Demise in Denim by Duffy Brown Page B

office, but when he pinched my butt I hit him with my shoe and then the fire alarm went off, thank heavens. I figured you saw what was going on and pulled the alarm to save me.”
    â€œMust have been one of the employees with a conscience who saw what was going on. Why would Dixon do such a thing and not think you’d go to the cops or at least tell someone what the jerk’s like?”
    â€œHe said no one would believe the likes of trampy me over the sophisticated likes of him, but at least I’m okay now. I lost my shoe in the chaos and worked up an appetite, but as soon as I get a meat loaf sandwich from Parkers with extra provolone I’ll be fit as a fiddle. An apple a day maykeep the doctor away, but we all know that meat loaf from Parkers is good for the Southern soul.”
    I added an amen because it seemed fitting, and then we headed down Drayton. We pulled into Parkers, where a body can fill up their car and themselves all at one stop. Chantilly kept the Jeep running and I knew the deli squad well enough to ask for asap service; five minutes later Chantilly and I were at Emmet Park under the massive oaks in front of the Old Harbor Inn munching meat loaf and slurping Diet Coke to offset the calories from the extra provolone.
    â€œSo tell me this wasn’t all for nothing,” Chantilly said around a mouthful. “Did you find Dixon’s IOU to Conway? If Dixon killed Conway he wouldn’t have to pay it off, and that sounds like motive to me.”
    â€œThings are little more complicated.” I slurped up a chunk of meat loaf. “I found a picture of Conway with Boone’s mom, and she was holding him as a baby. The photo was taped under Dixon’s desk along with a .38 Special. That means Dixon knew Conway was Boone’s dad long before two nights ago, and my guess was Dixon was blackmailing Conway. The money wasn’t a loan from Conway; it was a payoff. As much as Dixon is a creep and a letch and basically loathsome in every way, this kind of kicks him out as murdering Conway. I mean, why would he kill the goose that lays the golden egg?” I took another bite of my sandwich, and Chantilly dropped hers in her lap.
    â€œHoly freaking tomatoes and I’ll be a monkey’s uncle,” she said on a long exhale. “I never saw that one coming. I wonder how Dixon found out about Conway and Walker, and how did he get the picture?”
    â€œConway and Dixon had offices next to each other; maybe he overheard something. Maybe he snooped.”
    Chantilly licked a glob of provolone off her thumb and picked up her sandwich. “Maybe Conway got tired of Dixon’s threats and refused to pay, and Dixon killed him. That guy is no Southern gentleman, I can tell you that. I’m mighty glad someone pulled that fire alarm. Not that I couldn’t have gotten out on my own, but with the added commotion I didn’t cause a scene.”
    Chantilly polished off her sandwich. “I’ve got to get back to Rachelle; she’s cooking up a storm at the shop and I’ve had the pulled pork simmering since last night. We’re catering a light dinner for the Adkins family and close friends tonight after the wake. Business is really good.”
    â€œIf you got caught in this dress at the Plantation Club, it might not be so good.”
    Chantilly batted her eyes. “Honey, you’re forgetting this is Savannah; everyone around here loves a touch of scandal now and then, and our business would probably double. Besides, no one can resist my pulled pork and mac and cheese.”
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    Chantilly dropped me at Cherry House, and the Abbott sisters headed for home to rest up and gargle in preparation for the evening activities. I hung up the latest clothes brought in, then locked up the Fox at five and fed and watered BW. Going with the idea that anything was better than my two-toned hair that everyone saw fit to tell me