Deadly Southern Charm

Katherine looked her square in the eye. “The Judge never did his own dirty work.”

“Are you saying he had someone else kill her? Who?” She paused. “It was James, wasn’t it?”

“You’re smarter than I gave you credit for Miss Weber.”

“How can you be certain it was James and not Robert?”

“Because Robert would never have trusted anyone else to do it. Their brotherly bond was strong. Besides, James would have enjoyed it. From the day he took his first step, he liked to hurt things. Insects, puppies, his wife. Once he was elected sheriff, there were no limits to his cruelty.”

“When did you start to suspect Robert had her killed?”

“From day one. But it was several months before I learned the truth. One day Deputy Milton came to speak with me. He’d found evidence of the affair and suspected Robert and James were involved in Paige’s death.”

“There’s nothing in his case notes about it.” Lynn said.

“After his death, James went through the case file and purged anything that might point to Robert.”

“James told you this?”

“I watched him hand the notes to Robert. He burned them in the fireplace.” Her eyes shifted to the stone mantel. “The same place where James murdered Ollie Milton.”

“Excuse me? Deputy Milton died in a car crash.”

“No, James beat him to death with a fireplace poker, then staged the car crash as a cover.”

“You witnessed this?”

“Yes, it was quite brutal.” She reached for the teacup. “Ruined one of my favorite rugs.”

Lynn’s mouth dropped into a shocked O. “Why didn’t you go to the authorities?”

“Robert and James were the authorities, dear. I would have suffered one of James’ accidents long before I could have testified. Besides, their fates hadn’t been decided yet.” She sipped at her tea.

Lynn’s mind spun as the pieces began to come together. Her gaze fell on the watch display, and another piece snapped into place. “Had their fates been decided when you drowned them in the river?”

The teacup paused midway to Katherine’s lips. She didn’t look up. “First you accuse me of murdering my husband’s mistress and now my husband. Before you ask, I can prove I wasn’t in Dallas during the Kennedy assassination.” A smirk crossed her lips as she took a sip.

“According to the report on your husband’s death, the last time you saw him was the day he left for the fishing tournament, three days before he drowned.”

“That’s correct.”

“Then how did his watch end up on your desk?”

“That’s not his watch.” There was a chill in the answer. “It belonged to my grandfather.”

“Then why was Robert wearing it in all the photos with Paige?” Lynn pulled out her phone and swiped through several screens. “And during the fishing tournament two days before he died.” She held up the newspaper article with the grainy photo.

Katherine didn’t look at it. “It was given to me with his personal affects.”

“No, I’ve read the report, there is no mention of a watch in his belongings. You took it off him before you sent his boat over the dam.”

Jaw muscles worked beneath pale skin. “The Judge had a habit of taking things he liked. He took a fancy to my grandfather’s watch. So, I took it back.”

“Before or after you murdered him?”

“Murder is such a nasty word. I saw it more as self-preservation. The Samuel brothers were a dangerous duo. They had come to see murder as an acceptable solution to their problems. I knew it was only a matter of time before I would be a problem for them to solve.”

“You’re claiming self-defense?”

“As I said, self-preservation.” She took another sip of tea.

“You know I have to report this to the authorities?”

“I’m dying, Miss Weber. Your justice will have to move swiftly if it wishes to catch me.”

“How did you do it?”

“Horse tranquilizers in the prepared meals I sent with them. I knew which night they would eat them, so I slipped up to the cabin and waited in the woods. They were out cold when the boat went over the dam.”

“There is no way you could have carried them to the boat by yourself. Who helped you?”

“My sins are my own to confess. If others wish to unburden their souls, I’ll not deprive them of the chance.” Across the room a grandfather clock began to chime the hour. “I’ve given you all my secrets, Miss Weber. Do with them as you wish.” Katherine set down her teacup. “It’s getting late, and this trip down memory lane has drained me.” She stood.

Lynn scrambled to her feet.

“Ann will show you out.”

“Thank you for your time, Mrs. Anderson.” Lynn thrust out her hand. “And your honesty.”

Katherine eyed the offered hand a moment before taking it. Somehow her hand was colder than before. “Fate smiled on you this evening, Miss Weber. If you’re lucky it will continue to do so.”

“I hope so. If you like, I can send you a copy of the book once it’s finished.”

“That won’t be necessary. I already know the ending. Besides, I won’t be here to read it. Good evening, Miss Weber.” Not waiting for a reply, she turned and disappeared into the darkness beyond the study door.

“This way.”

Lynn jumped as Ann picked up the candle and started away. How does she do that? She hurried to catch up to the woman who was already standing by the open door. The storm had moved on, leaving behind a light rain.

Lynn stepped through the doorway and turned back. “Mrs. Harper, may I—” The door slammed. “I guess that’s a no.” Relieved to be free of the place, she hurried to her car.

* * * *

There was a sharp knock at the door. Lynn pressed save on her document before checking the peephole. She startled at the figure standing in the hallway of her apartment. Her hand hovered over the lock a moment before clicking it open. “Mrs. Harper, what are you doing here?”

“Mrs. Anderson is dead. She passed away in her sleep last night.”

“I… I’m sorry to hear that.” Caught off guard by the abrupt announcement, Lynn brushed at her hair, trying to think of a better response.

“She wanted you to have this.”

Lynn eyed the small display case resting in the woman’s outstretched hand. Light reflected off the gold coin’s surface. “Why would she give it to me?”

&nbs

p; “She didn’t. Fate chose you.”

“Okay… thanks.” Lynn took the box. “With her gone, what will you do?”

“I’m moving to Fiji, so I can sit on the beach while Cabana boys bring me frozen drinks.”

Lynn ducked her head unable to hide a smile. “Good for you.”

“Yes, it will be.” Ann turned to leave. She paused. “I’m glad you won the coin toss.”

“What coin toss?”

“The one the night of your visit. Katherine felt we should let Fate decide your destiny.”

“You tossed to see if she would speak with me?”

“No, we tossed to decide if we should kill you or not.”

“Ki… Kill me?”

“Yes, but Fate smiled on you that evening.” Ann’s sharp features softened into something that could pass for a smile. It only made her more terrifying.

“Fate?” Lynn’s mind struggled to process the revelation.

“Yes, the coin.” Ann tapped a fingernail against the box. “That’s its name, Fate. Trust Fate, and it will never lead you astray. Goodbye, Miss Weber.”

Lynn slammed the door shut, clicking the deadbolt into place. She leaned against the door with a heavy sigh and held up the coin. “Well, Fate, I guess I owe you one.”

SOUTHERN SISTERS STICK TOGETHER, by Stacie Giles

“You’re a sight for sore eyes.” Vera smiled at hearing her cousin call to her from the sidewalk. Her long dark skirt swished as she closed the front door of the Memphis YWCA where she lived and turned toward him.

“Good morning, Burnell. Are you just off work? You look like you need your bed.” Burnell had recently begun working for the police department and was stuck on night shift.

“I hoped you’d be happier to see me than that.” He pretended to pout as he followed Vera along the Madison Street sidewalk.

“Always happy to see you, but I’m on my way to work and Mrs. Florence won’t put up with late waitresses at Gerber’s Tea Room. I’m still in my probationary period, remember?” Still, Vera slowed her pace and peered closely at her cousin. Growing up on neighboring family farms a long way from Memphis, they were as close as brother and sister, and she realized he was worried. “Is something on your mind, Burnell?”