IN FOR A PENNY (The Granny Series) (19 page)

Sera said, “And what Maggie is politely not saying is that he might have scammed other people too.”

“Excuse me?”

“Extra Social Security checks started showing up in folks’ mailboxes about the time Nash skedaddled out of town.”

Oh. Oh, no. “You mean to tell me—”

“Yes,” Maggie said. “Nash Talley is a scheming, no-good, lying, liver-bellied cheat.”

“You could be wrong.” But the hard ball in Lillian’s midsection told her
she
was the wrong one.

“We’ll know soon enough.” Maggie lowered her voice. “I’m going to use that key Warner gave me. It’s the right thing to do.”

“I doubt Teague would agree with you.” Lillian held her gaze. “Breaking and entering will land you in here or worse. As prisons go, this may be the crème de la crème, but trust me, it still isn’t home. Do us a both a favor and let Teague handle this if you insist on checking it out.”

“If Nash has the money you’re doing time for, then he needs to pay up, because we can use that money to help with Summer Haven.”

Sera put a hand on Maggie’s arm and they exchanged a glance. “It’s true, Lillian. Things are falling apart like meteor showers when the Geminids peak.”

Maggie folded her arms and Lillian knew better than to argue when her lip went all quivery like that.

“Our time is up,” Sera said. “You ready, Maggie?”

“Yeah.”
Maggie and Sera both stood. “I love you, Lillian. We’ll be back soon.”

She watched them leave, worrying just what trouble they could get themselves into. Yes, Nash might have been up to no good. Might be the reason Lillian was wearing these hideous khaki clothes, but Maggie was putting herself at risk. She knew less than nothing about nefarious criminal-type activity.

Lillian looked up to catch Martha staring at her from across the room.

Oh, now wasn’t this just perfect? Lillian smiled at her. If there was one person who either knew everything there was to know about B&E or knew someone who did, it was Martha.

Maybe a little etiquette bartering could work right about now.

As soon as Maggie and Sera exited the building, Sera grabbed Maggie’s arm. “Why didn’t you tell her we’d already been in Nash’s house?”

“Because she’d worry, and I think she’s got enough to worry about just being here. Besides, if we can’t get around Angelina to give those darn tours, I think there’s going to be way more for her to worry about.”

“You really are a good friend, Maggie.”

Maggie took Sera’s hand and headed toward the truck. Suddenly, Maggie let go of Sera and broke out into an all-out sprint when she saw Abby Ruth slumped in the driver’s seat of her truck.

Please don’t let her be dead. I can’t take one more bad thing happening.
She yanked the passenger door open. “Abby Ruth!”

Abby Ruth sucked in a snore louder than a buzz saw.

Maggie reached across the seat and slapped Abby Ruth’s arm. “You scared me. I thought you were dead.”

“Don’t slap me. Are you nuts?” Abby Ruth rubbed her arm and then sat up in the seat. “Y’all were in there an awful long time.”

“Sorry.” Sera climbed into the backseat. “Lillian had a lot to say.”

“Great. So she’s all in on the Nash thing I take it,” Abby Ruth said.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Maggie clicked the seat belt and positioned the strap between her ample bosom.

“How could she not agree?” Abby Ruth fired up the truck and pulled out of the parking spot. “Well, how about the Tucker? Did she know what that thing is worth?”

“Nope.” Sera kicked off her shoes, stretched out on the seat and put her feet up on the window. “Not sure she even believed us.”

“She thinks we should turn investigating Nash over to Teague and just concentrate on taking care of Summer Haven.”

“That’s ridiculous. You need to get me on the visitor list.”

“Why would you think she’ll listen to you when she won’t listen to me, her best friend?”

“Why wouldn’t she?” Abby Ruth gave her a look that made her wonder the same thing.

Oh, to have this woman’s confidence.

“Maggie, do you love your friend?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Sometimes you have to go behind people’s backs for their own good.”

Maggie stared out the window. She didn’t say a word until they passed the prison guard. “Maybe we should just turn everything we know over to Teague. What are we but three over-fifty women? We don’t have experience with investigating a possible criminal. We’re totally out of our league.”

“Speak for yourself,” Abby Ruth said. “I’m ready, willing and able.”

Wait just a minute now.
“I thought you wanted to run to Teague.”

“I’ve decided I’m not ready to give up on the fun yet. What’s poking around a little more going to hurt? It’s not like this Nash guy is a murderer or something. We just think he’s taking money that isn’t his. How dangerous can it be?”

Maggie did feel more energetic and alive than she had for years. Maybe they could look a little more before letting it go. “So what do you suggest we do?”

“Make a plan.”

“But what are the steps to the plan?” Maggie did like a step-by-step guide to building things.

“I had you pegged as one of those read-the-instructions types. I’m right, aren’t I?” Abby Ruth pursed her lips. “Don’t bother answering. I know I’m right. Let’s brainstorm together.” She glanced in the rearview mirror.
“You in, Sera? And get your dirty hoofs off my window. Jesus, girl.”

Sera swung her feet around and sat up. “Haven’t you done this a million times as an investigative reporter?”

Abby Ruth tapped her fingers on the steering wheel in an uneven rhythm, which sent a nervous tendril through Maggie. “Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means what I really did was interview guys in jockstraps my entire career. I broke stories about who was likely to win MVP, not big crimes.”

Sera made a sound like she was clearing a fur ball from her throat. “So you’re a liar? That’s so
not
good for your karma.”

“Well, karma’s a bitch, and sugar, I have my moments, but I’m no liar. I’m an opportunist,” Abby Ruth said. “What I do know about this little venture is that if we’re going to poke around, we can’t underestimate Teague. That boy is as smart as the day is long.”

Great. She was discounting Lillian’s wishes
and
deceiving the sheriff. Maggie’s stomach swirled like it was filled with bubbling lava. “I’m not sure I even know where to begin.”

“Maggie, why don’t we start by looking through those ledger pictures?”

Why didn’t I think of that?
Nerves always made her go blank. Same as in college. She took her phone out of the pouch on her hip and started mashing buttons and icons on the screen.

Abby Ruth snatched the phone from her and tapped her finger twice and handed it back to her.

“Thanks,” Maggie said, wishing she could figure out the stupid thing. She thumbed through the pictures. “Some of these are blurry.” She enlarged a clearer one. “Okay, here we go.”

Sera peered over Maggie’s shoulder. “Low-hanging fruit first. What’s obvious?”

Maggie and Abby Ruth exchanged a glance. Sera came up with the most lucid random comments. “Perfect. Okay, so there are entries on the same days of the month each month.”

“How many months?”
Abby Ruth asked.

Maggie flipped through the pictures. “A lot, not all of them are clear enough to tell for sure.
My hand must’ve been a little shaky. And I didn’t take pictures of every page.”

“Once a fluke, twice a coincidence, three times a trend,” Sera said.

“So, we have a pattern of dates,” Abby Ruth repeated, then swerved into the highway’s fast lane and gunned the engine. “What else?”

“The entries are all three letters followed by numbers and letters.” Maggie counted aloud. “Thirteen positions. Three letters, two numbers, three letters, two numbers, three letters.”

“He does like his orderly world, doesn’t he?” Abby Ruth said.

“This is like math word problems.” Sera’s voice held an excitement that
was usually concealed by her Zen-like calm.

Maggie let out a sigh. “I always hated word problems.” Just looking at the numbers made her seasick.

Abby Ruth tapped the screen. “It had to take him forever to keep all these records. Look how neat they are, like he stenciled each letter and number. With his meticulous need for order, there’s got to be a pattern.”

“Maybe that’s why he was missing those Meals on Wheels deliveries. He was backed up on paperwork,” Maggie said, half-joking.

“What?” Abby Ruth spun around, taking her attention off the road.

Maggie grabbed at the wheel. “What? What?”

“You said he was missing deliveries. That’s it.” Abby Ruth snapped her fingers. “The perfect way to chat people up without them being suspicious. We’re going to put Sera on Meals on Wheels duty.”

“Why her and not me?”
Maggie asked.

Abby Ruth reached over and put her hand on Maggie’s arm. “Because you promised Lillian you’d watch out for Summer Haven, and I don’t want you to break your promise.”

Chapter Twenty-One

If Lillian was going to keep her girls out of trouble, she needed to get them some help. And if Nash was in the middle of it, it didn’t matter how nice he’d been to her over the years, he deserved to get his too.

Big Martha would be in the rec room. That woman never missed an episode of
TMZ,
and if there was a sure time she could corner her without a big audience, it would be as she left.

Butterflies did somersaults in Lillian’s stomach as she stood at the back of the room waiting for the right moment.
Suck it up. I have to do this. After all, Maggie is saddled with Summer Haven and now she’s been forced to take in more help just to keep my secret from the town. It’s the least I can do.

The closing credits rolled and Lillian made a beeline for Big Martha.

“May I have a moment?” Lillian whispered, then stood to the side.

Martha gave a nod of dismissal to the women sitting on either side of her,
then patted the sofa cushion.

Lillian sat down. “I think we can help each other.”

Big Martha sputtered and gave her a look of doubt. “Honey, I’m the one calling the shots around here. I don’t know what you think you can do for me.”

“You wanted my allegiance. I don’t give anything away for free.”

“I’m listening,” Big Martha said.

“I kept your lack of participation in the etiquette class on the DL. That class is important to the warden and she wouldn’t be pleased. If you need extra help, I’ll do it on the side so no one else knows. To these other woman, you might pass yourself off as coming from money, from culture, but I can tell a fake a mile away. Honey, you are not the real deal.”

Big Martha straightened, but she didn’t argue.

“It’s okay. Your secret could be safe with me.” Lillian smiled sweetly.

“What do you want?”

“My girls are up to their elbows in something on the outside,” Lillian said.

“Those grannies that were in here visiting you?” Big Martha laughed. “What’s wrong? They stealing from the bingo fund or something?”

“No, and they may be old, but do not underestimate my girls.” Lillian leveled a stare until Big Martha’s smarty pants smirk fell from her face. “I need you to give them some advice on breaking and entering.”

Big Martha swung around with a smile so wide it practically hit her ears. “Really?”

“Really.
I do not want them to get caught, and they need some expert 4-1-1 on this. They think they have a key, but I know that still can be considered B&E, and should the key not work, they need a backup plan. Are you in?”

Big Martha lifted her chin. “I’m in, but you and I are going to talk further.”

“I’m sure we will. I’ll expect you to join me on the next visitors’ day.” Lillian got up and forced herself to walk, not run, out of the room. She’d just bargained with the baddest ass in prison camp.
Please don’t let this backfire on me.

Sitting across from the Twilight Breaks admissions coordinator, Nash pulled an ink pen from his pocket and signed the contract. Another line item completed. It wouldn’t be long before the whole list
was checked off.

The nine-thousand-dollar money order
was tucked in his coat pocket. He reached for the crisp envelope and laid it on the table. The down payment.

The woman pulled the envelope to her side of the desk and looked inside. “This will do it. I think we’re all done here, Mr. Warner.”

“Excellent.” He slid the pen back in his pocket and stood. “I’d like to make one last visit to the suite before I leave.”

“Certainly.
It’s still unlocked.” She stacked the papers and passed him a portfolio with the Twilight Breaks logo in gold-foil across the front. “Mr. Warner, we’re so pleased you’ve decided to entrust us with your father’s care. We’re anxious to meet the senior Mr. Warner.”

“Please. Just call me Theodore, but when Dad arrives you can call him Warner. Daddy’s friends always called him Warner.” If there were any lucid moments in Dad’s future, the least Nash could do was be sure the people around him called him by the right name. He’d had to make up a new first name for Dad. It wasn’t like he could tell them his father’s name was Warner
Warner.

“Since you’ve decided to furnish the unit with items from our inventory, we’ll have his room ready tomorrow. You’re welcome to move him in any time after that.”

“Excellent.” Only he wasn’t going to be moving Daddy in with anything aside from the clothes on his back, and Lord knew those would probably have to be tossed out. A good clean start. Minimal furniture. Good art, and he’d stock that dresser with just the necessities. He wasn’t about to fill this place up with a bunch of stuff his father wouldn’t remember.

Nash let himself out of the office and rubbed antiseptic gel into his hands as he walked down the well-lit hallway. Except for the polished rails on each side of the hallway, it could have been any floor in any high-dollar oceanfront condominium.

The doorknob was as shiny as if it had just been installed, but he took out his handkerchief and covered it before entering just the same. It wasn’t a large space, but it had lots of natural daylight.

He walked to the wide span of windows lining the wall. No balcony. No sliding doors. A bit of a waste, but under the circumstances he guessed they couldn’t have senile seniors hanging off balconies either.

The view from the room at Twilight Breaks was nearly as lovely as the one from his own balcony here in Hilton Head. It was funny how timing had changed things. He’d have probably tried to keep Daddy right there at Dogwood Ridge as long as possible, and they’d have let him since he practically funded the darn place. Those people owed him. But the truth was, Dad wasn’t going to get better, and Tina was the only one willing to say it out loud.

He’d been reintroduced to his own father more times than he cared to remember over the past six months. Tina had provided a reality check, and now with Lillian’s friends poking around in his business, he knew moving Daddy was the right thing to do.

Nash made a mental note to get Tina to take down the paintings he’d put in his father’s room. They were worth way too much to just leave behind at Dogwood Ridge, not that anyone there would ever realize it. There were sure enough poker-playing dogs and dime-store oils hanging on the walls in that place. At least Twilight Breaks was tastefully decorated. The staff all wore whites and the place smelled fresh and clean.

Moving Daddy.
Now that was one thing he hadn’t quite figured out how to do without raising a stir, but he’d just take it one perfectly planned step at a time. But then again, did it really matter if it caused a stir if he and his dad were no longer in Summer Shoals?

He closed the door behind him and headed home.

Back in his
condo, sitting on his white couch, in his white pants, he conjured up another white lie to tell Tina. He’d gone back through every step, every communication, to be sure he was mitigating every risk.

His stomach burned.
I’ll probably die of an ulcer after all this and not even be able to enjoy it.

He only needed two things from Summer Shoals—his dad and the ledger. Everything else in his house
could be tossed in the trash and he’d never miss it. Even his high-dollar suits weren’t Theodore Warner’s style. He was so close to leaving Nash Talley behind, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he’d never miss that guy.

Loose ends were the only things that could trip him up now. He’d already transferred responsibilities to the people who worked for him, and although they didn’t know the funeral home would have a new owner soon, it wouldn’t matter because their jobs wouldn’t change. Things would move along like they always had. Not like anyone in Summer Shoals really gave a damn about him. There would be talk, but not for long.

He’d feel better if the ledger were under lock and key with him here though. That was the only loose end worrying him now. It was well hidden, but why tempt fate? If those snoopy old broads were asking about him, they could stir up trouble, and he didn’t need the attention right now.

Once he had this last bit of business put to bed, he’d return to Summer Shoals for the final time. Nash pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed
nine digits. Before he could hit number ten, he hung up. Dad would be so hurt if he knew what Nash had already set in motion.

He would never know. His mind
was already gone. And it wasn’t coming back. It was time to let the past go for good. Only the future mattered.

Nash took a breath and dialed the full number.

“Hello, Mercy Corporate Services, providing compassion to millions in times of grief.”

“Good afternoon. This is Nash Talley. Please tell Mr. Richardson I’m ready to sell. I’ll have the contracts to him in Chicago within the week.”

When Teague slid into the booth at Earlene’s Drinkery, Abby Ruth already had a draft beer sitting on the table for him.

He gave her hand a smacking kiss. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“A woman can never hear that too much.”

“So you settled in at Summer Haven?” He took a sip of his beer, skimming away the perfect quarter-inch of foam on it. “I know it’s not exactly your kind of place.”

“Oh, it’ll do for now. The bed isn’t bad, although with that Sera cooking, I might starve to death.”

Teague motioned for a waitress, who rushed over with a menu, but he didn’t even have to look at it. “We’ll do the potato skins and the wings, atomic with ranch dressing.”

The waitress grinned. “You got it.”

He turned back to Abby Ruth. “
What’s Sera cooking that’s so bad?”

“Fajitas made out of tofu.” Her mouth turned down and she swigged her beer like she was trying to rid her mouth of a bad taste. “Can you imagine? I mean, shrimp is skirting the limit, but something that was never alive to begin with? No, thank you.”

“Maggie’s special tea could make up for that.”

“Doubtful.”

“So other than Sera’s cooking, what do you think of them?” Jenny had told him her mom was never one for making friends with other women. Abby Ruth had played the good-ole-boys game for too long.

“Seem like nice enough ladies. And they don’t suspect a thing about me. I’ll have this where-in-the-world-is-Lillian-Fairview thing wrapped up in no time.”

Lord, he hoped not. Abby Ruth needed to find a permanent place to land, both to keep herself out of trouble and to save Jenny’s sanity. And his sanity would be much improved if he could persuade Jenny to come down for that visit before Abby Ruth hightailed it out of Georgia. “You had any time to just relax and wander the area? I bet you could talk shop with the folks at the newspaper. Maybe even do some freelancing for them.”

“Sugar—” she lifted an eyebrow and shook her head, “—it’s not like they cover the Texans or Cowboys here.”

“There’s always high school football in the fall.”

At that, her mouth dropped open and her beer clunked to the table. “The hell you say.”

A beep-beep-beep noise screeched in Teague’s head. Yeah, backing up was the direction to take. “I just meant…that…you could…teach them a thing or two about real sports journalism.”

The waitress slid two platters to the table and Teague let out a silent breath. He’d always sucked at undercover work.

He piled wings and skins on two small plates. His mind raced. What could keep Abby Ruth busy once she finished this little Summer Haven spy job? Anything to keep her from moving on. If she turned south and meandered off into Mexico, Jenny would have a hissy fit. Even worse, he would have no leverage to get Jenny to Summer Shoals.

Teague and Abby Ruth munched appetizers and sipped their beers while catching glances of
Sports Nation
and talking scores.

Finally, Abby Ruth wiped her sauce-covered fingers on her napkin and sat back in the
booth. “You haven’t even asked me what I’ve dug up out there at Summer Haven, and I’ve been in town over a week. What’s with that? I thought you were so concerned about that Lillian woman and her mansion of a house.”

Shit.
Making her suspicious that he’d set her up was the last thing he could afford. “I didn’t want to be too conspicuous.”

“Well, first off, that old place is falling apart.”

“Tell me something I don’t know. What about Lillian? Is she really off visiting a friend?”

“As far as I can tell, Maggie’s telling the truth. That woman doesn’t have a lying bone in her body. But she did mention someone else in town is missing. Name’s Nolen Talbert or some such thing.”

“Nash Talley,” Teague said. “Don’t get all excited. I checked around. Apparently, Nash is just out of town for some funeral director business. Not uncommon according to the gal over at the old folks’ home where Nash’s daddy is living these days.”