Bring Your Own Poison (17 page)

“Where did you get that ring?” Mrs. Culpepper said, staring at Wanda Nell's left hand. “Don't tell me you went out and spent your hard-earned money on that. It must be worth at least five thousand dollars.”

Wanda Nell stared down at the ring in surprise. She hadn't really given much thought to how much the ring might be worth, because it really didn't matter to her. What was important was the man who had given it to her and how much she loved him. Wanda Nell didn't doubt Mrs. Culpepper was right about the value of the ring, because the old woman always knew the monetary value of anything.

“That sure looks like an engagement ring to me,” Belle said, leaning forward to get a better look. “How exciting! When are you getting married, Wanda Nell? What can I do to help?”

“Is that an engagement ring?” Mrs. Culpepper demanded in a harsh voice before Wanda Nell had the chance to respond to Belle. “What are you doing getting married again at your age?”

“Yes, it is an engagement ring,” Wanda Nell said, determined not to let the old biddy get to her. She turned to Belle. “We haven't set a date yet. Jack just asked me last night.”

“You're going to marry that schoolteacher fellow?” Mrs. Culpepper said. “Well, at least he seems like a sensible man, and he's nice looking. But if you have to get married again, Wanda Nell, you ought to get yourself a man who makes more money than a teacher does.”

“Lucretia Culpepper, what a terrible thing to say!” Belle was highly indignant, to say the least. “Wanda Nell isn't some mercenary creature out for what she can get, and you ought to know that by now. She's a good girl, and she deserves a nice man like Jack. Why, the very idea!” She sat, arms crossed over her chest, and glared at her cousin.

“Oh hush, Belle,” Mrs. Culpepper said, her voice as tart as a fresh lemon. “The good Lord knows he didn't give you the sense he gave a goose. I know that teacher is a nice man, I'm just saying it would be nice if he made more money so Wanda Nell didn't have to work so hard. That's all.” She sniffed loudly, glaring right back at her cousin.

Wanda Nell's irritation rapidly turned into amusement. The way the two women bickered was harmless fun, and she knew Mrs. Culpepper relished her verbal battles with her cousin. They were a satisfactory replacement for her tippling, or so Wanda Nell believed.

“Jack is a wonderful man,” Wanda Nell said, trying to keep a straight face as the two older women continued to stare at each other. “I feel very lucky, and I hope both of you will wish us the best.”

“Of course we will,” Belle said. “
Won't
we, Lucretia?” She gave her cousin a pointed look.

“Yes, yes,” Mrs. Culpepper said. “But I suppose you'll be expecting an expensive wedding gift from me. Won't you?”

“If you want to give us a wedding present,” Wanda Nell said, “I can't stop you. The main thing is that I want you both to come to the wedding. Whenever and wherever we decide it will be.”

Mrs. Culpepper sniffed again.

Before either of the older women could say anything, Wanda Nell decided she had better get to the point of the visit.

“Actually, Miz Culpepper, I did want to ask you something,” Wanda Nell said. “Just for information, though, since you know so much about people in Tullahoma.”

Mrs. Culpepper eyed her suspiciously. “Does this have anything to do with that man dying at that diner place where you work? I heard about it at church yesterday morning.”

“It does,” Wanda Nell said. “You probably know that Gerald Blakeley has been arrested. Tuck is representing him, and none of us really think he did it. So we're trying to figure out who else might have done it.”

“What is it you want to know?” Mrs. Culpepper asked, her eyes now alight with curiosity.

“I need to know more about the bride,” Wanda Nell said. “Tiffany Farwell. Do you know her or her mother?”

“I do,” Mrs. Culpepper said. “They used to go to our church. I think they stopped after the girl's father died. He was real big on putting on a show by being at church every Sunday. He gave a lot of money to the church, too. But I doubt it bought him a room in heaven. Nobody makes as much money as he did and does it legitimately.”

“I see,” Wanda Nell said, though she wasn't quite sure that information would be of any use. It might simply be Mrs. Culpepper's spite talking. “What about Tiffany's mother?”

Mrs. Culpepper thought for a moment. “I believe her daddy was a policeman. I know Thaddeus thought a lot of him at one time.” Thaddeus was her late husband, the judge. “Now, what was his name?” She thought for a moment longer. “Oh yes, now I remember. His name was Vance. Robert Vance, and he had a son and a couple of daughters. I think the son is a policeman now, too.”

Wanda Nell's heart sank. She had to be talking about Dixon Vance, Mayrene's new boyfriend. If he was Tiffany's uncle, then he, too, might have a motive for killing Travis Blakeley.

“Cat got your tongue, Wanda Nell?” Mrs. Culpepper's waspish tones broke through Wanda Nell's reverie.

“Oh yes, ma'am,” Wanda Nell said. “That's the kind of thing I want to know.” She wondered if Mayrene knew her boyfriend was related to Tiffany Farwell. Surely if she did know, she would have said something. “Anything else about the family you can think of?”

Mrs. Culpepper cocked her head to one side, like a thoughtful parrot. “I do seem to recall that Mrs. Farwell re-married a couple of years ago.” She frowned. “But for the life of me I cannot remember who she married. Since she stopped attending my church, I've lost track of her.”

“Are you sure you don't know anything about the Blakeleys?” Wanda Nell asked. “The man who died, well, there were stories about him. You know he was married twice before, and both his wives died in accidents. Some people say he was responsible.”

“Merciful heavens,” Belle said with a gasp. “That's horrible. What kind of man would do something like that? I just do not know what this world is coming to. I guess he did it for money, didn't he? Money is the root of all evil.” She sighed heavily.

“Fool woman,” Mrs. Culpepper said. “It's not money that's evil, it's the idiots who are too greedy for it.”

“Isn't that what I said?” Belle asked, appearing puzzled. “I said money was the
root
of all evil, not evil itself. I do declare, Lucretia, I think sometimes you don't really listen to what I say.” She winked at Wanda Nell who had to work hard to keep from laughing.

“Of course I don't listen to you, Belle. If I did, I'd go stark raving mad and run screaming down the street,” Mrs. Culpepper said. “I listen to about every fifth word you say, and since you talk so much, I still get an earful.”

Wanda Nell would have sworn she saw Mrs. Culpepper's lips crease briefly in a smile, but it was gone as soon as she noticed it. “Now, to answer your last question, I do recall hearing about those tragic deaths. But I didn't know any of the people involved.”

At this point, Wanda Nell figured she had as much useful information as she was likely to get from Mrs. Culpepper.

“Thank you, Mrs. Culpepper,” she said. “I'll let Tuck know what you told me, and if you should think of anything else, I'm sure you'll let one of us know.”

She was ready to be on her way, but before she could start saying her good-byes, Mrs. Culpepper began quizzing her about Juliet, Miranda, and Lavon. Wanda Nell answered her questions patiently. This was a big change, because before Bobby Ray's death, Mrs. Culpepper had expressed little interest in her granddaughters and great-grandson.

Belle had to chime in as well, and it was another twenty minutes before Wanda Nell could safely leave without appearing rude. Belle saw her to the door and made her swear she would call and tell them the minute she and Jack set a wedding date. Wanda Nell gave her a quick kiss and a hug before she practically ran out the door to her car.

Before she pulled out of the driveway, she retrieved her cell phone from her purse. She'd better call Tuck right now and tell him what she had learned from Mrs. Culpepper. Otherwise she might forget about it until later.

She punched the speed dial number for Tuck's cell phone. She was disappointed when it went to voice mail. She left a message about the connection between Dixon Vance and Tiffany Farwell. Ending the call, she dropped her phone in her purse.

She headed home. She wanted to see how Juliet was doing, plus she realized she was really hungry. That skimpy breakfast of toast hadn't stuck to her ribs very long. If everything was calm at home, she might even have time for a quick nap before she had to get ready for the evening shift at the Kountry Kitchen.

Juliet was asleep, and Miranda was feeding Lavon his lunch when she got home. Lavon held out his arms for his grandmother, and Wanda Nell picked him up for a moment, trying her best to keep his sticky fingers out of her hair. Then she set him back down, and he began playing with his food again.

“I checked her temperature, Mama,” Miranda said proudly. “It was only a teensy bit over normal, so I think she's doing a lot better. She was up for a while, and we watched some TV, but then she said she felt like taking a nap again.”

Wanda Nell patted her older daughter's shoulder. “Thank you for taking such good care of her, honey. And Lavon, too. Have you had time to have lunch yourself?”

“Oh, I'm not real hungry right now,” Miranda said. “I might eat me a sandwich or something when I put Lavon down for his afternoon nap.”

“Okay then,” Wanda Nell said. “I'm so hungry right now I could eat a bear.” She headed for the fridge.

“Gamma eat teddy?”

Wanda Nell turned to see Lavon's lower lip trembling. She went back to him and rubbed his head. “No, honey, Grandma is not going to eat your teddy bear. All I meant was that I'm really hungry. Okay?”

Reassured, Lavon smiled. Wanda Nell and Miranda exchanged smiles. She really had to be careful what she said around him these days. He picked up the oddest things sometimes.

Wanda Nell went back to the fridge and peered inside. There was still some of the chicken salad she had made on Friday, or she could have a ham sandwich. She decided on the chicken salad. She made a sandwich with it and washed it down with Diet Coke. Still feeling hungry, she made herself another sandwich and finished off the chicken salad.

While she was eating, Lavon finished his lunch. Miranda carried him off to the bathroom to clean him up. They came back in a few minutes, and Lavon wandered around the kitchen with his teddy bear, talking a mile a minute, while Miranda sat at the table and talked to her mother.

“I saw your grandmother and Belle just before I came home,” Wanda Nell told her. “And of course the first thing your grandmother did was spot my ring.”

“What did she say? Was she mad?”

“No, she wasn't,” Wanda Nell said. “I know she misses your daddy, but she knows we have to get on with our lives. She made some fuss about a wedding present, but you know how she is.”

Miranda laughed. “I sure do. She's like that old chihuahua Mayrene used to have. She growls a lot, but if you pay her some attention, she's okay.”

“She's been easier to get along with since Belle came to live with her,” Wanda Nell said. “I hate to say it, but I guess she was pretty lonely for a long time. She and Belle entertain each other. You should have heard them today.” She laughed as got up to put her plate in the sink and throw away her empty Coke can.

“They're kinda like watching a rerun of
Golden Girls
,” Miranda said. “Belle is like Rose, and Grandma is Dorothy. She was the real cranky one, wasn't she?”

“Yeah,” Wanda Nell said. “She was.” She had to laugh again. Miranda had hit the nail on the head. “I think I'm going to try to nap a little. I've got a long night ahead of me. Make sure I'm up by four-thirty.”

“Okay, Mama,” Miranda said. “We'll be real quiet so you can sleep. And if Juliet needs anything, I'll look after her.”

“Thank you, honey,” Wanda Nell said. She was touched. Miranda really was making an effort to be more thoughtful and to be more of a help around the house.

“Mama,” Miranda said, and Wanda Nell turned back to face her. “You think you might be able to quit one of your jobs when you and Jack get married?”

“I don't know,” Wanda Nell said. “I hadn't thought about it, to tell the truth. I guess it's something Jack and I'll have to discuss.”

“I hope you can,” Miranda said. “You work so hard all the time, and as old as you are, I know you must get real tired.” Her face was so earnest Wanda Nell didn't have the heart to tell her she didn't appreciate being considered too old to work hard.

“Thank you, honey,” she said. “We'll see what happens.” She headed for her room before Miranda could say anything else.

She peeked in Juliet's room first to satisfy herself her younger daughter was okay. Juliet was sound asleep, and Wanda Nell went to her own room feeling relieved. She hated it when one of her children was sick.

As she undressed, she thought back to what Miranda had said. Miranda, at eighteen, thought anyone over twenty-five was on the downhill slide into senility. Wanda Nell would be forty-two her next birthday, and that wasn't old, not by a long shot. Jack was a year younger than she was, and that wasn't so bad. She hoped they'd have a lot of years together before either one of them felt old.

She lay down on the bed and pulled the sheet over her. She closed her eyes and willed herself to relax. Miranda's question came back to her, though, keeping her awake. Would she give up one of her jobs after they got married? And if she did, which one would she give up?

That part was easy. She would give up the job at Budget Mart. The work wasn't that hard, but she wouldn't miss having to work from ten at night till six in the morning. She made better money at the Kountry Kitchen because she always got really good tips from her customers.

Giving up the job at Budget Mart also would mean she could be at home with her husband during the night. She grinned at that thought. If she kept up her current work schedule after they were married, she would hardly ever sleep in the same bed as Jack. He would be up and getting ready for school when she came home, and when she was leaving for the Kountry Kitchen he would just be getting home from school.

She would have to give up one of her jobs if she wanted her marriage to work. Maybe she could work two shifts at the Kountry Kitchen instead. She would have to talk to Melvin about that. It would mean a long day for her, but at least she would be at home when Jack was at home. She was sure Jack would think it was a good idea.

Having come to that conclusion, she felt a little better. Now, however, she started thinking about Jack and his cousin, Lisa. What were they going to do about her? If it turned out she really had made up the whole story about being stalked, she was going to need some serious help. What effect would that have on Jack, though? She couldn't ask him to ignore his cousin's troubles in order to pay attention to her. She wouldn't respect him much if he did that, anyway. Family ties were important, and you did what you could to help your family. That was the way she had been raised, and she couldn't expect Jack to do anything else.

It'll all work out somehow
, she told herself.
Now stop thinking about it and try to get some sleep
. She thought about other, less challenging things, and soon she drifted off.

When Miranda woke her up, Wanda Nell was just coming out of a dream in which she and Jack were getting married on the football field at the high school. Her parents were there, and they were smiling at her to show their approval. She realized she was crying a little as she came out of the dream.

“Mama, are you okay?” Miranda asked, alarmed.

“Oh, I'm fine, honey,” Wanda Nell assured her. “I was just dreaming, and Mama and Daddy were in the dream. They were really happy, and I guess I was crying happy tears, too.”

“Well, that's okay, I guess,” Miranda said, though she didn't look convinced. “It's a little after four-thirty.”

Wanda Nell nodded. “I'm up now. You go on and do whatever you were doing. I'm going to take a quick shower.”

She sat on the bed for a few minutes after Miranda left her, thinking about her dream. The part about having the wedding on the football field was weird, and she had no idea what that was supposed to mean. She couldn't stop thinking about seeing her parents in the dream and how happy they were for her. She hadn't dreamed about them in a long time.

In a book she had read a few years ago, the author claimed that when people who had died appeared in dreams, they were trying to get a message to the dreamer. Wanda Nell wanted to believe that was true, especially in this case. She knew how much her parents would have loved Jack, and she wished they could be here to know how happy she was.

Wiping away a few stray tears, she got out of bed and took a quick shower.

Juliet was in the kitchen, eating some cereal, when Wanda Nell had finished getting ready for work.

“How are you feeling, sweetie?” she asked her daughter.

“Better, Mama,” Juliet said, “but my throat is still a little itchy.”

“I think there's some of that sore throat spray in the bathroom. Use some of that if it gets to bothering you too much,” Wanda Nell said. “And don't forget to take your medicine this evening before you go to bed.”

“I won't,” Juliet said. “Don't worry about me. Miranda's taking good care of me.” She grinned, and Wanda Nell smiled back. It was usually Juliet who looked after Miranda, and this reversal of roles was almost unheard of.

“Where is Miranda?” Wanda Nell asked.

“In her room, on the phone,” Juliet said, raising one eyebrow as if to say, “Where else?”

“Okay, well, I'd better get going. Call me if you need me, and remember I have a shift at Budget Mart tonight after I get off at the restaurant.”

Juliet nodded. “Be careful.”