….Outside I continued to contemplate Deanna’s life mess. I decided she would just have to listen to reason. Her sordid activities were ruining an old family name. I waited, she did not appear. Since nobody in Mimosa finds it necessary to lock doors, I let myself in as I had done many times before. I called to her as I made my way from the antique furnished living room. Thinking Deanna was out, I decided to make some tea and seat myself on the screened porch. Tea cup in hand, I made my way to the chaise lounge. I’ll never forget the shock upon reaching the chair and finding poor cousin Deanna sitting there, shot through the heart, the cup crashing to the floor, the hot tea dripping from my wrist. I ran to the phone to call Sheriff Dockins; but I knew she was dead.
Sheriff Dockins and Deputy Martin arrived at the house. I was in agony. They made arrangements for the ambulance, and questioned me as to everything I had noticed. They asked for a list of people who might have wanted Deanna dead. Of course, I had to go into that embarrassing love affair with Wayne. This prompted the law officers to talk to Deanna’s friends and her business partner, Mona.
Days passed and we buried poor Deanna. Mother was quite a mess. Since the death of Deanna’s parents, she had filled that void in her life. Mother did a fine job picking out the best floral arrangements from Bud’s a Bloomin’. Everything was done in a most proper manner, but undercurrents ran rabid while the Mimosa Gazette went wild with scandal news. After all, this was the biggest thing since that butane truck overturned and the town had to be evacuated.
Wayne Holmes was stricken. Why did he have such rotten luck? Yes, he had to admit to the affair, but he did not kill Deanna, wouldn’t have wanted to kill her. Besides, he had not planned on seeing her that much longer anyway. Things were becoming dull and Jolene was putting pressure on him. Anyway, he had an alibi, he was on business in Culver City. Sheriff Dockins told him not to leave town until he could check it out…
Hope they resolve the case of Deanna’s killer. Maybe Jolene did it?! The other woman . . . or the lonely, neglected neighbor man?
Lana, you bring in good details! π
Thanks so much, Robin…this is an old story, I can’t exactly remember who did kill her, lol!
Oh, this cracks me up, Lana! Memory is such a “traitor” to us! π
Yep…I’ll either have to post the rest of it or go back and read it….lol!
Oooh, it’s getting awfully convoluted. I’m going with Robin…all fingers are pointing to Jolene…but it was probably the butler.
Everyone could use a butler, here and there, π
I feel like butlers are a lost art. Let’s work on bringing that one back.
I agree. .plus they are handy to pin crimes on π
Silly, Marissa. Don’t go with me, I am too predictable! π
Well you never know, Robin….in fact, I don’t even know…LOL!
Ha, ha! Then maybe I am too!
Need more!! Will you be doling out the rest in installments? Love it π
Well thank you…I might π
Such a great story…can’t wait for more. π
Thank you π
A small yellow, what you wrote. Short but intriguing
Thanks so much π
π
Had a pang of nostalgia after the phrase ‘nobody in Mimosa finds it necessary to lock doors’ … when is the story set?
Yes indeed…I grew up in this sort of place.. The time frame would be early 70s….
Country or country town, I’d guess … townies were already fixing triple locks …
Yes they were π
Ah, this is why I lock my doors! I’m left wanting more…
That’s a good point for sure….maybe she might still be alive if only π
Hope Wayne’s alibi checks out. π
Ha ha…it might π
Oh no…you can’t leave us hanging there…poor Deanna. Was Wayne’s alibi absolute?? How long was the story to start with?
Ha ha…I may have to post from the beginning in installments. Since this one has been rejected several times, I thought it wasn’t too good. I’m glad people seem to like it. .thanks!
Instalments is a great idea and I think you should seriously consider that – there are lots of eager readers waiting for this…it’s real tough with rejections and even though people say not to take them to heart, it’s not always so easy. BUT listen to us out here…this is really good, pulled us in and keen for more!
Thank you so much Annika….rejections are a hard thing for sure…I have discarded a lot of things just because of that, but it is important for all of us to keep trying π