Wilmington, NC 04 - Murder At Wrightsville Beach

Star Pictures which he founded. He was crazy about Melanie. Yet she had dropped him to take up with Mickey Ballantine, nightclub owner, ex-con.
    "Oh, Cam was so staid and puritanical," she complained. She put the cap on the nail polish bottle.
    "Well, we'd never accuse Mickey of being that," I said. "He has a prison record, did you know?"
    Melanie got up and went to the railing to pick up Spunky. "Yes, and he was framed. He took the fall for someone else. Mickey is legit, Ashley. Prison was an excruciating experience for him. He'd never do anything to risk being sent back."
    She started inside. I followed. Melanie had always been plagued with tunnel vision: she saw only what she wanted to see.
    "What are your plans for dinner?" she asked cheerfully, as if the subject of Mickey leaving and my not staying had been settled.
    "I haven't thought about it. Grab something downtown with Jon, I suppose. I'll be back later. But tomorrow morning I'm moving back to my own house."
    "Don't make a hasty decision. We'll talk about that later tonight. I'll be here when you get in. Mickey's grilling steaks, and we're having a quiet evening at home. Kelly is going to a party at her friend's downtown. We were invited too but under the circumstances, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to attend."
    She started across the greatroom to the master suite, then stopped and turned. "I still can't believe it's true, shug . Devin was just so full of life and now he's gone. Dead. Gordon is saying the police don't believe it was an accident. But what else could have happened? This used to be such a safe place when we were growing up. But now, so many psychopaths running around. First Valentine, now Devin. Poor Mickey. Try to be nice to him, will you, Ashley. He's going through a rough time."
    And then, I couldn't help it, I felt guilty. I stomped down the stairs to my rooms. Stop pulling my chain, Melanie, I wanted to scream.
    Late Saturday night I could not sleep again, too much on my mind. Jon had had plans with a friend so we couldn't eat together. Wishing to avoid Mickey, I'd stayed downtown. Willie had invited me to his house where they were grilling barbecued ribs. So I went off to his house with him and ate with his wife, his sons, his grandsons, and what seemed like fifteen great-grandchildren.
    I missed being a part of a family. I wanted my own.

22

    I was the first one up on Sunday morning and got the decaf coffee started. After it finished dripping, I carried a large white mug out onto the deck, and started laying my plans for the day. Pack up my belongings, explain once again to Melanie why I couldn't stay, then drive back to town. I'd stop at Harris Teeter on the way to pick up milk, cereal, bread, and fruit.
    As I sipped coffee and watched the early morning strollers on the beach I reviewed the progress we were making on Kelly's house. Things were moving along smoothly and there had been no more falling bricks, no near misses.
    The insistent ringing of the telephone from inside the greatroom brought me back to the present. I padded across the deck barefoot and entered the house.
    "Aunt Ruby!" I exclaimed when I heard her voice.
    "Ashley, dear, is Melanie there with you? I need to talk to both you girls."
    "Is something wrong with Mama, Aunt Ruby?" I asked, and felt my heart begin to thump. I knew things could only get worse still I'd never be prepared for bad news about my mother.
    "Go find Melanie, sweetheart. Tell her to pick up the extension. I have to talk to both my girls together."
    I carried the phone with me to the master suite door, all the while begging Aunt Ruby to tell me what was wrong. I tapped on the door. Then tapped again. Melanie did not respond. Finally I opened the door.
    Melanie was asleep. And very much alone. No Mickey. Had he gone down to his club late last night? Was he asleep in another room? Had she thrown him out? I hope, I hope, I hope.
    "Melanie! Wake up!"
    She lifted her head, squinting at me.
    "It's Aunt Ruby. Something's wrong. She has to speak to both of us. Pick up the other phone."
    Instantly, Melanie was wide awake. She sat straight up, eyes alert and very much awake. And grabbed up the bedside phone.
    "Aunt Ruby! I'm here, me, Melanie. Ashley's about to have a conniption fit. What's wrong?"
    I moved inside her bedroom and dropped down on the edge of the bed. Melanie's eyes held mine as we both listened to the news.
    "My darling girls, I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but your dear sweet