Lucinda invited Abby to go with her to the kitchen garden. “We need some nice ripe tomatoes and a few carrots for tonight’s salad, and I think you are the right woman for the job.”
Abby raised her arms muscleman-style. “Yes, I am. And don’t forget that we have Fluffy. Rabbits are excellent at eating carrots, so they must be excellent at pulling them, don’t you think?”
As soon as Lucinda, Abby, and Fluffy went out the back door, Elton excused himself to head for the library, but not before reminding us he was ready to drive at a moment’s notice.
Marla Mae was cleaning dishes off the table when Dolores spontaneously grabbed her wrist. “I hope that Willis, wherever he is, knows that he has left me in good hands. You and Lucinda have done so much to help make this horrible time bearable. I hope you will consider staying on after . . . after everything is settled.”
Marla Mae flushed with pleasure. “Yes, Miss Dolores, I will indeed.”
Dolores turned to me. “And you. Jessica, how can I ever repay your many kindnesses? This was supposed to be a get-together with lots of gossip, reminiscing, and shopping. Glad as I am that you are here, I know this isn’t what you expected.”
This was the first time since I’d given her the terrible news that Dolores seemed to be aware of what was going on around her. I took that as a sure sign she would be able to cope with the coming days.
“I am glad to be here, especially under the circumstances. Having friends and family around me when Frank died was a great comfort.” I changed direction. “Now, I need a small favor from you.”
“Anything, Jess.”
“Could you unlock the office? I left a couple of things in there and I’d like to get them.”
“That’s an easy one.” Dolores slapped her pocket. “The key is right here.”
As we walked from the kitchen, she lowered her voice. “So, what do you think Clancy is really up to? Picking up some clothes. Ha.”
“Now that you mention Clancy, there is something I have been wondering about.” I nodded my head toward the office door. This was a discussion that needed privacy.
Dolores unlocked the door, and I made sure it was firmly closed behind us. Rather than chance my getting lost in our conversation and missing out on reading the files, I went directly to the first file drawer and pulled out the two folders. It was a major relief to see they were right where I had left them. Dolores watched me put them on a side table and take a seat in a guest chair.
“What is so special about those file folders?” she asked.
“I don’t know, exactly. They seem to have something to do with Willis’s businesses and I thought there might be some information that would help the sheriff.”
“I have more important problems.” Dolores crossed her arms and started to pace. “I’m afraid Clancy is going to cut me off from seeing Abby. That would be just like him. And it would break my heart.”
“Oh good heavens, no. I doubt he will do that, at least not until all of Willis’s financial affairs are settled. Clancy is shrewd enough to want to know where he stands before he does anything rash. I do have some questions about Clancy but they have nothing to do with your relationship with Abby. I am curious about . . . well, about his drinking.”
Dolores glanced around the room as if she expected someone, perhaps Clancy himself, to have sneaked in while we were talking. She took a step toward Willis’s desk chair but then opted for the visitor’s chair next to mine. She looked perplexed. “His drinking?”
“Dolores, please, it may be nothing. But I did notice that at dinner the night I arrived he seemed to imbibe rather heavily.”
“Well, he may have had a bit too much to drink but he was staying over, so what would it matter?”
“There’s more. In fact, if Willis knew he may have told you and I am starting a big fuss for nothing.” I took a deep breath. “Clancy has been arrested twice . . .”
Chapter Eighteen
Arrested? Dear Lord. Will he have to go to jail?”
“I don’t know. Both arrests were for drunk driving. He was convicted once and is awaiting adjudication for the second arrest.”
“Drunk driving! How could he possibly drive under the influence? He drives Abby everywhere. School. Playdates. Dance class. How can he put her in that kind of danger?”
“We don’t know any details yet. It is quite possible that he drinks when he is out socially at places where Abby isn’t with him, or wherever.” That sounded lame even as I said it.
“Even so, he could kill himself and leave Abby an orphan. I don’t even know what guardianship arrangement Clancy has made for her. Now that Willis is gone and Clancy has no family to speak of, I should step forward. I’ll do that right now, as soon as he comes back.”
Dolores was ready for action much sooner than I had anticipated. I should have realized that if she thought Clancy’s drinking would affect Abby, she would move with lightning speed.
“Dolores, please, slow down. There’s a lot to consider before you run off and talk to Clancy. For one thing, he is going to wonder how you know.”
“How do I know? You told me, not five minutes ago. That’s how I know.” She pondered for a couple of beats, and then asked the obvious question. “How did you find out?” She looked at the file drawers. “Did Willis have copies of the arrest records squirreled away?”
“Not that I know of. I haven’t finished looking through the file drawers, but so
