Emerald Mist: The Story of Mayhem and Mystery On the Gulf Coast

By Linda Kay Dubose

Divorce is difficult under the best of circumstances, but when Cameron divorces his wife of thirty years to marry a younger woman, a series of events is set in motion that no one could have foreseen. Maggie must learn to live without her husband. Jessica, the new wife, finally lives the lifestyle she has always coveted, but finds that money does not always ensure smooth sailing, especially when incurring the disdain of Maggie's friends. Cameron realizes that while the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, there is more to life than grass. The story of the Mabry triangle ends in tragedy . . . a tragedy that cannot be explained . . . an unsolved mystery. But the conflict extends to the next generation, and even there it ends in tragedy and unsolved mystery. Yet, there are redeeming outcomes and hope is best personified in a child. This story is strictly fictional, but it is inspired by an incident which occurred almost forty years ago. That incident is described in the epilogue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781631929533

Book preview

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

The divorce papers arrived in the morning mail. Anthony, the butler, placed the thick yellow envelope, clearly stamped with Mr. Mabry’s lawyer’s return address, on the silver mail tray atop the massive mahogany sideboard in the formal dining room. Anthony knew it was going to be a bad day for Mrs. Mabry and, therefore, for everyone else in the Mabry household. It would soon be official, a thirty-year marriage over and done with. Well…over, yes, but not done with. The family break-up had not been pretty up to this point, and, given the circumstances, things promised to get even uglier. Just how ugly even Anthony, a trusted employee and confidante of fifteen years, had no way of knowing. God help the person or persons who may get in the way of a bitter domestic feud between two strong-willed, designing women fighting over one aging, egocentric, philandering (but wickedly wealthy) man!

Anthony wisely busied himself in another part of the Mabry mansion about the time Mrs. Mabry would descend the staircase, pick up the mail and retreat to the patio where a tray of hot coffee and a variety of homemade breakfast muffins and fresh fruit awaited her. It was her custom to sit in the fresh morning air, leisurely sip her coffee, and munch on a light breakfast while sorting through the mail. She would toss the junk mail aside, read any personal notes, and save weightier business mail for later, to be read carefully in the study and dealt with as was necessary.

The loud, crashing sound of metal and glass as it sailed onto the brick patio floor signaled the maid, the cooks, and the butler that the large yellow envelope had been opened. Maggie Mabry was one distraught and angry woman. She flew up the stairs in a flurry with the despised papers clutched in her fist. She couldn’t believe it! He actually carried through with his threat. He was divorcing her for that tramp…that frivolous, air-headed, flirty blonde twenty years his junior. Good grief! He was old enough to be her father! Not only that, she was a nobody from the wrong side of the tracks. She’d gotten pregnant in high school and married before graduating. Thereafter, she became a baby factory, turning out five more children in not many more years than their number. Still, Maggie’s latest and most unsavory rival had managed to keep her sensuous figure and come-hither demeanor. At some point in time she had apparently discovered what caused her pregnancies and had learned how to prevent them, but her marriage was a train wreck.

The other woman was Jessica Foley, married to Guy Foley. Guy was a pretty decent fellow, though not very sophisticated. He was a construction worker who labored hard but didn’t earn enough money to support Jessica and their six kids in the fashion Jessica had always coveted. She never let him forget it. She wanted more and never spared his feelings when letting it be known. Fed up with stretching a frustratingly tight budget to cover the needs of her large family, she decided to put her compelling physical resources to good use in a bad way and bring home some extra income. Needless to say, the already tattered relationship between Jessica and Guy fell completely to pieces, and a divorce was in the making. Jessica wasn’t worried. She had a plan, and it was working. Her next husband would be willing and able to provide all the comforts and luxuries of life that had dominated her imagination since childhood but, until now, always dangled alluringly just beyond her grasp.

It was common knowledge that mega-millionaire Cameron Mabry was quite the ladies’ man, although in public he was careful to keep up the appearance of a happily married husband. It seemed that as Cameron’s prestige and affluence increased, his sense of entitlement and his appetite for lascivious indulgences increased proportionately. He moved, discreetly he thought, from one mistress to the next as often as most people rotate their tires. Somehow Maggie Mabry had learned to live with that bothersome bent of his. But she never dreamed Cameron would fly the coop for the likes of Jessica Foley, leaving Maggie, their four adult children and eight grandchildren open to public humiliation and pity.

The thought of that floozy gleefully thrusting her greedy, gold-digging paws into the treasure-trove of wealth that Maggie and Cameron had accumulated together added fuel to Maggie’s fury. The Mabry’s hadn’t always been rich. They started out young and starry-eyed with little more than a dream and dogged determination. They had worked side by side for many years to make that dream come true. Divorce was too much, way too much, for Maggie to accept gracefully. She had no intention of fading quietly into the background while Jessica Foley craftily intruded into her marriage and summarily replaced her.

Every negative emotion Maggie could identify blended together and boiled up like a foul soup inside her fevered heart. Revenge was emerging as the dominant flavor. There would be consequences. Maggie’s new driving force would be to make life miserable for the next Mrs. Cameron Mabry. It was only fair. If Maggie had to fork over her husband to Jessica, sharing his name and fortune, she should be allowed to serve Jessica a portion of her pain…as generous a portion as possible. But for now, all Maggie wanted to do was to escape to her room and allow the dam to crack and crumble, releasing a flood of tears that might temporarily wash away a small measure of her grief. Hopefully a good cry would provide enough relief to get her through this one, dreadful day.

CHAPTER TWO

Callie, the maid, and two cooks, Garrett and Sarah, snapped to attention when they heard the commotion on the patio. Anthony, the butler, had warned them of the coming crisis. They looked at one another and wondered if the drama was over for the moment. Within seconds, Anthony swung open the kitchen door and stuck his head into the room.

The coast is clear. Mrs. Maggie has gone to her room, he announced. Callie, unfortunately you have a mess to clean up on the patio. You had best get it done quickly. We have a bridge party to prepare for. With that instruction, Anthony was off to check on the many other details that must be handled before the noon bridge party and ladies’ luncheon began. Maggie Mabry would expect everything to be picture perfect before her distinguished guests arrived.

Callie grabbed up her cleaning supplies and headed for the patio. Garrett and Sarah continued with the food preparations. Mrs. Maggie had selected several unusual and impressive dishes to be served to her socialite friends. They required careful planning and skillful handling.

How is she going to keep herself together for this party? Anthony should have hidden the letter until this afternoon, Sarah mumbled, more to herself than to Garrett.

What good would that have done? This evening she’s hosting the opening of the Mabry Performing Arts Center. If she read it just before that event, she’d have the same problem. He couldn’t save it until she gets home tonight because Mr. Cameron will be at the opening and expect her to have received it. It wouldn’t be fair to let her go there unprepared, Garrett reasoned.

Yes, I suppose that’s true. Maybe having her friends around and playing bridge will be a good thing…could take her mind off the divorce for a little while. She had to know it was coming. Everybody else did. Still, it’s a shame. All those years together, the children and grandchildren, and all they’ve done as a couple for this town…they’re like the royal family of the region. It’s almost impossible to think of her without him or him without her. They’re an institution around here.

I know, but they certainly had their problems. Everybody that works here knows that. I suppose he just got tired of the nagging and quarreling.

Sarah’s eyes popped widely open. Her hands flew to her hips, and her elbows stuck out causing her to look like a large, angry bird poised to fly into Garrett’s face. Well, she declared sharply in Mrs. Maggie’s defense, if he’d behave himself, maybe he wouldn’t have to endure the nagging and quarreling! You and I both know she’s put up with far more than most women would. If he were my husband, I’d have poisoned his pancakes long ago!

No, you wouldn’t, Garrett laughed. Rather than going to jail for murder, you’d find yourself a bulldog lawyer who could take him to the cleaners, and then you’d cry all the way to the bank!

I suppose you’re right, Sarah conceded and relaxed her stance. And I have a feeling that’s exactly what Mrs. Maggie will do, and who could blame her?

Well, that’s their business and none of ours. It certainly won’t help matters for us to get crossed up choosing sides. It’s not our war. We’d better concentrate on the cooking and leave their marital problems to them. Considering Mrs. Maggie’s state of mind these days, if this menu doesn’t work out just right our biggest concern may be finding a new job.

Sarah grunted her agreement, and the two again turned all their attention to the task at hand. Sarah was a short, stocky, pleasant-natured woman in her late forties. She had worked for the Mabry family for almost twenty years. When the entertaining responsibilities grew too much for her to handle, Mrs. Maggie hired Garrett, ten years ago. Although Sarah had seniority, Garrett took charge of the kitchen. He was younger, now in his late thirties, and actually a master chef.

Sarah could easily have felt threatened by Garrett’s skill, but by the time he was hired she was ready for help and willing to be demoted to assisting him. It was a relief to leave the planning to him and to follow instructions rather than giving them. They worked well together, and both felt great loyalty to the Mabry family. Now those loyalties would be tested. How could they manage to be supportive of both Mrs. Maggie and her charismatic, but philandering, soon-to-be-ex-husband Cameron Mabry? It would be difficult, but it must be done. What was said in the kitchen should stay in the kitchen.

At 10:30 a.m. Evelyn Vanderforth, Maggie’s best friend, was the first guest to arrive. Evelyn, the wife of Circuit Court Judge Horace Vanderforth, was a tall, slender, distinguished-looking woman in her fifties. She was a take-charge type who made it her business to know what was going on at all times in the lives of her dearest friends and sometimes those not so dear. Cameron had given Evelyn, as well as Anthony, a heads-up that the papers would arrive in the morning mail. He had suggested that she perhaps should rally to her friend’s side and help hold her together as much as possible after receiving the unpleasant news…a mildly admirable but entirely insufficient show of concern on his part. Evelyn had roughly thirty minutes to commence her assignment before the other bridge-club ladies were expected to arrive.

Good morning, Anthony. Where is she? Evelyn barely looked in Anthony’s direction as she brushed past him at the front door and instinctively looked toward the elegant spiral staircase that led to the second floor and Maggie’s bedroom.

She’s upstairs in her room, Mrs. Vanderforth. Please have a seat, and I’ll tell her you’re here."

Never mind; I’m going up. Evelyn didn’t miss a beat as she lightly tossed her cashmere wrap into Anthony’s arms for him to put away and kept walking toward the stairs.

Uh, Mrs. Vanderforth, pardon me please, but I’m not sure Mrs. Maggie’s quite ready to receive just yet. Perhaps you should wait down here for a moment and let me check, Anthony followed behind her and spoke entreatingly toward his moving target. Evelyn ignored him and quickly proceeded to climb the staircase with ease and determination. Anthony sighed in resignation, took the soft feminine wrap left to his care and hung it carefully in the large coat closet near the entrance. Evelyn didn’t say so, but she appreciated that Anthony was very protective of her friend Maggie. However, Maggie needed no protection from Evelyn. They were as transparent with one another as two people could be, and they had been that way for many years.

With only one cautionary knock, Evelyn pushed open the door and boldly entered Maggie’s bedroom. In her typical, no-nonsense fashion she blurted out her heart-felt opinion and marching orders. We’ll have no more tears today, my dear! I know you’ve had a blow to your ego this morning, but he’s not worth more than a five-minute tear fest. Let me see your face.

Maggie slowly but obediently turned from her vanity table, lifted her face toward her audacious friend and waited for her evaluation.

"Very good! Only slight redness and a little puffiness about the eyes, but not very noticeable. We can easily fix that with a few eye drops and a touch of make-up. We’re not going to let that gaggle of gossiping old card-playing geese see your pain. You’re going to take charge of your own life, and you’ll not accept pity or condescension from any of them. Your life is going to be much better without that cheating man-child, and I’m going to prove it to you, starting today.

When the luncheon’s over, I’ve got plans for you. First, we’re going on a whirlwind shopping spree. I’m going to buy you the best-looking evening gown in these parts, and you’re going to wear it tonight to the theater opening. After that, my cosmetologist is going to do your hair and your makeup. I know you had your regular hair appointment yesterday, and I’m not saying Greta didn’t do a good job, but tonight you need something different from your usual style. You need something extraordinary, something stunning. My Sylvia is just the one to do it. She’s the go-to girl for wedding and prom hairdos and makeup. She’ll have you glowing and looking years younger in no time. You’ll be beautiful, and you’re going to wear a big, happy smile throughout the whole evening, even if we have to paint one on you. Now, where’s the Visine?

For the next half hour the pair worked at fixing the flood damage done to Maggie’s countenance and choosing an eye-catching, bright and colorful outfit for Maggie to change into before heading downstairs. Under the upbeat influence of her tenacious friend, Maggie’s gloomy disposition began to brighten, at least temporarily. Maggie knew that when her strength and determination waned she could draw from Evelyn’s. She had never before been this glad that she had a warrior friend who would do battle for her without being asked.

Maggie stood before her full-length mirror to inspect the finished product. She had to admit that Evelyn had salvaged her ravaged façade quite well. Evie, you’re a miracle worker! What would I do without you? You have no idea how much it means to me that you’re on my side. I’m afraid I may have to rely on you quite a while to help me get through this divorce. I don’t trust myself to face it alone. I can’t really expect the kids to take sides and stand up to their father for the way he’s betrayed me. As far as I can tell, they’re not aware of how glaringly Cameron has disrespected our marriage vows. I kept as much of the ugliness from them as possible over the years. But I don’t suppose divorce is one of those things you can conceal from your children. It’s all going to come out in the open now. I’m going to have to be brave for them. Having you in my corner means a lot.

Maggie offered Evelyn her bravest smile, reached out to give her a hug and attempted to change the subject. Let’s go down and see if everything’s in order. I’m sure Anthony’s on top of it, but he’ll want me to give my final approval.

As they turned to leave the room and stroll through the