The Doubtful Death Mystery: A J.D. Pierson Case File, #3

By C.H. Sessums

When a top insurance agent dies in a boating accident, it's a tragedy, but when the books for that agent turn up short twenty-five thousand dollars, doubt becomes the name of the game…

Cliff Wildmon was a friend and a colleague, so when we learn the news of his death, my dad and I both feel the pain. My heart goes out especially to our friend Blake Broadmore, who had a close relationship with his fellow Gilead Mutual employee. But when the company discovers Cliff's accounts are short a large amount of money, they want Blake to check it out. It's clear from the look on his face that he wants to turn this job away, but the company is having none of that. Instead, they allow him to hire a partner as he investigates his friend. Imagine my surprise when he asks me to come along.

 

When the nature of Cliff's accident comes into question, Blake and I find ourselves not only looking for a stolen pile of money but also hunting a ghost who will do almost anything not to be found.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cactus Rose Press
• Release date: Jul 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781386726135

C.H. Sessums

C.H. Sessums is a pen name for USA Today Bestselling Author Olivia Hardin. While Olivia writes all manner of romance, C.H. scribbles out cozy mysteries set in her beloved state of Texas. Whether exploring urban legends from all over the lone star state or solving capers set in far off times, mystery meets history in all of her stories. In real life, C.H. lives in gorgeous East Texas with her hubby and their two rescue dogs. Every weekend all four of them pile up into their bunkhouse to watch classic movies and listen to old-time radio.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I TWISTED MY HEAD LEFT, then right, lowering my chin then raising it high so that I could be absolutely certain, before making my decision.  After a few seconds, my lips lifted into a grin, and I nodded before I picked the hat up off my head and handed it back to the saleswoman.

Please box it up for me, I told her, and her eyes lit up with pleasure, realizing she’d made a sale. 

I didn’t often get the opportunity for many luxuries such as this, but Dad had insisted after we received our expense account and fee from Gilead and Lone Star Mutual.  After some pushing, I’d finally relented and agreed to go shopping. 

I watched with eager eyes as the clerk carefully laid the woman’s Panama-style hat into the box, lining tissue paper all around it.  The bow just above the front slouch of the hat would match the rickrack trim on the new tunic day dress I’d picked out the day before.  Counting the money, I thanked her again, then snagged the string on the box and turned to leave the department store. 

Today Dad was with Mr. Alfred Killough for what had come to be their weekly lunch meeting.  Everything hadn’t been entirely sunshine and roses for us since the struggle to stay sober had left my father in a poor mental state part of the time.  Still, whenever he needed him, Mr. Killough was there for a phone or a visit.  It had been weeks since we’d returned home from the Texas Ranger Case, as we’d come to refer to the Templeton Gorham matter. Since then, I’d gotten his blessing to take on even more cases.

Just that morning, I’d received a call from a secretary for Gilead Mutual about a potential matter they wanted us to look into.  Sherrie said if we were available, they would get the paperwork to us immediately, and I’d quickly advised that we were.  So all told, I was feeling rather jubilant this afternoon.

Whistling as I made my way up the steps in front of the People’s National Bank Building, I had a strange sensation that someone was watching me.  And since I’d found those feelings tended to be reliable, I cut my eyes from the left to the right in search of whoever it might be.  The door opened, and a familiar pair of hazel-green eyes met mine.

Lee Gorham! I exclaimed, putting out my hand to take his.  We lingered that way, my fingers in his palm while we stepped out of the way of other guests passing through the building. What on earth are you doing here?

Well, believe it or not, I’m on my way to Michigan, and I thought I’d stop here on the way.

I drew my brows together, but with a smile as we walked together towards the elevator. I’m quite certain Tyler, Texas isn’t on the way to Michigan, Lee.

It isn’t, eh? He chuckled. All the more reason I need that education, I suppose.

My mouth popped open, and I smacked him good-naturedly on the arm. You’re going to University! That’s wonderful, Lee.

And I have you to thank. So, that’s why I decided to make a quick detour on the chance you might allow me to take you to lunch or dinner as a thank you.

I felt my cheeks heat, and I knew I was blushing. Glancing at my feet a moment, I shook my head before meeting his gaze again. I didn’t do anything, Lee.  I just asked your father to open the discussion again.  I believe you have much promise, Mr. Gorham, and you certainly deserve this opportunity.

He was looking at me strangely, and that in turn did funny things to my stomach.  Without saying anything else, he followed me onto the elevator, and we traveled up to my floor.  As we stepped off, I inhaled and glanced over at him.

So, you mentioned lunch?

Or dinner, he added. My train doesn’t leave until morning, so I’m available either time depending on your schedule.

Well, I’ve been away for at least an hour doing a bit of shopping. I held up the hatbox. So, I really should get some paperwork done.  Would you mind terribly if we made it dinner? Slipping my key into the door of our office, I was surprised to find it already unlocked.

I opened it and invited him in with a motion of my hand.

I would be honored to take you to dinner, Jenny, Lee was saying, but when I opened the door, I was stunned by what I saw waiting for me.

Jenny, dear! my father announced broadly. Look who’s made a surprise visit!

For some reason, one which I couldn’t quite fathom, I suddenly felt a little like a mouse trapped in a corner.

Chapter 2

I DECIDED TO WEAR A blue dress I’d only finished altering a few days before.  Working from one of my mother’s favorites, I’d tightened the waist to give it a trim look and then added elbow-length Bemberg sleeves using the wide sheer scarf Mom had bought to match the frock.  I was particularly proud of my work on the outfit and liked the idea of showing it off to Lee. 

Giving my hair a pat, I nodded in satisfaction at my appearance, then grabbed my handbag and started for the door.  Dolly trotted ahead of me, eager to beat me into the entryway, clearly expecting we were off on some adventure, but I called out to her in a warning tone, You’ll have to stay here with Dad.  But don’t worry.  I’m sure he and Mr. Broadmore will share their dinner.

I was unreasonably irritated by Blake’s sudden appearance.  I shouldn’t even have been surprised to see him.  It wasn’t unusual for him to stop by when he was in East Texas on business, and I’d known he was testifying on a case in New Boston this week. 

Still, I couldn’t quite figure the flash of surprise in his expression just after he rose to greet me.  I had the distinct feeling Blake wasn’t happy at all to see me, and I might have asked why, but J.D. nearly tripped over him to greet Templeton Gorham’s son, chortling in delight and beaming with pleasure about our date.

Lee was a fine boy, and I admired him greatly, but I knew that this was nothing to be excited about.  He honorably intended to repay the debt he believed he owed me, and I certainly couldn’t have said no.  Besides, I was quite excited to hear more about his education.

Smells good, Dad, I commented as I stepped into the kitchen where my father was busy frying up a big sirloin.  Blake was just popping a handful of nuts into his mouth as I approached, but he stood for me and nodded. 

You look very fetching, Jenny, he commented, and although the words were complimentary, his tone was not.  Sparing me only a few seconds’ glance, he bent down to give Dolly a pet when she came to stand in front of him.  I never would’ve taken you for a dog person, J.D, he commented over his shoulder to my father.

Well, he chuckled. Neither would I.  But sweet Dolly grows on a man.  And she’s more Jenny’s pup than mine anyway.

I opened my mouth to argue that point, but a knock drew our attention.  Dolly spun around, yapping her way towards the front door. Dad tried to follow her, but I waved him away. You’ll burn dinner, and then Mr. Broadmore will starve to death.

Wouldn’t want that. I heard Blake remark. and I rolled my eyes just as I opened the door to admit Lee into the house.

Good evening, Jenny. I’ll be a lucky fellow with such a peach on my arm tonight.

Don’t encourage J.D. with your faux flattery, Lee, I said, putting my hand out to stop him before he could join the men in the kitchen. Shall we go?

He had his mouth open as if to say something, but I only smiled and pointed with my eyes at the door.  After a moment’s pause, he tipped his head to my father. So we shall. Good night, sir.

Lee, now you take good care of my Jenny girl, I heard Dad call out.

Blake said something too, but by that time I was out on the lawn and too far away to hear him.  There was Cadillac parked on the curb, a 1931 model, I guessed.  Lee opened the door for me, and I slipped into the passenger seat, then held my handbag on my lap as I waited for him to get into the left seat.

You rode the train.  Where did this car come from?

Can you believe? he said, beaming. This is a drive-yourself car.  Fellow out west of the train depot rents it to folks who come in on the train.  Said he has four cars in his fleet so far.  There’s a little meter on one of the front wheels to measure the miles.  Isn’t technology grand?

His enthusiasm was catching, almost like a child opening a present on Christmas morning.  I’d heard of drive-yourself cars, but I had no idea anyone here in East Texas was running such a business.  I thought perhaps we were becoming more cosmopolitan than I’d imagined.

Now, I did some checking, and I think I found just the place. I met a couple at the Blackstone Hotel who went a few nights ago, he said as he put the car into gear.  Said they had a grand time.

Oh?

Yes, indeed.  I am determined to get you out on the dance floor after the way you snubbed my attention that evening in Grimswick.

Chuckling, I brought my hand to the back of my head where I still wore a little scar. Well, I had quite a bit of a headache that night. I hadn’t told a single person about the blow I’d suffered when trying to solve the case involving Lee’s father.  No one, that is, except for Mr. Gorham’s hired hand Alonzo, who’d helped clean up the injury.

But you haven’t one tonight, do you? He looked over at me with a disarming smile.

No, Mr. Gorham, I haven’t one.  I do need to confess that I’m not much of a dancer, though. I looked down and straightened my dress, suddenly a little nervous.

But I am, so you have nothing to worry about.

I knew very well that he was.  I’d watched him that evening months ago.

So where are we to do all of this dancing?

The Swinging Station.  My friends at the hotel said it’s out west of town. Maybe you can help me find it.

My eyes widened, and I pivoted my head to face him. Yes, it’s on the Dallas Highway.

"You do know it.  Have you been there, then?"

Of course not.  My... I started to say my mother wouldn’t have let me set foot in the place, but I snapped my mouth closed and gritted my teeth a moment.  There were many places I’d been in over the last few years that my mother wouldn’t have approved of.  I’d rarely let that give me more than a simple pause.  For some reason, this seemed different. That’s a pretty raucous place, Lee.  I’m not sure going there is a good idea.

He snorted a laugh. You expect me to believe the great Jenny Dee Pierson is afraid of a dancing spot outside of the city limits?  When I know very well you’re packing heat in that handbag of yours?

I’m certainly not afraid, I said, though my cheeks were flaming. I just don’t know that it’s the best choice...

"Is it me you’re afraid of, then?"

Lee Gorham, are you intentionally needling me?

His smile was disarming. We’re going to have a fantastic time tonight.

Chapter 3

I CARRIED MY SHOES with me as Lee walked me to the front porch.  My feet were aching, and the cool grass felt soothing on my soles.  My mother would have been horrified, I imagined, but it didn’t seem all that important.

The lights were all out inside the house, though my dad had left the one on the front porch lit for me.  As I reached for the knob, Lee’s voice stopped me.

Could we sit? he asked, motioning to the rocking chairs beside the front window of my father’s Sears Roebuck house. 

I nodded, then started to plop into the closest, but remembering the rickety leg on the outside chair, I quickly took it instead. 

I held my handbag on my knees, back ramrod straight as I peered out at our quiet street.