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“I don’t know, but I do know my aunt never trusted the woman, and she’s a pretty good judge of character.”
“Why did you hang up on me?” asked Jessica.
“I’m sorry about that. I thought you were some reporter from one of the big cities trying to rake this all up again just to make your name. It’s happened more than once.”
Jessica smiled sympathetically. “I can understand that.”
Carole Lee’s eyes seemed to sharpen. “Frannie was supposed to be out of town for her brother’s funeral, but I was pretty sure she was upstairs the whole time. She often needed to go somewhere to do something when she just didn’t want to work. She was as lazy as an old catfish.”
“When they questioned Frannie, she did mention she’d heard Pandora break up with Rupert Simmons.”
“Do you know when Frannie said she got back from her brother’s funeral? Did she even have a brother?”
“Not that I know of, but she and Rupert Simmons got married not long after Pandora died,” said Carole Lee. “They said they bonded over their shared grief.” Carole Lee snorted. “I never believed them.”
“Anybody know where we can find Frannie or Rupert?”
Teddy grinned. “It just so happens that Rupert saw the light and became a preacher. Personally, I think he and Frannie had a come to Jesus meeting, and she made him toe the line.”
“Any chance you know where his congregation is located?” asked Fiona.
“He’s retired now. He and Frannie moved back here to Granville late last summer.”
Christie smiled. “Carole Lee? How about if I leave Jess and Fiona to visit with you, and Lori, Teddy and I will go pay the pastor and his wife a little visit.”
Jessica tossed Christie her keys. “No speeding tickets. Thorn just about had heart failure until I told him it was you.”
“No promises,” Christie cackled.
With Teddy along to give them directions they were able to find Rupert and Frannie’s house easily.
They knocked on the door. It was answered by a woman about Carole Lee’s age, but time and circumstance hadn’t been as kind to her as it had been to Carole Lee.
“Can I help you? Teddy? Is that you lurking back there?”
“It is, Mrs. Simmons. These ladies are with a murder club that looks into cold cases. They’ve been talking with my aunt and have some questions for you,” said Teddy.
“I have nothing to say about that old business.” The old woman tried to shut the door in their faces, but Lori got her foot in, heel down, and wedged her foot against the flat of the door.
“Well done, grasshopper,” said Christie. “You have learned well.”
“I have learned from a master,” said Lori, inclining her head to Christie.
“May we come in?” asked Christie. “We can do it out here if you like. Your neighbors are starting to peep through their curtains. Besides, it’s cold out here.”
“Let them in, Frannie,” said a slightly slurred voice from inside the house.
Frannie’s lips pursed into a tight line, and she stepped back.
Once they were all seated and introductions made, Christie looked to Frannie. “The report said you came back early from your brother’s funeral.”
“That’s right,” Frannie said.
“And did you see Ms. Pritchard?”
“I stepped inside the house to see if she needed anything; she didn’t. And I didn’t kill her.” Frannie looked mildly insulted.
“What’s the statute of limitations on that kind of thing?” asked Rupert Simmons.
