Page 114 of All You Want
“Where the hell is Diana?” he asks. “When I came back from the diner, she was gone.”
“I deputized her to help me find Tami since you wouldn’t help. Now, get that information to me asap. Viola might have visited the place Justin and his uncles are holding Tami.”
“So, we know for sure it’s Justin?”
“He’s the only deputy unaccounted for. When will we get bank records for Viola? Add George King to the warrant as well as Justin Jameson. They might have been paying Viola for information.”
“You’re listening to that lunatic?” Shane huffs. “She’s playing you, Sheriff.”
I hang up on him and turn to Diana. “Were you in a book club with Viola?”
“Yes. Why would you want to know?” Her voice is laced with suspicion.
“Have you ever met at Miss Laverne Pine’s cabin?”
“It’s right up that way.” She points toward the left.
“I have a hunch, and you’re going to come with me to clear this up.”
Minutes later, we’re parked in front of Miss Laverne’s place. The scent of wood smoke wafts from her chimney, and the lights are still on inside. I step onto the porch and knock firmly on the door, announcing myself so she won’t be frightened.
“Why, Sheriff, come in for a treat,” she exclaims and peers behind me. “And Diana, what a surprise. How come you’re not in costume?”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard.” I clear my throat and hold out my hand to steady her. “But Viola has passed away.”
“What? When?” She staggers against me. “Was she in an accident?”
I guide her to her sofa in front of the fire and help her sit. “She was killed last night. I know it’s a shock for you, but I need to ask you a few questions.”
“No wonder she didn’t answer my phone calls,” Miss Laverne says, wiping her eyes. “I found papers in that box, and some of the stories are unbelievable. I thought she was writing a book or doing research.”
“Did you find property deeds written in Chinese?” Diana asks.
Miss Laverne points to a trunk against the wall. “The box is in there, Sheriff. You can take all of it. I should have called you. Maybe Miss Viola would still be alive if I did.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” I console her. “I know this doesn’t make you feel better, but Miss Viola was killed shortly after I left your place. You couldn’t have stopped it even if you showed me the papers.”
“Then I should have told you that the ghost I saw was Mooma Wolfe, and the girl following her with a basket looked like Tami when she was only a child. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.”
“Are you saying Mooma is still alive? And that she’s in this vicinity?” I open the chest and take out the metal box.
There are letters, Valentine cards, official-looking papers, and writing in Chinese, as well as typewritten transcripts, a mug shot of a man who looks like Evan Graves, and photographs of a young girl who looks a lot like Tami. But all I care about right now is the map and directions.
“I can’t read Chinese, but this must be it,” Diana says.
“We’ll sort this out later.” I take the Chinese writing from her. “All of this goes into an evidence bag. Viola must have been murdered for what’s in this cache.”
“Murdered? Oh, my stars!” Miss Laverne gasps. “And so soon after Bill passed away. At least they’re together now.”
She bursts into tears, and even though I want to hug her and comfort her, all I can do is put a quilt on her shoulders and tell her I’ll be back.
I borrow Miss Laverne’s shotgun, give it to Diana, and enter the address of the wolfpack mansion into my GPS, hoping I’m not too late.
Thirty-Eight
~ Tami ~
My hands jitter, and I spill the tea onto the floor. “I’m sorry, but I don’t like tea.”
