came in to shop and Anna added in a low voice, âThatâs why we came here to talk to you. We saw you on the morning news and realized you dislike that no-good, low-rent, middle-Georgia Boone person as much as we do. I could cut the manâs heart out with a spoon, I could, and itâs a darn shame too with him being so fine and deliciousto look at. One glance at that man and a girl wants to sink her teeth into his tight little butt. So you can take the clothes, right?â
I was still back at Booneâs butt.
âIâll bring the clothes over when dear Clive passes on so you can get them right out on the floor fast and sold quick-like.â
The sisters trotted out the front door and down the sidewalk as Mercedes came in the back door. Her hair was always soft and sleek and her makeup perfect, and the peach pashmina draped around her shoulders accented her dark skin perfectly. I wanted to be Mercedes when I grew up.
âWhat in the world were the gold-digger sisters doing here?â she asked. âThose two gals are not exactly the consignment-shop type.â
âTheyâre inquiring about selling menâs clothes.â
Mercedes stopped dead. âHoly Mary in heaven. Well, there you go. Those two got plans and itâs not where to spend their next anniversary. Think we should warn the poor unfortunates married to them? It only seems fitting that we do something.â
ââYour wifeâs planning to knock you offâ may not go over too well, but they are paying a visit to Odilia right now to speed things up.â We both made the sign of the cross at the mention of the local voodoo priestess, who knew how to get the job done. Nine months ago Wanda Fleming went to Odilia because her daughter wasnât getting pregnant. Last week she delivered triplets.
âI knew it,â Mercedes said, slapping her palm on my checkout counter, which was actually an old greenpaint-chipped door I had found in the attic and laid across the backs of two chairs. âItâs like I figured all along. Anna and Bella are prime suspects in this mess with Conway, and if theyâre planning on their very own husbandsâ demise, doing in Conway and framing Walker for the deed is a piece of cake, donât you think? Itâs a perfect fit.â
âThey did mention Boone and it wasnât to sing his praises, except for his butt. But how would they get hold of Booneâs .38?â
âHoney, every woman in Savannah praises that manâs fine behind, and the fact that Mr. Walker keeps a .38 in his desk drawer is legendary. Word has it that someone used it to put a bullet right into his wood-paneled office, of all things. Do you believe that?â
I did the big swallow. Actually I did believe it âcause I sort of did the shooting.
âBut the reason I came over is I got news,â Mercedes said. She came around to the back of the counter and whispered, âI was fixing up Conway to âStayinâ Alive,â that being my favorite fix-up music and all. I was taking my time, making him look real good, and lo and behold if some guy didnât barge right into the room big as you please. He pulled out a carving knife and stabbed Conway right in the heart. I mean, the manâs already dead as a post, for Peteâs sake. How much deader can he get and now I got another hole to fill in, like I didnât have enough work from the .38 and it messed up the embalming something fierce. Some people have no consideration.â
ââStayinâ Aliveâ?â
âThe Bee Gees.â
âDid you call the police?â
âFolk are already croaked when we get âem, nothing much more can happen to them, right? The Slumber is not exactly a flashing-lights-and-sirens sort of establishment. Weâre more into lilies and ferns and hankies and tea and cookies and âDoesnât he look good for a dead guy.â I have no idea who the