Digging Up The Dirt

“I was a bit shaky for a while afterwards,” An’gel said. “I feel fine now, though I might be sore tomorrow.”

“I’m thankful you’re okay,” Kanesha said. “Did you get a look at the car that hit you?”

“No, I didn’t. It all happened too fast, and all I could think about was getting away from whoever it was.” An’gel shuddered. For a moment she felt the terror she had experienced right after her car got hit.

“Tell me again where you were before this and what led up to the attack.”

An’gel gave the deputy a summary of her visit to Ashton Hall and explained who else was there. “They all left ahead of me,” she concluded. “So one of the cars could have been waiting for me to get on the highway. It was raining, and I didn’t see anyone, but there are a couple of side roads nearby where they could have been waiting.”

“I’ve already sent someone to investigate,” Kanesha said. “With the rain, though, I’m not sure they’ll be able to find anything. How badly was your car damaged?”

“I don’t know,” An’gel said. “I haven’t looked at it yet. To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it until now.”

“Leave it as it is for now,” Kanesha said. “There’ll be someone there a little later on to have a look at it. In the meantime we’re going to be checking with Mrs. MacLeod and Mrs. Dalrymple to see if they have any damage to their cars.”

“Then we’ll finally know who’s behind all this crazy behavior.” An’gel felt relieved. This might soon be over, and then they would know who was responsible for Sarinda’s death and Arliss’s accident.

“That’s what I’m hoping,” Kanesha said. “Then maybe we can find out why. I have to go now, Miss An’gel. You take care of yourself, and I’ll be back in touch soon.”

“Thank you,” An’gel said. “I’m really looking forward to hearing that this is all over.” She said good-bye and ended the call. She set the phone down on the table. As she did so, she suddenly felt exhausted. The ordeal had taken a toll, and she realized she needed to rest.

“I think I’m going to stretch out on the sofa in the study for a little while,” she told Clementine. “At least until Dickce and Benjy get home from Memphis.”

“That’s a good idea,” Clementine said. “I’ll let you know when they’re back.”

An’gel thanked her and headed for the study. She retrieved a blanket from a cabinet and then stretched out on the sofa. She covered herself with the blanket, got her head comfortably situated on a pillow, and moments later was sound asleep.

“I thought we’d never make it through all that rain,” Dickce said as Benjy turned off the highway onto the driveway at Riverhill. “You drove us safely through, and I’m thankful for that.”

Benjy smiled briefly. “I am, too. I’m ready to be out of the car, though, I can tell you that. It feels like we’ve been on the road all day.”

“I know. Thank goodness the rain finally stopped,” Dickce said. “Peanut and Endora are restless, too. I can’t wait to tell An’gel what we found out in Memphis.” She frowned. “I wonder why she didn’t call me back, though. Surely she’s not still at Ashton Hall with Hadley. I hope nothing’s wrong.”

They drove around the house and approached the garage. Dickce spotted their car where An’gel had left it. She gasped. “Oh my Lord, look at that. The car’s been hit. I hope An’gel is all right.”

The moment Benjy had his car stationary in the garage, Dickce was out and headed for the house. “I’ve got to find out about Sister,” she said.

She left Benjy to deal with Peanut and Endora, and she hurried to the kitchen. She found Clementine inside preparing their dinner.

“Clementine, where’s An’gel? Is she okay?” Dickce said. “What happened to the car?”

“She’s okay,” Clementine said. “She’s taking a little nap in the study.” She explained what happened, and then repeated it moments later when Benjy came in with the animals. Peanut and Endora made a beeline for Clementine and greeted her like they hadn’t seen her in months. The housekeeper spoke quietly to them and gave each a few rubs on the head.

“Thank the Lord she wasn’t hurt.” Dickce collapsed into the chair Benjy hastily pulled out for her. Clementine handed her a cup of coffee, and Dickce took it gratefully.

“Somebody from the sheriff’s department was here a little while ago,” Clementine said. “He looked at the car and took pictures of the damage. I didn’t wake Miss An’gel, though. She needs to rest.”

Dickce shuddered. “I’m sure she does. How terrified she must have been, though. She could have ended up in the hospital like poor Arliss McGonigal. Surely the police or the sheriff’s department can find the car that caused these accidents pretty soon.”

“I surely hope so,” Clementine said. “How was the trip to Memphis? Did y’all find out anything?”

“We found the Simpson house,” Benjy said. “Coriander’s mother still lives there.”

“I talked with her,” Dickce said after a sip of coffee. She shared the news of Coriander’s death with Clementine.