Oven Baked Secrets (Eugeena Patterson Mysteries Book 2) (12 page)

I was reminded of Aunt Esther and Cora’s home when we walked into the Manning house. The furniture wasn’t old or shabby, or modern, but well cared for over the years. While the sisters didn’t continue a public memorial, the seventeen years August Manning had lived were memorialized in many places in the living room. The same photo that Aunt Esther gave me hung larger than life above a fireplace.

I followed Jocelyn through the living room to where three women sat at a dining room table. They were laughing and enjoying what appeared to be a coffee cake. The women stopped talking and looked towards us. It was my first time seeing August’s sisters.  I could tell both were very pretty women when they were younger. Both in their seventies, they were very beautiful, sharing the same rich dark chocolate complexion as their deceased younger brother. Their large brown eyes and smile were warm and kind. I looked from them to the woman I really wanted to see up close.

Clarice Miller looked even more like Louise today. Her eyebrow was raised in that same way Louise’s eyebrow would arch when she inquisitive. I also noticed how blue Clarice’s eyes looked against her honey-colored skin. Her hair flowed down her back reminding me a bit of the actress Vanessa Williams. She was Louise’s daughter with no doubts.

Jocelyn cleared her throat. “Mom, Aunt Ruth and Thelma, this is Ms. Eugeena. She’s the lady I told you about. Her aunt was one of grandfather’s teachers.”

I wasn’t sure what angle Jocelyn wanted to go with after that introduction, but I stepped forward and stretched out my hand to both sisters. “It’s so nice to meet all of you.”

Ruth didn’t stand, but I gathered from the walking cane that leaned against the table, she had some difficulty. She looked over at me over glasses that sat perched on her nose. Her smile was kind. “Who was your aunt? If she taught August, we probably had her as a teacher too.”

I answered, “Esther Gibson.”

Thelma clapped her hands together, “I remember Ms. Gibson. She was one of August’s favorite teachers.”

Ruth looked at her sister. “Ours too. I think we both became teachers because of Ms. Gibson.”

I smiled. “That’s good to know Aunt Esther had that kind of influence. I just retired after thirty years as a social studies teacher, and I must say she inspired me too.”

I glanced at Clarice who was looking at me with interest and giving her daughter questioning looks. Jocelyn was looking everywhere except her mother’s face. This was going to be an awkward conversation and I wondered how I could get some of my questions answered with Clarice present.

Thelma stood. “Let me get some more coffee made for us. Have a seat, Eugeena.”

“Thank you.” I pulled out the dining room chair noticing the set was the kind of furniture you don’t find anymore. The chair was sturdy and beautifully assembled cherry wood.  I sat down next to Jocelyn who seemed to being avoiding her mother’s stare by staring at the center of the table.

I smiled at Clarice. “What do you do? Are you a teacher too?”

Clarice looked at me. “No, I probably have the most boring job of us all. I’m an accountant.”

“That’s pretty important.” I thought to myself Clarice was a woman of details. She probably didn’t miss much. I did want to know what happened to make her so angry with Jocelyn, and why she wouldn’t try to touch base with Louise again.

Thelma stepped back into the dining room with a pot that was steaming. “Here is some fresh coffee. There are some plates there if you want to help yourself to the coffee cake.”

I answered, “Oh I better not. I have diabetes and it’s been a struggle trying to stay away from sweets.”

Ruth and Thelma looked at each other and giggled. Ruth reached over and patted my hand.  ”Honey, you can eat this cake. We know all about diabetes since both of us are diabetics. We used Splenda with this recipe.”

“Oh, well, then I would love to try a piece.” I reached for the knife and cut off some cake placing it on a paper plate. When I brought the fork to my mouth, I savored the flavor. “Mmm, this is so good. I’m going to have to get this recipe.”

Thelma shook her head, “Glad you like it. Now what did you want to ask us about August?”

The room which was full of energy before seemed to have changed. I swallowed the last piece of cake in my mouth and looked over at Jocelyn. “Well, I was really interested in how August passed. It appears like no one has ever solved his case?”

Ruth shook her head, “No, they haven’t and we are content in our spirits that we will probably never see justice.”

I asked, “Why is that?”

Thelma shook her head. “People were afraid to tell the truth back then and now it’s just been too long for anyone but us to care.”

Out of curiosity I inquired, “Do you have any idea who was responsible?”

Thelma looked over at Ruth. The sisters seemed to talk intimately with their eyes. Thelma finally responded, “We talked to the police and told them the names of the boys we suspected.”

“Aunt Esther mentioned Bill Hopkins and Chuck Nelson. Sounds like others in the community suspected this too. I’m having a hard time about Bill Hopkins.”

“Why is that?” Clarice who had been silent finally spoke. Her voice was sharp and piercing.

I glanced over at Jocelyn who stared at her mother as if to quietly tell her to calm down.

It was probably time to let Clarice know why I was really here. I leaned forward. “Bill Hopkins was my neighbor for many years. I’m good friends with his wife.”

Clarice’s mouth opened, but no words came out.  She seemed shaken. “What is this, Jocelyn? What’s going on?”

Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Mom, I came to talk Aunt Ruth and Thelma.  I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

Clarice stood from the table, “So you’re talking to people who know Louise Hopkins behind my back.”

I frowned. “Louise and Bill were good people.”

Clarice leaned forward on the table with her arms as if to steady herself. “Louise married the man who could have been responsible for dad’s death.”

“From what I’ve heard, Chuck Nelson was more in love with Louise. Bill may not have had anything to do with August’s death.”

Thelma reached over to touch Clarice’s hand. “Clarice, please sit down. There’s no need to be upset.”

Clarice sank into the chair as if some force pushed her down.

Thelma continued, “That’s true. Chuck grew up with Louise. In fact, Thelma and I have always suspected it was Chuck who went after August. It wasn’t the first time he threatened him or tried to fight with August. He had an ugly temper.”

Thelma chimed in, “Though Bill seemed to follow what Chuck said, he wasn’t around that day. We think he probably suspected what Chuck did and didn’t come forward.”

Clarice spat, “That made him an accomplice.”

Jocelyn slapped the table. “Then everyone who knew what Chuck did was an accomplice. It sounds to me like the police knew, but they didn’t move forward because the Nelsons had power here.”

Ruth and Thelma both nodded in agreement with Jocelyn.

I hadn’t realized the family who owned the car dealership had more stakes in Charleston. “Clarice, would you mind if I asked what happened the day you tried to see Louise?”

Clarice looked at Jocelyn. “Why are you telling strangers my business?”

Jocelyn snapped back. “It’s not just your business. Louise Hopkins is my grandmother. I’m an adult. The same way you chose to have a relationship with Aunt Ruth and Thelma, I can reach out and find out more about her if I want to.”

Ruth held up her hands. “Calm down, both of you. There’s no need to have this type of anger. Clarice, when you went to see Louise you were angry that day.”

Clarice looked in the other direction.

I suspected she was near tears as I saw Jocelyn wipe away wetness from her own face. I felt helpless, but drawn to this family drama playing out. Secrets had devastated these women, but I really admired the Manning sisters. In all these years, they harbored no bitterness and didn’t want that to infect the next generations.

Clarice turned around and spoke. She looked directly at me as though she wanted to break down any perceptions I may have had about Bill. “Mr. Hopkins answered the door that day I came. I already knew who he was from talking to Ruth and Thelma. I had these thoughts of how could he and Louise be married if he had something to do with my father’s death. After he opened the door, he just looked at me. He finally asked who I was and I just told him my name was Clarice Miller and I wanted to meet Louise. He told me that it wasn’t a good time and that it would be too painful for her. He thought I would bring back the past and all those memories.”

Ruth added, “The day that Clarice went to see Louise, it was the anniversary of August’s death.” Ruth looked over at Clarice. “I told Clarice when she returned that Louise really did love August. I felt like he was her first love and she probably was grieving him, not knowing that Bill was keeping her child from her.”

I sighed, thinking about what Bill did. I commented, “Bill was very protective of Louise. He sheltered her from her own son, William, and all his craziness when he could.  Bill probably died a year or two after you came to see Louise that first time. Why didn’t you try again? I believe she would have loved to have met you.”

Clarice stared at me. “You know her that well. Did you even know I existed before my daughter showed up?”

Clarice had a point. Even though Louise didn’t share her secret with me, I knew some things about her that the women in this room didn’t. “Here’s what I know. Louise had a child she miscarried in her first marriage. It was a boy. She married Bill later and she had a boy. I know when I had my daughter, Louise talked at length about always wanting a daughter and she so wanted grandchildren. Those are the things I know about Louise.”

Clarice wouldn’t look at me.

I continued, “She just lost her son. It would be lovely for her if she could have that chance to be a part of your life and your family. I saw it in her eyes. August is still close in her mind all these years later.”

Clarice stood. “I can’t. I just can’t. Because she never searched for me.”

Ruth spoke up. “That’s not true. She did want to find you. Years ago she came to see us.”

Thelma nodded. “She sat right here at this table and told us how she missed August. She never forgot about the child she gave up. That’s why when we met you, we sent you to see her.”

Clarice looked torn. “I have to go. It was good to meet you, Ms. Eugeena.”

My heart sank in despair as I watched Clarice leave. I was hoping that Clarice would say she would be in touch or she would at least consider reaching out to Louise.

The first thing I noticed when Jocelyn dropped me off at my house was Amos was back. His truck was parked out front. Now, of course, I would never admit to missing him, but after being around Jocelyn, her aunts and Clarice, I needed a breath of fresh air.

Jocelyn turned and parked her car in my driveway. There wasn’t much I could say. I felt for Jocelyn who I sensed wanted peace with her mother. I looked at Jocelyn, “Your mother will eventually come around. We will pray her desire to be connected to her biological mother will grow.”

“I’m hoping she sees we need family. I’m glad we’re connected to my grandfather’s side of the family, but I want us to be connected to our grandmother too. It seems to me like we all need each other.”

I thought at that moment that Jocelyn with her struggles and quirky clothes was a very wise woman. I didn’t know her well, but felt proud of her. I patted Jocelyn on the hand. “We will keep in touch. I will work on getting us a meeting with Louise.”

“Thank you, Ms. Eugeena.”

When I stepped out of the car, I had an urge to walk over to Amos’ house, but thought I would wait. I still wondered what he had been up to this past weekend.

I said to myself out loud, “Eugeena, you really need to mind your business.” I started laughing before I reached my porch steps. “Yeah right.” By the time I opened the door, I figured I would check on Porgy and let him walk out in the backyard and then stroll next door.

Porgy ran around the yard taking time to sniff everything in sight while I stood on the patio. I looked over to Louise’s house thinking of the times we would talk across the fence.  A conversation from the past made me smile. I was outside with Leesa who was around two years old and was running as fast as her little legs would carry her over the grass. Louise was looking over the fence and laughing, tears of joy illuminated her blue eyes. She had said, “Eugeena, you are so blessed to have a girl. I imagine girls are fun.”

Yes, girls could be fun and also a lot of work
.

After I finally rounded Porgy back inside, the doorbell rang.
Who could that be?

I opened the door and couldn’t help but smile.  ”Well, someone must have missed me.”

Amos grinned. “It’s good to see you, Eugeena.”

“You’ve been busy.”

“I have been very productive.”

“I certainly would like to hear more.”

“How about we talk over dinner?”

I opened my mouth and closed it. Now I have cooked many meals for Amos and on rare occasions he has cooked on the grill or fried fish for us, but this invitation sounded a bit different.

Amos ignored my speechlessness, probably grateful that I wasn’t running my mouth. “Someone told me you have a birthday coming up this Wednesday. I know your family would be around so I’d like to take you out for a birthday dinner tonight. If that’s okay with you?”

“Oh.” I held my hand to my chest. “That’s quite nice of you, but…”

“I have lots to tell you. I can guarantee you will be interested.”

Well how can a girl say no to that?
“Okay, what time do you want to go to dinner?”

“I will come back around six o’clock.”

“Sounds good.” After I closed the door, I looked at the clock, noticing it was four o’clock now.
Is this considered a date?
Regardless, I had two hours to figure out what to wear.

Porgy watched me as I banged open my closet door and spent the next thirty minutes pulling out twenty pieces of clothing. I felt like I’d regressed in age. Who was this giddy teenage acting woman, because I certainly didn’t recognize her?  I finally settled on a comfortable, but very elegant purple sweater dress. It was a classic and had been hidden in the closet for some time. I used to not like to wear it because it showed off my rolls. I know they have spandex for hiding those areas of the body, but if I was going out for a special dinner with Amos, I at least wanted to enjoy my food.

After showering and getting dressed, I wasted more time until I found the right earrings. It took me a whole fifteen minutes to decide between the pearl studs and the gold hoops. Hoops won. I thought the earrings sparkled rather nicely next to my cropped gray hair. Plus, like the dress, I hadn’t worn them in a few years.

I had one last thing to decide on. I really wasn’t a makeup girl, although I tried to add a little lipstick on Sundays. I rarely went anywhere that called for makeup so I didn’t see the need.

Of course tonight was different. I whipped out a little mascara and then added the lipstick.

I put my hands on my hip. “Eugeena, girl, you not looking too bad at all for almost sixty. People are going to be saying sixty what?”

The doorbell rang taking me out of my rare diva moment. I peered at the clock. It was five minutes to six o’clock. Well, someone was a bit early.

I opened the door to find a bouquet of flowers above legs and feet. I inquired, “Amos?”

Amos peeked around the flowers. Now I was used to either seeing Amos in overalls during the week or a suit on Sunday, but he was wearing a pair of nice khaki slacks and an olive green sweater. Very Heathcliff Huxtable, but I liked.

He stared at me in a way that made me want to rethink my outfit. I wasn’t sure if he liked it, but he appeared surprised.

I asked, “Is this outfit okay for where we’re going?”

He showed off all his pearly whites. “Perfect.” He extended his arms towards me. “These are your birthday flowers.”

“Oh my. Well I need to put these in water before we head out.” I was glad I hadn’t put my heels on yet or I would have toppled over trying to balance the huge bouquet. I can’t say I have ever seen an arrangement quite so colorful.

I walked into the kitchen and placed the flowers on the table and then reached under the cabinet to find a vase. When I stood up, I was very aware that Amos must have walked in behind me. Feeling self-conscious I filled water in the vase and then walked over to the table. I smiled as I arranged the flowers in the vase. “These are really nice.”

“Well, I hope you like where I made reservations for us tonight too.”

“Reservations?” Amos went all out. I couldn’t wipe the silly grin off my face if I tried.  “Let’s go. I just need to put my shoes on.”

I stopped and grabbed my heels, thankful that they were a reasonable height.

After I locked the front door, I noticed Amos had opened the car’s passenger door. This was certainly not the first time I’d rode in his car, but it felt like the first time of something.

We were quiet as Amos drove. I was really curious what restaurant Amos chose. I could see we were heading towards Charleston’s waterfront. I asked, “Seafood?”

Amos looked over at me. “The best.”

Five minutes later we pulled up in front of Fleet Landing. It was hard to believe the chic restaurant used to be a place for sailors back in World War II. Reservations were definitely highly recommended and I, until tonight, had never eaten there. “This is definitely a first.”

Amos winked. “It’s only going to get better.”

While Amos parked the car, I was starting to feel warm. Not like I was running a fever, but excited that I was going to enjoy myself in a way I had not in a long time.

When we arrived, the hostess checked our reservations and showed us to our table.  The scene outside the window was breathtakingly beautiful. I’d grown up in Charleston all my life, but I sometimes forgot how close I was to the Atlantic Ocean and how majestic it looked up close.

We took some time to order, but I finally decided I could not resist the blackened shrimp alongside the pimento cheese grits.
Why haven’t I thought to try this before now?

While we waited, I filled Amos in on my visit with August’s sisters. “They seemed pretty convinced that Chuck Nelson was the culprit. His dad was pretty powerful and as you can see the Nelsons continue to have their businesses here in Charleston. It’s just a shame that no one had enough evidence to charge him.”

Amos nodded. “Well, people don’t always get what we think they deserve, but God has a way of fixing that.”

I leaned forward. “So, what have you been up to? You’ve been out of pocket since we left the dealership on Saturday.”

Amos placed his elbows on the table. “That’s because I decided to check out a few things.”

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense.”

“I went to see Chuck Nelson.”

I sucked in a breath. “You did?” Then I sat up straighter. “Without me?”

Amos chuckled. “I was going on a hunch. There was no need for both of us to be there. Besides that the man’s been under your nose in a way. He’s in the same place as Louise.”

“Chuck Nelson is at Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home. You just walked in to see him? I haven’t been able to see Louise in days.”

“Nope, didn’t have a problem at all.  I wasn’t sure when I went what I would find. I can tell you that ole Chuck is in the Alzheimer’s unit. Probably last stages.”

“How did you know he was there?”

“I did a little digging. I started at his house and his daughter answered the door. She told me that they had to put him in a nursing home. We kept talking and I found out it was Hillcrest. Like I said when I found him, he wasn’t very communicative.”

“So no confessions at this point?”

“I’m afraid not.”

The waiter showed up at our table with the steaming plates of food. The pimento cheese and shrimp on the grits was just heavenly. I swallowed a few more bites before asking, “Did you try to see Louise while you were there?”

“I did, but you know the strangest thing was I was told that she wasn’t able to see any visitors.”

“Really? For a while there I was thinking it was just me. So let me get this straight, you were able to see Chuck Nelson, but not Louise?”

“That’s right.”

“How is that even possible?”

“That’s what we need to figure out, which brings me to something else I ran across. There seems to be some other residents at Hillcrest Manor who can’t have visitors who are not family or who are suddenly not included on the visitor’s log. I talked to at least four people who said the person they were trying to visit has relatives who live far away or they were on their own.”

I sucked in my breath. “That’s doesn’t seem right at all. It’s almost like these people are being isolated on purpose. Isn’t that elder abuse?”

Amos nodded. “Something isn’t quite right. Oh, but you haven’t heard the really big find.”

“Tell me.”

“It seems as though Hillcrest Manor is owned by Chuck Nelson’s family. In fact, one of the staff members told me the room where Chuck stays was designed exactly like his room at home. Staff is asked to keep an eye on him, but he’s not to know or have any hints that he’s not home.”

“Seems to me like he should have even more privacy, and protection being an Alzheimer’s patient. You know I always thought that place was nice, but it seems to be not what it appears to be.”

Amos commented, “That’s not uncommon in nursing homes, which is why I’m thinking it might be a good idea to bring in the Department of Social Services. Of course, someone to actually report evidence of anything out of the ordinary would be a better place to start.  Any word from Pat?”

I shook my head. “No. It’s been over three days now.” What was that buzzing? “Hold on just a minute, Amos. You know every time Pat has called me on this thing I always miss her. I wonder who this could be calling me now.”

I recognized the phone number, but my mind was a bit muddled so I didn’t recognize who’s number. I was getting better with technology, but I didn’t always fill out my contacts like I should. I answered, “Hello.”

“Eugeena, its Annie Mae. “

I looked at Amos.  “Annie Mae, what’s going on?”

“They found Pat.”

“Is she okay?”

I almost dropped the phone as I heard the wail that came through. I lifted the phone back to my ear and looked over at Amos who was watching me with concern. “Hello, Annie Mae.”

All I could hear was the sound of wailing in the background. A strained voice came back on the phone, “Eugeena, she’s gone.  I don’t understand how she could be gone.”