Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
This was the kind of day when driving was enjoyable. The sun was shining, the air felt good, and the breeze coming through rolled-down windows was air for my soul.
The drive across Normal to the far side of town was exactly what I needed to help clear my mind. Especially as I turned the radio up and sang along.
The old country song filled the car while I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel and crooned along at the top of my lungs. Too bad I’d not participated in karaoke the other night at the campground. No, I had to be too busy finding a dead body to enjoy my own party.
I sucked in a deep breath and focused on the winding road. It would take only one slip of the wheel to get my tires off the road, and down the cliff I’d go. The road tightly twisted through the Daniel Boone National Forest.
The afternoon sunlight was bright and broke through the leaves, scattering patches along the narrow ribbons of asphalt. The trees grew inside of the limestone cliffs that sometimes gave way to thick patches of ferns and rhododendrons.
The dogwoods were dressed in bright-pink flowers, and their leaves almost looked neon green against the darker pines. It was a gorgeous sight, and I got envious of the hikers inside the forest who really were able to enjoy the season we were having.
When I passed by Grassel’s Garage, I slowed a little to see if Bobby Ray was outside with Joel Grassel, but he wasn’t. I gave a little toot of the horn and waved at Joel, who was standing by the gas pump, talking to a customer.
He lifted his hand the second he realized it was me.
I picked up speed and took the tunnel road that would take me around downtown, which I knew would be busy.
I wasn’t too far down the road when the old Nada Tunnel suddenly came into view.
The moss clung to the stone walls around the entrance, and I slowed as I saw tourists standing outside of their cars, taking photos.
The traffic was stopped, which meant I had to wait my turn to drive through the tunnel, where only one car could fit at a time. Currently, it was the motorists in the oncoming traffic who were coming through.
Once it was my turn, I switched the radio off so I could enjoy the sounds.
The coolness was immediately felt as I slowly entered the dark tunnel.
My tires echoed against the rock walls, the sound of water dripping came from somewhere, and no matter how many times I drove through this tunnel, it still creeped me out.
When I made it through to the other side, there were already five cars waiting. We all waved at one another as I drove past and headed straight toward the Old Train Station Motel.
And before too long, I had turned down Fawn Road and pulled into the parking lot of what used to be an old train station before Coke Odgen had a vision of turning it into a motel with an event center and a horseback riding trail.
There were only ten motel rooms, and I considered them truly boutique style, meaning you entered from the front.
I got out of my car and looked over to the garden, where Coke could be found on most occasions, but today she wasn’t there.
I headed on through to the large circular gathering area right behind the motel rooms, where an old dome-style metal patina roof let in a little sunlight, and over to the Caboose Diner, which was connected off to the left of the back side of the building.
My stomach was growling and my mouth was watering before I even made it inside of the old-fashioned diner. And as soon as I opened the door, the smell of a sizzling cheeseburger made my stomach growl even more.
“I know that look!” Coke Odgen yelled from the counter. “That’s a hungry look.”
I smiled as my eyes met Coke’s. She always reminded me of Mary Tyler Moore, with her flipped-up hairdo and birdlike features. Coke was a tiny thing who ran a big business.
“Come on and sit down.” She patted the counter, where there was a stool available.
On my way over, I noticed all the red vinyl booths were occupied, the jukebox was blaring, and laughter filled the space.
“What can I get you, and to what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked as soon as I got closer.
“I want a cheeseburger, fries, and a sweet tea.” It all rolled out of my mouth. I knew I had not come here to eat, but I wasn’t going to deny myself either. Sleuthing took energy, and right now, I would get that energy from eating the best greasy burger in town.
“Here you go, honey.” Coke returned with a mason jar filled with sweet tea. “Now, the second part of my question?”
I picked up the jar and took a big drink.
“This is so good, but don’t tell Mary Elizabeth,” I told her and set it down. “We know how she can get over her sweet tea.”
“Don’t we, though?” Coke winked and leaned her hip against the counter. “I know you didn’t come here this late in the day for lunch.”
“You’re right, but it is a bonus, and I’m always happy to see you,” I told her and took my phone out. “Mary Elizabeth told me you helped her with the catering she used for the Historical Society tea fundraiser.”
“I’ve heard some conflicting things about that tea party,” she said, poking for some gossip. “And a shame Florence Sparks is dead. She’s a Kentucky legend.”
“She is, and well, let’s just say that a lot of strange things happened at the tea party, and I need to get some things answered.” I hit the photos app on my phone, brought up the waitress’s picture, and then handed the phone to Coke. “I need to know if you know who this is.”
“Liz Cullen. She’s been a waitress for Slade Catering for a year or so now,” Coke ID’d immediately. “She’s always been really professional. Why are you wanting to talk to her?”
“She was the waitress for our table, and I want to see if she heard anything that could help in the investigation,” I let slip. “I mean…”
“You and the Laundry Club Ladies are looking into it?” she leaned over and said in a whisper.
“You didn’t hear?” I asked.
Coke shook her head.
“Tex has been named the number one suspect, and as of last night, I heard Al was going to charge him. Glenda is beside herself.”
“Oh no,” Coke gasped. Then she looked behind her when a bell dinged, signaling an order was ready.
Luckily for me, it was mine, so she quickly retrieved it and set it down in front of me.
“I bet she is,” Coke said about Glenda. “I’ve been so busy with the horses and clearing the riding trails from the winter that I’ve not been in here much.”
“You and I both know Tex couldn’t hurt an ant, much less a person,” I told her and popped a few fries in my mouth. “I’m just looking around. You know.”
“Yes.” Coke nodded. “You helped me a time or two.”
“Do you know where I can find Liz?” I asked her through a mouthful of food.
“During the day, she works over in Swamp Canal.” Coke was talking about a town that was a little bigger than Normal and not too far away. “At Lypsnk.”
“The karaoke bar?” I asked, the memories of going there with the Laundry Club Ladies a few years back flooding over me.