Sequestered with the Murderers by Dr. Tanner (best books to read for self improvement .TXT) 📗

on April 15, 16, and 17, you are unavailable to work on this matter,” Jackson continued, “because you will be out of town with your husband. Do we have a deal?”

Yes, we do, I shouted in my mind. Brightness Bus Tours was the first business to ask me for help. I was excited to be working for a company.

“Yes, we do,” I said, then rose and walked around the table, shaking hands with all three of them.

What they didn’t know was that all my cases began with a handshake, and I didn’t think that they knew Brightness was the first business I’ve worked for. All my other cases started with a family member contacting me with a matter such as finding a child given up for adoption twenty years ago, or finding a child that had been kidnapped, or finding out who murdered a family member, or investigating a cold case. I had assumed a business would expect me to sign a written agreement, at least a nondisclosure agreement, and provide daily or weekly written reports. I was edgy and thankful at the same time that Brightness didn’t want me to sign an agreement. I would have gladly signed one, but Brightness not requiring one didn’t quite sit right with me.

“Good, good. Thank you, Vett. Lemmonee will show you to your office and get everything you need.”

I picked up my bag and the three folders, then followed Lemmonee out of the office to the left, down a hallway to a small office that at first glance appeared to have all the equipment I needed.

“Vett, you go ahead and get settled while I get the passenger list and Duffy’s personnel file for you.”

“Before you do that, come in and sit for a minute,” I said, closing the door behind us.

I sat in the chair at the desk and tried to appear as relaxed as possible so Lemmonee would relax.

“Lemmonee, I want to know your take on those three. You have worked for the company for what, uh, nine years. What can you tell me about them?”

“It will be nine years this June,” Lemmonee said, resting her back on the back of the chair and crossing her legs. “Vett, what you saw in there is truly them. Montgomery is a big tall teddy bear. He doesn’t come to the office much anymore. I’m told he does most of his work at home. He is battling cancer, and I guess some days are better than others.”

“I am sorry to hear that. He seems like a very sweet man. Is he married? I didn’t see a ring on his finger.”

“He is a sweet man. He’s a widower; his wife died five years ago. She was a sweetheart, too. They didn’t have children. I don’t know if he has a girlfriend now. I’ve never seen him with another woman. Since his wife died, he comes to our company socials by himself.”

“What about Jackson? He seems like a by the-book-leader.”

“He is. Jackson runs the business; make no mistake about it. He is in charge of everything. I think since Montgomery is sick and doesn’t want to retire, Jackson lets him do what he wants to do and lets him keep the title of CEO. The three of them started a business doing private tours about fifty years ago. From what I am told, they did well. They sold the business about 33 years ago and began Brightness Bus Tours.”

“I saw a ring on Jackson’s finger, so I’m assuming he is married.”

“He is. His wife’s name is Kasper. She is tough as nails, just like Jackson. She’s got to be in her early seventies like Jackson, but she looks younger. She still runs her own employment agency. They only have one child, a son, and he works for Brightness. He is Jackson’s right-hand man and does a little of everything, including a tour driver. He’ll probably take over if Jackson ever decides to retire. His name is Jackson, Jr., but we call him Jack. Let’s see, uh, Jack is divorced with no children. Anything else you want to know about Jackson.”

“No, I think that’s enough. And Lanta?”

“She’s not so bad. She really looks out for us employees, and beneath her harsh exterior is a caring heart. She married into the Oakmoor family. She and her husband have one child, a daughter living in London. The Oakmoors are a well-to-do family in Attribute that owns a lot of businesses, two car dealerships, a popular real estate agency, a fitness center, rental properties, and the ever popular Oakmoor Bed and Breakfast.”

“I saw some literature on that place. I was thinking about checking it out before I left town.”

“I’ve never stayed there, but I heard it is nice.”

“I love bed and breakfast lodgings. My husband is taking me to Serenity Bed, Breakfast and Dinner this weekend for my birthday.”

“Where is that located?”

“In Roanoke.”

“Sounds nice. I’m sure you will love Oakmoor. I heard it stays booked.”

“Lemmonee, is there anything in any of their backgrounds that you can think of that will help me? Any skeletons in the closets?”

I watched her closely. Her body shifted in her chair; she slumped, her head tilted, and her eyes went to the ceiling. She uncrossed her legs and began rubbing her hands together.

“Nothing that I can think of, except somewhere along the line when Lanta was in her youth, she dated Ms. Lacecap’s brother. The rumor is they were hot and heavy back then. But that’s just a rumor.”

“Well, that would explain why she felt so strongly that the Lacecap Hydrangea Murders didn’t have anything to do with Duffy’s murder.”

“Vett, that was so long ago. The two cases can’t possibly be connected, can they?”

“The murderer of Diantha has never been caught. Jackson said it’s a cold case now. Yes, they may be connected.”

“I sure hope not. I liked Duffy and enjoyed having him as my driver on my tours. But I must tell you that everyone did not like him. Some people around town claim