Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction (Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries Book 4) (30 page)

Back at the police department, Johnny talked with Velveeta in his office, relaying what the group had talked about and what Dee Dee had said. He began making a list of things they needed to do. “I want you to go have a conversation with Philetus Culpepper tomorrow.”

“It will be my pleasure.” She rubbed her hands together.

“And Louis. I want to know why he was calling to Caledonia right before it happened.”

“What about Jimmy Dean?”

“The boy’s been a public menace lately, but I don’t see him killing anyone.”

“He surely doesn’t want Cal to testify against him.”

Johnny sat back and propped his feet on his desk. “Well, since he had an alibi for the other one, that would mean he had to have somebody do it for him.”

“Coulda had one of his friends do it.”

“The boy doesn’t have any friends. Not that I can find.”

“Nah, you’re right. Let’s stick to talking to Papa.”

“And I’m going to—” Johnny stopped mid-sentence and stared into space.

“Chief?” she asked warily.

He mumbled under his breath, “She knew it was Santa.”

His eyes snapped to Velveeta. “When did you find out a Santa suit was likely involved in tonight’s incident?”

She looked surprised. “When you told me a few minutes ago.”

“Officer Northington found the suit in the garbage can over on Kentucky Street and called me. He bagged it and brought it into evidence here. I told the gang about the suit, but there was nobody else around us at the time. No way anybody else could have known that a Santa suit was used in the crime.” He picked up the phone. “Northington? Anybody around you when you found and bagged that suit?” He listened. “You tell anyone but me?” He nodded. “Roger that.”

Velveeta pointed to Johnny with her pen. “Chief, I can see the look on your face. You figured something out.”

Johnny pulled his legs off his desk and leaned toward Velveeta. “How did Dee Dee know a Santa suit was involved?”

Velveeta studied her notes. “And if she wasn’t at the town square when it happened, how did she know what time it occurred?”

“Sometimes you can be too cocky for your own good.” He nodded slowly, and Velveeta mimicked the action. They sat on opposite sides of his desk, looking at each other, heads bobbing up and down, smiles on their faces. “I do believe we have enough for a search warrant. I want to see her phone, bank, and credit card records.”

Velveeta, still nodding, crossed her arms and rested them on her belly. “Lawzee be.”

Mama always said . . . When fear knocks at the door and you answer, there will be no one there.

C
aledonia slid into one of the booths that ran along the front windows of Slick & Junebug’s Diner. Junebug was on a ladder putting up Christmas decorations but heard Slick’s whistle. She followed his head nod to Caledonia and hurried down the ladder and to her table, slid into the booth, and took the woman’s hands in hers.

“Morning, hon. How in the world are you? I heard all about what happened last night. You poor thing. The whole town’s talking about it.”

“Believe it or not, I’m okay, Jitterbug. Thanks for asking,” Caledonia said wearily.

“I’m not sure I believe you, but aren’t you brave to be out in public again.” She made a statement instead of asking a question. “Folks say someone’s got it in for you.”

“Oh, don’t listen to that rubbish. But I do have a police escort just in case.” Caledonia indicated Hank Beanblossom at the counter. “He’s been with us since last night. Won’t even think about letting someone else take a shift.”

Junebug leaned forward. “Aren’t you scared out of your wits?”

“Sometimes, but it’s getting better. I thought about having my appointment at my house, but I’m afraid if I stay home, I might turn into a recluse. I’m not going to allow myself to give in to fear. Whenever I get nervous or worried or panicky, I just tell myself to think about it tomorrow.”

“Bless your heart, Scarlett. You’ve been through hell in gasoline pants lately.” Junebug crossed one arm over her middle and brought her other hand up to her cheek. “Mm, mm, mm,” the woman tsked. “Listen, hon, sorry to keep you waiting. I thought Willa Jean was on duty. Prolly on a smoke break or something. I keep hounding her to quit, but it’s like I’m talking to deaf ears.”

“No problem. I see you’re still putting up decorations.”

“My motto is you can never have too much Christmas. You eating all by your lonesome?”

“No, actually, I’m meeting someone from the state bar association. He’s coming all the way from Nashville to talk to me.”

“The state bar? Well ain’t you highfalutin?” Both women laughed. “You wanna order anything before he gets here?”

“I’d love some cherry pie and a sweet tea.”

“You got it. Life’s short; eat dessert first, right?” Then she quickly added, “Not that you have to worry about that. Doggonit, why do I always put my foot in my mouth?” Junebug went off muttering to herself.

Caledonia fished in her purse for a coin, got up, and went to the jukebox. She examined the choices, and when she found the right one, a smile grew across her face. The quarter went in, and she hit number fifty-eight. “If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong, Do It Right” began playing. There were only a few other people in the diner. One man, a stranger to her, was sitting in the booth behind her own. He kind of smirked, and she shrugged her shoulders and slid back into her seat. The diner was quiet without Clive and Earl.

Her right leg was crossed over her knee and her left foot was bobbing up and down to the music when a short, blond, and handsome man walked up to her table.

“Well, hello,” Caledonia said before she could stop herself.

“Caledonia Culpepper?” short, blond, and handsome asked.

“None other.” Her smile was radiant, his was sexy, and she noted his white teeth.

“I’m Virgil Pepper.” He stuck out his hand, and she studied him as she shook it. “Something wrong?” he asked.

“Hmm? Oh, no, sorry. It’s just ever since I heard your name, I’ve been debating your nickname.”

“My nickname?” He slid in across from her.

“Yes. See, I have one for everybody.” She waved into the air. “It’s just my way. But I needed to meet you before I could properly decide on yours.”

“And?”

She cast a rascally grin at him. “I still don’t know whether to call you sergeant or doctor.”

“Well, my grandfather used to say ‘You can call me anything, just don’t call me late for dinner.’”

Her mouth flew open. “You’re kidding. Mine used to say the same thing.” She played with the necklace at her throat and turned serious. “Thank you for coming all this way, Doctor.”

“I’m not a—” his face showed comprehension. “Oh, the nickname. Gotcha.” He made his finger resemble a pistol and pointed and fired it at her. “I disappointed my parents when I went to law school instead of med school.”

Junebug appeared at the table and set down muffins, butter, and Caledonia’s sweet tea. She indicated the man’s pistol finger with a nod of her head. “I’ll not have any murderous activity in my diner.”

Caledonia spoke up. “Jitterbug, this here is Virgil Pepper.” The women exchanged looks. “Now, do you think he’s more like a sergeant or a doctor?”

Junebug studied him for a moment. “I’d go with Doctor Pepper.” She glanced over her shoulder, then out of the side of her mouth said to Caledonia, “Actually, I’d go anywhere with him, no matter what you call him. You know what I mean?”

“Simmer down, Jitterbug. The man’s here on business.”

“Oh all right.” She turned to Virgil, saying, “WhatcanIgitcha?” so fast, she made the sentence sound like one word.

He tugged on his ear while he thought for a moment. “I’ll just have coffee with cream, please.”

Junebug’s hands went to her hips, and she looked at Caledonia. “Now see, Callie, here’s
my
dilemma. I have my choice of ways to ask for coffee with cream. I could say, ‘Give me a dirty water and make it moo,’ or ‘Gimme a blond.’ Or I can just order coffee and get the cream myself by saying I need a ‘bellywarmer’ or ‘cup of mud,’ or “draw one in the dark.’ Which one are you partial to, hon?” She addressed Virgil Pepper.

“Let’s go with a cup of mud. I can add the cream myself.”

She gave him the thumbs up. “That is what I will do. Y’all want anything else?”

Virgil glanced at his phone that set on the table to his right. “No, coffee will do it.”

Her shoulders sagged, but she said brightly, “You change your mind, just let me know.”

Caledonia turned her iced tea glass in a circle on the table. “Well, like I said, thank you for coming all this way.”

“My pleasure. Now tell me why I’m here.” His elbows rested on the table, and when he steepled his fingers, the tops covered his bottom lip.

“In a nutshell, we have a corrupt, unscrupulous, wicked, and shameless attorney who must be stopped.”

“That’s quite a nutshell. Go on.” He nodded for her to continue.

“I have seven women so far, and possibly more, who will testify that Dee Dee Petty told them one thing and then sold them right down the river. We believe she’s in collusion with at least a judge, possibly another attorney, but I don’t want to go throwing stones. I just want all of the wrongs righted. And I want her to stop practicing law and ruining people’s lives.”

“Wait a minute. Start from the beginning. Tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out.”

Caledonia told him the whole story, even telling him about the computer hacking but not divulging who was responsible. Finally, she pushed the two-inch thick file folder that Jack had prepared toward the man.