Down Home and Deadly

something reasonable around there. I might just go back to waitressing my own self. I’d make enough to pay the bills, and I’d have a life like most folks have.” She beamed at me like a first grader showing her mother a good report card.
    “Jolene, I think that’s a great idea.”
    “Seems kinda funny, don’t it? Jimmy and me never did have what most folks would think of as a good marriage. He never was one to make a honest living. More times than not, I was the one who took care of him.” She shook her head in wonder. “But here I am, fixin’ to buy a house , and it’s thanks to him. The Lord surely does work in mysterious ways, don’t He?”
    “He sure does,” I agreed. I took a sip of tea. “Jolene, I hope things work out well for you.”
    “Why, I’m sure they will, chickie. You can’t keep a good woman down. Speaking of women, you never did introduce me to Jimmy’s latest flame.”
    I sent a brief prayer of thanksgiving that neither Debbie nor Lisa was at the d iner.
    “No, I didn’t. And she’s not here right now.”
    “Ah, well, I guess I’ll live without meeting her. I’m ready to blow this b u rg and hit that little watering hole in the next county. Then I’m off to Texas .” She stood and leaned down to envelope me in a scented, smothering hug. “Don’t take life too serious, girlfriend. It’ll be over before you know it.” She gave me a cheery grin and headed to the door. She detoured through Marco ’s section and pinched his cheek before he could dodge. “Been a pleasure seeing you, s weet c akes. Every single time.” And Jolene Highwater was gone. The effect was of a gentle breeze after a howling windstorm.
    The ringing of my cell phone jerked me to attention.
    “Hello?”
    “Jenna?” Debbie’s voice could’ve scorched my ear. “Forget about me singing at your wedding.” She spat the words at me.
    “Why?” I replied guardedly. But she talked right over me.
    “I’ve spent the last hour at the police station. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Well, it’s not. Being accused of murder is not a joke at all. I knew this would happen. But nooo. You had to take it into your own hands. Well, from now on, just butt out of my life.”
    I bit back the reminder that she’d asked me to take the phone to John and talk to him on her behalf. And that I’d done exactly that. “Debbie, calm down. Did John actually accuse you of murder? That doesn’t sound right.”
    “John didn’t come right out and accuse me of murder.” She was a little less agitated but still touchy. “But I could tell he was suspicious. He really gave me the third degree.”
    “Well, he would have to question you. After all,” I pointed out in a reasonable tone , “ y ou withheld a valuable piece of evidence.” She began sputtering, but I continued, “He isn’t still suspicious of you, is he? I mean, he didn’t threaten to lock you up or warn you not to leave town, did he?”
    “No,” she said quietly , as if my words were finally soaking in. “And he did say he wouldn’t tell Lisa unless he has to. So that’s a plus.”
    “See? Doing the right thing is good.” I reminded myself of Pollyanna.
    A muted growl from the other end of the phone warned me to tread lightly. “And think of it this way : Y ou won’t have to worry about it anymore.”
    “That’s true.” She was almost back to normal. “Tell Carly I’ll be in for the evening shift.” She hung up without saying good - bye, but I was thankful to get through that conversation with a whole ear. I went to the kitchen to give Carly an update. We had the break room to ourselves, so I told her all about Debbie’s irate phone call.
    “Well, it’s best for Debbie to get it out in the open. I’m sorry if she hurt your feelings ”—s he smiled at me —“ but you were right. And getting your ears blistered is a small price to see that the right thing is done.”
    *****
    I turned off the water. Was that my phone ringing? I hoped it wasn’t an emergency , because whoever it was would have to wait until I dried, dressed , and towel-dried my hair.
    Finally, wrapped in my robe, I checked my voice messages. “Miss Stafford, this is Lawrence Hall.” It took me a second to realize it was Larry. That cleared up the mystery of which name he went by. “Bob Pryor asked me to call you and tell you that Lisa’s been taken into custody.” He left his number in case I need ed more information then ended the message.
    I glanced at the