The Darling Dahlias and the Eleven O'Clock Lady

“I don’t know about that,” Lucy said doubtfully. “Buddy Norris says he’s got fingerprint evidence.”


“Yes, but maybe Buddy would never have thought to fingerprint the corporal. And you were the one who supplied the motive. Mr. Moseley said that motive is the important key here—that when it comes to building the case for trial, it’s just as important as the fingerprints.” Ophelia waved away a pesky fly. “I hope you won’t have to testify at the trial.”

“Me, too.” Lucy sighed heavily. “But of course I will if I have to. I’ve told Ralph everything, and he says he’s forgiven me. So keeping it from him isn’t an issue any longer.” She managed a small smile. “He even wanted to take some of the blame for himself. He says he’s going to try to get his railroad shift assignments changed so he can be home more often. I’ve been wanting that for a long time. So something good might come of this, after all.”

“Charlie got what he wanted, too,” Ophelia said. “He told me this morning that the special edition of the Dispatch was a sellout. What’s more, he’s sold his story ‘The Eleven O’clock Lady’ to both wire services, and to the Atlanta Constitution, as well.” She smiled. Charlie had been more excited than she had ever seen him. She had the feeling that this story was more than just a story to him. It was some kind of personal test. “He’s also talked to an old friend of his from his days with the Associated Press,” she added. “Miss Hickok doesn’t normally investigate CCC camps, but her boss wants her to come down here and report on the situation. Charlie’s even hoping that she invites her friend, Mrs. Roosevelt. Wouldn’t that be exciting?”

Lucy nodded. “I guess the only people who didn’t get what they wanted were the ones who hoped that Rona Jean would give them her baby. Fannie Dickens, for one. Violet and Myra May, too.”

“I know,” Ophelia said sadly. “Charlie says that Fannie is terribly disappointed, but that they’ve started to talk about adopting a child. Which I guess is another good outcome of this.” She looked up and waved at Sarah, who was poised at the end of the diving board, looking beautiful in her new red bathing suit. Daughters were wonderful creatures, she thought proudly. She was going to see that Sarah had all the opportunities that her brother did—and that included college.

“There’s one more good outcome, if you’re keeping score.” Lucy chuckled. “Guess who came to the picnic together this afternoon.”

“Uncle Sam and the Goddess of Liberty?” Ophelia rolled her eyes. “I’m terrible at guessing games, Lucy. Tell me.”

“Buddy Norris and Bettina Higgens, that’s who! It seems the sheriff is dating Rona Jean’s roommate.”

“Oh, my gosh!” Ophelia exclaimed. “I suppose they met during the investigation, huh? Beulah says that since Bettina works at the Beauty Bower, she doesn’t have much of a chance to meet men.”

“I’m sure that’s true,” Lucy said. “Anyway, I saw them together after the parade, and then the two of them settled down over there under the big weeping willow for lunch. A little while ago, I saw them walking along the creek.” She chuckled. “They were holding hands. They both looked rather shy, I thought. And romantic.”

“How sweet,” Ophelia said, smiling. “And speaking of romance, here’s a ‘guess-who’ for you. Guess who’s getting married!”

Lucy pinched her lips together, thinking. “Getting married . . . getting married . . . Sorry, I don’t have a clue. Who?”

“Liz Lacy’s mother and Mr. Dunlap, of the Five and Dime! Liz told me about it while we were putting out the picnic food. They’re planning a big church wedding, and then they’re moving into Liz’s mother’s house.”

“Mr. Dunlap?” Lucy asked, blinking. “He’s always struck me as . . . well, sort of rabbitish. And Mrs. Lacy is—” She hesitated. “Managerial. A bossy sheepdog.”