Laid Out and Candle Lit Page 4

  Ridge leaned his head back and thought how peaceful it sounded compared to the noise of the city. Bubba and he had an unobstructed view of the place. Inside were Pattiecake, Sugarpie, Tizzy and Rayann. Gracie sat at a small table, coloring. Ridge felt as if he were on a stakeout, waiting for the bad guy to show up and be taken into custody.

  He eased into his questions. “The McAlisters seem nice. I guess they’ve lived here all their lives?”

  “Oh yeah. A McAlister man has been the sheriff of the county for fifty years. Tizzy’s grandpa, then her daddy, and now Dan,” Bubba said.

  Ridge rested his arm in the open window. “Is Tizzy her real name?”

  “Well, I have to swear you to secrecy about where you heard this. Her real name is Marjorie Louise.” He gave a chuckle. “She’s the only granddaughter on both sides of the family, and named after each of her grandmothers. Grandma Marjorie’s side of the family called her Marjorie and Grandma Louise’s called her Louise.

  “Her mama and daddy could tell it was gonna to be a real problem. Even as a baby, she threw ‘tizzies’ when she got mad. So they started calling her Tizzy, and the nickname stuck. She loved her nickname until we got to junior high and the boys called her Titty instead of Tizzy.”

  He laughed, recalling the memory. “Dan had to whup a couple of asses. He was a senior in high school when we were in seventh grade, and you didn’t mess with his little sister and get away with it. You still don’t. I swear, if you tell her I told you, I’ll get him to whup your ass.”

  Ridge gave a slight chuckle. “He’d enjoy that, because I don’t think he likes me much.

  Bubba smiled. “You’re right, he doesn’t.”

  Ridge dropped the subject and moved on. “What about her husband?”

  Bubba shifted in his seat. “We’d all known each other all our lives. Boone was one of my best friends, and his family was one of the richest in the county. Marlene never passed up a chance to throw it in your face, but not Boone,” Bubba said sadly. “I don’t think money meant much to him.”

  “Anyway, he and Tizzy became boyfriend and girlfriend in the eighth grade. Neither one of ‘em ever dated anybody else. When they went off to college, they lived together. Marlene didn’t approve, but Boone didn’t care. Don’t get me wrong, he loved his sister. God only knows why, but he did.”

  Bubba straightened in his seat. “They got married and didn’t tell anybody. Boone went off to war, and she moved back home with her parents. Long story short, Boone got killed, and shit hit the fan. The Marines notified Tizzy, because she was his wife. Marlene got furious. I have to admit, it was a hell of a way for her to find out about the marriage. At the funeral, Tizzy got the special treatment, not Marlene, and it chapped Marlene’s ass. She made a big scene. Called Tizzy all sorts of names. Accused her of all sorts of things.”

  “What did Tizzy do?” Ridge asked.

  Bubba shrugged. “Nothing. Boone’s death put her in shock. Dan pulled Carl to the side, and he got Marlene under control, but not until she’d made a spectacle of herself. When Marlene found out about the baby, she told Tizzy she wanted a paternity test done to make sure Boone was the father. Hell, neither one of ‘em had ever been with anybody else. Marlene just wanted to make Tizzy’s life miserable.

  “Tizzy was in bad shape after Boone died. She took to her bed. Wouldn’t eat. Wouldn’t talk to anybody. Throwing up all the time. We honestly thought she was gonna die, but then the doctor told her she was pregnant, and she snapped out of it. She bought the Browning house with the insurance money and restored the place. She built next door, and after Gracie’s birth, they moved in. By then, Marlene knew Boone had a will and had left everything to Tizzy. Including his fifty percent of the bank.”

  Ridge swallowed hard as blood rushed to his face. “Marlene Weston owned half the bank and Tizzy Donovan owns the other half?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So you’re saying the two of them hated each other?”

  Bubba acknowledged the question with a grim look. “No doubt, Marlene hated Tizzy for a lot of reasons. First, she took Boone away from her. At least that was Marlene’s opinion. Second, she thought Tizzy could have stopped him from going to war and didn’t. Finally, she believed Tizzy got pregnant on purpose. Because of Boone’s death, Tizzy became a wealthy woman. The inheritance put her on an even playing field with Marlene. Where the bank was concerned, Tizzy had the same amount of power, and Marlene hated that whole idea.

  “But Tizzy didn’t hate Marlene. She didn’t love her either. She might’ve tried to get along with her if Boone were alive. But with him out of the picture, Tizzy didn’t give a rat’s ass about Marlene.”

  Bubba wagged his head. “Wait a minute. You’re not liking Tizzy for this murder, are you? Because, if that’s what you’re thinking . . . you’re way off base. There’s no way in hell Tizzy Donovan could kill anybody.”

  Inside the shop, from the back room, a man appeared. “Who’s he?” Ridge asked.

  Bubba answered quickly. “Freddy Holt. He works for the McAlisters, both at the bakery and the bar. Cleans up and does the floors. He’s in love with Tizzy.”

  Ridge mulled it over a second. “Well, that makes two of you.”

  Whattaya mean, two of you? You think I’ve got the hots for Tizzy?” He gave a whispered laugh. “Man, you’re off base on so many levels it’s not even funny.”

  Ridge looked confused. “Then what are we doing here . . . in a dark alley . . . watching every move she makes?”

  “Hey man, you’re not paying attention. Tizzy isn’t the only woman in there.”

  Ridge looked back inside at Tizzy and Rayann dancing. He turned to face Bubba. “So . . . you’re not interested in Tizzy . . . it’s Rayann?”

  Bubba flicked his finger at him. “Bingo.”

  “Then what was all the talk about Tizzy’s boobs . . . watching her leave a room . . . and her driving you crazy?”

  “Shit man, that’s just talk. Her boobs do drive me crazy. But I’m not in love with her. We’re friends.” He tilted his head and lifted his brows. “Of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing her nekked.”

  “You’re saying you’re in love with Rayann? Why the hell don’t you tell her?”

  “No can do. I had my chance with her. She married somebody else.”

  Ridge gasped. “She’s married?”

  “Not anymore. But the guy she married was one hundred percent different from me. I guess I’m not her type.”

  “Sounds to me like he wasn’t her type. She’s divorced? I’d say that leaves the door wide open for you. What’s holding you back . . . rejection?”

  Bubba shrugged. “I guess. I mean . . . she rejected me in high school and I’m not sure I wanna risk heartbreak again.”

  “Well, since my marriage failed, I’m not qualified to give relationship advice, but I’d like to think I learned something from the experience,” Ridge said, his tone thick with disappointment. “My sister Erica is more than willing to point out my mistakes. She said women crave attention and from what I witnessed the other day, Rayann definitely wants yours.”

  Bubba wagged his head. “I’m not sure, man. I’m a big guy and she’s a tiny little thing. Yet, I’m scared shitless of her. How screwed up is that?”

  Ridge cocked his head. “Yeah. You’re messed up all right. But when it comes to women, we’re all messed up. Tell me. As good looking as Tizzy is, how has she managed to stay unattached?” He hesitated. “I’m assuming she is unattached.”

  Bubba took gum from his shirt pocket and offered Ridge a piece. “This town is small. The pickin’s here are slim. Besides, when you date local, you have the disadvantage of knowing everything about your date and their family,” Bubba said. “There was this guy about a year ago. Some salesman. She was interested, but something happened, and he was out of the picture.”

  Bubba glanced at Ridge and smiled. “You’re sorta interested . . . aren’t you?”

  Ridge shifted and almost swallowed his gum. “No
. I mean yeah . . . she’s involved in the case, so I’m interested from that standpoint.”

  Bubba laughed. “The case. Sure, the case. I hear you.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Tizzy smiled thinking about the patrol car in the alley as she removed the last batch of cupcakes and set them on the cooling rack. She wiped her hands, took off her apron and danced around the counter into the dining area. “Hey Freddy, advance the CD to number six. We haven’t listened to Otis in a while.”

  The room filled with Otis Redding singing “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.” Freddy grabbed Tizzy and twirled her and they started to dance. When he tried to pull her close, she kept him at arm’s length for a few minutes, then pulled away, walked to Gracie and began to dance with her.

  When the next song started, Rayann and Tizzy got up. They raised their hands in the air above their heads, twisted, turned, and thrust their bodies to the fast beat.

  Rayann leaned in. “Do you think he’s out there?”

  Tizzy smiled. “Of course, he is. He’s always in the alley on Monday night. How long are you and Bubba gonna play this game?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said coolly, trying to sound innocent.

  “Give me a break, Rayann,” Tizzy persisted, taking a quick breath. “You’re crazy about him and he’s crazy about you, ever since high school. One of you should make a move, and I don’t think Bubba has the nerve. So you’re gonna need to initiate the conversation.”

  They sat down to catch their breath, and Rayann spoke. “You think I should tell him what? ‘Hey Dwayne, I’m hot for you.’ Get real. That’s not happening.”

  Tizzy leaned forward and rested her arms on the table. “Why not? You are hot for him. Take my word, life is too short.” She stood up and added. “As a matter of fact, let’s get him in here now.”

  Rayann quickly jerked her back down. “Have you lost your mind? I flirt with him and he don’t flirt back. I don’t think he’s interested anymore. I screwed up when I went off to college. I was too stupid to realize what I had, and now I’m too late.”

  Sugarpie strode over, holding the pitcher of Margaritas in mid-air. “You girls need another drink?” She poured without waiting for an answer.

  Tizzy smiled. “Rayann does for sure. She needs a little liquid courage. Another drink or two, and I think I can convince her to profess her love to Bubba. One way or the other, he’s gonna know before this night’s over.” She poked Rayann on the arm, “Even if I’m the one to tell him. I’m tired of y’all dancing around each other.”

  Rayann downed her drink in one quick gulp. “Speaking of dancing, c’mon, Tiz.”

  “Do what I do,” Tizzy said. “Follow my lead. Let’s blow him a kiss and motion for him to come in.”

  Feeling the effect of the last drink, Rayann followed the instructions without an argument. They both blew a kiss into the air, and curled their fingers toward the darkness.

  Bubba gasped. “Damn! What are they doing?”

  “I think they want you to come inside,” Ridge said.

  “Don’t you mean us to come inside?”

  Ridge shook his head. “No. They think you’re out here alone.”

  “Shit! What should I do?”

  “They want you to come in, so go.”

  While they argued about what to do, Ridge caught a glimpse of Rayann staggering across the street. She was almost at the car when Bubba noticed her. Ridge leaned his head out the car window. “Good evening, Rayann.”

  Her eyes widened with surprise “Evening boys. Enjoying the show?”

  At a loss for words, Bubba stayed silent.

  Buzzed from the Margaritas, Rayann leaned into Ridge’s window. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to Dwayne privately. Why don’t you go in and get a Margarita, because they are so-oo-oo good.” She giggled.

  Ridge gave a polite nod and exited the car.

  Rayann got into the passenger side, then slid across the seat until she was close to Dwayne. She ran her hand around his neck, nuzzled at his ear and spoke in a soft whisper. “I want you, Dwayne. I’ve always wanted you, and I think you want me.” She pressed her lips against his. Her kiss was slow, deep, and hot. When their lips parted, she nipped at his bottom lip, then kissed him again. “You do want me, don’t you?”

  “Yeah,” he said, his breath coming faster.

  Dizzy from the drinks, she lost control of her senses and slurred the words out. “I know you like big boobs, and I’m sorry I don’t have big ones. It’s my fault. When the Lord was handing out tits, I thought he said grits, and I said I don’t like ’em so don’t give me much.”

  He gasped. “They’re perfect . . . you’re perfect.” He kissed her hard, moved his hand to her pony-tail and slid the band off, letting her hair fall loose. For a moment, he held her back, gazing at her, and she saw the softness in his eyes, as though he wanted to memorize every detail of her face. She reached out and tenderly drew her fingertip across his lips. He tangled his hands in her hair and kissed her again.

  It’d been years since they shared a kiss. She thought it would be familiar. But it wasn’t. This wasn’t the kiss of a naïve, doubtful, eighteen-year-old. This kiss was powerful, demanding. This kiss laid claim. Not only to her mouth and tongue, but to her very soul. This kiss spread through her “….like wildfire…” burning her down and leaving her in ashes.

  “I want you bad, Dwayne. I want you on me and in me. I want you every way you can think of.”

  He buried his face in her hair, pulling her hard against him, moaning. “Damn, Rayann, you drive me crazy out of my mind. I want you right now. Right this minute.”

  “Not here. When your shift is over, I’ll meet you at your house,” she whispered, leaving him with one last kiss to think about, then slowly reached for the door handle.

  He pulled her back to him and kissed her again. “Clearly you’re drunk, but this ain’t a joke, right?”

  She ran her hand down to his crotch and stroked him. “No, Dwayne, this is not a joke.”

  * * * * *

  The sight of Ridge coming across the street was sobering. When he entered, Tizzy stared up at him. “Well, I guess Bubba talked you into taking part in his little weekly fantasy,” she said. How’d you like the show?” She smiled and arched her brows.

  He forced himself to look directly at her. “You girls can dance, I’ll give you that.”

  Tizzy turned and eyed Rayann coming back across the street. “Momma, would you make sure Rayann gets home all right? I think she’s too drunk to drive.”

  “Sure, sweetie.”

  Tizzy gave her attention back to Ridge. “Would you mind driving Gracie and me home? I don’t think I should drive either.” She dangled her car keys in front of him.

  He hesitated and Freddy spoke up. “I can take you home, Tizzy.”

  Ridge cut in. “No, that’s okay. I’m staying right next door, so I can take her. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper.”

  “I’m Freddy Holt.”

  * * * * *

  When Ridge pulled into the garage, he made no attempt to get out of the car. Instead, with Gracie asleep in her seat, he turned to face Tizzy and spoke in a soft but stern tone. “Why didn’t you tell me? In the cemetery, I asked you if you could think of anything else concerning the case. Why didn’t you tell me you owned half the bank?”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was wrong not to tell you. But, I don’t benefit in any way from Marlene’s death. My shares don’t increase. I don’t come into any money. So, really, how important is it?”

  “Think, Tizzy,” he said, his tone curt. “You own fifty percent. She owned fifty percent. Tell me. What happens to her fifty percent now?”

  She furrowed her brows, confused by the question. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”

  He unbuckled his seat belt and turned his body to face hers. “Well, I have. I imagine her husband will get twenty-five percent and each of her two ch
ildren will share the other twenty-five percent. So, now you’re the person with the most stock and the most power. I’d say that’s important, but you chose not to mention it.”

  Ridge saw Tizzy’s hand tremble as she laid it against her throat.

  “You think it’s me, don’t you? Everything’s falling into place. My history with her. I own part of the bank. I found the body. I don’t have an alibi. It’s all there. Motive, opportunity and I’m sure as soon as you find out how she died, you’ll figure out a way for that to point to me, too. That’s why I didn’t tell you. Because you’ve already decided I’m guilty.”

  His denial was quick. Too quick. “That’s absolutely not true. I’ve barely started to investigate. I haven’t drawn any conclusions about you or anyone else. Trust me, Tizzy, I’m good at what I do, but you’ve got to tell me everything. Now, I’m going to ask you again. Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

  She placed her fingertips to her temples. “It’ll make things look worse for me,” she said, lowering her head. “Marlene and I had an argument that day.”

  “Did you threaten her?” he asked, his voice becoming tense.

  “No. Marlene and I, along with Carl and his secretary Leah, sat down to go over the agenda for the Tuesday Board Meeting.

  “We had three families. The Walkers, the Addisons and the Talaferios, who were behind on their mortgage payments. Naturally, Marlene wanted to foreclose. Mr. Walker and Mr. Addison had lost their jobs. But recently, both of them found employment. I suggested we allow them to pay extra each month until they got their balance current.