Been There, Bone That: Naomi & Winston Mysteries, #4

By Maddie Sutton

The simple act of buying a vehicle turns into a dog's breakfast...

 

The local dealership owner has died from an alleged heart attack... but Naomi's nose for trouble has her convinced that something stinks.

The circumstances surrounding his passing certainly are suspicious. Between alienating his daughter with his attempts at controlling her, and his attempts to strong arm an unpopular outlet mall project through for city ordinance approval which could leave some citizens of Harmony Grove at risk losing their homes, there is more than one person in town who'd benefit from his demise.

When law enforcement writes the death off as a natural cause, it's up to Naomi to untangle the knotty issue... without ending up as the next victim

The fourth book in the southern, small town Naomi & Winston Mystery series, Been There, Bone That contains no adult situations or gore, only fun and high jinks as the heroine solves mysteries and chases behind her perpetually confused, endearingly curious, and continuously chatty Chihuahua. This story has a light paranormal element.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maddie Sutton
• Release date: Oct 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201262532

Book preview

1

Jolene, you’re pushing me. I glanced at my best friend over my shoulder in irritation.

I’m just watching. This is fascinating.

Gramma harrumphed and continued to write on her notepad.

Maybe you should look into a spreadsheet for your list-making, Miss LaLa, Jolene said. She scooted the kitchen chair over to sit very close next to me.

I remember when computers took up space the size of this house, she said, waving her pen around us. The manual method serves me just fine.

That hasn’t been a thing for, like, forever, Sarah said as she sat down next to me. So what kind of car are you going to get?

With Jolene on one side and Sarah on the other, it was a little claustrophobic. My elbows were pinned at my side. I couldn’t see the screen clearly when Jolene or my sister dipped in to squint at it up close. Car shopping is not a family affair, I said sourly.

I think it should be, Mom said from the sink. Crowdsourcing. Isn’t that what the young people call it?

Mom’s right. Sarah reached over my forearms and moved the mouse on the trackpad to click on a link. That’s an ugly color.

With my elbow, I pushed her back. I am not getting an El Camino.

Good. Sarah straightened. Because that’s an ugly color.

I backed up one page and continued to scroll through the offerings on the CarGear webpage.

Dad strolled through the kitchen. He washed his hands, then stopped to kiss Mom’s cheek. Your mother and I think you should just go to Herbert Allen’s car lot and see what he has.

That’s mostly new cars, Dad. I made a note on my spreadsheet with a link to a potential car. I’m looking for something more broken in.

Pre-owned, Mom said.

Gramma snorted. Used. They’re called used. Pig-in-a-poke purchase. Don’t know what you’re buying until you get it home.

Mom set out a plate of Jolene’s snickerdoodles and filled up our coffee mugs. We would run it by the mechanic first.

I still say a new car would be best. Robbie walked into the kitchen with Winston under his arm. From the way Winston licked at his nose, I suspect Robbie had been sharing his apple and peanut butter. Mostly the peanut butter. Even though it depreciates in value the moment you drive it off the lot, mechanical problems are almost zero for the first few years.

It would be more dependable, Sarah agreed.

I sighed. I can’t really afford a new car. I spent most of my money on the house and getting Tangled Tails off the ground. I have enough for a down payment but not to handle a new car payment. I don’t think the lenders would line up to throw money at me. A used car, though, I think I can get financed reasonably.

Dad joined us at the table, I think mostly to eat Jolene’s cookies. And keep our mechanic in business.

Support our locals, Jolene piped up. Ooh, what about that Hyundai?

It’s lime green, I said.

Sarah squinted and leaned forward. Antifreeze green.

Mom stopped just behind us. Neon green.

We can’t even agree on the type of green. I knew one thing, no green cars for me.

Robbie put Winston down. He also grabbed a cookie. Just stay away from red cars. They attract the attention of the law.

That’s a myth, I said to Robbie.

Ask Chief Reed. Oh... Jolene grabbed my arm and leaned in. "I’m sorry...Alistair," she said sarcastically.

You’re not going to let that go, are you? I leaned back in my chair. Is there a problem that I’m on a first-name basis with him?

Mom turned from the sink. No—

Yes, Gramma interrupted.

Mom glared at Gramma.

Gramma studiously ignored her.

But Gramma, Sarah leaned against Gramma in solidarity. She also calls Dr. Sawyer by his first name.

This ongoing feud in my family over my choice of male friends was getting tedious. Blood would start flowing soon.

Fine. I closed my laptop. I would shop for cars later.

Gramma’s lips pressed into a line. She patted me on the hand and gestured to my laptop. Sorry, dear girl. We are interfering. Keep doing your research.

At least she recognized it. No one else at the table looked the least bit chagrined.

Giving everyone a warning look, I opened my laptop again.

Just don’t go to that crook Allen, Gramma said.

Mother! What is wrong with Herbert Allen?

Other than being a crook? Well, he’s rude, obnoxious, holier-than-thou, controlling, egotistical—

That’s enough, Louisa, we get your point, Dad said.

Oh no, I’m on a roll now. Where was I?

Egotistical, Sarah prompted her.

Egotistical, arrogant, thieving—

Mother, please.

—and nobody likes him.

I don’t like him, Mary! Winston sat at my feet, his tail sweeping along the floor. He looked expectantly at my lap. I scooted back so he could jump up.

He turned around a few times before sitting down right in front of me to stare at the laptop. It was hard to see around his head and ears.

See? Winston agrees! Gramma said with a sweep of her hand.

Jolene glanced at me. I shook my head.

Jolene was the only one in my life who knew I could talk with my dog, ever since getting struck by lightning gave me the ability to talk with animals.

To her credit, she has kept this a secret. That’s a major accomplishment for her. She loves to gossip as much as Gramma.

Perhaps I should share this with my family. The longer it went on, the harder it would be to keep this quiet. They wouldn’t judge me, although they may question my sanity. Jolene used to.

She may still question it, in fact.

Dad rested a hand on my shoulder. You know your mother and I would be more than happy to cosign a loan for you.

Thanks, Dad. I covered his hand with mine. That means a lot. I’d like to try to do this on my own. My credit may be solid enough. If it isn’t, then I’ll ask for help.

Just don’t be too stubborn to ask. Gramma shook her pen at me.

I promise. I won’t. I looked up at Dad. Would you be willing to go with me to shop for cars?

Do you think I’d let you go alone? He squeezed before he let my shoulder go. "Do you think your mother would let you go alone? Let me know when you want to go and I’ll clear my schedule."

It wasn’t that I couldn’t get my own car. This was the deep south and older men from a certain generation tended to defer to the men in a woman’s life. Even if today most people were more progressive about those things, it was still a reality.

If my dad could help run interference to keep a car salesman from ripping me off, I would be a fool to turn down the opportunity.

Are you two going to the town meeting tomorrow night? Gramma slid her pad over to me. Listed in her perfect penmanship was a list of vehicles. They’re discussing the budget.

Mom nodded. Priscilla wanted someone to go with her, so Galen and I will be there.

She’s not going to do anything foolish, is she? Gramma asked.

What on Earth would she do that is foolish, Mother?

Even nice people do foolish things. I’m just making sure.

I let their conversation drift to the background as I reviewed Gramma’s list of cars.

They weren’t old vehicles either. She listed makes and models and even years. Beside each line item were points of pros and cons to the vehicle. I glanced at Gramma, then waved the pad at Jolene. This has your fingerprints all over it. Are you trying to influence my decision?

Jolene huffed out a breath. I just want you to be aware of the pitfalls of some of the cars out there on the market.

It was easy to forget that Jolene was a car nut. Not many people knew that about her. She didn’t fit the type. In high school, she dated a muscle car aficionado. It was never clear if she actually liked the guy or she liked the fact that he made her father’s blood pressure rise. I gave her a smile. Thanks for looking out for me.

I expect you to work for my expertise, Jolene said. I’m ready to open the Hole in One and I want you there bright and early on day one, hawking at the street corner.

You just open your shop, Mom said. She wrapped an arm around Jolene’s shoulders. The customers will be there.

I hope so. Jolene leaned into Mom for comfort. Or else I just borrowed and hacked my way into debt for a failing business.

We won’t let that happen, I said. I bet I can keep your doors open all by myself.

Gramma snorted. Then don’t get a car, girl. You’ll need to walk off all that sugar.

No, she’ll drink too much coffee for that, Jolene said with a laugh. They’ll cancel each other out.

I don’t think it works out like that, I said. In any event, let’s go into the living room with Sarah and work out the schedule to share her.

I love being in demand. It means I can set my own price. Sarah swiped another cookie and took her mug to the sink. I’m getting a coke and then I’ll be in there.

I swept up the laptop and the notepad and headed to the living room. Sitting on the floor at the coffee table would give us more room to plan. Winston followed and crawled in my lap.

Jolene sat across from me. Are you sure you can afford to give Sarah up?

My client traffic had stabilized since I first opened Tangled Tails. Jolene had been a huge help in that regard. I wasn’t going to drop her in the well now. Of course. I ran the numbers last night—

You’re such a geek.

"Watch it. Before long, you’ll be the same way. You’ll still need to talk to Sarah about how much time she can give you but Gramma can fill in on the phones and take in clients if I need the extra help. I had my own one-woman shop in Charleston and a client base of show dogs that I worked with. I can handle Tangled Tails’ traffic easily. The questions for you are, what will work for you, and how soon can you get someone in your shop full-time to help you so I can have my sister back?"

I knew there was a catch.

Sarah wandered in and flopped on the floor at the end of the table. The bulk of your business is going to be first thing in the morning leading up to lunch. That’s where you’ll catch your business crowd on their way to work. And that means early mornings.

From there, Sarah and Jolene hashed out a schedule that worked and I took notes until Jolene took the pad from me. On a new sheet of paper, she started her list.

Gramma trained us well.

2

Sticker shock was a real thing. The last time I bought a car, it was used. My ex-boyfriend had gone with me and struck a really good deal. Regardless of its associated memories, I was saddened to leave that car behind. It’s what has put me in the predicament I’m in now.

Carless.

A deep part of me wanted to let Dad make the decision for me. That chafed against the independent part of me. I got to where I am by making my own decisions and I’ve done alright so far.

I’m going out into the lot to see what they have in the way of used cars, Dad said quietly. What kind of car are you looking for?

I glanced around. I haven’t made up my mind.

Hybrid?

Looking at the price tag of the Fusion next to me, I shook my head. The sticker price gave me heart palpitations. A little out of my price range at the moment. Something sporty, I guess. Like that Ranger over there, and I pointed. Even the blue is a nice shade.

You’re not limited to Fords, sweetie. He does have a nice lot of used vehicles next door.

Who are you and where is my Dad? I asked with a laugh. I thought you wanted me to buy a new car.

"Your mother wants you to have a new car so she is confident you won’t break down in the middle of nowhere."

And you know where your breakfast comes from.

He winked at me. You’re learning. Have a look around in here and see if you can get the attention of a salesman. I’ll be back in shortly.

It was a showroom. There wasn’t a lot to ‘look at’ except the year’s newest models but I obliged my dad by making a slow circuit around the floor to give each car (or truck, that Ranger really was cute) their due consideration.

I ended up back at the Ranger. If I would get a new car, this was what suited me best. Even the price was within my budget. Barely, but I could swing it. If there was an older model, that would be optimum.

What a pretty young lady like you needs is a fast car. Convertible, I’d say.

The voice behind me startled me and I jumped around to see the older salesman giving me a slow once-over and appraising the look at my ‘assets’. It set my teeth on edge. Instinctively, I folded my arms over my chest. I’m not fond of convertibles, actually. I like this Ranger, though.

Little ladies shouldn’t drive a man’s vehicle. He draped his arm over my shoulders and guided me to the black Mustang at the center of the showroom. But this would be the perfect car for you. Can’t you see yourself sprinting around the reservoir in this beauty?

I don’t like convertibles, I repeated. And I don’t sprint around the reservoir.

But you’re perfectly suited for it. He opened the door and motioned for me to get in. It’s tailor-made for a sweet young thing like you. Leave the truck to your husband.

Ugh. It was like every cliché out of the bad form textbook. I shut the door. I’m not married. And I don’t like convertibles.

"Now that is a shame. You’d be a perfect catch for any man." He winked at me