Page 70 of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Book
“Did you know Lindsay Underwood was the one who switched all those books in Lula Dean’s library?”
“I did,” Bella confessed.
“Well, Lula pressed charges and Lindsay got arrested. Felony theft by taking. That girl did this town a world of good. Get some clothes on. The two of us are going to clear her name.”
“I’ll tell her you’re here to see her,” Beverly Underwood said. “But Lindsay hasn’t wanted to speak to anyone since it happened. I wouldn’t have guessed getting arrested would be such a blow. I’ve never seen her like this before.”
Bella opened her bag and pulled out a book. “Would you mind giving this back to her? Tell her I read it cover to cover, and she needs it more now than I do.”
Beverly let out a snort when she lay eyes on the cover. “The Southern Belle’s Guide to Etiquette? You’re saying this belongs to Lindsay? I haven’t seen one of these since I threw my mother’s old copy in the fireplace when I was thirteen years old.”
Wilma wagged a bony finger at Beverly. “That right there just got you my vote for mayor.”
“We both know I had your vote anyway, Wilma.” Beverly winked at her.
“It’s Lindsay’s favorite book,” Bella told Beverly. “She loaned it to me. Can you tell her it made me the person I am today? Please?”
“Well, alright.” Beverly seemed to be questioning Bella’s sanity, but she was willing to give it a go. “I’ll see what she says.”
A few minutes later, Beverly returned down the stairs. “I don’t know how you figured it out, Bella, but it seems like that book was the magic charm. Lindsay said to send the both of you up.”
When Bella and Wilma got to Lindsay’s room, they found her sitting on the side of her bed wearing pajamas and slippers in three clashing shades of tartan. She had her hair tied in a knot on the top of her head, and black smudges of mascara beneath both eyes.
“Thank you for coming, Bella, but I’m not sure why you’re here.”
Bella gestured toward the woman beside her. “Lindsay Underwood, I want you to meet your new lawyer. This is Wilma Cummings, my great-grandma. She’s a former DA and the best criminal defense attorney Georgia’s ever seen. I’ll be assisting her with your case.”
“You know my dad is a lawyer, right?” Lindsay asked.
“And a good one,” Wilma said, stepping forward. “But his specialty is environmental law. You need a defense attorney.”
“I’m not planning to mount a defense,” Lindsay said in a flat, monotone voice that didn’t belong to the person Bella knew. “I did it. I’m guilty.”
“Lindsay, you knowThe Southern Belle’s Guide to Etiquettesays you should never, ever waive your right to a lawyer,” Bella reminded her.
“What you did does not merit a felony charge,” Wilma added. “And believe me, sweetheart, you do not want a felony on your record.”
“Well, I don’t know how to avoid it. I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t take Lula’s books,” Lindsay told her.
“You won’t have to,” Bella assured Lindsay. “Our goal is to make Lula Dean drop the charges.”
Now that they were officially on the case, Bella and Wilma reviewed the charges over coffee and pecan pie.
“Lula’s saying Lindsay took twenty-six books valued at twenty dollars each, which puts the total just over the threshold for a felony charge.” Wilma looked over her reading glasses. “Five hundred and twenty dollars’ worth of books sound right to you?”
Bella nearly choked on her pie. “That woman has no shame. Those books weren’t worth twenty dollars when they were brand new.”
“Where’s the nearest place to buy cheap books?” Wilma asked.
A quick internet search showed the closest thrift store that sold used books was a Goodwill in Macon. Bella was on the road by eleven and pulling into the Goodwill parking lot at twelve-thirty.
The woman behind the counter wasn’t sure what to make of Bella at first. “You look awfully young for a private investigator.”
“That’s what they used to say about Nancy Drew, isn’t it? And look how many casesshesolved.” Bella pulled out her phone and pulled up a picture of Lula Dean. “Do you recall seeing this person in your store?”
The woman leaned forward. “Oh sure.” She’d only needed a split-second glance. “That’s Lula. She used to be a regular. Always looking for dresses and such to turn into costumes for her kids. Hadn’t seen her for years until she showed up a few weeks back and bought a bunch of books.”
“Do you remember any of the titles?”
