When Lettie arrived home, she poured a glass of cranberry juice before checking her answering machine. The machine blinked twice indicating she had two messages. She kicked off her shoes and moved from one bare foot to the other while waiting for the tape to rewind. The first message was from Gloria inquiring into the state of the investigation and wanting to know when they needed to take food to Charlotte's house. The other call was from Sophie who wanted to chitchat when Lettie had time. Tempted to return both calls at that moment, she decided she had best get ready for her date with Mitch.
Lettie walked upstairs, tossed her dirty clothes into her wicker hamper, turned on the water and hopped into the shower. This would only take five minutes, after all she didn't need to wash her hair or shave her legs. While she was toweling off, the phone rang.
"Great," she muttered to herself.
"Oh, Gloria. I got your message, but I am going out tonight and had to take a quick shower. I don't really have much time to talk."
Gloria was aflutter about the murder investigation and wanted to know everything. Lettie thought Gloria was more curious than she was. Gloria had to wait for an answer while Lettie went back to the bathroom to retrieve her white terry robe. Lettie reviewed all the information she had gleaned during the course of the day and also told Gloria about her date with Mitch.
"Lettie, I've been worried about Jeff. He's such a dear, sweet person and to be put out of his house at a time like this is just awful."
"His parents and sister are coming in today, so he will have some company. That should help him a little bit. Also, Amelia indicated that she would be at the house the next few days."
"The horrid Amelia won't be any consolation to him."
"Well, at least she's not going to be working."
"I'll start calling all the Covered Bridgers tonight so we can take some food over tomorrow. Is that all right with you?"
"I have to list a house in the morning, but I can help you take the food to Jeff's house tomorrow afternoon."
"What time do you think you'll be home from your appointment?"
"I should be home by noon at the latest. Oh, I bought a cream cheese pound cake from Boston Tea Party today, so I'll take that and my broccoli casserole."
"That's fine. I'll plan the rest of the menu accordingly. Do you still want to pick me up?"
"Sure. I'll call you when I get home and we'll pick out a convenient time. Gloria, I apologize but I really need to go. I have to get ready for my date."
"Okay. One thing though. Do you think Jeff is in the clear? I really think Amelia is the one who poisoned Charlotte, don't you?" Gloria sounded confident.
"According to everything I know right now, Jeff's pretty much out of the running as the prime suspect. However, the police had not checked all his alibis at the time I talked to Mitch. Amelia certainly had a lot to gain, so at the moment I think she is the murderer. Of course, there could be someone we're overlooking who might have had a motive."
"Who else could have had a motive. After all, she was killed for her money. Nobody disliked Charlotte."
"That is, that we know of."
"Surely by now we would have heard something if another person had a motive."
"You're probably right," Lettie remarked a little hesitantly.
"Have a good time tonight, and I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Lettie hung up the phone and mentally noted that she needed to ask Mitch how many likely suspects he had besides Jeff and Amelia. Of course, if she could get him to tell her.
Again Lettie was rummaging through her closet looking for the perfect outfit. She finally decided on teal silk slacks, a matching blouse, and a white hand knit angora sweater. The spring days had been beautiful and in the seventies, but at night the temperature cooled to the fifties. The sweater would be a welcome addition later in the evening.
After freshening her makeup, she went downstairs. Antsy to hear from Mitch, she sat on the couch and picked up her knitting to pass the time. The tapestry leaf jacket was a bear of a design, but it would be so beautiful when it was finished.
After knitting a few rows, she decided to phone Sophie and tell her the events of the day. After all, she hadn't talked to her all day. She and Sophie normally talked on the phone several times a week even when a crisis wasn't ongoing. Lettie and Sophie always made time for one another.
"Sophie, just thought I'd bring you up to date on the latest. I'm not interrupting your dinner, am I?"
"No, like it would matter if you did. As a matter of fact, Harold had a faculty affair tonight. One of his colleagues is leaving on sabbatical, and he went to a going away party. He'll be home late and then we're going to go out for dinner. So tell me what you know."
"First, if I put you on hold, I'm waiting on a call from Mitch. We're going to the movies tonight." Lettie related basically the same story that she had told Gloria adding more details and speculation. Sophie tolerated Lettie's theories and suppositions just as a true friend should. She added that Gloria would be calling regarding the food. She knew Sophie had her freezer stocked with food, so it would not be a problem for her to have her food prepared by the next afternoon.
"Sophie, I found out something interesting this afternoon. Alvin Crabtree, our resident real estate developer at WE, told me that Jordan Watkins and Amelia have an ongoing love affair."
"Are you kidding me? What could they have in common? She's old enough to be his mother."
"I could hardly believe it myself. Amelia seems like the type who would definitely want the career-oriented intellectual. I just can't see the two together. He has a great personality and is blessed with a gift for gab, and he sells lots of houses to woman clients."
"I'll bet he does," Sophie commented cattily.
Lettie's call waiting beeped. She told Sophie she would call her on Saturday morning and took her other call. It was Mitch on the line.
"Did you think I had forgotten you?"
"Not really. I've kept myself busy knitting and talking to Sophie."
"You really are getting more patient."
"I only wish. I think I'm just getting better at occupying myself when I have to wait."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. We all have our little quirks. Some people drink and take drugs. I just like to tease you."
"You always have."
"But you have such a good sense of humor. You never take my teasing personally."
"I grew up being teased by my father and got used to it, I guess. Surely you remember his practical jokes."
"Sure do. Thankfully, I wasn't on the receiving end of most of them. To change the subject, since you were gabbing on the phone and knitting, I assume you are ready."
"You assume correctly."
"I know I promised the movies, but I wonder if you would like to go to the Harbor Inn at the marina for dinner and then on boat ride at the lake. It's been such a lovely day, and that way we could have some time to talk. Talking is not encouraged at the movies, you know."
Lettie's heart rate increased slightly. Her anger now forgotten, she thought a boat ride with Mitch would be lovely. The Harbor Inn was one of the nicest places to eat in Stafford. Well, actually, the marina was ten miles outside of Stafford perched on the banks of Lake Cooper. The Harbor Inn restaurant and marina were frequented by the more affluent of Stafford's population. She wondered how Mitch could afford to take her to eat there.
"It sounds wonderful."
"Since I know you are always so agreeable, I took the liberty of making reservations for dinner at 7:30."
"You're awfully sure of yourself, you know."
"I remembered all the times we went to the lake when we were in high school. We always sat and dangled our feet in the water and watched the elite of Stafford parade into the Harbor Inn. Both of us were always green with envy. Remember?"
"How could I forget?"
On Lettie's mind at the moment was how Mitch on a policeman's salary could afford to take her to eat at such an expensive restaurant and also how he could afford a boat. The thought was fleeting because her mind was concentrating on the pleasant evening ahead of her.
"I'll be over to pick you up shortly."
"I'll be waiting."
Lettie reevaluated her choice of attire. Silk, although appropriate for dining, was not appropriate for boating. Back upstairs to search her closet again. Under pressure, Lettie chose her clothing more quickly.
Cream colored linen slacks, a light green cotton blouse, and a cream-colored cashmere sweater made an appropriate ensemble for the Harbor Inn and for boating. Even though the restaurant was pricey, the attire of the diners was generally casual. Since the restaurant adjoined the marina, people were not always dressed to the nines. Hungry boaters could dock at the marina, leave their boats, and have lunch or dinner.
Lettie grabbed a pair of comfortable shoes, of course color coordinated to her outfit, and headed back down the stairs. She appraised herself in the hall mirror and decided she didn't look too bad for forty‑eight years old.
Mitch arrived and escorted her to his sleek red sports car. Lettie admired the car and again wondered where he got the money to afford such a car. Of course, it wasn't the latest model, but it would have been expensive even if bought used.
"I'm a little embarrassed about this car. Belinda bought it for me. When we separated, she kept the sensible car for herself, and I got this. She is starting her own business and needed the minivan. As soon as the divorce is final, I'll trade it in for something a little more practical."
Mitch had actually said the "D" word. She was as happy as she had been in years and was eagerly looking forward to the evening ahead. Mitch drove safely but slightly over the speed limit. Lettie wondered if cops were allowed to speed if not going to the scene of a crime. She recalled that Mitch had always had a heavy foot on the accelerator.
It wasn't dark yet, and Lettie enjoyed the ride to the lake. Dogwood and redbud trees bloomed and the sides of the road were tinted pink and white. She and Mitch chatted during the drive, and Lettie didn't think once about the ongoing murder investigation.
The Harbor Inn was an octagonal design. Weathered wood on the exterior and a cedar shake roof gave it a rustic appearance. Situated on a peninsula at the edge of the lake, its floor to ceiling glass windows provided a panoramic view of Lake Cooper. Mitch pulled the red sports car into a parking space to the side of the building and helped Lettie out of the car. Their reserved table had a westerly view of the sunset on the shimmering water. The decor was a nautical motif. The tables were of heavy oak and the chairs were the traditional captain's chairs. Mitch pulled out Lettie's chair and then seated himself. They had been brought up in the era where chivalry was an asset to a man. Lettie expected a man to pull out her chair for her, open the door for her, and help her with her coat.
The evening was perfect. Their conversation thus far had centered on their lives since they had split up. Mitch seemed very close to his boys, Josh and David. They shared a love of the outdoors and did a lot of fishing and camping. Now that the boys were in college regrettably their outings were not as frequent.
Lettie shared information about her daughter, Renee, who was away at St. Mary's college. She was a biology major and wanted to become a doctor. Renee dated a boy on the Notre Dame football team among others and would be home from school in a couple of weeks. Lettie looked forward to having her home for the summer. The waiter took their orders for shrimp cocktails and white wine. Lettie's perfect evening was interrupted at the appearance of Amelia Williams and Jordan Watkins. They followed the maitre d' to a table at the opposite side of the restaurant.
"Mitch, don't look now, but Amelia Williams and Jordan Watkins just came in. They're going to a table to the left of me."
Lettie thought that this was the crowning blow. Now Amelia was out socializing before her poor sister was buried. They seemed to be having an animated discussion.
"I found out today that Amelia and Jordan have been dating for years. What the attraction is I don't know. Well, of course, Jordan is a good‑looking guy, but he isn't the most intelligent of people, and Amelia is certainly a striking woman, and then there is the age difference."
Lettie discussed her suspicions of how and why Amelia and Jordan could have conspired to kill Charlotte. Her other theory was that Jordan could have done it by himself. Of course, it would have to be taken into consideration that he might not be smart enough to plan and execute a poisoning. There was still the fact that Amelia could have done it by herself.
"If Jordan and Amelia got married, their combined holdings certainly would be substantial." "Lettie, you are a dear person, but I think you should leave the detecting to me and the rest of the police department. We are following every lead, and we do know about Amelia dating Jordan."
"I should have known, but I wish you would tell me these things."
"I haven't had a chance to tell you. You've been so busy today finding out all this information on your own that I haven't had a chance to tell you anything new."
"Do you know anything else that I don't?"
"That's hard to tell. You've been a busy little bee today."
"Oh, Mitch."
"As a matter of fact, I have some news. All of Jeff's alibis have checked out, so for the time being, we have eliminated him as a suspect."
"I'm so glad to hear that. He's so sweet. I would hate to think he killed Charlotte." The waiter, clad in a Hawaiian shirt and white tight pants, arrived to remove their dishes and to take their dinner orders. Since they had been engrossed in conversation, they had not made up their minds. The waiter refilled their water glasses and said he would return shortly.
Lettie and Mitch turned their attention to the menu and left the topic of murder for a later discussion. Lettie surveyed the menu with gusto. She was starved. The waiter returned and Lettie ordered blackened salmon on pasta and Mitch ordered steak Diane.
They again turned their attention to their personal lives and forgot about Charlotte Downey's murderer. While eating they enjoyed the sunset and good conversation. When the waiter returned to retrieve the dinner plates, both Lettie and Mitch agreed it had been worth the thirty-year wait to eat at the Harbor Inn.
They could not resist the strawberry mousse for dessert and accompanied it with coffee. Lettie thought that the button on her slacks was going to pop. Definitely she was going to have to watch her diet from now on.
On the way out of the restaurant, Lettie could not help but glance in the direction of Amelia and Jordan. They still appeared to be embroiled in quite a heated discussion. Jordan looked up at exactly that minute and glared at Lettie. She waved since she worked with the man, even though they weren't close friends. He waved back at the same time Amelia whirled her head around. She had a sheepish look on her face, but gave a halfhearted wave over her shoulder. Those two look as guilty as sin, Lettie thought.
"Are you ready for a boat ride?"
"What?" It was difficult for Lettie to pull her attention away from Jordan and Amelia.
"The boat ride? Are you ready to leave?"
"Sounds great," Lettie said.
"I can't afford to dock my boat here. I keep it at Jackson's boat yard about a half mile down West Shore Road."
They drove the short distance and parked in a gravel lot near the water. There must have been ten times the number of boats at Jackson's than at the Harbor Inn marina. No doubt because it was cheaper, Lettie thought. Mitch opened his trunk and lifted out a cooler. They walked toward a small gray wood building that probably would have been classified as a shack if it had not been at Lake Cooper's edge.
"Hi, Lieutenant Crawford." A tall, lanky teenager spoke in a quiet voice.
Mitch introduced Newton Jackson, Jr. to Lettie. Newt helped his father at the marina and had been a fixture at there since he was old enough to walk. His sun-streaked hair and tanned face and arms reflected his love of working outdoors. It was only May, and Newt had a darker tan than Lettie had after a summer of sunning.
"I'm taking her out for a couple of hours."
"That's fine, Lieutenant Crawford. We'll be open until midnight it being the weekend and all." Mitch got the boat keys from Newt Jackson and guided Lettie through a maze of docks until she set eyes on a pontoon named Belinda. A subtle reminder that Mitch was not yet divorced. She wondered who would get the boat.
The water was calm and the full moon and stars made the water sparkle. The weather was perfect, the company was perfect, and Lettie wished the night would never end. Mitch opened the cooler he had carried from the car and brought out a bottle of champagne and two chilled goblets. Could things get any better than this? He filled two crystal goblets, and they toasted to "old friends, the best kind."
Mitch took her on a tour of the lake. Lettie had never owned a boat, and her familiarity with the lake was limited to the recreation areas. He pointed out places that she knew from the roads of Walker County, but from the perspective of the boat they looked entirely different. Then he turned off the engine and dropped anchor.
They cuddled together and drank champagne. It was a wonderful evening until Mitch's beeper went off. Lettie wished she had never heard of modern technology at that moment.
"Damn," said Mitch while looking at the readout on his beeper. "Here I had tonight off and thought we wouldn't be disturbed. Welcome to the world of being attached to a policeman."
"Maybe it's nothing."
"If you're off duty and they beep you, it's something. I guess we'd better head in."
Lettie wished she had brought her cellular phone. At least Mitch could have called from the boat, and maybe they wouldn't have had to go in. What a disappointment.
Mitch used the phone at Jackson's Boat Yard and told Lettie he needed to get to a crime scene right away. On the way home, he seemed preoccupied and wasn't as animated as earlier in the evening. She was certain he was disappointed too.
They held hands from the car to her front door. He kissed her long and hard at the front door and apologized for having to leave. He promised to call in the morning and then he was off.
Lettie spent the remainder of Friday evening fighting conflicting emotions. Disappointed at having her wonderful evening come to an end so abruptly, she acknowledged that Mitch's job could be a hindrance to a good relationship and admitted concern about her powerful attraction toward Mitch which had developed in such a short time. However, she consoled herself with the knowledge that since they had known each other so well early in their life that it wasn't as if she fell head over heels with a perfect stranger.
Two other matters consumed her thoughts late that Friday evening--Amelia Williams and Jordan Watkins and the crime Mitch had left to investigate. While she was thinking, she began knitting on her tapestry leaf jacket and completed four rows before she felt a calmness fall over her body. Lettie continued to knit until her eyelids began to droop and she headed upstairs.