“We need to go, Trixie. It’s time to meet Jill.” Dee Dee pointed to her pink watch.

“Doc, we’re meeting my daughter for lunch, but if you think of anything else please let us know.”

“I will. But please, please be careful.” Famous last words.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

I’m starved. Where is this Papa’s Pizza?” Dee Dee scanned the roadside, hands on the wheel.

“It’s on the next corner. I hope you can locate a parking place close to the door. If not, then let me out front.” We weren’t successful finding a space close enough, so Dee Dee dropped me off and left to park the car. I was anxious to see Jill.

She ran up and rewarded me with a big hug, and I hugged her tightly.

She stepped back and inspected me from head to toe. “How are you feeling? You’re using your cane again.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m scheduled to visit the surgeon when I get home.” My goodness, she looked great. Her presence was the best medicine I could receive.

When her father and I divorced, I worried how the separation would affect Jill. My fear she’d choose sides, was unwarranted. She’s been supportive of me and I’ve tried to be supportive of her when she wanted to talk about Wade. After all, he’s still her dad.

“Come on over and sit down. I want to show you my surprise.” I couldn’t wait to see what she’d brought. A guy? What in the world was she doing with a guy? Well, never mind, I know what she was doing with him, but she never mentioned her surprise was a date.

“Mama, this is Paul. Paul this is my mother.” Standing, he towered over me by at least six inches. We shook hands. He pulled the chair out for me to sit down. No wonder she couldn’t wait for me to meet him. I winked at Jill. Her face turned a pretty shade of pink and her smile widened.

“Where are Nana and Dee Dee?”

“Nana sends her love. She’s sitting with her friend Dora today. And Dee Dee’s parking the car.” Just then she walked in, and I gave her a big wave. “Over here, Dee Dee.”

We repeated introductions and I could see Dee Dee was enamored with Paul, too. We ordered pizza all the way around and pigged out until we couldn’t hold any more. I updated Jill on my article, but failed to mention anything about our part in investigating the murder. I didn’t want her to worry.

“Mama, it’s been so good to see you. But, we have to return to Athens today, so we need to be on our way.” She reached over and laid her hand on Paul’s. I could tell this was serious. I hoped she’d fill in the details later. They stood up to go, Paul grabbed the check, insisting on paying for the meal. “Let the cops do their job, this time, Mama.” Jill gave me a hug, and then Dee Dee. “Dee Dee, watch after her.” How ironic. Dee Dee was usually the one who got me into trouble in the first place.

“I promise to be careful if you do as well, honey, those roads can be—“

“Mama. I love you!”

We walked them to the door. Saying goodbye was bittersweet. I waited on Dee Dee to retrieve the car. When she returned, I attempted to get in as fast as I could, but it wasn’t easy with a swollen knee. An impatient person blew their horn. Dee Dee, decked out in her pink Keds, got out and stomped back to the car. The woman in the little red Mini Cooper shrunk down in her seat. Dee Dee went up to her window and said something to her. The lady nodded her head yes. Dee Dee climbed back in the Jeep.

“What was that all about?” I really didn’t need to ask. I knew full well she probably gave the poor woman a lesson on disabilities.

“Oh, she needed a little educating.” She put the car in gear and pulled off, followed by the Mini Cooper.

“You ready to go to Dora’s and rest?”

“Yes. But there’s one more place I need to go. I want to take some pictures of the Marietta National Cemetery for my article. It’s located on Washington Avenue, the road that leads into town.” All articles for the magazine required accompanying photographs. I’d neglected my research, so it was imperative to concentrate on my journalism for a bit. This would be a great opportunity to accomplish some work.

“Hang on. Here we go!” Dee Dee sped down the road out of town and toward the historic cemetery. We arrived in a matter of minutes. “Wow, look at that archway. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“From what I’ve read, it’s one of five archways that lead into a National Cemetery.” I glanced in my side mirror. Someone in a red oversized truck pulled in behind us. “Dee Dee, there’s a truck behind us. Let’s park away from it so I don’t get it in my pictures.”

“I would, but he’s following us. Every time I make a turn, he turns, too.”

“Pull over here and maybe he’ll go around us.” I turned around to see if he was going to pass. Instead the passenger jumped out wearing a ski mask. In this weather?

“Get out!” He shouted. His hand was in his pocket as if he had a gun pointed at us, so we obliged. “Hurry up and give me that book.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dee Dee said. “What book?”

He gestured wildly with his pocket. “Yeah you do. The book you bought downtown.”

A truck rumbled by on the road, but trees blocked the driver’s view of us, hands in the air.

“I know you have that book written by the union soldier. And you’d better hand it over quick. I don’t have time for your shenanigans.”

“Oh, I think I know what book you’re talking about now. It’s in my purse.” Dee Dee walked back toward the Jeep.

“Don’t do anything funny. I’ve got you covered.” He followed Dee Dee as close as he could while she reached in and retrieved her purse. He grabbed it from her and rummaged through the contents. “Good grief, lady. What do you have in this suitcase?”

“Don’t ruin it. It’s one of my favorites, and it matches my shoes.” Only Dee Dee could worry about her bag while being held up.

He raised the book and declared, “I knew it.” He threw the purse at Dee Dee’s feet. “Do not follow us or you’ll be sorry.” More pocket brandishing, and he turned and ran. He hopped in and they sped away. I memorized the first three letters on the license plate before the truck sped past the arch.

“What in the world was that all about, Trixie. It’s just an old book. Why would they want it?”

“Do you think it has something to do with that diary, do you suppose they thought we had a copy?”

“Well, we’re going downtown right now and telling Detective Bowerman what happened. This hit too close to home. All of these events can’t be coincidental. They have to be connected to the murder investigation.” This is one time I couldn’t agree more with Dee Dee.

“Come on. I can take pictures later.” I was concerned Dee Dee would have a heart attack before we arrived. Not from fear, but from anger. She was so mad someone stole her book and her dignity in the process.

A young lady sat soldier straight behind the front desk of the police station. She wore a crisp uniform, her hair pulled back in a bun. “May I help you?”

“Yes,” Dee Dee said. “We’ve been robbed.”

“Really?” She reached for a tablet to take notes. “What did they steal?”

Straight-faced Dee Dee said, “a book.”

“Oh.” The officer didn’t appear to be as interested when she found out it was a book. I think I saw a smirk on her lips. “Have a seat.” She pointed to a row of dirty, orange seats lined against the wall.

“Yuck! I don’t want to sit in those,” Dee Dee whispered.

“Me neither, no telling what we might catch. They look like they’re covered in cooties.”

I turned back to the officer. “Would you please inform Detective Bowerman we’re waiting? This might concern a case he’s working on.”

She looked at us like, ‘yeah sure.’ “What are your names?”

“Just tell him Trixie Montgomery and Dee Dee Lamont need to see him as soon as possible.”