Line Dancing Can Be Murder (2 page)

Although Jackie sounded like a bitch when she wondered out loud how long the man could possibly last, deep down inside she wasn’t a bad person. She’d treated Milton kindly from day one. In return, he’d married her and was leaving everything to her: his lifetime accumulation of wealth, the mansion, expensive jewelry, and ten vehicles. His first wife had passed away twenty-five years ago and they’d had no children.

Luckily for Jackie, Milton’s lawyers had made the changes to his will before dementia completely stole his mind. So far, no secret heirs or extended family members had crept out of the cracks to challenge her or the will. Even if someone disputed the will after Milton’s death, no one would have a leg to stand on, she says. She is, after all, his legal wife, and entitled to his inheritance.

Not so long ago, I asked her if she regretted marrying him. To some, the question may have seemed ridiculous. At the time, we were sitting in one of the twenty magnificent rooms of her mansion and sipped tea that was served by a woman in a maid’s uniform who’d been several years behind us in school.

“What regrets would I have?” she’d asked, looking genuinely confused.

I slipped another finger sandwich off the tray in front of me and took a bite. “Well, you’re a vibrant woman who has always had an active sex life.” I rarely minced words. Despite being one of my best friends, Jackie earned a reputation in high school for being an easy girl, and it had stayed with her through the years.

She married the first time shortly after we graduated. Turned out, Tim couldn’t wait to get married just so he could demand intercourse whenever he wanted.
Dog
. Although Jackie was quick to admit she liked sex, being forced was another thing altogether. The straw that broke that camel’s back a year into the marriage was that he suggested a threesome with a girl he’d met at the local bar.
Pig
. She’d kicked him out and then discovered she was pregnant.

All three men Jackie was married to before Milton had known how to please a woman in bed, she used to brag. Unfortunately, they’d each left her with a child, a pile of unpaid bills, broken dreams, and low self-esteem. In one case, all she got out of the union was a black eye and a broken pinkie finger.
Pig-dogs
.

I suppose that’s why she felt entitled to Milton’s fortune. She thought she’d gone through enough hell in one lifetime and deserved to live the rest of her years in luxury and comfort.

“Don’t you miss having sex?” I asked that day, clarifying my question. “You’ve been married ten months, but I can’t imagine…” I couldn’t finish the sentence because I literally couldn’t imagine.

Her answer surprised me, although I’m not sure why, knowing Jackie.

“I don’t miss sex,” she’d said, lighting a slim cigarette that was stuck in a sleek black holder like movie stars used in the fifties. “Do you know Chris Stevens?”

I thought a moment and recalled a kid by that name who had been a freshman when we were seniors. I remembered he’d been a good athlete and had made the varsity football team that year. “Doesn’t he work as a carpenter around town?”

She nodded and ran her tongue over her lip. “Yes, he does. And let me tell you, that guy can hammer until the cows come home, if you catch my drift.”

I did catch it and groaned at her stupid joke.

Physically shuddering, Jackie smiled, apparently recollecting more of her exploits with Chris. “Teresa, you wouldn’t believe the things that man can do with his
tools
.” It really hadn’t been necessary for her to emphasize the word. I understood. “I’m telling you,” she continued, “your life would change if you were to get nailed by a man like that.
Change
,” she stressed again.

Rolling my eyes, I stood up and said it was time for me to go. My life was fine, thank you, and no change to it was required. Although I never spoke of Phil, I was pretty sure Jackie knew about him and me, but I guess she didn’t consider him any match for Chris Stevens when it came to physical prowess.

I’m far from a prude, but her husband was upstairs crippled, breathing and peeing through tubes. If Milton was going to hand over to her what he’d worked a lifetime to achieve, I felt she should at least wait until he’d kicked the bucket before finding another dog to breed with. Her lack of commitment to her marriage vows ticked me off.

Thank goodness she’d had her tubes tied years ago and was no longer of the age where she could procreate with Chris, or whomever else found their way into her bed. The three children she has barely speak to her. I reminded her that without Milton, she’d still be living in the trailer park. In my mind,
she
owed
him
. And I told her so before striding through the big front door and slamming it hard behind me.

Our little dispute didn’t last long. Although I didn’t agree with what she was doing, it wasn’t my business, and Jackie always has a way of drawing you back to her, like a bee to its hive.

We stopped to window shop at one of the hotel’s boutiques.

“That beaded purse is three hundred and fifty dollars!” Kim squawked. “It’s so pretty, but Eddie would kill me if I spent that kind of money on a purse. He thinks Walmart has the best prices, and people are stupid for paying more for anything somewhere else.”

“Who cares what Eddie thinks,” Annette said. “You’re not even married to the man. You own your own beauty shop. Can’t you spend your money the way you want?”

Kim’s head snapped around. “At least Eddie’s at home every night.”

I could see the comment stung Annette. Her lips twisted into what my mother would have called an ugly mouth. I eased Kim away from the boutique window and a possible punch in the arm from Annette. “Look! It’s Elvis!” I exclaimed.

We all strolled by a large statue of Elvis Presley playing a guitar and then rounded the corner and saw the sign:
NATIONAL PARKS WONDERS TOUR CHECK-IN
. When we entered a small banquet room, it looked like we were the last to arrive. A swarm of people (nearly all were elderly, I noticed immediately) greeted each other shaking hands and introducing themselves. A bald black man with a friendly smile sat behind a table. As we gave him our names, he marked them off a list and handed each of us a nametag.

“Welcome to the National Parks Wonders Tour, ladies. I’m Wayne, and I’ll be your bus driver for the trip. Please wear these nametags at least for the first few days, until everyone gets to know each other.” He directed our attention to a table laden with soft drinks and cookies. “Help yourselves to refreshments and mingle with your fellow travelers. In a few minutes, your tour director will give a short introduction.”

We were so excited to be in Las Vegas and to start this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Fortunately, the tension between Annette and Kim from moments before disappeared, and all of us tittered like children.

“I think everyone in this room is over sixty-five,” Annette whispered, as we gazed around.

Kim elbowed Jackie in the rib. “Maybe you’ll meet your next husband here.”

“Very funny,” Jackie deadpanned.

“We’re the spring chickens in the group.” I noticed two old men across the room waving their hands off. One raised his plastic glass in the air. Both started sauntering toward us.

“Oh, no. Here come Romeo and Casanova,” Donna chuckled.

The gentlemen said hello. The one wearing a plaid golf cap was clearly extroverted while the other seemed pretty shy. He wore a Cincinnati Reds baseball cap. They were both in short-sleeved button-up shirts. Jackie, Crystal, Kim and Annette quickly deserted Donna and I, leaving us trapped in a corner by the two septuagenarians.

It wasn’t but a few minutes before Wayne pleasantly called the room to order. “Now that everyone is here and checked in, it’s time to introduce you to your tour director. Keith, come on out.”

A man, whom I now know had been thirty-four at the time, stepped from behind a curtain like a movie star making an entrance. Audible gasps emanated from the women in the room. With a head of blond hair and blue eyes that twinkled (yes, they actually twinkled), a granite jaw, and the body of Adonis, the guy was drop dead gorgeous. Once he opened his mouth, his charm and personality shone immediately. It was obvious he was born for this job. With a bright and confident smile, I deduced, if he hadn’t been a tour bus guide, he would have made a great snake oil salesman.

When he locked eyes with me, the hairs on my arms prickled, and a chill ran through my body. I’d never had a psychic experience before, but the strangest feeling washed over me, as if I could foretell the way things would turn out for him. And, for me.

“Good afternoon, everyone! I’m Keith Creswell. We’re going to be spending the next nine days together, and I guarantee, they’re going to be nine of the best days and nights of your life.” His gaze finally snapped away from me, and he winked at one of the blue-haired ladies.

Everyone clapped and nodded. A few of the women giggled, including Crystal. I glanced at plaid golf cap man. He didn’t look pleased. It was my guess he hoped to find his Ms. Right or Ms. Right for Tonight on this trip. How did he stand a chance if Keith, the Greek God, got all the attention?

I held in a chuckle. Despite the weird sensation moments earlier, I felt as happy as a child on Christmas morning. I so looked forward to a vacation with my friends. But my smile turned upside down when I looked at Jackie and saw her staring at Keith and licking her lips.

CHAPTER THREE

Donna

“Enjoy the rest of your day and evening at your leisure,” Keith said, finishing his short speech. “Tomorrow morning, breakfast is at the Paradise Café here in the hotel. Bring your luggage to the side entrance anytime after six-thirty. The bus will be in the parking lot. Wayne and I will load and unload your bags every day. Boarding tomorrow starts at seven-thirty and we leave at eight o’clock sharp, so don’t be late. Everybody clear?”

“Clear!” the group shouted.

“All right.” A hundred-watt grin filled Keith’s handsome face. He squeezed the hand of another older woman traveler. “See you all in the morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.” He waved as if he were a prince acknowledging his throngs of admirers and disappeared back behind the curtain like one of the magic acts Vegas was known for.

That moment has stuck in my mind ever since. Certainly, I wish things had turned out differently, but what’s done is done. Keith had no clue that his freewheeling life would be over in eight short days. And I had no idea I’d be the one to end it.

“Forget Elvis,” Crystal said. “There goes a real hunka hunka burnin’ love.”

Jackie rolled her eyes. “Really, Crystal, stop drooling.”

“I noticed you staring pretty hard,” Crystal shot back. “I’m single. I’m allowed. You’re not.”

Understanding Crystal’s sensitivity when it came to infidelity, I wanted to change the subject fast before a catfight started. I suggested we choose roommates, check into our rooms, and then decide our plans for the rest of the day.

“I’ll room with anyone but Jackie,” Crystal said, not looking at her.

“I don’t mind bunking with you, girlfriend.” Kim bumped hips with Jackie.

Donna looked at me. “Do you want to be my roomie?”

She and I had always been good friends growing up, but we’d become even closer during her husband’s illness. From the moment Chad was diagnosed with lung cancer, I’d been there for her as much as possible. The others had done what they could, but I’d had a lot of vacation time saved up that allowed me to help when they couldn’t.

When Donna couldn’t get off work, I drove Chad to his treatments. I regularly cleaned the house for her, did her grocery shopping, and made meals. Stress and depression had caused her to become mentally and physically exhausted. I was an ear for her when she vented over how unfair life was. Chad had never smoked, which we all thought was a terrible travesty. When he died after a short battle, I was Donna’s shoulder to cry on.

I chuckled and linked my arm through hers. “We can room together if you promise not to snore.”

“Promise. I brought nasal strips with me.”

“That leaves Annette and Crystal as a pair.” They smiled at each other, satisfied. “Let’s get settled into our rooms and then meet back in the lobby in thirty minutes. Sound good?”

They all agreed.

While I was oohing and ahhing over our pretty room, I noticed Donna seemed a little down. “Tired?” I asked.

She shook her head of chestnut brown corkscrew curls and sunk onto the edge of one of the two beds.

I sat next to her believing I knew what the problem was. “Are you thinking about Chad and wishing he was here with you?”

She smiled but looked on the verge of tears. “He never liked to travel, as you know. He was a home body.”

Chad had always been that way. He and I had grown up next door to each other, and his family had never taken a vacation in their lives, as far as I knew. His lack of interest in traveling must have come natural. “Then what is it, Donna?” I was sensitive to her emotions, but dang it, we were supposed to have left our troubles at home and be enjoying the vacation of a lifetime.

“I told you all I had a little nest egg. And I did,” she added quickly. “But I spent most of it to come on this trip. When Chad got sick and had to quit working, we got behind in some of our bills. Our savings was wiped out. We were barely making ends meet, so we cashed in our life insurance policies. I would have lost the house if we hadn’t. It was irresponsible of me to take this trip, because now I don’t have much cushion left. I should have saved the bit I had for a rainy day. But I didn’t want to let all of you down, and I wanted to come with you so badly.”

I patted her hand. “You’ve never let anyone down, Donna. But I wish you’d told us. We’re always here for each other. As for this trip, I could have loaned you the money. We wouldn’t have come without you.”

She nodded. “You girls have done so much for me already, but especially you. I couldn’t ask you then or now for loans that I might never be able to pay back.”

“You could have asked Jackie,” I teased. “She’s married to a man richer than God.” That was our go-to line when any of us stressed about money.