe in and out, slowly. Eventually, my heartbeat slowed. My ears burned. I felt miserable and gave Aaron a call.
“Honey? They made me feel like I was some kind of criminal.”
“Just doing their job. It’s probably going down as suspicious.”
“Really?”“Yep.”We disconnected, and I still didn’t feel much better.Since it was the Fourth of July weekend, many people wore the Stars and Stripes in various formats- shirts, pants, hats, shoes, and shorts. I liked the get-up of a guy wearing the Statue of Liberty for a hat and flag for a shirt. Little kids came dressed as Rangers, looking so cute. I hoped that someday they’d become a Ranger too, if they wanted. Anyone could become one.
The second day of the show brought the Rangers from their booths, out to take a look on their own. I watched as they crisscrossed the show and spoke to their opposite numbers from other parks. An impersonator playing Thomas Jefferson walked by. Why would someone impersonate him at a National Parks expo, I wondered, then decided it was because he’d been a naturalist. He was a farmer, and someone who worked the land and would’ve supported the ‘go green’ trend of today.
I saw an older woman stop by the First Ladies booth and ask a question. One of the women turned and pointed toward me. I smiled. Within minutes, she was before me.
“My name’s Liv, how may I help you?” I held out my hand to shake but found hers was limp. She was about medium height and wore red capris and a blue and white tank top. I noted a distinct different line of coloration from her dark brown quarter-inch hair to the current shade of auburn she had. “I own the White House Dollhouse Store in Minneapolis, and these are a few of my miniatures.”
“Honey, I’m related to Gina.” I saw tears in her eyes. “I have to speak to you. I feel like a big mess and I need help.”
“Oh dear. You come on around here and have a seat.” I scooted over for her to sit. The poor woman looked ready to drop. “How can I help?”
“The cops are probably checking for prints and everything so I don’t want to barge in... but she’d borrowed some old books of mine. Also a ledger, you see...” She took a deep breath and looked away. “Name’s Ida Gray. I’m her aunt. Sorry, should’ve said so right off the bat but I’m so nervous, honey.”
“Not sure what you’re after, books or a ledger?”
“Tell me how it happened. The poor thing.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she removed a tissue from her pocket.
“She’d had a headache and took a prescription pill. She seemed fine when I went to listen to the opening ceremonies. I returned and saw that she was slumped over. I thought she was sleeping at first but found out otherwise. I called the police and medics right away.” I reached around and pulled the hunched over lady into my arms. “I’m so sorry Ida. I wish I could be more helpful.”
“I thought you might do me a favor?” She hesitated, grabbed my hand and leaned in closer. “I wondered if you might go through the house and look for the ledger and books? I don’t think that I should.”
“No. That’s up to the police,” I said, as I shook my head.
“Yes, but her death doesn’t make sense. I thought, since your husband is a policeman, that you would know more about the investigation.”
“Why would you think that?” I frowned. “I can’t interfere with an ongoing investigation. Besides, nothing that makes me think it’s connected to anything.”
“Gina was a good girl. Hard working. She had her life ahead of her. She’d planned for college but her mom got sick. My sister. Both of Gina’s parents are deceased. I have my family’s inheritance to think of. Just walk through and look for a book and ledger for me, that’s all.”
“Tell me a good reason why I should snoop through Gina’s house.” I could hardly believe the story Ida had to tell about Gina. It seemed there was a missing deed to valuable family property, maybe even with oil wells. Ida was convinced the deed hidden was inside Gina’s house, and wanted me to search for it. “I don’t know what to say.” I frowned. “Why can’t you ask the police for permission to enter her house?”
“They don’t want anyone entering the premises.”
I wanted to pull my hair out from frustration as she took a pen from her purse and ripped a corner from a sheet of paper. She scribbled her phone number and handed it over to me. “Here, Liv. If you find anything, please call.”
“I’ll think about it.” I grabbed it and placed it into my pocket. “Here, take one of my cards. Here’s my home phone number and you can send messages to my website. The number on the card is for the business.” I jotted the information down and handed it to her.
“Thank you.”“Do you happen to have a key?”“No, but I’m sure you could find a way in. I think there’s one hidden outside, just like what her mother always did—in the planter or under a flowerpot.” She stood and stared down at me through teary eyes. “She was also my goddaughter, you see. I loved her very much.”
“I’ll think about it.” After she’d faded into the crowd, I dug out the phone number and realized that the exchange was for St. Paul. I took out my cell phone and added her name and number to my contact list, then gave Aaron a call.
“Guess what?” I said when he answered. “You won’t believe it.” In my mind, I saw him raise a questioning brow.
“Let’s have it.”
“Gina’s aunt was just here and she wants me to look for something in Gina’s house.”
“How odd. What else aren’t you tellin’ me?”
“She wants me to find either a ledger, land deed or old books.” I pictured him narrowing his eyes and setting his jaw.
“Nope. Ain’t gonna happen.”
“I know. Oops! Gotta run!” I disconnected even though no one was beside me. I didn’t care to hear him rant and rave about messing up police work or getting in the way. There was no police work going on, and he didn’t see how sad and forlorn the poor woman looked. I no sooner tucked away my phone when Maggie appeared.
“Hey you!” she said, sliding in beside me. “You look a little bewildered.”
“It’s like this-.” I went ahead and relayed to her what Aunt Ida had to say and ended with, “The key is probably hidden under the planter. What do you think I should do?”
“I take it she’s gotten your curiosity up?” Maggie said, grinning.
“Is it a mystery or not?” I asked. I knew she was up for another adventure.
“Yes! So let’s figure this one out. Was she murdered or not?” Maggie said.
“It’s considered suspicious. I didn’t see police tape outside of the doors,” I said. “I’d like to know more about Ida Gray. Is there a husband, and if so, as Gina’s uncle, where would he fit in?”
“Let’s investigate.” Maggie was engaged to Aaron’s partner, Tim Dahl. “Hmm—we won’t tell our better-halves that we’re snooping.”
“It’s not really considered a murder, at least not yet. Why have me go inside searching for books? Why doesn’t she?” I cocked my head. “That’s what doesn’t make any sense.” I told Maggie that the detectives had already questioned me, and what I told them. “I don’t think they have enough to continue the investigation. My thoughts are that they’d like to but until something else develops, their hands are tied.”
“I suspect you’re correct.” Maggie took out her cell phone and ran a web search for Gina Johnson. “You’re not going to believe this, but there are two addresses listed, here and in Medora, North Dakota. How long has she been your neighbor?”
“Six to eight months.” I hesitated a moment and scratched the back of my head. “Search for Ida Gray.” A minute later, Maggie shook her head. “Nada. Zip.”
“Do a reverse search.” I showed the number to Maggie and she punched it into the pad. In about a second, Ida’s address popped up.
“She’s not far from here.”
“This has me wondering a whole lot,” I said.“I know what you’re saying.” Maggie took out a small container of cupcakes and handed one over. We ate them quickly, finishing by licking the frosting off our fingers.
“Ida said something about Gina’s parents owning a ranch and how she’s trying to keep it in the family.”
“That only muddies the water, doesn’t it?”
“You bet.” I sighed. “The TR National Park Ranger, Harry, is her cousin and so is a jingle dancer named Sunflower. Harry and Sunflower are Ida’s kids. Interesting, isn’t it? I bet they’re after the deed, too.” I swished back my hair and looked out into the crowd. I thought about Bambi and wondered how she had taken the death of her friend. Glancing toward the TR display, I noticed the representative from yesterday standing behind the booth. The TR impersonator was busy shaking hands and working the crowd so much like a politician, it made me wonder if he wasn’t one. The John Muir impersonator was also nearby, talking with my friends at the First Lady booth. I decided to mingle.
“I’m going to stroll about to see what comes up. You okay sittin’ alone?”
“Sure.”
“Anyone interested in a house, tell them to say, ‘Bully’ in the store for a discount.”
“Got it!” Maggie grinned, still holding her phone.
I walked away knowing that she’d be happy checking her various accounts and playing a few games. I strolled right on over to introduce myself to the John Muir impersonator.
“You do a great job, sir.”
“Ed Parsons is my name. Thank you,” he said, shaking my hand. “I’m traveling the country, hoping to keep TR’s vision and mine, alive.” His scraggly beard was real, which didn’t surprise me. His rugged skin reminded me of mountains and valleys.
“It’s important to keep those memories alive,” I replied. I had wanted to speak with the women, but with John and the TR impersonator near, I wasn’t sure if I should. I went ahead and asked anyway, “Did any of you see anyone coming and talking for any length of time with my friend yesterday? She was at my booth for most of the day. Or maybe something out of the ordinary?” I studied each of them. “Her aunt is quite distressed.”
“Nope, too busy stumpin’ the crowds,” the TR impersonator said.
“Didn’t see anyone,” said Ruby and the other ladies and Ed shook their heads.
“I heard rumors about something happening over here yesterday,” Ed, or John Muir, as I still thought of him stated. “Everyone’s taking turns walking about, makes it hard to put anyone in any particular place at a given time.”
“Yep. There are so many people too.” I smiled and figured they didn’t have anything else of importance to relay. “I’ll be off. Talk to you later.” I headed down the aisle toward the TR Park display. I hadn’t any idea what to ask and hoped for inspiration.
“Howdy, ma’am,” the Ranger said. He smiled from ear to ear, and was just as good looking in person as from a distance. Reading his nametag, I realized he was Ida’s son.“I’m Liv. You’re Gina’s cousin Harry?”“Yep, I’m Harry,” he nodded.“Do you have any clue as to how Gina died? Was she on other medications?”“I really don’t know much about her medical history. We haven’t had a heart-to-heart in years.” He rubbed his chin. “We’re cousins, but not kissing cousins. Not close by any means.”
“Oh, I see.” I shrugged. “You from the Medora area? You must be if you’re a Ranger for the park.”
“Live not far away from the park, on the ranch with the family. Sunflower lives in town.”
“If you think of anything, please let me know. Her death doesn’t sit right with me.”
“Me neither.”I started backing away. “Catch you later.”“Will do.”As I shuffled through the crowd, my mind wandered. Neither the John Muir nor the TR impersonators, had anything further to offer or the ladies. I erased them from the list.
I normally would’ve searched for my good- looking husband, but I was sure he had a lecture up his sleeve for me about not snooping or going into Gina’s house. I didn’t want to hear it so I passed quickly by the security station, and hiked over to the dancers. Dozens of women and children stood in front of long mirrors, making sure their homemade beaded designs were straight and even across their bodice and shoulders. Over the years, the dancers and costume makers have kept to tradition and used healing colors such as red, yellow, green, and blue. Years ago, the traditional dancers always side-stepped, never in circles as the dance was used to help heal the unwell by dancing around the ill individual. Now the dancers interpret the beat, and dance to their own inner- rhythm. The rowed metal bells hung evenly and jingled as the dancer softly danced around the drum. The magnificent costumes took my breath away. Women wore their hair braided and down with a bead band or up with feathers.
The nearest woman turned toward me and asked, “Lookin’ for someone?” Her bright red lips and stunning sunbeam design for a headband and across her blouse made me envious of her beauty.
“Yes. Do you know of someone named Bambi?” I took a breath. “Sorry, but your costumes are so beautiful, that it’s left me speechless.”
“Thanks. It’s hard work.” She massaged her chin. “I sure do know her, and she looks like a deer with the big doe eyes. My name’s Sunflower. Notice all the sun beadwork?”
“I get it!” Chuckling I said, “Should I check back later?”
“Are you a vendor?”
“I’m at the White House Dollhouse booth. Will you ask Bambi to come over? Mention Gina, and she should know.” I hesitated, then plowed ahead. “I just found out that you were Gina’s cousin. This has got to be hard to continue now with her passing.”
“I manage.”
“Yes of course. Your mother stopped by to see me earlier. She wondered about a deed or something hidden in Gina’s house. Do you know anything about that?” I asked, and watched as her eyes glazed over.
“Nope.”
“Please tell Bambi so I can tell her about Gina,” I said. I began to walk away, when I heard my name called. I turned around. Sunflower scowled with her hands on her hips. “What?” I asked.
“Keep your nose out of where it don’t belong,” Sunflower said.
“Got it,” I said. As I continued on my way, I wondered what she was hiding? Keep my nose out of what? Looking for the deed?
As I walked from the room, the jingling in the background reminded me of windchimes in the summer breeze.
Before going back to the booth, I wanted to swing closer to the drummers and watch as they set everything up for the next performance. On the event calendar posted on a wall I noticed that a new attraction was added: The Wild West Show. I wondered how they’d be able to do that since Buffalo Bill Cody wasn’t represented when out of the blue— from behind one of the walls—came his impersonator with Annie Oakley right beside him. I knew I was in for a treat if I could sneak away and watch their show. Peering closer at Annie, I realized physically how much she resembled me in stature. Annie wore an ankle length navy-blue dress—I figure she was under five feet since I barely made five foot-two inches. She carried the rifle like a marksman. I wanted to ask her any number of questions, such as ‘do you really shoot as well as Annie did, or is that full head of brown hair all yours?’ but she was immediately surrounded by people.
I had managed to talk with everyone I could think of who might be able to shed some light on Gina’s death, but felt like I had gotten nowhere. I headed for my booth hoping the rest of the morning would be more productive.