Preston ignored Polly’s outstretched hand. “Don’t see any money, Sheriff.”
I resented this invasion of my home and didn’t care if my irritation showed. “Is this a raid, Sheriff?”
“Aren’t you supposed to have a search warrant?” Diane spoke up.
“Diane’s right, you know,” Pam said, jumping into the fray. “We’re not stupid; we watch TV.”
Our indignation must’ve been contagious, because one by one the Babes rose to their feet, arms folded across their chests, no longer intimidated but outraged.
“What next?” Janine asked. “Arrest school kids for playing Monopoly during spring break?”
Tara nodded in total agreement. “What about Yahtzee?”
“Yahtzee’s played with dice. Does that make it illegal?”
I stared in surprise to see sweet little Megan with her chin jutting defiantly. The child had definitely had her feathers ruffled.
“And then there’s dominoes,” Rita pointed out reasonably. “Are they going to be outlawed, too?”
The sheriff’s jaw hardened until I could see the muscle jump and twitch. He was clearly outnumbered—and out-maneuvered by twelve angry women. “I didn’t come tonight to interfere with your . . . recreation. I’ll take your word that no money crosses hands. That this is no high-stakes game.”
“The winner gets a tiara,” Polly volunteered. “That considered ‘high stakes’?”
Polly sounded innocent, guileless. Had it been me, I might’ve been tempted to inject a liberal dose of sarcasm into the question.
Sheriff Wiggins’s laser-sharp eyes swept over each of us in turn before settling on Claudia. “Miz Ledeaux, you’ll have to come with us. I’m placin’ you under arrest for the murder of your husband, Mr. Lance Ledeaux.”
All eyes turned to Claudia. She looked white faced and terrified.
“Preston, please escort Miz Ledeaux to the patrol car.”
Preston stepped forward and took Claudia by the arm. Claudia wasn’t about to go softly into that good night. She dug her heels into the Berber carpet and tried to jerk free. “I’m not going anywhere. I didn’t murder Lance.”
“Ma’am,” Preston said, his voice low but firm, “if you don’t come quietly, the sheriff’s going to have me put you in handcuffs. You don’t want that, do you, in front of all your nice lady friends?”
Claudia’s gaze darted around frantically until she found me. “Kate,” she pleaded, “call Badgeley. Tell him what’s happened.”
Needless to say, bunco ended early. Seeing Claudia hauled off in the sheriff’s cruiser had a sobering effect on the Babes that not even a pitcher of whiskey sours could dispel. Fortunately, I was able to reach Badgeley Jack at home. He assured me he’d go at once to the sheriff’s office. He told me to get a good night’s rest—fat chance!—and call him in the morning for an update. I’d decided to go one better. I’d be waiting on the doorstep when his office opened.
Surprisingly, Krystal managed to sleep through the entire bunco game and ensuing brouhaha. I envied her. That kind of ability almost made me wish I were pregnant. Notice the word
almost
.
After driving Krystal to work at the Koffee Kup the next morning, I bided my time over coffee and a blueberry muffin. There was no sense driving all the way home, just to turn around again. Besides, muffins were a nice change from my usual bagel and cream cheese routine.
While savoring my second cup of coffee, I made a mental note to call Bill and have him put a bug in his friend’s ear. Krystal needed her car—and sooner rather than later. The problem was she had no money. In a moment of uncontrollable generosity, I’d offered to pay for the repairs. I used to
lend
money, but no more. I’ve found loaning money is the best way of destroying a friendship or blighting a relationship. Now I
donate
money, no strings attached. If I get paid back, great. If not, so be it.
A glance at my watch told me it was nine o’clock and time to leave. I left Krystal, who’d waited on me, a hefty tip. Maybe she’d use her tip money to repay me. Maybe pigs will fly.
Badgeley Jack Davenport IV’s office was located three blocks down, across from the courthouse. The cornerstone of the two-story brick building bore the date 1887. His name was neatly stenciled on the door in gold letters. While the exterior may have been unimpressive, the same didn’t hold true for the interior. The minute I stepped foot inside, I felt as though I were in a Victorian parlor. A settee in ruby red velvet and several overstuffed chairs were grouped near a fireplace with a hand-painted tile surround. A gigantic Boston fern occupied the space usually reserved for logs. An Oriental rug in tones of ruby, sapphire, and emerald covered the hardwood floor. I don’t know much about antiques, but I’d wager the elaborately carved mahogany end tables were genuine and not reproductions. Bad Jack, it seemed, was a man with expensive tastes.
A woman with lots and lots of yellow hair piled high and sprayed within an inch of its life sat behind an enormous mahogany desk. The large flat-screen computer monitor was the only modern concession.
She turned to greet me, her round face wreathed in a friendly smile. “Mornin’. How y’all doin’?”
“Mornin’,” I returned, unintentionally imitating her lazy drawl.
“Name’s Aleatha Higginbotham. I’m BJ’s personal assistant,” she said with an irrepressible giggle. “Sounds much fancier that way than sayin’ I’m his secretary, don’t it now?”
I found myself instinctively warming to the woman. Ms. Higginbotham looked as soft and fluffy as one of those body pillows I’d seen on sale at Target—and just as comfy. She seemed to favor bright, splashy colors—pinks, purples, and reds—if her present outfit was any indication. Some might call her flowered polyester blouse gaudy, but I thought it suited her just fine.
“What can I do for you, hon?”
“I’m here to see Mr. Davenport. He’s representing a good friend of mine,” I added.
“I don’t suppose that person happens to be Ms. Claudia Connors Ledeaux, would it now?”
“Why yes, how did you guess?”
“I like to tell folks I’m psychic, but don’t think anyone believes me.”
I wasn’t sure quite how to respond, so I chose the easy route. “Is Mr. Davenport in?”
“He called to say he’s running a mite late. Shouldn’t be long. Why don’t you have a seat? Care for a soda? I’d be happy to put on some coffee.”
“Ah, thank you, but no.” I gingerly lowered myself onto the velvet settee. I bet even repeat offenders were careful not to crush the fabric.
“Had you pegged for a Yankee the minute you walked in. Almost offered you iced tea, but all’s I got is sweet tea. Most folks from up north don’t care for it. It’s an acquired taste.” She straightened a stack of mail on the edge of her desk, lining it up with military precision. “Sorry about your friend’s trouble. But she’s come to the right place. If anyone can help, it’s Badgeley.”
I couldn’t help but notice she referred to her employer by his first name. “Have you worked for Mr. Davenport long?”
“Heavens, yes,” she said with a laugh that set her ample bosom jiggling. “Ever since he got out of law school.”
“So he’s always had an office here in Brookdale?”
“Mercy, no. He had a thrivin’ practice over in Birmingham. Sold it and moved to Brookdale after the missus died. I had nothin’ keepin’ me in Alabama, so I packed up and came along. Real happy here, too. Guess both of us are small-town folks at heart. Where did you say you were from?”
“Toledo,” I replied. What the heck, it wasn’t exactly a state secret. Slick as ice, the woman had me answering a question that hadn’t been asked. Maybe I should take notes.
“Toledo? That in Indiana?”
“Ohio.”
“Right, Ohio. Never had cause to cross the Mason-Dixon Line. Like it fine here in the South. Did go to Vegas once, though. Isn’t that where your friend hooked up with Mr. Ledeaux?”
Our conversation ended when Badgeley Jack charged through the front door. “Sorry I’m late, Miz McCall. I went by the jail to see my client, then stopped at the courthouse. Her arraignment’s set for this afternoon at one.”
Chapter 19
The Babes and I presented a united front at Claudia’s arraignment, filling the entire first row of the courtroom. Diane, Tara, and Megan had managed to finagle time away from work. Diane agreed to stay an hour later at the library. Tara, brave soul, traded nap time for playtime with a coworker at the day care center. Megan arrived at the last minute in pink dental scrubs after bribing a friend to switch lunch hours. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bill slip into a seat at the rear. Eric Olsen, out of uniform in jeans and a polo shirt, slid in beside him in a show of support for a fellow actor. I noticed he gave Megan a friendly wink as she hurried past. Um, interesting . . . I wondered if more than friendship had blossomed between the pair.
Promptly at one o’clock, Judge Rochelle Blanchard entered and took her seat on the bench. She was an attractive woman I estimated in her mid-forties with skin the color of café au lait. Her tall figure made an impressive sight in the flowing black robe with its starched lace collar. The stern, unsmiling expression on her face had me wondering if she was related to Sheriff Sumter Wiggins.
Just then a side door of the courtroom opened. Claudia, accompanied by Badgeley Jack Davenport, stepped out and approached the bench. My heart wrenched at the sight of her. She looked drawn and pale after a night in jail. She still wore the same outfit she had at bunco, but the wool slacks and sweater were wrinkled and no longer looked fresh. Although she had run a brush through her hair and applied lipstick, no amount of makeup could conceal the dark circles under her eyes.
“I hate to see her like this,” I whispered to Pam.
“Me, too,” Pam said, giving my hand a squeeze.
“Suppose she knows we’re here?” Gloria wondered, her voice hushed.
“She knows,” Janine answered. “I saw her glance our way.”
The judge banged her gavel, and we lapsed into silence. A slight man with thinning hair and stooped shoulders—the prosecutor, I assumed—joined Claudia and her attorney. The bailiff read the charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Polly leaned across her daughter to ask, “What’s that mean?”
“Shh, Mother.”
Polly’s lower lip jutted out, clearly not happy at being shushed. Believe me, it isn’t a pretty sight when a septuagenarian pouts like a two-year-old.
Judge Blanchard leveled a look at Claudia. “How does the defendant plead?”
“Not guilty, your honor,” Claudia said, her voice quiet but firm.
“Attagirl, sugar,” Connie Sue whispered.
I felt like shouting my approval as well. Maybe have Connie Sue Cheerleader rally the Babes. I could almost hear her yell,
Give me an
I
!. Give me an
N
!
until we spelled
innocent
. The world, the court—and Sheriff Wiggins in particular—needed to take note that Claudia was indeed innocent of the horrid charge against her. Our friend wasn’t a murderer.
Badgeley Jack, dapper as usual in a candy-striped bow tie and navy blazer, addressed the judge. “Your honor, my client requests she be released on her own recognizance.”
The county prosecutor fairly bristled at the request. Even the sparse hairs at the nape of his neck stood at attention. “Your honor, the state objects. The prosecution has just learned the defendant recently renewed her passport and is deemed a flight risk.”
“The defendant will relinquish her passport and is further advised not to leave the county without permission of the court,” said the judge. After consulting her calendar, Judge Blanchard set a trial date. She banged her gavel, concluding the proceedings.
We gathered round Claudia, liberal with hugs and words of encouragement. She smiled wanly, a store mannequin’s vacant smile. She was a mere shadow of her old self. I recalled her saying that meeting Lance had been the sorriest day of her life. From her expression, I could see today also ranked high on her list of sorriest days.
“You need anything, anything at all,” Monica said, “all you have to do is ask.”
Rita patted her back. “We’re here for you, honey.”
Claudia swallowed noisily, her eyes suspiciously bright.
“Ladies,” Bad Jack interrupted our little reunion, “if you’ll kindly excuse us, Miz Claudia and I have some unfinished business. I’ll personally escort this fine lady home after all the formalities have been arranged.”
With his hand riding protectively at the small of her back, he steered Claudia out of the courtroom.
Bill stood waiting in the hallway when we emerged. I felt shaken and close to tears by everything that had just transpired. My dear friend was facing a trial and possible imprisonment. I desperately wanted to help, but I wasn’t sure how. I hated feeling useless; powerless.
One look and Bill must’ve sensed I was in need of moral support. Putting his arms around my shoulders, he drew me aside. “There, there, Kate, don’t worry. Things have a way of working out, you’ll see. From all accounts, you found Claudia one of the finest lawyers in the state.”
Sniffling, I burrowed my face into his shoulder, shamelessly exploiting the opportunity. I took a deep breath, inhaled the crisp, clean scent of soap and pine aftershave, and instantly began to feel better. “I know in my heart Claudia would never hurt anyone—much less kill them.”
Bill alternately rubbed and patted in an awkward but endearing attempt to soothe. “The sheriff’s a smart man. He’ll sort things out.”
I pulled away and stared up at him. “Do you really think so? Or are you just trying to make me feel better?”
A lengthy silence ensued. He avoided looking at me, his baby blues fixed on a point somewhere above my head.
“Bill . . . ?”
Finally he gave a sheepish smile. “Guilty as charged.”
“Hush.” I placed a fingertip against his lips. “Guilty isn’t the word to use inside a courthouse.”
Suddenly I felt some of my usual spunk return. The pity party where I reigned as guest of honor came to a screeching halt. I took a half step back and squared my shoulders. At times like these, friends needed friends. No one knew Claudia better than the Babes. If the sheriff couldn’t be depended on to prove her blameless, it was up to us.