Scandal in Tawas Page 3

  “I wonder where Sara is?” I asked Eleanor. Before she could answer, we were interrupted by Woody, the man who had given me his card at Sara’s book signing earlier.

  “Hello there again,” Woody greeted. “This is the lady I was telling you all about. She singlehandedly stopped a purse snatcher from escaping after he made the grab and dash.”

  “It turned out to be a young lady and not man at all.” I laughed as I moved a strand of hair out of my eyes. “I didn’t even think twice about tripping her up, I’m afraid. Old habits are hard to break.”

  “Weren’t you scared?” asked a woman who was next to Woody.

  “In my experience, purse snatchers seldom carry firearms.”

  “Nope,” Eleanor interjected. “They’re all for escaping with the goods.”

  “I still can’t believe something like that would happen with so many people turning out for Sara’s book signing.”

  “It’s quite nice of Sara to hold a signing here in Tawas,” another woman said. “It’s not like it’s that profitable.”

  “That’s not why I had a signing here at all,” Sara said, as she joined us.

  Sara looked even more lovely than normal. She was wearing a pink dress and sandals and her wavy blonde hair was blowing in the mild wind.

  “How kind of you to invite us, Sara,” I said.

  “I had to, you’re married to my attorney.” She laughed. “This is Agnes, Eleanor, Martha and I believe Moraine, from what Andrew told me on the phone.”

  “I met Woody earlier,” I said.

  “We did,” Eleanor added.

  We smiled as Sara introduced us to some of her other guests, including director Roman Douglas and his wife Coco Douglas, actor Nash Rivers, and actress Liv Haley.

  “I’m having trouble remembering your names already,” I said.

  “Have a walk with us, Agnes, I’d love to hear more about you stopping that purse snatcher,” Roman said.

  “Not much else to say, but I’d be happy to take a walk with you.”

  “Don’t worry about me,” Eleanor said. “I’ll stay with Moraine and Martha while we get to know Nash Rivers better. I still can’t believe you weren’t picked as the sexiest man by People Magazine, Nash.”

  He smiled widely. “My agent would love to hear you say that. He says I’m underrated.”

  “Actually, they all say that.” Sara laughed.

  I walked with Roman and Coco over to the edge of the woods.

  “Can we walk on the pathway?” Coco asked.

  “We could but it leads to the Butler family cemetery.”

  “That I have to see,” Roman exclaimed, hurrying ahead of us.

  I followed at a distance, slapping at the mosquitos until we were in the cemetery. “These headstones have been here a long time,” he observed.

  “Yes, the mansion has quite the history, but I’m sure Sara told you all about that.”

  “Why, no, she didn’t,” Coco said. “Do tell.”

  “It was owned by a lumber baron and the property has been passed down generation to generation and has only been owned by a Butler descendant.”

  “How interesting.” Coco exclaimed.

  “You’ll have to excuse my wife. She has always been interested in history.”

  “It is very interesting. How do you know Sara?” I inquired.

  “She’s auditioned for me, but unfortunately we’ve never had the chance to work together.”

  “Dear Roman hasn’t had a part right for Sara, but we both consider her a dear friend, which is why we’re here,” Coco added.

  “What do you think about her tell-all book?” I fished.

  “We came out here to get to know you better, Agnes,” Roman said. “I’d love to hear all about how you knew how to react when you spotted that purse snatcher.”

  “Honestly, I was in the right place at the wrong time ... for the purse snatcher, anyway. Me and my friend Eleanor have investigated cases in the area, and solved many of them.”

  “What about the local police?”

  “Sheriff Peterson is a great sheriff, but I must admit that we haven’t always gotten along. We just have a different approach to solving cases than he does. We have a good record for extracting information from witnesses and would-be suspects.”

  “Now that’s something I’d love to speak at length to you about,” Roman said.

  “Why is it so interesting to you?” I asked.

  “Because I’m a director and I’m always on the lookout for an interesting story that I can turn into a blockbuster movie.”

  “I highly doubt our escapades would ever result in a blockbuster movie, but thanks for flattering me.”

  Soon after, I went to find Eleanor, Moraine, and Martha. They were eating small sandwiches near the fireplace.

  “Oh, there you are,” Eleanor said.

  “I took a walk to the cemetery.” I laughed.

  “Weren’t you scared?” Martha asked with widened eyes. “I mean, you don’t even know that Roman.”

  “He’s a director.”

  “I know that, but he didn’t tell you what sort of movies he makes now, did he?”

  “Well, no, but he mentioned blockbusters.”

  “Blockbuster horror films?”

  “I can’t recall any movies off the top of my head that were horror movies,” I countered.

  “How about the Blair Witch Project?” Eleanor asked.

  “That was more of a cult following, if you ask me. It wasn’t intentional at all.”

  “Isn’t that what you hope, though?” Moraine asked. “That you release a movie that goes on to make millions? Especially if it was made cheaply.”

  Laith strode over. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I’m Laith and a real Hollywood movie producer. I’d love to hear what you have to say about movies, ladies. What did you actually think of Blair Witch?”

  “People running and screaming in the woods in the middle of the night with a camera going the entire time.”

  “I don’t know about you, Agnes, but there’s no way I’d keep carrying that camera if something was chasing me,” Eleanor said.

  “That’s the point, how else are they going to make you believe it was really happening?”

  “I’m just saying realistically I’d drop that damn camera. It was disappointing that they never showed what they were running from.”

  “Because they wanted you to believe it was really happening, like Paranormal Activity. Actually, don’t get me started about that movie. People are so impressionable, don’t you agree, Laith?”

  “I absolutely agree. Both of those movies were a novel idea, but I believe movie goers are a bit tired of it all. Whenever I see a script cross my desk that even has a video camera in it, it goes straight into the slush pile.”

  “Oh, so people don’t pitch a movie idea directly to you?”

  “No. I read over proposals and request additional information before an appointment is made with Roman.”

  “That’s quite a process. He was probably just blowing smoke at me when he thought tripping up that purse snatcher today was noteworthy.”

  “Is that what he told you?” Eleanor asked.

  “Did you pitch the idea for a movie?”

  “She can’t even pitch a baseball.” Eleanor laughed.

  “Let’s change the subject. I really need to find Sara.”

  “You and half of the partygoers. Her brief appearance isn’t like her, especially with a new book release,” Laith said.

  “What do you think about her tell-all book?” I asked.

  Laith sighed. “I’m not sure what you’re asking me.”

  “Were you shocked she wrote a tell-all book? Do you think it was a good idea, or will it hurt her career?”

  “Now look here, I’m here for Sara’s party, not to judge her or question her motives. To be honest, I haven’t even read her book yet.”

  “Oh, so that must mean you don’t know anything about the missing page.”
>
  His eyes brightened. “Missing page, you say?”

  “Yes, our copies of her book are missing a page and there’s another copy that we know of that has the same problem. We planned to ask Sara about it, but now I don’t see her anywhere.”

  “She usually is a better party hostess.”

  “Do you know Sara personally?” Eleanor asked.

  When Laith didn’t answer, I said, “Yeah, do you?”

  “Sara is a friend and that’s all.”

  “You might want to read the book to make sure you’re not in it, just to be safe.” I smiled.

  “You might be right. Excuse me, ladies, I really need to find a copy of that book.”

  “What do you think about that, Agnes?” Moraine asked.

  “That he’s hiding something.”

  Martha laughed. “You and Eleanor always think that. I’ll worry when you don’t think that.”

  “Did you read Sara’s book?”

  “I didn’t get a chance to do more than scan a few pages,” Martha admitted.

  “What are you waiting for? I’d expect you’d love to read Sarah’s tell all book.”

  Martha crossed her arms. “I’m not into gossip like you and Eleanor are, Mother.”

  Chapter Four

  MORAINE AND I WALKED into the kitchen and nodded at a man who wore white pants, a white shirt, and a chef’s hat.

  “No you don’t,” he bellowed until his face was red. “Out of my kitchen!”

  “But I have a question for you?” I asked.

  “Unless it has something to do with the food, out you go ... all of you!”

  I turned to see Eleanor shrugging as Martha dipped her finger in a bowl.

  The chef picked up a large knife and walked menacingly toward us. We made our great escape instead of challenging his threats.

  “What a rotten disposition for a chef,” Eleanor said.

  “Well, if he butted into your investigating, how would you feel?” Moraine asked.

  “I should have known we wouldn’t find Sara in the kitchen. I can’t imagine she’d want to get her manicured nails dirty,” I agreed.

  “I bet Sara is outside by now,” Martha suggested, as she led the way out the door.

  We stood outside with hands on hips, shaking our heads when we realized Sara wasn’t in sight.

  “What now?” Eleanor asked.

  “Let’s ask a few of the guests if they’ve seen her before we search the house.”

  “Calm down, Mother. There’s no reason to go into panic mode,” Martha scolded me.

  “I’m not panicking, but I am very concerned about Sara’s whereabouts and you should be, too.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Just think if Sara really is missing? We’d all be suspects, since we were the last ones who saw her.”

  “Everyone at the party saw her last, you mean.”

  “I was in the cemetery after Sara made the introductions,” I said. “Where were you Moraine, Eleanor, and Martha?”

  “I hope you’re not accusing us of stashing Sara away somewhere?” Martha asked with a notable frown.

  “No but did you notice anything out of the ordinary, like where Sara might have gone after I left with Roman and his wife?”

  “I didn’t come here to begin an investigation into where the hostess is. I came here to have a good time,” Moraine grumbled.

  “I suppose you came to the party with the wrong people, then.” Eleanor laughed. “Wherever Agnes and I go, intrigue follows.”

  “Sorry, but I don’t remember Sara excusing herself.”

  “Oh, so you’re saying she was taken against her will?” I asked.

  “No. I was too busy talking to Nash and Liv, the actor and actress, remember?”

  “I thought they were a couple at first,” Martha said, “because there’s certainly some sparks between them.”

  “I must have missed that. I was too lost in Nash’s amber eyes,” Moraine said wistfully.

  “Remind me to not tell my son you said that.”

  “Stuart knows he’s the only man for me.”

  “She’s married, not dead,” Eleanor said with a wink.

  “Let’s get back to the matter at hand, finding Sara. Did you happen to see which direction Sara went? How about you, Eleanor ... Martha?”

  Eleanor shrugged. “Sorry, we were too locked up with one of Nash’s stories. Did you know he climbed Mount Everest?”

  If I was younger, I’d have rolled my eyes. “How nice. I’m taking a look around the grounds to find Sara. I’m worried about her.”

  “Are you certain you want to bother her right now? I’d hate for you to walk up on a lover’s embrace.”

  I strode across the lush lawns with Martha and Moraine hurrying after me. “Wait up, Mother,” Martha called out.

  At least someone was interested in finding Sara other than me, I grumbled to myself. Eleanor was too star struck at the moment. I shouldn’t blame her for that, though.

  I scanned the side of the mansion, half expecting to find Sara around the first corner, but I was sadly disappointed. Especially when ... thump ... I propelled to the ground and let out a cry as my ankle began to throb. Good going, Agnes, now you’ve done it.

  “Are you okay?” Moraine asked in concern when she caught up to me.

  “No. I’m not.”

  “Don’t pay her any attention, Moraine. Mother hates it when someone asks how she is when she goes ... boom.” Martha smiled.

  “This is nothing to laugh about. Can you please help me up?”

  “Oh, right.”

  Martha and Moraine helped me off the ground and I frowned when I felt a huge hole in my slacks. “Oh great. My outfit is ruined.”

  “What happened to you?” Sara asked with concern, as she suddenly appeared and hurried over.

  “I took a fall, what does it look like,” I said in aggravation.

  “Did you lose your footing?” Eleanor asked, joining us.

  “No, my shoe slipped into a hole. Not that you care, Eleanor.”

  “Hole?” Sara asked. “That doesn’t sound good. Why don’t you show me so I can have the groundskeeper fill it in.”

  I took a few steps and pointed it out.

  “Oh, my,” Sara exclaimed. “I’m so sorry. I’ll have someone fill that hole immediately.” She made a call and alerted the groundskeeper, who promised to be there momentarily.

  I hobbled back to the patio and sat down, rubbing my ankle.

  “I’ll bring back some ice,” Sara said.

  “You don’t have to go to the trouble. I’ll be going home.”

  “What?” Eleanor asked, as she rushed to my side. “I’m not ready to leave yet.”

  “I ripped my slacks when I fell.”

  “What?” Roman asked. “I didn’t see you fall when we came from the cemetery.”

  “I fell on the side of the house, actually. I was wondering where Sara ran off to.”

  “I wouldn’t say I ran off anywhere.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that. I just expected the hostess to entertain her guests.”

  “I hardly think she needs to at every moment,” Eleanor said.

  “You two are the most interesting women I’ve ever met,” Roman said. “I’d love it if you would allow me to have a few men follow you around with a camera. It would give me a better idea of how to represent you.”

  “I’m not following,” I said.

  “Well, I love the idea of two sleuths your ages. It would make a great reality show.”

  “Which is why he wants to have a cameraman follow us around,” Eleanor said.

  I shook my head. “I’m not sure if I’d want to do that or not.”

  “Why not, Agnes? Please,” Eleanor begged. “It will be great fun.”

  “It’s not like we’d know ahead of time if we’d be on a case or not.”

  “We could investigate the missing page of Sara’s book,” Eleanor suggested.

  “What mi
ssing page?” Sara asked with a shake of her head.

  “The one about your torrid affair.”

  “Which one?” She smiled.

  “I’m glad someone is challenging you, Sara,” Nash said. “We’re all waiting to hear all about that.”

  “You wouldn’t be so happy about it if you were in her book,” Coco said with a grin. “I’m still shocked that you decided to write a tell-all, Sara.”

  “It’s what the fans want. They’ve been begging for details of my personal life.”

  “How much do you really need to reveal?” I asked. “I don’t think the fans need to know every detail of your life.”

  “Unless you have a good reason to reveal it,” Martha said. “I hope you’re not going to quit acting.”

  “That’s my thought,” Eleanor added. “Won’t your book hurt your chances at getting movie roles?”

  Sara shrugged. “You mean I’ll be blacklisted?”

  “Not a chance,” Roman quickly assured her. “If that were the case, we wouldn’t be here.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that, but you’re not in my book or I’d have never invited you. Why else do you think I’m in Tawas? I’d rather stay out of the limelight until I find out if there will be a fallout.”

  “How will you know that for sure?” I asked.

  “My agent Sylvester will definitely tell me.”

  I rubbed my ankle. “I really think I need to get home. I’ll call Andrew and ask him to pick me up so you can stay longer, Eleanor.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of doing that. Besides, the men are fishing today, remember?”

  “Aww, so you’re leaving?” Coco asked.

  “Yes, I’m afraid. I need to get some ice on my ankle.”

  “Leave me your addresses,” Roman said. “I’ll be in touch about the camera crew.”

  Eleanor jotted down the information he asked for and pressed the paper into his hands. “We’re so looking forward to that, aren’t we, Agnes,” Eleanor said, as she elbowed me.

  Moraine helped me into the car as Eleanor and Martha climbed inside, too.

  I winced in pain. “I feel so bad you girls had to leave.”

  “We didn’t have to, we wanted to,” Eleanor said.

  “Not me,” I said painfully.

  “Are you hurting that badly?” Moraine asked me.

  “I’m afraid so.”