Down Home and Deadly

our sources said they found a towel with the victim’s blood on it in her car.”
    A bloody towel in Lisa’s car? How had I not found out about this? I tried to cover my dismay. “Did either of you know him? J.D?” I set their salad dressings on the table. “I heard he was from here originally.”
    “I knew his grandmother pretty well. And of course I remember all the scandal during his trial.”
    “Trial?” My voice rose , and a few people glanced toward us. Oh well, anyone who overheard probably just thought I was talking about Lisa’s future like everyone else. “Why did he have a trial?”
    “I guess you were too young to remember.” She paused and tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Well, maybe you weren’t even born yet. I’ve lost track of the years, but it happened a long time ago.” She settled her napkin in her lap. “I don’t think he served any time.” Again she paused. “Hmm. Maybe just probation since he was a minor.” If this were anyone but Marge, I would think she was drawing this out on purpose to frustrate me.
    “So what’d he do?” Mama was right. Too much curiosity could drive you crazy.
    She glanced around the diner. “This isn’t the best place to discuss it.” She lowered her voice. “You can ask your mother or dad later. I’m sure they remember.”
    They probably did remember, but Mama had distinctly asked me not to get involved in this investigation. So asking them was out of the question.
    Just as I opened my mouth to reply, I heard a loud crash behind me. I spun around. Debbie stood with her hand to her mouth. Broken plates and the remains of more than one daily special littered the floor. Except for the part that was spread down the front of Grimmett and one of his friends.
    “Excuse me, ladies. I think I’m needed over there.” I snatched a stack of napkins on my way over to the mess. Debbie’s lips were trembling , and tears welled in her eyes as she tried to wipe chicken and dressing off Grimmett’s shirt. He pushed her hands away and took a napkin from me and handed one to his friend. Debbie stepped back.
    Alice hurried out of the kitchen with two damp towels. She handed one to Debbie, who took it and started wiping at the food. Alice bent down beside her and helped. Marco rushed over with a tray , and he and I picked up the broken plates.
    Grimmett and his equally unlucky friend got most of the food off their shirts. He turned back to his buddies as if we weren’t there. “So like I was saying . . . I heard she caught him in that little sports car with another woman and shot him.”
    Marco and I exchanged a skeptical look as we finished up cleaning. Right . P arked behind the D umpster with his secret love. How romantic. And even if he were, where was this mysterious other woman when I found the body?
    Grimmett must have had the same thought. He glanced down at me. “Is that true? Since you found the body , you oughta know.”
    I rose to my feet and dusted my hands off over the tray. “I didn’t see anyone else.”
    “I’m going to try and clean some of this off my apron.” Debbie’s tears had dried some, but she was still ashen. “Can you cover my tables for a few minutes?”
    I looked around the crowded dining room. “I’ll try. You go ahead.”
    I was really busy , but once again Marco and I were able to cover Debbie’s tables as well as our own. By the time I realized she wasn’t coming back, our shift was over. Now I’d have to run her phone by her house again.
    I walked into the break room to gather my things and smiled when I saw Harvey and Alice there drinking a cup of coffee. Suddenly , I had a brilliant idea. I poured myself a cup and sank down beside them.
    “How’s everything going?” I asked conversationally.
    Harvey nodded. “Pretty good.”
    “Still planning to move to Florida after you finish helping Carly?”
    Alice tilted her head as if she could see through my casual questions. “Planning on it.”
    “I need to ask y’all a question.”
    “Ookay,” Harvey said.
    I smiled. “Marge told me to ask my parents for the details, but frankly, Mama’s already lectured me about staying out of this murder investigation, so I thought I’d ask you two instead. It’s about J.D.”
    Alice jerked , and her hot coffee splashed down her hand and onto the table.
    “ Oh no.” She clutched her hand.
    “Are you okay?” I asked quickly.
    Harvey jumped up and grabbed her. “Here, hon, let’s get some cold water on that.”