(Don't Mess With) Clear Lake Women Page 2

  * * * *

  Madison took her break and called Jacki.

  “Hey, babe, what are you up to?”

  “I’m just about to leave Susan’s and head over to a neighbor of hers.”

  “More business?”

  “Maybe...” Jackie replied, thinking about Elvira.

  “Hey, remember the other night we were discussing...how the world would be better off if someone wasn’t in it...and...how no one would know...or should know...” Her voice trailed off.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I called the sheriff this morning because someone had broken out a window in my garage.”

  Dead silence.

  “Are you there?” Madison asked.

  “Yes.” Pause. “I’m thinking. So, did the sheriff come over?”

  “No, after work. I’ll call him as soon as I get home. Nothing was missing. Just a broken window.” How come Jackie is so quiet? Maybe she thinks I did it myself. Or...maybe she had done it...but doesn’t want me to know the truth and lie to the cops.

  “All right,” Jackie answered. “Call me after they leave.”

  * * * *

  Jacki clipped her cell phone on her belt and got in her truck. Was Madison telling her she had broken the window and was actually working on this crazy plan? And if so, and I know...am I an accomplice? It had started as a silly woman’s conversation. Now... What if Roxy broke the window? Even so, I had better keep my mouth shut. And...hopefully...this was just nothing. Maybe just a prank to have something to laugh about later on. My friends really couldn’t...wouldn’t plot to kill someone. She took a deep breath and drove to her next destination.

  She glanced in the mirror and combed back her short blonde hair with her fingers. Her face, free from any makeup, held a healthy natural tan from working outside. Jacki met the reflection of her curious brown eyes.

  “Now or never.” She started the ignition and drove to Elvira’s. A minute later she stood on the porch, ringing the doorbell.

  Elvira opened the door, a large smile and a twinkle in her dark eyes caused Jacki to feel the blush once again.

  “Come on in.” She offered.

  “Well,” Jacki stared down at her work boots, “I don’t want to traipse any dirt in...”

  Elvira waved her hand; her bracelets jangled. “Come in. Don’t worry about it. I haven’t cleaned this morning anyway.”

  Jacki followed her into a cozy sitting room. A burning candle brought the aroma of cinnamon spice to her senses. A dozen plant and garden books lay about a glass coffee table. Elvira sat on a small couch that would comfortably seat two people. Across from the coffee table was a high back antique chair. Jacki sat there, trying to appear relaxed.

  Elvira grinned. “I just recently moved here and I’m not very happy with the yard. I’ve been looking over several books, as you can see. I would like a small pond in the back.”

  Jacki nodded. She glanced at the magazines, trying hard not to focus on Elvira’s face. “Show me what you like in the books, and then let’s take a look at your yard.”

  Just then, Jacki felt a movement across her leg. She looked down to see a calico cat staring at her, her tail held high.

  “She’s waiting for you to pet her.”

  “Oh.” Jacki reached down and ran her hand from the top of the cat’s head along its body, and finished up with her tail. The cat purred, and turned around, waiting for a second petting. Jacki, not wanting to be rude, petted the cat once again. She straightened up in the chair, hoping that would signal the cat to go on its way.

  “Not a cat person?” Elvira asked.

  Jacki met her eyes. “I’m a rotty person.”

  Elvira tilted her head; her eyebrows rose in question.

  Jacki laughed then. “I’ve got a Rottweiler.”

  Elvira smiled back. Her eyes sparkled with mischievous. “You prefer the big dogs over...small pussies?”

  Jacki felt her face grow red, yet held eye contact with the black hair wench. Elvira put the end of her finger in her mouth, waiting in anticipation for Jacki’s answer. The mannerism did not go unnoticed.

  “It really all depends.” Her grin grew.

  Elvira bit the end of her finger, then let it lightly caress her bottom lip before it curled up in her palm. “On what?”

  Jacki leaned down and picked up the cat and sat it on her lap, stroking the soft fur. “Well, the pussy of course.”

  Elvira grinned wide and stood up. “Let’s look at the yard.” She reached out her arm and Jacki found herself taking the welcoming hand and following her out through the house.

  * * * *

  Madison shook her head in response to the officer’s question.

  “I can’t think of anybody...” Her voice stopped in her planned response.

  “What?” the officer asked, staring intently into her face. Madison looked away. She turned back and made eye contact with him. “A friend of mine spent the night with me a few nights ago because her husband...beat her up. He guessed she was here. Maybe he did it...”

  The officer asked more questions and made notes. Madison felt her anxiety grow. She clutched her hands together so tight, she felt her fingernails dig into her palm. I’m only telling the truth; why does it feel so wrong?

  Her cell rang and Madison pulled it out of her jeans pocket.

  “Hi, Princess!”

  “Oh...” Madison looked at the officer. He appeared annoyed that she was on her phone. “Hey, Roxy. I gotta go. Someone broke a window in my garage and the sheriff is here investigating.”

  “Oh...shit. Call me later.”

  “Have you reported this to your insurance company?” the officer inquired.

  “No, I figured with the deductible it wouldn’t be worth it.” The word fraud stuck in her head.

  “Well, I think I’m finished up here.” He pulled a card out and wrote something on the back and handed it to her. “Call me if there’s anything that comes to mind, or if you have any more problems. I wrote the case number down. You may need it.”

  * * * *

  Roxy had planned to ask Madison for a loan, once again; however with the police business it gave her an excuse not to bother her. She knew there was one of those pay day loan places in town. She wondered how that worked and decided to call them. An hour later, she walked out of the small office with cash in hand. She’d put it in the bank in the morning and all would be well.

  * * * *

  Madison was fixing herself a cup of hot tea when her phone rang. Answering it, Jacki asked, “Have you heard from Justin?”

  Madison sat on her futon, petting LP. “No. Not since last weekend.” She sighed.

  “He’s a pretty boy,” Jacki teased.

  Madison pictured the six-foot man. Dark hair and deep brown eyes. Pretty wasn’t exactly how she would describe him. She wasn’t sure if she was in love or in-lust with him, but either way, she had been stung by cupid’s arrow, and the thought of him sent tingles to all the right places.

  Madison’s thoughts flashed on the broken window. She wanted to ask Jacki about it, yet couldn’t bring herself to it...just in case. Next week they’d probably all laugh about it. But right now...the “what if” card was being played.

  * * * *

  On the way home, Roxy drove past a bar, and did a double take. She slowed and went around the block, parking at the end of the street. Hopping out of her car, she sauntered up along side of the Black SUV. Sure enough, it was Duffy’s. Roxy looked up and down the street. It was empty of life. She knelt down beside the back wheel and unscrewed the plastic cap from the valve stem on the tire. Using a pen she had already pulled from her purse, she shoved it against the metal prong hard enough that she heard the air expelling. A laugh erupted from her and the sound startled her so much, she looked about, making sure no one was watching her.

  * * * *

  Sunday stood in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of milk when the slam of the front door caused her to jump. Her heart skipped a be
at; she took a deep breath before she walked into the spacious living room. She saw Duffy throw his jacket on the back of the leather chair, toss his keys on the coffee table, and slump onto the davenport.

  “What’s wrong, honey?” Sunday asked, sitting down beside him. Her long dark hair waved behind her ear and down her back.

  He picked up the remote and began to change channels. He didn’t bother to ask if she had been watching anything. He frowned, clicking along until he found something he was satisfied with.

  “Honey?”

  “Oh, my tire went flat and I had to change it. Pissed me off.”

  “Maybe you ran over a nail at work.”

  “Maybe.”

  Sunday leaned over and rubbed the top of his shoulders, hoping to ease some of the tension from his muscles.

  He stared at the hunting show, but his mind returned to his flattened tire. He didn’t buy the nail business. Not when just last week he had his vehicle serviced at the shop. They had rotated his tires. He had watched them check the air pressure. He’d have that flat tire checked tomorrow, but he was damn sure someone had let the air out of it. Damn! Somehow Madison must have found out I busted her garage window and she had the balls to flatten my tire. Well, she doesn’t have a clue of who she’s fuckin’ with.

  Chapter 3

  Roxy’s cell came alive. “Bitchin,’ I’m bitchin,’ I’m bitchin,’” sang a husky female tone. She grinned, answering it. “Whaaat’s up, M&M?”

  “How’d you know it was me?” Madison laughed.

  “Just some wild guess. I’m still looking for a ring tone I like.”

  “I’ve been looking for one for Jacki. Something like, “I’m gay, I’m gay, I’m gay...”

  Roxy burst out laughing. “And when she’d call you—”

  Madison shrieked. “That could be very embarrassing...or hilarious...depending upon the situation.”

  “Fer sure.”

  “You going to bingo tomorrow?”

  Roxy sighed. “I think I’m passing. Maybe next month.”

  “Hey girlie, I’m treating you; you can come over and help me clean my bathroom or something.”

  “Only if you have those little paper tabs that go over the toilet seat to finish the job.”

  “And I suppose I’d have to take the end of the toilet paper and fold it into a little point?”

  “That goes without saying.”

  “Actually, Dad is coming over next week and I’d pay you to come over and help me do some cleaning in the back yard; pick up the fallen branches and burn them.”

  “Isn’t that Jacki’s territory?”

  “I’ll ask her too. I’ll pay you though,” she said and giggled.

  “Are you picking me up tomorrow then?”

  “Sure, sweetie.”

  “Hey, any new words from Justin?”

  “Yes. He asked me to go with him to the Casino next weekend for a concert.”

  “Who’s playing?”

  “It’s country, but I don’t remember which band.”

  “You’re losing it, babe.” Roxy laughed. “Give LP a kiss and hug.” She got up off the couch and took her checkbook out of her purse. Gritting her teeth, she opened it and looked at the balance. Not good. She appreciated that Madison was going to cover her bingo for her, yet the thought was depressing. She knew she was getting deeper and deeper in debt, with no relief in sight. Her hours will pick up at the motel as summer arrives. That loan had helped too; however, now she had to keep borrowing because she couldn’t afford to pay off the loan and her other bills. She glanced at the newspaper, thinking about finding an additional job.

  * * * *

  Roxy looked around the bingo hall until she spotted Sunday and her sister sitting at a far table. She waved and turned to her friends. “Sunday brought Tuesday tonight. A family reunion of the cousins.” Roxy laid the money Madison had given her on the counter and paid for her bingo package, crossing her fingers as if in hopes it would bring her good luck, and walked over to the two women.

  “How’s it hanging, Hot Fudge?”

  Sunday laughed. “About the same.”

  “Did Tuesday come along to chaperone?”

  Sunday frowned and glanced away for a second, then back. “Don’t be like that, Roxy.”

  “Okay.” She hadn’t talked to Sunday since the last incident with her husband when she spent the night at Madison’s. Duffy was a jealous husband and Sunday didn’t often go places without him. She leaned across the table. “You know I love you, cuz.”

  Sunday smiled. “I know.”

  Roxy watched Tuesday glance around at the people in the large room; a look of superiority seemed to float around her mannerisms like an aura. She pursed her lips tight and sat up a little straighter in her chair, and shook her hair slightly, each blonde strand falling into place. Her eyes grew large as Jacki walked to their table, and Tuesday shifted in her seat as if to get as far away as possible.

  Tuesday sneered and leaned over close to her sister. “You come here once a month?” Her eyebrows furrowed as she spoke. “Most of these people are old...and some look ...really...odd.”

  “Hey, cousin, this is how the lower classes live. Get over it.” Roxy laughed. Tuesday rolled her eyes in exasperation.

  Madison sat beside Sunday and Jacki sat opposite, next to Roxy.

  Roxy piped up, saying, “I hear you’re landscaping for a pretty young thing...or should I say you are landscaping a pretty young thing?”

  Jacki shot a quick look to Madison who shrugged her shoulders in response. The grin Madison tried to suppress appeared despite her weak effort.

  Jacki’s faced reddened. “It’s just a job.”

  “That’s not what I hear.” Roxy grinned so wide, her red hair spikes even seemed to perk up. She paused for a moment before asking the next question. “Have you made any moves on her yet?”

  “Pleeasse... Can we discuss something else?” Tuesday asked loudly. Her face held a look of disgust.

  Jacki turned her head and looked away, while Roxy’s slate gray eyes threw sparks. “Tuesday, can’t you leave your homophobia home tonight?”

  “Come on,” Madison interrupted. “We are here to have fun tonight and make some money!”

  “B-4,” the announcer stated loudly. “B-4.”

  “Be-fore I met you all, I was nothing...” Roxy commented under her breath, sending the group of women into laughter. Even Tuesday seemed to drop her guard.

  “Oh sixty-nine.” A pause. “Oh six nine.”

  Roxy moaned, “Sixty-nine. It’s been such a long...long time...”

  The evening continued and as each game ended, Roxy felt her anxiety rise a little higher. She really needed to win some money. She really did.

  Just before the last game started, Roxy’s cell vibrated from her pocket. She glanced to see it was her mother. It was unusual for Madeline to call this late in the evening.

  “Can you do my card?” she asked Jacki. She nodded in response and Roxy hurried out of the bingo hall to call her mother back.

  Roxy could hear the strain and tears in her mother’s voice. “Oh, Roxy, I don’t know what to do. Uncle Ned’s in the hospital.”

  Bastard.

  Roxy bit her lip and crossed one arm against her chest while the other arm held tight to her side; her hand pressing the phone to her ear. Her next question was only out of love for her mother. “What’s wrong with him?”

  Bastard.

  “Oh, I think a stroke. They don’t know for sure.”

  Good.

  “Oh, gee, Mom.” She tried to sound sympathetic.

  “I’ll need you to come over tomorrow and drive me to the hospital to see him.”

  She clenched her teeth tightly together. “Sure, Mom. I’ll come over right after work.”

  She could hear her mother’s sobs now. “I...I don’t know what to do...he’s always looked after us, you know. I...”

  “I’ll take care of everything, Mom. Don’t worry about it.” The words cam
e out harsh and direct.

  “He always puts my pills together for the entire week...”

  “Do you have enough until tomorrow?” Her stomach grew heavy with anxiety; nasty stomach acid burned in her throat.

  “Just a minute.” Roxy heard her mother rummaging through her cupboard. “Yes, there is enough for a few days.”

  “I’ll fix you up for next week.”

  “Oh...okay then.” She sniveled a little less. “He’s been my rock...

  “I gotta go, Mom. See you tomorrow.” She closed her phone and took a deep breath. Her thoughts jumbled together and it took her a minute to feel somewhat steady again. She walked back into the hall, but Roxy did not feel centered at all. Her sense of reality tilted; a flood of memories pushed at her psyche. Roxy shoved back to keep them at bay. She focused on Sunday, taking her seat.

  “Uncle Ned’s in the hospital. Mom thinks he had a stroke.”

  Sunday’s eyes squinted in anger. “Hope the bastard dies.”

  “Me too.”

  Suddenly, Jacki shoved her shoulder. “You won! Look,” she said and pointed to the last number dobbed. She only stared at it, while Jackie took Roxy’s arm and held it up high. “Bingo! Bingo here!”

  Chapter 4

  Reluctantly, Roxy followed behind Madeline, her mother, into the antiseptic smelling hospital room. She glanced all around, trying her best not to look at Ned, her near dead uncle. She could hear his raspy breathing along with the rhythmic sound of the oxygen machine helping to keep him alive. Roxy crossed her arms tight around her chest, while a creepy shiver ran through her body, like having a spider run across someone’s bare foot.